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/ 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 
 
 OF- 
 
 Central Pennsylvania, 
 
 INCLUDING THE COUNTIES OF 
 
 Centre, Clinton, Union and Snyder, 
 
 CONTAINING 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF PROMINENT AND REPRESENTATIVE 
 CITIZENS, AND OF MANY OF THE EARLY SETTLED FAMILIES. 
 
 ILLUSTR AT E D 
 
 CHICAGO; 
 J. II. BEERS & CO, 
 
 1898. 
 
PICMM THE PB1 V 111 MI'lIKi: 
 
 i <M liTII - I . I .... \ -- 
 
 ■ 
 
 i 
 
F^RE^^GEX 
 
 THE importance of placing in book form biographical history of representative citi- 
 zens — both for its immediate worth and for its value to coming generations — is ad- 
 mitted by all thinking people; and within the past decade there has been a grow- 
 ing interest in this commendable means of perpetuating biography and family genealogy. 
 
 That the public is entitled to the privileges afforded by a work of this nature needs 
 no assertion at our hands; for one of our greatest Americans has said that the history of 
 any country resolves itself into the biographies of its stout, earnest and representative citi- 
 zens. This medium, then, serves more than a single purpose; while it perpetuates biogra- 
 phy and family genealogy, it records history, much of which would be preserved in no 
 other way. 
 
 In presenting the Commemorative Biographical Record to its patrons, the pub- 
 lishers have to acknowledge, with gratitude, the encouragement and support their enter- 
 prise has received, and the willing assistance rendered in enabling them to surmount the 
 many unforeseen obstacles to be met with in the production of a work of this character. 
 In nearly every instance the material composing the sketches was gathered from those im- 
 mediately interested, and then submitted in type-written form for correction and revision. 
 The volume, which is one of generous amplitude, is placed in the hands of the public with 
 the belief that it will be found a valuable addition to the library, as well as an invaluable 
 contribution to the historical literature of Central Pennsylvania. 
 
 THE PUBLISHERS. 
 

V 
 

 imp 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 EAVER. HON. JAMES AD- 
 DAMS, a gallant soldier, states- 
 man, jurist and Christian citi- 
 zen of Bellefonte, Centre coun- 
 ty, is another from that galaxy 
 of great men that noble Belle- 
 fonte — the proud home of gov- 
 ernors and distinguished men — 
 has produced, their names and deeds casting an 
 illustrious halo o'er a finished century. 
 
 Although born near Millerstown, Perry Co., 
 Penn., it remained for Gen. Beaver to lay 
 the foundation for his successes in life in Belle- 
 fonte. He has descended on his paternal side 
 from one of the most forceful, industrious and 
 successful families in Pennsylvania. A distin- 
 guished characteristic of the Beaver family 
 through generations is courage, integrity, thrift 
 and industry, and they have figured gallantly in 
 all the wars which have been fought in this con- 
 tinent for over a century and a half. In speak- 
 ing of the remarkable traits of the Beavers, a 
 gentleman of prominence said that he "was well 
 acquainted with the uncles of ex-Gov. Beaver, 
 and in all his intercourse with men he found 
 them to be more successful and having a better 
 knowledge of business than any men he knew." 
 Hon. Thomas Beaver, an uncle of the subject of 
 this sketch, now deceased, and who resided at 
 Danville, Penn., for many years during his life, 
 attained a position among the most prosperous 
 merchants and iron manufacturers of the United 
 States. While Gov. Beaver inherited valuable 
 traits from his father's side, he is also indebted 
 for much of his force, courage and industry to 
 his mother. She was one of God's noble women, 
 wise, generous, industrious, a devout Christian, 
 and was loved and respected by every one that 
 knew her. Those who knew her from childhood 
 regarded her as a most remarkable woman. Her 
 
 kind, sweet and generous disposition won the af- 
 fection and confidence of every one. One who 
 for several years resided near her home speaks in 
 the highest terms of the respect, confidence and 
 esteem she enjoyed among her neighbors and 
 friends. It was these influences, coupled with 
 his activity, energy and prominence, that have 
 been the means of elevating this illustrious gen- 
 tleman to the position of high honor and influ- 
 ence he occupies to-day. 
 
 George Beaver, the original founder of the 
 family in this country, arrived here from Ger- 
 many about the year 1740. Tradition says of him 
 that "he was a man of fine physique, marvel- 
 ous endurance, strong mind and untiring indus- 
 try. " He devoted himself with characteristic 
 energy to agricultural pursuits. His eldest son, 
 George, was among the first to shoulder a mus- 
 ket in the war of Independence, serving in the 
 4th Pennsylvania Battalion, commanded by Col. 
 Anthony Wayne. This son, after the close of 
 hostilities, married Catherine Kieffer, the sister 
 of an army comrade, and from this union came 
 Peter Beaver, the grandfather of the subject of 
 this sketch. He was born in Franklin county, 
 Penn., received a good average education for the 
 time, and when of age set up in business for him- 
 self as a tanner in Lebanon county. He soon 
 abandoned this occupation, however, and al- 
 though he afterward engaged indifferent mercan- 
 tile pursuits, seems to have devoted much of his 
 time to religious work, and he acquired consider- 
 able distinction as a local preacher of the Meth- 
 odist denomination. He married Elizabeth, 
 daughter of Samuel Gilbert, who had seen some 
 service in the Revolutionary army, and by her 
 had a large family. All of the six sons were at 
 some period of their lives engaged in general 
 merchandising in Millerstown, on the Juniata. 
 Jacob married Ann Eliza Addams, whose father, 
 
YMEMORA Tivr. BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 Abi ' lams, ! srry 
 
 county about 1811. Tw daugh- 
 
 nd, ol these, Jai 
 
 third child and fil I 
 
 Thi I the widow in 1 
 
 II Mel >onald, ol Mil 
 11, and 1 with him and ber family 
 
 unty H 
 .t the disti . but m I 
 
 d of a ' ion, th 
 
 ■t at hoi 
 ili' ma- 
 
 in | tered at 
 
 tin I nd in a remarkably 
 
 :nli. the jun 
 
 at I iurg, I which he was the 
 
 tnding in a la 
 afterward the Rev. James A 
 Reid, p 11 Church ol 
 
 Springfield, III., in a historical sketch of Ins 
 
 , bi tter known 
 
 in 1 was a little lut 
 
 11 enthu How, full of fun and pun and 
 
 pluck and frolic, who never did anything bad, 
 
 but always looked glad |ami has been grow- 
 
 he was born. 
 His usi sty has ; I him from 
 
 ing me anything from his own pen, but Ins war 
 reco himself and so well 
 
 known that then tting at the 
 
 facts. Gen. Beaver is an active and devoted 
 member of the Pr< yto in l I urch, and as en- 
 thu raJ in the Sabbath school v 
 
 ii\ of Ins coun- 
 try." I !• re we may add that in 1 Bea> er 
 b) the I i Huntii 
 lit it in ti nnial m< I be Gen- 
 
 11 Church of the 
 United l ppointed, 
 
 by the r ol the Assembly, v ice- mud 
 
 the Assembly, being the first layman in the his- 
 
 ( 'linn h whi i-d that po- 
 
 Aftl d 111 
 
 □te, and 1 Hon. 
 
 II N M Allist 
 
 I while 
 a member of th framed tin- 
 
 new n "I Pennsylvania II- 
 
 himself with sin tity t" his studies, that 
 
 |anuarj 9, when he had bat hed 
 
 Ins ma: d to the 
 
 tre County Hi^ industry and the painstal 
 
 care he e i in all his work, the fact that he 
 
 so thoroughly grounded in the p« iciples of 
 
 the law, so read} in speech and ar,^ iment, at 
 
 le an in n, and he was accounted 
 
 re than ordinary promise. 
 
 His 1 nizing his merit, and having 
 
 le could render in a 
 id important practice, took him into 
 'iip. Whili ing himself for the 
 
 Bar he joined the I T e Fencibles, under 
 
 it. Audi n to become famous 
 
 as " Pennsylvania's War Governor." Like every 
 task he undertook, Heaver put his entire smil 
 into the work, was so attentive and obedient that 
 it. 1 mi d great proficiency in 
 drill. He gave much attention to the study of 
 tactics,. occurring he was made 
 
 second lieutenant of the company. Then came 
 the war. The firing on Fort Sumter had amused 
 the loyal North, but in no instance did the Pres- 
 ident's call for 75,000 volunteers to defend 
 Washington meet with a more prompt response 
 than in the picturesque little Pennsylvania town 
 of Bellefonte. The Fencibles, indeed, had as- 
 sembled, every man equipped for active duty, 
 before the echoes of firing had died away. Writ- 
 ing to his mother at this time, we find Lieut. 
 .er saying: "A dispatch from Washington 
 that hostilities have actually begun The 
 South Carolinians fired upon the ' Star of the 
 West,' which contained supplies fm- Major An 
 derson. If this is true, which God forbid, war 
 has actually commenced. Where will be the 
 nation must be preserved. And who 
 can mistake his duty in this emergency ? I have 
 prayed for direction, guidance, and clear revela- 
 tion of duty, and I cannot now doubt where the 
 path of duty lies. It required, I will march in 
 it, trusting in God for the result. There are few 
 men situated as I am. N n dependent up- 
 
 on me, and a business which I will leave in able 
 hands. If we have a nationality, it must be con- 
 tinued, supported, upheld. If w e are oidered to 
 Washinf here, I will see you before 
 
 God bless you, my mother." "No hesi- 
 Burr, his biographer, 
 "but a sword leaping from its scabbard to do 
 battle I r country; a noble, 
 
 dy patriotism, which saw in the country's 
 peril tin ing duty."" The 
 
 Mint of militia, who took 
 this tnd w bill jit a ting, 
 
 not yet twenty-four . . but he dis- 
 
 played an a; d the situation, a fore- 
 
 sight of events, and a realization of the mighty 
 nvolved which would have done credit to 
 much oldi 
 
COMMK.Vd/.'ATirE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 The BelWonte Fencibles were mustered into 
 service as C'npany H, 2d P. V. I., Col. 
 Frederick S. Stumbaugh commanding, on April 
 21, i86i,and were immediately dispatched by 
 rail to Washington. The Confederates, how- 
 ever, by the burning of the bridge at Cockeys- 
 ville, Md., prevented further progress, and the 
 command was ordered to return to York. His 
 regiment joined the column which operated under 
 the command of Gen. Patterson in the Shenan- 
 doah Valley, being present at the skirmish called 
 the battle of Falling Waters. In July the term 
 of enlistment expired, and the men were duly 
 mustered out at Harrisburg, on the 26th day of 
 that month. Lieut. Beaver, however, had, 
 previous to his muster-out, prepared to enter the 
 service again; but this time he determined it 
 would be "for the war." Aided by Thomas 
 Welsh, lieutenant-colonel of the 2d Regi- 
 ment, of Lancaster county, and J. M. Kilbourne, 
 of Potter county, he soon organized the 45th P. 
 V. I., and it was mustered into service on Octo- 
 ber 18, 1861. At the election held for officers, 
 Thomas Welsh was elected colonel, Lieut. Beaver 
 lieutenant-colonel, and J. M. Kilbourne major. 
 On October 21st the command left camp for 
 Washington, and, shortly after its arrival there, 
 it started for Fortress Monroe, whence, on De- 
 cember 6, it sailed for Port Royal, S. C. Having 
 received orders to occupy the Sea Islands, Col. 
 Welsh divided his regiment, giving Lieut. -Col. 
 Beaver a separate command, and he was sent to 
 relieve the gallant 79th New York, at Fort 
 Walker. In January, 1862, he relieved the 55th 
 P. V. I. and part of the 7th Connecticut, then 
 stationed at Hilton Head Island. Subsequently 
 the regiment was ordered north to join the Army 
 of the Potomac after the disastrous Peninsular 
 campaign, and after a short sojourn at Newport 
 News it was assigned to guard the military rail- 
 road from Acquia Creek to Fredericksburg. Col. 
 Beaver was dispatched with the remainder of the 
 command to Brooks Station. 
 
 On September 4, Lieut. -Col. Beaver, at the 
 urgent request of his neighbors at home, and of 
 Gov. Curtin, resigned his commission in the 45th 
 to accept the appointment of colonel of the 148th 
 P. V. I., known also as the Centre County regi- 
 ment, and, with his new command, left Harris- 
 burg on September 8. His regiment was posted 
 along the Northern Central railroad during the 
 Antietam campaign, and remained in that po- 
 sition until December 10, when it was transferred 
 to the Rappahannock, and became part of the 
 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 2nd Corps. As soon 
 as the regiment arrived at the front, Col. Beaver 
 rode up to Gen. Hancock's headquarters and re- 
 
 ported his arrival. "Gen. Hancock, "he said, 
 "I have been ordered to report to you, sir, for 
 duty." "What is your regiment, Colonel?" 
 " 148th P. V. I." was the reply; "and, General, 
 while I would not presume so much as to sug- 
 gest the disposition that is to be made of my 
 regiment, I shall be glad if it could be placed in 
 a brigade of your division, where the men can 
 see a daily exemplification of the good results of 
 the soldiery discipline I have endeavored to 
 teach." The great soldier was, of course, no 
 less surprised than pleased at the enthusiasm 
 displayed by the young colonel, but could only 
 reply: " I regret to say that we have no such 
 brigade. I only wish we had. You will report 
 for duty, sir, to the commander of the 1st Bri- 
 gade of this division." It is said that the request 
 which the young officer had made led Gen. Han- 
 cock to keep a careful watch upon his future 
 course, and it was not long before he observed 
 that in camp and upon parade the regiment 
 which he commanded was a model for all of the 
 others in the brigade. Indeed, so conspicuous 
 was its excellence that long before the army was 
 again prepared for battle, Gen. Joe Hooker had 
 predicted that it would not be long before its 
 colonel would be a major-general. Gen. Han- 
 cock's estimate of him, written twenty years 
 after the incident just mentioned, may be here 
 quoted: "Gen. James A. Beaver joined the 
 first division of the 2nd Army Corps (then com- 
 manded by me) with his regiment, the 148th P. 
 V. I., just after the battle of Fredericksburg, 
 December, 1862, and served constantly under 
 my command in the 2nd Corps (save when ab- 
 sent from wounds received in battle) until the 
 fall of 1864. During that period he was en- 
 gaged in some of the most important campaigns 
 and battles of the Army of the Potomac, and 
 took a conspicuous and distinguished part in 
 many of them. I consider him one of the most 
 intrepid, intelligent, and efficient young officers 
 in our service during the war, and on several oc- 
 casions mentioned him in my official reports foi 
 valuable service and distinguished bravery. He 
 was wounded at Chancellorsville, again while gal- 
 lantly leading his fine regiment and brigade in an 
 assault upon the enemy's works at Petersburg, Va. , 
 June 16, 1864, and at Ream's Station, August 
 25. 1864. On this latter occasioi he had just 
 joined his regiment on the battlefield, and taken 
 command of the brigade to which it belonged, 
 after an absence caused by former wounds, when 
 he was struck by a musket ball which shattered his 
 thigh and disabled him for life by the loss of a leg. " 
 Col. Beaver and his regiment were soon mov- 
 ing forward to the battle of Chancellorsville, and 
 
i/JtHMOUAT/V/; lllniiliM'HICAl RKCOBD. 
 
 hardly had 1 1 1 » ■ tiring on this memorable battle- 
 field C* mmenced ere he fell, hit hard below the 
 waistband. It seemed to all about him that the 
 wound must eventually prove fatal, but he de- 
 clined the services of those who sprang to his 
 ce, saying: "Go to your places; it will 
 
 be time enough to bury the dead when the hat- 
 tie is over." An hour later he ret eived the W( I- 
 come intelligence from the army surgeon that a 
 gutta-percha pencil, which had been smashed to 
 atoms, had turned the ball from its course, caus- 
 ing it to plow a great track through the lleshy 
 part of the abdomen only, and thus saved injury 
 to the intestines. He was removed to his home 
 .it Bellefonte, but before the wound was entirely 
 healed he took command of Camp Curtin, by 
 order of Gen. ("ouch, and began organizing the 
 troops which were then Hocking by the thousands 
 to H.urisburg in response to President Lincoln's 
 call for 120,000 men for the purpose of defend- 
 ing the' State ol Pennsylvania against I. re's inva- 
 sion. The satisfactory manner in which he 
 
 COmplished till .lied forth till following 
 
 compliment from Maj.-Gen. Couch, which was 
 issued in special order No. 35, July 15, 1 
 " The Major-( .eneral commanding tenders thanks 
 to Col. Beaver for the important service rendered 
 him in the organization of the troops which were 
 hurried to tin capital ami placed under Ins com- 
 mand at Camp Curtin, Notwithstanding he was 
 absent on leave in this department, on account 
 of wounds received in battle, the zeal and energy 
 he manifested in th< cause is worthy of emula- 
 tion." Many years after this. < .. 11 Couch, 
 speaking of Col. Beaver's devotion to duty at the 
 time, said: "He was a soldier who could be 
 trusted morning, noon and night." Col. Beaver 
 now made to be allowed to rejoin his 
 
 regiment, and, his request having been granted, 
 he crossed the Potomac with it and participated 
 in Gen Meade's retrograde movement from I 
 peper Court House, and in the Mine Run cam- 
 paign liming the autumn of 1863. l'art of the 
 winter and following spring were spent 
 Stevensburg, Va. On Mav 1;, he was assigned 
 to the command ol the le, 1st I Hvision, 
 
 id Corps. He participated in all the battle 
 the Wilderness campaign, and received the sur- 
 render of Gen, Stnait at Spottsylvania. In the 
 
 ult of Cold Harbor his regiment especially 
 distinguished itself for its daring and successful 
 actions, and at Petersburg, on |une 16, he com 
 manded brigade, but w rely wounded in 
 
 the firsl assault upon the works. He > 
 home, bm returned to the arm} in time to follow 
 
 division, and reached it just as it was 
 ing the t> 11 .nit of the enemy at R< am's 
 
 Station on August 2$. By direction of Gen. 
 
 cock he immediately assumed command of 
 the brigade, and had scarcely more than relieved 
 the officer in command when he received a wound 
 in the right thigh, in consequence of which it 
 was found necessary to amputate the leg at the 
 hip. The loss of his leg, of course, completely 
 incapat itated him for active service, and at his 
 own request he was honorably mustered out of 
 service on December 22, 1864, on account <>i 
 wounds received in battle, having previously de- 
 clined a detail for couit-martial duty at Wash- 
 ington. Previous to this, however, he had been 
 brevetted brigadier-general "for highly merito- 
 rious and distinguished conduct throughout the 
 campaign, particularly for valuable services at 
 Cold Harbor while commanding a brigade." 
 
 General Beaver resumed the practice of his 
 profession with his partner, Hon. H N. McAl- 
 lister, who had conducted the business during 
 his absence, and who had no superior at the bar 
 in central Pennsylvania. With both members 
 of the linn actively and devotedly engaged in 
 the practice of the profession, the business not 
 only increased but became very exacting in its 
 demands. He did not on this account, however, 
 neglect the duties which devolve upon the indi- 
 vidual citizen. Soon after his return he was in- 
 duced, for the sake of securing harmony within 
 the Republican ranks, to accept the nomination 
 for representative in the State Legislature. Cen- 
 tre county at that time gave an average Demo- 
 cratic majority of about 1,000. There was no 
 expectation that this majority could be overcome, 
 and no special effort was made i.i the canva 
 He was defeated by his Democratic competitor l>v 
 a majority of less than 150. In the following yi 
 he was informally tendered the nomination for 
 
 s in a district which was then largely R< 
 publican, the conferees of three of the counties 
 (the district being composed of five) offering t« • 
 support him for the nomination. He declined 
 to allow the use of his name, however, on the 
 
 mid that the representative of the disti 
 who was then serving in Congress had a right to 
 another term. He also refused to allow his 
 name to be used in opposition to that of Gov 
 
 ond term in 1869, although 
 fered the support of a powerful faction in Penn- 
 SJ lv ania polil 
 
 In 1S7S his name was brought forward by the 
 county convention of Centre countv as their 
 
 I i 
 not re:;. ud tln> !! for his services, and 
 
 thei id no special attention to it. and no 
 
 it was made to upport in other sec- 
 
 tion- ol the Mate His name was favorably 
 

 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 mentioned in the Republican convention of that 
 year, and although he advised his friends to vote 
 for Gen. Hoyt, whose nomination had been de- 
 termined upon, he received a number of votes. 
 This brought his name prominently before the 
 people of the State, and in the campaign which 
 followed he rendered efficient service, particu- 
 larly in the northwestern part of the State, where 
 great dissatisfaction existed. In 1880 he was 
 elected as a district delegate to the Republican 
 National Convention which convened at Chicago 
 in that year, and was unanimously elected the 
 chairman of the Pennsylvania delegation. Not- 
 withstanding the division of the delegation into 
 hostile factions, he held himself so fairly in re- 
 gard to both of them that the vote of the Penn- 
 sylvania delegation was never questioned during 
 the entire period of that exciting convention; 
 and after the nomination of Gen. Garfield he 
 was tendered by his co-delegates the unanimous 
 vote of the delegation for the Vice-Presidency. 
 Several other delegations, North and South, 
 made a like tender, and it was believed at the 
 time that he would have been nominated upon 
 the ticket with Gen. Garfield if he had not per- 
 emptorily declined to allow his name to be used, 
 giving for a reason therefor that it was neither 
 good politics to nominate a candidate for Vice- 
 President from Pennsylvania, nor had he any de- 
 sire to occupy a place in which there was little 
 opportunity for activity. At his suggestion the 
 Pennsylvania delegation decided to support any 
 candidate who might be presented by the ma- 
 jority of the delegation from New York. Gen. 
 Arthur was afterward nominated, and the result 
 is well known. 
 
 In January, 1881, a successor to Hon. Will- 
 iam A. Wallace was to be elected by the Legisla- 
 ture to represent Pennsylvania in the United 
 States Senate. Hon. Henry W. Oliver was the 
 choice of the Republican caucus. A large num- 
 ber of Republicans, however, refused to support 
 the caucus nominee, and a dead-lock ensued 
 which lasted for several weeks. Without any 
 consultation with him, and without his knowledge 
 or consent, the name of Gen. Beaver was pre- 
 sented by a representative of those who opposed 
 the caucus nominee as a compromise candidate. 
 He was named by what was known as the regu- 
 lar caucus, but owing to the manner in which 
 this was done the Independents declined to sup- 
 port him. He went to Harrisburg, assisted to 
 provide a tribunal which should name a candidate 
 to be supported by both elements of the party, 
 and then returned home. The result was the 
 nomination of the Hon. John I. Mitchell, who 
 was elected. By these means, and through his 
 
 active participation in the Presidential campaign 
 of 1880, Gen. Beaver was brought prominently 
 before the people of Pennsylvania, and in the 
 preliminary campaign which preceded the nomi- 
 nation for governor in 1882, his name was the 
 only one prominently mentioned for that nomi- 
 nation. No opposition to his nomination was 
 known to exist, and he was the unanimous choice 
 of the convention when it assembled. Dissen- 
 sions arose afterward, however, growing out of 
 alleged abuses of internal management in the 
 Republican party, which resulted in the calling 
 of an independent convention, the nomination of 
 another Republican ticket, and the consequent, 
 and inevitable defeat of both. The entire Dem- 
 ocratic State ticket was elected. 
 
 In 1886 Gen. Beaver was again elected the 
 unanimous choice of his party for the chief mag- 
 istracy of the State, and after an exciting canvass, 
 in which the Prohibition party took an unusually 
 active part, he was elected by a plurality of over 
 40,000. He was inaugurated January 18, 1887, 
 and it may be truly said that no man ever assumed 
 office with a greater or more sacred sense of the 
 obligation which he then took upon himself. He 
 entered upon his duties with a fearless determi- 
 nation to faithfully execute the laws for the whole 
 people, and his administration certainly proved 
 that no pressure or crisis ever made him swerve 
 from his resolve. His administration was char- 
 acterized by a familiarity with the conditions of 
 society, and a knowledge of the wants of the 
 people, which were acquired by an active partic- 
 ipation in their every-day life, through the varied 
 means offered him for such a purpose. Provision 
 for industrial education, in connection with the 
 common-school system of the State, was strong- 
 ly urged in his inaugural address, and throughout 
 his administration this subject received his care- 
 ful consideration, and was insisted upon on every 
 proper occasion. During his term of office a 
 commission to consider the whole question of 
 industrial education was, at his suggestion, ap- 
 pointed, and their report on the subject forms 
 one of the most important and valuable contri- 
 butions to the practical solution of this question 
 which has yet appeared. In his first message to 
 the Legislature he called special attention to the 
 necessity for improvement in the roads of the 
 State, and, as essential thereto, a reform in the 
 road laws. The subject was immediately taken 
 up by the governors of many other States, and is 
 now one of the foremost questions demanding a 
 practical and successful solution. 
 
 On May 31, 1889, there occurred in the Cone- 
 maugh Valley, on the western slope of the Alle- 
 ghanies, a catastrophe which has probably no 
 
VORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 >!ii I. by which some 3,000 livts were lost by 
 
 on oi extraordinary heavy rains, and the giv- 
 ing away of an mm. irvoir in the mount- 
 ains sustained by a dam originally built for 
 supplying the canal system "I the Mate with 
 water, and which had more lately been main- 
 tained for fishing purposes by an outing club. 
 In response t< peals made for the be- 
 
 ed and destit ute pei »ple 1 if this 1 
 three millioi lars poured into the hand- ol 
 
 the Executive, which were distributed through a 
 relief commission appointed by him. He 
 
 uned th isibility of borrowing $400,- 
 
 000, which provided, through tb 
 
 i Health, fur the removal of the debris 
 in the valley, winch, owing to the particular cir- 
 ciin 1 of the case, seriously 1 ndangen d the 
 
 health (d the remainii g inhabitants. This work 
 required months ol unusual labor and mosl care- 
 ful fore i in plan and execution. Subse- 
 quent events proved that the emei was 
 wisely and 1 1 illy met and mastered. < i 
 Beaver was deeply interested, during his official 
 term, in the project to connect the waters of Lake 
 Erie and the Ohio river by a ship-canal. He co- 
 operated very zealously with a commission which 
 was appointed by him to inquire as to the expe- 
 diency ol sin h a highwaj , and in his last m< ssage 
 to the Legislature gave 1 n to views which, 
 m the light of subsequent developments in regard 
 to thi Cana I nal system, show his grasp of 
 the subject. He said in relation to the subject: 
 " If the waters of Lake Lrie and the Ohio were 
 connected by a canal such as proposed and 
 shown to be entirel) feasible, and if the present 
 ■ inal from Albany to Buffalo were enlarged so as 
 to admit \ e links 
 would secure a chain ol inter-waterwa} commu- 
 nication between New York and New Orle 
 which would be invaluable for commercial pur- 
 poses, and in time of war would furnish an en- 
 tirely safe means of communication between 
 these important termini and all other interior 
 pomts. It would, in addition, give us con 
 defensive purposes ol our lake front, which we 
 do not now have, and which it >tful 
 whether we can secure in any other way und< r 
 present treaty stipulations. " 
 
 His was a practical business administration 
 without an)- effort at show, but with an earnest 
 ' -.ults calculated to advance 
 the welfare of the people. Rev. Dr. Keady, of 
 Alabama, who lost an arm in the Confederate 
 service, and who is a warm personal friend of 
 Beaver, at a meeting of their college class 
 in 1891, thus summed up his administration, 
 "in the words of one who watched his course 
 
 closely: 'His administration was high-toned, 
 conscientious, diligent, and clean, without even 
 the shadow 1 no! scandal or of sub- 
 
 jection to improper influences. He was consid- 
 imate interests, scrupulous in his 
 ippoiniment to office, and un- 
 flinching in Ins exercise of the veto power when- 
 
 I, even in the case 
 
 supported by his best personal 
 
 friends. lb indeed furnished a true 
 
 ami honorable type of the American citizen and 
 
 pub' i|.'" 
 
 In lie- attempt to reorganize the militia of 
 
 tin i Pennsylvania alter the war, Gen. 
 
 was appointed a major-general by Gov. 
 
 •s\ and took a prominent part in securing by 
 in and practical effort such reorganiza- 
 tion. It required great labor and persistence. 
 He with a few others, however, including Gen. 
 Hartranft. who was afterward elected governor, 
 and other general officers, gave much time and 
 
 :t. and finally succeeded in organizing the Na- 
 tional Guard ol Pennsylvania, den. Beaver was 
 continually in service 'Headier-general 
 
 or major-general, until the election of 1886, 
 when he became e.x-officio commander-in-chief, 
 and appeared at the head of the Guard at the 
 Constitutional Centennial Celebration in 1887, 
 in Philadelphia, and at the celebration of the 
 
 tennial of Washington's Inauguration in 1889 
 in New York. He was thus, either as brigade 
 or division commander or as the commander-in- 
 chief, connected with the National Guard of 
 Pennsylvania for over twenty years, and is now 
 on the honorably retired list, with the rank of 
 ma)' ral. Upon his return to private life 
 
 he again resumed the practice of law with his 
 formei law partners, | W. Gephart and Jno. M. 
 Mr. Gephart retiring from the firm in 
 
 ,, the practice was continued for a time by 
 
 vei & Dale, until the Governor retired ti 
 active practice. He was for several years pi 
 ident of the Blubaker Coal Co., which is the 
 owner of a large and valuable body of bituminous 
 Coal lands in Cambria county, Penn., and which 
 has had a phenomenal growth and development. 
 He i I of hi- State and her history, 
 
 and is an earnest and efficient advocate of an) 
 and all improvements tending to advance her in- 
 terests and the welfare of her people. He has 
 for many years i at interest in the Penn- 
 
 sylvania State Co 1 member of its 
 
 board of trustees for marls twenty-five years, 
 and is chairman of th immittee which 
 
 has practical direction ol its affairs. He has been 
 largely instrumental in aiding in the wonderful 
 development of this institution, which ran 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 ond to none in laying broad and deep founda- 
 tions upon which a great industrial university is 
 to be built. He has been a member of the board 
 of trustees of Washington and Jefferson College 
 — his alma mater — and of Lincoln University, in 
 Chester county, Penn., an institution for the 
 education of colored young men. He has also 
 been president of the Alumni Association of 
 Washington and Jefferson College for a number 
 of years. In college he was a member of the 
 Beta Theta Pi fraternity, and he is also a mem- 
 ber of the Phi Beta Kappa Society. In 1889 
 Dickinson College, of Carlisle, Penn., and Han- 
 over College, of Indiana, both conferred upon 
 him the honorary literary degree of LL. D. 
 
 The General possesses a large and valuable 
 library, and makes a specialty of collecting 
 books and data of all kinds relating to the war. 
 He was selected to act as grand marshal of the 
 ceremonies at Washington in connection with 
 the inauguration of Gen. Benjamin Harrison as 
 President of the United States. Like most 
 other great men who passed through the war, he 
 is strongly in favor of burying all sectional ani- 
 mosity connected with it, and in his address of 
 welcome at Gettysburg, in 1888, by the Army of 
 the Potomac, to the Confederate soldiers, said, 
 among other patriotic and appropriate remarks: 
 
 I have often busied myself in thought and have some- 
 times spoken on some phases of the question, "Do the 
 results of the war pay for its cost? " It is difficult for us to 
 look at your side of that question. It was a great price that 
 we paid on both sides for that decision. Think of the blood; 
 think of the tears; think of the treasure; think of the prop- 
 erty; look at the graves in yonder cemetery; think of the 
 scene of the conflict. Oh, what a cost! and yet, my country- 
 men, think of the result. Think of the new birth of freedom; 
 think of the new hopes and the new aspirations for the future; 
 think of the career which opens up before us as we face the 
 future; think of the generations to come; think of the herit- 
 age we are preparing for them; think of the great settlement 
 of great questions settled, and only to be settled, by the 
 sword; think of the saving of blood and of tears, and of 
 treasure, because we took up the sword, and did not leave it 
 for other generations who were to come after us, when feel- 
 ing would be intensified, when greater numbers would be 
 involved, and when the conflict would have been more pro- 
 longed and more deadly. The finite mind loses itself in 
 contemplation of these questions. We can bow to the de- 
 cision; and I think we are learning to say more and more, as 
 the days go by that, great as was the cost, infinite as was the 
 price, the result pays — pays now and will pay much more in 
 the future. I cannot particularize as to the questions which 
 we face — the great questions of public policy which we must 
 settle in this generation. I see a grand future for my coun- 
 try. Do I say " my country?" Your country — our country, 
 North and South. I see a great development of her material 
 resources; I see a grand upbuilding of her intellectual 
 power; I see a broad extension of her influence among the 
 nations of the eat th; I see her glorious flag floating at the 
 topmast in every harbor of the world; I see the principles 
 upon which she is founded, extending and deepening and 
 widening for the benefit of mankind; I see the glorious Chris- 
 tianity which underlies and characterizes her civilization, car- 
 ried by human lips of her commissioning throughout the world, 
 for the healing of nations. And, as this vision arises, the ques- 
 tion is not " What of the past? " but " What of the future? " 
 
 How shall we meet its responsibilities? How shall we an- 
 swer its demands? How shall we rise to the heights of its 
 great possibilities? O, my countrymen of the Gray and of 
 the Blue, these are the questions about which we should be 
 concerned. And because the consideration of these ques- 
 tions is pressing and imminent, we who wore the Blue have 
 invited you men who wore the Gray, to join us here on this 
 historic field. We welcome you because we need you; we 
 welcome you because you need us; we welcome you because 
 we together must enter in and possess this future, and trans- 
 mit this heritage to the oncoming generations. Are we 
 ready? If go, "Let the dead past bury its dead." 
 
 In July, 1895, Gov. Beaver was appointed 
 Judge of the Superior Court of Pennsylvania, 
 which had been authorized by an Act of the Leg- 
 islature then lately passed. He was subsequently 
 nominated by the State Republican Convention 
 for the full term of ten years from January, 1896, 
 and was elected at the general election in No- 
 vember which followed. Judge Beaver at his 
 home is looked upon as a most exemplar)' citizen 
 and no one takes a deeper interest in the affairs 
 of his home town. Some five years ago he was 
 elected by a handsome majority at the borough 
 election as one of the councilmen of the borough, 
 and was one of the most active workers in that 
 body. He is a bright example for any young 
 man. He is the embodiment of Christian cour- 
 age, of all that goes to make a true and pure life. 
 His time, his talents, his money, have been sac- 
 rificed for the good of his country, his State and 
 his home community. Still in the strength of a 
 noble manhood, with a will to work, and intelli- 
 gence to direct, he will continue to fill the same 
 position of usefulness while he lives. When the 
 true worth of this illustrious citizen is fully ap- 
 preciated, no citizen in the history of this Com- 
 monwealth will occupy a more exalted position 
 in the annals of the State than Ex-Governor and 
 General and Judge James A. Beaver. 
 
 On December 26, 1865, Judge Beaver was 
 united in marriage to Miss Mary Allison McAllis- 
 ter, daughter of the late Hon. H. N. McAllister, 
 of Bellefonte. She is a lady of fine culture and 
 education, and an air of refinement and taste 
 surrounds her home. An enthusiastic American, 
 she is proud of her soldier husband and his rec- 
 ord, and she has the supreme satisfaction of 
 knowing that she has proved herself a worthy 
 helpmeet to him. They have two sons living — 
 Gilbert Addams and Thomas, both bright and 
 talented young men, who give promise of useful 
 and helpful lives. A third son, Hugh McAllister, 
 died August 2, 1897. He was a very remarkable 
 young man, and although only in his twenty-fifth 
 year had accomplished more in influencing others 
 toward right living than often falls to the lot of 
 much older men. His untimely death was uni- 
 versally mourned in his home community, where 
 he was greatly esteemed and beloved. 
 
s 
 
 VOBATIYB BIOGRAPHICAL BBCOBD. 
 
 SENATOR HENRY H IK I KIN. ol Belle- 
 Eonte, Centre county, died at the "Merchants 
 Hotel" in Philadelphia, November 8, 1849. He 
 
 was the lirst white child born in Bellefonte, in 
 the year 1798, a printer !>\ ion, and for 
 
 many years editi I lefonte Patriot. He 
 
 was a member "I the 1 louse in 
 
 lator in 1826 for fudge Burnside's ui 
 term, and Senator in 1831 $5 He was Deputy 
 Secretary <>t the Commonwealth (nun 1839 4-. 
 and fron (.8. At the close of his life he 
 
 was superintendent oi the rub Mini the 
 
 Inclined Plane. He was buried at Harrisburg, 
 according to his own reqt 
 
 HON JollN IK ILDEN I IRVIS, who diedat 
 his home in I" Noveinl 
 
 of the town- mosl prominent 
 and distinguished citizens. He was descem 
 from Puritan ancestry upon both his lather's and 
 In- mother's side, the original ancestor o( the 
 Orvis family being among the emigrants in the 
 second vessel thai landed on the shore- of New 
 England in 1653. The family subsequentlj re- 
 moved to O mnecticut. 
 
 |' se Orvis (1), man} years befon the Re- 
 volution, removed fr Connecticut to the state' 
 
 oi New York Several of his sons served in the 
 armies ol the United States in the Revolution. 
 Jesse Orvis (2), the youi >n, born in 1774, 
 
 married Susan Holden, and removed with his 
 family to Tioga county. Pennsylvania, in 1806. 
 Prior to this. Jesse Orvis (3 . their third son, 
 was born April 4, 1 s< >.) [esse • (rvis (3) married 
 Elizabeth Rowley, the seventh child of I>r 
 Reuben Rowley, who served with personal and 
 professional credit in the Revolutionary armj 
 a surgeon. The Do< tor - home during the war, 
 and for some years subsequently, was in the pi 
 ent State oi Vermont. Having married Susan 
 Campbell, he removed, in 1803, from Vermont, 
 to the vicinity of Albra, Bradford Co., Penn. 
 I >i Rowley died July 6, 1834, in his eighty- 
 third year; and his wife on February 1 ^. 1840, 
 m her eighty- in si year. 
 
 The children of Jesse Orvis (3) and wife were: 
 Rev. Edward Everett Orvis, a distinguished 
 divine in the Christian Church; Susan, married 
 to Samuel Gillette; Lydia, married to Francis 
 Warner; Irene, married to Victor Gillette; John 
 Holden, subject of this sketch; Jesse Kilburn; 
 Augusta, married to Nathan McCloskej ; and Sam- 
 uel, who died in childhood. The mother, Eliza- 
 beth, died March 2, 1S42. a victim of an epi- 
 demic, and Jesse Orvis (3), in 1844, married El- 
 mira Austin Prior to 1850 he lost his property 
 
 in Tioga county by reason of some defect in the 
 original title. Impoverished and somewhat dis- 
 
 rtened b\ this event he, in 1853, removed 
 with I md wife and their children to Harris- 
 
 ville, Wis., where he resided until his death in 
 when he was aged seventy-eight. 
 
 John Hidden Orvis was born in Sullivan, 
 Penn. Owing to his mother's un- 
 timely death, followed by the financial misfortunes 
 of his father, he was forced at an early age to be- 
 gin his own support. While yet a boy of twelve 
 
 rs, he came to reside in Howard, Centre 
 
 nty, with bis half-brother, Orrin T. Noble; 
 attended the common schools and at the early 
 
 of fifteen years became a school teacher in 
 t 111 tin township, and as such assisted in the or- 
 ganization of the first teachers' institute of the 
 
 nty, at Oak Hall, October 1, 1850. In 1S51 
 he went to Baltimore, and there learned the art 
 of printing in the office of R. J. Thachett. 
 From thence he went to Chester county, Penn., 
 when- he worked at his trade near New London, 
 and attended a term at the New London Acad- 
 emy Returning to Centre county, he followed 
 his trade of printing, also teaching school, notably 
 
 term, 1853 54, at Rock Hill school house, in 
 Harris township. Just before this he took charge 
 of an engineer corps for the purpose of running 
 .111 experimental railroad line lor the P. & E. K. 
 K. west through the Brush Valley narrows into 
 Centre county past the villages of Rebersburg, 
 Centre Hall and Oak Hall, and ending near the 
 present site of the Pennsylvania State College. 
 This he did to the sal 1 of his employers, 
 
 but the line was never adopted It is said that 
 this was the first railroad survey in Centre county. 
 In public schools he was noted for his infallibility 
 
 1 speller, and was the wonder of his school- 
 mates in mental arithmetic. In his academic 
 course of one month at a little academy in Ches- 
 ter county, he began algebra, then to him an 
 unknown science, and passing rapidly two classes, 
 finished the higher algebra with the graduating 
 class at the end of four week- About the same 
 time he recited the nine books of geometry in 
 nine lessons, concluding in so incredibly a short 
 period of time tin work of several years in the 
 ordinary academic training of boys. He always 
 intended to make the law his profession, and 
 when nineteen years old arranged to read under 
 the tutor-hip of Nathan L. Atwood, of Lock 
 Haven. He was born a lawyer. Every instinct 
 of his nature led him to it; during his preparation 
 he drank deeplv from the wall-springs of the En- 
 glish common law; Coke was an especially fav- 
 orite, and he familiarized himself with the lead- 
 ing cases and decisions of the great chancellors 
 
^V7^. }C- £W^/ 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 and judges of the English courts. He also 
 thoroughly acquainted himself with the intrica- 
 cies of special pleading and of technical practice, 
 so that when he was admitted to the Bar in 
 February, 1856, then just of age, he was grounded 
 in all the general principles of the common law. 
 As soon as admitted, he mapped out and entered 
 upon a wide range of legal, political, historical 
 and forensic literature. His memory was so re- 
 markable that he could repeat long poems, such 
 as "Lalla Rookh", or the "Lady of the Lake". 
 His voluminous reading was done in the early 
 years of his married life. So intense was his 
 application to his books that at one time he al- 
 most lost his eyesight; this happened particularly 
 from his reading aloud to his young wife the five 
 volumes of Macaulay's "England" in four weeks 
 time. So retentive was his memory that what 
 he had read in early years became part of his 
 mental self, and he retained the power of apt 
 quotation from the masters of English literature, 
 that, while rarely indulged in, always surprised 
 his audience. 
 
 At the time of his admission the Clinton 
 County Bar was composed mostly of men not far 
 advanced in life, and he at once took a leading 
 position among them. He read deeply and care- 
 fully the laws of the State, for the purpose of 
 familiarizing himself with the lines of decisions 
 in the Pennsylvania courts. In this he was so 
 successful that in later years no leading case or 
 general principle laid down in Pennsylvania could 
 be sprung upon him as a surprise. So complete 
 was his work in this direction that, when ques- 
 tioned upon it by a brother lawyer within a year 
 before his death, he stated that "he believed he 
 could truthfully say, and without egotism, that 
 he was acquainted with all the leading legal 
 principles laid down and reported by the Supreme 
 Courts of Pennsylvania from the beginning of the 
 Commonwealth to the present time." Yet he 
 was not so engrossed in the law but that he did 
 not deeply interest himself in.the political wel- 
 fare of his country. His family had been Dem- 
 ocratic from the time of Jefferson. He there- 
 fore naturally identified himself with the great 
 party, and just as naturally took a prominent 
 part in shaping its councils in the county of 
 Clinton. During the intense agitation preced- 
 ing the war of the Rebellion he took a conserva- 
 tive view of the Calhoun doctrine, and advocated 
 the rights of the States as opposed to the ex- 
 treme views of the opposite party. While doing 
 this, he did not sympathize with armed rebellion. 
 When, in 1 86 r, President Lincoln made his his- 
 toric call for the three-months' men, John Hol- 
 den Orvis at once responded, leaving his prac- 
 
 tice and his family, and enlisted as a private 
 soldier in Capt. Jarret's company raised in Lock 
 Haven. This company was attached to the nth 
 P. V. I., and at once went to the front. Mr. 
 Orvis was engaged in the battle of Falling Wa- 
 ters, the first of the bloody drama that followed, 
 and by his side was killed the first Union soldier 
 in actual fight. As his company was held in re- 
 serve a few miles away from the battle of Bull 
 Run, he was saved from sharing in the doubtful 
 honor as well as danger of that great defeat. 
 He was a good soldier, and performed good serv- 
 ice on the Potomac and in the vicinity of Mar- 
 tinsburg, Va. Unfortunately, from exposure to 
 the fierce heat of the early summer, he received 
 a sun-stroke that for a time rendered him unfit 
 for service. He returned home at the end of his 
 service in the uniform of a lieutenant, and held 
 a promotion to a captaincy. He resumed his 
 practice at Lock Haven, and in December, 1862, 
 removed his family to Bellelonte. At the first 
 court in December he took charge of twenty-five 
 cases and won twenty-four, losing only one. 
 The great ability with which he conducted the 
 cases, and the remarkable success that crowned 
 his efforts, placed him at the head of the Bar, 
 where he had but one rival, the late Hon H. N. 
 McAllister. Mr. Orvis at once formed a part- 
 nership with the Hon. C. T. Alexander, subse- 
 quently State senator from the district — a part- 
 nership that remained undisturbed until the 
 elevation of Mr. Orvis to the Bench. Before 
 the law firm was dissolved, it was enlarged by 
 the addition of Mr. C. M. Bower. 
 
 Being an ardent Democrat, and finding the 
 county in the hands of Republican office holders, 
 he earnestly threw himself into the work of re- 
 forming and reviving the Democratic party. Be- 
 tween the terms of court he zealously advocated 
 the principles of his party in every village of the 
 county, and demonstrated his powers as a polit- 
 ical organizer by at once changing the Democratic 
 minority to a strong and unfailing majority. He 
 was the author of the rules which govern the 
 party organization to the present time. It was 
 his leadership, zeal and service that, more than 
 other causes, saved the county to his party. In 
 1872 he was unanimously nominated by his party 
 to the State Legislature, and that fall was elected 
 by a flattering and decisive majority; this election 
 permanently settled the numerical supremacy of 
 his party in Centre county. As a member of the 
 Legislature he immediately rose to the front. 
 His party instinctively gave him the leadership 
 on the floor. The State administration, though 
 of opposite party affiliation, consulted with him 
 upon all proposed important legislation of a non- 
 
Ill 
 
 I OMMBMORATIVB BIOOBAPHIOAL RECORD. 
 
 partisan character, ami in fact entrusted him with 
 the introduction and conduct "f most important 
 bills. His work in the committee-room and on 
 the floor becami it that he was i ompelled 
 
 t<> employ a privati ' pay him ;i 
 
 salary equal to his ow n • that he 
 
 ved th> pei pple without c pensation 
 
 and ;it In-- i >wn ifice 
 
 immediate!- led the adoption of the new 
 
 constitution, that has I much 
 
 late. 1 ruption, he was irily 
 
 thrown in opposition to a i corrupt and 
 
 iiiic|intoiis hills mostly of a private nature, now 
 foi I ssible. With the al 
 
 a lynx hi i ry job, and danger- 
 
 ously corru] r," and with the boldness of 
 
 a lion opposed and them in the Hoi 
 
 In the midst ol unusual legislative corruption he 
 commanded the n 
 
 came out ol his term without a suspicion on the 
 - i Ins enemies. In 1 873 he was re nomi- 
 nated and re elected by a phenomenal majority. 
 He rei eived the compliment of his party's no 
 nation foi the speakership, and was the acknowl- 
 
 ed Demi aderonall partisan questii ins 
 
 and the acknowledged leader ol the House upon 
 
 all non-partisan 1 s. During this session he was 
 
 more than usually active in attacking and pun- 
 ishing bribery in the ''lobby" and the "hou 
 exertions which lead the impeachment and expul- 
 sion of the most guilty. 
 
 ( >n the creation ol th< il Addil i 
 
 Law Judge b) Ai t ol the Legislature "l April 9, 
 1S74, m the district composed ol the counties of 
 Centre, Clearfield and Clinton, the membei 
 the three bars, without regard to politii 
 ations, unanimously petitioned the Governor to 
 appoint Mr. Orvis. In obedience to this demand, 
 ■nu\ in grai 1 lul rei ognition ol his merits and dis- 
 tinguish 13 a p ilitical opponent, < rov. 
 Hartranft appointed him to the judgeship. Judge 
 
 ( )r\ is accordingly accepted the apj itment.and 
 
 tendered his resignation from th< I 
 In November following he was elected by the 
 people to the judgeship foi a period ol ten years, 
 His elevation to the Bench was an epoch in the 
 criminal history ol the di sti ii I I le immedi 
 reduced the number of drinking places in the dis- 
 trict, cutting down those in Bellefonte from over 
 twenty to three. After his first court his name 
 
 r to evil-doers ; the pi dice v 
 made efficient; the public were notified and 
 
 SUred that criminals would he punished, and un- 
 der the efficient assistance of Col. Spangler, I 
 district attorney, long trains of criminals w 
 convicted ol mo is crimes and sentenced 
 
 to the severest penalties of the State. Judge 
 
 Orvis smote crime with an iron hand. He did 
 rushed and destroyed it. During the 
 1 years oi his term, the criminal weeks under 
 Ins administration ceased to become features of 
 Ins court, while terms would go by without seri- 
 that the office ol district attorney 
 actuall) became profitless. Judge Orvis was the 
 igency in the central part of 
 Pennsylvania. His greatness as a judge mani- 
 more particularly in the trial of civil 
 B) his fairness and impartiality he at 
 once ii himself the friendship and compan- 
 
 ionship of all the members of the Bar. He was 
 in no sen-.,- a 1 lie was a great 
 
 judge, because while giving due deference to the 
 ms ol the Supreme Courts, he 
 mad'- his own rulings in harmony with the eternal 
 prim ! law and justice. Before his eleva- 
 
 tion to the ip his competitors acknowl- 
 
 1 him to be a good lawyer, on the Bench 
 they found him to be a great one. As Gov. 
 Beaver sai 1 of him in the memorial service held 
 hv tie \ of the State: "Judge Orvis 
 
 only knew the law, but he knew what the 
 law ought to be." So that when the circum- 
 anded it, he did not hesitate to start 
 out in new lines and lay down general principles 
 mantwith human reason, but heretofore un- 
 announced 111 the hooks. For this reason ap- 
 5 from his decision to the Supreme Court 
 have established an unusual number of leading 
 principles \<n few minds could reflect better 
 than his the legal thoughts and language ol the 
 oldei judges, but it was not the cold reflection of 
 • satellite; his mind glowed 
 with its ow 11 internal heat and warmth, and shone 
 with self-created and luminous knowledge. It 
 he that first settled the principle that where 
 lands were divided by a county line, the tax sales 
 ounty would convey title to the land only 
 within its boundaries It was also he that 
 checked the Supreme Court in its tendenc) to 
 destroy the old common-law principle relative to 
 the character and nature of negotiable papei 
 It was also Judge Orvis thai established and for- 
 mulated many of the leading principles of land 
 location in what was probably the most compli- 
 stem of land law in the world. To be a 
 I land lawyer in Pennsylvania requires extra- 
 ordinary intellectual power and labor When 
 one is a great lawyer, such as fudge Orvis was, 
 he is necessarily a mental 1 enon. The 
 
 general reader ca the lorceo'f this un- 
 
 less he has watched the ci on eject- 
 
 ment in the county, lasting for weeks and months, 
 involving knowledge of the most complicated 
 and artificial system of trial ever invented \<\ 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 11 
 
 man, with a mastery over a myriad of technical 
 points of original locations, of engineering, sur- 
 veying, woodcraft, botany, topography, drafting, 
 and of new and ancient titles marvelous to even 
 the most initiated. All these must one be and 
 have to be a great land lawyer. When Judge 
 Orvis died he was the greatest land lawyer in the 
 State. It was he who presided over the cele- 
 brated ejectment brought by Burley against the 
 Houtz heirs, which involved property to the 
 value of millions of dollars, and it was his charge 
 in that celebrated case that has been adopted by 
 the profession of the State as the best text-book 
 of land law in existence. In obedience to the 
 demand for it from every section of the State he 
 was obliged to have it printed in pamphlet form 
 for general distribution. 
 
 About 1873 Judge Orvis was elected a trustee 
 of the Pennsylvania State College. The fortunes 
 of this institution were then languishing. It had 
 been an experiment in the line of higher educa- 
 tion to the agricultural and mechanical classes in 
 the direction of their particular trades and occu- 
 pations; the experiment up to that time had 
 proved a failure. The idea which had given 
 birth to the college had been lost sight of, and it 
 had sunk to the level of an ordinary preparatory 
 school; the general sentiment was that the 
 scheme had proved a failure, and that the insti- 
 tution should be abnndoned. In addition to 
 these discouraging circumstances, it was over- 
 whelmed with an indebtedness both funded and 
 floating. The college had, however, a few warm 
 and faithful friends; these men — like Gen. 
 Beaver — pursuaded Judge Orvis to 
 self in the fortunes of the college, 
 he was elected a trustee, and from 
 his death he gave his best thoughts and purpose 
 and much of his time to the college. Judge Or- 
 vis and his co-trustees at first met with many 
 obstacles, yet they never faltered. Year after 
 year without compensation they worked; slowly 
 at first, but step by step they reformed the pur- 
 poses of the institution, and brought it back to 
 its original position. Their first success was in 
 inducing the Legislature of the State to feel some- 
 thing of its responsibility by paying off the heavy 
 indebtedness contracted for the building and 
 plant itself. Conveniences being added, and its 
 income diverted to the proper channels of edu- 
 cation instead of paying interest, more and abler 
 professors were engaged, and the scope of the 
 institution enlarged. Nothing permanent could be 
 done until the right man could be secured for the 
 presidency of the institution. For years Judge 
 Orvis and its other friends felt this, and hunted 
 through the United States for their ideal presi- 
 
 interest him- 
 Accordingly 
 that time to 
 
 dent. At last they found him in Dr. George W. 
 Atherton. After some delay they induced this 
 gentleman to accept the responsibility of this 
 position, and devote his life and strength to this 
 particular work. After years of experiment and 
 trial, the trustees have the same confidence in 
 Dr. Atherton as at first. Things began to look 
 brighter for the college; more students began to 
 come; the Legislature manifested increased in- 
 terest in its protege by erecting handsome build- 
 ings and finely-equipped laboratories, until to-day 
 the institution is fast becoming the pride of the 
 great State of Pennsylvania. Judge Orvis' am- 
 bition for the State College was limitless. His 
 scheme for the future was a vast industrial uni- 
 versity that dazzles the imagination. While he 
 did not live to see the realization of such golden 
 dreams, he did live to see the success of his favor- 
 ite established beyond question, and doing a 
 great and acknowledged work in the line of in- 
 dustrial education. His work and services will 
 never be forgotten in the annals of this great and 
 growing institution of learning, and he will ever be 
 recognized as one of the moulding minds and 
 hands of its career. 
 
 During the great railroad strikes in 1877 that 
 paralyzed the industries of the country from 
 ocean to ocean, and were particularly dangerous 
 on the line of the Pennsylvania Company, a 
 spirit of anarchy and communism penetrated into 
 every town and county in the State; the masses 
 sympathized with the rioters and strikers, and 
 those who did not were cowed into silence. 
 Bellefonte was not exempt from this; mobs took 
 possession of her streets; sensational addresses 
 were made to excited crowds, and prominent 
 citizens were groaned at and threatened. In 
 this moment of danger some careless expressions 
 of three business men were whispered through 
 the streets and construed by the rioters into dis- 
 approval of themselves. Immediately the wrath 
 of an irresponsible mob was upon them, and they 
 were hunted down like wild beasts; stores were 
 broken into, violence used, and it was only with 
 the greatest difficulty that the men by the aid of 
 active friends escaped from violence and fled 
 from the town. The mayor of the town ha- 
 rangued the people on the streets, read the riot 
 acts, and ordered the citizens to their homes, but 
 to no purpose. His constabulary was powerless, 
 or in active sympathy with the offenders. Judge 
 Orvis, then on the Bench, took prompt and ef- 
 fective measures to meet the emergency of the 
 hour. He summoned the sheriff, explained to 
 him the gravity of the situation, and instructed 
 him to use his powers and do his duty. Under 
 his instructions the sheriff summoned several 
 
12 
 
 COMMEMtiUA TIVB BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 hundred resolute and law-abiding citizens, arm- 
 ing and emp iwering them t her- 
 iffs, and had tbem patrol tl and 
 daj I irous in 
 ceased, and the town ;it on into its 
 wonted quiet < )a tin- trial of tin- offenders in a 
 subsequent court, two « <l and 
 tenced at hard work in the penitentiary. It was 
 said at the time that Judge <>r\i- was the 
 judge in tip State that thus vindicated tin- out- 
 I majesty of the law 
 
 At the same tune, in th il v ol 
 
 Altoona, ;t similar spirit manifested its'-lf; in fact 
 in g l i iwds and still m nt and il.m- 
 
 m. ■thuds Gov. Hartranft ordered the 
 militia <>f the Mate to arms, and Maj.-Gen. 
 ■ I to take command in the city Unfort- 
 unately the railroads were in the hand- of the 
 rioters, and the transportation of troop- both de- 
 ficient and dangerous. Still mo: tunati iv 
 the members of the National Guard were badly 
 disciplined, ami too much in sympathy with t i 
 
 nist whom they had been called to arms. It 
 was a dangerous eiisis; tin- alarm of citizens was 
 increasing, tires and murders beginning to occur, 
 ami no one could forsee when and where would 
 be thi ind < .• n Beaver needed intelligent and 
 patriotic assistance. Judge Orvis. 1). II Hast- 
 ings and a few other non-militant- offered them- 
 selves as volunteers, and were grateful lj accepted 
 b) the perplexed commander fudge Orvis was 
 placed upon Gen Heaver's staff, finally ai tm 
 judge advocate. As a staff officer and in tin- 
 councils at headquarters, no one showed superior 
 discretion or courage Under these trying cir- 
 cum he displayed the same qualities of 
 
 judgment, coolness and bravery that distinguished 
 him as a jurist, and would have made his reputa- 
 tion in the battles of his country. At one t 
 it became necessary to take ammunition to a point 
 some fifty miles west ol the city; the officer in 
 i ommand sent secret intelligence of his wants to 
 Gen. Heaver, but all trains were in the hand- of 
 tin rioters, and the task of taking ammunition in 
 person was one of such imminent danger that at 
 first all shrank from it. At once fudge Orvis 
 offered himself, and Col. J. L. Spangler volun- 
 teered to be his companion. To be successful 
 meant relief to troops in danger; to be deb 
 meant exposure to personal violence if not death. 
 During the night the two men prepared them- 
 selves, and had large satchels filled with cart- 
 ridges. In the early morning gray the tun 
 friends walked with their heavy loads, and board- 
 ed the tram m the midst of suspicion and angry 
 faces. It took nerve to do this in a moment of 
 such intense popular excitement. Fortunatel) 
 
 both men had it, and without accident reached 
 in safety the place to be reliev 
 
 In [883 tie the State erected 
 
 the counties of Centre and Huntingdon into the 
 49th fudicial District, and made Judge Orvis it- 
 president judge. In November of the same year 
 voluntarily tendered his resignation of the 
 office for the purposi iming his practice of 
 
 the law. During the latter part of 1884 he 
 fon, rtnersbip with J. Frank Snyder, un- 
 
 the firm name of Orvis & Snyder, for Clear- 
 field county, and January 1, 1885, formed a 
 partnership with C. M. I Sower and his son, Ellis 
 I. Orvis, under the firm name of Orvis, Bower 
 i\: Urvis, for the county of Centre. Both of 
 
 ■ law firms continued unchanged until his 
 in the time of his resignation until 
 his last sickness, his practice was large, and 
 sinned more and more immense proportions. It 
 led him into almost every county in the State, 
 lb- tune was occupied with important lej 
 
 inents for every day for months ahead, and, 
 with the exception of short vacations in the sutn- 
 mer, his life was one of continuous legal battle 
 in the various courts of Pennsylvania. Those 
 who knew him, and had some proper conception 
 of the stupendous work he was doing, could 
 believe that one weak man could stand the 
 strain So numerous ware his engagements, 
 that in spite of all his precaution, his presence 
 would be required at the same time in widely 
 different courts; the perplexity and anxiety aris- 
 ing from this multiplicity of engagements and the 
 clashing calls upon his time would alone have 
 broken down an ordinary man. Hut Judge Orvis 
 delighted in legal strife. He loved a hard- 
 foughl legal battle, enjoyed its victories, and 
 found comparative pleasure even in honorable 
 
 it. It was because he loved his profession 
 and enjoyed the society of his professional breth- 
 ren, even when arrayed againsl him at the coun- 
 
 -e all lawyers were his 
 friends and companions, and none his rivals; it 
 was because there was no bitterness to him in 
 the victory of others, that he lived so long and 
 
 1 the tremendous strain upon his vital forces. 
 What really killed him was overwork — exhaus- 
 tion of the vital forces — whatever other name 
 physician- may see fit to give it. The uniform- 
 ity of his legal success is astonishing, considering 
 tin- extent of his practice. One reason of this is 
 that he either prepared his own cases, or had 
 them prepared by others whom he directed how 
 to do it. Another reason is that he would not 
 intentionally undertake a case he believed with- 
 out merit. Hut the main cause of his success is 
 that he entered the legal arena armed at every 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 13 
 
 point, encased in the full panoply of juridic 
 armor, and that he never failed at the right mo- 
 ment to use the weapon that would pierce his 
 adversary, if that adversary were assailable. His 
 mental resources were almost infinite, and he 
 generally took the enemy unawares; then, again, 
 it was his habit to keep strong points in reserve 
 for an emergency, so that many a time he routed 
 the other side, and convinced the judge at the 
 very moment his cause seemed weakest. His 
 last argument to the court, his last reply to his 
 opponents, his last words to the jury, were al- 
 ways his strongest and most unanswerable. His 
 argument was always strong and clear, even 
 from the start, but his clearness and strength in- 
 variably made a crescendo. His power came from 
 his intense self-reliance, as well as from his in- 
 tense truthfulness. He never misquoted a case 
 or consciously misapplied a legal principle. 
 The presiding judge as well as his opponents 
 could implicitly trust his quotation from authori- 
 ties, and rely upon his citation of cases. He was 
 too good a lawyer and too great a man to ignore 
 the decisions that seemed to bear against him. 
 With extraordinary candor he was always willing 
 to give these full weight; but his peculiar power 
 consisted in nice discriminations between the ap- 
 plication of principle to the facts in the cases 
 cited and the facts in question. More than any 
 other lawyer living, was he able to turn the 
 weapons of his opponents against themselves, 
 and use the case most relied upon by them as 
 the basis of an argument fatal to their position. 
 Many of his most brilliant victories were gained 
 because of his ability to turn the enemy's artil- 
 lery against themselves. Though some few of his 
 greatest trials were on the calendars of the crim- 
 inal courts, he was only a great criminal lawyer 
 because he was a great lawyer. That class of 
 cases was not to his taste, and it was always 
 with reluctance and under pressure that he ac- 
 cepted such; the great bulk of his practice was in 
 the trial of causes in the Court of Common Pleas 
 and Appellate Court of the State; but he was an 
 all-around lawyer. 
 
 In the drawing of the ordinary legal docu- 
 ments, the preparation of pleadings, convey- 
 ancing, in the practice of the Orphans' Court and 
 settlement of estates, in the drawing of contracts 
 between business men, in the formation and con- 
 duct of corporations and partnerships, in the 
 consultation in his private office, in the courts of 
 equity — in all alike he excelled. Though he was 
 remarkably successful in persuading the under- 
 standing of judges, he was equally so in reaching 
 the convictions of jurors. His arguments upon 
 facts were as clear and limpid as the magnificent 
 
 spring that wells up in the town of his adoption. 
 Jurors believed him because he never deceived 
 them. He had a reputation for telling them the 
 truth. He did not conceal or disguise facts that 
 were stubborn and seemed contrary to his theory 
 of the case. 'He n'ever twisted or distorted such 
 facts, but gave them their due weight, and cap- 
 tured the understanding of his hearers by giving 
 unexpected but translucent explanation of their 
 existence, thereby harmonizing them with the 
 structure he had been carefully building out of 
 the evidence and obtaining the verdict of the 
 jury. 
 
 At the memorial service it was said of him 
 that he was a master builder, that he laid his 
 foundations deep, building his walls of ponderous 
 but polished granite. His work was beautiful 
 and admirable because strong and true and en- 
 during forever. He did not delight in useless 
 ornamentation, yet it would be a wrong to him 
 to say that in his mental armory there lay only 
 the weapons of logic. He could shoot the sharp 
 arrows of satire, wit, and humor, and many a 
 fallacy has he pierced, and many a foe has he 
 abashed with his truthful wit and genuine humor. 
 Sometimes, when the occasion demanded, he did 
 not disdain the weapon of rhetoric, and when he 
 felt strongly the wrongs of some injured client he 
 would burst forth into pathos and a tremendous 
 indignation that thrilled the crowded court-room 
 and stormed the jury-box. But in the main his 
 triumphs were those of reason and a great legal 
 and judicial mind, that forced its superiority to 
 be acknowledged by all his associates and pro- 
 fessional brethren. To the world at large he was 
 known as a distinguished lawyer, a stern expo- 
 nent of justice, and the logical and invincible 
 speaker in the courts. But in the home and 
 inner circles of his chosen friends he was a differ- 
 ent personality. To the public he was a man of 
 iron; at home he was the tender, loving husbandi 
 and indulgent father. He was possessed of an 
 exceedingly delicate organism; he could not en- 
 dure the sight of pain or suffering in others. 
 Any genuine tale of woe would bring tears to his 
 eyes, and he wept with those that suffered. The 
 news of the Johnstown horror prostrated him for 
 days so that he lost his appetite and could not 
 sleep. No one that had the slightest claim upon 
 him ever failed of sympathy or came to him for aid 
 and went away refused. He was generous to 
 the detriment of his own fortune; so much so 
 that he could keep no money about his person, 
 for every one that asked received. For this rea- 
 son he did not accumulate, and was compelled for 
 the protection of his family to place all the sur- 
 plus of his earnings in life insurance. He was 
 
11 
 
 OOMMEMOHA T1VB BIOGRAPHICAL HBCORD. 
 
 remarkable in the tena< itj of his friendsh 
 
 ish comp mi 
 though many times ibis favoi was sadly abus 
 I lis charitj • ded, and 
 
 his alms munificent, though never kn 
 its recipients. 1 L in'that bore m i 
 
 mities, and kept 
 
 In early maul I he 1" 
 
 the chun h by imi 
 Fri 'in that hour until his 
 
 liis belief in the cardinal prii hris- 
 
 tian religion II Christ ief from 
 
 the outstart ol 
 
 doubt and skepticism never < .ist a shadow on his 
 clear intellect. 
 
 Jud ts married in the spin 
 
 1856 to M Carolii I th Atwo 
 
 daughter of Origen Atwbod, an iron master of 
 near Philadelphia. Their children were: Ellis 
 
 •.is, born November 16, 1857; William At- 
 wot d, In in in I lied in infai 
 
 Jennie Irene, born June 30, 1862, now the wife 
 
 Uberl I Id; Anna, born Januar) 
 
 l, now the wife of Harry Keller, a member 
 
 "I the Bellefonte Bar; and < an. inn Atw I, born 
 
 July 3, i - s 7 1 ■ I" his family Judge I »i 
 generous and indulgent to a 1 
 fathers. His home life was a peculiarly happj 
 one, and w ned with the love and ad- 
 
 miration of his wife and children. The only 
 regret in the home life w 
 
 in the line of his pro 1 work. 
 
 When at home, where he loved to be with his 
 own family, he welcomed his friends and neigh- 
 There li I qualities and 1 onvi 1 
 tional p to their best, and 1 1 
 he showed his love ■ >( music, flowers and chil- 
 dren. 
 
 ELLIs L. ( 1RVIS, son of the late Judge John 
 II. < Irvis, and junior im n the law 
 
 firm of Orvis, Bowi 1 & < >n 1-. B illefonte, Centre 
 
 '■ ity, was horn at Lock Haven, Penn . Novem- 
 
 1" 1 16. 1857. In 1 ime with the family 
 
 to Bellefonte, w here he h ded. 
 
 Mr. Orvis prepared fur college at t' 
 font' \. 1 emy, and in th'- fall "I 1 872 enti 
 th>- freshn ai "I Pennsylvania I )ol- 
 
 •-, in which institution he took I ical 
 
 course, in 1 n the Kaini tin- 
 
 best English oration, and was 
 1 1'- sul sequently t' ok a tor 
 
 one year in chemistry and modern Ian 
 L11.. r ■ 1 graduation 
 
 ■ I in survej i "11111- .put. ient 
 
 surveyor, and while lied law. 
 
 In the fall ol 1 881 1 he was admitted to the Bar of 
 
 nty, but lie still continued surveying 
 
 until the winter S4, when he purchased 
 
 an r mocrat, and became 
 
 ted with the late S I. Shugert as junior 
 
 after his connection 
 
 with that journal his health failed, and he was 
 
 tla- in wspaper business. 
 
 i and fall of 1884 Mr. Orvis spent 
 
 in th.- Rocky Mountains and along the Pacific 
 
 ling as far north as British Columbia. 
 
 While visitii National Park he had a nar- 
 
 i'nii falling into the I 
 of highway robbers. The people in the carriage 
 just ahead of the one in which he and party w 
 traveling wire attacked and "held up," and had 
 Mr. (>i\is' 1 I scattered so that the ban- 
 
 dits could not surround them, they would un- 
 doubtedly have met the same fate that befell 
 t them. 
 'in January 1. 1S.N5, Mr. Orvis became the 
 junior in. mb 1 of the law firm of Orvis, Bower 
 & Orvis, since when he has been actively en- 
 gaged in tlu- practice of law, giving his entire 
 time t" Ins ] - 11. After the d. ath of Judge 
 
 Orvis, which occurred in November, 1893, the 
 iness of tin- linn was continued by Mr. E. L. 
 is and Mr. Bower, the remaining members, 
 and they have since been able to retain the ex- 
 ive practice that they had prior to the death 
 of |udge ( li 
 
 Mr Orvis is a man of excellent character, of 
 line attainments, and, although young in years, 
 is one of the leading lawyers of Pennsylvania. 
 He 1- strong in the trial of cases before the jury. 
 and. in the presentation of questions of law to 
 the court, has no equal among the members of 
 tin Bai oi his county. In the trial of a case, 
 1 in presenting questions of law to the court, 
 he is extremely courteous, but forceful and con- 
 vim 
 
 lly he is a Democrat, but has never 
 1. In 1SS3 he was unani- 
 mously tendered the nomination of his part)- for 
 tin unty Surveyor, and was elected 
 
 by tin- hand 1 joi ity of over nine hundred. 
 
 ( >f his nomination the Watchman said: 
 
 Ellis 1 :.ir county 1 is the only 
 
 man c.f talent and edui Btion, 
 
 in the art of sui avine had 
 
 ition with the 
 1 le understands tl theoreti 
 
 iti 
 
 refill in all I lis 
 
 npliment t" I ami lie will do it 
 
 111. .. 
 
 in, in 1891, he v by a nomina- 
 
 11 by a decisive majority in this 
 
 Senatorial 1'i-tiict as a delegate to the proposed 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 15 
 
 Constitutional Convention. In both instances 
 
 these nominations came to him unsolicited. The 
 
 following complimentary notices appeared at the 
 
 time of his election as delegate: 
 
 Ellis L. Orvis, Esq., who was selected as the choice of 
 the county for delegate to the Constitutional Convention, is 
 the junior member of the law firm oi Orvis, Bower & Orvis, 
 and is well fitted for the honorable and important position. 
 He is a gentleman of quite studious habits, has keen discern- 
 ment and clear ideas, is conservative in his views and careful 
 and considerate in his actions. There would be no danger, if 
 men like Mr. Orvis are elected delegates, of rash and radical 
 changes in the Constitution to the detriment of the people or 
 injury to one's business interests in the Commonwealth. — 
 Watchman, August l}, 1891. 
 
 At the conference at Lock Haven last week Ellis L. 
 Orvis, Esq., was chosen as one of the two Democratic nomi- 
 nees of this district as delegate to the [imposed Constitu- 
 tional Convention. This is a decided compliment to our 
 young legal friend and a fitting recognition of his ability. 
 Should the Convention be established, Mr. < >rvis would serve 
 in that august body with distinction and credit to his con- 
 stituency. Though the Convention may receive little in- 
 dorsement in this district, we predict for him a handsome 
 vote.- Centre Democrat, October I. 1891. 
 
 On Christmas Day, 1884, Mr. Orvis was mar- 
 ried to Miss Mary Lowrie Lyon, a daughter of 
 S. Stewart Lyon and Ann Valentine Lyon, of 
 Bellefonte, Perm. Mrs. Orvis was born Septem- 
 ber 19, 1863, at Hazelwood, the Lyon home- 
 stead, in Spring township, Centre county. Two 
 children have come to this union: Anne Valen- 
 tine Lyon, born February 5, 1886, and Caroline 
 Elizabeth, born March 24, 1890. Mr. Orvis is 
 identified with the Christian Church, Mrs. Orvis 
 with the Presbyterian denomination. 
 
 Mrs. Orvis' grandparents on both sides have 
 been extensively engaged in developing the early 
 iron interests of Centre county. John Lyon, 
 her grandfather, was for many years a member 
 of the well-known iron firm of Lyon. Shorb 
 & Co. 
 
 Mr. Orvis is of a literary turn, and has an ex- 
 treme fondness for books. His residence, situ- 
 ated on East Linn street, is filled with a well- 
 selected and magnificent library. Much of his 
 time is spent among his books, and he is recog- 
 nized as one of the best informed and most cult- 
 ured men of Bellefonte. 
 
 HON. ANDREW G. CURTIN, late of Belle- 
 fonte. Centre county, lawyer, governor, 
 
 diplomat, member of the Constitutional Conven- 
 tion and member of Congress, was born at Belle- 
 fonte, April 22, 18 19. 
 
 Roland Curtin, his father, was a native of 
 Ireland, and was educated in Paris. His mother 
 was Jane (Gregg) Curtin, the latter the daughter 
 of Hon. Andrew Gregg. Roland Curtin, while 
 a resident of Paris, narrowly escaped the guillo- 
 
 tine during the Reign of Terror. He came first 
 to Philipsburg, now in Centre county, then start- 
 ed a store at Milesburg as early as March, 1797, 
 and was a resident of Bellefonte, keeping store in 
 1800. He was coroner of the county in 1803; 
 sheriff in 1806, and soon after became extensive- 
 ly engaged in iron works, and became prominent- 
 ly identified with all public improvements made 
 within the county. His death occurred in 1850, 
 and that of the mother of Andrew G. Curtin, in 
 1854. 
 
 Andrew G. Curtin completed an academic 
 course of education at the academy of Rev. 
 David Kirkpatrick, D. D., in Mdton, studied law 
 under Hon. W. W. Potter, in Bellefonte, com- 
 pleting a course of legal study under Judge John 
 Reed, in the Law Department of Dickinson Col- 
 lege, at Carlisle. He was admitted to the Bar at 
 the April term of 1837. In [840 he took an act- 
 ive part in politics, in what was known as the Har- 
 rison campaign, and in 1844 canvassed the State 
 for Henry Clay for President. In 1848 and 1852 
 he was on the State ticket for Presidential elec- 
 tor. On January 7, 1855, he was commissioned, 
 by Gov. James Pollock, secretary of the Com- 
 monwealth, which position also included that of 
 superintendent of the public schools. Progress- 
 ive in every station he reached, his superintend- 
 ence of State education has as one of its land- 
 marks the institution of the system of normal 
 schools, his recommendations and his annual 
 reports culminating in the passage of the act of 
 May 20, 1857, " To provide for the training of 
 teachers for the common schools of the State." 
 
 In i860, Mr. Curtin was nominated by the 
 Republican party as their candidate for Govern- 
 or, and elected over Henry D. Foster by a ma- 
 jority of 32, 107 votes. His administration of the 
 gubernatorial office during the dark days of the 
 Republic made an imperishable name for his 
 family, and added historic grandeur to the annals 
 of the Commonwealth. The foresight which im- 
 pelled him to refuse to disband the overflowing- 
 volunteer regiments which the patriotism of 
 Pennsylvania contributed on the call of the Pres- 
 ident, and his prompt application to the Legis- 
 lature for authority to organize them into a 
 corps, afterward the famous " Pennsylvania Re- 
 serves," saved the National Government, im- 
 periled by the disaster of Bull Run. The ad- 
 dresses he made, when presenting flags to the 
 Pennsylvania regiments as they went forth to 
 fight for the Union, will only be forgotten when 
 the last volley is fired over the last Pennsylvania 
 veteran of the war. Those 2 1 5 battle-flags, 
 bearing the asgis of the Commonwealth of Penn- 
 sylvania, came back blood-stained, tattered, and 
 

 if. 
 
 COMMhMi'HA TlYK BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 torn, 1 > 1 1 1 never disgraced upon any battle- fi 
 of the Republic. 
 
 Gov. Curtin's ever-enduring memorial, how- 
 ever, in connection with the war, is the Orphan 
 School, for the children ol those who gave their 
 lives that tin- Union might live. Recurring 
 his promise to thesoldiers, as thousands of nun 
 him tor tin- last time, that Pennsyl- 
 vania would never forget or neglect them or 
 theirs, and that their children should he tin- chil- 
 dren of the Mate, he clung to that purpose with 
 a tenai its worthy of such a grand and noble 
 cause. Amid his ci liers 
 
 on the field and in the hospital, he never forj,'"t 
 those who W( r< l< tt at home by the gallant fel- 
 lows who had gone forward, It was the K rar| d 
 undertone of his magnificent speech in the A 
 emy of Music, at Philadelphia, r ' let the widow 
 and lur dependent offspring in fact and in truth 
 be the children of the State, and let the mighty 
 people of the great ( ommonwealth nurture and 
 maintain them." In January, 1864, in his an- 
 nual message, he brought the subject to the 
 attention ol the Legislature in the memorable 
 H 1 'ids: "I con in lend to the prompt attention of 
 
 the I the subjecf "I the relief ol the 
 
 poor orphans of our soldiers w ho have given or 
 shall give then livi s foi us during this crisis. In 
 my opinion thi ir maintenance and education 
 should be provided for bj the State. Failing 
 other natural friends of ability, they should be 
 honorably received and fostered as the children 
 of the Commonwealth." 
 
 Failing in getting through the Legislature a 
 proper bill, which had been matured with greal 
 care, the Governor started with the noble dona- 
 tion of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company of 
 $50,000, and laid the foundation for the Soldiers' 
 Orphan Schools, a work of beneficence, right- 
 eousness and justice which will keep Gov. Cur- 
 tin's memory fragrant for ayes to come, the good 
 results of which, felt all through tune, the Judg- 
 ment Day wul only fully reveal. His health was 
 much broken l>v arduous service during his first 
 term, and President Lincoln tendered him a for- 
 eign mission, which it was his intention to accept, 
 but having been renominated for governor, and 
 
 the people ol the Stale being unwilling to part 
 with their war governor, he filled out a second 
 term of the gubernatorial office. In 1869 he 
 was appointed, bj President Grant, minister to 
 Russia, returned to this country in the fall of 
 1 S 7 2 , and took part in the liberal Republii 
 movement which nominated Hoiace Greeley. 
 He was very prominently spoken of for the sec- 
 ond place on that ticket, and was the choice of 
 the Pennsylvania delegation in the Greeley con- 
 
 vention for President. His connection with the 
 liberal Republican movement, and tile fact that 
 his power and influence in the Republican party 
 which were eminent while he remained in the 
 country, but which had been broken by his ab- 
 sence, carried him into the Democratic party 
 
 He was a member of the Constitutional Con 
 vention of [872 3, and for a few years after had 
 little to do with politics. When he wearied of 
 the quiet of business life, and longed for politics, 
 Gov. Curtin found a place in the Democratic 
 party, and was nominated for Congress in 1878, 
 when he was defeated by the Greenbackers. He 
 was nominated again, in 1880, by the Demo- 
 crats of his Congressional District, and was 
 elected for two terms, retiring in 1887 near the 
 close of his seventy-first year. In Congress 
 Go> ( urtin was a faithful public servant, and 
 attracted much public attention. Atone time he 
 was chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Com- 
 mittee. 
 
 Alter leaving Congress Gov. Curtin pursued a 
 <|iiiet life at his mountain home in Bellefonte, 
 respected and esteemed by people of al! classes. 
 His familiar figure was an everyday sight on the 
 streets of his native town. Tall, and erect as a 
 youth, he would walk about for his daily exer- 
 I'ntil within a short time previous to his 
 death he kept up a livery interest in the politics 
 of the county, and it was his influence that made 
 his friend, Dr. J. H. Dobbins, the postmaster 
 here under the former Cleveland administration, 
 and not until he had given evidence that it would 
 prove satisfactory would the department recom- 
 mend the appointment of the present official. 
 His time was occupied in looking after his business 
 here and dispensing charities. No more ph 
 ant hour could be spent than in a talk with the 
 ex-Governor; he always loved young people, and 
 gave them friendly counsel whenever an oppor- 
 tunity presented itself, and those who enjoyed 
 his intimacy will cherish his charming personality 
 as Ion- as memory lasts. His death occurred 
 ■her 7, [894. He left to survive him his 
 wife, a lady ol a charming personality, a daugh- 
 
 ■f Dr. William I. Wilson, three daughti 
 all residents of Bellefonte, and one son, William 
 Wilson Curtin. of Philadelphia. 
 
 HON. HUGH N. MCALLISTER, who was 
 listinguished citizen <>f I'.ellefonte, Centre 
 county, and one of the most prominent lawj 
 of this part of the State, was the eldest son of 
 Hon. William McAllister and Sarah (Thompson), 
 and was born on the farm owned by his father 
 
^4^UAl^_ 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 17 
 
 and grandfather in Lost Creek Valley, Juniata 
 Co., Penn., June 28, 1809. 
 
 His great-grandfather emigrated from Ireland 
 to Lancaster county, Penn., about the year 1730. 
 Major Hugh McAllister, grandfather of HughN., 
 was born in Little Britain township, Lancaster 
 county, in 1736. He served in the Indian war 
 of 1763, and also in the war of the Revolution. 
 At the close of the latter he retired to his farm 
 in Lost Creek Valley, in Juniata county. He 
 married Sarah Nelson, and reared a large family. 
 A son, Hon. William McAllister, was born on 
 the farm in Lost Creek Valley in August, 1774. 
 He married Sarah Thompson. He served in the 
 war of 1 8 1 2, and was for a long time one of the 
 associate judges of Juniata count)'. 
 
 Hon.. Hugh N. McAllister was reared on his 
 father's farm, living at home and working on the 
 farm during his minority, and receiving such 
 elementary education as the neighborhood schools 
 afforded. He obtained the rudiments of the 
 classics from Rev. John Hutchinson. In 1830 
 he entered the freshman class at Jefferson Col- 
 lege, Canonsburg, and stood so high before the 
 end of the year as to be chosen by his society as 
 one of its debators, which honor, however, his 
 modesty and timidity induced him to decline. He 
 graduated, in 1833, high in a class in which were 
 many more since distinguished in the Church 
 and State. As soon as he graduated Mr. Mc- 
 Allister commenced the study of law in the office 
 of Hon. W. W. Potter, at Bellefonte. After 
 completing the ordinary course of studies pursued 
 by students in an office, he attended a law school 
 then conducted at Carlisle by Hon. John Reed, 
 president judge of the district, and author of 
 "Pennsylvania Blackstone." On November 25, 
 1835, on motion of W. W. Potter, Mr. McAllis- 
 ter was admitted to practice in several courts 
 of Centre county. He was at once taken into 
 full partnership by Mr. Potter, and the election 
 of the latter to Congress soon after threw the 
 whole labor and responsibility of an extensive 
 law practice upon the younger partner. As in 
 every subsequent situation in life, Mr. McAllister 
 brought so much ability, earnestness, zeal and 
 indomitable perseverance to bear as to overcome 
 all obstacles, and to successfully meet all re- 
 sponsibilities resting upon him. The early death 
 of Mr. Potter, while in Congress, left Mr. Mc- 
 Allister alone in the practice to compete with 
 one of the ablest Bars in the State. He remained 
 without a partner until Gen. James A. Beaver 
 was called to the Bar in 1859. From that time 
 the law practice was conducted under the firm 
 name of McAllister & Beaver. During the long 
 professional career of nearly thirty-eight years 
 
 he had an extensive, laborious and lucrative 
 practice. Up to the lasteight or ten years of his 
 life he regularly attended the courts of Clinton 
 and Huntingdon counties, and, at times, courts 
 of other counties. As a counselor he was al- 
 ways discreet, careful and safe; as an attorney 
 he was faithful, honest and industrious; as an 
 advocate, he was earnest, zealous, and, at times, 
 impressively eloquent. He would embark in no 
 man's cause unless thoroughly impressed with its 
 justice, and then he battled, as only a man of 
 his temperament could battle, for the right. In 
 the preparation of causes he was most thorough, 
 and frequently performed an amount of labor 
 which seemed beyond human endurance. His 
 arguments before the Supreme Court of the State, 
 of which the books of reports are full, were al- 
 ways strong, clear and exhaustive. 
 
 During the Civil war Mr. McAllister was one 
 of the most earnest and zealous supporters of the 
 Administration. He was ever foremost in con- 
 tributing means, and performing work to secure 
 volunteers, and in supporting the families of 
 those who were in the service. He did more 
 than any other one man to raise and organize the 
 many companies which left Centre county, and 
 finally, almost by his unaided exertions, raised a 
 full company, of which he was elected captain, 
 and upon its arrival at Camp Curtin, in Harris- 
 burg, was assigned as Company F to the 232d 
 Regiment of Pennsylvania Militia, commanded 
 by Col. George B. Weistling. Although far be- 
 yond the age when men are relieved from military 
 duty, and being unfit by education, habits and 
 the state of his health for the hardships of a 
 campaign, he accepted the responsibility, went 
 with his company to the field, and served faith- 
 fully until his place could be filled by a younger 
 man. 
 
 Mr. McAllister never held many public offices. 
 Gov. Bigler, when a vacancy occurred in the 
 Fourth Judicial District, desired to appoint him 
 to the presidency of the Common Pleas, and 
 asked his friends to induce him to grant the use 
 of his name, and Gov. Curtin twice formally 
 offered him commissions as president judge, 
 which he declined. 
 
 After the close of the war, he was appointed 
 by the Governor as one of the commissioners to 
 investigate, settle and adjust the claims of citi- 
 zens of the border counties, for losses sustained 
 by the war. This arduous and responsible duty 
 he performed in a manner highly satisfactory to 
 the State officials, as well as to the people im- 
 mediately interested. He was elected one of the 
 delegates at large to the Constitutional Convention 
 of 1873, and was appointed chairman of the im- 
 
1- 
 
 OOMMBMOBA TIVB BIOGRAPHICAL BECORD. 
 
 portant committee on "Suffrage Election and 
 Representation," and a member of the commit- 
 tee on "Railroads and Canals." He entered 
 
 upon his work with the energy and zeal wh 
 ever characterized him. Unfortunately he did 
 not limit bis labor by bis physical 
 endure it, but by his desire for the permanent 
 
 1 of his native Stale. Toward I 
 winter his strength gave way und 
 and he was compelled by Ins physician to return 
 
 home for rest. He remained at h ■ foui 
 
 five week-, during which time he improved in 
 strength. Three weeks before his death, which 
 occurred at Philadelphia, May 15, 1873, and ac- 
 tuated bj an inten to take part in the 
 
 important discussions then going on in the con- 
 vention, and being in improved health, he went 
 back to Philadelphia, and at once engaged ardu- 
 ously in the labor of the convention. lie made 
 several important speeches upon questions pend- 
 ing before that body. He had over-estimated 
 his strength, for his intense labor brought on 
 disease, which in a few days terminated his 
 earthly career. Literally he offered himself a 
 sacrifice upon the altar of his Commonwealth. 
 He sacrificed his life in his effort to protect the 
 people from the corruptions oi the times, and the 
 evils of misgovernment. Referring to him in 
 this connection, his biographer said: "The 
 delegates at large, elected upon the ticket with 
 him, will select a successor, but they cannot till 
 his place." 
 
 As a citizen Mr. McAllister was always enter- 
 prising, public-spirited and patriotic. lie took 
 the lead in evi i\ 1 ntnpuse i to promote 
 
 the public good. He labored hard and contrib- 
 uted liberally for all such purposes. This he did 
 not in a spirit of speculation to promote his own 
 
 d, but to benefit the people. 
 
 He was one of the projectors, the constant 
 friend and liberal supporter of what is now the 
 Pennsylvania State College. He kept the Agri- 
 cultural Society in existence for years almost un- 
 aided. He was tin- friend and supporter of the 
 common schools, academies and seminaries, as 
 well as Sunday-schools, For man} years he was 
 the recognized head of the organizations in the 
 county for the promotion 0! ti ri As a 
 
 neighbor he was ever considerate, kind, obliging 
 and liberal. As a man he was just, upright and 
 inflexibly honest. He was not honest from pol- 
 icy, but from an innate love of right and an inti 
 hatred of everything wrong. Asa husband and 
 father, he was most kind, gentle and affectionate. 
 As a Christian, he was sincere, faithful and most 
 exemplary. For a long time he was not onlj a 
 member but an elder in the Presbyterian Church 
 
 fonte, and took an active part in the la- 
 bors of "ins, Presbyteries, Synods and 
 ral Assemblies. It would take a volume to 
 contain an enumeration of his virtues and his la- 
 and in this brie I notii e we will attempt no 
 further to detail what all who had the benefit of 
 hi- acquaintance knew so well. He was a man 
 of 11 and as few of the imperfections in- 
 :it to human nature as is ever found in our 
 race. 
 
 Mr. McAllister was twice married— first to 
 Henrietta Ashman Orbison, of Huntingdon, by 
 whom he had seven children, four of whom died 
 in infancy, and one, Ellen E., a lovely daughter, 
 died in [866 at the age of twenty. Two daugh- 
 ters, Mary A., the wife of Gen. James A. Heav- 
 er, and Sarah B., wife of Dr. Thomas R. Hays, 
 both of Bellefonte, survived their father. The 
 Mrs. McAllister died April 12, 1857, and on 
 September 12, 1859, Mr. McAllister married 
 Margaret Hamilton, of Harrisburg, who died 
 April 27, 1876, aged fifty- three years. She was 
 the daughter of Hugh Hamilton, an editor of 
 note, and granddaughter of ('apt. John Hamil- 
 ton, under whom her husband's grandfather 
 served in tin- Revolution. 
 
 On the- death of Mr. McAllister the Constitu- 
 tional ( Convention passed ap;>r< ipriate resolutions, 
 and, out of respect for his memory and great pub- 
 lic services, adjourned. Extracts Irom these and 
 from addresses delivered in the Convention, to- 
 ller with those from a similar meeting of the 
 members of the Bar of Huntingdon. Clearfield, 
 Clinton and ( entre counties held in the court- 
 house at his home in Bellefonte, follow: 
 
 That Ins death deprives the convention of one 
 
 of its nieesi enlightened and industrious members, the Com- 
 
 iwealth ei( eerie' of tier nieist public-spirited and useful 
 
 immunity in which In- lived of a man whose 
 
 indomitable energy, inflexible integrity and spotless moral 
 
 character attracted te> him the nil affection of 
 
 all who kcirw linn, and hi-, family of a kind and devoted 
 
 ind and father. 
 
 lint in no other work <if lu- life 'lid the- great chara 
 
 H. N. McAllistei 1 1 much advantage as 
 
 in the- di- his Christian duties. As an chirr in the 
 
 hurch, representing Ins congregation in Pres- 
 bytery, he was uniformly in the- lead of the . lergy in every- 
 thing with which it was proper for him to deal; he was full 
 ■ion. ot work ami devotion; so in- appeared in 
 the Synod, in 1 Vssembly, anil SO also at the- urcat 
 
 ii.it united the- old and new school of tin- Presby 
 oming chairman of the sustension com- 
 mittee of the- Presbytery ol Huntingdon, he found opened 
 In-fore- him .1 in l<l tor unselfish labor and 1 harity commen- 
 surate, and only commensurate, with his enlarged desire to 
 carry forward tin- work of the Lord. The clergy of his de- 
 n throughout tin- State- bear willing testimony to 
 the wisdom ami high ability he displayed in tin- management 
 of that work. He had unequaled ability to induce others to 
 give ci|i their means to the- work of the c hurl h, anil he pos- 
 d mane: -ion to give abund- 
 
 antly himself. I shall excite criticism from no one in this 
 section when I say lh.it the- priv ale- c harities he- has bestowed 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL HECORD. 
 
 19 
 
 upon the needy, in number and in the aggregate sum, far 
 exceed those of any other man in the interior of the State. 
 What a character! Always excitable, at times passionate, 
 imperious and relentless, and yet generous, benevolent, com- 
 passionate and affectionate. As neighbor, husband and 
 father, I believe his life was faultless.— Mr. BlGLER. 
 
 It was in the spring of 1841— thirty-two years ago— that 
 I was sent to preside in the courts of the Fourth Judicial Dis- 
 trict of Pennsylvania, consisting then of the counties of Mif- 
 flin, Huntingdon, Centre, Clearfield and Clinton, and there I 
 hist met Mr. McAllister. He resided at Bellefonte, Centre 
 county, but was growing into a large and lucrative practice 
 in several counties of the district. l r or ten years he prac- 
 ticed law before me with great ability and success. I have 
 never seen so laborious and painstaking a lawyer. His great 
 forte lay in the preparation of his causes. He never came 
 into court unfurnished with evidence, if evidence could, with 
 any amount of research and industry, be obtained to estab- 
 lish the facts of the case. Many ejectments upon original 
 titles were tried in those ten years, and 1 have known Mr. 
 McAllister to give fifty or sixty warrants and surveys in evi- 
 dence, to fix the location of the one tract in suit. He would 
 sweep over a whole district of country and examine survey- 
 ors as to every mark in miles of lines to verify the conclu- 
 sions he wished to establish in the cause upon trial. In all 
 lawsuits, but especially in ejectments upon original titles, the 
 law arises upon the facts in evidence, and he is the most 
 philosophical and successful lawyer who arranges his facts 
 most fully, and places them before the court and jury in that 
 orderly sequence which is most natural and logical Per- 
 haps I have known lawyers of more subtle reasoning facul- 
 ties than Mr. McAllister possessed, but I never knew one 
 who could prepare a cause so well. -HON. G. \V. Wood- 
 ward. 
 
 Resolved: That we have learned with feelings of pro- 
 found sorrow of the death of Hon. H. N. McAllister, who 
 for a period of nearly forty years stood in the front rank 
 of the legal profession, not only in this and the neighbor- 
 ing districts, but who, by his learning, his industry and 
 integrity, has acquired throughout the entire State a high 
 and enviable reputation as a lawyer of eminent ability; and 
 who, by his liberality, his enterprising spirit, his devoted 
 patriotism, his steady and earnest desire to be foremost 
 in every good work, whether pertaining to religion, mor- 
 ality, education or patriotism, by his open-hearted benev- 
 olence and his unswerving devotion to duty, and to the 
 advancement and promotion of whatever he regarded as 
 right, has won the unbounded esteem, admiration and 
 confidence of the entire community; and who, by reason of 
 intense anxiety to perform his whole duty as a member 
 of the Constitutional Convention regardless of the decline of 
 his physical strength, fell at his post a martyr to that high 
 sense of duty which has been the guiding star of his life. 
 
 One by one they have gone. And now another is added 
 to this list of the dead, and our memories are charged with 
 sorrow at the departure of one more bright and shining light 
 of this Bar. More than all that — more than an admiration 
 of the legal learning, or the strifes and antagonisms which 
 follow the professional life, we hold in our memories their 
 character as citizens of the community, and we measure 
 to them our gratitude by the good they did during their lives. 
 
 I know full well that Mr. McAllister never had those 
 attractive, magnetic qualities which make a man what is 
 termed popular. He never did; it was not in his nature to 
 condescend to the arts by which' men too often attain to high 
 ■ official position, or who become popular in the political ac- 
 ceptation of the term; and yet I doubt much whether we 
 could have stood at the grave of one citizen of Centre county 
 who would be so universally mourned and whose loss would 
 be more severely felt. It is not the Bar alone that sustains 
 this loss. The society in which the man moved; the people 
 to whom he gave an example of integrity and virtue; the 
 community which surrounded him, has received a wound 
 that is bleeding to-day, and throughout all this region of 
 Pennsylvania there will be sincere mourning, because a use- 
 ful citizen and a good man has died.— Ex-Governor An- 
 drew G. Curtin. Chairman of the Committee of the Con- 
 stitutional Convention. 
 
 ON. ANDREW GREGG, who in his life- 
 time was a citizen of distinction of Belle- 
 fonte, Centre county, having served in both 
 Houses of the United States Congress, was born 
 June IO, 1755, about two miles northwesterly of 
 Carlisle, Penn., on a farm, adjoining the meeting 
 house farm, in Middleton township. 
 
 Andrew Gregg, his father, came from Lon- 
 donderry, Ireland, and his grandfather's name 
 was John. The family had emigrated from Scot- 
 land to Ireland, and an old-fashioned sword and 
 espontoon, long in the garret of the old house 
 on the Conodoguinet, were arms of the ancestor 
 in the army of King William at the battle of the 
 Boyne, July 1, 1690. Of Mr. Gregg's grand- 
 father's family, John remained in Ireland; David, 
 Andrew, and their sister Rachel, who was mar- 
 ried to Solomon Walker, came to America: 
 David settled in New Hampshire, and raised a 
 large family there. The Gregg families of Salem, 
 Mass., Elmira, N. Y. , and Indianapolis, Ind., are 
 descendants of David. Andrew and Mrs. Wal- 
 ker settled on Christiana creek, near Newark, 
 Del., in 1732, where his first wife died, and An- 
 drew married Jane Scott, daughter of Matthew" 
 Scott, who had emigrated from Armagh, Ireland, 
 to Chestnut Level. Andrew Gregg, the elder, 
 removed to the farm near Carlisle, in 1750, 
 where he died November 18, 1789. Among his 
 children were Matthew, who was a wagon master 
 in the army from January 9, 1779. to August 14, 
 1790; James and John, who were also connected 
 with the army. John Gregg was the father of 
 Elizabeth (wife of George McKee), who died in 
 Bellefonte. October II, 1801, and of the first 
 Mrs. Roland Curtin, Sr. 
 
 Hon. Andrew Gregg received his early educa- 
 tion at Rev. John Steel's Latin school, in Car- 
 lisle, and was then sent to Newark, DA., to 
 complete his education. While thus engaged he 
 turned out upon several occasions in the militia. 
 On the march of the British from Turkey Point 
 to Philadelphia, the academy at Newark was 
 broken up, and Mr. Gregg returned to Carlisle 
 to assist his father on the farm, his other brothers 
 being in the army. In 1779 he went to Phila- 
 delphia, with the intention of going to France 
 for his health, which had been in a declining 
 state for some time; but changing his intention, 
 he accepted the appointment of tutor in the col- 
 lege (now university) there, and continued there 
 under Dr. Smith's and Dr. Ewin,''s adm nistra- 
 tions until 1783, when he removed to Middleton, 
 Penn., where he resided four years, engaged in 
 the mercantile business. On January 29, 1787, 
 Mr. Gregg was married to Martha, daughter of 
 Maj.-Gen. James Potter, at the latter's old resi- 
 
<UMM/:Moi;A TIVE BIOGltArilir.ll RECORD. 
 
 dence in Huffalo Valley, now Union county. He 
 then removed to Lewistown, then being laid out 
 by Gen. Pottei and Maj. Montgomery, where his 
 daughter Mary, afterward Mrs. McLanahan, of 
 Greencastle, Penn. , was born, November 2, 1788. 
 In 1789 he removed to Peon's Valley, two miles 
 east of the Old Fort. His public services com- 
 menced Novembei 8, 1791, as member of the 
 House of Representatives of the United States. 
 He was continued in the House by successive 
 elections for a period of sixteen years, and in 
 1807 he was chosen United States senator, which 
 position he occupied until March 3, 1813. He 
 was twice elect, d president of the Senate, the 
 highest distinction in the councils of the nation 
 any Pennsylvanian had then attained. In 1814 
 he removed from Penn's Valle) to Bellefonte for 
 the purpose of better educating his family. Hi 
 was the first president of the Centre Hank, which 
 was organized under articles of association or 
 partnership in 1813, and was re-elected in 1814. 
 On the 10th of December, [820, he was ap- 
 pointed secretary of the Commonwealth b) Cm\ 
 I luster, which office he held when Dominated by 
 a convention that met at Lewistown May 15, 
 1K23, for governor in opposition to Mr. Shult*/, 
 who had been nominated by what was called a 
 Legislative Convention at Harrisburg on the 5th 
 of March. After Mr. Gregg retired from the of- 
 fice of Secretary of the Commonwealth, he resided 
 in Bellefonte until lus death, which occurred May 
 20, 1835. H° had strong party predilections, 
 but was remarkable for his independence of char- 
 acter, always acting according to the con- 
 victions of his own mind, though they sometimes 
 differed from those of political friends. He was 
 while in office, in fact what he was elected 
 to be, the representative of the interests of his 
 constituents. He was always scrupulously ten- 
 acious of his oath to subserve the public good 
 according to the best of his judgment and abil- 
 ity, never yielding his duty to the prejudices of 
 party spirit or the vi< ws • >! interested politicians. 
 Mr. Gregg's children, ten in number, v 
 1 Mrs. Mary McLanahan, of Greencastle, 
 mother of Andrew, James, Isabella and Mary. 
 
 fane, mother ol Roland Curtin, Sr., fathi 
 ex-Gov. A. G. Curtin. . ;-,) Martha, who married 
 Dr. Constans Curtin, and died December 11, 
 1 829. 1. 1 1 [ulia Ann, who married t len. |. 
 Irvin. and .lied July 4. [856 (5 Eli Mitchell, 
 wulow ol David Mu. bell, ,.| Bellefonte, now de- 
 llon. Andrew Gregg, who died Ma) 
 1 5, 1 869, father ol < ..n. John 1. ( Iregg, lat . 
 the United States army, ol Andrew Gregg, county 
 commissionei in 1! | James P, Gn 
 
 married Kli.-.i Wilson, and died 111 Virginia, Sep- 
 
 tember 8, 1 s 4 5 (8 M.ittluw D., married Ellen 
 McMurtrie, who also died in Virginia, July 26, 
 [845, the father of Gen. David McMurtrie Gregg, 
 now !• Reading, Penn., a distinguished 
 
 cavalry officer of the United States army during 
 the war of the Rebellion. (9) Sarah, who married 
 Henry Kinney, and died March 28, 1836. (101 
 Mrs. Margery Tucker, of Uewishurg, Penn.. 
 widow of Rev. Charles Tucker, of the Baptist 
 ( burch. 
 
 mz 
 
 ON. WILLIAM F. PACKER, another son 
 
 Centre counts who became Governor of 
 the Commonwealth, and a distinguished states- 
 man, was born near Howard, April 2, 1807. 
 When he was but seven years of age Ins father 
 died, leaving a widow and five small children- 
 the eldest under ten \ ears of age. Bereft of 
 parental care, the sons, Hezekiah B. , afterward 
 judge Packer, of Williamsport, William F., and 
 [ohn P., afterward a merchant at Flemington. 
 Clinton Co., Penn., as they arrived at a sufficient 
 
 applied themselves to the task of assisting their 
 mother in maintaining the family, and cheerfully 
 sustained whatever hardships their situation im- 
 posed, receiving at the same time such education 
 as the limited facilities of the country schools ol 
 that time afforded. Directed by their mother, 
 and relying upon their own resources for their 
 success, it is no marvel that these young men be- 
 came distinguished, each in bis proper sphere in 
 after life. 
 
 In 1820, William F. Packer, then in his thir- 
 teenth year, obtained a place in the office of the 
 Public Inquirer, published in Sunbury, with 
 Samuel F. Packer, a kinsman, afterward a 
 State senator from the Northumberland District, 
 who was publishing this paper at that time. 
 When young William became assured of his po- 
 sition he tin on foot a distance of eight) 
 miles, and engaged himself as an appreni 
 After about one year had elapsed the paper was 
 
 mtinued and he returned to Centre county, 
 where be completed hisapprenticeship in the offici 
 ol the Bellefonte Patriot, then under the control of 
 Henry Petrikin, who subsequently became a dis- 
 tinguished member of the State Legislature, and 
 was deputy secretary of the Commonwealth 
 under Governor Shunk. After the expiration of 
 bis appn up in 1825, he obtained a clerk- 
 
 in the 1 recorder in 
 
 I yci ming county, butat the commencement ol 
 tb. Legislature, in December of the same year, 
 be w . nt to Harrisburg and engaged 1 ji mrney- 
 man printer in the 1 the Pennsylvania 
 
 Intelligencer, published b) Simon Cameron, 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 21 
 
 since then United States senator, and David 
 Krause, afterward president judge of the Bucks 
 County District. He worked in this office for 
 two years, and then went to Williamsport and 
 entered his name as a student at law in the office 
 of Joseph B. Anthony, who afterward served as a 
 State senator, member of Congress and president 
 judge of the Lycoming District. He never ap- 
 plied for admission to the Bar, yet the knowledge 
 thus acquired of the rudiments of the profession 
 was of inestimable value to him in the public 
 stations which he afterward filled. In the fall of 
 1827, he purchased the Lycoming Gazette, which, 
 in connection with John Brandon, he published 
 until the spring of 1836. On December 24, 
 1829, he was married to Mary W., daughter of 
 Peter W. Vanderbelt, a most estimable lady, 
 who still survives him. Mr. Packer took a lead- 
 ing part in the agitation in constructing the West 
 Branch canal in 1831. He was the author of 
 the address to the people of Philadelphia, whose 
 members in the Legislature opposed the appro- 
 priations for the building of this canal, and to 
 his efforts, as much as to those of any individual, 
 are the people of that section of the State in- 
 debted for preserving and completing this great 
 improvement, whose influence was of incalcul- 
 able benefit to the vicinity in which Mr. Packer 
 was raised. Mr. Packer was appointed as 
 superintendent of that division June, 1835. He 
 took a leading and active part in favor of the re- 
 nomination and re-election of Gov. George Wolf 
 in 1835. In i836,'with O. Barrett and Benja- 
 min Parke, he established The Keystone at Har- 
 risburg, a paper which at once commanded the 
 confidence and support of the Democratic party 
 of the State. In February, 1839, he was ap- 
 pointed a member of the board of Canal Com- 
 missioners, in which position he achieved great 
 success. 
 
 In 1842 he was appointed auditor-general of 
 the Commonwealth, and he continued to dis- 
 charge the duties of that office for a period of 
 three years, with great distinction. Mr. Packer 
 served two terms in the Legislature of the State, 
 from the district composed of Lycoming, Clinton 
 and Potter counties, and also served as speaker 
 of the House for two successive terms. He was 
 a lifelong adherent of the Democratic party, 
 and was one of the most forcible advocates and 
 leaders. He was elected State senator in 1849, 
 over Andrew G. Curtin, who afterward succeeded 
 him in the executive chair. On all questions 
 relating to improvements in the Susquehanna 
 Valley, he especially distinguished himself. In 
 185 1 he introduced a bill to incorporate the Sus- 
 quehanna Railroad Co. This was the means of 
 
 the building eventually of a network of railroads 
 through this Valley, and the development of one 
 of the richest and most valuable sections of the 
 State. In the organization of the Susquehanna 
 Railroad Co., in June, 1852, Mr. Packer was 
 made its first president. He was nominated for 
 governor in 1857, and was triumphantly elected 
 by a majority of fourteen thousand votes. His 
 administration of this office was accomplished 
 with great ability, and although many compli- 
 cated questions involving great and important 
 decisions, were required, yet he met and dis- 
 posed of all these with great credit and wisdom. 
 Gov. Packer relinquished the office of State ex- 
 ecutive in i860, to Hon. A. G. Curtin, another of 
 Centre county's noble sons. Springing from the 
 people, he was an active and creditable expon- 
 ent of their rights, and opposed with unflinching 
 firmness every form of intolerance, whether po- 
 litical or religious. His name will ever be on 
 record as one of Pennsylvania's most capable 
 and illustrious statesmen. 
 
 HON. JOHN MITCHELL, who was for 
 years a distinguished citizen of Bellefonte, 
 
 Centre county, was a son of Gen. David Mitchell, 
 of Cumberland county (now Perry), who was for 
 some twenty-two years a member of the Legis- 
 lature. 
 
 John Mitchell was born about two miles from 
 Newport, Perry county, March 8, 1791. When 
 quite a boy he went with his father on his jour- 
 ney to the meetings of the Legislature to bring 
 the horses home, and returned for him in the 
 spring. He had little schooling, but a great ca- 
 pacity for mathematics. One of the members 
 gave him a book, and told him he must run lines 
 all over the farm before his return in the spring, 
 which he did, being only about fourteen years of 
 age. He came to Centre county in 1800, and 
 engaged with John Dunlop as a clerk in the iron 
 works. In May, 18 14, he was married to the 
 widow of Col. W. W. Miles {nee Annie Boggs), 
 and then entered into the mercantile business 
 with his brother David, in Bellefonte. In Octo- 
 ber, 1 8 18, he was elected sheriff of Centre coun- 
 ty, and as such became the executioner of Munks. 
 Mr. Mitchell's ability as a surveyor and engineer 
 was so universally recognized that he became 
 constantly employed in such services. In 1821 
 he laid out the Centre and Kishacoquillas turn- 
 pike and superintended its construction, and sub- 
 sequently as engineer located many of the turn- 
 pikes, in the middle and northern portions of the 
 State. In the fall of 1822 he was elected to the 
 Assembly, and re-elected in 1823. When elected 
 
 

 22 
 
 Mon.XTlVR BIOGRAPHIOAL RECORD. 
 
 the first tin . in the 
 
 mountains sun nd returned the second 
 
 da) after thi a 1 1> had been gi me i h 
 
 weeks, and James M Peti ikin v at start- 
 
 ing "nt to hunt him upand inform tiim of it. In 
 
 • iber, i ■■>-•". when he ran tl. 
 tli re was but one vote against him in the B< 
 fonte box. This was attributed to Mr. Norris, 
 brother-in-law of John Brown, 
 
 ing candidates. He, hi m v> r, denied the im- 
 chment. In the summer of 1827, under the 
 din made a 
 
 ind examination "I the proposed canal 
 routes between the Susquehanna and Potom 
 commencing at the month of the Conedocwinet, 
 above Harrisburg, and running west as fai 
 Green village, in Franklin county; then 
 tinned to Gettysburg, etc. In 1S57 he t 
 point d 1 ngineer on the Eri< m, conn 
 
 with the Beavei division above New! istle, 
 I running to Erie, superintending the con- 
 struction ol the French Creek feeder, which was 
 the firs! part ol the work. In 1829 he was ap- 
 pointed by the Legislatui 1 the 1 anal i 
 nn- oted b) ( lov. Wolf in 1S30, 
 and continued in office until the adven: 
 Ritnei - administration It was in this office that 
 the peculiat talents , ,| \| r , \i,t, hell most 
 coi 
 
 an intuitive sagacity, and a complete kn 
 ol mankind, lie milted with these qualitii 
 coolness and disi retion. an indefatig 
 vei pported bj an iron constitution. Ac- 
 
 tomed from early lite to endure privatii 
 often \oluntarilv un neither the storms 
 
 Ol winter nor the heat o| siiiiiin 1 iiitei! led with 
 lli' Ol Ins dut) . Ill- habit 
 
 in the morning, 
 and do .1 large amount ol brain-work bel 
 bn 1 1' was Presidential elector on the 
 
 ' and Johnston ticket in 1835, and 
 
 aftei hi - re val b) Gov. Ritner in 1 837 he « 
 
 into the iron business, the firm ol |ohn Mitchell 
 & Co. owning and managing Hecla and Mill 
 Hall I 11 n. 1. es. I le failed in that business in 
 
 "d m [839 was ap] in d superintendent 
 
 "I the Beavei I the Pennsylvania canal, 
 
 and in 1842 removed Iron, Centre count) 
 Brid nty. 
 
 In 18 |.|. h hen 1 R Shunk, who had 
 
 I under Mr Mitchell, 
 wa ernor, he promised Mr Mitchell 
 
 the office ol surveyor-general; but there b 
 ions in the Demoi ratii party, and Mr. Mitch- 
 standing with ex-Gov. Porter, Go\ Shunk 
 d bitterly that he could not keep his 
 word, saying he could not help it, and was forced 
 
 by circumstances. On January 1, [845, the 
 
 I th Bi aver division to the Erie 
 t lanaK - pany reappointed Mr. Mitch- 
 
 ell, and in the performance ol the duties of the 
 
 the remainder of his days. The 
 last days of his life were clouded by the death of 
 his son David, who was wounded in battle in 
 Mexico, an! died at Perote. Mr. Mitchell died 
 .11 Bridgewater, August 3, 1 849, of cholera. His 
 two children, Mrs. Martha Kephart, of Union- 
 ville, ( entre county, and Mrs. N H. Dickson, 
 wife "i Dr. [oseph Dickson, at I'ittsburg, are 
 both dead. 
 
 H 
 
 WON. WILLIAM W. POTTER, a distin- 
 guished lawyerand statesman of Bellefonte, 
 Centre county, and a grandson of Gen. James 
 Potter, ol the Revolutionary war, was born at 
 I'otters Mills, Centre county, December |S. 1792. 
 In August, 1809, young Potter commenced 
 attending the Latin school of Rev. Thomas 
 Hood, near Lewisburg, from which he was 
 transferred to Dickinson College at Carlisle. 
 After he graduated, he read law with Hon. 
 Charles Huston, of Bellefonte, and was admit- 
 Bar in April, 1S14, of which for twen- 
 ty-five \e,irs he was an honored member. Af- 
 fable, courteous and kind to the junior members 
 of the Bar, he was looked up to by them as a 
 father. He was an able and judicious counselor, 
 industrious and successful practitioner of 
 the law, and his profession was his pride. Left 
 with an ample patrimony, no child of penury and 
 want was more indefatigable and industrious in 
 ■1 pursuits, and at his death he had no supe- 
 111 his di landing and acquire- 
 ments. In 1833 the grand jury of Union county 
 petitioned the governor for the appointment as 
 president judge ol that district. In 18 — he re- 
 ed thi- imam is nomination in the district 
 
 it in C ind was elected by the 
 
 largest majorit) en in the district, and in 
 
 1838, which was a fieri e and bittei political con- 
 
 1 tl office 1 > 1 11 iiif^ 
 
 the h nted this district' in Con- 
 
 5, b) In- talents, 1 lear and discriminating 
 
 mind, his eloquence, and with a mild and j^entle- 
 
 manly demeanor, he gained foi himself a high 
 
 reputation, and s( 1 at tin I the Demo- 
 
 cratic delegation from Pennsylvania. Congress 
 was convened in extra session on the 4th of Sep- 
 tember, m consequence of the financial condi- 
 tion of the country, by President Van Dunn, 
 and on the 27th of September Mr. Potter made 
 his maiden speech in ( the bill to 
 
 ipone the fourth installment of deposit with 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 23 
 
 the States, which placed him in the front rank of 
 sagacious counselors upon our financial policy. 
 His next speech, January 4, 1838, in reply to Mr. 
 Cushing upon the Hayes resolution in relation to 
 the United States Bank, was a masterly consti- 
 tutional argument. On the 12th of April he de- 
 livered a remarkably eloquent speech, exhibiting 
 extensive historical research, upon the resolution 
 relative to the Wyoming flag. The people of 
 Wyoming Valley had asked for the flag their fa- 
 thers had fought under, believing the one cap- 
 tured in Canada in the war of 1812, and in the 
 State Department, was it; but it turned out to be 
 the one the British had fought under during the 
 battle of Wyoming. On June 13, 1838, he de- 
 livered a very able and exhaustive speech on the 
 independent treasury bill, which acquired for 
 him great notoriety and popularity. We shall 
 allude to one other speech of Mr. Potter, that 
 which was delivered February 28, 1839, on issu- 
 ing treasury notes to meet the expenses of the 
 government, as a brief, unanswerable, logical 
 argument. He died at a comparatively early 
 age, in his forty-eighth year, in the midst of his 
 professional usefulness, and when rising into na- 
 tional fame. His remains were conveyed to the 
 family burying-ground at Potters Mills on the 
 morning of October 1, attended by the judges of 
 the court and the members of the Bar in a body. 
 He left no children. His widow, Lucy (Winters) 
 Potter, died May 30, 1875, in Bellefonte, at the 
 advanced age of eighty-four years. They were 
 married March 20, 1815. She was a sister of 
 Mrs. Judge Huston and Mrs. Burnside. 
 
 MON. CHARLES HUSTON (deceased), who 
 was one among the honored and distin- 
 guished citizens of Bellefonte, Centre county, was 
 of Scotch-Irish origin, born in Plumstead town- 
 ship, Bucks county, Penn., January 16, 1771. 
 He was the eldest son of Thomas and Jane 
 (Walker) Huston. His grandfather was one of 
 the early immigrants to the State of Pennsyl- 
 vania. 
 
 A mere lad during the Revolution, many of 
 its incidents were indelibly impressed upon his 
 memory. His education was received at Dick- 
 inson College, Carlisle, Penn., from which he 
 was graduated in 1789. with the honors of his 
 class. During the year 1790-91 he taught a 
 select school at Carlisle, meanwhile studying law 
 with Thomas Duncan, with whom he was after- 
 ward associated on the Bench of the Supreme 
 Court of Pennsylvania. In 1792-93 he was em- 
 ployed by the trustees of the college as tutor of 
 the languages. Among his pupils was Chief 
 
 Justice R. B. Taney, of the Supreme Court of 
 the United States. In his autobiography the 
 Chief Justice says of him: " I need not speak of 
 his character and capacity, for he afterward be- 
 came one of the first jurists of the country. He 
 was an accomplished Latin and Greek scholar, 
 and happy in his mode of instruction. And when 
 he saw that a boy was disposed to study, his 
 manner to him was that of a companion and 
 friend, aiding him in his difficulties. The whole 
 school under his care was much attached to 
 him." In October, 1794, Gen. Washington 
 went through Carlisle on his way to quell the 
 Whiskey Insurrection. Mr. Huston joined the 
 expedition, and his vivid description of its vari- 
 ous incidents will long be remembered by the 
 many who had the good fortune to number him 
 among their acquaintances. 
 
 In those days lawyers traveled the circuits on 
 horseback, and there remains a description of 
 Mr. Huston's costume: slouched hat, drab three- 
 caped overcoat, green flannel leggings tied around 
 the legs with black tape, homespun dress coat. 
 Thus attired, with boots and leggings covered 
 with mud, for want of time to change his dress, 
 he was compelled to enter the Supreme Court 
 sitting in Philadelphia, where to the astonish- 
 ment of the Bar, he delivered one of the ablest 
 arguments they had ever listened to. In the 
 spring of 1807 he removed to Bellefonte, attend- 
 ing faithfully to an enormous practice until his 
 appointment by Gov. Findlay to the presidency 
 of the courts of this district. He was a powerful 
 advocate before a jury, and the memory of the 
 remarkable speech he madi in the Barber & Kel- 
 ley case in court at Bellefonte still lingers, a 
 traditionary witness of his forensic ability. 
 He presided over the Fourth District for 
 eight years with distinguished ability. Such 
 was his influence with the jury, that in the course 
 of these whole eight years he granted but two 
 new trials. In 1826 he was appointed, by Gov. 
 Shultz, one of the justices of the Supreme Court 
 of Pennsylvania, in the arduous and responsible 
 duties of which he continued until the expiration 
 of his commission in 1845. How ably he dis- 
 charged these duties will be best learned from 
 his numerous opinions in full thirty-five volumes 
 of reports. The last four years of his life were 
 spent in the compilation of his work entitled 
 " An Essay on the History and Nature of Original 
 Titles to Land in the Province and State of 
 Pennsylvania. " 
 
 Judge Huston's wife, his only son and two 
 daughters he had followed to the grave, and these 
 afflictions weaned his thoughts from this world, 
 and he looked for a better. He was a commun- 
 
24 
 
 COMMKMiiUATIVK BIOGRAPHICAL RE( ORD. 
 
 at in the Presbyterian Church, and died as he 
 had lived, a firm believer in tin- trutl ris- 
 
 tianity. II 10, 
 
 : i. he being in the eightieth 
 He left to survive him two d the 
 
 w ife of the Hon Jami s T. Hal mte, 
 
 the otherthewil W. Sturdevant, 
 
 ol Wilkes ce decea 
 
 P< iRAV MEEK, 
 tre county, and at present Sui the 
 
 I rt at Philadelphia, has from a 
 
 line of -. who v uous in the 
 
 early histor) of our country and of the Stat 
 Pennsylvania. 
 
 ancestral hi our subject ap] 
 
 in the sketch of Reuben 11. Meek, his lather. 
 
 I i n< arlj forty years P. G lited 
 and published the Watchman at Bellefonte, and 
 
 •i prominently identified w it It the public affairs 
 of the Commonwealth. II n in Patton 
 
 township Centre county, Penn., July [2, 1^4-. 
 
 I I - education was limited to that afforded l>v the 
 common schools, and he began life as a sch 
 teacher at Lumber City, Clearfield county, in the 
 winter of 1 The next year he was a 
 clerk, then worked on a farm, and followed what 
 he could find to do that would permit an honest 
 living, until May, 1861 He then, though but a 
 boy, bee, Hue junior editor of the Democratic 
 Watchman, then a four ; six columns 
 to the page, with a circulation of less than five 
 hundred, The paper had practically been aban- 
 doned by its owin rs on account of the bitter t 
 ing that existed against Democratic journals, and 
 young Meek found 1 task in satisfying his 
 readers and keeping out of the clutches of the 
 provost marshal- His first articles attracted at- 
 tention, and it was but a couple ol months until 
 the owners thought him too out-spoken and rad- 
 ical, and he was requested to resign his position. 
 rfe then returned to his father's farm, when 
 worked until July, 1862, when he managed to 
 purchase a half interest in the paper, and assumed 
 editorial control of it. The paper itself, small 
 and with .1 limited patronage; the most influen- 
 tial men of the party den radical 
 and out-spoken; the merchants of the place re- 
 fusing to give it their pati its youthful 
 editor experienced the fact that he was on the 
 unpopular side of public opinion, but believing 
 himself right refused to allow these conditions to 
 Stifle his convictions, or change its policy, and 
 gained a reputation for consistency and plainness 
 of speech which eventually secured for his paper 
 that success which has since attended it, and 
 
 made his reputation as an editor. Mr. Meek was 
 not only a sententious but courageous writer, and 
 during the Civil war the feeling toward him by 
 holding opposite views was exceedingly bit- 
 ter and extreme, as was shown by the many ar- 
 il to. On one occasion he 
 was arrested and taken before a justice of the 
 peace in nte, charged with "high trea- 
 
 son:" shortly after this a county grand jury pre- 
 sented him for publishing "improper political 
 matter;" following these he was arrested on oath 
 of provost marshals three different limes, and 
 taken before the United States Court at Pitts- 
 burg, for his out-spoken denunciation of the 
 policy of the Republican administration. In all 
 these cases, except the first, which was never 
 heard of after being placed on the justice's docket, 
 nolle prosses were entered by the courts. In 
 March. 1865, he was taken from his office, with- 
 out notice and without any preferred charge, by 
 ompany of United States soldiers and incar- 
 cerated in the military prison at Harrisburg, from 
 which hi latter taking an oath to re- 
 
 turn for trial when demanded, a requirement 
 that was never enforc 
 
 H;~ constituents never lost confidence in him, 
 and in 1867, 1 868, 1870. 1871, they elected him 
 toth' II ise of Representatives by large major- 
 ities While in the 11 iuse he was instrumental 
 in having an act requiring railroads to fence their 
 lines in Centre county, or pay for the stock 
 killed (known as the railroad fence law) and the 
 lumberman's lein act passed, which added to his 
 p |>ularity with those classes of his section, as 
 both of these measures have proven of material 
 benefit to laboring men and farmers. In 1872 
 he was secretary of the Democratic State Com- 
 mittee, and in 1873, 1875 and 1S76, he had the 
 indorsement of the county convention for State 
 He was defeated by ex-Gov. Curtin 
 for the nomination for Congress in 1878 in Centre 
 county, by two votes in the convention. In 
 2 he accepted the position of editorial secre- 
 tary of the Democratic State Committee, and 
 prepared th< r part of the documents for 
 
 the campaign of 1882; and served as one of its 
 secretaries, during the campaigns of 1883 and 
 ; He was elected chief clerk of the House 
 in January. 1883, and filled 
 that position during the memorable regular and 
 special sessions of that year. As showing the 
 manner in which he performed the duties of this 
 position, we give, out of many of the same char- 
 acter, this single extract from one of the leading 
 journals of the State: "On Saturday last Mr 
 P. Gray Meek, chief clerk of the House of Rep- 
 resentatives, completed the settlement of his ac- 
 

 i^^w h^uU 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 25 
 
 counts, turned over to the Governor the remnant 
 of the State's property in his charge, and left for 
 his home. In his departure he carried with him 
 not only the consciousness of having discharged 
 his duty with fidelity, but the respect alike of the 
 members and citizens with whom his official 
 duties brought him in contact. During the pro- 
 tracted sessions in which Mr. Meek presided at 
 the clerk's desk, covering a period of eleven 
 months, he has been an intelligent and zealous 
 champion of economy and reform. He has been 
 faithful to every obligation which the arduous 
 duties of the office imposed. " 
 
 In 1890 Mr. Meek was elected to the Senate 
 by a majority approximating 5,000. He was 
 made a member of the committee on Appropria- 
 tions, Banks, Insurance and Congressional Ap- 
 portionment, and prepared the Congressional and 
 Senatorial Apportionment bills presented and ad- 
 vocated by the Democrats. His principal effort 
 during this session was put forth to secure legis- 
 lation taxing un-naturalized persons for poor pur- 
 poses. At the session of 1893 he served on com- 
 mittees on Banks, Congressional Apportionment, 
 Insurance, Legislative Apportionment, Public 
 Printing and other committees, and again pre- 
 pared the several Apportionment bills that his 
 party presented and supported. Before his term 
 as senator expired he was (in February, 1894) 
 appointed Surveyor of the Port at Philadelphia 
 by President Cleveland, which position he con- 
 tinues to hold. The following extracts from the 
 press speak for themselves: 
 
 The well-rounded periods in the life of P. Gray Meek, 
 the fighting editor of the Bellefonte Democratic Watchman, 
 would fill a book and provide a good start for another one. 
 As legislator, senator and proprietor of the best known and 
 thoroughly successful country weekly paper, his career has 
 been one alternating storms and sunshine, for he is nothing 
 if not aggressive, and his type of Democracy is founded on 
 the ultra-Jacksonian standard, with a mixture of the Jeffer- 
 sonian article. To know Editor Meek is to know a clever 
 and genial editor with an opinion and of sterling ability to 
 back it up. He has literally cut out his career from sur- 
 roundings severely hostile in character, and whether in the 
 right or wrong he has always had the courage of his con- 
 victions. 
 
 The Watchman, under the capable management of 
 Senator Meek, has been a very creditable journal. Its pro- 
 prietor is a natural-born newspaper man, and a thorough 
 believer in the principles of the Democratic party, and has 
 been largely instrumental, in his career as a journalist, in 
 keeping the party solid in party ranks. His paper is re- 
 garded by the State newspaper fraternity as one of the best 
 edited and finest printed weeklies in the Commonwealth. It 
 enjoys a large circulation throughout many of the different 
 States of this country. One of the finest and best-equipped 
 job offices in Pennsylvania is connected with it, and the ma- 
 chinery of the entire plant is run by the water power from 
 the springs, whose waters flow by the building. Mr. Meek 
 is assisted in the editorial work by his son, George R. Meek, 
 who is a graduate of Pennsylvania State College, and a very 
 able and forcible writer. 
 
 In January, 1862, Mr. Meek was married to 
 
 Miss Susan M., only daughter of George W. 
 Meek, of Ferguson township, Centre county, and 
 to them were born six children: Rachel L. , 
 Mary Gray, Elizabeth Breckinridge, George R. , 
 Eloise and Winifred Barron. The eldest daugh- 
 ter is associated with her father and brother in 
 the conduct of the paper. Elizabeth and Eloise 
 are both graduates of the Bellefonte High School 
 and of the Pennsylvania State College, as is also 
 George R., the latter from the High School in 
 1886 and from the State College in 1890, and 
 since 1893 he has been the managing editor of 
 the Democratic Watchman. The family adheres 
 to the religious faith of their ancestors, that of 
 the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
 
 JUDGE THOMAS BURNSIDE (deceased), 
 who was a resident of Bellefonte, Centre 
 county, was born near Newton Stewart, in 
 County Tyrone, Ireland, July 28, 1782. He 
 came with his father's (William Burnside) family 
 in 1792 to Montgomery county, his father locat- 
 ing near Fairview, in Lower Providence, in that 
 county. In November, 1800, he commenced the 
 study of law under Hon. Robert Porter, of Phila- 
 delphia, and was admitted to the Bar February 
 13, 1804, and in March removed to and settled in 
 Bellefonte, Centre county. 
 
 In 181 1 he was elected to the State Senate, 
 and was an active supporter of Gov. Simon Sny- 
 der in all the war measures of 1S12. In 1815, 
 he was elected to Congress, and served during 
 the memorable session of 1816. In the summer 
 of the same year he was appointed by Gov. Sny- 
 der president judge of the Luzerne District. He 
 resigned that position in 1818, and resumed prac- 
 tice at Bellefonte. In 1823. he was again elected 
 to the State Senate, of which body he was chosen 
 speaker. In 1826, before his senatorial term had 
 expired, he was appointed president judge of the 
 Fourth Judicial District, which office he held until 
 1 841, when he was appointed president judge of 
 the Seventh Judicial District. On January 1, 
 1854, he was commissioned one of the justices of 
 the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, an office 
 which he filled with honor up to the time of his 
 death. 
 
 Gov. Curtin once said: "Judge Burnside 
 was a man of indomitable will, and had that in- 
 tensity of purpose which baffled want, poverty, 
 and ill-fortune. He came to this county when 
 it was comparatively a wilderness, without means 
 or friends, and supplied the want of early educa- 
 tional training by his energy and perseverance. 
 His goodness of heart, and open-handed hospi- 
 tality soon surrounded him with a circle of stead- 
 
OOMMBMORA TIVB BIOGRAPHICAL BBOORD. 
 
 fast personal friends, and his large and liberal 
 views of progress, w it h his lofty State pride, 
 made him a captain of men and a ruling spirit.'' 
 
 As a judge he posst ssed a kei n and discrim- 
 inating sense of justice, and extensive knowli 
 of law and moral courag ts mandates 
 
 into execution As remarked by Hon. J;u 
 MacManus, one of his students, his great strength 
 of mind, common sense and quickness of appre- 
 hension enabled him tn grasp the main points of 
 a case, and with a vigorous step and a stately 
 march he would clear away the rubbish of techni- 
 cality, caring only for the justice of the cause be- 
 fore him. Mr. MacManus relates that upon the 
 occasion of some eminent visitor arriving at the 
 judge's house in Belief on te, Mrs. Burnside sent 
 Mr. MacManus fi >r the Judge, who was holding 
 court at Lewi-town. It was late in the week, 
 and a canal case to try. but the Judge asked the 
 lawyers to continue the case to oblige him. They 
 replied that the case was important, and the wit- 
 nesses from a distance. "Well then, goon; I 
 will try it for you, " said Judge Burnside. Taking 
 a little time to t^et the facts accurately, he drove 
 the case through and charged the jury, and was 
 ready by the time lie had tixed upon to go home, 
 and, what was remarkable, his opinion was the 
 only one sustained of sevei a! whii li went up fr< >m 
 different districts the canal pas ed through, in- 
 volving precisi 1\ similar <]iirsi ii mis of law. 
 
 judge Burnside took a di p oil livel) inter- 
 est in all public enterprises of the day — turn- 
 pikes, canals, railroads anil there are few pub- 
 lic improvements, whether in his own immediate 
 neighborhood, or in more remote portions of the 
 
 State, which d t owe much of their success to 
 
 his exertions and influence, ff ever he was biased 
 on the Bench, it was b) delaj caused by i 
 or tumults obstructing their progress even tem- 
 porarily. The late Judge A S, Wi I to 
 relate an anecdote in point : " I was concerned, 
 when at the Bar, for a poor Irishman, who with 
 others had been Convicted of a not on the canal 
 near Lewistown; to my utter surprise he was 
 called up with the rest for sentence. 'Why' I 
 remonstrated with the Court, 'the evidence 
 shows clearly my client was on the other side o) 
 the river when the riot took place.' ' It don't 
 matter,' said fudge Burnside, 'if he could hi 
 gotten out he would have been in it. - ' 
 
 In person, the judge was of medium height, 
 had prominent nose and eyes, dark complexion, 
 and was rather noted for want of comeliness of 
 features. His kindness and blunt honesty m 
 ample amends (or his lack ol personal beauty. 
 In the language of Mr MacManus, the " judicial 
 ermine was as unspotted when he laid it aside for 
 
 the habiliments of the grave as when he first put 
 it on." judge Burnside died at the residence of 
 his son-in-law, Mr. E. Morris, in Germantown, 
 March 25, 1857, in the sixty-ninth year of his 
 age. Hi- hist wife, Mary Fleming), died Feb- 
 ruary 28, 1 Si 3, at the early a^e of twenty-eight. 
 II, 1 children were: Mrs. Harvey Mann, of 
 
 in.; Spring; Mrs. Mary Morris, and the late 
 Hon. |ames Burnside. By his second wife, 
 Ellen (Winters), he also had children now resid- 
 
 11 Bellefonte: Miss Lucy Burnside, Thomas 
 Burnside and Mrs. Frances Boal. Mrs. Ellen 
 W. Burnside died in Bellefonte, June 3, 1859, 
 aged seventy-three years, eight months and 
 seventeen days. 
 
 HON [AMES T. HALE (deceased), formerly 
 of Bellefonte, was one of Centre county's 
 able men. He was a native of Bradford county, 
 Penn . born October 14, 1S10, and lived with his 
 parents on a farm, working thereon, and at inter- 
 vals attending the schools of the neighborhood, 
 until he was about fifteen years of age, when his 
 father died, and, he being the eldest son, the 
 support of the family was chiefly thrown upon 
 him. Some time after the death of his father, 
 he be< him the clerk in the prothonotary's office 
 at Towanda. He then entered upon the study 
 of the law under the direction of his uncle, Elias 
 W Hale, of Lewistown, l'enn.. and on February 
 28, 1832, was admitted to the Bar at that place. 
 In 1835 he removed to Bellefonte, whereon May 
 6 of that \ear. he married Miss Jane W. Huston, 
 daughter of Hon ( holes Huston, associate jus- 
 tice of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. He 
 continued Ins practice in the courts of Mifflin 
 county, and also attended the courts in the coun- 
 t it s of Clearfield and Clinton. He was en- 
 gaged in the trial of all the principal causes tried 
 in the several courts for many years, until April 
 10, 1851, when a vacancy occurred in what aft- 
 erward became the Twenty-fifth Judicial District, 
 whereof he was appointed pn iident judge by 
 Gov. Johnston. He presided in the several courts 
 of the district until December 1, 1851, when his 
 commission expired, and he was succeeded by 
 the Hon. Alexander Jordan. He occupied the 
 h hut a short time, but during that brief 
 period d luous duties of president 
 
 judge with such promptness, dispatch, ability, 
 and impartiality, that he achieved such popularity 
 and renown as a clear-headed and excellent jud 
 
 I by men who occupy the 
 Bench for longer terms. After retiring from the 
 -umed his profession, in which he con- 
 tinued until about 1856, when he had become so 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 27 
 
 largely engaged in other enterprises that he was, 
 to a great extent, obliged to abandon the active 
 duties of the profession. Having become inter- 
 ested as part owner in a large body of ti mber and 
 coal lands in the counties of Cambria, Centre 
 and Clearfield, known as the Philips estate, whose 
 value, development and availability depended 
 chiefly upon railroad communication, he embarked 
 his means, industry, energy and financial skill in 
 the building of the Tyrone & Clearfield railroad. 
 In 1856, he was elected president of the com- 
 pany, and continued in that position until i860. 
 During that period, notwithstanding the financial 
 crisis of 1857, through his indomitable energy 
 and enterprise, industry and financial ability, and 
 the application of his own means, the road was, 
 through much difficulty and many embarrass- 
 ments, graded and so far advanced toward 
 completion that it was in a year or two afterward 
 finished and equipped and put in running order; 
 and that important branch and feeder of the Penn- 
 sylvania Central railroad opened up and made 
 available the rich timber and mineral wealth of 
 parts of Cambria, Centre and Clearfield counties. 
 
 In politics Judge Hale was an ardent Whig 
 and high-tariff man. When the Whig party 
 passed out of existence he united with the Re- 
 publican party, and in 1858 was elected to the 
 XXXVIth Congress from the Eighteenth District, 
 composed of the counties of Mifflin, Centre, Clin- 
 ton, Lycoming, Potter and Tioga. He was re- 
 elected in i860, from the same district, to the 
 XXXVIIth Congress. In 1862 he ran as an in- 
 dependent candidate, and was again elected over 
 his competitor, the Hon. Wm. H. Armstrong, 
 the regular Republican nominee. At the close 
 of the session on March 4, 1865, he took his family 
 to Philadelphia, where, after attending to some 
 private business, he left them, and returned to 
 Belief onte, and at once engaged in piofessional 
 work, tried several cases at a special court held 
 by his honor. Judge Pearson, and, though not 
 being well, he argued a cause with great force 
 and ability on March 31. The day following he 
 was quite sick, and continued growing worse 
 until the following Thursday evening, April 6, 
 1865, when he died. 
 
 Judge Hale was an upright man, kind friend 
 and generous neighbor. From his first entry 
 into Centre county, he was a consistent friend of 
 the temperance cause, and the first to advocate 
 publicly the passage of laws to prohibit the man- 
 ufacture and sale of liquor as a beverage. He 
 possessed a bright intellect, a remarkably tena- 
 cious memory (never forgot a legal principle or 
 a reported case he had read), and an intuitive 
 knowledge of the law, was quick in his percep- 
 
 tive power, always ready, and as it has been 
 said of him, "was a lawyer without a book or 
 an office. " In the trial of causes he was cool 
 and calm, amiable and scarcely ever ruffled in 
 temper, or disconcerted by any turn the case 
 might take, and by his commanding presence, 
 pleasing address, persuasive manner, simple but 
 forcible diction, and, withal, sound argument, he 
 was sure to carry the court and jury with him. 
 He was a member and vestryman and prominent 
 in the councils of the Episcopal Church. His 
 wife and five children survive him. The widow 
 and three sons, Capt. Charles Huston, James 
 T., Jr., and George Natt have all since died. 
 His daughter Lucy, intermarried with Rev. 
 George G. Field, and Ellen, intermarried with 
 N. H. Stone, still survive and reside at Coats- 
 ville, in Chester county. 
 
 MON. JAMES BURNSIDE (deceased) was a 
 native of Centre county, born in Bellefonte, 
 Penn., February 22, 1807. He was the eldest 
 son of the Hon. Thomas Burnside. In 1824 he 
 was a stude'nt at the Bellefonte Academy, and in 
 1828 graduated with the highest honors at Dick- 
 inson College. His study of law was prosecuted 
 in his father's office. He was admitted to the 
 Bar in November, 1830, by the court over which 
 his father presided, and at once commenced the 
 practice of his profession under the same stern 
 and impartial regime. In October, 1844, he was 
 elected a member of the Lower' House of the 
 Pennsylvania Legislature, and re-elected in 1845. 
 While in that position he gave proof of great 
 ability. His speech, February 3, 1846, upon an 
 amendment which he proposed to the State Con- 
 stitution in favor of biennial sessions of the Leg- 
 islature, was a particularly able effort. When the 
 Twenty-fifth Judicial District was formed, Gov- 
 ernor Bigler commissioned him its judge, April 
 20, 1853, and in October he was elected without 
 opposition to the same office. He was eminently 
 distinguished on the Bench for his calm impar- 
 tiality, yet off of it he was a lenient citizen and 
 indulgent friend. In his private relations he dis- 
 played many qualities of head and heart which 
 endeared him to his friends and the people. 
 Had he lived, higher honors were apparently in 
 store for him; but, with only half of his years of 
 usefulness expended, he was called suddenly 
 away. He was instantly killed by being thrown 
 from a buggy July 1, 1859, leaving a widow 
 (since deceased), a daughter and two sons — S. 
 Cameron and Thomas. His wife was Rachel 
 (daughter of Hon. Simon Cameron), whom he 
 married June 2, 1846. 
 
28 
 
 COMVI U<U:.\T1VE BIOORAPniCAL RECORD. 
 
 WILLIAM P. Ill MKS has descended from 
 a family that has been identified with the 
 interest "I Centre count} foi almost .1 century. 
 
 Hamilton II bis grandfather, was born 
 
 in Lancaster county. Penn., January 7, 1784, and 
 removed to Bellefonte in the spring of 1810. On 
 April i, 1 s 1 9, he succeeded R T. Stewart 
 postmaster at Bellefonte, receiving his appoint- 
 ment from Return | Meigs, postmaster-general 
 under President Monroe, ami held that office 
 until January, 1833, under General Jackson, 
 when lie met the fate of Jackson's opponents in 
 removal from office. His physical and mental 
 organization eminently qualified him to be< 
 a useful and enterpri Me established 
 
 a large mercantile business, built mills, and 
 among other pursuits was that of the manufact- 
 ure of paper at Bellefonte, on which the Centre 
 Democrat was printed I His attention 
 
 to business, his skill, and his fidelity to his en- 
 
 ements secured public confidence. He was a 
 great friend and patron of young men; kind to 
 the indigent and unfortunate; thej never called 
 upon his benevolence in vain. He connected 
 himself with the Presbyterian Church at an early 
 age, gave liberally to its support, and served ac- 
 ceptably as an elder for many years before Ins 
 death, which occurred I bruary 28, 1859. He 
 was a mosl devoted friend of his pastor, Rev. 
 James Linn, who preached in the Presbyterian 
 Church for over fifty years, and both families 
 were intimately connected. He married Ann 
 Elmira Bailey, who was a most excellent Chris- 
 tian lady, a native of Lancaster county, Penn., 
 born September 28, 1784, and died in Belle- 
 fonte, March 31, 1862. Their children were: 
 James Humes, who died in infancy; Mrs. Eliza- 
 beth McClure, of Lewisburg; Mrs Rachel 
 Humes, of Jersey Shore; W 11 Humes, of 
 Bellefonte; Miss < .iroline Humes, of Bellefonte; 
 and Edward < Humes (fathei oi our subject), 
 who died March 28, 1895, and who survived all 
 the othei children. Hamilton Humes and his 
 wde were related to and connet ted with Lancas- 
 tei county's # mosl prominent families, with only 
 a few of their descendants still living. 
 
 Edward C. Hi mes had been connected with 
 the business interests <>f ( entre county from the 
 very beginning of the century He was one of 
 Bellefonte's most prominent business men, and 
 in business he was eminently successful His 
 birth occurred at Bellefonte, August 23, 1810 
 He received his education at the Bellefonte 
 Academy, then under the principalship of Alfred 
 Armstrong, and latei at Dickinson ( ollege, Car- 
 li le, Penn., and when the lattei was still under 
 
 control of the Presbyterian Church, from which 
 
 itution he was graduated in 1829. After 
 clerking for a short time for his father, the two 
 became associated under the firm name of H. 
 Humes & Son, and afterward (with John Ton- 
 ner), E. C. Humes&Co., and later on (with Will- 
 iam H. Humi Humes & Brother. In 1846, 
 in connection with the late Hon. A. G. Curtin, 
 Hon. H. X. McAllister and Hon. James T. Hale, 
 E. C. Humes established the banking house of 
 Humes, McAllister, Hale lN: Co.. to which he 
 gave all of his attention, and which soon ob- 
 tained a first-class credit in the State. On June 
 S, 1864, this institution was merged into the 
 First National Bank of Bellefonte, of which Mr. 
 Humes became president, and so remained for 
 many years, or for the remainder of his life. At 
 the time of his death he is said to have been the 
 oldest National Bank president in the United 
 States. Under his able management, this latter 
 institution was also most successful, and on ac- 
 count of the prominence of Mr. Humes, as well as 
 ol the se\ eral gentlemen referred to (associated 
 with him), the bank always sustained a high rep- 
 utation, both at home and abroad. Besides his 
 interests and connection with this bank, of which 
 he was from its beginning also a director and 
 ,t stockholder, he was a director and stock- 
 In ilder of the Centre County Banking Co., at 
 Bellefonte, as well as having other large busi- 
 
 - connections through the State. He was 
 generally acknowledged, in business circles, to 
 be a most safe counselor and adviser, and those 
 having large means, as well as those in moderate 
 circumstances frequently confided in him, and to 
 them he was always ready and willing to give 
 his best judgment and experience. He was par- 
 ticularly kind and thoughtful in his home life, 
 and what was to the happiness of his family was 
 the oftener adding to his own pleasure. ( M Mr 
 II nines' life nothing discreditable has ever been 
 He wasa man whose close attention to busi- 
 ness made him almost a stranger in political ami 
 social spheres, but his home was always the most 
 hospitable, and where his many friends alwi 
 
 ived a most cordial welcome. Although a 
 Republican, he had kind feelings toward those 
 of anj other political party, and particularly so 
 when feeling and knowing the sincerity "f their 
 convictions. He was connected with tin; Presby- 
 terian Church, "I which he was a lifelong mem- 
 ber, an honored ruling elder for main years, and 
 was a laree giver I" its support, He was recog- 
 
 d as a in. in ol probity and earnestness. 
 
 He w.i, nevei given t<> self-laudation, and his 
 
 i intimate acquaintances never knew "t 
 
T/feA>ri£J 
 
;^?4^w4^ 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 29 
 
 his many kindnesses to those in need of his helping 
 hand. He has been sadly missed in Bellefonte 
 by the many beneficiaries of his bounty, and the 
 simple perfectness of his straightforward life will 
 keep his memory bright in the hearts of those 
 who knew him. 
 
 On December 7, 1843, Edward C. Humes 
 was married to Miss Lucy Alexander (born August 
 4, 181 1), a niece of Mrs. William W. Potter, and 
 three children were born to this union, two of 
 whom are living: William P. and Miss Miley; 
 Hamilton, the younger, died March 21. 1892. 
 Mrs. Humes died February 18, 1886, aged sixty- 
 nine years. She was a devout member of the 
 Presbyterian Church, and a most gentle-hearted, 
 generous and in every way excellent Christian 
 lady. In her death the Church was deprived of 
 a stanch friend and supporter. Mrs. Humes was 
 connected with some very prominent families. 
 Her maternal grandfather, William Winters, 
 came from Berks county in 1778, and settled on 
 a farm now within the city limits of Williams- 
 port, this State. He was twice married; his first 
 wife was Ann Boone, a sister of Col. Daniel 
 Boone of Kentucky. The eldest daughter, Han- 
 nah, by his first wife married Thomas Lincoln, 
 the grandfather of President Lincoln, and shortly 
 before his death, Lincoln (who was killed by the 
 Indians) visited William Winters at his home, 
 now Williamsport, and John Winters, his brother- 
 in-law, returned to Kentucky with him, whither 
 Mr. Lincoln had removed, after his marriage, 
 from Virginia, John being deputed to look after 
 some lands taken up by Col. Boone and his 
 father. The second wife of William Winters was 
 Ellen Campbell, whom he married in 1774. 
 Mr. Winters died in 1794, and his widow resided 
 where Williamsport now is, where she remained 
 and reared her children as follows: Mary be- 
 came the wife of Charles Huston, who adorned 
 the Bench of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. 
 Ellen became the wife of Thomas Burnside, a 
 member of Congress, judge of common pleas, 
 and a justice of the supreme court. Sarah be- 
 came the wife of Benjamin Harris, of Williams- 
 port. Elizabeth became the wife of Thomas 
 Alexander, of Williamsport. Lucy became the 
 wife of Hon. William W. Potter, a leading pol- 
 itician of Centre county, who died a member of 
 Congress; he was the son of Gen. James Potter, 
 one of the earliest settlers of Centre county. 
 
 On the death of Mr. Potter in 1838, the 
 widow resided at Bellefonte. and after the mar- 
 riage of her niece to Edward C. Humes, made 
 her home with them the rest of her lifetime. 
 She was married in 18 16, and died May 30, 
 1875, at the ripe old age of nearly eighty-five 
 
 years. Her character was a very decided one, 
 perceiving the right course to pursue and never 
 swerving therefrom. A consistent Christian, and 
 member of the Presbyterian Church for more 
 than half a century. She had no children of her 
 own, and so fixed upon herself the affections of 
 the children of her niece, to which during her 
 life she was an always present, ready and willing 
 friend and ally. 
 
 William P. Humes, the subject proper of this 
 sketch, was born in Bellefonte September 21, 
 1 844. He received his education in the academy 
 at Bellefonte and at Pennsylvania State College, 
 returning from the latter to Bellefonte the first 
 year of the Civil war, where, after assisting in 
 closing up the business of E. C. Humes & Bro.. 
 he became connected with what was more gen- 
 erally known as Humes, McAllister, Hale & Co.. 
 private bankers, composed of E. C. Humes, H. N. 
 McAllister, James T. Hale and A. G. Curtin, 
 which bank later became the First National Bank 
 of Bellefonte (our subject's father being the hon- 
 ored president), with which institution William 
 P. Humes has through all the intervening years 
 been associated. He is a director in the bank 
 and also a large stockholder. Enterprising and 
 progressive in business lines, Mr. Humes sustains 
 the reputation secured by his father and grand- 
 father in the community in which they so long fig- 
 ured in business affairs, and in which they so long 
 enjoyed the confidence of all. He is of a diffident, 
 unassuming and retiring disposition, very gener- 
 ous and most kind to those in need; a member of 
 the Presbyterian Church, he is one of its ablest 
 supporters; in politics he is a Republican; socially, 
 a member of the Union League Club of Phila- 
 delphia, as well as of several other organizations. 
 
 On December 27, 1877, Mr. Humes was mar- 
 ried to Miss Eliza D. , daughter of James D. and 
 M. A. Harris, and to this union was born a daugh- 
 ter, Lucy Hamilton, who died at the age of six 
 months. Mrs. Humes died July 1, 1881, in the 
 forty-fourth year of her age. She, too, was a 
 most consistent member of the Presbyterian 
 Church and devotedly attached to its welfare; 
 was most charitable and kind to all, and her sud- 
 den death, which brought such a shock and so 
 much sorrow to those nearest and dearest to her, 
 caused a gloom over the whole community. She 
 was one of a family of six children, three of 
 whom are now deceased: James, who died quite 
 young, with Mrs. T. M. Potter and Mrs. Eliza D. 
 Humes; those living are: Mrs. Nancy D. Orbi- 
 son, Mrs. Jane H. Sommerville, and Mrs. Louisa 
 H. Hoy. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Harris, father and mother of 
 Mrs. Humes, were among the early settlers of 
 
BO 
 
 ( OMMBMOHATIVB BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 ly identified with 
 and connected with it^ most prominent 
 families. They were both most worthy members 
 "I tii' Presbyterian ( hurch, Mr. Harris also 
 having served as a mo I I ruling elder in 
 
 this ( hurch. Mr Han - li d I sbruary 26, 1842, 
 almi Mrs Harris, wh 
 
 <le. nh occurred February 1. 1 > I5 1 . 
 
 *OV. DANIEL II. HAM [NGS. The life 
 T histor} ol I )aniel I lartman I [astings, 
 ernoroi the Commonwealth of Pennsylvai 
 oof be ' ply impressed upon tbo minds of 
 
 the- aspirin- youth "I to-day. It would be dif- 
 
 ficult to imagine a less promising environment 
 than that in which were spenl the early years of 
 this distinguished orator, lawyer, soldier, finan- 
 cier and statesman. 
 
 William Hastings, bis father, was born in Ire- 
 land, and, 1 after marriage with a native 
 of Scotland, left bis home in Counts- Deny, lie- 
 land, to come to 1! e New World, settling in [832 
 in what is now Clinton county, near Ins father, 
 who bad preceded him to America. The Penn- 
 sylvania canal was then in process of construc- 
 tion, and Georj I tings, tbe grandlather of 
 the sub j eel of this notice, having obtained a con- 
 tract for the construction of a section of it, his 
 father worked upon it as a laborer foi some tune, 
 but afterward found employment as a (arm h 
 Neithei parent bad been given educational ad- 
 vantages even of a rudimentary sort — and their 
 logcabin, two miles from Salona, could be sup- 
 plied with but bunted COmfurtS on their meagre 
 income of fifty cents a day. Nine children 
 shared its shelter and tbe 1 parents' love, and 
 /ernor Hastings, who first saw tbe light there 
 Februarj J'.. 1849, doubtless owes much of bis 
 pra< tical 1 ommi m s< nse to the lessons learni d 
 
 amid the 1 lose 1 mi< s and stei n realities 
 
 poor man's home. He was named for Rev. 
 Daniel 1 1, Htm. in, a vi nerable minister of tbe M 
 E. Church, to whom tie ; ol bis namesake 
 
 w.<> a source ol joy and pride. The public 
 schools ol thai day and locality were not of the 
 best, but tbe in [uired to place tbe bright 
 
 bo\ under more suitable ti ould not be 
 
 spared from tbe slendei | tbe pan 
 
 Mr. George Hopson, of Farrandsville, however, 
 nerously made provision for his attendance at 
 a select school taught by Miss Mary A. Crosby. 
 Through her cue and influence he acquired a 
 fair knowledge ol tbe English branches, but at 
 an early age In- was obliged to leave school in 
 oid. 1 to assist in thi [gaining a livelihood. 
 
 When the Civil wai broke out bis elder brothers 
 
 took up arm ; nion, and young 
 
 as be was tbe future governor showed his mar- 
 tial spirit by running away repeatedly from bis 
 home with int. nt to enlist in some fighting regi- 
 ment. On bis first attempt he succeeded in 
 Lock Haven, and on the second he 
 made Ins way to Williamsp ort ; but each time he 
 was captured and taken home. The third time 
 be reached Carlisle, had actually donned the un- 
 iform of a private soldier, and was rejoicing in 
 tbe attainment of bis wish when his father again 
 appeared, and the boy s. >rrow lulls returned to tbe 
 Nittany Valley farm, and resumed lbs distasteful 
 tod with the hoe an. I the plow. 
 
 In tbe winter of 1863, a school in Wayne 
 township, Clinton county, became vacant through 
 the appointment of its teacher, Col. W. W. S. 
 Snodely, as county superintendent. Although 
 but fourteen years old tbe future governor de- 
 termined to apply for the place and, borrowings 
 dollar, he trudged eighteen miles through the 
 snow on a wintry day, and secured a promise of 
 appointment should he pass tbe examination. 
 He walk back to Lock Haven on the same day, 
 gained the required certificate, and the next 
 morning walked to the school in time to open 
 the day's session. His dollar had been spent, 
 however, and during this first trying day in his 
 new sphere he had nothing to eat. His success 
 in tbe school made further employment easy to 
 obtain, and for some years his winters were 
 -p-nt in teaching, while in the vacation he as- 
 sisted his father as before. His evenings were 
 devoti .1 to study, and - 1 rapidly did he progress 
 in learning and in professional skill that in 1867 
 be was elected principal of the Bellefonte Acad- 
 emy, and superintendent of the public schools 
 ol Bellefonte, his duties including the oversight 
 of all the schools in the borough. While then 
 he pursued a course of study in Latin and Greek 
 with Prof. W. II. Murray, of the Kpiscopa! 
 School, as a tutor. From 1867 to 1875 Gov. 
 Hastings ti I led the position of principal with 
 marked success, and during two years of this 
 period he displayed conspicuous ability in jour- 
 nalism as assistant editor of the Bellefonte Re- 
 publican. B) some means known only to him- 
 self he also found time to read law, and on April 
 1S75, was admitti I t 1 the Bar. Hebecame 
 
 nee a member of the firm of Bush, Yocum \ 
 Hastings, which continued until tbe withdrawal 
 ol Mr Bush in 1X77, when the firm name of 
 Yocum & Hastings wasadopted. In 1878, when 
 Mi. Yocum was elected to Congress, anew part- 
 1 ei was taken, and the business continued under 
 the name of Hastings & Reeder. 
 
 In tbe meantime our subject bad married (in 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 31 
 
 1877) Miss Jane Armstrong Rankin, daughter of 
 James H. Rankin, who at the time of his death 
 was the senior member of the Centre County 
 Bar. His success in his profession and his grow- 
 ing reputation as an orator brought him into 
 prominence in public life, and he was elected a 
 member of the school board, then burgess of 
 Bellefonte, trustee of the M. E. Church, and 
 trustee of the Pennsylvania State College, of 
 Dickinson College at Carlisle, and of other edu- 
 cational institutions. In July, 1877, the Penn- 
 sylvania National Guard was called out to sup- 
 press the well-remembered riots, and at Gen. 
 Beaver's request our subject accompanied the 
 command to Altoona as an aid on the General's 
 staff. His long-suppressed inclination for mili- 
 tary life made this opportunity a welcome one, 
 and his energy and ability quickly attracted at- 
 tention. In July, 1877, he was appointed a cap- 
 tain in the 5th Regiment; in March, 1878, he 
 was elected and commissioned lieutenant-colonel 
 of the 5th. In June, 1883, he was appointed 
 assistant adjutant-general of the 2d Brigade, 
 and in March, 1884, he was elected colonel of 
 the 5th Regiment, which in the annual inspec- 
 tion of 1886 achieved the highest standing of any 
 in the State. 
 
 So capable did he prove himself in military 
 affairs, that he was offered the appointment of 
 adjutant-general of the State, and in January, 
 1887, he resigned the colonelcy to take this 
 wider sphere of responsibility, in which he won 
 new laurels. At the time of the division en- 
 campment at Mt. Gretna, in 18S7, when Gen. 
 Sheridan reviewed the eight thousand guardsmen, 
 the sight of the long ranks of infantry in perfect 
 alignment, each soldier equipped as for actual 
 warlare with uniform and accoutrements com- 
 plete, and the cavalry and batteries following in 
 like perfection of detail, the hero of Winchester 
 was heard to say, "that looks more like business 
 than anything I have seen in this country since 
 the disbandment of the army at Washington in 
 1865." To the united energies and vigilance of 
 Gens. Hartranft and Hastings this success was 
 attributed, and the National Guard had cause on 
 this and other occasions to note Gen. Hastings' 
 zeal and efficiency. He was appointed with 
 Gen. Hartranft and others upon a commission to 
 revise the military code, and rendered excellent 
 service in the preparation of the bill under which 
 the militia has since been given increased strength 
 and effectiveness. 
 
 An ardent Republican from his youth up, 
 Gov. Hastings has always taken deep interest in 
 politics, and, fitted as he was by nature and 
 training for usefulness in that field, it is not sur- 
 
 prising that he was early called to take an active 
 place in the front rank of workers. His first 
 triumph was as a manager of the Congressional 
 campaign of 1878, when his partner, Seth H. 
 Yocum, was a candidate. The task was no light 
 one, as the Democratic majority usually reached 
 3,000; but through shrewd and tactful manage- 
 ment Mr. Yocum was elected, defeating ex-Gov- 
 ernor Andrew G. Curtin. In 1882, during Gen. 
 Beaver's campaign for the office of governor, 
 Gen. Hastings, as a personal friend and political 
 sympathizer, supported him with untiring energy. 
 In no wise disheartened by the defeat of that 
 year, he presented Gen. Beaver's name to the 
 State Convention of 1S86 for renomination, and 
 succeeded in having justice done to a brave and 
 generous man against whom misrepresentation 
 and prejudice had temporarily prevailed. In 
 18S7 Gov. Hastings was chairman of the State 
 Convention which nominated Henry W. Williams 
 for Judge of the Supreme Court, and William B. 
 Hart for State Treasurer. In Pennsylvania his 
 power as an orator had long been known, but it 
 was not until the Republican National Convention 
 of 1888 that the country learned of his ability. 
 Hon. John Sherman was Pennsylvania's choice 
 for President, and Gov. Hastings, who was pres- 
 ent as a delegate-at-large, was elected to bring 
 the name of that candidate before the conven- 
 tion. It was a time, a place, a theme, to arouse 
 our spokesman to do his best, and in his half- 
 hour address he gained a national reputation, 
 and the newspapers throughout the land paid 
 tribute to his brilliancy and charm as an orator. 
 "Gath " telegraphed to the Chicago Tribune that 
 day: " Sherman was best put in the field. The 
 Pennsylvania man who lives in the little mount- 
 ain town of Bellefonte made the best speech 
 which has been heard at this display. It was 
 worthy of being the party platform. Hastings, 
 who made it, they say will some day be heard 
 in the Senate or run for governor." 
 
 Murat Halstead, of the Cincinnati Commer- 
 cial-Gazette, wrote in his paper: "As to the 
 reception of the presentation of nomination there 
 was no marked preference shown for any candi- 
 date until the splendid oration of Gen. Hastings, 
 of Pennsylvania, nominating Sherman. Then 
 things took a more decided shape. Gen. Hast- 
 ings has a magnificent appearance and delivery, 
 and his superb ringing sentences fell one after 
 another, bright as new coin, each word clear as 
 a bugle note; the mighty multitude felt the magic 
 of oratory, of a man speaking worthily on a great 
 occasion. There never was a finer speech made 
 on such an occasion, and I remember Ingersoll's 
 nomination of Blaine at Cincinnati. Gen. Hast- 
 

 VMBMORA TIVB BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 mgs walks up at once to a place among the few 
 ol our public speaker-;.' His success made so 
 deep an impression that he was called upon by 
 the presiding officer to take the chair for the day, 
 .iik) was also invited to second the nomination of 
 Hon. Levi P. Morton for the Vice- Presidency. 
 As may be supposed be was il popular 
 
 orator of the campaign of that year, and he did 
 noble service in New York, New Jersey, Penn- 
 sylvania, Indiana, Ohio and Michigan, contribut- 
 ing greatly to the success of the cause. The in- 
 fluence thus gained lias been strengthened and 
 widened in succeeding campaigns, and in the 
 memorable struggle of 1896 his rare gifts were 
 ■ It voted with supreme energy to the task of up- 
 holding his country's honor and integrity. 
 
 These and similar triumphs won admiration. 
 It remains to mention a time when Gov. Hastings 
 won also the love of every kindly heart. The 
 story of the Johnstown disaster followed, as the 
 weeks passed, by the story of rescue and rest 
 tion under the guidance of the clear brain, 1 
 
 and sympathetic heart of the man who took 
 rge of that scene of desolation. On the fate- 
 ful day of May 31, [889, Gen. Hastings was at 
 Hastings, a flourishing town in Cambria county, 
 named in his honor, looking after the extensive 
 coal- mining operal - there in which he is inter- 
 ested in partnership with <. >. Beaver, Robert 
 Coleman and ("ol. J. L. Spangler. During the 
 mght news came of the frightful devastation in 
 the valley of the Conemaugh, and with the break 
 of day Gen. Hastings started with Col. Spangler 
 to drive over flooded roads and 'broken brid 
 to Johnstown, where they arrived at 4 P. M. He 
 lost no time in telegraphing to Gov. Beaver for 
 supplies, and then he took off his coat and bent 
 his energies to the work of relief. His executive 
 ability and forceful character, no less than his 
 official rank, indicated the man for the hour, and 
 by general consent he assumed tb | al imm- 
 
 inent of affairs, and as has been said won "by 
 his uniform kindness and 33 mpathetic actions the 
 gratitude of his fellow citizens throughout the 
 State." The surviving inhabitants of the stricken 
 city gave a public recognition of his great work 
 on the evening of July 1 3, [889, when the Gov- 
 ernor took his leave ol the place, and the sold 
 o| the G. A. R. manifested the appreciation of 
 his soldierly qualities bj presenting a badgi 
 their order beautifully set with diamonds, claim 
 ing thai by his gallant and faithful service 011 thai 
 field of death and living agony he had proven 
 himself a worth] le. 
 
 Pennsj Kan irned to look to this 
 
 tion foi In st 1 [ass gubernatorial timber, and the 
 supply furnished in the past has abundant!) 
 
 tified that confidence. What more natural than 
 that this distinguished son should be called upon 
 to administer to the affairs of the State! The 
 story of his election in 1894 by the largest ma- 
 jority ever given in Pennsylvania to the head of 
 the State ticket need not be retold here. Since 
 January 15, 1895, Gov. Hastings has rilled his 
 high office in a manner to disarm criticism, and 
 his steadily increasing fame points to yet more ad- 
 vanced posts of duty. 
 
 In the words of one who knows him well: 
 "As a citizen he is clever, generous and univer- 
 sally popular, and in thorough and complete sym- 
 pathy with the people. No one hesitates to ask 
 him a favor, for his disposition is gentle and oblig- 
 ing. Entertaining and agreeable in conversation, 
 he is a citizen of sterling worth, and exemplary 
 in the discharge of all his social duties. His 
 practical acquaintance and thorough sympathy 
 with all that concerns the public welfare, his 
 readiness to respond to every just call upon him 
 as a citizen and as a man at whatever sacrifice, 
 have had a thorough public test, and the whole 
 career of his life affords an example worthy of 
 imitation. Nothing but the louder cry of his 
 country ever came in conflict with his duty to his 
 nts, as a teacher he was painstaking, con- 
 siderate and successful; as a lawyer he brings to 
 the discharge of his duties honesty and earnest- 
 ness of purpose, commendable zeal and energy, 
 good judgment, strong convictions of duty and 
 great knowledge of the law. In official position 
 he has been equal to every emergency that arose, 
 and in all cases brought great credit to the offices 
 he has thus far been intrusted with. 
 
 GEORGE W. ATHERTON, LL. I> . Presi 
 dent of the Pennsylvania State College, -'as 
 born in Boxford, Essex Co., Mass., June 20, 
 [837. The Atherton family came to New Mug- 
 land between [620 and 1630. The name was 
 one of the most honorable in the early history of 
 Massachusetts, one of its members, Maj.-Gen. 
 Humphrey Atherton, being to the Massachusetts 
 ay what Miles Standish was to the Plymouth 
 Colony. This family was a branch of the old 
 1. whose seat is still at Leigh, neai 
 Manchester, England. 
 
 At tin age of twelve years, the subject ol this 
 sketch was left, by the loss of his father, to earn 
 his own living, and to contribute in part to the 
 support of a mother and two sisters. Circum- 
 
 ices thus early developed the indomitable will 
 and tenacity of purpose which have been his 
 leading chara 3 in later life. By work in 
 
 a cottfln-mill. on a farm, and, later, by teaching, 
 
' 
 
 

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 33 
 
 he made his way through Phillips Exeter Acad- 
 emy, and in the fall of i860 entered the sopho- 
 more class of Yale College, from which he was 
 graduated in 1863. Meantime the war of the 
 Rebellion had temporarily diverted him from his 
 single and absorbing purpose of obtaining a col- 
 legiate education. On the recommendation of 
 President Woolsey and other friends, he was ap- 
 pointed to a first lieutenancy in the 10th Con- 
 necticut Volunteers, which formed a part of the 
 Burnside expedition against North Carolina. He 
 was constantly on duty in all the preliminary op- 
 erations of the expedition, and was in command 
 of his company through the battles of Roanoke 
 Island and Newbern, his captain having been 
 wounded at the very beginning of the former en- 
 gagement. After the battle of Newbern, he was 
 promoted to a captaincy, was engaged for some 
 months in camp and outpost duty at Newbern, 
 afterward took part in the movement under Du- 
 Pont and Hunter from Hilton Head, South Caro- 
 lina (to which his regiment had been transferred), 
 against Charleston. The part assigned to the 
 land forces in the movement was to take posses- 
 sion of Seabrook's Island, for the purpose of 
 holding the mouth of the Edisto river as a ren- 
 dezvous for the ironclads. The immediate land- 
 ing was effected without resistance. The confi- 
 dence of his superior officers was shown at this 
 time by the fact that Capt. Atherton with his 
 company was detached from the main body and 
 ordered to make an independent reconnoissance 
 up the western side of the Island, without guides, 
 in a strange country known to be occupied by 
 the enemy, with instructions to rejoin the main 
 body at the upper end. This duty he performed 
 in a way that secured the warm approval of his 
 superior officers. The next four or five months 
 were passed in camp and out-post duty in the 
 constant presence of the enemy, but with no par- 
 ticular incident except occasional reconnoissance 
 and skirmishes. He was repeatedly detailed as 
 judge advocate of regimental and brigade courts- 
 martial. Meanwhile Capt. Atherton had passed 
 through one period of protracted, and nearly 
 fatal, illness, and found his health in the sum- 
 mer of 1863 so much impaired that this consid- 
 eration, coupled with the apparent prospect of a 
 long period of useless inactivity, led him to offer 
 his resignation. The step was taken with the 
 greatest reluctance, and only after consultation 
 with his colonel and chaplain and other trusted 
 friends in the regiment, and notwithstanding the 
 assured prospect of early promotion. 
 
 After several months of recuperation, our 
 subject was appointed to a professorship in the 
 
 Albany Boys' Academy, one of the best fitting 
 3 
 
 schools in the country, in which he had taught 
 before entering college. During the succeeding 
 years, while continuing his teaching, he com- 
 pleted the branches of study which he had 
 omitted during his absence in the army. In 
 June, 1864, he returned to New Haven, passed 
 examination in those subjects, and, as a special 
 recognition of his standing in college and the oc- 
 casion of his absence, received his degree (B. A.) 
 to date back with his own class of 1863. Dur- 
 ing the next three years he continued teaching in 
 Albany, and then accepted a professorship in St. 
 John's College, Annapolis, Md., where he also 
 acted as principal nearly the entire year, in the 
 absence of Dr. Henry Barnard. In the follow- 
 ing year he left Annapolis, and became a member 
 of the first Faculty of the Illinois State University, 
 which was opened for students in 1868, with the 
 Hon. John M. Gregory as regent. Here his 
 work and relations were of the most congenial 
 kind; but before the close of his first year of 
 service he accepted a very Mattering and urgently 
 repeated offer of the newly-established chair of 
 History, Political Economy and Constitutional 
 Law in Rutgers College, New Brunswick, N. |. 
 He occupied this chair nearly fourteen years. 
 During these fourteen years he not only vigor- 
 ously maintained the professional work of the 
 class-room, but was active in all matters pertain- 
 ing to the general work and interests of the in- 
 stitution, as well as in a great variety of other 
 and more public duties, such as lectures, ad- 
 dresses, newspaper work, etc. In 1873. he was 
 a member of the board of visitors to the United 
 States Naval Academy. In 1875, he was ap- 
 pointed, by President Grant, a member of the 
 Commission to investigate charges of mismanage- 
 ment and fraud at the Red Cloud Indian Agency. 
 The charges were, at the time, a matter of great 
 public notoriety, but the work of investigation 
 was so thoroughly done, and the report submitted 
 to the President so conclusive, that the House of 
 Representatives, which during the succeeding 
 winter made a point of investigating every branch 
 of the government service, made no attempt to 
 traverse the conclusions of this Commission. 
 
 In 1876, greatly against his wishes, but in 
 obedience to what seemed a call of duty from 
 many who were interested in promoting purer 
 politics, he accepted the Republican nomination 
 for Congress, in a district having a very large 
 majority for the opposite party. His defeat fol- 
 lowed as a matter of course, though he ran ahead 
 of the Presidential ticket at almost every polling 
 place, and his vigorous canvass of the district 
 elicited the highest praise on account of his un- 
 compromising advocacy of honest money as 
 
34 
 
 00MM1 VORATIVR BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 against the green-back folly then prevalent 
 civil service reform tem, 
 
 and of the purity <>f the ballot a rup- 
 
 tion in the North, and fraud and vi i the 
 
 South. In 1878, hi 'Mis- 
 
 sion, compo! ■ I 'i i;\ ■ 1 ' inted 1>> 
 
 Governor of N . to prepare and 
 
 to the l 1 "l the 
 
 State system of taxation. During tin 
 the nature of his | mal studies, and his 
 
 widening interest in public q l<-d him to 
 
 take up the study ol lav He was admitted to 
 the New |ersey Bar, me time 
 
 as consulting attorney, but without relinquishing 
 his Coll p. All ' : ied act- 
 
 ivities he regarded as subsidiary to his principal 
 work as a teach tide of young men. Him- 
 
 self an ardent believ< t in one school of political 
 opinion, he scrupulously avoided everything like 
 partisanship in the teachings of the lecture- room, 
 endca\onng only to instil a high sense of the re- 
 sponsibilities and privileges of citizenship, and 
 especially of the public duties of educated men; 
 and there can be no doubt that it was his prac- 
 tical experience of affairs which gave that l 
 and effectiveness to his influence in the class- 
 room, o| which his students speak with warmth 
 and gratitude. The scientific department of 
 Rul • had received from the I egisla- 
 
 ture of New Jersej the benefits of the United 
 Stat ; Land Grant Act, of 1862, and his connec- 
 tion with the institution naturally led him to an 
 examination of the provisions and the underlying 
 principles of that legislation He became thor- 
 oughly convinced that it was not onlj a measure 
 of far-reaching wisdom as a provision for higher 
 public education, but that it was peculiarly in 
 keeping with the genius of our system of institu- 
 tions. 
 
 An unsuccessful effort made in Congress in 
 the winter of 1872 73, by Senator Morrill, of 
 Vermont, the author of the original measure, to 
 increase the endowment ol the coll tab- 
 
 lished under that Act, led Prof. Atherton to 
 make a careful study of the results already ac- 
 mplished by it. These results he presented in 
 a paper read In-fore the National Education As- 
 sociation at its meeting in Elmira, N. Y., in the 
 summer ol 1873. There had been no previous 
 attempt to make S o systematic an inquiry, and 
 the array of facts showing what the colleges had 
 already accomplished in the short time since 
 their establishment was a surprise to friends and 
 opponents alike. It was shown that the pro- 
 ceeds of the I tnd < .rant had on the whole been 
 wisely managed, and that the spirit of thi 
 Congress had been promptly met by the action 
 
 towns, and private individu- 
 al which nearly live millions of 
 
 .irs had been already received in grants and 
 gifts, for the purpose of supplementing the funds 
 
 apart by the United States. This address 
 >f an active interest in the 
 subject of government support for higher educa- 
 tion which has given direction to all his subse- 
 
 nt work, and there has since been no Con- 
 il legislation in the shaping and securing 
 of which he has not taken an active and influen- 
 tial part. The well-known Act of 1887, provid- 
 ing for the establishment of Agricultural Experi- 
 ment Stations in connection with the Land Giant 
 Colleges in every State in the Union, and under 
 which fifty principal and several subordinate sta- 
 tions are now in operation, is probably more 
 largelv indebted to him for its passage than to 
 any other single individual outside of Congress. 
 While he would be the last to detract from the 
 credit due to the efforts of others, it is the sim- 
 ple truth to say that, in the midst of the numer- 
 ous and widespread agencies which were set in 
 operation in behalf of that important measure, 
 his leadership was freely recognized by all who 
 had part in securing it. The passage of this Act 
 was followed by the organization of an Associa- 
 tion, including in its membership all these Col- 
 leges and Experiment Stations, which at once 
 took rank as one of the most influential bodies of 
 educational and scientific workers in the United 
 States. This Association, known as "The 
 American Association of Agricultural Colleges 
 and Experiment Stations." chose Dr. Atherton 
 as its first president. In 1890, Congress passed 
 a third Act intended to strengthen the educa- 
 tional work of the Land Grant Colleges, in dis- 
 tinction from the work of experiment and re- 
 
 rch which has been especially provided for by 
 the Act of 1887. In promoting the passage of 
 this measure, also, Dr. Atherton rendered im- 
 portant service. 
 
 Meantime, in the summer of 1882, he re- 
 ceived and finally accepted a call to the Presi- 
 deuev oi the Pennsylvania State College, one of 
 the Land Grant Institutions. After having re- 
 ceived the income of the Land Grant Act for fif- 
 teen years, the institution had less than one hun- 
 dred students, a meagre equipment, with a pub- 
 
 sentiment either hostile or indifferent, and 
 tins, notwithstanding the fact that its Faculty and 
 
 rd of Trustees had in ver been without strong 
 and able men. The task of building it up and 
 making it worthy of so rich and powerful a Com- 
 monwealth as Pennsylvania seemed almost a 
 hopeless one, but to tins task Dr. Atherton de- 
 vote! himself with a courage and enthusiasm 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BWG UAPIIKA I. RECORD. 
 
 35 
 
 which astonished even his friends, and the spirit 
 of which was in itself an inspiration to others. 
 At the end of ten years the results have been 
 greater than the most sanguine friends of the 
 College had dared to anticipate. A total change 
 in public sentiment has shown itself in a steady 
 increase in the number of students, and the ap- 
 propriation of nearly four hundred thousand dol- 
 lars by the Legislature has given the College a 
 substantial equipment of the buildings and ap- 
 paratus required for its work. The foundations 
 of future growth have been laid on so broad and 
 comprehensive lines that it is rapidly taking a 
 place among the leading technical institutions of 
 the country. In 1883, the degree of LL. D. 
 was conferred upon him by Franklin and Mar- 
 shall College. In 1887, he was appointed, by 
 the Governor of Pennsylvania, chairman of a 
 Commission created by authority of the Legisla- 
 ture of the State to make inquiry and report 
 upon the practicability of introducing manual 
 training into the public-school system. The re- 
 port of this commission has been widely recog- 
 nized in this country and in Europe as the most 
 complete single presentation of the subject pub- 
 lished up to that date. At sixty years of age, 
 after a life filled to an unusual degree with exact- 
 ing labors, it may still be said of the subject of 
 this sketch, as Cecil said of Sir Walter Raleigh, 
 "he can toil terribly," and, like Raleigh, he pos- 
 sesses the extraordinary mental grasp and breadth 
 of intellectual interests and sympathies which 
 render him an equally congenial companion to 
 men of letters and men of affairs. 
 
 T^HE PENNSYLVANIA STATE COLLEGE 
 is, as its name implies, a State and not a 
 denominational institution. It is situated in the 
 small village of State College, in one of the most 
 picturesque and healthful localities of central 
 Pennsylvania. Practically surrounded by mount- 
 ains, with Nittany on the east, Tussey on the 
 south, and Muncy on the north, it is, as the poet 
 says of Lake Constance, ' ' girt round with rugged 
 mountains," yet the rugged mountainous view is 
 relieved by the more restful and peaceful beauty 
 of the foot-hills and lowlands, forming a well- 
 contrasted panorama of natural scenery. The 
 college campus of sixty acres, containing the 
 numerous college buildings and professors' resi- 
 dences, is artistically laid out with drives, ave- 
 nues and walks, with here and there a secluded 
 bower or romantic walk, and well merits the title 
 of the ideal college campus so often bestowed. 
 
 The College is one of the so-called land grant 
 colleges, established under the Act of Congress of 
 
 July, 1862. The section of the Act relating 
 directly to the character of the work to be pur- 
 sued by the institution reads: "The leading 
 object shall be, without excluding other scientific 
 and classical studies, and including military tac- 
 tics, to teach such branches of learning as are 
 related to agriculture and the mechanic arts in 
 such a manner as the Legislature of the State 
 may prescribe, in order to promote the liberal 
 and practical education of the industrial class in 
 the several pursuits and professions of life." 
 The State Legislature accepted this Act of Con- 
 gress, and further " pledged the faith of the State 
 to carry it into effect." The College was opened 
 in 1859 as a school for instruction in practical 
 agriculture. An active movement in this direc- 
 tion had begun several years earlier, and had en- 
 listed the enthusiastic support of some of the 
 most intelligent and public-spirited citizens of the 
 State, among them Hon. Frederick Watts, of 
 Carlisle, and Hon. Hugh N. McAllister, of Belle- 
 fonte. After prolonged consideration of the vari- 
 ous plans presented, a charter was secured in 
 1855, superseding one granted the previous 
 year, and two officers of the State and twelve 
 other gentlemen were constituted a Board of 
 Trustees. There was thought to be at that time 
 a considerable prejudice among farmers against 
 the word " College," and, for that reason, as 
 subsequently explained, the institution was called 
 The Farmer's High School of Pennsylvania. 
 Donations of land as a site for the institution 
 were offered in several parts of the State and, 
 after a very careful examination, the Board ac- 
 cepted the gift of 200 acres in Centre county 
 from Gen. James Irvin, to which they soon after- 
 ward added, by purchase, 200 acres more. For 
 the purpose of providing the necessary funds for 
 erecting and equipping buildings, the State Agri- 
 cultural Society gave $10,000, the trustees raised 
 $25,000 by subscription, and the Legislature in 
 1857 appropriated $25,000, absolutely, and $25,- 
 000 more on condition that a similar amount 
 should be raised by private subscription, which 
 was done. In 1861, the Legislature made an 
 additional appropriation of $49,900, for the com- 
 pletion of buildings, though the institution had 
 been opened February 20, 1859, with such ac- 
 commodations as were then available. 
 
 The first president of the school was Dr. 
 Evan Pugh, who had become deeply imbued with 
 the fundamental conceptions underlying modern 
 methods of teaching the applied sciences. He 
 had studied in Germany at a time when very few 
 American students went abroad for that purpose, 
 and had spent several months at Rothamstead. 
 England, working under the direction of Messrs. 
 
86 
 
 OOMMEMORA 11 VE BI0QRAPHICA1 RECORD. 
 
 Lawes and Gilbert. He entered upon this work 
 here with great energ} and enthusiasm, and 1 
 scheme of instruction was put upon a college ba- 
 sis from the beginning. Dr. Pugh stated in i 
 that " the school, on being d, adopted a 
 
 course of instructions in mathematics and the nat- 
 ural sciences more extensive than that in any 
 agricultural college- in Eun pe, required corres- 
 pondingly longer time for graduation, and that 
 the trustees only awaited the time in which they 
 would be able to complete its buildings to change 
 its name." Accordingly in 1862 the name was 
 changed to ' ' The Agricultural College of Pennsyl- 
 vania." From 1855 to [867 the sum of $99,900 
 was the total amount given to the institution by 
 th. Legislature, and the entire amount was ex- 
 pended in the erection of the original building; 
 hut. owing to the great advance in the cost of 
 building material, occasioned by the war which 
 broke out in 1861, the resources at the disposal 
 of the trustees proved inadequate to complete tin 
 one main building, and the I legislature, bv an act 
 approved April 11, 1866, authorized them to 
 borrow $So.OOO and secure the same by a mort- 
 gage. The institution had no endowment and no 
 source of revenue except the fees of students. 
 and the attempt to make such an institution self- 
 supporting failed as it has everywhere and always 
 failed Since [873 it has ri m income of 
 
 $30,000 annually from the 1 nited States fund. 
 In 1878 tin I egislature provided for the payment 
 of the debt of the $So,000, which it had authoi- 
 I twelve years before, and that sum is the total 
 
 amount given by the State t, , the College betw 
 1867 and 1 887, exci pi an appropriation of $3,000 
 made for the erection of a bain on one of the ex- 
 perimental farms. From 1857 to 1887, a period 
 of thirty years, the State appropriated a total 
 amount of $179,900 for the erection of the mam 
 building and $3,000 for the erection of a barn. 
 It is doubtless true that the institution during that 
 period largi ly failed to satisfythe public expecta- 
 tion. It is also true that from the passage of the 
 Act of [867 until iSS; the Legislature of the Stat. 
 was din ponsible for its administration, 
 
 bin I and tiit.rt nplaints 
 
 from time to time, it took no step I tain 
 
 an. I supply the needs Ol the institution, and 
 
 to feel no responsibility for the proper 
 
 execution of the trust which it had assumed. In 
 
 1874, in recognition of the fact that the Law of 
 
 igress in ■ widened th.- scope "l its 
 
 work, tl - th.' institution was again 
 
 I, and it has since been known as The 
 
 nsylvania State College. In 1887 the State 
 
 n a new era in its dealings with the 
 
 College. \11 the work ol the institution was then 
 
 carried on. as it had been from the first, in the 
 one original building, except that a small frame 
 building for mechanical work had been erected 
 three years before All the lecture rooms, labora- 
 tories, dormitories, society halls, boarding club, 
 armory, chapel, library, and everything else re- 
 quired for the work of the institution, besides five 
 families of professors, were crowded together 1111- 
 dei that single roof. In the meantime other 
 States had taken active and continuous steps, and 
 made large appropriations for carrying out the 
 Congressional Act, and leading men, in our Leg- 
 islature and elsewhere throughout the Common- 
 wealth, felt that Pennsylvania had too long disre- 
 garded her own interests as well as the obliga- 
 tions she had assumed toward the United States. 
 It is not necessary to recall the long and not very 
 agreeable record from 1867 to 1887, during which 
 tin College maintained a difficult struggle for ex- 
 istence. It is easy now to see that a different 
 policy on the part of the State might have brought 
 about different results during that period; but 
 that ha> become a part of ancient history In 
 1887 the attention of the Legislature was called 
 to the situation, and the sentiment became gen 
 that if Pennsylvania was to maintain a Stat, 
 institution, it should be kept up at least to the 
 standard of her penal and reformatory and charita- 
 ble institutions; and, after a careful and detailed 
 examination, $112,000 was appropriated with a 
 view to beginning the work of reconstruction and 
 placing the institution on a footing that would be 
 
 litable to Pennsylvania, and in keeping with 
 what other progressive States were doing for 
 their institutions which had been established in 
 ol in., with the same Act of Congress. The 
 total amount then and since appropriated up to 
 1895 inclusive was: Buildings $303, 500; repairs. 
 improvements and insurance, $36,220; equip- 
 ment, $102,200; maintenance. $38,300; making 
 $480,220. For these recent expenditures the 
 College has buildings to show which are worth 
 every dollai they cost. Theyare: an armory, a 
 botanical building, with conservatory and gri 
 houses, a chemical and physical building, with 
 lecture rooms and laboratories, an experiment 
 station building, with offices, laboratories, etc., 
 
 ittage for the ladies' department, a residence 
 for the United States military detail, a residence 
 for the director of the experiment station, four 
 professor,' houses, and an engineering building, 
 arranged for the departments of civil, mechanical 
 and mining engineering, which is believed to be 
 : its purpose in the United States, 
 these, the bams and outbuildings on the 
 two farms have been greatly enlarged (one of the 
 bams being entirely new), and a central boiler 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECOUP. 
 
 37 
 
 house and steam plant erected for heating all the 
 public College buildings, while a smaller plant 
 serves the same purpose for all the experiment 
 station buildings. 
 
 In 1 88 1, a very important rearrangement and 
 enlargement of courses of study was made by the 
 Faculty and approved by the Trustees, which 
 may be said to mark a distinct epoch in the educa- 
 tional organization of the College, and one from 
 which may be dated a new era in its growth. 
 The substance of the new scheme was specializa- 
 tion, in technical lines. A classical course and a 
 general educational course, called the "General 
 Science Course" were substituted for the three 
 previously maintained ("Agricultural," "Classic- 
 al" and "Scientific") and four Technical Courses 
 added, viz: — Agriculture, Chemistry and Physics, 
 Civil Engineering, and Natural History. These 
 courses began with the Junior year, all alike 
 being based on the general training given in the 
 Freshman and Sophomore years. The number 
 of full four-years' courses now organized is thir- 
 teen, as follows: 
 
 I. Classical Course. II. General Courses: 
 A General Science course; a Latin Scientific 
 course; a course in Philosophy. III. Technical 
 Courses: A course in Agriculture; a course in 
 Biology; a course in Chemistry; a course in Civil 
 Engineering; a course in Electrical Engineering; 
 a course in Mathematics; a course in Mechanical 
 Engineering; a course in Mining Engineering; a 
 course in Physics. Besides these regular courses, 
 there are eight short courses — four in Agriculture, 
 one in Chemistry, two in Mining, and anelement- 
 ary course in Mechanics. The scheme was 
 necessarily incomplete, but, while it has since 
 been modified and enlarged in nearly every de- 
 tail, the fundamental principle of differentiated 
 (rather than elective specialties), based on a 
 common foundation of training, has been ever 
 since substantially maintained, and the growth of 
 the College has followed along the main lines of 
 the plan thus sketched out. In addition to these 
 courses there exists the military drill and disci- 
 pline which furnishes, as it were, the brawn for the 
 healthful growth of the brain. The military or- 
 ganization consists of the entire student body as 
 a battalion, divided into companies, with their 
 respective cadet captains. All the necessary 
 territory for the various military manoeuvres is 
 readily afforded by the large campus, and in win- 
 ter the spacious armory is utilized as a drill hall. 
 The National Government has furnished the 
 College with two field pieces of modern pattern, 
 and a large number of cadet rifles similar to 
 those used at West Point. By a recent law of 
 the State, commissioned officers of the battalion 
 
 are eligible to appointment as brevet second 
 lieutenants in the National Guard. 
 
 Based upon this broadened foundation, the 
 special work of the State College is the training 
 of youth in those branches of learning which lie 
 at the foundation of modern industrial pursuits. 
 In accordance with the purposes of its founders 
 and the terms of its original charter, it aims to 
 give special and prominent attention to agricult- 
 ure, both theoretical and experimental; but it 
 also provides "a liberal and practical education" 
 in the leading branches of mathematical, natural 
 and physical science, in order to prepare youth 
 for " the several pursuits and professions of life." 
 In other words, while the College is no longer 
 exclusively agricultural, it is doing more in the 
 direction of progressive and scientific agriculture 
 than when that was its principal object; and at 
 the same time it has increased its subjects and 
 courses of study, and its teaching and illustrative 
 equipment, to such an extent that now, "with- 
 out excluding classical studies," its leading ob- 
 ject is to teach the various sciences in such a 
 manner as to show their applications in the more 
 important industries — to combine with every 
 branch of instruction such an amount of actual 
 practice in the shop, the field and the laboratory 
 as will serve to illustrate and apply the theory, 
 but without subordinating it. 
 
 Dr. Evan Pugh served as president of the 
 college from 1859 to 1864, his death occurring 
 April 29 of the latter year. He was a profound 
 scholar and a man of wonderful intellectual pow- 
 ers. He spent six years abroad; he was three or 
 four years in Europe at the Universities of Leip- 
 sic, Gottingen, Heidelberg and, as stated above, 
 in the laboratories of Lawes and Gilbert. Dr. 
 Pugh by his scientific investigations while in 
 Europe settled several important scientific ques- 
 tions, and gained for himself a world-wide repu- 
 ation as a scholar and investigator. Dr. Pugh 
 was succeeded by William H. Allen, LL. D., of 
 Girard College, who served two years, and re- 
 signed to accept his old position as president of 
 Girard College. On the resignation of Dr. Allen, 
 Gen. John Frazer, A. M., professor of mathe- 
 matics and astronomy and lecturer on astron- 
 omy, was elected president. President Frazer 
 was mainly instrumental in securing to the Col- 
 lege part of the National land grant. He re- 
 signed his position in 1868, and was afterward 
 president of the University of Kansas, and also 
 State superintendent of public instruction of that 
 State. Thomas H. Burrows, LL. D., became 
 president in December, 186S, and died in office 
 in 1 87 1. Of Dr. Burrows, J. P. McCaskey, ed- 
 itor of the Pennsylvania School Journal, said : 
 

 I 0MMRMORAT1VB BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 No other man in fhe history i 
 touched ourcommon-sch fully, 
 
 or throughout us whole range to such a • Dr. Bur- 
 
 rowes. He put the to working force in lKtt-8; he 
 
 . ,| //,, /'. 1852, and 
 
 was the fii 
 the Pennsylvania State ["i lation, and the first 
 
 president ol the Lai inty Teai hers" Institute,* ailed 
 
 to both po • the unanimous choice ;i< the leading 
 
 it among thi advocati onbytheState 
 
 and nl an im| wrote the 
 
 Pennsylvania State Book, which we recall as a readei 
 
 ;n 1847, befon we knew anything ol us 
 author; he wrote the Pennsylvania litecture.which, 
 
 being supplied to all th< scl I sti cts, did much to im- 
 prove the plans ol school buildings and their surroundings 
 in 1856 and thereafter; he wrote the Normal School Law at 
 the request ol Hon. H. C. Hickok.whoti ere in the 
 
 present issue hool Journal the inl story 
 
 of the origin of that law of vital importance to our educa- 
 tional progress; be was called by Gov, Curtin who origi- 
 u.iii d th. 1 1 must worthy public charity to organizi 
 tern nf Soldiers' Orphan Schools, which was done with his 
 customary energy and strong practical sense; and he died, 
 after thirty five % < arsol almost continuous effort in behalf of 
 
 eral i ducation, at the bead of the si hool that, we believe, 
 is di ognized as the ial feature 
 
 which rounds out into satisfactory completeness "ur Penn- 
 sylvania system ol public instruction 
 
 In March, 1871, Dr. (alder, the president of 
 Hillsdale College, Mich., was chosen president, 
 and during his administration ladies were ad- 
 mitted to the privileges ol the institution. Dr. 
 I'.ilili-r resigned in 1SS0, and was succeeded by 
 President Shortlidge, and the latter in 1882 by 
 Dr. George W. Atherton, the present executive. 
 A writer in referring to the College in 1894 said: 
 
 I be rapid growth ol the institution into a position of na- 
 tional prominence has taken place within the last decade, 
 and lias been the result of the policy adopted by the present 
 executive, Dr. George W. Atberton. Previous to his inaugu- 
 ration thi bad gained scarcely a local reputation, 
 was 1 in thi a retn igra ment. He im- 
 liately outlined the present courses ol ti work, 
 the degree ol success which they have attained is 
 suit 11 11 nt evidence ol theii practicability, and thedi 
 the times for instruction ol such character. 
 
 Referring to a visit to the college in 1 
 
 tor J P. Mc( askey said: 
 
 dent, Dr. Atherton, was absent in attendance 
 upon a meeting of the A: >l lege Presidents and 
 
 Professors then in session al Swarthmore, where he h 
 paper upon the relations ol thi High - s ' hools ol the State to 
 the < utions. It was a disappointment not to 
 
 Bui what was better still, we saw everywhere evi- 
 dence nl in- dr\ otion to thi interests of the < 
 where the master hand in the work thai has been done and 
 is doing under his administration. \\ e heard also on 1 
 hand ad] I plan, e 
 
 tive ability, tireless 1 nd unlimited ca work. 
 
 Dr. Alia Hon, we may add, is a Soldier a 1 si holar, 
 
 neof the I lals awarded by Ai t of 1 
 
 dun: illantry in 
 
 In an address delivered in 1894, Wm Pep- 
 per, M I)., LI.. D., said: 
 
 I feel that it is impossible to l< t sui b a day as this pass 
 without some word ol tribute, sin h as I as an outsider might 
 fitly speak, of what 1 Atberton has done foi this 
 
 place, and for the I I ma. [*welve j 
 
 • had thirty four students in thi 
 es, one building on this campus, and a very un- 
 savory reputation, fo-day, after twelve short yeai 
 
 - administration, we see this fine group of buildings, we 
 
 know there are three hundred students in attendance, that 
 
 the curriculum has been enlarged, and the standard greatly 
 
 i, and that all over the State thoughtful men and 
 
 11 are turning their eyes to th me where 
 
 is are secured. 
 
 Faculty and Instructors in 1897-98 are: 
 George W. Atherton. LL.D., president, profes- 
 sor of political and social science; William A. 
 
 khout, M. S., professor of botany and horti- 
 culture: I. Thornton Osmond, M S., M. A., pro- 
 
 ir of physics; Harriet A. McElwain, M. A.. 
 lady principal, professor of history; Louis E. 
 Reber, M S., professor of mechanics and me- 
 chanical engineering; William Frear, Ph. D., 
 professor of agricultural chemistry; George Gil- 
 bert Pond, M. A., Ph. 1)., professor of chemis- 
 try; Henry P. Armsby, Ph. 1)., lecturer on stock 
 feeding; Henry T. Fernald, M. S., Ph. D., pro- 
 fess" ology; Benjamin Gill, M. A., profes- 
 
 of Greek and Latin; Magnus C. Ihlseng, E. 
 M , (*. E. , Ph. I)., professor of mining engi- 
 neering and geology; John Price Jackson, B. S.. 
 M. E., professor of electrical engineering; Fred 
 E. Foss, P>. S. . M. A., professor of civil engi- 
 neering; Joseph M. Willard, B. A., professor of 
 mathematics; Fred Lewis Pattee, M. A., profes- 
 sor of English and rhetoric; George C. Watson, 
 B. Agr., M. S.. ir of agriculture; Law- 
 
 rence M. Colfelt, D I) , preacher to the College, 
 professor of ethics; Martin G. Benedict, M. A., 
 Ph. I)., professor of pedagogics, in charge of sub- 
 freshman class; Daniel C. Pearson. Captain 2d 
 Cavalry, U. S. A., professor of military science 
 and tactics; George C. Butz, M. S., assistant 
 professor of horticulture; Harry H. Stoek, B. S., 
 E. M., assistant profess >r of mining engineering 
 and metallurgy; Madison M, Garver, B. S., as- 
 sistant professor of physics; Franklin E. Tuttle, 
 M A .. I'n I' . i-istant professor of chemistry; 
 William Mas. in Towle, B S . issistant professor 
 of practical mechanics; Erwin W. Runkle, M. 
 A . I'll. IX, assistant professor of psychology and 
 ethics; Joseph H. Tudor, C. E., M S.. assistant 
 professor of mathematics; Thomas C. Hopkins, 
 M S., M. A., assistant professor of geology; Carl 
 l> l'elii. M \ ■ 1 rol ssor of German; 
 
 Harry K. Monroe, M. A., assistant professor of 
 
 li-di; T. Raymond Beyer, B. S. , C. E., as- 
 sistant pi of civil engineering; Charles 1 
 
 mi. 1',. S., assistant professor of machine de- 
 sign; Silvanus P>. Newton, A. B., M. I)., director 
 of physical education; Anna E. Redifer, instructor 
 in industrial art and design; Herbert E. Dunkle, 
 B. S., M. 1. . instructor in mechanical drawing; 
 John A. Hunter, Jr.. B. S., M E., instructor in 
 ng; Henr) A Lardner, B. S., 
 1 I instructoi •<' I engineering; Harry 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 39 
 
 Hayward, B. S. , instructor in dairy husbandry; 
 John H. Leete, B.A., instructor in mathematics; 
 Irving L. Foster, M. A. , instructor in the romance 
 languages; Francis J. Pond, M. A., Ph. D., in- 
 structor in assaying; Walter J. Keith, M. A., Ph. 
 D.. instructor in chemistry; Paul B. Breneman, 
 
 B. S., instructor in civil engineering; Thomas H. 
 Taliaferro, C. E., Ph. D., instructor in mathe- 
 matics; F. H. Greenwood, B. S., instructor in 
 practical mechanics; Budd Frankinfield, B. S., 
 E. E. , instructor in electrical engineering; Lloyd 
 
 A. Reed, B. S. , assistant in the electrical labor- 
 atories; Warren P. Smiley, B. S., assistant in the 
 chemical laboratories. 
 
 Other Officers — Helen M. Bradley, libra- 
 rian; Clara Dayton Wyman, in charge of music; 
 Anna Adams McDonald, assistant librarian. 
 
 Agricultural Experiment Station. — Of- 
 ficers and Assistants. The President of the 
 College; Henry Prentiss Armsby, Ph. U., direct- 
 or; William Frear, Ph. D., vice-director and 
 chemist; William A. Buckhout, M. S. , botanist; 
 George C. Butz, M. S., horticulturist; George 
 
 C. Watson, M. S., agriculturist; William C. Pat- 
 terson, superintendent of farm; Miss Julia C. 
 Gray, secretary; William S. Sweetser, B. S., J. 
 August Fries, Milton E. McDonnell, M. S., 
 Charles Albert Browne, Jr., M. A., and Cassius 
 W. Norris, assistant chemists; Harry Hayward, 
 
 B. S., instructor in dairy husbandry; Enos H. 
 Hess, assistant to the director; Miss Minnie 
 Edith Gray, stenographer. 
 
 J [JUDGE ADAM HOY (deceased), late a dis- 
 j tinguished citizen of Bellefonte, and member 
 of the Centre County Bar, was a native of 
 the county, born in Spring township, September 
 6, 1827. 
 
 George Hoy, the grandfather of the Judge, 
 came into what is now Centre county, near the 
 close of the eighteenth century, and in connec- 
 tion with a brother, Charles, purchased (jointly) 
 400 acres of land, dividing it equally. His birth 
 occurred September 10, 1773, and his death on 
 April 16, 1863. Of his twelve children, Albt rt, 
 who married Magdala Weckerly, was the father 
 of our subject. When but four years of age, the 
 latter was sent to school, his first teacher being 
 George Padget, a noted teacher of sixty years' 
 experience in Buffalo and Penn's Valleys, and 
 who then held school in Swartz' school house, 
 on the Eckenrode place, in Spring township. 
 In 1 85 1-52 he attended the Mifflinburg Academy, 
 and from there went to Airy View, near Perry- 
 ville, to the academy kept by David Wilson. In 
 the fall of 1854 he entered the sophomore class 
 
 in Pennsylvania College, Gettysburg, and was 
 graduated in 1856. He read law with the late 
 Hon. H. N. McAllister, and was admitted to the 
 Bar April 27, 1858. Upon the invitation of the 
 late Judge J. T. Hale, Mr. Hoy occupied a room 
 in his law office, and became more or less asso- 
 ciated with the Judge in his extensive business 
 up to the death of the latter. He was appointed 
 president judge of the district in 1883, by Gov. 
 Puttison, which position he held with great credit 
 until January, 1885, when he was succeeded by 
 Judge Furst. 
 
 During the Civil war Judge Hoy acted with 
 the Republican party, but shortly after its ter- 
 mination he joined the Democratic party, and up 
 to the time of his death he was an active and in- 
 fluential member of that party. In 1873, and 
 again in 1876, he was a candidate for the Senate, 
 but failed to procure the nomination. In 1884 
 he was the Democratic nominee for president 
 judge, but was defeated in consequence of local 
 dissensions and political complications in the 
 Congressional District. He bore his defeat man- 
 fully, and the faithful and earnest manner in 
 which he fulfilled the duties of chairman of the 
 Democratic County Committee, to which he was 
 elected the year following his defeat, proved how 
 devoted he was to the principles he espoused, 
 and how true to the cause he advocated. His 
 death occurred August 23, 1887. "Asa lawyer, 
 Judge Hoy had few, if any, superiors at the Bar; 
 as a judge, he was cool, fair, and fearless, and 
 won the respect of all by the conscientious, able 
 and impartial manner in which he discharged the 
 duties of the position; as a citizen, he was 
 large-hearted, liberal and progressive, and as a 
 neighbor, he was kind and obliging to a fault. 
 He was a consistent and active member of the 
 Presbyterian Church, and a trusty, good man; 
 one whose work and actions in life would make a 
 worthy example for others to follow." 
 
 On December 26th, 1865, Judge Hoy was 
 married to Miss Louisa M., daughter of the late 
 James D. Harris. He left, surviving him, his 
 widow and seven children, namely: Anna H., 
 Mary, Albert, Louise, J. Harris, Edward L. and 
 Randolph Hale. 
 
 w 
 
 ON. FREDERICK KURTZ was born in 
 York, Penn., December 28, 1833, and 
 came from there to Aaronsburg in the fall of 
 1846. After conducting the Centre BericJiter for 
 upward of ten years, he removed to Centre Hall. 
 H> re he established the Centre Reporter on the 
 1st of April, 1868. From the start Mr. Kurtz 
 conducted the business of his office in business 
 
10 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL REt ORD. 
 
 style, editing its columns with \ igor and to the 
 
 i Ins part) . and diversifying his 
 
 -matter with riginal matter than is 
 
 tained in the majority ol inland journals. 
 
 Success lias crowned his efforts, and the 
 Reporter is now one of the I unty 
 
 and i- a dominant factor in count) poli- 
 Mr. Kurt/ has at all times stimulated 
 public enterprise, and is the embodiment of a 
 go ahead man. He was elected to the Legisla- 
 ture in i rGen. James A Beaver, and re- 
 bj a largel) ini reased majority, 
 
 1 the highest vote upon the Democratic ticket 
 II lator was unsullied, and 
 
 rendered him still more popular among his con- 
 stituents Among other indications of this is the 
 fact that at a publii meeting "I tin- citizens of 
 
 count) . irre party, held at Belle- 
 
 fonte in the winter of [8l rse in op] 
 
 sitiontoth I monopol) was heartily in- 
 
 dorsed by Hon. H. N. McAllister and other 
 leading citizens. It is to the credit, too, ol Mr 
 Kurt/ that he was one of the hardest and a 
 
 nest workers for railroad fa< ilities for Fenn's 
 Valley, devoting days and weeks canvas 
 subscriptions, and giving the enterprise continued 
 editorial support, while he was also one of the 
 most liberal subscribers foi the stuck 
 
 Mr Kurt/ always has taken high ground in 
 support of educational interests, especiall) advo- 
 cating the establishment of teachers' institutes, 
 and speaking on that behalf at various points in 
 the Valley He served some twelve years as a 
 sch' toi For oy he was 
 
 president of the joint cuunc.il of the Lutheran 
 charge; for about sixteen consecutive years he- 
 has been elected presidi nl ol the Farmers' Mutual 
 Fire Insurance Co., ol Centre county, for so 
 twenty-six years has been president of the Centre 
 Hall Water Co. ; was chairman of the building 
 committee in the erection of the handsome Lu th- 
 in church building at Centre Hall, and for 
 nearly ten years has been an elder in that 
 Soi iet) all of which positions he has tilled with 
 < -hai tic zeal and efficiency. Centre Hall 
 
 is also indebted t o hi in for the reconstruction of 
 its water-works, and change of the wooden 
 pipes to iron pipes of the 1" Si modern style, and 
 he has added to the improvement of the town 
 
 II a large roller flouring-mill and five dwel- 
 lings. Moreover, the beautiful little town owes 
 much of its reputation abroad to the columns of 
 the Reporter, through which its exceedingly 
 healthful location has become far famed. 
 
 On January 26, 1861, Mr. Kurtz married Miss 
 Anne Harter, who was born September 6, 183S1 
 daughter of William Harter, of near Aaronsburg, 
 
 and children as follows were born to them: Will- 
 iam 1., April 12, 1862; Charles R. , October 
 31, [864, John 1". May 23, 1 868; George W . 
 
 h 21, 1874. 
 
 J 
 
 I DGE DANIEL RHOADS On one of the 
 ated points adjacent to the mountain 
 town of Bellefonte, Centre county, is the lit- 
 tle burying ground of the Society ol Friends, in 
 which rest the remains of "one of the grandest 
 characters that ever lived anywhere," those of 
 1 1 iinel Rhoads, whose grave is marked by a plain 
 granite slab, on which is the simple inscription: 
 ■■ Daniel Rhoads, born 9th nth, 25th. 1821, 
 
 Died 3d month, I 1 til, 1893." 
 ircling the inscription and climbing about 
 the stone are sprigs of ivy, while the family lot 
 is a plain -ward under the shadow of one 
 
 of N randest forest trees; the picture pre- 
 
 sented, suggested, as we stood by the grave, the 
 thought of how like the life and taste of him who 
 1 1 i a re 
 The Rhoads family is a most historical and 
 interesting one in both this and the Mother coun- 
 try. For upward of two hundred years the fam- 
 ily have lived in Philadelphia, the old homestead 
 now at Haddington, in the 28th ward, being still 
 in the possession ol the family, occupied by the 
 eighth generation. The progenitor of the family 
 here in America was John Rhoads 1 ). who came 
 overborn Derbyshire, England, in 1687. How- 
 previous to this two of his sons — John (2) 
 and Adam- had preceded him a number of years, 
 being contemporaries with William Penn. John 
 i) was thi -'11 "t Sir Fran< is Rodes II. whose 
 grandfather, the tirst Sir Francis, built, in 1583, 
 Barlborough Hall, in Derbyshire, England, the 
 palatial, castle-like home ol the family Barl- 
 borough Hall is situated in the parish of the 
 same name in Derbyshire. The village of Barl- 
 borough is on the estate which is on the verge of 
 the counts- southeast of Sheffield ami northeast 
 hesterfield. James F. Pilkington, in "Pres- 
 ent State of Derbyshire," 1789, writes: 
 
 Barlborough II. ill is a handsome mansion ol the age ol 
 ibeth; the inside h.is been modernized, but the prin 
 front retains its original appearance |siill the same in I 
 having projecting bows terminating in octagon embattled 
 turret-, and large transom windows with very small pane - 
 in lead. In the space between the Mr-t and second stories in 
 the fronts ol tl .ire busts of Sir Francis 
 
 Rodes and Ins wife in 
 
 Anna V. Bailey, a cousin ol Daniel Rhoads, who 
 visited Barlborough Hall in 1884, thus alluded to 
 
 the pi 
 
 'rounds are very picturesque, noble trees scattered 
 indgroves in the distance The house is approached 
 ■v beautiful avenues "I limes <>r lindens, a quarter of mile in 
 length, very ancient and grand-looking trees. TheDeRodes 
 
 ,': 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 41 
 
 arms are over the great front door, and the forearm with the 
 oak branch and clusters of acorns beautifully carved in sev- 
 eral places around the house. The drawing room, a very 
 spacious square room, filled with paintings, busts, portraits, 
 etc., contains a very magnificent stone chimney-piece, origi- 
 nally in "the great chamber;" it is enriched with fluted Doric 
 pillars supporting statues of Justice and Religion, and coats 
 of arms and various articles in bas-relief. In this room is 
 an immense stained-glass window, very rich in color and 
 design, divided in small, octagonal panes, each pane con- 
 taining the name and crest of the different families with 
 whom the Rodes had intermarried. There are hundreds of 
 old miniatures done on ivory, very antique, a magnificent col- 
 lection of old china, said to be the finest in Derbyshire, con- 
 tained in beautifully inlaid antique cabinets, also very richly 
 inlaid tables. The furniture of this room is covered with 
 very old Gobelin tapestry, of mythological subjects, and the 
 curtains are of rich, wine-colored velvet, with strips of tapes- 
 try down the fronts. The buff coat and sword of Sir Francis 
 Rodes, worn in the time of Charles I, are preserved in this 
 house. They are engraved in Groses' Ancient Armor, Plate 
 XXX IX, as are also the armor, breast-plates, helmets, gaunt- 
 lets, sword-proof coats of heavy chamois skin, lances, spears, 
 swords, etc., contained in the great hall. 
 
 Washington Irving writes: 
 
 1 had been passing a merry Christmas in the good old 
 style at Barlboro' Hall, a venerable family mansion in Derby- 
 shire, and set off to finish the holidays with the hospitable 
 proprietor of Newstead Abbey. A drive of seventeen miles 
 through a pleasant country, part of it the storied region of 
 Sherwood Forest, brought me to the gate of Newstead Park. 
 During my recent sojourn at Barlboro' Hall, on the skirts of 
 Derbyshire and Yorkshire, I had witnessed many of the rus- 
 tic festivites peculiar to that joyous season, which have rashly 
 been pronounced obsolete by those who draw their experi- 
 ence merely from city life. I had seen the great Yule log 
 put on the fire on Christmas Eve, and the wassail bowl sent 
 round brimming with its spicy beverage. I had heard carols 
 beneath my window by the choristers of the neighboring vil- 
 lage, who went their rounds about the ancient hall at mid- 
 night, according to immemorial custom. We had mummers 
 and mimers, too, with the story of St. George and the Dragon, 
 and other ballads and traditional dialogues, together with the 
 famous old interlude of the Hobby Horse, all represented 
 in the ante-chamber and servants' hall by rustics who inher- 
 ited the custom and the poetry from preceding generations. 
 
 Sir Francis Rodes, the builder of the Hall, 
 
 was of the eleventh generation from Gerard De- 
 
 Kodes, who lived during the reigns of Henry II, 
 
 Richard I, John, and Henry III, from all of whom 
 
 he received great favors. Gerard DeRodes was 
 
 one of the greater barons, the capital seat of 
 
 whose barony was Horn Castle in Lincolnshire. 
 
 It would appear from the following quotation from 
 
 old ballads that this family had at one time a 
 
 seat either in Scotland, or nearer the border than 
 
 Horn Castle, Lincolnshire — "The House of the 
 
 Rodes on the Hill :" 
 
 "The Gordon then his bugle blew, 
 And said, 'Awa, awa,' 
 This house of the Rodes is a' in a flame; 
 1 haud it's time to g'a." 
 
 Gerard DeRodes would have been one of the 
 signers of the Magna Charta but for his absence 
 as an ambassador to foreign ports, whither he 
 had been sent by King John, March 29, in the 
 ninth year of his reign, 1208. Burke says Ger- 
 ard DeRodes was one of the noble Armagnac 
 family of the ancient French nobility. The 
 
 family at Bellefonte have a record of their lineal 
 descent from generation to generation from Ger- 
 ard DeRodes along the line of which are inter- 
 esting and historical characters prominent for 
 their ability and interesting from their nearness 
 to royalty. Pictures of Barlborough Hall, of the 
 old Philadelphia homestead, with those of some 
 of their occupants, together with family treasures 
 of " ve olden times" grace their home. The or- 
 thography of the name has undergone a number 
 of changes. 
 
 One Samuel Rhoads of the family was mayor 
 of Philadelphia about the year 1765, and pre- 
 sided as vice-president over the deliberations of 
 the American Philosophical Society during the 
 absence of the president, Benjamin Franklin, at 
 the court of France. Another ancestor of whom 
 1 Daniel Rhoads was a lineal descendant was John 
 Blunston, a minister of the Society of Friends, 
 who came frem Derbyshire, England, in 1682, 
 and settled at Darby, near Philadelphia, he being 
 "An Original Purchaser" of fifteen hundred 
 acres of land, comprising several tracts of various 
 sizes situated mostly, if not entirely, within the 
 limits of the present Delaware county, Penn. 
 He was a member of the first Provincial Assem- 
 bly of Pennsylvania, and one of the committee 
 appointed to receive William Penn on January 
 12, 1683. He was several times Speaker of the 
 Assembly, being a member for thirteen years. 
 He was also one of the justices of the Court, and 
 in 1690 a member of the Council of State. He 
 frequently acted as attorney for persons residing 
 in England who held lands in this country. For 
 the years I70i-'02-'o3-'o4 and '05, he was again 
 a member of the Governor's Council. William 
 H. Egle, in his "History of Pennsylvania," in 
 speaking of him says: "he was regarded as a 
 person of great ability and probity." 
 
 The father of Daniel Rhoads was Joseph 
 Rhoads, who was the son of Adam and Sarah 
 (Jeanes) Rhoads. Joseph Rhoads was born at 
 "the old homestead " 5th Mo. 2, 1779. On 1st 
 mo. 16, 1806, at Friends Meeting House, Rad- 
 nor, Penn., he married Naomi Thomas, daughter 
 of Abel and Zillah (Walker) Thomas. Joseph 
 Rhoads was a leading member of the Society of 
 Friends, and was active in the anti-slavery 
 cause, being president of the Delaware County 
 Anti-Slavery Society, and was always willing to 
 give work and shelter to any who appealed to 
 him as having escaped from bondage. His home 
 was a station on the "underground railway." 
 His son, Daniel, in his younger days, frequently 
 conducted fugitive slaves to the next station, 
 twenty-five miles farther north. He was also 
 one of the earliest in the temperance movement, 
 
42 
 
 I Ml VORATIVS BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 and a pioneer in abolishing whiskey from Ihe 
 harvest fields. He died August 28, i s 5 2 . and 
 his wife, Naomi, died August 9, 1842. Both are 
 interred in the Friends grave) ard, at I tarby, 
 which piece of ground was given to the Soi iety 
 by the John I'.lunston mentioned above, great- 
 
 it-grandfather of [oseph Rhoads. Naomi 
 Thomas, the mother of Daniel Rhoads, was born 
 10U1 mo. 2\, 1783. She was of ancient Welsh 
 and English ancestry, the progenitors of the vari- 
 ous branches ol her family, being Friends, v. 
 among the fust settlers ol 1 hester Valley and ol 
 Radnor, which were of the earliest of Pennsyl- 
 vania settlements. They came from Wales and 
 England in the years [683 84 ami 1687. Her 
 
 at-grandfath< r, tsa ic Walker, owned tin 
 historic Valley Forge property, which included 
 the ground on whi< h Washington's 1 leadquarters 
 now stand, and considerable of the encampment 
 site. <.eii \iiili.iii\ Wayne was a kinsman of 
 hers. Both he and Gen. LaFayette were fre- 
 quent visitors to her grandfather's house, and it 
 
 aid thai her aunt. " The Little Naomi," . 
 little girl was a special favorite of the gallant 
 young Frenchman. Naomi (Thomas) Rhoads, 
 like her husband, was an active and consistent 
 member of the Friends Society. She was a de- 
 voted wife and mother and one of the most ex- 
 emplary of women, possessed of great strength 
 ol character and rare intelligence, and of the 
 sweetest disposit ion. 
 
 The family ol Rhoads have tot generations 
 been stanch adherents to the principles ol the 
 Societ) "I Friends. A numbei of the name suf- 
 fered repeated persecutions in the Mother coun- 
 
 tTJ for Conscience' soke, and it was doubtless the 
 
 hope of enjoying religious liberty which led John 
 Rhoads and his sons to leave their Derbj 
 homes and seek the wilderness of Pennsylvania. 
 
 I >amel Kin iads earl) in life w as si nt ; 
 Friends boarding school at Burlington, N. J. 
 Later he attended the schools at Philadelphia, re- 
 fing a liberal education. At the time of his 
 birth, which happened in the old homestead re- 
 ferred to, the latter was -out in the counh 
 the Judge used to remark that: "I was born 
 and raised in Philadelphia, although no one knew 
 it at the tune, nor was it dreamed of then that 
 the old <_>uak<T city would 111 tin. h io the 
 
 extent it is to-day." In [850 John K Smith. 
 
 le of the wile of Daniel Rhoads, of Trenton, 
 
 N J , bought in the neighborhood of ten thou- 
 sand ai res of the Levy lands, a\^\ on Milt s run, 
 some three miles south of tin- rivei in Burn 
 township, Centre counts-, Penn., built a large 
 sawmill of the capai it} ol si\ million feet yearly, 
 equipped with two circulai saws; the linn operat- 
 
 ing here in 1853 was Smith, Taylor & Smith. 
 That year Mr. Rhoads came from Philadelphia 
 ;e in the lumbering business with them, 
 buying the interest ol Mr. Taylor, the firm be- 
 ing Smith, Rhoads & Smith, with Mr Rhoads 
 as it I'lie business was one of considera- 
 
 ble scope, and employed many men in cutting 
 timber, and in sawing and shipping timber. For 
 four or five years the firm was most successful in 
 tin extensive operations, cutting and shipping 
 million feet annually, until in 1S58, 
 when their mill — the " Sterling " — was destroyed 
 by lire. In the latter year Mr. Rhoads returned 
 to his native city to take charge of the Market 
 street horse-car line. In 1 S60 he accepted the 
 superintendency of the Bellefonte & Snow Shoe 
 railroad, a position he held with honor and credit 
 for twenty-oni years until the road was sold to 
 the Pennsylvania Company on March 17. 1881. 
 In the meantime the firm continued to operate at 
 Burnside, and until 1876 manufactured considera- 
 ble square timber and sawed lumber, later the 
 business being confined to nothing but square 
 timber. After retiring from the railroad office 
 Mr. Rhoads, with Richard Downing, Wistar Mor- 
 ris and other Philadelphia stockholders, formed a 
 company known as the Dunkirk Ore Association, 
 purchased the James Love farm at Loveville, 
 Centre county, and went into the business (Mi 
 Rhoads being engaged at the same time in mer- 
 cantile business at that point) of mining and ship- 
 ping ore. In addition to his own large busin 
 interests he had shared for twenty-six years the 
 responsibility and care of the William A. Thomas 
 estate, of which he was sole trustee after the 
 th of Mr. John Irwin, and so well was the 
 trust kept that the property more than tripled 
 
 On the death of A [udge Smith ol 
 
 Centre count)-, in the spring of 1887, Mr. Rhoads 
 was appointed by Gov. Reaver to fill out the un- 
 it <l term. In this capacity he showed such 
 I judgment and honest purpose that in the 
 same fall he was nominated, much against his 
 own wishes, and elected to the Bench by a large 
 majority, notwithstanding the fact that the 
 county was strong]) Democratic, and he was an 
 ardent Republic, in lb- loved his party and be- 
 lieved in its principles, but he was a Republican 
 from hoi ivictions and not for expediency's 
 
 s.ike, tor he never sought an office, and was very 
 h'ath to accept the one that sought him. As a 
 judgi neral satisfaction, and was often 
 
 appealed to for advice bv tin president judge, 
 who had the greatest 1 for his sound judg 
 
 ment. Editor Meek, of the Democratic Watch- 
 man, said: 
 
COMMEMORA TIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 43 
 
 Of all the eulogies uttered this week in his praise, he 
 would undoubtedly value most highly that spoken by his 
 friend, Rev. Dr. Monroe, at the simple funeral services 
 Tuesday morning: ''He was a good man." Judge Rhoads 
 was a good man— good without the narrowness of an over- 
 zealous fanatic; but good in the fullest sense of the term — 
 in his love for God and his fellow-men, in his devotion to 
 truth, in his sense of honor, in the purity and nobility of his 
 life, in the fine courtesy of his manner, and the unfailing 
 kindness of his heart. Although towering away above the 
 average man mentally and physically, and of an independ- 
 ent temperament, he was so gentle, so kind, and so unassum- 
 ing, that the inspiration of his example will live and his 
 name remain honored as one of our best and noblest citizens 
 long after the records of the many more ambitious and con- 
 spicuous have faded from the memory of men. 
 
 Another of the home papers referred to him: 
 
 Judge Rhoads as an employer of labor, while superin- 
 tendent of the Snow Shoe railroad, became well acquainted 
 with the laboring men in that section of the country, and of 
 him they always spoke in the highest terms. Kind, generous 
 to his men, he was always held in the highest esteem by his 
 fellowmen. Among the poor he will be greatly missed, his 
 missions of charity were more numerous and of larger extent 
 than the public ever knew; more than one humble home has 
 been warmed and cheered, and the hungry mouths of little 
 ones made to rejoice by his timely gifts of fuel and food, 
 from purely charitable motives. Tender-hearted as a child, 
 he was still as firm as a rock when grave situations arose 
 and principles of right were involved. Judge Rhoads was 
 an ideal man in many respects, and while the vital spark 
 has flown, we can still study with instruction the record of 
 that noble life just closed. 
 
 The Public Ledger of Philadelphia said: 
 
 Judge Rhoads was held in high esteem not only on ac- 
 count of his well-known character for integrity and trust- 
 worthiness, but also by reason of the sweetness and gentle- 
 ness of his disposition, combined with great firmness and 
 strength. 
 
 On April 25, 1861, Mr. Rhoads was married 
 to Miss Maria Dick Smith, and from that time 
 until his death he was a resident of Bellefonte. 
 Their children are: Edward Keasbey, Joseph 
 James, Francis Sinnickson and Rebecca Naomi. 
 The eldest child, Samuel Jeanes, died in infancy. 
 
 Mrs. Rhoads is of an historic family, of Revolu- 
 tionary stock, and of an ancestry that formed a 
 part of the Colonies upward of 200 years ago. 
 Her paternal ancestor Smith acquired from King 
 Charles II, of England, a grant of land at Salem, 
 N. J., in 1662, and about that year came over 
 from England and located thereon. The original 
 parchment on which this grant was written is 
 now in the possession of Mrs. Rhoads. Her 
 grandfather, John Smith, was a captain in com- 
 mand of a New jersey troop in the war of the 
 Revolution, and her grandfather on her mother's 
 side, Andrew Sinnickson, served as colonel of a 
 New Jersey regiment in that war. The Sinnick- 
 sons were of Swedish descent, being among the 
 first settlers of New Jersey. Many of Mrs. 
 Rhoads' ancestors held positions of responsibility 
 and trust during the Colonial period. Her father, 
 Edward Smith, was a native of Salem, N. J., 
 born in 1797; he was liberally educated, and by 
 profession was a civil engineer. In early man- 
 
 hood he represented the people of his locality in 
 the General Assembly of New Jersey. 
 
 In 1833 he removed to the West, locating at 
 Mt. Carmel, 111. Such were his attainments and 
 popularity that his services were sought by the 
 citizens of his adopted State, and he was elected 
 a member of the Legislature, and had the honor 
 of serving in that body with the afterward Presi- 
 dent Lincoln. He soon rose in the ranks of his 
 profession, and at his death in 1839 was chief 
 engineer in charge of all internal public improve- 
 ments of the State of Illinois. He was a man of 
 great force of character and ability, but died be- 
 fore attaining the prominence his ability would 
 have commanded had his life been spared. Mrs. 
 Rhoads was born at Mt. Carmel, III., in 1839. 
 
 The Rhoads homestead at Bellefonte is just 
 such a one as the reader of the family history 
 would picture. The house and surroundings 
 suggest the poetical; sitting on an eminent point 
 well studded with trees and bowers, it reaches 
 out to a commanding view of the picturesque 
 countrv of the beautiful " mountain town." 
 
 C\OL. JAMES GILLILAND, whose death oc- 
 __Ji curred at Linden, near Washington, D. C. , 
 on April 1, 1889, when he was at the advanced 
 age of eighty-five years, belonged to one of the 
 pioneer families of Centre county, in which he 
 was an official and well-known business man up- 
 ward of fifty years ago. 
 
 Joseph Gilliland, his father, in 1796 removed 
 from near Downingtown, Chester Co., Penn., to 
 White Deer township, in what is now Union 
 county, and in 1805 moved to Spring Mills, Cen- 
 tre county. In 1814 he moved up to the end of 
 Egg Hill in George's Valley, where his death oc- 
 curred in 1S40. He was an active member of 
 the Presbyterian Church, and was elected an 
 elder of Sinking Creek Church in 181 5. He ad- 
 hered to the Scotch-Irish Presbyterian training, 
 and the Colonel often remarked that he did not 
 think that as long as he remained at home, a 
 Sabbath ever passed without the Shorter Cate- 
 chism being repeated by himself and his broth- 
 ers and sisters. The wife of Mr. Gilliland was 
 Catharine Cowden, and their children were: Ann, 
 Allen, Joseph A., Jennet and Julia (twins), Rob- 
 ert, jennet, James, John, David, William, Speer 
 and Samuel. The death of the wife and mother 
 occurred July 18, 1830. 
 
 Col. James Gilliland was born in Buffalo Val- 
 ley, Penn., January 27, 1804, and his early days 
 were spent at Spring Mills, where his father kept 
 a hotel. Young Gilliland wasa keen observer of 
 events, had a retentive memory, and his father's 
 
II 
 
 ( OMMSMORATIVE BI0ORAPMCA1 KBCORD. 
 
 being with Judge Potter, Andrew 
 Gregg and the prominent residents of Penn's 
 Yallrv. the eai Is in< ttlements of 
 
 n's Valley wen- derived from listening to the 
 conversation of his father's friends, and to ( 
 Gilliland. the local historian at Bellefonte is in- 
 debted for many important occurreni I in- 
 
 teresting tales thai otherwise would havi 
 into oblivion. While yet a young man, Mr. 
 Gilliland was engaged bj Hon. fsaai M< Kii 
 
 i clerk in his store neat Jacksonville, w i 
 he received good business training. In i 
 |udge Mc.Kinney built Hecla Furnace, and while 
 with the [udge he assisted in taking "arks" 
 down Bald Eagle and then West Branch to I *< -it 
 I >i ■; I Baltimore, and on one of these oc- 
 
 ons the |udge insisted on his visiting Wash- 
 ington city. Ihs business connections with j i ■ 
 McKinne) made- him well acquainted through 
 Centre county, and he soon became influential 
 in politics, and when William L. Smith, the 
 j . died in office, March 1 1, 1831, Mr 
 Gilliland was appointed his si He served 
 
 as such until January ij, [836. 
 
 After retiring from this office hi I the 
 
 tin. stone residence on Alleghanj street, in 
 
 efonte, later owned by Mrs. Pifer, and en- 
 gaged in the mercantile business therein In 
 1837 he was one of a committee, with John Irvin 
 and John Hall, which erected the Presbyterian 
 church edifice that preceded the present Imild- 
 ing. He was engaged several years in settling 
 the estat. of Gen. Philip Benner. In the spring 
 of 1847 he purchased from the Gratzes t! 
 tracts ol land in Snow shoe township, and in 
 partnership with Henry Van Dyke and John Mc- 
 rmick immediate]} built a first-class sawmill, 
 established a blacksmith shop, and completed an 
 elegant Rouring-mill on the purchase. In 1849 
 Messrs. Gilliland and Van Dyke laid out the town 
 of Moshannon, and in 1851 the Presbyterian 
 
 church there was built on ground donated by 
 
 then 1 Mr. Gilliland was chosen one ol the elders 
 and became clerk of the Session. On the break- 
 ing OUt of the war. he was made captain ot .1 
 com pan) raised at Snow Shoe, but on going to 
 Harrisburg, owing to his advanced age, he was 
 assigned to duty in the quartermaster-general's 
 office under Gen. Hale, where he served some 
 time, when Gov. Curtin appointed him commis- 
 sary and quartermastei ol the rst Regiment of 
 Pennsylvania Veterans, from which position he 
 was transferred to Washington city as assistant 
 agenl of the State of Pennsylvania, to look aftei 
 the interests of the soldiers of that State; this 
 office he filled during the war, according to the 
 test im on ) of Gov, Curtin. " admirably and with 
 
 gr< at fidelity." This is also the unanimous testi- 
 mony of the soldiers from Pennsylvania. On the 
 close of the war he moved some seven or eight 
 miles out of Washington, where he resided the 
 rest of his life. 
 
 Gilliland was twice married, the first time 
 to Eliza, daughter of John Rankin, of Bellefonte, 
 who died in 1 s 54. While on their wedding trip 
 they stopped at Washington city and called on 
 President [ackson. Th received in the 
 
 11, and the President honored the bride 
 by taking a seat on the sola, between her and the 
 bridesmaid. He entertained the party for an 
 hour. His second wife was Mary Hampshire 
 whom he was married December 30, 1857. 
 
 Gilliland was a genial, pleasant man, 
 had great conversational powers, was a reads- 
 writer, and was all his life a great advocate of 
 temperance and religion. He went down to his 
 grave with the respi ct ol all who knew him inti- 
 mately, for his promptness and diligence in 
 forming his official duties, and deeply re- 
 gretted by his friends and kindred for the kind- 
 ntleness and affection he always showed 
 them. Two sons, Capt. John R., late of the 51st 
 Pennsylvania Regiment, and James C, and three 
 daughters, Mrs. Isabella Wright (wife of Rev. 
 \\ O. Wright, of Milesburg), Henrietta and 
 Catherine, survived him. 
 
 GEORGE TOMB BUSH. Beginning his ca- 
 reer with the prestige of a well-known name, 
 with health, and seemingly all the good gifts that 
 a reasonable mind could ask at Fortune's hand. 
 the subject of this sketch has made such use of 
 his advantages as to have already attained dis- 
 tinction in his chosen lines of effort. A son of the 
 late Daniel G. Bush, of Bellefonte, Centre coun- 
 ty, he was born in that city September 24, 1867. 
 At six years of age he was sent to school in Bucks 
 county, l'enn., and prepared for a course at col- 
 lege. Hi- went to Swarthmore College, near 
 Philadelphia, where he spent four years. He 
 then entered the Pennsylvania State College, and 
 remained until 1SS7, taking a complete course in 
 chemistry. At his father's death he was called 
 home, .md has since remained there, assisting his 
 mother in the settlement and handling of the 
 estate-, and later engaging in busin 
 
 Real estate and insurance (principally life) 
 occupied his attention for a time, and in 1890 he 
 purchased his present store where he carries a 
 large and well-selected stock of stationery and 
 sporting goods, but still keeping up his work in 
 life insurance, of which he has made a thorough 
 study, and is considered a well-posted man on 
 
- - A 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 45 
 
 that subject. He is an active member of the 
 Board of Trade of Bellefonte, and often partici- 
 pates earnestly in the various discussions that 
 arise. 
 
 An enthusiastic Democrat, Mr. Bush takes an 
 active share in political work, and enjoys a large 
 acquaintance among the party leaders. For 
 several years he was a member of the city coun- 
 cil of Bellefonte, and in 1894 he was made a 
 delegate to the Democratic County Convention, 
 serving as secretary of that body; was also 
 chosen as delegate to the State Convention of 
 that year, and has served in like capacities several 
 times since. 
 
 Mr. Bush possesses a remarkable physique, 
 and is noted for his achievements as an athlete. 
 His interest in cycling dates back to 1890 when 
 he became prominent in the League of America. 
 He was first elected to the State Board of Rep- 
 resentatives of that organization, and soon after 
 elected a member of the National Assembly of 
 that body, and his legislative abilities have been 
 so well recognized that he has been continued a 
 member of those bodies ever since, and he is now 
 one of the most active workers in the League 
 and its work for good roads. As a referee in 
 bicycle races he has a reputation for accuracy 
 and impartiality, and is called to attend many of 
 the noted contests in this and other States in 
 that capacity. Early in life, while at college, he 
 took great interest in football, and in this line he 
 has also been active for many years, managing a 
 team at Detroit, Mich., in 1892. Of late his 
 energies in that line have gone from the player 
 to officiating as referee at games, his accustomed 
 impartiality and good judgment standing him in 
 good stead. 
 
 With all his other gifts Mr. Bush wields the 
 pen of a ready writer, and for many years he has 
 been a general correspondent for leading dailies. 
 His pet hobby is philately, and his collection of 
 stamps, comprising about eight thousand varieties, 
 is the envy of most other devotees in that line. 
 He is also a charter member of the American 
 Philatelic Association, the leading society of 
 philatelists in the world. Fraternally, he is a 
 member of the Bellefonte Lodge of Free Masons, 
 the Royal Arch Chapter, and Constans Com- 
 mandery No. 33, Knights Templar, all of Belle- 
 fonte, and takes great interest in these organiza- 
 tions, holding many minor offices, and is at 
 present captain-general of the Commandery. 
 
 Mr. Bush inherits much of his father's fore- 
 sight and quickness of decision and thought, as 
 well as administrative ability, and his word is his 
 bond, as his father's was before him. His good 
 judgment and impartiality in all matters is well 
 
 known, he many times being called in as arbi- 
 trator in business affairs. He is a member of the 
 Pennsylvania Society Sons of the Revolution, 
 and also of the Nittany Rod and Gun Club, a 
 hunting and fishing organization which has for 
 its home the old Gregg mansion at Hecla Furnace, 
 Centre county, Pennsylvania. 
 
 D' 
 
 AN1EL GRIFFEN BUSH, the father of 
 George T. Bush, was a man of remarkable 
 foresight, ability, and energy, and played a lead- 
 ing part in the development of Bellefonte and 
 vicinity. He was a self-made man, and his his- 
 tory shows a marvelous degree of pluck and am- 
 bition. He was born in Granville township, 
 Bradford Co., Penn., March 28, 1826, and is a 
 descendant of an ancestry which was distin- 
 guished in the early history of this country. On 
 the paternal side his great-grandfather, John 
 Bush, was a captain in the French and fndian 
 war, and was with Gen. Braddock, at Fort Du- 
 Quesne, July g, 1755, at the memorable defeat. 
 Daniel Bush, the son of Capt. John Bush, and 
 the grandfather of Daniel G. Bush, was an able 
 man of much more than ordinary education, and 
 although crippled through the improper setting 
 of a broken leg, he was one of the leading sur- 
 veyors of his time. He surveyed the site of the 
 present city of Auburn, and was employed by 
 the Spanish Government in 1798 to make sur- 
 veys in Louisiana. In 1807 he established his 
 home in Litchfield, Bradford Co., Penn. His 
 son, Joseph Bush, the father of D. G. Bush, 
 was a millwright by trade, and married Lucretia 
 Putnam, a relative of Gen. Israel Putnam, of 
 Revolutionary fame, and a daughter of John 
 Putnam, who came from Great Barrington. 
 Mass., in 18 18. and made his home in Granville, 
 Penn. John Putnam served three years as a 
 soldier in Washington's forces, having entered 
 the service at the early age of thirteen years, 
 and throughout his life gave evidence of the pos- 
 session of the honesty, firmness, and persistence 
 that characterized his illustrious kinsman. Jo- 
 seph Bush was unfortunate in his financial affairs, 
 unprofitable investments and losses through giv- 
 ing security for neighbors exhausting his estate. 
 He died when his son Daniel was a lad of six- 
 teen, and, the family being separated, the boy 
 was sent to work upon a farm at six dollars per 
 month for nine months of the year with the 
 privilege of attending school in the winter. 
 These meagre advantages did not satisfy his 
 eager longing for knowledge, and many an even- 
 ing he spent in study by the light of the fire. 
 Reading, writing, spelling and arithmetic were 
 the only studies included in the curriculum of the 
 
46 
 
 00MM1 VORATIVB BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 distrii t scho . and one who had 
 
 Tf.a hed the " rule ^l three « pbn 
 
 i prodigy, < Ira mm .1 phy were al- 
 
 most an unknown field to the pupils, and pn 
 bly to th<- 1 Under these circumstan 
 
 Mr. Hush made his way until he was himsell 
 qualified to assume the duties of a teacher, his 
 firsl being at New Albanj , Br idford ( 
 
 I'liiii., where in 1 ived $10.00 per 
 
 month and ' I round." In the same year 
 
 id) 1 I law, and was enr< tiled 
 student in I Mi rcur, of l 
 
 wanda, Penn., afterward a judge "I tin- supi 
 
 irt of this Stati I of Ins first term 
 
 as a teacher found Mr. Bush more desirous than 
 ever ol sei ui ing a I 1 education, and he 
 
 determined I Whitestown Academy, 1 
 
 Utica, N. Y. The paj for his first term of scl 
 was not forthcoming, however, as the treasury 
 was empty, and he was told that he would have 
 to wait until the m< >n c-^- was collected at some 
 tune in the future, perhaps three months, per- 
 haps a year. Six dollars represented Ins entire 
 available funds, bul in spite of this fact and of 
 the opposition of his friends, Mr. Bush packed 
 his in an old valise, and swinging it over 
 
 his shoulder he started, staff in hand, t<> walk 
 to Whitestown, a distance of 200 miles. On his 
 arrival, about the 1st of April, [847, he found 
 that the rooms of th >1 were only partially 
 
 furnished, and that he would be obliged to buj .1 
 bed As he had but three dollars and fifty cents 
 left, this news had .1 discouraging effect, and for 
 a time he felt inclined to join a regiment which 
 M.i| 1 Si hofield, one of the proprietors of the 
 hotel where he was stopping, was recruiting for 
 the Mexican war. On hearing his story the Ma- 
 jor, who was delighted with the young man's 
 pluck, told him by all means to continue his 
 studies, and settled the difficulty about the bed 
 b) advising him to buy a bedtick and fill it with 
 straw, and promised to lend him a pillow and 
 othei necessaries. To tins good friend Mr. 
 Bush owed much, not only for this kindly turn 
 but for practical advice on various points. The 
 payment ol his bill at the hotel left Mr. Bush 
 only fifty cents, The mornings were cold, and 
 half this amount was paid for five large sticks of 
 wood, with which he managed to get through the 
 term. Candles were an unattainable luxury, 
 and Ik was obliged to visit the rooms of other 
 students in oi,;,i to study at night, making the 
 excuse ol lone 1 imeness. 
 
 He had heard nothing from home for some 
 time, but finally the postmaster informed him 
 that there were three letters For him on which 
 fifteen cents postage must be paid. In after days 
 
 Mr. Bush must have often thought of the time 
 when tie i this trifling sum meant so much 
 
 to him. Telling the postma I he had no 
 
 money, he said he wi me lor the letters the 
 
 I day; but credit was offered and accepted, 
 and with many bright hopes Mr. Iiush took the 
 mis I rushed to his room to open them. But 
 
 alas! instead of 1 I remittance he found 
 
 oiii. - and cciisiiie for his folly in pursuing 
 
 h an unprofitable ! ; -appointment 
 
 was keen, and s 1 Mr. Bush realized that he had 
 
 the new difficulty on hand of raising, before the 
 next da) should end, the imn um of fift 
 
 ; w no one from whom he could 
 
 hut fortune favored him, and learning 
 that Mr. Williams needed help in his garden near 
 the school, In- went to him and offered to work 
 during the four hours which were allowed for ex- 
 Six and one-fourth cents per hour was 
 the (on in, and, by working two houi> 
 
 that night and two next morning, the debt was 
 paid. This employment continued until the gar- 
 den was planted, and Mr. liush also found work 
 for his Saturdays, at fifty cents a day, with some 
 farmers in the neighborhood; but notwithstand- 
 ing these efforts he found himself in debt for 
 hoard and tuition at the close of the first term. 
 vacation wa in work at twenty dollars 
 
 a month, to which his employer voluntarily 
 ad led five dollars, saying that he richly deserved 
 it for his unusual efficiency. Two weeks in the 
 harvest field followed, and then came the open- 
 ing of the second term. Board was furnished at 
 the rate of one dollar per week; but he decided 
 that he could not afford this, and purchasing 
 
 ie corn, meat and molasses he began boarding 
 himself, and finding that he could accomplish 
 this for about thirty-one cents per week he con- 
 tinued the plan as long as he remained in school. 
 
 The following winter he spent in teaching 
 near Owego, N. Y., and in the spring of 1 
 he went to White Deer Valley, Lycoming Co. , 
 Penn., and taught one year. Here he became 
 acquainted with Pelton's outline maps for teach- 
 in;,' geography, and he decided to go to Philadel- 
 phia and, if possible, secure the agency, which he 
 irdingly did. Mr. Pelton being so impressed 
 with his abilities that he made him general agent 
 for this Stat'-. I le held this position until 1856, 
 when In ttled at Bel 1 omplete his 
 
 preparation for the Bar. His first practical knowl- 
 edge of legal procedure was connected with an 
 unfortunate experience. He had saved about 
 $3,000, which lie had placed in the hands of a 
 cousin, I). 1'.. Colton, of Athens. Penn., with 
 whom he formed a partnership in certain real-es- 
 tate investments in that city. The firm failed 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 47 
 
 under Colton's management, and Mr. Bush's 
 earnings of eight years were irretrievably lost, and 
 a debt of $200 against the firm took the place of 
 the expected profits. Thus Mr. Bush found him- 
 self again at the foot of the ladder. His un- 
 daunted energy did not fail him, however, at this 
 crisis, and after his admission to the Bar April 
 29, 1857, he devoted himself to the practice of 
 his profession with a zeal and ability which com- 
 manded success. He had taken an active part 
 in the local work of the Democratic party in 1856, 
 and his abilities being noted by the county lead- 
 ers he received an appointment as mercantile ap- 
 praiser, in 1857. As time progressed, he became 
 interested in real-estate business, and turned his 
 legal practice into the hands of a partner, the 
 late George M. Yocum, with whom he became 
 associated in 1862. The present Gov. D. H. 
 Hastings was taken in as student-at-law by Mr. 
 Bush, and was afterward taken into partnership 
 with him, and Gov. Hastings owes to his pre- 
 ceptor much of his later energy and push that he 
 has since exhibited. 
 
 Naturally Mr. Bush became a power in the 
 political affairs, being an eloquent and fluent 
 stump speaker, but although he was an ardent 
 and tireless worker in emergencies, he seemed 
 indifferent to reward. In 1868 his county pre- 
 sented his name as a candidate for Congress, but 
 at Mr. Bush's own request it was withdrawn in 
 favor of the Clinton county candidate, Hon. L. 
 A. Mackey, and when in 1876 the Democracy of 
 Centre county again urged his candidacy, Mr. 
 Bush again declined to oppose Mr. Mackey's no- 
 mination. In later years ill health prevented his 
 active participation in political affairs. 
 
 As may be inferred from the incidents of his 
 life, Mr. Bush has been altogether the artificer 
 of his own fortune and reputation. He has been 
 an intensely busy man all his life, and has de- 
 monstrated in the improvements he has made in 
 Bellefonte his capacity for business upon a large 
 scale. He may be characterized as a man of 
 great administrative ability, quick to think and 
 to decide, pushing with energy to completion 
 whatever he undertakes. In 1867 he erected his 
 own magnificient residence on Spring street, in 
 Bellefonte, and the large business block known 
 as the "Bush Arcade," which was burned in 
 1887, but was rebuilt by the estate. In 1868 he 
 erected the " Bush House " and several dwellings, 
 and in 1869 he erected a block of three brick 
 dwellings on Spring street .above the Centre 
 County Bank, and the brick block opposite the 
 "Bush House" known as the " McClain Block," 
 besides erecting at many different times upward 
 of sixty frame houses. 
 
 Mr. Bush's activity in the development of 
 Bellefonte was not confined to Bellefonte alone, 
 as he was prominently identified with railroad in- 
 terests, being the chief promoter and the first 
 president of the road from Norfolk, Va. , to Eliza- 
 beth City, N. C. (now known as the Norfolk 
 Southern), where he owned large tracts of land 
 and made many improvements. 
 
 In addition to all the building enterprises in 
 Bellefonte to which Mr. Bush did not confine 
 himself, he was also the leader in every industry 
 that was founded in that time. In 1868 he went 
 to Pittsburg and obtained the best method of 
 building a glass furnace, with minute details as 
 to cost of building and running the same, came 
 home, raised a company, and built the works, 
 subscribing considerable stock himself. 
 
 The car works was started in 1873, Mr. Bush 
 contributing the use of the valuable water power, 
 and subscribed $10,000 stock, he being elected 
 the first president of the company. 
 
 He was also chiefly interested in getting the 
 nail works here. Mr. Achenbach having»come to 
 town for the purpose of trying to raise a com- 
 pany, but without success, Mr. Bush met him at 
 Lock Haven after he had left, brought him back, 
 and immediately called together a few of the in- 
 fluential citizens, and a company was formed 
 headed by Gen. Beaver, and the nail works 
 built. 
 
 In order to show their appreciation of Mr. 
 Bush's public spirit, all the leading citizens of 
 Bellefonte, on the fourth of May, 1869, joined in 
 a letter of thanks to him, and the tender of a 
 public dinner at the "Bush House," which Mr. 
 Bush accepted, designating June 1st for the occa- 
 sion, which passed with great eclat. 
 
 Constans Commandery No. 33, Knights Tem- 
 plar, was chartered June 10, 1868, Mr. Bush 
 being one of the first signers for the charter, but 
 yielded the right of eminent commander to the 
 Hon. S. T. Shugert, he being the next elected 
 eminent commander. He was a charter appli- 
 cant and the first high priest of the Royal Arch 
 Masons, Chapter No. 241, which was chartered 
 in 1872; he also took a prominent part in the 
 lodge of Free Masons, and was a thirty-second 
 degree Mason of the Scottish Rite Consistory. 
 
 Mr. Bush was married to Miss Louisa Tomb, 
 a daughter of George Tomb, of Jersey Shore, 
 whose ancestors settled at Sunbury about 1750, 
 on the 14th day of December, 1858, and settled 
 permanently in Bellefonte. Their issue was three 
 daughters and two sons, two of the daughters 
 dying in infancy; Elizabeth married Chas. L. 
 Calloway, of Baltimore; George T. , at home, is 
 the subject of another sketch; and Harry is at 
 
1- 
 
 COMM h:\loU.\TIVI-: BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 present the general manager for a lumber com- 
 pany at Carthagena, Columbian Republic, South 
 America. Mr. Bush died on the morning of 
 September 23, 1886. The following notice, ap- 
 pearing in the Democratic Watchman the next 
 day, would best indicate the feeling of the com- 
 munity at such a bereavment: 
 
 "Bellefonte's Benefactor Gone. The 
 deatb oi D G Bush Esq., which occurred at 
 his residence in this place yesterday morning, 
 
 '>f a complication of diseases which have kepi 
 him in poor health for several years, removes 
 from our midst one of tb hearted, liberal- 
 
 minded and enterprising citizens this section of 
 the State has ever had. In his death Bellefonte 
 loses one who has done more to build up the 
 town, to enlarge its business facilities, to add to 
 its real wealth, and to improve it in every way, 
 than all its other capitalists combined. It loses 
 a citizen whom every one respected; a neighbor 
 who was loved by all; a man who needed no seals 
 or written contracts to require him to keep his 
 word; whose integrity was above suspicion and 
 whose liberality in public enterprises others might 
 feel proud to emulate." 
 
 The remains of Mr. Bush were committed to 
 the grave at three o'clock on the Saturday after- 
 noon (September 25) following his death, in the 
 Union Cemetery. During the funeral services and 
 burial all plat es "I business were closed, and the 
 people of the town, irrespective 01 age or sex, 
 mournfully did honor to him who had done so 
 much for the town. The Commandery 01 Knights 
 Templar from Lock Haven, together with the 
 Bellefonte Commandery, performed the last im- 
 pressive services of that order. The Bai Asso- 
 ciation attended in a body, he having been one 
 whose counsel was often sought by both older 
 and younger members. The ministers of all the 
 Churches in Bellefonte delivered addresses, and 
 the attendance upon this solemn occasion was 
 the largest ever witnessed in Bellefonte, asever) 
 one felt it to be a duty to pay their last respects 
 to him who had done so much (or his fellowinen. 
 In the evening the court house was crowded to 
 participate in the memorial services of the Bai 
 Association, and many feeling addresses were de- 
 livered by Hon. A <■ I urtin. Hon. Judges Furst 
 and Hoy. Col |. L. Spangler, Hon. John G, 
 Love, Wilbur F. Reeder, E. C. Humes and 
 others. 
 
 COL. J. P. f < >BURN, president ol the I 
 National Bank of Bellefonte, is one of tin- 
 leading citizens of Centre county, and in fact is 
 well-known throughout cistern Pennsylvania. 
 For forty years he has been identilied with al- 
 
 most ever \ important enterprise in his locality, 
 and his influence has been helpfully exerted in 
 all the varied activities of social, religious, busi- 
 ness and political life. His title was gained 
 through service upon Gen. George Buchanan's 
 staff, and he was also a member of Gov. A. (.. 
 Curtin's staff with the same rank. The peer of 
 the best, he enjoys a wide acquaintance among 
 prominent men, and was a personal friend of 
 James G. Blaine for many years. 
 
 The family name was originally Cockburn, and 
 the Colonel's ancestors came from England about 
 i, settling in Connecticut. Col. R. Coburn, 
 our subject's great-uncle, did gallant service in 
 the Revolutionary army, and was killed in the 
 battle of Saratoga. The branch of the family 
 in which our interest is especially centered came 
 from Connecticut in the latter part of the last 
 century, and bought lands in Bradford county. 
 I'enn., where they located. These estates w 
 later taken from them by the decision in the con- 
 tent over the adverse titles granted by Penn and 
 the English Crown. 
 
 Dr. Charles Coburn, the Colonel's father. 
 was born in Woodstock, Windham Co., Conn., 
 October 30. 1785. Having prepared for his 
 profession during his early years, he located .it 
 Aaronsburg in 1814, where he continued to prac- 
 tice successfully for many years. He was a man 
 ol line intellect, and advanced ideas, a thorough 
 "Yankee," jovial, good-natured, outspoken yet 
 dignified, and was rarely gifted as an agreeable and 
 entertaining conversationalist. Politically, he was 
 an active, earnest and influential Whig, after- 
 ward a Republican. His nature was deeply and 
 sincerely religious; from his youth he was a sincere 
 and earnest member of the Presbyterian Church, 
 and during his early life, when the locality in 
 Which he resided was comparatively a wilderness, 
 he carried with him and distributed the Bible while 
 making professional calls among his people with- 
 out cost to those unable or too poor to pay. 
 He organized the first Sunday-school in Aarons 
 burj,'. where he resided, and was largely instru- 
 mental with others in founding the Presbyterian 
 Church there, and at Spring Mills, seven miles 
 west ol his home, in Penn's Valley, in which he 
 held the office of elder for many years until his 
 
 death. 
 
 < Mi January 15, 1824, Dr. Coburn was united 
 in marriage with Miss Peggj C Potter, daughter 
 
 I Gen. James Potter, of Potter township, ( - 
 tie county, of Revolutio me She died 
 
 leaving no issue, and on June 24, 1830, Dr. Co- 
 burn married Miss Margaret Huston, also of Pot- 
 ter township, who was born September 18, 1800, 
 the daughter of James and Catherine (Ewing) 
 
r^Qgr&^rrt^p 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 49 
 
 Huston, a family noted among the people of 
 Penn's Valley for their modest, unostentatious 
 generosity, and sterling integrity. Her father's 
 early home was in the Cumberland Valley, but 
 he became a pioneer settler of Potter township, 
 Centre county, and owned one of the largest and 
 best farms in that locality, his systematic meth- 
 ods of cultivation being an important factor in 
 his successful management. Mrs. Catherine 
 Ewing Huston was during her childhood cap- 
 tured by the Indians in a corn field on her | 
 father's home farm near Spruce creek, Hunting- 
 don Co., Perm., and made to tramp barefooted 
 to Niagara Falls and Montreal, where she spent 
 two years or more wandering about with the sav- 
 ages. From constantly hearing and using their 
 language, she had almost forgotten her native 
 tongue, when she was finally exchanged and sent 
 back in safety to her home. Dr. Coburn's long 
 and eminently useful life ended April 25, 1858, 
 and his wife did not long survive him, her death 
 occurring August 21, 1861. Of their five chil- 
 dren, only two lived to adult age — our subject 
 and his sister Margaret, who married Morgan F. 
 Medlar, a banker and broker at Allentown, Penn- 
 sylvania. 
 
 Col. Coburn was born July 11, 1831, at 
 Aaronsburg, and the common schools of that 
 town afforded him an entrance to the path of 
 knowledge. Our subject spent three years in 
 school at Owego, N. Y., two at Harrisburg 
 Academy, and then entered the "Old Tenant 
 School," at Hartsville, Bucks Co., Penn., where 
 he prepared for Yale College. He did not take 
 a collegiate course, however, as both his parents 
 had become invalids, and for their sake he re- 
 turned to Aaronsburg and tenderly cared for 
 them until they passed away, his filial love 
 making this sacrifice a pleasure. For seven 
 years he was engaged in mercantile business as 
 clerk and proprietor, and in the meantime he 
 read law in the office .of Hon. A. G. Curtin and 
 Edmund Blanchard, at Bellefonte, Penn., and in 
 i860 was admitted to practice, His business 
 ability has made him a valued adviser and helper 
 in important ventures. For thirty years he la- 
 bored unceasingly to secure the assistance and 
 aid of capitalists and others in the construction 
 of the Lewisburg & Tyrone railroad, of which he 
 is a director, and which was finally built at a 
 cost of $2,500,000, and is now in successful oper- 
 ation via Coburn, Lemont and Bellefonte. 
 Although he was acquainted for many years with 
 tlje route which the road must eventually take, 
 and had the best of opportunities to enrich him- 
 self by purchasing land along the line, he re- 
 frained from taking advantage of the opportunity, 
 4 
 
 out of a high sense of personal honor and a loyal 
 consideration of the rights of the community. 
 He has served as director of the First National 
 Bank of Bellefonte, with acceptability, and July 
 1 , 1 896, he was elected to the office of president. 
 This bank is known as one of the oldest, most 
 reliable and successful banking institutions in this 
 part of Pennsylvania. It is a noteworthy fact 
 that no paper of his was ever discounted or dis- 
 honored, notwithstanding the .extensive business 
 operations in which he has engaged. He was 
 married October 17, i860, to Miss Jane E. Hus- 
 ton, daughter of Thomas Huston, late a well- 
 known and prominent resident of Nittany Valley, 
 Centre county. 
 
 Kind and considerate in all the relations of 
 life, the Colonel cherishes enmity toward none. 
 Politically he is a Republican. He has never 
 sought office although frequently offered to him, 
 and no man takes a keener interest in the success 
 of his party, and the prosperity of the country 
 than he, and his counsel is valued by those who 
 know him, while his influence is felt by both 
 friend and opponent. 
 
 HON. JOHN BLAIR LINN, of Bellefonte, 
 is one of Centre county's many men who 
 have been called to positions of honor and trust 
 in the public affairs of the State, which, to- 
 gether with his connection with works on local 
 history and genealogy of Pennsylvania families, 
 has given him a large acquaintance and a repu- 
 tation not confined to the State. 
 
 William Linn, his great-great-grandfather, 
 emigrated from the North of Ireland, in 1732, 
 and settled in Chester county, Penn. Accord- 
 ing to family tradition, 'his wife died in Ireland, 
 and he brought with him an only son, William. 
 They remained in Chester county but a few years, 
 when, following the tide of emigration, they set- 
 tled upon the frontier of the Purchase of Octo- 
 ber, 1736, near what is now known as Roxbury, 
 in Franklin county. The names of William 
 Linn, Sr. , and William Linn-, Jr., appear on the 
 assessment list of Lurgan township, Cumberland 
 county, for the year 175 1, one year after the 
 erection of Cumberland county (1750), Here 
 the ancestor died, having nearly reached the one 
 hundredth year of his age. His father fought 
 on the side of "the Orange" at Boyne, July 1, 
 1690, and was said to have been in Capt. Hugh 
 Wilson's company, the first Irish officer who 
 crossed the river. William Linn, Jr., born in 
 1722 in Ireland, was an officer in Middle Spring 
 Church. In June, 1755, he was in Philadelphia 
 with his wagon, and with his team was pressed 
 

 ( omiEMORATIVR BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 into ill' haul su| . I Irad- 
 
 doi k's army, and w 
 
 Hi died \('iil 16, <n\ is buried in 
 
 I Spring Church. 
 
 He was twice married; Ins first wife, the one 
 
 from who ur sub inna 
 
 Trimble, who died ling to tradition, in 
 
 Shipper — . when 
 
 sequence of an Indian raid the frontier inhabit- 
 ants had gathered I In children by this union 
 wen- William and John. 
 
 The foi mi i . William | j i was bi >rn in Lui 
 township, I '7. I752;graduated at Prin 
 
 ton, N [., class <>( 177-. studied theolog} tiu- 
 der Re\ Ri >bei t Cooper, 1 ' I ' nted 
 
 I haplain of 5th and 6th Penn b tttalions Feb- 
 ruary 1 - pastor al ; 11 ings 1 now 
 Newville), Cumberland county, until 1784; presi- 
 dent of \\ Md., 1784 1785; 
 pastor of Co N. Y., 1; 
 
 lain of the I ! Repre- 
 
 sentatives, U S., M.i\ 1, 1789. His published 
 works are " s > rmons, Historii al and < haracter- 
 istical, ' N. Y., 1791 ; " Signs of the I 
 N. Y. . 1 7'.>4 ; " A Funeral Ei Gi Wash- 
 
 ington, delivered Februarj the 
 
 New York Soi ietj - 'l * incinnati; "Sermon 
 tin Death of Alexander Hamilton, "etc. Shortly 
 
 eath Di Linn 
 "l Union Colli tady, but was m 
 
 tugurated II' di d in Albany, X. Y., [anu- 
 
 II y 8, 180J Di 1 .11111 married 1 fh si January 
 10, 1 774, Rebei 1 a I llaii . daughtei "I Ri v | 
 Blair, ^ Jer- 
 sey, at Princeton, 176 
 
 John Linn, the othi 1 I William Linn 
 
 !.\ thi In -t mai 1 iagi . w .1 horn in I .in 
 ti iwnship, April 2, 1754 II I .urgan 
 
 to Buffalo Valle) (now Union 1 ounty . Penn., in 
 1775; mi N 1 7. ij8o, I"' ma \nn 
 
 Fleming, born September 6, 1761, daughtei 
 John and Ann Fleming, nt) 
 
 Their children were: Susanna married William 
 ompson; Ann married Andrew M Bi th; Will- 
 iam married [ane Morrow; |ohn married Mary 
 F, Chambei lin; Margarel marrii I [oseph Mi 
 
 monl . (ames F. . and [emima (died unn 
 The parents ol these children died, the 
 father on March 18, 1809, and the- mothei 
 Septi mbei 1, 1 84 1 
 
 James I I inn, nexl 
 [ohn Linn, was born December 6, 1802. He 
 
 i.i-il mi the farm at his n 
 I ,ater he atti hoi >l at Milton, and in 1 
 
 in reading law nndei the din 
 Men iil 1 le •■■■ > idm il 
 and began the pi n at Lew is- 
 
 burg, which place he made his residence thrm 
 
 life Beside the profession of law, he was a 
 
 fond ol it, which 
 went well with his I ion in mattei 
 
 ements nd in the land law trials. 
 
 II made copies of all surveys, and preserved a 
 cop; ade; the d ipies were in a 
 
 1 k, and tl ill tiled awaj separ- 
 
 ately into townships and counties, and all were 
 indexed in a 1 tranger could 
 
 turn to them and undi rstand. Th< 
 six hundred, and thi nplete history "I 
 
 the early tra and many titles would be in- 
 
 ile without them. I fe served a 
 
 is transaction in 
 which hi 1 rhe little slips of papei . 
 
 ■ in which the calculations and memorandums of 
 the tra; happened in In- made, were all 
 
 gathered up and put away with the case He 
 kepi nmon picas docket, 1 opied ] 1 
 
 motary's docket, in which tl 
 was no entry except what was to be found there, 
 
 Jlection docket, a brief hook, issue lists; in 
 line from [826 to tin- day he did his last, tl 
 
 history "I his busibess. 1 le was 
 
 fnl lawyer. He was learned 
 
 in his pi id withal, in the early part ol 
 
 Ins with it his reading of poetry and 
 
 historj in I much de\ oti d to the- 
 
 \ lie was a Democrat, along with the old 
 
 I ' 1 nil and Martin 
 Van Bui ame an Abolitionist, voted lor 
 Birney, and livi the day win n his fai 
 
 ["emperani 1 and Abolition ol Sla\ - 
 • i\ were triumphant. He was a Scotch-Irish 
 1, and with all his dignity and app 
 1 \ friendly to all the amusemi 
 of life. Hi- death 1. d October 8, 1 S69. 
 
 Mi 1. 11111 married July 20, 1S26, Margaret I. 
 Wil Jit. r of 1 [ugh Wilson 14 .md Cath- 
 
 erine Irvine, and their children were: Marx I 
 married Rev Elenr) Harbaugh, D. D. ; Wilson 1 
 married 1 I ii Brown; [ohn Blair is our sub- 
 
 jei t , J M.i rill n ! Billmeyi 1 1 
 
 ver 1> died young; Anne (". married Dr. John S. 
 Ang - ; 3 was tin- first wife of I >i [ohn 
 
 S Vngle. 
 
 Hugh Wilson 141 was the great-grandson of 
 
 II ias Wilson, and was a native ol Northamp- 
 ton county, Penn., 1 her 21, 1 ~ * > 1 ; died 
 
 on his I Penn. , I October 9, 
 
 1845, He served a nui tours during the 
 
 l\'"> olution .in, under Col. Nicholas 
 
 Kern, ami remo\ iffalo Valle} mow Union 
 
 Penn . and kept store at Lewisbu 
 
 lie III. lined I 17. I79O, 
 
 mber 16, 1 -;>'.. died 
 
COMMEMORA Tl VE BIOGRAPHIOA I. RE( ORD. 
 
 August 21, 1835, ' daughter of Capt. William 
 Irvine, of the Revolution. Thomas Wilson, 
 from whom Hugh is the fourth generation, was 
 an officer in King William's army, among the 
 first to cross the river Boyne, on horseback on 
 the morning of July 1, 1690. He was specially 
 rewarded, for his bravery, with a grant of land. 
 He resided in County Cavan, Ireland, having an 
 extensive bleach-green within a mile of Coote 
 Hill, not far from the county town. His an- 
 cestors had emigrated from Scotland to Ireland. 
 Thomas had one son Hugh, born in 1689, in 
 County Cavan, Ireland; married Sarah Craig, in 
 Ireland; emigrated to America and settled in the 
 "Irish Settlement" as early as 1736. His home lay 
 northwest of what is now known as Howertown, 
 in Allen township, Northampton Co., Penn. His 
 land comprises 730 acres. He erected a flour- 
 ing-rnill which was torn down as late as the 
 spring of 1857. Upon the erection of North- 
 ampton county, in 1752, he was commissioned 
 one of the justices of the peace for the county. 
 His last commission as justice was issued March 
 
 15, 1766. His death occurred in the autumn of 
 1773, and his remains rest in the old graveyard 
 at the settlement. 
 
 John Blair Linn was born at Lewisburg, 
 Penn., October 15, 1 83 1 , and inherited his incli- 
 nation to genealogy and local history from his 
 father, James F. Linn, whose memorandums 
 and newspaper files were the sources from which 
 much of whatever is valuable in the " Annals of 
 Buffalo Valley" was derived. He was prepared 
 for college at the Lewisburg Academy, under 
 John Robinson, Esq., late ot the Philadelphia 
 Bar; entered Marshall College at Mercersburg, 
 Penn., in May, 1846 (sophomore class), half ad- 
 vanced, where he graduated at the age of seven- 
 teen in the same class with the Hon. Charles A. 
 Mayer, some years ago president judge of Clinton 
 and Centre counties. He read law in his father's 
 office, and was admitted to the Bar September 
 
 16, 1 85 1 . The years 1852 and 1853 he spent in 
 Sullivan county, which had just been opened out, 
 where he was elected district attorney. He re- 
 turned to Union county in 1854, where he prac- 
 ticed his profession until his removal to Belle- 
 fonte, in April, 187 1. On April 10, 1873, he 
 was appointed deputy secretary of the Common- 
 wealth by the Hon. M. S. Qua}', and May 15, 
 1878, upon the resignation of Mr. Quay, he was 
 commissioned Secretary of the Commonwealth, 
 in which incumbency he remained until after 
 Gov. Hoyt was inaugurated, and then returned 
 to Bellefonte. Mr. Linn and Dr. Egle were 
 made editors of the Second Series of Pennsyl- 
 vania Archives, the publication of which was rec- 
 
 ommended by Gov. Hartranft in his annual 
 message, January 7, 1874, and they were is- 
 sued in twelve volumes, under Mr. Quay's su- 
 pervision. In 1879 Mr. Linn published the 
 "Annals of Buffalo Valley, " a local work em- 
 bracing the history of Union county principally. 
 It is a book of 620 pages, replete with interest, 
 though largely local, and involved an immense 
 amount, of painstaking labor. While he was 
 Secretary of the Commonwealth, there was pub- 
 lished under his direction " Duke of York's laws, 
 1676-82, and Laws of the Province, 1682-1700." 
 In 1882 he edited a " History of Centre and Clin- 
 ton counties" in a handsome volume of nearly 
 700 pages, which has preserved all that is of 
 value of " Men and things in these counties " in 
 a readable and entertaining shape. Mr. Linn 
 has not only inherited from his father his incli- 
 nation to genealogy and local history, but also 
 that same methodical and systematic manner of 
 looking after his business affairs, and that same 
 sense of right, justice and honor and Christian 
 manhood — characteristic of his father — is pos- 
 sessed by him. He is an exemplary citizen, 
 known and beloved by all. His work in the line 
 of history and genealogy has been one of labor 
 and love — he being fond of research and inves- 
 tigation. He possesses that love of books, and 
 a literary taste that has been characteristic of a 
 distinguished ancestry. He is identified with the 
 Presbyterian Church. Politically he is a Re- 
 publican. During the war of the Rebellion he 
 was a patriot, and served his country. 
 
 Mr. Linn was twice tnarried; (first) October 
 22, 1857, to Julia J. Pollock, borr February 2, 
 1 83 1, daughter of F. W. Pollock, of Milton, 
 Penn., and their children were: Sarah P. G., 
 born April 9, 1859; and Bessie W., born Sep- 
 tember 13, i860. Was married (second) to 
 Mary E. D. Wilson, daughter of Samuel Hunter 
 and Mary Benner Wilson, and their children are: 
 Mary H., born July 26, 1869, and Henry Sage, 
 born January 18, 1873, at Bellefonte, Penn. 
 The latter is a member of the Society of Cincin- 
 nati. He is associated in the office with his fa- 
 ther under whom he is preparing himself for the 
 profession of the law. A well-educated, bright, 
 genial and affable young man, he surely has be- 
 fore him a promising future. 
 
 JUDGE AUSTIN O. FURST. Every profes- 
 sion has its prominent men; some made such 
 by long membership, and others by their pro- 
 ficiency in their calling. The subject of this 
 sketch is made conspicuous among the jurists of 
 Centre county both by the length of time he has 
 
52 
 
 COMMKM<>U.\ Tl VB BIOQRAPHU .1 / RBI <>HD. 
 
 devoted to the pursuit, and by the eminent suc- 
 cess he has made of it. He is one of those men 
 who may be said to have chosen well in the se- 
 lection of a profession. Possessed of a keen 
 sense of discrimination, mature judgment and a 
 natural taste for the various branches of legal 
 business, he has by years of stud)' and practice 
 placed himself among the foremost members of 
 the learned liar of the great State of Pennsyl- 
 vania. 
 
 Judge Furst has descended from honored fore- 
 fathers who came to America from Holland after 
 the Reformation, his paternal ancestors being 
 followers o( Martin Luther. John George Furst, 
 the grandfather of Judge Furst, purchased from 
 the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania a large tract 
 of land in the eastern portion of Nittany Valley, 
 which he laid out into farms for Ins lour sons — 
 George, John, Samuel and Thomas and daugh- 
 ter — Catherine These sons and daughter were 
 reared in the Valley referred to, married there, 
 and settled on that tract of lain! George, how- 
 ever, afterward located in the vicinity of Free- 
 port. Ill, where he passed the rest of Ids days. 
 Two of the sons, Samuel and Thomas, were 
 noted hunters of this section of the country, in 
 which they were reared. The five children above 
 named were strongly attached to the Church of 
 their forefathers. John George Furst died in 
 Clinton county (formerly Centre) in iSj i , and his 
 wife, Agnes, in 1 8 1 3. 
 
 John Furst, the second son of John George 
 Furst, and the father of Judge hurst, was horn 
 in the Susquehanna Valley, August r8, 1785, and 
 was given one of the farms referred to, on which 
 he resided until his death, which occurred April 
 14, i859> when he « I) sevent) four years 
 
 old. He was a man of ordinary education, but 
 I good common sense; a man of practi- 
 cal ideas which made him a useful citizen, and 
 he was a lifelon culturist. He was inter- 
 
 id, and took an active part, in the local af- 
 fair-. . ! tin county; was a Jacksonian Democrat, 
 and in his religious views was a Lutheran His 
 wife, Ba . was ad of J< ihn 
 
 and Catherine Shuman, of Mi Hers town, Perry 
 county, this Stat.-. John Shuman died March 
 7. 1807, aged fort) five years, Ins wife, Cather- 
 ine, passing away in 1826, at the sixty 
 years. In religious faith the Shumans w 
 Methodists. To the marriage of [ohn Furst and 
 i Shuman were horn eleven children, 
 Judge l'ur.-t beii the youngest. The 
 mother, who was a woman ol of 
 character, lived to the hty- 
 being remarkably wi > ed 
 bi 'Hi ph) sit all) and mentally, I ler death 
 
 curred September y, 1878. One of her sons, 
 John S., was a very successful merchant, and one 
 of the most influential men of Clinton county, 
 an ardent Republican, and an elder of the Pres- 
 bj terian Church. 
 
 Judge Austin (). Furst, the subject proper of 
 this sketch, is a native of the State, born on his 
 father's farm in Lamar township, Clinton county, 
 in the east end of Nittany Valley. In the schools 
 of the neighborhood he acquired his early educa- 
 tion, after which he went to the academy in Sa- 
 lona, conducted by Prof. McGuire and Prof. Car- 
 rier, respectively. Later he entered Dickinson 
 Seminary, at Williamsport, from which he was 
 graduated in 1853, with the honors of the class. 
 In the fall of that year he entered the junior class 
 of Dickinson College. Carlisle, Penn., but after 
 a brief period sickness caused him to leave. Re- 
 turning home, he in 1858 began the study of law 
 in the office of his brother, Cline G. Furst, Lsq. , 
 at Lock Haven, Penn., and he was admitted 
 t" the Bar of Clinton County at the September 
 term, i860. \ short time afterward he located 
 at l'.ellefonte, and at the January term of Court 
 in 1861, he was on motion made by the late Hon. 
 H. N. McAllister, admitted to the Bar of Centre 
 County, and has ever since followed the profes- 
 sion of law. 
 
 Prior to the session of the State Legislature 
 of [882-83, Centre county was a part of the 
 Twenty-fifth Judicial District. At that session 
 
 tre and Huntingdon counties were united, and 
 constituted the Forty-ninth Judicial District, 
 fudge Mayer continued as president-judge of the 
 Twenty-fifth 1 district, composed of the counties 1 il 
 Clinton, F.Ik and Cameron, and Judge Orvis, 
 who was the additional law judge of the old 
 Twenty-fifth, became president-judge of the 
 Forty-ninth. In the fall of [883 he resigned, 
 and Judge Ho) was appointed by Gov. Pattison 
 He continued is president- judge of the Forty- 
 ninth District until the first Monday of January, 
 1885. At the general election of [884 Austin ( >. 
 Furst was elected president- judge, entered upon 
 the duties of tin Brsl Monday 
 
 fanuary, 1885, and continued in service (or a 
 period ol ten \< ars, his term of office expiring on 
 the first M mday of January, 1895, since which 
 time he has in the practice of his pro- 
 
 :i He has an office in l'.ellefonte, one in 
 Huntingdon, and one in Philadelphia, the last 
 being in connection with hi 1, William S 
 
 Fursl nor coun 
 
 I'M"! t>> the Jul -n to the Bench, 
 
 he w . iged m many important suits both in 
 
 equity and law. as well as in the criminal courts, 
 ami was often pitted againstthefi lawyers 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 53 
 
 of this section of the State, and has been con- 
 stantly associated in cases with them. The dis- 
 trict was a very large and important one, com- 
 prising a population of 80,000 people, and during 
 his judicial term a great many corporation cases 
 were tried. in court, besides an unusual number 
 of homicide cases. The most interesting of the 
 latter class was that of Alfred Andrews, a young 
 Englishman, who was tried at Bellefonte, at the 
 January session, 1890, which case lasted for six 
 days, and which was closely listened to by a 
 crowded court-room daily, ft resulted in a ver- 
 dict of murder in the first degree. The Judge's 
 pathetic and touching address to the prisoner be- 
 fore pronouncing sentence was highly commended 
 and considered by the profession as an expression 
 of high order of thought and language. Address- 
 ing the prisoner, the Judge said: 
 
 It is seldom, and hitherto unknown in this county, that 
 one so young as you has committed a crime so revolting in 
 its details. Lying in wait for your victim, and with the 
 frenzy of lust in your heart, without a moment's warning, 
 you made your assault, and to cover your shame, you added 
 to your attempt at rape the foul crime of murder. No won- 
 der that this community stood aghast at your crime. It is 
 not surprising that the officers of the law were vigilant in 
 seeking you out and bringing you here to answer for that 
 crime. It is sad, indeed, to think of the deed you have com- 
 mitted. Without pity or mercy you made a criminal assault 
 upon Clara Price, and failing in your brutal attempt, you 
 took her life to suppress the evidence of your guilt. She 
 was a beautiful young lady, just ripening into womanhood — 
 pure and virtuous—and happy in the bright prospects of life 
 before her. Alone and unprotected in a lonely place, you 
 made your assault upon her. She sacrificed her young life 
 to save her virtue. Her noble efforts to protect her honor 
 and purity ought to be written in granite above her grave. 
 The law, in mercy, hitherto, has extended to you every 
 means to prove your defense; it has thrown around you the 
 presumption of innocence. It has given you a jury of your 
 own selection; it has required the Commonwealth to prove 
 you guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. You have had the 
 benefit of able counsel and the process of the law to compel 
 the attendance of your witnesses; the county has furnished 
 means for your defense; you have had a patient, fair and im- 
 partial trial before a jury of your peers — the jury has found 
 you guilty of murder in the first degree; no other verdict 
 could have justly been rendered under the evidence. The 
 truth of the verdict has been made manifest by your own 
 confession since the language of the law has been changed. 
 It now demands that satisfaction shall be done. You have 
 forfeited your life to the law, and justice requires that forfeit 
 shall be paid. While you cannot restore the innocent life 
 you have taken, the law requires that society shall be pro- 
 tected from the assassin and murderer, and that your igno- 
 minious death upon the scaffold shall be a warning and a 
 terror to the evildoer. You need not expect or hope for a 
 change in the verdict, by an appeal to any earthly tribunal. 
 No constituted authority in the land can read the record of 
 your trial without pronouncing your guilt. There is no ap- 
 peal left for you, but to your God. To Him and Him alone, 
 may your appeal for mercy be made. That mercy, which 
 you denied your helpless victim, may yet through sincere 
 repentance and faith in Christ be accorded to you. We 
 earnestly commend you to a merciful God, who, in his infin- 
 ite love granted pardon to the thief upon the cross, and who 
 is able to save the penitent, however wicked he may have 
 been. We have no desire to review the facts in connection 
 with your crime, The confession you have made relieves 
 the court from further delay in your case. It now remains 
 only to pronounce the death sentence according to law. The 
 
 sentence of the law is that you, Alfred Andrews, the pris- 
 oner at the bar, be taken hence to the jail of Centre county, 
 whence you came, and from thence to the place of execu- 
 tion, designed by law, and that you there be hanged by the 
 neck until you are dead, and may God have, mercy upon 
 your soul. 
 
 The following quotations from the press, and 
 from his fellow-townsmen, who have known 
 Judge Furst for years, are evidence of his rank as 
 a lawyer and judge, of his high Christian char- 
 acter as a man, and faithful performance of his 
 duty as a citizen, and of his scholarly attain- 
 ments: "We congratulate the Republicans on 
 their excellent nomination. Mr. Furst is a gen- 
 tleman whose learning and legal ability, integ- 
 rity and faultless Christian life have placed him 
 above the reach of slander. Should he be elected 
 to the high office to which he aspires, he will dis- 
 charge his duty fearlessly and well, and as be- 
 comes an upright judge and arbiter. He is a 
 clear and forcible writer, using his brilliant 
 rhetoric and his admirable gift of humor only 
 when they are aids to the enforcement of his 
 argument. He is entitled to be called, without 
 any exaggeration, an accomplished orator". 
 "Judge Furst is firm, honest, positive and inde- 
 pendent". 
 
 Judge Furst is an ardent Republican. Of 
 him the Democratic press says: " He has always 
 been an uncompromising Republican, but always 
 a fair fighter. " He has been a member of the 
 Presbyterian Church since the age of twenty-five 
 years, and a ruling elder of the Church at Belle- 
 fonte since 1863. He has been for years presi- 
 dent of the Dickinson Alumni Association, which 
 includes in its membership some of the brightest 
 and cleverest lawyers, ministers, and professional 
 men of the State. He possesses a keen mother 
 wit, which serves him well in that capacity, and 
 his well-put sallies provoke unlimited merriment 
 at these famous gatherings. He is one of the 
 incorporators of the Law School of Dickinson 
 College at Carlisle. He was a member of the 
 school board of Bellefonte nine years. He is a 
 home man, and his beautiful residence is an ideal 
 one. His taste for agriculture is pronounced, as 
 is his liking for the sport of Izaak Walton. 
 
 The Judge has been twice married, first to 
 Miss Frances M., daughter of William C. Sander- 
 son, of Clinton county, a lady of rare beauty, 
 both in character and in Christian virtue, and by 
 this union there are two sons: William S., born 
 June 12, 1868, and John S., born April 19, 1871. 
 William S. graduated with honor in his class at 
 Princeton in 1890; then spent the summer abroad, 
 and in the fall entered the Law Department of 
 the University of Pennsylvania at Philadelphia, 
 and in three years was graduated and admitted 
 
:.» 
 
 CUMMEMOH \TIVB BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 to the Bar in Philadelphia; al :e he began 
 
 practice in that city, and ha ! «'d 
 
 there, [ohn S. also wenl to Prii 
 f erring a business life he i ntered the Williamsport 
 National Bank, of which he is now assistant 
 cashier. The Judge's s cond wife was Miss 
 Caroline \\ , daughter oi Moses and Jane Wat- 
 : i hambi 1 1 tin, oi Milton, and i he \ have three 
 children: Jane \Y Watson, horn October 9, 
 1879; lame-- C., horn December 1, 1882, and 
 Waltei B., born May 2, 1887. 
 
 JACKSON LEVI SPANGLER, oi Bellefonte, 
 Centre county. Achievements more than 
 words, things done rather than things said, 
 have constituted the contribution of the German 
 element of our population to the great political 
 and industrial fabric which has been reared upon 
 the foundations laid by William Penn for the 
 Commonwealth of Pennsylvania more than two 
 hundred years ago. 
 
 Johannes Spangler, who came to the port oi 
 Philadelphia August 17, 1731, from the Palati- 
 nate, in the ship "Samuel,'' Hugh Piercy master, 
 was no exception to the rule. He and his de- 
 scendants have had their full share oi the solid, 
 
 i\ da} wank in making the Commonwealth 
 w hat it is. 
 
 Col. (ackson Levi Spangler, the sixth genera- 
 tion from Johannes, the elder, is the eldest son 
 of John Spanglei and Annie Berger, and was 
 born in Adamsburg, Snyder ( 1 . 1'. nn . Septem- 
 ber 27, 1849. His early life was without special 
 incident. He attended the common schools of 
 sn\ inty until i860, when Ins lather re- 
 
 moved to Centre county, and has resided at Cen- 
 tre Hall, in one of the most beautiful valleys of 
 Pennsylvania, from that tune until this, except 
 during his official term as sheriff of Centre 
 
 inty, to whii li office he wa ed in the year 
 
 1S77. Col. Spangler attended the common 
 schools in Centre county, ami was there fitted fot 
 Dickinson Seminar) at Williamsport, from which 
 institution he graduated with honors in 1 
 1S71. H is 1 i with the seminary have 1 
 
 very cordial ev< 1 sinci , He delights in attending 
 its commencements, and at tin last commence- 
 ment was the alumni orator, and entertain 
 lai . nee by h tC and vivid desi rip 
 
 tion oi the development of this portionol Penn- 
 sj Ivania. 1 le entered the 1 & Alex- 
 
 ander m the lattei pari oi 1871, pursued the 
 studv oi the 1 iw diligently and with . and 
 
 was admitted to the Bar ol ( entn Count} in Jan- 
 uary, 1874. He at onci took his rank in the 1 
 and hi> abilities wei ,• so quickly r< 
 
 ni/e.l that in the sum: me year he was 
 
 nominated for 1 1 District Attorney oi 
 
 tre counts', and wa edbya irge majority 
 
 in the fall ol the year. He filled the office ably and 
 acceptably to the people for the full term of thi 
 years, and would have undoubtedly been renomi- 
 nated and re-elected in 1877 but for the fact that 
 he declined a renomination, apparently for then 
 
 that his lather was a candidate for sheriff in 
 that year. Col. Spangler continued the practice 
 of his profession, after his official term ceased. 
 for a number of years alone, and, subsequently, 
 as the senior member oi the firm oi Spangler & 
 Hewes. He had high standing at the Bar, and 
 was an especially persuasive advocate, his genial 
 disposition and temper making him an especial 
 favorite with the jury. During bis professional 
 life he was also interested in local politics, in 
 reference to which he was always an influential 
 adviser in his party. He was the chairman of 
 the Democratic County Committee during the 
 celebrated campaign of iS.So, when Gen. Han- 
 cock received a majority of 996 — an unusual one 
 in Centre county, and larger than that of any 
 other Presidential nominee since. In I.S90 be 
 was the cordial choice of his county for the nomi- 
 nation of Congress in the Twenty-eighth District, 
 and would have undoubtedly been nominated at 
 the conference of the representatives of the se\ 
 
 I counties, but the fact that his nice sense of 
 honor forbade his making an arrangement which 
 he thought was not in accordance with an implied 
 promise he had made. His mental equipment 
 and education would have fitted him admirably 
 
 as a - issful 1 indidate oi his party, and. ii 
 
 nominated, he would undoubtedly have !>■ 
 
 ted, and those who knew him best are satis- 
 fied thai the district would have been worthily 
 represented, in case of his election. 
 
 Col. Sp.mglei s services in the National 
 
 ol oi Pennsylvania have been valuable and 
 almost unique. In 1S77, at the time of the great 
 railroad riots- which convulsed the country, he 
 accompanied Gen. Beaver, then commanding the 
 ;th Division of the \ itional Guard, as a volun- 
 
 ■ aide, when the Division was called into 
 tion The headquarters were established at 
 Altoona, where there was great unrest and much 
 dissatisfaction on the part oi the employees of the 
 Pennsylvania railroad V careful invi m ol 
 
 the situation revealed the fact that the ferment was 
 
 largely maintained hv the demagogical app 
 
 1 man who had 1 ne into the commun- 
 
 ity, and was little known, but who had exerted 
 
 influence by In ddn 
 
 'ol> wh. mbled to hear him 
 
 The civil powei d to li,- paralyzed, and 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 55 
 
 neither major nor sheriff would undertake to ar- 
 rest the disturber of the peace. At the request 
 of Gen. Beaver, Col. Spangler (then without 
 military rank) and Major M'Farlane were sworn 
 in by the mayor as deputy policemen. The second 
 day after their arrival at Altoona, they located 
 this man in a saloon, had a carriage driven to the 
 door, arrested him, hurried him to the carriage 
 and drove to Hollidaysburg, the county seat of 
 Blair county, before the fact of his arrest became 
 known. From that day the spirit of unrest at 
 Altoona decreased, and it was not long before 
 complete order was restored. In recognition of 
 his services. Gen. Beaver recommended him for 
 aide upon his staff, with the rank of major, which 
 was promptly confirmed by Gen. Hartranft, then 
 Governor of the Commonwealth. 
 
 Immediately after the unprecedented disaster 
 caused by the flood at Johnstown in the latter 
 part of May, 1889, Col. Spangler, who was in 
 that part of Cambria county, hurriedly repaired 
 to Johnstown in company with Gen. Hastings, 
 and was so overwhelmed with the necessity for 
 prompt action on the part of all who could 
 render service to the afflicted people there, that 
 he remained upon the ground and volunteered to 
 render such service as he might, in the distribu- 
 tion of provisions to those who were in need. 
 He organized the Commissary Department, and 
 was so efficient in the discharge of his duties con- 
 nected therewith that, in recognition of his serv- 
 ices, he was appointed by Gen. Beaver, then 
 Governor of the State, assistant commissary-gen- 
 eral, with the rank of lieutenant colonel. Most 
 men discharge their duties in National Guard serv- 
 ice because of rank previously bestowed; in 
 Col. Spangler's case, however, the services were 
 rendered, and the rank followed in recognition 
 of them. So much impressed were the officers 
 and men who were on duty in connection with 
 the Commissary Department at Johnstown, that 
 at the conclusion of their term of service they 
 presented Col. Spangler with a handsome sword 
 as a recognition of their appreciation of the abil- 
 ity with which he had met all the requirements 
 of the position. 
 
 In the fall of 1887, Col. Spangler became ac- 
 quainted (through several gentlemen who had the 
 cpntrol of a number of options upon coal lands 
 in the northwestern corner of Cambria county) 
 with the marvelous mineral wealth of this region. 
 He visited this locality, and was impressed with 
 its extent and value. As a result of it, he en- 
 listed the interests of others in such a way as to 
 induce an effort to secure control of a large body 
 of coal in this neighborhood. As a result, the 
 Blubaker Coal Co. was formed, of which he may 
 
 be said to be the original founder. Others united 
 with him, and the business was followed so intel- 
 ligently and persistently that the company be- 
 came the owner of some 12,000 acres of the best 
 coal land in this region. Col. Spangler has con- 
 tinued as a director of the Blubaker Coal Co. 
 since its organization, and is one of the prominent 
 stockholders. As a result of this business con- 
 nection, he became interested in the Sterling 
 Coal Co., and, when the business interests of 
 the latter company increased in the region to 
 such an extent as to demand active and energetic 
 supervision, Col. Spangler was appointed general 
 manager, and has resided in Hastings, acting inthat 
 capacity for several years. He had considerable 
 experience at Bellefonte in the development of 
 real estate, and became interested in this region 
 in the Hastings Improvement Co., and was one 
 of the original and energetic movers in the devel- 
 opment of the Spangler Improvement Co. In 
 recognition of the services rendered by him as 
 treasurer and trustee of the latter company, the 
 village on the West branch of the Susquehanna, 
 which is destined to be the center of a larger 
 number of coal operations than any locality out- 
 side of Houtzdale basin, was named "Spangler." 
 On March 24, 1890, Col. Spangler was mar- 
 ried to Mrs. Eliza Wagner Holliday, and enjoys 
 the domestic comfort to which he is entitled in 
 his elegant and hospitable home at Bellefonte. 
 Although so largely interested in this locality, 
 and spending most of his time either at Hastings 
 or Spangler, he maintains his residence in Belle- 
 fonte. We are persuaded that to no one man 
 does northern Cambria county owe more of its 
 recent development than to the subject of this 
 sketch. 
 
 E\DWARD T. TUTEN. The influence of a 
 'I journalist, though silent, is all-pervasive, 
 and in the United States, where the newspaper 
 is the universal medium of information, not only 
 on the events of the time but upon the principles 
 and policies which move our vast social or- 
 ganism, it has more than once proved itself a 
 mighty power. In this work the subject of this 
 sketch, as editor and proprietor of the Bellefonte 
 Republican, hns borne a worthy part, and the 
 following brief biography will interest a wide 
 circle with whom his name is a household word. 
 The Tuten family originated in France, but 
 migrated to Holland, whence in the times of King 
 William our subject's ancestors moved to Ire- 
 land, settling at Belfast. The first to come to 
 America was John Tuten, our subject's grand- 
 father, who followed the sea, and was mate of a 
 

 COM VEMORA Tl YE UIOUHAI'UICAL UECOliD. 
 
 m:1. He was married m Boston to 
 Sarah Partridge, a lady of English descent, and 
 teroi Sir Robert Partridge, of Boston. John 
 Tuten established Ins home in Boston about 
 i Si .. ,, l>n t while on one of his hewas 
 
 drowned at Archanp-I, Russia, at the age of 
 thirty years. He left one son, Robert P. Tuten, 
 and two daughters, one of whom married Henry 
 C. Smith, and lived and dud at Nashua, N. II . 
 while the other man I David Wilson Putney, 
 and passed hei irs .it East i 
 
 Mass. The widowed mother subsequently w 
 ded James Luke, of Cambridge, Mass., and her 
 remaining years were spent at that place. There 
 was a large family of children by this union. 
 
 Robert 1' Tuten, our subjei t's father, was 
 born F< bruarj 6, [806, and grew to manhood in 
 Massachusetts He learned the glass-cutter's 
 trade, and at his death September 7, 1851, he 
 was foreman ol the cutting shop in the work 
 the New England Glass ' In polities he was 
 an Old-line Whig, and he was a member ol the 
 Universalist Church His third wife-. Nancj s 
 Smith, our subject's mother, was horn at l> 
 in;,\ N. 11., in 1819, and died in [883. She had 
 
 seven children, one of whom died in childh I. 
 
 and ol the others Edward T. is the eldest; 
 
 11 v M married Vlonzo S Bruce, and resides 
 at Mount Vernon, N. II., Susan R. is a resident 
 o| Ayer, Mass . Robert P. lues at Iron Mount- 
 ain, Mich., and is editor of the Iron Mountain 
 Range; Sarah T. is treasurer of the Ayei Sav- 
 ings Hank, at Ayer, Mass . Esther P. resides in 
 New York City. 
 
 Mr. Tuten (our subject] was horn Septembei 
 1, 1S4J, at Cambridge, Mas,., and his youth was 
 spint at that place and in Mount Vernon, N. II. 
 He attended an excellent si hool, and was fitted 
 for college; but at this point his student life 
 closed. For some time he worked in the same 
 glass wmks in which his lather had been em- 
 ployed, and then he engaged in agriculture at 
 Bedford, Mass.; but in 1873 he moved to Helle- 
 fonte and purchased the Republican, which he 
 has ever since edited with marked ability. Its 
 columns have always reflected his own sturdy 
 Republican principles, and for years it was the 
 only papei ol thai political faith in the locality. 
 Although Mr. Tuten h verj quiet in manner, he 
 is firm and decisive in business dealings, and as 
 a ' itizen and a journalist he is ever responsive to 
 
 to the best interests of the place which he has 
 I hi ISen for a In mie. 
 
 Iii February, [870, Mr. Tuten was married 
 at Brookline, Mass., to Mrs. Man. 1 1' Gray, nit 
 Fifield, who was horn in 1834 She passed to 
 her eternal rest in May, 1894, leaving one son, 
 
 . ( '.. born December 4. 1S70. now editor 
 and publisher of the Bellefonte Daily News. He 
 is not married, and resides with our subject. 
 Mi 1'uii mi is.i member of the Unitarian Church, 
 and is affiliated with the I. O. O. F. , Centre 
 holding the rank of Past Grand. 
 
 CI >1. D Will. SCHNECK KELLER, late of 
 Belle! litre county, closed an hon- 
 
 ored career as citizen, soldier and lawyer, on 
 August 1 J, 1894. 
 
 The Kellers have lived in Centre county for 
 nearly a hundred years Jacob Keller ( 1 ). the 
 
 it-grandfather of Col. Keller, who was born 
 in 1753, came to Potter township, Centre coun- 
 ty, in 1806, hailing from Dauphin county, of this 
 State lie purchased what was known as the 
 Red Mill property He was a patriot of the 
 Revolution, having served in ('apt. Daniel Old- 
 enbrutfh's company of militia in 1777. Hewas 
 m elder in the Reformed Church, and did much 
 to advance the work of that Church in Centre 
 countv ( 'ii'' ol the sons of facob Keller 1 1 : was 
 named Jacob, and, of his seven children, 
 Henry Keller, later of Boalsburg, was the father 
 of our subject. He was for a time engaged in 
 the foundry and mercantile business, and later 
 in farming. His wife was Margaret Schneck, 
 whose brother, Re\ Benjamin S. Schneck, D. 
 D., was a distinguished divine in the Reformed 
 Church. 
 
 I hi hi I -'I Kellei was born at Oak Hall, 
 in Harris township, September 5. 1844; he at- 
 tended the public schools of his native township, 
 and Boalsburg Academy, where he prepared for 
 the Freshman class of Franklin and Marshall 
 College, and was expecting to enter in Septem- 
 ber, 1862; but before this time the long-sup- 
 pressed antagonism between the North and the 
 South broke out into open warfare, and being 
 too patriotic to remain a mere spectator he joined 
 in the contest, enlisting, in 1862, in Company 
 <.. 148th Regiment, 1'. V I. He was made a 
 corporal; in the battle of Chancellorsville, May 
 3, 1863, he was shot in the shoulder, and the 
 wound proving serious, a tedious period in hospital 
 followed. On February 15. 1 S64, he was trans- 
 ferred to the ujth Company, 2d Battalion, 
 Veteran Reserve Corps, and remained in the 
 ice until peace was established, being dis- 
 charged by general order August pi. 1865. Dur- 
 ing his term ol service he was detailed for spe- 
 cial duty in the office of the < Juartermaster-gen- 
 eral of the army at Washington, D. C, and 
 later developed such facility and accuracy in his 
 work that he was retained in that office, and 
 
£^ 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 57 
 
 subsequently in the Census Bureau, where he 
 was chief of a division until 1873. In the mean- 
 time he was pursuing a course in the Columbia 
 Law School, and by night study prepared him- 
 self for the practice of his profession; having 
 completed a full course in that institution, he was 
 admitted to practice in the District of Columbia. 
 In 1873 he resigned his position in the Bureau, 
 and returning to his native county settled in the 
 charming little city of Bellefonte. 
 
 On April 29, 1873, he was admitted to the 
 Bar of Centre County, and began an independent 
 practice in which hesucceeded remarkably, build- 
 ing up a large business in connection with the 
 Orphans' Court. He continued his professional 
 work until about two years before his death, 
 which ended at a comparatively early age, a life 
 that seemed destined to reap higher honors. He 
 was prominent in the councils of the Republican 
 party in this State, though never anxious for 
 official position. He was an active member of 
 Gregg Post, and of the Masonic fraternity, hold- 
 ing rank in the latter as past master of the lodge, 
 and past high priest of the Chapter. He acquired 
 his military title as assistant adjutant-general of 
 the 5th Division of the National Guard of Penn- 
 sylvania, with the rank of lieutenant-colonel. He 
 served in this capacity, and subsequently as as- 
 sistant adjutant-general of the 4th and 2nd 
 Brigades of the National Guard of Pennsylvania, 
 almost continuously from 1873 to 1887, upon 
 Gen. Beaver's staff. In these relations, as in all 
 others he sustained in life, he was faithful, dili- 
 gent and conscientious in the discharge of every 
 duty. 
 
 "As a member of the Bar his strength was in 
 his conscience, and in his ability, by close and 
 searching analysis, to reach the foundation prin- 
 ciples of the subject, and when he reached a con- 
 clusion, he was irresistible in following to the 
 legitimate results what he believed to be right. 
 He devoted himself without stint to the interests 
 of his clients. It can be said without reserve 
 that in all his relations, personal and professional, 
 he was absolutely honest. 
 
 "As a citizen he was faithful in the discharge 
 of every duty. He followed his convictions as he 
 followed the flag of his country, without waver- 
 ing, and with an eye single to what he felt to be 
 duty. His chairmanship of the committe, who 
 had in charge the conduct of the campaign at 
 the time of the submission of the constitutional 
 amendment prohibiting the manufacturing and 
 sale of intoxicating liquors, is an illustration of 
 the manner in which he followed his convictions, 
 and of the faith in which he met and discharged 
 every duty. As the result of that campaign, 
 
 which was due very largely to his leadership, 
 and to the active work of his associates on the 
 committee, the county gave a majority of 2,000 
 in favor of the prohibitory amendment." 
 
 Col. Keller was a member of the Reformed 
 Church, and was sound in faith, and believed 
 that the cause of temperance and sobriety was 
 one of God's laws. He had been a Sabbath- 
 school superintendent, deacon and elder in his 
 Church. He always had the welfare of Belle- 
 fonte at heart — was one who always did his part 
 toward its prosperity. 
 
 In May, 1866, Col. Keller married his first 
 wife, Miss Martha E. Huestis, a native of Ver- 
 mont, who was born January 5, 1842, and died 
 March 17, 1876. A second matrimonial union 
 was formed, in 1878, with Miss Martha E. R. 
 Schroeder, of Reading, Penn., who survives him. 
 By the first marriage there were four children, 
 of whom Harry is the eldest. (2) William H. is 
 now a successful attorney at Lancaster, Penn. 
 He is a graduate of Franklin and Marshall Col- 
 lege, where he took the highest honors of his 
 class, and of Columbia Law School. His wife, 
 formerly Miss Anna Dickey, is a daughter of 
 Hon. Oliver J. Dickey, who for many years 
 served as Congressman from the Lancaster Dis- 
 trict, and was at one time a law partner of Thad- 
 deus Stevens. William Keller has two children 
 — Daniel S. and Elizabeth. (3) Martha E. died 
 in 1892, at the age of twenty. (4) Ellen Mar- 
 garetta died in infancy. There were three chil- 
 dren by the second marriage: Daniel S., Jr., 
 Rose Louise and John S., all of whom are now 
 living. 
 
 Harry Keller is a native of Washington, 
 D. C. , where he was born December 22, 1866. 
 He was carefully educated, his course in the 
 public schools being supplemented by further 
 study in a private school. Making early choice 
 of the legal profession under his father's guidance, 
 he began his preparation; but his course was par- 
 tially interrupted from 1887 to 1890 by a term 
 as clerk in the office of the adjutant-general at 
 Harrisburg. Returning home, he was admitted 
 to the Bar, April 16, 1891, and at once began to 
 practice with his father. Since the death of his 
 father he has continued alone, and while making 
 a specialty of practice in the Orphans' Court he 
 has also a large general practice. He is a stead- 
 fast Republican in politics. Socially he is prom- 
 inent, and belongs to the F. & A. M., the R. A. 
 and the K. T. On May 7, 1891, he was married 
 to Miss Anna Orvis, daughter of Judge John H. 
 Orvis, of Bellefonte. Four children have blessed 
 this union — John Orvis, Martha (who died at the 
 age of six months), Henry, Jr., and Ellis Orvis. 
 

 \fOSATIVB BJOORAPEJCAl RECORD. 
 
 BERNARD I U III d in- 
 
 ventor of note, and for a period one ol ( en- 
 tre county's most successful mm manufacturers. 
 He was a genius in the mechanical line, and his 
 inventions crowned him with glor) and pecuniar) 
 success. He was a broa I publii 
 
 business man, who spent several hundred thou- 
 sand dollars in improvements to develop the iron 
 interests of the country. 
 
 Mr. Lauth was Lineal!) descended from Dr. 
 William Laud, Archbishop of Canterbury, who 
 was bi headi d in 1645 by an arbitrary decree of 
 Parliament during the troublous times in the lat- 
 ter years of the reign of Charles 1. Archbishop 
 
 Land's widow, with eleven sons, migrated 
 
 Alsace, and tin- nai I the family, through the 
 
 idiom of the German language, changed lo that 
 of Lauth. litre in this province, August 23, 
 1820, our subject was born. He came with his 
 parents and grandparents to America, arriving at 
 Pittsburg, Penn., in the spring of 1S31. The 
 worldly possessions of the famil) at tins tune did 
 not exceed ten dollars. 'The lather went to work 
 at fifty cents a day, and Bernard, not yet having 
 completed his eleventh year, went to work in Dr. 
 Peter Shoenberger's iron works at one dollar per 
 week. He commenced at the lowest round in 
 the business ladder, pulling up tin furnace door, 
 he passed tie i i\ stage until he became a 
 
 boss roller, ami 1 bled to 1 high as 
 
 twenty-eight dollars per day. 
 
 At the-.- worl 5 lie remained seven years, and 
 
 was then employed as boss roller at the works of 
 
 Hoke & Hartman on the east side of the river, 
 with which concern he remained until 1 S44. In 
 1847 he commenced business for himself at Zanes- 
 ville, Ohio, and m company with others built a 
 rolling-mill. He was at Zanesville some five 
 ire, when he removed to East Birmingham, 
 Pittsburg, and in connection with his brother 
 bmlt a rolling-mill; this enterprise developed into 
 tin' immense "American Ion Works " of Lauth 
 & Jones, until the I tei retired and the linn be- 
 came Jones & Locklin. While thus engaged in 
 1857 Mr. Lauth made his invention for themanu- 
 
 fai 1 d shafting. The one-half of 
 
 the ihafting used in the great Centennial building 
 at Philadelphia, in 1876, was rolled at these 
 
 works. Mr. Lauth sold his right to [ones & 
 Laughlins for one hundred thousand dollars, and 
 then went to l.i gland. W'liile th. re he mad< 
 second important invention, which la- patent; d 
 in the United States — for rolling plates— Lauth's 
 three high -plate rolls, lie had Ins family with 
 him in Europe for four years, in older to give his 
 chikiren go <] educations. Mr. Lauth's third 
 
 invention was a continuous null for rolling band 
 
 iron of 1 scription, for hoops, bands, etc. 
 
 value may be judged from the fact that he 
 sold a half-interest in it to the Bethlehem Iron 
 
 ipany for seventy- five thousand dollars and a 
 royalty of fifty cents per 1 
 
 Mr. Lauth made his fourth invention in 1866; 
 it was for straightening and angling beam iron 
 mostly cold. < >n his return from Lurope he be- 
 came engaged in business at Reading, Penn., 
 where he built a sheet-mill for rolling sheets and 
 plates, which was finished just as the war closed 
 In [871 he removed from Reading to Howard, 
 and took hold of the iron works there which were 
 in a dilapidated condition. He remodeled and 
 renewed them almost entirely, built new and 
 handsome dwelling houses, erected a beautiful 
 Catholic chapel, and, with a new rolling-mill 
 erected in 1882, had one of the best iron works in 
 Centre county. They consisted then of rolling- 
 mills, two charcoal blast furnaces and forge, pud- 
 dling furnace, etc., and in the premises known 
 as the Howard Iron Works there were 612 acres 
 of land, and 528 acres of oie land appurtenant. 
 Upward ol two hundred thousand dollars was ex- 
 pended in improvements, and the works gave 
 employment to over two hundred men. He was 
 a most active and energetic business man, and 
 kept pace with the advancing world in winch he 
 moved. He was greatly interested in politics, 
 but took no active part, never having any desire 
 to hold public position. He was a Republican 
 His death occurred at his country home near 
 Howard Juni 25, 1894; for several years he had 
 been failing 111 health, and when the end came it 
 came pi ai 1 fully, for he died in his chair and as 
 though just (ailing into asleep. He possessed a 
 tender heart, was ever willing and ready to do 
 anything that would help his neighbor. By faith 
 lie was a Roman Catholic, and was consistent in 
 his belie) He was one of eight children, the 
 others being: John X., Catherine, Magdalene, 
 Barbara, Josephine, Mary and Caroline, all of 
 whom are now dead excepting the last named. 
 
 I" 1840, Mr. Lauth was married to Miss 
 ibeth Wilhelm, and their children are: 1) 
 1 . born Se] >er 21, 1 840, married 
 
 Magdalene Berg, of Pittsburg. 2) John N , 
 bom Di 14, 1842, married first) a Mrs. 
 
 Smith, of Pittsburg, and second a Mrs. Dr. 
 Knoor. (3) Mrs. M. L Comerford, who makes 
 her home with her mother, and has three chil- 
 dren Mar) Louise, Arthur A. and Bernard I. 
 
 Mis. Caroline Com. rford, a resident of Pitts- 
 burg, who lias three children — William B., 
 Elizabeth and Caroline. (5 Mis. Elizabeth C. 
 
 th, oi Reading, Penn . the mother of five 
 ne daughtei — Charles \; Bernard, 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 59 
 
 Philip, Harrold, Robert, and Louise (who died 
 at four years of age). (6) Mrs. Josephine Wil- 
 helm, of Buffalo, N. Y. , whose children are — 
 Grace, Walter, Louis, Paul and Elizabeth. (7) 
 Mrs. Cameron Burnside, of Philadelphia, who 
 has one daughter — Rachel. 
 
 Mrs. Elizabeth (Wilhelm) Lauth is a native 
 of the village of Roeschwoog, near the river 
 Rhine, Alsace, then a province of France, born 
 September 30, 1821; she is the daughter of 
 Mathias and Magdalene (Huck) Wilhelm. When 
 she was six years of age her parents, with their 
 family, came to America, being forty-seven days 
 on the ocean en route. They located at Pitts- 
 burg, Penn., where the father for many years 
 was engaged in the hotel business, keeping a 
 tavern first on Third street, called the "Sun," 
 and subsequently one on Penn Ave., where he 
 died. His children were: Mathias, Elizabeth, 
 Magdalene, Francis, Catherine (1), Mary, Caro- 
 line, Catherine (2), Josephine and Jacob. All 
 are now dead excepting Elizabeth, Francis, 
 Catherine (2) and Josephine. Mrs. Lauth is 
 now passing the evening of her life in her com- 
 modious and comfortable home near Howard, 
 enjoying the fruits of a well-spent life. 
 
 C\ALVIN M. BOWER, a prominent lawyer 
 _J and citizen of Bellefonte,was born in Haines 
 township, Centre county, Penn., April 20, 1849 
 a son of Jacob Bower, who was a prosperous and 
 well-to-do farmer living near the village of 
 Woodward. The mother was a daughter of 
 Jacob Motz, of Woodward; both parents being 
 members of two of the oldest and most prom- 
 inent families of that section of the county. 
 
 The subject of this sketch spent his early 
 days as a farmer's boy, working on his father's 
 farm during the summers and attending the pub- 
 lic schools during the winter months. In No- 
 vember, 1866, he entered the Aaronsburg Acad- 
 emy to prepare for college. In the following 
 spring he went back to his father's farm, and re- 
 mained there until the fall of 1867, when he re- 
 turned to the academy and spent the winter at 
 his studies. In the spi/ng of 1863 he again 
 returned to the farm, and remained at work (ex- 
 cept for five months spent in teaching a term of 
 school in the neighborhood) until August, 1870, 
 when he entered Central Pennsylvania College, 
 at New Berlin, Penn. During the time spent on 
 the farm he was a faithful student, making use 
 of his spare time in finishing his preparations for 
 college. He remained at college until October, 
 1871, whenTie came to Bellefonte to begin the 
 study of law. He entered the law office of Orvis 
 
 & Alexander, then one of the most noted law 
 firms in central Pennsylvania. There he pur- 
 sued his studies with the same zeal that charac- 
 terized his school work, and in December, 1873. 
 he was admitted to the Bar of Centre county. 
 
 Immediately upon his admission to the Bar he 
 was offered and accepted an interest in the law 
 firm with whom he had been a student, and in 
 January, 1874, he became a member of the firm 
 of Orvis, Alexander & Bower. When Judge Or- 
 vis, the senior member of the firm, was appointed 
 to the Bench, the remaining members of the firm 
 continued the practice under the firm name of 
 Alexander & Bower. This partnership continued 
 for a period of eleven years, during which time 
 they were engaged in most of the important cases 
 tried in Centre county. Mr. Bower was soon rec- 
 ognized as a careful and conscientious lawyer, 
 and soon attained an influential position at the 
 Bar. He early acquired a large practice at the 
 Orphans' Court, and was looked upon especially 
 strong in this class of cases. The firm during 
 its existence had a large practice, and taking an 
 active part in the work soon became one of the 
 leading lawyers of the county. One of the 
 strongest evidences of Mr. Bower's ability as a 
 lawyer is the fact that when Judge Orvis retired 
 from the Bench he chose him as his law partner. 
 The law firm of Orvis, Bower & Orvis, consisting 
 of Judge Orvis, Mr. Bower, and Ellis L. Orvis, 
 was organized January 1, 1885. This partner- 
 ship at once came into prominence, and was rec- 
 ognized as one of the leading law firms of Penn- 
 sylvania. Mr. Bower has always taken an active 
 and prominent part in their practice, and his 
 success has placed him prominently among the 
 leading lawyers of the State. For many years 
 he was concerned in the trial of many of the im- 
 portant ejectment cases tried in Centre county, 
 and he is recognized as a well-equipped lawyer 
 in this important branch of the law. The rec- 
 ords of the court in the central part of the State 
 show the extent of his practice, and the supreme 
 court reports, for years, attest his prominence at 
 the Bar, showing that he frequently appeared be- 
 fore that tribunal in the leading cases from the 
 the courts to which-his practice extended. 
 
 Mr. Bower has always been an uncompro- 
 mising Democrat, faithfully devoted to the prin- 
 ciples of his party. These principles,as laid down 
 by Jefferson, Jackson and Tilden, have always 
 found in him an earnest and faithful supporter. 
 As early as 1875 he was chairman of the Demo- 
 cratic County Committee, and by his untiring 
 work succeeded in effecting an organization that 
 brought out a full party vote, resulting in a ma- 
 jority of 1,500 in the county for the Democratic 
 
60 
 
 ' VBMORA TIVR BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 nominee for governor. He has frequently been 
 .1 delegate to State Conventions, and in 1880 
 In- was honored with a place on the Electoral 
 ticket. In 1 S94 he was unanimously Dominated 
 by his party for President Judge of the 49th J 11- 
 diri.tl District, then comprised o( the counties of 
 tn and Huntingdon. In the dis .im- 
 
 paign of that year he was defeated with the 1 
 
 of the Democratic candidates, but lie ran 1,529 
 votes ahead of his ticket in the district. When 
 Mr. Bowei was nominated, one of the Demo- 
 cratic papers in the district said: "The nomi- 
 nation conies to him without a contest His 
 eminenl position at the Bai in tl. in "f the 
 
 State makes him the natural candidate of his 
 party, and he led b) Democrats and 
 
 Republicans alike to be the strongest Democratic 
 nominee to be found in the district. " In the 
 following year the I lemocratic County ( ommil 
 instructed the delegates from Centre count) to 
 present Mr. Bower's name before the State Con- 
 \ cut 1011 for the nomination of Justice of the 
 Superior Court, and pas solution instruct- 
 
 ing the delegates to use all honorable means to 
 
 ire his nomination. Huntingdon and other 
 counties took similar action, and it soon became 
 dent that there was a strong sentiment in 
 his favor in various sections of the State His 
 friends made a strong fight for his nomination, 
 and he was only defeated by an unfortunate 
 ruling of the chairman of the Convention, which 
 gave the nomination to Incite Magee, ol I'itts- 
 burg, by twenty-eight majority. 
 
 Mr. Bower is a prominent and .111 active 
 member of the Reformed Church Frequently 
 he has been a delegate to Classis and Synods, 
 and has tilled various Other positions with credit 
 to himself and honor to the Church While he 
 is thoroughly devoted to his Church, he is inter- 
 I m the cause of religion without regard to 
 denominational lines. lb- has also been active 
 m Sunda I work, and is at present district 
 
 and county chairman of the State Sabbath-school 
 Association. He has also been an active worker 
 m the cause ol education. For vears he has 
 bet n a member of the board of trustees of Frank- 
 lin and Marshall College, at Lancaster, Penn., 
 and as a mark ol appreciation of his work forthe 
 colle. ■. Hid Ins literary attainments, that insti- 
 tution some- years ago conferred upon him the 
 
 ree ol Master of Arts He owns one of the 
 finest libraries in Bellefonte, and by earnest and 
 (areful study he has become- as prominent in lit- 
 erary circles as he has in bis profession. Judge 
 Orvis, when on the Bench, fittingly recognized 
 Mr. Bower's legal and literary attainments by 
 appointing him a member of the examining com- 
 
 mittee; and he is in point of service the oldest 
 member of that committee, having been reap- 
 pointed by [udges Hoy, b'urst and Love, and 
 is the President of the Board. 
 
 Mrs Bower is a daughter of John Meyer, of 
 near Rebersburg, and a lady of culture and re- 
 finement. She is particularly noted for her love 
 of plants and flowers, and the home of the fam- 
 ily on the- extreme eastern end of Linn street is 
 one of the finest in Bellefonte. The grounds 
 surrounding the house are one mass of vines and 
 flowers, all under the immediate care of Mis 
 Bower. The only child, John Jacob Bower, isa 
 student of Franklin and Marshall College, a 
 member of the class of [898. 
 
 ially, Mr. Bower isof a retiring disposition. 
 1 bed m his books and his profession; yet he 
 has acquired a large circle of acquaintances, and 
 formed strong friendships. He is a representa- 
 ti\ e of one of the oldest families in Centre counts . 
 and his ancestors on both sides were some of the 
 earliest settlers in the eastern end of Penn's 
 Vallej Manyof theBowersand Motzes still re- 
 side- in that section of the county, and some of 
 thein own and occupy the lands where their an- 
 cestors settled about the time of the Revolu- 
 tionary war, the title thereto not having passed 
 out of the family name in which it was originally 
 acquired. 
 
 [ai ob Bower, the great-grandfather of Calvin 
 \I . and the son of John and Catherine- Bower. 
 came into what is now Haines township from 
 Hanover township. York county, in 1776. He 
 married Christena Nease, daughter of Philip 
 John Mot/, the great-grandfather of Mr. 
 Bower on his mother's side, came to the site of 
 Woodward from Penn township, in what is now 
 Snyder county, in 1786. He bought land under 
 date ol \pnl ."j. 17S5, and is credited with being 
 the first settler on the town site named. Shortly 
 alter locating, he built a mill, and in a small scale 
 manufactured soda. He was highly educated. 
 a sculptor by profession, and had to leave the 
 I thi 1 land in consequence of his devotion to the 
 cause of liberty. At his death he left quite a 
 valuable collection of books on Church history. 
 astronomy, etc. His wife's maiden name was 
 Mary Whitmer. 
 
 DAVID I FORTNEY, postmaster .at Belle- 
 fonte, and a prominent member of the Cen- 
 tre ( oimtv Bar. 
 
 At the time- ol the birth of David Fortney 
 (father of David p., the subject of this review), 
 February \2. 1807, his father, whose name, too, 
 was David, resided at Cornwall, in Lebanon 
 
X. 
 
 {^c^-t^f 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 61 
 
 county, this State. When a young man of 
 twenty-two or twenty-three years of age, David 
 (2) came to Centre county, and, as was the cus- 
 tom in those days, became an apprentice to 
 learn the trade of a carpenter under John Kim- 
 port, a brother-in-law. After he had learned the 
 trade, he for many years followed the business of 
 a carpenter, and very many of the large bank- 
 barns and dwelling houses in Penn's Valley, built 
 from 1840 to 1856, were constructed by him or 
 by his assistance and with his labor. He was a 
 man of great energy, an excellent mechanic, a 
 good citizen, large hearted, honest, kind and of 
 the most tender disposition. He was a great 
 hand to take care of and look a*ter the sick, and 
 was very frequently called upon by neighbors in 
 times of sickness and distress, to help to care for 
 their sick. He married Susan Sellers, a native 
 of York county, Penn. , who was born February 
 17, 18 1 2, a daughter of Daniel and Hannah Sel- 
 lers. Daniel Sellers, her father, soon after her 
 birth, entered the army in the war of 18 12, and 
 died in the service, whether from wounds or dis- 
 ease contracted in the service is not now certainly 
 known. To this marriage were born six children: 
 (i) Mary, who married William Stover, died 
 April 23, 1877. (2) John H., who was a mem- 
 ber of Company D, 148th P. V. I., entering the 
 service of the United States in August, 1862, 
 along with his brother, David F. , and serving 
 throughout the war; his death occurred April 3, 
 1887, from disease contracted in the army. (3) 
 James G. is a successful and prosperous farmer 
 near Pine Grove Mills, Centre Co., Penn. (4) 
 David F. , the subject of this sketch. (5) George 
 William, a faithful and devout minister of the 
 Gospel in the Luthern Church. (6) Sarah Ellen, 
 a lovely girl of fifteen, the first of the family called 
 upon to pass over the dark river, dying April 1, 
 1863. This date also recorded the death of the- 
 father, David Fortney, Sr. , who died just eleven 
 hours after the daughter, both dying from what 
 was then called "spotted fever". They were 
 buried on the same day, April 3, 1863, in one 
 grave. The wife and mother died at the home 
 of her son James in Ferguson township, July 19, 
 1883, full of years and good deeds. She had 
 been early consecrated to God by her parents in 
 the sacred ordinance of baptism, and at the time of 
 her death had been a consistent Christian and 
 member of the Lutheran Church for fifty years. 
 After her husband's death, she generally passed 
 the winters at the home of her son, David F., in 
 Bellefonte, and the summers at the old farm with 
 her son James. She was a sincere woman, kind- 
 hearted, generous and thoughtful, exemplary in 
 life, she became endeared to all who knew her. 
 
 Her influence for good was remarkable, and she 
 filled a place in the family and Church from which 
 she has long been missed. Her son in an obit- 
 uary notice thus speaks tenderly and beautifully 
 of "Mother"- 
 
 The early training of the family devolved almost entirely 
 upon her. For weeks at a time, and almost continually, 
 father was from home, of necessity, following his trade. She 
 met the duties and responsibilities thrown upon her with un- 
 faltering courage and firm faith that, if she did well her part, 
 the end would also be well. She left nothing undone that 
 would add to the interest, happiness or welfare of her chil- 
 dren. To say that she was a good mother, a royal woman, 
 and give the words all the force the language will imply, is 
 but to feebly express her crowning glories. 
 
 David F. Fortney, practically speaking, was 
 reared among agricultural pursuits. His early 
 education was such as the neighboring schools of 
 the township afforded. He was in attendance 
 at the academy at Pine Grove Mills, during which 
 time he walked over three miles each way every 
 day in the week, and was never tardy. While 
 at the academy in August, 1862, young Fortney, 
 with others, the principal included, enlisted for 
 the war in Company D, 148th P. V. I., under the 
 command of Col. James A. Beaver, afterward 
 Governor of Pennsylvania, and now judge of the 
 Superior Court. In less than a year, however, 
 the young man Fortney was discharged from the 
 service for disability arising from fever contracted 
 while therein. He then returned to Pine Grove 
 Academy for some months, and later taught a 
 five-months term of school at White Hall school 
 house, in Ferguson township, receiving $20 per 
 month for his services. From April 20, 1864, to 
 the last o( September, 1866, he attended what 
 was known as Vermillion Institute, at Hayesville, 
 Ohio, which was in charge of Rev. S. Dieffen- 
 dorf, and was an excellent school, where he re- 
 ceived quite a liberal education in higher mathe- 
 matics, sciences, and in the Latin and Greek 
 languages. On returning from Hayesville, he 
 taught one term of school in Decatur township, 
 Clearfield county. Early in life he made up his 
 mind to be a lawyer, and with this end in view, 
 he attended school, and taught probably longer 
 than he otherwise would have done. In the 
 spring of 1867 he entered the law office of Hon. 
 John H. Orvis, of Bellefonte, and while reading 
 law did, for his board, whatever work was to be 
 done on his preceptor's place of some three acres, 
 which comprised an orchard and garden. He 
 was admitted to the Bar April 30, 1869, having 
 practically worked his own way through school. 
 and maintained himself by working part of the 
 time while studing law. 
 
 From the very first he took high rank as a 
 lawyer, and gained and held the respect of his 
 colleagues, and had acquired a fine practice. 
 

 ■/-.//.'. 1 TIVE BIOGRAPHICAL HISCURD. 
 
 when hi While 
 
 tins 111 no waj injures his abi 
 
 uli him 
 
 lit him from in 
 
 trials in < oui t. As an his ability ■. 
 
 gnizi d b '.'lie. and he was 
 
 frequent! \- i 
 
 ability in this line. But for this misfortune, th 
 
 mis would not I 
 
 ii willing him, and w hich he wi mid 
 
 havi 1 fe wa - chairman of the 
 
 Den 
 
 in i i m i 877 was elected disti 
 
 ■ if the- count) fi ir a t 1 m of tin 
 largest majority, winch up to that lime, in a 
 tween tun candidates, had 
 been given for many years. He h 
 quently impi to be .1 candidate for the 
 
 Legislature, and just as often refused. Iff is 
 widely known as the Demoi ratic " War-h 
 
 ntre county. For many years he has taken an 
 active part m State and county campaigns. He 
 is always in demand as a campaign orator, and 
 ite with the peop nty. 
 
 " No man in the county has .it an) time done 
 mon 01 better work for the continued success of 
 tile party, m both county and State, than has 
 Mr. Fortney, and no man m the party has more 
 loyal and devoted friends than he." The Jeff er- 
 sonian of West (luster, in 1872, paid him the 
 following tribute: 
 
 Of thi ded in the lati 1 none 
 
 did tli.ui I ).i\ id !■ . 1 ortney, 
 
 I sq., "i Bellefonte. M r. F on ibust, em 1 
 
 >i si man, who went ii mined to do Ins 
 
 full duty, and most admirablj did he perform it. Mr 
 
 -I peiu two weeks with us, and spoke inalmos) everj 
 tion of the county, and Ins praises are sounded by .ill who 
 . inin. 
 
 From January, 1882, to January, 1888, Mr. 
 Mil orfney w a 1 of the county, and fi 
 
 January, 1891, to the present tin I he has 
 
 held the same office, and in examining accounts 
 that pass through the commissioner's office he 
 has been no >ns in loppin; 
 
 11111 ■ in cutting down bills. 
 
 The public will never fully know the actual 
 ice he has been to them m this Dur- 
 
 ing his first term (January, [882, to January, 
 
 8) through h - there was collected and 
 
 paid over t" the treasury ol the count) 
 
 '.OOO. The fund ai m a lot of old 
 
 ■us which the count) hi 
 
 townships 111 and outside of the cm: .ery 
 
 member of the I I him, but 
 
 ling sure he was right, he pushed the claims, 
 
 and .it the ibout thi is' litigation, 
 
 nty was 
 
 licit to the line, and many irregul art - 
 
 »rown up in the transaction of 
 the public were V pped off and de- 
 
 iunty have been 
 many J me will con- 
 
 tinue his work, energ) and 
 
 abib' 
 
 Mr. i nized abilit) . 
 
 and is pen h 
 
 d and favorably spoken of. In 
 
 April. 1894, he was a| stmaster at 
 
 worthy of note that in the 
 
 backed by the entire 
 
 Bar and the largest and best business interests of 
 
 n ,1 business- 
 like manner on business prim ong par- 
 tisan as he is, p ilitics no not enter into the dis- 
 charge of hi As a citizen he 
 Is high amo nergetic and progressive 
 men of the community in which he lives, and 
 uch for tl; g iod of the pub- 
 lic and its advan f the prominent 
 men among whom he lives. Since June, 1882, 
 he has been a member of the school board of 
 and since 1XS4 lie has been continu- 
 ously president of the board. During this time 
 the have made great progress. Under 
 his watchful I the enthusiasm of his na- 
 ture, the schools have been transformed from 
 machines into living moving things in which to 
 educate boys and girls. He takes more pride for 
 what he has done in this line, for the good of the 
 children of the community, than anything else in 
 the course of his life. Through his influence a 
 very line school library has been started, stocked 
 with the best of books for the young people. 
 Through his efforts alone, a number of pri 
 have been offered by wealthy citizens of the town, 
 (or various excellence ill Studies and conduct to 
 be: competed for by the pupils of the High 
 Much good has come from this; the prizes 
 • hey were a great 
 help. lie spares no effort to do gi iod and add to 
 the welfare and happiness of the many young 
 pie in the schools. He is a leader in educa- 
 tional lines, and Ins reputation is not confined to 
 
 ul into the State. 
 I 1 many years Mr. Fortn j bus been a 
 member ol the board ol trustees of the Presby- 
 terian Church, of which he is also a member 
 I lis whole life and influ n on tin- 
 
 side ol right. 
 
 In 1879, when the Amendment to the I 
 
 tition of I . pi ihibiting the manul 
 
 ure ng liquors in the State. 
 
 >n, he went inti 1 
 the n for the Amendment with all his 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 m 
 
 well-known energy and enthusiasm, and for a 
 period extending over two months he made 
 speeches in every part of the count)', and did 
 much to aid in securing for the Amendment the 
 very large majority that was given it by the peo- 
 ple of Centre county. He has a commanding 
 personality, tall and well-built; with a face force- 
 ful and expressive of human feelings, he meets 
 his associates and even strangers with frankness, 
 both socially and officially. On September 19, 
 1876, he was married to Sarah E. Hue) 7 , a na- 
 tive of Harris township, Centre Co., Penn. , and 
 to them have been born two children (twins): 
 David Paul, the fourth in line to be called David; 
 a;id Katy H., a lovely child who died August 15, 
 1886, in her tenth year. Her death was keenly 
 felt by her parents, who took great delight and 
 pride in their children. David Paul is now a 
 student at the State College. 
 
 Robert Huey and Katy Glenn Huey, the 
 parents of Mrs. Fortney, were natives of Centre 
 county, Penn. Adam Huey, the father of 
 Robert, came to America in 1798 or 1799 to 
 escape punishment for engaging in the rebellion 
 led by Robert Emmet against the English Gov- 
 ernment. One son of Robert, William C. , served 
 in the Civil war as a member of Company C, 
 148th P. V. I., and was severely wounded at the 
 battle of Chancellorsville. 
 
 T MOM AS B. POTTER, M. D., and his son, 
 Wiiliam M. Potter, are prominent among 
 the substantial citizens of Philipsburg, Centre 
 county, and worthily represent a family which 
 has been held in high esteem in this section from 
 pioneer times. 
 
 James Potter, the grandfather of Dr. Thomas 
 B. Potter, was one of the early settlers of Penn's 
 Valley, and his son, John Potter, the Doctor's 
 father, who was born at Potters Mills in 1S00, be- 
 came a leading business man there, operating 
 woolen-mills and gristmills, and owning several 
 farms. He died at Fond du Lac, Wis., in 1886, 
 while on business connected with his lumber inter- 
 ests there. His wife, Amelia (Burnside), a na- 
 tive of Centre county, lived to the age of sev- 
 enty. Only three of their children attained adult 
 age: James G. (deceased) was formerly a book- 
 keeper at Fond du Lac; Thomas B. is the sub- 
 ject of this sketch; and William W. , is a dentist 
 in Marinette, Wisconsin. 
 
 Dr. T. B. Potter was born at Potters Mills 
 November 21, 1829, and his early years were 
 spent in that vicinity. After the local educa- 
 tional resources were exhausted he attended 
 school at Lewistown, and later studied at Prince- 
 
 ton College. His medical studies were begun 
 under the supervision of Dr. George L. Potter, 
 of Bellelonte, and finished at the University of 
 Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, where he was grad- 
 uated April 6, 1 85 1. Locating at Stormstown, 
 Half Moon township, Centre county, he practiced 
 there five years, and then removed to Philips- 
 burg and became the leading practitioner there. 
 After forty years of successful practice he with- 
 drew to private life. He has acquired wealth, 
 and owns one of tin- must valuable brick blocks 
 in Philipsburg, the "Potter House," the princi- 
 pal hostelry of that city being a part of it. His 
 residence is in the Centre county portion of the 
 city. 
 
 Dr. Potter was married, in 1858, to Miss 
 Mary E. Myers, a native of Stormstown, who 
 died in 1869, leaving two sons: William M., 
 who is mentioned more fully below; and Dudley, 
 who died at the age of nineteen years. In 1880 
 Dr. Potter formed a second matrimonial union, 
 this time with Miss Ellen McMullen. They have 
 no children. 
 
 When Dr. Thomas B. Potter came to Philips- 
 burg it was but a small village, with grass grow- 
 ing in the streets, and he has lived to see great 
 improvements and solid growth, in the bringing 
 about of which he himself was among the fore- 
 most. During the first five years of his residence 
 in the then village, he was the only physician in 
 the place. In 1869 he built the block where he 
 now resides; in 1871 he erected the Arcade, 
 and in 1879 the "Potter House," all adjoin- 
 ing one another. In politics the Doctor is a 
 stanch Republican ; he was the second burgess 
 elected in the borough; was member of the first 
 council, and was president of the school board 
 some six years. Socially, he is a Master Mason, 
 and he is a member of the Centre County Medi- 
 cal Society. During the war of the Rebellion 
 he served as assistant surgeon of the 77th P. 
 V. I., from October, 1862, to May, 1863, serv- 
 ing in the Western army, in Tennessee and 
 Georgia, and was present at the engagements 
 at Pittsburg Landing, but had to resign on account 
 of impaired health. 
 
 William M. Potter was born in Philips- 
 burg, March 27, 1863, and obtained his elemen- 
 tary education in the public schools. He at- 
 tended State college for two years and a half, 
 and then took a course in bookkeeping at Lewis- 
 burg Academy. Thus equipped for business life, 
 he returned home, and for some time was em- 
 ployed in the office of Hoover, Hughes & Co., 
 also working for W. P. Duncan, in his mine and 
 coal office, and then spent four years as clerk in 
 the Moshannon Bank. During the next two 
 
64 
 
 cn.v.VKMOUA TIVB BIOGRAPHICAL liECORI). 
 
 years lit: visited various points in the West, and 
 on his return he remained two years with the 
 Pardee Mine Co., as check weighman; then, 
 after a short time in I. V. Gray's store as book- 
 keeper, he took a position as paymaster for K. B. 
 Wiglan & Sons, remaining with them six years. 
 For two years past he has been secretary for the 
 Philipsburg Electric Light Co., and the Philips- 
 burg Water Co., being a stockholder in both. 
 
 In May, [888, Mr. Potter was married to 
 Miss Rachel M. Steiner, who was horn in Ches- 
 ter Hill. His residence is in that portion of the 
 city which lies in Clearfield county, and he is 
 one of the leading workers in the Republican 
 party there. As candidate for county treasurer 
 he greatly reduced the normal Democratic ma- 
 jority. 
 
 COL. WILBUR F. REEDER, junior mem- 
 ' ber of the law firm of Hastings cV Keeder, of 
 Bellefonte, who has the reputation of being one 
 of the most industrious and studious members of 
 the Centre County Bar, in which he has taken 
 high rank, is in direct line of descent from one 
 John Reeder, who came from Norfolk, England, 
 in 1656, and settled at Newtown, L. I., the Col- 
 onel representing the sixth generation of the fam- 
 ily in America. 
 
 Charles Reeder, one of the sons of |ohn (\), 
 was born in 1713, married in 1736, to Eleanora 
 Mi nick, and died in [803. John Reeder (2) was 
 a pioneer of what is now Northumberland county, 
 Penn., coming probably from New fersey prior 
 to the Revolutionary war. and locating near the 
 present town of Elyshurg. He was driven out 
 by the Indians at the time of the general exodus, 
 and remained away about seven years. Subse- 
 quently he returned and married Elizabeth 
 Fisher, who was born in Sussex county, N. J , 
 in 1774, and died in Northumberland county, 
 Penn., in 18411. Some few years after 1799 the} 
 removed to Allegheny, Penn., where lie was 1 on- 
 nected with the iron industry of that vicinity, and 
 there died in 1 S 1 3 . Elizabeth Fisher wis the 
 daughter of Joseph and Catherine Mini gerFi iher, 
 the former the | r of the Fisher family in 
 
 America, bom in Saxony in 1734, ami with 
 Im. nds and ;i si tei Elizabeth, immigrated to this 
 country about 1747, locating in West Jersey, a 
 f.erman colony at that time. In 1788 he lo- 
 cated in Northumbi 1 iunty, Penn., where 
 
 tin- remaining years ol his lib- were passed. He 
 was a patriot, and served his country in the Rev- 
 olutionary war. His wile was bom in Holland in 
 1746. One of the sons of John Rei 
 
 ph Reeder, was born at Bear dap. Northum- 
 
 berland county, in 1799. married Catherine 
 Mutcheler, who was born in 1792 and died in 
 1S52. Not long after the father's death the fam- 
 ily <>f John Reeder (2) removed from Allegheny 
 county back to their old farm. Joseph Reeder, 
 after his marriage, located in the vicinity of Elys- 
 lung. Penn., where they lived until 1853, own- 
 ing an extensive and valuable plantation. From 
 that time until 1859 he was a merchant at Pax- 
 inos, Penn., again a farmer in Northumberland 
 county until 1870. then lived retired at Elys- 
 burg where his death occurred in t88l. He mar- 
 ried the second time. He and his wife Catherine 
 were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
 Catherine Mutcheler was the daughter of Samuel 
 and Mary Fisher Mutcheler, the father from 
 what is now Warren county, N. J., and the 
 mother, the daughter of Joseph Fisher above re- 
 ferred to, were married in 1788, and in 1791 lo- 
 cated on a tract of undeveloped land in Colum- 
 bia county, Penn., on Little Roaring creek where 
 they subsequently resided; she was born in 1769; 
 both were members of the Presbyterian Church; 
 in after years he engaged in the business of weav- 
 ing in flannels and woolen fabrics. 
 
 HlRAM J. REEDER, one of the sons of Joseph 
 Reeder, the father of Col. Wibur F. Reeder, was 
 born in Rush township, Northumberland county, 
 March 5, 1826, married, in 1849, Elizabeth, 
 daughter of foseph and Sarah Tietsworth Yocum, 
 born in 1 S30. After marriage they removed to a 
 
 fan ai 1 atawissa, Penn., where they resided 
 
 until 1870 when they moved to Catawissa, where 
 they continue to reside From 1863 until 1870 
 Mi Reeder served as a justice of the peace. He 
 has occupied a prominent position in local affairs, 
 having tilled various local offices; was elected 
 one of the counts- commissioners in 1N70 for a 
 term ol three years; in 1873 he was again elected 
 a justice ol the peace lor five years He is a prom- 
 inent Mason. lb- has been an active workei 
 in the M. E. Church all his life, ot which Church 
 he and his wife are members. Their children 
 are: [oseph !'>., born in 1851, died in 1869; 
 George C . born in 1853, died in [863; and 
 Wilbur F. 
 
 Wn 1 1 1 b". Ri 1 i'i R was born mar Catawissa, 
 Penn., on Januarj ;, 1855. He entered Dickin- 
 son Seminary, at Williamsport, Penn., in 1872, 
 and in 1875 was graduated, receiving a degree ot 
 1!. A. and taking the first honors of his class. In 
 tin' tall o| 1875 he came to Bellefonte, and com- 
 mend <i reading law with the firm ol Bush, Yocum 
 & Hastings, and in May. 1877, was admitted to 
 the Bar after passing a rigid examination, ol 
 which circumstance the Democratic Watchman 
 tins comment 
 
! - 
 
 {jdUAAW- wl Ov^i^U^ 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 65 
 
 Mr. Wilbur Reeder, late a law student with Bush, Yocum 
 & Hastings, was admitted to the Bar a couple of weeks ago 
 after standing one of the best examinatii >ns ever gone through 
 with by any young lawyer in this county. The examination 
 was an exceedingly strict and thorough one, the committee 
 putting in some twenty-five hours hard work. But they 
 found Mr. Reeder booked on all points and in all phases of 
 the law, showing the most ample preparation and an ex- 
 haustive course of reading. The young gentleman was 
 highly complimented by his examiners and the lawyers gen- 
 erally. He is now a full-fledged attorney. We wish him 
 success, hoping that he may go up until he reaches the top- 
 most round in the ladder of legal fame and honor. 
 
 He at once commenced the practice of law, 
 and in 1881 formed a partnership with D. H. Hast- 
 ings, since adjutant-general and now Governor of 
 the Commonwealth. In the study of law Mr. 
 Reeder applied himself closely, which was a dis- 
 tinct characteristic of the man, and which has so 
 remained, and to which his success thus far in his 
 practice is attributed. Early in his career he be- 
 came recognized as a safe counselor and reliable 
 attorney, which resulted in procuring for the firm 
 a large and lucrative practice. During Gen. Hast- 
 ings' four-years' term of service as adjutant-general 
 of the State Mr. Reeder most successfully man- 
 aged their large business; this he is continuing to 
 do while Mr. Hastings is serving his gubernatorial 
 term. In January, 1889, he was concerned for 
 the defense in a murder case, the first one after 
 his admission to the Bar, and succeeded in pro- 
 curing a verdict of acquittal after a vigorous and 
 most bitter fight. Again, in November, 1889, he 
 was retained for the accused in a murder case, 
 when the press at this time remarked : 
 
 The defense was represented by W. F. Reeder, Esq., 
 singly and alone. Mr. Reeder had already made a reputa- 
 tion for himself as a criminal lawyer, but his effort in behalf 
 of the man charged with the murder of his wife and mother- 
 in-law have added a new lustre of unusual brilliancy to his 
 professional reputation. Under the circumstances connn ted 
 with the case, which were so clear, it seemed almost an ab- 
 surdity to set up any defense, and any man who sat in the 
 court house on Wednesday afternoon and heard the case 
 Mr. Reeder presented to establish the plea of emotional in- 
 sanity could easily recognize in it the work of a great lawyer. 
 And anyone who sat in the court house on Thursday after- 
 noon, and listened to his eloquent appeal in behalf of his 
 client, will readily coincide with us that the star in the pro- 
 fessional firmament of Mr. Reeder now shines with unusual 
 brilliancy, and that he is destined ere long to stand in the 
 first ranks of the most noted criminal lawyers of the land. 
 
 Outside of his professional life he has taken 
 
 an active part in politics, and has several times 
 
 served as chairman of the Republican County 
 
 Committee, and of his services in this line the 
 
 press on January 18, 1895, observed: 
 
 W. F. Reeder, Esq., who has been chairman of the Re- 
 publican committee of Centre county for the last three years, 
 has resigned and laid down the scepter for another leader to 
 take it up. Wilbur F. Reeder has made a noble leader, 
 and is the man who led the Republican party to victory in 
 Centre county. He is possessed of an indomitable will 
 power and sound judgment, so that where he would lead his 
 party was not afraid to follow. In the year 1887 he was 
 chairman, and through his devotion and loyalty to the cause 
 a full board of county officers was elected, something that 
 
 had not happened for thirty years. His party recognized in 
 him a man of sterling worth and ability, and in the year 1 S'j-J 
 la was called again to take up arms and wage a battle 
 against the principles of Democracy. He made a good 
 fight and finished his course that year by again winning old 
 Centre county into the line of Republicans by an overwhelm- 
 ing majority. His shots were well-aimed and the enemj 
 fell back. The resignation of Mr. Reeder ma \ be thou 
 a loss to the party, but in time of war he will be found a vol- 
 unteer in the front rank. The cause of his laying off the 
 official uniform was the large and increasing law prai tii e de- 
 manding his close attention. 
 
 In 1 891 Mr. Reeder was elected mayor of 
 Bellefonte. " His nomination and election is but a 
 slight recognition of his many excellent qualities, 
 and the judicial bench of Centre county might feel 
 perfectly safe and justly proud of such a thor- 
 oughly qualified jurist and legal practitioner. In 
 W. F. Reeder the people of Bellefonte will have 
 an able and dignified mayor. He will make one 
 of the best officials the borough has ever had." 
 
 Mr. Reeder has proven himself a force in 
 everything hehasundertaken; his name was prom- 
 inently mentioned at one time in connection 
 with the judgeship. His ability and general 
 make-up is such as will qualify him to fill high 
 positions with honor and credit. As a citizen he. 
 is progressive, and commands the utmost respect 
 and confidence of all who have the pleasure of 
 his acquaintance. He has been identified with 
 the National Guard of Pennsylvania since 18S0, 
 his record being as follows: a private of Com- 
 pany B, 5th Regiment; corporal, July, 1880; dis- 
 charged, February, 1882; first lieutenant, Com- 
 pany B, July 22, 1889; re-enlisted July 23, 1S94; 
 appointed assistant adjutant-general on the staff 
 of the commander-in-chief January 25, 1895, 
 which position he now holds Col. Reeder per- 
 formed active duty at Homestead, Penn., in 
 July, 1892, and at Punxsutawney, Penn., in 
 June and July, 1894. As a member of the National 
 Guard of Pennsylvania he has taken an active 
 interest in everything pertaining to that organi- 
 zation. With his ability, industry and perse- 
 verance Col. Reeder hascertainlya brilliant future 
 before him. In 1896 he received the indorse- 
 ment of the County Convention for Congress. 
 
 On September 11, 1897, Col. Reeder was 
 appointed Deputy Attorney-General of the State 
 of Pennsylvania, and at once assumed the duties 
 of his office. This appointment was r? '-rded 
 by the press of the State as being merited on the 
 one side and worthily bestowed on the other. 
 
 Col. Reeder is a member of the Union League 
 of Philadelphia, as well as of other patriotic and 
 social organizations. He is also prominent in 
 Masonic circles, where he has attained to the 
 thirty-second degree. On December 19, 1878, 
 he was married to Lillie S. Gotwalt, and they 
 have one son, John Wallace, born December 26, 
 

 w 
 
 VORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1879. Mrs. Reeder is a daughter of Rev. Thomas 
 and Mary J. Gotwalt, and a lineal <iescendant of 
 Gov. Schultz. 
 
 MIA. JAMES P. HUGHES. Bellefonte 
 may well take pride in her excellent acad- 
 emy in which so many nun who have attained 
 distinction in business, professional and political 
 life have been equipped for their work. Its 
 widely recognized value as a factor in the pi 
 ress.'l the community does honor to its efficient 
 corps of instructors, and especially to the able 
 principal, Rev. J. P. Hughes, who has directed 
 it for more than a quarter of a century. Who 
 can estimate the influences f< >r good which in that 
 tune have been set in motion under his watchful 
 guardianship? In home and business office, in 
 pulpit and in legislative halls, the silent, un- 
 noticed, but all-potent force of his teachings may 
 mold ; 1 ii*1 shapi of which he had no 
 thought, and which will in their turn bring into 
 operation new centers of helpful inspiration. 
 
 The personal history of Prof. Hughes will be 
 read with interest, as revealing in striking man- 
 ner the direct, consistent and unwavering pur- 
 suit of a high purpose. Born in New Jersey De- 
 cember 15, [827, he left home in boyhood and 
 was prepared for college at Lewistown, Penn. 
 In 1847 he entered Princeton College, in his na- 
 tive State, and after completing the literary 
 course he spent three years in the Theological 
 Seminary, his graduation being soon followed by 
 his ordination to the ministry. He is a born 
 educator, and his ability in this direction was 
 soon discovered, and after a short period of 
 teaching in Wyoming Valley he was called to be- 
 
 ci - one ol the principalsof the Edgehill school, 
 
 Princeton, N. J., where he taught mathemat 
 for seven years. For the three years next fol- 
 lowing he was principal of the academj at I 
 gansport, hid . and in [868 he came to Belle- 
 fonte, and has now been the presiding genius of the 
 academy here for thirt) years He has five assist- 
 ants, while he himself 1- 1 1 instantly ai tive in class- 
 room work, and the curriculum embraces classi- 
 cal, mathematical, s< ientific and literary couftes. 
 On June 27, 1 Soi, Prof. Hughes married 
 Miss Emily W. Roberts, who was born in New 
 York City, September 6, 1840, and passed from 
 earth in June, 18S9, leaving the memory of a 
 di voti d life as wife, mother and friend. Of this 
 happy union eight children were born: ( 1) James, 
 Decembi [864, a graduate of Princeton 
 
 College, is a teacher in the classical department 
 and associate principal of Bellefonte Academy; 
 
 Emma, March [3, 1863, married A B. 
 
 ander, of New York City; (3) Elizabeth, 
 
 March 13, 1N6?. married A. B. Connor, of Chi- 
 cago, 111.; 141 Charles, April 2, 1870, resides in 
 Baltimore, Md. ; (5) Marian, November 16, 1S72, 
 married Frank Basset, and has two children — 
 Emily and Eugene; (6) Edward, February 25, 
 1876; (7) Luther. March 16, 1878; and (8) Otti- 
 lie, March 9, r88i. All are members of the 
 Presbyterian Church, with which the Hughes 
 family has been identified for many years. 
 
 Prof. Hughes is naturally interested in all the 
 tions of the day, and while not an active 
 worker in politics is an influential supporter of 
 the principles of the Republican party. 
 
 Tlie old homestead of the Hughes family is 
 Mtuated on Cap. May, and the Professor's pa- 
 ternal grandfather, Jacob Hughes, was born 
 there. He married Ann Lawrence (daughter of 
 Rev, Daniel Lawrence), a lady of English de- 
 scent. Their son, James R. Hughes (our sub- 
 ject 1, was born in New fersey, and spent 
 his life at the old home on l api May, where, 
 having been carefully educated at Bridgeton, 
 N. ]., he followed teaching in connection with 
 agricultural pursuits. He and his wife, Eliza 
 Eldridge, had twelve children, as follows: (1) 
 Jeremiah, a merchant (now deceased); (2) Ann 
 
 Mrs Downs Foster), who d Capi May; 
 
 5) Daniel L. , a Presbyterian minister at Cape 
 May; (4) Joseph E., a merchant at Cape May 
 and associate of the court there; (5) Will- 
 
 iam, who died in infancy; (6) Harriet, wife of 
 Re\ Mr. Oakley, a Presbyterian minister; (7) 
 James P., our subject; 8) Hannah, Mrs. Will- 
 iam McMin (deceased), formerly of Altoona, 
 Penn.: (9) Mary (Mrs. A. Fletcher); (10) Emma, 
 wife of Rev. John Roberts, a clergyman of the 
 Pn byterian Church; (11 Amelia, who married 
 
 Rev. John Kershaw, a Pn inister; 
 
 and (12) Jacob, who is also a well-known preacher 
 in the Presbyterian Church. 
 
 ELLEFONTE ACADEMY. Among the 
 JJ first settlers of what is now Centre county, 
 were many persons oi intelligence and culture, 
 
 who full) appn I lated tl of I ■ In. .1 - 
 
 tion, and desin d to establish some plan by which 
 the youth of the vicinity —those ol their own day 
 and after generations -would be insured a liberal 
 course of instruction 
 
 None were more desirous to accomplish this 
 1 nd than James Dunlop and [ames Harris, pro- 
 
 
 U at ni'H town 
 
 John K 
 
 '.111 <of P.m. .11 
 
 SprliiK tnwnahlpl.-WUllani McKwrn. Tl... 
 
 -J.'ini K.urou. Matlhov 
 
 lOW n»Ulp). 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 67 
 
 prietors of the town and the owners at that time 
 (i 800) of the land on which Bellefonte is located. 
 When Centre county was organized by Act of 
 February 13, 1800, these gentlemen granted to 
 Andrew Gregg, William Swanzy and Robert 
 Boggs, as trustees of the new county, certain 
 " lots and lands in and adjoining the town of 
 Bellefonte," one-fourth of the proceeds of which 
 was to be used for the erection andsupport of an 
 academy or public school in said county. 
 
 By the Act incorporating " Bellefonte Acad- 
 emy," approved January 8, 1805, the lands de- 
 signed especially for educational purposes were 
 transferred to the control of the board of trustees 
 of that institution. In accordance with the re- 
 quirements of the Act of incorporation, the trus- 
 tees held their first meeting at the house of Ben- 
 jamin Patton, in Bellefonte, on the first Monday 
 of May, 1805. By Act of January 9, 1806, two 
 thousand dollars were granted to the Academy 
 out of the State treasury for the erection of a 
 building, one provision of said Act being that "a 
 number of poor children, not exceeding six, were 
 to be educated gratis, but no such child should 
 be taught longer than two years." 
 
 The first principal of the Academy was Rev. 
 Henry R. Wilson. He remained in charge till 
 October, 1809, when he was transferred to the 
 Presbytery of Carlisle. He was succeeded as 
 principal by the Rev. James Linn (a sketch of 
 whom appears elsewhere in this volume), who 
 was installed pastor at Bellefonte, April, 18 10, 
 and about the same time entered upon the duties 
 of principal. During all his active years. in Belle- 
 fonte he exercised a watchful care over the school 
 and labored continually to promote its interests. 
 For many years he was president of the board of 
 trustees. After Dr. Linn, as a regular principal, 
 came Chamberlain, who is spoken of, by one 
 who knew him well, as a fine scholar and an 
 estimable man. After him came Robert Baird, 
 who taught from the summer of 1818 to the fall 
 of 1819, when he entered Princeton Theological 
 Seminary. Another of the early principals was 
 Rev. J. B. McCarrel. He was a member of the 
 Associate Reformed Church. Most of the teach- 
 ers of the Academy were of the Presbyterian 
 faith, though the institution was not, as some 
 suppose, under the especial control of that denom- 
 ination. It always was, and still is, free from 
 so called sectarianism, and open to all religions. 
 The reason assigned for the Presbyterian com- 
 plexion of the institution is, that the leading and 
 most active educational spirits of the early times 
 in Centre county were of that belief. 
 
 The title to the land on which the Academy 
 is situated was not vested in the trustees till June 
 
 12, 1823, when by deed of James Harris, the 
 surviving proprietor of the town, and Nancy his 
 wife, the title to the property was formally 
 vested in the Academy corporation. Col. James 
 Dunlop, the other proprietor, interested in this 
 educational project, had died on September 15, 
 1 82 1. A full settlement for proceeds from sale 
 of lots had previously been made by the proprie- 
 tors of the town with Jos. B. Shugert and John 
 Benner, then commissioners of the county, on 
 the 27th of April, 18 16; there having then been 
 paid to the commissioners the final balance of 
 $2,716.38, a copy of which receipt is still "in 
 hand." This project, represented in this settle- 
 ment, was thus finally completed by this convey- 
 ance of the property. 
 
 In October, 1824, Prof. Alfred Armstrong, a 
 graduate of Dickinson College, became principal. 
 At the time he assumed control there were but 
 twelve pupils in attendance. The trustees at the 
 beginning of Prof. Armstrong's principalship 
 were Rev. James Linn, John Lowrey, Andrew 
 Gregg, Sr.. Thomas Burnside, Charles Huston, 
 Hamilton Humes, John Morris, William Potter, 
 John Blanchard and Franklin Smith, none of 
 whom are now living. The next in order as prin- 
 cipal seems to have been William E. Hamilton, 
 but, as was the case with a number of Prof. 
 Armstrong's successors, he occupied the position 
 but a short time. John Livingston, perhaps, 
 taught longer than any other. Like two at least 
 of his predecessors, he was a graduate of Dickin- 
 son College. He entered upon his duties as 
 principal in 1837, and continued to faithfully dis- 
 charge them till 1845, when, owing to ill-health 
 he was compelled to sever his connection with 
 the institution, and not long after died. On 
 September 28, 1846, John Philips was employed 
 as principal. He was probably also a graduate 
 of Dickinson College, as he was recommended to 
 the board of trustees by Prof. William H. Allen 
 of that institution. Philips resigned September 
 4, 1847, when an invitation was extended to the 
 former principal. Prof. Alfred Armstrong, to 
 again take charge of the Academy, which he did, 
 continuing several years. Rev. Mr. Pratt also 
 acted as principal for several years. 
 
 During the early history of the Academy it 
 appears to have been attended only by boys — 
 there being no female department, and the co- 
 education of the sexes seems not to have been 
 adopted. There were times, however, during 
 a temporary suspension of the Academy proper, 
 when classes of young ladies were taught in the 
 building by various teachers, among them Dr. 
 Linn. About 1840 or '45 an additional building 
 was erected adjoining the original structure, and 
 
IIS 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE I; /<>t; /.' AI'IIICAL RECORD. 
 
 occupied for a number "( \ears as a "Female 
 Seminary," under the control of a distinct and 
 separate board "I trustees. 
 
 At a meeting of the trustees of the Academy, 
 held in 1852, Samnel Linn, [ami - T. Hale and 
 James Armor were appointed a committee "to 
 take into consideration the propriety and expedi- 
 ency of uniting the two boards of the Academy 
 and Female Seminary, and of using the budding 
 as a high school in connection with the public 
 schools of this borough, and that they be instrui ted 
 to correspond with such persons as they may 
 choose in Carlisle and Philadelphia for the pur- 
 poseof becoming acquainted with the high-school 
 system adopted in those places." At a subse- 
 quent meeting this committee reported as follows: 
 "That they have conferred with the board of 
 trustees of the Female Seminary, and they express 
 a willingness to surrender their rights, on condi- 
 tion that the Acadeim board pay the outstanding 
 indebtedness of the Seminary; and thereupon re- 
 solved that the said committee be authorized and 
 instructed to accept the proposition made by the 
 Seminary board, provided the said indebtedness 
 be specified by the trustees of the Female S '■mili- 
 ary, and does not exceed one hundred and fifty 
 dollars." It seems that the above terms proved 
 to be satisfactory, for in a short time the Acad- 
 emy trustees had possession of the Seminary 
 building, and thereafter conducted a co-educa- 
 tional school within its walls. For a number of 
 years after 1854 the Academy, as a classical in- 
 stitution, was not in operation, the buildings be- 
 ing used for public and select school purposes. 
 In 1868 the trustees of the Academy 'gain took 
 possession of the buildings, and at a meeting held 
 March 23d of that year elected the Rev J. P. 
 Hughes principal. 
 
 Besides the principals already mentioned as 
 having had charge of the Academy at different 
 times, there were quite a number of others who 
 
 '■d in that capacity but short periods, or 
 merely conducted English schools when the Acad- 
 emy was not in 1 'pir.it ion. 
 
 On the 10th of November, 1874, a reunion of 
 the pupils of the Academy was held in Bellefonte, 
 it being the fiftieth anniversary of the institution. 
 In an address delivered by Prof. Armstrong on 
 that occasion, he gave the following description 
 of the school room as it was when he took charge 
 of it iii 1S24: " A room of moderate dimensions, 
 with four windows, two facing the town on the 
 east and two on the west toward the spring. 
 I he furniture a few pine benches and two In i\ \ 
 
 oaken tabli ientl) large for eight or ten 
 
 boys to sit ai ound 1 a< h. These old fa >hii med 
 school desks bore the marks of sharp knives if 
 
 not the sharp wits of preceding generations of 
 
 youth. They were fearfully hacked from end to 
 end, but the hardness of the material and thick- 
 ness of the planks resisted the desolations of the 
 knives and the ravages of years. There they 
 stood through my time and perhaps long after. 
 * * * A heavy old six-plated stove standing 
 in the middle of the room, and a hickory broom 
 in the corner, completed the accommodations of 
 this classic apartment." In regard to the branches 
 taught at that time, Mr. Armstrong said: ■■ For 
 three \ears or more, nothing was taught in the 
 Academy, save sometimes a little mathematics, 
 but the classic authors. It was Latin in the 
 morning, and Latin and Greek in the afternoon; 
 it was Latin and Creek on Monday, and Creek 
 and Latin on Tuesday. Wednesday brought the 
 same studies and Thursday the same. And Fri- 
 day, what a blessed " repetition day," as it was 
 called — a review of the whole week's previous 
 study. 
 
 The present principal is Rev. J. P. Hughes, 
 who assumed the principalship in 1868 with fif- 
 teen pupils in attendance. The thoroughness of 
 the work done immediately attracted many stu- 
 dents to the school, necessitating improvements 
 for their accommodation. In 1872 the facilities 
 were further increased by the erection of a large 
 brick dormitory. In 1892 the increasing interest 
 in the institution demanded a thorough renova 
 tion of the school rooms, and the erection of a 
 private residence for the Principal and his family, 
 to which demand the trustees responded most 
 cheerfully and fittingly. In the summer and 
 fall of 1897 the trustees again were called upon 
 to afford larger accommodations, the application 
 for rooms coining from students from far and 
 near. And again, equal to the occasion as tin \ 
 always had been, they fitted up several more 
 rooms in an unused section of the main school 
 building, furnishing every convenience of steam 
 heat, etc., for every room, and making the Acad 
 emy in every particular one of the most attract 
 ive and comfortable institutions to be found 
 anywhere. 
 
 The buildings, rooms and furniture of Belle- 
 fonte Academy of to-day, as compared with the 
 small buildings, single room, and "accommoda- 
 tions, of fifty years ago, present a most striking 
 and pleasing contrast. As Latin and Greek con- 
 stituted the principal studies of Prof. Armstrong's 
 pupils, so thej are yet, under Mr. Hughes, daily 
 pursued, together with the Friday's reviews, to 
 which have been added other branches, both 
 useful and ornamental. Until September. 1876, 
 the sexes were educated together under Mr. 
 Hughes; at that time thej were placed in sepa- 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 69 
 
 rate apartments with a lady principal in charge of 
 the female department. 
 
 During Mr. Hughes' principalship the school 
 has grown from the small class of fifteen to about 
 one hundred scholars, about equally divided be- 
 tween the sexes, and a corps of five assistants. 
 Many of the pupils prepared by Mr. Hughes are 
 taking high rank in some of the leading colleges 
 of the country. In the year 1895 James R. 
 Hughes, a graduate of Princeton College, be- 
 came associate principal of the institution. 
 
 The location of the academy is most beauti- 
 ful, and the wisdom of those who placed it there 
 cannot be too highly commended. Affording, as 
 it does, a fine view of the entire town, and a large 
 scope of the surrounding country, it is essentially 
 attractive and desirable. The view to be had 
 from the Academy is beautifully varied — the 
 town lying below and encircling the eminence on 
 which it is built, verdure-covered mountains in 
 the distance, hills and valleys, cleared fields and 
 blocks of woodland, winding streams, snow-white 
 cottages, all spread in panoramic loveliness be- 
 fore the eye. Such a scene, combined with the 
 healthfulness of the climate, the morality and in- 
 telligence of the community in which it is located, 
 the course of training, both intellectual and 
 moral, pursued at Bellefonte Academy, render it 
 a most desirable place for the education of youth. 
 
 ¥ALENTINE. The Valentines of Bellefonte 
 and their connections have descended from 
 early and historic families of the State. The 
 Valentine family is in direct line of descent from 
 Robert Valentine (1), who died in 1651. His 
 wife was Elizabeth Warren, a native of Lambs- 
 town, County Wexford, Ireland, whose death 
 occurred in Ballynocassick in 1695. Their son, 
 George, of Bally Brummel, County Carlow, Ire- 
 land, had a son Thomas, who in 17 15 married 
 Mary, daughter of Thomas and Mary (Hooper) 
 Parke, of Battytean, County Carlow, and be- 
 came the progenitor of the family in America. 
 He was born in 1693, and about 1720 came to 
 America, locating in Chester county, Penn. Later 
 he moved into what became Montgomery county 
 of the same State, where his death occurred in 
 1747. Thomas Parke appears to have been a 
 farmer in Ireland, owning in 1720 land in Balli- 
 leau, Ballaghmore and Coolissnactah. In 1724 
 he came to America bringing with him his family, 
 and located in the great valley on the west side 
 of what is now Downington, where he had pur- 
 chased 500 acres of land. He died January 3r, 
 1738, and his widow on June 21, 1749. He was 
 
 an elder in Cain Meeting, and esteemed by 
 Friends. 
 
 Thomas Valentine and family were Friends, 
 and identified with the Kilconnor Monthly Meeting 
 in Ireland. Of their children, Robert, a native of 
 Bally Brummel, Ireland, married, in 1747, Rachel 
 Edge, of Providence, Chester Co., Penn., and his 
 son Robert, born in 1752, married, in 1773, Ann 
 Bond. Robert, the son of the emigrant, became 
 a recommended minister in 1764, and traveled 
 considerably in that capacity, including a visit to 
 Great Britain at the close of the Revolutionary 
 war. John Edge, the maternal grandfather of 
 Rachel Edge, came to the country from St. An- 
 drews, Holborn, in the County of Middlesex, 
 England, and settled in Nether Providence about 
 the year 1685. He was an earnest member of 
 the Society of Friends. He had been subjected 
 to heavy fines and imprisonment in his native 
 county for refusing to act contrary to his con- 
 scientious scruples, and on one occasion had to 
 stand public trial. 
 
 From Robert Valentine and Ann Bond came 
 descendants of the name in Centre county. 
 Their children were: Robert married Elizabeth 
 Downing; George married Mary Downing; Sam- 
 uel and Jacob D. died unmarried; Reuben B. 
 married Sarah Downing; Abraham S. married 
 Clarissa Miles; Bond married Lydia Fairlamb; 
 Thomazine married Reuben Miller; and Rachael 
 married Maj. Jonathan Kersley, of Detroit, Mich. 
 Ann Bond was the daughter of Samuel and 
 Thomazine (Downing) Bond, of West White- 
 land, Chester county, and the granddaughter of 
 Joseph Bond, who settled at Bristol, in Bucks 
 county, Penn., in the early part of the eighteenth 
 century; he was a large land owner, and was 
 one of the petitioners for the incorporation of 
 the borough, which was incorporated by letters 
 patent from the Crown, November 14, 1720. Jo- 
 seph Bond and John Hall were the first Bur- 
 gesses of the town. The former represented his 
 county in the Colonial Legislature. 
 
 In 181 5, Samuel, Jacob D. , George, Reuben 
 B., Abram S., and Bond Valentine, sons of 
 Robert and Ann Bond, came from Chester 
 county to Centre county, accompanied by Jacob 
 Thomas, and leased the old Dunlop iron furnace 
 erected by John Dunlop in 1802, and in 1821 
 purchased it. Mr. Thomas withdrew in 181 7, 
 and was succeeded by his son, William A. 
 Thomas. They were all iron-masters, and for 
 years were largely identified with the develop- 
 ment of the iron interests of Centre county. 
 They built additional forges and in 1824 built the 
 first rolling-mill in Centre county. In 1842 they 
 abandoned the old furnace, and built one just 
 
70 
 
 i i,S!\ll MdUATIVK BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 outside of the borough ol Bellefonte. Mirny of 
 the sons of these men succeeded them to the 
 business, and some are still connected with it. 
 Referring to these men who built the first Friends 
 Meeting House at Bellefonte, and who by birth 
 were members of the Society, a writer says: 
 "The rise of the Friends Meeting in Bellefonte 
 seems worthy of some notice. It was established 
 by four or five men, who, making no especial 
 profession of religion, yet yielded to a simple ap- 
 prehension of duty, and built a house for the 
 worship of God. All of them became faithful 
 humble followers of the Lord Jesus, ami to one of 
 them was committed the ministry of the Gospel 
 of Christ. Friends Meeting is still regularly 
 held in Bellefonte, and is largely composed of the 
 descendants of those who established it." 
 
 Of the Valentine brothers who came to Cen- 
 tre county. George, born in Bast Cain, Septem- 
 ber I, 1788, died in Bellefonte, July 13, 1857, 
 married Mary Downing, born in Philadelphia, 
 January 22. 1792, died January 27, 1879, issue: 
 (1) Jacob Downing, born at Bellefonte October 
 4, 1823, died September r6, 1896, in the house 
 in which he was born, it being one of the first 
 houses built in Bellefonte. He was an iron-mas- 
 ter, "upright and honest, and lived in accord- 
 ance with the (Juaker faith." He married De- 
 borah Downing, a daughter of Richard and 
 Sarah G. (Mount) Downing, issue: George, 
 Jacob, Louise, Ellen and Robert. (2) Sarah 
 married Dr. George Fox. (3) Eliza married 
 Thomas S. Downing. (4) Reuben B., born in 
 Bellefonte in 1 829, where he died in 1871, was 
 an iron-master, and one of the most successful 
 managers of the Valentine Iron Works. He was 
 also engaged extensively in fanning, and was a 
 conscientious and upright member of the Soci- 
 ety of Friends. In 1857 he man nil Mary B. 
 Jacobs, who was b >rn at East Whiteland, Ches- 
 ter Co., Penn., a daughter of Joseph and Ann 
 Bowen) Jacobs, issue: Mary and Emily 
 
 ed); \niia [. ; [ulia (deceasedi; and Caroline 
 \l (5) Caroline married Thompson Millikin. (6) 
 George married Emily Jacobs (a sister ol Mary 
 B.Jacobs), 1 i' 1 .in- II.. Mary D., Sarah \V 
 and Emily J. 
 
 Taking up the history i>l the Downing fam- 
 ily Mary Downing (who married 1 Val- 
 entine) was the direi lant of Thomas 
 Downing, who was born in Bradninch, in Dev- 
 onshire, England, in 1691, and who, as earl) 
 1718, resided m Chestei county, Penn., and 
 from whom descended the numerous families of 
 Downings in that county. I 01 g< m rations the 
 Downings were farmers and millers. Richard 
 Downing, a son ol Thomas, married Mary Edge, 
 
 and, of their children, Jacob Downing married 
 .!) Drinker, of Philadelphia, and they became 
 the parents of Mary (Downing) Valentine. A 
 son of Richard, also named Richard, married 
 Sarah G. Mount, and their daughter Deborah 
 became the wife of Jacob Valentine. Elizabeth 
 Drinker, the grandmother of Mary (Downing) 
 Valentine, kept a diary from 1759 to 1807, which 
 was published in book form in 1889. She was a 
 direct descendant of Philip Drinker (i), who was 
 born in 1597 and died in 1647; came in 1635 
 from Exeter, England, and settled at Charles- 
 town, Mass. Henry Drinker, the great-great- 
 great-grandson of Philip, the grandfather of Mary- 
 Downing, married Elizabeth Sandwith. The 
 latter descended from John Jervis, of Roscoe, 
 Kings county, Ireland, who came to America in 
 1688, with a son Martyn, and purchased large 
 tracts of land in New Jersey now called Jervis 
 Sound. John Jervis was appointed a justice of 
 the peace of New Jersey; Charles, anotherson, 
 was court painter to King George II, a corre- 
 spondent of the poet Pope, and translator of 
 "Don Quixote." Henry Drinker was an iron- 
 master and ship owner of Philadelphia; was ar- 
 ie-,ted in 1777 and sent to Virginia under pre- 
 tense of hostility to the American cause; he was 
 a member of the common council of Philadel- 
 phia, and a large land owner; he was born in 
 1734, and 'lied in [809. The mother of Deb- 
 orah (Downing) Valentine, Sarah G. Mount, was 
 the daughter of James Mount, whose father was 
 Ezekial, the son of Thomas Mount, who came 
 from England and was the owner of the land 
 on which the city of Louisville, Ky., was built. 
 He had mans slaves, and was a man of wealth. 
 Referring to the history of the Jacobs family, 
 Mary 1'.. and Emily (Jacobs) Valentine are in di- 
 rect line of descent h « in John Jacobs (1 ) (the first 
 of the family in America), who in 1700 settled on 
 1 portion of the Vanbibber tract of land in Prov- 
 idence, Philadelphia county, His death oc- 
 curred in 1730. His grandson, fohn Jacobs (3), 
 was the Speaker of the firsl General Assembh, of 
 
 the Comi iwealth ol Pennsylvania, His 
 
 brother, Israel, was a member of Congress in 
 and another brother, Jesse, held a cap- 
 tain's commission an. I served in the Revolution- 
 ary war, participating in a number of important 
 battles Ann Bowen, mother of Mary B. and 
 Emily (Jacobs Valentine, was in direct line of 
 tit from fohn Bowen .1 , "1 Whiteland. 
 Chester county, who died in 1715. The pa- 
 ternal grandmother of Mary B. and Emily (la- 
 cobs) Valentine was Mar} Brinton, of Thorn- 
 burg, Delaware Co., Penn., who was in line 
 from William Brinton (1 ), "f Staffordshire. En- 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 71 
 
 gland, who settled in Concord, Birmingham 
 township, Delaware Co., Penn., in 1684, and 
 was among the earliest converts of George Fox. 
 He bought large tracts of land in Chester county. 
 He was born in 1630, and died in 1700. His 
 son, William, was a member of the Provincial 
 Assembly in 1666, and died in 1 75 1 . Joseph, of 
 Thornbury, Delaware Co., Penn., the son of 
 William (2), was an associate judge of 
 Pennsylvania, and a member of the Provincial 
 Assembly. 
 
 Reuben B. Valentine, of the Valentine broth- 
 ers coming to Centre county in 18 15, was born 
 in 1793, and died in 1841 ; married Sarah Down- 
 ing (a sister of Mary Downing, the wife of his 
 brother George), born June 17, 1797, died No- 
 vember 30, 1843, and their children were: (1) 
 Mary married Dr. Elias W. Hale, a wealthy 
 gentleman of influence, of Lewistown, born June 
 6, 1824, and died February 20, 1892; issue: 
 Sarah, died young, and Ellen, the wife of G. 
 Murray Andrews. (2) George was killed in a 
 rolling-mill at the age of five years. (3) Will- 
 iam Valentine died unmarried. 
 
 Abraham S. Valentine, another of the origi- 
 nal brothers locating in Centre county, died Au- 
 nust 29, 1862, aged sixty-eight years; married 
 Clarissa Miles, who died March 3, 1857, aged 
 forty-nine years; was a member of the original 
 firm and the inventor of the ore-washing machine 
 since in general use, the adoption of which 
 effected a revolution in the ore mining of this 
 region. He was possessed of great business 
 ability and foresight (being " a man far ahead of 
 his time"), and it was due largely to his inven- 
 tions and improvements that the Valentine char- 
 coal iron achieved its wide-spread reputation. At 
 the outbreak of the war of the Rebellion he was 
 one of the liberal contributors to a subscription 
 for the support of the soldiers' families. Two of 
 his sons, Abram and Bond, were in the service 
 for a time. Clarissa Miles, wife of Abram S., was 
 a daughter of Evan Miles, who died May 10, 
 1838, in his sixty-ninth year, and of Rebecca 
 George (of the family of George's Hill, Phila- 
 delphia), who died July 28, 1845, in her seventy- 
 sixth year; both are buried in the graveyard at 
 Milesburg. Evan Miles was the son of Richard 
 Miles, and the nephew of Col. Samuel Miles, of 
 Revolutionary fame. The latter served as a 
 lieutenant in the expedition to Fort Duquesne; 
 was wounded at Ligonia in an attack made by 
 the French and Indians; commanded a regiment 
 in 1760, and at the end of the campaign was left 
 in command of the forces at Presque Isle (now 
 Erie), Penn. He commanded a regiment in the 
 Revolutionary war under Gen. Washington. 
 
 While leading his regiment at the battle of Long 
 Island, August 27, 1776, he was captured, and 
 while a prisoner was made a brigadier-general 
 for distinguished service. He was no less dis- 
 tinguished in civil life after the war, holding 
 many responsible positions, among them that of 
 mayor of Philadelphia. Richard Miles married 
 Mary Pugh, who was a member of the Society of 
 Friends, and in 1792 they located at Milesburg, 
 Centre county, where both are buried. He was 
 a captain of militia in the Revolution. His death 
 occurred December 16, 1823, in. the eighty-fifth 
 year of his age, and that of his wife, December 
 20, 1794, aged forty-four years. Richard Miles 
 was the grandson of Richard, one of the brothers 
 who came from South Wales in 1682 or 1683, 
 and settled at Radnor, Pennsylvania. 
 
 The children of Abraham S. Valentine and 
 Clarissa (Miles) were: (1) Anna married S. 
 Stewart Lyon, and their issue are — John; Anna; 
 Clara, the wife of William Jasper Nicholas; Mary, 
 the wife of Ellis L. Orvis; and Rebecca. (2) 
 Rebecca M. married Evan Pugh, Ph. D., who 
 lived only a few months after marriage, and left 
 no issue; he was a scholarly gentleman and dis- 
 tinguished educator, and was the first president 
 of the Pennsylvania State College. (3) Bond, 
 born March 22, 1834, died April 19, 1889, mar- 
 ried Mattie Kenney, who died August 25, 1882, 
 in her forty-sixth year; their children are — Evan 
 and Jane (died in infancy); Bond; and Edward 
 K. The father of these was for years a member 
 of the firm of Shortlidge & Co., of Bellefonte, 
 dealers in grain and coal, and latterly he was en- 
 gaged in the insurance business. "He was 
 closely attached to the Society of Friends, and 
 was very devoted to their teachings. He was a 
 man possessing a pure Christian character, whom 
 everyone honored. His friends were numbered 
 by the hundreds, who looked upon him as a man 
 worthy of imitation, because he followed as near 
 as he could in the paths of divine teaching. He 
 was courteous, genial, and enjoyed being genial 
 whether in social or business lite ." (4) Abram 
 S. , who resides at Atlantic City, N. J., married 
 Eliza U. Natt, of Philadelphia, daughter of 
 Thomas J. and Anne Natt, of England, and their 
 children are — Charles, Arthur and Edward. 
 Abram S. is connected with the Valentine Iron 
 Works at Bellefonte, and for years took an act- 
 ive part in the business interests of Bellefonte 
 and vicinity. During the war of the Rebellion 
 he was for a time in the service, and contributed 
 largely toward the support of the soldiers and 
 their families. (5) Evan M., who resides in 
 Philadelphia, married Mary J. Taylor, of Doyles- 
 town, who died. Their children are Harry S. and 
 
7J 
 
 ( OMMEMOKATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 Abrarn S. (6) Samuel and (7) Blanchard died in 
 infancy. (8) and (9) Clara and Mary, respect- 
 ive 1\. unmarried. (10) Henry C. , now con- 
 nected with the Valentine [roil Works, married 
 Sarah, a daughter of Thomas, and grand- 
 daughter of Judge Thomas Burnside, and t li> ir 
 children are Stanley, Helen, Rebecca and 
 Henrj Henry C. is a member of the borough 
 council. 
 
 Bond Valentine, the youngest ol the original 
 Valentine brothers, did liol remain in the iron 
 business long, but early turned Ins attention to 
 the law. His birth occurred in [798. His early 
 paternal training was such as to instill in his 
 mind those principles of morality which were the 
 guiding and controlling influence^ of his after life. 
 He became a distinguished lawyer, and served 111 
 the General Assembly, 1830-3.?, from Centre 
 county. In 1842, influenced by conscientious 
 1 onvictions, he abandoned the law that he might 
 devote his life to the public ministry in the Soci- 
 ety of Friends. The Friends Review, in an 
 obituary notice, said: "His sterling integrity 
 and the well known simplicity of his character, 
 averse to mere forms, won for him the increased 
 confidence and respect of the community, and 
 his addresses have been marked by impassioned 
 earnestness. In social circles our friend was very 
 attractive, without reserve, original, genial and 
 simple. 
 
 I<| his first wife, Lydia. daughter of John 
 and Susannah (Ashbridge) Fair] and, (arming peo- 
 ple of near West Chester, Penn., and of English 
 descent, two children were born, the elder of 
 whom died in infancy; the other is Robert Valen- 
 tine, who has long been at the head of the firm 
 of Valentine & Co., of Hellefonte. Robert Val- 
 entine is one of the prominent and wealthy citi- 
 zens of Bellefonte. His second wife, to whom 
 he was married in 1861, was Mary Xatt, daughter 
 of Thomas J. and Anne Natt, born in England, 
 and their children are: Emily and Julia, the 
 latter being the wife of I>r. Bond, of Baltimore. 
 
 I be homes of Robert Valentine and family, 
 and the family of Keuben H. Valentine, are par- 
 ticularly striking, and are of the several imposing 
 
 and beautiful places of the 1 intain town of 
 
 Bellefonti The former, a modem built, native 
 stone structure, commodious and substantial, 
 stands on one of the highest points of the town, 
 and is very commanding in point of view. While 
 the other is located a short distance from the 
 town on a beautifully situated farm, ' ' Burnham, " 
 this suburban country seat is surrounded by spa- 
 cious grounds, and the old grey limestone house, 
 built by Reuben B. Valentine in 1856, is of the 
 Colonial style 
 
 PHILIP B. CRIDER. The lumbering in- 
 terests of central Pennsylvania is one of the 
 great industries which have been an important 
 factor in the development of that section, and 
 one of the chief sources of its great wealth. For 
 nearly fifty years few men have played a more 
 conspicuous part in this development than the 
 venerable gentleman of Bellefonte, Centre 
 county, whose name introduces this sketch, and 
 who, though nearing his four-score years, is yet 
 "in harness," hale and hearty, bidding fair 
 for an unusually vigorous old 
 
 I r probably more than one hundred and 
 fifty years the Crider family have resided in this 
 Commonwealth. Upward of one hundred years 
 ago, the ancestors of our subject came from 
 from Lancaster county, and located on Chatham 
 run, some five miles below the present borough 
 of Lock Haven, then in Northumberland county, 
 where William Crider 1 1 and William Crider (2), 
 the grandfather and father respectively of Philip 
 B , figured as wood-workers and millwrights, 
 and where now reside a number of their descend- 
 ants William Crider (2) was married to Mary 
 Walker, and among their children were: Gabrial, 
 Elizabeth, William. Catherine. Philip B. (our 
 subject), Mary Ann, Susan, Jacob, Washington, 
 Joseph, Emily, Ruth and Enoch. William, the 
 father of these children, and his wife were plain 
 everyday people, industrious, good citizens, and 
 kind neighbors whose remains now rest, as do 
 those of some of the older generation, in the old 
 Plum Creek graveyard in the Crider neighbor- 
 hood above located. William died May 15, 
 1SS0, at the home of his son, Philip B., at Snow 
 Shoe, Penn., aged ninety-four years, and his 
 wife died at the old homestead in Gallagher 
 township, Clinton Co., Pennsylvania. 
 
 I). S. Maynard, in his •• Historical Views of 
 Clinton County," thus alludes to Mr. Crider 
 under the head of Gallagher township: 
 
 In 1845, Mr. William 1 ridei moved from Pine Creek 
 and settled near the Irish settlement, not fai from one of the 
 brani hes ol Queens run. lie- is still living there at the ad- 
 vanci eight] seven years, having raised to manhood 
 
 and womanhood .1 large family ol 1 hildren, among them be- 
 ing P B Crider, ol Lock Haven. Though having lived 
 some years beyond the time allotted man, Nl r. Coder is still 
 
 I health, with faculties unimpaired, and takes pleas- 
 ure 111 talking of Ins pioneer experience in Gallagher town- 
 ship. \s w.ts the 1 .isr with most of the <-.irlv settlers, he was 
 
 ad marksman, and delighted in the 1 has.-. The first 
 year he lived in the township he killed fivi bears, and the 
 next v.-.ir six, to say nothing of the deer, and other smaller 
 game. 
 
 Philip B. Crider was bom at the mouth of 
 Young Woman's creek, January 9. 1822, then in 
 I ycoming county, now in Clinton county. Penn. 
 That country being then new, and his parents 
 poor, he had very meager school privileges, and 
 
Ucgife. ^ <U7YO^?* 
 
Z^£U2^^ 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 73 
 
 early in life started to be self-supporting. He 
 learned the business of manufacturing woolen 
 goods in the employ of John Rich and John Hill- 
 ard, at their factory in the western part of the 
 town of Pine Creek, Clinton county, and re- 
 mained with these gentlemen some thirteen 
 years. He then purchased the old homestead, 
 where he farmed for several years, when he became 
 identified with the lumbering interests of Centre 
 county, operating first between the Moshannon 
 creeks, where he was engaged with Samuel Crist, 
 of Lock Haven, then the most extensive lumber 
 operator in the county, owning upward of four- 
 teen thousand acres of good pine timber lands. 
 He was so occupied several years, whei> he began 
 manufacturing lumber for the Snow Shoe Rail- 
 road Company. Following this, Mr. Crist and 
 himself purchased the plant and stock of the firm 
 of Holmes & Wigton.and the new firm carried on 
 extensive operations in the same line for a period 
 of years. Mr. Crider was next associated with 
 Gen. Beaver, Edward Humes and others of Belle- 
 fonte, who had formed a company and controlled 
 several thousand acres of timber land in Clear- 
 field county, where he met with a severe acci- 
 dent, receiving a bad cut in one of his limbs by 
 an awkward workman, from which he was dis- 
 abled for two or three years. This led him to 
 make a change in his business affairs, resulting in 
 an exchange of business interests between him and 
 Mr. Crist, which subsequently took him to Snow 
 Shoe, where for many years himself and son, F. 
 W. Crider, were extensive lumber operators, also 
 having mills and yards in other localities. Some 
 seventeen years ago they made the borough of 
 Bellefonte their headquarters and principal point 
 of operations. Their plant, which is located at 
 the corner of Race and Lamb streets, together 
 with mills in the woods, is one of the largest and 
 best equipped in this section of Pennsylvania. 
 The planing mills, lumber shedding, and other 
 necessary buildings in all cover an area of five 
 acres, while in the various departments of the 
 business from fifty to one hundred hands are em- 
 ployed, and the proprietors have with character- 
 istic enterprise availed themselves of every late 
 and meritorious device in the way of machinery 
 and appliances calculated to insure rapid and 
 perfect production. The firm manufacture and 
 deal largely in white pine, yellow pine, hard 
 wood and hemlock lumber, lath, pailing and 
 and shingles, window and door frames, sash, 
 doors, blinds, mouldings, stair work, and every 
 description of mill work and building material as 
 well as butchers' skewers. As foreshadowed 
 above, the firm of P. B. Crider & Son operate 
 mills and have large lumber interests in a num- 
 
 ber of the neighboring counties, which places 
 them in the front rank of the manufacturers of 
 lumber in this section, contributing to the com- 
 mercial importance of these various places. 
 Owing to the extent of their operations, the large 
 capital invested, and many hands employed, 
 they distribute large sums of money, and they 
 are leading factors in the success of those com- 
 munities. 
 
 Our subject has been a most successful busi- 
 ness man. Possessed of good common sense, 
 accompanied with business tact, and that energy 
 which is characteristic of his German lineage, he 
 has overcome obstacles and gradually forged 
 steadily to the front until he occupies an envious 
 position in business circles. His entire business 
 career has been one of uprightness. Fair in all 
 of his dealings with his fellow men, and of the 
 strictest integrity, he now enjoys that satisfac- 
 tion which such a life gives. He is an esteemed 
 citizen of Bellefonte, and a man of considerable 
 means, and of retiring disposition, modest and 
 unassuming. 
 
 In 1844, our subject was married to Catherine 
 Miller, a daughter of John Miller, of Clinton 
 county, Penn., a lady of uncompromising integ- 
 rity, from the Crider neighborhood on Chatham 
 run. To this union were born three children, 
 namely: Fountain W. , a sketch of whom fol- 
 lows; Isaac S., born August 31, 1847, wno was 
 a successful farmer on Beech creek, Clinton 
 county, where his death occurred November 17, 
 1877, as the result of an accident while out hunt- 
 ing; and Josephine H., who was born August 22, 
 1850, and died May 4, 1870. The mother of 
 these was born at Milton, Penn. , August 1 5, 1829, 
 and died September 26, 1885. Their remains 
 rest in the beautiful Cedar Hill Cemetery at 
 Lock Haven. 
 
 F 
 
 OUNTAIN W. CRIDER. Foremost among 
 the business men of the Bellefonte of to- 
 day, whose enterprising handiwork in the city's 
 progress and beauty, is conspicuously noticed in 
 the several imposing business blocks — the pride 
 of its citizens and the admiration of strangers — 
 which stand as monuments to his enterprise, 
 taste and thrift, is our fellow townsman — Foun- 
 tain W. Crider. Though yet a young man, Mr. 
 Crider occupies a prominent position in the busi- 
 ness circles of the Commonwealth, and is an ex- 
 ample of what may be accomplished in a few 
 years, comparatively speaking, by industry, econ- 
 omy and a fixed purpose with a determination to 
 succeed. 
 
 Our subject is a native of Clinton county, this 
 
74 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE MOD liAPIW'Al. RECOUP. 
 
 State, horn near Lock Haven, September ~, 
 
 1845- His ancestors and the family are noticed 
 in the sketch of his father. Philip B. Crider, 
 which precedes this, as is also there Riven, in 
 main, the history of the large manufacturing 
 plant of P. B. Crider & Son. His early 1 
 hood up to the age of fourteen years was passed 
 on the farm, not unlike that of general farmer 
 lads, receiving the benefit of the neighboring 
 schools at the Plum Creek School House. In 
 1859, then a boy of fourteen years, he entered 
 the employ of John F. Rich & Son, then operat- 
 ing a woolen-mill on Chatham run below Lock 
 Haven. He had, in object, the learning the 
 business of manufacturing woolen goods, and ac- 
 complished his purpose, remaining in the mill 
 some three years, excepting a period of three 
 months each year, which were reserved for at- 
 tending school at Lock Haven. At eighteen he 
 turned his attention to the business portion of his 
 education, and began clerking in the store of J. 
 J. Bisel & Co., of Lock Haven, and after serv- 
 ing for a period as salesman he became book- 
 keeper, and remained with them two years, 
 during which time he made his first venture in 
 the line of speculation, investing bis savings in 
 oil, which he lost. At the age of twenty years 
 he entered the Eastman Business College, at 
 Poughkeepsie, N. Y . and was graduated there- 
 from in 1SO5. While young Crider was deprived 
 of much of his boyhood, he was practically 
 schooled in business, and before reaching his 
 majority was well equipped for the battle of life, 
 and entered the business world not without some 
 knowledge of the roughness ol the road he was 
 to travel. But fully prepared and eager for the 
 fray, he launched out, and though he has by no 
 means ever Sailed under a cloudless sky, he has 
 stood nobly at the helm, and so wisely directed 
 the barque that he has weathered the storms en- 
 countered, and to-day sails under a triumphant 
 banner upon a smooth sea. 
 
 On January 1. 1866, young ( nder joined his 
 father at Snow Shoe in the manufacture of lum- 
 ber, and formed the firm of 1'. B ( ridei .\ Son, 
 which still exists, and is one of the great manu- 
 facturing industries of central Pennsylvania. 
 Their business has constantly grown until it has 
 extended into the neighboring counties of War- 
 ren, Jefferson, Huntingdon, Clinton and Mifflin, 
 having mills at various points in this territory 
 with general headquarters at Bellefonte. The 
 new hie given to the business in the addition of 
 young Crider, who took hold with that en. 
 that youth possesses, and which was so char- 
 acteristic of his make-up, was marked, and it was 
 not long until the extensions referred to w 
 
 made, and the firm was in possession of large 
 tracts of timber land, which were so judiciously 
 handled as to result in great profits to the firm — 
 some of the tracts involving upward of one hun- 
 dred thousand dollars. These men became en- 
 gaged in great interest outside of their lumber 
 deals and the special business of manufacturing; 
 they were large manufacturers of charcoal also. 
 In the sale of timber lands, they reserved the 
 oil, gas and mining rights, and are now possessed 
 of these privileges in Jefferson county; merchan- 
 dising and farming have been no small part of 
 the business of P. B. Crider & Son, and they are 
 now cultivating in the neighborhood of 1,500 
 acres. The annual output of lumber at their 
 several mills amounts to millions of feet. In 
 their varied extensive interests they have for 
 years given employment to many men, and kept 
 in circulation great sums of money, which have 
 been of great benefit to this section of the State. 
 
 Our subject is a most capable and broad- 
 minded business man, enterprising and progress- 
 ive. In 1888 after the great fire which destroyed 
 some of the best business buildings in Bellefonte, 
 he purchased the site of the present " Crider's 
 Exchange," and erected that most imposing 
 business block which would be a credit and an 
 ornament to a much more pretentious city. It is 
 the finest business block in Bellefonte, and is a 
 structure of modern scientific architectural beau- 
 ty; built of brick and stone and occupying one 
 of the most conspicuous corners of the borough. 
 His palatial residence, which crowns one of the 
 lulls of the mountain-town- -one of elegance and 
 
 e — is but another evidence of his enterprising 
 spirit and love to see the place of his adoption 
 the ideal " Home of the Oovernors." 
 
 Mr. Crider's life has been one of great 
 tivitv a busy one; and like most men whose 
 lives are absorbed in great business interests lie 
 has given little time to politics, and has evinced 
 
 lesire for public office. He is in no sense a 
 
 politician, though betakes an interest in all pub- 
 lic questions affecting the good of mankind and 
 the ele\ Since early boyhood 
 
 is been identified with the M. E. Chui 
 giving liberally of his means to its support. lb 
 has served in the borough council, and made a 
 
 t efficient record. As may be inferred, Mr. 
 (rider is a man of wealth, and of influence, 
 which is not confined to Uellefonte alone, but 
 extends throughout the State where his connec- 
 tion with great business interests have given him 
 a wide acquaintance. Mr. Crider, ton. is a self- 
 made man a man that has risen from the poor 
 country boy to the head of a great industry, and 
 to the presidency of the great banking company 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 75 
 
 of Jackson, Crider & Hastings; a man of wealth 
 and influence, which, however, has in no way 
 affected his manhood — his feelings and sympathy 
 for mankind — these are the same as when he 
 himself walked the paths of doubt amid the early 
 struggles, and he is easily approached, greeting 
 one with a smile and extending one that hearty 
 welcome which makes the timid one feel at ease. 
 Commanding in appearance, fine looking, with 
 an intelligent face, his personality is striking, and 
 but to know him is to account for his popularity. 
 He is a great home man, and outside of business 
 hours may be found with his family. Individually, 
 he owns considerable property in Bellefonte and 
 Centre county, other than the block referred to. 
 In politics he is a Republican. 
 
 OnJuly2i, 1868, Mr. Crider was married to 
 Miss Mary Adeline Sullivan, a daughter of Will- 
 iam and Ann (Henderson) Sullivan, of White 
 Deer Mills, Union Co., Penn. Her parents died 
 when she was young, and she was reared by her 
 grandparents, Samuel and (Barber) Hender- 
 son, of Union county, the grandfather being a 
 substantial farmer and a citizen of some promi- 
 nence there. The wedding occurred at Elmwood, 
 111., where Miss Sullivan was visiting an aunt, 
 Mrs. Rynearson. Mrs. Crider was a woman 
 of education and refinement, and a very interest- 
 ing lady, possessed of the virtues that won her a 
 host of friends. Her birth occurred in Union 
 county, Penn., May 25, 1845, and her death at 
 Bellefonte, April 6, 1879. "She was a very 
 earnest Christian lady, and died in the full hope 
 of a glorious immortality." The children born 
 to this marriage were: (1) Burns H., born Au- 
 gust 2, 1869, now a photographer at Easton, 
 Penrt., of the firm of Kreidler & Crider. (2) 
 Carrol Low, born August 20, 1872, died August 
 30, 1891. In January, 1891, Carrol had entered 
 the Freshman class, Dickinson College, at Car- 
 lisle, Penn., with many bright hopes and a prom- 
 ising future, but his young life was cut short and 
 the hopes of his father blasted, for in less than a 
 year he was summoned higher, having contracted 
 a fatal disease at college. His life had been one 
 of purity and simplentss, and in his last breath 
 he exclaimed: " I am the child of a King; I am 
 not dying but am only going home to see Jesus." 
 (3) May S., born August 28, 1877, is now in 
 school at Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. 
 
 On December 14, 1882, our subject was again 
 married, this time to Rebecca Jane North, and 
 they have two children, Hugh North, born Sep- 
 tember 27, 1883, and Mary Isabel!, born March 
 28, 1886, both attending the Bellefonte Academy. 
 The mother of these is a native of Juniata coun- 
 ty, Penn., born June 9, 18.50, daughter of Hon. 
 
 James and Susana Matilda (Strouse) North, of 
 Juniata county. She is a lady of refinement and 
 culture, and presides with dignity and grace at 
 their elegant home, which is often the scene of 
 social gatherings. 
 
 Hon. James North, father of Mrs. Crider, 
 though now nearly four-score years of age, is 
 quite active in the business affairs of Juniata 
 county, where he has long been a resident of 
 prominence in public affairs and in business cir- 
 cles. He has represented that county in the 
 General Assembly of the State, and has been 
 conspicuously connected with the railroad inter- 
 ests of the Commonwealth; prominent, too, as a 
 merchant and banker. His wife died on Novem- 
 ber 21, 1896. Their children were six in number, 
 namely: Nathaniel died in infancy; Caleb is in 
 the Columbian National Bank at Washington, D. 
 C. ; Washington is in the employ of the Penn- 
 sylvania Railroad Company, as ticket and freight 
 agent (also a dealer in coal and lumber) at Mifflin, 
 Penn.; Rebecca Jane (Mrs. Crider); Hon. Her- 
 man H., a lawyer at Bradford, Penn., who has 
 served three times in the General Assembly of 
 the State; and Mrs. W. M. Jacobs, widow of 
 George Jacobs, formerly a lawyer at Mifflin, 
 Pennsylvania. 
 
 C CHARLES R. KURTZ, of Bellefonte. The 
 Jl ability to meet the emergencies of an exact- 
 ing profession in a quiet, yet prompt and effi- 
 cient manner, is a test of a well-disciplined mind; 
 and a visit to the sanctum sanctorum of the gifted 
 editor of The Centre Democrat, one of the leading 
 Democratic papers of Centre county, impresses 
 one with the value of this rare acquirement, 
 the large and rapidly developing business of the 
 establishment being managed with apparent ease. 
 Mr. Kurtz, the editor and publisher of The Cen- 
 tre Democrat, has had unusual advantages in the 
 way of preparation for journalism, having been 
 practically trained to it from boyhood in the office 
 of The Centre Hall Reporter, of which his father, 
 Hon. Frederick Kurtz, is editor. Notwithstand- 
 ing the arduous labors which have brought the 
 Democrat to its present prosperity, Mr. Kurtz 
 has also found time to share in the various pro- 
 gressive movements of his locality, and is es- 
 pecially prominent in political work. Gifted as 
 an orator, his services in that line are frequently 
 in demand, which shows growing appreciation, 
 and points to a brilliant future. 
 
 Mr. Kurtz has been identified with Centre 
 county from his birth, which occurred at Aarons- 
 burg, October 31, 1864. His academic educa- 
 tion was mainly obtained in the schools of Cen- 
 
76 
 
 OOMMl MORATIVR BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 tic Hall, where he attended until the age 
 of seventeen. He th( red the Univer- 
 sity <>f Lewisburg (now Bucknell University), 
 pleted a scientific course, and was gradu- 
 ated in 1886. Returning home, he took ch 
 of Ik, Centre Hull Reporter .for two years. 
 and in [888 went to Bellefonte to conduct 
 /'//(■ Centre Democrat, At that time, and for 
 many years previous, the paper was financially 
 involved, and bad proven a bail venture from its 
 inception. It then had a verj small circulation, 
 but little advertising and little or no patronage. 
 Under the able management of Mr. Kurt/, it 
 soon showed marked improvement in both re- 
 spects. The subscription list has grown from 
 seven hundred to almost two thousand substan- 
 tial nanus, and its columns are patronized by 
 the leading business men of the vicinity. In July, 
 1895, Mr. Kurt/ purchased the entile busini 
 which had previously been owned by a stock 
 company, The Centre Democrat Co., and has 
 equipped it throughout with late and improved 
 type, fast presses, folder and engine. When Mr. 
 Kurtz took charge of the plant it had a small 
 circulation. Now it boastsof having the largest 
 number of readers of an\ Democratic paper in 
 < Cntre county. 
 
 With the past as a basis for judgment, we 
 may safely predict for this elevci and energetic 
 worker an enviable success, and many friends 
 whom his gentlemanly bearing has won for him 
 will rejoice to see the realization of his plans and 
 hopes. 
 
 C^L. WILLIAM POTTER WILSON, who 
 J in his lifetime was a resident of Bellefonte, 
 where his death occurred August 3, 1878, de- 
 scended from ancestors of prominence and dis- 
 tinction in the history of the State. His parents 
 were Samuel Hunter and Mary (Benner) Wilson, 
 the father being a son of ('apt. William Wilson, 
 and the mother a daughter of Gen. Philip Ben- 
 
 Capt. William Wilson was an officer of the 
 
 First Regiment Pennsylvania Continental Line, 
 and was a member of the Society of Cincinnati, 
 
 his certificate Of membership being dated at 
 Mount Vernon October 31, 17S5, and signed by 
 Gen. Washington, as President of the Society, 
 and by Gen. Henry Knox, as Secretary. Gen. 
 Benner served in the Revolutionary war, and his 
 father, an active Whig during the war, was cap- 
 tured and imprisoned, Aftei the close of the 
 struggle in 1792, he purchased what was called 
 Rock Forge lands, and removed to Spring 
 (reek to engage in the iron business, and from 
 
 that time on until his death, in 1832, he was 
 prominently identified with that business and the 
 interests of Centre county. He was an 
 earnest Democrat, and was twice Presidential 
 elector, notably on the Jackson and Calhoun 
 ticket in 1824 
 
 William Potter Wilson was born at Rock 
 Forge, Centre county, Penn., December 5, 1825. 
 His preparatory studies were received at Belle- 
 font my, and his college course at Dart- 
 mouth College, where he graduated in June, 
 [847. His legal studies were pursued at Mc- 
 Cartney's Law School, at Easton, and in the 
 office and under the direction of the late Hon. 
 James Burnside, before he occupied the Bench. 
 He was admitted to the Bar at the August term 
 of [849, and continuously practiced his profes- 
 sion with great fidelity to the interests intrusted 
 to his care up to the time of his death. He was 
 an entire stranger to the tricks of the profession, 
 and heartily despised them; was the soul of honor 
 in his professional intercourse with his brothers 
 of the liar, and left a record of honorable prac- 
 tice which will be remembered by all who were 
 associated with him as colleagues, or engaged 
 against him as adversaries. He was appointed 
 an aide upon the military staff of Gov. Bigler 
 during his administration, which entitled him to 
 the rank and gave him the title of "Colonel." 
 He was a candidate for district attorney of 
 his countv in 1856, and for the State Senate in 
 the- double district composed of the counties of 
 Blair, Centre, Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata and 
 Perry in 1870. He was appointed chairman of 
 the Republican State Central Committee, and 
 conducted the campaign of 1877, and it may be 
 truthfully said that the earnest efforts to dis- 
 ;e faithfully the duties of his honorable po- 
 sition tended largely to hasten the end of his 
 earthly career, having been undertaken at a time 
 when an enfeebled constitution required quiet 
 and rest rather than excitement and efforts of a 
 political campaign. He was decided in his po- 
 litical convictions, but never offensive in their ut- 
 terance or enforcement. As a citizen his place 
 was worthily tilled. He exercised a great in- 
 fluence in municipal affairs, having occupied a 
 seat for many years, and the place of presiding 
 officer, in the borough council and school board, 
 business man outside the walks of his pro- 
 fession, he was successful in an unusual degree. 
 The railroad, turnpike and other semi-public in- 
 terests of this region have contributed in a large 
 part to this success, and have in turn been made 
 to feel in their management, the influence of his 
 judicious and conservative business views. He 
 was at the tune- of his death st Cretan and treas- 
 
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 '* 
 
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 ^ ; 
 
 r 
 
 
 Cf^ ls%r 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL HE CORD. 
 
 77 
 
 urer of the Bald Eagle Valley Railroad Com- 
 pany, and treasurer and almost sole manager of 
 the Centre and Kishocoquillas Turnpike Road 
 Company. 
 
 The personal and relative duties of life were 
 faithfully discharged by him in his sphere, and 
 whilst we would not invade the sanctity of home 
 and family, it is proper to say that where the 
 duties which those relations involve were per- 
 formed his death will be keenly felt. Of great 
 kindness of heart, his affections embraced and 
 led him to cherish and maintain those who were 
 strangers to his blood but brought within his 
 sphere of home life. He was a Christian man; 
 quietly and unobtrusively he discharged his 
 Christian duties and came down to the end of 
 his life ' ' unstained and soothed by an unfalter- 
 ing trust. " One of his great anxieties of his last 
 year on earth was the welfare of the Church with 
 which he was connected, and of which he was a 
 trustee. 
 
 On October 21, 1856, Mr. Wilson was united 
 in marriage with Margaret H., daughter of Rev. 
 James and Isabella (Henderson) Linn, of Belle- 
 fonte, where Mrs. Wilson was born. They had 
 no children of their own, but raised as their 
 daughter Blanche Moran Hays, a cousin of Mrs. 
 Wilson's. Both Mrs. Wilson and Miss Hays re- 
 side in a beautiful and comfortable home at 
 Bellefonte. They are identified with the Pres- 
 byterian Church, and are active in its auxiliary 
 societies. Mrs. Wilson's name has for years 
 been associated with much good work done by 
 the women of Bellefonte in charitable directions, 
 and for the elevation of the morals of the com- 
 munity. 
 
 Rev. James Linn, D. D., who died at Belle- 
 fonte, February 23, 1868, was a remarkable 
 man, and enjoyed the rare distinction of having 
 served the pastorate of the Presbyterian Church 
 there the unusually long period of fifty-eight 
 years. He was born in Sherman's Valley 
 (now Perry county), Penn., September 4, 1783. 
 
 His grandfather came over from Scotland in 
 the early part of the eighteenth century, and was 
 of solid Presbyterian stock. His father, John 
 Linn, was born in Adams county, Penn., in 1749, 
 was graduated at Princeton College in 1773; 
 studied theology with Rev. Robert Cooper, and 
 during his entire ministerial life, including a term 
 of nearly forty-four years, was settled as the pas- 
 tor of Centre Church, Sherman's Valley. He 
 died in 1820 in his seventy-first year. He was 
 married to Mary Gettys, daughter of the founder 
 of Gettysburg. 
 
 Dr. James Linn was graduated at Dickinson 
 College in 1805, and studied theology with Rev. 
 
 Joseph Williams at Newville. He was licensed 
 to preach the Gospel September 27, 1808, by 
 the Presbytery of Carlisle. He himself consid- 
 ered it an honor of no small measure to have 
 been licensed by such a body of ministers as then 
 composed that Presbytery: "A noble band of 
 venerable men, and men of talents." In the 
 spring of 1809 he visited the congregations of 
 Spruce Creek and Sinking Valley, since in the 
 bounds of Huntingdon Presbytery, and from 
 there he shortly after came to Bellefonte. The 
 Presbyterian Church here had just been left va- 
 cant by the removal of Rev. Henry R. Wilson, to 
 Carlisle. His preaching here and at Lick Run for 
 a few Sabbaths resulted in unanimous calls from 
 both Churches, each for one-half of his time. 
 On April 17, 18 10, he was installed pasto| of 
 the Presbyterian Church at Bellefonte, the in- 
 stallation taking place in the court house, which 
 was then used as the place of worship. His 
 time was divided between charges at Lick Run 
 and Bellefonte. In 1839 the Bellefonte Church 
 received his undivided labors, and as the pastor 
 of this Church he remained until his death. His 
 labors among the people were greatly blessed. 
 He took an active interest in the cause of educa- 
 tion, in the early years of his ministry taught 
 the Bellefonte Academy, and was for many years 
 president of the board of trustees. His labors 
 in the temperance cause and in the interests of 
 the Bible Society and Sabbath-schools were in- 
 cessant all through the long years of his active 
 life. He was eminently hospitable, and his gen- 
 erosity spontaneous and unpretending. There is 
 a sublime eloquence in the career of such a man, 
 and the reputation he won he bequeathed to 
 enhance the dignity, honor and usefulness of his 
 fellow laborers in the ministry. His strong indi- 
 viduality, clear mind, and sound judgment com- 
 manded the respect of men of character, while 
 his large-hearted hospitality, his genial humor, 
 and his kind and cheerful disposition won upon 
 all classes of the community, and made him a 
 man of the largest influence. Yet, though gen- 
 tle, yielding and forgiving in his temper almost 
 to an extreme, his decision was uncompromising 
 in all questions of principle. His preaching was 
 characterized by the pointed and impressive pres- 
 entation of truth, and was doctrinal and practi- 
 cal rather than rhetorical. With a full, round 
 voice, and a commanding presence, his personal 
 advantages were more than ordinary. His man- 
 uscript sermons show thoroughness and accuracy 
 in preparation for the pulpit. 
 
 Dr. Linn was twice married: First to Jane" 
 Harris, February 28, 181 1, and their children 
 were: Claudius B., James H., Hon. Samuel, 
 
K 
 
 I OMMBMORA 77 YE BIOQRA fill' A 1. BB( ORD. 
 
 Anna and Jane. This wife died AuguSt 14, 1K22, 
 and on April 15, 1829, he married Isabella Hen- 
 derson, and a daughter, Margaret II . was born 
 to them. 
 
 Col. Philip Benner Wilson, a brothi 
 Col. William Potter Wilson, and a resident 
 Bellefonte, where he died March 2. 1878, served 
 with distinction in the Civil war. He was horn 
 at Chillisquaque Mills, Northumberland < 
 I'. mi.. December 8, 1822, and received his edu- 
 
 111 at Milton. He entered the army in 1 
 at Harnsburg, Penn., as captain of Company F, 
 2nd Pennsylvania Cavalry, and was later pro- 
 moted to the majorship of the regiment. At tin- 
 close of the war he returned to Bellefonte and 
 entered the hardware business with John Irwin, 
 |r., the firm soon establishing a large trade and 
 
 cting a beautiful building. Later Mr. Irwin 
 retired, and Col. Wilson associated with him in 
 ihc business Thomas Hicks, the firm becoming 
 Wilson & Hicks. The Colonel finally retired 
 from the firm, and in connection with Col. Mc- 
 l-arlane established another hardware store in 
 the Humes block. At the time of his death he 
 was the colonel of the 5th Regiment National 
 Guard of Pennsylvania. 
 
 ELIAS W. HALE, M. I)., late of Bellefonte, 
 Centre county, was bprn in Lewistown, 
 Penn., in June, 1824. being in direct line of de- 
 scent from Samuel Hale, the first of the family 
 known 111 this country, who was one of the 
 founders of Hartford, Conn., in 1637. He served 
 in the Pequot war. for which service he received 
 a grant of land. He was deputy for Norwalk. 
 He died at Glastonbury, Conn., in 1693. His 
 son was Capt. Samuel (2 1, who was a deputy, 
 and married a granddaughter of Thomas Welles, 
 third governoi of the Colony of Connecticut. 
 The latter's son was I'.enjamin. Benjamin's son 
 was Gideon, and the g] 1 ol Gideon was 
 
 Elias \\ Hale, father of the subject of this 
 sketch. 
 
 is W. Hale 1 1 was born in Glastonbury, 
 Conn., April 18, 1775. ' lL ' was graduated from 
 Yale College in 1704. and soon thereafter began 
 the study of law with Chatles Hall at Sunbury, 
 Penn. After completing his law studies he lo- 
 cated in Lewistown, Penn., where he followed 
 his profession ai d be< mie one of the ablest law- 
 seism that section. He married Jean Mulhol- 
 lan, an estimable lady, who survived him man}' 
 sears. His death occurred Februar} 5, 1832. 
 One of his daughters was the wife of the Hon 
 Gideon Welles. Secretary of the Navy in 
 President Lincoln. 
 
 Dr. Elias W. Hale, the fourth child and last 
 survivor of six children, read medicine under the 
 direction of J. B. Ard, M. I)., graduated from 
 j the University of Pennsylvania, and for a num- 
 3 practiced the profession at Lewis- 
 town, then removed to Reedsville, Penn., where 
 he pursued the >ame calling. In the spring of 
 
 ( he located in Bellefonte, at which place his 
 practice was somewhat limited. In 1 S74, in 
 nection with William P. Duncan & Co., he 
 bought the old mill, and went into the milling 
 business under the linn name <>| Duncan, Hale & 
 Co. Mr. Duncan retired in 18.S2. and the linn 
 was changed to Gerberich, Hale & Co., Mr 
 Gerberich managing the business. Dr. Hale was 
 prominently connected with the Masonic frater- 
 int\, and lie was well up in agricultural circles in 
 the counts and Slate. He always took a decided 
 interest in agrii ulture, and invariably lent a hand 
 to its advancement. He was one of Bellefonte's 
 shrewdest business men, and was an influential 
 citizen from 1 864 until the time of his death. 
 ll< ssms probably one of the largest property 
 ossners in Bellefonte, possessing, in addition to 
 his real estate in the town, a number of fine 
 farms in Centre and adjoining counties, and his 
 wealth would foot up hundreds of thousands of 
 dollars. He was ia partner in the Moshannon 
 Banking Co. , of Philipsburg, Penn. His death 
 occurred in Mentone. Southern France, February 
 20, 1892, whither himself and family had gone the 
 October before for his health. 
 
 Dr. Hale was tsvice married, his first wife be- 
 in^ Miss Ellen Louise Steely, of the Kishaco- 
 quillas Valley, in Mifflin county, this State, by 
 whom he had a son, Harry. His second wife, 
 to whom he was married April 29. 1857, was 
 Mary, daughter of Reuben B. and Sarah (Down- 
 ing) Valentine, and their issue were: Sarah, who 
 dud in infancy, and Ellen, who is the wife of G. 
 Murray Andrews. The widow of Dr. Hale has 
 descended on both sides from Quaker families, 
 who for nearly two hundred years have been 
 prominently identified with the history of the 
 the State. She is of the fifth generation 
 from Thoma- Valentine, who in about 1720 
 came t" America from Ireland, and with his 
 family settled in Chester counts', Penn. He was 
 born in County Catherlough (How Carlow), Ire- 
 land. 9th month, lS, [693, and died in 1747. 
 lb 1 father, Reuben I'.. Valentine, was an iron- 
 
 ter, and in 1815 with several brothers came 
 
 • ntre counts-, where all were closely iden- 
 tified with the development "f the iron industries 
 of the county, ami their sons after them Reuben 
 B.'s death occurred at Bellefonte, March 27. 
 1 84 1. His wife, Sarah Downing, was of the 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 79 
 
 fourth generation from Thomas Downing, who 
 was born 12th month, 14, 1691, at Bradninch, 
 in Devonshire, England, and who in 17 18 was a 
 resident of Concord township, Chester county, 
 Penn. Later he resided at Sadsbury, and still 
 later at Downington, in the same county. Many 
 of the name were farmers and millers. 
 
 LIEUT. -COL. HARRY S. HALE, the only 
 1 son of the late Dr. EliasW. Hale, of Bellefonte, 
 
 Centre county, was born at Lewistown, Penn., 
 August 12, 1852. In early boyhood he attended 
 school at Reedsville, Mifflin county, and in 1864 
 came with his father to Bellefonte, where he 
 continued his studies under the tuition of the 
 Rev. J. C. Laverty, an Episcopal minister, and 
 at the academy under the presidency of Prof. 
 Murray. In 1869-70, he was in attendance at 
 Phillips Academy, in Exeter, N. H. He next 
 was one year at Hopkins Grammar School, of 
 New Haven, Conn. Afterward he spent two 
 years at Lehigh University, at Bethlehem, Penn. 
 At this time he was in poor health, and he passed 
 a year or more in the lumber regions of Minne- 
 sota. He returned East and spent a year on 
 his father's farm at Mill Creek, in Huntingdon 
 Co., Penn. In 1874 he took an interest in the 
 flouring-mill of Gerberich, Hale & Co., of Belle- 
 fonte, and remained actively engaged in that 
 business until the time of his death. 
 
 Perhaps the military history of Harry Hale 
 was the most notable part of his life, and by 
 these relations he became widely known among 
 some of the most prominent military officers in 
 the State. In June, 1880, largely through his 
 efforts, Company B,of Bellefonte, was organized, 
 he being one of the signers of the application. 
 He was at that time elected second lieutenant of 
 the company, in all the affairs of which he took a 
 prominent part. This company became Com- 
 pany B, of the 5th Regiment of the N. G. of 
 Pennsylvania. He was soon appointed adjutant 
 of the regiment, and in 1887 he was elected 
 lieutenant-colonel, which relation he sustained 
 to the 5th Regiment until shortly before his 
 death, filling the position with credit to himself, 
 and to those he represented; but in April, 1889, 
 he was compelled to resign the office on account 
 of failing health. He was a stanch Republican, 
 and in 1886 the party nominated and elected 
 him, over a strong opposition, chief burgess of 
 Bellefonte. During this time he gained the 
 confidence of the people, and was re-elected 
 for a second term. While serving in this ca- 
 pacity, he was always kind and affable to 
 many who at times did not deserve his sym- 
 
 pathy. He was obliging, and at all times ready 
 to bestow a favor. Brave and courageous, 
 standing up for the right, whether politically or 
 in pursuance of his duty as a public officer, Col. 
 Hale was a young man possessing these qualities, 
 which claimed the admiration of all, and made 
 him a man of great promise. He was a gentle- 
 man of commanding appaarance, being six feet 
 in height, and otherwise magnificently propor- 
 tioned. When appearing in rank he was a 
 very conspicuous figure. He was kind, honest 
 and true, having a large heart, not only for the 
 rich, but for the poorer class of people, aiding 
 them by deeds of generosity. He was promi- 
 nent in Masonic circles, having been for ten 
 years or more a member of the fraternity, be- 
 longing to both the Commandery and Chapter. 
 He took a great interest in all of their proceedings. 
 The death of Col. Hale occurred at Bellefonte 
 on May 24, 1889, and he was given one of the 
 most imposing and impressive funerals. His re- 
 mains were interred at Lewistown, Penn., whither 
 they were accompanied by Company B, with 
 the field and staff officers of the 5th Regiment, 
 and a body of Masons from Bellefonte. Col. 
 Hale was unmarried. 
 
 JOHN CURTIN, one of the oldest and most 
 highly esteemed residents of Bellefonte, Centre 
 
 county, was born in that beautiful mountain 
 town, September 24, 18 10, and has been promi- 
 nently identified with the development of his sec- 
 tion throughout his active business life. 
 
 Roland Curtin, father of our subject, a native 
 of County Clare, Ireland, came to Centre county 
 when a young man, and after a short period 
 spent in mercantile pursuits engaged in the iron 
 business, building a furnace which he operated 
 for many years. By his first wife, Margery 
 (Gregg), he had four sons who lived to adult age: 
 Austin (who was in the iron business), James, 
 Roland and John. His second wife, Jane (Gregg), 
 daughter of Hon. Andrew Gregg, was the mother 
 of the following children: Constance, Andrew 
 (Pennsylvania's famous War Governor), Martha 
 (who married Dr. W. Irwin, and both are now 
 deceased), Norah (who married President Allen, 
 of Girard College); Margery (Mrs. Thomas Rey- 
 nolds); Nancy (the wife of Dr. Clark, of Phila- 
 delphia, Penn.), and Julia (who is not married, 
 and resides in Philadelphia). 
 
 Mr. Curtin attended school in his youth at 
 Bellefonte, Harrisburg and Milton, Penn., re- 
 ceiving excellent preparation for his future career. 
 His business opportunities were most fortunate 
 and, engaging in the iron industry with his father, 
 
SI I 
 
 COMMh\/(i/i.\ TTFB BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 he continued in active work until 1874, when he 
 retired, being at the time a member of the firm 
 of R. C. & J. Curtin. Since his retirement From 
 
 business, his time has I" en mainly spent in his 
 pleasant home at Bellefonte. 
 
 In 1837 Mr. Curtin was married to Missjulia 
 Ann Barnhart, who was born March 14, l8ll, 
 in Bald Eagle Valley. ('I the seven children of 
 this happy union two dud in infancy; the others 
 are: ( 1 1 Margery I. married Irvin Curtin, and has 
 two children- Roland I. and Gregg, i^j James, 
 who was a cavalryman during the ("nil w 
 married Miss Jam- Holder, and has three chil- 
 dren- Latimer, Fred and Harrj (3) Sarah C, 
 wife of Dr. J. F. Larimer, of Omaha, Neb., has 
 three children — John C, Robert (i and Fred 
 W. (4) Henry Roland, who is at present in 
 charge of the iron works, married Miss l.ydia 
 McMinn. and lias four children — J. Mack. John. 
 Laird H. and Catherine. (5) John (i. is in the oil 
 business, and resides in Philadelphia; he married 
 Miss Lstella Louden, and has four children — 
 Lou la, Julia, Allen and Walton. 
 
 Mr. Curtin is a stanch Republican, and in the 
 stirring campaign of 1896 supported McKinley 
 with an enthusiasm and patriotic fervor which 
 bridged the years, and recalled for him the days 
 of his youth. Always a thoughtful student of 
 current questions, local and national, he has 
 given throughout his life loyal assistance toevery 
 movement which promised to benefit the public. 
 
 C\OL. WILLIAM SHORTLIDGE The per- 
 ' sonal history of the men who lead in the de- 
 velopment of any section always holds an unus- 
 ual interest, not only for those who, as members 
 ■ ( the community, share in the results of its prog- 
 ress, but for all students of human nature. The 
 generalship, the faith, the determined will, which 
 distinguish these pioneer workers in any line, il- 
 lustrate some of the best phases of our manifold 
 life, and these qualities are none the less des. 
 ing of honor when directed to the peaceful arts 
 which feed and sustain our civilization rather 
 than to deeds of daring on the field of battle. • 
 The lime industry at Bellefonte, of which 
 Col. Shortlidge is the pioneer, so far as its mod- 
 ern aspects are concerned, has for man) years 
 Keen .1 constant source ol wealth to that locality. 
 It is probable that the men employed in it have, 
 during the past twenty years, more steads work 
 al better wages than any other industry ill this 
 
 section has supplied, and in periods of business 
 depression they have had special reason to con- 
 gratulate themselves upon the constant demand 
 for their labor. In 1 861 , when Col. Shortlidge first 
 
 entered this business, the production of lime in 
 the vicinity of Bellefonte was estimated at thirty- 
 rive bushels per day, and at the present writing it 
 has increased to 3,500 bushels per day, owing 
 mainly to the foresight and energy of Col. Short 
 lidge, who brought the superior quality of the 
 product to wider notice. After the completion 
 of the Bald Eagle Valley railroad, he shipped the 
 first carload of lime ever sent from that locality 
 to a point outside of Centre county. For man- 
 ufacturing purposes the Bellefonte lime is consid- 
 
 I better than others, and it finds a ready 
 market in all parts of the Union. The limestone 
 from which it is obtained contains as high as 
 ninety-eight per cent of carbonate of lime, and 
 the product is noted for its whiteness as well as 
 for its purity. Under the improved methods of 
 burning adopted by Col. Shortlidge the causticity 
 and plasticity are retained, and the superiority of 
 this lime is shown by the fact that one bushel of 
 it makes as much mortar as one and two-thirds 
 of other kinds, while the adhesive quality is 
 greater. Of late years other manufacturers of 
 lime have located at Bellefonte, but the strata of 
 stone which they use extends over twenty miles 
 east and west, and there is no fear that the sup- 
 ply may be exhausted. As there is a stead ni 
 market for the lime for manufacturing purposes 
 than for any other, greater attention is paid to 
 meeting that demand, but agricultural and build- 
 ing interests are also supplied, and the McCal- 
 mont & Co. Sunny Side Lime Kilns, established 
 in 1 86 1 by Col. Shortlidge and others, produce 
 limes which under careful tests are declared to be 
 eminently suited to these purposes. McCalmont 
 & Company are also extensive dealers in coal, 
 agricultural impli ments, seeds and fertilizers, and 
 they control the agency for the celebrated Geisee 
 saw mills, traction engines and separators, the 
 American Road Machine Company's Champion 
 Rock (rusher and Road Machine, and the Conk- 
 lin wagons and carriages. They are large deal- 
 ers in farm products, never losing an opportunity 
 to buy grain, for which they pay the highest 
 market price, their invariable rule in their trans- 
 
 'ii- being to make the farmers' interests their 
 own Their business requires a correspondence 
 which is second in volume to but one othei as 
 
 pared with all the other interests at Belle- 
 fonte. Col. Shortlidge and Robert McCalmont 
 are the managers of the firm, and others con- 
 nected with it are Isaac Underwood, John S. 
 Walker. J W Barnhart, Robert W. McCalmont, 
 John II, Woomer and Wentworth II. Shortlidge 
 
 The pei al and ancestral history of Col. 
 
 Shortlidge will be of general interest. The name 
 was formerly Shortridge and is of English origin. 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 81 
 
 and the family has been identified with the So- 
 ciety of Friends from a very early period. Our 
 subject's direct ancestors were pioneers of Ches- 
 ter county, Penn., and his grandfather, Swithin 
 Shortlidge, was born in New Garden township, 
 and became a farmer in the same locality. He 
 and iwo of his sons died within two weeks, dur- 
 ing an epidemic of dysentery. His wife, Hannah 
 Gawthrop, also a native of Chester county, and 
 of Quaker origin, survived him many years. 
 They had a large family of children, of whom 
 five grew to adult age: (i) George, our subject's 
 father; (2) Jane, who married Isaac Tussey, of 
 Pocopson. Chester county, and died in March, 
 1892, at the age of ninety-two years; (3) Phoebe, 
 who married Jacob Shortlidge (a cousin), and 
 died in early womanhood; (4) Joel, who married 
 Sarah Ann Boyer, and died in Chester county, 
 and (5) Evan, who married Sarah Holand, the 
 former dying in Chester county at an advanced 
 age. Hannah G. Darlington and Catharine T. 
 Michener, daughters of Isaac and Jane Tussey, 
 are highly esteemed relatives, as well as Phoebe 
 S. Hobson and Isabel G. Shortlidge. 
 
 Hannah Gawthrop Shortlidge had three sis- 
 ters and four brothers, viz. : Elizabeth, Jane, 
 Isabella, Thomas, James, George and William. 
 All but William settled in Chester county, and 
 he made his home in Baltimore, Md. One of his 
 grandsons, William G. Huey, is at the head of 
 the firm of William G. Huey & Co., bankers of 
 Philadelphia. Elizabeth married Nicholas Tay- 
 lor, an extraordinary business man of Baltimore, 
 Md. ; Jane married Daniel Thompson, and reared 
 a family; Isabella did not marry; all the brothers 
 married, and left descendants. 
 
 George Shortlidge, the father of our subject, 
 was born in New Garden township, Chester 
 county, in 1800, and passed his life there as a 
 farmer, his death occurring in 1875. Like all of 
 the family in religion, he was a Quaker. In pol- 
 itics he was at first a Democrat, but he took a 
 decided stand against slavery, and in 1856 he 
 voted the Republican ticket, and from that time 
 he adhered to that party. He married Martha 
 Hutton, who was born in the same locality in 
 1 802, and died in 1 887. Her father, Hiatt Hutton, 
 a native of Chester county, was of Irish descent, 
 and her mother, Sarah Pugh, was a member of 
 an old Chester county family. The Huttons 
 and the Pughs were all of Quaker faith. Our 
 subject was the eldest of six children: (2) Jo- 
 seph, a successful teacher, conducts an academy 
 at Concordville, Del. ; (3) Anna P. married W. 
 H. Walker, of Hockessin, Del. ; (4) Lydia H. , 
 widow of Augustus A. Norris, resides at Woods- 
 town, N. J.; (5) Swithin C. , a well-known edu- 
 
 cator, is at present in London, Eng. , for his 
 health; (6) Evan G. , a prominent physician of 
 Wilmington, Del., where he located in 1870, is a 
 man of marked ability and influence, and has 
 been mayor of that city. During the Civil war 
 he served in the 1 5th Pennsylvania Cavalry for 
 some time, and after he completed his medicat 
 studies he was appointed, at the instance of the 
 Friends, a surgeon to an Indian agency. 
 
 Col. Shortlidge was born February 20, 1 83 1 , 
 and his childhood was spent at the old home- 
 stead in New Garden township, Chester county. 
 After attending the local schools for a time, he 
 was sent to the Green woodell Academy, Marshall- 
 town, Chester Co., Penn., of which Jonathan 
 Gans was then principal. Two years were spent 
 there in diligent study, and then our subject be- 
 gan teaching, following that occupation in his 
 native county and in the State of Delaware. In 
 the fall of 1853 he entered the office of the 
 Howard Iron Works, in Centre county as an ap- 
 prentice to learn the business, and was employed 
 there as bookkeeper and manager until the busi- 
 ness was suspended in 1857, when he resumed 
 the work of teaching. On May 25, 1857, he 
 married MissRosanna G. McCalmont, a native of 
 Marion township, Centre Co., Penn., born March 
 16, 1833, and this happy event did much to 
 shape his future course. For a time he contin- 
 ued teaching, and August 25, 1858, he took charge 
 of a school in Bellefonte. In the following 
 spring he made an engagement with Valentines 
 & Co., proprietors of the Bellefonte Furnace and 
 Forge, to manage their office for two weeks 
 during the absence of the members of the firm. 
 At the end of that time he was requested to re- 
 main longer, and in the course of a few months 
 the firm decided that they could not dispense 
 with his services, for which a liberal salary was 
 offered and accepted, and Col. Shortlidge spent 
 the next six years in their employ. As has been 
 stated, he, in 1861, engaged in the lime business, 
 with which he had become somewhat familiar dur- 
 ing boyhood in Chester county. His extensive 
 business interests have never prevented him from 
 taking an active part in the general progress of 
 the community. He is a firm supporter of the 
 principles of the Republican party. He is a 
 member of the F. & A. M. ; also of the borough 
 council, now in the tenth year of service in that 
 body. He is president of the Board of Trade, 
 and a trustee of the Presbyterian Church. 
 
 Col. and Mrs. Shortlidge have a most pleas- 
 ant home, and of their six children two are living: 
 Martha Elizabeth married John S. Walker, and 
 has one son, Robert. Anna W. is at home. 
 Jennie McCalmont, a daughter, and a y6ung lady 
 
82 
 
 I '0 MMKMOHA Tl VK Bloc, /;.!/•// V .! /. /.'/••' OA'/A 
 
 of much intelligence, who assisted her father as 
 Stenographer and typewriter, died February 16, 
 1 890, at the age of twenty-two, from "la grippe." 
 Gi orge and William died in infancy, and James 
 McCalmont, their eldest son, lived to the ape of 
 only six months. 
 
 Fll VAN VALZAH, M. I)., of Spring Mills, 
 Centre county, one of the most successful 
 physicians in that region, comes of a family 
 which has for thi ms been prominent- 
 
 ly identified with the medical profession. His 
 ancestors were originally from Holland, but set- 
 tled in New York long before the Revolutionary 
 war. Dr. Robert Van Valzah, Sr., his great- 
 grandfather, was bom April 17, [764, near the 
 Croton river, in New York, and was the only son 
 of his parents to leave descendants, ft is a re- 
 markable fact that there is no other family of the 
 name in this country, but, as will be seen, the 
 line is not likely to die out. The father of Dr. 
 Robert Van Valzah, Sr., died, and the mother 
 married a wealthy man who gave his clever step- 
 son an excellent education. Tradition has it 
 that about the time that Dr. Robert Van Valzah 
 graduated and began his professional career, he 
 was paying devoted attention to a young lady, 
 when he discovered that she had been making in- 
 quiries as to Ins chances for inheriting his step- 
 father's property. Angered at this, andbelieving 
 her tn be wholly mercenary, he left the neighbor- 
 hood and, in [786, came to Pennsylvania, his 
 earthly possessions consisting only of a horse, sad- 
 dle and bridle. On his arrival in Northumber- 
 land e, nmty he made the acquaintance of a man 
 named Beatty, who took a strong liking to him, 
 and knowing him to be a poor but ambitious 
 "M. D." in search of a location, advised him to 
 go to Dry Valley, when- an epidemic was causing 
 much suffering at the time. This advice was fol- 
 lowed with satisfactory results. Dr. Van \ il^ah 
 practicing there successfully until his removal to 
 Buffalo Cross Roads, Penn., where he continued 
 his professional work during his remaining v< 
 his death occurring April 18, 1850, when he was 
 aged eighty-six years 
 
 Of his numerous descendants seventeen have 
 entered the medical profession a record which 
 few, if any. families can equal. lie had eight 
 children, of whom our subject's grandfather was 
 the eldest. (2) rhomas w 1- 1 ph\ 1. ian at Lewis- 
 town, Penn . for many years, and was notably 
 
 successful. He had f sons, and three pi 
 
 tired medicine, Robert, at Freeport, III., How- 
 ard, at Lewistown, IVmi., and |ohn, at Free- 
 port, III J ' dm was a wealthy farmer and 
 
 miller at Buffalo Cross Roads. (4) William also 
 led at the old home, and was engaged in agri- 
 cultural pursuits. He had four sons, two of 
 whom became physicians, Robert T. locating at 
 Ashland. Penn. (now deceased), and William in 
 New York City. A daughter oi Dr. Van Valzah, 
 Sr., married Peter Wilson, and of her three sons, 
 one. Dr. Robert Wilson, who practiced at Clear- 
 field, Penn., and another, Rev. James I) Wil- 
 son, of New York City, are both deceased. 
 
 Dr Robert Van Valzah, Jr., our subject's 
 grandfather, was carefully educated for his pro- 
 fession, and located at Miftlinburg, where he 
 practiced successfully until his death, which oc- , 
 curred when he was between sixty and seventy 
 years of age. He was a prominent member of 
 the Presbyterian Church, and was regarded as a 
 substantial and well-to-do citizen. He mar- 
 ried Miss Nancy Montgomery, a descendant of a 
 leading family of Northumberland county, which 
 is still numerously represented in that locality. 
 They had eight children: Robert F. is men- 
 tioned more fully below; Thomas was a well- 
 known physician at Boalsburg. Penn., where he 
 dud; John H. studied medicine, but never prac- 
 ticed, and his death occurred in the Far West; 
 Samuel B. is a successful practitioner at Durand, 
 111.; S. L. (deceased) was a physician at Mifflin- 
 burg and later at Milton; Mary J. married J. W. 
 Pennington, and died in Philadelphia, Penn. ; 
 Ellen resides at Mifflinburg; Ada married Col. 
 Churchill, of St. Louis, Missouri. 
 
 Dr. Robert F. Van Valzah, the father of our 
 subject, was born in Mifflinburg, January 10, 
 1 8 1 - , and attended the schools of that place some 
 years. As the need of better opportunities be- 
 came apparent, he was sent to Milton, where he 
 studied under that noted instructor, Prof. Kirk- 
 patrick. His progress was rapid, and he began 
 the preparation for his profession at an early age, 
 and at twenty-one held a diploma from Jefferson 
 Medical College, Philadelphia. He located for 
 a tune it Rebel sburg, taking charge of the prac- 
 tice of Dr Strohecker, who had been elected to 
 the Legi lature, but later he settled at Millheim, 
 where he practiced independently ten years, gain- 
 ing a reputation as the leading physician there. 
 He removed to Aaronsburg in 1852, and re- 
 mained until the tall oi [860, when he located 
 permanently at Spun- Mills. In 1 842 he mar- 
 ried Miss Sarah W. Forster, who was born in 
 1819. the daughter of ("apt. John Forster, a 
 wealth) merchant and prominent citizen of Mif- 
 tlinburg. She died in November, 1871, and his 
 death occurred in 1874, the remains of both be- 
 ing laid to rest in the cemetery at Spring Mills. 
 He was a large man, about six feet in height, 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 83 
 
 weighing usually 190 pounds, and was never sick 
 until he was taken with the brief illness which 
 suddenly cut short his life. He was very unas- 
 suming in manner, and was never known to 
 boast of his successes. His attention was de- 
 voted entirely to his professional work, and had 
 he given half as much thought to his accounts as 
 to the scientific and humanitarian side, he would 
 have accumulated much property. However, he 
 had a comfortable competence and always lived 
 well. He spent more than $10,000 in the edu- 
 cation of his sons, of whose talents and charac- 
 ter he was justly proud. He built the commo- 
 dious residence where our subject now lives, and 
 which as lately remodeled is among the best in 
 Spring Mills. Politically he was a Democrat un- 
 til the nomination of Gen. Irvin, a personal 
 friend, for Governor of Pennsylvania. He then 
 became a Whig and in later years was a Repub- 
 lican, but while he was a regular voter, and took 
 much interest in the success of his principles, he 
 was not a politician. In religious faith he was a 
 Presbyterian, but he did not attend church regu- 
 larly on account of his professional duties. This 
 negligence was, however, more than made good 
 by his wife, who was very devout, and whose 
 kindly nature showed the consistent follower of 
 Christ. Their children were: John F. , a pros- 
 perous merchant and banker, and one of the 
 founders of the firm of Van Valzah & Wilson, 
 of Tyrone, and of the First National Bank, of Ty- 
 rone, Penn. , where he died March 28, 1891; F. 
 H., our subject; Henry B. , who died June 8, 
 1 89 1, at Clearfield, Penn., after a successful 
 career as a physician, being known as one of the 
 leaders of his profession in that county; and Rob- 
 ert W., a dentist at Terre Haute, Indiana. 
 
 With such an ancestry it is not strange that 
 the subject of this sketch easily established him- 
 self in the front rank among the medical frater- 
 nity of his locality. He was born at Millheim 
 February 18, 1847, but as his parents removed 
 to Aaronsburg during his childhood his education 
 was begun there, his first teacher being ex-County 
 Superintendent D. M. Wolf, D. D. When he 
 was thirteen the family settled at Spring Mills, 
 and as the schools there did not offer an ad- 
 vanced course he was later sent to Tuscarora 
 Academy, in Juniata county. While there he 
 enlisted, on July 6, 1864, at a call for one-hun- 
 dred-day men, in Company H, 195th Penn. V. I., 
 and served about four months, doing guard duty 
 on the B. & O. R. R. west of Harper's Ferry, 
 the greater part of the time being spent at Mar- 
 tinsburg, W. Va. In 1865 he entered Dickinson 
 Seminary, at Williamsport, Penn., and in the 
 spring of the following year he began his pro- 
 
 fessional duties under his father's guidance. He 
 graduated from Jefferson Medical College, Phila- 
 delphia, Penn., in March, 1870, and a few 
 months later began practicing at Loganton, 
 Penn. , where he spent eighteen months. He then 
 located at Potters' Bank, Centre county, but in 
 November, 1874, he moved to Spring Mills to 
 take the practice left vacant by his father's death. 
 While he is thoroughly progressive in his ideas 
 he is notably cautious and conservative in prac- 
 tice, and he has met with signal success. Finan- 
 cially, he ranks among the leading capitalists of 
 Penn's Valley. 
 
 On June 23, 1880, he was united in marriage 
 with Miss Jane R. Van Valzah, daughter of John 
 A. Van Valzah, of Buffalo Cross Roads. Three 
 children brighten their home: Robert, born No- 
 vember 1, 1882; Sarah, born November 2, 1884, 
 and James W. , born June 6, 1889. Mrs. Van- 
 Valzah is a member of the Presbyterian Church, 
 and is prominently identified with the various 
 lines of social and philanthropic work. The 
 Doctor is a Republican, and although he is a 
 stanch defender of the doctrines of the G. O. P., 
 he is not an office seeker. Socially, he belongs 
 to the Masonic lodge at Centre Hall, and to 
 Samuel Shannon Post No. 282, G. A. R., at the 
 same town. He is also a member of the Penn- 
 sylvania State and the Centre County Medical 
 Societies. 
 
 HON. HARRY R. CURTIN is the present 
 representative from Centre county in the 
 State Legislature, and is one of the prominent 
 citizens, not only of his locality, but of Pennsyl- 
 vania. He belongs to one of the old and hon- 
 ored families of the State, whose members have 
 been prominent in public affairs, and as promo- 
 ters of leading commercial industries. The name 
 is indissolubly linked with the history of Centre 
 county, and the gentleman whose name intro- 
 duces this article has added new luster to the ex- 
 cellent record of the family by his course in both 
 public and private life. 
 
 Roland Curtin, Sr. , the grandfather, was a 
 native of Ireland, and during the war of the 
 French Revolution he was attending school in 
 France. He, with other students, escaped and 
 came to this country. He first located in Phil- 
 ipsburg, Centre county, where for a short time 
 he engaged in merchandising, and then turned 
 his attention to the iron industry in connection 
 with a Mr. Boggs. In 18 10 he erected the Eagle 
 Iron Works, and operated the same until 1842 
 when the business was turned over to his sons. 
 This became one of the most important factors 
 
M 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE niOGRM'IIIcM RECORD. 
 
 in the development of the locality, and Roland 
 Curtin took a most active interest in the work of 
 progress and upbuilding in Centre county. He 
 also located a large tract of land, upon which 
 the subject of this sketch is now living. After 
 his arrival in Pennsylvania, he married Miss Mar- 
 garet Gregg, a native of this State. One of their 
 sons, Andrew G., was Pennsylvania's governor 
 during the period of the Civil war. For two 
 terms he held that office, being re-elected in 
 1863, and for two terms he also represented his 
 district in Congress. 
 
 John Curtin, father of Harry R., was born in 
 Bellefonte, Penn., in September, 1810, the 
 youngest son of Roland and Margaret Curtin. 
 On tlie retirement of his father from business he 
 joined his brother, Constance, in the operation 
 1 if the extensive iron works, which they con- 
 ducted until 1864, when they were joined by an- 
 other brother, Roland, Jr., under the firm name 
 of R., C. & J. Curtin. This connection was con- 
 tinued until (874, when Roland and John sold 
 their interests to their sons, and John Curtin re- 
 tired to private life. He is now residing in 
 Bellefonte, in the enjoyment of a well-merited 
 rest. He married Julia A. Barnhart, and they 
 became parents of seven children — three sons 
 and four daughters — namely: Margery B., wife 
 of Gen. John I. Curtin, of Bellefonte; James B., 
 deceased; Sarah ('., wife of J. F. Larimer, a 
 physician of Omaha. Neb.; Harry R. ; JohnG., 
 who is engaged in the oil business in Philadel- 
 phia; Francis and Nancy, who died in childhood. 
 
 Harry R. Curtin was born at his present 
 home, January i-, 1850, and has here spent his 
 entire life. He remained with his parents until 
 1865, when he entered the Pennsylvania State 
 College, pursuing his studies there for two and 
 one-half years. I [e afterward continued his edu- 
 cation in Dickinson Seminary, at Williamsport, 
 Penn., when- he remained for a year and a half, 
 when he returned home and entered upon his 
 business career, putting to a test in the practical 
 affairs of life the knowledge that he had gained 
 in the school room. He accepted a position as 
 
 sman in a general mercantile store in Curtin, 
 where he remained for a year and a half, then as- 
 sumed the duties of bookkeeper for the firm of 
 K , C. & J. Curtin, serving in that capacity un- 
 til 1874. In that year he and his brother James 
 boughl nut the interest ol their father, and An- 
 drew and Austin Curtin succeeded to the interest 
 of their father, Roland Curtin, thus leaving the 
 business in the hands ol the four cousins and their 
 uncle, Const rtin, .it which time the firm 
 
 nami ol < Curtin & Co, was assumed. Busi- 
 ness was thus conducted until 1877, when tin- 
 
 uncle retired, and the partnership between James 
 B . Harry R. , Andrew G. and Austin was con- 
 tinued under the name of Curtin & Curtin. They 
 operated the factories until 1890, when opera- 
 tions were suspended, due to the increased facili- 
 ties for manufacturing steel and taking the 
 market for charcoal iron. When Harry R. Cur- 
 tin first became a partner in the business he as- 
 sumed the active management of the forge and 
 furnace work, and was thus engaged until sus- 
 pension of the business in 1890. He was then 
 appointed special agent, under Robert P. Porter, 
 for gathering statistics concerning iron and steel. 
 A year later he was appointed administrator of 
 the Constance Curtin estate, and now has in 
 charge the business interests connected with that 
 property, which includes ten thousand acres of 
 land. Upon this has been built the little village 
 of Curtin. which contains a railroad station, grist- 
 mill and post office, and has a population of 
 about two hundred. Mr. Curtin has also been 
 engaged in the sawmill business for the past three 
 years, and is one of the successful lumber mer- 
 chants in this section of Centre county. 
 
 On June 9, 1875, Harry R. Curtin was mar- 
 ried to Miss Lydia G. McMeen, who was born in 
 Milesburg, November 6, 1852. Her parents, Dr. 
 William and Nancy J. (Lipton) McMeen, were 
 also natives of that place; the father died in 
 Milesburg in 1854; the mother, who was born in 
 1S29, is now living with Mrs. Curtin, her only 
 daughter. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Curtin 
 has been blessed with four children, namely: 
 Joseph McMeen; Curtin John; Hugh L. and 
 Catherine. Mrs. Curtin is a member of the 
 Baptist Church, and is a most estimable lady, 
 regarded as a leader in the social circles in which 
 they move. 
 
 Mr. Curtin is a Republican in politics, and 
 on that ticket was elected to the State Legisla- 
 ture in the fall of 1894 by over 500 majority, 
 although the county had always been a Demo- 
 cratic stronghold. His election is certain)) a 
 tribute to his personal worth, and indicates tin 
 confidence and high regard which his fellow citi- 
 zens entertain for him. He has also held a 
 number of township offices. His course in the 
 General Assembly has been most commendable 
 He has ever labored for the best interests of 
 counts- and State, placing country before part) 
 and the public good before self-aggrandizement. 
 He is again his party's nominee for the same 
 office, and will probably for a second time be 
 en to represent his District in the House. 
 In business be is honorable, straightforward and 
 
 - getic, carrying t- ■ I ul completion what- 
 
 ever he undertakes, and his life is characterized! 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 85 
 
 by the genuine worth which everywhere com- 
 mands respect. On January i, 1897, he was 
 appointed, by Gov. Hastings, one of the food 
 commissioners of the State. 
 
 GEORGE ASHBRIDGE FAIRLAMB, M. D., 
 of Bellfefonte, Centre county, one of the 
 oldest and most highly esteemed medical prac- 
 titioners of that section, was born June 24, 1826, 
 in Chester county, Penn., where his ancestors 
 in both the paternal and maternal lines were 
 early settlers. 
 
 The Doctor is of sixth generation in descent 
 from Nicholas Fairlamb, of Durham, England, 
 who brought to the Society of Friends at Phila- 
 delphia a certificate of membership from the 
 Durham Monthly Meeting, dated June 13, 1700. 
 This Nicholas Fairlamb purchased a farm at 
 Middletown, Chester county, and settled there 
 in 1704. He was sheriff of the county 1717- 
 1719; associate judge of the Court of Common 
 Pleas 1715, and member of the Colonial Assem- 
 bly 1 704-5-1 1-12-13. In 1703 he was married 
 to Catherine Crosby, daughter of Richard and 
 Eleanor Crosby. John Fairlamb, a son of Nich- 
 olas, was born in Chester county, and passed his 
 life there, attaining an honorable place in the 
 history of his time. He was sheriff of the county 
 in 1755-56, justice of the common pleas court in 
 1 76 1 and 1764, and member of the Colonial As- 
 sembly in 1764-65, his death occurring in 1766. 
 He was married November 13, 1742, to Susanna 
 Engle. 
 
 John Fairlamb (2), the grandfather of our 
 subject, was born in 1759, and resided upon a 
 farm near Westchester, Penn., where he died at 
 a comparatively early age. His wife's maiden 
 name was Susan Ashbridge. Their son, George 
 A. Fairlamb, M. D. , our subject's father, was 
 born in 1787, and died in 1829. He was a grad- 
 uate of the University of Pennsylvania, and be- 
 came a successful physician at Downingtown, 
 Chester county. His first wife was Thomasine 
 Whelen. His second wife (our subject's mother) 
 was Annette Miller, a descendant of a well-known 
 family of Chester county, the first of the line 
 coming from Cornwall, England, in 1702. Her 
 father, Joseph John Miller, a merchant in Phila- 
 delphia, died at Lyons, France, while collecting 
 a claim against the French government for gun- 
 powder furnished to Napoleon Bonaparte. 
 
 Dr. G. A. Fairlamb came to Bellefonte at 
 the age of ten years, and he has ever since made 
 that his home. After completing a course in the 
 Bellefonte Academy he entered the University of 
 Pennsylvania, and in 1848 received his degree in 
 
 medicine from that noted institution. Returning 
 home, he engaged in practice; but at the open- 
 ing of the Civil war his patriotic spirit led him to 
 join in the defense of the old flag. He raised 
 Company H, 148th P. V. I., and entering as 
 captain was promoted later to the rank of major, 
 and after the battle of the Wilderness became a 
 lieutenant- colonel. He was wounded at the 
 battle of Chancellorsville, and twice at Spottsyl- 
 vania in the charge made in the early morning of 
 the 1 2th by the Second Corps, his right elbow 
 being shattered by a ball, necessitating a re- 
 section of the joint. He did not escape that 
 worst of the fortunes of war, captivity, for the 
 summer of 1864 he spent amid the horrors of 
 Libby Prison. He was paroled September 12, 
 1864, at Annapolis, Md. , and February 24, 1865, 
 he was discharged from service on a surgeon's 
 certificate of disability from wounds received in 
 battle. No one can estimate the amount of 
 strength and vigor which the sufferings and pri- 
 vations of those brief years consumed for each 
 man who passed through them, and the heart of 
 the nation beats warmly for those who made the 
 sacrifice of energies which should have sufficed 
 for years of ordinary effort. After the war was 
 over Col. Fairlamb was surgeon at the Lazaretto 
 below Philadelphia for two years, being ap- 
 pointed by Gov. A. G. Curtin. 
 
 HON. JOHN HARBISON HOLT. The sub- 
 ject of this biography, one of the honored 
 sons of Centre county, is a most distinguished 
 resident of Snow Shoe. He is a man of pro- 
 gressive ideas, fine attainments, high minded, 
 who has made the most of his opportunities in 
 life, and is recognized as one of the leading and 
 representative citizens of the community. 
 
 Mr. Holt was born September 28, 1828, in 
 the village which is still his home, a son of Squire 
 John and Mary (Harbison) Holt, the former of 
 whom was a lifelong farmer. He was the first 
 child to whom the ordinance of baptism was ad- 
 ministered in that place. His education was 
 acquired mainly in the local schools, his early 
 teachers being Samuel Baker, Miss Woodward, 
 Jesse Comley, Daniel Irvin and R. Ephraim Will- 
 iams. He learned rapidly, at the age of fourteen 
 began hearing classes in different studies, and 
 three years later was given a teacher's certificate. 
 For some time he taught vocal music. Before 
 attaining his majority he went to Blair county, 
 Penn., where he learned engineering, but not 
 liking the occupation, he gave it up two years 
 later, and has since given his attention to the 
 lumber business and farming. At the time of 
 
86 
 
 COMMESfnHA TIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 the Johnstown flood he was a member of the firm 
 of J. H. Holt <.V Co., lumber dealers on the Sus- 
 quehanna, and their losses at that time, in mill 
 and lumber at Belford station, between Kart- 
 haus and Sinnamahoning in Clearfield counts, 
 amounted to $20,000. 
 
 On April 5, 1 S 5 2 , Mr. Holt was united in 
 marriage with Miss Letitia T. Askey, who was 
 born in Clinton county, Penn., in [831, and died 
 in January, 1 894. They became the parents of 
 the following children: Oscar, a coal miner, re- 
 siding in Snow Shoe township, Centre county; 
 Ida, deceased wife of John R. Gilliland, who is 
 now filling some official position at Washington, 
 1 ' C. ; John Edgar, an extensive lumber merchant 
 of Northumberland, Penn., who married Alice 
 Gardner; Frank H., who is a noted marksman, 
 and is now superintendent of a sawmill at 
 Panthers Run, Centre county; Laura, deceased 
 wife of William Loveland, also deceased, who was 
 proprietor of an axe factory in Lamar, Clinton 
 Co., Penn.; Samuel and Wilber H., both con- 
 tractors, of Panthers Run; and Harry, who is 
 attending the Sunbury Commercial College. 
 For his second wife Mr. Holt, on January 9, 
 1896, married Miss Mary H. Denlinger, a native 
 of White Hall, Cumberland Co., Penn., and a 
 daughter of Prof. David and Mary A. (Diffendal) 
 Denlinger, natives of Lancaster and Cumberland 
 counties, respectively. Her paternal grand- 
 father, Jacob Denlinger, was a farmer of Lancas- 
 ter county, where he spent his entire life. Abra- 
 ham and Elizabeth 1 ' Washmood) Diffendal. the 
 maternal grandparents, were also natives of the 
 Keystone State, the former born in Adams county, 
 and the lattt r in Cumberland county. 
 
 Prof. David Denlinger spent his entire life as a 
 teacher, following that profession up to within a 
 week of his death, which occurred March 26, 
 [892, when he was seventy years of age. He 
 was the principal of White Hall Academy, which 
 he founded, and conducted for seventeen years. 
 It was later converted into the Soldiers' Orphan 
 School, which he disposed of in 1865, and next 
 had charge ol the Union Seminar} al New Berlin, 
 Penn., for five years. During the following six 
 years he was principal of the Cedar Hill Semi- 
 nal', at Mt. Joy, Penn., winch position he re- 
 signed in 1879, and then went to Manchester, Md., 
 where he became principal and proprietor ol the 
 Ii \ ing Institute, whi< n h inducted 
 
 up to the time of his death. He was a distin- 
 guished professor, with remarkable ability as an 
 instructor, and the schools which he conducted 
 took high rank among the educational institu- 
 tions "I the kind. 
 
 Mis. Denlinger 1- still living, at the age of 
 
 seventy years, and now makes her home with 
 her surviving children. A brief record of the 
 family is as follows: Anna E. died at the 
 age of five years; Mary H. is the wife of our sub- 
 ject; John W. has for the past twenty years been 
 a leading attorney of Lancaster, Penn. ; Austin 
 F. is a practicing physician of Lansford, Penn. ; 
 Lillie D. is the wife of Walter Snyder, a mer- 
 chant of Pottsville, Penn. ; David W. is private 
 secretary for the general superintendent of the 
 freight department of the Central railroad, with 
 headquarters at Mauch Chunk, Penn. ; Clara B. 
 is the wife of Howell Souder, of Tamaqua, 
 Penn., who is stenographer and private secretary 
 of W. D. Zehner, general superintendent of the 
 Lehigh Coal & Navigation Co.; Laura K. is 
 residing in Tamaqua; and Alice I. is the wife of 
 Howard Ring, a farmer of Baltimore county, 
 Maryland. 
 
 Mr. Holt has ever taken a prominent part in 
 public affairs, is a recognized leader of the Dem- 
 ocratic party in his community, and has repre- 
 sented Centre county four years in the State 
 Legislature. He has also filled many minor offi- 
 including those of clerk of election, which 
 he held nine years, school director, thirty-three 
 )ears, and justice of the peace, one year. For 
 a great many years, in connection with his lumber 
 trade, he engaged in surveying. He is now serv- 
 ing as president of the Salt Lick Gas Co., of 
 which A. C. Hechendorf is secretary and treas- 
 urer. He is now endeavoring to secure a large 
 fortune left in England by the Holt family, 
 which amounts to millions of dollars. Since at- 
 taining his majority he has affiliated with the 
 Masonic fraternity, now belonging to the Blue 
 Lodge and Chapter of Bellefonte; for the past 
 twenty-five years he has been an elder in the 
 Presbyterian Church, of which he is a consistent 
 and active member. Mr. Holt is a genial, court- 
 eous gentleman, a pleasant, entertaining com- 
 panion, and has many stanch and admiring friends 
 among all classes of men. As an energetic, up- 
 right and conscientious business man, and a gen- 
 tleman ol attractive social qualities, he stand 
 high in the estimation of the entire community. 
 
 WILLIAM A. BUCKHOUT, M. S. , pj 
 sor of botanj and horticulture at The 
 Penns} Kama Si Centre county, was 
 
 born at Oswego, N. Y.. December26, 1846. He 
 attended the public schools of that place until 
 ; In [866 he entered the second class of 
 cultural College, from which institution he 
 was graduated in [868, and that year returned to 
 engage in post-graduate study of botany From 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 87 
 
 1869 to 1 87 1 he was occupied in farming at Os- 
 wego, N. Y. In the latter year he returned to 
 Agricultural College, and was engaged as in- 
 structor in natural science, and later was elected 
 professor of the same. In 1888 he was ap- 
 pointed, by the Governor, a member of the State 
 Forestry Commission. 
 
 On July 12, 1876, Prof. Buckhout was mar- 
 ried to Miss Mary L. Harkness, of Philadelphia, 
 and their children are: Albert T., Nathan W., 
 William H., Margaret \V. and Carolyn Reed. 
 
 Prof. Buckhout is the botanist of the Agri- 
 cultural Experiment Station of the College, where 
 a farm of one hundred acres is devoted to experi- 
 ments upon crops, soils, etc., the results of which 
 experiments are published in bulletins and dis- 
 tributed free by the Station. 
 
 IJILLIAM FOKSMAN HOLT, a wealthy 
 mine operator residing at Philipsburg, is 
 a leading spirit in the varied activities of the com- 
 munity. His family has been prominent in this 
 section from the days when the unbroken forests 
 marked the "frontier line," and Col. John Holt, 
 who settled in Bald Eagle Valley in 1782, is said 
 to have been the first white man who followed 
 the Indian trail to Snow Shoe to hunt game. 
 
 To go back to the origin of the family in 
 America we find from Gilliland's sketches of the 
 Snow Shoe region that a son of Sir John Holt, 
 of England, emigrated to the New World and set- 
 tled in the Cumberland Valley before the Revolu- 
 tion. It is supposed that he was killed by the 
 Indians, as he was never heard from after leaving 
 home for a business trip to Philadelphia. He 
 left a son, Thomas, and two daughters, who were 
 among the first settlers at Lewistown, Penn. 
 Thomas Holt had four sons and three daughters. 
 Of the sons, William, the ancestor of Judge Holt, 
 postmaster-general during President Buchanan's 
 administration, migrated to Kentucky; James 
 was killed by Indians; Thomas went to Ohio, and 
 John was the settler in Bald Eagle Valley, the 
 love of hunting leading him to enter the Snow 
 Shoe region, and it was his custom to spend a 
 few weeks in the fall of each year in this pastime. 
 He gained his title of "colonel " in the Revolu- 
 tionary war, and took part in several battles, 
 among them being the engagement at German- 
 town. He died in the summer of 1831 in his 
 seventy-sixth year. Eight children survived: 
 four sons — Thomas, James, John, Robert — and 
 four daughters — Mary (who married Jacob Barn- 
 hart), Elizabeth (Mrs. Henry Barnhart), Jane 
 (wife of Frederick Antis), and Nancy (Mrs. James 
 Patterson). 
 
 John Holt, our subject's grandfather, married 
 Mary Harbison, daughter of John Harbison, an 
 Englishman, who settled at Milesburg in the 
 early days, and whose numerous descendants are 
 among leading people of the locality as members 
 of the Baird, Holt, Swanzy, and McKibbin fami- 
 lies and others equally well known. Mrs. Mary 
 Holt was a woman of more than ordinary mental 
 powers, while her devoted Christian life and sym- 
 pathetic care for the sick and afflicted, whether 
 rich or poor, won the esteem of all who knew 
 her. John Holt and his wife were both natives 
 of Bald Eagle Valley, and it was not until the 
 spring of 1822 that he located in the Snow Shoe 
 region, being the third settler there. He selected 
 for his home a picturesque and fertile tract of 
 land about a mile equidistant from Betchtol and 
 Askey, and engaged in farming and lumbering. 
 His life was one of great usefulness, and he was 
 universally respected, being frequently called upon 
 to serve in township offices, including that of 
 justice of the peace, which he held for many 
 years. His wife died July 9, 1867, at the age of 
 seventy-two, and November 23, 1869, he breathed 
 his last at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Hugh- 
 ey, in Princeton, 111., while on a visit. His re- 
 mains were brought home and now rest in Snow 
 Shoe Cemetery. This estimable couple reared a 
 family of three daughters, and two sons: Will- 
 iam, our subject's father; and Hon. J. H. Holt, 
 a prominent citizen of this section, at one time a 
 member of the State Legislature. 
 
 William Holt was born in Bald Eagle Valley. 
 He married Mary Forsman, a native of White 
 Deer Valley, Lycoming Co., Penn., and daugh- 
 ter of William Forsman, a lumberman, and his 
 wife, Eliza (Buchannan), who were both born in 
 that locality, coming to Centre county in the 
 pioneer days, but later moving to Illinois, where 
 they spent their last days. William Holt set- 
 tled in Snow Shoe township, Centre county, in 
 1822, and was prominently connected with the 
 development of his locality as a farmer and lum- 
 berman. He was the only person who was 
 killed in the accident on the Snow Shoe railroad, 
 June 1 1, 1878. As he was on his way to a po- 
 litical meeting the train, a local freight with a 
 coach attached, broke through a trestle and fell 
 sixty- four feet. His death was a great blow to 
 his family, and caused sincere mourning through- 
 out the community. He belonged to the Ma- 
 sonic order, and was a Knight Templar. His 
 widow now resides at Philipsburg. They had 
 the following children: Sue is the deceased wife 
 of Capt. John Gillen, lieutenant of the Watch 
 in the Patent Office, at Washington, D. C. ; Isa- 
 bella, widow of C. G. Hirlinger, resides in Phil- 
 
88 
 
 riiMM/:\/(,i;.\ TIVK HiniuiAl'lllcA I. IISOOBD. 
 
 ipsburg; Charles H. is a successful physician at 
 Grand Rapids, Mich ; William I is mentioned 
 more fully below . < lara died at the age of eij 
 een; Sarah M. died when three years old; Lida 
 married Frank Whitman, a merchant at Pied- 
 mont, W. Va , Mm,] married Harry McD. Lo- 
 rain, of Philipsburg, and died in February, i8< 
 Norman A is a storekeeper at the Snow Shoe 
 mine. 
 
 W. F. Holt, the subject | t this sketch, 
 
 was born at the old homestead in Snow Shoe 
 township, Centre county, December 14, il 
 and there his youth was mainly spent, his ele- 
 mentary education being supplemented by a 
 course of study during 1874 and 1 S 7 3 iii the 
 Normal School at Millersville, Lancaster Co., 
 Penn. At his father's death he was appointed 
 administrator of the estate, and at present he is 
 the attorney for the estate. Until [892 he was 
 engaged in the lumber business; but since that 
 date his time has been occupied with his exten- 
 sive coal operations. In June, 1S94, he organ- 
 ized the Snow Shoe Mining Co . of which M. I). 
 Kelley has since become president, with T. B. 
 Budinger, treasurer, and which he as manager 
 has successfully conducted The mine has a ra- 
 lly of from 250 to 300 tons per day. 
 Mi. Holt has an interest in the old home- 
 stead, and at times resides there. He has never 
 married. Socially, he is prominent, and he be- 
 longs to Bellefonte Lodge, F. iv A. M , and Mo- 
 shannon Commandery, K. I . , of which he is at 
 the present tune E C. In politics he is a Dem- 
 ocrat. 
 
 €LEMENT DA LI-:, of Bellefonte, in whom is 
 worthily represented the fourth generation 
 of a family that has reflected honor to citizen- 
 ship and credit to the name for upward of a 
 hundred years in Centre county, is the son of 
 Christian and Eliza (Neff) Dale. 
 
 Clement Dale was born on his father's farm 
 at Oak Hall, Centre county, February 25, 1851, 
 
 and on the farm where his father and all of his 
 
 children were born, and where now reside chil- 
 dren of the fifth generation, who likewise were 
 born there. Until the age of twelve years he at- 
 tended the public schools id the neighborhood, 
 then a private school at Rev Dr. Hammil's, a 
 neighbor; at the age of sixteen he went to the 
 Boalsburf,' Academy, and was there prepared for 
 college under the tuition of G. W Leisher, 
 working ad interim on his father's farm, who 
 taught his children habits of industry and econ- 
 omy, as well as to direct their lives into chain, els 
 that would lead to usefulness and honor, in the 
 various walks of life In the fall of 1 870 young 
 
 Dale entered the Freshman class of Pennsylvania 
 (Ollege, at Gettysburg, and was graduated in a 
 1 lissical course in June, 1^74. After his gradu- 
 ation he came to Bellefonte, read law in the 
 office of Judge Furst, and was admitted to the 
 Bai \ 1S76. He immediately opened 
 
 an office in Bellefonte. on the site of the build- 
 ing he now occupies, and in which he has contin- 
 
 1 to conduct the practice of the law from that 
 day to this. Mr. Dale, though only in middle 
 life, with years of service ahead of him. has al- 
 ready attained success, not only financially, but 
 man and citizen. His life has been an ex- 
 emplary one, always in the line of right in all 
 questions pertaining to the elevation of the 
 morals of the community in which he has lived. 
 \ member of the Lutheran Church, he has ever 
 taken a great interest in the cause of Christian- 
 itv. and given much time and contributed largely 
 t,, the upbuilding of his Church in Bellefonte, 
 in the service of which he has labored as a Sab- 
 bath-school teacher and superintendent, and the 
 policy of which Church at large he has helped to 
 shape. He was twice chosen a delegate to the 
 General Synod of the Lutheran Church of the 
 United Spates of America, the first time when it 
 met in June, 1881, at Altoona, Penn., and the 
 second time in June. 1895, at Hagerstown, Md. 
 This honor was conferred by the District Synod, 
 comprising the counties of Centre, Clinton, Un- 
 ion, Mifflin, Juniata and Perry. He is at pres- 
 ent a trustee in his home Church; a director in 
 the Theological Seminary at Gettysburg; and 
 also a trustee of the Bellefonte Academy. 
 
 Mr. Dale has been active in politics, and has 
 contributed largely to the success of the Repub- 
 lican part)' in Centre county, having been an 
 available speaker and worker during the cam- 
 paigns In 1 <S~7 he received the nomination of 
 the Republican party for the office of District 
 Attorney, and was paid the following compli- 
 ment by the press 
 
 " We favor the election of Mr. Dale because 
 we believe he is the best fitted for the position. 
 He is a rising lawyer at our Bar, and, what is 
 important, he is honest — no money which may 
 pass through his hands will be misappropriated. 
 His record is pure and spotless, and, if he is 
 elected, every citizen may feel confident that no 
 defalcation will arise through any negligence or 
 want of honesty on his part. 
 
 •• Mr Dale is so well known in the county 
 that no word of recommendation that we can 
 utter can add anything to his popularity. He 
 bel mgs to one of the oldest and most respectable 
 families m our midst, was born here, as were also 
 his father and grandfather before him. He is a 
 
^xLcool^/1 ck)-aA/ 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 89 
 
 young man of untarnished reputation, a thorough 
 scholar, a reliable and trustworthy gentleman, 
 and, i£ elected to the office to which his friends 
 aspire to elevate him, will make one of the most 
 efficient officers this county ever had. With 
 such a candidate in the field, it would seem as 
 though his success ought not to be a question of 
 doubt. There is no candidate yet mentioned by any 
 man or party that offers a cleaner record, a more 
 honorable .name, or who, if elected, would re- 
 flect more honor or more credit upon the people 
 whom he serves." 
 
 In 1880 Mr. Dale was elected by a decided 
 majority to the office of Chief Burgess of Belle- 
 fonte, and very acceptably to the people and with 
 credit to himself, served the borough in that 
 capacity. For ten years he had been the City 
 Solicitor of Bellefonte, which long term of serv- 
 ice is of itself a sufficient evidence of his capa- 
 bility and popularity. Having descended from 
 Revolutionary stock, he belongs to a patriotic 
 family, having lost one brother in the Civil war, 
 and had another who distinguished himself and 
 added honor to the family name in that struggle. 
 Mr. Dale, himself, was but a lad at that time, 
 too young for service, but for the last decade or 
 more there has hardly passed a Decoration Day 
 that his voice has not been heard proclaiming 
 the heroism and sacrifice made by the "boys in 
 blue." Our subject is a self-made man, and to 
 him is due the position in life he occupies — a 
 useful citizen and a lawyer whose energy, integ- 
 rity, ability and honorable life adorn his pro- 
 fession. 
 
 On May 15, 1884, Mr. Dale was married to 
 Miss Sarah Davis Wilt, of Philadelphia, and 
 their children are: Mary Edith, born February 
 28, 1886, died suddenly in Philadelphia, June 
 22, 1889; Arthur Clement, born September 24, 
 1889; and Marion Ethel, born September 6, 
 1 89 1. Mrs. Dale is a native of Allegheny, Penn., 
 a daughter of Benjamin and Susannah H. (Dobbs) 
 Wilt, natives of Blair and Butler counties, Penn., 
 respectively. When a child of five years of age, 
 Benjamin Wilt's parents, George and Margaret 
 Ann (Kuhns) Wilt, moved to the vicinity of Kit- 
 tanning, in Armstrong county, Penn., and there 
 passed their lives; both were born in Blair coun- 
 ty. Mrs. Dale's grandparents on her mother's 
 side were Francis Dobbs and Sarah (Davis) 
 Dobbs, the former a native of Ohio, and the 
 latter of Lancaster county, Penn. After their 
 marriage they lived at Kittanning. Originally the 
 Wilts and Kuhns were from Germany, and the 
 Dobbses and Davises from England. The chil- 
 dren of Benjamin Wilt and wife were: Sarah 
 Davis; Mary E., deceased; Lemuel and Edwin 
 
 M. The father was for many years a merchant 
 at Kittanning, and during Mrs. Dale's childhood 
 moved to Philadelphia, where he also engaged in 
 business, and where he was reared and educated. 
 He died in 1888. 
 
 CHRISTIAN DALE (I), the progenitor of 
 ^Jl the Dale family here in Centre county, came 
 to this country, arriving at Philadelphia, in 1749. 
 Ludwig Derr, in 1772, owned the tract of 
 land on which Lewisburg now stands, and that 
 year Christian Dale was living on that part of 
 the land known in 1877 as Col. Slifer's upper 
 farm near the iron bridge, which place Dale 
 cleared in 1772. He resided in Buffalo Valley, 
 in which he was one of the first settlers, during 
 the stirring times of the Revolution. In 1790 he 
 removed to the end of Nittany Mountain, now 
 College township, Centre county, where in 1796 
 he built a gristmill and sawmill. He was one of 
 those sterling old Germans to whom Pennsyl- 
 vania owed so much, and whose walk in life was 
 measured by the rule: "Be just and fear not". 
 He died in July, 1805, at the age of seventy-two 
 years ; his wife Rachel passed away in Decem- 
 ber, 1808, aged seventy-six years, and their 
 remains rest in the old Dale burying ground on 
 the hill back of Lemont. These pioneers came 
 to a vast wilderness, poor, and died at a ripe old 
 age, comparatively wealthy, leaving to their 
 children fine farms, and the inheritance of 
 names made noble by a long life of toil and 
 hardship. Their children were: Henry, Philip, 
 Felix, Frederick, Christian, Cornelius, Mary 
 (wife of Nicholas Straw, a soldier of the Revolu- 
 tion), Eve (wife of Peter Earhart), and Rachel 
 (wife of Lewis Swinehart). Of these. Christian 
 and Frederick moved to Ohio ; the descendants 
 of the others are living in Centre county — they 
 are quite numerous and have always been exem- 
 plary citizens. Henry Dale, the eldest child, 
 was born in Northampton county, in 1758. He 
 was a soldier with Washington at Trenton and 
 Princeton, in 1776-77, and served in militia 
 tours under Capt. Forster, of Buffalo Valley. On 
 November 19, 1787, he married Rebecca 
 Weberin, and their children were: Samuel, born 
 November 23, 1788 ; Henry, born November 17, 
 1793 ; and John, born November 25, 1797. His 
 
 second wife was Phillena , whom he 
 
 married April 22, 1804 ; she died September II, 
 1836. The children by this union were : 
 Christian, born December 20, 1806, and Henry 
 (2), born April 2, 181 3. The father of these 
 children died in the vicinity of Oak Hall March 
 14, 1844, aged eighty-six years. The gun, pow- 
 
90 
 
 ' "U.VKMOUA Tl YE MOCHA I'HKA I. llEroiil). 
 
 der-horn and fork, carried by him in the Revolu- 
 tionary war, are in the possession of Clement 
 Dale, Esq., <>f Bellefonte. 
 
 Christian Dale (3), son of Henry Dale, died at 
 his home near Oak Hall, November 7, 1885. 
 His birth occurred December 20, 1806. His an- 
 cestors had bought a large tract of land, which 
 they cleared and converted into several la 
 farms. Christian Dale (3) often said to his 
 children and others, that he well remembered 
 when there was no land cleared between Le- 
 incjiit and Bellefonte except a small piece where 
 William Grove lived in 1885 — a short distal 
 from Lemont. By strict integrity and close 
 economy Mr. Dale accumulated a large amount 
 of wealth, and his personal influence was of the 
 purest, and extended all over this section of the 
 country. He had a memory stored with more 
 unwritten or traditional history than, perhaps, 
 any other man in Centre county. He often re- 
 marked to his children that where he used to 
 play when a child there he saw bis grandchildren 
 play, meaning more particularly at a beautiful 
 spring of sparkling water, that finds its way from 
 the ground near the old homestead. He took 
 great delight ingathering his children, as well as 
 grandchildren, around him, and relating incidents 
 of early and pioneer life. Many an incident was 
 related by the venerable old man that will be re- 
 membered through life by those who listened. 
 In politics he was a Republican, and in [883 was 
 the nominee of the party (or the office of associ- 
 ate judge. His popularity in the county was 
 evidenced by the large vote he polled. He re- 
 reived the vote oi man} Democrats who full well 
 knew him to be a man eminently qualified in 
 e> ery respect for such an impi irtant county of 1 
 He was a consistent member ol tin- Lutheran 
 Church from youth up, and always contributed 
 freely toward all religious and charitable pur- 
 poses. The high esteem in which he was held 
 by all who knew him could not be more forcibly 
 manifested than by the large number of friends 
 that attended the funeral, which was one of the 
 largest in thai part of the county for man) \ 
 Mr. Dale was described as "a tall, portly, gray- 
 haired old gentleman, and as fine a type oi man- 
 hood as one can well imagine." On |une 20, 
 [826, Mr. Dale was married to Hannah Shoene- 
 berger, who died April 7, 1844, in hei fortieth 
 
 u Their children were: Susan, born April 
 
 1827, married John Musser, of near Filmore; 
 
 Henry, horn Novembei 9, 1S2K. deceased; 
 
 < ieorge, born August 1,1 831, resides near Lemont; 
 
 William J., horn June 22, 1833, lives near Pleas- 
 ant Gap; Christian, bom October 6, 1835, is 
 deceased; Solomon, born October 21, 1 S ^ 7 , 
 
 served in the Civil war in Company A, 148th P. 
 V. I., and was lost at the battle of Spottsyl- 
 vania Court House, May 12, 1864; Mary C., born 
 October 1, 1839; Catherine married John Musser, 
 Jr.; Philip S., born May 31. 1842, resides near 
 Oak Hall; and Martin L. and Margaret L. 
 twins), born April 3, 1844. By a second mar- 
 riage, this time to Eliza Neff, there were born: 
 Austin W ., who is now living on the old home- 
 stead; Alfred A., born July 29, 1849, of Belle- 
 fonte; and Clement, born February 25, 1851. 
 The mother of these died November 4, 1874, in 
 the sixty-second year of her age. 
 
 Capt. Christian Dale (4), son of Christian (3^, 
 whose death occurred at his home in Benner 
 township, on December 1, 1895, in the sixty- 
 first year of his age, like his ancestor of the 
 Revolution, was a patriot. He was born and 
 raised on the old homestead, where he worked 
 through the summer season, and taught school 
 during the winters. On the breaking out of the 
 Civil war, he offered his services to his country, 
 enlisting at Boalsburg, and was made fourth cor- 
 poral Company G, 49th P. V. I. On January 1 1, 
 1863, he was transferred to Company C, and 
 promoted to sergeant. On December 24, 1863, 
 he re-enlisted as a veteran; on March 4, 1864, he 
 was commissioned a second lieutenant, and De- 
 cember 18, following, was promoted to first lieu- 
 tenant. On May 17, 1864, he received a shell 
 wound, and on [une 9, 1865, he became captain 
 of Companv II. He participated in every en- 
 gagement in which his regiment took part, and 
 his record was a brilliant and daring one through- 
 out the war. At the close of the war he re- 
 turned with the regiment, and, coming home, re- 
 sumed the life of a farmer. He started a grist- 
 mill on his place near Pleasant dap, which was 
 known as Logan Mills. For many years Capt. 
 Dale was secretary ol the Centre County Fire 
 Insurance Company, P. of II. He was a mem- 
 ber of the Union Veterans Legion No. 59, of 
 Bellefonte, and was their colonel in 1894; he 
 was also a member of Post No. 95, G. A. R.,of 
 Bellefonte. Capt, Dale was a man of firm de- 
 cision of character, and took a common-sense 
 view of everything. He had a kind word for 
 everybody, poor or rich, and was a Christian 
 man. His wife, who was Catherine Musser, and 
 whom he married in 1867, preceded him to the 
 . dying in 1 890. 
 Henry Dale, a brother of the Captain, died 
 at his home at Oak Hall in 1896. He was born 
 at the Dale homestead November 9, 1828, and 
 throughout lite was one of the county's most 
 successful farmers. He took a deep interest in 
 the Patrons of Husbandry, of which he was an 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 91 
 
 influential member. He belonged to the Lu- 
 theran Church of Boalsburg, and was one of its 
 main supporters and pillars. He was an honest, 
 upright Christian gentleman, highly honored and 
 respected by a large circle of friends. He left, 
 surviving him, a widow and four children, namely: 
 Charles is a farmer near Lemont; Catherine M. 
 is residing at Centre Hall; Alice is the wife of 
 H. F. McGirk, of Altoona; and Miss Anna M. 
 is at home. 
 
 Austin W. Dale was born April 22, 1847, at 
 the Dale homestead near Oak Hall, where he is 
 now residing occupied in farming. He was mar- 
 ried, in 1868, to Catherine Keller, a daughter of 
 David Keller, of Boalsburg, and the children 
 born to the marriage were: Luther K., April 
 20, 1870; Clement G., October 8, 1871; Chris- 
 tian K. (deceased), December 14, 187-; Mar- 
 garet E. , April 3, 1878, died January 20, 1879; 
 and Ellen E., January 10, 1880. The mother 
 of these died March 29, 1883, in her thirty- 
 fourth year, and September 25, 1884, Mr. Dale 
 was married to Rachel E. Meyer, who was born 
 August 8, 1847, a daughter of Henry and Cath- 
 erine (Hoffer) Meyer, of near Boalsburg. Henry 
 Meyer was a son of Henry Meyer, Sr. 
 
 Alfred A. Dale, a well-known attorney at 
 Bellefonte, where he has been engaged in the prac- 
 tice of law for nearly a quarter of a century, 
 was born and reared on his father's farm, where 
 his early years and young manhood was passed 
 not unlike that of the general farmer's son. His 
 early schooling was received in the common 
 schools of the neighborhood, and in a private 
 school held on the Dr. Hammil homestead. He 
 was prepared for college at the Boalsburg Acade- 
 my, and was graduated from Pennsylvania Col- 
 lege, Gettysburg, in 1874. Immediately after- 
 ward he began the study of the law, under the late 
 D. S. Keller, of Bellefonte, and was admitted to 
 the Bar of Centre county at the August term of 
 court, in 1876 "Al Dale," as he is familiarly 
 called, has taken quite an active part in politics, 
 and in 1892 was one of the Republican nominees 
 for the General Assembly; but with the rest of 
 that ticket he was defeated at the election in the 
 Democratic land-slide of that year. The home 
 paper in commenting on Mr. Dale's nomination 
 said: "In A. A. Dale the voters of Centre 
 county have a man whose ancestors were among 
 the very earliest settlers of Centre county. Mr. 
 Dale was born here, raised on the farm, and 
 always took a deep interest and active part in all 
 that pertained to the best interests of the county. 
 He is, without doubt, one of the best qualified 
 men for the Legislature that has been nominated 
 in the county for years." 
 
 EOBERT McCAY FOSTER was born No- 
 vember 14, i860, at the old Foster home- 
 stead, State College, Penn. He is a son of Capt. 
 Robert M. Foster, who was born in Union county, 
 in 1826, where he grew to manhood, and married 
 Miss Delilah Smith, a descendant of a well- 
 known German family, of Snyder county. 
 
 Soon after his marriage, Capt. Foster pur- 
 chased a tract of land, about 130 acres, adjoin- 
 ing the lands owned by State College, and settled 
 down to agricultural pursuits. He was a devout 
 Presbyterian, and in his political affiliation he 
 was a Democrat, patriotic to the core, and pos- 
 sessing the qualities which fitted a man for 
 leadership. The war of the Rebellion called him 
 from his private life to serve in defense of the 
 government. He raised Company C, 148th Reg- 
 iment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, of which he 
 was commissioned captain, and so distinguished 
 himself by his gallant conduct, that at the battle 
 of Gettysburg he held the rank of acting colonel. 
 On the second day of that momentous struggle, 
 while in charge of his command, in the wheat 
 field, he met a soldier's death. His widow died 
 December 27, 1895, and both lie buried in 
 Branch Cemetery, State College, Pennsylvania. 
 
 Robert M. Foster was the youngest of six 
 children, of whom Thomas and William are now 
 engaged in the wholesale grocery business, in 
 Philadelphia, three daughters having died in in- 
 fancy. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was very early in 
 life thrown upon his own resources, but with a 
 noble mother's care, and by his own industry and 
 economy, managed to get a good public-school 
 education, and finally in 1878 entered Pennsyl- 
 vania State College. After completing his course, 
 he accepted the position of bookkeeper for the 
 firm of Smith, Foster & Co., the prominent 
 wholesale grocers of Philadelphia, with whom he 
 is now connected. His knowledge of business, 
 his integrity and faithful services, so endeared 
 him to his firm that, upon the recent death of 
 the senior member, he was honored by being 
 made one of the executors. In 1896 he received 
 nomination for member of the House of Repre- 
 sentatives. The campaign of that year was hotly 
 contested, and notwithstanding the Republican 
 nominee for president, Hon. William McKinley, 
 carrying the county by over 400 majority, he, as 
 a candidate on the Democratic ticket, carried the 
 county by 580. His work as a legislator was so 
 pleasing to the G. A. R., that, when the vacancy 
 on the Commission of Soldiers' Orphan Schools 
 was caused by the death of Hon. McCauley Cook, 
 his appointment for this position was requested 
 by them. The Speaker of the House, Hon. H. 
 
92 
 
 cfiM\fh:.\loiiA T1VR BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 K. Hoycr, when making this appointment said 
 that "it gave him much pleasure to do so," 
 owing to the fact that Mr. Foster's father, Capt. 
 Robert M I oster, was killed at the battle of 
 Gettysburg. His Legislative record is above re- 
 proach. His work, pertaining to measures bear- 
 ing upon educational matters, has been very 
 < ommendable. 
 
 In 1893 Mr. Foster was married to Mary Ella 
 Snyder, a daughter of Thompson A. Snyder, a 
 retin-d engineer and veteran of the Civil war. 
 They have one son, Robert M Foster, Jr In 
 private life Mr. Foster is very domestic. His 
 home is, at all times, open to his friends, of 
 whom he has many He is popular among all 
 
 rous to the fault, and a native of 
 
 the place. It is his pride to be must honored 
 where he is best known, and, as his influi 1 
 has extended, none have given him mure heart}' 
 esteem and appreciation than the people who 
 have watched his progress from boyhood. 
 
 JVMES HAMILTON This venerable Chris- 
 tian gentleman, and esteemed citizen of Belle- 
 
 fonte, who has lived a score or more of years t 
 beyond man's allotted time on earth, and who is 
 probably the oldest native citizen of Cento 
 county now living — at the age of ninety-three 
 years— is residing in a comfortable home made 
 happy by the presence of the good wife an 
 octogenarian the two passing the evening of 
 their lives amid plenty and in the enjoyment of 
 good health. At this writing (January 4, 1898), 
 Mr. Hamilton is in reasonable health for a man 
 of his age, and, as has been his usual habit, he 
 has just completed making presents to his wife, 
 children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. 
 
 Mr. Hamilton's parents were Joseph and 
 Rachel (Carr) Hamilton, the parents of both of 
 whom came from Ireland and settled in Centre 
 county some time in the latter part of the 
 eighteenth century. Joseph Hamilton was a son 
 of a sea captain, and was only a boy when 
 brought to America by his mother, and 1>\ trade 
 became a shoemaker The grandfather of our 
 subject on his mother's side was James Carr, a 
 farmer in the vicinity of Pine Grove. Our sub- 
 ject was the only child of Joseph Hamilton; the 
 mothei was twice married, her second husband 
 being John Morris, whom she married when 
 young Hamilton was small, so that Mr Morris is 
 the only father that he remembers Bj the 
 were born: Wharton, [onathan, 
 Reuben, Elizabeth. Margarel and Jane. Winn 
 James was a mere lad Mi Morris met with an 
 
 ident by which he was crippled, so from 
 
 necessity he early began to labor and assist in 
 the support of the family, receiving his schooling 
 at intervals in the subscription schools of his 
 neighborhood as best he could. At the time ol 
 his birth April 4, 1804) his parents were living 
 about a mile west of Pine Grove, on what is now 
 the Ross farm. Subsequently they removed 
 11 to Dunlop's, and at the age of six or eight 
 years the lad, James, entered the employ oi 
 
 - & Boyer, then operating Logan Forge 
 and Furnace, as successors of John Dunlop. He 
 began by sifting iron with a hand riddle, which 
 occupation he followed four years at 30 cents a 
 day, commencing his work before sunrise and 
 continuing until sundown. From the age ol 
 thirteen until he was nineteen he worked at 
 Stops Gap, driving team, or working at whatever 
 he could do, and during this time he had the 
 advantage of three months' schooling, at ni^ht 
 only. In 1815 the iron works were leased by the 
 Valentine Brothers, who subsequently, in connec- 
 tion with William A. Thomas, purchased them 
 and eidarged them, and with these gentlemen 
 young Hamilton remained employed at the 
 works, rising step by step until he became their 
 manager at the Furnace. While with both these 
 men he was regular in his business habits — not 
 losing a day's time in upward of sixteen years; 
 learned habits of industry and economy, was 
 courteous, kind and affable to all, which made 
 him a popular and useful citizen, and led the 
 way to the success in life he has attained. He 
 received $300 a year, and boarded with George 
 and Abram Valentine. From his savings early 
 in the " forties'' he purchased two hundred acres 
 of land of George Meese, the father of John 
 Meese, a merchant of Bellefonte; some twenty or 
 more acres were cleared and under fence, and on 
 it was the stone house built by George Meese in 
 1SJ4. Here Mr. Hamilton retired and led a 
 farmer's life for upward of forty years, when he 
 moved to Bellefonte. He was one of the active 
 men of Pleasant Gap neighborhood in religious 
 matters, and in 1850, when the Methodist Church 
 Society was formed, he and M. P. Weaver were 
 appointed a building committee for erecting a 
 house of worship. Subsequently, in 1875, a new 
 church edifice was built costing some $3,000, 
 which later became the property of the two gen- 
 tlemen above named. 
 
 In January, 1 84 1 , Mr. Hamilton was united 
 in marriage with Hannah Waddle, a native of 
 Centre county, born at Rock Forge April 26, 
 1S17, a daughter of Thomas and Hannah (Ben- 
 ner) Waddle, and to the union were born: 
 Abram V. married < atherine Marton; Sarah mar- 
 
 I l> Satterfield, now deceased; Laura is 
 
JAMES HAMILTON 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 93 
 
 the wife of Capt. Samuel H. Williams, promi- 
 nent in business circles of Bellefonte; Merrilla 
 married William Dawson; and Mary is the wife 
 of John Noll; all are residents of Bellefonte. 
 Mr. Morris, stepfather of our subject, died about 
 
 1824, and the former's wife, whose declining 
 years were made pleasant and comfortable by the 
 son, James, died near the end of the year 1865. 
 
 Mrs. Hannah (Waddle) Hamilton descended 
 from one of the many prominent families of Cen- 
 tre county. Her maternal grandfather, Gen. 
 Philip Benner, and his father before him, were 
 both patriots of the Revolution, the latter being 
 captured and imprisoned. After the Revolution, 
 the General was engaged in the iron business in 
 Chester county, this State, the place of his nativ- 
 ity. He married Ruth Roberts, and in 1792 pur- 
 chased the Rock Forge lands on Spring creek. 
 Centre county, to engage in the iron business, 
 and from that forward until his death was prom- 
 inently identified with that business and the busi- 
 ness interests and property of Centre county. 
 He brought workmen with him from Chester 
 county and commenced his improvements in May, 
 1793, at Rock, erecting a house and sawmill; and 
 in 1794 he erected his first forge, and the first in 
 what is now Centre county, the forge making 
 iron that year. He then erected a gristmill, and 
 in 1799 a slitting mill. In 1800 he built another 
 forge, and afterward added a nailmill, furnace, 
 etc. He was an earnest Democrat, and was 
 twice a Presidential elector. 
 
 Thomas Waddle, the father of Mrs. Hamil- 
 ton, came from Chester county with Gen. Ben- 
 ner; was his bookkeeper and general utility man, 
 married one of his daughters, and passed an act- 
 ive business life, dying in Centre February 25, 
 
 1825, aged forty-eight years. His wife Hannah 
 died April 11, 1854, aged sixty-seven years. Re- 
 ferring to some early surveys of what is now 
 Centre county, a writer says: "The old Wad- 
 dle place is on the survey in the name of Edward 
 Crawford, Warrantee of July 1, 1784. The 
 Waddle farm, owned by Joseph Allender at his 
 death, and sold to Gen. Benner in 1805, was 
 probably one of the oldest settled places on Lo- 
 gan's Branch. Allender bought of Col. Thomas 
 Hartley in 1793." 
 
 The children of Thomas Waddle were nine in 
 number: Ruth B. , married to William Wilson, 
 of Cedar Springs; Eliza; Philip Benner, late of 
 Patton township; Mordecai, late of Spring town- 
 ship, who served as sheriff of Centre county from 
 1854 to 1857; Mary, the wife of Samuel Griffith, 
 of Bellefonte; Hannah, the wife of our subject; 
 Thomas, a resident of Jersey Shore; James; and 
 Sarah, who married Mark Williams; all are now 
 
 deceased excepting Sarah, Mary, Thomas and 
 Hannah; seven were living in 1882. The family 
 was remarkable for longevity of life. Philip Ben- 
 ner Waddle was one of the constituent members 
 of the M. E. Church of Fillmore, organized in 
 1843, at which time he was appointed a class 
 leader, and served as such uninterruptedly fifty- 
 two years. 
 
 Returning to our subject and wife, we will 
 add that they are a remarkable couple — their 
 lives spanning almost a century of an eventful 
 period of the country's history, and a wedded 
 life of fifty-seven years. Hale and hearty for one 
 of his years, father Hamilton retains a face almost 
 free from wrinkles, one that wears a kindly smile 
 for every one. He retains his mental faculties, 
 and both the senses of seeing and hearing are 
 good. He has been almost free from sickness 
 throughout his long life, hardly experiencing an 
 ache or pain. His first Presidential vote was 
 cast for Gen. Jackson. Later he became a Whig 
 and then a Republican. He has been a member 
 of the M. E. Church since 1840. The wife, too, 
 is well preserved, and is as active and sprightly 
 as most women of fifty. She, too, has been 
 identified with the M. E. Church from her early 
 years. 
 
 PROF. LOUIS E. REBER, M. S. The 
 Pennsylvania State College has enlisted in 
 its service a corps of instructors whose intelli- 
 gence and professional skill are an honor to the 
 institution, and their loyalty and devotion to her 
 best interests has brought to a happy realization 
 that noble ideal which has established, in the name 
 of the Commonwealth, the means whereby the 
 pathway to knowledge is made easy of access. 
 Among those who have labored most effectively 
 to build up the college, Prof. Louis E. Reber, 
 Dean of the School of Mechanical Engineering, 
 is deserving of special mention, as it is mainly 
 to his zealous efforts that the department owes 
 its foundation and steadily increasing success. 
 
 Prof. Reber's ancestry on both sides was of 
 German stock; both parents, however, were na- 
 tives of Pennsylvania, the father, Jacob Reber, 
 born in 1809, and the mother, Elizabeth Ehr- 
 hart, in 18 — . Their marriage occurred in Cen- 
 tre county, and here they afterward made their 
 home, in Nittany Valley. The father died in 
 1877, and the mother in 1881. They were suc- 
 cessful farming people. Their children were: 
 Amanda, wife of John H. Beck, a farmer and 
 merchant of Lock Haven, Penn. ; Abigail, wife 
 of John M. Krape, a retired merchant of Salona, 
 Penn. ; William F., who was the Executive clerk 
 
04 
 
 COMMKMORA VIVE BIOGRAPHICAL UFJOHD. 
 
 of Pennsylvania under Gov. Pattison, and now 
 a resident ol Philadelphia; Henrietta, the wife 
 
 ol II II. Walker, of Lock Haven, Penn. ; Mary 
 E., who died at tin- age ol seventeen; ami Louis 
 F... our subject. 
 
 Prof. Reberwas born at Nittany, < entrecoun- 
 
 February 27, 1 s 5 s . in 1 880 he was gradu- 
 ated from The Pennsylvania Stat \llii 
 two year in teaching and further study at 
 that institution, he devoted one year to post- 
 
 luate work at the Massachusetts Institute of 
 Technology. In 1884 he returned to Tin- Penn- 
 sylvania Mate College t" take charge of the de- 
 partment of Mechanii Vrts In 1886 the chair 
 of Mechanical Engineering having been estab- 
 lished, he became Professor of Mechanical En- 
 gineering, a title which, in connection with that 
 of Dean of the School "I Engineering, he still 
 holds. 
 
 Prof. Reber is a member of the American So- 
 ciety of Mechanical Engineers; of the Society of 
 Naval Architects and Marine Engineers; of the 
 American Association for the Advancement of 
 
 nee, and the American Society for the Pro- 
 motion oi Engineering Education. He was com- 
 missioner for tli "f Pennsylvania to the 
 Paris Exposition of 1889, and assistant executive 
 
 nmissioner, in charge of collecting and in- 
 stalling Pennsylvania's Mining Exhibit at the 
 World's Fair in Chicago, and, later, judge of 
 awards in the Machinery Department. 
 
 fON PHILIP E. WOMELSDORF, ex- 
 member of the General Assembly ol the 
 Commonwealth from Centre count}-, and a prom- 
 inent mining engineer, was born in Pottsville, 
 Schuylkill Co . Penn., September 17, 1S59. 
 
 The ancestrj "I the Womelsdorf family on 
 the paternal side emigrated from the province of 
 Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, sometime in the 
 seventeenth century, and founded the beautiful 
 little town of Womelsdorf in Berks county, Penn. 
 From them has descended a large number of the 
 
 mans of that region, who for their great 
 patience, confidence and steadfastness of pur- 
 pose, are distinguishable .is the true types of the 
 Pennsylvania Germans Womelsdorf was laid 
 out in 1762, by John Womelsdorf, and is noted 
 as being one of the points at which the " Father 
 of his Country" stopped — Gen Washington 
 having remained over night there, November 13, 
 1793. On his mother's side, the Mills were 
 Puritans, and the records show that man} of 
 them have won distinction m the Revolutionary 
 war for their loyalty and bravery. Mr Womels- 
 dorf was educated in the common schools of the 
 
 town in which he was born, and was graduated 
 therefrom in June, [876. He then spent one 
 year in a business college, and another in work- 
 ing in the tanneries of Warren county. Early in 
 1S7.S he entered the services of his brother, \ 
 J. Womelsdorf, and the Girard estate in Schuyl- 
 kill county, as a mining engineer, and for four 
 vens worked in a very large number of the great 
 anthracite coal mines of that region, in his pro- 
 
 iion. He came to the bituminous region in 
 1882, operating at Houtzdale, Osceola and Phil- 
 ipsburg, and since that tune he has been inter- 
 ested in the development of the mines of these 
 and other bituminous regions, and is still activel) 
 pursuing that profession. In September, 1894, 
 lie was nominated for the Legislature by the Re- 
 publicans of Centre county, and was elected the 
 same fall. He served the county in this position 
 very creditably to himself and acceptably to Ins 
 constituents. His colleague from the county 
 was the Hon. Harry R. (urtin. Two years 
 later both gentlemen were again nominated for 
 the same position, but were defeated at the elec- 
 tion by the present members of that body, who 
 are Democratic in politics. After their second 
 nomination the press in October, 1896, thus al- 
 luded to them: •• For Assembly our candidates 
 are Harry R. (urtin, of Hoggs township, and P. 
 E. Womelsdorf, of Philipsburg. They have 
 both served one term in the Lower House; they 
 have both been candid, upright and unceasing in 
 the discharge of their legislative duties. Each 
 one has come up to his present position from the 
 ranks of labor. They are both examples of what 
 honest labor, good morals and intelligent action 
 will achieve." 
 
 Mr. Womelsdorf is a man of acknowledged 
 ability, honorable, honest and upright in his deal- 
 ings with his fellow men, and as a recognition of his 
 manly qualities he was elected a member of the 
 town council of Philipsburg. a positionhe held three 
 
 ■ s. On September 21, 1882, our subject was 
 married to Mary A. Bechtel, and their children 
 are Philip Campbell and Frances B. 
 
 V. HOYT, of Philipsburg, Centre county, 
 is an expert civil and mining engineer, and 
 his success demonstrates the wisdom of choosing 
 an occupation that is in line with one's inclina- 
 tions, lb- is of a studious turn of mind, and 
 aside from his scientific work has read extensiveh 
 of the best literature His family, which is of 
 1-I1 origin, has been identified with Clear- 
 field county for many years, his paternal grand- 
 father, with several brothers and sisters, having 
 come from Vermont to Pennsylvania in 1819. 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 95 
 
 Mr. Hoyt was born at Clearfield, Perm., Jan- 
 uary 30, 1 85 1, and his early years were spent at 
 the old home in Clearfield county. At the age 
 of thirteen he accompanied his parents to Osceola 
 and there took advantage of the public schools, 
 preparing for a collegiate course. His bent 
 toward engineering manifested itself with unusual 
 clearness, and in 1865 he began to study in that 
 line. Later he attended St. Francis College, at 
 Loretto, Penn., for two years, and then began 
 practical work in his chosen profession, assisting 
 in railroad surveys. After a time he opened an 
 office in Philipsburg, but in 1875 he went west 
 to engage in professional work in California and 
 Nevada. During his stay of five years on the 
 Pacific coast, for fifteen months he edited the 
 Independent, a weekly newspaper at Cherry 
 Creek, Nev. The price — $10.00 per year or 
 twenty-five cents per copy — would indicate to an 
 Eastern journalist that he had struck a bonanza; 
 but in that land of inflated prices he was able 
 merely to hold his own, and finally sold the paper 
 and went out of the business. Returning to 
 Philipsburg, he resumed his regular work, and 
 has since continued it with signal success. Mr. 
 Hoyt is married and has five children, four girls 
 and one boy: Edwin F. , Mary, Juanita, Joseph- 
 ine and Jenevieve. Mr. Hoyt is racognized as a 
 progressive and scholarly man, being secretary of 
 the Philipsburg Board of Trade. In political 
 faith he is a Republican, and is recognized as one 
 of the active workers of his party. Mr. Hoyt's 
 one brother is in the Government employ under 
 the civil service law, as an architect, and at 
 present writing is U. S. superintendent of con- 
 struction at Little Rock, Arkansas. 
 
 C\OL. JAMES F. WEAVER. The history 
 1 of a State as well as that of a nation is 
 chiefly the chronicle of the lives and deeds of 
 those who have conferred honor and dignity upon 
 society. The world judges the character of a 
 community by that of its representative citizens, 
 and yields its tribute of admiration and respect 
 for the genius, learning or virtues of those whose 
 works and actions constitute the record of a 
 State's prosperity and pride. Among the prom- 
 inent and leading citizens of central Pennsylva- 
 nia is Col. Weaver, whose home is in Boggs 
 township, Centre county. 
 
 A native of that county, he was born in 
 Spring township, November 6, 1830, and is a 
 son of John and Elizabeth (Poorman) Weaver, 
 natives of Dauphin and Centre counties, Penn., 
 respectively. During his early life the father, in 
 company with his brother, Daniel, engaged in 
 
 milling, leasing a mill at Bellefonte in 1808, but 
 his later days were spent in farming in Spring 
 township. He and his brother Daniel erected 
 the stone building on Allegheny street in Belle- 
 fonte, then known as the Centre County Bank, 
 now known as the late residence of R. C. Cur- 
 tin, Esq. During the war of 1812 he was 
 drafted, but sent a substitute. In religious be- 
 lief he was a Presbyterian, and his political sup- 
 port was ever given the Democratic party. He 
 died in 1841, aged fifty-eight years. His wife 
 was called to her final rest in 1847, at the age of 
 sixty-two years. She was the daughter of Mi- 
 chael and Mary A. Poorman, natives of Pennsyl- 
 vania, who early became residents of Centre 
 county, where they spent their remaining days. 
 The paternal grandfather of our subject was 
 John Frederick Weaver. 
 
 The Colonel is one of a family of nine chil- 
 dren, who in order of birth are as follows: Mary 
 A. (widow of W. A. Davidson), residing in Chi- 
 cago; David, who died in 1879; Harriet, who 
 married John P. Harper, but both are now de- 
 ceased; George B , deceased; Michael P., of 
 Centre county; John J., of West Union, Iowa; 
 William, who died when young; and James F., 
 the subject of this sketch. 
 
 When Col. Weaver was but ten years of age, 
 his father died, and Hon. James Gilliland was 
 appointed his guardian; but he continued to live 
 with his mother until the age of sixteen. After 
 reaching that age he was bound out to learn the 
 carpenter's trade; but owing to ill health he was 
 compelled to give it up. He then entered a 
 printing office, with his brother George B., in 
 Clarion county, Penn., and on the completion of 
 his apprenticeship worked at the business in New 
 York, Philadelphia and Baltimore for about a 
 year, after which he returned to Bellefonte, 
 where for the following year he followed mer- 
 chandising. In 1852 he purchased the Centre 
 Democrat, remaining as the editor and proprie- 
 tor of that paper for two years and a half, when 
 he sold out and engaged in mercantile pursuits at 
 Milesburg until after the outbreak of the Civil 
 war. 
 
 On August 8, 1862, Mr. Weaver was com- 
 missioned second lieutenant, by Gov. Curtin, 
 with the power to raise a company, which be- 
 came Company B, of the 148th P. V. I. In 
 September of the same year he was commissioned 
 captain, and subsequently promoted to major, 
 lieutenant-colonel and colonel of the same regi- 
 ment. With the Army of the Potomac he par- 
 ticipated in many of the engagements in which 
 they took part, leading his men on many a 
 Southern battle field. By his gallant service and 
 
'J6 
 
 COMMl-:y<n:.\ TIVK BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 agreeable manner he won the respect of his fel- 
 low officers, and the love and confidence of those 
 under him. The war being ended, he was hon- 
 orably discharged June 8, 1865, mar Alexandria, 
 \a At Poe River, \'a . May 8, [864, he re- 
 ceived a scalp wound, caused by a piece of shell. 
 On returning to his home at Milesburg, he re- 
 sumed merchandising, which he carried on for 
 three years in connection with J. P. Shope, and 
 then sold out to his partner, and purchased his 
 present homestead in Boggs township, where he 
 has since continuously residi d 
 
 On December 23, 1851, Col. Weaver was 
 married to Miss Mary M Hall, who was born at 
 Milesburg, September 25, 1831, a daughter of 
 Thomas M. and Euretta (Roberts) Hall, also na- 
 tives of Centre counts, where they spent their 
 entire lives. By occupation the father was an 
 ironworker. He was elected high sheriff, in 
 1S45, and served as sheriff of the county for 
 three years. He died in 1879 at the age of sev- 
 enty-two years, his wife in 1870 at the age of 
 sixty-nine years. Mrs Weaver is one in a fam- 
 ily of eleven children: James S is deceased; 
 Benjamin R. is a resident of Chicago; Hem*} B 
 is deceased; William T. lives in Milesburg; Dr. 
 George, M. D. , is deceased; Joseph G. lives in 
 Kansas City, Mo.; Mary M. is now Mrs. Weave] , 
 Ellen B., the widow of Joseph Swyers, lives in 
 Howard, Penn.; Elizabeth is the wife of J. T. 
 Reed, Esq., of Williamsport, Penn ; Isabella B. 
 is the wife of J. C. P. Jones, of Milesburg; and 
 Clara is the deceased wife of A. Thompson Hoggs, 
 a merchant of Milesburg. Four children were 
 born to the Colonel and his wife, viz: Eliza- 
 beth, at home; J. Willis and James H., specially 
 mentioned farther on; and one who died in 
 infancy. 
 
 Col. Weaver has taken a prominent and in- 
 fluential part in public affairs, was elected county 
 treasurer in October, 1871, for two years, and in 
 the fall of 1876 was elected to represent his 
 county in the State Legislature. He has also 
 held various local offices, all of which he has 
 filled with credit to himself, and to the satisfac- 
 tion of his constituents, proving a most efficient 
 and popular official. In January, 1885, Go> 
 
 Robert E. Pattison appointed him a member of 
 the Commission whose duties were to erect tin- 
 State Industrial Reformatory at Huntingdon, 
 He continued to serve on said commission until 
 the institution was completed, and turned over 
 to the State. He is a stanch supporter of 
 Democratic principles. He has been an earnest, 
 
 rgetic member of the order of Patrons ol 
 Husbandry for the last twenty-five years, and 
 
 i>ly interested in the education and elevation 
 
 of the great Agricultural class of the country, and 
 has devoted much time in Grange work in Centre 
 and other adjoining counties. Since 1853 he 
 has been a faithful member of the Methodist 
 Church at Milesburg, and rilled the positions of 
 ti ustee, Sunday-school superintendent, class lead- 
 er and steward. His entire life being passed in 
 Centre counts, he is numbered among its most 
 valued citizens who have been devoted to the 
 public welfare; and his honorable, upright life 
 won him a host of warm personal friends 
 He has manifested the same loyalty in days of 
 peace as in days of war, and all who know him 
 have for him the highest regard. 
 
 J. Willis, the elder son of Col. Weaver, mar- 
 ried Miss Blanche Holmes, daughter of Robert 
 F. and Bethsheba Holmes, and they have two 
 sons: Ralph and Max. James H., the younger 
 son of Col. Weaver, married Alice M. Wagner, 
 daughter of John M. Wagner, of Boggs town- 
 ship, and they have seven children: J. Fred Wea- 
 ver, Stella, Nellie, Edith, Clarence, Mary Mar- 
 garet and Paul, all yet living except Mary 
 Margaret, who died October 27, 1897. 
 
 SAMUEL 11 WILLIAMS, one of Bellefonte's 
 ) able and enterprising merchants, is a man 
 who-, history bears witness to a high ideal of 
 citizenship. A gallant soldier, a successful busi- 
 ness man, a progressive and public-spirited citi- 
 zen, his example is worthy of emulation. 
 
 On his father's side, ("apt. Williams descended 
 from an old Dutch family that lived in Lancaster 
 county, Penn. His ancestors, however, had re- 
 sided farther east prior to their location in this 
 State. David F. Williams, his grandfather, a 
 hatter by trade, was born in Lancaster county, 
 and married Miss Lydia Scott, a member of one 
 of the pioneer families of Chester county. He 
 passed the last years of his life with a daughter, 
 Elizabeth, who had married James Canon and 
 lived at Port Matilda, in Centre county. Of his 
 other children: one son was killed in the Mexi< in 
 war; Thomas F. died in Lancaster county, Penn.; 
 and John F. became the father of our subject 
 The latter was a native of Chester county, and 
 he, too, made choice of the hatter's trade, and 
 located .it Downingtown, in that county. He 
 married Eliza Bunting, a daughter of Samuel 
 Bunting, who came from the North of Ireland 
 with his wife and settled on a farm on Muddy 
 run in Chester county, which is still in the pi 
 
 ion of the Bunting family. Of the six chil- 
 dren of John F. and wife, our subject was the 
 eldest, the others being: Morgan R.. who en 
 I the army from Chester county, serving in 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 97 
 
 the 106th P. V. I., and died from the effects of 
 wounds received in the battle of Fair Oaks 
 David, who died from inflammatory rheumatism 
 Horatio, now engaged in business in California 
 and John and Annie, both of whom died in in- 
 fancy. 
 
 Capt. Williams is a native of Chester county, 
 where his birth occurred March 19, 1839. At 
 the age of fifteen he left his early home to learn 
 the trade of house painting with his uncle by 
 marriage, a resident of Stormstown, Centre 
 county. His apprenticeship was barely ended 
 when the Civil war broke out, and he was among 
 the first to answer President Lincoln's call for de- 
 fenders, enlisting April 19, 1861, in Company H, 
 7th P. V. I. In August of that year he returned 
 home, his term having expired; but in February, 
 1862, he re-enlisted in Company H, 56th P. V.' 
 I., and served until hostilities ended, receiving 
 his discharge July 1, 1865. His regiment was 
 incorporated in the Army of the Potomac at its 
 organization, and his entire service was in con- 
 nection with it, and ended only with its disband- 
 ment. Capt. Williams was a gallant soldier, and 
 his military record is a highly honorable one, 
 and is one to which his children and his chil- 
 dren's children can refer to with pride. Enlist- 
 ing as a private soldier, he rose step by step until 
 he became captain. For a time he served as a 
 musician; became a sergeant, was commissioned 
 second lieutenant of Company H, 56th P V I • 
 was breveted first lieutenant and commissioned 
 October, 1864; was breveted captain of Com- 
 pany I, same regiment, and commissioned in Feb- 
 ruary, 1865. He shared the fate of the Army of 
 the Potomac from the beginning to the end, par- 
 ticipating in the numerous skirmishes and en- 
 gagements of the regiment, among which were- 
 Ga.nsville, Groveton, Second Bull Run, South 
 Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancel- 
 lorsville, Gettysburg, the Wilderness, Cold Har- 
 bor, in front of Petersburg, Hatcher's Run, Yel- 
 low House and Five Forks. The Captain re- 
 enlisted in 1864 as a veteran. 
 
 At the close of the war Capt. Williams lo- 
 cated at Ph.lipsburg, in Centre county, where he 
 followed his trade until 1868, when he moved to 
 Bellefonte, which borough has since been his 
 place of business and home. He has for years 
 been engaged in business in the line of paints 
 oils, wall paper, picture frames, etc. He is 
 active and influential in business circles and es- 
 pecially interested and prominent in military 
 
 r \„£° r the paSt fifteen y ears - or >onger, 
 Capt Williams has been identified with the N 
 G. P.; m 1880 and 1881 he was on Gen 
 Beaver's staff; and for several years following 
 
 this he was on the staff of Gen. Wylie as brigade 
 commissary sergeant of the 2nd Brigade of the 
 N. G. P. He served eight years as quartermas- 
 ter of the 5th Regiment N. G. P., commanded 
 by Col. Birchfield, his term expiring February 
 28, 1897. In politics he is a Republican, and 
 for five years he served as a school director, and 
 six years as a member of the borough council. 
 Socially he is a member of the F. & A. M. ; of 
 the G. A. R. Post at Bellefonte, of which he is 
 past commander; also past colonel of Camn So 
 U. V. L. 
 
 On November 1, 1865, Mr. Williams was 
 married to Miss Sarah McMillen, a native of 
 Huntingdon county, Penn., and to this marriage 
 were born four children, namely: Horatio C. Ta 
 painter by trade, who married Miss Delia Osmer; 
 John H., also a painter, who married Miss 
 Myrtle Bullock; Ella, the wife of A. Lincoln Mc- 
 Ginley, and has two children— Sarah and Mar- 
 gery; and Willis Edgar, at home. Mrs. Williams 
 died in 1880, and in 1880 Mr. Williams was 
 united in marriage with Miss Laura E. Hamilton, 
 and they have one child, Marilla, born at Belle- 
 fonte on December 4, 1883, and now one of the 
 bright girls of the Bellefonte High School. The 
 mother, Mrs. Laura E. Williams, a daughter of 
 the venerable James Hamilton and wife, of Belle- 
 fonte, a record of whose lives is given elsewhere 
 in this volume, was born on the old Hamilton 
 homestead near Pleasant Gap, in Centre county, 
 where she received the benefit of the neighbor- 
 hood schools, but later was sent to the boarding 
 school at Jacksonville, where her education was 
 completed. Mrs. Williams has been a member 
 of the M. E. Church from girlhood, and is active 
 in the Ladies Auxiliary society of the Church. 
 She is an estimable lady. 
 
 JOHN IRVIN THOMPSON, Jr., M. S. A., the 
 able and efficient bookkeeper at the Penn- 
 sylvania State College, is also well known in 
 that section as a progressive agriculturist and a 
 reliable and substantial business man. He was 
 born October n, 1843, at Centre Furnace, Cen- 
 tre county, and is a son of Moses and Mary 
 (Irvin) Thompson. 
 
 The early years of our subject were spent at 
 his native place, and in 1859, having progressed 
 beyond the somewhat limited course offered in 
 the local schools, he entered The Farmer's High 
 School for a wider range of study. His course, 
 however, was interrupted early in the war of the 
 Rebellion by his enlistment in the Pennsylvania 
 State Militia; but, after a few weeks of guard 
 
98 
 
 VOJIAT1VS i:iin;i:.\l'IIir.\[. RECORD. 
 
 duty at Chambersburg, he returned to his bunks. 
 In [863 another call to arm- mel his response, 
 and he spent two months in service in Somerset 
 and Bedford enmities. He should have gradua- 
 ted with the class of '62, but owing to these 
 hindrances he did not receive his diploma until 
 the following year. From 1864 to 1869 he was 
 engaged in bookkeeping at the Milesburg Iron 
 \\ orks anil at Centre Furnace, and then he and 
 Ins father and brother William formed the firm 
 of John I Thompson & Co., and opened a bank 
 at Lemont. For a time it was si ul, but, a 
 
 panic threatening, the linn decided to return all 
 deposits and close up the business. Mr. Thomp- 
 son next became interested in the coal and grain 
 business at Lemont, and continued in the busi- 
 ness until 1S90, since which time he has rilled 
 the position of bookkeeper at the Pennsylvania 
 State College, and has also kept the accounts of 
 the Experiment Station there. 
 
 1 )n October 12. 1870, Mr. Thompson was 
 united in matrimony with Miss Elizabeth Boal, 
 who was born at Boalsburg, January^. 1846. 
 Five exceptionally bright and intelligent children 
 are entering upon useful and honorable careers 
 under the watchful care of their parents: Mary 
 Irvin is a student in the Woman's Medical Col- 
 lege at Philadelphia; Helen assists her father in 
 the office; George Boal is attending dental col- 
 lege in Philadelphia; Bess B. is a member of the 
 class of '97 at siate College; and Charles is also 
 a student at State College. Mr. Thompson has 
 a pleasant home at Lemont, is an elder in the 
 Presbyterian Church at that place, and takes a 
 generous interest in all enterprises that promise 
 to result in good to the community. He is an 
 ardent friend of temperance, and votes the Pro- 
 hibition tick' • 
 
 The Thompson family is of Scotch-Irishstock, 
 and our subject is of the fifth generation in de- 
 scent from the original emigrant who crossed the 
 ocean about 1745. Gen. John Thompson, our 
 subject's grandfather, married Elizabeth McFar- 
 lane, whose grandfather, Matthew Louden, a 
 Covenanter, was driven from his home in Scot- 
 land by the religious persecutions of his day. 
 Elizabeth McFarlane was the daughter of James 
 McFarlane, a lieutenant in the Continental army, 
 who was ait. 1. Ind to Gen Morgan's brigade, and 
 who was raptured by the British at Fori Green 
 in the Hudson river above New York City, re- 
 maining a prisoner until the close of the war, 
 after which he married Mai\ Louden. Gen. 
 Thompson's wife moved from Mifflin county, 
 Penn.. in 1809, and settled upon a farm in what 
 is now College township (then Ferguson, and, 
 later, a part of Harris township In 1814 den. 
 
 Thompson built a substantial stone house near 
 the log cabin in which he had first made his 
 home. 
 
 Moses Thompson, the second son of this wor- 
 thy pioneer couple, was born March 25, 1810, 
 and his reminiscences cover an interesting por- 
 tion of the early history. Young as he was at 
 the time, yet he remembered the excitement 
 caused by the soldiers of the war of 18 12, the 
 troops passing his father's house in going to or 
 returning from Frie by way of Bellefonte. His 
 mother, a devout woman of lovely character, in- 
 structed him in the faith of her forefathers until 
 her death, which occurred in the spring of 1822, 
 when he was twelve years old. The educational 
 advantages offered by the subscription schools of 
 that lime and locality were meager, as the funds 
 available were not sufficient to secure competent 
 teachers, and men who had failed in every other 
 line of work, or who through age or ill health 
 were fit for nothing else, were usually employed, 
 and Mr. Thompson fared no better than other 
 farmers' sons. At the age of nineteen or twenty 
 he assumed the responsibility of the farm, thus 
 relieving his father from care, and one of his first 
 acts was to banish liquor from the place, not- 
 withstanding the fact that it was universally 
 used, especially in harvest time. After his 
 father's death, in 1832, the care of the fannlv 
 devolved upon him, and this heavy burden on 
 him while yei a youth so aged him that he was 
 at that time considered by all his acquaintances 
 as an "old man." He managed the farm with 
 economy, energy and industry, until 1839, when 
 he left it to his brothers. 
 
 Mary Irvin, to whom he was married, was a 
 daughter of John and Ann (Watson) Irvin. of 
 Harris township, Centre county. For a vear 
 they lived at the old homestead, but on April 1, 
 [839, they moved to a farm which he had pur- 
 chased a short time before. It lies near Oak 
 Hall factory, and is now owned by the heirs of 
 Dr. E. W. Hale During this three-year resi- 
 dence and ownership, he made many improve- 
 ments, and Ins industry ami economy were re- 
 warded by a profit of $500 per year. On April 
 1, [842, he removed to Centre Furnace, having 
 purchased from Gen. fames Irvin, his brother-in- 
 law, a sixth interest in Centre Furnace and Miles- 
 bur^ Iron Works. In 1848, in company with 
 his brother, William Thompson, he purchased of 
 William Irvin a sixth interest in the same works, 
 but, later, Moses Thompson bought his brother's 
 interest, thus becoming owner of one-third of 
 both properties. In August, 1864, he bought 
 one-half of Gen Irvin's interest, the other half 
 having been taken by Dr. J M. McCoy and 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 99 
 
 James H. Linn. On September 23, 1865, he 
 sold his half interest in the Mileftburg Iron Works 
 to Messrs. McCoy and Linn, and bought their in- 
 terest in Centre Furnace, becoming the sole 
 owner. His real-estate transactions were a 
 source of profit, and at his death he was the 
 largest land owner of Centre county, one of his 
 estates comprising 6,000 acres in one tract. 
 
 Many enterprises have felt the influence of 
 his energetic support. He, with his partners, 
 Gen. James Irvin and Hon. Andrew Gregg, sub- 
 scribed a large part of the stock of the Bald 
 Eagle Valley canal. He also contributed liber- 
 ally to the building of the Bald Eagle Valley 
 railroad, and gave more than any one else of 
 money, time and oversight to the construction 
 of the Boalsburg and Bellefonte turnpike and 
 the Agricultural College and Junction turnpike. 
 He was one of the largest (if not the largest) 
 contributors in the county to the Lewisburg, Cen- 
 tre & Spruce Creek railroad, and assisted greatly 
 in establishing upon an efficient basis the Penn- 
 sylvania State College, of which he was treasurer 
 for many years. 
 
 The influence of his mother's moral teachings 
 was never lost, and at an early age he united 
 with the Spring Creek Presbyterian Church, in 
 which he long held the office of ruling elder. He 
 never permitted his name to appear as a candi- 
 date for public office, although as a private citi- 
 zen he took keen interest in the country's welfare. 
 
 Despite the anxieties of his life, and his un- 
 remitting devotion to business, he lived past the 
 allotted term of man. He was possessed of 
 splendid physique, stood six feet high, straight as 
 an arrow, and weighed over two hundred pounds. 
 Eminently successful in all his undertakings, he 
 was one of Centre county's representative self- 
 made men. He began life with only a seventh 
 interest in his father's farm, and the courage, en- 
 terprise and judgment which enabled him to gain 
 his fortune teach an encouraging lesson. His 
 endurance, foresight and business tact were tested 
 to the utmost during the panic of 1857, when 
 only the closest attention to his imperiled inter- 
 ests saved them from failure. He died June 19, 
 1 89 1, aged eighty-one years, two months and 
 twenty-five days. His wife died August 22, 1890. 
 
 In his old age Moses Thompson had the su- 
 preme satisfaction of seeing his children settled 
 near the old home, all occupying honorable posi- 
 tions in life. He had eight children, two of whom 
 died in infancy. Of the others all are living ex- 
 cept Sarah Irvin, who was married to Dr. Theo- 
 dore S. Christ; those surviving their father being: 
 Elizabeth McFarlane, wife of John Hamilton, of 
 State College; John Irvin, of this sketch; Will- 
 
 iam, who married Anna Elliott, of Lewisburg; 
 James Irvin, who married Jeanie Shaw, of Clear- 
 field; and Annie, who is not married. 
 
 MARRISON KLINE, the efficient and popu- 
 lar treasurer of Centre county, is a native 
 
 of Snyder county, Penn., born May 12, 1841, a 
 son of George and Elizabeth (Fetterolf) Kline, 
 who brought their family to Centre county in 
 1851, locating first in Penn's Valley, and are 
 still honored residents of College township, where 
 the father engaged in agricultural pursuits. Both 
 are of German lineage, and are prominent and 
 highly respected people. The mother is a 
 daughter of Andrew Fetterolf, of Snyder county, 
 a blacksmith by trade, also owning and operat- 
 ing a farm. 
 
 Ten children were born to the parents of our 
 subject, of whom one son and one daughter died 
 in infancy. The others are as follows: Harrison 
 is the subject of this sketch; Robert, a minister 
 of the Episcopal Church, now located in Allen- 
 town, Lehigh Co., Penn., married Anna Erdman 
 and has four children; Margaret is the wife of 
 William Ishler, ex-sheriff of Centre county, by 
 whom she had nine children, three of whom are 
 yet living, and they now reside in Bellefonte; 
 John, an attorney of that city, married Kate 
 Olwine, whose father was a prominent farmer of 
 Centre county, and they have two children; 
 William married Adaline Myer, of Boalsburg, 
 Centre county, died in 1890, leaving a wife and 
 four children, and was buried in Shiloh cem- 
 etery; Sarah is the wife of Harvey Meese, a car- 
 penter of Benner township, Centre county, and 
 they had ten children; Wesley, a practicing 
 physician of Centre county, married a Miss Boal, 
 of Centre Hall, and died several years ago, and 
 Alice lives with her parents in College township. 
 
 The boyhood and youth of our subject were 
 passed upon the home farm, where he assisted 
 his father in the labors of the fields, attending 
 at the same time the public schools of the neigh- 
 borhood, where he acquired a good practical ed- 
 ucation which would fit him for the responsible 
 duties of life. As his vocation he chose agricult- 
 ure, and has become one of the most prosperous, 
 energetic and progressive farmers of Spring town- 
 ship. On November 12, 1863, he was married 
 to Miss Annetta Gentzel, who died in 1869, leav- 
 ing four children, namely: Elizabeth, wife of 
 Elmer Showers, an engineer living in Buffalo, N. 
 Y. ; D. M., a farmer of Spring township, Centre 
 county, who married Alka Keller, and has one 
 child; Henry, a miner, having charge of the men 
 at Washau Banks, in Spring township, who mar- 
 
100 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE! BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 ried Bertha Miller, and has three children, and 
 Robert, a resident of Bellefonte. who married 
 Margaret Swartz, and has one child. Mr. Kline 
 was again married April 7, 1872, this time to 
 Miss Sarah C.ephart, of Zion, ami to them were 
 born two children: Anna C. , at home with her 
 parents, and Orian, who is attending school in 
 Bellefonte. 
 
 In politics Mr. Kline is a steadfast adherent 
 of the principles formulated by the Republican 
 party, and on November 3, 1896, he was elected 
 on that ticket) treasurer of Centre county by the 
 handsome majority of 326 votes. Methodical 
 and systematic in business, he will undoubtedly 
 prove a most capable official, and serve with 
 credit to himself and to the satisfaction of his 
 constituents. He has been very successful in his 
 life work, and being endowed with many virtues 
 and a genial, hospitable riiannet, he receives the 
 respect and confidence of the entire community 
 He is a worthy member of the PZvangelical 
 Church, and is an active and prominent member 
 of the Grange, at present serving as steward of 
 that organization, also of the Royal Arcanum at 
 Bellefonte, being one of the charter members of 
 the lodge there. 
 
 BAN KIN FAMILY 1 111 1 ot ( entre county, of 
 which William B, Rankin, of Bellefonte, is 
 a worthy and respected representative, is of old 
 Pennsylvania stock. The first of the line to set- 
 tle in Centre county was William Rankin, the 
 grandfather of the gentleman named, and a na- 
 tive of Franklin county, Penn., born November 
 5, 1770. He took a prominent place among the 
 pioneers of this section, and was the second 
 sheriff of Centre county, and from 1806 to 1S10 
 a member of the State Legislature His resi- 
 dence was in Spruce Creek Valley, where he 
 died November 29, 1847, :it the age of seventy- 
 seven years, By his first wife, a Miss Maginley, 
 In- had eight children: in William M. and (2) 
 James Munsey were prominent physicians, the 
 former of Shippensburg, Penn., and the latter of 
 Muncy, Penn.; (3) Joseph Alexander is men- 
 tioned more fully below; (4; Abigail married 
 Ephraim Bailey, and now resides in Kossuth, 
 Iowa; (5) Adam, deceased, was a farmer at 
 Stormstown, Penn.; two daughters, Mary and 
 Elizabeth, died unmarried. By a second mar- 
 riage (the last time, with Miss Huston, there 
 
 was one daughter, Susannah, who died m early 
 womanhood. 
 
 Tin- late Joseph Alexander Rankin, father of 
 William B. Rankin, was reared upon a farm in 
 Penn's Valley, at ( entre Hill, near Potters Mills, 
 
 the district schools of the vicinity furnishing the 
 usual educational opportunities,- of which he 
 made the utmost, preparing himself for teaching. 
 He followed this occupation until 1850 when, 
 his approaching marriage causing him to seek 
 more remunerative work, he engaged in the in- 
 surance business. On April 17, 1851, he was 
 united in wedlock with Miss Mary E. Blair, a 
 native of Penn's Valley, born October 23, 1824, 
 and six children blessed this union: (1) Abigail 
 (deceased), who married Charles F. Cook, and 
 had five children — Annie M., William H.. Nettie 
 J., Joseph R. and Abbie; (2) William B., of this 
 sketch; ( 3) Sarah C, who died in the spring of 
 1896, in her fortieth year; (4) Annie M., who 
 died in 1882 at the age of twenty-four years; (5) 
 Caroline E. , who resides in Clearfield county; and 
 (6) John, who died Nov. 14, 1893, in his thirty- 
 first year. After his marriage Joseph A. Rankin 
 made his home for twelve years in Spruce Creek 
 Valley near the line between Centre and Hunt- 
 ingdon counties, but the remainder of his life 
 was spent in Bellefonte. He made a specialty 
 of fire insurance, and built up a large business 
 which he continued until five years before his 
 death. In political faith he was first a Whij; 
 and later a Republican, and he was a leading 
 member of the Presbyterian Church, with which 
 the family had been identified many years, his 
 father having been a ruling elder in the society 
 at Spruce Creek. Joseph Rankin died February 
 15, [888, but Mrs. Rankin, who is a lady of fine 
 intelligence, is still living and enjoying excellent 
 health for one of her 
 
 William B. Rankin was born January 3, 1854, 
 and as a boy was given the advantage of the 
 public schools of Bellefonte, his course there 
 being supplemented by an attendance at the 
 Bellefonte Academy His first employment was 
 as a clerk in a store, but the growth of Ins 
 father's business caused him to be called to assist 
 in that, and on the retirement of the father, in 
 [883, William B. Rankin purchased the entile 
 interest, and has since carried on the enterprise 
 as sole proprietor. Fire insurance is still the 
 chief line, and the business extends throughout 
 (entre county, Mr. Rankin's high character and 
 sound judgment having gained the confidence of 
 the general public. He represents twelve fire 
 insurance companies, one life and one accident 
 company, He has been an Odd Fellow since 
 [878, an.l has filled all the chairs in the Subordi- 
 nate and Encampment, and has been district 
 deputy grand master two terms. He is secretary 
 ot the school board, of which he has been a mem- 
 ber for fifteen years. He was auditor of Belle- 
 fonte for three years. Politically, he gives his 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 101 
 
 influence to the support of the Republican party. 
 His wife, formerly Miss Adelaide Bailey, was 
 born March 27, 1854, in Wellsboro, Tioga Co., 
 Penn. Both take great interest in all that con- 
 cerns the welfare of the community. They 
 have six children: Lillie B., Elsie M., Walter 
 B., John A., Adelaide and Mary. 
 
 The Blair family, of which Mr. Rankin's 
 mother is a member, is of Irish origin, her grand- 
 father, William Blair, having come from County 
 Antrim, Ireland, to settle in New Jersey, where 
 he spent the latter part of his life. His son 
 Samuel (Mrs. Rankin's father) was a native of 
 that State, but left in early manhood and lo- 
 cated for a time in Pennsylvania. Later he re- 
 sided for twenty years in Wayne county, Ohio, 
 and then spent one year in Illinois; but after this 
 opportunity for observation he wisely chose to 
 pass his remaining years in this section. He 
 settled at Milesburg, Centre county, and his 
 death occurred in Spruce Creek Valley. By oc- 
 cupation he was a chainmaker and wheelwright, 
 and held various political offices in his township, 
 and, in Ohio, he served as justice of the peace 
 for some time. He married Margaret Eakin, a 
 native of Penn's Valley, and had five children, 
 Mrs. Rankin being the first in order of birth; (2) 
 Eleanor married Miles Read, of Clearfield county ; 
 (3) Sarah J. is not married; (4) Catherine died 
 at the age of thirty; and (5) William J. lived 
 onlv fifteen months. 
 
 JC. HARPER, an able and successful attorney 
 of Bellefonte, Centre county, was elected in 
 November, 1896, to the office of County Re- 
 corder. As his abilities have already been thor- 
 oughly tested in public office as Prothonotary, 
 there is no doubt that his administration in his 
 new position will be acceptable to the people. 
 
 Mr. Harper is a native of Centre county, and 
 was born November 1, 1854, upon a farm in Miles 
 township, where his family has been well-known 
 for many years. His grandfather, George Har- 
 per, came from the lower tier of counties to make 
 his permanent home in that township, where his 
 death occurred. Our subject's grandmother died 
 some years later at Centre Hall, at the age of 
 ninety. John Harper, our subject's father, was 
 born in Miles township, Centre county, and al- 
 ways resided there, following agriculture as an 
 occupation, and exerting a quiet influence as an 
 upright citizen and a consistent member of the 
 German Reformed Church. In politics he was a 
 Democrat. About ten years ago, at the age of 
 sixty, his earthly career closed; his widow, whose 
 
 maiden name was Jane Magee, is still living at 
 Centre Hall. Her parents came from Ireland 
 before her birth, which occurred in Union county, 
 and after a short residence in Buffalo Valley they 
 settled in Penn's Valley, Centre county, their 
 last days being spent in Miles township. Our 
 subject was the second of three children: (1) 
 Maggie (deceased) married G. W. Stover, Jr.; 
 (3) Emma married George Emerick, and resides 
 in Centre Hall. 
 
 During Mr. Harper's early life he enjoyed the 
 benefits of farm life, but was given the advan- 
 tage of study at the normal schools at Centre 
 Hall and Rebersburg in addition to the usual dis- 
 trict-school course. In 1872 he began teaching 
 school, and continued for sometime, his summers 
 being spent in other work and in attending 
 school. In 1876 he was appointed Deputy 
 Prothonotary, and after proving his capacity by 
 about three years of service in that position he 
 was (in 1878) elected Prothonotary, taking his 
 seat in 1 879. He was re-elected in 1 88 1 for three 
 years, and at the close of his term began to read 
 law. Since his admission to the Bar he has been 
 in active practice, meeting with gratifying suc- 
 cess, and he has now been chosen to the office 
 of Recorder, as stated. He is a man well calcu- 
 lated to gain and retain public confidence and 
 esteem, and as a worker in the Democratic party, 
 and as a citizen, he wields wide influence. 
 
 On September 16, 1879, Mr. Harper was 
 united in marriage with Miss Laura Graham, who 
 was born in Bellefonte, October 2, 1854. Their 
 pleasant home is gladdened by three children, 
 Clarence, Helen and Arthur. 
 
 C\APTAIN AUSTIN B. SNYDER, whose 
 _J death occurred at his home in Bellefonte on 
 February 6, 1892, held an honor and distinction 
 that few of his fellow townsmen shared in, that 
 of a patriot of two wars — the war with Mexico 
 and the war of the Rebellion. 
 
 As the name indicates, Capt. Snyder was of 
 German lineage on his father's side, and de- 
 scended from Gov. Simon Snyder. He was a 
 son of Jacob and Jane (Allen) Snyder, industri- 
 ous and frugal people, who lived at the time of 
 their son's birth (October 3, 1824), in a stone 
 house then standing on the site of Gerberich, 
 Hale & Co. 's mill, at the foot of Race street in 
 Bellefonte. Jacob Snyder was a millwright and 
 also a miller, and had followed these occupa- 
 tions in Bellefonte and elsewhere in Centre 
 county. The Aliens were of Irish extraction. 
 The children of this couple were: Austin B., 
 
102 
 
 COMMK VORA Tl VI BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 Ellis and Latimar, all now dead. The mother 
 of these dying, Mr. Snyder then married l.liza 
 Gray, of Half Moon township. 
 
 When our subject was but thirteen years of 
 age, his father died, and he was thrown on his 
 own resources, and at nineteen he enlisted in 
 the United States army, served with distinguished 
 honor through the Mexican war. and was 
 one of the first to scale the wall at Chepultepec. 
 He returned with a lieutenant's straps. Learn- 
 ing the tailor's trade with Charles Calathan at 
 Bellefonte, he followed that occupation until the 
 breaking out of the war of the Rebellion. The 
 echo of the guns at Fort Sumter had hardly dud 
 away before the veteran of tin- Mexican war had 
 recruited the Eagle Guards, and asCapt. Snyder 
 he was mustered, with his command, into the 
 4th Regiment under Col. Hartranft, April 19, 
 [861, as Company H, of that regiment. The 
 regiment was assigned t<> the First Brigade, 
 Thud Division, of Gen. McDowell's army, and 
 during their three-months' term of service were 
 at Perryvillle (Md.), Annapolis. Washington 
 City, Alexandria and Centreville. On October 
 1, 1861, Capt. Snyder left Bellefonte in com- 
 mand of the McAllister Rifles, "Inch was mus- 
 tered in, October 17. as Company G, 5 1st P. V. 
 I., under command "I Col. Hartranft. The reg- 
 iment was assigned in the corps organization to 
 Brig. -Gen. Reno, and formed a part of the Burn- 
 pedition to North Carolina. From the 
 very outset the expedition was subjected to se- 
 storms, having encountered one after an- 
 other from the time of setting sail in January, 
 1862. and were at the merry of the waves and 
 wind for nearly two weeks. Their first en- 
 counter with the enemy was at Roanoke Island, 
 where the enemy's entire force was captured. 
 Capt. Snyder's delicate constitution could not 
 withstand the exposure incident to the swamps 
 and at so trying a time m the year, hence In- was 
 compelled to resign fi"in the service, winch he 
 did February 12, 1862. In September, [862, on 
 the call of the Governor of Pennsylvania for 
 50,000 militia, several companies volunteered 
 from Centre county, and wi I in the 
 
 23d Regiment, and of the militia concentra 
 near Hagerstown, under Gen. John F. Reynolds, 
 at the time of the battle of Antietam, Col. Sny- 
 der served on the staff as lieutenant-colonel. 
 Again on the call of the President for men in 
 |une, 1863, at the invasion of the State by tun 
 Lee's army, Capt. Snyder 
 
 C, and served with them in the southern part of 
 the State until discharged August 8, of thai \ 
 He served several times as provost marshal, and 
 alter the war followed his trade and carried on 
 
 business for himself, residing in Bellefonte. For 
 the last five or six years of his life, owing to fail- 
 ing health, he was compelled to retire from busi- 
 A consistent member of the Presbyterian 
 Church; an honored comrade in G. A. R. Post 
 No. 295, a beloved and loving father and a faith- 
 ful husband, he has gone to answer "present" 
 on the golden shore of Eternity. He was a 
 member of the Masonic fraternity. 
 
 On October 27. 1858, Capt. Snyder was mar- 
 ried to Margaret Wolf, a daughter of Joseph and 
 li (/ones Wolf, natives, the former of 
 Boalsburg, Penn., and the latter of Muncy, 
 I'enn ; both died and are buried at Bellefonte. 
 The children of Capt. Snyder and wife are: 
 Emma married Edward Cook, and lives at 
 Jeannette, Penn.; Mary; Isabella T. died Sep- 1 
 tember 18, 1885; Ellis, of Dunkirk, Ind. ; and 
 George-, of New Kensington, Pennsylvania. 
 
 Miss Mary Snyder is a native of Bellefonte, 
 and received her education in its schools. She is 
 conducting an extensive and fashionable millinery 
 establishment, in the display of which is evi- 
 denced ability and taste. She is popular with 
 the masses, and her business efforts are being re- 
 warded with success. Both she and her mother 
 are members of the Presbyterian Church. 
 
 HI GH S. TAYLOR. One who makes trial 
 ol Ins talents in the profession of law is 
 ged by the public upon his individual merits 
 i much greater degree than is a man who 
 chooses a business career, and the young attor- 
 ney whose name opens this sketch may well be 
 proud of the estimate which the people of Cen- 
 tre county and of his native citv of Bellefonte 
 have placed upon bis abilities. As he posse- 
 an abundant fund of energy, there is every reason 
 to believe that their high hopes for his future 
 will be fulfilled, and their confidence justified. 
 Mr. Taylor was horn [anuary 12, 1868, of 
 tch-Irish parentage, and his home has always 
 been in Bellefonte. The late Hugh Taylor, his 
 father, a native of County Monaghan, Ireland, on 
 arriving in America at the age of twenty years, 
 settled at Bellefonte, where his death occurred. 
 Our subject's mother, whose maiden name was 
 Annie Starr, is a native ol Bellefonte, horn in 
 1848, and is still living. As the eldest of a 
 famih .'I fourteen children, Mr. Taylor learned 
 t'i depend upon his own exertions, and the value 
 ■ •I thrift was "early impressed upon him by the 
 difficulties experienced in gaining a livelihood for 
 himself, and securing the means to help those 
 who looked to him for more or less assistance. 
 "When- there's a will there's a way," it is said. 
 
 
COMMEMORA TIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 103 
 
 and he took a complete course in the Bellefonte 
 High School, graduating in 1886; was then ap- 
 pointed to the West Point Military Academy by 
 Hon. Andrew G. Curtin, M. C, but resigned, 
 and in 1 89 1 entered the Pennsylvania State Col- 
 lege. His legal studies were carried on under 
 the supervision of Orvis, Bower & Orvis, and 
 after his admission to the Bar in 1894 ne re- 
 mained with them a year and a half before start- 
 ing in practice independently. 
 
 Mr. Taylor has gathered around him many 
 friends, and he has a lucrative business, his sound 
 judgment on legal principles having been already 
 demonstrated in his professional work. As an 
 advocate he has few equals of his age, and his 
 oratorical gifts have brought him into prominence 
 as a political campaigner for the Democratic par- 
 ty, of which he is a devoted supporter. In June, 
 1896, he was elected chairman of the Demo- 
 cratic Executive Committee of Centre County, 
 was re-elected County Chairman in June. 1897; 
 since February, 1894, he has held the office of 
 tax collector of the city of Bellefonte. His 
 abilities have a wide and varied scope, as he is a 
 first-class mechanical engineer, having studied 
 practical engineering and drafting at Pennsylva- 
 nia State College, and at present he is superin- 
 tendent of the Bellefonte Steam Heat and Gas 
 Co. 's works. 
 
 Mr. Taylor was married Novembers, 1894, 
 to Kittie L. Bauer, second daughter of Nicholas 
 Bauer, a merchant of Bellefonte, and they have 
 two sons: Hugh and Vincent Nicholas. 
 
 Socially our subject is a member of the K. of 
 G. E. , and of the I. O. O. F., Centre County 
 Lodge No. 1 56, and of Logan Fire Company 
 No. 1. For eleven years he has been in military 
 service in Company B, 5th Penn. National Guards, 
 and now is captain of the company. 
 
 DjANIEL C. KELLER, of Bellefonte, Centre 
 county, the well-known proprietor of the 
 "Hotel Haag," formerly known as the " Cum- 
 mings House," is a member of one of the most 
 prominent pioneer families. 
 
 His great-grandfather, Elder Jacob Keller, a 
 native of Lebanon county, Penn., born in 1 753, 
 was an influential worker in the German Re- 
 formed Church, and took a leading part in the 
 establishment of his Church in Centre county 
 after he made his home there. He was a patriot 
 and served his country in the Revolutionary war. 
 His children were: Jacob, grandfather of our 
 subject, born February 21, 1779, died September 
 12, 1835. John, born January 27, 1781, died 
 November 15, 1871. Elizabeth, born March 11, 
 
 1785. Margaret, born April 26, 1787. Chris- 
 tian, born in October, 1789. Peter, born Janu- 
 ary, 1 79 1. Philip, born December, 1794. Jacob 
 Keller (2), our subject's grandfather, was born in 
 Lebanon county, coming with his father to Cen- 
 tre county, and settling in Potter township, at 
 the old Red Mill. He married Elizabeth Korn- 
 man, and had seven children: John, born in 
 November, 1801, died in Harris township, Centre 
 county, October 11, 1865. Jacob (3), our sub- 
 ject's father, of whom mention is made farther on. 
 Catherine, born April 11, 1804, married John 
 Stauffer, who died January 15, 1898, at the age 
 of ninety-four years; she passed from earth De- 
 cember 31, 1897. George, born May, 1806, 
 died September, 1865, near Ravenna, Ohio. 
 Elizabeth, born 1808. Henry, born February 
 3, 181 1, died February 6, 1884. David, born 
 January 25, 1818, a resident of Boalsburg. Dan- 
 iel, born August 15, 1825, who lives at Warren, 
 Ohio. 
 
 Jacob Keller (3) was born January 28, 1803, 
 and became a weaver by trade, later engaging in 
 agriculture. He was married December 15, 
 1826, to Miss Christina Dinges, a native of Cen- 
 tre county, born in Penn township April 22, 
 1807. Their union was broken by the death of 
 the husband February 10 (or March ? ), 1848, and 
 she did not long survive him, her death occur- 
 ring November 25, 1850. Our subject is now the 
 only living member of a family of seven children, 
 the names with dates of birth and death of the 
 others being as follows: Samuel, May 16, 1828 
 — October 5, 1875, a farmer in Centre county, 
 and married to Elizabeth Wright; Andrew, Feb- 
 ruary 1, 1831 — December 8, 1 88 1, a laborer, 
 married to Sarah Bubb; Catherine, March 16, 
 1833 — December 28, 1890, married to John 
 Moyer, of Potter township, Centre county; Eliza- 
 beth .February 11, 18 — , lived only twenty days; 
 Christina, September 13, 1838 — August23, 1881, 
 was the wife of Isaac Gift; Lydia, July 6, 1845 — 
 June 18, 1893. 
 
 Daniel C. Keller who is the sixth in the order 
 of birth, was born July 18, 1841, and was reared 
 at the old farm in Potter township, receiving but 
 meagre educational advantages. He remained 
 at home until his marriage, December 23, 1862, 
 to Miss Julia A. Stump, who was born in Snyder 
 county, June 8, 1844. Her father, William 
 Stump, is now living in Virginia; her mother died 
 in 1865. For three years following his marriage 
 Mr. Keller conducted a hotel at Milroy, Mifflin 
 county, and he spent one year in farming, and man- 
 aging a hotel at Centre Hall. He then became in- 
 terested in dealing in implements, and in the cat- 
 tle business, and remained at Centre Hall until 
 
[04 
 
 OOMMEMOBATIVB lilimUAl'IUCAL HECORD. 
 
 1881, when he was elected county treasurer, and 
 moved to Hellefonte. He entered upon the 
 duties of his office January i, 1882, and served 
 three years, returning to Pottei township at the 
 close of his term, and erecting one of the finest 
 lences in that section Farming and dealing 
 in stock occupied his time while there, but in 
 [883 he sold his farm and moved to Turbotville, 
 Northumberland Co . Penn., to take charge of 
 the "Union Hotel," which he gave up later for» 
 his present business at Bellefonte. Success has 
 attended his efforts in these various lines, and he 
 is one of the substantial citizens. He still owns 
 valuable property at Centre Hall, and during Ins 
 residence there he for several years held the 
 office of justice of the peace. In political faith 
 In- in a Democrat, and tl genial nature 
 
 which has 50 materially aided him to success in 
 
 the hotel business has given him great influence 
 
 in local affairs Like his ancestors, he belongs 
 to the Reformed Chinch, and In- is also a mem- 
 ber of the Masonic order, having been one of 
 the nine charter members of the Old Fort I .< »d 
 
 Mi and Mrs Keller have had four children, of 
 whom two are deceased: Jacob \\ . , who was 
 born January 29, 1804, died January 12, 1 866, 
 
 and James 1)., born August 11, 1868, died Janu- 
 ary 20, 1872; those living are: John R. , born 
 October 14, 1871, and Mary A , born August mi. 
 1875. both at home. 
 
 QAMUlil. T. GRAY, of Patton township, one 
 'O of the substantial and prominent citizens of 
 Centre county, descended from ancestors who 
 came to what is now the county, upward of one 
 hundred years ago Peter Gray (I), from Fred- 
 erick Co., Md., came to what was then known as 
 the Half Moon country in 17SS, and was assessed 
 and regarded as belonging to Franklin township, 
 Huntingdon county. Accompanying the Grays 
 was the Hartsock family from the same place, 
 and these families became the earliest settlers of 
 Patton township of which there is any record. 
 From this Peter Gray has descended the many 
 families of Gray in this section of Pennsylvania, 
 a number of whom have never moved very far 
 away from the lands he first occupied, and repre- 
 sentatives of these families are found occupying 
 honorable and useful stations in the various call- 
 ings of life. 
 
 John Gray, one of the sons ol Peter Gray (I), 
 and the one from which Samuel T. descended, 
 was born in 1707 and died in 1848; he married 
 Catherine, a daughter of Conrad Hartsock, the 
 head of the first family of the name to settle 
 here; she died in 1847. Their children were: 
 
 ibeth, married to Jonas Stine; Catherine, 
 married to Samuel Stine; John (2), married to 
 Mary Mattern; Samuel P., married to Sarah 
 Gray; Barbara, married to George Mattern. 
 
 th, married to Franklin Johnson; Susanna, 
 married to Robert Blakely; Hannah, married to 
 David McKinney; Eve, married to John Cham- 
 bers; Isaac, married to Catherine Mattern; and 
 Mary, married (first) to Thomas Shivery, and 
 
 »nd to John Mattern. It will be observed 
 that lour of these children married Matterns, 
 and of the same family, so that their children 
 were doubly related. The children of John (ir. i_\ 
 
 1 iid Mary Mattern were: Samuel T. is our 
 subject; Catherine married James Love; John C. 
 married Rebecca Lias; Miles D. married Anna 
 Wilson, and died in 1884; Isaac married Sarah 
 Liggett, and died in 1889; George died aged 
 twenty-one years; Elizabeth married James Ebbs 
 (deceased); Mary married George Thompson (de- 
 ceased); Harriet married Capt. William C. Dale, 
 of Harrisburg, and Margaret married A. C. 
 Hutchinson. The parents of these children died, 
 the father in 1856, in his fifty-seventh year, and 
 the mother in November, 1871, in her seventy- 
 third year. 
 
 Samuel T. Gray, the subject of this sketch, 
 was bom July 24, 1S24, in Patton township, 
 where his father and grandfather before him had 
 lived, and within sight of his present home, where 
 he has resided for forty-five years past. Like the 
 sons of the general farmer, he received such edu- 
 cational privileges as the schools of the neighbor- 
 hood afforded, John W. Bowen and Reuben H. 
 Meek being among his early teachers. He re- 
 mained at home until his marriage in 1852, when 
 he came to his present farm and began life for 
 himself. This farm comprises some three hun- 
 dred acres of land, much of which he has cleared 
 and improved himself; it is well watered and lies 
 beautifully; on it are large and commodious 
 buildings, both barn and dwelling, and in goodly 
 shape, presenting an inviting appearance — indic- 
 ative of the careful and tasteful farmer that Mr. 
 Gray is. The barn was built in 1855, and the 
 house in 1859. Through industry, economy and 
 good management, Mr. Cray has accumulated a 
 competency. He has given his life to the pur- 
 suits of an agriculturist, and is to-day one of the 
 successful farmers and substantial and influential 
 men of Centre county. While in no sense an 
 office-seeker, he has for years served the people 
 of his township as overseer of the poor; was for 
 a number 1 if years justice of the peace, and for 
 six years served as auditor of Centre county, his 
 teim of office expiring some three years ago. 
 
 Samuel T. Gray's wife, whose death occurred 
 
« ♦ 
 
 
 «» 
 
 / 
 
 V 
 
^ 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 105 
 
 June 25, 1893, was Harriet Hutchison, a daugh- 
 ter of Benjamin Hutchison, of Warrior's Mark, 
 Huntingdon county, Penn., in his day one of the 
 most prominent men of that section of the State. 
 The children of Mr. and Mrs. Gray were Emma, 
 born in 1853, died in 1870; George H., born in 
 1855, died in 1856; Mary R., born in 1854, died 
 in 1859; William E., born in i860; Annie Her- 
 man, born in 1863, died in 1864; Minnie W., 
 born in 1865, died in 1892; Nora; Samuel E. , 
 born in 1872, died in 1891. In an obituary no- 
 tice of Mrs. Gray it was stated that: 
 
 Within the last two years death has entered the home 
 three times and broken the family circle. First within this 
 limit, Samuel was called; then Miss Minnie, a bright and 
 charming young lady who had hosts of warm friends; last, 
 but not least, was the dear mother, who has always been a 
 true and faithful friend and guardian to both husband and 
 children, who will never forget her loving kindness and 
 tender mercy. She leaves a husband and three children to 
 mourn her death: W. E. Gray, Esq., one of the rising your.g 
 lawyers in Bellefonte, and Misses Annie and Nora, who live 
 at home. Samuel Gray, the venerable husband, is one of the 
 most prosperous and highly respected farmers in Centre 
 county. He is also one of the auditors of Centre county, and 
 is an honest and upright man. Mrs. Gray was a Methodist, 
 and was sincere and devoted to the cause of Christianity. 
 She was one of those Christians who live by faith and not by 
 sight, letting her " light so shine that men might see her good 
 works and glorify her Father in Heaven." She had a kind 
 heart and was always trying to do some kindness. 
 
 Mr. Gray has for many years been identified 
 
 with the M. E. Church, having served as trustee 
 
 and steward. In politics he is a Republican as 
 
 was his father before him. 
 
 [ON. WILLIAM E. GRAY, who has just re- 
 tired from the office of Burgess of Belle- 
 fonte, is a prominent member of the Centre 
 County Bar, and one of the most active and 
 popular members of the Republican party of his 
 locality. A deep thinker and a thorough student, 
 his success in legal lines has been won by sound 
 logic, his speeches always possessing the rhetori- 
 cal graces of the orator that he is, and the energy 
 with which he carries out any project marks him 
 a leader of men. 
 
 Born June 14, i860, he has the best part of 
 his life yet before him, and his friends predict for 
 him, with reason, a brilliant future. He is the 
 son of Samuel T. and Harriet N. (Hutchison) 
 Gray. His early life was passed at the old farm 
 in Patton township, the district schools of the 
 neighborhood furnishing him educational facilities 
 until at eighteen he entered the preparatory de- 
 partment of Pennsylvania State College, where 
 in 1883, after a five-years' course, he was gradu- 
 ated with the degree of B. S. In 1882 he took 
 the junior oratorical class prize at the contest in 
 oratory. Subsequently he took the degree of M. 
 S. After his graduation he spent two years in 
 
 teaching school, the summers being devoted to 
 the study of law with Messrs. Hastings & Reed- 
 er. He then entered the Law School, at Albany, 
 N. Y., and in May, 1886, graduated from that 
 institution, receiving the degree of LL. B. At 
 the commencement exercises he was one of the 
 four orators chosen, and the only one from Penn- 
 sylvania. On August 23rd, of the same year, he 
 was admitted to the Bar in his native county, and 
 has since been successfully engaged in general 
 practice. In 1894, he was elected Burgess of 
 Bellefonte for a term of three years, and in Jan- 
 uary, 1895, he was elected chairman of the Re- 
 publican County Committee, to which position he 
 was re-elected in August, 1895, and again in 
 June, 1896, and in August, 1897, he was again 
 re-elected Republican County Chairman, his pres- 
 ent term extending until January 1, 1899. The 
 following extracts from the press evidence his 
 growth as a young attorney and citizen: 
 
 W. E. Gray is an orator and makes an eloquent as well 
 as argumentative address before a jury or audience. He is 
 true to his client in every detail, and is bound to succeed in 
 his chosen profession. For the brief practice he has had, Mr. 
 Gray has built up a reputation far better and more promi- 
 nent than the average attorney of his age and experi- 
 ence. He has made a big success in the quarter sessions, 
 where he is employed more frequently than any young at- 
 torney at the Bar. 
 
 Mr. Gray has proven himself a worthy chieftain of the 
 rapidly advancing Republican ranks, wide-awake, cautious, 
 quick to perceive, and ready to act, combining all the ele- 
 ments of a first-class leader and safe counselor. The in- 
 
 terests of the Republican party of Centre county are safe in 
 
 fair fiel " 
 to win. 
 
 his hands, and in a 
 
 leld and a fair fight we are bound 
 
 W. E. Gray is one of our rising young lawyers, and is a 
 young man who would fill the office with dignity, and to the 
 best interests of the people. A Burgess of a town ought to 
 be a lawyer, and a man who knows how to dispense law. 
 
 The next office of importance that expires this year is 
 that of Burgess. W. E. Gray, Esq., has acquitted himself 
 manfully during the last three years as chief magistrate of 
 the borough, and, although he has to step down and out, he 
 has made one of the best officers that we have had for years. 
 
 On October 2, 1889, Mr. Gray was united in 
 marriage with Miss Ellen Green, who was born 
 at Barre Forge, Huntingdon Co., Penn., Sep- 
 tember 21, 1862; in 1874 she removed with her 
 father's family to Patton township. Centre county. 
 She was educated in the public schools in that 
 locality and in the academy at Bellefonte. She 
 is the daughter of G. Dorsey and Mary Gregg 
 Green. One son, Samuel Hutchison Gray, 
 born September 3, 1893, has brightened their 
 pleasant home. 
 
 DvANIEL GARMAN, of Bellefonte, Centre 
 _J county, proprietor of the "Hotel Garman" 
 and of the handsome opera house in the same 
 block, has been for many years one of the sub- 
 stantial business men of that charming town. 
 
106 
 
 - OMMBJIORATIVE BIOQRAPBICAL RECORD. 
 
 While achieving success as a Boniface he has 
 been no less fortunate in other lines, and notably 
 so as the owner of extensive livery barns and as 
 a dealer in horses. Although he has of late 
 delegated the active work to Ins SODS, who - 
 to have inherited his capacity for business, he 
 has by ii" means lost his influence and prestige 
 in financial circl' 
 
 Daniel Garman is a Pennsylvanian by birth, 
 having been born near Hamsburg, Dauphin 
 county, February 12, 1820. His parents, George 
 and Rebecca (Betzer) Garman, were both born 
 and reared near Lancaster, Penn., but moved in 
 1806, shortly after their marriage, to Dauphin 
 county. The father operated a distillery in con- 
 nection with his agricultural pursuits, and pros- 
 pered si 1 u ell that at the time of his death, which 
 occurred when he was fifty eight years old, he 
 owned three good farms. In politics he was a 
 Democrat, and in religious faith he was a Luth- 
 eran. The mother lived to the age of sixty-two 
 
 rs, and, of eleven children, nine — seven sons 
 and two daughters — lived to adult 
 
 Our subject, the fifth child in order of birth, 
 grew to manhood at the old home, and at twenty- 
 three started out to seek his fortune, locating 
 first at Jersey Shore, Penn., where he learned the 
 jeweler's trade, and was lor three years in that 
 business with his brother. He also began there 
 his career as a liveryman, which now dates back 
 over forty-six years. In 1856 he went to Lock 
 Haven, Penn.', and opened a jewelrj store and 
 livery stable, and engaged in the buying and sell- 
 ing of horses. In 1857, while there, he was 
 married to Miss Louisa Schroyer, who was born 
 at Milton. Northumberland Co , Penn., in 1834, 
 and in 1 Sod he moved to Bellefonte. A large 
 stoi k ot horses which he bought at that time en- 
 abled him to establish himself in a profitable 
 business at once; m [861 he purchased a hotel, 
 and has evei since been 1 onnected with that line. 
 His present hotel and opera house wen built in 
 [880, and Ins residence and barn in 1SS7. 
 
 In 1886, Ins pleasant home was darkened by 
 the death of his faithful partner in the joys and 
 sorrows of life. Nine children ot this happy 
 union survive: 1) Edward is a merchant at 
 llefonte. (21 Alien S., whowas bom in Belle- 
 fonte, March 3, i860, took in the high 
 
 "ml. and then learned the harness maker's 
 trade, which he followed tor time years. In 
 [890, as lus father desired to be released from 
 active business, Allen S. Garman assumed the 
 management <>f the hotel and opera house, which 
 he still conducts in partnership with his broil 
 < arney M. and Charles B. Allen S. is alert and 
 intelligent, and finds time, notwithstanding his 
 
 business cares, to take an influential share in the 
 work of the local Democratic organization, and 
 in public affairs generally. On all questions of 
 the day he keeps well informed, and in discus- 
 sion he is amply qualified to hold his own ground. 
 (3) Ira D. Garman, third son of our subject, is a 
 jeweler in Philadelphia, Penn. (4) Minnie mar- 
 ried Isaac Matland, of Williamsport, Penn (51 
 I Canny M. is a partner in the hotel and opera 
 house management. (6) William is a clerk in 
 the post office at Bellefonte. <7) Charles B. is 
 one of the partners in his father's business. (8) 
 Rebe married Charles Cruse, of Bellefonte. (9) 
 Robert is a jeweler at Coatesville, Chester Co., 
 vlvania. 
 Darnel Garman in his younger life took an 
 active part in politics, and served in the borough 
 council and on the school board. He has been 
 a Master Mason for forty-six years, and forthirty- 
 five years has been identified with the Lpiscopal 
 Church. 
 
 J'olIN WAGNER, of Bellefonte. The salu- 
 brious air of this mountain region is favora- 
 ble to longevity, and the subject of this sketch, 
 a hale and hearty citizen of ninety years, is evi- 
 dence of the fact if any doubter were lo be found. 
 With his stalwart frame, six feet in height, his 
 healthy complexion, Roman nose and intelligent 
 eyes of bluish gray, Mr. Wagner is a line speci- 
 men of manhood, and hi-- vigor makes one think 
 ol the times long past when three-score years and 
 ten were not the ordinary limit of mortal exist- 
 ence. 
 
 Mi. Wagner is a son of the Keystone Mate, 
 having first seen the light in Northumberland 
 county November 9, 1806. His lather. John 
 Wagner, was born in Berks county. Penn.. in 
 1773, and died m 1S50, and the mother, whose 
 maiden name was 1 atherine Kuntzman, was 
 called bom earth at the age of sixty-seven years. 
 I he grandfathers on both sides were soldiers in 
 the Revolutionary army, and Grandfather V. 
 ner was taken prisoner by the British and placed 
 with others upon an island, where he died of starv- 
 ation. An uncle who was with him survived the 
 hardships, and returned home to tell the son 
 ful story. Our subject's father saw the martyr 
 to the cause lom for the last time when 
 
 the I lessians went into camp near Reading, Penn- 
 sylvania, 
 
 John Wagner, Sr., was a weaver by trade, 
 but later became mtc rested in agriculture, which 
 he followed during the remainder of his life. In 
 1S12 he moved to Haines township. Centre 
 county, where he made his permanent home, and 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 107 
 
 until his death he was a prominent member of 
 the German Reformed Church there. 
 
 The personal history of the subject of this 
 sketch is most interesting, as his reminiscences 
 cover incidents which seem far removed from this 
 generation. He remembers seeing soldiers dur- 
 ing the war of 1812, and his experiences in help- 
 ing upon the farm with the primitive methods of 
 that day would reconcile the modern farmer's boy 
 to his lot, as Mr. Wagner had to "tramp out" 
 the wheat on the barn floor, and to thresh clover 
 and rye with the old-fashioned flail. What 
 schooling he had was obtained in the neighbor- 
 hood of his home in Haines township, and in 
 early manhood he settled upon a farm there. In 
 1 827 he married his first wife, Miss Helen Collier, 
 by whom he had two children: (1) Katharine 
 E. married Daniel Gathagan, and had five chil- 
 dren, of whom two, Julia and Webster, are liv- 
 ing. (2) Peggy married William Harmon, and 
 both are now deceased; their children are: John 
 (who lives in the country), Clark and Belle. 
 Mrs. Helen Wagner died in 1828, and Mr. Wag- 
 ner afterward wedded Miss Sallie Weisser, born 
 in June, 1816. By the last marriage there were 
 four children: (1) Emetine, who married Mr. 
 Hess, and has six children; (2) Sue, the wife of 
 Adam Wagner, of Bellefonte, now retired from 
 business. (3) Henry F. . who died unmarried in 
 his forty-seventh year; and (4) John C, who 
 when last heard from was in St. Paul, Minn. 
 Mr. Wagner has lived to see his great-grandchil- 
 dren and other descendants make an interesting 
 group. 
 
 In 1837 Mr. Wagner left his Haines township 
 home for the vicinity of Boalsburg, and in 1859 
 he established his home in Benner township, but, 
 on his retirement from active work in 1868, he set- 
 tled permanently in Bellefonte. He is a leading 
 adherent of the Reformed Church there. In his 
 political sympathies he is a Democrat, and he is 
 an advocate of free silver at "16 to I." 
 
 JC. MEYER. The reader of these memoirs 
 will find the conviction borne in upon his 
 mind that underlying all differences of train- 
 ing and environment there lies another factor 
 from which the history of each individual takes 
 its bias. An ideal, a steady purpose, needed, 
 and where this is found life is simplified and all 
 things tend to bring about, sooner or later, the 
 desired end. Truly, "where there's a will there's 
 a way, "and fortunate is the man who early in 
 life finds the right channel toward which to di- 
 rect his energies. Among those who seem to 
 have solved the problem thus, is the subject of 
 
 this biography, now one of Bellefonte's success- 
 ful attorneys. 
 
 Mr. Meyer was born January 31, 1861, on a 
 farm cailed Pleasant View, lying south of Aarons- 
 burg. The family is numerously represented in 
 this section, and a sketch prepared by Hon. 
 Henry Meyer, of Centre county, the author of 
 "the Genealogy of the Meyer Family," will be 
 found elsewhere in this volume. The first of the 
 line to settle in this State was Henry Meyer, who 
 came from the Palatinate, Prussia, with his wife 
 and several children, and located in Lebanon 
 county. His son Christopher had a son George, 
 who had a son Jacob G, the father of our sub- 
 ject. Jacob G. Meyer was born near Camp- 
 belltown, Penn., October 16, 1824, and was 
 twice married, first to Henrietta Christina Furst, 
 our subject's mother, and second to Lydia A. 
 Dutweiler (nee Strohm). Jacob G. Meyer set- 
 tled near Aaronsburg in early manhood, and 
 cleared the farm now known as " Pleasant View," 
 but in October, 1865, moved to the town to en- 
 gage in general mercantile business. At the 
 time of his removal our subject was about four 
 years old, and from his sixth to his twelfth year 
 he attended the public schools of Aaronsburg. 
 He then entered the employ of B. F. Phillips, in 
 a general store at that place, and remained two 
 years, but his inclination for study was too strong 
 to be suppressed, and he determined to prepare 
 for college under the tuition of Prof. D. Mj 
 Wolfe, of Penn Hall. To carry out this plan ha 
 walked five miles each Monday morning and Fri- 
 day night, and in 1878 he entered the sophomore 
 class of Franklin and Marshall College at Lan- 
 caster, Penn. In June, 1881, he was graduated 
 with the degree of A. B., being chosen valedic- 
 torian of his class. He desired to enter the legal 
 profession, but like many others in like circum- 
 stances he turned temporarily to teaching. In 
 August of the same year he was elected assistant 
 principal of the schools of Bellefonte, his duties 
 beginning in September, and so successful was 
 he in this work that when the Bellefonte High 
 School was organized, in the fall of 1883, he was 
 chosen principal. The first class was graduated 
 under his charge in June, 1884, and his career as 
 an educator promised to be a most brilliant one; 
 but he had been spending his spare time in prep- 
 aration for his profession, reading for the previ- 
 ous year under the direction of Alexander and 
 Bower, and wishing to give his entire time to 
 this work he resigned at the close of the school 
 year. Devoting his attention to his books, he 
 soon completed his course of reading, and was 
 admitted to the Bar, December 24, 1884. He 
 began to practice in partnership with Judge 
 
108 
 
 COMMEMOHA LIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RBOOBD. 
 
 Adam Hoy, and secured an enviable reputation 
 
 early in Ins career. 
 
 Being an ardent Democrat, he became prom- 
 inent m political circles also; in August, (886, be 
 was nominated by his party for the office of dis- 
 trict attorney, being elected in November fol- 
 lowing by 666 majority In [889 he was again 
 chosen to the office by a majority which was just 
 twice that of [886. 1 Hiring the last term he had 
 a peculiar experience, there being five homicide 
 trials; foi fiftj years previous, there had not been 
 a case of that nature. Of the five offenders, two 
 received the extreme penalty of the law. and the 
 others were convicted in lesser degrees. In 1 
 Mr Meyer was given the unanimous support of 
 the Democratic party in his county for the State 
 Senate, but as Centre county had furnished the 
 last represeutatn e the nomination fell to Clear- 
 field county. In municipal affairs Mi Meyer 
 has also been active, and in [893 he was elected 
 burgess oi Bellefonte. overcoming an adverse ma- 
 jority of 120. He is now giving his attention 
 exclusively to his legal practice, which has as- 
 sumed handsome proportions. 
 
 In 1887 Mr. Meyer married Miss Lizzii S 
 Ml Almont, who was born near Jacksonville, Cen- 
 tre county, February 14, 1865. One daughter, 
 Edna E., blesses this union Mr. Meyer and his 
 accomplished wife are popular socially, and 
 although he belongs to the Reformed Church 
 they have for four years past been members of 
 the choir of the Presbyterian Church. Socially 
 Mr. Meyer has been identified with the I. O. O. 
 F. for four years, and has passed the chairs in the 
 Encampment. At present he is a member of the 
 board of directors of the Odd Fellows' Orphans' 
 Home at Sunburv 
 
 THOMAS RENICK HAYES, M. D . of Belle- 
 fonte, Centre county, is of Revolutionary 
 stock, and of ancestry that is of the hardy and 
 sturdy Irish race, which so early came to the 
 Susquehanna country and played so important a 
 part in the development of that country and so- 
 ciety 
 
 In the old Derry churchyard, in Dauphin 
 c»unty, rest the remains oi Patrick Hayes and 
 wife. He was a native of Ireland, born in 
 t ount) Donegal in 1705, and in 1725 came to 
 America and located in what is now Derry town- 
 ship, Dauphin county. The records of the war- 
 rantees of lands in that township show that Jan- 
 uary 10. 1737, he became warrantee to ^00 acres 
 of land. His death occurred Januarj ;i. 1 
 Robert, their second sen. was born in 1733, and 
 
 in 1 7' >2 married Margaret \\ ray. of Derry town- 
 ship. John Hayes, eldest son of Robert, became 
 deputy surveyor of Northumberland county, and 
 later of Union county Many of the surveys in 
 CCntre county were made by him as a deputy- 
 surveyor of Northumberland county. His birth 
 occurred in 1765, and in 1786 he came to Buffalo 
 Valley, in what subsequently became Union 
 county. In 1796 he married Margaret Gray, a 
 daughter of Capt. William Gray, of the Revolu- 
 tion [Capt. Gray, as a lieutenant, was prisoner 
 from August 27, 1776, to Decembers, 1776; he 
 
 I at Sunbury, July 18, 1804, at the age of 
 fifty-four], and resided on the river just above 
 the town of Lewisburg. Robert Hayes, in 1 790, 
 bought the old Andrew Forster farm, located 
 above Mifflinburg, which at his death was pur- 
 chased 1>\ his son [ohn. The latter died May 
 16, 1844; his children were: Robert Goodlow 
 Harper. Nancy, David, Samuel, Joseph, Will- 
 iam, Margaret, Anne and James; of whom the 
 first named was the father of the subject of this 
 sketch. 
 
 Robert Goodlow Harper Hayes was born 111 
 1797, and December 27, 1827, was married to 
 Esther Renick Forster. He resided on the old 
 home of his grandfather and father, where he 
 died May 2, 1854. His wife's death occurred 
 August 2, 1856. He had been an elder in the 
 Presbyterian Church nineteen years. 
 
 Dr. Thomas Renick Hayes received his edu- 
 cation at Academia, in Juniata county, under 
 Prof. J. H. Shumaker, and at Lafayette College. 
 In 1 864 he was graduated from the Chicago Med- 
 ical College, then practiced some years at Ocon- 
 omowoc, Wis., successfully. In 1870 he located 
 in practice at Bellefonte. In 1876 he assisted 
 in organising the Centre County Medical Society, 
 of which he became an original member, and of 
 which he has served as president. He has served 
 as vice-president of the Pennsylvania State Med- 
 ical Society. Dr. Hayes is the author of the 
 "Medical History of Centre County. " Hestands 
 deservedly high in his profession. As a citizen 
 he has contributed substantially to the interests 
 of his adopted city in the erection of elegant 
 dwellings. He has served in various positions; 
 has been director of the First National Bank, 
 and of the Bellefonte Building and Loan Asso- 
 ciation. 
 
 Dr. Hayes, on December 28, 1871, was mar- 
 ried to Miss Sarah B., daughter of Hon. H. N. 
 McAllister (deceased), formerly of Bellefonte. 
 Adhering to the faith of his ancestors for many 
 generations back, he is a member of the Presby- 
 terian Church, active and zealous for its pros- 
 perity. 
 
^^A 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 109 
 
 T^HE POTTERS of Centre county. A. Boyd 
 Hamilton, late of Harrisburg, Penn., says 
 that John Potter, the first American ancestor of 
 the Potter family, was a native of Tyrone, Ire- 
 land, of Scotch parentage, born about the year 
 1705. He immigrated with his family to Amer- 
 ica in 1741, aboard the good ship Dunnegal, 
 landing at New Castle, Delaware, in September 
 of that year. He removed west of the river as 
 early as 1746, and settled in Antrim township 
 (now Franklin county), near Greencastle. In the 
 early French war of 1747-48, he was in the serv- 
 ice as a first lieutenant, and took an active part 
 in the Indian war following Braddock's defeat. 
 On the erection of Cumberland county, in 1750, 
 he, on October 6th of that year, was commis- 
 sioned its first sheriff, and again commissioned 
 sheriff in 1753. On February 17, 1756. he was 
 commissioned a captain in the Second Pennsyl- 
 vania Battalion, and accompanied Col. Arm- 
 strong's expedition against Kittanning September 
 7, 1756. He died about 1758. His children 
 were: James, who was a general in the Army 
 of the Revolution, Thomas, who was killed by 
 the Indians, Samuel, Margaret Annie, Catherine, 
 Mary, Hannah and Isabella. 
 
 Gen. James Potter, son of John Potter, ac- 
 cording to Mr. Hamilton, and Hon. John B. Linn, 
 in his "Annals of Buffalo Valley" and "History 
 of Centre County," was born on the bank of the 
 river Foyle, Tyrone, Ireland, in 1729, and was 
 twelve years old when his father landed at New 
 Castle in 1 741 . He was commissioned ensign in 
 a company of which his father was captain, in 
 Lieut. -Col. John Armstrong's battalion, and 
 served as such in Armstrong's expedition against 
 Kittanning September 7, 1756, and was wounded 
 in the attack. On October 23, 1757, he was 
 commissioned lieutenant of the second battalion, 
 and February 17, 1759, he was promoted to 
 captain. On October 2, 1764, he was command- 
 ant of three companies on the northern frontiers. 
 On July 27. 1764, he was in command of a com- 
 pany which pursued the Indians who had killed 
 a school master, named Brown, and his ten 
 scholars, near the present site of Greencastle, 
 Penn., and Capt. Potter was the first white man 
 to enter Penn's Valley. 
 
 Chief Justice Tilghman says: "Capt. James 
 Potter was a man of a strong and penetrating 
 mind, and one to whom early habits as an officer 
 of the British provincial army, engaged in the 
 defense of the frontier, rendered a life of peril, 
 toil and enterprise familiar." He conceived the 
 natural idea that, inclosed by the range of moun- 
 tains which on every side met his view on his re- 
 turn from Kittanning, there must be a fine coun- 
 
 try beyond, and on being ordered to Fort Au- 
 gusta, his idea of a fine country to be discovered 
 returned to him. Having obtained leave of 
 absence, he set off with one attendant, passing 
 up the West branch to the mouth of Bald Eagle 
 creek, then passing up Bald Eagle creek to the 
 place where Spring creek enters it, they took to 
 the mountains, and having reached the top of 
 Nittany mountain, Capt. Potter, seeing the 
 prairies and noble forest beneath him, cried out 
 to his attendant: "By Heavens Thompson I 
 have discovered an empire." Immediately de- 
 scending into the plain, they came to a spring at 
 a place which was in after days of some distinc- 
 tion, and known by the appellation of "Old 
 Fort." Here they found themselves out of pro- 
 visions, and for two days and as many nights the 
 fiesh scraped from a dried beaver's skin was their 
 only subsistence. From here they started to re- 
 turn to Fort Augusta, and by good fortune hap- 
 pened on a creek, to which they gave the name 
 of John Penn's creek. Pursuing the stream, they 
 arrived where provisions could be had, and finally 
 reached Fort Augusta. This was in all proba- 
 bility in 1759, just after the purchase of 1758, 
 when Potter was at Bedford, and had been first 
 promoted captain of William Thompson's com- 
 pany, and that Thompson was his companion. 
 He afterward returned to Penn's Valley, and in 
 the spring of 1774 removed his family, and made 
 the first improvement at the spring, a little north 
 of where the " Old Fort Hotel " now stands on 
 the turnpike in Potter township, where he built 
 a log house which was fortified in 1777, and 
 known as the " Upper Fort in Penn's Valley." 
 He owned in this Valley, in 1782, 9,000 acres of 
 land. 
 
 On January 24, 1776, he was elected colonel 
 of the Upper Battalion, and in July a member of 
 the Constitutional Convention. He was in com- 
 mand of a battalion of Northumberland County 
 Militia at Trenton, December 26, 1776, and at 
 Princeton, January 3, 1777. On April 5, 1777, 
 he was appointed third brigadier-general of the 
 militia of the State, and was in command of his 
 brigade at Brandywine and Germantown. He 
 served with great ability upon the outpost of 
 Gen. Washington's army while encamped at 
 Valley Forge, and by particular request of the 
 State Council he remained in the field during that 
 winter. The house he occupied as headquarters 
 during the time he was at Valley Forge is still 
 standing, and is occupied by J. Ralter Rayser. 
 It stands back a hundred yards from Trout 
 creek. On January 9, 1778, he obtained leave 
 of absence in consequence of the condition of his 
 business and the illness of Mrs. Potter, whose 
 
110 
 
 ( OMMEMORATIVE B10QRAPE1CAL RECORD. 
 
 "indisposition is with me a more urgent reason 
 than any other fur my return. Dunn- the sum- 
 iii. i nl 1778, he was in Penn's Vallej assisting 
 in repelling inroads of 1 1 1 « ■ Indians. He remained 
 in Penn's Vallej as late as July. 1779, when he 
 retired with the rest oi the inhabitants, and took 
 his family to Middle Creek, in Sin nty. 
 
 t )n Novi mbei [6, 1 780, w hen he bet ami 
 member of the State Council, lie- still resided at 
 Middle Creek. On November 14. 1781, lie was 
 elected Vice-President of the State, and May 23, 
 1782, he was unanimously elected major-general. 
 In 17S4 he was elected a member "f the Council 
 .if (.'elixirs, taking his seat July 7. 1784. Mean- 
 while he hid resumed his residence on his farm 
 above New Columbia, now Union county. In 
 a letter dated White Deer, April -''■. 1785, he 
 •-ays: " I have just come home from Philadel- 
 phia, and will have t,, return, which will prevenl 
 my visiting Penn's Valley at this time In that 
 year he was appointed one of the deputy sur- 
 veyors of the "Old Purchase." In 1786 and 
 17X7 he was largely interested, with Hon. 
 Timothy Pickering, in lands in the Purchase of 
 17S4. and in 17X8 turned his attention to im- 
 provements in Penn's Valley, erecting the first 
 house at Potter's hank, and the mills there. In 
 the fall of 1789 he was injured in raising a barn 
 on what was lately Foster's farm, east of the 
 ••Old Fort," and went to Franklin county for 
 the benefit of Dr. McClelland's advice, and died 
 therein during the latter part of that year. 
 
 (,,11 Potter's first wile was Elizabeth Cath- 
 cart, who died near Greencastle, in Franklin 
 county (then ( umberland), leaving two children: 
 [ohn. who died at Middle Creek, when he was 
 aged about eighteen years, and Elizabeth C, 
 who was married t<> Hon James Poe, of Frank- 
 lin county. Mrs. Poe died September 11. 1819, 
 and Hon. James Poe on June 21, 1X22, in An- 
 trim township, Franklin county. Onlj one of 
 their children, ^usan M.. wife of Samuel Van- 
 Tries, who died in Bellefonte, December 10, 
 1XX2. aged seventy-seven years, came to Penn's 
 Valley. Gen. Pottet econd wife was Mary, 
 widow of Thomas Chambers, daughter of James 
 and Marj Patterson, oi Fermanagh township 
 mow [uniata county), and .1 sister o) Capt. 
 William Patterson. The second Mi-. Potter 
 died in [791 01 1792, in Penn's Valley, and is 
 buried in the old Stanford or Cedar Creek grave- 
 yard, near Linden Hall The children born to 
 tie- second marriage were: 1 ) James is mentioned 
 farther on; (2) Martha, born on the ( .moco- 
 cheague, April 10, 1769. married Hon, Andrew 
 Gregg; 1 }) Mary married George Kiddles, .1 mer- 
 chant of Middletown, and alter his death she 
 
 wedded William McClelland; Mary H.. her 
 daughter by the first marriage, married W. H. 
 Patterson ; another daughter, Eliza, married Dr. 
 1I1 i; Aid, i| Lewistown, whose heirs owned 
 the old Potter place in White Deer, Union 
 i\ 41 Margaret, the youngest daughter, 
 married Fdward Crouch, of Dauphin county. 
 
 Judi.h James Potter, son of Gen. James 
 Potter, wis Ixiin at his lather's place on Conoco- 
 
 ague creek, Antrim township (now Franklin 
 county), Julv 4. 1767, a son of the second mar- 
 riage ( >n December 15, 1 7XX, he married Mary 
 liter of William Brown, the first set- 
 tler at Reedsville, Mifflin county, and in 1789 es- 
 tablished himseli at Potters Mills. On the death 
 ol his father, he acquired large land interest, and 
 carried on a store, mills and distillery at that 
 e, and succeeded him as deputy surveyor of 
 the Sixth District in the Purchase of 1784. In 
 connection with Capt. Samuel Montgomery, of 
 Carlisle, he owned the site of Lewistown, and 
 laid out that village in 1790. On October 2, 
 [790, he was commissioned one of the judges of 
 the several courts of Centre county, which office 
 he held dining life. In 1807 he was appointed 
 major-general of the Tenth Military District. 
 fudge Potter died November 2, 1818, when he 
 was aged fifty-one years; his widow, Mary Pot- 
 ter, who was horn June 15, 1770, died January 
 6, 1823. Their children were: James, born 
 December 1, 1789; William W.; George Lati- 
 mer; Mary, married to Dr. William I. Wilson; 
 John; Peggy Crouch, married to Dr. Charles 
 ( churn; Martha Gregg, married to Abraham 
 Valentine; and Andrew Gregg. 
 
 James Potter, son of Judge James Potter, 
 was born at Potters Mills, Centre county, De- 
 cember 1, 1789. On December 20, 1814, he 
 married Maria Wilson, daughter of Gen. William 
 Wilson, and by her he had the following chil- 
 dren: James. Susan (married to O. P. Duncan), 
 William W.. John, Dr. George L. and Andrew 
 1 .!■ gg. For his second wife, James Potter mar- 
 ried Susan Irvin, widow of Thomas Duncan (de- 
 ceased 1, by whom he had children as follows: 
 Thomas D . Irvin \\ '., Maria .married to Dr. 
 Hendricks), Annie A. (married to Dr. W. < 
 Spaulding), Jacob Lex, Charles H., and Mary 
 Ellen (married to Simeon H. Crane and residing 
 in ( The father of these, in connection 
 
 with his brother [ohn, was extensively engaged 
 in mercantile and manufacturing business. In 
 1856 he removed to Watertown, Wis., and aft- 
 erward to Madison, End., where he died March 
 22, 1 
 
 William W. Potter was born at Potters 
 Mills. Centre county, March 8, 1819. He at- 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 Ill 
 
 tended the academy of Rev. David Kirkpatrick, 
 D. D. , at Milton, and later was engaged with his 
 father in the mercantile and milling businesses, 
 in the transaction of which he made frequent visits 
 to Philadelphia on horseback. He resided, re- 
 spectively, at Potters Mills, Linden Hall, Centre 
 Furnace, Milesburg, Iron Works and Bellefonte, 
 and at his death, July 7, 1884, he was agent for 
 the Pennsylvania Railroad Co., at Bellefonte. 
 He was held in high esteem by his employers and 
 the community, which was manifested by the re- 
 spect shown him at his death, when all places of 
 business were closed during the funeral services. 
 On February 6, 1844, he was married to Sarah 
 Irvin, youngest daughter of John Irvin, of Lin- 
 den Hall, and of their two children, John Irvin, 
 the elder, who was born November 23, 1844, 
 succeeded his father as agent of the Pennsylva- 
 nia Railroad Co., which position he occupies at 
 the present time. George Latimer Potter, the 
 younger son, was born at Potters Mills, April 6, 
 1847. He attended school at State College 
 (Centre county), Lawrenceville (N. J.), and 
 Washington and Jefferson College (Washington 
 county, Penn.), but as his health failed he did 
 not complete the college course. He read med- 
 icine for one year, but owing to an accident by 
 which his father lost an arm, he took up the lat- 
 ter's work, which he continued in until 1874, 
 when he was obliged to relinquish it on account 
 of failing health. In 1874 he engaged in the 
 insurance business, and has since made that his 
 permanent work. On June 21, 1876, he was 
 married to Elizabeth J. Sanderson, daughter of 
 W. C. Sanderson, of Eagle Mills, Clinton county, 
 and they have two daughters: Marguerite, born 
 July 29, 1877; and Sarah Irvin, born March 14, 
 1883. Through her mother, Mrs. Potter is a 
 descendant of the famous Indian scout, Robert 
 Copenhoven. The family attend the Presbyte- 
 rian Church, in which Mr. Potter is an elder. 
 
 WILLIAM F. SMITH, prothonotary of 
 Centre county, and clerk of the Courts 
 of Quarter Sessions and of Oyer and Terminer, 
 is one of the most able and popular officials 
 whom the administration of county affairs has 
 called to Bellefonte. Born and reared upon a 
 farm in Penn township, Centre county, he has 
 from youth displayed the qualities which mark 
 the typical American, and, by his work as a 
 teacher and farmer in early manhood, he strength- 
 ened and developed those traits which have 
 brought him success in a wider sphere of use- 
 fulness. 
 
 Mr. Smith is of Scotch-Irish blood, on the 
 
 paternal side, but his ancestors crossed the ocean 
 at an early date. Francis Smith, his grand- 
 father, was born in Union county, Penn., but 
 later settled in Penn township, Centre county, 
 where he died at the age of eighty-two years. 
 True to his descent, he was a forceful, independ- 
 ent character, and as an Old-time Democrat 
 never hesitated to declare his convictions. The 
 late John B. Smith, our subject's father, was a 
 native of Centre county, having first seen the 
 light in Penn township, October 3, 1824. He 
 was a blacksmith by trade, and made his home 
 at Millheim, where he departed this life October 
 18, 1892, leaving an honored memory as an up- 
 right man and faithful citizen. His widow, Mrs. 
 Amelia Gilbert Smith, who was born in Snyder 
 county, Penn., January 8, 1830, survives him 
 and resides at Millheim. 
 
 William F. Smith, the only child of his par- 
 ents, was born February 3, 1851, and the district 
 schools at Millheim furnished him an elementary 
 education. Not content with that, he sought 
 wider opportunities, walking a long distance 
 morning and evening during three successive 
 terms to attend Penn Hall Academy, and later 
 he studied at Aaronsburg Academy, two miles 
 distant. The County Normal School at Rebers- 
 burg, where he spent two terms, gave him special 
 training for the work of teaching, and this call- 
 ing he followed successfully for fourteen winters 
 in succession. As indisputable evidence of his 
 ability in this line we may mention that his work 
 was done in his native township, among those 
 who had no glamor of novelty to blind them in 
 their criticisms, five terms being passed at Mill- 
 heim Grove and eight in his home district. Dur- 
 ing seven years of this time he employed his 
 spare moments at the blacksmith's trade, and he 
 afterward engaged in farming, which he followed 
 for about ten years. He has also been in the 
 life-insurance business, and has traveled over 
 several States in that interest. As school director 
 and assessor of his township he did good service, 
 strengthening public confidence in his ability, and 
 when he was nominated for the office of prothon- 
 otary by the Democrats in the fall of 1892, he 
 was elected by a majority of 805. He was in- 
 stalled January 1, 1893, and so well did he per- 
 form his duties that he was renominated by ac- 
 clamation at the close of the term, and again 
 elected. 
 
 Mr. Smith married Miss Margaret E. Kim- 
 port, who was born in Harris township, Centre 
 county, September 19, 1850. They have one 
 daughter living, Anna M. Smith, Another, 
 Mary I., passed from earth at the age of one 
 year and eight months. 
 
112 
 
 COMMKMOHATIVK !110<i liAl'll 1<A I RBOOBD. 
 
 JOHN T. JOHNSTON, late a venerable citi- 
 zen of Bellefonte, Centre county, in the pub- 
 lic affairs of which city he figured promi- 
 nently for upward of a third of a century, and 
 who at the tunc ol his death was chief clerk in the 
 Department of Internal Affairs at Harrisburg, 
 Penn . was a native of Centre county, born in the 
 village of Pine Grove Mills, October 20. 1829. 
 
 John and Charlotte Johnston, his parents, 
 were natives of Pennsylvania, born, the former 
 on November 12, 1790, and the latter on Febru- 
 ary 14, [801. To them were born five children, 
 of win mi our subject was the youngest. The par- 
 ents during the latter's infancy moved to the 
 headwaters of Spruce creek, now known as Rock 
 Springs, where the mother died [uly 9, [832. 
 About 1835 the father moved to Bellefonte, 
 where he engaged in the mercantile business. 111 
 which he continued until his death, which oc- 
 curred October 13, 1839. 
 
 John T. Johnston received his education at 
 the common schools and academy at Bellefonte. 
 His mother dying when he was but an infant, 
 and his lather when he was ten years of age, he 
 was thus left an orphan early in boyhood to be- 
 gin alone the battle of life, the greater part of 
 which struggle took place in Bellefonte, where, 
 later, his victories were achieved, and where his 
 every vote had been cast. At the age of fifteen 
 he entered the office of the Democratic Whig, 
 then published by John K. Shoemaker, for the 
 purpose of learning the art of printing, and in 
 the spring of 1851 he became a partner with Mr. 
 Shoemaker in the publication of that paper. He 
 entered politics as a Whig, and was the last 
 chairman that that party ever had in Centre 
 county. During the years of (854-55, he took 
 an active part with the American or Know-noth- 
 ing party, and in 1856 espoused the cause of the 
 Republican party, advocating through the col- 
 umns of his paper the election of Fremont and 
 Dayton, the first candidates of that party for 
 President and Vice-President, respectively, of the 
 United States. He was chosen chairman of the 
 Republican Committee of the county eight tunes, 
 and was also very active, zealous and consistent 
 in the support of the principles of his party, and 
 its candidates, although he never "hunted with 
 a brass band." In the winter of 1855 he was ap- 
 pointed to a clerkship in the State Department 
 at Ilarrisburg. under the administration of Gov 
 James Pollock. After serving several months In- 
 resigned and returned to Bellefonte, when he 
 took sole charge of the Whig, which he con- 
 tinued to publish until June, 1858. He was 
 clerk to the town council of Bellefonte for a 
 number of years, and was president of the school 
 
 board two years During the years 1859 60 he 
 served as clerk to the commissioners of the 
 county, and in the fall of the latter year was 
 elected prothonotary, being the first and only 
 Republican ever chosen to that office in the 
 county. During the session of 1866 he served 
 as a transcribing clerk in the Senate at Harris- 
 burg, and in the years 1867-68 he filled the posi- 
 tion of chief clerk in the Internal Revenue office 
 ol the then Eighteenth District of Pennsylvania. 
 In the spring of 1869 he was appointed post- 
 master at Bellefonte. and served in that capacit} 
 until July 1, 1885 — a period of over sixteen 
 years. In May, 1887, he was appointed railroad 
 clerk in the Department of Internal Affairs at 
 Harrisburg, and entered upon the duties of that 
 position on June 1 of that year. One of the 
 Bellefonte papers, referring to the death of Mr. 
 Johnston, said: "In all the different positions 
 of honor and emolument held by Mr. Johnston, 
 covering more than a third of a century, it can 
 be truthfully stated that he performed his whole 
 duty intelligently, honestly, faithfully and well. 
 He could always be relied upon, was never 
 weighed in the balance and found wanting." 
 
 On February 10. 1 X 52, oursubject was married 
 to Miss Mary A. McKinney, a most estimable 
 lady, who was a resident of Bellefonte, and al- 
 though at times she and her husband were called 
 upon to beartheir share of the vicissitudes of life 
 — its afflictions and sorrows — their union proved 
 an entirely happy one. Six children were born to 
 this marriage, namely: Edward C who died 
 whenfour years of age; AugustusC. , who died in in- 
 fancy; Eliza F. . who is now Mrs. Roland Kelly, of 
 Beaver Falls, Penn. ; Finley E. , who married Kate 
 Kellond, resides at Hastings, Mich., and has two 
 children — Edward and Lida M. ; George B . who 
 married Lillie Aikens, resides at Beaver Falls, 
 Penn., and has two children — Jennette A. and 
 Mary Ann; and Harry I'.., an electrician, who 
 married Sadie J. Walker, of Bellefonte, who died 
 June 19, 1897. 
 
 Mrs. Johnson, the widow of our subject, is 
 the daughter of Samuel and Eliza (Flack) McKin- 
 ney, and was bom at Bellefonte, Penn., her fa- 
 ther being of Scotch descent and her mother of 
 Irish parentage, The mother died at the home 
 ol Mrs. Johnston in Bellefonte in 18X5, the fathei 
 having died when Mrs Johnston was a child of 
 ten years. 1I<- l>ft four children, namely: Nam j 
 J. married Edward McBride, and died at James- 
 town, N. Y.. leaving seven children; John is a 
 farmer, married, has four children, and resides 
 in Texas; Samuel, a tailor by trade, died at Al- 
 toona unmarried: and Mrs. Johnston, who was 
 the second child in the order of birth. 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 115 
 
 H ( 
 
 TON. LEONARD RHONE. "Life," says a 
 well-known writer, "is meaningless unless 
 it is universal and coherent. " It is in a helpful 
 relation to our time, a sympathetic union with 
 the surrounding current of thought, feeling and 
 purpose, that we can realize the worth of our 
 own identity. To consciously ally one's self 
 with any of the mighty movements that are shap- 
 ing the future, is to invest life with new dignity 
 and power. The present is a time of combina-- 
 tions for varied aims, for man sees more and 
 more clearly his weakness, as an individual as 
 compared with his strength in union with others. 
 One of the most significant and hopeful signs 
 of the times is the awakening in that large body of 
 hitherto isolated workers, the agriculturists, of 
 this desire for united effort for their mutual good. 
 The organization known as the Patrons of Hus- 
 bandry is already a power in the nation, and if 
 its force is wisely directed and energetically ap- 
 plied the results must be momentous. 
 
 In the subject of this biography, who has 
 been for seventeen years the master of the Penn- 
 sylvania State Grange, the farmers of this State 
 have found a progressive, yet cautious, leader. 
 He is prominent also in the National Grange, in 
 which he is chairman of the executive commit- 
 tee, and he has attended every annual meeting 
 since 1880. His work in originating the Grange 
 picnic and exhibition at Centre Hall, which meets 
 annually in September, and lasts one week, has 
 produced great and lasting benefit to the order. 
 Every year sees an increase in attendance and 
 exhibitions, and the opportunity for conference 
 among the farmers is prized more and more. 
 
 Mr. Rhone was born at the Rhone homestead 
 near Centre Hall, July 21, 1838, and was mainly 
 educated at the old Fairfield school in that vi- 
 cinity. In 1857-58,. he attended Kishacoquillas 
 Seminary one year, but it is to his own observa- 
 tion and private reading that his wide range of 
 information is due. In the winter of 1858-59 
 he taught the Tusseyville school. Reared as a 
 farmer boy, and later engaging in agriculture as 
 an occupation, he has always been in complete 
 sympathy with the tillers of the soil, and his at- 
 tention was early attracted to the need of union 
 among them for mutual instruction and informa- 
 tion, and definite work for desired ends. From 
 the organization of the Patrons of Husbandry he 
 has always been an active member. His first 
 official position was connected with the State 
 society, but he was elected master of Pomona 
 Grange of Centre county in 1875, re-elected five 
 times, and in 1877 was chosen master of Centre 
 Hall Grange. In April, 1874, he was appointed 
 first deputy of the county by the then master of 
 
 the State Grange, and this position he held until 
 1878, when he was elected overseer of the State 
 Grange, and two years later was elected to his 
 present post. In the latter year he was elected 
 trustee of State College, and nominated by the 
 Greenbackers to the Legislature, but the latter 
 honor was declined, as was a similar nomination 
 in 1882. In that year he served as a delegate to 
 the National Convention of Agriculture under ap- 
 pointment by Gov. Hoyt, and later he was named 
 byGov. Hastings as a member of the State Board 
 of Agriculture. In 1885 the Democrats nomin- 
 ated him for the Legislature, and the special is- 
 sues of that time overcoming his disinclination 
 for political life, he accepted, was elected, and 
 in 1887 became his own successor. 
 
 Mr. Rhone owns 215 acres of excellent land, 
 and its fine condition shows that he is as strong 
 in practice as in theory. In 1864 he was married 
 to Miss Mary Margaret Sankey, daughter of the 
 late James Sankey, Esq., of Potters Mills, and 
 their union has been blessed with two clever and 
 attractive daughters: Miss Mae V., a graduate of 
 the seminary at Lutherville, Md., is now chief 
 clerk in the Department of Zoology of Pennsyl- 
 vania at Harrisburg. Miss Florence S. was grad- 
 uated from Lewis Academy at Wichita, Kans. , in 
 1893, with first honors, and at present assists her 
 father as his private secretary. The family is 
 prominent socially, and Mr. Rhone is identified 
 with the Masonic lodge at Centre Hall. He be- 
 longs to the Lutheran Church at Tusseyville, but 
 his wife is a devout Methodist in faith. 
 
 Mr. Rhone comes of our best pioneer stock, 
 as is shown by the fact that his beautiful farm 
 near Centre Hall has now been owned and occu- 
 pied by the Rhone family for more than a cen- 
 tury. The first of the name to leave the ances- 
 tral home in Hamburg, Germany, was John 
 Rhone, or Rahn, our subject's great-grandfather, 
 who was born in that city in 1698, during a win- 
 ter so severe as to be referred to in the history of 
 the Fatherland as "the cold winter." There is 
 now no record of his ancestry, and nothing is 
 known of his immediate relatives except that two 
 brothers came to America some time after his 
 emigration, one locating in the East, and the 
 other in the South. 
 
 John Rhone was a youth when he first came 
 to America, and after spending a few years in 
 Pennsylvania he returned to his native land, 
 where he married, his bride accompanying him 
 on his second voyage to the New World. At 
 that time emigrants were forbidden to carry 
 money out of the country, on account of some 
 movement political, commercial or military, and 
 in order to evade the edict our pioneer invested 
 
114 
 
 OOMMBMORA T17E BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 his patrimony in Bibles and merchandise, which 
 he brought with him. A few copies "I these 
 Bibles still remain and an- cherished in the family 
 as priceless heirlooms. 
 
 On his return to Pennsylvania, John Rhone 
 located in Tnlpehocken township, Berks county, 
 near the Norskill Lutheran Church, where he 
 followed the blacksmith's trade for many years. 
 \t the close of the Revolutionary war he moved 
 to Franklin county and engaged in farming. 
 While there Ins first wife died, but he afterward 
 re-married. He was a temperate man, a consist- 
 ent Christian, and a strict Lutheran in faith. 
 He died in March, 1823, at tin- extraordinary age 
 of 125 years — extending over portions of three 
 centuries. To the last he retained his strength 
 of mind and body, and when 105 years old he 
 paid a visit to his native land. His remains were 
 interred at Pleasant Hall, Franklin county, with 
 those of Ins wives. He had eighteen children, 
 most of whom lived to maturity, and some at- 
 tained great age, one daughter dying in Cumber- 
 land, Md , when 103 years old. But little is 
 known of the others. 
 
 The founder of the Centre county branch "| 
 the family was Michael Rhone, one of the elder 
 sons of this modern pitrian li He was horn m 
 Berks county, Penn., June 8, 1759, and received 
 a liberal education for the time 111 the parochial 
 school of the German Evangelical Church near 
 his home. The Revolution was 111 progress dur- 
 ing his early manhood, and his father being en- 
 gaged in furnishing supplies to the army, he 
 assisted in this business, often undergoing great 
 danger and suffering in conveying provisions to 
 camp, especially during the memorable winter at 
 Valley Forge. He was of temperate habits, and 
 possessed unusual strength and endurance, his 
 well-proportioned frame with its powerful sinews 
 seeming capable of any task. When peace was 
 restored, he traveled for several years in what 
 was then the " wild west.' most of the time be- 
 ing spent m Pennsylvania and New York. 
 
 In 1792 Michael Rbo loved from Berks 
 
 tinty to Haines township, Centre county, then 
 .1 part of Northumberland county, where he 
 purchased a tract of land and began to cli ar it 
 for a farm. For some reason he sold the place 
 two years later, ami went to the present home- 
 stead, winch he purchased from [acob Straub, 
 September 15, 170; This place was a part of 
 the first survey in that Valley, the Manor of Not- 
 tingham survey, made September 23 and 24, 
 
 1766, and the land had previously been deeded 
 to Straub on June 24, 1704, by John Penn, the 
 younger, and John Penn, the elder, by their at- 
 torney, Anthony Butler, of Philadelphia, as 
 
 shown by documents in the recorder's office in 
 Lewis town, Penn. The deed to Michael Rhone 
 was recorded at Bellefonte. 
 
 Before leaving Berks county, Michael Rhone 
 married Miss Catherine Elizabeth Wagner, who 
 was burn October 24, 1769. She seems to have 
 been amply endowed with physical strength and 
 a spirit capable of overcoming all hardships, while 
 her loresight is revealed by the fact that she car- 
 ried in her pocket a package of seeds of various 
 kinds, from which came, a few years later, ex- 
 tensive orchards of apple, pear, peach, plum and 
 cherry trees, covering about twenty acres. Many 
 of these trees are still standing. When the pio- 
 neers settled at their new home it was in its 
 primitive state, except for a small log cabin 
 covered with clapboards an insignificant stable 
 and a few acres ready for tilling. The location 
 was beautiful, however, and an excellent spring 
 added to the attraction of the place as a resi- 
 dence, modern methods of obtaining a bountiful 
 supply of water being then unknown. It was 
 known as the Indian spring, and bands of Red 
 men frequently camped there, a "trail" running 
 past it from Logan's Gap to Tussey mountain. 
 I is ancient path was visible for many years 
 after the aborigines left the region, and arrow- 
 heads and other relics were often found near by. 
 
 The land proved fertile, and Michael Rhone 
 and his good wife found themselves, in later 
 years, the owners of one of the best farms 
 in all that section. In 1805 a better house was 
 erected. 30x40 feet in size, with a stone founda- 
 tion, and having its logs deftly notched at the 
 corners. It was two stories high, with an im- 
 mense fireplace on each floor, and a high stone 
 chimney stood outside at either end. A barn 
 was built in 1810, and about 1820 the present 
 substantial and commodious barn was erected. 
 Intelligent, progressive and upright, Michael 
 Rhone was universally esteemed, and his home 
 was the center of a generous hospitality, which 
 has been continued by its later occupants. In 
 August. 1 X v. his faithful wife, who had shared 
 his early labors and his well-earned reward, 
 passed iwaj at the age of sixty-seven, and he 
 followed her on September 16, 1844, in his 
 eighty-sixth year, both being interred at Tussey- 
 ville. Centre county, in the cemetery of Eman- 
 uel's Church (Lutheran), of which they had long 
 been members. 
 
 They had two sons — John and Jacob — and 
 seven daughters, two of whom did not live to 
 maturity. Anna Maria married John Sholder, 
 and moved to Ohio, where they and their only 
 child died. Jane married Joseph Crotzer, of 
 Potter township, Centre county, and had a large 
 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 115 
 
 family. Katherine married Jacob Grossman, 
 and moved to Lena, 111., where several children 
 survive them. Nancy married David Harshber- 
 ger, near Zion, and left a numerous family. 
 Elizabeth married John Rishel, of Gregg town- 
 ship, Centre county. John Rhone, who was born 
 in 1800, married Miss Bottorf, of Pine Grove 
 Mills, and settled in Clinton county, engaging in 
 lumbering and other occupations. Some of his 
 descendants still reside in that county. 
 
 Jacob Rhone, our subject's father, was born 
 in September, 1807, and spent his entire life on 
 the homestead. Although the local schools fur- 
 nished his only educational advantages, he se- 
 cured an excellent fund of knowledge by individ- 
 ual effort, being a constant reader of the best 
 literature. He was a leading worker in local 
 affairs, always favoring beneficial enterprises, 
 and was especially prominent in religious mat- 
 ters as a member of the Lutheran Church, serv- 
 ing as an elder for a number of years. An 
 ardent Democrat, he possessed much influence 
 in political affairs, and was often a delegate to 
 county conventions. 
 
 In 1846 Jacob Rhone purchased the home- 
 stead from the other heirs, but on March 19, 
 1853, he was suddenly called from earth, a vio- 
 lent attack of typhoid pneumonia baffling the 
 skill of his physician. He had just been elected 
 justice of the peace, but his commission had not 
 yet been signed by the governor. His wife, 
 formerly Miss Sarah Karstetter, survives him, 
 and in taking up the management of the estate at 
 a critical time, and successfully carrying forward 
 the plans for the new residence then in process 
 of erection, showed remarkable sagacity and ex- 
 ecutive ability. In rearing their numerous 
 family to take honorable and useful places in so- 
 ciety she won yet more notable distinction. 
 She was born in 181 1, the daughter of Leonard 
 Karstetter, who resided at the confluence of Penn 
 and Pine creeks, in what is now Penn township. 
 Centre county. Her twin sister is still living, and 
 they are probably the oldest pair of twins to be 
 found in the county, if not in the State. Mrs. 
 Rhone conducted the farm until April 1, 1869, 
 when it was taken in charge by our subject, who 
 afterward bought out the other heirs. 
 
 Nine children were born to Jacob and Sarah 
 Rhone: (1) John W., born in 1832, died May 
 15, 1894; he graduated in 1863 from the Penn- 
 sylvania College of Dental Surgery, and became 
 the leading dentist at Bellefonte; in 1856 he 
 married Miss Caroline E. Keller, of Boalsburg, 
 who survives him with one son and one daugh- 
 ter. (2) Leonard is the second in order of birth. 
 (3) Mary Magdalene, born in 1834, is the wife of 
 
 William J. Dale, of Pleasant Gap, Penn. (4) 
 Sarah Ann, born in 1836, married John Hess, of 
 Pine Grove Mills, Penn. (5) Elizabeth Emily, 
 born in 1841, married H. P. Sankey, a farmer 
 near Potters Mills. (6) Margaret J., born in 
 1845, is the wife of Lewis F. Mason, of Grinnell, 
 Iowa. (7) Lydia A., born in 1845, died in in- 
 fancy. (8) Alice, born .in 1849, married John 
 W. Hixon, of Newton, Iowa. (9) Franklin died 
 at the homestead at the age of nineteen. 
 
 On June 13, 1894, the family held a centen- 
 nial celebration at the old home, and a throng of 
 relatives, neighbors and friends met to rejoice 
 with them. An elaborate program preceded a 
 bountiful dinner, which was spread under an im- 
 mense tent in the handsome grounds. Some 
 well-trained singers rendered appropriate selec- 
 tions, and a number of speeches were made, Mr. 
 Rhone welcoming the guests in a felicitous man- 
 ner. H. H. Harshberger responded, and Col. 
 J. F. Weaver, of Milesburg, delivered an inter- 
 esting historical address, which was followed by 
 an anniversary poem by Miss Emma Brewer, 
 superintendent of public schools of Crum Lynne, 
 Penn. At the dinner table a number of witty 
 speeches were made, and the remainder of the 
 day was given to social diversions and impromptu 
 musical selections, Grandmother Sarah Rhone, 
 despite her eighty-four years, sang in a strong 
 sweet voice two stanzas of a German song. One 
 of the happiest features of this delightful reunion 
 was the presence among her descendants of this 
 honored lady, who conversed among the guests 
 all day without apparent fatigue, and all joined 
 in the wish that she might live long to enjoy the 
 prosperity to which her own wisdom and energy 
 so largely contributed. 
 
 JOHN O. TODD (deceased), in his lifetime a 
 prominent citizen of Philipsburg, was for 
 many years connected with the mining in- 
 terests of Centre county, and through diligence 
 and economy secured a competency which en- 
 abled him to spend his declining years in ease 
 and retirement. He was born in Durham, Eng- 
 land, November 24, 1823, a son of John and 
 Mary J. (Waistle) Todd, who were natives of 
 that country, where the father died November 3, 
 1823. Later the mother wedded Joseph Boothe, 
 and in the fall of 1848 they came to America, 
 locating at Tamaqua, Schuylkill Co., Penn., 
 where they remained for three years. They 
 then took took up their residence in Philipsburg, 
 Centre county, where the mother died in No- 
 vember, 1868, and her husband on February 23, 
 1870. 
 
116 
 
 roVMKMoRATIVF BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 On April 12. 1847, Mr Todd sailed for 
 America, landing in New York Ma) 22 follow- 
 ing. Proceeding at once to Schuylkill county. 
 Penn., he there worked in the coal mines for 
 three years, and then came to Philipsburg, where 
 he was employed in the lumber woods and in a 
 sawmill, while during the spring he rafted lumber 
 on the Susquehanna river. In i860 he began 
 mining for his father-in-law, and served as min- 
 ing boss until 1893, when he laid aside business 
 cares, and sought the enjoyment of a well-earned 
 rest. A practical and skillful miner, he was well 
 litted for the responsible position which lit- rilled. 
 
 On September 14, [862, Mr. Todd married 
 Miss Susannah Nuttall, and ten children graced 
 their union, namely: Martha J., now the wife 
 of Andrew Allport, a farmer in Virginia; JohnT., 
 who is a stockholder and superintendent of mines 
 near Philipsburg; Frederick C, who is also inter- 
 ested in mines at the same place; Charles (de- 
 ceased); Mary W. and Harry W., both at home; 
 Herbert. Albert and Edna (all three deceased); 
 and Ethel N., at home. Mrs. Todd was born 
 July 19, 1847, in England, whence when two 
 years of age she was brought to the United 
 States by her parents, John and Betty Nuttall, 
 natives of Lancaster, England, who located in 
 New York for a few years, later in Centre 
 county. 
 
 Mr. Todd died June S, 1S97. Socially he 
 affiliate. 1 with the Kuights of Pythias; politically 
 he was identified with the Democratic party, 
 whose principles he strongly advocated and 
 whose candidates he always supported by his 
 ballot. A public-spirited, progressive citizen, 
 he manifested a deep interest in all that per- 
 tained to the welfare of the community, where 
 he found a pleasant home for so many years, 
 while throughout the county lie made many warm 
 friends, and his departure from their midst was 
 deeply mom ned 
 
 J I WARD, 1). I). S., one ,,t Bellefonte's 
 leading dentists, has shown a rare degree of 
 
 foresight and prudence in the choice of a 
 career. It is an excellent thing for a young 
 man to take account of his circumstances, abil- 
 ities and inclinations, an. I make judicious choice 
 of an occupation early m life, when he may bend 
 his best energies t.> his self-imposed task, and 
 l'r Ward's example is worthy of emulation. 
 
 Our subject is a nativeof Centre county, born 
 October 27, 1858, at Pine Grove Mills, Fergu- 
 son township, where be was given good edu.a- 
 tional advantages in the district schools and in the 
 Pine Grove Academy. At an early age he began 
 
 to display his characteristic energy and business 
 acumen, and while still in bis "teens" began 
 teaching school, which occupation he followed 
 six years, then became a traveling salesman for 
 an art firm, his duties taking him all over the 
 United States and familiarizing him incidental!) 
 with the various phases of human life. His prac- 
 tical mind gleaned many lessons from his expe- 
 riences and observations, and seeing the value of 
 a settled location and profession, he returned to 
 his native county and continued his studies for a 
 time. He then took a course in the Baltimore 
 Dental College, at Baltimore, Md., graduating in 
 1888, and after a few months located at Belle- 
 fonte, where he has built up an extensive and lu- 
 crative practice. Although devoted to his pro- 
 fession, he is too public-spirited to fail in any of 
 the duties of a true citizen, and he is highly es- 
 teemed among all classes. In his political views 
 he is a Democrat. He is a member of the school 
 board, elected in 1895; also one of the stewards 
 in the Methodist Episcopal Church; and a mem- 
 ber of the State Dental Society. On March 5, 
 [890, he was united in marriage with Miss Belle 
 M. Stiver, who was born in Perm's Valley, near 
 Tusseyville, in 1865. Three children have 
 brightened their home, of whom two, Thomas 
 A. and Harold Stiver, are living. The third in 
 order of birth passed away in infancy. 
 
 The Doctor's ancestors were early settlers in 
 Pennsylvania. His grandfather, Simon Ward, 
 was a native of Lebanon county, born in 1802. 
 and died in Centre county in 1877. By occupa- 
 tion he was a merchant tailor. He married Miss 
 S( Hers, and they had ten children: Lusetta, 
 I ieph Simon, [ohn, Uriah, William, James K 
 Polk, Albert, Washington and Jacob. Seven 
 
 is served gallantly in the Union cause in tin 
 Civil war. Two, Washington and Jacob, losttheii 
 lives, and John was wounded at Gettysburg and 
 had a leg amputated. Jacob died at Crab Orchard. 
 and Washington, although young, had been pro- 
 inote.l from private to corporal, and was killed at 
 ncellorsville. 
 
 Joseph Ward, our subject's father, was born 
 in Lebanon county, Penn.. May J. 1 S j 5. and 
 was brought to Centre county in his childhood 
 by bis parents. He learned the carpenter's trade 
 and became a house builder and cabinet maker, 
 every carpenter's shop being, in those days, a 
 little factory. His wife, Mary Gill, was born m 
 Centre county, Mas 26, [827. Her father, Will- 
 iam Gill, was a native of Bucks county. Penn., 
 whence he came to this section in early man- 
 I, and died at Bellefonte, November 21, 1876, 
 at the age of ninety years; he was a soldier of 
 the war of 1812. Our subject's parents made 
 
GOMMEMORA TIVE BIOGRAPHH A J, RE( 'ORD. 
 
 117 
 
 their home at Pine Grove Mills, and the father 
 breathed his last there August 27, 1895; the 
 mother is yet living at the homestead. The) 
 had the following children: (1) William Bigler, 
 a carpenter at Pine Grove Mills; (2) Augusta, 
 widow of Rev. Joseph King, a Methodist min- 
 ister; (3) Clara, who is at home; (4) James A., 
 who has for sixteen years been a successful 
 teacher at Salina, Kans; (5) Lusetta, who is at 
 home; (6) Joseph Edward, our subject; (7) John 
 H., a resident of Centre county; (8) George W., 
 a well-known teacher at Pittsburg, Penn. ; (9) 
 Ira C, a dentist in Chicago, 111., at No. 1123 
 N. Clark street; (10) Mary E. , with her brother 
 Ira C, in Chicago. 
 
 Mrs. Belle M. Ward is the daughter of Thomas 
 and Mary (Bike) Stiver, whose children were as 
 follows: Samuel L. is the principal of the Mili- 
 tary Academy at Bunker Hill, 111. ; William B. 
 is a physician of Freeport, 111. ; Perry O. con- 
 ducts a newspaper at Freeport, 111.; Roland J. 
 is a physician at Lena, 111.; Thomas J. is a phy- 
 sician at Denver, Colo. ; David A. is a dentist at 
 Chicago; and Margaret is at home with her mother 
 at Centre, Hall, Centre Co., Penn. The father 
 died about 1 S 7 1 . 
 
 JG. IRVIN. Among the foremost families of 
 Centre county the Irvin family ranks high, 
 both in the business and social world. John 
 and Anne (Watson) Irvin, the grandparents of 
 our subject, were of Scotch-Irish extraction, and 
 from Scotland came to America in the early 
 1 790's. They took up their abode at what is 
 now Linden Hall, Harris township, Centre coun- 
 ty, where the grandfather owned and operated a 
 mill and distillery until his death in 1825. 
 
 To this worthy couple were born nine chil- 
 dren, as follows: Susan, wife of Gen. James 
 Potter, of Potters Mills, Centre county; Gen. 
 James Irvin, who was a member of Congress and 
 at one time was a candidate for the office of gov- 
 ernor of Pennsylvania; John, the father of our 
 subject; William, who made his home in Centre 
 county, but died in China while serving as United 
 States embassador; Lot W. , who was engaged in 
 the iron business in Mercer county, Penn. ; Mar- 
 garet, wife of Andrew Gregg, who was engaged 
 in the same business in Hecla, Centre county; 
 Nancy, wife of Benjamin J. Berry, of Lemont, 
 Penn. ; Eliza, widow of Roland Curtin, brother 
 of Gov. Curtin, and proprietor of the Eagle Iron 
 Works, of Centre county; and Sarah, wife of 
 Capt. W. W. Potter. The last two are still liv- 
 ing in Bellefonte. 
 
 John Irvin, Jr., the father of our subject, was 
 
 born in Linden Hall, Harris township, and in the 
 country schools near his home secured his educa- 
 tion. Leaving school at an early age, he went 
 to Oak Hall, College township, where he became 
 proprietor of the Oak Hall grist and saw mills 
 and a store at the same place. He built the 
 Monroe furnace in Huntingdon county, Penn., 
 where he lived for several years, but finally re- 
 turned to Oak Hall. Subsequently, however, he 
 removed to Iowa, where his death occurred, sur- 
 viving his last wife three years. 
 
 John Irvin, Jr., married Miss Hannah Greene, 
 a daughter of Joseph Greene (owner of the Cen- 
 tre Furnace of College township), who lived and 
 died in Milesburg. The only child born of this 
 union was our subject, and his mother died in 
 1832, when he was but two years old. Later 
 his father wedded Miss Isabella Rankin, a daugh- 
 ter of John Rankin, of Bellefonte, and to them 
 were born five children, namely: Mary, who died 
 in Iowa; William, a commission merchant of 
 Chicago, 111. ; Sarah, wife of D. H. Annabel, a 
 dry-goods merchant, of Keokuk, Iowa; John, a 
 farmer of the Hawkeye State; and Isabella, wife 
 of C. C. Cox, a broker of Chicago. 
 
 f. Greene Irvin, of this review, was born in 
 Linden Hall, January 23, 1830, and there ob- 
 tained his early education, which was supple- 
 mented by a course of study in both Harrisburg 
 and Lawrenceville, Penn. On the completion of 
 his literary education, he entered the woolen 
 business in Oak Hall, becoming the owner and 
 manager of the large woolen-mill at that place. 
 For many years he continued its operation, but 
 has now laid aside active business cares, though 
 he still owns the factory. He was a prominent 
 representative of the industrial interests of the 
 county, and the product which the mills turned 
 out was of such superior quality that it com- 
 manded the highest market price. He has the 
 strictest regard for the ethics of commercial life, 
 and his business methods commended him to the 
 confidence and regard of all. 
 
 On November 8, 1S54, Mr. Irvin was married 
 to Miss Jane Riley, who was born February 19, 
 1836, and is a daughter of Daniel Riley, of 
 Boalsburg, Harris township, Centre county. 
 They have become the parents of three children, 
 namely: (1) Annie, born February 22, 1856, is 
 the wife of William F. Mitchell, manager of 
 a general store at Williamsburg, Blair Co., 
 Penn. , and they have two children — Mary Mar- 
 garet, born December 17, 1884, who died in 1889; 
 and Joseph Irvin, born June 8, 1891. (2) Sarah 
 Letitia, born December 26, 1857, was married 
 June 15, 1 88 1, to Thomas F. Johnson, secretary 
 of the Hollidaysburg Iron & Nail Works, at Hoi- 
 
118 
 
 CO VMEMORA Tl VE BIOGRAPHICAL /.'/•.' ORD. 
 
 lidaysburg, Penn., and thi two children 
 
 I'll Irvin. born Maj md Mary [ane, 
 
 born Jul} I Hannah Mar] 
 
 July i 2, i 86o, died I 
 
 Mr. Irvin has a pleasant In. me in Ci I 
 tow i unrounded In beautiful gi >m- 
 
 prising ten acres, and there he is spending his 
 declining years surrounded by many warm 
 friends. For thirty-fivi n a 
 
 rian Church. 
 I le cist Ins first Presidential vote for i 'tt. 
 
 is now an ardent Republican in politics, but 
 im politician in the sense "I office seeking, though 
 he has creditably filled the offices ol i "I 
 
 tin- poor, election inspector, township treasurer 
 and township clerk. He li nds Ins aid and influ- 
 eni e to all matt I to advance the 
 
 ucational, mora i laterial welfai ol the i 
 inunity, and is ranked among the valui d 
 and leadin ie township. 
 
 WILLIAM L [RWIN, M. P.. who is en- 
 ed in th ine at [u- 
 
 lian, Centre county, his attained an enviable 
 position in the ranks of the medii srnity oi 
 
 central Pennsylvania. I arnesl study, broad re 
 n h, and the thoughtful app ol the 
 
 knowledge that he has acquii him 
 
 i pi actitii mi i w hii h maki ■ him a n 
 worthy representative ol the prof 
 
 n on the 9th ol Jul) . 1863, in West 1 ,,. 
 ion, Iowa, our subject was two years of age 
 when brought to Centre county by his parents, 
 
 I >aniei and Lh/a C, Irwin. I i 1 . • lather is ; 
 a prominent merchant in Julian. The litei 
 
 n ol our subject was obtained in the dis- 
 
 and at Bellefonte Academy, where 
 
 he prepared himsell foi tidy of medicine, 
 
 to make its In, life work I 
 
 ing his youth he often a his father in the 
 
 store, and while th n reading medicine, 
 
 1 which he entered Jefferson Medical Coll* 
 Philadelphia, where he graduated in 1890 on the 
 completion of the three-years' course. He 
 since successfully engaged in practice at Julian, 
 and throughout his professional career has been 
 a close student of the science of medicine, keep- 
 
 fully abreast with the progress which char- 
 acterises this nineteenth-century development. 
 His worth is acknowledged by his professional 
 brethren, and is attested by a large and lucrative 
 practice. 
 
 On May 14. 1894, Dr. Irwin was married 
 
 Miss Susie Williams, and they have a son, 
 John Boyd, born July 3, 1896. Mrs. Irwin was 
 born in Huston township, Centre county, Augi 
 
 a cultured and refined lady, and 
 -fully engaged in teaching previous to her 
 marriage. Her father. Abednego Williams, a 
 ral farmer ol Huston township, was born 
 there August 4. 1848, and is a son of Samuel S. 
 and Eleanor Peters) Williams, who spent tl 
 enti Centre o mnty. Since twenty- 
 
 e \ears of age he has resided upon the pres- 
 ent farm, and is one of the most successlul agri- 
 culturists ol tin locality. On January 4, 1871, 
 he was united in marriage with Miss Catherine 
 M. Hartsock, whose birth occurred January 4. 
 [850, in Huston township. Her parents, Hays 
 and Susan (Williams) Hartsoi k, were also nati 
 ol ( entre county, where they always made their 
 home. Mr. and Mrs. Williams are active mem- 
 bers of the Baptist Church, and highly 
 spected and valued uieiiibi' iciety, then 
 
 true worth being fully p I b) theii many 
 
 friends and acquaintances. He is connected 
 with the Grange in Unionville, and in politics is 
 a Republican, favoring the gold standard. 
 
 Mrs. Irwin is th- in a family "I seven 
 
 children, the others being as follows: Martha 
 J., born I bei 25 fohn K. , born Janu- 
 
 ary 26, 1875, and Harry S., born February 14. 
 1S77, are all at home with their patents, I hi 
 dire L., bum February 3, 1879, died fuly 
 
 1 < ■ . born ! ,1881, is at 
 
 home; and Chester M., born June J5, 1883, died 
 August 29, 1 - 
 
 Politically, Dr. Irwin affiliates with the 1 1 
 
 y, in the 1 >f which he tak> 
 
 deep int. /rest. He Is a mi Mil" I ol 11 list oil town- 
 ship scho '1 b iard, and part in the 
 ' education, A prominent member ol 
 the medii al fraternity, he is now serving as pres- 
 ident ol the Centn County Medical Society, and 
 • leading member ol thi Pennsyh ania 
 nd the American Medical 
 iciation. Socially, he is affiliated with the 
 I. O. O. F. , holding membership in the lodge at 
 Unionville. Financially as well as profession- 
 ally, the Doctor has met with success in his 
 chosen calling, and owns a pleasant home in 
 Julian, where he and his amiable wife delight to 
 rtain their many friends. 
 
 JH. I NYDER, county surveyor of Cen- 
 
 tre county, with residence at Millheim, is 
 one of the leading business men of Penn's 
 Valley, being connected with some of the most 
 important enterprises in that section. 
 
 Mr. Reifsnyder was born near Annville, 
 anon Co., Penn, July [8, i S37, and his fam- 
 ily, which is of German origin, has been rep 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 119 
 
 sented in this State for several centuries. His 
 father, the late William Reifsnyder, a native of 
 Berks county, Penn., born in 1805, came to 
 Centre county in 1841, locating first at Aarons- 
 burg. He started in life a poor boy, and for a 
 time followed the weaver's trade; but after his 
 removal to Aaronsburg he engaged in butchering, 
 selling the meat about the vicinity, while in the 
 fall of the year he would go into the country and 
 assist the farmers in butchering. In 1848 he 
 moved into Penn township, Centre county, a 
 short distance to the northwest of Millheim, and 
 in 1850 he removed to another part of the town- 
 ship, which is now a part of the village site. He 
 worked by the day at whatever employment pre- 
 sented itself. In 1857 he resumed the business 
 of butchering, with our subject as an assistant, 
 and in the winter season did some huckstering 
 also. He was an industrious man, and as a citi- 
 zen was highly esteemed by all who knew him. 
 He was a Democrat, but though a regular voter 
 he was not a politician. From an early age he 
 was an active member of the Reformed Church, 
 and an earnest advocate of the Temperance 
 cause. 
 
 William Reifsnyder was married in 1830, in 
 Lebanon county, to Miss Rachel Gass, a native 
 of Lancaster county, born July 27, 1808. She 
 was a daughter of John Gass, and one of a nu- 
 merous family of children. William Reifsnyder 
 died at Millheim, May 7, 1883, but our subject's 
 mother is still living now, in her ninetieth year, 
 and makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. 
 Armbruster. The children of this estimable 
 couple were: Uriah, a carpenter of Millheim, 
 who died in the fall of 1895; Mina, the wife of 
 Davis Evans, of Potters Mills, Penn. ; Malinda 
 B., now Mrs. George Armbruster, of Farmers 
 Mills; Leah A., who resides at Millheim; Will- 
 iam H. , a resident of Millheim ; and J. H. , whose 
 name opens this sketch. 
 
 As our subject came to Centre county in child- 
 hood, his elementary education was chiefly ac- 
 quired in the schools of Aaronsburg and vicinity, 
 his first teacher being James Aikens. The meth- 
 ods and apparatus of the schools of that day 
 were not of the best, and Mr. Reifsnyder views 
 the improvements in the present system with en- 
 tire approbation. Owing to the poverty of his 
 parents, he went to work at the age of ten years 
 at such employment among the farmers as his 
 strength would permit, and until the age of 
 twenty his time was spent in different places and 
 at various kinds of labor. From 1857 until 
 1867 he was associated with his father in the 
 butcher business, and for two years afterward he 
 traveled through southeastern Pennsylvania sell- 
 
 ing patent rights. He had fitted himself for 
 teaching through home study, and at different 
 times taught in Haines and Penn townships. 
 Centre county — five terms in all, and having ac- 
 quired also a knowledge of surveying he in 1868 
 purchased the instruments belonging to Jacob Bol- 
 linger, former surveyor, and began his successful 
 career as a worker in that line. Other business 
 enterprises in which he has engaged are the pur- 
 chasing of the Duncan farm, south of Millheim, 
 part of which was laid out in building lots, and 
 forms part of the town, and is also known as the 
 "Southern Addition." He was also an appli- 
 cant to a charter for the Millheim Building & 
 Loan Association and held the position as treas- 
 urer and solicitor for a number of years. He 
 was also one of the incorporators of the Millheim 
 Turnpike road, extending from said place to Co- 
 burn, and as contractor constructed part of the 
 road; he was the first secretary and treasurer of 
 that company; and at one time was a stock- 
 holder in the Millheim Banking Company. He 
 is the owner and operator of the Keystone Ce- 
 ment and Lime quarries, which were opened in 
 1872. He has been dealing extensively in im- 
 proved and timber lands. 
 
 In January, 1861, Mr. Reifsnyder was mar- 
 ried to Miss Mary L. Kreamer, who was born in 
 Miles township, Centre county, August 16, 1837, 
 the daughter of Joseph and Rebecca (Reitzell) 
 Kreamer. They established their residence at 
 Millheim, and their home has been brightened by 
 seven children, of whom one son and one daugh- 
 ter are the only survivors — Jennie K. and Joseph 
 W., both students at Bucknell University, Lew- 
 isburg, Penn. Mrs. Reifsnyder died July 23, 
 1892, leaving a large circle of friends to grieve 
 with the stricken family. She was a devout 
 Christian and a member of the Lutheran Church. 
 In his political affiliations, Mr. Reifsnyder is a 
 Democrat, and he is regarded as a leader in his 
 locality. From 1862 to 1866 he served as con- 
 stable of Penn township, and during that time he 
 was also tax collector. In the fall of 1869 he 
 was elected justice of the peace, and served con- 
 tinuously until May, 1896, giving entire satisfac- 
 tion to the public. He is now serving his seventh 
 year as county surveyor. Since 1889 his activi- 
 ties in all lines have been somewhat curtailed on 
 account of an attack of "La Grippe," which left 
 him less robust than before. 
 
 His real-estate buildings are valuable. His 
 comfortable home in Millheim was remodeled in 
 1876, and he owns a number of other residences 
 there, and twenty-two acres of improved land 
 within the corporation limits; also several large 
 farms west of Millheim. He has always been 
 
L20 
 
 OOMMEMOHA 11 VE BIOQRA.PBH .1 /. RECORD. 
 
 ready to encourage any local improvement. 
 ■ made in the fullest his intellect and 
 
 his attainments are remarkable, and his sound, 
 i judgment <>( men and affairs make his opin- 
 ions valued, and his advii L, r ht 
 
 HON JAMESSCHOFI1 I D, Representative 
 the Bellefonte District in the (ieneral 
 i the st ite. An honorable ambition, 
 i. uned by practical ability and unyielding en- 
 , is a passport to . and the biographies 
 
 of our distinguished men furnish interesting illus- 
 trations of the rule. It is a pleasure to present 
 to our readers such a Forceful example as the fol- 
 low iDg sketch convej - 
 
 Mr. Schofield has become so thoroughly and 
 . identified with the interests 
 
 of this section that it is not difficult to imagine 
 him making his wa) I heavj odds to his 
 
 pn sent position in the community, yet his brave 
 and successful Strug) lubtless one factor in 
 
 his popularity. He was burn in Belfast, Ireland. 
 March 20, 1848, the first child of William Scho- 
 field and his second wife Ellen Allen). The 
 father was a native of County M01 Ire- 
 
 land, born in 1809, and in early life was a farm' r, 
 but later had charge oi the shipyards of McClel- 
 lan & Co., at Belfast, where his death occurred 
 in 1896. Our subject's mother is still living in 
 Belfast at the age of sixty-seven years. Both 
 parents were connected with the Presbyterian 
 Church from eai ly yi 
 
 Our subject. James Schofield, received a good 
 elemental - ) education in the schools of his native 
 city, and learned the harness-maker's trade. 
 When thus prepared for the practical work of 
 life, he failed to find contentment in the pros- 
 is which lay before him. For one thing the 
 idea ol being a subject in a monarchy was dis- 
 tasteful to him, and the thought that by crossing 
 the Atlantic he could become a citizen in a Re 
 public, and be himself a recognized factor in the 
 government, filled Ins soul with longing. Hedid 
 not hesitate long. With characteristic prompt- 
 i and decision he made Ins choice, and at till- 
 age of eighteen sailed for Amerii a, where he 
 found a suitable location at Bellefonte, the cli- 
 mate and the people both proving congenial. A 
 livelihood was, of course, his firsl consideration, 
 and he applied himself diligently to his trade, 
 working as a journeyman until 1871. when he 
 went into business on his own account. Thor- 
 oughly competent in all branches of harness and 
 saddle making, his masterly workmanship, couj 
 with upright and honorable bu 
 attracted an increasing custom until he became 
 
 the leading dealer in his line in Centre county. 
 His genial nature and well-informed mind gamed 
 him warm friends, and his shop became a meet- 
 ing place for the discussion of the live topics of 
 
 lay. 
 
 As his prosperit) tablished, he had 
 
 time to take an active part in political affairs, 
 and, ti r -t as school director and later as overseer 
 of the poor, he did efficient service, fn 1892 he 
 was ele ted on the Democratic ticket to the 
 State Legislature, where he succeeded in getting 
 
 e valuable measures passed. He was a mem- 
 ber of the committee on Mining and Agriculture. 
 At that time there were only seventy Democrats 
 in the House. In 1894 he was again a candidate, 
 but his party was slaughtered everywhere that 
 year, and he went down with the rest. In 181 
 he was again the choice of the Democrats of his 
 county, and, although the party was divided, he 
 was elected by a majority of 105, while Major 
 McKinley carried the county by 400 votes. Mr. 
 Schofield is now serving on a number of import- 
 ant committees, among them being those of 
 ( itv Appropriations, Manufactories and Election 
 Laws. No progressive movement in his locality 
 fails to receive Mr. Schofield's appreciation and 
 support, and his friends and admirers are by no 
 means limited to any party or class. He is act- 
 ive in fraternal society work as a member of the 
 I. O. 0. F. and the K, G. E. 
 
 Tile wife of Mr. Schofield, formerly Miss 
 Lllen Fleck, is a native of Philipsburg, Centre 
 county, Penn., born in 1856. Their children 
 Mary who married George Parker, and has 
 two children — Ferguson and Jennie), Edward, 
 Elizabeth and Nancy, the son Edward being in 
 the grocer) business at Bellefonte. 
 
 W HARRISON WALKER, Esq., junior 
 member of the law firm of " Fortney & 
 Walker.' Bellefonte, Centre county, was born 
 near Salona. Clinton Co., Penn., August 30, 
 1874, and is the youngest son of Samuel E. 
 Walker, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere. 
 
 Born and reared on a farm, his early educa- 
 tion was received in the township schools. At 
 ol fifteen he was admitted to Class '94 of 
 the Susquehanna University :>t Selin's Grove, 
 Snyder Co I nn., but was only in attendance 
 at that institution for several terms. Then he 
 went to Lock Haven and entered the Central 
 State Norma! School and pursued special studies 
 for preparation for the legal profession While 
 at the latter institution he read law during his 
 tioti, in tin- offices of T. M. Stevenson, Esq.. 
 ol I .' ick I laven. 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 121 
 
 In the fall of 1894 Mr. Walker entered the 
 Dickinson School of Law, at Carlisle, Penn., 
 and also registered as a law student in the law 
 offices of ex-Judge W. F. Sadler, of the same 
 city, which gentleman manifested a great inter- 
 est in Mr. Walker and his work. After two 
 years of faithful study in the law department, to- 
 gether with the office work entrusted to him by 
 his preceptor. Judge Sadler, he was graduated 
 from the Dickinson School of Law, June 8, 1896, 
 receiving the degree of LL. B., ranking very 
 high in his class. 
 
 Mr. Walker was a member of the Clionian 
 Literary Society, and also of the Henry Clay 
 Debating Club, of the Susquehanna University; 
 of the Shakespeare Literary Society, of the Cen- 
 tral State Normal School; and of the Dickinson 
 Law Society and Moot Court Club, of the Dick- 
 inson School of Law, also of the Dickinson Col- 
 lege Orchestra & Glee Club. He was the editor 
 and business manager of ' ' The Shakespearean," a 
 paper published at Lock Haven, by the Shakes- 
 peare Society in 1893. He is also a member of 
 the Dickinson Chapter of the Delta Chi Legal 
 Fraternity, an organization exclusively for law 
 students and lawyers. 
 
 Politically, Mr. Walker is a Democrat. He 
 took an active part in the campaign of 1896, and 
 was considered one of the best young speakers 
 in the field. He is a member of the Bellefonte 
 Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, 
 and also of the Bellefonte Lodge of the Knights 
 of the Golden Eagle. 
 
 As a student in the law school, he was re- 
 markably faithful to his duties — a painstaking 
 and conscientious worker — and he commanded 
 the esteem and confidence of both faculty and 
 students. He is a gentleman of good moral 
 character, of the highest probity, studious and 
 energetic. He was admitted to the Cumberland 
 County Bar at Carlisle, Penn., at the age of 
 twenty-one, and to the Centre County Bar at 
 Bellefonte, Penn., on the 20th day of July, 1896. 
 On August 1, 1896, he joined in partnership, for 
 the practice of his profession, with David F. 
 Fortney, Esq., one of the leading members of 
 the Bar, as well as one of the greatest educa- 
 tional leaders in the State, under the firm name 
 of " Fortney & Walker. " 
 
 The subject of this sketch has laid a good 
 foundation for legal knowledge, and his industry, 
 ambition and perseverance, with his ability, jus- 
 tify us in the prediction of a brilliant future for 
 him. He is a clear, eloquent and forcible 
 speaker. Upon entering his professional life at 
 the Centre County Bar we find in the columns of 
 one of the leading papers published in the 
 
 county, the following: " W. Harrison Walker, 
 Esq., the junior member of the law firm of Fort- 
 ney & Walker, has spent years in faithful study 
 and preparation for the practice of the law. He 
 comes to the Bar more thoroughly prepared than 
 any young man who has been admitted in recent 
 years." 
 
 E 
 
 >\DWIN J. BURD, M. D., is one of the most 
 
 eminent and skillful physicians of Centre 
 county, and is now located in Snow Shoe, where 
 he has built up a large and lucrative practice. 
 In a comparison of the relative value to mankind 
 of the various professions and pursuits, it is widely 
 recognized that none is so important as the med- 
 ical profession. From the cradle to the grave 
 human destiny is largely in the hands of the phy- 
 sician. Although our subject is one of the 
 younger members of this honored profession, he 
 has already won an enviable reputation. 
 
 Dr. Burd was born, May 5, 1866, in Rebers- 
 burg, Miles township. Centre county, a son of 
 John R. and Susanna (Gephart) Burd, natives of 
 Northumberland and Union counties, Penn., re- 
 spectively. The father's birth occurred in Au- 
 gust, 18 19, and in 1826 he was brought by his 
 parents, John and Eleanor (Reynolds) Burd, to 
 Centre county, and is still an honored resident of 
 Rebersburg, where he is engaged in the saddlery 
 business. The grandparents, who were natives 
 of Ireland, first located in Northumberland coun- 
 ty, where the grandmother died at the advanced 
 age of ninety-two years, and the grandfather was 
 killed while at work in the lumber woods. 
 
 The mother of our subject was born in Jan- 
 uary, 18 19, and was a daughter of Michael and 
 Hannah Gephart, the former a native of Union 
 county, Penn., and the latter of Ireland. In 
 1 82 1 they came to Centre county, where they 
 spent their remaining days. The great-grand- 
 father Gephart was of German birth. Mrs. Burd 
 was called to her final rest, June 19, 1892. She 
 was the mother of six children: Emma, wife of 
 John Beck, a cabinet-maker, of Duncannon, 
 Penn.; Ella, who is with her father; Angie, wife 
 of James Tharp, a conductor on the Lehigh Val- 
 ley railroad, and residing in Easton, Penn. ; Mary, 
 wife of Horace Breisch, who is also a conductor 
 for that company and a resident of Easton; Win- 
 field S. , a dentist of Bellewood, Blair Co. , Penn. ; 
 and Edwin J., of this sketch. 
 
 At the age of thirteen years, Dr. Burd began 
 the battle of life for himself, at first working in 
 a brick yard, where he was employed for four 
 years during the summer months, while in the 
 winter he attended school. In 1883 he began 
 
122 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 the study of medicine under the direction of Di 
 |. W. Bright, with whom he remained two years, 
 and in the winter of 1885 86 he attended a course 
 of lectures at the University of Maryland, in 
 
 Baltimore. On his return home he resumi d 
 work in the brick yard, where he remained until 
 the following winter, when he went to Bellefonte. 
 In that city he secured a position in the drug 
 store of Dr. M. A. Kirk, but two months later it 
 was destroyed by fire. He next engaged in clerk- 
 ing 111 Easton for two months, and during the 
 following six months filled a similar position in 
 the store of Cyrus Jacoby. at South Bethlehem, 
 at the end of which time he was taken ill with 
 typhoid fever and was compelled to return home. 
 
 In the summer of 1888, Dr. Burd resumed 
 the study of medicine, and in October of that 
 year entered Jefferson Medical College. Phila- 
 delphia, where he graduated April 3, [889. He 
 at once opened an office at Rebersburg, but two 
 years later came to Snow Shoe, where his skill 
 and ability were soon recognized. Besides his 
 large general practice he is also serving as sur- 
 geon for the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, 
 which important position he has filled since com- 
 ing to Snow Shoe. His political support is ever 
 given the men and measures of the Republican 
 party, and in religious belief he is a Lutheran. 
 
 On July 28, iSSS, Dr Burd was married, in 
 Rebersburg, to Miss [Catherine S Stover, who 
 was horn in Aaronsburg. Centre county, August 
 1 j, 1870. She is the youngest of the three chil- 
 dren born to Thaddeus and Man Geuseweite) 
 Stover, who are still residents of Rebersburg, 
 where the father is engaged in farming. The 
 sisters of Mrs. Burd are Carrie, wife of Henr) 
 Detwiler, professor of the public schools of Re- 
 
 burg; and Lula, at home. 
 
 J\\ BRIGH r, M. D., of Rebersburg, Centre 
 county, is a physician whose professional at- 
 tainments place him in the front rank among 
 the practitioners ol this section. European travel 
 and study in the mosl noted centers of clinical 
 work have supplemented the thorough prepara- 
 tion of oiii own si hools, while natural talent has 
 
 enabled him to improve to the Utmost these ad- 
 vantages and the no less valuable training ga 
 in years of practice. His success is the more 
 creditable from having been gained by his own 
 efforts in the face of financial difficulties in early 
 life. 
 
 John Bright, greal grandfather ol our subject, 
 was born in Pennsylvania of pioneer stock. Ins 
 family having been among the early settler- in 
 the eastern counties of that State, and alter 
 
 spending the greater part of his life there as a 
 farmer, he came to Centre county to spend his 
 last days. This was in the latter part of the 
 eighteenth century, and he was then too old to 
 work lb- son George, our subject's grandfather, 
 who was born, probably, in Lehigh county, was 
 married in Centre county, about 1788, to Eve, 
 daughter of John and Barbara (Wolf) Stover, 
 George Bright, who possessed much mechanical 
 ability, located at Aaronsburg, and having learned 
 the hatter's trade in the East before the removal 
 of the family, he followed that business, and was 
 also interested in farming. He and his wife- 
 reared a large family, all of whom are dead ex- 
 cept George, Jr. : 11 ) David, who never married, 
 was a hatter at Aaronsburg; (2) Sophia married 
 Adam Guiswite, a farmer of near Aaronsburg; 
 
 Margaret never married, and her death oc- 
 curred at the old homestead; (4) Catherine was 
 the wife of Samuel Shafer, a farmer, who lived 
 at Madisonburg; (5) John, who married Martha 
 Hill, was a brick maker and tanner at Aarons- 
 burg; (6) George, a carpenter and cabinet maker, 
 married Sarah Bower, and is living in retirement 
 at Aaronsburg at the age of eighty-five years; (7) 
 Michael, who married Elizabeth Robinson, was 
 a slave-holder before the war, in which he par- 
 ticipated on the Confederate side, and his death 
 occurred in Memphis, Tenn., in 1893. 
 
 Another member of this family was Samuel 
 Bright, our subject's father, who was born, about 
 l8l8, at Aaronsburg. near the present site of the 
 Lutheran cemetery. He was educated in that 
 town, attending both the common schools and 
 the academy, and then learned the carpenl 
 trade under the instruction of his brother Geoi 
 He was of ordinary stature, was active and sup- 
 ple, and possessed decided genius in his line \- 
 a citizen he was well known. He was the drum- 
 major of an organization in Aaronsburg, and was 
 
 insistent, if not an active, member of the Lu- 
 theran Church. 
 
 In politics, he was first a Whig, later a Re- 
 publican, but he had no taste for the life, of a poli- 
 tician, .md he followed the business of carpen- 
 tering and cabinet making until his death; be died 
 at the early age of thirty-eight, from the effects 
 of being over-heated, and he was buried at 
 Aaronsburg. His wife, Eve Weaver, a daughter 
 ol Daniel and Elizabeth Keplinger) Weaver, was 
 
 1 and reared in Haines township, Centre 
 county. Six children blessed their union: 1 
 Marj I Mrs. Thomas Miiler , o| W'infield, 
 Kans. ; (2) Anna (Mrs. |ohn Walton), ol North 
 Bend, Penn. ; (3) Jennie (Mrs. Huston Hunter), 
 oi Mill Hall, Penn.; (4 James \\ . . professor of 
 English Language in Johns Hopkins University, 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 123 
 
 Baltimore, Md. ; (5) John W. , our subject, and 
 (6) Margaret, who died in infancy. After the 
 father's death the mother formed a second union, 
 this time with Levi Conser, and now resides at 
 Logantown, Penn. By this marriage there are 
 three children: Harry N., Ph. D., now princi- 
 pal of the high school at Sunbury, Penn. ; 
 Thomas C. , M. D. , practicing medicine at Sun- 
 bury; and Minnie M., now Mrs. James Stoman, 
 of Loganton, Penn. 
 
 Dr. Bright was born November 17, 1854, in 
 a house which stood upon land now inclosed 
 within the Lutheran cemetery at Aaronsburg. 
 During his boyhood he was taken by his mother 
 to Loganton, where he attended school under 
 the tutorship of Rev. W. H. Gotwald. Later he 
 pursued a course in the normal school at Millers- 
 ville, and taught successfully for a time in Dauphin 
 county. Penn. Being entirely dependent upon 
 his own resources for his education, his ambition 
 found many hindrances but " where there's a will 
 there's a way," and his was not the sort of a na- 
 ture to be easily daunted. As he could save 
 funds, he would pursue his studies, and thus in 
 time he entered Jefferson Medical College at 
 Philadelphia, and was graduated in 1880. In 
 the fall of the same year he located at Rebers- 
 burg, where Dr. Hilbish, a successful physician, 
 then well advanced in years, welcomed Dr. 
 Bright as his successor. A young physician could 
 scarcely find a better opening than this, and Dr. 
 Bright succeeded from the first, his ability, skill 
 and devotion to h''s chosen 
 retaining confidence. Each 
 tice increasing; but so far from 
 with the attainments which had won his success. 
 Dr. Bright showed the true scientific spirit by 
 determining upon still further study under the 
 best guidance obtainable. In the fall of 1888 he 
 went to Europe, and remained until the spring of 
 1890, attending lectures under several eminent 
 teachers, notably those of Leipsic and Vienna. 
 On his return he resumed his practice at Rebers- 
 burg, and has since continued it with growing 
 popularity. 
 
 In August, 1892, the Doctor was married to 
 Miss Sarah M. Meyer, a native of Rebersburg, 
 and a daughter of Reuben and Mary (Cosman) 
 Meyer, prominent citizens. Mrs. Bright is a 
 member of the Reformed Church and a leader in 
 social life, her talents making her an acquisition 
 to any circle. She is especially accomplished in 
 music, and taught the art previous to her mar- 
 riage. Three interesting daughters — Mary E. , 
 born February 1 1, 1894, and Florence and Lucile 
 (twins), born December 28, 1896 — brighten their 
 home. 
 
 work winning and 
 year saw his prac- 
 being content 
 
 While not a politician, Dr. Bright takes great 
 interest in the success of his party, the Repub- 
 lican, and at various times when placed upon the 
 ticket for a township office in opposition to his 
 expressed wishes, he has acquiesced gracefully 
 and given most acceptable service. His unusually 
 thorough preparation for his profession gives him 
 much influence within as well as without the 
 charmed circle of the medical fraternity, and he 
 is a valued member of the American Medical As- 
 sociation, the State Medical Society, the West 
 Branch Medical Society, and the Centre County 
 Medical Society. He is a member of the Re- 
 formed Church. Socially, he belongs to the Ma- 
 sonic lodge at Centre Hall. 
 
 FRANCIS ALEXANDER (deceased) was a 
 worthy representative of an honored pioneer 
 family of Perm's Valley, which was founded in 
 Centrecounty by his father, James Alexander, who 
 located in what is now Potter township, in 1795, 
 becoming a tenant of one of the Potter farms, 
 a short distance east of the "Old Fort," where he 
 and his family lived for many years. The grand- 
 father, Joseph Alexander, died in Potter township, 
 in 18 1 8, to which he had removed at a later date 
 than his sons, James and Henry. Alter remain- 
 ing for a short time in Penn's Valley, the latter 
 removed to Venango county, Penn. To the 
 grandparents of our subject, Josiah and Elizabeth 
 Alexander, were born seven children: James, 
 Mrs. Nancy Boozer, Mrs. Abigail Evans, Mrs. 
 Nettie Palmer, Henry, Mrs. Jane Jackson and 
 Mrs. Margaret McCalmont. The mother of this 
 family departed this life in 1825. 
 
 James Alexander was a native of Cecil county, 
 Md., and was a farmer by occupation. While 
 he never accumulated any property, he reared an 
 excellent family, and lived an upright, honorable 
 life, respected by all who knew him. He was 
 called to his final rest in July, 1830, and left six 
 children, all born of his first marriage, namely: 
 Josiah died in Potter township; Francis; Amos 
 died March 1, 1881, in Millheim, Centrecounty, 
 where he had been a merchant for several years; 
 James died in Potter township; Elizabeth mar- 
 ried John Sweetwood, and died May 30, 1841, 
 in Potter township; and Rachel, wife of J. H. 
 Keller, died April 6, 1878, in Potter township. 
 
 The birth of Francis Alexander occurred in 
 July, 1806, on the old Potter farm in Potter 
 township, where his father had located on com- 
 ing to the county. There he spent the days of 
 his boyhood and youth, and obtained such an 
 education as the schools of the locality afforded. 
 
124 
 
 OOMMBMORA 1 1 V h: BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 In tlu- same township he was married to Miss 
 Letitia Mi Elroy, a Dative of Huntingdon county, 
 l'.nii,. born in 1804, and a daughter "f John and 
 Elizabeth (Gardner) McElroy. children 
 
 blessed their union, as follows: Margaret, who 
 died in infancy; [ohn, who died in 1 wn- 
 
 ship at the age of thirty years; Emily, a residi nt 
 of Centre Hall; James, who is also living in Cen- 
 tre Hall; Isaac, who died in Putter township at 
 the ageof twenty-three; Mary, widow of John P. 
 Ross, and a resident of Centre Hall; and L 1 
 wife of Hon. W. A. Murray, oi Boalsburg, (Va- 
 in- 1 ■ unity. 
 
 Mr. ami Mrs. Alexandei began h (ping 
 
 upon the farm where he was horn, which he 
 rented, but in 1 .S4 7 removed to the tirst farm 
 west of the "('Id Fort," which he purchased "1 
 |ames and John Potter. There he made his 
 home until his removal to Centre Hall, where he 
 bought a pleasant residence and gave up active bus- 
 iness life. He died in that village in February, 
 1S7.4, and two years later his wife was laid by 
 his side in the cemetery of Centre Hill, having 
 died in April, 1S76. Both were earnest, consci- 
 entious Christians, faithful members of tin- Pres- 
 byterian Church, and were held in the highest re- 
 gard by all who knew them. 
 
 Mi All Kander was a thorough and skillful 
 t. inner, whose success came as the jus) reward 
 of honest labor, perse\ .md enterpi 
 
 anil at his death he left Ins family in comfortable 
 circumstances. He gave liberallj to the support 
 <>( public enterprises, and in every way was a 
 worthy citizen. Politically, he was a Democrat, 
 and took an active interest in tin- sue cess of his 
 party, but had no inclination for public office, 
 though he acceptably served as overseer of the 
 poor, school director and supervisor in his town- 
 ship 
 
 EUBEN II MEEK. Among the sturdy 
 IT!. Scotch who came from Edinburgh, Scot- 
 land, to America before the Revolutionary war. 
 was Ri bed Meek and his family, who located in 
 Maryland. From there si\ of his sons enlisted 
 in the war of Independence, and three of them 
 gave up their lives for their country. John and 
 William were taken prisoners, and while their 
 fate was never definitely known, it was generally 
 supposed they win- among the victims that w 
 fed on lime bread. Jonathan Wales, their body 
 servant, as he was called, watched the prison 
 until he saw two boxes of unusual length earned 
 out; then he was convinced they were dead, as 
 the Meeks were remarkably tall, one being six 
 feet seven inches, ami the other ^ix feel lour 
 
 inches high. A third brother, Robert, was killed 
 in battle. 
 
 Capt. George Meek entered the service with 
 his broth' 1- The father, Robert Meek, owned 
 property in Cumberland county in 1761. The 
 family of George Meek lived near Lewistown 
 (now Mifflin county; in 17S0, and he came into 
 
 itre county with James Harris on a surveying 
 expedition in 1784. On the 21st of January. 
 1790, he took up a tract of land in Ferguson 
 township, which is still owned by the Meeks. 
 His children were: Mary, John, Robert, David, 
 William. Sarah, Isabella and Jane. 
 
 William married Elizabeth Breckinridge, 
 whose family had settled in Huntingdon county 
 about three miles southeast of McConnellstown, 
 on the road leading from Huntingdon to Bed- 
 ford, and where the father, eldest sister and 
 younger brother had been murdered by the In- 
 dians. He settled on that part of his father's 
 tract now known as the David G. Meek farm, 
 and died in 1806, leasing his wife and four sons 
 ami a daughter born three months after the fath- 
 er's death. The children were: John B., born 
 June 5. 1797, died in Washington. D. C. , No- 
 vember 28, [868; George W., born September 
 14, 1799, died May 27, 1 S 7 7 ; Reuben H. ; Will- 
 iam J.; and Harriet Jane, who married James 
 M< Cartney, and died in Bolivar, Penn., in 1 88 1. 
 
 Reuben Heron, the third child of William 
 and Elizabeth Breckinridge Meek, was born on 
 the 6th of October, 1801, at his father's home 
 m Ferguson township. His mother, a woman 
 of wonderful energy and ability, coveted for her 
 children a good education, and gave them the 
 best she could; John and Reuben were sent to 
 Lewistown to school, but shecomp lied her boys, 
 each one, except George, who looked after the 
 farm, to learn a trade. Reuben she apprenticed 
 to a hi icksmith. Some time after learning his 
 trade he went to Philipsburg where he taught 
 school, and studied with his brother John, who 
 lived there. He began the study of medicine 
 in the office of Dr. Lorraine; but was obliged 
 finally to give up his cherished plan of becoming 
 a physician, on account of his health, broken by 
 sickness. 
 
 In 1832 he married Mary Ann Gray, youngest 
 daughter of Peter Gray, one of the pioneers of 
 l'.itton township, and settled on a part of the old 
 Gray homestead, where he lived until his death. 
 March 7, 1S73. 
 
 . men art' endowed with a nature so af- 
 
 onate and lovable, a mind so clear and bright, 
 
 an exceptional memory, a personality pleasing 
 
 and attractive, and so great a love of humor. 
 
 Fond of books, he was a careful and a constant 
 
 
'e/tfr ^i^fa^h 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 125 
 
 reader, an excellent talker, and his sweet voice 
 and genial presence linger yet in the memory of 
 those who heard him sing at camp meetings, 
 address an assembly, or relate a good story. As 
 long as he lived he was genuinely kind to every 
 one, and ever considerate of others. His home, 
 ever a pleasant meeting place for his friends, was 
 always open to the needy and distressed. 
 
 In politics he was an ardent Democrat, and 
 loved his party; but his devotion to its principles 
 were actuated by honest conviction. He never 
 aspired to an office nor would Fie accept any. 
 
 Converted at the age of seventeen, he was a 
 thorough and loyal and lifelong Methodist, es- 
 pecially concerned about immortal things, hold- 
 ing both God and man near his heart, and giving 
 himself'out in the interest of both. He was in- 
 strumental in organizing the first Sabbath-school 
 in Half Moon Valley, and was devoted to the 
 work always. 
 
 On April 14th, five weeks after his death, his 
 wife died, in the fifty-sixth year of her age. She 
 was well known for her beauty in her younger 
 days, and all through her life, hospitality, gentle- 
 ness, unselfishness and devotion to duty distin- 
 guished her character. 
 
 iTXEPHARTS of Penn township, Centre county. 
 \j$ This honored family has for more than 
 seventy years been prominently identified with 
 the interests of the community, and the name is 
 widely recognized as a synonym for good citizen- 
 ship. 
 
 Michael Gephart, grandfather of A. J. and 
 M. C. Gephart, residents of Millheim, Centre 
 county, was born near Philadelphia, and in 1826 
 came from Union county, Penn., to what is now 
 the corporation of Millheim, locating on what is 
 at present known as the Gephart homestead. 
 His ancestors served in the Revolutionary war. 
 He was a thorough and skillful farmer, a man of 
 marked business tact, and a prominent citizen of 
 the community. In Union county he was mar- 
 ried, October 18, 1825, to Elizabeth Emmert, and 
 they became the parents of the following chil- 
 dren: J. Philip, who was born in January, 1827, 
 and is now an ex-representative, residing in 
 Bellefonte, Centre county; Michael, born No- 
 vember 30, 1829; Jacob, born August 9, 1831; 
 John, born November 27, 1833, died July 22, 
 1852; Daniel, born September 23, 1836; Cathar- 
 ine, born February 3, 1839; and Elizabeth A., 
 born May 26, 1846. The mother of this family 
 died May 7, 1852, the father in 1873. 
 
 Jacob Gephart, father of A. J. and M. C. 
 Gephart, was born on the old familv homestead, 
 
 where he spent his entire life, and where his 
 widow still resides. His education was obtained 
 in the local schools, which were superior to most 
 schools of those times, yet inferior to those of 
 the present day, and well did he appreciate the 
 value of good education, for to his children he 
 gave excellent advantages in that respect. The 
 sacrifices that he made in their behalf have been 
 fully rewarded, for they are filling honorable 
 and responsible positions. A farmer by occupa- 
 tion, the old homestead fell to him, and in addi- 
 tion to agricultural pursuits he engaged in the 
 lumber business at times, and became quite well- 
 to-do, owning at his death (in 1893) 225 acres of 
 valuable land. He was an officer in the Evan- 
 gelical Church, to which he was a liberal contrib- 
 utor. A stanch Democrat in politics, he took a 
 deep interest in the success of his party, but was 
 no politician in the sense of office seeking, though 
 he filled numerous minor positions with credit to 
 himself and the community. He-was an earnest 
 and judicious advocate of the Temperance cause, 
 giving time and money to advocate it when the 
 noble cause was yet so unpopular. He was an 
 affectionate husband, kind and indulgent father 
 and true friend, one whose upright, honorable 
 life gained for him the esteem and confidence of 
 all with whom he came in contact. His faithful 
 wife, who still survives him, is a consistent mem- 
 ber of the Evangelical Church, and one of the 
 most highly respected ladies of Millheim. Al- 
 though now nearly three score and ten years of 
 age, she is still well preserved and enjoys excel- 
 lent health. 
 
 On November 7, 1852, Jacob Gephart was 
 married to Miss Catherine Decker, who was 
 born in Centre county in 1829, a daughter of 
 Adam Decker (now deceased), and seven chil- 
 dren graced their union: (1) Calvin F., (2) Mar- 
 garet E., (3) Anna C, (4) James M., (5) A. Je- 
 rome, (6) M. Clair, and (7) M. Salina. Of these, 
 
 (1) Rev. Calvin F. Gephart was born Octo- 
 ber 16, 1853. After attending the home public 
 schools and the local academy, he took a colle- 
 giate course at Central Pennsylvania College, 
 New Berlin, Penn., and at the Northwestern 
 College, Naperville, 111., also a course of study 
 in the Binghamton Music School, of Bingham- 
 ton, N. Y. Entering the ministry, his health 
 failed, and he then embarked in business at Mill- 
 heim, Penn., establishing the musical instrument 
 trade now carried on by his brother, M. C^ For 
 a number of years he was an instructor in vocal 
 and instrumental music, meeting with success in 
 this line in connection with his studies and busi- 
 ness. Believing the ministry of the Gospel to 
 be his proper calling, he completed his Theolog- 
 
126 
 
 VMBMORA TIVB BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 ical course at the Gettysburg ["bee-logical Sem- 
 inary, graduating with the class of 1889. Being 
 ordained to the Evangelical Lutheran ministry, 
 Rev. Gephart h ! the Church faithfully. 
 
 W'lun at college lie was co :nded for Ins hard 
 
 work and oratorical efforts. As a clergyman he 
 is said to be a good preacher, a faithful pa 
 and of pleasing manner, having the aptness of 
 winning people to the Church A- a business 
 man he has been very successful in having wiped 
 out "old" Church debts, at the same time increas- 
 ing, and keeping the membership in good chi 
 11. has many friends among both clergy and 
 laity. He was married in November. lSSj, to 
 Miss Sallie A Heagy, of Middlesex (Balfour), 
 mar Carlisle, Cumberland Co., Fenn., and they 
 have a daughter enjoying home and student life 
 with them, their son having died in 1885 at Ha- 
 gerstown, Maryland. 
 
 (2) Mrs. Margaret Scho Gephart) was 
 
 born, January 6, [855, at Millbeim, Penn. Her 
 education was received in the local schools and 
 at Central Pennsylvania College, New Berlin, 
 Penn. After her school days she devoted her 
 
 time t usic and social and home duties. She 
 
 a consistent member of the Church, active 
 in Sabbath-school work, and was a favorite in 
 the best society of the community. In 1879 she 
 became the wife of James Schoch, of New Berlin, 
 Penn., a prominent business man, having la 1 
 business interests in the West as well as in his 
 native community. They have one daughter and 
 one son to share tin- comforts of their comforta- 
 ble home, over which Mrs. Schoch presides with 
 grace to the enjoyment of their many guests. 
 Mr. and Mrs. Schoch and family are prominent 
 members of the local Evangelical Lutheran 
 Church. Her sistei 1 $). Anna C, was born Feb- 
 ruary 9, 1856, and died November 19, 1858. 
 
 ] cm. - M Gephart was born, October 6, 
 1857, at Millheim, Penn. Alter completing the 
 common-school course in his native town, he 
 entered Central Pennsylvania College, at New 
 Berlin, Penn., remaining there for several ye 
 Then, in [880, he entered Dickinson College, at 
 Carlisle, Fenn., and, completing his education at 
 that institution, he engaged in teaching school 
 for several years with success. Following ib 1 
 Greeley's advice, he '-went West," locating at 
 Holton, Kans. There he took up the stud) of 
 law and was admitted to the Far. From Holton 
 he went to Seattle, Wash., where he form. 
 co-partnership with another young man in the 
 practice of law under thi I & 
 
 Gephart, which firm did a good business for 
 several years, when Mr. Steel was elected to a 
 city position on the Republican ticket. The firm 
 
 having dissolved by mutual agreement, Mr. Gep- 
 hart then entered law practice alone, in Seattle, 
 and has continued with marked success. Hi 
 regarded as a good, reliable practitioner, inas- 
 much as he has been appointed to take charge of 
 important interests by the judge of the city courts. 
 He is a Democrat in politics, and has <er\ed as 
 gate to State Conventions. In religion he is 
 a Presbyterian, and among his associates he is 
 well liked. 
 
 \ |. Gephart was born March 11,1 
 at Millheim. was given an excellent edu- 
 cation, and was reared, in much the usual man- 
 ner of fanner boys, upon the old homestead. On 
 leaving the parental roof in [886 he went West, 
 traveling as far as Washington; but on the death 
 of his father, in 1893, he returned home, and 
 has since had the management of the farm. 
 where he and his mother live. Although a 
 painter bv trade, he now gives his exclusive time 
 and attention to agricultural pursuits. Politic- 
 ally he is identified with the Democratic part\, 
 and in religious faith is a member of the Presby- 
 terian Church. He stands deservedly high in 
 the estimation of his fellow citizens, and has 
 many warm friends throughout the community. 
 (6) M. C. CiKPHAkt was born May 1, 1861, at 
 the old homestead. Millheim, Penn. Having 
 completed the common-school course, he taught 
 >ol for several years with success in the com- 
 munity in which he was reared. Entering Cen- 
 tral Pennsylvania College, at New Berlin, Penn.. 
 he pursued his studies there for several years, 
 then entered Northwestern College, at Naper- 
 ville. 111., and graduated from the business de- 
 partment in 1883. After teaching several terms 
 of public school in his native borough, he, in 
 [888, again engaged in the music business in 
 Millheim, which he and his brother had con- 
 ducted several years before. This business he 
 has since carried on successfully. He has been 
 elected to political positions in his home borough, 
 and is popular among the people. He is a 
 man of temperate habits, a member of the United 
 Evangelical Church, and interests himself in 
 matters which are for the people's good. 
 
 71 Mrs. M. Salina Goodhart (//<'< Gephart) 
 was born at Millheim. Fenn.. February 26, 1863. 
 Being the youngest of the family she was re- 
 led as the favorite, yet was a very dutiful 
 and helpful daughter in the advancing years of 
 the parents. Being of a bright mind, she st< 
 well in her classes at school, although she attended 
 none but the home borough schools, which wen 
 accounted good. In 1892 she was married to 
 VV. L. Goodhart, a teacher in the borough 
 schools at Millheim, since which time they hav. 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 127 
 
 resided at Millheim, where he has been engaged 
 in business. Two children — one son and one 
 daughter — have come to brighten their home. 
 
 S\IMON HARPER, president of the Penn Val- 
 ) ley Banking Co., Centre Hall, and a retired 
 
 merchant, is one of the substantial citizens of 
 Penn's Valley, and few as good examples of self- 
 made men are to be found in the locality, cer- 
 tainly none better. 
 
 Mr. Harper comes of an old family, and was 
 born July 31, 1842, at Spring Bank, Miles town- 
 ship, Centre county, youngest living child of 
 George Harper, who was born in Berks county, 
 Penn., a son of Henry Harper. George Harper 
 received but limited schooling, chiefly in the Ger- 
 man language, and was reared to farming pursuits. 
 In Brush Valley he married Elizabeth Kreamer, 
 who was born, in 1804, in Bethel township, Berks 
 county, Penn., a daughter of Jacob Kreamer, who 
 came to Brush Valley in 18 14, and where Mrs. 
 Harper was reared from the age of ten years. 
 Her youth was passed amid pioneer times and 
 scenes, and she was well fitted to endure the 
 hardships and trials destined for her later life. 
 At the time of their marriage, her husband had 
 little or no means, and his parents were not in a 
 position to aid him. However, nothing daunted, 
 Mr. Harper bought a farm, at Spring Bank, in 
 Brush Valley, going heavily in debt for the same; 
 but he prospered, and with the help of as noble 
 a wife as ever lived, the debt was soon decreased. 
 He died May 20, 1843, at the comparatively early 
 age of forty-one years, leaving a widow with a 
 family of children, our subject being but an in- 
 fant. The husband and father was buried in the 
 cemetery at Rebersburg. The following is a 
 brief record of the children: Sarah married 
 George Weaver, and lives in Rebersburg; John, 
 a farmer, died in Potter township; Mary A. mar- 
 ried Jonathan Gramley, and died in Brush Val- 
 ley; Jonathan, by occupation a merchant, died 
 in Bellefonte; Isabella is the widow of Philip 
 Royer, of Nittany Valley; William is retired, and 
 makes his home in Bellefonte (he served three 
 years, during the Civil war, in Company A, 148th 
 P. V. I.); Rebecca married Absalom Harter, and 
 died in Millheim, Centre county; Jared, a mer- 
 chant, lives in Bellefonte; Simon, our subject, 
 comes next; and George, the youngest in the 
 family, died in infancy. Of these, Simon bears 
 a striking resemblance to his father, who was a 
 man of slight build. He was a Democrat, but 
 took no especial interest in politics, simply re- 
 cording his vote quietly and unostentatiously. In 
 religious faith he was a member of the Reformed 
 
 Church, which his wife also attended, although 
 not a member thereof, she being a Lutheran, but 
 later also joined the Reformed Church. 
 
 Dying a comparatively young man, George 
 Harper had not opportunity to pay off all the 
 indebtedness on the farm, and his dying request 
 to his wife was that the homestead should not be 
 sold, as he felt certain that by her careful and 
 frugal management the debt thereon would be- 
 fore long be cancelled. It was a heavy under- 
 taking for her. the widowed mother of a large 
 family, none of whom yet out of their "teens;" 
 but her husband's dying words inspired her with 
 fresh hope and courage, and with a will she went 
 bravely to work. Early and late she " kept her 
 shoulder to the wheel," doing a man's labor in 
 the fields, and in the evening returning to the 
 home never so wearied but that she would com- 
 plete the domestic duties of the day. In course 
 of time her self-denying efforts were crowned 
 with success, and this noble woman found her- 
 self and children under a roof free at last of all 
 encumbrance. The homestead property re- 
 mained in the family until 1856, in which year 
 they moved to Rebersburg, and there Mrs. 
 Harper resided until 1866, when she removed to 
 Bellefonte with her son Simon, to whom her at- 
 tachment was very great. Our subject paid for 
 her support until, in 1866, he got a home of his 
 own, from which time she passed her declining 
 years with him, dying September 27, 1892. She 
 was laid by the side of her husband in Rebers- 
 burg cemetery, an elegant monument, erected 
 by our subject, marking their last resting place. 
 Mrs. Harper was a true Christian woman, a con- 
 stant reader of the Bible, in both English and 
 German, while during the later years of her life 
 a great part of her time was spent in prayer. 
 
 Simon Harper, the subject proper of these 
 lines, received his education in part at the 
 schools of the Harter district, in Miles town- 
 ship, in part at those of Rebersburg, whither the 
 family had removed when he was about fourteen 
 years old, and as a farmer's boy his boyhood 
 days were passed. At the age of seventeen we 
 find him, for the first time in the arena of busi- 
 ness life, in the capacity of clerk for Thomas 
 Wolf, at Wolfs store, Brush Valley, his first 
 salary being $75.00 per annum, with four weeks 
 vacation during the harvest season, although the 
 usual amount paid a new clerk was $50.00, so 
 valuable already were his services, and so well 
 appreciated. Later he clerked for W. J. Hoster- 
 man, in Rebersburg, from there going to Belle- 
 fonte, where he was in the employ of John Awle, 
 when, the Civil war being at its height, he en- 
 listed in August, 1862, in Company A, 148th P. 
 
L28 
 
 COMHEMOIIA TIVR BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 V. I. In this regiment he served faithfully until 
 compelled by sickne-^ to n tire into the Veteran 
 Reserve ( >rps, much against his inclination, for 
 he persisted in remaining with his company 
 longer than his health warranted. At the close 
 of the war he was a member of Company E, 3rd 
 Veteran Reserve! orps. After tin- war was over 
 he was sent to Augusta, Maine, to muster out 
 Maine troops, after which he was mustered out 
 at that city, and he th n returned to Rebersburg. 
 
 On May 18, 1866, Mr. Harper and bis widowed 
 mother removed to Belief on te, where, along 
 with his two brothers. Jonathan and William, he 
 common :e 1 th sgen ?ral mercantile business, with 
 which he was identified some fourteen years. 
 During that long period of activity, his natural 
 industrious disposition and consequent hard 
 work impaired his health so much that he had to 
 retire from the firm. In March, 1880, he took 
 up his residence in the village of Centre Hall, 
 where he recuperated, buying a nice home, to 
 the improvement of which he spent no little 
 time and money. At this time there were but 
 two stores in Centre Hall, and after four years 
 Mr. Harper decided to open a third, trusting t<> 
 his previous experience and natural business 
 qualifications for success ol Ins venture. It re- 
 quired enterprise and energy, both of which 
 characteristics he amply p d, and possesses, 
 
 and in 1884, in partnership with 11. \Y. [Crea- 
 mer, he opened a general merchandise store, 
 which ere long became the leading one of the 
 kind in the vicinity. In April, 1896, our sub- 
 ject disposed i>l his interest therein, and retired 
 from active business life. He still owns a one- 
 half interest in the store building, a one-fourth in- 
 terest in the bank building and bank at Centre 
 Hall; a substantial residence in the same villag !, 
 and 350 acres of land in Potter township A> 
 already stated, he is president of the Penn Val- 
 ley Hanking Co., at Centre Hall, and is a leader 
 in enterprises tending to the advancement of his 
 section of the county 
 
 On December 28, 1870, at Bellefonte, Simon 
 Harper was married t.> Miss Maggie E. Klinger, 
 who was bom at Buffalo Run, Penn., May 
 1854, youngest in the family of ten child 
 five sons and live daughters horn to |rsse and 
 Mary fKocker) Klinger, who came from Dauphin 
 county to Centre county some years ago Mr. 
 Klinger was a blacksmith by trade, in politics a 
 stanch Republican, and for several years was 
 
 justice of the peace at Bellefonte, where h died 
 October 1, 1889, Ins wife passing away March 
 18, 1893, and they sleep their last sleep in the 
 cemetery at Bellefonte. They were members of 
 the Reformed Church. Mr. and Mrs Harper 
 
 have one child, Harry W. , horn October 17. 
 1882, living at home. 
 
 In polities Mr Harper is a lifelong Democrat, 
 always interested in the success of the party, but 
 never an office-seeker. For one term he served 
 as chief burgess of Centre Hall, and has been 
 elected to other offices, which, however, he de- 
 clined to accept. Socially, he is a member of 
 the F. & A M Lodge at Centre Hall, and ol 
 the I. O. O. F. Lodge No. 153, at Bellefonte 
 In matters of religion he and his wife are mem- 
 bers of the Reformed Church, and he was one of 
 the committee who had charge of the church 
 building, a handsome one, at Centre Hall, and it 
 wis at his suggestion that brown stone was used 
 in its construction. He is an elder in the Church, 
 and is one of the most liberal contributors and 
 leading members, and has served as superintend- 
 ent of the Sunday-school. Taken all in all, Mr. 
 Harper is a typical representative self-made man, 
 one who by his own perseverance, energy and 
 sound judgment, has risen, rung by rung, to the 
 summit of the ladder of success. On business and 
 financial matters he is an acknowledged author- 
 ity, and his opinion and counsel, which are often 
 sought, are sure to be respected. His acquaint- 
 ance in Penn's Valley is thorough, and he is held 
 in the highest esteem. 
 
 ISAAC GRAY (deceased), late of Patton town- 
 ship, Centre county, was one of the most 
 prosperous and successful farmers of the Half 
 Moon country, and a very substantial citi/en of 
 the community in which his entire life had been 
 passed. 
 
 The Grays are numerous in central Pennsyl- 
 vania, descendants of one Leter Cray, who came 
 to II, ill Moon Valley in 1788, from Frederick 
 county, Md., and located in what is now Patton 
 township; at that time he was assessed and n 
 garded as belonging to Huntingdon county. John 
 Cray, one of the sons of Peter Gray (1), and 
 the one from whom Isaac descended, was born 
 in 17(17 and died in [848; he married Catherine. 
 daughter of Conrad Hartsock, the bead of the 
 liist famil) of the name to settle in Half Moon 
 Valley; she died in 1847. Of their children, 
 John (iias (2) in, irried Mary Mattern, and the) 
 ime the parents ol Isaac Cray (deceased 
 (their fifth child , of whom we especially write 
 John Graj - died in [856, in his fifty-seventh 
 year, and his wife in November. 1 871, in the 
 seventy-third year of her age. 
 
 i.i\ was born on the old homestead 
 in the vicinity of Cray's Church, in Patton town- 
 ship, February 22, 18^4. where his father and 
 
OJJt^C 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 129 
 
 grandfather before him had lived, and there his 
 life of over half a century was passed. Descend- 
 ing from a pious and Christian ancestry through 
 several generations, he inherited a Christian 
 spirit and a desire to live in keeping with the 
 commands of our Savior, which were so strength- 
 ened by the example of those older lives abou 
 him that he early espoused the cause of Christ 
 and enlisted in the work of His vineyard. In 
 Half Moon Valley, Methodism took earliest root 
 among the religiously inclined, and Methodism 
 has prevailed since the pioneer era as the popular 
 creed. About 1790 Peter Gray so arranged it 
 that M. E. Circuit preachers stopped at his 
 house occasionally to hold services, and for 
 nearly thirty years his home was a temple where 
 the surrounding community gathered once a 
 month, and sometimes oftener, to enjoy the 
 privilege of worship. In 1826 a rude log church 
 was built near Peter Gray's home. He was 
 chosen a leader when the class was formed in 
 1790, and for full thirty-five years stood faith- 
 fully at the helm. His successor was his son 
 Peter B. , who was likewise a local preacher. 
 After him followed Samuel P. Gray and Jacob 
 Gray, and later, Isaac Gray, of this sketch. 
 Since the formation of the class a Gray has been 
 one of its leaders. The old log church stood 
 from 1826 to 1 85 1, when it was destroyed by 
 fire. It was replaced by a more pretentious 
 structure, which was used until the building of 
 the present beautiful edifice, still called "Gray's 
 Church." Imbibing by tradition, and reared in 
 such an atmosphere as pervaded the Gray fam- 
 ily, it is not to be wondered at that young Isaac 
 followed in the footsteps of his pious ancestry. 
 It was mainly through his efforts and generous 
 contributions that the new church was built. 
 He went on through life assuming the duties of 
 the day as his conscience directed, and led a use- 
 ful life. He held all the offices of the Church, 
 such as class-leader, trustee, steward, district 
 steward and lay electoral delegate to the annual 
 Conference. Like most of the Grays, he was in 
 politics a Republican, though not active in the 
 sense of a politician, but only interested as citizen- 
 ship seemed to demand. He served his State as 
 juror at a session of the supreme court held at 
 Erie, Penn. He served in various township 
 offices, always acceptably to his people. He 
 was a most successful farmer, and considered a 
 solid and substantial citizen, highly esteemed. 
 His death occurred March 27, 1889. The press 
 at this time said: 
 
 Half Moon Valley loses one of its best citizens, and the 
 county one of its most successful farmers; he has been ailing 
 for years from an affection of the lungs, and although his 
 case was known to be hopeless, death was not anticipated. 
 
 He was a consistent and devout member of the Methodist 
 Church, a good neighbor and a devoted husband and affec- 
 tionate father, and will be sorely missed in the community of 
 which he was a leading member. 
 
 Born of pious Methodist ancestry, early he professed 
 Christ, and joined the M. E. Church; for twenty-three years 
 he was class leader, and also either Sunday-school superin- 
 tendent or teacher. He always took an active interest in 
 the Sabbath-school, and all the means of grace. Largely 
 through his lead, and the active co-operation of a few others, 
 be saw completed in his native community a most beautiful, 
 substantial and convenient country church. By unavoidable 
 delay it was not dedicated until two weeks after his death. 
 
 On November 4, 1862, Mr. Gray was married 
 to Sarah Liggett, who was born in Liberty town- 
 ship, Centre county, Penn., February 5, 1837, 
 and is a daughter of John and Susannah (Neff) 
 Liggett, natives of what is now Centre county. 
 Penn. To the marriage came: Lulu, Mary, 
 Ruth, Esther and Bond. Lulu married Rev. 
 George Glenn, who is a minister of the M. E. 
 Church, now (1897) stationed at Gettysburg, 
 Penn., and they have five children, namely: 
 Randolph, Foster. Sarah Liggett, Eb'zabeth 
 Meek, John Gray, and George, Jr. Mary died 
 June 8, 1 87 1, in the sixth year of her age; Ruth 
 married Rev. Frank Hartsock, of the M. E. De- 
 nomination, now preaching at Marathon, N. Y. , 
 and they have one child, Robert Gray; Esther 
 Katherine is a home; Bond died in infancy. 
 
 The Liggetts were originally from the North 
 of Ireland and of Scotch-Irish stock. Oncoming to 
 America they settled in Virginia, and from there 
 moved to Washington county, Md. , whence 
 came George, John and Absalom Liggett (broth- 
 ers) into Bald Eagle Valley, then Northumber- 
 land county, Penn., now Centre county; the 
 date of the location of these brothers in the Bald 
 Eagle Valley is not definitely known, but is fixed 
 by one of the grandsons of George Liggett as be- 
 ing as early as 1760, or in the decade following. 
 They were among the earliest settlers of the Val- 
 ley. John Liggett, the son of George Liggett, 
 who came into Bald Eagle Valley as above 
 stated, was born in the Valley in 1797. He was 
 one of a large family, all of whom (including the 
 parents), excepting himself and David, who died 
 about 1842 at Eagleville, moved to Ohio years 
 ago. John Liggett married Susannah Neff, 
 whose ancestors came from Germany; four of 
 their children are living, namely: Benjamin, 
 now (1897) sixty-five years of age, resides in Kan- 
 sas City, Kans. ; John is a resident of Beech Creek, 
 Clinton Co., Penn., aged sixty-three; Mrs. 
 Sarah Gray, widow of the subject of this sketch, 
 resides on Buffalo Run, aged sixty years; and 
 Fisher D. is a resident of Canton, Ohio, aged 
 fifty-seven; three died in infancy, namely: Fisher, 
 Elizabeth and one whose name is not given 
 The parents of these died, the father at St. 
 
130 
 
 COMMi:\lt>L.\TI\ /■: BIOQRAPEICA1 RECORD. 
 
 Louis, Mo., in 1857, while en route to Kansas 
 prospecting in that State for a future home, and 
 the mother, in May, [887, aged eighty-seven 
 years, ac Beech Creek, in the home "1 her son 
 |<ilui Liggett. The older Liggetts, who came from 
 Maryland, were slave owners, and broughtsome 
 with them on coming to Bald Eagle Valley, and 
 some of the d scendants "I those slave 
 here at tin: present time 
 
 HERBERT WILLIAMS, who departed tins 
 life November .?, [886, was an honored vet- 
 eran (il tin- Cud war, and a valued and repre- 
 sentative citizen <>( Snow Shoe township. He 
 was born in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales, in June, 
 1S26, a son of William and Ann Williams, who 
 were also natives of that city, where they con- 
 ducted the " lion I • idgi Inn. " 
 
 < in 1 oming to the United States, our subject 
 first locati dm Pottsville, Penn., but later removed 
 to Snow shoe, where he engaged in blacksmith- 
 ing until the outbreak of the Rebellion. Feeling 
 that his adopted country needed Ins s i\ ii 1 s, he 
 put aside his individual interests, and in 1861 en- 
 listed in Company E, 5th Reserve Volunteer In- 
 fantry, under Capt. Landimore, joining his com- 
 pany on tin' 1st of |une. During most of his 
 service hi engaged in blacksmithing. He was 
 wounded during the seven days battle of Rich- 
 mond, was captured, was for eleven weeks con- 
 fined in Libby prison, and on his release was sent 
 to Bellevue Hospil d. New York City, where he 
 remained for eleven months. When hostilil 
 had i eased hi returned to his home in Snow Shoe, 
 where In successfullj engaged in blacksmith 
 for a number of years, hut at the time of his 
 death was living practically retired. His sym- 
 pathy, hi-- benevolence, Ins kindly greeting, will 
 lony be remembered by those who knew bim, 
 His duties were performed with the greatest care, 
 and throughout his life Ins personal honor and 
 integrity wen- without blemish, Ardent and 
 
 constant in Ins affections, he w a-- a most tenderly 
 ! husband. In polities he was a stanch 
 
 Democrat, hut did not aspire to office; in relig- 
 ious faith he attended the Presbyterian Chun h 
 In Si low Shoe 1 1 er he it Williams was married 
 to Rebecca Hinton . who was twice married, 
 her first husband being William Walker, of En- 
 glish descent, who was killed while a soldier in 
 the Federal army. By that union she had one 
 son, who was horn September 7, 1852, and died 
 March [6, 1 So", leaving a widow and eight chil- 
 dren, who reside in Snow Shoe. The birth of 
 Mrs. Williams 01 (lined m Spring township, Cen- 
 tre county, May 10. In the same county 
 
 ] her parents, Isaac and Margaret (Lucas) Hinton, 
 1 spent their entire lives, the father flying October 
 3, 1 S 5 4 , and the mother on January 29, 1880. 
 Their famil) numbered the following children: 
 Austin, bom in 18 1 1 , died in Snow Shoe, Will- 
 iam died suddenly in a hayfield in Centre county; 
 Stac) married Daniel Wyland, and both are now 
 I deceased; Benjamin died in Snow Shoe; Martha 
 is the widow of William Shuck, of Milesburg, 
 Centre county; Rebecca (Mrs. Williams) is the 
 next in order of birth; Isaac and Constance are 
 twins, of whom the former was a Union soldier, 
 and was killed at Charles City Cross Roads June 
 30, 1861, while the latter is a farmer of Iowa; 
 Margaret died unmarried; and George died June 
 1 i , 1 S90. 
 
 The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Williams 
 were William and Martha Hinton, natives of 
 England and Chester county, Penn., respectively. 
 When a hoy the former was kidnaped and brought 
 to America. Later he made his home in Centre 
 countv. where he followed the occupation of a 
 farmer. Joseph and Rebecca (Askey) Lucas, the 
 maternal grandparents, were horn in Centre 
 county, of German parent 
 
 Mrs. Williams is a most highly respected lady, 
 an excellent conversationalist, and has many 
 warm friends throughout the community. In 
 the course of her life she has met with two pain- 
 ful accidents — breaking her right arm by falling 
 from a cherry tree when thirteen years of a 
 and breaking her left arm on the 17th of April, 
 iSo", while assisting a neighbor in papering a 
 room. 
 
 Ll'> McENTIRE, the popular and efficient 
 postmaster at Fillmore, ins the reputation 
 of a strictly first-class business man, reliable and 
 energetic, and is a citizen of whom Centre county 
 may be justly proud. In the discharge of his 
 official duties he is prompt and courteous, and 
 thus wins the commendation of the many patrons 
 of the office. He is also serving as express 
 agent, and is engaged in merchandising, carrying 
 a large and complete sti >< k of everything found in 
 a first class general Sti 
 
 Mr McEntire is a native of Centre county, 
 horn on the 1st of January, 1825, to Edward 
 and Isabel (Bathurstj Mel ntire. The paternal 
 
 <ii Ins entire life in Ireland, dj 
 in Count) Donegal; but the maternal grandfather 
 came to the New World and aided the Colonies 
 in their struggle for independence in the Revolu- 
 tion. ir\ war. The latter was a descendant of 
 the Earl of Bathurst, who die. I in England, and 
 was heir to the estate, but through legal techni- 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 131 
 
 cality lost it. The father of our subject was born 
 in Ireland, and when eighteen years of age came 
 to the United States. For a number of years 
 he served as bookkeeper for Roland Curtin, in 
 the Curtin Iron Works, of Centre county, and 
 here died at the ripe old age of eighty years. 
 
 In his family were nine children, namely: 
 Mary E. became the wife of Isaac Carter, and 
 died September 30, 1892. Her husband is now 
 a resident of Hutchinson, Kans. Barnard B., a 
 resident of Clarion, Penn., married Elizabeth 
 Cramer, and has seven sons. L. B., of this 
 sketch, is next in order of birth. Eliza is the 
 wife of Jackson Rarer, of Callensburg, Clarion 
 Co., Penn., and has one son and five daughters. 
 James C, of Reynoldsville, Jefferson Co., Penn., 
 wedded Margaret Maxel, and has five sons. 
 Nancy is the wife of John Coax, of Reynolds- 
 ville, by whom she has three sons and six daugh- 
 ters. Rebecca is the wife of James Hassey, of 
 Beaver Falls, Penn., and they have two sons and 
 five daughters. The other two children of the 
 family died in early life. 
 
 At the age of twenty-three years, Mr. McEn- 
 tire, the subject of this review, was married to 
 Miss Nancy Houser, a daughter of Martin and 
 Catharine (Rumbarger) Houser. Her maternal 
 uncle, John Rumbarger, was the founder of Du- 
 Bois, Penn. Six children have been born to our 
 subject and his estimable wife: (i)J- C. , the 
 eldest, studied under Dr. Rothrock, of Belle- 
 fonte, Penn., and is now engaged in the practice 
 of dentistry in that city; he married Fannie La- 
 verty, of Lock Haven, Penn., and has four chil- 
 dren. (2) Dr. O. \V. , of Howard, Centre 
 county, married Fannie Sellers, of Fillmore, and 
 has one child. (3) E. C. , an attorney at law of 
 Williamsport, Lycoming Co., Penn., married 
 Frances Lipton; he prepared for his profession 
 in Aurora Springs, Mo., where he made his home 
 for nine years. (4) Harry H., who is engaged in 
 the lumber business, married Ruby Lunt, and 
 has two children. (5) Ella is at home with her 
 parents. (6) Carrie M. is the wife of A. B. 
 Cowher, a policeman of Hunters Park, Fillmore, 
 Centre county. 
 
 Mr. McEntire has been very successful, and 
 by his systematic methods of conducting his 
 business, his strict attention to it in all its details, 
 and his thoroughly upright dealings, has made 
 an honorable record in the business world. Be- 
 sides his fine store, he is also the owner of prop- 
 erty in and about Fillmore. Both himself and 
 wife are consistent and faithful members of the 
 Methodist Church, and she belongs to the Order 
 of Rebekah. He takes an active interest in 
 political matters, and in the discharge of his 
 
 elective franchise votes with the Democratic 
 party. His culture, intelligence and geniality 
 make him an important factor in social circles, 
 and have secured him many warm friends. 
 
 JONATHAN WALRER (deceased), who in his 
 lifetime was one of the most substantial and 
 
 highly respected citizens of Brush Valley, 
 and the owner of a fine farm near Wolfs Store, 
 Centre county, was a member of a prominent 
 pioneer family of that locality. The farm on 
 which he resided is situated about two and a 
 quarter miles east from Wolfs Store, and in 
 earlier days was known as the " Erhard Home- 
 stead." Jonathan Walker bought it from his 
 parents, Daniel and Hannah Walker, and Daniel 
 Walker purchased it from Michael Erhard, his 
 (Daniel Walker's) wife's father, he (Daniel) mak- 
 ing an agreement to keep Mr. and Mrs. Erhard 
 the rest of their lives. 
 
 Born April 11, 1843, our subject saw many 
 changes in the locality, and in no place in life is 
 progress more apparent than in the schools. 
 While he made good use of such facilities as the 
 district schools of his day afforded, he realized 
 their deficiencies, and always was in hearty sym- 
 pathy with the movement to provide the best 
 possible instruction for the rising generation. As 
 the youngest son of his parents, he was made 
 useful at home during his boyhood, his chief work 
 being to drive a team. He never worked away 
 from home, and in early manhood he made ar- 
 rangements to purchase the place, agreeing to 
 support his parents during the remainder of their 
 lives. 
 
 Prior to this, some ten years, October 20, 
 1867, Mr. Walker married Miss Amanda Dubbs, 
 from New Berlin, Union Co., Penn., but a na- 
 tive of Snyder county, Penn., and a daughter of 
 Jacob Dubbs, a well-known farmer and merchant. 
 Six children were born of this union: John W. , 
 now at home; Ida (Mrs. W. Edward Weaver), of 
 Miles township, Centre county; and Emma, Will- 
 iam, Annie M. and Harry M., who are at home. 
 
 When Mr. Walker bought the property he 
 lived on, the old milling property was included, 
 and he afterward conducted the sawmill on the 
 old plan. For some time he carried on the 
 manufacture of flour in the gristmill, but, after 
 the improved roller machinery was introduced 
 into other establishments, he used this plant 
 chiefly for chopping. His estate comprises about 
 five hundred acres, including some timber land, 
 and the agricultural work has been carried on 
 successfully, the portion under cultivation mak- 
 ing one of the best farms in the locality. In his 
 
L82 
 
 ( 'OM Ml \H>l; A Tl YE lllOGHAPlIKM RECORD. 
 
 
 later years Mr. Walk) I took the- active 
 
 work ill the place, but be did much severe labor 
 in bis tunc, and the toil and exposure undergone 
 in hauling logs and similar work, left their im- 
 press upon his frame in chronic kidney troubles. 
 culminating in Bright's disease, the final cause of 
 his death, which occurred September 4, 181 
 He was buried in Rebersburg ., where 
 
 his parents also sleep their last sleep. 
 
 Although a shrewd manager, Mr Walker was 
 thoroughly fair and honest in his dealings, claim- 
 ing only his dues in any transaction. In politics 
 he was a Democrat, but while he supported his 
 convictions earnestly, he was no office seeker. 
 However, in February, 1897, he was elected a 
 school director of Brungart's and Stovei sschools 
 1 Miles township), east precinct. The religious 
 movements of his vicinity had his generous co- 
 operation, and he was a member of the Lutheran 
 Church. His widow is an adherent of the Re- 
 formed Church. She has a pleasant home and a 
 family of which any p. units might well be proud. 
 each one giving promise of upholding the good 
 name which the previous generation have now. 
 
 GfBBONY F. HOOP, M. D . consulting and 
 i prescribing physician, residing in Philips- 
 burg, Centre county, was born December 6, 1827, 
 
 on the line between Washing! :ounty, Md., 
 
 ami Bedford county, Penn. , a son of Jacob and 
 Sarah A. (Gibbon) | Hoop, who were married at 
 Greencastle, Franklin Co., Penn., April 6, 1813, 
 by Rev. William Rothrough. The father was 
 born in Chester counts, Penn., September 22, 
 17SS. was a farmer in his youngei years, but was 
 later interested m a nail factor) and in merchan- 
 dising. He rved as a volunteer soldier under 
 Col. (latei Gen Scott in the war of [812 14, 
 and marched from near Baltimore to Lake Erie. 
 In religious belief he was a Lutheran, while in 
 politics he was a Jackson Democrat. His death 
 occurred, in Kylertown. Clearfield Co., Penn., 
 June j j, [856, and his wife, whose bnth occurred 
 in Lancaster county, Penn., November 6, 1790, 
 also .bed iii Kylertown, August 15, 1858. 
 
 In their family were -even children, .is fol- 
 low- Sarah A., born in January, [814, married 
 Joshua ( arr, a ship carpenter, who was killed in 
 the Mi :icanwar, in 1846, and in [852 she wedded 
 Adam Jury, of CI. . a 
 
 prisoi f war, was starved to death in Salisl 
 
 pi won during the Ci\ il war. Willis I 
 November \ \, 1816, died in Mar) Star. 
 
 1" i] 11 Jinn 10, 182 11 ied Davi of 1 an- 
 
 nul \ , Penn. , but both are w w di 1 
 no children living. Elizabeth, bom February 
 
 18, 1824, is the deceased wife of George Dunkle, 
 ol Franklin county, who is now living with his 
 children in Philipsburg. The Doctor is next in 
 order of birth. Rebecca, bom March 17, 1.S31, 
 married Samuel Hile, who is now residing with a 
 son near Reedsville, Mifflin Co., Penn.; Mrs 
 Hile died in Huntingdon county, m i 
 
 The Hoop family is of English origin, and the 
 name was originally spelled Hooper. From Som- 
 
 tshire, England, the founders of the family 
 have been traced back to Rev. John Hoop, 1 
 tor of Gloucester, and later bishop of Worcester. 
 He was a man of great learning, and had a large 
 following; but having imbibed the religious opin- 
 ions of other reformers in those days, he w.is 
 called a dissenter from the old Roman Catholic 
 faith, and about 1553 was arrested and imprisoned 
 as a heretic, and finally condemned to death at the 
 stake, and executed in February, 1555, by order 
 ol Her Majesty ••Bloody Mary," Queen of Eng- 
 land. This sad event so terrorized all the broth- 
 ers and sons of the families that they fled fi 
 England, leaving a large estate unsettled, and 
 then changed their names to avoid the vindictiv< 
 searches of the English Government upon tin 
 high seas, and into every country where tiny 
 could press the power of reclaiming English sub- 
 jects. Ever since that time the name has been 
 variousl) spelled by dropping or adding let' 
 for causes unknown to the writer hereof. I!ut 
 since the American Revolutionary war it is well 
 known by the numerous families of America that 
 the Hoop, Hoopers and Hoopes families all spring 
 from the same paternal trees in Somersetsh 
 England. William Hooper, of Boston. Mass . 
 and a signer of the Declaration of Independeii 
 wis 1,1 tin- same original English family accord- 
 ing to the 1 n lot in. it urn obtained at this writing. 
 
 John Hoop, the paternal grandfather of the 
 Doctor, was a native of Delaware The mater- 
 nal grandparents were Willis D. and Sarah 1 1 
 lingheisen) 1 ribbons. The < ribbons family wei 1 
 
 Si Otch-Irish descent, and the name was (hanged 
 
 in Gibbon) 
 The boyhood and youth of Dr. Hoop were prin- 
 11) passed on a farm in Duncanv ille, Blair 
 Penn., where for three years he served an 
 prenticeship to the tailor's trade, and sub 
 
 atly win 1 rfoi ehouse, in HoUi- 
 
 il. iv -burg, until June, 1 S46, when he Start 
 westward. < >n reaching tin- ( ihio line he chain. 
 his mind, and inty, Penn., and, 
 
 traveling b) the way ol Half Moon Valley a 
 
 fonte, Phillipsburg, March 4, 1847 
 
 Alter conducting a tailor simp for .1 year, be began 
 ing medicine with Dr. William 1'. Hill and 
 Dr. Henry Lorain, ol Clearfield, with whom In 
 
i uMMKMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 L33 
 
 remained for several months, and then engaged 
 in teaching school in Morris township, Clearfield 
 county, for three months, after which he returned 
 to Philipsburg and continued his reading under 
 the direction of Ur. Charles R. Foster, until 
 September, 1849, when he entered the City and 
 Marine Hospital in Baltimore, Md. , where he con- 
 tinued his medical studies until March 4, 1851, 
 when he was granted a diploma; then returned to 
 Philipsburg and engaged in practice with Dr. Fos- 
 ter for a few months. He was next located at 
 Frenchville, Clearfield county, where he engaged 
 in practice until 1854, at which time he sold out 
 to Dr. F. Antes Canfield (who now resides in 
 Necedah, Wis., the most prominent medical man 
 in the State), and moved to Kylertown. In i860 
 we again find Dr. Hoop in Philipsburg, but on 
 the outbreak of the Civil war he was commis- 
 sioned, by Gov. Curtin, surgeon of the 84th 
 P. V. I., and remained in the service until Sep- 
 tember 13, 1864. He was twice wounded, the 
 first time at Winchester, in the spring of 1862, 
 this being a slight flesh wound in the hip. In 
 1863, in Loudoun county, Va. , during a running 
 cavalry fight, he was struck in the right leg, and 
 on the 31st of August in the same year he was 
 overcome by sunstroke near Beverly Ford, 
 Va. , which caused him to resign in September. 
 
 After a short time spent in Philipsburg, Dr. 
 Hoop went to the oil fields and carried on opera- 
 tions as a member of the Norwich Oil Co. , clear- 
 ing a large sum of money in a short time. He 
 soon, however, returned to Philipsburg and be- 
 came interested in the lumber business, organ- 
 izing the companies of Hoop, Jones & Co. and 
 Munson, Jones & Co., and erecting the first 
 planing-mill in the town of Philipsburg; but in 
 1876 he sold out, though he continued a resident 
 as druggist until 1880, when he removed to Idaho 
 Springs, Colo. There he engaged in gold and 
 silver mining with good success for a time, but 
 later, through the decline in silver ore, he found 
 the business unprofitable, and returned to Philips- 
 burg in 1891, where he has since made his home. 
 
 Dr. Hoop was married May 11, 1851, in 
 Philipsburg. by Rev. Daniel Ayers, to Miss Anna 
 Test, of Philipsburg, who died December 7, 
 1873. To them were born five children, namely: 
 Laura B., born in Frenchville, Clearfield county, 
 May 12, 1852, was married December 31, 1868, 
 to William H. McCausland, a jeweler, of Philips- 
 burg; Henrietta F., born June 26, 1854, died in 
 1855; Lizzie, born February 27, 1857, died in 
 childhood; James W., born January 30, 1859, 
 married Ida Barrick, of Huntingdon county, and 
 died April 19, 1896; and Ellen M., born January 
 24. 1 86 1, is the wife of A. E. Lingenfeltor, an 
 
 express agent of Tyrone, Penn. The Doctor 
 was again married, this time, April 24, 1879, to 
 Miss Josephine Flegal, the wedding ceremony be- 
 ing performed by Rev. William H. Dill, of Clear- 
 field. Her father, Rev. John Flegal, was a na- 
 tive of Maryland, and a licensed minister of the 
 Methodist Protestant Church. Two children 
 grace the second union: Rex Carroll, born No- 
 vember 12, 1880; and Lenore, born at Idaho 
 Springs, Colo., November 8, 1886. 
 
 Socially, Dr. Hoop is a Knight Templar, and 
 is a member of the Blue Lodge, Chapter and 
 Commandery at Philipsburg, while in religious 
 belief he is a Baptist. His political support is 
 always given the Democratic party, and he is an 
 earnest advocate of the free coinage of silver, 
 having large interests in Colorado. He is widely 
 and favorably known throughout this section of 
 the State, and his genial and affable manner has 
 gained him the friendship of a wide circle of 
 acquaintances, who esteem him highly for his 
 sterling worth and many excellent traits of char- 
 acter. 
 
 OBERT COOKE (deceased). As a repre- 
 Jf3L sentative of a family that has been promi- 
 nent throughout the formulative period of the 
 government of this country, there, perhaps, could 
 be found none in whom the hardy, but noble 
 traits of the Colonial pioneer were so truly 
 mingled with the progressive spirit of the nine- 
 teenth century, than in the character of the man 
 whose name opens this sketch — Robert Cooke, 
 Sr. He was born near Northumberland, Nor- 
 thumberland Co., Penn., April 22, 181 3; and 
 was a son of Capt. John and Jane (Cooke) Cooke, 
 who were both natives of Northumberland county, 
 where they remained all their lives. 
 
 When the Thirteen Colonies determined to 
 become independent of the Mother Country, 
 Capt. John Cooke took his place in the ranks of 
 the "embattled farmers" who "fired the shot 
 heard round the world." His father, William 
 Cooke, a native of England, turned against his 
 native land, and as a colonel in the American 
 army, bravely bore his part in Freedom's cause. 
 
 To Capt. John Cooke and his wife were born 
 the following children: Jacob; William; Sarah, 
 who married John Bropes (both are deceased); 
 Charles, who died in September, 1896, at the age 
 of 84 years, 7 months and 15 days; Robert, our 
 subject; Elizabeth, who married John Jones, and 
 John, all of whom are deceased. 
 
 On December 1, 1837, Robert Cooke was mar- 
 ried to Miss Mary Quinn, a native of Muncy, 
 Lycoming Co., Penn., and a daughter of Will- 
 
184 
 
 StOHATlVB BIOORAPVICAL RECOlllh 
 
 iam and Jane (White) Quinn. William Quinn 
 was a native of Lycoming county, the son of 
 Arthur and Jane Walton Quinn, natives of the 
 same county. Both Mr. Quinn and his father 
 were farmers by occupation, and lived and died 
 al the place of their nativity. Mrs. Jane \\ h 
 Quinn was the daughter of farm - and Fannie 
 (McConnell) White, who were uatives of Scot- 
 land and came to America at an early day. Mr. 
 White was a millwright and followed his trade 
 after coming to Lycoming county, where he 
 died. William Quinn, the father of Mrs. Robert 
 Cooke, was a man of much prominence in the 
 community, and was a number of times honored 
 by his fellow-citizens by being elected to local 
 offices, at one time being deputy sheriff In pol- 
 itics he was a pioneer of the Republican party, but 
 his early death in 1856, at the age of fifty-eight, 
 prevented his seeing Ins chosen party become a 
 national power. His wife survived him until 
 September. 1SS.1, when at the age of eighty- 
 seven she, too, passed into the unknown land. 
 To this worthy couple were born seven children, 
 as follows: Mary; Jane, who died in childhood; 
 Arthur (deceased:; Nancy, wife of Henry Cable, 
 a tailor oi Mimcy, Penn; Fannie (widow of 
 Hiintei Brown), residing in New York; John, a 
 saddler of Muncy, Penn.; Elizabeth, deceased 
 wife ol Andrew Peterman, who was a soldier in 
 the Union army during the Civil war. was cap- 
 tured, and died in I .ibby pi ison, 
 
 The union of our subject and his wife were 
 blessed with ten children, namely: (il John is 
 a contractor and builder, of Philadelphia. 12) 
 Charles is a traveling salesman for .1 shoe house, 
 and resides in Mifflinburg, Penn. (3) Jacob has 
 a large hotel at Charlotteville, Va. < \) Rosette 
 is the wife ol I' rrj I ong, a merchant at Howard, 
 Penn (5 Irwin is deceased. (6) Robert is in 
 the livery business at Howard, and is a man of 
 no little importance in the community in which 
 In lives, as an office holder he has beei swerv- 
 ing in his fidelity to duty; he was elected sheriff 
 hi November, 1887, and during his term of office 
 two executions occurred, one on February 20, 
 1890; Ins integrity and upright character 1 
 made him a 111. in in whom the people at large 
 repose perfect confidence. (7) Clarence is -1 
 lumberman at Howard. 8) Edward is de- 
 ■ Walter I., is menti 'her on. 
 ( to) Alice is at In ime 
 
 In 1855 Robert Cooke removed from Lyi 
 
 ing county, l'eun , t«> Howard, where lie engaged 
 in mercantile business with his brother, [acob, 
 and continued in that line until his death. He 
 was Express agent, and for eighteen years w is 
 the agent for the Bald Eagle Valley railroad. 
 
 On February 28, 1889, after a long life of useful 
 labor and thoughtful care of other-, Robert 
 Cooke laid aside the cares of the world, and en- 
 tered upon his final rest. He was a man among 
 men, earnest and self-reliant, ever ready to aid 
 in anything that tended to the uplifting of hu- 
 manity. He left a name untarnished, and a 
 family well-trained in those qualities of mind and 
 heart, that will be to him a monument more last- 
 ing than sculptured stone. 
 
 At the time he gave up the agency of the 
 Bald Eagle Valley railroad, his son, Walter L. 
 COOKE, was appointed, and is still holding that 
 position, his duties comprising those of operator, 
 express agent, ticket agent, etc. He is a young 
 man of rare ability and fine attainments; \ 
 educated at the schools of Howard, and later, 
 during the year 1*75. at the academy at Belle- 
 fonte. He has attained to a degree of promi- 
 nence seldom equalled by men of his years. His 
 strict attention to his business, his upright deal- 
 ing, together with his courteous manner, win 
 him friends among all classes of people. He and 
 his sister Alice lived at home with their mother 
 until the latter's sudden death, October 25, 1896. 
 She was stricken with paralysis the day before, 
 and remained unconscious t • • the last. In her 
 death the community at lar^e could well sym- 
 pathize with the bereaved family, as this aged 
 lad}- was most highly esteemed for those beauti- 
 ful virtues of true womanhood, that find the 
 largest happini ss in the home and family, and so 
 typify the "mission of woman on earth born to 
 nurse and to soothe, to help and to heal, the 
 sick world that leans on her." 
 
 Walter L. was married November 11, 1896. 
 to Emma E. , daughter of William I larrison Long, 
 gunsmith and general farmer, residing at Jack- 
 sonville, Centre Co . Penn lie was born there 
 October 19, 1836, and 1- a son of Joseph and 
 Elizabeth 1 Benner) Long, native.- ol Milton and 
 New Berlin, Penn., respectively, and early set- 
 tlers oi Idamsburg, this State, where they both 
 died m advanced lif< 
 
 |" ■ : h I ' . paternal grandfather ol William 
 lb. came to America from I ngland at an early 
 day, located first in White Deer Valley, N 
 thumberland Co., Penn., later moving to Union 
 mow Snyder) county, where he followed farming 
 and shoemaking. Henrj Benner, mater 
 
 idfather of William II.. served in the war of 
 1 S 1 2, enlisting from Union 1 now Snyder) com 
 Pennsylvania. 
 
 William H. Long was married November 28, 
 1866, in Mifflin county, Penn., to Miss Sarah J. 
 McAulay, and children as follows were born to 
 then union Emma E., w if.- of Walter I . Cooke 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 135 
 
 Mary M., wife of E. E. Schenck, a hardware 
 merchant of Howard, Penn. ; and Margaret C, 
 at home. The mother of these was born in 
 Mifflin county, Penn., May 8, 1847, a daughter 
 of Jacob and Elizabeth (Burkholder) McAulay, 
 of that county, the former of whom, a farmer by 
 occupation, was a man of prominence, an elder 
 in the Presbyterian Church, and a Democrat in 
 politics. He died in 1889, at the age of sixty- 
 three years. 
 
 w 
 
 W. ANDREWS, M. D. Despite the 
 healthfulness of this favored region, the 
 aid of medical science is still invoked to counter- 
 act the encroachment of disease. Among the 
 able men who have devoted their lives to this 
 work is the subject of this sketch, a well-known 
 physician of Philipsburg, Centre county, whose 
 careful and thorough preparation for his profes- 
 sion, together with his native ability, early won 
 him an enviable standing. 
 
 A word concerning his ancestral history will 
 be in order before proceeding to an account of 
 the Doctor's own career, especially as his forefa- 
 thers were among the pioneers of this State. 
 His grandfather, John Andrews, a Pennsylvanian 
 by birth, was a packet-boat builder at one time, 
 later becoming a farmer. He purchased a large 
 tract of land in Columbia county, Penn., and al- 
 though he disposed of portions of it as suitable 
 opportunity appeared he retained a fine home- 
 stead, where he passed his last days and died at 
 the age of seventy-six years. W. C. Andrews, 
 our subject's father, was born in Columbia county 
 in 1838, and after receiving a common-school 
 education engaged in business as a cabinet maker. 
 During the Civil war he enlisted in the Union 
 army, served until the close of the struggle, and 
 on his return to the ways of peace he became in- 
 terested in mercantile pursuit, first at Lock Haven 
 and for some years past at Philipsburg. His 
 wife, Mary Lemmon, a native of Columbia coun- 
 ty, died in 1884 aged forty-five years. 
 
 Dr. Andrews, who was born April 2, 1 861, in 
 Columbia county, was the only child of his par- 
 ents. The public schools of Lock Haven afforded 
 him good preliminary training, and after grad- 
 uating from the high school he took the scientific 
 course in the State Normal School there. Pur- 
 suing his studies further, he was graduated from 
 Dickinson Seminary in 1884, from the scientific 
 course, receiving the degree of B. S., and in 
 1888 he obtained the degree of M. D. from the 
 University of Pennsylvania. From boyhood he 
 had had an inclination for the medical profession, 
 and before leaving Lock Haven to attend school 
 
 he had begun to read medicine with Dr. Walls, 
 of that city. 
 
 An excellent opening for practice he found at 
 Peale, Clearfield county, as surgeon for the 
 Clearfield Coal Co., and there Dr. Andrews re- 
 mained three years. In 1891 he located at 
 Philipsburg, and in his six years of residence 
 there has established an extensive practice among 
 the best people of the community. Among his 
 professional confreres his talents are recognized, 
 and he is a member of the County and State 
 Medical Associations, and of the West Branch 
 Medical Society. He is surgeon at the State 
 Cottage Hospital in Philipsburg, and has been on 
 the medical staff of same since it was organized 
 in 1892. 
 
 In 1888 Dr. Andrews was united in marriage 
 with Miss Jennie Jones, an attractive young lady 
 of Philipsburg, daughter of Alfred Jones, a prom- 
 inent hardware merchant. One daughter, Ruth, 
 brightens their home. In politics the Doctor is 
 a stanch Republican; socially he is a member of 
 of the F. & A. M. and I. O. O. F., both of 
 Philipsburg. 
 
 CdURTIN C. TAYLOR. Among the highly 
 _> respected and honored citizens of Spring 
 township, Centre county, no one is more worthy 
 of consideration than the gentleman whose name 
 opens this sketch. Here his entire life has been 
 passed, his home having always been within a 
 half mile of his present residence at Pleasant 
 Gap. In that village he was born October 24, 
 1824, but in the years that have since come and 
 gone he has witnessed many changes in the sur- 
 rounding country, which was then but sparsely 
 settled and few improvements made. 
 
 George Taylor, father of our subject, was also 
 a native of Centre county, born in Half Moon 
 township, whence at an early day he removed 
 from Bellefonte, to the foot of the mountain, 
 locating at the place now known as Pleasant Gap, 
 where he kept the toll-gate and conducted a 
 hotel in which our subject was born. He died at 
 Unionville, Penn., twelve miles west of Pleasant 
 Gap, at the ripe old age of eighty-seven years. 
 He was by birth a Friend, and always adhered 
 to the faith of that society. By his wife, Mary 
 Dunlap, he had two children: George (our sub- 
 ject), and Thomas, now a resident of Unionville, 
 Centre county. 
 
 In the old tavern at Pleasant Gap, Curtin C. 
 Taylor spent the days of his boyhood and youth, 
 and his educational privileges were very limited 
 as the school house nearest to his home was two 
 miles distant. In 1844 he was united in mar- 
 
186 
 
 ( OMMB HOB ATI VE BIOGRA I'lIU .1 /. RECORD. 
 
 riage with Miss Harriet Noll, who was born in 
 Dauphin comity. Penn., November 26, 1824, a 
 daughter ol ■ and Marj smith' Noll, 
 
 tives of Lebanon and B< rks 1 ounties, Prim., re- 
 stively. Her father lived to the age ol 
 enty-five years, while her mother was sixty-nine 
 at the time of h th. In their 
 
 famiix were four children: Harriet, the wifi 
 our subject; John, deceased; Sallie, wife of 
 Henry Harman, "I Ross county, Ohio; and Em- 
 manuel, a resilient of Sunbury, Penn. Four 
 children two sons and two :race 
 
 the union of Mr. and Mrs. Taylor, as follows: 
 11) I an iron molder, living in Bellefonte, 
 
 Centre comity, married Kate Wian, and has four 
 children — Jennie, Hallie, Willie and Mat 
 Mar) is the wife of fohn Griffith, ol Pleasant 
 dap. by whom she has lour children Hallie, 
 \\ iter. Hatty and Millie. (3 Irvin, a! 
 ident ol Bellefonte, married [essie Gro 
 has three children Harry, Curtin and Charley. 
 (4) Carrie is the wife ol Vbner Armstrong, and 
 has one son- Curtin. 
 
 After his marriage, Mr Taylor worked by 
 the month for a time, and was then for thirty-six 
 mployed on the turnpike. On April 1, 
 1896, he was appointed toll-gate keeper, which 
 ition he 1- now acceptablj filling. He has 
 nevei cared to travel, and has never yel been on 
 a railroad train He is an earnest Democrat in 
 politics, while his wife is a member of the Meth- 
 odist Church. The}' are quietly passing down 
 the hill >>l life, enjoying the esteem and confi- 
 dence of their neighbors and the affection of their 
 children and many friends 
 
 J \kll> . DAI I , M. I)., of I.e.nont. ( entre 
 nty, has dest endi d from one of the 
 
 families ol Buffalo Valle) and ol Centre coun- 
 ty, where for several generations its representa- 
 tives have been prominently identified with the 
 history of this section. 
 
 Dr. Hale is oi Revolutionary stock. The 
 early history ol the familj is given under the 
 head of Christian Hale (1) elsewhere. Felix 
 Hale, son of Christian Dale 1 1 1, and the grand- 
 father of our subject, was born February 2, 1767, 
 and died Manh 12, 1833, in the sixty-seventh 
 year of his age. He married Catherine Dorothy 
 Pinogel, of the family of Pinogels, of Pinogel's 
 Church, near Harrisburg, Penn As early as 
 1780 we find the name of 1'mogel on record in 
 Londonderry township. Dauphin county. Felix 
 Dale and wife had two sons: David and Felix. 
 The mother of these died April [5, 1*44 Felix 
 
 Dale, Sr. , inherited from his father's estate the 
 mill property, and by occupation was a miller 
 
 and fai im-r. 
 
 David Dale, the father of Dr. Dale, was 
 born at Dales' Mills, January 8, 1798. He re- 
 ed such schooling as the neighborhood schools 
 of his youth afforded, and became a miller by 
 occupation, also carrying on agricultural pursuits 
 in connection with the milling business. He was 
 a man of practical ideas and a genius in a me- 
 mical line, building his own carding machine, 
 which branch of the woolen-mill business, to- 
 iler with a hemp-mill, he added to the grist 
 and saw mill that had descended from his fore- 
 fathers He was a man of good judgment and 
 business qualifications, and made a success of 
 life. The Dales for generations were Lutherans, 
 and David was not an exception. In politics he 
 was a Whig. On May 6, [824, he married Miss 
 Margaret Hennigh, bom January 11, 
 daughter of Major Frederick Hennigh. whore- 
 sided just below Aaronsburg, Centre county, and 
 their children were: (l ) William, born Febru- 
 ary 20, 1825, a woolen-factory man, married 
 Mary Mitchell, daughter of John Mitchell, of 
 Harris township, and then onlj surviving child — 
 John M. -is practicing law at Bellefonte. Will- 
 iam died Decembei 20, 1S71, aged forty-six 
 Felix, a farmer, born November 26, 
 [826, married Rache [ane Mitchell, born in 1833, 
 daughter ol David Mitchell, and died in 1891, 
 Felix dying in 1892; no issue. (3) Thomas, born 
 May 0, [828, and died in [889; married Mary 
 I, a daughter ol Hon. George Boal, of Boals- 
 burg. Centre county, who died in 1892 without 
 issue. Thomas Dale was an intelligent gentle- 
 man and a very capable business man. He was 
 
 a man of high sense of h u and was greatly 
 
 esteemed by all who knew him. He was a 
 woolen-factory man, merchant and farmer. 141 
 Abnet. born November 17, 1829, a minister of 
 the German Reformed Church, was educated at 
 Marshall College, 111 Mercei sburg; married Sarah 
 Adams, of Butler comity, where he died in 1875. 
 His widow, and one son, David E., who survived 
 him. are still living in the town of Butler. (5) 
 Mary M. Dale, born March 3, 1832, died July 
 24, 1875, in her forty-fourth year. (6) David, 
 born February 13, 1834, who was engaged in 
 the woolen-manufacturing business at Dal 
 Mills, and died unmarried, July 25, 1880. 
 Cornelius, born February 7, 1836, a farmer, mar- 
 ried Georgtanna, daughter of William Furey, of 
 Bellefonte; they reside on the old homestead, 
 and have four daughters living — Emma, Cor- 
 nelia, Mary and Ethel, of whom, Emma married 
 Edward Lingle. (8) Alfred, born January 21, 
 
rffr a^c O <%£ ^Zl> 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 137 
 
 1838, a coachmaker, married Lila Bartol, and 
 died in Tyrone, Penn., in 1876, of disease con- 
 tracted while in the war of the Rebellion. He 
 had one daughter, Florence, who is living in 
 Philadelphia with her mother. (9) J. Y. Dale, 
 the subject of this sketch. David Dale, Sr., 
 died July 13, 1854, in the fifty-seventh year of 
 his age, and his wife, Margaret, died January 1 1, 
 1864, in her sixty-sixth year; both are buried at 
 Boalsburg, in Harris township. Mrs. Dale was 
 identified with the German Reformed Church. 
 
 Dr. J. Y. Dale is a native of Centre county, 
 born at the old homestead at Dales' Mills, Octo- 
 ber 31, 1840. In boyhood he assisted in the 
 work on the farm and in his father's mills. He 
 went to the common schools in the neighbor- 
 hood, attended the academy at Boalsburg, and 
 for two years pursued classical studies under the 
 tuition of his brother, the clergyman, then read 
 medicine with Dr. Benjamin J. Berry at The End 
 of the Mountain, a graduate of the University of 
 New York, and one of the most widely known 
 and prominent physicians of the county. Later, 
 young Dale attended the Medical Department of 
 the University of Pennsylvania, from which he 
 was graduated in the spring of 1863; and while a 
 medical student he had valuable experience in the 
 military hospitals at Philadelphia and Pittsburg. 
 In April, 1863, he located for practice in partner- 
 ship with Dr. E. Greene, at Bellefonte, and in 
 May, 1864, on the death of Dr. Berry, who had 
 been engaged in practice at The End of the 
 Mountain (nowLemont), for thirty-four years, he 
 removed to that place, where he has ever since 
 been actively engaged in the pursuit of his pro- 
 fession, amid the scenes of his boyhood and 
 among the descendants of the friends and ac- 
 quaintances of his ancestors. Dr. Dale was pro- 
 fessor of Anatomy and Physiology, and lecturer 
 on Hygiene at the Pennsylvania State College, 
 1867-71. He is a member of the American 
 Medical Association; of the State Medical Soci- 
 ety of Pennsylvania; of the Clinton County Med- 
 ical Society; of the Centre County Medical Soci- 
 ety, and of the West Branch Medical Association, 
 of which he is now (1897; the president. This 
 Association, which was organized in 1892, is 
 made up of members in good standing of county 
 societies in affiliation with the State Medical So- 
 ciety of Pennsylvania, in the counties of Cam- 
 eron, Centre, Clearfield, Clinton, Elk, Lycom- 
 ing, Northumberland, Potter, Tioga and Union. 
 He is Deputy Inspector for the State Board of 
 Health. He is also a member of the Shake- 
 speare Society of New York, and of the State 
 College Scientific Association; and is a Free- 
 mason, connected with the Blue Lodge, Chapter 
 
 and Commandery at Bellefonte. In politics he 
 is a Republican. 
 
 On September 29, 1870, Dr. Dale married 
 Matilda Allport, of Phillipsburg, formerly of 
 Morrisdale, Clearfield county, born June 23, 
 1845, a daughter of James and Matilda (Hunter) 
 Allport, and their children are: Frederick, born 
 August 7, 1 87 1, graduated at the Pennsylvania 
 State College in 1893, served one year in the 
 regular army, and is now a medical student at 
 the University of Pennsylvania; Katharine, born 
 July 27, 1874, is at home; David, born February 
 26, 1876, is a student of the Pennsylvania Col- 
 lege at Gettysburg; and Edith, born July 4, 1878, 
 is at home. Dr. Dale's family are members of 
 the Episcopal Church. 
 
 Mrs. Dale, too, is of Revolutionary stock, 
 and has descended from pioneers of the State 
 and of Centre county. There is a family tradi- 
 tion that the first of the Hunters to come to 
 America was the son of a family of note, who 
 had married a Miss Craig, a governess, and for 
 that reason was disinherited. He located in 
 what was then Lancaster county, but which sub- 
 sequently became Dauphin county. They had 
 three sons: Andrew, Robert and David. After 
 the father's death, the widow made her home 
 with a Miss Craig, her sister, until the Revolu- 
 tion. Robert and David went into the war, but 
 Andrew being only nineteen, this relative would 
 not let him go, but he ran off and entered the 
 service, and for this act of theirs all three were 
 disinherited by their aunt. After the war the 
 three sons returned to Dauphin county. The 
 mother married a Mr. Crane, whose son became 
 Secretary of State. Andrew Hunter married 
 Rachel Moore, and their children were: Eliza- 
 beth, born December 2, 1781; John, born March 
 1, 1783; William, born July 24, 1786; Andrew, 
 born July 25, 1788; Nancy, born April 12, 1791 ; 
 Robert, born October 8, 1793; James, born 
 March 1, 1798; and Craig, born August 27, 1800. 
 Andrew Hunter removed with his family to what 
 is now Centre county (his brother, Robert, ac- 
 companying him), prior to July 25, 1788, the 
 date of birth of his son, Andrew, which occurred 
 in Potter's Fort in what is now Potter township. 
 Subsequently the family removed to Slab Cabin, 
 a branch of Spring creek (so called from a cabin 
 built of slabs that stood on the banks of the 
 creek), and there resided many years. The par- 
 ents finally removed to Indiana county, where 
 they died. Robert, the brother, moved to Ohio. 
 
 Major Andrew Hunter, the son of the pio- 
 neer, and the grandfather of Mrs. Dale, married 
 Mary Evans, daughter of Eliezer and Christiana 
 (Bard) Evans, and their children were: Matilda, 
 
188 
 
 coMAll MOHA'llVB BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 born April i, 1 8 14; and Catherine, born October 
 [6, 1819. Major Hunter died July 11. 1S70, 
 and his wife on November 19. [868, and their 
 remains rest in the Spring Creek graveyard, 
 rheir daughter Matilda was married on Novem- 
 ber 29, 1831, to James Allport. and their chil- 
 dren were. James C, born January 19, 1833; 
 Mary A., born December 16, t834; Samuel I 
 born August 2, 1838; Catherine, bom December 
 11, 1841; Matilda, born June 23, 1845; and Ho- 
 bart, born March 3, [848. James Allport 
 born at Hartley, \\ Inn-. England, May 
 
 11, 1799. and was brought up by his uncle 
 Charh is, who was a commissary-general in the 
 I nglish army. James went with his uncle in his 
 campaigns, and was educated by private tutors, 
 who were sometimes Protestants and sometimes 
 Roman Catholics. lb- was with Ins uncle in the 
 Peninsular wai in Spain, and also accompanied 
 him in the campaign with the "Iron Duke," 
 which resulted in the defeat and final overthrow 
 of Napoleon at Waterloo. The bo) fames was 
 an eye witness of the battle of Waterloo, and 
 brought away many interesting relics of the bat- 
 tlefield, which are still in the p 11 of the 
 family. Through the influence of his uncle he 
 
 was pensi d by the English Government, 
 
 which pension was to de-rend to his heirs so 
 long as he or they remained to the 
 
 I rown \lter making America his permanent 
 home Mi. Allport became a naturalized citizen of 
 the United States, declaring thai he would not 
 for any pension forego his rights as a citizen of the 
 
 land of In- adoption. In |8l6 Ins uncle sent him 
 
 to New York, as an importer ol hardware, which 
 business he followed until |X_\X. crossing the 
 ocean sixteen times. Prior to iS^s the firm of 
 Corp. Ellis & Shaw, with whom he had been 
 doing business, failed, and he was compelled lo 
 take ol tin in. as pay for money due him. la 
 tracts ol hind in Clearfield county, neai Philli 
 burg. In [828 he came from New York to see 
 his lands, and after a short tune passed in look- 
 ing over the countrj he returned to New York. 
 The following yeai he again visited Ins lauds, and 
 in the midst oi the forests he built a cabin, ami 
 alone commenced life in a new country. He 
 was married a- before stati d, and to his home in 
 the wilderness took his young bride on hoi 
 
 hack. 
 
 Mi Mlp rt at once identified himself with the 
 Democratic party, and was a sturdy advocate of 
 its principles, and became one ol its leader- in 
 Clearfield county and the surrounding country. 
 The first railroad speech made in Phillipsl 
 was delivered by him, when thi question was 
 hrst heme agitated, and in favor ol its 1 onstruc- 
 
 tion. In the later years of his life his lower 
 i extremities were partially paralyzed, which 
 1 greatly impeded his physical but not his mental 
 activity. It prevented him from taking the 
 active part in public affairs which his qualifica- 
 tions so well fitted him to fill. The Allporta 
 trace their genealogical line back to the time of 
 Charles the Second, and it was their ancestors 
 who hid that monarch in the oak-tree, when 
 pursued by the minions of Cromwell. After the 
 King ascended the throne, he bestowed on the 
 family the coat of arms which still distinguishes 
 them in the mother country. Mr. Allport died 
 October 4, 1 S -;4 His widow still reside- 
 Phillipsburg. 
 
 Referring to the Evans and Bard branch of 
 the ancestry of Mrs. Dale: Eliezer Evans came 
 to Centre counts' in company with Gen. Philip 
 Benner, as a bellows-maker, doing the General's 
 work in that line, and also such work at the 
 other forges built at about that period, and for 
 years afterward in Centre county. The date of 
 Gen. Benner's coming to the county was in 
 1792, and he was from Chester county. The 
 Evans family came from the vicinity of Morgan- 
 town. 
 
 Eliezer Evans was horn December 17, 1 
 and died August 6, 1820; his wife, Christiana 
 Hard, was horn February 12. 1771, and died 
 April 25, 1X24; both are buried in the Spring 
 ( reek graveyard Their children were: Jeremiah, 
 born August 27, 1792; Sarah, born December 8, 
 13; Mary, born December 25, 1795; Joseph. 
 horn May 24, 1 70S , Susan, born November '>. 
 1800; Enoch, born June 2, 1803; Jane, born 
 \pril 22, 1805; Ruth, horn August I.S, 1807; 
 Christian, born June 7. [810; Elizabeth, born 
 Much j, 1813. Christiana Bard was the daughter 
 of Michael and Susanna (Sprogle) Bard 
 anna Sprogle was the daughter ol [ohn llenr\ 
 o| 1 [i English clergyman, who died in 
 
 I lei ks COUnty, l'elili He was descended (loin 
 
 an English nobleman, and his body was sent 
 back to England. A memoir of his life 
 ministry was published. 
 
 J 1 )I1N GUNSALLUS, who is now retired fron 
 ive busim ne of the prominent 
 
 representative 1 itizensof Snow Shoe township 
 1 entre county. Throughout his business career In 
 was I m various enterprises, andbysound 
 
 judgment, excellent management and fair deal 
 ing, acquired sufficient propert) to enable him to 
 e up business cares and enjoy the result of hi- 
 fi irmer labor 
 
 Mr. Gunsallus was born in Snow Shoe towi 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 189 
 
 ship, Centre county, December 19. 1837, and is 
 a son of Meese and Ruth (Lucas) Gunsallus, 
 natives of Clearfield and Centre counties, respect- 
 ively. The former came to Centre county in 1820, 
 and was here employed as a farmer and coal 
 mine operator until his death, which occurred in 
 1882, when he was aged seventy-eight years. His 
 wife passed away in 1 889, at the age of seventy-six 
 years. She was the daughter of John P. Lucas, a 
 farmer of Centre county, while the paternal grand- 
 father of our subject, James Gunsallus, was an 
 agriculturist of Clearfield county. 
 
 Eight children blessed the union of the parents 
 of our subject: Lovy, deceased wife of William 
 McKinney, a miner of Clearfield county; John; 
 Adeline, wife of Richard Miles, superintendent of 
 a stationery store and bindery in Harrisburg. 
 Penn. ; Samuel, who was killed during the Civil 
 war; Taylor, a coal miner of Ehrenfeld, Cambria 
 county; Mattie, wife of Gust Holt, a lumberman 
 of Snow Shoe; Ellen, wife of William R. Haines, 
 who is engaged in the liquor business in Clarence, 
 Centre county; and Eliza, wife of James Moore, 
 a shoe merchant of frvona, Pennsylvania. 
 
 John Gunsallus, the subject of this review, 
 remained under the parental roof until the out- 
 break of the Rebellion, when, in April, 1861, he 
 enlisted for three months in Company B, 10th 
 P. V. I., and in September following enlisted in 
 Company G, 51st P. V. I., under Capt. Snyder. 
 He took part in many of the most important bat- 
 tles of the Civil war, including those of Roanoke, 
 Newbern (N. C), Cedar Mountain, second battle 
 of Bull Run, Cold Harbor, Antietam, Spottsyl- 
 vania, Wilderness, Petersburg, Weldon Railroad, 
 Black and White Stations, Jackson (Miss.), and 
 Knoxville (Tenn.). He also participated in vari- 
 ous skirmishes, and was twice slightly wounded, 
 both times in front of Petersburg. On July 27, 
 1865, ne was honorably discharged and returned 
 home with an enviable war record. He served 
 as a private until after the battle of Antietam, 
 Md., when he was made a corporal; later he was 
 appointed orderly sergeant of the company. On 
 January 1, 1864, he with his regiment re-enlisted 
 to serve during the war, and soon after he was 
 promoted to the second lieutenancy; later he was 
 promoted to first lieutenant, and mustered out 
 as such. During the period of his service he was 
 never in the hospital or away from his regiment. 
 
 Mr. Gunsallus resumed work on his father's 
 farm, where he remained a short time, and also 
 engaged in lumbering. Subsequently he went to 
 West Union, Iowa, where he rented a farm for a 
 year, after which he returned to the county of 
 his nativity, and once more engaged in lumber- 
 ing, following that pursuit for four years. He 
 
 next engaged in cutting prop timber for the coal 
 mines for fourteen years, and later followed min- 
 ing for about a year, and is now living retired. 
 
 On October 11, 1865, at West Union, Iowa, 
 John Gunsallus was married to Miss Pamelia A. 
 Lucas, who was born in Centre county, Penn., in 
 July, 1840, and is the only survivor in the family 
 of eleven children of Samuel and Rachel (Leech) 
 Lucas, who died at West Union, Iowa, where 
 the father carried on agricultural pursuits. Seven 
 children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Gunsallus, 
 namely: Samuel, a teamster at Winburne; 
 Maggie, deceased wife of Charles French, an in- 
 surance agent of Philipsburg, Centre county; 
 Anna, who is the widow of John Houston, and is 
 residing with our subject; Harry, a clothing mer- 
 chant of Snow Shoe; Edith, at home; Nora, who 
 died when young; and Ruth, at home. 
 
 In his political affiliations, Mr. Gunsallus is an 
 ardent Republican, and has served his fellow 
 citizens in the capacity of supervisor four terms, 
 and tax collector three terms. Socially he is a 
 member of the I. O. O. F. and the Encampment, 
 of the Knights of Pythias, and of the order of 
 American Mechanics. He is a public-spirited, 
 enterprising man, one who takes an active inter- 
 est in everything which seems to promise a bene- 
 fit to the community, and enjoys the esteem and 
 confidence of all who know him. 
 
 ^irTriLSON POTTER ARD, M. D., although 
 
 but comparatively a few years established 
 in Woodward, Centre county, has built up a 
 practice which places him among the leading 
 physicians of Penn's Valley. He is a native of 
 Lewistown, Penn., born April 15, 1845, ar >d * s 
 descended on the paternal side from an old Scotch 
 family, his ancestors having crossed the Atlantic 
 before the Revolutionary war, in which members 
 of the family played a gallant part. 
 
 Joseph . B. Ard, M. D., grandfather of our 
 subject, was born September 18. 1784, and prac- 
 ticed medicine successfully in Lewistown for a 
 number of years; but on retiring from active life 
 he settled in Philadelphia, where his death oc- 
 curred February 27, 1861, his remains being 
 taken to Lewistown for burial. He accumulated 
 a large estate, and at the time of his death was 
 worth several hundred thousand dollars. 
 
 George Ard, our subject's father, was born in 
 Lewistown, May 14, 18 14, and enjoyed through- 
 out his life the advantages of inherited wealth. 
 He was a large man of good build. In politics 
 he was a Democrat, and - in his younger days 
 manifested much interest in the party. His wife, 
 Emeline (Harvey), was a daughter of Nathan 
 
140 
 
 OOMMBItORA 111'/-: BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 Harvey, <>f Mill Hall, Penn. They had four 
 children: Eliza, who married Francis SI 
 maker, a wholesale druggist of Philadelphia; Jo- 
 seph B., now a resident of Pine Grove Mills, 
 Centre county; and Wilson P. (our subject and 
 Ellen (twins), the latter ol whom married R. K. 
 Lovett, and resided for a number of years in 
 I' ris, France (she died in Charleston, S. ' 
 The mother passed away in i S46, the father on 
 August 20, [892, and the remains of both were 
 interred at Lewistown. Mr Ard left a good in- 
 heritance to his children, and during their youth 
 provided them with more than ordinary educa- 
 tional advantages. 
 
 Dr. William P. Ard attended the schools at 
 I ewistown and Philadelphia, and the academies 
 irora and McVeytown, Penn., spending 
 several years in the latter institution. I lis med- 
 ical studies were begun under the pi hip 
 of Prof. W. H. Pancoast, ol Philadelphia, and 
 In- degree of M. 1> was obtained from Jefferson 
 Medical College in 18S0. Thus prepared for 
 his professional work, the Do< toi located al 1 
 marck, Lebanon Co., Penn., remaining mure 
 than a year, but m the fall "I [882 he removed 
 to Woodward, (fiitre counts, where he estab- 
 lished a large and lucrative practice. He was 
 married in Reading, Penn., to Mi-s Amanda B. 
 Moser, a native ol that city, and a daughter of 
 Franklin Moser, a prominent farmer, and this 
 union has been blessed with children as follows: 
 I mi a I [oseph B., < ieorge, Wilson s and 
 Mary M. Mrs. Ard is a leading member of the 
 Reformed Church, and their charming home is a 
 social center. 
 
 I'll. is .1 in. 111 ill culture, In- reading 
 
 extending beyond pro il literature, in 
 
 which he keeps well posted. During his residence 
 m Philadelphia, he was pleasantly associated 
 with some eminent practitioners; but tin- rest ful- 
 ness and i" life in the country appealed t" 
 him strongly, causing him to seek a home there. 
 Politic. ill\ he is . 1 Democrat, andhe takes great 
 interest in tin- success 11I Ins party. 
 
 HON. HENRYMEYER. The history or gen- 
 ealogy of a family, whose members 
 scattered over an ana extending beyond the 
 
 limits of the counties embraced in this work, must 
 necessarily be fragmentary and incomplete. The 
 further division and sub-division of the material 
 by the respective county lines, as contemplated, 
 and by tow nship lines, m< reases the difficulties in 
 the way of a satisfactory presentation. This 
 task has. however, fallen to the capable hands of 
 Hon Henry Meyer, a prominent and highlj 
 
 lent <>f Miles township, Centre coun- 
 ts, and as he has just completed, after several 
 years of tedious labor, the manuscript of a second 
 edition of his " Genealogy of the Meyer Family," 
 he is peculiarly qualified to furnish the desired in- 
 formation At the request of the publishers he 
 I the following scholarly and accurate 
 sketch. 
 
 The Meyers are a numerous family, and are 
 largely represented ill most of the States west- 
 ward from Pennsylvania to California. There 
 are many more members of this tribe beyond the 
 limits of the counties embraced in this work — a 
 subject, which, if treated fully , would be quite ex- 
 tensive; a simple record of names alone would 
 till many times the space allotted for this sketch, 
 there being in number more than five thousand, 
 and we will therefore state merely a few facts in 
 the early Meyer settlement in this 
 country, and trace the lineage of such descend- 
 ants of the Meyer who immigrated from the old 
 country, as were citizens at one time or other of 
 the counties ol Centre, Clinton, Union and Sny- 
 der. Penn., thus forming in a manner a connect- 
 ing link between the many individual sketches of 
 those members of the family. 
 
 A brief referem e to the name itself it is 
 thought would be proper since it is written in so 
 many different ways It is German, and like so 
 many other family names of that and other lan- 
 guages, it has undergone changes in its transla- 
 tion into English and its transmission from gen- 
 ii. It is spelled in at least 
 eleven different ways, viz. : Meyer, Mayer, Mj 
 Meyers, Myers, Mover, Movers, Mire, Mei 
 Meire, and Maire. In German it is written "lUrt'cr 
 which anglicised becomes Meyer. 
 
 The records show that a large number of 
 Meyer immigrants came from the old country 
 from 1725 to 1776. and no doubt quite a number 
 before that period and since. It is not assumed 
 that they were all of kin. In all parts of Holland 
 and Germany the name is as frequently met with 
 as the name Smith in this country. 
 
 Henry Meyer, the ancestor of the branch to 
 which this article is devoted, came from the Palat- 
 inate. Prussia, and settled permanently at the 
 head or spring of a small stream which he then 
 named •• Mllhlbach, " situated in the southeastern 
 part of the present limits of Lebanon counts 
 Penn I te was accompanied by his wife, and tin 
 couple then had one or two children. Then 
 earthly possessions, consisting of some clothing, 
 several pewter-plates, an axe, a German hymn- 
 book and Bible, and several other indispensible 
 articles, they carried in bundles, and began hou 
 keeping under the friendly protect ion afforded by 
 
(1 iM/\>f lAAJL^f JL\r 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 141 
 
 the spreading branches of a large white oak tree 
 close to the spring just mentioned. The family 
 arrived at the place at about four o'clock in the 
 afternoon of a certain day in the month of Au- 
 gust. The woman sat on the ground and wept; 
 the father took his axe and began to clear the 
 ground. The country then was a vast wilderness 
 in which wild animals and Indians were abun- 
 dant. The family had neighbors, but they were 
 few and far between, and all equally poor. It is 
 said two brothers of Mr. Meyer accompanied him 
 to this country, one of whom also settled in Penn- 
 sylvania, and the other moved to South Carolina. 
 The date of the arrival of the Meyer immigrants 
 in the new country is only approximately known, 
 but it appears to have been about the year 17 19. 
 
 Henry Meyer, who emigrated from Germany, 
 had nine children that grew to maturity and wen- 
 married, viz.: John died December 11, 178C, 
 aged sixty-seven years, and lies buried in the 
 Muhlbach Cemetery, Lebanon county, Penn. 
 He was married, and his descendants, of whom 
 there are many, reside principally in the eastern 
 section of this State. No further reference to 
 his family will be made in this sketch. 
 
 Henry, born in May, 1730, died November 
 17, 1812; married Catherine Ruth, born May 30, 
 1837, died May 3, 1801, and both are buried in 
 Mtihlbach Cemetery. The descendants of this 
 couple reside in the eastern part of this State 
 principally, and some in the Western States. 
 
 Jacob, born at Muhlbach, Heidelberg town- 
 ship, Lebanon Co. (then Lancaster county), 
 Penn., in 1732, moved in 1768 to a locality 
 about half a mile west of the present site of 
 Freeburg, Snyder Co., Penn., then called 
 Straubstown; died when aged about seventy-five 
 years, and lies buried in the old graveyard near 
 Freeburg. He married Susan Ream. The de- 
 scendants of this couple are a multitude. A 
 number of them are found in Centre and Clinton 
 counties of this State, but the majority of them 
 are settled in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and other 
 Western States. 
 
 Michael, who lies buried at Schaefferstown, 
 Penn., died about the year 1794. He was twice 
 married; his second wife was Catharine Becker, 
 by whom he had two children, daughters. His 
 descendants are in the eastern part of Pennsyl- 
 vania and in Illinois. 
 
 Christopher, the youngest son, was born in 
 Malhbach, and died near Campbelltown, Penn., 
 August 2, 1 801, aged sixty-seven years. He 
 married Anna Maria, daughter of Alexander 
 Schaeffer, the founder of Schaefferstown, Penn. 
 She was born February 19, 1744; died January 
 1, 1823, and both are buried in the Reformed 
 
 Cemetery at Campbelltown, Penn. He moved 
 to the village last named when still single, 
 and became the owner of a large tract of land, 
 part of which is still owned by his descend- 
 ants. The couple had nine children, most of 
 whom moved into Snyder and Centre counties, 
 and will be named at the proper places in this 
 sketch. Of the four daughters of the Meyer 
 who came from Germany and settled at Muhl- 
 bach but little is known. One was married to 
 Alexander Schaeffer, one to Jacob Tillman, one to 
 John Christopher Aahlschmidt, and one to Lou- 
 dermilk. Tradition says one or two moved to 
 South Carolina. 
 
 The rest of this sketch will be devoted to the 
 descendants of the two sons, Jacob and Christo- 
 pher, above named, many of whom are residing 
 in Centre, Clinton and Snyder counties, this 
 State. In order to avoid confusion in repre- 
 senting successive generations it is necessary to 
 employ some system to distinguish them; there 
 are various schemes of the kind made use of by 
 genealogists, and for this sketch the following is 
 adopted: 
 
 The children of a family are numbered, be- 
 ginning with the eldest, by Roman or. Arabic 
 numerals, the different styles or forms of which 
 will denote different successive generations. 
 The children of Jacob and Christopher (sons of 
 the Meyer who came from Germany) will be 
 designated by Roman numerals, thus: I, II, etc. ; 
 their grandchildren, by Roman numerals with 
 parentheses, thus: (I), (II), etc.; their great- 
 grandchildren, by Arabic numerals, thus, 1, 2, 
 etc. ; next generation by Arabic numerals within 
 parentheses, thus: (1), (2), etc. Henry (Henry, 
 Henry, Jacob, Henry), reads as follows: Henry 
 Meyer, son of Henry Meyer, son of Henry 
 Meyer, son of Jacob Meyer, son of Henry Meyer 
 (who came from Germany). 
 
 Jacob Meyer was the third son of Henry 
 Meyer, who came from Germany, and as already 
 stated he moved from Muhlbach to Straubstown 
 (now Freeburg), Penn., about the year 1768, 
 purchasing a large tract of land near that town; 
 he devoted his time to farming and to keeping a 
 tavern. He and his wife Susan had eight chil- 
 dren, six sons and two daughters. 
 
 I. Catharine (Jacob, Henry) was married t<> 
 John Meyer, not of kin. The couple were 
 among the first settlers of Brush Valley (1792) 
 near what is now Wolfs Store, in Miles town- 
 ship, Centre Co., Penn., but moved to Kentucky 
 about the year 1797. Their descendants live in 
 the South and West. 
 
 II. Barbara (Jacob, Henry) was married to 
 Michael Motz. The couple lived on a farm at 
 
1 12 
 
 COMMBMORA TIVB BIOGRAPHICAL HBCORD. 
 
 ' End, Penn's Valley, in 1 1 iwnship, 
 
 and both arc buried at Si burch, near 
 
 their <i]<i In imi stead I .efl i 
 
 III. Philip i [acob, Henrj I, born al Mnhl- 
 
 bstown to a 
 [arm about a mile east ol WolfsStore He was 
 i in the Revolutionary war. His wife, 
 Anna Margaret, was a daughter of Andrew M<>rr, 
 of the first settlers in the neighborhood of 
 I,,. ; ■ ii n Straubstown . Penn. Philip 
 
 died April 27, 1 83 1 , aged seventy-fi\ five 
 
 months, thirteen days; Ins wife, bornAugusI 
 17511. died March [2, 1829; buried side b) side 
 in the Union 1 ry, Rebersburg, Penn.; 
 
 they had eleven children seven sons and ; 
 
 in. . rheir latei des I ml are legion, 
 
 and are neatly all residents "I Ol 
 
 IV. [ohn Jacob Jacob, Henry 1, born at 
 Muhlbach, died in November, 1815; lies bui 
 
 in Pine < reek 1 emetery, about two miles west ol 
 |ersej Shore, within a short distance of his home- 
 id (arm. He was married to Julia, daughter 
 Morr, name, l abo\ e. Their d 
 ants are found principally in Lycoming county, 
 Pennsj Ivania. 
 
 V. [ohn G& H wned his 
 lather's homestead farm neat Freeburg, Penn.; 
 dud about the year 1810; lies buned in 
 the old cem burg; was twice mai 
 iied, lirst. to Elizabeth, daughter of John Buch- 
 tel; second, t<> Marj Brosius His ten children 
 were widelj scattered in latei years. 
 
 \ 1 I [em 5 (Ja ob I lenrj 1, bom neat Muhl- 
 h, October 15, 1764, died May 17. 1K20; was 
 twice married, first to Mary, daughter ol Jacob 
 Steese, ol Penn township, now part oi Snydei 
 1 ounty, Penn. , si 1 ond, to Margaret, daughb 1 ol 
 Hon. Adam Harper, ol Penn's Valley, who was 
 formerly one ol the associate judges ol Centre 
 count) Husband and both wives lii buried 111 
 the Union Cemetery, Rebersburg. Mr. Mi 
 moved into Brush Valley (nearly all ol which is 
 included within the limits ol Miles township . 
 1 entre county, on a faun near Wolfs stole in 
 179701 1798, and devoted much of Ins time to 
 [arming from that time until his decease, though 
 his trade was that ol a millwright. He built 
 many gristmills and sawmills in central Pennsyl- 
 vania, now within the limits ol Union, Snyder, 
 Mifflin, |uniata, ( entre and Lycoming count 
 I |. served as justice of the peace for many J 1 
 hi- was commissioned. Februarj 28, 170.1. major 
 of the First Battalion Third Northumberland 
 Brigade; January 4, [802, lieutenant-colonel of 
 1 list Regiment, Militia, lirst Brigade, Tenth 
 Division, counties ,,t Mifflin, Huntingdon 
 Centre When but sixteen years old he belonged 
 
 to some organization recruited for protection 
 against the Indians. He was widely known, and 
 had a host of friends. There were eleven children, 
 ten ol whom reached maturity — from the first 
 wife, three; from the second, seven. Since all 
 of these became residents of either Centre or 
 Clinton comity, as well as most of their descend- 
 ants, a brief record of this family will here be 
 made: (I) Infant. (II) Henry (Henry, Jacob. 
 Henrj . born near Straubstown (Freeburg), 
 Penn., September 2, 1795, died at his home, 
 three miles east of Rebersburg, December 28, 
 1 SS 1 , lies buried in the Union Cemetery in the 
 town just named; married to Hannah, daughter 
 
 Nil hoi as Bierly; sin- was born Ma) 26, 1 *oo; 
 dhd December 16, 1893; lies buried in the 
 
 ingelical Cemetery, same town. He was but 
 two or three years old when his father moved 
 into Brush Valley, and 1 itizen of the 
 
 place all his lifetime, engaging in business as a 
 millwright and farmer. Issue nine: 1. Mary. 
 [anuary 30, 1*24, married (first) Rev. 
 George Weirich, and (second) John F. Price, 
 now also deceased. Resides in Green township, 
 Clinton county, Penn. 2. Matilda, born Januarj 
 9, 1826; died February 4. 1853; buried at St 
 Paul Church, Penn's Valley; was married to s, 
 G. Mingle. 3. David, born September 15, 1827; 
 married to Fyetta, daughter of Anthony Bierly; 
 owns his father's homestead farm near Wolfs 
 store. Brush Valley. 4. Catharine, born Feb- 
 niarv 8, 1^29; married to Samuel G. Mingle; 
 husband now deceased; family resides in Lock 
 Haven. Penn. 5. Daniel, born February 24, 
 1831, married Matilda, daughter of Peter Smull; 
 
 de at Dakota, III. 6. Samuel B., born Feb- 
 ruary 12. 1833, married to Maggie E Moore; he 
 is a millwright by trade; resides near Milesburg, 
 Centre county. 7. Judith, born March 20, 1835, 
 
 tried to Joseph C. Bierly; resides on a farm 
 neai Centre Mills in Miles township, Centre 
 county. 8. Henrj (subject ol this sketch). 9. 
 Selena, born Octobei 28, 1 S44. died June 27. 
 
 l8 4 S 
 
 Henrj Meyer, our subject, was born 
 Rebersburg, Penn.. December 8, [840, and mar- 
 ried Martha J., daughter of Thomas J. Taylor, 
 and a native ol Rock Forge, Benner township, 
 Centre county, born April 2 j, [850. They have 
 ided at Rebersburg (Miles township), Penn., 
 from 1872 until now (1897). Mr. Meyer was 
 brought up on Ins father's farm, doing such work 
 as usually falls to the lot of farmer boys, and dur- 
 ing the winter season attended, two or three 
 months in a term, the common schools of the 
 neighborhood. He left home in the spring of 
 
 i860 to learn the millwright trade with John 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 148 
 
 Todd, who then resided at Potters Mills, Perm., 
 and his spare moments were devoted to reading, 
 and the study of mathematics and other branches 
 which had a bearingon mechanical pursuits. He 
 enlisted at Rebersburg, Penn., August 19, 1862, 
 with almost a hundred young men of the same 
 place (Brush Valley), in the army for "three 
 years or during the war." Became, a few days 
 after enlistment, a member of Company A, 148th 
 Regiment, P. V. I., at Camp Curtin, Harrisburg, 
 Penn., the regiment being placed under the com- 
 mand of Gen. (then Col.) James A. Beaver, and 
 joined afterward with the Second Army Corps, 
 Army of the Potomac. He went through the 
 usual disciplinary stages of the volunteer soldier, 
 and had his first practical experience in warfare 
 in the battle of Chancellorsville, Va., May, 1863; 
 then followed Gettysburg, Auburn Mills, Mine 
 Run, the Wilderness, and Laurel Hill, besides 
 several skirmishes of less importance. He was 
 slightly hurt at Chancellorsville, but more seri- 
 ously at Laurel Hill, May 10, 1864, by a minie 
 ball passing through the left hand near the wrist, 
 necessitating amputation of the left hand, which 
 operation was performed at Campbell Hospital, 
 Washington, D. C, May 17, 1864. On receiving 
 his discharge, September 12, 1864, he returned 
 home, entered the Rebersburg Select School for 
 a few weeks, taught school the winter following, 
 and continued teaching a number of terms. In 
 1866 he attended the Union Seminary, New Ber- 
 lin, Penn., for a term, and in the fall of 1868, 
 entered the Keystone State Normal School at 
 Kutztown, Penn., graduating therefrom with first 
 honors of the class in the spring following. He 
 then continued his work as an educator, and as- 
 sisted Prof. Reuben M. Magee, county superin- 
 tendent of common schools of Centre county, in 
 the Centre County Normal School a number of 
 terms. In May, 1875, he was elected county 
 superintendent of common schools of Centre 
 county, for a term of three years, and was re- 
 elected without opposition in May, 1878; was 
 elected in the fall of 1 882 a member of the House 
 of Representatives of the Legislature of Pennsyl- 
 avnia, and is at present serving a second term as 
 a justice of the peace, having been elected the 
 first time February 18, 1890. 
 
 The foregoing sketch being only a brief 
 record of the principal events in the biography 
 of Mr. Meyer, it is deemed desirable in justice 
 to himself that a few facts be mentioned which 
 will give a better view of his every-day life, 
 character and disposition. His progress as a 
 pupil in the district school was seriously ham- 
 pered from the very beginning until a youth of 
 sixteen by the difficulties encountered by all 
 
 pupils whose mother tongue is different from tin- 
 language of the books which they study in school. 
 His parents were Pennsylvania-German; all his 
 neighbors then spoke the dialect of those people; 
 the sermons then were nearly all German, as 
 were also many of the periodicals, and much of 
 the correspondence between people was in that 
 language. Under such circumstances the pro- 
 gress of pupils was slow and wearisome; they 
 listlessly repeated the words of their reading 
 lessons, committed definitions in grammar and 
 geography, but the exercises were as unintelligi- 
 ble to them as so much Hebrew would have 
 been. Gradually Mr. Meyer overcame these ob- 
 stacles, the printed page began to disclose ideas, 
 and a taste for reading w.is rapidly acquired. He 
 subscribed for English periodicals, bought and 
 borrowed histories, biographies, books of travel 
 and explorations, and eagerly read, during the 
 few spare moments which work on the farm al- 
 lowed, everything that came within his reach. 
 His books were his cherished friends. He has 
 ever been loyal to the Pennsylvania-German 
 race, and has little respect for those shallow- 
 pa ted dudes who would ignore their ancestry. 
 He is aware that before many years the dialect 
 which these people brought from the old coun- 
 try will be superseded by the English language, 
 but the noble qualities which they brought with 
 them, and which make for the moral and mate- 
 rial improvement of a community and the stabil- 
 ity of a State, are still the heritage of their de- 
 scendants. Of late years he has taken a special 
 interest in the early history and traditions of 
 these people who were the early settlers of his 
 native Valley, and has prepared a historical sketch 
 of the same, with biographical sketches of almost 
 a hundred of the old settlers. He has been prom- 
 inently connected with nearly all enterprises of 
 his time which had for their object the improve- 
 ment of his town and neighborhood. He has 
 ever taken a prominent part in the work of his 
 Church and Sunday-school. While officially 
 connected with the common schools either as 
 teacher or county superintendent, he labored 
 faithfully in the discharge of his duties, and his 
 labors were crowned in these positions with a 
 commendable degree of success. Politically he 
 is a Democrat, but of quite liberal views. In 
 his dealings he has ever been strictly honest in 
 his intercourse with those around him, courteous 
 and obliging; to the poor he has been charitable 
 beyond his means. He is unostentatious and re- 
 served in his manner! and despises shams and 
 the blusterer. Physically he is six feet tall, but 
 not heavy set; blue eyes; temperate in habits. 
 Mrs. Meyer, as stated above, is a daughter of 
 
1 11 
 
 COtfMl VORATIVR BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 Thomas J. Taylor, ol Unionville, Centre ' 
 Penn ll'-r great-grandfather, Thomas Taylm, 
 was a native ol Chestei county, Penn., or at 
 least resided in that section in his younger days. 
 He was married to Sarah Bebberly, whose parents 
 resided on the ground fought over by the British 
 and the American troops during the battle of 
 the Brandywine, September u. 1 777. This 
 
 ing ladj his future wife) was then not quite 
 sixteen years old, and was an eye-witness of the 
 battle, sin- used to relate many stirring incidents 
 of the tierce contest, and among other I 
 stated thai as she and others roamed over the 
 battlefield they observed that the waters of the 
 Brandywine were dyed red bom the blood of men 
 and horses killed along its banks. After their 
 marriage the couple moved, in 1800, to Half- 
 moon Valley, Centre Co., Penn., where they 
 settled permanently and raised a numerous fam- 
 ily. The old lady dud in 1849, aged eighty- 
 seven years, nine months, twenty-five days. 
 Her husband had preceded her to the grave 
 many yens. Among their children was a son, 
 
 George, born in Chester ci ty, November 20, 
 
 1798; died at Unionville, Centre county, Sep- 
 tember 6, 1887. For many years he kept the 
 tollgate at the foot ol Nittany mountain on the 
 pike leading from Lewistown to Bellefonte. 
 
 Later he became proprietor of a hotel at 
 Unionville, just named He was married to Mary 
 Kyser Dunlap, daughter of Daniel Dunlap; she 
 was born in Lancaster county, December 12, 
 1796; died at Unionville, Centre county. July 21, 
 1X75; both lie buried in the Friends Cemetery 
 near Unionville. The couple had only two 
 children — Curtin and Thomas J. The latter the 
 father of Mrs. Meyer) was born at Bellefonte, 
 Penn., August 2. [822; he was married to Sai 
 daughter of Jacob Homan. ol Penn's Valley, 
 Centre county; she was born March 19, 1818, 
 died February 22, 1859, and lies buried in the 
 old cemetery at Milesburg, Centre Co., Penn. 
 Mrs. Meyer while still single taught in the public 
 schools ol Centre county, a number ol terms, and 
 was quite successful as a teacher. 
 
 Mr and Mrs Meyer have live children liv- 
 ing, whose names with dates of birth an 
 lows: (I) Hannah Jane, January 11. 1872. 
 Henry! . Octobei ;. 1882 (3) Mary M., Au- 
 gust i4, 1885. t> Sarah I . September 1, 1- 
 5 1 Robei 1 T , August 14, 1 
 
 111). Jacob (Henry. Jacob. Henry), horn 
 near Straubstown now Freeburg), Penn., April 
 }0, 1797, dieil near his fat i 
 August 19, 1873, and lies buried in the Union 
 ( emeter) , Rebersburg, Penn. He wa 
 married. 
 
 I\> Benjamin (Henry, Jacob. Henry), 
 youngest son of first wife, was born 111 finish 
 Valtey, died in April, 1S24, no definite dates 
 found; he was married to Mary B., daughter of 
 Melchoir Poorman. Lies buried in the Union 
 Cemetery at Rebersburg, Penn. His widow 
 married Benjamin Beck, and is now also de- 
 ceased. They had one child, Mary, who moved 
 to Illinois. 
 
 \ William (Henry, Jacob, Henry 1 was 
 
 the eldest son of second wife, and was born in 
 Brush Valley, July 30, 1S04; died March 15, 
 1824, and lies buried in the Union Cemetery 
 at Rebersburg, Penn. ; was not married. 
 
 (YD [ohn (Henry, Jacob, Henry), born in 
 Brush Valley, June 30, 1806, died at his home 
 
 1 Wolfs Store, Penn., March 14, [892, and 
 lies buried near his father and brothers Benjamin 
 and William in Union Cemetery. Rebersburg, 
 Penn. He was twice married, first to Mary 
 ( atharine, daughter of Daniel Poorman, a near 
 neighbor of the Meyer family; second to Susan 
 Confer. He was a cabinet-maker and undertaker 
 by trade, and conducted his business at or near 
 his father's old homestead all his life. He never 
 enjoyed any educational privileges beyond those 
 afforded by the country subscription schools of 
 that period, and these even could not be attended 
 larlv by pupils because the constant demand 
 for assistance on the farms kept children out ol 
 school; yet by assiduous reading his mind was 
 well stored with useful knowledge on many sub- 
 jects He was a stiff Democrat, and used to 
 take great interest in politics in his youngei days, 
 but was never an office-seeker himself. He was 
 quite enthusiastic in military matters, and held 
 various grades in the service, at different periods, 
 the last and highest being that of major. 
 
 With Ins fust wife he had seven children, 
 with his second, one child: 1. Sarah, born 
 I 1 bruary 18, 1840, married Daniel S. Miller; re- 
 sides at Kant/, Snyder county. Penn. 2. Abi- 
 gail, born April 17, 1841, man led Daniel T. 
 Harter. resides at the old homestead, Brush 
 Valley, near Wolfs Store, Penn. 3. Thomas 
 P., born Au-ust 29, 1842, married Lucetta, 
 daughter of John and Priscilla Bierly. lb 
 dentist by pi . and n sides in Lock Havi 
 
 Clinton county, Penn. 4. (Mixer P., born 
 \ ember 17, 1845, died June 23, 1858. 6 Ed 
 
 I II, born July ;. 1 847, man ied M.>.. 
 Richards I le went West when quite 
 man, and makes his residence in Cedar Rap 
 Iowa; an extended sketch ol linn would thi 
 
 pe of this work. 
 Margaret J., born April 25, 1849, d 
 
 8. Ellen, born Maj 25, 1855 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 145 
 
 arried F. H. Custard, Williamsport, Pennsyl- 
 
 vania. 
 
 (VII). Reuben (Henry, Jacob, Henry), born 
 November 15, 1808, died January 8, 1891, and 
 is buried in the Union Cemetery, Rebersburg, 
 Penn. He owned part of his father's farm. His 
 wife was Mary, daughter of George and Sallie 
 Corman, and they had the following children: 
 l. William C, born June 17, 1844; single. En- 
 listed August, 1862, at Rebersburg, Perm., be- 
 came a member of Company A, 148th Regiment, 
 P. V. I., which organization became subsequently 
 a part of the Second Army Corps, Army of the 
 Potomac. He was killed in an engagement at 
 Deep Bottom, Va. , August 14, 1864, by a shell 
 which passed through his breast. He was a 
 brave soldier. 2. Joanna, born June 21, 1847, 
 married J. B. Kreamer; Centre Hall, Penn. 3. 
 Jerome A., born February 18, 1849, married 
 Clara J., daughter of John Wolf. He owns his 
 father's old homestead, and follows the occupa- 
 tion of farming. 4. Henry Amazon, born May 
 29, 1851, married Mary Theressa Snook; lives at 
 Booneville, Clinton county, Penn. 5. G. Cal- 
 vin, born January 12, 1853, married Lillie Mason; 
 he lives in Pueblo, Colo. 6. Daniel T. , born 
 April 18, 1858, married Lizzie E. Snyder; lives 
 at Renovo, Penn. 7. Sarah, born December 
 29, 1862, married Dr. J. W. Bright; lives at 
 Rebersburg, Pennsylvania. 
 
 (VIII). Judith (Henry, Jacob, Henry), born 
 February 27, 1811, married Philip Walker; she 
 resides at Clintondale, Clinton county, Penn. ; 
 husband deceased. 
 
 (IX). Susan (Henry, Jacob, Henry), born 
 August 15, 1813, died November 23, 1883; mar- 
 ried Griffin Rote, also deceased, and both lie 
 buried in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Salona, Clinton 
 Co., Pennsylvania. 
 
 (X). Jonathan (Henry, Jacob, Henry), phy- 
 sician, born in Miles township, Centre county, 
 June 14, 1816; married Elizabeth, daughter of 
 Melchoir Poorman. Dr. Meyer established him- 
 self at Loganton, Clinton Co., Penn., where 
 for many years he enjoyed a large and lucrative 
 practice. He died September 15, 1880, and lies 
 buried at Loganton. 
 
 (XI). Abigail (Henry, Jacob, Henry), born 
 March 10, 1819, died December 5, 1849; lies 
 buried in the Union Cemetery, Rebersburg, Penn. 
 She was not married. 
 
 VII. Michael (Jacob, Henry), seventh child, 
 was born near Mulhbach, March 20, 1765; died 
 at Uniontown, Ohio, August 5, 1843; was mar- 
 ried to Agnes, daughter of John Buchtel. The 
 family moved from Straubstown (Freeburg) to 
 
 Brush Valley, on a small farm near Rebersburg, 
 10 
 
 in 1805; thence to Stark county, Ohio, in 1814. 
 Most of his descendants are living in Summit and 
 Stark counties, Ohio, and none remain in Centre 
 (now Snyder county), this State. 
 
 VIII. Christopher (Jacob, Henry) was the 
 youngest son of Jacob Meyer, and was born prob- 
 ably after the family moved from Muhlbach to 
 Straubstown (Freeburg). He died when aged 
 about twenty years, and lies buried at Freeburg, 
 Penn. Nodatecouldbefound;he was not married. 
 This Christopher must not be confounded with 
 the one mentioned below, of whom he was a 
 nephew. It is almost impossible to prevent con- 
 fusion when the same name belonging to persons 
 of different families occurs so frequently. 
 
 Christopher Meyer, the youngest son of 
 the Meyer who came from Germany and settled 
 at Muhlbach, was born at his father's old home- 
 stead near the post village just named, located in 
 the southeastern part of Lebanon county, but 
 then belonging to Lancaster county. While still 
 single, he migrated to the neighborhood of Camp- 
 bellstown, same county, where he and his brother 
 Michael purchased a large tract of land, about 
 the year 1769. He later became sole owner of 
 this tract, cleared it, with the aid of his sons, and 
 lived there until his death, which occurred August 
 2, 1 80 1 , when he was aged sixty-seven years. He 
 was joined in matrimony with Anna Maria, 
 daughter of Alexander Schaeffer, the founder of 
 Schaefferstown. Several of these facts are stated 
 at the beginning of this sketch, and are repeated 
 here simply to designate clearly the position of 
 Christopher, in the relationship. His children, 
 of whom there were nine, nearly all became set- 
 tlers of Centre county, and of the section which 
 is now Snyder county. They left such a numer- 
 ous train of descendants in the counties named 
 that the briefest record possible would far exceed 
 the limits assigned for this sketch. 
 
 I. Catharine (Christopher, Henry) married 
 Philip Fishburn, Penn. ; no dates. 
 
 II. Henry (Christopher, Henry), born near 
 Campbelltown, Penn., in 1767, died April 19, 
 1844; married Elizabeth Hurst; family moved 
 from Campbelltown into Centre county, near 
 Boalsburg, in 1823. Six children — four sons and 
 two daughters: (I) Philip (Henry, Christopher, 
 Henry), born August 24, 1800, married Rachel, 
 daughter of William Early, Esq. ; lived on a farm 
 near Boalsburg, Penn. ; died November 26, (863. 
 (II) Anna Mary (Henry, Christopher, Henry), 
 born near Campbelltown, February 11, 1799, 
 died December 25, 1880; married John Keller; 
 lived at Boalsburg, Penn. (Ill) Jacob (Henry, 
 Christopher, Henry), born February 2, 1802, 
 died on the 30th day of September, 1882; 
 
146 
 
 COMMEM()U.\ T1VE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 lived at Linden Hall, Penn. ; lies buried at Boals- 
 burg; was not married. il\ Catharine (Henry, 
 Christopher, Henry), born [anuary 16, 1804, 
 died June 25, 1878; married t<. Daniel I'urst; 
 Centre Mall, Penn. \ Henrj Henry, Chris- 
 tophei . Henry), born S« ptember 30, 1810, 1 
 October 5, 1888; married Catharine Hoffer; both 
 dead and arc buried .it I iurg. They lived 
 
 on a farm near the village, and r< ared a family 
 of eight children. one of whom, Prof. Philip H. 
 Meyer, was one of the candidates nominated in 
 the fall of 1896, on the Democratic ticket, for 
 county commissioner of Centre county VI) 
 
 Joseph (Henry, Christopher, Henry), born June 
 , 12, [818, died October 10, 1 868 ; married Beckie, 
 daughter ol Georg and Sallie Corman, of Miles 
 township, Centre county; no is 
 
 III. John 1 Christopher, Henry), born mar 
 Campbelltown, Penn., October 26, 1769, <J i • 
 his home near Freeburg, Penn., July 17, 1 
 married Esther Burkholder, and moved to 
 Straubstown (now Freeburg), Penn., in 1 
 On account of his giant stature, he was familiarly 
 known as "big fohn Meyer." His descendants 
 are quite numerous; most ol them still reside in 
 Snyder county, and several in Centre county. 
 
 IV Michael (Christopher, Henry), born 
 near c ampbelltown, Penn., August 2, 1771, died 
 at his home at Spring Hank, Brush Valley, I 
 treCo., Penn., April 1, tS.12, and lies buried at 
 Rebersburg; was married to Elizabeth Derstine, 
 who was buried at Boalsburg. The family 
 moved into the Valley in the spring of 1 S ^ 4 ; Mr. 
 Meyer was a giant in stature and strength, ami 
 was a fanner bv occupation. There were eight 
 children — five sons and three daughti 
 
 (I). Henry (Michael, Christopher, Henry), 
 born near ( ampbelltown, Penn., November 14, 
 [796, died January 3, 1873; married Eleanor, 
 daughter of Henry Meyer, and granddaughter of 
 John Meyer, who was married to Catharine 
 Schaeffer, of Schaefferstown. The couple were 
 second cousins. They remained in Lebanon 
 county, and were farmer, by occupation. 
 
 ill . Anna Mar} 1 Michael, Christopher, 
 1 Put s . born near Campbelltown, Penn., May 5. 
 1802, died January 28, 1882; buried at Shilo 
 Church, near Belief on te, Centre county; was 
 married to [acob Fishburn, a fanner, and lived 
 near Belief) 
 
 (III). Mich Christopher, I lenry), 
 
 born ie npbelltown, Penn., February i". 
 
 [804; died June 24, 1875; buried at Hummels- 
 town, Penn. married Sarah Fox lie remained 
 near the old homestead all Ins 1 
 
 (IV 1 George l Michael, < hrisb iphei . I lem \ , 
 born near (ampbelltown. Penn., March 1. 1 
 
 died at his home near State College, Centre 
 county, February 15. 1889, married Anna Fox, 
 and left a number of descendants. He was a 
 miller by trade, and also followed farming in his 
 later years. 
 
 Y . Elizabeth (Michael, Christopher, Hei 
 bom December 26, 1807, died July 26, 1893; 
 married Felix Burkholder. This family lived 
 near Centre Hill, Centre county. 
 
 (VI). Samuel ('Michael, Christopher. Henry), 
 born [anuary 9, 1810, died at his home near 
 Hiawatha, (Cans., December 28, 1894; married 
 Elizabeth Pehler, and left many descendants. 
 
 VII). Catharine (Michael, Christopher, Hen- 
 r\ . born May 13, [816, died February 11, 1846; 
 married to Daniel Dubbs; lived at Rebersburg, 
 Penn. ; both are buried in Union Cemetery of that 
 place; no issue. 
 
 (VIII). Solomon (Michael, Christopher, Hen- 
 ry ', born February 26, 1819, died in Potter 
 township, Penn's Valley, [uly 19, 1 872; married 
 twice, first to Margaret Spicker, second to Em- 
 etine M. Embich. He was a school teacher and 
 a noted instructor of vocal music. Not many of 
 his descendants remain in Centre county. 
 
 V. Jacob (Christopher, Henry), born near 
 Campbelltown, Penn., March 25, 1774, died 
 September 25, 1853; married Anna Sheller, who 
 was born December 25, 1775; died March 25. 
 1K50, and both were buried in the old Heckman 
 Cemetery, mar Penn Hall, Centre county. The 
 family moved from Lebanon county, in March, 
 1826, upon a farm near the village just named. 
 There were eight children — three sons and five 
 daughters: 
 
 1 I Elizabeth (Jacob, Christopher, Henr> 
 born near Campbelltown, Penn., February 26. 
 1801; died at Centre Hall, Penn., 111 1868, mar- 
 ried to Henry Whitmer; they left issue, and Mrs 
 William Wolf, Centre Hall, is one of the daugh- 
 ter-. 
 
 Hi Jacob (Jacob, Christopher, Henry), 
 born mar Campbelltown, Penn.. August 5, 1802. 
 died April 14, 1867; buried at Penn Hall, Penn 
 single. 
 
 'Ill Nancy (Jacob, Christopher, Henry), 
 born impbelltown, Penn., September 14 
 
 1804, died September 23, iXSf>; lies buried near 
 Cedar Springs, Clinton county. Penn. ; man 
 Samuel Kryd 
 
 I\ Catharine Jacob, Christopher, Henrj 
 born January 1, 1806; died at her home near 
 Penn Hall. Penn,. March ;. 1894; single. 
 
 «\ Mn\ I i. ib, Christopher, Henry), bom 
 married Jacob Fisher, of 
 
 niiii' 
 
 •VI) Susan (Jacob, Christopher, Henry 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 147 
 
 born November 30, 1808, died August 13, 1873, 
 at her home near Penn Hall, Penn. ; single. 
 
 (VII). Christopher (Jacob, Christopher, 
 Henry), born in October, 1812, died June 2, 
 1873, married Mary Ann Glass; owned and culti- 
 vated a farm near Penn Hall, Penn. ; no issue. 
 
 (VIII). John (Jacob, Christopher, Henry), 
 born September 14, 18 14, married Eleanor 
 Smith; live on a farm near Penn Hall, Penn.; 
 issue two sons: (1) Jacob S. , born April 13, 
 1854, married Susan C. Bitner, and lives on a 
 farm near Penn Hall, Penn. ; they have four 
 children as follows — John F. , born March 11, 
 1875, is a teacher and a graduate from Franklin 
 and Marshall College. [A more extended sketch 
 will be found among those of Penn township.] 
 Harry, born May 17, 1877; Eleanor Blanche, 
 born September 26, 1879; Catharine S., born 
 January 22, 1890. (2) John F., born December 
 12, 1856, died December 16, 1863. 
 
 VI. Christopher (Christopher, Henry), born 
 near Campbelltown, Penn., January 21, 1776, 
 died at Freeburg, Penn., June 11, 1840. He 
 married Betty Howerter, and settled at Free- 
 burg (then Straubstown), in the year 1800. 
 There were ten children, nearly all of whom set- 
 tled in Freeburg and vicinity. They and their 
 descendants have been in the past, and are still 
 in the present, prominent citizens of that local- 
 ity, and, no doubt, will be properly represented 
 in that part of this work allotted to Snyder 
 county. 
 
 VII. Christina (Christopher, Henryj, born 
 near Campbelltown, Penn., married Samuel 
 Carper, and moved to Bedford county, this State. 
 
 VIII. George (Christopher, Henryj, the 
 youngest son, was born near Campelltown, 
 Penn., March 25, 1782. He came into Penn's 
 Valley in 1827, locating on Pine creek, south of 
 Aaronsburg, where he purchased a farm and a 
 mill-site on which a gristmill was erected. He 
 was married to Catharine, daughter of his first 
 cousin, John Jacob Meyer, of Jersey Shore, 
 Penn. He died January 1, 1854, and his wife, 
 who was born December 2, 1788, died March 13, 
 1858. Both are buried in the Reformed Ceme- 
 tery at Aaronsburg, Penn. There were seven 
 children — five sons and two daughters: 
 
 (I). George (George Christopher, Henry), 
 born January 13, 1806, near Campbelltown, 
 Penn., married Lydia Harter. He was a miller 
 by trade, and resided in Penn's Valley. Left 
 issue. 
 
 (II). John (George, Christopher, Henry), 
 born December 30, 1806, died at his home at 
 Aaronsburg, Penn., January 28, 1878; lies buried 
 in the Reformed Cemetery there. He married 
 
 Mary Klose, who was born April 23, 18 10; died 
 at their home, which was then on a farm near 
 Rebersburg, Penn., May 26, 1865, and was in- 
 terred in the Union Cemetery of the town last 
 mentioned. He was a miller by trade, but de- 
 voted his later years to farming. There were 
 seven children, of whom but one, Joseph K. , is 
 now a resident of Miles township, Centre county, 
 and his sketch is inserted. 
 
 (III). Catharine (George, Christopher, 
 Henry), born January 22, 1808, died October 3, 
 1872; married Andrew Harter, Penn's Valley. 
 They lived a short distance west of the present 
 village of Coburn, Penn's Valley; left issue. 
 
 (IV). Henry (George, Christopher, Henry), 
 born near Campbelltown, Penn., July 27, 1809, 
 died south of Aaronsburg, Penn., at his home, 
 April 15, 1877. He married Elizabeth Stover, 
 and had two children, of which, one is still liv- 
 ing, Mrs. Harriet Ard. 
 
 (V). Mary (George, Christopher, Henry), 
 born January 20, 18 14, married Andrew Stover. 
 They reside in the eastern part of Penn's Valley, 
 and have a number of children. 
 
 (VI). Philip (George, Christopher, Henry), 
 born March 24, 1819, died June 25, 1876; mar- 
 ried (first) Magdalena Stover, and (second) Mary 
 Stover, who is still living. This family resided 
 on Pine creek, south of Aaronsburg, Penn.; there 
 were thirteen children. 
 
 (VII). Jacob G. (George, Christopher, 
 Henry), born near Campbelltown, Penn., Octo- 
 ber 16, 1824, was twice married. His first wife 
 was Henrietta C. Furst, and after her decease he 
 wedded Lydia A. Dutweiler, nee Strohm. The 
 family reside at Aaronsburg, Penn., in Haines 
 township; his sons, William T. and J. Calvin, re- 
 side in Bellefonte. Jacob G. Meyer died sud- 
 denly November 6, 1897. 
 
 IX. Mary (Christopher, Henry), born near 
 Campbelltown, Penn., died in Dauphin county, 
 Penn., was married to John A. Carper. The 
 writer failed to secure any definite information in 
 reference to this family. There were five chil- 
 dren, one of whom, the late John Carper, of 
 Linden Hall, Centre county, Penn., was very well 
 known in the county. 
 
 T^HOMAS STOVER, a venerable resident of 
 Miles township, Centre county, universally 
 esteemed among his acquaintances for his kindli- 
 ness of heart and unwavering integrity, is at more 
 than four-score years still hale and hearty. He 
 is a native of Centre county, having been born near 
 Aaronsburg, September 15, 1815, and his ances- 
 
148 
 
 COMMF.MoliA 1 1\ F. BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 tors were among the pioneer settlers of Penn's 
 Valley. 
 
 Adam Stover, his great-grandfather, came 
 from Berks county at an early period with four 
 sons, all well grown, named John, Jacob, Fred- 
 erick and Adam John Stover, the grandfather 
 of our subject, was a buckskin dresser, and was 
 exempt from service in the Revolutionary war on 
 the ground that his labor was essential for the 
 production of clothing and other articles of ne- 
 cessity. He was married in Penn's Valley to a 
 Miss Wolfe, by whom he had the following chil- 
 dren, all of whom died in Haines township, 
 Centre county: George had two sons, John and 
 Jacob; John reared a large family; Henry is men- 
 tioned more fully below; Thomas had one son 
 and three daughters; Jacob left a family; Eve 
 married a Mr. Bright, and Catherine married 
 Adam Harper. 
 
 Henry Stover, our subject's father, was born 
 and reared in Haines township, Centre countv, 
 and was married there to Margaret Guiswit' 
 lady of more than ordinary ability and culture, 
 and a successful teacher. Her father, Henry 
 Guiswite, was a pioneer educator. Henry Stover 
 settled upon a farm near Aaronsburg, obtained 
 from his father, and passed his life there. 
 He was of medium height and slight build. His 
 education was but limited, as his father never per- 
 mitted his children to attend any but the Ger- 
 man schools, and even left a provision in his will 
 disinheriting any child who should break this 
 rule. Henry Stover made a comfortable living 
 for his family, but never accumulated much, his 
 death at the early age of forty-seven years cut- 
 ting off the chance to reap the full reward of his 
 previous toil. He was a Whig in politics, a 
 Lutheran in religion, and was respected by all 
 who knew him. His wife, who attained the age 
 of eighty-eight years, adhered to the Reformed 
 Church. They had nine children: Charlotte 
 Mrs. Adam Stover) died in Brush Valley Nar- 
 rows; James died in Kebersburg; Carolina (Mrs. 
 Jacob Ding i) died in Ohio; Thomas was the 
 fourth in order of birth; Leah (Mrs. William 
 Shaffer) died at Madisonburg; Malinda (Mrs 
 Absolom Confair) died at Aaronsburg; Sebilla 
 (Mrs. William Burd) and Levi also died at 
 Aaronsburg; Elias is now a resident of Rebers- 
 burg; Jacob only lived to the age of three and 
 one-half years. 
 
 \> i 1">\ Mi. Stover attended a German 
 school at what has always been known as 
 
 ■ ■ Wolfe's Si 1 1;" but work w ,i> considered n 
 
 important than study, and he could not even 
 pn >in fully by the limited advant I by 
 
 his German teachei His mother, however, 
 
 came to his rescue with home instruction, and as 
 he possessed an excellent memory the foundation 
 of a practical education was laid. Considering 
 the good use which he made of his meagre op- 
 portunities one must regnt that such a bright 
 mind could not have enjoyed better facilities in 
 youth. He chose the plasterer's trade as an oc- 
 cupation, and served an apprenticeship under 
 William Shaffer, and so great was his mechanical 
 skill that later he " picked up " for himself the 
 trades of brick laying and stone masonry. Until 
 1S40 he remained in his native township, and 
 then he went west, via Pittsburg, traveling on 
 the Ohio from that point to Cairo, and then by 
 the Mississippi river to northern Illinois, his 
 destination being Stephenson county. At that 
 time there were but few houses in Freeport, the 
 county seat. Mr. Stover remained in Illinois 
 about thirty years, working as a brick layer, 
 plasterer, and stone mason, and engaged also in 
 agriculture. He owned an excellent farm in 
 Lancaster township, Stephenson county, and 
 much other valuable real estate. In October, 
 1848, he was married near Freeport to Miss 
 Susan Newcomer, a native of Northumberland 
 county. Penn., born March 30, 1828. Her par- 
 ents, Philip and Elizabeth (Lantz) Newcomer, 
 went to Illinois, in 1844, and later moved to 
 Iowa, where they passed their remaining years. 
 Mr. Stover found his health declining after a 
 time, and being threatened with consumption he 
 returned to Pennsylvania in 1868, locating in the 
 eastern end of Bush Valley. There he conducted 
 a shingle and saw mill for many years, cutting 
 excellent white pine, and he is now known as a 
 pioneer of that industry in the locality. His 
 present home at or in Livonia has been cleared 
 by him from its primitive burden of trees and 
 stone piles, and its comfortable and commodious 
 buildings wen.' all built by him. He has a goodly 
 competence despite the fact that his dislike of 
 
 tention has at times made him the victim of 
 unscrupulous people. Free from guile himself. 
 In has never found it easy to believe evil of 
 others, while he has such a contempt for wrang 
 ling that he has more than once submitted to 
 imposition rather than undertake to do battle foi 
 his rights It is said that some of the most 
 valuable land in Freeport, III., rightfully belongs 
 to him, but he has prai tically be< n robbed of it. 
 
 In early years Mr. Stover was a Whig, and 
 later he became a stanch Republican. His lirst 
 vote was east for Go\ Kitncr as governor ol 
 Pennsylvania. Not being disposed to be active 
 in polities, he has held few offices, but his intei 
 est in better education has led him to serve at 
 times as school director. His estimable wife is 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 149 
 
 one of the leading members of the Reformed 
 Church, but he is not formally identified with 
 any denomination, although he contributes liber- 
 ally to religious work as occasion arises. He 
 helped to organize the first Sunday-school at Li- 
 vonia P. O., and can always be relied upon to 
 give effective aid to any progressive movement. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Stover have one daughter, 
 Asenath, born February 16, 1859, in Lancaster 
 township, Stephenson county, 111. She was 
 married June 19, 1881, to J. H. DeLong, and 
 has had four children, as follows: Thomas S., 
 born April 28, 1882, died when two years and 
 ten months old from bleeding at the nose; Au- 
 brey C, born November 19, 1883; and Arctura, 
 born July 6, 1886, are at home; and Susan L.. 
 born December 1, 1888, died March 23, 1890. 
 
 John H. DeLong is the third son of John and 
 Lucretia ( Jayne) DeLong, who were among the 
 first settlers in Livonia. He is a teacher by pro- 
 fession. Although not a graduate, he has taken 
 several terms at Cornell University, and Ship- 
 pensburg State Normal School. He holds a State 
 teachers' certificate, and has taught in all (at this 
 writing) twenty-four terms in Centre, Clinton 
 and Lyconing counties, fourteen being at his 
 home in Livonia, where he is also postmaster, 
 having held the position since the establishment 
 of the office. 
 
 WILLIAM IRWIN. Longfellow wrote: 
 "We judge ourselves by what we feel 
 capable of doing, while others judge us by what 
 we have already done." If this golden sentence 
 of the New England poet were universally ap- 
 plied, many a man who is now looking down 
 with haughty stare upon the noble toilers of land 
 and sea, sneering at the cut of a neighbor's coat, 
 or the humbleness of his dwelling, would be vol- 
 untarily doing penance in sackcloth and ashes, at 
 the end of which he would handle a spade, or, 
 with pen in hand, burn the midnight oil in his 
 study in the endeavor to widen the bounds of 
 liberty or to accelerate the material and spiritual 
 progress of his race. A bright example of one 
 of the world's workers is the man whose name 
 introduces this review, for by earnest labor and 
 perseverance he has won a high degree of suc- 
 cess. 
 
 William Irwin, who now resides on the old 
 family homestead in Marion township, Centre 
 county, was born October 31, 1828. His grand- 
 father, James Irwin, spent his entire life as a 
 farmer in Ireland. His father, John Irwin, was 
 also born on the Emerald Isle and, emigrating 
 to America, was married in Union county, Penn., 
 
 to Miss Mary McClelland, who was born near 
 the city of Lancaster, in Lancaster county, Penn. 
 They resided in Union county until 1800, when 
 they came to the farm which is now occupied by 
 our subject, and the father continued its cultiva- 
 tion until his death in 1844, when he was aged 
 sixty-four years. The mother made her home 
 there until 1857, when with her children, Mary 
 A., John J. and William, she removed to Jack- 
 sonville, Centre county, where she departed this 
 life in 1858, at the age of seventy years. The 
 father was a farmer by occupation, and was a 
 man of prominence in the community, holding a 
 number of township offices. He supported the 
 Democratic party by his ballot, and in religious 
 belief both he and his wife were Presbyterians. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Irwin had a family of six chil- 
 dren: Samuel M., a former resident of Belle- 
 fonte, who served as justice of the peace there, 
 died while visiting at the old homestead; Sarah 
 J. died at the age of eighteen years; Mary A. be- 
 came the wife of R. Connelly, who served as 
 sheriff of Centre county, and both are now de- 
 ceased; John J. died at the age of thirty-seven 
 years in Centre county; Louisa M., who died at 
 the age of forty-five years, was the wife of J. P. 
 Hughes, who served in the army during the Civil 
 war, and died in Benner township, Centre county; 
 and William completes the family. 
 
 Mr. Irwin, the subject proper of this sketch, 
 remained with his parents until they were called 
 to the home beyond* spending his boyhood days 
 midst play and work. The district schools of the 
 neighborhood afforded him his educational priv- 
 ileges. In 1858 and 1859 he was engaged with 
 William Allison in mercantile business at Jack- 
 sonville, Centre county; but after two years he 
 sold his interest in the store and purchased a 
 small farm in Benner township, Centre county. 
 It was his intention to remain there only a short 
 time, but he continued to make it his home for 
 fourteen years, and then returned to Marion 
 township, where he bought a farm on which he 
 lived some nine years. He then purchased the 
 old homestead, and has since made it his place 
 of residence. It is improved with a handsome 
 two-story brick dwelling, with good barns and 
 outbuildings, and all modern accessories and 
 conveniences. The land is highly cultivated, 
 and in addition to this property he owns another 
 valuable farm, deriving from the two a handsome 
 income. 
 
 On Christmas Day, of 1 860, in Clinton county, 
 Penn., Mr. Irwin was married to Miss Susan J. 
 Allison, a native of Porter township, Clinton 
 county, born November 15, 1833. Her parents, 
 David and Lucetta (McKibben) Allison, were 
 
150 
 
 CO UMK.VOHA T1VE lUOCUAl'lUCAI. UFJOUD. 
 
 natives of Centre county, and died in Clinton 
 county. The father was a fanner and a man of 
 prominence in the community in which he made 
 his home. His children wen;: William M., de- 
 ceased; Archibald, of Spi n- Mil!s, Centre county; 
 Susan J. (Mrs. William hum ; James, a retired 
 farmer oi Adams count), Ohio; Eleanor L., wife 
 of James T. Nixson, a farmer of Clinton county; 
 Henry C. , an agriculturist of the same county; 
 Matilda L., deceased; and Joseph M., who is 
 farming on the old family homestead. 
 
 To Mr. and Mis. Irwin were born children as 
 follows: Gertrude M., at home; D. Allison; 
 William J., who died at the age of seventeen 
 years; Eleanor L., teaching school, and living at 
 home; Edith J.; Anna I. ; Susan B., a school 
 teacher, living at home, and Florence L., also at 
 home. Of these, I). Allison the only son) is 
 now manager of the home farm, and is a young 
 man of superior business and executive ability, 
 carefully looking after the interests of the prop- 
 erty, the labors of which he is conducting with 
 success. As an ardent Republican, he stands 
 well in his parly, "f which he is one of its advis- 
 ers, and he is a delegate to county conventions. 
 Edith J. was married April 7. 1S97, to J. Will 
 Mayes, a marble dealer, of Howard, Penn. 
 Anna L. was married December jo, iN</>, to 
 Samuel L. Allen, of Pittsburg, Penn., where he 
 is citv inspector ol public works. The mother of 
 this family died September 25, 1893, deeply 
 mourned by man) relatives and friends, for her 
 excellencies of character had made her a general 
 favorite in the community. 
 
 Our subject gives Ins political support to the 
 Republican party, has been honored with a num- 
 ber of township offices, and served as township 
 auditor several years, but has never aspire. I to 
 political preferment. His duties of citizenship 
 an' faithfully performed, and he is active in the 
 
 ^notion of all inti 1 Iculated to prove of 
 
 public benefit, especially in the matter of schools, 
 in which hi' takes great interest, being a din 
 of the board; for many years he was overseer of 
 the poor. He is a valued mi (fiber of the Lick 
 Run Presbyterian Church, of which he is an 
 elder. In his early life he was a strong temp 1 
 iiiiiv advocate, and was a (barter member oi the 
 Sons of Tempi ranee Society formed in his town. 
 
 JOHN C. STOVER, of Aaronsburg, Centre 
 county, is one of the representative citizens 
 ol the county, and his influence is recogi I 
 as a helpful factor in all the varied movements 
 which promote the welfare of his locality. II 
 family has been prominent in Penn's Valley from 
 
 the earliest times, and is probably more numer- 
 ous at the present day than any other in Centre 
 county. 
 
 The first to come to that beautiful and fertile 
 region was Jacob Stover, Sr., our subject's great- 
 great-grandfather, a Huguenot, who was born, 
 about 171 5, in Alsace-Lorraine, then a part of 
 France, and came to America with many other 
 persecuted followers of his faith to settle in 
 Lyken's Valley, Dauphin Co., Penn. About 
 1772 he visited Penn's Valley, and entered a 
 large tract of land in what is now 1 lames town- 
 ship, Centre county, extending from mountain to 
 mountain. He never resided there but, being 
 well advanced in years, gave the estate to three 
 of his sons, Jacob, Jr., our subject's great-grand- 
 father, taking the northern portion, Adam the 
 southern, and John the central. Another son of 
 this worthy pioneer went to Canada, another, 
 Michael, to Maryland, and (later) another. Fred. 
 located in the eastern part of what is now Haines 
 township, near Woodward. The four who set- 
 tled in Centre county are the ancestors of this 
 prosperous and highly respected family who have 
 always displayed Lhe characteristic thrift, indus- 
 try, independence and uprightness of their fore- 
 fathers, together with a love of nature which has 
 led them to choose almost invariably the calling 
 of agriculture. No member of the family has 
 ever taken a conspicuous part in politics. 
 
 During the Revolutionary war several battles 
 were fought in Penn's Valley, and traces 
 Stockade, which was built on the farm of Adam 
 Stover, were still visible a lew years ago. On 
 July 3, 1778, occurred the massacre of Wyoming, 
 in which old men, women and children were 
 brutally slaughtered, and the news of tins hor- 
 rible butchering caused a stampede among the 
 settlers on what was then the " frontier," and 
 all fled " down country " for protection, the event 
 being known as the "the big run When 
 
 the dwellers of 1' an Valley returned to their 
 former homes they found the property in ruins, 
 the only evidence of their occupancy to escape 
 the tlames lit by tin being an apple I 
 
 planted some years ; il the homestead of 
 
 facob Stover, ]r. This interesting remindei of 
 early days is still standing. In time the settle- 
 ment was rebuilt, and in 1789 Jacob Stover, Jr., 
 donated seven acres ol land lor a school site and 
 for the use of the teach, r, and thirty acres for a 
 church, parsonage and cemetery. Most of this 
 d is still devoted to these purposes, and the 
 more modern buildings which have taken the 
 place of the original structures are used partly 
 for a school and partly as a chapel for h ilding 
 funeral services. In the cemetery but few have 
 

 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 151 
 
 
 been interred except the members of the Stover 
 family, and prominent among these are Jacob 
 Stover, Jr., and his wife, Anne M. Weaver, the 
 great-grandparents of our subject. Jacob Stover, 
 who was born in 1749 and died in 18 — , seems 
 to have been very influential in his day. Of the 
 other three brothers, Fred married Anne Hetzle, 
 and Adam married Pauline Troutner. 
 
 Jacob Stover, Jr., had two sons of whom 
 there is especial record. John, Jr. , passed his life 
 quietly as a farmer at the old homestead, two 
 and a half miles east of Aaronsburg, and is noted 
 as having been the only Whig in the family, all 
 the others having been stanch Democrats. He 
 married Barbara Wolf, and has seven children: 
 (1) George died in Aaronsburg. (2) Eve married 
 George Bright, Sr. , of Aaronsburg, and J. W. 
 Bright, whose biography appears elsewhere, is 
 their grandson. (3) John married Miss Cather- 
 ine Brown, and lived on a farm two miles east of 
 Aaronsburg. (4) Henry married Miss Gredle 
 Guiswite, and made his home on a farm north of 
 the same town. (5) Catherine married Adam 
 Harper, a farmer who lived three miles east of 
 Aaronsburg. (6) Thomas, with his wife, Abilene 
 France, occupied the old homestead. (") Jacob 
 W. married Catherine Yeagley, and resided two 
 miles and a half northeast of Aaro.isburg. His 
 son Moses is now a resident of Haines township. 
 All of this family attended the Stover school in 
 youth, and all were Lutherans in religious faith. 
 
 Adam Stover, son of Jacob, Jr., and the 
 grandfather of our subject, reared a large family 
 of children, among whom were Michael, now re- 
 siding in Haines township, and Jacob, our sub- 
 ject's father, who married Polly Kersteter, and 
 after spending some years at the old homestead 
 with his parents moved to another farm in the 
 same township. His wife died at the age of sev- 
 enty-four, and was buried in St. Paul's cemetery, 
 but he lived to be over eighty years of age be- 
 fore his remains were laid to rest beside hers. 
 He was six feet, two inches tall, stout in propor- 
 tion, and was active until a short time before his 
 death. Like the rest of the family, he was a 
 successful farmer, and although he voted the 
 Democratic ticket regularly, he was not espe- 
 cially interested in politics. He was a member 
 of the Reformed Church, to which he contributed 
 liberally. Of his twelve children, nine are still 
 living. Elizabeth, widow of David Cornian, and 
 Christina, widow of Jacob Bowers, reside in 
 Haines township. Centre county. Harriet died 
 in early womanhood. Benjamin is a resident of 
 Haines township. John C. is mentioned more 
 fully below. William K. is a farmer of Haines 
 township. Julia was taken away in early woman- 
 
 hood. Sally married Jacob Detvviler, of Tus- 
 seyville, Penn. Nellie married Charles Smith, 
 of Haines township. Leonard died in childhood. 
 Lydia married Moses Eby, of Haines township. 
 Susan L. (now Mrs. William Musser) resides in 
 the same locality. 
 
 J. C. Stover was born July 18, 1834, and was 
 educated in the schools near his father's farm, 
 his first teacher being Hon. J. G. Meyer. Farm 
 work was done by primitive methods in his boy- 
 hood, and he has spent day and day in "tramp- 
 ping out" wheat. At nineteen he began to learn 
 the blacksmith's trade with Jacob Condo, of 
 Boalsburg, and for two years' work received $50. 
 After completing his apprenticeship he returned 
 home, ass.sted his father during one summer, 
 and then spent a year as a journeyman black- 
 smith with "Squire" Hosterman, of Haines 
 township. 
 
 On November 5, 1857, Mr. Stover married 
 Miss Amelia Hosterman, a daughter of John and 
 Polly (Bower) Hosterman. She was born Au- 
 gust 9, 1834, in Haines township, and was edu- 
 cated there, her first teacher being Mercy Hill. 
 At the time of his marriage, Mr. Stover had no 
 capital, save his native abilities, supported by a 
 strong will; but he fearlessly faced his responsi- 
 bilities, and has prospered as he deserved. In the 
 spring of 1S58 he bought a blacksmith shop and 
 residence at Aaronsburg from John Guiswite at a 
 cost of $[,100, borrowing money for the first 
 payment, and there he carried on his trade until 
 March, 1S71, when he sold out to settle upon a 
 farm in Haines township. For two years after 
 his removal he followed his trade at the farm, but 
 later devoted his attention exclusively to agricult- 
 ure. In March, 1890, he rented the property 
 and moved to Aaronsburg. His farm consists of 
 seventy-four acres, and he also owns several acres 
 of land adjoining Aaronsburg. 
 
 Mr. Stover and his wile have been members 
 of the Reformed Church for more than forty-five 
 years. For fifteen years he held the office of 
 elder, and at present he is a trustee. He has a 
 neat residence in Aaronsburg, and he and Mrs. 
 Stover are socially prominent. They have had 
 seven children: (1) Clara V., formerly a suc- 
 cessful teacher, married John A. Grenoble, of 
 Spring Mills, and has five children — Charley E., 
 Margaret A., William, Roberd R. and Anna M. 
 (2) Tamma C. died in childhood. (3) Mary 
 L. (now Mrs. E. E. Ardery, of Belle(onte) has 
 two children — Lela A. and Verna A. (4) Annie 
 R. (Mrs. Franklin Guiswite, of Woodward) has 
 two children — Fred S. and Mary A. (5) Katy I. 
 married George Weaver, of Haines township, 
 Centre county. (6) Cora E. is at home. (7) 
 
152 
 
 VMEMORA TIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 Clymer H., a merchant and tinsmith oi Aarons- 
 burg, married Miss Anna i March, and has two 
 children Mary Jane A. and John L. Politically, 
 our subject has always been a Democrat, and 
 wliile he has never ben illy desirous of 
 
 public office he has served abl) as si hool director 
 and supen i 
 
 T\l GRAMLEY, secretary ol the Spring 
 Creamer) Company, at Spring Mills, 
 Centre county, and one of the substantial citi: 
 of that pleasant village, is a man, who while giving 
 ose attention to business, has not lost sight of 
 the value of t lie things which make (or progi 
 in ways that cannot be estimated in dollars and 
 cents. Well-read, intelligent and public-spirited, 
 hi- influence in the community has always b 
 
 ted in helpful w a\ s and to worth} ends. 
 
 Mr. Gramley was horn in Rebersburg, |uly 
 31, 1S50, the third son and fourth child of Sam- 
 uel and Sarah J. (Smull) Gramle) At .\n early 
 age his intellectual bent became apparent, and 
 
 1 attending school in the Harter district in 
 Miles township, I entrecounty, until he had com- 
 pleted the com . he pursued his 
 studies in the County Normal School at Miles- 
 burg, preparing himself for teaching. His plans 
 wi 1 I out in the face of discouraging cir- 
 cumstances, ihe work at home requiring much of 
 his time. Through strenuous efforts he 
 ceeded. however, and when but a few n ths 
 
 1 sixteen he took charge "I a school in Portei 
 township, Clinton county, where he at mice estab- 
 lished a reputation as an efficient disciplinarian 
 and instructor. This success stimulated his ambi- 
 tion, and he entered Penn Hall Academy, then 
 conducted 1>\ Prof. Wolfe, and fitted himself for 
 college; but he was then persuaded to return to the 
 district where he had taught his first term, and 
 again take the school tie spent three terms there, 
 receiving an increase of salarj each term, and 
 then taught the grammar school at Mackeyville 
 lbs abilities once shown, his services were in de- 
 mand, and be continued to teach for fourteen 
 terms, the summer seasons being spent in farm 
 work lb- hold- rettilie.tt, 5 , ,1 .1 1] grades, includ- 
 ing a state certificate On retiring from the 
 work of teaching, he entered into partnership 
 with his brother, C. L. Gramley, in a general | 
 mercantile business al Rebersburg; but his health 
 becoming impaired he sold out after two years of 
 
 Successful work in this line, and de< 1 led to fol- 
 low agricultural pursuits. In connection with 
 farming he taught school during the winter 
 
 until iSSS, and in July of that year he 
 formed a partnership in the creamers business 
 
 with R. G Eisenhart in the Spring Mills Cream- 
 ery Company, limited, a stock company which is 
 now the oldest concern of the kind in Centre 
 
 its Mr. Gramley is industrious, system- 
 atic, and persi vering, carrying out with firm de- 
 termination any plan once fixed upon, and the 
 success of the firm is due in no small measure to 
 his work and influence. He has a reputation for 
 integrity in his dealings, which is in itself a 
 source of strength to any enterprise with which 
 •v be connected. 
 
 On December 18, 1877, Mr. Gramley was 
 married in Miles township. Centre county, to Miss 
 Agnes Loose, who was born at Millheim, Septem- 
 ber 7, 1856, the daughter of Samuel and Eliza- 
 beth Brickley) Loose. They have one of the 
 most comfortable and tasteful homes in Spring 
 Mills. Mr Gramley has remodeled the house 
 formerly known as the "Old Peter Wilson" home, 
 adding all modern conveniences. They have a 
 bright and interesting family, to whom they are 
 giving the best educational advantages at their 
 command: Orpha L., born October 19, 1878, is 
 in the senior class at Irving College at Mechanics- 
 burg, Penn.; S. Ward, born December 29, 1880, 
 is in the sophomore class at Susquehanna Uni- 
 versity, Selins drove, Penn.; Windon C. born 
 November 3, 18S2. and Bruce S., born June 15, 
 1 888, are at home. 
 
 Mr Gramley and his wife are leading mem- 
 bers of the Lutheran Church, and he has held 
 
 e in the Church ever since he was confirmed. 
 His interest in the work has been demonstrated 
 many times, and when the Rebersburg parsonage 
 was built, he was one of the chief promoters of 
 the enterprise. In politics he has always been a 
 Republican, but though a stanch supporter of the 
 doctrines of the party he is not a politician. On 
 
 occasion he was nominated for the office of 
 
 -fer, without solicitation on his part, and al- 
 though no canvass was made in the county in his 
 behalf, he was defeated by a bare plurality of 
 thirty-two votes. 
 
 WILLIAM \\. SPANGLER. Among the 
 progressive and enterprising farmers of 
 ty, the record of whose lives fills an 
 important place in this volume, it gives us pleas- 
 ure to commemorate the name of this gentleman 
 He was born July 20, 1835. at Kagleville, on the 
 farm which is still his home, and comes of a fam- 
 ily that has long been prominently identified with 
 the business and social interests of the commu- 
 nity. 
 
 I mas Spangler, lather of our subject, was 
 born May 1, 1800, in York county, this State, 
 
{fr~.7K. Wt^^^u^ 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 153 
 
 where his parents, who were of German birth, 
 passed the greater part of their lives. As early 
 as 1820, however, he came to Centre county, and 
 for a number of years ran a stell-bottomed boat 
 on the Susquehanna river between Sunbury, 
 Penn., and Centre county. He built three boats 
 while a resident of Liberty township, where he 
 also engaged in agricultural pursuits, and became 
 one of the most prominent and wealthy citizens 
 of the locality. He was a faithful member of the 
 Church of Christ, and a strong Democrat in poli- 
 tics, on which ticket he was elected to several 
 township offices. 
 
 In Centre county Jonas Spangler was married 
 to Mary Kunes, a daughter of Daniel Kunes, one 
 of the honored pioneers of the county, where he 
 located during the 1 8th century and followed the 
 occupation of farming. Five sons blessed this 
 union: Hiram, who for four years served in the 
 Union army during the Civil war, taking part in 
 twenty-six battles, and died from the effects of 
 wounds received at the battle of the Wilderness; 
 William W., the subject of this sketch; Samuel, 
 who helped to take Fort Fisher during the Civil 
 war, and is now a resident of Eagleville; George 
 W. , who died in Philadelphia; and Jonas, who 
 died from the effects of wounds received at the 
 battle of Appomattox, after four years of arduous 
 service. The mother of these children departed 
 this life in 1839, at the age of thirty-five years, 
 and the father passed away May 1, 1855. 
 
 William W. Spangler never left the parental 
 roof, and after the death of his father he assumed 
 the management of the home farm, which he has 
 placed under a high state of cultivation and im- 
 proved with good and substantial buildings. 
 Upon the place his father laid out the village of 
 Eagleville in 185 1, but the remainder of the farm 
 is devoted to agriculture. 
 
 In December, i860, at Lock Haven, Penn., 
 Mr. Spangler was united in marriage with Miss 
 Emily A. Seyler, who was born in Stephenson 
 county, 111., April 19, 1842, a daughter of George 
 and Mary (Potts) Seyler, who were natives of 
 Penn's Valley, Centre county, but at an early day 
 migrated to Illinois, where the father engaged 
 in tailoring and farming throughout the remain- 
 der of his life. His family included seven chil- 
 dren: George, a carpenter of Greenwood, Wis.; 
 Elizabeth, wife of Samuel Shaffer, of Freeport, 
 111. ; Annie, widow of Daniel Smith, of Shabbona, 
 111.; A. Jackson, a mechanic of Freeport; Emily 
 A.; Alice, wife of a Mr. Agnew, a farmer of Ben- 
 net, Iowa; and Mrs. Ellen Moses, of Livermore, 
 Iowa. 
 
 To Mr. and Mrs. Spangler were born five 
 children: Tacy, wife of Ross Martin, a carpenter 
 
 of Lock Haven, Penn. ; George, a resident of 
 Liberty township, Centre county; Mary, wife of 
 Albert Kunes, who is engaged in farming in 
 Eagleville; Henry, a druggist of Middleburg, 
 Snyder Co., Penn. ; and Millie E. , at home. The 
 faithful wife and mother was called to her final 
 rest March 12, 1873, and her death was widely 
 and deeply mourned. 
 
 In 1863 Mr. Spangler enlisted in the 149th 
 P. V. I., known as the " Bucktail Regiment," 
 and was under the command of Capt. Hancock 
 for eighteen months, or until he (the Captain) 
 was wounded, when another captain was put in 
 his place. Our subject participated in a number 
 of engagements and skirmishes, and when hostil- 
 ities had ceased was honorably discharged May 
 20, 1865, after which he returned home and re- 
 sumed agricultural pursuits. He belongs to a 
 prominent and well-known family of Centre 
 county, and is related to Col. Jack Spangler, of 
 Bellefonte. For seven years he filled the office 
 of supervisor of his township, and for the long 
 term of twenty years acceptably served as con- 
 stable, holding the position continuously (with 
 the exception of two years) from 1873 until Feb- 
 ruary, 1896. Socially he holds membership in 
 Blanchard Lodge No. 420, I. O. O. F., of 
 Eagleville, and politically is identified with the 
 Democratic party. He is an earnest, conscien- 
 tious Christian, who since 1873 has been a prom- 
 inent and active member of the Church of Christ, 
 and as a citizen is held in the highest respect 
 and esteem. 
 
 WILLIAM FOSTER, History of. John 
 Forster, or Foster (as many of his de- 
 scendants now write the name), the ancestor of 
 one branch of the Forster family, of Buffalo 
 Valley, was a son of David Forster, of Derry, 
 formerly Lancaster, now Dauphin, county, Penn. 
 This appears by the will of David Forster, dated 
 September 2, 1745, and recorded in Lancaster 
 county. It is believed, though not certainly 
 known to be a fact, that David Forster, with 
 some of his family, came from the North of Ire- 
 land about the year 1733, with the Scotch-Irish 
 immigration of that period, and was among the 
 first settlers of Donegal, Derry and Paxtang. 
 He died in 1754, leaving a widow, Mary by name, 
 and five sons, named respectively: William, John, 
 David, James, and Robert. One of these sons, 
 John Forster, the ancestor, became the owner, by 
 purchase, of 271 acres of land situated in Hanover 
 (then Lancaster) county, which had been sur- 
 veyed to John Young under a warrant granted to 
 him in 1 740. This tract of land was confirmed 
 
154 
 
 I OMMBM<>i;.\rrVE MOGRM-UhM BBCOBD. 
 
 to John Foster by a patent deed from Thomas 
 
 .md William Penn, bearing date the 17th day ol 
 November, 1752, ami In- resided upon the tract 
 until about 1773 or 1774, when ! son, 
 
 probably with a view ol bettering his condition 
 and that of his family, he 'Imposed of it by sale 
 and became one of tin- pioneer settlers of Buffalo 
 Valley. That delightful and charming Valley, 
 then an almost untraversed forest "I stately oak, 
 hickory, walnut and pine, was within that part 
 of Pennsylvania known as tin- last purchase made 
 from the Indians by the Proprietai \ Government 
 of the Colony in 1 768. 
 
 The first surveys in the Valle) were made in 
 1769. and from that year sturdy, adventurous and 
 self-reliant settlers, among whom was John 
 Forster, began to occupy, clear and cultivate its 
 beautiful virgin acre rich and invit- 
 
 ing with the promise of future fertility and pro- 
 ductiveness. Among the first surveys made in 
 1769, after the land office had been opened on 
 the 3d ol April ol tli.it year to receive applica- 
 tions for laud within the Purchase of 176N, a 
 number ol tracts, aggregating eight thousand 
 acres through the heart of the Valley, were re- 
 turned for certain officers ol the 1 si and 2d bat- 
 talions ol the Pennsylvania regiment that served 
 under Col. Hemy Boquet in the expedition that 
 marched under his command in [764 to the re- 
 lief of Fort Pitt, tie site of the present city of 
 Pittsburg, then beleaguered b) the Indians. In 
 the allotment ol these surveys t<> the officers who 
 ware to receive them, ware two that fell respect- 
 ively to I. am c harles Stewart and Lieut. Jan 
 McCallister, These tracts were at the western 
 part of the survey, lying about two miles west ol 
 the present town ,>i Mifflinburg. The first ti 
 that of Lieut. Stewart, was called in the patent 
 " [oyful l aluii," and contained 340 acres and 63 
 
 perches. The other, that of Lieut. McCallister, 
 was called " Chatham, "and contained 340 acres 
 
 and 60 perches I , /ing fn an I lan- 
 
 Falo, John Forster had become the 
 ■ iwnei ot these two tracts. On the west 
 tract in. 11 Buffalo 1 reek, he built Ins cabin, liter- 
 ally the beginning of a new home in the wilder- 
 
 . (or himself, wile and children, and there he 
 lived until his death, whii h oc< mud in 1783. 
 
 In the tax list oi Buffalo township, Northum- 
 berland county, ha tin year 1775 the list for 
 the pre. is not being in existence the 
 
 name of John Forstei on tins list his 
 
 propert} returned for taxes consists of twenty 
 acres ol cli a red lan<], two horsi 5, three cows and 
 three sheep, probably for that time a substantial 
 return. The property adjoining on the west of 
 where he lived was the farm so well known in the 
 
 Valley for many years as the William Young 
 farm. His life seems to have been quiet, unob- 
 trusive and moderately successful, though no 
 knowledge of hi-- pi rsonality or traits of charac- 
 ter have come down to his present descendants. 
 As before staled, he died in 1783, and among 
 some old family papers now in the possession of 
 a friend at Paxtang, Dauphin county, is a letter 
 written from Buffalo to Paxtang announcing his 
 death, from which the following extract is taken: 
 "John Forster was taken sick of a fever on the 
 10th of September, 1783, died on the 20th, and 
 hi Sunday, September 21. 1783." 
 Of his wife nothing is known except that her 
 name was Margaret. Eight years later another 
 letter announced her death, as follows: " Mar- 
 garet Forster was taken sick on December 31, 
 1701, and died January 8, 1792, about 9 p. \i.. 
 and was buried on Tuesday, January 10, 170 
 The interments, though there are no marks to 
 show w hei e tin y lie, were in the old Lewis grave- 
 yard, about three miles southwest of Mifflinburg, 
 then the common burial place for the inhabitants 
 of the upper end of the Valley, where also rest 
 in the peaceful sleep of death others of their 
 family — children and grandchildren By his 
 will, on record at Sunbury, after providing lor 
 the support of his widow, he directed that his real 
 estate, consisting of the two tracts of the land 
 already mentioned, and containing- together 680 
 acres, should he divided into three equal parts to 
 he given to his three ><uis then living, a third to 
 each, ami that his daughters should receive cer- 
 tain bonds, winch he described as •• Bonds I 
 ceived from the sale ol my plantation in Hano- 
 ver. " 
 
 The children ol |ohn and Margaret Forster 
 were four sons and four daughters The sons 
 were: Thomas, Andrew, |ohn, [r. , and Robert. 
 The daughters were Christena, who became the 
 wife of [ohn Montgomery; lane, who became tht 
 wife oi William Irvim I li ibeth, who became 
 the wife of [oseph Gray; and Rebecca, who he- 
 came the wile , .1 William McFarlane 
 
 A marriage record of the Derry nu\ Pax- 
 tang Presbyterian congregation, published is 
 Vol. VIII of the second series of the Pennsyl- 
 vania Archives, shows that Thomas Forster, 
 the eldest son, was married to |am N iung 
 vember 4, 1777. and that Robert, the young- 
 I to Esther Kcnick Decem- 
 ber 14, I784. Andrew, the second son, wa- 
 in nried to Susanna (,ra\ She was a daughter 
 of Capt. William Gray, of Revolutionary fai 
 and was first married to William Hudson. After 
 his death she became the wife of Andn-w Forstet 
 John. Jr.. the third -on, died young and uiunar- 
 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 155 
 
 ried, the victim of an Indian massacre. His 
 death occurred on the 16th of May, 1780, in an 
 attack made by a band of raiding Indians on what 
 was known as French Jacob's Mill (Jacob Gro- 
 shong), about five miles north of Mifflinburg, and 
 near where the roid through the Brush Valley 
 narrows enters Buffalo Valley. He was one of a 
 company of enlisted rangers whose duty it was to 
 patrol the northern side of the Valley along the 
 Buffalo mountain to guard against Indian incur- 
 sions. A sudden and unexpected foray, how- 
 ever, was made by the savages, and in the smart 
 skirmish that followed four of the rangers were 
 killed, among them being John Forster, Jr. The 
 names of the others were James Chambers, 
 George Etzweiler and James McLaughlin. 
 
 Thomas Forster was the Revolutionary soldier 
 of the family — a sincere patriot and lover of 
 liberty, he was early in the field for the independ- 
 ence of the American Colonies. In 1776 he is 
 the first found in the record as Major of the 
 Fourth Battalion of the Northumberland County 
 Associators, of which Phillip Cole and Thomas 
 Sutherland, another ancestor of some of the 
 presentForster family, was the lieutenant-colonel. 
 This battalion was sent to Reading, but anxious 
 to be at the front, Major Forster became a lieu- 
 tenant in Capt. John Clark's company of Col. 
 Potter's regiment. This company was detained 
 in Reading until it was too late to reach the scene 
 of actual hostility in time to take part in the en- 
 gagements at Trenton and Princeton, but par- 
 ticipated actively in several subsequent skirmishes, 
 in which a number of casualties occurred, and in 
 which the members of the company won honor- 
 able distinction. 
 
 Returning to the quiet life of a farmer after 
 his patriotic military service, Thomas Forster, 
 on the death in 1783 of the oldest son, inherited, 
 together with his third of the real estate, the 
 homestead of the family, where he lived a prom- 
 inent and highly respected citizen of the Val- 
 ley until his death in the month of November, 
 18 10. His body also lies in the Lewis burying 
 ground. 
 
 In religious faith and belief the Forsters were 
 strict Scotch-Irish Presbyterians, and were early 
 members of the Buffalo Cross Roads Presby- 
 terian Church, founded in 1773, and the parent 
 congregation of that denomination within the 
 bounds of the present county of Union. Accord- 
 ing to Linn's Annals, the pews of the Buffalo 
 church were just rated and rented in 1 79 1 , and 
 among the pew holders of that year were Thomas 
 Forster and his brothers, Andrew and Robert. 
 
 The marriage of Thomas Forster and Jane 
 Young was blessed with six children — three sons 
 
 and three daughters. The sons were John, 
 William and Thomas; the daughters, Margaret, 
 Elizabeth and Jane. It is only William, how- 
 ever, the second son of the family, who demands 
 our attention on this occasion. 
 
 He was born in 1784 at the home of his 
 father in Buffalo Valley. The means then pro- 
 vided in that newly settled locality for education 
 were not great, and it is probable that in youth 
 but few opportunities were afforded him for book 
 learning. But he is still held in pleasant remem- 
 brance as an intelligent and upright man, of 
 sterling integrity in business affairs, possessed of 
 a genial, cheerful disposition, the head of a 
 household noted for its hospitality, a devoted 
 husband and father, and an excellent citizen. In 
 the second war with Great Britain (in 18 12), like 
 his father, he found it a duty to enter the mili- 
 tary service in defence of the right of his coun- 
 try. With his older brother, John, and his 
 cousin, William, son of Robert Forster, he be- 
 came a member of a company of Pennsylvania 
 Militia, commanded by Capt. John Donaldson. 
 The company was attached to a regiment com- 
 manded by Col. Snyder that marched to Mead- 
 ville, thence to Erie, and then to Buffalo, N. Y. . 
 remaining in service about three months. 
 
 He was first married to Esther Young, who 
 was born in Dauphin county, and their children 
 were William and Esther (twins); the latter mar- 
 ried NeillMcCay, of Fredericksburg, Ohio, where 
 they celebrated their golden wedding in 1892. 
 Mr. McCay died soon afterward; his widow still 
 lives in Ohio, and by the favor of a kind Provi- 
 dence was able to come from her distant home 
 on December 28, 1897, to be present to mingle 
 her congratulations with other friends at the 
 fiftieth anniversary of her twin brother's mar- 
 riage. 
 
 The mother of William and Esther Forster 
 died, and the father married Rachel McCay. The 
 children of this second marriage were: Christena, 
 who became the wife of Mark Halfpenny, and 
 reared a family; he died in 1889, and she in 
 1877. He was an extensive manufacturer of 
 woolen goods at Lewisburg, Penn., and his chil- 
 dren still own considerable property there. Mar- 
 garet, who became the wife of Dr. Seabold, had 
 four children, and died in 1879. Robert M. mar- 
 ried De!ilah Smith. In 1862 he enlisted in the 
 Union army, and was killed in the battle of Get- 
 tysburg; he left three sons; his widow died De- 
 cember 28, 1895. Thomas died at the age of 
 seventeen; and Catherine married William Wit- 
 mer, a lumber merchant of Philadelphia. Will- 
 iam Forster died at his home in Hartley township, 
 Union county, March 26, 1853, at the age of 
 
166 
 
 OOMMEMORA TIVB Hint; HAl'llKM, RECORD. 
 
 seventy years, and found interment in the same 
 burial ground where his father and grandfather lie. 
 
 William, '•(in of William and Esther I 
 
 was born in Buflalo Valley (now Union county), 
 Penn . March 22. [819. He was reared on a 
 farm, and had the usual school privileges of the 
 day and locality. Among his earl)- teachers 
 wen- Miss Ruth Campbell and a Mr, Hanna, a 
 Quaker. This was at Mifflinburg. He n nriained 
 at heme until 1848, then ame to I entrecounty, 
 locating on the Centre Furnace lands (now Dr. 
 Christ's farmj. [n the spring of 1856 he moved 
 to his present home in the upper part of Penn's 
 Valley where he owns a beautiful farm, and upi a 
 which he built the house he now occu- 
 pies lli> farm comprises one hundred acres. 
 Formerly a part of the town site ol State Col- 
 lege belonged to the farm. Mr. Foster is one of 
 the substantial citizens of State College, and by 
 good management and industr} has accumulated 
 a competency As were all his am estors, he is 
 a Democral in his political views. The Forsters, 
 too, wen- Presbyterians for generations, and our 
 subject adheres to the same faith He is now 
 tli' only man in the community who was there 
 when the Pennsylvania state College building 
 was erected, making him the oldest pioneer of 
 the locality left 
 
 In 1X47 Mr. Fostei was married, in Union 
 county, to Maria 1 or 1, who was born in the Buf 
 falo Valley, Union Co., Penn., in [827, adaugh- 
 tei of Joseph and Elizabeth Wyley fori, 
 tins happy union have come children as follows; 
 Elizabeth, who in 1872 married William Ever- 
 hart; they went to Chicago on their wedding 
 trip, and she died th.re Charles H., a trusted 
 United States Mail Agent employed since 1885 
 on the mam hue of the Pennsylvania railroad 
 between New York and Pittsburg. fames is a 
 chemist in Alabama. Mary A. lives with her 
 parents. John is a chemist in Alabama. The 
 sons are all graduates of Pennsylvania State 
 Colli 
 
 Joseph ( oil, the father of Mrs I tei, came 
 
 from Chester c ity, Penn., to the Buflalo Valley, 
 
 and Ins ancestors were originally from Germany. 
 lb 1 mother, Elizabeth Wyler, came from Lan- 
 caster county. Penn.. and her ancestors from 
 Ireland 
 
 PRO! ( I PHAS L. GRAMLEY. It is a 
 pleasure to note that man) of our most suc- 
 cessful citizens are natives of this section, and 
 have here developed the talents which their ma- 
 ture years have devoted to well chosen activiti 
 Prof. Gramley, the able and cultured superintend- 
 ent of the schools of Centre county, is a t) p- 
 
 cal example, and the story of his earnest pursuit 
 of a worthy ambition cannot fail to convey a 
 helpful lesson. 
 
 Prof. Gramley was born September 17, 1852, 
 at Rebersburg, Centre count), where he now 
 
 les, and is of Pennsylvania- Dutch stock. 
 The earliest records of the family place their 
 home in son rn Pennsylvania, but the Pro- 
 
 fessor's grandfather, Philip Gramley, was prob- 
 ably born in the central part of the State. He 
 located in Centre county in early manhood, and 
 with the exception of a comparatively brief resi- 
 dence in Clinton county, he made his home there, 
 gaining by his ability and energy a prominent 
 place among the pioneers of his locality. 
 Samuel Gramley, the Professor's father was born 
 in Rebersburg, March 4, 1827, and is still a resi- 
 dent of that town, where he has always enjoyed 
 the respect and esteem of the people. He at 
 tended the district schools there for a time in his 
 youth, and completed his course of study at 
 Mifflinburg Academy, afterward entering into 
 busirt 1 teacher, surveyor and farmer. \ 
 
 county commissioner, and justice of the peace 
 for main years, he demonstrated his capacity for 
 public affairs, while his popularity is shown bj 
 his election to these positions in the face of an ad- 
 verse partisan majority. In religious faith he is 
 a Lutheran. His wife, who was Miss Sarah J 
 Smull, and who was also a native of Rebersburg, 
 was born March 15. 1832. and passed from earth 
 Max 14. 1XS0. The children of this marriage 
 now living are: Prof Cephas L. , our subjei 
 Titus M. is in the creamerj business at Spring 
 Mills; (lenient H. is a farmer at the old home- 
 stead in Miles township, Centre county; Naomi 
 J. is the wife of Charles Heckman, of Clinton 
 county, Penn.; and Ada E. is the wife of W. T 
 Hubler. and resides at the old homestead. 
 
 Our subject had the benefit of life upon a farm 
 during his boyhood. When his intellectual ad- 
 vancement demanded better opportunities than 
 were to be obtained in the local schools, he spent 
 two terms at Clinton Seminary; but with the 
 
 1 of the genuine student he determined to 
 
 re further advantages By teaching for a 
 time he provided himself with the funds where- 
 with to carry him through two years at Susque- 
 hanna University, at Selins Grove, Penn. Aftei 
 this he again engaged in teaching, and for seven- 
 teen years he taught in the Grammar School at 
 Rebersburg, Since 1S75 he has been more 01 
 less engaged in Normal School and institute 
 work during the summer up to the time of his 
 appointment to the county superintendency of 
 schools in 1892 This work he helped to carry- 
 on .it Milesburg in 1875 '76 and '77, and there- 
 
/fa, &L, ^/7^i^l^<yL^Ly, 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 157 
 
 after at Rebersburg. He has had as high as 
 seventy young men and women at a time whom 
 he was preparing to follow the profession of 
 teaching. He served out the unexpired term of 
 his predecessor, and in 1893 was elected to the 
 same office, and re-elected in 1896. He is a most 
 efficient and able superintendent of the county's 
 schools. 
 
 In 1878 Prof. Gramley was married to Miss 
 Joanna Weaver, a lady of good qualities, who 
 was born in August, 1852, at Wolfs Store, Centre 
 county. They have had two children: Gertrude, 
 born in 1880, died in 1895, and Almah, born in 
 1882, is at home. The parents are identified 
 with the Lutheran Church, the Professor having 
 been the chorister in both the Church and the 
 Sabbath-school since 1875. He is a charter 
 member of Rebersburg Lodge No. 103 1, I. O. 
 O. F., organized in February, 1892, and he was 
 the first Noble Grand, and first to fill all the 
 chairs. In 1893 he represented his lodge at the 
 General Lodge held at Reading, Penn. Prof. 
 Gramley is also a practical surveyor and does 
 work at times, as a recreation and relief, to his 
 father, who works in this line. In politics he is 
 a Republican. He has given many evidences of 
 deep and generous sympathy with the welfare 
 and progress of the community. 
 
 r\ 
 
 F. KREAMER, who is classed among the 
 ^3L successful farmers of Penn township. Cen- 
 tre county, is well worthy to be ranked among 
 the individuals who have distinguished themselves 
 as useful and enterprising citizens. He was born 
 in the same township, January 6, 1847, and was 
 but a child when brought by his parents, Jona- 
 than and Susannah (Strohm) Kreamer, to the 
 farm which he now occupies, and which at one 
 time was owned by his great-grandfather, Daniel 
 Kreamer, who was the first of the family to come 
 to Centre county. In his family were three chil- 
 dren: Daniel, John and Mrs. Saloma Keen. 
 
 Daniel Kreamer, Jr., the grandfather of our 
 subject, was a farmer by occupation, as was also 
 his father before him. He married a Miss Neese, 
 by whom he had eight children — seven sons and 
 one daughter — namely: Jacob who died in Kan- 
 sas; John, who became an Evangelical minister, 
 and died in the same State; William, an auction- 
 eer and farmer, who died in Iowa; Jonathan, the 
 father of our subject; Elias, a resident of Union 
 county, Penn.; Daniel, once a minister, now liv- 
 ing in Illinois; Henry, a painter in the same 
 State; and Betsey, who married William Guitilus, 
 and died in Mifflinburg, Penn. In 1876 the sons 
 
 were all together, at which time their combined 
 weight was over two thousand pounds. 
 
 Jonathan Kreamer was born in Miles town- 
 ship. Centre county, in 1821, and was reared to 
 farm life. When a young man he married Su- 
 sannah Strohm, a native of Lebanon county, 
 Penn., and a daughter of Jonathan Strohm, who 
 brought his family to Potter township, Centre 
 county, when Mrs. Kreamer was but a small 
 child. After their marriage the parents remained 
 upon his father's farm until 1848, when they re- 
 moved to the place now owned and occupied by 
 our subject, having purchased it at the sale of 
 his grandfather's estate. In (868 the father re- 
 moved to Millheim, where he conducted what is 
 now known as the " National Hotel" for a time, 
 and died in that village in 1883. Like the other 
 members of the family he was very large, being six 
 feet, one inch in height, and weighing at one time 36 5 
 pounds. He was an enterprising, energetic man, 
 succeeding in accumulating a comfortable prop- 
 erty; he was a Democrat in politics, and held a 
 number of township offices to the satisfaction of 
 all concerned. His religious views were those 
 held by the Evangelical Church, of which he was 
 a faithful member. His wife, who still survives 
 him, makes her home with her daughter, Mary, 
 at State College. In their family were six chil- 
 dren: A. F. , the subject of this review; Mary, 
 wife of Ab Miller, of State College; Sarah A., 
 wife of Pierce Musser, of Millheim; Emma, wife 
 of A. A. Frank, of the same place; John, express 
 messenger for the Adams Express Company at 
 Harrisburg, Penn., and Cora, wife of Greely 
 Bowman, of St. Louis. 
 
 During his boyhood, A. F. Kreamer attended 
 the Liberty school during the winter months, his 
 first teacher being Thomas Strayhorn. He re- 
 mained upon the home farm until the removal of 
 the family to Millheim in 1868, where he as- 
 sisted his father in the hotel business for four 
 years. On October 10, 1872, he was united in 
 marriage with Miss Jestie Keen, who was born 
 in Penn township, February 28, 1847, a daugh- 
 ter of Jacob and Mary (Dininger) Keen, farming 
 people. Two children were born of this union: 
 Nora F. died in infancy; and N. F. , born Octo- 
 ber 12, 1874, was married in November, 1893, 
 to Miss Jennie, a daughter of Jacob Breon, of 
 Gregg township, and they have one child — Helen, 
 born April 1 1, 1895. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Kreamer began housekeeping 
 upon the farm where they are now living, but 
 later removed to Haines township, where he 
 rented land for fifteen years. On April 1, 1892, 
 they returned to the old family homestead, which 
 he had purchased in January, 1891. It com- 
 
158 
 
 i ■<> l/l//. MORA Tl 17.' moan A run 'A I. BSt (>RD. 
 
 prises seventj one acres of highly improved land, 
 on which six generations have made their home, 
 the grandchild <>f onr subject, who with its par- 
 ents resides then being of the sixth genera- 
 tion. Mr. Kreamei has always been identified 
 with the I lemoi rati< party, and although 
 oliice-seeker, has till' d a i in in her of local po 
 
 illy, he affiliates with the (.ran-..-, and relig- 
 iously, both himself and wife are connected with 
 the Evangelical Church, in which he has served 
 
 class leader. He is honest, industrious, 
 thoroughly honorable in all the walks of life, and 
 enjms the esteem and respect of the community 
 to a large extent 
 
 GEORGE R. STOVER, the efficient agent of 
 the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, and 
 also ol the Adams Express Company, at Coburn, 
 i . nire county, lias descended from one of the 
 pioneer families of the county. 
 
 \s early as 1775 Jacob Stover and a son, 
 Adam, settled 111 what is now Haines township, 
 originally a part of Potter township. Centre 
 county Michael Stover, the great-grandfather 
 of onr subject, was a native of Bucks comity, 
 IVim., ol German parents. He was a farmei by 
 occupation and owned a fine body of land in 
 Penn's Valley, on which he passed much of his 
 days. Late in life he went into Sugar Valley, 
 now a part of Clinton county, where he made his 
 home with his son David, who cared for him in 
 Ins declining years. His death occurred in 1855, 
 and his remains rest in Union Cemetery, Logan 
 township, Clinton county. In Penn's Valley he 
 man led Margaret Miller, who was a native of 
 Lebanon counts, l'enn. Their children were 
 eight m number, namely: Adam (deceased , 
 |acob deceased,; Jonathan, living a retired life 
 al Booneville; David, grandfather of our subject; 
 Elizabeth, now Mis. William Bethlehem; Cath- 
 erine, now Mrs Samuel Esteiline, of Logan 
 township; Christina, unmarried; and Lydia, 
 widow ol |ohn Seller-, of Sugar Vallej . the 
 mother of these died in September, 1873, at the 
 
 old homestead, and was buried m the B leville 
 
 cemetery. David Stover was bom December s, 
 1808, in Penn's Valley, and was reared on his 
 father's faun. He received a fair education in 
 German, and when .1 man grown, in connection 
 with his brother [acob, bought a farm of 1 60 acres 
 in Sugar Valley known as the Bickle place, lo- 
 . .1 ted in Logan township. This farm the two 
 brothers operated jointly for twenty-five years, 
 during all ol win. h time not a cross word p 
 betwei n them. They improved the place great- 
 ly, erecting a neat dwelling house, a barn, etc. 
 
 In 1X7.2 David retired, and for fifteen years there- 
 
 i so lived, of which period four years were 
 passed in the village of Booneville in a comfort- 
 able house which he had purchased for himself 
 and wife. He died March 31, 1SX7, and was 
 buried in the Booneville cemetery. He was a 
 pious man, a good Christian, being a member of 
 the Evangeli al As ti n foi some twelve 
 
 years. He was a class leader; he also served as 
 
 her and superintendent ol the Sunday-school. 
 
 In politics he was a De a. it, and he held the 
 
 office of overseer of the poor of his township. 
 He was a man well and extensively known, was 
 held in high esteem, and was greatly re-pected 
 for Ins exemplars Christian life. His wife, Eliza- 
 beth (Hahn), whom he married in 1 844, was born 
 in Logan (now Green) township. May 3, 1822, 
 and the children born to this union were: John 
 M.; and Mary E., the wife of J. L. Boone, a 
 merchant of Loganton, l'enn. The mother of 
 
 e was the daughter of John and Sarah 
 1 Si brack) Hahn, the former of German and the 
 latter of Scotch-Irish descent. She is still living, 
 making her home with her son. 
 
 |ohn M. Stover is a native of Sugar Valley, 
 born on the Stover homestead, in Logan town- 
 ship, Clinton county, April 17, 1845. He was 
 raised on that farm, and has been occupied 
 through life as a farmer and stock raiser. He 
 received his education in the public schools of 
 his neighborhood, and at the Normal School in 
 Rebersburg. When a young man he taught 
 school for nine months in Rebersburg, in Clinton 
 and Centre counties, and during the summer 
 worked on the home farm. In 1872, on the re- 
 tirement of his father from active work, he took 
 charge of the farm on which he soon made many 
 improvements. He was industrious, ener- 
 
 getic and ambitious, and has met with that suc- 
 his efforts have merited. He has been a 
 careful manager, and has advantage ously handled 
 his stock, and farmed systematically. In poli- 
 tics he is a Democrat; he is a member of the 
 Lutheran Church, and is a teacher in the Sab- 
 bath-school; socially he is identified with Sugar 
 Valley Lodge No (.29, I. O. O. F., at Loganton 
 
 On October 16, 1865, at Lock Haven, Mr 
 Stover was married to Louisa Kleckner, who was 
 born in Sugar Valley, March 6, 1844, a daughter 
 of Robert and Catherine (Brumgart) Kleckner. 
 and a granddaughter of Anthonj Kleckner, now 
 ased, who was the tirst settler ol Sugar Val- 
 ley. The children born to the marriage of John 
 M Stover and his wife are: Calvin C. died 
 the age of seven years; George R. is the subject 
 
 ins sketch; Lizzie S. is the wife cf Clement 
 M. Mark, agent at Pine Station on the Pennsvl 
 
 i 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 159 
 
 vania railroad, and has two children — John C. 
 and Mary L. ; Lula K., Edna E. and Mary Es- 
 tella, all are unmarried and at home. 
 
 George R. Stover, the subject proper of this 
 sketch, was born June 2, 1868, near Loganton, 
 Clinton Co., Penn., the second child and son of 
 John M. and Louisa (Kleckner) Stover. Up to 
 the age of fifteen years he was on his father's 
 farm, occupied as a general farmer's lad is. He 
 attended the schools of the neighborhood, and 
 on November 30, 1885, he went to Coburn to 
 become a student of the duties in the office of 
 the Pennsylvania Railroad Company under \V. 
 H. Kreamer, the agent of the company at that 
 point. In this capacity he remained for about 
 one year, then became a clerk and filled such po- 
 sition two years. Next he worked on the P. & E. 
 division of the same road as an extra man be- 
 tween Harrisburg and Renovo. He worked as 
 an extra man in the service till November, 1890, 
 when he came to take charge of the office he 
 first entered as a student five years previously, and 
 where he has ever since been located. The sta- 
 tion at Coburn is one of the most important, 
 from a business standpoint, of any on the divi- 
 sion, and in the handling of the great volume of 
 business with dispatch, together with the manner 
 in which the general affairs of the office have 
 been conducted under the supervision of Mr. 
 Stover, have reflected credit to his capacity and 
 business tact. He is an affable and accommo- 
 dating official. 
 
 On November 13, 1889, our subject was mar- 
 ried at Elmira, N. Y. , to Miss Lillie M. Charles, 
 of Mifflinburg, Penn., daughter of S. F. Charles 
 (deceased). They have one child, George R., 
 Jr., born June 13. 1891. Mrs. Stover is identi- 
 fied with the Lutheran Church. 
 
 ©EORGE M. BOAL is a representative of one 
 of the oldest families of Penn's Valley, and 
 his own honorable record has added new lustre 
 to a name that has ever been synonymous with 
 go*d citizenship. 
 
 James Boal, grandfather of our subject, was 
 born in Ireland, March 17, 1764, and in that 
 country married Elizabeth Welch, who was born 
 February 17, 1766. They were married in 1787, 
 and two children were born to them on the 
 Emerald Isle, the elder being Margaret, who was 
 born May 16, 1788, and died near Bellefonte, 
 Penn., in April, 1841, unmarried. The second 
 child, George Welch Boal, the father of our sub- 
 ject, was born in County Londonderry, February 
 9. T 79°- In the spring of that year, James Boal 
 brought his family to America, and as he was in 
 
 limited circumstances the trip was made by the 
 cheapest passage. The voyage of three months 
 was a stormy one, during which the ship sprang 
 a leak, and much of the cargo, including some of 
 the goods belonging to the Boal family, was thrown 
 overboard. The grandfather first made a loca- 
 tion in eastern Pennsylvania, and in the latter 
 part of the eighteenth century established a home 
 in Penn's Valley. He was one of its pioneers and 
 developed a farm lrom the wild land. He was 
 a linen and carpet weaver by trade, and having 
 brought his loom with him to the United States 
 did considerable work in that line of industry as 
 well as at farming. He and his wife were devout 
 members of the Presbyterian Church. His death 
 occurred June 22, 1836, and he was laid to rest 
 in Centre Hill cemetery near his wife, who had 
 died December 16, 1832. 
 
 The children born to this worthy couple in 
 America were as follows: (t) Martha, born July 
 21, 1792, married Abraham Pastorius, and died 
 in Venango county, Penn., April 4, 1853. (2) 
 Jane, born April 16, 1795, died unmarried, near 
 Bellefonte, August 15, 1861. (3) William, born 
 June 22, 1801, removed to Iowa, and died August 
 10, 1880. (4) Elizabeth, born July 21, 1803, 
 died in Penn's Valley, February 3, 1832. (5) 
 James, born September 8, 1805, died near Belle- 
 fonte, March 7, 1840. (6) Mary, born Novem- 
 ber 12, 1807, married John Swords, and died 
 near Bellefonte, July 26, 1841. (7) John C, 
 born June 22, 181 1, wentsouth in 1836, and aft- 
 er about a year all trace of him was lost. 
 
 George Welch Boal was but a child when his 
 parents came to Penn's Valley. He was reared 
 as a pioneer farmer boy, and was married Octo- 
 ber 29, 1822, near Milton, Penn., to Miss Sarah 
 Cummins Shannon, who was born in Lancaster 
 county, Penn., June 20, 1796, a daughter of John 
 and Martha (Caldwell) Shannon, who were of 
 Scotch-Irish extraction, and were natives of Ire- 
 land. The father was a farmer and an excellent 
 citizen, living near Milton, where he located at 
 an early day. His children were: John C. , 
 Ellen, Sarah C, Samuel, Martha J., Daniel, 
 Anna Maria, James and Elizabeth M. At the 
 time of his marriage George W. Boal located in 
 George's Valley, Centre county, where he owned 
 a small farm. In 1S35 he removed to what is 
 now Harris township, where he became the 
 owner of a most excellent farm. He was a 
 highly industrious man, and after following the 
 plow all day would burn log heaps at night. By 
 his unflagging energy he at length accumulated a 
 handsome competence. He was a powerful man, 
 compactly built, and well fitted for his pioneer 
 experiences. During the later years of his life 
 
160 
 
 COMMKMORA T1VR BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 he lived retired. hi early life he was a Whig, 
 and supported that parts when only two Whig 
 ballots were cast in the township; later he was a 
 stanch Abolitionist, and in [856 voted the Re- 
 publican ticket. He died September 15, 1858, 
 his wife on October 24, 1864, and they were 
 buried in Centre Hill cemetery. They, too, were 
 consistent members ol the Presbyterian Chinch, 
 and the Boal family has for a century been one 
 of the most highly respected in Potter township. 
 
 The children of George W. and Sarah Boal 
 in- as follows: Martha C., bom April <>. 1S24, 
 is the widow of Dr. Henry Orlady, and the 
 mother of Judge Orlady ; James C, born Decem- 
 ber 27, 1.S26, was a well-known citizen of Potter 
 township, and died March 27, 1895; his widow 
 resides in Centre Hall. John S., born January 
 18, 1829, married Elizabeth R. Cunningham, 
 and lives in Centre Hall. George A., born Jan- 
 uary 16, 1831, died in Ceorge's Valley December 
 28, 1834. Samuel K. , born November 7, 1S32, 
 died October 29, 1841. William A , bom Sep- 
 tember 13, 1835, resides in Potter township. 
 George M. is the next of the family. Elizabeth 
 E., born June 21, 1842, died August 13, 1844. 
 
 George M. Boal, whose name begins this 
 record, was born in Harris township, Centre 
 county, March 17, 1839, and when he had at- 
 tained a sufficient age began his education in the 
 Kock Hill school, under the direction of Chris- 
 tina Wieland. He mastered the rudimentary 
 branches in the district schools, was a student in 
 Boalsburg Academy when Rev. Austin was its 
 principal, and attended Kishacoquillas Seminary 
 for one term. When not in the school room he 
 assisted his father in the cultivation 01 the home 
 farm, with the exception of two years when he 
 served as salesman in the general store of Ard & 
 Dunlap, at Pine Grove Mills. Centre county. On 
 August 16, 1862, he enlisted as a private in 
 Company D, 148th Infantry, and his first active 
 service was at Chancellorsville. Alter that bat- 
 tle he served on detached duty as clerk at the 
 headquarters oi the hirst Division, Second Army 
 Corps, under Gen. Hancock. Later he was in 
 the general recruiting service at Harrisburg. On 
 March 10, 1865, he was commissioned first lieu- 
 tenant ami quartermaster ol the 83d P. V. I., 
 joined th.it command at city Point, and was 
 with the regiment in the field until the close of 
 the war, when 111 |une, 1865, he was honorably 
 discharged. 
 
 While home on a furlough in February, 1 
 Mr. Boal ha<l married Miss Ellen Love, ami on 
 the close of the war hastened to his wife. She 
 is a native of Potter township, born Februarj 
 1840, a daughter of Judge W. W and Agnes 
 
 1 Williams) Love. On his return to civil life. Mi 
 
 il located on the old homestead of his father 
 in Harris township, the property being owned by 
 himself and brother Shannon. In the spring of 
 1867, he sold to his brother Shannon, and pur- 
 chased the John Durst farm in Potter township, 
 where he has since carried on agricultural pur- 
 suits. He owns more than 200 acres of valuable 
 land, and has one of the best improved farrmvn 
 the township, its well-tilled fields and neat t ,-•- 
 pearance indicating his careful supervision. "He 
 and his wife have five children: Martha J., wife 
 of D. A. Boozer, of Centre Hall; Mary A., wife 
 of Charles Meyer, of Centre Hall; Margaret L . 
 wife of Charles Slack, of Potter township, and 
 Blanche and Mabel, at home. This family 
 occupy a leading position in social circles, and 
 have the warm regard of many friends. 
 
 Mr. Boal is a stanch Republican, and as he 
 cares naught for office it is easily seen that his 
 earnest support comes from a firm belief in the 
 principles of the party as productive of the great- 
 est good to the greatest number. He has a broad 
 understanding of the questions which divide 
 parties, and is also well informed on all general 
 topics. He is a member of the Grange, and a 
 charter member of Samuel Shannon Post, No. 
 2S2. G. A. R., at Centre Hall. He and his wife 
 hold membership in the Presbyterian Church. A 
 substantial farmer, he has won success by his 
 own efforts, and he is a man of kind and gener- 
 ous impulses, widely and favorably known, and is 
 best liked where best known. 
 
 THOMAS H. HARTER. A definite purpose 
 in life, pursued with resolute, vigorous 
 will, is the distinguishing mark of a successful 
 career, and no one who reads the following biog- 
 raphy can fail to join the many friends of the 
 able and energetic editor of the Keystone Gazette, 
 of Bellefonte, in then confidence in his future. 
 Mr. Harter's early perception of the path best 
 suited to his talents was the first step, and a 
 most important one. in the pathway to prosper 
 ity and honor, and his alert, forceful and judi 
 cious use of all the resources at hand has a 1 read] 
 placed him in a position to command success 
 A ready writer, an efficient manager, an 
 thoughtful student ot every phase of human life 
 and effort, he is well equipped for lus chosen 
 work, and we ma\ add also that his charact. 
 
 honest) fearless, outspoken, cleai 
 honesty- has had much to do with his build 
 up and maintaining his inlluence. 
 
 Mr. Harl igs to a representative " Penn 
 
 sylvania-Dutch " family, and his history is an in- 
 
 i 
 

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 161 
 
 teresting one. He was born May 28, 1854, at 
 Aaronsburg, Centre county, upon a farm which 
 formerly belonged to his grandfather, Andrew 
 Harter, a pioneer of what is now Haines town- 
 ship, Centre county, who came from Lancaster 
 county, Penn., about the year 1800, and located 
 at the lower end of Penn's Valley in the primeval 
 forest, clearing and improving his property after 
 the custom of that early day. For some twelve 
 years a blanket took the place of a door in his 
 humble home, and oiled paper served as glass 
 for the windows. Wild beasts from the sur- 
 rounding woods were frequent visitors, and one 
 night his large bull-dog was thrown over the 
 fence by one. Andrew Harter and his wife, Sallie 
 (Rupp), had seven children: George (who died 
 in Penn township, Centre county), Andrew, 
 Jacob, William, John, Mrs. Henry Swartz and 
 Mrs. George Noyer. 
 
 William Harter, our subject's father, was 
 born at the old homestead near Aaronsburg in 
 1812, and passed his life there in agricultural 
 pursuits, his death occurring in 1885. He was a 
 Democrat in politics, and in religious faith was a 
 Lutheran. He married Miss Rebecca Hess, who 
 was born in Penn's Valley, Haines township, 
 Centre county, in 18 15, and is still living in 
 Aaronsburg. Our subject was one of twelve chil- 
 dren: (1) Israel, a resident of Canal Fulton, 
 Ohio; (2) Anna (Mrs. Fred Kurtz), of Centre 
 Hall, Penn. ; (3) Jonathan, a retired farmer in 
 Millheim; (4) Sarah (Mrs. Mench), who resides 
 at the old homestead; (5) John, a resident of Os- 
 ceola, Crawford Co., Ohio; (6) William, a 
 butcher at Hartertown, Union Co., Penn.; (7) 
 Daniel, a tanner at Smithville, Ohio; (8) Re- 
 becca (Mrs. Levi Murray), of Centre Hall; (9) 
 Andrew, a tanner at Rockford, 111.; (10) Aaron, 
 the chief engineer of the Harrisburg electric light 
 works; (11) Thomas H., our subject; and (12) 
 Kate (Mrs. Samuel Campbell), of Millheim. The 
 eldest of these is upward of sixty years of age, 
 and the youngest thirty-six, all living, only one 
 death having occurred in the family in sixty 
 years. 
 
 Thomas Harter's education was not obtained 
 without difficulty, as his parents objected to much 
 learning for fear that it " might make him a ras- 
 cal." Perhaps we may find here the basis of 
 that sensitive conscience, inherited and developed, 
 which makes him so careful to avoid the least 
 misrepresentation as to known facts. Conscious 
 of his own rectitude, and not sharing his parents' 
 fear of perversion, the lad kept up his search for 
 knowledge, obtaining his books by employing 
 his spare moments on the farm in the service of 
 others. He attended school until i87i,whenhe 
 11 
 
 went to Smithville, Ohio, to learn the tanner's 
 trade with his brother Dan, and while there he 
 pursued his studies at the Smithville Normal 
 School. On his return in 1872, he learned the 
 printer's art with his brother-in-law, Hon. Fred 
 Kurtz, of the Centre Hall Reporter, and then at- 
 tended Penn Hall Academy for a year. In 1876 
 he purchased the Nevada, Ohio, Enterprise, a 
 weekly paper of limited circulation, which he soon 
 established on a paying basis. But he longed to 
 plant his feet on his "native heath," and in 1882 
 he sold the Enterprise and bought the Post, of 
 Middleburg, Snyder county. This also was in 
 an unsatisfactory condition, but his industry and 
 zeal again worked wonders, and the paper soon 
 came to be recognized as one of the mostsprightly 
 and interesting of its class. The advertising in- 
 creased, and the Post was enjoying well-earned 
 prosperity, when, desiring a wider field, Mr. Har- 
 ter disposed of it and, in March, 1894, purchased 
 the Keystone Gazette, at a bargain. His success 
 there was a certainty from the first, and the in- 
 creased popularity of the paper is no surprise to 
 those who knew the efficiency of its new proprie- 
 tor and editor. 
 
 Mr. Harter is the author of the famous "Boon- 
 astiel " letters, in the Pennsylvania-Dutch dialect, 
 which were begun in the Middleburg Post, and 
 later published in book form in answer to a de- 
 mand from the public for their preservation in 
 accessible form. As a critic has said, it is a vol- 
 ume of legend, story and song, full of fun and 
 philosophy, and every chapter points a moral or 
 adorns a tale. One thousand copies have been 
 issued, and a second edition will soon be pre- 
 pared which will, no doubt, be illustrated. 
 
 In 1876 Mr. Harter married Miss Mary Izora 
 Musser, daughter of James Musser, a well-known 
 citizen of Harterton, Union county. In his po- 
 litical affiliations our subject is a Republican, but 
 although firm in that faith he has never taken 
 part in partisan work as a candidate for office, 
 wishing to deal with the principles rather than 
 the machinery of the organization. Socially, he 
 is a member of the F. & A. M. His chief recrea- 
 tion is hunting and fishing, for which he has in- 
 herited a liking, and his cheery nature is always 
 ready to take advantage of the pleasures which 
 lie within his reach. 
 
 m LEXANDER McCOY is one of the most 
 ^rL enterprising and progressive citizens of 
 Centre county. He has a wide circle of friends. 
 and by his genial manner and kindly disposition 
 is constantly adding to that number. He is 
 descended from honored ancestry of Scotch-Irish 
 
162 
 
 OOMMEMOBA T1VB BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 blood, those races being largelj represented in 
 the settling of Penn's Valley, which thus became 
 the home of a prosperous, reliable ;ui'l substan- 
 tia] people. 
 
 Mi McCo) i" ongs to the third generation oi 
 the family in America, his grandfather, Alexand< i 
 McCoy, bein^ tbe first to come to the United 
 Sutes. He located in Mifflin count}-, where he 
 married Miss Elizabeth McDowell. Alter re- 
 moving to ( entre county, he became the well- 
 known host of the "Old Fort Hotel," and sub- 
 sequently he purchased of fhe Potter famil) the 
 farm upon winch our subject now residi s He 
 located thereon in 1847, and continued his 1 
 idence there until lus death, which occurred in 
 
 I S70, when he was aged seventy-eighl years; his 
 wife died several years previously, and both were 
 buried in Centre Hill cemetery. They were 
 members oi the Presbyterian Church, and in pol- 
 itics the grandfather was an Old-line Whig. He 
 was a large, portly man, very robust, and was 
 never ill until seized with the ii I ness that ter- 
 minated his life. His children were John, fathei 
 of our subject; Mary A., who became the wii 
 Dr. A. S. Harshberger, and died in Mifflin 
 county, |olm F. , who died on the home farm; 
 Margaret, who died in Lock Haven, lVnn. . and 
 
 Hannah, widow of H. II. Van Dyke, ol Lock 
 
 I I iven 
 
 John McCoy, father of our subject, was born 
 in Mifflin county, in 1817. and was reared in thi 
 usual manner of farmer lads of thai period. His 
 school privileges were limited, but he eagerl) 
 perused much of the literature thai came in Ins 
 
 way. and in his later years was an almost con- 
 a1 reader, so thai he became a well-informed 
 man From 1 S4 7 until his death he lived on the 
 old family homestead. He married Agnes Mc- 
 ( .rmick, who was born in Perm's Valley, in 
 1827, and was a daughter of John and Hannah 
 (Shannon) McCormick Her death occurred at 
 the age of seventy-four years, and Mr McCoy 
 died November 26, 1895, the result ol an injury 
 done to bis hand in a corn busker, their remains 
 were interred in Centre Hill cemetery. II. sup- 
 ported the Whig part) until its dissolution, when 
 he became a stanch Republican, firm in support 
 of its principles. His children are Jane \ , wife 
 of Robert Sartain, ol Mercersburg, Penn . P 
 wife of J W. Wolf, of Centre Hall; Emma; 
 Alexander; and John, of Harrisburg, Pennsyl- 
 \ ania. 
 
 Alexandei McCoy, whose name introduces 
 this review, was born at "()id Fort, 'in Potter 
 township, August 3, 1845, and during his earl) 
 boyhood accompanied his parents to Potters 
 Mills, where he acquired his education. When a 
 
 boy he attended a select school, of which Prof. 
 Love was principal, and also pursued his studies 
 in the public schools. Realizing the value of 
 mental training, he is a warm friend of the cause 
 icatii »n, and does all in his power to advance 
 the interests of the schools of his locality. His 
 boyho.wl days were spent underthe parental roof, 
 and when a young man he began dealing in live 
 stock. Soon he became an excellent judge of 
 stock, and his business transactions were there- 
 fore crowned with success. He purchased stock 
 which he shipped to Philadelphia and to Dela- 
 ware county, Penn., and throughout his life he 
 has followed that pursuit in connection with farm- 
 ing. After his marriage he took up his residence 
 in one of the two houses on the home farm, and 
 at various times was his father's partner in busi- 
 ness. He rented land of his father, and August 
 15, 1896, purchased a portion of the old home- 
 stead. He now owns a valuable tract of 150 
 acres of arable land, together with some mount- 
 ain land and a small tract near Potters Mills. 
 He readily sees the advantage to be derived from 
 improved machinery, and is one of the truly pro- 
 gressive farmers of the township, utilizing the 
 most advanced methods and improved imple- 
 ment^ in his farm work. In October, 1895, he 
 suffered a very painful accident, losing the third 
 and fourth fi] I his left hand while operat- 
 
 ing acorn busker and fodder cutter. 
 
 At the age of twenty-five, in Boalsburg. Mr 
 McCoy wedded Mary E., daughter of Samuel 
 and Catherine (Jack) Wilson, and a native of 
 Boalsburg. Their children are Aynes, wife of 
 A I' Potts, a Lutheran minister of Youngstown, 
 Ohio; Samuel \\ . . who married Merab Randol, 
 of Williamsport, Penn., and John F. and Katy 
 twins ; the last named died at the age of five 
 years, and John F. is now a merchant at his 
 1, Potters Mills. 
 
 Mr. McCoy is unwavering in his allegiance to 
 the Republican party, which he has supported 
 sini e casting bis lirsl Presidential vote for Lincoln 
 in [864. He warmly advocated the Republican 
 doctrine, and does all in his power to insure tbe 
 success of his party. He served most effect i\ 
 hairman of the Republican committee of 
 r township, and is the advisor and counselor 
 ol bis part) in this section, but has never sought 
 
 n himself His wife belongs to the IV 
 b) terian Church, to the support of which he con- 
 tributes He is a man of scholarly tastes, one 
 who vely, and is widely inforrw 
 
 on matters of general interest. His business ' 
 brought him into contact with many, and I 
 
 le of his friends is almost as extensivi 
 
 cquaintances. He is most hospit- 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 163 
 
 able, is pleasant and genial in manner, and 
 wherever he goes his genuine worth wins him the 
 respect of all classes. 
 
 H P H r ; 
 
 HARSHBERGER, of Bellefonte, is a 
 Kjl prominent member of the Centre County 
 Bar, and in his chosen profession, and previously 
 in his work as an educator, he has manifested 
 abilities of a high order. He was born June 10, 
 1849, in Walker township, Centre county, and 
 is a descendant of a German family long resident 
 in Pennsylvania. Various members settled in 
 Lebanon county at an early day, Christian, Bar- 
 bara and Ann locating there in 1737, Caspar and 
 |acob in 1749, Johannes in 1754, Henrich in 
 1768, and David in 1770. 
 
 Christian Harshberger, our subject's great- 
 grandfather, passed his remaining years in Leb- 
 anon county, but he took up new lands in Bern 
 township, Berks county (then Lancaster county), 
 in 1745, 1753 and 1755. His son, Abraham 
 (who died in 18 18), the grandfather of our sub- 
 ject, became one of the pioneer farmers of Penn's 
 Valley, Centre county, and helped to drive the 
 Indians from that locality. His children were: 
 (i) John, a farmer in Penn's Valley, who died 
 there at the age of eighty years; (2) Joseph, who 
 died in Ohio at an advanced age; (3) David, our 
 subject's father; (4) Abraham (deceased), a well- 
 known physician at Milroy, Penn., who served 
 as a surgeon during the Civil war; (5) Henry 
 (deceased), a successful physician in Juniata 
 county, Penn. ; (6) Catherine, who never mar- 
 ried, and is now eighty-nine years old. 
 
 David Harshberger was born in Penn's Val- 
 ley in 1804, and was there married to Miss Nancy 
 Rhone, also a native of the Valley, born in 
 1 8 10. They passed their wedded life upon 
 farms in Snow Shoe and Walker townships, 
 Centre Co., Penn., and were active members of 
 the Lutheran Church, and leaders in many pro- 
 gressive movements, the father being prominent 
 in the early days as an Abolitionist and later as 
 an ardent Republican. He died in 1881, and 
 the mother in 1878. Of the twelve children of 
 this esteemed couple all but three are living: 
 John is a farmer and peppermint distiller in 
 Michigan; Jacob was a soldier in the Civil war, a 
 member of Battery M, 3rd N. Y. Light Artillery, 
 and was killed at the taking of Richmond; David, 
 a member of Company I, 3rd Mo. Cav., lost his 
 life in the service, and was buried near Browns- 
 ville, Ark. ; Abraham is a practicing physician in 
 Philadelphia; Elizabeth married John Baney, of 
 Zion, Centre county; Fannie died at the age of 
 eighteen years; Mary A. married James J. Lower, 
 
 and resides in Grand Junction, Colo.'; Zachariah 
 resides in Milesburg, Centre county; H. H. is 
 mentioned more fully below; Nancy J. married 
 John S. Yerick; Samuel is a physician at Port 
 Matilda, Centre county, and Jeremiah died in 
 childhood. 
 
 Mr. Harshberger's early years were spent on 
 his father's farm in his native county, but his liter- 
 ary education was completed at Dickinson Sem- 
 inary, in Williamsport, Penn. He then became 
 a teacher, and after three years as superintend- 
 ent of the Orphans' School at Chester Springs, 
 Penn,, he prepared for the legal profession, tak- 
 ing a course in the law school at Albany, N..Y., 
 graduating in 1872, and subsequently spent a 
 year in the office of the late Judge A. Hoy, and 
 traveled extensively in quest of lost health. As 
 he resumed the work of teaching temporarily, it 
 was not until 1882 that he established himself in 
 practice at Bellefonte, entering into partnership 
 with the Hon. Seth H. Yocum, since deceased. 
 Since that time he has been devoted to his pro- 
 fessional work, and has met with well-deserved 
 success. Besides his professional duties, he 
 finds pleasure in agriculture, and superintends 
 the work on several large farms besides his own, 
 and is eminently successful. 
 
 On November 9, 1882, Mr. Harshberger 
 married Miss Julia C. Barnhart, a native of Cen- 
 tre county, born May 12, 1852. She died Jan- 
 uary 29, 1894, leaving four children: Ralph C. , 
 James B., Mary R. and David R. 
 
 As an intelligent observer of current events, 
 Mr. Harshberger is naturally interested in polit- 
 ical questions, his allegiance being given to the 
 Republican party. In religious faith he is a 
 Methodist, an official member of his Church, and 
 superintendent of the Sunday-school for the last 
 ten years. As an educator he was in advance of 
 his fellows, for as early as 1878 he, in a lecture 
 delivered before the Centre County Teachers In- 
 stitute, advocated a compulsory and free text 
 book law, and asked that body to memorialize 
 the Legislature to enact such a law, which reso- 
 lution was defeated, and his hopes were not real- 
 ized until he had gone out of the profession, 
 when, in 1895, the Legislature enacted just such 
 a law as was mapped out in his lecture. 
 
 LOT R. HENSYL, M. D., an eminent physi- 
 ,1 cian and surgeon of Howard, Centre county, 
 
 was born on the 6th of January, 1840, near 
 Trevorton, Northumberland Co., Penn. , of which 
 county his parents, John D. and Susan (Rother- 
 mel) Hensyl, were also natives. The father was 
 an extensive lumber merchant and farmer, and 
 
ir.1 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BI0QRAPHICA1 RECORD. 
 
 a prominent and influential man in his commu- 
 nity, in winch he served with destinction in sev- 
 eral local offices. He was a Republican in p 
 tics, and a consistent member "1 the Evangeli- 
 cal Church. He did November 26, 1895, at the 
 ripe old age of eighty-two, and Inn wife passed 
 away December 30. 1894, at the age <>f eighty, 
 She was own musm to Peter Frederick Rother- 
 nifl, the celebrated artist, who painted the 
 "Battle of Gettysburg" for the State of Penn- 
 sylvania, (or winch he was paid $35,000. 
 
 Dr. Hensyl is the second in order of birth in 
 their family of ten children, as follows: Cathe- 
 rine, wife of Levi Conrad, a miner of Trevor- 
 ton, Penn. ; Nathan, a railroad engineer residing 
 in Shamokin, Penn.; Lot R. ; Daniel, who died 
 at the age of thirty-eight years; Miry, who dud 
 in infancy; Silas, also an engineer, living in 
 Shamokin; Rev. John, pastor of the Evangeli- 
 cal Church of Mahanoy City, Penn.; Louisa, 
 wife of William Yan/andt, a railroad engineer 
 of Shamokin; Sallie, wife of Peter Neidig, a 
 merchant of the same place; and \Y. L . a prac- 
 ticing physician of Shamokin. 
 
 George and Eva (Dunkelburger) Hensyl, the 
 paternal grandparents of our subject, spent their 
 entire lives upon a farm in Northumberland 
 county, Penn, but the great-grandfather was a 
 native of Germany, whence he came to America 
 when he was twelve years of age. Abraham 
 and Mary (Hunter) Rothermel, the maternal 
 grandparents, made their home in Reading, this 
 State. 
 
 Our subject remained under the parental 
 roof until seventeen years oi age, when he went 
 to Philadelphia, and began clerking in the coal 
 office of his uncle, Samuel H. Rothermel, where 
 he remained for several months. Returning 
 home, he worked for his father during the sum- 
 mer in a sawmill, while through the winter sea- 
 son he attended school until twent) \< ars ol age, 
 thus acquiring a good literary education. He 
 then In in 1 ading medicine with Dr. S. S. 
 
 Smith, but on tl utbreak ol the Civil war l?id 
 
 aside Ins books and enlisted in Company 1>, 52nd 
 1'. V I., under ('apt. James Chamberlain. For 
 ovei threi years he valiantl) fought for the pr< 
 vation of the Union; he helped to storm all the 
 forts m South Carolina; at Morris Island he was 
 detailed as shipping clerk, and bj special 01 
 wa^ sent to Jacksonville, Fla., where hi 
 in that capacit) tor three months. Bj order of 
 Gen Foster, he then returned to Morn, Island, 
 and was iii the Ordnance Department until dis- 
 ■ hai ;ed in 1864 He was a brave and \ aliant 
 soldi iys Found at hi-, post of duty. Re- 
 
 turning home, our subject again resumed the 
 
 ly of medicine with Dr. C. P. Herington, of 
 Ashland, Schuylkill Co., Penn., with whom he 
 remained for two and one-half years, and in 1866 
 and 1 So- attended lectures at the Jefferson Medi- 
 cal College. On receiving his diploma Dr. Hen- 
 syl located at Howard, where he soon built up a 
 large and flourishing practice, which his skill and 
 ability justlv merits. 
 
 Dr. L. R. Hensyl married Miss Sarah I 
 Heim, who was born in Lebanon, Penn., Octo- 
 ber 15, 1849, a daughter of Rev. William and 
 Lydia (Hepler) Heim, the former a native of 
 Northumberland county, and the latter of Schuyl- 
 kill county. Penn. Rev. Heim was bom in 
 Upper Mahanoy township, a son of John and 
 Sophia (Kohl) Heim, and his paternal grand- 
 father was one of the pioneers of that locality 
 He bore the name of George Heim, and in the 
 early records of Northumberland county, we find 
 him paying taxes in 1778. He often traded with 
 the Indians, and was never molested by the Red 
 men but once, which was a short time before tin- 
 French and Indian war and the Wyoming n 
 sacre. He had sent his family and drove of cat- 
 tle to Reading, and while all alone the Indian- 
 knocked at his door and were admitted. After 
 giving them milk and such food as the early set 
 tiers had at that time, a young Indian beg 
 flourishing a tomahawk around him, showing 
 what he intended to do, but Mr. Heim arose and 
 with his closed fist knocked him out ofthehon 
 Alter thus disposing of the leader, the rest be- 
 came his friends, telling him that he had doni 
 right. 
 
 John Heim, the grandfather of Mrs. Hensyl 
 and a farmer and school teacher by occupation, 
 died in 1S24. He was twice married, by tin 
 first union having one son and seven daught- 
 while by the second there were six sons and two 
 daughters. Sophia (Kohl), his second wife, In 
 to the advanced age of eighty-eight years. Hei 
 children were as follows: John, of Richfield 
 Juniata Co., Penn.; George, of Upper Mahanov 
 township. Northumberland countv; Diana, w 
 of John Straub, of Lykenstown, Penn.; Mollie, 
 wife of Peter Beisel, of Upper Mahanoy; Pel 
 ol Watsontown, Northumberland county; Will- 
 iam, the father ol Mrs Hensyl; Daniel, of N 
 thumberland county; and Jonathan, a residenl 
 Illinois 
 
 Rev. William Heim remained upon the hi 
 farm until twenty years of age when he entered 
 tin- ministry ol the Evangelical Association, a 
 ever afterward devoted his time to the preach 
 of tl 1 I, His death occurred at Mill' 
 
 burg, I >auphin county. He « as the father of 1 
 children: Frederick, Catherine, Charles and 
 
CUM ME MORA TIYE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 165 
 
 Sophia, all of whom died in infancy; and Sarah 
 E., wife of our subject. Her maternal grand- 
 parents were John and Catherine (Maurer) Hep- 
 ler, natives of Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania. 
 
 Five children grace the union of Dr. Hensyl 
 and his excellent wife, namely: (i) Blanche 
 E., who acquired her education in the Union 
 Seminary of New Berlin, Penn., is now the wife 
 of William Weber, a merchant of Howard. (2) 
 L. Louise is a most accomplished young lady, 
 and an artist of considerable merit, several of her 
 elegant paintings adorning the walls of their home; 
 for a time she attended the Central Pennsylvania 
 College, and was also a student in Miss Wilson's 
 Female Seminary, at Williamsport, and of Buck- 
 nell Institute, Lewisburg, Penn. (3) Annie I., 
 also at home, is a fine musician (4) William 
 C. and (5) George S. are still under the parental 
 roof. Fraternally, Dr. Hensyl holds member- 
 ship in the f. O. O. F., and the G. A. R. and 
 Veteran Legion, belonging to the local orders at 
 Howard. His political support is ever given the 
 Republican party. A talented, cultured gentle- 
 man, he holds an honorable position among his 
 professional brethren, and in social circles also 
 stands high. 
 
 J [AMES A. LUKENS, a retired contractor and 
 builder, of Philipsburg, is well worthy of rep- 
 resentation in any history of Centre county, 
 for his life record has long been interwoven with 
 its history and he has done much for the ad- 
 vancement and general progress of the commun- 
 ity in which he resides. 
 
 Mr. Lukens was born in Mifflin county, Penn. , 
 j October 31, 1829, and comes of a family that 
 i has long been prominently connected with the 
 interests of the State. His great-great-grand- 
 1 father, Gabriel Lukens, came to America from 
 j Germany, one of two brothers' sons, Charles and 
 John, both surveyors appointed by the governor 
 under Ring George. The former did much of 
 the early surveying in Centre county; John was 
 killed by the Indians near Standing Stone, Hunt- 
 ingdon Co., Pennsylvania. 
 
 David Lukens, the father of our subject, was 
 a native of Pennsylvania, a son of Abraham and 
 
 '. (Brown) Lukens, of Juniata county, Penn., 
 
 1 where the father engaged in farming and lum- 
 bering. He was twice married, his second wife 
 being, in her maidenhood, Maggie Sanderson. 
 David Lukens wedded Elizabeth Sunderland, a 
 daughter of David and (Hamilton) Sunder- 
 land, of Mifflin county, Penn., who were of 
 Scotch descent. Four children graced their 
 union: James A., of this sketch; William B., 
 
 who died in Mifflin county, in 1889; Sarah A., 
 wife of E. B. Jones, a railroad official living in 
 Selins Grove, Snyder Co., Penn., and David, a 
 wealthy miller of Atchison, Kans. The parents 
 both died upon the old home farm in Wayne 
 township, Mifflin county, the father on January 
 28, 1834. aged thirty-two years, and the mother 
 on January 8, 1834, aged twenty-six. They were 
 consistent members of the Presbyterian Church, 
 and were widely and favorably known. 
 
 Left an orphan at an early age, James A. 
 Lukens made his home with his paternal grand- 
 father until ten years old, when he began work- 
 ing upon the farm of William A. Moore, with 
 whom he remained for two years, and has since 
 been dependent upon his own resources. For 
 the following seven years he was with William 
 Ward, working upon his farm until Mr. Ward's 
 death, and then served an apprenticeship to the 
 carpenter's trade. His literary education had of 
 necessity been very limited, but in the winter of 
 1847-48 he attended school, so that he might 
 better be prepared for active business life. In 
 1850 he fulfilled his first contract, preparing the 
 timber for the first six bridges erected between 
 Tyrone and Spruce creek on the Pennslyvania 
 railroad. 
 
 On November 20, of the same year, Mr. 
 Lukens came to Philipsburg, and for the first' 
 two years worked in a fanning-mill factory, and 
 also engaged in peddling for same in summers to 
 some extent. For some time he was employed 
 in the lumber woods during the winter season, 
 while through the summer months he worked at 
 his trade of carpentering. In 1864 he began 
 contracting and building on his own account, and 
 he successfully followed the same until 1894, 
 when he turned over the business to his son, and 
 has since lived retired. He erected most of the 
 fine residences in Philipsburg, on an average com- 
 pleting sixteen buildings a year, and his business 
 amounting to from $ 1 0,000 to $ 1 2 ,000. He was 
 numbered among the most reliable and enterpris- 
 ing business men of the city, promptly and faith- 
 fully fulfilling his part of every contract. He is 
 now, however, enjoying a well-earned rest, and 
 can look back over a long and well-spent life. 
 
 On November 6, 1851, Mr. Lukens was mar- 
 ried to Miss Nancy Maguigan, and they became 
 the parents of eight children: Cynthia E., wife 
 of A. C. Shaff, a lumberman and farmer of Ma- 
 dera, Clearfield Co., Penn.; William A., fore- 
 man of a planing-mill in Allegheny, Penn.; Clara 
 B. , a teacher in the public schools, who is resid- 
 ing at home; Blanche A., who died at the age of 
 twenty-three years; Jesse W. , a carpenter and 
 builder of Philipsburg, who married Agnes Cou- 
 
 
166 
 
 COMSfEMORATIVK BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 perwait; Bertha, wife of W. C. Smith, steel in- 
 spector and shipper for the Johnstown Iron Co., 
 of Johnstown, Penn. ; Emma, wife of G. C. Ro- 
 land, a teacher and carpenter of Wall Station, 
 Penn.; and Lucy Olga, who died in infancy. 
 
 Mrs. Lukens was also a native of Mifflin 
 county, born in 1830, and is a daughter of John 
 and Nancy (Cross) Maguigan. Her father was 
 born in Ireland, whence when four years of age he 
 was brought to America, and was reared in Lan- 
 caster, county, Penn., where his wife was born. 
 Throughout life he followed farming. His death 
 occurred in Mifflin county, after which his wife 
 with her family removed to La Salle county. 111., 
 in 1851, where she spent her remaining days. 
 Their children were as follows: John, a veteran 
 of the Mexican war, now residing in Oregon; 
 Jonathan, who died at New Orleans while return- 
 ing from the same war; Martha, deceased wife of 
 John T. Errinfelt, a farmer of Armstrong county, 
 Penn.; Nancy, wife of our subject; Mary A., de- 
 ceased wife of Isaac Signor, who died in Cali- 
 fornia; and Sarah, wife of Jesse Vanamie, a 
 farmer of Wisconsin, who died in December, 
 
 1897. 
 
 A man of firm convictions, Mr. Lukens is 
 fearless in the defense of what he believes to be 
 right. None question his integrity or honorable 
 business, and his record as a business man and 
 as a private citizen alike commands respect and 
 admiration. 
 
 JOHN THOMAS FOW I. KK needs no special 
 introduction to the readers of this volume. 
 He is a worthy representative of the lumber in- 
 terests of this section of Pennsylvania, and be- 
 longs to that class of enterprising citizens who 
 are the glory ol the American Republic, for their 
 well-spent lives, their energetic efforts and re- 
 liable business methods bring to them the pros- 
 perity which should ever reward honest toil. He 
 is now residing at Hannah Furnace, and is ex- 
 tensively engaged in the lumber business, owning 
 about 2, 500 acres of timber land in Centre and 
 Blair counties. He was bum in Hartford 
 county, Md. , October 8, 1839, but much ol his 
 life has been passed in Pennsylvania. 
 
 David P. Fowler, father of our subject, was 
 a native ol 1'ike county, Penn., where his par- 
 ents were also born, the father of German, and 
 the mother ol Swedish, origin. By trade he was 
 a blacksmith, and while sluicing a mule was se- 
 verely kicked, from the effects "I which he died 
 in August, 1849, in Maryland, about five miles 
 from Baltimore. In 1833, in Northampton 
 county, Penn., he had married Mrs. Elizabeth 
 Kirkendall (formerly Miss Elizabeth Stockham . 
 
 the ceremony being performed by Joseph Ink, 
 justice of the peace. To them were born seven 
 children, namely: (i) Harriet M. married Joseph 
 Williams, in Philadelphia, and after his death 
 wedded George Jones, but is again a widow; she 
 is now residing in Philadelphia, the mother of 
 seven children. (2) Emily M. is the wife of 
 Ada.m Grissom, a politician, of Philadelphia, 
 Penn. (3) John T.» of this review, is next in 
 order of birth. 14) Charles D. and his twin 
 brother, who died in infancy, are {he next of the 
 family; the former became a member of the 
 2nd Pennsylvania Cavalry during the Civil 
 war, and died of brain fever. (6) William T. is 
 a machinist and sawyer, of Centre county, who 
 also served his country during the whole war; in 
 the 2nd Pennsylvania Cavalry. 17) Mary Anna 
 died unmarried. 
 
 The mother of our subject was born in Penn's 
 Manor, Bucks Co., Penn., October 5, 1803, and 
 died at the age of eighty-six years. She was a 
 daughter of John and Alice (Smith) Stockham. 
 John Stockham. our subject's grandfather, was 
 born in Bucks county, Penn., and our subject's 
 great-grandfather, also named John Stockham, 
 came from Bristol, England, and his two brothers, 
 George and Thomas, came to America soon after 
 and joined him. They all settled in Bucks county. 
 Penn. Our subject's grandfather (John Stock- 
 ham) and his granduncle married sisters John 
 wedding Alice Smith and Thomas wedding Eliza- 
 beth Smith. Thus it will be seen that our sub- 
 ject's great-grandfather and great-granduncles 
 were named John, Thomas and George, respect- 
 ively, as wen also his grandfather and grand- 
 uncles. They were all Quakers or Friends. The 
 Smiths came into this country with William 
 Penn, as did also the Marshalls. Our subji 
 
 it-grandfather and his brothers followed the 
 building of dykes or ditches — reclaiming land. 
 All that country north of Philadelphia, along the 
 Neshamoney creek, they reclaimed from swamps. 
 From them are descended all of the Stockhams 
 111 America. The grandfather became a 1. 
 land owner in Maryland, where hi- engaged in 
 iiu ■ ;ig. milling and farming, and tl 
 
 died. 
 
 B) her first husband, Aaron Kirkendall, Mis. 
 Elizabeth Fowler had the following children: 
 (i Isaac was Inst from the family for about 
 thirty-six years, but was found in Ohio by our 
 subject, who brought him back to his moth 
 home, where he died three years later. 
 Alice is the deceased wife ol [ohn Peterson, now 
 of Baltimore county. Md. (3) Amos is also a 
 tanner of that counts | l) Rebecca, (5) Hulda 
 and (6) Mary S . all died unmarried. 7) Georg* 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 167 
 
 was killed by jumping over a fence, a picket 
 passing through his stomach. Mrs. Elizabeth 
 Fowler's third husband was Charles Buckley, an 
 English miner, who died in California during the 
 great "gold fever." He was killed by a cave-in 
 of dirt and rock. By this marriage she had no 
 children. It is a remarkable coincidence that all 
 three of her husbands met with accidental deaths, 
 Aaron Kirkendall (her first husband) having been 
 killed by his wagon, laden with grain, passing over 
 and crushing in his breast, he having fallen in 
 front of the wheels, from the effect of which he 
 died shortly after. Her people (Smiths and 
 Marshalls, of Bristol, England) originally came to 
 this country with William Penn, and during the 
 first winter they spent in America they lived in 
 " dug-outs ", in the sand hills on the bank of the 
 river Delaware, where Burlington, N. J., now 
 stands. Just across the river in Pennsyl- 
 vania they named and started the large 
 town of Bristol, in Bucks county, Penn. It 
 was our subject's ancestor "Marshall" who 
 traveled with the Indians and laid off the land 
 that Penn was to get by trade. He afterward 
 was the delegate of Penn to settle the disputed 
 line, with Lord Baltimore of the Colony of Mary- 
 land. 
 
 John T. Fowler, the subject proper of this re- 
 view, was only eight years of age when his father 
 died, and soon after his mother's third marriage 
 he left home, as he disliked his step-father, walk- 
 ing eleven miles to an ore mine, where he secured 
 work at driving two teams. Six months later 
 he was taken home by his parents, but soon after- 
 ward again returned to the mine, giving up his 
 wages to his mother. Latershe secured homes 
 for her six children, after first trying to get them 
 work in the mines at Pottsville, Penn. Their 
 step-father had gone to California, and our sub- 
 ject went to live with a farmer in Bucks county, 
 where he remained fifteen months, and then went 
 to Burlington, N. J., with the intention of going 
 to school through the assistance of his uncle, 
 John Stockham, a lumberman of Philadelphia. 
 On his arrival, however, he was placed in a family 
 who misused him, making him work and not al- 
 lowing him to attend school, although his board 
 was paid by his uncle. A year later, after the 
 marriage of Mr. Stockham, he joined him and at 
 once entered school, attending the Morris Gram- 
 mar School, at Philadelphia, later graduated, 
 and then went to the Philadelphia High School, 
 and there took up both French and German. It 
 was his ambition to secure a good education, and 
 he made the most of his opportunities. 
 
 For one year after laying aside his text books, 
 Mr. Fowler served an apprenticeship to the car- 
 
 penter's trade, and was then persuaded to return 
 to his uncle, for whom he worked in a sawmill 
 for three years at one dollar per week and board. 
 For the following two years he was employed 
 in a sawmill at one dollar per day, and from 
 the money thus received he paid the carpenter, 
 with whom he began learning that trade, for the 
 clothes given him while in his employ. Subse- 
 quently he was connected with another sawmill, 
 manufacturing bridge and ship timber, and there 
 remained eleven years, receiving $900 per year. 
 With the money thus accumulated, Mr. Fowler 
 purchased a sawmill in Chester, Delaware Co., 
 Penn., which he sold out to advantage after 
 operating the same for two years. Going to 
 Clearfield county, he afterward located in Bald 
 Eagle Valley, at Fowler, a place named in his 
 honor, and erected two sawmills which he suc- 
 cessfully conducted some fifteen years. On Marsh 
 creek, in Centre county, he next purchased a 
 tract of timber land from the Curtins, and erected 
 two sawmills, but four years later he sold out 
 and returned to Fowler where he built two 
 mills, which he operated for three years. There 
 in 1877, he erected an elegant home, one of 
 the handsomest in the county, and began farm- 
 ing operations which he continued until 1893, 
 when he removed to Dix, Blair Co., Penn. At 
 one time he was one of the largest property 
 owners in Centre county, meeting with success 
 in his ventures until 1880; but through mis- 
 placed confidence in supposed friends he has lost 
 heavily, now having on his hands $40,000 worth 
 of notes which have no value. 
 
 Oh May 26, 1857, Mr. Fowler was married to 
 Miss Harriet Matilda Atkinson, who was born in 
 Cecil county, Md., October 3, 1833, and was 
 closely related to the noted Cameron family of 
 Scotland. She departed this life October 23, 
 1889, and was laid to rest in the Tyrone ceme- 
 tery. Her last words to her husband were, 
 "Darling;, I have shared your joys and sorrows 
 to the end." Her death was widely and deeply 
 mourned, as by hej gentle ways and genial man- 
 ner she made hosts of warm personal friends, 
 and won the regard of all with whom she came 
 in contact. For his second wife, Mr. Fowler 
 wedded Miss Elizabeth J. Beck, and by her he 
 has two children: Harriet M. A., born in Fowler, 
 Centre county, September 29, 1891; and Mary 
 E., born September 3, 1893. He also has an 
 adopted son, James D. Dobson, born December 
 3, 1883. 
 
 Mrs. Fowler is a native of Huntingdon 
 county, Penn., a daughter of Reuben and Mary 
 (Holland) Beck, natives of Huntingdon and 
 Cambria counties, Penn., respectively. The 
 
U98 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 
 father died December 23, 1892, upon the old 
 homestead farm where he was born. He was .1 
 ol John and Elizabeth (Grazier Beck, the 
 former a native of Maryland, the latter of Hunt- 
 ingdon county, Penn. John Beck's father was 
 
 ■ "i the earliest settlers in Warrior's Mark 
 
 Valley, Penn. Mrs. Fowler's mother, who is 
 still living on the «>ld homestead in Huntingdon 
 
 inty, was born in 1834, and is a daughter of 
 Thomas and Bellcina (Wilson) Holland, natives 
 of Cambria county, P nn. Mrs Fowler is one 
 of a family <>f nine children, namely: Cerinus 
 M., deceased; Blooming M., a railroad empl< 
 living at Altoona, Penn.; Catherine ('., at home; 
 Emma F., wife of I. awn nee Howe, a carpenter 
 of Blair county, Penn , Elizabeth, wife of our 
 subject; Simon E. and Lillian M., deceased; 
 and John \\ . and David H., with their mother. 
 Tli ors ol Mrs. Fowler her mother's 
 
 i, the Hollens, came to this country from 
 London, England, during the reign of George 
 111. and settled on a large • ir Reading, 
 
 Penn Her great-great-grandfather died on the 
 
 iii neai Reading, alter which the family, 
 consisting of three brothers and their aged 
 mother, leaving the eldest daughter on the 
 
 tte, migrated to Mill Hall, Centre Co., Penn., 
 being among the earliest settlers in that county. 
 These three brothers Hollen were millwrights 
 by trade, and the place (Mill Hall, takes its 
 name from them. 
 
 While living at Dix, Blair county, Mr. Fow- 
 ler met with a severe loss July 3, 1895, most ol 
 his line library being d iStroye 1 by fire. It was 
 vei\ large and contained many valuable bonks 
 which he can never replace, including a complete 
 set of •■ H.ii |'ii. Magazine" and "Weekly," 
 bound, since the war. He succeeded in saving 
 \ numbers. He is a life member '>l the Ma- 
 sonic Order, belonging t<> Lodge No. 494, F. & 
 \ M , ol ["yrone, Penn., and was a member "I 
 the Union League of Camden. N J. He hi 
 membership in the Presbyterian 1 hurch ol l\- 
 rone," to which he liberally contributed when 
 erecting its house of worship. His political 
 port is always given the Republican party, and 
 for many years he served as auditor and tax col- 
 lect a in lu> township. ["he that he has 
 achieved in life is the merited reward ol lus own 
 labors. He has earned the proud title of a self- 
 made man. and his life is an exemplification "I 
 what can be accomplished through determined 
 effort a,nd diligent e when guided by sound judg- 
 ment and characterized by thorough reliability. 
 His life has bi en manly, Ins actions sincere, his 
 manner unaffected, and his example is well wor- 
 thy of emulation. 
 
 AMES (".MAIN WEAVER, one of Belle- 
 
 fonte's progressive and "up-to-date" business 
 
 men, is a leading worker in the important held 
 of insurance, wherein his characteristic tact and 
 practical sagacity find ample scope (or use. 
 
 His father, David Weaver, was born January 
 27, [ 8 1 1 , and lived most ol his lifetime on the 
 Weaver Homestead, about three and one-half 
 miles east of Bellefonte, where he followed most 
 successfully his chosen occupation, that of a til- 
 ler of the soil, up to the year 1873, when he 
 removed with his family to Bellefonte, where he 
 lived up to his death, which occurred on the 22(\ 
 of March. [879. He was always regarded as 
 
 of the most influential men of the commu- 
 nity in which he lived, and was always ready to 
 take the initiative in every movement that tended 
 to elevate and improve society. He never as- 
 pired to public life, but he was almost continu- 
 ally kept at the head of township affairs, 
 either filling the office of school director, or that 
 of road supervisor; and was for many years the 
 active superintendent of the Sunday-school work 
 in the community. 
 
 His mother, Susannah (Bridge Weaver, was 
 bum July 1 5, i 823, near Farmers Mills, in Penn's 
 Yalle\, and survived her husband nearly thir- 
 teen years, her death occurring on the 7th of 
 December, 1891, In their immediate family 
 there are five children, the subject of our sketch 
 ng the eldest; the second, Henry C, resides 
 in Harrisburg, Penn.; the third. Miss Ida M . 
 the fourth. Miss Belle E.; and the fifth, Miss 
 Carrie A. — the three latter living in Bellefoi: 
 
 J. <". Weaver was born Jul) 7, 1S51. He 
 remained at home until he was twenty-one years 
 of age, his early educational advantages bein^ 
 those "I the district school, but these were sup- 
 plemented by a course of study in the Bellefonte 
 Academy, and two terms at the County Normal 
 School at Centre Hall. He then engaged in teach- 
 ing, his work being confined to district schools, 
 and he continued in this work for about seven 
 
 rs, during which time he secured the highest 
 credentials possible in that profession, that of a 
 Permanent Certificate from the State Depart- 
 ment at Harrisburg. Early in tin- fall ol 1878 
 he began the stud) of law with Stitzer & Magee, 
 but not finding this congenial to his tastes, he 
 laid it aside, and entered the business of Life In- 
 
 nce, which he followed very successfull) up 
 to November, 1887, when he undertook a gen- 
 eral-insurance business, in which he has engaged 
 ever since, although having added to it the Real- 
 Estate and Loan Agency business. 
 
 Mr. Weaver was united 111 matrimony to M iS 
 Laura G. Barnhart, a daughter of Philip W, 
 
■G.liA,. 
 
 ■^xt^t/vy 
 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 169 
 
 Barnhart, of Roland, Centre Co., Penn. They 
 have the following children: Elsie, Maude, Harry 
 ('., Philip B., Fred D. and Robert. 
 
 Both Mr. and Mrs. Weaver are actively in- 
 terested in religious and philanthropical move- 
 ments, and, inheriting many of the sterling quali- 
 ties of their honored ancestry, they are held in 
 the highest esteem, this being notably so in the 
 Church to which they belong, which is evidenced 
 by the fact that Mr. Weaver enjoys the honor of 
 being one of the ruling elders of the large and 
 influential Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, to 
 which office he was elected in the year 1887. 
 
 PijETER KEICHLINE, whose death occurred 
 at his home in Pine Grove Mills, Centre 
 county, on June 20, 1895, belonged to one of the 
 early German families to settle in Pennsylvania, 
 and a family that was conspicuous in the Revo- 
 lutionary war. 
 
 The Keichlines in America descended from 
 John Peter Keichline, who emigrated from Heidel- 
 berg, Germany, as early as 1742, and settled in 
 Bedminster township, then Bucks county, Penn. 
 He had three sons — Peter, Andrew and Charles 
 — all of whom entered the Colonial army during 
 the dark days of the Revolution. Peter lived at 
 Easton as early as 1749, and was one of the four 
 representatives of the county of Northampton at 
 a meeting of Provincial deputies held at Phila- 
 delphia on July 15, 1774, to take measures for 
 public safety, and when the Revolutionary war 
 began raised a company of riflemen in North- 
 ampton and Bucks counties for Col. Miles' regi- 
 ment, was in command at the battle of Long 
 Island in 1776, and was taken prisoner. Lord 
 Stirling wrote to Gen. Washington that the Eng- 
 lish Gen. Grant was killed by Keichline's rifle- 
 men. He was a patriot and warrior. Andrew 
 Keichline was promoted to major on the battle- 
 field of Monmouth, N. J. Charles, who entered 
 the army later than his brother, took the oath of 
 allegiance in June, 1788. Jacob Keichline, son 
 of Andrew, was the landlord of what was known 
 as "Keichline's Tavern" for thirty-six years. 
 This tavern, which stood at the intersection of 
 the Dunham and Easton roads, has been a noted 
 tavern for 125 years past. The Centre building 
 was erected about 1759. Col. George Pifer was 
 the landlord from 1778 till his death in 1823, 
 when he was succeeded by Jacob Keichline. 
 This hotel sheltered many of the most distin- 
 guished men of the country — Gen. Anthony 
 Wayne, Benjamin Franklin, Gov. Mifflin, Tim- 
 othy Pickering, Robert Morris, Benjamin Rush, 
 Judge Tilghman Bish, Stephen Girard, Joseph 
 
 Bonaparte (ex-Emperor or King of Spain), and 
 many others. 
 
 Peter Keichline (1), the grandfather of our 
 subject, built the first flouring-mill on Bashkill 
 creek in Northampton county. He had a son 
 Peter (2), and he a son Peter (3), of whom we 
 especially write. 
 
 Peter Keichline (3) was born in Forks town- 
 ship, Northampton county, Penn., on September 
 11, 1814. He left home in boyhood and walked 
 from Easton to Aaronsburg, Centre county, and 
 there served an apprenticeship of three years at 
 the blacksmith's trade. From Aaronsburg he 
 moved to Pine Grove, and from Pine Grove to 
 Rock Springs, where he engaged in farming, and 
 where he reared his family of seven children. He 
 had married, on August 15, 1838, Sarah Long, 
 then of Aaronsburg, but who was a native of 
 Buffalo Valley in Union county, Penn., a daugh- 
 ter of Peter and Sarah Long, who lived and died 
 there. The children referred to were: Mary, 
 Margaret, George, Sarah, John M., Susan and 
 Peter. Later, Mr. Keichline moved back to 
 Pine Grove Mills, where, with the assistance of 
 other members of the Reformed Church, he built 
 a neat Church. He was a highly-esteemed citi- 
 zen. In 1877 he wrote a letter to a friend in 
 which heistated he had been a resident of Centre 
 county forty- five years, first locating at Aarons- 
 burg; that his ancestors were all Democrats and 
 believers in the Lutheran and Reformed Church. 
 
 John M. Keichline, whose life thus far has 
 been passed in Centre county, his birth occurring 
 at Boalsburg October 12, 1846, received his edu- 
 cation in part at the schools of the locality in 
 which his father lived, attending for a time the 
 Normal School at Rebersburg, and then the Boals- 
 burg Academy. Later he was engaged in teach- 
 ing school, and then read law in the office of 
 Bush & Yocum at Bellefonte. He was admitted 
 to the Bar in 1876, and located in the practice 
 at Bellefonte, where he has since followed his 
 profession with that success his industry, studious 
 habits and ability merited. For some fifteen 
 years he most acceptably filled the office of tax 
 collector for Bellefonte, and for three terms — the 
 years i884-'85-'86 — served as overseer of the 
 poor. He has been a most trusted and careful 
 public servant. In 18S9 the press, in referring 
 to his candidacy and official relations, remarked: 
 "At the request of the citizens of the town, irre- 
 spective of party, Mr. John M. Keichline has con- 
 sented to be a candidate for re-election to the 
 position he has so acceptably filled for the past 
 twelve years. No community has ever been fa- 
 vored with a more gentlemanly, careful and suc- 
 cessful collector of taxes than Mr. Keichline has 
 
170 
 
 ( OMMKMiiUATIVB BIOG IlM'll lC\i. RECORD. 
 
 proven himself to be, and our citizens without re- 
 gard to political belief, religious pinion, color, 
 class, creed or condition will be glad to have an 
 opportunity of continuing him in the position he 
 now holds. It is to the interest of the town, to 
 the interest ■>! ev< ry t i\ payer that they do so." 
 
 On i ith of October, 1876, Mr. Keichline was 
 married to Miss S. L. Wagner, of Central City, 
 Boggs township, who was then 22 years of 
 a daughter of John Wagner and Susan (Hahn), 
 and their sun John M. is a graduate of the Belle- 
 fonte High School; he was two years at the Penn- 
 sylvania State College, where In- was initiated 
 into the Sigma Chi Fraternity, and is now read- 
 ing law in the office with his father; the daughter, 
 Daisey, is attending the Bellefonte High School; 
 the son Edward and other daughter, Annie, are 
 going to school. 
 
 In politics our subject is a Democrat. He is 
 a member of Centre Lodge No. 153, I. O. O. F., 
 a member of the Encampment No. 72. I. O. O. 
 F., of Bellefonte, Penn., a member of K. G. E. , 
 Bellefonte Castle No. 357. 
 
 JOHN D. McGIRK, M. D., of Philipsburg, 
 Centre county, is an able and successful 
 physician whose main years of unremitting ap- 
 plication to his professional work have given him 
 a place in the front rank among the practitioners of 
 his section. He is a native of Philipsburg, born 
 October 21, 1834, and the family name is .1 
 ciated with some of the important events of pio- 
 neer times in that locality. 
 
 Steven McGirk (his paternal grandfather), a 
 native of County Tyrone, Ireland, was a Roman 
 Catholic iii faith, ami during the troubles be- 
 tween the Protestants ami the Romanists he was 
 forced to leave his home to avoid persecution, 
 Foi some time he remained in hiding, hut find- 
 ing an opportunity t" make his escap ■ to Amer- 
 ica he crossed the ocean with his family ami 
 made his home in Shippensburg, Penn., where 
 he spent many years as a sua essful stock de 
 lie died September 30, [804, His wife, horn 
 July, 1757. died December 18, 1831, at Philips- 
 burg. They had five children: n Isabel mar- 
 ried James Test, a t 1 1. n-t at Philipsburg, win u 
 In ih died; theii 1 hildren •■ teven, Char- 
 
 lotte, Margaret, fames, | \nnie and Israel. 
 
 (2) Nancy married Majoi Davis, ol the United 
 Si ites army, who served on Gen |ackson's staff 
 during the wai of 1812; later he was sent to 
 Fort Hawkins, Ala., and his wife died there. 
 I \) fane (deceased | never inairied. I .) i Jam 
 
 mentioned more fully below. (sfKaehel mar- 
 ried |ohn B Meek, and both died at their home 
 
 in Fine Grove, Centre county; they had the fol- 
 lowing children — Wesley, Marvin, Fletcher. 
 rlattie, Lottie, and Franklin. 
 
 fames M -<,irk. our subject's father, was born 
 in Ireland, and when a child accompanied his 
 parents to the New World. Previous to his 
 marriage he spent some time in the South with 
 his brother-in-law. Major Davis, but in early 
 manhood hi: settled in Philipsburg where he en- 
 gaged in business as a farmer, miller and hotel 
 keeper He was a man of unusual mental abil- 
 ity, and having read medicine to some extent, he 
 was often called upon to use his skill and knowl- 
 edge for the relief of suffering humanity. He 
 never attended medical college, and did not at- 
 tempt to build up a regular practice; but being 
 many times the only physician at hand, he ac- 
 cepted the responsibility, often taking long 
 journeys at the call of some afflicted family. 
 These timely services endeared his name to the 
 pioneers throughout that region. He was mar- 
 ried in Fhilipshurg to Miss Eleanor Ashman, 
 daughter of Col. Ashman, of Huntingdon county, 
 Penn., an officer in the Revolutionary army. Of 
 their two children, our subject was the younger. 
 Henrietta (the elder) was horn at Philipsburg, 
 April 15. (831, and after pursuing the course of 
 study offered in the local schools was sent to 
 Chambersburg, Penn., to complete her educa- 
 tion She was married November 19, 1846, to 
 Hon. C. R. Foster, M D., who was born in 
 Cape May count)', X. J., June SO, 1S22. He 
 studied medicine in fefferson College, Philadel- 
 phia, and after his graduation in the spring of 
 1844 located at Philipsburg, where he acquired a 
 larjM- practice, extending over a wide range of 
 country. He became interested in the lumber 
 business also, but ten years prior to his death' in 
 [867 he retired from activi tnd pro- 
 
 fessional cares. He was prominent in public 
 affairs, a membei of the M. F. Church, and a 
 leader in the D itic organization, serving 
 
 two terms in the State Legislature. Dr. and 
 Mi I ister had one daughter, Helen Lou 
 who married George A. Ziegler, of Huntingdon 
 county, and died leaving two children. Helen 
 Henrietta, who reside with their widowed 
 
 ndinotliei 111 I ant and hospitable home. 
 
 Dr. McGirk laid the basis of his edu :ation in 
 the schools of his native town ami in th 
 emy at Williamsport, Penn. , but for the most part 
 Ins education has been gained by private stu 
 Mi dical science early attracted his attention, and 
 he prut ii ed with marked success for somi \ 
 before entering medical college; but in the spring 
 of 1871 I iln- regular professional 
 
 course at the University of Pennsylvania, oh- 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 171 
 
 taining the degree of M. D. Returning to his 
 old home he resumed his work with renewed 
 zeal, and has since remained in active practice. 
 
 On November 20, 1856, he was married to 
 Miss Mary F. Hand, a native of Cape May coun- 
 ty, N. J., born May 11, 1837. They have had 
 three children: Loretta, who died at the age of 
 seven years; Annie, at home; and Charles E., 
 born September 17, 1869, now in practice with 
 his father; his literary education was secured at 
 Dickinson College, Carlisle, Penn., and then, en- 
 tering the University of Pennsylvania, he pur- 
 sued the medical course, graduating in 1895. 
 Studious, progressive, and endowed with fine na- 
 tive abilities, he is a young man of whom the 
 community expects much. Dr. McGirk and 
 family are members of the M. E. Church. So- 
 cially he is affiliated with the F. & A. M., in 
 which fraternity he in his younger days took an 
 active interest. In politics he invariably votes 
 the Democratic ticket. Besides his elegant and 
 comfortable residence, the Doctor owns a fine 
 block in Philipsburg; for several years he kept a 
 popular drug store in the city. 
 
 Mrs. McGirk is a descendant of a well-known 
 family of English origin. The first ancestor of 
 whom we have any record was John Hand, who 
 was born in 161 1, at Stanstead, near Maidstone, 
 in the County of Kent, England. Coming to 
 America, he settled first in Massachusetts in the 
 vicinity of Lynn. In 1634 he moved to Con- 
 necticut, to South Hampton in 1644, and to 
 East Hampton in 1648, his death occurring at 
 the last named place in [660. He married Miss 
 Stamborough, and had seven sons and one 
 daughter. Shamgar Hand, the first son, mar- 
 ried, and had five sons and two daughters. Zel- 
 ophephad Hand, the next in line of descent, mar- 
 ried, and had four sons and three daughters. 
 Nathaniel, the first son married, had three sons 
 and three daughters, his eldest son, Jeremiah, 
 being Mrs. McGirk's grandfather. He was born 
 in 1763 and died in 181 5. He married Deborah 
 Hand, his cousin, and had four sons and one 
 daughter, as follows: Joseph, Jeremiah, Jesse, 
 Aaron and Deborah. Aaron Hand, Mrs. Mc- 
 Girk's father, was born May 30, 1786, and died 
 May 31, 1852. He and his wife, Eliza (Foster), 
 had four children: Aaron S., Elizabeth, Deb- 
 orah and Mary (Mrs. McGirk). 
 
 *> S. FRANK, M. D., of Millheim, one of the 
 !f leading physicians of Penn's Valley, has 
 gained by force of merit an enviable rank in his 
 profession, and this success is more notable when 
 one considers the high average of ability and at- 
 
 tainment which is found in the fraternity in this 
 section. In giving an account of the life of Dr. 
 Frank it will be well to review the history of the 
 family, and see the sturdy, progressive stock from 
 which he has descended. 
 
 Christopher Frank, his great-great-grand- 
 father, came from Germany to America at an 
 early period. Philip Frank, the great-grand- 
 father, was for some time a resident of Hagers- 
 town, Md., but in 1795 came to Centre county, 
 and located near Aaronsburg, upon a farm now 
 owned by Jacob Reed, the first farm to the north 
 of the pike on the west side of the town. He 
 was in comfortable circumstances, and being a 
 man of intellect and enterprise was highly re- 
 spected by all. In political faith he was a Dem- 
 ocrat. His wife* Catherine Harper, was a sister 
 of Adam Harper, who in 1802, became one of 
 the first associate judges of Centre county. This 
 worthy couple were among the early members of 
 the Lutheran Church at Aaronsburg, where both 
 were buried, the wife dying in 1831, and the 
 husband in 1832. Their children were George, 
 who is mentioned more fully below; Philip and 
 John, who died at Aaronsburg; Eve, who mar- 
 ried Judge John Shaeffer, and died in Miles 
 township, Centre county; Elizabeth, who died in 
 Lebanon county, Penn., unmarried; and Cath- 
 erine, who married a Mr. Shade, and died in the 
 West. 
 
 George Frank, the grandfather of our sub- 
 ject, was born near Hagerstown, Md., in 1779, 
 and from the age of sixteen made his home in 
 this section, engaging in farming as an occupa- 
 tion. He was of ordinary height and compactly 
 built, and a most industrious worker, although 
 he never accumulated much. His schooling was 
 limited, but he possessed much native intelli- 
 gence. He always took an interest in public 
 affairs, and in politics was a Democrat. He was 
 married in Aaronsburg, to Christina Kramer, 
 who was born in Jonestown, Lebanon Co., 
 Penn., in 1780, the daughter of Andrew and 
 Margaret (Haine) Kramer. Her father died in 
 Lebanon county, and her mother removed to 
 Haines township, Centre county, where the young 
 people first met. For some time after his mar- 
 riage our subject's grandfather lived at Aarons- 
 burg, but in 1809 he leased a tract of land in 
 Sugar Valley, where he remained until 18 14. 
 He then removed to Brush Valley, and later re- 
 turned to Aaronsburg, where he died in 1837, 
 his interment taking place there. His widow 
 survived him many years, passing away in 1863, 
 at the home of her son Samuel (father of our 
 subject) in Rebersburg, where her remains now 
 rest. 
 
!7i 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 irteen children were horn of this union, oi 
 whom eleven lived to adult age. Ten were liv- 
 ing at the time of their lather's death. | 
 miller b) trade, dud in Sugar Valley at thi- 
 ol ninety; David, a millwright, died in Pickaway 
 county, Ohio; John, a i r, died in Miles 
 
 township. ( entre i i mntj ; < r, is 
 
 living in Mercer county Ohio, at the age of eighty- 
 nine years; Michael, a farmer and carpenter, 
 died 111 Mercer county, Ohio, aged seventy-four; 
 Samuel is mentioned below; Mary (Mrs. Si 
 inon Confei at Millheim; Sail) Mi^ An- 
 
 drew Stover) died in Haines township, Centre 
 county; Elizabeth (twin to Sally married John 
 Hetzler, and died in Illinois; Catherine (de- 
 ceased) never married; and Eve (Mrs. Jai 
 MiiihIi died m Aaronsburg. 
 
 Samuel Frank, our subject's father, was horn 
 April 25, 1821, in Miles township, Centre county, 
 one and one-half miles south of Rebersburg, 
 11 the mountain, in a one story cabin built ol 
 logs. When Fie was lour years old his parents 
 moved to Aaronsburg, where he attended the 
 subscription schools of the day. Ins first teacher 
 being Andrew Ebraght, who taught his 1 1. 
 in his own home. As his parents were verj 
 poor, the young student, who lived neai the 
 school, made the fires to 1 his tuition dur- 
 
 ing the winter One of his later teachers, Mt 
 Ken. would hue his brightest and most advan 
 pupils to teach the primary class, and this work 
 falling to Samuel Frank, he was enabled to se- 
 cure free tuition for some time. The death ol 
 his fatlu i 1 ;iu ed the m ol the family, 
 
 and February 5, [838, he left Aaronsbur; 
 to Rebersburg. He had nothing in the world 
 but thi lew belongings he earned upon his | 
 and "ii arriving at Rebersburg he was bound 
 
 out by the overseei ol the 1 1 . [ohn Moyer, to 
 
 learn the tailor's trade under Daniel Winti 
 I hi years, two months and twenty days v 
 spent in this service without a cent ol paj or a 
 day's schooling, his clothing only, and that of 
 
 the ] resl sort, being given him. During the 
 
 last M.ir he ran a shop at Wolfs Store for Mr. 
 \\ inters, and at the end of his term he contin- 
 ued business there on Ins own account. 
 
 On February 28, 1843, Samuel Frank was 
 married in Miles township, ( entre counts, to 
 Miss Sarah Brungart, a native of that locality, 
 born April 22, 1825, the daughter of a well-to- 
 do farmer, George Brungart, and his wile, Sarah 
 
 kahli. This marriage was a most 1 
 one, Mr. Frank gaining an excellent wife who 
 helped him in every way. He remained at 
 Wolfs Store until 1854, and in the mi 
 was for three years in partnership with Thomas 
 
 Wolfe in a general mercantile business. Wish- 
 ing to try a farmer's life, Mr. Frank then spent 
 upon a farm at Spring Bank, in the 
 same township, but in 1858 he sold out and re- 
 moved to Rebersburg, where he purcha-. I a gen- 
 eral store from William Hosterman. He con- 
 tinued this business successfully for some time, 
 Dr. J. H. Hilbish being hispartner fortwoyears, 
 but in 1 sold his stoie and residence and 
 
 bought a mill property and a small farm in the 
 same township. Two years later he sold them 
 and. returning to Rebersburg, purchased a r< 
 dence -a Inch he still owns and a store adjoining, 
 and also a small farm in the vicinity. He was 
 antile business until 1879, when 
 he sold out to Gramley Brothers, and for some 
 years he has lived a retired life, although still 
 enjoying excellent health. All things considered, 
 lus career is a remarkable one. Could he have 
 had a thorough education in his youth, so that 
 his intellectual abilities would have had free 
 
 pe, his life might have been spent in other 
 
 1, hut he could have won no stronger, truer 
 friends and admirers than lit- now has among the 
 people oi Centre count} 
 
 Anj political position in the gift of his circle 
 of acquaintam es was his; he was associate judge 
 ol Centre count} for fiv< 1877 1881); 
 
 county auditor three years (1871 1874 . ami he 
 held almost every township office, including that 
 of justice of the peace, in which he served five 
 years. In 1843, at the age of twenty-two, he 
 was chosen overseer of the poor. For a quar- 
 
 of a century he was regarded as one <<i the 
 1110-1 influential I >> 1 ol Miles township, 
 
 and he w is no less active in other movements ol 
 Ins time. In 1^41 he and his wife united with 
 the Lutheran Church in Rebersburg, and he has 
 been among its chief supporters, holding e\ 
 office except that of preacher, and contributing 
 liberally, • peciallj to the building oi the new 
 chinch. As a 1 11 he has always been 
 
 fond oi hunting, and he has tramped hundreds 
 ol miles ovei the mountains in search of game. 
 
 On September 1, 1886, his faithful helpmeet 
 passed from earth, and her mortal remains lie 
 buried at Rebersburg. Since her death he has 
 made Ins home with his son James. Four chil- 
 dren survive; James 1' . .1 farmer neai Rebers- 
 burg; Luther 1! , a clerk in the same town. 
 George S., our subject; and Paulina, now V 
 R, 1). Biei 1} , of Rebersburg. 
 
 We will now return to the subject proper of 
 this sketch. Dr. Frank was horn October 22, 
 1859, in Rebersburg, where he received an ele- 
 mentary education in the district schools, Hon 
 Henry Meyer being his lirst teat her. Later he 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 173 
 
 attended the normal schools of the locality and, 
 with private instruction in science and the lan- 
 guages, he prepared for teaching. At eighteen 
 he took charge of a school, and after three years 
 as a successful teacher in his native township he 
 began the study of medicine with Dr. Daniel 
 J. Hilbish, a noted practitioner of Rebersburg. 
 His preliminary reading finished, he took a 
 course in the Jefferson Medical College, graduat- 
 ing in 1883. His first professional work was at 
 Spring Mills, but after a short time he located at 
 Rebersburg, where he remained until 1886. He 
 then settled permanently in Millheim, and now 
 enjoys a large and constantly increasing practice, 
 the territory covered being probably as large as 
 that of any practitioner in the county and not 
 excepting the oldest. He keeps well informed 
 on the various lines of professional progress and 
 is identified with leading medical associations, 
 being a member of the Centre County Medical 
 Society; Pennsylvania Medical Society; West 
 Branch Medical Society; and the American Med- 
 ical Association. 
 
 In 1885, the Doctor was married in Rebers- 
 burg to Miss Melissa G. Miller, daughter of J. A. 
 and Mary (Esterline) Miller, and they have an 
 elegant home at Millheim, a model of conven- 
 ience and comfort. Agreeable in manners and 
 in conversation, he easily gains friends, whom 
 his sterling qualities of character bind firmly to 
 him. As a progressive citizen he manifests a 
 keen interest in all local affairs, serving on the 
 village council and the school board. At present 
 he is coroner of Centre county; but while he is an 
 enthusiastic supporter of the Democratic party, 
 he does not aim at political distinction. He is a 
 charter member of the Knights of the Golden 
 Eagle at Millheim, aud he and his accomplished 
 wife are leading members of the Lutheran 
 Church, to which they contribute liberally, not 
 only in money but in time and in strength, the 
 Doctor being an elder in the Church and super- 
 intendent of the Sunday-school. 
 
 JAMES T. STUART was born December 9, 
 1837, near Linden Hall, Harris township, 
 
 Centre county, the second in the family of 
 seven children born to David A. and Martha 
 (Johnson) Stuart. 
 
 There he began his education in the school 
 house at Rock Hill, his teacher being Matthew 
 Woods, later a practicing physician of Clearfield, 
 Penn. Subsequently our subject attended school 
 in Clearfield county, and at the age of seventeen 
 completed his literary education in Boalsburg 
 Academy. On beginning his business career he 
 
 served as a clerk for George W. Johnson &. Co., 
 of Huntingdon county, Penn., for three years, 
 and during the following four years engaged in 
 teaching school in Centre county, at$i per day. 
 On his return from the war he again entered the 
 mercantile establishment of Mr. Johnson in Peters- 
 burg, Huntingdon county, where he remained 
 some four years, and later, in partnership with 
 William D. Keller, engaged in the manufacture of 
 woolen goods in Houserville, College township, 
 Centre county. At the end of three year, how- 
 ever, he returned to Boalsburg, where he em- 
 barked in mercantile pursuits, and also served as 
 postmaster from 1873 until 1882. On removing 
 to State College in the latter year he, in con- 
 nection with his brother, John W., conducted a 
 general store for three years, but since 1885 has 
 been engaged in his present business in Boals- 
 burg. His home and hotel is a beautiful stone 
 structure, erected in [819 by Col. James John- 
 son, and here everything is done for the conven- 
 ience and comfort of his guests. 
 
 On June 16, 1875, Mr. Stuart was wedded to 
 Miss E. E. Hunter, a daughter of Dr. Reuben 
 Hunter, who died in 1864 while serving as sur- 
 geon of the 54th P. V. I. Four children bless 
 this union, whose names and dates of birth are as 
 follows: William, August 3, 1876; George J., 
 July 23, 1880; David A., October 1, 1882; and 
 Rueben R. , October 8, 1884. 
 
 Hardly had the echoes of Fort Sumter's guns 
 died away when Mr. Stuart offered his service to 
 the general government to assist in putting down 
 the Rebellion, enlisting April 20, 1 861, in the 7th 
 P. V. I. , for three months. He was discharged 
 July 20, 1 86 1, but on the 31st of the following 
 August was made sergeant in Company G, 49th 
 P. V. I., under Capt. John Bool; was promoted 
 to second lieutenant March 16, 1862; and to first 
 lieutenant December 1, of the same year. On 
 January 12, 1863, he was transferred to the field 
 and staff roll as adjutant; promoted to captain of 
 Company G, February 25, 1864; commissioned 
 brevet major of the United States Volunteers, 
 April 6, 1865; promoted to major of the 49th 
 P. V. I., in June, 1865; and to lieutenant-colonel 
 July 14, 1865. His war record is one of which 
 he may be justly proud, for he entered the serv- 
 ice as a private, and for meritorious and gallant 
 conduct on the field of battle steadily arose to 
 the rank of lieutenant-colonel. 
 
 Col. Stuart participated in the following en- 
 gagements: Williamsburg, May 5, 1862; Har- 
 net'sHill; Golding's Farm; Savage Station; Mal- 
 vern Hill; Antietam; Fredericksburg, December 
 13, 1862; Chancellorsville; Gettysburg; Rappa- 
 hannock Station; Mine Run; Wilderness; Spott- 
 
174 
 
 00MM1 VOEATIVB BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 sylvania (nun House; Wim I edar Creek; 
 
 Petersburg, April 2, 1865; Little Sailor's Creek, 
 April 6, 1 865; and, on the 9th of the same month, 
 Appomattox Court House, where Lee surren- 
 dered to Grant, and the war was practically over. 
 Col. Stuart was wounded at Rappahannock, No- 
 vember 7, 1863, and in the shoulder at Spott- 
 svlvaiiia, May 10, 18G4. After his return home 
 he contemplated joining the regular army, and 
 wrote l" Gen. W. S. Hancock for a letter of 1 
 ommendation, winch lie still has in his possession, 
 and which reads as follows: 
 
 i iNi >nd< 'i.i 1 . Mi p., August 6, 1866. 
 
 Lieut. Col. James T. Stuart, late of the 49th P. V. I., is 
 known to me i" have been .1 faithful officer; heserved under 
 my command during the Peninsula and Vntietam cam- 
 paigns. He has been severel) wounded in action, and was 
 promoted to the lieutenant-colonelcj ol bis regiment for 
 gallant and meritorious services. I have no hesitation in 
 him for .1 commision in the regular army ol 
 the I nited States. 
 
 ned) Winfield S. Hancock, Maj il U. S. A. 
 
 In December, 1864, our subject was detailed 
 to headquarters of the 6th Army Corps, as com- 
 mander of a battalion of sharpshooters, with 
 the rank of captain. Subsequently he was re- 
 quested by Gen. Edwards to take a position on 
 his staff as brigade inspector, which he accepted 
 and filled until discharged, < .en. Wheaton re- 
 lieving him from his former position. 
 
 Col. Stuart isnow an honored and prominent 
 member of the Grand Arm} Posi No. 95, and 
 the Union Veteran Legion, both of Bellefonte. 
 Since casting his first Presidential vote foi Abra- 
 ham Lincoln, he has been a stalwart Republican 
 in politics, and in [866 was the candidate of his 
 party for State representative. He acceptably 
 served as count} auditor from 1879 until 1882, 
 and has filled various township offices to the 
 satisfaction <>f all concerned. 
 
 JOHN F. HARTER, I). D. S., a prominent 
 dentist ol State College, Centre county, is a 
 representative citizen whose influence is felt 
 no less in public life than in his professional 
 sphere. He was born in Millheim, January 5, 
 1S57, and is a member of a family that has held 
 a leading place in that city since the lime of his 
 grandfather, |olm Hatter, who came there as a 
 young man. 
 
 fohn llaiter was a native of Lebanon town- 
 ship, Dauphin Co., Penn., born November 16, 
 1792, and became a p us carriage and 
 
 wagon maker, employing a number of men. and 
 his business was on.- ..f the most important in 
 Millheim in his day. In religious faith he vi 
 Lutheran, and in politics a Democrat, and while 
 his attention was chiefly given to business mat- 
 
 ters. In- took part, in a quiet way, in the varied 
 movements of the time and locality. He was 
 more then' ninety years old at the time of his 
 death, which took place at the home of his son. 
 Dr. W. S. Harter, our subject's father. 
 
 On August 30, 1813, he married Miss Mollie 
 ShretTLr, who was born November 29, 1794. and 
 died February 15. 1861, both being bunedat 
 Millheim. They had twelve children, whose 
 nanus with dates of birth are as follows: Julia 
 A., I nl \ 21, 1814, married Henry Rpyer, and 
 died at Millheim, June 7, 1896; Elizabeth, May 
 22, 1 8 16. married Michael Cooney, and died in 
 Akron, Ohio; Sarah, August 16, 181 8, is the 
 widow of John Purman, of Loganton, Penn., 
 and the mother of Hon. William J. Purman, 
 once a member of Congress from Florida; Will- 
 iam S. , June 9, 1S20, is mentioned more fully 
 below; John, December iS, 1K22, died in Mif- 
 flinburg, Penn.; Margaret, December 12, 1824, 
 is now Mrs. R. B. Hartman, of Millheim; Dan- 
 iel, December 10, 1826, died November 29, 
 1829; Henry, September- 23, 1S28, resides in 
 Joliet, 111.; Hannah M., November 5, 1830, died 
 in Millheim. unmarried; David, March 6, 1832, 
 died January 30, 1833; Amelia, August 7, 1835, 
 married J. D. Foote, and died in Millheim; and 
 Mary M., December 24, 1837, is the wife of 
 John West, of Chicago, Illinois 
 
 Dr. William S. Harter, the father of our 
 subject, was born in Millheim and grew to man- 
 hood there. He learned the painters' trade 
 in his father's shop, and having great m< 
 chanical ability he became familiar also in an 
 incidental way with all the details of carriage 
 ami wagon making. He had extraordinary abil- 
 ity as an artist, though lacking entirely a suit- 
 able opportunity to develop his powers. His 
 work with a pen was unusually fine, and one 
 cannot but regret that his talent remained un- 
 utilized. He was well advanced toward middle 
 age when he began the study of dentistry with 
 Dr. Swart/, a successful practitioner, with whom 
 he later went into partnership. After a time 
 Dr. Harter established an independent practici 
 continuing in all over twenty years. While he 
 made much money and lived in comfortable 
 Style, he newer became wealthy. As a citizen he 
 was highly respected, and he held a prominent 
 place in the Republican organization in his sec- 
 tion. For some years previous to his death he 
 was government gauger and store keeper in the 
 Eighteenth District of Pennsylvania. 
 
 Dr. William S. Harter was married in Mill 
 heiin to Mrs. Sarah (Detrich Messinger, wido* 
 1 I David Messinger, who died shortly after his 
 marriage, leaving no children. Mrs. Harter was 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 175 
 
 a native of Mifflinburg, but her parents died 
 there during her childhood, and she was reared 
 by Frederick Gutelius. She possessed much 
 artistic skill combined with business ability, and 
 at the time of her last marriage was conducting a 
 millinery store. Both parents were Methodists, 
 and the father was one of the foremost workers 
 in the Church, giving his time and thought as 
 well as money. He died April 30, 1877, from an 
 illness contracted during a visit to the Centennial 
 Exposition. His widow survived him until 
 December 29, 1893, when she passed away, and 
 was laid to rest beside him in the cemetery at 
 Millheim. Their children were William C. , who 
 died in childhood; Lydia J., who died in 1893, 
 unmarried; Anna C, who married William S. 
 Musser, and died in Millheim; Willis H. B., who 
 died in infancy ; John F. , our subject ; Robert 
 H. , engineer of a school at Chicago, III.; and 
 Emma C, now Mrs. W. H. Miller, of Millheim. 
 
 Dr. J. F. Harter's literary education was 
 acquired in the schools of his native town, and 
 his professional studies may be said to have been 
 begun while a boy in his father's office. How- 
 ever, he did not determine upon dentistry as a 
 life work without testing other occupations. For 
 some time he clerked for Daniel Gross, a mer- 
 chant at Lock Haven, and later he took a course 
 in telegraphy at Oberlin, Ohio, and worked as an 
 operator in the Western Union office at Belle- 
 fonte. On definitely deciding to adopt his pres- 
 ent calling, he completed his preparation with 
 Dr. A. J. Orndorf, a successful practitioner at 
 Pine Grove Mills, Penn. He then established 
 himself in business at Millheim, and continued 
 afterward, with the exception of three years as 
 county recorder, to which office he was elected 
 in 1887, until his removal to State College in 
 the fall of 1896. 
 
 His political work and influence are worthy of 
 more than a passing reference as he is one of the 
 valued advisers of the Republican party in Cen- 
 tre county. His popularity as a man is not lim- 
 ited by partisan ties, and he has warm friends 
 among those of opposite political faith. In 1893 
 he was defeated for the office of sheriff by only 
 260 votes, while the other on his ticket had an 
 adverse majority of 800 or more. He has held 
 numerous local offices, serving upon the city coun- 
 cil and the school board of Millheim, and in all his 
 public work his ability, discretion and fidelity 
 have been fully proven. Always thoroughly- 
 awake to the best interests of his town, he has 
 been active in various movements of a non-par- 
 tisan sort. He is secretary of the Millheim 
 Building & Loan Association, and a leading 
 worker in the Methodist Episcopal Church, con- 
 
 tributing liberally and serving at present as 
 trustee, steward and superintendent of the Sun- 
 day-school. In 1874 he joined the Millheim 
 Cornet Band, of which he became leader four 
 years later, and under his able direction the 
 organization has become known throughout cen- 
 tral Pennsylvania for its excellence, having gained 
 valuable prizes at various contests in competition 
 with bands from much larger cities. Fraternally, 
 he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd 
 Fellows at Millheim. He has been successful 
 financially as well as in other lines. He owns 
 two residences at Millheim, and his home is 
 among the pleasantest in the place. 
 
 Dr. Harter was married September 17, 1878, 
 in Pine Grove, Penn., to Miss Charlotte Meek, 
 daughter of F. E. and Eliza (Glenn) Meek, and they 
 have two children, Sadie B. and Jessie M., both 
 at home. In November, 1896, the Doctor and 
 his family removed to State College, where he is 
 building a fine home, and where he expects to 
 remain to educate his children. 
 
 C ELEMENT H. GRAMLY, one of the pros- 
 Jl perous young farmers of Brush Valley, Cen- 
 tre county, and one of its excellent citizens, is a 
 descendant of that grand old pioneer family of 
 Gramlys or Gramleys, who for nearly a century 
 have been prominent and active in the growth 
 and development of "the garden spot of Centre 
 county." The family, which is a numerous one, 
 has given to the county many of its best citizens, 
 and in Brush Valley the name of Gramly is al- 
 most synonymous with good citizenship. 
 
 Our subject was born November 14, 1862, 
 on the farm where he now lives, it being the old 
 homestead of his parents, Samuel and Sarah 
 (Smull) Gramly, and in the schools of the 
 neighborhood began his education, which was 
 mostly obtained in the Harter district, though 
 completed in Rebersburg, where his brother. 
 Prof. C. L. Gramly (now county superintend- 
 ent of schoolsj, was then teaching. He was 
 reared in much the usual manner of farmer boys, 
 early becoming familiar with the duties of an ag- 
 riculturist, and continued to remain upon the 
 home farm with the exception of a short time 
 spent as a farm hand in the employ of Jacob 
 Krape, of Nittany Valley. On July 20, 1884, in 
 Rebersburg, Mr. Gramly was married to Miss 
 Elizabeth Krape, who was born in Clintondale, 
 Penn., January 3, 1866, and is a daughter of 
 Michael and Hannah (Bierly) Krape. They have 
 one son, Samuel C. , born December 5, 1885. 
 
 Mr. Gramly brought his bride to the home 
 farm, which he operated for his father for two 
 
17C> 
 
 CO VMBMORA TlVi: BIOQRAPMCA I. RECORD. 
 
 years, but in 1886 purchased the stock and nec- 
 essary machinery and rented the farm, which he 
 still successfully cultivates He 1- 'me of the few 
 Republicans in Brush Valley, and comes of a 
 family whose members are practically the nu- 
 cleus of that party in Miles township. On more 
 than one occasion he has served as delegate to 
 the county conventions from the township, and 
 takes an active and commendable interest in po- 
 litical affairs, lie 1- one of the leading and pop- 
 ular citizens of the community, and those who 
 have known him from boyhood are numbered 
 among his stanchest friends. With the Lutheran 
 Church he and his estimable wife hold member- 
 ship, and at present he is serving as secretary of 
 the Sabbath-schoi I 
 
 MAJOR LORENZO LORAIN, who passed 
 away at Baltimore, Md., March 6, 1882, 
 
 while yet in the prime of manhood, was one of 
 the brightest, strongest and most gifted sons 
 Centre county ever had. Soldier, teacher, 
 scientist, civil engineer — a brilliant success in 
 each field of endeavor. His wonderful ability 
 and remarkable qualities were justly recognized, 
 and he was held in the highest regard by all with 
 whom he came in contact in the various walks of 
 life. Many men of world-wide fame possessed 
 fewer of the qualities that command success and 
 those in less degree than he. 
 
 Our subject was born in 1'hilipshurg, Penn., 
 August 5, [831, a son of Dr. Henry Tilden and 
 Maria (Taylor) Lorain, the former of whom was 
 born December 15, 1799, in Kent county, Md., 
 the latter in Clearfield county, Penn. Dr. 
 Henry Lorain was a son of John and Martha 
 Lorain, who were born in Maryland. Thomas 
 Lorain, the father of John was bom in England, 
 and on March 24, 1759, received letters of 
 marque from the Captain-general of Jamaica, 
 Henry Moore, Esq., to command the ship, 
 "Viper," to prey upon the French. He ser\ed 
 with distinction, and on leaving the sea settled in 
 Kent county, Md . about 177 1. He had three 
 children: John, Jr., Eliza and Thomas. The 
 first named took quite a prominent part in public 
 affairs, and served as postmastei ol Philipsburg, 
 at an early day in its history. I lis son, the 
 Doctor, was a skilled surgeon and physician of 
 Clearfield counts', whose practice extended over 
 
 a wide stretch ol Coimti y 
 
 The early education ol Major Lorain was 
 rather limited, but was enough to develop the 
 
 -I of his mind, and to lay the foundation for 
 the mathematical and mechanical ability he 
 evinced in later years Unexpectedly and unsolic- 
 
 ited by him, he was offered the cadetship from 
 his district, and concluded to give up civil engin- 
 eering, which he was then studying, and accept 
 the same. Accordingly, in June, 1852, he en- 
 tered the fourth class at West Point, and gradu- 
 ated with honor in 1856. He was then commis- 
 sioned second lieutenant in the Third Artillery, 
 and was constantly on duty at distant frontier posts 
 until the beginning of the Civil war. In one ol tin- 
 earliest engagements of that terrible struggle, tl t 
 of Blackburn's Ford, on July 18, 1861, he ■ 
 severely wounded, and for eight months was un- 
 able to do even the lightest duty. He then ac- 
 cepted the position of assistant to Prof. Ken- 
 drick in the chemical department at West Point, 
 entering upon his duties March 23, 1862. 
 
 During his convalescence, Major Lorain was 
 married February 18, 1862, to Miss Fannie 
 Moseley McDonald, a native of Washington, 1> 
 C. and a daughter of William J. McDonald, who 
 for forty-five years was attached to the office of 
 the Secretary of the Senate, during fifteen years of 
 which time he was chief clerk of the I'nited 
 States Senate. Four children were born to them: 
 Henry McDonald, a prominent mining engineer 
 of Philipsburg; Fannie B., who died in infanc) 
 Mertie M., wife of Lieut. E. A. Anderson, of the 
 I'nited States Navy; and W. J., who died in 
 childhood. 
 
 In May, 1862, Major Lorain's wounds be- 
 came worse, but he continued to hold his posi- 
 tion at West Point, for which he was well fitted, 
 and with tireless energy devoted day and night 
 to his work. He was offered several important 
 volunteer commands, but knew it was unwise to 
 ai 1 ept until his physical condition was improved. 
 While at West Point he received the brevets ol 
 captain and major, the former for gallant and 
 meritorious service at the battle of Blackburn's 
 Ford, Va. Although his wounds presented 
 ive service in the fields, for nine years he did 
 faithful service in the chemical department at the 
 military school. He afterward commanded Fort 
 1 1 fferson, Florida, and subsequently was stationed 
 at Charleston, South Carolina. 
 
 For one year he held the professorship ol 
 
 physics .md mechanics at the Lehigh University, 
 
 .11 Bethlehem, Penn., but his love for the arm) 
 
 forced him to resign. He also refused oilier im- 
 
 essorships in different colleges Sub- 
 
 aently he served at Fort Hamilton. New York 
 Harbor, but, owing to ill health in his family, 
 
 isked to be relieved, and accepted the detail 
 to the Artillerj School at Fort Monroe. Virgii 
 which post had been repeatedly offered him, but 
 winch, owing to the dislike captains of artilli 
 had for such duty, he had always previously 
 
 . 
 

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 177 
 
 clined. Here he was again in his element, and 
 in many ways promoted the interests of the 
 school, making it far more efficient. His advice 
 was often sought and freely given in the various 
 departments, and he was instrumental in enlarg- 
 ing its facilities. When compelled to leave the 
 school his loss was severely felt. During his 
 service there he recognized the fact that im- 
 proved telescopic sights were necessary for the 
 large guns, and devised a sight which bears the 
 name of "Lorain." He also introduced firing 
 by electricity at the School. 
 
 Major Lorain was always an active man, fond 
 of fields sport, and excelled in gunning and fish- 
 ing. Up to the last two years of his life he took 
 a prominent part in all such sports, his pleasant, 
 social manner making him a valued addition to 
 parties organized for that enjoyment. He par- 
 ticularly delighted in sailing parties, and was 
 remarkably skillful in his management of sail 
 boats. At last he was compelled to give up 
 these pleasures on account of his health, and on 
 the 6th of March, 1882, he departed this life. 
 His death was widely and deeply mourned for 
 he had the happy faculty of making friends of 
 all with whom he came in contact. Throughout 
 his career of continued and far-reaching useful- 
 ness, his duties were performed with the greatest 
 care, and his personal honor and integrity were 
 without blemish. His memory will ever be a 
 sacred inheritance to his children; it will be cher- 
 ished by a multitude of friends. 
 
 William J. McDonald, the father of Mrs. Lo- 
 rain, was born in September, 181 3, and on reach- 
 ing man's estate he married Ann B. Holt, who 
 was born in March, 1813, and died on the 1st of 
 June, 1878. His death occurred June 5, 1878. 
 In their family were four children : Fannie Mose- 
 ley, widow of Major Lorain; Eugenia, wife of 
 Col. William Sinclair, of the United States 
 Army; William J., who is connected with the 
 Pension bureau at Washington, D. C; and H. 
 Bowyer, clerk of the Senate at Washington. 
 
 John G. McDonald, the paternal grandfather 
 of Mrs. Lorain, was of Scotch parentage. He 
 became attached to Congress on its removal 
 from Philadelphia to Washington, and also served 
 as chief clerk of the Senate for many years. In 
 1814, when the British troops fired the capitol, 
 he and a negro saved all the archives of the 
 Senate. His death occurred in that city, with 
 whose interests he had been prominently con- 
 nected for so many years. The maternal grand- 
 parents, John E. and Clara (Mosely) Holt, were 
 natives of Williamsburg and Norfolk, Va. , re- 
 spectively. For a quarter of a century the 
 
 grandfather served as mayor of the latter place, 
 12 
 
 which position he was filling at the time of Gen. 
 La Fayette's visit to this city, and his daughter, 
 Mrs. McDonald, served as flower girl during the 
 services. 
 
 Henry McDonald Lorain, the only surviv- 
 ing son of Major Lorain, was born in West 
 Point, N. Y., June 26, 1863, where he remained 
 until 1870. At the age of eighteen he entered 
 the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, with the 
 view of taking a four-years' course of civil en- 
 gineering, but at the end of three years was com- 
 pelled to leave school on account of ill health. 
 During the winter of 1885-86 he attended Bry- 
 ant & Stratton Business College, at Baltimore, 
 Md. Coming to Philipsburg in April, 1886, he 
 entered the service of Holt & Chipman as mining 
 engineer, and has since been with the company, 
 although it has several times changed hands, be- 
 ing now known as the Coaldale Mining Co. He 
 first studied to be a civil engineer, but gave it up 
 as he preferred mining engineering, in which he 
 has been very successful. 
 
 On June 6, 1894, Mr. Lorain was united in 
 marriage with Miss Maud Holt, a daughter of 
 William and Mary (Foresman) Holt, and one 
 son, Sinclair, was born to them June 23, 1895. 
 Mrs. H. McD. Lorain died February 10, 1897, 
 and is buried in the Philipsburg Cemetery. The 
 family is one of prominence, holding a high po- 
 sition in social circles. Mr. Lorain votes with 
 the Republican party, and in business as well as 
 social circles stands deservedly high. 
 
 BUNLOP, HARRIS, STEWART, PAXTON 
 genealogies, and other families with whom 
 inter-married, and explanatory remarks of their 
 contemporaries, indicating their enterprise and 
 character as citizens of the County and State. 
 
 DUNLOP. 
 
 The Dunlop family were Scotch-Irish Presbyte- 
 rians residing in " Dunlop Parish," Ayrshire, Scot- 
 land, during the period in the reign of Charles 
 II (1660-1685) when he attempted to enforce 
 Episcopacy upon the Scottish nation, in conse- 
 quence- of which persecution they abandoned 
 their estates and sought a new home in the 
 County Donegal, North of Ireland (which had 
 then become a refuge for Presbyterians and 
 Covenanters who adhered to the "Westminster 
 Confession of Faith" adopted by the Scottish 
 people in 1643, and ratified by the General 
 Assembly of the Church of Scotland in 1647). 
 
 From recent correspondence with the Rev. 
 W. E. Lattimer, of English Dungannon, Ireland, 
 
178 
 
 COMMEMORA TIVE 1U0QRAPUKM. RECORD. 
 
 we have obtained a copy <>f the record of the 
 Presbytery of Conway, County Donegal, ordain- 
 ing John Dunlop (I)*, a minister. From tradition 
 we learn he was the father of William IXnlop 
 (II), whosatasa Ruling Elder in the Presbytery of 
 Tyrone, freland, in 1712, and at an advanced 
 age emigrated to this country with his family — a 
 wife and four children — prior to the year 1730, 
 first locating at Donegal, now Lancaster county, 
 in this State (near the farm of that name now 
 o vned by the Camerons), and in the neighbor- 
 hood of which were residents by name: Harris, 
 Hoggs, Lowry. Johnston and other well-known 
 Scotch-Irish families, largely intermarried, and 
 who later sought homes in other parts of the 
 State. William Dunlop (II) we fin>l as early as 
 1730 petitioned the Court of Lancaster county 
 to recommend him to the Governor for appoint- 
 ment as an Indian trader. He moved from 
 Donegal to a farm adjoining the town of Shippens- 
 burg, where he died 1 his granddaughter, Elizabeth 
 Simpson, said at the age of 1 15). A deed dated 
 January 15, 1752, and of record in Carlisle, from 
 Margaret. William and Kphraim Dunlop to their 
 brother, James Dunlop, conveying the farm above 
 mentioned, recites: "it being partly in consider- 
 ation that he forever maintain theii Mother De- 
 borah Dunlop, wife oi William Dunlop, who died 
 late." 
 Jami s DUNLOP (HI) soon after married Jane 
 Hoggs, daughter of Andrew Hoggs and sister of 
 Col John and Capt. Alexander Boggs, of the 
 Revolution, and provided his mother a home 
 until her death some years later. His sister 
 Margaret, having married, moved to one of the 
 Southern States William was the commander 
 of a vessel, and also the Indian trader mentioned 
 in Pennsylvania Archives, and Ephraim moved 
 to Tennessee, where he purchased a large plan- 
 tation, and where he died leaving a large estate. 
 James pursued the practice of law in Cumberland 
 county, and was also engaged in the manufacture 
 of iron at what was then known as the " Dunlop 
 Furnaces" in Path Valley, now Franklin county, 
 until about the time that Congress passed the 
 Act authorizing a battalion for immediate serv- 
 ice to be raised in Cumberland comity (Jan. 4, 
 1770), when he abandoned all pursuits and de- 
 voted his energies to raising and equipping of the 
 regiment which was afterward known as the 
 " 6th. Pennsylvania of the Continental line," and 
 was on the 10th day of January, 1776, commis- 
 sioned its major. The histor) of this regiment 
 will be found in Pennsylvania Archives under that 
 name, and further details of its service in n 
 
 •All the Roman numerals refer to the generations from the first 
 known ancestor, and nut to the number Ofchlldri 
 
 of the 2nd Pennsylvania, Col. St. Clair, in Gen. 
 Anthony Wayne's command. On the 25th of 
 October, 1776, Major Dunlop was promoted to 
 lieutenant-colonel of the 10th Pennsylvania. 
 He participated in all the numerous engagements 
 of that year with the British underGen. Hurgoyne 
 at "Three Rivers", "Lie Aux Noix", "Isle La 
 Motte", • Ticonderoga", Crown Point", etc., "in 
 which the battalion suffered severely inkilledand 
 wounded, and their exposure in the swamps 
 without proper food or clothing, as expressed by 
 Col. Dunlop, "rendered their condition pitiable," 
 and is so reported by Gen. Wayne to the Com- 
 mittee ot s.i let \ in Pennsylvania Archives, Vol. x, 
 page 79. On the 23rd day of January, 1777, 
 Col. Dunlop resigned his command [see letter in 
 Vol. I. Pennsylvania Archives, page 694] because 
 seniority in rank was not recognized. Col. Dun- 
 lop's epaulets, sword and his discharge papers, 
 together with the Continental money in which he 
 was paid for his services enclosed therein, are 
 preserved by his descendants in Bellefonte. On 
 the 2nd of October, 1779, he was appointed 
 lieutenant of Cumberland county, and on the 28th 
 of October, 1784, was commissioned a Justice of 
 the Common Pleas in Cumberland countv. Dur- 
 ing all these years the family tradition recounts 
 many hardships endured by himself and family, 
 many narrow escapes and thrilling adventures; 
 fleeing to the forts to avoid capture by the In- 
 dians; destruction and burning of their property, 
 himself twice a captive; devices of escape from 
 them, etc. Col. Dunlop's wife Jane|«<V Hoggs) 
 \\a> a lady of tine education, quick perception, 
 reliant, prompt to act in an emergency, and pro- 
 id herself and small children by flight on 
 horseback through forest pathways to places of 
 refuge from pursuing Indians on more than one 
 occasion. In the quiet routine of family life 
 her loving disposition and motherly care, as well 
 as her neat ami methodical management of the 
 household appointments, wire an example for all, 
 and her advice and sympathy sought by many. 
 other than her family relations. 
 
 was a daughter of Andrew Boggs (I) 
 who located on the Susquehanna at Logan's 
 Ferry in 1730 (now Bainbridge). He had 200 
 acres of land adjoining the Ferry, and died there 
 m 1765. Andrew Boggs' wife was a Miss Pat- 
 ton, sister of James who married Mary Allison 
 (Mr. Patton died in 1746, and his wife the year 
 following without issue). CoLONELjOHN He 
 (II), son of Andrew rid Miss Patton, was 
 
 an officer of the Revolution and a prominent 
 man in Cumberland county, paymaster of militia, 
 sheriff of the county from 1780 to 1783, and Jus- 
 tice of the Common Pleas of Franklin county in 
 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 179 
 
 1786. He moved to Centre county in 1795, and 
 resided on the farm now owned by Henderson on 
 Buffalo run, west of Bellefonte, and died in De- 
 cember, 1796, aged sixty-four years. His wife, who 
 died July II, 181 5, was Miss Elizabeth Johnston, 
 daughter of Col. Johnston, who was of Scotch- 
 Irish origin, and a colonel in the English army, 
 who came to this country about 1700, and ob- 
 tained from the government a large body of land 
 partly (now) in Franklin county and in the State 
 of Maryland adjoining, upon which he erected a 
 large fine house, for those days, more like a fort 
 than a dwelling, in old English style with wine 
 cellars, etc. Col. Johnston's wife was a Mrs. 
 Findlay (1), a widow with two sons, one of 
 whom was the father of Gov. William Findlay 
 {2), Mrs. Gov. Shunk and Jane Findlay, who died 
 in Harrisburg in 1836, leaving a large number of 
 grandchildren. The other son resided in Balti- 
 more, where he and his wife both died leaving 
 one child, Eliza Findlay (III), a little over two 
 years old. The children of Col. Johnston and 
 wife (nee Findlay) were all grown and married 
 before the Revolution, except one who was not 
 married until he was sixty-five ; his sons were all in 
 the American army, as were also his stepsons. 
 His son, Dr. Robert Johnston, was a celebrated 
 surgeon of the Revolution, and about 1750 Dr. 
 Robert went to China with a cargo of ginseng; 
 was there some years, and upon his return mar- 
 ried Miss Nellie Pauline, to whom he had been 
 engaged, bringing with him the silk for her wed- 
 ding dress (samples of which are still preserved); 
 they both died leaving no children. His son, 
 Thomas Johnston, was also distinguished for his 
 bravery on many occasions during the war, and 
 his son, James Johnston, who had obtained the 
 same rank in the American army, was also 
 known as Col. Johnston (and in the family, as a 
 means of designation, " Uncle Jimmy"). After 
 the war he went to England, and while there 
 had a carpet woven with a blue ground, and the 
 American Coat of Arms as a center piece, which 
 was the first imported carpet in this country. 
 
 Col. Johnston, Sr. , had four daughters, 
 whose married names were: Beatty, Brown, 
 Campbell and Boggs, one of whom was a widow, 
 and she and " Uncle Jimmy" (Col., Jr.) occupied 
 the home of their father and kept open house for 
 all of the relations. "Uncle Jimmy" went to 
 Baltimore upon the death of his half-brother, 
 Findlay, and took home with him the child, 
 Elizabeth Findlay, to whose education and train- 
 ing he gave special attention. He was a mem- 
 ber of the Legislature when it met in Philadel- 
 phia, and boarded with a Mrs. Parker, a widow 
 with four children — one son and three daughters 
 
 — whose reverses in fortune, it is said, induced 
 him at the age of sixty-five to marry the widow 
 and take the flock home. The daughters were 
 very handsome; one was the mother of Maj. 
 Linton, great-grandmother of the beautiful Miss 
 Chamberlain, who had such fame both here and 
 in Europe. Col. Boggs was the first person 
 buried in Bellefonte, on the hill now occupied by 
 the residence of Daniel Rhoads, west end of 
 Linn street, his remains afterward being removed 
 to the new cemetery. His wife died July 11, 
 181 5. Their children are as follows: Andrew 
 Boggs Jr., (Ill), who was an attorney [see Bar 
 list, Centre county], was born September 1, 
 1773, was also in the iron business in Centre 
 county with his cousin, John Dunlop; went west 
 from Bellefonte, and married his cousin, Jane 
 Johnston; lived in Pittsburgh for a time, then on 
 the Kiskiminitis, where he made salt; the great 
 flood of 1832 destroyed his works, entailing a 
 loss of $30,000. The Legislature voted him 
 $15,000 damages, as it had partly been occa- 
 sioned by the building of the Pennsylvania canal. 
 He owned the farm on which Saltsburg is now 
 built. He had eight children, and some years 
 after the death of his wife, married Sarah Bid- 
 die, cousin of Nicholas Biddle, of National Bank 
 fame; they had four children, and finally moved 
 to Springfield, Ohio, where he and his wife both 
 died. His descendants live in the West; one 
 daughter married Simon Drum, of the regular 
 army, who was killed at the taking of the City of 
 Mexico (two of whose sons are now in the army); 
 his (Andrew's) eldest son died unmarried, also 
 two daughters, Jane and Rebecca. His second 
 son was lost on the Isthmus of Darien in 1852. 
 His daughter, Mary, married her cousin, John 
 Miles; they died in Kentucky, leaving no de- 
 scendants. Anna Bella, his eldest child, mar- 
 ried Jacob Drum, and has two daughters living 
 in Cleveland, Ohio. Elizabeth (2), daughter of 
 Col. John and Elizabeth Johnston Boggs, was 
 born in 1775, married James McLanahan before 
 the family left Franklin county, and moved to 
 Baltimore where they both died, leaving a num- 
 ber of children: Craig McLanahan (4), eldest 
 son, lived in Hollidaysburg. Robert (5) never 
 married. William did live in St. Louis. Eliza 
 Bell was married to Dr. Johnston Boggs. 
 Dr. Johnston Boggs (3), son of Col. John 
 and Elizabeth Johnston Boggs, was born 
 June 7, 1776; married his cousin, Eliza 
 Bell McLanahan (above mentioned); moved to 
 Natchez and died there. Francis Boggs (4), son 
 of Col. John and Elizabeth Johnston Boggs, was 
 born February 25, 1778, and died when twelve 
 years old. Ann (5), daughter of Col. John (3) 
 
180 
 
 COMifhMOHAT/VK B10GU.WIW A I HEiDltD. 
 
 and Elizabeth Johnston Boggs, was bom Octo- 
 ber 24, 1779, married William Wistar Miles, son 
 of Col. Samuel Miles, of the Revolution, who 
 owned the land upon which the town of Miles- 
 burg is situated, Centre Furnace and all of 
 Brush Valley in Centre county. William W. 
 Miles died in 1808, leaving two sons, John 14) 
 and William (4). 
 
 John (4) married his cousin. Man Ho--s, 
 leaving no descendants; William married Mary 
 Kephart; had numerous posterity about Tyrone 
 and Kittanning, Pennsylvania. In 1814 Anna 
 Boggs Miles was married (again) to John Mitchell, 
 who was an iron-master of Centre county, after- 
 ward a member of Congress, canal commis- 
 sioner, and held many offices of profit and trust 
 m Centre county. He first came to Centre 
 county as a manager at the iron works 
 of John Dunlop. In May, 1814, he was mar- 
 ried, and then engaged in the mercantile busi- 
 ness in Hellefonte with his brother David. In 
 October, [818, he was elected sheriff of Centre 
 county, and as such was the executioner of 
 James Monks, convicted of murder, a crime so 
 unusual in those days that the trial and execu- 
 tion attracted to the town a vast throng of people 
 from all the surrounding counties. Mr. Mitchell 
 was .1 surveyoi and engineer of recognized abil- 
 ity. In 1821 he laid out the Centre and Kish- 
 acoquillas turnpike. In the year 1826 he made 
 a survey for the State of the proposed canal 
 routes between the Susquehanna and the Poto- 
 mac rivers. In 1S27 he was appointed engineer 
 of the Erie extension from New Castle to Erie. 
 In 1829 he was elected by the Legislature one 
 of the canal commissioners, again appointed by 
 Gov. Wolf in 1830. He had three children: 
 David, the only son, was killed in the Mexican 
 war. Martha married P. B. Kephart. and 
 thej bad four sons: |. Matlock, killed in the 
 
 Rebellion. William dud recently. J. Miles 
 and Harry survive; both are married, but have 
 no descendants. Nam \ Harris Mitchell was 
 married to Dr Joseph H. Dixon, of Pittsburgh, 
 a highly esteemed and prominent physician, well 
 known throughout Pennsylvania; he came of .1 
 family of noted physicians; was a son of John 
 Dixon, of Cecil county. Md. He died March, 
 [897. His wife, who died several years previous, 
 was almost as well known as her husband; her 
 life being devoted to charitj and tin- alleviation 
 of suffering, she was beloved bj all, and her 
 ili was deeph lamented. They had no chil- 
 dren. Mary Boggs 6), daughtei of ( ol. John 
 and Eli abeth |ohn .ton 1 '• ig| •. was hoi □ v 
 \ember 19, 1 78 1 . died June 14. 1809. J 
 Boggs (7), daughter of Col. John and Eliza- 
 
 beth Johnston Hoggs, was born March 13, 1784, 
 and married John Royer, an iron-master of 
 Huntingdon county, and a prominent politician; 
 Mrs. Royer died at the residence of her son-in- 
 law, Hon. Cyrus [1. Pershing, in Johnstown, 
 October 28, 1869. \ Dr. John Boggs (8), son 
 of Col. John and Elizabeth Johnston Boggs, 
 was horn August 18, 1 787, married a Miss Alli- 
 son; one of their daughters married a Bishop de 
 Schweintz, and lives in Bethlehem; one died 
 young, and the eldest married a Mr. Wharton, of 
 Philadelphia, who was an elder in the Presbyter- 
 ian Church, and they had two sons, Allison and 
 Johnston, who were Methodist ministers. 
 
 Ann Boggs (II), daughter of Andrew Bogg^ I' 
 and Miss Patton, married Joseph Lowry, son of 
 Lazarus Lowry, who came from the North of 
 Ireland and located at Donegal, Penn., in 1720 
 His (Joseph's) brother, Col. Alexander Lowry, 
 w as an officer in the Revolution, whose grandson 
 of the same name, Alexander, married Miss 
 Margaret Speer, of Williamsburg, Penn., and re- 
 cently died in Butler, Penn., leaving seven sons 
 and one daughter. Joseph Lowry was engaged 
 in two French and Indian wars, his family tw 
 driven from their homes, and it burned to the 
 ground; he afterward moved his family to May- 
 town to educate their son, John G. Lowry; he 
 was placed in a classical school conducted by 
 Rev. Colin McFarquhar. John G. went into the 
 army to quell the "whiskey rebellion" in 1792 
 or '3; afterward accompanied his cousin, John 
 Dunlop, to Centre county, and became a man- 
 ager at his Iron Works, and later, in connection 
 with Judge Huston, the administrator of John 
 Dunlop. He was an elder of the Presbyterian 
 Church almost from its organization in Hellefonte 
 until the time he left the town, a year or two 
 before his death. He was appointed treasurer 
 for several terms, and when the office was made 
 elective, was the first to fill the position. His 
 first wife was Abigail, daughter of Richard 
 MiKs, who was a brother of Col. Samuel Miles. 
 tiny had one child, Edward, who died when a 
 young mail, unmarried; his second wife was 
 Rachel, widow of Capt. John Lightner; thej 
 moved to St. Louis, where Mr. Lowry died. 
 (2) James, son of Andrew Boggs and Miss Patton. 
 
 horn ; Andrew, son of Andrew Boggs and 
 
 Miss Patton, born - . [rfary, daughter of Andi 
 
 Boggs and Miss Patton, horn ; Alexand 
 
 son of Andrew Boggs and Miss Patton, born 
 He (Alexander) was an officer of the Revolul 
 and was a captain ii Col Clark's command in 
 Ibraith's battalion, and with the bat 
 talion during the celebrated "Flying Campaign' 
 in New Jersey in 1776, was at the battles ol 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 181 
 
 King's Bridge, Long Island, &c. , on many occa- 
 sions distinguishing himself for great bravery. 
 The children of Col. James Dunlop (III) and Jane 
 Boggs(II) ate, viz. : William Dunlop(i), born Jan- 
 uary 17, 1763, died unmarried. (IV) Andrew Dun- 
 lop (2), born September 22, 1764, was admitted 
 to the Bar of Franklin County in 1785, and was 
 one of the attorneys admitted to practice at the 
 first court held in Centre county in November, 
 1800. He represented Franklin county in the 
 Legislature from 1796 to 1800. Andrew married 
 Sarah Bella Chambers, daughter of Col. James 
 Chambers, of Chambersburg (son of Benjamin 
 Chambers, who founded the town), and Cather- 
 ine Hamilton, aunt of Martha Hamilton Alrichs, 
 mother of Jane Alrichs, who was the wife of Ovid 
 F. Johnston, the distinguished Attorney-General 
 of Pennsylvania; their children: Ovid F. Johns- 
 ton, prominent attorney ^Philadelphia. Fannie 
 A., widow of Hon. S. T. Shugert. Miss Hannah 
 and Miss Martha. The children of Andrew and 
 Sarah Bella Chambers Dunlop are as follows: 
 
 (V) James Dunlop (1) was born at Chambers- 
 burg on the — day of , 1 795, and died on the 
 
 9th of April, 1856. He was married to Maria Ma- 
 deria. He was an eminent lawyer; graduated in 
 Dickinson College, Carlisle, in 1 8 1 2 ; was admitted 
 to the Bar in 18 17; a member of the Senate in 
 Franklin county about 1825. He was the com- 
 piler of Dunlop's Digest of the Laws of Pennsyl- 
 vania, and a Digest of the Laws of the United 
 States. In 1838 he moved to Pittsburgh, and 
 was a member of the firm of Dunlop & Maderia 
 (George A. Maderia, his brother-in-law), proprie- 
 tors of the celebrated Siemans Edge Tool Fac- 
 tory. In 1855 he moved to Philadelphia; he was 
 stricken with paralysis in Baltimore, and died 
 there April 9, 1856; their children were as fol- 
 lows: Sarah Bella and Helen. Sarah Bella mar- 
 ried John A. Wilson, a Pittsburgh merchant, at 
 one time very rich, and who afterward lived in 
 Elizabeth, N. J., where Mr. Wilson died; they 
 had four children: Tieman, Dunlop, Nellie (mar- 
 ried to a Dr. French) and Sarah Bella. Helen, 
 daughter of James and Maria (Maderia) Dunlop, 
 was married to John Motter, of St. Joseph, Mo., 
 and had three children: Wilson, Dunlop, and 
 Helen (who was married to W. D. Cook, of Pu- 
 eblo, Colo.). 
 
 Jane Catherine Dunlop (2), daughter of An- 
 drew (IV) and Sarah Bella Chambers Dunlop, was 
 married to Col. Casper Willis Weaver, of Weav- 
 erton, Md. ; she was quite an authoress, and con- 
 tributed many scientific articles worthy of publi- 
 cation in the Department reports issued by the 
 U. S. Government. They had nine children: 
 Adam, Catherine Willis (who married William 
 
 Oliver Collins), Charlotte Dunlop (who married 
 Dr. Carlton Clare), Sarah Bella, Elizabeth, An- 
 drew Dunlop, Patrick Henry, Mary Josephine 
 and Virginia Hadessa. Charlotte Rhuhannah (3), 
 daughter of Andrew (IV) and Sarah Bella Cham- 
 bers Dunlop, was married to Charles S. Clark- 
 son, a major in the Mexican war, and afterward 
 a colonel. They had six children: John (1) Minor, 
 
 who was married to , and by a second wife, 
 
 Mrs. Bettie had Catherine (2), unmarried. James 
 Dunlop Clarkson (3), married to Ella Scott. 
 David (4), unmarried, resides in St. Louis. Jo- 
 sephine (5), married a Mr. Clarkson; and Marga- 
 ret (6), unmarried. 
 
 Josephine (4), daughter of Andrew (IV), and 
 Sarah Bella Chambers Dunlop, married Col. 
 James Ludlow, son of Israel Ludlow, one of 
 the founders of Cincinnati. They resided at Lud- 
 low Station (a military post during the Indian 
 wars). The fine large estate and hospitable sub- 
 urban home was the resort of all the family connec- 
 tion. They had eight children: (1) James Dunlop 
 
 Ludlow was married to Susie , and in 1864 
 
 lived near Peoria, 111. (2) Charlotte mar- 
 ried Charles Jones; they had a daughter, and a 
 son, Ludlow, who in 1864 was a practicing attor- 
 ney in Cincinnati. (3) Saraha Bell was married 
 November 6, 1846, at Mr. Justice McLean's, 
 Fourth street, Cincinnati, by Rt. Rev. C. P. Mcll- 
 vaine, to Salmon P. Chase, a prominent lawyer, 
 statesman, diplomat, Judge of the United States 
 Court, and a member of President Lincoln's cab- 
 inet. Their children were: Jenette Ralston 
 Chase, born September 17, 1847, a lady whose 
 delightful letters and literary genius are known 
 under the nom de plume of " Mrs. Hoyt ". Jos- 
 ephine Ludlow Chase, born July 3, 1849, and 
 Kate Chase, who was married to Gov. Sprague, 
 of Rhode Island. (4) Catherine (Ludlow) mar- 
 ried Jacob Baker; her second husband was 
 Lewis Whiteman, and now resides at Ludlow 
 Station, which she has purchased. (5) Benj. C. 
 was married to Fanny Jones; he was a physi- 
 ian of high standing in the Union army during the 
 Rebellion, after which he resumed his practice in 
 Cincinnati. (6) Josephine was unmarried, and 
 died in 1866. (7) Rhuhannah married Randall 
 Hunt, and resides in New Orleans; and (8) Israel 
 was an officer, also, in the Union army, and now 
 practicing law in Cincinnati. Sarah Bella (5), 
 daughter of Andrew (IV) and Sarah Bella Cham- 
 bers Dunlop, married (first) Hon. Jeptha D. Gar- 
 rard, of Kentucky, and (second) Hon. John Mc- 
 Lean, of Ohio, postmaster-general and Justice 
 of the U. S. Supreme Court. Hadessa (6), daugh- 
 ter of Andrew (IV) and Sarah Bella Chambers 
 Dunlop. 
 
L-' 
 
 (JOMMEUoliATlVE BIOGUAI'II HWL RECOUP. 
 
 HARRIS. 
 
 (IV) Ann I)unlop(3), daughter of Col. James 
 and Jane Boggs, was born March 15, 176S; wac 
 married June 15. 1790. to James Harris, a direct 
 descendant of EDWARD HARRIS, of Scotland, who 
 abandoned his large estates, which were confis- 
 cated (and never recovered) in consequence of 
 the persecution of the Covenanters in the reign of 
 Charles II, or his successor, James II (1660 to 
 [689), and settled in the County Donegal, near 
 Rapho, in Ireland, his brother Charles accom- 
 panying him and receiving like treatment. 
 
 Edward Harris ( 1 1 was married to Flora Doug- 
 lass, of the famous family of that name who re- 
 sided near the borders of England. Their chil- 
 dren were Edward, Robert and James. Edward 
 (II), son of Edward (I), married and had children: 
 Robert, William and Mary. Robert (II), son of 
 Edward (I), married Dorotbj Wiley, and had 
 children: John, William, James, Margaret, 
 Thomas, Samuel, Robert and Charles. James 
 (II), son of Edward (I), married Mary Simpson, 
 and had children: William. Ann and James, and 
 by a second marriage 1 with Janet McClure) had a 
 son, John. William III , son of fames and Mary 
 Simpson, married Catharine Wilson, and emi- 
 grated from Ireland to the Swatara, below Har- 
 risburg (Donegal). Their children were: Janus, 
 John, William, Sarah, Mary and Robert. Ann 
 (III), daughtei oi fames and Mary Simpson, mar- 
 ried David Caldwell, who emigrated to Pennsyl- 
 vania and then moved to Carolina, and had a 
 family of children. After the death oi David 
 Caldwell she married Rob it Harris, son ol Rob- 
 ert Hi and I Joroth) Wiley, James III), m ol 
 James and Man Simpson, never married. He 
 was a surveyor, and lived with his half-brothei 
 John, at Miffiintown, where he died September 
 8, [804, and was buried in the Presbyterian 
 graveyard. He was appointed deputy survi 
 for pari ol Cumberland county on April [9, 1785, 
 and his name is to be found among main ol the 
 old surveys. 
 
 John 1 llh, son ol | id Janet McClure, 
 
 was born in Ireland in 1723, immigrated to this 
 country in 1752, locating on the Swatara 1 1 )one- 
 gah. He \\a> first married to Jane Poen, who 
 
 I wit hi nit issue, His second wife \\ as a ci msin, 
 Jean Harris, daughter ol John Grizzele Steel 
 (son of Robert), and she died January 11, 1807, 
 aged eighty-three, lea> ing the follow ing children: 
 Jane, lames, William, I and 
 
 Ann. "Donegal" was settled 1>\ Scotch-Irish 
 Presbyterians, nearly all of whom occupied promi- 
 nent positions in Colonial times, and the records 
 of the Revolutionary war, and that of [ 8 1 2, fully 
 establish the fact of their purest patriotism and 
 
 love of country Every soldier and officer of the 
 Third Battalion was from this place, John Harris 
 early taking an influential part. He was one of 
 the leading spirits at the meeting at Carlisle July 
 1 j, 1774, to express sympathy for the oppressed 
 at Boston, and adopt measures for their relief. 
 He was a member of the Provincial Conference 
 which met at Carpenters Hall June 28, 1776, and 
 of the subsequent Convention July 1 5, 1776. He 
 was appointed sub-lieutenant of Cumberland 
 county March 12, 1777. From 1778 to 1 781 he 
 served as a member of the General Assembly. 
 He was one of the commissioners who met at 
 New Haven, Conn., in November, 1777, to regu- 
 late the price of commodities in the States. The 
 Act for the gradual abolition of slavery 111 Penn- 
 sylvania received his support, although himself a 
 slave owner. He was commissioned a Justice of 
 the Peace on 6th of February, 1779. In 1790 
 he laid out the town of Mifflin, Juniata county, 
 upon his estate, which comprised 375 acres, and 
 with characteristic forethought and consideration 
 1 ved a portion for public use, now occupied 
 by the court house, Presbyterian and Lutheran 
 churches, cemetery, &c. ; he died there February 
 28, 1794, and was buried in the Presbyterian 
 burying grounds there. (IV) Jane, daughter of 
 fohn and |ean Harris, married James Patterson, 
 son of Capt. James Patterson, who settled at Mex- 
 ico, Penn. at a very early date, and had a warrant 
 fo: 407 acres of land dated February 4, 1755. be- 
 ing the day after the land office opened for the 
 sale of lands west of the Kittatinny Mountains. 
 This land he had surveyed on the 29th of the 
 same month, and it is the first land patented 
 within the limits of the present county. They 
 had children: fohn and William, of whom. Will- 
 iam married Mary Kiddle, whose son Kiddle Pal 
 terson is the father of William II. Patterson, su- 
 perintendent of public grounds at Harrisburg 
 ( 1878). Grizzelle ( IV i, daughter of John and Jean 
 Harris, married fames Knox, Esq., a promin 
 citizen of Miffiintown, a ]. P. and a merchant 
 from 1794. Their children were Thomas, John. 
 Maria, Jane and Hannah. All moved to tli 
 West. William (IV), son of John and Jean Han 
 d unmarried April 20, 1807, aged forty-eight 
 1 5; he was a surveyoi Margaret | IV), daughter 
 of John and Jean Harris, m, mud John Stewart, 
 justice in Tuscarora. Ann ( IV). daughterof 
 John and Jean Harris, married Samuel Pryson, 
 Esq., formerly a distinguished citizen of Miffiin- 
 town, who had served five years in the army dur- 
 ing the Revolutionary war. was wounded at Ger- 
 mantown and as County Lieutenant refit 
 commission two colonels elected by the regi- 
 ments, which so incensed the people that on. his 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 183 
 
 being appointed judge, a small army marched to 
 Lewistown to drag him from the Bench and force 
 him to resign. The effort did not succeed, but 
 there was great excitement and it was on the 
 verge of serious trouble and bloodshed. Their 
 children were James, Samuel, Polly and Jane 
 (Mrs. Ann B. died October u, 1831). 
 
 James Harris (IV), son of John and Jean 
 Harris, was born on the Swatara in 1755; with 
 ample means and access to the extensive library 
 of his father, his early education was thorough. 
 He adopted the occupation of a civil engineer 
 and April 19, 1785, was appointed deputy sur- 
 veyor of Cumberland county, and on November 
 19, 1789, for all of Mifflin county. In Septem- 
 ber, 1787, he laid out the road from Frankstown 
 to the Conemaugh river. He was married on 
 June 15, 1790, to Ann, daughter of Col. Dun- 
 lop; he moved to Spring creek in 1795 (the old 
 home known as "Willow Bank"), and in that 
 year, in connection with his father-in-law, laid 
 out the town of Bellefonte upon their own prop- 
 erty, and to their generous appreciation of the 
 future needs of the town much is due. First 
 donating the beautiful spring from which the 
 town derives its name, the ground for the court 
 house, jail and public buildings, cemetery, Pres- 
 byterian church, parsonage and academy. They 
 then appropriated one-half of all the proceeds 
 from the sale of not only the town lots but of out 
 lots, covering a considerable portion of their 
 adjoining property, to the erection of the public 
 buildings and academy, and for an endowment of 
 the latter. Accurate land books of sales made, 
 and receipts of the commissioners of the county and 
 trustees of the academy for the proceeds to which 
 each were entitled, are still in the possession of 
 the family. James Harris was also a State Sen- 
 ator from Mifflin county, and the first postmaster 
 of Bellefonte. After the erection of the county 
 he was State Senator from the District, from 
 1800 to 1808. From 1789 his name is connected 
 with all the land titles of Centre county, and his 
 acquaintance with all the lands from the west 
 branch of the Susquehanna to the Conemaugh, 
 afforded the large Eastern land owners the only 
 means of information in relation to their property 
 in that region. He was an intimate friend and 
 relation, by marriage, of Governor William Find- 
 lay; his correspondence with him in relation to 
 "Frontier Defence " will be found in Pennsyl- 
 vania Archives Vol. IV, 710. Mr. Harris was 
 also largely engaged in milling operations and 
 other business enterprises in Bellefonte, and is 
 justly regarded as one of the fathers of the place; 
 he died there December 2, 1828, aged 71 years. 
 His wife {nee Ann Dunlop) who survived him, 
 
 died in Bellefonte, April 8, 1844, aged yy years. 
 She was a woman of more than ordinary mind 
 and cultivation. Her taste for metaphysical 
 reasoning led the ablest theologians of her day to 
 seek her society, and she was the author of a book 
 entitled "The Alphabet of Thought," that was 
 regarded by all as a work of great merit, elucidat- 
 ing principles requiring much study and great 
 research. The children of James and Ann Dunlop 
 Harris were: (V) John (1) was a practicing physi- 
 cian for some years, and afterwards engaged in the 
 wholesale drug business in Philadelphia, and im- 
 porters under the firm name of Harris, Hale & 
 Co. He was married first to Eliza Hoge, a 
 niece of Judge. Walker, his second wife being 
 Miss Ellen Orbison, of Huntingdon, Penn., who 
 acquired such celebrity during the Rebellion in the 
 organization of help, collection and distribution 
 of supplies and delicacies for the Pennsylvania 
 soldiers in home and field hospitals. She is now 
 residing in Vienna, where Dr. Harris died while 
 serving as U. S. consul. Dr. Harris had no chil- 
 dren. 
 
 (V) Jane (2), daughter of James and Ann Dun- 
 lop Harris, was married February 28, 181 1, to 
 Rev. James Linn, who died in Bellefonte 
 February 23, 1868, after a pastorate of 58 
 years. We copy the following from Linn's 
 History of Centre county: "James Linn was 
 born in Sherman's Valley, in Cumberland Co., 
 Penn., September 4, 1783, and was one of seven 
 children. His grandfather came over from Scot- 
 land in the early part of the last century, and 
 was of solid Presbyterian stock. His father, John 
 Linn, was born in Adams county, Pa., in the year 
 1749, was graduated at Princeton College in 1773, 
 studied theology with Rev. Robert Cooper, and 
 during his entire ministerial life, including a term 
 of nearly forty years, was settled as the pastor of 
 Centre Church, Sherman's Valley. He died in 
 1820 in his 71st year. He was married to Mary 
 Gettys, daughter of the founder of Gettysburg. 
 Mr. Linn was graduated in Dickinson College in 
 1805, and studied theology with Rev. Joshua 
 Williams at Newville. He was licensed to preach 
 the Gospel September 27, 1808, by the Presby- 
 tery of Carlisle. He himself considered it an 
 honor of no small measure to have been licensed 
 by such a body of ministers as then composed that 
 Presbytery — a noble band of venerable men 
 and men of talent. In the spring of 1809 he 
 visited the congregations of Spruce Creek and 
 Sinking Valley, now in the bounds of Huntingdon 
 Presbytery. From there he shortly after came 
 to Bellefonte. The Presbyterian Church in this 
 place had just been left vacant by the removing 
 of Rev. Henry R. Wilson to Carlisle. His 
 
184 
 
 COMMEMORA TIVB BI0QRAPI1ICAL RECORD. 
 
 preaching here and at Lick Run for a few Sab- 
 baths resulted in unanimous calls from both 
 Churches, each for one half of his time. The or- 
 dination and installation took place April 17th, 
 1S10, in the court house, which was thru used as 
 the place of worship. In this service the Rev. 
 Mr Coulter preached the sermon, and the Rev. 
 Mr Grier presided and give the charge to the 
 pastor. In 1839, the Bellefonte Church wishing 
 to secure his undivided labors, he was released 
 from the Lick Run charge, and by an unanimous 
 vote was chosen a second time as pastor in Belle- 
 fonte. In this relation he continued to the day 
 of his death. In October of the year 1859, which 
 marked a half century in his pastorate, the Pres- 
 bytery of Huntingdon celebrated the occasion by 
 special exercises of great interest, holding their 
 fall meeting in Bellefonte for this purpose. 
 Shortly after this his strength began perceptibly 
 to fail to such an extent that it was decided to 
 relieve him from regular labors by calling a co- 
 pastor. In the spring of 1861 the Rev. J. H. 
 Barnard was called to the co-pastorate, and re- 
 mained until 1866, and was succeeded by the 
 Rev. Alfred Yeomans in December of the same 
 year" Dr. Linn's wife Jane {nee Harris) died 
 August 14, 1822; he (again) married, April 15, 
 1829, Miss Isabella Henderson. 
 
 The children of K> \ fames Linn by his first 
 wifewere: (VI) Claudius B. Linn ( 1 , of Philadel- 
 phia, who was engaged in the « holesale drug busi- 
 ness, and was married toa Mrs. Baldwin, a widow 
 with two children. Sue Baldwin, unmarried, and 
 William Baldwin, marriei daughter of John 
 
 A. Wilson, and at present superintendent of the 
 Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Ch railroad, re- 
 
 siding at Fort Wayne. Claudius B. Linn had 
 two children, a son, Lewis, and a daughter, 
 Carrie, married to Hr. Carl Siler, has several 
 children. James Harris Linn (2) was an iron- 
 master. For a short time engaged *in that busi- 
 
 > in Fast Tennessee, afterward at Howard 
 Iron Works, in Centre county, and for the last 
 forty years of his life was a member of the well- 
 known firm of McCoy & Linn, of Milesburg Iron 
 Works, at which place he died April 6, 1876. 
 lie was married September 15, [843, to Harriet 
 Stewart (daughter of Robert T. Stewart), who 
 died July 16, 1895. They had no children. 
 
 (VI) Hon. Samuel Linn (3) was a leading at- 
 torney of Centre county, enjoyed a large general 
 practice for many years, and was the foremost land 
 lawyer in this part of the State, where the con- 
 flicting titles and interfering warrants were the 
 subject of litigation involving difficult legal ques- 
 tions, and there were few quest s of this na- 
 ture in the surrounding counties in which he was 
 
 not employed. He was elected President Judge 
 of this District, then composed ofClearfield, Centre 
 and Clinton counties. He was a most eloquent 
 advocate, as a judge clear, explicit, conscientious 
 and just, but owing to his dislike for criminal 
 jurisprudence 1 which the position included), and 
 which he avoided when at the Bar, unless 
 duty clearly pointed to the advocacy or de- 
 fense in extreme cases involving the good order 
 of society or malicious persecution, he resigned 
 the judgeship in May, 1868, and returned to the 
 practice. He was an author of legal works, and 
 his •• Analytical Digest" of adjudged and paral- 
 lel cases was a work involving immense labor 
 and of incalculable value to the profession. Some 
 vears after his retirement from the Bench he 
 formed a partnership in the practice of law with 
 Hon. William H. Armstrong, of Williamsport, 
 and went there to live, where he died. Socially, 
 he was highly esteemed; few persons had the 
 fund of anecdotes, or the happy faculty of relat- 
 ing them. He was an elder in the Presbyterian 
 Church, and a representative of the same in all 
 the high courts. He was born on the 20th of 
 February, 1820, and married on the first of De- 
 cember, 1847, to Miss Augusta Moore, of Car- 
 lisle, Penn. They had seven children: James 
 (1) died when a young man; Mary (2j married a 
 Mi Hemingway, and resides in New Jersey; 
 Harry (3) died recently; Claudius (4); Anna 
 (5), married to Dr. Cheney, resides in Williams- 
 port; Blanche (6); Herbert (7). 
 
 (VI) Anna Linn (4), daughter of Rev. James 
 Linn, who died March 25, 1847, married Judge 
 John Irvin, Jr., a son of John Irvin and 
 Mary, daughter of William Fisher, who was 
 horn on the 21st of January. 1754, in Chester 
 county. Thomas Fisher, the grandfather of 
 William Fisher, was among the original pur- 
 chasers of land in Chester county from the 
 Penns, and at whose death it was inherited 
 by his nephew, and in the fall of 1800 he 
 mi ived to Centre county (then Upper Bald Fagle. 
 now Union township), where he purchased land, 
 built a dwelling, sawmill, and in 1812 erected 
 the stone mansion now known as the old stone 
 house at Snow Shoe Intersection. John Irvin. 
 the grandfather of Judge John Irvin, Jr., was a 
 ( hestei County Friend, came to the Bald Eagle 
 Valley in 1801, and settled on the place known 
 as the Loughry farm, containing 400 acres of 
 land, where he died in 1829, aged eighty yean, 
 leaving two sons, William and John. The for- 
 mer, well known as one of the early school 
 teachers in the Valley, died in Unionville when 
 over eighty years of age. The latter, John, Jr.. 
 father of judge John Irvin. Jr., died in his pew 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 185 
 
 in the Bellefonte Friends Meeting House one 
 Sunday in 1859. His other sons were Ellis and 
 William, of Clearfield county, and Dr. James, of 
 Colorado, and two daughters — Melissa, married 
 to Lewis Hagerman (two children surviving, John 
 Irvinand Sarah), and Mary Jane, married to Augus- 
 tus Whiteman. Judge John Irvin, Jr., early in life 
 engaged in mercantile pursuits, and in 1841 en- 
 tered into partnership in Bellefonte with Henry 
 Brockerhoff, conducting perhaps the most ex- 
 tensive business of the time in this part of the 
 State, their business extending over many of the 
 adjoining counties. On the 26th of December, 
 1846, he retired from the business to engage in 
 the manufacture of iron at " Howard Iron 
 Works," under the firm name of Irvin, Thomas 
 & Co., which in 1854 was changed to John Ir- 
 vin, Jr., & Co., and continuing until 1865, when 
 he sold the property to Grescom Bright & Co. , 
 and moved to Bellefonte, expecting to retire 
 from business, but the great change from an act- 
 ive life induced him to engage with Col. P. B. 
 Wilson in the hardware business, under the name 
 of Irvin & Wilson, and they erected a fine brick 
 block for that purpose, conducting a prosperous 
 business for sveral years, when he retired to as- 
 sume the management of some large trust estates, 
 in which he continued to the time of his death, 
 August 14, 1889. He was elected an asso- 
 ciate judge of the county, serving out his full 
 term. He was an enterprising citizen, trusted 
 adviser and warm friend. He had two children, 
 viz.: (VII) Mary T. Irvin (1) was married to 
 Edmund Blanchard, a prominent attorney at 
 law, and partner of Ex-Gov. Curtin. He was 
 a son of the Hon. John Blanchard (hereinbe- 
 fore mentioned), and was, until the day of 
 his death, on the 27th day of Dec, 1886, 
 the senior law partner of the firm of E. & 
 E. Blanchard. He was well known through- 
 out the State, and was largely engaged in 
 other business interests. He was an enter- 
 prising citizen, and perhaps no one in Bellefonte 
 ever had the material interest of the place at 
 heart, or contributed more in time or means to 
 promote its welfare. Every enterprise and im- 
 provement had his assistance, and the personal 
 ambitions or preferment of any of its citizens 
 had his unselfish and cordial support. They had 
 the following children: (VIII) Rebecca, Fred, 
 Anna and Christine. (VII) Jennie Irvin (2) was 
 married to Joseph R. Bright, of Pottsville, who 
 is extensively engaged in the iron and coal inter- 
 ests of that region. They have the following chil- 
 dren: (VIII) Anna, John. Howard, Edmund, 
 Harris Linn and Stanley. 
 
 (VI) Jane Eliza (5), daughter of Rev. James 
 
 Linn, was married to Daniel Welch, of Belle- 
 fonte, who was early engaged with his brother- 
 in-law, Jas. H. Linn, and cousin. Dr. J. H. 
 Dobbins, in the iron business in Tennessee; 
 afterward a railroad contractor and business 
 man, now deceased. They had no children. 
 The Rev. James Linn, D. D., was married (a 
 second time) to Miss Isabella Henderson, whose 
 ancestor, Daniel Henderson, lived and died in 
 Chester county before the Revolution. He had 
 a number of children, one of whom removed to 
 Carlisle and married Margaret, daughter of Dr. 
 Jonathan Kearsley, who came from Dublin and 
 then removed to Shippensburg; he was a deputy 
 surveyor of Cumberland and Franklin counties, 
 and died on the 8th of April, 1796. He had 
 seven sons and four daughters, one of whom, 
 Isabella, was married to the Rev. James Linn, 
 
 D. D., on the day of , 18—. His 
 
 sons all occupied positions of trust or prominence 
 in the professions, as was also the case in the 
 preceding generations. Rev. James and Isabella 
 (Henderson) Linn had one daughter, Margaret 
 H., who was married to Wm. P. Wilson, a 
 prominent attorney of Bellefonte, for many years 
 the law partner of his brother-in-law, Judge Sam- 
 uel Linn. He was well known throughout the 
 State, and interested in many large business en- 
 terprises; died August 3, 1878. 
 
 (V) Eliza G. Harris (3) was married to Dr. 
 Daniel Dobbins, whose father was a clergyman 
 of the Covenanter Church, and emigrated from 
 Ireland to this country, locating in the Cumber- 
 land Valley near Gettysburg. Dr. Dobbins was 
 an eminent physician and practitioner in Belle- 
 fonte for more than thirty-seven years, he re- 
 ceived a classical education under the care and 
 tuition of his father, who for a number of years 
 was engaged in teaching, and by whom were 
 educated many men who in after life became 
 eminent in the different learned professions. The 
 Doctor was a student of Dr. Church, of Phila- 
 delphia, and graduated from the University of 
 Pennsylvania in 1807, when he came to Belle- 
 fonte and commenced the practice of medicine, 
 which he continued with unremitting industry 
 until the day of his death, February 27, 1814. 
 He was a man of strong mind, sound judgment, 
 an accurate and profound scholar, as skillful and 
 eminent in his profession as any man in Pennsyl- 
 vania, and a great excellence was that he never 
 turned from his door, night or day, any one who 
 needed medical aid. The humble child of pov- 
 erty, the rich and the powerful, were all alike to 
 him, all commanded his services and in any 
 severity of weather. He died a martyr to his 
 profession, universally regretted, esteemed and 
 
ISC, 
 
 COMME.VOHA TIYF. BIOGRAPHICAL UECOHD. 
 
 respected, and the citizens of Bellefonte claimed 
 the privilege of being permitted to erect a 
 monument to his memory. His wife died about 
 three years previous, They left two children: 
 Eliza, who has since died, and Dr. James H. 
 Dobbins, for many y >ent (1898) a 
 
 leading physician ol Bellefonte, who inherits 
 many of the sterling qualities of his father. 
 
 (V) James Dunlop Harris (4) was born in 
 1797, and married in 1824 to Mary Ann Miller. 
 He was one of the ablest civil engineers this 
 State ever produced. Linn's History records 
 very briefly some of the important undertakings 
 in which he was engaged, viz : "In the incipient 
 operations preparatory to the legislation which 
 authorized the commencement of the Pennsyl- 
 vania canal, he, in 1 825, explored one of the pro- 
 posi for the canal to connect the eastern 
 
 and western waters, and the Act having passed 
 February 25, [826, be wa - immediately appoint d 
 principal assistant to N. S. Roberts, Esq., who 
 was charged with the location and construction 
 of the section adjoining Pittsburgh and extending 
 thirty-one miles to the mouth of the Kiskiminet- 
 as. On Mr. Roberts' resignation, in May, 1827, 
 Mr. Harris was appointed to take charge of that 
 line, which was so fai advanced by the first of 
 June, 1828, that the Board of Canal Commis- 
 sion! anted him to the additional duty of 
 locating and constructing that part of the canal 
 extending from Blairsville to Johnstown, twenty- 
 nt miles. He had this line, including four 
 dams, thirty locks and tv< le aqueducts, 
 so near completed in Jul)', 1829, in substantial 
 manner, that they could have been finished dur- 
 ing the season, when he was suddenly' removed 
 by adverse influence of James S. Stevenson, act- 
 ing canal commissioner on the Western Division. 
 Mi. Harris' memorial on the subject to the 1 
 islature in [830 caused the deb. it of Stevenson 
 for U. S Senator. In 1831 John Mitchell and 
 fames Clark, overruling Si 1, appointed 
 Mi Han is, in conm 1 t ion with Roberl Faries, 
 engineei to locate the whole West Branch lineof 
 the Muni j Dam to the mouth of the I _;le. 
 Mr. Faries and Mr. Harris were associated in the 
 ition of the canal, and the line was then 
 divided for construction, Mr. Harris taking the 
 western portion. In |une, 1834, he was princi- 
 pal enginei t of the Pennsylvania and 1 nal, 
 and was shortly after offered charge of the Bald 
 Eagle canal, which he declined as be had < 
 himself to stay with his friend, Gen. Abner 1 a- 
 cock, in the form' 1 enterprise. On March 25. 
 1836, he was appointed principal engineer upon 
 the extension of the North Branch Division, and 
 to have general supervision of that and the Sus- 
 
 quehanna Division. In the fall of 1838, he was 
 i the 1 1 quest of the citizens of Schuyl- 
 kill county and other counties interested in the 
 trade of the Union canal, as an able and disin- 
 terested engineer, to make examinations relative 
 to its enlargement. His exceedingly able report 
 will be found among the records of the House of 
 Representatives at Harrisburg for the year 1839". 
 In speaking of his death and funeral ceremonies 
 attended by an immense concord of friends and 
 
 libors, to testify their regard for his mem- 
 ory, the Centre Democrat, published by S. T. 
 Shugert, in its issue of the 28th of February, 
 [842. among other things, says: " He acted his 
 part in many important places, in all of which 
 he sustained the character of an able, honest and 
 conscientious man. He was the patron of all 
 public improvements, and also of more limited 
 and local pertaining to our town. He was the 
 efficient advocate of everything that was ^ood 
 and useful in civil and religious society. The 
 temperance cause, the Sabbath-school, the Pres- 
 byterian Church, of which he was a ruling elder 
 and a very cheerful supporter, have experienced 
 a severe stroke, and all deeply lament his loss." 
 He died on the 26th daj of February, 1842 His 
 wife, who survived him, died February 1, 1851, 
 
 She was the daughter of Miller, who 
 
 married a Miss Valentine, sister of Bond, Abram 
 and George, the well-known iron-masters of C( li- 
 tre county. The children of [ames D. and M 
 A Miller Harris were as follows: 
 
 (VI) James ( 1 | died in 1846. Thomazu 
 was married to Dr. George I. Potter, gran.: 
 of Gen. Potter, of the Revolution. Dr. Potter 
 was a leading physician of Bellefonte for man) 
 years, and a skillful surgeon ol the [48th Penn- 
 sylvania during the Rebellion. Their children 
 are: (VIIl Mary Pottei 1 ), who married Join 
 Miller and resides in Bellefonte; have a -on. 
 Charles James 11. Potter (2) (of the hardw 
 firm of fas, Harris cS: Co.), married Mary Som- 
 merville, and have- children: Donald, Thoma/uie 
 ami Janet. Lucy Maria 131, unmarried. Geo! 
 Potter (4 . residing at Fort Wayne, is man 
 ami has two children. Thoma :im Potter : 
 unmarried. (VI) Nancy Dunlop Harris 
 married to Rev. James Orbison. They d 
 the early years of their life to missionary work 
 in India, in which country then four children 
 were born. Mr. Orbison s health being impaired 
 tiny retui in 1 to Bellefonte, where he died am 
 buried. Their children: (VII Rev . James Harris 
 ( >i bison i 1 I, who is married and now also eng 
 in missionary work in India. Nellie Orbison 2 . 
 married to Rev. Beach, now the Presbyterian 
 pastor at Bridge ton, N. J. Miss Agnes Orbison 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 187 
 
 (3), unmarried, and residing with her mother in 
 this county, returned to India, but her health 
 did not admit of her remaining. Thomas J. Or- 
 bison (4), now a student at the University of 
 Pennsylvania. (VI) Jane Harris (4) married James 
 S. Sommerville, a civil engineer and extensive 
 coal operator of this county; (VII) their children: 
 Elizabeth (1); Bond (2), married Nina Ramsey, 
 and they have two children — Ellen D. and Jane 
 H.; Mary (3); John S. (4); James H. (5); Allen 
 O. (6); Robert H. (7); Donald Lang (8); 
 Claudius L. (9) died in infancy. (VI) Eliza Dob- 
 bins Harris (5) was married to William P. 
 Humes, a banker of Bellefonte, and a grand- 
 nephew of Hon. W. W. Potter and Hon. Charles 
 Huston, of the Supreme Court, and son of E. C. 
 Humes, for many years and until his death, re- 
 cently, president of the First National Bank of 
 Bellefonte. They had one child that died when 
 quite young. 
 
 (VI) Louisa Harris (6) was married to Hon. 
 Adam Hoy, a prominent attorney of Bellefonte. 
 He died in the prime of life, the exacting duties of 
 an extensive practice contributing to the result. 
 He was appointed by the Governor to fill out the 
 unexpired term of Judge Orvis as President fudge 
 of the District composed of Centre and Hunting- 
 don counties. Their children: (VII) Nancy H. 
 (i), Mary (2), Albert (3), Louise (4), married to 
 Col. W. Fred Reynolds, a banker and capitalist 
 of Bellefonte, James Harris (5), Edward L. (6), 
 Randolph (7). 
 
 (V) William Harris (5), son of James and Ann 
 (Dunlop) Harris, born in Bellefonte on the 12th 
 of July, 1799, adopted the profession of a civil 
 engineer, and early in life look part with his 
 father, James Harris, in the location and construc- 
 tion of the various public works of that day, and 
 the later public improvements in connection with 
 his brother, James D., from which time until his 
 death October 25, 1865, his services as civil 
 engineer, or in connection with the land titles of 
 the county, were constantly in demand as a re- 
 sult of his skill, efficiency and painstaking accuracy. 
 He was for several years largely engaged in the 
 foundry and machine business, which in those 
 days embraced the manufacture of all the more 
 important articles of farm and home use, as 
 plows, harrows, and all kinds of stoves, etc. He 
 located and had charge of the construction of the 
 Bald Eagle canal, of which he had also direction 
 and control of the business management, as well 
 as the engineering department, directing its main- 
 tenance, improvement, repairs and contracting 
 for the same until 1865 when it was so damaged 
 by flood as to be abandoned. He located and 
 constructed the Bellefonte and Snow Shoe R. R., 
 
 and when built he had the supervision of all the 
 engineering work as well as the exclusive charge 
 of the lands and coal mines of the Snow Shoe 
 Land Association, a corporation connected with 
 the Railroad Company, establishing the lines of 
 tracts, locating of the mines, and the improve- 
 ments thereon, and. to whose careful and prudent 
 management was mainly due the largely appre- 
 ciated value of the stock of the company. He 
 had fine social qualities, was fond of the society 
 of his friends and acquaintances, kind hearted 
 and liberal even to his injury, beloved by young 
 and old. He was the most popular man in the 
 county, and although the Whig party, of which 
 he was an adherent, was largely in the minority 
 in the county and district, he could be elected to 
 any office for which he would permit his name to 
 be used as a candidate, and without effort upon 
 his part, as he was naturally averse to political 
 preferment. In the councils of the different po- 
 litical parties the common remarks heard were 
 "I wish we could persuade William Harris to 
 accept, " or " I fear they will persuade William 
 Harris to run." He was elected treasurer of the 
 county for two terms, and was State Senator 
 
 from 1847 to 1850. He was married , 
 
 1820, to Margaret McLanahan, daughter of Rob- 
 ert McLanahan, of Franklin county, and Re- 
 becca Dunlop, and their children were: Rebecca, 
 and Ann and William, all of whom died early in life 
 unmarried; (VI) Jane, who resides in Bellefonte; 
 James, who was born on the 24th of September, 
 1832, was married September 24, 1878, to Miss 
 Lavinia Catharine Slaymaker, of Lancaster coun- 
 ty. After completing his education, James Har- 
 ris early jn life engaged in the tanning business 
 in Snow Shoe township (from 185 1 to 1856). In 
 1857 he engaged in business at Milesburg Iron 
 Works, operated by his cousins, J. H. Linn and 
 J. M. McCoy, with whom he remained until the 
 beginning of the Civil war, when he enlisted in 
 the service of the United States, attaining to the 
 rank of Major, and upon his return at the close of 
 the war organized, in connection with his cousin, 
 John Harris (son of Joseph), the hardware house 
 of J. & J. Harris. In 1884 and '85 he erected 
 the large brick block, northwest corner of High 
 and Water streets, with a special reference to 
 the future home of the now extensive wholesale 
 and retail hardware business of James Harris & 
 Co., John Harris having in the meantime dis- 
 posed of his interests to their cousin, James H. 
 Potter. James Harris is an elder in the Presby- 
 terian Church. He is one of the best known men 
 in Bellefonte, and always abreast in any enter- 
 prise for the improvement of the town or the alle- 
 viation of suffering or want wherever found. Will- 
 
188 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOQRAPII I'M. RECORD. 
 
 iam Harris (V i married (again) October 12, 1837, 
 Miss Mary Fairlamb, of West Chester (sister of 
 Dr. George A Fairlamb, of Bellefonte). She 
 died July 13, 1S45, leaving one child: George 1 
 now Dr. George F. Harris, a prominent physician 
 I '>ellefonte, who is married to Mary W. Curtin, 
 •eldest daughter of ex-Gov. Curtin. Their chil- 
 dren are Kate C. and Adaline F. William Har- 
 ris' (V) last wife was Miss Adaline Miles, daughter 
 of Evan Miles, whom he married December 2 1, 
 
 1847. 
 
 V Joseph Harris, son of James and Ann 
 Dunlop Harris, was born in the year l8or, 
 and died July 14, 1 S45 . was married to 
 Miss Jane Miller, a sister of his brother James' 
 wife Like all his brothers, Joseph Harris had a 
 thorough education and training. He early in- 
 clined to a general business life. He was a man 
 of great energy, and perseverance, and particular 
 in business details, prompt and honorable in all his 
 engagements. He was a warm and devoted 
 (riend, fond of society, and hi-, hospitable home, 
 the resort of all the connection, always had room 
 for one more. He was an iron-master, and in 
 1829 erected and carried on the furnace and 
 works at Howard; some years later William A 
 Thomas and Jacob Lex. of Philadelphia, became 
 interested with him in the linn name of Harris, 
 1 & Thomas. In [837 Joseph Harris built 
 the dam for the Canal Co., finished the canal 
 from Marsh (reek and cut a passage (torn the 
 creek near the dam to the works. Thecomp 
 then built another furnace stack in 1X40, and 
 built an expensive rolling-mill, putting it in op- 
 eration that fall. Joseph Harris died July 14, 
 1S43. His children are: William A 11 and 
 Joseph D. (3). first and third sons of [oseph and 
 Jane Miller Harris, both died when the) were 
 
 ig men and unmarried. John (2), the sec- 
 ond son, was in the dmg business in Bellefoi 
 and afterward, in connection with his cousin, 
 fames Harris, founded the large hardware estab- 
 lishment under tin rirm name of J J. Harris, 
 now the largest hardware house in the counts- 
 He was man ied to Miss Ra< be! Wagner. Their 
 children: Joseph ( 1 ), Gu) Charles (3), 
 
 Jane M. (4), Anna Mary 
 
 fohn Harris died in Bellefonb . Dec. 19. 1 
 
 VI) Mary (4), daughter of Joseph and Jane 
 Miller Harris, was married to Wistar Morris, a 
 very wealthy gentleman ol ( (verbrook, near Phila- 
 delphia. Mr. Morris was the leading director of 
 the Pennsylvania railroad for man) years, and in 
 whose judgment the officials of that corporation 
 had the utmost confidence and chief reliance. 
 They had one child. Holly Morns 1 , who was 
 married to Dr. Wood a celebrated Philadelphia 
 
 divine. They had children: Morris (1), Mar- 
 guerite (2). It was at their elegant country 
 home President and Mrs. Cleveland were enter- 
 tained when they visited in Philadelphia. 
 
 (VI) Eliza T. (5), daughter of Joseph and 
 Jane Miller Harris, was married to Evan M 
 Blanchard, a practicing attorney of Bellefonte. 
 He was a son of the Hon. John Blanchard, of 
 Bellefonte, of whom Linn's History says: "Hon. 
 John Blanchard was born atPeacham, \'t., Sept. 
 30, 1787. When fifteen years of age his father 
 died, and he assisted in carrying on the farm, at- 
 tending the public schools in the winter. Sup- 
 porting himself by school teaching, he prepared 
 himself for college, and graduated at Dartmouth, 
 in 1S12. He then removed to York, Pa., where 
 he taught school and studied law, and was ad- 
 mitted to the Bar of York County March 31st, 
 181 5. He first settled at Lewistown, and in the 
 fall of 1S15 removed to Bellefonte, which contin- 
 ued to be his residence up to the time of his 
 death. He at once became largely engaged in 
 the practice of law, and took a high position at 
 the Bar. He was married in 1S20 to Mary, 
 daughter of Evan Miles. He was a Whig in pol- 
 itics, but not an active politician, and after much 
 persuasion became the candidate of the party 
 for Congress in the fall of 1844. His speeches 
 in Congress, particularly on the tariff question, 
 are characterized by great logical ability, and 
 abound in evidence of great research of statistics, 
 lb took sick about the close of his second term. 
 and died at Columbia, Penn., on his way home, 
 March 8, [849. His widow survived him until 
 January'), 1 S 3 - . She was born at Milesburg March 
 2 3i '799- Their sons, Edmund and Evan M. 
 Blanchard, Esq., are members of the Bellefonte 
 Bar.' The following brief estimate of Mr. 
 Blanchard's character is from the pen of 1 \ 
 Gov, Curtin, at one time Mr. Blanchard's law 
 partner: " Mr. Blanchard was a thorough!) 
 educated man, and it is not an exaggerated 
 eulogy to say a ripe scholar. He retained 
 his fondness for the classics, and read Latin 
 and Greek habitually in his hours of relax- 
 ation from professional labor. He was act- 
 ive and zealous in the cause of education 
 and participated in all means intended to im- 
 prove and enlighten the people who surrounded 
 him. In his professional reading, except in the 
 preparation of his cases for trial, he preferred 
 books and writers in which elementary princi| 
 are discussed, and had the fondness of the thor- 
 oughly educated and accomplished lawyer for th< 
 common law. There were other phases of Mr 
 Blanchard's nature which were scarcely known 
 except to his intimate friends. He had a keen 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 J8» 
 
 sense of the ludicrous, and enjoyed wit and hu- 
 mor with rare zest. Those who knew him well 
 only realized the extent and variety of his liter- 
 ary acquirements. Remarkable for his agreeable 
 conversation, he was always the leader in the so- 
 cial circle when not too ill, and then he gave 
 real enjoyment by his knowledge of modern 
 classic literature, and amused by apt and quaint 
 illustration drawn from his well-filled memory. 
 A man of positive convictions on all questions 
 that engaged his attention. Mr. Blanchard was 
 bred and educated a Federalist in his political 
 opinions, and never abandoned the principles of 
 that party, which he had closely studied and well 
 understood. It was a high compliment to him 
 and a just appreciation of his character, as well 
 as to the generosity and good sense of the people 
 of the district in which he lived, to elect him 
 twice to Congress when it was well known he 
 was an avowed Federalist, when the name was 
 odious and the party was defeated, disbandoned 
 and its leaders in retirement. As an advocate, 
 Mr. Blanchard was persuasive, clear in his logic, 
 and always truthful in his statements. In his 
 forensic efforts, he was remarkable for the sim- 
 plicity of his language. His speeches were never 
 long enough to weary the court or jury, or to lose 
 him the interest of the Court room. That he 
 was learned and truthful to his clients was the 
 foundation of his professional success is true to 
 his memory; and the purity of his social life and 
 his integrity gave him the sobriquet of 'Honest 
 John Blanchard,' and more than all other quali- 
 fications gave him power in the forum and influ- 
 ence in the community." 
 
 The law firm composed of Hon. A. G. Cur- 
 tin and Edmund Blanchard, being dissolved when 
 Mr. Curtin was elected Governor of Pennsylva- 
 nia, E. M. Blanchard and his brother Edmund 
 became partners under the firm name of E. & E. 
 Blanchard. They enjoyed a very large practice, 
 and were also solicitors for a number of large 
 corporations: Pennsylvania R. R. Co.; Bellefonte 
 & Snow Shoe R. R. Co. ; Beaver Mills & Lumber 
 Co. ; Moshannon Land & Lumber Co. ; Snow Shoe 
 Land Association; Valentine Iron Co., and oth- 
 ers requiring much of his brother Edmund's time 
 from home. The confining office and detail work, 
 for many years devolving entirely upon him, grad- 
 ually impaired his health, yet no one ever heard 
 a complaint or met him without a pleasant smile 
 and cordial greeting that reflected the best of 
 health and spirits free of the really many troubles 
 and exacting duties that he bore so well. He 
 had not an enemy on earth, on the contrary all 
 who knew him were more than is implied in the 
 word ' 'friend, " if occasion had required it. He had 
 
 rare musical talent, and a melodious voice that 
 was the principal feature in entertainments given 
 by the Churches and Societies, whose requests 
 for his assistance were always cheerfully granted. 
 And he, too, enjoyed the sobriquet of his father, 
 "Honest". He died in Bellefonte on the 7th day 
 of Nov., 1894, deeply lamented by all, leaving to 
 survive him his wife and four children : (VII) Miss 
 Elizabeth; Miss Mary; Edmund, a law student 
 in the University of Pennsylvania; and John Blan- 
 chard, an attorney of this county in full practice, 
 the solicitorof the Pennsylvania railroad and other 
 large interests. 
 
 Jane (VI), daughter of Joseph and Jane Miller 
 Harris, was married to John S. Hendrickson, of 
 Red Bank, N. J., the owner of large property 
 interests in that vicinity; they at present reside 
 in Bellefonte, and have the following children: 
 Mary (1), Charles (2). Mrs. Hendrickson died 
 in Bellefonte Dec. 29, 1897. Joseph Harris' (V) 
 second wife was Jane Huston, sister of Gen. Hus- 
 ton, iron-master at Hecla Works. They had one 
 child: Sally Hopkins, who died quite young. 
 Andrew Harris (V), son of James and Ann Dun- 
 lop Harris, was born— — , and married Anna 
 
 Bella Johnston (sister of Elizabeth Livingston 
 and Jane Mulholland); they had one child. Dr. 
 Lucien Harris, who died unmarried. 
 
 (IV) John Dunlop (4), son of Col. James and 
 Jane Boggs Dunlop was born April 22, 1770, and 
 was married June 9, 1797, to Eliza Findlay, of 
 Franklin county, a granddaughter of Col. John- 
 ston (her father and the father of Gov. William 
 Findlay were brothers). John Dunlop was the 
 first one of the family to locate in Centre coun- 
 ty, and purchased among other lands the Griffith 
 Gibbon tract, upon which the town of Bellefonte is 
 situated, which he afterward conveyed to his 
 father. Col. James Dunlop, and his brother-in- 
 law, James Harris, who laid out and became the 
 proprietors of the town. He was the most ex- 
 tensive land owner in the county; among other 
 lands, owning those adjoining the town of Belle- 
 fonte, for a distance of six or seven miles east 
 and west, and forty thousand acres of timber 
 land (now Snow Shoe and Burnside townships), 
 comprising the valuable bituminous coal field of 
 that region. In the order of essentials first re- 
 quired by the settlers of the region, being re- 
 mote from supplies, he contracted for the digging 
 of a head and tail race, and the erection of a 
 grist or flouring mill and a sawmill, which after- 
 ward became the property of his brother-in-law, 
 James Smith, now (1897) Hale estate, and de- 
 voted his time to the development of the iron ores 
 and erection of furnaces, the product of which 
 
190 
 
 rii.MM r:\loli.\TlVE BIOQHAPII1CAL HECOliD. 
 
 were hauled west to Pittsburgh with teams, or 
 east by arks on the spring floods m Bald Fagle 
 creek. He first built, in connection with Col. 
 Samuel Miles, Harmon} Forge on Spring 
 creek (now (1897) Milesburg Iron Works, of 
 McCoy & Shugert). He then built Logan 
 Furnace, on Logan branch, south of the town, 
 now the Valentine Iron Co., in the meantime 
 having built the stone house, corner of the I m 1 
 mond, known a> the Judge Burnside property 
 (now " Crider's Stone Building"), in which he 
 for a time resided, and then moved to the large 
 stone house he had built at Logan Furnace. He 
 owned the furnace run by Boggs and Rover (both 
 his relatives), and in 1S10, in connection with 
 William Beattv (whom he had brought with him 
 from Franklin county), built Washington Fur- 
 nace, east of Bellefonte, now in Clinton county. 
 He was the most energetic iron-master in the 
 county. On the morning of Saturday, October 
 8, 1814, he returned home from a business trip 
 to Pittsburgh, stopping at his home only long 
 enough to get a fresh horse, determined to visit 
 one of his mine banks before dinner, and imme- 
 diately upon entering the bank noticed the dan- 
 ger of the earth falling, and succeeded in getting 
 all the miners out safely, but was himself buried 
 beneath the fall and killed. His death was se- 
 verely felt and lamented He was line looking, 
 of o immanding appearance, being over six feet in 
 height, amiable in disposition and temper, and 
 his moral and religious character irreproachable. 
 His wife (n/e Eliza Findlay) died August 16, 1836. 
 Their children: (V)Jane (1) was born December 
 3, 1800, was married June, 1817, to William Cal- 
 houn Stewart, a direct descendant of (i)John Stew- 
 art, a Scotch Covenanter of the seventeenth 
 century, who fled from Scotland to the County 
 Down, in the North of Ireland, the refuge for 
 proscribed Presbyterians and Covenanters in the 
 reign of Charles II (1C60-1685), and died in 1720; 
 had a son, (2) Robert Stewart, born near Glas- 
 gow, 1665, in reign of Charles II; dud in 1730. 
 Upon the death of his father he moved to Dru- 
 more township. County Down, twelve miles from 
 Belfast. The lives of father and son, John and 
 Robert Stewart, therefore embraced an important 
 period in the history oi England, commencing 
 in the reign of Charles I, under Cromwell, 
 Charles II, James II, William and Mary, Queen 
 Anne, George I, and into the reign of George II 
 Robert Stewart had a son (3) Samuel, born in 
 1698 near Glasgow, Scotland, died in 1770. He 
 emigrated to the North of Ireland with his fa- 
 ther in 1720. In 1735, accompanied by his 
 brother Hugh, he crossed the ocean, landing in 
 Philadelphia, and settling in Drumore township, 
 
 Lancaster Co., Penn., near Chestnut Level, a 
 tch-Irish Presbyterian settlement ministered 
 to by Rev. John Thompson, of Donegal Presby- 
 tery. He was married in Ireland to Mary Mc- 
 Clay; among other children they had a son 141 
 Samuel. 
 
 STEWART. 
 
 IV Samuel Stewart, born in the County 
 Down, Ireland, and brought to Pennsylvania in 
 the emigration of his father"s family in 1735, and 
 on arriving at age settled as a farmer in Hanover 
 township, Lancaster county, about 1750. His 
 warrant for one hundred acres of land was dated 
 May 17, 1754. and assessed for the King's use, 
 1759. From the date of this settlement therein, in 
 1750, until 1704. this region was subject to Indian 
 raids, from which the inhabitants suffered fear- 
 fully, and continued until the massacre in Lan- 
 caster by the Conestoga Indians. The historic 
 meeting in Hanover township, June 14, 1774, as 
 the earliest recorded movement toward independ- 
 ence, found faithful and active participants in 
 the Scotch-Irish. Samuel Stewart entered as a 
 private in Col. Timothy Green's battalion, June, 
 1776, in Capt. Rogers' company, destined for the- 
 camp in the Jerseys. On the erection and or- 
 ganization of the county of Dauphin he was 
 upon the first grand jury, composed of prominent 
 citizens. He was a member of the old Hanover 
 Church, eleven miles east of Harrisburg, the 
 records of which show that on November 2, 
 1788. he and his wife were admitted to the Lord's 
 Table. He died September 16, 1803, and was 
 buried in Hanover church graveyard. He was 
 married to Nancy Templeton, daughter of Rob- 
 ert and Agnes Templeton, of Hanover, who 
 died in 1 7 8 S , and they had among others the 
 following children: 
 
 (V) Robert Templeton Stewart, born June 
 ■5. '773. who married Mary Duidop, daughter 
 of Col. James Dunlop. His father, Samuel 
 Mew art. was married a second time, in 1789. to 
 Agnes (Nancy) Calhoun, who was born in 1763, 
 died August 29, 1823, and buried in the ceme- 
 tery at Graysville, Huntingdon Co., Penn. Sb< 
 was a daughter of William and Hannah Calhoun 
 of Paxtang township, Dauphin county. They 
 had a son, (V) William Calhoun Stewart, born in 
 1790 in Hanover township, Dauphin counts. 
 died May 31, 1850, in Cincinnati. Ohio. lb 
 an iron-master and member of the firms of Lyon. 
 Shorb & Co. , and Shorb, Stewart &Co.,of Cen- 
 tre county, Huntingdon and Allegheny county 
 iron firms, and represented their interest in Cin- 
 cinnati. He was married, as stated above, Jim. . 
 1817, in Bellefonte, to Jane, daughter of John 
 Dunlop and grandaughter of Col. James Dunlop 
 
 . 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD, 
 
 191 
 
 (she was a niece of his half-brother, Robert T. 
 Stewart's, wife), and died in Cincinnati, April 
 27, 1841. Their children are as follows: 
 
 (VI) Helen, born in Bellefonte, died when a 
 child. (VI) Laura born in Bellefonte, married 
 Col. Charles Jones, planter of Red River, Cata- 
 houla Parish, La. Col. Jones had some fifteen 
 hundred slaves on his various plantations, and 
 strenuously opposed the ordinance of secession 
 until it was useless to contend against the over- 
 whelming sentiment in the State, when he entered 
 the Confederate service as an officer, and was 
 shot in a dispute with Gen. Liddell, of Missis- 
 sippi, in which also his eldest son William, as 
 well as Gen. Liddell, lost their lives. Mr. Jones' 
 family were all educated at Heidelberg, Germa- 
 ny, and are as follows: Ella (1), married in 
 Swizerland, and died abroad. William (2), shot 
 in the dispute above referred to. Rosa (3), re- 
 siding with her mother at Jonesville, La. Cuth- 
 bert Bullett (4), of Washington, D. C. Francois 
 (5), a linguist in the State Department, Wash- 
 ington, District of Columbia. 
 
 (VI) Rev. John Dunlop Stewart, born Febru- 
 ary 23, 1824, married Margaret Schell, daugh- 
 ter of John and Margaret Schell, of Birming- 
 ham, and had a numeious family, of whom the 
 survivors are: Alice (1), born February 25, 1849, 
 married November 26, 1867, to Samuel Berlin. 
 John A. Collins (2), born January 19 , 1856, mar- 
 ried Bertha K. Martin, of Hollidaysburg. Laura 
 (3), born December 12, 1857, married Decem- 
 ber 12, 1876, W. F. Meminger, Evangelist, and 
 have children — William S., Paul Jones and 
 Charles Richard. Jesse Smith (4), born May 
 16, 1866, a civil engineer in Tyrone. Charles 
 B. (5), born December 31, 1868, married Car- 
 rie E. Gray. Harry Lawrence (6), born Au- 
 gust 13, 1873. (VI) Rev. William Calhoun Stew- 
 art, born June 17, 1829, died in New York City, 
 April 10, 1894; married (first) Mary Forgey 
 Conklin, and had a son, William Calh jun (1), re- 
 siding in California; he married (second) Laura, 
 a sister of his first wife, and (third) Agnes, and 
 had children — Deborah (2), Agnes (3), Anna 
 (4) and Nemeha (5). (VI) Jesse Smith Stewart, 
 born in Cincinnati, April 24, 1832, was first lieu- 
 tenant of Company A, 125th Regiment Pennsyl- 
 vania Volunteers, was killed in the battle of 
 Chancellorsville, in 1863; was married to Mary 
 M. Clark, of Birmingham, and had children — 
 Jesse (ij and William (2); both died in infancy. 
 (VI) Ella Stewart married Robert G. Bushnell, of 
 Pittsburgh (of Park Brothers & Co. steel works), 
 who died December 28, 1894. Their children 
 are— Jesse Stewart (1), Elinor Gray (2), Douglas 
 Stewart (3). (V) Eliza J., daughter of John and 
 
 Eliza (Findlay) Dunlop, was born April 15, 1803, 
 and died April 29, 1826, unmarried. (V) Cath- 
 erine Findlay, daughter of John and Eliza (Find- 
 lay) Dunlop, born September 1, 1806, died in 
 Bellefonte, August 27, 1 SS 1 , unmarried. (V) 
 Nancy Harris, daughter of John and Eliza (Find- 
 lay) Dunlop, was born May 25, (S09, and died in 
 Bellefonte, June 23, 181 1. (V) Deborah Moore, 
 daughter of John and Eliza (Findlay) Dunlop, was 
 born February 24, 181 2, and died September 8, 
 1869; she was married, by the Rev. James Linn, 
 on the 2d of September, 1836, to the Hon. S. 
 T. Shugert, son of Joseph Bishop and Mary 
 (Mendenhall) Shugert, who was a descendant of 
 Benjamin Mendenhall, who with his brothers, 
 Moses and John Mendenhall, and sister, Mary Men- 
 denhall, emigrated from England to this country 
 with William Penn; they came from Wiltshire. 
 
 (I) Benjamin Mendenhall was held in high 
 esteem both in his religious society and as a citi- 
 zen. In 1 7 14 he served as a member of the 
 Provincial Assembly, and died in 1740 at an ad- 
 vanced age. His wife, Ann, who was a daughter 
 of Robert Pennell, of Chichester, survived him. 
 They were married in Chichester Friends Meet- 
 ing, of which they were both members, in 1689, 
 and had nine children. (II) Moses Mendenhall 
 was a son of Benjamin and Ann Pennell Men- 
 denhall. (Ill) Caleb, son of Moses Mendenhall, 
 had two sons, Moses and Caleb. They were or- 
 phaned by the death of their father, when quite 
 young; their mother married (again) a man by 
 the name of Adam Redd, of Centreville, Del., 
 by whom she had one daughter, Miriam, who 
 has descendants in that region. The two boys, 
 Moses and Caleb, when they arrived at age, took 
 the farm of three hundred acres on the right 
 bank of the Brandywine creek, a mile below the 
 battle ground, September II, 1777, owned by 
 their father, and held it as a divided inherit- 
 ance until their death, the former dying in 1821, 
 
 Moses' part of the farm 
 Caleb, and Caleb's farm 
 continued to hold them, 
 respectively, until 1830, when the former sold 
 and the latter died, and it passed out of the fam- 
 ily, being held for over a century. 
 
 (IV) Moses, son of Caleb Mendenhall, the 
 elder of the two brothers, married Mary, daugh- 
 ter of Aaron and Ann James, then of the town- 
 ship of Williston, county of Chester, and Prov- 
 ince of Pennsylvania, on the 26th day of the 
 second month, 1771, at a meeting of the Friends 
 at the Kennett meeting house, in the county of 
 Chester, a copy of which marriage certificate, 
 with the signatures of those present, is given be-' 
 low (the Adam and Miriam Redd, whose names 
 
 and the latter in 1825. 
 descended to his son 
 to his son Moses, who 
 
L92 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 appear, were the half-sister and stepfather of 
 the bridegroom): 
 
 Copy — Marriage Certificate of Moses Mendenhall of the 
 fourth generation of Benjamin's lineand Mary James (Daugh- 
 ter of A. iron and Ann James) of the Township of Williston 
 County and Province aforesaid. Having declared their in- 
 tentions of Marriage with each other before several monthly 
 meetings of the people called "Quarterly," one of which 
 w.is held .ii Kennett in the cmmty of Chester, and the other 
 at Centre-, in the i ountv ol Newcastle, according to On- good 
 order used amongst them, and having consent of Parents 
 and others concerned, their said proposals of marriage was 
 allowed of by said Meetings. 
 
 Nnu these are to certify all whom it may concern that 
 for the full accomplishing their said intentions this twenty 
 eighth day of the second month, 1771, they, the said M 
 Mendenhall and Mary James, appeared in a put) In- meeting of 
 the aforesaid people at Kennett Meeting I louse and the said 
 Moses Mi ndenhall taking the said Mary James by the hand 
 
 did in .1 solemn manner openly det Lire that lie took her to 
 
 be his wife, promising with Divine assistance to be unto her 
 a loving and faithful husband until it shall please ■ the Lord to 
 
 separate them by death (or words to the same effect), and 
 
 then and there in the same assembly, she. the said Mary 
 lames, did in like manner declare that she look him to be her 
 husband, promising through Divine assistance to be unto 
 him a loving and faithful wife until it shall please the Lord 
 to separate them bv death (or other words to the same eh 
 
 and moreover the s;ud Moses Mendenhall and Mary James 
 (she aci ording to the custom of marriage assuming the name 
 of her husband) as a further confirmation thereof did then 
 and there to these present set their hands. 
 
 Moses Mi ndi nhai i 
 Mary \l endi shai i 
 
 And we, whose names are here under also subscribed 
 
 being present at the solemnization of said marriage and sub 
 scription have as witnesses thereunto set our hands the day 
 
 and year above written. 
 
 Thomas Carlton. 
 
 I in mi. is Temple. 
 
 Thomas Mithous. 
 ( aiei i Pierci 
 
 mill King. 
 rhomas Carleton, Jr. 
 
 |i sse ( loud. 
 
 Mai v (loud. 
 
 John Lamborn. 
 Is. i.i. Mendenhall. 
 Miriam Redd. 
 Adam Redd. 
 
 I \ .In Kirk. 
 
 Phoebe White. 
 
 ioshua Gibson, 
 ohn Gibson. 
 Hannah Levis. 
 Mary Smedley. 
 ail Kirk. 
 
 Adam Kirk. 
 
 I. ill. I'einple. 
 
 \nn Lamborn. 
 Ann Way. 
 Hannah Baily. 
 Mars Way. 
 
 mi Levis. 
 William Harvey. 
 
 James Wickersh.nn 
 
 fames Ben net. 
 
 ii Baily. 
 I'.noi h Wickersham. 
 Won James. 
 
 Joshua fierce. 
 ii i to I leald. 
 Isaac Mendenhall. 
 
 Samuel ( ,rulib. 
 Phoebe Kirk. 
 Esther Marshall. 
 Caleb Mendenhall. 
 
 (V) Moses and Mary James Mendenhall had 
 eleven children. (V) Ann (ii), their second child, 
 married Bennett Auge, a son of Daniel Augi 
 wine and shipping merchant □ nx, France, 
 
 originally from Amsterdam, Holland Bennett 
 Auge was born in Bordeaux, France, 1778, and at 
 twelve years of age joined an elder brother in 
 business in the West Indies, and was overseer of 
 the plantation at the time of the insurrection at 
 San Domingo in [791. He was in the armj of 
 defence, and left when the whites generally took 
 refuge in the vessels, and came with his brol 
 to the United States in 1801, and married 111 
 Chester county; had five children, one of whom. 
 
 Moses Mendenhall Auge, born in Centreville, 
 Delaware count}, in 1X42, married Mary Cow- 
 den, of Plymouth. He was of a decided liter- 
 ary turn, and author of Biographies, Essays, &c. 
 One of the early Anti-slavery advocates, editor 
 of The Norristown Republican; moved to Phila- 
 delphia, where he died February 21, 1892, leav- 
 ing two daughters, Annie and Ella Auge. 
 
 ( V ) Mary, daughter of Moses and Mary James 
 M.ndenhall, the eighth child, born 11th month 
 4th. 17S2, married Joseph Bishop Shtlgert, 
 whose father was a prominent citizen ol York 
 county, and sheriff as early as 1759. Joseph 
 B. had received a fine education, was a great 
 reader, fine penman and chose the employment 
 of civil engineer and surveyor, and was for some 
 \ ears employed on the Pennsylvania canal be- 
 tween Lewistown and York. Soon after his 
 marriage he moved to Centre county. He was 
 one of the earliest principals, if not the first, of 
 the Bellefonte Academy, and one of the commis 
 sioners of Centre county in 1815 and 1816, and 
 as such settled and receipted to Dunlop & Har- 
 ris, proprietors of the town of Bellefonte, for trn 
 final payments due the county from the sale of 
 town and out lots appropriated to the erection 
 of the county buildings hereinbefore mentioned. 
 A great portion of his active life was spent in 
 the location of the public works of the State 
 and later in life ,» .1 surveyor and manage! 
 the large land interests of Gen. Patton, ( 
 Samuel Miles, Gilbert Lloyd, and others in thi 
 region or neighborhood of his home in the Qua- 
 ker settlement in Half Moon Valley, near War- 
 riorsmark, at which place he died on the 14th 
 day of November, 1853. They had eleven chil- 
 dren, viz.: 
 
 SHI (.1 k 1. 
 
 1 VI) [ohn Wilson Shugert, for many years ed- 
 itor of the Democratic paper published at Harris 
 burg, and afterward in an official position at 
 Washington, I). C, where he died, leaving 
 wife and two daughters (VI) Moses M. Shug 
 married, and had a family residing near Ciui 
 nati. (VI) Aanm James was engaged in the iron 
 business at Hannah Furnace, where he was killed 
 bv accident (VI) Eliza Keitley married Elij 
 Merriman, and had two sons and two daught. 
 (VI) Mary Ann married Rev. Hugh Mulhollan, and 
 had a huge family. (VI) Caleb Mendenhall mar- 
 ried, and lias a family living at Titusville. 1 
 Hannah married. (VI) Dr. William Brindle, for 
 manj practicing physician at Titusville, 
 
 Penn., commenced practice in 1 8^4 and contin 
 until his death February 12. 1866, leaving a fan 
 
 dmg at Titusville. (VI) Dr. Thomas Burnsi 
 also a practicing physician at Titusville, m 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 193 
 
 deceased, leaving a family residing at that place. 
 (VI) Delinda married a Mr. Elder, and has a fam- 
 ily residing at Corsica, Jefferson county. By a 
 second marriage Joseph B. Shugert had two 
 children. (VI) Lloyd, who was married, and killed 
 in the battle of Gettysburg. (VI) Almeda was 
 married, and had a family all now deceased. 
 Joseph B. and Mary (Mendenhall) Shugert's 
 fourth child was (VI) Hon. Samuel Townsend 
 Shugert, born February 20, 1809, and married 
 (V) Deborah Moore, daughter of John and Eliza 
 (Findlay) Dunlop, on the 2nd of September, 
 1836. 
 
 (VI) S. T. Shugert commenced the publication 
 of the Centre Democrat in Bellefonte, in 1835, 
 and continued its publication until 1845 when he 
 received an appointment in the U. S. Patent 
 Office, Washington, D. C. , where he remained 
 until the administration of President Buchanan, 
 when he was promoted to the office of Commis- 
 sioner of Patents, retiring at the expiration of 
 that administration. During his residence in 
 Washington, the old Centre Democrat having 
 passed out of Democratic control, and the party 
 without an organ at the county seat, he purchased 
 and established, with Henry Hays as editor, the 
 Democratic Watchman, the first issue of which ap- 
 peared on the 28th of November, 1855, and upon 
 his return from Washington he was elected to the 
 Legislature and the State Senate, after which time 
 he established another newspaper in Bellefonte, 
 taking the old name of the Centre Democrat, which 
 he continued a publication of until a few years 
 prior to his death, which occurred on December 2 [ , 
 1895. His wife, Deborah M. (nee Dunlop) having 
 died September 8, 1869, he was (again) married to 
 Fanny Alrichs Johnston, daughter of Ovid F. 
 Johnston, a distinguished attorney general of 
 Harrisburg, Penn. ; by his first wife he had the 
 following children: 
 
 (VII) John Dunlop Shugert (i) was mar- 
 ried on the 23d day of December, 1869, to 
 Mary S., the daughter of Dr. John and Jane 
 Ann Stewart McCoy. He read law in the office 
 of the Hon. Samuel Linn, and was admitted to 
 practice on the 2d of February, i860. In 1S65 
 he was elected treasurer of the county, and upon 
 the expiration of his term, on the 6th of January, 
 1868, was elected cashier of the Centre County 
 Banking Company, which he, in connection with 
 Hon. A. G. Curtin, Hon. James Milliken, Hon. 
 James A. Beaver, E. C. Humes, H. N. McAllis- 
 ter, William P. Wilson, P. B. Wilson, F. S. 
 Wilson, John T. Hoover, Constance Curtin and 
 J. P. Harris, had then organized, and in which 
 he is still engaged. Mary S., his wife, died Sep- 
 tember 29, 1883, leaving the following children: 
 
 (VIII) John McCoy (1); Deborah Dunlop (2), 
 died October 13, 1872; Frank McCoy (3); 
 Jean Stewart (4); Kate Dunlop (5); and William 
 Findlay (6), died October 4, 1882. (VII) Mary 
 M. (2), daughter of S. T. and Deborah M. Dun- 
 lop Shugert, was married to John Moran; they 
 have one child: (VIII) Townsend Shugert. John 
 
 Moran died on — day of , and she was married 
 
 (again) to William E. Burchfield, and now resid- 
 ing in Philipsburg. (VII) William Findlay Shu- 
 gert (3), son of S. T. and Deborah M. (Dunlop) 
 Shugert, was married — day of August, 1895, 
 to Miss Margaret Mills, of Washington, D. C, 
 sister of the wives of General William Mitchell 
 and Major Dunwoody, of the regular army. 
 
 (VII) Eliza Dunlop (4), daughter of S. T. andl 
 Deborah M. (Dunlop) Shugert died when young. 
 
 PAXTON. 
 
 (IV) Jane Dunlop (5), daughter of Col. James 
 and Jane (Boggs) Dunlop, was born in Cumber- 
 land county, Penn., February 13, 1772, and died 
 at Gettysburg, Penn., November 14, 1862. She 
 was married on June 20, 1794, to Rev. William 
 Paxton, D. D. , of Adams county, who was born 
 in Lancaster county, Penn., April 1, 1760, died 
 in Adams county, Penn., April 16, 1845, and was 
 a son of Capt. John Paxton, of Lancaster county, 
 Penn. Rev. William Paxton, D. D., was a sol- 
 dier in the Revolutionary war, being a private in 
 a company of which his father, John Paxton, was 
 captain (Associated Company Pennsylvania Mili- 
 tia, September II, 1776, and Second Battalion 
 Lancaster County Militia, Col. James Watson, 
 in 1777). He was for fifty years pastor of the 
 Presbyterian church at Lower Marsh Creek, 
 Adams county, Penn., and was considered a 
 wonderfully good preacher, and a man of excel- 
 lent ability as a theologian. Their children were 
 as follows: (V) Jane (1), died in infancy. 
 (V) Col. James Dunlop (2), son of Rev. William 
 and Jane (Dunlop) Paxton, was born on June 1 1, 
 1796, died at Baltimore February 10, 1864; was 
 married March 18, 1819, at Millerstown, Penn., 
 to Jane Maria Miller, who was born at Millers- 
 town, Penn., January iS, 1797, and died at 
 Baltimore April 29, 1870. She was the daughter 
 of Hon. William Miller and Margaret Craig, and 
 their children were as follows: (VI) Margaret ta 
 Eliza (1), daughter of Col. James Dunlop and 
 Jane Maria Miller Paxton, was born at Millers- 
 town, Penn., November 29, 1 8 19, and died at 
 Lake George, N. Y. , July 15, 1895, and was 
 married at Gettysburg, Penn., May 9, 1854, to 
 John McPherson Stevenson, who was born in 
 Bedford county, December 6, 181 8. He was a 
 son of John Mitchell Stevenson and Nancy Rus- 
 
104 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAl'llKM RECORD. 
 
 sell. lit was engaged in the mercantile business 
 in Baltimore, M<t, from 1X511 to 1870. Their 
 children areas follows: (VII) William Paxton 
 (i), son of [ohn McPherson and Margaretta Eliza 
 I'.ixton Stevenson, was born February 24, 1855, 
 and married on September 29, 1881, Marianne 
 Witherspoon Woods (VIII); their children are: 
 Waltei W oods ( 1 ), born September 9, 1882, and 
 Margaretta Paxton 121, born September 1, 1883. 
 (VII) Rev. Alexander Russell (2), son of John 
 \l< Pherson and Margaretta Eliza Paxton Steven- 
 was born December 29, 1856, and was mar- 
 ried on April 11, 1882, to Mary Margaret Ken- 
 nedy (VIII); their children are: Thomas Kennedy 
 (1), born November 10, 1883. Caroline Paxton 
 (2), born March 5, 1888, died November 28, 
 
 1895. Alexander Russell, Jr. (3), born May 
 28, 1893, and Stuart Kiddle (4), born November 
 14, 1896. 
 
 (VII) James Dunlop Paxton 1 3), son of John 
 Mcpherson and Margaretta Eliza Paxton Steven- 
 son, was born February 9, 1859, and died Feb- 
 ruary 1 , 1 860. 
 
 (VI) Rev. William Miller, D. D. (2). son of 
 Col. James Dunlop and fane Maria Miller Pax- 
 ton. was born near Millerstown, Adams county, 
 June 7, 1824, married (first) August 11, 1852, 
 Hester V B. Wicks, and had one child, Francis 
 Herron, born January 3, 1854, died September 
 
 7, 1854. He was (again) married on November 
 
 8, 1855, to Caroline S. Denny; their children as 
 follows: (VII) Elizabeth Denny (1 ), born Decem- 
 ber 30, 1858; (VII) Rev. James Dunlop (2) was 
 in, lined May 22, 1883; tbey have no children; 
 (VII) Amelia Maria (3) was married May 27, 1 886. 
 to Frank C. Roberts (8), and they have four chil- 
 dren-r-Caroline (1), died in infancy; Catharine 
 (2); Paxton (3); and Frank (4); (VII) William 
 Miller (4); (VII) Caroline Denny (5) was married, 
 on February II, 1890, to the Rev. Lewis S. 
 Mudge; (VII) Hanna Denny (6) died February 27, 
 
 1896, unmarried; (VII) Margaretta (7) and (VII) 
 fames I Donaldson 8 1. 
 
 (VI) Dunlop i j), son of Col. James Dunlop 
 and |ane Maria Miller Paxton, born in October, 
 1829, and unmarried. (V) Dr. John (3), son of 
 Rev William and Jane Dunlop Paxton, was 
 married to Jane Wilson, and had the following 
 children: (VI) Mary Jane(i)died in infancy, and 
 (6) James Wilson (2) was married to Margaret 
 Dunlop Smith, and had the following children: 
 (VII) Helen Jane (1) was married, on May 22, 
 1883, to her cousin, Rev. James Dunlop Paxton, 
 son of Rev. William Miller and Caroline S. 
 Denny Paxton; (7) John (2) and Margery (3) 
 both died in infancy; (7) James Wilson, Jr., be- 
 ing the fourth child. 
 
 (V) Eliza King (4), daughter of Rev. Will- 
 iam and Jane Dunlop Paxton, was married 
 to Thomas Johnston; their children were: (VI) 
 William Paxton (i) died young and unmarried; 
 iVIi (ohn Thomas (2) married Margaret Pinney, 
 and had three children. Eliza (1). (V) Harriet 
 daughter of Rev. William and Jane Dunlop 
 Paxton, married John Crawford, of Gettysburg, 
 and had the following children : (VI) Anna Dodd 
 I 1 ) .was married to the Hon. McPherson, and had 
 five children, namely: 1 VII 1 John Bayard ( 1 ), 
 William Lenhart (2), Norman Bruce (3). Donald 
 I'.ixton (4), and Annie Crawford (5). (VI) Mar- 
 garet (2) and Harriet (4), daughters of John and 
 Harriet Paxton Crawford, died in infancy, and 
 Sally Bruce (3), their third daughter, is unmarried 
 and resides in Gettysburg. 
 
 (IV) Elizabeth Dunlop (6), daughter of Col. 
 James and Jane Boggs Dunlop, was born in 
 Cumberland county February 13. 1/74. and died 
 
 in Bellefonte on the day of , . 
 
 She was married in the First Presbyterian 
 Church of Carlisle. October 26, 1795. to James 
 Smith, Esq., of Cumberland county, afterward 
 a large land owner in the neighborhood of Belle- 
 fonte. She was a woman of more than ordinary 
 mind, fond of reading and the examination and 
 discussion of all the leading questions of the day. 
 It was then so-unusual for ladies to express opin- 
 ions on public policy and conduct, that by reason 
 of her advanced Anti-Slavery views she was 
 thought eccentric. The} hid two children: (V) 
 William Smith ( 1 ) never married, and is now de- 
 ceased; (V) James Smith (2) never married, and is 
 in >w deceased. She was married (a second time) to 
 Michael T. Simpson, a gentleman of fine educa- 
 tion. He held an official position in Washing- 
 ton, D. C. They had one child: (V) Martha 
 Simpson (3), who was married to Brooke Mack- 
 all, a wealthy banker of Washington, and their 
 children were as follows: (VI) Lily (1) died un- 
 married; (VI) Leonard (2) was married to Mas 
 Rosa Gretta, of Richmond. Va. ; they had bo 
 children, and he was married (again) to a daugh- 
 ter of John Hancock, of Washington, D. C, 
 brother of Gen. Hancock; (VI) Brooke (3) is un- 
 married, (VI) Louise 14) married a Mr. Owen, a 
 surgeon oi the U. S. Navy; they have two chil- 
 
 dren Dunlop (1) and (2); (VI) Kate 
 
 married Robert Christy, a practicing attorney of 
 Washington, D. C. , and author of "Proverbs. 
 Maxims and Phrases of all Ages." They had 
 three or four children; (VI) Covington (6) d 
 when young; (VI) Benjamin (7); (VI) Barton (8). 
 
 (IV) Deborah Dunlop (7), daughter of Col. 
 James and Jane Boggs Dunlop, was born in 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 195 
 
 Cumberland county. May 9, 1776, and was mar- 
 ried to James Johnston, of Franklin county; they 
 moved to Centre county and settled at the mouth 
 of Wallace run. They had six children, of whom 
 the first three died unmarried: (V) Rebecca (1); 
 (V) James Dunlop (2); (V) Mary (3); (V) Anna 
 Bella (4) married Andrew Harris, son of James 
 and Ann Dunlop Harris; they had one child; (VI) 
 Dr. Lucien Harris (1), who died unmarried. (V) 
 Jane Johnston (5) was married to Mr. Mulholland; 
 they had no children. (V) Eliz. Johnston (6) 
 married John Livingston, principal of Bellefonte 
 Academy. 
 
 (IV) Rebecca (8), daughter of Col. James and 
 Jane Boggs Dunlop, was born May 19, 1778, and 
 died on Wallace run, in Centre county. She 
 was first married to Robert McLanahan, of 
 Franklin county, and moved to Wallace run, 
 Centre county; they had two children: (V) James 
 Dunlop McLanahan (1), who was married to 
 
 Eliza Welch, daughter of William C. and 
 
 Leyden Welch; their children were as follows: 
 James ( 1 ) died when young; William (2) married, 
 and had one child, both now deceased; Mary (3) 
 never married, and died recently in Bellefonte at 
 her cousin's, Harriet Linn. (V) Margaret (2), 
 daughter of Robert and Rebecca Dunlop McLan- 
 ahan, was married to Hon William Harris, son 
 of James Harris, one of the proprietors of Belle- 
 fonte, whose family is hereinbefore enumerated. 
 
 (IV) Rebecca Dunlop McLanahan was (again) 
 married to Robert Steele, of Centre county, and 
 had the following children: (V) William Steele 
 (3) never married, and now deceased; (V) Mary 
 Steele (4) was married to James Gordon, a large 
 land owner of Centre county, and had the follow- 
 ing children : (VI) Robert ( 1 ) was never married ; 
 was a member of the Anderson Troop, and killed 
 early in the war of the Rebellion; (VI) William 
 Leslie (2) married to Miss Muffly, and had a nu- 
 merous family residing in Kansas; (VI) Theodore 
 (3) was married to Esther Graham, and died 
 leaving no children; (VI) James D. (4) was a civil 
 engineer, and was killed in a railroad accident in 
 New York State; he was never married; (VI) Mar- 
 tha (5) married Joseph R. Muffly, a broker of 
 Philadelphia; they have two children: Eliza- 
 beth (1), married June 2, 1897, to Joseph L. 
 Montgomery; and Lillian (2); (VI) Hon. Cyrus 
 Gordon (6) was married to a daughter of Hon. 
 John F. Weaver, of Clearfield. Cyrus studied 
 law in Bellefonte, was admitted to practice, and 
 then moved to Clearfield, where he enjoyed a 
 large practice, and was two years ago elected 
 President Judge of that District, although the po- 
 litical party to which he was an adherent was 
 largely in the minority. (They have several chil- 
 
 dren); (VI) Isaac Newton (7) is a civil engineer, 
 and also a graduate in mechanical engineering; 
 is not married. 
 
 (IV) James Dunlop, Jr. , (9), son of Col. James 
 and Jane Boggs Dunlop, was born October 18, 
 1780; was an attorney, admitted to practice law 
 in Centre county, in August, 1801 [see Bar list]. 
 He went south, and died there in 1824. He was 
 married to a Miss Dunbar, and had a daughter 
 married to a Mr. Smith, of Natchez, Mississippi. 
 
 (IV) Mary Dunlop (10), daughter of Col. 
 James and Jane Boggs Dunlop, was born De- 
 cember 26, 1784, and died June 12, 1827, and 
 buried in the First Presbyterian Churchyard in 
 Pittsburgh, Penn. She was married January 10, 
 1809, in Bellefonte, by the Rev. Henry R. Wil- 
 son, to Robert Templeton Stewart (5) (a half- 
 brother of William C. Stewart, who married 
 Jane, daughter of John and granddaughter of 
 Col. James Dunlop). He was born June 15, 
 1773, and died in October, 1835, a * Hollidays- 
 burg, while en route to Pittsburgh, and buried at 
 Saltsburg, Indiana county. He was a son of Sam- 
 eul(IV), Samuel (III), Robert (II), John (I), here- 
 inbefore mentioned. He settled in Bellefonte in 
 the year of 1800, and was admitted to the Bar of 
 Centre County at the November term of court, 
 1800. He was retained in the famous slander 
 suit of McKee vs. Gallagher, August term, 1801, 
 in which there were fourteen lawyers for the 
 plaintiff, and twenty-two for the defendant. In 
 1810 he was appointed postmaster and continued 
 in office until 1 8 1 9. In 18 id he engaged in mer- 
 cantile pursuits with his half-brother, William C. , 
 and in 1819 entered into partnership with John 
 Lyon in the manufacture of iron; residence at 
 Coleraine Forges, Huntingdon county. In 1828 
 Lyon and Stewart sold Coleraine Forges to 
 Joseph and James Barnett and Anthony 
 Shorb. He moved to Pittsburgh in 1823, and 
 built the Sligo Rolling Mill. Represented Alle- 
 gheny county in the Pennsylvania Legislature 
 in 1 831-1832. Disposing of his interests in the 
 iron business, Mr. Stewart went to manufacturing 
 salt in the Kiskiminetas. He was a man of 
 genial disposition and social habits, and of great 
 practical humor. In person he was above the 
 ordinary size, and of very dark complexion, which 
 he inherited from his grandmother Stewart. 
 
 Robert T. and Mary Dunlop Stewart had the 
 following children: (V) James Dunlop Stewart 
 (1), born April 4, 18 10, died September 26, 18 12. 
 (V) Jane Ann Stewart (2), born December 2, 
 181 1, died October 3, 1812. (5) Stephen De- 
 catur Stewart (3), born January 22, 18 14, 
 died September 5, 1858; he was married July 9, 
 
19(5 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOORAPUICAL RECORD. 
 
 [839, and had five children, the survivors of 
 whom are: Jane(i), married to Edward Fos- 
 ter, who have several children; Ellen (2), mar- 
 ried to Frank E. Taylor, resides at Philips- 
 burg and have four children; Harriet (3), unmar- 
 ried, and Elizabeth (4), married to I. Lose, ami 
 have several children. (V) Harriet Stewart (4) 
 born June 10, 1816, and married September 15, 
 1843, by the Rev. Samuel Cooper, to James Harris 
 Linn, son of the Rev. James Linn, D. I). She 
 died July 16, 1895, an d Mr. Linn died April 6, 
 1876. They had no children. (V) Samuel Roheit 
 Stuart (5), born November 2. 1 s 1 7, died Sep- 
 tember 23, I 85 I, unmarried. 
 
 (V) Jean Ann Stewart (6), born June 13, 
 1820, and was married on February 13, 1*43. by 
 the Rev. James Linn. D. D., to Dr. John M Mc- 
 Coy, in relation to whom Linn's History of Centre 
 County says: " Dr. McCoy was born in what is 
 now the town of Belleville on the 4th. of Febru- 
 arv, 1816. His parents died when he was quite 
 young and he came to his uncle Alexander McCoy, 
 who lived at Potter's Fort, and made his home 
 with him, attending Mr. Breckinridge's school. He 
 studied medicine with Dr. W, I. Wilson, between 
 whom and himself there existed the most inti- 
 mate friendship His parents were Francis and 
 Mary (Michall) McCoy, natives of Mifflin county. 
 One of their sons, Francis, was a merchant at 
 Hollidaysburg, Penn., and another, Robert H., 
 was engaged in the iron business at Philadelphia, 
 in which city his death occurred. Francis, Sr. , 
 was married a second time, and by the last wife 
 had three children, namely: William, who was 
 a soldier and died during the Civil war; Susan, 
 who became the wife of James Patterson, of 
 Williamsburg, Penn., and Catherine, who mar- 
 ried George Fay, ol Williamsburg, Pennsylvania. 
 In 1837 Dr. McCoy graduated in the Medical 
 Department of the University of Pennsylvania, 
 and located first in the practice of medicim 
 Penn Hall (then known as Centreville), whence 
 be moved to Bellefonte in 1841. 
 
 He occupied an office upon Allegheny sti 
 and had among his students Dr. Geo. L. Potter, 
 Dr. J. B. Mitchell, Dr. George A Fairlamb, Dr. 
 Woods and others, all having become noted 
 practitioners. In [845, in connection with Dr. 
 Potter, Dr. McCo} purchased the drug store of 
 Dr. John Harris, and the firm ol McCoj & Pot- 
 tei continued until July 17. 184S. At that ' 
 Dr. McCoy withdrew from active medical pi 
 and entered into the iron business with Gen. 
 James Irvin, \L - ["b mpson and Jami I larris 
 Linn, under the firm name of Irvin McCoy & 
 Co. After the death of Gen Irvin, and the with- 
 drawal ol Moses Thompson, the name took its 
 
 present form. James H. Linn died April 6, 
 187(1, but the firm name has remained un- 
 altered since. Dr. McCoy was an excellent 
 manager and first-class business man, and to his 
 tact, good judgment and general information the 
 success of McCoy & Linn's Iron Works is to a 
 great extent to be attributed. He was a kind- 
 hearted employer, and much esteemed by the men 
 in his service. He in every way tried to add to 
 the happiness and comfort of those over whom 
 he had control. He kept the works moving 
 nearly all the time when financial distress and 
 want of orders induced many to shut down, in 
 order to give the employees work, though at a pe- 
 cuniary loss to the firm. The medical profession 
 lost much by his withdrawal from practice, as he 
 was a cheerful and valuable adviser, never failing 
 to proffer his best advice upon all occasions. Vs 
 a physician he was extremely pleasant in the sick 
 room, always encouraging a patient, and curing 
 nearly as much by his cheerfulness as by his 
 medicine. He stood high as a physician, and 
 his skill and success are still highly spoken 
 He was a member of the Presbyterian Church 
 for many years, and an amiable gentleman 
 whose loss was both a public and private calam- 
 ity. He died at Milesburg Iron Works suddenly, 
 of heart disease, on Sunday morning, January 1 
 [879." The children of John M. and Jean Ann 
 Stuart McCoy were: 
 
 VI) Frank McCoy (i) graduated at the 
 Pennsylvania State College, and, preferring th( 
 iron business, became the manager of McCoy A 
 Linn at Milesburg Iron Works, the prosperous con 
 dition of which is largely due to his efficient ser\ 
 ices, economical methods and good judgment. H* 
 succeeded to the principal ownership of the works 
 and now successfully conducts the same. He v. 
 married October 30, 1879, to Esther Eleai 
 Allison, daughter of William Allison, a well- 
 known and prominent business man of Centre 
 county for many years, His ancestor, Archibald 
 Allison, landed with his family in America 11111' 
 18, [773. His wife Mary was the third daughl 
 of John Kennedy, and was born in Scotland, shire 
 of Galloway, parish of Kirkmaiden, November 1. 
 I le died in I 'ax ton township (now Dauphin 
 county) October 6, 1783, and his widow Marj 
 Potter township, Centre county, |une 6, 180S 
 They had a son, Archibald. Jr., who, though 
 young in years, took an active part in the di 
 fense of the frontiers, to which proper refer 
 is made in Linn's "Annals of Buffalo Valley, 
 
 174, and was an exceedingly bold and 
 courageous man. After the war he pushed 
 up inb 1 Penn's Valley, where he 1 
 or. third daughter of George and Margaret M 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 197 
 
 Cormick, May 7, 1789. George McCormick 
 was the first settler at Spring Mills, bought his 
 land of Reuben Haines, and built the first mill 
 there. He bought of the Penns the eastern third 
 of what was known as the Manor of Succotli, 
 north of the Great Spring tract, and died May 
 3, 1845, on tne p' ace st; i" owned by his descend- 
 ants. He left a widow, Eleanor, who died Jan- 
 uary 27, 1848. 
 
 A numerous family blessed this union, the 
 names with dates of birth being as follows: 
 George, August 18, 1792, died September 28, 
 1866; William, April 5, 1794; James, February 
 26, 1796, married Margaret Hutchinson, and died 
 September 18, 1863, at North Liberty, Ohio; Mar- 
 garet, May 26, 1797, married William Kelley, son 
 of Col. John Kelley, and died in Union county, May 
 12, 1846; David, May 22, 1799, married Lucetta 
 McKibben, and died December 22, 1877, in Clin- 
 ton county; Mary, May II, 1801, died Septem- 
 ber 27, 1856, in Adams county, Ohio; John, No- 
 vember 22, 1803, died January 23, 1844; J ane . 
 September 22, 1805, married Thomas Riley, and 
 died in Kansas; Eleanor, February 8, 181 1, mar- 
 ried Dr. John Grossman, of Adams county, Ohio. 
 
 William Allison, Mrs. McCoy's father, resem- 
 bled his father in character, and was one of the 
 prominent men of this section in his day. His 
 first employment was as a clerk in a store at 
 Harrisburg, where he remained six or seven years. 
 He then went to Brown's Mills, in Mifflin coun- 
 ty, now Reedsville, and in July, 1827, opened 
 a store in partnership with J. & J. Potter. 
 After the dissolution of the firm, in 1829, Mr. 
 Allison conducted the business for a few years, 
 and then returned to his old home near Spring 
 Mills. The death of his father in 1845 brought 
 to him a large amount of work in connection 
 with the settlement of the estate, and this with 
 the improvement of his share of the property, 
 occupied his time for many years. In Decem- 
 ber, 1847, tne failure of J. & J. Potter, of whom 
 he was a creditor to a large amount, occasioned 
 a protracted litigation, but Mr. Allison's claims 
 were finally sustained. In the meantime he pur- 
 chased a hotel and factory, and considerable 
 real estate at Potters Mills, and made his home 
 there in the old residence of James Potter. His 
 declining years were marked by uninterrupted 
 prosperity, his business tact and great executive 
 ability enabling him to manage his extensive in- 
 terests with success. He possessed a remarkable 
 memory, and having kept himself well-informed 
 upon passing events he became in later years a 
 veritable encyclopedia. During his late years 
 he was confined to the house by a paralytic 
 stroke; but his cheerful spirit did not fail him. 
 
 He died February 11, 1877, and his remains 
 rest in the family burial lot near Spring Mills. 
 His wife, to whom he was married June 25, 
 1847, was Miss Sarah A. McNitt, a daughter of 
 William R. and Esther (McCoy) McNitt, and 
 granddaughter of Robert McNitt, one of the ear- 
 liest settlers in Kishacoquillas Valley. They had 
 the following children: William M.,born No- 
 vember 4, 1850; Esther E., January 15, 1852; 
 Edward, August 2, 1855; Lillie E., September 
 28, i860, and Archibald, June 27, 1863. 
 
 The children of Frank and Eleanor Allison 
 McCoy are as follows: Anna Allison (1); Mary 
 Stewart (2), died in infancy; and John (3). 
 
 (VI) Harriet Linn McCoy (2) was born July 
 15, 1845, and died September 8, 1853; (VI) Mary 
 Stewart McCoy (3) was born July 9, 1847, and 
 died September 29, 1883. She was married 
 December 23, 1869, leaving a family hereinbe- 
 fore mentioned. 
 
 (IV) Joseph Dunlop (11), son of Col. James 
 and Jane Boggs Dunlop, was born March 19, 
 1786, and died unmarried. 
 
 A 
 
 DAM H. KRUMRINE, a well-known and 
 %L progressive farmer of Ferguson township, 
 is one of the representative men of that portion 
 of Centre county. He is the owner of a valuable 
 and well-improved farm of 120 acres, where he 
 was born December 23, 1854. The well-ap- 
 pointed place, with its substantial buildings and 
 highly cultivated fields, testifies to his earnest 
 labors and careful management. His paternal 
 grandfather was a member of the Continental 
 army during the Revolutionary war, serving 
 under Gen. Washington, and the trunk which he 
 then used is still in the possession of a member 
 of the family. 
 
 John Krumrine, the father of our subject, was 
 a native of Millheim, Penn's Valley, Penn., and 
 on reaching man's estate was united in marriage 
 with Miss Christina Decker, by whom he had 
 nine children, as follows: Lydia, wife of D. M. 
 Neidig, a retired farmer of State College, Penn., 
 by whom she has two children; Sally J., wife of 
 M. D. Snyder, a butcher of State College, by 
 whom she has eight children; Catharine E., wife 
 of William Kemmerer, a retired miller, by whom 
 she has one child; Adam H. ; Jacob, who wedded 
 Margaret Dreibelbis; Margaret, wife of S. S. 
 Greibe, proprietor of a livery stable and the 
 "State College Hotel," by whom she has two 
 children; J. N., a merchant of State College, 
 who married Lizzie Martel, and has one child; 
 Sydney, a druggist of Bellefonte, Centre county, 
 
108 
 
 cnMMhMOHA TIVK BIOGRAPHICAL HFJOliD. 
 
 who married Jennie Hubb; and Christina, who is 
 living with her mother in State College. On 
 coming to Centre county, at the age of eighteen 
 years, the father had located in Ferguson town- 
 ship, but he died in College township, in 1891. 
 In the usual manner of farmer lads, Adam H. 
 krumrine spent the days of his boyhood ami 
 youth, and from the time he was old enough t>> 
 handle the plow has followed farming, meeting 
 with excellent success in his chosen calling. 
 Since attaining his majority he has been identi- 
 fied with the Democratic party, always support- 
 ing its men and measures by his ballot. He is a 
 consistent member of the German Reformed 
 Church, and socially affiliates with the Gran 
 He is a wide-awake, enterprising farmer, and as 
 a citizen stands deservedly high in the estimation 
 of his neighbors and friends. 
 
 JOHN GILLEN DUBBS. The hope of suc- 
 cess inspires each man who makes his en- 
 trance into the business arena, but it is not 
 all who find their bright anticipations realized. 
 Among the successful ones is numbered the sub- 
 ject of this sketch, a well-known business man of 
 Belief onte, Centre count)', whose industry and 
 judicious management have won lor him goodly 
 rewards of a substantial natun 
 
 Mr, Dubbs is of German descent, his paternal 
 grandfather having come from the Fatherland to 
 settle in Lebanon counts. Penn. Of his five 
 children, ]oel is a carpenter in Sharon, Penn.; 
 Rosa married Mr Schire, and lives in Steelton, 
 Penn. ; Eliza, who never married, resides on the 
 edge of the city of Lebanon, Penn. ; and anothi r 
 sister, Mrs. Labe, made her home in Altoona, 
 where her descendants still live. The other 
 member of the family, Jeremiah, our subject's 
 father, was born in Lebanon county, in 1829, and 
 became a shoemaker near the old fort, where he 
 resided for many years previous to his death in 
 1891. His wife, Eliza Reynolds, who pi 
 from earth about twenty-five years ago, was born 
 at Potters Mills, Centrecounty. They had seven 
 children: 11 May M. (Mrs. William Reed 1, now 
 deceased; (2) Cecelia (Mrs. Harry Ross), of Al- 
 toona; (3) George, who resides at the old home- 
 stead; (4) James, a resident of 1'hilipsburg; (5) 
 John G., our subject; (6) Thomas, who lives al 
 Philipsburg; and (7) Andrew, who lives at the 
 old home. 
 
 Our subject's youth was spent in Penn's Val- 
 ley, where he was born in [anuary, 1 849. After 
 acquiring a plain but practical education in the 
 schools of that locality he engaged in agriculture 
 at Nittany, continuing until 1886, when he went 
 
 to Bellefonte and established himself in business, 
 as a dealer in implements of all kinds, including 
 a full line of agricultural tools. Although his ex- 
 panding business has demanded close attention, 
 N*r. Dubbs takes much interest in local affairs 
 and in the Republican party, and he is an active 
 mender of the I. O. O. F. Encampment at Belle- 
 fonte. In 1868 he wedded Miss Eliza Ulrich, a 
 native of Union county, Penn., born in 1849. 
 They have two living children: May G. and John 
 I . and four others gladdened their home for a 
 short time only. 
 
 WILLIAM S. MUSSER, agent for the 
 Pennsylvania Railroad Company, at 
 Spring Mills, Centre county, is a descendant of 
 one of the oldest and most numerous families of 
 Penn's Valley. This family may be said to be 
 divided into two factions, the Republican and 
 Democratic. Our subject comes of the for- 
 mer, who are as devout in their support of the 
 
 trines of that party as the other faction is in 
 support of Democratic principles 
 
 Mr Musser was born on a farm near Spring 
 Mills, Gregg township, July 20, 1866, and is the 
 eldest son and child of his parents, M. M. and 
 Kate (Fisher Musser, who removed to Haines 
 township, Centre county, when he was quite 
 young, and there he first attended school near 
 Fiedler. He did not wish to take the collegi 
 course which his parents had decided upon, but 
 I school in Bellefonte and Gettysburg. 
 In 1883 he returned home, and being desirous of 
 obtaining a good business education, he borrowed 
 $200 of his uncle. Nicholas Harper, giving onh 
 his word for its return, but it has long since been 
 paid in full. With the money he thus obtained 
 lm paid Ins tuition in the Eastman Business Col- 
 lege, at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., where he com- 
 pleted the prescribed course and received a di- 
 ploma. 
 
 In December 1884, Mr. Musser entered the 
 office of the Pennsylvania Railroad Compain 
 Spring Mills, as a student under Stephen 
 the agent at that time, and June 20, 1885, be- 
 came extra agent and operator on a branch of 
 that road. He next, in April, 1866, took 
 of the office at Nesbit, Penn., where he remained 
 until the following February, when he was ma 
 weighmaster at Williamsport, Penn., later serv- 
 ing as clerk in the freight office of that place. In 
 July, iSSS, he was transferred to the office Bt 
 Spring Mills, where he has since acted as agent 
 and operator, and also agent for the Adams I 
 press Company. 
 
 In Centre Hall, July 21, 1890, Mr M> 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 199 
 
 was married to Miss Clara S. Hettinger, of 
 Spring Mills, daughter of Michael and Amelia 
 (Grove) Hettinger, and they have one child, 
 Marion K. , born June 9, 1891. Although a 
 young man, Mr. Musser is recognized as one of 
 the best and most enterprising citizens of Spring 
 Mills, and is a credit to the excellent family to 
 which he belongs. He is a prominent and active 
 member of the Lutheran Church, where at pres- 
 ent he is serving as trustee, and socially is a 
 Master Mason, affiliating with the lodge at Centre 
 Hall. 
 
 WH. BLOOM is a leading and influential 
 member of the agricultural community of 
 Ferguson township, Centre county. The im- 
 provements upon his place reflect great credit 
 upon him; the buildings are of a handsome and 
 substantial character; and the surroundings of his 
 residence are extremely beautiful. He is an able 
 financier and a substantial citizen, always mak- 
 ing the most of his opportunities, and in his chosen 
 vocation has met with a well-deserved success. 
 
 Mr. Bloom was born August 7, 1850, and is 
 a son of William and Sarah (Lesch) Bloom. The 
 father, who was of German descent, was a native 
 of Berks county, Penn., and came to Centre 
 county from Union county, Penn., whither he 
 had moved. His family constituted six children: 
 Jemima, who married Daniel Heckman, and 
 died in October, 1870, leaving three children; 
 Amelia, wife of.John Frantz, a farmer of Centre 
 county; Adam G., a dairyman and farmer of Lock 
 Haven, Clinton Co., Penn., who married Ellen 
 Runkle and has two children; W. H., of this 
 sketch; Peter F., who died in 1863, during boy- 
 hood; Clara A., wife of William Smith, a farmer 
 living near Pine Grove Mills, Centre county, by 
 whom she has eight children. 
 
 Our subject is indebted to the free schools of 
 White Hall, Penn., for his educational privileges. 
 He early became familiar with agricultural pur- 
 suits, and chose farming as his life work, now 
 owning and operating a valuable tract of 1 50 
 acres four miles from State College, Centre coun- 
 ty. The land is under a high state of cultiva- 
 tion, and yields bountiful harvests in return for 
 the care and labor expended upon it. On De- 
 cember 24, 1867, Mr. Bloom was married to 
 Miss Sarah E. Carter, a native of Centre Furnace, 
 Penn., whose mother was from Centre county, 
 Penn. Her father, who was also a native of 
 Centre county, enlisted in 1862 in the 148th 
 P- V. I., in Capt. Foster's company, and laid 
 down his life on the altar of his country at the 
 battle of Chancellorsville. He also had two 
 brothers in the Union service, both of whom 
 
 were wounded — William losing a leg, and Jacob 
 Lee being wounded in the hip. Her family is of 
 German and English extraction. She has two 
 brothers, Frederick K. and Joseph Carter, and 
 one sister, Henrietta (wife of James Mowery). 
 
 Eleven children have been born to Mr. and 
 Mrs. Bloom, in order of birth as follows: Will- 
 iam A., who died in infancy; Emma V., wife of 
 Oscar Heckman, a farmer of Penn Hall, Centre 
 county; Anna M., who was born May 15, 1872, 
 is the wife of Elmer E. Royer, of Pine Grove 
 Mills, Centre county, by whom she has a son, 
 William H. ; Henry C. , at home; Frankie, who 
 was born September 23, 1875, an( 3 died in in- 
 fancy; Oliver P., born October 27, 1878; Bessie 
 R., born July 10, 1880; Lizzie M., born May 5, 
 1882; Grover Cleveland, who was born May 9, 
 1884, and died April 3, 1886; E. Orvis, born 
 January 17, 1890; and Margaret C. , born No- 
 vember 4, 1 891. 
 
 In politics, Mr. Bloom is a straight and stanch 
 adherent to the principles formulated in the plat- 
 forms of the Democratic party, and exercises 
 his elective franchises in support of the can- 
 didates offered by that organization. Religiously 
 he is a member of the Reformed Church, and 
 socially is a member of the Grange. A genial, 
 whole-souled American citizen, he is a leading 
 and representative man of Ferguson township, 
 and merits and receives the warmest confidence 
 and esteem of his fellow-citizens. 
 
 Ey/TLLIAM H. STOVER, a prominent citi- 
 llm. zen of Aaronsburg, Centre county, now 
 retired from active business cares, is one of the 
 men who make old age seem the better portion 
 of life. His fine presence and dignified manners 
 would attract attention anywhere; while, to those 
 who have the pleasure of his personal acquaint- 
 ance, his well-stored mind and conversational 
 powers are a source of perpetual pleasure. 
 
 Mr. Stover is a native of Aaronsburg, having 
 been born January I, 1825, in the house in which 
 the greater part of his life has been spent. His 
 father, Jacob E. Stover, was born at Williams- 
 port, Md., on the Potomac river, and, losing his 
 parents while yet a boy, began his business 
 career at a great disadvantage. He learned the 
 tanner's trade in Maryland, and as a young man 
 settled in Haines township, Centre county, where 
 numerous relatives had already located. There he 
 built a tannery which he conducted for many 
 years, and being an excellent workman enjoyed 
 a large trade. He was industrious, but a lack of 
 the distinctive qualities of the financier prevented 
 him from acquiring more than a moderate com- 
 
L*X1 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 petence. Politically he was a Whig, steadfast in 
 principle and a regular voter, and in religion he 
 was a Lutheran 
 
 Jacob E. Stover was married in Aaronsburg. 
 to Catherine, daughtei of Jacob Hubler, one of 
 the first settlers in the township. Mr. Stover 
 died at the age of sixty-seven, but his wife lived 
 to be nearly eighty years old before she, too, 
 passed away. The remains of both were interred 
 at Aaronsburg. Their children were seven in 
 number, and three sons did active service in Un- 
 civil war. Samuel H. died at Boalsburg, Penn. 
 Isaac died in Aaronsburg. Catherine married 
 Christian kaup, and died in Milesburg. George 
 II., who was quartermaster of the 179th P. V. 
 I., was a resident of Morgan county, Mo., and 
 died in 1897. William H. is mentioned more 
 fully below. Michael, who held the rank of 
 lieutenant in the 179th P. V. I., died in Morgan 
 county, Mo. John H., an attorney, was active 
 in raising the [79th Regiment, and served gal- 
 lantly through the war as its colonel. When the 
 struggle was ended he removed to Morgan coun- 
 ty. Mi) , where he dud At one time he repre- 
 sented that district in Congress. 
 
 Although the subject of this sketch displayed 
 from an early agea particularly retentive memory, 
 andwould have profited by a good education, hisop- 
 opportunitirs were limited to those of the usual dis- 
 trict school privileges, As his father owned a farm 
 as well a- a tannery, there was alwa) s work in one 
 place or the other to keep his boys from mischief. 
 Mi Stover remained at home until he attained 
 his majority, and shortly after was married in 
 Aaronsburg to Miss Sarah S. Ettinger, a nal 
 of Haines township, Centre County, and a daugh- 
 tei ol Emanuel and Elizabeth (Bike) Ettinger. 
 The young couple went to housekeeping in the 
 house where Mr. Stover was born. Four chil- 
 dren were born ol this union: Edward W. died 
 at the ageol six years; Emma married Cyrus G. 
 Bright, oi Aaronsburg; Luther E. is a tanner at 
 \ 1 ons! hi re. ; and Charles II. is a baker at Mifflin- 
 town, I'enn Mr. Stover engaged in business as 
 a tanner, purchasing his father's old establish- 
 ment, which had been sold to George Koyer. 
 After following the business successfully fi 
 1847 to 1S76, he retired, leaving the manage- 
 ment to his son Luther E., who has proven an 
 able successor. With a comfortable home and 
 with leisure for reading and other intellectual 
 pursuits. Mr. Stover has passed a quiet life since 
 giving up business. The family circle was in- 
 vaded by the hand of death July 15, 1S92, when 
 the beloved wife and mother passed to the unseen 
 life, and her mortal remains now [est m the 
 Aaronsburg cemetery, 
 
 Taking keen interest in all forms of progress, 
 Mr. Stover has been an active member of the 
 Lutheran Church for many years, holding nu- 
 merous offices, including those of deacon and 
 elder, and at different periods, amounting in all 
 to thirty-five years, he has been superintendent 
 ! of the Sunday-school. He has strong convic- 
 tions and the courage to express them, neither 
 money nor friendship having power to make him 
 acquiesce in anything which he does not approve. 
 In early life he was a Whig, and later he became 
 a Republican, but although his support could al- 
 ways be relied upon, he has not cared to run for 
 office. In fact he declined various offers of a 
 place on the party ticket, even as a candidate for 
 the legislature. 
 
 HUGH MCALLISTER BEAVER, named for 
 his maternal grandfather, Hon. Hugh Nel- 
 son McAllister, was born at Bellefonte, Penn., 
 March 29, 1S73. He was the third son of Gen. 
 James Addams and Mary McAllister Beaver, and 
 spent- his entire life prior to entrance to College 
 (with the exception of short periods while his 
 father occupied the executive office of Pennsyl- 
 vania) in his native town. 
 
 His preparatory education was pursued at 
 Bellefonte and Harrisburg Academies, at which 
 he was prepared for entrance to the Freshman 
 Class of the Pennsylvania State College, in 1891. 
 He graduated in the General Science course in 
 
 1895 
 
 His ancestors of the fourth preceding genera- 
 tion were all born in Pennsylvania, and all of the 
 male members of his immediate ancestry of that 
 ration served in the Revolutionary war, ex- 
 cept Benjamin Elliott, who was a member of the 
 Convention which framed for Pennsylvania the 
 Constitution of 1776. On his father's side his 
 ancestry was English, German (Palatine) and 
 French (Huguenot), and on his mother's side, 
 English and Scotch-Irish. The distinguishing 
 characteristics of this varied ancestry combined 
 to produce a personality which, in early boyhood, 
 was characterized by earnestness, 'intensity, 
 vivacity, courage and perseverance. These 
 characteristics increased and developed with his 
 growth, and found full play in his short, acti\' 
 
 life. 
 
 He developed very early a strong taste foi 
 military pursuits, ami was, for several years, 
 captain of a boys' company called the "Belle 
 fonte Guards. " It was difficult to communit 
 his own earnestness in this play service to his 
 company, however, and his own views in regard 
 to such service changed with his years. Ufa 
 
 
J 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 201 
 
 father, knowing his tendency in that direction, 
 and thinking that he had an opportunity of secur- 
 ing an appointment to West Point for him, wrote 
 to him upon the subject, advising him to deter- 
 mine the matter for himself, and give his answer. 
 His characteristic reply indicated the change 
 which his views had undergone upon the subject. 
 Although then only in his seventeenth year, he 
 replied, after careful consideration, that "life 
 was too real and too earnest to be spent in keep- 
 ing Indians on their reservations or playing the 
 dude at a swell fort," the latter part of the re- 
 mark having been doubtless induced by what he 
 had seen a year or two before at the " Hygeia 
 Hotel " at Fort Monroe. 
 
 A signal illustration of his intensity of pur- 
 pose and determination was exhibited in his last 
 year in college. During a snow blockade which 
 prevented the running of trains and all inter- 
 course between tjie State College and his home, 
 twelve miles away, by the ordinary means of 
 conveyance, he walked the entire distance, most 
 of the way on the tops of the fences. He was 
 naturally much exhausted by the journey, and as 
 a result had a serious affection of the eyes, 
 which prevented his carrying on his studies. 
 He was fortunate, however, in having several 
 young lady friends who had graduated at college 
 and who were familiar with the subjects then 
 engaging his attention. Three or four of them 
 were willing to give him an hour each day and, 
 availing himself of their invitation, he took up 
 the studies of the senior year with them and, by 
 having them read to and discuss the subjects 
 with him, was enabled to keep up with his 
 studies and to graduate with his class. 
 
 During his college course he was a member 
 of the Beta Theta Pi Fraternity, and was largely 
 instrumental in securing the fine Chapter House 
 which is occupied by that Fraternity at the Penn- 
 sylvania State College. In this, as in every- 
 thing which he undertook, he manifested the 
 most determined zeal and activity. One of his 
 fellows in the Fraternity has said in regard to it: 
 "His marked business ability well fitted him for 
 the work. He consulted on plans, supervised 
 the work, negotiated the finances and, in fact, 
 gave himself so completely to the task that he 
 was familiar with the smallest details. His time 
 and money were freely offered. When the fire 
 swept away the beautiful structure, in a few 
 months after it had been occupied, no disconso- 
 late cry went up from him. His first message 
 was: 'We must prepare to rebuild at once;' 
 and it was done. He immediately took hold of 
 the rebuilding, and we now have a house better 
 than the one destroyed. Hugh lived long enough 
 
 to see the work finished and the Chapter at home 
 once more." 
 
 During his senior year in college a call from 
 the Young Men's Christian Association of Penn- 
 sylvania, to become its College secretary, in the 
 place of his older brother who had been called to 
 the service of the International Committee at 
 New York, came to him. His plans had been 
 carefully thought out and, to some extent, laid, 
 but the call was carefully considered. The re- 
 sult was a contest between inclination and duty, 
 which finally resulted in his acceptance of the 
 call, and a complete dedication of his life to the 
 highest welfare of the young men of this country 
 or elsewhere, wherever God, in his providence, 
 might call him. To this work he gave two years, 
 diverging at different times to take the Bible 
 work at College Conferences at Lake Geneva, 
 Wis., Knoxville, Tenn., and Northfield, Mass. 
 To this work he gave the best that was in him, 
 and in it achieved marked and marvelous results. 
 In the spring of 1897, he received a call to be- 
 come the secretary of the Inter-Collegiate Young 
 Men's Christian Association of New York City, 
 which was then regarded as one of the vital 
 points in'College work for young men throughout 
 the world. He accepted the invitation, and was 
 to have begun his work on the 1st of September 
 of that year, under auspices which seemed to 
 promise immediate and far-reaching results. 
 
 His last public work was at the College Con- 
 ference of young women at Northfield, which 
 was held in July, 1897. He was selected as the 
 teacher of the Bible Training Class and, al- 
 though even more boyish in appearance than in 
 years, as was said by one of the members of his 
 class " old and young sat at his feet and delighted 
 to learn from him." Many of the hundreds of 
 letters which were received by the family after 
 his death were from members of this class, and 
 testified to the remarkable power which he ex- 
 ercised not only in his public teaching, but in his 
 private interviews with its members. One of these 
 letters, from a distinguished medical missionary, 
 contains this tribute: " When we saw him, so 
 young and so attractive, we felt the dangers of his 
 position. He was such a good comrade, and so 
 absolutely without self-consciousness or affecta- 
 tion. He was enthusiastically earnest, and filled 
 with the Holy Spirit. His marvelous influence 
 seemed due but little to his attractive personality. 
 To that winsomeness was added an intangible 
 something which warded off all foolish sentiment- 
 ality, and drew the girls to him, because of the 
 Christ in him. We sometimes wondered how 
 the man in him was not spoiled, when nearly the 
 whole Conference sat at his feet. It is clearer 
 
202 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL REColll). 
 
 now — like his Lord he was not to be touched, 
 because not yet (but oh, so soon to be !) ascended 
 to his Father. What we felt and dimly under- 
 stood was the radiant likeness which now in His 
 Presence satisfied his loving heart." 
 
 Upon his return home, after his service in 
 this Conference, he seemed unusually tired, but 
 made no complaint. In a few days there devel- 
 oped an attack of appendicitis — of which, as was 
 afterward learned, he had unheeded premoni- 
 tions — which ran its course so rapidly that not- 
 withstanding the most distinguished medical and 
 surgical advice and assistance a fatal termination 
 seemed inevitable, and so proved. The earthly 
 life of Hugh Beaver, so consecrated to high aims 
 and holy purposes- — so full of loving service and 
 so rich with promise ended on the 2nd day of 
 August, 1897. 
 
 At the same hour as the funeral services at 
 his home, memorial services were held at the 
 
 <ral Christian Conference at Northfield, Mass. , 
 at which Mr. I). L. Moody spoke very feelingly, 
 and alluded to the fact that he had urged young 
 Beaver to accept the chair of the English Bible 
 .it the boys' school at Mt. Hermon, for which 
 he regarded him as especially qualified. 
 
 An earnest effort is now being made to erect 
 1 Y. M. C. A. building at Lincoln University for 
 the use of its students, to be known as the Hugh 
 McAllister Beavei Memorial, so that the memory 
 of this devoted young man may be perpetuated 
 along lines of service to which his short life was 
 so unreservedly given. 
 
 WB HENDERSON, M. 1).. physician 
 and surgeon in the borough of Philips- 
 burg, Centre county. Pennsylvania. 
 
 JAMES II KAN KIN, whose death occurred 
 in July. 1893, at Bellefonte, * entre county, 
 
 where he had passed a life hevond man's al- 
 lotted years, and where he had been an honora- 
 ble member of the Bar for fifty years, repre- 
 sented one of the first families to locate in the 
 place. 
 
 |ohn Rankin, the father of James II., was 
 born in Franklin county, Penn., May 1, 1779, 
 and became one of the early settlers in Perm's 
 Valley, I entre county, lli^- father was born in 
 Ireland. Before John's removal to the villi 
 of Bellefonte he was an elder in Mr. Stuart's 
 Church, and after his location there he connected 
 himself with the Presbyterian Church. He 
 opened a store in Bellefonte in 1810. He was 
 sheriff of Centre county in 1812; prothonotary 
 
 in 1818; and a justice of the peace, 1840-44. 
 On June 7, 1804, he married Isabella Dundas, 
 who was born on the ocean en route from Scot- 
 land, and their children were: Mary, who mar- 
 ried Alfred Armstrong; Isabella, who married 
 John Irvin; Jane, who married George S. Arm- 
 strong; Ellis, who married James Gilliland; 
 William I).; Dr. John C. ; James H., our sub- 
 ject; J. Duncan; and L. Calvin. The father of 
 these died April 22, [848. 
 
 James H. Rankin was born in the old Mc- 
 Allister home, on the corner of Allegheny street 
 and Cherry alley, Bellefonte, March 3, 1819. 
 His early education was acquired in the- public 
 schools and at the academy at Bellefonte; later 
 he was graduated from Jefferson College, Can- 
 nonsburg, Penn. Returning to Bellefonte, h 
 a law student in the office of William Potter dis- 
 played an unusual talent, which had its reward 
 in a brilliant examination for the admission to 
 the Centre County Bar, which he passed in Jan- 
 uary, 1840. The Bar of Centre County at that 
 time was reputed one of the best in the State. 
 In 1850 he was elected district attornej over 
 Robert G. Durham, Whig; in 1853 and 1856 he 
 was re-elected, di feating Edmund Blanchard and 
 William 1\ Wilson. On October 13, 1861. Mr 
 Rankin was mustered into the service as first 
 lieutenant of Company H, 56th P. V. I., and 
 went to the front in defense of the Union; sick- 
 ness, however, necessitated his return home in 
 the following spring, and he resigned on March 
 2~ , iS<>2. At the close ol the war he was ap- 
 pointed to one of the leading positions in the In 
 ternal Revenue Department, which he filled 
 integrity. After the expiration of his term ol 
 office lie resumed the practice of the law, which 
 with a general insurance business he kept up un- 
 til the last few Mas-, ol his life. •• As a citizen 
 none could have been better than he, as a 1 
 band and father he was faithful and honored 
 As a friend we can offer no more expressive eu- 
 logism than to say that the death of no other 
 man will cause more profound regret in 
 hearts of all classes of people in oui town, 
 life, always simple and unassuming, was that 'f 
 an honorable man. His character beyond 
 proach and his spirit fraternal and God-like to 1 
 fault. He had no enemies because all who knew 
 him were friends. " 
 
 Mr. Rankin was a charter member of (■ 
 Post No. 95, G. A. R. He marrii d Miss B 
 Furey, who was bom on her father's (Robert 
 Furey) farm near Pleasant Gap, and their chil- 
 dren are: Alice, who married R. A. Kinsl 
 editor of a paper at Philipsburg, Penn. ; H 
 John I., of Washington, D. C. ; Jennie, the 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 20S 
 
 of Gov. D. H. Hastings; Miss Bella, at home; 
 and Edward, the operator of the Western Union 
 Telegraph at Bellefonte. The parents of Mrs. 
 Rankin were natives of Centre county, Penn., 
 where the greater part of their lives were passed, 
 and where they died, the father on May 19, 1846. 
 Robert Furey was the son of John and Barbara 
 (Lebo) Furey, early residents of Centre county, 
 and here died, the former in February, 1826, 
 and the latter on March 5, 1850, aged eighty- 
 eight years. The other children of this couple 
 were: William, Jeremiah and Nancy. 
 
 w 
 
 VAN PELT (deceasd) was for 
 ■ATX many years one of the leading citizens of 
 central Pennsylvania. He was prominently con- 
 nected with the development of the industrial 
 interests, and his industry and enterprise were 
 important factors in the material welfare of the 
 community in which he lives. Monuments of 
 brass or stone are not needed to perpetuate his 
 memory, for he is enshrined in the hearts of 
 many friends who witnessed his upright life and 
 recognized his sterling worth. 
 
 Mr. Van Pelt was born in Tomkins county, 
 N. Y., in 1840, and during his youth lived the 
 free open life of a farmer boy on the family 
 homestead near Slaterville, N. Y. In the sum- 
 mer months he followed the plow and aided in 
 the harvest fields, while in the winter season he 
 attended the public schools of the neighborhood. 
 His parents were Lorenzo and Betsy (Rice) Van- 
 Pelt, and he was the eldest of three children, 
 the others being E. G., of Ithaca, N. Y., and 
 Romelia, wife of R. G. H. Speed, of Slaterville 
 Springs, N. Y. The father of this family followed 
 farming in his early life, and was afterward a 
 dealer in patent rights. 
 
 After mastering the rudimentary branches of 
 learning in the common schools, Mr. Van Pelt 
 pursued an academic course of study in Ithaca 
 and Groton, N. Y. , after which he took a com- 
 mercial course in Cleveland, Ohio. He then 
 went on a trip down the Mississippi river with 
 the Government Engineer Corps, and soon after 
 his return to the North removed to Centre Hall. 
 He came to that town as a patent right salesman; 
 but seeing that there was a favorable opening 
 for the foundry business, he turned his attention 
 to that industry, and for a time was employed 
 as bookkeeper in a foundry. Subsequently he 
 purchased an interest in the business, and became 
 the leading partner in the firm of Van Pelt, 
 Shoop & Co. Throughout his remaining days he 
 was identified with that industry, and his capable 
 management made it a profitable source of in- 
 
 come. His business ability, however, was by 
 no means limited to one undertaking, for he suc- 
 cessfully controlled a number of interests which 
 resulted not only to his own material benefit, 
 but proved of value to the community as well. 
 He was associated with Gov. Beaver, Gen. Hast- 
 ings, and Col. Spangler in the founding and 
 upbuilding of the town of Hastings, Cambria Co. , 
 Penn. In April, 1888, he went to the site of 
 the village, which was then a wilderness, cut 
 down the trees, blocked out the town, measured 
 the streets and staked off the houses; in brief, 
 he was the active manager and promoter of 
 Hastings, which in two years attained a growth 
 nearly as great as Centre Hall. 
 
 On February 21, 1878, in Centre Hall, Mr. 
 Van Pelt was married to Miss Anna Spangler, 
 daughter of ex-Sheriff Spangler. She was born 
 in Adamsburg, Snyder Co., Penn., December 12, 
 1853, and completed her education with an aca- 
 demical course. She is a cultured lady, presid- 
 ing with grace over her hospitable home, and to 
 her husband was a cherished companion and 
 helpmeet. They had three children: John, born 
 January 21, 1880; Helen R. , born February 27, 
 1882, now attending Wilson College in Cham- 
 bersburg, Penn.; and Bessie M., born in Septem- 
 ber, 1888, died in September, 1889. 
 
 In politics, Mr. Van Pelt was a Democrat who 
 loyally supported his party, but never sought of- 
 fice. In 1890 he went to Hastings to look after 
 his business interests in that place, returning 
 home in April. Three weeks later, on the 3d of 
 May, he died, and a noble life was thus ended. 
 While he made no profession of superiority to- 
 his fellowmen, all recognized him as a man of 
 unquestioned integrity and irreproachable char- 
 acter. He was upright in his dealings, courteous 
 at all times, considerate of the feelings of those 
 with whom he was associated, and ever a true 
 gentleman in the highest and best sense of the 
 term. All who knew him mourned his death, 
 and the sympathy of the entire community was 
 extended to his family. His wife and children 
 still reside in the pleasant home which he left to 
 them in Centre Hall, and their circle of friends 
 is extensive. 
 
 ON. C. A. FAULKNER, associate judge of 
 ^11 Centre county, is one of Philipsburg's lead- 
 ing citizens. An able and successful business 
 man, he is also a forceful worker in local affairs, 
 and is an influential representative of the old- 
 school Democracy. 
 
 Mr. Faulkner comes of good New England 
 stock, and was born in New Hampshire, March 25, 
 1840. His father, W. A. Faulkner, a native of 
 
1>04 
 
 COMMKMOHA Tl VK BIOGRAPHIC A I. BEt 'OBD. 
 
 Massachusetts, was born in 1S11, and is now 
 living in Philipsburg in good health and possess- 
 ing remarkable strength for one of his years. He 
 is a constant student of the Bible, and takes 
 much interest in the questions of the day, being 
 in his political views a stanch Democrat. He 
 was married in early manhood to Miss Clarissa 
 Hinds, a native of New Hampshire, who died in 
 Philipsburg some years ago at the "Potter 
 House.'' They came to Pennsylvania in 1846, 
 locating first in Erie county, where W. A. Faulk- 
 ner was engaged in business as a carpenter and 
 millwright until 1 S 5 7 , when he removed with his 
 family to Philipsburg. There he followed car- 
 pentering and lumbering for a time, but he has 
 now retired from active business. Of his four 
 children two are living: (1) Clarissa J., the wife 
 of B. F. Morgan, of State College; and (2) C. A., 
 our subject. The others were: (3) Louisa M., who 
 died at the age of eighteen, and (4) Henry, who 
 was a remarkable boy, having sis toes on each 
 foot, and weighing, at the age oi thirteen years, 
 213 pounds; he died of typhoid fever. 
 
 Judge Faulkner's school days were spent 111 
 Erie county, where he attended Girard Academy. 
 He also became familiar with the details of the 
 carpenter's trade by assisting his father. After 
 the removal of the family to Philipsburg he en- 
 gaged in the hotel business, and al three differ- 
 ent times he had charge of the old " Moshannon 
 House," a brick hotel. In the spring oi [877 he 
 opened the "Potter House " there, and after 
 conducting it swine six or seven years he went 
 into the wholesale liquor business, which he fol- 
 lowed two years, His genial disposition and 
 quiet manner have made main warm personal 
 friends, while his abilities have won even wider 
 
 appreciat as is shown by his election in 1892 
 
 to the office of associate judge in his county to 
 serve until 1897, and Ins faithful performance of 
 the duties of that place has am pi} justified the 
 expectations of his supporters. Socially, he is a 
 member of the Independant Order of Odd Fel- 
 lows, and of the Royal Arcanum 
 
 fudge Faulkner married Miss Florence shoop, 
 a native of Philipsburg, born in [86l. Then 
 pleasant home is gladdened by an interesting 
 family of seven children: C. A., Grace. Irvin, 
 Pierre, May, Florence and Pauline. 
 
 Hon. John ( Henderson has won a 
 distinguished position among the leading 
 business men of Centre county, for many y< 
 being identified with the mercantile, lumber and 
 agricultural interests of this section of the State, 
 but now practically living a retired life upon his 
 
 farm on Mud Lick branch, in Huston township. 
 A native of Centre county, he was born Decem- 
 ber 6, 1832, in Patton township, then called 
 Pond Bank. 
 
 Rev. William B. Henderson, father of our 
 subject, was born in Morris county, N. J., April 
 IO - 1 793. of which State his parents, Eleazor 
 and Margaret (Barton) Henderson, were also na- 
 tives. At one time they came to Centre county, 
 but not being satisfied returned to New Jersey, 
 where they died. By occupation the grandfather 
 was a lumberman and coal miner. Until eight- 
 een years of age Rev. Henderson followed ore 
 mining, and two years later became a local min- 
 ister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, being a 
 circuit rider for twenty- five years. He contin- 
 ued the work of the ministry up to his death, 
 which occurred October 22, 1856. He was three 
 times married, his first union being with Miss 
 Rachel Connor, who was born in 1798, and died 
 in October, 1839. To them were born six sons 
 and one daughter, as follows: Samuel, who died 
 at the age of six years; Eliza, deceased wife of 
 Rudolph Light, of Blair county, Penn. ; Robert 
 I deceased, who was a merchant and local 
 minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church; 
 William B., who died at the age of twenty-five 
 years; John t ., of this sketch; David S., also a 
 minister and school teacher, who died at the age 
 of twenty; and James F., who died in the army. 
 Rev. Henderson next married Mary A. Fugate, 
 who died in 1845, at the age of twenty-eight 
 years, and later he wedded her sister, Martha J. 
 I ugate, by whom he had two children: Grant, 
 who died in infancy; and Martha, who died at 
 the age- of i>ne year. The mother of these chil- 
 dren passed away at Altoona, Penn., in 1892, at 
 the age of sixty-four. 
 
 Our subject was provided with very meagre 
 educational privileges, being able to attend school 
 for only about a year and a half. He remained 
 tinder the parental roof until his marriage, March 
 2;. 1855, to Miss" Elizabeth J. Cooper. Ten 
 children graced their union, namely: Martha M . 
 who died at the age of twelve years; Frances A., 
 wife of W. P. Parsons, .1 i. inner of Huston town- 
 ship; Mary E., wife of Rev. S. J. Taylor, of 
 Berlin, Somerset Co.. Penn.; Elmer E. , a mer- 
 chant of Julian, Centre county; Emma, wife of 
 Rev. L. N. Fleck, of Stoyestown, Somerset 
 count} , Grant, who died at the age of one y 
 Lillie L, wife of <>. F. Steverson, a farmer of 
 Patton township, Centre county; Ollie M., at 
 home; Curtis I)., who died at the age of seven- 
 teen years; and Verrus G., at home. 
 
 Mrs. Henderson was born in County Down. 
 Ireland, December 5, 1835, ana " was tne on 'y 
 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 205 
 
 child of Thomas and Mary (Reed) Cooper, also 
 natives of the Emerald Isle. By occupation the 
 father was a fisherman, and was drowned in 1836 
 during a big storm. In 1848 the mother and 
 daughter crossed the Atlantic, taking up their 
 residence in Buffalo Run, Centre Co., Penn. 
 During the last forty years of her life Mrs. 
 Cooper found a pleasant home with our subject, 
 where she passed away in 1893. Mrs. Hender- 
 son is also deceased. She was an earnest, de- 
 vout Christian, a true and faithful wife and ten- 
 der mother. She left many friends who deeply 
 mourn her taking away, as her quiet, unassum- 
 ing manner and pleasant ways endeared her to al' 
 with whom she came in contact. 
 
 After his marriage, Mr. Henderson rented a 
 farm in Bald Eagle Valley for two years, which 
 he operated during the summer season, in the 
 winter working in the lumber woods. For the 
 following two years he lived upon a rented farm 
 in Patton township, and then removed to a rented 
 place in the lower end of the county, but while 
 there purchased a farm in Huston township. 
 However, he went to Julian Furnace, where for 
 three years he conducted a hotel, and on selling 
 out there purchased the large " Hotel Elsworth," 
 in Osceola, Clearfield Co., Penn., which he con- 
 ducted from 1867 until 1875. On the 20th of 
 May of the latter year it was destroyed by fire, 
 which also reduced to ashes eight other buildings 
 belonging tooursubject, thus causing a heavy loss. 
 The previous January, he had been appointed, by 
 President Grant, postmaster at Osceola, which 
 position he filled for three years and a half, when 
 he resigned and began the cultivation of his pres- 
 ent farm in Huston township, Centre county. 
 Here he made his home from May, 1877, until 
 1894, when he went to the village of Julian, 
 where in the spring of 1889 he had opened the 
 mercantile establishment now conducted by his 
 son. The building was destroyed by fire in May, 
 1896, but business was at once resumed at an- 
 other location. In the spring of the same year, 
 Mr. Henderson returned to his farm, but leaves 
 its management to his son, and after a long life 
 of toil is now calmly resting from his labors. In 
 the flood of 1889, which caused so much damage 
 in Centre county, he lost considerable, but he 
 has steadily overcome all the difficulties and trials 
 that have beset his path, and is enjoying a com- 
 fortable competence which is well deserved. 
 
 Mr. Henderson has served his fellow citizens 
 in the capacity of school director twenty-eight 
 years, mayor of Osceola one year, tax collector 
 of Huston township, and county commissioner 
 six years, the duties of which he discharged with 
 credit to himself and to the satisfaction of his 
 
 constituents. Although an ardent Republican, 
 and the county strongly Democratic, he was 
 elected county commissioner with a majority of 
 739, which fact plainly indicates his popularity, 
 and the confidence and trust the people repose in, 
 him. For twenty years he was the efficient 
 president of the school board, and was treasurer 
 two years. He is a devoted Christian, a faithful 
 worker in his Master's vineyard, and the poor 
 and needy always find in him a friend. 
 
 ICHAEL MILLER, a highly respected resi- 
 dent of Madisonburg, Centre county, is 
 one of the genial, kind-hearted men whose influ- 
 ence is a power for good in any community. An 
 able business man and an active promoter of all. 
 lines of local progress, he well deserves mention 
 in this work. 
 
 Mr. Miller belongs to a well-known pioneer 
 family, his grandfather, Michael Miller, having 
 come from the southern part of the State at an 
 early day to settle upon a farm in Centre county,, 
 at Pine Creek, where John Miller, our subject's 
 father, was born and reared. Starting in life 
 with but little help from his father, John Miller 
 made his way through his own efforts to a place 
 of prominence among the agriculturists of the 
 county. His first farm was in Walker township, 
 and at one time he owned three farms, his estate 
 being inventoried, at his death, at about $30,000. 
 Although farming was his chief occupation, he 
 did much profitable work in threshing in the days 
 of the small horse-power machines, and while 
 the canal was in process of construction he was 
 engaged in butchering. He was a Democrat in 
 politics, but neither sought nor held public office. 
 In early manhood he was united in marriage with' 
 Miss Eve Bartholemew, who, like himself, was a 
 devout member of the Reformed Church, in 
 which he held office for many yeaFS. Both died 
 at Hublersburg, Centre county, the father at the 
 age of seventy-three, the mother when sixty- 
 eight, and their remains were laid to- their final 
 rest at that place. They had eleven children, 
 of whom nine lived to adult age: Catherine 
 married Gideon Dunblazer, and died in Clinton 
 county; Henry died in Walker township, Centre 
 county; John, a farmer, is living in semi-retire- 
 ment at Hublersburg; Eliza is the widow of Dr. 
 Samuel Adams, of Illinois; Fannie married Ben- 
 jamin Reich, and died at Jacksonville, Penn. ; 
 Sarah married Job Long, of Clinton county; 
 Michael and Mary were twins, the former being 
 our subject, and the latter now the widow of 
 Samuel Goodhart, of Centre Hall; Amelia A. 
 
2oe 
 
 VOMMKAf'UiA TIVE BIOGRAPHICAL UK< ORD. 
 
 married (first) John Stover, and (second) Amos 
 Ertly, of Jacksonville. 
 
 Michael Miller, our subject, was born May 
 12, 1838, at the old home in Walker township, 
 litre county, and his education was such as 
 the schools of the district then afforded, compris- 
 ing only "the three Ks. " As the son of a thrifty 
 farmer, his time was well employed at home, and 
 he did much hard work in his youth although he 
 was not of large build. On March 16, 1862, he 
 was married in Clinton county to Miss Sarah 
 Brungart, who was born March 29, 1840, the 
 •daughter of George Brungart, a leading farmer 
 of that county, and his wife, Elizabeth (Wol- 
 ford). During the first four years of his married 
 life Mr. Miller rented the home farm from his 
 father, but in the spring of 1866 he bought, at a 
 cost "( $6,000, a farm of eighty-three acres in 
 Miles township, Centre county, known as the 
 George Shaffer farm. He made his home there 
 until 1880, when he sold the place and purchased 
 the " old Schmeltzer farm " near Madisonburg. 
 In the spring of 1886 he removed to that town, 
 where he has since resided, and at the same time 
 he bought an eighty-three-acre farm in the same 
 township, on which he built a new house, now 
 occupied by his son, George E. In addition to 
 this property and his fine residence in town, he 
 owns 107 acres of mountain land. 
 
 Mr and Mrs. Miller have had seven children, 
 whose names, with dates of birth, are as follows 
 Mary I., June 23, 1863, died January 19, 1868; 
 George E., October 25, 1864, is a prosperous 
 farmer in Miles township; Sarah K., November 
 23, 1865, married Clark Gramly, of Miles town- 
 ship, Centre county; Klmira M , August 1 1, 1867, 
 married Charles Smull, of Rebersburg; Maggie 
 H . , March 1 1 , 1869, died at the age of eight* ■■ n . 
 Minnie E., October II, 1873, and Bertha G., 
 April 16, 1880, are at home. Mrs. Miller is a 
 Lutheran in religion, but our subject is a mem- 
 ber of the Reformed Church, in which he has 
 been a deacon and is now an elder. He is a 
 steadfast supporter of Democratic principles, and 
 has been supervisor and overseer of the poor, 
 while as school director he has done effective 
 work in securing for later generations the educa- 
 tional advantages of which he was deprived in 
 his youth 
 
 JONATHAN SPANGLER. The Spangler 
 homestead near Kebersburg, Centre counts, 
 has now been in the possession of that fam- 
 ily for more than a century, and its present occu- 
 pant, the subject of this sketch, is the third 
 owner indirect line of descent from its original 
 
 purchaser, Christopher Spangler, who made his 
 
 I home there in 1794 or '95. This pioneer was 
 born in Moore township, Northampton Co., 
 Penn., May 17, 1766, and lived for some time in 
 
 ' early manhood in Union county, Penn., east of 
 
 ' New Berlin, before locating at the present home- 
 stead. He bought the interest of George Hoerr- 
 ner in the tract, and was the first settler, al- 
 though a log cabin stood thereat the time of the 
 
 I purchase. 
 
 George Christopher Spangler, the father of 
 Christopher, was born in Prussia, and came to 
 Brush Valley some time after this settlement, ac- 
 
 l companied by three other sons. They were: 
 Henry, who was a pioneer settler in Su;;ar Val- 
 
 ; ley, locating near the present site of Tylersville; 
 
 I George, who went to Ohio; and Peter, who was 
 the first settler in Bald Eagle Valley, later mov- 
 ing to Ohio. Another son, John, settled along 
 the Sinnamahoning. 
 
 Christopher Spangler always lived at the 
 present homestead, and he died there February 
 21, 1855, aged eighty-nine years. His wife, 
 Anna Margaret (nee Knder), died July 14, 1832, 
 and both were buried in the Reformed cemetery 
 at Rebersburg. He was a powerful man, well 
 built and robust, and, while farming was his chief 
 occupation in Centre county, he also followed 
 weaving at times, having learned the trade in 
 youth. He was a man of strong convictions — 
 moral, religious and political — and fearlessly car- 
 ried them out. The Sabbath breaker and the 
 tippler slunk away at his approach. The pro- 
 fane man and the bully subsided into silence as 
 he passed, all evil-doers dreading his reproof. 
 He was unusually intelligent, and was a warm 
 friend of education, heartily supporting the com- 
 mon-school system when that question was sub- 
 mitted to a vote of the people. At one time he 
 was a Lutheran, but in 1806 he united with the 
 Evangelical Association, in which he became a 
 leader. He was well versed in Scrip 1 ure, and at 
 one time was a local preacher. His house, which 
 was built in 1805. was a rendezvous for preach 
 and services were often held there before any 
 churches were erected. In politics he was a 
 stanch Democrat, and he voted regularly, con- 
 sidering it a duty. His family consisted of ten 
 children, as follows: Samuel and Jacob died in 
 Potter township, Centre county; the third child 
 (name not known) was drowned in the water 
 trough at home; Jonathan, Sr. , is mentioned 
 more fully below; Anna M. married Conrad 
 Hare; Susan married Solomon Gerheart; Magda 
 lena married Jacob Wise; Christina married a 
 Mr. Evans; Esther married John Betts; and K< 
 becca married Jacob Kreamer. 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 207 
 
 Jonathan Spangler was born in 1803, on the 
 same farm and in the same house in which his 
 son, our subject, now resides. He was reared 
 as a farmer boy, with such schooling as his time 
 and locality afforded. His education was prac- 
 tical and mainly self-acquired, and, as he was 
 fond of reading and had a good memory, he be- 
 came conversant with the issues of his day in 
 Church and State. His hearing was deficient, 
 or he would doubtless have taken the same in- 
 terest in Church affairs which was shown by his 
 father, as he was a devout member of the Evan- 
 gelical Church and a prominent contributor. His 
 word was as good as his note, his promise for 
 anything being all that his friends would ask. 
 Intoxicating drinks had in him a bitter enemy, 
 and he was the first farmer in his locality to 
 abolish the use of the whiskey jug in the harvest 
 field. In politics he was a Democrat until 1862, 
 when he became a Republican, and his change 
 was the occasion of much surprise at the time. 
 He held office in Miles township, and took in- 
 terest in the success of the part}', keeping always 
 well posted on issues. Progressive and enter- 
 prising in his own affairs, he was no less so in 
 advocating good roads and other improvements. 
 He owned a large farm, which he has partially 
 cleared, and was one of the leading agriculturists 
 in his township. 
 
 Jonathan Spangler, Sr. , was married in Union 
 •county, Penn., to Miss Catharine Maize, of Union 
 county, the daughter of Michael Maize, a well- 
 known farmer. The children of this union were 
 Reuben, who died in Stephenson county, 111. ; 
 Matilda, who married George Dauberman, and 
 died in Kane county, 111. ; Ira, who died in Brush 
 Valley, at the age of twenty years; Margaret, 
 who married Benjamin Gramley, and died in 
 1895, in Kane county, 111.; Charles, who died 
 when nineteen years old in Miles township; 
 Simon, now of Harvey county, Kans. ; Jonathan, 
 our subject; Anna B., now the widow of Perry 
 Condo, of Jacksonville, Penn. ; Edward, of Kane 
 county, 111. ; and Uriah, of Harvey county, Kans. 
 The mother died February 24, 1857, and her re- 
 mains were interred in Rebersburg in the family 
 burial plat. The father married a second wife, 
 Rebecca Lutz, of Penn Valley, who died in May, 
 1888, leaving no children. The father breathed 
 his last November 4, 1888. 
 
 Jonathan Spangler, the subject proper of 
 this sketch, was born April 26, 1842, at the old 
 homestead. He attended the Gramley school 
 during boyhood, and later studied a short time 
 at New Berlin. He has seen great impsovements 
 in the schools, and heartily endorses them. He 
 was reared as a farmer boy according to the cus- 
 
 tom of his time, and remained at home except 
 for one winter, when he lived with his sister, 
 Mrs. Dauberman. 
 
 Mr. Spangler was married December 25, 1863, 
 to Miss Sarah A. Condo, a native of Aaronsburg, 
 and a daughter of Joseph and Anna (Poorman) 
 Condo, and they went to housekeeping on the 
 old Spangler farm, where they now live. At 
 first Mr. Spangler rented the farm, and they lived 
 three years in the tenant house; but in 1835 he 
 bought the homestead, the property comprising 
 117 acres of tillable land, and some that is still 
 in a primitive condition. He has a pleasant 
 home, and six children who are unusually tal- 
 ented: Charles C, of Filmore county, Neb., is 
 a teacher. Joseph E. is a farmer of Centre Hill. 
 Ira, now of Sullivan county, Penn., is a minister 
 of the United Evangelical Church. Catherine 
 resides in Nebraska, and is not married. Annie 
 is the wife of O. F. Stover, of Miles township. 
 Agnes L. is at home. 
 
 Mr. Spangler's first vote was cast, in 1864, 
 for Abraham Lincoln, and since that time he has 
 been a stanch supporter of Republican doctrines, 
 but always looks to principle, however, more 
 than partisan ties. He is an enemy to the liquor 
 traffic, and hopes to see it abolished. He and 
 his wife are active members of the United Evan- 
 gelical Church, and he has served in various 
 offices, having been a class leader for ten or 
 twelve years, and at present he is assistant super- 
 intendent of the Sunday-school. Reading is a 
 favorite pastime with him, and, while his mem- 
 ory is not especially retentive, he is familiar with 
 many more topics than the average man. He is 
 one of the best citizens as well as a substantial 
 farmer, and kindliness is a prominent and at- 
 tractive characteristic with him. 
 
 J S. DAUBERMAN, who to-day occupies alead- 
 ing position in business circles, is one to 
 whom prosperity has come in return for un- 
 tiring labor, enterprises and well-managed busi- 
 ness interests. He is identified with the agricult- 
 ural, industrial and commercial interests of 
 Centre county, and wherever known is held in 
 high regard, for his business record is most hon- 
 orable, and his private life is above reproach. 
 
 Mr. Dauberman was born in Potter township, 
 Centre county, near Sinking Creek, October 26, 
 1832, and is of German lineage, his grandfather, 
 Israel Dauberman, having been a native of the 
 German Empire. He became the founder of the 
 family in America, and his son John was the first 
 of the name to locate in Centre county. The 
 latter was one of the first agriculturists in Penn's 
 
•_., ifi 
 
 COMMKMOliATIVK BIOGRAPHICAL HKCOllh. 
 
 Valley. He owned considerable land in Potter 
 township; and was widely known as a substantial 
 farmer and prominent citizen. In his boy- 
 hood he learned the cabinet-making and car- 
 penter's trades, and could also follow blacksmith- 
 ing with good success, so that several industries 
 contributed to his prosperity. He was tin- prin- 
 cipal donator to the building fund of the first 
 church at Egg Hill; in politics he supported the 
 Democratic party. He married Margaret Hah rn. 
 who lived to be seventy-six years of age, he dying 
 at the age of eighty-one, and they were buried 
 in Egg Hill cemetery. John Dauberman, the 
 father of our subject, was the eldest of their 
 family; a daughter became the wile of Mr. Shreff- 
 ler, and died in Illinois; Margaret married Sam- 
 uel Spangler, and died in Potter township; Polly 
 married Michael Dillman, and died in Plainfield, 
 Illinois. 
 
 John Dauberman, the father "I our subject, 
 was born in 1800, and acquired a good practical 
 education, for after attending the public schools 
 he spent one term in study at Millheim. He 
 possessed resourceful business ability, and w as 
 an energetic farmer, also carrying on the foun- 
 dry business when his father retired from that in- 
 dustry. He always lived on what is known as 
 the Dauberman homestead, with the exception 
 of three years spent on a farm near by. His 
 later life was passed in retirement from active 
 business cares, save the management of his prop- 
 erty interests. He then traveled to a considera- 
 ble extent over the country, and made a number 
 of investments in Western lands, mostly .in Kane 
 county, III. He married Catherine Swartz, <>f 
 Penn township, a representative of an old fam- 
 ily, and their children are Sarah, who married 
 Isaac Tressler, and died in Oak Hall, Penn. ; 
 Margaret, widow of John Rishel, of Centre Hall; 
 George, who died in Kane county, III.; Cath- 
 erine, who died in childhood; and J. S. , of this 
 review. The father was a man five feet, eight 
 inches in height, and during most of his life was 
 a hard worker, accumulating a competence as 
 the result of his industry and frugality. He died 
 when about seventy-seven ye tge; his wife 
 
 had passed away previously when about seventy- 
 five years ol age. Their remains were intei 
 in Egg I lill cemetery. 
 
 J. S. Dauberman, oui subject, began his edu- 
 cation in the Egg Hill school under the guidance 
 o| William Toner, who belonged to a famih that 
 furnished a number of teachers to that school. 
 He received good advantages for the time, and 
 on the home farm received ample training in the 
 labors required in the cultivation of the field. 
 He was also a natural mechanic, and without in- 
 
 struction learned the cabinet maker's trade. He 
 was married December 27, 1X59, to Mary E. 
 Goodheart, who was born in Mifflin county, 
 Penn., July 50, 1836, the only daughter of John 
 and Martha (McEwen) Goodheart, who came to 
 Centre county when Mrs. Dauberman was a girl. 
 Her maidenhood was there passed, and her edu- 
 cation was obtained in the public schools. 
 
 Mr. Dauberman began his domestic life upon 
 the old homestead, where he followed farming 
 and also did much mechanical work in the line 
 of cabinet making, carpenterinp; and blacksmith- 
 ing. He shod his own horses, and even manu- 
 factured the horse-shoe nails. These pur- 
 suits occupied his attention until 1890, when in 
 connection with his son he embarked in the fur- 
 niture and undertaking business, in Centre Hall, 
 as successors to William Camp. After a few 
 years, however, the firm became Dauberman & 
 Goodheart, and in 1895 our subject became sole 
 proprietor. He still owns 150 acres of land 
 which he rents. A man of broad capabilities, 
 resourceful and persevering, his able manage- 
 ment has brought to him prosperity. He is a 
 member of the executive committee in charge of 
 the Central Hall picnic grounds, of which he e 
 superintendent. He purchased one of the first 
 kerosene lamps used in Penn's Valley. He is a 
 stanch Democrat in politics, has served in nu- 
 merous township offices, and has been street com- 
 missioner of Centre Hall. He belongs to the 
 Grange, and to the Evangelical Church, in which 
 and in the Sunday-school he has held various 
 offices, while for several years he was superin- 
 tendent of the Union Sunday-school at Egg Hill 
 His wife is a member of the Presbyterian 
 Church. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Dauberman have two children 
 J. G., born March 10, 1862, is now proprietor 
 of the Centre Hall Meat Supply Co.; Laura M 
 born January 13, 1864. became the wife ol 
 Charles Knarr, and died March 9, 1885, leaving 
 on, John II., who has made his home with 
 his grandfather since four months old. Mr 
 Dauberman removed to Centre Hall in March. 
 1887, and m that year erected his substantial 
 brick residence. His career has been straight- 
 forward and manly in all the relations of life, and 
 he well deserves representation in an) histo 
 Centre county, 
 
 MILLER S I I.W \KT. M. I)., ol Poll -• 
 entre county, has been one of the 
 -t important factors in promoting tin d 
 lent of the great lumber interests of this - 
 tion ol Pennsylvania, and belongs to that 
 
\ VV> S\\N*Ww 
 

/TtOc&u* J/e 
 
 c' / * fZ<L 
 
 u 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 209 
 
 of typical American citizens whose business 
 careers not only advance their individual pros- 
 perity, but add to the public welfare also. There 
 is much in his life that should serve as an inspi- 
 ration and encouragement to others, for his 
 career is that of a self-made man — one who has 
 been the architect of his own fortunes and has 
 builded wisely and well. 
 
 Dr. Stewart was born at Penn Manor, Hunt- 
 ingdon Co., Penn., October 1, 1819, a son of 
 Robert and Margaret (Miller) Stewart, natives of 
 Scotland and Ireland, respectively. The pater- 
 nal grandparents always remained in the former 
 country. They were representatives of the old 
 Stewart family, famous in Scottish history. Both 
 the maternal grandparents were centenarians at 
 the time of death. The parents of the Doctor 
 met and married in Huntingdon county, where 
 the father purchased from the agent of William 
 Penn 300 acres of land, paying for it seven 
 pounds and three shillings. There he remained 
 until his death in 1 820, and was extensively en- 
 gaged in farming. The mother died on the old 
 homestead in 1886, at the age of eighty-seven 
 years, she having, after the death of Mr. Stewart, 
 married Elisha Green. Their children were: 
 John, who died at the age of seventy-seven 
 years; James, who died aged eighty-two years; 
 David, who died aged seventeen years; William, 
 who died at the age of seventy-six; Margaret, 
 who married Benjamin Burns, and died at the 
 home of our subject, at the age of seventy- 
 three; and Miller, the subject of this review. 
 
 At the age of eighteen years Dr. Stewart 
 started out in life for himself as a clerk to the 
 prothonotary of Huntingdon. In 1839 he se- 
 cured a clerkship in the collector's office at Hol- 
 lidaysburg, and in the fall of 1841 entered the 
 Allegheny Literary College, where he pursued 
 his studies for a year. He then went to Hunt- 
 ingdon, and in 1842 began reading medicine 
 under the direction of Dr. William Swope, at 
 Huntingdon, after which he took a course in 
 Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, where 
 he was graduated in the spring of 1845. Re- 
 turning to Huntingdon county, Dr. Stewart en- 
 gaged in practice there until 1849, then spent 
 one year in traveling in the West, and in 185 1 
 established a home at Fairmont, Marion Co., 
 Va., where he practiced until January, 1854. 
 At that time he came to Snow Shoe township, 
 Centre county, and became interested in the de- 
 velopment of the lumber business, in connection 
 with his brother William, the business relation 
 between them existing until the latter's death in 
 1886. Subsequently the Doctor increased his 
 operations, conducting an extensive enterprise in 
 
 14 
 
 that line until 1889, when, his labors having 
 brought to him an ample fortune, he retired to 
 private life. In 1879, while working in a saw- 
 mill, he had four of the fingers of his right hand 
 cut off by a buzz-saw, after which he learned to- 
 use his left hand in writing. 
 
 On September 29, 1853, Dr. Stewart wedded 
 Miss Patsy E. Shaw, a native of George Creek, 
 AlleganyCo., Md., born in February, 1833. Her 
 parents, Major William and Patsy (Burns) Shaw, 
 were natives of Maryland, and their parents of 
 England, whence at an early day they came to 
 America, locating in Maryland. Major Shaw's 
 children were: William and James, both de- 
 ceased; John, a farmer of Iowa; Andrew, who is 
 living on the old homestead in Maryland; Mrs. 
 Stewart; Margaret, wife of Samuel Rees, a 
 farmer and cattle dealer of West Virginia; Henry 
 C, a farmer of West Virginia; and Benjamin, a 
 physician, now deceased. 
 
 The children of Dr. and Mrs. Stewart are 
 William, who is engaged in the canning of salm- 
 on, in Seattle, Wash.; Walter S., a physician 
 of Wilkesbarre, Penn. ; David, who is living with 
 his parents; Mary E., wife of J. B. Miller, a phy- 
 sician of Westernport, Md.; De Laune G., a 
 dentist; Margaret Ann, who is living with her 
 brother Walter; and Robert F. , of Seattle, 
 Washington. • 
 
 In 1864 Dr. Stewart erected his present 
 handsome and commodious residence. He is 
 heavily interested in Pennsylvania Railroad stock, 
 but aside from looking after his investments has 
 no active business interests. In politics he is a 
 stalwart Republican. The spirit of self-help is 
 the source of all genuine worth in the individual, 
 and it is this that has brought to him prosperity. 
 
 |JfILLIAM STEWART, late of Snow Shoe, 
 Centre county, was a brother of Dr. 
 Miller Stewart, who is now a resident of that lo- 
 cality, and a son of Robert and Margaret (Miller) 
 Stewart, whose lives were passed in Huntingdon 
 county, Pennsylvania. 
 
 William Stewart was born at the Stewart 
 homestead in Huntingdon county, December 1, 
 181 1. He received only a limited education, 
 and began his business career as a clerk in a 
 general store at Huntingdon in the employ of 
 Thomas Reed. From this store of Mr. Reed, 
 young Stewart went into the office of the pro- 
 thonotary of Huntingdon county, in the same 
 county. He was a good penman, became a 
 quick and accurate clerical man. and after the 
 election of Governor David R. Porter to the guber- 
 natorial chair was chosen by that gentleman as 
 
210 
 
 00 i/i//. l/o/;. i TIVB HKXiRAl'IIKAL RECORD. 
 
 his private secretary, which t< >< >k him to Harris- 
 burg, Penn. After years of service in this capac- 
 ity be went to Nanticoke, this Stat'-, as business 
 manager of the Governor's affairs. In 1849 he 
 came to Snow Shoe in search of health, his con- 
 stitution having been somewhat impaired by pre- 
 vious confinement at close office work. Here he 
 bought a large tract of timber land in connec- 
 tion with John S. Miller, who sold out to Robert 
 Dorsey, and it is said built the first Steam sawmill 
 inCentre county. These gentlemen carried on an 
 extensive business in the sawing of lumber and 
 in the shipment of square timber. Until the 
 completion of the Snow Shoe and Bellefonte 
 railroad they rafted their logs and sawed lumber 
 to market via the Moshannon creek and Sus- 
 quehanna river. In January, 1854.1 the interest 
 of Mr. Dorsey was purchased by Dr. Miller 
 Stewart, and since that time up to the death of 
 William, the Stewart brothers conducted a most 
 extensive and successful lumbering business, and 
 accumulated a large fortune. They usually 
 rafted from one to one and one-half mill- 
 ion feet of lumber annually. William's death 
 occurred at his home in Snow Shoe, May 5, 
 1SS6. He was quite a philanthropist, giving 
 liberally of his wealth where he thought it would 
 do good and relieve distress. He was most 
 kind and charitable, and died as he lived, uni- 
 versally respected and esteemed. The older 
 Stewarts were formed) Democratic in their polit- 
 ical affiliations, but with the beginning of the 
 Civil war they became Republicans, and William 
 u as no exception. He nevei married, 
 
 A 
 
 r^ LBERT C MINGLE, the well-known re- 
 tail boot and shoe dealer of Bellefonte, 
 Centre county, is a representative of the best 
 type of American citizenship, his public spirit be- 
 ing no less noticeable than is his ability and en- 
 terprise in business In 
 
 The history of the Mingle family is one in- 
 teresting in many respects. It dates back into 
 another century, and is closely connected with 
 the development oi the country from that time 
 to the present day. They were among the first 
 to settle in Pennsylvania, and, at the time of 
 then coming here, the State was still under the 
 English rule. This was in 1732 when the first of 
 the Mingle familj settled in Berks county. In 
 1S02, the great-grandfather of A. C. Mingle, the 
 subject of our sketch, located in Union county, 
 His son David, who was still quite young, ac- 
 companied by a brother, joined the army during 
 the war of 1X12, David becoming a member ol 
 • Henry Miller's company, stationed at Mar- 
 
 cus Hook. At the close of the war he learned 
 the art of shoemaking, and later married a Miss 
 Grove, of Union county, a member of the fam- 
 ily noted for their prowess in battling with the In- 
 dians. About the year 1823 he settled in Mifflin- 
 burg, but later moved to Haines township, Centre 
 county, where he lived until 1854. He then 
 went to Stephenson county, III., remaining there 
 to the time of his death, in 1S72. He had 
 tweKe children, and was twice married, his first 
 wife dying in Centre county. The children of 
 the tirst wife were: Henry A., the father of our 
 subject: Samuel, a boot and shoe maker, who 
 died some years ago at Lock Haven, Penn., and 
 Susan Mot/, who died at Woodward, Penn., De- 
 cember 1 1, 1897. 
 
 Henry A., the father of Albert C. Mingle. 
 was born at MifHinburg in the year 181 8, and. 
 when he was but two or three years old, his fa- 
 ther moved to Centre county. At the age of 
 fourteen years Henry worked with his father at 
 the trade of shoemaking, going, as was the cus- 
 ; torn at that time, from house to house, making 
 and repairing shoes for the farmers and their 
 I families. When about twenty-one years old he 
 settled in Aaronsburg, bought a home, and there 
 1 lived until the year 1891, when he died. He fol- 
 [ lowed his trade as a shoemaker until 1865 when 
 i he engaged in mercantile business for a number of 
 \ years. While still quite young, he was for B?i 
 years captain of the Patriotic Riflemen; was jus- 
 | tice of the peace for eighteen years; held nearly 
 all of the township offices during different periods 
 of his life, and after retiring from the mercantile 
 business, was elected county commissioner, which 
 office he creditably filled for three years. He 
 was a man who had the respect and confidence 
 of all who knew him, and throughout his entire 
 life was a consistent member of the Reformed 
 Church. 
 
 He was married to Miss Eve Bower, who still 
 survives him. Her family, who are of Sv. 
 origin, settled in Lebanon county at an eai 
 date, and from that point the grandfather of Mi- 
 Mingle moved to Penn's Valley, < entre county, 
 and bi I the first settlers of the Val- 
 
 lej where numerous of his descendants still live. 
 Henry A. Mingle raised five children: Will- 
 iam B , who since 1873 has been cashier of the 
 Penn's Valley Banking Company at Centre Hall; 
 Dr. D. H., a practicing physician at Maxwell, 
 Iowa; Thomas J., who is in the employ of the 
 Singer Sewing Machine Co., at Minneapolis, 
 Minn ; Albeit C, the subject of our sketch, and 
 Edward Ci.. who lives with his mother at the old 
 homestead. 
 
 Albnt > Mingle was born at Varonsburg, 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 211 
 
 Penn., September 26, 1854. He received a 
 thorough education in the public schools and the 
 Aaronsburg Academy. At the age of eighteen 
 vears he was apprenticed to the printer's trade 
 on the Millheim Journal, which at that time was 
 published in both English and German, thus 
 giving him an excellent training in the two 
 languages. After serving his time at the case, 
 he abandoned the trade of printing and accepted 
 a position in the mercantile establishment of 
 William Wolf, at Centre Hall, Penn., where he 
 remained for five years. Being desirous of em- 
 barking in business for himself, he moved to 
 Bellefonte, and opened his present establishment. 
 Strict attention to business and honest dealings 
 have placed him among the foremost of the busi- 
 ness men in Bellefonte. His success in life, 
 however, has not been achieved without hard 
 work, but with an untiring energy, and a practi- 
 cal knowledge of what is essential in his respect- 
 ive calling, he has built up for himself a busi- 
 ness and a name of which he can well feel 
 proud. 
 
 In 1882 he was married to Miss Maggie Hof- 
 fer, of Centre Hall, Penn., and his home is now 
 graced by a charming wife and two bright daugh- 
 ters, Helen and Roxie. While never aspiring to 
 public office, he was several years ago elected 
 mayor of the Republican city of Bellefonte, on 
 the Democratic ticket, and at the present time is 
 a member of the Bellefonte school board. So- 
 cially he is also prominent, being a Mason, Royal 
 Arch Mason, and a Knight Templar, also a mem- 
 ber of the I. O. O. F. In all of these Societies 
 he is a past officer, and has represented them all 
 in the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. 
 
 7|NL 
 
 HARTER, the able and efficient 
 _ postmaster at Coburn, Centre county, and 
 I president of the Millheim & Coburn Pike Com- 
 I pany, is a man whose exemplary life and upright 
 I dealings with his fellowmen have won for him 
 that priceless treasure — a good name. Prosper- 
 ous also in a material sense, he stands among 
 the leading business men of his section, while his 
 j generous interest in the progress of the com- 
 munity has been demonstrated in many ways. 
 Mr. Harter was born in Penn township, 
 j Centre county, March 7, 1839, and is the third 
 in direct and consecutive order to bear the same 
 name. Andrew Harter, his grandfather, was a 
 1 farmer in Haines township. Centre county; An- 
 drew Harter, our subject's father, was born there 
 July 31, 1802, and was educated in the German 
 schools of that day and locality. 
 
 On arriving at manhood's estate the latter re- 
 
 ceived from his father, who had but little means 
 beyond his modest home, about $150 worth of 
 goods, and with this outfit he set up a home of 
 his own, taking unto himself a wife, Catherine 
 Moyer, who was born in 1808 in Lebanon county, 
 Penn. Her father, George Moyer, a farmer, 
 settled in Haines township, Centre county, when 
 she was but a child, and his remaining days were 
 spent there. Our subject's father first rented a 
 farm in his native township with a brother-in- 
 law, Henry Moyer, but later removed to Penn 
 township, Centre county, and rented land from 
 James Duncan. He was an energetic man and 
 capable of much work, being six feet, one and 
 one-half inches in height, and very wiry and mus- 
 cular, and each year saw an improvement in his 
 financial condition. In time he purchased the 
 farm in the same township, which is now owned 
 by our subject, but he never became very 
 wealthy. He could never refuse a favor, and his 
 generosity was often imposed upon. He and his 
 estimable wife were both members of the Luth- 
 eran Church, and in politics he adhered to the 
 Democratic faith, taking much interest in party- 
 work, and serving in various township offices. 
 He died suddenly at the age of fifty-nine, and his 
 wife passed away when sixty-four years old, the 
 remains of both being interred at Aaronsburg. 
 
 They had ten children: Polly, who died in 
 infancy; Catherine (Mrs. Philip Shook), of Gregg 
 township, Centre county; Sarah (Mrs. Henry 
 Behm), of Haines township, Centre county; John 
 M., of Coburn; Julia A. (Mrs. Henry Stemm), of 
 Illinois; Margaret (Mrs Jacob Sanders), of Penn 
 township, Centre county; Andrew, our subject; 
 Harriet (Mrs. Daniel Geutzel), of Gregg town- 
 ship; George M. , of Potter township, Centre 
 county; and Jacob M., of Coburn. 
 
 The schools in which our subject received his 
 education were not of the best, and he felt deeply 
 the need of wider opportunities. But his parents 
 needed his help on the farm, for although not the 
 oldest he was much depended upon, so he virtu- 
 ally sacrificed his future in order to assist at 
 home. When his father died, Mr. Harter and a 
 brother-in-law, Mr. Shook, were appointed ad- 
 ministrators. The business affairs were in a 
 much more complicated state than they probably 
 would have been had the sad event been antici- 
 pated, and in order to meet certain urgent obliga- 
 tions against the homestead, Mr. Harter rented 
 it, and by hard work and good management se- 
 cured the money in time. Later he and his 
 brother George bought the place, which contains 
 156 acres, and conducted it in partnership until 
 the brother sold his interest, purchasing a farm 
 adjoining. Since that time Andrew Harter has 
 
212 
 
 00M.VE.V0J1A VIVE IIIOGHAI'IIICA I. liEColU). 
 
 been the sole owner. He has a comfortable com- 
 petence gained by methods which enable- him to 
 look any man in the face with no fear of any ac- 
 cusation of dishonesty. In April, 1893, he re- 
 moved with his family to Coburn, where he owns 
 a good home, one of the finest in the place. 
 
 In April, 1863, Mr. Harter was married, in 
 Haines township, Centre county, to Miss Cath- 
 erine Kleckner, who was born Februar) g, 1843, 
 in Hartley township, I nion * . Penn. She was 
 the second child and daughter in the family of 
 seven children born to Joseph and Sail. 
 Kleckner. Her father died during her girlhood, 
 and at the time of her marriage she was em- 
 ployed as a domestic. Three children have been 
 born of this marriage: (1) George A., a physi- 
 cian of Maytown, Lancaster Co., Penn., and a 
 graduate "1 Susquehanna University and Jefferson 
 Medical College, Philadelphia; he married Libbie 
 Gaugler. of Selins Grove, Snyder county, a daugh- 
 ter of Jackson Gaugler, a railroad contractor, 
 and they have three children — Charles Andrew, 
 Marie Catherine and Helen <■. (2) Andrew J., 
 a music dealei and accomplished musician at Al- 
 toona, Penn., of the First Lutheran Church of 
 which city he is organist; he received his musical 
 education in part at the New England Conserva- 
 tory "f Music, Boston, Mass., where he studied 
 two years; on December 4, 1890, he married 
 Miss Sallie I! Shirk, who was horn in Potter 
 township January 8, 1867, a daughter of Joseph 
 and Agnes (Shires] Shirk, farming people; Mis. 
 Harter died December ro, 1 896, leaving two chil- 
 dren — May Kathleen, hi .in May 1. [892, and 
 James Andrew, born August 17. 1894. (3) [at 
 E. is a professorol musii al Coburn; he also was 
 a student at the New England ( onservatorj ol 
 Music at Boston; he married Jennie Hosterman 
 February (2, 1 S 9 1 ; he is at present engaged in 
 the mercantile business, at Coburn, Penn. . | I 
 ent tax collector of Penn township; and has I 
 officer and organist in the Lutheran Church since 
 1890. Mi Hartei has given his sons much more 
 favorable opportunity for education than he 
 himself enjoyed, and they have proven t hem-elves 
 
 worthy of their advantages. All OCCUp) honora- 
 ble position- in their respectivec munities, and 
 
 are active in Church affairs and in all progressive 
 movements 1 >l the day. 
 
 Mr. 1 1. uter, himself, is a leading workei in 
 the Lutheran denomination in his locality. While 
 attending the Millheim Church, he held the ol 
 of deacon, and he is now an elder in the Coburn 
 congregation. He has always been a liberal 
 giver, and was the I I toward the 
 
 new church at Coburn. He is much interested 
 in local affairs ol even sort, and as .1 leading 
 
 stockholder in the Millheim & Coburn turnpike 
 and as president of the company has been a 
 factor in the success of that enterprise. He be- 
 longs to the Grange, and is prominent in the 
 councils of the Democratic party, having held 
 numerous township offices, including those of 
 auditor and supervisor. In September, 1893, he 
 was appointed postmaster at Coburn, and has 
 since discharged the duties of the place with 
 characteristic fidelity . He has always been a 
 leader in musical advancement, and to his un- 
 tiring efforts are due many of the grand musical 
 successes for which the community, in which he 
 lives, is noted. His characteristic energy and 
 determination have always made of him a leader 
 and not a follower, and among his neighbors he 
 has many friends and few enemies. 
 
 L. CARLISLE, M. I). It is not everj 
 A~.L professional man who finds in his own na- 
 tive place, and among his old-time acquaint- 
 ances, .the best field lor the efforts of matun 
 yens, and that Dr. Carlisle, a rising young phy- 
 sician of Philipsburg, Centre county, should thus 
 tempt fate, and win success under circumstances 
 usually considered most trying, is evideno 
 more than ordinary ability and worth. 
 
 Dr. Carlisle was horn December 28, 1862 
 and is a son of Samuel and Martha (Lorain) 1 
 lisle, who died when he was a child of less than 
 three years, Samuel Carlisle was a native of 
 this State, and came to Philipsburg from Cham- 
 bersburg in early manhood to engage in mercan- 
 tile business. The Doctor's mother, who was 
 horn in Centre county, was a granddaughtei 
 Philipsburg's honored pioneer, John Lorain 
 and his wife Martha, both native- ol Maryland 
 Thomas Lorain ra'ndfathei of M rs. ( 
 
 lisle, commanded the ship in which he cam' 
 America, and, locating in Maryland at an earl) 
 period in its history, took a leading part in tb< 
 development of the place, in which he settl 
 Dr. Henry Lorain. Mi- Carlisle's father, 
 born in Maryland, but locating in Clearfield 
 county be< ime one ol the most prominent phj 
 cians of that section, his practice extending 1 
 a wide range of territory. He married Mi 
 l iylor, a native of the county. 
 
 Dr. Carlisle being left an orphan at such 
 tender age, was taken in charge by his moth' 
 brother. Major 1 tin, one of the abli 
 
 and most noted sons ol Centre county. A k< 
 and well-balanced intellect and rue execute 
 ability, combined with a genial nature which won 
 the lasting I of all sorts and conditions'ol 
 
 men, gave him extraordinary influence His 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 213 
 
 capabilities seemed almost limitless. As soldier, 
 teacher, scientist, civil engineer, and inventor, he 
 did work of permanent value. He was born in 
 Philipsburg, August 5, 1831, and during his boy- 
 hood, while studying civil engineering, he was 
 offered a cadetship at West Point, which he ac- 
 cepted. Entering in June, 1852, he was gradu- 
 ated with honors in 1856, and received a com- 
 mission as second lieutenant in the Third U. S. 
 Artillery, his duties taking him to various points. 
 At the outbreak of the Civil war he naturally 
 took a post of responsibility, and in one of the 
 first battles, that of Blackburn's Ford, Va., in 
 July, 1861, he was severely wounded. He never 
 entirely recovered (in fact his death was the re- 
 sult of disease superinduced by the wound); but 
 in March, 1862, he accepted a position as assist- 
 ant in the chemical department at West Point, 
 which he held for over eight years. He was 
 offered several volunteer commands, but much as 
 he desired to join the army in the field his phy- 
 sical condition prohibited it. He received, how- 
 ever, the brevet rank of captain for his gallant 
 conduct at Blackburn's Ford, and later that of 
 major was bestowed. On leaving West Point he 
 was stationed at Fort Jefferson, Florida, as com- 
 mander, and later at Charlestown, S. C, and 
 then he took the chair of physics and mechanics 
 at Lehigh University, at Bethlehem, Penn. His 
 liking for military surroundings and connections 
 led him to resign this position, and to refuse 
 other important posts in different colleges. For 
 a time he served at Fort Hamilton, New York 
 Harbor, and later became an instructor in the 
 United States Artillery School at Fortress Mon- 
 roe, Va. , and remained until a short time before 
 his death which occurred March 6, 1882, at Bal- 
 timore, Md., while on sick leave. While at the 
 school he made, or was instrumental in bringing 
 about, many improvements, and he invented a 
 gunsight, which bears his name. 
 
 He left a widow, formerly Miss Fannie Mose- 
 ley McDonald, of Washington, D. C, and two 
 children: Henry McDonald, a mining engineer 
 in Philipsburg, and Mertie M., wife of Lieut. E. 
 A. Anderson, of the United States Navy. 
 
 Under the fostering care of this noble man 
 our subject passed his most impressionable 
 years. The frequent changes of location had 
 their educational effect, and he attended various 
 schools also— one at Norfolk, Va. , the academy 
 at Troy, N. Y., and a school at Gettysburg, 
 Penn. In 1882 he became a clerk in the office 
 of the Philipsburg Banking Company, and held 
 the position ten years, resigning in 1892 to take 
 a similar place in a coal company's office. He 
 had by this time discovered his real bent, and 
 
 after one year in the last position he entered the 
 medical department of the University of Penn- 
 sylvania, and in 1896 received the degree of M. 
 D. Returning to Philipsburg, where he had 
 long been deservedly popular, he began his pro- 
 fessional labors. 
 
 ICHAEL STROHM, of Centre Hill, Cen- 
 tre county, has rounded the Psalmist's 
 span of " three-score years and ten," and in his 
 declining years can look back over a well-spent 
 life, honorable in both business and social rela- 
 tions. Such a career has won him the unqualified 
 respect of all with whom he has been brought in 
 contact. 
 
 Mr. Strohm was born in Lebanon township, 
 Lebanon Co., Penn., October 29, 18 16, and is a 
 son of John and Susanna (Graybill) Strohm. 
 His great-grandfather, who was of German birth, 
 left the Fatherland to found a home in America. 
 The grandfather, John Strohm, a farmer by oc- 
 cupation, had a family of two sons and two 
 daughters. John Strohm, the father of our sub- 
 ject, was married in Lebanon county, and in 1835 
 removed to Centre county, locating in Potter 
 township, near Centre Hill, the journey being 
 made in a large wagon with several horses. Be- 
 ing a man of considerable means, he here pur- 
 chased a valuable property of 270 acres, which 
 he successfully operated until his death. His 
 earnest labor brought to him a comfortable com- 
 petence, and he was known as one of the sub- 
 stantial citizens of the community. In politics 
 he was an Old-line Whig, and manifested his re- 
 ligious belief by his membership in the Evangel- 
 ical Church. He died in 1846, at the age of 
 sixty years, and was laid to rest in Egg Hill 
 cemetery, near his wife, who had passed away in 
 1 841. Their children were Jonathan and Henry, 
 who both died in Stephenson county, 111.; Maria 
 (wife of Peter Albright), who died in Mifflin 
 county, Penn. ; Michael, the subject of this sketch ; 
 Jacob, of Tusseyville, Centre county; Susan, 
 widow of Jonathan Kreamer, of State College; 
 John, who died in Potter township; and Lydia, 
 wife of J. G. Meyer, of Aaronsburg. 
 
 The educational privileges which Michael 
 Strohm enjoyed were very limited; he lived in a 
 German community, and the teaching was in the 
 German tongue. He could not speak English 
 until, at the age of nineteen years, he came to 
 Centre county with his parents, but by contact 
 with those who used the English tongue, he be- 
 came familiar with the language, and by ex- 
 perience and observation he has gained a good 
 practical education. His training at farm labor. 
 

 214 
 
 COMMKMOUA TIVB BlOGUM'ItlCM. RECORD. 
 
 however, was not meager, (or at an early age he 
 became familiar with the duties that fall to the 
 l..t of the agriculturist. In [84] he drove a two- 
 horse team to Freeport. III., for a man who was 
 moving to the West. The town of Freeport at 
 that time contained but twelve houses. Mr. 
 Strohm worked in Illinois for a year and a half 
 as a farm hand; but with the exception of that 
 period he remained with his parents until his 
 marriage. 
 
 In Potter township, October 30. 1845, Mr. 
 Strohm was married to Miss Catherine Wagner, 
 who was horn in Potter township, a daughter of 
 Bi rnard Wagner. The young couple began their 
 domestic life on the old homestead, and Mr. 
 Strohm settled upon his father's estate. He aft- 
 erward purchased a part of the farm, and erected 
 all the buildings thereon with the exception of 
 the barn, which was only partially completed 
 when he became the owner On that place he 
 lived until the spring of 1877, when he came to 
 Centre Hill, and embarked in general merchan- 
 dising, which he has since followed. He now 
 owns a valuable farm of [30 acres, together with 
 a house and lot, his store room and his stock of 
 goods in Centre Hill. His property is the visible 
 
 lit of thi ind perseverance which are 
 
 numbered among his marked characteristics. 
 
 In 1895 Mr Strohm was called upon to 
 mourn the loss of his wife, who died March 30, 
 and was buried in Sprucetown, hei death 1 iccurring 
 only a few months before their fiftieth wedding 
 anniversary. She had been to her husband a 
 faithful companion and helpmate, and his loss 
 was deeply felt. Their children were: John. 
 who died at the age of nineteen years; William, 
 of Red Cloud, Nebraska, who was accidentally 
 shof while hunting; Elmira, wife of W A. Kerr, 
 of potter township', James B., 1 omits- commis- 
 sioner of I iellefonte; Sallie and Annie (twins), 
 who died in infancy; Horace, who died in< entre 
 Hill; and Laura, wife of W. W. Bayard, of 
 Philadelphia, The mother of this family w 
 membei ol the Methodist Episcopal Church, and 
 carefully reared her children. 
 
 Mr. Strohm is one of the - ol the 
 
 I ippei anoe campaign, and cast his first vote lor 
 William Hems Harrison. Since the organiza- 
 tion of the Republican party he has been one of 
 us supporters. He is a faithful member of the 
 Mi thodisf Episcopal Church, has served as trus- 
 tee and a-- a member of the building commitl 
 and was for years a member of the Quarterl) 
 Conference. He has been verj active inChurch 
 work, and does all in his power to advance those 
 interests which are calculated to promote the 
 moral welfare of the community. His life has 
 
 been well spent, winning him high regard, and he 
 is still active in business affairs although he has 
 passed the age of four-score years. 
 
 
 JOHN GLEN HALL (deceased), who in his 
 lifetime was an active, prominent and enter- 
 prising citizen of Union township, Centre 
 county, carried on farming pursuits on the Dick- 
 run road up to his death. He was born Decem- 
 ber 10, 1S29. within a couple of hundred feet ol 
 where he died of pneumonia, January 31, 1897. 
 
 Robert Hall, father of our subject, first saw 
 the light December 26, 1800, the first white child 
 born at Bellefonte, Penn., became a blacksmith 
 by trade, but his later days were spent in fann- 
 ing on the place where our subject now resi^ 
 There his death occurred October 10, 1883. He 
 was a consistent member of the Methodist Epis- 
 copal Church, and in politics was a stalwart 
 Democrat. On August 2 ;. 1827, he was mar- 
 ried, by K< \ Amos Smith, to Elizabeth Hut- 
 ton, and they became the parents of three chil- 
 dren; Aaron, who was born July 29. i s j S , and 
 dud March 11, 1892; John G., the subject >! 
 this sketch; and Rachel, who was born June 12, 
 1 S3 1, and is now the wife of Henry Peters, of 
 Minnesota The mother, who was born Januarj 
 12, [806, passed away January 25, 1835. Sh< 
 was tin- daughter of John and Marj Parsi 
 Hutton, who also spent their entire lives in Cen 
 tre county engaged in agricultural pursuits 
 Their parents were natives of Maryland. 
 
 For his second wife Robert Hall was married, 
 September 15. [839, by Rev. James Amos, to 
 Mrs Mary 1 Vrmgost) I'. mm. who was born in 
 Centre counts. September 26, 1S11, and died 
 Jul) 3, 1849. To this union came the following 
 children: William, born July 30, 1S40, 1 
 fanner ol Minnesota; Eliza, born February 
 [842, is the wife of William Peters, of Mmne- 
 
 Andrew was born September 9, 1 
 David and Daniel twins) were born April 27. 
 1846, the former being now an agriculturist 
 Union township and the latter a blacksmith of 
 Unionville, Centre county; Mar) 1... born June 
 30, [849, is the wile ol Henry Holter, a car] 
 ter in the borough of Howard. 
 
 F01 Ins third wife. Robert Hall wedded 
 Mr- I tiln line (Kline) Shaw, December 11. 
 185 1, and three children graced this union: 
 Lawrence, born March 26, 1853, died June 21, 
 [871: Thomas, born [uly 12, 1854, is a lutnh 1 
 merchant of Wisconsin; and James, born Oi 
 her ji, [856, is a farmer of 'entre counts. 
 Penn. The mother of these children was born 
 in Berks county, Penn., December 2. 1 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 215 
 
 daughter of John and Elizabeth Kline, and now 
 makes her home with our subject. 
 
 The parental grandparents of John G. Hall 
 were Hon. John and Hannah (Armont) Hall, 
 natives of Delaware county, Penn., where they 
 were married and remained until 1896, when 
 they removed by keelboat and wagons to Belle- 
 fonte. There the grandfather started the first 
 blacksmith shop in the place, conducting the 
 same until his removal to the present homestead 
 of our subject, where he and his wife died. His 
 grandfather was a native of England, and came 
 to America with two brothers, locating in Pennsyl- 
 vania, where he spent his remaining days. For 
 two terms Hon. John Hall represented his county 
 in the State Legislature, and was re-elected, but 
 declined to accept the office. He was very fond 
 of hunting, and our subject now uses his powder- 
 horn, and the bone from a turkey's wing, with 
 which he used to decoy those birds, imitating 
 their call. 
 
 Mr. I-fall, the subject proper of this review, 
 never left the parental roof, but remained at 
 home, caring for his parents until their life's 
 labors were ended. He obtained his education 
 in the schools of the neighborhood, and worked 
 some in the lumber woods of the locality. Like 
 his grandfather, he was very fond of hunting, 
 was ever a good marksman, and the first game 
 which he killed was a deer a half mile from his 
 home, bringing it down with a flintlock musket. 
 From that time he killed many wild animals, 
 including bears. On January 17, 1882, he 
 married Miss Minerva J. Hutton, and two sons 
 were born to them: Robert C, January 31, 1883; 
 and Joseph A., August 10, 1890. Mr. Hall 
 affiliated with the Democratic party in politics, 
 but had no aspirations for office, though he filled 
 several township positions of honor and trust. 
 As an enterprising, progressive farmer he had 
 few superiors in Union township, and as a citizen 
 he had the confidence and respect of all. 
 
 Mrs. Hall, widow of the late John G. Hall, is 
 a native of Clarion county, Penn., a daughter of 
 Joseph and Martha (Delp) Hutton, who were 
 born, the former on May 25, 1824, in Centre 
 county (about two miles from the birthplace of 
 John G. Hall), the latter born in October, 1829, 
 in Clarion county, Penn., and died April 15, 
 1897, of pneumonia and heart trouble. Three 
 daughters, as follows, constitute their family: 
 Minerva J. is the widow of John G. Hall; 
 Susanna is the wife of Joseph Logan, a farmer 
 and lumberman, of Osceola, Penn. ; and Mary is 
 the wife of John Gearhart, of Clearfield county, 
 Penn. John Hutton, grandfather of Mrs. Min- 
 erva J. Hall, was born March 29, 1778, married 
 
 November 2, 1802, to Mary Parsons, born Novem- 
 ber 20, 1779. The names and dates of birth of 
 their children are as follows: Hannah, May 10, 
 1803, died May 12, 1827; Thomas, June 22, 
 1804; Elizabeth, January 12, 1806; Mary, June 
 6, 1808; Amos, June 22, 1810; Rachel, Septem- 
 ber 3, 1812; Catherine, October 20, 1814; John, 
 March 22, 1817; Sarah, October 23, 1819, died 
 May 15, 1897; and Joseph, May 25. 1824. The 
 father of this family died September 16, 1833, 
 the mother on November 21, 1839. Of their 
 children, Elizabeth was married to Robert Hall, 
 August 23, 1827; Thomas was married to Mary 
 Bathurst, January 1, 1828; Mary was married to 
 Aaron Hall, August 19, 1828; Rachel was married 
 to Charles Appleton; Sarah was married to Adam 
 Smith, May 10, 1840; Catherine was married to 
 Robert McCown. 
 
 HW. KREAMER, the leading merchant of 
 Centre Hall, Centre county, is the senior 
 
 member of the well-known firm of Kreamer & 
 Son, the owners and proprietors of an excellent 
 general store. He is also one of that beautiful 
 little town's best citizens, and is a worthy repre- 
 sentative of one of Penn's Valley's oldest pioneer 
 families, which was founded here over a century 
 ago, and has since been prominently identified 
 with the progress and development of the county. 
 
 Mr. Kreamer was born September 28, [837, 
 in Brush Valley, on a farm adjoining the village 
 of Kreamerville, Centre county, and is the sec- 
 ond child and only son of his parents, Daniel 
 and Susannah (Weaver) Kreamer. The father 
 was born in Brush Valley, November 7, 1815, 
 and he was the youngest son of Jacob Kreamer. 
 He obtained such an education as the district 
 schools of that early day afforded, and was 
 reared upon a farm, early becoming familiar with 
 its arduous labors, as but crude machinery was 
 then used. In Brush Valley he wedded Susan- 
 nah Weaver, who was born there, October 6, 
 1814, a daughter of John and Barbara (Brun- 
 gart) Weaver. Five children blessed their union : 
 Sarah (now Mrs. John Wolf), of Miles township, 
 Centre county ; H. W. ; Amanda, who first 
 married George Wolf, and after his death 
 wedded A. Lukenbach, of Bellefonte ; Hannah, 
 who married S. S. Wolf, and died in Brush Val- 
 ley ; and Emma, widow of E. Wolf, of Rebers- 
 burg, Centre county. 
 
 Daniel Kreamer followed farming near 
 Kreamerville until his removal to Rebersburg, 
 where for several years he successfully engaged 
 in the hotel business. He died at that place at 
 the ripe old age of eighty years, his wife passing 
 
216 
 
 COMMi:V<>l:.\ II YE mograpiikm. RECORD. 
 
 away a short time previously, at the same age, 
 and they now sleep side by side in the Rebers- 
 burg cemetciv For years the father was a 
 singing teacher, and served as leader of the 
 choir <>f the Reformed Church, of which he was 
 
 insistent member. He was a medium-sized 
 man, being fnc fret, eight inches in height, and 
 was quite active and energetic. In politics he 
 was a stanch supporter of the Democratic party, 
 and i Ij filled a number of local offices. 
 
 Mr. Kreamer, whose name introduces this 
 sketch, obtained a fair education in the district 
 schools near his home, which, however, were 
 much inferior to those of the present time On 
 leaving the farm at the age oi fourteen, he en- 
 
 d the stole ol Gross Boger & * o., in Rebi 
 burg, where he began clerkingfor $4 per month, 
 hut during the live years he was in the employ 
 ■ ■I 1 hat firm his wages were increased. La 
 he embarked in general merchandising on his 
 own account in the same plai subsequently 
 
 engaged in farming at Spring Bank, Miles town- 
 ship. Centre county, for eleven years. Coming 
 to Centre Hall, in 1884, he became a member of 
 the well-known and reliable linn "I Eiarpei & 
 Kreamer, general merchants, who were the lirst 
 to successfully compete with the did established 
 stores of thai place In April, [896, hebeca 
 sole owner of the business, which is now con- 
 duct, d under the firm style oi Kreamer & Son. 
 They carry a large and well selected stock of 
 general merchandise, and b\ fair and honorable 
 deaiiitLT have built up an excellent trade, which 
 is constantly increasing. 
 
 Mr. Kreamer married Miss Emma Stroh- 
 ecker, of Rebersburg, a daughter of Hon Sam- 
 uel Strohecker, who represented * entre county 
 m tin- General Assembly, and was one oi the 
 prominent doctors of Brush Valle) Three chil- 
 dren were horn ol this union: Samuel S., who 
 like his lather is also an only son. and is now the 
 former's partner in business; [ennie now Mrs. S 
 H. Heckman), of Lock Haven, Penn. ; and 
 racy, at home. The mother of these chil- 
 dren depaited this life in 1886 l"i Ins second 
 wife Mr. Kreamei wedded Miss Maggie tianna, 
 a successful teacher of Spring Mills, Centre 
 county. 
 
 lake Ins father, Mr. Kreamer is a firm 
 hereut of Democratic principles, and has served 
 with credil to himself, and to the satisfaction of 
 his constituents in a number oi official positions 
 oi honor and trust, for the past six years bi 
 treasurer of Centre Hall. He and his wife 
 sincere ami conscientious Christians, he 
 prominent member of the Reformed Church, in 
 which he has also held various offices, includ 
 
 those of deacon and elder, she as an equally prom- 
 inent member of the M. E. Church. He owns an 
 elegant home, besides a half interest in the 1 
 business block in Centre Hall, and the sue 
 that he has achieved is due entirely to his own 
 energy, enterprise and good executive ability. 
 He is one of the most methodical, popular and 
 reliable business men of Centre county, and in 
 social as well as business circles holds an envi- 
 able position. 
 
 DA Nil. I. /. KLINE, ex-sheriff of Centre 
 county, is one of Hellelonte's oldest and 
 mi 1st highly respected citizens, owning a large and 
 valuable farm in the vicinity, and being identified 
 with the various progressive movements which 
 have contributed to the welfare of the city. 
 
 Michael Kline (h her), who was of 
 
 German birth, was a fanner in New York State, 
 but pun based an extensive tract of land near 
 Watsontown, in Union counts, Penn. [ohn 
 George Kline, our subject's father, was a native of 
 Berks count\. Penn., and was placed in charge 
 of the Union county estate at an early age. While 
 there he married Mi>s Amy Zimmerman, and 
 later moved to the vicinity of Lock Haven. He 
 died at Howardville at the age of sixty-three 
 years. His wife passed her last days in our sub- 
 ject's home, and at the time of her death she was 
 eighty-two years old. Her children were: John, 
 a fanner by occupation, died years ago; Daniel 
 /. is the subject of this sketch; Samuel F. is .1 
 resident of Howardville; Lucinda married Daniel 
 W. Hall, andresides in Iowa; and Barbara, Mary 
 Ann, Washington, and David all died young. 
 
 Daniel /. Kline was born December I, l8l8, 
 in Union county, but his long and useful life has 
 been mainly spent in Centre county. He at- 
 tended the Union school near Lock Haven, and 
 latn assisted his father upon the farm in How- 
 ard township, Centre county. When ten y< 
 old he began w 01 king b\ t he month for neighl 
 
 farmers, and after his marriage in 1856 to 
 his first wife. Miss Lucetta Kiester, he continued 
 this work for a time, and also taught successfully 
 in the country schools, making his home in How- 
 ardville. Finally be engaged in farming for his 
 own behalf on his present propertj . one mile - 
 of Bel 
 
 l'.\ Ins first marriage hi- had a daughter, | 
 phine, who married Harry C. Brew, who ism 
 ten- ted in the Fairbanks scale works at Pi I 
 burg, but makes Bellefonte his residence with 
 his wile, and their children -Lucetta and Austin 
 l> I'm subject's present wife-, whose maiden 
 name was Sarah Hall, is the mother of one daugh- 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 217 
 
 ter, Nellie, who is now the wife of Judge Love, 
 of Bellefonte, and has two children — John G. 
 and Catherine. 
 
 In the fall of 1866 the people of Centre 
 county called Mr. Kline from his agricultural 
 labors, electing him to the office of sheriff, which 
 he held three years, serving with ability and 
 credit. During that time he removed to Belle- 
 fonte, and he has since left to other hands the 
 active work of his farm, which contains 2 1 7 acres, 
 all in one tract. He has been a lifelong Demo- 
 crat. His interest in local affairs has been 
 evinced in practical ways, and, as one instance 
 among many, we may note his generous activity 
 in securing the collections for the new M. E. 
 Church at Bellefonte. of which Mrs. Kline is 
 a member. Our subject is a Master Mason of 
 Bellefonte Lodge No. 268. 
 
 Mrs. Kline was born in Bellefonte, January 
 8, 1829, a daughter of John and Sarah (Weaver) 
 Hall, the former of whom, a native of Delaware 
 county, Penn., died in 1850. The mother's 
 death occurred in 1876. Of their children, seven 
 in all, four are still living, namely: Daniel, resid- 
 ing in Iowa; Hannah, who married Rev. Thomas 
 Barnhart, and resides in Iowa; John N., who re- 
 sides near Howard, Penn., and Sarah. 
 
 BANIEL B. WEAVER, a prosperous miller 
 of Miles township, Centre county, residing 
 near Wolfs Store, is a citizen of the best type. 
 In the hour of our country's danger through re- 
 bellion he served gallantly in her defense, while 
 in peace he has maintained an honorable and 
 useful position among his fellows. He was born 
 July 2, 1840, near Wolfs Store, where his father, 
 John Weaver, a son of John Weaver, Sr. , also 
 first opened his eyes to the light. 
 
 Our subject's father was reared as a farmer 
 boy, enjoying but meagre educational privileges 
 in the subscription schools of that day, and 
 working upon the home farm until his marriage. 
 His wife, Susan Brungart, was born and reared 
 in Brush Valley, and her father, Jacob Brungart, 
 was a well-known agriculturist living east of 
 Wolfs Store. After their marriage the young 
 couple located on a farm belonging to John 
 Weaver, Sr. , where they resided many years, 
 and then after a short stay upon a farm south of 
 Wolfs Store they returned to the farm where 
 our subject was born. There both passed away, 
 and their remains now rest in the burial ground 
 at Rebersburg. John Weaver, Jr. , was of or- 
 dinary build, but of a strong constitution, and 
 usually enjoyed robust health. He was indus- 
 trious and lived in comfortable style, but never 
 
 acquired riches. His honesty was unwavering, 
 and throughout the community he was held in 
 high esteem. As a Democrat he always took 
 keen interest in political issues, being a regular 
 voter, and for two terms he held the office of 
 supervisor. He was a member of the Reformed 
 Church, his wife of the Lutheran. They had 
 the following children: Thomas, a shoemaker 
 at Tylersville, Penn. ; Israel, who died in boy- 
 hood; Daniel B., of this sketch; Mary (Mrs. 
 John Breon), of Miles township, Centre county; 
 Chestie (Mrs. William Meyer), of Wolfs Store; 
 John H., who died in early manhood at Potters 
 Bank; William H., a miller at Millheim; Maggie 
 (Mrs. John Minich), of Brush Valley; and 
 Charles A., a miller at Osceola, Pennsylvania. 
 
 Mr. Weaver (our subject) attended the dis- 
 trict schools of his neighborhood during his 
 youth, his first teacher being Mrs. John DeLong 
 at Wolfs Store. The value of, indeed the neces- 
 sity for, better educational facilities for the peo- 
 ple became impressed upon his mind at an early 
 period, and the present free-school system finds 
 in him a warm friend. He did but little work 
 away from home, and practically lived there until 
 his enlistment at Rebersburg, August 22, 1862, in 
 Company A, 148th P. V. I. The company went 
 via Lewistown to Harrisburg, where the members 
 were instructed in the duties of a soldier and 
 equipped for service. Mr. Weaver's first battle 
 was the memorable struggle at Chancellorsville. 
 and he took part in all the engagements of his 
 regiment until after the fight at Deep Bottom, 
 where he was wounded by an exploding shell. 
 He lost three months in consequence, spending 
 most of the time in hospital at Philadelphia, with 
 a thirty-days' furlough home. After rejoining 
 his regiment at Falmouth, he served until the 
 close of the war. His record was a most cred- 
 itable one, and at his discharge in July, 1865, he 
 held the rank of sergeant. On his return from 
 the front he spent a short time at home, and in 
 1866 he began farming on his own account, rent- 
 ing the farm where he was born. In 1867 he 
 married Miss Mary C. Kreider, born May 31, 
 1842, in Penn township. Centre county, a daugh- 
 ter of Philip Kreider, a prominent farmer and 
 merchant. He was born in Lebanon county, 
 Penn., in 1803, and died in January, 1842. In 
 December, 1828, he married Leah Bowman, 
 who was born in Cornwall township, Lebanon 
 county, January 3, 1803, and died April 4, 1856. 
 Eight children were born to them: Melinda Ann, 
 widow of George W. Stover, of Penn township; 
 William S., who died in 1855, aged twenty-three; 
 Rozanna, who died in infancy; John Philip, who 
 died leaving a family in Miles township; George, 
 
218 
 
 ro.VMK.VoJiA TIVE lilocUM'lUCM. UKcnRD. 
 
 deceased in infancy; Reuben II.. who died young; 
 J. B. Kreider, M. I)., practicing medicine in Bu- 
 cyrus, Ohio; and Mary C. (Mrs. Weaver). The 
 father was fairly well-educated for his day and op- 
 portunities, and was fared as a farm hoy by an 
 uncle, John Boumberger, he being a mere lad 
 when his father died. As he grew t<> maturity 
 he proved a good business man, and for several 
 years he carried on a store, also kept a hotel in 
 Lebanon. In addition to this he learned the 
 carpenter's trade, and worked at same for a time. 
 In 1835 he located at Centre Hall, and four years 
 later moved to Penn township, where he died. 
 In religious faith he was a member of the Re- 
 formed Church, and in politics he was a Demo- 
 crat. 
 
 Daniel B. Weavei bad only his own savings 
 to depend upon, ami as has been said he rented 
 a place from his father in order to make his start 
 in business. One year be spent there, and he 
 then rented from |ohn Mover a farm near Penn 
 Hall. His next removal was to a farm of his 
 own in Gregg township, Centre county, com- 
 prising eighty acres. For this he went heavily 
 in debt; but through hard work and good man- 
 agement he prospered, and each yeai saw the 
 obligation decreased, He finally traded the 
 place for his present property at Wolfs Store. 
 rhere was a sawmill and a gristmill on this lat- 
 ter estate, and a residence which Mr. Weaver 
 occupied for some time; but later he purcha 
 more land and built a new home. He now owns 
 about 100 acres of land, improved with the 
 buildings mentioned, and still conducts the mill- 
 ing business successfully. 
 
 Mr. Weaver and Ins wife are leading m 
 bers of the Reformed Church, and for several 
 years be held the office of deacon, They have 
 had ten children, viz.: Elmer K., who died at 
 the age of tin- Edwin T, deceased; 
 
 Clayton D., a miller, at home. Rosa E., who 
 
 die. I in childhood; An 1 I'.. a successful 
 
 teacher; Calvin J., a miller; Orlando \\ . . Me 
 linda A. and Susan 1, . who are at home, and 
 one that died in infancy. Ot thi » . Edwin T. was 
 a highly respected young farmer oi Brush Val- 
 ley, but he was cut off 111 the prime of Ins useful- 
 ness, living April 25, 1897, from injuries received 
 in a run-away, his team getting frightened when 
 they were hauling a drill; he lilt a widow. Ida 
 M. (WalkerJ Weaver, and two children: Mi- 
 riam Grace and Edwin Then.] 
 
 Our subject has had his times of discoui 
 mint and loss like most business men, but pel 
 severing and well-directed effort has • arried him 
 through. He bears a most enviable reputal 
 (or integrity in his dealings. Politically he is a 
 
 Democrat, and wherever he has resided he has 
 taken an active and influential part in local 
 affairs, serving as school director and supervisor 
 in Gregg township, and as supervisor in Miles 
 township. 
 
 FRED S. DUNHAM, editor and proprietor of 
 the Weekly Hornet, published at Howard. 
 Centre county, was born at Lock Haven, Penn . 
 November 7, 1862, a son of David S. and Mary 
 A. (Blake 1 Dunham, natives of Indiana counts, 
 Penn., and Portland, Maine, respectively. The 
 mother died in Beach Creek, Clinton Co., this 
 State, in November, 1876, but the father is still 
 living. 
 
 Our subject remained at home until after the 
 death of his mother, and then began working in 
 apotieiv it Howard in order to pay off the in- 
 debtedness on a home which his mother had 
 started to build. Out of the fifty cents per day 
 which he received for his services, he drew out 
 only twenty eents, letting the remainder go on the 
 debt. Besides himself he also supported his 
 lather and sister, the- former being an invalid at 
 that time. At tin end of two years he left the 
 pottery, and entered the rolling mills of B 
 Lauth, in Howard, where he remained for four 
 veais, a part of the time serving as watchman. 
 
 Mr. Dunham next became fireman in a sash 
 factory in Addison. Steuben Co., N. Y. , whi 
 he remained for one year, and on the expiration 
 of that tune returned to Howard. For thl 
 years In- was employed at painting and other odd 
 jobs, and then went 1,, Altoona, Penn., where he 
 ran an engine in the planing-mill of John Cline 
 for a year, when it was destroyed by tire. I 
 turning to Howard, he worked in a sawmill foi 
 twelve months, and next began learning the 
 printer's trade in the office ol tin Bellefonte Re- 
 publican, where in- was employed lor two yean 
 l-'or the following six years he was with the 
 Bellefonte Gazette, but in 1894 he came to How- 
 ard, and established the Weekly Hornet, which 
 he has since conducted with good success, having 
 a circulation of about sixteen hundred copies 
 He also does job printing, and tin- work turned 
 out is first-class in every particular. Being p 
 sessed of an energetic spirit, good executive a 
 ity, and excellent judgment, he has met with 
 well-deserved success in this undertaking. 
 
 ()n August 1. 1883, Mr. Dunham was married 
 to Miss Clara K. Neff, and to them were born tw 
 children: William N\, who died at the age 
 six veil-,, and Alverda M.. who died at the 
 ol eight. Mr. Dunham is an ardent suppoi 
 of the principles of the Republican party ; sociall) 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 219 
 
 he is a member of the Patriotic Sons of America, 
 and the Independent Order of Heptasophs, both 
 of Bellefonte. Religiously, he holds member- 
 ship in the Evangelical Church. He is a self- 
 made man, whose advancement has come through 
 his own efforts, and who by industry and honest 
 toil has won a place among the representative 
 business men of Howard. 
 
 BF. MILLER, a highly-respected resident 
 of Madisonburg, was for many years a 
 prominent agriculturist in Miles township, Cen- 
 tre county, and has but recently taken posses- 
 sion of his pleasant home in town. As a native 
 of Centre county, he has seen no reason to quar- 
 rel with the fate which cast his lot in so desira- 
 ble a spot, and throughout his life he has re- 
 sided there, and in a quiet but effective way has 
 taken a helpful part in the progressive move- 
 ments of the locality. He was born February 
 28, 1844, in Ferguson township, the son of Elias 
 and Cecelia (Marsh) Miller, of whom a biogra- 
 phy appears elsewhere. His first schooling was 
 obtained at the Glade school in his native town- 
 ship, and his first teacher, a Mr. Thompson, was 
 of the kind whose ideas of discipline begin and 
 end with a " sound whipping." This was a dis- 
 couraging introduction to the path of knowledge 
 and it speaks well for Mr. Miller's innate ability 
 that he continued to make the best of the mea- 
 ger opportunities offered by the country schools, 
 laying a foundation upon which his subsequent 
 reading has been carried on with excellent re- 
 sults, making the greater cause for regret that 
 so able an intellect did not have better opportu- 
 nity for early development. Like all intelligent 
 men whose early aspirations were cramped by 
 similar circumstances, Mr. Miller is an earnest 
 advocate of better schools for the rising genera- 
 tion, thinking money spent for good teachers and 
 suitable buildings well invested. He was but a 
 boy — not yet in his "teens" — when his par- 
 ents removed to a farm in the vicinity of Madison- 
 burg. Work was, of course, plenty, and Mr. 
 Miller acquired familiarity with the details of farm 
 management at an early age. After some years 
 his parents removed to Madisonburg and Mr. 
 Miller with his brother Harvey conducted the 
 farm. 
 
 In 1867 Mr. Miller was married in Brush Val- 
 ley, Centre county, to Miss Hannah C. Schmelt- 
 zer, who was born near Madisonburg, April 18, 
 1S47. Her parents, John and Rebecca (Shaffer) 
 Schmeltzer, moved to Illinois during her child- 
 hood, but the father dying there not long after- 
 ward the family returned to Miles township. 
 
 After his marriage Mr. Miller continued to reside 
 at the old home until March 17, 1896, when he 
 removed to Madisonburg, where he owns a home. 
 His farm consists of 145 acres with 100 acres 
 cleared, and the elder of Mr. Miller's two sons, 
 John E., who was born July 27, 1868, now has 
 charge of it. The other son, Kline A., born Oc- 
 tober 4, 1877, has fine musical ability and is now 
 a student in Warren, Ohio. A third child, Will- 
 iam D., a promising boy, died at the age of ten 
 years. Mr. Miller met with a sad accident when 
 about three years old. He was playing with his 
 brother Harvey (a year and a half older;, and a 
 stone was thrown which injured his left eye, 
 causing its loss, and ever since a few weeks after 
 the accident there has been intense pain also. 
 
 Mr. Miller and his wife are prominent mem- 
 bers of the Reformed Church, in which he has 
 been deacon and elder, and is at present the 
 treasurer. Sunday-school work has always 
 claimed his active aid, and at the age of twenty 
 years he became superintendent. He has held 
 the office at intervals since, and now fills it. Po- 
 litically he is a stanch Democrat, but although 
 he is a regular voter, and has served in various 
 township offices, he is not a politician in the 
 modern sense of the word. He has taken an 
 active part in local affairs, and in the Grange. 
 His sound judgment and integrity are valued 
 among his associates, as has often been shown by 
 his appointment to posts of responsibility such as 
 the guardianship of children. He has often 
 served as a juror, both grand and traverse, and 
 in whatever capacity his abilities have been tested 
 he has proven himself competent and faithful. 
 
 JrOHN W. CONLEY, an influential and popu- 
 lar agriculturist of Potter township, Centre 
 county, was born April 3, 1836, in Armagh 
 township, Mifflin Co., Penn. His father, Rich- 
 ard Conley, was a native of the same county, 
 born September 2, 1809, just six weeks after his 
 parents, John Conley and wife, had come to the 
 United States from the North of Ireland. In 
 their family were eleven children, two sons 
 (Richard and Joseph H.) and nine daughters, of 
 whom only one is now living : Catharine, wife 
 of P. W. McDowell, of Mackeyville, Clinton 
 Co., Penn. The grandfather died in Mifflin 
 county, where he had followed his trade of 
 coopering. 
 
 Richard Conley was early thrown upon his 
 own resources for a livelihood, and when a boy 
 learned the blacksmith's trade, but did not fol- 
 low the same. In the county of his nativity he 
 married Mrs. Hannah L. Bryson, who was born 
 
22( i 
 
 COMMEMORA TIVB BIOGRAPHICAL RECOUH 
 
 in Chestei county, Penn., April 16, 1800, a 
 daughter "f William Cottle, who was a member 
 of the Society of Friends. By lu-r tirst marriage 
 she had two children, who died in infancy, and 
 three children were born oi the second union: 
 Bethsheba M. , who married Robert Holmes and 
 died iii Benner township, Centre county; fohn 
 \\ '.. of this sketch ; and Mary ).. wife of |<>lm 
 Holmes, (if Jacksonville, Pennsylvania. 
 
 After Ins marriage, Richard Conley rented a 
 farm in Mifflin county for four years, aftej which 
 he removed to Earlystown, Penn., where fur the 
 next decade he made his home, and then [01 
 on a farm on the Brush Valley road in Gregg 
 township, Centi >unty, near the Potter town- 
 ship line, which he operated until the spring of 
 [863. Upon that place the mother of <>ur sub- 
 ject died in August, 1 nd was buried in the 
 Stone Church cemeterj in Mifflin counts. After 
 coming to Centre county she had united with 
 the Presbyterian Church, although by birthright 
 she was a Quaker, and was evei afterward a 
 consistent membi 1 1 'I thai d< m minal ii m 
 
 In the spring of 1 863 the father sold his stock 
 and farm tools, and enlisted in the Emergency 
 Regiment, of which he was appointed quarter- 
 master. It was stationed in Somerset and I 
 ford counties, this State, to resist the Confederate 
 invasion, and latei was sent to Gettysburg, but 
 arrived too late to participate in that battle. 
 Vfter doing guard duty at fiarrisburg, the regi- 
 ment was disbanded. In the fall of [863, Mr. 
 Conley was elected sheriff of Centre county, as- 
 suming the duties of the office on the fourth 
 Monday in November, and acceptably served for 
 three years, during which time In- made his home 
 in Bellefonte. There he wedded Miss Mar) A. 
 1 1 \ in by whom he bad one child, Edith, who 
 died 111 infancy. The wife and mother died in 
 September, 1 895 On his retirement from oi 
 Mi I onley removed to a farm in Benner town- 
 ship. Centre county, which he hired a man to 
 operate, and there made lii-^ home until called to 
 
 his final rest September 2, 1 88 1 . His remains 
 were interred in the cemetery of Jacksonville. 
 
 lb was a Mason, and for years was an elder in 
 
 the Presbyterian 1 hurch. He was a fine speci- 
 1 1 1 . 1 1 1 of physical manhood, being six feet, one 
 inch in height, and weighing 215 pounds. Al- 
 though in youth his school training was limited, 
 he acquired a good practical knowledge by read- 
 ing and observation in later \ eai 
 
 When lour yeai [ohn W. G »nli . 
 
 companied his parents to Earlystown, andean 
 distinct!) remember the journey. There he be- 
 gan his education, which was all obtained in the 
 district si bools until he was twent) yeai 
 
 after which he attended the Boalsburg Academy 
 n taught by Rev. Austin; for two years. Be- 
 ing the only son, he rendered much assistance to 
 his father in the labors of the farm, and thus 
 early became familiar with the duties that fall to 
 the lot of the agriculturist. 
 
 In February, [861, in Potter township, Mi 
 ley was married to Miss Catharine Keller, 
 who was born in that township. May 1 I, 1 840, a 
 daughter of John H. and Rachel (Alexand 
 Keller. Three children graced their union: 
 William |., born in Gregg township, October [4, 
 1, is a resident of Bellefonte, and bj his 
 marriage has one daughter, Nellie; Richard N . 
 born January 8, [864, died at the age of tilt 
 months, and James K., born January I, 1S6.X. is 
 living in Freeport, 111. Mr. Conlej engaged in 
 farming in Gregg township until 1870, when he 
 removed to Centre Hall, and became connected 
 with the foundry of that place, s< lling ma< hinerj 
 in Virginia and Maryland. On Jul)' 9, 1872, he 
 removed to his present place, a portion of the 
 old Kellet farm, and all ol the improvements 
 found thereon stand as monuments to his thrift 
 and industry. His home being destroyed by tire 
 in 1S7X, he erected bis present commodious brick 
 
 Although not strictly partisan, Mr. Conlej bj 
 his ballot generally supports the Democratic 
 party at Mate and National elections, but at 
 other times votes fur the man whom he consid- 
 1 best qualified to fill the office. A jovial, gen- 
 ial gentleman, he has made hosts of warm 
 friends throughout the county, and he and his 
 estimable wife hold an enviable position in social 
 circles. Reared in the Presbyterian Church, he 
 has always adhered to that faith, while she is u 
 consistent member of the Reformed Church. 
 
 II. MAM I. HARTER, one of the most 
 enterprising and prosperous busin 
 of Eagleville, t entre county, and numbered 
 among its liberal-minded and public-spirited cit 
 
 i/ens. has for some years been engaged in tin 
 manufacture and repair of furniture and wagons, 
 in which he has achieved an enviable reputation 
 One ol Ins leadin teristics in business al 
 
 is his fine sense oi order and complete sys- 
 tem, and the habit of giving careful attention !• 
 the details, without winch success in any under- 
 taking is never an assured fact. 
 
 A natnc of ( entre county. Mr. I lai 
 bom in Mai ion township, June 15, 1853, and b( 
 Ii mgs to a family t hat was early established within 
 its borders His paternal grandfather, Jai 
 1 1 alter, of l'eun's Valley, removed to Nittanj \ 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 221 
 
 ley in 1835, locating on the old Harter home- 
 stead, where he followed farming for the rest of 
 his life. He was of German descent. 
 
 Andrew Harter, the father of our subject, was 
 a native of Penn's Valley, Centre county, born 
 June 7, 1823, and on reaching manhood married 
 Miss Eve Smith, who was born in Clinton county, 
 Penn., January 2, 1823, a daughter of Peter 
 Smith, who died on the old homestead in that 
 county. His great-grandfather, who also bore 
 the name of Peter Smith, was a soldier in the 
 Revolutionary war. Eight children were born to 
 Mr. and Mrs. Harter, namely: John S. , born 
 May 8, 1846, for many years engaged in teach- 
 ing, but now following the carpenter's trade in 
 Clintondale, Penn. ; Mary E., born April 8, 1848, 
 is the wife of Daniel Gordon, a machinist of 
 Spring township, Centre county; Susannah, born 
 March 16, 1850, is the wife of Frank Buck, a 
 farmer of Lycoming county, Penn.; William I. 
 is next in order of birth; Jacob A., born Novem- 
 ber 8, 1855, is a merchant of Centre county; 
 Jennie R. , born April 30, 1857, is the wife of 
 George Fatzinger, a railroad man of Milton, 
 Penn.; Sarah E., born November 23, 1859, is 
 the wife of Calvin Woomer; and Emily, born 
 April 2, 1862, is the wife of William Dale, a 
 farmer of Centre county. The mother of these 
 children died in June, 1862, on the old home- 
 stead in Marion township, where the father still 
 resides. He is a faithful member of the Meth- 
 odist Episcopal Church, and a Democrat in pol- 
 itics. 
 
 For his second wife Andrew Harter wedded 
 Mrs. Susan (Arbegust) Shears, widow of Jacob 
 Shears, and to them were born the following 
 children: Samuel, who is now living in the West; 
 Laura, wife of Eli Brehen, a carpenter of Axe- 
 mann, Centre county; Bell, wife of Larry Heil, 
 an engineer of Centre county; Frank, who is in 
 the bicycle business in Clinton county; Clement, 
 a lumberman; Harry, a carpenter of Axemann; 
 George, who is still on the homestead with his 
 parents; and Cora and Bertha, also at home. 
 
 During the boyhood and youth of William I. 
 Harter he attended the public schools, and aided 
 his father in the labor of the farm until nineteen 
 years of age, when he left home, and for a year 
 a half worked as a farm hand. Going to Jack- 
 sonville, Centre county, he began serving an ap- 
 prenticeship to the wagon and coach maker's 
 trade under Ira C. Johnson, who failed nine 
 months later, and he then went to Mackeyville, 
 Clinton Co., Penn., where he embarked in busi- 
 ness on his own account. Wishing to learn the 
 cabinet maker's trade, he disposed of his busi- 
 ness and went to Brush Valley, where he served 
 
 a six-months' apprenticeship to that trade. He 
 then resumed business at Mackeyville, where he 
 remained for three years, and in 1882 came to 
 Eagleville, where he built his present house and 
 shop. He is a natural mechanic, always having 
 been handy with tools, and the success that he 
 has acheived in life is due entirely to his industry, 
 perseverance and good management. Socially he 
 affiliates with the I. O. O. F. Lodge at Eagle- 
 ville; is an active member of the Methodist 
 Episcopal Church; and is an uncompromising 
 Democrat in politics. On February 9, 1882, in 
 Liberty township, Centre county, he was married 
 to Miss Mary A. Bitner, and they have two in- 
 teresting children: May C, born December 25, 
 1890; and Norris I., born February 13, 1893. 
 Although so young, the son seems to have in- 
 herited his father's taste for mechanics, and shows 
 a marked talent for the use of tools. 
 
 Daniel Bitner, the father of Mrs. Harter, is a 
 retired farmer of Liberty township, born at his 
 present homestead September 7, 1822. His 
 parents, John and Susan (Nestlerod) Bitner, were 
 natives of Germany and Centre county, respect- 
 ively, and were married in the latter place. 
 George Bitner. the grandfather, on coming to 
 America was accompanied by his two sons, John 
 and Abraham, and they first located in Lancaster 
 county; but on reaching his majority John came 
 to Centre county, where he followed the trade of 
 shoemaking, later engaging in farming. He was 
 a member of the Mennonite Church, and a Dem- 
 ocrat in politics. He was born in 1797 and died 
 in 185 1, while his wife passed away in 1835, at 
 the age of fifty years. In their family were the 
 following children: Christian, John, Nancy, 
 Susan, Catherine, Barbara, Lida, Martha, Abra- 
 ham, Susan, Daniel, Lavina. Daniel Bitner was 
 married February 23, 1843, to Miss Mary Wen- 
 sel, who was born in Prussia, Germany, Novem- 
 ber 10, 1823, a daughter of Abraham and Cath- 
 erine (Rhumsbutt) Wensel, who, on coming to 
 America in 1829, located in Columbia county, 
 Penn., but in 1839 came to Centre county, 
 where both died, the former in 1846 and the lat- 
 ter in 1867. Their family numbered seven chil- 
 dren: Eliza, Margaret, Peter, Mary, Catherine. 
 George and Elizabeth. 
 
 The following children graced the union of 
 Mr. and Mrs. Bitner: Catherine, wife of William 
 Scantlin, a farmer of Liberty township, Centre 
 county; John I., a real estate and insurance 
 agent, of Hagerstown, Md., who married Alice 
 Newcomer; William N. (deceased), who married 
 Mary Hesing, and after her death wedded Mary 
 C. Lucas, now residing in Eagleville; J. Albert, 
 a farmer of Liberty township, who married 
 
222 
 
 00 VMBMORA Tl 7E BIOORAPHIOA I UBi ORD. 
 
 rie Gardner; Howard \V (deceased), who 
 
 married Frances Johnson, now residing in Liberty 
 township; Alice, the wife of our subject; Clara, 
 wife of Thomas Bechdel, a farmer of Marsh 
 i reek, Centre county, and [da M., at home. 
 
 Mr. Bitner still i upon the farm where 
 
 his birth occurred, and to its cultivation and 
 improvement devoted his attention throughout 
 his active business career, but is now enjoying a 
 well-earned rest. For twenty-five years he served 
 as school director, and has also acceptably tilled 
 the offices ol overseer of the poor, supervisor, 
 collector and treasure) of Ins township. In 
 politics he is a firm Demo< rat, and for forty-five 
 years has been a consistent and earnest member 
 of the Christian Church. 
 
 \KT H. STIVER, a thorough, energetic and 
 VV prosperous farmer of Potter township, 
 ( entre county, is a native of the county, his birth 
 occurring in Boalsburg, July l8, 1840. His great- 
 grandfather, Michael Stiver, who was a Revolu- 
 tionary hero, was the founder of the family in 
 the county, ami on lus death was laid to rest in 
 the Tusseyville cemetery. Among his children 
 was Samuel Stiver, who was born July 3, 1; 
 and became a farmer by occupation, at one time 
 owning the farm where our subject now resides. 
 On June 18, 1801, Samuel Stiver was married 
 io Margaret Shimp, of Mifflin county, Penn., who 
 was born March 15, 1784, and they became 
 parents of the following children: Margaret, 
 born January 15, 1802. married Hems Selick 
 and died in Ferguson Valley, Mifflin county; 
 Thomas J., born October 10, 1802, was 
 a farmer and died in Potter township; |olm S. , 
 born October 31, 1803, died, when a young man, 
 in Mifflin county; Mary, born March 5. 1805, 
 wedded John Farner. and died in Potter town- 
 ship; Elizabeth, born December 22, 1806, mar- 
 ried Daniel Shirk and died in Potter township; 
 [ane, born August 9, 1808, married Frederick 
 Leathers, and die. I m Bald Eagle Valley, Novem- 
 ber 11, 1892; Samuel was bom November 15, 
 
 [809; Michael, the father of our subject, is next 
 
 in order of birth; David, born January 18, 1813, 
 died in Bedford Springs, Penn.; Charlotte, born 
 I une 17, 1815, died when young; 1 atherine, born 
 September 7. 1817, died unmarried; George W., 
 
 born January 2. 1X19, died in Pottei township; 
 Martha P., born July 29, 1820, married Henry 
 Mower, and died in Bedford, Penn.; James I', 
 
 born September 3. 182.4. is single and lives near 
 Pittsburg, Penn.; and Sarah A., bom Febri 
 io. 1826, died when young. The father of thi 
 children died August 13, 1846, the mother August 
 
 13, 1863, and they both lie buried in a private 
 
 cemetery on the farm of our subject. She was a 
 
 stent member of the Methodist Church. 
 
 On the home farm in Potter township. Mi- 
 chael Stiver was born. July 26, 1 8 1 1 , and 
 then reared until old en. .ugh to learn a trade 
 As the family was very large, and his parents 111 
 limited circumstances, he was a young man be- 
 he became the possessor of his first pair of 
 boots. The little farm not only had to supplj 
 the family with food, but from its products which 
 were sold thej obtained the other necessaries of 
 life. Under John Stauffer, Michael Stiver 
 learned the carpenter's trade, at which he worked 
 in Boalsburg until the fall of 1852, whin be 
 ■ .one to Potter township. His brother Gei 
 owned the homestead farm, but being a loser l>\ 
 the failure of the Potters, to help him, the father 
 of our subject took the place. He owned prop- 
 erty in Harris township, and also a farm in "Trie 
 Barrens,'' but to assist his brother sold these and 
 purchased the old home, where he continued to 
 reside throughout the remainder of his life. 
 After coming to Potter township, he gradual!) 
 abandoned his trade, despite the protest of his 
 former patrons, as he was a thorough workman. 
 and Ins work always satisfactory performed. He 
 improved the buildings on the farm, but took ni 
 active part in the cultivation of the land. 
 
 On September 27, 1838, by Rev. Daniel 
 Moser, a Lutheran minister, at Spruce Creek, 
 Michael stiver was married to Mary A. Hen- 
 neich, whose birth occurred in Aaronsburg, Cen- 
 tre county, September 4, 1816. They began 
 housekeeping in Boalsburg, where he owned a 
 home, and four children came to brighten the 
 household, of whom our subject is the eldest 
 Mary E., born February 1, 1844, is the wife of 
 Samuel Barr, of Tyrone, Penn. Martha M , born 
 January 14, 1848, is the wife of Sylvanus Lane. 
 a Methodist Episcopal minister. Abnei D 
 born November 4, 1856. died on the 19th of the 
 
 e month. The father's death occurred De- 
 cember 1, 1888, and his remains were interred 
 .11 I entre Hall. He held membership with th< 
 Reformed Church of Boalsburg and Tusseyville; 
 was first a Whig in politics, voting for William 
 Henry Harrison, and as a Republican supported 
 Benjamin Harrison for the Presidency. He took 
 <1 uite an active interest in the success <>f his 
 party, was well posted on political jssues. and 
 although the township is strongly Democratic 
 was elected supervisor, a fact which indie 
 his popularity. He was a man of ordinary build 
 strong and robust, and 1>\ hard work and g 1 
 management secured a comfortable competen© 
 though he lost some money bj going security for 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 223 
 
 friends. Of the strictest integrity and honor, he 
 commanded the respect and confidence of all who 
 knew him. The mother, who is also a faithful 
 member of the Reformed Church, finds a pleas- 
 ant home with our subject, and is surrounded by 
 many warm friends and acquaintances. 
 
 Mrs. Stiver is the second in order of birth in 
 the family of six children born to William and 
 Margaret (Shreffler) Henneich, the others being 
 Sarah and another daughter who died in infancy; 
 Philip, a resident of Missouri; Charles, who died 
 in Penn Hall, Penn. ; and William, a prominent 
 railroad man, who died in Illinois. The father 
 of these children died at the early age of thirty 
 years, and was buried at Aaronsburg, but the 
 mother, who afterward married again, lies in the 
 cemetery at Millheim. By some of the family 
 the name has been changed from Henneich to 
 Hennich, and Haney. Mrs. Stiver was only nine 
 years of age at the time of her father's death, 
 and as the children became scattered she made 
 her home with her uncle, David Dale, who lived 
 near Lemont, and there remained until her mar- 
 riage. Her education was obtained in the dis- 
 trict school near Lemont. The last two years 
 of her school life were under Prof. William War- 
 ing at Oak Hall. 
 
 Mr. Stiver, whose name introduces this sketch, 
 began his literary training in the schools of Boals- 
 burg, George Livingston being his first teacher, 
 and after his removal to Potter township, at the 
 age of eleven years, he attended the district 
 schools. Later he was a student in the academy 
 at Potter's Mills, then conducted by Prof. David- 
 son. 
 
 Soon after the outbreak of the Civil war, 
 Mr. Stiver wished to join the Union forces, but 
 as he was an only son and his services were 
 needed at home, he did not enlist until August, 
 
 1864, when he became a private of Company 
 G, 210th P. V. I. He participated in all the 
 engagements in which his regiment took part, 
 including the Weldon raid and the first and sec- 
 ond battles of Hatcher's Run, where the regi- 
 ment lost heavily. On March 31, 1865, at Grav- 
 elly Run, he was struck by a bullet which passed 
 through the right forearm, shattering the bone, 
 and he was sent to City Point hospital, but a 
 few days later was transferred to a hospital in 
 Washington, D. C. After a short time there, 
 he was sent to a hospital in West Philadelphia, 
 where he was honorably discharged June 27, 
 
 1865. Mr. Stiver's arm has never fully recov- 
 ered, and for two years after his return home he 
 was unable to work, while later he only assisted 
 in the lighter labors of the farm. At one time 
 he made all arrangements to go West, but as his 
 
 parents objected he never left the parental roof. 
 Previous to his father's death he bought the farm 
 tools, and engaged in the operation of the land on 
 his own account. He isia systematic, progressive 
 farmer, one who ably manages his affairs, but 
 hires most of his work done. 
 
 Mr. Stiver was married in Hublersburg, Cen- 
 tre county, in N ovember , 1886, to Miss Anna 
 Carner, of that plac<-, ,1 daughter of John and 
 Barbara Carner, who are farming people. Out- 
 subject is well informed on the leading questions 
 and issues of the day as he is an extensive reader, 
 and gives his political support to the Repub- 
 lican party. Originally he held membership with 
 Gregg Post No. 95, G. A. R. , of Bellefonte, 
 but now belongs to the order in Centre Hall. 
 Since 1858 he has been a consistent member of 
 the Presbyterian Church, and has served as a 
 teacher in the Sabbath-school. He holds a 
 prominent position among the leading represent- 
 ative citizens of Potter township, is genial and 
 hospitable, and a friend to the poor and needy, 
 who are never turned away empty-handed from 
 his door. 
 
 WW. SPANGLER. The name of this 
 well-known resident of Potter township, 
 Centre county, has long been familiar to the 
 people of this section as that of one of their 
 most valued citizens, resolute, energetic and en- 
 terprising, and one who has made his mark in 
 the building up of the township, socially and 
 financially. He belongs to an honored pioneer 
 family of Centre county, which made its first set- 
 tlement in Brush Valley, Miles township. 
 
 Mr. Spangler was born November 30, 1839, 
 in Potter township, a short distance east of Cen- 
 tre Hill, a son of Jacob Spangler, who was a na- 
 tive of Miles township, and was the youngest son 
 of Christopher Spangler. When a young man, 
 Jacob Spangler came to Potter township to work 
 as a farm laborer for his older brother Samuel, 
 and here married Rebecca Wagner, a daughter 
 of Bernard Wagner, who was one of the leading 
 and prominent citizens of the township. Six 
 children graced this union, namely: Mary, now 
 the wife of M. L. Leitzel, of Potter township; 
 W. W. , subject of this sketch; Catharine, wife 
 of Jacob Wagner; Ellen, who married John 
 Slack, and died in Potter township; J. B., a 
 farmer of that township; and Anna, wife of 
 Aaron Rishel, of Jasper county, Missouri. 
 
 At the time of his marriage, Jacob Spangler 
 located upon a farm, and lived on two different 
 places in Potter township before he was able to 
 purchase a farm of his own. His first land is 
 
 / 
 
224 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHIC A I. RECORD. 
 
 that now owned and occupied by our subject and 
 was bought from Jacob Bottorf. He was very 
 successful in his farming operation, as he was in- 
 dustrious, energetic and progressive, and became 
 the owner of two good farms, which he placed 
 under a high state ol cultivation. Although his 
 early opportunities were very meagre, he 
 tained a fair education for his time, which was 
 mostly acquired in the school of experience. In 
 later years he was a great reader, was well 
 posted on the leading issues and current events, 
 and took quite an active interest in the success 
 ,,f the Democratic party, which he always sup- 
 ported by his ballot; he was called upon to serve 
 a-, supervisor of his township. He was a promi- 
 nent and consistent member of the Evangelical 
 Church, in which he held various offices, and at 
 his death was buried in Zion Church cemetery 
 by the side of his wife, who died at the age of 
 fifty-four years, while he was sixty-two when 
 called to his final rest. Though not a large 
 man, he was robust, seldom being ill, and was 
 very active and industrious. 
 
 In the Pine Grove school, taught by Jane 
 Taylor, Mi Spangler, the subjei I propi i of this 
 review, began his education, and his advantages 
 were confined to the district schools of his time. 
 lie learned rapidly, however, and as a result ol 
 his fitness, was often selected as extra teacher, 
 m which capacitj he served for a short time on 
 various occasions. He heartily endorses the im- 
 provements that have since been made in the 
 public schools, is a warm friend of a better and 
 thorough education, and as a school director has 
 done efficient service in their interests. His 
 farm training and first ideas ol business were ob- 
 tained .m the I. ii in where he still lives, and, be- 
 ing the elder son. rendered his father valuable 
 assistance. He never left the parental roof, but 
 continued to aid in the operation of the farm 
 during the lifetime of his parents. In 1880 he 
 purchased the place", whii h comprises 140 a 
 of rich and arable land under a high state of cul- 
 tivation and improved with good buildings. On 
 October 1, 1894, his barn was destroyed by fire, 
 1 , 1 1 1 on the te a new structure was raised 
 
 by the |i itb ol November. 
 
 At the age ol thirtj one years, Mr. Spai 
 was married in 1 lames township, Centre county, 
 to Miss Adella Bollinger, a native ol Aaronsburg, 
 
 in the same ci tj . and a daughter of Gi 
 
 Bollinger. She was the recipient of a good edu- 
 abling hei to successfully engage in 
 teaching foj ten or twelve j 'dr. and Mrs 
 
 Spangler began their domestic life upon his 
 present farm, which he rented until 1880, and 
 there the birth of their four children occurred 
 
 Bernard K . the eldest, is a stenographer by pro- 
 fession, and occupies a responsible and confiden- 
 tial position in a wholesale house in Chicago. 111. 
 Gertrude M. is a graduate of the Lock Haven 
 Normal School, and now follows teaching. Will- 
 iam E. is also a stenographer and typewriter of 
 Chicago. Harry B. is at home. This is one of 
 the most noted families in the township, and re- 
 flects great credit upon the parents. 
 
 Mr. Spangler is a prominent and active mem- 
 ber of the Democratic party, and although he 
 cares nothing for political distinction, he has 
 creditably served in a number of minor ofti< 
 being at the present time a school director and 
 the postmaster at Potters Mills. He and his 
 timable wife hold membership in the Spn 
 town Methodist Episcopal Church, where he has 
 served as class leader and steward, and is at 
 present one of the trustees of the Church. The 
 family is one of prominence, standing second to 
 none in the community, and is well worth] 
 honorable mention in a work of this character 
 
 J,OBERT JAMES HAYNES (decease. 
 {_ of Snow Shoe, was one of Centre counts - 
 most popular and highly esteemed citizens. The 
 
 stors of the Haynes family were alvt 
 British subjects, and emigrated in the time 
 Cromwell to the Island of Barbados, when the) 
 have always been landed proprietors. Ml 
 Haynes' parents, Thomas Haynes (son of Roberl 
 James Haynes), and Williamina. his wife (dau 
 ter of William Everslej of Barbados), cam< 
 the United States in [832 and settled in Geoi 
 town in the District of Columbia, where in Sep 
 te. nber of that year Robert James was born, Ohl) 
 son .md second child. His education was ob- 
 tained at Dr. Smith's School at Alexandria. Di 
 Vollmer'sat Westchester and Bishop Doan's ' 
 lege at Burlington, N. J.; and, his parents ha 
 I to Philadelphia, his youth was lar( 
 nt their. Being devoted to out-do, .1 sports 
 llj to hunting and fishing, he was 
 traded to Central Pennsylvani 1. He was in 
 business foi varying periods at Howard, at Salt 
 1 ii k, and at Snow Shoe, where for a numb 
 l the " Mountain lb H< 
 
 active pari in politics, refusing the m 
 offers of his neighbor citizens, serving onlj 
 1 hool director. 1 Ii 
 red at Snow Shoe, March 3, [894, dyinj 
 suddenly and unexpectedly while sitting talking 
 to Mi I ii ak, without a word or indica- 
 
 1 pain. Commenting on his death 
 paper said: "No man was ever kinder, more 
 is than Robert J. Ha 
 
 . 
 
• 
 
 ROBERT J. HAYHES. 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHIC 'AL RECORD. 
 
 225 
 
 indeed he was the balancing wheel for the whole 
 community in which he lived, with a pleasing 
 personality and a mind as liberal as the mount- 
 ains, on which he loved to hunt and fish, were 
 broad; he was liked and respected by young and 
 old, rich and poor." 
 
 A friend writing of Mr. Haynes from Snow 
 Shoe said: " When a young man, fond of hunt- 
 ing and fishing, he started for the West branch 
 of the Susquehanna, then abounding with fish, 
 and the forests along its banks running through 
 Clearfield, Centre and Clinton counties, abound- 
 ing with game. His first landing was at Schutac, 
 in Clinton county; thence going to Salt Lick, 
 Clearfield county, where he married Miss Martha 
 Watson. After his marriage he returned to Salt 
 Lick and started in the mercantile business. At 
 this time the writer's (a boy of seven years) ac- 
 quaintance began, dating back to 1857 and con- 
 tinuing up to the day of his death. He built a 
 large and commodious house at Salt Lick. The 
 friends he entertained were many, and in the 
 spring of the year accommodated raftsmen, so 
 that he became known all over Clearfield coun- 
 ty. He was kind-hearted and of a jovial disposi- 
 tion. Well do we remember the first lesson he 
 gave us, the skating in our boyhood days. He 
 enjoyed immensely to get a crowd of young peo- 
 ple together skating or playing, and he was gen- 
 erally the youngest in the part he took in the 
 crowd. In the sick room he was grand. His 
 jovial disposition and cheerfulness would make 
 the patient forget all his aches and pains, and 
 before he was aware of it would be sitting up. 
 The writer went through a six-weeks' spell of 
 sickness, and he was there most every day. His 
 presence was worth more than doctor's prescrip- 
 tions. About twenty-five years ago he moved 
 from Salt Lick to Snow Shoe, and took charge of 
 the ' Mountain House,' and remained in charge 
 about ten years, and a guest once stopping there 
 never passed the house without stopping while 
 he was in charge. Such was the reputation he 
 gave the house far and wide. After leaving the 
 •Mountain House ' he retired to private life, but 
 his fellow citizens called him to office in township 
 affairs, justice of the peace, auditor, school di- 
 rector, etc. A man of fine social qualities, finely 
 educated, and one who would have graced our 
 Legislative halls with honor, but he was not am- 
 bitious for political honors. He was a Cyclope- 
 dia of knowledge, a great reader, and was well 
 versed in transpiring events. His death brought 
 a public loss to our town and community. Of 
 all the men I ever met his temper was the most 
 even; always the same kind, genial disposition. 
 He was a great favorite with little boys, always 
 
 15 
 
 a name and a kind word for them. Liberal, no 
 subscription paper for benevolent or charitable 
 purposes ever left his hand without responding to 
 the call. His familiar face will be missed upon the 
 street and in public gatherings." 
 
 On January 2, 1855, Mr. Haynes was married 
 to Martha, a daughter of James and Eliza (Lucas 1 
 Watson, then of Karthaus, Penn., and their sur- 
 viving children are: William Rotherock, and 
 Robert James; five others died in infancy. 
 Mrs. Haynes was born in Centre county, August 
 28, 1837, and his parents were also born there. 
 Both the Watson and Lucas families were early 
 settlers of Boggs township, Centre county. 
 
 OBERT J. HAYNES. The thriving little 
 3l village of Snow Shoe has a full quota of 
 live, energetic and persevering business men, 
 among whom is the subject of this sketch, a gen- 
 eral merchant. He is a native of Clearfield 
 county, Penn., born in Karthaus township, Oc- 
 tober 3, 1863, son of Robert J. and Martha 
 (Watson) Haynes, a sketch of whom appears 
 above. 
 
 Our subject was educated in the public 
 schools, and at the age of fifteen began working 
 in the coal mines of Snow Shoe, where he re- 
 mained for one year. During the following 
 eight months he drove a team for a merchant of 
 that place, and then embarked in business on his 
 own account, beginning with a small stock of 
 confectionery, to which he added as his financial 
 resources increased, until he had an excellent 
 general store, which he successfully conducted 
 for nine years. In 1891 he opened the " Karthaus 
 House " in Clearfield county, which he carried 
 on for two years, but on the death of his father 
 returned to Snow Shoe, where he engaged in 
 the livery business for a year and a half. On 
 February 1, 1895, he purchased the mercantile 
 establishment of Gillen & Murray, and has since 
 successfully conducted the same, having by fair 
 and honorable dealing built up an excellent 
 trade. 
 
 In June, 1892, in Clearfield, Mr. Haynes 
 wedded Miss Gertrude Smith, a daughter of 
 Squire Joseph S. and Margie (Barthurst) Smith, 
 residents of Snow Shoe. Three children bless 
 the union of Mr. and Mrs. Haynes, namely: 
 Elsie, Eversley H. and George R. In politics 
 Mr. Haynes is an uncompromising Democrat, 
 and socially is a member of the I. O. O. F. 
 Lodge No. 226, Snow Shoe, which he has repre- 
 sented in the Grand Lodge. He is one of the 
 prominent and highly respected citizens of the 
 community, and deserves honored place in the 
 
226 
 
 CO.VMi:.\l')U.\TlVl-; ISlouiiM'llIfM. RECORD. 
 
 record of the best people of Centre county. He 
 is an excellent marksman, and his chief recreation 
 is hunting. 
 
 Wll LIAW K Haynes, a brother of Robert J., 
 was born in Howard, March 23, 1857, and re- 
 mained with his parents until 1S77, during which 
 time he obtained a good education in the public 
 schools. He began his business career as an 
 employee of the Snow Shoe & Bellefonte Rail- 
 road Company, and subsequently weighed coal 
 for Burrell, White & Co., for two years, while 
 the following year he served as weighmaster for 
 the Kado Mining Co. In 1892 he established 
 his present saloon at Clarence, Centre county, 
 which he has since carried on with good success. 
 Like his brother, he supports the principles of 
 the Democratic party; socially he holds a mem- 
 bership with the Knights "I Pythias at Snow 
 Shoe. A pleasant, genial gentleman, he has 
 made hosts of warm friends throughout the 
 county where he is so well known. 
 
 On August 28, 1877, William R. Haynes was 
 married to Mary E. Gunsallus, and their union 
 has been blessed with seven children: Franklin; 
 Robert; George, who died at the age of three 
 months; Bessie; Eversley, who died in infancy; 
 Ida; and Ada, who died at the age of three years. 
 
 M se 
 
 I. KLINE. Sometimes " Dame Fortune " 
 A~-L seems to test to the utmost the courage and 
 endurance of her followers before finally turning 
 upon them a smiling face. In the life of Mr. 
 Kline, now a successful merchant of Madison- 
 burg, Centre county, there were surely hardships 
 and losses enough to dishearten any ordinary 
 youth, and his history furnishes a remarkable ex- 
 ample of pluck and determination. 
 
 Mr. Kline is still a young man, having been 
 born May 15, 1863, in the Russian province of 
 Finland. His parents, who were of Jewish 
 scent, were poor, and the death of the father 
 when our subject was but two and one-half 
 years old, left the mother and a family of three 
 boys and three girls to make a livelihood for 
 themselves Mr. Kline was the youngest son 
 and fifth child, and began to make himself use- 
 ful at an early age. At eleven he took a small 
 stock of notions, and started in business as a 
 peddler, and so well did he succeed that at six- 
 teen he had saved $500. This seemed to justify 
 an enlargement of his operations, and in the fall 
 of 1879 he purchased a horse and wagon and a 
 stock of dry goods; but in a few weeks after un- 
 dertaking this new line, his entire outfit, includ- 
 ing the horse and wagon, was stolen from a 
 country tavern where he had made a stop. To 
 
 a man such a loss would be severe, and it must 
 have been overwhelming to a boy of his age and 
 inexperience. He had but $5.00 left, and his 
 sad predicament excited so much sympathy 
 among the peasants of the neighborhood that, 
 notwithstanding their poverty, they raised $80, 
 by popular subscription, and gave it to him. 
 With this he bought a new stock, and again be- 
 gan carrying a pack on his back. At the end of 
 a year he had $205 saved, but he was then (in 
 the fall of 1880) compelled to enter the Russian 
 military service, in which he remained five years. 
 The pay was so small that his savings were ex- 
 hausted before the expiration of his term, and 
 when he was again free to enter business life he 
 decided to seek, in the United States, a better 
 chance than his own country afforded. He had 
 a brother, Julius Kline, in New York, who sent 
 him $40 and a ticket, and thus provided for, Mr 
 Kline sailed from Hamburg, after thirteen days 
 on the ocean landing in New York in the latter 
 part of March, 1885. For a time he made hi- 
 home with his brother, a fish merchant in Hester 
 street, who employed him as a clerk, but city air 
 and life proved uncongenial, and Mr. Kline began 
 to long for the country. At first the brother was 
 unwilling to let him go; it was agreed, however 
 after a time that, Mr. Kline should resume hi> 
 former business of peddling. He could not yet 
 speak a work of English, but in June, 1885, h< 
 left New York with a stock of goods worth forty 
 dollars which his brother had helped him to pro- 
 cure. His destination was Kant/ P. ().,near 
 Selins Grove, Snyder county, where a cousin, 
 Mr. Milner, resided, but naturally the young 
 stranger, ignorant both of the language and the 
 countrv, had no little difficulty in finding the way 
 there. Mr. Milner, who was a merchant, en- 
 couraged him in his enterprise, and taught him 
 how to greet people whom he would meet, and 
 to say "good bye," and although for some t 
 Mr, Kline was apt to use the words of salutation 
 in a hap-hazard way.he gradually became famil- 
 iar with their use and added others to his vocah- 
 
 Mr Kline Lit Kant/ P. O. with his pack on 
 his hack, and started for Centre county; but not 
 being very strong the weight soon told upon him. 
 To add to his discomfort he contracted ague, and 
 in the spring of 1886, while at Madisonburg, ha 
 was taken seriously ill. It being evident that he 
 could not continue to carry a pack, some kind 
 friends assisted him to get a horse and wagon. 
 The former cost $22.50 at a sale in lVnn town- 
 ship. Centre county, and the wagon was pur- 
 chased from L. B. Stover, of Madisonburg, 
 $15, With this equipment Mr. Kline made an- 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 227 
 
 other start and fortunately no more reverses 
 were met, and in the spring of 1894 he had be- 
 come so prosperous that he decided to open a 
 store. During the first year in the United States 
 he bought his goods from Mr. Milner, as he had 
 not the ready cash with which to purchase in 
 New York to the amount that he desired; but 
 later he readily secured loans from substantial 
 citizens of this section and was enabled to buy 
 his goods to better advantage. On establishing 
 himself in Madisonburg, Mr. Kline spent several 
 months in settling up his accounts, and Septem- 
 ber 20, 1894, he opened a general store, where 
 he has already built up a large and profitable 
 trade. His establishment is a model of neatness, 
 comparing favorably with any in this section, not 
 even excepting those in the largest towns. It 
 speaks well for his honesty and fair dealing with 
 the past that he could settle among his former 
 patrons and command their custom, and his 
 straightforward yet courteous manner wins the 
 confidence of all who meet him. Considering 
 the short length of time that he has been in the 
 locality, his rise to a place among the leading 
 merchants of Brush Valley is extraordinary. 
 
 Mr. Kline's prosperity has not caused him to 
 forget his brothers and sisters in the old country. 
 He has helped them in a substantial way, send- 
 ing several hundreds of dollars at various times. 
 Three of the family are now in the United States 
 — a sister, Gussie (Mrs. Jacob Goldstein), being 
 a resident of Paterson, N. J. On October 7, 
 1897, Mr. Kline was married to Miss Rachel 
 Paris, of Altoona, Penn. As a public-spirited 
 citizen he is interested in political questions, but 
 he is not an active worker. While sympathizing 
 in the main with the principles of the Democratic 
 party, he votes for the "best man" as occasion 
 arises. 
 
 EjMJWARD ALLISON. If the title of " lead- 
 __^ ing farmer" can consistently be given to any 
 one agriculturist of Potter township, Centre 
 county, the subject of this sketch certainly de- 
 serves it. He belongs to one of the prominent 
 and representative families of Penn's Valley, 
 which has borne an important part in the upbuild- 
 ing and development of this region, and has 
 done much to promote its moral and material 
 welfare. On the farm which is still his home Mr. 
 Allison was born, August 2, 1855, a son of Hon. 
 William and Sarah A. (McNitt) Allison, the 
 former of whom died in 1877, the latter on 
 December 18, 1896. 
 
 In a subscription school at Potters Mills, 
 our subject began his education under the in- 
 
 struction of Frank Hess, and continued to pur- 
 sue his studies in the district schools until the 
 fall of 1871, when he entered the State College, 
 where he was a diligent student for three years. 
 The knowledge that he thus acquired has been 
 greatly supplemented by extensive reading and 
 observation in later years, and he is well-informed 
 on all the leading questions and topics of the 
 day. On leaving the school room, Mr. Allison 
 returned to the home farm, which he has since 
 successfully operated, and is also engaged in look- 
 ing after the extensive interets of the family in 
 and around Potters Mills, his sister Lillie Eliza- 
 beth living with him. In addition to his agricult- 
 ural pursuits, he was connected with his broth- 
 ers, William and Archibald, in a woolen-factory 
 up to about 1892, which proved a paying invest- 
 ment. He is a wide-awake, energetic business 
 man, a progressive farmer, and always secures 
 the best results from his labors. 
 
 Since casting his first vote, Mr. Allison has 
 been a firm adherent of Republican principles, 
 taking a deep interest in the success of his party, 
 but is no politician in the sense of office-seeking. 
 He always attends and supports the Presbyterian 
 Church. "Ed," as he is familiarly known by 
 his hosts of friends, is unassuming, and well 
 liked by all who know him, and is a worthy rep- 
 resentative of the honored family to which he 
 belongs. 
 
 HEZEKIAH K. HOY, who is prominently 
 identified with the agricultural interests of 
 Benner township, Centre county, was born in 
 1835, a son of John and Susannah (Hoy) Hoy, 
 who came from Union county, Penn., as did also 
 the grandparents of our subject. By trade the 
 father was a miller, which occupation he con- 
 tinued to follow until 1840, when he purchased a 
 farm in Benner township, on a portion of which 
 Hezekiah H. now resides. He died in 1864, at 
 the age of sixty years, and his wife passed away 
 at the age of forty-six. 
 
 Their family comprised eight children, in or- 
 der of birth as follows: Henry, born in 1829, 
 died in 1895, in Arkansas, where his family still 
 make their home; Lydia married Jacob Hartman, 
 and died in 1893, leaving a family who reside in 
 Illinois; Sarah is the wife of John Rishel, a 
 farmer of Centre county, Penn. ; Hezekiah K. is 
 next in order of birth; Catharine is the wife of 
 John Houser; Mary A. is the wife of W. H. Mil- 
 ler; Susannah is the wife of Michael Corman, of 
 Walker township, Centre county; and Emeline is 
 the wife of Samuel Fravel, of College township. 
 Centre county. 
 
228 
 
 <<im.vi:m<>i;a tivr biographical record. 
 
 The boyhood and youth oi our subject were 
 passed after the manner of most farmers sons, 
 he aiding in the labors of the fields and attending 
 the district schools when his services were not 
 needed at home. He chose tanning as his life 
 occupation, and is now the owner of the old 
 homestead, a tract of 1 38A acres. The well 
 tilled fields and neat appearance of the place 
 show his careful supervision, and the neat and 
 commodious building are models of convenience. 
 In i860 he married Miss Mary E. Fishburn, and 
 eight children have come to bless their union, 
 namely: Ettie, born in 1861, is the wife of Dr. 
 Austin Shuey, of Prospect, Ohio; Anna M. is the 
 wife of Grant Pifer, a clerk in a railroad office in 
 Wilkinsburg, Allegheny Co., Penn.; Catharine 
 and Harry (twins), the former being the wife of 
 Rev. W. J. Wagner, of Muncy, Lycoming Co., 
 Penn., while the latter married Sally Garbrick; 
 Jacob and Minerva (twins) are next in order of 
 birth; Ursinus 11 married Blanche Dale, and 
 lives in Benner township, Centre county; and 
 1 aroline is at home. 
 
 Politically, Mr Hoy has ever been an ardent 
 supporter of the principle's ol the Democratic 
 party, and favors the free coinage of silver. He 
 is a valued citizen of the community, has been 
 an active agent in promoting the various schemes 
 for its advancement, and has taken a conspicuous 
 part in the administration of public affairs. He 
 is an earnest and useful member of the Reformed 
 Church, and upright and honorable in all th> 
 lations of life. 
 
 FELIX BURKHOLDER (deceased, was for 
 many years one of the prominent and repre- 
 sentative citizens "I Potter township, Centre 
 county, where his memory is held in reverence 
 and honor. A native of the Keystone State, he 
 was born January 4, 1806, in Annville township, 
 Lebanon county, and was a son of Felix Burk- 
 holder, Sr. , who never lived in Centre county, 
 but often visited his son after his removal to the 
 county. In the family were four sons and three 
 dan if whom, out subject is the fourth in 
 
 order of birth. His father being 111 comfortable 
 circumstances he was provided with fair educa- 
 tional advantages, but generally attended schools 
 where only German was taught. 
 
 On February 7, [833, in the county of his na- 
 tivity, Mr. Burkholder was united in marriage 
 with Mi>s Elizabeth Meyer, who w'as born in 
 Annville township, Lebanon county, December 
 
 [807, and was the fourth daughter of Michael 
 and Elizabeth Meyer. They began their domestic 
 life in Dauphin county, this State, where Mr. 
 
 Hurkholder engaged in milling for a number o! 
 years, and where were born to them the follow- 
 ing children: Mary, born Jannary 9, 1835, died 
 on the 29th of the following February. John, 
 born April 13, 1836, was a miller by trade, and 
 died September 23, 1893, in Miami county, Ohio, 
 where his family are still living. The next child 
 died unnamed. Catharine, born September 6, 
 1838, is a resident of Centre Hill, Centre coun- 
 ty. Felix M., born September 24, 1839, died 
 May 24, 1893. Elizabeth is the youngest. 
 
 In the spring of 1*40 the family migrated to 
 Centre county, traveling by boat through the 
 canals to Lewistown, and thence by wagon tp 
 their destination. Mr. Burkholder rented what 
 is known as the Red Mill in Potter township, 
 which he successfully conducted until the spring 
 of [860, when he purchased the William Milh- 
 gan farm near Centre Hill, and turned his atten- 
 tion to agricultural pursuits for the first time, 
 having engaged in milling for over thirty years 
 with good success. Upon that farm he spent his 
 remaining days, dying on the 7th of May, 1883. 
 and now lies buried in the cemetery of Tussey- 
 ville. His wife, who survived him for some time, 
 passed away |nlv 26, 1S93, and was laid to rest 
 by his side. 
 
 After coming to Centre county, the family 
 circle was increased by the birth of four children, 
 the' oldest of whom, a son, died in infancy, un- 
 named; Michael M , born March 5, 1843, is a 
 farmer of Potter township; Elizabeth, born Sep- 
 tember 17, 1844, married Daniel Seltzer, by 
 whom she had one child— Elmer B., who was 
 born September 12, 1868, and died October 1; 
 1876 (she and her sister now make their home to 
 gether in Centre Hill, where they have mam 
 warm friends); Mary, the youngest in the family. 
 was born August 12, 1849, and died September 
 10, 1887. 
 
 Mr. Hurkholder was an energetic, hard-work- 
 ing man, who met with success in his business 
 ventures by honest and fair dealing, and whose 
 word was ever considered as good as his bond. 
 His wife was ,1 consistent member of the Re- 
 formed Church, and although not connected with 
 any religious denomination he was a great Bible 
 student, and gave liberally to the support I 
 Churches. In politics he was an ardent supporter 
 of the Republican party. 
 
 FM. BURKHOLDER (deceased) was one 
 the valued and highly esteemed cit 
 Potter township, Centn county, lb- was born 
 September 24, 1839, in Derry township. Dauphin 
 I 1 . Penn., but in infancy was brought to 
 
 , 
 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 2l>9 
 
 tre county by his parents, Felix and Elizabeth 
 (Meyer) Burkholder. Although he never served 
 an apprenticeship to the miller's trade, he learned 
 that business while assisting his father in the 
 operation of his mill, but throughout his early 
 life was principally engaged in agricultural pur- 
 suits upon the home farm. 
 
 While cradling wheat during the harvest of 
 1 86 1, Mr. Burkholder sprained his left leg in 
 such a way as to necessitate its amputation five 
 years later, and for two or three years during 
 that interval he suffered untold agony and was 
 obliged to use crutches. His early education 
 was somewhat limited, but after the loss of his 
 limb he resolved to further continue his studies 
 in order to support himself by teaching, and at- 
 tended school at various places, including Penn 
 Hall, Millersville and Potters Mills. Obtaining 
 a certificate, he successfully engaged in teaching 
 some nine years, and became one of the leading 
 educators of Potter township. 
 
 In Centre Hall, September 7, 1876, Mr. 
 Burkholder was married to Miss Mary E. Mc- 
 Clintock, who was born in Potter township, June 
 11, 1845, an< f ' s one °f * ne four children of 
 Alexander and Elizabeth (Reichlev) McClintock, 
 the others being Sarah C. , wife of William H. 
 Mapes, of Camden county, N. J.; Samuel K., 
 of Harris township, Centre county; and Ann E. , 
 who died in childhood. ' The McClintock family 
 is of Scotch-Irish extraction, the great-grand- 
 father of Mrs. Burkholder being a native of the 
 North of Ireland. Her grandfather, Samuel 
 McClintock, was a carpenter and farmer. The 
 father, a farmer by occupation, died in Potter 
 township at the age of sixty-six years, the mother 
 at the age of seventy-one, and they now rest in 
 the Sprucetown cemetery. In religious belief 
 they were Methodists, and were highly respected 
 citizens of the community in which they made 
 their home. 
 
 After his marriage, Mr. Burkholder located on 
 the same property where his widow still resides. 
 He remodeled the house, erected a good barn, and 
 made that place his home until his death on May 
 24, 1893. His remains were interred intheTus- 
 seyville cemetery. About 1873 he commenced 
 the sale of agricultural implements throughout 
 Centre county, and became quite a successful 
 agent. This business gave him a wide acquaint- 
 ance, and his circle of friends was extensive. 
 His funeral was the largest ever held in Centre 
 Hill, people coming from miles around to pay 
 their last tribute to the deceased, whom all hon- 
 ored and respected for his sterlingworth and many 
 excellent traits of character. He was a success- 
 ful business man, leaving to his family a comfort- 
 
 able competence; a kind husband and a loving fa- 
 ther, whose interests centered around his home. 
 An earnest Christian, he was a devout member of 
 the Reformed Church, in which he was serving as 
 elderat the time of his death. His political sup- 
 portwas given the Republican party. Mrs. Burk- 
 holder still resides at the home left her, and in 
 the settlement of her husband's affairs displayed 
 excellent business ability. She is a lady who has 
 the respect of all who know her, and her circle 
 of friends is only limited by her circle of acquaint- 
 ances. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. 
 Burkholder, their names and dates of birth being 
 as follows: EffieE., March 13, 1878; Morris A., 
 October 20, 1879; Wilbur E., July 4, 1881; 
 Harry F. , May 13. 1883; and Amnion R., April 
 3, 1886 — all at home except Morris, who is work- 
 ing on a farm, and Wilbur, who is attending 
 school. 
 
 SOLOMON PECK, senior member of the well- 
 known mercantile firm of Peck & Son, has 
 been prominently identified with the commercial, 
 industrial and agricultural interests of Huston, 
 Centre county, and vicinity for many years. His 
 honorable business methods and untiring energy 
 have brought to him a well-merited success, and 
 have been of material benefit to the community 
 by advancing its interests. 
 
 A native of Pennsylvania, he was born in 
 Dauphin county, September 21, 1837, and in 
 1846 was brought to Centre county by his par- 
 ents, Simon and Mary Ann (Singer) Peck, the 
 former a native of Dauphin county, and the lat- 
 ter of Perry county, Penn. His paternal grand- 
 parents, Conrad and Barbara (Lyter) Peck, were 
 also born in Dauphin county. 
 
 Our subject is second in order of birth in a 
 family of eleven children, as follows: (1) Sarah 
 A. is the wife of George Rossman, a laborer of 
 Illinois, to which State they removed in 1888, 
 and they have five children. (3) Anna M. is 
 the wife of Ira C. Walker, a farmer, by whom 
 she has one child, and they removed from Cen- 
 tre county to Illinois in 1865. (4) Conrad, 
 born April 23, 1 84 1 , married Lydia Arney, of 
 Centre Hall, Centre county, by whom he has 
 three daughters, and they have made their home 
 upon a farm in Kansas since 1883. (5) Cath- 
 arine, born September 6, 1843, is the wife of 
 Nathaniel Bowersox, a farmer of Brush Valley, 
 Centre county, and they have eight children. 
 (6) Anna E. is the wife of J. I. Jones, a farmer, 
 by whom she has two children, and they have 
 lived in Kansas since 1887. (7) Joseph, born 
 August 15, 1848, married Minerva Spangler, by 
 
 
280 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 whom he has two daughters, and is a farmer of 
 Kansas, to which State he removed in 1878. 
 Barbara, born May II, 1851, married Sam- 
 uel Leopold, of Sugar Valley, Penn., but they 
 now live on a farm in Missouri. (9) Martin, 
 born December 3, 1853, married Magdalene 
 Weaver, by whom he has two daughters, and on 
 leaving Centre count)- in 1880 went to Kansas, 
 but finally located upon a farm in Missouri. (IO) 
 Austin, a farmer of Illinois, born June 25, 1857, 
 married Alice Snyder, by whom he has one son. 
 (iii Myron, born May 20, i860, is married and 
 living upon a farm in Kansas. 
 
 After obtaining a good practical education in 
 the common schools of Centre county, Mr. Peck, 
 the subject of this review, learned the cabinet 
 maker's trade, at which he worked until 1885, 
 when he embarked in merchandising in Huston; 
 he is also engaging in undertaking and fanning. 
 He is a wide-awake, enterprising business man, 
 of known reliability, and his straightforward, 
 honorable course has gained him the confidence 
 of all with whom he has come in contact. He 
 married Miss May E., daughter of John Wolf, 
 of Miles township, Centre county, and they have 
 one child, Edwin J., who was born June 18, 
 i860, and is now connected with his father in 
 business. On May 23, 1893, the son was wed- 
 ded to Miss Tillie E. Yearick, a daughter of 
 Henry Yearick, a retired farmer of Marion, Cen- 
 tre county. One child blesses this union — Earl 
 Henry, born June 24, 1894. 
 
 A man of broad and liberal views, well in- 
 formed on the leading issues and questions of the 
 day, our subject is one of the prominent, influen- 
 tial citizens of Walker township. In connection 
 with his store in Huston, he also owns a fine 
 farm just a half mile from the city limits, but 
 makes his home in the village. A strong 1 >emo- 
 crat in politics, he has been honored by Ins 
 party with several official positions of honor and 
 trust, including those of county auditor, overseer 
 of the poor, school director, and justice of the 
 peace for the past fifteen years, ami it is needless 
 to say that bis duties were ever promptly and 
 faithfully performed. Religiously, he holds mem- 
 bership in the German Reformed Church. He 
 bears a remarkable resemblance to Governor 
 Altgeld, of Illinois. 
 
 G^EORGE SHAFFER, one of the few surviv- 
 __\ orsof the brave bind of pioneers who took 
 an active part in transforming Brush Valley from 
 a primitive wilderness to a region of fertile farms, 
 is now the oldest citizen in the vicinity oi Madi- 
 sonburg. Under his observant eyes great changes 
 
 have taken place, and it is interesting to listen t< 
 his reminiscences of the early days, his clear and 
 active mind retaining well the memories of bis 
 youth. 
 
 Mr. Shaffer is a native of Brush Valley, hav- 
 ing been born at the old Shaffer homestead near 
 Madisonburg, December 1, 1 8 1 1 , and is a mem- 
 ber of the well-known pioneer family. Hi^ 
 grandfather, John Adam Shaffer, was born in 
 Berks county, Penn., October 31, 1752, and did 
 gallant service in the Revolutionary army. He 
 was second lieutenant of a company of Associa- 
 tors, during the campaign of Trenton and Prince- 
 ton in 1776-77, and was noted for his Herculean 
 fame, being the strongest man in the company. 
 He came from York county, Penn., with a 
 brother, Nicholas, and settled in Brush Valley 
 about the beginning of the present century, pur- 
 chasing the interest of Valentine Ertle's in a tract 
 of land one-half mile east of Madisonburg, where 
 he passed his remaining days, his death occurring 
 January 14, 1840. He was married in York 
 county to Elizabeth Klinefelder, a native of that 
 county, born December 27, 1760. She died in 
 November, 1835, an< ^ tne remains of both v. 
 interred at Madisonburg. They had eleven chil- 
 dren, of whom the following record is given: 
 John died in Miles township, Centre county; 
 Michael in Walker township, Centre county; 
 Ceorge in Indiana; Jacobin Ohio; Adam and 
 Samuel in Pennsylvania; Barbara in Ohio; 
 Catherine in York county, Penn. ; Lizzie in 
 Indiana; live in Venango county, Penn., and 
 Magdalena in Ohio. 
 
 fudge John Shaffer, our subject's father, was 
 born in York county, [anuary 31, 1780, and 
 a young man when he came with his parents to 
 Brush Valley, where he made his permanent 
 home, his death occurring at the farm near Madi- 
 sonburg, September 21, 1851. He was well 
 known throughout Centre county, and was in- 
 fluential politically as a member of the Demo- 
 cratic party. He served four terms as count) 
 commissioner, and was associate judge of Centre 
 county from 1 84 1 to 1 846. At one time he 
 owned five thousand acres of mountain land 
 which he sold in portions at different times. He 
 was prominent in the Lutheran Church, 
 
 deacon and elder, and in fact took an active 
 part in all progressive movements of that 
 and locality. Well built physically, he t 
 pride in the fact and in the resemblance ol all 
 his sons in this respect. He was married (fit 
 in Penn s Valley to Miss Eve Frank, daugh 
 of Philip Frank, of Aaronsburg. The tl 
 children of this union — John, Daniel, and Eli 
 beth 1 Mrs. Frederick Johnsonbaugh) — all did 10 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 231 
 
 Indiana. Their mother died and was buried at 
 Rebersburg, and Judge Shaffer afterward mar- 
 ried Miss Sarah Kren, who was born October 9, 
 1778, and died January 16, 1867. Of their fam- 
 ily, our subject was the eldest; (2) Catherine, 
 widow of Edward Houtz, resides in Gregg town- 
 ship, Centre county; (3) Adam will be mentioned 
 elsewhere; (4) Sarah married Michael Hazel, and 
 died in Brush Valley; (5) Andrew died at Madi- 
 sonburg; (6) Joseph resides in Nittany Valley; 
 17) Philip died in Illinois; (8) Hannah, widow of 
 Samuel Royer, lives in Indiana; (9) Susanna, 
 widow of Samuel Winter, resides at Kramers- 
 ville. 
 
 George Shaffer, our subject, passed his youth 
 upon his father's farm, his time being largely em- 
 ployed in clearing and burning brush. There 
 were no free schools in his time, and he never had 
 a day in an English school. At the age of twen- 
 ty-four he married Miss Lydia Wolfe, who was 
 born in November, 1807, the daughter of Anthony 
 Wolfe. Three children were born of this union: 
 (1) Daniel E. served in the Civil war in Company 
 A, 148th P. V. I., as first lieutenant, but was 
 taken ill while at the front and returned home, 
 where he died September 12, 1864; (2) Rosetta 
 married Abraham Lukenbach, and died at Rock- 
 ville, Penn. , April 23, 1862; and (3) George W. 
 died in Missouri. The mother of this little fam- 
 ily, who was a devout Lutheran in faith, died 
 November 10, 1862, and her remains lie in the 
 cemetery at Madisonburg. Mr. Shaffer for his 
 second wife married Sarah, daughter of Peter 
 Rodebaugh and widow of William Bair, who was 
 at one time a merchant and hotel keeper at Madi- 
 sonburg. She was born October 16, 181 5, and 
 died at Madisonburg November 29, 1894, leaving 
 no children by this union. She belonged to the 
 Reformed Church, of which Mr. Shaffer is a 
 leading member, having held various offices. To 
 one Church he has given $1,000, including the 
 bell and other fixtures donated by himself and 
 his wife. 
 
 After his first marriage Mr. Shaffer remained 
 five years at the old home, and then bought a 
 portion of the farm and put up suitable buildings 
 for his use. He followed agriculture there until 
 i860 when he removed to a farm near Madison- 
 burg and continued his work. In 1889 he gave 
 up the active management of the estate, and in 
 his eighty-third year he ceased to do the various 
 chores with which he had whiled away a portion 
 of his time. Thus the evening of his life is spent 
 in peaceful contemplation of the past, and the 
 hope of the future reunion with his loved ones 
 who have preceded him to the "better land." 
 
 Mr. Shaffer is a Democrat in politics, and has 
 
 voted for every Presidential candidate of his party 
 from Andrew Jackson down. He has always 
 been a valued counselor in the local organization, 
 and has held various township offices. 
 
 S\AMUEL HOOVER, a leading citizen and 
 ) extensive farmer and cider manufacturer, re- 
 siding at Hannah Furnace, Taylor township. 
 Centre county, was born February 21, 1838, in 
 York county, Penn., of which county his parents, 
 Philip and Lena (Grenewolt) Hoover, were also 
 natives, the former born July 27, 18 10, and the 
 latter February 3, 18 16. In 1841 they removed 
 to Huntingdon county, where they remained un- 
 til the spring of 1850, when theywent to Tyrone, 
 Blair Co., Penn., and in the spring of i860 came 
 to Centre county, locating on the farm where 
 our subject now resides. The father was a 
 prominent and wealthy farmer, and held several 
 local positions of honor and trust to the satisfac- 
 tion of all concerned. Politically, he was a stanch 
 Democrat, and attended the Lutheran Church, in 
 which his wife held membership. Both died on 
 the farm at Hannah Furnace, the father on De- 
 cember 23, 1871, and the mother on April 20, 
 1888. The paternal grandfather of our subject, 
 Henry Hoover, and the maternal grandfather 
 were of German descent, and spent their entire 
 lives in York county, this State. 
 
 Samuel Hoover is third in order of birth in a 
 family of ten children, the others being as fol- 
 lows: Susan, born January 22, 1833, died at the 
 age of six months; Henry, born July 1, 1835, 
 died in Texas while serving in the Union army 
 during the Civil war; Daniel, born May 4, 1840, 
 died from effects of fever contracted in the army; 
 Philip, born October 29, 1843, was a Union sol- 
 dier, and is now engaged in the butchering busi- 
 ness in Arizona; John, born April 6, 1845, con- 
 ducts a meat market in Blair county, Penn. ; Zach- 
 ariah, born October 25, 1847, died at Tyrone, 
 Penn., by being thrown from a mule; George M., 
 born April 4, 1850, died of fever; James F., born 
 April 14, 1853, died of typhoid fever; and Alex- 
 ander, born November 27, 1855, is a farmer of 
 Centre county. 
 
 While quietly an inmate of his father's house, 
 the storm of civil war broke over the country, 
 and in response to the call of the general gov- 
 ernment for men, Samuel Hoover enlisted in 
 1861, in Company C, 14th P. V. I., under Cap- 
 tain Crouder, and remained in the service until 
 the expiration of his term of three months. Re- 
 turning home, he there remained until 1863, 
 when he embarked in the dairy business at Al- 
 toona, Penn., but in 1864 enlisted for one year 
 
282 
 
 COMMEMOBA TIYF BIOO R M-ll KM. RECORD. 
 
 In Company C, 208th P. Y. I., which was or- 
 ganized at Harrisburg, Penn., September 13, 
 
 I. and u;^ assigned to the- First Brigade, 
 Third Division, Ninth Army Corps. He was 
 mustered into the United States service at Camp 
 1 mini, and participated in many battles and 
 skirmishes, including tiie engagements .it I orl 
 Steadman, Petersburg and Appomattox. He was 
 never wounded, and at the close of the war he 
 received an honorable discharge and returned 
 home, where he has since engaged in agricultural 
 pursuits. 
 
 On December 25, 1862. Mr. Hoover was mar- 
 1 1' I t<> Rosanna V. Rush, who was born in 1839, 
 and died in 1869. Three children graced this 
 union: William T., now engaged in the imple- 
 ment busim ss at Port Matilda, Penn, ; Sallie, at 
 home; and Philip A., also at home, who married 
 Flora Heckwith, and has one son, Samuel L. On 
 February 9. 1872, Mr Hoover, (<>r his second 
 wife, wedded Mrs. Maria Keys Benn, widow of 
 [osiah Benn, by whom she has one daughter, 
 Anna, now the wile of Harry Chaney, general 
 managerof a coal mine at Broadtop, Penn. By 
 bis second marriage, Mr Hoover had two chil- 
 dren: Olga F., now deceased: and Linnie K.. 
 at home. 
 
 Mrs. Hoover is a nativi ol ( entre county, 
 and a daughter of George O. and Mm David- 
 Keys. The former was bom m New York, 
 January ;. 1 788, was a scholarly gentleman, a 
 school teacher by profession, and an artist of 
 considerable prominence. He held membership 
 in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was a 
 pronounced Republican in politics. His death 
 occurred August 4, 1855, and the mother of Mrs. 
 Hoover departed this life June 21, 1874. She 
 was born in Centre county, Penn.; September 18, 
 1800, and was a daughter ol [ames and Rebecca 
 Brown) Davidson, natives of Ireland anil Hunt- 
 ingdon county, Penn., respectively. The paternal 
 grandparents of Mrs. Hoover were Jacob and 
 Jemima Keys, who came to America from Eng- 
 land, and located in New York City, where the 
 grandfather engaged in merchandising through 
 out his remaining days. 
 
 To I O and Mar) Davidson) Keys 
 
 were born nine children: Andrew |. is deceased. 
 Dr. William S. H. was bom 111 Centre county, 
 in 1826, and attended the Lewistown Academy. 
 He became a minister of the United Brethren 
 Church, and in recognition of his scholarship and 
 theological eminence the degrees of .\ M, and 
 1). I) were conferred upon him by Otterbein 
 University of Lebanon, Penn. In 1S78 he left 
 that Church and joined the Presbyterian, of 
 which he was ever afterward a prominent min- 
 
 ister. He died at the age of sixty-six ye; 
 Rebecca J., the third child, is now the widow of 
 George Sharrer, of Philadelphia. David is de- 
 ceased. Maria is the wile of our subject. \1- 
 mira is the wife of Jacob Condo, a carpenter of 
 
 i. 1'. 1111. Harriet ( ). married Adam < i 
 but both are now deceased. [ames W. is a pat- 
 ternmaker of Harrisburg. Penn. The father of 
 this family was twice married, his first union be- 
 ing with Eliza Funk, who was born April 28, 
 [788, and died August 27. 1822. Two children 
 wire born to them: Henry K . now deceased; 
 and George \\ .. now a fanner of Ohio. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs 11 ei occupy a most eh 
 
 residence, situated on an elevation and com- 
 manding a hue view ol the surrounding beautiful 
 country. There they delighl to entertain their 
 many friends, their latchstring alw ing 
 
 out. Politically, he is an ardent Democrat, and 
 socially is connected with the Grand Army Post 
 at I'vrone, and the Odd Fellows Lodge at Port 
 Matilda, Penn. A man of unquestioned in' 
 rity in business and social circles, be stands de- 
 servedly high, and has tin- happy facult) "t 
 easily making friends and always retaining them. 
 
 THOMAS BOWMAN BUDINGER. The 
 industrial and commercial history of Centre 
 county would be very incomplete and unsatisfac- 
 tory without a personal and somewhat extended 
 mention of those whose lives are interwoven 
 closely with the business development of tin 
 State. Mr. Budinger has been prominentl) 
 identified with various enterprises of Centre 
 county, and his business record is one that an) 
 man might be proud to possess Beginning at 
 the very bottom round of the ladder, he has ad- 
 vanced steadily step by step until he now occu- 
 pies a position of prominence. 
 
 Mr Budinger was born in Lycoming count) 
 Penn., December 13, 1832. and is a son of Will- 
 iam and Lucretia 1 Hoffman) Budinger, natives 
 ol Luzerne counts. Penn. Emigrating to Ly- 
 coming countv. they located near Williamsport, 
 where the father engaged in the lumber business 
 ami farming. His wife died there in 1894, but 
 he is still residing on tin- old homestead. Their 
 children are: Sarah E. is the deceased wife of 
 D. Y. Plummer, who is engaged in the mail 
 service in Williamsport, Penn.; Johanna L. is 
 the wife of James O'Brien, proprietor of 
 •• Llkins Hotel," at Elkins, W. Va.;Thomas B 
 comes next in the order ol birth, Philip is now 
 engaged in fruit growing in Los Angeles, Cal 
 and William is engaged in the livery business in 
 that city. 
 
I 
 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 233 
 
 Mr. Budinger is one of Centre county's self- 
 made men, one of her most prominent citizens, 
 and his business interests are to-day extensive. 
 From the time he was thirteen years old until he 
 was twenty-one, he worked in his father's saw- 
 mill in the summer time and attended public 
 school in the winter. At the age of twenty-one 
 he hired out tohis father at $20.00 per month; but 
 after working for one year he concluded to start 
 in business for himself, so he obtained $10.00 from 
 his father and went upon the road securing or- 
 ders for enlarging pictures. He traveled through 
 Cameron and McKean counties, and during the 
 first trip of three months he cleared $375.00; he 
 then remained at home for a short time, after 
 which he went on the road and traveled through 
 Elk and Jefferson counties, and during this sec- 
 ond trip cleared about $400.00 in cash. He then 
 went to Salladasburg, and while visiting his father 
 met with a severe accident, by having his ankle 
 broken, which caused him to put all business 
 aside for one year; when he had recovered, how- 
 ever, he endeavored to travel and sell pictures 
 again, but the injury he had received from his 
 broken leg made it impossible to continue in 
 that business. He then obtained employment 
 in a sawmill at Williamsport, where he was em- 
 ployed taking charge of a lath mill for about 
 three years. He then purchased from his father 
 nine acres of land and a small home, upon 
 which he lived for about four years, and during 
 that time he received employment from the Tide 
 Water Pipe Co., first as a day laborer for a few 
 months, and he then secured the contract from 
 the Tide Water Pipe Co. , to bury their pipe three 
 feet under ground. During the first three months 
 he cleared $700. 00, and lived in tents and boarded 
 his own men. 
 
 Mr. Budinger then contracted to lay the pipe 
 between Williamsport and Muncy, and during 
 the six weeks thus engaged he cleared $750.00. 
 The oil was running through the pipes at the 
 time, and it was a very difficult matter to bury 
 the pipe underground without breaking it, but 
 he was so successful in burying over fifty miles of 
 pipe for the Tide Water Pipe Co. without an ac- 
 cident or the loss of a single barrel of oil, whilst 
 other parties who were employed at the same 
 business, broke the pipe and lost several thou- 
 sand barrels of oil at one time. He was then 
 employed by the Standard Oil Co. , to bury pipe 
 through a section of Clinton county, at a salary 
 of $100.00 per month. After finishing this work, 
 he was out of employment, and meeting a gen- 
 tleman in Jersey Shore he was induced to come 
 to Snow Shoe, Centre county, Penn. , with a 
 promise of a position on the Beech Creek rail- 
 
 road; but after remaining in Snow Shoe for sev- 
 eral days he learned that the party had no au- 
 thority to hire him, and that the salary offered 
 by the contractors was not sufficient to induce 
 him to engage in that business. 
 
 A successful business man is he who is quick 
 to recognize and take advantage of opportunities, 
 and this element Mr. Budinger possesses in a 
 high degree, and it has been one of the most im- 
 portant factors in his prosperity. While in Snow 
 Shoe he noticed that potatoes were being 
 sold at $1.00 per bushel, so he went to Wat- 
 sontown, Penn., and purchased a carload of 
 that vegetable, then shipped them to Snow 
 Shoe and sold them at a good profit. He also 
 noticed that large quantities of bread was being 
 shipped to Snow Shoe, and believing that he could 
 make that article of food cheaper than it could 
 be sent there, he rented an old oven, and in an 
 old shed, the best accommodation that could be 
 secured, he embarked in the bakery business, 
 and his expenditures for rent and improvements 
 for the first year amounted to over $475.00; but 
 by hard work and strict attention to business, he 
 made a clear profit of $2,000.00 the first year. 
 He continued in that line of business until 1886, 
 when, the railroad being completed, he aban- 
 doned the bakery business and established a gen- 
 eral mercantile store, which he successfully op- 
 .erated until the first of May, 1887; and as the 
 property he then occupied was wanted by its 
 owner for other purposes, he purchased a lot and 
 put up the buildings he now occupies, and his 
 trade has steadily increased until the volume of 
 his sales are very large. He carries on two 
 stores — one at Clarence, Penn., and the other at 
 Snow Shoe, Penn., with a stock of fully twenty- 
 five thousand dollars (the store at Clarence, 
 Penn., he purchased of W. B. Masters on Janu- 
 ary 1, 1892). 
 
 In 1 89 1 Mr. Budinger began operating in the 
 coal business in a small way on the land owned 
 by Potter & Co., hauling the coal on wagons, 
 that had to be shoveled into the railroad cars, 
 and he contrived an ingenious invention to dump 
 a three-ton load of coal from an ordinary road 
 wagon into the cars, which operated very success- 
 fully; but in 1895 the price of soft coal became 
 so low that it became unprofitable to load coal 
 in that way, and on September 1. 1895, in con- 
 nection with Kelley Brothers, he purchased the 
 property of the Snow Shoe Mining Co., and he 
 is now treasurer of the company. Under the 
 capable management of the present officers, the 
 output of the mines have been largely increased. 
 
 In July, 1874, at the home of the bride, at Mt. 
 Eagle, Centre county, Mr. Budinger was mar- 
 
284 
 
 OOMMBMORA TIVB BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 ried to Miss Alice Leathers, and they had twelve 
 children: Delia and Emma Blanche are grad- 
 uates of the Birmingham Seminary, of Blair Co., 
 Penn.; Samuel and Arthur are students in the 
 Dickinson Seminary at Williamsport; Effie is at 
 home; Alice is deceased; Edith, Maud, Thomas 
 J., Philip, Robert and Sarah are all still under 
 the parental roof. 
 
 In his social relations, Mr. Budinger is an Odd 
 Fellow, and in politics is a Republican. He 
 holds membership with no religious denomina- 
 tion, but his wife and family are members of the 
 Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a man of 
 great energy, one who carries forward to success- 
 ful completion whatever he undertakes. Through 
 his entire business career he has been looked 
 upon as a model of integrity and honor, and his 
 life to-day is an example of what can be accom- 
 plished by a man of natural ability and strength 
 of character. He is respected by the community 
 at large, and honored by his business associates. 
 
 SoUIRE JOSEPH M. GREEN, one of the 
 1 eldest citizens of Milesburg, Centre county, 
 win-re he has passed an active, busy life of nearly 
 three-score and ten years, is a descendant, on 
 both sides, of prominent families in the history 
 of the State. 
 
 Born December I, 1829, at Milesburg, Squire 
 Creen is the son of Joseph Creen and Catherine 
 (Miles), both natives of Milesburg, and the grand- 
 son of Joseph Creen, Sr., and of Joseph Miles, 
 and thi' great-grandson of Gen. Samuel Miles, of 
 the war of the Revolution, mention of all of whom 
 appears in the sketch of (i. Dorsey Green, to be 
 found elsewhere. Joseph Green, Jr., was born 
 in 1800. He became a clerk for Hamilton 
 Humes at Bellefonte, going there to take charge 
 of Centre Furnace as manager. He was the 
 manager of the Milesburg Iron Works for Irvin, 
 dp 111 & Co. In 1830, in connection with his 
 father-in-law, Joseph Miles, he opened a store in 
 Milesburg. On the death of the latter, in 1840, 
 Mr. Green carried on the business alone until 
 1852, then took as a partnei a son, Joseph M. 
 lie served several times as burgess ol Milesburg. 
 
 Politically In- was first a Whig, then a Republic- 
 an. He was identified with the Baptist Church. 
 His death occurred in May, 1S79. His wit 
 also deceased. Their children are: Joseph M.. 
 our subject; Edward A., who is living on the old 
 furnace property on Mill creek; and F. Potts 
 1 ireen, a druggist of Bellefonte. 
 
 Joseph M. Creen at the age of seventeen 
 years began and subsequently served an appren- 
 ticeship at the machinist's trade. Later he was 
 
 engaged in lumbering and merchandising in part- 
 nership with \Y. M. McMeen, a cousin, under the 
 firm name of W. M. McMeen & Co. The firm 
 later became Joseph Green & Son, and was so 
 continued until in 1861. On the breaking out 
 of the Civil war Mr. Green enlisted in Company 
 A, 49th P. V. I., and was with the Army of the 
 Potomac. While on the Peninsula campaign he 
 was taken sick at Yorktown, Va., and owing to 
 the nature of the disease he was compelled to re- 
 tire from the service, and was honorably dis- 
 charged. He returned to Milesburg, where he 
 was disabled for a number of years as the result of 
 his military service. Later he took charge of the 
 gristmill at that point, and has at periods from 
 that time to this operated the same. For many 
 years he has served the people of Milesburg in 
 various capacities, and has a clear and good rec- 
 ord, as one will readily judge when he learns that it 
 has been "Squire" Green now for thirty years, 
 as his service as a justice of the peace is Hearing 
 the third of a century milestone. He has filled 
 all the borough offices — member of the council, 
 of which he has been the president, burgess, etc. 
 He is a Thirty-second Degree Mason, being a 
 member of Lodge at Bellefonte. Politically he 
 is a Republican. 
 
 JINDREW HARTER, who follows general 
 _ J\ farming in Marion township, Centre county, 
 is a representative of one of the pioneer families 
 of Penn's Valley, whose identification with its in- 
 terests has proved a material factor in its devel- 
 opment and upbuilding. He was born in Harris 
 township, Centre county, June 7, 1823. His 
 
 paternal grandparents, Andrew and (Roop) 
 
 Harter, natives .of Lancaster county, Penn., re- 
 moved at an early day to Penn's Valley, where the 
 grandfather followed farming throughout his n 
 maining days. The maternal grandparents, An- 
 drew and (Kramer) Kern, were also born in 
 
 Pennsylvania, ami came to Penn's Valley at an 
 early period in its development. They too, 
 fanning people. 
 
 Jacoh and Elizabeth Kern: Harter, the par- 
 ents of our subject, were both natives of Haines 
 township. Centre county, whence they removed 
 to Marion township. The father became otic 
 the leading farmers of that community, and took 
 a prominent part in public affairs, serving in sev- 
 eral local offices, including those of supervisor 
 and tax collector. He and his wife were n 
 bers of the Lutheran Church in early life, after- 
 ward uniting with the Evangelical Church. 
 Jacob Harter died in the spring of i860, at the 
 age of sixty-four years, and his wife passed awaj 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 235 
 
 in 1866, at the age of sixty-six years. Their chil- 
 dren were as follows: John, of Hamburg, Clin- 
 ton Co., Penn., who was drowned in the Johns- 
 town flood; Jacob (twin brother of John), who 
 died at his home in Illinois in 1895; Sarah, who 
 became the wife of Jacob Garbrick (now a re- 
 tired farmer of Marion township), and died in 
 1896; Andrew, subject of this sketch; Ann, wife 
 of George Danberman, of Illinois, where both 
 died; Samuel, a farmer of Illinois; Mary, de- 
 ceased; David, a resident farmer of Marion town- 
 ship; William, a merchant of Tylersville, Penn., 
 and Daniel, of Jacksonville, Pennsylvania. 
 
 Quietly passed the early boyhood days of An- 
 drew Harter, who remained with his parents until 
 twenty-three years of age, during which time he 
 worked on the farm and also followed carpenter- 
 ing. On leaving home he assisted in the devel- 
 opment of land, by grubbing out the roots and 
 other labors incident to the improvement of tim- 
 ber tracts. After three years he rented a farm 
 in Marion township, and continued its cultiva- 
 tion for eight years, but he did not meet with the 
 success that he had anticipated, and in conse- 
 quence turned his attention to the sawmill busi- 
 ness, which he followed at Hoy's Gap, for three 
 years, and then sold out. In the spring of i860, 
 he purchased his present home, and has since 
 given his attention to agricultural pursuits. 
 
 On June 10, 1845, in Clinton county, Mr. 
 Harter married Miss Eve E. Smith, a native of 
 Clinton county, who died June 28, 1862, at the 
 age of thirty-nine years and five months. By 
 her marriage she became the mother of the fol- 
 lowing children: John S., now of Clinton coun- 
 ty, justice of the peace and school teacher; Mary 
 E. , wife of Daniel Gordon, of Clinton county; 
 Susanna, wife of Frank Buck, a farmer of Centre 
 county; William I., a wagonmaker of Centre 
 county; Jacob R., merchant, of the same county; 
 Rebecca J., wife of George Fatzinger, a baggage 
 master in Northumberland county; Sarah E., 
 wife of Calvin Womer, who is employed as a 
 cook in Chicago, 111. ; and Emily, wife of Will- 
 iam Dale, a farmer of Centre county. 
 
 On March 5, 1863, Mr. Harter was united in 
 marriage with Mrs. Susan (Arbegust) Sharer, who 
 was born in Perry township, Snyder Co. , Penn. , 
 December 4, 1836, a daughter of Jacob and Polly 
 (Dutter) Arbegust, natives of Snyder county, 
 where they were married, and where they made 
 their home for many years. The father, who was 
 a potter by trade, died in 1883 at the age of sev- 
 enty-two years; the mother died in 1851, at the 
 age of forty. Their children were Sarah, who 
 became the wife of Joshua Roush, and both are 
 now deceased; Harriet, deceased wife of Jacob 
 
 Howard, of Juniata county, Penn. ; Savilla, 
 deceased wife of George Myers, a miller, 
 residing in Coburn, Penn. ; John, a miller of 
 New Berlin, Penn.; Mrs. Harter; Eva, deceased 
 wife of Joseph Rifter; Jacob, a shoemaker 
 residing near Freeburg, Penn. ; Peter, who was 
 killed in the army; and Aaron, deceased. The 
 paternal grandparents of Mrs. Harter were Nich- 
 olas and Eva (Metz) Arbegust, farming people of 
 Union county, Penn. Her maternal grandfather 
 was a native of Ireland. 
 
 The children by Mr. Harter's second marriage 
 are: Laura, wife of Elias Breon, a carpenter of 
 Centre county; Lucy B., wife of Lawrence Hyles, 
 an engineer of Mine Bank, Pleasant Gap, Centre 
 county; Samuel, a carpenter of Indiana; Frank- 
 lin P., a machinist of Renovo, Penn.; Clemen- 
 tine, a carpenter, residing at home; Harry E. , a 
 carpenter of Axemann, Penn-; George, a miner 
 of Centre county; Albert, at home; Cora, wife of 
 George Aikey, a farmer residing in Centre county; 
 and Edna S. , at home. 
 
 Mr. Harter votes independently, supporting 
 the candidates whom he thinks best qualified for 
 office. His fellow townsmen have manifested 
 their confidence in his ability and worth by elect- 
 ing him supervisor for two terms, school director 
 two terms, and auditor one term. He was also 
 assistant assessor under Harry McDowell, and 
 was elected constable, but declined to serve. He 
 formerly belonged to the Evangelical Church, 
 but now holds membership in the Methodist 
 Church. 
 
 JOSEPH C. BIERLY. The Bierly family has 
 held for so many years a prominent place in this 
 section, that the purpose of this work would 
 not be fulfilled if the part which they have taken 
 in local .history were not given a place. Like 
 most of the early settlers, they are of German ex- 
 traction, the name having been formerly written 
 Bherly. The founder of the line in this region, 
 Melchoir Bierly, came from Bavaria, Prussia, 
 with his wife, before the Revolutionary war, 
 probably before the French and Indian war, 
 and about the time of the Revolutionary war, lo- 
 cated in Snyder county, near Mahantango creek. 
 During that war they were obliged to flee from 
 the Indians, probably at the time of the "Run 
 away" in 1778, which has become a historical 
 event, and they never returned, -as Melchoir Bierly 
 found employment in the iron works of Lancas- 
 ter county, and made his home there. He met 
 his death while crossing the mountains to visit 
 friends. He had two sons, of whom the elder. 
 
286 
 
 COMME WORATIVB BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 Nnholas, settled in Ohio; and Anthony was the 
 grandfather of our subject. 
 
 Anthony Bierly was the progenitor of all the 
 Bierlys in Sugar Valley, Clinton county, and 
 Brush Valley, Centre county. He came from 
 the region of tin- Mahantango, near McKee's Hali 
 Falls (now in Snyder county , in 1791 or '92, and 
 leased from Col. Samuel Miles a tract of 300 
 acres of land a short distance north of the pres- 
 ent site of Rebersburg. Tradition says that he 
 was the tirst man to travel over the Brush Valley 
 Narrows with a team after the completion of tin 
 road there, and a tedious journey it was, accord- 
 ing to all accounts, the \\.i\ I tremelj 
 rough, and for lack of other accommodations 
 party was compelled to camp out at night. On 
 arrival at their destination a log cabin \\ o-> con- 
 structed, and the work of subduing the wilder- 
 ness and creating a home was begun. Natur- 
 ally, Anthony Bierly bei ame a lea. lei among the 
 pioneers "I the locality, and his foresight and 
 public spirit deserve recognition at this day. He 
 was one of the leading men in the building, in 
 1804, of the first church in Rebersburg He died 
 \pi il 7. 1 825, aged about eighty-two years, and his 
 wife. Anna Maria Warner, who was horn No- 
 vember 15. 1752, passed awaj April 3, 1S44. the 
 remains of both being laid to rest in the Luth- 
 eran and Reformed cemeteries at Rebersburg. 
 I'h. \ had twelve children: 1) Margaret main.. I 
 (first) John Phillips, (second Peter Greninger, and 
 (third a Mr. Cartel, and died in Venango county, 
 Penn.;(2) Nicholas died neai Rebersburg, |uly 
 25, i S4X, m his sei 1 (his w i 
 Lucy (Buchtel), died March jo, 1851); (3) Liz- 
 married Peter Berry; (4) Catherine, a tailoress 
 by occupation, never married; 5) John, who was 
 born m Northumberland county, February 8, 
 1779. married Catherine Berry, and died in 1870 
 m Siir.n Valley, neai I ylersville; (6) Sarah mar- 
 ried 1 firsl | 1 1, nrj < ireninger, and (sei ond) < •> 
 Lesh; (71 Eva married Michael Ketr 
 Rosina married Christian Gramly, and died in 
 Miles township, Centre county; 01 Barbara mar- 
 ried Fred Womeldorf, and died in Sugar Valley, 
 Anna married PhilipGlantz, of Sugar Valley; 
 and her death occurred there; ( 1 \) Anthony. |r , 
 is mentioned more fully below; and (12) Mary 
 iMrs Michael Kahl) died in Brush Valley, and is 
 buried at Rebersburg. 
 
 \ m 1 1 1. >i 1 \ Bierly, Jr., the father ol the 
 subject of this biography, was born Sep- 
 tembers, 17S7, and was hut a child at the time 
 of the removal to Centre county. He learned 
 the blacksmith's trade in Aaronsburg, and fol- 
 lowed it for many years in Brush Valley and latei 
 in Rebersburg. His parents were well-to-do, and 
 
 gave a liberal start in life to all the other chil- 
 dren; hut owing to some misunderstanding he re- 
 ceived but little if any assistance from them 
 11. succeeded, however, and had an extensive 
 busii mploying several hands. Of lai 
 
 build and active temperament, he was capable ..f 
 doing an immense amount of work; but although 
 he made a j^reat deal of money he never became 
 wealthy, as his kind and generous disposition was 
 
 ii imposed upon to his loss. He was a stanch 
 Democrat, and a leader in many local movements. 
 serving for some time in the Home Militia as 
 chief musician. 
 
 In 1814 In married Mi-- Maria Kratzer, who 
 was born near Shamokin", Penn., in February. 
 1793, and died February 9, i860; his own death 
 occurred July 18, 1857. Both were devout mem- 
 bers oi tin- Evangelical Church of Rebersbuii,'. 
 where their remains now rest. They had eijj,ht 
 children, as follows: Melchoir, horn |ulv 20, 
 1815; John is a blacksmith at Tylersville, Penn.; 
 William, born September 19, 1818. is a farmer 
 and shoemaker at Rebersburg; Susan, horn June 
 20, 1824, is now Mrs. Joseph Miller, of Rebers- 
 burg; Rachel, born in [826, married Rev. Gei 
 Young, an i 1. who died at 
 
 Baltimore; George is a blacksmith and miller in 
 Nittany Valley; Daniel, born September 9, 1828 
 (now deceased), was a blacksmith at Tylersville. 
 and Joseph C, horn February 22. 1 834, is referred 
 to below. 
 
 Joseph C. Bierlv is one . .| the substantial cit- 
 izens of Brush Valley, and the history of his lite 
 reveals a character which is well worthy of re- 
 
 t. As a boy he attended the schools of Re- 
 bersburg but with no regularity. From eight to 
 twelve years of age he began to learn the black- 
 smith s trade. Few men of his standing have 
 had mi. h meagre opportunities, and knowing as 
 he does the value of an education he has ever 
 been a firm friend of progress in our common- 
 school system, and his two sons have enjoyed 
 
 \ advantage that he could procure for them 
 in il.. ii preparation for life's duties. Mr. Bierly 
 
 ud hi- trade in Rebersburg with his brother 
 Melchoir, receiving at the end of a three-years' 
 apprenticeship one pair of shoes and a Ken- 
 tuckv jean "womise." His annual vacation 
 of two week- he spent in the harvest field, earn- 
 ing a little money for clothes, and other neces- 
 saries, hut when his term as an apprentice e\- 
 pired he was in debt to the amount of $30. He 
 began work at Tylersville as a journeyman at $1 ? 
 a month; later he worked elsewhere, and being a 
 thorough master of the trade he commanded ex- 
 cellent wages. After saving a considerable sum 
 of money, he returned to Rebersburg and formed 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 i>37 
 
 a partnership with his brother Melchoir; later, 
 however, he built a shop of his own and carried 
 on his trade successfully for several years. 
 
 In February, 1866, he was united in marriage 
 with Miss Judith Meyer, a native of Brush Val- 
 ley, born March 20, 1835, and a daughter of 
 Henry and Hannah (Bierly) Meyer. Desiring 
 the wholesome surroundings of farm life for his 
 family, Mr. Bierly purchased first from S. S. 
 Wolfe a farm of 140 acres near Rebersburg, and 
 has since resided there, except during four years 
 spent on the farm of his father-in-law, east of 
 the same town. Building a shop upon his prop- 
 erty, which now includes more than 200 acres, 
 he followed his trade for some years. In the 
 fall of 1879 he had the misfortune to lose his left 
 arm by accident, a fall entangling him in the 
 machinery of a thresher; but this handicap has 
 not prevented him from continuing his habitual 
 activities, seeming in fact to stimulate him to 
 greater efforts. For thirty-seven years he gave 
 much attention to veterinary practice, being a 
 friend and admirer of that noble animal, the 
 horse, of whose fine points he is an excellent 
 judge. His success in this line of work has been 
 marked, his services being often sought from a 
 distance. 
 
 Despite his shrewdness and caution in busi- 
 ness affairs, Mr. Bierly has at times met with re- 
 verses, one individual alone causing him a loss 
 of $5,000, which would have been greater had 
 he not sought the protection of the courts. Quiet 
 and unassuming in manner, he yet impresses one 
 as a strong character, and his influence among 
 those who know him is great. He is a stanch 
 adherent of the principles of the Democratic 
 party, but in local affairs he disclaims the neces- 
 sity for partisan bonds, and votes for the best 
 man. He speaks with manly pride of the help- 
 ful influence of his estimable wife, attributing no 
 small portion of his success in life to her. Their 
 two sons are a credit to them, and the money so 
 freely spent in giving them a thorough education 
 was well invested. 
 
 Prof. H. E. Bierly was born in the house now 
 owned by Hon. Henry Meyer, Rebersburg, Penn. , 
 January 28, 1866. He attended the common 
 schools of Miles township, until he was eighteen 
 years of age, not having a chance to attend the 
 summer schools on account of too much work on 
 the farm. He then determined to get a better edu- 
 cation, and in 1884 entered Union Seminary (now 
 Central Pennsylvania College), New Berlin, Penn. 
 This institution he attended most of the time be- 
 tween the years 1 884-1 888, during which time 
 he nearly completed the classical course and pre- 
 pared himself for Princeton University, which he 
 
 entered in 1888 as a member of the class of '92. 
 He spent five years at Princeton University, four 
 as an under-graduate, taking the "A. B. course," 
 and one year as a post-graduate, studying physi- 
 ological psychology under Prof. Ormond, also the 
 philosophy of religion, under the same professor. 
 The next year, 1893-94, ne was unanimously 
 elected "Professor of the Natural and Physical 
 Sciences" in Belleview Collegiate Institute, at 
 Caledonia, Mo., where he taught one year, at the 
 expiration of which time the Institute was par- 
 tially closed. The next year he attended Har- 
 vard and Boston Universities, studying metaphys- 
 ics under Prof. Royce and cosmology under Prof. 
 James, of Harvard University, and comparative 
 theology and history of religious history of Chris- 
 tian doctrine, in the School of Theology, of Bos- 
 ton University. It was then that he became 
 acquainted with Pres. G. Stanley Hall, John 
 Fiske, Joseph Cooke, Professors Carpenter and 
 Davids, of Oxford University. This year in Bos- 
 ton, and as a student of both of these Universi- 
 ties, was of the greatest value in his educational 
 history. The next year he was "Professor of 
 Mathematics and Science" in Missouri Military 
 School, Mexico, Mo., which was destroyed by 
 fire at the expiration of that year. During the 
 following year he was engaged in writing a thesis 
 on the " Origin and Development of the Concep- 
 tion of God", also in child-mind investigations in 
 central Pennsylvania, in connection with Pres. G. 
 Stanley Hall, of Clark University, Mass., and 
 Prof. Earl Barnes, of Leland Stanford University, 
 Cal. At present (1898) he is professor of phil- 
 osophy and science in Virginia College for Young 
 Ladies at Roanoke, Va. , one of the best of the 
 Southern female colleges, in which he occupies a 
 very responsible position, next to the presidents 
 thereof. 
 
 As a student Prof. Bierly became intensely- 
 interested in philosophy, through Sir William 
 Hamilton's lectures on metaphysics, the various 
 works and writings of James McCosh, primarily - , 
 and through the edited works of Kant, Fichte, 
 Schellingand Hegel, having a natural inclination 
 to speculative studies. At the same time he is 
 greatly interested in biology, through a Natural 
 History Society, which was organized by Prof. 
 H. N. Conser, Ph. D., at Central Pennsylvania 
 College, and which led him to reading of nearly 
 all the works of Darwin, Huxley, Romanes and 
 Herbert Spencer. It was the works of James 
 McCosh that took him to Princeton University, 
 whose lectures on metaphysics he attended in 
 his freshman year, this being the last course on 
 that subject given by McCosh, with whom he as 
 a student was very well acquainted, and upon 
 

 ( OMMEMORATIVB BI00RAPB10AL RECORD. 
 
 whom lie called quite often, having received spe- 
 cial recognition, encouragement and kindness 
 from McCosh while alive. While a student of 
 Princeton University he made a special study of 
 philosophy and biology, having taken all the 
 branches the university offers on both philosophy 
 I [e took li mors in the latter sub- 
 ject, and was offered a fellowship in osteology by 
 the Chicago University, which he, however, did 
 not accept, as he did not desire to give so much 
 time in that particular line of investigation, hav- 
 ing derided to make the study ol philosophy a 
 life vocation. He attended and was a member 
 of the World's Congress of Philosophy held at 
 Chicago during the World's Fair, at which time 
 lie became personally acquainted with Prof. 
 |osiah Royce, professor of philosophy in Har- 
 vard University, who has been his private ad- 
 viser and director in philosophy ever since. 
 
 Prof. Bierly is a member of the Pennsylvania 
 German Society, and of several Psychological 
 and Scientific Associations. He contributes a 
 series of articles on the various ptions ol 
 
 Cod for "The Preachers Helper." just now 
 1898) he is more extensively engaged in child- 
 mind investigations than ever, with Pres. Hall, 
 Prof. Earl Barnes, Prof. Royce, also contributing 
 a series of articles on child-mind study for sevi 
 child-study magazines. He has also addressed 
 and lectured before quite- a number of teachers' 
 associations and institutes in Missouri, Pennsyl- 
 vania and Virginia on various, but mostly psycho- 
 logical, subjects. During the Bryan campaign in 
 [896, on account of not being hard pressed for 
 work, he became ver) much interested in pol- 
 itics, through bis cousin, Hon. Willis R, Bier- 
 ly, of North Dakota. On acceunt of the Demo- 
 cratic party splitting, Mr. Bierly was requested 
 by the foremost politicians of the county to take 
 a hand in politics and rally the Silver forces, as 
 he did, and has done valuable service for his Val- 
 ley and the county, having been elected presi- 
 dent of the Bryan and Sewall Club of Brush 
 Valley, which was composed of about two hun- 
 dred members, He is a member of the M. E. 
 Church, which lie joined while a student of 
 Princeton University. He was one of the three 
 firsl members of the- M. F. Church at Kreamer- 
 ville, and rendered very effectual services in the 
 building up ol the Methodist Church at this 
 place, having been appointed for this especial 
 work, lasting several years, by the < Hiarterly Con- 
 ference (Methodist). 
 
 Edwin S. Bierly, the younger, was born at 
 Rebersburg, Penn., in [869. A few years after 
 his birth bis parents moved on a farm two miles 
 southwest of Rebersburg, where his early boy- 
 
 hood was spent. After attending the schools 
 of Brush Valley he in 1 888 spent one winter term 
 at Central Pennsylvania College with his brother 
 Elmer. Here he completed the junior year of 
 the I tv Normal) Department with the 
 
 class of 1891. Being unable to pursue his stud- 
 ies until January of [891, he then was admitted 
 into the Junior class of the State Normal at Lock 
 Haven, \t the middle of the spring term he 
 was compelled to leave the Normal through sick- 
 ness (the measles) contracted through his chum. 
 He then returned to Central Pennsylvania Col- 
 and completed the ''1! try (Normal) 
 
 irse " with the large class of 1S92. Aft- 
 ter attending Central Pennsylvania College sev- 
 eral more terms as a student of the scientific 
 course, he, on the following year, entered Dick- 
 inson College, Carlisle, Penn., where he remained 
 during the winter term of 1895; but had to 
 illege on account of sickness before the 
 expiration of the college year. He then remained 
 at home the greater part of the year on ac- 
 count o| sickness and then entered Dickinson 
 Seminary at Williamsport; but after being there 
 six weeks he was again compelled to leave school 
 through lack of health. Shortly afterward he 
 was appointed general book agent for the " Min- 
 ter Book Company", Harrisburg, Penn., and 
 was quite successful in this work in the summer of 
 1896. On October 8, 1896, he was married by 
 Rev. Fans, his M. E. pastor, to Miss Sadie Er- 
 hard, a daughter of Cyrus and Catherine Er- 
 hard, of Rebersburg. Mrs. E. S. Bierly was 
 and is a dressmaker by trade, but worked almost 
 all the time in Lock Haven. She is a very in- 
 dustrious and ambitious young woman, and high- 
 ly respected by all. She has a good common- 
 school edm at i' m, having attended the Normal Se- 
 lect School conducted by Supt. C. L. C.ramley, 
 at Rebersburg. The following year he and his 
 wife spent with his parents until January, [8 
 when he regained his health and returned to Dick- 
 inson Seminary as a student of the Theological 
 irtment. 
 
 In politics, he too is a " chip off the old block" 
 namelv a !> He is a member of the M 
 
 I". Church, and has always taken an active part 
 In Church work at Kreamerville, his. home Church, 
 as one of the principal officials. 
 
 BRAM V. MILLER. Among the citizens 
 
 L. of mark in Centre county no one is more 
 
 worthy of consideration than the gentleman 
 
 whose name introduces this biography. In days 
 
 I of peace he has not only proved a valued membei 
 
 of society, but on Southern battle fields during 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 239 
 
 the dark days of the Rebellion he fearlessly 
 fought for the old flag and the cause it repre- 
 sented. He is now, however, living retired at 
 his pleasant home in State College, surrounded 
 by a wide circle of friends and acquaintances, 
 who delight to show their appreciation of his 
 sterling worth and many excellent traits of char- 
 acter. 
 
 The Miller family was among the very earli- 
 est settlers of Pennsylvania, locating on the banks 
 of the Delaware river about 1675, several years 
 before William Penn took up his residence here. 
 Later members of the family made their home 
 at what is now Downingtown. Reuben Miller, 
 the grandfather of our subject, was a resident of 
 Chester county, this State, and was a miller by 
 trade as well as by name. He married Thoma- 
 zine Valentine, and had eight children: William, 
 who became a wealthy citizen of Kentucky, and 
 whose daughter is now living in Harrisburg, 
 Penn.; Robert V.; Isaac; Mordica, who also 
 lived in Kentucky; Mrs. Eliza Thomas; Mrs. 
 Mary Ann Harris; Mrs. Jane Harris; and Mrs. 
 Rachel Miles. 
 
 Robert V. Miller, the father of our subject, 
 was a native of Chester county, and after the 
 death of his father he went to Alexandria, Va., 
 and lived with his uncle, Mordica Miller, until 
 1815, at which time he came to Centre county 
 with his uncles, Valentine Bros., and worked in 
 an iron store at Bellefonte. He hauled iron from 
 that city to Pittsburg, thence carrying it by rafts 
 and arks on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers to 
 Louisville (Ky.), Natchez and New Orleans. 
 Subsequently he went to Lexington, Ky., and 
 there kept an iron store for Valentine & Thomas, 
 of Bellefonte, Penn., and was engaged in pros- 
 pecting for a time; he also for a brief space kept 
 an iron store in Louisville, Ky. Returning to 
 Centre county, he for some time prior to 1827 
 was proprietor of the Mill Hall Iron Works in 
 partnership with his brother Isaacand his brother- 
 in-law, Joseph Harris, but on October 29, that 
 year, he joined the regular army, enlisting in 
 Company A, First Regiment of Artillery, U. S. 
 A., and was stationed at Camp Holback, under 
 Capt. (later Gen.) W. J. Worth, and First Lieut. 
 W. A. Patrick (who was provost marshal general 
 of the Army of the Potomac during the Civil war), 
 until the fall of 1830, when he returned to Centre 
 county, and engaged in the iron business for sev- 
 eral years. He was also the owner of 300 acres 
 of valuable land in the county near Pleasant Gap, 
 which he left to his children. He died from ex- 
 citement on the 7th of July, 1863, three days 
 after the battle of Gettysburg, in which two of 
 his sons participated. 
 
 Robert V. Miller was united in marriage with 
 Miss Elizabeth Lytle, a native of Centre county, 
 and they became the parents of twelve children, 
 as follows: Reuben, who died at the age of four 
 months; one that died in infancy unnamed; Will- 
 iam, a civil engineer, who died while surveying 
 for a railroad in Honduras, Central America; 
 Eliza, a resident of Bellefonte; Abram V., sub- 
 ject of this sketch; Isaac, who is living retired 
 near Bellefonte; Thomazine, a resident of Phila- 
 delphia; Jacob, who was killed in the battle of 
 South Mountain, September 14, 1862, and was 
 buried at home; Mary Ann, who is living with 
 her brother, Robert V. ; Clarissa, wife of Henry 
 Pennington, of Abilene, Kans. ; Jane, wife of 
 Alfred Russell, who is also a resident of Abilene, 
 and is serving as county clerk; and Robert V., 
 a contractor of Bellefonte. 
 
 Our subject was born April 24, 1838, in 
 Spring township, Centre county, and there se- 
 cured a good practical education. After leaving 
 the schoolroom he engaged in teaming until the 
 breaking out of the Civil war. On April 15, 
 1 861, spurred on by a spirit of patriotism, he be- 
 came the second to enlist in the Bellefonte Fen- 
 cibles, and took part in the first battle of the war, 
 that of Falling Waters, July 2, 1 86 1 . On the 
 26th of July he was honorably discharged and re- 
 turned home, where he recruited for the 45th P. 
 V. I., the Second Pennsylvania Cavalry and the 
 57th P. V. I. 
 
 In the winter of 1861 Mr. Miller again en- 
 listed, becoming a member of the First Pennsyl- 
 vania Cavalry, and participated in the battles of 
 Falmouth, Strasburg, Mt. Jackson, Cross Keys 
 and Fort Republic. While on picket duty in 
 1862 he had an ar.m and several ribs broken, 
 which caused his confinement in the hospital at 
 Washington, D. C. , for some time. Rejoining 
 his regiment, he took part in the engagements of 
 Fredericksburg and Gettysburg, and was dis- 
 charged December 28, 1863. On the 29th of 
 the following February, however, he again en- 
 listed, this time in the 184th P. V. I., and with 
 that command was in the battles of Bethesda 
 Church. Cold Harbor and Petersburg. In the 
 first attack on the Weldon Railroad he received 
 a shot in the shoulder, one in the leg, one in the 
 head, and a piece of shell took off a part of his 
 lower jaw, together with eleven teeth. For 
 twenty-four hours he lay on the battle field in 
 this condition, when he was finally found and 
 taken to City Point, Va., and thence to Camp- 
 bell Hospital, Washington, D. C. On May 12, 
 1864, he had been commissioned first lieutenant 
 of Company E, 184th P. V. I., and with that 
 rank was mustered out. His army record is one 
 
240 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1866, 
 
 in in- 
 
 1868, 
 
 are at 
 
 of which he may be justly proud, for he was ever 
 found at his post of duty and in the thickest of 
 
 the fight. . 
 
 On September 29, 1865, Lieut. Miller was 
 married to Miss Jane Potter, and of the four 
 children born of their union, the births of t 
 occurred in Iowa. John, born March 18. 
 and Robert, born July 23, 1867, both died 
 fancy; and Elizabeth, born October 13, 
 and George P., born October 1, 1871, 
 
 home. . , 
 Since 1874, Lieut. Miller has served as United 
 States gauger and store keeper for his collection 
 district, and in the fall of 1895 was the Repub- 
 lican candidate for prothonotary. Although the 
 county was Democratic, by 800, he was beaten 
 by only 69 votes. In 1 896 he was the candidate 
 for sheriff of Centre county on the Republican 
 ticket, and was beaten by only 16 votes with the 
 largest vote ever polled in the county. He is a 
 noble type of the citizen soldier, equally true to 
 his country on the battle field or in the peaceful 
 surroundings of his home, and his family may 
 well feel proud of his honorable and manly rec- 
 ord. . 
 
 JOHN M. DALE, of Bellefonte, is of the fifth 
 generation of the Dale family who have lived 
 in Centre county. 
 
 Christian Dale (1), his great-great-grandfa- 
 ther, came to this country, arriving at Philadel- 
 phia' in 1749. In 1772 he cleared and was living 
 on that part of a tract of land known as Col. 
 Slifer's farm, near the iron bridge in the vicinity 
 of Lewisburg, the land in 1772 being owned by 
 Ludwig Derr. Mr. Dale .resided in Buffalo Val- 
 ley, in which he was one of the first settlers dur- 
 ing" the stirring times of the Revolution. In 1790 
 he removed to the end of Nittany Mountain (now 
 College township. Centre county 1, where, in 1796, 
 he built a gristmill and a sawmill. He was one 
 of those sterling old Germans to whom Pennsyl- 
 vania owed so much, and whose walk in life was 
 measured by the rule— "Be just and fear not." 
 He died in July, 1805, aged seventy-two j 
 his wife, Rachel, passed away in December, 
 08, aged seventy-six years, and their remains 
 1 m the old Dale burying ground, on the hill 
 back of Lemont. These pioneers came to a vasl 
 w ild, rn poor, and di( d comparatively wealthy, 
 leaving to their children fine farms, and the in- 
 heritance of names made noble by a long life of 
 toil and hardships. Their children were Henry, 
 Philip, Felix, Frederick, Christian, Cornelius, 
 Mary (she marrfed Nicholas Straw, a soldiei ol the 
 Revolution), Eve (she married Pi ter ] 
 am l R a( rried Lewis Swinehart). Of 
 
 these, Christian and Frederick removed to Ohio. 
 Henry was bom in Northampton county, August 
 -9 1758; he was a soldier of Washington at 
 Trenton and Princeton in 1 776-1777, and sen 
 in military tours under Capt. Forster, of Buffalo 
 Valley. Felix Dale, son of Christian (1), w 
 horn February 2, 1767, and died March 12. 1833, 
 in the sixty-seventh year of his age; his wife, who 
 was < atherine Dorothy Pinogel, died April 15, 
 [844, aged seventy years, and both lie buried in 
 the Dale graveyard. By their side is a stone 
 bearing the inscription: 
 
 Maria Elizabeth Bindnogle, 
 
 died August 11. 1822, 
 
 aged 86 years. 
 
 She was Likely the mother of the wife 
 Felix Dale. The Pinogels were from neai 
 Harrisburg, Penn., where there was a settle- 
 ment bearing the family name. We find 
 the name Pinogel on record in Londonderry 
 township, Dauphin county, as early as 1780. 
 Felix Dale inherited from his father's estate the 
 mill property, and by occupation was a miller and 
 farmer. He had two sons, David and Felix. 
 David Dale was born in the vicinity of Dales 
 Mills in January. 1 798- He received such school- 
 ing as the neighborhood schools of his youth af- 
 forded, and became a miller by occupation, also 
 carrying on agricultural pursuits in connection 
 with the nulling business. He was a man 
 practical ideas and a genius in a mechanical line 
 building Ins own carding machine, which branch 
 of the woolen-mill business, together with a hemp- 
 mill he added to the grist and saw mill business 
 that had descended from his forefathers He 
 was a man of good judgment and business qual- 
 ifications, and made a success of life. 1 he 1 >ales 
 [or generations were Lutherans, and David was 
 not an exception to the rule. He married \A 
 garet a daughter of Maj. Frederick Hennign, 
 who resided below Aaronsburg. Centre county 
 Both lie buried in the cemetery at Boalsburg, 
 David dying (uly 13. '854. i" the fifty-seventh 
 year of his age, and his wife. Margaret, on Jan- 
 uary 11, [864, aged sixty-five years. Of the nin< 
 children, William, the eldest, was the father ol 
 the subject of this sketch. 
 
 William Dale was born at the home tarm. 
 where he grew to ma assisting in the worl 
 
 on the farm and about the mill. Subsequently 
 was employed in the woolen-null at Oak 
 II ,11, where he learned the business under Join 
 Irvin In [860 he was married, ;uid in cornier 
 tion with a Mr. McCarns, located at Neshao 
 k, Lawrence Co , tins State, where they 
 
 ,,1 years engaged in carrying on a vt 
 
 
9fJL^, &lAs 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 241 
 
 en-factory. Mr. Dale then returned to Dales' 
 Mills, and, in connection with his brothers, con- 
 verted the old flouring-mill at that point into a 
 woolen-mill, where he was engaged in business 
 for several years; then sold his interest and lo- 
 cated at Lemont, where his widow now resides, 
 and where his death occurred December 20! 
 1 87 1, when he was in his forty-seventh year.' 
 Like his father and forefathers, he was an indus- 
 trious, upright and honest man, and a highly re- 
 spected citizen. He was a Christian man, ad- 
 hering to the faith of his ancestors, that of the 
 Lutheran Church. In politics he was a Repub- 
 lican. His wife was Mary M. (daughter of John 
 and Sarah Thompson Mitchell), born in the 
 neighborhood where she now resides, and their 
 children were: John M., born November 10, 
 1861; and Edgar, who died in infancy. 
 
 The Mitchell and Thompson families were 
 of Scotch-Irish origin, and have resided in Cen- 
 tre county for nearly a century. John Mitchell 
 (I), the grandfather of Mrs. Dale, presumably 
 from Scotland 'or Ireland, lived for many years 
 in Mifflin county, and died there. His children 
 were: Susannah married Frank McCoy (grand- 
 father of the present Frank McCoy, of Belle- 
 fonte); Mary married William Thompson; Eliza- 
 beth married a Roderick; Samuel; David; Rob- 
 ert; William; James and John. The latter and 
 David, during the war of T812, located in Cen- 
 tre county, John on a farm in the vicinity of the 
 present village of Lemont, where he followed 
 agricultural pursuits frTroughout life, dying Jan- 
 uary 18, 1865, in the seventy-sixth year of his 
 age; and David, in Ferguson township. John 
 Mitchell married Sarah Thompson, and their 
 children were: Moses Thompson married Maria 
 Lock, of Mifflin county; John Hutchinson mar- 
 ried Nancy Johnson, of Boalsburg; Nancy Cul- 
 bertson died young; William also died young- 
 Misan Margaret, unmarried; and Mary M. (Mrs. 
 Dale), all of whom are now dead excepting the 
 last named. John Mitchell, after the death of 
 his wife (which occurred March 5, 1832) mar- , 
 ned 1 again, the second wife being Letitia Patton 
 ol his neighborhood, but formerly from Lancas- 
 tar county. The Mitchells were men of influ- 1 
 ence in the county, and the best of citizens. I 
 Uav.d married a daughter of John Barron a 
 woman of rare intelligence and much ability. ! 
 jonn b., one of her sons, was treasurer of Centre I 
 
 Shn I S r jtch - Irish P^entage, the elder 
 Mitchells Presbyterianism was inherited from a 
 °ng l>ne of ancestors. The father of Sarah 
 Thompson) Mitchell emigrated from the North 
 of Ireland about the year 1745, and Matthew 
 Louden, her maternal grandfather, was one of the 
 
 Scotch Covenanters who were driven from home 
 by persecution. The Thompsons were residents 
 of Mifflin county before coming to Centre county 
 early in the present century. 
 
 John M. Dale was born at Neshannock Falls, 
 Lawrence Co., Penn., on the nth of November, 
 1 86 1. His parents removed from there to the 
 old homestead in Centre county about three 
 years afterward, and continued to reside there. 
 He entered The Pennsylvania State College in 
 1878, and graduated with the class of 1882. The 
 same year he began the study of law and. in 
 1883, entered the law offices of Beaver & Gep- 
 hart at Bellefonte, and, under their direction, 
 read law and was admitted to the Bar of Centre 
 County on the 1st of January, 1886. Directly 
 after his admission to the Bar, he went to Lock 
 Haven, where he engaged in the practice of law 
 in connection with Capt. W. C. Kress, of that 
 place, now the State Law Reporter. 
 
 On April 12. 1886, Mr. Dale returned to Belle- 
 fonte and entered the office of his former precep- 
 tors, and, on the election of Gen. Beaver, in the 
 fall of 1886, to the gubernatorial chair, he be- 
 came a member of the firm, which was styled 
 Beaver, Gephart & Dale. This partnership con- 
 tinued until November 1, 1893, when Mr. Gep- 
 hart withdrew, in order to give his entire time to 
 the Valentine Iron Co., and the new Central 
 Railroad Co., of Pennsylvania, of which he was 
 chosen general superintendent. Gen. Beaver 
 having returned to Bellefonte upon the expira- 
 tion of his official term, and once more actively 
 engaged in the practice of law, a new firm was 
 formed under the name of Beaver & Dale. This 
 firm continued the practice of law until the first 
 of July, 1895, when, owing to the fact that Gen. 
 Beaver was appointed to the Bench of the Supe- 
 rior Court of Pennsylvania, it was dissolved, and 
 Mr. Dale has since been practicing law alone. 
 Mr. Dale has always been a Republican in pol- 
 itics, and has taken considerable interest in the 
 success of the Republican party. He was con- 
 nected with the County Committee in 1889 and 
 1890, and in 1891 was elected chairman of the 
 County Committee, in which capacity he served 
 for one year. 
 
 On the 1 8th of October, 1888, he married 
 Miss Florence G. Fox, a daughter of Thomas }. 
 E. Fox, of Leesburg, Virginia, and their chil- 
 dren are: Virginia Dale, who was born in 1891. 
 and John M. Dale, Jr., who was born in 1893. 
 
 ISRAEL WEAVER, one of the progressive and 
 J enterprising agriculturists of Haines township, 
 is a worthy representative of one of the honored 
 
242 
 
 aOMMBMORA TIVB BIOGBAPEICAL BBOOBD. 
 
 pioneer families of Centre county, his grand- 
 father, John Weaver, having located in that 
 town-hip at a very early day in its history, and 
 re reared a large family. He was a weaver 
 by trade, and also engaged in farming, owning a 
 valuable and well-improved farm at the time of 
 his death. 
 
 Frederick Weaver, the father of our subject, 
 is born in Haines township, in 1803, and being 
 the youngest of seven sons, according to the old 
 sa) ing, "should be a doctor. " Strange enough, 
 naturally possessed a talent for the medical 
 profession, and from youth was called "Doc- 
 tor." Although he never studied medicine, he 
 used to bleed many people when the custom was 
 in vogue, and manufactured and dealt in medi- 
 cine, selling throughout the township. He was 
 reared to farm labor, but when quite young 
 learned stocking weaving at New Berlin, Penn., 
 and later engaged in general weaving, manufact- 
 uring carpets, bed spreads, cloth, etc. 
 
 In Haines township Frederick Weaver was 
 married to Catharine Mark, who was born there 
 in 1798, a daughter of Rudolph and Margaret 
 Walterbarger) Mark, in whose family were eight 
 children —four sons and four daughters. Her 
 father was a farmer by occupation. To Mr. 
 and Mrs Weaver were born the following chil- 
 dren: William, a farmer of Gregg township, 
 Centre county, Mary, who became the wife of 
 Jesse Wert, and died in Aaronsburg, Centre 
 county; Israel, the subject of this sketch; Aaron 
 1). , a resident of Aaronsburg; and Frank J. The 
 mother of these children died in [876, and the 
 father afterward wedded Mrs. Elizabeth Krull 
 {nee Lutenbach), who is still living in Haines 
 township. 
 
 Frederick Weaver and wife began housekeep- 
 ing in Haines township, where he had erected a 
 small dwelling upon a couple of acres of land, 
 and there followed his trade of weaving until the 
 ing of 1834, when he removed to a farm he had 
 purchased one mile east of Aaronsburg, compris- 
 ing sixty acres. This he cultivated in connection 
 with weaving, and added to the original tract 
 until he had 128 acres of excellent land Al- 
 though his father's estate was quite large, it had 
 to be divided among so many children that each 
 eived only a small amount. According to the 
 provisions of the will, the next to the youngest 
 son received the farm, and was to pay each of 
 the fourteen children $200, at intervals of two 
 years each, beginning with the eldest, so that it 
 was thirty years before Frederick received In, 
 $200. He therefore had to start out in life with 
 no capital, and the success which he achieved 
 was due to his own unaided efforts. He died 
 
 upon hi- farm ueai Aaronsburg, in January, 18: 
 and was laid to rest in the cemetery of that 
 place. His political support was given the Dem- 
 ocratic party until the formation of the Repub- 
 lican party, when he joined its ranks. Religious- 
 ly, both he and the mother of our subject Wi 
 consistent members of the Lutheran Church, 
 and they were highly respected citizens of the 
 community. 
 
 li 1 Weaver was born in Haines township. 
 March 2S, 1K31, and in the subscription schools 
 acquired a limited edm ation, his first teacher be- 
 ing |ames Polly. As soon as old enough to 
 handle a plow he began to assist in the labors of 
 the farm, which he continued until seventeen 
 vea , , when he entered the shop of hi- 
 
 cousin, John Weaver, in Haines township, and 
 learned carpet and coverlet weaving. On attain- 
 ing his majority lie formed a partnership with his 
 father in that business, which he continued until 
 his marriage. 
 
 In August, 1853, Mr. Weaver married Miss 
 Luzetta, daughter of Solomon Confer, a farmer 
 by occupation, and they began their domestr 
 life in an old log house upon his present farm, a 
 tract of sixtv-nve acres, for which he went w 
 debt. Upon the place stood a sawmill which he 
 has since conducted in connection with the labors 
 of the farm, and ha- made many valuable and 
 useful improvements upon his land, including the 
 erection of a fine residence, which cost $3,000 
 Mr. and Mrs. Weaver have no children of 
 their own, but have given homes to several, u 
 eluding Lucetta, now the wife of B. F. Edmunds, 
 who was taken when a child and reared in their 
 home, as was also her mother, Agnes, and made 
 her home with them from three years of a 
 At the present time they have a boy, Wea 
 Edmunds, now eleven years of age. They have 
 not only given homes to the children, hut treated 
 them as if they were their own, providing them 
 with excellent advantages. Kind hearted and 
 generous almosl to a fault, no couple in Ha 
 township are held in higher regard or have more 
 friends. They are earnest, devoted Christians, 
 faithful members of the Lutheran Church, with 
 which he has been officially connected for years. 
 Like his father, Mr. Weaver was originally I 
 Democrat, hut now gives his unwavering support 
 to the men and measures of the Republican 
 party. 
 
 MATH AN ILL BEERLY, who for eighl 
 y, lts past has held the office of justice of 
 the peace in and for Hoggs township, Centre 
 counts, is a typical American, and has record as 
 

 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 243 
 
 a soldier and a successful business man, who as 
 a public-spirited citizen commands admiration 
 and esteem. He possesses rare talent for music 
 also, and this gift has been devoted to the public 
 service in the leadership of the Milesburg band, 
 which under his able direction won the first prize 
 in the famous tournament at Hecla Park, August 
 30, 1894, as the best band in central Pennsyl- 
 vania. 
 
 The biography of this gentleman is of unusual 
 interest. He was born September 28, 1843, in 
 Clinton county, and is a descendant of one of the 
 most prominent pioneer families. The name was 
 originally written Bierhley, later Bierly, and this 
 form is still adhered to by other branches of the 
 family; but our subject's father, Peter Beerly 
 chose to adopt the new spelling, which has been 
 continued by his children. The first ancestor 
 of whom there is authentic record, was Melchoir 
 Bierly our subject's great-great-grandfather, who 
 came from Bavaria, Prussia, in Colonial times 
 with his wife and two sons— Nicholas, who set- | 
 tied in Ohio and was never married, and Anthony 
 our subject's great-grandfather. Melchoir Bierly ' 
 located in what is now Snyder county, on the 
 banks of the Mohantango creek, but during the 
 great «« Runaway " caused by the Indian troubles 
 of 1778 he left that locality and went to Lancas- 
 ter county, where he remained. His wife brought 
 from the old country a beautifully ornamented 
 bottle, which is now a cherished relic in the 
 family of a great-grandson, Melchoir Bierly of 
 Kebersburg. ' 
 
 Anthony Bierly, our subject's great-grandfa- 
 ther, was a man of note in his day, possessing an 
 unusually keen intellect and forceful character 
 He was versed in the ancient science of Astrology' 
 and practiced it for a time at Guy. In 1791 
 probably m the spring, he came to Brush Valley 
 and settled with his family upon a tract of 300 
 acres which was leased from Col. Samuel Miles. 
 
 franH? 1 ^ Y T^ hl ' S SOn Nicho1 ^, our subject's 
 J"' fa d c °™ to the place in the fall 
 
 for rh. ♦ ^ a P ° rti0n ° f Jt and P' ant ^in 
 ZeljT !, U T er ' S harV6St About half an 
 who Ia I" 6 u 3 ' b , 6en Cleared ^ Mr - Strawbridge, 
 
 Bierlv fir 1 ° bU,U u a hut there * and when Mr 
 in ThJ firSt "T e ' there were a ^ huts standing 
 m the woods through other parts of the Valle/ 
 
 between tV T SitUated ab ° Ut half ' wa y 
 
 thon ^ Bierly Pr Th nt "^ ° f ^ S and A °" 
 apple tZl' J v . G are Up ° n the P lace sever al 
 home anH ^ *** br ° Ught fr0m the °W 
 
 halTtr ^ n ° W t measure * thirteen and one- 
 naif feet , n circumference. During the Revolu- 
 
 Moha r n y fa War Anth ° ny Bier) y whil/living on the 
 Mohantango served in the militia, but it is not 
 
 known what engagements he took part in. On 
 one or two occasions, he with other parties fol- 
 lowed Indians who had murdered white families 
 When he brought his family to Centre county he 
 came through Brush Valley Narrows, over the 
 road which Col. Samuel Miles had opened but a 
 short time before, and it is said that Mr. Bierly 
 was the first man, who traveled over it in a ve- 
 hicle. He took an active part in the develop- 
 ment and improvement of his locality, and was 
 especially interested in the village of Rebersburg 
 which was established upon his tract of land He 
 died in 1825 at the age of eighty-two, and he and 
 his wife, whose maiden name was Warner, were 
 both buried in the Lutheran Reformed Cemetery 
 at Rebersburg. Neither has a tombstone with 
 an inscription. Their children, none of whom 
 are now living, were: Nicholas, our subject's 
 grandfather; John; Anthony, Jr.: Margaret, who 
 married John Philips; Mary, wife of Michael 
 Kehl; Sarah, who married (first) Henry Gren- 
 mger, and (second) George Lesh; Anna, wife of 
 Philip Glantz; Barbara, wife of Frederick Wom- 
 eldorf; Rosina, who married Christian Gramley 
 Elizabeth, wife of Peter Berry; Eva, wife of 
 Michael Ketner, and Catherine, who never mar- 
 ried. 
 
 Anthony Bierly, Jr. , made his home upon a 
 portion of the original tract, and died there July 
 l8 . l8 57. aged sixty-nine years, ten months and 
 ten days. He married Maria Kratzer, and had 
 the following children: Melchoir; John; William- 
 Susan, who married Joseph Miller; Rachel, wife 
 of Rev. George Young, a minister of the Evan- 
 gelical Church, who died many years ago; George- 
 Samuel; and Joseph. 
 
 John Bierly, second son of Anthony Bierly 
 Sr. was born February 8, 1779, in Northumberl 
 land county, Penn., and was about twelve years 
 of age when he came to Brush Valley. His 
 mother used to tell him how she secreted him in 
 a sugar trough in the wood when he was a few 
 months old, while the rest of the family fled on 
 account of an attack upon the settlement by the 
 Indians. The savages did not discover him, and 
 he was found uninjured on the return of the fam- 
 ily when the danger had passed. He married 
 Miss Catherine Berry, of Lancaster, and lived 
 near Rebersburg for forty-five years, but later re- 
 moved to Sugar Valley, where he died in 1870 at 
 the age of ninety-one. Most of his children set- 
 tled in Sugar Valley. Hon. Willis R. Bierly, his 
 grandson and a son of Peter S. Bierly, was a 
 member of the State Legislature from Lycoming 
 county. 
 
 Nicholas Bierly, the grandfather of our sub- 
 ject, located upon the original tract, and passed his 
 
I'll 
 
 inuui VORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL UECORD. 
 
 life there, dying Jul) ;S, at the agi 
 
 enty-tln His wife Lucy was a daughter of 
 
 [ohi Buchtel, who came to t entre county about 
 the same time as th< Bierlys She died March 
 [851, ag I • • 1 1 1 \ -three years, and both 
 
 were laid to rest in the Lutheran Reformed cem- 
 eter) at Rebersburg. They had ten children. 
 whose names with dates <>f birth are as follows: 
 Nicholas, February 12, 1 799, died in Sugai Val- 
 ley, aged seventy-eight; Hannah, M 1 Soo, 
 married Henry Meyer; Michael, Novembei -i, 
 1801 ; John, September 25, 1 81 , Dei ember 
 6, 1805, moved to Ohio; Anthony, August 26, 1 807; 
 Reuben, March s, 1809, moved to Missouri; Pe- 
 ter, April 1 ^, 1814, is mentioned more fully be- 
 low ■; Simeon, March 25, 1817; George, Julv 17, 
 I S lo. Settled 111 < >hlo. 
 
 Petei Beerly, our subject's father, was a 
 wagonmaker in Clinton county until [847, when 
 he moved to Boggs township, (entre county, 
 and continui d ili.it business throughout his 
 remaining years, He was a man of influence, 
 and in his last \ 1 ai s was ,1 Republican m politics. 
 His death occurred December 7, [868. His 
 wife, Sarah Karstetter daughter of Rudolph and 
 Margaret Karstetter, was born |une 2(1. 1814, 
 and died March 30, 1887. The} were married 
 February 19, [837, and had eight children, whose 
 names with dates ol birth are here given: Rob- 
 ert, December 2, 1837, is a wheelwright and 
 manufacturer at Central City, and a leading citi- 
 zen, of whom a biography appears elsewhere; 
 Rebecca, April 2, [839, widow of David Wat- 
 son, resides m Boggs township, i entre county; 
 Messulan, September 14. 1841, enlisted in the 
 army during the Civil war. ami died a soldi 
 death Febru r\ 8, 1 863 ; Nathaniel, September 
 28, 1843, is the subject proper of this sketch; 
 Tartulious, June 20, 1846; Agnes, September J4, 
 1849, married Byron Teller, a pumpmaker in 
 1 h.<^'s town-hip, Centre county; Newton, Sep- 
 tember Jo. 1852, died March 4. 1853; and I 
 uel, May 30, 1858, who is also a musician. 
 
 Squire Beerlj began Ins business career in his 
 father's hop, but at the age of nineteen 
 
 he enlisted in Company B, 1 t8th 1' V. [., under 
 Col James 1' Weaver. He spent three years 
 m tin- service, and was detailed as membei of a 
 biass band. He fortunately escaped all wounds, 
 although he took part in man) hotly contested 
 battles, including those of the Wilderness, 
 
 ttsylvania, Gettysburg and Petersburg. Not 
 until peace was 1 | did he return home. He 
 
 woiked with his father for three years, and al 
 the death ol the latter continued the business in 
 partnership with Robert Beerly, the brother 
 menl until 1891. They were also 
 
 iged foi .>ome time in cider making In , 
 Squire Beerly became interested in mercantile 
 business at Central City with Louis F. Wetzler, 
 his present partner, and has since conducted it 
 successfully. 
 
 On June 1. 1874, Squire Beerly was united in 
 marriage with Miss Ellen Heaton, but no chil- 
 dren blessed their union. Mrs. Beerly was born 
 February ij, 1853, a daughter ol Andrew and 
 Liddie (Poorman) Heaton. Politically the Squire 
 is a Republican, with a decided leaning tow 
 free silver; and in religion he favors the doctrines 
 of the Presbyterian Chun h Si icially he belongs 
 to the Grange, the (1 A R. and the Veteran 
 League, and at times held various township 
 
 offices, having been a justice of the peace sil 
 
 [879 
 
 As director ol the Milesburg band Mr. Beerl) 
 has achieved a success in which every one in the 
 community feels personal pride. On the 00 
 sion of the band tournament referred to ahc 
 the citizens of Milesburg sought to giv< expi 
 sion to the popular feeling by giving an ovation 
 to the hero of the hour, Squire Beerl). The 
 borough council took appropriate action, and an 
 elegant banquet was prepared by the ladies of tin 
 town at Bogg's Hall. The affair was a surprise 
 to the Squire, who, on his arrival at Central Cit) 
 from Bellefonte, was met by the constable and 
 given to understand that he was wanted in Miles 
 burg to answer to a serious charge. Much be- 
 wildered, but willing as a loyal citizen to submit 
 to the authority of the law, he entered one ol 
 the carriages in waiting and soon found himself 
 the chief figure in a triumphal procession hea'' 
 b) the Milesburg band, the chief burgess and t h<- 
 members of the borough council. On arriving 
 at the banquet hall in Milesburg the assembl 
 was called to order by the clerk of the council. 
 and various speeches were made during the even 
 ing, the Squire being presented with a beautiful 
 gold-mounted ebony baton, which he modestly 
 received with a few well-chosen words. 
 
 DiR I k WHITE was born Novembei 
 1866, m Mechanicstown, Frederick county, 
 Md., and is a descendant of a well-known fan 
 of that state His grandfather, [ohn White, v 
 was of Irish stock, owned and cultivated a I 
 estate in Carroll county, Md. The Doctor's 
 ther. William White. M. IX. was born in tbat 
 Mate in 1824, at Taneytown, and, alter gra 
 ing from the 1 lepartment of the Univer- 
 
 sity of Mar) land. I01 ated at M 
 where he followed his profession with signal suc- 
 cess until his death in 1S85. He served foi 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 245 
 
 time as a member of the Legislature of the State. 
 His wife, Emily J. Cover, who was a German by 
 descent, was born in Ladiesburg. Md., in 1835, 
 and died in 1880. They had seven children: 
 John and Thomas died in childhood; William P. 
 resides in Baltimore, Md.; Minnie E. at Thur- 
 mont (formerly Mechanicstown); F. K. , our sub- 
 ject, was the fifth in order of birth; May E. re- 
 sides in Philipsburg; Howard, a graduate in den- 
 tistry, is practicing his profession at Cuero, 
 Texas. 
 
 Until the age of fourteen Dr. White remained 
 at home, then attended Pennsylvania College, 
 Gettysburg. He prepared for his profession at 
 the Baltimore Dental College, graduating March 
 5, 1885, and since 1887 he has been established 
 at Philipsburg. 
 
 MOBERT JONES HEPBURN, whose indus- 
 try and prudent management in business 
 affairs, and many excellent qualities as a citizen, 
 long ago gained for him the esteem of the people 
 of Bellefonte, Centre county, is a native of Ly- 
 coming county, Penn., born September 7, 1822. 
 He is of pioneer stock, his grandfather, John 
 Hepburn, an Irishman by birth, having settled 
 in Lycoming county when that region was as yet 
 but sparsely populated. Samuel Hepburn, the 
 father of our subject, was born there, and spent 
 a long life as a farmer near Jersey Shore, where 
 he was numbered among the leading adherents 
 of the M. E. Church, and took an active inter- 
 est in politics as a Democrat. He lived to the 
 age of ninety-one years, three months and one 
 day, and his wife, Mary Crawford, who was born 
 in Pennsylvania of Scotch-Irish parentage, also 
 attained a good old age, passing away in her 
 eighty-seventh year. Nine children of this es- 
 timable couple lived to maturity, viz.: (i)Will- 
 iam, who after two years of gallant service in 
 the Union army died a soldier's death at Suffolk, 
 Va. ; (2) R. J., our subject; (3) Margaret (de- 
 ceased), formerly the wife of Ira Martin, of New 
 York State; (4) Mary (Mrs. John Gheent), of Jer- 
 sey Shore; (5) Martha (deceased), who married 
 Warren Clark, of Limestone Valley; (6) Nancy, 
 now the second wife of Warren Clark; (7) Jane, 
 who married Robert Davidson, of Jersey Shore; 
 (8) Charles, who resides at Lovel Corners, near 
 Jersey Shore; and (9) John, a resident of Linden, 
 Lycoming county. 
 
 As a farmer's son, Mr. Hepburn had an op- 
 portunity to acquire industrious habits in youth. 
 At eighteen he began to learn the carpenter's 
 trade, and after working at it several years he 
 moved from Lycoming county to Centre county, 
 
 1848, died in infancy. 
 1 85 1, is a carpenter 
 married February 4, 
 they have no children. 
 
 locating at Bellefonte, where since 1844 he has 
 been employed by the Valentine Iron Co., in the 
 fashioning of the wood work required in then- 
 business. He is an expert in this line, and for 
 years has done the work of three men. On De- 
 cember 3, 1846, he was united in marriage with 
 Miss Mary E. Wonsley, who was born March 28, 
 1828, in Monongalia county, W. Va. (then part of 
 the Old Dominion), and came to Bellefonte with 
 her foster parents when she was about eighteen 
 years old. After nearly half a century of wedded 
 life she passed away January 26, 1895. 
 
 Ten children blessed this union. The first 
 two, the younger of whom was born May 4, 
 
 (3) J- W., born July 20, 
 near Bellefonte; he was 
 
 1875, to Miss Betty Fall; 
 
 (4) Thompson, born Sep- 
 tember 29, 1855, was married in September, 
 1877, to Miss Mary E. Walker; he died May 10, 
 1886, leaving one daughter, Maude. (5) IraM., 
 born May 15, 1858, died August 21, i860. (6) 
 Charles E., born May 4, 1861, died October 17, 
 [864. (7) Alpheus, born April 12, 1864, a car- 
 penter by trade, married Miss Jennie Gushing, a 
 native of Ohio, born July 4, 1863. (8) Sanford 
 S., born March 12, 1867, died February 24, 
 1872. (9) Carmina, born June 2, 1870, married 
 Robert Fry, a painter. (10) Samuel E., born 
 November 23, 1872, married Miss Emma J. 
 Bridge, who was born near Bellefonte in January, 
 1867, and they have two children — Mary E. and 
 Pearl C. ; he was formerly in the grocery business 
 but is now a carpenter. 
 
 Mr. Hepburn has been for many years a mem- 
 ber of the M. E. Church, and all his children have 
 followed this worthy example. In his political 
 views he is a Democrat. 
 
 SAMUEL BURRELL. When one reaches 
 „) the age of three-score and ten there can be 
 no more keener satisfaction than that given by a 
 review of a life of usefulness, spent in contented 
 labor in one's appointed sphere, and marked by 
 the approval of one's own conscience and the re- 
 spect and affection of those with whom one's lot 
 has been cast. To an agricultural worker living 
 "close to Nature's heart," such a retrospect 
 must show long years of peaceful routine toil, 
 and assuredly this is the case with the subject of 
 this sketch, who in a hale and hearty old age is 
 now living in retirement at Penn Hall, Centre 
 county. 
 
 Mr. Burrell is a native of George's Valley, 
 Centre county, born March 22, 1827. His fa- 
 ther, John Burrell, a native of Shamokin. Penn., 
 
246 
 
 COM VEMORA T1VE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 born April 20, 1798. was married in early man- 
 hood at Sunbury, Penn., to Miss Rachel McKin- 
 ney, daughter <>f Abraham McKinney. They 
 came to George's Valley soon after this event, 
 accompanied by Samuel Burrell, an uncle of our 
 subject. For some time both brothers followed 
 the mason's trade, which they had previously 
 learned, and, in company with George [Igen, 
 they purchased a tract of timbered land on I 
 Hill, where John Burrell cleared a farm and 
 built a home for himself. Samuel finally settled 
 in Nittany Valley, and, giving up his trade, fol- 
 lowed farming exclusively until his death. 
 
 John Burrell continued his trade for many 
 is, the work ot his farm being left to others 
 while he was thus employed. He often had a 
 large fori e oi men at work foi him, and he was 
 himself a most industrious man. Although not 
 remarkably tall, he was known as "Big John 
 Burrell, " because of his great muscular power, 
 his feats of lifting at " raisings " being extraor- 
 dinary. Despite his hard work he never accumu- 
 lated much, but at the time of his death he had 
 a comfortable home and 175 acres of land, prac- 
 tically clear of indebtedness. For some years 
 previous to his death he had devoted his atten- 
 tion to [arming. He was much given to driving 
 a fractious team, and was considered an excellent 
 horseman; but on December 19, 1S50, while re- 
 turning from a trip to Bellefonte with a load of 
 mill feed, he stopped at Spring Mills and loos- 
 ened his horses, intending to lead them to tin 
 mill, hut a sin. it away. They took 
 
 fright at something, and made a spring which 
 broke the bridle bit, so that he was thrown under 
 their hoofs and so injured that he died the fol- 
 lowing day at 10 A. M. His remains were in- 
 terred in the cemetery in George's Vallej He 
 was a man of prominence in the locality, and a 
 leading member of the Lutheran Church, hold- 
 ing various offices ami contributing liberalh 
 the work of the society Politically he was a 
 Wing, but his abolition principles led him to en- 
 ter the Republican party on its organization, and 
 at tin- election just prior to his death he voted 
 for Fremont 
 
 1 lur subject was tin child of John and 
 
 Rachel Burrell. Of the other children by this 
 marriage: (2) John went to Illinois, and during 
 the Civil war enlisted from that State, and was 
 wounded. He returned home, but later rejoined 
 the army, and in May. 1864, In- mel a soldier's 
 death. (3) Mary A. married Jacob Breon, of 
 Altoona, Penn. (4) A. Gregg is a farmer in 
 Gregg township, Centre county (5) David, who 
 served in the Civil war in the [48th P. V I , is 
 a mason at Centre Hall. (6) Rebecca (Mrs. 
 
 Janus Yeakley) resides at Cleveland. Ohio. \j^ 
 William H. H. enlisted in the uSth P. V. I.. 
 ami was killed at Gettysburg. The mother of 
 this family died in 1844, and was buried in Heck- 
 man Cemetery, and for hissecond wife thefather 
 married Mrs. Polly (Gill Dunkle, widow of Jacob 
 Dunkle. she died 111 [889. The children of 
 this union were: Thomas, who died in infai 
 and Bii/.a, now Mrs. Benjamin Smith, of Belle- 
 fonte. 
 
 The free-school system had not been inaugu- 
 rated when the subject of this sketch was a I 
 and he attended only the subscription schools of 
 the day, a Mr. Kannedy being his first teacher 
 As the eldest son In- was obliged to assist in tl)> 
 farm work from an early age, and owing to his 
 father's frequent absences, while working at his 
 trade, much responsibility devolved upon him 
 In those days farm labor was not lightened by 
 machinery, and then- was plenty to do the year 
 round. Before Mr. Burrell attained his majority 
 he learned the mason's trade, working first under 
 his la t In r's direction, and completing his appren- 
 ticeship with "Big John Kmern k When he 
 came of age he began working at his trade on his 
 own account. In November, [848, he was mar- 
 ried in George's Valley to Miss Lydia Hetting 
 who was born in Haines township, Centre county, 
 in August, 1829, a daughter of Isaac and Max) 
 (Bartges) Hettinger. For the first year after lis 
 marriage Mr. Burrell lived at the home of hi 
 ther-in-law, farming, and working at his tradi 
 He then rented a farm in Haines township, and 
 at the end of seven years had saved $230, and 
 
 [uired also a lot of farming implements, mostly 
 of a cheap grade, purchased second hand at - 
 in the neighborhood, and Stocked the farm U 
 this tiint In bought the farm which he had hecii 
 renting, and having but a small proportion oi 
 pun hast price, he went m debt to secure the 
 place Industry, thrift, and shrewd management 
 
 bled him to pay the obligation, and in 
 
 spring oi [881 he 1 ght another farm, th 
 
 David Musser farm", in Gregg township 
 
 tnty, contracting a debt of $7,0011. which 
 
 1 paid oft in due time. He has retained both 
 estates, and is now pos d oi a tine compe- 
 
 tence. In the spring of [891 he removed to Peno 
 Hall, where he owns a comfortable home; b 
 although hi is supposed to have retired from act ive 
 business, he may be found almost an) da) work- 
 ing as busil) as it his livelihood depended Upon 
 
 efforts, his industrious habits not losing thnr 
 force with advancing years. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs Burrell have had >i\ children: 
 John, who died at twenty-two years of 
 
 ly M., now Mrs. David Gentzel, of Califon 
 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 247 
 
 Harriet, now Mrs. Samuel Ulrich, of Millheim; 
 Mary, now Mrs. John Wagner, of Haines town- 
 ship; Ida, at home; and Speer.a farmer of Gregg 
 township. Mr. Burrell was a Democrat until 
 recent years, but he now votes the Prohibition 
 ticket from principle. He has always been active 
 in local affairs, and has served as supervisor of both 
 Gregg and Haines townships. He served three 
 times as judge of election in Haines township, and 
 was also overseer of the poor there. He and his 
 wife are both devout members of the Lutheran 
 Church, in which he is at present an elder. 
 Years ago he began to give $30 a year to foreign 
 missionary work, and added $5.00 each year un- 
 til the donation became $105, when he dropped 
 back to $100, and this amount he has given an- 
 nually for several years. In addition to this, he 
 has always given liberally to other branches of 
 Church work. His time has been bestowed 
 freely in the same good cause, and for twenty 
 years he was either superintendent or assistant 
 superintendent of the Sabbath-school at Pine 
 Creek School House, in Haines township, Centre 
 county. 
 
 The following is a copy of the original pass, 
 from Germany to America, given to Antonius 
 Bourrell, ancestor of our subject: 
 
 We, the graciously appointed magistrate of His Serene 
 Highness, the Duke of Wittenburg, in the princely borough 
 and ducal village of Dornsletter, hereby announce and 
 affirm to all whom it may concern to read this that — Where- 
 as Antonius Bourrell, burger and tailor of said borough, 
 and legitimate son of Paul Bourrell, late burger of Perrose, 
 duly declared to us that he was determined, with the help of 
 God and in the hope of a fairer fortune, to emigrate to the 
 territories of America, there to settle in domestic life, and — 
 Whereas he confirmed testimony as to his legitimacy with 
 freedom and conduct and in due form requires us to give him 
 the necessary certificate therefor; and — Whereas we deem 
 his desire to be fully justified and in account with the most 
 recent laws of the Kingdom — Therefore, for the sake of 
 truth and for the love of it by means of this open and pub- 
 lic letter, and in virtue of our present office we declare of the 
 aforesaid Antonius Bourrell from evidence placed before us, 
 from the Church and Baptismal register that he was begot- 
 ton in lawful wedlock of the aforementioned Paul Bourrell 
 and of his lawful wife, Anna Felicetas, as true and natural 
 parents, that he was born into the world on the 5th of May, 
 
 ; in the year 1716, and was brought to holy baptism here. 
 Thus, that no reproach can be brought against his family, 
 and its posterity, but rather that a true and honorable birth 
 is Ins, and that he was never held in servitude by any man. 
 
 j Furthermore as far as we know he has conducted himself in 
 daily life and deed in such wise that we can testify all things 
 kind, honorable and good of him. To all magistrates, high 
 and low, our humble and dutiful request is that they will be 
 
 I, pleased to receive Antonius Bourrell kindly and graciously 
 
 I together with his 25-year-old wife, Anna Maria Barbara Hin- 
 demachin, and their three children, Johannes, aged ten; 
 Christina seven, and Elizabeth seven years, professors of the 
 Lutheran faith, and in servitude to no man. In consequence 
 of these presents we desire that they (the family) be indeed 
 permitted to enjoy prosperity. Such service we will re- 
 quite gladly, and as in duty bound in all cases of a similar, 
 or of any other nature, and further testimony whereof we 
 have begged and interested the worthiest, the most learned 
 and venerable of His Serene Highness' bailiffs, Mr. Ludwig 
 Achatius Wohren, openly to affix hereunto his seal of office. 
 
 Given in Dornstetter, the 12th of May, 1752. Ducal Wurt- 
 emburgish, bailiff and officers in Dornstetter. 
 
 [Signed] Ludwig Achatius Wohren. 
 
 WILLIAM KREAMER is one of the most 
 prominent and substantial citizens of the 
 pleasant little town of Millheim, Centre county, 
 and his history shows that he possesses the char- 
 acteristic qualities of the typical business man. 
 He is a native of Centre county, and was born 
 June 5, 1839, in Miles township, where his fa- 
 ther, John Kreamer, was a prominent farmer. 
 
 John Kreamer was born in Berks county, 
 Penn., and when he was a boy of twelve sum- 
 mers accompanied his parents to a new home 
 upon a farm near Rebersburg. He grew to man- 
 hood there, and married Miss Sally Weaver, by 
 whom he had six children: Jonathan, a resident 
 of Jefferson county, Kans. ; Reuben, of Rebers- 
 burg; Mary, who died unmarried in Miles town- 
 ship, Centre county; William, our subject; Jes- 
 tie Ann (deceased), who did not marry; and Jerad, 
 a resident of Potter township. Centre county. 
 The father was an industrious man and prospered 
 in his affairs. He was influential in local and 
 religious movements as a member of the Lutheran 
 Church, and was active in politics as well, bein<; 
 elected to various township offices on the Demo- 
 cratic ticket. He attained the good old age of 
 eighty-six years, and his wife, who was a devout 
 member of the German Reformed Church, passed 
 away at eighty-eight years of age, the remains 
 of both being interred in the cemetery at Rebers- 
 burg. 
 
 William Kreamer's early opportunities for 
 schooling were none of the best, being limited 
 to the country schools of the time and locality, 
 and this is probably one cause of his earnest ad- 
 vocacy of improved methods for the training and 
 instruction of the youth of to-day. His inter- 
 est has been shown by his many years of service 
 as a member of the school board of Miles town- 
 ship, Centre county, and for six consecutive 
 years he was the secretary of that body. 
 
 Mr. Kreamer grew to manhood on the farm 
 where he was born, and at the age of twenty-five 
 he was married in Rebersburg to Miss Annie M. 
 Ruhl, who was born in the same township, July 
 14, 1839, a daughter of John Ruhl. Mr. Kreamer 
 took his bride to the old homestead, where they 
 resided until the spring of 1895, when they re- 
 moved to their present home in South Penn 
 street, Millheim. 
 
 He has not only been a most successful farmer, 
 but has been largely interested in buying and 
 selling stock, having paid out thousands of dol- 
 lars to stock raisers in his county and those ad- 
 
248 
 
 ' OMMEMORATIVB BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 At present he is retired from active 
 business with the exception of the 'arc of certain 
 and loans Mi- home in Millheim 
 is both comfortable and tasteful, making a pli 
 anl spot in which to spend the leisure which his 
 prosperitj gives He and Ins wife are prominent 
 members ol the Lutheran Church, and have be- 
 
 ie identified with its varied helpful activil 
 They have one daughter, Ida V., now the wife of 
 W II Klepper, a teacher in the Grammar 
 School at Lock Haven, Penn.; thej have had 
 lour children: Lee R. . Paul K.. Fairy G. 
 
 ed in l 892 and Anna M 
 
 Politically, Mr (Creamer is a Democrat, but, 
 while he is a stanch and inHuential supporter of 
 his party, he lias never been a politician in the 
 ordinary sense of the term. The different town- 
 ship offices which he has held from time to time 
 have been tilled most creditably, the same shrewd 
 judgment and energetic management which have 
 won him his success in the business arena having 
 been devoted to the discharge of his official du- 
 ties 
 
 THLO S ( HRIST, M 1).. oi State College, 
 ( cntre county, is a physician of wide repu- 
 tation and large experience. His skill as a sur- 
 geon has won for him the appreciative recogni- 
 tion of the profession at large a supreme test of 
 merit — and his contributions to medical litera- 
 ture, and the reports ol notable cases in his prac- 
 tice, mark a degree of success seldom attained. 
 
 f)r Christ is a Pennsylvanian by birth, and 
 belongs to a well-known pioneer family, hisgreat- 
 grandfather Christ having come from Germany 
 111 earlj manhood with two brothers Jacob 
 Christ, our subject^ grandfather, was bom in 
 Pennsylvania, and became prominent in the trans- 
 portation business long before the days of rail- 
 roads, He hauled goods on contract from Phila- 
 delphia to Pittsburg, making use of a large 
 wagon drawn by six black horses. He had 
 three children: Levi B . mentioned below; 
 Eliza, who married William Dellaven. of Miners- 
 ville, Schuylkill county, Penn. ; and Jacob, who 
 met a soldier's death at Gettysburg. 
 
 Levi B". Christ, our subject's father, was born 
 11 Philadelphia, fuly 4, 1804, and when a boy 
 was taken by his parents to Lewisburg, Union 
 county, where he made his home throughout the 
 later years. He became a successful merchant 
 and foundryman, and was highly esteemed as a 
 citizen. His wife, Hestei (Sterner), was a na- 
 tive of Berks county, Penn., born in 1797. and 
 came to Union county in childhood with her par- 
 ents. She died in August, 1863, and the father's 
 
 death occurred in 1876. Of their six children 1 
 did not live to adult age. The others are: in 
 Theo S , subject of this sketch; (2) Edward 
 B., a merchant at Murphy. Cal.; (3) M 
 Pi cilia ii' I Daniel S. Kremer, ol Philadel- 
 phia, and 141 Emily, who married [ohn I 
 wait, ol Freeport, 111. She is an aunt of Mr- 
 William Mckinley, wife of tin President of the 
 United States. 
 
 hi 1 hrist was reared in the city of Lt 
 burg, where he was born April 21, 1S30. Heat 
 tended the academy there in boyhood, and a 
 made himself useful in his father's store. Hav- 
 ing decided upon the medical profession as a lift- 
 calling, he began his preparation under a precep- 
 tor at Lewisburg, Penn.; and later took a course 
 in the Medical Department of the University of 
 Pennsylvania, graduating in March, i860. Es- 
 tablishing an office at Lewisburg, he commenced 
 his practice with flattering prospects; but at the 
 first call to arms in 1861 he responded, enlisting 
 April iS, and was made assistant surgeon of the 
 4th Regiment P. V. I. He assisted to raise thi 
 company, and was to have been its captain, but 
 being advised to go in his professional capacin, 
 he in preference accepted a commission as assist 
 ant surgeon. On April 21, 1861, he saw acti\< 
 service, his regiment going first to Harrisb 
 then to Philadelphia, where they marched 
 through the streets in silence at night. From 
 there they went to Perry ville, where they guarded 
 the ferry some ten days; thence proceeded 
 Annapolis, Md., helping there to build a railroad, 
 later moving to Washington, 1). C. After tin 
 death of Col. Elsworth, the regiment went int" 
 Virginia, and was stationed at Alexandria, the: 
 marching to Hull Run. At the end of their 
 three-months' term of service they were muster. I 
 out at Alexandria. 
 
 Dr. Christ remained at home for two months 
 after his return, but on receiving notice of an - 
 amination at Harrisburg for army physicians, he 
 entered it and secured one of the thirteen p> 
 t ions offered, there being 20K applicants 
 October u, 1S61. he was made assistant surgeon 
 ol the 45th P. V. Vol. .which regiment went 1 
 to Baltimore, Md., where it embarked for Hil' 
 Head Island, S. C . arriving Decembers, 1- 
 Here it wis divided, part moving awa\ to (' 
 Island, while the part to which Dr. Christ v 
 attached remain. .1 on the Island under CO 
 inand of Lieut.-Col. (afterward Gen.) Jan 
 \ Beavei Though the Doctor was only 
 assistant surgeon, yet he tilled the position of 
 medical director on the Island, and had his hands 
 full, as smallpox had broken out severe!) 
 both nun of the regiment and the negroes living 
 
2 r Y>uu^_J^v^^^ iwjfe, 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 249 
 
 on the Island. In one day he vaccinated as 
 many as 97 colored people. In July, 1862, the 
 regiment returned to Fort Monroe, where it en- 
 camped. On August 4, 1862, it was assigned to 
 the First Brigade, First Division, Ninth Army 
 Corps, and it was afterward attached to the 
 First Brigade, Second Division, of the same corps. 
 
 On August 4, 1862, Dr. Christ was promoted 
 to the rank of surgeon, and in the fall of the 
 same year he was made brigade surgeon. On 
 September 6, the regiment moved by water to 
 Washington, D. C. ; on the 9th proceeded to 
 Brookville, Md. ; thence to Frederick City on the 
 1 2th, and to Middletown on the 13th. On the 
 14th it fought the battle of South Mountain, 
 and had 129 men killed and wounded; then 
 Antietam, where it lost 30 killed and wounded. 
 On October 19th, they pitched thei| tents op- 
 posite Fredericksburg, Va. , and were engaged in 
 the fight there December 13, 14 and 15. On Feb- 
 ruary 12, 1863, they were ordered to Newport 
 News, and remained there until the 22d of May. 
 The regiment was then sent to Baltimore, Md., 
 then by rail to Kentucky, June 4th. When an 
 order came to Gen. Burnside, to re-inforce Gen. 
 Grant, at Vicksburg, Miss., it moved at once by 
 rail, via Lebanon, Louisville and Cairo (111.), 
 and then by boat to near Vicksburg, 19th. On 
 July 4th, Vicksburg was captured by Gen. Grant. 
 In the afternoon of same day, the regiment went 
 in pursuit of Gen. Joe Johnston's forces, whom 
 it chased to Jackson, Miss., on the 10th, form- 
 ing line of battle, fighting began, frequent as- 
 saults being made daily. On the 17th the enemy 
 retreated across Pearl river, destroying part of 
 their bridge. The regiment then destroyed about 
 fifteen miles of M. C. railroad, and returned to 
 Jackson, on the 20th. Next morning it started 
 back to its old camp near Vicksburg, arriving 
 there on the 23d, having suffered much from the 
 heat and want of water. On August 4th, it 
 embarked on steamer for Cairo, 111. ; from Cairo 
 it proceeded to Cincinnati; thence to Covington, 
 Ky., thence to Crab Orchard Springs, where it 
 was recruited, and was fitted for hard and active 
 service. It then started for Knoxville (East 
 lenn.), via Cumberland Gap; here it surprised 
 the Rebel Gen. Frazer, and captured him and 
 his active command — some 2,500 officers and 
 men — guns and supplies. The men of the Doc- 
 tor's regiment all enjoyed their marching out 
 of quarters much more than they (the Rebels) 
 did. The regiment arrived at Blue Springs 
 (Tenn.), October 8th, had a battle there, and 
 drove the enemy away so hurriedly that they 
 left their dead and wounded on the field. 
 
 On the 13th the regiment moved by rail to 
 
 Knoxville (Tenn.j, where it remained for two 
 weeks, then moved twenty-five miles southwest 
 of Knoxville, to near Loudon. On the 16th, it 
 fell back to Knoxville, to protect that place from 
 the enemy, and there remained until January 1, 
 1864, when 426 men of the 45th Regiment Penn- 
 sylvania Volunteers re-enlisted " for three years 
 or during the war," thus securing to themselves a 
 veteran furlough. Being mid-winter, with scanty 
 provisions upon which to subsist, it became a 
 question with the officers in command whether to 
 remain and longer wait for rations, or take up the 
 line of march and forage on the way. The lat- 
 ter alternative was chosen. An example of heroic 
 endurance and patriotic devotion to the flag 
 worthy of imitation was manifested in the conduct 
 of the men on the march. With only a quart 
 of meal and five pounds of fresh meat per man, 
 and no certainty of obtaining more on the road, 
 barefooted and poorly clad, it required a patriot- 
 ism as earnest, and a purpose as fixed, to pa- 
 tiently endure the privations and hardships of 
 the march, as to achieve victory in the face of 
 the enemy. At one time during the engagement 
 with Longstreet, the Doctor was glad to get any 
 sort of food, and often ate corn roasted on the 
 cob, from which they made their coffee; it was 
 also their bread for days at a time. At the end 
 of this term of service in 1863, he was re-mus- 
 tered as a veteran for three years, or during the 
 war, and came home on a thirty-days' furlough 
 before resuming duty. 
 
 On January 16, 1864, the regiment com- 
 menced this perilous march, via Cumberland 
 Gap. On the 2 1 st it arrived at Barboursville, 
 where the men received full rations and were 
 supplied with shoes. On the 8th of February it 
 arrived at Harrisburg, Penn., and were granted 
 a veteran furlough. It was the first regiment to 
 re-enlist for the war, and reported as such to 
 Gov. A. G. Curtin. This Veteran Regiment, 
 with many new recruits, proceeded on the 19th 
 of March to Annapolis, Md.,the place of rendez- 
 vous for the veterans of the 9th Army Corps. It 
 was assigned to the First Brigade, Second Divi- 
 sion, and moved to Washington, passing on the 
 25th in review before the President, and en- 
 camped near Alexandria, Va. On the 27th, via 
 Fairfax Court House, and the Bull Run battle 
 field, it encamped at Bristoe Station, on the 
 evening of the 28th, and remained guarding the 
 station until May 4th. On the 5th the Wilder- 
 ness campaign opened. The regiment marched 
 through dense woods and almost impenetrable 
 thickets, bivouacking at night in line of battle. 
 At one A. M. of the 6th the men were aroused, 
 and the battle opened at daylight with great 
 
250 
 
 COMMBMORA T1VB BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 fury. The fighting was most desperate. Night 
 coming on, the contest closed. The regiment 
 lost 145 men killed and wounded. Then it pro- 
 ceeded to Chancellorsville, Spottsylvania (Curt 
 House, Po River, North Anna, Cold Harbor, 
 1st, 2d and 3d of June. In the three days of 
 fighting here its loss was [63 killed and wounded, 
 oul of the >oo who were engaged in battle. 
 
 The 45th Regiment participated in all the 
 movements of the army until it reached the 
 [ames river, on the evening of the 14th. Cross- 
 ing on the following morning, it moved on to in 
 front of Petersburg (Va. |, arriving there on the 
 [6th at 10 A. M. — at two P. M. it formed line of 
 battle, then fighting began, and lasted a number 
 nt days; the loss of the regiment was small — 
 three killed and eighteen wounded. On the 25th 
 the 48th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, as- 
 sisted at times by the 45th Regiment, began the 
 work of excavation under the Rebel fort in front 
 of the 45th's division, and the explosion took 
 place on the morning ol the 30th. It was a grand 
 success. The Doctor witnessed it in front of the 
 fort Here his regiment lost twenty-eight men 
 in killed and wounded. Thus it went on, battle 
 after battle, until the final surrender at Appomat- 
 tox, April 9, 1865. 
 
 The Doctor says he always loved the offi 
 and nun of the noble 45th Regiment Pennsyl- 
 vania Veteran Volunteers. Everywhere the 1 
 iment performed manful and soldierly servi 
 and won for itself and its State an honorable 
 lame, having been engaged in forty-one reg- 
 istered battles, besides a great number of heavj 
 and light skirmishes, and was one of the twelve 
 regiments that were the heaviest losers during 
 the war. It helped to carry our country through 
 the hour of its extreme peril, and prosed to all 
 nations of the world that "the government of 
 the people, by the people and for tin people" 
 was not to •• perish from tin- 1 arth. " 
 
 During the 1 rvice, Dr. Christ 
 
 was medical director on the staff of Major-Gen. 
 Robert l'>. Potter, and was surgeon-in-chief of 
 tin Second Division, 'ah A. ('. He was honor- 
 ably discharged October 20, [864, expiration of 
 term, and returned home, resuming his practice in 
 May, 1865, .11 ( hester< ity, Delaware < 0., Penn., 
 w here he remained thirteen years, before locat- 
 ing at his present home in Centre county. He 
 purchased a farm ol 187 acres about a mile from 
 I ■ mont, and has since spent his time in agricult- 
 ure and in the practice of his profession. In ad- 
 dition to his homestead he owns 2 10 
 timber land in the Valley, and he also had an 
 interest in a store at Lemont, since sold. 
 
 On December 6, 1 87 1 , Dr. Christ was united 
 
 in marriage with Miss Sarah Irvin Thomps 
 who was born in Centre county, July 4, 1839, 
 and died February 20, 1X87. Four children 
 blessed this union: M. Thompson died at the 
 age of two years, six months and seventeen daj 5; 
 Then. S., Jr., lived only eight months and seven 
 days; Hester S.. born December 5, 1875, was ed- 
 ucated at Birmingham Seminary, and Mary Irvin, 
 born March 15. 1878, was graduated from the 
 same institution June 10, 1896. The 1 >•■■ 
 and his daughters are members of the Presbyte- 
 rian Church; socially, he affiliates with the 1 
 ,md A. M . and has been a Master Mason since 
 1853, and a Knight Templar since 1865. In pol- 
 itics he has been a Republican since 1850, and 
 while in Chester City he was president of the city 
 council. As may he supposed from his war 1 
 ord, Dr. Christ is a member of the G. \ K . and 
 indeed lie was one of the first to join that gallant 
 band. Before its organization he helped to form 
 a Soldiers' Union at Cluster City, Penn., which 
 was incorporated with the G. A. K. as Post N 
 2;. and he was made Post Surgeon. On his re- 
 moval to Centre county, he helped to rganize 
 Post No. 197, at Lemont, and has held the rank 
 of commander for fifteen consecutive years. He 
 
 member of the Veteran Legion, Encampment 
 No 59, Belief onte. 
 
 Dr Christ takes an active interest in the va- 
 rious medical societies of the regular school, and 
 belongs to the American Medical Association and 
 to the State and County Medical Societies. 
 For several years he served as president of the 
 board ol stockholders of Pennsylvania Military 
 Academy at (luster, and for six years he was sur- 
 geon-in-charge of the institution. He waselected 
 the first Burgess of State College. Penn He 
 contributed generously to the medical and surgical 
 history of the war of the Rebellion, and honor- 
 able mention is made of thirteen difficult opera- 
 tions made by him, while his work receives 
 well-merited notice also in Atkinson's ' ' Physicians 
 and Surgeons of the United Stab 
 
 '(AMES A. KELLER, secretary of the ( entre 
 
 tnty Mutual Insurance Co., is one of the 
 most prominent businessmen and well-known 
 ns of Pottei township, his acquaintaiii 
 tending all over (entre county. He was horn 
 June 10, 184;, mi the farm where he still re- 
 sides, which is located a short distance ea 
 Centre Hall, his parents being John H. and 
 Rachel (Alexander) Keller. The father was born 
 September 2, 1813, in Potter township, a son of 
 Christian and Catharine Hanevi Keller. The 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 251 
 
 great-grandfather, Jacob Keller, who was born 
 February 15, 1753, came to Potter township, 
 Centre county, in 1806, from Bethel township, 
 Dauphin Co., Penn., and purchased what is 
 known as the Red Mill property. He was a sol- 
 dier in the militia during the Revolutionary war, 
 and after serving two months was discharged at 
 Lebanon, Penn., November 2, 1777. His dis- 
 charge papers are still in the possession of his 
 descendants. Of his large family the sons were 
 Jacob, John, Christian, Philip and Peter. 
 
 The first of the Keller family to locate in the 
 portion of Potter township where our subject 
 now resides was Christian Keller, his grandfa- 
 ther, who secured a tract of land from the Potters 
 in 1828. By trade he was a miller. He died 
 August 12, 183 1, at middle age. An interesting 
 incident in his life is related in Linn's History of 
 Centre County, as follows: "In 1806, when 
 Christian was but a boy, Conrad Dillman lived 
 near Potter's Fort, and had a beautiful farm, 
 which excited the admiration of all. Mr. Dill- 
 man was an adept at extracting teeth, and young 
 Christian one day, with some companions, among 
 whom was Catharine Haney, his future wife, 
 called at Dillman's to have a tooth pulled. After 
 the completion of their errand the party started 
 for home. Their path lay over the hill, and 
 when Christian reached the top, he looked back 
 over Dillman's fine farm, and made the remark 
 to Catharine, at the same time pointing back to 
 the farm, 'If you and I had that place it would 
 be all I'd wish for.' She smiled, but said noth- 
 ing. Twenty-five years later he related the cir- 
 cumstance, and during the meantime his wish 
 had been realized." In his family were the fol- 
 lowing children: William, who died while serv- 
 ing as county commissioner; John H., the father 
 of our subject; Elizabeth, who became the wife 
 of Amos Alexander; Catharine, wife of John 
 Boozer; Lydia, wife of Peter Hoffer; Rebecca, 
 wife of Watson Pennington; Sarah, wife of Isaac 
 Pennington; Leah, wife of John Hoffer (de- 
 deased); David C, who died in 1854; and 
 Christian, deceased in 1895. Of these children, 
 but two are now living. 
 
 The father of our subject was reared in much 
 the usual manner of farmer boys, and his educa- 
 tion was limited to a course in the district schools 
 of that early day. In Potter township he was 
 united in marriage with Rachel, a daughter of 
 James Alexander, who belonged to one of the 
 old and highly respected families of the town- 
 ship, that originally came from Maryland. Of 
 the children born to this union, three grew to 
 adult age, namely: Catharine, now Mrs. J. W. 
 Conley, of Potter township; James A. ; and Mag- 
 
 gie E., who married Levi Murray, and died at 
 Centre Hall; the others died in infancy. 
 
 On the death of his father, John H. Keller 
 assumed the responsibility of caring for the large 
 family in connection with his brother William, 
 and provided for their support for a number of 
 years. Afrer his marriage he located on the 
 farm where our subject now resides, and there 
 made his home until 1868, when he removed to 
 Centre Hall, and became connected with the 
 Centre Hall Manufacturing Co. Ten years later 
 he returned to the farm, where the mother 
 suffered from paralysis and died April 7, 1878. 
 The father's death occurred at the same place, 
 June 7, 1895, and he was laid by her side in the 
 cemetery of Centre Hall. In politics he was a 
 stalwart Democrat, and held various offices in his 
 township. When a boy of sixteen years he 
 united with the Reformed Church, and contem- 
 plated studying for the ministry; but as his serv- 
 ices were needed at home he gave up the idea, 
 though he always took an active part in Church 
 work, and no matter what the condition of the 
 weather his familiar face was always seen in the 
 house of worship on Sundays. He held various 
 offices in the Church, and represented the same 
 in the Synod and elsewhere. To all good works 
 he was a liberal contributor, and had the confi- 
 dence and high regard of all who knew him. His 
 wife was a consistent member of the Presby- 
 terian Church. 
 
 James A. Keller, whose name introduces this 
 sketch, first attended the Plum Grove school, 
 which was then taught by J. H. Shoemaker, 
 and later pursued his studies in the Tuscarora 
 Academy and Dickinson Seminary. At the age 
 of seventeen years he obtained a teacher's certi- 
 ficate, which he held for eight years, and for a 
 short time engaged in teaching in Boggs town- 
 ship, Centre county; but after his return from 
 Dickinson Seminary, he aided his father in the 
 work of the farm as the war was then in prog- 
 ress and help was scarce. 
 
 On January 8, 1867, in Mifflinburg, Penn., 
 Mr. Keller was united in marriage with Miss 
 Charlotte Kleckner, who was born in Union 
 county, in November, 1844, a daughter of David 
 and Esther (Wingard) Kleckner. She is the 
 youngest in a family of nine girls, all of whom were 
 school teachers with the exception of herself and 
 eldest sister. Six children were born to Mr. and 
 Mrs. Keller: Esther R., who died in infancy; 
 Annie M., an accomplished musician, who is 
 now the wife of Frank Fisher, of Penn Hall, 
 Centre county; David K., a well-educated young 
 man, who resides at home and has engaged in 
 teaching since the age of seventeen years; John 
 

 COMMRMORA TIVE BIOO UM-ll It M. 1!F.< ORD. 
 
 11.. who is attending Franklin and Marshall Col- 
 lege; and Christian I), and William F.. both at 
 h"nie. 
 
 For eif^ht years after his marriage, Mr. Keller 
 rented the home farm, and then purchased MJ 
 acres of the same for $ i oo per acre. In [877 he 
 
 ted his present substantial brick resident e, 
 has made main other valuable improvements 
 upon the place, and now has a highly cultivated 
 tract of 116 acres. He is a man of more than 
 ordinary business capacity, is shrewd md ener- 
 getic, and of the strictest integrity. In connec- 
 tion with his farming operations he is also secre- 
 tary of the Centre County Mutual Insurance Co.. 
 which office he has now held for three years. 
 while lu was president of the company eight 
 years and vice-president three years. He is also 
 .1 member of Penn's Valley Banking Co. at Cen- 
 tre Hall, and in business circles stands deservedly 
 high. 
 
 Politically, Mr. Keller has always been a firm 
 supporter of the Democratic party, and bis fel- 
 low citizens recognizing his worth and abilit) 
 have elected him to various official positions of 
 honor and trust, including those of school di- 
 rector, overseer of the poor, tax collector, asses- 
 soi and registration assessor. For eight 
 years he has been a member of the registration 
 board, and was elected justice of the peace, hut 
 refused to qualify. Both himself and wife are 
 earnest and active members of the Reformed 
 Church, and during the erection of their new 
 church, which was completed in 1896, he was a 
 member of the building committee; and at one 
 time he took a verj active part in Sabbath- 
 school work. Socially, he affiliates with the 
 Grange and the Masonic fraternity Understand- 
 ing the advantages to be derived from a good ed- 
 ucation, he has provided his children with exi 
 lent opportunities alone that line, so that thej 
 might be fitted for any position in life. He is 
 one of the most progressive and wide-awake 
 business men of Potter township, but is unas- 
 suming and in no waj seek'- notoriety. He is a 
 worth) representative of one of the most illustri- 
 ous and popular families of Centre county, and 
 is universally held in high esteem. 
 
 GEORGE W. KREAMER one ol the most 
 reliable and promising young businessmen 
 of Centre county, now conducts a general mer- 
 chandise store in the little village of Kreamerville. 
 Joseph Kreamer, father of our subject, was 
 born near Pine Grove, Schuylkill Co., Penn., 
 whence when two years old he was brought by 
 his parents to Centre county, they locating at 
 
 what is now known as Kreamerville. The grand- 
 father became an extensive land owner and 
 farmer of that place, where he spent his 
 maining days. He bore the name of Jacob 
 Kreamer. and his wife in her maidenhood was 
 therine Geisler. In their family were eight 
 children: John, a farmer, who died in Rebers- 
 burg; Daniel, a hotel keeper and farmer of the 
 same place, where his death occurred; Elizabeth, 
 deceased wife of George Harper, a farmer of Re- 
 bersburg; Catherine, who married Henry Smull, 
 and died at Rockville, Miles township. Centre 
 county: Mary, deceased wife of Frederick Burk- 
 ert, a merchant of Rebersburg; Hannah, who 
 married Daniel Dubbs, a farmer, and is still liv- 
 ing in Rebersburg: and Sarah, wife of David 
 Wolfe, who makes her home near that village. 
 
 The elementary education of Joseph Kreamer 
 was received in the common schools near his 
 home, and for a time he was a >tudent in "Wolf's 
 Store school." When he was sixteen years of 
 age his father died, and the year following he left 
 school, completing his education with a short 
 course in the Muney high school. Returning 
 home, he took charge of the farm which his fa- 
 ther had left him. and although quite young was 
 ver\ successful, as he was honest and industrious 
 Being of an amiable disposition, he naturally 
 found many who would help him in various ways, 
 either by their advice or security when buying 
 hi irses, stock, etc. 
 
 In 1834, Joseph Creamer wed. led Miss Re- 
 becca Reit/el. and to them were born two chil- 
 dren: Catherine, horn April 7. 1835, is the wife 
 of William Wolfe, of Buena Vista, III. ; and Mary, 
 horn in 1837, is the wife of John H. Reifsnyder, 
 of Millheim, Centre county. The mother of 
 these children died in 1856, and March 14. 1861, 
 Mr. Kreamer married Miss Maria Haine, by whom 
 he had four children « \V .whose nami 
 
 introduces this sketch ; Margaret, wife of W 
 Musser, ol Centre county; Ada K., wife of Hart] 
 Brown, foreman of a large manufacturing estab- 
 lishment in Colchester, 111.: and Harry H., book- 
 keeper foi the Sterling Bicycle Works of Chicago. 
 Mrs. Kreamer was reared and educated in Read- 
 ing, Penn., and is th th in order of birtl 
 in the family of twelve children if Samuel and 
 Margaret (Hoff) Haine. Her father was a tan- 
 ner of Fine Grove, Schuykill county. Shi 
 Still living in Millheim with her son-in-law, W 
 S. Musser, and is a highly respected lady who ha- 
 niany warm friends. 
 
 The father continued the operation of th< 
 farm now owned by our subject until his death 
 which occurred at Kreamerville, October 1 1 
 1892. at the ripe old age of eighty years. H 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 J5H 
 
 was a liberal, kind-hearted gentleman, a true 
 friend, and lost many thousands of dollars by go- 
 ing security for others. He made no enemies, 
 hut had the love and confidence of all with whom 
 he came in contact, and was a consistent member 
 of the Lutheran Church, to which he was a gen- 
 erous contributor. Politically he was an ardent 
 Democrat, and was well posted on the questions 
 and issues of the day, always voting intelligently. 
 
 George W. Kreamer is a native of Brush Val- 
 ley, born near the present village of Kreamer- 
 ville, January I, 1862, and in the district schools 
 of the neighborhood obtained his education. He 
 began his business career as a clerk in the general 
 store of Harter & Loose, of Rebersburg, and was 
 later with C. C. Loose, of the same place. Sub- 
 sequently he worked in the lumber woods, tak- 
 ing contracts for getting out lumber, and oper- 
 ated the home farm for some time. In the fall 
 of 1893 he erected his present building, and be- 
 gan dealing in general merchandise in Kreamer- 
 ville. Courteous and obliging, he has built up 
 an excellent trade, his customers coming from 
 miles around. 
 
 In September, 18S5, in Brush Valley, Mr. 
 Kreamer was united in marriage with Miss 
 Rachel Hartman, a native of Rebersburg, and a 
 daughter of Fred and Abigail ( Bierly) Hartman. 
 They have one child, Earl T. , born June 13, 
 1889. Mr. Kreamer follows in the political foot- 
 steps of his father, supporting the men and meas- 
 ures of the Democratic party, and has served as 
 inspector of elections, and constable of his town- 
 ship five years. Socially, he affiliates with the 
 Grange, and religiously he and his wife are both 
 faithful members of the Lutheran Church, while 
 he has served as superintendent of the Sabbath- 
 school for several years. His uprightness, in- 
 tegrity and public-spiritedness have won him the 
 confidence and esteem of his neighbors, and he 
 is classed among the most respected representa- 
 tive citizens of Centre county. 
 
 WILLIAM THOMAS LEATHERS, a well- 
 known and reliable business man of How- 
 ard township, Centre county, is the senior mem- 
 ber of the firm of W. T. Leathers & Son, roof 
 painters and dealers in the Excelsior Graphite 
 Roofing paint for iron, tin, shingle and paper 
 roofs, with headquarters at Howard. He was 
 born on a farm near Mount Eagle, December 25, 
 1844, a son of Frederick and Rebecca (Working) 
 Leathers, who spent their lives upon that farm. 
 His paternal grandparents, Jacob and Mary 
 Slick) Leathers, were natives of York county, 
 Perm., where they were married, but as early as 
 
 1795 they became residents of Howard township. 
 Centre county. The maternal grandparents, la- 
 cob and Christina Working, made their home 111 
 Penn's Valley, Centre county, whither they had 
 removed by ox-teams when the place was an un- 
 broken wilderness. 
 
 Frederick Leathers was three times married. 
 his first wife being Nancy Barthurst, of Mount 
 Eagle, by whom he had four children: Hannah, 
 who married James Antes (both are now de- 
 ceased); Elizabeth, deceased wife of Reuben Id- 
 ings, a farmer of Centre county; Martha, win. 
 wedded Eastings Guthrie (both are now de- 
 ceased); and Mary, wife of John N. Barnhart, a 
 retired school teacher living in New Jersey. For 
 his second wife, Mr. Leathers wedded Rebecca 
 Working, who died December 25, 1849, at the 
 age of forty-five years, leaving four children: 
 James K., a farmer of Howard township; Nancy 
 E., widow of James Antes, of Jersey Shore, 
 Penn. ; William T., our subject; and Frederick 
 M. , a fanner of Farnhamville, Iowa. The third 
 wife of Mr. Leathers bore the maiden name of 
 Jane D. Stiver, and was a native of Penn's Valley, 
 Penn. She died in 1891, at the age of eighty- 
 five years, and her husband passed away April 
 1, 1877, when aged seventy-nine years. 
 
 At the age of sixteen years, on August [6, 
 
 1 86 1, young Leathers enlisted in Company A, 
 45th P. V. I., then commanded by Capt. John 
 I. Curtiri (later. Gen. Curtin), and until in July, 
 
 1862, the command served under Sherman. It 
 participated in the battle of James Island and in 
 many skirmishes. The command took part in 
 the battle of Antietam, Md., on September 17, 
 1862, after which engagement Mr. Leathers was 
 transferred to the 6th U. S. Cavalry, Troop I, 
 in which he served until September, 1864. He 
 was engaged at Beverly Ford and in other minor 
 battles, and in the battle of Gettysburg almost 
 his entire, regiment was captured, he narrowly 
 escaping. After the battle he served principally 
 as a messenger at the headquarters of Gen. Sher- 
 idan. Mr. Leathers was twice wounded, once 
 while with the infantry and again while carrying 
 a dispatch from Gen. Sheridan to Gen. Kilpat- 
 rick, receiving a bullet in the left thigh, which 
 he carried some six months or more. On Septem- 
 ber 21, 1865, Mr. Leathers was married in Cana- 
 da, Centre Co., Penn., to Miss Mary E. Hughes, 
 who was born in Howard township, July 22. 
 1844, a daughter of Rev. John and Mary A. 
 (Goodfellcw) Hughes, natives of Blair and Centre 
 counties, Penn., respectively. When a small 
 boy her father had come to Centre county with 
 his parents, Corney and Margaret (Brown) 
 Hughes, who were born in Ireland. His mother 
 
L'. r . 1 
 
 COMMEMORA TIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 I in Huntingdon county, Penn . buthis tail 
 death occured in Centre county. The maternal 
 grandparents of M thers, Thomas and 
 
 Marj A < .r.iliam) Goodfellow, were also natives 
 of Ireland, but at an early age became residents 
 ij I low arc 1 township, Centre county, Perm. . where 
 they spent the remainder of their lives, and 
 where foi several years the grandfather enga 
 in farming, and then lived reti 
 
 Rev. [ohn Hughes was iut ( hristian, 
 
 and a local minister of the Methodist Episcopal 
 Church. He was quite prosperous in his business 
 undertakings, and was an extensive dealer in coal 
 and wood He departed this life in Canada, 
 Centre county, February 14, 1876, at the age of 
 sixty-three years; his wife died in the same house 
 Maj 14, 1871, at the age of seventy-four. In 
 their family were three daughters: Eliza, who 
 died at the age of one year; Martha, wife of 
 George D. [ohnson, who is operating the old 
 homestead farm il da; and Mary I. 
 
 Twelve children graced the union of Mr. 
 
 and Mrs. Leathers: 1 Mary A. died at the 
 
 of six years. (j| James L. . a roof painter, 
 
 "I Mt. Eagle, married Edith Leathers December 
 
 pi, iSSS, (3) Frederick resides at home, and 
 
 ists Ins father in roof painting; 141 Lott II. 
 died in infancy; Luc) I '•. is at home; Ida R. was 
 
 married to Howard 1'. Nell October 14, 1897; 
 Mattie M. is at home; < leorge H. travels for his 
 father; Gilbert < died when fourteen months 
 old; and Cookman A , Jessie and Milton W. are 
 all three at home. Foi ears after his mar- 
 
 riage, Mr Leathers lived with his wife's parents. 
 and then located on the old Leathers homestead, 
 where he resided until April 7, 1807. when he re- 
 moved to Howard. In 1S84 he began the paint 
 business, and July 2. 1805. patented the Excel- 
 sior Graphite Roofing Paint, which is highly 
 commended by those who have used it. He 
 has some excellent testimonials from prominent 
 citizens of Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York State, 
 etc., among whom maj be mentioned President 
 McKinley (all of whose roofs in Canton the firm 
 covered in September, 1897), Lieut-Gov. Jones. 
 The business of \Y. T. Leathers & Son has ever 
 been conducted on the strictest principles of 
 honesty, and their prosperity cannot be attribute I 
 to a combination of lucky circumstances, but 
 rather to their well-directed energy, enterprise, 
 
 integrity and intellectual effort. 
 
 In February, 1895, Mr. Leathers was elected 
 justice of the peace, and he has also held other 
 local positions, which he has tilled to the satisfac- 
 tion of all concerned. Fraternally he is con- 
 nected with the Veteran Legion of Bellefonte, the 
 Grange, and Grand Army Post No. 262, of 
 
 Howard, while politically he is prominently iden- 
 tified with tlie Republican party. He and his 
 amiable wife are consistent and worthy members 
 of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and occup\ 
 a high social position among the residents of the 
 community. 
 
 PETER BREON (deceased), who in his life- 
 time was a well-known agriculturist of I 
 ter township, justly deserves to be ranked among 
 the self-made and prominent citizens of Centre 
 county, where his entire life was passed, lb 
 was born in Gregg township, where his father, 
 Peter Breon, Sr., was also born. The family 
 was founded in Centre county by his grandfa- 
 ther. Valentine Breon, of Berks county, Penn.. 
 who, with his brother, Jacob, located here at an 
 early day, and from these two are descended all 
 who bear the name of Breon in Perm's Valley. 
 By trade the grandfather was a shoemaker. His 
 death occurred in Confer Valley, Gregg town 
 ship, and lie was laid to rest in the Mountain 
 Cemetery of that place. In his family were th' 
 following children: Peter, the father of our sub- 
 ject; Daniel and George, who both died in Gregg 
 township; Valentine, who lives in Illinois; Cath- 
 
 i erine, who married John Wenerich, and died it; 
 
 I Centre county; Elizabeth, wife of Benjamin 
 Ripka, of Gregg township; Hannah, widow of 
 John Crater, and a resident of Gregg township, 
 and Sally, who married Simon Weaver, and died 
 near Centre Hill, Centre county. 
 
 After acquiring a limited education in the 
 German language, Peter Breon, Sr. , learned the 
 shoemaker's trade, at which he worked through 
 out the greater part of his life, never accumula- 
 ting much property, however, having only a 
 small home at the time of his death, which oc- 
 curred when he was over seventy years of age. 
 II was buried in Cross Roads Church Cemet 
 by the side of his second wife. In his youn 
 years he was a robust man, politically was a life- 
 long Democrat, and in religious faith he was a 
 member of the Reformed Church. In Gr< 
 township he married Miss Rebecca Sunday, and 
 they became the parents of the following chil- 
 dren: Daniel, who died in Gregg township 
 George, oi Su^.u Valley, Clinton county; Peter, 
 th. subject of this sketch, born April 16, 18s 
 Sally, who married Jacob Crater, and died in 
 Haines township, Centre county; Betsy, de- 
 ceased; Hannah, widow of John Smelzer, of Pot- 
 ter township; Caroline, who married Jonathan 
 Yeagly, and died in Gregg township. I 
 mothei of these children passed away in Gr< 
 township, and her remains were interred in 
 Heckman Cemetery. Later the father wedded 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 255 
 
 Rebecca Ream, and to them were born seven 
 children, namely: John, of Gregg township; 
 Henry, of Penn township; Samuel, who died in 
 Centre Hill; Valentine, of Sugar Valley; Will- 
 iam, of Kansas; Rebecca, who married Daniel 
 Decker, and died in Gregg township, and Annie, 
 who married Abraham Alters and removed to 
 Kansas, where he died, and where she has since 
 married and now lives. 
 
 His parents being in very limited circum- 
 stances, Mr. Breon, the subject of this review, 
 was unable to attend school until twelve years of 
 age, and then pursued his studies in the school 
 house that stood over the hill from Tusseyville 
 toward Colyer. During the first winter he had his 
 feet frozen as his shoes were very poor, and from 
 that injury did not recover until the following har- 
 vest. He was at that time living with Judge W. 
 W. Love, and continued to make his home with 
 different farmers until his father's second mar- 
 riage, therefore his school privileges were very 
 meagre. After his return home he assisted his 
 father for one year, and then again worked for 
 others, including John Grove who resided in the 
 east end of George's Valley, and with him he re- 
 mained some nine years, during which time he 
 worked very hard, but his wages were poor. 
 Later he was with William Grove, in George's 
 Valley, and subsequently he learned the carpen- 
 ter's trade under Daniel Lose. During the sum- 
 mer he would work for $5 per month, while 
 throughout the winter season he worked for his 
 board at whatever he could find to do. After 
 serving a three-years' apprenticeship, he worked 
 at his trade for one year, and then'turned his at- 
 ention to farming. 
 
 At the age of twenty-one years, Mr. Breon 
 married Miss Catharine Grove, daughter of Will- 
 iam Grove, and to them were born three children: 
 Rosetta, now Mrs. James Runkle, of Snyder 
 county, Penn. ; Amanda, who died at the age of 
 seven years; and Henrietta, who married Adam 
 Ripka, and died at the home of her father. (Ripka 
 lived in the same house where she died a few 
 years later). The wife and mother died, and was 
 buried in Cross Roads Church cemetery in 
 George's Valley, and for his second wife Mr. 
 Breon wedded Catharine Ripka, a native of 
 Gregg township, and a daughter of John Ripka. 
 Five children blessed their union: Howard, who 
 died in childhood; Perry W., a farmer of Potter 
 township; Lavina, wife of William Flory, of 
 Centre Hall, Centre county; Savilla, wife of Rob- 
 ert Foreman, of Centre Hall; and Celesta, wife 
 of Gotleib Strohmeier, of the same place. 
 
 For sixteen years Mr. Breon rented the Dr. 
 Smith farm, near Centre Hill, then lived on the 
 
 Spangler farm above Tusseyville for one year, 
 and for the following twelve years operated the 
 Samuel- Huston farm. On leaving the last place 
 in 1888, he purchased his late home, and contin- 
 ued to live a semi-retired life, enjoying the fruits 
 of his former toil. He died November 29, 1897, 
 at the age of 69 years, 7 months and 13 days. He 
 had ever been a hard working, industrious man, 
 and the success that came to him was assuredly 
 well merited. He was a man of the strictest in- 
 tegrity and honor, his word being considered as 
 good as his bond, and he lived peaceably with his 
 fellow-men, having never been engaged in a law- 
 suit. As a tenant farmer he worked for some of the 
 most particular and precise land owners in Centre 
 county, but his labors always proved satis- 
 factory. 
 
 An incident, which plainly indicates the con- 
 fidence and trust reposed in him, is as follows: 
 During the war he was drafted, and being poor 
 his wife and little ones would have been left des- 
 titute had he gone to the front. However, he 
 had not a penny with which to hire a substitute, 
 nor a single dollar's worth of property to give as 
 security. He had concluded to join the army, 
 but, without his solicitation, Reuben Keller, a 
 merchant of Centre Hill, offered to furnish him 
 with $1,000, not even asking an individual note, 
 and declining the same when Mr. Breon offered 
 it. It is unnecessary to say that the money was 
 in due time returned. He enjoyed the esteem 
 and respect of all with whom he came in contact 
 in the various walks of life, and was a consistent 
 member of the Lutheran Church. Although he 
 usually supported the Democratic party, he was 
 not strictly partisan, and at one time he effi- 
 ciently served as supervisor of Potter township. 
 He sleeps his last sleep in the Centre Hall cem- 
 etery. 
 
 WILLIAM ROTHROCK GARDNER. The 
 prosperity and advancement of a com- 
 munity depends upon its commercial activity, 
 which is the result of the enterprising efforts of 
 its business men. One of the leading and influ- 
 ential citizens of Howard borough, Centre coun- 
 ty, is the gentleman whose name introduces this 
 review, proprietor of the Howard Handle & 
 Spoke Company, located at Howard. 
 
 In that village, Mr. Gardner was born Octo- 
 ber 24, 1861, a son of Andrew J. and Catherine 
 (Lucas) Gardner. The father is also a native of 
 Howard borough, he having been born Novem- 
 ber 12, 1 82 1, in Howard township, of which 
 Howard borough was formerly a part. His par- 
 ents, Washington and Jane (Austin) Gardner, 
 were natives of Sherman's Valley, Cumberland 
 
256 
 
 COMMEMORA TIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 county and Centre counts , respectivel) Wash- 
 ington Gardner was born March 3, 1791, and 
 was a sou of |<>lm and Nancj [Thornton) Gard- 
 ner, natives of Ireland, who came to this coun- 
 try in 1795. while his wiiV was burn April 4, 
 1796, and was a daughter of William and |ane 
 Austin, Datives of Pennsylvania and early set- 
 tlers of Centre county. To the grandparenl 
 our subject were born the following child 
 Hannah, wife of Jacob C. Smith, a farmer of 
 
 Centre c ity; Nancy, widow of Nathan II. 
 
 Lucas, of Lagleville, Centre county; Andrew J.; 
 Caroline, wife of Daniel Smith, a retired carpen- 
 ter of Illinois; John 1)., a farmer of Centre 
 county; Washington, who died when young; 
 Anthonj W, a farmer of Howard; Bersheara, 
 widow of Joseph Williams, of Eagleville; Ellen, 
 deceased wife of fames DeLong, a merchant oi 
 the same place; William, a farmer of Centre 
 county; and Matilda, who died in early life. 
 The parents of these children have both passed 
 away, the lather dying March 3, (872, ami the 
 mother on December 25. (883, They were 
 highly-respected farming people of Centre coun- 
 ty, and members of the Church of Christ 
 
 In 1845, Andrew J. Gardner began his busi- 
 ness career as a carpenter and farmer in Howard 
 township, but since 1894 he has lived retired in 
 the village of that name, enjoying a well-earned 
 rest. On December 18, 1849, '"' married Miss 
 Catherine P. Lucas, and the following children 
 grace their union: Frances D., born December 
 $1, [851, is the wife of Roland Leathers, a deco- 
 rator and general laborer, of Mt Eagle, Penn.; 
 Jane A., born August 3 1 , 1854, is the wife ol 
 K. G. Shutt, a carpenter and millwright of Kane, 
 Penn.; Wickliffe H., born July 21, 1S56, is a 
 bookkeeper for the A. French Spring Co., Pitts- 
 burg, Penn.; Mitchell I., born August <>, [858, 
 is bookkeeper for the Valentine Iron Co. . of 
 Bellefonte, Penn.; William K. is next in order 
 of birth; and Ira, born December 14, 1866, died 
 February 21, 1S67. I '"or the past forty-eight 
 years the father has been a consistent and ear- 
 nest member of the Church of Christ, and with 
 the exception of three years of that time has 
 served as elder His well-spent life justly en- 
 titles him to the high regard in which he is uni- 
 |]\ held. 
 
 The mother of our subject, a most estimable 
 lady, was born in Centre county. February 23, 
 1825, and is a daughter of Thomas and Anna 
 (Peters) Lucas, natives of New York, who early 
 became residents of Centre county, where they 
 engaged in agricultural pursuits. Her father died 
 Manh i), iSji.atthi nty-two, and her 
 
 mother on July 7, IKS}, at tin age ol 
 
 nine years. A family of twelve children were born 
 to them, ot whom, Catharine P. was the third. 
 The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Gardnei Bap- 
 tist and Anna (Erskin) Lucas, were natives ..( 
 Inland, whence in an early day tn . 
 Centre county. Pennsylvania. 
 
 William R. Gardner was married December 
 16, 1896, to Mi~ Gertrude McKean Bennison, 
 daughter of Jonathan and Margaret Mi Kean) 
 Bennison On October 6, 1897, a son Donald 
 
 n — was born to them. Mr Gardm 
 widely and favorably known throughout the com- 
 munity During his boyhood and youth he aided 
 in the labors of the farm, and for three yea 
 after starting out in life for himself, he was in 
 the postal service on the Pennsylvania and Erie 
 railroad, his route lying between Williamsport 
 and Lrie. For a time he was also operator for 
 the Pittsburg & Lake Erie railroad at New Ca 
 [unction, Lawrence Co., Penn. Thebusines- 
 which he is now proprietor was organized by 
 Shutt & Poulson in 1S79; in 1893 our subject 
 purchased an interest bom K. G. Shutt, and ha^ 
 since served as manager. It is one of the lead- 
 ing industries of the locality, and much of it> 
 success is due to Mr. Gardner, whose courteous 
 atment of patrons and honorable dealing in- 
 sure future prosperity. Politically, he is 
 earnest supporter of the Democratic party; in 
 religious faith he is a faithful member of the 
 ( hurch of Christ. 
 
 HARRY P. KELLEY, a successful and ; 
 perous coal operator of Snow Shoe, Centre 
 county, and a member of the Snow Shot- Mining 
 Company, was born in Howard, Centre count) 
 Penn., February 5, 1856, a son of Patrick and 
 Sarah (Flack) Kelley. He acquired his educa- 
 tion in the common schools, and continued undei 
 the parental roof until twenty-two years of a 
 when In went to Marion county, Iowa, wl 
 for seven months he worked in the coal mines 
 He was next employed in the John Deer pi 
 factory at Moline, 111., but at the end of 
 months was called home bv the death of h 
 brother, who was killed while unloading -■ 
 
 I'oi seven months after his return. Mr. K* 
 worked in the lumber woods, and then result 
 mining, which he continued to follow uninl 
 rupted from 1881 t<> [889. In the latter yeai 
 bei inie ( onnei ted with the firm ol robin A ^ 
 
 m Snow Shoe township, of which firm hi- 
 father w r, but the latter died in M 
 
 [889, and m the following (uly our subjei I 
 chased the interest of Mr. Tobin, the firm 
 coming Kelley Brothers. Under that nan 
 
r <&. 
 
COMMEMORA TIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 257 
 
 ness was continued until 1894, when a number of 
 their mines gave out. The year previous they 
 had purchased the Gansallus property (which 
 they are now operating), comprising sixty-eight 
 acres of excellent coal-land in Snow Shoe town- 
 ship. In 1895 was organized the Snow Shoe 
 Mining Company, of which M. D. Kelley, a 
 brother of our subject, is president; T. B. Bud- 
 inger, treasurer; W. D. O'Bryan, secretary; and 
 William F. Holt, manager. They are doing an 
 excellent business, much of which is due to the 
 capable management of our subject, who has 
 charge of the Snow Shoe Colliery Mines Nos. 1, 
 2 and 3. 
 
 On May 24, 1882, in Cooper township, Clear- 
 field county, Penn. , Harry P. Kelley was mar- 
 ried to Miss Mary Mosebarger, and to them were 
 born six children, whose names and dates of 
 birth are as follows: John, June 3, 1883; Logan, 
 September 21, 1884; Thomas, September 3, 
 1886; Paul, May 30, 1889; Mary, April 20, 1892; 
 and Justina, June 19, 1895. All are still living 
 with the exception of Paul, who died on August 
 22, 1892. 
 
 Mrs. Kelley is a native of Clearfield county, 
 and a daughter of John and Eva Mosebarger, 
 who were born in Germany, where they married, 
 and whence in [857 they emigrated to America, 
 locating in Clearfield county, Penn. There the 
 father engaged in farming until his death, which 
 occurred October 3, 1893; the mother is now re- 
 siding at Peale, in that county. They had four 
 sons and three daughters: John, who is operat- 
 ing the old homestead farm; George (deceased); 
 Frank, who is conducting the "Coal Exchange 
 Hotel" at Philipsburg, Centre county; Frederick, 
 who is in the hotel business in Grassflat, Clear- 
 field county; Lizzie (the eldest daughter) is mar- 
 ried to John McGowan, a prosperous farmer in 
 Moshannon; Mrs. Mary Kelley, the second 
 daughter, taught school five terms in Clearfield 
 county, and one term in Centre county; Annie 
 (the youngest) is married to Richard Sheehe, who 
 is proprietor of the " Columbus House " at Lock 
 Haven, Clinton county, Pennsylvania. 
 
 Mr. Kelley is an ardent supporter of Demo- 
 cratic principles, and has served for three years 
 as school director in the village of Snow Shoe; 
 fraternally he is a member of the Ancient Order 
 of Hibernians of that place, while in religious 
 faith he is a Roman Catholic. 
 
 BjAVID H. SHIVERY, of Benner township, 
 Centre county, was born in 1859, on the 
 farm tin which he now makes his home, a son of 
 Andrew J. and Jane (Wilson) Shivery, both of 
 
 whom were of German descent. The father, 
 also a native of Centre county, was born in 1828, 
 and spent his entire life here engaged in agricult- 
 ural pursuits. He was called to the home beyond 
 in 1893, at the age of sixty-five years, but his 
 wife, who was born in 1828, is still living. They 
 had a family of four children, namely: David 
 H. ; George B., a practicing physician of Wood- 
 land, Clearfield Co., Penn., who married Bessie 
 Dale, and has two children; and Margaret E. 
 and Sallie E., who reside with their mother in 
 Bellefonte. 
 
 The boyhood days of David H. Shivery passed 
 quietly and uneventfully. He remained under 
 the parental roof and assisted his father in the 
 development of the home farm during the sum- 
 mer months, while in the winter season he at- 
 tended the public schools, completing his educa- 
 tion in an academy in Bellefonte. The occupa- 
 tion to which he was reared, he has made his life 
 work, and his early experience well fitted him for 
 his present duties. His landed possessions aggre- 
 gate 140 acres, the greater part of which is under 
 a high state of cultivation. The latest improved 
 machinery is used in planting and caring for his 
 crops, substantial outbuildings shelter his grain 
 and stock, and a comfortable residence forms the 
 hospitable home of his family. He is progressive 
 in his methods of farming, systematic in the man- 
 agement of his affairs, and energetic in the prose- 
 cution of his business. Enterprise and industry 
 are the predominant traits in his character, and 
 have been the stepping stones on which he has 
 risen to a place among the substantial citizens of 
 the community. He has only been once beyond 
 the boundaries of Pennsylvania, in the summer 
 of 1893 visiting the World's Columbian Exposi- 
 tion at Chicago. A man of intelligence and genu- 
 ine worth, he is recognized as a valued citizen of 
 the community. 
 
 On February 16, 1882, Mr. Shivery was 
 united in marriage with Miss Mary Etta Marshall, 
 a native of Centre county, as were also her par- 
 ents. They had three children: Joseph Law- 
 rence, Andrew J. and Russell Burton. The last 
 named died February 11, 1895 (at the age of 
 four years), of congestion of the brain caused by 
 an attack of measles. On November 23, 1897, 
 Joseph Lawrence, the elder of the other two, 
 had climbed a tree in pursuit of squirrels, but 
 while standing on a decayed limb it broke, and 
 he was precipitated to the ground, a distance of 
 some forty feet, whereby his neck was broken, 
 death ensuing instantly. He was born August 
 30, 1884, and was consequently thirteen years, 
 two months and twenty-four days old at the time 
 of the fatal accident. 
 
 17 
 

 MoUATlVB BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 in MEMORY OF JOSEPH I \v. SHIVERY 
 
 autumn leaves w< re gold and red, 
 summer birds bad flown, 
 When Lawrence's spirit took its (light 
 I .. worlds ol joy unknown. 
 
 He was dashed down so i ruelly; 
 \\ i gathered by Ins side — 
 
 ' In agony we Stood about 
 
 When we found that he had died. 
 
 \\ tun smoothing down his glossy locks, 
 We laid his hands to rest. 
 
 From all the cares and toils of earth, 
 I pon his manly Dp 
 
 His voice, his Step, no more we hi 
 
 At morning's early gleam; 
 But on his face a farewell smile. 
 
 As if in pleasant di 
 
 His body sleeps upon a hill. 
 Beside his little brother, 
 
 And may his spirit rest in peace 
 h orever and fori 
 
 We miss thee from our home, dear— 
 We miss thee from thv place; 
 A shadow o'er our hi' 
 We i sunshine of thy face. 
 
 We miss thy kind and willing hand. 
 I'hv fond and earnest care; 
 Our home is dark without thee 
 We miss thee everywhere. 
 
 EMANUEL MUSSER is recognized as one of 
 the most intelligent men and skillful farm- 
 ers of College township. Centre county, though 
 he is now practically living a retired life. H 
 pursuing the even tenor of his way as an honest 
 man and good citizen, furthering the good of his 
 community as he has opportunity, and enjoying 
 the respect of his neighbors. Almost his entire 
 life has been passed in Centre county, his early 
 home being in Gregg township, where he was 
 born June i, 1834. 
 
 The paternal grandfather of our subject, 
 Michael Moser, who was born in that part of 
 Northampton county, now Lehigh county, early 
 in the latter half of the eighteenth century, was 
 twice married, having by his first wife five chil- 
 dren: George and Jonathan, residents of Gregg 1 
 township; Mrs. Betsy Kepler (deceased 1, Mrs 
 George Haring, of Gregg township; and Mis 
 John ('infer, of Illinois At an early day the 
 father of these children came to Centre county 
 and took up government land in Haines (now 
 Gregg) township, where he passed away about 
 1859 at a ripe old age. 
 
 George Moser, who was horn July 7, 1804, 
 attended school at the Cross Road school house 
 in Gregg township, but his educational privileges 1 
 were very limited. After operating his father's | 
 farm for a few years he purchased 161 acres, on 
 
 •This name ha» been changed by local custom. The original name 
 haring been Motor, U a Oppoojl farther 00 in tin- reriew 
 
 which he spent the balance of his life, dying on 
 the 2nd of February, i 846, when our subject 
 was only eleven years old. He was. of the 
 Christian faith, a member of the Lutheran 
 Church, and a Whig in politics, casting his Pres- 
 idential vote for William Henry Harrison. His 
 wife, who was born October 10, 181 1, was a 
 daughter of Philip and Elizabeth (Ilgen) Moser, 
 and died in Gregg township, January 7, 1846. 
 In their family were eight children, namely: Ro- 
 setta, widow of John W. Krumrine, late of State 
 College, Centre county; Elias, a farmer, who 
 died in Gregg township, in 1888; Emanuel, of 
 this review; Mrs. Rebecca Wolf, who died in 
 Logansville. Penn.. in 1883; Maria, wife of 
 Henry Gramley, of Iowa; George M., who died 
 in childhood; William H. H., of Mercer, N. Dak.: 
 and Elizabeth, wife of Isaac Gates, of Illinois. 
 
 Upon the old homestead in Gregg township 
 Emanuel Musser passed the days of his boyhood 
 and youth, and acquired his education in the Cross- 
 road and Heckman schools of the same township, 
 which he attended until sixteen years of age, 
 when he started out to earn his own livelihood as 
 a farm hand at $6.00 per month. After one year 
 spent in this way he learned the tanner's trade, 
 which he followed for four years in Boalsburg, 
 Harris township. Centre county. On the expir- 
 ation of that period, he went to Illinois, where 
 for six months he worked at the carpenter's 
 trade; but failing health caused him to return 
 home, and for four years he again followed 
 farming. After his marriage he operated 
 his father-in-law's farm two years, at Buffalo 
 Run Valley, and then rented a place for the 
 same length of time in Pine Grove, after which 
 he purchased sixty-seven acres near Houserville. 
 \ft( r cultivating that tract for nine years he sold 
 out and bought 164 acres of good land near State 
 College, where he has made his home since 
 1874. He has intde many noticeable improve- 
 ments upon the farm which add to its value and 
 attractive appearance, including an extensive 
 dairy, which he has conducted for fifteen years 
 with excellent success. 
 
 The lady who now bears the name of Mrs. 
 Musser was in her maidenhood Miss Katharine 
 Bottorf, a daughter of Jacob and Lydia (Ans- 
 pach) Bottorf, and was born in Centre county, 
 
 ruarj 29, 1836 By her marriage she has 
 become the mother of nine children: Luther 
 Willis, a teacher in the borough of State College; 
 Lillie Curtis, wife of David O. Ktters, superin- 
 tendent of public schools of Bellefonte; George 
 Frederick, insurance agent, of that city; Jacob 
 Arthur, who has charge of agents' furnishing de- 
 partment in Allegheny; James Franklin, a ma- 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 259 
 
 chinist of Williamsport, Perm. ; Boyd Anspach, 
 assistant principal in the Bellefonte High School, 
 Bellefonte; Lydia Catherine, wife of Roger Bow- 
 man, commission merchant of Philadelphia; and 
 Nanie Lingenfelter and Helena Dale, at home. 
 The children have been given good collegiate 
 educations, and now occupy honorable positions 
 in society. 
 
 Mr. Musser uses his right of franchise in sup- 
 port of the Democratic party, but supported 
 Abraham Lincoln when he was the Presidential 
 candidate. He is an active worker in the Luth- 
 eran Church, and a charter member of Oak 
 Hall Grange. For many years he was one of the 
 most energetic and industrious farmers of the 
 community, but to a certain extent has laid aside 
 business cares, and is now enjoying a well-earned 
 rest at his elegant home, which is situated on a 
 prominence a quarter of a mile north of State 
 College. Surrounded by many warm friends 
 and acquaintances, he and his-estimable wife are 
 passing their declining years in the rest and re- 
 tirement that should always follow useful and 
 well-spent lives. They are valued members of 
 society, their intelligence, pleasant and courteous 
 manners making them welcome guests wherever 
 they visit. 
 
 JOHN SHAFFER, who for many years past 
 has been a leading citizen of Miles township, 
 Centre county, is known far and near as 
 "Uncle Shaffer," his genial, kindly nature hav- 
 ing won the affectionate regard of all who 
 knew him. 
 
 Born November i, 1825, on the farm adjoin- 
 ing that upon which he now resides, he is now 
 passing an honored old age amid the scenes upon 
 which he first opened his eyes, and where his ances- 
 tors were among the earliest settlers. He erect- 
 ed his present commodious residence upon the 
 site of a house built and occupied by his grand- 
 parents, John Adam and Catherine (Klinefelder) 
 Shaffer. 
 
 Adam Shaffer, our subject's father, was born 
 November 22, 1796, and was a mere child when 
 his parents settled in Brush Valley, where he was 
 reared as a farmer boy, and afterward engaged 
 in agriculture on the old homestead as he was 
 one of the youngest of a large family of children. 
 Later, he purchased the property from his father, 
 and his death occurred there April 4, 1862, his 
 remains being interred at Madisonburg. He pos-' 
 sessed great mechanical skill, and could turn his 
 hand to various trades without special instruction. 
 He was greatly respected in the community and 
 was a leading Democrat, holding various town- 
 
 ship offices. In Church affairs he was also prom- 
 inent, being one of the founders of the Lutheran 
 society in his locality, and helping to build the 
 church in Madisonburg which preceded the pres- 
 ent structure. He was married three times. By 
 his first wife, a Miss Musser, of Penn's Valley, 
 he had one daughter, Rebecca, who married (first) 
 John Schmeltzer, and (second) John Hoy, and 
 died in Madisonburg. The second wife, Miss Lydia 
 Bailey, our subject's mother, was born in 1801 at 
 White Deer, Penn., the daughter of Jacob Bailey. 
 She came to Brush Valley before her marriage, and 
 made her home with a sister, Mrs. John Ruhl. 
 She died in 1847, and six children survive her, 
 our subject being the eldest. (2) Eliza married 
 John Yearick, and died in Clinton county; (3) 
 Abigail married Rev. Samuel Yearick, a Meth- 
 odist minister, and died in Brush Valley; (4) 
 Henry lives in Indiana; (5) Adam F. died in 
 Madisonburg March 21, 1862, aged twenty-three 
 years, eight months and two days; (6) Aaron 
 resides in Illinois. By his third marriage, with 
 Miss Lydia Shull, Adam Shaffer had two children: 
 Annie, now Mrs. David Bacher, of Centre Hall, 
 and another daughter who died at an early age. 
 Like other members, Uncle John Shaffer's early 
 educational opportunities were extremely limited, 
 the free schools of the present time not being 
 heard of until his school days were about ended. 
 As the eldest son, there was plenty of work found 
 for him at home, and many days were spent in 
 riding the horses which tramped out the wheat in 
 the barn after the old-fashioned way. A bright, 
 observant mind can learn much outside of books, 
 however, as any one will discover who talks with 
 Uncle Shaffer. As a young man he visited Indi- 
 ana, Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin, making the 
 return journey from Indiana to the vicinity of 
 Wheeling upon a horse which he sold at that 
 point, continuing the trip by stage and by water. 
 Since that time he has made three other visits to 
 the West, stopping in Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, 
 Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana and Ohio, and he 
 has also seen the principal points of interest in 
 the East. In order to cure him of any early 
 attack of the " Western Fever," his father offered 
 him the home farm under advantageous circum- 
 stances, and Mr. Shaffer accepted the offer under 
 conditions which were complied with. 
 
 In 1848 he married Miss Frances Schmeltzer, 
 who was born December 3, 1825, the daughter 
 of George and Margaret (Beckle) Schmeltzer, a 
 sketch of whom is given elsewhere. Over forty 
 years of happy wedded life were spent, but on 
 November 18, 1892, the beloved and loving wife 
 passed over the borders of the unseen world 
 there to await the coming of her dear ones. Of 
 
280 
 
 ' OMMBMORATIVB BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 her six children, four are still living: (i) Ed- 
 mund F.. born March 28, 1 849, died Februar) c8, 
 1858; (2) Johanna married fohn Roush.ofGr 
 township, Centre county; 5) Washington is a 
 farmer in Miles township; (4) Emma married 
 Wilson Hazel, of Madisonbu Thomas re- 
 
 sides in Dakota, 111., and (6) Mary \ . born May 
 8, 1863, died August 1 3, 1867. 
 
 Since his marriage Mr. Shaffer has made his 
 home on the old farm near Madisonburg, with 
 the exception of live years in Clinton counts. It 
 formerly contained 200 acres, hut Mr Shaffer 
 sold about sixty acres to his son, Thomas. The 
 farm is in excellent order with good buildings, 
 and in all portions shows the progressive man- 
 agement of its owner, who has, however, ^-'^ 
 ted the active work to othei hands for nearly six 
 years past. Possessing rare mechanical ability, 
 he has always delighted in working at the black- 
 smith's trade, also in coopering, and in two 
 shops which he has fitted up on his farm he has 
 carried on t! les as occasion offered, doing 
 
 the work more for pastime than for anything 
 else. Foi years he had done most of his own 
 blacksmithing. Jolly and good natured, he en- 
 .1 hearty laugh even at his own expense, and 
 he has a host of friends among young and old. 
 His wealth has not been gained through penuri- 
 ousness ami self-denial; he has enjoyed life, and 
 has tried to make those around him do the same. 
 Whatever he does is done well, and the best is 
 none too good for his own use. while in choosing 
 foi his family or friends the same spirit is shown. 
 A liberal giver to every worthy cause, he has 
 been for years a "pillar" in the Lutheran 
 (lunch, and has held " about ever)' office except 
 thai ol preacher." In politics he is a Democrat, 
 first, last and all the time, but he has nevei 
 cared for office, although for twelve years he 
 was overseer of the poor. 
 
 WILLIAM KISIIEL, one of the honored 
 and most highly respected citizens of Tus- 
 seyville, was for many years actively identified 
 with the agricultural interests of Potter township, 
 Centre county, and is a worthy representative of 
 a prominent pioneei family th.it has been an im- 
 portant factor in the progress and development 
 of central Pennsylvania. 
 
 The grandfather ol our subje< t > ame from the 
 southern part ol the Mate to what is now Centre 
 county, long before it was <>: and the fa- 
 
 ther, George Rishel, was horn in Gregg township 
 
 in the latter part of the past century When 
 
 hut a boy he came to Potter township, and 
 
 'ied and developed a good farm near Centre 
 
 Hill, where bis death occurred when he was over 
 nty years of age. As a farmer he was highly 
 successful, owning three large farms at the time 
 of his death. He adhered to the principles ol 
 the Democratic party, and in religious faith was 
 a member of the Evangelical Church. He was 
 united in marriage with Catharine Ream, who 
 died when past her eightieth birthday, and to 
 them were born eleven children — five sons and 
 six daughters, of whom our subject is the ninth 
 in order of birth. One son, David, wis an Evan- 
 gelical minister, and three daughters were married 
 to Evangelical ministers, viz.: Rebecca to Rev 
 Daniel Ken. Susan to W. W. Orwig, and Sarah 
 to John Kreamer. 
 
 In George's Valley, Centre county. William 
 Rishel, the subject proper of this review, was 
 born July 25, 1820, and was reared in much the 
 usual manner of farmer boys, assisting in the 
 work of the home farm, and obtaining such an 
 education as the district schools afforded at that 
 early day. He remained under the parental roof 
 until twenty-one years of age, when he was united 
 in marriage with Miss Margaret Heltinan, who 
 was born in Clinton county, Penn., in January. 
 iXjo One chihl blessed their union: Mar) J.. 
 now the wife of Samuel Swartz, of Tusseyville. 
 After his marriage, Mr. Rishel operated the 
 old home farm in connection with his brother 
 John, until 1862, when he purchased a farm near 
 Tusseyville, hut in i860 removed to his present 
 excellent farm, to which he has added until at 
 present it comprises over 240 acres, divided 
 into two farms, for which he paid $20,000. To 
 its care and cultivation he devoted his entire 
 time and attention for many years, but has now 
 practically laid aside business cares, and is en- 
 joying a well-earned rest. He was not only a 
 thorough and skillful farmer, but also a shrewd 
 and reliable business man, whose success in life 
 was due to his own untiring and persistent efforts, 
 guided by sound judgment. Having purchased 
 different farms, he would improve and cultivate 
 them for a short time, and then sell at a hand- 
 some profit. By this means he has become one 
 of the most substantial agriculturists of the com- 
 munity. 
 
 Mr. Rishel is a stanch Democrat in politics, 
 and has been elected to official positions, but re- 
 el to qualify. He is one of the prominent and 
 hading members of the United Evangelical 
 Church, and to the erection of their new hoi 
 of worship he wa of the most liberal con- 
 
 tributors, lie has faithfully filled various Church 
 offices, and is an active as well as devout mein- 
 mgregation. His name is a synonym 
 foi honesty, his dealings have been characterized 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 261 
 
 by a straightforward, honorable business policy, 
 and he, therefore, merits and receives the confi- 
 dence and esteem of all who know him. His 
 noble wife has shared his trials and hardships, 
 and to her no little credit is due for the success 
 he has achieved. 
 
 JOHN HOFFA, Jr., a grain dealer and coal 
 merchant of Coburn, Centre county, is one 
 of the most energetic business men of that 
 thriving town. He was born in Kelly town- 
 ship, Union county, Penn. , April 4, 1870, 
 a son of Cyrus Hoffa, who is a wealthy and 
 prominent business man of that locality, the 
 present manager of the Buffalo Milling Co., of 
 Lewisburg. The paternal grandfather, Jacob 
 Hoffa, was a native of Berks county, Penn. , 
 where he worked at his trade of cabinet making, 
 and also engaged in the lumber business. He 
 died in Reading, at the advanced age of eighty- 
 two years. 
 
 Cyrus Hoffa was born in 1838, about four 
 miles east of Milton, Penn., and was the fourth 
 in order of birth in the family of four sons and 
 one daughter. He secured a good education, 
 being a student for a time at Gettysburg College. 
 On reaching man's estate he married Miss Mar- 
 garet Auten, a daughter of Robert Auten, and to 
 them were born seven children: Regina, at 
 home; Franklin, who died at the age of two 
 years; Carrie, wife of Dr. Ralph Steans, a prac- 
 ticing physician of Mifflinburg, Penn., Hattie A. 
 and Maize E., at home; John, the subject of this 
 sketch; and Robert A., bookkeeper in a bank of 
 Lewisburg. The mother of these children de- 
 parted this life in 1872, and was buried in Fall- 
 mer Church cemetery, in Northumberland county, 
 Penn. For his second wife the father wedded 
 Lizzie Angel. After his first marriage Mr. 
 Hoffa located upon the farm where our subject 
 was born, and where he still makes his home. 
 Upon the place was standing a gristmill of forty- 
 barrel capacity, which he operated, and he later 
 became identified with the grain business at 
 Lewisburg, carrying same on in connection with 
 his farming and milling interests. He is con- 
 nected with other enterprises in Lewisburg, 
 although he still makes his home in Kelly town- 
 ship, being director of the Union National Bank, 
 and also of the Milton Trust Company of Mil- 
 ton, Penn. Prominent in milling circles, he is 
 the efficient secretary of the State Millers Asso- 
 ciation, and is one of the most substantial and 
 reliable business men of Union county. His 
 political support is always given the men and 
 measures of the Democratic party. In May, 
 
 1896, he made a trip to Europe, spending sev- 
 eral months in visiting its principal cities and 
 points of interest. 
 
 The primary education of John Hoffa was se- 
 cured in the district schools, after which he at- 
 tended a select school at Bloomsburg, Penn. , 
 for a time, and completed his education by a busi- 
 ness course in the Eastman Business College, at 
 Poughkeepsie, N. Y. During his vacations he 
 aided in the work of the home farm, and while 
 still in his " teens " engaged in the flour and feed 
 business in Lewisburg. In August, 1891, he 
 came to Coburn to take charge of the grain ele- 
 vator for the Buffalo Milling Co. , of Lewisburg, 
 and has since been identified with the business 
 interests of the place. He is also successfully 
 engaged in dealing in coal on his own account, 
 and although young in years is one of the most 
 energetic and enterprising business men of the 
 community. 
 
 On January 17, 1892, in Mifflinburg, Penn., 
 Mr. Hoffa was united in marriage with Miss Altha 
 M. Reedy, a native of Buffalo Cross Roads, 
 Penn., and a daughter of Levi Reedy. To this 
 union has been born a daughter, Margaret, March 
 23, 1895. Mr. and Mrs. Hoffa are both mem- 
 bers of the Presbyterian Church, and hold a high 
 position in social circles. Mr. Hoffa is a strong 
 Democrat in politics, and cast his first Presiden- 
 tial vote for Cleveland in 1892. 
 
 C CHARLES EDWIN DORWORTH, ex-editor 
 J) of the Bellefonte Daily News, and at pres- 
 ent a newspaper correspondent and story-writer, 
 of Bellefonte, was born in Bellefonte, Centre 
 Co., Penn., September 9, 1876. Of German- 
 Welsh extraction, Mr. Dorworth inherits the 
 perseverance of the former with the ingenuity of 
 the latter class of people. He is the third of 
 four children, and from youth has had a talent 
 for writing. 
 
 Dr. E. S. Dorworth, his father, was born at 
 Emaus, Lehigh Co., Penn., February 19, 1834, 
 and is of German descent. He was graduated in 
 medicine from the Universities of New York and 
 Pennsylvania, and since 1865 has been a prac- 
 ticing physician in Bellefonte. Mrs. Hannah J. 
 Dorworth, wife of Dr. Dorworth and mother of 
 our subject, was a daughter of William Reese 
 Jenkins, and was born in Blaina, South Wales, 
 in 1845. In 1852 she came to this country 
 with her father, who was an extensive iron man- 
 ufacturer up to the time of his death, in 1886, 
 the Jenkins name being still associated with 
 some of the extensive iron foundries and ma- 
 chine shops in central Pennsylvania. 
 
262 
 
 cnMMF.MoiiATIVR BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 Charles Edwin Dorworth received his tirst 
 scholastic training in the Hellefonte public 
 schools. During his senior year at the Belle- 
 fonte High School he left that institution to take 
 a three-years' elective course at the Bellefontr 
 Academy to prepare himself especially fur jour- 
 nalism. In 1S91 he entered the office of the 
 Keystone Gazette, at Hellefonte, and, realizing 
 that he must have a practical, as well as a theo- 
 retical, knowledge of newspaper work, began at 
 a case. In this way he soon became thoroughly 
 conversant with all the details of newspaper 
 making. Occasionally he was sent out on as- 
 signments in order to give him an opportunity to 
 do reportorial work. It was not long, however, 
 until he did nothing else, and the summer of 
 1893 found him the regular correspondent of 
 several large Pittsburg and Philadelphia dailies. 
 He continued doing local work for the city pa- 
 pers until the fall of 1894, when the Philadelphia 
 Inquirer detailed him to report the Hastings 
 gubernatorial campaign itinerary He traveled 
 with the party all over the State, and his stories 
 in the Inquirer made that journal one of the 
 most interesting reflectors of what was, in many 
 respects, the most noted political battle ever 
 fought m Pennsylvania. 
 
 In September, 1895, he was tendered and 
 accepted the editorship of the Hellefonte Daily 
 News. His conduct of that paper revived it at 
 once from a state of almost total dilapidation to 
 a bright, newsy daily, ranking with any of the 
 inland publications. A year later he resigned 
 this position to pursue his studies in journalism 
 further, and at the present time is again em- 
 ployed by several Pastern dailies, doing news 
 correspondence and story writing. Mr. Dor- 
 worth is a pleasing writer, and does not lack 
 that force which makes forethought in the pro- 
 duct of his pen. Socially he is bright and popu- 
 lar with all classes, and embodies a rare com- 
 bination of good nature with good common 
 sense 
 
 MOBERT J. YOUNG, M. D., an eminent 
 physician and surgeon of Snow Shoe, < 
 
 tre county, was born January 15, [862, in 
 Broomhill, Northumberland, England, a son ol 
 Thomas and Isabella Wood) Young, natives of 
 Scotland and England, respectively. Thepater- 
 nal grandfather, James Young, a tailor by trade, 
 spent his entire life in s< otland, Thomas Wood, 
 the maternal grandfather, was a mountain) 
 living among the Cheviot Hills, on the dividing 
 line between England ami Scotland Through- 
 out life he principally engaged in cattle dealing 
 
 In Kelso, Scotland, was celebrated the mar- 
 riage of the parents of the Doctor, who brought 
 their family to America in 18S3, and located at 
 Snow Shoe, where the father died in the spring 
 of the following year, at the age of forty-six. 
 The mother, who was born in 1834, now makes 
 her home in Punxsutawney, Penn. As washer 
 husband, she is a consistent member of the 
 Methodist Episcopal Church, and highly re- 
 spected by all who know her. In their family 
 were five children, namely: James, who was 
 born in 1859, and died at the age of eleven years; 
 Robert J., of this sketch; Thomas, a coal opera- 
 tor of Oshanter. Clearfield Co., Penn. ; William, 
 an engineer of Punxsutawney, who resides with 
 his mother; and Elizabeth, wife of Frederick 
 Wilson, also an engineer of that place. 
 
 In the land of his nativity. Dr. Young at- 
 tended a high school, where he acquired a good 
 practical education. At the age of nineteen 
 years he crossed the Atlantic, locating at Irwin 
 Station, Westmoreland Co., Penn., in 1881. 
 For some time he was engaged in mining and at 
 various other occupations by which he could 
 earn an honest dollar, until 1886, when he be- 
 gan reading medicine with Dr. L. C. Harmon, 
 of Philipsburg, Centre county. At the end of 
 two years he attended the University of Mary- 
 land for one session, and then entered the Col- 
 lege of Physicians and Surgeons, Baltimore, from 
 which he was graduated with the class of 1889. 
 He at once "hung out his shingle'* in Sii"W 
 Shoe, when' he now has a large and lucrative 
 practice. His thorough knowledge of medicine, 
 and his skill in surgery have won for him the con- 
 fidence of the people, and he therefore enjoys an 
 excellent patronage. 
 
 I >i Young was married in Baltimore, J anu- 
 aiv 20, 1891, to Miss Minnie M. Yarnell, who de- 
 parted this life February 17. 1895. She was a 
 native of Centre county, born October 15. 1871, 
 and was a daughter of James I. and Barbara K. 
 (Fetzer) Yarnell, also natives of Centre county, 
 who now reside in Snow Shoe, where the lather 
 served as postmaster from 1888 to 1893. He is 
 a son of Thomas and Phoebe (Akley) Yarnell, 
 early settlers of Centre county, where were born 
 John A. and Mar) A Fetzer, the maternal 
 
 idparents of Mrs. Young. Four children 
 wen- horn to Mr. and Mrs. Yarnell: John 1 
 and Jesse H . lumbermen, who are living with 
 their parents in Snow Shoe; Nora M . who died 
 November 17, [895; and Minnie M 
 
 Fraternally, l>r Young is a member of the 
 Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of 
 Odd Fellows, both of Snow Shoe; politically, he 
 is 1 supporter of the Democratic party. He is a 
 
 . 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPniCAL RECORD. 
 
 263 
 
 progressive physician, possessed of that true love 
 for his work, without which there can be no suc- 
 cess; is constantly improving on his own and 
 others' methods, and gaining further encourage- 
 ment and inspiration from the performance of 
 each day's duties. 
 
 HENRY N. TWITMYER. There is prob- 
 ably no man in Spring township, Centre 
 county, more widely or favorably known than 
 the gentleman whose name introduces this re- 
 view, and who is now successfully following the 
 carpenter's trade in Pleasant Gap. Throughout 
 his entire life he has been identified with the in- 
 terests of the county, his birth occurring in 
 Walker township. His parents, Emanuel and 
 Lucy (Gephart) Twitmyer, who were also na- 
 tives of Centre county, died in that township, the 
 former passing away in 1882, and the latter in 
 1894. 
 
 To them were born the following children: 
 Henry N., subject of this sketch; John, a prac- 
 ticing physician of Mercer county, Penn., who 
 married Donah A. Hull; Aaron, who died in 
 childhood; George W., principal of the public 
 schools of Honesville, Penn., who married Jo- 
 hanna Reese; Jeremiah, a contractor and 
 builder, residing in Illinois, who married Ger- 
 trude McCalmont; Mary E., wife of Albert 
 Shreffler, of Mill Hall, Clinton Co., Penn.; Ed- 
 win, principal of the high school of Seattle, 
 Wash.; Harvey B., who is married, and is a 
 teacher in a seminary near Pittsburg, Penn. ; and 
 Nancy M., wife of Samuel Decker, of Zion, this 
 State. 
 
 During the dark days of the Civil war, our 
 subject bade adieu to home and its influences, 
 and went to the front to aid in the preservation 
 of the Union, as a member of Company H, 4th 
 P. V. I., commanded by Col. Hartranft, Capt. 
 Austin B. Snyder, First Lieut. William H. Blair 
 and Second Lieut. William Raphile. At the expi- 
 ration of his term he veteranized, re-enlisting in 
 September, 1864, and serving until hostilities 
 had ceased. He was honorably discharged and 
 mustered out in July, 1865. 
 
 On February 1, 1866, Mr. Twitmyer mar- 
 ried Miss Elmira M. Brooks, and to them were 
 born eight children: Delia B., wife of Abner 
 Noll, a merchant of Pleasant Gap, Centre 
 county; Cora B., at home; Rosa J., wife of 
 Harry Hile, a plasterer of Pleasant Gap; Ella 
 E. , wife of James Coral, a school teacher of the 
 same place; and Harry E., Mary G., Minnie A. 
 and Lillie E., who are still under the parental 
 roof. The family occupy a beautiful home in 
 
 Pleasant Gap, where they are surrounded by 
 many warm friends and acquaintances. Politic- 
 ally, Mr. Twitmyer is a stanch Republican, 
 strongly upholding those principles for which he 
 was ready to sacrifice his life in the early days 
 of the party. He is a true citizen in every re- 
 spect, and has an excellent reputation as a 
 straightforward, upright man. A conscientious, 
 earnest Christian, he is a faithful member of the 
 United Evangelical Church. 
 
 CAPTAIN WILLIAM H. FRY, one of the in- 
 _' dustrious and thorough agriculturists of Fer- 
 guson township, Centre county, was born July 
 18, 1843, on the farm where he still resides, and 
 is a son of Conrad and Mary Ann (Custenbauder) 
 Fry. His paternal great-grandparents were na- 
 tives of Germany, while his grandparents were 
 born in Easton, Northampton Co., Penn. The 
 grandfather, Conrad Fry, was a soldier in the 
 war of 18 1 2. 
 
 Our subject is the eldest in a family of nine 
 children, and in order of birth was followed by 
 Jonas, who was born in 1845, and was killed at 
 the battle of Chancellorsville during the Civil 
 war; Stephen, who died in childhood; Sarah A., 
 wife of E. E. Young, a carpenter of Bellefonte, 
 Centre county; Polly A., wife of G. W. Ward, 
 of Bellefonte; Hannah, who died in infancy; 
 George W. , who died in childhood; another child 
 who died in infancy; and Robert B., who is mar- 
 ried, and is a carriage painter of Bellefonte. 
 
 Capt. Fry, whose name introduces this 
 sketch, secured a good education in the Pine 
 Grove Academy, of Centre county. On October 
 1, 1 861, he enlisted in Company E, 45th P. V. 
 I. At the battle of South Mountain, Md., he 
 had his skull fractured by a bullet, and was left 
 on the field for dead. By careful treatment, 
 however, he recovered, and was honorably dis- 
 charged at Baltimore, April 24, 1863, after 
 which he returned home. For a number of 
 terms he taught the Pine Grove Grammar 
 School, and he still takes an active part in every- 
 thing tending to the advancement and promotion 
 of education. 
 
 On September 12, 1865, Mr. Fry was mar- 
 ried to Miss Sally E. Laurimore, and to them 
 were born seven children, namely: John W. ; 
 Mary R. , wife of Charles Dale; S. E. ; Bella C. : 
 Conrad M. ; Mabel L. ; and W. H. After the 
 death of this wife, Mr. Fry wedded her sister, 
 Rebecca C. Laurimore, December 25, 1883. 
 Three children grace this union: Hugh L. ; 
 George B. McClellan; and A. F. Reno. The 
 second was named for a noted general in the 
 
264 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL REC< >/;/). 
 
 Union army, and the last for Gen. Reno, who 
 was killed in the Civil war. 
 
 Our subject is the owner of the old home- 
 stead farm, a valuable place of 110 acres, which 
 is located in the garden spot of the Valley. It 
 is beautifully and tastefully laid out, adorned 
 with evergreens and ornamental shrubbery of all 
 kinds, making it one of the most attractive farms 
 in the locality. To its cultivation he devotes 
 his time and attention with st gratifying re- 
 sults. In public affairs he takes a prominent 
 and influential part, and has been called upon to 
 serve in several official positions of honor and 
 trust. He has been assessor for the last fifteen 
 years; overseer of the poor; was secretary ol the 
 school board before attaining his majority; was 
 re-elected director secretary, and was census 
 '•numerator in [88o. asting his first 
 
 Presidential vote for Gen. McClellan in 1864, he 
 has been a patriotic Democrat in politics, and 
 has served as chairman of the County Demo- 
 cratic Central Committee, a position he still 
 holds. He has been commander of J. O. Camp- 
 bell Post No. 272, (.. A K . of Pine Grove 
 Mills, Centre county, has been a delegate to the 
 State Encampment, and is its present quarter- 
 master. He assisted m organizing Grange No. 
 252, of which he is past master, and is also 
 prominently identified with the I O. O. P.. 
 filling all the principal chairs in the local lodge, 
 and was a d( ,i:md Lodge; he be- 
 
 longs also to the Independent Order of Hepta- 
 sophs; and is the captain of the Jr A M. 
 II was also a charter member and nl of 
 
 Companj B, Fifth Regiment Pennsylvania Na- 
 tional Guard, in which organization he served 
 his term of enlisl ment. 
 
 1 ipt. Fry is a man of good address, genial 
 in disposition, hospitable in Ins home, and re- 
 spected by all who know him. A fluent writer, 
 he is correspondent for \anous newspapers. He 
 is now serving as trustee of the Presbyterian 
 Church, of which he is a faithful member, and 
 is secretary of the Sunday-schoor, also set retary 
 of the Church council. Besides general farming, 
 he is engaged in stock-raising and in the prac- 
 tice of veterinary surgery. In addition to the 
 above, he is a member of the Centre County Vet- 
 erinary Association, of which he is vice-president 
 and member of the executiv( committei . and is 
 president of the Pine Grove Academy Alumni 
 ociation. His associates are the young peo- 
 ple, as his general deportment and appeara 
 
 those of a man much younger in years. His 
 name has frequently been mentioned as a candi- 
 date for county office, but thus far he has de- 
 clined the honor. 
 
 ICHAEL DAVID KELLEY. While"the 
 
 L race is not always to the swift nor the bat- 
 tle to the strong ", the invariable law of destiny 
 accords to tireless energy, industry and ability a 
 successful career. The truth of this assertion is 
 abundantly verified in the life of Mr. Kelley, who 
 is one of the most energetic and progressive busi- 
 ness men of Centre county. He is an extensive 
 mine owner in the vicinity of Snow Shoe, where 
 he makes his home, and is a member of several 
 different mining companies. 
 
 Mr. Kelley was born May 20, 1861, in the 
 village where he still resides, and is a son of Pat- 
 rick Kelley, a native of Ireland, in which country 
 his mother died. In [842 Patrick accompanied 
 his father, Michael Kelley, to the United States, 
 as did also his brother and sister, Thomas and 
 Mar\ They are all now deceased, Thomas be- 
 ing killed while a soldier in the Union army dur- 
 ing the Civil war. The father of our subject was 
 fifteen years of age when he crossed the At- 
 lantic and located in Centre county, where he first 
 worked in the iron mills. Later he removed to 
 Snow Shoe township, where he found employ- 
 ment in the woods, subsequently engaged in min- 
 ing for ten years, and during the remainder of his 
 life followed agricultural pursuits. His death 
 occurred May }o, 1889. 
 
 In Centre county Patrick Kelley was married 
 to Sarah Flack, who was born in Howard town- 
 ship, that county, a daughter of Thomas and 
 Catherine Flack, and is now residing in Williams- 
 port, Lycoming Co., Penn.. By her marriage 
 she became the mother of the following children: 
 Harry P., an extensive coal operator of Snow 
 Shoe; John, who was killed while unloading a car 
 in [880; Mary, wife of William Casher, who is 
 op< rating the old homestead farm in Snow Shoe 
 township; Michael I) ; Annie, widow of James 
 Tobin, and a resident of New York; Sadie, wife 
 of James McGilley, a chemist for Sweet & Co., 
 of Williamsport, Penn. ; and Catherine and Mil- 
 lie, who are with their mother in Williamsport. 
 
 Mr. Kelley, of this review, began attending 
 school as soon as he had reached a sufficient age, 
 and when thirteen years old entered the mines. 
 where he worked throughout the year with the 
 exception of the winter months, which he spent 
 in school until he was eighteen. He then de- 
 voted his entire time and attention to mining 
 until he had attained his majority, when he re- 
 turned home and assisted in the labors of the 
 farm tor two years. Since that time he has 
 nsively interested in mining, 
 
 On June 1 1, iXSS, Mr. Kelley and his brother, 
 Harry P., formed a partnership with James To- 
 bin, and leased a mine known as the Snow Shoe 
 
 . 
 

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 265 
 
 Colliery, No. i, which they continued to operate 
 until July 31, 1889, when the brothers purchased 
 Mr. Tobin's interest, and the firm became Kelley 
 Brothers. They operated the mines Nos. 1 and 
 2, until November I, 1891, when they bought 
 the interest of Charles Watson in the Tacoma 
 colliery mine, known as the Watson & Morgan 
 mine, and the name of the firm was changed to 
 Kelley Bros. & Morgan. They are the owners of 
 a tract of 160 acres of excellent coal land which 
 they operate, while the firm of Kelley Bros, 
 have 200 acres. The Snow Shoe Mining Co., of 
 which our subject is president, has a valuable 
 tract of 433 acres three miles northwest of the 
 village of Snow Shoe, in Snow Shoe township. 
 The other stockholders, besides our subject, are 
 H. P. Kelley, T. B. Budinger and W. F. Holt. 
 
 Mr. Kelley was married in Snow Shoe, Janu- 
 ary 13, 1884, to Miss Sarah Haggans, who was 
 born in 1868, a daughter of James Haggans, 
 who died there from the effects of exposure while 
 at work in the woods. Her mother now resides 
 at Houtsdale, Clearfield Co., Penn. There were 
 only two children, of whom John died at the 
 age of three years. To Mr. and Mrs. Kelley 
 have been born six children. May, James, Pat- 
 rick, Edward, Leo and Theresa, and the family 
 circle yet remains unbroken by the hand of death. 
 
 Politically, Mr. Kelley is a stanch Democrat, 
 and in religious belief is a Catholic. The record 
 of his life is that of a man who has by his own 
 unaided efforts worked his way upward to a po- 
 sition of affluence. His life has been one of 
 industry and perseverance, and the systematic 
 and honorable business methods which he has 
 followed have won for him the support and con- 
 fidence of many. Without the aid of influence 
 or wealth, he has risen to a position among the 
 prosperous business men of the county, and his 
 native genius and acquired ability are the step- 
 ping-stones on which he has mounted. 
 
 HERBERT D. MEEK, one of Centre county's 
 intelligent and energetic sons, is a success- 
 ful druggist and pharmacist at State College, and 
 his prospects for the future are most promising. 
 He was born March 7, 1869, inPatton township, 
 Centre county, where his parents, D. L. and M. 
 E. (Waddle) Meek have for many years been 
 prominent and highly respected residents. 
 
 The district schools of that locality furnished 
 Mr. Meek an elementary education during boy- 
 hood, and he was also trained to habits of indus- 
 try upon his father's farm. Excellent as were 
 his surroundings, discontent found lodgment in 
 his youthful mind', and he decided to seek a 
 
 wider range of activity. Four years were spent 
 in State College in the Mechanical Engineering 
 Departments, and then the ambitious young man 
 went to Pittsburg, where he was employed by 
 the Westinghouse Machine Company for two 
 years; but the Homestead strike had a demoral- 
 izing effect upon the business of the firm, and 
 Mr. Meek found his occupation gone. At this 
 junction he determined upon his future business, 
 and entering the National School of Pharmacy at 
 Washington, D. C, he took a complete course, 
 graduating in 1894. For some time he was 
 employed as a pharmacist with J. W. Drew, of 
 Washington, and in April, 1896, he went to 
 State College and opened his present drug store. 
 His store of drugs is complete, and their arrange- 
 ment and neatness of all the appointments of the 
 store show the characteristic precision which Mr. 
 Meek carries into all his business operations. 
 
 Mr. Meek was married October 22, 1896, to 
 Nannie M. Campbell, daughter of Ex-Commis- 
 sioner Campbell, of Fairbrook, Penn., and they 
 have one child, born December 8, 1897. 
 
 A typical American in thought, our subject 
 has always taken great interest in public ques- 
 tions, and he is a stanch supporter of the princi- 
 ples of the Democratic party. 
 
 Kir F. ROCKEY, who is successfully engaged 
 in buying and shipping produce in Potter 
 township, Centre county, has from an early age 
 made his own way in the world, unaided by cap- 
 ital or influential friends, but by industry, per- 
 severance and good management he has stead- 
 ily worked his way upward until to-day he is do- 
 ing a large and prosperous business and has se- 
 cured a comfortable home. 
 
 fn Nittany Valley, Mr. Rockey was born, 
 September 10, 1854, a son of Jacob Rockey, 
 who was also a native of Centre county, born 
 May 15, 1825, in Penn Hall, and his grand- 
 father, John Rockey, was an early settler of 
 Penn's Valley. At Penn Hall, Centre county, 
 in 1853, was celebrated the marriage of Jacob 
 Rockey and Miss Elizabeth Rossman, who was 
 born in Potter township, January 11, 1835, and is 
 the eldest daughter and third child in a family 
 of twelve children — five sons and seven daugh- 
 ters — whose parents were Jonathan and Mar- 
 garet (Fye) Rossman. Her mother was born 
 June 26, 181 1, and died October 23, 1875, while 
 her father was born March 22, 1808, and died 
 March 26, 1863. As they were quite poor she 
 was forced to earn her own living during her girl- 
 hood, and therefore lived much among strangers. 
 After his marriage. Jacob Rockey made his home 
 
l'66 
 
 - OMMBMOBATIVB BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 in Nittany Valley, where he worked as a (arm la- 
 borer, and in that way secured enough capital 
 with which to purchase a small home near Tus- 
 seyville, where his death occurred March 8, 1873, 
 and his remains were interred in the cemetery of 
 th.it village. He was a Union soldier in the Civil 
 war, a member of the 2 10th 1'. V, I., and his 
 arduous service left him in poor health for the re- 
 mainder of his life. Politically, he was a sup- 
 porter of the Republican patty, and in religious 
 faith he was a member of the Reformed Church. 
 
 Seven children were born to the parents of 
 our subject, namely: W. F. . of this review; 
 Sarah C. , wife of John Xugard, of Cleveland, 
 Ohio; Mary R., wife of Wilson Kline, of the 
 same city; Margaret E., wife of John Davis, of 
 Altoona, Penn. ; Flora A., wife of C. H. Perkins, 
 of Cleveland; Elizabeth S., wife of Samuel Jor- 
 dan, of Lewistown, Penn.; and Jacob J. R. , an 
 employee of our subject in the produce business. 
 As the father left little property at his death, the 
 family soon became scattered, as the children 
 were obliged to earn their own livelihood. Later 
 the mother married William From, now de- 
 ceased, and she finds a pleasant home with her 
 son, W. F. Like the father, she is a consistent 
 member of the Reformed Church, and she is a 
 most estimable lady. 
 
 Mr. Rockey, the subject proper of this review, 
 was but a mere child when brought by his par- 
 ents to Potter township, and in its district 
 schools he obtained his education; but at the 
 early age of twelve years he had to laj aside his 
 books and assist his parents in the support of the 
 family. The first wages that he received was 
 $50 for eight months' work, winch was used to- 
 ward paying for their little home. For some 
 time he was employed by different fanners in 
 Potter township, and with the money thus earned 
 paid off the few outstanding debts left at his fa- 
 ther's death. 
 
 In 1872, Mr Rockey embarked in his present 
 business On a small scale, in com a it'll 
 
 t reorge Meese, and at first was obliged to borrow 
 a horse with which to gather up the produce pur- 
 chased. This lie sold in Bellefonte at a good ad- 
 vantage, and was soon able to buy a horse. As 
 his business prospered he needed two, one for 
 use m buying the butter, eggs and other produce 
 from the farmers, and the other in selling the 
 
 is in the cities He is one of the oldest deal- 
 ers along this line in Potter township, and his 
 straightforward, honorable business poltC) has 
 gained him a liberal share of the public pat- 
 ronage. 
 
 After making his home for several years with 
 his uncle, Michael Rossman. of Potter township. 
 
 he in the spring of 1888 purchased fifteen acres 
 of land from Abraham Horst, of which he has 
 since sold two and one-half acres, paying for the 
 tract $i,OO0. The old clovermill standing 
 thereon he converted into a dwelling, but this 
 has since been replaced by an elegant home; and 
 he also erected a cold storage warehouse and 
 other substantial outbuildings. After secunn. 
 home, Mr. Rockey naturally wished some one to 
 preside over it, and in December, 1889, in Har- 
 ris township, Centre county, he married Miss 
 Jennie Mayer, a daughter of Henry and Almira 
 (Bryman) Mayer. Four children were born to 
 them: Mvra E. ; Verna M.. who died at the age 
 of two years; Margaret C, at home; and William 
 Henry. The parents are both active members 
 of the Reformed Church, in which he is serving 
 as elder. In politics he is identified with the Re- 
 publican party. He deserves great credit for the 
 success that he has achieved in life, and certainly 
 is entitled to a place among the honored and 
 valued pitizens of Potter township. 
 
 Jt'HN \\ . STUART is a prosperous business 
 man and influential citizen of State College, 
 Centre county, and the following brief bi- 
 ography is interesting as showing in outline the 
 influence anil events which have marked his life. 
 Mr. Stuart had the advantage at the outset 
 of a name which has been held in high esteem in 
 this section from pioneer times, his paternal 
 grandfather, Rev. William Stuart, a well-beloved 
 minister of the Presbyterian faith, having in early 
 days come from Donegal. Ireland, to make his 
 home in Centre county. An able, fearless, and 
 devoted preacher, the effect of his labors at that 
 formative period cannot be estimated. His cir- 
 cuit extended from the Susquehanna at Lewi-- 
 burg to Clearfield, the entire region being then 
 know 11 as Union county. Of his three children: 
 Priscilla married Dr. Montgomery, and resided 
 in Lycoming county, Perm.; Isabella died in early 
 womanhood; and David (our subject's fatlv 
 who was born in Harris township. Centre count). 
 in 1812, is now living in Boalsburg. His life 
 has been -pent quietly, agriculture being his 
 main pursuit, although he has also been 
 in lumbering His patriotism is of the stalwart 
 type, and he was a stanch advocate of the doc- 
 trine ol "America for the Americans in Know- 
 nothing tunes Later he became a Republican. 
 and in 1862 was one of the emergency nun 
 who volunteered to protect the State from the 
 invasion of the Rebel army, while in local affair.- 
 he has always exerted much influence in .1 quiet 
 way. His wife, Martha (Johnson . was born in 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 267 
 
 Harris township, Centre county, in 1813, and 
 passed from earth in 1885. Col. James John- 
 son, her father, a native of Lancaster county, 
 Penn., was a prominent merchant and hotel 
 keeper at Boalsburg. Mrs. Stuart was one of 
 eight children, the others being: George, a 
 prosperous iron-master, who held the offices of 
 sheriff and associate judge of Huntingdon county; 
 James, who died in 1862 or 1863; Nancy (Mrs. 
 J. H. Mitchell, of College township), who died 
 about a year ago; Ann, who married a Mr. Mont- 
 gomery; Ellen, who married Alexander Johnson, 
 of Boalsburg, and are both now deceased; Han- 
 nah, the widow of the late Judge Birchfield, of 
 Centre county; and Margaret (deceased), who 
 was the first wife of Judge Birchfield. 
 
 Seven children blessed the union of David 
 and Martha Stuart: Priscilla Ann, who has 
 never married; Col. James T., a resident of 
 Boalsburg; Esther E. (Mrs. Samuel B. Wilson), 
 deceased; William, who died in infancy; John W., 
 our subject; George, who died in childhood; and 
 Harry S., now residing in Boalsburg. 
 
 John W. Stuart was born August 23, 1844, 
 in Harris township, Centre county, and his edu- 
 cation was acquired in the common schools of 
 that section, and in Pine Grove Academy. When 
 the Civil war broke out, he was only a boy in 
 years, but the stirring events of that time brought 
 quick development to natures which were capa- 
 ble of high resolution and courageous action. In 
 1862 he enlisted in Company G, 148th P. V. I., 
 and served until mustered out June, 9, 1865. 
 Entering with the rank of private, he was soon 
 made sergeant, and January I, 1864, he was 
 commissioned lieutenant. For three months he 
 served as quartermaster of his regiment, but the 
 greater part of his time was spent at more dan- 
 gerous work, as he participated in all the impor- 
 tant engagements of the regiment from Chancel- 
 lorsville to Appomattox Court House. On May 
 10, 1864, he was wounded at Poe river, necessi- 
 tating his absence from duty until Septeitiber 1, 
 1864, when he rejoined his comrades in front of 
 Petersburg, Virginia. 
 
 After his return to peaceful avocations, our 
 subject followed agriculture for ten years, and 
 then spent three years in the hotel busines at 
 State College. Since that time he has con- 
 tinued in business there, as a general mer- 
 chant for eight years, and later as a dealer in 
 coal and grain. He is one of the leaders in these 
 lines, and owns two elevators, one at State Col- 
 lege and one at Oak Hall, Penn. On December 
 23, 1869, Mr. Stuart married Miss Margaret 
 Ellen Musser, a native of Boalsburg, born August 
 >. 1850, and they have five children. Elizabeth 
 
 Musser, a young lady of fine intellectual gifts, 
 was educated at State College; William A. is at 
 home; George died at the age of six months; 
 Daniel is a student at State College; and Maggie 
 Johnson is at home. 
 
 Mr. Stuart's gallant record as a soldier entitles 
 him to membership in the G. A. R., and he be- 
 longs to Capt. Foster Post, No. 197, at Lemont. 
 He is also a member of the Union Veteran Le- 
 gion at Bellefonte, holding the rank of colonel. 
 He served as postmaster through the Garfield- 
 Arthur administrations, and was again appointed 
 postmaster by President McKinley in 1897, in 
 which capacity he is now serving. 
 
 OBERT H. REED is one of the native sons 
 of Centre county, his birth having occurred 
 in Patton township, April 26, 1848. 
 
 William Reed, father of our subject, was born 
 in Ireland, in 18 10, and married Rose Ann Han- 
 nah, also a native of the Emerald Isle. They 
 were married in that country, and soon afterward 
 came to America. The mother died in 1873, 
 and was laid to rest in Gray's cemetery, Patton 
 township; the father has now reached the ad- 
 vanced age, of eighty-six years. They had seven 
 children — five sons and two daughters: William 
 H. carries on agricultural pursuits in Huntingdon 
 county, Penn. ; Jane is the widow of Christ Hart- 
 sock, who died leaving two children; Nicholas 
 E., who in early life was a railroad engineer, and 
 is now a wealthy citizen of Kansas, married Anna 
 Hartsock, and has eight children; Catherine E. 
 is the wife of J. J. Kline, a resident farmer of 
 Huntingdon county, Penn.; David J., who mar- 
 ried Amelia Irvin, by whom he had three chil- 
 dren, is a wealthy farmer of Kansas, owning sev- 
 eral hundred acres of land (during the Civil war 
 he was a faithful Union soldier, and was wounded 
 while fighting for his country); Robert H. is the 
 sixth in order of birth; and John E. is a farmer 
 of Huntingdon county, and has had a family of 
 five children, three of whom are living. 
 
 Robert H. Reed has spent his entire life in 
 Patton township, Centre county, with the excep- 
 tion of two years passed in Stormstown. He ac- 
 quired his education in the Waddle school, and 
 is a well-informed man whose practical knowl- 
 edge and business experience have enabled him 
 to secure a comfortable competence. His life 
 has been one of earnest industry, and he is now 
 the owner of 135 acres of good land, situated 
 about a mile from the Scotia mines. His farm 
 is well improved with substantial buildings, and 
 his land is richly cultivated. In his methods of 
 farming he is progressive and enterprising, and 
 
268 
 
 COMStEMOItA TIYF. HlnOHAl'llUM RECORD. 
 
 the success which he has achieved is richly mer- 
 ited. 
 
 On February 22, 1877, Mr. Reed was mar- 
 ried to Miss Mary C. Kelley, a daughter of Jere- 
 miah Kelley, of Benner township Centre count}'. 
 They have seven children — four sons and three 
 (laughters — ami the family circle yet remains un- 
 broken by the hand of death. Their names and 
 dates of birth are as follows: William G. Clif- 
 ford, August 19, 1878; Irvin G. , May 5, 1880; 
 Katrine, January 23, 1S84; Anna M., September 
 16, 1885; Ethel J., August 26, 1S90; John E., 
 July 26, 1893; and Robert E., March 23, 1897. 
 In his political adherency Mr. Keed is a Demo- 
 crat. He is a man of sterling worth, genial and 
 kindly in disposition, affable in manner, and pos- 
 sessing that true nobility of character which 
 everywhere commands respect and confidence. 
 
 SYLVESTER Kill's PRINGLE, a leading 
 merchant and undertaker of Fort Matilda, 
 Centre county, is a native of Pennsylvania, burn 
 December 13, 1 8 ^9, in Summer Hill, Cambria 
 county, and is a son of Philip and Elizabeth 
 (Ritts) Pringle. The father was born in Cam- 
 bria county, January 29, 18] ,, and in earl}- life 
 followed mercantile pursuits in Summer Hill and 
 Claysburg, Penn., hut later turned his attention 
 to farming. His parents were Philip and Marj 
 l'ringle. who were of Scotch-Irish origin. In 
 
 politics, Philip Pringle, Jr., was a Dei rat until 
 
 1860, after which he gave his support to the Re- 
 publican party, and, being one of the prominent 
 men of the community where he made his home, 
 served in several official positions, lb' and his 
 wife were earnest Christians, faithful member-- of 
 the United Brethren Church. 
 
 The mother of our subject was horn in Mian 
 county, Penn., November 23, 1820, a daughter 
 el Thomas and Catherine (Lower) Ritts, natives 
 of Pennsylvania, who died in Taylor township, 
 Blair county, then part of Bedford county. Bj 
 occupation her father was a farmei and saddler. 
 In 1870 Mrs. Pringle, her hu ind one 
 
 daughterall diedof typhoid fever; the father pas 
 away September 21, and the mother on October 
 16. Six children wen- 1m, in to them: Sylvester 
 K., of this sketch; M,u\ * and Sarah A., who 
 died unmarried; John S., who died in infancy; 
 Jane, wife of James Dively, of Altoona, Penn., 
 and David A . a residi nl ol Mahaffey, Pennsyl- 
 vania. 
 
 The boyhood and youth "t Sylvester K. 
 l'ringle were spent upon his father's farm, where 
 he remained until fifteen years of age, when he 
 began clerking in the mercantile establishment 
 
 of his uncle at Sharpsburg. Owing to ill health 
 he resigned his position two years later and re- 
 turned to the home farm, where he remained till 
 he was twent) years old, and then entered the 
 employ of Hasting & Coolbroth, from Portland, 
 Maine, who were engaged in the shook business in 
 Blair county, and served as their foreman for 
 twelve years, during which time he got out tim- 
 ber in Blair, Bedford, Cambria, Clearfield and 
 Centre counties. In 1872 he embarked in the 
 shook business and the manufacture of staves in 
 Centre county on his own account, and was thus 
 engaged for three years. Purchasing a farm in 
 Taylor township, he operated the same until 
 1 88 1, when he removed to Port Matilda in order 
 to better educate his children, and in 1884 he 
 erected his present comfortable home and neat 
 store building. He has met with success in mer- 
 chandising, and is one of the representative and 
 prominent business men of the place. 
 
 In Blair count}, December 29, 1859, Mr. 
 Pringle was married to Miss Catherine Ickes, 
 who was born August 7, 1837, in what was then 
 Bedford county, but is now pari ol Blair county. 
 Penn., a daughter of John and Eve (Emler) 
 [ekes. Ten children graced this union, namely: 
 Lloyd S., a merchant ol Mahaffey, Penn.; Mary 
 \ . wile of S. K. Mansfield, of Bedford county; 
 Clara \ . who dud in infancy; Amanda ].. wife 
 of William Lingerfelder, of Altoona, Perm., who 
 works in the railroad shops; Arthur C... deceased; 
 Minnie B. and Effie L. (twins), the former at 
 home, and the latter the wife of Martin McKel- 
 vey, who is employed in the railroad shops in 
 Altoona; [ohn I . <>f Altoona; and Elizabeth and 
 Chestei M . at hi >me. 
 
 John Ickes, the father of Mrs. Pringle, was 
 born August 2, 1802, at what is known as Dutch 
 Corner, Bedford county, and was a son of Philip 
 and Elizabeth Ickes, who spent their entire 1: 
 111 that count}', engaged in agricultural pursuits. 
 At Dutch Corner, John Ickes married Eve Em- 
 ler, a daughter of Jacob and Christina Emler, 
 also fanning people of Bedford county. The fol- 
 lowing children were burn of their union: Polly 
 who married 11. Walter, but both are now de- 
 ceased; Elizabeth, wife of A. |. Berget, a farmer 
 u| Blair county; SallieS., wife of Jacob Diebert 
 a merchant and farmer of Claysburg, Penn.. 
 Mary A , deceased wife of H. Hedrick, a retired 
 farmer of Blair county; Catherine, wife of our 
 subject ; Adam, a resident of Cambria count} 
 Christina, wife of Moses Barkcomer, a farm' • 
 ol Blair county; Hannah, wife of Jacob Dotson. 
 a farmer of Blair county; John, who operates th 
 homestead farm; Rosanna and Lucinda, d< 
 ceased; Eliza J., wife of Alexander Butler; Eve, 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 269 
 
 wife of Samuel Smith, a miner of Lilly Station, 
 Penn. ; Harrison, a railroad employee; and Beckie, 
 wife of Alexander Butler, of Blair county. The 
 father of this family was a Republican in politics, 
 and a member of the German Reformed Church, 
 to which his wife also belonged. He died Sep- 
 tember 14, 1896. In his family were fifteen chil- 
 dren, 106 grandchildren, 1 39great-grandchildren, 
 and seven great-great-grandchildren. 
 
 During President Harrison's administration, 
 Mr. Pringle was the efficient postmaster at Port 
 Matilda, and has ably filled several other local 
 offices. He is a firm supporter of the Repub- 
 lican party, fraternally is a member of the Odd 
 Fellows Society, No. 845, at Stormstown, and 
 with his family holds membership in the Meth- 
 odist Episcopal Church. He started out in life 
 with nothing but his indomitable energy, and 
 his accumulation of this world's goods is attrib- 
 utable to his sound judgment and persevering ef- 
 forts. His word in business transactions is con- 
 sidered as good as his bond, and he is justly 
 recognized as one of the energetic and repre- 
 sentative citizens of Centre county. He has 
 taken a prominent part in public affairs, always 
 lending his influence to promote the best inter- 
 ests of the community where he resides. 
 
 BD. BIERLY, a leading contractor and 
 builder of Brush Valley, Centre county, is 
 
 a member of a family that has been so promi- 
 nent in this section from the pioneer days as to 
 need no introduction to our readers. 
 
 Mr. Bierly is a great-grandson of Anthony 
 Bierly, the famous old pioneer, and a grandson 
 of Nicholas Bierly, who was born in 1775, and 
 came to Brush Valley with his father. As the 
 latter's health became impaired, the support of a 
 numerous family devolved upon the two elder 
 sons, Nicholas and John, the former naturally 
 taking the lead. He married Lucy Buchtel, who 
 was born in 1778, the daughter of John Buchtel, 
 an early settler of Brush Valley. For many 
 years this worthy couple lived in Rebersburg, 
 where both died, he on July 25, 1848, and she 
 on March 26, 1851, their remains being interred 
 in the Lutheran and Reformed cemetery at Re- 
 bersburg. They had ten children, whose names 
 with dates of birth are as follows: Nicholas, Jr. , 
 February 12, 1799, died in Sugar Valley, in 1877; 
 Hannah, May 26, 1800, married Henry Keyer, 
 and died in Miles township; Michael, September 
 25, 1801, and John, September 25, 1803, died in 
 Miles township after reaching adult age; David, 
 December 8, 1805, lives in Montgomery town- 
 ship, Wood county, Ohio; Anthony, August 26, 
 
 1807, is mentioned more fully below; Reuben, 
 March 8, 1809, removed to Missouri; Peter, 
 April 13, 1 8 14, died near Milesburg, Centre 
 county; Simeon, March 25, 1817, is also de- 
 ceased; and George, July 17, 18 19, resides in 
 Montgomery township. Wood Co., Ohio. 
 
 Anthony Bierly, the father of our subject, 
 was born August 26, 1807, at the old Bierly 
 homestead, near Rebersburg, and after attending 
 for a time the local schools, such as they were, 
 he learned the cooper's trade, completing his ap- 
 prenticeship under Robert Smith, of Penn's Val- 
 ley. He was married in Miles township, Centre 
 county, to Miss Rachel Ruhl, a native of York 
 county, Penn., born in February, 181 1. Her 
 father died when she was a child, and an uncle, 
 John Ruhl, who died in Lock Haven, brought 
 her to Brush Valley, where she grew to woman- 
 hood. Neither of the young couple had any as- 
 sistance from home to give them a start in life, 
 but Anthony Bierly made a comfortable living at 
 his trade, which he followed during his active life. 
 As his boys became old enough for work, he kept 
 them busy upon a farm which he owned, but he 
 did not devote his own time to it, farther than to 
 direct their labors. 
 
 On retiring from business Anthony Bierly re- 
 moved to Kreamerville to a comfortable residence 
 built by our subject, who traded it as part pay- 
 ment on the home farm, agreeing as a further 
 consideration to support his parents as long as 
 they should live. The mother died October 2 1 , 
 1886, and the father on July 2, 1890, both de- 
 vout members of the Lutheran Church. He never 
 acquired more than a fair competence, and was 
 disinclined to contend for his rights, preferring 
 to lose an account rather than sue any one. 
 This peaceable disposition, together with his 
 unshaken integrity, won him friends among all 
 classes, and he was highly esteemed throughout 
 the community. He was a Democrat in politics, 
 and in early life voted regularly, but, as old age 
 came on, his feeble health prevented him at 
 times from getting to the polls. He had nine 
 children, namely: Catherine, who married (first) 
 John W. Barker, and (second) Elijah Sharp, 
 who died at Kreamerville; Hannah, now the 
 widow of Michael Krape, of Clintondale, Penn. ; 
 Lydia (now Mrs. Samuel Loose), of Rebersburg; 
 Abigail, who married Frederick Hartman, and 
 died in Clinton county, Penn. ; Cornelius, a 
 farmer and plasterer of Bradner, Ohio; Mar- 
 garet, the widow of Gideon Kreamer, of Brush 
 Valley; R. D., our subject; Paulina (now Mrs. 
 Jacob Wolheiser), of Kreamerville; and Fauette 
 (now Mrs. David Meyer), of Miles township. 
 
 R. D. Bierly's birth occurred February 3, 
 
270 
 
 COMMBMORA TIVB BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1844, in Miles township, Centre county, and he 
 was educated in the common schools of that lo- 
 cality, improving his opportunities so well that 
 before he was twenty-one he taught successfully 
 at the Gramley school. He was reared to farm 
 work, but, as he possessed unusual mechanical 
 skill, he decided to learn the carpenter's trade, 
 and aft' 1 one summer at the work was as com- 
 petent as most app 1 full term. 
 For one year he was employed as a skilled 
 workman, and then went into business on his 
 own account, his reputation increasing with the 
 progress of time until he holds to-day a foremost 
 place among the workers in that line in his sec- 
 tion. As a contractor he is noted for his hon- 
 esty and fair dealing, and he has built many of 
 the best residences in Centre county, including 
 some of the most elegant homes in Millheim and 
 Rebersburg. Other buildings which stand as ev- 
 idences of his skill are the Lutheran churches at 
 Millheim and Rebersburg, and the school houses 
 there and in Coburn. Financially, he has pros- 
 pered, and he owns tsvo houses in Rebersburg, 
 as well as 115 acres of timber land and forty 
 acres of cleared land. His home in Rebersburg, 
 built in 1*97, is a model of tasteful architecture. 
 In 1 867 Mr. Bierly was married to Miss Pauline 
 Frank, only daughter oi Samuel and Saloma 
 (Brungart) Frank. After his marriage, Mr. 
 Bierly in ule his home in Kreamerville for some 
 time before removing to Rebersburg. Seven 
 children have blessed his marriage: Sally, the 
 wife of Thomas Auman, of Rebersburg; Willis 
 I- . residing at Rebersburg; Charles C, a car- 
 penter at Rebersburg; Melvin C. , who died June 
 10, 1882, at the age of four years; and Curtis M., 
 Samuel A. and Raymond S., who are at home. 
 As a citizen, Mr. Uierly's influence is felt in every 
 progressive movement as a helpful force. He 
 and In-- wife are leading members of the Luther- 
 an Church, in which he has held the office of 
 deacon for many years; lie is also identified with 
 the Grange, being master for several years of 
 Miles Grange. Politically he is a Democrat, but 
 he is not at all bigoted, and when occasion seems 
 to demand it he votes independently. He has 
 never sought office, his attention being confined 
 to other matters. 
 
 MJ. DECKER, one of the leading citizens 
 and self-made men of Potter township. 
 Centre county, has made his home upon his 
 present farm since November, 1892. Under his 
 able management the land yields bountiful har- 
 vests, and the excellent improvements seen there- 
 
 on stand as a monument to his thrift and enter- 
 prise. He started out in life for himself with no 
 capital save a pair of willing hands and a deter- 
 mination to succeed, and by the exercise of per- 
 severance, industry and economy is now the 
 possessor of a handsome competence. 
 
 Mr. Decker was born in George's Valley, Cen- 
 tre county, April 26, 1833, a son of Michael and 
 Barbara Price) Decker. The father's birth 
 occurred December 15, 1795, in the southern part 
 of the State, where his father, Casper Decker, 
 died. When a young man, Michael Decker 
 came to Centre county, accompanied by his 
 mother, who lived with him for some time. Here 
 he worked at the carpenter's and millwright's 
 trades, or in fact anything by which he could earn 
 an honest dollar. In Centre county he married 
 Barbara Price, who was born in George's Yall 
 May 7, 1800, a daughter of Jacob Price. In the 
 place of her birth they spent their entire married 
 life, and from its primitive condition the father 
 developed a farm, but never accumulated much 
 property. He was a Democrat in politics, and 
 at one time served as overseer of the poor His 
 death occurred in March, 1880, that of his wife 
 in August, 1 87 1, and both were laid to rest in the 
 Sprucetown cemetery. After her death he was 
 again married, and by the second union had five 
 children, of whom one died in childhood. 
 
 Mil hael J. Decker, the subject of this review, 
 is the seventh in order of birth in the family of 
 ten children born of the first marriage, namely 
 Mary, born December 12, 1818, wedded Nicholas 
 Sheriff, and died in Juniata county, Penn.; Ann, 
 born September 9, 1821, married John Gall, and 
 died in Ohio; Casper, born June 28, 1824, died 
 in boyhood; Elizabeth, born March t8, 1826, is 
 the wife of Lot Evans, of Stephenson county, 
 111.; Margaret, born September 12, 1829, is the 
 widow of John McNeal, and lives in Chicago, 
 III.; Barbara, born July 9, 1831, married Samuel 
 Leitzel, and died in George's Valley; Michael J.; 
 J. Thomas, born December 12, 1835, died in 
 Flemington, Penn.; Catharine, born August -'. 
 [837, died February 13, 1897 (she hail been a 
 mute from the time she was two yeats old); and 
 ne V., born October 25, 1839, is a resident 
 of Gregg township, Centre county 
 
 In George's Valley our subject was reared to 
 manhood, and his education was such as the dis- 
 trict schools of the locality afforded at that earlv 
 day. During the winter time he assisted his fa- 
 ther in the sawmill at the expense of his school- 
 ing, while his summer months were passed in 
 farm work as soon as he was able to handle a 
 plow or be of any service in the cultivation of 
 the land. He remained at home until his mar- 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 271 
 
 riage, giving his father the benefit of his labor. 
 On October 17, i860, in Millheim, Centre coun- 
 ty, he was united in marriage with Miss Eliza- 
 beth Stahl, who was born in Crawford township, 
 Clinton Co., Penn., September 7, 1837, a daugh- 
 ter of Jacob and Nancy (Shaw) Stahl. Her fa- 
 ther, a farmer by occupation, was born in White 
 Deer Valley, near New Columbia, Penn. , and 
 when a young man removed to Clinton county, 
 where he purchased land and made his home un- 
 til his death. Mrs. Decker was the second in a 
 family of ten daughters, and at the age of ten 
 years left home and lived with relatives until her 
 marriage. Like her husband she obtained her 
 education in the district schools. They have six 
 children, whose names and dates of birth are as 
 follows: Nannie W. , October 29, 1862; Barbara 
 E., May 3, 1866; Francis W., May 4, 1868; 
 Anna May, May 9, 1871; James L. , May 20, 
 1874; and Maurice J., March 19, 1885. Of 
 these, Barbara E. is the wife of W. O. Rearick, 
 of Centre Hall, and Anna May is the wife of 
 Hiram Lee, of Potter township, the others being 
 at home. 
 
 For three years and a half after his marriage, 
 Mr. Decker lived upon his father's farm in 
 George's Valley, and the first property he owned 
 consisted of sixty acres in Nittany Valley, near 
 Hublersburg, upon which he made his home un- 
 til able to sell at an advantage. He then re- 
 moved to Potters Mills, where for a short time he 
 conducted a store, and on disposing of his inter- 
 ests there he bought land in George's Valley, 
 where he resided for some time. Subsequently 
 he engaged in the grain business in Coburn, Cen- 
 tre county, and was very successful along that 
 line, continuing the same until his removal to his 
 present farm, which at that time was not in a 
 very flourishing condition. He has erected sev- 
 eral new buildings upon the place, and made 
 other valuable and useful improvements. He is 
 the owner of two fine farms, aggregating 230 
 acres of rich and arable land, and his accumula- 
 tions are but the just reward of his own untiring 
 labors. 
 
 Mr. Decker uses his right of franchise in sup- 
 port of the men and measures of the Democratic 
 party, and is at present serving as overseer of the 
 poor. He has also held the office of school di- 
 rector, but declined to serve a second term. 
 Both himself and wife are faithful members of 
 the Methodist Church, of which he was steward 
 for several years, and is at present trustee. The 
 family is one of prominence in the community, 
 holding a high position in social circles, and their 
 pleasant and hospitable home is always thrown 
 open for the reception of their many friends. 
 
 JOHN MULHOLLAN, who was born in 1800, 
 and died on the 11th of June, i860, was one 
 of the most prominent and influential citizens 
 of Clearfield county. Carlisle wrote that "biog- 
 raphy is the most universally pleasant and prof- 
 itable of all studies." and in the life record of this 
 gentleman there is certainly much of interest 
 and of benefit. He was a self-made man, one 
 whose energy and perseverance enabled him to 
 pass on the highway of life many who had a more 
 advantageous start. His labors brought to him 
 a handsome competence, and by his well-spent 
 life he won not only success but- the high regard 
 of all with whom he came in contact. He was a 
 son of Rudolph and Mary M. (Werham) Mulhol- 
 lan, the former a native of Ireland, the latter of 
 Ohio, of Irish and German extraction, respect- 
 ively. Their children were James, Rudolph, 
 George, Mrs. Mary Schwitzer, Alfred, Nancy 
 (who died in infancy), John, Mrs. Nancy Clark, 
 and Mrs. Rebecca Bowers, all now deceased. 
 
 John Mulhollan was one of the early settlers 
 of Centre county, where he made his home dur- 
 ing the rest of his days. In early life he en- 
 gaged in rafting on the river, and developed an 
 extensive lumber trade which brought to him a 
 handsome income. In later life he turned his 
 attention to agricultural pursuits, and was thus 
 engaged at the time of his deatn. His business 
 career was characterized by great energy, well 
 regulated and guided by sound judgment. He 
 would brook no obstacles which could be over- 
 come by determined purpose and honorable 
 effort, and thus worked his way upward to pros- 
 perity, leaving at his death a large estate. On 
 February 20, 185 1, in Union county, Penn., he 
 was married to Miss Barbara Betlion, who was 
 born in Perry county, Penn,, October 3, 1821, a 
 daughter of David and Mary (Rafter) Betlion, 
 natives of the Keystone State and of German de- 
 scent. Both are now deceased. The father 
 was a farmer, also a pilot on a boat that plied 
 between Lock Haven and the ocean. In poli- 
 tics he was a Democrat, and both he and his 
 wife were members of the Baptist Church. In 
 their family were the following children: Will- 
 iam (deceased); Barbara; John (deceased); Mary, 
 wife of Christian Burns; Andrew (deceased); 
 Joanna, wife of Cornelius Kaylor, a farmer of 
 Union county, Penn. ; Louisa, widow of John 
 Richardson, also of Union county; Montgomery 
 (deceased); and Kate, wife of Frank Speaker, a 
 merchant of Montandon, Pennsylvania. 
 
 Mr. Mulhollan also gave his political support 
 to the Democratic party, and his widow is a 
 warm advocate of the principles of that party. 
 He was a leader in business circles, and alto- 
 
272 
 
 ' OMMBMORATIVB lilOURAI'llirM HEcoliD. 
 
 
 gether a prominent citizen of Centre county. 
 Industrious and persevering, he made the most of 
 his opportunities, and in all the relations of life 
 was a man whom to know was to honor. Ill- 
 widow still resides on the old homestead, which 
 is a valuable property, the land being underlaid 
 with coal and oil. With the many womanly 
 qualities which bring to her friends, she combines 
 excellent executive ability, and capably looks 
 after hei property interests. Mr. and Mrs. Mul- 
 hollan had children as follows. Elizabeth E., 
 born October 31, 1851, died October 4, i860; 
 David R., bom March 24, 1854, is a farmer of 
 Burnsides township; William O., born March 23, 
 [856, died January 5, 1880; John A., born No- 
 vember 16. 1S57, is now in Buffalo, N. Y. ; Cath- 
 erine A., twin sister of John A., is living with 
 her mother. 
 
 David R. Mulhollan, the eldest son, whose 
 home is only a short distance from that of his 
 mother, is one of the enterprising and progressive 
 agriculturists of Burnside township. Hewasmar- 
 ried June 4, 1873, to Miss Alice J. Flegal, of 
 1 .oslten township, Clearfield county, and they 
 have had nine children, namely: Ida 1 deceased), 
 John P. , Millie C. , Ella V. (deceased), |ames R.. 
 \Y. 0., Preston E., Bernice E. and l'.riiest M. 
 They have a pleasant home, and are highly es- 
 teemed people of the community. 
 
 The Mulhollan family is especially worthy of 
 mention in this volume. Mrs. John Mulhollan 
 and her children all rank among the best rep 
 sentatives of tins section of the county, and did 
 also Mr. Mulhollan, her deceased husband 
 
 MARTIN B. CARMAN. Leisure, the cum 
 of an undisciplined intellect, is to the intel- 
 ligent and cultured an opportunity for continued 
 advancement. The subject of this sketch, a 
 prominent resident of Bellefonte, is one of the 
 favored few who, having a taste for the refine- 
 ments of life, have also the wealth to make their 
 ideals, in some measure, realities. 
 
 Mr. Carman is a native of Pennsylvania, hav- 
 ing first seen the light in the "City of Brotherly 
 Cove," September 4, 1875. His father, the I 
 Martin Garhan, was horn in Dauphin county, 
 Penn., in 1820, and in early manhood went west, 
 engaging, when he was about twenty-one, in the 
 management of a trading boat on the Mississippi 
 river. He continued the husmess for many years, 
 but at the approach of the Civil war his trips up 
 and down the stream were interfered with, and 
 life itself became unsafe Suspending his oper- 
 ations, he returned to hi- native State, and alter 
 looking about for a suitabli business opening lie 
 
 decided to locate in Philadelphia, where he pur- 
 chased the old " Blue Anchor Inn," famous as the 
 hostelry where William Penn first stopped when 
 he came to America. This investment. proved 
 extremely profitable, a handsome fortune being 
 realized under the wise management of the new 
 owner Mr. Carman was a member of the epis- 
 copal Church, and in politics adhered to Dem- 
 it ic principles. His death occurred in 1 
 Our subject's mother, whose maiden name 
 Lydia Scott, passed from earth in 1879 at the 
 age of thirty. She was a native of Philadelphia 
 and a daughter of William Scott, who was for 
 many years the manager of the Asylum for the 
 Blind at that city. Being blind himself, he un- 
 derstood the peculiar difficulties under which his 
 charges labored, and had overcome them as to be 
 able to do most artistic work in various lines, 
 specimens being now preserved among his rela- 
 tives as precious souvenirs. He lived to the 
 of eighty years. Of his three daughters--Mrs. 
 William Wood, Mrs. Carman and Mrs. Roach- 
 the eldest and the youngest reside in Philadel- 
 phia. 
 
 Martin 1 \. Carman was the only child of his 
 parents. His youth was spent in his native city, 
 his education being obtained there. After com- 
 pleting his studies with a course in LaSalle Busi- 
 ness College, he settled at the beautiful little cit) 
 o! Bellefonte, the ample income from his father's 
 estate enabling him to make his home wherever 
 he chose, and to secure the books, the compan- 
 ionships, the artistic surroundings which were 
 most congenial. He is a genial host, and his 
 residence is a center of social life. On January 
 16, 1896, he was united in marriage with Mis- 
 Grace Lukinbach, a native of Indianapolis, [nd., 
 born in November, 1875, who was reared in 
 Bellefonte and graduated from the high school 
 there. Mr. Carman takes keen interest in the 
 various questions of the day, and in political 
 faith is a Democrat. 
 
 JOHN M WAGNER was for many years a 
 prominent citizen of Centre county, and .1 
 
 leading representative of its business interests 
 His thoroughly American spirit, his resolute pur- 
 pose and unfaltering industry, enabled him to 1 
 from a lowly position to one of affluence. He 
 connected with the nulling interests ot the count) 
 and his name was a synonym for honorable busi- 
 ness dealing. The record of such a man fur- 
 nishes its lessons of incentive and inspiration, 
 his life is one worthy of emulation. 
 
 Mi Wagner was born in Lebanon county, 
 Penn., August Ji, 1823, and died in Cento 
 

 
COMMEMORA TIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 273 
 
 county, May 23, 1892. His parents were David 
 and Catherine (Maulfair) Wagner, natives of 
 Lebanon county, where they spent their entire 
 lives, the father following the occupation of 
 farming. Their family included the following 
 named: Mrs. Mary Siegler (a widow), of Goshen, 
 Ind. ; Elizabeth, deceased; Jacob, David and 
 John M., who have passed away; Henry, a farmer 
 of Lebanon county; Sarah, wife of Charles 
 Fritz, of the same county; Amanda, who is mar- 
 ried and living in the West; Fannie, wife of Ste- 
 phen Bolts, of Annville, Penn. ; Gideon, of Leb- 
 anon county; Daniel, of Dauphin county, Penn.; 
 and Joseph, of Lebanon county. 
 
 John M. Wagner spent his childhood in his 
 parents' home, and acquired a fair education in 
 the public schools. He came to Centre county 
 in 1848, locating in Bellefonte, where he worked 
 for his brother for several years. He then 
 turned his attention to farming, and later rented 
 the mill known as the Wagner & Thomas Mill at 
 Bellefonte. He afterward became proprietor of 
 the Central City Rolling Mill at Central City, 
 erecting the same in 1875. It was supplied with 
 all the latest improved machinery and most im- 
 proved processes for manufacturing flour, and 
 was successfully operated by Mr. Wagner until 
 his death. It was one of the leading industrial 
 concerns of the county, and the capable manage- 
 ment, well-directed effort, honorable dealing and 
 business ability of the owner brought to him a 
 large patronage." He was thoroughly reliable at 
 all times, and his extensive business yielded him 
 a handsome income. 
 
 On January 2, 1849, Mr. Wagner was united 
 in marriage with Susanna Hahn, who was born 
 in Clinton county, Penn., February 1, 1824, 
 a daughter of John and Sarah (Shrack) Hahn, 
 also natives of Clinton county, where they spent 
 their entire lives. The father was a shoemaker 
 by trade, and also followed the occupation of 
 farming. He was a member of the Reformed 
 Church, and in politics was a Democrat. His 
 death occurred in 1847. when he had reached the 
 age of sixty-six years, and his wife died in 1837, 
 at the age of forty years. They were the par- 
 ents of seven children namely. Elizabeth, 
 widow of David Stover, of Clinton county; Kath- 
 erine, widow of T. Bailey, of Centre county; Mrs. 
 Susanna Wagner; Sarah, widow of Samuel Get- 
 tich, of Centre county; Mary, deceased wife of 
 John Fenstermaker, of Lycoming county, Penn. ; 
 John, of Ohio; and David, of Clinton county. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Wagner are the parents of ten 
 children — three sons and seven daughters — as 
 follows: William, proprietor of the old roller 
 mill in Central City; Frank, deceased; Marv, 
 
 18 
 
 wife of Frank Weaver, of State College, Penn. ; 
 Sarah, wife of John Keichline, of Bellefonte; 
 John C, a general farmer of Centre county; Jen- 
 nie, wife of Peter Keichline, of Bellefonte; Allie, 
 wife of James Weaver, of Milesburg, Centre 
 county; Annie, deceased wife of James Williams, 
 of Bellefonte; Carrie, wife of Louis Wallace, of 
 Milesburg; and Ella, at home. 
 
 In connection with his milling operations, 
 Mr. Wagner carried on farming. Improving his 
 opportunities, he worked his way steadily up- 
 ward, and became the possessor of a handsome 
 estate, which he left to his family. In 1871 he 
 erected a beautiful brick residence, two stories 
 and a half in height, and surrounded the home 
 with many excellent improvements, which added 
 both to its value and attractive appearance. He 
 was deeply interested in the welfare and progress 
 of town and county, and gave a liberal support 
 to measures calculated to prove of public bene- 
 fit. His death was deeply regretted, and caused 
 the loss to Centre county of one of its valued 
 citizens. Mrs. Wagner and her daughter, Miss 
 Ella, occupy the home place, extending its cor- 
 dial hospitality to their many friends. 
 
 JESSE D. REARICK (deceased) in his life- 
 time was a. representative agriculturist of 
 Centre county, his farm being finely located 
 in Union township, where he maintained his 
 place among the progressive and intelligent citi- 
 zens around him. 
 
 A native of Pennsylvania, Mr. Rearick was 
 born in Union county, August 5, 1830, a son of 
 George and Mary C. (Sterne) Rearick, who were 
 also natives of that county, the former born in 
 July, 1796, and the latter on October 13, 1805. 
 In 1840 the family removed to Clinton county, 
 Penn. , but two years later came to Centre coun- 
 ty, where the mother passed away February 7, 
 1869, and the father on April 15, 1876. He was 
 a shoemaker by trade, but also engaged in farm- 
 ing. His political support was given the Re- 
 publican party, and both himself and wife were 
 consistent members of the Reformed Church. 
 The paternal grandparents of our subject, John 
 and Maria Rearick, were natives of Germany, 
 and on coming to America first located in New 
 Jersey, but later removed to Union county, 
 Penn., where the grandfather engaged in black- 
 smithing until his death; there his wife also de- 
 parted this life. The maternal grandparents, 
 David and Catharine Sterne, both died in Clinton 
 county, where the grandfather had followed the 
 tailor's trade for many years. 
 
 Jesse D. Rearick was the third in order of 
 
274 
 
 OOMMBMORA T1VB BIOGRAPirKM. UEColU). 
 
 birth in the family of six children, tl be- 
 
 ing: William B., born September 20, 1824. 
 died in September, 1891. David, born January 
 25, 1820. died in October, 1867. Mary, born 
 January 6, [833, wedded John Sheckler, now of 
 
 gs township, Centre county, and died Janu- 
 ary 9, 1874. Rachel, born September 29, [843, 
 died in April, 1844. Hannah, born November 
 22, 1K44, married Daniel l'>. Malone. of Beach 
 Creek, Penn., and died March 9, 1895. When 
 our subject was about sixteen years of age light- 
 ning struck the team which his father was driving 
 and so injured him that he was unable to per- 
 form any manual labor, while for seven years 
 before his death he was totally disabled, Jesse 
 I), therefore remained at home, taking care of his 
 parents and managing the home farm until he 
 was twenty-eight years of age. He was indebted 
 to the common schools for his educational privi- 
 leges. 
 
 On January 30, 1858, Mr. Rearick was mar- 
 ried to Miss Leah Hassenplug, and they became 
 the parents of five children: George, born Oc- 
 tober 24, 1858, is at home; Mary C, born Feb- 
 ruary 10. 1 861, is also at home; Hannah M . , 
 born January 1 1, 1863, is the wife of Calvin Lu- 
 cas, a fanner of Centre county; John A. C. , born 
 |anuary 12, 1865, is also a farmer of Centre 
 county, and Ella B., born August 2, 1867, died 
 December 26, 1 S 7 1 . 
 
 Mrs. Rearick was born September 23, [828, 
 in Union county, where her parents, Henry and 
 Catherine (Stem) Hassenplug, spent their entire 
 lives. The father was a saddler by trade, but 
 spent his later life in farming. He died in [86l, 
 at the age of sixty-two years, and her mother 
 passed away in [83J, at the age of thirty; they 
 were members of the Lutheran Church. In their 
 family were the following children: Amelia, de- 
 ceased wife of Reuben Spotts; Charles, a farmer 
 of Ohio; Mary, who died at the age of eighteen 
 years; Susanna, wife of Edward Hendricks, of 
 Union county, Penn. ; Israel, a miller and farmi r 
 of the same county; Leah, wife of our subject; 
 and Zacharius, deceased. After the death of his 
 first wife, Mr. Hassenplug wedded Miss Mollie 
 Frock, by whom he had five children: Matilda, 
 wife of John Cline, of Mifflin counts', Penn.; 
 I lenry I '.. . a farmer of Indiana; Sarah J. , deceased . 
 Samuel F., of Tyrone, Penn.; and Jane, wit 
 Isaac Shirk, a tanner of Tyrone. The paternal 
 grandparents of Mrs. Rearick, John and Rebecca 
 Hassenplug, were natives of Germany, and aftei 
 coming to the United States spent the remainder 
 of their lives in Union county, Pennsylvania, 
 
 For several years after his marriage, Mr. 
 Rearick engaged in teaming, and then rented a 
 
 farm near Milesburg, in Boggs township, Centre 
 county for two years. During the Civil war he 
 enlisted in the Union service, becoming a mem- 
 ber of the 200th 1'. V. I., which was organized 
 at Harrisburg, September 1, 1864. He served 
 under Capt. Franklin K. Hoffman, First Lieut. 
 Thomas C. Crawford, and Second Lieut. Joseph 
 Miles, and participated in the battles of Fort 
 Steadman and Petersburg, as well as in various 
 skirmishes. He was several times slightly 
 wounded during the nine months he was in the 
 service, and while on the Warrenton raid in 
 North Carolina was wounded in the head, which 
 caused the loss of his left eye. He was then hon- 
 orably discharged and returned home. Subse- 
 quently for five years he was engaged in the man- 
 ufacture of galvanized iron at the Milesburg Iron 
 Works, and then purchased his late farm, a valu- 
 able tract of 187 acres, which he brought under 
 a high state of cultivation, and well improved. 
 
 Mr. Rearick passed from earth March 12, 
 1897. He was an ardent Republican in politics, 
 a member of the Lutheran Church, and of the 
 Grand Army Post No. 262, of Milesburg. In 
 his home he was ever an indulgent father, kind 
 and devoted husband, and his genuine worth and 
 many manly virtues were and still are widely 
 recognized. His wife, who is noted for her 
 excellent cooking, proved a most faithful helpmeet 
 to him, and with him shared in the respect and es- 
 teem of all who knew them. He valiantly went forth 
 in the defense of his country during her hour of 
 peril, and in times of peace manifested the same 
 loyalty that characterized his army career. For 
 the injury sustained in the service he received a 
 I" usion. 
 
 Gl I'kcl 1'. RFARICK (deceased), who in his 
 lifetime was one of the systematic, progress- 
 ive and intelligent fanners of Gregg township, 
 spent his entire life in Centre county, and was 
 prominently identified with its agricultural in- 
 t> tests. He was born in Potter township, near 
 Potters Mills, March 8, 1830, and is a son of 
 Philip Rearick, a native of Pennsylvania, whose 
 father was bom in Germany 
 
 Philip Rearick came to Centre county, and 
 foi some years was employed as a teamster by 
 Mr. Potter, at Potters Mills. He married M 
 Jane Feath, daughter of James Feath, a nai 
 of Inland, and a tailor by trade. Mrs. Rearick 
 also worked at the tailor's trade, and after her 
 marriage made the clothing for her family. Mr 
 Rearick died when our subject was only eight 
 years ol age, and was buried at Centre Hill. 
 During the later years of his life he follov 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 275 
 
 farming, and he left his family in comfortable 
 circumstances. While teaming he hauled goods 
 and grain to Philadelphia, Harrisburg and Pitts- 
 burg, two weeks often being required in making 
 the trip. In the family were five children: Mary, 
 wife of David Hoover, who resides near Belle- 
 fonte; George P. ; William F., of Gregg township; 
 0. P., of Webster county, Mo.; and Margaret, 
 who was born after the father's death, and is now 
 the widow of Jonathan Royer, of Bellefonte. For 
 a few years the family lived in Gregg township, 
 and then removed to The Loop in Potter township. 
 For some years the mother resided with our sub- 
 ject, but died at the home of her youngest 
 daughter, at the age of sventy-seven years, and 
 was buried at Centre Hill. 
 
 George P. Rearick began his education in 
 Colyer, and his advantages were only such as 
 the common schools afforded. He was the eldest 
 son of a widowed mother, and much of the sup- 
 port of the family devolved upon him. During 
 his early boyhood he began working for his board 
 and clothing, and when he was first given money 
 for his services he received only $2 per month. 
 When working for $3 per month he gave his 
 earnings to help his mother buy a cow. Until 
 he had attained his majority his wages went to- 
 ward the support of the family, and most of the 
 time he received $10 per month. He began 
 farming on his own account in Gregg township, 
 in what was known as the George Woods farm, 
 and his live stock consisted of a few head of cat- 
 tle, about fifteen sheep and two horses. He had 
 gone in debt for these; but his economy and in- 
 dustry enabled him soon to pay off all indebted- 
 ness. In this humble manner he got his start in 
 life. After a year he rented the Peter Wilson 
 farm, which he operated nine years, and in 1864 
 purchased a farm in George's Valley, thus be- 
 coming owner of 205 acres, for which he paid 
 $10,000. He lived there until the spring of 
 1888, and during that time made many excellent 
 improvements, erecting good buildings and 
 transforming the land into richly cultivated 
 fields. In the spring of 1888 he removed to his 
 late home, whereon he built an excellent house 
 and barns. 
 
 Mr. Rearick was married December 5, 1861, 
 in Potter township, to Miss Mary Heney, who 
 was born April 24, 1841, a daughter of David 
 and Mary A. (Rishel) Heney. The paternal 
 grandfather was Adam Heney, and the maternal 
 grandfather was George Rishel. Mrs. Rearick 
 was the sixth child and fourth daughter in a fam- 
 ily of seven children. Her educational privileges 
 were limited in early life, but she made the most 
 of her opportunities, pursued her studies in 
 
 Aaronsburg, and when about eighteen years of 
 age entered school in New Berlin, Penn. Subse- 
 quently she engaged in teaching for one term. 
 Mrs. Rearick has had seven children: William 
 O. born September 27, 1862, is engaged in deal- 
 ing in agricultural implements in Centre Hall, 
 Centre county; Ida V., born December 12, 1863, 
 is the wife of Isaac Y. Moyer, of Cleveland, 
 Ohio; Ora Jane, born October 4, 1865, died 
 March 12, 1889, in Cleveland, Ohio, where she 
 had been attending school, after a few days' ill- 
 ness from fever and heart trouble, and was buried 
 in Centre county; David H., born October 14, 
 1867, is living in Farmers Mills, Penn.; Mollie, 
 born December 11, 1869, died at the home of 
 her sister, Mrs. Isaac Moyer, in Cleveland, Ohio, 
 June 20, 1895, after a brief illness from cerebro- 
 spinal menengitis, and was buried in Centre Hill 
 cemetery (a tribute of respect, and condolence 
 for her untimely removal from the field of her 
 labors was passed by local members of the For- 
 eign Missionary Society of the Sinking Creek 
 Presbyterian Church); Calvin A., born Decem- 
 ber 10, 1871, died at the age of thirteen years; 
 Maggie R. , born January 21, 1874, died at 
 the age of six years; John E., born Aug- 
 ust 21, 1876, Jesse P., born October 14, 
 1878, George Leroy, born March 16, 1881, and 
 Savilla B., born April 24, 1884, are at home. 
 Mrs. Rearick is a member of the Sinking Creek 
 Presbyterian Church, and is highly esteemed in 
 the community. 
 
 Mr. Rearick died at his residence on the farm 
 February 19, 1897, a t the age of sixty-six years, 
 eleven months and eleven days. His illness was 
 of about four months' duration, and the cause of 
 his death was an ulceration or catarrh of the 
 stomach, and he suffered much, but bore it all 
 bravely. He was able to be about, and it was 
 only about ten or twelve days before his death 
 that he was compelled to take to his bed. Con- 
 sciousness did not desert him until near the end, 
 and his death was calm and peaceful. He was 
 buried in the cemetery at Centre Hill. He was 
 a member of the Presbyterian Church, having 
 united with that body some forty years ago. 
 For about fifteen years he was an elder in the 
 Church, and always contributed liberally to its 
 maintenance. Resolutions of respect and con- 
 dolence were unanimously adopted by the Session 
 of the Sinking Creek Presbyterian Church, of 
 which he was senior member. 
 
 In politics Mr. Rearick was a stanch Repub- 
 lican, but steadily refused to become a candidate 
 for office, though frequently urged to do so. He 
 was a warm friend of education and all interests 
 which tend to uplift mankind and advance the 
 
276 
 
 <().\lME.\tmiA TIVB BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 welfare of the community. His success in farm- 
 ing was the result of his own well-directed ef- 
 forts, and he may truly be called a self-made 
 
 num. 
 
 DANIEL BRUNGART (deceased) was a 
 member of one of the oldest families of 
 Brush Valley, their settlement dating back a full 
 century. The family originated in Germany, 
 where our subject's great-grandfather was born. 
 Martin Brungart, the grandfather <>f our subject, 
 was the tirst to settle m < entre county, Penn., 
 having left his former home in the neighborhood of 
 Hanover, York count}-, Penn., in 1798 to locate in 
 the east end of Brush Valley, where he died, his 
 remains being la*id to rest in the old graveyard at 
 Rebersburg. He had a large family of children\ 
 namely: Martin, Jacob, Johan George, John ' 
 and several daughters, two of whom remained in 
 York county. 
 
 Johan George Brungart (commonly known as 
 George), our subject's father, was born July 20, 
 178X. in Manheim, York county, and was but a 
 lad when Ins parents removed to Centre county. 
 He was married April 9, 1S11, to Salome Kahl, 
 who was born January 14, 17X7, at Heidelberg, 
 Berks county, Penn., a daughter of Jacob and 
 Catherine Kahl. Seven children were born of 
 this union, the names with dates of birth being 
 as follows: Catharine, January 20, 1812, mar- 
 ried [acob Erhard, and died in Miles township. 
 Centre county; [acob, [anuary 9, 1814, died in 
 Rebersburg; Johannes, March 9, [817, died in 
 January, [£25; Susan, March 10. i X 1 o, married 
 Jeremiah Haines, and is deceased; George, Feb- 
 ruary 4, [821, lives at Rebersburg; Daniel, [uly 
 4, 1823, is the subject of this sketch. Sai 
 April 22, 1825, married Samuel Frank; and Mar- 
 garet. March 15, [827, married John Hosterman, 
 and died in Miles township. 
 
 George Brungart was a farmer, also an ex- 
 tensive laud owner, and was one of the substan- 
 tial citizens of his time. In 1S20 he built on his 
 farm a tannery, which was superintended by Ja- 
 cob Steffy, also from York county, and the 
 leather he took to Philadelphia by team, bring- 
 ing back goods for the merchants, the trip occu- 
 pying three weeks. He never learned the trade, 
 but was a most skilled mechanic, and spenl most 
 of his time in a shop on his farm, where he n 
 
 Is and instruments of various kinds. He n 
 a plow which was an improvement over the 
 clumsy ones then in use, and which became well 
 known. It was the one alluded to in the old 
 saj ing 1 in Hi u-li Valley, that " no man 
 
 was much unless lie owned a long-barrelled shot- 
 
 gun, a red wamus, and a Brungart plow." He 
 was a Democrat in politics, and a member of the 
 Lutheran Church, in which he held an influen- 
 tial place. Tall and slender in person, he pos- 
 sessed much vitality, and lived to see his ninetieth 
 year, dying December 21, 1X77. His wife died 
 some years previously, being over seventy years 
 of age, and both were buried at Rebi rsburg. 
 
 The subject of this sketch had but meager 
 educational privileges, and attended the old-time 
 subscription schools for a few weeks in winter 
 each year. Reared as a farmer boy, he always 
 followed that occupation, and, after working for 
 his father several years in early manhood, he 
 bought the old farm in Miles township. Centre 
 county. In May, 1846, he was married in Miles 
 township, to Miss Ph<ebe A. Royer, who was 
 born in that township, February 19, 1X25, the 
 daughter of Col. Henry and Polly (Gross) Royer. 
 Col. Henry Royer came from Berks county, and 
 at one time owned much of the land around Re- 
 bersburg, as well as a large tract of mountain 
 land. In 1877, Mr. Brungart removed to Re 
 bersburg, where he built the present substantial 
 brick residence. He had two children: Elmira 
 E., born February 6, 1847, died February 15, 
 [850; and Jasper R., born June 17, 1851, of 
 whom special mention will presently be made. 
 Daniel Brungart died April 8, 1897, and is buried 
 in the cemetery at Rebersburg. 
 
 Politically, Mr. Brungart was a Democrat, 
 and he held several minor offices in his township, 
 but was never a politician. He was a leading 
 member of the Reformed Church, as is his widow, 
 and he was at one time an elder therein. He 
 owns an excellent farm containing over 165 act- 
 am! two valuable lots in Rebersburg. While he 
 r posed as a philanthropist, he contributed 
 to almost every worthy movement seeking aid, 
 and lie and his estimable wife were noted for 
 their kindness of heart. 
 
 [asper R Brungart, the only living child oi 
 
 Mibject, received his education in the schools 
 of the township, after which he followed teach- 
 ing some live years. In 1879 he entered mer- 
 cantile business in Rebersburg, busing out J. 
 Spiglemyer, and continued same for five years, 
 at the end o| which time he commenced farm- 
 ing, which vocation he followed up to 1X90, when 
 he built his pleasant home at Rebersburg, wbi 
 he has smce lived retired. In December, 1X04. 
 be graduated from the Chautauqua Universit) at 
 Syrai use, N Y . and is at present taking a read- 
 ing course from that institution. 
 
 On October 3, [876, Jasper R. Brungarl 
 married in Union county. Penn., to Mary I 
 Long, who was born June 28, 1850, a daughter 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 277 
 
 of Ephraim and Margaret (Slear) Long, highly 
 respectable farming people. Her father was a 
 native of Berks county, Penn., born April 8, 
 1 8 14. and died January 13, 1856, a son of Lud- 
 wig and Hannah Long, natives of Pennsylvania. 
 Ephraim Long was twice married, first time to 
 Sarah Snook, by whom he had two children — 
 Esther and Isaac — who lived to maturity. For 
 his second wife, Ephraim was married, May 12, 
 1848, to Margaret Slear, and three children were 
 born to them, two of whom died in infancy, and 
 Mary E. (Mrs. Brungart). Mr. and Mrs. Eph- 
 raim Long are both deceased, he having passed 
 away January 13, 1856, and she on July 27, 
 1863. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Jasper R. Brungart are active 
 members of the Reformed Church. In politics 
 he is a Democrat, and has filled various township 
 and school offices. 
 
 PHILIP W. BARNHART (deceased), late 
 justice of the peace, and an honored resi- 
 dent of Boggs township, Centre county. Prom- 
 inent among the pioneers of Centre county who 
 have witnessed most of the marvelous develop- 
 ment of this section of the State, and who, by 
 honest toil and industry, have succeeded in ac- 
 quiring a competency, is the gentleman whose 
 name introduces this sketch. He was born just 
 one mile from his late home, April 13, 18 13, a 
 son of Judge Henry and Isabella (Holt) Barn- 
 hart, who were also born in Pennsylvania, and 
 married in Centre county. For many years the 
 Barnhart family have made their home in the 
 county, and five generations now lie buried in 
 the Eagle Cemetery, Boggs township. 
 
 Judge Henry Barnhart was quite prominent 
 and influential in public affairs; in 1832 was 
 elected a member of the Legislature from Cen- 
 tre county, serving two terms, and was also as- 
 sociate judge for ten years. He was a stanch 
 supporter of Democratic principles, and during 
 the war of 1812 was commissioned a colonel in 
 the militia. He was an extensive lumber mer- 
 chant, and one of the leading business men of the 
 county, as well as one of its representative and 
 most public-spirited citizens. Although not a 
 member of any religious organization, he regu- 
 larly attended the services of the Methodist 
 Episcopal Church, and in all the relations of life 
 was upright and honorable. He died in 1874, 
 at the age of eighty-seven years. His parents, 
 Philip and Elizabeth (Antis) Barnhart, were na- 
 tives of Montgomery county, Pennsylvania. 
 
 Mrs. Barnhart, the mother of our subject, 
 was a consistent member of the Methodist Epis- 
 
 copal Church, and died in that faith in 1877, at 
 the age of eighty-six years. She was a daughter 
 of Col. John and Sarah (Milligan) Holt, who 
 were born in England, but came to Pennsylvania 
 at an early day, locating first in Cumberland 
 county (now a part of Dauphin county). In 
 1779 they removed to Bald Eagle Valley, Centre 
 county, locating on a farm, where Mrs. Barnhart 
 was born July 4, 1790, and there her death also 
 occurred. She was descended from Thomas 
 Holt, a brother of Lord Chancellor Holt, who 
 became a resident of Carlisle, Penn., at an early 
 period in its history. The records of the Holt 
 family were destroyed by the burning of the 
 court house of Cumberland county. 
 
 On May 17, 1809, was celebrated the mar- 
 riage of the parents of our subject, and to them 
 were born twelve children, five of whom died in 
 infancy; the others are as follows: Julia is the 
 deceased wife of John Curtin, a resident of 
 Bellefonte, Penn. ; Philip W. is the subject of 
 this review; Sarah married Thomas R. Sellers, 
 but both are now deceased; Henry, who married 
 Mary Joslin, deceased; Nancy married D. Kim- 
 port, but both are now deceased; Mary is the 
 wife of Irvin Davis, of Hollidaysburg, Penn. ; 
 and Katherine is the wife of James M. Kimport, 
 of West Virginia. 
 
 In the common schools of Centre county 
 Philip W. Barnhart acquired a fair education, 
 and for two terms engaged in teaching, receiving 
 a salary of $18 per month, and boarding himself. 
 He began his business career as a farmer and 
 lumberman, following the former occupation 
 during the summer months, and working in the 
 lumber woods during the winter season. He re- 
 mained at home until his marriage, at the age of 
 twenty-seven, when he located upon a rented 
 farm, which he operated for four years. He 
 then purchased a small portion of his late farm, 
 the boundaries of which he extended from time 
 to time, until at the time of his death he had a 
 valuable place of 230 acres. 
 
 On September 17, 1840, Mr. Barnhart wed- 
 ded Miss Rebecca Leathers, and they became 
 the parents of ten children — four sons and six 
 daughters — namely: Mary I. is the deceased 
 wife of Samuel H. Orris, a decorator, of Miles- 
 burg, Centre county; Lucy is at home; Warren 
 is deceased; Joseph is a resident of Renovo, 
 Clinton county, Penn.; Amanda is at home; 
 Julia is the deceased wife of H. H. Harshburger, 
 of Bellefonte, Penn., Laura is the wife of J. C. 
 Weaver, a merchant of Bellefonte; Harry lives 
 in Punxsutawney, Penn. ; Alice is the wife of H. 
 G. Herd, of Farnsville, Penn. ; and James K. is 
 bookkeeper in the First National Bank of Belle- 
 
278 
 
 COMMEMORA TIVE BIOGRM'HI'AL RECOlil). 
 
 MARTIN LUTHER RISHEL. About the 
 year 1800 there came to Centre county, as 
 a pioneer settler, Henry Rishel, a young man of 
 German descent and probably of German birth. 
 He settled in Green Grove, near the present site 
 of Penn Hall, Gregg township (then Haines 
 township), purchasing 130 acres of land where he 
 and his wife Maria Hull, made their home until 
 about 1S24, when they moved to a farm of 100 
 acres in the same township, near Farmers Mills. 
 Henry Rishel was fairly educated, and was suc- 
 cessful as an agriculturist and prominent as a 
 citizen. He died July 25, 1847, of apoplexy, and 
 his remains were interred in the Union cemetery 
 near Farmers Mills. 
 
 His son, Col. John Rishel, the father of the 
 gentleman whose name opens this sketch, was 
 born near Penn Hall, December 26, 1808, and 
 attended the schools of that pin e until the age 
 of sixteen, when the family removed t" the 
 present Immestead near Farmers Mills. His 
 education was good for the time, and his excel- 
 lent judgment and practical knowledge of affairs 
 gave him much influence in trie community. His 
 title was gained by long service as colonel of a 
 Regiment in the Pennsylvania National Guard. 
 He was a heavy-set man, weighing about 200 
 pounds, and had a full round face. Like his fa- 
 ther, he followed farming as an occupation. 
 Occupying the homestead until his death, 
 which occurred June 8, 1878. He never ac- 
 cumulated a fortune, but he added sixty-one 
 acres to the original one hundred, and built an 
 elegant residence which is still used by his heirs. 
 His liberality and public spirit were showy in 
 many ways, andfoi years he w as a leading worker 
 in the Evangelical Lutheran Church al Farmers 
 Mills, holding all the various offices at different 
 
 fonte. The family holds a high position in 
 social and intellectual circles, and is one of prom- 
 inence in the community where they are so 
 widely known. 
 
 'Squire Barnhart departed this lift- November 
 4, 1896. For the long period of forty years he 
 most acceptably served as justice of the peace, 
 and in 1895 was again elected by every vote 1 
 in Boggs township, but declined to further accept 
 the office. For three years he also served as 
 county commissioner. Politically, he was iden- 
 tified with the Democratic party, in religious be- 
 lief was a Methodist, and socially he was a mem- 
 ber of the Grange of Pennsylvania. In manner 
 he was pleasant and genial, in disposition kindly, 
 and the high regard in which he was universally 
 held was well deserved. 
 
 tunes. In 1872 he was sent by the Central Penn- 
 sylvania Conference as a delegate to the Luth- 
 eran Synod at Fort Wayne, Ind. When the 
 building of St. John's Church near his home was 
 proposed, he gave the movement his hearty sup- 
 port, donating all the ground necessary, and 
 many other Churches were assisted by him. In 
 local politics his influence was marked, and 
 throughout his career he was one of the chief 
 supporters of the Democratic party in his sec- 
 tion, holding numerous offices. He served as 
 county commissioner for two terms, from 184910 
 1855, and was justice of the peace in Gregg town- 
 ship from 1845 to 1863, and again from 1867 to 
 1S78 — a total of thirty-one years and one month, 
 his death interrupting his service. At the time 
 of his decease he also held the office of jury com- 
 missioner. 
 
 On November 22, 1832, he married Miss 
 Rachel Reynolds, by whom he had three chil- 
 dren: Henry, born August 9, 1833, died April 
 9, 1835, and twins, born February 28, 1836, 
 of whom, the elder, a son, never breathed, and 
 the younger, Sarah Ann, died February 22, 1894. 
 The mother passed away March 14, 1841, and 
 on January 10, 1842, Col. Rishel married Miss 
 Catherine Homan, who died February 18, 1807. 
 of pneumonia, at the age of eighty years, nine 
 months and nineteen days, while living with her 
 son, our subject, at the old homestead. There 
 were four children by this union: Mary Eliz- 
 abeth, born November 13, 1842, died November 
 12, 1 881; Samuel, born April 18, [846, died 
 April 25, 1850; Martin, who is mentioned more 
 fully below; and Kosetta, born November 27. 
 1853, who married E. F. Smith, a professor of 
 music at Dakota, Illinois. 
 
 Martin Luther Rishel was born at the old 
 homestead January 3, 1850, and was reared to 
 farm life, his education being limited to an attend- 
 ance at the schools of the neighborhood for about 
 two months and a half each year. He began 
 his schooling at the age of four, with W 1 
 Plotner as his first teacher, and did not discon- 
 tinue entirely until he reached the age of twenty- 
 one. After attaining his majority he conducted 
 the farm two years in partnership with his lather, 
 receiving one-fourth of the value of the prodi 
 sold, and furnishing nothing. Later he rented 
 the place on shares, and he afterward managed 
 it on the same plan by an arrangement with the 
 other heirs. [Since this was written, the afore- 
 said homestead has been sold through proceed- 
 ings of court, and about 1 1 2 acres of the original 
 homestead are now owned and occupied bj M. 
 L. Rishel and family. | 
 
 On January 12, 1 87 1, Mr. Rishel was mar- 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 279 
 
 ried to Catherine Houtz, daughter of Edward 
 and Catherine A. Houtz, and this union has been 
 blessed with five children: John E., Carrie E. , 
 William F., Elizabeth J., and Rosa I., who are 
 all at home. His family also includes his wife's 
 mother, who is quite infirm, and was eighty-four 
 years of age December 17, 1897. Edward 
 Houtz died April 7, 1884, at- the age of seventy- 
 seven years and one month. 
 
 Since his father's death Mr. Rishel has taken 
 his place in local affairs, assisting with the same 
 liberal spirit in all progressive movements. He 
 is active in the support of the same Church, and 
 during his twenty-five years of membership has 
 held all the various offices therein, including 
 those of deacon and elder. He differs from his 
 father only in outward appearance, being six 
 feet, one inch in height, and very slender. As 
 a worker in the Democratic party, he has cer- 
 tainly fallen heir to his father's influence, and he 
 has filled numerous township offices with char- 
 acteristic ability and faithfulness. As school di- 
 rector he has sought to improve the usefulness of 
 the local schools. In the spring of 1879 he was 
 elected justice of the peace, to succeed his father, 
 and has served ever since, even occupying the 
 same room formerly used by his father as a court 
 room, making forty-eight years that the duties of 
 that office have been discharged by one family in 
 one room. Mr. Rishel is fond of reading, keep- 
 ing well-informd on the issues of the day, and 
 his sterling qualities of character have won the 
 respect of all who know him. 
 
 DAVID FORCEY, the well-known and popu- 
 lar proprietor of a leading drug store at 
 Philipsburg, Centre Co., Penn., is a man whose 
 sound judgment and ready tact have won him 
 success in many lines of business, and who holds 
 a high and enviable position among the progress- 
 ive citizens of the county. 
 
 Mr. Forceyis a native of this section, having 
 been born in Clearfield county, November 20, 
 1837, one of the family of seventeen children 
 born to Mathew and Margret (Murry) Forcey. 
 His youth was spent mainly at his birthplace 
 and in Huntingdon county, Penn. On leaving 
 school he engaged in mercantile pursuits at 
 Green Tree, Huntingdon Co., Penn. While 
 there he was married, in 1861, to Miss Mary A. 
 Myton, a native of Huntingdon county, Perm., 
 and in 1862 they moved from Green Tree to 
 Clearfield county, where he was engaged in mer- 
 cantile and lumbering pursuits for about eighteen 
 years. Mr. Forcey is the father of two sons: 
 Mathew J. and William W. 
 
 The Forcey family is of German and Irish 
 lineage, and has been represented in this section 
 since the latter part of the eighteenth century, 
 Thomas Forcey, the grandfather of our subject, 
 having about the year 1790 come from Delaware 
 to settle upon a farm in Clearfield county. He 
 lived to the patriarchal age of ninety-nine years, 
 and consequently the greater part of his life was 
 spent in Clearfield county. He married Eliza- 
 beth Arnola, and had five children: Jane, Cath- 
 erine, Tamar, Nancy and Mathew. 
 
 JAMES IRWIN KUNES, a member of the firm 
 of S. H. & J. I. Kunes, is one of the leading 
 and enterprising business men of Eagleville, 
 Centre county, where he is successfully engaged 
 in general merchandising and in the lumber trade. 
 His success has come to him not as a result of 
 propitious circumstances, but as a reward for far- 
 sighted dealing, executive ability and discrimina- 
 tion. With a laudable ambition he has grasped 
 eagerly every opportunity for raising himself to 
 the level of the high standard he has set up, and 
 his resolute purpose and commendable diligence 
 have secured for him the goal of his hopes. 
 
 Mr. Kunes was born June 17, 1839, in the 
 village which is still his home, and is a son of 
 Daniel and Mary (Bechdel) Kunes, the former a 
 native of Eagleville and the latter of Liberty 
 township, Centre county. During his early life 
 the father engaged in farming, later conducting 
 a hotel in Eagleville for many years, but spent 
 his last days in retirement there, where his death 
 occurred. His wife died near Beach Creek, 
 Centre county, in 1847, at the age of thirty-six 
 years. Both were earnest members of the Chris- 
 tian Church; in politics he was first a Whig, later 
 a Republican. 
 
 To the parents of our subject were born the 
 following children: David, who died in infancy; 
 Samuel H. ; Joseph B., who died in 1894; Ma- 
 hala, deceased wife of William Clark, a farmer 
 of Marsh Creek, Penn.; James Irwin; Daniel B., 
 a brief sketch of whom follows; Fannie P., wife 
 of Mills Linn, a farmer of Clinton county, Penn. 
 After the mother's death the father wedded 
 Elizabeth Potts, of Millheim, Centre county, who 
 is still residing in Eagleville. 
 
 The paternal grandparents of our subject, 
 Daniel and Hannah (Roerbanck) Kunes, were 
 natives of Pennsylvania and among the founders 
 of Eagleville, while the great-grandfather, who 
 also bore the name of Daniel and was a Revolu- 
 tionary soldier, made his home in Centre county, 
 and died at Eagleville. David and Susan (Hell- 
 
280 
 
 00 VMBMORA I IVE BIOGi;.\rill< M. BBGOBD. 
 
 man) Beckdell, the maternal grandparents, made 
 their home on Marsh creek, Centre county, where 
 the grandfather engaged in farming and the dis- 
 til 1 1- r \ business. 
 
 At the age ol sixteen, James I. Kunes began 
 life for himself b) working on the farm of his 
 brother, Samuel IL, with whom he remained 
 
 s ■ four years, and for the following six years 
 
 engaged in boating on the canal. Subsequently 
 lit* conducted the " Kunes Hotel" for three years, 
 and then purchased a farm, which he operated 
 at intervals some five years. In 1873, m part- 
 nership with his brother. Daniel B., he engaged 
 in merchandising in Eagleville for three years, 
 at the end of which time he became sole owner, 
 but since 1 894 he and his brother, Samuel H., 
 have conducted a general store at that place, 
 and have built up an extensive and lucrative 
 business. In connection with his mercantile 
 pursuits, our subject is also interested in lumber- 
 ing and farming, in which he has met with a 
 well-deserved succes-. 
 
 On October 14, 1867, in Eagleville, Mr. 
 Kunes was married to Miss Margaret E. Graham, 
 and to them was born one daughter, who died 
 when only nineteen days old Kight vears ago 
 Mr. and Mrs. James I. Kunes adopted a bright 
 two-year-old boy, Charles Graham, a nephew. 
 He is a smart little lad, learning very fast, and a 
 source of much gladness and pleasure to his 
 adopted parents. Their residence, which is the 
 finest in Eagleville, is a two-story-and-a-half 
 brick building, and their hospitality reigns su- 
 preme; there their many friends are always sure 
 to find a hearty welcome. As will have been 
 seen, the family has long been prominently identi- 
 fied with the business interests of Eagleville and 
 vicinity, and the name of Kunes deserves an 
 honored place in a work of this character. Our 
 subject uses his right of franchise in support of 
 the men and measures of the Republican party; 
 is a public-spirited, progressive man, giving his 
 influence and support to all worthy enterprises 
 for the benefit of the community; and is a faith- 
 ful and consistent member of the Christian 
 Church. 
 
 Daniel B. Kunes, brother of our subject, was 
 born in Liberty township, Centre county, Feb- 
 ruary 1 1, 1841, and on the 28th of March, 1869, 
 was married to Miss Mary I). Mapes, by whom 
 h<' has three children: Lloyd B., bookkeeper for 
 the Berwick Stove Company (limited), "1 Ber- 
 wick, Penn. ; Josephine at home; and one that 
 died in infancy. For the past sixteen years Mr 
 Kunes has acceptably served as justice of the 
 peace in Eagleville, and he is one of its most 
 highly respected and valued citizens. 
 
 EJ. DESHLER, M. D. (deceased). OnSep- 
 tember 2j. [890, there passed away at his 
 home in Aaronsburg, a well-beloved physician, 
 whose many years of faithful toil m his professi. .11 
 made his name a household word in that commu- 
 nity. Nor had his influence and his efforts been 
 confined to professional lines only, for in all the 
 varied activities of our common life he had taken 
 a helpful part as a loyal citizen, devoting his 
 abilities to the cause of progress. 
 
 Dr. DesliKr was born at Weaversville, North- 
 ampton county. Penn., April 7, 1826, the son of 
 Jacob Deshler, and the grandson of Peter Desh- 
 ler. Jacob Deshler was a native of eastern 
 Pennsylvania, as was his father before him, and 
 several years of his early life were spent in Phil- 
 adelphia. His educational advantages were bet- 
 ter than those of the average youth of his time, 
 and he became prominent as a civil engineer. 
 For years he held the office of justice of the 
 peace, which in that day was filled by appoint- 
 ment and carried much honor with it. In his 
 later years he moved from Northampton county, 
 where he had an elegant home, and settled upon 
 a fine farm near Milton, Penn., to spend the re- 
 mainder of his life. Of his four children, our 
 subject was the youngest; Mary M. married Dr. 
 Edward Martin, and died at Weaversville, 
 Northampton county; Joseph died in Northum- 
 berland county, Penn. ; Elizabeth married George 
 Stahl, and died in Northumberland county. Ja- 
 cob Deshler and his wife were members of and 
 active workers in the Reformed Church. 
 
 Dr. Deshler's early education was obtained in 
 the schools of his native county, and he was a 
 young man at the time of the removal to Milton. 
 He attended Marshall College before its consol- 
 idation with Franklin College, at Lancaster. 
 Penn., and at one time thought of studying for 
 the ministry, but concluded to enter the medi- 
 cal profession. His brother-in-law, Dr. Martin, 
 was his first preceptor, and he also studied in the 
 office of Dr. Charles Dougal, of Milton, before 
 beginning his course in the Pennsylvania Medical 
 College at Philadelphia, where he graduated in 
 1 8 5 3 lor a few months he located at Buffalo 
 Cross Roads. Penn., and then moved to Turbut- 
 ville, Penn., where he continued to practice until 
 1858, when he settled permanently in Aarons- 
 burg. 
 
 As a practitioner he was very successful, keep- 
 ing well abreast of the advance of modern science 
 by his extensive reading. Unassuming in man- 
 ner, he never indulged in self-praise, but his in- 
 nate worth and thorough intellectual training 
 were readily recognized among the best people 
 He possessed a knowledge of surveying, and at 
 
Ic^u^c «77<^W^r 
 
QOMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 281 
 
 one time was elected without any effort on his 
 part to the office of county surveyor. For five 
 years he served as justice of the peace, having 
 been chosen to that position without his solicita- 
 tion. He was a stanch Democrat, an active 
 member of the Masonic order, and at the time of 
 his death was" trustee about twenty years, of the 
 Reformed Church, in which he had foryearsbeen 
 a leading member. He joined the Church when 
 a young man, and was among its foremost work- 
 ers, donating toward it liberally both of time and 
 money. He was a leader in the Sabbath-school 
 up to within some fourteen years prior to his 
 death, when owing to impaired health he was 
 obliged to give way to younger people, although 
 he never missed attending divine service, even to 
 the last Sabbath before his death, he dying sud- 
 denly of heart disease. 
 
 On September 22, 1853, the Doctorwasmar- 
 ried at Tusseyville, Centre county, to Miss Maria 
 Jordan, a native of Spring Mills, Penn., born 
 March 4, 1829. Four children blessed this union: 
 Elizabeth died in infancy; J. Jordan is a physi- 
 cian at Glidden, Iowa; M. Emma, who died at 
 the age of twenty-two, was a highly accomplished 
 young lady and a graduate of Bethlehem Mora- 
 vian Female Seminary; and Ellanora died at the 
 age of twelve years. 
 
 Mrs. Deshler still occupies the comfortable 
 home which her lamented husband left her, and 
 her fine social gifts and well-stored mind make 
 her a favorite in the most cultured circles of 
 Aaronsburg society. She is a member of the 
 Reformed Church, as were also her parents and 
 grandparents. Her parents, Joseph and Eliza- 
 beth (Bair) Jordan, were highly esteemed resi- 
 dents of Centre county, and she was the eldest of 
 a family of six children, of whom five — two sons 
 and three daughters — lived to adult age. She 
 attended the country schools of her time in her 
 girlhood, and later pursued her studies in the 
 seminary at Jacksonville, Penn., while a con- 
 tinued course of reading, guided by a fine liter- 
 ary taste, has given her an unusually wide range 
 of information upon current topics, making her a 
 most interesting conversationalist. She has 
 spent much of her time in travel, and has visited 
 various cities in both the East and the West. 
 
 R 
 
 A. BUMILLER, editor and proprietor of 
 _ the Millheim Journal, is a well-known 
 journalist of Centre county, and one of Millheim's 
 foremost citizens. He was born January 1, 1855, 
 in Munich, Bavaria, the only child of Francis and 
 Creszentia (Von Kepple) Bumiller. The father 
 was a well-educated man, of scholarly tastes, who 
 
 served as district surveyor in Munich, and also 
 occupied the position of instructor in surveying 
 in the government schools of that city, where his 
 death occurred. The mother, who belonged to 
 a noble family of Germany, is still living in 
 Munich. 
 
 Our subject was provided with excellent edu- 
 cational privileges, being educated in one of the 
 gymnasiums for which Munich is justly famed, 
 and continuing his studies in that institution 
 until he had attained his eighteenth year. In 
 the summer of 1873 he left his native land to 
 seek his fortune in the United States, sailing from 
 Bremen on the 1 ith of July, and arriving in New 
 York City two weeks later. His destination was 
 Millheim, Centre Co., Penn., where his uncle, 
 Adolph Miller (Bumiller), was living, and here he 
 entered the printing office of George W. Foote, 
 editor of the Centre Berichter, which paper was 
 established at Aaronsburg, Centre county, in 
 1827. 
 
 During the winter of 1873-74, Mr. Bumiller 
 conducted an evening school, where the German 
 language was taught, being well equipped for 
 this task by his previous scholastic training in 
 Germany, where he had acquired a thorough 
 mastery of his mother tongue. This instruction 
 was all given in addition to his duties in the 
 printing office. The years 1874 and 1875 were 
 spent in Bellefonte in the office of the Republican, 
 where he gained a good practical knowledge of 
 the art of printing, and on his return to Millheim, 
 in the latter part of 1876, became German editor 
 of the Berickter, which at that time was pub- 
 lished half in English and half in German. In 
 1880 the paper became entirely English, and the 
 name was changed to the Millheim Journal, at 
 which time Mr. Bumiller became half owner and 
 associate editor. Three years later he purchased 
 the paper, of which he has since been editor and 
 proprietor, and under the able management the 
 circulation has been greatly increased, and the 
 plant newly equipped with the latest improved 
 machinery, run by steam power. 
 
 In Millheim, Mr. Bumiller was married April 
 4, 1876, to Miss Ella, the eldest daughter of 
 Squire B. O. Deininger, one of Millheim's lead- 
 ing citizens, and they have two children: Ida A. 
 and Frances C. 
 
 Politically, Mr. Bumiller gives his unwaver- 
 ing support to the Democratic party, and has 
 served as councilman and school director. In 
 October, 1894, he was also appointed notary 
 public by Gov. Pattison, and during the Centen- 
 nial celebration of Millheim was a member of 
 the committee to which was mainly due its grand 
 success. He affiliates with the Odd Fellows 
 

 CO VMBMORA TIVH BWaRAPlWA I. RECORD. 
 
 Lodge of Millheim, and is a prominent and con- 
 sistent member of the Methodist Episcopal 
 Church, now serving as secretary of its Sunday- 
 school. He ranks among the leading journalists 
 of the county, and as a citizen also holds an en- 
 viable position. 
 
 J. CARLIN, one of the representative 
 business men and prominent citizens of 
 Brush Valley, Centre county, ami a leading mer- 
 chant of Kebersburg, was born February 23, 
 1S30, at Potters Mills, in Potter township, Cen- 
 tre county. 
 
 George Carlin (father of our subject), who was 
 weaver by trade, was employed in the woolen- 
 factory at that place. He was a native of the 
 North of Ireland, whence when quite young he 
 came to the United States with his parents, who 
 located in Philadelphia, where both died. They 
 possessed but limited means, and the father 
 dying when the children were yet small, much 
 responsibility rested upon George, who was the 
 eldest. The others were James, a railroad en- 
 gineer, who served in the Confederate army as 
 colonel of an Alabama regiment, and died at 
 Carthage, Mo. ; William, also a railroad engineer. 
 running on the Pennsylvania Central between 
 Harrisburg and Philadelphia, who was a skilled 
 mechanic and constructed an engine from the 
 metal contained in a gold dollar; and Jane, who 
 became the wife of John Hoyt, and died in Reeds- 
 ville, I'enn. John Hoyt was bookkeeper for Will- 
 iam Mann, Jr., & Co., axe makers. He was 
 killed by the cars while crossing the tracks at the 
 axe factory, in 1 872. 
 
 In Philadelphia George Carlin learned to 
 weave carpets, blankets, cassimeres, etc., and 
 when a young man came to Potters Mills, ( . 11 
 tre county, in order to obtain work at his trade. 
 There lie married Miss Catherine Toner, also a 
 native of Ireland, who came to America with her 
 parents, Thomas Toner and Catherine bis wife. 
 A^ the Potter Mills had closed down, Mr Carlin 
 removed to Mifflin county, I'enn.. in 1X50, and 
 obtained employment in Mann's axe factory as a 
 temperer, which position he held until i8< 
 when he returned to Centre counts, and pur- 
 chased a home in Sprucetown, where his death 
 occurred in 1875, when he wis aged 6S years. 
 He was a large and powerful man, weigh- 
 ing about 200 pounds, and his death was 
 caused by a third stroke o) paralysis. His 
 wife was called to her final home in 1X84, 
 and was laid by his side in Sj >i ucetown cemei 
 He was an intelligent, well educated man and 
 fine penman, and during his early life engaged in 
 
 teaching in Chester county, Penn. Politically he 
 affiliated with the Democratic party. 
 
 Our subject is the fifth in order of birth in a 
 family of seven children, a brief record of the 
 others being: John T. was a member of Com- 
 pany A, 46th P. V. I., during the Rebellion, hut 
 after serving eighteen months was' discharged in 
 1863, on account of disability; he later became 
 ticket agent for the Pennsylvania Railroad Com- 
 pany at Spruce Creek, Hollidaysburg and Indi- 
 ana, Penn., respectively, and died at Yeagertown, 
 Mifflin Co., Penn., in 1869; Sarah died at Pot- 
 ters Bank, Penn.; Mary died in infancy; Maria 
 died at Potters Bank, at the age of twenty-eight 
 years. George died at the same place; and Jane 
 died at the age of nineteen. 
 
 W. |. Carlin was an infant when taken by 
 his parents to Mifflin county, and in the public 
 schools of Reedsville he obtained his primary ed- 
 ucation, which was supplemented by a course in 
 the Lewistown Academy, where he paid his own 
 tuition, earning the money as an employee in 
 Mann's axe factory. After the return of his par- 
 ents to Centre county, he attended the schools 
 of Potters Mills for a time, his teacher being 
 George Peters. He then began teaching in Ty- 
 lersville, and successfully followed that profes- 
 sion for six years. In Boalsburg, Centre coun- 
 ty, he married Miss Emma Leitzell, a daughter 
 of Aaron and Alvina (Hackman) Leitzell. Mr. 
 Carlin's tirst experience m the mercantile busi- 
 ness was as a clerk in a store in Reedsville when 
 small but a boy, and later he held a similar position 
 in the store of W. J. Thompson & Brother at Pot- 
 ters Mills, while for a time he served as bookkeeper 
 for J. S. Shipman, a wholesale grocer of Titus- 
 ville, Penn.. with whom he remained through 
 the year 1872 until the spring of 1873. Pre- 
 viously, however, he had also served as clerk in 
 the establishment of R. H. Duncan at Spring 
 Mills. On leaving Mr. Shipman he came to Ke- 
 bersburg, where for a time he taujdit school. aiu\ 
 was also agent for various sewing machines. In 
 1st. [893, he purchased the general store ol 
 I. B. Frank, which he has since successfully 
 conducted, now having the leading mercantile 
 establishment in the place. 
 
 In politics Mr. Carlin is a stanch Democrat, 
 and is a leader and counsellor of his party in his 
 locality, taking a keen interest in its suc< ■ 
 F01 three years he ably served as constable of 
 Miles township, and since [882 hasserved as jus- 
 tice of the peace. lie is a prominent member of 
 the Odd Fellows Society, No. 1031, of Rebers- 
 burg, which he represented in the grand lodge at 
 Pittsburg, in May. [896, and both himself and 
 wife are active members of the Lutheran Church. 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 283 
 
 while he has also served as secretary of the Sab- 
 bath-school for ten years. They have a comfort- 
 able home in Rebersburg, whose latch-string is 
 always out, and their many friends are always 
 sure to receive a hearty welcome. A man of 
 known reliability, Mr. Carlin has often been 
 called upon to act as administrator of estates, 
 and as agent in settling other business transac- 
 tions, the duties of which he has always promptly 
 and faithfully discharged. In connection with 
 his mercantile pursuits and official duties, he also 
 acts as agent for W. B. Rankin, of Bellefonte, 
 who represents various insurance companies. He 
 isa careful, methodical business man, whose suc- 
 cess is due entirely to his own perseverance, en- 
 terprise and good management. " Squire Car- 
 lin," as he is familiarly known, is one of Rebers- 
 burg's best citizens, and stands high in the esteem 
 of all who know him. 
 
 TEMPEST SLINGER, a well-known hotel 
 keeper at Philipsburg, Centre county, fur- 
 nishes in his career an admirable example of 
 British pluck and enterprise. He was born in 
 England, December 23, 1847, and is a descend- 
 ant of an old Yorkshire family. 
 
 His paternal grandfather, for whom he was 
 named, was a native of Slaidburn, in that county, 
 and followed agricultural pursuits there all his 
 life, his death occurring in 1847 when he was 
 aged seventy-five years. He married a Miss 
 Wilkinson, and reared a family of eight or nine 
 children, all of whom lived to a good old age. 
 Nicholas Slinger, our subject's father, was born 
 in Yorkshire in 1816, and after a busy life as a 
 farmer is now enjoying his declining years in well- 
 earned leisure. His wife, Jane Seed, also a na- 
 tive of Yorkshire, was born in 1820, and is still 
 living, the fifty-sixth anniversary of their mar- 
 riage being celebrated in November, 1896. She 
 is of a long-lived family, her father, Thomas 
 Seed, having attained the age of eighty-four. 
 Our subject was one of a family of eleven chil- 
 dren: (1) William died at seven years of age; 
 (2) Ann died at twenty-six; (3) Jane is the widow 
 of Henry Slater, of England; (4) Tempest is the 
 subject of this sketch; (5) John Thomas, who is 
 married, is superintendent for T. Barnes, of 
 Philipsburg; (6) Elizabeth Alice is the wife of 
 Major Nutter, of the English army; (7) Mary 
 Ellen is the wife of William H. Heath; (8) Emma 
 G. is not married; (9) Margaret, who married 
 Robert Hindle, lives in the old country; (10) 
 George N. is an attorney at law in England; (11) 
 Nancy died at the age of two years. 
 
 Mr. Slinger attended the schools of his native 
 
 place until he reached the age of fifteen, and he 
 was early trained to practical work upon his fa- 
 ther's farm, where dairying was an especial feat- 
 ure. His active and aspiring mind was not sat- 
 isfied with the outlook for business, and he deter- 
 mined to seek a more promising field for his ef- 
 forts. On January 1, 1884, he landed at Phila- 
 delphia, and in the course of a prospecting tour 
 he visited Philipsburg, but after four months he 
 went to Cuba and became interested in the man- 
 agement of a sugar plantation, remaining four 
 months. He then returned to Philipsburg, where 
 for a time he was engaged at a coal mine as 
 weigh boss, but later devoted his attention to the 
 hotel business with a diligence that has won him 
 success. In April, 1893, he took unto himself a 
 life partner, Miss Elizabeth Ann Goshorn, a resi- 
 dent of Philipsburg. They are prominent mem- 
 bers of the Episcopal Church. Mr. Slinger has 
 always shown an active interest in local progress, 
 and in the political problems of his adopted coun- 
 try, voting the Democratic ticket. 
 
 LS. BRICKER is a representative of the 
 1 mercantile interests of Boalsburg, Centre 
 
 county, and in his life there is an exemplification 
 of what can be accomplished through diligence 
 and earnest application, guided by sound judg- 
 ment. He is now conducting one of the best 
 groceries and general provision stores in the place, 
 and by courteous treatment of his customers and 
 fair dealing has built up a good trade, receiving a 
 liberal share of the public patronage. 
 
 The Bricker family has long been identified 
 with the interests of Centre county. Joseph 
 Bricker, the grandfather of our subject, came 
 from Lebanon county, Penn., and was a carpen- 
 ter of Millheim at an early day in its history. 
 There his death occurred in 1855. In his family 
 were the following children: Henry (now de- 
 ceased), who was a blacksmith at Salona, Penn. ; 
 John C, the father, of our subject; William, a 
 farmer; Samuel, a tailor and merchant; Joseph, 
 a farmer — all of Fremont, Ind.; Mrs. Louisa 
 Hoffnagle and Mrs. Elizabeth Lingle, also of 
 Fremont, Ind. ; Mrs. Rebecca Miller, of Mill- 
 heim, Penn.; Mrs. Malinda Best, of Kansas; and 
 Catherine, wife of John McGill, of Lock Haven, 
 Pennsylvania. 
 
 John C. Bricker, father of our subject, was 
 born in Millheim, August 18, 1827, where he 
 obtained a meagre education in its public schools, 
 and at an early age served an apprenticeship to 
 the shoemaker's trade. About 1840 he estab- 
 lished a shop in Boalsburg which he conducted 
 a number of years, when he moved to Pine Grove 
 
284 
 
 COMMEMORA TIVR BIOQ ltM'HKM. RECORD. 
 
 Mills, Penn., and in i860 bought a farm two 
 miles west of Boalsburg, where he lived till 
 1S74, when he removed into Boalsburg, and 
 died there in 1N77. He married Rosanna Condo, 
 who still lives in Boalsburg. and by her he had 
 six children, two of whom dud in infancy, the 
 others being as follow- Emma, now the wife 
 of B. l'>. Cramer, an inn keeper oi Punxsutawney, 
 Penn.; Mitchell, a coachsmith, living in Lewis- 
 town, Penn. , who married Sarah 1 [assinger; Laird. 
 a coachsmith, who married Clara Wirtz, 
 and died of typhoid (ever Februarj 9, 1880; and 
 L. S., the subject of this review. 
 
 Our subject was born May 12. 1859, at Pine 
 Grove Mills, Ferguson township. Centre county. 
 While at the Branch school in College township 
 he obtained his primary education, his first 
 teacher being John Bathurst. As he was eighteen 
 years of age when his father died, he immi 
 ately took up the shoemaker's trade under Rob- 
 ert Gunsollus, of Boalsburg, and continued to 
 follow the same in that place for eleven years. 
 In 1889 he was appointed postmastei al Boals- 
 burg, which position he satisfactorily filled for 
 four years and a half, when he wai removed for 
 political reasons, and he left the office as he had 
 entered it with the confidem e and respect of all, 
 and has the satisfaction of knowing that his 
 office was one of five fourth-class offices in Cen- 
 tre count} . graded as "excellent." Since 1893 
 he has successfully conducted Ins present store. 
 
 Mr. Bricker was united in marriage with Miss 
 Laura E. Stover, a native of Unionville, Centre 
 county, and the ninth in order of birth in the 
 family of twelve children born to William and 
 Sophia (Richard) Stover, the former a native of 
 Hartslog Valley, Huntingdon Co., Penn., the 
 latter born at "Rattlesnake Inn," on the sum- 
 mit of the Alleghany Mountains. For a time 
 Mrs. Bricker was a student in Eden Seminar] 
 (since dissolved), but completed her literary edu- 
 cation in the Boalsburg Academy, after which 
 she successfully engaged in teaching school in the 
 village of Unionville and Union township, Cen- 
 tre county. By her marriage she has become 
 the mother of three children: Maud, who was 
 born February 9, [881, and died November 3, 
 1883; John W., born November 27, 1883; and 
 Howard, born October 22, 1888, 
 
 Mr. Bricker is a recognized leaders in the 
 ranks of the Republican party in his community, 
 and for ten years served as chairman of the 
 township committee, while in 1896 he was a 
 candidate on that ticket for the office of treas- 
 urer of Centre county. His honorable business 
 methods and his upright life have gained him pres- 
 tige in the community where he has long made 
 
 his home, and his genial manner enables him to 
 make friends easily, and when once a friendship 
 is gained it is always his. 
 
 QOTTLIEB HAAG, a well-known resident of 
 Bellefonte, Centre county, is one of the 
 prosperous German-born citizens of that thriving 
 town, and his success is the more notable from 
 the fact that at the time of his landing in New 
 York, when a young man of twenty-five years, 
 he had only two dollars in his pocket. 
 
 Mr. Haag was born in Wittenberg. Mehrstet- 
 ten, German}-, June 14. 1829, the son of George 
 Haag, and grandson of George Haag, Sr. The 
 father was a native of the same place, born in 
 1804, and was a carpenter by trade. He mar- 
 ried Catherine Mant/.. who was born in Hunder- 
 sengen 111 1S05. Both were devout members of 
 the Lutheran Church. The father died at sev- 
 enty years of age, and the mother lived to be 
 fifty-six. Of their ten children, the subject of 
 this sketch is the eldest. George is a lockmaker 
 111 Switzerland. Magdalene married Mr. Ruse, 
 and resides in Germany. Ludwig was killed b) 
 an accident in Germany. Margaret married John 
 Scheidenberger, a miller at Warrensburg, Mo 
 Philip resides at Williamsport, Penn. Christina 
 met her death by accident at the age of seven 
 years. Llizabeth, widow of John Reutter, re- 
 sides at the old home. The youngest child died 
 at an early age. 
 
 Gottlieb Haag learned the carpenter's trade 
 in his native land, and in 1854 he came to 
 America in search of better opportunities for ad- 
 vancement in life. Naturally he had to spend 
 some time in prospecting for a suitable field for 
 his labors, and he worked at West Hoboken. 
 N. J., and Union Hill, N. J., before locating in 
 Schuylkill county, Penn, where he remained 
 twelve years. He then passed a number of years 
 at Cressona and Pottsville, and several years at 
 Williamsport, when he established himself in 
 business at Pleasant Gap, Centre county, build- 
 ing a hotel and distillery there, the latter being 
 put into operation June 24, 1874, for the whole- 
 sale whiskey trade. In addition to this distiller] 
 he owns, at that place, a gristmill and ten acres 
 of land. Mr. Haag is an adept in the hotel 
 business, having been engaged in it some thirtv 
 years altogether, at Pottsville, Pleasant Gap and 
 Bellefonte. For nine years past he has been a 
 resident of Bellefonte, where he bought tw 
 valuable lots, upon which he erected two double 
 houses and a commodious stable, with other 
 first-class improvements. He also is the owner 
 of the "Hotel Haag" property at Bellefonte 
 
 I 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 285 
 
 He adheres to the religion of his parents, being a 
 member of the Lutheran Church, and, in his 
 political views, he is a Democrat of the Free- 
 silver type. 
 
 On November 13, 1854, Mr. Haag married 
 Miss Catherine Treyz, a native of Germany, 
 born September 7, 1828, about fifteen miles 
 from his early home. They have had no chil- 
 dren of their own, but have reared two boys, 
 who are now like sons to them: John C. Mul- 
 finger, who was born February 3, 1859, was 
 taken into our subject's home at the age of six 
 years, and at present has charge of the hotel 
 and distillery at Pleasant Gap. He married 
 Miss Kate Mundreich, and has had eight chil- 
 dren: Kate, Maggie, John, Gertrude, Gottlieb, 
 David (deceased), Edward and Frederick. Harry 
 Haag, who was formally given the name of his 
 adopted parents, is in charge of the stable de- 
 partment of the "Hotel Haag" at Bellefonte, 
 under Daniel C. Keller, who keeps the hostelry. 
 He married Miss Maggie Noll, and has four chil- 
 dren: Mabel. Ralph, Gottlieb and Philip. 
 
 D 
 
 t,ANIEL FLISHER, one of the old and hon- 
 ored residents of Potter township, Centre 
 county, was born June 12, 181 1, in Lower Pax- 
 ton, Hanover township, Dauphin Co., Penn. , a 
 son of Daniel and Catharine (Keller) Flisher. 
 He is the fourth in order of birth in their family 
 of seven children — three sons and four daugh- 
 ters — the others being as follows: Elizabeth, 
 who married John Osman, and died in Centre 
 Hall, Centre county; Michael, who died in Stone 
 Valley, Huntingdon Co., Penn.; Polly, who mar- 
 ried Daniel From, and died in Nebraska; Susan, 
 who married Dr. James Powley, and died at 
 East Liverpool, Ohio; John, who died in Car- 
 rollton, Ohio; and Katy, widow of John Gentzle, 
 of Penn township, Centre county. 
 
 The father, who was a farmer by occupation, 
 died about 18 18 in Upper Paxton, Lykens Val- 
 ley, Dauphin county, whither he had removed 
 during the infancy of our subject. He left a 
 good farm of 160 acres, but a small debt of $900 
 rested upon it, and the times being hard had to 
 be sold for $1,000, and afterward was sold for 
 $90 per acre by the sheriff. His death was 
 caused by falling from a hay mow, which in- 
 jured him internally. He was a brave and loyal 
 man, and had served as a soldier in the war of 
 1812. About 1823 the mother, with her children, 
 came to Centre county, where her brother, Jacob 
 Keller, had previously located. They came the 
 entire distance in a covered wagon, and narrowly 
 escaped being drowned while crossing the Sus- 
 
 quehanna river at Liverpool, Penn., after a 
 freshet when the water was very high. The few 
 dollars that the family possessed was invested in 
 a small tract of land near Tusseyville. The 
 mother died at the home of her daughter in 
 Gregg township, Centre county, at the age of 
 seventy-three years. 
 
 The privileges afforded our subject for se- 
 curing an education were very poor. He had 
 just begun the study of arithmetic when he was 
 forced to lay aside his books and aid in the sup- 
 port of the family. By experience and observa- 
 tion, however, he has acquired a good practical 
 knowledge. At the age of eleven years he was 
 hired out by his mother, at first receiving only 
 fifty cents per month, although he did all the 
 plowing on the farm. When sixteen years of age 
 he began learning the shoemaker's trade in Pot- 
 ter township, under his brother, Michael, and 
 after mastering the business worked at the same 
 for about fifteen years in that locality. 
 
 Before he had attained his majority, Mr. 
 Flisher was married near Spring Mills, Centre 
 county, to Miss Polly Boone, who was born in 
 Berks county* Penn., in 1812, and they became 
 the parents of seven children, namely: William, 
 who died at the age of twenty-three years; Jared, 
 a resident of Jamestown, N. Y. ; Eliza J., now 
 Mrs. William Jordan, of Adams county, Ohio; 
 Isaiah, a traveling salesmen of Philadelphia, 
 Penn.; Catharine, at home; Uriah S.. of Los 
 Angeles, Cal. ; and Ellen, who married Julian 
 Fleming, and died in Centre Hall, Centre coun- 
 ty. The wife and mother died in January, 1876, 
 and was buried in Tusseyville cemetery. On 
 April 10, 1879, in Centre Hall, Mr. Flisher was 
 again married, this time to Miss Mary A. Shirk, 
 a native of Potter township, and a daughter of 
 Joseph and Eliza (Benner) Shirk. Before her 
 marriage she successfully carried on dressmaking. 
 She is a most excellent woman, and a member 
 of the Presbyterian Church. 
 
 After his first marriage, Mr. Flisher lived for 
 a short time with his widowed mother, and later 
 rented a small house, which was so meagerly 
 supplied with household goods that his young 
 wife had not even a dough tray. For several 
 years he gave his entire time and attention to 
 his trade, and after embarking in fanning also 
 did odd jobs at shoemaking. The first property 
 he owned consisted of forty acres of land in Pot- 
 ter township, near Colliers, which he operated 
 until 1844, when he sold the same and purchased 
 eighty-five acres, known as the Flisher home 
 farm. Upon that place he continued to reside 
 until 1879, when he removed to Centre Hall and 
 bought his present comfortable home. He is. 
 
286 
 
 I OMMEMORATIVS BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 the owner of two fine farms in Potter township, 
 aggregating over two hundred acres, one of 
 which, a tract of over one hundred acres, cost 
 him $105 per acre; he also has 450 acres of tim- 
 ber land. 
 
 Mr. Flisher has been a stanch Democrat in 
 politics since casting his first Presidential vote 
 for Andrew Jackson, and has never missed a 
 Presidential election. His recollection of the 
 issues of the various campaigns is remarkable, 
 and, for his years, not one man in a thousand re- 
 tains their mental faculties, or is as active in 
 body as our subject. As a systematic farmer he 
 was foremost among the best of Potter township, 
 and still continues to manage his business inter- 
 ests. He has held different township offices, and 
 at the present time is serving as overseer in Cen- 
 tre Hall. When a young man he was elected 
 captain of a militia company, but being of a re- 
 tiring nature he declined the honor. Reared by 
 a Christian mother, religious influences have 
 clung to him, and he has long been a faithful and 
 active member of the Reformed Church, of 
 which for years he has been elder, and has also 
 served as deacon. The object of respect by 
 \ 1 >img and old, Mr. Flisher is greeted with affec- 
 tion and esteem, and in his declining years is en- 
 joying the reward of a well-ordered life, and one 
 in which he has exerted himself to do good to 
 those around him. 
 
 DANIEL DAUP, one of the most skillful and 
 thorough farmers of Potter township, be- 
 longs to an honored and highly respected family 
 ■ if Centre county. His father, Joseph Daup, a 
 native of Wurtemburg, Germany, was born March 
 9, 1 8 16, and is one of the eight children (six of 
 whom grew to adult age) born to Xavier and 
 Christina Daup. He is the only one of the fam- 
 ily to come to the United States. 
 
 At the age of fifteen years, Joseph Daup be- 
 1 learning the blacksmith trade, and later 
 worked as a journeyman in various country shops 
 and towns until he received letters from friends 
 in America, telling him of the excellent opportu- 
 nities here afforded poor young men. Saving 
 his money until he had enough to pay his pass.! 
 he, in March, [849, embarked on a schooner at 
 Bremen for New York, which port he reached 
 after a long and stormy voyage of sixty-live days, 
 during which time the vessel was driven as far 
 north as Greenland. For a short time he re- 
 mained with acquaintances in New York City, 
 and then went to New Jersey where his friends 
 were living, but found it difficult to obtain work. 
 He was first employed in Lewistown, Penn., on 
 
 the construction of the canal and in the stone 
 quarries, where he contracted ague, and the few 
 dollars that he had saved went for board. As 
 ! soon as he had sufficiently recovered to travel he 
 crossed the Seven Mountains to Potters Mills, 
 Centre county, where he arrived October 14, 
 1849, and secured his first work at his trade in 
 the United States, being employed by John Haney 
 at $7 per month and board. After working for 
 others for two years he started a shop of his own. 
 
 In the fall of 1850, at Potters Mills, Joseph 
 Daup was united in marriage with Catharine 
 Decker, who was born at the Loop, in Potter 
 township, November 6, 1823, adaughter of Nicho- 
 las and Mar) 1 l'echt) Decker, in whose family 
 were five children, the others being Sarah, widow 
 of Daniel Auman, of Potter township; Henry, 
 who died in that township; John, who died near 
 Boalsburg, Centre county; and Mary, a resident 
 of Pottertownship. The father of these children 
 was a mason by trade, but the later years of his 
 life were spent in farming. He died at the age 
 of seventv-one \ears, his wife at the age of sev- 
 enty-three, and the}' were buried in the Tussey- 
 ville cemetery. Six children were born to Mr. 
 and Mrs. Daup: Elizabeth, now the wife of 
 Aaron Zerby, of Penn township), Centre county. 
 Amelia, wife of A. C. Ripka, of Potter township; 
 Daniel, of this sketch; Sarah, wife of William 
 Ertel, of Penn township; Ellen, wife of Jefferson 
 Heckman, of Gregg township; and Hettie, wife 
 of Charles Leister, of Sprucetown, Centre county. 
 
 After his marriage, Joseph Daub located in 
 Centre Hill, where he owned his first shop, and 
 carried on business there some four years, after 
 which he went to Penn township, and bought 
 another shop and several acres of land. Two 
 years later, however, he sold out, and from 1858 
 made his home in Sprucetown, where he followed 
 his trade continuously until recent years, when 
 failing health compelled him to abandon it. He 
 died April 27, 1897, aged eighty-one years, one 
 month and eighteen days. For many years he 
 was an active member of the United Evangelical 
 Church, in which he acted as class leader, ex- 
 horter and trustee, and enjoyed the esteem and 
 confidence of all who knew him. In politics be 
 was a Democrat, but never cared for official dis- 
 tinction. He and his estimable wife reared a 
 family of which tluy were justly proud, all occu- 
 pying honorable positions in society. 
 
 Daniel Daup was born March 17, 1856, in 
 Penn township, and when a child accompanied 
 his parents to Sprucetown, where he was reared 
 tn manhood. His early education was obtained 
 at the Egg Hill school, where his first teacher 
 was Mary Hennigh. At an early age he began 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 287 
 
 assisting his father in the shop, where he soon 
 acquired a good knowledge of the trade, though 
 he never served a regular apprenticeship. He 
 remained with his parents until his marriage, at 
 the age of twenty-seven, to Miss Jennie A. 
 Evans, a daughter of Evan and Anna (Miller) 
 Evans, who belonged to one of the best families 
 of Potter township. They began their domestic 
 life in Sprucetown, where Mr. Daup was em- 
 ployed by his father for one year, and then 
 removed to the Rankin farm, in George's Valley, 
 which property he rented for two years. He 
 then took up his residence upon the Dauberman 
 farm, in Potter township, where he was a tenant 
 until the spring of 1897, when he returned to the 
 Rankin farm, which he had purchased in 1895. 
 It comprises 1 1 5 acres of excellent land, which 
 he has placed under a high state of cultivation, 
 and made many useful improvements thereon. 
 
 Mr. Daup is a stanch Democrat, yet no poli- 
 tician or office-seeker, content with regularly 
 casting his vote for its men and measures at State 
 and National elections, but on local affairs he 
 votes independent of party ties. He and his wife 
 are earnest members of the United Evangelical 
 Church, in which he is serving as steward and 
 trustee, and also as teacher in the Sunday-school. 
 He is one of the steady-going, prosperous farm- 
 ers of Potter township, one who has made his 
 own way in the world, whose integrity is unques- 
 tioned, and who, as a citizen, holds a prominent 
 place in the estimation of his neighbors and 
 friends. 
 
 ^/ D. THOMAS, of Aaronsburg, Centre coun- 
 MUl ty, is well known as a successful educator 
 through twenty-two years of faithful and efficient 
 service. Although he has recently retired from 
 that profession, his work will not readily be for- 
 gotten by the many who have been helped by 
 him in the steep and sometimes weary paths of 
 knowledge. 
 
 Prof. Thomas was born in Haines township, 
 Centre county, April 26, 1851, and so far his life 
 has been spent mainly in that locality. Jacob 
 Thomas, his grandfather, was born December 9, 
 1767; confirmed April 12, 1795, by Rev. Loch- 
 man (Lutheran); married in 1797 to Christiana 
 Ensminger, and died December 31, 1824. His 
 wife Christiana was born about 1768, and died 
 1855 or '56; both are buried in the vicinity of 
 Annville, Lebanon Co., Penn., where they 
 resided. Jacob and Rebecca (Dutwiler) Thomas, 
 parents of our subject, were both natives of 
 Lebanon county, Penn. The father was born 
 April 24, 1808, and received his early education 
 
 in the German schools of that day, his knowledge 
 of English being "picked up" incidentally. Be- 
 ing bereft of his father at the age of sixteen, he 
 found himself obliged to assume the manage- 
 ment of his mother's farm, which he continued 
 until his marriage to Miss Dutwiler, who was 
 born near Palmyra, September 14, 181 1, daugh- 
 ter of John and Anna Mary (Williams) Dutwiler, 
 who resided on a farm near Campbelltown, Leb- 
 anon Co., Penn., and are both buried at Camp- 
 belltown. Mrs. Thomas, who lost her father 
 when she was fourteen years old, received fair 
 educational advantages for that day, and was a 
 woman of fine mental ability. For a time after 
 their marriage they remained in Lebanon county, 
 and one child was born there: Elizabeth, who 
 married George Y. Stover, and died in Stover, 
 South Dakota. 
 
 In 1832, Jacob Thomas, of Annville town- 
 ship, Lebanon Co., Penn., in company with two 
 other gentlemen, started to seek a place whereon 
 to locate. Land in Lebanon county having ad- 
 vanced in price beyond his means of acquiring a 
 farm (he having only limited means), and hav- 
 ing in view the western part of Ohio, they trav- 
 eled as far west as Dayton, but for some reason not 
 finding a satisfactory place to locate. On their 
 way home they came to Centre county, Penn., 
 their first point of observation being Boalsburg; 
 from there they came to Haines township and 
 bought the farm upon which Mr. Thomas located. 
 He had traveled the whole distance of 1,060 miles 
 on horse-back, being gone about six weeks, and in 
 April, 1833, Jacob Thomas and his wife settled 
 upon this farm in Haines township, Centre county. 
 There nine children were born to them, our sub- 
 ject being the youngest of the family. The 
 others were John, now of Clinton county, Penn. ; 
 Christiana, who married George Hoover, and 
 died in Shingletown, Penn.; Anna M., who re- 
 sides in Aaronsburg; Rebecca, who married Jesse 
 Snyder, and died near Penn Hall, Penn. ; Jacob 
 D., a resident of Illinois; Adam J., a carpenter 
 at State College; Jeremiah, now of Illinois; and 
 Aaron, a carpenter at Centre Hall. 
 
 Jacob Thomas made farming his lifelong oc- 
 cupation. He was over six feet in height, and 
 enjoyed excellent health, even his last ailment, 
 rheumatism of the heart, afflicting him only a 
 short time. He was very industrious, and while 
 rearing a large family, managed to secure a fair 
 competence. His death came just at the time 
 when he was in a position to realize the benefits 
 of his labors. While he was a firm believer in 
 the principles of the Republican party, he did 
 not allow his partisan prejudice to blind him, and 
 at times voted independently. Never a politician 
 
:'>- 
 
 I !/.»/ i:\10RAT1VE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 in the strict sense of the word, he yel took an 
 active interest in local affairs and held the office 
 of school director several times, as well as other 
 township offices. He was also active in religious 
 work as a member of the Reformed Church, 
 holding various official positions. His death oc- 
 curred at the old homestead March 29, 1864; his 
 wife passed away January 7, 1884, and the re- 
 mains of both are interred at Aaronsburg. 
 
 As a boy the subject of this sketch found the 
 outlook for an education most unpromising. The 
 schools near the homestead were none of the 
 best, but he made good use of the facilities which 
 they offered. His first teacher was Thomas 
 Frhart, and Mr. Thomas has had the satisfaction 
 of presiding over the same school room in which 
 he spent his first day as a pupil. He remained 
 at home until his widowed mother removed to 
 Aaronsburg and then as she, though in comfort- 
 able circumstances, was not able to spare the 
 funds necessary to secure him better educationa 
 advantages, he determined to secure them him- 
 self. For several years he worked as a farm 
 hand for leading agriculturists, his first employer 
 being Clay Allison, ol Nittany Valley, who paid 
 him $8 per month. With the money thus earned 
 he attended the academy at Aaronsburg, also the 
 County Normal at Centre Hall, alternately work- 
 ing and studying. 
 
 In his twentieth year, Mr. Thomas began his 
 successful career as a teacher in the St. Paul dis- 
 trict of Haines township, Centre county, and, 
 with the exception of one term in Miles township, 
 the entire twenty-two years of work were spent 
 in the former locality, six successive years being 
 passed at Aaronsburg. He was never content 
 to merely " keep school," the responsibilities of 
 his position as a guide to those entrusted to him 
 were too keenly realized for that, and the inces- 
 sant care incident to the work when conscien- 
 tiously done caused him to retire in [894 from the 
 profession, A taste for carpentering jseems to be 
 hereditary in the family, and many <>f Mr 
 Thomas' vacations have been given to that work. 
 One summer was spent in Efhingham county, 
 111. He owns a house in Centre Hall, but since 
 the death of his mother he has made his home in 
 Aaronsburg, where he owns a residence and 
 several lots. I lis success, won a- n has been by 
 his own efforts, is will deserved. 
 
 Mr. Thomas is a Republican on national 
 issues, but does not believe that party allegiance 
 should extend to local affairs, and lie has at tii 
 supported other candidates for township and 
 county offices. He is no place seeker himself, 
 but has held some minor positions. As .1 mem- 
 ber of the Reformed Church, he contributes to 
 
 the work of that society, and as a good citizen 
 takes a loyal interest in all that tends to promote 
 
 progress. 
 
 SAMUEL FOSTER LYTLE, M. D., de- 
 ' ceased October 9, 1 S96, occupied for a score 
 of years a prominent position in his profession, 
 and was recognized by his colleagues, far and 
 near, as one of the leading physicians of Centre 
 county. He was a member of the County, State 
 and National Medical Associations. President of 
 the Board of Health, and State Health Inspector 
 for his District. Esteemed as he was by the 
 members of his profession, the people, whose 
 good fortune it was to be subject to his ministra- 
 tions, loved him for his sympathetic nature, and 
 venerated him for his rare ability and skill. 
 
 Possessing as an inheritance the qualities of 
 an ancestry whose lineage was noble in the 
 highest sense, not because of descent from pro- 
 genitors of rank and title, but because of that in- 
 trinsic strain of valor, firmness and fineness of 
 character, and integrity of purpose which is the 
 measure of worth and constitutes true nobility 
 and gentility. He was also richly endowed by 
 nature with a talent for the profession he loved 
 and to which his life was devoted. 
 
 The remote history of Dr. Lytle's family goes 
 back to County Donegal. Ireland, where the 
 name still adheres, honored and respected, and 
 begins in this country with the settlement of a 
 branch of the family in Lancaster county, Penn.. 
 more than a century ago, where they became 
 distinguished for their patriotism during the 
 period of the Revolution. Foremost in loyalty 
 was Col. Andrew Lytle. who was commissioned 
 
 olonel of the 8th Pennsylvania Regiment in 
 the Revolutionary army, July 23. 1 78 1, in com- 
 mand of which he served with distinction, re- 
 ceiving the personal commendation of Cen. 
 Washington, and honorable mention in the 
 Archives of the State. He was a charter member 
 of the Order of the Cincinnati, and died in 1784 
 of camp fevei His son, Isaac Lytic, grandfa- 
 ther of Dr. Lytle, was born in Lampeter. Lan- 
 caster county, in 1772, and was married in 
 1802, to Jane, daughter of Xaccheus Piersol. of 
 a Valley, a descendant of an ancient and 
 honorable Scotch family in direct line from Archi- 
 bald Douglas. He removed to Harris township, 
 Centre e, unity, in 1S14, where he died Septem- 
 
 [854 Hi- eldest son, Griffeth, fathei 
 Dr. Lytle, was born in 1806, coming with his 
 father to 1 entre county in [814, where he en 
 riculture, lb- married Susan Foster, 
 born in Huntingdon county in 1S12, a woman of 
 remarkable beauty of charater and refinemen; 
 
/^L£*-^- 
 
 Mfr A:^, A i? 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 289 
 
 manner. Purchasing a farm near Lemont, 
 which is still the home of his eldest son, William, 
 he resided there until 1855, when he bought a 
 farm in the vicinity of State College, where his 
 death occurred in 1875, his wife, Susan, surviv- 
 ing him fifteen years. Of their ten children. Dr. 
 Lytle was the youngest son. 
 
 Dr. Lytle was born March 14, 1851, and 
 from early childhood evinced a decided trend of 
 mind toward medicine and surgery, which in- 
 creased with years until in early manhood it be- 
 came his passion and determined his career. 
 Graduating from State College, he pursued the 
 study of medicine under Dr. J. Y. Dale, of Le- 
 mont, with the eagerness and intensity of one 
 whose aspiration was to master the science. En- 
 tering Bellevue Hospital Medical College as the 
 next step forward in his profession, he graduated 
 honorably in 1875. Still bent on the acquire- 
 ment of learning, he pursued a post-graduate 
 course at Columbia College before entering upon 
 the active duties of a physician. At this time he 
 received an appointment as surgeon in the regu- 
 lar army, but the death of his father led him to 
 decline the position. In the autumn of 1875 he 
 came to Philipsburg, rapidly acquiring a prac- 
 tice. Four years later he married Nannie, 
 daughter of Thomas Crissman (deceased) and 
 Margaret Crissman, whose family still occupy a 
 position of high standing in the community. 
 
 With the increase of his clientage as the Doc- 
 tor's popularity increased, the demands upon him 
 became so great that his health suffered from the 
 strain; but through his deep sympathy with others 
 and his great fortitude, he bore his own suffering 
 silently and bravely, ministering to the sick when 
 needing help himself, and struggling against 
 physical disability that would have broken a less 
 heroic spirit. Gentle and generous to the last, 
 courteous and brave, he died literally with har- 
 ness on, coming from the bedside of a patient 
 where with all his skill he was fighting for the 
 life of another against the dread destroyer, to 
 yield suddenly his own life up to that relentless 
 hand. 
 
 Dr. Lytle was a man of broad culture, studi- 
 ous habits, in touch with the most advanced 
 movements in the science of medicine, and a 
 type of the scholarly professional gentleman, be- 
 loved and mourned by the community which he 
 served and healed. 
 
 DjAVID F. BOWERSOX, a prominent agri- 
 culturist of Haines township, Centre county, 
 is also known throughout that section as a suc- 
 cessful veterinary surgeon, and for years his serv- 
 
 19 
 
 ices have been in demand whenever an injury or 
 ailment of any live stock required skillful treat- 
 ment. He possesses mechanical ability of a high 
 order, and with no instruction has mastered the 
 blacksmith's trade, being an expert at horse shoe- 
 ing, and he has repaired rifles, guns and other 
 fire-arms, and in many ways displays unusual 
 talent in this line. 
 
 Mr. Bowersox belongs to one of the oldest 
 families of Centre county, his great-grandfather, 
 George Bowersox, a native of Hanover, Penn., 
 having settled in Potter township as a pioneer, 
 following the blacksmith's trade and farming. 
 He and his wife, Catherine Kister, each lived to 
 be more than eighty years old, and they reared 
 a family of six children: Jacob, David, George, 
 Catharine, Elizabeth and Susan. 
 
 David Bowersox, our subject's grandfather, 
 was born in Centre county, and being reared to 
 farming followed that occupation all his life. He 
 married Elizabeth Stover, of Haines township, 
 Centre county, a daughter of Adam and Catherine 
 (Weaver) Stover. In his later years he purchased 
 the Stover homestead, and settled there. He 
 was short and spare in build, and died at the 
 comparatively early age of fifty-eight years. In 
 politics he was an ardent Democrat, and he be- 
 longed to the Lutheran Church. His wife sur- 
 vived him with two sons, John (our subject's fa- 
 ther) and Philip (who died in Woodward, Penn ). 
 The widow made her home for twenty-eight years 
 with her son John, and died in Coburn when more 
 than eighty years old, her remains being laid to 
 rest beside those of her husband at Stover's 
 Chapel, 
 
 John Bowersox, the father of our subject, 
 was born April 13, 1825, in Haines township. 
 Centre county, and is now living in retirement 
 at Coburn. His education was that which the 
 schools of the time and locality afforded, being 
 confined to an attendance for a few months of 
 each year at the log school house at Stover's 
 Chapel. A family lived in one part of this build- 
 ing. The work at home was plentiful at all 
 seasons, as in winter he could ride the horse 
 while tramping out the grain in the barn, and 
 the summer brought an increase of outdoor work. 
 
 At eighteen he began to learn the trade of 
 cigar maker and tobacconist with James Powley, 
 in a shop that stood where the Coburn toll-gate 
 has since been built. After finishing his appren- 
 ticeship he worked at his trade for a year, but 
 it did not agree with him, and he learned the 
 tanner's trade in Aaronsburg with George Royer. 
 This business he followed successfully for thirty- 
 five years, devoting especial attention to prepar- 
 ing leather for gloves, which were made by his 
 
290 
 
 < OMMEMORATIVB BIO0 HM'llIiM. RECORD. 
 
 
 employei -. His wife, whose maiden name was 
 Mary Frederick, has been ol ^t'eat assistance to 
 him. and at that time she made hundreds of 
 dozens of pairs of gloves which our subject 
 would take about the country for sale. Their 
 marriage was celebrated October 8, 1846, in 
 Hartley township, Union Co., Penn., where the 
 bride's birth occurred May 14. 1 S 23. Her fa- 
 ther, |ohn Frederick, was a weaver by trade, 
 and depended upon his earnings for the support 
 of his family of ten children — five sons and five 
 daughters. He and his wife, Barbara Catherman, 
 were each nearly eighty-four years old at death, 
 and both win- buried at Laurelton, Penn. Our 
 subject's mother was the third child and third 
 daughter. Her educational advantages were 
 meagre, but a bright and active mind has enabled 
 lur to gather much practical information on va- 
 rious subjects. 
 
 After the death of David Bowersox, our sub- 
 ject's father took the old homestead and followed 
 farming there for several years; but in the spring 
 of 1883 he removed to Coburn, where our sub- 
 ject built for him a residence. He owns a farm 
 ol 121 acres and a great deal of timber land. 
 His industry and thrift, with the help of his 
 economical wife, have won a notable success, 
 and both are enjoying the fruits of their past la- 
 bors in well-earned leisure. An excellent mem- 
 ory enables him to review the incidents of his 
 life with remarkable precision, and he recalls 
 events that occurred in his third year. Our sub- 
 ject is the eldest of three children, the others be- 
 ing Chestie A., who married (first Henry J. 
 Musser, and (second) A. P. Maize, of Aarons- 
 burg; and J. A., who resides in Coburn. 
 
 David F. Bowersox was born December 2 1 , 
 1849, at the old home in Haines township, Cen- 
 tre county, and the district schools of tin- tune 
 furnished him his elementay instruction. Between 
 the farm and the tannery there was plenty of 
 work for him to do, and forty days of schooling in 
 winter was considered a liberal amount for him. 
 I very opportunity for study was eagerly seized 
 by the bright boy, and as his patents permitted 
 him to sit up late at night he was able to lay the 
 foundation for a good practical education. 
 Throughout his life he has been a warm friend 
 of good public schools, his own experience em- 
 phasizing their \ 
 
 On March 11, 1 S 7 J . Mr. Bowersox was mar- 
 ried, in Aaronsburg, to Miss Margaret A. Swanger, 
 a native of Penn township, born Di 1 19, 
 
 1852. Her father, Philip Swanger, was a shoe- 
 maker, and he and his wife. Sarah (Won 
 reared a family of eight children to adult 
 
 twelve years after his marriage, Mr. Bower- 
 
 rented the home farm from his lather, and 
 although he then removed to another rented 
 farm he returned later to the old place. In Feb- 
 ruary, 1885, he purchased a farm of twenty acres, 
 where he now resides, going in debt for it, and 
 to this he has since added some mountain land, 
 making a fine estate. Under his careful man- 
 I ageinent the farm has been greatly improved, 
 J the barn having been remodeled and some new 
 buildings put up. His extensive veterinary prac- 
 tice began in November, 1872, when the epizootic 
 was prevalent, and his attention being once 
 turned in that direction, his success in treating 
 horses and other live stock was so great as to 
 create a constant call for his services. While he 
 has never graduated from a school in which this 
 science is made a specialty, he has read all the 
 authorities on the subject, and with his wide ex- 
 perience in practical treatment is now an author- 
 ity himself. 
 
 Mr. Bowersox and his wife are leading mem- 
 bers of the Lutheran Church, in which he holds 
 the office of deacon. He also takes an active 
 part in Sunday-school work. Two children. 
 Sarah and John F. D., brighten their home. 
 Courteous and intelligent, Mr. Bowersox is a 
 pleasant companion, socially, his conversation 
 being always interesting, while in business cir- 
 cles he is equally esteemed as a reliable, success- 
 ful man. Politically he was a Democrat until a 
 constitutional amendment upon the temperance 
 issue was called for, when, having long been a 
 foe to intoxicants, he became a pronounced Pro- 
 hibitionist. While deeply interested in political 
 questions, he is not an office seeker, but has 
 served as a judge of election. 
 
 BB. HARTMAN. In the career of this gen- 
 tleman we lind an excellent example for 
 
 young men just embarking in the field of active 
 life, of what may be accomplished by a man be- 
 ginning poor, but honest, prudent and industri- 
 ous. He is a native of Pennsylvania, his birth 
 having occurred in Heidelburg township, Lehigh 
 county, April 19, 1820, and he is a son of Simon 
 and Elizabeth (Bysell) Hartman. The father, 
 who was born, reared and married in the same 
 county, was a son of Jonathan Hartman, who 
 there died. The maternal grandfather of our 
 subject w as Peter I lysell. 
 
 About [824 Simon Hartman removed to 
 Hartley township, Union Co., Penn . where he 
 in 1 11 in . time, when there were 
 
 a great many wild animals in the forests, such as 
 wildcats, wolves, panthers and bears, who would 
 approach the house and carry off sheep and hogs 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 291 
 
 as their prey, arid could often be heard at night. 
 Later Mr. Hartman followed weaving in the 
 town of Hartleton, in the same county, where 
 his death occurred at the age of seventy-one, and 
 he was there buried. He was a Whig in politics, 
 and an earnest member of the German Reformed 
 Church, as was also his wife. She passed away 
 in Millheim at the age of seventy-three years, 
 and was laid to rest there. In their family were 
 the following children: Lydia, who married Will- 
 iam Hazel, and died in Wooster, Ohio; Saloma, 
 who married George Catherman, and died in 
 Union county, Penn. ; Peter, who died in Woos- 
 ter, Ohio; R. B., subject of this sketch; Eliza- 
 beth, who married John Royer, and died in 
 Hartleton, Penn.; Rebecca, who married John 
 Swartz, and died in Millheim; Caroline, who 
 married James Rouch, and died in Clearfield 
 county, Penn.; and Henry, and another that died 
 in infancy. 
 
 The early educational privileges which our 
 subject received were not of the best, and his 
 teachers often permitted the scholars to play 
 rather than study. He was reared in much 
 the usual manner of farmer boys, and on leaving 
 home worked at farm labor for others. In 1839 
 he started out to fight life's battle, and on the 
 19th of May of that year arrived in Millheim 
 with all his possessions on his back, his capital 
 being his ambition. He first worked for John 
 Harter, the pioneer carriage and wagon maker of 
 the place, with whom he remained for several 
 years. 
 
 During that time, Mr. Hartman was married, 
 June 1, 1843, to Margaret Harter (a daughter of 
 his employer), who was born in Millheim, De- 
 cember 12, 1824, and whose mother bore the 
 maiden name of Mollie Shreffler. Eleven chil- 
 dren blessed this union: Sarah J., who died in 
 infancy; C. W., a molder, of Millheim; Mary E., 
 wife of John Harshbarger, of the same place; 
 Anna M., wife of Willis Weber, of Rebersburg, 
 Centre county; Amelia M., wife of Leonard Sto- 
 ver, of Haines township, Centre county; Lydia 
 R., wife of Philip P. Leitzel, of Millheim; John 
 H. B. , who is in partnership with our subject; 
 William, a machinist, of Millheim; Minnie, wife 
 of Adam Harter, of the same place; and Thomas 
 and Gertie, who died in infancy, 
 
 Soon after his marriage, Mr. Hartman began 
 peddling the old Hathaway cook stoves, manu- 
 factured by Search & Rockey, selling them 
 throughout several counties in Pennsylvania, and 
 later became foreman in their foundry. After 
 acquiring considerable experience, he in company 
 with his brother-in-law, J. D. Foote, purchased 
 the foundry then owned by Haupt, Cummings & 
 
 Haupt, which they conducted under the firm 
 style of Foote & Hartman, manufacturing stoves, 
 implements, mill gearings, plow points, and cast- 
 ings in general. At the end of seven years, Mr. 
 Hartman sold out and made a trip to Illinois, 
 with the view of locating in the West, but soon 
 returned to Millheim. He stopped at Bellefonte 
 on his way back, and at a sheriff's sale purchased 
 the property which he now owns. To the coach 
 shop already standing he added a foundry, with 
 which he has since' been connected; but is now 
 practically living retired, leaving the active busi- 
 ness management to his son. Besides his own 
 comfortable residence he has also erected five 
 others for his children. Always willing to lend a 
 helping hand to those in need, he has sold many 
 thousand dollars worth of goods on credit to men 
 who were unable to pay for them at the time, 
 and much of which he never collected. Integrity, 
 honesty and fair dealings have characterized all 
 his transactions, and his word has ever been con- 
 sidered as good as his bond. 
 
 Mr. Hartman was a Democrat in politics un- 
 til 1892, since which time he has voted the Pro- 
 hibition ticket at State and National elections, 
 but on local affairs votes independent of party 
 ties. He has served as a member of the council 
 and school board of Millheim, but cares nothing 
 for official preferment. Socially he is an Odd 
 Fellow, while, religiously, both himself and wife 
 have been active members of the Methodist 
 Episcopal Church since 1842, and for half a cen- 
 tury he has served as class leader. They are 
 earnest, sincere Christians, and their home has 
 ever been the headquarters for visiting ministers. 
 During the fifty-three years that have passed 
 since they were made man and wife, they have 
 been true to the vows taken, and Mrs. Hartman 
 has proved a true helpmeet to her husband, cheer- 
 ing him in hours of sorrow and adversity, and 
 aiding in securing their present prosperity, which 
 is so richly merited. 
 
 JOHN WOLF, a representative and promi- 
 nent citizen of Potter township, Centre county, 
 
 was born August 21, 1824, upon a farm near 
 Sprucetown, where the birth of his father oc- 
 curred October 22, 1796. 
 
 The family, which is quite numerous in 
 Perm's Valley, was founded in Centre county, by 
 Peter Wolf, the great-grandfather of our subject, 
 who came from Carlisle, Penn., in the latter part 
 of the seventeenth century. He had previously 
 visited what is now Centre county, and being im- 
 pressed with the locality returned to Cumberland 
 county, where he owned considerable property, 
 

 I 0MMEM0BAT1VB BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 
 which he at once disposed of with the intention 
 of buying in Centre county. He received Conti- 
 nental money for his property in Cumberland, 
 and by the time he got to Perm's Valley he found 
 it was worthless to paj for his land there. He 
 located in the portion of Potter township which 
 was known as Wolf's Den. wild wolves being 
 very plentiful in that neighborhood, and with the 
 aid of his family succeeded by improvement in 
 securing a home. The deed to the land was ob- 
 tained by Abraham Wolf, June iS, 1S10 (after 
 the death of his father), grandfather of our sub- 
 ject, and a portion of it is now in the possession 
 of John Wolf, the subject of this review. 
 
 Abraham Wolf, who throughout life followed 
 the occupation of farming, was married in Cum- 
 berland county. Penn., to a Miss Shauffner, and 
 to them were born seven children —three sons 
 and four daughters namely: in Cathari 
 who married (first) John Hennigh, ;md (second i 
 Phillip Grove. Their was one daughter by her 
 second marriage, who when about seventeen 
 years of age, along with two other children, dur- 
 ing the absence ol their parents in Penn's Valley, 
 at ,i camp meeting, was burned to death, their 
 house it is supposed being set on tire by some 
 men who were fishing at night by the aid ofliejit 
 from pine knots. Mrs. Grove, some years after 
 her husband's death, went to live with her son, 
 Jacob Hennigh, in Illinois, and there died (2) 
 Peter was the father of our subject. (3) Peggy 
 married fohn Decker, and died in Potter town- 
 ship. (4) Jacob's death occurred in Illinois. 
 Polly K. married James McBride, and died in 
 Ven inty, Penn. 6) [ohn, who was twice 
 
 married, died in Kansas. His first wife was 
 Mi \ Wagner, .1 cousin oi our subject (daughter 
 of his mother's sistei |; she died when her first 
 child, a daughter, was born, and both were 
 buried in one coffin. They resided at Spruce- 
 town, Penn., and the interment was made in 
 etery, the second grave made there. 
 (7) Elizabeth married Samuel Friese, and resides 
 in Wisconsin. The parents ofthis family passed 
 away in Centre county, and lie buried in what is 
 now known as Tusseyville cemetery (then the 
 Loop cemeten |, Potter township. 
 
 Peter Wolf, the father, was a weaver by 
 trade, which occupation he followed through the 
 winter seas, ui, while in the summer he engaged 
 in farming. He married Sally Ream, of Penn 
 township, Centre COUnty, alter which he located 
 upon the old home farm ol lus lather (at thai 
 time deceased 1. taking the larm at the appraise- 
 ment. Here his wife died in 1831, and her 
 remains were interred in Tusseyville cemeti 
 To this marriage there were born five children: 
 
 Mary, who married Samuel Harter, and died in 
 Iowa; Margaret, the wife of George Newcomer, 
 of Iowa; John, the subject of this sketch; George, 
 a prominent citizen of Freeport, 111., who served 
 for one term as judge in Stephenson county, and 
 died in September. 1896; and Peter, a resident 
 of Dakota, 111. After the death of his first wife, 
 the father married Catharine Karr, of Union 
 county, Penn., who also died on the old home- 
 stead, and lies buried at Egghill. Two children 
 were born to this union: Leah, who died when 
 young; and Catharine (now Mrs. Thomas To 
 of Bellefonte. Penn. After the death of his 
 second wife, the father broke up housekeeping, 
 and died at the home of his son, Peter, near 
 Dakota, 111., at the age of eighty-six years. He 
 was a tall, robust man, and was successful in his 
 farming operations, succeeding in accumulating a 
 comfortable competence. In early life he was a 
 Lutheran, but later joined the Albright Church; 
 in politics he regularly supported the Democratic 
 party. 
 
 John Wolf began his education at the Long 
 Bridge school, in Potter township, under the in- 
 struction of Timothy Ladd, who came from the 
 State of Maine. He was a cripple, and had 
 always to keep his seat, being unable to walk. 
 Mr. Ladd returned to Maine, and lived to be 
 ninety-six years ol age This was a subscription 
 school. The first free school that Mr. Wolf 
 attended was at Egghill, one of the best country 
 schools of the township, his teacher, at that 
 time, being William Toner. When about seven- 
 teen years of age, he left home to learn the 
 cabinet-maker's trade, in Millheim, under Samuel 
 Harter. During his apprenticeship of two and 
 half years, he received only lus board and 
 clothes and a two-weeks' vacation in harvest, at 
 which interval he worked for fifty cents per day, 
 thus securing spending money. For some time 
 he continued to follow that trade, and when it 
 was dull, he w< irked at carpentering. He went to 
 Pittsburg, Penn., after the big fire there, in the 
 spring of I S 4 5 , but not finding desirable employ- 
 ment, he. along with five other men and a 
 woman, went by boat to Cincinnati. Ohio. Thi 
 fare from Pittsburg to Cincinnati was seventy-five 
 cents each, and provisions twenty-five cent- 
 each, tin trip, which occupied two days and two 
 nights, thereby costing the party one dollar 
 apiece, the woman doing the cooking for them. 
 and at the end of their journey they still had 
 some provisions left 1 >\ 1 1 
 
 While in Cincinnati Mr. Wolf worked for on< 
 week for his board; then he worked two weeks in 
 Dayton, Ohio, and after paying for his board had 
 just $2.25 left. Later he found employment in 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 293 
 
 the harvest fields in Perry county, Ohio, at fifty 
 cents per day. From Ohio he went with another 
 man, helping him for his expense in taking horsesto 
 Washington, D. C. , where he had the pleasure' of 
 seeing President Polk, and from there he re- 
 turned on foot to his old home in Potter town- 
 ship. To this Mr. Wolf adds the following: 
 "On my way from Ohio to Washington, D. C, 
 I traveled through Maryland and Virginia, and 
 was there an eyewitness to some of the effects of 
 slavery. I saw one woman and her daughter 
 (about eight years old) driven away, while the 
 husband and father had to remain behind. The 
 little girl cried for her 'papa' to go along, but 
 not being sold with the Tot', he could not go. 
 It was this selling and breaking up of families 
 that was so hard for the poor slaves, otherwise 
 they were cared for better than the free negroes, 
 or even most poor white people are ". While on 
 this trip Mr. Wolf saw the first railroad cars that 
 his eyes ever beheld. They were on the road 
 from Baltimore to Cumberland, Md. In the 
 spring of 1846 he went to Freeport, 111., in com- 
 pany with his sister Margaret, and her husband, 
 finding board and doing the cooking on the way, 
 the journey being made in a wagon. Their trip 
 was one that took them six weeks to make. This 
 route was by way of Chicago, in which city they 
 passed along Lake street, which was the muddiest 
 piece of road on the route from Centre Hill, Penn. , 
 to Freeport, 111. During the summer at Freeport 
 he assisted in roofing the first brick house in the 
 city. During the following winter and spring he 
 worked at the carpenter's trade in Plainfield, 
 Will Co., 111., for $10 per month and board, and 
 in 1847 went with surveyors to the Black river 
 valley in Wisconsin, before that State had been 
 admitted to the Union, and while there were still 
 Indians there. The country was very wild, the 
 party walking for days and days through dense 
 pine forests and over swamps. 
 
 In the fall of 1847 Mr- Wolf returned to Pot- 
 ter township, Centre Co., Penn., where, on Jan- 
 uary 1, 1852, he was married to Miss Rebecca 
 P. Sankey, who was born in 1828, in Nittany 
 Valley, Clinton county, a daughter of James and 
 Rebecca (Pennington) Sankey. Three children 
 blessed their union: (1) Virginia, wife of David 
 R. Sweet wood, of Potter township; they have 
 four children — Charles M., Franklin W., Jennie 
 A. and Verna C. (2) James, who died at the 
 age of twenty-three years. (3) Sally, who was 
 twice married, the first time to James Lee, by 
 whom she had one son — Rufus Lee; her second 
 husband is Jacob Kamp, of Lock Haven, Penn., 
 by whom she has two children — Edna C. and 
 John W. The mother of this family died in De- 
 
 cember, 1876, and was buried in the Sprucetown 
 cemetery. Later, the father married Miss Jen- 
 nie E. Kohler, and they have one child — Mary 
 M., at home. Our subject had purchased prop- 
 erty near the Sprucetown Church, where for two 
 years after his first marriage he made his home, 
 working at carpentering, then removing to a 
 farm owned by his father, and located in the 
 northwest part of Potter township. On this 
 farm, years before the Indians left the Valley, 
 they killed a white man and took a young lady a 
 prisoner. During the eleven years he resided 
 on that place, Mr. Wolf followed farming ex- 
 clusively. In 1865 he purchased a portion of 
 the old Wolf homestead near Sprucetown 
 Church, and erected thereon good and sub- 
 stantial buildings, where he continued to reside 
 until his removal, in 1890, to his present place 
 adjoining the farm. Renting his farm, he has 
 now practically laid aside business cares, and is 
 enjoying a well-earned rest. Mr. Wolf began 
 life without means, and may properly be num- 
 bered among the self-made men of Centre coun- 
 ty, who have attained a good position among 
 their fellow-citizens by the exercise of their na- 
 tive resolution and industry. At the time he 
 started for Illinois he had just thirteen dollars in 
 money to go on. To secure a competence he 
 has also kept in view the good of the community, 
 and he is one of the first men to be approached 
 in the inauguration of any enterprise tending to 
 build up the township and the welfare of its peo- 
 ple. He cast one of the only two votes deposited 
 in Potter township for Fremont in 1856, and also 
 supported Lincoln at each election; but for the 
 past twenty years he has been a Prohibitionist. 
 During the Civil war (in the last draft made in 
 1865) he was drafted, but sent another man in 
 his place, paying him $550. He keeps himself 
 well posted in regard to current events, espe- 
 cially matters pertaining to prohibition, and 
 justly deserves to be numbered among the hon- 
 ored and valued residents of Centre county. He 
 has never united with any Church. 
 
 The following account of a trip made by Mr. 
 Wolf, as one of a surveying party, from Free- 
 port, 111., into Wisconsin in 1847 when the coun- 
 try was new, in thus graphically described by 
 him: "We started from Freeport, 111., went 
 on foot with two horses with pack-saddles to the 
 Mississippi river, which we crossed on a ferry- 
 boat to Dubuque, Iowa. We had to wait there 
 nearly a week before there was any boat going 
 up the river. While there I saw the first Indians 
 coming east to Indiana, where they had a Re- 
 serve. The chief could talk some English and 
 told us there was no game in Iowa, and couldn't 
 
294 
 
 ' OMMRMOBATIYB BIOGRAPHICAL UKioilD. 
 
 live there. They crossed the river on the ferry- 
 boat, which required several trips. After the 
 first load had gone the chief knew what the 
 price was for each Indian, pony and soon. He 
 then got his money ready for the next load, and 
 he appealed to Mr. Strohm, who was also from 
 Centre county, Perm., and myself to see whether 
 he was correct in his count, and said to us 
 1 whiteman will cheat Indian.' We finally got 
 a chance to goon a steamboat as far up the river 
 as LaCrosse, Wis., which was as far as the boat 
 went. We had to stay there several days (as 
 boats seldom went farther up the river). At 
 that point, and at that time there were seven 
 little buildings only, in all were kept Hour, 
 whiskey and some few groceries. The day after 
 we arrived at LaCrosse, we were looking around. 
 and were told by those keeping one of the larg- 
 est stores there, that all of them were- out of 
 flour and whiskey. The day before when the 
 boat came they all got a new supply, and he had 
 retailed one barrel of whiskey and half a band 
 of flour, mostly to the Indians, as there were 
 scarcely any white people at that place. The 
 bossof our party hired a small boat, about thirty 
 feet long, which we pushed along with long 
 poles, which reached the bottom of the river. 
 There was one place the water was so deep that 
 we could not reach the bed ol the river and we 
 had to i ross over to the Iowa side, and had to 
 paddle the boat with our hands and with little bits 
 of boards that happened to be on the boat. We 
 were taken some distance down stream and the 
 same occurred in getting back to the Wisconsin 
 we found the mouth of the Black 
 river. 
 
 "The second evening after, on Black river, we 
 stopped to get our supper, there came a few Indians 
 to us and wanted some whiskey, but we had none. 
 We had two barrels of mess-pork, which they 
 thought were barrels of whiskey, so we had some 
 trouble to make them understand the situation 
 as they could not speak English, and wecouldn'1 
 talk to them only by motions. They could say 
 'whiskey.' and would point to the barrels 
 and to their mouths. They went away, 
 but soon returned and brought a few more In- 
 dians with them, and a large fish weighing about 
 thirty pounds, and also about a gallon of whor- 
 tleberries which they wanted to trade for whis- 
 key. We showed them the barrel of porkthatwe 
 had opened, but they insisted for us to open the 
 other barrel. Finally we got them convinced 
 that we had no whiskey. We gave them some 
 pork, bread and some money for the fish and 
 berries, and then the)' left in peace. After we 
 got up the river we stopped at a lumber camp 
 
 and then we went about seven miles south of the 
 river where some surveyors had been before we 
 want there. They had run the land into town- 
 ships, and we were to run the section lines. At one 
 place we got on a high ridge, one side of which 
 was straight up and down, and on looking around 
 to see the sights I stepped on a big rock that lay 
 nearly on a balance over-hanging the other 
 rocks. This nearly pitched me over, hut I 
 st( pi" 1 back and told Strohm that it wouldn't 
 take much to tumble it over, which we did with 
 verylittle lilting, and when it struck below, it 
 broke into many pieces, which we could see roll- 
 ing down into the valley. I just thought we 
 would put it out of the way for somebody might 
 go there some time, and step on it as I did, and 
 tumble over. Well we did not finish the sur- 
 veying as one of our men got hurt in one of his 
 legs, and we had nothing with us to doctor him 
 with, so the bo- him to the river, and 
 
 lit went home Alter this I did his work (which 
 was that of flagman) and my own, too (which 
 was marking lines and corners). About a week 
 later one of the chain carriers ran away. He 
 went to the Black river, where he picked up a little 
 boat and went back to Galena, 111. Mr. Strohm 
 and I helped him away without the boss knowing 
 it, we were both tired of the job; then we could 
 not go on with the work. lour oi us that 
 
 were left started for Freeport, 111., on foot with 
 the two horses. W< our days ingetting to 
 
 the first little settlement, and we had only taken 
 provision for three days, the distance hemi; so 
 ninety miles, so the last day we had nothing but 
 coffee. The settlers were out of flour, but had 
 a little cornmeal and milk, s,, we hail mush and 
 milk for supper. Thesettlers had sixty miles to 
 For tlour. The next day we got to another 
 settlement and soon ware provided for. " 
 
 I lie reason for Mr. Wolf's going t<> Illinois 
 was that in the east there was little work to be 
 
 id at such wages as would satisfy him Wages 
 were low. He had been offered work at his 
 trade at eight dollars per month, but he was 
 furnish his own tools, and was required to ; 
 his board on Sundays, and his laundry He had 
 been offered six dollars a month and board 
 drive a team, but this he declined as the hours 
 were long from 6 a. m. to 6 p. m. with other 
 unsatisfactory features about it. This was in 
 the spring ot [846. That same sear, while in 
 Chicago, he applied to a cabinet-maker for work, 
 and was offered employment at piece work 
 follows: for making a breakfast table, seventy- 
 five cents; for making a bedstead, forty cents; 
 and all other kinds of work in proportion. At 
 that time it took a workman two days or longer 
 
 . 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 295 
 
 to make a table, so Mr. Wolf figured that at 
 such prices he could make about thirty-eight 
 cents per day. These prices were without board 
 and lodging, which was three dollars per week. 
 On Mr. Wolf's stating that he did not see how 
 men could work for such prices, his reply, in 
 substance, was that foreigners coming to that 
 city would do it as they could live on about five 
 cents a day. Mr. Wolf could then do about as 
 much work as any other man, but he could not 
 live on five cents a day or compete with men 
 who did. 
 
 C\HARLES GUMMO is numbered among the 
 ' leading and enterprising farmers of Patton 
 township, Centre county, and is also a stone 
 mason by trade. He comes from "over the 
 sea," his birth having occurred in Wittenberg, 
 Germany, March 24, 1827, and is a son of 
 Charles and Elizabeth (Behrer) Gummo, both 
 now deceased, the former dying in 1830, and the 
 latter in 1888. They were the parents of four 
 children, the others being Madaline, wife of B. 
 Ruskin; Caroline, who married, and reared a 
 family; and John, who married, and spent his en- 
 tire life in the Fatherland. 
 
 In the land of his nativity Charles Gummo 
 was reared and educated, and in 1852 he married 
 Frederica Bardt. In the following year he sailed 
 with his wife for America, landing in New York 
 May 19, 1853. He was the only one of his fam- 
 ily who ever sought a home in the New World, 
 but here he has prospered, and is the owner of a 
 good farm of forty acres in Patton township, 
 Centre Co., Penn., which is under a high state 
 of cultivation and well improved with good and 
 substantial buildings. Before coming to this 
 country he had served for four years in the Ger- 
 man army, was therefore well drilled and dis- 
 ciplined, and during the dark days of our Civil 
 war, enlisted in the Union army September 14, 
 1864. On the battle field he was a brave and 
 fearless soldier, and for meritorious conduct was 
 promoted to lieutenant in the spring of 1865. 
 Among the important engagements in which he 
 participated was the battle of Stony Creek. 
 When the war was over and his services were no 
 longer needed he was honorably discharged June 
 7, 1865, and returned home. 
 
 Thirteen children have been born to Mr. and 
 Mrs. Gummo, namely: Charles F., who is mar- 
 ried, and living in Wisconsin; Frederick, who is 
 married, and is a farmer of Pine Grove Mills, 
 Centre county; Elizabeth, wife of Samuel Dun- 
 lap, also of Pine Grove Mills; Andrew, married, 
 and engaged in farming in Patton township. Cen- 
 tre county; George, married, and also a farmer 
 
 of the same township; William, a resident of 
 Wisconsin; John, who is married and is an agri- 
 culturist' of Pine Grove Mills; Emma, wife of Ed- 
 ward Louck, a farmer of Ferguson township, 
 Centre county; David, who is married and is 
 fireman in a sawmill in Patton township; Katha- 
 rine, now a resident of California; Minnie, at 
 home; and two children who died in early child- 
 hood. 
 
 Since casting his first vote in i860, Mr. 
 Gummo has been a stalwart Democrat in politics. 
 Socially he is connected with the Grange, while 
 in religion he is a member of the United Breth- 
 ren Church. That he is true and loyal to the 
 interests of his adopted country was manifest 
 by his service in the Civil war, and for injuries 
 sustained in that struggle he now receives a pen- 
 sion of $12 per month. 
 
 /*V\EORGE B. WEAVER, a valued and es- 
 VJI teemed resident of Rebersburg, was formerly 
 an agriculturist of Miles township, Centre coun- 
 ty, and enjoyed more than ordinary success, but 
 has now laid aside the cares v and responsibilities 
 of active business life, and is enjoying a well- 
 earned rest. He was born in Miles township, in 
 August, 1 82 1, a son of John Weaver, also a na- 
 tive of Centre county, whose father was one of 
 the pioneers of Brush Valley, coming from 
 southern Pennsylvania to Centre county in the 
 latter part of the eighteenth century. He was a 
 farmer, and reared a large family, several of 
 whom died in Brush Valley, others being scat- 
 tered over the West. 
 
 John Weaver for his first wife wedded a Miss 
 Fallgate, by whom he had one daughter, Sally, 
 who became the wife of John Kreamer, and died 
 in Brush Valley. After the death of the mother, 
 Mr. Weaver wedded Polly Brungart, and to them 
 were born five children: Jacob, who died un- 
 married at the age of fifty-five years; John, who 
 died in Brush Valley at the advanced age of eighty 
 years; Henry, who died in the same place; 
 George B., of this review; and Susan, who mar- 
 ried Daniel Kreamer, and died in Rebersburg. 
 The father was a distiller and farmer by occupa- 
 tion, and was very successful in his business 
 ventures, owning three valuable farms. He was 
 a man of about five feet, eleven inches in height, 
 very robust in his younger days, and at the time 
 of his death, which occurred when he had 
 reached the advanced age of ninety years, he 
 was still well preserved, retaining his vitality to a 
 remarkable degree. His second wife died at the 
 age of seventy-seven, and was laid by his side in 
 the cemetery of Rebersburg. They held mem- 
 
296 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 bership in the Reformed Church, and in politics 
 he was a Democrat. 
 
 Upon the home farm George B. Weaver was 
 reared, his education being obtained in the sub- 
 scription schools of the neighborhood, which he 
 was only able to attend about three months dur- 
 ing i ir as his services were needed on the 
 farm. Alter the plowing, sowing and reaping 
 were completed, the grain had to be threshed by 
 tramping it out, and tins was done during the 
 winter season, so that it left little time for him 
 to attend school. At the age of ten years he be- 
 gan hauling wood by ox-team for his father's dis- 
 tillery. In January, i S4 ^. he was married, in 
 Miles township, to Miss Sallie Harper, who was 
 born in Brush Valley, in 1822, a daughter of 
 mil Elizabeth (Kreamer) Harper. They 
 became the parents of three children: Fietta 
 (now Mrs S. Krumrine); Joanna, wife of Prof, 
 1 I.. Gramley; and Delia, at home. 
 
 Mr. Weaver began his domestic life upon 
 oi Ins father's farms, which he later pur- 
 chased and still owns. In the early days he had 
 to haul all his grain and produce t" Lewisburg, 
 and it took two or three days to make the round 
 trip as the road was very rough and steep, and 
 often tour, or mx horses were required to haul a 
 load of fifty or sixty bushels of grain. Mr. 
 Weaver remained upon the farm until April 4, 
 [868, when he removed to Rebersburg, where 
 he is now living a retired life in the pleasant and 
 comfortable home which he there purchased. 
 However, lie --till owns an excellent farm in 
 Miles t' ivt nship. 
 
 In his political view- Mr Weaver is a Demo- 
 crat, and has served his fellow citizens in the 
 
 icityof overseer of the poor. He is a genial, 
 jovial gentleman, always cheerful, and therefore 
 an excellent 1 ompanion. He has endeavored t" 
 live peaceably with all men. having never had 
 but two lawsuits, both of which he won. Straight- 
 forward and honorable in all things, he enj 
 tin 1 onfidence and respect of his fellow citizens 
 in a high degree. For man) years he and his 
 estimable wife have been active members ol the 
 Reformed Church of Rebersburg, to which the\ 
 have been liberal contributors, and Mr. We 
 served on the building committee at the time of 
 the erection ■ >! the house of worship. They have 
 celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary, and 
 during the many years that have come and gone 
 since they started out on life's journey together 
 they have shared with each other its joys and sor- 
 row s, and faithfully born their part of its trials, so 
 that now in their declining years they can look 
 back over a useful and well-spent life with no re- 
 grets. 
 
 w 
 
 ILLIAM WALKER. But few men live 
 beyond their eighth decade, and fewer 
 still attain that age with faculties unimpaired and 
 a memory that records vividly the events of the 
 past. The gentleman whose name opens thi> 
 sketch, a highly respected citizen of Rebersburg. 
 Centre county, enjoys this distinction, and he 
 and his estimable wife, now seventy-six years of 
 age, are spending the fifty-eighth year of wedded 
 life, free from the ills which too often accompany 
 ad va need age. 
 
 Mr. Walker is a worthy representative of a 
 prominent pioneer family, and was born in Brush 
 Valley, Centre county. March 24, 1 S 1 6, the son 
 of John Walker, who died in 1858, at the ag< 
 eighty-six, and his wife, Mar) M. (Gramley), who 
 lived past the limit of three score and ten, dying 
 in 1852. John Walker was a native of North- 
 ampton county, l'enn.. and came to this section 
 about 1790, as a young man, finding employ- 
 ment at driving a team for the furnaces of Nit- 
 tany Valley. He was the first of the family to 
 come to Centre county, but later his brother 
 Philip settled there and became prominent as a 
 pioneer. Walker township being named in his 
 honor. 
 
 John Walker's marriage took place in Brush 
 Valley, where his wife's father, Francis Gramley, 
 was a leading citizen. Soon after this event Mi. 
 Walker returned to his old home, and spent a 
 short time before settling permanently in Centre 
 county. He chose agriculture as an occupa- 
 tion, and his first farm, in Brush Valley, is 
 now, after the lapse of more than a century, still 
 in the possession of the family. Thomas W 
 Walker, a son of our subject, owning and occu- 
 pying it at present. John Walker also became 
 the owner of a farm in Sugar Valley, and his in- 
 dustry and systematic and judicious management 
 of his property gained him a substantial fortune. 
 He was a heavy-set man. and our subject re- 
 sembles him greatly in build. His interest in 
 public affairs, national and local, was keen, and 
 his regard for the Democratic party was second 
 only to that which he felt for his Church, the 
 Lutheran. He and his wife were both devout 
 followers of that faith, and he held office in tin 
 Church for many years. Their remains w 
 laid to rest in the cemetery at Rebersbur- 
 
 Our subject was the youngest in a family "' 
 six children, and is the only survivor. Catherine 
 (Mrs. Jacob Snyder) died in Clinton county in hi 
 ninety-fourth year; John, a farmer, died in Illi- 
 nois; Daniel, who died in Miles township at the 
 age of eighty-two. was one of the wealthy farm- 
 ers of his time; Rebecca married George Neff, ami 
 died in Sugar Valley, Clinton county; and Mary 
 
09V OfaJjfa^- 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 297 
 
 married Benjamin Wheland, and lived to be 
 more than eighty years of age, her death occur- 
 ring in Illinois. 
 
 Mr. Walker, of this review, was educated ac- 
 cording to the customs of the early day, attend- 
 ing school for a few weeks in the winter season 
 in a small log house that stood on one corner of 
 his father's farm. Threshing was then a winter 
 occupation, and it was his duty to guide the 
 horses as they tramped out the grain on the 
 barn floor. Only when this annual task was 
 completed could he secure an opportunity for 
 study at school. His life was that of the typical 
 pioneer farmer, with home-spun clothes, plain but 
 abundant food, and plenty of work. He devel- 
 oped into a stout, healthy youth, and at sixteen 
 could work beside any hired man, and " keep up " 
 without difficulty. His liking for system in his 
 work was early shown, and even when a boy his 
 furrows when plowing were always straight. His 
 father was not active in farm work, and the elder 
 sons left home as they reached manhood, and 
 thus much responsibilty fell to our subject, who 
 at sixteen had practically assumed the manage- 
 ment. In 1849 he bought the place, which con- 
 tained about 165 acres. He was unusually suc- 
 cessful financially, and at one time owned three 
 large farms, one of 140 acres, being in Stephen- 
 son county, 111. At present he owns 172 acres 
 near Rebersburg, and several town lots aside from 
 that upon which his handsome residence stands. 
 This he bought in 1872 at a cost of $3,000, the 
 lot covering five acres, and since that date he has 
 resided there. 
 
 In January, 1840, Mr. Walker was married, 
 in Miles township, to Miss Polly Smull, who was 
 born near Rebersburg in 1821, the daughter of 
 Henry and Elizabeth (Royer) Smull. The chil- 
 dren of this union were Amanda (now Mrs. Peter 
 Kessler, of Rebersburg); Ira J., a farmer of Ste- 
 phenson county, 111., married Maria, daughter of 
 Simon Peck; Jestie M., who died at the age of 
 forty-four years, unmarried; Wilson T. , residing 
 near Dacotah, 111., married Kate Zimmerman; 
 Thomas W. , of Miles township, living on a farm 
 which has been in the Walker family over one 
 hundred years, married Annie, daughter of Sam- 
 uel and Elizabeth Loose, of Rebersburg, Penn. ; 
 Emma (now Mrs. A. F. Vonada, of Coburn); 
 Mary M. (now Mrs. J. F. Garthoff, of Coburn). 
 Mr. Walker is justly proud of his children, and 
 has given nearly $5,000 to give them a start in 
 life. The mother departed this life in May, 1 897, 
 aged seventy-six years. 
 
 Mr. Walker has always been prominent in 
 local affairs, and has held various township offi- 
 ces. He is a Democrat, and votes regularly, 
 
 having missed but one election since 1837. He 
 and his wife are leading members of the Lutheran 
 Church, in which he has served as deacon, elder 
 and trustee. He is a liberal giver to the cause, 
 and donated $400 when the church was built at 
 Rebersburg. 
 
 GEORGE DURST is now retired from the 
 active labors of life, and occupies a com- 
 fortable home in Centre Hall, Centre county. 
 His has been a long and busy career, with little 
 time for idleness along the thoroughfare of life, 
 where he has left his mark, and may truly feel 
 that he has not lived in vain. He is a native of 
 Centre county, born January 3, 1832, in Potter 
 township, where for many years he was exten- 
 sively and successfully engaged in agricultural 
 pursuits. 
 
 George Durst, Sr., father of our subject, was 
 born in Lebanon county, Penn., October 12, 
 1 80 1, whence when a boy he was brought to 
 Centre county by his parents, Peter and Barbara 
 (Peters) Durst, also natives of Lebanon county. 
 They located in Potter township, one mile west 
 of Earlystown, where Peter Durst followed 
 farming throughout his active business life, own- 
 ing at one time three good farms. He lived to 
 be quite old, and was buried at Tusseyville by 
 the side of his wife, Both were devout members 
 of the Lutheran Church. In their family were 
 the following children: Peter, who died in Cen- 
 tre Hall; John, who died in Mercer county, 
 Penn. ; George; Daniel, who died in Potter town- 
 ship; William, who died in Kansas; Maria, who 
 married Daniel Musser, and died in Freeport, 
 111. ; Sarah, who married John Smith, and died 
 in Union county, Penn. ; Elizabeth, who married 
 George Smehl, and died in Clearfield county, 
 Penn. ; and Catharine, who married John Neff, 
 and died in Centre Hall. 
 
 When a boy, George Durst, Sr., began 
 learning the wagon maker's trade, but, not liking 
 it, turned his attention to farming, in which he 
 met with excellent success. After his marriage 
 he located upon a place his father owned in Pot- 
 ter township, and later purchased a farm one 
 mile west of Earlystown, where our subject was 
 born. There he continued to live until the 
 spring of 1848, when he removed to a farm in 
 Potter township, near the Gregg township line, 
 having purchased the same of Col. Andrew 
 Gregg. There he made his home during the re- 
 mainder of his active business career, and going 
 to Centre Hall lived retired for several years. 
 Trading his town property for country land, he 
 lived upon the place for a short time, but again 
 

 ( OMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 returned to Centre Hall, where his death occurred 
 March 8, 1882. He was buried at that place, as 
 was also his wife, who died while visiting her son 
 Hiram in Gregg township, June 25, 1878. She 
 was a member of the Reformed Church, while 
 Mr. Durst held membership in the Lutheran 
 Church. In politics he was always a Democrat, 
 but cared nothing for official distinction. He 
 was a robust man, of powerful build, and being 
 industrious, energetic and progressive, met with 
 remarkable success in his undertakings, owning 
 at <>ne time five excellent farms. When his chil- 
 dren started out in life for themselves he also 
 ted them very materially. 
 
 In Harris township. Centre county, Gi 
 Durst, Sr was married to Catharine Meyers, who 
 was born in Canipbelltown, Penn., January 16, 
 1804. and in 1S23 came to Centre county with 
 her parents, Henry and Elizabeth (Hurst) 
 Meyers. They located near Boalsburg, where 
 her father purchased a large tract of land. He 
 was born in 1767, and died April 19, 1844. He 
 was a representative of the third generation of 
 this numerous family in the United States, his 
 lather being Christopher Meyers. The grand- 
 father came from Germany and located perma- 
 manently neaj the source of Mill creek, in what 
 is now Lancaster county, Penn Mrs Meyers 
 was born in 1779, and died May 22, 1859. She 
 was the mother of six children: Philip, Jacob, 
 the mother of our subject 1, Henry, 
 Joseph and Mary. 
 
 Mr. Durst, the subject proper of this review, 
 is the fourth in ord< 1 of birth in a family of eight 
 children, the others being as follows: Josepl 
 .1 retired farmer living neai Mifflinsburg, Penn. 
 t \ 1 us is a retired farmer living neai Boals- 
 burg. Centre county; Priscilla married Henry 
 Dale, and died in Ferguson township, Centre 
 county: Elizabeth makes her home in Centre 
 Hall; John II.. who was a member of the 148th 
 P. V. I. during the Civil war. was wounded at 
 the battle of Gettysburg, and died at the hospital 
 in Harrisburg, Penn, Philip is an agriculturist 
 of Potter township, and Hiram is a farmer of 
 < 'i egg township, Centi inty. 
 
 Our subject began his education at the Fair- 
 field school house in Potter township under the 
 direction of Uriah Slack, but as his services 
 were needed on the home farm hiseducation was 
 limited. At the age of sixteen he accompanied 
 Ins parents to Gn gg township, where he assisted 
 in the development and cultivation of his father's 
 extensive farm, comprising over 400 acres, and 
 continued under the parental roof until his mar- 
 riage, giving his parents the benefit of his serv- 
 ices even after he had attained his majority. 
 
 In Juniata county, Penn., February 8, 1859, 
 Mr. Durst wedded Miss Sabina Shellenberger, 
 who was born in Fayette township, that county, 
 July 26, 1828, a daughter of John and Catharine 
 (Kiester) Shellenberger, the former also a native 
 of Fayette township, and the latter of Buffalo 
 Valley, Union Co., Penn. By occupation the 
 father was a tanner and farmer. Mr-; l)nr>t 
 was the second in order of birth in a family of 
 nine children — four sons and five daughters — 
 and obtained a fair education for her time. By 
 her marriage she has become the mother of two 
 children: William H., born April 9, 1861, is a 
 farmer of Potter township; and Adda J., born in 
 April, 1 863, is the wife of A. P. Krape, of Cen- 
 tre Hall. 
 
 Mr. Durst began housekeeping upon a part 
 of his father's large farm, which had been sold to 
 his brother, Joseph, who, at that time, was 
 desirous of selling out. The house was an old 
 log structure, which served as a dwelling until 
 1887, when our subject built as good a residence 
 as is to be found in Potter township In 1886 he 
 removed to a small house, which he had pur- 
 chased, near his farm, while his son-in-law 
 operated the home place; but in 1889 he returned 
 to the farm. In the spring of 1894, however, he 
 came to Centre Hall, where he is now enjoying a 
 well-earned rest, free from the cares and respon- 
 sibilities of business life. However, he -till owns 
 a farm of 125 acres in Potter township, and nine 
 acres adjoining Centre Hall. Although he has 
 ever been a hard-working man, he is still well- 
 preserved. Politically, he is a supportei ol Dem- 
 ocratic principles; in religious faith he is a mem- 
 ber of the Reformed Church. He takes a genu- 
 ine interest in the enterprises set on foot for the 
 progress and welfare of his adopted county, and 
 takes high rank among the leading and repre- 
 sentative citizens of the community. 
 
 J At OB S MEYER, a leading citizen and 
 farmer of Penn town-hip. Centre county, is a 
 representative of one ol the nd most 
 
 highly respected families of central Pennsylvania. 
 The first of the family to cross the Atlantic 
 to America is supposed to have borne the Dame 
 of Henry Meyer, who was a native of Palatin 
 Prussia, and arrived here some time between the 
 years 1721 and 1725. The spelling of the name 
 has often been changed, and the Mayers and 
 Mayers of Centre county belong to the same 
 family of which our subject is a member. His 
 father has always spelled the name Mover, which 
 practice had its origin in rather a peculiar way. 
 While at school, a copy was written by his 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 299 
 
 teacher, in which the name was spelled Moyer, 
 and the pupils told that such was correct. Im- 
 pressed with the knowledge of their teacher, they 
 have retained the spelling until recent years, 
 when the error was rectified, and the proper 
 spelling adopted by quite a number, including our 
 subject. An extensive genelaogy of the Meyer 
 family has been compiled by Hon. Henry Meyer, 
 of Rebersburg, Centre county — a volume which 
 reflects credit upon the author, as it has required 
 years of research and much travel to complete. 
 
 On coming to the New World, Henry Meyer 
 located in the southeastern part of Lebanon 
 (then Lancaster county), Penn., near the beau- 
 tiful spring which forms the source of Mill brook. 
 In his family were four sons and one or two 
 daughters, but nothing is known of the latter. 
 John lived upon the old farm in Lebanon county,, 
 where he died December 11, 1786. Jacob left 
 Lebanon county in 1768, and with his family 
 located in that part of Penn township, Centre 
 county, which is now Snyder county, where he 
 died, and he now lies buried in Freeburg, Penn. 
 Christopher was the great-grandfather of our 
 subject. Michael never married. 
 
 Christopher Meyer owned a large tract of 
 land near Campbelltown, Lebanon county, 
 where he made his home, and there died August 
 2, 1 8 10. His children were Henry, John, Mi- 
 chael, Jacob, Christopher, George, Catharine, 
 Christina and Mary. Of this family, Jacob 
 Meyer was the grandfather of our subject. He 
 was born March 25, 1774, and on reaching man- 
 hood married Anna Sheller, who was born in 
 Lancaster county, December 25, 1775, and was 
 a daughter of Adam Sheller. Eight children 
 graced their union, namely: Elizabeth, born 
 February 26, 1801, married Henry Witmer, and 
 died in Centre Hall, Penn., in 1868; Jacob, born 
 August 5, 1802, died September 14, 1867, at 
 Penn Hall; Nancy, born September 14, 1S04, 
 married Samuel Kryder, and died September 
 23, 1886; Catharine, born January I, 1806, died 
 in Penn township, Centre county, in March, 
 1894; Mary, born December 7, 1807, married 
 Jacob Fisher, and died in Illinois; Susan, born 
 November 30, 1808, died in Penn township, 
 August 13, 1873; Christopher, born in October, 
 18 1 2, was a farmer of Penn township, where he 
 died June 2, 1 873 ; and John, the father of our sub- 
 ject, completes the family. 
 
 In March, 1828, the grandfather came to 
 Penn township, locating on the pike west of 
 Millheim, and became one of the most substan- 
 tial farmers of Penn's Valley. On coming to the 
 county he had practically laid aside active busi- 
 ness cares, but purchased 270 acres of fine land 
 
 for the benefit of his children, whom he left in 
 comfortable circumstances. His death occurred 
 September 25, 1853, while his wife died March 
 25, 1850, and both were interred in the Heck- 
 man cemetery. He was a man of fine physique, 
 over six feet in height, of a most kindly dispo- 
 sition, making no enemies, and always sacrificing 
 himself to avoid a quarrel. He was a prominent 
 member of the Penns Creek Church, Reformed and 
 Lutheran, to which he was a liberal contributor, 
 and was a stanch Democrat in politics. 
 
 The birth of John Meyer occurred in Annville 
 township, Lebanon county, September 14, 1814, 
 and he was therefore fourteen years of age at the 
 time of his removal with his parents to Centre 
 county. In school he learned very rapidly, and 
 was soon able to read and write both English 
 and German, whilst in mathematics he surpassed 
 most of the scholars who were several years his 
 senior. When a young man he clerked in the 
 store of his brother-in-law, Mr. Witmer, at 
 Aaronsburg, but, aside from this and several 
 terms passed in teaching, his life has been that 
 of a farmer. He taught the Cross Road school, 
 in Gregg township, Centre county, in 1842, when 
 seventy-five pupils were enrolled, some studying 
 German, the others English. Teachers were 
 then required to pass an examination only in 
 reading, writing, orthography and arithmetic, 
 and never but once was he examined in geogra- 
 phy. For four terms he engaged in teaching at 
 $17 per month, out of which he had to board 
 himself. 
 
 On June 16, 1853, in Penn township, John 
 Meyer was united in marriage with Miss Eleanor 
 Smith, who was born October 1, 1827, in what 
 was then Gregg but is now Penn township. Her 
 parents, Francis and Anna (Koons) Smith, were 
 natives of Dauphin county, Penn., but were mar- 
 ried in Centre county, and had seven children: 
 John, who died in Smithtown, Penn township; 
 Joseph, who lives in Gregg township; Eleanor, 
 mother of our subject; William, who died in 
 Penn township; Mary, wife of Eli Smith, of 
 Penn township; Robert, who died in Gregg town- 
 ship; and Jacob, formerly a resident of Potter 
 township, Centre county, now deceased. The 
 father of this family died when over eighty years 
 of age, while his wife had passed her eighty-fifth 
 birthday. Both were members of the Evangelical 
 Church, and politically he was a Democrat. By 
 trade he was both a mason and cooper. To the 
 parents of our subject were born but two chil- 
 dren, the other being John F. , who was born- 
 December 12, 1856, and died December 16, 
 1863. 
 
 After his marriage, John Meyer located on 
 
800 
 
 "i' MOHATIVB BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 the farm where he has since resided, it being the 
 li'imestead of his father, who left it to his three 
 sons, John, Jacob and Christopher, while to his 
 daughters he gave money. For many years John 
 operated the place in partnership with Jacob, but 
 on the latter's death purchased the entire amount, 
 to which he has since added the farm of his fa- 
 ther-in-law, makinga valuable tract of 275 acres. 
 Ili- political support has always been given the 
 l'einocracy, and he has been called upon to fill 
 almost every township office, being assessor for 
 three terms, school director, tax collector, over- 
 seer of tin poor, supervisor, auditor and clerk of 
 election. On Octobor 23, [880, he was elected 
 elder of the Salem Reformed Church, of which 
 In has been a prominent member for years, and 
 he not only contributed liberally toward the erec- 
 tion of the house of worship, but boarded the 
 mechanic-- during its construction at the lowest 
 
 -ible priii Previouslj to being made elder 
 he served as deacon of the congregation. He is 
 
 pi ionally well preserved for a man of his a 
 in full possession of his mental faculty, and as 
 his tastes have always inclined him to reading 
 and study, he 1- well informed on the current is- 
 ind questions ol the day. 
 
 Upon the farm which is still his home, Jacob 
 S Meyer, the subjei t proper of this review, was 
 born April 13, 1854, and in the country schools 
 of the neighborhood he obtained his elementary 
 education, his first teacher being Mary Stephen. 
 Alter completing his literary course in the acad- 
 emy at Penn Hall, 'he was licensed to teach, and 
 for one term had charge of the Murray school in 
 1 iregg ti iwnship. 
 
 On December 20, 1874, in Aaronsburg, Mr. 
 Meyer was married, by Rev, Cyrus H. Keiter, of 
 the Reformed Church, to Miss Susan C. Ritner, 
 who was born in Potter township, Centre county, 
 September 7, 1854, and was the fourth in order 
 ol birth in the family of eight children of ]acob 
 and Catharine Catherman) 1 inner, farming peo- 
 ple. The Catherman family was a remarkable 
 one, Mrs Bitner attending are-union when the 
 entire family of seventeen were all present, and 
 this hem- aftei they had reached adult 
 Five children have been horn to Mr. and Mrs. 
 Meyer: 1 John F., born March 11. 1875, is a 
 very bright and promising young man, a graduate 
 o| Franklin and Marshall College, which he en- 
 tered at tin age of fifteen, in September, 1 
 He graduated in June, 1894, having taken first 
 honor of his class. He then turned his attention 
 to the profession of teaching, and in September, 
 1894, was elected principal of the public schools 
 of Alexandria, Huntingdon Co., Penn. In the 
 fall of 1896 he resigned his position, being elected 
 
 assistant principal of F. and M. Academy, where 
 he taught one year, but resigned in June. 1897. 
 Not being satisfied with the standard of his pro- 
 fession, he entered Johns Hopkins University, 
 Baltimore. Md.in September, 1897. (2) Harry 
 N.. born May 19, 1877, is a successful teacher 
 with a bright future before him. Not being sat- 
 isfied with what he received in the public schools 
 at home, he entered the Millersville State Nor- 
 mal, Lancaster county, Penn., in September, 
 1897, in order to fit himself for the profession of 
 teaching. (3) Eleanor B., born September 26, 
 1.S79, has inherited a taste for music, possessing 
 great natural talents for the art, which are stim- 
 ulated to rapid development by the atmosphere 
 of music prevading her father's home. (4) Cath- 
 erine, born January 18, 1 890, and (5) Helen G., 
 born July 20, 1892, are also at home. 
 
 ng a fine vocalist. Mr. Meyer has engaged 
 in teaching singing during the winter seasons. 
 He is a warm supporter of the Democratic party. 
 and has serv sor five terms, supervisor 
 
 and school director. In the Salem Reformed 
 irch, in which he and his wife hold member- 
 ship, he is at present secretary of the Consistory, 
 and leader of the choir; is very active in all 
 Church work, and in fact gives his earnest sup- 
 port to all worthy objects which are tor the ben- 
 efit of the community. A great reader, he is 
 well posted on all the questions of the day, and 
 does all in his power to advance the educational 
 interests of the township by elevating the stand- 
 ard of its schools. 
 
 Jt'HN A. DALEY, an enterprising and pro- 
 -sive agriculturist of Centre county, now 
 living in Curtin township, was born in Spring 
 township, April 19, 1S42. Ilw father, Jeremiah 
 Daley, was a native of County Donegal, Ireland, 
 whence he came to Centre county, in the sum- 
 mer of 1830. His parents, John and Bridget 
 (Mennan) Daley, also natives of County Done- 
 gal, crossed the Atlantic in 1834, and the grand- 
 father and father were employed in an iron in- 
 dustry mar Rcllefonte. John A. Daley's grand- 
 uncle, Jerry Mennan, was a member of the town 
 council of Bellefonte that extended to Gen. La- 
 Fayette an invitation to visit that town on his 
 second trip to America as he passed through to 
 Lake Erie from Philadelphia. 
 
 The father of our subject was engaged in 
 iron working, for Valentine & Thomas, until 
 1852, when he located on the farm where John 
 A. Daley now resides. It was then an unbroken 
 wilderness, but he continued to improve it until 
 his death in 1 866, when he was sixty-six years 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 301 
 
 old. He married Isabella Mungen, also a native 
 of County Donegal, Ireland, as were her par- 
 ents, Patrick and Isabella Mungen, who spent 
 their entire lives there, the father following the 
 occupation of shoemaking. Jeremiah Daley, 
 after two years spent in America, sent for Miss 
 Mungen, to whom he was betrothed in his native 
 land, and who came to Centre county with his 
 friend, John Love. They were married in Belle- 
 fonte, and Mrs. Daley died in 1844, at the age 
 of twenty-eight years. They had two children — 
 Bridget M., deceased wife of William Lunnen; 
 and John A. 
 
 Mr. Daley, the subject proper of this review, 
 lost his mother when he was only two years of 
 age, but remained at home with his father until 
 the latter's death, and assisted in the cultivation 
 of the old homestead; also attended school. He 
 continued on the farm until 1861, when, the 
 Civil war having broken out, he enlisted in Com- 
 pany A, 45th P. V. I., under Capt. John I. Cur- 
 tin, who afterward became a general. On Jan- 
 uary 1, 1863, he re-enlisted, and remained at 
 the front until July 18, 1865, when the war hav- 
 ing ended, he was mustered out. Three times 
 he was wounded, receiving a flesh wound in the 
 nose at the battle of South Mountain; on June 
 3, at Cold Harbor, he was wounded in the left 
 side, and was obliged to remain in the hospital 
 until September 28, when he rejoined his regi- 
 ment; two days later he was shot in the right 
 hip, where the ounce ball still remains. At the 
 time of his discharge he was serving with the 
 rank of sergeant. He participated in twenty- 
 eight battles, including the engagements at South 
 Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Vicksburg, 
 Crab Orchard, ■ the siege of Knoxville, Blue 
 Springs, the battle of the Wilderness and others. 
 On his return from the war Mr. Daley resumed 
 farming, and has cleared one hundred acres of 
 his land, transforming it into rich and fertile 
 fields, which yield to him a handsome income. 
 His methods are progressive, his labors con- 
 ducted with system, and his careful manage- 
 ment and enterprise have brought to him success. 
 
 On Christmas Day of 1867 Mr. Daley was 
 married to Miss Mary J. Haines, who was born 
 in Liberty township, Centre county, February 
 18, 1849, a daughter of John and Rachel (Baker) 
 Haines, the former a native of New York, and 
 the latter of Centre county. The father came to 
 Centre county at an early day, and made it his 
 home until his enlistment in the Union army. 
 He died in Andersonville prison in 1864, at the 
 age of forty-six years, thus giving his life in 
 defense of his country. His widow, who was 
 born June 12, 1826, is still living in Liberty 
 
 township. Their children are: Mrs. Daley; 
 Emeline, wife of Joseph Bechdel, of Liberty 
 township; Kline S. , who is living with his mother 
 on the old homestead; Annie M., who died in 
 1895; William, who served as deputy sheriff in 
 Kansas, and is now a school teacher of Liberty 
 township, Centre county; Lea M., a school 
 teacher and seamstress; and Fannie, wife of John 
 Boone, a lumberman of Howard, Penn. The 
 paternal grandparents of Mrs. Daley were John 
 and Jane (Packer) Haines, natives of Centre 
 county, where they spent their entire lives. The 
 maternal grandparents, Jacob and Mary (Boon). 
 Baker, were also natives of the same county, and 
 the former was a carpenter by trade. 
 
 The children of Mr. and Mrs. Daley were: 
 Jeremiah, who was employed as clerk in the 
 Record and Pension division of the War Depart- 
 ment, was killed in the Ford Theatre disaster in 
 Washington, D. C, June 9, 1893, at the age of 
 twenty-four years and ten months; Charles C. is 
 at home; Robert C. is now auditor of Curtin 
 township; William H. died of typhoid fever in 
 Washington, D. C, in 1889; Mary B. is the 
 wife of William A. Everley, a lumberman of 
 Curtin township; James died in his parents' 
 home; Franklin, Anna L. and Sarah M. are still 
 under the parental roof; and Nellie died in 
 infancy. 
 
 Mr. Daley has been honored with a number 
 of local offices, and in 1889 received an appoint- 
 ment to a clerical position in the office of the 
 Secretary of the Interior Department, where he 
 remained four years, four months and four days. 
 He then returned to his farm, which he is now 
 successfully operating. He is a valued member 
 of the Odd Fellows Society of Howard, also of, 
 the Grand Army Post at Milesburg, Penn. , and 
 belonged to the Union Veterans Union in Wash- 
 ington. In religious faith he is a member of the 
 River Brethren Church. He takes quite an 
 active interest in political affairs, giving his sup^ 
 port to the Republican party, and is a man whom, 
 to know is to esteem and honor. 
 
 JOSEPH ROSS KESSINGER is one of the 
 enterprising merchants of Hublersburg, Cen- 
 tre county, and his activity in business has 
 been of material benefit to the village as well 
 as to himself. Gifts of money may be used in 
 beautifying or adorning a town, but the real bene- 
 factors of a corporate community are those who 
 promote its business interests, for prosperity de- 
 pends upon the exchange of commodities, where- 
 by men are employed, and thus secure the means 
 of establishing homes and; caring for their fam-. 
 
802 
 
 I OMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL BEl ORD. 
 
 ilies. Mr. Kessinger is ;i wide-awake, enterpris- 
 
 business man, and well deserves mention 
 among the representative citizens of Centre 
 county. 
 
 ( )ur subject was born in Clinton county. 
 March 18, 1834, and is a son of Adam and Eliza- 
 beth (Hunsicker) Kessinger. The father was 
 born in Lancaster county, Penn., and was mar- 
 i there to Miss Hunsicker, a native of Switzer- 
 land, who came to America when about fifteen 
 years of age. About 182X they removed to Cen- 
 tre counts, and Mr Kessinger built the Lamar 
 furnace for the firm of Kurtz lV Irvin. He finally 
 located in Mill Hall, Clinton county, where his 
 death occurred in 1S5S Just thirty-six years be- 
 fore, to the day and hour, he was married, and 
 bv that union were born ten children: (1) De- 
 Witt Clinton wedded Miss Mary Ann Fetterhaff, 
 and has six children. He served through the 
 Civil war, and now receives a pension in com- 
 pensation for injuries sustained. His trade is 
 that of an iron molder, and he lives in Lock 
 Haven, Penn. (2) Thomas M. also served in the 
 Civil war; he was an iron molder, but is now re- 
 tired; he is married, and resides in Mill Hall. 
 1 j i Joseph K. is the next in order of birth. (4) 
 Francis M , who is married and has a family of 
 six children, served throughout the Civil war, and 
 is now a traveling salesman for the house of 
 Strickler \ Co., of Mifflinburg, Penn. (5) Fan- 
 nie R. is the widow of ( icorge Roffe, of Mill Hall, 
 Penn., and has a family of eight children. 
 Marv P. is the wife of George Bowers, an axe- 
 maker of Mill Hall, where they live with their 
 family. (71 Jacob G. was killed in the battle of 
 Cold Harbor during the war of the Rebellion. 
 Three of the children died in infancy. 
 
 I'nder the parental roof Mr. Kessinger, the 
 subject of this review, spent the days of his boy- 
 hood, and is indebted to the common schools for 
 his educational privileges. Like his father he 
 learned the foundry business, becoming a profi- 
 cient workman in that line. His life has been a 
 busy and useful one, and from humble surround- 
 ings he has steadily worked his way upward to a 
 position of affluence, overcoming the difficulties 
 and obstacles in his path by resolute and honora- 
 ble purpose. He is now engaged in merchandis- 
 ing in Hublersburg, and his enviable reputation 
 as a straightforward business man insures him a 
 liberal patronage. 
 
 On May 22, [857, Mi Kessinger married 
 Miss Julia, daughter of Peter Heller, a promi- 
 nent citizen, who served for more than thirty 
 \ ears as justice of the peace of Walker township, 
 Centre county. Thej have eight children: 
 William I'... who was born October 30, [858, 
 
 and is an iron molder by trad.-, wedded Mary 
 linker, and has eight children; (2) Thomas L.. 
 born October 6, 1862, is also an iron molder by 
 trade, but is now assisting his father in the 
 store j Laura B. is the wife of James H. 
 Rathmell, a bookkeeper residing in Germantown, 
 near Philadelphia, Penn.; (4 Harvey A., born 
 May 27, 1866, married Minnie M. Decker, by 
 whom he has a daughter, and now resides in Pit- 
 cairn, Penn., where he follows the machinist's 
 trade; (5) George C, an iron molder, married 
 Gertrude Struble, and has two children; 
 
 h |. is the wife of Joseph Emerick. a farmer 
 of Walker township. Centre county, by whom 
 she has two children; (7 Maud A., born in July. 
 [878, and (8) Arthur 1>.. born in August, [883, 
 are still at home. 
 
 In his political views Mr. Kessinger is a Re- 
 publican. Loth he and his wife hold member- 
 ship in the Methodist Church, and are people of 
 sterling worth. He is a self-made man, indus- 
 trious and intelligent, his sterling worth gaining 
 him the confidence of all, while his genial man- 
 ner has made him a popular citizen. 
 
 JB. REAM, one of the most intelligent and 
 highly esteemed citizens of Penn's Cave, was 
 born in Gregg township, November 28, 1 
 His father, Michael Ream, was a native of Penn 
 township, and a son of Abraham Ream, who 
 came to Centre county at a very early day, and 
 made one of the first settlements in Haines town- 
 ship. There in the midst of the forest he devel- 
 oped a farm, but subsequently removed to Penn 
 township, where he opened up another farm, up- 
 on which his last days were spent. He was 
 twice married, and had quite a large family of 
 children. By the second union there were three 
 sons: George, David and Michael. 
 
 The last named learned the weaver's trade, 
 which he followed for some time. Afterward he 
 purchased a farm on the Brush Valley road in 
 Gregg township, and gave his attention to agri- 
 cultural pursuits. He passed away in November, 
 [884, at the age of eighty years, and was buried 
 in Green Grove cemetery. His first wife was 
 Lydia Musser, daughter of Philip Musser, and 
 their children were: George; John Bangaman; 
 Rebecca, wife of Daniel Homan, of Penn's Cave; 
 Lydia, wife of Jacob Henn, of Des Moines, [owa; 
 Hannah, wife of A. P. Lose. ofCentre Hall; and 
 George Philip, married to Liny Houts, and liv- 
 ing at Green Grove. The mother of these died 
 about 1843, and was buried in Union cemetery, 
 ther afterward married Catharine Mark, 
 and their children were: Susan, wife of Samuel 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 303 
 
 Long, of Perm's Cave; Samuel, married to Sarah 
 Musser, and living at Madisonburg, Penn. ; and 
 Michael, married to Canses Weaver, and living 
 at Millheim, Penn. The father was a successful 
 farmer, and left his family in comfortable cir- 
 cumstances. He not only cultivated his land, but 
 during the winter season also engaged in weav- 
 ing. In politics he was a Democrat. In his 
 early life he adhered to the faith of the Reformed 
 Church, but afterward became a member of the 
 Evangelical Church, and took a very active part 
 in its work, also served in many official positions 
 connected therein. 
 
 J. B. Ream began his education in a school 
 that stood on the site of Union cemetery, in 
 Gregg township, and his first teacher was George 
 Consort. His school privileges were somewhat 
 limited, but practical experience, observation and 
 extensive reading in later years have made him 
 a well-informed man, and he is not only familiar 
 with current events but also has quite a wide 
 knowledge of classical literature. During his 
 boyhood he spent considerable time at the home 
 of his grandfather Musser in Penn Hall. His 
 time was largely devoted to farm work, and he 
 had little leisure for enjoyment. 
 
 When twenty-one years of age, Mr. Ream 
 married Miss Susan Rishel, who was born in No- 
 vember, 1829, on the farm where our subject 
 now resides, a daughter of Jonathan and Eliza- 
 beth (Phone) Rishel. They began their domestic 
 life in George's Valley, Gregg township, where the 
 lady's father owned a farm and there lived until 
 1 85 1, when they removed to a farm owned by 
 Mr. Ream's father in Gregg township. In 1856 
 he purchased the farm which he yet owns in 
 Brush Valley, and there continued to reside until 
 1883, when he took up his residence in Penn's 
 Cave. He now owns 175 acres of valuable land 
 upon which are two sets of substantial farm 
 buildings. His life has been a busy and useful 
 one. A heavy indebtedness rested upon him 
 after the purchase of his farm, but he worked 
 early and late, and in course of time this was not 
 only paid off but a comfortable competence was 
 secured to keep him and his family through his 
 declining years. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Ream had ten children, as 
 follows: (1) Lucetta, born September 12, 1850, 
 married William Losie, January 9, 1873, and 
 they had three daughters; but in March, 1892, 
 the husband and father and the three children 
 all died of diphtheria within the space of sixteen 
 days. (2) Susan Alice, born August 14, 1853, 
 married Emanuel White, of Axemann, Centre 
 county, August 24, 1871, and they have three 
 sons and two daughters. (3) George W. , of 
 
 Penn's Cave, born April 24, 1855, married Anna 
 Shrackangost, August 24, 1879, and they have 
 three sons and one daughter. (4) Sarah Emma, 
 born February 25, 1857, died May 6, 1857. (5) 
 Mary L. , born May 22, 1858, married Isaiah 
 Prossman, of Penn's Cave, August 19, 1869, and 
 they had four sons and two daughters. (6) John 
 Benjamin, born September 17, i860, died Janu- 
 ary 26, 1866. (7) Magdalene Catherine, born 
 April 4, 1863, married Israel Spade, of Madison- 
 burg, Centre county, May 19, 1889, and they 
 have one son and one daughter. (8) Noah, of 
 Penn's Cave, born October 4, 1865, married 
 Maggie Weaver, October 27, 1885, and they 
 have three daughters. (9) Julia Caroline, born 
 November 18, 1867, married Samuel Frederick, 
 of Farmers Mills, May 24, 1885, and they have 
 one son and one daughter. (10) Hannah Mar- 
 tha, born April 1, 1870, died March 14, 1892; 
 she also was a victim of that terrible diphtheria, 
 having caught the disease while attending the 
 sick ones at her sister's (Mrs. Losie) home, and 
 dying in- about one week from the time she was 
 attacked. 
 
 In his political adherency, Mr. Ream is a 
 Democrat, and he has served as overseer, super- 
 visor and school director, in all of which offices 
 he has discharged his duties with a promptness 
 and fidelity that has won him high commenda- 
 tion. He holds membership in the Reformed 
 Church, and his wife belongs to the Lutheran 
 denomination. He is now serving as elder in 
 Union Church, and is one of its most active and 
 influential workers. Socially, he belongs to the 
 Grange. His high personal character, his prob- 
 ity and his fidelity to duty have won him the un- 
 qualified regard of all with whom he has been 
 brought in contact. 
 
 JTRIAH D. OSMAN, who is now practically 
 f) living retired upon his farm in Potter town- 
 ship, Centre county, was born September 22, 
 1 83 1, near Millersburg, Dauphin Co., Penn., a 
 son of John and Elizabeth (Flisher) Osman. 
 The grandfather, Andrew Osman, was a farmer 
 of Dauphin coun y, where his death occurred. 
 The family was originally from Ireland, but was 
 founded in this country at a very early date in 
 its history. 
 
 In the fall of 1837, John Osman, with his 
 family, removed to The Loop, in Potter town- 
 ship, Centre county, making the journey in 
 four-horse wagons, via Lewistown and over 
 Seven mountain. They stopped with the ma- 
 ternal grandmother while the father was look- 
 ing up a location, and decided to make their 
 
804 
 
 ciiMMI MoIiATlVt: BIOGRAPHICAL UFjORD. 
 
 home in Potter township. By trade the father 
 was a weaver, at which he worked to some ex- 
 tent after coming to Centre county. After the 
 death of his wife February 12, 1875, he resided 
 with our subject in Centre Hall, and there passed 
 away December 28, of the same year. Their 
 remains were interred in the Centre Hall ceme- 
 tery. They were faithful members of the Evan- 
 gelical Church, and highly respected by all who 
 knew them for their sterling worth. In politics 
 the father was a Democrat 
 
 To this worthy couple were born eleven chil- 
 dren, namely: Amanda, wife of William Au- 
 inan, of Spring Mills, Centre county; Mary A . , 
 widow of David Rhue, of Wallace Run, Penn.; 
 Uriah 1).; Jeremiah, a resident of Iowa; Israel, 
 who was a member of the 210th P. V. I. during 
 the Rebellion, and is now living in Millhall, 
 Penn.; Hiram, who was also a Union soldier, 
 and is now a resident of Altoona, Penn. ; James, 
 who belonged to Company I), [48th P. V. I., 
 and is now a resident of Michigan; Daniel, who 
 belonged to the same company as James, and was 
 killed at the battle of Chancellorsville; Catharine, 
 widow of Lewis Muselman, of Centre Hall; John, 
 of Lamar, Penn.; and Canada, who died at the 
 age of nine years. 
 
 The first school which Uriah D. Ostium at- 
 tended was held in what was known as the Sink 
 school house at The Loop; but his educational 
 advantages were very meagre, lor at the tenderage 
 of eight years he began to earn his own living. Aft- 
 erlivingfoi six weeks with James Powley, a fanner, 
 he began learning the tailors trade under Henrv 
 Holtzman, of Centre Hall, and during his appren- 
 ticeship received only his board and clothes. 
 When he had mastered the trade, .his employe! 
 left Centre Hall, and Mr. Osman assumed charge 
 of the business at the same stand. For over 
 twenty years he was the leading tailor of the 
 place, and only laid aside his trade when com- 
 pelled to do so by ill health, removing to his 
 present farm in February, 1871. It comprises 
 sixty acres, which he purchased for $6,000, and 
 to its cultivation and improvements devoted his 
 time and attention for many years with n 
 gratifying results. 
 
 Mr. Osman married Dorothy Stover, who 
 lived near Centre Hall, and to them were born 
 three children: William F. , now a resident of 
 Worth county, Mo.; Clara A., wife of Horace 
 Zerlev, of Salt Lake City, Utah; and John A., a 
 bricklayer of Bellefonte, Centre county. For 
 his second wife he wedded Catharine Rover, of 
 Potter township, by whom he had one son, 
 Thomas M.. a teacher, of Mercur, Utah. In In- 
 political views, Mr. Osman is a Democrat, but is 
 
 not radical, reserving his right to support the best 
 men regardless of party affiliations. He is a man 
 of more than ordinary intelligence, whose educa- 
 tion has been almost wholly self-acquired, and 
 through his own untiring labor he has secured a 
 comfortable competency, which enables him to 
 spend his declining years in ease and retirement 
 from active labor. He is a member of the Lu- 
 theran Church, in which he has filled various 
 offices, and he has the respect and esteem of all 
 who know him. 
 
 EMMA JORDAN. One of the pleasantest 
 homes in the beautiful little city of Aarons- 
 burg, Centre county, is the Jordan homestead, 
 now the property of the lady whose name open- 
 this sketch, and whose admirable qualities of 
 mind and heart have endeared her to a large 
 circle of friends and acquaintances. Miss Jordan's 
 ancestors settled in Lancaster, Penn., main- 
 years ago. Her great-grandfather was Elias 
 Jordan, of Lancaster; his wife {nee Bruner) was 
 1 native of Holland. To them were born, Oc- 
 tober 31, 1761, twin sons (the only sons .Casper 
 and Martin. 
 
 Casper Jordan, grandfather of Miss K Emma 
 Jordan, was born in Lancaster county. Penn . 
 October 31, 1761, and died in 1820. at the a^e 
 of sixty-five years. In 1820 he removed with his 
 family to Union county, Penn., to pass his re- 
 maining years, and he and his wife, Mary {nee 
 Bender, the daughter of a highly respected mer- 
 chant of Lancaster city), who died in 1851, aged 
 ninety-two years, are buried at Mifflinburg. They 
 had six sons — Isaac, David, John, Henry, Adam 
 and Joseph— and four daughters — Elizabeth, 
 Marie, Susan and Sarah. Of this family, Isaac, 
 who was twenty-five years older than his brother 
 Joseph, moved to Ohio, and died at the ag< 
 eighty-two years; David went south; John v 
 killed while tearing down a building at Mifflin- 
 burg, Penn. ; Henry and Adam moved with their 
 families to Clyde and Bellevue, Ohio, respectively; 
 Joseph moved to Centre county; Elizabeth 
 twice married, (first) to a Mr. l.owry, (second) to 
 a Mr. Moore, and died in Lewisburg; Marie mar- 
 ried a Mr. Parmer, and moved to Toledo. Ohio; 
 Susan died in infancy; Sarah was twice married, 
 (first 1 to a Mr. Goode, (second) to a Mr. Maver. 
 and died at the age of ninety-three at Fayette, 
 Fulton Co., Ohio. 
 
 Joseph Jordan, the youngest son in the above 
 mentioned family, and the father of Miss Emma 
 Jordan, was born at New Holland. Lancaster 
 Co., Penn., November 17, 1804, and bein^ still 
 
 outh when the family came to Union county 
 
 
OtMnJh. Jkr-davx 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 305 
 
 he spent some years there with his father. At 
 twenty-three years of age he went to Gregg town- 
 ship, Centre county, and purchased a farm; a 
 year later he was married in Rebersburg to Miss 
 Elizabeth Bair, a native of Brush Valley, born 
 September 23, 1806, a daughter of Squire George 
 Bair, who for years held the office of justice of 
 the peace, and was one of the leading citizens of 
 the Valley. 
 
 Mr. Jordan made his home upon his Gregg 
 township farm for some time, and two of his 
 children were born there: Maria J., the widow 
 of Dr. E. J. Deshler, of Aaronsburg; and Eliza- 
 beth, widow of Rev. D. O. Shoemaker, and now 
 residing at Lock Haven with a daughter, the wife 
 of T. M. Stevenson, Esq. 
 
 Mr. Jordan was an excellent judge of lands, 
 and found it profitable to buy farms, which he 
 would improve and dispose of at an advance, 
 and in this way it came about that the family 
 residence was changed about a number of times. 
 He removed from Gregg township to Sugar Val- 
 ley, and one son, George B., now a merchant of 
 Chicago, was born there; he is married to Miss 
 Henrietta J. Leitzell. The next home was in 
 Nittany Valley, and there a son was born, Will- 
 iam F., who is a farmer at North Liberty, Adams 
 county, Ohio; he married Miss Eliza J. Flisher. 
 Later the family removed to Tusseyville, Potter 
 township, Centre county, where two children 
 were born: R. Emma, the subject proper of this 
 sketch, and James I., who died at the age of 
 thirteen. 
 
 The various deals in real estate made by Mr. 
 Jordan brought him a profit (except his last pur- 
 chase of two farms just previous to the deprecia- 
 tion of land values), proving him to be all in all 
 a successful man, and he was considered unusually 
 shrewd and "long-headed." In 1859 he settled 
 in Aaronsburg, where he died September 6, 1893. 
 His estimable wife (lovely in person and charac- 
 ter) had passed to the unseen life January 8, 
 1889, and the remains of both now rest side by 
 side in the Reformed Church cemetery at Aarons- 
 burg. They had passed together over sixty 
 years of married life in unbroken harmony and 
 affection. Both were devout and consistent mem- 
 bers of the Reformed Church (in which Mr. Jor- 
 dan has been an elder over fifty years), to which 
 he was one of the most liberal contributors, and 
 his advice in Church affairs was much valued. 
 Being extremely fond of reading, especially works 
 on theology, he was well-informed, and on sev- 
 eral occasions while attending the Church Synod 
 he spoke with much effectiveness, and displayed 
 such thorough knowledge as to attract consider- 
 able attention. He took much pleasure in travel, 
 
 also, and in his early days made extensive jour- 
 neys, visiting points of interest in the United 
 States. 
 
 Although Mr. Jordan was a firm believer in 
 the doctrines of the Democratic party, and at 
 times held township offices, he was never a poli- 
 tician as that word is usually understood. " He 
 was honorable in all his dealings with his fellow- 
 men, and his word was as good as his bond." 
 One notable feature of his character was his pro- 
 gressive, liberal view of life and affairs; he was 
 always advancing, keeping fully abreast of the 
 times, and showing keen appreciation of new in- 
 ventions. His home, which his abundant means 
 enabled him to supply with every comfort, bore 
 evidence of the trait mentioned in its convenient 
 arrangements and appliances. His children have 
 done credit to the pious home training of their 
 youth, and all are occupying honorable stations 
 in life. Martin, the twin brother of Mr. Jordan's 
 father (Casper Jordan), passed all his life in the 
 city of Lancaster, Penn. His wife (nee Hoof- 
 nagle), who at the time of her death had been 
 a widow fifty years, requested that her body 
 should be buried in the grave of "her Mar- 
 tin," and their remains lie in the Reformed 
 Cemetery at Lancaster, Penn. They had an 
 only son, Casper, who was on his way, on 
 the ocean, to some foreign country, when the ship 
 he was on sank in a storm, and he was drowned 
 at the age of twenty-four years. His sisters 
 married, and had large families, of whom the fol- 
 lowing named are now the only survivors: Mrs. 
 James H. Cochran, of Broad street, Philadelphia; 
 Mrs. Dr. Barton, of the same locality; Harry J. 
 Wentz, also living in Philadelphia; Miss Hattie 
 Wentz and Mrs. Dr. Longenecker, both of Lan- 
 caster county, Penn., and George M. Frame, a 
 dentist in New York City. 
 
 The grandchildren, now living, of Joseph Jor- 
 dan are: J. Jordan Deshler, M. D., of Glidden, 
 Iowa; Edwin Jordan, Esq., of Chicago; Howard 
 C. Jordan, of Nebraska; Emma K. , wife of Rev. J. 
 F. Kerlin, of Williamsport, Penn.; Margaret, 
 wife of T. M. Stevenson, Esq., of Lock Haven; 
 Dr. D. E. Shoemaker, of Washingtonville, Penn. ; 
 H. P. Shoemaker, of Watsontown, Penn. ; and 
 Miss Grace Jordan, of North Liberty, Ohio. 
 
 Miss R. Emma Jordan was born January 1 1, 
 1842. Her health was not sufficiently strong 
 during girlhood to permit her to gratify her wish 
 for a collegiate education, but after completing a 
 course in the common schools she attended the 
 academy at Aaronsburg, and her fine mental 
 powers have assimilated through reading and ob- 
 servation an unusual amount of information. 
 She is highly accomplished, and was at one time 
 
806 
 
 COMMEMORA TIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 especially proficient in music, in which she gave 
 lessons. During the last years of her parents' lives 
 she gave them the most devoted and watchful 
 care, ministering to theii every need, and bright- 
 ening their hours of pain or weariness with her 
 filial love. Her kindliness of heart has found a 
 wide field of expression in generous assistance to 
 different charities, and she has done much for 
 the Reformed ( hun h, of which she is a consistent 
 member. Always active in its various lines of 
 i .. she was especially helpful at the time of 
 building of the new church edifice, being 
 me oi the leaders in the Ladies Aid Society, 
 winch work had been effective and successful, 
 after a career of six years succeeding in raising 
 funds to the amount of $1,093. Neither is she 
 lacking in practical business ability, her man 
 
 it of her father's estate, as executrix under 
 the will, showing rare tact, discretion and firm- 
 m ss of character. 
 
 El ETTEROLF, a well-known and highly 
 j respected citizen of Spring Mills, Centre 
 county, is now enjoying, in well-earned ease, the 
 reward <>l previous years of toil. He is a native 
 of this section, having been born October 3, 
 [830, at Troxelville, in what is now Snyder 
 ■count \ . His family has been identified with that 
 ilitj since the time of Ins grandfather, who 
 was a pioneer settler. The grandmother, Mrs. 
 therine I'etterolf, attained the age of ninety- 
 years, and was held in high esteem by later 
 generations in the community which she had 
 seen arise upon the spot where stood the forests 
 that her contemporaries cleared away. 
 
 Peter Fetterolf, our subject's father, was 
 born then- in 1S01, and always made his home 
 in the same locality, farming being Ins occupa- 
 tion until, having acquired a comfortable fortune. 
 he retired to Troxelville to pass his declining 
 \i ars, purchasing a lot and building a residence. 
 
 He was six feet, ■ inch in height, bony and 
 
 muscular, and in his day was a powerful man. 
 Quiet and unobtrusive in manner, he never 
 sought publii office or official position, but his 
 neighbors were not blind to his abilities, and he 
 was called upon to fill the office of supervisor. 
 He took much interest in polities, first as a 
 Whig, and later as a Republican, and was promi- 
 nent in religious work, be and his wife being 
 leading members of the Lutheran Church. Mrs. 
 Fetterolf, whose maiden name was Sail} Swartz, 
 was also a native of Snyder county, born in 1802. 
 Both lived to the age of seventy-five years, the 
 father dying in 1870 and the mother in the \ 
 following. Their children were: Henry, a 
 
 fanner in Kansas; Susan (Mrs. John Hendricks), 
 of Snyder county; Polly, who married George 
 Kara, ind died soon afterward; Hannah S., who 
 married George Huffman, and died in Sioux City, 
 Iowa; Catherine (Mrs. Jacob Bingerman), who 
 died in Snyder county; E., the subject of this 
 sketch; Philip, who died in Snyder county, leav- 
 ing a family; Daniel, who died (unmarried) in 
 Snyder count}-; and Elizabeth iMrs. Frederick 
 Schrayder), of Selinsgrove. 
 
 As the son of a busy farmer, Mr. Fetterolf's 
 education was subordinate to the demands of the 
 farm work, which during his boyhood was unre- 
 lieved by labor-saving machinery, and often oc- 
 cupied a large part of the winter season as well 
 as the summer. The schools were not of the 
 best, either, the community where he then lived 
 retaining the old-fashioned subscription schools, 
 until after his time, notwithstanding the eff 
 of his father and a few other progressive citizens 
 to secure the modern system. A remarkably 
 retentive memory, which enables him to recall 
 certain events that happened when he was but 
 two years old, has given Mr. Fetterolf a wide 
 range of information, and his intelligent views of 
 men and things reveal an active mind which 
 would have made effective use of a thorough 
 education. 
 
 In the fall of 1848 Mr. Fetterolf began an 
 apprenticeship to the blacksmith's trade with 
 John Kessler, seven miles from Selinsgrove, 
 receiving at the end of two years' work the sum 
 of $25.00. In 1850 he went to Potter township, 
 Centre county, and worked "The Loop" as a 
 journeyman blacksmith, and later he was simi- 
 larly employed at Milroy, Troxelville and Laurel- 
 ton, where he finally engaged in business on his 
 own account. After a year and a half there he 
 moved, in 1853, to Spring Mills, and rented a 
 shop, which he conducted lor some time. Two 
 years he then spent in Nittany Valley, Benner 
 township, Centre counts, but he returned to 
 Spring Mills later, and after continuing his trade 
 a short time, he decided to give it up and 
 in agriculture. The change was made in 1856, 
 Mr Fetterolf renting a farm in Gregg township. 
 Centre county, from William Allison. As pros- 
 perity smiled upon his efforts, he purchased some 
 adjoining land, which he cultivated, while still 
 occupying the other farm as a tenant. In 1886 
 he sold his property, and, relieved from business, 
 removed to Spring Mills, where he bought a sub- 
 stantial buck residence. 
 
 Mr. Fetterolf was married in Union county, 
 in the fall of 1850, to Miss Rachel Wyand, 
 daughter of George Wyand, a prosperous fanner 
 She was a native of Snyder county, born July 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 307 
 
 27, 1829. After nearly half a century of wedded 
 life, she passed away February 11, 1896, 
 lamented by all who had come within her sphere 
 of helpful influence. Her remains were interred 
 in the cemetery at Spring Mills. Seven children 
 blessed this union: Edward, who died in infancy; 
 Mary E., now Mrs. George Crawford, of Spring 
 Mills; Sarah M. (Mrs. Philip Meyer), of Boals- 
 burg; Elizabeth (Mrs. J. K. Bittner), of Gregg 
 township, Centre township; Birdie (Mrs. C. A. 
 Krape), of Spring Mills; R. F. , a Lutheran min- 
 ister, stationed at Millersburg, Dauphin Co., 
 Penn. ; and Priscilla E., who died at the age of 
 eleven years. Mr. Fetterolf has reason to be 
 proud of his children, and he has given them the 
 best educational opportunities which his means 
 enabled him to secure, his own experience teach- 
 ing hiin the value of such privileges. 
 
 Upright in character, and honest in dealings, 
 Mr. Fetterolf has won the respect of his asso- 
 ciates wherever he has gone. Since 1850 he has 
 been an active member of the Lutheran Church, 
 and has been almost continuously in office. For 
 eight consecutive years he served as elder, and 
 for eight years he was superintendent of the 
 Sunday-school, to which, in his younger days, he 
 devoted much of his time and attention. His 
 political allegiance was first given to the Whig 
 party, but in the readjustment which followed 
 the discussion of the slavery question, he became 
 a Republican, and has ever since supported the 
 principles of that organization. 
 
 JEREMIAH E. WALKER. Among the pio- 
 neer families of Centre county none holds a 
 higher place in the esteem of the public than 
 does the Walker family, which was established in 
 Brush Valley about a century ago, our subject's 
 grandfather, John Walker, having gone there 
 from Northampton county, Penn., as a young 
 man, settling permanently, and marrying Miss 
 Mary M. Gramley, a member of another well- 
 known family. 
 
 Their son Daniel, the father of our subject, 
 was born in Brush Valley, July 9, 1807, and was 
 reared to manhood at the old farm. He married 
 Hannah Erhard, a native of Brush Valley, born 
 October 9, 1807, a daughter of Michael and 
 Anna Mary (Wildeson) Erhard, well-known resi- 
 dents of Miles township, Centre county. Six 
 children were born of this union: Samuel, an 
 ex-teacher now residing in Salona, Penn. ; Jere- 
 miah E., our subject; Jonathan, of Brush Valley; 
 Harriet, who married Samuel Brungart, and died 
 in Miles township; Mary, who married Ruben 
 Snook, and died in Nittany Valley; and Sarah, 
 
 now Mrs. James Carman, of Rebersburg, Penn- 
 sylvania. 
 
 Daniel Walker was by occupation an agricult- 
 urist, and passed his active life upon the first 
 farm he ever owned. Although of small stature 
 he was an industrious man, and was successful 
 for his day. At the time of his death he owned 
 over 500 acres of land in Brush Valley, 200 acres 
 in Nittany Valley, and other tracts elsewhere. 
 In politics he was a steadfast Democrat, but no 
 office seeker. He took much interest in relig- 
 ious work as an active member of the Lutheran 
 Church; his wife was identified with the Re- 
 formed Church. She died May 26, 1884, and 
 his death occurred Ma}' 27, 1887, the remains of 
 both being buried in the cemetery of Rebers- 
 burg. 
 
 J. E. Walker was born at the old home in 
 Brush Valley, July 18, 1837, and his education 
 was acquired at the Brungart school house, his 
 opportunities being decidedly inferior to those of 
 the present time. His father owned a sawmill 
 and gristmill in connection with his large farm, 
 and was able to find plenty of work for his boys. 
 The consciousness of the value of a good educa- 
 tion has made Mr. Walker an advocate of a more 
 liberal school system than was common in his 
 youth. On February 5, i860, he was married 
 in Brush Valley to Miss Anna Brungart, a native 
 of Clinton county, Penn., born December 16, 
 1838, daughter of John and Mary (Barner) Brun- 
 gart. Her father was a blacksmith and farmer 
 and a well-known citizen. Mrs. Walker was the 
 tenth child and seventh daughter in a family of 
 twelve children — three sons and nine daughters, 
 and her educational opportunities were limited 
 to the schools of that locality. 
 
 Mr. Walker established his home in his na- 
 tive township, at Walker's Mills, and conducted 
 the gristmill for his father, having learned that 
 business in Mill Hall when about seventeen 
 years old. He spent twenty-five years as a 
 miller in Miles township, operating only two dif- 
 ferent mills, and yet he has made thousands of 
 barrels of flour and sawed thousands of feet of 
 lumber. Hard work and careful management 
 have gained him a comfortable competence, 
 while he is highly respected among his associates 
 for his honesty and uprightness. Failing health 
 compelled him to give up milling for agricultural 
 work, and a few years later, in the spring of 
 1890, he removed to Rebersburg. He still owns 
 a farm of fifty-eight acres in Miles township, 
 which he oversees. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Walker have had six children, 
 of whom five are living, and make a family of 
 which any parent might be proud. Jane married 
 
Hi ^ 
 
 COMMKM<)J;a TIVB BIOGRAPHICAL liKcoRD. 
 
 Newton Brungart, of Sugar Valley; Emma C. 
 died in childhood; Emma resides in Bellefonte; 
 and Lewis E., Elizabeth M. and Meta O. are at 
 home. Mr. Walker and his wife are Lutherans 
 in faith, and have always been in sympathy with 
 the various progressive movements in their vicin- 
 ity. As a steadfast believer in Democratic prin- 
 ciples, Mr. Walker takes keen interest in his 
 party, but he has neither sought nor held office. 
 
 JOSEPH W. FOLMAR, a skillful farmer, and 
 the present efficient supervisor of Boggs t< iwn- 
 ship. Centre county, residing in Bald Eagle 
 Valley, was born March 8, 1839, at Milesburg, j 
 Centre county, and within the borders of that 
 county has always made his home. His father, 
 John Folmar, was a native of Prussia, and was a j 
 son of Joseph W. Folmar. The former was a 
 soldier under Napoleon, and on coming to the 
 New World located at Bellefonte, Penn., where I 
 he married Cresintha Windelin, who was born 
 in Switzerland, and came to America with her 
 parents, Joseph and Ocello Windelin, also na- 
 tives oi that country. They located at Clear- 
 field, Penn., where hei tnothei s death occurred, j 
 but her father died in Centre county, 
 
 John Folmar and his wife began their domes- 
 tic life in Milesburg, where they remained until 
 1851; when they went to Clearfield enmity, 
 Penn. There both died, the father on June 20, 
 isss, at the age of seventj eight years, and the 
 mother on January 10. [888, at the age of 
 enty-seven years, Both held membership m the 
 Catholic Church. In early life the father fol- 
 lowed the trade ol blacksmithing, but later en- 
 gaged in farming and lumbering. In his family 
 were the following children: Joseph \\ . , sub- 
 ject of this sketch 'Jacob and John /. ,of Clearfield 
 county; Andrew C of Peale, Penn.; Francis, a 
 farmer of Clearfield county; James, a carpenter 
 and wheelwright of Peale City, Penn.; William, 
 a farmer of Clearfield, Penn.; and Mary M.. de- 
 ceased wife of F. I). Volmont. 
 
 At the age of four years, Mr. Folmar, the 
 subject of this review, entered the schools of 
 Milesburg, which he attended until he had at- 
 tained his twelfth \ear, and then went to Clear- 
 field county, where he was variously employed ; 
 until l86l, mostly in the lumber woods He 
 then became a member of Company C, 5th 
 Pennsylvania Reserves, under Col. Simmons. 
 Whilecutting wood on duty at Camp Pierpont, 
 through an accident of some kind he cut himself 
 with an axe in the right foot, and later was 
 wounded at Bethesda Church, Virginia, in the 
 left hip. He participated in many important en- 
 
 gagements including the battles of Antietam and 
 Gettysburg, also the seven-days' fight at Rich- 
 mond, and in 1864 was honorably discharged at 
 Harrisburg. On being mustered out, he engaged 
 in lumbering for nine years, and then returned to 
 the old home farm, which he operated until 
 1889, when he came to Centre county, and has 
 since lived on his present farm. He is a stal- 
 wart Democrat in politics, and in 1895 was 
 elected on that ticket to the office of supervisor 
 of Boggs township, which he is now so capably 
 filling. He holds membership in the Catholic 
 Church, and with the Grand Army of the Re- 
 public. 
 
 Mr. Folmar has been twice married, his first 
 union being with Miss Catherine Piffer, whom he 
 wedded in 1876, and to them were born two 
 children; Mary C, deceased; and Catherine, 
 deceased wife of John Hill. The mother of 
 these died in October, 1882, at the age of thirty- 
 seven years, and November 8, 1886, Mr Folmar 
 was united in marriage with Mrs. Mary A. Rolley, 
 who was born in Paris, France, November 19, 
 [826, and is a daughter of Peter and Jeann< 
 Henry Fontenoy, who came from that country 
 to the New World in 1S24, locating at French- 
 ville, Clearfield Co., Penn., where the father 
 died April 28, 1 87 1, at the age of seventy-two 
 years, and the mother on May 31, I S 5 3 . at tin 
 age of fifty-seven years. In their family w 
 three children: John, who died March 17, 1894; 
 Marj A . wife of our subject; and Josephine, 
 wife of Frank Jennie, of Kast Farmington, Wis. 
 The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Folmar were 
 Peter and Jeanne C. Fontenoy, who never left 
 France, their native land, while the maternal 
 grandparents were Louis P. and Mary Henry. 
 also natives of that country, where the last 
 named died; the grandfather's death occurred at 
 Frenchville, Pennsylvania. 
 
 On April 2 1 , 1 S 4 5 , John Bronel was married to 
 Miss Mar) A Fontenoy, and to them were b< 
 children as follows; Frank, of Osceloa, Penn.. 
 of Gi ttysburg; Leopold, of Piano. 111.; 
 Jennie, deceased wife of James Derr, of Belle- 
 fonte, Sidonie, who makes her home at West- 
 field, N. Y.; Pauline and Justin, at home: Man 
 wife of P. Hayes, of Spangler, Cambria count) , 
 and Minnie, of Philadelphia Mr and M 
 Bronel removed to her present home in 1S64. 
 but six months later he was killed by a train at 
 the Milesburg cross road in Bald Eagle Vallej 
 He had formed) resided at Frenchville, and ■ 
 a lumber merchant b) CU] ation. In 1 v 
 
 Mrs Bronel married John Rolley, who died in 
 [882, at the age of forty-six years He was 
 general I, inner and lumberman. Two children 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 309 
 
 blessed their union: Flora, wife of Emil Lioret, 
 of Michigan; and Odilla, wife of A. M. Mott, of 
 Bellefonte, Perm. Both Mr. and Mrs. Folmar 
 are widely and favorably known, and have many 
 friends throughout the community where they 
 reside. 
 
 iPVEORGE B. HAINES, a prosperous agricult- 
 1JT urist residing in Rebersburg, Centre county, 
 is one of the progressive men who, taking a 
 broad and liberal view of life and its opportun- 
 ities, avoid the dull routine into which too many 
 dwellers in the rural neighborhoods fall. Fond 
 of reading, he keeps well informed on the issues 
 of the day, while the advantages of scientific 
 knowledge are seen in his successful management 
 of his estate. 
 
 His family is of English origin, and for at 
 least three generations his ancestors have been 
 tanners by occupation. His great-grandfather, 
 John Haines, was the first to come to America. 
 The grandfather, John Haines, Jr., was in early 
 manhood a resident of York county, Penn. , but 
 came to this section about 1816, locating at 
 Aaronsburg, Centre county, where he followed 
 his trade until his death. 
 
 Jeremiah Haines, our subject's father, was 
 born in Aaronsburg, about 1820, and was one of 
 five children — two sons and three daughters — 
 who lived to adult age. He was quite young 
 when his father died, leaving but little means, 
 and his early education was extremely limit- 
 ed, a fact which, in view of his later success 
 in lines requiring accurate knowledge of a kind 
 not commonly possessed, indicates unusual men- 
 tal power. He learned the tanner's trade near 
 Woodward, and with a cash capital of $100 
 started a tannery in the eastern end of Brush 
 Valley, where he remained until 1855, when he 
 removed to Rebersburg and bought out a tannery 
 owned by Henry Flickinger, and in connection 
 with this business he followed farming on a small 
 scale, as his purchase included sixteen acres of 
 land. He was a shrewd financier, and as a busi- 
 ness man was of more than ordinary ability. At 
 the time of his death he owned 550 acres of 
 land, which has been kept in the family. His 
 extensive business required a knowledge of cer- 
 tain legal points, upon which he posted himself 
 by reading. He was justice of the peace for 
 twenty years, and was looked upon as a man of 
 excellent judgment. His reading covered a wide 
 range, and his library contained many valuable 
 works on theology, in which he was well versed. 
 For many years he held the office of elder and 
 deacon in the Lutheran Church, and he always 
 contributed toward the work of that organiza- 
 
 tion. In politics he was a Democrat, but he did 
 not seek official honors. 
 
 Jeremiah Haines was twice married, first 
 time to Susan Brungart, daughter of George 
 and Salome (Kahl) Brungart, and two children 
 were born to this union: Emma, now Mrs. 
 Thomas E. Royer, of Miles township; and 
 George B., our subject. The mother died in 
 1862, and the father married a second wife, Mrs. 
 Sarah Heckman, nee Oswalt, widow of George 
 Heckman. She was also taken from him by 
 death, but left no children. Squire Haines was 
 a man of ordinary build, but above the average 
 height, and his health was uniformly good. His 
 death occurred quite suddenly in April, 1893, his 
 remains being buried in Rebersburg. He was 
 fond of his home and was of a peaceful disposi- 
 tion, conceding to every man the right to an 
 opinion, and if it happened to differ from his, he 
 made no effort to change it by argument. Many 
 of the noted men of Centre county were his per- 
 sonal friends, and a visit to Rebersburg by such 
 men was also marked by a visit to "Squire" 
 Haines. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was born August 
 6, 1849, six miles east of Rebersburg, and first 
 attended school in that town with Samuel Gram- 
 ley as his teacher. As soon as he was old enough 
 he began to learn the tanner's trade under his 
 father, work of various kinds being assigned him, 
 but his education was fair for his time, although 
 it was obtained in the common schools of Miles 
 township, and in the Rebersburg Normal School, 
 which was then in existence, he was licensed to 
 teach, but never taught. He lived at home with 
 his parents until the time of his marriage, but 
 never entirely completed the trade of a tanner, 
 although he was sufficiently familiar wi.th it to 
 perform work in almost any department. 
 
 In December, 1870, Mr. Haines was married 
 in Miles township to Miss Emma J. .Burkert, a 
 native of Miles township, born August 10, 1852, 
 a daughter of Jacob Burkert who is mentioned 
 more fully below. Mrs. Haines is a lady of fine 
 intellectual ability, and had a license as a teacher, 
 although she never entered the profession. After 
 his marriage, Mr. Haines located on his father's 
 farm in Brush Valley, and followed agriculture 
 for eighteen years; in the spring of 1888 he re- 
 moved to Rebersburg, where he now occupies 
 the old Burkert homestead, which he greatly im- 
 proved, remodeling the house and erecting a 
 new barn and other buildings. After the death 
 of his father, he and his brother-in-law were ap- 
 pointed executors to the estate. In addition to 
 his pleasant home in Rebersburg he has 200 
 acres of farming land. 
 
810 
 
 OOMMEMORA TIVB BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 Mr. Haines and his wife are leading members 
 cit the Lutheran Church, and he is a trustee of 
 that society. Their children are a credit to 
 them, all taking prominent places in social life: 
 William B. is a farmer of Miles township. 
 Charles M. isinglei resides in Baltimore, Md. 
 
 abeth L. is at home. Melville C, a licensed 
 teacher, lives at borne < >f these, William B. 
 was married in 1890 to Lida J. Oakes, and they 
 have one son, Harry O. , born in 1891. All the 
 rest are single. Mr. Haines is a Democrat in 
 politics, and, while not radical, is a stanch sup- 
 porter of his party, and has held various offices 
 in the township, his sound judgment .md well- 
 known public spirit making him a populai candi- 
 date 
 
 Jacob Burkert, the father of Mis Haines. 
 was an excellent citizen, noted for his liberality 
 and practical sagacity. I le was .1 hatter by trade, 
 and before coming to Brush Valley had lived in 
 Berks county, I'enn. Politically, he was .1 stead- 
 fast Republican, and he took a prominent part 
 in local affairs, serving ten years as justice of the 
 peace of Miles township, Centre county. He 
 and his wife, Elizabeth Smull, died in Rebers- 
 burg, each being about seventy-two years old, 
 and both sleep in the cemetery at that place. 
 Mrs Burkert was a devout member of the Re- 
 formed Church. Mr. and Mrs. Burkert had the 
 following children: Cyrus [., a ministei of tin 
 United Brethren Church, is presiding elder of 
 the Dayton (Ohio) district; George was a soldier 
 in the Civil war with the Bellefonte Invincibles, 
 and died in camp at Carlisle, Penn.; C. Milton, 
 now of Germantown, Ohio, was formerly a rail- 
 
 i conductor on the Yandalia route: John (.. 
 of Oskaloosa, Jefferson Co., Kans. , is probate 
 judge of his county; Edwin is a physician at 
 Dayton, Ohio; Clayton resides at Valley Palls, 
 Kans. ; Charles AaA m childhood; Elizabeth died 
 in infancy' Effinger died at the age of fifteen 
 years; and Emma J. now Mrs. Haines) completes 
 the family. 
 
 CHARLES LUCAS is one of the most enter- 
 prising, industrious and most highl) respi 
 farmers of Centre county, his home being at 
 Wallace Run, I iwnship. He was bom 
 
 one mile from that place September 30, 1833, and 
 is a representative of one of the honored pioi 
 families of the county 
 
 Joseph and Mary (McKibben) Lucas, grand- 
 parents of our subject, were natives of Merlin, 
 Pi mi., and came to Centre county at an early- 
 day. His parents, Charlesand Elizabeth Shirk) 
 Lucas, were natives of Centre county, spending 
 
 their entire lives in Bald Eagle Valley. The fa- 
 ther was the first white man who located there, 
 and crossed the Alleghany Mountains to what is 
 now known as Snow Shoe, Centre county. He 
 was a ship carpenter and a millwright, and went 
 with Perry as ship carpenter during the war of 
 1812-15, serving with that commander when he 
 won the famous naval victory. Mr. Lucas spent 
 his last days at fanning. In politics he was a 
 1 >< mocrat, but never sought office. He died on 
 Wallace run, in 1S75, at the age of seventy-eight 
 years, and his wife passed away in 1865. at the 
 age of seventy-four. They had live children: 
 fames M., a farmer of Centre county; Rebecca. 
 wife of Jacob Brovver, of Minnesota, Charles; 
 and Morgan, a farmer of Boggs tow nship 
 
 Charles Lucas, our subject, spent his hoy- 
 hood days in his parent's home, and attended the 
 district schools. He afterward engaged 111 lum- 
 bering and in farming, and was connected with 
 the nurseiv business for live years. At the age 
 of twenty-seven he left the old homestead, was 
 married and rented a farm in Union township, 
 whereon he resided some eight years. He then 
 purchased the old homestead, where he has since 
 lived, gi\ ing his time and attention to agricultural 
 pursuits. His life has been one of industry and 
 honest toil, and his 1 ml perseverance are 
 
 the factors which have brought to him his suc- 
 cess. On November 30, |S;S, lie married Kliza 
 Brower, who was horn in Union township, Cen- 
 tre county, February 4, 1840, a daughtei ol Will- 
 iam and Hannah Resides) Brower, also natives 
 of Centre county, when they spent their entire 
 lives. The father, who was a manufacturer of 
 charcoal, died in [869, at the age of seventy-two; 
 the mother died in 1 S 7 j . aged seventy-one years, 
 rhey had children as follows: Mary A., A Even- 
 son and [ohn, all dei ' t, widow of 
 James McClincy, of Centre county; Ellen, 
 
 ed wife of Benjamin 1 ' lizabeth, widow 
 
 of Hiram Talbert, of Union township; Jacob, of 
 Minnesota; William, deceased; Nancy, wife of 
 J M. Lucas; Sarah, deceased wife of Thon 
 McClincy, oi Oregon; Philip, afarmer "I Centre 
 county; Kliza; and Emeline, wife of Enoch 
 1 1 ugg, a men ham ol Milesburg. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Lucas became the parents of 
 nine children five ions and tour daughti 
 Edward, who is living in Pleasant Gap, Centn 
 county; Elizabeth, wife of William Johnson, of 
 Snow Shoe: Hannah, deceased wife of William 
 Rogers, of Tyrone; William E., Mary, diaries 
 S.. James s . Franklin M. and Maggie, all at 
 home. The mother of this family died April 
 1895, and her taking off was deeply mourned by 
 many friends as well as her immediate family 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 311 
 
 Mr. Lucas has served as school director for 
 the past five years, and takes a deep and com- 
 mendable interest in education, as well as all 
 things calculated to upbuild the community and 
 promote the general welfare. In politics he is a 
 Democrat. Religiously he is connected with the 
 United Brethren Church, and is serving as trus- 
 tee in the congregation in which he holds mem- 
 bership. He belongs to one of the oldest fam- 
 ilies of the county, and his own identification 
 therewith covers a period of almost two-thirds of 
 a century. He has not only been a witness of 
 much of the growth and development of the 
 county, but has ever borne his part in the work 
 of improvement, and is numbered among the 
 worthy and valued citizens of his section. 
 
 HENRY C. WARFEL, of Philipsburg, Cen- 
 tre county. Among the only series of 
 medals of honor granted by Congress for hero- 
 ism during the Civil war is one" inscribed: "The 
 Congress to Private Henry C. Warfel, Company 
 A, First Pa. Cavalry." The deed of valor thus 
 commemorated was in truth worthy of such dis- 
 tinguished notice, being the capture of the colors 
 of a Virginia regiment at the battle of Paines 
 Cross Roads, April 5, 1865. Private Warfel's 
 military record is one in which any American 
 would take pride, and the medal and the docu- 
 ments relating to his soldierly achievements are 
 cherished possessions. 
 
 The opening of the Civil war found Mr. War- 
 fel a boy of sixteen, an apprentice in a tin- 
 ner's shop at Alexandria, Huntingdon Co., Penn., 
 and notwithstanding his youth his heart was 
 fired with patriotic ardor, and he longed to do 
 battle in the defense of the Union. As the out- 
 look grew darker, and it was seen that the strug- 
 gle would be longer and more deadly than was at 
 first anticipated, he prepared to go, and in August, 
 1862, enlisted in response to the call for men for 
 nine months' service, joining Company I, 125th 
 P. V. I. His regiment was assigned to McClel- 
 lan's forces, and the time was mainly spent in 
 Maryland. His first term of enlistment was sig- 
 nalized by the fierce engagements at Antietam 
 and Chancellorsville; but nothing daunted by this 
 baptism of fire he re-enlisted, in 1863, in the 
 195th P. V. I., and was immediately transferred 
 to Company A, 1st P. V. C. He served until 
 the close of the war, participating in all the 
 movements of his regiment, including the cam- 
 paign before Petersburg, and was at Appomat- 
 tox at the time of Lee's surrender, also marched 
 in the Grand Review at Washington. After re- 
 ceiving his discharge on May 27, 1865, he re- 
 
 turned to his work as an apprentice, and when 
 his trade was learned was employed by a rail- 
 road company for about two years. A trip to 
 Illinois occupied six months, and in February, 
 1869, he went to Philipsburg, where he has ever 
 since followed his trade, and has established him- 
 self in business as a tinner and plumber. On 
 May, 15, 1892, he was commissioned postmaster 
 at Philipsburg, by President Harrison, and served 
 four years with ability and credit. A steadfast 
 Republican, he wields some influence in the 
 councils of the party in his locality, and he has 
 also been active in affairs in his borough, serving 
 as Burgess for four years. In religious faith he 
 is a Presbyterian. 
 
 Mr. Warfel was married in Philipsburg, in 
 1874, to Miss Sarah A. Du Bree, a native of 
 Bucks county, Penn., born in 1851. Three chil- 
 dren have brightened their home, of whom the 
 eldest, Emma D., is the only survivor. (2) Juni- 
 ata F. died in 1889 at the age of eight and 
 one-half years. (3) D. DuBree lived to the 
 age of only three years and two months. 
 
 The early life of our subject was spent in 
 Huntingdon county, Penn., where he was born 
 September 14, 1844, and he was educated in the 
 schools of Mill Creek district, His family has 
 been long established in Huntingdon county, his 
 grandfather, George Warfel, having settled there 
 in early manhood. He was of German descent, 
 but was a native of this State. He had a nu- 
 merous family of children, our subject's father 
 being the eldest, but the names of all are not now 
 recalled. John died at Frankstown, Blair coun- 
 ty; Philip is living in the West, probably in Iowa: 
 Margaret married Jacob Baker, of Alexandria, 
 Penn. ; and Sarah (deceased) was the wife of 
 Jacob Walters, of Huntingdon county. 
 
 Adam Warfel, the father of our subject, was 
 born in Huntingdon county in 181 3, and passed 
 his life there, his death occurring in 1880. By 
 occupation he was a blacksmith, and he was a 
 highly respected citizen, a member of the Bap- 
 tist Church, and an influential worker in the Re- 
 publican party. In 1863 he was elected county 
 commissioner. His wife, Barbara Foster, was 
 born in Bedford ccunty, Penn., in 1820, and is 
 now living near Huntingdon, Penn. Of their 
 children, eight lived to adult age, viz.: (1) Nancy 
 is the widow of Simon Bales, of Huntingdon 
 county; (2) George is a blacksmith in that coun- 
 ty; (3) Henry Clay is our subject; (4) James is a 
 clerk and bookkeeper in Pittsburg; (5) Elias H. 
 W. is a tinner in the same city; (6) William is 
 a blacksmith at Pittsburg; (7) John is a machin-' 
 ist in Philadelphia; and (8) Juniata is the wife of 
 H. H. Pensyl, of Altoona. 
 
312 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOQRAPMCAL RECORD. 
 
 DANIEL PONTIUS IRWIN is an enterprising 
 merchant of Julian, Centre county, whose 
 systematic methods, executive ability and sound 
 judgment, combined with energy and industry, 
 have made him one of the substantial citizens of 
 Huston township lb is a native of Pennsyl- 
 vania, born in Union county, December 10, 
 iSiS, and for man) years he has been identified 
 with the commercial interests of Centre i ounty. 
 
 John Irwin, father of our subject, was also 
 born in this State, of English parentage, his 
 father coming to this country from England be- 
 fore the Revolutionary war, in which struggle he 
 aided the Colonies, and died from the effects of 
 wounds received. In Union county, l'eiin.. 
 John Irwin married Catherine Pontius, also a 
 native ,,f Pennsylvania, a daughter of Andrew 
 and Dorothy Pontius, who spent their entire 
 lives in Union county Hei paternal grandpar- 
 ents were of German birth, and were among the 
 earliest settlers of that county. In (835, Mr. 
 and Mrs. [rwin came to < entre county, where he 
 engaged in farming until 1850, when they mi- 
 grated to Fayette county, Iowa, he carrying on 
 
 icultural pursuits there until his death, which 
 occurred in 1864, when he was aged eighty-one 
 years. The mother dud at West Union, Fay- 
 ette county, in 1867, at the age of seventy-o 
 I heir six children were .1- follows: Andrew, a 
 farmer, who died in Centre county. Penn. ; 
 [ames, a farmer ol ( edar Rapids, Iowa, where 
 he died; John, a deceased fanner of Iowa; Dan- 
 iel P., subject of this sketch; Rachel, deceased 
 wife of Hon 1'. F. Sturgis, a banker oi Iowa. 
 who represented his district in the Legislature; 
 and Louis, who died in Iowa 
 
 The boyhood of our subject was spent in 
 Union county, he attending the public schools 
 and assisting in the labors of the farm until six- 
 years of age, when he began serving an ap- 
 prenticeship to the carpenter's trade, which busi- 
 ness he followed lor live sears. He next en- 
 gaged in clerking in a mercantile establishment 
 in Bellefonte. Penn., where he remained i..i sev- 
 
 I years, and later was in partnership with 
 John B. Awl in the same business. Subsequently 
 he was bookkeeper for tin- Washington Iron Co. 
 lor a few years, and then again clerked in a store 
 at Hellefonte. Still later he engaged in mercan- 
 tile pursuits at Milesburg, Penn., until i860, 
 when he went to West Union, Iowa, where for 
 three years he served as bookkeeper. In 1 863 he 
 located at Julian, Penn., becoming railroad station 
 agent and conducting a general store, in partner- 
 ship with T. E. Griest, which connection con- 
 tinued for two years. He then purchased his 
 partner's interest, at the same time giving up the 
 
 station, and has since successfully conducted his 
 store alone. 
 
 On February 8, 1859, Mr. Irwin was united 
 in marriage with Miss Eliza G. Underwood, and 
 nine children blessed their union: John, born 
 January 4. i860, died January [2, 1861; Clara 
 M., born May 2, 1862. died July 29, 1862; 
 William I'., born July 9, 1863, is a prominent 
 physician of Julian; Edwin P., born October 28, 
 1865, is a hardware merchant of Tyrone, Penn.; 
 Louis O, born August 9, 1869, is engaged in the 
 same business in Bellefonte; Catharine Alvina, 
 born April 17, 1872, is at home; James B., born 
 April 9, 1875, died September 25, 1882; and 
 Alfred T., born December 23, 1877, and Charles 
 A., born December 1, 1880, are both at home. 
 
 Mis Irwin was born in Milesburg, Penn., Oc- 
 tober 28, 1839, and is the third child in the 
 family of Dr. William and Alvina (Griest Under- 
 wood, the others being as follows: Amanda, de- 
 ceased wife of Benjamin Rich, also deceased; 
 l'lmbe J., deceased wife of Leander driest. 
 Joseph, deceased; Newton, a lumber merchant of 
 Elizabeth City, N. C. ; and Hannah Alvina, de- 
 ceased wife of John G. Greenleaf, of Cleveland, 
 t >hio. 
 
 1 >r. William Underwood was born in York 
 county, Penn., October 7, 1811, and during his 
 mature years engaged in the practice of medicine 
 at Unionville, Penn He was also an extensive 
 lumber merchant, and built the plank roads from 
 Unionville to Tyrone, and from Julian over the 
 mountains to Beaver Mills, at a cost of $50,000. 
 He was one of the prominent and representative 
 business men of this section, was largely inter- 
 ested in the milling company at Beaver Mills, 
 and was the first president of the Bald Eagle 
 Valley railroad. For many years he was a 
 preacher in the Society of Friends. In Adams 
 county, Penn., Dr. Underwood married Alvina 
 Griest, a native of that counts, born 7th mo. 
 15th, 1812, died 3d mo. 31st, 1853, and he 
 later married her sister, Lorana Griest, who was 
 born in the same county, in 1820. One daugh- 
 ter was born to them: Ida, wife of EmmersOD 
 Bosworth, a railroad man of Buffalo, New York. 
 
 Politically, Mr. Irwin affiliates with the Dem- 
 ocratic part)-, and for three years he served as 
 postmaster at Julian, while for six years he was a 
 member of the school board. In religious belief 
 he is a Presbyterian; socially he has for man) 
 
 is been a member of the I. O. O. F. He 
 is liberal in his support of every worthy enter- 
 prise for the good of the community, is public- 
 spirited and progressive, and has the confidence 
 and high regard of all with whom he has come in 
 contact. 
 
 
 
(Z^Cjci^u/ ?Jt 
 
 J o^nn^J 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 313 
 
 iOBERT BEERLY. In past ages the his- 
 EL tory of a country was the record of wars 
 and conquests; to-day it is the record of com- 
 mercial activity, and those whose names are 
 foremost in its annals are the leaders in business 
 circles. Our subject is unquestionably one of the 
 strongest and most influential business men of 
 Centre county — the proprietor of a large wagon 
 factory at Central City — and the place which he 
 occupies in business circles is in the front rank. 
 
 Mr. Beerly was born December 21, 1837, in 
 Clinton county, Penn., and traces his ancestry 
 to Nicholas Beerly, a German astrologer. The 
 latter's son, Nicholas, was born in Pennsylvania, 
 and wedded Lucy A. Buchtel, also a native of 
 this State. Both died at Rebersburg. Their 
 son Peter, the father of our subject, was born in 
 Centre county. He married Sarah Karstetter, a 
 native of Clinton counfy, and a daughter of Ru- 
 dolph Karstetter, who died in that county. To 
 this worthy couple were born children as follows: 
 Robert, subject of this sketch; Rebecca, widow 
 of David Watson, of Boggs township; Masulam, 
 who died in the army in 1863; Nathaniel, a mer- 
 chant and justice of the peace of Central City; 
 Tartonlius, deceased; Agnes, wife of Byron Tay- 
 lor, of Boggs township; Lemuel, of Boggs town- 
 ship; and Newton, who died in childhood. The 
 death of both parents occurred in Boggs town- 
 ship, the father dying in 1868, at the age of 
 fifty- four years; the mother in 1889, at the age 
 of seventy-three years. He was a wagon manu- 
 facturer by trade, working at the same in Clinton 
 county until 1847, when he located in Centre 
 county, and in i860 became a resident of Boggs 
 township, where he carried on wagon making 
 and repairing until his death. His political sup- 
 port was given the Republican party. 
 
 As a life work Mr. Beerly chose the occupa- 
 tion of wagon-making, which trade he learned 
 under his father's able directions, and in the dis- 
 trict schools he obtained his literary education, 
 which was somewhat meagre, he being the oldest 
 son, and obliged to assist in the support of the 
 family. He continued with his father ■ until 
 his marriage, when he removed to Milesburg, 
 where, for five years, he worked for Jonathan 
 Bullock, and then returned to Boggs township, 
 and here, for twenty-one years, carried on oper- 
 ations at his father's old plant. In 1890, how- 
 ever, he erected his present steam factory, which 
 he has since successfully operated with the assist- 
 ance of his two sons, Albert and Ellis, and enjoys 
 a large and lucrative patronage. He has the 
 most complete wagon factory in the county, and 
 for the past nineteen years has also engaged in 
 the manufacture of cider. Tireless energy, keen 
 
 perception, honesty of purpose, genius for devis- 
 ing and executing the right thing at the right 
 time, joined to every-day common sense, guided 
 by resistless will power, are the chief character- 
 istics of the man, and have been the important 
 factors in his success. 
 
 In 1 86 1, Mr. Beerly was united in marriage 
 with Miss Hannah J. Worts, and to them were 
 born three sons and two daughters, as follows: 
 Roland, who died in childhood; Laura, who died 
 at the age of thirty years; Albert, associated with 
 his father in business; Cora, who died when 
 young; and Ellis, also with his father. Mrs. 
 Beerly was born in Centre county, July 20, 1835, 
 and is one of the thirteen children of Jacob and 
 Annie (Hanser) Worts, also natives of Centre 
 county. In order of birth the children are as 
 follows: Barbara married J. Moore, and both 
 are now deceased; John is also deceased; Eliza 
 is the wife of J. McGonigle; Jacob is deceased; 
 Samuel lives in Houserville, Centre county; 
 Mattie; George; Joe; Philip, also of Houserville; 
 Catherine is deceased; Mary is the wife of Will- 
 iam Gross, of Centre county; Abraham is a 
 farmer of Perry county, Penn. ; and Hannah J. is 
 the wife of our subject. The father was a prom- 
 inent farmer of Centre county, and a stalwart 
 Republican in politics. 
 
 Since 1864, Mr. Beerly has lived at his pres- 
 ent home, and has been elected to several town- 
 ship offices, but has declined to accept the same, 
 as political distinction has no attraction for him. 
 Until the past nine years he was a Republican, 
 but he now affiliates with the Prohibition party. 
 His religious views are those of the Presbyterian 
 Church, but at present he is connected with no 
 Church organization. A man of fine musical 
 talent, he has won several prizes at musical 
 contests, and is a prominent member of a band 
 and an excellent orchestra. He is one of the 
 representative citizens of the community, held 
 in the highest regard by all who know him 
 
 ISAAC BECK. Prominent among the repre- 
 sentative citizens and respected men of Half 
 Moon township, Centre county, is found the 
 subject of this biographical notice, who has a 
 valuable farm of 160 acres. This is well im- 
 proved and highly cultivated, and shows conclu- 
 sively that the owner has not mistaken his calling 
 in adopting agriculture. 
 
 Mr. Beck was born in Half Moon township, 
 October8, 1835, a son of Daniel and Elizabeth 
 (Cryder) Beck, who are now deceased, the 
 former having died in 1883, the latter in 1884, 
 and were laid to rest in the Lutheran cemetery, 
 
314 
 
 COMMEMORA TIVE BIOGliM'lW M. UECORD. 
 
 in Half Moon township. They were of German 
 descent, born near the city of Warriors Mark, 
 Huntingdon Co., Penn., and were the parents of 
 seven children. Our subject is indebted to the 
 public schools of Centre county for his educa- 
 tional privileges, and upon the home farm be- 
 came familiar with agricultural pursuits, which 
 he decided to make his life work. 
 
 On Octobei. 21, 1859, Mr. Beck married 
 Miss Barbara Rider, a daughter of Michael and 
 Barbara Rider, of Gatesburg, Penn. Her father 
 was born in Dauphin county, this State, Febru- 
 ary 18, 1797, and died January 30, 1881, while 
 her mother was bom November 15, 1799. m 
 Lebanon county, Penn., and departed this life 
 March 9, 1874. In their family were twi 
 children, namely: Mary, born August 2, 1817, 
 died August 22, [869; Catharine was born Janu- 
 ary 29, 1821; Elizabeth, born December 21, 
 1822, died May 8, 1883; Lydia, l»>rn December 
 25, 1824, died September II, 1890; Sarah A . 
 
 11 December 13, 1826, died November 23, 
 1890; Jacob K., born February 15, 1829, makes 
 his home in Gatesburg, Centre county; Michael 
 C, born March 14, 1832, lives in Nebraska; 
 Nancy, born August [3, (834, is the wife of 
 Samuel Musser, of Fairbrook, Centre county; 
 John (,., bom Mas 15, [836, is a resident of 
 
 tesburg; Barbara, born April 22, 1838, is the 
 honored wife of our subject ; Mathias, born April 
 28, 184(1. also makes his home at Gatesburg; 
 and Ellen, born April 2;. 1843, is the wife of 
 William Hastings, of the same place. 
 
 Four children grace the union of Mr and 
 Mrs. Beck, as follows: 111 Elmer E., born 
 September 3, 1861, was married January 8, 
 [891, to Alice Whippo, bj whom he has three 
 children, and is now serving as superintendent 
 of the farm in connection with the Huntingdon 
 Reformatory, oi Huntingdon county, Penn. 
 Mar} E., born October 1, [863, was married 
 June 27, iNS.,, to J. E. Corle, a clerk in the 
 postal service, and they have two children: Sa- 
 lome and Barbara 1. (3 William !■'., born 
 January i8, [866, married Sarah Campbell, 
 daughter of Cornel: tnpbell, of Altoona, 
 
 Blair Co., Penn.; (4) Daniel J., born June 4, 
 [869, is still at home with his parents. 
 
 Mr. Beck has been an ardent Republican in 
 
 politics from the time he voted for Lincoln in 
 
 1, and takes a deep interest in the success of 
 
 his party; since the organization of the Grange in 
 
 his community he has been identified with that 
 
 ivement; in religious faith he is an active and 
 faithful member of the Lutheran Church. He 
 is one of the most popular citizens of Half Moon 
 township, thoroughly honest, upright and reli- 
 
 able, and is highly honored and respected by all 
 who have the pleasure of his acquaintance. In 
 his beautiful home hospitality abounds, the fam- 
 ily delighting to entertain their many friends 
 
 RB. B< >< IB, a leading blacksmith of Aarons- 
 burg, was born December 13, 1845. in 
 Hartley township, Union Co., Penn., and is a 
 son of Adam and Susannah (Adams) Boob, the 
 former born in the same county July 14, 1815, 
 and the latter in Dauphin county, this State, 
 April 26, 1821. The paternal grandfather was 
 Michael Boob, while the mother's father was 
 Samuel Adams. 
 
 Adam Boob was reared amid humble sur- 
 roundings in the county of his nativity . as his 
 parents were in limited circumstances, and after 
 his marriage located upoft a small tract of land 
 near Laurelton, Union county, when- h< worked 
 at the mason's trade and later engaged in farm- 
 ing. He is now the owner of a small farm in 
 that county, where he still makes his home, and 
 is well preserved for one of his years. His po- 
 litical support is ever given men and measures of 
 the Democratic party, and in religion he is a 
 German Baptist. His faithful wife was called to 
 her final rest in the spring of [895. 
 
 In their family were the following children: 
 Hannah, born August 24, 1838, is the wife of 
 [ohn Pick, of Union county; Levi, born April 3, 
 1840. lost his arm in the Union service while a 
 member of Company A, 148th P. V. I., and died 
 in Union county from accidental shooting while 
 bear hunting; William, bom February 13. 1842, 
 was also a member of Company A, 148th P. V.I., 
 was wounded and died in a Rebel prison; Na- 
 thaniel, born October 24, 1843, was a member 
 ot the same company, and is now a resident of 
 Union county; K B., of this sketch, is next in 
 order of birth; Ellen, born July [6, 1847, is the 
 wife of Joseph Hartley, of Union county; Sarah, 
 horn December 17. 1851, married William Heck, 
 and died in Shingletown, Penn. : Frank, born 
 November 21, [854, is a farmer of Union coun- 
 ty; Amanda, born November \ '■,. 1857, is the 
 wife of Joseph Smith, of Juniata county. Penn. j 
 and Maria, born July 6, [861. is the wit 
 John Frederick, of Union counts 
 
 The educational privileges of our subject 
 were rather limited, and the schools which he 
 attended were much inferior to those of the pres- 
 ent day. Until eighteen years of age he 
 mained upon the home farm, assisting in its de- 
 velopment and cultivation, and then began learn- 
 ing the blacksmith s trade at Mifflinburg, Penn., 
 in the shop of Miller, Diehl & Co., his compen- 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 315. 
 
 sation to be $60 for two years, but for the eight- 
 een months he was with them only received $30. 
 The following eight months he worked for Isaac 
 Sellers, of the same place, and then formed a 
 partnership with Perry Catherman, but after 
 conducting a shop in Mifflinburg for a few 
 months the connection was discontinued, our 
 subject being alone for a short time. Coming 
 to Centre county, he opened a smithy in the 
 country near Hartleton, but a year later located 
 in Aaronsburg, buying out the business of John 
 C. Stover in March, 1871. He has greatly en- 
 larged his shop, adding coachmaking to the reg- 
 ular blacksmith business, and has built up a fine 
 trade, which his skillful work justly merits. 
 
 In Mifflinburg, September 19, 1867, Mr. 
 Boob was married to Miss Sarah Sheary, who 
 was born in East Buffalo township, Union coun- 
 ty, September 5, 1844, a daughter of George E. 
 and Leah (Young) Sheary. Three children have 
 come to bless their union: William W. , born 
 June 15, 1868, is a carriage hardware jobber of 
 Centre Hall, Penn., and a wide-awake, energetic 
 young business man; Lewis E., born December 
 24, 1874, is also a promising young man, pos- 
 sessing excellent musical talent; George C. , born 
 October 25, 1881, completes the family. 
 
 At the time of his marriage, Mr. Boob had 
 not a dollar with which to begin housekeeping, 
 and went in debt for his home, which cost $2,300; 
 but being an honest, hard-working man, he soon 
 paid off the indebtedness and has secured a com- 
 fortable competence, all through his own unaided 
 exertions. Originally he was a Democrat in 
 politics, but since 1892 has supported the Prohi- 
 bition party, as it embodies his views on the tem- 
 perance question. He is now serving his second 
 term as water works trustee, and is a valued and 
 efficient member of the school board. Since 
 1863 his wife has been a consistent member of 
 the Lutheran Church, while he is a Methodist in 
 religious belief. They have made many friends 
 since coming to Aaronsburg, and by all who know 
 them are held in the highest regard. 
 
 HENRY CLAY HOLTER, a veteran of ' the 
 Civil war, and a prominent resident of 
 
 of Howard borough, Centre county, is a descend- 
 ant of three well-known pioneer families. On the 
 paternal side, his grandfather, Jacob Holter, Sr. , 
 who was born in Maryland in 1776, came to Cen- 
 tre county in 1800, and opened a blacksmith 
 shop in Howard township, where he later en- 
 gaged in farming. He died at the age of eighty- 
 six years. His first wife, who was a Miss Miller, 
 died leaving two children, and he afterward mar- 
 
 ried Miss Catherine Neff, a native of the Bald 
 Eagle Valley, who died at the age of eighty- five 
 years. 
 
 By this last union there were eleven children, 
 among whom was a son, Jacob, Jr., the father of 
 our subject, who was born January 19, 18 19, 
 and lived in Howard township until recent years, 
 having now retired to Liberty township, in the 
 same county. In his more active days he was a 
 successful agriculturist, and also took an influen- 
 tial part in local affairs and in the Republican 
 party, serving as school director, overseer of the 
 poor and supervisor. He married Miss Cath- 
 erine Pletcher, a native of Howard township, and 
 a daughter of Henry and Magdalena (Schenck) 
 Pletcher, who were born, reared and married in 
 Lancaster county, Penn., but located in 1796 
 upon a farm in Howard township and made their 
 permanent home. Mrs. Catherine Holter died 
 at the old homestead September 9, 1889, aged 
 seventy-four years, six months and eighteen days. 
 She was a devout Christian, and for forty-nine 
 years had been a member of the Mennonite 
 Church, to which her husband has belonged for 
 about fifty years. 
 
 To Jacob Holter, Jr., and his wife, Catherine 
 (Pletcher), were born children as follows: 11) 
 Joseph L., a resident of Howard, married Mar- 
 tha Kaup, and has one child — Anna J. (2) 
 Henry C. is our subject; (3) Michael P., a car- 
 penter at Howard, married Susan B. Schenck, 
 and seven children were born to them — Minnie 
 M., Lydia J. (Mrs. Pletcher), Charles E., Albert 
 L. , James A., Samuel B. , and Herbert J., who 
 died September 28, 1895. (4) John B., a stone 
 mason and plasterer, of Howard, married Carrie 
 B. Smith (no children). (5) Magdalena died in 
 1852. (6) Catherine M. married Isaac Williams, 
 a barber at Eagleville, Penn., and has had eight 
 children — Harry G., Shuman S., Eliza C. , 
 Henry S., Dela, Frankie, Laura and John J. (7) 
 Nancy J. married Albert Schenck, a farmer of 
 Liberty township, Centre county, and had seven 
 children, all yet living — Carrie, May (Mrs. 
 Coder; she has two children — Albert and Rey- 
 nold), Elsie, Wilber, Catherine, Irvine and 
 Viola; Mrs. Nancy J. Schenck died March 11, 
 1893. (8) Christian died in infancy. (9) Jacob 
 S., a plasterer at Howard, married Mary E. Mil- 
 ler, and has one child — Sherman M. (10) Mary 
 A. married Bower Schenck, a farmer of Liberty 
 township, and they have three children — Charles, 
 Morris and Lydia. (11) Susan E. married J. Z. 
 Loder, of Howard, and they also have three 
 children — Joseph M., Mary B. and Mabel E. 
 
 The subject of our sketch was born Septem- 
 ber 21, 1843, and remained at the old home in 
 
 
816 
 
 COMMKMOItA TIVK I!l<><; UM'll KM. UECORD. 
 
 Howard township, Centre county, until he was 
 about nineteen years of age, assisting in the farm 
 work and attending the neighboring schools. He 
 displayed decided mechanical ability, and making 
 choice of the carpenter's trade began an appren- 
 ticeship in [862. The "dark days" of the Re- 
 bellion were drawing on, and every loyal man 
 felt the prompting within to aid as he could in 
 the preservation of the Union. Young as he was. 
 Mr Holter left the carpentei s lunch after six 
 months of his apprenticeship had passed, and 
 went to the front as a member of Company I >. 
 45th P. V. I., under Capt. Austin Curtin. He 
 continued in the service until the army was dis- 
 banded, and received but one wound, and that a 
 slight "lie, although he saw much severe fighting, 
 especially in the battles of the Wilderness, 
 Spottsylvania, Bethesda Church, Cold Harbor, 
 North Anna, the long struggle before Petersburg 
 and the final combat with Lee's forces. He was 
 mustered out July 17, 1865. but he has since 
 
 n for some time a member of the 46th Ri 
 ment Pennsylvania Militia. In [876 he joined 
 Centre County Veteran Club. 
 
 On his return from the war Mr. Holter re- 
 sumed his work as an apprentice, and completed 
 his preparation for his trade, which lie has since 
 
 followed successfully, six sawmills being ai ig 
 
 Ins list of large buildings constructed. In [876 
 he added undertaking; and in this branch of 
 work he formed a partnership in 1892 with J. H 
 Schenck. Mr. Holter is highly esteemed in busi- 
 ness circles, but his popularity does not end 
 there by any means. To mention the various 
 offices which he has held would be to enumerate 
 all the important places on the local ticket. He 
 has been school director nine years; town coun- 
 cilman six years; overseer of the door two years; 
 chid burgess one term; assessor one year; 
 county collector two years; supervisor one year; 
 and for three years was secretary of the school 
 board. He is a prominent member of the Grand 
 Army Post, No. 262, at Howard, and served five 
 years as commander and three as adjutant. He 
 also held the leading offices in the Patriotic 
 Order Sons of America before their disbandment. 
 While he is not identified with any Church, he 
 gives generous support to all religious and phil- 
 anthropic enterpi i 
 
 On June 30, 1868, Mr. Holter married Miss 
 Mary E. Hall, who was born June 30, 1849, the 
 daughter of Robert and Mary (Armegast) Hall, 
 natives and lifelong residents of Union town- 
 ship, Centre county. Mr. and Mrs. Holter have 
 a bright, clever family of children. The eldest, 
 Daniel W., born April 26, 1869, is at home; 
 Frank E., born February II, 1872, died May 5. 
 
 1874; Nannie K., born January 16, 1874, mar- 
 ried Lot Thompson, of Liberty township. Cen- 
 tre county, and their children were — Annie M., 
 horn June 2, 1895, died November 23, 1895; 
 George C, born June 21, 1896; and Clarence 
 Cameron, born December 1 , 1 897 ; Lizzie M. , born 
 August 1, 1875, is a successful school teacher, 
 and resides with her parents; John S., born 
 March 7, 1877, is an intelligent young man with 
 fine literary taste, and is now employed as clerk 
 inthe "Syracuse Hotel'' at Howard; Robert B., 
 born January 19, 1879, is at home; Ella L., born 
 May 23, 1881, died March 13, 1897 (She was 
 a member of the M. E. Church and Epworth 
 League); Mary A., horn June 18, 1883, is at 
 home; [acob L. , born April 12, 1885. died De- 
 cember 26, 1888; David A., born February 19, 
 1887, Philip C, born January 28, 1889, Simon 
 ('. B., born September 4. 1892, and Henry W . 
 born July 26, 1894, are at home. 
 
 JESSE CLEAVER, one of the representative 
 ml prominent citizens of the borough of 
 Unionville, Centre county, is a native of that 
 county, born February 5, 1844, on the banks of 
 tie Bald Fagle creek, not far from the present 
 site of Unionville. He traces his ancestry back 
 
 [oshua (leaver, who came to America from 
 Wales, locating in New Jersey. He wedded 
 net , who lost her membership in 
 
 the Society of Friends by her marriage, he being 
 a member of the Church of England. He died in 
 1783, at Philadelphia, leaving his widow with 
 lour children. Nathan, Jesse, Eunice and An- 
 drew. 
 
 Tlu' youngest of this family. Andrew 1 
 was bound out to Benjamin Tompkins, of Bucks 
 
 ity, Penn., with whom he remained until 
 reaching the age of twenty-one, and then r< 
 turned to his mother. He married Hannah 
 Clark, a daughter of William and Hannah 
 (lark, and one of their twelve children was Will- 
 iam, the father of our subject. The grandfather 
 was born December 4, 1783, and died Januan 8, 
 [84P, about one mile east of Curwensville, Penn. 
 He was laid to rest in the Friends cemetery at 
 Grampian Hills, Clearfield county. 
 
 William (leaver was born in Clearfield, 
 Penn., April 20, 181 1, and died March 30, 1857. 
 He was tour times married, his first wife being 
 Anna Was, whom he wedded in Centre county, 
 and they had one son. Thomas W., who was 
 born October 13, 1S34, and is now a farmer of 
 Bedford county, Penn. After the death of his 
 first wife, Mr. Cleaver married Keziah Griest, of 
 Bald Eagle Valley, who was born September 3, 
 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 317 
 
 1810, and died May 14, 1846. She was a daugh- 
 ter of Amos and Phoebe (Swain) Griest, natives 
 of Chester county, Penn. , who removed to York 
 county, where her father spent his remaining 
 days. By this union Mr. Cleaver had three 
 children: Charles G., who was born November 
 22, 1 84 1, and is now engaged in farming in Bed- 
 ford county, Penn.; Jesse, subject of this sketch; 
 and a daughter who died in infancy. For his 
 third wife, Mr. Cleaver wedded Hannah Kirk, of 
 Lumber City, Clearfield county, and to them 
 was born a son, Isaac K., now residing in the 
 State of Washington, whose birth occurred March 
 28, 1850. After her death he married Louisa 
 Garretson, widow of Isaac Garretson, and one 
 child graced their union: William P., born in 
 February, 1857. 
 
 Jesse Cleaver obtained a good practical edu- 
 cation in the common and select schools of his 
 day, and subsequently followed the profession of 
 teaching during the winter seasons, while the 
 summer months were spent in agricultural pur- 
 suits. Soon after the death of his mother he 
 went with his father to Clearfield county, where 
 he remained until the latter was called to his final 
 rest in 1857. He then made his home with 
 friends for about thiee or four years, after which 
 he served a three-years' apprenticeship under a 
 carpenter and cabinet maker of Curwensville, 
 and later followed those occupations for a time. 
 During the oil excitement he was induced to go 
 to the oil regions, where he assisted in the erec- 
 tion of many of the first derricks and engine 
 houses in the famous Pithole City, which rose, 
 flourished and faded, as it were, in a day. Later, 
 for a time, he boated oil on Oil creek and the Al- 
 legheny' river to Franklin. In the meanwhile he 
 had studied surveying under the direction of an 
 old and competent surveyor, and has now for 
 over twenty-two years followed that occupation. 
 
 On March 31, 1869, Mr. Cleaver was united 
 in marriage with Miss Edith Wickersham, of 
 Adams county, Penn., and the names and dates 
 of births of their children are as follows: Eva W. , 
 August 17, 1870; Florence N., September 9, 
 1872; Bertha K., August 23, 1876; and Edgar 
 W., June 29, 1 88 1. They are all still at home 
 with their parents, and constitute a most inter- 
 esting family. 
 
 Mrs. Cleaver was born in York county, Penn., 
 September 22, 1835, a daughter of Abner and 
 Anne (Griest) Wickersham, who spent their en- 
 tire lives in that county. The father was born 
 September 11, 1788, and died February 9, 1853. 
 He was married in March, 1821, to Anna Griest, 
 who was born May 16, 1796, and died April 25, 
 1863. Mr. Wickersham studied medicine, but 
 
 never engaged in its practice, turning his atten- 
 tion exclusively to agricultural pursuits. He 
 was a son of James and Sarah (Garrison) Wick- 
 ersham, who were born in Chester county, and 
 spent their last days in York county. The pa- 
 ternal great-great-grandfather of Mrs. Cleaver 
 was of English birth; her maternal great-grand- 
 father, John Griest, came from England, and his 
 son Willing (her grandfather) was born near 
 Wilmington, Del. The latter married Anne Mc- 
 Millan, a native of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Cleaver 
 is one of a family of four children, the others 
 being as follows: Maria (born March 15, 1822, 
 died July 27, 1890), married William Cook, also 
 deceased; Josiah (born May 12, 1825, died Feb- 
 ruary 19, 1882), and Mary A. (born May 15, 
 1 831) is a resident of Adams county, Pennsyl- 
 vania. From the age of sixteen years until 1891 
 (with the exception of two years at boarding 
 school) Mrs. Cleaver successfully engaged in 
 teaching, at different times having charge of 
 both public and select schools. She is a highly 
 cultured and refined lady, who with her husband 
 belongs to the Society of Friends. 
 
 In politics Mr. Cleaver is an ardent Repub- 
 lican, and is now the candidate of that party for 
 the office of county surveyor, for which position 
 he is eminently fitted, as by private surveying he 
 is thoroughly familiar with the lands of Centre 
 county. In all respects he is accounted as a 
 useful and desirable member of society, and is 
 universally held in high esteem. 
 
 JOHN A. STOVER, who is probably one of 
 the most highly respected agriculturists of 
 Walker township, Centre county, has been an 
 important factor in the development of the com- 
 munity, promoting its material and moral inter- 
 ests. His parents, George and Catharine (Welt- 
 barger) Stover, were of German descent, and 
 born near Spring Mills, Centre county. He was 
 the eldest of their four children. (2) Benjamin, 
 a farmer, living at Centre Hill, Centre county, 
 married Sadie Byrd, and has four children — 
 three sons and one daughter. (3) Howard, a 
 farmer of Madisonburg, in the same county, 
 wedded Mary Klinefelter, and has two children — 
 Clark and Maud. (4) Samuel, whose home is on 
 a farm near Zion, Centre county, married Emma 
 Hull, and has two children — James and Mary. 
 
 Our subject was born near Farmers Mills, 
 Centre county, and in the usual manner of farmer 
 boys he was reared to manhood. In 1865 he 
 was united in marriage with Miss Eliza Markel, 
 who died in 1870, leaving two children — one son 
 and one daughter: Catharine, born October 7, 
 
818 
 
 ' OitMEMORATIVB BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 [867, is now the wife of Noah Breon.'a farmer 
 of Walker township, and they have two chil- 
 dren — Elmer and Mary; Samuel W., born April 
 21, 1870, is still at home with his father. For 
 his second wife, Mi Stovei wedded Johanna 
 Dietz, in 1873. Her father, Jacob Dietz, by 
 occupation a farmer, was a native of Germany, 
 and in early manhood came to America, where he 
 married. By Mr. Stover's second marriage there 
 1- a son, Harry, born June 2, 1 S 7 5 . and married 
 to Kate rate, of Nitt 
 
 Mr. Stover has an excellent farm of twenty- 
 five acres in Walker township, near Hublersburg, 
 which he has under a high state of cultivation 
 and well improved with good buildings. Like 
 his ancestors for the last half century, he is a 
 stalwart Democrat in politics, always casting his 
 ballot with that organization. A sincere and 
 ■conscientious Christian, he is a worthy member 
 of the German Reformed Church, and is in fa- 
 vor of any movement tending to benefit the com- 
 munity, or calculated to elevate the tone of so- 
 ciety m general. By his neighbors he is classed 
 among the leading agriculturists of Walker town- 
 ship, and by his honorable upright life has gained 
 many friends. 
 
 S. SHAFFER, the able and popular post- 
 master at Madisonburg, Centre county, is 
 a member oi one of our oldest and best-known 
 
 families. 
 
 [ohn Adam and Sarah (Kern) Shaffer, grand- 
 parents of our subject, were pioneer settlers in 
 Brush Valley, Centre county, and their son, 
 Adam Shaffer, Jr., our subject's father, was born 
 September 12, 1815, at the "old Shaffer hon 
 near Madisonburg, and was in his day one of the 
 leading men of the community, a successful 
 farmer and influential D and a generous 
 
 friend to every form oi local improvement. Al- 
 though the late Adam Shaffer was reared as a 
 farmer's boy. with but limited educational ad- 
 vantages, his native abilities enabled him to 
 gather a goodly fund of practical information 
 upon various subjects, and his shrewd judgment 
 and well-known public spirit caused him to be 
 selected by his fellow-citizens to different local 
 offices, including those of overseer oi thi 
 assessor, tax collector, school director and super- 
 visor, notwithstanding the fact that he cared 
 little for public honors. He was a regular voter, 
 considering it every citizen's duty to register his 
 choice of men and measures. He was a large, 
 well-built man, robust and a hard worker, ai 
 complishing much more by his systematic man- 
 agement than others could in the same time. 
 \>ide from a short trip in the Wesl his life was 
 
 spent in his native locality, and largely upon the 
 homestead which he rented for some years pre- 
 vious to his father's death, and then purchased 
 from the other heirs. In 1874 he bought an- 
 other home in the same locality, where he passed 
 his declining years. His death occurred in Feb- 
 ruary, 1889. and his remains now rest in the 
 cemetery at Madisonburg. 
 
 < >n September i j, 1 840, he was married to 
 Miss Mary Schmeltzer, daughter of George and 
 Margaret fBeckle) Schmeltzer (of whom more 
 
 tided mention is made below). She still 
 occupies the home which his thoughtful care 
 prepared for her. Both united with the Luth- 
 eran Church in youth, and became devout and 
 consistent followers of its teachings, and liberal 
 contributors to its work. Adam Shaffer held 
 various offices in the Church, and for twenty 
 years was superintendent of the Sunday-school. 
 It was never his habit to say to his children "Go 
 to Sunday-school "the persuasive " come ", being 
 typical of his attitude in leading them into paths 
 of right doitif,'. to which his own feet were famil- 
 iar. ( )f four children, our subject was the eldest; 
 (2) Maggie married C. F. Yearick, and died in 
 Marion township, Centre county; (3) Hmma, 
 now Mrs. J. W. Hazel, resides at Spring Mills; 
 1 1 1 1 ".His S. lives in Madisonburg. 
 
 U, S. Shaffer was born at the old home in 
 Miles township, Centre county. May 21, 18 
 and his early education was obtained mainly in 
 Madisonburg, his first teacher being Jonathan 
 Shaffer. His limitations in this respect have 
 made him an earnest supporter of better facili- 
 ties for the youth of to-day. At eighteen he 
 was examined and licensed to teach, and a sec- 
 ond application for a certificate proved success- 
 ful also, but he never taught school. Two trips 
 were taken to the West, during which he visited 
 
 its m Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin. 
 but he has been too much attached to the old 
 home to leave it permanently, On December 
 25, 1873, he was married in Marion township. 
 Centre county, to Miss Mary Yearick, who was 
 born August 25, [850, daughter of Henry and 
 Catherine (Linebaugh) Yearick. The young 
 couple settled at the "old Sclimelt/er farm,' 
 then the propertj oi our subject's parents, and 
 after renting for some years he purchased, in 1 8f 
 the "old Shaffer farm,'' which he sold after- 
 ward to buy his present farm of 148 acres in 
 Miles township, Centre county, a fine estate 
 with good buildings showing liberal and progress- 
 ive management. In the spring of 1890 Mr 
 Shaffer bought a pleasant residence in Madison- 
 burg, where he has since resided. Two children 
 — Estella A., and Ellis B. — brighten the home; 
 
 , 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 319 
 
 the latter had a twin brother, who died in infan- 
 cy, unnamed. 
 
 Mr. Shaffer and his wife found a ready wel- 
 come in the best social circles of their new 
 home. Mrs. Shaffer is a member of the Re- 
 formed Church, but our subject is a Lutheran, 
 at present holding the offices of elder and super- 
 intendent of the Sunday-school, and since he 
 was sixteen years old he has been an active 
 worker therein as an official. He is a great 
 reader, and keeps well-informed upon the issues 
 of the day. Politically, he is a stanch Demo- 
 crat, and he has held various positions, serving 
 as tax collector at his old home and as school 
 director in the Madisonburg district. In July, 
 1893, he was appointed to his present office of 
 postmaster, and in the discharge of his duties he 
 displays ability and faithfulness. In the councils 
 of his party his advice is highly valued, and he 
 takes an unfailing interest in the practical work 
 of the organization. 
 
 Mrs. Adam Shaffer, our subject's mother, is a 
 member of the well-known Schmeltzer family, 
 which is now without a male representative in 
 Miles township, Centre county, where her ances- 
 tors were early settlers. Her grandfather, Con- 
 rad Schmeltzer, was born February 27, 1768, in 
 Germany, where he was married in early man- 
 hood to Miss Margaret Cinder, also a native of 
 the Fatherland, born December 17, 1767. They 
 were poor, and in order to make their way to 
 the wider opportunities of this new country they 
 mortgaged their labor as is shown by the follow- 
 ing copy of an indenture which is preserved by 
 U. S. Shaffer as an interesting relic of the past : 
 
 Philadelphia. 
 
 This indenture Witnesseth — That Conrad Schmeltzer 
 and Margaret, his wife, of their own free will have put them- 
 selves as servants to Henry and Fdk. Spang — for the consider- 
 ation of forty-one pounds, three-eighths of which paid George 
 Meade for their passage from Rotterdam — as also for other 
 good causes the said Conrad and Margaret Schmeltzer have 
 bound and put themselves, and by their presents do bind 
 and put themselves, servants to the said Henry and Fdk. 
 Spang, to serve them, their executors and assigns from the 
 day and date hereof for and during the full term of Three 
 \ears and six months from thence next ensuing. During all 
 which term the said servants, their said masters, their execu- 
 tors, or assigns, faithfully shall serve, and that honestly, and 
 obediently in all things, as good and dutiful servants ought 
 to do. And the said Henry and Fdk. Spang, their executors 
 and assigns, during the said term shall find and provide for 
 the said servants, sufficient meat, drink, apparel, washing, 
 and lodging, and at the expiration of their terms they shall 
 give said servants two complete suits of clothes (one whereof 
 to be new), or fifteen pounds specie in lieu of the new suits, 
 likewise to give them a cow. And for the true performance 
 hereof both the said parties bind themselves unto each 
 other by the said present. Two witnesses whereof they 
 have hereunto interchangeably set their hands and seals. 
 Dated the twenty-seventh day of August, seventeen hundred 
 ami ninety-one. Conrad Schmeltzer, 
 
 Lewis Farmer, Margaret Schmeltzer. 
 
 Register. 
 
 The young couple arrived in the United States 
 in the spring of 1 791 , and in February, 1795, 
 they were free to seek a home for themselves. 
 For some time Conrad Schmeltzer worked as a 
 forgeman, having previously become familiar 
 with that business, and in this manner he secured 
 money to buy his first land, a new farm in what 
 is now Kelly township, Union county. Their 
 first home was a humble cabin, but their industry 
 and economy brought prosperity, and it was re- 
 placed by a large stone house, which is still stand- 
 ing. He had a good store of gold and silver 
 also, and as his sons grew to manhood he deter- 
 mined to secure land for them. A trip through 
 Ohio and Indiana failed to show a suitable loca- 
 tion, and returning to Pennsylvania he bought a 
 tract in Brush Valley a short distance west of 
 Madisonburg and extending from mountain to 
 mountain. To this place Conrad and his wife, 
 with those of their children who were at home, 
 removed in the fall of 1830, and there the last 
 days of the brave old couple were spent, the wife 
 dying October 8, 1850, and the husband on 
 April 11, 1853. Both were buried at Madi- 
 sonburg. At the time of their settlement upon 
 the place a tenant was conducting a distill- 
 ery, but Mr. Schmeltzer put a stop to that 
 business at once. Six children were born to 
 Conrad and Margaret' Schmeltzer: (1) John, 
 who died at an early age; (2) George, who is 
 mentioned more fully below; (3) Margaret, Mrs. 
 Tatusman; (4) Mary (Mrs. John Heckle), who 
 died in Kelly township, Union county; (5) Jacob, 
 who died in Ohio, and (6) Katy, who never mar- 
 ried, and was for years prior to her death her 
 father's amanuensis and bookkeeper. 
 
 George Schmeltzer, Mrs. Shaffer's father, was 
 born August 3, 1794, in Bucks county, Penn., 
 and was but a child when his parents moved to 
 their first farm, where as he grew to manhood 
 he learned the business of farming, in which the 
 greater portion of his after life was spent. He 
 was a man of rather short stature and stout 
 build, very energetic as a worker, peaceable and 
 friendly in disposition, and although he talked 
 very little he always meant what he said. In 
 politics he was a Democrat, and various town- 
 ship offices were creditably filled by him, while 
 he was also active in religious matters as a devout 
 member of the Lutheran Church. He was mar- 
 ried, in 181 5, in Bucks county, to Miss Margaret 
 Beckle, who was born December 27, 1792, and 
 they had eight children, whose names with dates 
 of birth are here given: Esther, July 21, 1816, 
 is the widow of Joseph Gramley, of Rebersburg; 
 John, September 4, 18 17, was a farmer in Steph- 
 enson county, 111., where his death occurred; 
 
820 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BlOQRAl'UKW I. RECORD. 
 
 Mary, born in May, 1819, is the mother of our 
 subject; George, Jr., November 1, 1820, was at 
 one time a practicing physician at Madisonburg, 
 but died at the opening of his career; Jacob, 
 March 5, 1823, died in Dakota, 111 , where he 
 was in business as a grain dealer; Frances, De- 
 cember 3, 1825, married John Shaffer; Benjamin, 
 March 13, 1828, resides in Dakota. 111.; Hannah 
 M., November 28, 1832, married John Laurer, 
 and died in Stephenson county. 111. The mother 
 of these children died December 10, 1845, and 
 on October 14, 1850, Mr. Schmeltzer married 
 Miss Regina Wagner, a native of Sugar Valley, 
 born June 15, 1806. She died January 25, 1879, 
 leaving no issue. 
 
 After his first marriage George Schmeltzer 
 remained at his father's farm for a few years, and 
 then moved to the vicinity of White Deer Hole 
 and rented a farm on the Muncy river. At the 
 time the dam was built there, he took charge of 
 the boarding shanty for the contractors, and dur- 
 ing the summer of 1830 he had often as many as 
 200 men to feed. In the fall of that year he 
 would have accompanied his father to the new 
 home in Brush Valley, but extra inducements 
 were offered him to remain where he was, and he 
 did not rejoin the family until the spring of 1831. 
 He located on the northern portion of the new 
 tract in an old log house, the ends of the logs 
 being not yet sawed off. Later a dwelling was 
 built, which is still occupied by the owners of the 
 farm. After the death of his first wife he re- 
 moved tn Madisonburg, where he built a new 
 residence, and his death occurred there April 26, 
 1878. 
 
 71 l'.SALOM SHADE TIPTON, who departed 
 r\. this life February 25, 1884, was one of the 
 leading and influential citizens of Howard town- 
 ship. Centre count\. 
 
 William Tipton, his father, was of English 
 origin, born in Cumberland county, Penn., Jan- 
 uary 13, 1773, and as earh as 1796 came to 
 what is now Centre county. He married Eliza- 
 beth Shade, who was born May 30, 1780, and 
 their children were: Mary, born August -6, 1802, 
 married James Heverly, ami died December 10. 
 1836; Sarah, born February 27, 1806, married 
 Isaac W. Meese; William, Jr., resided at How- 
 ard, and died January 21, 1850; Washington 
 died April 16, 1839; Nancy, born April 22, 1815, 
 married Samuel Gardm r; Caroline M , born 
 August 16, 1817, married George Spearing, and 
 died in 1879; Absalom S. , born January 26, 
 [820; and Jemima E., born June 3, 1S26, mar- 
 ried Levi Fuller. 
 
 The old homestead, where our subject was 
 born and lived to manhood, is now the site of 
 much of the town of Howard. In early life he 
 was of a delicate constitution, and after he re- 
 ceived an education in the neighborhood schools, 
 at the age of seventeen began teaching; school, 
 which he followed several terms; but rinding it 
 too confining, he gave it up. While yet young, 
 at his father's death he assumed the management 
 of the estate, assisted by his mother and sisters. 
 In 1846 he bought out the other heirs. He laid 
 out the town of Howard, selling the first lot t.. 
 Samuel Brickley. After he quit the occupation 
 of a teacher he became engaged in the lumber 
 business, which, in connection with farming, he 
 carried on throughout life. He farmed exten- 
 sively, and took a great interest in the vocation; 
 his buildings were fine and modernly equipped, 
 while all other improvements corresponded, evi- 
 dencing the neat and progressive farmer that he 
 was. In the lumbering business he gave empln>- 
 ment to many men, often having on his pay roll 
 as many as eighty men. At the time of his death 
 he had arranged plans all drawn and much of the 
 material purchased, for the erection of an elegant 
 residence on the old Tipton homestead, which 
 later, however, was abandoned. 
 
 Mr. Tipton was one of the most enterprising 
 citizens of the township, and did much for the 
 town of Howard, restoring the water privilege to 
 the place by replacing the old canal banks 
 Despite his bodily infirmities he was one of the 
 most energetic men of Centre county, and made 
 a success of life, accumulating a valuable estate, 
 owning at the time of his death three fine farm- 
 on Marsh creek, 230 acres of timber land in th< 
 same locality, and other property in and arouinl 
 Howard. He imbibed from his earl)' surround- 
 ings the principles of Jeffersonian Democracy. 
 but later became an ardent advocate in opposi- 
 tion to Slavery, and subsequently became a Re- 
 publican. As a citizen he was honorable, prompt 
 and true to every engagement; as a man he held 
 the honor and esteem of all classes of citizen- 
 all creeds and political proclivities; as a husband 
 he was a model worthy of all imitation. II 
 a man of the times, broad-minded, public-spiril 
 and progressive. He was an active and earnest 
 member of the M. E. Church. 
 
 On December i~ , 1859, Mr Tipton was mar- 
 ried to Miss Rebecca J. Garman, and to them 
 were born the following children: (l) Mary I 
 born January 2j , [861, married Jerr) Ryan, wh 
 is engaged in the hotel business in East Bufi • 
 N. Y.; their children are — Ethelyn A . Edward 
 Tipton, and Ralph R. :i George W., bom 
 April 28, 1862, married Elizabeth L. Cox, and 
 

 
 ** **V 
 
 
 
 w 
 
 
 
 
 
 ■' 
 
 m m 
 
 
 
 fl 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ■^ 
 
 <FiZ/ 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 321 
 
 is a lumberman of Howard; their children are 
 Claremont, Jr., Bernice V., Alice M., and Leon- 
 ard W. and Lester (twins). (3) Frances T., 
 born September 12, 1863, is the wife of Edward 
 C. Mclntire, an attorney of Williamsport, Penn. 
 (4) Sarah C, born April II, 1865, died in in- 
 fancy. (5) Laura T. , born July I, 1866, is the 
 wife of M. M. Hunter, an attorney of Carthage, 
 Mo. ; their children are — Harold T. and Frances 
 R. (6) John Howard, born November 16, 1867, 
 is a traveling salesman, residing in Bellefonte, 
 Penn. ; he married Anna Hopton, of Tyrone, and 
 has one child — Mary Helen. (7) William F., 
 born January 14, 1870, graduated with honors 
 from the Eastman Business College, Poughkeep- 
 sie, N. Y. ; he married Sallie Askey, and died 
 October 9, 1891, leaving one child — William 
 Fuller. (8) Isabella J., born July 18, 1871, died 
 in infancy. 
 
 The widow of our subject, a most estimable 
 lady, was born in Salona, Clinton Co., Penn., 
 June 19, 1836, and is a daughter of Michael and 
 Margaret ('Lovell) Garman, natives of Cumber- 
 land and Huntingdon counties, Penn., respect- 
 ively. They were married in Mill Hall, Centre 
 county, December 24. 1828. The mother's 
 death occurred February 18, 1869, when she 
 was sixty-eight years, while a resident of Salona. 
 In their family were seven children: William E., 
 born December 20, 1829, died February 7, 1854; 
 Foster, born February 13, 1832, died October 
 17, 1857; Mary C. , born February 7, 1834, first 
 wedded William Martin, and after his death mar- 
 ried George Kustenboarders, a farmer of Centre 
 county; Rebecca J. is next in order of birth; 
 Mathew B., born January 5, 1839, died August 
 30, 1850; Austin, born November 3, 1840, served 
 for three years in the Union army, and is now a 
 carpenter of Colorado; John M., born December 
 2, 1842, was under age when the Civil war broke 
 out, but ran away from home and joined the 
 army, and died from the effects of his service 
 December 26, 1861. 
 
 Michael Garman, the father of Mrs. Tipton, 
 
 was born April 15, 1800. Her mother was Mary 
 
 (Slutterbeck) Garman. The father died before 
 
 the son's birth, and the latter was reared by 
 
 strangers. In 1828 he came to Centre county, 
 
 and throughout his active business career engaged 
 
 in lumbering and farming, but in his later years 
 
 he lived retired with his daughter, Mrs. Tipton, 
 
 where he passed from earth May 24, 1897. He was 
 
 an energetic, hard-working man, and prosperity 
 
 crowned his efforts; but through bad investment 
 
 he lost much of his property, being a stockholder 
 
 in the National Bank of Lock Haven at the time 
 
 it failed. A conscientious Christian, he, during 
 21 
 
 the last forty-five years of his life, was a faithful 
 and active member of the Methodist Episcopal 
 Church, and his was a useful and well-spent life. 
 He was a strong advocate of temperance, and 
 spent both time and money in the cause. Dur- 
 ing the Civil war he strongly supported the 
 Union, giving of his means to the support of the 
 the soldiers' families, and using his influence for 
 its suppression. 
 
 fjk J. STOVER, a prominent citizen of Coburn, 
 JkJL Centre county, is a retired agriculturist who 
 after many years of well-directed laborcan gather 
 the rewards thereof at leisure. He was born 
 January 27, 1846, in Haines township, Centre 
 county, where his ancestors settled at a very 
 early day, his grandfather, Adam Stover, having 
 been a pioneer farmer. 
 
 Andrew Stover, our subject's father, was born 
 and reared there and learned the carpenter's 
 trade. His parents having a small farm and a 
 large family, he was obliged to make his own way 
 in life from the start. He was industrious and 
 frugal, and won a high place in the esteem of the 
 community. In politics he was a Democrat, 
 and he was a leading member of the Lutheran 
 Church. At an early age he married Miss Polly 
 Moyer (or Meyer, as the name was originally 
 spelled), a daughter of George Moyer, a well 
 known farmer. They began housekeeping near 
 Coburn, and for a number of years Andrew 
 Stover was engaged in general carpenter work, 
 but when nearly forty years old he purchased 
 forty acres of land in Haines township, Centre 
 county, and followed farming until his death. 
 He died at the age of fifty-four, and his mortal 
 remains were laid to rest in Wolfe's Chapel 
 cemetery. His widow, who was born January 
 20, 1 8 14, and is consequently eighty-four years 
 old, is now living with our subject. They reared 
 a large family, as follows: Julia is Mrs. Enoch 
 Kramer, of Haines township, Centre county; 
 George M. is a carpenter of Aaronsburg; Daniel 
 M. is a carpenter of Haines township, Centre 
 county; Israel M. lives in Berrien county, Mich.; 
 Catherine married Franklin Detwilder, and died at 
 Aaronsburg; John is a resident of Berrien county, 
 Mich.; A. J. is our subject; Benjamin lives in 
 Haines township, Centre county; Jacob, Monroe, 
 Jeff and James, all resided in Berrien county, 
 Mich. ; Henrietta died at the age of twenty-one 
 years; and Elizabeth, who married Henry Kramer, 
 went west, and for twelve years has not been 
 heard from. 
 
 A. J. Stover's early education was such as the 
 common schools of his day afforded. As his 
 
322 
 
 ( OliMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 parents had but limited means most of the chil- 
 dren left home earl) to make a living, and he 
 was the only one of the boys who remained 
 until of age. He was eighteen years old when 
 his father died, and the will confided to his care 
 the mothrr and younger children. This com- 
 mission he fulfilled, all his work at the home- 
 
 I being done for the motherand family. At 
 twentj one he was married in Haines township, 
 ( entre county, to Miss Innie Stover, a native of 
 the township and a daughter of Martin Sto> 
 His savings at this time amounted to nearly $i 50, 
 and he made a beginning as a farmer by renting 
 forty acres of land in Penn township, Centre 
 county, where he spent six years. Having pros- 
 pered, he rented a larger farm in Haines town- 
 ship. Centre county, and lived there three years. 
 In the spring of 1S78 he purchased his first farm, 
 a tract of eighty-seven acres in Haines township, 
 
 are county, and although he went $3,600 in 
 debt, he enjoyed at last the satisfaction of hav- 
 ing a home that he could call his own. He re- 
 mained there until the spring of 1895, when he 
 removed to his present home in Coburn. He 
 owns uver 240 acres of land, and is regarded 
 as one of the substantial citizens of the lo- 
 cal it \ 
 
 Mr. Stover's four children by the first mar- 
 riage are all residents of Centre countv: Amnion 
 A 1- a farmer of Haines township; Warren F. is 
 afarmerof Gregg township; William resides in 
 Haines township; and Katy married John Hess, 
 ol Haines township. The mother of this little 
 family died in February, [886, and was buried 
 in Wolfe's Chapel cemetery. On February 16, 
 [888, Mr. Stover was married in Haines town- 
 ship to Miss Eve Mover, a sister of his first wife, 
 and there is one child by this union, Martin A., 
 who is at honn 
 
 Mi Stover has not only proved himself a 
 successful business man. but he has always taken 
 a prominent part in the local work of the Demo- 
 cratH part] , and has held the office of super\ 
 for three terms. He is a member of the Re- 
 (1 rnied Church, in which he has been a deacon, 
 and he is interested in all that tends to promote 
 the ijood of the community. 
 
 ty. As a business man he has been enterprising, 
 energetic and always abreast with the tin 
 and has been rewarded with a comfortable com- 
 petence. 
 
 Mr. Williams was born in Worth township, 
 September 1, 1849, a son of Joseph and Mar- 
 garet (Wagner) Williams, in whose family were 
 five children: Thomas (deceasedl, who was a 
 wagon maker by trade: Ebenezer, who operates 
 a flouring mill in Bald Eagle, Penn.; Wagner 
 W. (deceased), who was a miller and merchant; 
 Albert Y., of this sketch; and Jane, who died in 
 infancy. 
 
 The father's birth occurred in May, 1809, in 
 Centre county, at the home of his parents, Jos- 
 eph and Jane (Williams) Williams, who were 
 natives of Wales, and were married in Centre 
 county, Penn., February 3, 1796. In their fam- 
 ily were the following children: Margaret, Will- 
 iam, Susan, James, Mary, Ellen, Joseph. Maria, 
 Philip, Jane. Nancy and Ebenezer. By trade 
 the grandfather was a farmer and weaver. The 
 parents of our subject were married in Centre 
 county, where they spent their remaining days. 
 By occupation the father was a farmer, carpen- 
 ter and lumberman, and at the time of his death 
 was operating a water sawmill in Worth town- 
 ship. He was Democratic in politics, served in 
 several local offices, and held membership in the 
 Baptist Church, to which his wife also belonged. 
 He died in May, 1 S56. 
 
 The mother of our subject was born in Union 
 county, Perm., December 22, 1819, and was a 
 daughter of Adam and Mary (Scherfler) Wagner, 
 who were born and married in Union county, 
 where they remained until 1829, when they took 
 up their residence in Worth township, Centre 
 county, and there spent their last days. They 
 were of German extraction, and the parents of 
 the following children: Catherine, Sarah. Mary. 
 
 Jane, John and Nancy. 
 first husband. Mrs. Will- 
 Jones, who was born in 
 [821, and is now a 1 
 
 Leah, Eliza, Mai 
 After the death ol her 
 
 lams married John I 
 Centre county in May, 
 
 ALBERT YOUNG WILLIAMS, proprietor 
 of the Port Matilda Flouring Mills, which 
 are located at Port Matilda, Worth township, 
 Centre county, is one of the representative and 
 prominent citizens of the community, and has 
 done much to promote the commercial and in- 
 dustrial activity, advance the general welfare, 
 and secure the materiavelol depment of the coun- 
 
 deiit of Port Matilda, where he is engaged in 
 shoemaking. In early life he engaged in mer- 
 chandising, luml aid the manufacture of 
 tile. Living with him is Margerie B. , the only 
 child born of the second union of the mother of 
 our subject. She passed away September 5. 
 1896, leaving many friends as well as her im- 
 mediate family to mourn her de,.th. 
 
 Albert Y. Williams was nine years of age 
 when he became a resident of Port Matilda, and 
 for seven years attended its schools, acquiring a 
 good practical education. At the age of eighteen 
 he left home, and [or two years was in the em- 
 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 323 
 
 ploy of the Bald Eagle Valley railroad, after 
 which he served an apprenticeship in the flouring 
 mills of Irwin Brothers at Curwensville, Clear- 
 field county, operated by William D. Smith. 
 Eight months later Mr. Smith bought the Union- 
 ville flouring mill, and our subject accompanied 
 him to that place, remaining in his employ until 
 May, 1870. The following two years he worked 
 in a mill at Grahamton, Penn., and then came 
 to the mill of which he is now proprietor, pur- 
 chasing the same in May, 18S6. Being a prac- 
 tical and skilled miller, he has met with a well- 
 deserved success in his operations, receiving a 
 liberal share of the public patronage, and the 
 quality of flour turned out is of a most superior 
 grade, commanding the highest market price. 
 
 On July 2, 1871, Mr. Williams was united 
 in marriage with Miss Delilah McDowell, and 
 they have nine children, whose names and dates 
 of birth are as follows: Abbie M., June 15, 
 1872; Margaret B., November 19, 1873; John 
 M., October 16, 1875; Florence E., December 
 23, 1877; Edith W. , February 12, "1880; Mabel 
 E., September 11, 1882; Edgar W., January 
 29, 1885; Belva L., August 5, 1888; and Blake, 
 December 29, 1891. All are still at home with 
 the exception of Abbie M., the eldest, who is 
 now the wife of Rev. J. C. Young, of Three 
 Springs, Huntingdon Co. , Pennsylvania. 
 
 A native of Clearfield county, Mrs. Williams 
 was born June 20, 185 1, in Graham township, 
 a daughter of David and Maria (Snell) McDow- 
 ell, who were born in the same county and 
 died in Graham township, the former in August, 
 1870, aged fifty- four years, and the latter in 1893, 
 aged seventy-six. He was a man of great promi- 
 nence, a farmer and lumberman by occupation, 
 and held several official positions of honor and 
 trust in his township. He voted with the Demo- 
 cratic party, and in religious belief he and his 
 wife were Methodists. In their family were six 
 children, namely : Elizabeth, wife of Jacob 
 Heinhart, a farmer of Clearfield county; John, 
 who resides on the old homestead in that county; 
 Sarah, wife of James Little, an agriculturist of 
 Clearfield county; Margaret, who died in infancy; 
 .Eliza J., wife of E. Bush, a farmer of Clinton 
 county, Penn. ; Catherine, wife of John Powell, 
 a farmer of Clearfield county; and Delilah, the 
 worthy wife of our subject. 
 
 Mr. Williams uses his right of franchise in 
 support of the principles and candidates of the 
 Republican party, and has most creditably served 
 as school director, auditor, and overseer of the 
 poor for the past eight years. His life has been a 
 success owing to his own perseverance, industry 
 and good management, and his career is illus- 
 
 trative of the fact that certain actions are fol- 
 lowed by certain results. Honorable and up- 
 right in all his dealings he justly deserves the 
 high regard in which he is universally held. 
 With the Methodist Episcopal Church he and his 
 wife hold membership, and their standing in so- 
 cial circles is high. 
 
 JOHN BARNES. The history of the able and 
 energetic men who have participated in the 
 development of this section will always hold 
 a deep interest, and the subject of this sketch, a 
 well known coal operator residing at Philipsburg, 
 Centre county, is a notable example of success- 
 ful effort. Like many of the best financiers and 
 business men of the country, Mr. Barnes comes 
 of English stock, his family having been estab- 
 lished in Lancashire, England, for many genera- 
 tions. The authentic records go no farther back 
 than to the grandfather, James Barnes, and in 
 his life we find a romance which parallels the 
 most beautiful dreams of fiction. He and his 
 wife were born on the same day of the same 
 month, but the grandmother a year later than 
 the grandfather. They were married upon one 
 anniversary of their birth, and died on another 
 anniversary of their birth. From the time of 
 their marriage they had never been separated for 
 a single day and night, and their mutual sympa- 
 thy was so remarkable that each shared pain felt 
 by the other. On the day of their death they 
 lay side by side, and after the devoted wife 
 breathed her last the children attempted to re- 
 move the lifeless body, but the husband waved 
 his hand as a signal that they should not disturb 
 it, and eighteen minutes later his soul had fol- 
 lowed hers to the vast unknown. They were 
 seventy-five and seventy-four years old respect- 
 ively. 
 
 This couple reared a large family of children, 
 among whom was a son, John, our subject's fa- 
 ther, who became a farmer as was his father be- 
 fore him, and lived and died in Lancashire. He 
 married Miss Jennie Hayes, and twelve children 
 were born of their union: James is deceased; 
 Hannah married Edward Riley, and lives in 
 England; Samuel and Lawrence are both living 
 in England; John is our subject; Henry died in 
 Philipsburg; Isabella is the wife of James East- 
 wood, of England; Thomas is a prominent resi- 
 dent of Philipsburg; William resides in England; 
 Alice Ann; Jane married George E. Smith, and 
 also lives in England; Rachel is deceased. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was born in March, 
 1836, and his early years were passed at the old 
 home where he worked upon the farm and in 
 
824 
 
 COMMKMOHA TlVi: BI00BAPSI0A1 RECORD. 
 
 the neighboring mines. On coining to America 
 in 1862, he found his first employment at Powel- 
 ton, Penn., in the mines, and after spending 
 about two years in work there and elsewhere, he 
 located permanently at l'hilipsburg. He had 
 only a few dollars in his pocket, but he had a 
 strong constitution, and his shrewd judgment 
 and high ambitions were supported by untiring 
 energy. He began his career there as a digger 
 in a coal bank, but he had already formed a deter- 
 mination to make his way to wealth, and after a 
 few years he began the more profitable work of 
 clearing away drift on contract. He and his brother 
 Thomas soon acquired a fund which enabled 
 them to begin operating the Cuba mines, and 
 they followed their success there by working the 
 Derby mines and then the Lancashire mines 
 Nos. 1 and 2, employing 150 men. From this 
 point their progress was rapid, and they are now, 
 recognized as leaders in their lines of business. 
 Their experience covers the entire range of min- 
 ing operations, from the hard manual labor of 
 digging to the prospecting and purchase of coal 
 lands. 
 
 Mr. Barnes is a prominent member of the 
 Episcopal Church; in his political affiliations he 
 is a Republican. He was married in April. 1865, 
 to Miss Elizabeth Pilkington, and their hi 
 has been blessed by thirteen children: fames 
 conducts a clothing store in Barnesboro along 
 with his brother John; he married Letitia Laffin, 
 and has two children Edithand Maggie. Mag- 
 gie married K. Miller, of Zanesville, Ohio, and 
 has three children John, Elizabeth and Mar- 
 1. Thomas is proprietor of the " Ramsdale 
 House," Philipsburg; he married Martha Alice 
 Ramsdale, and has one child -William [ohn. 
 Jane Anna died at the age of [our months. Will- 
 iam lived only one month. Joseph is ;ii home. 
 Alice died at the age of twenty-one years. fohn 
 conducts a clothing store in Barnesboro, along 
 with his brother James. Mary is at home. 
 Alfred died when eight months old. Harry and 
 it home. Arthur died at the age ol 
 three months Despite their many cares, our 
 Subject and his wife are models of physical 
 health and vigor. Mr. Barnes owns valuable 
 real estate in Philipsburg, and, besides his ele- 
 gant home, has built a line block on Main stri 
 Mis I lai nes i-, also a native 1 .1 I ,am ash 
 England, and was bom September 12, 1845, the 
 daughtei "I John and Margaret Pilkington. 
 lb 1 fathei died in I ngl ind, and when she was 
 enteen yens old she was brought bj her 
 mother to America, 1 with two brothers 
 
 and a sister. The) made their home in Powel- 
 toii, where Mrs. Barm 
 
 The mother died at the age of sixty years. The 
 other children were: Joseph, who lives in Kan- 
 sas; Mary E., the wife of Charles Cutshaw. who 
 lives in Illinois; and John, who is deceased. 
 
 JOHN D. LONG. In the eye of an American 
 there can be no higher honor than the record 
 
 of service in the war which established be- 
 yond further question the permanent union of 
 tin States, and made the country truly "one 
 and indivisible ". Happily we still have with 
 us many of the veterans of that struggle, and 
 prominent among them is the highly respected 
 citizen of Spring Mills, Centre county, whose 
 name introduces this biography. Mr. Long not 
 only served with distinction himself, his devotion 
 to the cause crippling him by a painful ami p 
 manent injury, but he belongs to a family which 
 sent live sons to the front, and would have sent 
 another had he been old enough. 
 
 Mr. Long's family is of German extraction. 
 and his immediate ancestors in this country on 
 both sides were engaged in agricultural pursuits 
 His father, George Long, was born in Berks 
 county, Penn., in 1805, his parents being fanners 
 there of limited means, his youth was spent in 
 agricultural work, except one winter when he 
 worked at the coopei s trade He was married 
 in his native county to Miss Mary Deck, who 
 was born there in 1807, the daughter of a farmer 
 and a member of a family which is now largel] 
 represented in that section. After his marn 
 George Long settled upon a rented farm in Berks 
 county, but in the spring of 1841 he removed 
 with his family to Centre county. Our subji 
 was then only four years old, but he rememl 
 vividly the journey in a covered wagon such as 
 was commonly used in that early day by travel) 
 For about five years George Lou- lived upon a 
 rented farm one and one-half miles northeast of 
 A. n and then he removed to a rented 
 
 farm in Gregg township on the Brush Valley 
 road. His remaining years were passed in that 
 township. lie was a small man, and did no! 
 tain the ordinary limit of three-score years and 
 ten. his death occurring in March. [864. Mrs 
 I ong, who was of large build, and weighed about 
 200 pounds, survived him until 1871, maki 
 her home with their son. Levi; her remains now 
 rest beside those of her husband in Union cen 
 
 They belonged to the sect known as the 
 River Dunkards, and in lanci with the 
 
 tenets ol that faith Mr. I rained fi 
 
 participation in politics, and seldom or nevei vol 
 In early years he sympathized with the Den 
 cratic party, but alter the opening of th 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 325 
 
 war he expressed his hearty indorsement of Re- 
 publican principles. Although he was a most 
 industrious worker he never accumulated any- 
 thing beyond a meager competence. He and 
 his wife reared a large family of children, who in 
 character and standing are a credit to their par- 
 ents. Levi resides in Madisonburg; William, 
 who served in the war as a member of Company 
 D, 148th P. V. I., is now a farmer in Brush 
 Valley; Jacob, a resident of Philadelphia, served 
 in the 205th P. V. I., and being a harness maker 
 by trade was detailed as brigade saddler; Rebec- 
 ca, Mrs. Peter Zeigler, died in Gregg township; 
 Caroline is the wife of H. J. Limbert, of Madi- 
 sonburg; John D. is mentioned more fully below: 
 Henry, who enlisted in Company D, 148th P. V. 
 I., died a soldier's death at Chancellorsville May 
 3, 1863; George, a shoemaker by trade, lives in 
 Stephenson county, 111. ; Mary is the wife of 
 John F. Breon, of Gregg township; Polly (Mrs. 
 Johnson) lives in Kansas; Daniel, who served in 
 Company A, 148th P. V. I., was captured and 
 died in a Southern prison; Jonathan was too 
 young to enlist with his brothers, but his patriotic 
 zeal led him to enter the army during the recon- 
 struction period, when he served in Alabama; 
 Michael resides in Oklahoma; and Lizzie is the 
 wife of George Greninger, of Clinton county, 
 Pennsylvania. 
 
 J. D. Long (our subject) was born February 
 12, 1837, at Stouchsburg, Penn. , and his expe- 
 rience in youth was that which the conditions of 
 farmers' life in those days imposed upon the sons 
 of poor and hard-working parents. He remained 
 at home until the age of nineteen, receiving but 
 little schooling and that not of the best, and in 
 the spring of 1856 he went to Spring Mills to 
 learn the carpenter's trade under Michael Nofsker, 
 his wages being $5.50 per month and board, his 
 washing not being included. After becoming fa- 
 miliar with the details of thetrade he worked two 
 years for Samuel Loose, and was also employed by 
 other carpenters in the locality, but in the spring 
 of i860 he found similiar work in Montgomery 
 county, Ohio, where he remained until his re- 
 moval, in March, 1861, to Fort Wayne, Ind.. 
 There he enlisted, June 14, 1861, in Company C, 
 15th Ind. V. I. His first battle was at Rich 
 Mountain, West Virginia, only a portion of the 
 15th Regiment being engaged, and he took part 
 in all the engagements of his regiment until after 
 the battle of Stone River, where he was wounded 
 at 11 a. m. December 31, 1862. His left limb 
 was struck near the ankle by a shell and instantly 
 severed, the bone being splintered almost to the 
 knee. He spent three weeks and a half in the 
 field hospital and the same length of time in a 
 
 hospital at Nashville, when he was sent to Louis- 
 ville and there, on February 24, 1863, he was 
 honorably discharged on account of disability. 
 Before returning to Centre county he visited 
 Ohio and Indiana, but the serious problem of a 
 livelihood confronted him, and as he could no 
 longer follow his trade he decided to become a 
 saddler, his injuries not interfering with that 
 work. Accordingly he went to Petersburg, Hunt- 
 ingdon Co., Penn., in January, 1864, to learn 
 the trade with his brother Jacob. A few months 
 sufficed to give him a knowledge of the business, 
 and in August of the same year he took charge 
 of the shop while his brother joined the army for 
 the final desperate struggle which brought definite 
 victory to the Union cause. In the spring of 
 1866 Mr. Long moved to Penn Hall and later 
 settled in Spring Mills, continuing his trade suc- 
 cessfully in both places. After a time he en- 
 gaged in mercantile business at Spring Mills, but 
 a few years ago he retired, leaving his store to 
 the care of his son. A goodly competence has 
 rewarded his efforts; he owns 144 acres of land 
 in George's Valley, and a comfortable residence 
 which he built for himself at Spring Mills; another 
 dwelling house which he built there was sold. 
 
 Mr. Long is most kind and generous, and 
 during his business career he made many friends 
 by whom he is held in the highest esteem. He 
 wields a potent influence in local affairs, and al- 
 though he has never been an office seeker he is 
 one of the Republicans of Penn's Valley. Under 
 Harrison's administration he held the position of 
 postmaster at Spring Mills, receiving his appoint- 
 ment June 15, 1879. Previous to the Rebellion 
 he had been a supporter of the Democratic party, 
 but since that time he has been a steadfast 
 adherent of the G. O. P. On June 15, 1897, he 
 was appointed postmaster at Spring Mills, Penn. 
 As might be inferred from his war record, he is a 
 member of the Grand Army of the Republic, 
 belonging to Post No. 282, at Centre Hall. 
 
 On February 12, 1865, Mr. Long was mar- 
 ried at Centre Hall to Miss Mary A. Leitzel, a 
 native of Gregg township, Centre county (born 
 May 8, 1839), and a daughter of Philip and Julia 
 (Nofsker) Leitzel. They have six children: 
 Charles P. and George H. are in the mercantile 
 business at Spring Mills; Philip P. is a merchant 
 at Potters Mills; Susan E. is the wife of Robert 
 Neese, of George's Valley; and Ida M. and Frank 
 A. are at home. 
 
 C CHARLES BEIRLY, a prominent agriculturist 
 Jl of Brush Valley, residing near Rebersburg, 
 is a man whose patriotism has been tried amid 
 
:::v, 
 
 COMMBMORA TIVB BI0QRAPHICA1 RECORD. 
 
 the hardships and exposures of the battlefield, 
 the camp and the march, and survived the still 
 more trying test of hospital life. At the age of 
 twenty-two, in obedience to his country's call, 
 he enlisted, August 22, 1862, at Rebersburg. in 
 Company A, [48th P. V. I After a short stay 
 at Camp Curtin, Harrisburg, for equipment and 
 drill, the new recruits went to the front, their 
 first experience in battle being at Chancellors- 
 ville. Mi- Beirly took part in the other eng; 
 ments of his regiment until he was wounded in 
 the evening of the second day at Gettysburg 
 while he was crossing the stone fence. He was 
 removed from the field in an ambulance, and 
 spent nine months in a hospital in Philadelphia. 
 Nothing daunted by this 1 1 pi i' 1 m e, he deter- 
 mined to remain in the service, but being inca- 
 pacitated for active work in the field he was 
 transferred to the Invalid Corps, and for s< 
 time was on guard duty in New York City. 
 Later he was detailed for hospital work at Wash- 
 ington, and he did not leave the until the 
 war was ended, being mustered out [une 26, 
 1865. 
 
 Mr. Beirly is a membei of a pioneer fami 
 Brush Valley The name is properly spelled 
 Bierly, but at the time of his enlistment it was 
 placed on the army rolls as Beirly, and he has 
 since adhered to that form. lie is a grandson of 
 Anthony and Maria (Kratzer) Bierly, and a son 
 (it Melchoir Bierly, who was born in Miles town- 
 ship, July 20, 1815, and became a leading citi- 
 zen there. At twelve year he began to 
 learn the blacksmith's trade in his father's shop, 
 and always followed that ttion. Melchoir 
 
 rly was married December 3, 1836, in M 
 township to Catharine Gephart, who was bom 
 in Berks county. Penn., November 1. 1811. Her 
 nis, Daniel and Hannah Gephart, removed to 
 l nion 1 ounty when Catharine was but a babe, .1 mi 
 after nine years there they settled at Madison- 
 burg, Centre count}. Mi Gephart followed the 
 weavei s trade. Later they went to Seneca 
 county, Ohio, and died there. Mrs. Bierly was 
 the eldest oi ten children- six sons and I 
 daughters. Of the live children of this marri: 
 two lived to adult age: Charles; and Mary [., 
 now the wife of William Ilium Nittany 
 
 Valley; three children— one daughter and two sons 
 — died in childhood. 
 
 Melchoir Bierly was a Republican and strongly 
 loyal, being an ardent admirer of Lincoln and 
 opposed to slavery. In local affairs he was in- 
 fluential but he never sought office. He was a 
 large man, well built, a hard worker, and was 
 nearly eighty years when he died, January 11, 
 1X114. He had but fifty cents when he was mar- 
 
 ried, and he fought his own fight, winning a 
 comfortable competence. He and his wife both 
 united with the Lutheran Church, and were alw 
 in aympathy with religious and philanthropic 
 work. Mrs. Bierly still lives in Rebersburg, and 
 is well preserved for one of her age. Since his 
 fatl. 'hour subject has given his mother 
 
 a good home, and has cared for her with filial 
 dei otion. 
 
 ( barles Beirly was born near Rebersburg, 
 April iS. 1840, and attended the schools of his 
 day at Rebersburg, John Burket being his first 
 teacher. He had some difficulty in committing 
 his lessons to memory, but was an apt scholar 
 in some respects. He began to learn the black- 
 mith's trade when he was twelve year.- old, and 
 when not in school he was to be found in his 
 father's shop, where there was always plenty of 
 business, several men being constantly employed. 
 Alter his return from the army he resumed work 
 at his trade. 
 
 Mr. l'>i irly was first married September 10, 
 [865, m Brush Valley, to Miss Amelia Snook, 
 the daughter of Levi and Mar-. net 1 \\ olford) 
 Snook. They began housekeeping in Reb 
 burg, and Mr. Beirly became a partner in his fa- 
 ther's business, which they continued until they 
 me to his present farm in 1X74. He rented 
 the place at tirst from his father, and in Novem- 
 ber, 1893, acquired the title. The farm contains 
 res, and Mr. Beirly has erected every 
 building on it except the residence and corn crib. 
 I le 1 ivi us a home 111 R< i and also h 
 
 small tract of mountain land. The children of the 
 first mat Margaret |.. now Mr-. C. 0. 
 
 Mayer, of Selins Grove, Penn.; Warren M., of 
 Franklin county, Penn. ; Alvin M., who died at the 
 of age sixteen years; George A., who died in in- 
 fancy; and Charles II., a farmer of Brush Valli 
 The mother, who was a devout Christian and a 
 member of the Lutheran Church, died in Novi 
 ber, 1874, and her remains now lie buried at 
 Rebersburg. 
 
 For his second wife, Mr Beirlj was mart 
 March 12, 1X76, to Miss Mary M. Moyer, b 
 ,in Penn's Valley, Penn township, Centre county, 
 May !_•. 1845, daughter of Elias and Su 
 Young) Moyer, who removed to Bo nty, 
 
 Iowa, when she was ten years old. SI 
 reared there, and taught a subscription 5ch 
 when but seventeen years old. Her father died 
 there- in 1X64, and soon afterward she returi 
 with some ot her family to Pennsylvania, wh 
 she met Mr. Beirly. She was the eldest of nine 
 children — six sons and three daughters — and 
 now the onlj one of this family left in Brush Val- 
 ley and Penn's Valley. Two children were born 
 
 I 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 327 
 
 of this marriage: Lowell S. and Orpha C. , both 
 at home. 
 
 Politically, Mr. Beirly is a Republican, but 
 while he is a stanch member of the party he is 
 no office seeker. He and his wife are prominent 
 members of the Lutheran Church, and he has 
 held the office of deacon therein. Socially he 
 belongs to W. W. Beirly Post, G. A. R., at 
 Millheim, of which he was one of the organizers. 
 A substantial, industrious and honest farmer, he 
 is one of the best of citizens, and he is held in 
 high esteem by all who know him. 
 
 DAVID H. RUHL, proprietor of the "Spring 
 Mills Hotel," is one of the noted citizens of 
 his town, and one of the best known hotelmen 
 in Penn's Valley, where his genialty and social 
 disposition have won him a host of warm friends. 
 He was born in Warwick township, Lancaster 
 county, Penn., December 30, 1840. His father, 
 Peter Ruhl, was born in the same county, June 
 11, 1820, and was a son of George Ruhl, a 
 farmer in affluent circumstances who left to his 
 children considerable property. 
 
 Peter Ruhl was reared in his native county, 
 and was married to Miss Mary Heagg, who was 
 born near Manheim, Penn., in April, 1820. Mr. 
 Ruhl followed farming in Lancaster county until 
 our subject was five years of age, when he re- 
 moved with his family to Anville township, Leb- 
 anon county, and subsequently located near 
 Campbelltown in that county, where he-operated 
 a rented farm. While residing there the mother 
 died, February 28, 1875, and was buried in 
 Hirschey Cemetery, near Campbelltown. The 
 father has since married a Mrs. Selmire, and is 
 now living a retired life in Annville. He was a 
 stanch Whig and is now a stalwart Republican. 
 By his first wife he had two children: David and 
 Abraham, who died at the age of five years. By 
 his second marriage he has a daughter, Emma, 
 at home. He is highly respected for his sterling 
 worth, and has many friends in the community 
 where he lives. 
 
 David H. Ruhl had meager educational priv- 
 ileges, for during his boyhood the schools were 
 somewhat primitive in character, and moreover, 
 his services were needed on the farm, for his 
 parents were in but limited circumstances. At 
 the age of nineteen he gave up school, and when 
 twenty-one years of age he left home. Previous 
 to that time his labors had all befcn for the bene- 
 fit of his parents. Since early manhood he has 
 been engaged in auctioneering, and has added 
 not a little to his income thereby. In 1862 he 
 came to Centre county, and began work as 
 
 a farm hand for J. H. Fishburn, in Benner town- 
 ship. On January 1, 1863, he accepted a clerk- 
 ship in the store of D. M. Wagner, of Bellefonte, 
 at a salary of $13 per month, but his wages were 
 considerably increased during the seven years 
 which he remained in the employ of that well- 
 known merchant. In 1870 he and his brother- 
 in-law, Samuel Gault, purchased the grocery 
 business of Levi A. Miller, of Bellefonte, and 
 the firm of Ruhl & Gault conducted the store for 
 two years, when the former became sole proprie- 
 tor. A year later he sold out and again entered 
 the store of D. M. Wagner, with whom he re- 
 mained for six months. 
 
 On the expiration of that period, Mr. Ruhl 
 came to Snow Shoe, and accepted a clerkship 
 with May, Loeb & Co., with whom he continued 
 until the store was closed out a year and a half 
 later. He then conducted a licensed house in 
 Snow Shoe for a year and a half, and for two 
 years conducted a temperance house in Snow 
 Shoe, called the "Snow Shoe House." In 1879 
 he located at Potters Mills, Centre county, where 
 he conducted a licensed house until April 1, 
 1887, when he came to Spring Mills. 
 1896, he purchased his present hotel 
 and now has a popular hostelry. 
 
 Mr. Ruhl was married November 13, 1866, 
 in Boalsburg, Penn., to Miss Sarah S. Poorman, 
 of Benner township, where she was born in 
 April, 1845, a daughter of Henry (a farmer) and 
 Hannah (Friese) Poorman. The children of Mr. 
 and Mrs. Ruhl are: Edwin, born March 13, 1868, 
 now a hotel keeper in Centre Hall; Lydia, born 
 June 7, 1870, is now the wife of W. W. Rishel, 
 proprietor of the "Kline House," at Lewistown, 
 Penn.; William, born December 16, 1879; and 
 Harry, born June 20, 1885. Mr. Ruhl is a 
 stanch Republican in politics, and served as 
 judge of election in Gregg township in 1894 and 
 1896. He does all in his power to advance the 
 interests of the party, but has never been an of- 
 fice seeker. Socially, he belongs to Spring Mills 
 Castle No. 169, K. G. E., and in matters of re- 
 ligion he and his wife attend the Presbyterian 
 Church. They conduct one of the best hotels in 
 Penn's Valley, and the hospitable disposition 
 and friendly manner of the proprietor have made 
 him very popular with the traveling public, and 
 secured him a liberal patronage. 
 
 In July, 
 property, 
 
 JOHN MANN. On the Marsh Creek road, in 
 Curtin township, Centre county, stands the 
 home of this gentleman, who is one of the 
 most progressive agriculturists and lumbermen of 
 the community. Mr. Mann was born in Nittany 
 
828 
 
 COMMEMOHA TIYE 1U0U RM'UUM RECORD. 
 
 Valley, March 9, 1828. His parents, Robert 
 and Catherine (Kline) Mann, were natives of 
 Lycoming ami Centre counties, respectively. At 
 
 :arly day the father took up his residence in 
 Nittany Valley, where he remained until 1838, 
 and then removed to the farm which is now 
 cupied by the subject of this review. The tract 
 of land i>n which he located was then an un- 
 broken wilderness, but he converted the timber 
 into lumber and transformed the raw land into 
 richly cultivated fields By trade he was a 
 blacksmith, and followed that pursuit until lo- 
 cating upon the homestead farm. He died in 
 1864, at the age of sixty-fivi and his wife 
 
 passed away in 1881, at the age of seventy-one. 
 Then- children were Betsy, wife of Henrv I 
 inger, both now deceased; Mollie, wife of David 
 McClosky, a lumberman and fanner of Curtin 
 township, George, deceased; John; Robert, de- 
 ceased: Anna, wife ..f Fred Bortley, of Hublers- 
 bure,. Penn. ; Beckie, wife of Michael Confer, a 
 retired fanner of Centre county; and fames, de- 
 ceased. 
 
 The paternal grandparents, William and 
 Bets) Mann, were natives of Ireland, and at an 
 early day cami to America, locating in Lycom- 
 ing county, Penn.. where the former followed 
 ultural pursuits. The maternal grandpar- 
 ent-, William and Betsy Kline, were nativi 
 
 itre county and ''I German extraction. Mr. 
 Kline was a co< .per by trade 
 
 « Mi the old homestead fai m \> ihn Mann spent 
 the days of his boyhood, remaining with his par- 
 ents until twenty-two years of age. During that 
 time he attended the common schools, worked 
 in the woods and aided in the development of 
 the fields. At the age of twenty-two he left 
 home and began lumbering and teaming. He 
 also drove logs on Beach creek for eleven suc- 
 cessive years during the spring season, and en- 
 ergetically prosecuted his labors until, as the result 
 of his industry and economy, he had accumu- 
 lated sufficient capital to purchase the old home- 
 stead in 1865. He had previous]) been working 
 ■on contrai t at Sandy (reek, and now turned his 
 attention to the development of his property and 
 to lumbering. So wild was some portions of this 
 region that since the date of his locating here 
 he has killed many deer, bears and wild 1 
 and on several occasions has had narrow escapes 
 from wild animals. The amount of game that 
 he has killed probably exceeds that of any other 
 man in the county, and he spent a portion of 
 each year in hunting up to 1895 
 
 On December 21, [851, at Beach Creek, 
 Clinton Co., Penn., Mr. Mann married Miss 
 Louisa Huff, who was born in that county Sep- 
 
 tember 29, [830. Her parents were William 
 and Anna (Barnes Huff, the former a native of 
 Williamport, and the latter of Lancaster, Penn, 
 The father, who was a farmer, died in 1886 in 
 Grundy county, III., when over ninety-seven 
 years of age. In 1852 he removed to the \\ 
 and was extensively I in farming there. 
 
 His wife died in the same county in 1890, at the 
 age of eighty-seven. Their children were James, 
 who died in Illinois Mi^ Mann. Sarah, widow 
 of Joseph Thomas, of Oklahoma; Jonathan; and 
 Silas, a farmer in Ponca, Nebraska. 
 
 The children of Mr. and Mrs. Mann were: 
 Beckie, whodiedin infancy; William T. , a farm- 
 er of Centre county; Catherine, wife of John G. 
 Packer, foreman of the chemical works in McKean 
 county, Penn.; Robert J., a farmer of Curtin 
 township; Mary J., wife of Green Watson, a farm- 
 er of Centre county; Sarah I . wife of Ja 
 K. Frye, a farmer of Centre county; Beckie, wife 
 
 William Lyons, a lumberman, of Castan 
 Penn.; Anna, wife of George Diet*, a farmer of 
 Centre county; Carrie, wife of William Rocken- 
 brod. a carpenter of Castanea, Penn. ; and Susan, 
 wife of James Niman, a farmer of Boggs town- 
 ship, Centre county. 
 
 In political views, Mi Mann is a Republican, 
 but has had neither time nor inclination for pub- 
 lic office. His life has been a busy and useful one 
 and all that he possesses has been acquired 
 through his own efforts and the able assistance of 
 his estimable wife, who has indeed been to him 
 a true Helpmate. Steadily has he worked his 
 way upward and his tireless energy and resolute 
 purpose are the stepping stones on which he has 
 
 u. In his hunting days he had many exciting 
 experiences, and is now giving his attention to the 
 more quiet and lucrative pursuits of farming ami 
 lumbering. 
 
 JOHN WITHERRITE was called from this 
 life June 11, 1896, and was laid to rest in 
 Messiah Cemetery, Boggs township. Centre 
 county. He was born in that township. J urn 
 1821, and with its interests was closely indenti 
 fied throughout his entire life. He was one of 
 the family of seven children born to Michael and 
 Mary Dickson) Witherrite, natives of Pennsyl- 
 vania, the others being: William, Michael, Isaac 
 and Elizabeth (twins), fames and George. All 
 are now deceased with the exception of James, 
 who makes his home at Julian, Pennsylvania. 
 
 Our subject was entirely a self-made man. 
 having started out in life with no capital save a 
 pair of willing hands and a determination to sue - 
 ceed His early days were spent in the coal 
 
MRS. MARY WITHERRITE 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 829 
 
 mines and in chopping wood, but later in life he 
 turned his attention to general farming and by 
 perseverance, industry and economy succeeded in 
 accumulating a good property, owing at the time 
 of his death a fine farm of ninety-four acres. His 
 political support was ever given the Democratic 
 party and its nominees. 
 
 On February, 20, 1845, Mr. Witherrite was 
 united in marriage with Miss Mary Swagret, who 
 was born October 6, 1 8 1 8, in Huntingdon county, 
 Penn., a daughter of Peter and Catherine 
 (Walker) Swagret. Her parents spent their en- 
 tire lives in that county, where the father engaged 
 in farming, and in religious belief they were Dunk- 
 ards. The mother died in 18 19, at the age of 
 twenty-six years, and the father in 1850. Mrs. 
 Witherrite was the only child born of their union, 
 and was reared by her maternal grandparents, Ja- 
 cob and Margaret Walker, natives of Germany 
 and Scotland, respectively. On coming to Amer- 
 ica they located in Huntingdon county, where 
 they continued to live until their deaths. Her 
 paternal grandparents, John and Christina Swa- 
 gret, were both born in Germany, and on coming 
 to the New World made their home in Mifflin 
 county, Pennsylvania. 
 
 Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. 
 Witherrite, as follows: (1) Martha J., born No- 
 vember 30, 1845, was married in September, 
 1873, to Samuel Furl, a farmer of Boggs town- 
 ship, and they have five children — Sarah, John, 
 Clara, Alfred and Michael. (2) Alfred, born 
 March 3, 1848, was married January 18, 1S88, 
 to Ellen Holderman, and they make their home 
 in Boggs township. (3) Mary M., born December 
 7, 1849, was married August 7, 1879, to Charles 
 Hall, of Centre county, and they have seven chil- 
 dren — Betsy, Carrie, Jessie, Polly, Toner, JohnB. 
 and Clara. (4) Michael, born November 3, 1852, 
 was married March 14, 1889, to Cora Clark, and 
 they have one son — Arburtis H., born Octo- 
 ber 29, 1893; they make their home in Centre 
 county. (5) Clara E. , born July 17, 1865, was 
 married March 19, 1886, toHarry Bottoff, of Cen- 
 tre county, and they have one daughter — Elsie V., 
 born December 9, 1891. 
 
 Mrs. Witherrite is a woman of more than or- 
 dinary business capacity, and manages her farm 
 with excellent skill, displaying sound judgment 
 and careful consideration. Since girlhood she 
 has been interested in bee culture, upon her place 
 has fifty hives, and three years ago she secured 
 1000 pounds of honey. In early life, like her 
 husband, she endured many hardships and trials, 
 and upon their marriage they started out in very 
 humble circumstances, their household effects 
 consisting of a bed and a skillet which she bor- 
 
 rowed. They had no chairs and neither knives 
 nor forks, but together they worked, persistently 
 and earnestly, until they had secured a good home 
 neatly and tastefully furnished. Mrs. Witherrite 
 has often split rails, which she carried up the 
 mountain, and even now she is a great worker. 
 On removing to her present farm it was still an 
 unbroken wilderness, and her home was a small 
 cabin, which in 1853 was replaced by her present 
 comfortable residence. It is picturesquely lo- 
 cated in a valley between two mountains, and on 
 the farm are several elegant springs, and a beau- 
 tiful stream which runs through its entire length. 
 
 X"tL 
 
 W. ULRICH, one of the excellent citizens 
 and well-known farmers of Penn township. 
 Centre county, was born June 8, 1842, in Mill- 
 heim, a son of Daniel and Sarah (Yeakley) Ul- 
 rich. The birth of the father occurred near the 
 old fort in Potter township, Centre county, April 
 17, 1 8 10, while his father, Christopher Ulrich, 
 was born in August, 1774, in Dauphin county, 
 Penn., and became the founder of the family in 
 Centre county, locating here during the latter 
 part of the eighteenth century. For a time he 
 conducted a hotel in Aaronsburg, later lived 
 upon a farm which he had purchased in Brush Val- 
 ley, but died while a resident of Potter town- 
 ship, August 1, 1 8 1 3. His wife, who bore the 
 maiden name of Catharine Showers, was born in 
 Dauphin county, in March, 1778, and survived 
 him many years, dying March 30, 1858. In 
 their family were four sons: Adam, who died 
 at Millheim; Samuel, a tanner, who died in Leb- 
 anon county, Penn. ; Michael, a tailor and farmer 
 by occupation, who died in Potter township; and 
 Daniel, the father of our subject. After the 
 death of her first husband, the mother of these 
 children married a Mr. Gilbert, and died near 
 Tusseyville, where her remains were interred. 
 
 After the death of his father, Daniel Ulrich 
 went to Dauphin county, Penn. , where he had 
 numerous relatives living, and there made his 
 home until eighteen years of age, when he re- 
 turned to Centre county. In Aaronsburg he 
 served an apprenticeship with Henry Whitmer, 
 a saddler and harness maker, and after learning 
 the trade established himself in business in Mill- 
 heim in 1832. In that same year he wedded 
 Sarah Yeakley, who was born in Penn's Valley, 
 Penn township, in 1809, a daughter of Jacob and 
 Sarah (Haine) Yeakley, farming people who 
 lived on Penn creek. For many years Mr. Ul- 
 rich continued to follow his trade in Millheim, 
 where he later engaged in the butchering and 
 
S330 
 
 COMMl VORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 tanning business. There his death occurred 
 December 18, 1888, and when his wife departed 
 this life in 1891, she was buried by his side in 
 the cemetery at Millheim. Formerly he was a 
 Whig in politics, later a strong Abolitionist, not 
 afraid to express bis views on the slavery ques- 
 tions, and when the Republican party was formed 
 to prevent the further extension of slavery, he 
 joined it* ranks. He was a worth) member of 
 the Evangelical Church, and from her early girl- 
 
 rj his wile held mi mb< rship in the Lutheran 
 Church. After the death of her husband she 
 made her home with her children who tender]) 
 cared for her until she, too, passed away. The 
 father was industrious and energetic, and through 
 his own unaided efforts succeeded in accumula- 
 ting considerable property, but nearly the entire 
 amount was appropriated by unscrupulous parties, 
 so that his hens received but little. During the 
 dark days of the Civil war he was one of the 
 most patriotic and loyal citizens, and in every 
 respect was a reliable, trustworthy man, univer- 
 sally esteemed 
 
 In the family were the following children: 
 Maria, now the wife ol George Gramley, of 
 Miles township. Centre county; Michael, a sad- 
 dler and harness maker oi Millheim; Harriet, 
 widow of Daniel Luse, .nid a resident of Johns- 
 town, Penn. ; David, a tanner living in Missis- 
 sippi; George, a harness maker of Millheim, who, 
 during the Civil war, was a member of the tin 
 month- and later re-enlisted in Ander- 
 
 son's Cavalry, serving until the close of the war; 
 Sarah, widow ol Benjamin Orndorf, of Haines 
 township. Centre county; A \\ .. of this sketch; 
 Lydia, who married Jacob Beame, and died in 
 Penn township; Daniel, a harness maker of Mill- 
 heim; Catharine, wife of |ohn Auman, of Juniata 
 county. Penn. ; and Hettie, wife of Jacob Cath- 
 erman. of Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania. 
 
 I n 'in the age of four years, A. AA Ul 
 
 le his home with his md aunt. Samuel 
 
 and Annie Yeagly) Krape, farming people of 
 Penn township, who had no children ol then 
 own, and upon In- farm he has since 
 
 made his home. His education was such as the 
 country schools of the locality afforded at that 
 time, his first teacher being a Mr. Bollinger. At 
 intervals he was able to attend school until at- 
 taining his majority, ami, being studiously in- 
 clined, has supplemented the knowledge there 
 acquired by extensive reading and study in later 
 years. On September 30, i860, in Pine Grove, 
 Centre county, he married Miss Sarah Weaver, 
 who was born in Miles township, in 1844. a 
 daughter of Henrj and Maria Weaver, and they 
 have three children; Annie, wife of Alvin Hal 
 
 ter, of Penn township; Lizzie, wife of John 
 by, of Gregg township, Centre county; and 
 Charles, at home. 
 
 Mr. Ulrich brought his bride to the home of 
 his foster parents, whom he devotedly cared for 
 until called to their final rest. He became the 
 ner of the farm, a valuable tract of seventy- 
 nine acres, which he has placed under a high 
 state of cultivation and improved with good 
 buildings, and also owns fifty-six acres ol timber 
 land. Politically, he is identified with the Di 
 ocratic party, and has acceptablv filled several 
 local offices, being assessor (our years, tax col- 
 lector two years, overseer of the poor three 
 years, supervisor one year, and inspector of elec- 
 tions one year. Earnest, conscientious Chris- 
 tians, he and his wife are active members of the 
 Reformed Church, in which he has served as 
 deacon for several years. Fraternally, he is 
 connected with the Grange. 
 
 H' 
 
 AX gaged in general farming in Marion town- 
 ship, Centre county, is a gentleman whose well- 
 known devotion to all the duties of public and 
 private life has made him a valued citizen of the 
 
 imunity. He has been prominently connected 
 with the political and agricultural interests, and 
 his upright career has won for him tin- unqual- 
 ified regard of many friends 
 
 Mr. W hiteleather was bom m ■ un- 
 
 ship. Centre county, February 10, 1S42. and is a 
 son ol Jacob and Catherine (Frazier White- 
 leather, the former a native of Maryland, and 
 the lattei of Centre county. The grandfather, 
 Andrew W hiteleather. lived in Maryland until 
 alter the death of Ins wife, and in 1830 he 
 accompanied his son Jacob to Pennsylvania, 
 The latter established a home in Marion town- 
 ship, "ii the farm where our subject now 
 and continued to make it his plai de nnt 1 
 
 1879. He died in February, 1885, at th 
 seventy-six years; his wife passed awaj in 
 December, 1873, at the age ol seventy-thi 
 
 They were members ol th< R 
 Church, and in politics he was a Democrat 
 Their children were: Elizabeth, who 
 Elias Mosier, and after his death wedded I 
 
 ig, who is now living retu litre count) . 
 
 Julian Nicholas, a grading gardener and fanner 
 of Centre county; David, deceased; Amos 
 Williamsburg, l'dair Co., Penn.; and Henry, of 
 
 this review 
 
 Henry W hiteleather was reared to farm life, 
 and worked for his father until twenty-four y 
 of age. He was then married in Centre county, 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 331 
 
 April 3, 1866, to Miss Catherine E. Dorman, who 
 was born in Union county, Penn. , in January, 
 1848. Her parents, Louis and Catherine (Den- 
 nis) Dorman, were natives of Union county, and 
 came to Centre county in 1856, since which time 
 they have been residents of Penn's Valley. 
 Their children are: John, a farmer of Nittany 
 Valley; Sarah, wife of John Orendorf, a farmer 
 of Centre county; Peter, who is living retired in 
 Illinois; Rebecca, widow of George Geiswhite, 
 of Centre county; Mary, wife of Henry Snavely, 
 a resident farmer of Centre county; Lavina, wife 
 of John Geiswhite, an agriculturist and shoe- 
 maker of the same county; Lida, wife of John 
 Confer, who is engaged in agricultural pursuits in 
 Millheim; Vietta, wife of Newton Hess, a farmer 
 of Centre county; Catherine E. (Mrs. White- 
 leather) and David ; who is living on the old home- 
 stead in Penn's Valley. 
 
 The children of Mr. and Mrs. Whiteleather 
 are as follows: Emma J. (at home), John F. (a 
 lumberman of Centre county), Sa"rah L. (at 
 home), Jacob (who is also engaged in the lumber 
 business), William H., Catharine E., Clara R., 
 Mary A. and Rosie B. 
 
 Upon his marriage, Mr. Whiteleather rented 
 a farm in Gregg township, where he remained 
 for five years. After he left his home his parents 
 broke up housekeeping and went to live with 
 him. On his removal from Gregg township, he 
 located in Brush Valley, Centre county, where 
 he remained for eight years, and on the expira- 
 tion of that period he rented of his father his 
 present home. Seven years later, in connection 
 with his brother Amos, who now resides in Will- 
 iamsburg, Penn., he purchased the old home- 
 stead, which they have since operated. He is a 
 progressive, enterprising agriculturist, and his 
 capable management of affairs has brought to 
 him success. He gives his political support to 
 the Democracy, and on that ticket has been 
 elected to the office of supervisor two terms, and 
 to the office of tax collector. He has also served 
 as school director, and is deeply interested in edu- 
 cation and all movements calculated to prove of 
 public benefit. He belongs to the Reformed 
 Church, and is a highly respected citizen, whose 
 upright career commends him to the confidence 
 of all. 
 
 IPV\EORGE W. LONG is now practically living 
 \£ a retired life at Eagleville, Centre county, 
 enjoying the fruits of his former toil. His has 
 been a long and busy career with little time tor 
 idleness, and through his own untiring efforts he 
 has succeeded in accumulating a competence 
 
 which enables him to lay aside business cares, 
 though to some extent he still engages in the ex- 
 press business. The money that he had suc- 
 ceeded in saving he now has out on interest. 
 
 On January 27, 1833, Mr. Long was born in 
 Bucks county, Penn., and is a son of Jacob and 
 Ann (Van Horn) Long, natives of Selins Grove, 
 Snyder county, and Yarleyville, Penn., respect- 
 ively. Both died in Harrisburg, Penn., the for- 
 mer in 1876, aged eighty years, and the latter in 
 1 87 1, aged seventy-six. Throughout his business 
 career the father served as superintendent of a 
 tannery. In their family were the following 
 children: Joseph, a brick manufacturer of Ohio; 
 George W. , of this review; Lewis, who was 
 killed in 1882, when in the employ of a railroad 
 company; Jerome B. , a brick maker of Harris- 
 burg, Penn.; Jacob, who died in 1886; and Mar- 
 garet, who is living in Harrisburg. The paternal 
 grandparents of our subject were Joseph and 
 Juliet Long, the former a native of Germany, 
 and the latter of Little York, Centre Co., Penn., 
 where the grandfather located at an early day 
 and engaged in merchandising and milling on 
 Penn creek. The maternal grandfather, Joseph 
 Van Horn, was of English extraction. 
 
 George W. Long remained with his parents 
 until twenty-six years of age, during which time 
 he obtained a fair common-school education, and 
 worked at brick-making in Harrisburg. In 1852 
 he came to Eagleville, though he did not locate 
 permanently there until 1858. For a number of 
 years he spent the winter seasons in lumber 
 woods, while through the summer he, was en- 
 gaged in boating, owning three good vessels. 
 On September 25, 1858, in Howard, Centre 
 county, he was married to Miss Jane R. Courter, 
 and to them were born eight children, namely: 
 William, weigher and shipper, of Homer, Centre 
 county; Edward, who died when young; George, 
 who died at the age of eleven years; Albert, a 
 resident of Johnsonville, Penn. ; Charles and 
 Eldra, engineers of that city; Minnie U., who is 
 with her parents, and is serving as organist of a 
 Church; and Joseph H., who is also with his 
 parents. 
 
 Mrs. Long was born in Liberty township, 
 Centre county, where her parents, Abraham and 
 Nancy (Rogers) Courter, who were of English 
 descent, had located at an early day. Both died 
 in Eagleville, where the father had worked as a 
 laborer. His parents, Abraham and Elizabeth 
 Courter, were natives of Lycoming county, Penn. , 
 and became pioneer settlers of Centre county, 
 where they spent the last years of their lives. 
 Michael and Susan Rogers, the maternal grand- 
 parents of Mrs. Long, were of Scotch-Irish de- 
 
882 
 
 ' tiMMKMoiiATIVE BIOUHAPHU M. BEt ORD. 
 
 scent. The family of Abraham Courter and 
 wife, were as follows: William, a shoemaker 
 of Eagle ville; Lucinda, a widow of Hiram Spang- 
 ler, and a resident of Eagleville; Peter, deceased; 
 Charles, who died in 1890; Mary A., widow of 
 Andy Kline, of Bloomsburg, Penn. ; Jane E., 
 wife of our subject; Lidda, wife of John W. 
 Long, a farmer of Clinton county, Penn. ; Re- 
 becca, wife ol Nathan Minnick, a miner of 
 Wilkes Barre, Penn.; David, who died in infan- 
 • j ; and one who died unnamed. 
 
 In 1864, Mr. Long enlisted in Company B. 
 11th P. V. [., undei Capt. Ben Haines, and at 
 the battle of the Wilderness was shot through 
 the right .leg He was tln-n confined in the 
 hospital at Chester Hill, Philadelphia, until No- 
 vember, 1864. when he rejoined the command 
 at Petersburg, but two weeks later became ill. 
 though he remained with his regiment. At the 
 battle ol Five Forks, in 1865. he was shot 
 through the left hip joint, and was confined in 
 the hospitals at Alexandria and Washington until 
 honorably discharged in [une, [865. On return- 
 ing to his home in Eagleville, he became fore- 
 man in a sawmill, where he was employed dur- 
 ing the summer, working in the woods for two 
 winters. In 1878 he purchaseda boat which he 
 ran on the river, and later handled coal and en- 
 gaged in general freighting at Eagleville. A 
 straightforward, honorable business man. he won 
 the confidence and respect of all with whom he 
 mi in contact, and in his declining years is en- 
 joying the reward of a well-ordered life. He is 
 a stalwart Republican in politics, and fraternally 
 prominent member of the Grand Army of 
 the Republic, and of the Patriotic Order ol Sons 
 of America. 
 
 JiMlN I LUCAS, who is prominently identi- 
 fied with the commercial and industrial in- 
 terests of Centre county, is pre-eminently a 
 self-made man lie began life with a definite, 
 purpose in view, worked faithfully, honestly and 
 with a will for its accomplishment, and is now 
 enjoying a comfortable competency. He is now 
 the efficient and popular postmaster of Moshan- 
 11011, where he is also engaged 111 general mer- 
 chandising, operates both a saw and (louring 
 mill, and is interested in the lumber business. 
 He is a man of good executive ability, fair and 
 honorable in all his dealings, and has thus gained 
 a liberal share of the public patronage. 
 
 Mr. Lucas was born at the Eagle Iron Works, 
 Centre county, September 9, 1842, a son of 
 William H. and Margaret (Bathurst) Lucas, also 
 natives of Centre county, where the father 
 
 worked at his trades of a mill and wheel wright 
 throughout life. The family was founded in 
 America by Benedict Lucas, a native of Ireland, 
 who located in Pennsylvania, where his son, 
 Charles, the great-grandfather of our subject, 
 was born. The grandparents, Joseph and Abbie 
 McMullen) Luc.' both natives of Centre 
 
 county, where they spent their entire lives. 
 Henry and Margaret (Tate) Bathurst, the ma- 
 ternal grandparents, were born in England, but 
 at an early da\ came to the United States and 
 located in Centre county, as did also the great- 
 grandfather, Lawrence Bathurst, who was disin- 
 herited for aiding tin Colonies in the Revolu- 
 iry war. 
 
 Our subject is the eldest of five children, the 
 others being: Margaret, who died in infani 
 Nelson, who is in the Pension Department at 
 Washington, 1>. C. ; Andrew J., a retired ma- 
 chinist of Altoona, Penn.; and William H., a 
 farmer of Snow Shoe township. Centre com 
 The mother of these children died in 1852, at 
 the age of twenty-eight years, ami the father 
 afterward wedded Mrs Elizabeth (Price) Wat- 
 son, who now resides in Milesburg, Centre coun- 
 ty He died in 1876, at the age of fifty-nine 
 years. He was a fmn Democrat in politics, and 
 a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, as 
 was also the mother of our subject. 
 
 During his boyhood and youth |ohn T. Lucas 
 attend* d the local schools and assisted his father 
 in his work, remaining with him until Septeml 
 
 1, when he enlisted iu Company 1 >. 45th P. 
 V. I., under (apt. Curtin, for three years' serv- 
 ice. He participated in many important battles 
 and skirmishes, including those of Fredericks- 
 burg, Vicksburg, Jackson (Miss.), Blue Sprin 
 the siege of Knoxville, and the battle of the 
 Wilderness, where he was wounded in the right 
 shoulder, May 6, 1804, but remained with his 
 
 ipany, though for two months he was unabh 
 for active service. On the expiration of his term 
 of service he was honorably discharged and re- 
 turned h , wlnie he was employed in tin 
 
 iron works with his father until his marriage, 
 June [6, 1800, in Huntingdon county, Penn., to 
 Mi~- Num. P. Isenberg. To them were born 
 eleven children, as follows: Edith L., at home; 
 Harry, who died at the age of twenty ye 
 ( lydeC . a merchant of Clearfield county, Penn.. 
 who married Minnie Edmond, of Chicago; Carrie 
 I . John F., James W. . Clarence T. and Anna 
 I . who are with their parents; Marion, who died 
 in infancy, and Jennie M. and Albert C at 
 home. 
 
 Mrs. Lucas was born in Emlenton, Venango 
 Co., Penn., December 25, 1843, a daughter of 
 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 833 
 
 Daniel and Caroline T. (Taxis) Isenberg, natives 
 of Huntingdon and Centre counties, respectively, 
 who removed to Emlenton shortly after their 
 marriage, which was celebrated in Venango coun- 
 ty. On coming to Centre county in 1870, they 
 located at Milesburg, where they remained until 
 1884, when they removed to Moshannon. The 
 father, who was born in March, 181 5, died in 
 Moshannon, February 6, 1893. He was a cooper 
 by trade, a Republican in politics, and a consist- 
 ent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
 to which his wife also belongs. She was born 
 August 15, 1820, and now finds a pleasant home 
 with our subject. Their family consisted 01 two 
 daughters: Annie P., and Jennie E., wife of 
 William Lucas, a brother of our subject. 
 
 The Isenberg family was founded in the New 
 World by Amick Isenberg, a native of Germany, 
 whose son, George, was born in Huntingdon 
 county, Penn. , and married Anna Wise, also a 
 native of that county, where they made their 
 home upon a farm throughout life. They were 
 the paternal grandparents of Mrs. Lucas, while 
 her maternal grandparents were John B. and 
 Jane (Stump) Taxis, natives of Germany, but 
 who were married in Centre county, where the 
 grandfather worked at his trade of cabinet mak- 
 ing. In their family were the following children: 
 Joanna married John Mim, but both are now de- 
 ceased; Mrs. Isenberg is next in order of birth; 
 Penniah married John Cripps, and after his death 
 wedded John McGwin, a stone mason of Indiana 
 county, Penn. ; Priscilla, deceased, was three 
 times married; Gideon is a retired cabinet maker 
 of Joliet, 111., and has served as circuit clerk of 
 his county; John B. is a practicing physician of 
 Gardner, 111. ; Maria wedded Hugh Carson, but 
 both are now deceased; Irene married John Eck- 
 ler, and after his death wedded William Dunlay, 
 a merchant of Pepin county, Wis. ; and Harriet 
 married William Eckler, and after his death 
 wedded L. Place, a farmer of Wisconsin. 
 
 After his marriage, Mr. Lucas worked in the 
 iron works of McCoy & Linn, and was also em- 
 ployed in the lumber woods until 1870, when he 
 was appointed assistant superintendent of iron 
 works, which position he continued to fill until 
 1873. He then served as superintendent of the 
 Curtin works until 1881, in which year he came 
 to Moshannon, where he first operated a grist- 
 mill. As his financial resources have increased 
 he has added to his business until it has assumed 
 its present extensive proportions and embraces 
 several lines of trade. The success of his life is 
 due to no inherited fortune, or to any happy suc- 
 cession of advantageous circumstances, but to his 
 own sturdy will, steady application, studious hab- 
 
 its, tireless industry and sterling integrity. Mr. 
 Lucas gives his unwavering support to the prin- 
 ciples of the Democratic party, and has served 
 his fellow citizens as school director and auditor. 
 In religious faith, he is a member of the Method- 
 ist Episcopal Church; fraternally, he is affiliated 
 with the Royal Arcanum, belonging to the lodge 
 in Bellefonte. He is a man who has ever been 
 found in the foremost ranks of citizens who are 
 devoted to their country's best interests and to 
 the welfare of their fellowmen, and he well de- 
 serves the high regard in which he is universaLly 
 held. 
 
 JOHN J. ORNDORF, of Haines township, 
 Centre county, is a progressive and well-to-do 
 
 agriculturist, and a citizen of recognized in- 
 fluence in political, social and business life. His 
 ancestors were among the early settlers of that 
 locality, and he has the distinction of occupying 
 the same farm on which his father, grandfather 
 and great-grandfather lived. The family must 
 have been established in this State at a very early 
 period, as the great-grandfather, John Orndorf, 
 was a farmer and storekeeper in Berks county 
 during the Revolutionary war. He came to 
 Centre county and settled on the old homestead 
 near Woodward about 1790, becoming owner of 
 an extensive tract of land, and passing his re- 
 maining days in agricultural pursuits. 
 
 One of his children, Henry, our subject's, 
 grandfather, remained at the homestead and mar- 
 ried a Miss Hess, by whom he had seven chil- 
 dren, only one of whom, Samuel, is now living: 
 Henry was a carpenter at Jacksonville, in the 
 Nittany Valley; Betsy married Mr. Kleckner, a 
 farmer of Union county, Penn. ; Catherine never 
 married; John, a carpenter and farmer in Centre 
 county, died when seventy-seven years old; 
 Samuel, a carpenter, of near Woodward, Centre 
 county, is still living, now eighty-eight years old; 
 • Benjamin was a farmer and carpenter in the same 
 locality; and David, our subject's father, lived 
 and died on the old homestead. 
 
 David Orndorf was a man of good native 
 abilities, but his education was limited to an 
 attendance of a few months each winter during 
 boyhood at the Vonada school. Choosing farm- 
 ing as his occupation, he made his start in life by 
 purchasing from the other heirs, after the father's 
 death, sixty-five acres of land, including the old 
 homestead with the first house that was built 
 there. The land was then held at $35 an acre. 
 He made many repairs and improvements, and 
 added more land until at the time of his death, 
 May 8, 1876, he had 249 acres under cultivation 
 
:;:;! 
 
 00 V VEMOliA 77I7-: BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 and a large amount of forest land He was a 
 Democrat in politics, and a leading member of 
 St. Paul's Reformed Church, two miles 
 Woodward. His wife was Miss Catherine Morti- 
 mer, of Pottsville, and five children were born to 
 them, 'Hir subject being the eldest. William 
 died near Woodward in [887, leaving a widow. 
 Isaac is a farmer in Haines township. Centre 
 county. Alice married Isaiah Boob, a farmer of 
 Union county. lVnn. ; Alfred, a graduate of State 
 College, became insane from overstudy, and is 
 now m an asylum. 
 
 subject of this biography was horn on 
 the old hoi . August (8, 1S47. and re- 
 ceived his education at the Yonada school dur- 
 ing boyh 1. attending until the age of twenty, 
 
 with the exception of two years lost on account 
 
 ekness. On leaving school he assisted his 
 father until his marriage, on April 3, 1866, to 
 Miss Sarah I.. Dorman. He then settled upon 
 a farm two miles north of Woodward, belonging 
 to his uncle John, and remained then- seventeen 
 years. In 1885 Ik- removed to the old home- 
 stead, and now owns 136 acres of fine farming 
 
 land with .1 l-sized tract which is yet uncul- 
 
 tivated. Mr. and Mrs. Orndorf have had si 
 children, whose names with dates of birth are as 
 follows: Charles, August 21, 1867, is at home; 
 Susannah, October 28, 1868, married Warren 
 HoSterman, and resides near Woodward; Louis 
 D., January 8, 1 S 7 2 , postmaster at Woodward, 
 married Miss Lydia Weaver, and has one child, 
 Ray; Catharine A., twin to Louis D., married 
 John Hosterman, and lives near Woodward; 
 Howard B., February 28, 1876, died at the age 
 of twenty; Anna !\.. March 20, 1877, and Sadie 
 I . . \ j > 1 1 1 20, 1885, are at home. 
 
 Mr. Orndorf is a man whose advice is sought 
 by his acquaintances upon business and legal 
 matters, his sound judgment making him a 
 leader in the community. He is a member of 
 the Reformed Church, and also belongs to the 
 Patriotic Order Sons of America at Woodward, 
 and to the Patrons of Husbandry, Goodwill 
 Grange No. 1030. As a Democrat he is influ- 
 ential and active, and has repeatedly held office 
 in his township. 
 
 JOHN ROSSMAN. The life of this gentle- 
 man, who is now living retired in ("iir™ town- 
 ship. Centre county, is a striking example oi 
 what can be accomplished by perseverance and 
 industry, when guided by sound judgment. He 
 has had a somewhat remarkable experience 
 m his struggle with the world. In addition to 
 being thrown upon his own resources at a tendei 
 
 he has been the victim of misplaced confi- 
 dence and treachery in business practices where 
 his kind-heartedness induced him to help others. 
 
 Mr. Rossman was born in Walker township. 
 Nittany Valley, Centre county, September 22, 
 1S27, of which county his father. John Rossman, 
 was also a native, while his grandfather, Henry 
 Rossman, was a German by birth. The last named 
 was a highly educated man, who taught school 
 in Rebersburg in early life, and later became a 
 licensed ministei "I the Reformed Church. He 
 was one of the pioneer preachers of this section, 
 known far and near, and would ride from charge 
 to charge on horseback. His death occurred at 
 The Loop, in Potter township. Centre county, 
 when in his eightieth year. 
 
 John Rossman, Sr.. was the eldest in the 
 family of four sons and rhree daughters, and 
 during his boyhood he learned the weaver's trade, 
 which was a more profitable business in those 
 lavs than at the present time. In Walker town- 
 ship he married Miss Sarah, a daughter of Philip 
 and Margaret Brown Walker, and in 1833, with 
 his family, he started for East Germantown, Ma- 
 rion Co., Ind. The journey was made in covered 
 wagons, the covers for which he wove, and they 
 cooked their meals along the road and slept in 
 tin wagons. On arriving at his destination, Mr 
 Rossman was not pleased with the prospects; the 
 1 innate did not agree with him, and in the follow- 
 ing spring he was taken ill and died, and his re- 
 mains were interred at East Germantown. In 
 politics he was a Democrat. 
 
 At the death of the father, the mother was 
 left with eight children to care for among stran- 
 gers. Subsequently her father came for the fam- 
 ily, and they returned to Pennsylvania, where 
 she purchased a home near the junction in Nit- 
 tany Valley, and kept the two younger children 
 with her, while the others were senl out to make 
 their own way in the world. They were as fol- 
 lows; Henry, a carpenter, who died in Nittany 
 Valley; Elias, also a carpenter, who died in that 
 place; Nancv, widow of Reuben Loveland, and a 
 resident of Yankeetown, Nittany Valley; Sarah, 
 who married Daniel Wolf, and died in Mill Hall. 
 Clinton county; John, subject of this sketch; 
 George, a carpenter of Stephenson county. III.; 
 Jane, who married Thomas Shook, and died at 
 Washington Furnace, Penn. ; and David, a resi- 
 dent of Pottei township. The mother passed 
 away at The Junction at the age of seventy-five 
 years, and was laid to rest in the Snydertown 
 cemetery. In early life she was a member of 
 the Reformed Church, hut later united with the 
 1 \ angelical Association. 
 
 1 oi two years after the return of the family 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 335 
 
 from Indiana John Rossman lived with his uncle, 
 Isaac Walker, in Nittany Valley. Robert Smith 
 was his guardian; but at the age of eight years 
 he was hired out for his board and clothes to 
 Jonas Pauley, whose home was distant one mile 
 from Penn Hall, near Brush mountain. With 
 him our subject remained until attaining his ma- 
 jority, during which time he was allowed to 
 attend school for only six months. He worked 
 on the farm of his employer, and when not em- 
 ployed in this way was given the privilege of 
 learning the trade with Mr. Pauley, who was a 
 shoemaker. When his term of bondage had ex- 
 pired he worked for his preceptor for three years 
 at $10 per month, with the exception of one 
 month during the harvest season, at which time 
 he worked in the fields, where he could earn fifty 
 cents per day. Being economical, during the 
 first year he succeeded in saving $100. He next 
 worked at his trade by the piece for two years, 
 which was more profitable. 
 
 While thus employed, Mr. Rossman was 
 married in Gregg township, October 2, 1851, to 
 Miss Elizabeth Ziegler, who was born in that 
 township February 19, 1832, the ninth in order 
 of birth in the family of thirteen children born 
 to Peter and Barbara (Walterparger) Ziegler. 
 Her father, a farmer by occupation, was a native 
 of York county, Penn. Mr. and Mrs. Rossman 
 have four sons: Josiah C, born May 10, 1856, 
 and Lewis E. , born February 6, 1859, are both 
 residents of Gregg township; Howard F., born 
 March 7, 1862, has a store in Spring Mills; and 
 Harvey D., born May 16, 1863, is a farmer of 
 Gregg township. With them resides a grand- 
 child, Alverta M. (the daughter of Josiah), who 
 was born April 9, 1878, and has made her home 
 with them since two years of age. 
 
 Upon his marriage, Mr. Rossman rented a 
 house and lot in Brush Valley, Gregg township, 
 until 1853, when he purchased a farm, shop and 
 home of sixty acres of Mr. Pauley, where he 
 lived for fifteen years. In 1868, in partnership 
 with Edward Houtz, he bought 304 acres, of 
 which he has 168 acres in the same township, 
 and upon his share erected all the buildings. He 
 continued to follow agricultural pursuits until 
 1884, when he built his present comfortable res- 
 idence on the same place, and has since lived 
 retired, enjoying a well-earned rest. In politics 
 he has always been a Democrat, but not strictly 
 partisan, and has creditably filled the positions 
 of tax collector, overseer of the poor, school di- 
 rector thirteen years, and supervisor five years, 
 being for twenty consecutive years an office 
 holder. Earnest and conscientious Christians, 
 he and his wife are active members of the Re- 
 
 formed Church, in which he has served as dea- 
 con and elder, and delegate to Classes twice, and 
 delegate to the General Synod at Akron, Ohio. 
 They enjoy the friendship of a wide circle of 
 acquaintances, who esteem them highly for 
 their sterling worth and many excellent traits of 
 character. 
 
 iOHN NEWLIN HALL. The subject of this 
 sketch stands second to none among the 
 prominent agriculturists of Howard township. 
 Centre county, and his record it has been deemed 
 wise to preserve in this manner for the perusal 
 of the coming generation. As a judicious tiller 
 of the soil he has met with success, and as a man 
 and citizen he holds a good position among his 
 neighbors. He is also one of the honored pio- 
 neers of the township, in whose development and 
 progress he has borne an active part. A practi- 
 cal and skillful hunter, for forty years during its 
 early history, he engaged in hunting and trap- 
 ping with remarkable success, having killed many 
 buffaloes, bears, deer, wild-cats, panthers, etc., 
 and trapping one of the only two black wolves 
 ever caught in the county. 
 
 Mr. Hall was born in Bellefonte, May 1, 1831, 
 and is a son of John and Sarah (Weaver) Hall, 
 the former a native of Chester county, and the 
 latter of Berks county, Penn. His paternal 
 grandparents, Hon. John W. and Hannah Hall, 
 were born in Pennsylvania, and in 1796 located 
 in Centre county; thus for a century has the 
 family been prominently identified with the 
 interests of that county. The grandfather, an 
 expert blacksmith by trade, established one of 
 the first smithies in the county, but spent his last 
 days in retirement upon a farm. He took a 
 prominent part in public affairs, and was the first 
 member of the Legislature sent from Centre 
 county, being elected in 1800. 
 
 The father of our subject accompanied his 
 parents to Centre county and located in Belle- 
 fonte. In his family were seven children, namely: 
 Joseph B. , who died at Howard, in March, 1894; 
 Daniel W. , an extensive farmer of Fayette county, 
 Iowa; Hannah, widow of Rev. Thomas Barn- 
 hart, of Red Oak, Iowa; Sarah, wife of ex-Sheriff 
 Daniel Z. Kline, of Centre county; John N., the 
 subject of this review; William M., an expert 
 blacksmith, who died in October, 1880, and Mary 
 J., who died September 27, 1895. 
 
 Since the early age of six years the subject 
 of this sketch has resided upon his present farm 
 in Howard township, whose well-tilled fields and 
 neat appearance testify to his skill and ability as 
 a practical farmer. His literary education was 
 
886 
 
 co.M.VEMORA TIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 obtained in the schools of Centre county. On 
 April 17, 1856, Mr. Hall was united in marriage 
 with Miss Susannah Allbaugh, of Blair county. 
 Penn., and to them have been born six children, 
 namely: John D., of Bellefonte, is a conductor 
 on the Pennsylvania Central railroad, and made 
 the first trip on that road in which an accident 
 occurred, the engine turning over owing to the 
 rails being spread, but no one was hurt. Ida M. 
 is the wife of D. N. Johnson, a farmer of Marion. 
 Linn Co., Iowa. Sarah Alice is the wife of 
 George K. Sti filer, and both are school teachers 
 in Blair county, Penn. Temperance, who has 
 engaged in teaching for fifteen years, is at home. 
 Mollie K., who has also taught for eight terms, 
 resides with her parents. William H. is also at 
 home. 
 
 Mrs. Hall is a native of Blair county, her 
 birth having occurred in Hollidaysburg, Novem- 
 ber 16, 1829, and she is a daughter of Rev. 
 David and Elizabeth (Snyder) Allbaugh, the for- 
 mer a native of West Virginia, and the latter of 
 Blair county, Penn., where their marriage was 
 celebrated in 1814. By occupation the father 
 was a farmer and miller, and he also served as a 
 minister of the German Baptist Church. He 
 was born August 23, 1776, and died at the home 
 of his daughter, Mrs. Mary A Harris, in Cam- 
 bria county, Penn., March 4, 1865; his wife 
 passed away in Blair county, January 25, 1855, 
 at the age of sixty-nine years. Their familj 
 consisted of ten children: Sallie, widow of Levi 
 Hoover, of Linn county, Iowa; Jacob, John and 
 Thomas, who all died when young; Mary, widow 
 of William Harris, residing near Johnstown, Cam- 
 bria county; Catherine, who married Abraham 
 Good, but both are now deceased; Susannah A , 
 wife of our subject; Joseph, who served for three 
 years during the Civil war, and is now a gard< 
 of Cambria county: David, who died when 
 young; and Daniel W., who was also a Union 
 soldier, and was killed at the battle of Nashville. 
 The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Hall, David 
 and Florence Allbaugh. were natives of Virginia, 
 and died upon a farm in Blair county, Penn., 
 while the materi ndparents, Thomas and 
 
 Mary Snyder, were born in Hagerstown, Md., 
 and also spent their last days upon a farm in 
 Blair county. 
 
 Politically, Mr. Hall supports the men and 
 measures of the Democratic party, and has 
 served his fellow citizens in several official pi 
 tions. In 1874 he v ted county conn 
 
 sioner, and so acceptable was his servii e thai he 
 was re-elected the following yeai lor a tin 
 y< ars term. After faithfully serving for six \. 
 as school director, he retired from office in 1 
 
 during which time he had been secretary of the 
 board, and attended every meeting, 108 in all. 
 For two years he was also overseer of the poor. 
 Socially he is a member of the Grange at How- 
 ard, and religiously holds to the faith ol the 
 Methodist Episcopal Church, and possesses a 
 large share of the benevolence which induces 
 him to take an active interest in that which is 
 going on around him, and which most nearly af- 
 fects the welfare of the community. 
 
 DANIEL A. MUSSER (deceased) Among 
 the sagacious, farsighted and enterpn 
 business men who have contributed to the devel- 
 opment of Penn's Valley, Centre county, the sub- 
 ject of this memoir deserves a place. He was a 
 native of that county, with which throughout his 
 life he was identified, and was a descendant of a 
 well-known pioneer family. The name was for- 
 merly spelled Moser, and while the Penn's Val- 
 ley branch has adopted the spelling used by our 
 subject, various forms are found among the other 
 branches in the different parts of the United 
 Mates. 
 
 Sebastian Musser, the grandfather ol our sub- 
 ject, and the first of this line to settle in Centre 
 county, was born in Linn township, Northamp- 
 ton Co., Penn., January 3, 1760, and his wife, 
 Anna Maria Miller, a native of the same town- 
 ship, was born July 15, 1762. The}' had only 
 one child, Philip B., born in Northampton coun- 
 ty, August 27. 1785, and a few years later th< 
 little family came to this section. 
 
 Philip B. Musser, our subject's father, vvi 
 shrewd and successful business man and a lead- 
 ing farmer of his day, accumulating a handsome 
 competence. He was a prominent member of 
 the Lutheran Church, and an influential worker 
 in local affairs, serving at one time as justice of 
 the peace. On November 4. 1S06, he was mar- 
 ried in Centre county to Elizabeth Ilgen, whow 
 born August 26, 1790, the daughter o I Rev. Lud- 
 wig A Ilgen, an old-time Lutheran minister 
 Thirteen children were born to them, the nan 
 with dates of birth being as follows: John £ 
 bastian, March 29, 1808, was a fanner and min- 
 ister of the Evangelical Church, and his death 
 rred in Penn township, Centre county, Jan- 
 uary 9, 1887; Ludwig \. W. (later W. I \ 
 gusl m, [810, died at Millheim, Octobers 1 8i 
 Maria 11., October 10, 181 1, married 
 Mu~ 1 died in Gregg township. Centre 
 
 county; John P., November 4, 1813, dud 111 
 fancy; Philip A., December 9, 1816, a tarn.' 
 died in Penn township, Centre county. Octob 
 11, [894; Anna B. , July 3, [818, married John 
 
DAHIEL A. MUSSER 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 337 
 
 Hubler, and died in Brush Valley; John G., De- 
 cember 12, 1820, died in Millheim; Daniel A., 
 June 28, 1822, is the subject proper of this 
 sketch; Maria C. , February 16, 1826, widow of 
 Thomas Frank, resides in Millheim, as do also 
 Lydia E. , March 16, 1828, John F. Ilgen, Janu- 
 ary 23, 1830, and Sarah C, now Mrs. Frederick 
 Catherman, February 20, 1833; James J., No- 
 vember 19, 1834, is a resident of Hartleton, 
 Union Co., Penn. The mother of this family 
 died July 15, 1854, and was buried at Aaronsburg. 
 The father, for his second wife, married a widow, 
 but there were no children by this union. He 
 died November 29, 1874. 
 
 The late D. A. Musser was reared as a farm- 
 er's boy, attending only the country schools of 
 his day. Early in life he learned the miller's 
 trade at what is now known as Fisher's Mill, of 
 which his father was then the owner. In June, 
 1846, his parents removed to Millheim, and our 
 subject ran a gristmill there for some time. On 
 June 29, 1 85 1, he was married in Mifflinburg to 
 Miss Lydia A. Shreffler, a native of Millheim, 
 born March 5, 1826. She was one of the eight 
 children — four sons and four daughters — of Daniel 
 and Rachel (Moyer) Shreffler, and was educated 
 at Millheim, her first teacher being John Toner, 
 a noted penman and one of the pioneer educators 
 of this region. 
 
 At the time of his marriage, Mr. Musser had 
 $400 saved from his earnings, and this sum he 
 invested in mountain land in Poe Valley, in part- 
 nership with his brother, W. L. Musser. The 
 venture proving successful, he built a residence, 
 and a sawmill which did a profitable business. 
 Later he was associated with J. P. Gephart in 
 the same line, his success continuing undimin- 
 ished. In 1855 he built the present home at 
 Millheim, in which his widow still resides, \x\d 
 where he spent his last years, his death occur- 
 ring June 30, 1888, very suddenly. Of seven 
 children, five are living. The names of all with 
 dates of birth are here given: F. Pierce, Octo- 
 ber 31, 1852, resides at Millheim; Junie A., 
 August 5, 1855, married A. Walter, of Millheim; 
 Elizabeth A., September 16, 1857, died in in- 
 fancy; Jane Mary Belle, April 6, i860, married 
 C. A. Sturgis, and died in Millheim; Rose E., 
 August 4, 1863, married T. R. Stam, of West 
 Union, Iowa; H. Clymer, September 6, 1866, 
 and Milton O., February 2, 1870, are well-known 
 shoe dealers at West Union, Iowa; both are 
 married. 
 
 Mr. Musser was so intimately connected with 
 the varied activities of his locality, that his in- 
 fluence seemed to touch all phases of life. Asa 
 
 business man he identified himself with many 
 22 
 
 enterprises, notably the Millheim Banking Co. 
 At the time of his death he owned two large 
 flouring-mills, several farms and much valuable 
 real estate in and near Millheim, aside from the 
 family residence. Despite the constant labor 
 and thought which enabled him to secure his 
 handsome fortune, he found time for public 
 affairs. He was a lieutenant in the militia in 
 the "olden time," and always took keen inter- 
 est in local politics. He was a leader in the 
 Democratic organization, holding many town- 
 ship offices, and at the time of his death was 
 president of the Millheim borough council. In 
 county politics his advice was sought and influ- 
 ence felt. He was deputy sheriff during the 
 term of his brother, W. L. Musser, as sheriff, 
 and in 1875 was elected county treasurer with an 
 increased Democratic majority. His son, Pierce, 
 filled the office by Mr. Musser's appointment. 
 The centennial celebration of Millheim was an 
 event in which he manifested great interest, and 
 it was a source of grief to all classes in the com- 
 munity that he could not share in the successful 
 realization of the plans which he had so warmly 
 approved. In religious work he was active, 
 ' contributing both time and means. In i860 he 
 united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and 
 until his death was a leading worker in the 
 Church and Sunday-school. His chief recreation 
 was the chase, and he annually spent several 
 weeks in the mountains in search of deer and 
 other game. Of all his various interests, how- 
 ever, his home and family stood first in his affec- 
 tions, and throughout his wedded life the dearest 
 place on earth was his own fireside. 
 
 iyi M. MUSSER, a well-known retired mer- 
 iL chant of Aaronsburg, and an honored veter- 
 an of the Civil war, is a representative of a fam- 
 ily that has been identified with the development 
 of Penn's Valley for more than a century, and 
 at a still earlier day had become prominent 
 among the pioneers of Linn township, North- 
 ampton Co., Penn., where the first American 
 ancestors settled on their arrival from Germany. 
 About 1789, Philip Musser, the grandfather of 
 our subject, located in Penn's Valley, and was 
 engaged in agriculture there until his death, July 
 19, 1804. Of his eight children, the three sons 
 were named Philip, David and John. 
 
 John Musser, our subject's father, was born 
 in Gregg township, Centre county, January 8, 
 1793, and was married May 15, 1822, to Miss 
 Susan Fiedler, a native of Penn township, Cen- 
 tre county, born July 19, 1S01. He followed 
 
:•.:> 
 
 i OMMBMOBATIVE BI0GRA1-JIHM, RECORD. 
 
 the carpenter's trade until 1832, when be moved 
 in the farm of his father-in-law, Jacob Fiedler, 
 but si ion afterward went to Miles township, Cen- 
 tn county, to start a fulling-mill. This he dis- 
 posed "I after a tunc and returned to Gregg 
 township, the remainder of his life being spent 
 in farming. In [842 he moved to Spring town- 
 ship, Centre county, and died there April 
 [880, at the age of eighty-seven. His wife passed 
 Lway in the same township, in January, 1875, 
 ami both were buried in the Union Cemetery 
 .11 Bellefonte. 
 
 John Musser was small in stature, but heavy 
 weighing about 150 pounds. While he was 
 not a learned man, he had excellent judgment, 
 and was noted for precision of thought and 
 speech, and for that most uncommon quality — 
 common sense. He was "self-made," and by 
 his industry ami thrift accumulated property to 
 
 ■ nsiderable amount. In early life he was an 
 Old-line Whig, later becoming a steadfast Re- 
 publican, and at times he held township offices. 
 During many years he was an elder in the Lu- 
 theran Church, to which he and his wife both be- 
 longed, and hi- had a great influence in the so- 
 ciety . 
 
 lb- had ten children, whose names, with 
 dates of birth are as follows: Philip, January 
 1 w. 1 823, is a carpenter at Lena, 111. ; Catherine. 
 May 6, 1824, married Joseph Keller, and died in 
 Rudd, Iowa; Molly, November 6, 1825, married 
 George Breon, and resides at Lena, 111.; Re- 
 becca, March 12, 1827, married William A. Kes- 
 lin, and died at Rudd, Iowa; John, March 31, 
 1N20, is a farmer in Spring township, Centre 
 county; Susan, January 26, [831, is the wile of 
 John Wetzel, of the same township; Samuel, De- 
 cember 7, 1832, formerly of Millheim, now re- 
 sides in Scranton, Penn. ; M. M., October 11, 
 [834, is mentioned more fully below; Israel, Jan- 
 uary 30, 1838, was second lieutenant of Com- 
 pany I), 148th P. V. I., and lost his life in the 
 service, dying May 20, 1863, in the hospital at 
 Falmouth, Va.; and Mary, July 1, 1842, is the 
 wile of Rev. William Schoch, a Lutheran minis- 
 ter of New Berlin, Pennsylvania. 
 
 M. M. Musser was born in Miles township. 
 Centre county, and he first attended school in 
 the Beaver Dam District, in Gregg township, 
 with John S. Price as teacher. He lived at 
 home until he was twenty-five, and during that 
 time he attended, for one term, a school at 
 Aaronsburg taught by Prof. Burrell. His own 
 experience as a teacher was limited to one term 
 in the Koupsburg District, in Benner township, 
 Centre county ; but his attention was soon turned 
 to mercantile pursuits, and he began clerking in 
 
 Bellefonte in the store owned by David Wagner, 
 John B. Awl and Isaac May. 
 
 In August, 1862, Mr. Musser enlisted in Com- 
 pany K, 1 5th Pennsylvania Cavalry, better known 
 as the •' Anderson Cavalry." Their first engage- 
 ment was at Stone River, and Mr. Musser was 
 one of the gallant three hundred who were sent 
 out by Gen. Rosecrans as an advance guard. At 
 Chickamauga he was one of the orderlies of Gen. 
 Rosecrans, with the rank of sergeant. Promotions 
 ■ one in the regular order, and at the time of his 
 discharge at Nashville in June, 1865. he held a 
 commission as second lieutenant. He never had 
 a leave of absence, and never lost any time 
 through wounds or sickness. 
 
 In September, 1865, our subject was mar- 
 ried at Farmers Mills to Miss Catherine Fisher, 
 who was born in Heidelberg township, Berks 
 Co., Penn., September 9, 1838, a daughter of 
 Adam and Mary (Brussman) Fisher. In the fol- 
 lowing year Mr. Musser located at Farmers 
 Mills, purchasing a store from his father-in-law, 
 and in 1867 he removed his stock of goods to the 
 place now called Fiedler P. O. , in Haines town- 
 ship. Centre county. In the fall of 1873 he 
 bought his present property in Aaronsburg from 
 J. 11 ob \\ Me. and during the next year he remod- 
 
 I the building, making it more convenient for 
 a dwelling as well as for business purposes. His 
 business was continued successfully at that loca- 
 tion until 1894, when, owing to ill health, he 
 sold his stock and retired. 
 
 Mr. Musser has a refined and courteous man- 
 ner, and through his wide reading has kept well 
 informed on current topics. His judgment is 
 sound, and has gained great influence for him 
 among his acquaintances. To his children he 
 has given good educations, and they have done 
 justice to their opportunities. William S., who 
 was born in Gregg township, July 20. [866, is 
 tion agent for the Pennsylvania railroad it 
 Rising Spring; Irene O. born October 8, 1867, 
 in Haines township, is at home; Charles H.. a 
 twin ol Irene C. , is in Kirkbride Hospital. Phila- 
 delphia; Mary S., born in Haines township. 
 April 17, 1870, married Mr. Mertis; and Edward, 
 of Bloomsburg, Penn.. is an insurance agent 
 in Philadelphia. In his political affiliations Mr 
 Musser has always been a Republican, and is 
 one of the influential workers of the party, rep- 
 resenting his locality in the county conventions. 
 He is a leading member of the Lutheran Church, 
 in which he is a trustee, and has held every office 
 except that of minister. He helped to organise 
 the Grand" Army Post No. 298, at Millheim, and 
 at present is its commander; and is postmaster 
 at his home, Aaronsburg. 
 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 339 
 
 B 
 
 O. BRAUCHT, the genial and popular 
 EL proprietor of the "Coburn Hotel," is one 
 of the prosperous business men of Penn's Valley, 
 one who has made his own way in the world un- 
 aided by capital or influential friends, and at one 
 time served as stable boy at the hotel of which 
 he is now the owner. He was born in Penn 
 township, Centre county, September 10, 1865, a 
 son of William and Harriet (Geary) Braucht. 
 
 George Braucht, grandfather of our subject, 
 was the first of the family to come to Centre 
 county, his home being previously in Lancaster 
 county, Penn., and in Penn township married 
 Elizabeth Kersteter, a daughter of Leonard Ker- 
 steter. They lived upon the farm where the 
 father of our subject spent his entire life, and 
 there reared their seven children, namely: John, 
 of Penn township; Daniel, of Coburn; William, 
 who died near Coburn; Dena, who died near 
 Penn Hall; Sarah, who married John Heckman, 
 and died near the same place; Lydia, wife of Ja- 
 cob Breon, of Penn Hall; and Elizabeth, wife of 
 William Neese, of Gregg township, Centre coun- 
 ty. Upon the homestead farm the parents of 
 these children spent their entire married life, and 
 at their death were buried in the cemetery at 
 Aaronsburg. Both were earnest members of the 
 Reformed Church, and highly respected citizens 
 of the community. 
 
 William Braucht was born in Penn township, 
 January 11. 1838, and was educated in the 
 country schools near his home. In January, 
 1865, he married Miss Harriet Geary, who was 
 born in the same township, August 6, 1846, a 
 daughter of Reuben and Catherine (Musser) 
 Geary, in whose family were eight children: Sam- 
 uel and Mary (twins), the former a resident of 
 Lewisburg, Penn., the latter being the widow of 
 Andrew Stover, and a resident of Coburn; Dan- 
 iel, of Penn township; Sarah, widow of Michael 
 Rishel, of Brush Valley, Centre county; Philip 
 and Catharine, who died in childhood; Harriet, 
 the mother of our subject; and Diana, who mar- 
 ried Simon Wolf, and died in Sugar Valley, 
 Penn. The father of these children, who was 
 an agriculturist, died at the age of seventy on the 
 farm where he had made his home for many 
 years. He was buried at Millheim by the side of 
 his wife, who had died previously in the faith of 
 the Reformed Church, of which he was also a 
 member. 
 
 When a young man, William Braucht 
 learned the carpenter's trade, and, although he 
 located on a farm after his marriage, was prin- 
 cipally employed at his trade. After suffering 
 for two years from heart disease, he died sudden- 
 ly in September, 1873, and his remains were in- 
 
 terred at Aaronsburg. He was a stanch Demo- 
 crat in politics, but cared nothing for political 
 distinction. In his family were four children: 
 R. O., subject of this sketch; Elizabeth; Abigail, 
 who died at the age ot thirteen years; and Will- 
 iam, a resident of Glen Union, Penn. The 
 mother continued to reside upon the farm left by 
 him, and is now the wife of Jonathan Dingles, 
 by whom she has two children: Cloy and 
 Frank. She is a consistent member of the 
 Evangelical Church. 
 
 R. O. Braucht was but a small -boy at the 
 time of his father's death, and as his mother's 
 financial condition was not very good, he was de- 
 prived of many privileges afforded most boys. 
 Being robust and strong, he left home at the age 
 of twelve years, and began working as a farm 
 hand for Daniel Kramer for $2. 50 per month. 
 By nature steady and industrious, he could always 
 find employment, and remained with Mr. Kra- 
 mer, of Penn township, for two years. His edu- 
 cational privileges were necessarily limited to a 
 few months' attendance, at the country schools 
 during the winter season, and often he was 
 obliged to work for his board. He worked as 
 hostler at the hotel which he now conducts, and 
 also as a farm hand for many of the best farmers 
 of Penn township. At the age of seventeen he 
 went to the lumber woods, where he was vari- 
 ously employed, his first contract being for 
 trucking logs at Poe Mills, and later worked in 
 the sawmill for Luther Guiswite, at Engleby. 
 In the spring of 1886, he went to Stephenson 
 county, 111., where he worked as a farm hand 
 one summer, and on his return to Centre county 
 again worked at Poe Mills for four years and a 
 half. In the spring of 1 891 he became connect- 
 ed with the livery business in Coburn, buying 
 out the establishment of William Kremer, which 
 he conducted for three years, and then purchased 
 the "Coburn Hotel." This property he has 
 greatly improved, making it one of the best 
 hostelries of Penn's Valley. Of an agreeable 
 disposition, and unusual willingness to adminis- 
 ter to the wants of his guests, his house has be- 
 come a favorite with the traveling public. 
 
 In 1889, in Millheim, Centre county, Mr. 
 Braucht was joined in wedlock with Miss Mary 
 L. Gates, a native of Sunbury, Penn., where 
 her parents, Amos W. and Louisa Gates, still 
 reside. Two children grace their union: Bes- 
 sie, born March 5, 1890; and Daniel, born April 
 24, 1893. 
 
 Mr. Braucht uses his right of franchise in 
 support of the men and measures of the Demo- 
 cratic party, while fraternally, he is a member 
 of the Odd Fellows Lodge at Millheim, and the 
 
340 
 
 ' i'MMKMOUA TlYi: BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 Patriotic Order Sons of America at Coburn. 
 Honest in his business dealings, public- spii 
 and liberal, he has won the confidence ami re- 
 spect of the entire community, and for the 
 success that he has achieved in lite he deserves 
 i credit. 
 
 GREEN C. DECKER, a prosperous agricult- 
 urist of (.■ /alley, Centre county, is 
 a man oi rei ognized influence in the community 
 in which he, lives. His parents. Michael and 
 B rbara l'rice) Decker, were highly esteemed 
 resM i that locality, and our subject was 
 born Octobi i 22, 1839, on th farm which 
 he now owns and cultivates. 
 
 I li. Decker district school in Gregg town- 
 ship, Centre county, was named in honor of his 
 family, and Mr. Dicker received hi ition 
 
 within its walls, Thomas Timer being his first in- 
 structor. The order and discipline of the olden 
 time impressed Mr. Decker most favorably, and 
 he is an advocate of a return to the old system 
 when the control of the schools was vested in the 
 directors, and county superintendents were un- 
 known. As a tarn 1, Mr. Decker was 
 trained to habits of industry, and his work at 
 home was varied during his boyhood with em- 
 ployment in a sawmill, where he gained a knowl- 
 edge of that business. Until the age of twenty- 
 six he remained at home receiving nothing in the 
 way oi remuneration except his board and home- 
 spun clothes, lie used i" assist his mother in 
 preparing tlax, as she wove most of the material 
 
 I in clothing the family, making the green 
 baize cloth so common in that day. as well as the 
 linen required. 
 
 In 1865 Mr. Decker was married in Huston 
 township, Centre county, to Miss Keziah Will- 
 iams, daughtei oi Scott Williams, and he took 
 his bride to the old homestead which he rented 
 from his father. In 1 880, after his father's death, 
 he purchased the place, and he has since built a 
 new residence and made other substantial im- 
 provements, all the buildings, except the barn, 
 having been erected by him. The farm com- 
 prises [68 acres of nt land, and he 
 owns 1S0 acres of mountain land. He has a 
 handsome competence gained bj his own efforts. 
 1 Ivei confidence in others has caused him losses 
 to the amount of $1,000 orn bul fortunately 
 he I suffered seriously. I' re- 
 markable mechanical ability, he has done all of 
 his own work in wood, iron and stone, and his 
 able home displays many evidencesof his 
 skill. 
 
 Mr. 1 >e< ker is an active member of the Evan- 
 
 gelical Church, in which he was class leader for 
 years. He has always been agenerous supporter 
 of religious and philanthropic movements and 
 before he united with the Church he helped to 
 organize the Sunday-school at Locust Grc 
 and 1 . ed as secretary and treasurer, while 
 
 assisting in other ways to bring it into its present 
 nourishing condition. He has always attended 
 the '• Locust Grove Church," where he is equally 
 active, contributing liberally of time and means 
 to aid its work. His first wife, who was also a 
 devout and consistent member of the Evangeli- 
 cal Church, passed to the unseen life, and her re- 
 mains now repose in the Sprucetown cemetery. 
 Mr. Decker for his second wife wedded M 
 Allie Nicolls (ne'e Wilcox . a widow, who 
 born in New York State. There were twi 
 children by the hrst marriage: Michael died in 
 infancy; Ella and Scott are at home; the fourth 
 child, a son, died in infancy; Thomas, Katy (Mrs. 
 Win. Rishel), Co G., foseph, Densmore D., 
 
 Edward I), and |ennie are at home, and Robert 
 died in infanc) 
 
 Mr. Decker is much respected as a man of 
 sound principles. He takes great interest in 
 
 I affairs, and as a progressive fanner is a 
 member of the Grange. In politics he is a D' 
 ocrat, but while he 1 ady to assist in party 
 
 work he has never sought I in official 
 
 ■ ion. 
 
 IRVIN M. HARVEY. This gentleman occu- 
 pies no unimportant position among the lead- 
 ing farmers of Hoggs township. He was born 
 in Huntingdon county, Penn., February 1, 1851, 
 a son of Henry I- Harvey, whose birth occurred 
 September 2. 1X24, in Clinton county, this Si 
 At the age of seventeen years the father went 
 tn Huntingdon county, where he operated a 
 foundry and machine shop until the spring 
 1865, when he came to Centre county, and here 
 engaged in farming until 1890. He now makes 
 his home at Altoona, Penn. He is a son of 
 Isaai and Catharine Harvey, who were born in 
 Bi >ks county, Penn., but at an early day beca 
 residents of Centre county, Pennsylvania. 
 
 Attaining to mans estate, Henry L. Hai 
 was united in marriage with Miss Isabella Irvni 
 who was born at Jersev Shore, Penn., a dauj 
 ter of William and Mary Irvin. natives of I 
 land, who on coming to the United Stat 
 ted in Lycoming county, this State. Our sub 
 
 : is the eldest of the four children born 
 this union, the others being Anderson 1'. n 
 of Olean, N. V. ; Cilery B., of Wild 
 Penn.; and William, who died in infancv. I 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 341 
 
 mother died in Huntingdon county, May 21, 1857, 
 at the age of twenty-seven years, and afterward 
 the father wedded Miss Lizzie Gardner, who was 
 born in Blair county, Penn. , and died in 1888 at 
 the age of fifty-five years. Six children graced 
 the second marriage: George C. and Martha B., 
 both of Altoona, Penn. ; Cora, wife of Frank 
 Strunk, of Bellefonte, Centre county; Walter 
 C, deceased; John H., of Toledo, Ohio; and 
 Charles I., deceased. 
 
 At the age of twenty-five years, Irvin M. 
 Harvey left home and began life on his own ac- 
 count. For two years he operated rented land 
 in Clinton county, and at the end of that time 
 removed to Centre county, where he also engaged 
 in agricultural pursuits. After renting for three 
 years, he purchased his present valuable farm of 
 140 acres in Boggs township, to the cultivation 
 and improvement of which he has since devoted 
 his time and attention with most gratifying re- 
 sults. 
 
 On February 24, 1876, Mr. Harvey was mar- 
 ried to Miss Julia C. Curtin, and to them have 
 been born four sons and three daughters, namely: 
 Joseph W. , Rebecca A., Oscar C, Katie, Isa- 
 bella, Harry and John F., all at home. Mrs. 
 Harvey was born October 9, 1853, in Boggs 
 township, at what is now known as Curtin, and 
 is a daughter of Austin and Rebecca (Bathurst) 
 Curtin, also natives of that county, the mother 
 born July 16, 1817. The father, who was born 
 August 26, 1 80 1, was interested in the noted 
 Curtin Iron Works, at Curtin, but his later days 
 were spent upon the homestead farm where his 
 widow now resides. He died July 21, 1871. 
 
 Mr. Harvey gives his political support to the 
 Democratic party, but has never aspired to office. 
 Socially, he holds membership with the Grange, 
 and religiously is a faithful member of the Church 
 of Christ. He holds a prominent place among 
 the intelligent farmers of the community, and 
 his integrity, manliness and true Christian char- 
 acter have won the respect of all. 
 
 lEUBEN T. COMLY, a thorough and skill- 
 ful farmer and business man of more than 
 ordinary capacity, is a representative of the agri- 
 cultural and commercial interests of Union town- 
 ship, Centre county, his home being on Dick's 
 Run road. He was born in Centerville, Elk 
 Co., Penn., March 26, 1850, but he has long 
 made his home within the borders of Centre 
 county, where he is both widely and favorably 
 known. 
 
 His father, John T. Comly, now a saddler, 
 harness and shoemaker of Unionville, Centre 
 
 county, was born in Adams county, Penn., No- 
 vember 16, 1 822, and is a son of Jesse and Naomi 
 (Howell) Comly, who were born and married in 
 Adams county, where they remained until 1836, 
 when they came to Centre county. They located 
 near Bellefonte, where the grandfather engaged 
 in tanning and farming. He died in October, 
 1853, at the age of seventy-nine years, and his 
 wife passed away December 24, 1865, at the age 
 of seventy-seven years and six months. In their 
 family were the following children: Jacob, a 
 retired tanner of Centre county; Joseph, de- 
 ceased; Benjamin, who is also living retired in 
 Centre county; Jesse, who died shortly after his 
 return home from the war; Eleanor, widow of 
 Jerry M. Hench, of Perry county, Penn. ; and 
 John T. , father of our subject. The paternal 
 great-grandfather was of English birth, while his 
 wife was born in Scotland. On coming to 
 America they located in Centre county, where 
 they spent their remaining days. The maternal 
 great-grandparents of our subject, who were 
 natives of Scotland, located in Union county, 
 Pennsylvania. 
 
 On March 5, 1848, John T. Comly was mar- 
 ried to Catherine Green, who was born in Elk 
 county, Penn., February 13, 1830, and is a 
 daughter of John and Mary (Thompson) Green, 
 natives of Centre county, but who met and were 
 married in Elk county, where they spent their 
 remaining days on a farm. Her father was born 
 October 12, 1799, and died October 24, 1883; 
 her mother was born August 9, 1809, and died 
 September 1, 1889. In their family, Catherine 
 T. , the mother of our subject, is the eldest; the 
 others are as follows: Rebecca, born July 8, 
 1 83 1, married J. Nolf, and since his death has 
 become the wife of W. Rudolph, of Elk county; 
 Mary, born November 2, 1832, died July 14, 
 1833; James R., born July 12, 1835, is living in 
 Elk county; Reuben T., born March 12, 1838, 
 died March 26, 1840; Elizabeth, born August 18, 
 1 841, married Louis Zimmerman, and after his 
 death wedded J. L. Bonaham, of Olean, N. Y. ; 
 and John C, born August 6, 1847, is a farmer 
 of Elk county. 
 
 John Green, the maternal grandfather of our 
 subject, was twice married, his first wife being 
 Ann Kyler, who was born September 15, 1802, 
 and died July 31, 1827. To them were born two 
 daughters: Elizabeth, born March 29. 1826, 
 died August 8, 1826; and Eliza A., born July 10, 
 1827, died January 27, 1861. John Green was 
 the son of James and Elizabeth (Fisher) Green, 
 natives of Centre county, where her death oc- 
 curred, but he died in Elk county. The maternal 
 grandmother of our subject was a daughter of 
 
342 
 
 COMMI-:MiiU.\ TIVB l;H>(ll;.\rilirM. RECORD. 
 
 Robert and Catherine (\Y;mt/i Thompson, also 
 natives of Centre county, but the former died in 
 Clearfield county, and the latter in Elk county, 
 Pennsylvania. 
 
 John T. Comly continued to engage in the sad- 
 dlery business in Elk county until September, 
 1864, when he came to Centre county, locating 
 first at Nittany Valley, where he followed fann- 
 ing for three years, but since that time he has 
 
 cessfully carried on the saddlery business and 
 shoemaking at Unionville. He is a valued and 
 highly respected citizen of the community, and 
 a Republican in politics. In his family are two 
 children, our subject being the elder; William 
 II . born Maj 25, [854, is a resident ol Union- 
 ville. He was married July 3, [879, to Mary A. 
 M'-Cune, and they have two children: Raymond 
 and Boyd. 
 
 Reuben T. Comly remained with his parents 
 until he had attained his majority, during which 
 time he attended school and served an appren- 
 ticeship to the saddlery business with his father. 
 He then taught school on Dick's rim, in Union 
 township, Centre' county, for one term, and for 
 the same length of time had charge of a school 
 at Unionville. The following Christmas Di 
 Cember 25, 1*711, he was married to Miss 
 Amanda Davidson, and they have four children. 
 all at home, namely: |ohn A., born September 
 5, [S72; Ella E., born September 20, [874; 
 Olive B., born January 26, 1878; and T. I 11- 
 wood, born February 28, [887. 
 
 Mrs. Comly was bom in 1 1. ill Moon, Centre 
 county, March 30, [848, and is a daughter of 
 Alexander and Sarah (Hicks Davidson, whose 
 births occurred at the same place'. There her 
 parents were married and remained for fifteen 
 years, when the} removed to Union township, 
 where the mother died in 1 s 5 1 , at thi 
 forty years, and the father m April, [884, at the 
 
 ol seventy-seven. He engaged in the manu- 
 facture of charcoal, was a Republican in politics, 
 and with his wife held membership in the M 
 Slab Church. In their family v en chil- 
 
 dren Martha, bom fanuar) 3, 1832, is the wife 
 of W. Irwin, a farmer of Union township; Mary, 
 born in 1S34, died in (836; Hannah, born in 
 
 tember, [839, is the widow of Harris Way, 
 of Union township; Eliza, born January 1 1. 18 — , 
 is the wife of William Taylor, of Centre county; 
 Joseph II. and James are both prominent farm- 
 er-, of the same county; Amanda is next in order 
 of birth; and one died in infancy. The father of 
 this family was a second time married, Mrs. 
 Mary (Walker) Watson becoming his wife. She 
 was the widow of Green Watson, by whom 
 had four children: Lemuel; Roxanna; Miriam, 
 
 wife of a Mr. Marshall, of Clearfield county, 
 Penn. ; and Green, who was killed b) a falling 
 log. By his second wife, Mr. Davidson had three 
 children: Michael, a butcher of Philipsburg, 
 Penn.; Grant, a fanner of Centre county ; and Ida, 
 wife of William Brower, a farmer of Union town- 
 ship. 
 
 After his marriage, Mr. Comly purchased his 
 present farm in Union township, and has made 
 his home there since 1 87 1. Besides general 
 farming he is successfully engaged in dealing in 
 agricultural implements, and he is a straightfor- 
 ward, reliable business man of unquestioned in- 
 tegrity. Fraternally beholds membership with 
 Blooming Lodge No. Oyj, I. O. 0. F., of Union- 
 ville, the Encampment of Bellefonte, No, 72, 
 and with the; Grange. He is a pronounced 
 Republican in politics, and in 1 v die can- 
 
 didate of that party for county treasurer, but was 
 unable to overcome the strong Democratic 
 majority. He is public-spirited and progressive, 
 and no man takes a deeper interest in the pros- 
 perity of the county, whose interests he has 
 j promoted. 
 
 DR. GEARY, a prominent resident ol Penn 
 township, Centre county, is a man wl 
 genuine worth has won for him th m of his 
 
 acquaintances, while his industry and judicious 
 management have brought a material reward in a 
 handsome competence. Born in Penn township, 
 March 23, 1830, he has always made his home 
 there, being engaged until recent years in the 
 blacksmith's trade, and also following agricult- 
 ural pursuits to some extent. 
 
 His grandfather, Valentine Geary, and lather, 
 Reuben ( learj . came to Centre county from Berks 
 county, Penn., when the latter was a child, the 
 family residing in Gregg township for some time 
 after their removal. Valentine Gear} wa 
 tailor by trade, and was remarkably healthy, liv- 
 ing 1 t ninet} year-- ol age without a ti 
 of disease, except for the illness which resull 
 in his death. His last days were spent in Boals- 
 burg, where his remains were interred. He was 
 twice married, his second wife, Rebecca, accom- 
 panying him to Centre county. His children 
 were: John, who died in Woodward; R 
 our subject's father; William, who died in *'i 
 township, Washington, now ing in Iowa 
 Daniel L., a resident of Millheim; Valentii 
 Jr.. who was killed in Gregg township by a fall- 
 ing tree; Lucinda, widow of John Runkle, of 
 Penn Hall; Matilda, widow of John Schitx. of 
 
 >r Valley; Polly (Mrs. Michael Lamy), of 
 
 i 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 343 
 
 Millheim; Lydia, who lives in Iowa; Rebecca 
 (Mrs. William Stuart), residing near Bellefonte; 
 and Mary, who married John Painter, and died 
 in Pleasant Gap, Centre county. 
 
 Reuben Geary was a son of his father's first 
 wife. His training in youth was similar to that 
 of most country boys in his day, and he devel- 
 oped into a robust man, six feet in height, with 
 energy and ability, fully equal to the task of 
 gaining a livelihood, which, owing to the straight- 
 ened circumstances of his parents, was laid upon 
 him at an early age. As a young man he was 
 married in Penn township, Centre county, to 
 Miss Catherine Musser, a daughter of Philip Mus- 
 ser, a well-known citizen of Gregg township, 
 residing near Penn Hall. For some time after 
 his marriage Reuben Geary worked as a farm 
 hand, but in 1849 he bought a small farm in Penn 
 township, where he spent his remaining years. 
 He was between fifty and sixty years old at the 
 time of his death, and his wife, who was older 
 than he, passed away a few years before, the 
 remains of both being buried at Millheim. He 
 was a steadfast Democrat, and with his wife 
 belonged to the Reformed Church. They had 
 eight children, of whom the first two — Samuel, 
 a resident of Union county, Penn., and Mary, 
 widow of Andrew Stover, of Coburn — were twins. 
 D. B. is mentioned more fully below. Philip 
 died at the age of nineteen. Sarah, widow of 
 Michael Rishel, resides in Brush Valley. Cath- 
 erine died young. Harriet married (first) William 
 Braucht, and (second) Jonathan Dinges, of Penn 
 township. Diana married Simon Wolf, and died 
 in Sugar Valley. 
 
 Two, or at the most three, months' attend- 
 ance in the year at the subscription schools of the 
 time was supposed to be sufficient for the mental 
 needs of a boy when our subject was seeking an 
 education, and this, with a short attendance at 
 Dr. Stamm's school, save what he received in 
 later years at public schools, was all the instruc- 
 tion he' ever had. He remained at home, assist- 
 ing in the work of the farm until he was seven- 
 teen, when he began to learn the blacksmith's 
 trade in Millheim with Samuel Wiser. He worked 
 three years for his board and clothes, acquiring 
 a thorough knowledge of the business, which he 
 then followed a short time as a journeyman. He 
 owned three and one-half acres of land near 
 Coburn, and in i860 he began business for him- 
 self in a shop there, boarding at a house near by. 
 In 1864 he was married in Penn township, Centre 
 county, to Miss Julia Zerby, a native of Gregg 
 township, and a daughter of Adam and Susan 
 (Snavely) Zerby. 
 
 For two years after his marriage Mr. Geary 
 
 rented Feidler's house, later a dwelling house 
 belonging to Samuel Krape, and then built his 
 present home. His farm is small, but has been 
 well improved by him with suitable buildings, in 
 addition to which he owns fifty-six acres of tim- 
 ber land in the same township, and in 1877 he 
 bought four and one-half acres of farm land. 
 When he began housekeeping his mother gave 
 him an old bed, and this was the only help that 
 he received from his parents until his father's 
 estate was divided. He has been very successful, 
 and notwithstanding some losses through going 
 bail for certain parties, he has a fair share of 
 this world's goods. Lung trouble interfered with 
 his business for about eight years, but except for 
 that he followed his trade continuously until 1 89 1 , 
 when he was disabled for hard manual labor by a 
 fall of twelve feet into a well which he was 
 digging, a rope breaking while he was being 
 lowered. In politics he is a Democrat, and he 
 holds an influential place in the local organiza- 
 tion. For many years he has served as con- 
 stable of his township. 
 
 Mr. Geary's first wife, who was a devout and 
 consistent member of the Evangelical Church, 
 died in October, 1894, her burial taking place at 
 Paradise Church. His present wife, formerly Miss 
 Susan C. Wise, is a daughter of the late John 
 Wise, formerly a well-known resident of Penn 
 township, Centre county. John Wise was married 
 to Cathryne Stover, of Hainestownship, daughter 
 of Valentine Stover, one of the early settlers of 
 that township. Mr. Wise built (1839) the shop 
 in which Daniel Geary commenced work in i860. 
 Mr. Wise died April 11, 1869, in Shelby county, 
 111., after an illness of eleven days, of pleurisy 
 and finally dropsy of the heart, at the age of 
 fifty-seven years, seven months and twenty-one 
 days. There is a peculiar providence connected 
 with the above case. Mr. Wise started for 
 Shelby county, 111., about the middle of March, in 
 company with hisdaughter-in-law, and after being 
 with his son (in said county) a few weeks, he took 
 sick and died there. His son brought the corpse 
 back (in compliance with his father's request 
 before he died) to his bereaved family in Haines 
 township, Centre county, from which place, on 
 the 16th of April, his last remains were followed 
 to the tomb, at Aaronsburg, by a large concourse 
 of sympathizing and weeping relatives, friends 
 and neighbors, to pay their last tribute of respect. 
 Cathryne Wise, his wife, died January 25, 1887, 
 aged seventy-four years, eleven months and 
 twenty-three days, and was buried in the ceme- 
 tery of the Reformed Church at Aaronsburg. 
 She died in the triumph of the true Christian 
 faith. 
 
 
844 
 
 VMBMORA TIVB BIOGRAPHICAL i:i:<OHD. 
 
 JAMES II. HOLMES, one of the representa- 
 tive and prominent citizens of State College, 
 is numbered among the self-made men of 
 Centre county, his accumulations being the re- 
 sult of hi- own industry, obtained by self-denial, 
 economy and the exercise of a naturally good 
 judgment, in regard to both agricultural pursuits 
 and business matters. This county has ever 
 been the field of his operations and the center of 
 his interests and hopes. 
 
 Mr. Holmes traces his ancestry to I 
 Holmes, a wealthy Scotch-Irish gentleman, a 
 copy of whose will is now in our subject's posses- 
 sion. Hi- son Robert was the father of Jonathan 
 Holmes, th> ither ol the gentleman whose 
 
 name introduces this -ketch. The last named 
 was born in the i it} "I Belfast, Ireland. Septem- 
 ber 25, 1760, ami "ii 1 oming to the New World 
 located in Mifflinburg, Union Co., Penn , where 
 he conducted an inn until his death. He mar- 
 ried [ennet Laird, who was horn March 24, 
 1764. and they became the parents oi five chil- 
 dren, whost ind dates of birth are as fol- 
 low- Rachel, 1 1788; Jennet, Octo- 
 ber 25, 1789; Elizabeth,- April 26, 1792; Mary, 
 August 9, 1 704 ; and Robert, November 9, 1799. 
 
 K0b.1t Holmes, the father of our subject, 
 was born in Union counts, and there acquired 
 his education. He worked al his trade .1- .1 
 millwright until forty years of age, when he pur- 
 chased 1 50 acres of land neai Bellefonte, which 
 he sold a later; then bought 167 acres in 
 
 Marion township. Centre counts, removing to 
 the same in [835, when it was still unimproved. 
 He 'iice began its development and cultiva- 
 tion, and added to the tract until, at his death, 
 September 16, [874, he had 300 acres of valu- 
 able land. He was a Democrat in politics, and 
 an elder in the Lick Run Presbyterian Church of 
 Jacksonville, of which he was a consistent and 
 devoted member. 
 
 On Novembei 5, [822, Robert Holmes was 
 married to Mary Snyder, who was born August 8, 
 1803. Nine children blessed their union, whose 
 names and dates of birth are as follows Sarah 
 Jane, January 20, 1S24; Caroline, December 8, 
 1825; William Laird, July 20, 1827; James, Oc- 
 tober 18, [831; Robert, November 11, 1833; 
 Man Amanda. March 24, [836; Harriet Eliza- 
 beth, November 4, 1838; John, August 4. [840; 
 and Margaretta, August 31. 1X44. The mother 
 of these children passed a was on the 16th of 
 April, 1893, the father on the 16th of Septem- 
 ber, [874. 
 
 The birth of our subject occurred in Belle- 
 fonte, and in the schools of Marion township. 
 Centre county, he acquired his early education. 
 
 his first teacher being Samuel Kline, who is still 
 living in Howard. His opportunities, however, 
 for securing an education were poor, and at the 
 age of sixteen he laid aside his text books to 
 sist his father in the labors of the farm, which he 
 continued until he was twenty-one, when he 
 rented a farm for a year. 
 
 On January 2, 1 S 5 4 , Mr. Holmes wedded 
 Miss Emily McKibben, and to them were born 
 twelve children, namely William J., born No- 
 vember 3, 1856, died in infancy; Robert E. , born 
 May 4, 1859, is a practicing physician of Spruce 
 Creek; Mrs. Mary A. Deal, born January 7, 1 S64, 
 is living in State College; Olivia K., born Si 
 tember 18, 1865, is deceased; Clayton I., born 
 January iS. 1 S66, is a dry -goods clerk; J. Laird, 
 born February 17, 1868, is a school teacher of 
 State College; Hamill, born September 5, 1S70, 
 is a carpenter of that place; and James H., born 
 February 28, 1873, Emily Augusta, born Decem- 
 ber 25, 1875, and Jennie Mabel, bom November 
 9, 1878, are all at home; and Mandella. born 
 March 10, 1881, died in infancy- 
 Mr. Holmes continued to reside in Marion 
 township until his enlistment in the Union army 
 during the Civil war, October 3, 1861, in Com- 
 pany G, 51st P. V. I., and served as corporal 
 under (apt Snyder in the battles of Roanoke, 
 Newberne and Camden. He was wounded at 
 the last named, and was taken to the hospital in 
 Georgetown, D. C, where he was honorably dis- 
 charged November S, 186 
 
 In 1865 Mr. Holmes purchased 135 acres of 
 land in Ferguson township. Centre counts. 
 which he continued to make his home until [888, 
 when he removed to State College, where for 
 four years he engaged in merchandising, but is 
 noss lisiiif; retired. He is the owner of consider- 
 able property, including the Holmes Block, a 
 beautiful three-story business block on Coll' 
 avenue, erected in 1896. His business dealii 
 base ever been characterized by a straightfor- 
 ward, honorable policy, which has won the con- 
 fidence of all. For forty-five years he has been 
 a faithful member of the Presbyterian Church. 
 and was a member of the Grange and < iood 
 remplai t Centre Furnace for several years. 
 He also holds membership in the Grand Army 
 Post No. 57, of Lemont. and his political sup- 
 port is given the Republican party; but he has 
 neither time nor inclination for public office, pre- 
 ferring to devote his energies to his business in- 
 terests, which being well conducted along honor- 
 able lines has. brought to him a comfortable 
 competen 
 
 Mrs. Holmes was born July 22. 1839 
 daughter of Joseph and Mary (Smith) McKibben. 
 
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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 345 
 
 who were the parents of seven children, viz. : 
 Mary J., Sarah G., William S., John (deceased 
 in infancy), Margaret J., Nancy S. and Emily 
 (Mrs. Holmes). Joseph McKibben (Mrs. Hol- 
 mes' father) was among the earliest settlers of 
 Clinton, Pennsylvania. 
 
 JACOB and JOHN H. BEHRER. There 
 are numerous fine farms in Centre county 
 which will compare favorably with any 
 others in the State as regards production, and 
 also as to the improvements which have been 
 made upon them. Many of these places are 
 owned by men comparatively young in years, 
 but who have succeeded in an eminent degree in 
 making their places the most desirable in the 
 locality. As representatives of this class of agri- 
 culturists we take pleasure in presenting the 
 names of the subjects of this notice, who have 
 a fine farm of 160 acres in Patton township, near 
 Waddle. 
 
 Jacob and John H. were both born at Buf- 
 alo Run, Centre county, the former on Septem- 
 ber 1 6, 1864, the latter on May 9, 1872. They 
 are sons of Jacob and Mary (Augenstine) Behrer, 
 in whose family were thirteen children, the others 
 being: Mary, wife of C. B. McCormick, a farmer 
 living near State College, Centre county, by 
 whom she has one son; Regina, wife of Elmer 
 Rumbarger, a farmer of Stormstown, Centre 
 county, by whom she has six children; Elizabeth 
 E. , wife of John Wirtz, a farmer of Houserville, 
 Centre county, by whom she has two children; 
 Lena, wife of Richard Palmer, who is operating 
 a woolen-factory at Oak Hall Station, Centre 
 county, and by whom she had one child; Amanda, 
 who is living with her mother near Buffalo Run, 
 Centre county; Hannah, who is keeping house 
 for our subjects; Kate; Sallie; Anna; David, who 
 married Eva, daughter of John Ward, of Storms- 
 town, by whom he has one child (he has now 
 leased a farm near Tyrone, Sinking Valley, and 
 operates the same); and Charles, at home. The 
 father of these children died October 17, 1891, 
 and was laid to rest in the Pine Hill Cemetery; 
 the mother is still living. They were both sin- 
 cere and earnest Christians, faithful members of 
 the Methodist Church, with which their family 
 is also connected, while in politics the father sup- 
 ported the Democratic party, and the sons also 
 give it their allegiance. 
 
 The family is widely and favorably known 
 throughout Centre county, and its members hold 
 a high position in social circles, where intelli- 
 gence and true worth are received as the pass- 
 ports into good society. 
 
 JTONATHAN O. DEININGER. It is given 
 to but few to attain eminence in political 
 life, but the strength of the nation lies not 
 in its political leaders but in the citizens who in 
 the business walks of life faithfully discharge the 
 duties that devolve upon them. The proud title 
 of a self-made man is within the reach of each 
 individual who has the will to dare and to do, who 
 will bravely face all obstacles and conquer them 
 by determined purpose and honorable effort. 
 Such a man is he whose name introduces this re- 
 view, and his life is in many respects well worthy 
 of emulation. 
 
 Mr. Deininger was born in Womelsdorf, Berks 
 Co., Penn., April 17, 1830, a son of August E. 
 and Johanna (Obenland) Deininger, natives of 
 Germany. His grandfather, Christian Deininger, 
 was a man of education, and, as was customary 
 in the Lutheran Church in those days, served as 
 a school teacher, and as that was a salaried posi- 
 tion he earned his living in that way. August 
 E. Deininger was born in 1797, and in 18 18 
 came to America to try his fortune. He was 
 married in Pennsylvania, and for a time supported 
 his family at the weaver's trade, but subsequently 
 followed stone cutting and the marble business. 
 In the winter of 1843 he started with his wife 
 and children for Millheim, and between Young- 
 manstown (now Mifflinburg) and New Berlin the 
 sled in which they journeyed stuck in the snow, 
 and they were thereby delayed for a day. The 
 father purchased property in Millheim, where he 
 followed the business of marble cutting during 
 his active life. He died at the age of seventy- 
 seven, and his wife passed away in 1861, both 
 being interred in Millheim cemetery. He was a 
 stanch Democrat in politics, but never sought 
 office. He held membership in the Evan- 
 gelical Church, and was a member of its board of 
 trustees. Five of his children died in infancy, 
 and those who reached mature years were: Anna 
 Maria, widow of Jacob Keen, of Millheim; C. F. , 
 a minister of the Evangelical Church, who died 
 in York, Penn.; Jonathan O. ; B. O., a printer 
 and marble dealer, who died in Millheim; and 
 August O., of Hughesville, Pennsylvania. 
 
 Jonathan O. Deininger acquired his education 
 in the school near his home, but illness prevented 
 his continuous attendance. At the age of seven- 
 teen he began the trade of cabinet making in 
 Millheim, and served a two-years' apprenticeship 
 under John Poorman. He worked from daylight 
 until dark, and often in the winter months con- 
 tinued his labors by the light of a candle. In 
 compensation for his services he received $1 5 per 
 year, and was allowed two weeks time during the 
 harvest season that he might earn extra money 
 
846 
 
 C'OM.M i:\lni; A T1VE BIOGUA I'll l< a I. RECORD. 
 
 on the farms. After his apprenticeship he worked 
 for three years as a journeyman, mostly in Belle- 
 fonte, and then began business on his own acc< mm 
 at that place. Later he carried on a shop of his 
 own in Millheim, and in April, 185:;, removed to 
 Centre Hall, locating on the present site of 
 Kreamer's store, where he purchased a small shop 
 and in the same building maintained his residence 
 ami carried on business until [857. lie then 
 erected a home on tin- site of the post office. He 
 carried on cabinet making until 1 S 7 3 , when he 
 sold out and established the tirst hardware busi- 
 ness in the town. He has since continued in 
 that line, but is now living in semi-retirement, 
 enjoying the fruits of his former labors. 
 
 Mi. Deininger was married October 14, 1S52. 
 in I'.cllefonte, to Miss Anna M. Neiman, who 
 was bom in l'.erks county, Penn., September 2, 
 1831. Her parents, William and Barbara Kin- 
 sell, Neiman, came to Centre counts' when she 
 was six years of age, jourm ying in a large coal 
 
 "ii. They made their home near the Valen- 
 tine Works, ami her father engaged in hauling 
 coal from Snow shoe to that well-known furnace. 
 Two years after their arrival he was killed by a 
 coal wagon, and from that time until her marriage 
 Mrs. Deininger lived among strangers, the first 
 home that she could really call her own being 
 the little one in Millheim, to which she went as 
 a In 
 
 Mr. Deininger at that time had only $20 in 
 niomy. About a year previous his shop in 1 ;■ 
 fonte was destroyed by fire, which left him in 
 very limited circumstances; but his diligence has 
 enabled him to surmount all difficulties, and he 
 has steadily worked his way upward to prosper- 
 ity I Ie erected the store room in which Ki earner 
 & Sou are now doing business, and has probably 
 put up mote buildings thin any other man in 
 < ntre Hall. He now owns a business block and 
 his own home, and is also interested in the hard- 
 ware stoic. His political support was given the 
 Democratic party until [864, since which time 
 he has been unswerving in his allegiance to the Ri 
 publican party, which he evei supports by his 
 ballot, although he never seeks office for him- 
 self. 
 
 I he children oi Mr. and Mrs, Deininger were 
 as follows: Lucy, wife of J. W. Haney, of Cen- 
 tre Hall, by whom she has one son — Wilbur; 
 Mary, wife of Samuel Shoop, of Centre Hall, by 
 whom she has two children Anna and William; 
 
 ra and Emanuel, who died in childhood; 
 Sarah, at home; Clement F., teller in the bank 
 at Centre Hall, and one of the prominent and 
 popular young men of that place; and Allen, who 
 died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Deininger hold 
 
 membership in the United Evangelical Church, 
 and the family is one of prominence in the com- 
 munity. Mr. Deininger commands the higi 
 respect of all. He has a genial nature, 
 whole-souled man and delights in a good joke. 
 His extensive readinghas made him well-informed, 
 and no man has more friends in the community. 
 
 JOHN WEAVER, a self-made man, whose en- 
 , and well-directed efforts have brought 
 to him a comfortable competence, and whose 
 sterling worth has won him the high regard of 
 many friends, is now living a retired life upon his 
 farm of 206 acres at Dick's Station, in Taylor 
 township, Centre county. He was born in Sink- 
 ing Valley, Huntingdon Co., Penn., March 22, 
 1829, but almost his entire life has been passed 
 in Centre county, where he experienced all 
 trials and hardships of pioneer life. 
 
 Samuel Weaver, our subject's paternal grand- 
 father, was born in Pennsylvania oi German 
 
 it, and at an early day became a residen 
 Huntingdon county, where he followed farming 
 throughout life. The maternal grandparents, 
 Jacob and Elizabeth [sett, wore also natives of 
 Pennsylvania, of German extraction, and early 
 located in Huntingdon county, there residing upon 
 a farm. 
 
 John and Rachel (Isett) Weaver, parents of 
 our subject, were also natives of Huntingdon 
 county, where their marriage was celebrated, and 
 where they remained until 1834, when they came 
 to Centre county, locating near our subject's 
 tit home. For a time the father worked for 
 the Huntingdon Furnace, later engaged m char- 
 ng and choppii I wood, but spent his 
 
 last days in farming. He was first a Win. 
 polil rward a Republican, and by his I 
 
 low cit i/ens was called upon to serve as supervisor 
 and school director in Taylor township. In 
 ligious belief he was a Presbyterian. He died 
 June 23, 1872, at the age of seventy-seven y< 
 his wife passed away March 5, I S 5 7 , at the 
 of se\ enty-six. 
 
 Our subject is the eighth in order of birth in 
 their family of twelve children — seven si 
 five daughters, as follows: Solomon and Ja. 
 are both deceased; Sallie married John I 
 and both are now deceased; Samuel was seal 
 to death by the explosion of a steamboat; Bar- 
 bara married William Robinson, and both 
 now deceased; Joseph is a farmer of Blair coun- 
 ty, Penn. ; Margaret is the deceased wife of 
 Thomas Hamer, also deceased; |ohn is our sub 
 ject; Franklin is deceased; Rachel is the widow 
 of Adam Waltermever; David is a retired lum- 
 
 , 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 347 
 
 berman, of Tyrone, Perm. ; and one died in in- 
 fancy, unnamed. 
 
 Until he had reached the age of twenty-one 
 years, John Weaver remained under the parent- 
 al roof, assisting his father in the labors of the 
 farm, and attending school when the opportun- 
 ity afforded. For a time he crossed the mount- 
 ains into Huntingdon county to school, a dis- 
 tance of three miles, through the unbroken for- 
 est, and later pursued his studies at a school in 
 Centre county, to which he walked a distance of 
 five miles through the woods. On a winter 
 morning he would start before dawn with the 
 other children, carrying pine lights, and they 
 would take turns in breaking the path through 
 the snow. On coming to Taylor township with 
 his parents, the country was a dense wilderness, 
 inhabited by wild animals of many varieties, in- 
 cluding bears, panthers, wildcats and deer, and 
 they experienced all the difficulties of frontier 
 life. 
 
 On leaving home, Mr. Weaver went to Bald 
 Eagle Furnace where he worked as a farm hand by 
 the month for a year and a half, and then engaged 
 in chopping wood in Huntingdon county during 
 the winter, and in charcoaling in the summer for 
 the same length of time. Subsequently he was 
 employed in various iron works in this section 
 of the State, after which he returned to the old 
 homestead, and again engaged in chopping wood 
 and charcoaling for some time. In connection 
 with William Robinson and Jacob Ridering, 
 Mr. Weaver next contracted to grade three 
 miles of the Bald Eagle Valley railroad, but for 
 this work he says they got nothing, ' ' as the 
 head contractor ran away with the funds ". 
 After another company had taken charge of the 
 road Mr. Weaver contracted for three-quarters 
 of a mile of grading, and later was made track 
 foreman over a crew of men. When the track 
 was laid he was appointed division foreman, 
 and continued his connection with the rail- 
 road service for thirty-one years, during which 
 time he graded for the round house at Tyrone. 
 His faithfulness to the company's interests is 
 plainly shown by his long retention in their serv- 
 ice. On leaving the road he purchased his pres- 
 ent tine farm, which he continued to operate un- 
 til 1893, but is now enjoying a well-earned rest. 
 During his service with the P. R. R. Co. as 
 track foreman, no less than eleven men were pro- 
 moted from his subdivision as track foremen. 
 
 On November 22, 1849, Mr. Weaver was 
 married to Miss Nancy Nearhoof, and to their 
 union came the following children: The eldest, 
 Mary, died when young; Jeremiah, born Decem- 
 ber 3, 185 1, married Etta Woomer, and is a 
 
 merchant of Altoona, Penn. ; Miles, born Feb- 
 ruary 17, 1853, died from the bite of a rattle- 
 snake; Anna Eliza, born October 4, 1854, is the 
 wife of Henry Sharer, a mechanic in the railroad 
 shops of Tyrone, Penn. ; Sarah J., born July 15, 
 1856, is the wife of W. S. Johnson, a farmer of 
 Blair county, Penn.; Samuel, born February 22, 
 1858, married Bertie Brisbon, and is railroad 
 foreman at Lemont, Penn.; John W., born 
 December 10, 1S59, married Elizabeth Walk, 
 and is still on the home farm; Harriet, born 
 October 25, 1 861, is the wife of S. C. McAlister, 
 clerk at Morrisdale Mines, Penn.; George, born 
 December 10, 1863, is at home; Alice, born Sep- 
 tember 22, 1866, is the wife of W. O. Irwin, 
 hostler at the Punxsutawney (Penn.) round 
 house; Ellen, born May 8, 1869, is the wife of 
 W. H. McAlister, flagman on the Beech Creek 
 railroad, Penn.; and Nannie B., born July 11. 
 1874, died young. 
 
 Mrs. Weaver was born in Huntingdon count v, 
 April 2, 1.^25, and is a daughter of Andrew and 
 Mary (Kephart) Nearhoof, also natives of that 
 county, who came to Centre county in 1835, 
 where the father engaged in farming until his 
 death about 1 87 1 , when he was aged seventy- 
 two years. His wife passed away May 30, 1889, 
 at the age of eighty-three years, eleven months, 
 twenty-three days. Both held membership in 
 the Dunkard Church, and in politics he was a 
 Republican. They were the parents of eleven 
 children, namely: Nancy, wife of our subject; 
 Mary, who wedded Jacob Rider, but both are 
 now deceased; Henry (deceased) was a farmer 
 of Blair county ; Simon is an employee in a planing 
 mill at Tyrone, Blair county; Eliza is the de- 
 ceased wife of Joshua Beck, of Philipsburg, 
 Penn.; John is a farmer of Centre county; An- 
 drew is a farmer of Taylor township; Catherine 
 is the deceased wife of E. Lewis, a farmer of 
 Blair county; George is an agriculturist of Cen- 
 tre county; Martha is the wife of Fulton Mc- 
 Monagle, a butcher living near Pittsburg, Penn. ; 
 and Abner, an iron worker of Mifflin county, 
 Penn. The paternal grandparents of Mrs. 
 Weaver — Henry and Mary Nearhoof — were early 
 settlers of Huntingdon county, where they re- 
 sided upon a farm, while the maternal grand- 
 parents, Henry and Kate Kephart, also farming 
 people, came to Centre county at an early day. 
 
 Mr. Weaver served his fellow citizens in the 
 capacity of school director for many years, and 
 was also elected supervisor of his township, but 
 got another man to serve in his stead. He was 
 drafted during the Civil war, but owing to illness 
 in the family he sent a substitute. He was ever 
 a hardworking, energetic man, and the success 
 
848 
 
 ( ommemohative biographical record. 
 
 that has come to him is but the just reward of 
 earnest, persistent effort. The obstacles and 
 difficulties in his path he overcame, and worked 
 his way steadily upward until he can now spend 
 the evening of 1 tirement, surrounded by 
 
 all the comforts and many of the luxuries of 
 life. He is an ardent Republican in politics, 
 though has never aspired to public office. Him- 
 self and wife hold membership in the United 
 Brethren Church, and they have the respect and 
 confidence of the entire community. 
 
 H. ARNEY, a well-known and popular cit- 
 izen of Centre Hall, Centre county, is a 
 worthy representative of one of Potter town- 
 ships best lamilies. He is a native of the 
 county, born December 5, 1S40, in Gregg town- 
 ship, a sen of Jacob and Rachel \\ Meyers Arney, 
 who when he was thirteen years of age removed 
 to Potter township, where the greater part of his 
 life has been passed. In the Musser school, 
 Gregg township, he began his education undei 
 the guidance ol Robert Cook, at which time dis- 
 cipline and order were the principal features of 
 the school room. As his father owned and oper- 
 ated a clover-hulling mill, in which business win- 
 ter is the busiest season, our subject for two 
 years assisted him in his work at the expense of 
 his schooling. In [856 he entered an academy 
 at Lock Haven, Penn., where he completed his 
 literary studies. 
 
 Soon after leaving the school room, in the 
 fall of [857, Mr. Arney began clerking in the 
 store of Arney & Ro 1 entre Hill, his father 
 
 being a member of the firm. Previous to this 
 time he had lived upon a farm, and had early 
 become familiar with the duties that fall to the 
 lot of the agriculturist. Following his services 
 
 lerk .it Centre Hill, he was similarly employed 
 in the general store of William Wolfi . ll I entre 
 Hall, and Daniel Hess, at Linden Hall, both of 
 which stores did a large business at that time. 
 Subsequently he was lor two years and a half 
 employed as clerk in the dry-goods establishment 
 '■I Bisel & Everett, of Lock Haven, Penn., and 
 later byTroxal & Bridgens, of the same place. 
 
 In 1863, Mr. Arney went west, and enl 
 the employ of what was then the Toledo & 
 Wabash railroad, serving in the capacity of yard- 
 
 ter at its western terminus -State Line, Ind. 
 While the business was new to him, he readily 
 adapted himself to his duties, and was made 
 ticket agent at Danville, 111., after the consolida- 
 n of that road with another, at which time it 
 became known as the Wabash railroad. Having 
 contracted ague and malaria, he was forced to 
 
 abandon that section of the country after four 
 years of railroad life, and was compelled to 
 decline an offer of a substantial salary to remain 
 with the company. The business possessed for 
 him the usual fascination, and it was with reluc- 
 tance that he gave it up. Returning to his native 
 state, the healthy mountain air hastened his recov- 
 ery, and he was soon able to accept the position 
 of manager of the store belonging to C. C. Mc- 
 Clelland, at Round Island, Penn. , where he spent 
 one winter. About this time his father removed 
 to a farm near Centre Hall, where, in 1868, was 
 erected the brick house now occupied by our sub- 
 ject, and he returned home in order to assist his 
 father in the improvement and cultivation of the 
 place. 
 
 On July 24, 1S70, in Millheim. Centre county. 
 Mr. Arney was married to Miss Mary A Ziegler, 
 who was born at that place June 1. 1848 
 daughter of Michael and Lydia (Gephart) / 
 ler. Her father, a well-known citizen of Mill- 
 heim, was born in Penn township, Centre county, 
 a son of Peter Ziegler, and belonged to oni 
 the prominent families of the community. Dur- 
 ing the Civil war he supplied the government 
 with many hundred horses. He died in October, 
 
 14, at the age of seventy-four years: his wife 
 in May, 1877, at the age of fifty-six. and both 
 were interred in the cen t Millheim. 
 
 their family were the following children: Daniel. 
 
 add ler, ol Millheim; John, postmastei 
 Swengel, Union I I nn.; Sarah, now Mrs. J 
 
 A. Reeseman, of Centre Hall; Emma, wife o( 
 
 ry Van Pelt, of Ithaca. N. Y. ; James, of 
 Union county, Penn ; Mrs Lydia Smith, o( 
 Tyrone, Penn., and Mary A , wife of our sub- 
 ject. In 1871 Mr. Arney removed to a par- 
 Philip Foster farm, where he continued to 
 live until [893, when he located upon his present 
 place. It is the old home of his father, compris- 
 ing 135 acres of rich and arable land, which h> 
 and his brother, Dr. G. F. Arney, now own. A 
 great reader, he keeps himself well informed on 
 the leading questions and topics of the day, 
 is numbered among the best and most popular 
 citizens of Centre Hall. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs Arney have one son, A. Miles 
 one of the brightest young men of the neighbor- 
 hood, who was born August 22. 1878, and is DOW 
 a student in Pennsylvania State College, tak 
 a four-years' course in electric engineer! 
 The parents are devout members of the I 
 formed Church, in which Mr. Arney has sen 
 as deacon. At State and National elections 
 unwavering support is given the Democratic 
 party, but on local affairs he votes independent!) . 
 endeavoring to support the best men regard! 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 349 
 
 of party ties. At present he is acceptably serv- 
 ing as treasurer of the Farmers' Mutual Fire 
 Insurance Company of Centre County, also as 
 township auditor, and has held other official 
 positions, including those of school director and 
 election officer. He is a wide-awake, enterpris- 
 ing citizen, one who has the good will and high 
 regard of all who know him. 
 
 BUDOLPH MULHOLLAN (deceased), a na- 
 tive of Carlisle, Penn., died at his home in 
 Centre county, in August, 1883. Success in busi- 
 ness may be achieved by industry, perseverance 
 and capable management, and he who adds to 
 this the record of straightforward, honorable 
 dealing, commands the respect and confidence of 
 all. Such in brief was the business career of Mr. 
 Mulhollan, who possessed untiring energy, quick 
 perception and the ability to plan and success- 
 fully execute business undertakings. His life 
 demonstrated the truth of the saying that success 
 is not the result of genius, but the outcome of 
 resolute and honorable purpose. 
 
 John and Mary (Werham) Mulhollan, parents 
 of our subject, natives of Ireland and Ohio, re- 
 spectively, came to Clearfield county at an early 
 day, making their home near Pine Glenn, in Burn- 
 side township. Their children were James, 
 Rudolph, George, Mrs. Mary Schwitzer, Alfred, 
 Nancy (who died in infancy), John, Mrs. Nancy 
 Clark, and Mrs. Rebecca Bowers, all now de- 
 ceased. 
 
 No event of special importance occurred dur- 
 ing the boyhood of Rudolph Mulhollan, who 
 divided his time mid play and work, while in the 
 public schools he acquired his education. He 
 was married in 1864, in Tyrone, Penn., to Car- 
 oline Swimer, a native of Germany, born in Jan- 
 uary, 1845. Her parents, Michael and Regina 
 (Kaltenburger) Swimer, were also natives of the 
 Fatherland, where they spent their entire lives, 
 the father following the stone mason's trade. In 
 the days of her maidenhood their daughter, Car- 
 oline, came to America with her aunt, Mrs. 
 Wilds, who located in Clearfield county, but after 
 a few years went to Kansas, and was never heard 
 from again. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Mul- 
 hollan are Mary, wife of Samuel Emrick, a mer- 
 chant of Karthaus; Martha, wife of Eugene 
 Meeker, who conducts a meat market in Kart- 
 haus; Clara, wife of Thomas Brown, a druggist 
 of Belle Vernon, Penn.; Blanche, wife of Dr. 
 John Hays, of Karthaus; and Nancy J. 
 
 Rudolph Mulhollan at an early day engaged in 
 hotel keeping in Burnside township. He after- 
 ward carried on farming on an extensive scale. 
 
 and was also one of the largest lumber dealers in 
 that section, his business constantly increasing 
 until it had assumed extensive proportions. He 
 possessed keen sagacity, and in consequence made 
 judicious investments on which he realized hand- 
 some returns. Steadily his capital increased 
 until he thus became one of the wealthiest men 
 of Centre county. In his dealings he was always 
 honorable, straightforward and true, and no con- 
 fidence reposed in him was ever betrayed. After 
 his wife had received one-third of the estate, 
 there still remained property sufficient to give 
 each of his children $13,000. In his political 
 adherency he was a Democrat, and in religious 
 belief a Catholic. His wife, who died February 
 21, 1897, held membership with the Lutheran 
 Church, and was a most estimable lady, receiv- 
 ing the warm regard of all. She died, of dropsy, 
 at her home near Pine Glenn, and was buried 
 Thursday, February 25, in Snow Shoe Cemetery. 
 
 BALSER WEBER. It has been said that 
 .) biography yields to no other subject in 
 point of interest and profit, and it is especially 
 interesting to note the progress that has been 
 made along various lines of business by those 
 of foreign birth who have sought homes in Amer- 
 ica — the readiness with which they adapt them- 
 selves to the different methods and customs of 
 America, recognize the advantages offered, and 
 utilize the opportunities which the New World 
 affords. In Mr. Weber we find the true type of 
 a progressive German-American citizen. 
 
 Our subject was born in Bavaria, Germany, 
 July 4, 1829, the only child of Paul and Cather- 
 ine (Roemer) Weber, natives of the same coun- 
 try, where they spent their entire lives. The 
 mother died in 1832, at the age of twenty-eight 
 years, and the father was again married, having 
 by the second union five children, namely: An- 
 drew, a lumber merchant of Germany; John, who 
 died in that country; Michael, who died a few 
 years after his arrival in the United States, in 
 1856; Barbara, wife of Paul Kammerer, a cop- 
 persmith of Germany: and Caroline, wife of Mel- 
 choir Krauss, of New York. The father's death 
 occurred in 1870, at the age of seventy years. 
 He was a tanner by occupation, and a devout 
 member of the Catholic Church. 
 
 Until twenty years of age Balser Weber re- 
 mained at home with his father, whom he assisted 
 in the tanning business, and in the schools of his 
 native land secured a good education. For two 
 years before leaving the Fatherland he worked 
 for others. In 1849 he sailed for America, ar- 
 riving in New York after being twenty-eight days. 
 

 COMMEMORA TIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 upon the water, his possessions being a cash cap- 
 ital of $3.25. After a short time spent in that 
 city, he went to Schenectady, where he worked 
 in a broom factory for two months and in a tan- 
 nery for a month. 
 
 ( )n leaving that place Mr. Weber came to 
 Howard, Centre county, Perm., m November, 
 [849, where he was first employed by Abraham 
 Sussman, a merchant, who was born in Germany 
 and was a friend of our subject. 1 1 is work was 
 peddling, during two years carrying his mer- 
 chandise, and for the following four years travel- 
 ing with a horse and wagon. In 1857, by 
 economy and persistent labor, he was able to 
 purchase the store of Robert J. Haynes, which 
 he successfully conducted until 1889, when he 
 turned over the business to his three sons — Abra- 
 ham, John Paul and William — and is now fiving 
 a retired life, enjoying a rest which he so richly 
 deserves. 
 
 On September 30, 1 S 5 j , Mr. Weber was 
 united in marriage to Miss Anna Fletcher, and 
 to them have been born eight children: Abra- 
 ham; Mary, wife of C. M. Muffly, a real-estate 
 broker, of Chicago, 111.; Caroline, Laura and 
 Henry, all three deceased; Clara, wife of Thomas 
 I. Thomas, of Howard, where he is engaged in 
 farming, and John P. and William. The sons 
 will be more fully spoken of farther on. 
 
 Mrs. Weber was born in Howard township, 
 October 28, 1828, and is a daughter of Henry 
 and Magdelina (Schenck) Plctcher, natives of 
 Lancaster county, l'enn., and married in Centre 
 county, where they had come in 1795, and here 
 engaged in farming. Her father was born Sep- 
 tember 17, 1789, and died January 10, 1876, 
 while her mother was born September 5, 1786, 
 and died May 11, 1S61. In their family were 
 eleven children: Nathan, deceased; Catherine, 
 deceased wife of Jacob Holter, a retired fanner 
 of Liberty township, Centre county; Michael, a 
 carpenter of Howard: Daniel, John, Henry, 
 Christ, and Jacob, all live deceased; Mollie, who 
 married Henry Holter, but both are now de- 
 ceased; Anna, wife of our subject; and Joseph, 
 deceased. The paternal grandparents of Mrs. 
 W'iber came to Centre county from Lancastn 
 county in 1795, and here spent the remainder of 
 thnr lives. 
 
 Mr. Weber was reared in the Catholic Church, 
 to which faith he has always adhered. Socially 
 he is a member of the I. O. O. F., and in poli- 
 tic-, is a stanch Democrat. He ha> never had 
 any inclination for public office, but has faithfully 
 served as a member of the town council, and as 
 overseer of the poor for four years. He has 
 made many warm friends since becoming a resi- 
 
 dent of Howard, and has the respect and confi- 
 dence of all with whom he has come in contact 
 in either busines> or social life. 
 
 Abraham Weber, the eldest son of our sub- 
 ject, is now the popular chief burgess of Howard, 
 ane senior member of the well-known firm of |; 
 Weber's Sons. He was born in Howard, Feb- 
 ruary 9, 1853, and after attending its public 
 schools for some time, was a student in the Iron 
 City School of Pittsburg, Penn , for live months. 
 He remained under the parental roof until his 
 marriage, January 21, 1879, to Miss Rachel J. 
 Nb>ore. To them have been born six children: 
 Mary, Anna, Balser, Emma and Edith, all at 
 home, and one that died in infancy. Abraham 
 Weber was first elected chief burgess of Howard 
 in 1880, and was re-elected in 1886 and 1894, so 
 that he is now serving his third term. His ad- 
 ministration of the duties of his high official posi- 
 tion is characterized by an enlightened policy, 
 which is well calculated to advance the interests 
 of the town. Politically, he follows in the foot- 
 steps of his father, always voting the Democratic 
 ticket; socially he is a member of the I. O. O. F, 
 Lodge at Howard, and of the F. & A. M.. at 
 Bellefonte. 
 
 John P. Weber, the second son, was born at 
 Howard, January 15, 1868, and received a lib- 
 eral common-school education. He married Kate 
 Yearick on September 19, 1889, and has three 
 children. He, too, is a member of the firm. 
 
 William Weber, the youngest son, also a 
 member of the firm, was born December 4, 1870, 
 and received his education in part at the com- 
 mon schools, in part at a business college in 
 Lock Haven, at which he graduated July 15, 
 18S7. On December S. 1 So 1 . he married Blanche 
 Lstella Hensyl, eldest daughter of Dr. L. K 
 Hensyl, of Howard, and to them has been born 
 one child, Dorothy Elizabeth. Although he is a 
 Democrat, and the town council always verj 
 strongly Republican, that body elected him the 
 clerk of the council three years in succession, and 
 also elected him borough treasurer three years in 
 succession, which position he now holds. 
 
 GEORGE B. SIMLER, Sr. The meritedand 
 J fitting reward of a well-spent life, and active 
 business career, is an honored retirement in 
 which to enjoy the fruits of former toil. 1 
 many years this gentleman was prominently con- 
 nected with the business interests of Philipshurg. 
 but in [881 he laid aside all care, and is now 
 resting from his labors in a comfortable home, 
 which was acquired through his own efforts. He 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 351 
 
 is widely and favorably known in Centre county, 
 and his name occupies a high place on the roll 
 of leading and influential citizens. 
 
 The first of the Simler family of which there 
 is any authentic record is John Henry Simler. a 
 native of Germany, who became a soldier in the 
 Revolutionary war, enlisting in France, in 1780, 
 as a private in Capt. Bart's corps of the first 
 troops of Light Dragoons, Free Legion, under 
 command of Col. Armand. On arriving at Bos- 
 ton, Mass., the troops proceeded to Yorktown, 
 Va. , and in the memorable siege and capture of 
 that place Mr. Simler took part, it being taken 
 by the United forces of America and France. He 
 remained in the service until regularly discharged 
 at Philadelphia. At Yorktown he had received 
 wounds in the left eye and forehead from a sabre 
 which is now in the possession of our subject, 
 and the scars he carried to his grave. On the 
 termination of the war he located at Philadel- 
 phia, where he married, and two children were 
 born: George and Sarah. His first wife died 
 of yellow fever in 1793, and four years later he 
 was again married. By this union he also had 
 two children, Charles and Mrs. Sarah A. Cow- 
 fer. Later John H. Simler migrated to Philips- 
 burg, Centre county, where he erected the first 
 house, and worked at his trade of shoemaking. 
 Here his daughter married and continued to make 
 her home until her death. In Philipsburg his wife 
 died in 1822, and two years later, when his son 
 George brought a flock of sheep to Centre coun- 
 ty, he was persuaded by him to return to Phila- 
 delphia, where his death occurred, October 14, 
 1829. 
 
 With his father, Charles Simler had come to 
 Philipsburg, by ox-team, in 1797, and here in 
 February, 18 14, he had married Sallie Morrow, 
 a native of Bellefonte, and a daughter of John 
 Morrow, who was one of the early settlers of 
 Centre county. To this worthy couple were born 
 eleven children, as follows: John D., born 
 March 9, 18 15, conducted a bakery in Philips- 
 burg, where he died February 2, 1875; Jane, 
 born December 1, 18 16, married Franklin R. 
 Street, now deceased, and died in November, 
 1895; J- Henry, born August 2, 1820, died in 
 Philadelphia; George B., born August 2, 1820, 
 is the subject of this sketch; S. Annie, born July 
 24, 1822, married John Huston, now deceased, 
 and she died in 1844; Charles, born November 
 10, 1824, was a carpenter of Philadelphia, where 
 his death occurred December 28, 1889; William 
 B., born April 15, 1827, a painter by occupa- 
 tion, was a Union soldier during the Civil war, 
 and came to Philipsburg in 1864, where he died 
 July 19, 1874; Theodore, born May 26, 1832, is 
 
 a brass fitter of Philadelphia; Margaret, born 
 March 9, 1835, is the widow of Alex Adams, and 
 resides in Chester Hill, Penn.; and Mary A., 
 born November 26, 1837, died when young. In 
 1825, with our subject, the father returned to 
 Philadelphia, his native city, where he passed 
 away May 7, 1845, at the age of fifty-four years. 
 
 George B. Simler remained under the pa- 
 rental roof until twenty-seven years of age. His 
 early education was rather limited, and at the 
 age of seventeen years he began serving an ap- 
 prenticeship to the carpenter's trade with William 
 Cobb, a contractor and builder of Philadelphia, 
 receiving $40 and board per year. On attaining 
 his majority he started out as a journeyman, and 
 was thus employed until twenty-eight years of 
 age, when he was appointed a policeman of 
 Philadelphia, which position he acceptably filled 
 for eighteen years. Returning to Philipsburg, 
 he here engaged in the express business until 
 1 88 1, since which time he has lived retired, his 
 son, George B., now conducting the business. 
 
 On May 6, 1S47, in Philadelphia, Mr. Simler 
 was married to Miss Amanda Carpenter, and to 
 them were born nine children. : (1) Harry, born 
 February 25, 1848, married Ellen Tarr, by whom 
 he had thirteen children, three now deceased; he 
 is a constable of Philipsburg. (2) Charles L., 
 born April 27, 1850, died September 26, 1853. 
 
 (3) Sallie, born June 25, 1852, is the wife of 
 Albert Jackson, a machinist of Johnstown, Penn. 
 
 (4) John, born June 8, 1855, died when young. 
 
 (5) George B. , born December 13, 1857, is en- 
 gaged in the express business in Philipsburg. 
 
 (6) Hester, born January 12, 1861, died in in- 
 fancy. (7) William N., born August 15, 1864, 
 married Lizzie G. Osier, by whom he had two 
 children, Charles Albert and Mary Estella (the 
 wife and one child are deceased); he is an expert 
 taxidermist, and a resident of Philipsburg. (8) 
 Susannah A., born February 13, 1867, is the 
 wife of William Cronover, a carpenter of Philips- 
 burg, by whom she has one son, Clarence. (9) 
 Jacob R., born May 4, 1871, is also a taxider- 
 mist. With the exception of George B. and 
 Jacob R. , who were born in Philipsburg, the 
 other children were all born in Philadelphia. 
 
 Mrs. Simler is also a native of Philadelphia, 
 her birth occurring April 8, 1829. There her 
 parents, Conrad and Hester (Sowers) Carpenter, 
 spent their entire lives, the former dying August 
 2, 1867, at the age of seventy, and the latter on 
 May 12, 1886, at the age of seventy-five years. 
 In their family were the following children: Con- 
 rad (deceased); Amanda, wife of our subject; 
 William, a motorman on the street cars of Phil- 
 adelphia; John (deceased), Andrew J. and Martin 
 
:;.".!' 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 V. (twins), who died when young; Elizabeth and 
 Maty, who died in childhood; John N . a detect- 
 ive of Philadelphia; Wilhelmina, also a resident 
 of that nd George and Jacob, who died 
 
 in childhood. The father of this family w; 
 butcher by trade He was a son of Benjamin 
 ami Margaret (Milli titer, natives of Eng- 
 
 land ai any, respectively. The forn 
 
 was a cooper, and a member of the Society of 
 Friends. The maternal grandparents ol Mrs 
 
 ler, William and Hester (Miley) Sowi 
 were also natives of Germany, and when quite 
 young came to Philadelphia, where the grand- 
 father f • * 1 1 • i wed the butcher's trade. 
 
 Mr. Simler is one of the honored pioneers of 
 Philipsburg, with whose interests his family i 
 been identified since the very beginning of the 
 city, anil have been important factors in its up- 
 building and advancement. When he first went 
 to Philadelphia with Ins father in 1825, the jour- 
 through the almost unbroken wilderness re- 
 quired nine days; but all this has since been 
 1 hanged, and now i, r ood roads and railroads cm*--, 
 and recross each other all over the country. In 
 
 tics Mr. Simler is a Republican, and for fifty 
 years has been a member of the I. O. 0. 1'.. 
 joining I No. 15 in Philadelphia. He is 
 
 well known as .1 man whose integrity is above 
 question, whose word isasgood as his bond, and 
 is held in the highest I by his many friends 
 
 and acquaintances. He has filled with honor 
 man 3 of trust in Philipsburg; was burgess 
 
 one term, member of the council two terms, and 
 president of the board. In township matters he 
 was assessor of Rush township two terms. I 
 following inscription is taken from the headstone 
 that marks the last resting place, in the old cem- 
 etery, of our subject's maternal grandmother: "To 
 the memory of Letitia Morrow, who departed 
 this life thi April, A D. 1 S33, aged 65 
 
 -, 3 months and 6 da 
 
 JOHN C. MOTZ (deceased) < >n January 1 7, 
 at his hom< 
 Woodward, Centre county, a man who had 
 for many years, 1 in the development 
 
 of Penn's Valley, his untirin • in the : 
 
 motion 1 ial operations preparing 
 
 for him an enduring place in the history of that 
 on Progressive and clear-sighted, Ins work 
 was of a nature to build up tin community while 
 trging his own fortune, and his shrewd, ener- 
 ind forceful management of his \., 
 
 nmanded the admiration ol the 
 public. 
 
 Mr. Mot/ was born June 22. 1832, at the old 
 homestead in Woodward, which had been the 
 
 lence of two previous generations, his grand- 
 father, John Motz, born in [758, having been the 
 first settler in that locality, which, in fact, once 
 bore the name of " Motz's Bank.'.' The family 
 to which he belonged was obliged to leave the 
 Fatherland on account of religious persecutions, 
 then so prevalent. The extensive collection of 
 books which he left at his death contained valu- 
 able works on Church, History, Astronomy and 
 other subjects. His wife, Mary (Whitmer), who 
 was born October 9, 1767, was a noble charac- 
 ter, devoted to the care of the sick and feeble of 
 the neighborhood, and was so skillful in this work 
 that her services were esteemed as much as a 
 physician's would have been. In 17S6 they 
 moved to the site of Woodward from what is 
 now Snyder county, and spent their remaining 
 
 rs there, the grandfather dying in 1S02. and 
 the grand ther on March 13. [839. They left 
 
 ii children three daughters and four sons — 
 the names of the latter being: Jacob, John, 
 ( .n irge and James. 
 
 John Motz, |r. , our subject's father, was born 
 January 6, 1792, and lived and died at the old 
 
 nestead. He was married December 11, 
 7, to Elizabeth Fisher, who was born No- 
 
 iber 1, [800, at Fisher's Ferry, Northumber- 
 land Co.. Penn., and died January 3, 1 SSj. 
 They had three sons and four daughter, \ 
 Daniel Alexander, born June 15, 1S29, died Oc- 
 tober 1, 1 S33 ; John C, our subject; William 
 Henry, born March [3, 1839, died July 22, [848; 
 Lydia, Sarah C, < .-th.-rine A. and Mar) Eliz- 
 
 th. One of the daughters, Lydia, married 
 C. H. Gutelius, of Mifflinburg; she was an able 
 and active business woman, and at one time 
 traveled 600 miles by ox-team from Omah 
 Denver, where she was successfully engaged in 
 extensive real-estate deals; she died May .;. \l 
 Sarah C. married Dr. P. 1>. Neff, who died at 
 
 itre Hall. Catherim A. married Dr. < 
 p. \ iate ot 1 lanover, Penn., and nov 
 
 Philadelphia. Mary Elizabeth, born Fcbruan 
 11. 1 S 4 5 , died November 30, [861. 
 
 The common-school system of the pn 
 da\ was in its infancy during the period in which 
 our subject was acquiring his education, but his 
 studies in the local schools were supplemented 
 with a course in the academy at Mittlinburg. At 
 an early age he began to manil 
 ability, and at twenty he became a merchant 
 Woodward. As time passed he sought still 
 if activity, operating u gristmill and 
 distillery, ami finally purchased the entin 
 left by his father. His close attention I 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 353 
 
 ness, and thorough knowledge and supervision of 
 its details, made success sure, and when an en- 
 terprise was once undertaken he spared no pains 
 in its prosecution. His mill property was im- 
 proved atheavy expense in 1S52, and again in 1878 
 in order to secure the latest machinery and meth- 
 ods. His early success was not won without 
 some sacrifice, however, and after fifteen years 
 he was compelled by impaired health to give up 
 all care for a time. A trip to the Rocky Mount- 
 ains, in 1867, greatly benefited him, and on his 
 return he resumed his accustomed activities, soon 
 embarking in other and larger enterprises. 
 
 On March 15, 1872, he, with others, estab- 
 lished the banking house of John C. Motz & Co , 
 at Millheim, of which he was the chief promoter 
 and first president. This position he held for 
 many years, and the bank weathered the finan- 
 cial storms of that time bravely under his judi- 
 cious yet bold management. The failure of Jay 
 Cooke lost for the firm all their Eastern ex- 
 changes; their credit, however, was sustained by 
 paying over their counters thousands of dollars 
 in cash, as the bankers would not wait for the 
 ordinary return by mail, but sent special messen- 
 gers with checks. For many years he was the 
 principal stockholder in the Bellefonte, Aarons- 
 burg and Youngmanstown Turnpike Co., and as 
 its president conducted its affairs to the great 
 advantage of the people of the Valley as well as 
 that of the shareholders. He was one of the 
 capitalists who secured a charter in April, 1879, 
 for the Millheim Turnpike Co., of which he was 
 the heaviest stockholder, and his interests are 
 still retained by his family. He dealt extensively 
 in lumber and grain, and shipped the first carload 
 of grain over the Lewisburg & Spruce Valley 
 Creek railway; and indeed, were we to mention 
 all the enterprises in which he was a leader, we 
 would bring in review all the varied elements of 
 material progess in his locality during his time. 
 No project was broached indicating benefit to 
 the Valley that he did not encourage in a practi- 
 cal and effective way. He left a large estate, 
 comprising several mill properties, extensive 
 tracts of farm and mountain land in this State, 
 valuable real estate in Kansas, Colorado and 
 Iowa, together with stock in gold mines and 
 other interests. As a loyal friend to the best 
 interests of his native village, he gave especial 
 attention to its improvement. He was a royal 
 entertainer, always glad to see his friends, and 
 socially as well as in business circles he was held 
 in high esteem. A stanch Republican, he took 
 great interest in the success of his party, and he 
 
 23 
 
 was also a liberal supporter of religious work, 
 giving not only of his money but of his time and 
 personal influence. In 1S65 he became a mem- 
 ber of the Evangelical Association, and for many 
 years was superintendent of the Sunday-school. 
 
 On November 14, 1869, Mr. Motz was mar- 
 ried to Miss Maranda A. Reigard, a lady of fine 
 intellectual powers, and gracious womanliness, 
 whose gifts of mind and heart have made their 
 home a social center. They had three sons, 
 who are all taking prominent places in the com- 
 munity, and make a trio of whom any parent 
 would be proud. [Sketches of these will be 
 found elsewhere.] 
 
 Mrs. Motz is a daughter of Dr. Jacob Reigard 
 and his wife, Lucinda Wagner, who are now liv- 
 ing at the age of eighty-six, in the possession of 
 unusual health and vigor. Dr. Reigard prepared 
 for his profession under the guidance of Dr. Big- 
 elow, of Millheim, and began to practice when 
 only nineteen years old, locating at Orangeville, 
 Columbia Co., Penn., where he met and married 
 Lucinda Wagner. Notwithstanding the opposi- 
 tion of the older physicians, hesucceeded, his skill 
 in surgery enabling him to perform some opera- 
 tions with which the others were not familiar. 
 Later he moved to Shirleysburg, where he re- 
 mained many years, and then spent twelve years 
 on a farm five miles from the city of Doyle's 
 Ford. There malaria seized him, and after suf- 
 fering from ague for eighteen months he sought 
 a change of air at Woodward, remaining three, 
 years. During this time his daughter was wooed 
 and won by Mr. Motz. In 1 852 Dr. Reigard and 
 his wife removed to Freeport, 111., where they 
 now enjoy the rewards of past labors. The 
 Doctor amassed a considerable fortune through 
 his practice and by judicious speculation, and at 
 one time he owned the only gristmill at Freeport. 
 
 Mrs. Motz was born May 25, 1835, in Col- 
 umbia county, and was educated in the schools 
 o'f Shirleysburg. and at a select school in Dan- 
 ville, Penn. She was the first born in a family 
 of ten children; (2) Ira G. died at Shirleysburg, 
 aged eleven years; (3) Francis M., deceased, was 
 a farmer at Freeport, 111. ; (4) Shepherd W. is in 
 the clothing business at Freeport; (5) Amanda 
 M., deceased, married F. G. Welsh, a machinist 
 at Chicago; (6) Juniata is at home; (7) Mary 
 Belle, who married Mr. Welsh after her sister 
 Amanda's death, is a journalist, and resides at 
 Williamsburg, Kans. ; (8) Louisa A. married R. 
 S. McWilliams, a farmer; (9) Scioto M. died at 
 Freeport, 111.; and (10) Blanche Eugenia is at 
 home with her parents. 
 
354 
 
 i u 1/ Ml-: MORA Tl VK BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 J 
 
 ' J. SHULTZ. This highly respected gentle- 
 man, who is one of the most industrious 
 
 energetic farmers of Miles township, Centre 
 county, was born in 1857, in Sugar Valley, Clin- 
 ton Co., Penn., and is a son of Jacob and Re- 
 becca (Gramley) Shultz, the latter of whom v 
 a daughter of Christian Gramley. The paternal 
 grandfather of our subject, who also bore the 
 name of Jacob Shultz, disappeared suddenly 
 from home, and has never been heard of since. 
 The parents were married in Brush Valley, 
 Centre county, whence they removed to Sugar 
 Valley, where two years and a half were passed, 
 and they then, in the spring of [861, returned to 
 the former place, locating near Rebersburg. The 
 father not only provided for his own maintenance 
 from a very early age, but also helped to support 
 his parents, who were in limited circumstances, 
 so that at the time of his marriage he had only 
 one summer's wages with which to begin life. 
 B< ing a hard worker and economical, he man- 
 aged to save some capital, which he invested in 
 land, having at the tune of his death over 150 
 acres of good land. There his widow, an 1 
 nest Chistian woman, still resides. He died at 
 the age of seventy-four years, and was laid to 
 i in the cemetery <»l Rebersburg. Like his 
 wife, he was a consistent member of the Luth- 
 eran Church; in politics he was a Democrat. 
 They had nine children, namely: Rebecca, now 
 tlie wile of Ceorge Miller, "I Madisonburg, Cen- 
 tre county; | [., of this sketch; Henry, who 
 died in infancy; Hannah, who died in childhood; 
 Bevie, who died in infancy; Frank and Charles 
 twin- , now t.iriners of Brush Valley and Sugar 
 Valley, respectively; Annie, wife of Jonathan 
 Shott, of Miles township; and a son, who died 
 in infani 5 In addition to rearing his own fam- 
 ily, the father also cared for his widowed mother 
 and brother. He was an honest, straightforward 
 man, whose word was newer questioned nor his 
 1 ity doubted. 
 |. |. Shultz was afforded but limited educa- 
 tional privileges, but he made the most of his 
 advantages and learned rapidly, so that In 
 now a well-informed man. As soon as he was 
 large 1 nough t<i handle a plow he began work in 
 the fields, and continued to assist in the labors 
 of the home farm until he had reached Ins twen- 
 ty-seventh year, with the exception of a few days 
 a't a time when he would find employment else- 
 where After he had attained his majority he 
 hin d out to his fathei bj the year, and on his 
 ipital consisted oi what he had 
 manaped to save from his wages. He then lo- 
 cated on the old Smull farm, which his father 
 had purchased, near Kreamerville, and there con- 
 
 tinued to reside until coming to his present farm 
 in the spring of 1887. It comprises sixty-seven 
 acres, pleasantly located at Spring Bank, in Miles 
 township, and under his able management has 
 become very productive. He married Miss Sarah 
 I l'>ressler, of Brush Valley, and they have two 
 children — Ira E. and Ida M., both at home. 
 Sincere and earnest Christians, the parents are 
 faithful members of the United Evangelical 
 Church, and their genial, courteous manners 
 have attracted to them many warm friends. 
 
 Fraternally, Mr. Shultz is connected with the 
 Grange, and in politics he is an earnest advocate 
 of Democratic principles. He has served his 
 fellow citizens in the capacity of election judge 
 and supervisor of his township two terms, but 
 prefers to give his time and attention to his busi- 
 ness interests, in which he is meeting with excel- 
 lent results. 
 
 REUBEN GRIMM, a prosperous retired farm- 
 er residing in Madison burg, Centre county, 
 is one of the leading citizens of that pleasant 
 little town, and takes an active and helpful place 
 in the life of the community, being especially 
 mt 1 rested in furthering the work of the Lutheran 
 Church, of which he has been a leading member 
 for many years. 
 
 Mr. Grimm was born January 18, 1828, in 
 West Beaver township, Union county, now a 
 part of Snyder county. His father, Daniel 
 Grimm, was born in 1795 in Berks county. Penn., 
 and was the only son of a German settler there, 
 who did not succeed well enough in this new land 
 to give his sons a start in life. Accordingly, 
 Daniel Grimm, seeing the necessity for making 
 his own way, came as a young man to Union 
 county, and began farming and lumbering, in 
 which he made a notable success. He became 
 the owner of two farms and a sawmill, the latter 
 being his chief source of wealth. He married 
 Miss Magdalena Smith, a native of Beaver town- 
 ship, Union county, horn in 1795, and they had 
 thirteen children, all of whom are now living: 1 t \ 
 L( ah, widow of Edward Kinney, resides at £ 
 ins^rove, Penn.; Levi, a resident of Marysville, 
 Venango Co. , Penn., enlisted from that locality 
 during the Civil war, and lost a leg in the 
 Daniel is a retired farmer at Orangeville, Steph- 
 enson Co., 111.; Catherine married Joseph Shaf- 
 fer, of Walker township. Centre county; Isaac, 
 a bachelor, resides in Orangeville, III.; Susan, 
 widow of |ohn Walters, lives near Milesbl 
 Penn. ; R( uben is mentioned more fully below; 
 Mollie (Mrs. Weary lives in Missouri; Mary, 
 widow of Jacob Nestlerode, resides in Madison- 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 355 
 
 burg; Christena married Lewis Pellman, of Har- 
 tleton, Perm. ; Adam, a farmer of Cherokee 
 county, Kans. , was a soldier in Company A, 
 148th P. V. I., was taken prisoner and suffered 
 much before released; Louisa married William 
 B. Shaffer, of Walker township, Centre county; 
 John, a farmer in Oklahoma Territory, was a 
 soldier in Company A, 148th P. V. I. 
 
 In 1840 our subject's father sold his property 
 and removed to Brush Valley, where he pur- 
 chased, from Jacob Reber, a farm of 1 50 acres 
 adjoining Madisonburg. Seven wagons, each 
 drawn by four horses, conveyed the family and 
 household goods to their new home via Penn's 
 Valley Narrow, and they arrived at Madisonburg, 
 April 3, 1840. Daniel Grimm followed agricult- 
 ure until 1856, when he rented the farm to our 
 subject and retired to Madisonburg, building a 
 home there for his declining years. He was a 
 shrewd yet honest business man, no speculator, 
 depending upon hard work and judicious manage- 
 ment for his success. His education was entirely 
 practical, but he acquired through observation a 
 goodly fund of information on various subjects. 
 Being opposed to slavery, he was among the first 
 to join the Republican party, having previously 
 been a Whig. At times he held office in the 
 township, serving as school director and super- 
 visor, and although not a politician he never 
 missed a chance to vote. He was very fond of 
 company, and made an annual visit to Snyder 
 county, preferring to go always on foot. In the 
 Lutheran Church, of which he and his wife were 
 both members, his counsel was held in high es- 
 teem, and he was chosen to various offices, in- 
 cluding those of deacon and elder. His wife 
 died June 2, 1865, he passing away July 23, 
 1882, and the remains of both now rest at Madi- 
 sonburg. 
 
 Reuben Grimm, the subject proper of these 
 lines, was twelve years old at the time of the re- 
 moval to Centre county, and his education, which 
 had been begun in the schools at the old home, 
 was continued in Madisonburg, his first teacher 
 there being William Yearick, who later became 
 a clergyman. His opportunities did not compare 
 with those which a more liberal and judicious 
 policy has placed within the reach of the youth 
 of to-day, and as a farmer's son much of his time 
 was spent in work at home. At eighteen he be- 
 gan to learn the blacksmith's trade at Madison- 
 burg under Edward Houtz, his wages for the first 
 year being $2.00 per month, and for the second 
 and third years, $3.00 per month. For a time 
 after completing his trade he followed it inZion, 
 but in the spring of 1850 he went to Stephenson 
 county, 111., and worked at his trade and at farm- 
 
 ing for seven months. News came to him of the 
 burning of his father's barn, and he returned 
 home to help in rebuilding it. He spent three 
 years and three months at his trade in Zion, work- 
 ing for a brother-in-law, Joseph Shaffer, and then 
 assisted his father for a year at the old farm. 
 On February 22, 1855, he was married to Miss 
 Elizabeth Shaffer, who was born in Miles town- 
 ship, Centre county, July 3, 1835, a daughter of 
 Samuel and Catherine (Bright) Shaffer. Mr. 
 Grimm's savings at the time amounted to less 
 than $400, but, renting the old homestead from 
 his father, he began farming on his own behalf, 
 and continued successfully for thirty-two years. 
 In 1875 he purchased the farm, and still owns 
 124 acres of farm land in Brush Valley, with 
 twenty-five acres of timber land in Sugar Valley. 
 In 1888 he removed to Madisonburg, where he 
 owns two lots, on one of which he built a new 
 home, one of the best in the place. Since re- 
 moving to town Mr. Grimm has for four years 
 carried the mail between Madisonburg and Mill- 
 heitn, but has not undertaken any other business. 
 Of his two sons, Lewis S. is a jeweler at Leb- 
 anon, Kans., and Charles L. is at home. 
 
 Mr. Grimm's first Presidential vote was cast 
 for Gen. Winfield Scott; on the dissolution of 
 the Whig party he became a Republican, and has 
 since remained steadfast in that political faith. 
 While never an office seeker, he has at times 
 shown his keen interest in educational progress 
 by serving as school director in his township. In 
 the Lutheran Church he has held various posi- 
 tions, having been deacon for many years, and 
 he is now an elder. He has always given liber- 
 ally to the work of the society, and was one of 
 the building committee when the new church at 
 Madisonburg was built. 
 
 DAVID L. ZERBY, teller of the Millheim 
 Bank, Millheim, Centre county, is one of 
 the most substantial and conservative business 
 men of Penn's Valley. He is a native of Penn 
 township, Centre county, having been born at 
 Penn's Creek, January 28, 185 1, the fourth son 
 and child of Adam and Susan (Snavely) Zerby, 
 well-known and highly respected residents. 
 
 Mr. Zerby, for a time, attended the schools 
 of his district, W. E. Shirk being his first teacher. 
 In 1868 he attended the Aaronsburg Academy, 
 and later the academy at Penn Hall, receiving 
 instruction from such able educators as W. H. 
 Gottwalt, Prof. Salm, George W. Ebright and D. 
 M. Wolf. At eighteen he was competent to 
 teach, and undertook the management of the 
 "Mountain School" in Gregg township, Centre 
 
856 
 
 OOMMBMORA TlVt: lSIOQRAI'llIf.U. RECORD. 
 
 county. Finding the work congenial, he decided 
 to continue it, and his pronounced success mak- 
 ing it an easy matter for him to secure positions, 
 he taught for thirteen years, or twenty-six terms, 
 all but one term being in his native township. 
 Six years were spent at Liberty school, and his 
 success there indicates his efficiency as both an 
 instructor ami disciplinarian. He was especially 
 gifted in mathematics, the most difficult prob- 
 lems being solved by him with ease. 
 
 On November 5, 1 S 7 4 , Mr. Zerby was mar- 
 ried to Miss Margaret Keen, a native of Penn 
 township, Centre county, and daughter of Jacob 
 and Anna Mary (Deininger Keen, who are men- 
 tioned below. Since his marriage Mr. Zerby has 
 made his home in Millheim, and on giving up 
 teaching as a vocation, he entered mercantile 
 life as a clerk for W. K. Alexander in his general 
 store. He remained there some time, and was 
 also employed at odd intervals in the Millheim 
 Bank, in which he took his present responsible 
 position as teller in January, 1893. Since enter- 
 ing upon the duties of the place he has gained 
 hosts of friends, the public having learned that 
 in their dealings with him they can be sure of 
 courteous treatment and the most scrupulous 
 honesty. He is a sell '-made man, and, although 
 his father assisted him in securing an education. 
 the money was repaid from the earnings of the 
 first term as teacher. 
 
 In 1877 Mr Zerby purchased his residence in 
 Millheim, and extensive improvements have 
 made it one of the pleasantest homes in that 
 charming village. His only child, Stella E., an 
 accomplished young lady, is now a teacher in the 
 high school at Millheim. The family attend the 
 I'niicd Evangelical Church, and all are promi- 
 nently identified with its activities. Mr. Zerby 
 is a trustee and steward, and for many years has 
 been superintendent of the Sunday-school. His 
 zeal for the welfare of the Church has been shown 
 in many ways, and during the negotiations for 
 the transfer of certain properties in 1'enn's Val- 
 ley to the new Church, he has ably represented 
 the adherents of Bishop Dubbs. His interest in 
 public affairs is not less keen, any project for 
 the advancement of Millheim borough receiving 
 his hearty support In political affiliations hi 
 .1 Democrat. He was the first burgess of the 
 borough, and has served on the school board, 
 while in May. [889, and again in 1894, he was 
 elected justice of the peace. As an official he 
 has shown characteristic efficiency and public 
 spirit, winning the confidence and esteem of all 
 cl asses. 
 
 Mrs. Zerby's family is ol German extraction, 
 the name having been Kuhn originally. Hei 
 
 great-grandfather, Johan Jacob Kuhn or Keen, 
 was the first to leave the Fatherland, and after a 
 brief residence in Berks county, Penn., he came 
 to this section and settled upon a farm in Centre 
 county, one mile west of Millheim. This is still 
 known as the Keen farm, and has been contin- 
 uously in the possession of his descendants since 
 his day. He reared a large family of children, 
 seventeen in all. His son George (Mrs. Zerby's 
 grandfather) accompanied him from Berks coun- 
 ty, became a leading farmer of Centre counts, 
 and in later years a prominent member of the 
 Evangelical Church. His wife, Saloma Kramer, 
 w as a daughter of Daniel Kramer, a pioneer 
 settler. 
 
 Nine children were born of their union, the 
 names with dates of birth being as follows: 
 Jacob, October 22, 1809, died at Millheim when 
 between seventy and eighty years of age; Re- 
 becca, November 5, 1811, died while you 
 Elizabeth, January 15, 1814, married Samuel 
 Runkle, and died in Illinois; Mary, November 
 22, 1816, married George Mark, and died in 
 Millheim; Jacob. January 11, 1818; Daniel, 
 January 5, 1820, went west, and all trace of him 
 was lost; Samuel, September 24, 1822, resides 
 in Williamsport, Penn.; Peter, January 20, 1826, 
 is a resident of Cass counts', Mich. ; Katie. Sep- 
 tember 22, 1831, is now Mrs. John Gutileus, of 
 MifSinburg, Penn. The father of this family 
 died in his seventieth year, and the mother in 
 her eighty-fifth year, the remains of both being 
 interred at Aaronsburg. 
 
 Jacob Keen, the father of Mrs. Zerby, ob- 
 tained a practical education, partly in the local 
 schools of his day, and partly through observa- 
 tion. Although he was not the oldest son, his 
 capacity for leadership was made evident at an 
 early age, as he always " went ahead." On Jan- 
 uary 5, [843, he married Miss Anna M Deinin- 
 ger. a native of Bernville, Berks Co., Penn , horn 
 December 4, 1823. Her parents, Emanuel and 
 [ohanna H. (Obenland) Deininger, both came 
 from Wurtemberg", Germany, in their youth, and 
 were married in the United States. Emanuel 
 Deininger was a well educated man, though not 
 as familiar with English as with German, and Bit 
 excellent musician. By occupation he was 
 marble cutter and candle maker, the latter husi- 
 
 - prosing especially profitable. He moved 
 with his family to Philadelphia when Mrs. Keen 
 Was a young lady, and after a shorl stay cairn 
 
 New Berlin, Union Co., Penn. . where he remained 
 ten months before locating permanently, in 1 - s 43- 
 at Millheim. His wife died in [861, aged - |X '^ 
 two years, and he passed away in 1876 at th< 
 age ot sevent) seven, both being laid to 
 
 1 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 857 
 
 the cemetery at Millheim. Of ten children, five 
 lived to maturity: Anna M. (Mrs. Keen); C. F., 
 an Evangelical minister, who died at York, Penn. , 
 in July, 1888; Jonathan, a resident of Centre 
 Hall; Benjamin O. , who died in Millheim; and 
 Augustus O., a resident of Hughesville, Lycom- 
 ing Co., Pennsylvania. 
 
 Jacob Keen and his bride began housekeep- 
 ing at the old homestead, and lived there until 
 1882, when he removed to Millheim, retiring 
 from business cares. His death occurred Novem- 
 ber 11, 1890, and his remains were buried there. 
 He was a lifelong Democrat, but no politician, 
 although he took much interest in local affairs, 
 and at one time served as. constable of the vil- 
 lage of Millheim. In religious belief his sympa- 
 thies were with the United Evangelical Church, 
 to which his entire family belonged. He left a 
 large estate, including the old homestead farm of 
 more than 100 acres and some mountain land, as 
 well as the comfortable home in Millheim, where 
 his widow, a highly respected lady, still resides. 
 
 There were thirteen children, whose names 
 with dates of birth are here given: Sarah, 
 October 28, 1844, now Mrs. Christopher Alexan- 
 der; John D. , October 7, 1845, a farmer of Penn 
 township, Centre county; Justina J., February 
 28, 1847, now Mrs. A. F. Kramer; Rebecca, 
 August 1 6, 1848, who died in infancy; E. D., 
 July 26, 1849, a minister of the United Evan- 
 gelical Church at Red Lion, Penn. ; Anna M. , 
 January 14, 1852, Mrs. Zerby; Henry Franklin, 
 March 30, 1853, residing near Curtin, Centre 
 county; George W., May 13, 1855, a stock 
 farmer of Lee county, 111.; William E. , March 7, 
 1857, a resident of Millheim; Mary A., June 14, 
 i860, who died in childhood; Rosa E., April 4, 
 1862, wife of Rev. M. I. Jamison; and Katie E., 
 May 30, 1866, and Ada O., January 17, 1869, 
 both at home at Millheim. Mr. Zerby is a char- 
 ter member of Providence Grange at Millheim. 
 was its secretary some twelve years, and is its 
 present master. John Snavely, his maternal 
 grandfather, was a soldier in the Mexican war. 
 
 BENJAMIN JONES. In a brief sketch of 
 any living citizen it is difficult to do him 
 exact and impartial justice, not so much from 
 lack of space or words to set forth the familiar 
 and passing events of his personal history as for 
 want of the perfect and rounded conception of 
 his whole life, which grows, develops and ripens, 
 like fruit, to disclose its true and best flavor only 
 when it is mellowed by time. Daily contact 
 with the man so familiarizes us with his many 
 
 virtues that we ordinarily overlook them, and 
 commonly underestimate their possessor. With 
 the business interests of Philipsburg, Centre 
 county, Mr. Jones has been prominently identi- 
 fied for many years, and has also done much 
 to advance the welfare of the city while pro- 
 moting his own interests. 
 
 Our subject was born in Chester county, 
 Penn., December 10, 1823, and is a son of Ben- 
 jamin and Sarah (Waters) Jones, also natives of 
 that county, where they remained until the spring 
 of 1824, when they removed to Huntingdon 
 county. In connection with his brother Samuel, 
 the father operated a large farm which they had 
 inherited, and which they later divided. He 
 also engaged in hauling iron to Pittsburg, and 
 while on one of these trips contracted a fever, 
 from which he died September 21, 1828. He 
 was a Whig in politics, and a prominent and in- 
 fluential man of the community where he made 
 his home. He was born November 28, 1781, a 
 son of Benjamin and Elizabeth Jones, of Ches- 
 ter county, who were of Welch extraction. They 
 were farming people, and members of the So- 
 sciety of Friends. 
 
 The mother of our subject was born June 
 
 19, 1786, and died November 23, 1872. Her 
 father, Jacob Waters, was a soldier under Wash- 
 ington during the Revolutionary war. From his 
 old home in Chester county, Penn., he removed 
 to Newark, Ohio, at an early day, where the 
 parents of our subject visited him, riding the 
 entire distance from Rockville, Chester county, 
 on horseback. 
 
 Mr. Jones, of this review, is the ninth in order 
 of birth in a family of ten children, as follows: 
 Ann, born June 26, 1806, married James Hunter, 
 but both are now deceased; Samuel, born January 
 23, 1808, married Betsy Matren, who died in 
 1896, and his death occurred in 1894; Caleb, 
 born May 28, 1809, married Catherine Matren, 
 and both died in Minnesota; Hannah, born April 
 
 20, 181 1, married John D. Bell, and they have 
 also passed away; Mary A., born May 3, 181 3, 
 is the deceased wife of John Laport, a retired 
 farmer of Spruce Creek, Huntingdon Co., Penn. ; 
 Sarah, born April 9, 181 5, died in infancy; Eliza- 
 beth, born December 2, 18 17, also died in in- 
 fancy; Jacob W., born November 30, 18 19, is a 
 retired contractor of Tyrone, Penn. ; Sarah, born 
 December 18, 1825, is the wife of W. O. Myers, 
 a retired potter. 
 
 After his father's death, and at the age of 
 eight years, Benjamin Jones went to live with his 
 sister Hannah, with whom he remained until he 
 had attained his majority. When fourteen he 
 began serving an apprenticeship to the carpenter's 
 
858 
 
 \toliATIVB BIOGRAPHICAL HKiOItD. 
 
 trade with his brother-in-law in Huntingdon 
 county, and on leaving the home of his sistei 
 went to Pittsburg, Penn., where he worked at 
 that trade for a few months. Later he was 
 again with his brother-in-law until forming a 
 partnership with his brother, Jacob \\\, in the 
 business of contracting and building. About the 
 same time the city of Tyrone was being laid out, 
 and there the brothers purchased a couple of lots 
 and erected homes of their own in the fall of 1851, 
 when only about three houses adorned the pres- 
 ent site of that now nourishing city. 
 
 Coming to Philipsburg in r86l, Mr. Jones be- 
 came superintendent of the planing-mill of D. J. 
 McGan, in which capacity he served furtive years, 
 and then, in connection with Dr. Hoops and Mr. 
 Munson, built the planing-mill operated under the 
 firm name of Munson, Jones cc Co. A fewyi 
 later be sold out his interest, bul continued to 
 serve as superintendent for the firm of Munson & 
 Hoops. Subsequently he was a member of the 
 firm of Jones, Mullen & Co., but in (890 disposed 
 of his share, and has engaged in th'e manufacture 
 of shingles in Rush township, Centre county. He 
 has also dealt and operated in coal quite exten- 
 sively. He is a progressive, wide-awake business 
 man, and his success has come as a just reward 
 for honest toil. 
 
 On January 5, [848, Mr. Jones was united in 
 marriage with Miss Margaret A. Rye. and the)' be- 
 came the parents of five children: Oliver P., who 
 is engaged in the coal business, and is also a 
 stockholder in and cashier of the First National 
 Bank of Philipsburg; Ella, wife of James Perks, 
 a railroad conductor, residing in Philipsburg; Lot 
 W., who is engaged in the planing-mill business 
 in Philipsburg, as a member of the firm of Mur- 
 ray, Jones & Co . Mary A., at home, and Dwight 
 M . iding at home, who is now ,1 ■• boss " 
 
 in the coal mines. Mrs. Jones was born in 
 Centre county in [821, a daughter of Thomas 
 and Sarah (Kitley) Rye, who lived upon a farm 
 near Bellefonte, where they died when she was 
 quite yi >ung I heii othei children Thon 
 William, John and Isaac — all died in childh 
 
 Mr. Jones has taken the third degree in the 
 Masonic lodge of Philipsburg, and is an ardent 
 Republican in politics. Surrounded at his home 
 by a circle of friends who appreciate his true 
 worth, and admired and esteemed b\ the citizens 
 of the community. Mr. Jones will be honored for 
 many generations as one of the most enterpri 
 men of Philipsburg a man who acted well his 
 part, and who has lived a worthy and honorable 
 life. He and his family hold a high position in 
 social circles, where true worth and ability are 
 received as the passports into the best society. 
 
 /"> < SHOWALTER. proprietor of the Phil- 
 VJ ipsburg Steam Laundry, and of properl 
 some extent in his section, is a man of marked 
 business ability and enterprise. His versatility 
 and resource have been successfully displayed in 
 various occupations, and his recent entrance into 
 the laundry business upon a large scale, and with 
 improved modern appliances, is a distinct advan- 
 to the city of Philipsburg, while promising 
 to bring due rewards to himself. His landed 
 interests have come to him by inheritance, but 
 previous to his father's death he had made his 
 own way in the world of busini 
 
 The Showalter family is of German origin, 
 and has been established in Pennsylvania for si 
 eral generations. Our subject's grandfather, John 
 Showalter, settled in Clearfield county early in 
 the present century, coming from Lancaster 
 county, Penn., and he died when this grandson 
 was still a child. His wife, Elizabeth (Dorli 
 was of Irish descent. 
 
 The late Russel D. Showalter, the father of 
 our subject, was born in Half Moon township, 
 Centre county, in 1825, and lived to the age of 
 sixty-seven years and three months. Until his 
 retirement from active b irs pre- 
 
 vious to his death, he was engaged in agriculture 
 and lumbering, furnishing logs on contract. 
 Thrifty and far-sighted, he made extensive pur- 
 chases of real estate, and the wisdom of this pro- 
 vision is seen in the fact that land which cost him 
 $1,350, would bring at least $60,000 at the pres- 
 ent time, and is constantly increasing in value, 
 the coal deposits being very rich. K. I'. Sho- 
 walter was a man of great influence, his upright 
 character, no less than his abilities, giving his 
 opinions weight with all who knew him. I'ntil 
 the Civil war broke out he was a Democrat in 
 politics, but the logic of events in those stirri 
 times led him into the Republican fold, and later 
 he 1" n ardenl Prohibitionist. From his 
 
 youth up he was an active member of the M E. 
 
 nli, serving in various official positions, ami 
 allowing no extreme of wealth to keep him ti 
 his place at the regular meetings. Storm or calm 
 found him equally ready, and his house was at 
 all times a hospitable home for the itinerant 
 preachers of his Aa\ . His first wile, Lydia Aim 
 1 rate), who was also a devout Methodist, w 
 born in Clearfield county in (828, and died in 
 1877. Her father, Joshua Tate, was an honoi 
 resident of that county in his tune, and died \\" 
 when between sixty and seventj years of age. 
 On July 9, 1S7S, R. D. Showalter married f<" 
 his second wife Mrs Acda C. Wilson, of S 
 lona By the first marriage there was a family 
 of eight children, three of whom died at an early 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 359 
 
 age. Of the others: Jennie died at the age of 
 fifteen; G. C. is the subject proper of this sketch; 
 Emma T. married C. H. Davis, a jeweler of 
 Philipsburg; Charles resides in Kansas City, Mo. ; 
 and Norah married W. W. Junkins, of Erie, 
 Pennsylvania. 
 
 G. C. Showalter was born March i, 1854, 
 and he spent his youth at his birthplace in De- 
 catur township, Clearfield county, attending the 
 district school and working upon the home farm. 
 On attaining his majority he taught school for 
 two terms. At the age of twenty-four he mar- 
 ried Miss Maggie V. Sankey, a native of Centre 
 county, born in 1855. Their only child, Nannie 
 V., died in her fifteenth year. After marriage 
 Mr. Showalter worked in a planing-mill for some 
 time, and then followed agriculture for ten years. 
 Later he removed to Philipsburg, and in 1895 he 
 opened the steam laundry mentioned above, the 
 first ever established there. He is executor of 
 his father's estate, and owns half the surface of 
 the land comprised in the inheritance. Two 
 coal mines are now in operation on the property. 
 The habits of industry, gained in years when he 
 depended entirely on his own exertions, have 
 not been altered by. his present wealth, and Mr. 
 Showalter is active not only in business but in 
 local affairs. In politics he is a Republican; so- 
 cially he belongs to the Knights of Malta, and 
 since 1877 ne nas been a member of the I. O. O. 
 F., in which he is now past grand. In religion 
 he abides by the faith of his honored parents, 
 and is a member of the M. E. Church. 
 
 D* 
 
 ). ROYER. The fertile farms of Brush Val- 
 ley, Centre county, have attracted a superior 
 class of agriculturists, men who bring to their 
 work scientific knowledge, and whose progressive 
 ideas are demonstrated in substantial improve- 
 ments not to be excelled elsewhere. Among the 
 most successful and progressive of these is the 
 subject of this sketch, who resides near Re- 
 bersburg. 
 
 Mr. Royer is a grandson of Christopher Royer, 
 who settled in Brush Valley in 1807, and a son 
 of Jefferson Royer, a native of Miles township, 
 Centre county, born August 28, 1808, near 
 Rockville. Jefferson Royer became a successful 
 farmer, having been reared to that occupation by 
 his father, who owned a large amount of land, 
 which he cultivated in addition to his work as a 
 miller and distiller. The subscription schools of 
 that day were far from good, and the one south 
 of Rebersburg, at which Jefferson Royer attended 
 as a boy, was no better than others of its class. 
 
 One teacher named Parkinson had a peculiar and 
 unpleasant little habit of calling his pupils 
 
 "d d blockheads.'' A neighboring barn 
 
 caught fire one day, and the scholars all ran out 
 without asking permission. When they returned 
 the teacher had disappeared, and he was never 
 heard of afterward. 
 
 Jefferson Royer grew to manhood at his fa- 
 ther's home, much of his time being spent in 
 driving a team and taking products to market. 
 He and his brother Daniel formed a partnership 
 in farming, and he- thus managed to save some 
 money of his own. On November 20, 1834, he 
 was married, in Brush Valley, to Hannah Gram- 
 ley, a native of Miles township, Centre county, 
 born July 17, 181 5, a daughter of George and 
 Polly (Walburn) Gramley. He began house- 
 keeping at the Royer homestead, but later bought 
 a farm in Miles township which he improved and 
 sold. He then rented a farm in Clinton county, 
 and after a time purchased one there, but after- 
 ward he bought a new tract of land, heavily tim- 
 bered, near Zion, Centre county, and lived there 
 fifteen years, improving the place in every way. 
 In 1869 he moved to Brush Valley, where he had 
 bought a farm the year before, and at this place he 
 remained until his retirement from active business, 
 in his sixty-fifth year, when he built a home in Re- 
 bersburg in which to spend his declining years. 
 He was fond of home, and, while he had a roving 
 disposition, as shown by his frequent changes, he 
 always wanted his family to accompany him. 
 His wife died May 1 1, 1890, and he breathed his 
 last November 26, 1895, both being interred at 
 Rebersburg. He was five feet, ten inches in 
 height, well built, and very hardy and robust, 
 retaining his faculties fully up to his death, which 
 occurred when he was aged eighty-seven years. 
 In business he was successful, and his high char- 
 acter won him the esteem of all classes. As a 
 Whig and later as a Republican, he was a regu- 
 lar voter and took keen interest in the success of 
 his party. He served several terms as supervisor 
 in Clinton county. He was also much interested 
 in religious matters, and he and his wife were 
 both members of the Evangelical Association, in 
 which he held various offices, and was a class 
 leader for thirty years. 
 
 Jefferson Royer had five children, whose 
 names with dates of birth are as follows: Mag- 
 dalene, October 13, 1835, died in infancy; Jon- 
 athan, October 16, 1836, resides near Zion, 
 Centre county; J. M., February 3, 1830, who 
 served in Company G, 148th P. V. I., during the 
 Civil war, died at the age of forty-seven at 
 St. Louis, Mo., where his home was; he was 
 married. D. D., August 15, 1846, is mentioned 
 
3t lo 
 
 COMMEMoUA TIVK BIOGltAPlIICA I. Ui:<ORD. 
 
 more fully below; and Chest}- A., July 8, 1850, 
 is now Mrs. Perry Geutzel, of Nittany Valley. 
 
 D. D Royer was born in Clinton county, one 
 mile east of Clintondale, and attended his first 
 school in Clinton comity with Benjamin Winl 
 as teacher. The schools of that time were in- 
 ferior to those of the present, but such as thi y 
 were Mr. Royer could not take full advantage of 
 them. For two winters in succession he attended 
 only twenty-three days in each. He was tin 
 oldest at home much of the time, and clearing 
 land and other work interfered with his educa- 
 tion. His own experience makes him a warm 
 friend of better schools, in which every child maj 
 Find thorough instruction. 
 
 Mr Royer was always at home except for a 
 day now and then in harvest time when he could 
 earn fifty cents foi .pending money, and after he 
 came ot age he worked for his father for ten 
 years. On June 21, [877, he was married to 
 Miss Mary A. Roush, who was born in Gregg 
 township. ((litre county, February 11, 185;, a 
 daughter of Benjamin and Margaret 1 Hoy) Roush. 
 Her father, who is a fanner ami shoemaker by 
 
 upation, lives near Madisonburg, and is a lead- 
 ing citizen of that locality. Three children were 
 born oi ilus union: Edwin L., Kline H. and 
 Anneata 11., who are all at home. At his mar- 
 riage. Mr. Royer located on his father's farm, 
 which he now owns. The farm is a valuable one, 
 comprising s and including a tenant farm 
 
 with Si 1 ml other improvements. 
 
 In [892 tin- farm was divided and new buildings 
 erected by Mr. Royer, which are among the mosl 
 
 complete and dern farm structures in Centre 
 
 countv. Mrs. Royer owns ,1 one-half interest in 
 170 acres in Spring township. Centre comity. 
 
 Mr. Royer takes great interest in the issues 
 of the day, and in State and National affairs al- 
 ways votes the Republican ticket. He is, how- 
 ever, no otiii e seeker, having always had plenty 
 of his own business to occupy his time. He at- 
 tends and 1 ontributes to the Evangelical Associ- 
 ation. He is a member of the Grange, and 1 an 
 always be relied upon to assist in any beneficial 
 movement in his locality. 
 
 JOHN MATTERN (deceased), formerl) of 
 Centre county. The Mattern family in 
 America sprang from Peter Mattern 'formerly 
 spelled Matthorn , who was a native of the Valley 
 of the Rhine, born near tin Matterhorn, oneof the 
 Swiss mountains, or Pennine Alps, Canton Valais. 
 About the year 1750 Peter Mattern and his wife 
 came to America and settled in the State of 
 Maryland, where nine children were born to 
 
 them. In 1779 three of the family — Jacob, 
 David and George — moved into the Spruce Creek 
 Valley now Huntingdon county), Penn. , where 
 for 1 17 years the homestead has remained in the 
 
 I 'ii of the descendants of the patriarch of 
 
 the now numerous family. In the cemeterj of 
 the old Lutheran Church at the Seven Stars, 
 which is part of the old homestead, George Mat- 
 tern and his wife lie buried, and around them 
 main oi their posterity sleep their last sleep. 
 
 fohn Mattern, who was the great-grandson of 
 the emigrant, Peter (1), and the son of C.eorge 
 and Catherine Hiskel), was born on the old 
 farm of his lather in Franklin town-hip, Hunt- 
 Ion county, March 26, 1704. In 1828 he lo- 
 cated in Centre county, and eight years before, 
 in November, 1820, was married to Mary, daugh- 
 ter of John Cray and Catherine (Hartsook . oi 
 Patton township. The Hartsook and Graj fam- 
 ilies were the first settlers of the township, com- 
 ing from Frederick county, Mil., to what was 
 known as the Half Moon country. Mr. Mattern 
 purchased from his father-in-law a tract of 300 
 acres of land lying one mile south of the present 
 village of Matternville, where he made his home 
 for nearly fifty years, dying there September \0, 
 1S77, in the eighty-fourth year of his age. He 
 was a good citizen, a kind neighbor, and a suc- 
 cessful farmer. His good wife, whose birth oc- 
 curred August 12, 1800, passed away at the old 
 homestead, June 7, [888, in her eighty-eighth 
 ■r; she was an affectionate wife and mother, 
 and her inanv deeds of kindness will long be re- 
 membered and cherished by her many friends. 
 Both led exemplar} lives, and were devout Chris- 
 tian people. Their remains rest in the Gray 
 graveyard in the western part of Patton town- 
 ship. The children of this couple were: Cath- 
 erine married Martin Shaunk, and is now a resi- 
 dent of Huntingdon county, Penn.; Samuel is a 
 resident of Half Moon township; Kli/abeth is the 
 wife of Joseph Kreider; John B, died July 7, 
 [896, in his sixty-sixth year; George; Jacob G . 
 David and Miles. It is worthy of note that not 
 one of the six sons mentioned has ever used to- 
 bacco in any form; all have followed agricultural 
 pursuits chiefly, and have dwelt in the same 
 neighborhood from boyhood. They are capable 
 business men and the most successful of farmers, 
 at one time they possessed an aggregate of -\oi3 
 acres of land, which was the result of years of 
 toil, economy and judicious management. They 
 are all upright and honorable men, and are among 
 the best of Centre county's citizens. All adhere 
 to the religious faith of their forefathers — that of 
 the M. E. Church— and all are Republicans in 
 politics. 
 
 J 
 
•^&^&/d-0T?t/ 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 361 
 
 George Mattern was born December 11, 
 1832, and when about twenty-two years of age 
 went to live with his older brother, Samuel, with 
 whom he remained some two years and a half. 
 On February 3, 1859, he was married and located 
 on his present farm of nearly 400 acres. His 
 wife was Lydia, daughter of David Shivery and 
 Ellen (Moore) Shivery, pioneers of that part of 
 Centre county, born in July, 1831. The children 
 of George Mattern and wife were: Mary E., 
 David B., John H. (deceased), Clara B. (de- 
 ceased), and George S. Mr. Mattern has been 
 afflicted with rheumatism for many years, since 
 188 1 has not been able to walk at all, and for 
 nine years past has been confined to his bed. 
 
 Jacob G. Mattern was born on the home- 
 stead farm February 5, 1835. He worked on 
 the farm during the summer, and in the winters 
 attended the neighborhood school at Stony Point. 
 Subsequently it was his privilege to attend for a 
 short time the old seminary at Warrior's Mark, 
 in Huntingdon county, under the principalship of 
 Ebenezer Smith. Later he was engaged in 
 school teaching, having been examined for the 
 profession by a Mr. Gibson, the first to hold the 
 position of county superintendent of schools of 
 Centre county. In 1863, in connection with his 
 brother, John B. , he purchased the old Gray 
 foundry at Matternville, and in 1867, in addition 
 to carrying on the foundry business, they built a 
 store-house and engaged in merchandising, This 
 building was destroyed by fire, was immediately 
 rebuilt, but again burned in 1873; the building 
 was replaced and occupied until the death of John 
 B., in 1896, Jacob having withdrawn, however, 
 from the partnership, in 1879. Since the latter 
 year Mr. Mattern has given his entire attention 
 to farming. In 1867 he was married to Eleanor 
 Wasson, daughter of John and Mary (Jack) Was- 
 son, of College township. They have had no 
 children of their own, but have reared several; 
 one, named Gertrude, an adopted daughter, 
 whom they took at the age of three years, mar- 
 ried W. H. Smull, of Rebersburg, and died Sep- 
 tember 1, 1889, leaving one child, Jacob Henry; 
 they reared another by the name of Ruth, and 
 one, Eleanor H., is still living; they are also now 
 caring for Albert S. , whom they took from the 
 Childrens' Home. Mr. Mattern is genial and 
 whole-souled, being one of those jovial, sunny- 
 dispositioned men, who will greet you with a word 
 of good cheer, his face wearing a kindly expres- 
 sion and smile for all. 
 
 The Wassons were early settlers of Harris 
 township. John Wasson, a carpenter by trade, 
 came from Chester county, Penn., and settled in 
 Boalsburg, in 18 10. He married a daughter of 
 
 Michael Jack, in 1814. In 1825 he removed 
 from Boalsburg to near where Lemont now is, 
 where, in 1857, his death occurred; his wife died 
 at the same place eight years later. They had 
 seven children, of whom Mrs. Mattern was one, 
 her birth occurring in April, 1834. Michael 
 Jack came from Lancaster county, Penn., to the 
 vicinity of Boalsburg about 1789, where he pur- 
 chased land of Reuben Haines. He was a sol- 
 dier of the Revolution. 
 
 David Mattern was born March 6, 1838, 
 and lived on the old home farm until not quite 
 twenty-one years of age, when he went to live 
 with his eldest brother, Samuel, with whom he 
 remained some five years. He then returned 
 home, and there remained until married, which 
 event occurred April 16, 1867, his wife being 
 Mary Way, daughter of John and Mary (Moore) 
 Way; both the Moore and Way families were 
 earl)- settlers of that locality. After his mar- 
 riage he located on his present farm. Two chil- 
 dren, Anna B. (married) and Mary M., were 
 born to this union. The mother of these died 
 December 30, 1869, and on October 10, 1872, 
 Mr. Mattern married Anna Leitzell, a daughter 
 of Samuel Leitzell, and their children are: 
 Emma, Benera W., Miles F., Ozula and Sarah 
 E. Mr. and Mrs. Mattern are members of the 
 Gray's M. E. Church, in which the former is a 
 class leader, and has been for a number of years. 
 Mr. Mattern is one of the industrious and sub- 
 stantial men of his township. 
 
 Miles Mattern was born in 184 1, in the 
 house in which he now resides. He, too, at- 
 tended the old Stony Point school house, his 
 first teacher being the present Squire Samuel T. 
 Gray, of Patton township. With little excep- 
 tion he has resided continuously where he now 
 lives, engaged chiefly in agricultural pursuits. 
 In 1867 he was united in marriage with Miss 
 Sarah Leitzell, a daughter of Samuel and Mar- 
 garet Leitzell, who were married here in Centre 
 county in 1832. The Leitzells were from Ger- 
 many, Mrs. Mattern being one of the third gen- 
 eration in this country. She was born in Centre 
 county in 1843. Her father came here from 
 Snyder county, Penn. Mr. and Mrs. Mattern 
 have no children of their own, but have fur- 
 nished a home for and reared several, namely: 
 Eva Leitzell, now married; John Clapper, Frank 
 L. Cole, and Sadie Cross, the latter of whom, a 
 girl of ten years, is now with them. 
 
 C\URTIN P. STONEROD, the well-known and 
 _J efficient passenger and freight agent of the 
 Pennsylvania railroad at Milesburg, Centre coun- 
 
362 
 
 MOHATIVE lihHlUM-IIlfM. RECORD, 
 
 ty, was bom March 25, 1841, at Burning 
 Huntingdon Co., Penn. His father, John M. 
 Stonerod, is a native of Mifflin county, Penn., 
 born in 1823, and is now serving his second term 
 as postmaster of Birmingham. He has held a 
 number of local offices in his community, being 
 constable for a number of years and justice of 
 the peace for about seventeen years. He is a 
 son of J"hn and Mary Stonerod, whose births 
 occurred at Lewistown, Mifflin county, where 
 both died. By occupation the grandfather was 
 a farmer, while the father of our subject worked 
 at the carpenter's trade until 1885. The for- 
 mer served as sheriff of his comity. 
 
 At Birmingham, July [9, 1840, John M 
 Stonerod was married to Rachel Parker, who 
 was born at Stone Valley, Huntingdon county, 
 July [3, 1S20, and died January 14, 1 S90, at 
 Birmingham, after an illness of three days. She 
 was attacked suddenly with "la grippe, " fol- 
 lowed by pneumonia, which caused her death. 
 
 les her husband -he left the following chil- 
 dren to mourn her death: Curtin P., of this 
 sketch; Mrs. Martha Strouble, of Dudley, Hunt- 
 
 11 county; Theodore and Fielding, of Pitts- 
 burg, Penn.; Mrs. Cecelia Parker, of Sharps- 
 burg, Uleghen} Co., Penn.; Mrs. Elizabeth 
 Sprangle, of Fostoria, Blair ( 0., Penn.; and 
 David K., of Altoona, Penn., all prominent and 
 highly respected in the localities where they 
 
 their homes. Another child, Wesley, died 
 at the age of four years. There are also thirty 
 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. In 
 1831 the mother joined the Methodist episcopal 
 Church, hut later in life joined the Presbyterian 
 Church, being a member in good standing of the 
 same .it the time of her death. The father lias 
 also been a consistent member of the Presbyte- 
 rian Church since 1861, and in politics is a pro- 
 nounced 1 )emocrat. 
 
 The -ubject of this memoir remained under 
 the parental roof until June, 1S5S, when he left 
 
 h and assisted in the construction of time 
 
 tressels for the Bellefonte \ Snow Shoe railroad, 
 which were six hundred feet long and seventy 
 feet high. For two years he then served as 
 
 man on the railroad, hut in 1861, the Civil 
 iving broken out, he enli ted, on thi 
 call for troops, in Company 11, as drun mi 1 
 Regiment, P. V. 1 The officers of the company 
 were Capt. Mitchell, First-Lieut, fames A. 1 
 er, and Second-I.ieut. Charles Hale. At the end 
 of his three-months' service, our subject returned 
 home and re-enlisted, September 17, [861, this 
 time in Company G, 51st P. V. I., Ninth Army 
 under (apt. A. B. Snyder, First-Lieut. 
 W. H. Blair, and Second-Lieut. P. A. Gaulin, 
 
 1 commissioned Brig, and Maj.-Gen.) 
 John F. Hartranft. The last named was after- 
 ward governor of Pennsylvania, but is now de- 
 ceased. From drummer Mr. Stonerod was ap- 
 point. <l -ergeant-major, of his regiment, alt.-r- 
 ward was made second lieutenant and finally com- 
 missioned captain of his company. On the field 
 of battle he was brave and tearless, always found 
 at his post of duty, and won the confidence of 
 those under him as well as the respect and 
 teem of his fellow officers. He was twice 
 wounded, the first time at the battle ol Antie- 
 tam, September 17, 1863, when making a charge 
 on Antietam Bridge, known as Burnside Brid 
 'Phis was only a deep flesh wound in the left side, 
 the shot cutting off his sword belt. Concluding 
 it was not a healthy place to stop, among shot 
 and shell, he went on over the bridge in the 
 charge with the regiment. On August 19, 1864, 
 at the Weldon railroad, in front of Petersbu 
 Va., he was wounded in the right thigh, which 
 has shortened the limb two and one-hall inch 
 and for seventy-one days he was confined in the 
 Alexander Hospital. After almost four years of 
 arduous and faithful service, he was mustered 
 out January 1, [865, but was unable to work for 
 a year after his return home. He participated 
 in ever) battle fought by the 51st Pennsylvania 
 Regiment up to August [9, 1864, at which time 
 he was wounded and carried off the field. The 
 following battles are engraved on the 51st Ri 
 uieiit Battle Flags*: Roanoke Island, Newbern, 
 Camden, Second Bull Run. Chantilly, South 
 Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Vicksburg, 
 -on, Campbell Station, Siege of Rnoxville, 
 Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, Peti 
 burg (Weldon Railroad, he was wounded in tins 
 battli . Ream Station and Hatchers Run. He 
 was under fire, and skirmishing, almost daily 
 from the time Gen. (.rant crossed the Poton 
 until wounded in August, [864. 
 
 Nli. Mo nero. 1 then went into the oi 
 of Venango county. Penn., when- he remained 
 one year, an was appointed agent at Snow 
 
 e for the Bellefonte & Snow Shoe railroad, 
 which position he filled for the long period ol 
 fourteen years. The road was then -..Id to the 
 
 insylvania Railroad Company, and August 1. 
 
 1, he was appointed agent to his present | 
 sition at Milesburg. His long retention in the 
 service of one COmpan) plainly indicate.-, his 
 fidelity to duty and the confidence and trust the) 
 repose in him, 
 
 i)n November 25, 1807, Mr. Stonerod 
 
 •These baltlr flagl 'three) are in charge of the Slutc archives al U>e 
 StateCapiiol.it 11 Peon., in glass cases ; two of the 
 
 riddled with bullets (a cannon ball passing through the Held of on 
 tin in . lea* inn lliein in ribbons and rags, so much so th.it tba) in nrver 
 be unfurled again. 
 
 , 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 363 
 
 married to Miss Annie E. Dickson, and they now 
 have five children: Boyd H., a telegraph oper- 
 ator of Bradford county, Penn. ; Sarah B., at 
 home; Stella M. and Gertrude, milliners, of New 
 York; and Jane D., at home. Mrs. Stonerod 
 was born at Bellefonte, August 9, 1844, and is a 
 daughter of Samuel and Sarah (Lucas) Dickson, 
 who were of Scotch-Irish extraction. The fa- 
 ther was born in Lancaster county, Penn., but 
 the mother was a native of Centre county, and 
 and both died at Bellefonte, the former in 1846, 
 and the latter in 1859, at the age of fifty-two 
 years. By occupation the father was a black- 
 smith. In their family were the following chil- 
 dren: Philip, deceased; Silas, a blacksmith and 
 farmer of Snow Shoe, Centre county; Catherine, 
 wife of R. Mulholland, of Nebraska; Martha, 
 wife of Joseph Clark, of Du Bois, Penn. ; Samuel, 
 an undertaker of Snow Shoe; Sarah, deceased; 
 Hezekiah, of Philipsburg, Penn. ; Amelia, widow 
 of Levi Boes, of Driftwood, Penn.; Clarissa, wife 
 of George Quigley, a farmer of Driftwood; and 
 Annie E., wife of our subject. 
 
 Mr. Stonerod never fails to cast his ballot for 
 the principles of the Republican party, and takes 
 a prominent part in public affairs, supporting all 
 enterprises calculated to benefit the community. 
 Socially, he holds membership in the Grand 
 Army of the Republic and the Union Veteran 
 League. For fourteen years he was chairman of 
 the Republican Town Committee. 
 
 TMOMAS M. WEAVER is an enterprising 
 and progressive agriculturist who follows 
 his chosen calling in Spring township, Centre 
 county. He belongs to that class of citizens 
 whose devotion to public and private duty makes 
 them valued factors in any community. He was 
 born November 5, 1848, in Centre county, the 
 younger child of M. P. and Ellen (McClellan) 
 Weaver. Their first child, Ann, born in 1846, 
 died at the age of ten years and seven months. 
 
 At the farmstead home Thomas M. Weaver 
 was reared to manhood, and as soon as old 
 enough began assisting his father in the cultiva- 
 tion of the fields. His preliminary education was 
 acquired in the district schools, which he at- 
 tended until sixteen years of age. He then pur- 
 sued a course in Dickinson Seminary, and after- 
 ward engaged in teaching school for three years 
 with excellent success. He is a man of broad 
 general information; and extensive reading has 
 made him thoroughly well informed on all cur- 
 rent questions. 
 
 Mr. Weaver has been twice married, his first 
 union being with Esther Ellen Eckenroth (daughter 
 
 of John and Elizabeth (Shatzer) Eckenroth), who 
 died leaving four children: Walter L., Michael 
 M. , Thomas M. and Nancy E. Mr. Weaver was 
 afterward again married, his second union being 
 with Miss Rebecca M. Runkle, daughter of Will- 
 iam and Mary (Treaster) Runkle. By this union 
 have been born two children: Lizzie A. and 
 Nerr D. 
 
 With the exception of the time spent in 
 teaching, Mr. Weaver has always followed agri- 
 cultural pursuits, and he thoroughly understands 
 every branch of the business. His management 
 is capable, and his keen sagacity and sound judg- 
 ment enable him to so control his affairs as to 
 win a comfortable competence. He owns in his 
 home farm 1 1 5 acres of rich and fertile land, and 
 in addition has 120 acres of mountain land. The 
 former constitutes one of the desirable farm prop- 
 erties in Centre county. It is improved with a 
 fine dwelling, commodious and substantial, while 
 well-built barns and outbuildings afford ample 
 shelter for grain and stock. All the accessories 
 of a model farm of the nineteenth century are 
 here seen, and the neat appearance of the place 
 indicates the careful supervision of the owner. 
 Mr. Weaver gives his support to the Republican 
 party, and stanchly advocates its principles asset 
 forth in the platforms framed at its national con- 
 ventions. In religious belief he is a Methodist, 
 and his life is in harmony with his professions. 
 He is a man of culture and intelligence and a 
 worthy citizen, manifesting acommendable inter- 
 est in all that pertains to the welfare of the com- 
 munity. 
 
 WILLIAM H. MILLER resides in Spring 
 township, Centre county, and comes of a 
 family whose history has been long and honora- 
 bly interwoven with that of Pennsylvania. His 
 paternal grandfather, a tanner by trade, removed 
 from Berks county to Centre county, and for 
 many years was a well-known citizen here. The 
 father of our subject, Henry Miller, was born in 
 18 1 7, and died in 188 1, at the age of sixty-four. 
 He married Miss Catherine Meiss, and they had 
 a family of five children, the subject of this 
 sketch being the eldest; the second child died in 
 infancy, and the others are Sarah J., John A. 
 and Anna E. 
 
 No event of special importance occurred dur- 
 ing the boyhood and youth of our subject, who 
 was reared on the home farm and early became 
 familiar with its duties. He assisted in the 
 labors of the fields through the summer months, 
 and in the winter season attended the public 
 schools, where he acquired a good practical Eng- 
 
36 1 
 
 COMMEMOBA TIVE linn; HM'lllrM RECORD. 
 
 lish education that has been supplemented by 
 reading, experience and observation. He mar- 
 ried Miss Mary Ann Hoy, a daughter of John 
 and Susan (Hoy) Hoy. Her father, who was 
 born in 1.S04. departed this life in 1864 at the 
 age of sixty years, and his wife, whose birth oc- 
 curred in 181 1, was called to the home beyond 
 in 1858. By trade he was a miller, and foil" 
 that occupation for many years. fn early man- 
 hood he came to Centre county, and resided 
 in Jacksonville, Walker township. To Mr. and 
 Mrs. Miller were born four children, only two ol 
 whom are now living: Sarah E., the eldest, is 
 the wife of Charles H. Garis, and has four chil- 
 dren; Catherine E. is the wife of Charles I 
 Wetzel, to whom were born twin girls, one of 
 whom died in infancy; Margaret M. sustained in- 
 juries in a railroad accident which resulted in her 
 th when twenty-three years of age. She was 
 on her way to Bellefonte to receive instructions 
 preparator) to entering the Church and taking 
 the communion, when struck by a passenger 
 train. For three days she suffered most intensely, 
 but bore her pain with heroic fortitude. \t 
 length death came to her release, and on Novem- 
 ber 15. 1893, her young life was ended. The 
 fourth child of the family was a son, who thro 
 >ut his short life was a i ripple, He passed awaj 
 in his fifteenth year, and the loss ol these chil- 
 dren has proved the greatesl affliction that has 
 e\ercome to the parents, but they live in the 
 certainty of a happy reunion beyond the gi 
 
 Farming has been the life work of Mr. Miller, 
 and his affairs are ably conducted, so that suc- 
 cess has come to him in return for his diligence, 
 close application and perseverance. He exer< 
 his right of franchise in support of the Republic- 
 an party, but lias neither sought nor desired po- 
 litical preferment. He and his wife are members 
 of the Reformed Church, and are most consist- 
 ent Christian people, ever ready to defend the 
 weak against the strong and aid the needy or dis- 
 tressed. 
 
 FRANCIS M ALEXANDER is one of the 
 most prominent and influential citizens of 
 Huston township, Centre county, residing on the 
 Bald Eagle Valley road. He is the owner of 
 much valuable property, which has been accumu- 
 lated by his own thrift and industry, guide. 1 by 
 
 ml judgment. His tastes have always in- 
 clined him to agricultural pursuits, and he is 
 recognized as one of the most progressive, skill- 
 ful and energetic farmers of the community. 
 
 A native of Centre county, our subject was 
 born in Union township, July 21, [843, a son of 
 
 Joseph and Ellen (Blair) Alexander, who were 
 also born in that township, and there the father 
 died in the fall of 1876, aged sixty-three years, 
 soon after his return from the Centennial Expo- 
 sition at Philadelphia. He was a son of Joseph 
 Alexander. Throughout life he engaged in farm- 
 ing and the manufacture of charcoal, and also 
 aided in the construction of the Bald Eagle Val- 
 ley railroad, which passes through our subject's 
 farm. In politics he was a Democrat, and in 
 religious belief a Methodist, to which Church 
 his wife also belonged. She passed away while 
 on a visit to our subject, July 14. 1894, at the 
 age of seventy-six years. She was the mother 
 of five children: Francis M.; Nancy J., wife of 
 Wilbur T. Twitmeyer, a hardware merchant of 
 Bellefonte, Penn. ; Katie, wife of John Stover, 
 a farmer of Centre county; Julia, wife of Sam- 
 uel limerick, a farmer of the same county; and 
 Joseph B., also an agriculturist of Centre county. 
 
 Francis M. Alexander pursued his studies in 
 the schools of his native county, and remained 
 up hi the home farm until thirty years of age. 
 For sometime he was then employed at various 
 occupations, including teaming and lumbering, 
 until the spring of 1 873, when he located upon 
 In-- present farm, a tra< t of 133 acres, which he 
 rented for one year and then purchased. 
 
 essful has he been in his business ventures 
 that he has added to his property from time to 
 time, until he is now the owner of about one 
 thousand acres ,,f valuable and productive land 
 in Centre county, being one of its most exten- 
 sive land owners. 
 
 In [868, Mr Alexander married Miss Hannah 
 biding, and five children were born to them: 
 Ella, now residing in Union township. Centre 
 count} . Mary, wife of Walter Tallhelm, railroad 
 
 nt at Julian, Centre county ; Reuben, a farmer 
 of the same county; and two that died in infai 
 On April 7. inder was again mar- 
 
 ried, this time to Miss Josephine Richards, and 
 tiny have three children: Kyle, born June 26. 
 1892; Gladys Elmira, born February 14, 1895; 
 and Carey, born August 12, li 
 
 Mis. Alexander was born July 28, 1857. in 
 Huston township, Centre county, was provided 
 with excellent educational advantages, and for 
 sixteen years successfully engaged in teaching, 
 for one term each having charge of schools in ( 
 and Audubon counties, Iowa. She attended the 
 Centre County Normal School at Centre Hall. 
 and is a lad) of cultured and refined tasl 
 widely and favorably known. Reuben W. and 
 Elmira Harrison) Richards, her parents, were 
 natives of Centre county, where the father en- 
 gaged in general farming until he died, April II, 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 365 
 
 1892, at the age of sixty-two years. He was a 
 son of George and Tamar Richards, who spent 
 their entire lives in the same county. The mother 
 of Mrs. Alexander, who is still a resident of Hus- 
 ton township, was born December 20, 1836, a 
 daughter of Thomas and Ruth (Furey) Harrison, 
 who spent their entire lives in Centre county, and 
 were buried at Belleforte. Mrs. Richards, like 
 her husband, is an earnest member of the United 
 Brethren Church; in politics he was a stalwart 
 Democrat. The seven children born of their 
 union are as follows: Josephine is the wife of our 
 subject; Nettie is the wife of Robert Radkey, of 
 McKeesport, Penn. ; Zilla died at the age of five 
 years; Julia is the wife of W. B. Parsons, of 
 Unionville, Penn.; Roland is a farmer of Centre 
 county; Morgan is on the old homestead with 
 his mother; and Milton B. is a fireman on the 
 Beach Creek railroad, residing at Clearfield, 
 Pennsylvania. 
 
 Being a strong temperance man, Mr. Alexan- 
 der is an adherent to the principles of the Prohi- 
 bition party, but cares nothing for the honors or 
 emoluments of public office. Socially he is con- 
 nected with the Grange at Unionville. He is an 
 active member of the Methodist Episcopal 
 Church, of which he is trustee; she of the Bap- 
 tist Church, and they are true and sincere Chris- 
 tian people. They give a large portion of their 
 time and liberally from their means to aid in the 
 religious and moral elevation of the community. 
 A generous hospitality is shown at his comfort- 
 able home, and few men are more genial in social 
 circles, or have a more happy faculty of making 
 every one feel at their ease. 
 
 JOHN J. ARNEY, of Centre Hall, Centre 
 county, is an agriculturist of the progressive 
 type, and his intelligence and enterprise make 
 him a leader in local affairs. One instance of his 
 foresight can be found in his work in founding a 
 branch of the Patrons of Husbandry in his vicini- 
 ty. He had read of the usefulness of the order, 
 and desiring to secure its benefits for his com- 
 munity he agitated the question of organization 
 so effectively that soon afterward, February 12, 
 1873, Progress Grange No. 96 was organized 
 at Centre Hall. He was chosen to the post of 
 master, his peculiar fitness for the place being 
 no less a factor in the choice than the recognition 
 of his efforts in behalf of the society. His inter- 
 est in the order has never flagged, and nothing 
 that he could do to add to its usefulness or pres- 
 tige has been left undone. In other lines of 
 effort he has been equally energetic, and he has 
 been prominent in various religious, social and 
 
 business movements which have brought benefit 
 to the locality. Quiet and unassuming, a super- 
 ficial observer might not at first realize the power 
 of his personality, but these qualities cover a re- 
 serve force which give irresistible influence to 
 his words. 
 
 Mr. Arney's ancestors were probably German, 
 but no definite record exists on the subject. The 
 name as first known in America was spelled 
 Erney, and our subject's grandfather, John 
 Erney, was a blacksmith in Berks county, Penn., 
 and owned a body of land in Upper Tulpelocken 
 township, which is still known as Arney's tract. 
 He died there about 1824, leaving three sons and 
 three daughters, who received little benefit from 
 his possessions. 
 
 Jacob Arney, the father of our subject, was. 
 born at the old home in 1808, and was left at an 
 early age to make his own way in the world with 
 but scanty preparation in the way of education. 
 The subscription schools of his day and locality 
 were too expensive for any but the wealthy, and 
 at that they were none of the best. In the spring 
 of 1824, while still in his "teens," he accom- 
 panied his brother George to Centre county, and 
 sought for any employment that his years would 
 permit him to undertake. His first work was grub- 
 bing a tract of land near Centre Hill, his pay be- 
 ing the privilege of taking off the first three 
 crops, and later he grubbed another farm for a 
 certain amount per acre. He managed to buy a 
 farm of 112 acres in Gregg township, Centre 
 county, and August 8, 1838, he married Miss 
 Rachel Meyers, a member of a well-known fam- 
 ily whose history appears elsewhere. She was 
 born in Benner township, Centre county, August 
 9, 1 81 8, a daughter of Adam and Sarah Meyers, 
 and owing to the poverty of her parents was reared 
 from the age of fourteen by Adam Bartges, who 
 resided near Penn Hall, Pennsylvania. 
 
 The young couple began housekeeping on 
 their farm, the rude log buildings with thatched 
 roofs furnishing a truer home than many a palace 
 wall has enclosed. In 1853 Jacob Arney bought 
 175 acres of land in Potter township, Centre 
 county, near the Gregg township line and lying 
 on the Brush Valley road. There he resided 
 until 1867, when he removed to a farm adjoining 
 Centre Hall on the east and on the Brush Valley 
 road. The buildings were poor, but he replaced 
 them with modern structures, including a fine 
 brick residence. 
 
 Jacob Arney was of medium height and 
 square-shouldered, but had no superfluous flesh. 
 Industry was a notable trait, but he had also the 
 business sagacity to turn his efforts to good ac- 
 count financially, and while neighboring farmers. 
 
 

 ' VEMORA TIVB BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 accepted such returns for their crops as they could 
 
 Imiii local traders, he found good markets by 
 
 ding his prod ly. At onetime he was 
 
 antile business at Centre Hill as 
 nbei "l tin- firm of Arney & Ross. Strictl} 
 honest in his dealings, he won success while 
 taining the entire re , dates. His 
 
 investments were mainly in real estate, and he 
 owned about 400 acres of farming land, with 
 isiderable town property. Politically he up- 
 held Democratic doctrines at all times, and he 
 held various offices, including those of supervisor, 
 tor and assistant assessor. He was 
 very domestic in his habits, seldom leaving ho 
 except on busim 1 visit a relative, and he 
 regularly attended the Reformed Church, in 
 which he and his wife were leading members. 
 For many years he served the society as deacon, 
 and at the tunc of his death was an elder. He 
 
 I trim old age at the home near Centre II ill 
 on February 10, 1886, and the faithful partner of 
 his joys and sorrows did not long survive him, her 
 death occurring April 18, 1891. The remains of 
 both now rest in the 1 at Centre Hall. 
 
 < >i 1 1 subject was the eldest of eleven children. 
 The second son, Benjamin H., occupies the old 
 homestead at Centre Hall; Sarah A. married 
 Henry Dasher, of Kalamazoo, Mich.; William [., 
 .1 Presbyterian minister, resides at Port Alleghany, 
 Penn . Rebecca S. maun. I Moses Richard, of 
 Centre Hall; Lydia is the wife of C. C. Peck, of 
 Rosette, Lincoln Co., Kans. ; Mary married 
 fames Herring, of Altoona, Perm.; George F. is 
 a physician at Altoona; Laura A. married fohn 
 I Lee, of Centre Hall; Charles M. is a resident 
 of the same town; and Elizabeth is the wife of 
 fohn Mullen, ol Renova, Pennsylvania. 
 
 We will now return to the subject proper of 
 this memoir, who was born at the Gregg town- 
 ship homestead February 10, 1839. His edui a- 
 tion was begun at the Musser school house in the 
 same locality, winch was afterward marked off 
 
 the "Independent District, " and " Old John 
 Price' was his tirst teacher. As the eldest son, 
 Mr Arney found many home duties, his work 
 there often 1 1 1 1 .-rfer 1 ng with his attendanci 
 
 looI. Ft he 
 
 was kept at home during the winters to assist in 
 his father's <clovei mill, four of his best school 
 
 is being thus lost. When twenty years old 
 he attended a select school in his native town- 
 ship taught by H. Y. Stitzer, and later he studied 
 for a short time at Pine 1 Academy, and in 
 
 this way be prepared himseli for teaching. His 
 first term as teacher was spent at Lhapel school 
 house in Haines township. Centre county, in the 
 winter of 1859-60, and he taught the next three 
 
 winters successfully, two in Potter township and 
 one in Centre Hall. 
 
 On October 15, 1S64, Mr. Arney was mar- 
 ried in George's Valley, Gregg township, to Miss 
 Sarah J. Sweetwood, a native of Potter town- 
 ship. Centre county, born March 12, 1836. Her 
 father, the late John Sweetwood, was born in 
 Bi ;ks county, Penn., September 10, 1800, and 
 became a leading farmer of Potter township, 
 where he died July m, 1887. He married M 
 Elizabeth Alexander, a native of the same town- 
 ship, born January 1. 1S09, a daughter of Jar 
 Alexander. She died May 30, 1841, when Mrs 
 Arney. who was her youngest daughter and fifth 
 child, was but five years old, and as time passed 
 the little girl assumed the duties of the household 
 to the detriment of her education. After his 
 marriage Mr, Arney located upon a rented farm 
 in Potter township with the intention of follow- 
 ing teaching in addition to his agricultural work. 
 but the plan proved impracticable. After three 
 years as .1 tenant on the land of strangers, he in 
 nted his father's farm in Potter township, 
 where he remained until the spring of 1889. lb 
 then removed to his present farm adjoining Cen- 
 tre Hall on the west, formerly known as tin 
 
 istian Hoffer farm. He bought the portion 
 improved by the homestead buildings, and 
 r 3 5 acres of excellent land, making one of the 
 besl farms in the vicinity. His original purch 
 consisted of 171 acres, of which a portion 
 held in partnership, and was sold after a tin 
 going to make the Centre Hall picnic grounds 
 and an addition to the town, known as "Hoffer 
 street," and containing a number of building 
 lots. His only son, Isaac M. Arney, now takes 
 much of the responsibility of the farm work. 
 
 Mr. Arnej is an influential supporter of the 
 Democratic party, but is too intelligent and, w 
 may add, too honest to sacrifice his own convii 
 tions as to the issues at stake to mere partisan 
 prejudice, and at local elections he votes for th 
 "best man." He has held office in I 
 
 trict, and his best efforts have been given 
 educational advancement, his own privations 
 that regard having emphasized the value • 
 schools, open to all. Socially, he is a member 
 of the Masonic lodge at Centre Hall, and he and 
 his wife are both members of the Reforn 
 
 irch, in which he has held the office 
 deacon. 
 
 JOHN W. EBY, proprietor of a feed 
 coal business at Zion, Centre county, is 
 energetic, progressive man who has achii 
 success through his own undertakings. 
 
 1 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 367 
 
 John Eby, paternal grandfather of our subject, 
 married May Greybill, a native of Lebanon coun- 
 ty, and children as follows were born to thera: 
 Samuel (father of our subject); Michael, Henry, 
 Moses and Elizabeth (all four residents of Wood- 
 ward, Centre county) and Mary (Mrs. Yearick). 
 The maternal grandparents of our subject were 
 George and Mary (Finley) Vonada, the former a 
 native of Centre county, the latter of Union coun- 
 ty, Penn. Their children are David and John, 
 who are residents of Hublersburg; Jacob, of 
 Mackeyville, Clinton Co., Penn.; Eve, who is 
 living with her sister, Mrs. Samuel Eby; and 
 Amelia, wife of John A. Swartz, of Hublersburg. 
 
 Samuel Eby, father of our subject, was born 
 July 22, 1824, in Lebanon county, Penn., and 
 being the eldest in his father's family remained 
 at home assisting in their support, during a few 
 winter months attending the common schools. 
 In politics he was a Democrat, and he was a 
 member of the National Guard. In December, 
 1 866, he married Mary Vonada, who was born 
 February 10, 1830, a daughter of George and 
 Mary (Hinley) Vonada, the former of whom was 
 a farmer, a Democrat in politics, and a Lu- 
 theran in religious faith. In March, 1868, Mr. 
 and Mrs. Samuel Eby settled on a farm in Walker 
 township, where he died October 6; 1882, and 
 he was buried in Zion cemetery; his widow has 
 since made her home in Zion. 
 
 John W. Eby, whose name introduces this 
 sketch, was their only child. He was reared on 
 the homestead farm, and acquired his education 
 in the public schools. On July 17, 1887, he 
 married Miss Jennie Sharer, a daughter of David 
 Sharer, a prosperous farmer of Spring township, 
 Centre county, born in Lancaster county, Penn., 
 and who married Jemima Foster, a daughter of 
 Joseph Foster, a successful farmer of Union 
 county, where Mrs. Sharer was born. Both 
 came to Centre county in childhood, and were 
 married there. David Sharer, Samuel Sharer and 
 Jennie Sharer (both deceased) belonged to a fam- 
 ily of which the following are also members: 
 Mrs. Elizabeth Mallory and Henry, who are liv- 
 ing in the West; Mrs. H. J. Garbrick, of Zion; 
 and Elmira, wife of George Gingrich, of Centre 
 Hall. In the Foster family were Mrs. Belle Jor- 
 dan; Mrs. J. Hirsch, of Forest Hill, Union coun- 
 ty, Penn.; Mrs. Nelson Biddle, of Union county; 
 and Andrew and Thomas, both of whom served 
 in the Civil war, the last named losing his life in 
 battle. 
 
 David Sharer, the father of Mrs. Eby, died 
 December 9, 1894, and the mother on November 
 11, 1896. Both were buried in Zion cemetery. 
 They had a family of four children: (1) Foster, 
 
 now a resident of Spring township, Union coun- 
 ty, married Pearly Stover, and has two children 
 — David M. and Minnie. (2) Mary is the wife 
 of Elmer Swartz, a farmer residing near Pleasant 
 Gap, Centre county, by whom she had six chil- 
 dren — Delia M. , Edith, Gertrude, Harry, Blaine 
 and Roy. (3) Zada B. is the wife of William 
 T. Royer, of Bellefonte, Penn., a printer, and 
 they have five children — Pearl, Lena, Carl, Grace 
 and Paul. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Eby became the parents of four 
 children, two of whom died in infancy; the others 
 are: William C. (born December 25, 1887) and 
 Mary Edna (born February 1, 1891). 
 
 Mr. Eby was engaged in farming for a num- 
 ber of years, successfully following that pursuit 
 until 1896, when he came to Zion and established 
 his present business, dealing in meal, feed and 
 coal. He receives from the public a liberal pat- 
 ronage, which he well merits, for his energy, per- 
 severance and honorable dealing justly entitle 
 him to the success which he may achieve. He 
 also owns two farms, one in Walker township, 
 Centre county, comprising 120 acres of well-im- 
 proved land, the other, of 130 acres, being sit- 
 uated* near Centre Hall, in Potter township. It 
 is a splendid property, and he also has valuable 
 real estate in Zion. He is a most progressive 
 and energetic man, and ranks among the leading 
 business citizens of the community. In politics 
 he is a Democrat. Socially, he belongs to the 
 Grange, and to the Knights of the Golden Circle. 
 Mrs. Eby is a member of the Lutheran Church. 
 All who know them esteem them highly for their 
 sterling worth, and they have surrounded them- 
 selves with many friends. 
 
 MATHANIEL BOWERSOX. The history of 
 this gentleman, now a prosperous agricult- 
 urist of Miles township, Centre county, shows 
 what may be accomplished by a man of intelli- 
 gence, pluck and perseverance, especially when 
 he has the assistance of an equally clever and in- 
 dustrious wife. Mr. Bowersox was born August 
 25, 1835, in Centre township, Snyder Co., Penn., 
 a son of Frederick and Hannah (Long) Bowersox, 
 both of whom lived and died at their farm in that 
 locality. 
 
 As the eldest of a family of eleven children — 
 seven sons and four daughters — Mr. Bowersox 
 was plentifully supplied with work during his 
 boyhood, his educational opportunities being 
 sadly interfered with by his home duties. He 
 attended the first free school opened in his native 
 township, and by making the most of his time 
 managed to lay the foundation for a fair practical 
 
368 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 education, which, under the circumstances, re- 
 flects great credit upon him. He remained at 
 home until 1X50, when he went to Centre county 
 to work as a farm hand, his wages being sent 
 home during his minority. Though the amount 
 thus obtained was small, it was a great help to 
 his parents, and Mr. Bowersox cheerfully saved 
 his earnings in order to send it. He worked at 
 this employment ten years, live in Harris town- 
 ship, Centre county, near Boalsburg, and during 
 this time had but two employers. 
 
 On December 20, i860, Mr. Bowersox was 
 married, in Centre county, to Miss Catherine J. 
 Peck, a native of Upper Sweet Arrow township, 
 Dauphin Co., Fenn., born September 6, 1843. 
 Her parents, Simon and Mary Singer) I'eck, 
 came to Centre county in 1S45, locating Deal 
 Wolfs store, where her father followed farming 
 and also worked as a carpenter and mechanic. 
 Mrs. Bowersox was the tifth child and third 
 daughter in a family ol six boys and five girls, 
 and her education was that afforded by the local 
 schools. When but fifteen years old she went to 
 work as a domestic, receiving fifty cents per week 
 at one place where there were nine cows to milk. 
 At the time she met her future husband both were 
 1 mployed near Boalsburg, at the home of Joseph 
 Mayer. In the eyes of many persons the outlook 
 would have been discouraging, but they were 
 strong in their mutual affection and the conscious- 
 ness of health. Mr. Bowersox had saved about 
 $200, but it was out on interest, and for two 
 years he worked for his father at fifty cents per 
 day, in the meantime learning the cooper's trade. 
 
 On his return to Centre county he entered 
 the employ of J. K. Hosterman, of Miles town- 
 ship, and later learned the carpenter's trade with 
 his father-in-law. During the winter season he 
 usually worked at hewing timber, and by dint of 
 close economy he managed to purchase, in the 
 fall of 1864, a tract of land containing fifty-two 
 acres, at a cost of $975, from John F. Beck. It 
 was in a most unpromising condition, "all stones 
 and brush,' but he and his wife both went to 
 work with a will to clear it up. The first year 
 he raised only nine bushels oi wheat, and his 
 stock consisted of one cow, a few chickens and a 
 "three-legged horsi During the day, Mr. 
 
 Bowersox would work for neighboring farmers, 
 and on returning home he would continue his la- 
 bors there far into the night, and in time, by the 
 unremitting efforts of his wife and himself, the 
 farm was cleared and the debt incurred at its 
 purchase was paid off. It was five \ ars I "fore 
 they had a carpet in their house, but they now 
 have a fine competence, and have improved the 
 place with modern buildings and surrounded 
 
 themselves with the comforts which were denied 
 them in their early wedded life. At different 
 times, Mr. Bowersox has added to the original 
 purchase until he now owns 130 acres, includ 
 
 timber land. In addition to his other work 
 he has operated a tread-power machine, and 
 horse, "Barney.' has "tramped it" since 18 
 
 Mr. Bowersox realizes the helpfulness of his 
 estimable wife, and takes manly pride in acknowl- 
 edging its value. She is a woman of intell. 
 fond oi reading, and is no less noted for her 
 kindly heart. Their home is a hospitable one. 
 and their family is one of which any parent 
 might be proud. They have had children as fol- 
 lows: Mary A., now Mrs. Harvey Bierly, of Re- 
 serve, Kans. , who has one son — Clyde E. ; Emma 
 F. , who married Charles Bressler, of Brush Val- 
 ley, and has five children; Cora V. and Katie N 
 (twins), who died in infancy; Ida V., now Mrs 
 \Y. F. Fair, of Rebersburg; Floyd E., a black- 
 smith at Spring Mills; Allen F. and William S.. 
 fanners at Reserve, Kans.; Clement M., of Nit - 
 tany Junction; and Tammie E., an intelligent 
 young lady, now at home. 
 
 Mr and Mrs. Bowersox are members of the 
 Evangelical Association at Wolfs Store, and he 
 has held various offices, serving as trustee, stew- 
 ard, class-Jeader and treasurer. The latter office 
 he has held continuously since the church was 
 built. He is a Democrat, but takes a broad and 
 liberal view of public questions, and in local 
 affairs votes for the "best man." Official posi- 
 tion has no charm for him, but his keen interest 
 in educational progress has been shown by his 
 service as school director in District No. J. 
 
 SAMUEL GRAMLY will have a lasting place 
 in the history of this region as one of the 
 pioneer educators of Brush Valley. Although he 
 has made a success of other and more lucrativi 
 lines of effort, his influence has perhaps been 
 most helpfully and directly brought to bear u] 
 the community through his long service in early 
 
 is as a teacher in the country schools of that 
 time. Kind-hearted, genial, wise with the ripe 
 experience of his well-spent life, he is for many 
 a chosen adviser in perplexity and trouble. 
 
 The early history of the Grainlv family 
 been made the subject of careful research, bn 
 is found impossible to trace it farther back than 
 the time ol Francis Gxamly, the grandfathei 
 the gentleman whose name opens this ski b 
 \boai the middle of the last century a number 1 
 people bearing the name of (.randy came 
 America from Germany, and it is supposed that 
 Francis Gramly was among them, that be 
 
 , 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 369 
 
 tied in Pennsylvania and married here. It is 
 certain that he came into Brush Valley in 1793, 
 from Northampton county, Penn., with his wife, 
 Margaret (Spangler), and from them all of the 
 name in Brush Valley are descended. Francis 
 Gramly carried with him a sack full of hard 
 money when he rode into Brush Valley on 
 horseback, and he became the owner of an im- 
 mense tract of land in that " Garden of Centre 
 County," where he operated a sawmill while 
 clearing and improving the property. Several of 
 his sons, all of whom remained at home, received 
 at his death valuable estates. He died in the 
 early "thirties," aged about seventy years, 
 and he and his wife, who attained the age of 
 eighty-six, were buried at Rebersburg. They 
 were Lutherans in religion. Their children 
 were: Adam, a maker of windmills; John, who 
 lived in Brush Valley; Christian and George, who 
 were farmers on the old tract; Francis, Jr., who 
 lived in Sugar Valley, Clinton count)'; Philip, 
 who is mentioned more fully below; Daniel, who 
 met his death in boyhood while carrying break- 
 fast to his father ami brothers working in the 
 clearing in the woods; Jacob, a machinist and 
 operator of a gristmill, fulling-mill and carding- 
 machine in Brush Valley; Margaret Mrs. John 
 Walker), of Brush Valley, and Susanna, the 
 wife of William Krape, of Gregg township. All 
 are now deceased. 
 
 Philip Gramly, our subject's father, was born 
 in 1798 in the lower end of Brush Valley, and 
 was reared as a pioneer farmer's boy, his work 
 necessarily consisting largely of clearing. At 
 eighteen he began to learn the blacksmith's trade 
 in Haines township, Centre county, and later he 
 opened a shop of his own in Rebersburg. About 
 1820 he was married in Brush Valley to Miss 
 Barbara Poorman, a native of Lehigh county, 
 Penn., born in February, 1800. Her father, 
 Daniel Poorman, a blacksmith, was an early set- 
 tler in that Valley. Philip Gramly lived at 
 Rebersburg until April, 1832, when he moved to 
 a 200-acre tract of land which he had purchased 
 in Sugar Valley, Green township, Clinton county. 
 It was in its primitive condition, with not one 
 stick cut, and there he built a log house for a 
 residence and a shop for his work. He and his 
 wife toiled energetically at the work of clearing 
 and improving the land, and in five years' time 
 had one hundred acres in cultivation; but Mrs. 
 Gramly so injured her health by her labors in 
 burning off the brush that she never recovered. 
 After five years there they returned to Brush 
 Valley and occupied the Francis Gramly home- 
 stead, about two miles from Rebersburg, and, 
 later, Philip Gramly purchased the place, and 
 
 24 
 
 while cultivating it carried on also a blacksmith 
 shop and sawmill. In his day axes and other 
 edge tools had to be made by smiths, and he be- 
 came an expert in that line. He was an indus- 
 trious man, and gave his entire attention to his 
 own affairs, taking no interest in politics farther 
 than to vote the Democratic ticket regularly. He 
 gave liberally to religious movements, however, 
 and was a prominent member of the Lutheran 
 Church. His success in his varied enterprises 
 enabled him to accumulate a handsome compe- 
 tence, and he left a large estate at his death, 
 which occurred September 14, 1869. His first 
 wife (our subject's mother) died in February, 
 1845, and the remains of both now rest at Re- 
 bersburg. His second wife was Miss Phoebe 
 Dubs, of New Berlin, Union county. There 
 were eight children by the first union; Regina, 
 who died at the age of sixteen; Catherine (Mrs. 
 Henrv Wolfe), who died at Wolfs Store, in Brush 
 Valley; Samuel, our subject; Susannah, now 
 Mrs. John K. Hosterman, of Brush Valley; 
 Reuben, a resident of Rebersburg; Mary A., now 
 Mrs. Reuben Kreamer, of Rebersburg; and Dan- 
 iel Franklin and Francis Simon (twins), who 
 died at the age of tour years and thirteen years, 
 respectively. By the second marriage there was 
 one daughter, Barbara J., now Mrs. J. H. Cha- 
 tam, of Wayne township, Clinton county. 
 
 Samuel Gramly's birth occurred March 4, 
 1827, and until he attained his majoriu his 
 time was mainly spent in clearing land, that 
 work being deemed of prime importance and 
 schooling a secondary matter. He attended the 
 local school for a few months one winter before 
 he was ten years old, and learned rapidly, but 
 his desire to continue was not often gratified 
 later. He delighted in mathematics, solving ex- 
 amples which none of his schoolmates could un- 
 derstand. He excelled in penmanship also, and 
 even now his writing is beautifully done. The 
 changes which have brought educational privi- 
 leges within reach of all in the present day meet 
 with Mr. Gramly's entire approval, and he has 
 done all in his power to further them. In the 
 summer of 1848 he taught a subscription school, 
 and then attended Mifflinburg Academy for eight- 
 een weeks, preparing for better work in his 
 chosen profession. His next school was in his 
 home district, where many of his former mates 
 were pupils. The first blackboard ever placed in 
 a school in Miles township, Centre county, was 
 secured through his efforts for the benefit of his 
 scholars. In the spring of 1849 Mr. Gramly 
 spent another term of ten weeks at the academy 
 in Mifflinburg, and during the winter term of 
 1849-50 he taught in the home school. From 
 
370 
 
 OOMMEMORA TIVB BIOGBAPMCAL RECORD. 
 
 this time on he taught regularly till the spring of 
 
 !, when he renin farm of his fathi 
 
 and while cultivating that in summer continued 
 his former work in winter till the spring of 1870. 
 [n the meantime he mastered sun j private 
 
 study, and when competent found plenty of work 
 to do in that line. He bought the farm upon 
 which he lived, and in 1875 purchased another 
 home with a small piece of land in Rockville, 
 
 inty, where lie resided until 18 
 when he removed to his present home in Rebers- 
 burg. He still owns the two properties near that 
 town, and is accounted one of the substantial 
 men of the locality. For twenty- live years he 
 iresented the Centre Hall Mutual Insur- 
 ance Co. at that place. 
 
 ( >n August 7, 1849, Mr. Gramly was married 
 in Aaronsburg, to Miss Sarah J. Smull, a native 
 of Miles township, Centre county, born March 
 15, 1832, and a daughter of Henrv Smull. Seven 
 children were born of this union, namely: Isa- 
 bella and Tiras J. died in infancy; Prof. Cephas 
 L. is mentioned elsewhere; Titus M. is in the 
 creariiery business at Spring Mills; Naomi J. 
 married Charles Heckman, of Clinton county. 
 Clement II. is a farmer at the old homestead in 
 Miles township, Centre county; Ada E. married 
 William T. Hubler, and resides at the old home- 
 stead. Mr. Gramly has spent money liberally to 
 educate his children, who have shown their ap- 
 preciation by making good use of their opportuni- 
 ties. The mother of this family died May 
 [4, 1880, and was buried at Rebersburg. Mr 
 Gramly has since married a second wife, Mrs. 
 Catherine A. Ocker, daughter of Daniel Spang- 
 ler, of Union county, and widow of the late Will- 
 iam ( )cker, of Snyder county. 
 
 In his political views Mr. Gramly is a pro- 
 nounced Republican, although he was a demo- 
 crat until Lincoln's first term. In 1870 he was 
 chosen county commissioner of Centre count\ . 
 and served nearly three years; in 1869 he was 
 elected justice of the peace, which office he has 
 held for fifteen years, despite the fact that his 
 township is the most strongly Democratic of any 
 in the county. Marly in life he united with the 
 Lutheran Church, for fort) years was secretary 
 of the society, and at present he is an elder. He 
 has always been active in the Sunday-school, in 
 which he held the office of superintendent thirty- 
 four years. 
 
 ■fwTILLIAM PEALER. IVnn's Valley can 
 JuM. justly lay claim to the title of the " Gar- 
 den Spot of Centre county ;"which is indeed freely 
 accorded her by any one who has viewed the 
 
 charming ry dotted with beautiful homes 
 
 and productive farms. With the same consist- 
 ency that locality can claim among her merchants 
 some of the best business men in thecounty, and 
 to substantiate this claim, we introduce a bio- 
 graphical sketch of a man who, beginning his 
 1> 1 ismess career as a poor though honest and am- 
 bitious youth, his win] for himself full right to 
 this classification. 
 
 William Pealer, of Spring Mills, was born 
 near Hublersburg, Penn., April 24, 1844, the son 
 of Daniel and Elizabeth (Dunkle) l'ealer. His 
 father was a native of Northampton county, 
 Penn., and being the son of poor parents, his 
 schooling was very limited — what instruction he 
 had being all in German. At the age of eighteen 
 he went to Nittany Valley, and worked as a farm 
 hand, having never learned a trade. He was 
 married in early manhood, in Centre county, his 
 wife being a native of Walker township, and 
 daughter of Henry Dunkle, a farmer by occupa- 
 tion, and one of the leading citizens of that lo- 
 cality. They lived for some time on rented 
 property, but after a few years Mr. Pealer v 
 able to purchase a home and a few acres of lain). 
 with a sawmill, which he carried on in connec- 
 tion with his little farm. In 1 856 he sold this pi 
 and bought a tract of eighty acres of land in it~ 
 primitive condition with not even a log cabin on 
 it. This he cleared and improved, erecting a 
 dwelling house and other buildings, and he lived 
 there until after the death of his wife, when for 
 a few years he resided in Lock Haven. His 
 wife died at the age of fifty-six, but he was in his 
 seventy-third year when he was called from earth. 
 They now sleep in Snydertown cemetery. Both 
 were devout Christians, Mr. Pealer being a Luth- 
 eran and his wife belonging to the Reforn 
 Church. He was always prominent in religious 
 work, and. held various offices in the Church. In 
 politics he was a Democrat, but while he had 
 I for his party he was no office seeker. 
 He served as school director in his township, 
 however, his interest in education making him 
 an earnest supporter of the schools. He was a 
 hard-working man, and although he started poor, 
 and lived an honest life, he gained a compe- 
 tence. ( >ur subject is the second in the family 
 of three children — Henry the eldest, is a car- 
 penter and contractor at Kockford, III. ; Mary, 
 the youngest of the trio, is now the widow 
 Dennis Darner, of Williamsport, Pennsylvania. 
 
 The subject of this sketch first attended scho I 
 at the "Stone School House'' near Hublersburg, 
 his first teacher being Allen Bartholomew; later 
 he pin sued his studies at the Snydertown scb 
 but in those times the sessions lasted only a few 
 
 , 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 371 
 
 months each year, and the instruction was greatly 
 inferior to that in schools of similar grades at this 
 day. He worked at home while attending school ; 
 but when he was twelve years old the removal of 
 the family to the new farm in the woods brought 
 extra work and seemingly ended his chances for 
 study. His desire for a better education was not 
 to be thwarted, for he worked at lumbering in 
 the woods for some time, and with the hard- 
 earned money thus gained he paid his expenses 
 at more advanced schools. 
 
 His fellow workmen used to laugh at him for 
 spending his earnings on schooling, and often 
 suggested that a horse and buggy would do him 
 more good. But the clever boy knew better, 
 and kept steadily to his purpose. He attended 
 a select school at Jacksonville, and later the 
 academy at Pine Grove, preparing himself for 
 teaching, which he followed successfully at War- 
 rior's Mark, Huntingdon county, Penn., one term; 
 Milesburg, Penn., one term; and Eagleville, 
 Penn., two terms, having charge of the grammar 
 school in the latter place. While the occupation 
 was congenial, it had its disadvantages, and he 
 began to look out for a profession that furnished 
 employment twelve months in the year, and 
 where better wages and greater chances for ad- 
 vancement could be found. On September 22, 
 1868, he entered the general store of Jared B. 
 Fisher, at Penn Hall, Penn., as a clerk, and re- 
 mained three and one-half years. He then took 
 a similar position with R. H. Duncan, at Spring 
 Mills (a general merchant), but soon after re- 
 turned to his former employer at increased wages, 
 taking a more responsible position, that of book- 
 keeper and general superintendent of the entire 
 business. This position he held ten years, when 
 he resigned in order to go into business for him- 
 self. Having by his courteous treatment and 
 obliging manner won a host of friends, he speed- 
 ily attracted a large and profitable trade. In 
 1882, he associated himself with J. D. Long, un- 
 der the firm name of Pealer & Long, and carried 
 on a general mercantile business at Spring Mills, 
 but after one year the partnership was dissolved. 
 In 1884 he began business at his present stand 
 (then a rented building), and has ever since con- 
 ducted one of the largest and leading mercantile 
 houses of Penn's Valley, his stock being extensive 
 and well-selected. His thorough knowledge of 
 his business, his close attention to detail, his 
 sound judgment in planning and energy in execu- 
 tion have gained him an enviable reputation in 
 financial circles, and his advice is frequently 
 sought in important movements. Honest in 
 every way, there is no transaction of his in which 
 the slightest tinge of dishonesty or unfairness can 
 
 be found. A handsome fortune has rewarded his 
 efforts. He owns eighty-two acres of excellent 
 farming land in Gregg township, and also the old 
 homestead of his parents in Nittany Valley, as 
 well as his store building at Spring Mills, and his 
 pleasant residence in the same place. He owns 
 stock in and is a director of the Millheim Tele- 
 phone Company, the Lewisburg & Tyrone rail- 
 way, and in a Building and Loan Association; he 
 also loans money on security. As a further safe- 
 guard against disaster he carries $5,000 life insur- 
 ance, paid up. 
 
 Mr. Pealer was married in Aaronsburg, in 
 1872, to Miss Jane E. Leitzel, a native of Gregg 
 township, Centre county, and daughter of Philip 
 Leitzel, a well-known citizen. They have no 
 children. In local affairs, Mr. Pealer is a loyal 
 friend to progress. He is a devout member of 
 the Lutheran Church, contributing liberally, and 
 he has held various offices in the Church and 
 Sabbath-school. As a stanch Democrat Mr. 
 Pealer has always been active in the interests of 
 his party, but he is not a politician. He has 
 filled creditably such township offices as auditor 
 and assessor, and has served as school director 
 in his district. Owing to popularity he was ap- 
 pointed to fill the unexpired term of a former Re- 
 publican postmaster at Spring Mills, and this 
 service under a Republican administration was 
 followed by an appointment as a Democrat to the 
 same position during Cleveland's first term. On 
 May 20, 1893, he was again appointed, and is 
 now serving with characteristic ability and faith- 
 fulness. 
 
 0\EORGE H. LEYMAN needs no special in- 
 _ f troduction to the readers of this volume. 
 No man in Centre county has been more promi- 
 nently identified with the agricultural and polit- 
 ical history of the community, or has taken a 
 more active part in its upbuilding and progress. 
 He is one of the extensive and energetic farmers 
 of the county, his own place being pleasantly lo- 
 cated in Boggs township. 
 
 A native of Centre county, Mr. Leyman was 
 born June 22, 1843, at Mt. Eagle, Howard town- 
 ship, and the birth of his father, John Leyman, 
 occurred in the same county in 181 1. For many 
 years the latter engaged in cabinet-making and 
 carpentering in Mt. Eagle, and also extensively 
 followed contracting, framing the Bald Eagle 
 Navigation Company's canal. He took quite a 
 prominent part in public affairs, served in several 
 township offices, and was an ardent Democrat in 
 politics. At Salona, Clinton Co., Penn., he was 
 united in marriage with Miss Nancy McGee, born 
 
872 
 
 COMMEMORA TIVB BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 in Ireland in 1813, a daughter "1 Thomas and 
 Ellen 1 Kilpati it ' | Mi G also boi n in 
 
 that country, whence, in [822, they came to the 
 New World, locating in Ohio, where the father's 
 red. Later the mother removed to 
 Clinton county, Penn., v 
 
 Ha and in 1854 shi The 
 
 paternal grandp of our subject, Micl 
 
 and Rachel (Neal) Leyman, were natives of l'hil- 
 
 Iphia and Buffalo Valley, Union Co., Penn., 
 
 pectively. A they beca 
 
 idents ol ( entn county, where they spent their 
 
 aining daj - The grandfather was a cab 
 makei b) occupation, and as a Revolutioi 
 
 aliantly fought with a small 
 the battle "I Brandywim 
 
 Our subject is the third in order of birth in 
 the family ol ten sons and one daughter, the 
 others being Robert, now I; Franklin, 
 
 who is n '>il business at Titusville, 
 
 n. ; Henry, who died in infancy; Michael M., 
 at. Penn. ; Mary, wifi 
 ol Lebanon, Penn.; Thomas, who died in 1 : 
 William, a merchant ■ •! Bradford City, Penn.; 
 [ames 1 1 . an engii Austin, Penn. ; and 
 
 is in the oil 1 111 Indi 
 
 : died in < >ctobi r, 1 887, a faithful 
 1 ol the Methodist Church; the father 
 ■ d awaj I ehi ii.H y 1 <i. 1 
 Sin e H. 
 
 man has been dependent upon his own 
 son' il on 
 
 his bus 
 
 d. lie then purchased the " I 
 
 which he ran until 1 861 , w hen the 
 He then went to th 
 11, \ enai 
 
 turning t" 
 nty from la He then 
 
 d hi-- present beautiful homi : 170 
 
 es, to the culth ation and im] t ol 
 
 whii his tin' 
 
 tion. I >wns three other gi is in 
 
 I • nty, and is a most skillful and thor- 
 
 h agricultui 1 
 
 In 1866 Mr. Leyman was married to Miss 
 Annie Graham, who died in 
 twenty-four daughter, I 
 
 now the will' of fobn C arson, of [ohnsonburg, 
 Penn. On Jul) 4. 1869, in 1 attaraugus county, 
 N. Y. , Mr. Leymai Miss An 
 
 ,i. who w as bi 'in fune 27, 1 84; 
 1 ille, N. Y . ix children born 
 
 his union but one survi\ e 
 Deo and Emily M. 
 
 both deceased, and the others died in infancy. 
 Mrs the daughter ol Daniel and l 
 
 ily (Bowan) Meacham, natives of Cattaraugus 
 nty, N. Y., where the father, who was a gen- 
 eral fanner and dairyman, was accidentally killed 
 1>\ a threshing machine in 1876. His wid 
 who still resides on the old homestead farm in 
 rk Mate, was born March 30, 1825, and 
 is the mother of ten children, as follows: Louisa, 
 wife of C. C.reene, of New York; Recinna, wife 
 H. Hopkins, of the America; 
 
 Lewis 1)., of New York; Janet, wife of 1 >. Milks, 
 of New York; fosia A., wife ol L. | I the 
 
 same Mate; Altha, wife of F. Chamberlain 
 York; and three that died in infancy. 
 Politii ally, Mr. Le) man upportei 
 
 of Democratic princi] 
 
 ; he popular chairman 
 tral committee of his party, in wl 
 taki He is 
 
 a p I and influential citizen, 1 heerfully 
 
 giving In-- suppi Tt to I hi 
 public development, and with hardly an 
 ception he has 1 nected with every inter- 
 
 that has prom neral \\ : His 
 
 name is a synonym for honorabli leal- 
 
 ing, dways mentioned a- one of the 
 
 in\ aluable citizens ol nty. 
 
 J (MIX GOWLAND, id Manu- 
 
 at Phi ntre 
 
 in- of the leading foundrymen as 
 well as an active and influential polil ; ker. 
 
 lie is ;i native of Engla id ire many ol 
 
 minent citizens; but as he was but two years 
 old when he crossed the ocean the (hums of the 
 mo'' Intry are but light. Certainly t. 
 
 ts no more loyal American than h 
 proved by h i\ ice in the | 
 
 durii 
 
 born at Middlesbon 
 Yorl shi) 47. and ind- 
 
 William Gowland, a railroad contra' 
 who constructed the first railway in England, the 
 line extending from Darlington t" Stockton, 
 lost his life through an ex| 
 thew Gowland, our subject's father, was I 
 May 12, 1825 at Dai n, in th 
 
 'in'', England, and became a machinist 
 He married M 
 native of Stockt' m, Yi 11 kshii 
 tember 1 . 1 82 1. I one to America in 
 
 1S49, ai 'i South 
 
 I ' bruary 8, 1 851 », the) came to \\ uT 
 ■ :. Penn., from there to Philipsburg to 
 Matthew Gorland establishing '"In 
 
 and machine shop there, and carrying on b 
 sfully until his death, which 
 
 , 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 373 
 
 red July 10, 1889. He was a leading mem- 
 ber of the Episcopal Church, and in his political 
 views was a Republican. Mrs. Jane Gowland is 
 still living and, notwithstanding her advanced 
 age, is in excellent health. Of rive children, our 
 subject is the eldest. (2) Jane Anne, wife of 
 Thornton G. Dunkle, resides in Ninth street, 
 Philipsburg, Penn. ; (3) Francis D., born at 
 Williamsport, April 28, 1S55, is foreman in the 
 Gowland Manufacturing Company's shop; (4) 
 George A., born May 29, i860, died September 
 9, 1885; (5) Fred, born December 18, 1861, is 
 engaged in the plumbing and steam-fitting busi- 
 ness at Philipsburg. 
 
 John Gowland attended the schools of Will- 
 iamsport during boyhood, and learned the ma- 
 chinist's trade there. As a youth of seventeen 
 he shouldered a musket during the dark ages of 
 the Civil war, enlisting February 8, 1864, in 
 Company G, 8th P. V. C. , which was consoli- 
 dated at Lynchburg, Va., June 24, 1865, with 
 Company M, 16th P. V. C, and mustered out 
 of service at Richmond, August 11, 1865. Mr. 
 Gowland saw some hard fighting, taking part in 
 the battle of the Wilderness and in the final 
 campaign which ended with Lee's surrender. 
 For a time after his return he worked at his 
 trade in the West Branch Iron Works at Will- 
 iamsport, and February 8, 1869, he went to 
 Philipsburg to go into business with his father. 
 Since the latter's death the foundry and machine 
 shop have been conducted under the present linn 
 name. 
 
 On December 23, 1869, Mr. Gowland was 
 married at Fairport, Monroe Co., N. Y. , to Miss 
 Alice A. La Ransieur, a native of Clyde, N. Y. , 
 born January 12, 1850. They have two chil- 
 dren: (1) Matthew Francis, born December 4, 
 1870, a machinist in his father's shop, married 
 Miss Bessie Ratcliffe, and has two children- 
 John and Alice M. ; (2) Alice Jane, born Febru- 
 ary 24, 1878, is at home. Mrs. Gowland is a 
 Presbyterian in religious faith, but our subject is 
 an Episcopalian. He is a Republican in poli- 
 tics, and his advice is esteemed in the party coun- 
 cils. On May 15, 1884, he was appointed to 
 the office of postmaster at Philipsburg, by Presi- 
 dent Arthur, and served until June 30, 1888. 
 For one year he held the office of burgess of the 
 city, and since that has been a member of the 
 city council. He is also president of the board 
 of health of Philipsburg. Five years ago he be- 
 came identified with the Ancient and Illustrious 
 Order of the Knights of Malta of the Continent 
 of America, with headquarters at Glasgow, Scot- 
 land. At present he is Deputy Grand Com- 
 mander, and he was a delegate to the Supreme 
 
 Grand Commandery which convened at Brook- 
 lyn, N. Y., on the 13th, 14th and 15th of Octo- 
 ber, 1896. He is also a member of the G. A. R., 
 John W. Gerry Post No. 90, of Philipsburg, and 
 served as quartermaster two years, and also as 
 commander of the Post two years. In the Knights 
 of Malta he is at present Grand Generalissimo of 
 the order in Pennsylvania, and was one of the 
 supreme representatives of the order to Boston 
 in October, 1897. 
 
 H 
 
 1 P. SANKEY. It would be difficult to find 
 in Potter township a man who has more 
 friends than this gentleman, who has spent his 
 entire life here, and has' so lived as to win the 
 high regard of all. In an old log-house, which 
 was weatherboarded and painted red, and which 
 stood on his present farm, he was born June 19, 
 1834. Different branches of the family claimed 
 descent from French, English and Scotch ances- 
 try, and probably there flows in the veins of the 
 progeny the blood of all these races. Thomas 
 Sankey, the great-grandfather of our subject, 
 was the first to locate on the farm which the lat- 
 ter now owns. He died in 1797, and his will, 
 which is dated August 17, 1794, and was recorded 
 at Lewistown, Penn. , is now in the possession of 
 H. P. Sankey. 
 
 Jeremiah Sankey (grandfather of our sub- 
 ject), and his brother Thomas, purchased the 
 old family homestead, on which their father had 
 located, buying the same in 1802 from the exec- 
 utors of the estate of Gen. James Potter. The 
 grandfather started out in life a poor man, but 
 after a few years purchased his brother's interest 
 in the farm, and later became an extensive and 
 successful agriculturist. He married Margaret 
 Neil, and they now rest in Centre Hill cemetery, 
 the grandfather dying when about sixty years 
 of age. 
 
 James Sankey, the eldest son of the family, 
 was born in Potter township, Centre county, in 
 1 798. He was married in his native township 
 to Rebecca Pennington, who was born in Potter 
 township, in 1802, a daughter of Henry and 
 Margaret Pennington. They began their do- 
 mestic life in the Nittany Valley, near Salona, 
 where James Sankey and his father purchased a 
 farm. About six years later he removed to Pot- 
 ter township to occupy the old homestead, which 
 was left vacant by his father's death, and there 
 he remained until he, too, was called to the 
 home beyond, June 10, 1868. His wife died 
 December 20, 1887, and they were buried in 
 Sprucetown cemetery. In politics he was a 
 Democrat until the organization of the Know- 
 
874 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL BE( <>HD. 
 
 
 Nothing party. When the Republican party 
 sprang into existence he joined its ranks and con- 
 tinned as one of its supporters through his re- 
 maining days. During the war he was a loyal 
 and stanch Unionist. I ears prior to 
 
 his death he was an invalid. In religious belief 
 he was a Methodist, took a very active part in 
 the local work of that denomination, and held a 
 number of official positions in the Church. 
 
 The children of fames Sankey were as fol- 
 lows: Mary A., who died in childhood; an infant 
 daughter, who died unnamed; Sarah C. , who 
 married Adam Stahl, and died at Potters Mills; 
 Rebecca, who bei ame the wife of John Wolf, and 
 died in Potter township; Nancy [., deceased; 
 James W., who served in Company G, 49th 
 1' V. I., and is now in Humbolt county, Iowa; 
 II P., of this review; Jeremiah A., who served 
 in Compaq I, [48th P. V. I., and died at City 
 Point, Perm. ; Robert A., who served for three 
 months in an emergency company during the 
 ( ivil war, and is now an attorney of Wichita, 
 Kans ; Isaac P., who died at the age of nineteen 
 years; Mary M., wife of Leonard Rhone, of Pot- 
 tei township; and John E . who died in infancy. 
 The history of the Sankey family cannot fail 
 to prove of interest to many of our readers, for 
 its representatives have been connected with the 
 
 his 1 inty for re than a century). 
 
 II. P. Sankey has likewise been a prominent res- 
 ident "i the community, and is looked upon s 
 leader in questions that concern the public wel- 
 fare. He began his education m an old school 
 house, long since destroyed, in Potters Mills, his 
 first teacher being John Gilliland. After leaving 
 the common he spent .1 year in stud) in 
 
 Mount View Academy, at Potters Mills, after 
 which he began teaching in Potter township, 
 h.i\ ing 1 harge 1 1! .1 four-monl » >1. Subse- 
 
 quently he attended s< hool m W'illiamsport , and 
 throughout his life he has added to his knowl- 
 edge by extensive reading, 1 arryinghi n hes 
 far into the fields '.I literature. He is a man 
 oi scholarly tastes, ol retentive memory, >tn 
 
 mentality and br I general information. He 
 
 remained at home until his enlistment in the 
 I in.. n army, April 10, r86i. Hardly had the 
 thunder of Fort Sumter's guns ceased ere he 
 offered his service to his country, and throughout 
 the war he was a valiant defender of tl ion's 
 
 honor. He met the enemy on one battlefield, 
 was taken prisoner, and confined in Confederate 
 military prisons for one year; histermoi service 
 1 soldier was fourteen months. Returning to 
 his home, he was married, October 10, 1 S65, in 
 Potter township, to Elizabeth E, Rhone, who 
 was horn in Potter township. October 12, 1N41. 
 
 a daughter of Jacob and Sarah 1 Kerstetter) 
 Rhone. On April 1, 1 .X66, they moved to their 
 their present home, and the following children 
 have come to bless their union: Edith M., a 
 graduate of Lutherville Seminary; James A . 
 who operates the home farm; Mabel S., a teacher; 
 and Marcellus A., a student in the Lock Haven 
 Normal School. The family occupy a high po- 
 sition in social circles, and one of the charms of 
 their home is its free-hearted hospitality. 
 
 For four years Mr. Sankey has been unable 
 to attend to the duties of the farm owing to ill 
 health, resulting from hardships which he en- 
 dured as a prisoner of war. but he gives to the 
 farm his careful supervision, and its business in- 
 
 -ts are ably managed. In politics he is a 
 Republican with Prohibition proclivities, and is 
 well informed on the issues ol the daw He I 
 held various offices in Chin 1 h .md Sunday-si hool, 
 and he and his family are prominent in Church 
 work. Few men in Potter township are more 
 widely known than Mr. Sankey. and he com- 
 mands the highest respect of all. He is a man 
 ol the >trictest integrity, benevolent and kindly, 
 and his life has been ever upright and true. 
 
 JAMES C. CONDO, a blacksmith and w; 
 and carnage dealer, of Penn Hall. Centre coun- 
 ty, is a representative of one of theold families 
 ol Penn's Valley. He was born in Gregg town- 
 ship. Centre county, April 23, 1851, the see 
 s.n and third child of Daniel and Sarah (Lutz) 
 Condo. His grandfather, Daniel Condo, was a 
 blacksmith by trade, but in the latter part of his 
 life followed farming. He held membership 111 
 the Lutheran Church, and in politics was a stanch 
 Whig. He died of typhoid fever in Penn Hall. His 
 children were: Jacob, a blacksmith, of Illiii 
 I nine, who died in ( entre Hall; Daniel; Eli 
 who was killed in the army; John who died in 
 Calil Emanuel, who started to return fi 
 
 the gold fields, and was never heard from again 
 
 ph, who died in Penn I [all; Susan, 
 Philip Musser; Polly, deceased wife of R 
 Kreamer; Rebec Da [Swartz; Lydia, 
 
 wife of George Musser. of Illinois; Sarah, widow 
 ol Christian Musser. of Ohio; and Mrs. R 
 Pricker, ol Boalsburg, Centre county. 
 
 tiel Condo, the father of our subject, was 
 born in Gregg township, April 29, 1822, attend 
 the common schools and learned the blacksmitl 
 trade. He was married in September, 1843, '" 
 Rebecca Shreffrer, born November 1;. 
 I hev had two children: One died in in! 
 and Jared P., bom February 4, [844, servi 
 in the Union army, and is now a blacksmith and 
 
 , 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 375 
 
 weaver of Spring Mills. The mother died April 
 20, 1 846, and the father on March 4, 1847, married 
 Sarah Lutz, who was born in Haines township, 
 Centre county, March 22, 1826, a daughter of 
 Jacob and Catharine (Stover) Lutz. Mr. and 
 Mrs. Condo became the parents of the following 
 named children: Cyrus, of California, was born 
 April 10, 1848; Harriet C. , born January 2, 
 1850, is the wife of Amos Koch, of Ferguson 
 township, Centre county; James C. ; Susan M., 
 born January 5, 1854, died in September, 1869; 
 John P., born August 11, 1855, is ex-sheriff of 
 Centre county; Lot, a blacksmith of Potters 
 Mills, was born September 10, 1857; Jonas was 
 born January 6, i860; Daniel H., born July 18, 
 1862, died October 6, 1869; Sarah R., born 
 January 26, 1867, died October 29, 1869; Mary 
 L., born January 19, 1869, is now the wife of J. 
 \V. Rouch, of Penn township; and Adeline, born 
 in September, 1871, died in January, 1872. 
 
 The father of this family followed blacksmith- 
 ing in Penn Hall and Spring Mills. In 1847 he 
 located in George's Valley, and during the Civil 
 war he served in the Union army nearly three 
 years. He followed blacksmithing until the day 
 before his death, which was occasioned by heart 
 disease and occurred February 1 1, 1871. Hebe- 
 longed to the Lutheran Church, and in politics 
 was a Whig and Republican. His wife has been a 
 member of the Reformed Church since the age 
 of eighteen years. For five years after her hus- 
 band's death she lived in George's Valley, and has 
 since made her home among her children. 
 
 James C. Condo, whose name introduces this 
 sketch, began his education under the direction 
 of Frederick Jamison, and after completing his 
 elementary studies in the district schools became 
 a student in Penn Hall Academy. He remained 
 at home until 1862, when his father and half- 
 brother went to the army, and he started out in 
 life for himself, although only eleven years of 
 age. He worked as an errand and stable boy 
 around a hotel in Penn Hall, and in the winter 
 of 1863-64 was employed by George Dale, near 
 Lemont. While thus engaged a horse fell on the 
 lad's left leg, breaking the bone in two places, 
 and he was disabled for almost a year in conse- 
 quence. When he had recovered he began 
 learning the blacksmith's trade in his father's 
 shop, but before he had completed his appren- 
 j ticeship his father died. He then went to Haines 
 I township, Centre county, and entered the employ 
 of Squire Hosterman, who also died a few 
 months later. Mr. Condo afterward went to 
 Woodward, where he worked a few months for 
 Mr. Miller, and then entered the employ of 
 Daniel Geary, of Penn township. Subsequently 
 
 he purchased his employer's shop, and for ten 
 years engaged in blacksmithing there. He was 
 very energetic, and the excellent quality of his 
 work secured him a liberal patronage. When 
 the old Condo homestead was for sale he pur- 
 chased that property, thus providing a home for 
 his mother and the younger children of the 
 family. In March, 1S79, he purchased the prop- 
 erty of J. B. Fisher, of Penn Hall, and has since 
 retained his residence and smithy there. 
 
 In November, 1875, in Aaronsburg, Mr. 
 Condo married Miss Jennie Wolf, of Penn town- 
 ship, daughter of William and Catharine (Kramer) 
 Wolf, and a native of Miles township, Centre 
 county. Five children bless their union: Carrie 
 M., Clara L., Ella V., Charles F. and Sarah C, 
 and the family circle yet remains unbroken. Mr. 
 Condo votes with the Democratic party on State 
 and National elections, but at local elections, 
 where no issue is involved, he pays no regard to 
 party ties. He has served as clerk of his town- 
 ship several terms. Socially, he belongs to the 
 Masonic fraternity of Centre Hall, and in religious 
 faith he is identified with the Reformed Church. 
 His life has been successful, and he may well be 
 proud of his achievements, for his prosperity is 
 the just reward of his own labors. 
 
 JW. HARTER, a substantial and valued cit- 
 izen of Rebersburg, Centre county, is a na- 
 tive of the county, having been born in Gregg 
 township, April 5, 1855, and is a worthy repre- 
 sentative of an honored pioneer family of the 
 county, which is of German origin. His great- 
 grandfather, Andrew Harter, who lived one mile 
 south of Aaronsburg, was a farmer by occupation 
 and a large landowner. In religious belief he was 
 a Lutheran and in politics he was a Democrat. 
 His death occurred in 1844, while his wife, who 
 bore the maiden name of Julia Moyer, died a few 
 years previously, and both were interred in the 
 Aaronsburg cemetery. In their family were John, 
 Jacob, Mrs. Julia Moyer, George, Andrew and 
 William, all now deceased. 
 
 John Harter, the grandfather of our subject, 
 was born on a farm south of Aaronsburg, and in 
 that village was educated. He married Barbara 
 Musser, a daughter of Philip Musser, a farmer 
 living near the cemetery at Millheim, Centre 
 county, and they became the parents of six chil- 
 dren; Sarah, Katie and Mollie, who all died when 
 young; Annie, who died of diphtheria, at the age 
 of twenty years; Mrs. Rebecca McCool, who is 
 living at Spring Mills, Centre county; and Sam- 
 uel, the father of our subject. For twenty-one 
 years the grandfather operated a rented farm be- 
 
876 
 
 OOMMEMORA II VH BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 loiifiintc to James Duncan, but the last ele 
 years of his life weri upon a farm of 133 
 
 acres near Spring Mills, which he purchased ami 
 
 itly improved. He was entirely a self-made 
 man, whose sue hie t<> his own 
 
 1 work hastened his death, 
 whii : ilitically In- was iden- 
 
 :d with 1. D icratic party, and in religious 
 belief hi r of the Penn's 
 
 Creek Lutheran Church, in which he was an 
 officeholder. His faithful wife survived him only 
 about sr 
 
 The birth of Samuel Harter, the father of our 
 
 1 |, 1 832, tv." m 
 and >t "t Millheim, and in the 
 
 scho Hickman's cemetery he began his 
 
 ication, which he completed in the Beaver 
 
 k, to which he had to 
 walk a of two miles. At the age of 
 
 twenty-om h was unit irriage with Miss 
 
 I .ydia Ann I LUghter of William 
 Catharini (Ha terman) Grove, who lived upon 
 the farm where Mr. Harternow makes his home. 
 Five children were born of this union, nam 
 |ohn W., of th Alice, d d wife of 
 Philip Auman, \ ring Mil | ired 
 Howard who married Louise Breon, 
 and died <>t typhoid fever in 1 ra, who 
 married Minnie ,. and h pon .1 fai m 
 
 athei innie R. . \\ ife <>f Calvin 
 
 Finkle, alsi living near Mr. Hai 
 
 r until his father's death. 
 Samuel Harl farm, and a 
 
 t $51 ' per acre. Subse- 
 quently he bought 1 , upon which he now 
 resides, and in addition also ow timber- 
 land. He i 'tin 1 >emo- 
 cratie parts, and has been called upon to till 
 ral ffii 1 ir and trust, including 
 
 tile 
 
 schi A sincere and 1 hristian, 
 
 In- is a prominent memi Church 
 
 in < ■ ■ illey. 
 
 '-■■■ nship fur- 
 nished our subject his educational privileges, and 
 his first teacher was F. F. Jamison, He 1" 
 his bu by clerking in the gen 
 
 store ol Shook Brothers, at Farmers Mills, for $96 
 per year and board, and there he remained for 
 over a i then spent a short lime on his 
 
 father's 1. 11111, alter which hi for a 
 
 year and a half in the general store "f T. I. 
 
 II m 11, ill Logan Mills, Clinton i . Penn. Re- 
 turning to 1 r county, bi d in 
 clerking for the same length <>f time foi I iedler 
 & K'unkle. and after a short time spent at home 
 he accepted a position in the general store of 
 
 Whitmer & Co. , at Spring Mills. Subsequently 
 
 he made a trip to the West, visiting portions of 
 Ohio, Illinois, Iowa and Michigan, and shortly 
 after his return home, in the fall of 1883, came 
 to Rebersburg, where he entered the employ of 
 C. C. Loose as clerk. In February. [886, he 
 purcha >ed the stock of Ins employer, and con- 
 ducted the store alone until February. 1888, when 
 Mr. Loose bought back a half interest. ( >wing 
 to ill health Mr. Harter was compelled to give 
 up 11 ; id in 1 I ol his 
 
 interest in the store, since which lime he has 
 principally devoted his attention to the lumber 
 and stock business. On April 1, iS'M. he had 
 Ins store room and residence destroyed by tire, 
 but the same year I the best 
 
 homes in Rebersburg, and the yeai tallowing 
 completed the best business block in Brush Val- 
 ley, which is also located in Rebersburg. He is 
 wide-awake business man of 
 known reliability, and his success is but tin- just 
 reward of his untiring labor. On April 1 : 
 he a .ness in Re- 
 
 bersburg, under the firm name of Harter, M 
 11s & Co. 
 
 On June 7, 1887, Mr, Harter was marri 
 Mi- - bit A. Wolfe, a daughter of John and Sarah 
 (Kreamer) \\ id they now have one' child. 
 
 — Ethel W., born July The parents 
 
 are both consistent members of the Lutheran 
 Church, in which he is serving as deacon and 
 sistant superintendent of the Sabbath-scho 
 He is a chartei Rebersburg I 
 
 No. 1031, I. O. 0. F., and is at 
 cate of Democratic principles, on which ticket 
 he wasi 1. Like his ancestors, he 
 
 is held in the highest regard by all who have the 
 pleasure of Ins acquaintance, and as on 
 highly respected and citizens of the coun- 
 
 ty, we take' pleasure in presenting; th 
 his life to our readers, knowing that it will In 
 <1 with interest by his many friends. 
 
 C SUMNER MUSSER, M. I» . ol Aai 
 bin ne counts, 
 
 physicians of 1'' tin's \ all \ . and in the thoi 
 if his preparation for the profession fai 
 ranks the practitioners usually found in a 
 town. To an extended (■ Study in differ- 
 
 ed nt institutions in this country there has 
 added the advantage of observation in the h 
 
 1 urope, thus developing nati 
 which bad already shown themselves in an 
 choice of this arduous profession. 
 
 Dr. Musser was bom at Millheim, 
 county, November 10. 1856, and is a descendant 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 377 
 
 of one of the pioneer families of Pennsylvania, 
 his ancestors having come from Germany during 
 the Colonial period to settle in Linn township, 
 Northampton county. The first of this branch 
 of the family to locate in Penn's Valley were 
 Philip Musser (the great-grandfather of our sub- 
 ject) and a brother, Sebastian, to whom numer- 
 ous descendants trace their lineage. According 
 to the best authority, in the year 1789 Philip 
 Musser located upon a farm in Gregg township, 
 Centre county, where he remained until his 
 death, July 19, 1804. He left eight children- 
 live daughters and three sons — the names of the 
 latter being: Philip, Jr., David and John. 
 
 Philip Musser, Jr., the grandfather of our 
 subject, was the eldest child, and, like his fa- 
 ther, became a tiller of the soil, locating in Gregg 
 township, Centre county, two miles east of 
 Spring Mills, where he died in 1834. He was 
 twice married, the first time to a Miss Kreamer, 
 daughter of Daniel Kreamer, the founder of the 
 old family of that name in Penn's Valley. She 
 bore three children, one son, Samuel, and two 
 daughters. His second wife, to whom he was 
 married in November, 1827, was Mrs. Catherine 
 Stover, a widow, daughter of Joseph Reichard, 
 who had settled near Millheim. Among the 
 children of this union were Philip T. , who is 
 mentioned below; and Rachel, who married 
 John Lord, and died November 6, 1863, without 
 issue. 
 
 Dr. Philip T. Musser, our subject's father, 
 was the eldest son of his parents, and as he was 
 only six years old when his father died, he, dur- 
 ing his boyhood, made his home with his half- 
 brother, Samuel. Reared upon a farm, his early 
 education was limited to the subscription schools 
 of the day, and it was not until 1847 that he began 
 to attend school at Mifflinburg, where he spent 
 two years. Having been thrown upon his own 
 resources, he had a hard battle to fight, but he 
 made his way manfully to the goal of his ambi- 
 tion. His acute and active intellect enabled 
 him to secure a good elementary education, 
 notwithstanding his disadvantages, and then, 
 under an excellent preceptor, Dr. Robert Van- 
 Valzah, of Millheim, he in 1850 began to qualify 
 himself for the laborious and exacting duties of 
 the medical profession, and in 1853 he was grad- 
 uated from Jefferson Medical College, at Phila- 
 delphia. Until 1 86 1 he practiced with his pre- 
 ceptor, and in 1866 he located in Aaronsburg, 
 where he built up an extensive practice, which 
 continued until his death, December 31, 1889. 
 While he stood high in his profession, he was no 
 less prominent as a citizen. An ardent Abolition- 
 ist, he became a steadfast supporter of the Re- 
 
 publican party, but he never sought political 
 office for himself. During the war his influence 
 was felt upon the loyal side, and it was not 
 through a lack of patriotism that he did not go 
 to the front in person, but although he volun- 
 teered his services as a surgeon, and was com- 
 missioned by Gov. Curtin, he was finally rejected 
 on account of his frail physique. 
 
 On November 30, 1854, Dr. Philip T. Musser 
 was married, in Millheim, to Miss Mary J. Mum- 
 bauer, who was born in Penn township, Centre 
 county, January 2, 1832, the only child of Peter 
 and Mary (Krumrine) Mumbauer, who both died 
 at Aaronsburg and were buried there. Her fa- 
 ther came from Bucks county. Penn., to this sec- 
 tion in early life, and became an extensive farmer 
 and a representative citizen. Mrs. Musser is still 
 living at the family residence at Aaronsburg, a 
 comfortable home, and is one of the most highly 
 respected residents of that place. Three children 
 also survive, to whom were given every educa- 
 tional advantage which could be obtained, the fa- 
 ther thinking no sacrifice too great which would 
 secure for them the opportunities which he had 
 vainly desired for himself. His efforts in their 
 behalf were not wasted, and all occupy honorable 
 and useful positions in society. The eldest, Ella, 
 was graduated from the female seminary at Lew- 
 isburg, Penn. ; she married Rev. A. J. Irey, a 
 Baptist minister of Warren, Penn. The young- 
 est of the trio, Harvey, is a graduate of Franklin 
 and Marshall College, and of the law department 
 of Michigan University; he is now a practic- 
 ing attorney at Akron, Ohio. 
 
 Dr. Musser was the second child and first son 
 of his parents. His education was begun in Mill- 
 heim, one of his early teachers being Israel Mus- 
 ser. When a lad of ten he accompanied the 
 family to Aaronsburg, where he grew to man- 
 hood, and the rudimentary education received in 
 the common schools of that town was supple- 
 mented with a course in the Aaronsburg Academy, 
 an excellent institution. He also attended Penn 
 Hall Academy, also a popular school. In the 
 fall of 1873, he attended Dickinson Seminary, at 
 Williamsport, Penn., for two years, and in the 
 fall of 1875 he entered Franklin and Marshall 
 College, at Lancaster, Penn., and was graduated 
 in 1878. In the fall of the same year he began 
 his professional studies in the Jefferson Medical 
 College, at Philadelphia, and in 1880 received 
 his degree of M. D. from that school. Under 
 the firm name of P. T. Musser & Son he began 
 his practice with his father at Aaronsburg, and 
 their partnership lasted until the latter's death. 
 In 1882 our subject took a post-graduate course 
 at Jefferson Medical College, and in 1884 availed 
 
:;t~ 
 
 OOMUEMOBA TIVB BIOGRAPHICAL BBCOBD. 
 
 himself of the opportunity for further study in 
 
 advanced lines at the Philadelphia Polyclinic. 
 
 will be inferred, Dr. Musser is an untiring 
 
 student of his chosen science. In May. 1885, he 
 sailed from New York <>n the Red Star liner 
 •• Westerland," and on landing at Antwerp he 
 proceeded to Vienna, where he spent a year in 
 the "Vienna il Hospital " and the Poly- 
 
 clinic. Before his return to the United States 
 he visited, as a tourist, other parts of Europe, in- 
 cluding 1 I, serin;.; the leading cities ami 
 most noted scenery. The voyage home was 
 taken on the " Germanic," of the White Star 
 line. 
 
 Dr. Musser's progressive spirit is recognized 
 among his professional brethren, and he is a wel- 
 come member of various societies the Centre 
 County Medical Society; the Pennsylvania M 
 ical Society; the \\ , 1 I '.1 1, 1 '.]. lical So iety . 
 the Northwestern Medical - of Philadel- 
 
 phia; the American Medical Association; and the 
 American Academy of Medicine. He was a mem- 
 ber of thi' Ninth International Medical Congress, 
 which convened in Washington in [887, and of 
 the Pan-American Medical Congress in 1893. 
 He also belongs to the American Academy of 
 
 ial and Political Science, the headquarters of 
 which are at Philadelphia, and at present he is 
 one of the consulting staff ol the Philipsburg 
 I [1 ispital, a State Institutional Philipsburg, Penn., 
 and now (J. S. Examining Surgeon for Pensions 
 at Bellefonte, Penn. Socially he is a member 
 of the Masonic Lodgi tie Hall, of theC 
 
 manderyal Bellefonte, and of the well-known 
 college fraternity. Phi Kappa Psi. So far he has 
 not donned the I l\ mental y< ike. 
 
 The Doctor is no politician, but he takes keen 
 interest in the success of the Republican princi- 
 ple-., and has represented his township at conven- 
 tions ami in the central committee of his county, 
 win, is sought and heeded 111 ever) 
 
 : gency. 
 
 J\('< >B WAGNER Amon- the reliable 
 energetic and successful agriculturists of Pot- 
 ter township, Centre county, is the gentle- 
 man whose name introduces this sketch. He 
 was born m the same township, April >> >. 1- 
 a son of Jabob Wagner, sr., whose birth oc- 
 curred mar Sunbury, Penn.. August 17, 1803. 
 On coming to Centre county the family first 
 located in Penn township, where its members 
 operated rented land, as they were in rather lim- 
 ited circumstances, but I , and dili- 
 gem e they became quite well-to-do. 1 
 time the grandfather, John Wagner, and his son 
 
 Jacob engaged in farming together in Potter 
 township, but la,ter the former removed to Har- 
 ris township, where he died at an advanced age. 
 There also occurred the death of his wife, who 
 bore the maiden name of Catharine Kunsman, and 
 both were buried at Boalsburg. They were faithful 
 members of the Reformed Church, and in ; 
 
 tics the grandfather was a stalwart Dei rat 
 
 In their family were four children; Henrj 
 minister of the Reformed Church, who died in 
 Lebanon county, Penn.; Jacob; Elizabeth, who 
 married Frederick Krumrine, and died in Fei 
 son township, Centre counts-; and John, ol I '■ 
 fonte. 
 
 The early advantages of Jacob Wagner, 
 were very meagre, and his education was of a 
 practical kind and almost wholly self-acquired 
 On accompanying his parents to Centre county, 
 he was still single, and in Perm's Vallej 
 married, January .';, 1834, t ■ Miss Anna Hoster- 
 man, who was born in Haines township, C< 
 county, June 17, 1808, a daughter of John Hos- 
 terman, a farmer by occupation. They had five 
 children, namely: Mary E., born December 
 [834, died February 23, 1835; John IP. born 
 
 ,1, [835, died July 10, 1890, was 
 tanner of Potter township, where bis family still 
 reside; fac ib is next in order of birth; Catha- 
 rine A , bom February [8, 1840, married Sac 
 
 k, ami died in Potter township, September 
 20, [865; and Sarah C, born January 14. \t 
 is the wife of David I f Centre Hall. ( 
 
 tre county. 
 
 11 after his marriage (about 1835 or 1 
 the father came to Potter township, where hi 
 gaged in farming with his father f< >r .<■ ime tune, and 
 then purchased the entire farm, to which he sub- 
 sequently added the Jam farm of seventy- 
 five making in all a valuable tract of 
 260 acres. Although he went heavily in debt 
 imount, he w ry industriou 
 in, and si 'on had his farm clear, 
 all incumbrance. Upon that place he contin- 
 ued to reside until 1859, when he remo\ ed to the 
 farm now owned and operated by our sub; 
 and repaired ami 1 d all the buildinf 
 
 re his wife died October ;, 1866, and 
 buried in Tusseyville. He afterward married 
 Mrs. Henry Bittner, whose maiden name ■■ 
 Rachel Bingerman, and who did February 
 
 also buried in Tusseyville. In 
 the sain 1 air subject now 
 
 the father died very suddenly May 31. i" 
 He was an upright, honorable man, free Iron 
 ostentation or hypocrisy, and held the office 
 deacon in the Reformed Church, to which both 
 parents belonged. His political support v 
 
 , 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 379 
 
 ever given the Democratic party, and at one time 
 he efficiently served as supervisor of his town- 
 ship. 
 
 As a boy, Mr. Wagner, tKe subject proper of 
 this review, attended the Tusseysink school, and 
 obtained only a district-school education, but he 
 made the most of his opportunities, and has be- 
 come a well-informed man. He early began to 
 assist in the work of the farm, and continued to 
 give his father the benefit of his labors until his 
 marriage, November 18, 1858, to Miss Susan K. 
 Geiss, who was born in Berks county, Penn., 
 June 20, 1 841, a daughter of David B. and Sarah 
 (Kerlin) Geiss, farming people of Potter town- 
 ship. Four children blessed their union: David 
 G., born December 17, 1859, is a farmer of 
 Will county, 111.; Ida J., born July 11, 1861, 
 is the wife of A. E. Kerlin, of Centre Hall, 
 Penn. ; William J., born March 16, 1864, is a 
 minister of the Lutheran Church, residing in 
 Cambria county, Penn. ; and Mary C, born April 
 4, 1866, is living in Illinois. 
 
 After his marriage Mr. Wagner located on 
 the old homestead, which his father had vacated 
 shortly before, and lived there until the spring of 
 1867, when the property was divided, and he took 
 the northern end of the place. His wife died 
 there November 2, 1868, and was buried in the 
 Tusseyville cemetery. He then sold his farming 
 implements and household goods, and spent one 
 summer in Will county, 111., after which he re- 
 turned to Pennsylvania. Mr. Wagner was again 
 married, August 4, 1870, this time to Miss Cath- 
 arine A. Spangler, who was born in Potter town- 
 ship, Centre county, October 20, 1841, a daugh- 
 ter of Jacob and Rebecca (Wagner) Spangler. 
 Her first teacher was Jane Taylor, who conducted 
 the Pine Grove school, where much of her edu- 
 
 ! cation was obtained. To Mr. and Mrs. Wagner 
 were born five children, namely: James B., born 
 February 27, 1872, is engaged as a telegraph 
 operator at Linden Hall, Penn.; John K. , born 
 March 3, 1874, died August 6, 1890; Susan B., 
 born June 4, 1876, died August 13, 1890; E. 
 Clayton, born November 21, 1879, and Samuel 
 S., born January 31, 1885, are both at home. 
 During the winter following his second mar- 
 
 1 riage Mr. Wagner lived in the old stone house on the 
 
 I old homestead farm, and then removed to the place 
 where his first wife had died. There he con- 
 tinued to reside until the spring of [891, when 
 he removed to his present farm in Potter town- 
 ship, which he is now successfully managing. 
 His landed possessions aggregate 270 acres, di- 
 vided into three farms. They are well-improved 
 
 1 and under a high state of cultivation, being in 
 keeping with the enterprise and progressive spirit 
 
 of the owner, who justly ranks among the best 
 farmers of the community. For years he has 
 been an elder and active worker in the Reformed 
 Church, while his wife holds membership with 
 the United Evangelical Church. Their hospit- 
 able home is ever open for the entertainment of 
 their many friends, and they receive the respect 
 and esteem of all who have the pleasure of their 
 acquaintance. Socially Mr. Wagner is a mem- 
 ber of the Grange, while politically he is a Dem- 
 ocrat, and has been elected school director in his 
 township. 
 
 ISAIAH BECK. Among the influential mem- 
 bers of the agricultural community of Centre 
 county, and one of its most prosperous and prom- 
 inent citizens, is the gentleman whose name here 
 appears, and who is familiarly known as "Col. 
 Beck." He is a well read, accomplished gentle- 
 man, one who has made a close study of the 
 leading questions and issues of the day, and is 
 well informed on all topics of general interest. 
 
 Of German descent, Mr. Beck was born in 
 Half Moon, Centre county, April 27, 1843, and 
 is a son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Cryder) Beck, 
 natives of Huntingdon county, Penn., their births 
 having occurred near Warrior's Mark. About 
 1800 they came to Centre county, where both 
 died, the father in 1883, the mother in the year 
 following, and their remains were interred in the 
 Lutheran cemetery of Half Moon township. In 
 their family were seven children. 
 
 On December 24, 1865, Isaiah Beck was mar- 
 ried to Miss Emeline, daughter of Jacob Musser, 
 a prominent farmer of Harris township, Centre 
 county, and seven children bless their union, as 
 follows: (1) Harry E., born December 27, 1866, 
 was educated in the schools of Lock Haven and 
 Westchester, Penn., the State Normal, and is 
 also a graduate of the Pittsburg Business College; 
 he now holds the position of bookkeeper for a 
 coal company at Osceola, Clearfield Co., 
 Penn., where he makes his home; he married 
 Minnie Wood, of Coalport, and has two chil- 
 dren. (2) Barbara E., born September 12, 1868, 
 became the wife of Harry Ebbs, and died June 
 12, 1895, leaving two children — Helen and Ma- 
 bel. (3) Irene S., born March 18, 1871, is the 
 wife of Wilton Dunlap, a Lutheran minister liv- 
 ing in Indiana, by whom she has one son. (4) 
 John C, born April 11, 1874, married Bessie 
 Whippo, and has one son; they live at Osceola 
 Mills, Clearfield county. (5) Anna E., born 
 November 1, 1875. (6) Malan B. , born Decem- 
 ber 28, 1877, and (7) Clyde O. , born May 26, 
 1880, are all still at home. 
 

 I OMMBMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 Prompted by a spirit of patriotism, Mr. Beck 
 enlisted durii ivil war in the 22nd Penn- 
 
 sylvania Cavalry, and on the expiration of his 
 term of service re-enlisted in the 98th P. V. I. 
 When hostilities hai I he returned hi 
 
 with an honorable war record, and has since de- 
 voted his time and attention to agricultural pur- 
 suits. His tine farm of 160 acres is under a high 
 state 1 if cultivation and improved with excellent 
 buildings, which stand as monuments to his thrift 
 and industr) ,4 he has been a valued 
 
 and prominent m a Luth- 
 
 eran in 1 belief, and in politics supports 
 
 the men ami measures of the Republican party. 
 He is a leading and active member of society. 
 hon ' respected by the entire community, 
 
 who look upon him as one of their most wide- 
 awake farmers and model citizen 
 
 FRANK. T. WALLACE. To a student of 
 human nature there is nothing of 
 
 mine into the life of a self- 
 made man, and to analyze the principles by 
 which he has been governed, the methods he 
 pun know whal means he has employed 
 
 for advancement, and to stud}- the plans wl 
 him promin nabling him 
 
 highway of life many who have had 
 a more' advanta start. Our subject has 
 
 worked his own way upward from a humble be- 
 ginning until he is at the head of on 
 the important in ttral City, P 
 township, Centre county -proprietor of a I 
 brick in iv. 
 
 Mr. Wallace w at Toluca, Me 
 
 Ma\ i of Louis and Maria 
 
 Wallace, nativi tin and To- 
 
 luca lively. In the latter place they met 
 
 and married, and there spent their remaining 
 days, the father dying in [846, at the agi 
 forty- Ir He was a drover and weaver by 
 
 .•on, and both were devout members 
 
 1- In their family were tour 
 children: Rosa, Philip. Donaciano and Frank T. 
 The paternal grandparents 
 
 both natives of Spain, while the maternal grand- 
 parents were born in Mexii E mish extrac- 
 tion. 
 
 At the age of thirteen war- Frank T. Wallace 
 started out to fight life's battles alone. He came 
 to the United Mates, and from [848 until 1850 
 l in farming at Penn's Valley, Penn. He 
 then served an apprenticeship to the brick-mak- 
 ing 3 in the same place, and at the end of 
 
 two years went to the western part of the State, 
 where he was thus d some three y< 
 
 Returning to Centre county, he located at Belle- 
 fonte, where he contracted in the manufactui 
 brick until 1861, in which year he laid aside | 
 sonal interes id for three years in Com- 
 
 pany F, Second Penn. Cav., under Capt. P. B 
 Wilson, of Bellefonte. ment was or| 
 
 Harrisburg, Penn.. and sent to Wash 
 ton. I'. C, where our subject remained until 
 honorably discharged December He 
 
 i . in the same company and 
 it. and remained in the service until ; 
 tilities had ceased He was wounded in the 
 head and face, which caused confinement in the 
 hospital for two weeks, and the his left 
 
 On August i' he 
 
 was taken prisoner, and was incarcerated in 
 Libby prison until September, when he • 
 
 Salisbury, X. C. Three times he made his 
 escape, once by digging a tunnel seventy 
 Ion-, hut was twice- recaptured. Finally, 
 ruarv [I, I J 1 ning his 
 
 . ami re] 
 villi ; 
 
 home and v. n a thirty-live .lav- furlough, 
 
 bul ard disci 
 
 At Bellefonte, Peine, February 2, 1858,03 
 Re Linn, a Presbyt Mr 
 
 Wallace w Lucy C. CI 
 
 who was hon, I 'it re county. 
 
 March 2 I, and thirteen children w 
 
 to them: William 1'.. Tyrone, a railroad n 
 Robert P . Frank and Louis, allot Central ( 
 Mary, William C. Pletcher, ol t hart 
 
 n : Margaret, wife of Edward Williams 
 1 lag 1 -town. Md. ; Cora J. and 
 Ethel, ■ Lock Hai 
 
 Penn. ; and Hariv R., Anna Belle, I ' i and 
 
 Winfield P.. all at home. 
 
 On his return from the war, Mr. Wallace 
 uned the manufacture of brick at Willow 
 Paul. Bellefonte, hut soon afterward establis 
 his present plat ity, wh< 1 
 
 doing a large and prosperous business. H 
 sighted, but upright and i 
 ble in all his dealing.-, and ha- gained the 
 fidence and .•-teem ol all with whom he comes in 
 
 ntact, either in business or in a social wav 
 politics he is a pronounced Republican, whili 
 ternally he is connected with tin (.rami Am 
 the Republic, tl 1:. and the L'nion 
 
 ex-Prisoners of War. An l hristian, he 
 
 is a worthy member ..1 the Presbyterian Church. 
 In all the relation- of life, whether public >>r pri- 
 vate, he ha- been true to every trust reposed in 
 him, ami his loyalty to his adopted countrv 
 been manifested in days of peace as well 
 following the old flag on Southern battle fii 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 3S1 
 
 HIRAM 
 dealers of 
 
 DURST, one of the leading stock- 
 Gregg township, Centre county, 
 was born July 10, 1842, at his father's home, a 
 mile west of Earlytown, in Potter township, a 
 son of George L. and Catharine (Moyer) Durst. 
 He began his education in the Fairfield school, 
 and during his early boyhood accompanied his 
 parents on their removal from his birthplace to 
 another farm in Potter township, whereon he was 
 reared to manhood; he then continued his educa- 
 tion in the Plumb Grove school. He has always 
 been a stanch advocate of good schools, and has 
 done all in his power to promote educational 
 interests. On the home farm he was trained to 
 habits of industry and economy, and his father, 
 who was one of the leading agriculturists, taught 
 him excellent fanning methods. He remained 
 at home until his marriage. 
 
 On January 1, 1864, in Hartley township, 
 Union Co., Penn., Mr. Durst wedded Miss 
 Amelia Schnure, a native of that county, and a 
 daughter of Christian and Lydia (Kiester) Schnure. 
 After a short married life the wife died and was 
 buried at Centre Hall. Not long after his mar- 
 riage, Mr. Durst and his brother Philip began the 
 operation of the old homestead farm, and in 1868 
 the farm which he now owns and operates, com- 
 prising 103 acres, was set off from the remainder 
 of his father's large property. This tract was 
 entirely unimproved save for new buildings which 
 had just been completed, and were ready for his 
 occupancy. He was again married, December 
 26, 1867, in Potter township, Centre county, the 
 lady of his choice. being Miss Sarah Bible, who 
 s born in Potter township about 1842, and is 
 a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Bitner) 
 Bible. During her infancy her parents removed 
 to Nittany Valley, where she obtained her educa- 
 tion . She was one of a family of three daugh- 
 ter and one son, and was the eldest to reach 
 adult age. When a young lady she was sent to 
 a select school at Potters Mills, and afterward 
 secured a certificate, but her health would not 
 permit her to engage in teaching. Her father 
 followed farming throughout his life, and died at 
 I the age of eighty-four years. His wife passed 
 j away at the age of seventy-six, and both were 
 buried in Centre Hall cemetery. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Durst are the parents of the 
 I following children: (1) William B., born No- 
 vember 5, 1869, died October 20, 1887 (he was 
 a bright young man, and received good educa- 
 tional privileges); (2) Katie E., born April 11, 
 1S74, has engaged in teaching from the age of 
 eighteen years; (3) Anna Lizzie, born June 4, 
 1S80, is attending school in Spring Mills. 
 
 Mr. Durst now gives his entire time and atten- 
 
 tion to his farm, and has placed his land under a 
 high state of cultivation, its neat and thrifty ap- 
 pearance well indicating his careful supervision. 
 He is also extensively engaged in raising stock, 
 and has some fine thorough-bred Shorthorn cat- 
 tle, as well as a good grade of hogs. His life has 
 been one of industry and activity, and his resolute 
 purpose and tireless energy are the important 
 factors in his success. As a citizen he is true to 
 all the duties that devolve upon him. His polit- 
 ical support is given the Democratic party; in 
 religious belief his wife is identified with the Re- 
 formed Church. 
 
 OHN J. MUSSER. The representatives of 
 fhe farming interests of Centre county ac- 
 knowledge this gentleman as one of the most 
 progressive and energetic agriculturists of Spring 
 township. He is a man of more than ordinary 
 
 iness capacity, intelligent and well-informed, 
 and has identified himself with all enterprise? 
 which have for their object the advancement of 
 the community. 
 
 Our subject was born in Brush Valley, Penn., 
 March 31, 1829, a son of John and Susan (Fied- 
 ler) Musser, who were natives of Penn's Valley, 
 Centre county. The latter was a daughter of 
 Jacob Fiedler, a farmer by occupation, who was 
 born in Pennsylvania of German lineage. The 
 paternal grandfather of our subject, Philip Mus- 
 ser, was a farmer of Penn's Valley. In his fam- 
 ily were nine children: Philip (now deceased 1, 
 who married, and reared a family; David, who 
 died on the old homestead in Centre county: 
 Catharine, wife of Michael Musser; Barbara, wife 
 of John Harter; Sarah, wife of George Schwartz; 
 Pollie, who married George Elgin, and died in 
 Stephenson county, 111. ; Elizabeth, who married 
 John Housman, and died in Ohio; Mary, de- 
 ceased; and John, the father of our subject. 
 
 The last named was reared upon a farm at 
 Spring Mills, Centre county, and followed the 
 carpenter's trade until 1830, when he located 
 upon his maternal grandfather's farm, a mile 
 above Coburn, Centre county, and engaged in its 
 operation. He was born in 1794, and departed 
 this life at the age of eighty-seven years and six 
 months. Ten children constituted his family, 
 namely: Philip, now a resident of Stephenson 
 county, 111. ; Catharine, wife of Jo Keller, of 
 Iowa; Mollie, wife of George Breen, of Lena, 
 111. ; Rebecca, wife of W. Kerlin; John J., of this 
 review; Mrs. Susan Wetzel, of Spring township, 
 Centre county; Samuel, who was quartermaster 
 in the 148th P. V. I. during the Rebellion, and 
 is now a resident of Scranton, Penn.; Michael, 
 
88: 
 
 ' OMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 who was a member of Anderson's Cavalry in the 
 same war, and is now living in Aaronsburg, 
 Centre county; Israel, who belonged to Company 
 1 ), [48th P. V. I., and died in the service; and 
 Mary, wife of William Schuch, a Luthei 
 minister. 
 
 Mr. Musser, whose name introduces this 
 sketch, secured a good education in the public 
 schools of Centre county, attending school where 
 now is located the city of B te. In 1857 
 
 In was joined in wedlock with Miss Nancy Jane 
 Baird, a native of this section of the State, who 
 died at the age of forty-two years. Three chil- 
 dren were born to them: Frank \\ '.. who mar- 
 in < I Minnie Rhinesmith (now deceased 1. by whom 
 he had one child — John Baird; Eva, wife of Dr. 
 Kirk, by whom she has three children — Harold, 
 Norman and Lois; and Carrie, wife of Daniel 
 Rhinesmith, of Clearfield, Penn., by whom she 
 has two children — Mary and Nannie. For his 
 second wife, Mr. Musser wedded Sarah J. Miller, 
 they have one daughter, Katie S.. living at 
 home. 
 
 Mr. Musser nevei left the parental roof, but 
 as soon as he had obtained sufficient capital pur- 
 chased most of the old homestead farm in Spring 
 township, where he still resides, having 103 acres 
 of valuable and productive land near the city of 
 Bellefonte. Its neat and thrifty appearance 
 plainly shows its careful supervision, and the 
 cultivated taste and ample means of the owner. 
 On casting his first Presidential vote, Mr. Musser 
 supported Henry Clay, and continued to affiliate 
 with the Whig party until its dissolution, since 
 which time he has been an ardent Republican. 
 He is a Presbyterian in religious belief, and a 
 member of the Grange. Public-spirited and en- 
 terprising, he aids all worthy enterprises tending 
 to promote the welfare of the community, and is 
 assuredly deserving of a place among the promi- 
 nent citizens of Spring township. 
 
 JOHN K. HOSTERMAN. A problem which 
 has perplexed every soul conscious of its re- 
 sponsibilities on the earthly plane is the find- 
 ing of a right aim in life, a work to which one 
 may safely and with entire contentment devote 
 one's energies; and it is not strange that amid 
 the disappointing and annoying complications of 
 modern life there .ire those who regard the sim- 
 ple routine of a farmer's calling as furnishing, for 
 them at least, a satisfactory answer. Like Count 
 Tolstoi, they hold that whatever may be said of 
 the value of the work of the poet, the lawyer, 
 the physician, they can at least be absolutely 
 sure that in raising grain and fruits to feed the 
 
 hungry they are meeting, and meeting wisel) 
 vital need of humanity. It is doubtless for the 
 best that each should choose his work according 
 to his inclinations, but it is quite in accordance 
 with reason that we should find among our agri 
 cultural communities some of the best types of 
 manhood and womanhood, whose lives and speech 
 and manners reveal, in their straightforward ad- 
 hesion to first principles, a grasp of realil 
 which is not always found in more artificial 
 modes of life. 
 
 The many friends of Mr and Mrs John K 
 II sterman, of Miles township, Centre county 
 will be gratified to find in this brief history a 1 
 manent record of their useful life. Mr. Ho^; 
 man is a member of a pioneer family of Miles 
 township, Centre county, where he was born De- 
 cember 26, 1826. His father, George Hoster- 
 man, a native of Haines township, was a tanner 
 by trade, and at the time of his death, which oc- 
 curred when he was aged thirty-three years, he 
 was residing at Millheim. His wife, Catherine 
 Kramer, was born in Berks county, Penn., and 
 was brought to Miles township, Centre countv 
 by her father, Daniel Kramer, who at one tim< 
 resided in Kramerville. Our subject was 
 eldest of four children; Sarah died in childh< 
 before her father's death; Amanda married Sam- 
 uel Wolfe, and died at Tylersville; William, oni • 
 a merchant at Madisonburg and Rebersburg. 
 died at St. Louis. The mother married a sec- 
 ond husband, Henry Snuill, of Brush Valley; she 
 died in Rockville when more than seventy-five 
 years of age, and was buried in Rebersburg. Bj 
 her second marriage she was the mother of si\ 
 children. 
 
 Mr. Hosterman was but a boy of eight years 
 when his father died, and soon after this event 
 he went to Brush Valley to live with relatiu 
 spending a short time at the home of John Ki 
 er, and then going to an uncle, David Wolfe, 
 near Wolfs Stoic He attended the schools of 
 his time, which were decidedly inferior to th 
 of the present day, and was reared as a fanner 
 boy, his work being chiefly clearing land. After 
 several years with Mr. Wolfe he began to learn 
 the tanner's trade under Jeremiah Haines, but 
 the work did not agree with him, and he returned 
 to the farm. 
 
 In 1S4X, Mr. Hosterman was married in 
 Brush Vallej to Miss Margaret Brungart, daugh- 
 ter of George Brungart. She bore one child, 
 but it died in infancy, and she passed to the un- 
 seen life in less than a year. Later Mr. Hosier 
 man married his present wife, Susanna Grainley. 
 who was born Ma) 15, [828, in Kebershi. 
 daughter of Philip and Barbara (PoormanJ Grain- 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 3S3 
 
 lev. Eleven children were born of this union- 
 Olevia, February i, 1850, is now Mrs. Uriah 
 Spangler, of Harvey, Kans. ; William A., February 
 23, 1853, died August 29, 1859; George W., 
 February 22, 1855, took the degreee of D. D. S., 
 and is now practicing dentistry at Centre Hall; 
 Emma J., February 3, 1858, married Washing- 
 ton Shaffer, of Brush Valley; Annie V., April 17, 
 i860, died October 28, 1864; Mary A., July 27, 
 1862, died November 4, 1864; Edwin G., May 
 9, 1865, is a farmer of Brush Valley; Ida M., 
 April 14, 1867, died March 25, 1870; Ella A., 
 May 12, 1868, is now Mrs. Wallace Kreider, of 
 Brush Valley; Lizzie V., March 22, 1871, is at 
 home; and Thomas C. , April 4, 1873, is a den- 
 tist at Rebersburg. Mr. Hosterman has educat- 
 ed his sons well, and is in favor of better schools 
 for all. From 1852 until 1886 he rented a farm 
 from his uncle, David Wolf^, which he bought 
 at the latter's death. He lived on the place un- 
 til April, 1893, when he purchased his present 
 comfortable home at Wolfs Store, and removed 
 there. Even at his advanced age he can often 
 be seen at work on his farm, the habits of in- 
 dustry, strengthened by more than sixty years of 
 active work at his business, being difficult to lay 
 aside. 
 
 Mr. Hosterman is well known, and by his 
 courteous manners has made many friends. His 
 methods of doing business have always been 
 such as to secure for him a reputation for the 
 strictest integrity. He is a Democrat in politics, 
 but while taking keen interest in the success of 
 his party he is not a politician. He has 
 served as judge of elections, and for twenty-one 
 years was overseer of the poor. He belongs to 
 the Reformed Church, while his estimable wife 
 is a Lutheran in faith. Both are descended 
 from prominent and highly respected families of 
 Centre county, and both do credit to their an- 
 cestry. Kind-hearted and hospitable, their home 
 is a most pleasant place, and the serene influence 
 of their lives has done good which cannot be 
 measured by earthly standard. 
 
 JOHN M. HARNISH is one of the enterpris- 
 ing and prominent business men of Boggs 
 township, Centre county, located at Snow 
 Shoe Junction, where he is successfully engaged 
 in general farming, merchandising and in the 
 millwright business, and is also serving as post- 
 master. He was born December 31, 1 831, in 
 Bald Eagle Valley, in the same township, and has 
 since been actively identified with its interests, 
 and is recognized as one of the progressive and 
 representative citizens of the community. 
 
 Martin Harnish (father of our subject), whose 
 birth occurred in Maryland, was a molder by 
 trade, following the same during his younger 
 years, but later in life engaging in agricultural 
 pursuits. In Centre county he was united in 
 marriage with Catherine Parson, a native of that 
 county, and to them were born twelve children, 
 namely: Antis, a resident of Lock Haven, Clin- 
 ton Co., Penn.; Andrew, of Illinois; Margery, 
 deceased; JohnM., of this sketch; Julia A., wife 
 of George T. Michaels, of Lock Haven; Jacob, 
 of Snow Shoe township, Centre county; Will- 
 iam, of the same county; Allen, who was killed 
 in the Civil war in the seven days' fight at Rich- 
 mond; Catherine, wife of J. C. Showers, of 
 Bellefonte, Penn.; and three that died in infancy. 
 The father died April 6, 1855, at the age of fifty- 
 four years, the mother in November, 1872, at 
 the age of sixty-two years. Both were consist- 
 ent members of the Methodist Church, and in 
 politics he was a Whig. 
 
 Our subject obtained his education in the 
 public schools of his native county, and at the 
 age of fifteen years began to earn his own liveli- 
 hood by working at odd jobs. Five years later 
 he entered upon an apprenticeship to a mill- 
 wright, a trade he soon mastered. He continued 
 under the parental roof until he had attained his 
 twenty-fifth year. On April 7, 1859, he married 
 Miss Elizabeth A. Gowar, and they have become 
 he parents of eighteen children — nine sons and 
 nine daughters — as follows: Clara E., wife of 
 Joseph Iddings, a farmer of Boggs township; 
 Catherine, wife of William U. Becker, transfer 
 agent on the railroad at Harrisburg, Penn.; John 
 T. , a carpenter of Cincinnati, Ohio; Milton and 
 Minnie (twins), now deceased; James G., who 
 died in 1886; Martha A., Martin, Elizabeth, 
 Silas E. and Minerva, all at home; Rosalie, de- 
 ceased; Mira B., Marcella and Charles B., at 
 home; the others died in infancy. 
 
 Mrs. Harnish was born in Morgantown, W. 
 Va. , October 23, 1840, a daughter of James and 
 Elizabeth (Boyd) Gowar, natives of Baltimore, 
 Md. , and Glamorganshire, Wales, respectively. 
 They were married in Ellicott City, Md., where 
 they remained for one year and then removed to 
 West Virginia, locating at the iron works seven 
 miles from Morgantown, where the mother died 
 in July, 1 84 1, at the age of thirty-four years. In 
 1845 the father removed to Bellefonte, Penn., 
 but six years later returned to Morgantown, where 
 the following seven years were passed. He then 
 went to Pittsburg, where his death occurred Oc- 
 tober 23,1 869. By trade he was an iron worker. 
 He was twice married, his second union being 
 with Mrs. Phcebe McVicker, widow of Britton 
 
384 
 
 COMMEMORA TIVB IlIOGHAPUK Al. REOOBD. 
 
 McVicker. She had no children by either hus- 
 band. The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Har- 
 ivere James and th i Tampelton Go- 
 
 war, who spent t h e i r entire lives in Glamorgan- 
 shire, W ind the maternal grandparents 
 were William and Elizabeth Boyd, natives of 
 Ireland and Germany respectively. The last 
 named died 
 
 During the dark days of the Rebellion, Mr. 
 Harnish, in [861, enlisted in Company F, 56th 
 P. V. I. After serv ing for -en- 
 
 mained in the service lor three y< 
 and six months, or until hostilities had ceas 
 when he was honorably d I. For gallant 
 
 and faithful ink 
 
 aptain, which position h filling when 
 
 Washingti >n, D. C. The regi- 
 ment was disba Iphia. On Jul}' 
 1 , 1 863, at the i 
 
 1 he righl arm. < )n being mi mt, 
 
 Pittsburg, I 1 several 
 
 months was in the employ of the Ke) 
 
 lie 1 the 
 
 Lverson & Pi ime ' 
 
 city, but in to his present home at 
 
 Sni cw Shi ie [unctii >n, ■•■ h 
 
 fulh pris- 
 
 lligent, hon started out in 
 
 life poor, but has become one of the leading 
 
 iwnship, prompt and 
 liable in all his dealings, and lias gained the con- 
 fidei with whom he has 
 
 itact. His political supp \ er 
 
 party. 
 
 WS. GLENN, M D., a leading physician 
 at S inty, a gradu- 
 
 ate 1 .1 of Mi rep- 
 
 aid highly 1 
 family ol that county, ol which 
 ha\ >sin professii mal life. \\ 
 
 I Iphraim and I 
 l'eth Mi nn. 
 
 John Glenn (thi our subject), 
 
 who was ol Irish descent, was for man) 
 sua griculturist neai l'i [ills, 
 
 ty. born in iship, in 
 
 the san e count) .1 . \. 1 800; he died in 
 
 that town-hip jami 
 sixty-seven y H wife, I i 
 
 was a native oi I , rguson township, horn March 
 21, 1 801 . was married Feb] u u y 1 8, 1 
 died April i-i, 1895, aged ninety-foui years. 
 ir children wei e 1 '.'\ id, horn D r 6, 
 
 I, died Ma) 10, i 862, in hospital .it Paducah, 
 Ky., from wounds n itts- 
 
 burg Landing, on April 1 having served in 
 
 the -ist Missouri regiment, commanded by ( 
 
 ire. Mary C. married William McCauley; 
 he was killed in the war, and his widow now 
 
 I [untingdon, Penn. ; Ephraim is di 
 Eliza is the wife ol F. E. Meek, and n 
 \]toMn;i, Penn.; Nanc) is the wife of M. 1". 
 Burket, ol Mt. Pleasant, Iowa; Mai the 
 
 wifi irmick, and resides at Dan- 
 
 ville, Iowa; John W. died in 1835; Sarah 
 
 lenl 1 Alt ' a. ; Susannah |. ■• 
 
 Robert Meek, andisa resident of Altoona, Penn.; 
 Hi nri tl 1 is the wife of P. W. Burket, and 1: 
 at Stormstown, Penn.; and Thomas S., who 
 
 short tune in the i lome ( luard 
 the Civil war, di t 868. 
 
 Iiraim Glenn was born atPim Mills 
 
 ust 14. 1827 an<l spent his life in Centre 
 
 jricultural pursuits, enjoying 
 1 of all who knew him. 
 Christian, being a member of the M< 
 Church all his life, 1 3 known to utter an 
 
 oath, every day 
 I Ie pass unseen lifi 
 
 He married Elizabeth Meek, daughter ol Rheub 
 ., a nal i ; rn in 1 8 
 
 who shim. They had six children: (1 
 
 W. S., iui tib whi 1 w 
 
 uated from Dickinson Seminary, then from \\ 
 rsity at Middletown, Conn., and I 
 tool 1 HI >.■ m th 
 
 Tlu minister ol the M 
 
 Church, and is now located at Gettysbui 
 1 >, I master mechanic in the Joho- 
 
 - 
 ! at the >) Th 
 
 is a graduati and 
 
 1 11st it ut . 
 Ohio, and is now practici al Kixt 
 
 ■! is in the hardw 
 at Si 
 
 Dr W. S. Glenn n April 4. 1 
 
 Ins youth w I with his fathei 
 
 farm. ■ His father, desiring betl mal , 
 
 facilities for him than the schools of the 
 borl d supply, had him pursue si 
 
 at the ! 
 ■ Is in the county. After this our subjo 
 for 
 
 niiii:. i I licine un 
 
 Dr. Kirk, of Bellefonte, and tl 
 M I In 
 
 raduating in 1 883. No 1 
 i 
 prai icated al 
 
 where he has built up an extensi I 
 
 t the practice at th 
 
 II 
 
^<% 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 385 
 
 him, while the people of the village and the sur- 
 rounding country place full confidence in his skill. 
 He is an able preceptor, and of five students 
 of whom he has taken in charge, all are now in 
 successful practice. Dr. Glenn married Miss 
 Mary Henderson (daughter of Robert Henderson), 
 a native of Clearfield county, born in 1862, and 
 six children have blessed their union: Olin, 
 Harold, Bessie, Grover, Willie and Anna. 
 
 In politics the Doctor is a Democrat, and he 
 is actively interested in the various social, relig- 
 ious and philanthropical movements of his local- 
 ity. He is a member of the M. E. Church, the 
 P. O. S. of A., the I. O. O. F. and is also con- 
 nected with the National State and Local Medi- 
 cal Societies of the Eclectic School of Medicine. 
 He takes a great interest in educational affairs 
 and has been a member of the school board for 
 the past two years. 
 
 HENRY MARK. In these days of change 
 and restlessness it is unusual to find a fam- 
 ily occupying the same farm for a century, but the 
 subject of this sketch, a prosperous agriculturist 
 of Gregg township, Centre county, enjoys this 
 distinction, as he resides upon an estate which 
 was first opened in the primeval forest by his 
 grandfather, and has ever since been held by de- 
 scendants. 
 
 The family is of Swiss origin, and the first of 
 the American line was Killian Mark, who crossed 
 the ocean in 1735, and settled in what is now 
 Lebanon county, Penn., then a part of Lan- 
 caster county. He had a large family, and his 
 eldest child, Conrad, was the first to locate within 
 the present borders of Centre county, but the 
 panic which resulted in the " Great Runaway" in 
 1778 caused him to leave and make his home else- 
 where, and none of his descendants are to be 
 found in the county. Another son, Jacob, came 
 about 1 800 to Centre county, where he passed the 
 rest of his days, and where many of his descend- 
 ants now live. Rudolph, another son, located 
 permanently in Haines township, Centre county, 
 where he reared a large family of daughters, of 
 whom one married a Mr. Weaver and left a nu- 
 merous family. 
 
 The progenitor of the Centre county branch 
 of the Mark family was another son of Killian 
 Mark, David, our subject's grandfather, who was 
 born in Lebanon county (then Lancaster), in 
 1766, and was married there to Miss Gertrude 
 Kupp. He removed to Centre county in 1800, 
 settling in Gregg township upon the present 
 homestead, which he cleared and improved. At 
 one time he owned more than 230 acres, but later 
 
 25 
 
 he sold all but 108 acres, and finally reduced his 
 holdings to seventy-five acres. He was a large 
 man, active both mentally and physically, and 
 had remarkable ability as a mechanic, which 
 was, however, never developed by training. He 
 engaged in different trades and seemed equally 
 successful in all, though he probably did more 
 work in blacksmithing and shoemaking than in 
 any other lines. After removing to his new home 
 he espoused the doctrines of the Democratic 
 party, which he continued to hold during the 
 rest of his life. He was an active member of 
 the Evangelical Church at Millheim, founded in 
 1806, and was one of the first four members of 
 the class connected with the society. He died 
 April 14, 1844, and was buried in Heckman 
 Cemetery beside his wife, who passed away in 
 1826. They had ten children, of whom our sub- 
 ject's father was the youngest; George and Eliza- 
 beth did not survive their childhood; John died in 
 Snyder county; Elizabeth (2) married Philip 
 Swartz, and died in Snyder county; David, Jr., 
 died in Sugar Valley in 1874; Catherine married 
 George Heckman, and died in Gregg township. 
 Centre county; Rebecca (Mrs. Henry Jacoby) 
 died in Clinton county; Mary married (first) 
 John Kern, and (second) Michael Gephart, and 
 died in Millheim; and Lydia (Mrs. Jacob Hen- 
 ney) died at Cedarville, Illinois. 
 
 George Mark, the father of our subject, was 
 born at the homestead August 17, 18 10, and 
 passed through the usual experience of the sons 
 of pioneer farmers with limited means, his early 
 education being confined to the subscription 
 schools of that day. He was fond of sports, 
 especially fishing, and was a robust man, his 
 health being excellent until a few years prior to 
 his death, which occurred December 17, 1880, at 
 the homestead where his entire life was spent. 
 Among other improvements which he made upon 
 the estate was a commodius barn, built in 1847. 
 A man of domestic tastes, the old home was al- 
 ways dear to him and being the youngest son he 
 remained in charge of it during his father's de- 
 clining years, and after the latter's death he set- 
 tled the claims of the other heirs in order to re- 
 tain it. He was an earnest and thoughtful student 
 of the Bible, and while not a member of any 
 Church he helped liberally in religious work 
 and contributed to the building of the churches 
 in his neighborhood. His convictions were 
 formed through his own investigations, but while 
 he held them firmly he never argued, not caring 
 either to convert or condemn any one who dif- 
 fered from him in the belief. 
 
 On February 17, 1838, Mr. Mark was mar- 
 ried in Gregg township, Centre county, to Miss 
 

 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL REi ORD. 
 
 Margaret Rager, a daughter of Simon Rager. 
 She was born in Dauphin county, Penn., Sep- 
 
 ber ii, 1S06, and came to Centre county 
 with a brother. In stature she was small, but 
 shi d much artistic taste and sound 
 
 judgment, and having been in business as a mil- 
 liner and dressmaker at Philadelphia and Har- 
 risburg, previous to her removal t<> this section, 
 she continued those occupations at Aaronsburg 
 until her marriage. She died October 21, 1851, 
 leaving one son, oursubject, and her re mains now 
 rest in Heckman Cemetery. She was a devout 
 and consistent member of the Evangelical 
 Church. The father was married a second time, 
 this wile being Miss Mary Keen; they had no 
 children. She survived her husband about two 
 years, her death taking place at Millheim in 
 August, 1882. 
 
 The subject of our sketch was born May 13, 
 1840, and has always hail his home at the old 
 farm, to which as the sole heir he succeeded at 
 his father's death. During boyhood he attended 
 the neighboring schools regularly in winter, his 
 firs: ' ! being Dr. William Stemm. Stud) 
 
 was a pleasure to him, mathematics being espe- 
 cially easy, and his progress was rapid in all 
 lines. He never cared to teach, and remained 
 at home, gradually assuming the management of 
 the plai 1 
 
 On January 15, 1863, he was married in 
 Aaronsburg to Miss Amanda Heckman, who was 
 burn in Gregg township. Centre county, April 
 20, 1X42. Her father, Frederick Heckman, was 
 
 1 Peter Heckman, who settled in that 
 
 township in 1797, and her mother was Elizabeth 
 Miller, the daughter of Christopher Miller, who 
 
 \ ed in the Revolutionary army for seven 
 
 us. Mrs. Mark was the eleventh child and 
 youngest daughter in a family of thirteen chil- 
 dren, and as a young girl used to assist her par- 
 ents in the outdoor work of their farm, as was 
 then customar) . She was given good educati 
 advantages for that time and locality, as she at- 
 tended the schools of Penn Hall afl plet- 
 
 the course offered in the schools of the Heck- 
 man district. Ten children blessed this union: 
 1 ) F. W. ami 1 2 ) Margaret E. tw ins), 
 
 born September 21, [863, thi former being now 
 the principal of the public schools at North East. 
 Penn. He married, and has one child — F. \Y 
 ward Margaret E. married William Fiedler, 
 and resides in Grei hip. Centre county, 
 
 (3) A son born March 14, 1865, dad in infancy, 
 unnamed. (4) Ida M., born April 6, [866, 
 ried Harry W. Weaver, ol Gregg township. 
 William H., born January 4. 1871, married Miss 
 Vianna Styers, in February, 1895, and resides in 
 
 Coburn, Penn. (6) Sarah E.. born May 4, 1872, 
 I May 28, 1880. (7) Harvey 11., born Janu- 
 ary 10, 1874, is now a farmer at the homestead. 
 
 Andrew E . born April 26, 1880, (9) Al. 
 1 , April 1, 1SS2, and fio) Loeda. November 
 26, 1888, are at home. 
 
 Mr. Mark and his wife are prominent mem- 
 bers of the United Evangelical Church, and 
 he has held every office in the society. At 
 present he is class leader and assistant superin- 
 tendent of the Sunday-school. As a citizen he 
 stands high in the esteem of the community, lb 
 is a man of progressive ideas, his farm, which 
 contains 145 acres of good land, showing excel- 
 lenl management. All of the buildings, except 
 the barn, were built by him. In business trans- 
 actions he is honest and upright, and his com- 
 fortable fortune is not tainted by the menioi 
 any unscrupulous act. He has always been fond 
 of reading, the information thus gained covering 
 a wide range, and including the varied issui - 
 the day. 
 
 GEORGE W. GLACE, one of the representa- 
 tive farmers and self-made men of Pottei 
 township, Centre county, began life for himself 
 at an early age without means, and by the exer- 
 cise of his resolute will and persevering industry 
 has succeeded in obtaining a comfortable com- 
 petency. His straightforward methods of doing 
 business, and his value as a member of the com- 
 munity, have gained him a wick' cir< le "I friends 
 ami acquaintances, who have watched his career 
 with interest, and are not slow to acknowledge 
 that he is deserving of all the good that has fallen 
 to him. 
 
 Mr. Glace was born September }, 1850, in 
 Snyder county, Penn., a son of Abel and Eliza- 
 beth (Michael) Glace, fanning people of that 
 county. When three years ol age the father 
 died, leaving to the care of the mother thi 
 lowing children: John W., now a resident of 
 Cataract, Clearfield Co., Penn.; Rebecca J-; 
 Samuel, of Oriental, Juniata Co.. Penn. . < i 
 
 nd Sarah, wife of Charles Stroup, of Cou- 
 Penn. The father's death occuri 
 Mahantango, this Mate. Later the mothd 
 wedded William Kane, by whom she ha 
 daughter, Mary, wife of Charles Baumgarti 
 1 le.ulield county. Mrs. Kane departed this life 
 in that county at the age of seventy-one ) 
 The limited education which our subject 
 
 btained in the public schools of 
 Snyder county, but at the age of eleven years be 
 left the farm and began earning his own livelihood 
 by driving a mule team on the tow-path. 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 387 
 
 sixteen he left his native county, being then able 
 to do a man's work, and obtained employment in 
 the lumber woods of Clearfield and adjoining 
 counties. For fifteen years he continued to fol- 
 low the lumber business, during which time he 
 worked in all its various branches. On attaining 
 his majority he married Miss Anna Confer, who 
 wasborninPottersdale, Clearfield county, in 1855, 
 and was a daughter of John Confer, a farmer by 
 occupation. They went to housekeeping in the 
 place of her birth, where they made their home 
 while he was at work in the woods. In 1884 he 
 erected a hotel at Cataract, Clearfield county, 
 known as the " Cataract House," which was the 
 first hotel in the town, and which he successfully 
 conducted until the spring of 1896, when he came 
 to Potter township. Here he purchased the John 
 Sankeyfarm, a tract of seventy-five acres, which 
 he is now operating with skill and ability. 
 
 Mr. Glace has been called upon to mourn the 
 loss of his faithful wife, who died December 29, 
 1895, and was laid to rest in Oak Hill cemetery 
 in Clearfield county. Eight children were born 
 to them, namely: Tacy E., now the wife of 
 James Good, of Clearfield county; and John M., 
 Maude M., Lulu B., George W. , Alice P., Bessie 
 J. and Ceylon W., all with their father. Mr. 
 Glace has encountered many obstacles all 
 through the highway of life, but has overcome 
 them and steadily pushed his way forward until 
 he now has a comfortable home and fine farm. 
 Politically he is a Democrat, and while a resident 
 of Clearfield county served his fellow citizens in 
 the capacity of supervisor and tax collector. 
 
 H' 
 
 gentleman has been spent in Boggs township, 
 Centre county, and his name is inseparably con- 
 nected with the agricultural and commercial in- 
 terests of this region. His thorough American 
 spirit and his great energy have enabled him to 
 mount from a lowly position to one of affluence. 
 One of his leading characteristics in business af- 
 fairs is his fine sense of order and complete 
 system, and the habit of giving careful attention 
 to details, without which success in any under- 
 taking is never an assured fact. 
 
 Mr. Heaton was born September I, 1830, one 
 mile northwest of his present home in Boggs 
 township, a son of Michael and Mary (Walker) 
 Heaton. The father was also a native of Boggs 
 township, born March 10, 1800, in Bald Eagle 
 Valley, while the mother's birth occurred in Mif- 
 flin county, Penn., July 7, 1808. Their mar- 
 riage was celebrated in the latter county, but 
 
 they began their domestic life in Boggs township, 
 where they continued to make their home until 
 called from this life, the father dying March 7, 
 1877, and the mother in February, 1892. By 
 occupation he was a farmer and contractor in 
 lumber, and he efficiently served as supervisor of 
 Boggs township. Both were faithful members 
 of the Baptist Church, with which they united 
 March 24, 1850, and in politics he was first a 
 Democrat, but after the war joined the ranks of 
 the Republican party. 
 
 The paternal grandparents of our subject, 
 Enoch and Eve (Fetzer) Heaton, were natives 
 of England and Germany respectively. At the 
 age of seven years the former accompanied his 
 parents to the New World, becoming a resident 
 of Bucks county, Penn., where he remained until 
 1798, when he came to Spring township, Centre 
 county, but later removed to Boggs township. 
 There he passed his remaining days. By occu- 
 pation he was a hunter and laborer. The ma- 
 ternal grandparents were also of foreign birth. 
 They were Jacob and Margaret (McElwaine) 
 Walker, the former born in Germany, and the 
 latter in Scotland. At an early day they removed 
 from Bucks county to Centre county, Penn., 
 where the grandfather engaged in agricultural 
 pursuits. 
 
 Henry Heaton is the second in order of birth 
 in the family of thirteen children — six sons and 
 seven daughters — of whom are mentioned: Jane 
 C. , widow of M. G. Williams, and a resident of 
 Liberty township, Centre county; Henry; An- 
 drew, deceased; Mary, who wedded James W. 
 Harrison, of England, but both are now de- 
 ceased; Michael, a farmer of Boggs township; 
 John, deceased; James, a farmer of Milesburg, 
 Penn. ; Mrs. Sarah M. Poorman, of Centre 
 county; David W., a farmer of Huston township, 
 in the same county, Hannah, wife of F. Robb, 
 an agriculturist of Liberty township; Isabella, 
 wife of William Robb, a merchant of Curtin 
 township, Centre county; and Matilda, who died 
 when quite young. 
 
 Until he was twenty-four years of age Mr. 
 Heaton, the subject proper of this sketch, re- 
 mained upon the home farm, assisting in its cul- 
 tivation, and acquiring a limited education in the 
 schools of the neighborhood. For three years 
 he then worked in the lumber woods, and for the 
 following year was employed upon a farm, dur- 
 ing which time he saved enough money to pay 
 his tuition at Bellefonte Academy for one year. 
 On leaving school he then traveled for a short 
 time. On May 24, 1861, he was married to Miss 
 Sarah E. Shroyer, who was born in Spring town- 
 ship, Centre county, March 10, 1833, a daughter 
 
:;.s> 
 
 WOIIA TIVR BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 of Adam and Catherine (Rarrick) Snroyer, the 
 former a native oi Penn's Valley, Penn., and tin- 
 latter of New Berlin, Union Co., Penn., where 
 their marriage was celebrated. From New Ber- 
 lin they removed to Milesburg, where they spent 
 then ning days, the father dying April 9, 
 
 1 s 5 1 , .iikI the mother mii February 22, 1880. He 
 followed the 01 n of farming through- 
 
 out life. In their famil) were the following chil- 
 dren: Mary, wife of Jacob Schope, ol Miles- 
 burg; Sarah E., wife of our subject; Emanuel, 
 who died in [894; William and James, who both 
 'died in the army. George, d ■!: Adam A., a 
 
 railroad man, of Milesburg; and Fllen, wit 
 [ohn Schwartz, a farmer ol Boggs township. Six 
 children grai nion of Mr and Mrs. Heaton. 
 
 namely: Mar} ( . who died when small; Alice 
 M., wife of O. J. Stover, a hotel man of Eagle- 
 ville, Centre county; Lucy B., wife of George N. 
 Neff, an agriculturist of Centre county; |. Frank 
 and George S., who are still on the home farm; 
 and Lida J., wife of John K. Eckley, of Jackson- 
 ville, Pennsylvania. 
 
 Mrs. Sarah E. Heaton never was a stout or 
 robust woman, bul has always been possessed 
 of good courage, and in her younger days must 
 have had no small amount of muscular strength, 
 as the following incident in her life will sen 
 prove. When she and her husband first settled 
 "ii tin ir farm, deer and other wild animals were 
 plentiful in the mountains, and one day a large 
 dog chased a fine deer down to near the old 
 Me. Mrs. Heaton seeing the animals ap- 
 proaching, ran down in the direction the} Were 
 coming, by which time the dog had caught the 
 • leer, and she then leaped over the fence, suc- 
 ceeded in getting hold of the deer and keeping 
 its head under the fence stake for some consid- 
 erable time until her aunt reluctantly brought 
 her a knife, with which she (Mrs. Heaton 1 cut 
 the animal's throat. The two ladies then suc- 
 ceeded in dragging the deer into the field, and 
 Mr Heaton returning home shortly after, he 
 dressed the venison. This was truly a heroic 
 a< t on the part of Mrs. Heaton, one that elicited 
 much comment at that time, and is to this da} 
 the sub]'' t ol no litl le mirth. 
 
 I pon In- m Mi Heaton located upon 
 
 his present farm in Boggs town-hip, which was 
 then in its primitive condition, but he at once be- 
 gan its improvement and cultivation, which he 
 continued until August, [862, when he enlisted 
 in Company F, [48th P. V. I., under Capt. Mai- 
 tin Dolen and ten. |ames A. B He was 
 brave and fearless on the held of battle, and 
 with his regiment participated in the following 
 lent Potomac, Chancellorsville. Ac- 
 
 quia (reek, Manassas Cap, Spottsylvania. D 
 Bottom, Rapidan, Fredericksburg, fourteen d 
 battle of the Wilderness, Gettysburg, South 
 iviely Run and Peach Orchard. On March 
 31, [865, just nine days before the surrender ol 
 Gen. Lee. he was wounded by a minie ball in 
 the left arm, which the surgeons said would h 
 to be amputated; but the head physician would 
 not allow this as he was ill at the time with ty- 
 phoid fever. From the ;th of April until the 
 3 1 st of September he was confined in Douglas 
 Hospital at Washington, D. C. On October 1, 
 186;, Mr. Heaton returned home and began teach- 
 ing while his arm was still in a sling, following 
 that profession for two terms. Owing to ill health 
 he resigned, and for four years worked at the 
 carpenter's trade, but on the expiration of that 
 period he resumed farming, which he has since 
 continued with most gratifying result- He also 
 conducts a general store at his place on the Marsh 
 creek road, in Boggs township, and is a most 
 reliable and wide-awake business man. 
 
 Mr. Heaton uniformly votes the Democratic 
 ticket, and is a stanch advocate of free silver. 
 Being an influential, public-spirited citizen, he 
 takes a prominent part in public affairs, and has 
 most acceptably served as overseer of the poor 
 and supervisor ol his township. Socially, he is 
 connected with the Grange, the t. O O. F . and 
 the G. A. R., while both himself and wife have 
 been consistent members of the Haptist Church 
 for over forty years. At the present time winter 
 of 1897 8), he is engaged in erecting a Baptist 
 church building, which is approaching comple- 
 tion, and will cost altogether about $1,200. On 
 March 24, 1S50, he was immersed by Ke\ D 
 \\ Hunter, which faithful minister labored for 
 six years at Milesburg, where he began his first 
 charge. The first candidates he led into the Bap- 
 tismal water- was Mr. Heaton's sister, Jane 1 
 Williams, and his 1 Mr. Heaton's) paternal grand- 
 mother, who was in her seventieth year at the 
 time, that was m December, 1 S49, then on March 
 24. following year, Mr Heaton's father and him- 
 self were immersed. In 1889 Rev. I) W. Hut 
 
 to Milesburg ami baptized two of 
 
 Mr, Heaton's daughters (now Mrs. Neff and M 
 Eckley, respectively , from which time on Mi 
 Hunter advised them to build a house of worship, 
 and Mr. I baton then generously commenced tbi 
 
 d Work as above related i, which has I- 
 slowly but steadily progressing as his 
 would permit, and when completed it i> his in- 
 tention to -rant the deed of the church building 
 to the Centn 'ion. 
 
 The hospitable home of Mr. and Mrs Heaton 
 is ever open for the reception of their m 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 389 
 
 friends, and the family hold a high position in 
 the social circles of the community, where they 
 are so widelv and favorably known. 
 
 WILLIAM HESS. Among the substantial 
 and enterprising business men of Philips- 
 burg, whose names are spattered through the 
 pages of this volume, none are more worthy of 
 mention than the gentleman whose name intro- 
 duces this biographical notice. He is one of the 
 leading grocery merchants of that city. A native 
 of Centre county, he was born in Haines town- 
 ship, February 27, 1S31, a son of Michael and 
 Margaret (Musser) Hess, who spent their entire 
 lives there. Only two children were born to 
 them, the other being Harriet, now the widow of 
 Jonathan Stover, a machinist by trade. 
 
 When our subject was only three months old 
 his father died, and his mother afterward mar- 
 ried the latter 's brother, Samuel Hess. They 
 became the parents of six children: Jonathan, a 
 retired merchant of Williamsport, Penn. : Lydia, 
 widow of Samuel Stover; Sarah, deceased; Mary. 
 wife of Frederick Bostorf, a retired farmer of 
 Pine Grove, Centre county; and Samuel, de- 
 ceased. The father of these children served 
 as county commissioner of Centre countv in 
 185 1-2-3; he died in 1892, at the advanced age 
 of ninety-three years. The mother died in 1855, 
 at the age of fifty-seven. 
 
 Michael Hess, the paternal grandfather of our 
 subject, was a native of Germany, and during 
 the Revolutionary war came to the New World 
 with Count Raushambau in 1786, and aided the 
 Colonies in their struggle for independence. After 
 peace had been declared he located in Snyder 
 county, where he operated a flouring-mill and 
 engaged in farming. He became quite wealthy, 
 but later sold his property to an Eastern man, 
 who paid him in Continental money, which in a 
 short time was worthless. In this way he lost 
 almost everything. Subsequently he came to 
 Centre county, and purchased the farm on which 
 our subject's birth occurred, and where he spent 
 his remaining days. He married a Miss Crider. 
 
 Upon the home farm, William Hess remained 
 until sixteen years of age, when he started out to 
 seek his own livelihood, first working in a tannery 
 in Centre county for three and one-half years. 
 During the following two years he was similarly 
 employed in Lewisburg, Penn. .and then worked in 
 the lumber woods until 1873, when he returned 
 to Philipsburg, and was employed in a tannery 
 for two years. Subsequently he began contract- 
 ing and dealing in lumber, which business he car- 
 ried on until 1881, when he embarked in the 
 
 manufacture of brick. Four years later he es- 
 tablished his present store, which he has since 
 successfully conducted, receiving a liberal share 
 of public patronage. 
 
 Mr. Hess was married in Snyder county, 
 Penn., in March, 1854, to Miss Sarah Eisenhauer, 
 and they became the parents of three children: 
 Charles C. , born January 26, 1856, married Kate 
 Miller, by whom he has seven children; he is a 
 gardener and florist of Philipsburg. W. Frank, 
 born August 31, 1870, married Annie Swaggart, 
 and has one son, William H. ; Frank is now serv- 
 ing as manager in his father's store, and is chair- 
 man of the Democratic club of Philipsburg, and 
 county auditor. Ida M., born May 19, 1861, is 
 the wife of C. J. Rothrock; a carpenter of Phil- 
 ipsburg, by whom she has a daughter, Ida M. 
 
 Mrs. Hess was born February 28, 1832, in 
 what was then Union county, but is now Sny- 
 der county, Penn., and is a daughter of Abra- 
 ham and Eva (Bollander) Eisenhauer, natives of 
 Berks and Union counties, Penn., respectively. 
 The father became an extensive farmer of the 
 latter county, where both spent their remaining 
 days. They were faithful members of the Ger- 
 man Reformed Church, and in politics he was a 
 Whig. He died March 24, 1 S 7 5 , at the age of 
 eighty-one years, and his wife passed away in 
 September, 1840, at the age of forty-three. His 
 father, Martin Eisenhauer, was born in this 
 country, and was a soldier in the Continental 
 army during the Revolutionary war. By trade 
 he was a blacksmith, but spent his last years in 
 retirement, dying at the ripe old age of eighty- 
 one years. 
 
 Mrs. Hess is one of a family of ten children, in 
 order of birth as follows: Eliza, deceased wife of 
 Henry Rearick, a farmer, by whom she had six chil- 
 dren; Harry, a retired farmer of Union county, who 
 first married Hettie Agler, by whom he had 
 eleven children, and by his second marriage, 
 with Symira Baker, had one child; Catherine, 
 wife of Jacob Walter, a farmer of Michigan; Am- 
 elia, deceased wife of George Ott; Philip, who 
 died in childhood; Mary, widow of Reuben Ag- 
 ler, of Beavertovvn, Penn. ; Barbara, deceased 
 wife of William Engle, also deceased; Sarah, 
 wife of our subject; Lucinda, wife of Samuel 
 Bowen, of Snyder county; and Robert, who mar- 
 ried Elmira Nearhoof, and died upon his farm 
 in Michigan. 
 
 In 1895, Mrs. Hess met with a severe acci- 
 dent, slipping on the ice in front of her home; 
 she has since had to use crutches, but the doctor 
 thinks she will fully recover; otherwise both she 
 and her husband enjoy excellent health. They 
 are worthy and devoted members of the Method- 
 
890 
 
 COMMBMORA T1YI-: BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 ist Episcopal Church, am] have the respect and 
 esteem of all who know them. Politically, Mr. 
 Hess is a firm supporter of the Democratic party, 
 and advocates the free coinage of silver. His 
 business career and his private life are alike 
 above reproach, and his history is that of a man 
 who has faithfully performed all duties and been 
 true to the trust reposed in him. 
 
 'ENKY A.SNYDER. Similar to a founda- 
 JTA tion stone which holds its place under an 
 important structure, the subject of this sketch 
 occupies an immovable position among the solid 
 and reliable business men of Eagle ville, Centre 
 county, where he is a successful dealer in drugs, 
 stationery and tobacco. He was born in Beaver 
 county, Penn., November 28, 1833, and comes 
 of good old Revolutionary stock, his paternal 
 great-grandfather having served in that struggle. 
 His grandparents, John and Elizabeth (Kaup) 
 Snyder, were natives of Snyder county, this 
 
 te, as were also his parents, Wilhelm and Mar- 
 garet (Marshall) Snyder, but it was then a part 
 of Northumberland county. While a resident of 
 the same county, the maternal grandfather, John 
 Marshall, was drowned in the Susquehanna river 
 when on his way to market; his wife departed 
 this life in Libert)' township, Centre county. 
 
 The parents of our subject spent the last 
 years of their life in Eagleville, the father dying 
 January 18, 1895, aged eighty-six years, and the 
 mothei in [866. Both held membership in the 
 Baptist Church, and in politics he v rong 
 
 Republican, on which ticket he was elected to 
 several offices of honor and trust. Bj occupa- 
 tion he was a sawyei 
 
 Henry A. Snyder is the second in order of 
 birth in the family of seven children, thi 
 
 ng as follows: Mary, wife of Richard Berry- 
 hill, a coach maker and merchant oi Beach 
 Creek, Centre county; Sarah E., a resident of 
 Eagleville; Margaret, wife oi Roland Smith, a 
 farmer of the Stair of Washington; William H., 
 who will be more fully spoken of farther on; 
 I i" in 1 A . who is engaged in clerking in State 
 College, Centre county; and Lydia E., deceased 
 wife of Daniel W. Glossner, a carpenter of 
 
 leville. There were also two other children 
 who died in infam 
 
 Until he was twenty-two years of age, Mr. 
 Snyder, the subject of this review, still made his 
 hi'ine with his parents, and in the meantime at- 
 10I and assisti'd in the labors ol the 
 farm. At the age of nineteen be began teaching, 
 which profession he successfully followed for 
 three years, and then began his business career 
 
 as a clerk in a mercantile establishment in Beach 
 Creek, where he remained for seven years. He 
 then served as agent for the Bald Eagle Valley 
 railroad at that place and Eagleville for six years, 
 after which he < 1 in clerking and working 
 
 in the lumber woods until 1889, when he estab- 
 lisned his present business in Eagleville, where 
 he has made his home since 1866. Eor some 
 time he was the only telegraph operator between 
 Lock Haven and Bellefonte, Penn., serving in 
 that capacity before the railroad was constructed. 
 The business interests of his village are well rep- 
 resented by him, and he deserves a leading place 
 ong the progressive and prominent merchants 
 of Centre county. 
 
 Mr. Snyder was married at Beach Creek, in 
 May, [862, to Miss Susan E. Linn, who was 
 born at that place in 1840, a daughter of Joseph 
 and Elizabeth ("James) Linn, residents of ( In 
 county, Penn., where the former died, but wl 
 the latter is still living. He was a farmer by oc- 
 cupation, a Democrat in politics, and a ('insist- 
 ent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
 to which Mrs. Linn also belongs. Four children 
 blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Snyder. 
 namely: Cora B., at home; Maud E., wife of 
 Charles Foster, a railroad mail agent residing m 
 State College-; Harry B., a bookkeeper for a 
 lumber firm in New York City; and Mabel <i 
 at home. An enterprising, wide-awake, business 
 man, Mr. Snyder endeavors to keep abreast with 
 the tunes, is well posted on current event.- and 
 issues, and gives his support to worths' enl 
 prises which have for their object the welfare of 
 tin community. Socially he 1- a promini 
 member of the odd Fellows Lodge and the Grand 
 Army Post, No. 302, both of Eagleville, while 
 politically he is an ardent supporter of Kepubh 
 principles. 
 
 William H. Snyder, the brother of our sub- 
 was born m Snyder county, Februarj 
 1843, and remained at home until I 860, when he 
 began work for ('■ W I uffer, 1 hiel engineer I 
 the Pennsylvania railroad, with whom he 
 m. lined until [881, when th.it gentleman retifl 
 Mr. Snyder then served as division engineer with 
 the Beach Creek railroad lor tin- 
 a year and a half engaged in contracting on the 
 Clearfield & Mahoning railroad. At different 
 times he has also been with other railroad com- 
 panies. During the battle of Gettysburg he« 
 engaged in surveying a railroad to be constructed 
 to that place for the purpose of carrying ammu- 
 nition and troops, and was obliged to work ni; 
 and day. On January I, t882, he was in. uri- 
 111 Eagleville, to Miss I. aura E. Spray, and tl; 
 have three children: William B., Helen V. an I 
 
 . 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 391 
 
 John M. Like his brother, he is an ardent sup- 
 porter of the Republican party; socially he is a 
 member of the Order of Elks and of the F. & 
 A. M. 
 
 E\ZEKIEL CONFAIR, a prominent lumber 
 '/ dealer and agriculturist residing on the Can- 
 ada road, in Boggs township, Centre county, is a 
 man of marked influence in that locality. He is 
 connected either by descent or marriage with a 
 number of well-known families of this section, 
 and is himself a native of Howard township, 
 Centre county, having been born there June 30, 
 
 1839. 
 
 On the paternal side the first ancestor to set- 
 tle in this locality was his grandfather, Philip 
 Confair, a native of Germany who came at an 
 early day with his wife, Elizabeth, who was born 
 in Ireland, passing their last years in Centre 
 county. Their son, Philip, Jr., was born there, 
 and became by occupation an agriculturist in 
 Howard township, engaging also quite extensively 
 in tar burning. He was active in local affairs as 
 a Democrat, and was a leading member of the 
 Disciple Church, as was also his wife, Margaret 
 Wants, a native of Centre county, and a daugh- 
 ter of John and Margaret Wants. She died De- 
 cember 30, 1888, aged seventy-four, and on De- 
 cember 2, 1890, at the advanced age of ninety 
 years, he followed her to the unseen world. To 
 this estimable couple fourteen children wereborn: 
 Samuel (deceasd), who married and had one 
 child; Mary (deceased), who married George B. 
 Lucas, of Howard township, Centre county; 
 Michael, a farmer in Howard township; Philip, 
 a farmer in Curtin township, Centre county; 
 Henry, a farmer and lumberman in Clearfield 
 county; Philinda, widow of Henry Handless, 
 and a resident of Clearfield county; Ezekiel, our 
 subject; Margaret, who died when fifteen months 
 old; Lavina (deceased), formerly the wife of 
 John Mann, of Clinton county; Emeline (de- 
 ceased), who married Henry Antis, of Centre 
 county; Franklin, a farmer in Howard township, 
 Centre county; Nicholas, now residing at the 
 old homestead; and Elizabeth, wife of William 
 Unguard, of Watsontown, Northumberland coun- 
 ty, Pennsylvania. 
 
 Ezekiel Confair's early life was spent at the 
 old homestead, and the public schools of the lo- 
 cality furnished the foundation of a good practi- 
 cal education. On December 8, 1859, he was 
 united in marriage with Miss Charity A. Packer, 
 and soon after established his home upon a 
 rented farm in the same township, belonging to 
 Hiram Baker. Three years later he rented a 
 
 farm in that township from Gov. Packer, and 
 after four years there he moved to Boggs town- 
 ship, where, after occupying and renting prop- 
 erty for five years, he purchased (in 1873) his 
 present estate, a fine farm of 158 acres. In 
 July, 1865, he was drafted, but paid $300 to the 
 government for a substitute. Socially, he is a 
 leading member of the Grange at Milesburg, and 
 in religious faith, since the age of thirteen he has 
 been connected with the U. B. Church, with 
 which his wife united when sixteen years old. 
 In his political affiliations he is a Democrat. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Confair have had thirteen chil- 
 dren, whose names with dates of birth are as fol- 
 lows: John R. , August 20, i860, died September 
 12, same year; Martha J., May 4, 1862, married 
 Robert B. Lucas, a farmer and lumberman of 
 Boggs township, Centre county; William H., 
 December 26, 1863, died September 12, 1864; 
 Ira, January 1, 1865, is engaged in the lumber 
 business in Boggs township; George W. , July 
 22, 1866, is a farmer in the same locality; James 
 T. , October 13, 1868, is a farmer in Curtin 
 township, Centre county; Jerome A., August 21, 
 1 87 1, is engaged in lumbering in Curtin town- 
 ship; Jessie P., December 12, 1873, is at home; 
 a daughter, April 11, 1875, died unnamed; 
 Emma L. , June 4, 1876, married John Watson, 
 a farmer of Boggs township, Centre county; 
 Irvin M. L., September 17, 1S77, Nancy E., 
 June 15, 1879, and Edward N., January 9, 1882, 
 are at home. 
 
 Mrs. Confair was born in Howard township, 
 Centre county, a daughter of Jesse P. Packer, a 
 native of Germany. The first ancestor of the 
 Packer family of whom we have record was Aaron 
 Packer, Mrs. Confair's great-grandfather, who 
 married Mary Phipps, a native of the Province of 
 Maine, and a sister of Sir William Phipps, who 
 figured prominently in the history of Massachu- 
 setts, and was Governor of that State in the lat- 
 ter part of the seventeenth century. He followed 
 the sea for some time, and was knighted by King 
 James on account of his search for sunken treas- 
 ure. Having gone to London and obtained an 
 . audience of the King, he told him of vast wealth 
 lying beneath certain waters. The King listened 
 attentively, and approving the plan outlined for 
 the recovery of the prize, he appointed Sir Will- 
 iam Phipps captain of the " Rose Algier," a vessel 
 carrying eighteen guns and ninety-five men. Thus 
 equipped, Sir William sailed from England on his 
 quest. The estate of the Phipps family in Eng- 
 land is now in litigation, and Mrs. Confair, as 
 one of the heirs, is entitled to a large fortune. 
 Jesse Packer, Mrs. Confair's grandfather, was a 
 native of Germany, and his wife, Catherine Will- 
 

 392 
 
 COMMEMOHA TITE BI0GBAPHI0A1 RECORD. 
 
 iams, was born in Ireland. Jesse Packer was a 
 leading man ol his day iii this section, and fol- 
 lowed the calling of civil engineer. 
 
 . the father of Mrs. Confair, 
 was born in Chester county, l'enn., and was 
 there married to Sarah Swisher, who was born in 
 thi Fatherland and accompanied her parents, 
 | i ph and Elizabeth (Linnes Swisher, to this 
 intry, where they remained, their last days 
 bein^ spent in Centre county. Jesse P. Packer 
 became prominent among the agriculturists of 
 Howard township. Centre county, where he died 
 September 9, 1874, at the- age of seventy-five. 
 His wife passed away December 2, 1884, aged 
 seventy-seven years. Ten children were born to 
 them, theii names and dates of birth being as fol- 
 lows: Michael, Jul}-, (823, Joseph, November 
 25, [826, a fanner. Nancy, August II, 1828, wife 
 of James 1*. Haines, a lumberman, and John, 
 August 16, 1 83 1. a farmer by occupation, all re- 
 side in Howard township, t ■ • 1 1 1 re county; Cath- 
 erine. August 29, 1 S 3 4 . married James Packer, 
 of Curtin township; Rowland, June 27, 1837, 
 was drowned at the age of fourteen; Charity A., 
 August 10, [840, married Mr. Confair; Jane, July 
 1 S43 . resides at Howard, and Susan 'I"., 
 August 8, 1846, married Ira Packer, a farmer in 
 Mrl ,eod ci iunty, Minnesota, 
 
 Mtl HAEL M. FISHBURN. Among the 
 progressive and industrious farmers of Ben- 
 
 ner township. Centre county, the subject of this 
 sketch occii| ominent and honorable posi- 
 
 tion. A son of Jacob and Mary Ann M<> 
 Fish burn, In- was horn in Dauphin county, Penn. , 
 in [827, and in [832 was brought to Centre 
 counts-, with whose interests he has >iiice been 
 it died. lie is the second in order of birth in 
 a family of five children, the others being Henrj 
 
 J. . Jacob, Anna \l. and William H. 
 
 Philip Fishburn, the grandfather ol Michael 
 M , was a native "i Pennsylvania. Heserved in 
 the Revolutionary war, was a farmer of Dauphin 
 counts, where his death occurred about the year 
 18411. I lis son Jacob, our subject's father, was 
 born mi Dauphin county, and at his death, in 
 [889, had a farm of some 197 acres of land in 
 Centre county. On coming to the latter coun- 
 ty in [832, he settled near where Michael M. 
 now resides. He was a man of honor and in- 
 tegrity and a good citizen; a member of the Lu- 
 theran Church, and, in politics, first a Whig, 
 then a Democrat. His wife died in 1883. 
 Michael M. Fishburn had but meagre educa- 
 tional advantages. He remained with his father 
 until twenty-seven years of age, then went with 
 
 an uncle, Felix Burkholder, who resided in Penn's 
 Valley, with whom he learned the trade of a 
 miller, remaining one and a half years, and re- 
 ceiving for his services sixty-five dollars. He 
 then returned home, and in connection with his 
 brother worked the home farm for two years. 
 He next moved to Jacksonville, in Walker town- 
 ship, and for three years rented a farm there and 
 followed agriculture as an occupation. After 
 the expiration of this time he went to College 
 township, and for twelve years resided on a farm 
 o| [25 acres which he rented of Major Reynolds, 
 and during that period he b< ;hteen acres 
 
 of the farm on which he now resides, since which 
 he has added to it forty acres, making fifty-eight 
 acres in all. 
 
 In 1857, Mr. Fishburn was man led to Cath- 
 erine Rossman, who was born in Potter town- 
 ship, Penn's Valley, March 11, 1833, a daughter 
 of Jonathan R. and Rebecca (Fie) Rossman, the 
 former of whom, born in 1815, died in 1866, and 
 the latter, born in 1810, died in 1X82, the | 
 ents of eleven children, namely: Catherine, 
 Elizabeth, Sarah, May. Susan, Henry, John, 
 Margaret, Michael, Calvin, and one that died in 
 infancy. Our subject and his wife have had no 
 children. He has been a lifelong Democrat, and 
 takes an interest in political affairs. He is a 
 member of the German Reformed Church, and 
 his upright moral character and sterling worth 
 have won him the confidence and high regard of 
 all who know him. 
 
 OWARD M. STUART. Anion;,' the lead- 
 -ITA ing and influential agriculturists of Huston 
 township, Centre county, who thoroughly under- 
 
 j stand their business, and pursue the a\ 
 of their lives in a methodical and workmanlike 
 
 1 manner, is the subject of this biography, whose 
 farm is in the Bald Eagle Valley on the Bald 
 I lagle plank road. He was born September 
 [854, in that same township, one mile from his 
 present home, and continued under the parental 
 roof until after the death of his parenC, when he 
 assumed charge of the farm, and has since suc- 
 cessfully engaged in agricultural pursuits 
 
 John W. Stuart, father of our subject, w 
 native of Blair county, Penn., and a son of Will- 
 iam and Hannah Stuart, who spent their entire 
 lives in that county. On reaching manhood he 
 married Patience Williams, who was born in 
 Centre county, a daughter of George and Han- 
 nah Williams. Her parents were also nativi 
 Centre county, and lived upon the present farm 
 of our subject, which has been in the Willi. 1 
 family for years. By occupation John W S 
 
MICHAEL M. FISHBURN. 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 893 
 
 was a farmer and carpenter, but was principally 
 engaged in the latter pursuit. On coming to 
 Centre county in 1846 he located in Huston 
 township, and for five years engaged in merchan- 
 dising. Here his death occurred October 3, 
 1893, when he was aged eighty-five years, six 
 months and four days, and his wife passed away 
 September 1, 1894, at the age of eighty-three 
 years, three months and six days. They were 
 both earnest and consistent members of the 
 Baptist Church, and in politics he was a Repub- 
 lican. Of their four children, John died when 
 young, and Alice and Junietta died in infancy, 
 our subject, therefore, being the only one living. 
 
 On October 12, 1874, Howard M. Stuart, our 
 subject, was married to Miss Elizabeth J. Mc- 
 Donald, and they have seven children, whose 
 names and dates of births are as follows: Annie 
 P., January 25, 1876; Alda B., February 20, 
 1879; Allie J., Octobers, 1881 ; Hannah, June 19, 
 1884; Bardens, June 19, 1889; John W., August 
 1, 1893; and Harry, August 6, 1895. All are 
 still with their parents, though Annie P. is now 
 the wife of J. R. Williams, a school teacher, by 
 whom she has one son, Theodore, born Septem- 
 ber 1, 1894. 
 
 Mrs. Stuart was born in Huston township, 
 Centre county, August 12, 1859, and is a daugh- 
 ter of Alexander and Sarah (Records) McDonald, 
 also natives of Centre county, the former born 
 in 1 83 1, and the latter in 1829, in Huston town- 
 ship, where they still reside. The father was a 
 member of the Union army during the Civil war, 
 and was wounded in battle. Throughout his 
 business career he has followed farming and lum- 
 bering. His parents John and Elizabeth (Ir.vin) 
 McDonald, were natives of Clearfield county, 
 Penn., but spent their last days upon a farm in 
 Centre county. The maternal grandfather of 
 Mrs. Stuart was William Records. To Alexan- 
 der and Sarah McDonald were born eight chil- 
 dren, namely: Joseph, now a farmer of Clear- 
 field county; Abner, a farmer of Huston town- 
 ship, Centre county; Elizabeth J., the honored 
 wife of our subject; Alexander, a railroad engin- 
 eer residing at Blairville, Westmoreland Co., 
 Penn.; Emma, at home; Mary, wife of a Mr. 
 Lane, a farmer of Iowa; Nora, wife of Calvin 
 Hall, a carpenter of Clearfield county; and one 
 who died in infancy. 
 
 Mr. Stuart exercises his right of franchise in 
 support of the men and measures of the Repub- 
 lican party, and has served his fellow citizens in 
 the capacity of supervisor and overseer of the 
 poor as well as school director. He was first 
 appointed to fill an unexpired term as overseer, 
 and so acceptably did he discharge the duties of 
 
 that office that he has twice been re-elected, and 
 is the present incumbent. He holds member- 
 ship in the Grange of Unionville, Penn., and 
 both himself and wife are members of the Bap- 
 tist Church. They are representative and valued 
 citizens of the community in which their entire 
 lives have been passed, and none are held in 
 higher regard. 
 
 w 
 
 ALTER O'BRYAN is one of the most 
 active and energetic agriculturists of Col- 
 lege township, Centre county. His grandfather, 
 Daniel O'Bryan, a native of Ireland, came to the 
 United States when in his "teens," and kept an 
 inn — a sort of half-way house — at Pine Grove, 
 between Bellefonte and Huntingdon, Penn. 
 There he died in 1880, at a ripe old age. In 
 his family were three children: Nancy, who be- 
 came the wife of Walter Graham, a stage owner, 
 and died in Bellefonte in 1883; James, the father 
 of our subject; and Martha, wife of William 
 Butz, of California. 
 
 James O'Bryan was born at Pine Grove in 
 1 814. He received very ordinary educational 
 advantages, but became a well-informed man, 
 and engaged in teaching in early life. In 1840 
 he opened a hotel in Pine Grove, where he died 
 in 1868, of typhoid fever. In 1838 he married 
 Miss Sarah Wingard, and they became the parents 
 of eight children: Mrs. Mary Wingart, who for 
 some time lived in Michigan, but is now a resi- 
 dent of Huntingdon, Penn. ; George, who was 
 born in 1838, and is engaged in merchandising in 
 Adrian, Mich.; Daniel, who was born in 1840, 
 and died during his service in the Union army; 
 Walter, the subject of this review; James, who 
 was born in 1844, and is a cabinetmaker of 
 Bellefonte; Sarah, who was born in 1846, and 
 died in Pine Grove in 1887; Joseph, who was 
 born in 1848, and is a contractor of Detroit; 
 and Nancy, who was born in 1851, and is now 
 Mrs. Glasgow, living near Anderson, Mifflin Co., 
 Pennsylvania. 
 
 The early home of our subject was near Yel- 
 low Springs, Blair Co., Penn., where he died 
 May 29, 1842. In the schools of Pine Grove he 
 received a very meagre education, his first teacher 
 being Mrs. Margaret Patton, and at the age of 
 fifteen he began learning the miller's trade, which 
 he followed for eight years in Pennsylvania Fur- 
 nace. Subsequently he worked at lumbering in 
 Clearfield county, this State, for two years, and 
 then started on a prospecting tour through the 
 Northwest, returning home April 14, 1867. 
 
 On October 4, of the same year, Mr. 
 O'Bryan was united in marriage with Miss Char- 
 
394 
 
 COMMEMOHA TIVK /!/<», IIM'IW M. Uh'DRD. 
 
 lotte Lytle, a daughter of Picrcel and Lydia 
 (Johnsonbau^h Lytle, who resided near Pine 
 Grove. Three children graced this union: 
 James Piercel, born May i, 1869, is at home; 
 Gertrude, born July 21, 1873, is the wife of 
 1 1' uner Decker, a fanner living near Bellefonte; 
 and George, born September 29, 1878, is a stu- 
 dent at the State College. After his marriage, 
 Mr. O'Bryan purchased his present farm in Col- 
 lege township of ninety-five acres, pleasantly 
 situated on Whitehall road one-half mile south 
 of State College. He has converted the place 
 into one of the best farms of the locality, placing 
 the fields under a high state of cultivation and 
 making many excellent improvements. 
 
 In his political views Mr O'Bryan isa Demo- 
 crat but takes no active part in politics aside from 
 voting. Socially he was formerly a member of 
 the Knights of Pythias lodge at Bellefonte, and 
 now holds membership in Oak Hall Grange No. 
 169; in religious belief he is a worthy mem- 
 ber of the Presbyterian Church. He has con- 
 formed his conduct to the old maxim that honest\ 
 is the best polity, and to-day no one is held in 
 higher esteem in College township than Walter 
 van. 
 
 SOLOMON D. TICE, one of the self-made 
 J men and leading farmers of Howard town- 
 ship. Centre county, commenced life with a cash 
 capital of ten cents. He now represents a \ 
 valuable property, all of which he has accumu- 
 lated through his own perseverance and indus- 
 try, guided by sound judgment and resistless will 
 power. 
 
 In Miami counts. Ohio, Mr. Tire was born 
 October 9, 1848, a son of George and Susannah 
 (Dohner) lice, who were natives of Lebanon 
 county, Perm., but were married in Miami coun- 
 ty. Ohio, where they continued to make their 
 home throughout th under of their lives. 
 
 During his younger years the father followed the 
 carpenter's trade, hut later gave his attention to 
 farming. Both were members of the River 
 Brethren in Christ Church, and in politics he 
 was identified with the Republican party, on 
 which ticket he was elected to several township 
 offices of honor and trust. He died Jul) i~\ 
 1SS7, at the age of eighty-five years, and the 
 mother of our subject died in 1854, at the age of 
 forty- two. After her death he had wedded 
 Sarah Myers, and when she, too, was called iwaj 
 he married Mary Musselman. His parents, 
 George and Elizabeth Tice, were natives of 
 Sw it/erland, and on coming to the United States 
 located upon a farm in Lebanon county, Penn., 
 
 where they spent their remaining days. The 
 maternal grandparents of our subject. Rev. Chris- 
 tian and Mary iLong) Dohner. were natives of 
 Lebanon county, but at an early date emigrated 
 to Ohio, where the grandfather served as a min- 
 ister of the River Brethren Church. 
 
 ■ht children were born to the parents of 
 our subject: Jonah, a railroad contractor resid- 
 ing in Ohio; Noah (deceased); Mary, deceased 
 wife of Samuel Crider, a farmer of Lebanon 
 county; Solomon D. , the subject of this sketch; 
 Levi (deceased); Elizabeth, wife of Rev. Martin 
 Heisey, a farmer and minister of the Dunkard 
 Brethren Church of Lebanon county; and Fli 
 and Aaron, both deceased. 
 
 Solomon D. Tice early became familiar with 
 agricultural pursuits upon the home farm, and 
 in the public schools of the neighborhood ac- 
 quired ins education. On attaining his majority 
 he started out in the world for himself, and has 
 since been dependent upon his own resources. 
 Although he had no capital, he was the posse- 
 of a good name, and began his farming opera- 
 tions on rented land in Lebanon county, which 
 he stocked and cultivated for five years. For 
 the same length of time he also lived upon a farm 
 in Clinton county, after which he came to How- 
 ard and worked in a gristmill for a year. He 
 th.-ii removed to his present farm in Howard 
 township; but at the end of four years returned 
 to the village, where for five years he served as 
 pike manager of the Bald Eagle, Nittany, Brush 
 & Penn's Valley Pike Road Co. .since that time, 
 however, he has made his home upon his present 
 farm, which is under a high state of cultivation 
 and well-improved with good buildings. For the 
 past twelve years he has also served as pike 
 manager, which position he has faithfully and 
 capably tilled. 
 
 ( )n December 1. 1870, Mr. Tice was married 
 to Miss Emma B. Long, and to them have been 
 born six children: Elizabeth W. and Cyrus M 
 (an engineer), at home; William A., who mar- 
 ried Maggie M. Fisher, a farmer of Howard town- 
 ship. Centre county; Ira E. , who is attending 
 the Central State Normal School at Lock Ha\ 
 Ellery \\ . , at home; and Florence, who died in 
 childhood. 
 
 Mrs. Tice was born in Nittany Valley, Clin- 
 ton Co., Penn., October 31, 185?. and is 
 daughter of Conrad and Hannah (Kaufman) 
 Long, natives of Lancaster and Centre count 
 Penn., respectively. They were married in < 
 tre county, where the father died March 
 1896. He was born August 23, 1822, in hi- 
 younger days followed boating, and later became 
 an extensive grain dealer, farmer and miller, but 
 
 , 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOORAPniCAL RECORD. 
 
 395 
 
 spent the last seven years of his life in retire- 
 ment. He also served as a minister of the River 
 Brethren Church. His faithful wife, who was 
 born November 27, 1825, still survives him, and 
 is a resident of Howard, Centre county. 
 
 Mr. Tice uniformly votes the Republican 
 ticket, and in religious faith is a consistent mem- 
 ber of the River Brethren in Christ Church. To 
 such men of progressive and liberal ideas, gener- 
 ous and benevolent in spirit, is Centre county in- 
 debted for its great prosperity. 
 
 JACOB REED, a prominent retired agricult- 
 urist, residing in Aaronsburg, ranks among 
 the leading owners of farm lands in this sec- 
 tion. In these days of selfish monopoly in land 
 it is to his credit that his extensive holdings are 
 all made productive instead of being allowed to 
 lie uncultivated for purely speculative gains. As 
 a shrewd manager and a deservedly successful 
 one, Mr. Reed has found his profits in ways 
 which promote the general good. 
 
 Mr. Reed is a native of Centre county, born 
 August 2, 1832, in Haines township, on the same 
 farm land and in the same house where his father, 
 Daniel Reed, was born and reared. Oursubject's 
 grandfather, Benjamin Reed, a carpenter, came 
 from Berks county, Penn., at an early day, and 
 as a pioneer farmer secured a tract of excellent 
 land for a permanent home, where five sons and 
 three. daughters were trained to lives of useful- 
 ness. 
 
 Daniel Reed, who was born in 1802, and was 
 among the youngest of the family, became one of 
 the substantial citizens of the locality, owning two 
 farms in Penn township, two in Haines township, 
 and one in Sugar Valley. He was more than six 
 feet in height, an industrious worker, and ex- 
 celled in the management of his enterprises. In 
 religious faith he was a Lutheran, and in politics 
 a Democrat. He was married in Berks county, 
 Penn., to Miss Elizabeth Tobias, by whom he 
 had six children, of whom, two only lived to 
 adult age; Jacob; and Rebecca, who married 
 Noah Stover, and died in Penn township, Centre 
 county. The father passed away in 1872, his 
 remains being laid to rest at Wolf's school house, 
 and the mother lived to be more than ninety years 
 old, breathing her last September 28, 1886. 
 
 Jacob Reed enjoyed the usual educational ad- 
 vantages of a country boy of his day, and the 
 contrast between his early opportunities and 
 those afforded by our present school system is 
 marked. Realizing the advantage of free educa- 
 tion to the community as well as to the individ- 
 ual, he endorses all efforts for the improvement 
 
 of our facilities in that direction. Being the only 
 boy, the work of the farm devolved upon him, as 
 his father became too feeble to carry on his busi- 
 ness, and he always resided at the old homestead 
 until 1886, when he moved to Aaronsburg, and in 
 his turn surrendered the active work of his estates 
 to other hands. He has four farms, 541 acres in 
 all, and still looks closely after their manage- 
 ment, doing the " head work" for them all to a 
 great extent. 
 
 In 1866 Mr. Reed was married in Haines 
 township, Centre county, to Miss Lydia Winkel- 
 blech, a native of that township, born June 17, 
 1843, a daughter of Adam Winkelblech, a well- 
 known farmer, and his wife, Sarah (Fisher). 
 Two children bless this union: Sarah E. , Mrs. 
 George M. Homan, of Haines township, Centre 
 county; and Amanda R., Mrs. A. Stover, of 
 Aaronsburg. \V hile Mr. Reed has gained a rep- 
 utation as an able financier, he has not been so 
 closely devoted to business as to neglect public 
 affairs. He is not desirous of official position, 
 but has always been an ardent supporter of the 
 principles of the Democratic party. He and 
 his wife are leading members of the Lutheran 
 Church. 
 
 E^LIAS HANCOCK, a general farmer, and the 
 'I present efficient superintendent of the Sab- 
 bath-school of Wallace Run, Centre county, now 
 makes his home at that place, where he is suc- 
 cessfully engaged in agricultural pursuits and also 
 in teaching. He was born in Elk county, Penn., 
 March 6, 1841, but for many years he has been 
 one of the prominent and representative citizens 
 of Centre county. 
 
 James R. and Sarah (Taylor) Hancock, par- 
 ents of our subject, and natives of Bedford and 
 Juniata counties, Penn., respectively, were mar- 
 ried in Elk county, where they continued to re- 
 side until 1866, when they removed to Boggs 
 township, Centre county. Here the mother, who 
 was born March 9, 1806, died in 1867, and the 
 father, who was born June 11, 1802, died in 
 1876. He was a cooper by trade, following the 
 same in Bedford county, but in Elk county he 
 engaged in farming, and on coming to Centre 
 county lived retired. In early life he was a 
 Whig in politics, later a Republican, and for 
 many years served as supervisor of Fox town- 
 ship, Elk county. 
 
 Our subject is one of a family of eleven chil- 
 dren, namely: William T., born August 4, 
 1824, died when young; Mary, born April 12, 
 1826, married Jacob Taylor, but both are now 
 deceased; Sarah, born April 9, 1828, is the de- 
 

 ini/i// MoiiATIVB BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 ceased wife of George Taylor, of Central City, 
 Perm.; James, born August 19, 1830, Josiah, 
 born October 20, 1832, George W., born March 
 9, 1835, and Elizabeth, born July jo, 1836, are 
 all deceased; Joel, born June 1, 1839, is a farmer 
 of Nebraska; Elias and Eliza (twins) were born 
 March 6, [841, and the latter is now the wife of 
 James R. Green, of Elk county; and Benjamin 
 F. , born October 6, 1843, is deceased. 
 
 Until sevetneen years of age, Prof. Hancock 
 assisted in the labors of the farm, but at that 
 time met with a painful accideut. While en- 
 gaged in chopping down a tree with two others, 
 he slipped and fell, his hand going under the axe, 
 which his brother-in-law was just bringing down, 
 his right hand being severed at the wrist, and 
 for three months he was confined to his bed. 
 On his recovery he began teaching in Elk coun- 
 ty, which profession he there followed some 
 eight terms. In the meantime, however, he 
 attended the State Normal College at New 
 York for one term. He has since engaged in 
 teaching in the schools of Centre counts', where 
 in the spring of [896 he finished his fortieth term. 
 For three terms he did net follow the profession, 
 his time bein^; spent as si hool director, collector 
 and treasurer of the school board. He has 
 proved a most competent ami able instructor, 
 and holds high rank among the leading educators 
 of the county. 
 
 On April 7, [870, Mr. Hancock was married 
 to Mis- M.u\ E. Taylor, by whom he has two 
 children: Edward R., who was born April 4, 
 187 1, and is now engaged in teaching in Hoggs 
 township; and Sarah B., born August 20, 1878, 
 at home. Mrs. Hancock was born July 6, [843, 
 at Farmers Mills, Centre county, of which coun- 
 ty her parents, Thomas |. and Sarah ( Human 1 
 Taylor, were also natives, and there the mother 
 died February [4, r86l, at the age of thirty- 
 nine years; the father, who was bom August 2, 
 iSjo, now makes Ins home at Unionville, l'enn. 
 For se\' us during early life he also en- 
 
 gaged in teaching, later followed clerking, book- 
 keeping and photographing; then conducted a 
 hotel at I nionville; but is now engaged inweav- 
 ing carpets. He is a member of the Baptist 
 Church, in politics is a Democrat, and has held 
 a number of local offices of honor and trust. His 
 parents, George and Mary (Dunlap) Taylor, 
 spent their entire lives in Centre county. 
 
 Mrs. Hancock is the eldest in the family, the 
 others being as follows: Sarah E., wife of 
 Charles McGlocklin, superintendent of coal mines 
 in Clearfield county, Perm.; Martha J., wife of 
 Prof. H. Meyer, who was for a time superintend- 
 ent of the schools of Centre county, and now re- 
 
 sides at Rebersburg, Penn. : Susan C , who died 
 at the age of five years; orge W., who is 
 
 engaged in clerking in Bedford county, Penn. 
 The father of these children was twice married, 
 his second union being with Susan Swyers, by 
 whom he has one daughter, Clara B., wile of T. 
 F. Leathers, a government employee in the print- 
 ing department at Washington, D. ('. 
 
 Prof. Hancock casts his ballot in support of 
 the men and measures of the Republican party. 
 and has most acceptably filled the offices of sup- 
 ervisor, assessor, assistant assessor, and clerk of 
 his township, holding the last position at the 
 present time. Promptness and fidelity mark the 
 discharge of all duties entrusted to his care, 
 and he has proved a most popular official. He 
 holds membership in the Presbyterian Church but 
 attends the United Brethren Church, to which 
 his children belong, while his wife is a member 
 of the Baptist Church. They are earnest, con- 
 sistent Christian people, and the son is contem- 
 plating entering the ministry. They hold a high 
 position in the social circles of the community, 
 have the confidence and respect of all who ki 
 them, and hosts of warm friends. 
 
 WILLIAM A. TOBIAS, one of the most 
 prominent citizens of Millheim, Centre 
 county, is a self-made man in the fullest sense of 
 the word. Not only has he won a financial suc- 
 cess through his own efforts, but his excellent 
 practical education has been gained mainly from 
 private stud} . 
 
 Mr. Tobias is a native of Bloomsburg, Co- 
 lumbia Co., Penn., and is a son of Rev. D S 
 Tobias, a minister of the German Reformed 
 Church, whose talents and devotion to the cause 
 of religion made him prominent in his day. 
 Reared in a rural community in Berks county, 
 Penn., where he was born March 3, 1804, Rev 
 Mr. Tobias had but limited educational advan- 
 
 es in his youth, and his preparation for his 
 chosen calling was obtained with unusual sacri- 
 fice and effort. His studies in theology « 
 directed by Rev. C. J. Hermann, and in all lines 
 his instruction was in the German language, in 
 which all his preaching was done. His first ser- 
 mon, delivered November 23, 1823, at "the 
 Swam]). " in Lancaster county, Penn., was found- 
 ed upon the first five verses of the 103d Psaltn 
 I ■'■! a time he served as a local preacher in dif- 
 ferent parts of Berks county, and his first settled 
 ■ barge was at Bloomsburg, Columbia county, in 
 1824. About 185 1 he moved to Rebersburg. 
 Centre county, where he died October 29, 1864, 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 397 
 
 in his sixty-first year. He was a small man, 
 weighing about a hundred pounds, and was never 
 robust physically, yet his mental powers were of 
 an unusually high order. He lived comfortably, 
 but never accumulated much property. In the 
 course of his active service in the ministry he 
 preached 4, 500 regular sermons, officiated at 750 
 funerals, 657 confirmations and 576 marriages. 
 He was a member of the Masonic fraternity. 
 
 On February 9, 1824, Rev. Tobias was mar- 
 ried in Berks county to Miss Elizabeth Fisher, a 
 native of that county, born July 3, 1802. She sur- 
 vived him many years, living for more than twen- 
 ty-five years in the home of our subject, where 
 she breathed her last October 13, 1891, in her 
 ninetieth year. The mortal remains of this 
 worthy couple now rest in the cemetery at 
 Aaronsburg, Centre Co., Penn. Their children 
 were ten in number, the names with dates of 
 birth being as follows: Methusalem, February 
 16, 1825, died in infancy; John F., January 28, 
 1827, was a physician at Sedalia, Mo., where he 
 died; Silisa S., August 9, 1828, is the widow of 
 P. E. Bomboy, of Espy, Columbia Co., Penn.; 
 Calvin J. R., September 29, 1830, is a railway 
 engineer residing in Keene, N. H. ; William A., 
 January 10, 1833, is mentioned more fully be- 
 low; Andrew J., February 13, 1835, resides in 
 Almedia, Columbia county; Amelia, September 
 24, 1837, married John H. Auman, of Mill- 
 heim; Snyder D., August 1, 1840, died at Mill- 
 heim, January 30, 1894; Elizabeth A., June 
 19, 1845, married Henry Miller, of Millheim; 
 and Lewis C. , July 17, 1848, resides in the same 
 town. 
 
 Mr. Tobias, our subject, first attended the 
 public schools of Bloomsburg, which were by no 
 means equal to those of the present. His un- 
 fortunate deprivation of suitable opportunities 
 for an education has deeply impressed upon him 
 the need of better schools in which all children 
 may find thorough instruction. By diligent use 
 of such means as lay within reach, he prepared 
 for teaching, and in 1858 he took charge of a 
 school in Haines township, Centre county, known 
 as " Fowler's School," at $20 per month, not in- 
 cluding board. This school was very small in 
 numbers, the average being about five. While 
 there he began to chew tobacco to put in the 
 time, which hung heavily. He had already 
 learned the harness maker's trade under Alexan- 
 der Best, at Danville, Penn., but after serving a 
 portion of his term of apprenticeship he became 
 so proficient that he began work as a journey- 
 man. In the early part of 1861, he was local 
 editor, foreman, pressman, devil and carrier, of 
 the Benvick Gazette, a weekly paper published 
 
 by A. B. Tate, at Berwick, Columbia Co., Penn- 
 sylvania. 
 
 On October 21, 1861, Mr. Tobias enlisted at 
 Bloomsburg, in Company D, 84th P. V. I., with 
 Capt. Alexander G. Frick. His first battle was 
 at Hancock, Md., and his second at Winchester, 
 Va. He was in Banks' retreat from Winchester 
 to Williamsport, Md., and after that event he 
 came home for a short time. Soon after rejoin- 
 ing the regiment at Washington, D. C. , he was 
 taken ill and sent to the hospital at Washington, 
 D. C, from there to York, Penn., and Octo- 
 ber 23, 1862, he was discharged at Baltimore, 
 Md., on a surgeon's certificate of disability. He 
 returned to Centre county, and for thirteen years 
 was engaged in teaching during the winter sea- 
 sons, chiefly the schools of Rebersburg, three 
 terms, and those of Clinton county, also three 
 terms, his vacations being devoted to other work. 
 His last term of school was in Boggs township, 
 Centre county, winter of 1874, where he received 
 $45 per month. In the fall of 1875 he was 
 elected County Recorder of Deeds of Centre 
 county for three years, and re-elected in 1878. 
 Before his term expired he was appointed by 
 the president judge of the court, C. A. Mayer, 
 to make a new index for miscellaneous papers 
 and deeds and mortgages of Centre county, 
 which occupied his time for a year, two clerks 
 helping him. In 1876 he moved to Beliefonte 
 in order to discharge conveniently the duties of 
 the office of County Recorder of Deeds. In 1882 
 he came to Millheim, where he has since resided. 
 In 1894, in company with W. H. Culverson, he 
 established a small general store at Paddy's 
 Mountain, Mifflin county, but sold out at the end 
 of a year to his partner. Prior to this he had 
 charge of a bankrupt stock of goods at Millheim. 
 He has also to some extent dealt in real estate, 
 and at the present time he is connected with the 
 Building & Loan Association, of Millheim. 
 
 Mr. Tobias has always taken an active inter- 
 est in politics, is one of the leading Democrats 
 in his section, and was a delegate to County 
 Convention several times. At present he is serv- 
 ing as president of the city council of Millheim. 
 He has a wide acquaintance, and is deservedly 
 popular, with all classes. His kindliness of heart 
 is shown in his care of his parents and for others 
 of the family who have been less fortunatethan he 
 in worldly matters. One brother, Snyder D., an 
 invalid for many years, found a home with him also 
 during his last days, and passed away there. 
 Our subject's intellect is acute and active, and 
 he is gifted as a writer, finding much enjoyment 
 in corresponding for various papers. Frater- 
 nally, he belongs to W. W. Bierly Post No. 298, 
 

 I OMMEMORATIVB BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 <. A. EL, at Millheim, and to Centre Lodge No. 
 153, I. O. O. F., at Belief on te; was initiated at 
 Lock Haven, Penn., in Great Island i No. 
 
 I O.O. I ; .. iii [863, and transferred to Cen- \ 
 tre Lod{ 153, Bellefonte, in 1876; he was 
 
 formerly a member of the Knights of Pythias and 
 the Order of Red Men, but as neither had a lod 
 in the county he withdrew after a time. In 
 
 he made an application for pension under 
 the Act of June 27. was examined and rejected. 
 On August 4, [897, he was again examined, and 
 on November 16, 1S97. his pension was granted, 
 $10 per month and 55 months and 25 days back 
 pay. Mr. Tobias has never married 
 
 JEROME A ( ONFER is engaged in general 
 farming on the Marsh Creek road, in Hoggs 
 township, Centre county, and is one of that 
 honorable class of self-made men who owe their 
 success in life to their own efforts. His energy, 
 perseverance and capable management have been 
 the essential factors in his prosperity, and the 
 record of his career furnishes an example which 
 might profitably be followed by many others. A 
 native of Centre county, he was born August 31, 
 1S40, a son of Richard and Margaret T. (Packer) 
 Confer, who wen- also natives of Centre comity. 
 The father was a miller by trade, and followed 
 that pursuit throughout his entire life. His 
 political support was given the Democracy. He 
 died in 1846, at the early age of thirty-two years, 
 and his wife who still survives him, is now li, 
 in Jefferson county, Penn., where she located in 
 1856. She was born November 4, 1823. They 
 had four -mis. namely: Jason who is living in 
 Jefferson county; William, of Potter county, 
 this State; Jerome A : and John, of Centre 
 
 No event of special importance marked the 
 boyhood days of [erome A. Confer, who re- 
 mained with his mother until twenty years of 
 when he was married and began working in 
 
 lumber woods. H nployed until 
 
 1N75. when he turned his attention to farming 
 and located at his present home. For .1 year he 
 rented and then purchased his farm, which com- 
 prises [84 a good land, the greater part 
 of it being under a high state of cultivation and 
 yielding to the owner a golden tribul turn 
 for the care and cultivation >ws upon it. 
 In the midst of the well-tilled Gelds stands a 
 handsome residence, while good barns and out- 
 buildings have been provided for the care of 
 grain and stock. 
 
 On September 20, t86o. Mr. Confer was 
 united in marriage with Margaret Elizabeth 
 
 Walker, who was born in Boggs township, on 
 May 5, 1844, a daughter of James and Rachel 
 (Heaton) Walker, also natives of Centre county. 
 I 1 many years the father was engaged in the 
 lumber business in Snow Shoe township, but 
 his last years v oted to farming. He 
 
 a member of the Baptist Church, and in pol- 
 itics was a Democrat. He died January 8, 1 • 
 at the age of seventy-seven; his wife, who was 
 born February 16, 1S1S, is still living. They 
 were parents of ten children, as follows: Mary 
 J. is the deceased wife of P. Slacker, of Miles- 
 burg, Penn.: James W. is also deceased: Mrs. 
 Confer; John is deceased; Isaiah, twin brother of 
 John, is a resident of Centre county; Edward H. 
 and Miles are also residents of that county; I 
 lor is in McKean county, Penn.; Eliza is the wife 
 I 1 rank Strickland, of Jefferson county. Penn.: 
 and Harvey is deceased. The grandparents of 
 Mrs. Confer were Jacob and Margaret Walker, 
 natives of Centre county and Germany, resj 
 ively; both died in this county. The maternal 
 grandparents. Enoch and Eve Heaton, were for 
 residents of Centre county. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Confer have a family of twelve 
 children: Rachel M., born February 10, 181 
 is the wife of frvin Butler, of Boggs township; 
 Susan M., born May 9, 1863, is now deceased; 
 Mary E., born August 8, 1865, is the wife of 
 Wilson Heaton, of Milesburg; Anna, born Ma) 
 22, 1867. died in infancy; Richard S., born Au- 
 gust 19, 1868, is living in Milesburg, Penn.. 
 fames E., of Milesburg, was born Septembers, 
 1870; Alma, born May 22, 1873. is deceased; 
 Lydia M.. born May 5, 1874, is also deceased; 
 Clara M.. born June 20, 1876. has also passed 
 away; Nelson A. was born April 20, 1878; Fthel 
 I was born August 12, i88o; Gertrude E. was 
 born May 20, 1885; and Fannie M. was born 
 August 28, 1887. 
 
 Mr. Confer is a man of great energy, of strong 
 determination and resolute purpose, and carries 
 forward to successful completion whatever li 
 undertakes. All that he possesses he has 
 cured through his own efforts, and his prosperiU 
 is certainly well merited. 
 
 CI 1. MALLORY. the efficient manager of the 
 Kreamervil mery, ranks among 
 
 self-made men oi Miles township, Centre county, 
 who from humble circumstances has worked his 
 way upward. He has had very little tinr 
 spend in idleness, and when not busy with his 
 hands has added to his store of knowledge, 
 thus kept well posted on current events. 
 
 Mr. Mallory comes of New England and 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 399 
 
 Scotch-Irish extraction, and was born in Miles 
 township, January 21, 1855, a son of James B. 
 and Elizabeth (Reed) Mallory. His paternal 
 grandfather, Isaac Mallory, was a Yankee from 
 Connecticut, who during pioneer days came to 
 Centre county. While en route for the West, he 
 and his family stopped at Milesburg, where was 
 born the father of our subject, and in the mean- 
 time the grandfather sought employment in the 
 numerous iron works of this section. 
 
 His parents being poor, James B. Mallory was 
 bound out to Mr. Sheets, a blacksmith of Sugar 
 Valley, when quite young, and after learning the 
 trade established a shop of his own in Rebers- 
 burg, where he carried on business until his death, 
 dying at the age of eighty years. He married 
 Elizabeth Reed, who was born in Williamsport, 
 Penn., and whose father was a splendid speci- 
 men of physical manhood, six feet, six inches in 
 height, and was a "stiff" Presbyterian. Mrs. 
 Mallory was also about eighty years of age at the 
 time of her death, and they now sleep side by 
 side in the Rebersburg cemetery. They held 
 membership in the Evangelical Church, and, 
 politically, Mr. Mallory was identified with the 
 Democratic party. Although he started out in 
 life a poor boy, he succeeded in acquiring a com- 
 fortable home and competence. 
 
 Our subject is sixth in order of birth in the 
 family of seven children, the others being as fol- 
 lows: Jeremiah was a blacksmith of Rebersburg, 
 where he died from the effects of a hammer ac- 
 cidentally striking his knee; W. J., formerly a 
 school teacher, is now a silver and copper mine 
 owner of Arizona; Jane is the wife of Henry 
 Shool, of Rebersburg; Ellen, the wife of Charles 
 F. Dubbs, an operator on the Chicago, Rock 
 Island & Pacific railroad, died in March, 1883; 
 Belle is the wife of J. W. Cole, of Loganton, 
 Penn.; Catharine married Frank Snyder, who 
 was killed by a falling tree, and she later wedded 
 Daniel Stabley. 
 
 On reaching a sufficient age, Mr. Mallory, the 
 subject of this review, entered the schools of 
 Rebersburg, his first teacher being R. M. Magee, 
 and after attending the common schools for some 
 time was a student in the New Berlin Seminary 
 (now the Central Pennsylvania College). Previ- 
 ously he had also pursued his studies in the County 
 Normal at Rebersburg, and as he learned well 
 and rapidly was able to begin teaching at the age 
 of sixteen. His first school was on Pine creek, 
 in Haines township, Centre county, and was an 
 exceedingly hard one, where his predecessor had 
 signally failed; but he was so successful that he 
 at once established his reputation as a teacher, 
 although so young. He had many scholars older 
 
 than himself, and physically much his superior; but 
 under his able direction the school became one 
 of the most orderly in the township. For four- 
 teen years he successfully followed the teacher's 
 profession, and during his course in the New 
 Berlin Seminary paid his tuition by teaching 
 some of the lower classes. After an attack of 
 pneumonia, his physician advised him to aban- 
 don the profession, and going to Antesfort, Ly- 
 coming Co., Penn., he served under a skilled 
 creamery manufacturer. He then located at 
 Spring Mills, where he took charge of the cream- 
 ery which hesuccessfullyconducted for two years, 
 after which as an employee of R. G. Eisenhart, 
 of Horseheads, N. Y. , he built the creamery at 
 Kreamerville, which he now operates. 
 
 On January 11, 1880, in Brush Valley, Mr. 
 Mallory was married to Miss Minnie Loose, who 
 was born in Millheim, Centre county, Septem- 
 ber 18, 1 86 1, a daughter of Samuel and Eliza- 
 beth (Brickley) Loose. Five children bless their 
 union, their names and dates of birth being as 
 follows: Lottie, January 11, 1881; Charles B., 
 March 16, 1882; Stanley O., November 3, 1883; 
 Pearl M., December 27, 1885; and Bessie E., 
 September 12, 1887. The family circle still re- 
 mains unbroken by the hand of death. 
 
 Mr. Mallory casts his ballot in support of 
 Democratic principles, has held township offices, 
 and at one time was the candidate of his party 
 for county recorder. Being a temperance man, 
 he strongly sympathizes with the Prohibition 
 movement, and gives his earnest support to all 
 worthy enterprises which have for their object 
 the good of the community. As members of the 
 Evangelical Church, he and his estimable wife 
 give much attention to religious work, are earnest 
 and sincere Christians, and he has served as class 
 leader and superintendent of the Sabbath-school. 
 In 1896 he erected a comfortable residence in 
 Rebersburg, and he also has a pleasant home in 
 Kreamerville, where the family now reside. 
 
 S\ W. SMITH is a general farmer, pursuing 
 _) his pleasant and profitable occupation in 
 Potter township, Centre county, of which county 
 he is a native son, his birth having occurred near 
 Centre Hall, February 21, 1863. His father, 
 Dr. Peter Smith, was born in Blackhole Valley, 
 Lycoming Co., Penn., April 29, 1825, and, as 
 his parents were farming people of rather limited 
 means, his early educational privileges were lim- 
 ited. Desiring to make the practice of medicine 
 his life work, he was obliged to borrow the 
 money with which to prosecute his studies, and 
 
loo 
 
 i DM ME MORA Tl VE BlOORAI'IIh 'AL RECORD. 
 
 in January, 1848, he graduated medical 
 
 college of Geneva, New York. 
 
 Dr. Smith began the practice of his chosen 
 profession in Hublersburg, Centre county, where 
 lie was unknown, and was therefore dependent 
 upon his skill and ability for success; but he soon 
 succeeded in obtaining a large patronage. There 
 he married Mary Kopp, the wedding ceremon) 
 
 ig performed by Rev. Fisher, a Reformed 
 Church minister. She was born in Limestone 
 township, Union Co., Penn., March 15, 1S22, 
 and came to Centre county with her parents, 
 George and Elizabeth Kopp, who later removed 
 to Sandusky county, Ohio; but she remained in 
 ( entre county, where she was working as a do- 
 mestic at the time of her marriage. 
 
 On leaving Hublersburg; Dr. Smith went to 
 Centre Hall, and 111 the spring of 1871 removed 
 to the George Hoffer farm, which he had pur- 
 chased the previous fall. He was living there 
 .it the time of his death, October 4, 1877, and 
 was buried in the cemetery of Centre Hall. He 
 was a successful practitioner, and many would 
 have made more money from the same volume 
 of business, but he was never given to exorbitant 
 charges, and often made no charge at all. He 
 never refused to make a visit because the patient 
 was poor and he knew that he would receive 
 nothing for it, but went as readily as if his fees 
 ware sure. At his death he left his family in 
 comfortable circumstances, and the priceless 
 heritage of an untarnished name. The Doctor 
 was well posted on current issues and questions, 
 was a supporter ol the Democratic party, on 
 which ticket he was a candidate for the Legisla- 
 ture at one time, and socially he was connected 
 with the I. O. O. F. and the Grange, being a 
 charter member of the latter organization. He 
 was also an officer in the Lutheran Church, with 
 which he held membership. 
 
 The following children came to the marriage 
 of Dr. and Mrs. Smith: Sarah A., born October 
 8, 1850, died in infancy; Susan A., born April 
 19, 1852, married A. Q. Stover, and died in 
 Clifford, Mich., in Oi 1893; Alice O, born 
 
 January 26, 1854, died June 29, [855; John J. 
 W., born May 24. 1 S 5 5 , died in childhood; Sa- 
 loma M . . horn October 20, 1856, died October 
 7, 1868; William B., born April 21, 1858, died 
 December 25, 1883; Mary M.. horn March 24, 
 1 861 , died July 21, 1865; and S. W . our sub- 
 ject. In [872 the family removed to Centn 
 Hall, but in 1890 they returned to the h< 
 farm, where our subject is living. His mother 
 resided with him until March 6, 1897, when she 
 died after a short illness. She was laid to rest 
 by the side of her husband. 
 
 In the public schools of Centre county Mr. 
 Smith was educated, his first teacher being Col. 
 J. L. Spangler, and on laying aside his text- 
 books, at the age of eighteen, he began learning 
 the printer's trade in the office of the Centre Re- 
 porter, of Centre Hall. There he remained un- 
 til September, 1886, when he became associate 
 editor of the Centre County Times, of the same 
 
 e, and was the mainstay of the office, doing 
 the greater part of the editorial and mechanical 
 work from the very start. After tw<> wars con- 
 nection with this paper he went to Hellefonte, 
 where for nearly a year he worked on the Key- 
 stone Gazette, and then was with the Democrat 
 and Sentinel, of Lewistown, Penn., in the ca- 
 pacity of local editor. Failing health compelled 
 him to abandon the business, and in [888 he re- 
 turned to the home farm in Potter township, 
 which he has since successfully operated, and 
 half of which he now owns. 
 
 On November 12, 1885, in Spun- Hills, 
 Penn., Mr. Smith was married to Miss Jennie 
 L. Kuhn, of Boalsburg, who was born in Spring 
 township. Centre county, September 24. [866, 
 a daughter of William H. and Margaret ( Kelphi 
 Kuhn, the latter now residing at Jersey Sb 
 Penn. Mr. Smith has always given his political 
 support to the Democratic party; fraternally he 
 is a member of the Grange. Although a young 
 man, he is classed among the most progressive 
 and enterprising farmers of Potter township, is 
 straightforward and reliable, and is well posted 
 on various topics. He and his estimable wife are 
 faithful members of the Lutheran Church, in 
 which he has served as deacon, and for fift 
 years has been a teacher in the Sunday-school. 
 
 SAMUEL BRUGGER. There are no rules 
 for building characters; there is no rule for 
 achieving success. The man who can rise from 
 the ranks to a position of eminence is he who 
 can see and utilize the opportunities that surround 
 his path. The essential conditions of life are 
 ever the same, the surroundings of individuals 
 differ but slightly; and. when one man passes 
 .mother on the highwa) to reach the goal of 
 prosperity before others who perhaps started out 
 before him, it is because he has the power to 
 advantages which probably encompass the wholi 
 human race. To-day among the most prominent 
 business men of central Pennsylvania stands Mi 
 Brugger, whose work as a civil engineer 1 
 wide radius of territory. 
 
 Johann Rudolph Brugger (grandfather of OUI 
 subject), a son of Samuel Brugger, was born in 
 October, 1772, in the District of Brugg, Cair 
 
 . 
 
&foiv<pt£ d//y°t 
 
 'uay&y 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 401 
 
 Aargau, Switzerland, and after his marriage with 
 Catherine Wildi located at Veltheim, in the same 
 canton, where he engaged in linen weaving. In 
 1817, with his family, consisting of wife and six 
 children, he started for the New World; but dur- 
 ing the three-months' voyage one of his three 
 sons died and was buried in the ocean. On land- 
 ing at Philadelphia, Grandfather Brugger went 
 up the Susquehanna river to McKee's Half Falls, 
 and located at Grubb's Church, five miles from 
 the river, where he made his home for several 
 years. He then removed to what was then 
 Union county, but is now Snyder county, Penn., 
 locating a few miles from the mouth of Mohan- 
 tongo creek, where his death occurred at the age 
 of eighty-two years. 
 
 Gabriel Brugger (the father of our subject) 
 was born in Veltheim, Switzerland, June 1, 1804, 
 and was thirteen years old when he came with 
 the family to this country. He wedded Cath- 
 erine Arnold, who was born in Chapman town- 
 ship, Union county, Penn., May 19, 1805, and 
 was a daughter of George Arnold. Ten chil- 
 dren were born of this union: Saloma, now the 
 widow of Nathan Forrey, of Sandusky county, 
 Ohio; Rudolph, a farmer of the same county; 
 Samuel, the subject of this review; Gabriel, also 
 a farmer of Sandusky county, Ohio; Benjamin, a 
 farmer of Murfreesboro.Tenn. ; George, deceased; 
 Jonathan, a carpenter of Berrysburg, Penn.; 
 Mary A. , deceased wife of Joseph Vogt, of Clyde, 
 Ohio; William, deceased; and Mary E., wife of 
 Silas Malich, of Wayne, Neb. After his mar- 
 riage the father of our subject removed to the 
 old Stone Valley church, in Lower Mahanoy 
 township, Northumberland county, Penn., where 
 he resided until October, 1839, when he went to 
 Perry township, Union county, Penn. (now Sny- 
 der county), and located upon a small farm near 
 Mt. Pleasant Mills. 
 
 The birth of our subject occurred near the 
 old Stone Valley Church in Northumberland 
 county, August 26, 1830. His early education 
 was rather limited, he at first attending a Ger- 
 man school for a part of a year in his native 
 county, where the public-school system had not 
 yet been adopted. During the last two years he 
 attended school there, he learned to read English, 
 but did not understand what he read. After the 
 removal of the family to Union county, he at- 
 tended the public schools for three months, the 
 length of the winter term. By the law then ex- 
 isting the citizens of the district could take a vote 
 every three years, and reject or adopt the pub- 
 lic-school system, and for several years afterward 
 there were no public schools. 
 
 At the age of ten years, Mr. Brugger started 
 
 26 
 
 out to fight life's battle, at first working for his 
 board and clothes with an uncle, Jonathan Gel- 
 nett, of Juniata county, Penn., where he re- 
 mained three years and one-half. Returning 
 home, he was a student in a private school for 
 two months during the winter for a couple of 
 years, taking up reading, arithmetic and a little 
 penmanship. In the fall of 1846 he taught a 
 two-months' term of school in Greenwood town- 
 ship, Juniata county, and so successful was he in 
 this venture that he followed the profession for 
 several years, alternately teaching and attending 
 school. In 1849 he pursued his studies for one 
 session in the Dickinson Seminary, at Williams- 
 port, Penn., under Rev. Thomas Bowman, now 
 a retired bishop of the Methodist Episcopal 
 Church. In the year previous his father had 
 given him his time, and he left home with his 
 small stock of clothing and school books in a 
 trunk, going to Boalsburg, Centre county, where 
 he clerked in the general store of George Jack 
 for $5 per month for three months. He next 
 cooked for a party of lumbermen in Clearfield 
 county, Penn., for his board. In the winter of 
 1848-49 he taught school at Grahamton, in that 
 county, but in the following spring he returned 
 home. 
 
 After attending the seminary at Williamsport 
 foroneterm, Mr. Brugger's funds were exhausted, 
 and he engaged in teaching for a time at Mt. 
 Pleasant Mills, Union county, and near Union- 
 ville, in Centre county. In the summer of 1851 
 he traveled on foot through Pennsylvania. Mich- 
 igan, Wisconsin, Illinois and Ohio, and back 
 again to his old home. He then taught school 
 until 1853, when for five months he attended 
 Joshua Hoope's school for boys at Westchester, 
 Penn. He then entered the railroad service, 
 with which he has since been mainly connected, 
 first going to Unionville, where he was chainman 
 on the Bald Eagle Valley railroad. During the 
 summer of 1854 he was rodman on the Tangas- 
 cootak railroad, later taught school at Union- 
 ville, and in April, 1855, he went to Minnesota, 
 for a time being employed as assistant city en- 
 gineer on the streets of St. Paul. In the fall of 
 the same year he was engineer in charge of the 
 survey of the Minnesota & Northwestern railroad 
 from St. Paul to Cannon river, the first railroad 
 projected in the territory. 
 
 On February 14, 1856, Mr. Brugger was mar- 
 ried to Miss Margaret Peters, who was born at 
 Unionville, Penn., February 29, 1836, and is a 
 daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Iddings) Peters, 
 also natives of Centre county. Her paternal 
 grandparents, Lawrence and Elsie (McGinnis) 
 Peters, were born in Lancaster county, Penn. , 
 
102 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 and were among the earl)' settlers of Centre 
 inty, where they spent their remaining days 
 upon a (arm. Joseph and Margaret (Henry) 
 hidings, tin- maternal grandparents, were natives 
 of Chester county, Penn., and were also pioneer 
 farming people of Centre county. The brothers 
 and sisters oi Mrs. I Snigger are as follows: John 
 died in the Union service during the Civil war; 
 | — ph died from the effects of his army serv- 
 i< i , Mary A. is the wife of Daniel Schuman, of 
 Missouri; and Sarah F. is the wife of Daniel 
 Hall, a blacksmith, of Unionville, Penn. Six 
 children blessed the union of our subject and his 
 wife: Walter M., a carpenter by trade, but now 
 mi tlii- road; Nora I., wife of William F. Becker, 
 stationer} agent at Harrisburg, Penn.; Caroline 
 A., wife of John C. Rumberger, agent for the 
 Central railroad of Pennsylvania at Salona, Clin- 
 ton county, Penn.; Joseph, a farmer of Union 
 town-hip, Centre county; and John P. and Eliz- 
 abeth C. , at home. 
 
 After Ins marriage, Mr. Brugger erected his 
 pleasant home at Unionville, Centre county, 
 where he has since resided. From October, 
 [856, until November, 1864, he was cot 
 with the construction of the Bald Eagle Valley 
 railroad; was next with the Sterling Mountain 
 railroad at New York; 111 1 S66 located about fifty 
 miles of the Winslow Colliery & Clarion Rivei 
 rpad; and in 1867 helped to construct the West- 
 ern Maryland railroad. In the following January 
 he went to New York as principal assistant en- 
 gineer on the Boston, Hartford & Erie railroad, 
 with which he was connected until 1870, when 
 on account of lack of funds work was abandoned. 
 Returning to the Western Maryland road, he was 
 
 Km engineer for three and one-half years, or 
 until its completion, when he returned home. 
 For several years he was then with tin; Pennsyl- 
 vania iV Western railroad, and subsequently foi 
 three years was with the Susquehanna & South- 
 western, now called the Beach Creek railroad, 
 which extends between Jersey Shore and Ma- 
 haffey, Penn. Since 1882 he has located the 
 Dickerson Run & Red Stone railroad between 
 Dawson and Uniontown, Penn.; the Kettle 
 I reek railroad, between Westport and Trout 
 Run. Clinton county; a part of the Southern 
 Central between Sunbury and Harrisburg ; Chest 
 Creek, between Patton and West Dover, Penn.; 
 Clearfield, Conemaugh & Western railroad, be- 
 tween Clearfield and Johnstown. Penn. ; and at 
 present is their civil engineer. The Clearfield & 
 Mahoning railroad, betweeii»Clearfield and Du- 
 Penn. , was located by him in 1892. 
 
 As a civil engineer, Mr. Brugger has few 
 equals in this section of the State, and that his 
 
 work has been eminently satisfactory is shown by 
 his long retention with important railroad com- 
 panies. A great student, he owns one of the 
 most elegant libraries in Centre county; is a man 
 of broad general information, and well-informed 
 on the leading topics of the day. He is one of 
 the most prominent and influential citizens of the 
 community, honored and respected by all, and 
 the confidence which he receives is justly merit- 
 ed. For the past twenty-two years he has been 
 a consistent member of the Methodist Epicopal 
 Church, of which he is steward and trustee. 
 He casts his ballot in behalf of Democratic prin- 
 ciples, but cares nothing for political office, 
 though in 1S80 he was elected county surveyor. 
 During all the time he has been engaged in his 
 profession he made his home on his farm at 
 Unionville, consisting of about 160 acres of land, 
 100 of which have been improved. Besides this 
 he owns a piece of land in the Alleghany Mount- 
 ains, which he is clearing and converting into a 
 fruit farm. 
 
 NDREW KORMAN, one of the most sub- 
 stantial, thorough and painstaking agricult- 
 urists of Gregg township. Centre count)', 1 
 native of Pennsylvania, born in Huntingdon 
 county, in March, [845. When a mere child he 
 was brought to Centre county by his parents, 
 George and Christina (Rover) Korman, where 
 the father followed farming throughout the 
 mainder of his life. He was called to his final 
 rest at the age of seventy years, and was buried 
 in the Union cemeter) in Gregg township. lb 
 was a highly respected and valued member of the 
 imunity, where he had hosts of warm friends. 
 Hi. widow now makes her home with a daughter 
 in Gregg township. This worthy couple w 
 the parents of eight children, in order ol birth BS 
 follows: Aaron, deceased; Catharine, wife of B. 
 Yearick, of Potter township, Centre county; 
 drew; Mary, wife of Washington Garvick, of 
 Centre county; M wife of Jesse I. one. 
 
 Gregg township; Ellen, wife of Samuel Long, of 
 
 the same township; Alfred, deceased; and Louisa, 
 wife of John D. Honer, of Creston, Pennsylvania 
 The education of Andrew Korman was prin- 
 cipalis' obtained in the schools of Spring Mill-, 
 but his opportunities were much poorer than 
 those afforded the children of the present day, 
 and, feeling the lack of a good education, he 1 
 become a firm friend of our common-school s\ 
 tern. Upon the home farm he was reared, an 1 
 under his father's able instruction acquired an 
 excellent knowledge of that business, remaining 
 with him until his marriage, when he was twenty- 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 403 
 
 five years old, to Miss Julia A. Tibbens, who 
 was born in Brush Valley, Gregg township, No- 
 vember 19, 1 85 1. She is the oldest child of 
 Michael and Anna M. (Ziegler) Tibbens, farming 
 people, in whose family were nine children — two 
 sons and seven daughters. Mrs. Korman was 
 provided with a good education, to which she 
 has added greatly by reading in later years. By 
 her marriage she has become the mother of five 
 children: Oliver T., of Gregg township; Agnes 
 D., wife of R. B. Gentzel, of the same township; 
 Anna M., at home; Irvin W., who died at the 
 age of nine years; and Harry A., at home. 
 
 After his marriage, Mr. Korman located upon 
 his father-in law's farm, in Gregg township, along 
 the pike west of Spring Mills, where he remained 
 until 1883, when he purchased the Rev. P. Fisher 
 farm in the same township — a tract of 148 acres 
 — and paid $6, 158 for it. He has greatly im- 
 proved the farm and placed it under a high state 
 of cultivation. In 1888 he built his present com- 
 fortable residence, which is one of the best in 
 the township Being a skillful and progressive 
 farmer, the fields are made to yield abundant 
 harvests and the entire appearance of the place 
 indicates a thrifty and prosperous owner. 
 
 Politically, Mr. Korman follows in the foot- 
 steps of his father, supporting the men and meas- 
 ures of the Democratic party as a general rule, 
 but endeavors to vote for the man best qualified 
 to fill the office, regardless of party affiliations. 
 His excellent wife, who is a member of the Re- 
 formed Church, has been a most faithful help- 
 meet to him, and to her no little credit is due 
 ifor the success that he has achieved in life. 
 Their family all belongs to the Reformed Church, 
 and is one upon which they can look with pride, 
 all holding honorable positions in society, and 
 the name of Korman certainly deserves an hon- 
 ored place in the records of Centre county. 
 
 JB. ARD. One of the prominent represent- 
 atives of the commercial and industrial 
 interests of Centre county is the gentleman 
 whose name introduces this brief notice, the 
 well-known merchant miller of Pine Grove Mills. 
 He belongs to one of the leading and influential 
 families of Central Pennsylvania. His paternal 
 grandfather, Dr. Joseph B. Ard, was for many 
 years an eminent physician of Mifflin county, 
 making his home in Lewistown, but finally re- 
 tired from active life, and spent his remaining 
 days in Philadelphia, where his death occurred 
 February 27, 1861. He was born September 18, 
 '784, and was of Scotch extraction, his ances- 
 
 tors coming to this country prior to the Revolu- 
 tionary war. 
 
 George Ard, the father of our subject, was 
 born in Lewistown, Penn., May 14, 18 14, and 
 on attaining to man's estate was united in mar- 
 riage with Miss Emeline Harvey, a daughter of 
 Nathan Harvey, of Mill Hall, Clinton Co., Penn. 
 She died when our subject was but six years of 
 age, but her husband long survived her, passing 
 away in 1892. He was laid to rest in the ceme- 
 tery at Lewistown. In their family were four 
 children, namely: (1) Eliza R. married Francis 
 Shoemaker, of Philadelphia, where they made 
 their home for about thirty-five years. There 
 she died some twenty years ago, leaving three 
 children — Ellen A., wife of Duncan L. Buzly, 
 an attorney at law of Philadelphia; George A., 
 who died in 1883, at the age of twenty-two 
 years; and Francis, an importer of drugs. (2) 
 J. B., subject of this sketch, is next in order of 
 birth. (3) Dr. Wilson P., a practicing physician 
 of Woodward, Centre county, married Amanda 
 Body, of Berks county, Penn. , and has four chil- 
 dren. (4) Ellen R, , twin sister of the Doctor, 
 became the wife of Robert A. Lovett, and died 
 in 1878, in Florida, whither she had gone for 
 
 her health, being troubled with pulmonary dis- 
 ease. Her remains were interred at Lewistown. 
 For a number of years she and her husband had 
 lived in Paris, France, where he was engaged in 
 the banking business. When last heard from he 
 was in the West. 
 
 Being left without a mother's tender care at 
 an early age, J. B. Ard and his brother, Wilson 
 P. were placed by their father in school at McVey- 
 town, on the Juniata river, near Lewistown, Penn., 
 where they remained some five years, and were 
 subsequently students in the Pine Grove Mills 
 Academy for the same length of time, there com- 
 pleting their literary educations. On leaving the 
 school room our subject entered a store as clerk, 
 where he was employed for two years, and then 
 held a similar position in the dry-goods estab- 
 lishment of Cooper & Conard, of Philadelphia. 
 In 1864 he took a course in Pollock's Mercantile 
 College. Returning to Pine Grove Mills, Mr. 
 Ard, in 1868, established himself in mercantile 
 business, which he successfully carried on until 
 1 87 1, when he disposed of his business, and has 
 since given his attention to merchant milling. 
 
 In 1885, Mr, Ard was united in marriage with 
 Miss Mary C. Lytle, a daughter of Piersol and 
 Lydia Lytle, of Ferguson township, Centre 
 county. Two children were born to them, one 
 of whom died in infancy; the other, a bright lit- 
 tle boy, was born August 16, 1893. In politics, 
 Mr. Ard is a stalwart Democrat, and in religious 
 
404 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE Blur, U.WIIHWI. RECORD. 
 
 belief is inclined toward the Presbyterian doc- 
 trine, to which his wife adheres. They occupj 
 a most elegant home, tastefully and luxuriantly 
 furnished, and here their many friends are sure 
 to receive a hearty welcome. 
 
 Is\AC S. FRAIN. The spirit of self-help is 
 the only true worth in tin- individual. It is 
 this which enables man to rise above his sur- 
 roundings, overcome obstacles and work his way- 
 upward to prominence. The space between 
 what a man is and his ideal is his opportunity, 
 and he who utilizes every advantage, by which 
 he may rise to the level of his ideal, must ulti- 
 mately win success. Such has been the life 
 record of Mr. Frain, who by his own efforts has 
 risen to a position of affluence, and to-day stands 
 among; the most substantial and highly-respected 
 farmers of Centre county. He is the proprietor 
 of the Fair View stock farm, in Marion town- 
 ship, and is one of the best known citizens of 
 his locality. 
 
 Mr. Frain was born in Berks county, Penn., 
 February 3, 1834, a son of Henry and Catherine 
 (Shoemaker) Frain, also of Berks county. The 
 tatter was a daughter of Jacob Shoemaker, of 
 that county, who served in the Revolutionary 
 war, and after its close his father and all his 
 brothers and sisters removed to Waterloo, On- 
 tario, Canada, where several of his descendants 
 still reside, 1 1 in farming and stock raising. 
 
 Jacob Shoemaker and his family remained in 
 Berks county. In 1840 Henry Frain removed 
 with his family from Berks to Union county, 
 where his wife died in July, 1852, at the age of 
 forty-four years. He then went to live with our 
 subject and another son, remaining with them 
 until his death in September, 1874, when he was 
 
 1 seventy-seven years, his birth having oc- 
 curred August 17, 1797. 
 
 Henry and Catherine Frain were the parents 
 of the following named: Isaac, subject of this 
 sketch; Henry, who is engaged in the hotel 
 business in Kansas City, Mo.; George, a car- 
 penter of Altoona, Penn. ; John, of Kansas, who 
 servi 'I m the 56th P. Y. I , and had the fingers 
 of his left hand shot off; Samuel, proprietor of 
 a grocery in Harrisburg, Perm., who served in 
 the 149th P. Y. I. and was wounded in the ankle; 
 Charles, who was a member of the same regi- 
 t, and was wounded in the arm (he is now a 
 farmer of Salina, Kans. 1; Frank, of W'illiams- 
 
 1. Penn., who served as a member of the fust 
 
 dry regiment from this State, and lost his 
 right arm in the war. 
 
 Until seven! rs of age, Isaac S. Frain 
 
 remained under the parental roof, during which 
 time he attended the public schools, and assisted 
 his father in the cultivation of the farm. He 
 then served a two-years' apprenticeship at the 
 carpenter's trade under Jacob Hazel, after which 
 he worked as a journeyman one year. On April 
 1, 1855, he embarked in business on his own ac- 
 count as a contractor and builder, and success- 
 fully followed that pursuit until April 1, 1865, 
 when, with the capital he had acquired through 
 his own labors, he purchased his present farm. 
 The buildings were then dilapidated, and much 
 of the land was at that time uncultivated; but 
 with characteristic energy he began the work of 
 improvement, and to-day has one of the finest 
 farms in Centre county, supplied with excellent 
 buildings and all the accessories and conveniences 
 found upon a model farm in this latter part of 
 the nineteenth century. In addition to the culti- 
 vation of the fields, he has extensively and suc- 
 cessfully engaged in the raising of thoroughbred 
 stock, making a specialty of Percheron and 
 French coach horses. In his stables are found a 
 Percheron horse, •'Royal" (registered as No. 
 15,862), a French coach horse, "Bison" (N 
 190), and another French coach horse, " Ignor' 
 (No. 752) Mr. Frain was president of the first 
 French horse company of Centre county, and to 
 no man is due in a ;ie;iter degree the result of 
 raising the high standard of horses bred in thi> 
 locality 
 
 On February 5, [855, Mr. Frain was joined 
 in wedlock with Mary A. Ziegler, who died Y 
 1, 1884. They had nine children, three of whom 
 died in infancy; William A. died at the age of 
 five months and five days; Davis /.. is a farmer 
 of Marion township, Centre county ; John H. 
 graduate of the college at New Berlin, wen' 
 Kansas March 4, 18X;, engaged in school teach 
 ing in that State for some years, went to Pueblo. 
 Colo., in the spring of 1891, and remained until 
 his death, November 1, 1894; Cephas W 
 with his father: Mary K. is the wife ol Prof 
 1". W. Mark, principal of the High School at 
 Northeast. Penn.; Clara E. is the wife of A N 
 W01 1. of Mill Hall, Penn . 1 Frank 
 
 duate of the Potts Shorthand and Commer- 
 cial College. Williamsport, Penn., and of thi 
 Rochester Business University, I 
 York. 
 
 In June, [886, Mr, Frain was again man 
 second union being with Mrs. Sarah I 
 (Wallis) Moore, widow ol David A. M 
 nierly a native of Blair county, Penn., who d 
 in August, 1875, al the age of thirty-twi 
 Mrs Irani was born in Cumberland <ro\\\> 
 daughter of Joseph and Mai 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 405 
 
 (Campbell) Wallis, natives of Dauphin and Cum- 
 berland counties, respectively. Her paternal 
 grandparents were John L. and Mary (Cook) 
 Wallis, of Lycoming, Penn., the former of 
 whom was the first white child born in Muncy 
 Valley, Lycoming county. Her maternal grand- 
 parents were John and Mary (McKnight) Camp- 
 bell. Mrs. Frain's father was a school teacher 
 in early life, but spent his later years upon a 
 farm, and for some time before his death he was 
 blind. His children were: Sarah E. , wife of our 
 subject; John L. and Mary A., who died in in- 
 fancy; and William N. , a minister of the United 
 Evangelical Church of Williamsport. 
 
 Mr. Frain has not confined his attention 
 alone to one enterprise or to one class of inter- 
 ests, but has devoted his energies to the further- 
 ance of many business and public concerns. He 
 is associated with the Centre County Mutual Fire 
 Insurance Co., of the Patrons of Husbandry, 
 which was organized in 1886, was made presi- 
 dent'on its organization, served in that capacity 
 eight years, and was re-elected president of said 
 company in 1893, and serves in that capacity at 
 the present time. It started with a guaranty of 
 $50,000, and now has two million dollars in 
 outstanding risks. The business has been man- 
 aged at an expense of only $1.41 per thousand 
 on the actual insurance. For eight years Mr. 
 Frain was master of the Centre County Pomona 
 Grange No. 13, retiring from that office in 1895, 
 after serving eight years in all. He belongs to 
 Marion Grange No. 223, Patrons of Husbandry; 
 to Howard or Lick Run Lodge No. 312, I. O. 
 O. F. ; and to the United Evangelical Church. 
 In his political adherencyhe is a Democrat. He 
 now lives practically retired, enjoying a well- 
 earned rest. 
 
 S\TANLEY K. WATSON. Among the more 
 .„'); 'prominent farmers of Boggs township is the 
 subject of this biography, whose name stands 
 high on the military records of the Civil war, as 
 well as in the annals of Centre county. By per- 
 severance and industry he has gained a foothold 
 in the world, being a self-made man, and is one 
 of the honored and highly respected citizens of 
 the community. His home is pleasantly located 
 in Boggs township on the Marsh Creek road, just 
 four miles south of where his birth occurred De- 
 cember 14, 1 841. 
 
 His parents, Thomas and Annie (Mackey) 
 Watson, were natives of Ireland and Pennsyl- 
 vania, respectively, and were married in Centre 
 county, where they spent their remaining days, 
 the father dying December 14, 1856, at the age 
 
 of seventy-seven years, and the mother on Feb- 
 ruary 28, 1879, at the age of eighty-one years. 
 In their family were the following children: 
 Hannah, born November 21, 18 16, is the de- 
 ceased wife of Thomas McMullen; Joseph, born 
 January 29, 18 18, and George, born July 22, 
 1 8 19, are both deceased; Jane, born April 1, 
 1 82 1, is living in Boggs township; Margarie, 
 born September 28, 1823, is the widow of Will- 
 iam Stanley, of Boggs township; Green, born 
 February 4, 1824, was killed by some lumber 
 falling on him; Nancy, born October 23, 1824, 
 is deceased; Julian, born September 24, 1827, 
 married Henry Pownall, but both are now de- 
 ceased; Margaret, born August 1, 1829, is the 
 wife of Perry Akins, of Boggs township; Eliza- 
 beth, born August 3, 1831, David, born April 
 2 9. '833. Sarah, born January 10, 1835, Ed- 
 ward, born April ri, 1837, and Lucinda, born 
 November 9, 1839, are all deceased; and Stanley 
 K. completes the family. The father was twice 
 married, and by the first union had five children, 
 all now deceased, namely: James, born July 
 23, 1804; Abraham, born May 23, 1807; John, 
 born August 31, 1809; Thomas, born September 
 14, 1 S 12 ; and Mary, who was born January 25, 
 1 8 14, and became the wife of Joseph Akley. In 
 early life the father engaged in the manufacture 
 of charcoal, and later followed farming. He 
 took an active part in political affairs, always 
 supporting the Democratic party, and acceptably 
 served in several local offices, including that of 
 school director. Religiously he was a member 
 of the Messiah Church. 
 
 At the age of sixteen, on the death of his 
 father, Stanley K. Watson left home, and for two 
 years worked in a sawmill, after which he was in 
 the lumber woods until 1863. Filled with 
 patriotic ardor, in that year he enlisted in Com- 
 pany E, 184th P. V. I., and remained in the 
 service until honorably discharged March 21, 
 1865, on account of disability. While under 
 Capt. John McCabe, at the battle of Cold Har- 
 bor, in front of Richmond, June 3, 1864, he re- 
 ceived a gunshot wound, which incapacitated his 
 right arm; he also received a slight wound in the 
 hip at North Ann River, Va. He was first sent 
 to Lincoln Hospital at Washington, D. C. , but 
 was afterward transferred to White Hall Hos- 
 pital in Bucks county, Penn., where he remained 
 until receiving his discharge. 
 
 For one year after his return home, Mr. Wat- 
 son engaged in no occupation, but spent the time 
 in trying to regain his usual health. He then fol- 
 lowed lumbering on Brush creek until 1881, when 
 he purchased his present home, to the cultivation 
 and improvement of which he has since devoted 
 
-H m; 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BlOGHM'lU'Al. HECOItD. 
 
 his time and attention with most gratifying re- 
 sults. Although he has the use of but one arm, 
 he is an energetic, industrious man and a most 
 skillful farmer. The government grants him a 
 pension of $36 per month. 
 
 On October 21, 1866, Mr. Watson was united 
 in marriage with Miss Mary E. Poorman, who 
 was born May 1, 1S42, and they have three chil- 
 dren: Laura A., born March 26, 1868, is the wife 
 of William S. Walker, a puddler of Milesburg; 
 John T. , born March 3, 1869, married Emma 
 Confer, by whom he has one son, Clyde M., and 
 they reside with our subject; and Ellen J'., born 
 September 13, 1870, is the wife of James E. Con- 
 fer, a farmer of Boggs township. Politically, 
 Mr. Watson adheres to the Republican party, 
 and he has faithfully served as road supervisor, 
 school director for six years, and is now serving 
 his third year as township auditor. A conscien- 
 tious, earnest Christian, he is a consistent mem- 
 ber of the Messiah Church at Marsh Creek, of 
 which he is deacon and trustee, while, socially, 
 he is connected with George L. Porter Post No. 
 26 r, G. A. K., of Milesburg, of which he is the 
 popular commander. In all the relations of life 
 he has been found true and faithful to every duty, 
 and as loyal to his country in days of peace as 
 when following the stars and stripes to victory on 
 Southern battlefields. 
 
 JH. DEIBLER. Probably there is no other 
 town in Centre county or, indeed, in any 
 county, wherethe leading mercantile establish- 
 ments are conducted by men so young in years 
 as are those of Millheim, and foremost among 
 this class of business men is the subject of this 
 sketch, who controls the largest trade in general 
 merchandise of any one in the place. Born 
 March 25, 1865, his career may be said to be 
 only at its beginning, yet he has already achieved 
 a success such as most merchants gain by the 
 work of a lifetime. 
 
 Mr. Deibler is a native of Berrysburg, Dau- 
 phin Co., Penn., a son of John W. and Hen- 
 rietta (Ubdegrave) Deibler, who are still living 
 in that town, though advanced in years. Both 
 were born in Schuylkill county, Penn. John W. 
 Deibler began life as a poor man, and for some 
 time was a huckster and farmer, but he has ac- 
 cumulated a handsome competence, and his old 
 age is spent in comfort. Through going bail for 
 others he has lost considerable money, but for- 
 tunately he has not suffered seriously. He is 
 highly respected, and is one of the leading Re- 
 publicans of his locality. Of his family of six 
 sons and five daughters, all are living. 
 
 The subject of our sketch began his educa- 
 tion in the public schools of his native town, 
 supplementing this instruction with a course at 
 Berrysburg Seminary, an excellent institution 
 from which a number of people have graduated 
 who later became eminent in various callings. 
 Mr. Deibler seems to have had a clear perception 
 of his peculiar fitness for a mercantile career, as 
 he began to prepare for it at an early age by 
 taking employment as a clerk for Cornelius Swab, 
 a general merchant at Berrysburg, at a salary of 
 $9 per month, board not included. After six 
 months in that place, he obtained a situation in 
 the general store of J. B. Enders, where he re- 
 mained three years. 
 
 In 1883, Mr. Deibler went to Millheim to 
 clerk for J. W. Snook, and during the eight years 
 spent in that store, five different firms were in 
 possession. As a clerk he formed an extens 
 acquaintance, and when he engaged in business 
 for himself in 1 891, he speedily established a fine 
 custom. Courtesy, attention to business, and 
 fair dealing with all, characterize his conduct, 
 and his business has rapidly grown to be one of 
 the most profitable in Penn's Valley. In addi- 
 tion to his mercantile business, Mr. Deibler is 
 interested in several building and loan associa- 
 tions. As the architect of his own fortune, he 
 has certainly made a phenomenal success which 
 promises even better things for the future. On 
 March 17, 1891, he was united in marriage with 
 Miss Maggie H. Miller, a native of Centre Hall, 
 a daughter of John H. Miller, now a leading res- 
 ident of Williamsport. Mrs. Deibler is a mem- 
 ber of the Lutheran Church, and is prominent in 
 the best social circles of the locality. 
 
 In politics Mr. Deibler is a Republican, stead- 
 fast in the faith, and a regular voter, but he takes 
 no share in partisan work, believing that either 
 it or his business would be neglected if both u 
 attempted. However devoted he may be to his 
 private affairs, he is much too public-spirited to 
 suppress his keen interest in all progressive move- 
 ments, and he is a generous and prompt he'; 
 of any measure which promotes the common 
 good. 
 
 ORLANDO WESTON, an active and ener- 
 getic farmer residing at Mt. Pleasant, I 
 lor township, Centre county, is a native of Penn- 
 sylvania, born July 20, 1854, in Hunting 
 county, at what is known as the Cross Roads. 
 and is a son of Elijah and Ellen (Gill West 
 natives of Huntingdon and Centre counties, re- 
 spectively. They were married in the former 
 county, where they remained until 1858, when 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 407 
 
 they removed to Sandy Ridge, Centre county, 
 but in 1862 returned to Huntingdon county, 
 where the mother died two years later, at the 
 age of forty-six. In early life the father followed 
 the tanner's trade, operating a tannery at Osce- 
 ola, Penn. , until the panic of 1875, since which 
 time he has engaged in carpentering at that place. 
 He has been a prominent member of the Method- 
 ist Episcopal Church since 1866, and class leader 
 for many years. 
 
 Our subject is the eldest in the family of five 
 children, his sisters being as follows: Anna, 
 wife of Samuel Winters, a farmer of Michigan; 
 Emma, wife of Charles Baker, a farmer and 
 lumberman of Clearfield county, Penn. ; Mary, 
 deceased wife of James Edward, a carpenter of 
 Osceola; and Elizabeth, who died at the age of 
 twenty-two years. After the death of his first 
 wife, Elijah Weston married Miss Nancy Merry- 
 man, and to them were born the following chil- 
 dren: Clara, wife of Levi Richie, a farmer of 
 Bedford county, Penn. ; William and Elijah, de- 
 ceased; Fannie, at home; and Naomah, wife of 
 William Crane, who is assisting her father in the 
 butchering business at Osceola. The paternal 
 grandparents of our subject, Elijah and Polly 
 (Merryman) Weston, were natives of Huntingdon 
 and Centre counties respectively. The former 
 was of English extraction, and was a well-read 
 and intelligent farmer. The maternal grand- 
 father, William Gill, was of Scotch descent, and 
 died at Bellefonte, Penn., at the advanced age 
 of nearly one hundred years. 
 
 At the age of twenty-two years, Orlando 
 Weston started out in life for himself, but he had 
 previously worked with his father both at farm- 
 ing and tanning, assisting in the operation of the 
 tannery at Osceola. Later he was employed by 
 others in that business, being connected with 
 steam tanneries at Osceola, Philipsburg, Clear- 
 field and Curwensville until 1883, when he em- 
 barked in farming upon his present place, which 
 he now has under a high state of cultivation and 
 well improved. In the fall of 1880 he married 
 Miss Maggie Nearhoof, who died the following 
 year at the age of twenty-two, leaving one daugh- 
 ter, Maggie, now residing with her grandmother 
 in Tyrone, Penn. Mr. Weston was again mar- 
 ried May 3, 1885, this time to Miss Maggie Mer- 
 ryman, and to them have been born three chil- 
 dren: Anna M., Sherman B. and Verna E. 
 
 Mrs. Weston was born in Taylor township, 
 Centre county, February 27, 1863, and is a 
 daughter of Thomas and Anna (Miller) Merry- 
 man, who spent their entire lives upon a farm in 
 the same county, where the former died in 1889 
 at the age of sixty-six, and the latter in 1891 at 
 
 the same age. They held membership in the 
 United Brethren Church, and in politics the fa- 
 ther was a Republican. He was honored by his 
 fellow citizens with several local offices. His 
 family consisted of six children: Nancy, wife of 
 Henry Melcher, a farmer and lumberman of Cen- 
 tre county; Mollie, who lives with her sisters; 
 Emma, wife of W. S. Weston, a farmer of Tay- 
 lor township; Laura; wife of Pius Richards, also 
 a farmer of Taylor township; William, a railroad 
 fireman residing at Tyrone, Penn. ; and Maggie, 
 wife of our subject. 
 
 Mr. Weston is a firm supporter of the Repub- 
 lican party, and his worth and ability have re- 
 ceived due acknowledgment from the hands of 
 his fellow citizens, who have called upon him at 
 different times to serve the people in several 
 township offices, the duties of which he has 
 promptly and faithfully discharged. He has been 
 an active member of the United Brethren Church 
 since locating in Taylor township, and is one of 
 the highly respected citizens of the community. 
 
 PHILIP DURST is the owner of one of the 
 best and most highly productive farms of 
 Potter township, Centre county, to which he has 
 given his close attention with results which can 
 hardly fail to be satisfactory to himself, and 
 where his labors have met with success. The 
 highly cultivated fields and neat and thrifty ap- 
 pearance of the place denote the supervision of a 
 careful, painstaking and progressive business man 
 of sound judgment. 
 
 Mr. Durst was born on March 28, 1840, a son 
 of George and Catharine (Meyer) Durst. In the 
 Fairfield school he began his education under 
 the direction of James Davis, and when quite 
 young he was brought by his parents to his pres- 
 ent farm, after which he attended the Plum 
 Grove school. At the age of nine years he was 
 able to handle a plow, and has since devoted his 
 time and attention principally to agricultural pur- 
 suits. His father being one of the best managers 
 and successful farmers of the community, our 
 subject, under his able direction, has also be- 
 come one of the most skillful and thorough agri- 
 culturists and business men of Potter township. 
 He uses the most advanced methods and ma- 
 chinery in the operation of his land, which has 
 been an important factor in his success. Until 
 his marriage he assisted in the labors of the home 
 farm with the exception of one summer, when he 
 worked as a farm hand for Henry Dale, of Har- 
 ris township, Centre county. 
 
 On February 28, 1864, Mr. Durst was mar- 
 ried to Miss Sarah Schnure, who was born in 
 
tos 
 
 COMMEMORA TIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 Hartley township, Union Co., Penn., in May, 
 1S42, and is one of the ten children — five sons 
 and five daughters — of Christian and Lydia 
 (Kiester) Schnure. One brother, John Schnure, 
 was a Union soldier during the Civil war, and 
 died in Libby prison. Her parents died in Union 
 county, Penn., the father at the age of eighty- 
 two years, and the mother at the age of sixty- 
 nine. They started out in life in limited circum- 
 stances, but through their own industrious efforts 
 became prosperous and wejl-to-do citizens, own- 
 ing two good farms. They were held in the 
 highest esteem by all who knew them. Like 
 her husband, Mrs. Durst received only a com- 
 mon-school education. Eight children grace 
 their union, namely: John II., born June 11, 
 1866, is at home; Francis M.. born November 
 14, in infancy; Christian, born May 
 
 [6, 1871, is living in Illinois; [da M., born Sep- 
 tember 30, [872, is the wife of Milton Snyder, 
 of Centre Hall, Centre county; Minnie M., born 
 May 25, 1S74, is the wife of George W. Condo, 
 of Centre Hall; and Charlie W., born February 
 28, [878, Verna L., born February 24, 1SS4, 
 and Mary B. , born June [2, 1886, are all at 
 home. 
 
 After Ins marriage, Mr. Durst located upon 
 the home farm, which he and his brother, Hiram, 
 operated together until [868, and after ren' 
 it f ral years our subject purchased the 
 
 same in 1 < s 79- He has made many valuable im- 
 provements upon the place, including the erec- 
 tion i buildings, and, like his father before 
 him . energetic farmer of progress- 
 ive id In his undertakings In- has been uni- 
 formly successful, so that bi \ numbered 
 
 reliable and substantial fan; 
 of Potter township. Thi D nocratic party has 
 
 ■ found in him an earnest supporter, and both 
 himself and wife are faithfuj members of the Re- 
 formed Church, in which he has served as dea- 
 con. They hold a high place in the esteem and 
 confidence of their fellow-citizens, and none are 
 more worthy of representation in a work of this 
 character than Mr and Mrs. Philip Durst. 
 
 W 11. 1. AM V. GRAY, of the firm of Gray & 
 Guelich, the well-known carriage manu- 
 facturers of Philipsburg, Centre county, is one of 
 the most highly esteemed citizens of the county, 
 being not only an able and successful man of 
 business, but an active worker in all the lines of 
 effort tending to the welfare of the community, 
 He was born July 30, 1833, in Northumberland 
 counts, Penn.. a son of George and Susan 
 (Keffer) Gray, and his ancestral history is of 
 
 especial interest as in the maternal line he rep- 
 resents the fifth generation of the famous pioneer, 
 Morris Lawrence, who was the first permanent 
 white settler of this section of whom we have 
 authentic record. Morns Lawrence wasanativeof 
 Alsace, France (now in Germany), born May 5, 
 1682, and in 17 10 made his home at the site of 
 the present town of Milton, in Northumberland 
 county- At that time there was not a white 
 man within ten miles of his primitive abode, and 
 the solitude of the forest avenues was broken 
 only by the passing of the Indians, while the 
 swiftly gliding canoe darted over the surface of the 
 quiet Susquehanna river. There Mr. Lawrence 
 passed a long and peaceful life, passing away 
 June 14, ij[)2. at the advanced age of one hun- 
 dred and nine years. His daughter. Mrs. Marie 
 Eve Keffer, died in 1S15, aged ninety-seven 
 
 is, five months and twenty-four days, and her 
 husband, Martin Keffer, died in 1S15, aged nine- 
 ty-eight years, ten months and twenty-one days. 
 At the time of Mrs. Keffer's death her twelve 
 children were- all living, and she had 138 great- 
 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-great- 
 grandchildren. Morris Lawrence had a brother, 
 a Catholic priest, who remained in France, and 
 left a large estate which the heirs have not been 
 able to secure. The Lawrences of Minersville, 
 Penn., among whom are Frank and Jacob Law- 
 rence, the operators of the Lawrence colliery at 
 Mahanoy Plane, Penn., are of this family. 
 
 On the paternal side Mr. Cray belongs to an 
 old and highly respected family of German ori- 
 gin. His father, who was a native of Pennsyl- 
 vania, and a tobacconist by trade, was eighty- 
 three years old at the time of his death, which 
 occurred in Pittsburg, Penn. Bj Ins mart 
 with Susan Keffer, ' rei irge Gray had fourchild; 
 John A., formerly of Decatur, 111., now deceased; 
 James L., and Jane C. (twins), the former of 
 Wooster, Ohio, the latter married to a Mr. Bock- 
 heister, of Philadelphia, Penn., but now deceased; 
 and William Y., the subject of this sketch. The 
 mother of these dying, the father married a 
 McClure, and by this union there were seven 
 children: George, Mattie, Lydia, Emma, Tillie, 
 Hattie and Edith. 
 
 William V. Gray spent his youth in Milton. 
 Northumberland county, attending the district 
 schools and learning the carriage makers' trade. 
 \iter prospecting for a suitable location, 
 tied at Salona, Penn., and worked at his trade 
 for eleven years, and then he went to Clearfield 
 for eleven months, finally establishing himself in 
 Philipsburg. where in 1880 he opened his pres- 
 ent shop. His careful workmanship and admir- 
 able business methods have given him the leader- 
 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 409 
 
 ship in his chosen line of work, his custom being 
 extensive. For about eleven years his son-in- 
 law, C. H. Guelich, has been a partner in the 
 business. 
 
 In 1853 Mr. Gray was married to Miss Mary 
 J. Lunger, a native of New Jersey, born in 1834. 
 They have four children living: (1) Anna (Mrs. 
 C. H. Guelich) has one son — Paul L. ; (2) Jos- 
 ephine (wife of W. S. Jones, of New Castle) has 
 one child — Ruth G. ; (3) Sarah (wife of E. F. 
 Townsend, of Philipsburg) has four children — 
 Helen M., Warren G., Harry A. and William 
 McKinley; (4) Cora married John H. Apgar, of 
 Clearfield, Penn. , and has one son — William 
 A. Mr. and Mrs. Gray have had four children 
 who did not long bless their home with their 
 presence: Lucy died at the age of three years; 
 Amelia also passed away, at the age of twelve; 
 James lived to the age of eighteen; and Harry 
 M. was taken from his bereaved parents Febru- 
 ary 9, 1885, under peculiarly painful circum- 
 stances. He was out hunting with some com- 
 panions, when a gun carried by one of the boys 
 was accidentally discharged, and the bullet 
 passed through young Gray's body. A neighbor 
 who was passing in a vehicle was quickly sum- 
 moned by the boys, but death had already set 
 his seal upon the frame which but a few moments 
 before had been full of vigor and energy, and be- 
 fore the sad group could reach the home in Phil- 
 ipsburg, life was extinct. The grief of the 
 stricken family touched all hearts, and the sym- 
 pathy of the community has seldom been so 
 deeply stirred. Mr. and Mrs. Gray are members 
 of the Baptist Church, he for forty-seven years, 
 and he has been a deacon therein for seventeen 
 years. 
 
 Mr. Gray is a Republican in politics, and has 
 always shown a genuine interest in local progress, 
 and has taken an active part in any movements 
 for the public good. Fraternally he is a member 
 of the Masonic order, and for years past he has 
 held a high rank, having devoted much time to 
 the work which has been to him the pleasantest 
 occupation of his life. An interesting and pro- 
 tractedcorrespondence with M. Etienne Stephanos, 
 Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Greece, 
 was only interrupted by the latter's death, of 
 which Mr. Gray was especially notified by Madam 
 Stephanos, the widow of the deceased. The fol- 
 lowing record will be of interest as showing Mr. 
 Gray's progress in the order. He is a member of 
 Milton Lodge No. 256, where he was entered 
 April 18, 1864, passed May 16, 1864, raised July 
 18, 1864, installed junior warden, December 26, 
 1868, senior warden, December 20, 1869, wor- 
 shipful master, December 27, 1872. In Clear- 
 
 field Chapter No. 228, Clearfield, Penn., he 
 was marked January 17, 1887, received Feb- 
 ruary 21, 1887, exalted March 21, 1887. He 
 is a Knight Templar also, and was first con- 
 nected with Mountain Commandery No. 10, 
 Altoona, and knighted March 30, 1888, but 
 withdrew to become a charter member of Mo- 
 shannon Commandery, K. T., No. 74, Philips- 
 burg, Penn., of which he has been installed as 
 prelate. He has been a welcome visitor of Mo- 
 shannon Lodge No. 391, for twenty years. De- 
 sides the correspondence above mentioned, he 
 has had extensive intercourse by letters with 
 many other leading Freemasons all over the 
 world, and without doubt has the largest collec- 
 tion of photographs of prominent and foreign 
 Masons, of any one in the State. Mrs. Gray, 
 also, has quite an assortment of mementoes 
 and souvenirs sent her by many of her hus- 
 band's friends in various parts of the world. 
 The most valuable are those from the Island of- 
 Malta; Athens, Greece; Madras, India; Buda- 
 Pesth, Hungary; Sophia, Bulgaria; London, Eng- 
 land; Kingston, Jamaica; Havana, Cuba; and 
 Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands. 
 
 Mr. Gray was a soldier in the Union army, 
 served until the close of the war, and was mus- 
 tered out at Clarksburg, W. Va. He is a mem- 
 ber of John W. Geary Post No. 90, G. A. R. , 
 of Philipsburg, of which he has been chaplain 
 since 1891. 
 
 WILLIAM H. TEMPLE, a representative 
 and valued citizen of Snow Shoe, Cen- 
 tre county, has for many years been connected 
 with the railroad service in this section of the 
 State, and is now engineer on the Tyrone division 
 of the Pennsylvania railroad, running between 
 Bellefonte and Snow Shoe. 
 
 Mr. Temple is a native of Petersburg, Hunt- 
 ingdon Co., Penn., born December 25, 1842, 
 and a son of James and Margaret (Long) Tem- 
 ple, natives of Chester and Centre counties, 
 Penn. , respectively. For a number of years the 
 father served as a patent-right agent. In 1855 
 he removed to Bellefonte, where his home was 
 at the time of the accident in which he lost his 
 life; in 1874, while returning from Philadelphia, 
 he was in a wreck on the Pennsylvania railroad 
 in which he was killed, at the age of fifty-seven 
 years. His wife, the mother of our subject, was 
 born in 1822, and was the first white child born 
 in Snow Shoe, where her parents, John and 
 Margaret Long, had located at a very early day, 
 and were the owners of much of the present site 
 of that village. Our subject is the eldest of five 
 
410 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE DlOGRM'llHM. RECORD. 
 
 children, the others being: Mary J. .wife of 
 Robert Thompson, a railroad engineer residing 
 in Bellefonte; John R. , also a railroad engineer, 
 making his home in Florence, S. C. ; Ellen, 
 deceased; and Sallie, wife of William Reasoner, 
 a watchman on the Pennsylvania railroad, living 
 in I'.ellefonte. 
 
 At the age of fifteen years William H. Temple 
 became connected with the railroad service, as 
 brakeman on the Bellefonte & Snow shoe rail- 
 road, and coupled the first cars to an engine at 
 Bellefonte, or in fact, in Centre county, the cars 
 and engine being built at Philadelphia, Penn., 
 and sent to Bellefonte on canal boats. After 
 serving for a time as brakeman, he was promoted 
 to conductor, was later made fireman, and since 
 June 13, 1863, he has been a locomotive engin- 
 eer. On June II, 1S78, he was in a terrible 
 wreck on the Snow Shoe railroad, his engine 
 with lour cars going through a trestle seventy- 
 two feet high. He had three of the ribs in his 
 right side broken, but on the 8th of the following 
 July he was able to again take charge of his en- 
 gine. He is a most cautious and careful engin- 
 eer, knowing that in his hands are entrusted 
 many lives and much property, and his service 
 has ever proved satisfactory to the company by 
 whom he is employed. Mr. Temple has had 
 many narrow escapes in railroad accidents; at 
 one time his engine jumped the track, went down 
 an embankment and turned over. At another 
 time his engine ran off an open switch and turned 
 over, he jumping and sustaining a broken shoul- 
 der. At still another time, on the main track 
 near Bellefonte, his engine collided with the day 
 express. He has been a member of the Brother- 
 hood of Locomotive Engineers some twenty 
 years. 
 
 In [864 Mr. Temple enlisted in Company B, 
 210th P. V. I., under Capt. John Nye, and par- 
 ticipated in a number of hotly contested battles. 
 While in front of Richmond, March 31, 1865, 
 he was wounded in the left leg, which caused his 
 confinement in Columbian Hospital at Washing- 
 ton, D. C. , for six months. He had served as 
 color guard, a most perilous position, but was 
 always found at his post of duty. On June 
 14, 1865, he was honorably discharged and re- 
 turned home. 
 
 Mr. Temple was married in Snow Shoe, May 
 10, 1871, to Mrs. Victoria Lucas, and they have 
 six children, all at home, namely: John S., born 
 March 17, 1873, died of typhoid fever December 
 12, 1897; Elizabeth Bella, born May 8, 1874; 
 married October 29, 1897, to Leo J. Hopton; 
 Harry, born November 27, 1876; Edward \\'., 
 born January 6, 18S0; Mary L., born October 6, 
 
 1 881; and Charles R., born December 30, 1886. 
 The older sons now conduct a livery stable at 
 Snow Shoe, of which Harry is manager, and also 
 runs a bus line between that place and Clarence. 
 
 Mrs. Temple was born September 2, 1847, in 
 Schuylkill county, Penn., a daughter of James 
 and Mary L. (Hirsch) Walker, who were natives 
 of Tamaqua, in the same county, and at an early 
 day came to Centre county, where the father 
 died. The mother, who is still living, now makes 
 her home in Brisbin, Clearfield Co., Penn. Shi 
 is a daughter of Nicholas and Margaret 1 Smith 
 Hirsch, who came to America from France in 
 1826, and located at Tamaqua, where her father 
 followed huxtering. The paternal grandparents 
 of Mrs. Temple, John and Hester (Wenchum) 
 Walker, were natives of England, and also 
 crossed the Atlantic in 1826, locating at Tama- 
 qua, where the grandfather was a coal operator 
 until his death. Mrs. Temple is the eldest in a 
 family of nine children, who in order of birth 
 were as follows: Henrietta, wife of Jerry Nolan. 
 a railroad engineer of Bellefonte; Emma, wife of 
 Jacob Rapp. who is also an engineer residing at 
 that place; Edward, a merchant of Brisbin, Penn., 
 Martha, wife of Robert Forsyth, a coal mine 
 prospector living in Houtsdale, Penn. ; George, 
 who is engaged in clerking in Brisbin; Daniel, a 
 merchant tailor of Trenton, N. f. ; Seneca, a 
 railroad fireman living in Bellefonte; and John, a 
 merchant tailor of Trenton, New Jerse) 
 
 Politically Mr. Temple is a firm adherent ol 
 the Republican party, and an active supporter of 
 its principles, while socially he has been fur 
 twenty-seven years a member of the I. O. O. 1 
 at Bellefonte, and has filled many offices therein. 
 Religiously he belongs to the Presbyterian Church, 
 of which he has been a trustee for the past I 
 years. He is a broad-minded, enterprising citi- 
 zen, winning the confidence of all with whom he 
 comes in contact, and has the happy faculty ol 
 easily making and retaining friends. The liir-t 
 husband of Mrs. Temple was Samuel Lucas, who 
 was a conductor on the Snow Shoe railroad, and 
 died June 10, 1869. By that marriage she had 
 one son, James S., born May 24, 1868, and ■ 
 now resides with Mr. Temple. 
 
 TE ROYER, one of the most extensive 
 land owners of Miles township, Centre 
 county, is a veteran soldier whose gallant - 
 in the war of the Rebellion won him 1 
 honor. Born September 17, 1840, he was in the 
 full flush of manhood when, on August 25, 1862, 
 he offered himself in his country's cause as a pri- 
 vate in Company A, 148th P. V. I., which wai 
 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 411 
 
 recruited at Rebersburg. His first battle was at 
 Chancellorsville, and he took part in the engage- 
 ments at Mine Run, Gettysburg, Bristol Station, 
 Auburn Mills, and all others of his regiment until, 
 during the fierce charge made by the 148th at 
 Spottsylvania Court House, he was disabled for 
 such work as the members of that famous regi- 
 ment were usually assigned to. The thumb and 
 third finger of his right hand were shot away, but 
 as soon as his wounds were healed Mr. Royer 
 joined the Convalescent Corps, 51st Company, 
 and remained on duty until mustered out with 
 the rank of corporal August 25, 1865, when he 
 returned to Brush Valley. 
 
 The Royer family were among the early set- 
 tlers of Berks county, Penn., but have long been 
 identified with Brush Valley, Christopher Royer, 
 our subject's grandfather, having settled there in 
 1807. He was born June 19, 1768, and died 
 October 16, 1849. The mill north of Rockville 
 was built by him, and he owned a large tract of 
 land in that vicinity. In addition to his farm 
 work he carried on a distillery. His children 
 were Daniel, Henry, Amos, Jefferson, Joel, Cath- 
 arine; Elizabeth, Sarah and Barbara. 
 
 Henry Royer, our subject's father, was born 
 in Snyder county (then Union county), near Mid- 
 dleburg, and was next to the youngest of the 
 sons. He was a boy in his "teens" when his 
 father came to Brush Valley, and his schooling 
 was such as the times afforded, but his good sense 
 and judgment made up in a large measure for 
 lack of training. He was married in Brush Val- 
 ley, when a young man, to Susan Wolfe, daugh- 
 ter of George Wolfe, and a native of Haines 
 township, Centre county. He then located near 
 Rockville on one of his father's farms, and fol- 
 lowed agriculture during his active life, acquiring 
 a fair competence, although he only lived to the 
 age of forty-one years. He died in Sugar Val- 
 ley, and his wife, who passed away before him at 
 the age of thirty-eight, died in Brush Valley, 
 both being buried at Rebersburg. He was a 
 Whig, later a Republican, and was a stanch sup- 
 porter of the principles of the party. In relig- 
 ious work he was active as a member of the Re- 
 formed Church, and he always showed hearty 
 sympathy with any worthy improvement. 
 
 He had nine children, namely: Joseph, who 
 died at Howard, Centre county, was a prominent 
 merchant and grain dealer; T. E. is mentioned 
 more fully below; Frank, a lumberman, resides 
 at Loganton, Penn; Henry G. is a resident of 
 Johnstown, Penn. G. Scott, of Easton, is a rail- 
 road conductor; Annie married David Guswite, of 
 Greene township, Clinton Co., Penn.; Abigail 
 married Thomas Brungart, of Sugar Valley; 
 
 Rachel is now Mrs. Andrew Ocker, of Madison- 
 burg, and Isabella married J. D. Johnston, of 
 Easton. 
 
 T. E. Royer was born September 17, 1840, 
 the family then living near Rebersburg. His first 
 school was at Tylersville, where his parents lived 
 for awhile, and a Mr. Divens was his first teacher. 
 Great improvement in educational facilities has 
 been made since that time, and no one can be 
 more heartily in favor of this progress than Mr. 
 Royer. He certainly deserves credit for his 
 effective use of his opportunities, his studies be- 
 ing pursued until he was himself qualified to 
 teach. After he had completed the course offered 
 in the country schools, he studied higher branches 
 at Rebersburg under Prof. Magee and Samuel 
 Gramley, and when a young man he taught 
 school in Sugar Valley, but the occupation did 
 not agree with him and he decided to find other 
 employment. As he was but a child when his 
 father died, he made his home with Col. Henry 
 Royer, near Rebersburg, and there became fa- 
 miliar with farm work, and he also learned the 
 carpenter's trade under Jacob Frederick, of 
 Aaronsburg. 
 
 In 1868 Mr. Royer married Miss Emma 
 Haines, a native of Brush Valley, and a daugh- 
 ter of Jeremiah and Susan (Brungart) Haines. 
 Two children bless this union: Susan M. , now 
 the wife of John Long, of Red Oak, Iowa; and 
 Harry H., at home. Mr. Royer has a comfort- 
 able home, and believes in taking what pleasure 
 life may afford, but his present prosperity was 
 not gained without hard work and shrewd man- 
 agement. After his marriage he located in the 
 east end of Brush Valley on his father-in-law's 
 farm. Later he removed to Sugar Valley, and 
 rented a farm for three years, and then returned 
 to Brush Valley. The first land he ever owned 
 was eighteen acres at his present home, and by 
 subsequent additions he has acquired about forty- 
 eight acres, of which has been made a fine prop- 
 erty. At two different times Mr. Royer has been 
 engaged in mercantile business in Rebersburg, 
 four and one-half years in all, and he formerly 
 worked a little at his trade. He has been very 
 successful in business. He has 563 acres of land 
 in Brush Valley, and is one of the largest land 
 owners in his township. He owns a home in 
 Rebersburg, also several acres of land there, and 
 has a partnership interest in over 235 acres of 
 timber land. While he does no manual labor, 
 the oversight of his property requires much time 
 and attention. 
 
 Previous to his enlistment, Mr. Royer's sym- 
 pathies were with the Democrats owing to the 
 influence of those around him, as he lived in a 
 
Ill' 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 Democratic community; but after his first fij^ht 
 as a soldier, he became a Republican, and has 
 ever since been a steadfast adherent of that 
 part}'. He is influential in local affairs, and has 
 been school director and supervisor, although he 
 lives in a strong Democratic locality and is no 
 office seeker. He is noted for his sound judg- 
 ment and common sense, strongly resembling his 
 father in these respects as he does in outward 
 appearance. He and his wife are prominent 
 members of the Lutheran Church, in which he is 
 an elder. He is a liberal contributor to that 
 cause, as well as to any other which seems to 
 him worthy. At the organization of W. W. 
 Bierly Post, G. A. R. , at Millbeim, he was a 
 charter member, and has been commander of that 
 post. He also belongs to the I. O. O. F. Lodge 
 No 1031, at Rebersburg. 
 
 Pennsylvania-Dutch family, and as a citizen has 
 the esteem and respect of all with whom he 
 comes in contact. 
 
 DAVID RHINESMITH is an active and ener- 
 lic [arm township, Centre 
 
 county, the owner of a good farm of sixty-two 
 aero. By the manner in which he carries on 
 his business, he evidences that he thoroughly 
 understands the vocation in which he is e 
 and that success is attending his efforts toward 
 acquiring a competency Neatness and order 
 prevail upon his place, which is managed, with 
 regard to its cultivation, in a manner that refli 
 great credit upon the owner 
 
 Mr. Rbinesmith was born in Perry county, 
 Penn., in 1832, and is mie of the twelve child 
 born to John and Elizabeth (Lamest) Rhine- 
 smith, the others being Mary A.. John. Henry, 
 Samuel, Maria, George, Kliza, and four who 
 died in infancy. In the county of his nativity 
 our subject was reared and educated, but in 
 1856 he lelt home, and has since been a resilient 
 of Centre ci mnty, when- he has alw iwed 
 
 farming. He w d in marriage with Mary 
 
 Jane Mothersbaugh, who was also one of a fam- 
 ily of twelve children. In politics her father 
 was a Republican, and in religious belief a I 
 versalist, while her mother was a member of the 
 Presbyterian Church, hive children grace the 
 union of our subject and his wife, namely: Dan- 
 iel M., Elizabeth E., In- V., Minnie H. and 
 William S. 
 
 In politics Mr. Khmesmith affiliates with the 
 Republican party, deeming that organization the 
 most progressive and best suited to the genius of 
 the American people. Fraternally he is a mem- 
 ber of the Grange, and in religious faith he holds 
 membership in the Reformed Church. He is a 
 worthy representative of an old and honored 
 
 JA("< )B KLRSTETER, one of the best known 
 agriculturists of Penn township, Centre 
 county, might almost be said to have estab- 
 lished a standard of success in his calling through 
 his successful management of his large farm 
 Although he has lately retired from active work 
 and made his home in the pleasant little town .it 
 Coburn, he has by no means lost the prestige 
 which his shrewd application of the principles of 
 modern science to the business of farming 
 for him. 
 
 Mr. Kersteter is a native of Penn township, 
 born May 2, 1S3S, and was the second son and 
 child of John and Anna (Musser) Kerstetei A 
 a 1"'. lined an education in the subscrip- 
 
 tion schools of the neighborhood, but after the 
 age of fourteen he attended but little. Realizing 
 to the full the value of a thorough pre] 
 tion f<>r life's duties, he t;i\es his hear! 
 in. ni to the later improvements m our 1 4 
 tional system. At fourteen he !■■ 
 the millwright's trade under Thomas Strayhorn, 
 of Hartleton, Union Co., Penn., strving an ap- 
 prenticeship ot three -limine: -. and receiving 
 ing the first year only $5 per month. The hrst 
 mill that he worked upon was tin wn as 
 
 the Pine (reek mill. After becoming a full - 
 I workman, he followed the business tour 
 teen years, most of the time as a master mill- 
 wright, and was employed at various points 111 
 Centre county and the region adjacent. 
 
 In November. 1861, Mr. Kersteter was mar- 
 ried in Aaronsburg, by Rev. Mr Welker, t 
 Harriet Fiedler, who was born in Penn township. 
 ( entre county, August ;, 1840, the daughter of 
 Henry and Susan (Stover Fiedlei Some 
 aftei his marriage Mr. Kersteter turned his at- 
 tention to agriculture, settling upon the farm 
 called the -old Jacob Fiedler farm," which he- 
 still owns. In iNSj he built a comfortable home 
 in Coburn, and March 20, 1894, he took up his 
 residence there, turning over the active work 0! 
 his estate to other hands. He owns 265 aci 
 land aside from his place in Coburn, and is one 
 of the substantial citizens of the locality. 
 
 In political affiliations, Mr Kersteter has al- 
 ways been a Democrat, and his advice carru s 
 much weight in the local councils of the party. 
 He has served ably in various township office-, 
 such as assessor, auditor, supervisor, overseer of 
 the poor, school director and tax collector. He 
 is also a member of the Grange, and he and his 
 
 1 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 413 
 
 wife are both actively interested in the work of 
 the Lutheran Church, to which they are liberal 
 contributors. They have one son, James W. , 
 born August i, 1864, who is now engaged in ag- 
 riculture. He married Miss Annie Alexander, of 
 Penn township, Centre county, a daughter of 
 Christ Alexander, and they have three children — 
 Bertha, Marion and Alfred. 
 
 JC P. ZERBY, a wide-awake and progressive 
 jP^. farmer of Penn township, Centre county, 
 is descended from one of its earliest families. 
 His paternal grandfather, Philip Zerby, located 
 in what is now Penn township, Centre county, 
 about the beginning of the present century. He 
 was born in Blue Mountain Hollow, Schuylkill 
 Co., Penn., a son of Jonathan Zerby, and in 
 the county of his nativity married Barbara Lin- 
 gle. A short time afterward they made what was 
 then a long and tedious journey to Centre coun- 
 ty, and located upon a farm between Millheim 
 and Coburn, in Penn township, where they made 
 their home a few years, and then removed to 
 Gregg township. By trade Philip Zerby was a 
 linen weaver, but principally supported his family 
 by day labor. He was an honest, hard-working 
 man, and a stanch supporter of the Democratic 
 party. His death occurred in Gregg township, 
 when he was fifty-five years of age. 
 
 To Philip and Barbara (Lingle) Zerby, were 
 born the following children: John, born Sep- 
 tember 27,1 804, was blind for some years prior to 
 his death, which occurred in Snow Shoe, Centre 
 county; Johan Philip, born March 27, 1806, died 
 near Pottsville, Penn. , while seeking treatment for 
 threatened blindness; David, born November 1, 
 1807, was blind for thirty-five years, and died in 
 Gregg township; Jacob, born November 10, 1809, 
 died near the Loop, in Potter township, Centre 
 county, after being blind for nearly twenty-five 
 years; Adam, the father of our subject, was next 
 in order of birth; Michael, born May 7, 18 14, 
 died in Stephenson county, 111. ; Henry, born Octo- 
 ber 23, 181 5, died in the same county; Catherine, 
 born October 27, 1817, and died in 1896, mar- 
 ried Abram Hoover, also now deceased; and An- 
 drew, born March 1, i82r, is living in the same 
 township. The mother of these children died 
 March 9, 1821, and was laid to rest in Gregg 
 township. For his second wife, Philip Zerby 
 wedded Hannah Sunday, a native of George's Val- 
 ley, and a daughter of Adam and Hannah Eliza- 
 beth (Minich) Sunday. Eight children blessed 
 this union: Elizabeth, born May 16, 1822, mar- 
 ried Charles Ripka, and died in Gregg township; 
 
 Mary, born April 26, 1824, married Henry Gar- 
 ver, and died in Potter township, Centre county; 
 Susannah and Sarah (twins) were born August 
 26, 1826 (Susannah is now the widow of George 
 Wirt, late of Penn township, and Sarah is the 
 widow of Peter Auman, late of Gregg township); 
 Joseph, born November 4, 1830, died in Gregg 
 township; William is a resident of that town- 
 ship; Hannah is the wife of Peter Confer, of 
 Millheim; and Amelia died at the age of twenty- 
 one years. 
 
 The birth of Adam Zerby occurred in Gregg 
 township, August 19, 181 1, and as his parents 
 were in limited circumstances he was given no 
 educational advantages. When a young man he 
 learned the weaver's trade, which he followed in 
 connection with farming, and also operated a 
 sawmill for many years. In 1847 he removed to 
 Penn township, on Penn creek, where he pur- 
 chased eighty acres of land, going in debt for the 
 same, but fortunately his sons were of much as- 
 sistance to him, and he soon had a comfortable 
 home. Upon that farm his death occurred when 
 he was nearly seventy years of age. He was a 
 quiet, unassuming man, six feet, three inches in 
 height, who enjoyed excellent health up to the 
 time of his last illness. His remains were in- 
 terred in Paradise cemetery by the side of the 
 mother of our subject, who died at the age of 
 fifty-seven years. He was a firm supporter of 
 Democratic principles, but cared nothing for pub- 
 lic office, and was a faithful member of the Evan- 
 gelical Church. 
 
 In early life Adam Zerby married Susanna 
 Suavely, by whom he had the following children: 
 Henry, a resident of Haines township, Centre 
 county; A. P., subject of this review; Reuben, 
 who died in Penn township; David L. , teller in 
 the Millheim Bank; Sarah, widow of F. F. Jami- 
 son, of Gregg township; and Julia A., who mar- 
 ried Daniel Geary, and died in Penn township. 
 After the death of his first wife, Adam Zerby 
 wedded Mrs. Catherine Confer, nee Heckman, 
 widow of Joseph Confer. She is still living in 
 Stephenson county, Illinois. 
 
 A. P. Zerby was born April 21, 1845, and was 
 an infant when brought by his parents to the 
 farm which he now owns, and where he has since 
 resided. His first literary training was under 
 the instruction of John Strayhorn, and his entire 
 education was obtained in the district schools, 
 which were much inferior to those of the present 
 day. He strongly endorses the changes that 
 have since been made in educational institutions, 
 and has served as an efficient member of the 
 school board in his district. At the age of eight- 
 een he left the schoolroom, and worked forsome. 
 
II 1 
 
 riiMMHMORATlVE BIOUUM'UK A I. RECORD. 
 
 time in a mill and in the lumber woods, being 
 thus employed until twenty-seven years of age. 
 
 In February, 1S72, in Haines township. Cen- 
 tre county, Mr. Zerby was married to Miss Eliza- 
 beth Daup, the oldest of the seven children born 
 to Joseph and Catherine (Decker) Daup, the 
 former a blacksmith by trade. Five children 
 have been born of this union: Susan O., at home; 
 Joseph A., who died at the age of five years; 
 William D. and Emory P., school teachers, re- 
 siding at home; and Nina A.,. also at home. 
 
 After his marriage Mr. Zerby began house- 
 keeping upon the old home farm, comprising 
 sixty-five acres of rich and arable land, where he 
 still resides, and which he has under high cult 
 For nearly a half of a century it has been his 
 hi Mm . .1 ml after the death of his father he bought 
 it at a public sale. Although he went in debt 
 for much of the amount, it is now free. In con- 
 nection with his farming operations, he also 
 
 rates a sawmill, which he has equipped with 
 
 modern machinery. No man in Penn township 
 
 is more industrious, energetic and enterprising, 
 
 i all that he now possesses has been obtained 
 
 mgh his own unaided exertions. He has 
 
 always supported the men and measures of the 
 
 Democratic party, and has been called upon to 
 
 i.il official positions, including those 
 
 auditor, overseer of the poor, judge of elec- 
 tion, school director and a 1 ■• With the 
 United Evangelical Church Mr. and Mrs. Zerbj 
 hold membership, and they enjo) a prominent 
 position among the best and most highly re- 
 spected citizens of the community. 
 
 JOHN WETZEL occupies a position in the 
 fronl tank among the leading agriculturists 
 oi Spring township, Centre county, where he 
 owns and operates a good farm of sixty acres, 
 which he has placed under a high state of culti- 
 vation and improved with excellent buildings. 
 For many years he has made his home in Centre 
 county, but was born in Snyder county, Penn., 
 January 2, 1S27, a son of Henry and Elizabeth 
 (Ertly) Wetzel. His grandfather, Henry Wet- 
 zel, at an early day removed from Lebanon 
 county to what is now Snyder county, and there 
 died at a ripe old age. By trade he was a 
 weaver, but throughout the greatei part of his life 
 followed the occupation of farming. He served 
 as a soldier during the " whiskey rebellion. " In 
 his family were four children: Jacob, Mrs. \\ 
 ner, Henry, and one that died in infancy, 
 
 The father of our subject was also a native of 
 Snyder county, and there passed away at tin 
 ■ of eighty-three years, while his wife, who was 
 
 born in the same county, died at the age of sev- 
 enty-seven. He was a mechanic, engaged in the 
 manufacture of gun barrels and grain sickles, 
 and he was a consistent member of the Reformed 
 Church. In his family were the following chil- 
 dren who grew to manhood and womanhood: 
 Aaron, who makes his home in Delaware ; John, 
 subject of this sketch; Frank, a resident of Sil- 
 verton, Colo.; Henry, of Snyder county; Samuel, 
 of Missouri; Miles, of Steelton, Penn.; and 
 Sarah, wife of Boyer Kartz, of Snyder county, 
 Pennsylvania. 
 
 In the public schools of the county of his na- 
 tivity John Wet, -el -ecured a good education, and 
 on leaving the school room learned the carpen- 
 ter's trade with Jacob Gildron, of Turburtville, 
 Northumberland county. At the age of twenty- 
 two he came to nte, and has since made 
 his home in Centre county with the exception of 
 about four years and one-half. In 1S52 he re- 
 moved to Snow- Shoe, where the following three 
 years were passed, and then emigrated to Cedar- 
 ville, Stephenson Co.. 111.; in the fall of 18 
 however, he returned to Centre county. Until 
 [876 he was a resident of Bellefonte. where he 
 followed contracting and building, but in that 
 year removed to his present farm in Spring town- 
 ship. 
 
 On March 25, 1852, Mr. Wet/el was married 
 to Miss Susan Musser. whose birth occurred Jan- 
 uary 27, 1831. To them have been born thirteen 
 children, in the order of birth as follows: 1 I 
 Frank and (2) his twin brother, born Noveml 
 13. [852, the latter dying in infancy; the former 
 
 luated from Franklin Marshall College, was 
 ordained in the Reformed Church, and is now 
 preaching in Stoystown, .Somerset Co., Penn. 
 He married Ellen Yearick, and has seven chil- 
 dren — John A., Walter N., Beulah, Grace, Veda, 
 George and Harvey. (3) Samuel D., born Oc- 
 tober 12, 1854, was educated in the public 
 schools of Bellefonte, and learned the carpenter's 
 trade which he now follows; he makes his home 
 with his parents, and is a free-silver Demoi 
 in politics. (4) John Henry, born Maj 1.1, 1S56, 
 
 luated from a law school, and for some time 
 engaged in practice in Nebraska; he is now an 
 attorney and civil engineer at Bellefonte; he mar- 
 ried Susan S. Yearick, and has five children — 
 
 I, Nevin, Lucile, Ruth and Sarah. 15 Allen, 
 born September 18, 1 S 5 7 , died Mayo, 1- 
 Oscar, born March 6, 1859, graduated from the 
 Eastman Business College, at Poughkeepsie, and 
 is now employed in the lumber office of Mr. 
 Crider, in Bellefonte; he married Emma Beck 
 ami has one child — Ethel. (7) Mary E., born 
 September 24, i860, the wife of Jared Harj 
 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 415 
 
 a groceryman of Bellefonte, and they have one 
 child— John Wetzel. (8) Clyde, born July I, 
 1862, is engaged in the butcher business in Nel- 
 son, Neb.; he married Maggie Bush, by whom 
 he has one child — Nova. (9) Harvey Musser, 
 born February 23, 1864, graduated in civil en- 
 gineering at the Lehigh University, and is now 
 in the employ of a New York company surveying 
 for a railroad in San Domingo, West Indies; he 
 married Emma Himmelwrite, and has two chil- 
 dren — Helen and Mildred. (10) Charles E., 
 born February 17, 1866, married Kate Miller, by 
 whom he has one child — Mary; he is a carpenter 
 of Bellefonte. (11) Louis C. , born August 24, 
 1869, is in the bicycle business in Bellefonte, and 
 owns a machine shop in the same town; he was 
 married June 9, 1897, to Miss Ida Gerberich, of 
 Bellefonte. (12) William, born May 13, 1871, 
 works upon the home farm and at the butcher 
 business in Bellefonte, alternately, 
 a twin brother of William, died in 
 Mrs. Wetzel was reared and 
 what is now the thriving city of Bellefonte. Both 
 she and her husband are still well preserved both 
 physically and mentally, and are worthy mem- 
 bers of the Reformed Church. These estimable 
 people have well performed their part in uphold- 
 ing the intellectual, social and moral status of 
 the community, and have gained the respect and 
 confidence of the entire people. Politically, Mr. 
 Wetzel is a Democrat, as are also all of his sons. 
 The children as well as the parents are all mem- 
 bers of the Reformed Church. 
 
 (13) Walter, 
 June, 1871. 
 educated in 
 
 BiERTEL POULSEN. Among the repre- 
 ) sentative and prominent business men of 
 Howard borough, Centre county, is numbered 
 the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch 
 — a member of the well-known firm of B. Poul- 
 sen & Co., who own and operate a sawmill and 
 are engaged in the manufacture of handles, 
 spokes, etc., at Centre Hall. A business man of 
 known reliability, he has the confidence and re- 
 spect of all with whom he comes in contact. 
 
 Mr. Poulsen was born January 25, 1857, in 
 Ravehede, near Aalborg, Denmark, a son of 
 Poul Christian and Maren (Bertelsdatter) Neil- 
 sen, who were also natives of that country, 
 where they still reside. During his active busi- 
 ness career the father engaged in farming and 
 speculating, but is now living a retired life. In 
 religious belief he is a Lutheran. He is a son of 
 Neils Poulsen and Maren Larsdatter, who spent 
 their entire lives in Denmark. The maternal 
 grandparents of our subject were Bertel Chris- 
 tensen and Anna Poulsdatter. Six children were 
 
 born to Poul C. Neilsen and his estimable wife — 
 three sons and three daughters, namely: Amalia, 
 now the wife of Jens Peter Jensen, a stonemason 
 and farmer of the northern part of Denmark; 
 Neils, who owns and operates a planing, handle 
 and spoke mill at Round Hill, Va. ; Christine, 
 wife of Neils Peter Neilsen, a merchant of Den- 
 mark; Bertel, subject of this sketch; Marie, wife 
 of Christian Jeppesen, a school teacher of west- 
 ern Denmark; and Lars, who is in partnership 
 with his brother at Round Hill, Virginia. 
 
 During the boyhood and youth of Bertel 
 Poulsen he attended the schools of his native 
 land until fourteen years of age, and assisted in 
 the work of the home farm for two years longer, 
 when he began learning the carpenter's trade. 
 At the age of nineteen he emigrated to the New 
 World, first locating at Irvine, Warren Co., 
 Penn., where for three years he was engaged in 
 the manufacture of handles and spokes, and then 
 returned to the land of his nativity. During the 
 eight months he remained there he attended 
 high school, knowing how essential to a suc- 
 cessful business career is a good education. On 
 again coming to America, in the following spring, 
 Mr. Poulsen took up his residence in Titusville, 
 Penn., where, through the summer, he was em- 
 ployed in a cabinet factory, and the next year 
 worked for K. G. Shutt at the carpenter's trade 
 in Irvine. Subsequently he came to Howard, 
 Centre county, where he erected a plant tor the 
 manufacture of handles and spokes, and success- 
 fully engaged in that business there until the fall 
 of 1896, when he removed to Centre Hall and 
 established a similar manufactory. He is an en- 
 terprising, wide-awake business man, thoroughly 
 abreast with the times, and his straightforward 
 course commends him to the confidence of all. 
 
 In Howard, August 20, 1884, Mr. Poulsen 
 married Miss Lena K. Reber, and they have 
 three children: Victor H., born May 26, 1885; 
 Clara K., born February 24, 1887; and Myra R., 
 born July 27, 1890. Mrs. Poulsen was born in 
 Howard township, Centre county, October 23, 
 1862, and is a daughter of Theodore L. and Re- 
 becca E. (Kunes) Reber, also natives of Centre 
 county, the former born in Howard in 1836, and 
 the latter in Eagleville. She died in July, 1863; 
 the father is now a resident of Santa Fe, N. M., 
 where he is engaged in the manufacture of soda 
 water. In 1867 he left Centre county, where he 
 had followed the occupation of farming, carpen- 
 tering and boating, and also engaged in the meat 
 business in Milesburg. By his first marriage he 
 had three children, one of whom died in infancy, 
 the others being James O. , who died when young; 
 and Lena K., wife of our subject. After the 
 
416 
 
 ro.V.VE.VORATIVB BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 death of their mother, Mr. Reber wedded Re- 
 becca J. Rogers, a native of Bellefonte, Perm., 
 and a daughter of William Rogers. His parents 
 were Samuel and Mary A. (Askey) Reber, who 
 spent their entire lives in Centre county, where 
 the father followed tailoring and farming. The 
 maternal grandparents of Mrs. Poulsen, John and 
 Nancy (Gardner) Kunes, were also natives of 
 Centre county, where they made their home upon 
 a farm. 
 
 Mr. Poulsen is a keen, practical man, well 
 gifted with mental and physical vigor. In poli- 
 tics he casts his vote for the candidates of the 
 Republican party, and, although he does not take 
 an active part in public life, he conscientiously 
 performs his duties as a good citizen. 
 
 WILLIAM ELLIS IRWIN, a well-known 
 progressive business man of Philipsburg, 
 Centre county, prominently identified with insur- 
 ance interests, was born February 23, 1834, in 
 
 irfield count\\ where his family have long held 
 a noted place. Until the age of fifteen Mr. Irwin 
 attended the academy in Clearfield borough, and 
 then, finding employment at a sawmill, he began 
 the serious work of gaining a livelihood. After a 
 time be entered the Howard Iron Works, in Cen- 
 tre county, where his uncle was iron master, 
 spending ten years in the employ of that firm. 
 
 The Civil war breaking out, Mr. Irwin re- 
 sponded to his country's need, on September 13, 
 1862, enlisting in Company L, 5th P. V. C, aft- 
 erward reorganized as Company E. His regi- 
 ment was, after three months' drilling at Carlisle 
 Barracks in Pennsylvania, assigned to the Army 
 of the Cumberland, later to the Army of the 
 i nnessee, and Mr. Irwin took part in a number 
 of important battles, including those of Antietam 
 and Murfreesboro, or Stone River. He spent 
 one year in the field, and was then detailed in the 
 quartermaster's department, with which he was 
 connected until May 1, 1866. While at Nashville, 
 Tenn., in 1864, he voted for Abraham Lincoln. 
 
 On his return home Mr. Irwin engaged in a 
 general mercantile business at Philipsburg, which 
 he gave up in 1875 to enter the lumber trade. 
 His connection with the (ire insurance dates bark 
 to 1887, and at present he represents various 
 well-established companies in fire, life, plate 
 glass, and accident. He is a charter member of 
 the Steam Heat Co., of the Electric Light Co., 
 and of the " Philipsburg Water Co. " — in I 
 is interested in all enterprises calculated to benefit 
 ity and community at lai 
 
 As a citizen his intelligence and genial man- 
 have won him mans sincere friends. He 
 
 takes great interest in school affairs, and has 
 been a director for many years. It is said that 
 some one lately told Gov. Hastings that William 
 E. Irwin, and another in the counts, "ought to 
 receive a life pension for their activity on the 
 school board." His political allegiance was from 
 the first given to the Republican party, and he is 
 still an unwavering supporter of its principles. 
 Socially, he has been a Freemason since 
 affiliated with Moshannon Lodge No. 391, of 
 Philipsburg, has filled all the chairs as a Master 
 Mason, and was secretary of the lodge sixteen 
 years. 
 
 On June 15, 1869, Mr. Irwin married Mis- 
 Susannah H. Tussey, a native of Canoe Valley, 
 Huntingdon Co., Penn., and they have three 
 children: 1 1 Frank F. married Miss Cora Min- 
 niam Row, and has one child — William Ellis 
 Row Irwin; (2) Dorothy Harnisb is the wife of 
 C. B. Holly, and has one child — Harold Irwin 
 Holly; and 13) H. Ruth is at home. 
 
 As has been said, Mr. Irwin is a descendant 
 of a pioneer family of Clearfield county. His 
 great-grandfather, John Irwin, Sr. , came from 
 Ireland in 1774, accompanying his widowed 
 mother and two brothers, Matthew and Nathan- 
 iel, all three of whom located in Washington 
 county, Penn., after a short residence in Pitts- 
 burg. John Irwin, Sr., settled in Centre county, 
 and although he was by trade a shoemaker he 
 followed agriculture until his death, which oc- 
 curred April 29, 1829. He was married in Ches- 
 ter county, Penn.. to Miss Sarah Iddings, and 
 had four children: William, who died in Centre 
 county; John, Jr., mentioned below; Isabella, 
 who died at the age of sixty, and Sarah, who 
 died in 1865. 
 
 John Irwin, Jr., our subject's grandfather, 
 came to Centre county as a young man, from his 
 early home in Chester county, and there located 
 and improved a farm; he also manufactured 
 shoes at Bellefonte for a time. He was married 
 in Centre county to Mary Fisher, daughter ol 
 William Fisher, a gentleman of large propert) 
 and gnat influence in that section, probably of 
 English birth. Nine children were born of tin- 
 union, as follows: Hannah, who married Will- 
 iam Way; Ellis, who married Hannah Id 
 fohn, who married Anna Linn; Sarah, who mai 
 ried Thomas Brooks; William F.. who inarm ; 
 Susan Antes; Malissa, w ho married Lewis Hager- 
 man; James, who married Matilda Trumbell. 
 Martha A., who married James C. Williams 
 Mars 1 . who married Augustus Rvman. 
 
 Ellis Irwin, the eldest son of John and V 
 (Fisher) Irwin, and father of the subject of thi- 
 born in Bald Eagle Valle) . I 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 417 
 
 Co., Perm., near Bellefonte, June 17, 1805, and 
 is still living in good health, with the exception 
 of an affection of the lower limbs which followed 
 an attack of " La Grippe " a few years ago. He 
 was educated at Bellefonte Academy, and spent 
 much of his time in his youth working upon the 
 homestead and in the shoe factory. For four 
 years he carried the United States mail through 
 the mountains on horseback. On January 10, 
 1827, he married Hannah Iddings, a lady of 
 great intelligence and worth, and a daughter of 
 John and Ann (Carroll) Iddings. On her moth- 
 er's side she was related to Charles Carroll, one 
 of the signers of the Declaration of Independ- 
 ence. Eight children were born of this union: 
 (1) Lewis died in 1882; (2) John F. is a druggist 
 in Clearfield; (3) Mary and (4) Henrietta are at 
 home; (5) William E. is our subject; (6) Joseph 
 R. is a druggist at Curwensville; (7) Malissa died 
 of heart trouble December 11, 1862, aged twen- 
 ty-seven years; and (8) James died January 3, 
 1853, of scarlet fever, aged eleven years. In 
 February, 1881, after a wedded life of more than 
 fifty years, Mrs. Ellis Irwin passed to the other 
 world, leaving many mourners outside the fam- 
 ily circle, upon whom the loss fell the heaviest. 
 The early ancestors of the Irwin family were 
 Quakers, and subsequent generations have held 
 tenaciously to the same beautiful and inspiring 
 faith. Ellis Irwin has always been an adherent 
 of the Society, and among the reforms advocated 
 most zealously by him was that of the abolition 
 of slavery, upon which the Quakers spoke out 
 boldly when others were as yet silent. In po- 
 litical affiliations he was first a Whig, later a 
 Republican, and he gave every possible aid to 
 the Union cause during the Civil war, sending 
 three sons to the field of battle, all of whom re- 
 turned safely. In financial lines he has been an 
 able and successful worker. Soon after his mar- 
 riage he began farming on his own account, and 
 in 1829 moved to Clearfield county, buying a 
 farm at Grampian Hills (now in Penn township), 
 and four years later engaged in the hotel busi- 
 ness at Curwensville, remaining three years. In 
 1835 he was appointed to the office uf prothono- 
 tary, register, recorder, and clerk of the courts 
 in Clearfield, to fill a vacancy, and at the end of 
 \ the term was elected for a full term of three 
 ! years. In 1838 he engaged in mercantile busi- 
 ness in Clearfield. In 1840 he was appointed 
 postmaster there; in 1843 he was elected sheriff 
 for a term of three years, and in these as in 
 other positions of public trust he served with 
 ability and faithfulness. In 1850 he purchased 
 a large tract of land in Goshen township, Clear- 
 field county, to which he added until he owned 
 27 
 
 at one time some three thousand acres. This 
 estate he has developed, with energy and judg- 
 ment, with mills, farms and other improvements, 
 and the population of the locality is now so 
 large that a post office, known as Lick Run 
 Mills, was established there mainly through his 
 influence. Since 1872 he has been postmaster 
 at Lick Run Mills. 
 
 IS, CLARK MUSSER, who holds a leading 
 Jl&L place among the enterprising and promi- 
 nent business men of Millheim, was born there 
 April 22, 1848. His father, J. G. Musser, was 
 born in Gregg township, Centre county, Decem- 
 ber 12, 1820, a son of Philip B. and Elizabeth 
 (Ilgen) Musser, and in the subscription schools 
 held near his home acquired his education, which 
 was principally in the German language. On 
 December 8, 1842, at Millheim, he wedded Miss 
 Julia Hubler, who was born August 15, 1817, a 
 daughter of Adam Hubler, who was for years 
 identified with the milling interests of the county 
 as owner of the Hubler mill, and was killed by 
 falling from a barn that occupied the present site 
 of the residence of Mrs. D. A. Musser. 
 
 A short time after his marriage the father of 
 our subject removed to the hotel now conducted 
 by W. S. Musser, having purchased the same 
 from Jacob Widener, and was its host for some 
 years. Prior to thishe had engaged in mercantile 
 pursuits in connection with his brother, W. L. 
 Musser. He was a great hunter and fisher, in 
 which sports he found his greatest pleasure, and 
 in politics he was a stanch Democrat. His 
 death occurred January 12, 1892, that of his 
 wife on February 26, 1884, and the remains of 
 both were interred in the Millheim cemetery. 
 The family of this worthy couple numbered 
 the following children: Ralph M. is a miller of 
 Williamsport, Penn.; Clarence died May 1, 1846; 
 Emma C. is the wife of J. H. Swartz, of Renovo, 
 Penn. ; A. Clark is next in order of birth; Charles 
 died February 1, 1852; Mary died February 10, 
 1854; James B. is a resident of California; and 
 Anna died April 28, 1861. 
 
 In the public schools of Millheim the subject 
 proper of this review received his literary educa- 
 tion, his first teacher being George M. Swartz. He 
 continued under the parental roof until he had at- 
 tained his majority, aiding in the support of the 
 family, till, in April, 1869, he entered the shop 
 of B. O. Deininger to learn the trade of mar- 
 ble cutter. At the end of two years and a 
 half, however, he went to Lock Haven, Penn. r 
 where he worked for five months, and after his re- 
 turn to Millheim in the spring of 1872, he pur- 
 
U8 
 
 COMMKMORA T1YK ISKni RAl'lIICAL RKt ORD. 
 
 chased a third interest in the establishment of Mr. 
 Deininger. Three years later he secured a half 
 interest, and in 1885 became sole owner; but after 
 conducting the business for a short time he sold 
 a half interest to \Y. K. Alexander, and the firm 
 has since been Musser & Alexander. Their work 
 is first-class in every particular, and, by courte- 
 ous treatment and fair and honorable dealing, 
 they have succeeded in building up a large and 
 lucrative business. 
 
 On July 5, 1874, Mr. Musser was married to 
 Miss Margaret C. Kister, of Aaronsburg, Centre 
 county, who was born in that village March 15, 
 1 S41 . a 1 laughter of Jeremiah and Elizabeth (Mil- 
 ler) Kister. Twelve children have graced their 
 union: Bertha E., a printer of Millheim; Lulu 
 C, at home; Norman Lester; Thomas B. and 
 Frederick W. , both deceased; John F. ; Grover 
 G. ; Lizzie (deceased); Orvis; Paul; May and 
 Claude 1. 
 
 Jeremiah Kister, the father of Mrs. Musser, 
 war born in Greene township, Clinton Co., 
 Penn., October 7, 1825, a son of Lawrence Kis- 
 ter. During the Civil war he became a member of 
 Company F, 12th P. V. C, and in battle was 
 hut in the face. After lingering two weeks, 
 he died in the hospital at Chester, Penn., in 
 August, 1S64, and was there buried. He was 
 .1 shoemaker and plasterer by trade, a Democrat 
 in politics, and a consistent member of the Re- 
 formed Church. He left a widow and six chil- 
 dren, of whom, Mrs. Musser and her twin sister, 
 Susan, were the second and third in order of 
 birth. The other four were sons. The mother, 
 who was a native of Aaronsburg, Centre county, 
 and a daughter of Benjamin Miller, died in July. 
 1889, at the home of her son, B. F. Kister, of 
 Millheim. 
 
 Mr. Musser began his domestic life in Mill- 
 heim, where he has since made his home, and 
 is numbered among its most progressive and 
 wide-awake business men, of undoubted integrity 
 and honor. His political support is ever given 
 the Democratic party, and he has been called 
 upon to fill several official positions of honor and 
 trust, including those of assessor, tax collector, 
 chief burgess and councilman, and was a mem- 
 ber of the school board for some years. With 
 the Lutheran Church both he and his excellent 
 wife hold membership. 
 
 Mil. TON J. HENDERSON holds a good po- 
 sition among the agriculturists of Taylor 
 township, Centre county, where he 1 1 in 
 
 general farming, and from which he derives an- 
 nually a comfortable income. He was born 
 
 February 7, 1858, on the farm where he still re- 
 sides — the old Henderson homestead on the 
 Fowler road, which has been occupied by four 
 generations of the family. 
 
 David and Mary (McMamagh) Henderson, 
 parents of our subject, were also natives of Tay- 
 lor township, the father born on the old home- 
 stead October 13, 1819, where he continued to 
 extensively engage in farming throughout life. 
 He was drafted for the Civil war, but was re- 
 leased on account of being a few days too old. 
 His death, which occurred December 23, 1886. 
 was caused by falling in a threshing machine. 
 He was a conscientious, earnest Christian, for 
 forty-two years holding membership with the 
 United Brethren Church, to which his estimable 
 wife also belonged. She was born May 21, 1 82 1 , 
 and departed this life September 7, 188J8. 
 
 Our subject is one of a family of nine chil- 
 dren, namely: Robert, a lumberman of Clear- 
 field county, Penn.; Eve, wife of John L. Spit- 
 ler, a miner of Sandy Ridge, Centre county; 
 Mary, wife of John Orwick, a farmer of Taylor 
 township; Malinda, deceased wife of John Beck- 
 with, a merchant and farmer of Hannah Furnace. 
 Penn.; Samuel, a resident of Madera, Clear- 
 field county; William, section foreman on the 
 Colorado railroad; Anna, wife of John McCrawf- 
 ton, of Clearfield county; Milton J. ; and John, 
 who resides with our subject and is a parti 
 business. 
 
 Robert and Mary (Jackson) Henderson, the 
 maternal grandparents, were also natives of Tay- 
 lor township. The grandfather was born on the 
 old homestead, where he engaged in farming and 
 where he died. The maternal grandparents ol 
 our subject were Stephen H. and Eve (Frantz) 
 McMunagle, the former of Irish and the latter ol 
 Dutch descent. 
 
 Milton J. Henderson spent his boyhood and 
 youth after the manner of most farmers' sons, 
 becoming familiar with plowing, sowing and 
 reaping, and amid the quiet scenes of country 
 life grew up with a healthy constitution and a 
 brain. He is indebted to the public schools for 
 his elementary education, and by reading and 
 observation has become a well-informed 
 He remained at home until after attaining his 
 majority, when he removed to Clearfield county, 
 and for two years was engaged in lumbi 
 Returning to Taylor township, Centre county, 
 
 rated a farm for his brother Robi 
 two years, but during the following three years 
 he was again engaged in lumbering in Clear! 1 
 
 unty. He next purchased a small farm in 
 I \ lor township, which he cultivated some tl 
 
 irs, and subsequently operated a rented tract 
 
 , 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 419 
 
 in Huntington county, Indiana, for two years. 
 In connection with his brother John, he then 
 purchased the old Henderson homestead, to the 
 cultivation and improvement of which they have 
 since devoted their time. 
 
 On attaining to man's estate, Mr. Henderson 
 was united in marriage with Miss Emma Weaver, 
 who died in November, 1878, at the age of twen- 
 ty-four years, leaving one son, Elmer, still at 
 home. She was a daughter of David and Har- 
 riet (Feaster) Weaver, the former now a resi- 
 dent of Tyrone, Penn., and the latter deceased. 
 On December 23, 1882, Mr. Henderson was 
 again married, this time to Mrs. Elizabeth 
 {Dougherty) Parks, widow of Charles W. Parks, 
 by whom she had one daughter, Mary A., now 
 the wife of James Goss, a farmer residing near 
 Hannah Furnace, Centre county. Mrs. Goss 
 has one son, William O. Mrs. Henderson was 
 born in Huntingdon county, Penn., August 8, 
 1854, adaughter of John and Hannah (Hamilton) 
 Dougherty, both now deceased, the former dy- 
 ing in July, 1851;, and the latter on March 15, 
 1891, at the age of sixty-seven years. In their 
 family were the following children: Ann, wife of 
 Simon Hencebanger, an undertaker of Clear- 
 field county; Caroline, wife of Frank Pettitt, an 
 extensive farmer of California; Susan, widow of 
 Patrick Haulton, of Philipsburg, Penn. ; James, of 
 Clearfield county ; George, deceased ;Maggie, wife 
 of Elias Miles, a railroad man of Tipton, Penn. ; 
 and Elizabeth, wife of our subject. The father 
 of this family was a farmer of Huntingdon, Hunt- 
 ingdon county. 
 
 Mr. Henderson is a firm believer in the prin- 
 ciples of the Republican party, which he always 
 supports by his ballot; socially he is connected 
 with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and, 
 religiously, both himelf and wife are esteemed 
 members of the United Brethren Church. They 
 are respected and valued members of the com- 
 munity, and possess the entire confidence and re- 
 gard of their neighbors. 
 
 D' 
 
 iANIEL F. POORMAN. residing on Wal- 
 lace run, is one of the enterprising, indus- 
 trious farmers of Boggs township, Centre county, 
 where he also owns and operates a stone quarry. 
 He was born on Marsh creek, in the same town- 
 ship, January 12, 1848, and his parents, John 
 and Catherine (Fetzer) Poorman, spent their en- 
 tire lives in Centre county. His paternal grand- 
 parents, John and Elizabeth B. (Harper) Poor- 
 man, were also natives of that county, born at 
 Brush Valley, while his maternal grandparents, 
 Michael and Mary (Homier) Fetzer, were natives 
 
 of Germany and New Jersey, respectively, com- 
 ing to the county at an early day. During his 
 younger years the father of our subject engaged 
 in lumbering, later turned his attention exclusive- 
 ly to agricultural pursuits, becoming an extensive 
 farmer. In politics he supported the Democ- 
 racy, and religiously was a member of Messiah 
 Church. He died November 25, 1893, at the age 
 of seventy-eight years, and his wife passed away 
 in 1884, at the age of seventy. 
 
 Nine children graced their union, as follows: 
 Maria is the deceased wife of Jacob Yarnal, a 
 farmer of Boggs township; Jane is the wife of 
 Morgan M. Lucas, a farmer of the same 
 township; Mary is the wife of Stanley Wat- 
 son, also a farmer of Boggs township; Will- 
 iam is an agriculturist of Central City, Cen- 
 tre county; Daniel F. is the subject of this 
 sketch; Edward is a merchant of Boggs township; 
 Arminta is the wife of Joseph Williams, and en- 
 gineer of Williamsport, Penn. ; Alice is the wife 
 of William Fetzer, of Marsh Creek, Boggs town- 
 ship; and Fleming is a farmer of the same town- 
 ship. 
 
 Until 1 88 1, Daniel F. Poorman remained 
 under the parental roof, from the time of his 
 marriage operating the old homestead farm on 
 shares, and then purchasing his present farm. 
 Upon his place he has a valuable stone quarry, 
 which he began to operate in 1888. He is a wide- 
 awake, progressive business man, straight-for- 
 ward and honorable in all dealings, and gained 
 the confidence and esteem of all with whom he 
 comes in contact. In manner he is pleasant and 
 genial, easily winning friends, and has the happy 
 faculty of retaining them. He is a stalwart 
 Democrat in politics, but cares nothing for the 
 honors or emoluments of public office, preferring 
 to give his undivided attention to his business in- 
 terests, in which he is meeting with good success. 
 He is a public-spirited citizen, and all worthy 
 enterprises find in him a friend and supporter. 
 On January 21, 1872, he married Miss Nettie 
 Walker, and to them have been born five chil- 
 dren: Willis N., a farmer of Boggs township; 
 Eva M., at home; Toner, who was scalded to 
 death at the age of two years; Claude, at home; 
 and one who died in infancy. 
 
 Jacob and Margerie (Lucas) Walker, the par- 
 ents of Mrs. Poorman, were natives of Mifflin 
 and Centre counties, Penn., respectively. They 
 were married in the latter county, where the 
 father died September 8, 1884, at the age of 
 seventy-five years; the mother, who was born 
 March 4, 18 18, still resides on the old homestead 
 in Boggs township. Both were earnest mem- 
 bers of the United Brethren Church, and in pol- 
 
420 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BUm HA i'lWAI. RBOOBD. 
 
 itics he was a Republican. Throughout life he 
 followed general farming. Nine children were 
 born of their union, namely Matilda, wife of 
 Philip Resides, a farmer of Boggs township; 
 William and David, who both laid down their 
 lives on the altar of their country during the 
 Civil war; Maria, deceased wife of David Snider, 
 of Northumberland county, Penn. ; Jane, de- 
 ceased wife of William Confer; Milligan, who is 
 residing on the family homestead in Boggs town- 
 ship; Rankin, deceased; Nettie, the honored wife 
 of our subject; and Mary B., wife of Cyrus Lu- 
 cas, of Boggs township. William and David 
 Taylor enlisted in Company A, 149th Pennsyl- 
 vania Volunteers, in the spring of 1861, and 
 William was corporal of the company. In the 
 the spring of 1862 he was shot while on picket 
 duty, being the first man that was killed from 
 Centre county. His remains were sent home 
 and buried in the cemetery at Milesburg. David 
 fought in all the battles except the last one, be- 
 ing taken sick and sent to Lincoln Hospital, 
 where he died, and he was buried at the same 
 place. 
 
 William Lucas, the maternal grandfather of 
 Mrs. Poorman, died at Snow Shoe, Centre 
 county. The grandmother's name was Maryan 
 Johnson. 
 
 ELIAS MILLER. To grow old gracefully, to 
 '/ keep the youthful spirit, and adding the 
 
 ripening and enriching influences of years of ex- 
 perience and useful effort, is a rare distinction. 
 Although now "eighty-three years young," the 
 honored pioneer whose name opens this biogra- 
 phy shows few traces of the flight of time, weak- 
 ened eyesight being the only serious sign of im- 
 paired vigor. This is the more remarkable be- 
 cause his life has been more than ordinarily rilled 
 with hardships and labors, as the following in- 
 teresting account will show. 
 
 Mr. Miller was born June 10, 1814, in Moore 
 township, Northampton county, Penn., on Blue 
 Mountain. His father, David Miller, was a na- 
 tive of the same county, born October 3, 1786, 
 and as a boy was bound out to a hotel keeper 
 near Bethlehem, Penn. When he came of age 
 he learned tin- tailor's trade, which he followed 
 for. so me years. IK- married Miss Barbara Reich- 
 ner, who was born in Moore township, North- 
 ampton count)-, May 26, 1791, and as his chil- 
 dren crew to mature age he determined to seek a 
 home where land could be procured more easily 
 
 .1 bettei starl secured for them. In 1832 he 
 moved to Boalsburg, Centre county, a one-horse 
 and a two-horse wagon serving to bring the fam- 
 
 ily and the household goods. He continued 
 his trade while looking about for the desired 
 opening into agricultural work, his lack of capital 
 making the search a difficult one. Finally he 
 rented a farm near Rock Springs, Centre county, 
 and five years later took another near Pennsyl- 
 vania Furnace. He prospered, and after a time 
 purchased 100 acres of timbered land in the 
 "Barrens," and building a log house started in 
 true pioneer fashion to clear a farm. As old age 
 came on he sold this tract and bought twenty- 
 five acres from a farm then owned by our sub- 
 ject, and putting up a good log house and stable 
 he and his estimable wife lived there some years. 
 Elias Miller, however, removed to Miles town- 
 ship, and wishing to have his parents near him. 
 purchased a small but comfortable home near 
 Madisonburg, in which they passed their remain- 
 ing years, the father's death occurring May 18. 
 [866, and the mother's on February 8. 1875 
 Their remains were first laid to rest in the Lu- 
 theran cemetery, but later Elias Miller had them 
 transferred to the German Reformed Cemetery, 
 both parents having been devout followers of 
 that faith. 
 
 David Miller was a man of small build. In 
 early life he enjoyed excellent health, but he be- 
 came crippled in the left leg through a crooked- 
 ness caused by white swelling. This disadvan- 
 tage did not prevent him from working and try- 
 ing to realize his hopes of a competence for him- 
 self and his family. Of eleven children only two 
 are now living. (1) Charles was drowned in 
 Huntingdon county; (2) Elias is the subject 
 proper of this sketch; 13) Thomas was drowned 
 in Lehigh county, while employed as a lock 
 tender on the canal between Mauch Chunk and 
 Eastoii; 14) Hettie married (first 1 Samuel Bloom, 
 who died in Ferguson township, Centre count) 
 and (second) she wedded Henry Garner; 
 [ulia A. married William Davis, and died in 
 Ferguson township, Centre county; (6) Gideon 
 died young; 171 Mary Ann, widow of Daniel 
 Diebler, lives in Shamokin, Penn.; 71 Reuben, 
 
 Sarah, and two others died in childhood. 
 
 The schools of the earl) days in this section 
 afforded but meagre opportunities for an ambi- 
 tious boy, and Mr. Miller's help was needed at 
 home too much to admit of any extended CO 
 of study. He was a willing worker, strong for 
 his age, and has chopped many hundreds of c< 
 
 ol w I. At thirteen he was hired out with 
 
 understanding that he should have two months 
 schooling each year; but this bargain was not 
 observed, as his employer kept him at work all 
 the time. He was eighteen at the time ol the 
 removal to Centre county, and he remained 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 421 
 
 home working for his parents until he was twenty- 
 three years old lacking three months. In the 
 meantime he had made numerous journeys on 
 foot to Northampton county, 175 miles each way, 
 to visit an early friend, Miss Cecelia Marsh, 
 daughter of John and Polly (Deemer) Marsh, 
 who lived upon a farm in Moore township near 
 Mr. Miller's birthplace. The young lady was 
 about his own age, and a native of the same 
 township, born September 24, 1S14. In the fall 
 of 1836 Mr. Miller started on foot to claim his 
 bride. His clothes were poor, and he had in his 
 pocket less than $2. 50, half of which had been 
 secured by working at fifty cents per day at husk- 
 ing corn, and the rest had been saved, a few cents 
 at a time, from chance earnings. 
 
 There was a young man in Northampton 
 county who wished to go to Centre county with 
 the young couple and board with them while 
 working in the woods for Mr. Miller, and through 
 an advance of $20, to be repaid in board, Mr. 
 Miller was greatly assisted at this critical period 
 in his fortunes. After his marriage Mr. Miller 
 walked back to his home to make arrangements 
 for bringing his bride, and early in December, 
 1836, he returned for her with a covered wagon. 
 A heavy snow fell, and the roads becoming almost 
 impassable with drifts, the trip, which should 
 have been made in nine days, occupied six weeks. 
 For a part of the way the wagon was transformed 
 into a sled, and when the snow melted, the 
 wheels, which had been strapped to the load, 
 were again put in place, and thus the journey 
 was finished. By this time Mr. Miller's funds 
 were exhausted, but youth, health, and a definite 
 purpose in life seemed a guarantee of success, 
 and so they proved. He rented a small house 
 in Ferguson township, Centre county, and began 
 chopping wood in " The Barrens " for the Penn- 
 sylvania Furnace, managing to save a portion of 
 his earnings. He built a small house on land 
 owned by the company, and later leased a tract 
 of timber land from them for twelve years. In 
 eleven years he cleared 300 acres, the company 
 putting up buildings for him. Before the lease 
 expired he bought 115 acres of land, incurring a 
 debt of nearly $4,000. This was the first home 
 of his own, and six years were spent there. Dur- 
 ing that time he bought 209 acres from the com- 
 pany, and cleared nearly 100 acres of it, building 
 a plain but good house. In 1855 ne bought the 
 "Old Musser farm" of 130 acres in Brush Val- 
 ley, and in the following spring settled there, re- 
 maining eight years, when he went to Madison- 
 burg and bought the hotel where he now resides. 
 It cost him $3,000, and he has made many im- 
 provements from time to time. For several years 
 
 he rented the hotel, but for the greater part of 
 the time he has conducted it himself. He bought 
 other property in the town, upon which he erected 
 new buildings, and now owns two places there 
 and fifty acres of mountain land. At one time 
 he owned three farms in Brush Valley, but this 
 land has either been sold or given to his sons. 
 
 In looking back over the years in which his 
 present handsome competence has been gained, 
 Mr. Miller can have the supreme satisfaction of 
 knowing that all has been accomplished without 
 taking advantage of any man. Never penurious, 
 never extravagant, generous whenever a worthy 
 cause appealed to his sympathies, his life has 
 been one to emulate and admire. His integrity 
 is so well established that in his more active days, 
 when making large purchases of land, men of 
 capital have come to him and offered to loan 
 him whatever he might need. The shrewdest 
 and most conservative money lenders have thus 
 shown their confidence in him. 
 
 The faithful helpmeet of his early struggles 
 passed from earth April 9, 1886, and her remains 
 were interred in the Reformed Church Cemetery. 
 Mr. Miller subsequently married Miss Amanda 
 Grimes, a native of Miles township, Centre 
 county, and a daughter of Anthony Grimes. 
 There were three children by the first marriage: 
 Harvey and Benjamin F. , farmers of Brush Val- 
 ley, now residing in Madisonburg, and Gideon, 
 who died November 3, 1863. One daughter by 
 the second marriage, Ancenetta, born April 5, 
 1887, is at home. Mr. Miller is a stanch Demo- 
 crat, as was his father before him, but he has 
 never been an office seeker. He takes an active 
 interest in religious movements, and for many 
 years has been a leading member of the Reformed 
 Church. 
 
 T^HOMAS E. VONADA, whose entire life has 
 been passed in Centre county, now makes 
 his home in Haines township, one-half mile 
 northeast of Woodward. The first of the family 
 in this country came here a long time ago, and 
 at first settled under a large hemlock tree in 
 what is now Haines township, later by hard labor 
 clearing land, and raising stock. The old fam- 
 ily was a very good-natured class of people, hon- 
 est and honorable in all their dealings, and pros- 
 pered well. 
 
 Henry Vonada, father of our subject, was 
 born near that place, and acquired his education 
 in the Vonada school. At an early age, how- 
 ever, he left school, and began work upon the 
 home farm, operating that place for several years. 
 On starting out in life for himself he had 270 
 
422 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGHM-HKAL RECORD. 
 
 acres, to which he added from time to time until 
 at his death, in 1887, he had about 660 acres of 
 land, which he left to his children. He was an 
 industrious, energetic man, devoting his entire 
 time and attention to the cultivation and im- 
 provement of his farm, whereon he erected a 
 
 ifortable residence and substantial outbuild- 
 ings. Politically he was an earnest Democrat, 
 and religiously was a consistent member of the 
 Reformed Church, to which his wife also be- 
 longed. 
 
 In 1X52 Henry Vonada wedded Miss Mary 
 Rishel, and they became the parents of five chil- 
 dren, namely: Louisa C, born in 1853, is the 
 wife of E. |. Vonada, living near Coburn, Cen- 
 tre county; F. Pierce, born in 1855, is an engin- 
 eer of Coburn; Andrew J., born in 1857, married 
 Maggie Rote, and is proprietor of a planing-mill 
 in Coburn; Thomas E. is next in order of birth; 
 and Susan, bornin I 862, is the wife of Emanuel 
 Eungard, a farmer of Penn's Cave, Centre 
 county. 
 
 II las E. Vonada, our subject, was born on 
 
 the old homestead in Haines township, Septem- 
 ber 1, 1859, and during his boyhood he attended 
 the Vonada school, while late] he was a student 
 in the schools of Woodward until twenty-one 
 
 rs of age. He operated the home farm on 
 shares for about five years, and then worked at 
 general labor near Woodward for a few years, 
 after which be purchased seven acres of land on 
 which he still resides, and some timber land. 
 
 On November 23, 1891, Mr. Vonada married 
 Almeda, the J daughter of Philip 
 
 and Mary 1 Undergobler) Vonada, and they have 
 two children 1 May, born June 14. [8 
 
 and Tammie R., horn March (8, 1S95. Mr. 
 Vonada takes an active interest in the success of 
 the Democratic party, which he always supports 
 bj his ballot, and is recognized as one of the 
 representative and influential citizens of the com- 
 munity, with whose interests he has ever been 
 prominently identified. 
 
 JACOB M. KEPLER. There are few men 
 more worth j of representation in a work of 
 this kind than the subject of this biography, 
 who is passing the latei years of his life on a 
 comfortable homestead in Ferguson township, 
 ire county, the land of which he commenci d 
 operating in 1892. Hi- has been a long and 
 busy career, rich with experience, and in which 
 he has established himself in the esteem and I 
 fidence of all who know him. 
 
 Mr. Kepler was born in Ferguson township, 
 March 9, 1833, a son of Jacob and Katharine 
 
 Musser) Kepler, both of whom were natives of 
 Centre county, and of German extraction. In 
 their family were five children, who in order of 
 birth were as follows: (11 Mrs. E. K. Shadman, 
 of Conneaut, Ohio, who is still living, and who 
 raised a large family. (2) George M., a resident 
 of t'orry, Penn., is married and has two chil- 
 dren — one son and one daughter. (3) Jacob 
 M., subject of this sketch. (41 John M., of 
 Shippensville, Clarion Co., Penn., who died in 
 the summer of 1897, was married and reared a 
 family; his wife is also dead. (5) Mary became 
 the wife of Corthlow, of Clarion county, but died 
 several years ago. 
 
 The primary education of our subject was ob- 
 tained in the common schools, and this he sup- 
 plemented with an academic course in the Pine 
 Grove Mills and Potters Mills schools. When a 
 young man he successfully engaged in teaching 
 during the winter seasons, while the summer 
 months were spent in farm labor. In 1839 he 
 embarked in the hotel business at Philipsbui 
 Centre county, which he continued until 1871, 
 when he went to Petroleum Center, Venango 
 Co., Penn., where for some time he was suco 
 fully engaged in the oil business. Removing to 
 im , he associated himself with N 
 S Foreman, of that place, in th r trade, 
 
 and was also connected with the Salmon (reek 
 Lumber and Mining Company, serving as their 
 superintendent for seven sears. In i8So, Mr 
 Kepler founded the Forest National Democrat, 
 the first Democratic newspaper in Forest county. 
 and continued in the capacity of editor and pro- 
 prietor until [892, when he suspended its opera- 
 tion on account of ill health. Leaving Tionesta, 
 he removed to his large and fertile farm in 
 Ferguson township, ( entre county, where he has 
 
 ■ been active!} ind successfully engaged in 
 ultural pursuits. 
 
 In [863, Mr. Kepler was united in man 
 with Mary Jane Hutton, and to them were b 
 four children, two of whom are still livii 
 namely: Nellie, wife of James D. Davis. 
 keeper of Tionesta, Forest Co., Penn.,bywhi 
 
 has one child; and John \Y\, who w 
 August 26, [873, a printer by trade, who 
 
 id with his father in the agricultural bus 
 and who was also associate editor of the 
 National Democrat for tour years; he compli ' 
 his education at Chamberlain Institute, at Ran- 
 dolph, New York, and is still under the | 
 roof. 
 
 Mr. Kepl.r has never cared for official 
 tinction, but has! always taken an active part in 
 promoting the interests of the Democratic party, 
 which he supports by his ballot, and has sen 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 423 
 
 as chairman of the County Democratic Central 
 Committee. He has ever cheerfully given his 
 support to those enterprises that tend to public 
 development and, with hardly an exception, he 
 has been connected with every interest that has 
 promoted general welfare. His name is a syno- 
 nym for honorable business dealing; he is always 
 mentioned as one of the invaluable citizens of 
 this section of the State, and on the rolls of 
 Centre county's most honored men his name 
 should be found among the foremost. 
 
 T\ W. HOSTERMAN, of Coburn, who has 
 won a high reputation among the agricult- 
 urists of Penn township, Centre county, for his 
 able management of his fine farm, is still more 
 widely known as a forceful and effective speaker 
 upon religious topics, having been for years a 
 local preacher of the Evangelical Church. Al- 
 though he has not had the advantages of col- 
 legiate training, a mind well stored through 
 private study and the diligent use of such in- 
 struction as fell to him in his youth, makes him 
 more than ordinarily well informed. 
 
 Mr. Hosterman was born in Haines town- 
 ship, Centre county, April 15, 1845, upon a 
 farm which had originally belonged to his grand- 
 father, Jacob Hosterman, a prosperous agri- 
 culturist, who had two sons and three daughters. 
 At his death he left the estate by will to his only 
 surviving son, Thomas, then eighteen years old. 
 Thomas Hosterman, our subject's father, ac- 
 cepted at this early age the responsibilities thus 
 devolving upon him, and conducted the farm 
 throughout his active life. He was married in 
 Haines township to Miss Hannah Yearick, and 
 took his bride to the old home. Not long after- 
 ward he provided for his mother's comfort by 
 building a good house for her in the same yard, 
 where she spent the remainder of her life, dying 
 when between seventy and eighty years of age. 
 In like manner he arranged in his own later years 
 for the quiet which the old crave, building a new 
 home on one end of the farm when he retired 
 from active business. There he died at the age 
 of sixty-three, his wife having passed away four 
 years before, aged fifty-five. 
 
 Thomas Hosterman had only a district-school 
 education, and for that he had to walk three 
 miles daily; but he possessed a remarkable intel- 
 lect, and as a public speaker on religion or poli- 
 tics wielded wide influence in his day. As a 
 debater he was unusually successful, and men 
 who had enjoyed superior educational advantages 
 feared to meet him in open discussion. An ar- 
 dent Abolitionist, he turned from the Democratic 
 
 party to the Whig, and later to the Republican 
 party. He was an active member of the Evan- 
 gelical Church, in which he was an exhorter, and 
 his estimable wife was also a devout adherent. 
 
 Their children were Brumille, who died in 
 youth; Paulina, who married Samuel Moyer, and 
 died in Haines township, Centre county; Eman- 
 uel, who died at the age of fourteen; Amelia 
 (Mrs. Jeremiah Vonada), who died at Wood- 
 ward, Penn.; Thomas W., our subject; Charles 
 W., a resident of Woodward; Clara, now Mrs. 
 James Weaver, of Fiedler, Penn.; Lizzie (Mrs. 
 William Wolf), of Fiedler; Hannah M., who died 
 in early womanhood; and Anna (Mrs. Howard 
 Musser), of Woodward. 
 
 The subject of this biography attended the 
 local schools of his day, one of his first teachers 
 holding the sessions in an upper room of his fa- 
 ther's spring house. His schooling, such as it 
 was, ended at eighteen, when he began to devote 
 his attention seriously to farming on the old 
 homestead. In September, 1866, when but nine- 
 teen years old, he was married in his native 
 township to Miss Rachel Vonada, who was born 
 in the Nittany Valley, March 15, 1844, the 
 daughter of Philip and Mary (Harback) Vonada. 
 After this happy event Mr. Hosterman settled at 
 the homestead to work for his father. Later he 
 rented the place, and two years before his fa- 
 ther's death he made arrangements to purchase 
 it. When the estate was settled he became the 
 sole owner, and continued to reside there until 
 1886, when he moved to his present residence in 
 Coburn. A sad affliction befell him in that year, 
 a chestnut burr destroying the sight of his right 
 eye. The homestead, which contains 180 acres, 
 still receives his superintendence, but except for 
 that he has now retired from active care. He 
 has built two houses in Coburn, each of which 
 has a store room on the lower floor. In May, 
 1889, he was appointed postmaster of the village, 
 and reappointed' in August, 1897. He is a 
 stanch Republican, taking great interest in the 
 success of the party, and is regarded as a leader 
 in his section. 
 
 For more than forty years, Mr. Hosterman 
 has been a member of the Evangelical Church, 
 to which Mrs. Hosterman also belongs, and his 
 labors for the cause have been manifold, as local 
 preacher, exhorter, class leader, trustee and 
 steward and in the work of the Sunday-school. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Hosterman have reared a large 
 and interesting family, of which any parent might 
 be proud. There were sixteen in all, three of 
 whom have been removed by death: Phcebe died 
 at Coburn, Penn., May 2, 1897, at the age of 
 thirty-three years; Ida married Thomas Motz, of 
 

 424 
 
 COM.VHMOKA TIVE BIOGRAPHICAL ItKCOUD. 
 
 Woodward, Perm. ; Warren is a farmer in Haines 
 township, Centre county; Annie M. married 
 Clayton Bower, of the same township; Edith 
 married N. B. Shaffer, of Zion, Centre county; 
 Luther is a farmer of Haines township; G< 
 married John Waite, of Rebersburg, Perm. ; Will - 
 is a farmer of Haines township; Tome, 
 Thomas A. and Nathan are at home; Hannah 
 died in infancy; Lizzie, Mabel and Hertha are at 
 home; and an infant son still-born in 1SS7. 
 
 WJ. THOMPSON, of I'-.tters Mills, ranks 
 among the most prominent businessmen 
 of Centre county, with whose commercial and 
 industrial interests he has been identified for 
 many years. He is now the senior member of 
 the well-known firm of Thompson & Smith, deal- 
 ers in general merchandise at Potters Mills, car- 
 rying a large ami well-selected stock. In busi- 
 ness circles he occupies a prominent place, and 
 to-day is the oldest active merchant in Penn's 
 Vali 
 
 Mr Thompson was born in Milroy, Penn., 
 .September o. 1834, and is a son of William and 
 Margaret (McFarlane) Thompson, both natives 
 oi Mifflin county. Penn., the form. n of 
 
 Moses Thompson, and the latter a daughter of 
 Col. James McFarlane. The father was a farmer 
 by m, and was a man of considerable 
 
 means. He was three times married, the mother 
 of our subject being his second wife, and to th 
 were born five children. Both parents died in 
 Mifflin county, the father at the age of eighty- 
 four years, and the mothei at forty-seven. His 
 family numbered nine children in all, of whom 
 our subject was next to the youngest. 
 
 In Milroy, Mr. Thompson, of tins review, 
 was reared and obtained his elementary educa- 
 tion .it ins boyhood home, and at the age of 
 eighteen years was sent to Tuscarora Academy, 
 where he pursue. 1 Ins studies one season, at the 
 end of which time th 1 was destroyed by 
 
 fire. The following winter he attended school at 
 Perrysville, Penn., for one term, there complet- 
 ing his literary education. In 1S54 he came to 
 Centre I'urnace, Centre county, and secured a 
 po ition as clerk in the company's store at that 
 place, this being his first experience in the mer- 
 cantile business. After n\e years in that employ 
 he came to Potters Mills, where his father had 
 purchased property, and in connection with his 
 brother, James M., established his present busi- 
 ness under the linn name of W. J. Thompson & 
 Brother. This partnership continued until the 
 death oi the latter during the " seventies," when 
 our subject became sole owner. In 1877 the 
 
 store was destroyed by fire, but with his charac- 
 teristic energy, Mr. Thompson at once resumed 
 operations, erecting his present substantial brick 
 block, where he has since successfully conducted 
 business. In addition to his mercantile pursuits. 
 he has also been extensively interested in the 
 lumber business, ami still ownsconsiderable land, 
 from which he has cut the timber. 
 
 Since the organization of the Republican 
 party, Mr. Thompson has been one of its stanch- 
 est supporters, and on that ticket was elected 
 justice of the peace (in which office he served 
 some fifteen years), although his party was 
 greatly in the minority, which fact illustrates his 
 popularity and the confidence and trust reposed 
 in him by his fellow citizens. He acceptably 
 served in that office for ten years. While 11 
 member of any religious organization, hi 
 his support to the Presbyterian Church, to which 
 he has ever been a liberal contributor. 
 
 Mr. Thompson is a charter member of the 
 Grand Army Post No. 282, of Centre Hall, 
 having been a faithful soldier in the Union arm) 
 during the Civil war. In October. 1861, he en 
 listed in an independent company, which later 
 became a part of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania 
 Cavalry, and was made body-guard to Gen 
 Anderson. The regiment was sent to Camp 
 Louisville, Ky., where it remained during the 
 winter of [861, being ordered, in the latter part 
 of February, 1862, to Nashville. It participa 
 in the battle of Pittsburg Landing, and in main 
 other engagements, after which it was with Gen 
 Buel. In the spring of 1863, Mr. Thompson 
 was honorably discharged, and is now the only 
 surviving member of his company in Centre 
 county. Since 1893 he has been afflicted with 
 paralysis. No man in Potter township is more 
 deserving the high regard and esteem in which 
 he is universally held than our subject, who 
 kind-hearted, generous and genial, with always 
 a pleasant word for all. 
 
 DH. ROTE. It is a matter of just prid. 
 our self-made men that they have made 
 their own way in life from poverty to a compe- 
 tence, having started upon their various car- 
 eers with no capital except health of mind 
 ami body and a strong will. The subject "f 
 this sketch, though handicapped by a lifel 
 physical disability, has attained to a place among 
 the business men of Aaronsburg which would do 
 credit to any man. When four years old he nut 
 with an affliction which left him crippled for life, 
 while lack of means, coupled with an honorable 
 ambition, compelled him to take up against all 
 
*/ 
 
 c-t-*^ 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 425 
 
 odds the struggle for a livelihood which so many 
 have found too difficult under our present in- 
 dustrial system. 
 
 Mr. Rote is a native of Aaronsburg, born 
 March 21, 1842, and is a descendant of one of 
 the pioneer families of Union county, Penn., his 
 great-grandfather, George Rote, having been 
 among the first settlers at Miffiinburg. Peter 
 Rote, the grandfather, and Simon Rote, the 
 father of our subject, were born there, but the 
 latter went to Penn's Valley in early manhood, 
 and learned the blacksmith's trade at Woodward. 
 He married Susan Diehl, a native of Union 
 county, Penn., and a daughter of Abraham 
 Diehl, whose later years were spent in Union 
 county. 
 
 After learning his trade, Simon Rote located 
 in Aaronsburg, where he followed it successfully 
 throughout his active life. He died there April 
 1, 1884, aged sixty-seven years, and just forty- 
 five years to a day, when he moved into 
 his home, he was carried from it a corpse, 
 and laid to rest in the cemetery near town. 
 He was an industrious man, self-made, and 
 built his home by his work at the anvil. As 
 a member of the Reformed Church he was active 
 in religious work, and in politics his influence 
 was felt first as a Whig and later as a Republic- 
 an, different township offices being filled by 
 him creditably. His widow, now in her eighty- 
 fourth year, still lives in the old homestead 
 which his care provided for her. They had eight 
 children — four sons and four daughters, of whom 
 but four reached adult age. Of these, our sub- 
 ject was the eldest; John, now a resident of 
 Axemann, Penn., was a soldier in Company D, 
 148th P. V. I., during the Civil war. Sarah 
 married F. P. Fisher, and died in Dakota, 111. 
 Thomas resides in Orangeville, Illinois. 
 
 Owing to Mr. Rote's physical ailments he did 
 not attend school regularly during boyhood, but 
 under the loving guidance of his mother, a woman 
 of ordinary education but very energetic, he 
 learned rapidly at home, being prepared at the 
 age of fifteen to take a position as teacher. 
 After continuing this work for about two years, 
 he began an apprenticeship, in i860, with J. B. 
 Edmunds, a watchmaker at Aaronsburg. His 
 employer enlisted in the army, however, before 
 the term was completed, and was killed in the 
 battle of the Wilderness. Consequently, Mr. 
 Rote changed his plans, and in 1862 began to 
 learn the art of type-setting in the office of the 
 t entre Reporter, which was then printed in 
 Aaronsburg. For some time he worked as a 
 journeyman in different places, but the rough 
 class of associates which this trade brought him 
 
 caused him to abandon it finally, and in 1868 he 
 resumed the work of teaching. 
 
 This proving more congenial, he continued it 
 until the spring of 1883, when he opened a jew- 
 eler's shop in Aaronsburg, which he has con- 
 ducted successfully since, doing a large amount 
 of repair work. His industry seems untiring, 
 and when his fine native ability is considered, one 
 cannot but believe that with even ordinary op- 
 portunities he would have carved out for himself 
 a remarkable career. Gifted with unusual me- 
 chanical skill, he is able to duplicate anything, 
 tools and materials being the only requisites. 
 His brave and successful struggle with an adverse 
 fate has won him the esteem and admiration of 
 all who know him and given him a host of warm 
 friends. In politics he is a Republican, and 
 from 1884 to 1894 he served as justice of the 
 peace. 
 
 In 1869, he was married in Aaronsburg to 
 Miss Susan Cronmiller, a native of that town, 
 and a daughter of Thomas Cronmiller, a well- 
 known citizen. They have an adopted daughter, 
 Mamie. Mrs. Rote is an active member of the 
 Reformed Church, and has taken a generous in- 
 terest in many lines of philanthropic work. 
 
 HP 
 
 ENRY A. BRUMGARD is a retired farmer, 
 one whose well-spent life and activity in 
 business have brought to him a competence 
 that now enables him to lay aside business cares. 
 He was born June 9, 1843, > n Clinton county, 
 and' is the eldest child of Martin and Sarah 
 (Wholford) Brumgard. He is descended from 
 one of the old Pennsylvania families, and on 
 both sides is of German descent. Several of his 
 ancestors took an active part in the war of 1812. 
 His grandfather, Jacob Brumgard, removed from 
 New York to Pennsylvania, at a very early day. 
 
 The father of our subject was born and reared 
 in Brush Valley, Centre county, and throughout 
 his life followed the occupation of farming. In 
 the spring of 1845 he removed from Clinton 
 county to Centre county, where he passed the 
 rest of his days, dying November 16, 1893. He 
 was laid to rest by the side of his wife, who had 
 departed this life June 18, 1885. She was a 
 daughter of George Wholford, of Brush Valley. 
 Mr. and Mrs. Brumgard had three children, the 
 daughters being Catherine R., wife of D. T. 
 Johnson, a prosperous farmer of Ferguson town- 
 ship, Centre county, and Alice, wife of George 
 Garbrick, a farmer of Spring township, Centre 
 county, by whom she has two children, Sarah 
 and Clarence. 
 
 In the common schools Henry A. Brumgard 
 
126 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGUAUIIKAL RECOUP. 
 
 acquired his education, while on the old home- 
 stead he received ample training at farm labor, 
 and learned many valuable lessons of industry 
 and economy, On June 14, [866, he married 
 Miss Mary A. Human, who was born July 26, 
 1843, a daughter of John Homan, who resided in 
 Ferguson township, Centre county. He died 
 very suddenly of heart disease, on the 2nd of No- 
 vember, 1893, and his wife passed away March 
 22, 1894, their remains being interred in Pine 
 Hall cemetery, Ferguson township. Mr. and 
 Mrs. Brumgard have three children: John Cal- 
 vin, who was born April 2, 1S71, and died at the 
 age of three years; Sarah A., wife of Newton J. 
 Hockman, a farmer of Walker township, by 
 whom she has three sons — Austin F., born Sep- 
 tember 7, 1S90, Clyde E., born June I, 1893, 
 and Fern, born May 28, [896; and Hannah G., 
 who was born December 25, 1 S74. is still at 
 home with her parents. 
 
 Mr. Brumgard is the owner of some valuable 
 real estate, including a farm of one hundred acres 
 pleasantly situated one mile from Zion. He also 
 owns a fine residence in the town, ten acres of 
 land adjoining the corporation limits, and a 
 twenty-acre timber tract near the town. He also 
 has a third interesl in .1 valuable tract of me land 
 
 1 State < All his property has been 
 
 acquired through his own efforts, and his under- 
 takings have been crowned with the success that 
 follow scon- ffort, well directed energy and 
 
 determined purpose. He is now living retired in 
 the well-earned enjoyment of the fruits of his 
 former toil. 1 fe ha extensitelj 
 
 over the country, having visited many of the 
 wi -tern States, and is an intelligent, public-spir- 
 ited and progressive man, honorable in all the re- 
 lations of life and extending to his many friends 
 the cordial hospitality of his hop. I [1 formerly 
 held membership with the Grange; he and his 
 wife are members of the Lutheran Church. In 
 politics he is a Democrat, and held the office of 
 r one year in Walker township. 
 
 GRANT HOOVER. Although the subji 
 this sketch is one of the younger business 
 men of Bellefonte, Centre' comity, he has already 
 won a high reputation for ability. In his chosen 
 
 lines of insurance and real-estate business In- 
 takes a leading place, and he is well and favi 
 
 bly known throughout the northern part of the 
 Mate. 
 
 The Hoover family were among the earl\ 
 tiers of Bald Eagle Valley, Centre county, and our 
 subject's grandfather, George Hoover, was born 
 and reared there, becoming a farmer by occupa- 
 
 tion, and continuing that occupation until his 
 death in August, 1870, when he was aged sixty- 
 nine years. The grandmother of our subject, 
 Mrs. Esther Ann Hoover, who was born in 18 to, 
 is still alive and active, residing at Port Matilda, 
 Centre county. Ten children were born to this 
 estimable couple: Sarah Ann, who married S. 
 Ludwig, and lives in Kansas; Harvey, our sub- 
 ject's father; Henry W, deceased, September 
 L3. I S97, who was a lumberman of Bald Eagle 
 Furnace, Blair Co.. Penn. ; Mary J., widow of 
 L. Parker, of Kansas, residing in Penfield, Clear- 
 field Co., Penn.; Martha, wife of George R. 
 Eastman, of Curwensville, Penn.; John C, a 
 wealthy resident of Julia Ann Furnace, Centre 
 county; George W. , president of Hoover, Hughes 
 & Co., a well-known lumber firm of Philipsburg, 
 Penn.; Jackson, a farmer, who died in 1875; 
 Clarissa, who married A. W. Resse, of Port Ma- 
 tilda; and Philena, who died at an early age. 
 
 Harvey Hoover, the father of our subject, 
 was born in 1833, and received his education in 
 the schools of Union township, Centre county. 
 In early manhood he d in lumbering, but 
 
 for some years he has followed agricultural pur- 
 suits. He married Miss Mary Catlow, a grand- 
 niece of Sir Robert Peel, and of this union nine 
 children were born: Laura, who married J 
 1 '.tiley, of Penfield, ( learfield county; Richard 
 C, who lives in Bellefonte; Grant, our subji 
 Sherman, who is at home; Sallie ('., who mar- 
 ried Harry Esterline; the others, J. Clydi 
 
 her in the public schools), George, Martha 
 and Mary, reside with their parents. 
 
 Granl Hoover was born August 6, 1805, m 
 Laid Eagle Valley, * entre county, and was there 
 reared to farm life, working for an uncle during 
 boyhood while attending school. At sixteen he 
 engaged in the lumber business, which he fol- 
 lowed until [892, conducting two or three mills 
 in Mi Kean county, in connection with conti 
 work. After selling out his interest in this b 
 ness to his partner, he went to Buffalo, and spent 
 a short time as a traveling salesman in the lum- 
 ber trade, but since hi> return to Centre county 
 he has engaged in the real-estate business, and 
 in an insurant e agency, taking life, tire, and acci- 
 dent risks. Mr. Hoover is highly esteemed wher- 
 
 1 he is known. He is an active and influ 
 tial Republican, and was lately a candid 
 the office of prothonotary, but withdrew in fa 
 of Abraham B. Miller, a veteran of our Civil war. 
 On January 2, 1890, he was united in marriage 
 with Miss Edith B. Moore, a native of Mileshurg 
 Penn., born August 5, 1870, but their happifl 
 was brief, the young bride passing to the unseen 
 life October 18, 1890. 
 
 i 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 427 
 
 Mr. Hoover's mother was a daughter of the 
 late Richard Catlow, nephew of Sir Robert Peel, 
 and a learned and eloquent preacher in the U. 
 B. Church. He inherited a fortune from the 
 family estates in England, but preferred to reside 
 in this country. For some time his home was in 
 Clearfield county, but later he removed to a farm 
 in Bald Eagle Valley, where for many years he 
 followed the peaceful calling of agriculture. His 
 death occurred in Unionville at the age of eighty- 
 two years. His children were: David, who lives 
 in fowa; Mary (Mrs. Hoover); Sarah, widow of 
 Philip Teats; Martha, deceased, who married 
 Orange Hart, of Iowa; and William, who died 
 in his youth. 
 
 A 
 
 ARON W. HAFER, D. D. S., a leading 
 dentist of Bellefonte, Centre county, is one 
 of the self-made men of his section, who in 
 making their own path to success reflect credit 
 upon human nature, and furnish encouragement 
 to all others to make use of their best powers, 
 and -'put foundations under their air castles." 
 
 The ancestors of the Hafer family, in both 
 paternal and maternal lines, were pioneers in this 
 State. Moses Hafer, our subject's father, was 
 born in 1812, of a well-known Pennsylvania- 
 Dutch family, and as a young man settled in 
 Centre county, where he met and married Miss 
 Catherine Gramly, a native of Miles township, 
 born in 1813. Her family had been prominent 
 in Centre county from the earliest times, her 
 grandfather having been born there; he was a 
 business man of Miles township, carried on the 
 milling business, operating a sawmill, gristmill 
 and a woolen-factory. Moses Hafer followed the 
 fuller's trade, and met with his death through an 
 accident with an overshot wheel in 1852; the 
 mother survived him until 1895. They had five 
 children: (1) Elizabeth (Mrs. Foster Tate), of 
 Coleville, Penn. ; (2) Mary E., the widow of J. 
 Kuhn, of Ridgely, Md. ; (3) Louise (deceased), 
 who married W. H. Poorman; (4) Aaron W., our 
 subject; and (5) John W. , a retired contractor 
 and builder, who resides at Coleville, Pennsyl- 
 vania. 
 
 Mr. Hafer, our subject, was born in Miles 
 township, Centre county, July 29, 1845, an d his 
 youth was spent there, the common schools 
 affording him the usual educational opportunities. 
 Later he attended the Normal School at Rebers- 
 burg, and then began teaching, the next five 
 winters being given to that work, while in sum- 
 mers he would resume his student life. He 
 taught his last term of school in 1868 near Belle- 
 fonte, and during that time he began his prelimi- 
 
 nary reading for his profession, under the direc- 
 tion of Dr. H. H. Rotherick, of that city. For 
 three months his evenings and Saturdays were 
 devoted to study, then he served a regular ap- 
 prenticeship of four months, and with this prep- 
 aration he started out in practice on his own 
 account at Osceola, Penn. He remained there 
 eight years, enjoying a fine practice; but wishing 
 to attend a dental college he disposed of his busi- 
 ness. Circumstances conspired to defeat his 
 plans, however, and he concluded to establish an 
 office at Rebersburg, where he met with success. 
 In 1883 he again made arrangements for taking 
 a course of lectures, and in 1884 he was gradu- 
 ated from the Pennsylvania Dental College at 
 Philadelphia with the degree of D. D. S. The 
 following year he spent in practice at Millheim, 
 Penn's Valley, Centre county, but since that time 
 he has been located at Bellefonte, where his skill 
 and ability won him quick recognition as a prac- 
 titioner. 
 
 first wife, who in her maiden- 
 Martha J. Beck, who was born 
 in Indiana county, Penn., was 
 four bright and talented daugh- 
 Mary E., Alpha G. and Florence 
 Hafer, D. D. S., was the 
 from the high school at 
 
 Dr. Hafer's 
 hood was Miss 
 June 12, 1845, 
 the mother of 
 ters: Laura K., 
 Jane. Miss Laura K 
 first lady graduated 
 Bellefonte to enter State College, where she pur- 
 sued the study of the higher branches for one 
 year. She then entered Pennsylvania State Den- 
 tal College, and received her diploma just ten 
 years after her father's graduation from that in- 
 stitution. She was one of the first three-year 
 dental students, and a remarkable fact is that she 
 had graduated in the High School, spent one year 
 at the State College, and completed a three-years' 
 course at ,the Dental College, graduating at the 
 latter when but twenty-one. On June 20, 1894, 
 Dr. Hafer married his second wife, Miss Laura 
 May Hess, a native of Penn's Valley, born Feb- 
 ruary 16, 1867. One son, William Talmage, has 
 blessed this union. As a public-spirited citizen, 
 the Doctor takes keen interest in all that concerns 
 the community. He is a Republican in politics, 
 and in religion is a Methodist. 
 
 /GEORGE D. HOOVER, who, in connection 
 XgS with his brother, William E., is engaged in 
 general farming and the manufacture of shingles 
 in Union township, Centre county, was born May 
 12, 1852, on a part of the farm where he now 
 resides, and is a son of Jacob and Rachel (Fisher) 
 Hoover, also natives of Union township. His 
 paternal grandparents, John and Mary (Ashen- 
 
128 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGltAI'llKM. RECORD. 
 
 felder) Hoover, came to that township in 1796, 
 where the grandfather engaged in farming 
 throughout the remainder of his life. He was 
 a son of William and Sallie (Packer) Hoover. 
 The maternal grandparents of our subject, Will- 
 iam and Rachel (Meridotb) Fisher, farming peo- 
 ple, were natives of Chester and York counties, 
 Penn., respectively, and came to Centre county 
 in 1800, locating in Union township when it was 
 part of Mifflin county. They were members of 
 the Society of Friends. 
 
 Jacob Hoover was bom ( )ctober 11, 1808, 
 and died March 24, 1880; his wife was born Feb- 
 ruary 20, 1814, and died March 31, 1894. The 
 following children blessed their union: Mary, 
 born [anuary 26, 1841, died March {3, 1843; 
 William E., born January 11. 1844. is in busi- 
 ness with our subject; Edwin and Irwin (twins), 
 born April 26, [846, died May 14. 1846, and 
 ] une [8, [846, respectively; Arlander and 
 Amanda 1 twins), born February IO, 1848, died 
 October 2, 1853, and March 17, 1870, respect- 
 ively. George 1). is next in order of birth; and 
 John B., born February 14, 1855, duel March 
 28, 1 
 
 Upon theii present farm, George 1). Hoover 
 and his brother, William E., passed their boy- 
 hood ami youth in much the usual manner of 
 11 lads, aiding in the work of the fields, and 
 attending iols of the neighborhood during 
 
 the winter season. The) remained at home ami 
 cared lor their parents until after their deaths, 
 when they came. into possession of the place, 
 which the) have under a high state of cultivation 
 and well improved. Besides their fanning oper- 
 ations they also embarked in the manufacture of 
 shingles in 1893, erecting a plant for the purpose, 
 and have carried on the enterprise with good suc- 
 cess. On July 30, 187S, George D. Hoover was 
 united in marriage with Maria F. Peters, and 
 they have seven children, whose names and dates 
 of birth are 'as follows: Harry T. , March 1 ;, 
 [879; Lulu M., June 22, 1881; Christy B., Au- 
 gust 17, [884; Clara E., November 10, 1886; 
 Rachel, Februar) 14, 1888; Hannah E., June 
 18, 1890; and Charles W. . February 19, 1893. 
 
 Mrs. Maria Hoover was born February [6, 
 1S55. on Dicks run. Cnton township, Centre 
 county, and is a daughter of L. and 
 
 Emily (Record) Peters, who were married May 
 16, 1854, and spent their entire lives in Centre 
 county. The other children born to them are as 
 follows: Hannah, born June 13, 1 s 5 7 , died Oc- 
 tober 15, 1877; Daniel, born February 2, 1859, 
 is railroad foreman at Heckley, Penn. ; Jacob, 
 born March 31, 1861, is a farmer of Iowa; Julia, 
 born February 5, 1863, died February 9, follow- 
 
 ing; Orvis, born April 10, 1864, is a farmer of 
 Centre county; Albina, born August 7, 1867, is 
 the wife of Perry C. Moran, a railroad man re- 
 siding at Unionville, Centre county; and Emily, 
 born November — , 18 — , is the wife of Jacob 
 Meese, a decorator of Tyrone, Pennsylvania. 
 
 George L. Peters, the father of Mrs. Hoover, 
 was born July 10, 1812, a son of Lawrence and 
 Elsie Peters, farming people of Centre county, 
 where they spent their entire lives. During his 
 younger years he engaged in the butchering busi- 
 ness, but later he followed farming. His death 
 occurred August 3, 1891. He was three times 
 married, his first wife in her maidenhood being 
 Mary Williams. To them were born the follow 
 ing children: Tabitha. wife of Benjamin Hrisbon, 
 oi Lemont, Penn.; Elsie, deceased wife of Will- 
 iam Kenner, a farmer of Union township, Cen- 
 tre county; Harriet, deceased wife of Calvin 
 Peters, also a farmer of Union township; Law- 
 rence, a resident of Iowa; William, of Union- 
 ville, Penn. ; and George, deceased. The mother 
 mI Mrs. Hoover was the second wife of Geo 
 L. Peters, and for his third wife he wedded 
 1 At tierine Glenn. 
 
 The mothei of Mrs. Hooveruas born in 1820. 
 and on the 1 7- 1 1 1 of February, [848, she was 
 united in marriage to Andrew Brown, who was 
 bo in fuly [9, 1825, and died September 1 , 1853 
 She later became the wife of George L. Peters. 
 and died in 1870. 
 
 On February 11. 1 879, William I HOOVER, 
 brother of our subject, was wedded to Harriet E 
 Carter, and they have two children. John C. and 
 Newell A , both at home. Mrs. Hoover 
 bom February 9, 1855. in Lewistown, Mifflin 
 Co., Penn., a daughter of John and Maria 
 (Straight) Carter, natives of Centre county, 
 Penn.. and New Jersey, respectively. In their 
 family were six children: Harriet E. , wife of Mr 
 Hoover; Daniel, Sarah C. and David, all de- 
 ceased; and two who died in infancy . The father 
 departed this life in Nittany Valley, Penn., in the 
 spring of 1861, at the age of fifty-five yei 
 Latei the mother became the wife of Ge 
 Carson, a collier, by whom she had two children: 
 Martha ami Mary, deceased. Mr. and Mr- 
 Carson are now living retired at Milesburg. 
 is a consistent member of the Methodist Epia 
 pal Church. 
 
 The lloo\er brothers are " free silver " Dem- 
 ocrats in politics, and are deeply interested in 
 success of their party. They are enterprisi 
 wide-awake business men, skillful and thorough 
 farmers, and are highly esteemed and respe^ 
 members of the society that surrounds them. 
 joying the confidence and regard of all. 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 429 
 
 E ELIJAH I. WALKER, a well-known lumber- 
 |// man and proprietor of a sawmill located on 
 the Marsh Creek road, in Boggs township, Cen- 
 tre county, was born April 15, 1843, on a farm 
 adjoining the one on which he now resides. His 
 father, Adam Walker, was also a native of Cen- 
 tre county, a farmer by occupation, and a son of 
 Andrew and Margaret Walker, who were born in 
 Germany, and were the first settlers of Boggs 
 township, locating there in 1796. The grandfa- 
 ther cleared and improved a farm, on which he 
 and his wife spent their remaining days. 
 
 Adam Walker, the father of our subject, on 
 reaching man's estate was united in marriage 
 with Miss Margaret Walker, a cousin, who was 
 born in Mifflin county, Penn., and was a daugh- 
 ter of Jacob and Margaret Walker, natives of 
 Germany and Virginia, respectively. They also 
 became early settlers of Centre county, where 
 they continued to live until called from this life. 
 The parents of our subject began their domestic 
 life upon a farm in the same county, and reared 
 their family, comprising the following children: 
 Martha, deceased; Catherine, wife of Andrew 
 Walker, a farmer of Boggs township; Jacob, a 
 farmer of the same township; Margaret, who 
 wedded Thomas Fey, but both are now deceased; 
 Michael, who was a member of Company A, 45th 
 P. V. I., during the Civil war, and died in the 
 service; Andy, a contractor of Jeannette, Penn.; 
 Adam, a farmer of Tyrone, Penn.; Elijah I. and 
 Elisha H. (twins), the latter of whom is a real- 
 estate and insurance agent of Woodland, Penn. ; 
 Eve J., wife of Ben Hummel, of Wallaceton, 
 Penn.; James and Martha, deceased; and one 
 that died in infancy. The father died in 1881, 
 at the age of seventy-four years, and the mother 
 in 1876, at the age of sixty-eight years. Both 
 were lifelong members of the United Brethren 
 Church. 
 
 Until he was twenty-three years of age, Eli- 
 jah I. Walker remained upon the home farm, 
 assisting in its operation during the summer sea- 
 son, and attended the district schools in the win- 
 ter months in his early boyhood. He is, how- 
 ever, mostly self-educated, paying for his own 
 tuition at Otterbein University, Ashtabula, Ohio, 
 for one year. After leaving school in 1S64, he 
 returned home and enlisted in Company K, 82nd 
 Penn. V. I., under Capt. J F. Reen. He par- 
 ticipated in a number of important engagements, 
 including those of Sailors Creek and Petersburg, 
 and was present at the surrender of Gen. Lee. 
 He was never wounded, and at Philadelphia re- 
 ceived an honorable discharge when the war was 
 over. On arriving home he embarked in the 
 lumber business, which he iias since continued. 
 
 He erected his present comfortable residence in 
 1867. 
 
 On the 15th of January, same year, Mr. 
 Walker was united in marriage with Miss Aman- 
 da Ackley, who was born in Centre county, Oc- 
 tober 4, 1847, a daughter of John and Nancy 
 Ackley, natives of Buffalo Run, in the same coun- 
 ty, where they spent their entire lives engaged 
 in agricultural pursuits. Six children graced 
 this union, namely: Harry E., who is engaged 
 in the sawmill business at Spruce Creek, Hunt- 
 ingdon Co., Penn., and Clarence, Stella, Wil- 
 burn, Chester and Charles, who are still with 
 their father. The wife and mother departed 
 this life September 1 S, i88,S, and November 4, 
 [895, Mr. Walker was again married, the lady 
 of his choice being Mary M. Leister, and to them 
 has been born a daughter, Esther L. 
 
 Politically, Mr. Walker is independent, vot- 
 ing for the man whom he considers best quali- 
 fied to fill the position. Formerly he was a Re- 
 publican, twice being the nominee of that party 
 for the Legislature, but was defeated owing to the 
 county having a large Democratic majority. He 
 is an intelligent, enterprising man, well informed 
 on the leading questions and issues of the day, 
 and is fully abreast with the times in every par- 
 ticular. His success in life is due entirely to in- 
 dustry, perseverance and good management, and 
 he holds a high place in the esteem of his fellow- 
 citizens. 
 
 w 
 
 ANIEL ROUSH, a well-known and honored 
 citizen of Madisonburg, is the oldest shoe- 
 maker actively engaged at his trade in Brush 
 Valley, Centre county. He was born February 
 1, 1824, at Freeburg, in what was then Union 
 county, but is now Snyder county, Penn., and is 
 a son of Frederick and Dorothy (Nagal) Roush. 
 His education was such as the district schools of 
 the locality afforded. At the early age of ten 
 years he began learning the shoemaker's trade 
 with his father, and after he had attained his six- 
 teenth year gave his entire time and attention to 
 that business. 
 
 During his boyhood, Mr. Roush accompanied 
 his parents to Miles township, where he continued 
 to work with his father until twenty-one years of 
 age, and then established a shop of his own in 
 Madisonburg, where he has since successfully 
 carried on business, with the exception of two 
 months spent in Bellefonte. He owns an excel- 
 lent home in Madisonburg, and also twelve acres 
 near the village, for which he paid $125 per 
 acre, and twenty-seven acres of mountain land. 
 He has made his own way in the world, having 
 
180 
 
 ( OMMEMORATIVB BIOOHM'IIKM. RECORD. 
 
 started oul in life for himself empty-handed, but 
 by industry, pei rid economy has se- 
 
 cured a comfortable competence, which is assur- 
 edly justly merited. 
 
 In May, 1845, 111 Madisonburg, Mr. Roush 
 
 Ided Miss Mary Wise, a native of Brush Val- 
 ley, an>l a daughter ol Frederick Wise, a black- 
 smith by trade, and to them w hi three 
 children: Anna and Louisa, who died when 
 young; and Elizabeth, now the widow of [acob 
 Killer, of Bellefonte. The moth 1 of these did 
 and was buried in Madisonburg, and in that vil- 
 lage, August [6, [864, Mr. Roush was again 
 married, this second union being with Miss Ma 
 linda Bickle, who was born in Madisonburg, Maj 
 31, 1836, a daughtei ol Simon and Hannah 
 Bickle. With the Reformed Church they hold 
 membership, and enjoy the confidence and 1 
 regard of all who know them. During his leisure 
 hours, Mr. Roush has done much reading, and is 
 therefore well informed on leading questions and 
 issues of tin' day as well as on general topii 
 
 ust. He has always given Ins politic, d sup- 
 port to the men and measures of the Democratic 
 
 ty, and for two rved as overseer of 
 
 the poor. 
 
 SA.Ml i:i. I Kill.. The history ol tins gen- 
 1 tleman, who is one of the leading farmers "I 
 'township, Centre county, is a forcible 
 illustration of the exercise ol perseven 
 and resolution under the pressure of financial 
 difficulties as well ; ,s amid the sunshine ol 1 11 
 peril) Mis ample possessions comprise 460 
 acres, and his li I with its appurtenan 
 
 forms one ol the most attrai tive h atures of the 
 
 landscape. 
 
 Mr. Ertel was born December 27, [837, near 
 
 I'e'in Hall, in the township which is still his 
 home, and comes "I .1 family that has Ion- been 
 identified with the inti ol Centre county, his 
 
 grandfather being a residenl ol Brush Valley at 
 an early day, whi 1 in farming 
 
 There the father, Philip Ertel, was born in No- 
 vembei , 1 nd at Varonsburg he learned the 
 
 tanner's trade, winch In- followed for many \ 
 in Gregg township iu connection with his farm- 
 ing op,! in- tannery was located on his 
 
 farm, and there In- did an ve business. 
 
 lie was a strong and mlmst man who started out 
 in life empty-handed; but by p. .md 
 
 industi \ 1 ij the substl 
 
 the community, where he was widely and l.i . 
 ably known. His political support was also 
 given the men and measures of the Den 
 party, and in religious belief he was a Lutheran. 
 
 Philip Ertel was joined in wedlock with Cath- 
 arine Bartges, who v 1 in November, 1; 
 a daughter of William Bartges. Six children 
 blessed their union: David, who dud in Green 
 Briar, Penn township, Centre county. Daniel, a 
 resident of Marshall county, Iowa; Elizabeth, 
 wife of A. (",. Burrell, 'l Gregg township; Sam- 
 uel, of this sketch; Adam, of Gregg township; 
 and Caroline, wil< > •) George Gentzel, "1 the 
 ■ tow nship. "I i died to her 
 final rest in 1846, and the father in June, 1S75. 
 II remains were interred in Green Grove ceme- 
 tery, while the mother was buried in the Heck- 
 maii rj 
 
 Samuel Ertel b«gan bis education in the 
 Cross Roads under the instruction of John 
 
 Mayer, and I built the tires in the 
 
 school In. use for thi l1 teachers (or $1.50 
 
 pei wintei He saved the wages thus earned 
 until he had $9, with which sum he purchased 
 his first watch a ion, 
 
 Upon the home farm be was reared to manhood, 
 and continued undei the parental roof until lu> 
 marriage, in Aaronsburg, May 1, 1 S59. to V 
 Mar) A. Minich, the ceremony being performed 
 by Ke\ Joseph Welker. She was born in Penn 
 township, November 16, 1S35, a daughter of 
 Daniel and Lydia [nie Kuhns) Munch, and re- 
 ceived very limited school privileges, her parents 
 bein From ol fifteen \ ears until 
 
 her marriagi mployed as , ( domestic 
 
 By laa in. u iagi she has bi 1 ome the mother of 
 two children Vmanda C, born Deci mber J5. 
 
 [859, is the wile 1 if John \V. Cobble, of Ce.itL 
 
 Vallej , ( entre county; and Ida ('., born S 
 ti mbi 1 19, t868, is • le wife ol Seward < Beck 
 
 er. of Ah 1. Pen syl\ .una. 
 
 Mr. Ertel took bii bride to the home farm in 
 Gregg township, which h tted until 1881, 
 
 and then removed to his present place, known 
 as the "Hettinger farm," in G 
 
 he bad pun based the 
 previous. During the twenty-two years hi 
 lived upon h rm be bad often worked 
 
 g into the night, md, saving Ins money, * 
 to buy hi-- own firm without going into debt j 
 nv of the amount. ft comprises \~- 
 
 out, which he has transformed into 
 richly cultivated nd in addition to tin- 
 
 be owns "ilu 1 trai 
 
 us inn ring labor, em 
 
 uring Ins ci unfortabl< 
 tune he has b iisted by his 
 
 who has indi 1 a trm uati to Inn. 
 
 and they nov I p ad their declining 
 
 ;-i and enjoy the fruits 
 of their former toil. They are active and con- 
 
 .1 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 431 
 
 sistent members of the Lutheran Church, in 
 which he has served as both deacon and elder 
 for a number of years. Fraternally he affiliates 
 with the Grange, No. 158, at Spring Mills, and 
 in politics is an ardent Democrat. 
 
 LW. WALKER is one of the most reliable 
 ' and skillful carpenters of Ferguson township, 
 Centre county. He is a native of the county, 
 born December 26, 1853, and there he attended 
 school during his boyhood and youth, acquiring 
 an excellent education which well fits him for the 
 practical duties of life. Learning the carpenter's 
 trade, he has since followed that vocation with 
 good success. 
 
 Andrew Walker, father of our subject, was of 
 Irish descent, his grandfather coming from the 
 Emerald Isle to the New World. In early life 
 he followed the blacksmith's trade, but subse- 
 quently turned his attention to farming, engaging 
 in the same. He married Katharine Stine, a lady 
 of German origin, who is still living at the home 
 near Fairbrook, Centre county. In their family 
 were seven children, namely: Mary, wifeof Joseph 
 Hettinger, a farmer of Boalsburg, Centre county, 
 by whom she has three children; M. E., wife of 
 Henry Myers, a farmer of Virginia, Clarion 
 county, by whom she has seven children; A. S., 
 a resident of Stormstown, Centre county, who 
 married a Miss Battus, who died in 1892, leaving 
 six children; I. G., who married Catharine 
 Smith; L. W. , of this review; Miles W., ex- 
 sheriff of Centre county, and a resident of Belle- 
 fonte, who married Katie Powers, and has five 
 children; and C. C. , who is living with his mother 
 in Ferguson township. 
 
 As a stanch adherent of the Democratic 
 party, L. W. Walker takes an active interest in 
 political affairs. He is an intelligent, industrious 
 and upright citizen, whose sterling worth is rec- 
 ognized by his many friends and acquaintances. 
 In religious belief he is a Methodist. 
 
 w 
 
 'ILLIAM LOVE is the owner of one of 
 the beautiful homes and fine farms of 
 Benner township, Centre county. He is num- 
 bered among the native sons of the Emerald Isle, 
 his birth having occurred in County Donegal, Ire- 
 land, September 11, 1825. His parents, John 
 and Margaret (Fleming) Love, were also natives 
 of that country, and were Presbyterians in relig- 
 ious faith. The father died in his eighty-second 
 year, the mother in the eighty-third year of her 
 age. 
 
 During his boyhood, about the year 1835, 
 
 William Love came to America, finally settling 
 in Centre county, Penn., in 1850, and for forty- 
 six years has resided continuously within its bor- 
 ders, one of the leading representatives of its 
 agricultural interests. He now owns forty-four 
 acres of highly-improved land, and also 240 
 acres of mountain land, besides a house and 
 three acres in Spring township. His business 
 affairs are managed with great energy, directed 
 by sound judgment, and in the conduct of his 
 agricultural interests he has gained a comfortable 
 competence. His home is one of the fine resi- 
 dences of Benner township, and its tasty sur- 
 roundings make it one of the most attractive and 
 desirable country seats in this part of Pennsyl- 
 vania. 
 
 Mr. Love was married to Sarah Daily, and 
 children as follows were born to them: Margaret, 
 Catherine, Mary J., Thomas, William, John and 
 David. The motherof these diedin 1864, and June 
 10, 1866, Mr. Love married Mrs. John K. Rankin, 
 widow of a Union soldier who died in the Civil 
 war. She is a daughter of Abram and Sarah 
 (Campbell) Myers, and was born in 1835, in Bed- 
 ford county, Penn. , whence she came to Centre 
 county during her childhood. By the second 
 marriage Mr. Love has no children. The family 
 is held in high esteem in the county, and the sev- 
 eral members of the household have many warm 
 friends. In his political views, Mr. Love is a 
 Republican, and stanchly advocates the princi- 
 ples of that party, while by his ballot he sup- 
 ports its men and measures. Public-spirited and 
 progressive, he is deeply interested in all that 
 pertains to the advancement of the community, 
 and withholds his support from no worthy enter- 
 prise. In his dealings his integrity is beyond 
 question, and the sterling worth of his character 
 has won him high regard. 
 
 C* C. SHUEY, a wide-awake business man of 
 _JI Bellefonte, Centre county, is not only a pru- 
 dent and successful manager of his own interests, 
 but a loyal and active sympathizer in the general 
 advancement of the community. He was born 
 February 1, 1857, on a farm in the southwest- 
 ern part of Centry county, and is a descendant 
 of a German family long resident in this State. 
 Peter Shuey, grandfather of our subject, was 
 a native of Schuylkill county, but in manhood 
 made his home at Centre Furnace, Centre coun- 
 ty, where he was employed at the furnace. He 
 died there at the age of seventy-two, and his 
 wife, whose maiden name was Etters, passed 
 away in her sixty-sixth year. This estimable 
 couple reared a large family of children: (1) Ben- 
 

 482 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 jamin, who died recently at his home in Iowa; 
 (2) Barbara, widow of Jeremiah Mayes, of Fill- 
 more, Buffalo Run Valley; (3) John, a resident 
 of Dalton, Muskegon Co., Mich.; (4) Jonathan, 
 who lives near State College, Centre county; (5) 
 Jacob, our subject's father; (6) Lavina, widow 
 of John Wasson, residing near Lemont; and (7) 
 Catharine, who married Cornelius Houtz, and re- 
 sides at Lemont. 
 
 Jacob Shuey, who is an industrious and suc- 
 cessful agriculturist, was born in Harris town- 
 ship, Centre county, September 6, 1830. He 
 was married there in 1852 to Miss Sarah Srohim, 
 a native of Haines township, Centre county, born 
 November 4, 1830. She, too, is of German de- 
 scent, and her father, who resided in Penn's 
 Valley, died when she was a child, leaving three 
 sons and two daughters, viz. : Charles, now in 
 Iowa; Elizabeth (Mrs. Robert Ray), now de- 
 ceased; John, who resides near Zion, Centre 
 county; Sarah (Mrs. Shuey); and Christ, a resi- 
 dent of Grace Hill, Washington Co., Iowa. 
 For si >me time after his marriage Jacob Shuey 
 lived near Centre Furnace, and later he located 
 upon a farm at Buffalo Run, but for thirty-four 
 years past he has made his home in the Nittany 
 Valley. He is a leading member of the Evan- 
 gelical Church, and is highly esteemed among 
 his associates. Of his seven children four died 
 at an early age. The others are: (1) Ellen 
 (Mrs. William Johnstonbrough), of Marion town- 
 ship, Centre county, in the Nittany Valley; (2) 
 Peter, night watchman for the Berwin-White 
 Coal Mining Co., at Anita, Jefferson county, 
 Penn. ; and (3) C. C, the subject of this sketch. 
 
 C. C. Shuey remained at his father's farm 
 until the age of twenty, his education being ac- 
 quired in the country schools. He learned the 
 carpenter's trade near Lemont, and for about six 
 years followed that calling in summer, spending 
 the winter seasons in logging. Deciding upon a 
 mercantile career, he became a clerk for C. U. 
 Hoffer & Co., and remained with them three 
 years. With this practical experience he felt 
 justified in venturing into the business arena on 
 his own account, and January 1 2, 1 886, he opened 
 a grocery store in partnership with Mr. Erhard. 
 The partnership lasted three and one-half years, 
 when Mr. Shuey purchased Mr. Erhard's inter- 
 est, and he has since conducted the business 
 alone, enjoying a fine trade. On November 29, 
 [883, he married Miss Mary Herkimer, who died 
 soon afterward, and on September 7, 1886, he 
 wedded Miss Rebecca Mulholland, a native of 
 1 'xllefonte. They have four interesting children : 
 Bernice, Rachel, Anna and Sarah. Mr. and 
 Mrs. Shuey are prominently identified with the 
 
 M. E. Church. Mr. Shuey is much interested in 
 reform work, and is an ardent temperance man, 
 voting the Prohibition ticket. Fraternally he is 
 a member of the order of Heptasophs. 
 
 JACOB M. N EI DIG, one of the prosperous 
 agriculturists of Penn's Valley, is the owner 
 
 of a fine farm of 140 acres in Haines township. 
 Centre county, near the village of Woodward. 
 
 Solomon Neidigh, great-grandfather of our 
 subject, came from Berks county, and purchased 
 the place, which was then in Haines township, 
 Northumberland county. The deed in the pos- 
 session of our subject is dated April 30, 1791, 
 and the property has been in the family 
 since. Solomon Neidigh was born August 17, 
 1744, died January 28, 1797, and was buried on 
 the estate. Marie Elizabeth, his wife, was born 
 March 2, 1745, and died September 7, 1821. 
 They had several children, among whom was a 
 son John Neidigh (our subject's grandfather), 
 born September 9, 1776, in Berks county, Penn., 
 and died March 4, 1838, who came into the 
 ownership of the farm by will, and being a pro- 
 gressive man, and well supplied with the means 
 to improve it, built the present substantial brick 
 residence, between 181 5 and 1820. The barn 
 dates back to 1834. Catherine, his wife, was 
 born August 8, 1780. and died December 25, 
 1 84 1. The remains of both were interred upon 
 the farm. Of their thirteen children — nine 
 daughters and four sons — one son died in infancy, 
 the others being as follows: Catharine; Solo- 
 mon, born June 8, 1S01; John, born July 20, 
 1802; daughter, born May 3, 1804; daughter, 
 born July 7, 1805; daughter, born August 16, 
 1806; daughter, born December 16, 1807; David 
 (third son, and father of our subject) is men- 
 tioned farther on; Ellen, Sophie, Annie and Leah; 
 and a son, born March 25, 1820. 
 
 David Neidig, the father of our subject, 
 born in 1809, and died April 1, 1863. He was 
 one of the leading men of that locality in his day. 
 a shrewd and successful manager, and although his 
 early education was limited, he acquired practi- 
 cal knowledge upon a wide range of subjects. II 
 settled his father's estate, and while farming v. 
 his principal occupation he engaged in lumber 
 and other enterprises, conducting a sawmill for 
 many years. While he gave due attention, as a 
 private citizen, to political questions, attending 
 elections regularly, he never sought offi : or 
 joined in partisan work beyond the deposit 0! 
 Democratic ticket in the ballot box at e\ery law 
 ful opportunity. He was a captain in themili 
 and was a leading worker in religious affairs, con- 
 
c± 
 
 ej/^ /y^ f 7\JUmL 
 
 93 
 
 L 
 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 433 
 
 tributing liberally to St. Paul's Church (Reform- 
 ed), of which he was a member. His wife, Bar- 
 bara, was a daughter of Jacob Moyer, a well- 
 known citizen of Snyder county. She was born 
 in 1 8 14, and passed away in 1886, her remains 
 being laid to rest beside those of her husband in 
 St. Paul's Cemetery. She was a devout Chris- 
 tian, of the Lutheran faith. There was a large 
 family of children, of whom six lived to adult age, 
 our subject (sketch of whom follows) being eldest; 
 (2) Mary Ann, born January 13, 1841, married 
 Michael Hess, of Haines township. (3) Susan, 
 born March 22, 1842 (now Mrs. Samuel Kramer), 
 also resides in that locality. (4) John, born 
 February II, 1845, sold his share in the farm to 
 his brother Daniel, and being a single man lives 
 most of the time with his sisters. (5) Daniel M., 
 born July 6, 1847, married Lydia Ellen Krumer- 
 ine, and has two children — one son and one 
 daughter; he is now a retired farmer, and lives 
 at State College. (6) Augustus David, born May 
 5, 1853, is a farmer in Wisconsin. 
 
 Jacob M. Neidig (our subject) was born March 
 30, 1839, and was reared at the old homestead, 
 his educational advantages being confined to an 
 attendance at the subscription schools of that 
 day. His first school was in the home of his 
 father, and his first teacher was a Mr. Hoy. In 
 those times labor-saving machinery had not been 
 introduced to any great extent, and wheat was 
 threshed during the winter season by the tramp- 
 ing of horses. As may be supposed, there was 
 plenty of work for our subject to do, and when 
 the "chores" on the farm failed the sawmill 
 could be relied upon to keep him employed, es- 
 pecially in the spring of the year. However 
 irksome this continuous round of work may have 
 been at the time, the habits of industry and 
 knowledge of detail thus gained were of great 
 service to him in after life, and the old home- 
 stead, with its carefully-kept buildings, shows 
 the good results of his labors. He has not only 
 repaired the old structures, but has added new 
 ones from time to time. The farm contains 140 
 acres of excellent land, and Mr. Neidig also 
 owns some mountain lands. Lumbering has en- 
 gaged his attention at times, and his success in 
 his undertakings has given him a high reputation 
 among the progressive business men and farmers 
 of Penn's Valley. 
 
 On May 30, 1880, Mr. Neidig was married 
 in Aaronsburgto Miss Catherine Rishel, a native 
 of Gregg township, Centre county, and the elder 
 of the two daughters born to David and Mary 
 M. Rishel. Mr. Neidig and his wife are leading 
 members of the Lutheran Church, in which he 
 has held the offices of deacon and elder. Lib- 
 
 28 
 
 eral in his donations to every worthy cause, quiet 
 and peaceable in his mode of life, Mr. Neidig is 
 one of the best of citizens. He is steadfast sup- 
 porter of the doctrines of the Democratic party, 
 and votes regularly, but has never entered the 
 political arena for any office whatever. 
 
 F^RANK B. STOVER. The life of this well- 
 known citizen of Bellefonte, Centre county, 
 has been marked by unusual enterprise and en- 
 ergy, and the success which has attended his 
 efforts is but their due reward. Although he is a 
 native of Union county, where he was born, 
 December 7, 1836, his family has been identified 
 with Centre county for three generations. His 
 paternal grandfather, Jacob E. Stover, was born 
 at Williamsport, Md., on the Potomac river, 
 and, losing his parents while yet a boy, began 
 his business career at great disadvantages. He 
 learned the tanner's trade in Maryland, and when 
 a young man settled in Haines township, Centre 
 county, where numerous relatives had already 
 located. There he built a tannery, which he con- 
 ducted for many years. He had the following 
 children: Samuel H., Isaac, William H., George 
 Hubler, Michael, John H., and Catherine, who 
 married a Mr. Kaup. Three of the sons served 
 with distinction in the Union army during the 
 Civil war. George Hubler Stover, who died in 
 the year 1897, gained the rank of major; 
 Michael was connected with the quartermaster's 
 department, while John H. became a colonel, 
 and after the war he was a resident of Mor- 
 gan count)', Mo., and represented that district 
 in Congress. 
 
 Samuel H. Stover, our subject's father, was 
 born at Aaronsburg, Penn. , in 18 12. He was 
 married in Centre county to a lady of Dutch 
 descent, by name Catherine Dingers, whose father 
 was a farmer in Lebanon county, Penn., where 
 she was born in 18 13. For about three years 
 after their marriage they made their home in 
 Hartleton, Union county. They then returned 
 to Centre county, and located at Boalsburg, Har- 
 ris township, for three years, after which they 
 made their home in Bayleyville until 1865, at 
 which time they again moved to Boalsburg, and 
 lived there some eighteen years, or until their 
 death in 1883, the father dying in March, the 
 mother in May. They were Lutherans in relig- 
 ious faith, and the father was a stanch adherent 
 of the Republican party. Of their thirteen chil- 
 dren eight lived to maturity: (1) Matilda mar- 
 ried Jonathan Musser, and resides in Altoona, 
 Blair county; (2) Frank B. is mentioned more 
 fully below; (3) Johanna married George Kaup, 
 
434 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 of Centre county; (4) Catherine is the wife of 
 Jonathan Hess, of the same county; (5) Mary G. 
 married Dr. J. K. Krider, and now lives in Ohio; 
 
 Ellen is the wife of Henry Gingrich, of Cen- 
 tre county; 71 Sadie and (8) Nannie, who are 
 n^t married, reside in Bellefonte. 
 
 As the only son of his parents, Mr. Stover 
 found his help much in demand upon the farm 
 during his early years, but he was given good 
 educational advantages, supplementing his course 
 in the district school by an attendance at Pine 
 Grove Academy and Central Academy in Juniata 
 county, Penn. After leaving school he worked 
 for some time upon the farm and in his father's 
 hotel at Rock Springs, and then entered business 
 life on his own account as a clerk in a dry-goods 
 store, where one of his transactions was the sale 
 of six yards of calico to a lady for a dress. Later 
 he clerked in a hardware store in Bellefonte, and 
 in 1881 he engaged in the meat business, which 
 he has ever since followed, enjoying a large cus- 
 tom. As a business man he holds a high place, 
 and he also exerts much influence in local af- 
 fairs and in the Republican organization. He 
 belongs to the Royal Arcanum, and is a leading 
 member "I the Lutheran Church, and, in fact, is 
 interested as a good citizen in all the varied 
 movements of his locality. 
 
 In 1 86 1 Mr. Stover was united in marriage 
 with Miss Mary M. Musser, a native of Pine 
 Grove Mills, Centre county, born in 1838, daugh- 
 ter 'if William and Catherine Musser, the former 
 
 Mr. 
 
 of whom died in 1870, the latter in 18S5. 
 ami Mrs. Stover have four children — two sons, 
 Samuel and Alvin H., in business with their fa- 
 ther, and both living in Bellefonte, and two 
 daughters, Lula C, at home, and Lottie E., who 
 was married September 15, 1896, to H. E. 
 Stover, and now resides in Hagerstown, Md. 
 Samuel, the elder son, was born at Rock Springs, 
 Centre county, in January, 18C3. Alvin 11., the 
 tiger son, was born in April, 1865, at Locust 
 Grove, Centre county, and was married in 
 ust, 1SS7, to Miss Ida Kishell, daughter of 
 fohn Rishell, Centre county, and they have three 
 children: Prank K., Helen S. and Harold M. 
 
 GEORGE B. SIMLER, Jr., who is success- 
 billy engaged in the express business, holds 
 a leading place among the enterprising and 
 prominenl men of Philipsburg, Centre county. 
 materially aiding in the development and prog- 
 municipality. There he was born 
 December 13, 1857, a son of George B. and 
 Amanda (Carpenter) Simler, well known and 
 and highly respected citizens of Philipsburg. 
 
 Until twenty-two years- of age our subject 
 worked for his father at the express business, and 
 then purchased of him a horse and wagon and 
 began operations on his own account. Prom 
 
 1878 until 1880 he served as baggage agent at 
 Philipsburg for the Pennsylvania Railroad Com- 
 pany. At present he uses two double teams in 
 his business, and so successful has he been that 
 he is now the owner of several pieces of real es- 
 tate, besides his own good residence property. In 
 
 1879 he was married to Miss Henrietta Lewis, and 
 they have eight children, whose names and dates 
 of birth are as follows: Amanda C, March 20, 
 1880; Arthur C, September 8, 1881; Hester J. 
 September 9, 1883; John L., April 2. 1885 
 Mi ry L. , January 14, 1887; George L. , Novem- 
 ber 27, 1892; Donald, August 21, 1894; and 
 Margaret, November 3, 1896. 
 
 Mrs. Simler was born in Johnstown, Penn., 
 August 13, 1858, and is a daughter of John and 
 Mary (Thomas) Lewis, natives of Tredegar. 
 Wales, where they were married. With one 
 child, they crossed the Atlantic to America in 
 1S48, and located at Brandy Bend, Penn., 
 whence they removed to Johnstown, and still 
 later to Houtzdale, Clearfield Co., Penn., where 
 the father died February 3, 1893, at the age 
 seventy-nine years. The mother died the day be- 
 fore the Johnstown flood, at the age of sixty-eight 
 They were consistent members of the Welch 
 Baptist Church, and had the esteem and confi- 
 dence of all who knew them. By occupation the 
 father was a coal operator, and in politics he was 
 a Republican. In the family of Mr. and M 
 Lewis were eight children, namely: William, 
 who was smothered to death in a coke pit in 
 Johnstown; Mary A., wife of John Hopwood, a 
 cabinet maker of Waynesboro, Franklin Co., 
 Penn.; Elizabeth, wife of Michael Erhart, 
 Philipsburg; Margaret, wife of Alfred Mallory, a 
 machinist of Altoona, Penn. ; Letitia, wife 
 |. M. Kolles, a carpenter of Clearfield, Penh 
 I Uion T., a blacksmith of Hastings, Penn ; 
 Henrietta, wife of our subject; and Emma, wifi 
 Peter Camoran, superintendent of coal mines in 
 Wi-stmoreland county, Pennsylvania. 
 
 Mr. Simler has taken a prominent par- 
 public affairs, and has been called upon to sei 
 
 ifhcial positions of honor and trust. He is 
 now tilling the office of school director, and dur- 
 ing the years 1893, 1894 and 1895, was an influ- 
 ential member of the city council. In February, 
 [897, he was elected burgess of Philipsburg. 
 is an ardent Republican in politics, and fra - 
 nally is a member of the Red Warrior Tribe, 
 Royal Arcanum, of Philipsburg. In the estin 
 tion of his fellow citizens he is one of the repic- 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 435 
 
 sentative men of the community, and he enjoys 
 the confidence and highest regard of all with 
 whom he comes in contact either in business or 
 social life. 
 
 JOHN F. GARTHOFF, one of the leading 
 and able educators of Penn township, Centre 
 county, was born June 5, 1863, nearBanner- 
 ville, Snyder Co., Penn. His father, John H. 
 Garthoff, was a native of Westphalia, Prussia, 
 born December 29, 1822, and was a son of John 
 H. Garthoff, a tanner by trade. In the family 
 of three children the father was the only son and 
 the only one to come to America, where he ar- 
 rived after a stormy voyage. In New York he 
 learned the tanner's trade, which he afterward 
 followed in Philadelphia, Lewisburg, and in 
 Adamsburg, Penn., where he first met the lady 
 that afterward became his wife. 
 
 In the spring of 1 8 5 1 , in Union county, Penn. , 
 John H. Garthoff was married to Miss Caroline 
 Robenold, who was born in Lehigh county, 
 Perm., January 23, 1829, a daughter of Solomon 
 and Mary (Ocker) Robenold. Her father was 
 born May 5, 1798, in Northampton count)', this 
 State, a son of Michael Robenold, and through- 
 out life followed the occupations of shoemaking 
 and farming. When Mrs. Garthoff was eight 
 years old her father removed with his family to 
 Union county, where his wife spent the remainder 
 of her life upon a farm which he had there pur- 
 chased, dying at the age of fifty-five years. A 
 few years later he removed to Nittany Valley, 
 Centre county, where he made his home with his 
 daughter, Mrs. Vonada, until he, too, was called 
 to his final rest at the ripe old age of eighty 
 years. He was interred in the cemetery of Zion, 
 Centre county, while his wife was buried at Lau- 
 relton, Union county. Both held membership in 
 the Lutheran Church, and he was a Democrat in 
 politics. In their family were the following chil- 
 dren: Lucy, wife of Adam Vonada, of Zion; 
 Jonathan, a tanner and farmer, who died in Mis- 
 souri; Caroline, the mother of our subject; Will- 
 iam, a farmer, who died in Orangeville, 111. ; Sa- 
 rah, wife of George Kauffman, of Zion, Centre 
 county; David, who died from sickness con- 
 tracted while in the army; Solomon, who was a 
 member of an Illinois regiment, and also died in 
 the army; and Christia Ann, wife of Daniel Rov- 
 er, of Valley Falls, Kansas. 
 
 The parents of our subject began their do- 
 mestic life in Bannerville, Penn., where the fa- 
 ther died May 6, 1865, and was there laid to rest. 
 He left a widow, and five children, as follows: 
 Joseph S., a farmer of Dewar, Iowa; William, 
 
 who died at the age of eight years; Mary, wife of 
 John Lint, of Dixon, 111.; James D., a lumber- 
 man of Mt. Eagle, Centre county; Catharine A., 
 a resident of Bellefonte, Penn.; and John F. , of 
 this review. Although Mrs. Garthoff was left a 
 home, the support of her children fell upon her, 
 and a year or so after her husband's death she 
 came to Zion, Centre county, where she bought a 
 small home and reared her family. Since 1887, 
 she has found a pleasant home with our subject in 
 Coburn. She is a highly respected lady, be- 
 loved by all who know her, and a Lutheran in 
 religious belief; her husband was a member of 
 the Reformed Church, and a Democrat in poli- 
 tics. 
 
 Mr. Garthoff, the subject proper of this re- 
 view, was a child when brought by his widowed 
 mother to Centre county, and in the common 
 schools he acquired his primary education, his 
 first teacher being William P. Dasher. He sup- 
 plemented the knowledge there acquired by two 
 terms' attendance at a select school in Rebers- 
 burg, and by reading and study has become a 
 well informed man. He remained with his 
 mother until his marriage, preparing himself for 
 the teacher's profession, and when twenty years 
 of age he taught the Logan school at Hecla, Pa. 
 On August 23, 1885, in Rebersburg, he was 
 united in marriage with Miss Maggie M. Walker, 
 who was born in Miles township, Centre county, 
 August 29, 1859, one of a family of seven chil- 
 dren — three sons and four daughters — of Will- 
 liam and Mary M. (Smull) Walker, now residents 
 of Rebersburg. By occupation the father is a 
 farmer. Mr. and Mrs. Garthoff have one child, 
 Mary A., born March 23, 1886. 
 
 In 1886 our subject bought his present home 
 in Coburn, and since the following year has 
 there resided. From the time he conducted his 
 first school he has successfully engaged in teach- 
 ing, and his vacations have been spent at other 
 work, such as clerking. Financially as well as 
 professionally, he has met with well-deserved suc- 
 cess, and is now interested in the Central Building 
 & Loan Association of Lincoln, Neb., and the 
 Empire Savings, Building & Loan Association of 
 Syracuse, N. Y. He formerly belonged to the 
 Knights of the Golden Eagle of Millheim. Al- 
 ways a stanch Democrat in politics, he was 
 elected on that ticket justice of the peace, when 
 not yet twenty-four years old, and when he had 
 been a resident of Penn township for only a few 
 months. So acceptably has he filled the office 
 that he is still the incumbent, and has also served 
 for several terms as township clerk. He is one 
 of the representative citizens of the community, 
 and enjoys the respect and esteem of all. He 
 
430 
 
 COMMEMORA TIYK IUOdHAVUICAL liKCORD. 
 
 and his excellent wife are members of the Luth- 
 eran Church, of Coburn, of which he is at pres- 
 ent serving as trustee, and superintendent of 
 the Sunday-school, connected with said Church. 
 
 GEORGE GREEN FINK. Centre county 
 has many well-to-do and successful farmers, 
 men who have accumulated what they have of 
 this world's goods through individual effort, and 
 among this class the name of the subject of this 
 notice is entitled to a place. He is residing on 
 tin- Elevens run road, in Huston township, 
 where he is industriously engaged in the prose- 
 cution of his noble calling, and is meeting with 
 far more than ordinary success. 
 
 Mr. Fink was born May 9, 1863, in Ferguson 
 township, Clearfield Co., Penn. His father, 
 George W. Fink, was born in Centre county, 
 May [6, 1837, a son of Jacob and Hannah Fink, 
 who were natives of Indiana county, Penn., and 
 at an early day came to Centre county, locating 
 near the Martha Furnace, but later went to 
 Clearfield county, where the grandfather died at 
 the age of ninety-four years. In early life he 
 was a blower in a furnace, but later followed the 
 carpenter's trade. In 1855, in Ferguson town- 
 ship, Clearfield count), George W. Fink mar- 
 ried Mary I. Miles, who was born in that county 
 September 18, 1834, a daughter of John and 
 Betsy (Williams 1 Miles, who were natives of 
 Centre county, but spent their last days upon a 
 farm in Clearfield county. Mr. and Mrs. Fink 
 have spent their entire married life in the latter 
 county, where he was for many years a lumber- 
 man; he died February 28, 1897; he was a most 
 exemplary man, having never uttered an oath or 
 used tobacco or liquor in any form, and he en- 
 joyed the confidence and esteem of all who knew 
 him. His faithful wife, who is still enjoying ex- 
 cellent health, is a consistent member of the 
 Methodist Church. 
 
 Our subject is one of a family of ten children, 
 namely: Elizabeth, who was burned to death at 
 the age of four years; Lela A., who died March 
 15, 1874, at the age of fifteen years; Elmer E., 
 a merchant of Clearfield, Penn.; George G. ; 
 Ulysses S., who died at the age of two years; 
 William McC. . a school teaclni of New Millport, 
 Penn.; Emma, who married George W. Bratton, 
 telegraph operator at Woodland. Penn., and 
 died July 16, 1890, at the age of twenty-two 
 years; Emeline, twin sister of Emma, who 1 
 in infancy; Minerva V., wife of Harvey Strong, 
 .1 butcher ol Ansonville, Clearfield county; and 
 Ella L. , at home. 
 
 At tin age o| fourteen years, George G. Fink 
 
 left home, and began working for an uncle, but 
 gave his salary to his parents until he became of 
 age. He was permitted to attend the public 
 schools during the winter season, and for one 
 term was a student in the Normal School at New- 
 Washington, Clearfield county. On leaving his 
 uncle, at the age of twenty-three, he entered a 
 mercantile store at New Millport, where he was 
 employed as clerk for a few months, and subse- 
 quently worked in the lumber woods and at 
 teaming. In the fall of 1889 he located on the 
 farm of |. Q. Miles, which he operated on shares 
 for four years, working at farm labor dining the 
 summer months, while in the winter he cut logs 
 upon land which he had purchased in the spring 
 of 1889. So successful was he, that March 24, 
 1890, he was able to purchase his present farm, 
 a valuable tract of 196 acres, and he now, along 
 with his wife and her sister, also owns an adjoin- 
 ing place of 228 acres. He has made a specialty 
 of stock raising, in which he has been remark- 
 ably successful, having upon his place a high 
 grade of Jersey cattle and Yorkshire and Poland- 
 China hogs. 
 
 On November 13, 1887, Mr. Fink was mar- 
 ried to Miss Selina Williams, and they have an 
 interesting family of five children: Telford N., 
 born February 21, 1889; Clair V. , born October 
 20, 1890; Iva P., born July 19, 1892; and Joseph 
 L. and George L. (twins), born April 26, [895. 
 
 Mrs. Fink was born in Huston township, Cen- 
 tre county, January 14, 1862, and is a daughter 
 of Joseph F. and Hannah (Records) Williams, 
 who spent their entire lives in Centre county. 
 The father was an extensive land owner, having 
 about one thousand acres in the county, and 
 besides farming also engaged in the mercantile 
 and lumber business. He was a prominent and 
 influential citizen, and was called upon to sen 
 in several official positions, including that of 
 justice of the peace. His political support w 
 given the Republican party, and in religious faith 
 he and his wife were active members of the Bap- 
 tist Church. He was born June 19, 1813, and 
 died February 18, 1885, and she passed away 
 July 20, 1869, at the age of fift) years. Eight 
 children were born to them: Thaddeus S . wh 
 was a graduate of a business college at Philadel- 
 phia, and died in Centre county soon after hi* 
 return from the Civil war; Catherine, wife of 
 David Henderson, a farmer of Huston township 
 Susan A., wife of W. A. Hartsock, a farmei 
 Centre county; Abigail, who died at the ag< 
 five years; Lois, who died at the age of tw 
 Jasper A., a farmer oi Blair county, Penn. ; New- 
 ton, a school teacher by profession, who died at 
 
 age of thirty-two; and Selina, the wife of out 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 437 
 
 subject. Her paternal grandparents, Jessie and 
 Susanna (Thalenburg) Williams, were natives of 
 Scotland, but at an early day became prominent 
 citizens of Centre county, where the grandfather 
 carried on agricultural pursuits and was an ex- 
 tensive land owner. 
 
 Politically, Mr. Fink is a pronounced Repub- 
 lican; socially he is a member of the Grange, No. 
 395, of Unionville, and in religious belief he and 
 his estimable wife are members of the Bald Eagle 
 Baptist Church. They hold an enviable position 
 in social circles, and are widely and favorably 
 known throughout the county. In 1891, he was 
 elected school director, which office he accepta- 
 bly filled for three years, and in the spring of 1 894 
 he was elected township supervisor. On the ex- 
 piration of his term he resigned, but was again 
 elected in February, 1896, to both positions. On 
 November 3, 1896, he was elected county auditor 
 of Centre county. His prominent characteristics 
 have been manifested in the success that he has 
 achieved in his business career — determination, 
 self-reliance and undaunted perseverance — and 
 his name deserves an honored place among the 
 representative and progressive citizens of Centre 
 count)-. 
 
 JOHN THOMAS MANN, proprietor of a con- 
 fectionery and tobacco store, is one of the 
 leading and energetic young business men of 
 Eagleville, Centre county. He is a native of 
 Pennsylvania, born August 27, 1863, in Clinton 
 county, whence, in 1881, he came to Centre 
 county with his parents, Nicholas and Hannah 
 (Rohn) Mann, also natives of that State. They 
 located in Eagleville, where the father was chiefly 
 engaged in lumbering throughout the remainder of 
 his life. He was born February 25, 1825, and 
 departed this life July 29, 1896; his wife passed 
 away January 27, 1894, at the age of fifty-seven 
 years. Both were worthy members of the Dis- 
 ciple Church, and enjoyed the love and esteem 
 of all who knew them. In politics the father 
 was an ardent supporter of the Democratic party. 
 To this worthy couple were born the follow- 
 ing children: Alfred and Samuel, who died in 
 infancy; Eliza, deceased wife of John W. Creak, 
 a hotel proprietor of Williamsport, Penn. ; 
 George W. , a lumberman of Eagleville, who 
 married Maggie Thiel, and had four children, 
 one now deceased; William and Robert (twins), 
 who are lumbermen of Eagleville; Jacob, who 
 left for parts unknown in 1889, and has never 
 been heard of since; John Thomas, subject of 
 this sketch; Ellen and Edward, both residents 
 of Eagleville; Cora, who died at the age of 
 
 eighteen years; Sadie, also of Eagleville; and 
 Anna, born May 7, 1872, who was married April 
 3, 1892, to C. H. Long, and has one child. The 
 paternal grandparents, Thomas and Nancy Mann, 
 were farming people of Clinton county, Penn., 
 where their deaths occurred. 
 
 During his younger years, Mr. Mann, the sub- 
 ject proper of this review, was employed in the 
 lumber woods, but at the age of twenty he suf- 
 fered a severe attack of typhoid fever, which left 
 him in a crippled condition, so that he now has to 
 use crutches. In 1890 he embarked in his pres- 
 ent business, and by fair and honorable dealing 
 has secured a liberal share of the public patron- 
 age. His genial, pleasant manner has gained 
 him a host of warm friends, and has won for 
 him the regard of all with whom social or busi- 
 ness relations have brought him in contact. He 
 takes an active interest in political affairs, and 
 uses his right of franchise in support of the men 
 and measures of the Republican party. 
 
 JE. ROYER, a prosperous agriculturist of 
 Miles township, Centre county, was born 
 November 4, 1863, in Franklin township, 
 Snyder Co., Penn., a son of Aaron C. and Mary 
 B. (Hertz) Royer, and a descendant of Christo- 
 pher Royer, who came to this country from Ger- 
 many in 1748. 
 
 Aaron C. Royer, father of our subject, was 
 a native of the same county, born in 1828 on the 
 old Royer homestead and in the Royer settle- 
 ment. His father, John Royer, was a farmer by 
 occupation, died when Aaron was but eight years 
 of age, and the latter then lived with a maternal 
 uncle in Union county, Penn., where he learned 
 the tanner's trade and secured a limited educa- 
 tion. After a trip to the West he returned to his 
 native county, and operated the old homestead 
 farm, where his death occurred October 26, 1864, 
 and he was laid to rest in the Hassinger Church 
 cemetery. Though he took no active part in 
 politics, he always supported the Republican 
 party; in religious belief he held membership in 
 the Reformed Church. 
 
 On February 28, 1856, in Union county, 
 Aaron C. Royer was married to Mary B. Hertz, 
 who was born in Kelly township, that county, 
 December 3, 1836, and is a daughter of John and 
 Mary (Keim) Hertz, farming people, in whose 
 family were ten children, seven of whom reached 
 adult age. Three children were born to Mr. and 
 Mrs. Royer: Eve A., now the wife of Byron Ed- 
 munds, of Cleveland, Ohio; Ellen V., wife of 
 John S. Kauffman, of Snyder county, Penn. ; 
 and J. E., the subject of this sketch. After the 
 
4:s- 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 death of the father, the mother remained upon 
 the farm, and later married Moses Specht, a 
 merchant and hotel keeper of Beavertovvn, Penn. , 
 since deceased. She now finds a pleasant home 
 with our subject. Religiously, she is a Luth- 
 eran. 
 
 During his boyhood and youth, J. E. Royer 
 attended the Hassinger school of Franklin town- 
 ship, Snyder county, and on completing his edu- 
 cation went to western Ohio, working for a time 
 in Hardin and Hancock counties as a day laborer 
 on the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne & Chicago rail- 
 road. For eight years he was variously em- 
 ployed in different States in the West, and then 
 returned to his old home in Snyder county, where, 
 on February 10, 1886, he was united in marriage 
 with Miss Alice Hingman, who was born in that 
 county November 16, 1862, a daughter of Fred- 
 erick and Mary (Smith) Hingman, farming people 
 of Beavertown. Mr. and Mrs. Royer have three 
 children: James S., born September 4, 1889; 
 Mary B., born September I. 1892; and Helen L., 
 born July 9, 1896. 
 
 After his marriage, Mr. Royer rented a house 
 and lot near Beavertown for a year, while he 
 worked at general labor and looked up a loca- 
 tion. On February 22, 1887, became to Miles 
 township, Centre counts, where in the fall of 
 1SS5 he had purchased the old Smull homestead, 
 consisting of 107 acres. He has remodeled the 
 house and made many valuable and useful im- 
 provements upon the farm, which is now under 
 a high state of cultivation. In connection with 
 tins property he also owns a tract of timber land. 
 He is numbered among the most energetic and 
 prosperous young fanners of the community, 
 and. while .1 resident of the township but a few 
 years, has already made for himself a prominent 
 place among the better class of citizens. He is 
 systematic in his methods of farming, and the 
 neat and thrifty appearance of his place testify 
 to his industry and capable management. In 
 politics he is a steadfast Democrat, and as a man 
 
 1 citizen contributes his full share toward en- 
 hancing the intellectual and moral welfare of the 
 Community. Both he and his excellent wife are 
 
 members in good standing of the Reformed 
 Church. 
 
 the State, and is a cousin of Judge Austin O. 
 Furst, attorney at law, of Bellefonte. 
 
 William I. Furst, the father of our subject, 
 was born in Clinton county, Penn.. June 28, 
 1 8 14, and on reaching manhood married Mary 
 Ann Gray, who was born in Patton township, 
 Centre county, April 26, 1822, and died March 
 24, 1896. His death occurred December6, 1883, 
 and they now rest side by side in the Gray ceme- 
 tery. Of the five children born to them, Fannie 
 and P. Purdue died in childhood. Mary B. is 
 the wife of John B. Way, a farmer of Williams- 
 burg, Blair Co., Perm., by whom she has three 
 children — Lulu, at this writing aged ten years; 
 Nora, aged eight; and Bud, aged four; our 
 subject is next in order of birth, and Lizzie I 
 who resides on the old homestead with her 
 brother, completes the family. 
 
 In the schools of Stony Point, Centre county, 
 Mr. Furst, the subject of this review, acquired a 
 good practical education, and since laying aside 
 his text-books has engaged in agricultural pur- 
 suits, operating the old homestead farm, of which 
 he is part owner. The neat and thrifty appear- 
 ance of the place indicates the supervision of a 
 painstaking and skillful farmer, who thoroughly 
 understands his chosen calling. On January 29. 
 [884, he was married to Miss Eva M. Penning- 
 ton, of Patton township, daughter "t Thomas 
 Pennington, and they have five interesting chil- 
 dren, as follows: Clarence E., at this wril 
 aged nine years; Carl M., aged seven; Ethel M 
 aged six; Mary E., aged four; and Russell I 
 
 I .1 year and a half. 
 
 Mr. Furst uses his right of franchise in sup- 
 port of the men and measures of the Republican 
 party, in the success of which he takes a deep 
 interest. He is an intelligent, wide-awake farm- 
 er, held in the highest esteem by his fellow cit- 
 izens. In religious belief he is a Methodist. 
 
 WILLIAM G. FURST, whose farm is pleas- 
 antly 1 a Patton township, near 
 falo Kun, Ci litre county, was born thereon 
 May 10, 1864, and comes of an old and highb 
 i msvlvanian family, which was foun 
 in America during the early days of the Republic. 
 He has many relatives in the eastern portioi 
 
 Gl ' IRG1 DAVID GLOSNER, a leading 
 fanner and cattle dealer of Marion 1 
 ship. Centre county, is a native of that county, 
 his birth having occurred in Curtin township, 
 March 5, [864. Hi-- father, Sampson G 
 
 the name was spelled by his ancestors), 
 born in Pine Creek. Clinton Co.. Penn.. 
 Christian and Mai leal 1 Glossner, who 
 
 were horn, reared and married in Germany, 
 at an early day crossed the Atlantic and located 
 in Clinton county, whence they came to Cen 
 counts-. Men- the grandfather carried on fai 
 ing throughout the remainder of his life II 
 other children were Henry, who died in How 
 
 itre county; Margaret, widow of l 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 439 
 
 Singer, of Curtin township, Centre county; and 
 Jacob, a laborer of Eagleville, in the same 
 county. 
 
 By occupation Sampson Glossner was a 
 farmer and carpenter. In October, i860, he 
 married Miss Mary Wensel, who was born No- 
 vember 29, 1842, in Germany, of which country 
 her parents, John and Margaret (Felder) Wensel, 
 were also natives. In 1844 they came to Amer- 
 ica accompanied by his father, John Wensel, 
 Sr. , and located upon a farm in Centre county, 
 where they spent their remaining days, John 
 Wensel, Jr., dying in 1895, at the ripe old age 
 of eighty-four years. Only two children were born 
 to and Mr. Mrs. Glossner, the sister of our sub- 
 ject being Margaret A., wife of Peter Robb, Jr., 
 a farmer of Romola, Curtin township, Centre 
 county. The father died in the fall of 1867, at 
 the early age of twenty-seven years; the mother 
 is still making her home in Curtin township. 
 
 George D. Glosner continued to assist in the 
 operation of the home farm until he had attained 
 his majority, and then started out in life for him- 
 self as an agriculturist. On January 10, 1879, 
 at his present home, he married Miss Emma M. 
 Hoy, who was born upon that farm April 19, 
 1864. They have four children, whose names 
 and dates of birth are as follows: Edna M., 
 January 25, 1890; Beulah M. , April 11, 1891; 
 Doyle E., July 14, 1892; and Inez M. , Decem- 
 ber 2, 1893. The parents of Mrs. Glosner, 
 George S. and Catherine A. (Yearick) Hoy, were 
 both natives of Brush Valley, Centre county, 
 where they were married November 27, 1851. 
 For a short time they remained there, and then 
 came to Marion township, where the father died 
 December n, 1889. He was born February 7, 
 1827, his wife on May 10, 1832, a daughter of 
 John and Saloma (Riechel) Yearick; she now re- 
 sides with our subject and his wife. 
 
 Mrs. Glosner is the youngest of eight chil- 
 dren, namely: Tabitha A., born June 30, 1853, 
 is the wife of I. W. Gates, a farmer of Clearfield 
 county, Penn. ; Samuel C, born February 7, 
 1S55, is a farmer of Hublersburg, Centre coun- 
 ty; Angeline G., born February 28, 1856, is the 
 wife of H. D. Vonada, also a farmer of Hublers- 
 burg; Semanda J., born September 7, 1857, is 
 the wife of P. C. Gates, a carpenter of Clearfield 
 county; Malissa C, born November 10, 1858, is 
 the wife of A. A. McClintic, an undertaker of 
 Coalport, Clearfield county; Henry F., born 
 February 9, i860, died June 12, 1874; and Su- 
 sannah M., born December 29, 1861, is the wife 
 of E. L. McClintic, of Lewistown, Pennsylvania. 
 
 For two years after his marriage, Mr. Glosner 
 lived upon a farm which he owned in Curtin 
 
 township, and then removed to the old Hoy 
 homestead, where he still resides. He is a thor- 
 ough and skillful farmer, and as a cattle dealer 
 has met with excellent success, so that he is now 
 numbered among the substantial and well-to-do 
 citizens of Marion township. Religiously, he is 
 a member of the Reformed Church; politically, 
 he is identified with the Republican party, and 
 he is at present creditably serving as auditor and 
 school director in his township. 
 
 C\HARLES B. NEFF, an intelligent and en- 
 ') ergetic young agriculturist of Potter town- 
 ship, Centre county, is unusually successful as a 
 manager, his fine farm near Centre Hall being 
 conducted in a model manner. 
 
 Mr. Neff was born in Potter township, Sep- 
 tember 20, 1867, and belongs to one of the lead- 
 ing families of that locality. Major John Neff, 
 his grandfather, a native of Lebanon county, 
 Penn., born February 20, 1 79 1 , settled in Centre 
 county in early manhood, and for some years 
 followed the blacksmith's trade at Potters Mills. 
 Later he purchased a large tract of land in the 
 township on the Brush Valley road near the Har- 
 ris township line, and engaged in agriculture, bnt 
 continued to work somewhat at his trade in a 
 shop which he built at the farm. As old age 
 drew on he retired from active business and re- 
 moved to Centre Hall, where he died April 4, 
 1870. He was a prominent citizen, one of the 
 wealthy land owners of that locality, and his suc- 
 cess was more notable from having been gained 
 through his own exertions. In the Lutheran 
 Church, of which he was a member, he took an 
 active part, while in politics he was one of the 
 leading Democrats of Centre county, and at one 
 time was a candidate for the Legislature. 
 
 Major Neff was married in Potter township, 
 Centre county, to Miss Catherine Durst, who 
 was born October 19, 1794, and died October 
 17, 1868. Her parents, Peter and Elizabeth 
 (Herring) Durst, were well-known residents, and 
 her father, who was an extensive farmer, wielded 
 much influence in local affairs. In later life he 
 removed to Centre Hall, and was identified with 
 the development of the town. At the time of 
 the introduction of the water works there he was 
 a member of the company in charge of the en- 
 terprise. 
 
 To Major John Neff and his wife the follow- 
 ing children were born: Eliza (Mrs. Christian 
 Dale), who died in Harris township, Centre 
 county; Josiah, a farmer near Centre Hill, now 
 deceased; Isabella (Mrs. Joseph Bittner), who 
 died at Centre Hall; Peter D., at one time a 
 
440 
 
 ' ' I \[ ME MORA TIVE BIOGRAPUK M. RECORD. 
 
 physician at Centre Hall, now deceased; John, a 
 resident of Centre Hall; Lafayette, our subject's 
 father; George W. ( deceased), who was by occu- 
 pation a miller and later a farmer in California; 
 Catherine i Mrs. Joseph Crotzer), who died in 
 Potter township, Centre county; Maria (Mrs. 
 John Whittaker), who died in Petersburg, Penn. ; 
 Susan, who died at an early age; Daniel, who 
 was killed in boyhood, while corning down Nit- 
 tany Mountain, by a runaway horse that had 
 been used to haul a heavy load up the mountain 
 from Centre Hall; Barbara 'Mrs. John Bittner), 
 of Potter township, Centre county; Isaac P., a 
 Lutheran minister at Milroy, Penn. ; Evaline, 
 who married [acob drove, and now resides in 
 Kansas; \\ illiatn, a resident of Missouri; Luther, 
 who met a soldier's death in the second battle of 
 Hull Run, and was buried on the field; and 
 Sarah, widow of John Sankey, of Centre Hall. 
 
 The late Lafayette Neff, our subject's father, 
 was born at the old home in Potter township, De- 
 cember i 5, 1X26, and was reared as a farmer! 
 receiving such education as the local schools of 
 that time afforded, the free system not being in- 
 troduced until he was quite a lad. On Decem- 
 ber 26, 1854, In- was married, by Rev. P. S. 
 Fisher, to Miss Mary A. Ruble, who was born in 
 Potter township, April 7, 1836, the daughter of 
 Peter and Mar-ant ■ Miese) Ruble. Lafayette 
 
 ' located at the homestead, but later bo: 
 part of the old homestead, where he made his 
 home until March 1, 1883, and then purchased 
 the Peter Durst farm, where he passed away, 
 April 23, 1 So;. His wife breathed her last Feb- 
 ruary [2, [894, and the remains of both were in- 
 terred at the Centre Hill cemetery. He was a 
 man of -,p. ( re build, a hard worker, and always 
 active, nothwithstanding a lameness caused by a 
 horse falling upon his left limb. As a farmer he 
 was sui cessful, securing a handsome competence 
 by his able management, and 260 acres of land 
 in excellent condition were left at hisdeath. Pub- 
 lie affairs received intelligent attention from him, 
 and he was deeply interested in the Grange 
 movement; also in the Democratic party, in 
 which latter he was a prominent worker, holding 
 various township offices. At one time he was a 
 Lutheran in religion, but he afterward united with 
 the Reformed Church. 
 
 Our subject was the youngest of four children, 
 the others being: James B., born March 18, 
 1857, is a merchant in Denver, Colo.; William 
 R. and Calvin R. it whim, bom March 19, i860, 
 both reside in Pennsylvania, the former in Potter 
 township. Centre county, and the latter in Mifflin- 
 burg, where he is principal of the Mifflinburg 
 high school. Charles B., was born September 
 
 20, 1867, in Potter township. Centre county, and 
 was twelve years old when his parents removed 
 to the farm which he now conducts so admirably. 
 He and his brother, Calvin R., now own it in 
 I partnership, but as the latter is absent much of 
 the time the responsible management falls upon 
 our subject. He also prepared for the profession 
 of teaching, his education being begun at the 
 Pine Stump school, with Ferguson Potter as his 
 first teacher. Twice he made arrangements to 
 take charge of a school, but other duties inter- 
 fering, he has always remained at home, where 
 there is no lack of work to employ his energies. 
 As a citizen he is progressive and public-spirited, 
 but beyond giving his influence and his vote to 
 the Democratic ticket he is not active in politics. 
 On September 26, 1895, Mr. Neff was mar- 
 ried, in Potter township, to Miss Maggie Mover, 
 who was born near Tusseyville, Penn., May 26. 
 1874. the third child and daughter of Henry and 
 Elmira Braman) Mover. She has four sisters 
 and one brother. Mrs. Neff is prominent in re- 
 ligious and social circles, and is a member of the 
 Reformed Church. 
 
 THOMAS BARNES. Among the self-made 
 men of Centre county are many citizens of 
 foreign birth who have become conspicuous in 
 business and financial circles for their ability. 
 integrity and enterprise, and the story of 
 who began with empty pockets, and has made his 
 way to prosperity and wide influence, is a helpful 
 inspiring study. Thomas Barnes, who is no 
 wealthy coal operator of Philipsburg, Centre 
 county, and president of the Moshannon National 
 Bank at that place, was born May 1 ;, 1843, in 
 Lancashire, England, where his ancestors h 
 had their homes for many generations. 
 
 James Barnes, grandfather of our subject, 
 was a farmer there, and, although his life 1 
 passed without exciting incident, it embodied in 
 
 lomestic phases a beautiful romance, so si 
 ilar to certain portions of the widely-read noi 
 " fohn Halifax, Gentleman," as to make a most 
 striking coincidence. Like the hero and hen 
 of that work, James Barnes and his wife Wi 
 born on the same day of the same month, but tin 
 grandmother a year later than the grandfather. 
 They were married on their common birthday, 
 and died on another anniversary of their birth 
 They were never separated for even the space of 
 twenty-four hours, and so closely were they 
 united by love and sympathy that one could 
 scarcely suffer a pain that did not affect thi 
 other. They were seventy-five and seventy-four 
 
 , 
 
THOHAS BARNES. 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 441 
 
 years old, respectively, when the last illness fell 
 upon them. When the final summons came the 
 wife expired first, and as the children attempted 
 to remove the corpse from its place by his side 
 the dying husband motioned to them to leave it, 
 and eighteen minutes later he, too, breathed his 
 last. 
 
 This devoted couple left a numerous family. 
 Their son John, our subject's father, who spent 
 his life in Lancashire, followed agricultural pur- 
 suits. He and his wife (whose maiden name was 
 Jennie Hayes), had twelve children, viz.: James 
 (deceased), Hannah (now Mrs. Edward Riley), 
 Samuel, Lawrence, John, Henry, Isabella (now 
 Mrs. James' Eastwood), Thomas (our subject), 
 Alice Ann, Jane (now Mrs. George E. Smith), 
 William, and Rachel (the last named being 
 deceased). Of these, only three — Henry, John 
 and Thomas — came to America, the others re- 
 maining in their native land. 
 
 Thomas Barnes crossed the ocean at the age 
 of twenty-one to test his fortunes in the New 
 World. His sole inheritance was comprised in 
 his sound mental and physical health and his all- 
 conquering energy. He located near Philipsburg, 
 and having but a few dollars at hand he promptly 
 began at the first work that he could find, which 
 happened to be coal mining. This occupation 
 he followed until 1872, when he secured a con- 
 tract for clearing away drift, and later he and his 
 brother John began operating the Cuba mine. 
 Their next venture was with the Derby mines and 
 Lancashire mines No. 1 and No. 2, and since 
 that period the two brothers have carried on 
 many profitable mining enterprises in that vicin- 
 ity and in Cambria county. At the present time 
 Mr. Barnes is a partner in the Baltic mines and 
 others, and is recognized as a man of great sagac- 
 ity and one of the leading operators of his local- 
 ity. As is well known, coal mining includes many 
 incidental details, and Mr. Barnes and his brother 
 conduct stores and supply places, and in every 
 way meet the demands of the business. In May, 
 1897, the Moshannon National Bank was organ- 
 ized at Philipsburg, Mr. Barnes being appointed 
 its president. 
 
 In 1864 Mr. Barnes married Miss Anna Ash- 
 croft, also a native of Lancashire, England, and 
 seven children were born of their union: Jane, 
 Margaret, Ruth, John, Rachel, Anna and Esther. 
 Of these, Jane married J. Johnson, who is now 
 conducting our subject's store in Philipsburg, and 
 they have one daughter, Ruth. Mr. Barnes is 
 prominent in local affairs, is a vestryman in the 
 Episcopal Church, takes great interest in school 
 matters, and is liberal in his donations. In poli- 
 tics he is a Republican. He has been deservedly 
 
 successful in his undertakings, and now owns a 
 fine home on Centre street, Philipsburg, besides 
 an elegant block, a hotel, and a gristmill. 
 
 WILLIAM W. BOOB, one of the most re- 
 liable, progressive and capable business 
 men of Centre Hall, Centre county, was born 
 June 15, 1868, in Mifflinburg, Penn., and is the 
 eldest child of R. B. and Sarah (Shearer) Boob. 
 When two years old he was brought by his par- 
 ents to Aaronsburg, Centre county, where he 
 was educated, his first teacher being Julia Wolf, 
 and at the age of twelve he left the school room 
 and began assisting his father in the blacksmith 
 shop, where he soon learned the trade, and dur- 
 ing the six years he remained there became an 
 expert workman. 
 
 In Aaronsburg, August 6, 1886, Mr. Boob 
 was united in marriage with Miss Cora B. Reif- 
 snyder, of Millheim, Centre county, a daughter 
 of Urush Reifsnyder, and have one child, Grace 
 L. , born in August, 1887. For a time after his 
 marriage, Mr. Boob worked in a blacksmith shop 
 in Boalsburg, Centre county, for Mr. Webber, 
 later was in the employ of Samuel Foust, of 
 Spring Bank, and while living in Millheim worked 
 as a blacksmith in the foundry at Centre Hall. 
 Subsequently he established a shop of his own in 
 Coburn, which he conducted for two and one- 
 half years, and then removed to Centre Hall, 
 where he purchased the carriage business of J. 
 W. Haney, and also the millinery establishment 
 of Mrs. Haney, which his wife now conducts. 
 
 After one year spent in carriage making, he 
 converted his shop into a factory for the manu- 
 facture of buggy and wagon wheels, and now 
 does almost an exclusive wholesale business, sell- 
 ing his wheels throughout the Eastern States, in 
 Norway, Belgium, Germany, Java, Jamaica, Aus- 
 tralia, and India. He gives employment to a 
 number of hands, and has succeeded in building 
 up one of the most important and prosperous in- 
 dustries in the county. Although still quite young 
 in years, he is possessed of more than ordinary 
 business sagacity, is enterprising and industrious, 
 which qualities have been the important factors 
 in his success, and his business, which is still in 
 its infancy, is growing rapidly through his tire- 
 less efforts. His familiarity with its every detail, 
 and the close attention he gives it, insures its 
 success, and in the near future he will undoubt- 
 edly be one of the most prosperous and well-to-do 
 citizens of the community. By his own unaided 
 efforts he has worked his way steadily upward 
 from a humble position to one of affluence, and 
 deserves to be numbered among the representa- 
 
442 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 tive and prominent business men of Centre coun- 
 ty'. Politically he has always been identified 
 with the Democratic party. Taking a deep inter- 
 est in the cause of education, he is at present an 
 efficient member of the school board. Mr. Boob 
 has an office in New York City, No. 1 1 Broad- 
 way, for his export trade exclusively. 
 
 F 
 
 RANK HAINES, a popular young photogra- 
 pher of Philipsburg, Centre county, shows a 
 happy combination of artistic taste and business 
 ability which promises well for his future. He 
 is a native of Philipsburg, born January 2, 1869, 
 and he is descended from an old and highly re- 
 spected Quaker family of New Jersey, his ances- 
 tors having come from England at a very early 
 period, to escape the religious persecutions of 
 their day. 
 
 Daniel Haines, our subject's grandfather, 
 lived and died in New Jersey, and, like his ances- 
 tors, was a steadfast adherent of the Friends 
 Society. Joseph Haines, the father of our sub- 
 ject, was born in Morristown, N. J., February 
 26, 1841, and in early manhood came to Penn- 
 sylvania, locating in Bellefonte, where he learned 
 the photographer's trade. In 1 S65 he established 
 himself in business in Philipsburg, where he met 
 with the success which his fine abilities deserved. 
 He was I crat in politics, and in religion he 
 followed the faith of his forefathers. Hisdeath, 
 which occurred August 29, [887, cut short a life 
 which seemed to be entering upon the rewards of 
 his earlier labors. He was married in Bellefonte 
 to Miss Prudence Stone, a native of England, 
 who came to America with her pai I the 
 
 five years and grew to womanhood at 
 
 efonte, where her father, Martin Stone, was 
 in his 1 is a prosperous tit. He 
 
 was born in < iermany, but went fc 1 England when 
 about eight years old, and in early n I en- 
 
 ed in mercantile business, owning two stores 
 in London, which he sold before coming to the 
 United Mate- Mrs. Haines is still living at 
 Philipsburg with her four children, of whom our 
 
 ject is the eldest; (2) Orrin is the cit) elec- 
 trician; home; and (4) Harry is 
 attending school. 
 
 Frank Haines received his education in the 
 public schools of Philipsburg, and at the same 
 time became proficient in th iphy 
 
 through assisting his father as need required. 
 This early and constant association with the 
 business, familiarizing him with every detail, en- 
 abled him to take full charge after his father's 
 death, and continue it with undiminished suc- 
 cess during the past nine years. In the social 
 
 life of his native city he takes an active part, and 
 is a valued worker in various organizations. 
 Since 1888 he has been a member of Reliance 
 Fire Company No. 1, of which he has been pres- 
 ident, having been elected in September, 1896. 
 He also belongs to the Knights of Malta, the 
 Improved Order of Red Men, the American 
 Photographers Association, and the Order of 
 Mechanics, in which he is a past officer. Polit- 
 ically he is a Democrat. 
 
 JACOB R. SIMLER, of Philipsburg, Centre 
 county, is a native of that city, born May 4, 
 1 87 1, and a son of George B. and Amanda 
 (Carpenter) Simler, who have for many years 
 been prominently identified with its in teres 
 He acquired a common-school education, and re- 
 mained under the parental roof until his marriage 
 at the age of twenty-two years. 
 
 On November 22, 1893, Mr. Simler was mar- 
 ried to Miss Sallie B. Beamer, and they have an 
 interesting little daughter, Evelyn, born April II . 
 1896. The mother was born in Clearfield, Clear- 
 field Co., Penn., October 13, 1S74, a daugl 
 of Owen A. and Lucetta (Elder) Beamer, natives 
 of Centre county, the former born February 
 1853, and the latter on July 5. 1853. Thej n 
 reside in Latrobe, Westmoreland Co., Penn., 
 where the father is serving as clerk in a hof 
 Their family consisted of eight children: Will- 
 iam H., who died in childhood; Sallie B., wHeof 
 our subject; Clara A . at home; Orlando, « 
 
 I in childhood; Eva, who is residing with Mi 
 Simler and attending school; and Charles. Lai 
 and Oscar, all three at home. The paternal 
 grandparents of Mrs. Simler. Jacob A. and I 
 becca (Fister Beamer, were of German exti 
 tion, and the grandfather was a forgeman 
 occupation. Jacob A. Beamer served in Com- 
 pany C, 208th Regiment P. V. I.. Army of the 
 
 • 
 
 At the age of en years, Mr. Sii 
 
 began working for his brother, George B. , in 
 express business, andwasthusen 
 
 He belongs to the Order of Red Men 
 Philipsburg, is a stalwart Republican in polil 
 and is a member of the Episcopal Church. He 
 is a prominent and energetic young man. ol 
 upright moral character, and possesses the t 
 spirit of progress and enterprise which characl 
 izes the American people. In April, 1 
 commenced the business of selling oil to the c 
 sumers ol Philipsburg, and is working up a 1 
 trade, having already on his list some two bun- 
 customers. 
 
 1 or several years, Mr. Simler has displ 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 443 
 
 a remarkable talent for hunting. In connection 
 with his brother William N., he has carried on 
 the business of taxidermist for his own use, and 
 they have elegant collections of mounted birds 
 and animals. Since 1889 they have made a busi- 
 ness of taxidermy in every branch of the art. 
 The collections referred to contain the following 
 specimens: Blue-wing teal duck, barred owl, 
 Virginia rail bird, sandpiper, snipe, plover, wood- 
 cock, meadow lark, Virginia warbler, Kentucky 
 warbler, blue swallow, brown thrush, flocker 
 screech owl, duck hawk, chimney swallow, nuv- 
 vin, brown creeper, snow owl, pheasant (two 
 days old, and an old one), falks sparrow, flying 
 squirrel, humming bird, hoot owl, brown screech 
 owl, pigeon hawk, loon, butter duck, bullfinch, 
 Baltimore oriole, cedar bird, golden bird, night 
 hawk, sparrow hawk, teal duck, red bird, black 
 head warbler, chicken hawk, Indian hen, red- 
 headed woodpecker, black-headed woodpecker, 
 great squaw duck, Indigo bird, red-eye verrio, 
 red-headed bee bird, winter rew, green hern, 
 partridge, great bittern, chippie, snowbird, sap 
 sucker, pine finch, chickadee, great squaw duck, 
 kingfisher, bluebird, martin, red-winged black- 
 bird, bluejay, squirrel hawk, jack snipe, white- 
 headed sparrow, skylark, pallerope, water thrush, 
 killdeer, yellow breasted woodpecker, small bee 
 bird, robin, least bittern, chewink, goslin, bona- 
 parte seagull, butcher bird, shore lark, cuckoo, 
 sparrow hawk, crown kinglet, blackburn warb- 
 ler, chestnut warbler, Virginia warbler, horned 
 grieb, black cot, Jersey red bird, Kennedy rail 
 bird, snow bunting, American cot, blue heron, 
 Tom Lee, Church Will widow, whippoorwill, 
 black-headed tern, red-tail hawk, white spar- 
 row, and herring gull. These lovely specimens 
 the brothers have in glass cases in their par- 
 lors, where they may be admired by the many 
 friends of the family. 
 
 William N. Simler, a skilled and expert taxid- 
 ermist, also makes a business of mounting ani- 
 mals and birds, and tanning furs for rugs, etc. 
 He was married December 30, 1884, to Miss 
 Elizabeth G. Osslare, a native of Brookfield, 
 Penn., and a daughter of Bernard and Malinda 
 (Verbeck) Osslare, in whose family were ten chil- 
 dren. 
 
 MALCOLM LAURIE, an enterprising and 
 deservedly successful young business man of 
 Bellefonte, was born January 19, 1871, in 
 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 
 
 As his name suggests, his ancestors trod the 
 heather hills of " Auld Scotia," and he possesses 
 in a marked degree the shrewd practical mind 
 
 which is characteristic of the Scotch race. His 
 father, the late John Laurie, was born in Scot- 
 land in 1834, coming to America when a young 
 man, and was married in San Francisco, Cal., to 
 Miss Mary Connor, now deceased. He was a 
 traveling salesman for some time. Before the 
 war he was engaged in the cotton trade in the 
 South, but left that occupation in i860 and went 
 to California. In 1868 he made his home in 
 Bridgeton, N. J., and became interested in the 
 Cohansey Glass Company in that city. While 
 in that business he made two trips through South 
 America. To John and Mary Laurie six chil- 
 dren were born: William, now residing at Colo- 
 rado Springs, Colo. ; Miss Mary Laurie, who lives 
 in Glasgow, Scotland; Helen, the wife of Blythe 
 Wilke, of Glasgow, Scotland; and J. Malcolm, 
 of this sketch. Annie and Jennie died in infancy. 
 The first years of our subject's life were 
 spent in New Jersey, but as his parents died dur- 
 ing his boyhood he was taken into the home of 
 an uncle in Bellefonte, Rev. William Laurie, 
 D. D., a well-known Presbyterian clergyman. 
 His education was continued at the Bellefonte 
 Academy, and on completing his course there he 
 worked for four years as a bookkeeper in Belle- 
 fonte. In 1893 he established the Bellefonte 
 Steam Laundry, of which he has made a decided 
 success, and in 1895 he erected a building spe- 
 cially designed for his business, the formal open- 
 ing taking place July 18 of that year. Mr. 
 Laurie is not married, and is prominent socially 
 as a member of the Bellefonte Club. He also 
 belongs to the Presbyterian Church, and his high 
 character has won the esteem and friendship of a 
 large circle of acquaintances. 
 
 JOHN Q. MILES, treasurer of Centre county, 
 is one of the most popular officials at the 
 county seat, and illustrates the best type 
 of American citizenship in both public and private 
 life. 
 
 Mr. Miles was born March 17, 1843, in Clear- 
 field county, a son of John and Elizabeth (Wil- 
 son) Miles, and has always been identified with 
 this section. The schools near his early home 
 afforded him a practical education, and in 1861, 
 while yet a mere boy, he gave proof of his cour- 
 age and patriotism by enlisting from Clearfield 
 county in Company I, 84th P. V. I. His gal- 
 lant conduct at the front won him a reputation 
 as a brave fighter, but after nine months of serv- 
 ice a fever, brought on by exposure and hard- 
 ships, so weakened his system that he was dis- 
 charged for disability. In May, 1862, he located 
 in Centre county, where in 1865 he married 
 
lit 
 
 COM.VKM<>i;.l TIVB BIOGRAPHICAL REOCBD. 
 
 Lydia A. Richards, a native of that county, 
 and three children: Lizzie, Maggie and John, 
 brighten their home. John Q. Miles' election in 
 [893 to the office of county treasurer caused him 
 to remove to Bellefonte, but previously he had 
 his residence at Martha Furnace in Bald Eagle 
 Valley. Witty and genial, Mr. Miles has the 
 happy faculty of making friends, whom his ster- 
 ling qualities of character bind to him with the 
 lasting tie of respectable esteem. In politics he 
 is a Democrat. 
 
 The ancestors of our subject were earh 
 tiers in the City of Brotherlj Love, where Gen. 
 Samuel Miles, his great-grandfather, of Revo- 
 lutionary fame, resided, and of which city he was 
 mayor. John Miles, our subject's grandfather, 
 was born there He became prominent in the 
 iron industry, and at onetime was interested in 
 the development of Centre county. Our sub- 
 ject's father. John Miles (2) was born in the ar- 
 senal at Philadelphia. With an uncle he came 
 to Centre country, and built and operated Cen- 
 tre Furnace and the McCoy Iron Works. Miles- 
 burg was named in their honor, and at that time, 
 as in the present, the family name was a synonym 
 
 for business ability and enterprise c bined with 
 
 public spirit. 
 
 WLEXANDEF FAMILY. This family, 
 .A\. whirl) has been prominent in central 
 Pennsylvania from an early day, is of Scotch 
 
 [in. The earliest member, of which there is 
 record, was Thomas Alexander, who was promi- 
 nent in Lanark, Scotland, about 1710. I lis son 
 John, who was born in Scotland in I 700, married 
 Mai-. net Glasson, daughter of Donald Glasson, 
 of tin city of Glasgow, Scotland, and migrated 
 to County Armagh, Ireland, a few years later. 
 In 1 7 }6 he came to America, and besides his 
 three sons — Hugh, James and John— and bis 
 daughters — Rachel and Margaret there came 
 with him his two nephews Hugh and James — 
 and his niece, who had married a Mr. Polk in 
 
 ind. Then fust settlement was made in Not- 
 
 liani. Chester Co., Penn., on the east side of 
 Octorara creek, near the Maryland line. After 
 residing there a few years the little colony di- 
 vided and dispersed. The nephews, Hugh and 
 James, with Mr. and Mrs. Polk, went to Meck- 
 lenburg, N. C, while John, with his son of the 
 same name, r< I in Pennsylvania and 
 
 settled, first, near Carlisle, and, later, nearCham- 
 bersburg. 
 
 fames Alexander, second son of John and 
 Margaret (Glasson) Alexander, was born in 
 County Armagh, Ireland, in 1826, and came 
 
 with his parents to America in 1836. He re- 
 moved with his father to Cumberland county, 
 Penn., and there married Rosa Reed, who died 
 in 1792. James Alexander was a man of re- 
 markable energy and enterprise, and having 
 ried Rosa Reed, near Chambersburg, Penn., the 
 associations of the locality led him to deter- 
 mine to explore the new territory adjacent, and 
 if possible found a new colony. In carrying out 
 this project in 1755, he traveled about a hundred 
 
 north through the wilderness, and his at- 
 11 being arrested by the beauty of thi 
 ley, he located there and took out a warrant for 
 one thousand acres of land across the middle of 
 the Valley and reaching from Jack s Mountain to 
 Stone Mountain. He returned home f< 
 family, and took back with him to help found the 
 new settlement a friend who also had his family. 
 They carried all their effects on horseback. J 
 Alexander settled at the spring which forms the 
 source of Spring run. and a short distance awaj 
 at another spring stood the house of the 1 
 Chief "Logan the renowned head of the 
 Mingo tribe, who lived long on friendly terms 
 with his white neighbor. One day soon after 
 1 - Alexander settled at his new home, 
 
 "Logan ' went to the hou^e, and, having | 
 the confidence of his neighbor's little son, carried 
 him to his cabin; the father was absent, and the 
 terrified tnothei dared not resist; but aftei 
 eral hours of terrible anxiety she determined to 
 
 her child at any hazard. Her relief can 
 be imagined when she met the friendly chii 
 rying her boy, who was wearing a beautiful pair 
 of beaded moccasins, which he had made for his 
 little friend. This story has often appeared in 
 print concerning a little daughter of William 
 Brown, but ''Logan " was doubtless in the habit 
 of showing his friendship in this was 
 
 fames Alexander was active 111 Church wi 
 and assisted in establishing the first l'n 
 
 1 h in the Valley 1 fe took part in the 
 Revi il 1 war. and was in the commi 
 
 department of Washington's army at \ 
 
 during the memorable winter of 17" 
 For these services he received sixteen hundred 
 acres of land, which he located in Cle 
 counts. He died in 1791, and was bun 
 the buck Presbyterian church at West Kis 
 quillas. Eleven children were born to | 
 Alexander and Kosa Reed, the names with 
 of birth being as follows: Jane, born in 
 Robert, born in October, 1766; Elizabeth. 
 in 1768; John, in 1769; James, in 1771: H 
 in November, 1772; Joseph, in 17 — . Ra 
 in 1780; William, in 1782; Rosanna, in 
 and Reed, in 17 — . 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 445 
 
 Of the above, Robert Alexander was the next 
 in the line of ancestry which we are now tracing. 
 
 ! Upon the death of his father he settled upon , 
 that part of the Kishacoquillas land which he 
 named " Stone Mountain." He became a pros- 
 
 j perous farmer and respected citizen, and was a 
 
 I man of incorruptible integrity, sound judgment, 
 and most remarkable powers of memory. So un- 
 usual was the development of the faculty that after 
 
 i hearing a sermon he could repeat it almost ver- 
 batim. This trait has been inherited by many of 
 
 ! his descendants. He was justice of the peace 
 for forty-five years, but so kind, just and peacea- 
 
 jble was he that in all that time only two cases 
 
 ;came to the point of a trial before him, and both 
 of these were finally settled without costs. In 
 
 i 1 823 he was sent to the Legislature by the larg- 
 est Democratic majority ever given in his district, 
 
 iyet no persuasion could induce him to become a 
 candidate for re-election. He married Elizabeth 
 McClure (born March 8, 1768, died in 1832), 
 and had the following children : Elizabeth, 
 
 James, Mary, Robert, McClay, Nancy, Robert, 
 
 'William, and Cyrus and Silas (twins). 
 
 Of the above, James Alexander was born 
 January 17, 1793, and died December 18, 1850. 
 On November 27, 1821, he married Ann Lewis, 
 
 : | who was born April 22, 1799, and died in 18 — -. 
 Their children were: Robert, born October 9, 
 
 j' 1 822, died January 20, 1847; Elizabeth, born 
 June 9, 1824, married James Alexander in 1848, 
 
 , and lives in Kansas; Celia Ann, born March 3, 
 
 '1826, married Owen Copelin, of Milroy, Penn. ; 
 James Read, born April 7, 1828, married May 
 Wolfe; Euphemia, born April 21, 1830, died 
 May 8, 1835; Louisa J., born July 7, 1832, mar- 
 ried Daniel Leyden; Samuel, born August 15, 
 
 1 1834, died November 29, 1861, as assistant sur- 
 geon of the 2nd Pennsylvania Cavalry, being 
 killed in battle; Cyrus T. is mentioned more 
 
 [fully below; Mary Jane, born December 18, 
 
 ,11838, died May 26, 1841; Alice Annette, born 
 
 jljuly 29, 1844, died December 6, 1847. 
 
 Hon. Cyrus T. Alexander was born Sep- 
 tember 10, 1836, in Mifflin county, Penn., and 
 
 i| was educated at Dickinson Seminary, graduating 
 jin 1853. In August, 1859, he was admitted to 
 'the Bar of Centre county, and locating at Belle- 
 fonte, began a successful professional career. 
 [For eleven years he was in partnership with Hon. 
 |J. H. Orvis (since a judge of the 25th District), 
 and afterward Mr. Alexander became the senior 
 member of the well-known firm of Alexander & 
 Bovver. Mr. Alexander was pre-eminent among 
 his professional brethren for his ability in dealing 
 with the vexatious problems arising in connec- 
 tion with overlapping surveys under the land 
 
 grants in this State. Always a close student, a 
 remarkable memory made his researches in any 
 chosen branch a permanent possession. He was 
 an ardent Democrat, and in 1861 and 1862 he 
 became part owner of the Democratic Watchman, 
 which he edited during that time in addition to 
 his other duties. His abilities gave him promi- 
 nence in political circles also, and in 1864-65 he 
 was elected on the Democratic ticket to repre- 
 sent Centre county in the State Legislature. In 
 November, 1878, he was elected to the State 
 Senate, and served four years with distinction. 
 As a business man he displayed the same remark- 
 able energy and sagacity which brought him suc- 
 cess in other lines, and in 1868 he and his 
 brother, J. R. Alexander, purchased about 200 
 acres of land lying north from Buffalo Run creek 
 to the gap between Milesburg and Bellefonte. 
 Here they developed the finest limekilns in the 
 State, which they continued, in connection with 
 a coal business, under the firm name of J. R. & 
 C. T. Alexander. In 1880 they opened the first 
 implement and seed store ever established at 
 Bellefonte, and conducted it until January 1, 
 1885, when they leased the plant to McCalmont 
 & Co., and withdrew. About the same time C. 
 T. Alexander contracted a severe cold which set- 
 tled in his throat, and this, in spite of the best 
 medical treatment, resulted in his death. He 
 left a widow and two children — Roberta T. , now 
 Mrs. H. S. Yarrington, and J. W., a leading at- 
 torney of Bellefonte, of whom further mention 
 is made below. Mrs. Yarrington was born Sep- 
 tember 15, 1859, and was carefully educated, 
 being a graduate of Wilson College, at Cham- 
 bersburg, Penn. Her husband, the late H. S. 
 Yarrington, was for thirty years previous to his 
 death the treasurer of the Richmond & Freder- 
 icksburg and the Potomac, Richmond & Danville 
 railroads. She has three children: Cyrus A., 
 Louise, and Greyson. 
 
 Mrs. Cyrus T. Alexander, who still resides in 
 Bellefonte, was formerly Miss Margaret Potter. 
 She was born near Boalsburg, Penn., May 8, 
 1837, and was married to Mr. Alexander in Oc- 
 tober, 1858. Her grandfather, Fergus Potter, 
 an early settler. in Penn's Valley, came from Ire- 
 land about 17 — , and spent his remaining years 
 there. He left a large family, among whom was 
 a son Samuel, Mrs. Alexander's father, who be- 
 came a prominent citizen of Bellefonte, where 
 for many years he was engaged in business as a 
 tanner. He died in Centre county at the age of 
 eighty-six; his wife is also deceased. They had 
 five sons — William, John, James, Samuel and 
 George — and four daughters — Jane (who mar- 
 ried Abram V. Miller), Susan (deceased), Mar- 
 
 «. 
 
146 
 
 cummi:m(ii:a tive bioqraphu a i. BBt 'OBJ). 
 
 garet (now Mrs. Alexander), and Sarah (who 
 married Donald Mc Bride, and resides in Law- 
 rence, Kansa 
 
 J. W. Alexander, of Bellefonte, whose an- 
 cestry we have thus traced, is a worthy repre- 
 sentative of this honored family. He was born 
 August 24, 1864, and had his early home upon a 
 farm in Spring township. Centre county, on the 
 outskirts of Hellefonte. After attending the 
 public schools of that borough for some time, he 
 entered Bellefonte Academy and was in att< 
 ance there three years. In 18S0, on the six- 
 teenth anniversary of his birth, he was enrolled 
 in the freshman class of Pennsylvania State Col- 
 lege, and in [884 he completed the scierititic 
 course, graduating with the degree of B. S. 
 ( twing to ill health he did not begin his profes- 
 sional studies immediately, but after his father's 
 death he prepared for the Bar under the direction 
 of Judge John G. Love, and March 4, 1890, was 
 admitted to the Bar. He inherited his father's 
 law library, a large and valuable collection, and 
 has already won a name as an accurate student. 
 As he is somewhat retiring in disposition, he in- 
 clines to those branches of professional work 
 where good memory, deep research and sound 
 logic are of more account than rhetorical ability, 
 Inn he has nevertheless made a success of court- 
 room business, making pleas which have been 
 highly complimented for their strength and effect- 
 iveness. He has always practiced alone, and 
 does a general law business. 
 
 In the social world Mr. Alexander holds a 
 high position. Genial and companionable, he 
 has a host of lriends, and he is identified with 
 several fraternal orders. He has been an active 
 member of the K. G. E. since its organization in 
 Bellefonte, and was instrumental in organizing 
 the Bellefonte Conclave of the Independent Order 
 of Heptasophs. On July 10, 1894, he joined 
 Company B, ;th Penn. X. G., entering as a pri- 
 vate, and has been promoted until he now holds 
 the rank oi second sergeant. He is thoroughly 
 versed in militarj tactics, having graduated as a 
 
 tain of a military company at State Coll* 
 
 C\ WEAVER, deputy sheriff of Centre 
 nty, and a prominent resident of the pic- 
 turesque city of Bellefonte, has been for some 
 years an influential factor in political affairs in 
 his county. His family, which is of German ex- 
 traction, is well-known there, his grandfather, 
 George Weaver, having come from southern 
 Pennsylvania mans to make his home 
 
 upon a farm in Haines township, where he and 
 
 his wife. Sallie (Harper), reared a family of three 
 sons: Noah, who died at Woodward in 1894, was 
 a farmer and at one time oil operator; Henry A 
 is mentioned more fully below; Adam shot him- 
 self by accident while hunting foxes. 
 
 Henry A. Weaver, our subject's father, 
 born at the old home in Haines township in 1825. 
 He served three years in the war for the Union, 
 as a private in Company 1), 148th P. V. I. By 
 occupation he was a farmer; .in religious faith he 
 leading member of the Reformed Church; 
 and he took much interest in political questions, 
 voting with the Democratic party. By his first 
 wife, Kosetta . also a native of Haines 
 
 township, he had four children, of whom our 
 subject was the eldest; Anna married Oliver 
 Wolf; Katie married C. C. Bell, and George G. 
 is a farmer in Haines township. The mother of 
 this little family was called from earth in 1864, 
 and the father subsequently married Effie Gram- 
 ley, a native of Miles township, Centre county. 
 Two children were born of this union: M 
 S. and T. l 
 
 C. A. Weaver, our subject, was born February 
 13, 1S53, and his education was secured in part at 
 the schools near the old homestead, in part at those 
 of Miles township, Centre comity. Shortly after 
 the death of his mother, the necessity for mak- 
 ing his own way in the world became apparent, 
 and when twelve years old he began working for 
 his board and clothes in Brush Valley, where he 
 remained two years. He then spent some time 
 working for fanners ami at driving teams, and 
 for one year was a clerk in Wolfe's store. Re- 
 turning to Haines township, he clerked for B. F. 
 Philips, at Aaronsburg, for a year, and then for 
 the same length of time he drove a meat wagon, 
 but the next two years he passed in th< 
 region in Schuylkill county, working in a whole- 
 sale Hour and leed store. He then went to Penn 
 Hall, and remained there six years as clerk for 
 Major Fisher, his next employment being in a. 
 store at Shamokin, Northumberland county. De- 
 siring to go into business for himself, he returned 
 t" Varonsburg and engaged in huckstering, con- 
 tinuing thereat three years, later becoming 
 ested in the bottling business and the mat 
 ure of soft drinks. After three years of si. 
 ful effort in these lines he sold out, and ha 
 since been in political life. For three years he 
 had held the office of assessor, and in 1S93 he 
 was a candidate for the office of register, b 
 
 ted. On June 9, 1896, In 
 nomination for county treasurer. His intei 
 public affairs extends beyond politii 
 ever, and he is always ready to forward aBJ 
 measure for local improvement. He i> 
 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 447 
 
 member of the Reformed Church, while, socially, 
 he is identified with the Order of the Golden 
 Eagle. 
 
 In 1 89 1 Mr. Weaver married Miss Mabel Ed- 
 munds, a native of Haines township, born in 
 1872, and their home is brightened by a daugh- 
 ter, Edna Lucretia. 
 
 JOHN SPANGLER. The lives of honored 
 ancestry and of Revolutionary heroes fur- 
 nished man\' valuable lessons both of en- 
 couragement and inspiration; but one need not 
 look to the past, for ofttimes in the lives of those 
 around us is shown what can be accomplished by 
 diligence, perseverance and putting to practical 
 use the opportunities which come to all. Mr. 
 Spangler is one in whose career may be traced 
 these qualities, and who, as a result, occupies a 
 place among the leading and substantial citizens 
 of Centre county. 
 
 Our subject was born in what was then Un- 
 ion, but is now Snyder, county, Penn., March 
 18, 1828, and is a representative of one of the 
 old families of Lebanon county, Penn., where 
 his grandfather, Christian Spangler, was born 
 and reared. He had a family of four sons — 
 John; Christian, who enlisted for service in the 
 war of 1812, and died at Sunbury, Penn., while 
 rii route to the field of battle; Daniel and Jona- 
 than. The sons all reached adult age and had 
 families, as did several daughters, two of whom 
 went to Ohio in an early day. 
 
 Jacob Spangler, father of our subject, was the 
 second child of the family, and was born about 
 1783, in Union county, two miles below Centre- 
 ville. He learned the weaver's trade, and in 
 what is now Snyder county wedded Miss Mary 
 Schroyer. From the home farm he obtained a 
 horse, and began the operation of a hill farm 
 near New Berlin. Subsequently he purchased 
 the homestead property of his father-in-law, and 
 there his wife died at the age of forty years, and 
 he at the age of sixty-seven years. He made 
 farming his life work, and became the possessor 
 of a valuable property and considerable money, 
 I which would have amounted to a much larger 
 '■sum had he not lost considerable through going 
 security for others. In politics he was a Demo- 
 crat. He held several offices in the Lutheran 
 j Church, to which he belonged, and was a man 
 I whose well-directed business efforts brought him 
 success, 
 gard. 
 
 The children of Jacob and Mary Spangler 
 were nine in number, namely: Catharine, who 
 married John Kessler, and died in New Berlin, 
 
 while his honorable life won his high re- 
 
 Penn. ; Elizabeth, who wedded John Seebold, 
 and died near New Berlin; Nancy, who became 
 the wife of Joseph Seebold, and died near New 
 Berlin; Susanna, who married Michael Miller, 
 and died near New Berlin; Elias, who resides 
 near that town; Jacob, who died near the same 
 town in the spring of 1896; John; William, of 
 Millerstown, Penn. ; George, who is living near 
 New Berlin; Samuel, of Milroy, Penn. ; and Lewis, 
 who died in New Berlin in 1895. 
 
 John Spangler could attend school but irregu- 
 larly during his boyhood, for his services were 
 required on the home farm until eighteen years 
 of age. He then began learning the blacksmith's 
 trade under the direction of John Kessler, who 
 owned a smithy three miles below Middleburg, in 
 Snyder county. His apprenticeship covered 
 three years, and during the first two years he re- 
 ceived no wages, but was allowed four weeks 
 during harvest time when he might earn money 
 in the fields. During the third year he was given 
 $10 per month in the summer and $11 in the 
 winter. He saved almost every cent of his earn- 
 ings, and thus on the expiration of a year was 
 enabled to engage in business on his own account 
 in Adamsburg, Snyder county, where for fourteen 
 years he followed his trade. On April 1, 1862, 
 he came to Centre Hill, where he rented a black- 
 smith shop and also kept a tavern. 
 
 After two years he came to Centre Hall, where 
 from 1864 until 1867 he had charge of a hotel. 
 He then purchased a hotel property for $7,000, 
 and a month later sold it for $8,100. In the 
 spring of 1867 he removed to Millheim, and pur- 
 chased the " Kreamer Hotel," but after one sum- 
 mer he sold and removed to Bellefonte, where 
 he leased the " Garman Hotel" and purchased 
 the furniture; but possession was not given, and 
 in consequence he never conducted business there. 
 From the spring of 1868 until 1878 he carried 
 on the "Centre Hall Hotel," and was then 
 elected sheriff of the county, entering upon the 
 discharge of his duties on the first Monday in 
 January, 1879. After an incumbency of three 
 years he returned to Centre Hall, where for sev- 
 eral years he engaged in stock dealing, buying 
 cattle in the West and selling in Centre county. 
 Later he purchased a butcher shop, which, in 
 connection with his son Reuben, he operated for 
 four years. His next investment made him the 
 owner of ninety-six acres of land in The Loop, 
 and he has since been interested in agricultural 
 pursuits. 
 
 On April 25, 1848, in Snyder county, Mr. 
 Spangler was married to Miss Susanna (Barger) 
 who was born August 2, 1828, in Snyder county, 
 a daughter of Abraham (a shoemaker) and Cath- 
 
 L 
 
448 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BKXIRAPIWAI. UECORD. 
 
 arine (Boyer) Barger, whowere the parents of four 
 children: Simon, now of Kansas; Levi, who died 
 in Mifflin county, Penn. ; Barbara, whobecame the 
 wife of Henry Mitchell, and died in Snyder coun- 
 ty; and Susanna i.Mrs. Spangler). Our subject 
 and his wife have four children; Hon. J. L. . a 
 man of prominence; Howard J., editor of the 
 Parsons Constitution, of Parsons, W. Va. ; Annie, 
 widow of H. D. Van Pelt, of Centre Hall; and 
 Reuben B., manager for a coal company in Cam- 
 bria county, Pennsylvania. 
 
 In his political adherency, Mr. Spangler is a 
 stalwart Democrat, and does all in his power to 
 promote the growth and insure the success of his 
 party. He and his wife belong to the Lutheran 
 Church, in which he has served as trustee and 
 deacon, and he formerly held membership in the 
 Odd Fellow and Masonic fraternities. He has a 
 pleasant home, and has reared a family of which 
 he has just reason to be proud. Realizing the 
 disadvantage caused by limited school privileges 
 he has given his children excellent educational 
 opportunities, and the family ranks high in the 
 community. Mr. Spangler's acquaintance is ex- 
 tensive, and bis friends accord him the esteem 
 which is ever given to true worth. 
 
 CHARLES THEODORE FRYBERGER, a 
 leading and influential resident of Philips- 
 burg, Centre county, is well worthy of promi- 
 Di nt mention in the pages of this work, as a 
 more eventful history than his would be difficult 
 tn find, for in both war and peace he seems to 
 have the faculty of being in the midst of the most 
 important happenings. 
 
 ("apt. Fryberger was born January 15, 1844, 
 at " Near Mackelavy s Forge," on the Schuylkill 
 river in Schuylkill county, Penn., and was named 
 after Charles Theodore Knuskie, of Berks county, 
 Penn. He is of German descent, his paternal 
 grandparents having come from Germany to 
 America early in the present century. Their son 
 John, father of our subject, was born in Schuyl- 
 kill county, Penn., in 1809, and not long after- 
 ward they consigned him to the care of some 
 maiden aunts, and set out on a return voyage 
 to the Fatherland, but wire never heard from 
 
 in. John Fryberger married Sarah Moyer, 
 who was born in Berks county, Penn., June [3, 
 1S17, a descendant of an old and highly re- 
 spected Pennsylvania-Dutch family, and she now 
 resides at Milesburg, P( nn. Of her nine chil- 
 dren, the eldest, Reuben by name, died when 1 
 years old; John died in infancy; Amanda married 
 Adam Grim, and lives in Jasper county, Mo.; 
 Mary is the only deceased sister, and was the 
 
 wife of Emanuel Shuey ; the subject of this sketch 
 comes next in order of birth; Anna married Jo- 
 seph Garbrick; Fliza wedded Dr. Fisher, of 
 Zion, Penn. ; Sadie married George W. Camp- 
 bell, of Milesburg; and Mahlon C. died at the 
 age of thirty-two years. 
 
 On April 1. 1S45. John and Sarah 1. Moyer > 
 Fryberger moved to Reber's Mill, on the- 
 Union canal, six miles northwest of Reading, 
 Penn., and April 2, 1850, the family, then con- 
 sisting of father, mother, our subject, and three 
 daughters, went to Farmers Mills (''Fishers 
 Mill"), in Pennsylvania, one and one-half miles 
 from "The Penn Cave," in Centre county. On 
 April t, 1852, the family again moved, this 
 time to the brick gristmill belonging to James 
 Gordon, within a half mile from Hecla Fur- 
 'nace (and now known as Hecla Park, on 
 the line of the Central Railroad of Pennsyl- 
 vania). About the year 1855 the family re- 
 moved to Sugar Valley, Clinton Co., Penn , 
 where for three years they lived at or near 
 Tylersville, in 1858 returning to Centre county, 
 and making their home at what is known as the 
 old McKinney Mill, belonging to the Hecla Fur- 
 nace Co. (destroyed by fire in 1866). 
 
 We now come to the outbreak of the war of 
 the Rebellion, at which time the subject of this 
 sketch springs into prominence, having previous- 
 ly been employed at milling, and such out-door 
 work as the management of the, then, Hecla Iron 
 Co. saw tit to have him do. Having to work 
 hard in order to provide for the family the fa- 
 ther having been disabled by an accident in the 
 machinery at the mill), also being constantly put 
 to work that should have been given to stronger 
 men, he tired of the yoke and decided to volun- 
 teer into the Union army, under the lead ol Di 
 James P. Gregg and of Austin Curtin, with Evan 
 R. Goodfellow and others — all uniting to sound 
 the war slogan. At Harrisburg a company «■■- 
 formed September 14, i860, with Austin Curtin. 
 captain; Dr. James P. Gregg, first lieutenant; 
 Evan K. Goodfellow. second lieutenant, with 
 Charles T. Fryberger as one of the privates of 
 Company I >, 45th Regiment, P. V. Infy.. which 
 served during the entire struggle. Promotions 
 came rapidly to Private Fryberger, he bein| 
 vanced successively to corporal, sergeant, order- 
 ly-sergeant, first lieutenant, and, lastly, captain 
 of the company. For a time his regiment wai 
 attached to Sherman's forces in South l 
 ami then served under Grant in the West, later 
 being assigned to the Anns of the Potomac, and 
 taking part in the campaign which ended in I 
 
 nder. Capt. Fryberger participated in some 
 of the most important battles of the war. inclml- 
 
L 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 449 
 
 ing the engagements at South Mountain, Antie- 
 tam, Fredericksburg, Vicksburg, Jackson, Blue 
 Springs, Lenore Station, Campbell's Station, the 
 siege of Knoxville (where for four days his rations 
 were limited to one ear of corn a day), the bat- 
 tles of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania Court House, 
 Bethesda Church, Cold Harbor, the siege of 
 Petersburg, and the sanguinary conflict at the 
 Weldon railroad. At the close of the war he 
 gave up army life, having received an honorable 
 discharge by general order from the War Depart- 
 ment, and in 1865 retired to civil life, in good 
 health, having escaped everything that could in- 
 jure him in any way, save an attack of chills and 
 fever while serving in East Tennessee in the win- 
 ter of 1S64. 
 
 Two days after his discharge our subject ar- 
 rived at Bellefonte, Centre Co., Penn., where 
 the family were then residing, and commenced 
 clerking for John W. Cook & Co., dealers in dry 
 goods, etc. On April 1, 1866, he commenced in 
 the cigar and tobacco trade at Bellefonte, for his 
 own account, retiring from same in 1870, and 
 forming the firm of Fryberger & Grim, general 
 merchants, fn 1873 an additional firm (Fryber- 
 ger & Moran) was started in the general grocery 
 business. Both these stores were in Bellefonte, 
 and both proved profitable ventures. The sud- 
 den death of Mr. Moran, of the one firm, and 
 the withdrawal of Mr. Grim (who removed to 
 Missouri) from the other, brought about the first 
 reverses and second serious trouble in Capt. 
 Fryberger's life (for in the meantime he had lost 
 his first wife, as will be related in due course); 
 so, disposing of both stores in Bellefonte, he as- 
 sociated himself with the extensive lumber firm 
 of Hoover, Hughes & Co., of Philipsburg, Penn., 
 at which time a general store was started in con- 
 nection with their lumber and planing-mill busi- 
 ness. For eight years after this Capt. Fryberger 
 managed the various stores connected with the 
 mills, his interest therein being one-fourth of the 
 profits. At the same time he was chief of the 
 office force forthe lumber and mill company; also 
 assistant manager of the various sawmills, as 
 well as confidential assistant to G. W. Hoover. 
 On February 15, 1884, Capt. Fryberger formed 
 a partnership with L. G. Kessler, under the firm 
 style of Kessler & Fryberger, proprietors of a 
 general store in Philipsburg, Penn., which con- 
 tinued until February 15, 1888, when the firm 
 dissolved, Capt. Fryberger retiring. 
 
 fn the meantime, from 1884 to 1888, our sub- 
 ject also held a one-third interest in the firm of 
 Fryberger & Co., of Tipton, Blair Co., Penn., 
 and of Fryberger, Aurand & Co. ,of frvona, Clear- 
 field Co., Penn. In 1887, in company with John 
 29 
 
 Butterworth and John Fenton, he opened up the 
 land on Kentuck Hill, in Decatur township, 
 Clearfield Co., Penn., and they formed the com- 
 pany known as the Kentuck Coal Co., which did 
 a successful business until the death of Mr. But- 
 terworth, when the interests of both partners 
 were secured, and the business was continued un- 
 der the same firm name. On November 1 1, 1889,. 
 Capt. Fryberger's present grain, flour and feed 
 business was established on North Front street, 
 where a general wholesale and retail trade has 
 since been successfully conducted in connection 
 with the coal firm, and is still increasing. In 
 1893 the heirs of the J. F. Steiner estate selected 
 our subject to act as agent for the entire estate, 
 and he was in part instrumental in effecting a 
 lease to remove the coal underlying the lands of 
 the estate; by his personal effort about 300 acres 
 of the surface of the Centre county side of the 
 estate's land was placed on the market and sold 
 to various parties. 
 
 Capt. C. T. Fryberger has been twice mar- 
 ried, first time on January 23, 1869, to Mary J. 
 Brackbill, of Bellefonte, and one son, John Ed- 
 gar, was born to them February 7, 1870, who is 
 now a clerk in the First National Bank, of Phil- 
 ipsburg. On April 25, 1875, the mother died, 
 and was laid to rest in the cemetery at Bellefonte. 
 On April 22, 1879, at " Hill Side," the home of 
 the bride, our subject wedded Miss Ida V. Stein- 
 er, of Clearfield county, by whom he had seven 
 children: Alton (deceased), Mahlon S., Eliza- 
 beth S., Mary S., William S., Philip S., and 
 Dorothy S. 
 
 Socially, our subject was, in 1873, eminent 
 commander of Constance Commandery No. ^^, 
 Knights Templar, at Bellefonte. In 1890 he was 
 commander of John W. Geary Post No. 90, G. 
 A. R. ; in 1 891 was president of Mountain Lodge 
 No. 144, Order of Tonti; in 1892 was regent of 
 Centre Council No. 803, Royal Arcanum; in 1888 
 was elected trustee of the Grand Army Post No. 
 90, and has since been continuously re-elected to 
 that incumbency, holding it at the present time. 
 In 1892 he was appointed aid-de-camp to A. G. 
 Weissert, commander-in-chief of theGrand Army 
 of the Republic of the United States of America, 
 with rank of colonel. Politically, Capt. Fryber- 
 ger is a Republican, and his popularity, both 
 within and without the party, has been frequently 
 practically demonstrated. In 1888 he was on 
 the Republican ticket for Assemblyman to the 
 Pennsylvania Legislature, facing a Democratic 
 majority of 1,100, and was defeated by but 21 
 votes, reducing the formidable majority practic- 
 ally to a minimum. 
 
 The Captain is a leading member of Trinity 
 
l.-.'i 
 
 i •n.VMKMOllA Tl VK Jtlm; HAJ'j/li .1 /. RE( <>11D. 
 
 M. E. Church at Philipsburg; for five years, from 
 1876 to 1881, he was secretary of the board of 
 stewards of the Church, and in 1889 he was ap- 
 pointed one of the eight trustees, which office he 
 has held continuously ever since. 
 
 To give a detailed account of all the pleasure 
 trips that have tilled Capt. Fryberger's leisure 
 time would till a book in itself, so we can but 
 simp to the more important among them: 
 
 In [876, in company with his wife, [da, he visited 
 tbi ( entennial Exhibition at Philadelphia; in 
 
 8 they were present at the Juniata Valley 
 Camp M of the M. E. Church: in 1879 
 
 they visited Philadelphia on the occasion of the 
 reception accorded Gen. Grant on his return 
 from his trip around the world; the same year 
 enjoyed a three-months' sojourn at Pen 
 field, Clearfield Co., Penn. , on Bennett's branch 
 of the Susquehanna river. In [884, along with 
 John, Mahlon, Elizabeth, Mary and William, 
 ( apt, and Mrs. Frybergi 1 passed a week visiting 
 the historic battlefield at Gettysburg. In 1890 
 Capt. and Mrs. Fryberger paid Boston a visit, 
 "taking in" Hunker Hill, Boston Common, 
 Cape Cod, Plymouth and Plymouth Rock, where 
 the Pilgrims from Holland landed in [616. Re- 
 turning homeward via New York, they visited 
 
 lit s tomb; the Hudson river; the Brooklyn 
 bridge across East river; Wall street; Trinity 
 Church; Castle Garden, the Bartholdi "Stal 
 ol Liberty," which they ascended until the giddy 
 height caused our subject to beat a retreat, whilst 
 his wife, though ot the "weaker sex," continued 
 the ascent 1 ;s of any danger, imaginary 
 
 or real. In 1891 they were present at the Pitts- 
 burg Industrial Fair, at the same time visiting 
 uncle S. II. Keller at Williamsburg, Penn. In 
 1892 they found themselves at Washington, D. 
 C. , with headquarters opposite the White House, 
 and during then week's stay there they calli 
 the Soldiers' Home, Smithsonian Institute, Ar- 
 lington National Cemetery and the War Depart- 
 ment; attended a reception held at the White 
 House, and Mrs. John A. Logan's reception at 
 the Capitol. They also visited the Treasury 
 Building. \\ ishington's tomb at Mt. Vernon, 
 the Confederate Monument at Alexandria, '. 
 the Alexandria Episcopal Church, at Alexandria, 
 Y.i., and sat in the pews 0C( and 
 
 Pi i Gi >rge \\ ashington and < ien Robert I 
 Lee, respectively. While in the Senate Chamber 
 of the United Stati il in th( iccu- 
 
 pii d by the two Pennsylvania - Hon 
 
 Donald ( )ameron and I [on. M itthev - 
 
 In 1 pt. and Mrs, Fr) 1 1 the 
 
 " Wi ii I 1 r" at Chi thi 1 ity 
 
 wa ever saw, " says the Captain), spending 
 
 week viewing, among other objects and places of 
 interest. Lincoln Park, Lake Michigan, and had 
 a sail on the ' ' Wbaleback, " the only vessel of th 
 kind in the world for passenger service exclu- 
 ly; the Masonic Temple; Haymarket Square 
 (where the Anarchists threw the bomb s 
 years ago, killing several policemen 1; the Audi- 
 torium; the Stockyards; " Libby Prison," which 
 originally stood in Richmond. Va., &c, cS:c. In 
 
 14 they attended the National Encampmen 
 the Grand Arm} ol the Republic, held at Pitts- 
 burg, Penn., one of the most pleasing and 1 nter- 
 t. lining reunions ever held by that body, and they 
 also visited Hiland and Schenley Parks; 
 Wilkinsburg, Penn.; the heights above the city 
 ol Pittsburg; the Monongahela; and the Car- 
 tie Library, together with all the attractions 
 it the citj of Allegheny. On August 22, 1897, 
 they visited the Falls of Niagara, the "Bison 
 City " (Buffalo), and all the attractions of th 
 
 it and grand places. During their week s 
 sojourn in and about Buffalo, the President of 
 the United States, Maj. William McKinlej 
 .1 1 the old soldiers of the war of the Rebel- 
 u. who were there in force as an organizal 
 of the G. A. R. During this trip Capt. and Mrs 
 Fryberger visited the oil fields of Pennsylvania. 
 and beheld all the wonders of that marvelouslv 
 thrilling, oily, greasy section of this fair land. 
 
 Thus the life of Charles Theodore Frylx 
 bears testimony in language not to be misund 
 stood, to what it is possible tor man, with wil 
 heart and hand-- to accomplish; how, from I 
 bottom rung of the ladder, upward, to workout 
 for himself an honorable competency, a solid 
 reputation and a good name. 
 
 JolIN KERSTETER (deceased) in his 
 time was a highly esteemed resident of Penn 
 township, Centre county, where he was 1 
 November 13, 1 S 1 5 . His family were among 
 the early settlers of Lyken's Valley, Northum- 
 berland Co., Penn.. and his lather, Leonard K I 
 
 r, was born there February 17, [783. " ' 
 ing been married in that county to Miss Elizabeth 
 Schrecengost, he came about the year 1800 to this 
 section, locating in what is now Haines township, 
 Centre count v. A few years later his 1 
 
 nard Kersteter, Sr., the grandfather 1 
 subject, came to Centre county, but he after" 
 moved to Stark cotfnty, where he died. 
 
 Leonard Kersteter, Jr., followed the 
 penter's trade for many years, but finally en. 
 m farming, in which he was quite successful. He 
 
 was very tall, and ill his \ iger days w 
 
 markably powerful, but hi:- long years of to 
 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 451 
 
 hausted his strength, and he died May 12, 1869, 
 literally worn out. In political faith he was a 
 Democrat, and in his active years he attended 
 the Lutheran Church regularly, he and his esti- 
 mable wife both being members. He was born 
 October 30, 178 1 , and died January 9, 1857, his 
 remains being laid to rest at Aaronsburg. They 
 had children as follows: Leonard, a carpenter, 
 died in Haines township, Centre county; Susan 
 (Mrs. David Neese) died in Penn township, Cen- 
 tre county; Catherine (Mrs. Benjamin Moore) 
 died in Ashland county, Ohio; Elizabeth (Mrs. 
 George Braucht) died in Penn township; Lydia 
 and Sarah (twins), born January 28, 1811, are 
 both living in Centre county, the former being 
 the widow of John Young, of Woodward, and 
 the latter the widow of Jacob Rhone, of Potter 
 township; John is mentioned more fully below; 
 Jacob died at Coburn, Penn., at the age of 
 twenty-one; Daniel resides at Loganton, Penn. ; 
 Samuel is a resident of Wayne county, Ohio; 
 Mollie married John Nugert, and died in Penn 
 township, Centre county; and Polly (Mrs. Jacob 
 Stover) died in Haines township. 
 
 The free-school system had not yet been es- 
 tablished when our subject was of an age to 
 avail himself of its privileges, and he found but 
 meagre opportunities for an education in the 
 schools of his locality. He was reared to farm 
 work, but at nineteen began to learn the shoe- 
 maker's trade with George Eisenhuth, of Mill- 
 heim. The business proving uncongenial, he en- 
 gaged in carpentering, in which he became pro- 
 ficient under the instruction of his brother Leon- 
 ard. On March 30, 1835, Mr. Kersteter was 
 married in Haines township, by Rev. Mr. Asely, 
 a Lutheran minister, to Miss Annie Musser, a 
 native of the township, born May 7, 181 3. Her 
 father, Jacob Musser, was a farmer by occupa- 
 tion, and his family comprised eight children: 
 Michael, Andrew, Mollie, Rebecca, Annie, Philip, 
 John and Lydia. 
 
 For two years after his marriage, Mr. Ker- 
 steter lived with his father on the homestead 
 just west of Coburn, but in 1837 he moved to his 
 late farm in the same vicinity. On June 17, 
 1 89 1, his pleasant home was bereft of the be- 
 loved wife and mother, a devout Christian lady 
 and a consistent member of the Lutheran Church. 
 Eight children survive out of a family of nine: 
 Michael resides in Pleasant Gap, Penn. ; Jacob 
 lives at Coburn; Rebecca married John Brant, 
 of Penn township; Harriet is the wife of Daniel 
 Hosterman. of Penn township; William died in 
 that township; Emanuel is a farmer there; John, a 
 skilled mechanic, is a carpenter and contractor at 
 Millheim; and Daniel resides in Penn township. 
 
 Mr. Kersteter did much hard work in his day, 
 and was a well-preserved man. He possessed a 
 handsome competence, secured by strictly honest 
 methods, and his life may well be held up as an 
 example to the youth of to-day. Several years 
 ago he retired from active work, his declining 
 years being thus made free from care. In poli- 
 tics he was a Democrat, first, last and all the 
 time, having voted that ticket at every Presiden- 
 tial election from Van Buren down. He served 
 as supervisor, overseer of the poor and school 
 director in his township, doing efficient and sat- 
 isfactory service in every case. In religious work 
 he was prominent as a member and official of 
 the Lutheran Church, with which he united be- 
 fore he was twenty years old. Mr. Kersteter 
 died November 29, 1896. 
 
 LUTHER GUISWITE, one of the most pro- 
 j gressive and public-spirited citizens of Co- 
 burn, Centre county, has done much to promote 
 the welfare and upbuilding of the community, 
 giving his support to all worthy enterprises cal- 
 culated in any way to advance its interests. A 
 native son of the county, he was born in Haines 
 township April 22, 1 857, a son of John and Susan 
 (Wolfe) Guiswite, who spent their entire lives in 
 that township. In their family were four chil- 
 dren: George, Rebecca, Elvina and Luther. Of 
 these, the first named is now deceased; Rebecca 
 is the wife of Nathaniel Buchtel, of Union county, 
 Penn. ; and Elvina is the wife of Daniel Brum- 
 gard, of Loganton, Penn. Reared to agricult- 
 ural pursuits, the father followed farming 
 throughout life in connection with the lumber 
 business, and succeeded in accumulating consid- 
 erable capital; but misfortune overtook him, and 
 he lost heavily. 
 
 Upon the home farm in -Haines township, 
 Luther Guiswite grew to manhood, and in the 
 district schools of the neighborhood he obtained 
 his education. In 1880 he began lumbering, 
 which business, in connection with the operation 
 of a sawmill, he followed until 1893. During his 
 career as a lumberman he was an extensive oper- 
 ator, often making considerable money, while at 
 other times he lost large amounts. In 1893 he 
 embarked in the grain and produce business, buy- 
 ing out M. G. Decker, of Coburn, and in con- 
 nection with this he has also dealt in lumber and 
 bark. On December 17, 1S95, a disastrous fire 
 destroyed his entire plant, but with characteristic 
 energy he soon overcame his loss, and is now at 
 the head of a profitable business. His newly 
 erected elevator is by far the most commodious 
 in Penn's Valley, and he also has one of the best 
 

 COMHEMniiA TIVE BIOGRAPHICAL UECOUH. 
 
 equipped creameries in Centre county. In buy- 
 in, bark, lumber, produce and also milk 
 mery, he disperses thousands of dol- 
 lars among the farmers of the entire eastern por- 
 itre count), and thus material])' pro- 
 motes the interests of that section. The volume 
 of business done by Mr. Guiswite is probably 
 without I in a village of the size of Coburn 
 
 in i entral Pennsylvania, and he certainly deserves 
 a prominent place among the leading and repre- 
 sentative citizens of the county. 
 
 In 1885, Mr. Guiswite married Miss Mary 
 Gramley, of Miles township, Centre count)-, a 
 daughter of Reuben ' y, a farmer by occu- 
 
 1 li hild has been born of their union, 
 named Grace E. Mr. and Mrs. Guiswite are 
 consistent members of the Lutheran Church, and 
 
 ir circle of friends is only limited by their 
 circle of acquaintances. An ardent Republican 
 in politics, he takes a deep and commendable 
 interest in the success of his party, but cares 
 nothing for public office, preferring to give his 
 entire time and attention to his extensive busi- 
 ness interests. 
 
 G DORSEY GREEN, of Patton township. 
 Centre county, has descended from a fam- 
 ily prominent in civil and military affairs of the 
 Commonwealth. 
 
 In i;\j\ 2 Col. Samuel Miles and Col. John 
 Patton, two officers of the Revolutionary war, 
 erected Centre furnace, in what is now Boggs 
 township, Centre county, which, with a store at 
 that point, was in operation under the name of 
 Miles. Patton & Miles as early as May J, 1792 — 
 the first blast furnace erected in the count). 
 Col. Patton died in 1S02, and Col. Miles, who 
 
 - a resident of Montgomery county, and whose 
 
 interests were represented by his sons, Joseph 
 
 ^ and John. :-; of Centre county, died in 
 
 III- furn wis blown out in 1809, and 
 
 i idle until about 1823, when Joseph Gn 
 Sr., and Joseph Miles started it again. Col. 
 Miles had, in 17*12, purchased large tract 
 land on Spring and Bald I agle creeks, and he, 
 with his sons, laid out Milesburg and established 
 the Milesburg lion Works in i~<j~, which, for a 
 time, were carried on in connection with the 
 Centre furnace. After Joseph Green, Sr., came 
 in 1 82 5, the firm name was Joseph Miles & Co. 
 John Miles died in [S2<^j. In [832 Joseph Miles 
 sold his interest to Gen. James Irvin, and until 
 1 8 }6 James Irvin & Co. conducted the bi 
 Joseph Green, Sr., then retired, and was suc- 
 ceeded by Gen. Huston. 
 
 In the Revolutionary war Gen. Miles was 
 
 colonel of one of the rifle battalions, and was 
 taken prisoner at Long Island in 177''. He was 
 quently judge of the Court of Errors and 
 Appeals, and mayor of Philadelphia. Joseph 
 Green, Sr., his nephew, was a carpenter, and 
 came from Chester county with Joseph and John 
 Miles to assist in building the Iron works, and. 
 as stated above, later became a partner. He 
 built and lived in a house that stood upon a lot 
 occupied in 1SS2 by Harry Levi's residence; the 
 kitchen, constructed of stone, was then still stand- 
 ing. In [836 he moved to Milesburg, and be- 
 came the first postmaster at that place. His 
 wife, Hannah (Griffith), was also from Chester 
 county, Penn., and their children were: Capt. 
 William (... ol the U. S. A. (died in 1815 at 
 Lexington, Ky.); Gen. Samuel Miles; Esther, 
 married to Joseph Butler; Joseph; Eliza, mar- 
 ried to H. L. McMinn; and Hannah, married to 
 John Irvin, Jr. 
 
 Of this family. Gen. Samuel Miles Green 
 the father of <. Dorsey Green. The General 
 was born at the iron works near Milesburg, 
 April 13, 1797. He read law with Hon. John 
 Blanchard, and was admitted to the Bar in 1821, 
 contemporary with the late Hon. A. S. Wilson 
 and John G. Miles. Shortly afterward li 
 appointed deputy attorney-general for Clearfield 
 count)', and subsequently removed to Meadville, 
 Penn., where he remained five years, during 
 which time he was employed bj the attorney- 
 general in the prosecution of some important 
 criminal cases, in which he acquitted In 
 with great credit. He retired from the Bar in 
 unc tin- manager of the Centre County 
 Iron Works, and in 1836 he removed to Barre 
 Forge, on the Little Juniata, in Hunth 
 county, when- he was extensively 1 in the 
 
 manufacture of iron until 1874, when he returned 
 to his native count), and passed the ever 
 his life on a farm on Buffalo run, with his 
 G. Dorsey. dying December 21, 1878, in the 
 1 ighty-fourth year ol Ins age. He was a 
 
 , with a h 
 ami manner. Carrying the weight "f 
 
 almost an additional sp.m to the yeai - 
 allotted life, he stood as erect as a boy of twenty, 
 and retained to 1 remarkable degree the 1 
 th and vigor of early life, worth) his I 
 lutionary . While a resident of Hunt- 
 
 n count)- he was commissioned a brii; 
 general of militia by Gov. Porter. Gen. ' 
 was t mi) genial and kind-hearted gentlei 
 beloved b) all. In politics he was original!) a 
 Whig, later a Republican. 
 
 lb married Rachel E.. daughter of Gn 
 berry and I li/abeth (Bartholomew) Dors. 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 453 
 
 Philadelphia. Rachel E. Dorsey was born at 
 Barre Forge, and there died. The children of 
 the General and his wife were: G. Dorsey, 
 Hannah E. and Joseph A. Greenberry Dorsey 
 and Edward Bartholomew (the father of Eliza- 
 beth) erected Barre forge on the Little Juniata in 
 1790. 
 
 G. Dorsey Green was born at Centre Furnace, 
 March 13, 1832. He attended the academy at 
 Lewisburg, and subsequently entered college at 
 Lawrenceville, N. J. from which institution he 
 was graduated at the age of eighteen years. He 
 afterward was in the employ of his father and 
 Gen. frvin, the latter's associate in business at 
 Barre fron Works, first as clerk, then as store- 
 keeper, and later as manager. In 1856 he be- 
 came proprietor of the works, and until 1874 was 
 most extensively and successfully engaged in the 
 manufacture of iron. From his works went out 
 the blooms from which the wire was made that 
 was used in the construction of the suspension 
 bridge across the river at Niagara Falls; also the 
 iron work in the bridge across the Allegheny river 
 at Pittsburg came from the Barre works. The 
 works made money rapidly; but the proprietor 
 was heavily caught in the failure of Jay Cooke, 
 after which he sold the plant and retired to a 
 beautiful farm of about 400 acres of land on 
 Buffalo run, near Bellefonte, where he has since 
 made his home and followed farming. 
 
 Mr. Green in his active business life, and in 
 his earlier career, had opportunities not afforded 
 to many young men. In i860 it was his privilege 
 to attend the National Republican Convention at 
 Chicago, at which President Lincoln was nom- 
 inated. His brother was a delegate to that con- 
 vention, and he accompanied him. He was an 
 aide on the staff of Gov. Packer, which entitled 
 him to the rank of colonel, a title, however, he 
 was too modest to assume. In politics he is a 
 Republican. He is identified with the Presbyte- 
 rian Church, and for years was superintendent of 
 the Sabbath-school. He is one of the highly es- 
 teemed citizens in the community in which he re- 
 sides, and one of the substantial men of Centre 
 county. 
 
 Mr. Green was united in marriage with Miss 
 Mary Gregg, a daughter of Matthew Gregg, of 
 Centre county, and their children are: Ella 
 Gregg, now the wife of W. E. Gray, a lawyer of 
 Bellefonte; Samuel Miles, in the employ of a 
 railroad company in California; Elizabeth Dor- 
 sey, unmarried; Allen McGregor, a resident of 
 California; and George Dorsey, now attending 
 medical lectures at the University of Pennsyl- 
 vania (he graduated from the State College in 
 1896, taking the class honors). 
 
 AMES LINGLE. As a representative of the 
 intelligent and hardy pioneers who opened 
 up Boggs township, Centre county, for set- 
 tlement, and have since taken a conspicuous part 
 in developing it, we are pleased to place in this 
 volume the life history of the gentleman whose 
 name introduces this sketch, one of the leading 
 dairymen and farmers of the township, as well as 
 one of the most prominent citizens. 
 
 Mr. Lingle was born November 9, 1825, on a 
 farm that was then in Centre county (but is now 
 a part of Clinton county), Penn., a son of Paul 
 and Mary (Spoon) Lingle, natives of Dauphin 
 county, Penn. , of German descent. They were 
 married in Dauphin county, and in 1802 moved 
 to Kishacoquillas Valley, this State, where they 
 remained until 1823, which year witnessed their 
 arrival in Bald Eagle Valley, now in Clinton 
 county. In 1838 they went to Holmes county, 
 Ohio, where six months were passed, after which 
 they returned to Centre county, spending the fol- 
 lowing three years at Beach Creek. They then 
 removed to what was known as the Brown 
 farm, in the same county, near Blanchard, 
 then called Eagleville, where the father's death 
 occurred February 1, 1856. He was born Janu- 
 ary 25, 1775; his wife was born March 31, 1781, 
 and died October 14, 1863. In their family 
 were the following children: Mary, born June 
 26, i8(SO, became the wife of Samuel McNitt 
 (now deceased), and she died in 1862; John, born 
 November 16, 1801, is also deceased; Catherine, 
 born August 28, 1803, died November 16, 1804; 
 Simon, born December 22, 1805, died September 
 28, 1883; Thomas, born October 21, 1807, is 
 deceased; Jane, born July's, 1809, married John 
 Baker, and is now deceased; Joseph, born March 
 2, 181 1, died August 25, 1892; David, born De- 
 cember 18, 1 81 2, makes his home in Nebraska; 
 Elizabeth, born January 26, 1815, is the wife of 
 A. Packer, of Michigan; William, born March 8, 
 1817, is deceased; Ann M., born March 4, 18 19, 
 was the wife of W. Williams, of Clinton county, 
 Penn., and died September 17, 1897; Alexander, 
 born February 28, 1821, is a resident of ^Dauphin 
 county, Penn.; George, born April 6, 1823, lives 
 at Beach Creek, Clinton county; and James, of 
 this review, completes the family. By trade the 
 father was a carpenter, which he followed until 
 1823, the year of his moving to Bald Eagle Val- 
 ley, where he passed the rest of his days. He 
 was a stalwart Democrat, and was called upon to 
 serve in several local offices. In religious faith, 
 he held membership in the Christian Church. 
 
 Until twenty-two years of age, James Lingle 
 remained under the parental roof, and during two 
 autumns worked at the carpenter's trade. The 
 
454 
 
 niMMHMOKATIVE BlonllM'UUM. UF.foRD. 
 
 summer seasons he spent as a captain of a canal 
 boat for about twelve years, when he purchased 
 a boat of his own, which he operated the follow- 
 ing five years. One year was then spent on his 
 present farm, at the end of which time he sold 
 out and went to Tazewell county, 111., where he 
 engaged in farming for three years. Since that 
 time, however, he has continuously lived upon 
 his present valuable farm, a tract of 104 acres, 
 which he has placed under a high state of culti- 
 \ation and improved with many substantial mod- 
 ern buildings. In 1875 he also embarked in the 
 dairy business, which has proved a profitable 
 venture, and to-day he is regarded as one of the 
 reliable and well-to-do citizens of Boggs town- 
 ship. His dairy is one of the neatest and tidiest 
 in the county, and his entire farm is the reflex of 
 a careful and judicious manager. 
 
 On February 17, 1 S 5 S . Mr. Lingle was united 
 in marriage with Miss Marcella Malone, who was 
 born November 3, 1839, on the homestead where 
 she still resides, a daughter of Frederick and 
 Eliza (Borlen) Malone. Nine children blessed 
 this union, namely: Lycurgus, born March 12, 
 1859, is a farmer of Penn's Valley, Penn. ; Ed- 
 ward P., born February i8, 1861, a telegraph 
 operator, is married, and is living with our sub- 
 ject; MaryS., born October 12, 1863, is the wife 
 of Thomas Boggs, a merchant of Milesburg, 
 ( entre county; Harry M., born April 16, 1866, 
 is living in Kansas City, Mo.; Charles B., born 
 in Tazewell county, 111., March 8, 1869, is at 
 home; John, born April 20, 1S72, is a druggist in 
 Philadelphia; Elizabeth A., born December 27, 
 [874, is the wife of Frank Wetsler, of Central 
 City, Penn. ; ami Florence, born February 28, 
 1S7S, and James B., born March 20, 1881, are 
 both at hon 
 
 Mr. Lingle is a progressive, public-spirited 
 citizen, giving freely to all enterprises having for 
 their object the advancement and welfare of the 
 nmunity, with whose interests he is identified; 
 and while he has never aspired to public office 
 he has filled the several positions to which he 
 has been elected, with great credit to himself 
 and to the satisfaction of his constituents. II 
 a worthy member of the Disciple Church, and in 
 politics is ui ardent Democrat. He has watched 
 with interest the growth and development of 
 Centre county, and holds the esteem and respect 
 of the entire community. 
 
 Thomas Lingle, grandfather of our subject, 
 was a general farmer, and owned a farm whereon 
 1 1.111 isburg, Penn., now stands. His son Paul 
 (our subject's father) drove his five-horse team 
 from Harrisburg to Philadelphia, hauling his 
 grain and other farm products to market. 
 
 Q\Y. EMIGH, M. L>., a successful physician 
 of Philipsburg, Centre county, is a self- 
 made man whose history affords a striking illus- 
 tration of the possibilities which lie before one 
 in whom mental ability is combined with high 
 purpose and resolute will. 
 
 Dr. Fmigh is a descendant of a pioneer fam- 
 ily of Clearfield county, and the sturdy qualities 
 of the race has been shown there in three pre- 
 vious generations. His great-grandfather. Chris- 
 tian Emigh, came from Germany when a young 
 man, and settled upon a tract of land at the 
 stream since known as Emigh's run. it having 
 been named in his honor. He was a farmer In- 
 occupation and, so far as can now be ascertained, 
 spent his life there. His son and namesake, 
 Christian Emigh 2), who was born at Emigh's 
 Run, possessed decided mechanical genius, and 
 following his inclination he learned the carpen- 
 ter's trade early in life. The demand for such 
 labor was not constant in that vicinity, hov 
 and although he was kept busy dining the sum- 
 mer months his winters were spent in chopping 
 wood and such employment as he could find 
 around the furnaces. For some time after his 
 marriage he resided at Julia Ann Furnace, 
 tre county, but later he settled in Philipsburg, 
 where he became known as a most skillful me- 
 chanic. His declining years were passed upon 
 his farm in Clearfield county, about three and 
 one-half miles from Philipsburg. and his remains 
 now rest in the cemetery at that town. 
 
 Jonathan Emigh, the father of our sub 
 was born at Julia Ann Furnace, and was a mere 
 child when his father removed to Philip- 
 where he grew to manhood, in the meantime 
 inning the carpenter's trade. He was of a liter- 
 ary turn of mind and very studious and many 
 a night was spent in reading while lying on Ins 
 back in order to catch the light emitted I; 
 burning pine fagot, as he could not afford cai 
 and lus days were necessarily devoted I 
 ing his father. At seventeen he was qualil 
 teach a country school, and entered upon 
 work with such earnestness and zeal thai 
 tablished a reputation as one of the besf 
 structors in his section. In mathematics h 
 
 by his ability. Those were the 
 days "1 the primitive log school houses, and his 
 small pay was left clear through the 1 
 " boai ding round. " 
 
 While teaching at Fairview he obsei 
 unusual beauty ol one of his pupils, a bright, 
 healthy girl with a cheery disposition, and 
 termined to make her his wife. The atti 
 was mutual, and in due time Miss Mary 1 I 
 became Mrs. Fmigh. A home was made upon 
 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 455 
 
 a tract of wild land in Clearfield county, and 
 Mr. Emigh's time was thenceforth devoted to 
 clearing and cultivating land in addition to teach- 
 ing. During the Civil war he was drafted into 
 the Federal service, and although he was then 
 in the "forties" he was found to be physically 
 sound. His regiment was assigned to the Ninth 
 Corps of the Army of the Potomac, and during 
 his short term he had some severe experiences 
 which he would relate in after years. On one 
 occasion he and a few other Union soldiers were 
 surrounded in a swamp, and the Rebels kept up 
 a constant firing at them all night long. The 
 rain poured down in torrents, and the adjacent 
 river overflowed and flooded the swamp. There 
 they were, their bodies submerged in water, and 
 their heads were with difficulty kept in a safe 
 shelter behind stumps or trees from the bullets 
 that flew thick and fast above them. Their pain- 
 ful efforts availed them nothing in the end, for 
 when morning came they were obliged to sur- 
 render to their captors. This was near the close 
 of the war, and fortunately they were detained 
 only a few days in prison. 
 
 On his return from the army Mr. Emigh re- 
 sumed his former occupations. His abilities 
 made him influential among his acquaintances, 
 and for many years he served as justice of the 
 peace. He was also school director for a long 
 time, and even taught school in the same dis- 
 trict while holding that position. This was clearly 
 against the law, but the community wanted 
 his services, and technicalities were waived. 
 His widow resides at the old homestead, which 
 Dr. Emigh purchased that he might surround 
 her with every material comfort which could 
 brighten the evening of her life. The following 
 children lived to adult age: (i) Hiram died at 
 twenty-two years; (2) Priscilla (deceased) mar- 
 ried James Hummel; (3) Lucretia (deceased) 
 was the wife of William Quick; (4) G. W. is 
 mentioned more fully below; (5) Jonathan re- 
 sides in Graham township, Clearfield county; 
 (6) Henry lives at the old homestead; (7) Ann 
 married George Pierce, and resides upon a part 
 of the old farm; (8) Frank is attending medical 
 college in Baltimore, Md. ; (9) Florence married 
 Thomas Reynolds, and resides at the old home; 
 (10) Andrew Jackson died in 1873. 
 
 Dr. Emigh was born at the family home- 
 stead, March 10, 1857, and as a farmer's son he 
 early learned the necessity and value of labor. 
 The constant and outdoor employment gave him 
 healthful physical development, much of his 
 time being spent in wielding the axe and hauling 
 logs with an ox-team. He attended the local 
 school and a normal school in the same county, 
 
 but as his parents were unable to give him a col- 
 legiate education his later progress was made 
 through private study. Once fitted for teaching 
 he felt that he had found the stepping stone to 
 success, and so rapidly did he advance in that 
 honorable calling that at the time he left it for 
 the medical profession he was principal of the 
 public schools of Houtzdale, Clearfield county. 
 He began to read medicine under the instruction 
 of Dr. M. Gard Whittlier, of Clearfield, one of 
 the most expert surgeons in this section, and aft- 
 er a course in the medical department of the 
 University of New York, he was graduated in 
 1884 with the degree of M. D. Locating at 
 Woodland, Clearfield county, he built up an ex- 
 tensive and lucrative practice. He married Miss 
 Eleanor Howe, daughter of Robert Howe, a 
 a well-known resident of Philipsburg. She is a 
 lady of unusual mental force and fine culture, 
 and prior to her marriage was a successful 
 teacher. Like the Doctor she has developed 
 her intellectual gifts through the discipline of 
 private study. They have one son, George Wal- 
 ton. 
 
 On February 21, 1893, Dr. Emigh removed 
 with his family to Philipsburg, and then, going 
 to New York City, he pursued a post-graduate 
 course at his Alma Mater. Since his return to 
 Philipsburg he has continued his professional 
 work with marked success, his popularity in- 
 creasing as his acquaintance widens. Alert and 
 vigorous mentally, and an earnest student, he 
 keeps well abreast of the advances in medical 
 science, while his fine physique supports well the 
 strain of professional duties. As a citizen he is 
 held in high esteem for his sterling integrity. 
 He is a member of the I. O. O. F. , and the Ma- 
 sonic order, and in politics is an outspoken ad- 
 herent of the Democratic party. 
 
 WT. BAIR. If all journalists allowed a 
 keen sense of honor, and a due regard for 
 the public welfare, to dictate the contents of 
 their columns; if evil were not . emphasized, and 
 the records of the various classes of "degener- 
 ates" were not constantly spread before the 
 world to impress the minds of the morbid and the 
 vicious, can we doubt that crime would speedily 
 grow less? It is refreshing to find in the scholarly 
 editor of the Philipsburg Daily Journal, a man 
 whose conscience is recognized as a guide even 
 in the "sanctum sanctorum," and who would pre- 
 fer to lose a subscriber, if necessary, rather than 
 to lower the moral tone of his bright, clean, and 
 progressive paper. 
 
 Perhaps Mr. Bair derives his sturdy inde- 
 
l.V, 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 pendence in the cause of right from the ances- 
 who through past centuries breathed the 
 the pure air of Alpine heights in their home in 
 Switzerland. Coming to this country in Colon- 
 ial times, the less remote members of his line be- 
 came prominent among the pioneers of Lancaster 
 county, Penn., and his grandfather, Abraham 
 Bair, a native of that county bore the title of 
 >quir< which then meant much), for many 
 years. He passed a long life in agricultural pur- 
 suits, being more than eighty years of age when 
 he passed to the unseen world. 
 
 D. H. I i subject's father, was born in 
 
 in Lancaster county in [828, :m«l was engaged in, 
 and identified with, mercantile business for many 
 irs, and is now living in Philipsburg. He has 
 always taken keen interest in public affairs, and 
 in politics is a Democrat. His wife, Catherine 
 Long, was born in 1832, and is also living. Mm 
 belongs to nne of the old Pennsylvania-Dutch 
 families, her ancestors having been among the 
 first settlers in Germany Valley, Huntingdon 
 
 nty. Thej were Dunkards in religious faith. 
 Her father. Judge John Long, associate judge of 
 Huntingdon county, was a prominent merchant 
 and land holder, owning 1 farms in that 
 
 county. He died at the age of eighty-two years. 
 Our subject was one of a familj of six children, 
 of whom, four lived to mature age, viz.: J. 
 1 rank, Webstei I.. William I... and Harry H., 
 all now engaged in different departments of the 
 Philipsburg J our mil. 
 
 W. T. Bair was horn in Huntingdon county, 
 June 26, [859, and received his early education 
 in the public schools at Mount Union. He had 
 a clear perception as to his proper vocation, and 
 lost no time in preparing for it by learning the 
 printer's trade. In the fall of I S74 he established 
 the Mount Union Herald, which he afterward 
 sold. He then purchased the Mount Union 
 Times, but two years later went to Philipsburg 
 to take charge of the Journal, then a weekly 
 paper. In July, 1SS1, after two years as man- 
 ager, he became its proprietor and has evi 
 continued to give it his close attention as editor. 
 Under his care it ha red; on November 1, 
 
 1888, he added a daily edition, and the result 
 has justified his confidence in its growing popu- 
 larity. It is independent in politics, and Mr. 
 Bair's determination to exclude all news of prize 
 fights or other demoralizing matter has made of it 
 a paper that may safely be placed in any home. 
 In [881 Mr. Hair was married in Shirleysburg, 
 Penn., to Miss Annie M. Elliott, who was born 
 in Franklin county, Penn., and was reared bv an 
 aunt. Four children bless this union: Viola, 
 Edna. I tin 1, and Joyce. 
 
 Progressive and liberal in his views, Mr. Bair 
 is interested in all phases of our common life 
 Since 1885 he has been a Prohibitionist in politics, 
 and he has always been active in various religious 
 and philanthropical movements. He is a lead- 
 ing member of the M. E. Church, and for years 
 has served as- secretary of the board of trustees, 
 while he is a prominent worker in the Epworth 
 League, and is now president of the Altoona 
 District League, also recording secretary of the 
 Central Pennsylvania League. 
 
 GEORGE G. HASTINGS. Histor) si 
 that the most prosperous nations of the 
 world have had large agricultural interests to up- 
 hold their commercial and other business rela- 
 tions, and it is conceded that the stability and 
 ss of this country is largely due to the 
 farming class. Among the leading agriculturists 
 "I ( entre county is numbered Mr. Hastings, wl. 
 is now successfully operating a rich and valuable 
 tract of land in Benner township, near Belle - 
 fonte. 
 
 Thomas Hastings, grandfather of Ge 
 washy occupation a surveyor, and came to Belle- 
 fonte in the early settlement of the place where he 
 resided. He took up large tracts of land in Centre 
 county. His children were: Daniel and Mary, 
 the latter of whom never married. Daniel was 
 born on Cedar creek in Haines township. Centre 
 county, June 2. 1794; on April 16, [846.be 
 iied Mrs. Mary A. Hartsock, who was born in 
 Half Moon township, Centre county, October 14. 
 1814, a daughter of George and Sarah (Flegel 
 Gray, and granddaughter of Peter < i 
 came from Frederick, Md., to the Half 
 country in 1788, and their children were: 1 
 and George G. The former was a member of 
 the 53rd P. V. I. during the Civil war, and is 
 a merchant at Beech Creek, Clinton county. 
 Pennsylvania. 
 
 George G. Hastings was born April 11.1 
 in Centre county, Penn., and spent the da 
 his boyhood and youth in the county of his na- 
 tivity. He is indebted to the public- 
 system for the educational privileges which he 
 enjoys. Throughout the greater part of his 
 ness career he has followed agricultural pui 
 but in 1869 he embarked in the lumber I 
 and for four years carried on operations along that 
 line. In the spring of 187.} he commenced 
 inj4 in Benner township on land belonging to the 
 estate, and three years later he bought his pi 
 farm, then comprising one hundred acre 
 which he has since added f 1 < mi time to time until 
 he has now 260 acres of good land. On the farm 
 
&<>.&. /6a^tzL 
 
 & 
 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 457 
 
 are substantial buildings, and his improvements 
 are all modern. In farming methods he is pro- 
 gressive, and his labors have resulted in the 
 acquirement of a comfortable competence. In 
 1 87 1 Mr. Hastings was married to Miss Loretta 
 Rogers, and to them have been born children as 
 follows: Mary Agnes, April 1, 1872, at Beech 
 Creek, married Edward P. Gray February 9, 
 1897, and they reside on the old homestead in 
 Patton township; Enoch T., November 12, 1873, 
 in Benner township; George Gray, June 2, 1875, 
 dn Benner township; Harriet Belle, January 8. 
 1877; Sarah Loretta, September 27, 1878; Henry 
 B., May 17, 1880; Anna Elizabeth, May 17, 1882; 
 Eliza O., August 9, 1886; and Nellie Jennette, 
 August 8, 1888. Mrs. Loretta Hastings was born 
 at Beech Creek on December 9, 1846, a daugh- 
 ter of T. A. S. and Agnes Ann ( Miller) Rogers. 
 The latter was a native of Lancaster county, 
 Penn., born in 18 19, and died in July, 1883, at 
 Beech Creek, in Clinton county. He was by 
 trade a blacksmith. Agnes Miller was a native 
 of Mifflin county, Penn., born in 18 14, and died 
 in August, 1882, at Beech Creek. Their chil- 
 dren were: Clarinda, Loretta, Henry B., John 
 Thomas, Robert \\ '. , Susan E., and one that 
 died in infancy. 
 
 H 
 
 Y. STITZER. An early struggle with ad- 
 verse circumstances is quite commonly held 
 to be an advantage to an aspirant for success in 
 life; but sometimes, when one sees a gallant effort 
 made against heavy odds, the thought arises that 
 the energy and concentrated will which inspired 
 it, might, under happier conditions, have been 
 applied to other issues, seemingly more impor- 
 tant. But if the development of character is the 
 main work of our sojourn upon earth, if "the 
 deed in the doing reaches its aim," then the years 
 spent in overcoming such hindrances are really as 
 rich in fruit as any which win the approving no- 
 tice of the public. 
 
 The history of the subject of this sketch, a 
 well-known attorney of Bellefonte, Centre county, 
 possesses the interest which invariably attaches 
 to the life of a self-made man. His paternal 
 ancestors were early settlers in Pennsylvania, and 
 hi> grandfather, John Stitzer, a native of this 
 State, was for many years the proprietor of the 
 principal hotel in Mifflinburg. William Stitzer, 
 our subject's father, was born in that city May 
 J 3. 181 1, and was married there September 13, 
 !833i to Miss Judith Yearick, a native of the 
 same place, born November 23, 181 1. After his 
 marriage he moved to Millheim, Centre county, 
 and followed the hatter's trade for some time, 
 
 but fortune did not smile upon his efforts, and 
 later he became a day laborer at various places 
 in Centre county. His death occurred in Belle- 
 fonte, September 17, 1873, at the home of our 
 subject. He was an Old-line Whig in politics 
 in his early years, but after the change in party 
 lines which followed the agitation of the slavery 
 question, he became an Independent, with ten- 
 dencies toward the Republican party. He and 
 his estimable wife were members of the Evan- 
 gelical Church. She survived him many years, 
 breathing her last October 24, 1891. They had 
 seven children, whose names with dates of birth 
 are as follows: John, April 16, 1834, is a saddler 
 at Mifflinburg; Lydia, born June 17, 1835, at 
 Millheim, married William J. Bollinger (now of 
 Salt Lake City), and died in 1871 at Illinois; H. 
 Y. , our subject, is the next in the order of birth; 
 William D., October 31, 1838, died January 13, 
 1840; William W. , December, 1840, is a farm- 
 er in Gregg township, Centre county; Sarah, 
 December 15, 1842, married John Zerbv, of Pot- 
 ter township, Centre county; Amelia, August 21, 
 1844. resides with our subject. 
 
 H. Y. Stitzer was born February 25, 1837, 
 at Millheim. He had no settled home during 
 his childhood owing to his father's frequent 
 changes of location, and at an early age he was 
 apprenticed to a merchant tailor in Mifflinburg, 
 learning that trade. Despite the difficulties in 
 the way of securing an education, his naturally 
 bright and active mind had enabled him to make 
 fair progress, and inspired by a determination to 
 seek a more congenial field of labor than his trade 
 promised to be, he attended the academy at 
 Mifflinburg for one summer, and in the following 
 winter, when about twenty-one, he began teach- 
 ing school in Snyder county. In 1861, after 
 several years of successful work in this calling, 
 he was made principal of the High School at 
 Bellefonte, which position he held but a short 
 time when he was admitted to the Bar, having 
 previously studied law under the direction of 
 Judge Hoy, of Bellefonte, and established him- 
 self in practice. During the battle of Gettys- 
 burg he was one of the Emergency men called 
 out by the Governor, and served for eight weeks 
 in Capt. Boal's company. In 1866 he was 
 elected district attorney and served ably for two 
 terms, but on retiring from office in 1872, he 
 purchased the Livingston Book Store, which he 
 continued until 1895. Since disposing of that he 
 has resumed his practice with gratifying success. 
 He was deputy sheriff under Richard Conley. 
 
 On December 25, 1867, Mr. Stitzer was mar- 
 ried to Miss Hannah M. Hess, a native of Boals- 
 burg, born in February, 1837. They have no 
 
■».> 
 
 COMMEMORATIVB BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 children of their own, but took two, a girl and a 
 boy, into their home, whom they reared and ed- 
 ucated; the girl, Mini E, Shaffer, is DOW the wife 
 of H. A McKee; the boy, Randolph P. Nighten- 
 gale, a son of Dr. Nightengale, of Doylestown, 
 Penn., died when nearly twenty years of age. In 
 his younger days Mr. Stitzer took an active part 
 in politics, and has served as chairman of the 
 Democratic Central Committee of the counts 
 Himself and wife are members of the Lutheran 
 Church; they take great interest in Church work. 
 and in the Sabbath-school, of which Mr. Stitzer 
 was for many years the superintendent. 
 
 J WES1 1 Y GEPHART, general superintend- 
 ent of the Central Railroad of Pennsylvania, 
 and for a decade one of the foremost lawyers 
 at the Centre County Bar, is the son of John P. 
 and Mary M (Swartz) Gephart, the former an 
 honored citizen of Belled inte, a notice of whom, 
 with that of his ancestors, appears elsewhere m 
 this volume. 
 
 |. Wesley Gephart was born at Millheim, May 
 25, 1853. The foundation for his education was 
 laid in his native town, and in the schools of 
 Bellefonte; he was prepared for college at the 
 Bellefonte Academy, and was graduated from 
 Princeton in 1874. He read law in the office 
 and under the direction of Gen. fames A. Beaver, 
 of Bellefonte, since Governor of Pennsylvania, 
 and now one of the judges of the Superior Court 
 of the Commonwealth. Young Gephart was ad- 
 mitted to the Bar December 13, 1876, and, at 
 the time, the press thus noticed the event: "Our 
 youngfriend, Mr. J. YV. Gephart, was admitted to 
 practice law in the several courts of Centre coun- 
 ty, on Wednesday last. Mr. Gephart's admission 
 is the first that has occurred under the new rule 
 of the (.nit appoint permanent board of 
 
 miners, who are guided by a certain set of 
 rules in the examination of applicants. Mr. 
 Gephart is said to have given complete satisfac- 
 tion to the board, who complimented him highly, 
 lie is a very diligent young man, of much natural 
 ability, and his reading has been quit ive. 
 
 He has a logical mind, and a retentive memory, 
 and his future promises brilliant things. We 
 congratulate him." Less than two years after- 
 ward the press again remarked that: "Mr. Gep- 
 hart, though young, is an exceedingly fine speaker, 
 giv< > promise of becoming a brilliant orati 
 After his admission to the Bar. Mr G( | 
 became.) partner of his preceptor. Gen. Beaver, 
 which partnership continued until in November, 
 1893. when he retired in order to give his entire 
 
 time to the Valentine Iron Company, with which 
 he was connected from January I, 1891, to No- 
 vember 1, 1895, and the newCentral Railroad of 
 Pennsylvania, of which he had been made the 
 general superintendent. Ten years after his ad- 
 mission to the Bar the press said: "The distin- 
 guished law firm of Beaver & Gephart has added 
 a new man to its membership in the person of 
 John M. Dale, one of its former students. I'p 
 to 1873 the firm was McAllister & Beaver, and 
 was continued under that name until January 7, 
 1877, when ]. W. Gephart, son of Hon. J. P. 
 Gephart, was taken into partnership. Just t* a 
 years later the firm became as above stated. 
 The new member of the firm is a graduate of the 
 State College, and about a year ago was admitted 
 as a practitioner to the several courts of Clinton 
 and Centre counties. Since then he has spent 
 the major portion of his time in the office of 
 Beaver & Gephart, with whom he read law. He 
 is a young man of excellent qualities, and is well 
 prepared for the profession upon which he so 
 conspicuously entered. Both sides are to be 
 congratulated — the firm in securing so able a 
 young man, and the new member in becoming 
 associated with so popular a firm. Mr. Gephart, 
 a graduate from Princeton, made a right record 
 during the first ten years." This firm en 
 an extensive practice, and owing to the 
 member's absence much of the time in his rela- 
 tions to the public affairs of the Commonwealth, 
 a great deal of work fell upon the junior mem- 
 bers, who, however, always proved then 
 equal to the task. Mr. < rephart has ever had the 
 reputation of a close student, and is an indefati- 
 gable worker, and whatever he has taken hold oJ 
 moved. Through the inspiration that his v 
 energy, and ability gave to one of the languishing 
 industries of Bellefonte, it lie. 
 he is the president of the 1 ompany. He is a suc- 
 cessful man. He stood deservedly high at the 
 Bar. both as a counselor and as an advocate. 
 He is an eloquent and forcible speaker. He has 
 always been found on the side of right 
 questions, and in all movements tending to the 
 elevation of mankind. His influence ha- 
 felt in the cause of temperance, and for years he 
 has been an active workei in the Presbyl 
 Church, and the superintendent of its Sab 
 school. Being a man of letters, and p 
 the qualities of a leader, capable and willn 
 adorns citizenship. 
 
 In iSSS Mr. Gephart supported Harrisoi 
 President. He had been educated a Hen 
 Commenting on a letter he had written ex) 
 ing his views on the tariff question, and in justifi- 
 cation of his intention of voting with the Repub- 
 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 459- 
 
 licans, the press said: "Never was so power- 
 ful a political bomb thrown into the Democratic 
 camp of Centre county, as the able letter written 
 by J. W. Gephart, Esq., and published in last 
 week's issue of the Gazette. Everybody has 
 read the letter — Protectionists, irrespective of 
 politics, heartily endorse it, and Cleveland Free- 
 trade Democrats are unable to refute or explain 
 any part of it. They are simply dumbfounded, 
 and know not where to look for relief. No one 
 ventures to express the least doubt about Mr. 
 Gephart's Democracy, for everybody knows that 
 he has always stood by the Democrats through 
 thick and thin. No one can raise the cry of dis- 
 gruntled politician, for Mr. Gephart has never 
 sought any office either large or small. No one 
 can say aught against his professional or business 
 qualifications, for he stands far above reproach 
 in any capacity or department you choose to 
 take him. So then Mr. Gephart cannot be at- 
 tacked personally, politically or professionally. 
 What are the Freetraders going to do about it ? 
 Inquiries have been received by mail, telegraph 
 and personally for copies of the Gazette, contain- 
 ing the letter. A large number of extra copies 
 of this week's issue were run off, and yet they 
 were all gone before night of Friday last. A 
 large addition of Gazette supplements containing 
 the Gephart letter is now in print." 
 
 In October, 1879, Mr. Gephart was married 
 to Miss Ella Hayes, and the Watchman remarked 
 on the occasion: "He is, beside being a lawyer 
 and a capable one, an accomplished printer, hav- 
 ing learned his trade in the Watchman office, 
 and to a great extent secured his college educa- 
 tion by working at the business in Princeton, N. 
 J. His bride is the accomplished Miss Ella 
 Hayes (daughter of W. W. Hayes, Esq., for- 
 merly of this place, but now of Washington, D. 
 C 1, who almost since herchildhood has been an 
 inmate of the family of W. P. Wilson, deceased, 
 on High street, a modest, excellent girl, with a 
 fair share of personal attractions, who will make 
 'Wes' a faithful, good and loving wife. The 
 marriage took place in the church, being solem- 
 nized by Rev. Mr. Laurie, in the presence of a 
 dense congregation of people. The bridal pair 
 were attended by six ushers, and as they ad- 
 vanced up the aisle they were greeted by looks 
 of eager anticipation and delight — so susceptible 
 are the multitude to the charms of a nuptial cere- 
 mony. Excellent music was rendered, and the 
 floral decorations of the church were admirable. 
 After the performance of the marriage rite the 
 happy pair returned to the residence of Mr. Wil- 
 son, where they viewed the handsome gifts pre- 
 sented to them, among which were $140 silver 
 
 service as a compliment from the members of 
 the Bar, and $150 in pure gold." 
 
 The children of this marriage are: Wallace, 
 Wilson and Elizabeth. Mrs. Mary M. Gephart, 
 the mother of our subject, was the granddaugh- 
 ter of George Swartz (I), who built one of the 
 first sawmills on Elk creek in Penn township. 
 He was a leading member of the Evangelical 
 Church, and of his eleven children, George was 
 the father of Mrs. Gephart. The latter's death 
 occurred on December 14, 1874. "She was a 
 quiet, unpretentious, good woman, with a heart 
 overflowing with kindness and sympathy toward 
 every one, and with a hand always ready to as- 
 sist and comfort in every time of distress. As a 
 neighbor none could be better, and the families 
 who lived near her all bear testimony to the ex- 
 ceeding loveliness of her character. Her nature 
 was all womanly, tender, charitable, forbearing 
 and sympathetic. She won the love and the es- 
 teem of all with whom she was thrown in con- 
 tact. It was her own family, however, where 
 her worth was best known and appreciated, and 
 there will her loss be most grievously felt. It was 
 her hand that managed, her eye that saw, her 
 heart that felt for each member of that little cir- 
 cle. The father, the son and the daughter all 
 drew their comfort from her. For them the 
 fires were bright, the room cheerful, the table 
 invitingly spread. For them there was peace 
 and quietness and domesticity in every depart- 
 ment, and no happier family ever assembled 
 around the hearthstone. She was the wife and 
 mother in the fullest- sense of those significant 
 and tender words, and in her intercourse with her 
 family she was careful to order her walk and con- 
 versation in accordance with the injunction of the 
 law of her God and Master. She had been a 
 member of the M. E. Church from her child- 
 hood." 
 
 G\EORGE REIBER is prominently identified 
 _T with the agricultural interests of Potter 
 township, Centre county. He has achieved suc- 
 cess by his own unaided exertions, and is, in 
 fact, a self-made man, starting out in life with 
 nothing but youth in his favor, and his endow- 
 ments of fine health, a vigorous muscle and a 
 clear, cool brain. After all, a man possessing 
 these need fear nothing; with a determination to 
 succeed, success is his almost from the start, al- 
 though it may be that years of patient waiting 
 and hard toil are necessary before his endeavors 
 are crowned with the full measure of success. 
 
 At Sinking Springs, Berks Co., Penn., Mr. 
 Reiber was born February 15, 1830, a son of 
 
■Mi 
 
 COMMEMOHATIYK BJOQ UM'llU AL RECORD. 
 
 Jacob and Mary (Flisher) Reiber, who, with their 
 four children, came to Centre county, in 1836, 
 locating near Tusseyville. They ilrove the en- 
 tire distance from Rtitler, Penn., whither they 
 had removed from Berks county; but being dis- 
 satisfied with the locality, they came to Centre 
 county, where the father first rented land and 
 worked at his trade of blacksmithing. Later he 
 bought a farm of Potter Brothers, with whom he 
 had deposited $1,000, which amount was ap- 
 plied on his place just before the failure of that 
 well-known linn. There he continued to reside 
 until his death, which occurred when he was 
 over sixty years old. His wife was about the 
 same age when she, too, was called to her final 
 rest, and they now sleep side by side in the Tus- 
 seyville cemetery. They were earnest and con- 
 sistent members of the Lutheran Church, in which 
 the father had held office, and in politics he was 
 a Democrat. Their family consisted of four 
 children: Elizabeth, now Mrs. Adam Stemm, 
 of Berrien county, Mich.; George; John, a tin- 
 ner of St. Jo., Mich.; and William, a retired 
 physician of Berrien Springs, in the same State. 
 
 Until the free schools were established the 
 educational privileges of our subject were limited, 
 but in the common schools he obtained a fair 
 literary training, his firsl teacher being James 
 Powley. At the age of thirteen, however, he 
 laid aside Ins text books and learned the black- 
 smith's trade in his father's shop, where he contin- 
 ued to work until the age of twenty-four years. 
 lb was then married in Potter township to Miss 
 Esther Mayer, a native of that township, and a 
 daughter of Jacob and Julia A. (Trion) Mayer. 
 B3 trade her father was a tanner, and for many 
 years followed thai business near Colyer. Mr. 
 and Mrs. Reiber have a son, William, born in 
 Potter township, Decemhbr 25, 1854. He was 
 1 in the district schools, and has always 
 remained at home. Being very handy with all 
 sorts of tools, he does all kinds of repairing of 
 watches, 1 locks and jewelry, and in 189O he built 
 an excellent home and workshop near Colyei 
 In 1879 he was married in Potter township, to 
 Miss Mary E., daughter of Conrad Decker, and 
 they have three children— William A., Clara and 
 Blanche — all at home. 
 
 Alter his marriage, Mr. Reiber, the subject 
 of this sketch, rented a house near his father-in- 
 law's tannery, where he worked for some time, 
 and later owned an interest in the business, which 
 he continued to follow for about sixteen years, 
 when he sold out to Mr. Mayer. In 1874 he 
 bought from the Peter McMinn estate his present 
 farm of 112 acres, at $60 per acre, but the 
 buildings were all poor, and those now standing 
 
 on the place have been erected by our subject. 
 His first real estate consisted of a half interest in 
 the Red Mill property in Potter township. In 
 1894 he also purchased the old Slack homestead 
 of 100 acres. 
 
 In politics, Mr. Reiber is a strong Democrat, 
 which party his son also supports. In religious 
 belief he is a Lutheran, has been a liberal con- 
 tributor to the Church, and has served as deacon, 
 and in other official positions. By hard work 
 and unrelenting toil he has accumulated a very 
 comfortable competence, and his success is all 
 th( more creditable, knowing that he has been 
 handicapped by the lack of a good education. 
 lbs reputation for integrity, fair and honorable 
 dealing and justice in all things has gained him 
 the confidence and good will of all who kn. a 
 him. His faithful wife died in [anuary, 
 and was laid to rest in the Tusseyville cemetery. 
 
 BENJAMIN F. BECK. The fine farm 
 
 ng to our subject in Walker township, 
 ( entre county, is conspicuous for the 
 which it has been improved and cultivated, and 
 is evidently the homestead of one ol the most en- 
 terprising men of the community. The build- 
 ire of a neat and substantial character, the 
 are well tilled, and in fact the whole place 
 betokens the thrift and energy of .1 progri 
 farmer. He was born October 20, 1841, in 
 Walker township, only a few rods from his pri s- 
 ent residence, which is pleasantly situated in 
 Snydertown, and his parents, Henry and Ann 
 Eliza (Furst) Reck, were also natives of 1 
 county. His paternal grandfather, John Beck, 
 was born in Northampton county, Penn., but 
 shortly after his marriage with Miss Si 
 came to Centre county, where his descendants 
 still live 
 
 To the parents of our subject were bom six 
 children- -three sons and three daughters — name- 
 ly: 1 1 Lydia married Adam Decker, a promi- 
 nent fanner of Walker township, living 
 Snydertown, and they reared a family of nine 
 children, some of whom are now married and 
 have families of their own; she departed this life 
 in 1890, and was buried in the Hublersburgceme- 
 (2) Benjamin F. is the next in order of 
 birth. (3) Amanda J. is the wife of Frederick 
 Schenck, a farmer of Bald Eagle Valley, Centre 
 county, and they have two children. (41 ' 
 lotte E. is the wife of William Decker, a leading 
 farmer of Walker township, residing near Hub- 
 lersburg, and they have two children a son and 
 daughter. (5) Martin L. , a wealthy fanner, 
 making his home near Snydertown, Walkertown- 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 461 
 
 ship, married Agnes A. Beck, daughter of Joseph 
 Beck, of Shelby county, 111. (6) William H., 
 a blacksmith by trade, married Clara Singer, 
 daughter of Conrad Singer, of Centre county, 
 and they have one daughter. 
 
 In the common schools of his native county, 
 Mr. Beck, the subject proper of this sketch, ob- 
 tained his education, and he remained upon the 
 home farm, assisting in its care and cultivation 
 until his marriage to Miss Henrietta Eggers, a 
 daughter of Louis Gustavus Eggers, who was 
 born in Germany, whence when a lad of ten 
 years he came to the New World. He became 
 a Lutheran minister, his first charge being the 
 church at Snydertown, Centre county, and he 
 died in 1883, at Palmyra, this State, in the cem- 
 etery of which place he was laid to rest. Mrs. 
 Beck, an excellent lady, was born May 25, 1840. 
 By her marriage to our subject she has three 
 children: Lydia J., born October 29, 1870; 
 Emma J., born February 23, 1876; and Louis 
 H., born April 12, 1878. The family is an in- 
 telligent and cultured one, and the young ladies 
 are beautiful and accomplished, holding a prom- 
 inent position in the social circles of the com- 
 munity. 
 
 Coming of an old Democratic family, Mr. 
 Beck has always given his allegiance to that 
 party, believing that through it can be secured 
 the best form of government. With his family 
 he holds membership in the Lutheran Church. 
 As a man he is looked upon by the community 
 as one whom they can trust, "who breaks no 
 promise, serves no private end; who gains no 
 office, but who has lost no friend." 
 
 ISRAEL CORL, a stalwart and sturdy repre- 
 _ sentative of the noble yeomanry who make 
 up the agricultural population of Centre county, 
 
 lis a resident of Ferguson township. He is a 
 native of the county, born in Haines township, 
 
 ■ in 1835, a son of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Vo- 
 nada) Corl, who were -natives of Chester and 
 Centre counties, Penn., respectively. From 
 Chester county, the father removed to Union 
 county, and when still a young man came to Cen- 
 tre county. For twenty years he followed the 
 blacksmith's trade, but the remainder of his life 
 was passed in farming. 
 
 In the public schools Israel Corl acquired a 
 fair education, and upon the home farm became 
 familiar with the duties that fall to the lot of the 
 agriculturist. In March, i860, he was united 
 in marriage with Miss Harriet McBath, a daugh- 
 ter of William and Lucinda (Coble) McBath, of 
 Centre county. Of the ten children who were 
 
 born of this union the first died in infancy; Will- 
 iam R. died at the age of nine months; George 
 E., a resident of Struble Station, Centre coun- 
 ty, married Anna Lytle, and has four children; 
 Elizabeth is the wife of Scott Meese, of State 
 College, Centre county; John C. , a resident of 
 State College, married Emma Corn; Elmer S. 
 is married, and lives in Ferguson township; Ben- 
 jamin F. wedded Mary Yarnell, a daughter of 
 H. B. Yarnell; and Susie V., Charles W., Mabel 
 E. and Annie are still at home. 
 
 On the death of his father, Mr. Corl came 
 into possession of his present farm, but he has 
 made his home thereon since 1 861 . It is a tract 
 of thirty-eight acres of rich and arable land, 
 which he has placed under a high state of cultiva- 
 tion, and improved with a comfortable residence 
 and neat and substantial outbuildings. It is con- 
 veniently located within a mile of State College. 
 Mr. Corl is a charter member of Washington 
 Grange No. 157, and holds membership in the 
 Reformed Church. He takes quite an active in- 
 terest in political affairs, voting with and sup- 
 porting the principles of the Democratic party, 
 although not desirous of surrendering the quiet 
 of home life for the perplexities and turmoil of 
 political office. He is also an advocate of free 
 silver, and is ranked as a man of ability and en- 
 terprise, on account of which he holds a good 
 position among the people of Ferguson town- 
 ship. 
 
 S\ MITCHELL BECHDEL, a retired farmer 
 j) residing in Eagleville, Centre county, is 
 
 worthy of the highest respect, and enjoys the es- 
 teem of the entire community, in which he la- 
 bors to bring about every enterprise that is cal- 
 culated to elevate mankind and advance the 
 welfare of the county. Here he has always 
 made his home, having been born in Liberty- 
 township, December 7, 1849, and he is a worthy 
 representative of one of its honored pioneer 
 families. 
 
 John and Sarah E. (De Long) Bechdel, par- 
 ents of our subject, were also natives of Liberty 
 township, Centre county, the former born Sep- 
 tember 6, 1806, the latter on July 17, 18 14, and 
 there they continued to make their home until 
 called to the world beyond. The father died in 
 1870 at the age of sixty- four years, while the 
 mother was seventy-three years of age at the 
 time of her death. By occupation he was a 
 farmer, and he was called upon to serve in sev- 
 eral local offices, including those of tax collector 
 and supervisor. He used his right of franchise 
 in support of the Republican party, and faithfully 
 
462 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE B10GHAP1IKM. UECORD. 
 
 performed every duty of citizenship. In the 
 1 >i>riple Church he and his estimable wife ! 
 membership, and by all who knew them were 
 held in the highest regard for their sterling-worth 
 and many excellent traits of character. On Oc- 
 tober 23, 1836, they were married, and their 
 union was blessed with children as follows: 
 David, born August 12, 1837, died on the 28th 
 of the same month; Susannah H., born August 
 25, [838. is the wife of Joseph Wagner, a lum- 
 berman, of Eagleville; Frances S. , born July 17, 
 1840, is the wife of William Kunes, of Eagle- 
 ville; Margaret J., burn December 2, 1 84 1 , is 
 the wife of Samuel Spangler, of the same place; 
 Sarah E., born May 1. 1X43, is the wife of Dan- 
 iel Kunes, a fanner of Liberty township; Mary 
 A., born November 21, 1844, is the deceased 
 wife of Joseph l'letcher, a lumberman of Eagle- 
 ville; Lydia E. , born April 1, 1846, died July 
 [3, 1851; John A., born February 21, 1848, died 
 in 1889; and S. Mitchell, our subject, completes 
 the family. 
 
 In 1 87 1, in connection with his brother John, 
 Mi. Bechdel, the subject proper of this sketch, 
 purchased tin- interests of the other heirs in the 
 old homestead farm, which they operated to- 
 ner until John's death, when our subject came 
 to Eagleville, and has since made his home with 
 his brothe; in-law, Joseph l'letcher. He is one 
 of the honored and valued citizens of the com- 
 munity, with whose interests he has ever been 
 actively identified. 
 
 John Bechdel married Miss Susan H. Wag- 
 
 ! the) became the parents of ten children: 
 
 John I., now ,i resident of Du Bois, Penn.; David 
 
 M., who occupies a position as cook in I 
 
 villi 1 F. , who died at the age of nine 
 
 is; Franklin M.. who died in infancy; Mary 
 
 B at home. Almeda, wife of Silas Weaver, a 
 
 armaker of Du Boi . James, a cook, wh 
 
 ■ home; Harvey, of Eagleville, who mar- 
 ried Ann tl hi >me; and |'>seph, 
 who died at tl 
 
 E 
 
 LIAS E. SMITH, who materially - in 
 
 maintaining the reputation of Centrecounty 
 as a first-class farmii n, is can 1 his 
 
 I ' nu township < >u I 
 ruuiv 22, 184,8, he was born in Limestone town- 
 ship 1 P Joseph W. 
 and Mar) | Vrmagast) Smith, who were nal 
 
 Union county, Penn., but were married in 
 Clarion county. The hi it h of the father oci urred 
 in 1821 and when a young man he went to the 
 latter county, when- he followed his trade of 
 shoemaking until [861, when he removed to 
 
 Stephenson county, 111. There he operated 
 rented land for ten years, and then migrated to 
 Butler count)'. Neb., Where he " homesteader! " 
 160 acres of raw land, on which he died at the 
 age of fifty-two years; his wife died at the age 
 of forty-six, and both were buried in Nebraska. 
 He took quite an active interest in politics, al- 
 ways supporting the principles of the Democratic 
 party by his ballot, and was called upon to fill a 
 number of township offices. 
 
 To the parents of our subject were born the 
 following children: Catharine E. , now the wife 
 of Jacob Balliet, of Butler county. Neb. ; Elias 
 E., of this sketch; Jacob P., who died in child- 
 hood; Rachel, wife of William Woods, of S 
 county, Neb.; George W., John C. and D. J., 
 all of Butler county, that State; Mary, living in 
 Polk county. Neb.; Mrs. Margaret Ruth, of But- 
 ler county; Daniel, a farmer in the West; 
 erick, of Butler county; a daughter that died in 
 infancy; and Sarah, wife of Edward Maize, of 
 Butler county, Nebraska. 
 
 At the age of seven years our subject went to 
 live with a neighboring farmer, where he re- 
 mained for eight years, or until his parents re- 
 moved to Stephenson county, 111., when I 
 companied them. Up to this time he had at- 
 tended school in Clarion count), and as he 
 learned rapidly, acquired a fair education. In 
 Illinois he began working by the month, receiv- 
 ing for the first year $20 per month, and t 
 five subsequent years, $25 per month, Ii 
 nection with general farming he opera! 
 thresher for his employer, and later purcha 
 outfit and engaged in threshing on his ow 
 count until the removal of the family to Ne- 
 braska. Alter eleven months spent in that 
 he returned to Illinois, where he remained until 
 the fall of 1873. Coming to Centi 
 Penn., Mr. Smith visited the widow of his 1 
 
 nth, of Penn township, who had re- 
 cently died, and as she had no children of her 
 own, was persuaded to t> main and look after her 
 farm. Two years later she became quite help- 
 less, and for almost six years required coi 
 
 tion. At her death our subject came into 
 m of the property. 
 
 In Penn township, Centre count)-, June 
 Mr. .smith was married to Miss M 
 daughtei ol I ind Ann,. 1 Ki 101 
 
 and who is a native of that township I 
 now havi d farm ol fifty acres in 
 
 1 ither trai tci 
 
 township. Centre count). She is .1 n 
 hie woman, and a sincere member ol the I 
 Evai Mr. Smith m 
 
 interest in the sue H hi 1 '■ 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 463 
 
 party with which he has always voted, and on 
 completing his present term will have served for 
 ten years as justice of the peace in his township. 
 He is industrious, energetic and progressive in 
 his nature, and is highly esteemed and respected 
 by all who know him. 
 
 JOSEPH H. DAVIDSON. Among the in- 
 fluential and wealthy citizens and progress- 
 ive farmers of Union township, Centre 
 county, the subject of this sketch occupies an 
 honorable position. His beautiful farm of 140 
 acres, which he purchased in 1881, is located on 
 the Bellefonte road, in Bald Eagle Valley, and 
 is one of the most highly productive and desira- 
 ble places in the locality. 
 
 Our subject was born at Buffalo Run, Centre 
 county, June II, 1842, and is a son of Alexan- 
 der and Sarah (Hicks) Davidson, also natives of 
 Centre county, where they spent their entire 
 lives, and the father engaged in farming. He 
 died in March, 1873, at the age of seventy-six 
 years, and the mother passed away in 1857. 
 Both were worthy members of the Advent 
 Church, and in politics he was a Republican. 
 Eight children blessed their union: Martha, 
 wife of W. Irwin, a farmer of Union township; 
 Mary, who died in infancy; Hannah, widow of 
 Harris Way, of Union township; Eliza, wife of 
 William Taylor, of Centre county; Joseph H., of 
 this review; James, a leading agriculturist of 
 Centre county; Amanda, wife of Reuben T. 
 Comly, of Union township; and one who died in 
 infancy. After the death of his first wife, the 
 father wedded Mrs. Mary (Walker) Watson, and 
 to them were born three children: Michael, a 
 butcher of Philipsburg, Penn. ; Grant, a farmer of 
 Centre county; and Ida, wife of William Brower, 
 a farmer of Union township. The paternal 
 grandfather of our subject, Joseph Davidson, 
 throughout life engaged in farming in Centre 
 county, where he died at a ripe old age. 
 
 Mr. Davidson, the subject of this sketch, re- 
 mained upon the home farm until his father's 
 second marriage, when at the age of sixteen 
 years he started out in the world to seek his own 
 livelihood. He had previously acquired a fair 
 education in the public schools of the county, 
 and became familiar with agricultural pursuits, 
 under his father's able direction. On leaving 
 home he worked on different farms during the 
 summer months, while his winters were spent in 
 attending school. Subsequently he operated 
 rented land until 1881, when he purchased the 
 interest of the other heirs in the old homestead, 
 and has since resided there, giving his time and 
 
 attention to its cultivation and improvement with 
 most gratifying results. 
 
 In February, 1S61, Mr. Davidson wedded 
 Miss Lucy A. Hoover, who was born February 
 5, 1844, on the farm where she now resides, and 
 is a daughter of Joseph and Rebecca (Orvill) 
 Hoover, who spent their entire lives in Centre 
 county. Her parents were both consistent mem- 
 bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and 
 her father gave his political support to the Re- 
 publican party. He died in 1863, at the age of 
 forty-five years, and his wife departed this life in 
 1 88 1, at the age of fifty-seven. In their family 
 were the following children: Mary E., now of 
 Altoona, Penn., widow of Col. John H. Stover, 
 a lawyer by profession; Lucy A., wife of our sub- 
 ject; Helen, wife of Rev. R. H. Colburn, a Meth- 
 odist Episcopal minister of Williamsport, Penn. ; 
 Willis, a merchant of Altoona; Adeline, wife of 
 Harris Stover, an attorney of Altoona; and Ar- 
 nold P., manager of the Northern Pacific rail- 
 road office at St. Paul, Minn. The paternal 
 grandfather of Mrs Davidson, John Hoover, was 
 a large land owner of Centre county, where his 
 death occurred. 
 
 Ten children graced the union of our subject 
 and his estimable wife: James, a farmer of 
 Centre county; Blanche, wife of William Flick, 
 a farmer of Unionville, Penn. ; Ella, who died 
 when young; and Bertha L. , Sarah R., Ina, 
 Mary L., Willis P., Adeline A. and Helen C, 
 with their parents. The children have all been 
 provided with excellent educational advantages, 
 several of them attending college, and the family 
 is one of the most intellectual and prominent in 
 the community. Socially, Mr. Davidson is a 
 member of the Grange at Unionville, and po- 
 litically is a Free-silver Democrat. He has most 
 acceptably served as school director three years 
 and road supervisor for two terms. His genial, 
 social manner has gained him a host of friends, 
 and his sterling worth and strict integrity com- 
 mend him to the confidence and respect of all. 
 He is one of the most energetic, enterprising and 
 successful agriculturists of Union township, and 
 has a high reputation in business circles as a 
 man of sound judgment and excellent business 
 qualifications. 
 
 ISAAC THOMAS. Prominent among the pros-, 
 perous and progressive residents of the charm- 
 ing city of Bellefonte, Centre county, is the sub- 
 ject of this sketch. He is, moreover, a native of 
 the place, having been born there April 17, 1837, 
 and throughout his life has been identified with 
 its interests. 
 
 William A. Thomas, his father, was the 
 
164 
 
 COM.VE.VOK A TIYE BIOGRAPHICAL liECOHD. 
 
 youngest son of the fourth Richard Thomas, hav- 
 ing descended from Richard Thomas, of Whit- 
 ford Garden, Flintshire, North Wales, who in 
 1 66 1 purchased a grant or location of five thou- 
 sand acres in ( lintbn Valley, came to America 
 in William Penn's first migration, and came to the 
 present site of Philadelphia, with an only son, 
 Richard, and died there in 1683. Richard, the 
 son, being only eleven years of age, and the es- 
 tate passing into trustees, the grant was ne\< r 
 all located; however, one portion, some 600 
 acres, embraced a part of what is now the county 
 seat — WestChester. The son returned to Wales, 
 where he married Grace Atherton, an English 
 maiden, and in a short time again came to Amer- 
 ica and settled (in 1 7 It) in the Great Valley on 
 one of his places called Calamornshirk, in West 
 Whiteland township, where he died in 1744. 
 He left several children, and among them a son 
 Richard, who married Pimbe Ashbridge, one of 
 whose sons was Richard, the fourth in line. He 
 was born in 1744, and married Thomazine Down- 
 ing, of Downingtown; they were the parents of 
 William A. The latter was born in Che 
 county in 1795. In 181 7 he came to Centre 
 count)-, and became identified with the several 
 Valentine Brothers who were operating iron works 
 here, having in 1815, in connection with Jacob 
 Thomas, elder brother of William A., established 
 the business here. Mr. Thomas remained act- 
 ively connected with the iron industry of Belle- 
 fotite and vicinity, and throughout his life, which 
 closed December 4, 1866, ''he was closely 
 identified with the Mill Hall Iron Works, with the 
 Howard Iron Works and with Willow Bank at 
 Bellefonte. He was variously connected with 
 the business interests of Centre county, a< lively 
 concerned in advancing its material prosperity 
 bj public improvements — turnpikes, canals, rail- 
 roads — and in the development of the bituminous 
 coal region. As a business man, he had no su- 
 perior in ability and enterprise in central Penn- 
 sylvania, and has left the impress of his ability 
 in the training he gave some of our most distin- 
 guished business men." 
 
 In August, 1817, William A, Thomas was 
 married to Elizabeth Miller, who was born in 
 1703. ami died June 16, 1879, and their childn 11 
 win-: [acob V., who died iii [893, was a mer- 
 chant and interested in the iron and ndus- 
 tries; William A. was captain of Companj H, 
 40th P. V. I., in the Civil war, was engaged in 
 the iron business, and lost his life by accident. 
 falling into a mine in i> ic is our subject, 
 
 and is menti :d more fully below; Thoma 
 
 died of typhoid fever when in her twenty-sec I 
 
 year; Marion and Richard died young. 
 
 The parents of these were devout members 
 of the Society of Friends. Isaac Thomas re- 
 ceived a good practical education in youth, at- 
 tending the Westtown Quaker school and, later, 
 the schools in Westchester and in Kennett 
 Square. On completing his course of study he 
 sought the necessary experience and training for 
 business life, and for a time clerked in a hard- 
 ware store. In early manhood he engaged in the 
 glass business with Jacob V. Thomas, and con- 
 tinued about two years. During the Civil war 
 Mr. Thomas proved his patriotism by being one 
 of the first to go to the defense of the Union. 
 He enlisted in Company H. 2d P. V. I., and at 
 the end of his term of three months he re- 
 enlisted in the famous 49th P. V. I., and took 
 part in the battle of Falling Waters. In hi~ 
 political sympathies he is a Republican, and he is 
 a member of the Society of Friends. Frater- 
 nally he is connected with the I. O. O. F. En- 
 campment at Bellefonte. 
 
 In October, 1872, our subject and Miss Maria 
 J. Reed, a native of Huntingdon county, Penn., 
 were united in marriage, and to this union ei<,'ht 
 children were born. Lidie is at home ; Thomazine 
 died at an early age, of diphtheria; Debbie also 
 passed away in childhood; and the others — Will, 
 Isaac, Joseph, Arthur and Lulu — still reman 
 brighten the home. 
 
 PROF. GEORGE C, BUTZ, M. S, assistant 
 professor of Horticulture at Pennsylvania 
 State College, and horticulturist at the Experi- 
 ment Station, is a young man of marked ability, 
 already known as an expert in his branch of 
 science. The trend of his genius may be attrib- 
 uted to hereditary influences, as his father, the 
 late Paul Butz, a native of Basel, Switzerland, 
 was distinguished for his skill as a florist 
 horticulturist as well as for fine artistic tast' 
 landscape gardening. 
 
 Paul Butz was born April 2;, 1S21. 
 came to America at the age of thirty, locating 
 New Castle, Penn., when his death occur! 
 April 5, 1894. The extensive nurseries which 
 he established there are still conducted bj 
 sons. His trade in trees of all kinds, and in 
 other departments of the nursery business. 
 verj large, bulbs and plants from the gardi 
 ing sent to all parts of the United Stat 
 Canada. Many wealthy men of refill' 
 availed themselves of his practical advice in 
 arrangement of their grounds, the estate of (■ 
 1 ■ 1 , at Youngstown.Ohio, being one among those 
 which were beautified according to his de- 
 The Professor's mother, whose maiden name •• 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 465 
 
 Margaret Wiegand, was born in Wurtemburg, 
 Germany, November 1 1, 1 831, and at the age of ten 
 crossed the Atlantic with her parents, who set- 
 tied at Allegheny, Perm. Her father, a cabinet 
 maker by trade, was killed by accident soon 
 after his arrival; her mother died in 1883 at the 
 advanced age of eighty-three. Mrs. Butz is still 
 living at the old home in New Castle. Of four- 
 teen children, two died in infancy; the others 
 are: William Tell, who succeeded his father in 
 business, and with another brother now conducts 
 the Croton Gardens at New Castle; John M., a 
 trusted employee of the Pennsylvania Railroad 
 Co., stationed at Lawrence Junction, Ashtabula 
 division; Caroline, who is at home; Emma and 
 Mary A. (twins), both at home, the former being 
 a successful teacher in the schools there; Frank 
 P., now associated with his brother William in 
 the nursery business; George C, the subject of 
 this sketch; Maggie E., a graduate of New Castle 
 High School, at present teaching in the primary 
 department of the public schools of that town; 
 Effie, a graduate of Edinburg Normal School, 
 and a teacher in the New Castle schools; Albert 
 E., who was graduated from Curry University at 
 Pittsburg, and is now employed in that city as a 
 mechanical draughtsman; Rosa S. , a high school 
 graduate, now stenographer for the Mercantile 
 Bank at Pittsburg; and Harry E., a student at 
 Western University, Allegheny. 
 
 Prof. George C. Butz was born February 1, 
 1863, and was reared at the old home in New 
 Castle, preparing for college, in the high school 
 there. In 1880 he entered the sophomore class 
 at State College, taking the general scientific 
 course, and graduating in 1883. In 1884-85 he 
 taught in the Preparatory Department, pursuing 
 at the same time a post-graduate course in bot- 
 any and zoology, and he then started upon an 
 extensive tour for the purpose of studying the 
 flora of the United States. A year was spent in 
 Southern California, and during this time he did 
 some excellent work in landscape gardening, 
 with which he had been familiar from boyhood, 
 laying out one estate of 1600 acres, and making 
 artistic use of flowers, ornamental trees and 
 shrubs, fruit trees, olives and other means of 
 adornment, natural and artifical. On his return 
 to Pennsylvania, in July, 1887, he accepted the 
 position of horticulturist at the Experiment Sta- 
 tion. In 1894 he was appointed assistant pro- 
 fessor of horticulture in the Pennsylvania State 
 College. In 1888 his Alma Mater conferred upon 
 him the well-merited degree of Master of Science. 
 
 In 1892 Prof. Butz was married to Miss 
 Emma Robinson, a native of Centre county — 
 born at Hecla Furnace, February 18, 1866. 
 
 30 
 
 They have two children, Gerald R. and Charles 
 A. The Professor and his wife are members of 
 the Presbyterian Church, in which he is an elder. 
 As a citizen he takes generous interest in all the 
 movements of the time, and in political faith is 
 a Democrat. The town of State College was 
 organized into a borough August 29, 1896, at 
 which time our subject was elected a member of 
 the council and president of the same. In the 
 spring of 1897 he was re-elected to that position, 
 although the town is strongly Republican. 
 
 E 
 
 \DWARD L. POWERS, of Bellefonte, is 
 the proprietor of the oldest boot and shoe 
 store in Centre county. It was established twen- 
 ty-six years ago by his father, the late John 
 Powers, in the days when every shop was a little 
 factory, and although the conditions of the 
 trade have changed greatly the business has been 
 adapted to them. 
 
 John Powers, whose death occurred May 30, 
 1 S96, was born in Kilkenny, Ireland. An ex- 
 ceptionally bright and able man, well-informed 
 through his constant reading of the best litera- 
 ture of the day, he was extremely popular among 
 all classes, and was twice elected mayor of Belle- 
 fonte, on the Democratic ticket. His energy 
 and "nerve" in business brought him to the 
 front in his line of work also, and he shipped his 
 boots and shoes to all parts of the country, in- 
 cluding California. Socially, he was a member 
 of the I. O. O. F. After coming to this coun- 
 try he met and married Miss Nancy Kearns, a 
 Roman Catholic lady of Irish parentage, but 
 born probably in America. Of their four chil- 
 dren, the subject of this sketch was the first in 
 order of birth. (2) Kate, the wife of ex-sheriff 
 Walker, resides in Lamb street, Bellefonte; (3) 
 Mary(deceased), married William Brockville, and 
 (4) John served an apprenticeship of three years 
 in the jewelry business, but concluded to follow 
 the ancestral occupation, and is now the mana- 
 ger of a shoe store at Lebanon, Pennsylvania. 
 
 E. L. Powers, our subject, is a native of 
 Bellefonte, born June 18, 1857, and has been a 
 resident of the place all his life. His education 
 was begun in the parochial schools, continued in 
 the public schools and Bellefonte Academy, and 
 he entered upon his business career with a goodly 
 fund of practical knowledge, being especially ex- 
 pert as a bookkeeper. In 1875 he became a 
 partner in his father's business, having previously 
 spent three years on the bench, learning the de- 
 tails of the work. In 1886 he purchased his fa- 
 ther's interest, and has since conducted the es- 
 tablishment alone. Genial and polished in man- 
 
46<» 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOOliM'HKAl. IiECORD. 
 
 ner, he is successful in dealing with the public, 
 while his judicious yet enterprising management, 
 has kept the business in a satisfactory state. 
 
 In 1884 Mr. Powers wedded Miss Lizzie Key- 
 ser, who was born in New York State in 1857, 
 and passed her earls lite there. Two daughters, 
 Ada and Pearl, brighten their home. The suc- 
 ful prosecution of his business has demanded 
 close attention, but Mr. Powers finds time to per- 
 form the duties which good citizenship requires, 
 and takes much interest in political questions as 
 an anient believer in Democratic doctrines. He 
 is a member of the Knights of the Golden Eagle. 
 
 DANIEL IKVIN JOHNSON, one of the most 
 thorough and skillful farmers of Ferguson 
 township, is a native of Centre county, born July 
 [9, [838, m Walker township. His parents, 
 Jonathan C. and Sarah (Coldron) Johnson, were 
 natives of Union and Northumberland counties, 
 Penn., respectively, the former being of Scotch 
 and the latter of German lineage. It was some 
 time in the "twenties" when they came to 
 Centre county, where they first took up their 
 residence upon the Curtin farm, about a mile be- 
 low llellefonte, where they continued to make 
 their home some ten years. Finally they re- 
 moved to Walker township, where they spent 
 the remainder of their lives. The paternal 
 grandfather of our subject, Christopher Johnson, 
 held a captain's commission in the Continental 
 army under Gen. Washington, during the Revo- 
 lutionary war, and in the early days was very 
 friendly with the Indians, often feeding them. 
 
 Our subject is the youngest in a family of 
 nine children, in order of birth as follows: 1 1 1 
 Josiah married, and reared a family, but his wife 
 is now deceased; he has met with a terrible mis- 
 fortune in the loss of his sight, being blind for 
 the past ten years; he now lives in Walker town- 
 ship with his son Claude. 121 William E., a 
 carpenter of Des Moines, Iowa, is married and 
 bas leared a family (3) Maria wedded Levi 
 Dixon, but both are now deceased; they had two 
 daughters. (4) Jonathan ('. is living with his 
 family in Lock Haven, Penn., where he is en- 
 gaged m carpentering. (5) Peter C. is married, 
 and is engaged in the coal business in Milton, 
 tin- state. (6) Sarah J. died when young, (7) 
 Joel H., whose wife has been helpless from 
 paralysis for the past five years, has a family of 
 nine children. (8) Emily is the widow of Am- 
 brose McMullen, and the mother of three chil- 
 dren. (9) Daniel I. is our subject. 
 
 In the usual manner of farmer boss, Daniel 
 I. Johnson was reared and educated. During 
 
 the Civil war he was drafted, but was exempt as 
 he was the only support of his father. For the 
 past seven years he has resided upon his present 
 farm, a valuable tract of 323 acres in Ferguson 
 township, a mile and a half west of State Col- 
 lege. After renting for about three years he pur- 
 chased the place in 1892. It evinces, both in 
 its culture and in the good and substantial build- 
 ings erected upon it, the diligence and thrift of 
 the owner, and prosperity seems to await upon 
 his steps. Being endowed with a remarkable 
 amount of energetic spirit and good business 
 tact, he has since coming here succeeded in 
 achieving a fair amount of success. In 1865 he 
 married Miss Catharine Rebecca Brumgard, and 
 to them have been born six children, all son- 
 and the family circle yet remains unbroken by 
 the hand of death. They are as follows: Austin 
 L., a resident of Axemann, Centre county, mar- 
 ried a Miss Steele, and has four children; Cyrus 
 M., a farmer of Ferguson township, wedded 
 Marian Miller, and has two children; William 1 
 of Ferguson township, wedded Mary Wilson, and 
 has two children; and Joseph N. . Olin A. and 
 Emery C. are still at home. 
 
 Mr. Johnson is highly esteemed in the com- 
 munity as an honorable, upright and trustworthy 
 man, true to every trust reposed in him whether 
 public or private. He uses his right of franchise 
 in support of the men and measures of the Demo- 
 cratic party, socially is connected with the Grange, 
 and in religious belief is a Lutheran. He is a 
 man of much force of character, strong individu- 
 ality, and his pleasant, social manner has won 
 for him a host of warm friends, whom he delights 
 to entertain at his beautiful home. 
 
 H 
 
 WENRY F KESSINGER is one of the most 
 energetic, enterprising and prosperous citi- 
 zens of Liberty township, Centre county, 
 on the plains of affluence did he start out on 
 life's journey, but in the valley of limited cir- 
 cumstances with the rough and rugged path Of 
 ban! undertaking before him. He started on the 
 ascent, worked his way steadily upward, climb- 
 ing higher and higher until he stands on the 
 mountain top of prosperity. 
 
 Mr Kessmger was born at Queen's Run, * 
 ton county, Penn., May 3, [856, a son of Jeffer- 
 son and Fannie (Nestlerod) Kessinger, who w 
 natives of Salona, Clinton county, and in tlut 
 county their deaths occurred, the former being 
 killed in a sawmill May 24, [856, when our sub- 
 ject was only three weeks old, and the latter 
 dying in 1857, at the age of twenty-eight ye 
 In their family were three children: William I . 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 467 
 
 a farmer and stone mason of Salona, Clinton 
 county; Amanda, who died when quite young, of 
 whooping cough; and Henry F., of this review. 
 The paternal grandparents, Hunsecker Kessinger 
 and wife, were pioneers of Clinton county, where 
 they spent the remainder of their lives. Daniel 
 and Margaret (Frey) Nestlerod, the maternal 
 grandparents, were natives of Centre and Lan- 
 caster counties, Penn., respectively. Grandfather 
 Nestlerod died in Clinton county; his wife passed 
 away on the farm where our subject now resides. 
 
 After the death of his father, Henry F. Kes- 
 singer was taken to the home of his maternal 
 grandmother, with whom he resided until her 
 death in 1882. During this time he worked for 
 her until two years prior to her death, when he 
 operated the farm on shares, and there continued 
 to reside until 1883, when the place was sold, 
 and he purchased his present valuable farm, 
 which at that time was rented. Being a natural 
 mechanic, he then turned his attention to the 
 carpenter's and stone mason's trade, which he 
 successfully followed for four years, although he 
 had never served an apprenticeship to either. 
 On the expiration of that period he removed to 
 his farm, two years later erecting his handsome 
 brick residence, and he has made many other 
 valuable and useful improvements. In connec- 
 tion with general farming he has also engaged in 
 the baling and shipping of hay and straw, sell- 
 ing sixty-four car loads during the past season; 
 he also operates a steam cider press. 
 
 On January 1, 1874, in Clinton county, Mr. 
 Kessinger was married to Miss Annie Nestlerod, 
 who was born in Centre county in i860, a 
 daughter of Daniel and Frances (Schwartz) 
 Nestlerod. To this worthy couple have been 
 born five children: William F., who assists his 
 father in his business; Maggie, wife of Charles 
 Ruppert, who is also connected with our subject 
 in business in Liberty township; Hugh C, at 
 home; Frank, who died May 15, 1896; and 
 Sadie E., at home. They also have an adopted 
 son, Henry Kessinger, at this writing a lad of 
 fourteen years, who has found a pleasant home 
 with them since he was six months old. He is 
 an industrious, energetic boy, and prefers to be 
 called by the name of his foster parents. 
 
 Mr. Kessinger is a prominent member of the 
 Republican party, and takes a deep and com- 
 mendable interest in public affairs, always sup- 
 porting those measures which tend to benefit the 
 community. He has grown wealthy, prosperous 
 and an honored citizen by the exercise of integ- 
 rity, industry and intelligence. Although at the 
 time of his marriage his capital consisted of but 
 $5. through honorable business methods, he has 
 
 succeeded in accumulating a handsome fortune, 
 to-day being worth between $20,000 and $30,000. 
 He is a courteous, pleasant gentleman, widely 
 and favorably known throughout the community, 
 and well deserves the high regard in which he is 
 universally held. 
 
 TjiJPILLIAM GROVE, Jr., is one of the reli- 
 WW able and progressive farmers and repre- 
 sentative men of Benner township, Centre 
 county. Through his earnest, persistent labors 
 his fine farm of 1 2 5 acres is in a high state of cult- 
 ure and improved with excellent buildings, which 
 stand as monuments to his thrift and enterprise. 
 
 A native of Centre county, Mr. Grove was 
 born in Gregg township, July 28, 1840, a son of 
 John and Louisa (Klinesmith) Grove. The 
 family has long been identified with the interests 
 of this section of the State. The maternal 
 grandfather of our subject was killed and scalped 
 by the Indians, in the Penn's Valley massacre of 
 1776. The father was born in Middleburg, Sny- 
 der Co., Penn., of German lineage, and on com- 
 ing to Centre county located in Harris township, 
 where he followed farming throughout life. 
 
 In 1 86 1 our subject wedded Miss Sarah Neese, 
 a daughter of David and Sarah (Kerstetter) 
 Neese, who are also of German descent. Her 
 grandfather took up his residence in Penn's Val- 
 ley in 1780. Seven children have been born to 
 Mr. and Mrs. Grove, as follows: Emanuel H., 
 who is married, and is living in College township, 
 Centre county; Alice R. , wife of Jacob Mayer, of 
 Spring township, Centre county ; Susan, wife of 
 David Shearer, of Jefferson county, Penn.; Will- 
 iam H., who is married and living in Penn town- 
 ship, Centre county, on his grandfather's old 
 homestead; John F. ; Emma V., wife of Warren 
 Minnimire, of Bellefonte, Penn.; and Anna H., 
 at home. 
 
 In his political affiliation, Mr. Grove is an. in- 
 flexible adherent to the doctrines and principles 
 of the Democratic party, but has no aspirations 
 for popular preferment. He is a public-spirited, 
 enterprising man, and takes an active interest in 
 everything which seems to promise benefit to the 
 community. He enjoys the esteem and confi- 
 dence of his neighbors, is a consistent member of 
 the Lutheran Church, and, fraternally, is con- 
 nected with the Grange. 
 
 JR DAM H. VONADA, a prosperous agricult- 
 J&L urist of Brush Valley, residing near Madi- 
 sonburg, Centre county, is an industrious, pro- 
 gressive citizen, whose success has been won by 
 
168 
 
 GOMMEMORA TIVH BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 methods which have gained him the sincere re- 
 spect of his community. 
 
 The Vonada family is too well known in this 
 section to need an introduction to our readers. 
 The first of this branch of the family to leave 
 the ancestral home in German}' was Philip Von- 
 ada, our subject's great-grandfather, who settled 
 in Union county at an early day. Henry Von- 
 ada, the grandfather of our subject, was born in 
 Berks county, Penn., and accompanied his par- 
 ents to Union county, where he grew to man- 
 hood. He was married in Centre county to Miss 
 Catherine Wallerbyer, a native of Lebanon 
 county, Perm., and settled in Penn's Valley. Cen- 
 tre county, in the woods, with not even a log 
 cabin to shelter them at first, their household 
 goods being unloaded beneath a large tree. These 
 truly primitive arrangements did not last long, 
 however, and in due time the place was cleared 
 and transformed into an excellent farm. These 
 worthy pioneers reared a family of six children: 
 John. David, Philip, Henry, Adam and Cathe- 
 rine, none of whom are now living except Adam, 
 the father of our subject. John died in Illinois; 
 Catherine, who married John Hoss, died in Cen- 
 tre county. 
 
 Adam Vonada, now a highly esteemed resi- 
 dent "i /inn, Centre county, was born in Haines 
 township, that county, February 17, 1819, and 
 in early manhood learned the tailor's trade, 
 which he followed until his marriage in 1 844 to 
 Miss Lucy Rabenolt. He then engaged in farm- 
 ing, in which he was unusually successful, ac- 
 quiring a goodly competence. He was a man of 
 note in his community, and has alwavs been a 
 stanch Democrat. With advancing years, the 
 strain of his former labors has told upon his 
 frame, rendering him quite feeble, but his estima- 
 ble wife still enjoys good health, and is well pre- 
 served for one of her years. Their children 
 were: Mary C, wife of Emanuel Garlrick, a 
 farmer of Centre county; the twins, Adam H., 
 our subject, and Benjamin F., a farmer near 
 Jacksonville, Penn. ; Harvey D., a farmer near 
 Hublersburg, Penn, ; Philip, an attorney, now- 
 deceased; and William, a farmer of Walker 
 township, Centre count \ 
 
 Our subject's ther was born in Lehigh 
 
 counts, Penn., March 21, 1824. the daughter of 
 Solomon and Mar) (Ocher) Rabenolt, and a 
 grandaughtei of Michael Rabenolt, a farmer in 
 the same county. Both parents were natives of 
 Lehigh county, and they removed to this section 
 some years after their marriage, the mother dying 
 in Union county, and the fatherin Centre county. 
 The) had eighl children: Mrs. Vonada, Jona- 
 than. Willi am, David, Solomon, Sarah 1 who mar- 
 
 ried George Kaufman, a farmer of Centre 
 county), Caroline and Christian. Of these but 
 three are living Mrs. Vonada, Caroline, widow 
 of John Garthoff, residing in Coburn, Penn 
 and Christian, who lives in Kansas. 
 
 The subject of our sketch was born August 
 30, 1850. in the Nittany Valley, at Zion, and r> - 
 mained at the old home until he attained his ma- 
 jority. He received a common-school education, 
 and as the son of a busy farmer was plenti- 
 fully supplied with work at all times, unless ill- 
 ness excused him. On leaving home he found 
 employment as a farm hand. On September 10, 
 1875. he was married in Rebersburg, Penn., t'> 
 Miss Sarah J. Roush, a native of Gregg township. 
 Centre county, born September 3, 1852, and a 
 daughter of Benjamin Roush. The first year of 
 his married life was spent upon his father's farm, 
 and he then removed to a farm in Sugar Valley, 
 belonging to his father- in-law, where he remained 
 until the spring of 1882. The next six years 
 were spent in Gregg township. Centre count). 1 
 a place which was formerly occupied by John 
 Hoy, and in the spring of 18SS he settled upon 
 his present farm near Madisonburg, then known 
 as the old Smeltzer farm. He has made many 
 improvements upon the estate, especially in the 
 buildings, and in [892 he erected a new barn of 
 modern style. 
 
 Four children brighten his home: Anna M . 
 Katy, Mabel M. and Ella. Another daughter. Ada, 
 the fourth in order of birth, died in infancy It is 
 a matter of great regret to Mr. Vonada that he did 
 not have better educational opportunities, and he 
 has alwavs been a strong advocate of better 
 schools. While residing in Sugar Valley he 
 forsometime as a school director. Politically his 
 sympathies are with the Democratic party, but he 
 is not such a narrow partisan as to surrender his 
 individual judgment. At present he holds the office 
 of overseer of the poor. He and his wii 
 prominent members of the Reformed Church, in 
 which he was deacon for nine years, and is m>w 
 an elder. He is also a leading worker in the 
 Grange, and was a charter member of M 
 
 tie No. 360, at Madisonburg. 
 
 PI IKK (OKI., one of the active and 1 
 getic farmers of Ferguson township, ' 
 
 r ity, is the subjei t ol tin- personal narrative 
 
 Believing that "from labor, health, from health. 
 contentment springs, " he has bent ever) ■ 
 toward perfecting his agricultural projects 
 has proved himself eminently one of the b< 
 5 of the community. 
 A native -I Centre county, Mr. fori was 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 469 
 
 February 16, 1839, in Haines township, a son of 
 Benjamin and Elizabeth (Vonada) Corl. The 
 father was born in Chester county, Penn. , whence 
 he removed to Union county, and later came to 
 Centre county, where the mother was born. By 
 trade he was a blacksmith, which occupation he 
 followed for the first twenty years of his business 
 career, and then he turned his attention to farm- 
 ing. The family was founded in America during 
 Colonial days, and ancestors of our subject 
 served in the Revolution under Gen. Washing- 
 ton. To Benjamin Corl and his wife were born 
 eight children, namely: Catharine is the wife of 
 Jacob L. Roup, a farmer of Ferguson township, 
 by whom she has five children. Samuel, an ag- 
 riculturist, wedded Maria Strouse, and has eight 
 children. Benjamin first wedded Mary Neidigh, 
 by whom he had five children, and after her 
 death he married Catharine Roush. Israel, also 
 a farmer by occupation, married Harriet McBath, 
 and had ten children. Anna is the wife of Henry 
 Bloom, of Ferguson township, by whom she has 
 eight children. Peter is next in order of birth. 
 Mary E. is the wife of Daniel Houser, living near 
 Centre Hall, Centre county, and they have two 
 children. William died in 1853, at the age of 
 twenty-one years. 
 
 The educational privileges of Peter Corl were 
 such as the free schools of Pine Hall afforded. 
 He was married May 28, 1863, to Miss Barbara 
 Reish, daughter of Jacob Reish, of Union county, 
 Penn. Ten children — seven sons and three 
 daughters — have been born to them, as follows: 
 W. K., a farmer by occupation, who married Et- 
 tie Garner; Jacob C, of Centre county, who 
 married Elsie Kreps; Samuel I. and Peter M., at 
 home; Maria, who married a Mr. Kreps, by whom 
 she has one child; Daniel O. ; Elizabeth E. ; Al- 
 vin K. ; Cora M., and James M. 
 
 During the Civil war Mr. Corl manifested his 
 loyalty by enlisting in the Union service; but as 
 his parents objected he remained at home. He 
 belongs to a good old Democratic family, and the 
 principles of that party he also supports. He is 
 an earnest Christian, holding membership with 
 the Reformed Church, and is a charter member 
 of the Grange in Centre county. He takes a 
 genuine interest in the enterprises set on foot for 
 the progress and welfare of his adopted county, 
 and does all in his power to secure their advance- 
 ment. 
 
 DAVID NEESE, a prosperous and highly re- 
 spected agriculturist of Penn township, 
 Centre county, residing near Penn Hall, is a de- 
 scendant of a prominent pioneer family, one of 
 
 the few which still retain in their own possession 
 the lands entered by their ancestors over one 
 hundred years ago. The first of the line to settle 
 in Centre county was William Neese, the great- 
 grandfather of our subject. He came from Ger- 
 many before the Revolutionary war, and after a 
 short residence in Snyder county located per- 
 manently in Penn township. His son Peter, our 
 subject's grandfather, served in Washington's 
 forces during that struggle, although at the time 
 he was but a boy in years. He married Chris- 
 tina Hess, and had ten children, among whom 
 was a son, David, the father of our subject. 
 
 David Neese, Sr. , was born at the Neese 
 homestead about 1799, and became a successful 
 farmer and influential citizen. By his marriage 
 with Miss Susan Kerstetter, a member of another 
 pioneer family, he had twelve children: Eliza- 
 beth, William, David, John (deceased), Jacob, 
 Samuel, Benjamin (deceased), Harriet, Sarah, 
 Rebecca, Emanuel, and Daniel, who died in 
 childhood. 
 
 David Neese, our subject, was born March 
 28, 1828, in Penn township, Centre county, and 
 was seven years old when his parents acquired 
 the old homestead, a portion of which he now 
 owns. The schools of that time and locality 
 were not suited to the mental development of a 
 clever boy, and he deserved much better oppor- 
 tunities, but he did not even have a chance to 
 improve fully those that he had, as in his time 
 the lack of machinery made farm work last longer 
 than now. When the harvest was finished at 
 the homestead, which was a large estate, the fa- 
 ther would permit his boys to work for other 
 farmers and earn money for their own use, 
 although the wages were very small. The trap- 
 ping of foxes furnished another source of revenue 
 for the boys, and Mr. Neese has caught a goodly 
 number. His outdoor life made him a strong, 
 robust youth, capable of much labor, and until 
 the age of twenty-seven he assisted his father and 
 lived at home. 
 
 Then came his marriage to Miss Amelia 
 Gentzel, who was born about 1841, on Penn 
 creek, in Penn township, Centre county, the cer- 
 emony being performed at Aaronsburg. She 
 was a daughter of Henry and Caroline (Eppley) 
 Gentzel, and was the eldest in a family of seven 
 children — five sons and two daughters. At the 
 time of his marriage Mr. Neese was practically 
 without money, and for five years he worked as 
 a farm hand at fifty cents a day. During this 
 time his devoted wife, who has always been a 
 most efficient helpmeet, often assisted him in the 
 field, earning twenty-five cents a day, or in rak- 
 ing and binding, in which she could do as much 
 
470 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 as any man, she would receive a man's wages, 
 fifty cents per day. With such a spirit animat- 
 ing both, they were bound to succeed. When 
 they began farming on their own account they 
 were obliged to rent, settling first on the old 
 "Smith farm'' west of Millheim, then on a farm 
 in Penn township, and later upon land in the Nit- 
 tany Valley. 
 
 In 1879 Mr. Neese came into possession of an 
 unimproved portion of the old homestead, there 
 being no buildings whatever. He put up suitable 
 and convenient buildings and made other improve- 
 ments of a substantial kind, and has since made 
 his home there. The place contains nearly 125 
 acres of choice land, and under his careful manage- 
 ment it ranks among the best farms in the locality. 
 Mr. and Mrs. Neese deserve great credit for their 
 successful struggle in their early years. Mrs. 
 Neese has been a constant helper indoors and 
 "lit, and her husband acknowledges with manly 
 pride the value of her efforts. With all her work 
 she is to-day a well preserved woman, and her 
 kindly heart has won the esteem of a large circle 
 of friends. The children of this worthy couple 
 are Clara C. (Mrs. John Witmer), who resides 
 near Pine Grove, Penn. ; Sevilla (Mrs. Washing- 
 ton Tharp), of Virginia; James H., of Nittany 
 Valley; Ellen C. and Minnie S., who are at 
 home; and Nettie A., who married Percival 
 Tharp, a school teacher, who also conducts the 
 home farm at present, as Mr. Neese has retired 
 from the active management. 
 
 Although he is no office seeker, Mr. Neese is 
 influential in the local Democratic organization, 
 and has served as supervisor. He has always 
 been actively interested in the progress of the 
 community, and he and Ins wife are leading mem- 
 bers of the Evangelical Church. 
 
 Gl 1 IRGE W. KELLEY, proprietor of an ex- 
 1 cellent farm of 300 acres in Worth town- 
 ship. Centre county, is numbered among the 
 most substantial and enterprising agriculturists 
 of the community. He located at his present 
 place in 1853, and from the uncultivated soil has 
 built up a valuable homestead, which will remain 
 as a monument to his industry and energy for 
 generations to come. He has been particularly 
 wise in his investments, and possesses excellent 
 business capacity, making the most of his oppor- 
 tunities, and all through the changes of a busy 
 life, and while laboring for his own interest, has 
 in nowise set aside the interests and well-being 
 of the community around him. 
 
 Mr. Kelley was born October 10, 1 830, in Leb- 
 anon county, Penn., where the birth of his par- 
 
 ents, John and Elizabeth (Felty) Kelley, al 
 curred. In 1835 they came to Centre county, 
 where the father engaged in blacksmithing 
 throughout his business career. He was an ar- 
 dent Democrat in politics, and in religious belief 
 was a Lutheran, dying in that faith in 1893, at 
 the ripe old age of seventy-eight years. He was 
 three times married, his first wife being the 
 mother of our subject; she died in 1842. To 
 them were born six children: Mary, deceased 
 wife of Martin Houser, of Bellefonte, Penn. ; 
 John, a retired tanner, of Greenville, Ohio; an- 
 other daughter, the deceased wife of Samuel 
 Burkes, also deceased; George; Jeremiah T., a 
 farmer of Centre county; and Samuel, who died 
 when young. For his second wife John Kelley 
 wedded Sarah Hutton, who died one year after 
 
 their marriage, and he then married 
 
 Wirts, who died in 1871. Two sons were born 
 of this union: William D., who is employed in 
 the car shops of Altoona, Penn. ; and one inaine 
 not given) who was killed in the army. 
 
 During the first fourteen years of his life 
 George W. Kelley lived upon the home (arm, and 
 then served an apprenticeship to the carpenters 
 trade, which he followed until twenty years of 
 age. Not liking that employment he then se- 
 cured a position on a farm, working for one man 
 for four years and a half, after which he pur- 
 chased one hundred acres of his present farm, .it 
 that time still in its primitive condition. From 
 time to time, as his resources would permit, he 
 added to the original tract until he had 500 acres 
 but has given two of his sons one hundred acres 
 each. 
 
 On January 20, 1853, Mr. Kelley wi 
 Miss Lida Frant/., who was born in Bald ! 
 Valley, Centre county, November 15, 1833, a 
 daughter of Daniel and Mary (Woodring) Frantt. 
 Eight children — five sons and three daughter- 
 have been horn to them: Samuel, born Novem- 
 ber 17, 1853, was drowned while logging in 
 Clearfield county, in March, 1879; Mary, born 
 August 16, 1856, is the wife of Alfred Dodgi 1 
 lumberman of Worth township, Centre county. 
 Benjamin, born January 20, 1861, is a farmer in 
 the same township; Peter, born Soptember 17. 
 1 Si. 2. is an agriculturist of Worth township 
 ah ]., born October 1, 1864, is the wife o( 
 Thomas Merriman, a farmer of Taylor township. 
 Centre county; John, born August 30, 1869, is 
 a farmer of Worth township, and Eveline v., 
 born February 15, 1872, and Robert, born De- 
 cember 23, 1877, are still with theirparentJ 
 
 Daniel Frantz, the father of Mrs. Kelley 
 born in Berks county, Penn.. September 13- 
 1805, ar, d was a son °f Jacob and Christina 
 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 471 
 
 (Walk) Frantz, who were born, reared and mar- 
 ried in Berks county, but later became residents 
 of Worth township, then called Half Moon town- 
 ship, Centre county. The mother of Mrs. Kelley 
 was born January 3, 1810, in Dauphin county, 
 Penn., where her parents, Samuel and Maria E. 
 Woodring, were also born. When thirteen 
 years of age she walked from there to Centre 
 county, and her parents came a few months later. 
 Here her father followed farming, but had pre- 
 viously been engaged in the milling business. 
 
 To Daniel Frantz and his wife were born 
 twelve children, namely Nancy, now the widow 
 of S. Cowher, a farmer of Centre county; Sam- 
 uel, deceased; Lida, wife of our subject; Chris- 
 tiana, widow of John Thomas, of Centre county; 
 Jacob, an honored veteran of the Civil war, who 
 operates the old homestead farm in Worth town- 
 ship; Abraham, who was also a Union soldier, 
 and is now a farmer of Blair county, Penn. ; 
 Peter, who died at Philadelphia from the effects 
 of wounds received in the service of his country; 
 Hannah, who died when young; David, a farmer 
 of Pine Grove, Penn. ; John, a farmer of Bald 
 Eagle; Rachel, wife of Martin Funk, who was 
 disabled while a member of the Union army, 
 and is now a resident of Port Matilda, Centre 
 county; and Belle, who has been twice married 
 (her first husband was George Brindle, who was 
 killed in a logging camp, and she afterward wed- 
 ded William Shay, a coal miner and farmer of 
 Blair county). The mother of these children 
 departed this life May 13, 1886, and the father 
 passed away November 26, 1895, at the advanced 
 age of ninety years. 
 
 In August, 1864, Mr. Kelley was drafted for 
 service in the Union army, and became a mem- 
 ber of Company I, 102nd P. V. I., First Brigade, 
 Sixth Army Corps. He participated in a num- 
 ber of battles and skirmishes, including the en- 
 gagements of Winchester and Petersburg. Po- 
 litically, he adheres to the Democratic party, and 
 by his fellow citizens has been elected school di- 
 rector, overseer of the poor, tax collector and 
 constable, the duties of which he discharged in a 
 prompt and most efficient manner. He is an in- 
 telligent, keen-sighted man, of good financial 
 ability, and his upright and honorable course 
 commands the respect and confidence of all with 
 whom he comes in contact either in business or 
 social life. 
 
 J 
 
 ON AS STINE, Sr., is one of the representa- 
 I] tive agriculturists of Patton township, Cen- 
 tre county, whose residence is near the little 
 village of Buffalo Run, and the home with its 
 
 surroundings denotes the supervision of an intel- 
 ligent farmer and capable business man, who at 
 the same time has proved a useful member of 
 society, and one deserving of the esteem and con- 
 fidence of the people around him. 
 
 Mr. Stine was born in Lancaster county, 
 Penn., June 18, 181 8, and is a son of Jonas and 
 Elizabeth (Gray) Stine, both also natives of the 
 Keystone State. They died in Centre county, 
 Penn., the father in August, 1862, and were 
 laid to rest in Gray's cemetery. Our subject 
 is the sixth in order of birth in their family 
 of seven children, the others being as follows: 
 John a cabinet-maker by trade, married Rachel 
 Leary, and died in 1876. Hannah married 
 Jesse Whippo, by whom she had eight chil- 
 dren, and several years after his death she wedded 
 John Hicks, who died in 1890. Leah, a resident 
 of Bald Eagle Valley, Centre county, is the 
 widow of Michael Myers, who died in 1 887. Cath- 
 arine married Joel Lauder, had eight children, 
 and died in 1885. Samuel H. is a farmer in 
 Patton township. Elizabeth died in girlhood. 
 The family is of German origin. 
 
 In the public schools of Patton township, 
 Mr. Stine, the subject of this sketch, obtained a 
 limited education. On March 12, 1841, he was 
 united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Myers, 
 daughter of William Myers, of Patton township, 
 and to them were born fourteen children, as fol- 
 lows: (1) Amanda married a Mr. Sweitzer, and 
 they had three children — Eva, wife of Frank 
 Harris, of Patton township; Alice, wife of Miles 
 Taylor, of the same township; and Susan, wife 
 of George Kline, of Virginia; after the death of 
 her first husband, Amanda married David Kline, 
 of Huston township, Centre county; she receives 
 a pension of $12 per month. (2) William, who 
 is employed in a paper-mill in Johnsonburg, Elk 
 Co., Penn., married Amelia Quigley, of Centre 
 county, and to them were born six children, four 
 of whom are still living. (3) Mary is the wife of 
 David R. Thomas, a farmer of Patton township, 
 by whom she has eight children. (4) George, 
 who is employed in the Scotia mines of Centre 
 county, married Mary McDivitt, and has six 
 children; they make their home in Patton town- 
 ship. (5) John was married, but his wife died 
 February 18, 1896, leaving a twelve-year-old 
 daughter. (6) Jonas, who is clerking in a store 
 in Tyrone, Penn., married Annie Huffman, of 
 Clearfield county, and has two children. (7) 
 Catharine is the wife of William Sellers, a farmer 
 of Patton township, by whom she has four chil- 
 dren. (8) Susan is the wife of Harry Gates, a 
 horse dealer of Elmira, N. Y., by whom she has 
 three children. (9) Emma is the wife of Arthur 
 
472 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE IlIoaRAPHI'M. RECORD. 
 
 Thomas, of Matternville, Centre county, by 
 whom she has a daughter twelve years of age. 
 (10) Sarah is the wife of John Hoy, a merchant 
 and also postmaster, express and ticket agent for 
 tin Bellefonte Central Railroad Company; they 
 have four children. The other four children of 
 our subject died in childho 
 
 Mr. Stine is a stanch supporter of the nun 
 and measures of the Democratic party, and for 
 years has served as chairman of the township 
 central committee. Both himself and wife are 
 sincere and earnest Christians, holding member- 
 ship in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and by 
 a blameless life set a most excellent example be- 
 fore the rising generation. 
 
 JOHN P, i ONDO, ex-sheriff of Centre county, 
 has made his way to popular favor by gen- 
 uine worth and merit, his personal character 
 inspiring and retaining the confidence and esteem 
 of all who come within his influence. He is a 
 born leader of men, and especially qualified for 
 public life, i" which inclination and ability both 
 point as a suitable sphere He has a good edu- 
 
 ion, which with his refinement attract to him 
 the best class of people, while his geniality makes 
 all sorts and all conditions of men at ease in his 
 nee. 
 
 Our subject was born at Spring Mills. Centre 
 county, August m, 1853. and his parents. Daniel 
 and Sarah (Lutz) Condo, were both natives of 
 Penn's Valley, the father born February 11, 1821, 
 and the motherin 1835. Daniel Condo followed 
 the blacksmith's trade during his life, and he was 
 one of the nation's gallant defenders in the Civil 
 war, serving three years with marked courage 
 and devotion He died February 11, 1871, and 
 the widowed mother now resides with her daugh- 
 ter Sarah. Of their numerous family seven 
 children live to maturity, our subject being the 
 youngest. The others are: (l) Cyrus, who had 
 been a resident of California since 1875, and died 
 in May, 1897; (2) James C, now living at Penn 
 Hall; (3) Harriet, the wife of Amos Koch, a 
 farmer of Ferguson township, Centre county; 
 (4) Lot C, a blacksmith at Potters Mills; (5) 
 Jonathan, a merchant at State College; and (6) 
 Mary, who married James Kouch, a blacksmith 
 of Penn township. 
 
 John P. Condo left home at the early age of 
 nine years to do for himself, going to live with 
 James G. Evans, a farmer, with whom he re- 
 mained six years, receiving for his services his 
 board and clothes. When fifteen years of age 
 he began working out, on wages, for different 
 farmers, being two years of this time with J. W, 
 
 Evans, son of his former employer. He worked 
 in this line until he was twenty, when he returned 
 home; however, he had during all the time- 
 assisted in the support of the family, there being 
 three children younger than himself. On his 
 turn home he went to a select school under Prof. 
 Wolf. He next began clerking in a store at 
 Logan Mills for Thomas L. Elgin, remaining 
 occupied for two years. Following this he went 
 to Lock Haven, and there clerked in a general 
 store for J. W. Bridges. In 1S78 he became a 
 traveling salesman for W. J. & I. Smith, grocers 
 of Philadelphia, his territory being in central 
 Pennsylvania. He remained with this firm until 
 1894, when he was elected sheriff of Cento 
 county. He ably and very satisfactorily filled 
 this office until the expiration of his term of 
 office, January 1, 1S97, and did not lose a pris- 
 oner throughout his term. 
 
 Mr. Condo has taken an active part in poli- 
 ties from early manhood, beginning when only 
 twenty -three years of age. He was an advisor 
 in party affairs, often being a delegate to con- 
 ventions. In 1877 he was a delegate to the State 
 Convention. For three years after his marn 
 he made his home in Clinton county, and while 
 there was offered the nomination in that county 
 for the office of register of wills and recorder of 
 deeds, which he declined. His next place of : 
 idence was at Penn Hall, then at Spring Mills, 
 where he resided until elected sheriff. Since 
 retiring from the sheriffalty he has made his home 
 at Millheim, where he is engaged in the mercan- 
 tile business. 
 
 Mr. Condo's wife, formerly Miss Lucilla Mil- 
 ler, who is referred to in the sketch of John S 
 Miller, of Sugar Valley, Clinton county, is a 
 native of Clinton county, Penn., born Septemh< r 
 21, 1 86 1. Two children — Lizzie May and Harry 
 K. — make the home merry. Mr. Condo is a 
 member of the Evangelical Church; socially he 
 is identified with the Masonic order, being a 
 member of Old Fort Lodge No. 527 at C'entr. 
 Hall, and of the Royal Arcanum at Bellefont? 
 
 SAMUEL GARNER. The splendid farm 
 ) owned by this gentleman in College town- 
 ship, Centre county, is a standing monument to 
 his industry, perseverance and good management 
 He comes under the category of "self-made 
 men, having been dependent upon his own re- 
 sources from an early age, and has sua 
 only by the exercise of his steady, plodding labor 
 At the present time, however, he is one of the 
 prominent representatives of the agricultural in- 
 terests of College township. 
 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 473 
 
 Marks Garner, his paternal grandfather, died 
 in Centre county, leaving four children: Daniel, 
 who died when a young man; Joseph, a farmer, 
 who died in 1881, in Crawford county, Penn., 
 where his family are still living; Jacob, who was 
 a farmer of Mercer county, this State, where he 
 •died in 1 891 , leaving a family; and Samuel. 
 The last named, the father of our subject, was 
 born and reared in York county, Penn., where 
 he was married, about 1828, to Anna Sellers, 
 also a native of that county. They became the 
 parents of ten children, namely: William, a 
 blacksmith by trade, who married Sarah Bloom, 
 of near Pine Hall, Penn. ; Elizabeth, wife of 
 John Ludwig, who owns a factory in Ebensburg, 
 Cambria Co., Penn.; Maria, who wedded Jacob 
 Hoots, and died in 1872; Daniel (deceased), who 
 married Sarah Houtz, and lived near Branch, in 
 College township, Centre county; Samuel, of 
 this review; Susan, deceased wife of Henry 
 Sampson, a miller, living near Humes Mills, 
 Spring township, Centre county; Nancy, who 
 married Henry Sampson after the death of her 
 sister; Margaret, wife of George Williams, a 
 plasterer of Lemont, Centre county; John, of 
 State College, who married Sarah Stover, now 
 deceased, and is in the employ of the college di- 
 rectors; and Henrietta, wife of a Mr. Coughler, 
 a carpenter in Kansas. In 1833, the father came 
 to College township, Centre county, where for 
 forty years he lived upon rented farms in the 
 vicinity of Branch cemetery, and there died in 
 1873, just a week prior to his son Daniel's death. 
 His wife departed this life at the same place in 
 1872. 
 
 The gentleman whose name introduces this 
 sketch was born in Boalsburg, Harris township, 
 Centre county, October 19, 1837, and attended 
 school at Shingletown until about sixteen years 
 of age, when he left the school room in order to 
 aid his father in the work of the farm, remaining 
 with him until twenty-four. He and his brother 
 Daniel then undertook the management of the 
 farm, taking care of their parents, and paying off 
 an indebtedness of more than $1,500. So suc- 
 cessful were they that they concluded to purchase 
 a tract of 140 acres near State College, at a cost 
 of $9,800, or $70 per acre, but in less than a 
 year the brother died, leaving our subject with 
 the entire debt and accumulating interest to pay. 
 He not only has discharged the same, but has 
 made many valuable and useful improvements 
 upon the place, including an excellent barn 
 erected at a cost of $1,400, and deserves great 
 credit for the success he has achieved, as both 
 land and farm products have since greatly 
 depreciated in value. 
 
 On September 18, i860, Mr. Garner was 
 joined in wedlock to Miss Julia Aumerman, a 
 daughter of John Aumerman, a farmer of Pleas- 
 ant Gap, Centre county, and they have had a 
 family of ten children, as follows: Anna, wife of 
 Fred Krumrine, living near State College; Ida 
 M., wife of Samuel Sankey, a joiner of Philips- 
 burg, Centre county; Blanche, who died of 
 pneumonia, at the age of twenty; Ella, who died 
 of the same disease at the age of twenty-four; 
 Elizabeth, wife of William Rosier, a civil engin- 
 eer, of Spiras Point, Md. ; William, a graduate 
 of the State College; John, a farmer living near 
 State College, who married Margaret Wise; Net- 
 tie, who is attending the State College; Mildred, 
 at home; and Emma, who died in infancy. 
 
 For the past twenty-three years Mr. Garner 
 has been a worthy member of the Methodist 
 Episcopal Church, of which he has been trustee 
 for several years, and was a member of the build- 
 ing committee at the time of the construction of 
 the house of worship in State College, donating 
 $200 toward the same and $100 toward the 
 parsonage. He is very charitable and liberal, 
 aiding in all worthy enterprises for the good of 
 the community, and the poor and needy ever find 
 in him a friend. His sterling worth is recognized 
 by all with whom he comes in contact, and he is 
 therefore held in the highest regard. Politically 
 he is identified with the Democratic party. 
 
 AUSTIN GRAMLY, the popular proprietor 
 of the " Rebersburg Hotel" at Rebersburg, 
 and a veterinary surgeon, is one of Brush 
 Valley's well-known and highly respected citi- 
 zens, and belongs to a family that have long been 
 prominently identified with the interests of Centre 
 county. His grandfather, John Gramly, was 
 born December 22, 1783, a son of Francis and 
 Barbara (Spangler) Gramly, and on reaching 
 manhood married Catharine Royer, by whom he 
 had ten children — eight sons and two daughters. 
 The grandmother was a native of Snyder county, 
 Penn., where their marriage was celebrated. 
 
 Joseph Gramly, the father of our subject, was 
 born July 22, 1 8 1 1 , on the old homestead near Re- 
 bersburg, where he was reared, and was educated 
 in the schools of the neighborhood. On February 
 20, 1834, he married Miss Esther Schmeltzer, 
 who was born in Kelley township. Union Co. , 
 Penn., July 21, 1815, the eldest of the eight 
 children — four sons and four daughters — of 
 George and Catharine (Beckley) Gramly. Her 
 paternal grandparents, Conrad and Hannah (Gin- 
 ter) Gramly, natives of Germany, paid their pas- 
 sage across the water by work after their arrival 
 
474 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BI0GRAP1WW. RECORD. 
 
 in the United States, it being customary at that 
 time to hire out to the vessel owners, who would 
 sell their services to the farmers or to any others 
 that would buy them. Her grandfather passed 
 the later years of his life in Brush Valley, near 
 Madisonburg. He became quite wealthy, his 
 money being in gold and silver, which he kept in 
 the cellar in a barrel supposed to have contained 
 vinegar. Calling his children together, five in 
 number, he divided his capital among them. 
 There were two sons, George and Jacob. The 
 former, who was a farmer by occupation, lived 
 to be over seventy years of age, and was twice 
 married, but all of his children were of the first 
 wife. 
 
 After his marriage, Joseph Gramly took 
 his bride to the Gramly home, west of Re- 
 bersburg, where he engaged in farming for 
 several years. They became the parents of the 
 following children: Margaret H., born April 5, 
 1835, married David Kahl, and died in Freeport, 
 111., August 24, 1872; Benjamin F., born No- 
 vember 14, 1836, lives in Kane county, 111.; 
 Catharine A., born July 7, 1838, died^in infancy; 
 Sylvester, born October 8, 1839, died in Miles 
 township, Centre county, June 17, 1868; Mary 
 L. , born June 12, 1841, is the wife of Reuben 
 Samuel, living near Rebersburg; James J., born 
 January 23, 1843, is an ex-treasurer of Centre 
 county, and makes his home in Rebersburg; Geste 
 A., born March 14, 1845, married Simon Smull, 
 and after his death wedded Jesse Wirt, of Aarons- 
 burg, Centre county; George S., born April 10, 
 1846, is a farmer of Nittany Valley; Charles H., 
 burn September 20, 1847, is a Methodist minis- 
 ter of Kansas; J. Austin is next in order of birth; 
 Andrew J., born May 24, 185 1, is an Evangeli- 
 cal minister of Inland, Ohio; John C, born Feb- 
 ruary 8, I853, died in July 18, 1855; the next 
 son died in infancy; William Byron, born March 
 12. 1855, died October 25, 1857; Emma J., born 
 October 23, 1857, died April 20, 1877; and a 
 son, born February 4, 1861, died in infancy. 
 
 After the removal of the parents to Rebers- 
 burg in May, [875, the father lived retired until 
 his death, March 9, 1884, and was buried at that 
 place. His widow still lives in the comfortable 
 home left her. For over fifty years they had 
 traveled life's journey together, sharing its joys 
 and sorrows, its adversity and prosperity, and had 
 the esteem and confidence of all who knew them. 
 In politics, Mr. Gramly was a Democrat, and held 
 a number of local offices to the satisfaction of all 
 concerned. He was well posted on the Scrip- 
 tures, being a constant reader of the Bible, had 
 the strictest regard for truth and honor, was tem- 
 perate in all things, and was an active member 
 
 of the Evangelical Church, with which he was 
 officially connected. 
 
 J. A. Gramly, our subject, whose name in- 
 troduces this review, was born in Miles town 
 ship, Centre county. May 10, 1848, and in the 
 schools of the neighborhood began his educa- 
 tion, his first teacher being Samuel Gramly. H> 
 completed his literary course in the Rebersburg 
 Academy. L'pon the home farm he remained 
 until thirteen years of age, when he started to 
 learn the blacksmith's trade with Simon Smull, 
 of Madisonburg, receiving only his board in 
 compensation for his services, but after one year 
 he gave this up and later worked at the wagon - 
 maker's trade with Joseph Weber, of Rebers- 
 burg. At the age of twenty he rented his father's 
 farm, and after operating it for two years, h> 
 sold off his stock and obtained employment as a 
 carpenter. A natural mechanic, he has been 
 able to work at almost any trade, including those 
 of a stone mason and saddler. 
 
 Before he had attained his majority, Mr. 
 Gramly wedded Miss Abbie Weber, a daughter 
 of Joseph and Rebecca (Heckman) Weber, 
 and by this union a family of ten children were 
 born, namely: William, who at present is em- 
 ployed in a mill at Spring Mills, Centre county; 
 Vernie, wife of Floyd Bowersox, of Spring Mills; 
 Charles, at home; Edward, a teacner of Rebers- 
 burg; Esther, at home; Herbert, who died at 
 the age of two years; Oliver, Pines and Emma. 
 all at home; and a son, who died in infancy. 
 The wife and mother, who was a consistent 
 member of the Evangelical Church, departed 
 this life in December, 1887, and was buried at 
 Rebersburg. Later Mr. Gramly married Mi-s 
 Annie Blint, a native of Loganton. Perm., and 
 a daughter of Jacob Blint. 
 
 The first land which our subject owned was 
 seventy-five acres known as the old Kleckner 
 farm, which he improved and subsequently sold, 
 but never lived thereon. Later he purchased 
 fifty acres of the old home farm, and erected 
 all the buildings thereon. There he re 
 until the fall of 1S95 when he came to Rebers- 
 burg to take charge of the " Rebersburg 11 
 which he has since successfully conducted 
 When a boy he became interested in the 
 belonging to his father, and under Dr Hilbish, 
 who recognized his talent for veterinary sui 
 he began the study of that science. During the 
 twenty-five years he has practiced that profession, 
 he has been very successful in his treatment of 
 stock, and his practice covers a radius of twenty- 
 five miles. Of a most generous, kindly nature, 
 he often makes no charges when he knows that 
 his patron is in limited circumstances. 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 475 
 
 Politically, Mr. Gramly has always been 
 identified with the Democratic party, and has 
 creditably served as school director of District 
 No. 4, six years, assessor, three years, and is at 
 present overseer of the poor, which office was 
 entirely unsolicited by him. He is a charter 
 member of Rebersburg Lodge No. 1031, I. O. 
 0. F. His strict integrity and his honorable, 
 upright life, have gained him hosts of warm 
 friends, as well as the confidence of all with 
 whom he has come in contact, and at one time 
 was called upon to act as guardian for fourteen 
 children. 
 
 WILLIAM MILLER is one of the prosper- 
 ous and intelligent farmers of Taylor 
 township, Centre county, residing on the Mount- 
 ain road. He was born September 28, 1831, 
 at Yellow Springs, Huntingdon Co., Penn., a son 
 of Charles and Ann (Bird) Miller, the former a 
 native of Centre county, and the latter of Sinking 
 Valley, Huntingdon (now Blair) county, Penn- 
 sylvania. 
 
 By occupation the father was an iron worker, 
 and on his return to Centre county in 1840, he 
 located at Hannah Furnace, where he died in 
 1852, at the age of forty-five years. He was an 
 Old-line Whig in politics, and was a member of 
 the United Brethren Church, to which his faith- 
 ful wife also belonged. She passed away in 1850, 
 aged forty-five years. In their family were the 
 following children: William, of this sketch; Mar- 
 garet, a resident of Bellefonte, Penn.; John, 
 who is operating a sawmill in Clearfield county, 
 Penn.; Mary A., of Philipsburg, Penn.; George 
 W. , who was killed at the battle of Spottsylvania 
 during the Civil war; Jane, a resident of Belle- 
 fonte; and two who died in infancy. The pater- 
 nal grandfather of our subject died in Philadel- 
 phia, of yellow fever, while on a visit to his 
 daughter. 
 
 William Miller remained at home until it was 
 broken up by the death of his parents. At the 
 eariy age of nine years he began work at the 
 Hannah Furnace, where he was employed until 
 he had reached his twenty-first year, and later 
 was connected with different iron works until 
 i860, when he located upon his present farm, 
 and has since devoted his time and attention to 
 agricultural pursuits with excellent success. In 
 January, 1851, he married Miss Susan Caraher, 
 and to them eight children have been born, 
 namely: Clara, wife of Lewis Sheets, a lumber- 
 man of Janesville, Penn. ; Daniel, a farmer of 
 Osceola, Penn., who married Annie Miller, a rel- 
 ative; Wesley (deceased); Annie, wife of D. S. 
 
 Fleming, of Du Bois, Penn.; Frances, wife of 
 George Copenhaver, a farmer of Osceola; George 
 W., railroad freight agent at Houtzdale, Penn., 
 who married Laura McMunagle; Harry, a pho- 
 tographer, of Tyrone, Penn., and Bertha, at 
 home. 
 
 Mrs. Miller was born March 19, 1832, in 
 Sinking Valley, Huntingdon Co., Penn., and is a 
 daughter of Daniel and Catherine (Waite) Cara- 
 her, natives of York county and Huntingdon 
 county, respectively. They were married in the 
 latter county, where they remained until 1848, 
 when they came to Centre county, locating at 
 Hannah Furnace, where the mother died in 1850, 
 at the age of fifty-three years. A year later the 
 father removed to the farm on which our subject 
 now resides, and there continued to make his 
 home. He died, however, in Blair county, while 
 on a visit to a daughter. He followed black- 
 smithing in early life, but later lived retired, en- 
 joying a well-earned rest. The following chil- 
 dren were born to Mr. and Mrs. Caraher: Sam- 
 uel (deceased); Margaret, widow of David Brat- 
 ton, a blacksmith and later a farmer; Eva E., 
 Michael and Abraham, all three deceased; 
 Alfred, ablacksmith, of Houtzdale, Penn. ; Susan, 
 wife of our subject; Mary, wife of William Clark, 
 of Houtzdale; Catherine, widow of Jacob Rider, 
 of Guthrie county, Iowa; Henrietta, widow of 
 John Cline, of Bellefonte, Penn., and one who 
 died in infancy. 
 
 Both Mr. and Mrs. Miller remember when 
 their homes seemed to be on the frontier, and 
 game and other wild animals were very plentiful. 
 One day, while in the timber looking for her 
 cows, she was approached by three wolves, which 
 she at first took to be her dogs, and on realizing 
 what the animals were was very much frightened, 
 but succeeded in driving them away. In April, 
 1892, Mr. Miller met with a misfortune in the 
 loss of his home, which was destroyed by fire. 
 Not only did he lose his nine-room house, but 
 the family records and most of the furniture and 
 personal effects were also consumed. He has 
 since erected his present comfortable and com- 
 modious dwelling, about twenty feet from the 
 former site, whose exterior surroundings denote 
 thrift and comfort, while the interior domestic 
 economy and arrangements show the intelligence, 
 culture and refinement of the owners. 
 
 Politically, Mr. Miller is identified with the 
 Republican party, has served as school director 
 for four years, supervisor ten years, overseer of 
 the poor one year, and collector twelve years. 
 Public-spirited and enterprising, he gives his sup- 
 port to all worthy objects tending to promote the 
 welfare of the community, and was instrumental 
 
176 
 
 ( OMMBMOBA TIVB BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 in building the plank road running from Union- 
 ville to Tyrone. He is widely and favorably 
 known, and enjoys the confidence and respect of 
 all with whom he has come in contact. 
 
 JASPER N BROOKS. I S. storekeeper and 
 ganger at Pleasant Gap, Centre county, is 
 one of the native sons of that locality, and 
 has spent his entire life there. He is both wideb- 
 and favorably known, and the acquaintances of 
 Ins boyhood are now numbered among his stanch- 
 est friends a fact which indicates a well-spent 
 life. He was born in Spring township, May 26, 
 1845, a son (jf Richardson and Jane E. (Ralston) 
 Brooks, highly respected citizens of the locality. 
 The former was born in Centre county, and his 
 father was a native of Chester county, Penn 
 Throughout his life Richardson Brooks followed 
 the occupation of farming, and in 1894 he passed 
 from earth. His wife was born in Lancaster 
 county, Penn., and her father was a native of 
 England. 
 
 Mi. and Mrs. K. Brooks had a famil\ oi ten 
 children, the subject of this review being the 
 
 second ii ler of birth. The others are (1 
 
 fames R., who married Sarah Evey, by whom 
 be had four children; after her death he wedded 
 Sarah Caldwell, by whom he also had four chil- 
 dren; his home is in Spring township, Centre 
 county. (3) Elmira is the wife of Henry Twit- 
 myer, of Pleasant Cap (4) Rebecca is the wife 
 of Dr. John Bilger, who is engaged in the prac- 
 tice of veterinary surgery; they have six chil- 
 dren. (5) William S. resides in Pleasant Gap; 
 he married Mary Gross, and they have seven 
 children. (6) Li Hie I), is the wife of John Show- 
 ers. (7) Samuel is engaged in school teaching. 
 
 Annie is the wife of Coke Bell, of Bellefonte, 
 Penn. (9) Lemuel married Annie Bell, and is 
 employed as a traveling salesman, (io) Fanny 
 died in infancy. 
 
 [asper N. Brooks obtained his education in 
 the public schools of Spring township, and has 
 always lived in that locality. He belongs to one 
 of the old families of the county, and for fifty- 
 one years he has been identified with its inter- 
 ests. In his early life he learned the carpenter's 
 trade, and for a number of years followed that 
 vocation, many evidences of his handiwork and 
 skill being seen in his section of the county. 
 Recently he has established a planing-mill and 
 carpenter shop in Pleasant Gap, and in his busi- 
 ness efforts is meeting with good success, having 
 now a liberal patronage. He is also serving as 
 U. S. storekeeper and gauger. 
 
 In 1872 Mr. Brooks was married to Miss 
 
 Sarah Watson, and they have three children 
 Anna, Paul P.'and Helen. In his political ad- 
 herency Mr. Brooks is a Democrat, giving his sup- 
 port to the men and measures of that party. In 
 religious belief he is an Adventist, and all whi 
 know him regard him as a worthy citizen and 
 straightforward business man, well meriting th. 
 respect in which he is held. 
 
 LC. RERICK, a worthy representative of th. 
 ricultural interests of Benner township. 
 1 Centre county, was born August 16, 1845, and i- 
 a son of Daniel and Polly (Neff) Rerick, both 
 now deceased, the former dying of heart dis- 
 when in his sixty-eighth year. The mother. 
 whose birth occurred October 28. 1806, wa 
 called to her final rest October 24, [885. B> 
 trade the father was a shoemaker, but for thi 
 last twenty years of his life he followed agricult- 
 ural pursuits. 
 
 Our subject is the sixth in order of birth in a 
 family of seven children, the others being as fol- 
 lows; Israel and Elizabeth both died in infanc) 
 John, born February 28, [835, married Kat< Mi 
 ( lintock, and died March 20, 1865. in Bennei 
 township, Centre county, where his entire life 
 had been passed. Sarah J. is tin wile of Will- 
 iam A. Thompson, of Brookville, Penn. Mar\ 
 A. resides with our subject. William died at the 
 age of six years, nine months and ten days. The 
 paternal grandfather made his home in Union 
 county, Penn. L. C, our subject, remained be- 
 neath the parental roof during his youth, and 
 drew his excellent education from the schools of 
 the locality. Having always been studiously in 
 clined and fond of reading, he has added mater- 
 ially, through the course of a busy life, a large 
 amount of useful information to his stock of 
 knowledge. For fourteen years during the winter 
 season he successfully engaged in teaching school, 
 and still holds a teacher's certificate issued by 
 Prof. J. P. Kickersham, once State superintend- 
 ent of schools. Early in life he was made ac- 
 quainted with the theory and practice of agri- 
 culture, and is now one of the most thor&ugh 
 and skillful farmers of Benner township. He is 
 also interested in a steam thresher. 
 
 On October 23, 1869, Mr. Rerick married 
 Miss Lizzie D. Eckley, and to them have been 
 born seven children: Newton J. ; Aggie B. ; Lloyd 
 M., who is a member of Company B, Pennsyl- 
 vania State Guards; William B. ; Harry I).; Ed- 
 gar D. and Lillie T. Mr. Rerick is an earn. ! 
 supporter of the principles of the Democracy 
 which he always supports by his ballot, and is 
 now serving as assessor of Benner township 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 All 
 
 Socially he holds membership in the Grange, and 
 in religious belief is a Lutheran. He is highly 
 respected and honored by a wide circle of ac- 
 quaintances, and is one of the representative 
 men of Centre county. 
 
 F\ 0. HOSTERMAN, of the firm of Hoster- 
 man & Stover, leading hardware merchants 
 of Millheim, Centre county, is but a recent ac- 
 quisition to the goodly array of progressive busi- 
 ness men in that thriving town, but his ability, 
 enterprise and upright methods have already es- 
 tablished for him an enviable reputation. Al- 
 though he is still a young man comparatively, 
 his popularity is established on a firm basis — 
 that of his own well-tested merit. 
 
 Mr. Hosterman was born March 5, 1859, in 
 Haines township, Centre county, where his an- 
 cestors were early settlers. His father, Jacob 
 Hosterman, a son of John Hosterman, was born 
 July 13, 1 8 14, and was reared to manhood in 
 Haines township, near Fiedler post office. His 
 early education was mainly obtained in the Ger- 
 man schools of the day, but his native talents en- 
 abled him to gain an honorable place in life by 
 almost unaided effort. For twenty-five years he 
 was justice of the peace, and he was known as 
 " Squire " Hosterman throughout that section. 
 He was a large man, well built and very robust, 
 and did much hard work in his day, gaining a 
 comfortable competence. While he was never 
 a politician, he gave his hearty support as a citi- 
 zen to the Democratic ticket on all occasions. 
 He was married in Haines township, to Miss 
 Anna Bower, a native of the township, born Au- 
 gust 3, 1 8 16, the daughter of Adam and Elizabeth 
 (Ocks) Bower. 
 
 Soon after marriage Squire Hosterman locat- 
 ed near Fiedler P. O., upon a farm which he 
 owned there, and to which he devoted most of 
 his time. As he was a blacksmith by trade, he 
 established a shop on the place and continued 
 the business many years. His wife, a most es- 
 timable woman, was a Lutheran in faith, but he 
 belonged to the Reformed Church, and was an 
 active worker, attending regularly and holding 
 various offices. He died May 28, 1871, and Mrs. 
 Hosterman afterward made her home with her 
 son Robert until her death, which occurred 
 February 12, 1879. The mortal remains of 
 both now rest in St. Paul's cemetery. Their 
 children were Susan, now Mrs. W. K. Stover, of 
 Haines township; Charles, who died in Nittany 
 Valley, leaving a family; Robert P., a farmer of 
 Hainestownship; Mary, who died at an early age: 
 A. Jackson, who died at Aaronsburg leaving a 
 
 family; James M., who died in infancy; and Fred- 
 erick O., our subject. 
 
 When F. O. Hosterman began his studies, 
 the schools of this section were by no means on 
 a par with those of to-day, and the remembrance 
 of his limited opportunities makes him, though 
 childless himself, a stanch friend of improvement 
 in this line for the benefit of coming generations. 
 At thirteen, being large and strong for his age, 
 he began working as a farm hand for an uncle, 
 D. O. Bowers, in Union county, receiving $7 a 
 month. He remained there but a short time, 
 however, and returning to Haines township he 
 made his home with a brother, his father being 
 dead. He enjoyed the advantages of one season 
 in school at Aaronsburg before his days as a stu- 
 dent were ended. In 1880 he went to the vicin- 
 ity of Bellevue, Ohio, and spent the summer as 
 a farm hand, returning to Pennsylvania in the 
 fall. Shortly afterward he became a clerk in 
 the store of Fiedler & Runkle, at Fiedler, Cen- 
 tre county, and his three and a half years there 
 gave him his first practical knowledge of mercan- 
 tile business. Later he purchased the store from 
 Mr. Fiedler, giving his note for the entire amount, 
 as his available capital was needed to buy stock. 
 This transaction is noteworthy as indicating the 
 confidence which his former employer reposed in 
 him. Mr. Hosterman conducted the business 
 successfully for eight years, and having been in- 
 strumental in securing a post office at Fiedler he 
 was placed in charge, and served six years as 
 postmaster in addition to his other business. In 
 the spring of 1893 he disposed of his interests, 
 which were then in a flourishing condition, and 
 moved to Millheim, but did not engage in any 
 enterprise until the fall of 1894, when he bought 
 the hardware business of J. C. Smith. In this 
 he has made a great success, as has been said, 
 and the business is now the most extensive of 
 the kind in Penn's Valley. 
 
 On December 28, 1884, Mr. Hosterman was 
 married, in his native township, to Miss Susan 
 Stover, daughter of Noah and Rachel (Shirk) 
 Stover, prominent residents of that locality. 
 Mrs. Hosterman was the second child and daugh- 
 ter in a family of six — four daughters and two 
 sons. In 1895, Mr. Hosterman built one of the 
 finest homes in Millheim — where fine homes are 
 no rarity — and the beauty of its location, com- 
 bined with architectural effect, make it an ideally 
 attractive spot. Mr. and Mrs. Hosterman have 
 had one daughter, Maud, who died in infancy. 
 
 One important factor in Mr. Hosterman's 
 success is his unfailing courtesy and willingness 
 to oblige others. As a citizen he is no less pro- 
 gressive and enterprising than in his private af- 
 
17> 
 
 ' -OMMKMOUA TI VK MOCHA Villi .1 /. UF.l DUD. 
 
 fairs, and that this is appreciated by his fellow- 
 citizens is seen by his election to his present seat 
 in the city council after a shorter residence in 
 the place than any other member who ever 
 served therein. He is a steadfast Democrat, but 
 the life of a regular politician has for him no 
 charms. 
 
 JSPIGELMYER is unquestionably one of the 
 most influential and wide-awake business 
 men, whose lives have become an essential 
 part of the commercial and industrial history of 
 Centre county. Tireless energy, keen percep- 
 tion, honesty of purpose, genius for devising and 
 cuting the ri^ht thing at the right time, joined 
 to every-day common sense, guided by resistless 
 will power, are the chief characteristics of the 
 man. He is not only one of the most enterprising 
 merchants of Nfillbeim, but also conducts the 
 leading livery stable in the place, and is exten- 
 sively engaged in the coal and sawmill business, 
 thus giving employment to many men, and ad- 
 vancing the interests of the community. 
 
 Mr. Spigelmyer was born July 23, 1853, in 
 Hartleton, Union Co., Penn., and is a worth) 
 n presentative of one of the old families of that 
 place. His father, Shem Spigelmyer, was there 
 horn, and was a son of Daniel Spigelmyer, a 
 prominent merchant and farmer of that locality. 
 Shem Spigelmyer wedded Mary J. Lashell, and 
 to them were born seven children who are yet 
 living, and four now deceased. Those who still 
 survive are (',. R. , a merchant of Bellefonte, 
 Centre county; Mary, widow of James Haas, of 
 Mifflinburg, Penn.; Shem, also a merchant of 
 Bellefonte. J , of this -ketch; Hannah J., wife of 
 James Chambers, of Mifflinburg; Charles D., of 
 Williamsport, Penn. ; and Lydia L., wife of James 
 Aurand, of Milroy, Penn. The father was for 
 many years successfully engaged in mercantile 
 pursuits, but is now living a retired life at the 
 ol seventy four, a highly respected and valued 
 citizen of the community where he makes his 
 home. He was practically thrown upon bis own 
 
 resources when a y< g man, and through his 
 
 own efforts amassed a comfortable competence. 
 He faithfully performs every duty of citizenship, 
 and at the polls uniformly votes the Republii 
 ticket. For years he has been a worthy mem- 
 ber of the Presbyti nan Church, to which his es- 
 timable wife also belonged. She departed this 
 life in Mifflinburg when over sixty years of 
 and there her remains were interred. She was 
 of Scotch descent, while her husband was of 
 German 01 igin. 
 
 During his boyhood our subject attended the 
 
 public schools of his native place, and later wa< 
 a student in the seminary at New Berlin, Penn 
 When old enough to see above the counter h< 
 began assisting his father in the store, out of 
 school hours, and thus early acquired a good 
 practical knowledge of business methods. Be- 
 fore attaining his majority he became a member 
 of the firm of Spigelmyer & Sons, who were then 
 conducting stores in Hartleton and Woodward. 
 Centre county. At the age of twenty-one he 
 was married, in Mifflinburg, to Miss Mar) ( 
 Vurand, a native of Lewisburg, Penn., and a 
 daughter of John Aurand, a farmer by occupa- 
 tion She received the benefit of more than or- 
 dinary education, being a student in advanced 
 institutions of learning. By her marriage she 
 has become the mother of one daughter. Cam. 
 M . an accomplished young lady. 
 
 On dissolving his business connection with 
 his father and brothers, Mr. Spigelmyer first 
 tablished a store in Centre Hall, Penn., but aft 
 one year removed to Rebersburg, Centre count\ . 
 and in 1880 established his present general store 
 in Millheini. which he has since successfully con- 
 ducted. In connection with his various busini 
 enterprises he also owns three good residences 
 and three store buildings. He is one of the 
 most progressive, public -spirited and enter- 
 prising citizens of Millheim, doing all in hi> 
 power to further the interests of the place, and 
 promote the general welfare. In manner 
 is pleasant and genial, in disposition kindly, and 
 the high regard in which he is universally held is 
 well deserved. He is a stalwart Republican in 
 politics, and though the town has a strong Dem- 
 ocratic majority, he was elected chief burgess, a 
 fact which plainly indicates his popularity and 
 the confidence and trust reposed in him. Soci- 
 ally he is a member of the Knights of the Golden 
 Eagle No. 353, of Millheim, and his estimal 
 wife is a member of the Evangelical Church. 
 
 SIDNEY W. BAIRFOOT, who in his lifetime 
 w.is one of the prominent and represent 
 citizens of Centre Hall, Centre county. | 
 away 011 the 26th of October, iSSS, after a life 
 of industry, and rich in those rare possessions 
 which only a high character can give, lb 
 labored with all the strength of a great nature 
 and all the earnestness of a true heart for the 
 bettering of the world about him, and when he 
 was called to the rest and reward of the l 
 world his best monument was found in the love 
 and respect of the community in which al 
 ins entiri life had been passed. 
 
 In Milroy, Penn., Mr. Bairfoot was 1 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 479 
 
 Tuly 10, 1854, and he first came to Centre county 
 when he was seven years of age, going with his 
 mother to the home of ex-County Treasurer D. 
 C. Keller, of Potter township, where she was em- 
 ployed as a seamstress. When she was ready to 
 leave, such an attachment had sprung up between 
 Mr. Keller and the child that she concluded to 
 allow him to remain for a time; but each day 
 tightened the bands of friendship and the in- 
 tended temporary stay became permanent. 
 Being an excellent boy, he fortunately had a 
 home with one of the best families of Potter 
 township, where his traits of character were ap- 
 preciated, and he was treated as one of the 
 family. In the schools of Centre Hall he 
 obtained a good practical education. 
 
 When a young man, Mr. Bairfoot began his 
 business career as a clerk in a general store in 
 Lewistown, Penn., where he remained for eight- 
 een months, and subsequently for several years 
 served as manager of a store for his uncle in 
 Chicago, 111. During that time, however, he 
 contracted malaria, which necessitated his re- 
 turning "home", as he called it. Mr. Keller 
 beingengaged in the buying and selling of stock in 
 Centre Hall, he became familiar with the business, 
 which he followed after that gentleman's election 
 to the office of treasurer of Centre county, and 
 for some time was his partner in business. He 
 was the trusted confidant of Mr. Keller, and in 
 no instance was that confidence ever abused. In 
 all the relations of life he was upright and hon- 
 orable, and thus had the respect and esteem of all 
 with whom he came in contact. On July 14, 
 1886, in Centre Hall, he wedded Miss Flora O. 
 Neff, who was born February 2, 1855, the only 
 child of Dr. P. D. and Sarah C. (Motz) Neff. 
 Herbirth occurred in Aaronsburg, Centre county, 
 but since the age of three years she has made her 
 home in Centre Hall. When twelve she entered 
 the Moravian Academy at Bethlehem, Penn., 
 where she graduated July I, 1873. 
 
 Dr. Neff, one of the most successful practi- 
 tioners and business men of Centre county, was 
 born in 18 17, and was the son of Major John 
 Neff, who was prominent in the early history of 
 Penn's Valley. The latter was born in 1790, 
 and died April 4, 1870, in Centre Hall. In 1858 
 the Doctor left Aaronsburg and located in 
 Centre Hall, where he soon built up an excellent 
 practice and accumulated a handsome property. 
 He continued the prosecution of his profession 
 up to his death, which occurred April 7, 1880, 
 at the bedside of a patient in Potter township. 
 His loving wife survived him until April 7, 1887, 
 and both now rest in the cemetery of Centre 
 Hall. She belonged to the well-known Motz 
 
 family of Woodward, Penn., a daughter of John 
 and Elizabeth (Fisher) Motz. The Doctor and 
 his wife were held in the highest regard through- 
 out the community, with whose interests they 
 had long and prominently been identified. His 
 father being a farmer, the Doctor passed his 
 early life on a farm, but he was always a great 
 student, and his daughter has often heard him 
 speak of his studying at nights and working hard 
 to secure his education. He was a graduate of 
 Jefferson Medical College. In politics he was a 
 Democrat, but not active or obtrusive in the 
 work of the party. 
 
 Early in the year 1886, Mr. Bairfoot pur- 
 chased a stationery store in Bellefonte, which he 
 conducted in partnership with Oscar Wetzel for 
 a time, and then became sole owner, but failing 
 health necessitated his selling out, which he did 
 in May, 1888. He then removed to the old 
 homestead of Dr. Neff in Centre Hall, where his 
 death occurred. Politically he was a Democrat, 
 but never aspired to public office. As a young 
 man he was steady and reliable, which traits 
 characterized his entire career. He was quiet 
 and unassuming, a man of few words, but a great 
 reader and excellent penman. When a boy, in 
 Lewistown, Penn., he committed to memory a 
 certain amount of the catechism, and far excelled 
 the other competitors who were striving for the 
 prize — a dictionary — which he presented to the 
 Sabbath-school where he won it. He was a 
 great Bible student, followed closely its teach- 
 ings, and was a faithful member of the Lutheran 
 Church. His name will be cherished for many 
 generations, as that of a man who acted well his 
 part and lived a worthy and honorable life. Mrs. 
 Bairfoot, who still survives her husband, occu- 
 pies the old homestead of her parents, and is 
 surrounded by many warm friends and acquaint- 
 ances, who have for her the highest regard. 
 
 JOHN ANDREW HUNTER, B. S. and M. 
 E., instructor in mechanical engineering at 
 Pennsylvania State College, is rapidly win- 
 ning distinction as an able and successful educa- 
 tor. To judge of his future by his past, we may 
 well believe that his steady purpose will carry 
 him forward to increased effectiveness and wider 
 influence. 
 
 Mr. Hunter is a native of Half Moon Valley, 
 Centre county, having first seen the light at 
 Stormstown, May 15, 1868. His father, John A. 
 Hunter, Sr. , a native of Pine Grove, has been 
 for many years a prominent agriculturist at 
 Stormstown, and he and his wife, Elizabeth El- 
 
1-n 
 
 (OMMHMOUA TIVB BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 der, are among the most highly esteemed resi- 
 dents of that vicinity. 
 
 Prof. Hunter enjoyed in boyhood the benefits 
 of wholesome country life, and in 1884 he left 
 the old farm to enter the preparatory department 
 of State College. In 1890 he completed the 
 course in mechanical engineering, graduating with 
 the degree ot 1! S. In the same year he began 
 his professional career as an instructor in Me- 
 chanic Arts at Macon, da., and soon after was 
 appointed principal of Parson's Technological 
 School at Savannah, Ga., where he remained un- 
 til 1893. He then returned to his Alma Mater 
 for a post-graduate course in mechanical and 
 electrical engineering, gaining the degree of M. 
 E. In 1894 he assumed the duties of his present 
 position, for which his abilities and training have 
 admirably fitted him. 
 
 Prof. Hunter is a member of the Scientific 
 Association of State College, and, while thor- 
 oughly devoted to his chosen line of study, he 
 takes an intelligent interest in all questions of the 
 time. In his political views he is a Democrat. 
 So far Prof. Hunter has not joined the ranks of 
 the happy benedicts. 
 
 WILLIAM II DENLINGER, of the well- 
 known firm of Denlinger Bros., whole- 
 sale jobbers in oil, with offices in Pittsburg and 
 Philipsburg, is a citizen whose history and char- 
 acter are especially deserving ol portrayal in a 
 volume which aims to preserve the records of 
 leading men An able, energetic business man, 
 he is actively interested in many important enter- 
 prises, while at the same time his public spirit is 
 manifested in his hearty co-operation in the varied 
 phases of local progress — social, political, and 
 philanthropic. 
 
 Our subject is a native of the Keystone State, 
 born November 13, 1*53. and is descended from 
 an old Pennsylvania-Dutch family, his ancesl 
 having located in Lancaster county at a ver) 
 early period. His grandfather, Christian Den- 
 linger, left that locality with two brothers, Mar- 
 tin and Henry, to make their homes in Blair 
 county, Penn. The descendants ol the brothers 
 are now located mainly at different points in the 
 West. Christian Denlinger settled near Holli- 
 daysburg, and married Miss Jane Holliday, a 
 member of the honored pioneer family f"r whom 
 that city was named. 
 
 Our subject's father, Christian Denlingei 
 was born in Blair county, in 1823. He had one 
 brother, William, now a resident of Michigan, 
 and formerly a prominent journalist of Weston. 
 Penn A half-sister, Lli/abeth, married John 
 
 Jones, of Westmoreland county, Penn., and died 
 in 1865. Christian Denlinger (21 followed the 
 carpenter's trade in early life, and later was for 
 many years an official in the Allegheny County 
 Work House. He was married in Pittsburg to 
 Miss Fannie Shidle, a native of that city, born 
 m 1825, who died in April, 1S65. his own death 
 occurring in June, 1891. The Shidle family - 
 of Maryland stock, and James Shidle, grand- 
 father of our subject, left his home in Baltimore 
 to locate in Pittsburg, walking the entire distance 
 on the old National turnpike. He was born in 
 1800, and died in 1879. His wife's maiden name 
 was Elmira Crosby, and they had six children: 
 Geter, John, Henry, James, George, and Fannie 
 ( Mrs. Denlinger). To Christian and Fannie Den- 
 linger four children were born: Jennie, who died 
 in infancy; Elmira C, wife of John Van Bus- 
 kirk, of Pittsburg; William H., subject of this 
 sketch; and James S., who was born January 2, 
 1856, and was reared in Pittsburg. He married 
 Miss Alice Goff, and has four children: Fanni. 
 William Holliday, Christian and Charlotte. 
 
 William H. Denlinger received his education 
 in Pittsburg, but as a boy he spent seven years 
 in Minnesota, his parents having gone there 
 temporarily. His unusual ability attracted at- 
 tention before he had outlived his "teens, 
 and he was appointed to the office of deputy 
 gauger of Pittsburg, in which capacity he set 
 for nine years. In 1879 he and his brother 
 James S., formed the firm of Denlinger Bi 
 with the main house at No. 804 Duquesneway. 
 Pittsburg. In order to accommodate their rapid 1) 
 developing trade, they opened the branch office 
 at Philipsburg in 1883, with W. H. Denlinger in 
 charge. By his characteristic energy and tact he 
 has greatly increased the scope of the busun 
 and at the same time he has identified himself 
 thoroughly with the interests of the locality 
 which he has chosen for a home. Few nun, 
 perhaps none, are more active and influential in 
 the various public and semi-public moveiw 
 there, certainly no other man of his years can 
 compare with him in this regard. He is pri 
 dent of the Board of Trade; president of the 
 Citizens Building & Loan Association; was pi 
 dent id the Borough Council in 1896; a dire, 
 in the Welivar Manufacturing Company. »M 
 lent of the furniture factors 
 
 Mrs. Denlinger is a member of the Catholic 
 Church, while Mr. Denlinger, though no mein- 
 
 of any religious persuasion, is a liberal' 
 tributor to all. Socially, he and his ace 
 plished wife are an acquisition to Philips 
 
 is married June 4, 1889, to Miss N.mn M 
 ' I I aughlin, a native of Clearfield, born \ 
 

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 481 
 
 i 5, i S65. Her father, James McLaughlin, was 
 formerly treasurer of Clearfield county. Two 
 sons, William H., Jr., and James McLaughlin 
 Denlinger have blessed this union. Mr. Den- 
 linger is an active worker in the Masonic order, 
 and is a past master of Moshannon Lodge No. 
 391; past high priest of Clearfield Chapter No. 
 228; and post E. C. commander of Moshannon 
 Commandery No. 74. In politics he is a Demo- 
 crat, but takes no active interest therein except 
 for his friends. 
 
 Christian Denlinger, our subject's father, 
 served three years in the war of the Rebellion, 
 as corporal in the Second Minnesota Battery of 
 Artillery, was never wounded, but was taken 
 prisoner near Shelbyville, Tenn., confined in 
 Libby Prison a short time, and exchanged in the 
 spring of 1864. At that time he was sick, and 
 his son, our subject, went to Annapolis to visit 
 him, and there entered the service of Dr. Van- 
 degrift, surgeon-in-charge, as orderly, and served 
 till the close of the war. 
 
 PERRY H. STOVER, senior member of the 
 well-known firm of Stover & Whitmyer, 
 lumber merchants of Coburn, Centre county, is 
 an able business man and a public-spirited citizen 
 whose genial disposition and high character have 
 attracted to him a host of friends. 
 
 As he is descended from two leading families, a 
 review of his ancestral history will be of interest. 
 His great-grandfather, George Stover, had but 
 two children, Jacob and John, of whom the 
 former went to California during the ' ' gold fever" 
 of 1849, and while at sea on his way home a few 
 years later, had a sunstroke, from the effects of 
 which he died at La Crosse, Wis. John Stover, 
 the grandfather of our subject, was killed in early 
 manhood while blasting rock in the construction 
 of the first railroad from Millheim to Brush Val- 
 ley, which lay along Elk creek, but on the oppo- 
 site side from the present road. His wife, Mary 
 (Yeagley), died from colic, neither of them having 
 attained the age of twenty-one. Both were 
 buried at Aaronsburg, where they resided when 
 their only child, George W., was born, February 
 17, 1826. 
 
 The late George W. Stover, the father of our 
 subject, was reared by his maternal grandmother, 
 Anna Maria Yeagley, wife of John Yeagley, in 
 what was then Haines (now Penn) township, 
 Centre county. After a course in the district 
 schools he studied higher branches at Mifrlintown 
 and Mifflinburg, and, thus prepared, began the 
 work of teaching, in which he continued success- 
 fully for three or four years. In 1842 he began 
 
 31 
 
 to learn the miller's trade at Pine Creek Mills, 
 and after acquiring a knowledge of the work re- 
 mained there for a time as an employee. Later he 
 engaged in mercantile business at Nittany Hall. In 
 1 848 Mr. Stover was married in Haines township, 
 by Rev. Mr. Reese, a Lutheran minister, to Miss 
 Malinda A. Kreider, who was born September 
 13, 1829, in Lebanon, Penn., where her grand- 
 father, Jacob Kreider, was a well-known citizen 
 in his day. He and his wife, Catherine (Smith), 
 reared a family of five children — two sons and 
 three daughters — Philip, Mrs. Stover's father, 
 being the eldest. The other son, Jacob, died in 
 1 S 1 1 . 
 
 Philip Kreider married Leah Bowman, and in 
 April, 1834, removed with his family to the pres- 
 ent site of Centre Hall, traveling in a wagon, 
 the journey from Lebanon county requiring three 
 days. He and Christian Hoffer, who with his 
 family made the trip at the same time, purchased 
 what was then known as the James Lyons farm, 
 and divided it, Mr. Kreider taking the lower por- 
 tion where Centre Hall now stands. Four 
 years later he moved to Linden Hall, and after 
 one year there located in what is now Penn 
 township, Centre county. He was a carpenter 
 in his younger days, later becoming a merchant 
 and hotel keeper, his thrifty and industrious life 
 enabling him to secure a comfortable competence. 
 He and his wife were devout members of the Re- 
 formed Church, and were highly esteemed in the 
 community. The wife died April 4, 1836, the 
 husband on January 7, 1842, and the remains of 
 both were laid to rest at Aaronsburg. Their 
 children were Malinda A. (Mrs. Stover); Will- 
 iam S., who died in 1855 in Penn township. 
 Centre county; Rosanna. who died in infancy; 
 John P., who died in Miles township, Centre 
 county, at the age of forty-four; George B. and 
 Reuben H., who died in infancy; Jacob B., a 
 physician at Bucyrus, Ohio, and Mary C, now 
 Mrs. Daniel Weaver, of Miles township, Centre 
 county. 
 
 Our subject's parents began housekeeping at 
 Nittany Hall, and remained until June, 1849, 
 when they settled upon the farm now occupied 
 by Mrs. Stover. It had belonged to her father, 
 and the claims of the other heirs were purchased 
 in order to acquire it. There was only a log 
 cabin upon the place, once used as a distillery, 
 but they made their home there until the pres- 
 ent comfortable residence could be built. The 
 first purchase was five acres, and later eighty 
 acres adjoining were secured to make the farm 
 as it is to-day. Before leaving Nittany Valley, 
 Mr. Stover had bought tracts of timber land, 
 which he afterward developed profitably. In 
 
182 
 
 CO UMBMQRATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 the spring of 1859 he engaged in the distillery 
 business in a small way, continuing more than 
 twenty-five year.--, and this and other enterprises 
 so t-i I his time that the care of the farm 
 
 was left to the otlur members of the family or 
 to hired help. During the last rive years of his 
 life he suffered from paralysis. His death oc- 
 curred Ma) 2, [889, and he was buried at Aa- 
 ronsburg. 
 
 more than forty-five years he was a promi- 
 nent member of the Reformed Church, serving 
 ■ Urn as deacon, and being always ready to con- 
 tribute toward the advancement of the work. 
 He helped to build three churches of this denom- 
 ination, his liberality in this direction being one 
 phase ot a lifelong interest in all the movements 
 which would promote the public welfare. He 
 was a Democrat, although the family had in the 
 mam belonged to other parties. His interest in 
 public affairs was keen, and he served in various 
 township offices — auditor, school director, asses- 
 sor and |ii>ti(e of the peace — and he was a warm 
 friend of improvement in the schools of his dis- 
 trict, At his death he left his property to his 
 widow, a woman of kindly heart and noble char- 
 
 1. who was of great assistance to him in his 
 career. She is well preserved, and although she 
 has met with accidents at various times which 
 have caused seven bone fractures, she has un- 
 usual vitality and is very active for one of her 
 Her memory is remarkable, especially of 
 dates, her reminiscences of early life being very in- 
 teresting, and her natural abilities are of a high 
 order. Sine, 1844 she has been a constant 
 member of the Reformed Church. Our subject 
 was the tirst child in a family of five, the others 
 being Mary E., born October 29, i S 53, mar- 
 ried Thomas B. Mot/, of Penn township, Centre 
 county; John C, born May 27, 1855, died Octo- 
 1m 1 20, [893, leaving a widow; Oscar J., born 
 July, 25, i860, lived only two years; Kinder H., 
 born July 12, 1873, is a telegraph operator 
 
 Pens II Stover was born at Nittany Flail, 
 1 en iber 4, 1S4S, and was but a 
 
 child when his parent- removed to the present 
 homestead. He attended the local schools. 
 which were much inferior to those of the present 
 daw and then pursued his studies further at Re- 
 bersburg under Supt, Magee, and at Aaronsburg 
 with Prof. Gotwalt. His parents being well- 
 to-do, and basing a high estimate of the value ol 
 a good education, gave to all their children much 
 better opportunities than fell to the lot of most 
 young people of their time. On leaving school, 
 Mi. Stover taught successfully for three years in 
 Penn township, Centre county, and Long Swamp, 
 Berks Co., Penn. All his spare time, either as 
 
 student or teacher, was spent at home, his father 's 
 numerous and varied enterprises affording an 
 abundance of work for him as the eldest son. 
 Later he gave his entire attention to these inb r- 
 ests, residing with his parents until October. 
 1877, and his services were of no small value. 
 
 In 1X75, Mr. Stover was married in Mil - 
 township, Centre county, to Miss Eliza J. Wolf, 
 who was born August 1, 1851, the daughter of 
 Henry Wolf, a leading farmer of Brush Valley. 
 In the fall of 1877. Mr. Stover and his young 
 wife removed to Coburn, where he opened 
 the "Coburn Hotel, "a well-known hostelry built 
 by his father. He remained there lour years 
 and a half, conducting also a livery business. In 
 the meantime he became associated with his 
 father in a grain business, which, w ith the coal 
 business connected with it, came into his hands 
 in 1880. As sole owner he continued until Feh- 
 ruary, 1884, when he sold out to Smith & ( 
 In 1887 he entered the employ of William Whit- 
 mer iV Sons, lumber dealers, and occupied a re- 
 sponsible position with them until 1894, when 
 the present partnership was formed. 
 
 Mr. Stover is a member of the Refot 
 Church, and his wife is a Lutheran. Thej 
 no children. Their home in Coburn is a pleasant 
 one, and at the time it was built by Mr. E 
 it was considered one of the best in that section 
 Politically he is a Democrat, but his keen intei if 
 in the success of- his party is quite impersonal as 
 he is not anxious for office. He has served one 
 term as justice of the peace, however. Frater- 
 nally he belongs to the Odd Fellows Lodge at 
 Millheim, and is a charter member of the Patri- 
 otic Order Sons of America at Coburn. 
 
 J SWIRES, one of Philipsburg's leading citi- 
 zens and most successful business men 
 plays in his career the characteristic Amer 
 
 lergy, and clear-sighted judgment 
 As merchant and coal operator, he conducts his 
 extensive interest with dispatch, while in the 
 various other lines of work in which he ; 
 oiislv gained knowledge of the world and 
 oped his business tact, he was equally efficient. 
 Mr. Swires is a native of Cambria count). 
 Penn., born March 26, 1854, and of German 
 parentage. His father, Anthony Sw I 
 born in the Fatherland, and came to Penn-sl- 
 vania as a young man, engaging in the luinher 
 business, and conducting a saw null on hi- 
 account. During the greater part of his 
 business career he lived in Cambria county, hut 
 at the time of his death (in 1864 or '65) In- 
 dence was in Blair counts. He was married in 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 483 
 
 Pennsylvania to Miss Mary Dunmyer, a native of 
 Germany, who survived him, her death occurring 
 in 1893. She married a second husband, John 
 Beck. By her first marriage she had four chil- 
 dren, of whom our subject was the eldest; (2) 
 Mary (Mrs. Anthony Beck) resides in Altoona; 
 {3) John is a railway conductor, and resides at 
 Bellwood, and (4) Joseph is a resident of Al- 
 toona. There were two children by the second 
 union: Annie, now Mrs. Boehm, and Amanda, 
 who lives at Altoona. 
 
 Until the age of seventeen Mr. Swires made 
 his home in Cambria and Blair counties, with 
 three years in Clearfield county, but, on attain- 
 ing that stage of life when ambition prompts a 
 youth to prepare for the serious tasks of gaining 
 a livelihood, he went to Philipsburg, and learned 
 the blacksmith's trade with Joseph Jones. He 
 followed this trade until 1885, when he became 
 interested in the livery business, which he sold 
 three years later to engage in a mercantile part- 
 nership under the firm name of Swires & Baker. 
 After a year he began operating in the coal fields, 
 and is now conducting the work at the Montana 
 mines in addition to his general mercantile busi- 
 ness with the Swires Store Company. 
 
 Mr. Swires has a pleasant home in Philips- 
 burg, where he was married in 1888 to Miss Ber- 
 tha Hunter, a native of Clearfield county, born 
 in 1858. They have four children; Eva, Joseph, 
 Jesse, and Ralph. Notwithstanding the fact 
 that Mr. Swires has won his success by his de- 
 votion to business, he has always been able to find 
 time to forward public interests as opportunity 
 has arisen. He is chairman of the Second Ward 
 Democratic Committee, and is an active member 
 of the Altoona Fire Company, having been its 
 president since its organization. 
 
 JABEZ C. P. JONES, the present popular 
 mayor of Milesburg, and proprietor of a res- 
 taurant at that place, is classed among the 
 enterprising and wide-awake business men of 
 Centre county. He is ever ready to assist in 
 any movement tending to advance the interests 
 of the community in which he resides, and is 
 highly respected by his fellow-citizens. 
 
 A native of Centre county, Mr. Jones was 
 born in Bald Eagle Valley, July 12, 1833. His 
 parents, David and Sarah E. (Carter) Jones, 
 were natives of Vermont and Connecticut, re- 
 spectively, were married in the former State, 
 and in 1806 came in a sleigh to Centre county, 
 Penn., where they spent their remaining days, 
 the father dying in February, 1854, at the age of 
 sixty-eight years, and the mother in September, 
 
 1883, at the advanced age of ninety-three years. 
 They were the parents of seven children, as fol- 
 lows: Hannah, who married John Glenn, but 
 both are now deceased; Chauncey, Silvey and 
 Harvey, all three deceased; Henry, a resident of 
 Clinton county, Penn.; Sarah J., deceased; and 
 Jabez C. P., of this review. By occupation the 
 father was a general farmer, was a Whig in poli- 
 tics, and for ten years served as justice of the 
 peace of Union township, Centre county. He 
 was a devout member of the Methodist Church, 
 in which he was class leader for twenty-one 
 years. His father, Jabez Jones, was born in 
 New Hampshire of Welch extraction, while his 
 (Jabez's) wife's father was a native of the Green 
 Mountain State. Neither ever lived in Centre 
 county. 
 
 In the usual manner of farmer boys our sub- 
 ject spent the days of his boyhood and youth, 
 and at the age of seventeen entered upon an ap- 
 prenticeship to the cabinet maker's trade, which 
 he followed until i860. For one year thereafter 
 he was engaged in a mercantile establishment. 
 The Civil war having broken out, he enlisted, in 
 1 86 1, in Company B, 148th P. V. I., but he 
 was taken ill, and after seven months and fifteen 
 days spent in the service, he was honorably dis- 
 charged and returned home. For four years he 
 then engaged in clerking, after which he was em- 
 ployed as a huckster and peddler for some years. 
 Subsequently he followed contracting and gen- 
 eral carpenter work two years, and then opened 
 his present restaurant at Milesburg, which he has 
 since successfully conducted. 
 
 In March, 1854, Mr. Jones was married to 
 Miss Elizabeth Parsons, a native of Milesburg, 
 who died March 25, 1 87 1 . To them were born 
 nine children — three sons and six daughters — five 
 of whom died in infancy. Those living are Mary, 
 wife of Thomas Dougherty, of Oakpond, Penn. ; 
 James T. , of Clinton county, this State; David, 
 of Bellefonte, Centre county; and Silvey, of 
 Pittsburg. On July 23, 1873, Mr. Jones was 
 again married, his second union being with Mrs. 
 Bella Murray, and they have eight children, all 
 at home, namely: Erma E., Grace T. , Lester 
 V., Bella V., Fenetta J., Edna R. , Clara V. and 
 Iva J. Mrs. Jones was born at Milesburg, March 
 15, 1843, and is a daughter of Thomas M. and 
 Euretta (Roberts) Hall, in whose family were the 
 following children: James, deceased; Mary, wife 
 of Col. James F. Weaver; Mrs. Ellen Swires, a 
 widow; Benjamin, a resident of Chicago; Clara, 
 who married A. T. Boggs, of Milesburg, but is 
 now deceased; Henry and George, both deceased; 
 Dr. William, who is living in Milesburg; Bella, 
 wife of our subject; and Joseph, a resident of 
 
484 
 
 COM 1/ EMORATIYE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 Missouri. The father of these children con- 
 ducted a hotel at Milesburg, was a prominent 
 Democratic politician, and served as sheriff of 
 Centre count} 
 
 Mr. | < iiu-s has been called upon to fill several 
 official positions of honor and trust in his local- 
 it}, the duties of which he has discharged in a 
 most capable manner. He has served as coun- 
 cilman, assessor, and school director for twenty- 
 two years, being secretary of the board for six- 
 teen years and president two years of that time. 
 He has also been a member of the board of 
 health, and auditor of the town for eleven years. 
 In January, 1895, be was appointed burgess, 
 which responsible office he is now acceptably 
 filling, On account of the injurious effects of 
 his army service, he now receives a pension of 
 $30 per month. He is an ardent Republican in 
 politics, and fraternally is a member of the Grand 
 Army Post of Milesburg, of which he was com- 
 mands for one year. 
 
 ©1 < >RGE WIR 1', who in his lifetime was one 
 of the representative and leading citizens of 
 Penn township. Centre county, began his ca- 
 reer at the foot of the ladder without other re- 
 sources than his own indomitable vvill and steady, 
 plodding industry, and worked Ins way upward 
 until he became possessed of a handsome 1 
 petence. 
 
 Mr Wirt was born in Dauphin count}, Penn., 
 in Jul}', 1826, a son of Solomon and Mary Noll) 
 Wirt, who brought their family to Centre county, 
 when our subject wa n years old. A 
 
 tanner by occupation, the father located upon 
 Penn creek, in Penn township, where be oper- 
 
 1 rented land, but later purchased a tract in 
 Haines township, where he spent his remaining 
 years. He died, however, in Dauphin county, 
 in 1867, while on a visit, but his bod\ was 
 brought back and interred in the cemetery at 
 Aaronsburg, where lus wife, who died at the 
 oi eight} loin years, was also laid to rest. They 
 were consistent members of the Evangelical 
 Church, and held in the highest regard by all who 
 knew them. Although the father began Hi 
 
 i man, by dint of bard work he succeeded in 
 
 ■ uiin- well-to-do 
 
 Our subject was the eldest m a laim 
 eighl children, the others being as follows: 
 
 is, a resident of Brush Valley, Centre county; 
 Josiab. oi Aaronsburg; William, of Sugar Val 
 Mary A., widow of William Guismite, and a 1 
 ident of Woodward, Centre count}'; Amanda, 
 wife 1 'I Frank Weaver, of Varonsbui g; 
 wifi ol William Bear, of Kcbersbure,, Centre 
 
 counts and Caroline, wife of Emanuel Swartz 
 <>f I '.rush Valley. 
 
 George Wirt was reared in the usual manner 
 of farmer boys, and in the German school 1 
 his home received a fair education. In Novem- 
 ber, 1848, by Rev. Sebastian Mussel, Mr. Wirt 
 was married to Miss Susannah Zerley, who was 
 born in Gregg township, Centre county. An 
 20, 1826, a daughter of Philip and Hannah S 
 day) Zerley. Her twin sister, Mrs Sarah An 
 man, is also still living. To Mr. and Mrs Wirt 
 were bom five children: Sarah, who married 
 [ohn Breon, of Millheim, and has one child; 
 Emma, wife of Al Keen, of Penn township, bj 
 whom she has nme children; Mary, widow 
 William (.nines, of Penn township, b\ whim 
 she had three children; and Henry and Catharine, 
 who died in childhood. 
 
 Mr. Wirt began his domestic life upon th.- 
 old Wilson farm in Haines township, which h. 
 rented for twelve years, and for the lony pt 
 of twenty-one years lived on the farm of Philip 
 Gephart, near Millheim. In March. 1882, he 
 purchased from his brother William a farm 1 
 sisting of eighty acres of fine land. In his eo 
 deavors to secure a home he was ably assisted h\ 
 his faithful wife, who indeed proved a helpn 
 to him, and is one of the best house-keepers' to 
 be found anywhere. f"hey were widely and fa- 
 vorably known throughout this section of the 
 county, with whose interests they wen- identified 
 for so man}' years. The political support of 
 Mr. Wirt was given the principles and candid 
 of the Democratic party, with which his fathei 
 was also identified. That he was a thorough 
 skillful farmer was evidenced by the Ion 
 which he operated the two rented farms, wl 
 his successors have signally failed. In Au§ 
 1896, Mr. Wirt laid aside the cares of life, and 
 passed to the realms of rest and peace 
 
 KT SMITH, a prominent resident I 
 Splint; Mills, Centre county, now 1 
 from active business, is a self-made man wh 
 present prosperity shows unusual ability as 
 financier, the foundation of his success hai 
 been laid by his savings as a mechanic, He 
 man of few words, and in manner is quiet and 
 unassuming; but while devoting himself e* 
 ly to bis own business he has always wi 
 degree of respect from his fellow citizens which 
 !■■ who seek popular favor fail to secui 
 Mr. Smith was born February 5, 1 84 1 
 Haim township. Centre count}, neai 
 P 0., where Ins parents. Charles and El 
 < Schnure) Smith, owned a farm. 1 1< 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 485 
 
 youngest of a family of five children — three sons 
 and two daughters — and was reared after the 
 usual custom in that time and locality, assisting 
 in the "chores" at home, and securing such in- 
 struction as he could in the schools of the neigh- 
 borhood. His first teacher was J. G. Meyer, 
 who conducted a subscription school in the St. 
 Paul district. At that time the present system 
 of free schools had not been introduced there, 
 but a few years later the change was made, his 
 first teacher under the new order being Jake 
 Lukenbach. The opportunities afforded were 
 much inferior to those of the present time, and 
 Mr. Smith feeling his own deprivation is a firm 
 friend to the policy of securing for every child in 
 the commonwealth a chance to receive a thor- 
 ough education. 
 
 At eighteen he began to learn the carpenter's 
 trade with Squire Rinehart, and after one year 
 engaged in work as a journeyman. Having a 
 laudable desire to see something of the world, he 
 spent some years in traveling about, working at 
 his trade in various places from the Atlantic to 
 the Pacific, and visiting the main points of inter- 
 est in this country. In 1873, weary of roving, 
 and with a mind well stored with the practical 
 information thus gained, he returned to Centre 
 county and located at Bellefonte, entering the 
 employ of W. V. Hughes, as an ordinary work- 
 man. By the end of a year he had shown such 
 marked ability in all lines of work, that he was 
 made foreman, and this responsible position he 
 held some thirteen years, overseeing the con- 
 struction of many important buildings from foun- 
 dation to roof. He then undertook, on his own 
 account, the contract for the Reformed church 
 building at Aaronsburg, and after the successful 
 completion of that work he went to Cali- 
 fornia, and spent two years visiting friends 
 and doing some work as occasion offered. On 
 his return in 1889, he resumed his old position 
 with Mr. Hughes and superintended the con- 
 struction of two buildings at Johnstown, Penn. — 
 the Library and the Cambria Iron Company's 
 store — replacing those destroyed by the flood. 
 In the fall of 1891 he gave up his position 
 and in the latter part of 1892 he purchased from 
 the Barcroft estate some valuable property, at 
 Spring Mills, comprising a hotel, which he sold in 
 1896, two residences, and two store buildings. 
 These he placed in thorough repair, and since 
 February, 1893, ne has made his home at Spring 
 Mills, his elegant and luxuriously furnished resi- 
 dence being a delightful spot in which to pass his 
 well-earned leisure. He was married at Belle- 
 fonte, in 1890, to Miss Emma Heckman, of Penn 
 Hall, daughter of John F. and Fietta (Fisher) 
 
 Heckman. Two children have blessed this union: 
 Rosa, born in January, 1891, and Ruth, born 
 May 1, 1896. Mr. Smith and his wife are lead- 
 ing members of the Reformed Church, and he 
 has held office as deacon and elder therein. He 
 also belongs to the I. O. O. F. of Bellefonte. 
 
 Mr. Smith has worked hard and made a 
 thrifty disposition of his earnings, and has neither 
 been extravagant nor practiced undue self-denial 
 in order to accumulate his fortune. In his polit- 
 ical views he is a Republican, and his first vote 
 in a Presidential campaign was cast, in 1864, for 
 Abraham Lincoln. He is a regular voter, and 
 takes much interest in the success of his party, 
 but has never been an office seeker. 
 
 B. HARTSWICK. This gentleman, who 
 spent his early manhood in active business, 
 and mainly in agricultural pursuits, is now living 
 retired on a fine farm in Ferguson township, 
 Centre county, where he has made his home 
 since 1868. It is a most beautiful place, pleas- 
 antly situated within a half mile of State College, 
 and plainly indicates the thrift and enterprise of 
 the owner. A man of great energy and more 
 than ordinary business capacity, his success in 
 life has been largely due to his own efforts, and 
 the sound judgment by which he has taken good 
 advantage of his own resources. 
 
 Mr. Hartswick was born in Harris township, 
 Centre county, and is a son of Christian and Mary 
 (Miller) Hartswick, also natives of Centre county, 
 where they were married January 2, 1830. By 
 trade the father was a blacksmith. His father, 
 who was a native of Holland, crossed the Atlan- 
 tic to the New World in 1792, landing at Phila- 
 delphia, while his wife (who was a Miss Boozer) 
 was born in Switzerland. Our subject was third 
 in order of birth in their family of eight children, 
 the others being as follows: (1) Dr. John G. was 
 successfully engaged in the practice of medicine 
 for forty years in Clearfield, Penn. , and for two 
 years in Hublersburg, Centre county ; he died in 
 March, 1896, leaving a widow and one son and 
 one daughter. (2) Margaret is the widow of 
 Henry Evey, who was killed at the battle of 
 Spottsylvania during the Civil war, and left seven 
 children. (4) Adam M. married Sarah Mothers- 
 baugh, of Altoona, Penn. (5) Christian died in 
 1853, in his seventeenth year. (6) Elizabeth 
 died in May, 1841, at the age of six years. (7) 
 May J. died in Clearfield, Penn., in 1891. (8) 
 William H., born in 1841, died the same year. 
 
 In the free schools of Centre county, H. B. 
 Hartswick acquired his literary education, and in 
 1852 he began teaching before there was a super- 
 
486 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOG HAfll I'M. RECORD. 
 
 intendent of schools in Pennsylvania. For a 
 time he followed that profession, but throughout 
 the greater part of his business career he engaged 
 
 in fanning with g 1 success. On March 20, 
 
 1S61, he married Miss Margaret Neidigh, and to 
 them were born seven children (three of whom 
 survive): (i) Anna M. died in infancy. 
 Clara E. died August I, 1890, when in her twenty- 
 fifth year; she would have graduated the follow- 
 ing year from the State College of Pennsylvania. 
 |. Milton, born November 4. 1868, married 
 Helen McCalmont, and has three children; he 
 was educated in the State College, and is a 
 teacher by profession, making his home in Fer- 
 guson township. 14) Naomi died in infancy. (5) 
 Newton Neidigh, born August 10, 1872, married 
 Elizabeth Thomas, and lives in Ferguson town- 
 ship; he also was educated in the State College, 
 and is now successfully engaged in teaching. (6) 
 Adam H.. born February 16, 18 — , married 
 Annie dinger. (7) Christian W., born January 
 29, 1879, died July 26, 1884. 
 
 Mr. Hartswick is not an active politician, but 
 quietly votes, as his sentiments and beliefs dic- 
 tate, with the Republican party. A conscientious, 
 Christian gentleman, he is a faithful member of 
 the Reformed Church. Intelligent, affable and 
 courteous, he is a true type of an American citi- 
 i, and his circle of friends throughout the 
 community is only limited by his circle of ac- 
 quaintances. 
 
 JAM] S HENDERSON. Among the active 
 and energetic agriculturists of Centre county, 
 there is probably no more prominent figure 
 than this gentleman, who owns and operates a 
 good farm in Benner township. On starting out 
 in life for himself he engaged in the lumber busi- 
 ness, which he continued to follow for twentj 
 
 is, but since 1871 he has turned his attention 
 to farming, in which he has met with a fair de- 
 gree of success. 
 
 Mr Henderson is a son of Hugh and Mar- 
 garet (Gamble) Henderson, the former of whom 
 was a native of County Tyrone, Ireland. In 
 their family were six children: Thomas, who died 
 in Clearfield county, Penn., in 1893; Robert, a 
 retired fanner of College township. Centre coun- 
 ty; one whose name is not given, a farmer, who 
 died in Clearfield county; Samuel, a retired 
 farmer of Blair county, Penn.; James, of this 
 sketch; and Margaret, who is living in Clearfield 
 ci mnty. 
 
 On reaching manhood, James Henderson was 
 united in marriage with Miss Margaret Math 
 who was born in County Tyrone. Ireland, and in 
 
 1S47, with her parents, came to America, locat- 
 ing in Clearfield county, Penn. Of this union 
 six children were born, as follows: (i ) Robert M . 
 a resident of Benner township. Centre county, 
 married Rachel Hinton, and has two children. 
 (Ji Sophronia married C. L. Knox, and in 1884 
 removed to Minnesota, where the husband died, 
 after which she returned to Centre county in 
 
 I 1891, and now makes her home in Bellefonte. 
 
 ; she has five children. 31 B. K.. also a resident 
 
 1 of Bellefonte, was married in 1895 to Jennie 
 Taylor. (4) Mabel E. and (5 < alvin L. are 
 next in order of birth. (6) Emma L. , a most 
 
 \ accomplished lady, is still with her parents 
 
 Mr. Henderson is practically a self-made man. 
 having commenced life with no capital except 
 strong arms, an iron constitution, and an ei 
 of purpose that was bound to win. His fine farn 
 is a standing monument to his industry, pi 
 verance and good management, coupled with 
 economy and a praiseworthy frugality. He is a 
 stalwart Democrat in politics, and a consistent 
 and active member of the Presbyterian Church. 
 
 BAYID ATHERTON, a member of the well- 
 known firm of Jackman & Atherton, Philips- 
 burg, Centre count\ . is widely known in busin 
 circles as a man of undoubted integrity, conduct- 
 ing his interests with ability and strict regard to 
 details. He is a worthy representative of a 
 prominent English family, and was born in Liver- 
 pool, England, February 1 1. [858, a son of Will- 
 iam and Sophia (Bessett Atherton, who spent 
 their entire lives in that country. The father 
 was a quiet, unassuming man, a coal operator by 
 occupation, and a member of the Wesleyan 
 Church, to which his wife also belonged. H 
 died in 1S75, at the age of sixty-six years, and 
 she passed away two years previously at the age 
 of sixty-two. 
 
 Ten children wen born to this worthy couple. 
 namely: Robert, who is now living a retired life 
 in Liverpool; Thomas, who 1- engaged in 
 butchering business in Leigh, Lancashire,! 
 land; Abraham, a lead-pipe manufactui 
 Prescott, England; Hannah, wife of James 1 
 ex-police superintendent of Lancashire; James 
 B., a manufacturer of insulating electric wire in 
 Prescott, England, owning one of the lar- 
 plants in the country, worth a million doll 
 Sarah, wife of James Kerfoot, who is inten 
 in a grist mill in Leigh. England; Jacob, wh 
 with his brother |ames in business; Job, wh 
 connected with coal mining in England, and died 
 in 1893, at the age of twenty-six years; and D 
 vid. of this review. Our subject, who is the only 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 487 
 
 one of the family living in this country, has 
 twenty-six nieces and twenty-eight nephews. 
 
 Until sixteen years of age David Atherton at- 
 tended school, thus acquiring a good practical 
 education. He then began his business career as 
 a bricklayer, and for eight years successfully 
 engaged in contracting along that line in his na- 
 tive land, making his home with his parents un- 
 til twenty years of age. In 1881 he crossed the 
 Atlantic to America, and for a year and a half 
 was a resident of Wellsville, Ohio, where he 
 contracted in brick laying. Coming to Philips- 
 burg, he was for several years engaged in the 
 same business here, and erected all of the State 
 College buildings in Centre county with the ex- 
 ception of the old stone one. He also put up a 
 National Bank building in Huntingdon county, 
 Penn. For the past three years, however, he 
 has been connected with the coal interests of 
 Centre county in partnership with E. R. Jack- 
 man, owning and operating the Colorado mine 
 No. 3, located on Beach road, Cambria Co., 
 Penn., which covers 420 acres. It has a capac- 
 ity of 100,000 tons per year of the best bitumi- 
 nous coal. Mr. Atherton is also sole owner of 
 the Juniata Coal mine, located on the Pennsyl- 
 vania railroad in Cambria county, which covers 
 106 acres and has a capacity of 60,000 tons an- 
 nually. He has met with a well-deserved suc- 
 cess in his business venture, is straightforward 
 and reliable in all transactions, and from the pub- 
 lic receives a liberal patronage, for his honorable 
 dealing and courteous treatment commend him 
 to the confidence of all. 
 
 In Philipsburg, May 16, 1888, Mr. Atherton 
 was united in marriage with Miss Emma L. 
 Goldman. They are consistent and earnest mem- 
 bers of the Presbyterian Church, and in politics 
 he is a Republican. He is a leader in musical 
 circles, taking a prominent part in promoting 
 that art throughout the county. He comes of a 
 family which is noted for its musical talent, its 
 members being naturally good instrumental and 
 vocal musicians. In disposition he is genial, in 
 manner courteous and affable, and those who 
 know him recognize the true worth of his char- 
 acter, and therefore entertain for him the high- 
 est regard. 
 
 H 
 
 A. MOORE, the well-known druggist and 
 postmaster at Howard, Centre county, is a 
 native of the county, having been born at Pleas- 
 ant Gap, March 15, 1854, a son of Agnew and 
 Mary (Furey) Moore, who were born, reared 
 and married in Centre county. 
 
 There the parents continued to remain until 
 
 1878, when they removed to Missoula, Mont., 
 where the father engaged in contracting and 
 building until his death, December 28, 1892, 
 when he was aged sixty-four years. He was one 
 of the prominent and influential citizens of the 
 place, a leader in the ranks of the Democracy, 
 and serving as alderman at the time of his death. 
 He held membership in the Methodist Episcopal 
 Church, to which his wife also belongs. She 
 was born March 13, 1836, and is still a resident 
 of Missoula. Her parents, William P. and 
 Rachel (Williams) Furey, spent their entire lives 
 in Centre county. Her father was called upon 
 to serve in several official positions, being county 
 commissioner nine years, commissioner's clerk 
 six years, and justice of the peace at the time of 
 his death, which occurred in Bellefonte. The 
 paternal grandparents of our subject, Thomas 
 and Mary (Riddle) Moore, were natives of Scot- 
 land and County Down, Ireland, respectively. 
 At an early day they came to America, and they 
 were married in Centre county, Penn., where 
 they spent the remainder of their lives. For a 
 number of years the grandfather served as man- 
 ager of the Hickley ore mines in the county, and 
 also engaged in farming. 
 
 Our subject is the eldest in a family of eleven 
 children, the others being: Rachel J., wife of 
 Abraham Weber, a merchant of Howard, Penn. ; 
 Mary R., who is with her mother; Clara, wife of 
 John Bloilean, of Missoula, Mont.; William, who 
 died at the age of twenty-two years; Thomas, a 
 jeweler of Bellefonte, Penn.; Emma, at home; 
 Ralph, second assistant bookkeeper for the 
 Northern Pacific railroad at Missoula; and three 
 who died in infancy. Until he was eighteen 
 years of age, Howard A. remained under the pa- 
 rental roof, attending school, and assisting his 
 father at carpentering during the summer months. 
 After leaving home he served an apprenticeship 
 under Dr. C. H. Else, a druggist, of Milesburg, 
 Penn., with whom he remained for three years. 
 He then established his present store in Howard, 
 and has since carried on a large and profitable 
 drug business. 
 
 On June 24, 1876, Mr. Moore married Miss 
 Laura Ryman, and they have three children: 
 Claude C, a jeweler, of Bellefonte; and Mabel 
 C. and Chester A., at home. Mrs. Moore was 
 born in Milesburg, Centre county, March 27, 
 1854, a daughter of Jacob and Ellen (Lucas) 
 Ryman, who were also natives of that county. 
 Her father was a well-known miller of Milesburg, 
 where he died December 28, 1876, at the age of 
 fifty-five years. Politically he gave his earnest 
 support to the Republican party. His wife passed 
 away January 4, 1894, at the ripe old age of sev- 
 
is- 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 enty-eigbt years and six months. In their family 
 were four children: Elizabeth, widow of D. H. 
 Parsons, of Altoona, Penn . Augustus, who died 
 at the age of forty-three years; Miles, a huxter; 
 and Laura, wife of our subject. Her paternal 
 grandparents were David and Llizabeth Ryman, 
 who died in Milesburg, where the former had fol- 
 lowed milling. Her maternal grandfather, Charles 
 Lucas, was a native of Centre county. 
 
 Mr. Moore has won for himself a place among 
 the representative business men of Howard, and 
 is also numbered among iding and influen- 
 
 tial citizens, whose sterling worth and many ex- 
 cellent traits of character have found just recog- 
 nition. In i 876 he was elected town clerk, which 
 office he tilled for one year; was a mem- 
 ber of the school board nine years; council- 
 man three years; and in May, 1885, was 
 first appointed postmaster at Howard, which 
 
 tion he I tilled to the satisfaction of 
 
 all concerned, being reappointed in May, 1890, 
 and again on September 21, 1893. He I 
 proved a mosl popular and efficient officer, dis- 
 
 ging his duties with the utmost fidelity. Fra- 
 ternally lie holds membership in Lick Run Lodge 
 No 311, I. O. O. F., of Howard; and Belief 
 Lodge No. jos, l & \ \[. Politically he 
 Democrat, fn manner he is genial and affable, 
 and has the esteem of many friends and acquaint- 
 ances. 
 
 *HOMAS F. BRUNGART, one of the lead- 
 ing agriculturists of Centre counts, residing 
 near Wolfs Store, has evidently solved the 
 problem of making farming pa) even in "hard 
 times." A shrewd and systematic manager, he 
 adapts his crops to the market, and when one 
 article falls in price he takes pains to cultivate 
 
 le other in which there is more profit, thus 
 
 1 returns. He belongs to one of the 
 
 old families of Miles township. Centre county, 
 
 and was born upon the same farm upon which 
 
 his father, Samuel Brungart, tirst saw the light. 
 
 Martin Brungart, his great-grandfather, was 
 one of the first settlers there, bringing with him 
 his family, among whom was Jacob, the second 
 son, who was born January [5, 1786, and died 
 September 5, 1862. Jacob Brungart owned and 
 cultivated the homestead which is now the prop- 
 erty of our subject, his grandson, and was one 
 of the successful tanners of his day. In 1813 
 he was drafted; but being so situated that he 
 could not enter the army without great sacrifice, 
 he hired William P. Brady, of Aaronsburg, as a 
 substitute, giving him $60 and a pair of shoes. 
 Jacob Brungart had six sons — John, George, 
 
 Frederick, Martin, Jacob and Samuel; and six 
 daughters — Mary (Mrs. John Heckman), Susan 
 (Mrs. John Weaver). Catherine iMb. Adam 
 Bair). Margaret (Mis. Jacob Smeltzer), Regina 
 (who married John Shaffer), and Sarah (wife of 
 William Johnson). Of this family, those yet 
 living are Frederick, and Sarah, the wife of Will 
 iam Johnson. 
 
 Samuel Brungart, our subject's father, bom 
 April 21, 1S25, was among the younger children 
 of this large family. Farm work was then as 
 plentiful in winter as in summer, and conse- 
 quently he attended school but little. He DOE 
 sessed unusual mental ability, however, and an 
 excellent memory enabled him to make the most 
 of such opportunities as came in his way, mak- 
 ing him quite competent to transact business so 
 greal that, although he had never been instructed 
 in a trade, he could make the various kinds of 
 tools required in farm work. This faculty was 
 also displayed in the management of his farms. 
 1 cess being SO uniform that his plans and 
 methods were eagerly adopted by the progressiva 
 farmers of the neighborhood. He was larger 
 than the average man, and did much hard worl 
 in his lifetime, gaining a success which, all things 
 considered, was remarkable. Firm and steadfast 
 in his ideas, he remained throughout life a stanch 
 ,md in religion he adhered to the 
 Lutheran faith, contributing liberally to the 
 Church and holding various offices therein. He 
 married Harriet Walker, who was born in Brush 
 Valley, February 20, 1 83 1 , a daughter of Daniel 
 and Hannah (Erhart) Walker. The young couple 
 began housekeeping in a small home in Brush 
 Valley, near the present site of Walker's Mill, 
 and from there removed to Madisonburg, where 
 our subject's father rented land for four yean 
 He wished to buy the old homestead out, but a- 
 his father declined to sell it he rented it until his 
 father's death, when, in the division of the estatt, 
 Samuel Brungart secured the farm by paying 
 about $4,000 to the other heirs. In 1868 he 
 built a fine barn, 102 x 45, and he also remodeled 
 the other buildings. He and his wife spent tin 
 last days at the old homestead, the latter dying 
 July 6, 1892, while his own death occurred I 1 
 ruary 10, t893. Both were buried at St. Luk> - 
 Evangelical Lutheran cemetery, in Miles town 
 ship, Centre county, where our subject baa 
 erected a handsome monument to mark their 
 resting place. 
 
 Thomas F. Brungart. our subject, was born 
 March 12, 1849, and the Brungart School, near 
 the old homestead, furnished him his first educa- 
 tional privileges. As he was but a child wbei 
 his parents removed to Madisonburg he had the 
 
^ 3v /^^^^^^zr 
 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 489 
 
 advantage of attending the schools there until 
 the return of the family to the eastern end of 
 Brush Valley, where he completed his studies, 
 with the exception of a portion of one winter at 
 Rebersburg. As there was always plenty of 
 work to be done at home he never "worked 
 out," his father paying him wages after the age 
 of twenty, and this arrangement was only inter- 
 rupted by our subject's marriage and settlement 
 in a home of his own. His wife, to whom he 
 was united in Rebersburg, February 16, 1S81, 
 was formerly Miss Emma Corman. She is a 
 daughter of Henry and Rachel (Bair) Corman, 
 and was born and reared in Brush Valley. Their 
 first home was upon a farm rented by our sub- 
 ject's brother-in-law, James Corman, but later 
 Mr. Brungart rented the old Poorman farm, in 
 Miles township, Centre county, where he re- 
 mained about eleven years. In the spring of 
 1893, the homestead having been left vacant by 
 the death of his parents, he settled there. He 
 has in that estate 268 acres, and in another farm 
 near Wolfs Store, known as the old Wolf 
 Homestead, he has 147 acres more. While Mr. 
 Brungart does not do much manual labor, he 
 oversees all the details of the work upon his farm, 
 and the results of his careful management are 
 seen on every side. 
 
 Five children brighten his home: Mabel O., 
 Samuel C, Celia V. , Tacie H. and Elda R. 
 Mrs. Brungart is a member of the Reformed 
 Church, but our subject is a Lutheran, and is an 
 active worker in the Church, having held office 
 as deacon and treasurer. He takes great interest 
 in all movements for the advancement of the 
 community, and is a prominent member of the 
 Grange. In politics he has always been a Dem- 
 ocrat, but notwithstanding his hearty support of 
 the doctrines of his party he never has held 
 office, preferring to devote his time to his own 
 affairs. 
 
 ICHAEL WOODRING, who after the 
 labors of a long and busy life, is spending 
 the evening of life in ease and retirement on his 
 farm on the Philipsburg pike, in Worth township, 
 Centre couny, is a native of Pennsylvania, his 
 
 I birth occurring in Berks county, August 14, 1820. 
 
 I There his parents, Abraham and Saloma (Sni- 
 der) Woodring, were also born, reared, and mar- 
 ried, later removed to Huntingdon county, and in 
 1857 came to Centre county, locating in Worth 
 township, where the mother died May 1, 1872, 
 aged seventy-four years, nine months and twenty- 
 seven days. Subsequently the father went to 
 Cambria county, Penn., where his death occurred 
 
 in 1886, at the advanced age of ninety years. 
 He buried his family record in the casket with 
 his wife. He was an extensive horse dealer and 
 farmer, and in early life he was a member of the 
 Lutheran Church, but later he became a devout 
 Roman Catholic. His parents, Samuel and 
 Maria (Yorick) Woodring, were natives of Berks 
 county, where their marriage was celebrated, but 
 in 1823 they became residents of Worth town- 
 ship, Centre county. The former was of Ger- 
 man extraction, and a farmer and miller by occu- 
 pation. 
 
 Our subject is second in order of birth of the 
 children, the others being as follows: John, who 
 died in Tyrone, Penn.; Samuel, born October 15, 
 1823, died December 6, 1886, in Philipsburg; 
 Polly, deceased wife of Rank Seek, also deceased; 
 Betsey, wife of Anthony Gill, a farmer of Coal- 
 port, Penn. ; Catherine, who died unmarried; and 
 Beckie, deceased wife of Joseph Gill. 
 
 Until he had attained his majority, Michael 
 Woodring remained upon the home farm, and 
 then started out empty-handed to make his own 
 way in the world. After working by the month for 
 two years, he and his brother John rented a farm 
 at Huntingdon Furnace, Huntingdon Co., Penn., 
 which they operated for fifteen years, and then 
 dissolved partnership. For one year our subject 
 then engaged in hauling ore, and in i860 came 
 to Centre county and located upon his present 
 farm, which was still in its primitive condition, 
 covered with a heavy growth of timber, in which 
 deer and other wild animals abounded. To the 
 cultivation and improvement of the place he at 
 once devoted his time and attention, and con- 
 tinued his labors until he now has one of the most 
 desirable farms in the locality. Politically, he 
 affiilates with the Democratic party, and main- 
 tains his principles in this regard with the same 
 steadfastness which has characterized him in all 
 the relations of life. He is a valued and honored 
 citizen of the community, enjoying the confidence 
 and esteem of all who know him. 
 
 On September 30, 1845, Mr. Woodring was 
 united in marriage with Miss Nancy Halderman, 
 who was born in Centre county, in 1824, and is 
 a daughter of Jacob and Mary (Wise) Halder- 
 man, who spent their entire lives upon a farm in 
 Centre county. They were members of the 
 Lutheran Church, and in politics her father was 
 a Democrat. Mrs. Woodring was one of their 
 tamily of eleven children, namely: Catherine, 
 deceased wife of John Stover, of Bellefonte, 
 Penn. ; Jane, widow of John Woodring; Eliza- 
 beth, deceased; Lavina, deceased wife of James 
 Bailey, also deceased; Margaret, wife of Aaron 
 Woodring, a farmer of Centre county; George, 
 
4SX) 
 
 COMMKMoliA T1V1-: BIOGRAPHICAL liF.fitRD. 
 
 who is a cabinet maker in Ohio; Jacob, who 
 died in the army; Susan, who married Samuel 
 Turner, and after his death wedded Samuel Stine, 
 a farmer of Centre county; and Fannie, who 
 married Samuel Woodring, but both are now 
 deceased. 
 
 To Michael Woodring and his estimable wife 
 were born the following children: William, a 
 farmer residing near Port Matilda, Centre county; 
 George W., a lumberman of Virginia; Abraham, 
 a lumberman of Port Matilda; General J., pro- 
 prietor of a hotel at that place; John Q., who 
 was killed in 1892 on the railroad while working 
 at Altoona, Penn.; Mary and Ella, deceased; 
 Harry E. , and Matilda, wife of W. W. Thomas, 
 a farmer of Blair county, Pennsylvania. 
 
 Harry E. Woodring, of this family, is one of 
 the energetic and progressive young farmers of 
 Worth township, and is engaged in operating the 
 old borne farm with good success. There his 
 birth occurred October 2, 1867, and in the usual 
 manner of farmer boys he was reared to habits 
 of industry. He married Miss Sadie Frantz, a 
 native of Centre county, and they have a daugh- 
 ter, Ruth L., born June 4, 1894. 
 
 Abel and Nancy E. (Williams) Frantz, par- 
 ents of Mrs. Harry Woodring, were natives of 
 Centre and Blair counties, Perm., respectively. 
 Their children were: Emeline; Mary E., wife of 
 Lawrence Gill, a farmer of Cambria county, 
 Penn.; Sarah (01 Sadie is next in order of birth ; 
 Ephraim is farming in Worth township for his 
 
 :le, John Frantz; Jennie lives in Port Matilda; 
 
 and Bradie is a resident of Coalport, Clearfield 
 county. The father of these, who was a farmer 
 and huxter, was bom March 10, 1851, and died 
 August 14, 1884. He was a son of Reuben and 
 Katie (Woodring) Frantz, who spent their entire 
 lives in Centre county, following farming. The 
 mothei nt Mrs. Harry Woodring was born in 
 1851, .1 daughtei ol ( aleb and Peggie (Edmon- 
 son) Williams, farming people of Blair county. 
 After the death ol her firsl husband she married 
 James Payscole, ami they now reside in Taylor 
 township, Centre county. Two children have 
 been born to them, namely: Pearl and Khoda, 
 both at home. 
 
 ILLIAM COL^ IK in one who has risen 
 ( Hll from the ranks of the many to stand 
 among the successful few. Among the promi- 
 nent citizens of Centre county no one occupies a 
 position of relative greater importance than Mr. 
 Colyer, who has been the promob 1 1 it varied enter- 
 prises that have resulted to the material benefit 
 of the community. He has not only won pros- 
 
 perity for himself, but his enterprise has been 
 the means of providing labor to many who therebj 
 have achieved success. His career is unparal- 
 leled in Potter township. Reared without edu- 
 cational advantages, ofttimes amid adverse sur- 
 roundings, and without even careful business 
 training in his youth, he has surmounted obsta- 
 cles that would have utterly disheartened many, 
 and to-day stands upon the high plane of pi 
 perity. Such a life cannot fail to contain many 
 valuable lessons, if others will but heed its 
 teachings. 
 
 William Colyer was born December 1 3, 1835, 
 at what is known as The Loop in Potter town- 
 ship, a son of Daniel and Mary (Humel) Colyer 
 His father was born at The Loop, and the grand- 
 father was a native of New England. He was 
 a farmer in very limited means, and married a 
 lady whose first name was Dolly. She was of 
 German extraction, and lived to be ninety-six 
 years of age 
 
 The father of our subject was a hard work- 
 ing man, yet lacked the executive ability neces- 
 sary to a successful management of his affairs 
 He never accumulated property, but lived in a 
 rented home, and supported his family by work- 
 ing at the stone mason's trade. His life, how- 
 ever, was honorable, and he had the respen 
 all. His political support was given the D( 
 mocracy, and he and his wife were members 
 the Reformed Church. He died at the age of 
 fifty-six, his wife at the age of forty-seven, and 
 they were buried in Luke Church cemetery 
 Their children were as follows: John, who died 
 at the age of sixteen years, William; Rachel, 
 who married Jacob Neville, and died in Potter 
 township; Sarah, who married John Miller, ami 
 died in Potter township; Mary, wife ol Franklin 
 Wright, of Potter township; and Susan. wif( 
 William Burrell, of Pocahontas, low 
 
 William Colyer, as the only surviving son in 
 the familv, was his father's assistant, and to him 
 ga\e the benefit of his services through the sum- 
 mer months until he was nineteen years of B 
 His educational pri\ ileges were extremely limil 
 but he became familiar with the rudiment 
 branches of learning in the district schools, which 
 he sometimes attended in the winter. At 
 early age, however, he began working, 
 sometimes received only his clothes, and SOI 
 times the meager sum of $3 per month, 
 compensation for his services. At the 
 fifteen he began learning the stone mason's ti 
 with his father, and with him worked for several 
 
 irs. Possessed of executive ability and 
 ity, which his father lacked, he soon saw th it 
 affairs were not properly managed, and 1 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 491 
 
 quently laid plans to conduct the business along 
 different lines. He suffered many hardships, 
 and his possessions were few, his best suit of 
 clothes often being the one in which he worked 
 
 daily. 
 
 When nineteen years of age, Mr. Colyer left 
 his father and started out in life for himself. He 
 rented a house and lot near what is now Colyer 
 post office, and by hard work and economy was 
 enabled to save some money. His first real es- 
 tate consisted of a three-acre lot on which stood 
 a small house, for which property he paid $560, 
 going in debt for the same; but six years later 
 the little home was destroyed by fire after he 
 had spent that length of time in labor to pay for 
 it. With a stout heart and resolute purpose, 
 however, he continued his labor, and later pur- 
 chased a sawmill property in Potter township. 
 His acquaintances prophesied a failure, but that 
 word he did not consider had a place in his vocab- 
 ulary, for he re-constructed the mill and began 
 the manufacture of lumber. In 1862 he was 
 drafted for service in the army, but feeling that 
 he could not leave his business he hired a substi- 
 tute for $300. During the first year in which he 
 engaged in the sawmill business he made $1,000. 
 He continued to prosper, and as he secured capi- 
 tal purchased timber land and extensively en- 
 gaged in the lumber business. He built up and 
 improved the little town of Colyer, which was 
 named in his honor, and its growth and prosper- 
 ity were due to the industries which he there es- 
 tablished. He now owns three large sawmills 
 and two stavemills, and manufactures more than 
 one hundred thousand nail keg heads per month, 
 together with thousands of shingles and much 
 [general building material. His landed posses- 
 sions aggregate more than fifteen hundred acres 
 'of timber and farming land. In the spring of 1894 
 he began the erection of the many substantial 
 buildings which he owns in Centre Hall, and in 
 March, 1896, he removed to the town, where 
 'he had previously conducted business. He now 
 owns grain warehouses, extensive coal sheds, 
 and a large handle factory in Centre Hall, all of 
 which he has erected, together with his own 
 ihome and a good residence which he rents. He 
 personally looks after his extensive lumber inter- 
 ests, and in addition is largely engaged in coal 
 ind grain dealing. 
 
 Mr. Colyer married Frances Luse, of Gregg 
 :ownship, daughter of George and Sally (Long) 
 Luse. Their children are: Emma, widow of 
 John Cooney, of Punxsutawney, Penn. ; Almira, 
 wife of George Ishler, of Tusseyville, Penn. ; 
 Anna, wife of James Spiker, of Patton, Centre 
 :ounty; Ida, wife of Ambrose Lambert, of Will- 
 
 iamsburg; Mamie, at home; Reuben W., a 
 farmer of Potter township. Mr. Colyer's pres- 
 ent wife was the widow of Daniel Gunder. She 
 is a native of Dauphin county, Penn., and her 
 maiden name was Stiffler. They have one son, 
 William, at home. Mr. Colyer votes with the 
 Democracy at State and National elections, and 
 believes strongly in Democratic principles, but 
 when no issue is involved supports the man whom 
 he thinks best qualified for office. He is a mem- 
 ber of the Odd Fellows Society of Centre Hall. 
 It was through his instrumentality that the post 
 office was established at Colyer, and too much 
 credit cannot be given him for his promotion of 
 the material interests of the community. His 
 life has been eminently successful, and it is the 
 success which is the pride of America — that of a 
 self-made man. 
 
 OBERT ARMSTRONG. Industry, frugal- 
 ity, and honesty make an excellent founda- 
 tion for success in life, and the subject of this 
 brief biography, a prosperous citizen of Belle- 
 fonte, Centre county, has shown that he possesses 
 in a high degree all of these desirable character- 
 istics. Like many of the leading citizens of the 
 county, he is of Irish stock, having been born in 
 County Monaghan, Ireland, in July, 1839. 
 
 John and Jane (Mullen) Armstrong, parents 
 of our subject, were both natives of that locality 
 and passed their lives there, the father being by 
 occupation a farmer. Neither lived to an ad- 
 vanced age. Of their three sons, our subject 
 was the eldest. John and James, the younger 
 members of the trio, are still living in Ireland, 
 and are engaged in agricultural pursuits. As a 
 boy our subject worked upon his father's farm, 
 at the same time attending the schools of a neigh- 
 boring town. His desire to come to America 
 was not fulfilled until 1867, when he crossed the 
 ocean and speedily found employment and es- 
 tablished his home at Bellefonte. Faithful and 
 diligent in the discharge of any work undertaken, 
 he has won the confidence of all with whom he 
 had any dealings. On June 1, 1877, he took 
 charge of the gas works for the Bellefonte Steam 
 Heat and Light Co., and every day for more 
 than nineteen years he has been at his post of 
 duty. A goodly share of prosperity has rewarded 
 his well-directed efforts, and he owns some val- 
 uable property. 
 
 In 1 88 1, Mr. Armstrong married Miss Sarah 
 Clark, also a native of Ireland, born in 1844, 
 and their home is made bright by three children, 
 John, Walter and Jennie. A typical Irishman, 
 our subject's warm heart and alert mind bring 
 
192 
 
 OOMMBMORA T1VK BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 him into sympathy with all phases of progress 
 in his adopted country. In religious faith he in- 
 clines toward the Episcopal Church. 
 
 n LFRED \\ \I.IKR, cashier of the Mill- 
 .AA. heim Banking Company, at Millheim, Cen- 
 tre count} - , has won a high position in the com- 
 munity despite heavy odds. Born of poor, thoi 
 
 pectable, parents, left fatherless at the age of 
 ten years, without rich relatives or influential 
 friends, and coming as a stranger to Centre 
 county in his boyhood, he won the confidence 
 and good will of all who met him by his upright 
 
 iduct, his attention to his business, and his 
 straightforward manner. Among those who 
 were thus attracted to him was J. t Motz, one 
 of the shrewdest business nun of Penn's Vail 
 and the last person to repose confidence where 
 he was not convinced of the existence of sterling 
 worth and integrity. Judging only by what he 
 had seen of Mr. Walter as a boy clerking in a 
 
 re, he placed him. in 1872, as cashier in the 
 bank organized then at Millheim by ]. C. Mol 
 .\ ( .. No security was asked or offered, as he 
 placed implicit faith in the integrity of his pro- 
 . and the result has demonstrated the sound- 
 ness of his •judgment. 
 
 Mr. Walter was born at Middleburg, Snyder 
 Co., Penn., February 3, 1S50, the son of Isaac 
 and Lucinda (Reninger) Walter, both natives oi 
 Snyder county. The father, who was a brick- 
 layer and farmer by occupation, died in i860, 
 and the mother in 1S67. Of five children our 
 subject was the eldest; Emma J. married Mr. 
 Hilbish, ol Bristol, Ind. ; Thomas died in Phila- 
 delphia; Christian resides in Union county. Penn. , 
 and Amelia married W M Miller, of Union 
 county. 
 
 The little family was scattered at the father's 
 death, and thus it happened that, when only ten 
 years old, Mr. Walter went to live with Chris- 
 tian Walter, of Kreamer, Snyder county, upon 
 whose farm he worked tor five years, attending 
 the district school in the meantime. He then 
 began clerking for Walter & Smith, merchants 
 al Kreamer, receiving only his board and clothes 
 After two years the linn dissolved partnership, 
 and Mr. Walter went to Woodward, Centre 
 county, to clerk for J. W Snook at $15 per 
 month; when the business changed hands he still 
 retained his situation, remaining three years in 
 all. His salary there was the first money that he 
 had ever earned, and his savings enabled him to 
 take a course at the Eastman Business College, 
 in Poughkeepsie, N. Y. On his return to Centre 
 county, he went to Millheim to enter the store of 
 
 J. W. Snook as a clerk; six months later, at the 
 organization of the banking firm of J. C. Mot/ 
 &Co., he became cashier of the institution, and 
 has since continued in that capacity. In 
 six years after its foundation, the firm was n 
 organized under the name of the Millheim Hank 
 ing Company, as at present known. 
 
 Mi. Walter is a safe and trusty counselor in 
 financial matters and in local affairs, and altl 
 he is unostentatious in manner and retiring in dis- 
 position, he wields an influence in the communitv 
 that is difficult to measure. He is ever ready to 
 encourage anj enterprise which will promote the 
 ;tS of his locality, and his substantial sup 
 port is freely given when required. 
 
 In May, 1877, Mr. Walter was united in mar- 
 riage with Miss Junie A Musser, who was born 
 in Millheim, August 5, 1S55, the daughter of D. 
 A and Lydia A. (Shreffler) Musser. No children 
 were born of this union. Mr. Walter and his 
 wife are prominent socially, and he is a membei 
 of the Masonic order. He is also a leading 
 worker in the Methodist Episcopal Church, flav- 
 in;,' held the office of trustee for some time. 
 
 In politics, Mr. Walter is a Randall Democrat. 
 He does not endorse any Democratic platT 
 every part. In this respect he shows the same 
 conservatism which governs his business tra 
 tions, and no issue is fully accepted until he thor- 
 oughly understands it as a result of careful study 
 and research. 
 
 J A. REDELIN, M. D., a leading phys 
 _ _L of Boalsburg, whose professional repul 
 and social acquaintance extend beyond the bound> 
 of Centre county, was born in Philadelphia, Feb- 
 ruary 28, 1 S69, a son of Charles and Ella 
 (Bishop) Redelin. The father was a natm 
 Sweden, born in Tidhola, near Stockholm, and 
 for twenty years was a sea captain. 
 
 In 1865 he emigrated to the United St« 
 and was employed in rigging vessels in Philadel- 
 phia, when he met Miss Klla Bishop, who 
 came his wife January 1. 1867. She wa- 
 daughter of an Adams county 1 Penn. 1 farn 
 In 1871 the parents removed to Mifflin com 
 tins State, where the father became foreman of 
 the Burnham Steel Works, but was killed b 
 fall from some rigging, in 1S82. The famth 
 cle included seven children, namely; I ' 
 born in September, 1868, died in infancy; A \ 
 is the second; J. S.. born in 1872, is a machinist 
 in Mifflin county; Sarah M., born in 1874. I 
 home; Anna, born in 1876, is also with her 
 mother; Charles, born in 1878, died in infai 
 and Gertrude, born in 1881, is at home. 
 

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 498 
 
 The primary education of our subject was re- 
 ceived in the public schools of Lewistown, Penn., 
 and in the academy of that place he completed 
 his literary course. In 1890 he entered Jefferson 
 Medical College, at Philadelphia, from which in- 
 stitution he was graduated in the class of 1893, 
 but in the meantime had served as bookkeeper in 
 the Burnham Steel Works during his vacations, 
 and in that way earned the money with which to 
 pay his expenses through college. He began 
 practice in Burnham with Dr. McKim, but in 
 1893 located in Boalsburg. Although he came 
 into active competition with older physicians of 
 large experience, he soon gained the public con- 
 fidence, and has now a practice which might well 
 be envied by many who have been much longer 
 in business than he. He has been a close stu- 
 dent of the profession, and his broad knowledge 
 and devotion to the interests of his patients have 
 won him a skill and gained him a reputation that 
 is indeed enviable. 
 
 Dr. Redelin was married January 12, 1892, 
 to Miss Clara Kreig, fifth in the family of six 
 children born to Joseph and Elizabeth Kreig, of 
 Yeagertown, Mifflin county, where the father 
 was engaged in the manufacture of axes. The 
 Doctor and his wife have two interesting chil- 
 dren: Albert N., born April 15, 1893; and Cath- 
 erine A., born November 4, 1895. The family 
 occupy a pleasant home on Main street, and hold 
 a high position in the social circles of the com- 
 munity. Politically, Dr. Redelin is an earnest 
 Democrat, and is secretary of the Boalsburg 
 school board. He is a prominent member of 
 the Centre County Medical Society of Bellefonte. 
 In religious faith he is also an active member of 
 the Lutheran Church, in which he is now serving 
 as class leader. 
 
 >\AMUEL H. STINE, a well-known and highly 
 respected agriculturist of Patton township, 
 Centre county, was one of the brave "boys in 
 'blue " who so gallantly went forth to aid their 
 country in putting down the Rebellion. He was 
 iborn July 22, [825, in Mifflin county, Penn., 
 iwhence in 1830 he was brought to Centre coun- 
 ty, by his parents, Jonas and Elizabeth (Gray) 
 iStine, both also natives of the Keystone State. 
 I To this worthy couple were born seven chil- 
 dren, as follows: John; a cabinet maker by 
 trade, married Rachel Leary, reared a family, 
 'and died over twenty years ago. Hannah mar- 
 ried Jesse Whippo, who died leaving a large 
 family of children, and some years after his death 
 she wedded John Hicks, who passed away about 
 ^o. Leah is the widow of Michael Myers, 
 
 who died about nine or ten years ago leaving a 
 family, and she now resides in Bald Eagle Val- 
 ley, Centre county. Jonas, a farmer of Patton 
 township, is married and has a family. Cathar- 
 ine became the wife of Joel Lauder, and died in 
 1885, leaving eight children. Samuel H. was 
 next in order of birth. Elizabeth died in girl- 
 hood. 
 
 The education of Samuel H. Stine was such 
 as the public schools of Patton township afforded, 
 and he early became familiar with all kinds of 
 farm labor, so that he is now a thorough and. 
 skilled agriculturist. On attaining to man's 
 estate he was united in marriage with Miss Rachel 
 Myers, and they became the parents of thirteen 
 children, six of whom died in childhood. The 
 wife died in August, 1876, and in 1881 Mr. Stine 
 wedded Mrs. Susanna Turner, widow of Samuel 
 Turner. The children of our subject who are 
 still living are: Elmira, wife of Scott Woods, of 
 Philipsburg, Penn. ; Margaret E., wife of William 
 Lytle, a farmer of Centre county; Harrison, who 
 has lived in Philipsburg since 1888; LaFayette 
 and Daniel, who are residents of the same place; 
 William E., who is married, and is connected 
 with the lumber interests of McKean county, 
 Penn. ; and Bert, who enlisted in July, 1895, for 
 three years in the United States standing army. 
 
 On February 11, 1862, Mr. Stine laid aside 
 personal considerations and joined Company H, 
 56th P. V. I. He participated in many impor- 
 tant engagements, including those of Gettysburg, 
 Antietam, South Mountain and the second battle 
 of Bull Run, and at the battle of Cold Harbor 
 was wounded, June 2, 1864. When his term of 
 enlistment had expired he was honorably dis- 
 charged and mustered out February 18, 1865. 
 He now receives a pension of $12 per month, 
 and is the owner of a good home of fourteen 
 acres in Patton township, near Paradise. He 
 uniformly votes the straight Republican ticket, 
 and in religious belief is a Methodist. No man 
 takes a deeper interest or greater pride in the 
 moral and material welfare of the community, or 
 is held in higher esteem by his fellow citizens 
 than Samuel H. Stine. 
 
 F 
 
 * W. KRUMRINE. This gentleman occu- 
 
 pies no unimportant position among the 
 leading citizens and farmers of Ferguson town- 
 ship, Centre county. He was born September 
 6, 1857, in the township where he still resides, 
 and is a son of John W. and Rosetta (Musser) 
 Krumrine, also natives of Centre county. In their 
 family were six children, namely: Sarah, who 
 married Calvin Myer, and died eighteen months 
 
494 
 
 COMMKMtillA TIVE BIOGRAPHICAL UKfORD. 
 
 later, leaving a daughter, May; Susan K., wife of 
 D. H. Fye, a farmer of Ferguson township, by 
 whom she has six children; F. \\\, of this re- 
 view; Laura M., i resident of Johnstown, Penn. ; 
 Lizzie, wife of Benjamin Roup, of Spruce Creek, 
 Penn.; and Elsie, who is living with her mother 
 at State College, Centre county. Our subject is 
 descended from good old Revolutionary stock. 
 his ancestors having aided the ( in their 
 
 struggle for independence. 
 
 Mr. Krumrine, whose name opens this sketch, 
 is indebted to the public schools of Ferguson 
 township for his educational privileges, and since 
 laying aside Ins text books he has turned his at- 
 tention to agricultural pursuits. He is the owner 
 of a valuable farm of 106 acres, which he has 
 placed under a high state of cultivation, and im- 
 proved with good, substantial farm buildings. 
 
 On September iS, 1879, he was married to 
 Miss Anme Garner, and one child — John Frank- 
 lin — graces this union. Politically, our subject 
 is a Jefferson ian Democrat, strongly favoring the 
 free coinage of gold and silver. He holds a 
 prominent place among the intelligent farmers of 
 the county, and his integrity, manliness and true 
 Christian character have won for him the respect 
 ol the entire community. Religiously, he is a 
 faithful member of the German Reformed Church. 
 
 WILLIAM J. MYERS, of Pine Grove Mills, 
 Centre county, is a native of the county, 
 born in Harris township, August [8, 1S46, a son 
 of Joseph and Elizabeth (Weaver) Myers. The 
 latter was a daughter of Jacob Weaver, of Lnion 
 county, Pennsylvania. 
 
 Our subject is one of a numerous family, the 
 others in the order of birth being as follows: 1 1 1 
 Amos was killed during the three-days' battle of 
 Gettysburg, in July, 1863, and was buried on the 
 battlefield, but nine days later was disinterred, 
 and laid to rest in the cemetery of Boalsburg, 
 Centre county. (2) John, who died in June. 
 1884, was also buried at - Boalsburg. (3) Mary 
 is living with our subject (4) Sarah C. married 
 John Hummel, a hotel-keeper of Lilyville, Mif- 
 flin Co., Penn., and died three years ago leasing 
 seven children. (5) I). \\\, a butcher of Boals- 
 burg, married Emma Stover, and has three chil- 
 dren. (6) Wesley, also a butcher of the same 
 place, married Lizzie Heintzelman, and has two 
 children — John and Edward. (7) J. !•'.. a fan 
 of Ferguson township, ( entre count}-, wedded 
 Mary Lutz, and has three children. (8) John 
 and (9) Calvin died in infancy. (10) Henry F., 
 a coach maker of Alexandria, Huntingdon Co., 
 Penn., married Laura Foster, by whom he had 
 
 two children, and after her death he weddec 
 Jennie Rishel. (il) The next child died in in- 
 fancy. (12) Adaline is the widow of Willian 
 Rline, a farmer of Benner township. Centre 
 county, who died in [889; she has four children, 
 and now makes her home in State College, Penn- 
 sylvania. 
 
 The elementary education of W. |. Myei 
 was obtained in the schools of Singleton, Centre 
 county, and this was supplemented by a course 
 in the Boalsburg Academy, under Prof. Lescher, 
 who afterward became a Lutheran minister. 
 Learning the trade of a carriage maker, Mr 
 Myers has since followed that occupation, am: 
 the work which he turns out is first-class in every 
 particular. He was married in April, 1874, t< 
 Miss Jennie F. Knode, a daughter of Daniel P. 
 Knode, of Alexandria, Huntingdon Co., Penn. 
 Four children have been born of this union: H. 
 C, born March 17, 1875, on September 29, 1896, 
 entered the University of Pennsylvania, in Phil- 
 adelphia, where he expects to take a four-years 
 course in medicine; and D. E., Hattie P. and 
 Franklin K., at home. 
 
 For twenty-three years Mr. Myers has affili- 
 ated with the fndependent Order of Odd Fel- 
 lows; in religious faith he is identified with tht. 
 Reformed Church. In politics he is a stalwart 
 Democrat, and favors the free coinage of silver, 
 believing that prosperity is doubtful with tht 
 single standard. He is a man whom to know is 
 to admire, amiable in disposition, courteous in 
 manner, and honorable in his dealings with his 
 fellow men. With these characteristics it is not 
 strange that he enjoys the friendship of a large 
 circle of acquaintances. 
 
 WILLIAM NEESE. The Neese family ol 
 Penn township, Centre county, is of oni 
 oldest and best pioneer stock, and one of its most 
 esteemed representatives in this day is th< 
 tleman whose name introduces this sketch. The 
 first American ancestor was William \ 
 German by birth and a sailor by occupation, who 
 to this State in Colonial times and settled 
 first in Snyder county, in the locality which in- 
 still known as "Neese Hollow," having 
 named in tiis honor. Later he moved towh.it H 
 now Centre county, and secured a large tract of 
 land in Penn township, where he made his honw 
 over a hundred years ago. 
 
 Among his large family was a son Peter, our 
 subject's grandfather, who as a boy voluni 
 as a soldier during the Revolutionary war, »od 
 served gallantly in the ranks. He was a man "1 
 great muscular power, and until a few years 
 
COMMEMORA TIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 495 
 
 fore his death enjoyed perfect health. As a 
 farmer he was very successful, and he was the 
 first to improve the portion of the original tract 
 now occupied by our subject, and built the first 
 building there, the log dwelling house remaining 
 still as an interesting relic of the past. He died 
 there, at the age of ninety-one years, his wife, 
 Christina (Hess), surviving him some time. They 
 had ten children — four sons and six daughters — 
 but all did not live to maturity. 
 
 David Neese, the eldest son, and the father 
 of our subject, was born at the old home about 
 1799, and was reared at the old home. He, too, 
 was a successful farmer, and at one time owned 
 about 250 acres of land. As a citizen he was 
 highly respected, and he contributed generously 
 to Church work and to other progressive move- 
 ments. Politically, he was a Democrat, but, 
 while he served in various township offices, he 
 never became a politician as that word is gener- 
 ally understood. He died in 1872, and his wife, 
 Susan, who was a daughter of Valentine Ker- 
 steter, survived him only two months, the re- 
 mains of both being interred in Heckman ceme- 
 tery. Twelve children blessed their union: Eliz- 
 abeth, the widow of Henry Alexander, and who 
 for more than forty years resided with our sub- 
 ject, died in November, 1896; William is men- 
 tioned more fully below; David is a farmer on a 
 portion of the original homestead; John died at 
 Spring Mills; Jacob is a blacksmith at Farmers 
 Mills; Samuel resides with our subject; Benjamin 
 died in Wisconsin; Harriet makes her home with 
 our subject; Sarah married William Grove, Jr. , 
 of Benner township, Centre county; Rebecca 
 married Henry Moyer, of Gregg township,. Cen- 
 tre county; Emanuel also resided in Gregg town- 
 ship; and Daniel died in childhood. 
 
 William Neese was born July 16, 1826, and 
 since the age of seven years has resided on the 
 old farm, which has now been in the hands of 
 some member of his family for more than a cen- 
 tury. As a farmer's son he was reared after the 
 customs of the times, his education being ac- 
 quired in the local schools, with his uncle, Jacob 
 Neese, as his first teacher. A few years before 
 I his father's death, Mr. Neese rented a part of the 
 home farm, and later he purchased the interest of 
 the other heirs, paying them in all over $6,000. 
 Both parents dying about the same time, there 
 were two payments falling due very close to- 
 gether, causing Mr. Neese great inconvenience, 
 but he was equal to the effort required. He now 
 owns about 1 19 acres of fine land, representing a 
 handsome competence, and is regarded as one of 
 the substantial citizens of the township. He has 
 never married. A nephew, W. H. Grove, son of 
 
 William Grove, Jr., and Sarah (Neese), resides 
 with him, and two of Mr. Neese's sisters and a 
 brother also make their home there, as stated 
 above. In the spring of 1895, Mr. Neese retired 
 from active work, and enjoys in peace the fruits 
 of his past years of labor. He has always shown 
 a loyal interest in the advancement of the com- 
 munity, contributing freely to religious and other 
 movements. He is an intelligent observer of 
 political affairs, and while he is a Democrat on 
 national issues, he is not at all bigoted, voting 
 independently when local interests only are in- 
 volved. 
 
 William Grove, the foster son of our subject, 
 was born January 30, 1867, and his mother was a 
 sister of William Neese. He was educaied in the 
 common schools of Penn township, and came to 
 live with his uncle when but two years of age; in 
 fact was born on this farm, working for his uncle 
 till he was twenty-eight years old, since when he 
 has operated the farm. On February 5, 1895, 
 he was married, and then he took charge of the 
 farm. He married Tammie N. Corman, daughter 
 of John Corman, and they had one child, Dor- 
 sey Monroe, born January 27, 1897, died June 
 24, 1897. In politics Mr. Grove is a Democrat; 
 in religious faith he is a member of the Lutheran 
 Church. 
 
 JB. SPANGLER. Among the progressive, 
 enterprising and energetic farmers of Centre 
 county there are very few who are the peers 
 of the subject of this biographical sketch. His en- 
 tire life has here been passed, having been born 
 April 4, 1847, in Potter township, where he still 
 makes his home. His parents, Jacob and Cath- 
 arine (Wagner) Spangler, are both now de- 
 ceased, the former dying in 1874, and the latter 
 in 1873. 
 
 Our subject began his education in the Rock 
 Grove school, John McMinn being among his first 
 teachers. His advantages along this line were 
 limited to the district schools of his boyhood, 
 which were much inferior to those of the present 
 day; but he learned well and rapidly, and is a 
 well-informed man. His training at farm labor 
 was not so meagre, and his first lessons in agri- 
 culture were upon the place of his birth, where 
 he continued to live with his parents until his fa- 
 ther purchased the farm on which he now re- 
 sides, and the family removed thereon. By the 
 provisions of his father's will he was to have the 
 use of the farm for a period of five years, which 
 he took advantage of, and on the expiration of 
 that time purchased it. It is a valuable tract of 
 114 acres, which he has transformed into richly 
 
496 
 
 ' umkmoua Tl VB Hloiiii.xfllli Af. i;/:< 'OBD. 
 
 cultivated fields, and placed thereon many use- 
 ful improvements. 
 
 In February, [88o, in Potter township, Mr. 
 Spangler married Miss Euphemia Fortney, a 
 daughter of John Fortney, and they have two 
 children, namely; J. J., born in January, i<S8i; 
 and Myra K. 
 
 In his political affiliations. Mi. Spangler is a 
 stanch Democrat, an adviser and counselor of his 
 party in his section, and an earnest worker for its 
 success. He has served in a number of local po- 
 sitions, such as tax collector, supervisor, overseer 
 of the poor and assessor, and has always dis- 
 charged the duties of the office with promptness 
 and fidelity. He is one of the most prosperous, 
 energetic and industrious agriculturist- of his 
 township, securing the best results from his work; 
 is numbered among its better class of citizens, 
 and enjoys the friendship of a large circle of 
 acquaintances. His estimable wife holds mem- 
 bership in the Lutheran Church. 
 
 FJ. WEAVER has throughout his entire life 
 been connected with the agricultural and 
 commercial interests of Haines township. Centre 
 county, being at the present time a successful 
 Imtcher in the village of Aaronsburg. He was 
 born in that township, August 29, 1837, the 
 yungest son of Frederick and Catherine (Mark) 
 Weaver, and his early education was such as the 
 country schools of the locality afforded. His 
 health being poor, he was unable to attend school 
 much of the time during his boyhood. 
 
 I 1 urn the home farm Mr. Weaver was re 
 in the usual manner of farmer boys, assisting in 
 the work when his health would permit, and then 
 at the age of twenty-one he rented the old home- 
 stead, which he successfully operated some thirty- 
 years, the place yielding to him a golden tribute 
 in return for the labor devoted to its cultivation. 
 On the death of his father he purchased the farm, 
 where he continued to make his home until his 
 removal to Aaronsburg in 1886, since which time 
 he has engaged in the butchering business with 
 the exception ol the year 1895, when he rented 
 In- shop. He is a wide-awake, progressive busi- 
 ness man, and a well-deserved success has 
 crowned his efforts. He was married, when 21 
 years old, in Haibes township, to Miss Amanda 
 West, a native of Millersburg, Dauphin Co., 
 l'i mi., and a daughtei of Solomon West. Thn e 
 daughters were Imni of this union: Olivia, wife 
 Ulster, 1 .1 1 lames township ; [oanna, 
 wife of Willis Musser, of Millheim county; 
 
 and Mary K , twin sistei ''1 [oanna, and the wife 
 1 il William Aiinian, of Millheim. 
 
 In connection with his business in Aaronsl 
 Mr. Weaver, still owns a valuable farm of 200 
 acres in Haines township, and has one of the 
 most beautiful homes 111 the village. He has al- 
 ways been a stanch supporter of the principles of 
 the Republican party, and has never missed an 
 election since casting his first ballot after reach- 
 ing the age of twenty-one. He has always cheer- 
 fully given of his means for the promotion of tlv- 
 welfare of the community, and is truly one of the 
 representative and prominent citizens of Aaron- 
 burg. 
 
 CHARLES C. LOOSE. One of the chid 
 benefits of biographical research is found in 
 the examples thus brought to life of men who, by 
 persistent and well-planned effort, have won sub- 
 stantial success. The story of the life of 1 I 
 Loose, now a prominent resident of Rebersburg, 
 Centre count)', and one of the most prosperous 
 business men of Brush Valley, is a case in point. 
 
 He is a native of Millheim, Centre count) . 
 and a son of Samuel Loose, a well-known car- 
 penter and builder of Rebersburg, whose skillful 
 work is shown in many important structures in 
 this section, including the German Reformed 
 church at Madisonburg. The grandfather of our 
 subject was Abraham Loose, a cooper, who fol- 
 lowed that trade for many years in Lebanon 
 county, Penn., where he also owned and culti- 
 vated a farm of thirty or forty acres. Later he 
 sold this and rented a farm in Dauphin county, 
 six miles from Harrisburg, but his last days were 
 spent on a farm near Hogstown, Cumberland 
 Penn., where he died at a ripe old age. His wife. 
 Elizabeth Petry, died some years before him .it 
 the same place. He was an industrious man, al- 
 though he never accumulated much property 
 He stood well in the community where he made 
 his home, and was a consistent member of the 
 German Reformed Church. In politics he ■ 
 Democrat, Of his large family of children all 
 lived to adult age, and all married. There were 
 thirteen in number, as follows: Daniel, ; 
 Dennis. Samuel and Joe (twins*, Hem)', I 
 Catherine, Elizabeth, Mary, Susannah, - 
 and Matilda. Two are still living— Denni 
 Millheim, and Henry, at Elkhart, Indiana 
 
 Samuel Loose was born in Lebanon count). 
 August 1, 1819, and received but 1 
 tion in his youth. The schools of his 
 (ount) were all Cierman, and when hi 
 Dauphin count)-, when thi instruction ■ 
 in English, he had to 1 tin in all bran 
 
 Among so many boys his help was not n 
 the farm, and in April, 18 
 
! 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 497 
 
 anon county to learn the carpenter's trade with 
 his brother Daniel. In the spring of 1839 the 
 latter moved to Aaronsburg, Centre county, 
 where the young apprentice completed his term. 
 He spent one summer at farm work in Cumber- 
 land county, and then came back to Centre 
 county, and followed his trade at Millheim until 
 1847, when he removed to Morrow county, Ohio. 
 Here he located upon a farm, and in addition to 
 the work of the place carried on his trade suc- 
 cessfully. In 1850 he returned to Millheim, and 
 after some years he settled in Brush Valley, 
 where he again engaged in farming in connection 
 with his other business. With advancing years 
 and increasing wealth he decided to make his 
 home in Rebersburg, where he might the better 
 enjoy the fruits of his years of toil. His sterling 
 qualities of character won the respect of all who 
 met him, and as a citizen he was influential in a 
 quiet way. Although he was not a politician, he 
 was a stanch Democrat. He died in October, 
 1896. 
 
 On January 2, 1845, Samuel Loose was mar- 
 ried, in Millheim, to Miss Elizabeth Brickley, 
 who was born January 18, 1821, in Union county, 
 Penn. Her family is noted for intellectual abil- 
 ity, several of her brothers being Evangelical 
 ministers, and one a physician. Eight children 
 were born of this marriage, their names with dates 
 of birth being as follows: Sarah C, December 
 11, 1845, married John Ocker, of Miles town- 
 1 ship; Mary L. , July 22, 1848, died March 13, 
 1849; Annie E., September 28, 185 1, is now 
 . Mrs. Thomas Walker, of Miles township; Mag- 
 i dalena, June 13, 1853, died January 14, 1857; 
 Agnes, September 7, 1856, married Titus Gram- 
 | ley, of Spring Mills; Charles C, April 14, 1858, 
 is the next in the order of birth; Alice R. ; 
 August 14, 1859, is the wife of Charles Gram- 
 1 ley, of Kane county, 111.; and Ellen M., Septem- 
 : ber 18, 1861, is now Mrs. Calvin Mallory, of 
 J Miles township. The mother of this family, who 
 was a devout Christian, and a member of the 
 Evangelical Church, died February 6, 1889, and 
 her remains now lie buried in Rebersburg ceme- 
 ; tery. Samuel Loose for his second wife married 
 J Miss Lydia Bierly, of Miles township, who is yet 
 'living. . 
 
 I The early boyhood of our subject was spent 
 
 \ in Millheim, where he attended school for a time, 
 
 j his first teacher being Miss Lizzie Cook. After 
 
 the removal of the family to Miles township, he 
 
 attended the country schools near his father's 
 
 farm, and in 1876 he attended the County Nor- 
 
 School at Milesburg for a term, preparing 
 
 In the fall of 1878 he took charge 
 
 school at Madisonburg, where he taught 
 
 32 
 
 mal 
 
 for teaching 
 
 of 
 
 two terms, and afterward he tauf nt one term in 
 the Harter school, in Miles towns lip. 
 
 On March 4, 1879, Mr. Loose was married 
 in Millheim to Miss Ella Harter, a native of 
 Miles township, and a daughter of Emanuel and 
 Alvina (Bierly) Harter. He began housekeep- 
 ing on his father's farm, which he rented from 
 the spring of 1880 to the spring of 1884, when 
 he moved to Rebersburg and engaged in mercan- 
 tile business, remaining four years. With capital 
 secured by the sale of his stock and goodwill he 
 began the lumber business. His first purchase 
 of timber land was in the mountain north of Re- 
 bersburg, and his timber cut from it was sawed up 
 at another man's mill. Later other tracts were 
 bought, and Mr. Loose .engaged in milling on 
 his account. Since then he has often had as 
 many as three mills at work, two of his own and 
 one leased, and he now operates extensively in 
 Union and Centre counties, employing on the 
 average thirty men the year round. In 1891 he 
 built his present home, and his grounds, which 
 were merely a vacant lot when he bought them, 
 are now beautifully laid out and adorned. He 
 owns two houses in Rebersburg and considerable 
 farming land in Miles township. He also has 
 135 acres of farming land near Rebersburg with 
 250 acres of timber land in connection. 
 
 As a Democrat, Mr. Loose has been active in 
 local politics, and has held township offices at 
 various times. Thoroughly progressive in his 
 ideas, he is in sympathy with all movements 
 which he thinks beneficial to the community. He 
 has served several years as school director, and 
 is now in his fifth year as secretary of the board. 
 He is also one of the stockholders of the Mill- 
 heim Electric Telephone Co., and president of 
 the Rebersburg Water Co. This last organiza- 
 tion was chartered in the fall of 1896, prior to 
 which one-third of the town of Rebersburg was 
 formed into a company and furnished water for 
 themselves, while two-thirds of the town were 
 without water. Mr. Loose was one of the eight 
 men who applied for a charter, and after same 
 had been granted was the chief one to effect a 
 compromise between the two companies (not 
 without much opposition, however), so to-day the 
 entire town is consolidated into one company, 
 satisfactory to all. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Loose are prominent members 
 of the United Evangelical Church, and at present 
 he is superintendent of the Sunday-school, and 
 trustee in the Church, to which he is one of the 
 most liberal contributors. He is a charter mem- 
 ber of Rebersburg Lodge No. 1031, I. O. O. F., 
 a member of Bellefonte Encampment, I. O. O. 
 F., and belongs to the Rebersburg Grange 
 
198 
 
 OOMMBMORA 77 V i: BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 — 
 
 C\ A. KRAP •. . a representative and prominent 
 t citizen of iregg township, Centre county, is 
 successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits, and 
 is a business man oi more than ordinary capac- 
 ity, enterprising and energetic. He belongs to a 
 Family that lias been long and prominently iden- 
 tified with the interests of this section of the State, 
 and has been an important factor in its advance- 
 ment and upbuilding. It was founded in Centre 
 and adjoining counties by four brothers — Jacob, 
 ii. William and Abraham Krape — who came 
 from Dauphin county, and located in Brush, 
 Nittany and Penn's Valleys, and their descend- 
 ants are now numerous throughout this region. 
 
 One of these, William Krape, the grandfather 
 of our subject, was horn in Dauphin county, 
 about 1784, and, on coming to Centre county 
 when a young man, located in Miles township. 
 In Brush Valley he married Miss Susannah, 
 daughter of Francis Gramley, after which he 
 removed to Gregg township, and about 1827 
 took up his residence upon the farm, in the same 
 township where the father of our subject now 
 resides, and there spent his remaining days, dy- 
 ing in 1S60. His wife had passed away many 
 years previously, and they now sleep side by side 
 in the Union cemetery. In early life he worked 
 at the weaver's trade in Spring Mills, but later 
 turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, be- 
 coming one of the most extensive farmers of 
 Gregg township. Originally he was a Whig in 
 politics, and later a Republican, while in religious 
 faith both himself and family were active mem- 
 bers of the Lutheran Church. To the grandpar- I 
 ents were born the following children: Maria, 
 who married John Royer, and died in George's 
 Valley at an advanced age; George, the father of 
 our subject; Peggy, who married John Emerick, 
 and died in Potter township, Centre county; 
 David, a resident of Haines township, Centre 
 county; Betsey, wife of William Ziegler, of Farm- 
 ville, Ya.; Christina, who married Peter Yearick, 
 and died in Brush Yalle\ , Susannah, who mar- 
 ried Aaron Weaver, and died in Aaronsburg, Cen- 
 to counts. 
 
 George Krape was born June 21, [816, in 
 -township, where he acquired his education 
 m the public schools. As a boy he was a natur- 
 ral mechanic, displaying a fondness for tools and 
 an aptness in their use. and in early life worked 
 at various trades, while in later years he did 
 much of his own work along those lines. He in- 
 vented a corn planter, which proved quite succ. 
 ful, and sold several of them. After reaching 
 man's estate he was mostly employed upon the 
 home farm, much of which he cleared At the 
 of twenty-six years, he was married in 
 
 lona, Clinton Co., Penn., to Mis> Annie Best, 
 who was born near that city in 1825, and was a 
 daughter of Peter Best, a farmer by occupation 
 For one year after their marriage they lived upon 
 a rented farm in Gregg township, and then lo- 
 cated near Salona. Clinton county, where Mr. 
 Krape purchased eighty acres of land from his 
 father-in-law, and there made his home some 
 fifteen years. In 1856, however, he returned t 
 the old homestead in Gregg township, which he 
 purchased a year or two after his father's death, 
 and to which he has added thirteen acres, so 
 that he now has a valuable and productive tract 
 of 200 acres. 
 
 Eleven children constituted the famil 
 George and Annie 1 Best 1 Krape, namely: Man 
 S., who died at the age of seven years; William 
 B., a resident of Spring Mills, who was born J11K 
 2, 1 .^44, and during the Civil war served for two 
 years and seven months as a member of Com- 
 pany D. 148th P. V. I. ; Jennie R. , wife of John 
 Potter, of Milesburg, Centre county; Jame- 
 carpenter of Seattle, Wash.; Samuel S,, of 
 Spring Mills; Harriet, wife of Stephen H. Best, 
 of Gregg township; Alfred P., of Centre Hall; 
 Chesty, an accomplished musician, who is en- 
 gaged in teaching instrumental music in I 
 dena, Cal. ; C. A. and Howard G. (twins), the 
 latter a music dealer of Rebersburg, Centre 
 county; and Florence M.. wife of Prof. F 1 
 Kearick, of Spring Mills. The mother of these 
 children, who was a consistent member of the 
 Reformed Church, died in July, 1 877, and was 
 buried in the Union cemetery. 
 
 Soon after the death of his wife, Mr. Krape 
 laid aside active business, and erected a very 
 commodious and substantial home upon his farm, 
 where he is now living retired. On November 
 16, 1880, he wedded Miss Catharine Decker, who 
 was bom in Gregg township, November 11, 
 1832, a daughter of Jacob and Lydia { Weiland) 
 Decker. He has ever enjoyed perfect health, 
 although throughout Ins active business life he 
 toiled early and late in all sorts of weather. Hi8 
 first vote was cast in support of the Whig , 
 Later he became a Know-Nothing, and is now n 
 stanch Republican. Taking an active intei 
 the improvement of schools, he served .for ten' 
 years as an efficient member of the school board, 
 and has also served his fellow citizens in the 
 capacity of supervisor for several term 
 faithful member of the Reformed Church, he 
 took an active part in Church work for years. 
 and has always given his support to all worthy 
 ts winch tend to promote the welfare of the 
 community. His estimable wife is a Lutheran 
 in religious belief 
 
 , 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 499 
 
 C. A. Krape, whose name introduces this 
 sketch, was born near Spring Mills, Gregg town- 
 ship, November 3, 1859, and received the greater 
 part of his education in the schools of Penn Hall. 
 At one time it was his intention to attend col- 
 lege, but he later gave up the idea, and at the 
 age of twenty taught for one term in Gregg 
 township, after which he began learning telegra- 
 phy in the railroad depot at Spring Mills, where 
 he remained for fifteen months. Entering the 
 store of G. R. Spigelmyer, of that place, he 
 followed clerking for seven years, and subse- 
 quently purchased the half interest in the Spring 
 Mills Creamery belonging to R. G. Eisenhart, 
 which in connection with T. M. Gramley he con- 
 tinued for several years, meeting with excellent 
 success in the undertaking. He next embarked 
 in merchandising, owning the store now con- 
 ducted by C. A. Mayer, and successfully carried 
 on operations along that line until failing health 
 compelled him to retire. He is now engaged in 
 the cultivation of his fine farm of eighty-five 
 acres in Gregg township, and also handles cream 
 separators, of which he sells more than any 
 other agent in Centre county. Besides his own 
 comfortable home, he owns another good resi- 
 dence and business block in Spring Mills. The 
 success that he has achieved is due to his own 
 untiring efforts, enterprise and good manage- 
 ment, and he well deserves to be numbered 
 among the leading and most capable business 
 men of Gregg township. 
 
 On December 31, 1885, in Gregg township, 
 Mr. Krape was married to Miss Birdie R. Fetter- 
 alf, a native of Spring Mills, and a daughter of 
 Elias and Rachel Fetteralf. She is a faithful 
 member of the Lutheran Church, while Mr. 
 Krape is connected with the Reformed Church, 
 to which he has been a liberal contributor, aiding 
 greatly in the erection of the house of worship. 
 He has served as deacon, and secretary of the 
 Sunday-school, as well as chorister, his excellent 
 tenor voice well fitting him for such service. He 
 is one of the leading and most active members 
 of the Republican party in his community, work- 
 ing hard for its success, and has been elected 
 auditor of Gregg township, overcoming a large 
 Democratic majority, a fact which plainly indi- 
 cates his popularity. Socially, he affiliates with 
 the Grange. 
 
 LAWRENCE C. HARMAN, M. D., a well- 
 j known physician and surgeon of Philipsburg, 
 Centre county, is no less noted for his ability in 
 business and finance than for his skill in his pro- 
 fession. He is president of the Mahoning Lum- 
 
 ber Co., and has extensive real-estate holdings, 
 including a fine brick residence in Philipsburg 
 and a tract of 145 acres of land at Aughwick 
 Mills, Huntingdon county, Penn., where he 
 erected a beautiful villa about eight years ago. 
 His professional interests are not sacrificed to 
 any others, however, as his best energies are 
 given to his practice. For three years he was 
 assistant surgeon of Philipsburg hospital, and for 
 almost four years he was surgeon-in-chief. 
 
 Dr. Harman was born in Huntingdon county, 
 October 7, i860, and is the son of Jackson and 
 Mary (Slack) Harman. His father is a native of 
 Mifflin county, Penn., was in early life engaged 
 in the furniture business, and for eleven years 
 was superintendent of the County Home in Hun- 
 tingdon county. He is now living at the age of 
 sixty-eight years, and takes charge of our sub- 
 ject's lands, spending his winters in Philipsburg 
 and his summers at the villa at Aughwick Mills. 
 He is a stanch Republican in politics, and a 
 prominent member of the M. E. Church. His 
 wife was a daughter of Joab Slack, a leading 
 resident of Salisbury, Penn., and a manufacturer 
 of plows and other iron implements and utensils. 
 Her mother died at the age of fifty, and her 
 grandmother, whose maiden name was Crown- 
 over, attained the age of ninety. The Crown- 
 overs were prosperous millers and agriculturists 
 of Huntingdon county. Jackson and Mary 
 (Slack) Harman had seven children: (1) Clara, 
 Mrs. J. B. Shipton, of Ennisville, Huntingdon 
 county; (2) John A., a farmer at Manor Hill, Penn. ; 
 (3) Oscar, who died in infancy; (4) Lawrence 
 C., of this sketch; (5) Sadie (Mrs. George W. 
 Miller), who died in June, 1895, leaving a son — 
 Frank Lawrence Miller — 'who resides with our 
 subject; (6) Annie M., and (7) Minnie, both of 
 whom also make their home with our subject. 
 
 The Doctor's youth was spent in his native 
 county, where he attended the common schools. 
 When prepared, he entered Stone Valley Acad- 
 emy, and later studied at Dickinson Seminary, 
 afterward teaching for one year. His medical 
 studies were then begun under the direction of 
 Hon. W. P. McKnight, of Shirleysburg, and con- 
 tinued in Jefferson Medical College, Philadel- 
 phia, where he was graduated in 1882. For a 
 time he practiced with his preceptor, and he then 
 located in Philipsburg. Here his professional 
 abilities won speedy recognition. He is an active 
 member of the State Medical Association, of the 
 West Branch Medical Association, and of the 
 County Medical Association. As a citizen he is 
 deeply interested in the movements of the time, 
 and he firmly believes in the doctrines of the Re- 
 publican party. Socially he belongs to the 
 
500 
 
 ( 'OM \1 F.MORA Tl YE BIOQRAl'UU M. RECORD. 
 
 Royal Arcanum. He is a director of theMoshan- 
 National Bank, which was established May 
 i J, 1897, he being one of the organizers, and is 
 a director of the Citizens Building <.V Loan Co., 
 sei \ ing hi> sea »nd term. Up to this time he has 
 maintained a state of single blessedness. 
 
 T*7I1.1. 1AM J. SINGER, an able and ener- 
 W ^ctii lawyer "I Bellefonte, now serving 
 his second term as district attorney, is deserving 
 of especial mention in these records as one of 
 Centre county's enterprising sons. Like many 
 of tlic most successful citizens of this country, 
 he is of German descent in both paternal and 
 maternal lines. 
 
 Conrad Singer, lather of our subject, was 
 born near Wet/lar, in southwestern Prussia, in 
 1837, and came to America with his widowed 
 mother in 1S50. He was the eldest of four chil- 
 dren, the others being: [2) Margaret, who mar- 
 ried John Creger, of Centre county; (3) Eliza- 
 beth, who married John Glassner (both are now 
 deceased ; and 4) William, also deceased. This 
 little band landed at Baltimore, Md., and a per- 
 111. mi -ni home was soon found in Bald Eagle Val- 
 ley, Centre county. Conrad Singer became a 
 blacksmith, and carried on his trade at Romola 
 for many years. His wife. Margaret Glassner, 
 was born in Centre county in 1840, her father, 
 Christian Glassner, having come from Germany, 
 soon aftei his marriage, to settle in Curtin town- 
 ship, lie had been in the military service in his 
 native land, but fortunately his adopted country 
 made ni call upon him for other than deeds of 
 peace. He was a good citizen, a man of deep 
 religious feeling, anda member of the Reformed 
 Church. Our subject's mother, who resides in 
 Nittanj \ alley, was the youngest of a family of 
 four children, the others being: Henry (de- 
 ceased) was a resident of Centre county; Samp- 
 son (deceased) was by occupation a farmer and 
 cabinet maker; Jacob is a laborer in Centre 
 count\ . 
 
 Of the m\ living children of Conrad and M.u 
 garel Singer, our subject is the eldest; 21 Fran- 
 ces married John Royhorm, of Clearfield; (3) 
 Malinda is not married; ra is the wife "I 
 
 William Beck, of Snydertown, Penn. ; 5 Mabel 
 and 6) Benjamin an not married; one child di< .1 
 in infant 
 
 W f. Singer, our subject, was born April 21, 
 
 ■. in Curtin township, Centre county. Until 
 
 the age ol fift'een he attended the public schools 
 
 1 'I Romola, but his further progress requiring 
 
 ter opportunities, hi |uently attended the 
 
 lies at I toward and i M ills, pn | 
 
 ing for the work of teaching, the usual stepping 
 stone of ambitious legal aspirants who depend 
 upon their own resources. He was just seven- 
 teen when this hope was realized, and by teach- 
 ing one term he secured funds for a siiinn 
 study in the Normal School at Lock Haven, 
 Penn. He taught school for four winters, and 
 then entered the freshman class 111 State College, 
 his studies there being supplemented with 
 year under a private tutor, and a short time m 
 the academy at Spring Mills. In April, (886, 
 he went to Bellefonte and began to read law 
 with Orvis, Bower & Orvis, and April 22, iNKq, 
 he was admitted to the Bar. He remained with 
 Ins preceptors until the fall of 1892, when he was 
 elected on the Democratic ticket to his pre- 
 office, which he has tilled satisfactorily since Jan 
 uary 1, 1893, having been re-elected in Novem- 
 ber, 181.15, for another term. 
 
 On November 20, 1890. Mr. Singer mai 
 Miss Edna Clark Trafford, who was born March 
 9, 1868, in Huntingdon county, Penn. The} 
 take great interest in various social and religion- 
 movements, and are identified with the Reformed 
 Church. Two sons, Edward L. and John Traf- 
 ford, brighten their home. Mr. Singer has been 
 a member of the Fifth Regiment Pennsylvania 
 National Guard since 1885, having entered as a 
 private. In 1S88 he was promoted from the 
 ranks to the post of commissary sergeant ol the 
 brigade. In May, 1892, he was appointed com- 
 missary of the Second Brigade. His post is 00 
 sinecure, and he had charge of the commissary of 
 the brigade at Homestead and Punxsutawney. 
 
 LYMAN T EDDY, the efficient and popular 
 manager of the Mc< 0} & Linn Cold Blast 
 ( liarcoal Furnace, Rolling Mills and Chain 
 Works, located at Milesburg, Centre county, 
 there born |anuary 30, 1841, and is a sen 
 Thomas H. and Sarah M. (Mosesi Eddy, nati 
 of Connecticut, where they were married and 
 inained until 1838, when they came to Cei 
 county, locating near the Harvey Mam 
 Factor} 
 
 For about lour years the fathei was a hi 
 and striker in the same, and then rem 
 Milesburg, where, in connection with his broth 
 in-law, Reuben l.oveland, he opened ai 
 
 "I his own, conducting the same for thi 
 years. On going to < linton county, tin S 
 on the expiration of that time, he opei 
 axe factor) under the firm name of Loveland 
 Eddy until his death, which occurred in • 
 when he was aged fifty-two years. H 
 an active member ■>( the Methodi 
 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 501 
 
 Church, a great Sunday-school worker, and be- 
 ing an excellent vocalist took quite a prominent 
 part in the singing at camp meetings. He was 
 first a Whig in politics, later giving his support 
 to the Republican party. After his death our 
 subject took charge of his business interests for 
 two years, and then leased his share of the fac- 
 tory to Mr. Loveland for three years, who later 
 purchased the same. 
 
 The mother of our subject, who was born 
 August 2, 1 8 1 8, died February 6, 1897; she, too, 
 was an earnest member of the Methodist Episco- 
 pal Church. In her family were four children: 
 Walter, who was scalded to death at the age of 
 two years; Lyman T. , of this review; Nancy, 
 wife of Samuel Watson, of Lamar; and Ira C, 
 a bookkeeper, of Williamsport, Pennsylvania. 
 
 The educational privileges afforded Lyman 
 T. Eddy were rather meagre, and as a farm hand 
 he earned the money with which to pay his tui- 
 tion at Dickinson Seminary, which he attended 
 at intervals for six years. At the age of sixteen 
 he was compelled to lay aside his text books, 
 and in October, 1857, began teaching in the pub- 
 lic schools of Lamar, his term there covering a 
 period of seven months. For the two succeed- 
 ing winters he taught at Hublersburg, Centre 
 county, then again at Lamar, and the next winter 
 at Flemington, Clinton county, while the follow- 
 ing year he had charge of a school at Williams- 
 port, Penn., from the 1st of September until the 
 •1st of November. For thirty-eight months he 
 followed that profession mostly during the winter 
 season, before attaining his majority, while the 
 summers were spent in farm work and in attend- 
 ing the seminary at Williamsport. Mr. Eddy 
 then entered the employ of the Washington Iron 
 Works, at Lamar, where he remained some ten 
 years, filling the positions of bookkeeper, sales- 
 man and manager. On November 1, 1872, he ac- 
 cepted his present responsible position, which he 
 has so capably and acceptably rilled, as his long 
 retention plainly indicates. 
 
 On August 10, 1862, Mr. Eddy was married 
 to Miss Margaret E. Walker, and to them have 
 been born two children: Alma F., wife of Calvin 
 Zimmerman, of Milesburg; and Clarence P., de- 
 ceased when one year old. The mother's birth 
 occurred in Clinton county, October 30, 1837, 
 and she is a daughter of Philip and Judith (Moyer) 
 Walker, of Centre county, where the father died. 
 He was a prominent farmer, was called upon to 
 fill several official positions of honor and trust, 
 and was an active worker in the Evangelical 
 Church. The mother, who was born in 1808, 
 is still living on a farm at Clintonville, Penn. In 
 their family were six children, namely: Margaret 
 
 E., wife of our subject; Cyrus, who operates the 
 old homestead farm in Clinton county; Nannie 
 B., at home with her mother; Harry A., a 
 merchant of Lock Haven, Penn. ; James, who was 
 killed by the kick of a horse; and Abigail J., de- 
 ceased. 
 
 For almost a quarter of a century, Mr. Eddy 
 has been prominently identified with the business 
 and political interests of Milesburg, being elected 
 to several important official positions, the duties 
 of which he has always promptly and faithfully 
 discharged. He has served as school director, 
 councilman and auditor, filling the last named 
 office at the present time. Fraternally he is con- 
 nected with Bald Eagle Lodge No. 410, I. O. 
 O. F., in which he has passed all the chairs. 
 
 Like his honored parents, Mr. Eddy is also a 
 prominent Church worker, belonging to the 
 Methodist Episcopal Church of Milesburg, in 
 which he has served as steward, recording stew- 
 ard, trustee, secretary of the board of trustees, 
 president of the Epworth League, and class 
 leader for seventeen years. For thirty years he 
 has also been teacher in the Sunday-school, ten 
 years of which time he served in that capacity 
 in Lamar, and the past twenty years he has been 
 superintendent of the Sunday-school at Miles- 
 burg. He takes great delight in music, which 
 he reads readily, is a vocalist of much ability, 
 and has devoted his talent in this respect toward 
 raising money for Church work. The poor and 
 needy always find in him a warm friend, and no 
 man in Milesburg is more universally beloved and 
 respected than Lyman T. Eddy. 
 
 OBERT NELSON LOYD. A unique in- 
 terest attaches to everything which is asso- 
 ciated even indirectly with the days when this 
 section was a "waste, howling wilderness," and 
 its thriving towns existed not even in the fertile 
 imagination of the hardy pioneer who cleared the 
 forest from the sites upon which they have since 
 been established. 
 
 The subject of this sketch, who was born No- 
 vember 9, 1825, in Philipsburg, Centre county, 
 at what is now known as Grant's Corner, is a son 
 of Charles Loyd, an Englishman by birth, who 
 went to that locality as a young man, with Dr. 
 Plumb, and for some time conducted a boarding- 
 house for Philips and Plumb. He was also the 
 ' ' boss farmer " for Mr. Philips, who was then en- 
 gaged in clearing extensive tracts of land. Charles 
 A. Loyd was married at Philipsburg to Miss Mary 
 A. Nelson, and his death occurred a few years 
 later, when he was aged thirty-one. Being a 
 member of the State militia, he was buried with 
 
 J 
 
 
:.i 12 
 
 roMUKMOUATIVE HloiiUM'lI 1< A I UECOIW. 
 
 military honors. Three children were born of 
 this union, viz.: (i) Robert X. is our subject. 
 (2) Sarah Ann married Joshua Carney, of Phil- 
 ipsburg, and both died and were buried at that 
 place. (3) Martha married William Washburn, 
 and died at Philipsburg. Our subject's mother 
 was born in Delaware about the year I 8oo, and 
 died in 1875. In early womanhood she accom- 
 panied her mother and stepfather, Mr. McClos- 
 key, to Centre county. She was of old New 
 England stock, her ancestors having come to 
 America in early Colonial days. • After the death 
 of her first husband, she married a Mr. McClos- 
 key, whose mother taught the first school at 
 Philipsburg, the sessions being held at night. 
 
 As Mr. Loyd was a mere child when his fa- 
 ther died, he was placed under the care of an 
 uncle, William Parker, residing at Bellefonte, 
 and he afterward kept the " Black Bear Hotel," 
 four miles east of Philipsburg. In the spring of 
 1 K40 he returned to Philipsburg, where he has 
 since resided. In 1842 he learned the wagon- 
 maker's trade, which he followed until 1859, 
 when he engaged in the hotel business, building 
 the "Loyd House." This he conducted for 
 twenty years with gratifying success, and in the 
 meantime he was interested also in the lumber 
 business to some extent. Since retiring from the 
 hotel he has given but little attention to business, 
 looking well to his property. He was one of the 
 six who organized the old Moshannon Bank in 
 1881. He is interested in mining at Winburne, 
 ind owns some real estate at N. Philipsburg. 
 
 Mr. Loyd was married the first time, in 1849, 
 to Miss Amanda J. White, a native of Philips- 
 burg. They had two children : (1) Charles, who 
 is married and resides at Vulcan, where he is en- 
 gaged in mining, and (2) Martha, who was edu- 
 cated at Tipton Seminary, in Blair county, Penn. 
 She married E. W. Bradner, and has four 
 children: Robert, John, Josephine and Carrie 
 Russell. The mother of these died in 1852, and 
 Mr. Loyd for his second wife married Miss Eliz- 
 abeth Ayers, who 'lied leaving one daughter, 
 Miriam, now the wife of George W. Morrison, of 
 Jersey Shore, Penn.: they have three childp n 
 Edwin Loyd, Louis and Frederick. 
 
 After the death of his second wife, Mr. Loyd 
 married Miss Mary Ann Stewart, by whom he 
 had five children: 11 Ida M ., who married Will- 
 iam E. Tyson, and has one son — Edwin Loyd; 
 
 Lula Belle, who was educated at Bordentown, 
 \ I , and is now at home; 1 ; Robert P., 4) 
 William P. and 15) Harry A. Death again en- 
 tered our subject's home, taking the mother of 
 this little family; and Mr. Loyd formed a fourth 
 matrimonial union, this time with Miss Margaret 
 
 j Cross, his present wife. They have no children 
 Mr. Loyd is an Episcopalian in religious faith: 
 socially he has for many years been a member of 
 the Masonic fraternity; politically he is a Repub- 
 lican, and he has always taken great interest in 
 public questions. lb- has been a councilman for 
 several years, also served on the school board, 
 and was supervisor several terms. In 1 
 when the State was invaded, he responded to the 
 
 I Governor's call for "emergency men," and 
 served under Capt. Canoe and Lieut. Williams. 
 of Bald Eagle. 
 
 E 
 
 •■MANUEL HARTER, a prominent and well- 
 
 2jj to-do agriculturist of Miles township, 
 tre county, is deserving of mention in this vol- 
 ume not only for his own achievements, but be- 
 cause of his being a member of a well-known 
 pioneer family. 
 
 Andrew Harter, his grandfather, was re 
 on the banks of the Tulpehocken river, and 
 shortly after marriage with Miss Sails Rupp set- 
 tled (about 1790) in Haines township, Centra 
 county, near Aaronsburg, upon a farm of 100 
 acres which he had previously purchased. The 
 journey was made in a covered wagon, and a 
 shoemaker accompanied the party to its destina- 
 tion Andrew Harter was a carpenter by trade, 
 but most of his time was given to clearing and 
 cultivating his land, which he took in a primitive 
 state He built a cabin of hewed trees in one 
 day, occupying it tin next, and in this humble 
 abode blankets two years served as tin- only 
 doors they had. Although he never became 
 wealthy, he acquired a competence, and after 
 twelve years the original cabin was replaced by 
 a more commodious structure. In religion he 
 was a Lutheran, and he helped to found the 
 Aaronsburg Church. One noticeable trait 
 his frankness of speech, even the minister I" 
 subject to this outspoken critic on occasion. 
 Honest and upright, his "word was as good 
 his bond " in a business deal. His political O 
 victions as a Democrat were maintained with 
 characteristic firmness. During his later \ 
 did no work at his trade except in improving 
 own pj , iperty, but throughout his life he was often 
 called upon to doctor horses, as he seemed 
 have a talent for understanding and tr< 
 their ailments. At the time of his death. whi< li 
 occurred during the Civil war, he was in ' 
 eighty-eighth year, yet every one of his teeth 
 was in place ami perfectly sound. His wife had 
 died many years before, and the remains of hot I 
 were interred at Aaronsburg. They had nine 
 children, of wh six lived to adult age; Johr 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 503 
 
 died in Gregg township, Centre county; Jacob, 
 in Nittany Valley; Andrew, in Penn township, 
 Centre county; George is mentioned more fully 
 below; William died in Haines township, Centre 
 county; and Lydia (Mrs. Henry Swartz) . died 
 near Pleasant Gap, Centre county. 
 
 George Harter, the father of our subject, was 
 born in Haines township, Centre county, in 
 1805, and was reared to farm work. There 
 were no free schools then, his early instruction 
 being secured entirely in the German schools of 
 the day. He was an excellent penman, and in 
 later years became a prominent citizen of the 
 locality, noted for his successful management of 
 his farms, his estate being at his death estimated 
 at $17,000. He was five feet, eight inches in 
 height, and weighed 155 pounds, was strong and 
 robust, and an industrious worker. Although he 
 was never afraid to give voice to his opinion, he 
 was not quarrelsome, and never sued or was 
 sued in court. He was a Lutheran in early life, 
 later becoming an active member of the U. B. 
 Church, and he always took great interest in all 
 that pertained to local improvement. In politics 
 he was a Democrat. His first wife, Mary (Wolfe) 
 (our subject's mother), was born in Haines town- 
 ship, in 1808, a daughter of George Valentine 
 and Sally (Wise) Wolfe. The young couple set- 
 tled upon a rented farm in Haines township, 
 Andrew Harter giving to this son, as to all the 
 others, two horses, a wagon, a cow and two pigs. 
 Nearly all of the boys prospered after being thus 
 started in life, and George Harter was able, in 
 1 84 1, to buy from Jefferson Royer a farm of 210 
 acres near Rockville, Centre county. Later he 
 sold this and purchased the old Haines farm, in 
 Penn township, Centre county, where he lived 
 until old age caused him to retire from active 
 work. His last days were spent at Millheim, 
 and there he died at the age of seventy-eight. 
 His first wife passed away in Penn township, 
 aged fifty-three years, and his remains rest beside 
 hers at Millheim. His second wife, Mrs. Sally 
 Droxel, a widow, survived him, and after his 
 death returned to her early home at Annville, 
 Lebanon Co., Penn., where she died. There 
 were no children by the second union, but by the 
 first there were twelve, namely: Polly, widow 
 of George Royer, of Rebersburg; Lydia, who died 
 in childhood; Emanuel, our subject; Absalom, a 
 farmer of Haines township, Centre county; Susan 
 (Mrs. Michael Fiedler), of Millheim; Sarah, who 
 married Rev. Lewis Fleisher, a minister of the 
 U. B. Church, and died in Lebanon county, 
 Penn.; Daniel, a farmer of Brush Valley; Cath- 
 erine, widow of William Neese, of Brush Valley; 
 Reuben, of Penn township, Centre county; James, 
 
 who died in childhood; Phoebe (Mrs. A. R. Alex- 
 ander), of Penn township, Centre county; and 
 George W. , of Millheim. 
 
 Emanuel Harter was born on the old farm in 
 Haines township, Centre county, July 31, 1831, 
 and while he was a boy his parents removed to 
 Brush Valley. As he was the eldest son and his 
 help was needed at home, his school attendance 
 was irregular, and he could not even take full 
 advantage of such opportunities as the locality af- 
 forded. His father was engaged for many years 
 in hauling merchandise to and from Lewistown, 
 Lewisburg, Lock Haven, Flemington and other 
 points, and often hauled coal from Snow Shoe 
 for the use of blacksmiths. Emanuel proved him- 
 self so capable and trustworthy that at an eariy 
 age he was placed in charge of a team, helping 
 even to haul clover seed to Little York, a trip 
 requiring fifteen days, and in all his work he 
 never had a horse die or a wagon break down, or 
 met with any serious accident of any kind. 
 After the age of eighteen he did not go to school 
 at all, but remained at home until he was about 
 twenty-five years old, his labor being given to 
 his father. He was a dutiful son, and there was 
 never an impatient word passed between him and 
 his parents. On January 19, 1856, he was mar- 
 ried in Millheim to Miss Lavina Bierly, of Brush 
 Valley, a native of Rebersburg, and a daughter 
 of John aud Priscilla (Wolfe) Bierly. Mr. Har- 
 ter rented the old Jacob Brungart farm in Brush 
 Valley, and established himself there temporarily, 
 his outfit being entirely second-hand and pur- 
 chased niostly "on time." He also lived for a 
 time upon rented farms in Penn township, Centre 
 county, and in the Nittany Valley, Clinton coun- 
 ty, but in 1868 he purchased 218 acres of land 
 near Rebersburg, and has ever since resided 
 there. He sold 102 acres immediately after its 
 purchase to Samuel Loose, and for the portion 
 retained, which was worth $9,000, he went in 
 debt, having only about $7,000, which he had 
 saved, to apply upon it. About 1875 he pur- 
 chased an additional thirty acres from William 
 Foster for $3,000, and this is now a part of his 
 farm. At various times Mr. Harter has owned 
 extensive tracts of mountain land, and still has 
 some of it, although he has sold portions as oc- 
 casion offered. His farm is well-improved, and 
 a number of substantial buildings have been 
 built by Mr. Harter, in addition to those upon 
 the homestead. His home is well-furnished, the 
 equipment including a fine piano, one of the few 
 in Brush Valley. While both Mr. and Mrs. Har- 
 ter have received property from their parents, 
 their losses have been greater than the amount 
 thus obtained, and their present prosperity is due 
 
504 
 
 ( OMMBMOBATIVB BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 to their own effort. They had three children: 
 James C. died at the age of five years; Susan 
 Ella married C. C. Loose, of Rebersburg; and 
 Sally, an accomplished young lady, is at home. 
 Mr. Harter's sympathies are with the Demo- 
 cratic party in the main, but when the best men 
 are on the other ticket be is sufficiently patriotic 
 and independent to vote for them. He has been 
 supervisor and o\ of the poor, and his pub- 
 
 lic work has been marked by the same quiet 
 votion to duty which has won his success in his 
 private business. For nineteen years he was 
 manager of the Bald Eagle, Nittany, Penn, and 
 ih Valleys Turn Pike, this long term of suc- 
 iful service reflecting redit upon him. 
 
 II- is not connected with an) Church, but has 
 lent more substantial assistance to various re- 
 ligious movements than many who are members. 
 
 TLLIAM M. ALLISON. The Scotch- 
 
 V Irish race, with its mixture of the pi 
 cal common sense of the "canny Scott" and 
 the warm impulses of the impressionable Celt, 
 has produced a large proportion of the men who 
 have led and are leading in the \aried lines of 
 effort upon which our modern civilization is 
 based 
 
 The Allison family, which is so prominently 
 identified with the development of Penn's Valley, 
 furnishes many notable examples of this class, 
 and a luiet review of their history will enhance 
 tin- interest in the sketch of our subject, who is, 
 himself, a worth} representative. The first 
 American ancestor, Archibald Allison, Sr., the 
 great-grandfather of the gentleman w h. -.< name 
 
 ns this sketch, was a native of Ireland, and 
 was married there to Mar} Kennedy, who was 
 born November i, 1730, in Scotland, Shire of 
 Galloway, Parish of Kirkmaiden, the third 
 daughter of fohn Kennedy. The} came to 
 America with their family in 1773, landing on 
 the 1 8th of June, and settled in this State. 
 Archibald Allison, Sr. .died in Paxton township, 
 in what is now Dauphin county, October6, 1783, 
 and his widow passed away June 6, 1808, in 
 Potter township. Centre county. 
 
 Of their children, Matthew, who was born 
 in 1750, was a young man at the time of the ar- 
 rival of the family in this country, and the Revo- 
 lutionary war breaking out soon afterward he 
 served as a soldier on the side of freedom. 
 Later he settled in the Nittany Valley, and be- 
 came an influential pioneer citizen of Centre 
 county, In ing one of its first commissioners. He 
 died in Lamar township, February 9, 1828, at 
 the age of seventy-eight, leaving a numerous 
 
 family. By his first wife, Sarah Mahaffey, there 
 were four children: Margaret (who married J< 
 seph Johnston), William, Mary and Sarah. H 
 
 nd wd,-, Catherine Lamb, had six children: 
 Jane, Catherine, Samuel L., Eleanor, Archibald. 
 Jr., and John. His third wife survived him with 
 five children, all young: Jackson. Mary, Robert 
 O, Fred'rick E. and an infant in arms. I 
 \< ungest son of Archibald Allison, Sr. , w 
 John Allison, the father >f Senator William B 
 Allison, of Iowa 
 
 Archibald Allison, Jr., the grandfather of our 
 subject, was born in Ireland April 15, 1761, and 
 young as he was at the time of the Revolution 
 he took an active part in the defense of the front- 
 ier during the troublous times which accompanied 
 the struggle for independence. He was stout 
 and heavily built, with a round, ruddy face and 
 flaxen hair, and possessed great muscular pov 
 together with a bold and courageous spirit. In 
 politics he was a Federalist, and in religious 
 faith he was a Presbyterian. After 
 close of the Revolutionary war he sought 
 home for himself in Penn's Valley, purchas 
 from the Penns the eastern third of what > 
 then known as the Manor of Succoth, north 
 tin • Croat Spring Tract. The homestead which 
 he founded is still in the possession of his 
 scendants. On May 7, [789, he married I 
 McCormick, third daughter of George and Mar- 
 
 t McCormick. Her father was the first set- 
 tler at Spring Mills, having bought land of Reuben 
 Haines, and he built the first mill there. In 
 17S7 he took up a tract of land south of tin 
 creek, but owing to financial reverses this passed 
 into the hands of James Cook, who sold it 
 [ames Duncan. Archibald Allison, Jr., died M 
 3, h845, and his widow passed away Jantian 
 1S4S, at the age of eighty-four. They had nine 
 children of whom eight ai Mil, their nai 
 
 with dates of birth and death being as follows 
 George, August 18, 1792 — September 28, 181 
 William, April 5, 1794 — February 11. 
 James. February 26, 1796 — September 1 8, 1 ft 
 died at North Liberty, Adams county, 01 
 Margaret, May 26, 1797 May 12, 1846, mar- 
 ried William Kelly, son of Col. John Kelley, ami 
 died in Union county; David, May 22, 1 
 December 22, 1877, married Lucetta McKibh 
 and his death occurred in Clinton county; Mary, 
 May 11, 1801 — September 27, 1856, died in 
 Adams county, Ohio; John November 22, 1803 
 January23, 1844; Jane, September22, 1805, mar- 
 ried Thomas Riley, and died in Kansas. 1 
 youngest child, Eleanor, was born Februan 
 181 1, married Dr. John Grossman, and died 111 
 Adams county. Ohio, April 10, 1895. 
 
 ■ 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 505 
 
 William Allison, Esq., the father of our sub- 
 ject, inherited the sterling traits of his ancestors, 
 and at an early age entered upon his business ca- 
 reer as clerk in a store at Harrisburg, where he 
 remained six or seven years. In July, 1827, in 
 company with James and John Potter, he opened 
 a store at Browns Mills, now Reedville, Mifflin 
 county. In 1829 the firm was dissolved, and 
 Mr. Allison carried on the business alone for a 
 few years, when he moved to his old home near 
 Spring Mills. The death of his father in 1845 
 left him and his brother James and David and 
 James Potter executors of a large estate, with 
 many powers and trusts to be executed, and these 
 duties, together with the work of improving the 
 farms, buildings, barns and sawmills brought a 
 large amount of business upon his shoulders 
 which he managed with great success. On June 
 25, 1S47, he married Miss Sarah McNitt, daugh- 
 ter of William R. and Esther (McCoy) McNitt. 
 Her father was son a of Robert McNitt, one of 
 the first settlers in Kishacoquillas Valley. In 
 1847 occurred the failure of James and John Pot- 
 ter, of whom Mr. Allison was a creditor to a con- 
 siderable extent. He was preferred by them on 
 account of old intimacy and business relations, 
 and the judgment they gave him resulted in pro- 
 tracted litigation, Mr. Allison sustaining his claim 
 ultimately. Meanwhile having purchased the 
 factory, hotel, and real estate at Potters Mills, he 
 removed thither, occupying the old residence of 
 James Potter. Here he managed his large inter- 
 ests with his accustomed business skill, and, 
 backed by large experience, as a result uninter- 
 rupted prosperity marked his declining years. 
 He was a man of great executive ability, laying 
 his plans with much discretion, and following 
 them up with vigor and determination. While 
 always well-informed on current events, he was 
 especially noted as a chronicler of the past. His 
 wonderful memory coupled with opportunities de- 
 rived from his father's great age and unusual 
 fund of reminiscence, made him a veritable en- 
 cyclopedia — a walking digest of the history of 
 Penn's Valley. 
 
 Mr. Allison was a stanch Republican in later 
 years, and previously a Whig, but while he man- 
 ifested great interest in the success of the prin- 
 ciples which he espoused, he was not a politician. 
 He was a loyal supporter of the government dur- 
 ing the Rebellion, and his devotion was shown 
 in many ways. Many regiments from the north- 
 ern tier of counties passed over the pike on their 
 way to the railroad at Lewistown, and in a sin- 
 gle year he donated nearly a thousand dollars 
 worth of provision and meals. Although he was 
 confined to his home for a number of years pre- 
 
 vious to his death by a paralytic stroke, yet he was 
 always cheerful, and glad to see his friends. His 
 remains now rest in the private cemetery of the 
 Allisons near Spring Mills. His widow, who was 
 a highly respected resident of Potters Mills, died 
 December 18, 1896. Five children also survive: 
 William M., the subject of this sketch; Esther 
 E., born January 15, 1852, now the wife of 
 Frank McCoy, of the firm of Linn & McCoy, 
 iron-masters; Edward, born August 2, 1855, a 
 farmer in Potter township; Lillie E., born Sep- 
 tember 28, i860; and Archibald, born June 27, 
 1863, now a plumber of Bellefonte. 
 
 With this introduction we may now turn to 
 the personal history of Hon. William M. Allison, 
 who now holds an enviable position in this sec- 
 tion as a substantial business man, and an 
 honored and influential citizen. Illingworth, in 
 his work, " A Passing Glance at Penn's Valley," 
 says of him: "Associating himself with busi- 
 ness enterprises, he developed the talent neces- 
 sary to manage successfully a large estate, and 
 to-day, besides his many interests, he is interested 
 in a large tract of the finest farming land in the 
 Valley." In disposition and manner he bears a 
 marked resemblance to his father, and his career 
 has added new luster to the family name. He 
 was born November 4, 1850, in Gregg township, 
 Centre county, about half a mile west of Spring 
 Mills. His education was carefully provided for, 
 his elementary instruction being obtained at Penn 
 Hall, where unusually good opportunities for 
 that time were to be found. Later he pursued 
 his studies at Perrysville, Penn., and at State 
 College. His first business venture was the 
 management of the woolen factory at Potters 
 Mills in partnership with his brothers, Edward 
 and Archibald, and his ability and tact were dem- 
 onstrated in its success. In 1887 he moved to 
 Spring Mills, and, in connection with the firm 
 of Allison Bros., purchased the gristmill prop- 
 erty then belonging to the Barcroft estate. In 
 the following year the mill was thoroughly re- 
 paired and remodeled at an expense of $9,000. 
 The John I. Noye rolls were introduced, and the 
 Smith system inaugurated, the establishment being 
 " up-to-date " in every respect. In addition to 
 this enterprise Mr. Allison is interested in the 
 coal business and in the marketing of farm prod- 
 uce, his purchases in this line disbursing annu- 
 ally many thousand of dollars in his locality. 
 His own extensive farming interests require and 
 receive his supervision, but despite his cares 
 and his high position in the community he is easy 
 of approach and friendly to every comer, even 
 the smallest boy being certain of kindly and 
 prompt attention to any errand. 
 
.-.or, 
 
 COMMEMOUA 'FIVE Blmi UAPIIH AL RECORD. 
 
 Mr Allison is fond of good horses, and his 
 -tables have held some fine specimens. He be- 
 lli -ves in making proper use of all the good things 
 of life, and his elegant home near Spring Mills, 
 one of the finest in Penn's Valley, is supplied with 
 every possible convenience. Socially he is very 
 popular, his intelligence and geniality making 
 him a most pleasing companion. He is a mem- 
 ber of the Masonic lodge at Centre Hall; also 
 In -longs to the State Millers' Association, and in 
 I 896 accompanied that body on an excursion to 
 Duluth and other points on Lake Superior. 
 
 On June 2. 1880, Mr. Allison was married to 
 Miss Lurana 1!. Higman, daughter of John Hig- 
 man, of Corning. Steuben Co., N. Y. She is a 
 member of one of the well-known families of that 
 section, and is highly accomplished, her educa- 
 tion having been completed at the Ehnira Col- 
 lege. Elmira, N. Y. Four children — Charles E., 
 Mabel, William H. and Frank — brighten their 
 home. Mrs. Allison was formerly a Baptist, but 
 there being no church of that denomination at 
 Spring Mills she united with the Presbyterian 
 Church. 
 
 Possessing in a high degree the public spirit 
 which has always characterized his family, Mr. 
 Allison has great influence in local affairs, and is 
 one of the leading Republicans of Centre county. 
 He has served creditably in several official posi- 
 tions, and when a candidate he receives the sup- 
 port of many political opponents, his popularity 
 not being limited by party lines. His first office 
 was as judge of elections at Potters Mills, a 
 strongly Democratic locality. In 1887 and [888 
 he represented Centre county in the State Legis- 
 lature, being elected in the face of a normal Dem- 
 ocratic majority of 1000, which speaks volumes 
 for the confidence which his character and career 
 had inspired among all classes. His defeat in 
 the previous campaign for the same office was 
 caused by members of his own party, who under- 
 estimating his strength, sought to "trade him 
 off" in the interests of another candidate. Not- 
 withstanding this defection, he came within thir- 
 teen votes of winning the place, which, taking 
 all the circumstances into consideration, was a 
 remarkable tc si ol strength. He is a generous 
 supporter of all local movements which tend to 
 promote progress, being especially interested in 
 educational affairs, and is now serving a third 
 term as member of the school board at Spring 
 Mills. 
 
 J DAM MAYER. The histories of some of 
 L the self-made business men of this land 
 show such marvelous changes from poverty to 
 
 wealth, and such pluck and endurance in th« 
 face of misfortune, that the reader is constrained 
 to believe that prosperity can be attained by an\ 
 one who patiently and diligently makes the best 
 of his opportunities. Luck, some say, is a 
 factor, but the subject of this sketch, now a 
 prosperous business man of Philipsburg, did not 
 trust to luck when he left his early home in < 
 many at the age of twenty and landed at New 
 York, and it was by determined and well-directed 
 effort that he established a foothold in the busi- 
 ness world, as the following biography will show. 
 
 Mr. Mayer was born near the "storied 
 Rhine," September 26, 1834, in the village of 
 Geiselberg, county of Waldfischbach, Rhine- 
 Bavaria, the son of Adam Mayer, and grandson 
 of Peter Mayer, who died before our subject wa> 
 born. Adam Mayer, who was a native of the 
 same locality, was born in 1812, and died 111 
 1893. By occupation he was a farmer and stone 
 mason. He married Eva Fdinger, who was born 
 in 1S16, and departed this life in 1872. In i8j 4 
 he and his eldest son, the subject of this sketch, 
 came to America, spending thirty days on the 
 ocean. They had not money enough to pas 
 their way from New York City to their destina- 
 tion at Philipsburg, and consequently thej 
 walked the entire distance amid the bleak and 
 wintry scenes of the month of February. Thej 
 found employment about eight miles from Philips 
 burg, with Capt. Grove, a lumberman, and 
 worked for him in the woods at cutting logs, for 
 three years. A small farm was purchased in 
 Clearfield county, and 111 1S56 the mother and 
 other members of the family came over, and 
 the interrupted home life was again enjoyed b) 
 all. There were nine children besides our sub- 
 ject: 12) Elizabeth, the widow of Jacob M 
 resides in Kylertown, Clearfield counts . 
 Catherine married Jacob Mesenbagh, and 1 
 in LaSalle, III.; (4) Peter is a farmer at Kyler- 
 ; town; (5) Michael is a resident of Centre counts . 
 (6) Henry died a soldier's death as a membei 
 the famous Forty-ninth Regiment, 1' \ 1 
 Jacob lives in Helena. Mont . (8) Philip is a 
 fanner in this Mate, 9) Gottlieb went t" the 
 West, and now resides in Wyoming; ( 10) John 
 died at Kylertown, Pennsylvania. 
 
 Before coming to this country Adam M 
 had attended the schools of his native land, Bl 
 ing good use of the opportunities they afforc 
 and he had also learned the details of carpel 
 ing and stonemasonry. He did not underst 
 English at all, however, and as he had but 
 cents in his pocket when he arrived at Philips- 
 burg he took the first work that could be ob- 
 tained. After working in the woods for some 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 o07 
 
 time he secured more congenial and profitable 
 employment as a carpenter and a stonemason, 
 and for twenty-five years he followed those occu- 
 pations, and at the same time conducted his farm 
 of 125 acres in Clearfield county. He still owns 
 this estate, but about fourteen years ago he moved 
 to Philipsburg, where he bought a two-story 
 building for business purposes, 155 x 25 feet 
 with an "L" 25x40. For several years he was 
 engaged in the flour and feed business, but after 
 disposing of that he was not especially engaged 
 in any line until 1891, when he took charge of 
 his present furniture store. In this enterprise he 
 has succeeded, as might be supposed from his 
 past triumphs, and he carries a large and well- 
 selected stock. Some years ago, after learning 
 the methods employed in the lumber business, 
 he made some profitable ventures in that line 
 himself, buying and clearing land and rafting on 
 the river. Land was cheap, and at one time 
 he owned about eight hundred acres. He in- 
 tended to give a farm to each of his children, 
 but during the coal excitement it was found that 
 his lands were very valuable for mining, and he 
 sold them at a good price. 
 
 In 1857, Mr. Mayer went to De Pere, Wis., 
 and spent four years in a sawmill. While there 
 he met Miss Christina Switzer, who was born in 
 the town of Nurtingen, Kingdom of Wurtemberg, 
 Germany, November 28, 1833. They were mar- 
 ried in Milwaukee, Wis., November 17, 1859, 
 and have had eleven children, of whom nine are 
 living. The first was born in Wisconsin, and 
 died in infancy at De Pere, five miles above 
 Green Bay; at that time there were no railroads 
 in that vicinity, and boats furnished the only 
 convenient means of travel. (2) Mary married 
 Andy Neubauer, a farmer of Clearfield county, 
 and has six children — Jennie, Charlie, Effie, 
 Harry, Perry, and Henry; of these, the eldest, 
 Jennie, is married to August Johnson, who was 
 born in Sweden, and is now a merchant at All- 
 port, Clearfield Co., Penn. (3) Henry, who 
 conducts his father's farm, married Miss Tillie 
 Hoover, and has three children — Grover, and 
 May and Duff (twins). (4) Ellen, the wife of 
 John Stewart, of Clearfield, has two children — 
 Statie and Christie. (5) Elizabeth, the wife of 
 Herbert Caldwell, has two children — Gordon 
 and Samuel. (6) Clara married John Williams, 
 of Punxsutawney, Penn., and has two living chil- 
 dren — Clara and Ruth, three others having died 
 at an early age. (7) Adam, who resides in Punx- 
 sutawney, married Ruth Neal, and had two chil- 
 dren, neither of whom is now living. (8) Beckie 
 married Louis Ernst, of Pittsburg, and has no 
 children. (9) Barbara and (10) Herman are at 
 
 home; and (11) Perry died at the age of eleven 
 years, and seven months. 
 
 Mr. Mayer and his family are prominent mem- 
 bers of the Lutheran Church, and he has always 
 been interested in local progress. In politics he 
 was formerly a Republican, but of late he has 
 voted the Democratic ticket, and in 1896 he was 
 an advocate of free silver at " sixteen to one." 
 He is a director and stockholder in the New Mo- 
 shannon National Bank (belonging to the Free- 
 masons), which was organized in May, 1896. 
 
 Mrs. Mayer is a daughter of Jacob and Mag- 
 dalena (Aberly) Switzer, both natives of Ger- 
 many, where they died, the father when 
 Mrs. Mayer was but a child, the mother about 
 1862. They had six children who reached ma- 
 turity: George, Jacob, Wilhelm, Rebecca, Henry 
 and Christena, none of whom came to America 
 except the last named, who was twenty years old 
 at the time of his emigration. 
 
 OBERT HUDSON. No country has af- 
 forded greater opportunities to the poor 
 man thamAmerica; it is indeed the poor man's 
 land. Here an industrious, frugal man has a 
 chance to accumulate wealth. Many fail to do 
 so, but the best lay by some of their earnings, 
 and soon find themselves in the possession of a 
 handsome property. Among them is the gentle- 
 man whose name introduces this article, a lead- 
 ing harness maker and saddler of Philipsburg. 
 
 Mr. Hudson was born November 13, 1830, 
 in the city which is still his home, a son of John 
 and Hannah (Gattice) Hudson, natives of Stock- 
 port, Lancashire, England, and Glasgow, Scot- 
 land, respectively. They met and were married 
 in Philipsburg, whither the father had come with 
 Hardin Philips in 179-. He was a butcher by 
 trade, and a consistent member of the Episco- 
 pal Church. He was twice married, his first 
 wife being a Miss Dale, by whom he had three 
 children: Hannah, widow of Serines Howe, who 
 served as sheriff of Clearfield county, Penn.; 
 Mary A., deceased wife of William Henfield, 
 who is now living at the Soldiers' Home in Erie, 
 Penn. ; and Lloyd, who died when young. By 
 his marriage with the mother of our subject 
 he had three sons and one daughter, namely: 
 John, who is living retired in Philipsburg; Robert; 
 William, ex-street commissioner of Philipsburg; 
 and Emma, who married Thomas Freeman, and 
 after his death wedded a Mr. Clark, of Madison, 
 Maine. 
 
 Since the tender age of ten years, Robert 
 Hudson has been dependent upon his own re- 
 sources for a livelihood, first being employed by 
 
r« is 
 
 OOMMEMORA TIVB BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 Rev. Lord, an Episcopal clergyman, with whom 
 he remained for one year. During the following 
 two years he wa ed in farming, and then 
 
 I" nt nine months in teaming. Subsequently he 
 made his home with I >r. Hill for three years, 
 during which time he was allowed to attend 
 school. On leaving the Doctor, he served an ap- 
 prenticeship of three years to the saddlery busi- 
 
 - with [ames Alexander, but later was in the 
 employ of Dr. 1 oster, ofPhilipsburg, for one year. 
 After a short time spent in Pittsburg, Penn. , he 
 returned to his native city, where he worked five 
 years for [esse L. Test, a saddler and barn 
 maker, when he purchased the business, becom- 
 ing proprietor in [859. After successfully con- 
 ducting the establishment for two years, the 
 Civil war broke out, and prompted by a spirit of 
 patriotism he laid aside personal interests and 
 enlisted in Company 11. [48th P. V. I., under 
 I apt. Furland, .1 ph) >i< ian oi Bellefonte. 1 le 
 was never wounded, and when the war was over 
 was honorably di d, fune 1 , 1 865. 
 
 Returning to his home in Pbilipsburg, Mr. 
 Hudson I business, and soon built up a 
 
 large and profitable trade. Owing to ill health 
 In- was obliged to lay aside active labor on |hne 
 9, 1896, but after six weeks spent in Anson, 
 Maine, he had s< gained his usual health as 
 
 to be abl an open Ins store in Philipsburg. 
 
 He is widel) known in business circles as a man 
 ol undoubted integrity, conducting his interests 
 with ability and a stint regard to details. He is 
 a stalwart Republican in politics, and fraternally 
 is a member of the I. O. O. 1". Lodge No. 206, 
 of Philipsburg, of the < ,. \ K . and of the R. O. 
 \ 1. As a citizen he deserves the high regard 
 in which he is universally held, and in social 
 circles he and his estimable wife hold an enviable 
 p. isition. 
 
 < >n the 24th of December, [868, at Philips- 
 burg, Mr. Hudson was married by Rev. Foster, 
 to Miss Susan Harpster, and seven children came 
 to bless their union: Margaret M. (wife of N. N. 
 Davis, a jeweler of Philipsburg . Laura, Charles 
 R., Thornly B. and Stanley J., all at home, 
 Lewis, deceased; ami Jesse L. T. , at home. 
 
 JOHN (i. PLATT, of Philipsburg, Centre | 
 county, is one of the most energetic and en- 
 ter prising citizens of that thriving city, his 
 extensive wholesale grocery business being con- 
 ducted after metropolitan methods, and reflect- 
 ing unusual judgment and skill. Although the 
 business is owned by a stock company, he was i 
 its chief promoter, and has been its manager and 
 chief from the start, achieving a success which 1 
 
 would have done credit to a much older head. 
 Besides the store in Philipsburg, which is equal, 
 in magnitude and business, to any large citv 
 establishment, he has another at Du Hois, in 
 Clearfield county, of equal proportions, and six 
 salesmen are kept constantly on the road. I 
 business is exclusively wholesale, and sta: 
 second to none of the kind in the State 
 
 Mr. Piatt was born May 7, 1863, at Ypsil- 
 anti. Mich., and is a descendant of a family wh 
 various members ha\ e held honorable positi 
 in life wherever the) might be placed. His lie 
 of descent is traced to one of two brothers . 
 came from France at an early day to make their 
 homes in America, one locating in New York City, 
 and the other at the site o| the present citj 
 Plattsburg, N. Y. From the latter v 
 scended James Piatt, our subject's great-grand- 
 father, who lived and died in Rensselaer count\ 
 New York. Edwin A. Piatt, the grandfathi 1 
 our subject, was born at Stephen town, Ri 
 selaer county, N. Y., whence in 1833 hen 
 to Michigan, where he passed his remaining yi 
 in agricultural pursuits. His wife, ( aroline Par- 
 also died in Michigan. Of their five chil- 
 dren, Alfonso Piatt, our subject's father, was thi 
 eldest: (2) Pardee, now a resident of Detroit, 
 married Miss Fannie Alger, sistei oi Gen. K A 
 Alger, formed) governor of Michigan, and 
 many years past a prominent figure in national 
 politics. (3) Henry D. is a farmer at the old 
 homestead (bought in 1833), near Ypsilanti. 
 Mich. 14 Susan married John Koreson. 
 Lenota, who has not married, resides at Luding- 
 ton, Mich. The Michigan branch of the family 
 is highly connected, and Mrs. Don M. Dickenson, 
 of Detroit, was a Miss Piatt, and full cousil 
 our subject's lather. Mrs. Caroline (Pard 
 Piatt, grandmother of our subject, was of Scotch 
 descent, and related to an old family of Rensse- 
 laer county, N. Y. She was a sister of A: 
 Pardee, of Hazelton, Penn., a millionaire lumber 
 and coal "king." The Pardee family, in com- 
 pany with the Platts, moved to Michigan in [8 
 settling near Ypsilanti. 
 
 Alfonso Piatt was born November 10. < 
 at the old home in Rensselaer county, N. Y , but 
 accompanied his parents to the West when a 
 child, and was reared there. Mercantile life at- 
 tracted him, and after clerking in a store for 
 some time, he engaged in business for hine 
 at Ypsilanti, remaining until he was forty-tiw 
 years old, when he moved to Hazelton, Penn., 
 to take charge of a store for A. Pardee & I 
 Later he spent six years in Virginia, but return- 
 ing to Hazelton he resided there eight years be- 
 fore finally locating in Philipsburg, where he is 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 509 
 
 now living in retirement. He is a Republican in 
 politics. His first wife was Miss Martha E. 
 Tower, who died in 1865, aged thirty-two years; 
 only two of their six children lived to maturity, 
 John G. and Ario Pardee. His second wife was 
 Harriet (Redner) Tower, and two children, Pearl 
 and Harcy, were born to this union. 
 
 J. G. Piatt was five years old when his father 
 removed to this State, and he attended the first 
 school in Hazelton. After a brief residence in 
 Virginia, he spent some time in Michigan, and 
 acquired a practical education in the State Nor- 
 mal School at Ypsilanti. He then clerked in a 
 wholesale grocery store in Detroit, for a time, 
 and on his return to Hazelton he became book- 
 keeper for J. F. Barber & Co., remaining with 
 them several years. With his abilities thus devel- 
 oped by experience, he went to Philipsburg in 
 1888, and established his present mammoth es- 
 tablishment, speedily winning a 
 business circles. His offices are 
 for business, and are thoroughly 
 equipment. 
 
 Mr. Piatt's wife, formerly Miss Alice Turn- 
 bach, is a native of Black Creek township, Lu- 
 zerne Co., Penn., born in January, 1863. One 
 daughter, Lucile, brightens their home. The 
 entire family are members of the Presbyterian 
 Church, and active workers therein. Socially 
 Mr. Piatt is a Freemason, and member of the 
 Royal Arcanum. In his political predilections 
 he is a Republican, and has efficiently served on 
 the city council three years. 
 
 high rank in 
 well adapted 
 up-to-date in 
 
 F^RANK McFARLANE. Among the best cit- 
 izens of the country, there are few that are 
 the peers of the representatives of the Scotch- 
 Irish race, who have taken so active and prom- 
 inent a part in the development and upbuilding 
 of theNew World. Their sturdy physical strength 
 and inborn frugality, thrift and industry, are still 
 characteristically developed in their representa- 
 tives in America. The subject of this sketch, 
 who is a well-known farmer of Harris township, 
 is a magnificent specimen of this hardy race. 
 He occupies an elegant brick residence one-half 
 mile east of Boalsburg, surrounded by a beauti- 
 ful lawn, and is on the site of the old Springfield 
 mill, near the head waters of Spring creek. 
 
 Our subject traces his ancestry back to James 
 McFarlane, who made his home in Huntingdon 
 county, near Lewistown, Penn., and on March 
 14. 1782, wedded Mary Smith. Their family 
 numbered ten children, as follows: Mary Eliza- 
 beth, who was born May 16, 1783, and married 
 John Thompson; Rosanna, born February 23, 
 
 1786; Janet, who was born July 15, 1788, and 
 became the maternal grandmother of our subject; 
 James, who was born November 3, 1790, and be- 
 came the paternal grandfather of our subject; 
 Mary, born April 15, 1793; William, born Jan- 
 uary 30, 1796; Margaret, born July 17, 1798; 
 Robert, born December 9, 1800; Andrew, born 
 February 20, 1803; and Nancy, born May 14, 
 1805. 
 
 James McFarlane, Jr., when a young man 
 became a resident of Harris township, Centre 
 county, his home being near Branch, where he 
 owned and cleared atractof land. On March 30, 
 1824, he was united in marriage with Miss Lilly 
 Henry, whose death occurred May 21, 1828. He 
 survived her many years, dying near Lemont, 
 Centre county, October 8, 1869. Two children 
 were born to them: William, the father of our 
 subject; and Robert, who was born November 6, 
 1826. The latter held a colonel's commission in 
 the Civil war, was engaged in the hardware busi- 
 ness in Bellefonte, but died in his store in Belle- 
 fonte May 18, 1 891. 
 
 The birth of William McFarlane, father of 
 our subject, occurred at Branch, Harris town- 
 ship, January 8, 1825, and in the common 
 schools of that place and Shingletown he se- 
 cured his early education, which was supple- 
 mented with a course in the academies at Boals- 
 burg and McAlistervilie, Penn. On leaving 
 school at the age of twenty, he returned to his 
 father's farm, which he operated for several 
 years. He was married May 30, 1849, to Miss 
 Margaret Kyle, who died February 21, 1869. 
 Four children blessed their union: James, born 
 May 3, 1852, died August 20, 1853; Joseph Iv, 
 born January 30, 1854, is a farmer of Buffalo 
 Run Valley, Centre county; Frank is next in or- 
 der of birth; and Janet, born October 23, 1861, 
 is living with our subject. For a year after his 
 marriage, the father continued to reside at 
 Branch, and then for five years made his home 
 at Buffalo Run, Centre county, while for fourteen 
 years subsequently he lived at Puddingtown, 
 near Lemont, College township. In 1872 he 
 purchased 195 acres near Boalsburg, on which he 
 made many excellent improvements, and there 
 died August 12, 1893, honored and respected by 
 all who knew 1 him. 
 
 At Buffalo Run, Centre county, Frank Mc- 
 Farlane was born June 14, 1857, and in the 
 common schools of Centre Furnace began his 
 literary education. After taking a preparatory 
 course in Boalsburg Academy, he entered the 
 agricultural department of State College, but at 
 the end of two years was obliged to give up 
 study on account of his eyesight, which had been 
 
510 
 
 CO VMEMORA TIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 affected by an attack of typhoid fever. He then 
 became overseer of the estate near Boalsburg, 
 which position he is still acceptably rilling, and 
 with him resides his sister Janet. They are 
 widely and favorably known throughout the com- 
 munity, and enjoy the friendship of a large circle 
 of acquaintances. He is a prominent and active 
 member of t h<- Christian Endeavor Society, and 
 an ardent Republican in politics, advocating the 
 gold standard. He has two relics which he 
 values very highly one, a gold-mounted sword 
 presented to his uncle Robert by the men of the 
 ij.Xth P. V. I., of which regiment he was colo- 
 nel; the other relic is a cane of straight-grained 
 hickory, whittled from an octagonal piece of 
 wood by his great-greatuncle, William McFar- 
 lane, a captain in the Continental army during 
 the Revolutionary war. This was done while he 
 was in prison in New York City, held as a British 
 captive. The cane is forty-eight inches long, 
 .mil bears the inscription: "Capt. William Mc- 
 Farlane, prisoner one year, ten months and five 
 days, New York, September 21, 1776." 
 
 PILLIAM K. CRUST, well known through- 
 
 out Benner township and vicinity, has 
 -p.nt his entire life in Centre county. He is 
 now the owner of a valuable farm of 150 acres, 
 lo the cultivation and improvement of which he 
 devotes his time and attention with most satis- 
 factory results. The well-tilled fields and sub- 
 stantial farm buildings stand as monuments to 
 his thrift, industry and enterprise. 
 
 Mr. ("rust was born in College township, and 
 is a son of James an 1 Marj I >smer) Crust, both 
 natives of England, During his youth the fa- 
 ther crossed the Atlantic to America, while the 
 mother was brought here when two years of a 
 by her parents, who spent their last days in Ben- 
 ner township, Centre county. In the family of 
 Mr. and Mrs. Crust were the following children: 
 M.11 \ Ann, widow of Samuel Saxon, who was 
 killed in the Scotia mines; Sarah J., deceased 
 wife of Georgi Singleton, who has again married 
 since her death, and is now living in Canoe \ 
 ley, Blair Co., Penn. ; Janus H., who died leav- 
 ing a family, now residents ol Scotia, Centre 
 count}-: Katharine, wife of Edward Marshall, of 
 Patton township. Centre county; Emetine, wife 
 of William I. ut/. of Benner township; I 
 who died in infancy; Sophia, wife of John Reed, 
 of Huntingdon counts, Penn.; R. H., who mar- 
 ried [ennie Shope, and is living in Patton town 
 ship; William E., of this sketch ; Adaline, wife of 
 ph Shope, of Renin o, Clinton Co., Penn.; 
 
 Amelia, wife of David Hoover, of Altoona, Penn. 
 T. L. , a school teacher of Peru Station, Centn 
 count\; Ira. who died at the age of two years 
 ami Eva I... wife of Robert Coral. 
 
 On reaching a sufficient age, William 1. 
 Crust entered the public schools of College town 
 ship, but completed his education in Spnn 
 township, Centre county. He was reared t 
 farm work, which he made his life occupatCn 
 On February 5, 1880, he was united in marring 
 with Mary Martin, and they became the parent 
 of six children: Miles, who died November 2 
 1 88 1 ; Mary A.; Edgar, who died in infancy 
 the 15th of May, [883; Charles T. ; James I 
 and Clarence W. Mr. Crust is an earm 
 porter of the men and measures of the Republic 
 an party, and in religious faith is a Methodist 
 He enjoys the esteem and confidence of hi 
 neighbors, and is regarded in all respects as a 
 honest man ana a good citizen. 
 
 JOHN B. WETZEL, a typical, self-mad 
 man, is one of those, who, without extraoi 
 dinary family or pecuniary advantages at th 
 commencement of life, have battled eat 
 and energetically, and by indomitable courag 
 and integrity achieved both character and tor 
 tune. By sheer force of will and untiring 
 he has worked his way upward. He is now thi 
 proprietor of the Empirelron Works, located ,1 
 Howard, Centre county. 
 
 Mr. Wetzel is a nativeof Centre county, ban 
 in Hublersburg, March 1, 1863, and is a son 
 Tobias B. and Mary (Mitchell) Wetzel, whi 
 were natives of New Berlin, Union Co., Penn. 
 where they were married and remained 
 1855, which year witnessed their arrival 111 * 1 D 
 tre county. They first located near Hublersburg 
 whence, in 1865, they removed to Millheim. late 
 tn Flemington, Clinton county, and are no\ 
 dents of Lock Haven, Penn., where the fathe 
 is engaged in farming and dairying. II 
 public-spirited, energetic man, taking a 1 
 nent part in public affairs, and has held & 
 local offices. His political support is givi 
 Republican party, and in religious belief I 
 Lutheran. Four children constitute his family 
 namely: Howard, a machinist of Lock II 
 Curtm, a well driller ol the same place 
 IV. of this sketch; and Emma, wife of 
 Aullabaugh, who is connected with the W *> 
 Hileman Furniture Co., of Lock Haven. 
 
 Until [883 our subject remained with his pW 
 cuts, attending school and aiding his father in 
 the work ol the farm. He also served an ap- 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 511 
 
 prenticeship to the machinist's trade in the Nov- 
 elty Iron Works of Lock Haven, and after leav- 
 ing home went to Moshannon, Centre county, 
 where in partnership with John McCartney he 
 established the Empire Iron Works. At the end 
 of two years he purchased his partner's interest, 
 and continued the business alone for a year, 
 when his plant was destroyed by fire. He then 
 came to Howard and erected his present iron 
 works, which he has since successfully operated, 
 manufacturing plows, building engines, and do- 
 ing general repair work of all kinds. He started 
 out in life for himself with a cash capital of but 
 $35, and from this small beginning has built up 
 his present extensive business. 
 
 On July 1, 1886, Mr. Wetzel was mar- 
 ried to Miss Mary E. Bechdol, and to them 
 have been born five children: David and Edward 
 (twins), who died in infancy; Mamie L. , who also 
 died in infancy; and Harry T. and William G., 
 at home. Mrs. Wetzel was born at Marsh 
 Creek, Centre county, March 15, 1855, an ^ is a 
 daughter of David and Elizabeth (Thiel) Bechdol, 
 natives of Eagleville, Centre county. The fa- 
 ther was a farmer by occupation, and a mem- 
 ber of the Disciple Church, while the mother 
 held membership in the German Reformed 
 Church. He died March 4, 1 891, at the age of 
 seventy-eight years and twenty-six days, and 
 she passed away March 13, 1867, at the age of 
 thirty-seven years. In their family were seven 
 children, as follows: Lida, who resides on the 
 old homestead; Susan, wife of William Wentzel, 
 a blacksmith of Flemington, Penn. ; Mary E., 
 wife of our subject; Sarah, also residing on the 
 old homestead; David, deceased; Emma and 
 Jacob, residing with their sisters at the old home; 
 and Edward, deceased. 
 
 Although a young man, Mr. Wetzel has al- 
 ready attained to a measure of prosperity that 
 many a one who started out on life's journey be- 
 fore him might envy. He has a wide reputation 
 as a most capable workman and an upright, reli- 
 able business man, progressive and energetic. 
 He was reared in the Lutheran faith, but now 
 holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal 
 Church, in which he is an active worker. In 
 politics he is identified with the Republican party, 
 giving his influence and vote to secure the pas- 
 sage of its measures and the election of its can- 
 didates. 
 
 G\EORGE B. UZZELL. The subject of this 
 J history is one of the prominent citizens of 
 , Clarence, Centre county, and the owner and pro- 
 prietor of the leading hotel of the place. A 
 
 native of Centre county, he was born in Snow 
 Shoe, May 10, 1863, and is a son of John G. 
 Uzzell, a Welchman by birth. In 1843, tne 
 father accompanied his parents on their emigra- 
 tion from Wales to the United States, being at 
 that time ten years of age. They located at 
 Karthaus, Clearfield Co., Penn., where the 
 grandfather obtained employment at the furnace. 
 
 In 1854 John G. Uzzell came to Centre coun- 
 ty, and at first engaged in blacksmithing in Snow 
 Shoe, where in 1862 he erected a hotel, which 
 is still in use. He is now principally interested 
 in agricultural pursuits, and upon a tract of 500 
 acres in the Alleghany Mountains makes a 
 specialty of raising deer, while the streams he 
 has well stocked with fish. An enterprising, 
 progressive man, he was one of the first to clear 
 land in Snow Shoe township. He married 
 Elizabeth Etters, born in Centre county, in 1838, 
 and to them were born three sons: John, who 
 died at the age of six years; George B., of this 
 sketch; and James F., at home. George B. ob- 
 tained a good practical education in the public 
 schools of Centre county, and continued to assist 
 his father in the work of the farm and in the 
 hotel until 1893, when he purchased his present 
 hotel in Clarence, and has since successfully con- 
 ducted the same. The interests and comforts of 
 his guests are the great objects that he is striving 
 for, and no more genial and pleasant landlord 
 can be found in a wide range of country. The 
 house is well fitted up, is convenient and com- 
 fortable, and the cuisine is unexceptionable. 
 
 In May, 1886, at Snow Shoe, Mr. Uzzell was 
 married to Miss Fannie Kramer, and five children 
 were born to them: Bernice, who died of diph- 
 theria, at the age of seven years; Elizabeth, who 
 died at the age of two; Annie, who also died of 
 diphtheria when two and one-half years old; 
 James G., who is with his parents; and one who 
 died unnamed. Mrs. Uzzell was born in Pine 
 Glen, Centre county, June 24, 1866, a daughter 
 of John H. and Rebecca J. (Fye) Kramer, na- 
 tives of Penn's Valley, Centre county, the former 
 born December 16, 1830, and the latter May 
 27, 1 84 1. They were married in Burnside town- 
 ship, same county, and became the parents of 
 five children: Annie, wife of James Emerick, a 
 hardware agent residing in Somerset county, 
 Penn. ; Carrie, wife of Edward Davis, a mine 
 foreman of Clearfield county, Penn.; Fannie; 
 Harry, a blacksmith of Holt Mines, Centre 
 county; and Theodore, a railroad fireman of 
 Clearfield. For a short time after their marriage, 
 Mr. and Mrs. Kramer made their home in Clear- 
 field county, and then returned to Centre county, 
 where they are now living retired. By trade the 
 
512 
 
 < OMMEMORATWE BIOGRM'IW M. HKCORD. 
 
 father is a carpenter. The maternal grandpar- 
 ents of Mrs. rjzzell, John and Margaret (Bow 
 Fye, were natives of Ireland. 
 
 Mr. Uzzell takes an active interest in civic 
 societies, and is a prominent member of the 
 Golden Eagle, the American Mechanics and the 
 Odd Fellows fraternities, while politically he is 
 a stanch adherent to the principles formulated by 
 the Democr. ty. He and his wife hold an 
 
 enviable position in the social circles of the com- 
 munity where they make their home, and h 
 main warm friends throughout the county. 
 
 of the vestry. He affiliates with the 1 ,\ A 
 
 M., Lodge No. 391, at Philipsburg, and with 
 
 the Royal Arcanum, Centre Council No. So;, 
 etc. In politic > he is a Democrat. 
 
 JALBER I WALK IN, postmaster at Philips- 
 burg, Centre county, is a genial young 
 gentleman whose efficiency in any line of effort 
 undertaken bespeaks unusual ability and energj 
 He was born in England, May [3, 1867, a son 
 of John and Mary (Cook) Walton, both also na- 
 mes of that country, who came to America 
 wlnii our subject was about two years old, and 
 located at Philipsburg, Penn. , before the develop- 
 ment of the coal fields of this section was begun. 
 In that work John Walton took an active part, 
 becoming one of the leading prospectors, and 
 he also developed and operated some valuable 
 coal lands. He had been a contractor in Eng- 
 land, and had gained a practical knowledge of 
 coal mining there. He still owns an interest in 
 : 1 i n properties, but has retired from active 
 business, and with Ins estimable wife is enjoying 
 a <|iiiet life at their home in Philipsburg. 
 
 J. Albert Walton is the only child of his par- 
 ents, and as he has lived in Philipsburg from 
 childhood, he is thoroughly identified with the 
 place. After completing a course of studv in 
 the public schools there, he became a book- 
 keeper in the office connected with his fatb 
 mining business. At an early age he began to 
 show a liking lor politics, and time has demon- 
 strated his possession of decided ability in that 
 line. In Jum he was commissioned post- 
 
 master at Philipsburg, by President Cleveland; 
 confirmed by the Senate, and re-commissioned 
 by President McKinley in March, [897. He has 
 since filled the office to the entire satisfaction "f 
 all concerned. 
 
 On July IS. [889, Mr. Walton was unit 
 marriage with Miss Annie Laura Burchfield, 
 daughter '>t William b Burchfield, ex-register 
 of 1 f ( entn 1 ounty. Three children 
 
 have blessed this union: Sue I. , John and 
 William B. In musical and social life Mr. Wal- 
 ton and his wife hold a leading pla< e. The fam- 
 ily is connected with the I piscopal Church, and 
 oui n secret. u\ 
 
 WILLIAM T. HILLIBISH, of Bellefonte, 
 Centre county, enjoys an exceptionally 
 high reputation in business circles as a manager 
 of large enterprises, and the same qualities which 
 have won him this distinction, when applied to 
 municipal affairs, have made him prominent in 
 that line also, the people in their corporate ca- 
 pacity recognizing in him one to whom they ma\ 
 wisely delegate the power to carry their \vi- 
 into practical effect. 
 
 Mr. Hillibish is a native of Bellefonte, born 
 May 20. 1858, and his father, the late Nicho 
 Hillibish, who died at an advanced age, was for 
 fifty years a prominent business man of that city, 
 having gone there from his native place in Lan- 
 caster county, Penn., early in life, to establish a 
 hardware store and tin shop. His wife, whi 
 maiden name was Johanna McKean, was born 
 near Lewistown, Mifflin Co., Penn.. and died at 
 the age of sixty-seven. They had nine childn 
 Lydia T.. wife of Maj. Chessman, of Washing- 
 ton, D. C, an employee in the Pension Depart 
 inent; Maria L., who is nol married; James B 
 who died some years ago; Franklin S.. of Can- 
 ton, Ohio; Joseph I\., formerly a membi 1 
 city council of Bradford, Penn., where he died in 
 1893; George P. and Edward, who reside in 
 Canton, Ohio; William T., our subject, and John 
 \l of Canton. < )hio. 
 
 The excellent advantages offered by 
 schools of Bellefonte enabled Mr. Hillibish to 
 acquire a good practical education, a course in 
 the high school being followed by one in the 
 academy of which he is a graduate. On lea\ 
 school he learned the machinist's trade with W 
 P. Duncan & Co., and later spent sevi ra 
 with them as foreman. He was chief engineer 
 at the nail works for three year-, and then loan- 
 ing a partnership opened the Bellefonte Supply 
 House; but he disposed ol his interest not It 
 afterward, and went to Lorain, Ohio, to take 
 charge of the shape mill in Johnson's 
 work-. He returned to Bellefonte recently, a 
 is now in the employ of the Jenkins L 
 Coal Co., at Howard, as their sup lent. 
 
 Mr. Hillibish is an ardent supporter ol 
 doctrines ol the Republican party, and 
 
 n intimated, the com, 1 .1 in hue 
 
 all cli him a popular cand 
 
 rally, tions ol trust In [88 
 
 ted a member of the Bellefonte council fri 
 

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 513 
 
 the West ward, serving three years, and then 
 after one year of absence was again returned, 
 and still holds that office. He is also a candi- 
 date for the post of city tax collector. Socially 
 he is prominent as a member of the I. O. O. F. 
 and the Encampment, and for twenty years he 
 has been identified with the Logan Steam Fire & 
 Engine Company. 
 
 GV\EORGE NOLL. Among the leading and 
 _Jf representative agriculturists of Boggs town- 
 ship, Centre county, stalwart and sturdy tillers of 
 the soil, there is none who stands a more promi- 
 nent figure than the gentleman of whom this no- 
 tice is written. Besides being engaged in gen- 
 eral farming, he is the proprietor of what is 
 known as the "Washington Dairy," which he es- 
 tablished in 1 89 1, and has since conducted very 
 profitably. Since 1872 he has resided upon his 
 present farm of seventy acres, previous to which 
 time he had rented land in Spring township, 
 Centre county. 
 
 Our subject was born in Spring township, 
 October 25, 1841, and he is a son of Emanuel 
 and Mary P. (Wegley) Noll, natives of Berks 
 county, where their marriage was celebrated, 
 after which they came to Centre county. The 
 father had previously been a resident of the 
 county, coming here with his parents, but in 
 1828 he returned to Berks county. Here his 
 death occurred in May, 1886, at the age of sev- 
 enty-six years. By occupation he was a general 
 farmer, and in his younger years was a member 
 of the Reformed Church, to which his wife also 
 belonged. She died in 1884, at the age of sixty- 
 eight years. Her father, William Wegley, was 
 also born in Berks county, of German descent, 
 and was a colonel in the war of 1812. The 
 paternal grandparents of our subject, George and 
 Margaret (Lape) Noll, were natives of Berks 
 county, whence in 1820 they came to Centre 
 county, where the grandfather engaged in farm- 
 ing until called from this life. 
 
 George Noll, of this review, is the third in 
 order of birth in a family of twelve children, the 
 others being as follows: Hannah, deceased wife 
 of Elias J. Markel, a wagon maker, of Hublers- 
 burg, Penn. ; Liddie, deceased wife of James B. 
 Grove, of Johnstown, Perm. ; Rebecca, wife of 
 H. Walker, of Bellefonte, Centre county; John, 
 of Marion county, Kans. ; Emanuel, of Belle- 
 fonte; two who died in infancy; Mary, wife of J. 
 Schwartz, who is living retired in Somerset coun- 
 ty, Perm.; William T. , a stone mason, of Spring 
 
 township; Henry L. , deceased; and James B., of 
 33 
 
 Milesburg, Centre county. In the public schools, 
 George Noll obtained a rather limited education, 
 and at the age of thirteen years started out to 
 make his own way in the world, working as a farm 
 hand for six years. Prompted by a spirit of 
 patriotism, he, in 1 861, enlisted in Company F, 
 Second Pennsylvania Cavalry, the company 
 starting out with P. B. Wilson, of Bellefonte, 
 as captain, and Thomas Snyder as first lieuten- 
 ant. He was with this regiment in all the im- 
 portant engagements in which it took part until 
 February 22, 1863, when he was taken prisoner 
 and incarcerated in Libby prison until the 11th 
 of April, at which time he was paroled. He was 
 never in hospital, and was honorably discharged 
 August- 15, 1865. For a year and a half he 
 served as corporal of his company. Arriving 
 home at twelve o'clock at night, the next morn- 
 ing found him at work upon a farm, and he has 
 since devoted his time and attention to agricult- 
 ural pursuits. 
 
 On March 10, 1870, Mr. Noll was married to 
 Miss Annie Garlrick, by whom he has four chil- 
 dren: Urbah M., wife of G. H. Moore, of Eric, 
 Penn., a conductor on the Pennsylvania & Erie 
 railroad; and Emanuel L., James O. and George 
 H., all three at home. Mrs. Noll was born Au- 
 gust 3, 1S49, m Centre county, and is a daughter 
 of George and Susannah (Yonada) Garlrick, na- 
 tives of Union and Centre counties, respectively. 
 Their deaths occurred in the latter county. Dur- 
 ing his younger years the father followed carpen- 
 tering, but after his marriage turned his attention 
 to farming, and at his death owned some valu- 
 able land. He was twice married, his first wife be- 
 ing Anna Hoy, and to them were born srx childen: 
 Catherine, wife of P. Shory, who operates the 
 old Garlrick homestead in Centre county; Amos, 
 of Coalville, Penn.; Rebecca J., wife of Martin 
 Meese, of Michigan; Henry, deceased; Emeline, 
 deceased wife of John Meese; and John, of Coal- 
 ville, Penn. Mrs. Noll is one of the three chil- 
 dren born of the second union, the others being 
 Levi and George W-, both deceased. 
 
 Both Mr. and Mrs. Noll are faithful members 
 of the Presbyterian Church, to which he has be- 
 longed for twenty-three years, and for the past 
 eighteen years has been an elder in the san 
 Socially, he holds membership in the U. V. L. 
 and of the P. O. H. R. His political support is 
 given the Democratic party, but he cares nothing 
 for official distinction, preferring to give his time 
 and attention to his business interests. He is 
 one of the prominent and representative citizens 
 of Boggs township, widely and favorably known, 
 and enjoys the confidence and respect of the en- 
 tire community. 
 
514 
 
 CO UMEMORA TIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 BENJAMIN ROUSH, ol Madisonburg, Centre 
 county, is one of those wholesome, gen- 
 ble individuals to whom old age brings 
 piril and breadth of view which 
 maki h, however beautiful and charming, 
 
 tnd incomplete. Born July 10, [820, 
 in Washington township, Snyder (now Union) 
 
 nty, he has spent his entire life in the section 
 t<> wh 1 li this volume is devoted. 
 
 derick Roush, his father, was born in Sny- 
 der county, and made his home there until 1832, 
 when with his wife, Dorothy Nogle, and their lit- 
 tle family, he moved to Brush Valley, Centre 
 
 nty lie was a shoemaker by trade, and. 
 after living lor a time in a rented house in an- 
 other part of Miles township, lie settled in Mad- 
 
 iburg, where he continued his business until 
 a few years before his death, which occurred 
 when he was sixty-two years old; his wife lived 
 to be ninety-three years old, and both are buried 
 at Madisonburg. The father was a man of in- 
 fluence among his associates, and was elected on 
 the Den ticket to various township offices. 
 
 Although a hard worker, he never accumulated 
 much, his earnings sufficing only to give the fam- 
 ily a comfortable living. He was a good-sized 
 man, and enjoyed excellent health previous to 
 his last illness. In religious faith he and his 
 wil' were Lutherans, and for many years he held 
 
 e in the Church, as deacon and elder. Their 
 children were: ti) Catherine, now Mrs. Abra- 
 ham Snyder, of Nittany Valley; (2) Benjamin, 
 our subject; (3) Daniel, of Madisonburg; 14! 
 Mary, who married John Smith, and died at 
 Reedsville, Penn. ; (5) Louisa (Mrs. Noah Mus- 
 
 . who died in Half Moon Valley; (6 Eliza- 
 beth, widow of John Rachua, of Greg- township, 
 Centre county; (71 Susannah, widow of Israel 
 Vonada, of the same township; and (8) Henry, 
 who died in Stephenson county, Illinois. 
 
 Benjamin Roush spent his early years in 
 tin- vicinity of Freeburg, Snyder county, and 
 received such educational ad\ as the 
 
 hi of that locality then afforded. Under his 
 father's instructions lie became familiar with the 
 details of the shoema kei 's trade, which he fol- 
 lowed until he was about twenty-five years old, 
 saving from his wages $600. On March 13, 
 1849, he was married in township, Centre 
 
 c ty, to Miss Margaret Hoy, the only chil 
 
 John and Margaret Hoy. As his wife and her 
 
 ents desired the family life to continue un- 
 broken, Mr. Roush gave up his trade and 
 came a tanner on the Hoj hi d, remaining 
 
 there until [880, when he moved to Madisonburg. 
 
 He purchased a lai . 1 house opposite the 
 
 "Miller Motel,' and made his home thereuntil 
 
 after the death of his wife, which occurred Ma\ 
 30, 1889, She was a lady of fine Christian 
 
 ter, a devout member of the Reformed 
 Church, and her death was deeply mourned by 
 all who knew her. live children survive her 
 John H. is a farmer in Gregg township, Centre 
 county; Sarah J. married A. H. Vonada, of Miles 
 township, Centre counts'; Mary A. married D 
 D. Royer, of the same township; Jeremiah L. . 
 a ministei of the Reformed Church, resides 
 in Pennsburg, Montgomery Co., Penn.; Emma 
 J. married Jacob Deitrich, of Miles township, 
 Centre county, and for some years Mr. Roush has 
 
 it their pleasant home near Madisonburg. 
 His sons a 1 liters have without" exception 
 
 taken honorable positions in life, and make a 
 family of whom any parent would be proud. 
 Few, if any, fathers in this section have con- 
 tributed so liberally to start their children in life 
 as has Mr. Roush, no less than $7,000 having 
 been given to each as the time came to leave 
 the home nest. Each has received a farm, and 
 he has thus disposed of the five which he for- 
 merly owned. He believes that help should b* 
 given to the children while they an young and 
 can benefit by it; and certainly the results jus- 
 tit\ the theory. Fortunately he still has plenty 
 to keep "the wolf from the dooi ls he is yet 
 iated among the wealthy men of the county. 
 
 Mr. Roush has been an industrious worker 
 and shrewd manager, and well deserves his 
 cess in life. His time has been given mainly to 
 the care of the estates, but for three and one- 
 hall years he conducted a mercantile busim 
 Madisonburg, having been obliged at one time to 
 secure certain bail money for which he was liable 
 by buying a stock of goods. Politically, hi 
 sti adfa ' I 1 mocrat, and his fellow citizens have 
 called him to the service of the community at 
 
 lit tunes as supervisor and school din 
 He has always been .1 . heerful givei to religious 
 movements, and especially to the Reformed 
 Church, in which he is at present a trustee. He 
 was one oi the building committee of two at the 
 time the society built their church edit: 
 Madisonburg, ami he gave liberally of both time 
 and money to insure the success of the under- 
 taking. 
 
 fOHN A CONFER, undertaker and furniture 
 is one of the leading and successful 
 business men ol Milesburg, ( entre countj 
 lb- is a 1 I Pennsylvania, having been born 
 
 September 30, [859, in Porter township, Clint 
 county, and is a son ol Solomon Confer, who 
 was botn 111 Snidertown, Centre county, in N 
 \ ember. 1 838. I lie father is also an undertaker. 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 515 
 
 and engaged in that business for twelve years at 
 Unionville, Penn. , but since 1883 has made his 
 home in Milesburg. At Aaronsburg, Centre 
 county, Solomon Confer was united in marriage 
 with Miss Mary J. Shields, a native of Clinton 
 county, Penn., who died March 17, 1889, at the 
 age of sixty-one years. Six children were born 
 of this union, but with the exception of our sub- 
 ject all died in infancy. The parents were both 
 consistent member of the Evangelical Church, 
 and in politics the .father is a Republican. 
 
 Mr. Confer, of this review, remained at home 
 with hig parents until his marriage, but began his 
 business career at the age of fourteen, working 
 for the first four years at the carpenter's trade 
 with his father. He then engaged in clerking 
 for the Washington Iron Co., of Clinton county, 
 for two years, and subsequently helped to re- 
 build a tannery at Lock Haven, Penn,, where he 
 remained one year. He then returned to Lamar, 
 Clinton county, but a few months later removed 
 to Millheim, Centre county, where he engaged 
 in farming for one year. During the winter he 
 clerked in a store, and the following spring went 
 to Hublersburg, Penn., where he worked in the 
 mines for six months, at the end of which time 
 he came to Milesburg, doing the carpenter work 
 for the McCoy & Linn Iron Foundry for one year. 
 In 1885 he embarked in the furniture business at 
 Milesburg, in connection with his father, who 
 was the undertaker, but on September 1 1, 1894, 
 he purchased the latter's interest, and has since 
 been alone. He began business on a small scale, 
 but as his patronage steadily increased, he en- 
 larged his facilities, and is now at the head of an 
 extensive trade. In 1895 he removed from his 
 old stand to a handsome new store building. 
 
 On March 18, 1879, Mr. Confer was joined 
 in wedlock with Miss Eva E. Clark, a daughter 
 of Josiah and Naomi (Mann) Clark, and to them 
 were born five children, all yet at home, namely: 
 Mary J., Sarah E., Solomon, Clark and Marian. 
 The mother of these died April 30, 1892, at the 
 age of thirty-six years. Mr. Confer was again 
 married, March 21, 1893, the lady of his choice 
 being Miss Ida M. Loveland, by whom he has 
 one son, Wilbur F. Mrs. Confer was born July 
 11, 1861, in Clinton county, Penn., and is the 
 only child of Wilbur F. and Hannah (Watson) 
 Loveland, also natives of Clinton county, where 
 the father is now living retired. In early life he 
 engaged in the axe business. The mother died 
 in 1865, a t the age of thirty-six years, and he 
 later married Josephine Custard, who bore him 
 two sons, Harry and Reuben. Both parents of 
 Mrs. Confer were members of the Methodist 
 Episcopal Church. 
 
 Politically, our subject adheres to the princi- 
 ples of the Republican party, takes an active part 
 in its work, and for the past eight years has 
 served as chairman of the central committee. 
 For four terms he has filled the office of overseer 
 of the poor, and has also been auditor and school 
 director in his township. Fraternally, he is con- 
 nected with the Odd Fellows Society of Miles- 
 burg, No. 410. He is a straightforward, reliable 
 business man, and in his work is ably assisted by 
 his wife, who is also a practical embalmer, hav- 
 ing attended the Oriental School of Embalming, 
 and becoming quite proficient in that art. Both 
 are well known throughout the community, and 
 have many warm friends. 
 
 IfSAAC MILLER, a well-known and highly es- 
 _L teemed citizen of Bellefonte, is a native son 
 of Centre county, born in Spring township, 
 August 23, 1839. His parents, Robert V. and 
 Elizabeth (Lytle) Miller, were natives of Chester 
 and Centre counties, Penn., respectively, the 
 former born in 1795, and the latter in 1807. In 
 Chester county, the paternal grandfather, Reuben 
 Miller, who was of English descent, spent their 
 entire life, while the maternal grandfather was 
 born in Centre county, but passed his last days 
 in Clearfield county. 
 
 Robert V. Miller was a nephew of the Valen- 
 tines of Bellefonte, in which place he made his 
 home for some time, working in the iron mills 
 until 1833, when he removed to a farm four 
 miles east of the city, and operated the same un- 
 til 1-858. In that year he became a resident of 
 Pleasant Gap, where his death occurred in 1863; 
 his wife departed this life in 1869. For five 
 years before his death he was totally blind. He 
 was a loyal, patriotic citizen, devoted to the in- 
 terests of his country, and always supported the 
 party whose principles he thought would best 
 advance its interests, being at different times an 
 Abolitionist, Know-Nothing and Republican. A 
 conscientious, earnest Christian, he was a faith- 
 ful member of the Society of Friends, and a just, 
 upright man in all things. 
 
 In Spring township Isaac Miller grew to man- 
 hood, assisting his father in the work of the farm 
 and learning to " read, write and cipher " in the 
 district schools of the neighborhood. He re- 
 mained upon the home farm until his marriage, 
 January 17, 1865, to Miss Catherine Pennington, 
 who was born in Penn's Valley, May 2, 1841. 
 Four children have been born to this union: 
 Elizabeth L. , wife of Ed P. Moore, of Tyrone, 
 Penn., by whom she has one child — Catherine 
 P.; Isaac P., who is clerking in a dry-goods 
 
516 
 
 COMMEMORA TIVB BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 house in Philadelphia; Annie, who was born in 
 ,. and died in [871 ; and Mordecai, at home. 
 The wife and mother has served as toll-gate 
 keeper since • >cti ibei . 1 ■• ■ 
 
 F01 ifter his marriage, Mr. Miller 
 
 w.is interested in the coal business, later owned 
 and 1 a threshing machine, and ran a 
 
 jon f"i the Valentine store, Belle- 
 fonte. Il<- then became a puddler in an 
 iron furnace, where he is still employed. In 
 ►5, during the Civil war, he was drafted for 
 but hostilities had ceased before his com- 
 pany was > ailed upon for duty. He is an ardent 
 Republican in polities, and a worthy member of 
 the '< nds. Enjoying the esteem, 
 
 . onfidence and 1 i the whole community, 
 
 Mr. Miller may well ed among the pi 
 
 meiit and representath 1 • ■ mn- 
 
 ty. He is a man "I the strictest integrity and 
 honor, and assuredly merits the high regard in 
 which he is universally held. 
 
 DAVID FIEDLER. The subject of this 
 sk I tin prominent and repre- 
 
 >: mers oi Penn township. Centre 
 county, and has made hi upon his present 
 
 than t. .1 1 \ \ ears. 
 ! hi fii Ids are well tilled, thi lildings neat 
 
 and substantial, and, in fact, the whole pi; 
 
 of thrift and prosperit) , which 
 bout the place of an industt 
 and thorough agriculturist. 
 
 A nativ 1 inty, Mr. Fi( llei 
 
 1» .1 11 in ! 
 nl I trine Neese) Fiedler. The 
 
 who wa 
 win his only child, was but six 
 
 which he and his mother 
 went tn live with her father, Pi who 
 
 was n township, located on Penn 
 
 k. Tie ! in the usual man- 
 
 in 1 of farn I his early educa- 
 
 tion in the subscription his firsl 
 
 being Henry Raughhausei He completed lu-> 
 liter Heckmai 1 ," but 
 
 his I Inn- v. In 
 
 Marj J \\ ise, w hi 
 n m Haines township, Februarj 
 dau| |ohn and Cath 
 
 ed their un 
 in iw the wifi iwn- 
 
 ship, nty. 
 
 P re v i o u s to hi 
 
 ime upon his pi irm, 
 
 then 
 
 i his 
 
 domestic life then. After the death of his 
 tin- farm, for which he had 
 reatly in debt, but by industry, p 
 and economy he soon paid off the indebt 
 edness. 
 
 itically, Mr. Fiedler is an ardent Demo 
 crat, and served his fellow citizens in the cap 
 in of inspector of elections. r ol the pi 
 
 supervisor and school director, the duties of 
 which offices he discharged in a prompt and effi- 
 cient manner. A man of unquestioned integi 
 and honor, he has lived peacefully with li 
 
 rs, having never been involved in a ! 
 suit, and is held in the high regard by all . 
 know him. He and his estimable- wife 
 
 i and sincere Christians, faithful members 
 thp Lutheran Church. 
 
 Nil YEARICK, a prominent general 
 chant, and postmaster of Jacksonville, w; 
 bom in Marion township, l mnty, August 
 
 25, 1S50, and is a worthy representativi 
 family that has long been identified with th 
 ricultural and commercial interests of the counn 
 His father, Henry Yearick, was born in 1 
 township, Centre county, January IO, l822, .1 
 — 11 of John and Sarah Saloma (Rishel) Yearick, 
 
 nt\ , where they 
 entire lives, the former d) ing in 1 
 si.\ty-se\ en years, and the latter in i d se\ - 
 
 enty-seven. In their family werethe followin 
 Mary, who wedded [ohn Zupler, bul 
 are m I Rebecca, who mat 1 
 
 I'd both an- deceased; William. .1 minis- 
 ter of the Reformed Church, who was crippled 
 through rheumatism, ami died at th 
 b< th, who I 
 1 fo) . but both are now 
 the I - our sub S 11. th, who n 
 
 Phil I in < Him. where her 
 
 death I ; John, a 1 mei "I N 
 
 Vallej . Clinton Co., Penn. ; Samui 
 who was a local preacher "f the Evangi 
 Church, but spent his 1; in retin 
 
 : 111; Ad;" 
 ship. ' 1 mnty; Catherine, w 
 
 S. 1 1 and Julian. .1. 
 
 ; 
 ■ hildren, ind 1 W 
 
 I 1 » nip! 
 but v, 
 county, where they m home u] 
 
 of their lives. 1" h e n 
 nal gi 1. Adam Rishel, 
 
 count) . b 
 tmi 1 : . nn. , w i 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 517 
 
 sively in land, but spent his last days in Clear- 
 field county. 
 
 Henry Yearick, the father of our subject, was 
 for many years actively engaged in agricultural 
 pursuits and merchandising, but is now enjoying 
 a well-earned rest at his pleasant home in Jack- 
 sonville, where he has lived retired since [886. 
 Being very fond of reading, much of his time is 
 devoted to that enjoyment. In 1845, he was 
 united in marriage with Miss Catherine Leinbach, 
 who was born in Northumberland county, Pemi., 
 in October, 1826, and is a daughter of Samuel 
 and Polly (Foreinger) Leinbach, natives of Berks 
 and Lehigh counties, Penn., respectively. In 
 1850 Mr. and Mrs. Yearick removed to Marion 
 township, Centre county, where for several j 
 they made their home upon a farm. Thej 
 faithful members of the Reformed Church, and 
 are held in the highest esteem and respect b 
 who have the pleasure of their acquaintance. 
 
 To Henry Yearick and wife were born chil- 
 dren as follows: Samuel Alfred, a carpenter of 
 Superior, Neb.; Sarah, wife of J. J. Hoy, a 
 farmer of Marion township, Centre county; N. 
 H., of this review; Mary, twin sister oi our sub- 
 ject, and the wife of Hugh S. Shaffer, who is 
 serving as postmaster of Madisonburg, Centre 
 County; Laura, wife of James S. Martin, a farmer 
 of Jacksonville; Cicero, a dentist of Detroit, 
 Mich.; Ida, wife of J. W. Holmes, who operates 
 a steam thresher and also engages in carpenter 
 ing in Jacksonville; Charles E. and John \Y., 
 both farmers of Marion township; and Tillie E. , 
 wife of Edwin Peck, a merchant of Walker town- 
 ship, Centre county. 
 
 The boyhood and youth of our subject were 
 passed in attending the district schools and assist- 
 ing in the labors of the home farm until nineteen 
 years of age, when he began clerking for his fa- 
 ther in a general mercantile store at Zion, Cen- 
 tre county, where he remained for two years. 
 They then formed a partnership in Bellefonte, 
 and in 1876 they established a business at Jack- 
 sonville, under the firm name of H. Yearick & 
 Son. This connection continued until 1886, 
 when they sold out to W. W. D. Yearick & 
 Brother, but two years later our subject re-pur- 
 chased the store, becoming sole owner, and has 
 since successfully conducted the same. He car- 
 ries a large and well-selected stock of general 
 merchandise, and does an annual business of 
 $7,000. For some time he also traveled on the 
 road, and now, in connection with his mercantile 
 pursuits, engages in farming. In January, 1872, 
 in Zion, Centre county, he was married to Miss 
 Jennie E. Rockey, a native of Mifflinburg, Union 
 county, Penn., born May 2, 1851, and they have 
 
 six children, whose names and dates of birth are 
 as follows: John H., May 12, 1874; Charles N., 
 December 31, 1876; Earl W., February 18, 1880; 
 Alta A., January 24, 1889; Arthur F. , March 7, 
 [891; and Nevin A., July 10, 1896. All are at 
 home with their parents with the exception of 
 John H., who is engaged in farming in Marion 
 township. 
 
 John L. and Amelia (Katherman) Rockey, 
 the parents of Mrs. Yearick, were natives of 
 Mifflinburg, Penn., where the father was exten- 
 sively engaged in fanning until 1851, when he 
 removed to Zion, Centre county. There he died 
 January 7, 1X81, at the age of sixty-one years; 
 the mother still resides at that place with her 
 John I'. She was born June 3, 1820, a 
 daughter of Frederick ami Christine (Stitzer) 
 Katherman, who were natives of Union county, 
 Penn., where the) died at an early age. The 
 paternal grandparents of Mrs. \ George 
 
 ami Elizabeth (Loher) Rockey, were also natives 
 ol Union county, where indfather exten- 
 
 iged in milling and became quite 
 
 ithv. John I.. Rockej was twice married, 
 his first wife in her maidenhood being Miss Mary 
 A. Rule, of Union county, and to them was born 
 a daughter, Mary A., the deceased wife of Sam- 
 right, a lumber merchant of Lewis- 
 burg, Penn. By his second union Mr. Rockey 
 had seven children, namely: Sarah K., who died 
 at the age of six years; [ane E., the wife of our 
 subject; George II., an agriculturist of Zion; Re- 
 becca A. ,the wife of Christian Dicker, also a farm- 
 er of Zion; John P., a farmer of the same place; 
 and William, a farmerof Boalsburg, Centrecoun- 
 ty. The parents of these children were consistent 
 members of the Lutheran Church, and in politics 
 the father was a Democrat. He was a self-made 
 man in the truest sense of the term, but by in- 
 dustry and good management became quite 
 wealthy. 
 
 Mr. Yearick uses his right of franchise in sup- 
 port of Democratic principles, and takes a deep 
 and commendable interest in public affairs, giv- 
 ing his aid to all worthy enterprises which will 
 advance the welfare of the community. He is 
 one of the leading and influential citizens of 
 Marion township, and enjoys the confidence and 
 high regard of all with whom he comes in con- 
 tact. In religious faith he holds membership 
 with the Reformed Church. 
 
 OHN LEECH COLE, the present postmas- 
 ter of Zion, and a leading and energetic 
 farmer of Walker township. Centre county, 
 was born October 25, 1863, in Belleville, Mifflin 
 
518 
 
 COMMEMORA TIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 Co., Penn., a son of Edward T. , and Marg; 
 E. (Leech) Cole, who have made their home m 
 Centre county -nice the spring of 1868, and are 
 now living retired upon a farm near Zion. The 
 father's birth occurred May 5, 1832, in Mifflin 
 county, where his parents, who were of English 
 descent, were also born, but died in Huntingdon 
 county. His great-grandfather died in the war 
 of 1812. The mother of our subject is a native 
 of Huntingdon county, born July 17. 1836. 
 
 the parents were born ten children, in ol- 
 der of birth as follows: Lawrence S., born Sep- 
 tember 8, 1855, married Eva Mahin, a native ol 
 Ohio, by whom he has one daughter; he is a mil- 
 ler of Dayton, Ohio, where they make their 
 home. William E., born October 31, 1857, 
 married Emma West, by whom he has a daugh- 
 ter, and is now living in Golden, Colo., where he 
 is superintendent of an irrigating company, 
 Anna I., born in 1859, is the wife of Azor C. 
 Kountz, a carpenter of Dayton, Ohio. Leah A. 
 
 died in childh i. John L. is the next in the 
 
 order of birth. David S. is still with his parents. 
 II innah L , born in 1868, is at home. Samuel 
 Sugart, born April 23, 1870, married Cora Robb, 
 .1 daughtei of Henry Robb, of Nittany, Centre 
 county, by whom he has one child, and is a resi- 
 dent of Walker township, where he is employed 
 in the iron mines. Mary P. is the wife of Alfred 
 Kohl), a school teacher of Nittany. James Wil- 
 son, an engineer living in Dayton, Ohio, was 
 born November 7, 1875, and was therefore four 
 days too young to cast his ballot for W. J. Bryan, 
 whom he would have supported, being a Demo- 
 crat in politi 
 
 The education ..I John L. Cole was such as 
 the common schools of Centre county afforded, 
 and upon th farm, under his father's able 
 
 instruction, he became familiar with the duties 
 of an agriculturist. On starting out in life for 
 himself he decided to follow the vocation to which 
 he had 1 and lias become a thorough 
 
 and skillful tic and progressive. 
 
 He has always given his political support to the 
 Democratic party, and in religious belief 
 Lutheran. ( >n November 1, [887, he w 
 ried to Miss Ida B. Shaffer, daughter of John 
 Shaffer, a farmer of Walker township. Centre 
 county, and they have one' son, Nevin E., born 
 
 ■ I nary 1 Mr. and Mrs. C 
 
 widely and favorably known throughout the com- 
 munity, and ha\ if warm personal friends. 
 
 HENRY J. LIMBERT, who is properly ranked 
 as one of the self-made men of Centre coun- 
 ty, began his can the foot of the ladder in 
 
 life, without other resources than his own indom- 
 itable will and steady, plodding industry. From 
 a humble position he has risen to that of one ol 
 the representative men of a more than ordinarily 
 intelligent community. He was born August 10, 
 four miles west of McKees Falls, in what is 
 now Snyder county, Penn., but was then Union 
 county. His parents were John and Catherine' 
 (Wise Limbert, the former a son of Peter Lim- 
 bert, a farmer by occupation, and the latter a 
 daughter of 1 1. Wise, a carpenter. 
 
 When a young man John Limbert came to 
 Centre county, and being a carpenter by trade 
 aided in the construction ol the 'Miller Hotel' 
 in Madisonburg. While thus employed he fell 
 from the roof to the cellar, and it was ti 
 he was killed, but he finally recovered. At that 
 place he was married in 1 833, and at on 
 moved to Union county, where he worked at his 
 trade until the early "fifties," when he returned 
 to Madisonburg. There he followed carpenter- 
 ing for a time and later worked at daj laboi 
 He died at the ripe old age of seventy-eight 
 years; his wife passed away when over 1 
 five years of age, and they now sleep side b 
 in the Madisonburg cemetery. Both were active 
 and prominent members ol tin- Reformed Church, 
 with which he was officially connected, and Ins 
 political support was ever given the I> 
 
 Henry J. Limbert is the oldest in the family 
 of seven children, the others being Rel 
 wife of Aaron Sniull, of Rockville, ( entre 
 ty; John, a hotel keeper of Dauphin county, 
 Penn.; Frederick, a retired fanner ol Aarons- 
 burg, Centre county; Benjamin, a resident >! 
 
 j town-hip. Centre county; Catharini 
 of [acob Frank, of Madisonburg; an 
 who makes his home in Lock Haven, Penn 
 education of our subject was all acquired 1 
 man schools, and at the age of thirtei 
 obliged to la\ aside his bo,,ks ami earn his 
 livelihood. He obtained employment with a 
 farmei m u McKees Falls, Snyder county, where 
 he received only his board and clothe- 1 
 and, in addition, $311 the second, ai 
 the third. Later he was with another man who 
 him $60 per year, his tune th 
 1 principally at work in th' 
 fore he had attained his eighteenth 
 le. uning tlitt carpenter's trade with 1. 
 with whom he came to Madisonburg, 
 he had n the business began work witl 
 
 John B. Shaffer, serving as a journeyman until 
 
 In connection with different partn 
 then engaged in business for himsel! until 
 when In resolved to try his fi >n 
 was very successful in his undertaking until the 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 519 
 
 fall of 1876, often employing as many as fourteen 
 hands, and in the summer of 1868 paying out as 
 much as $2,500 for wages. In 1877 he em- 
 barked in farming, which he continued until the 
 spring of 1892, when he turned his attention to 
 mercantile pursuits as a partner of Benjamin 
 Koush, but four years later returned to his farm, 
 where he is now living. 
 
 In Rebersburg, Mr. Limbert was married 
 March 20, 1856, to Miss Caroline Long, who was 
 born in Berks county, Penn., January 12, 1835, 
 a daughter of George and Polly (Deck) Long, 
 and they have six children, as follows: Josiah 
 A., a resident of Seneca county, Ohio; Harvey 
 M., of Bellevue, Ohio; JohnD., of Madisonburg, 
 Centre county; George E., a German Reformed 
 minister of Grove City, Mercer Co., Penn. ; Will- 
 iam H., a school teacher of Rebersburg; and Ann 
 E., at home. 
 
 In Madisonburg, Mr. and Mrs. Limbert began 
 housekeeping in an old dwelling which he had pur- 
 chased, together with four lots, having paid $60 
 down, and going in debt for the remainder of the 
 amount. He borrowed many pieces of the fur- 
 niture, and was compelled to borrow the money 
 to purchase the remainder of his scanty house- 
 hold goods; but as time advanced and he pros- 
 pered in business, he was able to build a sub- 
 stantial and commodious residence in Madison- 
 burg in i860, which was neatly and tastefully 
 furnished. There the family made their home 
 until their removal to the farm in the fall of 1875. 
 This adjoins the village and comprises ninety-two 
 acres, which he has converted from a wooded, 
 stony tract into richly cultivated fields, taking 
 from it as many as 3,000 loads of stone. How- 
 ever, it is now one of the most desirable farms in 
 the locality, and adjoining it he also owns sev- 
 enty-five acres of timber land. The success that 
 he has achieved in life seems almost marvelous, 
 as from a humble position he has-worked his way 
 upward until to-day he is one of the most pros- 
 perous and substantial citizens of Miles town- 
 ship. 
 
 A man of the strictest integrity and honor, 
 Mr. Limbert is able to look the whole world in 
 the face with a clear conscience. He and his 
 excellent wife are both prominent members of 
 the Reformed Church, in which he has served as 
 elder for several years. His political support is 
 unwaveringly given the Democratic party. 
 
 HENRY GRIMM, the well-known merchant 
 , tailor of State College, Centre county, is a 
 man of marked ability and enterprise, and al- 
 though he has only been a resident of that place 
 
 since 1892 his excellent qualities have won for 
 him the high regard of all with whom he has been 
 associated. 
 
 Mr. Grimm is a native of Bavaria, and a de- 
 scendant of an old and honored family, the 
 patronymic having been known in Bavarian his- 
 tory for more than nine hundred years. His 
 grandfather, John Grimm, was a merchant in 
 that country, and Henry Grimm, our subject's 
 father, spent his entire life there, his death oc- 
 curring in 1862. The mother is still living in 
 Bavaria, and one of their three children, our 
 subject, the youngest, is the only one to seek a 
 home in the New World. (1) Charles is an offi- 
 cial in the Bavarian government, and (2) Freder- 
 ica married, and resides in her native land. 
 
 Our subject was born March 4, 1857, and was 
 but five years old when he lost his father. On 
 arriving at a suitable age he learned the tailor's 
 trade, and worked as a journeyman at his old 
 home until 1883, when he came to America. 
 Locating at Philadelphia, he continued to work 
 at his trade as a journeyman, but in 1892 he re- 
 moved to and settled at State College, where he 
 went into business on his own account, as a mer- 
 chant tailor, purchasing a shop which at present 
 monopolizes the business of the vicinity in that 
 particular line. As Mr. Grimm is an expert in 
 high-class tailoring, keeping thoroughly up-to- 
 date in style, and is, withal, moderate in his 
 prices, he is likely to retain his leadership in his 
 chosen calling. He has a fine residence at State 
 College, purchased in 1892. 
 
 His wife, formerly Miss Carrie Miller, was 
 born thirty-four years ago at Philadelphia. Their 
 home is made merry by the presence of four 
 children — Harry, Liza, Lattaand Charles. Since 
 choosing America as an abiding place, Mr. Grimm 
 has made constant and thoughtful study of all 
 questions which affect the public welfare, and he 
 is active in the support of measures of which he 
 approves, his influence being given politically to 
 the Republican party. In religious faith he is a 
 Lutheran, but there being no Church of that de- 
 nomination at his present home, he attends the 
 Presbyterian one. 
 
 G\ENERAL JACKSON WOODRING, the gen- 
 ? ial and popular proprietor of the "Wood- 
 ring Hotel," Port Matilda, Centre county, was 
 born September 30, 1853, at Huntingdon Fur- 
 nace, Huntingdon Co., Penn., a son of Michael 
 and Nancy (Halderman) Woodring. He was 
 twelve years of age when he accompanied his 
 parents to Centre county, locating on the farm 
 where his father still resides, and assisted in its 
 
521 1 
 
 00 1/ VSMOBA Tl VB BIOGRAPHICAL UKiOHD. 
 
 cultivation and improvement until 1871, when he 
 ttil .nit to earn his own livelihood, working 
 foi one year in a gristmill at Roopsburg. I. 
 he entered the mill of Joseph Wilkerson, where 
 he remained until 1874, when he returned h 
 and assisted his father during the following sum- 
 mer. Subsequently hi was employed in various 
 mill a miller or millwright until 1 
 
 when he began the operation of a mill, where he 
 had previously been employed, conducting the 
 same for two For five years he operated 
 
 a flouring-mill lor his brother, ('■. W. Wood: 
 in Martha I i then returi Port 
 
 Matilda, where, alter o mill foi 
 
 ■tied his present hotel. It is conven- 
 iently ai tnd well furnished, and in all its 
 appointments, under its present able man 
 nit nt, a first-class hotel, and is well patroni 
 Mr. Woodring was married December 5, 
 i . to Miss Bella J. Moore, and thej 
 
 1 hildren: < ■ Margerie 
 
 \ , . Edith I . and x - ei I thi last named died 
 The oth< 1 I ill with their 
 
 pai 1 ie V. is now organist ol 
 
 Methodist I I Church of Port Matilda, 
 
 with which the mothi ire all identi- 
 
 fied. Mrs. Woodring was born at Roopsburg, 
 Mas 5, 1 854, and is a daughter 
 of Patrick and Margei ie (1 
 
 Roopsburg and Unionville, Centre coun- 
 ty, respectively. The fathei I in farming 
 at the former place, where the mother died Nov- 
 
 of thirty-foui \> 
 
 and he 1 ved to M hei his 
 
 last days were spent in retirement, dying in Feb- 
 ruary, 1 
 
 home "I his daughter, Maggie, wife of San 
 Myers. I fe was a prominent and influential man, 
 
 a 1 >i : 1 .it 111 and .1 member "I 
 
 Methodist I hurch, to which his w ife 
 
 alsi id He was bi irn on the 1 1I1 1 h 
 
 stead farm, which his father, Hamilton Mo 
 had (dr.md and improved. The latter was ana- 
 tive ol Ireland, and on coming to America at an 
 early day located at Roopsburg He became 
 one of the leading and wealthy citizens of the 
 communil y, honored and 1 d by all who knew 
 
 him. To Patrick Moon and wife were born 
 hildren, as follows: Alfred < ., general 
 at for a sewing machinecompanyat Harrisburg, 
 Penn.; Maggie, wife oi Samuel Myers, a mill- 
 wright of Milesburg, Penn.; Charles H., a 1 
 dent ot Hellrfonte, Penn. ; Thomas I'., oi New 
 Washington, lVnn. ; Bella |.. wife of our subject; 
 Anna, wife ol Peter Cowher, a d r, ol Ty- 
 
 rone, Penn., and Clarence, who died in infancy. 
 Politically, Mr. Woodring affiliates with the 
 
 Democratic party, and has been called upon t 
 
 11 a number of local offices, being ta 
 lector three years, supervisor one year, and 
 school director for the past three years. He has 
 een prominently connected with the elec- 
 tion hoard. Pleasant and genial in manner he has 
 many warm friends, and all who know hit; 
 for him the higl ml. 
 
 FRANK 11. CLEMSON occupies the respon- 
 sible position of manager of thi 
 mines, and though yet a young man ranks ami 
 
 the representatives of business inter- 
 
 in his locality. His integrity is above questi 
 while his devotion to the interests intra 
 his care is provi rbial, and he has the respect and 
 nee of all with whom he has been brought 
 in contact. 
 
 Mr. Clemson was born in Baileyvilli 
 county, Penn., April 22, 1867, and is a 
 Amos E. and Lydia 1 Rid mson, the lat 
 
 of whom was a daughter of Michael Ri l< 1 
 
 irg, Centre county. The father w 
 near Milton. Northumberland Co., Penn., 
 was a blacksmith by trade. The mother died in 
 September, 1891, and w d in the Luther- 
 
 an cemeterj at ( iatesburg Grandfathei Cli 
 who was a man 
 
 tive bride, who on the other hand w is 
 came in an eai y to America, wh 
 
 the oppo atives to the match would 
 
 be of no avail, and they were here married. "I 
 
 randparents of our subject insistent 
 
 members of the Church of England, and wi 
 buried in Pequay churchyard, in I. 
 count \ 
 
 The parents of our subject had a familj 
 six children: [onathan, who died at the age 
 twenty- . and was buried m the ('emit 
 
 at Gatesburg, Penn.; Daniel M.. who wed 
 Alice Gardner, by whom he has two sons. 1 
 member of the board of managers of tin •■ 
 gie Steel Co., limited, and make-- his hon 
 Pittsburg; Ellen is unmarried: Emma is the w 
 ol Nathan Dale, a farmer of Pleasant < 
 
 aty, l'\ whom she has one child, a d aught 
 Clarence C who is living in Williamsbuq I 
 county, Penn., married Ida (dark, and had 
 son and one daughter ( the son, Berwin, died 
 1 (ctober, r8o,6, in his third year). 
 
 uk H. Clemson, whose name introdu 
 this review, has spent his entire life in l 
 ( ' Hints , being reared under the parental roi ' 
 educated in the public schools. On April 
 he married Eva Gray, by whom hi 
 three children: Frederick Gray, Daniel R 
 
T^rzzsn^fc <7\&, x^c^^t^^^y 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 521 
 
 and Sarah C. His wife is a daughter of G. W. 
 Gray and a niece of Dr. E. J. Gray, president of 
 Dickinson Seminary, Williamsport, Penn. , and 
 is a cultured lady who presides with gracious hos- 
 pitality over their pleasant home. 
 
 In 1890, Mr. Clemson was appointed to his 
 present position as superintendent of the Scotia 
 ore mines, owned by the Carnegie Steel Co. , 
 limited. This company purchased the land in 
 1880 for $96,000, and the plant was erected at a 
 cost of more than $100,000. Something of the 
 volume of business done may be imagined from 
 the fact that more than $40,000 is paid out an- 
 nually for labor alone. The mines are situated 
 in Patton township, and Mr. Clemson gives to 
 their operation his personal supervision. While 
 he demands good work from the men in his em- 
 ploy, he is always considerate in his treatment 
 of them, and extremely just in all things, so that 
 he has their confidence and high regard. He 
 fully merits the trust that is reposed in him, and 
 no duty given to his care is ever slighted. 
 
 In religious belief Mr. Clemson is a Presby- 
 terian, while his wife belongs to the Methodist 
 Church. Sinde 1890 he has been a member of 
 the Masonic fraternity, and he is a benevolent 
 and charitable man, ever ready to extend a help- 
 ing hand to the needy or distressed. In politics 
 he is a Republican, and for the past five years 
 has been chairman of the township committee, 
 and done effective work for the party. In busi- 
 ness he is most accommodating and courteous, 
 and at all times is a genial, affable gentleman, 
 whom to know is to respect. 
 
 J|OHN GINGERY. Among those agricultur- 
 ists of Centre county whose places manifest 
 
 to the most casual observer the energy and 
 ability of the owner in his chosen calling, is the 
 subject of this personal history. His fine farm 
 in Huston township is on the Beaver Mill road 
 in Bald Eagle Valley. 
 
 Mr. Gingery was born August 13, 1827, in 
 what is now Mifflin county, but was then a part 
 of Juniata county, Penn., and is a son of Joseph 
 and Fannie (Stouffer) Gingery, who were na- 
 tives of Lancaster county, Penn., but were mar- 
 ried in Juniata county, where they remained 
 until 1840, which year witnessed their arrival in 
 Centre county, they locating at Houserville, in 
 Spring township. Two years later they removed 
 to a farm belonging to the Pennsylvania Furnace 
 Co., where they remained for the same length of 
 time, and then went to Half Moon township. 
 There the father died in 1S71, at the age of 
 sixty-six years, and the mother afterward went 
 
 eleven 
 Amos, 
 town- 
 
 to Port Matilda, where she passed away in 1874, 
 at the age of sixty-eight. The father always 
 followed agricultural pursuits, and by his fellow 
 citizens was elected to several township offices, 
 which he capably filled. Both were consistent 
 members of the United Brethren Church. The 
 mother was a daughter of Christian Stouffer, of 
 Lancaster county. By the German emigrants 
 who founded the Gingery family in the New 
 World, the name was spelled Gingrich. 
 
 Our subject is one of a family of 
 children, in order of birth as follows: 
 deceased; Samuel, a farmer of Huston 
 ship; John, of this review; Betsy, deceased wife 
 of George Gates, a farmer of Half Moon town- 
 ship, Centre county; Sarah who makes her home 
 with her brother RudcHph in Tyrone, Penn. ; 
 Abel, deceased; Fannie, wife of Michael Rider, 
 a farmer of Nebraska; Mary, deceased wife of 
 Jerry M. Berley, also deceased; David, who is 
 engaged in the dairy business in Missouri; Katie, 
 who makes her home in Harrisburg, Penn. ; and 
 Rudolph, in the coal business in Tyrone. 
 
 Until eighteen years of age, John Gingery 
 spent his boyhood and youth in a manner similar 
 to most farmers' sons, aiding in the labors of the 
 fields, and attending the public schools. He 
 then worked in the lumber woods on the Susque- 
 hanna river for a time, after which he returned 
 to Huston township, where for seven years he 
 was employed in a sawmill, and subsequently 
 operated rented land until 1887, when he pur- 
 chased his present farm. He was married Au- 
 gust 31, 1856, to Miss Rachel R. Dillen. who was 
 born in Huston township, June 21, 1836, and is 
 a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Fulton) Dil- 
 len, natives of Centre county and Pittsburg, 
 Penn., respectively. The father, who was a 
 prominent farmer of that county, died in 1871, 
 at the age of seventy-five years, and the mother 
 was called to the world beyond in 1840, at the 
 age of thirty-two. Four children blessed the 
 union of Mr. and Mrs. Gingery, namely: Cur- 
 tin, born January 17, 1858, married Minnie Mor- 
 ris, and resides in Lock Haven, Penn. ; Ann, 
 born August 27, 1861, is the wife of George 
 Stevens, a farmer of Centre county; William, 
 born April 20, 1864, died June 23, 1893; and 
 David, born May 30, 1866, married Cella Bul- 
 lock, and is a farmer of Huston township. 
 
 Mr. Gingery is a man of sound common 
 sense, just and honorable in his business transac- 
 tions, very public spirited, and in every essen- 
 tial a good citizen. He is a strong Prohibition- 
 ist, and gives that party his hearty support, as 
 he, in fact, warmly favors any movement that 
 will elevate the moral status of the State. As 
 

 COMMEMORA TIVB BIOGRAPHICAL liECORD. 
 
 a school director and supervisor, which office 
 held for two years, he did ^ood service. He is 
 a member oi the Baptist Church, as is also his 
 ellent wife, who shares with him the respect 
 of the entire neighborhood. 
 
 T xTILEIAM S. MUSSER, the genial propri- 
 m/mI etor of the " Hotel Musser " at Millheim, 
 
 is an up-to-date, systematic manager, whose 
 hostelry is regarded by the traveling public as 
 second to none in Centre county for comfort, 
 neatness and attractive cuisine. 
 
 The Musser family is well known in Centre 
 county, Sebastian Musser, great-grandfather of 
 our subject, having located there at an early day. 
 His only chiKl, Philip B. Musser, married Eliza- 
 beth flgen, and reared a large family, among 
 whom was a son, Major William L. Musser, our 
 subject's father, a prominent merchant, land 
 holder and hotel keeper in his day. He was 
 born April 10, 1810, near Spring Mills, Gregg 
 township, Centre county, and after attending the 
 common schools of that village for some years he 
 began business life as a clerk for a Mr. Petrikin. 
 
 On August 13, 1835, Maj. William L. Mus- 
 ser married Miss Elizabeth Hubler, one of the 
 four children of George and Elizabeth (Kepler) 
 Hubler, and by this union there were three 
 daughters: Maggie, born September 29, 1837, t.\u>\ 
 January 31, 1854; Elizabeth, born August 24, 
 1840, now the widow of George Condo, formerly 
 of Indianapolis, and for twenty-one years a rail- 
 
 d employee; and Sarah [., born February 3, 
 1X43, married to Samuel P. Resman, then a 
 merchant and fanner a1 Millheim, and now a 
 farmer in Nebraska. The mother of these chil- 
 dren died at Millheim, March 28, 1845, °f l >- 
 phoid fever, and August 4, 1840, the father 
 married Mis -r. by whom he had 
 
 two daughters (twins , born Junes, 1848 — Clara 
 M., who died in infancy, and Emma, now the wife 
 ( apt. Heimbach, of the United States army, 
 who is living in nt at Muncy, Lycoming 
 
 Co.. Penn. tie was wounded in the Civil war. 
 Mr. Musser had been commmissioned sheriff of 
 Centre county under Gov. William F. Johnson, 
 October 10, 1840, and had removed to Belle- 
 foiite, where his second wife died September 20, 
 1 S49, from typhoid fever. He was married (a 
 third time January 24, 1850, to Miss Rebecca 
 Stine, the second of the four children of Isaac 
 and Elizabeth Zergar Stine, wealths- and prom- 
 inent residents ol Lebanon county. Her eldest 
 sister, Maria, now the widow of Henrj 
 Weaver, lives in .Millheim. The third member 
 of the family, Elizabeth, married Dr. Wagner, a 
 
 1 of Lebanon, Penn.. and the youngest. 
 1. is a car inspector al Bellefonte. 
 I >nr subject is the eldest of the four 
 children of this marriage, the others b 
 George W., born September 4, [852, died in in- 
 fancy; Alice R., born June 12, 1854, married J. 
 W. loner, a resilient of Philadelphia; Agn 
 born March 4, 1837, married John L. Noggle, of 
 Philadelphia, who has been employed in the 
 custom house for twenty-one years. The father 
 of this family continued to reside in Bellefonte 
 until the expiration of his term as sheriff, when 
 he returned to Millheim, and for three years fol- 
 lowed mercantile pursuits. He then engaged in 
 the hotel business in a hostelry formerly occupied 
 by Samuel Haupt. This was a licensed house 
 and a central stopping place between Mifflinburg 
 and the Old Fort in Potter township, Centre 
 county. In 1877, after twenty-one years in the 
 hotel, Mr. Musser retired from business owing 
 to ill health, and spent his remaining d; 
 quiet in a pleasant home built by his wife in Mid- 
 dle l'enn street. Millheim He died Octo 
 1889, of old age. He was a man of large build, 
 well-proportioned and straight, full-faced and 
 very active both physically and mentally. \- 
 conversationalist he was unusually gifted, and at 
 times he made political speeches of mon 
 ordinary power. An ardent Democrat, he was 
 always ready to defend his views, and was one 
 of the leading politicians of the county. Al- 
 ii he was not a Church member, he 
 liberal contributor to religious movements and to 
 relief work among the poor. His title "| "Ma- 
 jor " was gained by service in the First Batl 
 First Regiment Pennsylvania National Gl 
 his commission dating September 25, 1845. IE- 
 was fond of fishing and hunting, and w..- 
 successful in these pursuits, reliable authority 
 having credited him with having killed 106 
 in bis lifetime. His love of family and horn 
 kind husband and fl 
 bject's no 'ther. who inherited wealth 
 her parents, still resides in her luxurious hoi 
 Millheim, and at seventy years of age is 111 1 
 lent health, enjoying life's blessings heartily. 
 
 William S. Musser was born at Bi 
 December 3, 1850, during Ins father's 
 sheriff. His parents removed to Millheim I 
 Ins school daj and lie acquired his 
 
 ii there mainly, although he attended A 
 burg Academy for a time, studying undei 
 Gutwalt and Prof. Hoy. When a boy of t< 
 
 eled in the West with his parent- 
 far as Iowa, where the}' spent one summer. 
 He naturally became familiar with the hotel 
 business as he grew to manhood, and at an 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 523 
 
 age he became a partner in a tannery with his 
 father. 
 
 In 1875 Mr. Musser married Miss Annie C. 
 Harter, daughter of Dr. W. S. Harter. One 
 daughter was born of this union, Loda S., an 
 accomplished young lady now attending school 
 in Philadelphia. Her mother died in May, 1889, 
 of inflammation of the bowels, after an illness of 
 only three days. Afterward Mr. Musser married 
 his present wife, Margaret, daughter of Joseph 
 Kreamer, a well-known resident of Brush Valley. 
 She is a woman of much talent, and was edu- 
 cated in the Reading High School. Of three 
 children, the first, Hyle, died in infancy; Ada R. 
 and Margaret, both at home, are beautiful and 
 interesting children. 
 
 Previous to his first marriage, Mr. Musser, 
 while out hunting, was accidentally shot in the 
 shoulder, resulting in a permanent injury. On 
 this account the tannery was sold, and he en- 
 tered the hotel business, renting his father's es- 
 tablishment. The place soon showed the effects 
 of his progressive management. He built addi- 
 tions to the dining room and kitchen, furnished 
 the entire house in excellent style, with conven- 
 iences far beyond what might be expected, in a 
 town of the size of Millheim, and in fact trans- 
 formed it from a country inn to a first-class hotel. 
 "Billy," as he is called by a host of friends, is 
 jovial and kind-hearted, and his genuine interest 
 in the comfort and welfare of his guests makes 
 the remembrance of a sojourn at his house a 
 pleasing one. Mr. Musser is prominent in the 
 local Democratic circles, but is not an office 
 seeker. Socially he is a member of the I. O. O. 
 F. and of the Knights of the Golden Eagle. 
 
 T^HOMAS MERRYMAN. The stability or 
 substantial progress of a county or State is 
 due largely to its agriculturists, and of this class 
 our subject is a worthy representative. He was 
 born July 31, 1853, on his present homestead 
 on the Fowler road in Taylor township, Centre 
 county. 
 
 Leonard Merryman, father of our subject, 
 was born in the same county, March 2, 1812, a 
 son of Elijah and Elizabeth (Hartline) Merryman, 
 natives of England. On reaching manhood he 
 wedded Miss Maria Arna, who was also born in 
 Centre county, a daughter of John and Hester 
 (Cox) Ama. They spent their last days upon the 
 present farm of our subject, the father dying Fe- 
 bruary 28, 1885, and the mother on April 19, 
 1875, a t the age of fifty-eight years, three months 
 and a few days. Both were earnest members of 
 the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in politics 
 
 he affiliated with the Republican party. By trade 
 he was a blacksmith, but during the later years 
 of his life carried on agricultural pursuits. He 
 was one of the prominent and representative men 
 of the community, widely and favorably known. 
 
 Thomas Merryman is the youngest in a family 
 of eight children, the others being as follows: 
 Nancy, born September 19, 1838, is the wife of 
 John McMunagle, a sketch of whom follows; 
 John, born September 23, 1840, died January 
 27, 1848; Elizabeth, born May 27, 1842, is the 
 widow of George Calderwood, of Philipsburg, 
 Penn. ; Esther, born March' 8, 1844, died April 
 25, 1862; Elijah, born October 17, 1846, died 
 September 15, 1850; Julian, born May 21, 1849, 
 died September 9, 1850; and Josephine, born 
 February 15, 185 1, makes her home with her 
 brother Thomas. Our subject has spent his 
 entire life upon his present farm, and in the 
 public schools of the locality acquired a good 
 practical education, which has well-fitted him 
 for the responsible duties of life. He is a thor- 
 ough and skillful farmer, industrious and en- 
 ergetic, and the well-tilled fields and neat appear- 
 ance of his place indicate the thrift and enterprise 
 of the owner. 
 
 On July 2, 1885, Mr. Merryman married 
 Miss Sarah J. Kelly, and they have had six chil- 
 dren, in the order of birth as follows: Harry, 
 born April 6, 1886, died January 11, 1887; 
 Gertrude, born December 16, 1887; George T. , 
 born January 2, 1890; Cicero, born February 21, 
 1892, died on the 11th of the following June; 
 Lona, born September 23, 1893; and one, born in 
 1896, died in infancy. Politically, Mr. Merryman 
 casts his ballot in support of the men and meas- 
 ures of the Republican party. As a business man 
 he possesses excellent judgment, has been suc- 
 cessful in his farming operations, and in all respects 
 is accounted a useful and desirable member of so- 
 ciety, and he is a representative and leading citizen 
 of the community. His estimable wife belongs to 
 the United Brethren Church, which he also at- 
 tends, though not a member. 
 
 John McMunagle, brother-in-law of Thomas 
 Merryman, is a prosperous farmer of Taylor 
 township. He was born in that township, Feb- 
 ruary 26, 1834, one mile from where he now 
 resides, and is a son of Stephen H. and Eve 
 (Frantz) McMunagle, natives of Centre county. 
 The father died June 30, 1875, aged eighty-one 
 years, seven months and four days; the mother 
 passed away in April, 1884, at the age of eighty- 
 six years. They were members of the United 
 Brethren Church; in politics he was first a Whig, 
 later a Republican, and served as poor overseer, 
 supervisor, and justice of the peace ten years. 
 
524 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRA /'///' .1 /. IIFJ'OIU). 
 
 I hey were the parents of children as follows: 
 \ln\ is the deceased wife of David Henderson, 
 also deceastl David is also deceased; Henrv is 
 a fanner in Kansas; Christina is the widow of 
 I'm Melcher; Jacob lives in Altoona, Penn. ; 
 
 v is the widow of Abraham Burns, and ! 
 in Centre co farming the old home- 
 
 d; Lair is the d( wife of David Hard- 
 
 man, also deceased; Lavina is the wife of David 
 i nire county; I was 
 
 married . Vaughn, and after his 
 
 Merryman, also now 
 1 is a farmer in ('• Stephen 
 
 i in infancy; John is tl of whom we now 
 
 write; and Samuel died in infani 
 
 At the age of twenty-tw fohn McMun- 
 
 agle left the parental roof and purchased his 
 
 ent farm in Taylor township, which at that 
 time was a wilderni ning with wild ani- 
 
 mals. On December t8, [856, he married Miss 
 Nancy Merryman, and eight children, as follows, 
 
 • born to them; Mary is the wife o 
 
 Lewis, a railroad conductor at Alt 1a, Penn.; 
 
 bert R. is a lumberman at I '"it Matilda, Penn.; 
 
 M. married Miss Maude Clawson, a lumberman 
 at I n. ; Stephi a died al e of 
 
 two months; I is unmarried, and li 
 
 with his parents; I mma is the wife of Samuel 
 < '< iwher, .1 f m in niie county; and I ' 
 
 1 a farmi unty, married En 
 
 I wings. Mr. McMunagle in his political prel 
 ence is a K> looked upon as 
 
 e farmer citizens of 
 his township and i unty. 
 
 GEORGE II. SMULL. In endeavoring to 
 /e in this volume due recognition to all the 
 
 prominent families of the section, we have found 
 the most inl and progressive spirits the 
 
 ;t helpful to the enterprise, and it is through 
 the oi the subject of this 
 
 sketch that nabled to present the foil 
 
 rtg account oi the Smull family, which 
 has been well-known in Brush Valley from pio- 
 neer times. 
 
 The first ''I tin line in America was - 
 Smull, the great-grandfather of our subject. He 
 was a native of Ireland, whence he came to this 
 •country in the latter part of the eighteenth 1 
 tury to locate m the eastern pan of Pennsylvania. 
 Six of his children lived to adult age two daugh- 
 ters and lour sons, the names of the latter bi 
 Henry, Jacob, Peter and Jesse. The Smull 
 
 ilj in Brush Valle) is descended from the first 
 three sons, who were skilled masons, and all 
 
 went at the same time to Rebersburg to build th. 
 wall foi the Lutheran Reformed 1 hurch. "1 i 
 remained in the Valley, and, living in German 
 settlements, they and their children adopted th 
 language and cu f their neighbors. Of th 
 
 brothers, Jacob, in later years, did an extensi\ 
 business in cutting tombstones for the Reb 
 burg cemetery from native rock, and several 1 t 
 these monuments are still st; Jacob died 
 
 at his home below Aaronsburg, and was buried at 
 Rebersburg. Peter removed in later life to S 
 phenson county. 111., and died there. 
 
 Henry Smull, our subje. ndfather, 
 
 born in eastern Pennsyh mia, February 2, 1; 
 and, con y in early manhi 
 
 with no capital except his own abilities and sti 
 physique, was ob work for man) 
 
 a day I,. He sa\ ed his money, h 
 
 and in time managed to buy a farm betw 
 Kreamerville and Centre Mill. The ■ th 
 
 place dev< >1' Iiis family a> 
 
 tinued to work at his Politically he > 
 
 . but aside from voting negularl] 
 public affairs. II. 
 longed to the I. nth. ran Church, and was 
 stant at. i active worker, I 
 
 ous offices. Hi nt in Rock- 
 
 ville, Penn., in well-earned . his toil hav- 
 
 ing gained him a comfortable competence, and 
 
 ied February 2, [879, his burial 
 
 ■ Rebersburg ; 
 pected among his as- tor his integrity, 
 
 being known far and near as a "man 
 
 wnrd." 
 
 After his removal to Brush Valley 1! 
 Smull married Miss Elizabeth Royer, b) whom 
 he had the following children : Poll) Alis \\ 
 iam Walker); John, now postmaster at Reb< 
 burg; Harrison, a stonemason by trade, who 
 died at Rebersburg; Abigail, the widow of Fran- 
 cis Brownlee, of Freeport, 111.; Lovina, wife 
 William Bierly, ol Rebersburg; Sarah, who mar- 
 ried Samuel Gramlev, and died at Reb 
 and |efferson, residing in Mackeyville, Penn. 
 The mother of this family died in IS — . and 
 remains were laid to rest in the family lot in 
 Rebersburg cemetery. Henry Smull for b 
 ond wife married Catherine Kreamer, who 
 born near Kreamerville, October 22, 1806, a 
 daughter of Jacob Kreamer, and died N 
 
 I887, hei funeral being held at Rebersbi 
 re were five children by this union: Aan 
 a resident ol Rockville, Penn.; Reuben, our sub- 
 ject's father; Simon, a blacksmith by trade, w 
 died in Madisonburg; Hannah, now Mrs, I 
 Fullmer, of Rebersburg; and Henry, oi Kream- 
 erville. 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 525. 
 
 Reuben Smull, the father of our subject, was 
 born October 30, 1838, at the old home near 
 Kreamerville. He first attended school at Re- 
 bersburg, with John Burkett as his teacher, and 
 he afterward pursued his studies as he could in 
 the intervals of farm work. Short as the winter 
 terms were, he could not attend full time, his 
 help being required at home. At the age of 
 fifteen he began to learn the mason's trade with 
 his father, and two years later, having become 
 proficient in all branches of the work, he formed 
 a partnership with his brother Harrison, and fol- 
 lowed the business for several years. 
 
 In January, 1862, Reuben Smull was married 
 in Brush Valley, at the home of the bride's par- 
 ents, to Miss Louisa Gramley, who was born near 
 Rebersburg, June 12, 1 841 , the daughter of Jos- 
 eph and Esther (Schmeltzer) Gramley. The fol- 
 lowing year they spent in Rebersburg, and in 
 1863 they removed to a farm adjoining Kreamer- 
 ville on the north, and then belonging to Joseph 
 Kreamer. Mr. Smull rented this, and remained 
 there until 1864, when he went to a farm near 
 Rockville, and while engaged in agriculture did 
 some work at his trade. In the spring of 1888 
 he purchased the Joseph Kreamer estate, and re- 
 turning to it has since resided there, giving his 
 attention to farming exclusively. The place 
 makes an attractive homestead, and under the 
 able management of its owner is a profitable in- 
 vestment. 
 
 Reuben Smull is a man of no pretensions, 
 minding his own business, and this, by the way, 
 is a characteristic trait of his family, which has 
 produced a number of substantial, successful, yet 
 unassuming citizens. He upholds the principles 
 ol the Democratic party on national issues, but 
 where local questions only are involved, he de- 
 clines to surrender his judgment blindly, and 
 votes as he thinks the interests of the people de- 
 mand. Official honors have no particular charms 
 for him, but he has served as tax collector in 
 Miles township. In religion he is a Lutheran, 
 and he and his wife are both members of the 
 Church. 
 
 The subject of this sketch, who is the only 
 son of his parents, was born at Rockville, June 
 23, 1869. Inheriting the sterling qualities of his 
 ancestry, he has the added advantage of good 
 schooling, and the modern spirit of enterprise 
 makes his talents practically available in lines in 
 which former generations took no part. After 
 completing the course of study in the local 
 schools, he pursued other branches at Spring 
 Mills and Selins Grove, Penn., and at Dakota, 
 111- He was an apt student, learning rapidly, 
 not only from books but also from observation. 
 
 and several years spent in the West in his early 
 "twenties" served to broaden his views of men 
 and things in a practical way. 
 
 On returning to Pennsylvania, Mr. Smull 
 was associated for some years with the circula- 
 tion department of the Keystone Gazette of Belle- 
 fonte, his duties taking him to all parts of cen- 
 tral Pennsylvania. In February, 1896, he 
 became identified with the New York Life Insur- 
 ance Co., as a subordinate agent, and his abilities 
 quickly won the approval of the highest officials. 
 His promotion followed not through any "in- 
 fluence," but because the shrewd men at the 
 head of the company needed just such tact, en- 
 ergy and sound judgment as they saw revealed 
 in his work. He is now the general agent for 
 Centre, Clinton, Union and other counties, and 
 exacting as are the requirements of the post, they 
 are met promptly and satisfactorily. 
 
 On July 4, 1 89 1, Mr. Smull was united in 
 wedlock with Miss Daisy Blanche Stover, a na- 
 tive of Rebersburg, born May 15, 1873. She is 
 a member of one of the oldest and most re- 
 spected families of Brush Valley, and is the eld- 
 est of three children of Cornelius and Chestie 
 Stover. She is an attractive, accomplished lady, 
 and held in high esteen by all her many friends. 
 Mr. Smull. built a pleasant residence in Rebers- 
 burg, which he now rents, he and his wife pre- 
 ferring to remain at their country home. Mr. 
 and Mrs. Smull are members of the Lutheran 
 Church, and are living supporters of its work. 
 In fact Mr. Smull has already shown his public 
 spirit in many ways, being always ready to en- 
 courage any movement that might tend to prog- 
 ress. At one time he was a Democrat in poli- 
 tics, but of late he has endorsed the doctrines of 
 the Republican party, and he is one of its advis- 
 ers and counsellors in his locality. He is a di- 
 rect descendant from John A. Smull, the author 
 of Smull's "Legislator's Hand Book and Man- 
 ual of Pennsylvania." 
 
 BiENJAMIN CORL, a well-known, wide- 
 .) awake farmer of Ferguson township, Centre 
 county, was born December 3, 1830, in Union 
 Penn., a son of Benjamin Corl, Sr. , 
 birth occurred in Chester county, this 
 During his youth the father had re- 
 to Union county, and later came to 
 Centre county, where he spent the remainder of 
 his life. For twenty years he followed black- 
 smithing, but later in life gave his exclusive at- 
 tention to agricultural pursuits. The mother of 
 our subject, who bore the maiden name of Eliza- 
 beth Vonada, was a native of Centre county. 
 
 county, 
 whose 
 State, 
 moved 
 

 COM&EMOBA TIVE BI0OBArJIir.il. RECORD. 
 
 In June, [863, Benjamin Corl, our subject, 
 was married to Miss Mary Neidigh, who was 
 called to her final 1 rried life of 
 
 eighteen years Four children graced their un- 
 ion, namely: Henry, born April 24, 1868, assists 
 his father in the operation of the home farm; 
 Amanda C, burn June 21, 1S72, is the wife of 
 Milton Zeigler, a sawyer by trade, living in Luth- 
 ersburg, Clearfield Co., Penn. ; Bella is the wife 
 of Philip C.nnable, a farmer of Huntingdon 
 county, i ind Alfred, born August 12, 1 879, 
 
 is living in Half Moon, Centre county. In 18 
 Mr. ( orl was again married, his second union 
 
 ng with Mrs. Young, who has a son by 
 
 d, named George I) Young, 
 
 who was bom June 4, [881, and is still with his 
 
 mother, Mr. and Mis Corl have a daughter, 
 
 Mary F.. who was born August 27. 1S84. 
 
 Mi. Corl is one o( the most enterprising, in- 
 dustrious and energetic farmers of Ferguson 
 township, where he owns a good farm, the neat 
 and thrifty appearance of which plainly indicates 
 the supervision ol a careful manager. He c 
 his ballot in support of the men and measures of 
 the Demon rty, but cares nothing for the 
 
 honors or emoluments of public office. He is 
 an earnest and consistent member of the Re- 
 formed Church, .md, socially, affiliates with the 
 Gran 1 He is held in the highest esteem and 
 respect by his neighbors, and has the confidence 
 and "I all with whom he comes in con- 
 
 tact, whether in a business or a social way. 
 
 PETER LAUCK, a leading and prosperous 
 farmer of Ferguson township. Centre coun- 
 ty, is .1 native of Pennsylvania, having been born 
 in York county, November 26, 1825, and is of 
 German and Scotch descent. His paternal grand- 
 father was a Revolutionary hero, having fought 
 under Gen. Washington. Our subject is the 
 youngest of the five children born to Peter and 
 Elizabeth (Lephart) Lauck, the others being as 
 follows; [ohn, who reared his family in Illinois, 
 and then- died; Catharine and Hannah, who 
 spent their married lives in Ohio, where their 
 deaths occurred; and 1 lizabeth, who died in 
 Yoi 1. ci mnl ■. . Pennsylvania. 
 
 Mr. Lauck is the owner oi a splendid farm in 
 Ferguson township, but is now practically livin 
 retire. I life, having laid aside thi 
 
 ilities of a business career, and enjoying 
 a well-earned rest. In 1 N40 he ca the 
 
 county, ami since 1 S 3 1 has resided upon his 
 present farm In early life he engaged in the 
 manufacture ol windmills, but later gave his en- 
 tire time and attention to agricultural pursuits, 
 
 becoming a most prosperous and well-to- 
 farmer. 
 
 On February 8, [847, Mr Lauck w. 
 Miss Sarah M. Crumrine, and their union has 
 I with thirteen children: John II . 
 who died in infancy; Rebecca, who tirst married 
 William Heberling, and after his death wedded 
 John Hicks; I). I ■"., who married Catharine Shoe- 
 maker; Margaret B., who was born March 12 
 [855; Anna C, wife of William Dutrow, b\ 
 whom she has five children; William, who mar- 
 ried Lillie McGivitt, and has four children; Sally. 
 wife of William Dougherty; Adam F., who mar- 
 ried Emma Gummo, and has three children; J. 
 W., who dud April 6, 1880; Green, who was 
 born January [6, 1863, and died September iS. 
 [864; George B. McClellan, who was born March 
 3, 1864, and died on the 16th of the following 
 September; James, who died in infancy; an.l 
 Alice C. , who was bom January 17, [871, an.l 
 in childhood. 
 
 Of a social, generous disposition, Mr Lauck 
 has made many warm friends and acquaintan 
 .luring his long residence in ( entre county, and 
 has the confidence and respect of all with wl 
 he has come in contacl either in business or social 
 life. He is a typical American, progressive in 
 his ideas and active and energetic in manner In 
 politics he is an earnest Democrat, and an advo- 
 cate of free silver. 
 
 MAX SHELL. Among some of the a 
 enterprising citizens of Centre county are 
 those who were born in Germany, and who h 
 brought to this fertile and productive country th 
 thrift and economy of the Old World. Am 
 these there is no figure that stands out m 
 prominently in the history of Taylor township 
 than Mr. Shell, whose tine farm is located ni 
 Di\ Station on the old plank road. 
 
 Mr. Shell was bom in Witzberick, Germ 
 May 20, 1 825, a son ol John and Andonia ( Millet 
 Shell, also natives of that country, wh 
 mother died in [828, at the age of t h i 1 1 
 There the fattier was again married, his 
 union being with Rosilla Hoover, and in it 
 with seven of the children, they emigi 
 the United Mates, one son, Joseph, remain 
 behind. In the following year, however, 
 joined the family in America. By trade 
 father was a nail maker, but spent his !,. 
 in retirement at tin- home ..I Ins son, I\. :\ I 
 Shell, at Altoona, Penn.. where he died in 18 
 at 1I1. ghty-four years. In religious 
 
 lief he was a t atholic. His second wife 
 p u ted ilii- life in 1863, at the age of sixtj •■• 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 527 
 
 By his first marriage John Shell had six chil- 
 dren, in order of birth as follows: Joseph (de- 
 ceased) was a machinist of Altoona, Penn. ; Caro- 
 line is the deceased wife of Joe Sedar, who died 
 in the West; Considine is a farmer of Blair coin. 
 ty, Penn.; Max is the subject of this sketch; 
 Andonia married Jake Snider, and after his death 
 wedded Adam Clacy, but both are now deceased; 
 and Rechina was also twice married; her first 
 husband, a Mr. Pittner, was accidentally drowned, 
 and she afterward wedded Mike Long, who is 
 also deceased. Two sons were born of the sec- 
 ond union of John Shell; George L., a railroad 
 bridge builder of Tyrone, Penn. ; and Rev. John, 
 a prominent priest of the Catholic Church, who 
 died at Altoona. 
 
 Max Shell was twenty-two years of age when 
 he embarked with his parents on a sailing vessel 
 bound for Baltimore, Md., where they arrived 
 after a voyage of four weeks. He had been pro- 
 vided with excellent school advantages in his na- 
 tive land, and is an intelligent, well-read man. 
 He was drafted for service in the German army, 
 but being in delicate health was rejected. Dur- 
 ing the Civil war in this country he was also 
 drafted, but was again discharged, as at this time 
 he was past the age for service. After reaching 
 the shores of the New World, Mr. Shell went to 
 Hollidaysburg, Blair Co., Penn., where for a 
 short time he worked on a farm, and then for 
 nine months was employed in an ore bank. 
 Coining to Bald Eagle Furnace, Centre county, 
 he was employed by the furnace company at sta- 
 ble work for the long period of twenty years, 
 after which he returned to Blair county, where 
 for six years he worked on the railroad. He 
 then purchased his present farm in Taylor town- 
 ship, Centre county. This fine property, on 
 which he has made some very valuable improve- 
 ments, is the result of his own diligence, energy 
 and good management, and stands to-dav a 
 monument to the industry and thrift that he 
 possesses. 
 
 In October, 1 851, Mr. Shell, our subject, was 
 joined in wedlock with Miss Jane Reed, and to 
 them have been born five children: Jennie, now 
 residing at Snow Shoe, Penn., is the widow of 
 Martin Vail, who was superintendent of the Beach 
 Creek railroad, and died, leaving seven children; 
 Mary is the wife of William McNeallis, employed 
 in the paper-mill of Tyrone, Penn. ; William, a 
 railroad conductor, of Renovo, Penn., married 
 
 Ella ; Joe, a railroad engineer of Tyrone, 
 
 wedded Mary Flinn; and Agnes is the wife of 
 James McNeallis (brother of her sister's husband), 
 a flagman on the railroad at Tyrone. There are 
 also twenty-two grandchildren. 
 
 Mrs. Shell was born in Blair county, Penn., 
 November 23, 1828, and is a daughter of Joseph 
 and Jane W. (Logan) Reed, natives of Maryland 
 and Ireland, respectively. When quite young 
 her father ran away from home, going to Blair 
 county, where he married a Miss Logan, then 
 only sixteen years of age. He was crushed while 
 working in an ore bank in that county, and died 
 from the effects a few days later, when Mrs. Shell 
 was quite small. In religious belief ne was a 
 Presbyterian. His last words to his wife were: 
 " Go to Maryland and attend to a fortune which 
 has been left us;" but this has never been done, 
 though it is supposed an estate was left to the 
 Reed family. Mrs. Reed long survived her hus- 
 band, dying at the home of her son Joseph, in 
 Hollidaysburg, in 1892, at the ripe old age of 
 seventy-eight years. She was the mother of the 
 following children: William, who died in Ten- 
 nessee; Mary, deceased; Dennis, who died at 
 Bald Eagle Furnace, Centre county; John, an 
 iron worker in the West; Joseph, a railroad en- 
 gineer of Hollidaysburg; Jane, the estimable wife 
 of our subject; and Catherine, who first wedded 
 William McAteer, and after his death married 
 James Hawkins, a machinist of Altoona. Her 
 death was caused by the explosion of a coal-oil 
 lamp. 
 
 Mr. Shell is a devout member of the Catholic 
 Church, in which faith he was reared, and both 
 himself and wife are highly respected and es- 
 teemed as valued members of the community. 
 In politics he affiliates with the Democracy, 
 deeming that in that party is the best guarantee 
 for the perpetuation of our principles of free gov- 
 ernment, and is an advocate of free silver. He 
 is a very liberal and public-spirited man, and 
 takes a foremost position in every movement or 
 enterprise which promises to accrue to the bene- 
 fit of the people in general. 
 
 M 
 
 ORGAN M. LUCAS. Everywhere in our 
 
 their own way up from humble beginnings to 
 leadership in the commerce, the great productive 
 industries, the management of financial affairs, 
 and in controlling the veins and arteries of the 
 traffic and exchanges of the country. It is one 
 of the glories of the nation that it is so. It 
 should be the strongest incentive and encourage- 
 ment to the youth of the country that it is so. 
 Prominent among the self-made men of Centre 
 county is the subject of this sketch, now residing 
 on Wallace run in Boggs township. He is one 
 of the leading business men of the community, 
 
528 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 extensively engaged in general farming, the man- 
 ufacture of charcoal, and in the lumber busi- 
 ness. 
 
 Mr. Lucas was born October 10, 1835, m tne 
 township which is still his home, and is a worth v 
 representative of one of its pioneer families. In 
 Centre county his parents, Charles and Eliza- 
 beth (Shirk 1 Lucas, spent their entire lives, the 
 former dying in 1875, at the age of seventy- 
 eight years, and the latter in [865, al the age of 
 1 years. In their family were four 
 children: James M., a farmer of Boggs town- 
 ship; Rebecca, wife of Jacob Brower, of Mil 
 sota; Charles, a fanner of Boggs township, and 
 Morgan M., of this review. 
 
 The father was the first white man to cross 
 the Alleghany Mountains to Snow Shoe, and was 
 at that place when it was given its name. Several 
 hunters were there stopping when a big snow 
 storm came up, and they wen obliged to make 
 snow shoes in oi et away. Thus the vil- 
 
 lage derived its name. Mr. Lucas was with 
 Perry when he wen his famous victory 
 on Lake Erie. He had enlisted in the militia, 
 but it was found that he could be of more service 
 as a canpenter, and while he remained in the 
 ed at that trade. On being 
 his hi ime and resumed 
 work as a millwright, which trade he had 
 in early life. He became a large land owner, 
 his property was operated by his sons. His 
 last days he spent in retirement at the home of 
 our subject, but he died when on a visit to his 
 r, Jane, who al- un- 
 
 ship. 
 
 Morgan M. I his early life in lum- 
 
 ind farming, the age oi nineteen 
 
 irking at 
 I profitable. * hi I >e- 
 cember 25, married Mi>s Nancy |. I'oor- 
 
 them h 1 born the following 
 
 children: Adella, wife of D pp, a farmer 
 
 of I 'in m township, nty; [ohn A., a 
 
 farmer of B B., an agri- 
 
 cull Union township; Adelin 
 
 wife of Andy I ! >wn- 
 
 ship 
 
 farmi iwnship; Annie M., wifi 
 
 Martin Brower, 1 Union township; 
 
 Rebecca, wife of '1 i th, a farmei 
 
 I • tow nship; and Ri 
 
 still at home. Alt Mi I ■ 
 
 1 a rented farm run, I '• 
 
 township, fo 
 
 William Marks, whi ned 
 
 rs, and then 1 
 and has recently bought another ti 
 
 Besides general farming, however, he is also 
 engaged in the manufacture of charcoal, and in 
 the lumber business. 
 
 Mr. Lucas is a straightforward, reliable busi- 
 ness man, honored, respected and esteemed 
 wherever known. He never acts except from 
 honest motives, and, in all of his varied relations in 
 business affairs and social life, he has maintained 
 a character and standing that has impressed all 
 with his sincere and manly purpose to do by 
 others as he would have others do by him. In 
 politics he is a Democrat, and has faithfully 
 served in several township offices. An earnest 
 Christian gentleman, he is a consistent member 
 of the United Brethren Church, of which he is 
 trustee. 
 
 f ILLIAM 
 
 R., JOHN C. F. and JAI 
 [V F. MOT/, of Woodward, Centre county, 
 are the three surviving sons and only children of 
 the late John C. Motz and his wife, Maranda A. 
 ird) Mot./, of whom mention is made else- 
 where in this volume. 
 
 William R., the eldest son, was born in \\ 
 ward September I, 1S70, and received his ele- 
 ducation in the local . and then 
 
 after studying for some time at New Berlin and 
 Williamsport entered State College in 1889 Hi 
 left that institution during the Sophomore 
 and took a course at the Eastman Busines 
 lege, at Poughkeepsie, N. Y. He n 
 \\ iodv ird, nd conducts the business 
 ther's estate, which has never been divided. He 
 is a leader in the social life of the Valley. 
 
 John C. I'., the second son, horn April 
 [872, was educated at Williamsport, at 
 CoIIcl l u , and at the Eastman 
 
 1 [e gi ^ .! sjoi id insight intobusim 
 under ti 
 one year before hi |ohn, individually, 
 
 in Woodward, which the latti 
 on under the na 
 J. ( . F. Mot/. 
 
 I th e y ou n ' 
 
 1 874, compli ' 1 if stud) 
 
 Mating in 1 
 in electric ,1:. 1 [e 1- now in th 
 
 Work-;. ! 
 sylvania. 
 
 The tin. e broth ill taking pi 
 
 iiimty. in which the) 
 
 lility, and 
 
 business nun of tl initv. Their I 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 529 
 
 carefully instructed them in the details of his 
 business, and although he suffered from rheuma- 
 tism he remained at the helm until he con- 
 sidered his sons properly fitted for the task of 
 life. 
 
 They are all Republicans in their political 
 preferences, while in matters of religion they are 
 identified with the Evangelical Association. 
 None of them has as yet enlisted in the noble 
 army of benedicts. 
 
 DJ. MUSSER. The Musser family is one of 
 the most prominent in Penn's Valley, and 
 while its members are not all descended from the 
 same pioneer settler, their ancestors seem to 
 have all located at their first coming in what is 
 now Gregg township, Centre count)'. 
 
 Of the different branches, the subject of this 
 sketch, a highly respected resident of Gregg 
 township, is now the only male representative in 
 his generation (the third) from Philip Musser, one 
 of the original settlers who located at the present 
 homestead in 1802. It was then known as the 
 "Rev. James Martin farm," and in an old ceme- 
 tery on the place there are still to be found 
 tombstones which mark the graves of a number 
 of pioneers. One bears the following inscription: 
 " Here lies the body of Rev. James Martin, Pas- 
 tor of the First Presbyterian congregation in 
 Penn's Valley, who died June 20, 1795, aged 
 about sixty-five." This is without doubt one 
 of the earliest interments in the cemetery, 
 which was abandoned long ago. When our sub- 
 ject's grandfather took the estate it was but little 
 changed from its primitive condition, and he 
 cleared and improved it, some of the buildings 
 which he erected being still in use, the barn dat- 
 ing back to 1812. He was a Whig in politics, 
 and a devout member of the Lutheran Church. 
 Thrifty and industrious, a typical German farm- 
 er, he acquired a goodly competence. He lived 
 to be nearly eighty years old, and his wife, 
 Elizabeth Oswalt, also attained an advanced age, 
 but the mortal remains of both were long since 
 laid to rest in the Heckman cemetery. Their 
 children were: John, who died in Trumbull 
 county, Ohio; Philip (2), the father of our subject; 
 Daniel, who removed to Trumbull county, Ohio, 
 and died there; Elizabeth (Mrs. John Durst), who 
 died in Potter township, Centre county; Han- 
 nah, who married Adam Shaffer, and died in 
 Madisonburg, Centre county; Lydia (Mrs. Mi- 
 chael Ream), who died in Gregg township, Cen- 
 tre county; and Catherine (Mrs. Elias Wasser), 
 
 who died in Kansas. At the time that Philip 
 34 
 
 Musser, Sr., came to Centre county, his brother 
 Michael also located there. He had a large fam- 
 ily, among whom were several daughters and two 
 sons, Jonathan and George. 
 
 Philip Musser (2), our subject's father, was 
 born in Lehigh county, Penn.. in September, 
 1790, and was a boy of twelve when his parents 
 settled at the present homestead. As a pioneer 
 farmer's son, his educational advantages were 
 limited, and what instruction he had was given 
 in German. He was a well-built man, weighing 
 from 180 to 185 pounds, and was an active and 
 successful businessman, conducting his farm, and 
 also a sawmill, which was built by his father, and 
 is still run by water power. He always took a 
 prominent part in religious movements as a mem- 
 ber of the Lutheran Church, in which he held 
 various offices, and he was also interested in poli- 
 tics first as a Whig, and later as a Republican. Al- 
 though firm in his convictions, he was never ag- 
 gressive in proclaiming them, being a man of few 
 words, and he was universally respected as an up- 
 right citizen. He died in November, 1871, and 
 his remains were interred in Heckman cemetery. 
 He was married four times. By his first wife, a 
 Miss Walburn, he had three children: Mary 
 A. married John Oswalt, and died in Gregg 
 township. Centre county; Elizabeth married 
 Jacob Condo, and moved to Illinois, where 
 her death occurred: and Rebecca, the widow 
 of Charles Hennich, resides in Penn Hall. The 
 second wife, our subject's mother, was formerly 
 a Miss Rush, who first married a Mr. Peters, 
 and at the time of her marriage to Mr. Musser 
 was a widow. She died about 183 1. Her chil- 
 dren were John, who died at two years of age; 
 George, who died when fourteen; D. J., our sub- 
 ject; and Hannah (Mrs. William Adamson), who 
 died in Kansas. By the third wife, Polly Musser, 
 widow of Daniel Condo, and the fourth. Susan 
 Miller, widow of David Oswalt, there were no 
 children. 
 
 D. J. Musser was born at the old homestead, 
 March 19, 1829, and as a boy attended the 
 neighboring district schools, the instruction being 
 mainly in German. The labor-saving devices of 
 the present time were then unknown, and work 
 was plenty even in the winter season, it being his 
 duty to ride the horses while threshing out the 
 grain in the old-fashioned way. His time was 
 sometimes so taken up with his work that dur- 
 ing one whole winter he was allowed to attend 
 school only seven days. Hauling furnished con- 
 tinued employment also, as coal was brought 
 in wagons from Snow Shoe, and grain was taken 
 to market at Lewistown, Mifflin county, over 
 Seven Mountains, by the same means. He has 
 

 ' VEMOBA TIVB BIOGHM'lllcM. UKCORD. 
 
 always lived at tin- homestead, and as he grew 
 older he assumed the management of the estate, 
 conducting the farm and the old mill. At the 
 age of twenty he married Miss Catherine Rearick, 
 who was born in Haines township. Centre coun- 
 ty, in October, 1827, the daughter of William and 
 
 ( Friesc 1 Rearick. Twelve children blessed 
 
 the union: Alice R. married John Swarm, of 
 Centre Hall; John P. died at an early age; Mary 
 A. is at home; Charles A. died in July, 1S96, at 
 the age of forty-two. leaving a widow and one 
 son, Wallace, who is of the fifth generation of 
 this family to reside at the homestead; William 
 H. is a farmer in Penn township, Centre county; 
 Cornelius, a (armer, lives in Miles township, 
 Centre county; Melancthon is an agriculturist of 
 Potter township, Centre county; Luther resides 
 in Gregg township; George lives at Rebersburi;; 
 Calvin F. is employed in the freight office of the 
 Reading R. R. Co. at Williamsport, Penn. ; 
 Frank resides in Gregg township, Centre county; 
 and Lucy is at home. 
 
 Mr. Musser has an excellent farm, containing 
 124 acres, and in 1883, when he retired from act- 
 ive business, he built for himself a substantial res- 
 idence on the farm some distance from the old 
 home, which is occupied by one of his sons, who 
 now manages the estate. He has always taken 
 a deep interest in public affairs, though never an 
 office seeker, and was first a Whig, then a Re- 
 publii an, and since 1892 he has been a Prohi- 
 bitionist, being strongly opposed to the liquor 
 traffic. He- and his wife are leading members of 
 tin Lutheran Church, and for many years he 
 took an active put in the affairs, holding office 
 as deacon and elder. Notwithstanding the fact 
 that he has done much hard work in his life, he is 
 well preserved for one of his age, and his mental 
 faculties are unusually good, his memory being 
 remarkable. 
 
 ILI.IAM II MEYER, the leading mer- 
 ut of Coburn, Centre count}-, is a rep- 
 entative of a prominent and well known 
 family of central Pennsylvania, who trace their 
 ancestry back to a gentleman of German birth 
 who came to the New World at an early day in 
 its history. His fourth son. Christopher Meyer, 
 was born in Muhlbach, Lancaster Co., Penn., in 
 1744, from which place he removed to Camp- 
 bell town, Lebanon county, this State, where he 
 owned a large tract of land. There his death 
 occurred August 2, 1801. He wedded Anna 
 Maria Schaeffer, who was born in Heidelb 
 township, Lancaster county, February 19, 1744, 
 
 a daughter of All leffer, who came 
 
 from Palatinate, Prussia, to the United States ir 
 She died January 1, 1 s - 3 . In their fam- 
 il\ were nine children, namely: Henry, John, 
 Michael, Jacob, Christopher, George, Catharine, 
 Christina and Mary. 
 
 George Meyer was the first of the family to 
 come to Haines township. Centre county. He 
 was born in Campbelltown, March 25, [782, and 
 m iS:; came to Centre county, buying a farm 
 and millsite on Pine creek, where he erected a 
 mill. He was a giant in strength, yet inferior 
 to his brothers, Henry, John and Michael. He 
 married Catharine Meyer, who was born Decem- 
 ber 2, 1788, a daughter of John Jacob V 
 and died March 13, 1S5S. He passed away 
 January 1, 1854, and was buried with his wife at 
 Aaronsburg, Centre county. Their family con- 
 stituted the following children: George, born 
 January 13, 1806, was the grandfather of our 
 subject; John, a farmer by occupation, died in 
 Penn's Valley, January 2S, [878; Catharine mar- 
 ried Andrew Harter, and died in Penn's Valley, 
 October 3, 1872; Henry died in Haines town- 
 ship, Centre county, March 9, 1877; Mary wed- 
 ded Andrew Stover, and lives in Penn's Valley; 
 Philip died in Haines township. June- 25. 1876; 
 and Jacob G., a resident of Aaronsburg, at 
 one time represented his district in the State 
 Legislature. 
 
 The grandfather of our subject was reared 
 upon a farm, and was married in Haines town- 
 ship to Miss Lvdia Harter. who was there born 
 May 16, 1807, a daughtei "I Andrew Harter, and 
 they became the parents of six children: C. 
 J. is the lather of our subject; Julia A., horn 
 December 20, 1831, is the wife of John Wi 
 of Penn township, Centre county; Maria 
 [anuary 26, 1837, is the wife of Jacob Ketner. 
 of Haines township. Samuel, born July 13. 
 was a miller by trade, and died in Millheim, 
 Centre county; Sarah, born April 12, 1 S42, is 
 the widow of Daniel Miller, oi Haines township, 
 ml Andrew, bom January 17, 1 S48, is a niilLr 
 ol the same township. The father of these chil- 
 dren taught two terms of school after his mar- 
 riage. He began housekeeping upon a rented 
 farm 111 Haines township, and to agricultural 
 pursuits mainly devoted his attention until 
 death at the age of forty-seven years. He 
 never a robust man, and catching cold. 1; 
 veloped into consumption, which caused his 
 death, Politically he was a Democrat, and r 
 ligiously he was a member of the German 
 
 d Church. His wife survived him only 
 about two and one-hall years. 
 
 George J. Meyer, the father of our subject, 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 531 
 
 was born in Haines township, January 17, 1830, 
 and acquired his education in the primitive 
 schools of early times. At the age of eighteen 
 he began learning the miller's trade with his un- 
 cle, John Meyer, of Pine Creek, serving a two- 
 years' apprenticeship, during which time he re- 
 ceived $60 for his services. He then worked as 
 a journeyman at the Pine Creek Mill for one 
 year, and then returned and conducted it on his 
 own account for the same length of time. Re- 
 moving to Lewis township, Union county, Penn., 
 he operated a rented mill there for a time, and 
 later worked for the owner. On leaving his 
 employ he conducted a rented mill in Haines 
 township, Centre county, for eight years, after 
 which he removed to Penn township, where his 
 family resided, while he was at Oil City, Penn., 
 a part of one summer. For a period of two 
 years and a half he then engaged in farming, 
 later operated a grist and saw mill at Pine Creek 
 eleven years, and for nine years was in the mill- 
 ing business at Linden Hall, Centre county. In 
 the spring of 1889 he came to Coburn, where he 
 was engaged in mercantile pursuits for a time, 
 but later sold out to his son William, and is now 
 living a retired life, making his home with his 
 children. He is a highly respected and honored 
 citizen, an earnest supporter of Democratic prin- 
 ciples, and a faithful member of the Reformed 
 Church. 
 
 In Haines township, in June, in 1852, George 
 J. Meyer was wedded to Miss Mary S. Arbogast, 
 who was born in 1832, in Freeburg, Snyder Co., 
 Penn. (then Union county), a daughter of Jacob 
 Arbogast, a potter by trade. Six children bless 
 this union: Emma J., wife of Nicodemus Lose, 
 of Haines township; Agnes, wife of Daniel Kra- 
 der, of Gregg township, Centre county; William 
 H., whose name introduces this sketch; Austin 
 E., a miller of Linden Hall; Thomas F. , a mer- 
 chant of Coburn; and Temmie E. . wife of John 
 H. Rishel, a merchant of Farmers Mills, Penn. 
 The mother was called to her final rest March 
 26, 1894, and her remains were interred in the 
 cemetery of Aaronsburg. Like her husband, she 
 was an earnest member of the Reformed Church. 
 
 In Hartle township, Union county, William 
 H. Meyer was born July 31, 1855, whence, 
 when a child, he was brought by his parents to 
 i Woodward, Centre county, of which county he 
 has since been a resident. He was educated in 
 its common schools, first attending school at 
 Woodward, where his teacher was "Old Hill." 
 At the age of fifteen he began learning the mill- 
 er's trade with his father at Pine Creek, and 
 later worked at that business in various places in 
 Centre county, and also at York, Penn., for a 
 
 time. In 1890 he embarked in merchandising 
 at Coburn, first occupying a building opposite 
 the depot, and later succeeded E. L. Auman in 
 business at his present stand. He had never 
 stood behind a counter previous to starting in 
 business for himself, but seemed naturally adapt- 
 ed to the pursuit, and has met with a we! 1 - 
 deserved success, having now one of the leading 
 general stores in Penn's Valley, and by far the 
 most complete one in Coburn. 
 
 At the age of nineteen Mr. Meyer was mar- 
 ried in Bellefonte to Miss Hulda Lee, a native of 
 Tusseyville, Penn., and a daughter of Robert 
 Lee, a farmer. They have one child, Verna, 
 born in November, 1875. The parents are both 
 consistent members of the Reformed Church, 
 while in politics Mr. Meyer is a stalwart Demo- 
 crat, and fraternally is a member of Blanchard 
 Lodge, I. O. O. F., of Eagleville, Penn. He is 
 a prosperous, obliging merchant, one who has 
 made his own way in the world, and deserves no 
 little credit for the wonderful success he has 
 achieved. As a business man he enjoys the con- 
 fidence of a wide circle of patrons, and he and 
 his wife hold an equally high position in social 
 circles. 
 
 JOHN CARVER, an intelligent and energetic 
 farmer of Benner township, Centre county, 
 is a native of the county, his birth having oc- 
 curred in Bald Eagle Valley, in 1848. His par- 
 ents, Joseph and Mary (Neiman) Carver, were 
 also natives of that county, and highly respected 
 and honored people. In their family were eleven 
 children, in order of birth as follows: Sarah A. 
 is the wife of John Stonebreaker, of Sandy Ridge, 
 Centre county; Joseph enlisted in the 148th P. 
 V. I., and was killed in the battle of Gettysburg. 
 Maria wedded Gabriel Fike, who was also a 
 Union soldier, and both are now deceased. 
 Elizabeth is the wife of Henry Sharrow, of 
 Johnstown, Penn., where they were living dur- 
 ing the memorable flood at that place. Henry, 
 who was also a brave defender of the Union, was 
 taken prisoner in the battle of the Wilderness and 
 died in Libby prison. Frederick, who was a member 
 of a Pennsylvania regiment during the Rebellion, 
 died in January, 1896. William died in boyhood 
 in Bald Eagle. Mary Ann died in childhood. 
 John is next in order of birth. Jacob is married 
 and living in Snow Shoe, Penn. Barbara is the 
 wife of Samuel Ginger, of Roopsburg, Centre 
 county. 
 
 In the public schools of Centre county, Mr. 
 Carver, the subject of this review, secured agood 
 practical education, and early became familiar 
 

 532 
 
 COMMEMollA T1VE lilor, HAl'IIIfAI. EEiDltD. 
 
 with farm work in its various departments. Since 
 1858 lie lias been a resident of Benner township, 
 and for the past quarter of a century has made 
 his home upon bis present farm, a tract of 
 twenty-five acres of rich and arable land, which 
 he has placed under a high state of cultivation 
 It is chiefly owing to his own industry and good 
 management that he is the possessor of this well- 
 improved place. In politics he is a Democrat, 
 and is in favor of any movement which is for the 
 benefit of the community, or calculated to elevate 
 the tone of society in general. By his neighbors 
 he is classed among the leading agriculturists of 
 Benner township. 
 
 JOHN II. ROUSH, a prominent agriculturist, 
 residing near Madisonburg, Centre count}', is 
 one of the progressive, wide-awake men who 
 naturally take the lead in any calling which they 
 may undertake. He was born March 22, 1850, 
 on the same farm which he now owns and occu- 
 pies, and was the eldest child of Benjamin and 
 Margaret (Hoy) Roush. The estate was formerly 
 known as the "John Hoy homestead," and the 
 Hoy famil) were from early times identified with 
 that locality. The neighboring district school 
 wascalli school, and there Mr. Roush re- 
 
 ceived his education, one of his first teachers be- 
 ing John Houtz. 
 
 Farm life presents many advantages to a 
 11. healthful work, relieved by pleasant out- 
 dooi recreation, forming wholesome habits and 
 developing and strengthening the physique. 
 There was always plenty to do at home, and 
 Mr. Roush's parents being well-to-do, he never 
 " worked out " for other farmers. As he became 
 familiar with the management of the farm he as- 
 sumed much of the responsibility, and as a young 
 man he I the qualities which have 
 
 contributed to his later success. In January, 
 [873, he was married at Rebersburg to Miss 
 Margaret J. Shaffer, daughter of John and Fran- 
 ces (Schmeltzer) Shaffer. She was a native of 
 Sugar Valley, Clinton county, born in December, 
 [850, but her early life was mainly spent in 
 >h Valley. Alter his marriage Mr. Roush lo- 
 d in Sugar Valley, renting the farm upon 
 which Mrs Roush was born. He remained 
 there until the spring "I 1876, when he 1 
 tn a farm in Spring township, I entre county, 
 near Axemann. In the spi ing of i I left 
 
 this place to take his permanent resideno 
 
 s;g township, at the old homestead, which he 
 has greatly improved in various ways. Thi 
 tat e ci m tains 18 ! I choice land, and is con- 
 
 sidered one of the best farms in the locality. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Roush have three daughl 
 arrie E. married A. J. Hazel, of Madison- 
 burg, and has two children; (2) Minnie E. and 
 3 Frances E., are at home. The family holds 
 a leading place in the social life of the com- 
 munity. Mr. Roush is a member of the Re- 
 formed Church, in which he has served as dea- 
 con, and Mrs. Roush is a Lutheran in faith 
 Politically he is a stanch and steadfast Democrat, 
 and has much influence in the local organization. 
 While living in Spring township he held office as 
 school director and assistant assessor, and at 
 present he is the director of the " Hoy district 
 school," which he attended in boyhood. He is 
 a member of the Grange, and of the I. O. O. F. 
 Lodge No. 955, at Millheim, and is a charter 
 member of Madison Castle No. 360, K. C I 
 at Madisonburg. 
 
 WILLIAM M. LUTZ. Prominent among 
 the successful and enterprising farmc 
 Centre county will be found the subject of this 
 biographical sketch, whose home is situated in 
 Benner township, and who is considered one of 
 the most industrious and worthy citizens of that 
 part of the county. He was born in Spring 
 township, Centre county, in 1850, a son of John 
 and Margaret (Martin) Lutz, the former of 
 man descent and the latter of Irish parentage 
 The father, who was a native of Schuylkill 
 county, Penn. , died at the age of sixty-nine years 
 and .even months. 
 
 < >ur subject, who is one ol a family of tint 
 children, obtained a good common-school educ- 
 tion, and upon the home farm became familiar 
 with the duties that fall to the lot of the agricult- 
 urist. On attaining to man's estate he was 
 I' lined in wedlock with Miss Emma Crust, a na- 
 tive of England, who when five years old w tl 
 
 lit to the New World by her parents, I 
 and Mary (Osnier) Crust. The pleasant home 
 circle < I Mr. and Mrs I. utz consists of four clul- 
 namely: Charles E., Janus. Mary and 
 Nettie. They also lust one, who died at tl 
 of five months. 
 
 Politically, Mr. Lutz affiliates with the D( 
 cratic party, and is a strong and earnest 
 cate of its principles. For the past five years he 
 has held membership in the Grange. An ii 
 trious, intelligent farmer, he is system. iti 
 
 thods, and his fields are made to yield 
 ful harvests. The improvements upon 
 city are "I a substantial 
 
 thing manifests the thrift and prosperity 
 wide-awake farmer and capable busines 
 He is a highh 1 a of the 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 533 
 
 nity, and an excellent specimen of the genial, 
 hospitable people who are born and reared in 
 Centre county. 
 
 JTVEORGE WASHINGTON STEELE. The 
 
 \jF subject of this notice is certainly entitled 
 to be considered not only one of the enterprising 
 farmers of Huston township, Centre county, but 
 one of its respected and honored citizens, and a 
 man of more than ordinary ability. He has al- 
 ways turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, 
 in which he has been very successful, and since 
 his marriage has resided at his present home in 
 Bald Eagle Valley. 
 
 Mr. Steele is a native of Huston township, 
 born February 20, 1853. His father, William 
 Wilson Steele, was born in Mifflin county, Penn., 
 November 19, 1824, and is a son of Martin and 
 Mary (Moore) Steele, natives of Chester and 
 Centre counties, Penn., respectively. The former 
 was a son of Francis and Margaret (Steele) 
 Steele, who were born in Ireland, and on coming 
 to America at an early day located in Centre 
 county, where they spent the remainder of their 
 lives upon a farm. The paternal grandmother 
 of our subject was a daughter of Robert and 
 
 ■ (Wilson) Moore, also natives of Ireland and 
 
 early pioneers of Centre county. Martin Steele 
 and wife were married in Centre county, and in 
 1824 removed to Mifflin county, but in the fol- 
 lowing year returned to their former home, 
 where they passed away in 1844 and 1864 re- 
 spectively. He was an iron ore miner, and 
 served as supervisor of Patton township, Cen- 
 tre county. In their family were the following 
 children: Jane, wife of Hubert Glenn; Marga- 
 ret, wife of David Aters; Robert, of Ohio; Vi- 
 enna, wife of James Peoples; Hestrane, wife of 
 Robert Moore; Mary E. , wife of Jacob Johnson- 
 baugh; William W. ; and Martha, wife of George 
 Mays. All are deceased with the exception of 
 the father of our subject. 
 
 In early life, William W. Steele engaged in 
 lumbering during the winter season, while the 
 summers were spent in farm work. In 1835 he 
 located at Buffalo Run, but in 1853 removed to 
 his present farm, to the cultivation and improve- 
 ment of which he has since devoted his time and 
 attention. He is a prominent member of the 
 Republican party, and has served as constable, 
 school director, and supervisor of his township. 
 He was also elected justice of the peace, but de- 
 clined to accept the office. On March 19, 1849, 
 he married Elizabeth Mays, who was born in 
 Huston township, May 10, 1826, a daughter of 
 Samuel and Sarah (Decker) Mays, natives of 
 
 Penn's Valley, Centre county, who spent their 
 last days at the home of Mr. Steele, the former 
 dying at the age of eighty and the latter at the 
 age of eighty : five years. In their family were 
 nine children: Catherine, widow of J. Saxton, 
 of Kansas; Jane, deceased wife of James Mc- 
 Clelland, also deceased; Sarah, deceased wife of 
 Joe Sinker; Mary, widow of James Flick, of 
 Forest county, Penn. ; Elizabeth, mother of our 
 subject; George, who died in Forest county; 
 Eberhart, a farmer of that county; Jesse, who 
 died in Kansas; and Washington, a veterinary 
 surgeon of Clarendon, Pennsylvania. 
 
 Mr. Steele, whose name introduces this 
 sketch, is the second in order of birth in a family 
 of children, the others being as follows; Sarah, 
 wife of David Richards, a farmer and carpenter 
 of Centre county; Robert, who died when young; 
 William M., who also died when young; Jasper, 
 a farmer of Huston township; and Warren, at 
 home. Our subject obtained his literary educa- 
 tion in the public schools, and became familiar 
 with agricultural pursuits upon the home farm, 
 where he remained until his marriage, May 29, 
 1 879, to Miss Nettie E. Mays. To them were 
 born six children: Mattie is at. home; Gordon 
 is deceased; William died in infancy; Elwood is 
 at home; Elizabeth died at the age of seventeen 
 months; and one died in infancy. 
 
 In Clarendon, Forest Co. , Penn., Mrs. Steele 
 was born January 29, 1859, a daughter of George 
 I. and Martha C. (Steele) Mays, natives of Cen- 
 tre county, where they remained until 1848, 
 when they removed to Forest county. The fa- 
 ther followed the occupation of farming and 
 blacksmithing throughout life, dying in April,' 
 1893, at the age of seventy-one years. His wife 
 passed away in January, 1892, at the age of 
 sixty-five years. In early life they belonged to 
 the Methodist Episcopal Church, but later joined 
 the United Brethren. Their family constituted 
 ten children: Ella, wife of Alex Chatley, a mill- 
 wright of Forest county; Sarah, deceased wife of 
 William Burkwalter, a lumberman; Josephine, 
 wife of Joseph Showber, a farmer of Centre 
 county; Jennie, who is now the wife of William 
 Burkwalter; Nettie E., wife of our subject; Mag- 
 gie, wife of Loren McGee, a carpenter; Priscilla, 
 a resident of Forest county; Laura, who died at 
 the age of nine years; Warren, of whom nothing 
 is known; and Bertrand, of Forest county. The 
 paternal grandparents of Mrs. Steele were Sam- 
 uel and Sarah A. (Decker) Mays, who located in 
 Centre county at an early day, and there their 
 deaths occurred. The maternal grandparents, 
 Martin and Mary (Moore) Steele, spent their en- 
 tire lives in the same county. 
 
534 
 
 OOMMBMORA TITS BIOGRAPHICAL IiECORD. 
 
 Mr. Steele is a clear-headed, intelligent man, 
 with sound common-sense views of life and its 
 duties; he is active in well-doing, sober, indus- 
 trious and of good business habits; in fart, pos- 
 sessing in an eminent degree all the qualifications 
 that go to make up a good citizen and honorable 
 man. In politics he sides with the Republican 
 party, and for three years was an efficient school 
 director. 
 
 J<)I1N C. WAGNER is extensively engaged 
 in farming in Centre county, and makes his 
 home in Central City. He is a representa- 
 tive of one of the pioneer families of the locality, 
 and is one of the native sons of the county 
 wherein he now. resides. He was born in Belle- 
 fonte, June 10, I S 5 7 , a son of John M. and Su- 
 sanna (Hahn) Wagner, natives of Lebanon 
 county and Centre county, Penn., respectively. 
 Their family numbered ten children: William, 
 who operates a gristmill in Boggs township, for- 
 merly owned by the father; Franklin, deceased; 
 Mary, wife of Frank B. Weaver, of State College, 
 Penn.; Sarah, wife of John M. Keichline, of 
 Bellefonte; Jennie, wife of Peter Keichline, of 
 it*.-; johnC; Alice, wife of James Weaver, 
 a farmer of Boggs township ; Carrie, wife of Louis 
 Wallace, of Boggs township; Annie, deceased 
 wife of James Williams, of Bellefonte; and Ella, 
 who is living with her mother at the family home- 
 stead. The father of this family was prominently 
 connected with the business interests of Centre 
 county, and largelj promoted its commercial ac- 
 tivity. From 1S67 until 1869 he was engaged in 
 merchandising in Milesburg, and throughout the 
 iter part of his life owned and operated a 
 (arm. In [875 he erected a gristmill in Central 
 City, which he conducted until 1884, when he 
 was joined in the business by his son, John C, 
 under the firm name of John M. Wagner iV Son. 
 This connection continued until the father's 
 death, which occurred Ma) 5, [892, when he had 
 reached the age of sixty-nine years. He achieved 
 a hand h his own labors. 
 
 His religious views were greatly in accord with 
 the doctrine of the German Reformed Church, 
 but he held liberal ideas. In politics he was a 
 stanch Republican. His wife, who was born in 
 1824, is still living <>n the old homestead. She 
 is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and a 
 most estimable lady. 
 
 John C. Wagner spent the first seven years 
 of his life in the city of his nativity, and in the 
 fall of 1 Sn.j accompanied his parents on their re- 
 moval from Bellefonte to the farm in Boggs town- 
 ship. He was there reared to manhood, and in 
 
 the public schools of the neighborhood acquired 
 his (duration. He continued at home until he ■ 
 twenty-seven years of age, at which time re- 
 joined his father in the gristmill business, being 
 connected with that enterprise for eight yi 
 when his father died, and he sold his interest in 
 the mill. He then removed to his farm, which 
 is a valuable and richly cultivated tract of land 
 that he has placed under a high state of cultiva- 
 tion. Among the excellent improvements upon 
 it is a two-story brick residence, built in a modern 
 style of architecture and tastefully and comfort- 
 ably furnished. 
 
 On October 8, 1884, Mr. Wagner was married 
 to Miss Ella De Long, and they have an interest m„- 
 family of three children: Mabel E. , |<>hn M. and 
 Mu a E. They have a wide circle of warm friends 
 who esteem them highly for their sterling worth. 
 Mr. Wagner exercises his right of franchise in 
 support of the Republican party, and was ap- 
 pointed and served as township supervisor one 
 term. He is a member of the Royal Arcanum, 
 of Bellefonte. His life record is that of a straight- 
 forward business man, true to the duties ol ho 
 and country, and of public and of private life. 
 
 J A. DIETRK 11. The subject of this -4 
 occupies a prominent position among thi 
 terprising farmers and successful stock-raisers 
 ol Miles township, Centre county, where he owns 
 a fine farm of 102 acres, known as the old Grimm 
 homestead, which he purchased in the spring of 
 1889, and has made many valuable and useful 
 improvements thereon. Having iced life 
 
 with small means, his financial position is ample 
 evidence of the manner in which he has em- 
 ployed his time, and the good judgment of which 
 he is the fortunate possessor. He has one of tin- 
 best appointed homesteads in the township, and 
 on account of his strii I integrity and high cl 
 acter is numbered among its most valua 
 ■ns. 
 
 Mi Dietrich was horn near Hublersburf 
 N'ittanv Valley, Centre county. September 
 1856, and is of Swiss extraction, his grandfatfa 
 Martin Dietrich, being a native of Switzerland. 
 He was an energetic, industrious man, who - 
 ceede<l in securing a small home in Haines town- 
 ship, Centre county, near the mountains north 
 of Aaronsburg, and there engaged in gem 
 farming and fruit growing, by which he 
 comfortable living foi hi ind wife 1*1 
 
 had two children: John, the father of our - 
 
 t; and A 11 nil-, who married a Mr. Furrow, 
 died in Tioga county, Pennsylvania. 
 
 Being a naturally bright boy. John Dieti 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 535 
 
 the father, secured a good practical education 
 even though the schools of his time were poor, 
 and in later years participated in many local de- 
 bates, in which he took great enjoyment. As 
 the little farm of his father did not furnish enough 
 work for two, he left home at the age of thirteen 
 years, and worked for others, giving his wages to 
 his parents until he had attained his majority. 
 Learning the plasterer's trade, he worked at it 
 for some time in Big Sugar and Nittany Valleys. 
 In the latter place he was married to Miss 
 Sarah A. Dunkle, who was born on the old 
 Dunkle homestead near Hublersburg, and was a 
 daughter of a well-to-do farmer, from whom she 
 inherited some property. By working at his 
 trade, Mr. Dietrich was able to add to this until 
 at the time of his death they had 144 acres of 
 good land, now owned by their two sens, Lewis 
 
 C. and Henry M. The father was an adherent 
 of Democratic principles, and a member of the 
 Reformed Church, to which his wife also be- 
 longed. After a lingering illness he died in the 
 fall of 1887, and she passed away in 1891, both 
 when over sixty-seven years of age, and their re- 
 mains were interred in the Hublersburg cemetery. 
 In the Dietrich family were eight children, as 
 follows: Lewis C. , a farmer in Nittany Valley; 
 Elizabeth, wife of William Fulton, of the same 
 place; John, a plasterer and painter of Belle- 
 fonte, Centre county; Sarah A., who married 
 John White, and died near Hecla, Penn. ; Henry 
 M., who is living on the old homestead; J. A. and 
 
 D. A. (twins), the former being our subject, and 
 the latter the railroad agent at Hublersburg; and 
 B. F., of Bellefonte. 
 
 J. A. Dietrich began his education in the old 
 " Eight Square school house" under the instruc- 
 tion of Martha Gordon, and later pursued his 
 studies with William Mallory, William Decker 
 and Jasper Wolfe as teachers. Upon the home 
 farm he was reared until sixteen years of age, 
 when he began working for others, giving his 
 parents his wages with the exception of what 
 was needed for his clothes. He was employed 
 by farmers in Brush Valley until nineteen years 
 of age, when he began working in the woods for 
 Ocker & Royer, and continued to follow the lum- 
 ber business for over four years. 
 
 In Madisonburg, Mr. Dietrich was married in 
 July, 1882, to Miss Emma J. Roush, who was 
 born in Gregg township, Centre county, in May, 
 1859, and is the youngest child of Benjamin and 
 Margaret (Hoy) Roush. Mr. and Mrs. Dietrich 
 have two children, Alma M. and Mary E. The 
 parents began their domestic life upon her fa- 
 ther's farm, where they remained until their re- 
 moval to their present place in the spring of 
 
 1889. They are members in good standing of 
 the Reformed Church, in which he is serving as 
 deacon, of the Sunday-school of which he for 
 several years was secretary. They are greatly 
 esteemed in their community as representing the 
 best type of its moral and social element. Po- 
 litically, Mr. Dietrich is a Democrat; has served 
 as overseer in the west precinct of Miles town- 
 ship, and is at present a director of the Madison- 
 burg schools. Socially, he affiliates with the 
 Grange, and was at one time a member of 
 the Knights of the Golden Eagle. 
 
 FLEMING POORMAN. a leading and ener- 
 getic agriculturist of Boggs township. Cen- 
 tre county, was born February 14, 1858, on the 
 farm where he now resides, a son of John and 
 Catherine (Fetzer) Poorman, who were also na- 
 tives of Centre county, where they spent their 
 entire lives. 
 
 In their family were nine children, as fol- 
 lows: Maria, deceased wife of Jacob Yarnal, a 
 farmer in Centre county; Jane, wife of Morgan 
 M. Lucas, a farmer of the same county; Mary, 
 wife of Stanley Watson, an agriculturist of 
 Boggs township; William, of Central City, Penn. ; 
 Daniel F. , a prominent farmer of Boggs town- 
 ship; John E., a merchant of Boggs township; 
 Arminta, wife of Joseph Williams, an engineer 
 of Williamsport, Penn. ; Alice, wife of William 
 Fetzer, a farmer of Boggs township; and Flem- 
 ing, of this review. The father was a farmer by 
 occupation, socially a member of the Independent 
 Order of Odd Fellows, in religious belief a Lu- 
 theran, while politically he supported the Demo- 
 cratic party, as did his father before him. The 
 latter was a son of John and Elizabeth B. (Harper) 
 Poorman, who were born at Brush Valley, Cen- 
 tre county, where they were engaged in farming. 
 The maternal grandparents of our subject, Mi- 
 chael and Mary (Homier) Fetzer, were natives of 
 Germany, and New Jersey respectively. At an 
 early day they took up their residence in Centre 
 county, where they both died. 
 
 In the public schools Fleming Poorman ac- 
 quired a good, practical education and at the age 
 of fifteen years began his business career in the 
 woods of Centre county, peeling bark during one 
 season. In the following year he worked as a 
 farm hand, and. then went to Bellefonte, where 
 he served a two-years' apprenticeship as engineer 
 at the pump station of the reservoir. For the 
 following six months he ran an engine in Blair 
 county, Penn., after which he removed to Ber- 
 wick, Penn., where he learned the puddling 
 trade, at which he was employed some seven 
 
586 
 
 < CMMRMOUATIVK UK", IIM'IW M. RECORD. 
 
 years Returning to the old homestead farm, he 
 rented the same until 1895, when he purchased 
 it, and to its cultivation gives his time and at- 
 tention. 
 
 Mr. Poorman was married April 27, 1882, to 
 Miss Ida Lucas, by whom he. has five children: 
 Maud, Malcolm, Charles, Clyde and Linn. Mrs, 
 Poorman was born at Snow Shoe, Centre county, 
 January 28, 1863, a daughter of William and 
 Lynn (Askey) Lucas, who are also natives of 
 that county. They now reside at Chester Hill, 
 where the father is engaged in merchandising. 
 He served as captain during the Civil war, and in 
 politics is an ardent Republican. His wife holds 
 membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
 and both .iii- highly respected and valued citizens 
 of the community where they make their home. 
 Hi- parents were David and Elizabeth (Green) 
 Lucas, of Centre county, and her parents v 
 David and Elizabeth (Whiteman) Askey, of 
 Clearfield county, Penn. Mrs. Poorman is the 
 
 st in the famil\ r of seven children, the others 
 being Laura, now the wife of James Stott, of 
 Philipsburg, Penn.; Harry, attending Westches- 
 ter College; Effie, residing at Williamsport, Penn. ; 
 John, an express messenger on the Beach ('reek 
 railroad; .mil Gertrude and Cameron I)., who 
 an- still with their parents, 
 
 Fraternally, Mi. Poorman is a member of the 
 Grange .it Milesburg, in polities is an earnest 
 Den nil in religious faith attends the serv- 
 
 oi tin- lug Church, He is meeting with a 
 well -deserved success in his chosen calling, and 
 his line, well-ordered farm, with its carefully cult- 
 ured fields, its neat buildings and all their sur- 
 roundings, denote the skillful management, in- 
 dustry and well-directed labors of the owner. He 
 is eminently worthy the trust and high regard in 
 which he is held by his fellow-citizens. 
 
 trade, and at one time operated a foundry in 
 Bellefonte, Centre county; he died in Roopsburg. 
 To them were born six children, of whom he w; ■ 
 the youngest, the others being as follows: Ann 
 C, now the wife of Mitchell Baker, of Norwalk, 
 Warren Co., Iowa, by whom she has one child 
 Jacob \\\, deceased; Mary V., wife of John 
 Archie, of Roland, Centre county; Alice A . wii 
 of Thomas P. Cowdrick. of Bellefonte, by whoi.i 
 she has a son. Morris; and one who died in 
 childhood. 
 
 The elementary education of Edward M. Re 
 lin, which was obtained in the free schools o| 
 Bellefonte. was supplemented by a course in the 
 Bellefonte Academy, where he completed his lit- 
 erary training. He is a prepossessing yoai g 
 man, upright and honorable in all his dealing-, 
 and has the confidence and esteem of all with 
 whom he has come in contact either in business 
 or social life. Since attaining his majority he 
 has given his allegiance to the Democratic part), 
 and in religious belief is a Lutheran. 
 
 EiDWARD M. RERUN is one of the prom- 
 '/ inent and reliable young men of Benner 
 
 township. Centre county, The business interests 
 of the community are well represented by him, 
 and whether in public or private life he is always 
 a courteous, genial gentleman, well deserving the 
 high regard in which he is held. His occupation 
 is that of a miller, and he now has charge of the 
 Roopsburg Mills, which he is managing with skill 
 and ability. 
 
 Mr. Reilin was born in the county which is 
 still his home, October 31, 1864, and is a son of 
 Daniel K. and Catharine (Poorman) Rerlin, the 
 former a native of Berks county, Penn., and the 
 latter also a Pennsylvanian by birth. The father, 
 who was of Welsh descent, was a miller by 
 
 JAMES E. Ml'SSKR. Among tin prominent 
 and progressive young men, who regard I 
 tre county as their home, and are tin 
 their attention to agricultural pursuits, is Jam - 
 E. Mussei. 1 -I Ferguson township. Altl 
 young in years, still, having excellent business 
 abilities, he has already placed himself in a posi- 
 tion to be regarded as a successful and scientitic 
 farmer. He has been chiefly interested in the 
 cattle and sheep business, in which line success 
 has been his portion. His political support is 
 ever given to the Republican party, and in re- 
 ligious belief he is a Lutheran. 
 
 Mr. Musser was born April 27, 1868, an i 
 -on ot William and Eliza A. (Ruble Mu-ser, the 
 latter a daughter of Peter Ruble, of Tusseyville, 
 Penn. The family is of German origin. To the 
 parents of our subject were born eight chil 
 as follows: Mazella, who died in infanc) 
 A., wife of J. H. Ross, a merchant of Linden 
 Hall, Centre county, by whom she has six chil- 
 dren; Alvin C. I kkeeper for Booker & Elder. 
 
 of Altoona), who married Ettie llartzell, and has 
 two children: Anna M., a milliner of Pine 1 
 Mills, Centre Co.; James E., of this sketch; 
 Ella M . who died in childhood; J. William. I 
 fanner, who removed to Illinois in the spriof 
 [896; ami Alka E., a resident of Pine I 
 Mills. About 1840 the parents came to Centre 
 county, where their marriage was celebrate I 
 for many years the father owned and op* 
 the farm where a part of the family yet reside. 
 During the Civil war he was drafted, but 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 537 
 
 never called into service. The family has long 
 been identified with the interests of Centre coun- 
 ty, and is widely and favorably known. 
 
 *\MW ^' HUBLER. Among the young men 
 jcjC of Centre county who have selected agri- 
 culture as their vocation in life, and judging from 
 their present indications are bound to succeed in 
 their chosen calling, is the subject of this bio- 
 graphical notice, who is a resident of Miles town- 
 ship, where he has thirty-five acres of excellent 
 farming land. He was born in that township, 
 July 17, 1869, a son of George M. and Margaret 
 E. (Stover) Hubler. John George Hubler, the 
 paternal grandfather, who was the founder of 
 the family in Miles township, was born in 1785, 
 and died August 2, 1857, at his home near Rock- 
 ville, in Brush Valley, where he was one of the 
 earliest settlers. He was twice married, his first 
 wife being Miss Anna B. Musser, by whom he 
 had three children: George M. ; J. P., who died 
 in Miles township, in 1894; and Sadie E., wife 
 •of Aaron Bartges, of Loganton, Pennsylvania. 
 
 George M. Hubler was born in Haines town- 
 ship, Centre county, along Pine creek, at what 
 is known as Myer's Mill, which his father then 
 owned, but subsequently they removed to near 
 Rockville, Miles township. He assisted his fa- 
 ther to some extent in the mill, but mainly gave 
 his attention to agricultural pursuits. In 1865, 
 he was married, in Brush Valley, to Miss Mar- 
 garet E. Stover, who was born in Rebersburg, 
 December 17, 1845, a daughter of Elias and 
 Harriet (Hippie) Stover. Her father, a son of 
 Henry and Margaret (Guiswite) Stover, was born 
 April 14, 1820, in Haines township, where he 
 was reared, and in 1845 came to Brush Valley, 
 making his home in Rebersburg, where he worked 
 at his trade of carpentering, and still lives at that 
 place. His wife, whose birth occurred in Mid- 
 dleburg, Penn., December 4, 1822, was the 
 daughter of Frederick and Elizabeth (Leib) Hip- 
 pie. Her father, a carpenter by trade, died 
 when she was quite young, and she was reared by 
 a half sister. Her death occurred May 27, 1895. 
 To Mr. and Mrs. .Stover were born three chil- 
 dren: Margaret E., the mother of our subject; 
 William F. , a tinner of Pittsburg, Penn., born 
 June 28, 1850; and Sarah J., who was born April 
 '7. 1855, and is now the wife of H. G. Krape, 
 of Rebersburg. 
 
 After his marriage, George M. Hubler located 
 upon the home farm, and cared for his parents 
 until they were called to their final rest, when 
 he inherited the place, which he cleared from 
 debt. He always turned his attention to agri- 
 
 cultural pursuits, in which he was quite successful, 
 leaving at the time of his death 100 acres of good 
 farming land and 250 acres of timber land, and 
 being fond of hunting, found his chief recreation 
 in that sport. He was rather stout in appear- 
 ance, and in height was five feet, ten inches. 
 His political support was always given the Dem- 
 ocratic party, and though never an office seeker, 
 was chosen by his fellow citizens to serve as su- 
 pervisor, tax-collector and constable. In early 
 life he was a member of the Reformed Church, 
 later becoming a Lutheran, and always contrib- 
 uted liberally to all Church or religious work. 
 His death occurred August 5, 1896, having sur- 
 vived his wife for about a year, as she passed 
 awav September 1, 1895, and both were laid to 
 rest in the Union Cemetery of Rebersburg. 
 They were the parents of three children: Frank 
 A., a farmer of Miles township; W. T. , of this 
 sketch; and Anna H., wife of T. J. Ocker, of 
 Rebersburg. The parents were people of prom- 
 inence in the community, and justly deserved the 
 high regard in which they were universally held. 
 
 Like most farmer lads, W. T. Hubler spent 
 the days of his boyhood and youth, aiding in the 
 labors of the farm and attending the local 
 schools. On first starting to school in Rebers- 
 burg his teacher was Libbie Royer. He contin- 
 ued with his parents until April, 1893, when he 
 located upon his present farm at Rockville, 
 Miles township, which he now has under a high 
 state of cultivation, and the neat and thrifty ap- 
 pearance of the place testifies to his industry and 
 enterprise. 
 
 On October 19, 1891, in Rockville, Mr. Hub- 
 ler was married by Rev. Rearick, a Lutheran 
 minister, to Miss Ada E. Gramley, who was born 
 near that place November 19, 1869, and is the 
 youngest child of Samuel and Sarah J. (Small) 
 Gramley. Two children came of this union: Har- 
 ry G. , born June 15, 1893, an d Samuel L. The 
 parents are both members of the Lutheran Church, 
 and in his political views Mr. Hubler is an ar- 
 dent Democrat. They hold an enviable position 
 in the social circles of the community, and their 
 friends throughout the county are many. 
 
 S\AMUEL W. WAITE, a progressive, wide- 
 _J awake business man of Rebersburg, Centre 
 county, who has made his own way in the world 
 from an early age, is a native of the county, his 
 birth having occurred in Miles township July 4, 
 1852. His father, John F. Wate (as the name 
 was originally spelled), was born January 18, 
 1825, in Huntingdon, Huntingdon county, Penn., 
 a son of Samuel and Polly (Oswalt) Wate, also 
 
538 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 natives of Huntingdon counts. Samuel was one 
 of five sons, whose father was a native of Ger- 
 many, while his wife was a daughter of Adam 
 Oswalt, who was of Scotch descent. The grand- 
 father of our subject was a day laborer, driving a 
 team fur different furnaces in central Pennsyl- 
 vania for many years. In early life he made his 
 home in Clinton count}', but later removed to 
 Montour county, his death occurring in Danville, 
 November 2, 1879. His wife survived him some 
 years, and passed away in Milesburg, Centre 
 county. Both were earnest members of the 
 Lutheran Church, while in politics he was first a 
 Whig and later a Republican. 
 
 John F. Wat' was the eldest of the seven 
 children of the family who grew to years of ma- 
 turitv, the others being as follows: Bartholomew, 
 born April 23, 1830, is a resident of Danville, 
 Penn. ; Samuel, born February 28, 1832, lives in 
 Jersey Shore, Penn. ; Alexander, born November 
 13, 1834, lives in Danville, Penn.; William, born 
 February 10, 1837, makes his home at Beach 
 Creek, Penn. . Hlizabeth, born March 30, 1839, 
 is the wife of Josiah Miller, of Nittany Valley, 
 Centre county; and John H. McGill, born June 
 1S. 1842, is a resident of Danville. The educa- 
 tional privileges of John 1". W'ate were limited to 
 one year's attendance at the common schools, as 
 his parents were quite poor, and at an early day 
 he started out to fight life's battle. At the age 
 of sixteen he began weaving carpets, coverlets, 
 table cloths, etc., under John II. March, of 
 Salona, Centre county, with whom he remained 
 until 1849, wlu-n he removed to Kramerville, 
 Brush Valley, where he has since been employed 
 at his trade or general labor. On State or Na- 
 tional questions he votes with the Democratic 
 party, but at local elections is not bound by party 
 ties. Since 1849 fie has been a faithful member 
 of tin- Evangelical Church, to which his wife also 
 belou 
 
 On I >er 2X, 1845, John F. W'ate mar- 
 
 ried Mary M. Gramly, who was born in Brush 
 Valley, Centre county, August 6, 1825, a daugh- 
 ter of Jacob and Mary M. (Kline) Gramly. They 
 have now traveled life's journey together for 
 over half a century, sharing its joys and sorrows, 
 its adversity ami prosperity, and in 1895 cele- 
 brated their golden wedding. Ten children 
 blessed their union, namely: Sarah E. , born 
 December 16, 1846, died at the age of eighteen; 
 Elmeda F. , born June 15, 1849, died when 
 youn- ; Samuel W. is next in order of birth; 
 Harvey I... horn 1 >e< ember 30, 1 85 3, died at the 
 of two years; Mary C, born September 24, 
 1856, is the wife of Charles L. Beck, of Brush 
 Valley; Franklin, born January 4, 1859, is a res- 
 
 ident of Rebersbur^; Emma 1 . born August 1, 
 
 1, is the wife of William Bjreon, of Clint 
 county, Penn.; Hester A., born November 
 1863. died young; George B. Ma, bun Dei em- 
 ber 17, 1866, is a resident of Brush Valley; and 
 John W., born May 9, 1869, makes his home in 
 Loganton, Pennsylvania. 
 
 The advantages afforded our subject for se- 
 curing an education were very meagre, ami at an 
 early age he started out to earn his own liveli- 
 hood, first working as a hostler for Dr. Hillbish. 
 of Rebersburg, with whom he remained for four 
 years. His first experience in mercantile pur- 
 suits was in the employ of W. F. Bailey, of the 
 same place, his wages being $3 per week. H< 
 accompanied his employer on his removal 
 Woodward, Centre county, and lat' les- 
 
 burg, 111., where he remained for several years. 
 but finally returned to Spring Mills, Penn.. clerk- 
 ing, there for a time. Later he rented a farm 
 near Sprucetown, Centre county, for a j 
 and for the following six years operated rented 
 land in Gregg township, in the same county 
 Subsequently he lived for one year upon the farm 
 of Abram Miller, at Pleasant Gap. In the spring 
 of [892 Mr. Waite purchased a lot in Rebi 
 burg, on which he erected a residence and si 
 building, and the following spring began general 
 merchandising, which he has since continued 
 with excellent success, his courteous manner and 
 fair dealing winning him a liberal share of public 
 patronage. 
 
 On August 22. [885, Mr. Waite married Miss 
 Anna, daughter of G. W. Lonberger, a farmei 
 of Pleasant (.ap, and their wedding ceremonj 
 was performed at Spring Mills by Rev. st.un- 
 baugh. Three children have been born to th 
 Annie M., who died in 1894; and Mary P 
 Paul L. at home Mrs. Waite is a coi 
 member of the United Evangelical Church Mi 
 Waite uses his right of franchise in support 
 the principles of the Republican party. rh 
 serves no little credit for the success he has mi 
 in life, and is now one of the leading and pi 
 nenl business men of the village, where during 
 early life he served as a stable boy and hostler, 
 a fact that shows what can be accomplished 
 industry, perseverance and economy. 
 
 MO.V JOHN P. GEPHART. Am 
 ,_L honored citizens of Bellefonte, 
 county, is the subject of this brief biography, 
 whose able service in various positions of public 
 trust is too well known to need comment. 
 less in his advocacy of the right as he sees it, he 
 has won the confidence of all classes, but he has 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 539 
 
 never hesitated to make enemies for the sake of 
 a good cause, and his record speaks for itself of 
 his devotion to the interests of his constituents. 
 
 Mr. Gephart was born at Bellefonte, January 
 9, 1827, and his family, which is of Dutch origin, 
 has been identified with this State for several 
 generations. His grandfather, John P. Gep- 
 hart, a native of Bucks county, married a Miss 
 Gephart, who, though of the same name, and 
 born in the same county, was no relation. Some 
 years after their marriage they moved, in 1809, 
 to Union county, Penn., locating in Buffalo Val- 
 ley, two miles west of Lewisburg. During the 
 Black Hawk war our subject's grandmother 
 patriotically furnished entertainment to the sol- 
 diers en route. She died in 18 12, and the grand- 
 father, who was a farmer and distiller by occu- 
 pation, passed away in 18 16. They had several 
 children, among whom was a son, Michael Gep- 
 hart, born September 30, 1803, in Bucks coun- 
 ty, Penn. He accompanied his parents to Union 
 county; but in 1826 he located in Centre county, 
 in what is now Penn township, then a part of 
 Haines township. He owned a fine farm near 
 Millheim, and was more than ordinarily success- 
 ful. His wife, Elizabeth Emmert, who was born 
 January 29, 1803, in Lebanon county, Penn., 
 died at the homestead near Millheim May 7, 
 1852; he survived her many years, his death oc- 
 curring August 26, 1873. Only two of their 
 children lived to mature age, and of these, the 
 younger, Jacob, died in the fall of 1892. 
 
 The subscription schools of Millheim, fur- 
 nished rudely with slab benches with smooth 
 side up, andofferinga no less primitive curriculum, 
 furnished our subject an elementary education, 
 to which observation and private study had 
 added largely. From the age of fourteen until 
 he was .thirty-one he worked upon the home farm, 
 and then for seven years he was engaged in mer- 
 cantile business at Millheim. His popularity had 
 in the meantime led to his entrance into the polit- 
 ical arena, and in 1863 he was elected clerk and 
 register and recorder of the Orphans' Court. 
 After serving two terms he entered the law office 
 of Orvis & Alexander as clerk, and remained 
 there until his election, May 30, 1870, to the 
 office of justice of the peace for the South and 
 Westwards of Bellefonte. In 1875 he was re- 
 elected on the Democratic ticket, this time for 
 the North ward, with a majority of forty-eight, 
 overcoming the usual Republican majority of 
 ninety. In 1878 he became chairman of the 
 Democratic County Committee, and in the same 
 year he was elected to the State Legislature, his 
 re-election in 1880 marking the people's apprecia- 
 tion of his efforts. While in that body he held 
 
 positions on several important committees, in- 
 cluding those on Appropriations and Schools, 
 and he was active in securing the defeat of the 
 Pillsbury Bill. 
 
 Mr. Gephart owns the old farm in Penn 
 township, comprising about 400 acres. As ad- 
 ministrator he was under heavy bonds for the 
 settlement of the estate, but he and his brother 
 never divided it, sharing its proceeds in peace. 
 On August 1, 1847, Mr. Gephart was united in 
 matrimony with Miss May M. Swartz, who was 
 born at Millheim, September 18, 1829. Three 
 children blessed this union: (1) Sarah E., born 
 June 14, 185 1, married L. T. Munson, and has 
 one son, named for our subject. (2) J. Wesley, 
 a sketch of whom appears elsewhere. (3) May, 
 born November 21, 1856, married J. W. Dix, of 
 Dayton, Ohio. The mother of this family died 
 December 14, 1874, and Mr. Gephart for his 
 second wife married Miss Sarah E. Corshells, of 
 Loganton, Clinton county, Pennsylvania. 
 
 
 
 Mc- 
 :rom 
 The 
 
 W. McENTIRE, M. D., of Howard, Centre 
 county, where he is also engaged in the drug 
 business, has descended on his mother's side 
 from one of the first families to settle within the 
 territory now comprising Centre county. 
 
 Dr. McEntire is a son of Lawrence B. McEn- 
 tire (now and for many years past a merchant 
 and postmaster, and a respected citizen of Fill- 
 more, Centre county) and Martha (Houser 
 Entire. The McEntires were originally 
 Ireland, and the Housers from Germany, 
 first of the latter family to come to America was 
 the great-great-grandfather of our subject. He 
 came as a redemptioner, and was obliged to 
 work an entire year for one of his more fortu- 
 nate countrymen in order to pay his passage. 
 Jacob Houser, son of this emigrant, came in 
 1788 from Dauphin county, Penn., to Spring 
 Creek, now the site of Houserville, having the 
 year previously bought a large tract of land of 
 Josiah Matlack, known as the Isaac Catherell 
 Survey, December 5, 1774. He was prosperous 
 and became a wealthy farmer. Of his eight 
 children, Martin was the father of Mrs. Lawrence 
 McEntire. 
 
 Dr. McEntire, as is his mother, is a native of 
 Houserville, having been born there in 1859. As 
 he grew to manhood he clerked in his father's 
 store at Fillmore, receiving his early education 
 in the schools of the neighborhood. Later he 
 was prepared for college at Penn Hall Academy, 
 and at Centre Hall, then, late in the "seven- 
 ties," entered Pennsylvania State College, where 
 he pursued his studies for a year and a half. 
 
.-,1(1 
 
 i 'OMMEMORA TIVE BIOUliA Villi A I. A'/.' 'OBD. 
 
 After this he went to Washington, I). C, and 
 studied medicine in the office, and under the di- 
 rection, of Thomas B Hood, M. D. He at- 
 tended lectures in the medical department of 
 Howard University, in that city, and was gradu- 
 ated in 1884. After his graduation he returned 
 to Fillmore, Penn., and there began the practice 
 (il medicine, remaining at that point one year. 
 I 1 11 ii he went to Mill Hall, and followed 
 
 lu> profession fur several years, thence going to 
 Philadelphia, where in 1X91 he was graduated 
 from (efferson Medical College While attend- 
 ing lectures at this institution, he also was a 
 student at thi ylvania School of Anatomy. 
 
 Returning to Centre county, he located in prac- 
 tice at Howard, where he has since remained. 
 He is a member of the Clinton and Centre 
 Countj Medical Society; also of West Branch 
 Medical Society. Socially, he is a member of 
 the Knights of the Golden Eagle; P. O. S. of A. : 
 and of thr [unior Order American Mechanics. In 
 politics he is a Democrat. The Doctor is well 
 equipped for a successful career, and is aln 
 in the midst of a busy practice. 
 
 In 1886 1 >i McEntire was married to Miss 
 I' mine A. Sellars, (laughter of Agnew ami 1 ath- 
 erinc Kephart Sellars, highly respected farn 
 of the vicinity of Fillmore. To this man 
 was born, in 1887, a daughter named [osephine 
 Catherine, 
 
 J 
 
 1 >11\ GHANER. Among thr worthy citi- 
 zens that Germany has furnished to tin New 
 World is numbered this gentleman. The 
 best justification for our Republican form of gov- 
 ernment lies in the fact that it gives to all equal 
 opportunities that thr people of other lands may 
 e here and seek to establish comfortable 
 homes ami secure success through honorable deal- 
 ing, unhampered bj thi repressing influences of 
 te 01 class, being allowed to exercise to tin 
 full their business abilities and their energies. 
 I In \h Ghaner has done, and as a result he has 
 acquired a o imfortable competence which 1 lasses 
 him at ig the substantial citizens oi the com- 
 munity in which he makes his home. 
 
 John Ghanei was born January 24, [827, in 
 Wurtemberg, Germany, and spent the days of 
 Ins boyhood and youth in that land. He was 
 of a family of four children, the others being 
 Magdalene, who died in Germany; Regina and 
 Jacob. Mr. Chaner, of this review, was drafted 
 for service- in the German arms in [848, and for 
 lour years his life was that ol a soldier. When 
 iing man of twenty-five he resolved to seek 
 a home in America with its better opportunities, 
 
 more liberal advantages and livelier competition 
 He took up his residence in Centre county, 
 Penn.. where he has since made his home, and 
 for a number of years thereafter followed thi 
 stone mason's trade, which he had learned in 
 the land of his nativity He was very industri- 
 ous and energetic, and his close application, per- 
 severance and economy at length enabled him 
 to acquire the capital with which he pun I 
 Ins present farm. He now gives his attention to 
 agricultural pursuits, and has a well-developed 
 the highly-cultivated fields yielding to him 
 a golden tribute in return for the care and labor 
 he bestows upon them. 
 
 In the year 1853, Mr. Ghaner was unit' 
 marriage with Miss Magdalene Behrer, who died in 
 
 On July 21, 1864, he wedded Susai 
 del, daughter of Peter Snyder, of Penn's Valli 
 the seven children by the first union and four by 
 the second, we have record as follows: Jao 
 
 esiding in Scotia, Centre county; 
 Wilson married Ella Meese, and is engaged in 
 working with ore in Scotia; Mary, is the wile ol 
 Reub« n < ronemiller, a mai Inuist of Scotia. 
 Susan; William; David married in Michigan, 
 and makes his home there. Mr. Ghanei 
 member of the United Brethren Church, and of 
 the Grange. His political support is given the 
 Democracy but he has neither sought nor de- 
 sired public office, preferring to give his attention 
 to his business interests. Honorable in all his 
 dealings, in business transactions his word is n 
 good as his bond. 
 
 PI IKK SMITH, who for upward of tw< 
 years has been a resident ol near Centre 
 Hill, Potter township, Centre county, is one of 
 the substantial agriculturists of this section. 
 
 Born December 27, 1837, in Northumberland 
 county, Penn., Mr. Smith is the son of l'r 
 Charles and Kebecca i Trion Smith, born, the 
 former in August, [811, in Lycoming county, 
 Penn., and the latter in Northumberland county, 
 the daughter of Dr. Frederick Trion. Dr. Charles 
 Smith was one of the early physicians of Potter 
 township, his practice extending as far as V 
 w.nd in Penn's Valley. He began life a 
 boy. and the success he achieved was due to his 
 own efforts. At one time he followed h: 
 fession at Penn Hall and also in Snyder CO 
 Later he removed to Nittany Valley, where In- 
 still resides at an advanced age, making his 
 in Lamar township. His wife passed away m 
 1882, aged sixty-four years. She was a 
 woman, ami she and lu-i husband were e\'( i 
 in high esteem. To their marriage were 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 541 
 
 four children, the subject of this sketch being the 
 eldest. 
 
 Peter Smith was but a child when his parents 
 located in Potter township. He recalls that the 
 first school he attended was held in an old build- 
 ing which stood near Colyer, and his first teacher 
 was Squire Hahn. When a child his health was 
 poor, which prevented him from getting full 
 benefit of the opportunities presented. He re- 
 mained at home until in his twenty-ninth year, 
 when he was married at Aaronsburg to Miss Julia 
 Neese, born in Haines township, a daughter of 
 Jacob Neese. He then located on his father's 
 farm in Lamar township, Clinton county, where 
 he remained until moving to Potter township, 
 Centre county, March 2, 1876, where he has 
 since resided and carried on agricultural pursuits 
 on a farm that his father had owned many years. 
 Our subject is fond of good horses, and has given 
 considerable attention to this class of stock. He 
 has owned some fine animals, and is a most ex- 
 cellent judge of a horse. He is an enterprising 
 and public-spirited citizen. To his marriage one 
 son, Calvin F., was born, who is now a physician 
 at Howard, Penn. The parents have given a 
 home to two boys, one of whom lived with them 
 ten years and the other eighteen. In their re- 
 ligious belief the father is of the Evangelical and 
 the mother of the Lutheran persuasion. In pol- 
 itics he is a Democrat, but is in sympathy with 
 the Prohibition party. Socially he is a mem- 
 ber of the Grange. Mr. Smith has met with suc- 
 cess in life. He is an exemplary citizen, and a 
 prosperous farmer. 
 
 M 
 
 M. SWARTZ, a prosperous and honored 
 citizen and well-known agriculturist of Penn 
 township, Centre county, was born June 7, 1837, 
 in that township, near Millheim. He is a wor- 
 thy representative of one of its pioneer families, 
 his grandfather, George Swartz, having located 
 in Penn township in the latter part of the eight- 
 eenth century, and built the first sawmill on Elk 
 creek, which was erected on the site of the pres- 
 ent mill of our subject. He also followed farm- 
 ing in connection with its operation. He reared 
 a large family, and died in Millheim. 
 
 George Swartz, Jr., the father of our subject, 
 was born on the family homestead in Penn town- 
 ship, about 1798, and during his boyhood and 
 youth aided his father in the work of the farm 
 and mill. He also erected a clover mill, where 
 the farmers hauled their clover to be hulled, and 
 he often threshed 1600 bushels in one season. 
 After his marriage he made his home at various 
 places in Penn and Gregg townships, Brush Val- 
 
 ley, and on the old homestead farm where he 
 lived for several years, but finally built the pres- 
 ent residence of our subject, where he died at 
 the ripe old age of eighty-one years. His faith- 
 ful wife passed away at the age of seventy-six, 
 and they now sleep side by side in the Millheim 
 cemetery. He was an ardent supporter of the 
 Democratic party, and a member of the Evan- 
 gelical Association. 
 
 To this worthy couple were born eleven chil- 
 dren, namely: Michael, a resident of Stephen- 
 son county, 111. ; John, who is also living in that 
 State; Philip, who died in Penn township; Cath- 
 arine, widow of Joseph Luse, of Michigan ; 
 George, who died in Punxsutawney, Penn. ; Molly, 
 who married Philip Gephart, and died in Belle- 
 fonte, Centre county; Daniel, who died in Lew- 
 isburg, Penn.; Mary, who died in childhood; 
 Samuel, a resident of Potter township, Centre 
 county; David, who died in infancy; and H. M., 
 of this sketch. 
 
 Our subject obtained his early education in 
 the schools of Millheim, and was for two terms a 
 student in the Aaronsburg Academy. He was 
 reared to farm work, but being of a mechanical 
 turn of mind, he at the age of eighteen began 
 learning the carpenter's trade under Joseph Luse, 
 and also became a skilled millwright. On Sep- 
 tember 7, 1862, in Aaronsburg, Mr. Swartz was 
 married to Miss Susan Frank, who was born in 
 Haines township, Centre county, February 11, 
 1840, and is the second daughter and third child 
 in the family of eight children whose parents are 
 Michael and Annie (Homan) Frank. Five children 
 graced their union: Sarah A., who married H. 
 O. Bower, and died in Penn township, in 1895; 
 Ella, wife of N. H. Fiedler, of Brush Valley, 
 Centre county; Maggie, wife of Ammon Snook, 
 of Penn township; W. H., residing at home, who 
 married Lizzie M. Bierly, daughter of Joseph 
 Bierly, of Madisonburg, Penn., and has one 
 child — Carrie; and Katy, wife of Luther Seyler, 
 of Nittany Valley, Centre county. 
 
 After his marriage, Mr. Swartz located upon 
 a rented farm near Millheim, but remained there 
 only a short time, and then removed to what is 
 known as Weavers Mills, above Millheim, where 
 he made his home for eight years. Since 1872 
 he has occupied his present residence, at first 
 purchasing twenty acres of land, but now owns a 
 valuable tract of seventy-two acres, which is un- 
 der a high state of cultivation. He operated the 
 old sawmill standing thereon until the great flood 
 of 1889, when it was destroyed, but with charac- 
 teristic energy he soon replaced it, and the new 
 mill has been equipped with the latest improved 
 machinery. 
 
542 
 
 COMVEMOUA TIVK /!/(>>; HM-IIH .1 / liBCORD. 
 
 Mr. Swartz casts his ballot in support of the 
 men and measures of th I ratic party, and 
 
 has held some offices, including that of school di- 
 rector. A man of the strictest integrity and 
 honor, his word is red as good as his 
 
 bond, and he receives the respect and confidence 
 of the entire community. For overacentur\ the 
 Swartz family has been identified with the mill- 
 ing interests of Penn township, and is justly en- 
 titled to mention among the valued and repre- 
 sentative citizens of Centre county 
 
 Wll SMITH, an industrious and thorough 
 farmer, who has a pleasant home in Penn 
 township, Centre county, was born in that town- 
 ship October 17, 1S40, a son of Capt. Henry and 
 Annie 1 I'.ehl 1 Smith. 
 
 The father of our subject was also a native 
 
 • ntre county, and the youngest in a family of 
 nine children — five sons and four daughters. 
 During his youth he learned the blacksmith's 
 trade, but as his strength was not sufficient to 
 
 id such arduous labor he abandoned the, busi- 
 ness and turned his attention to agricultural pur- 
 suits. He owned and operated a small farm, in 
 addition also working by the day in order to sup- 
 port hU lamily. His title ol "Captain" was 
 tained by serving as such in a militia company. 
 At the polls he always east his ballot in support 
 ot the Democratic party, in the success of which 
 .he took a deep interest, and creditably filled the 
 position of constable and other township offices. 
 In 1 arly life he was a Lutheran, but later joined 
 the Evangelical Church. He died at the age of 
 eighty years, and his wife passed away when 
 about in her seventieth \ 
 
 Mi Smith, whose name introduces this 
 sketch, was upon the home farm until 
 
 twentj years of age, attending the public schools 
 of the neighborhood, and becoming familiar with 
 tin duties that fall to the lot oi the agriculturist. 
 On leaving the parental rool he began learning 
 the carpenter's trade under tl ; ion of Henry 
 
 Bartley, a brother-in-law, but after one summei 
 took ii)) shoemaking as he did not like the former 
 occupation. He served a two-years' apprenl 
 ship with a certain party, and was to hav< 
 ceived $40 and some tools, but was given only a 
 few clothes. For almost a yeai he worked at his 
 trade in Sugar Valley, after which he returned to 
 Penn township, and at his father's home carried 
 on shoemaking lor a time, supporting Ins fathei 
 for the rent ol the farm. Often he would work all 
 day in the fields, while he would spend the [light 111 
 
 work at the bench in order toget along. At the age 
 
 of twenty-three years, he was married in Aaron-- 
 burg, Centre county, to Miss Rebecca Frank, a 
 daughter of Michael and Annie (Homan) Frank, 
 and to them were born three children: Anni. . 
 now the wife of l)a\id Stover, of Potter 
 ship. Centre county; William E., a residi 
 Millheim; and Herbert, at home. After his mar- 
 riage, Mr. Smith continued to live upon his fa- 
 I .1 time, and then removed to Smith- 
 town, where he rented a farm for five years, 
 which he operated in com with work at 
 
 ide. In the spring of r88o he remo\. 
 his present place, known as the old Swartz home- 
 stead, which he rented for three years and then 
 purchased. It is a good farm of sixty-six acres, 
 which yields a golden tribute in return for the care 
 and labor expended upon it, and is one of the 
 most desirable places in the locality. 
 
 Politically Mr. Smith follows in the foot- 
 of Ins father, alw a\ s voting the Democratic ticket, 
 and has served his fellow citizens as overseer of 
 the poor, supervisor and school director. He and 
 his wife are earnest members of the United Evan- 
 gelical Church, of which he has been tn 
 for the past ten years. A man of unquestioned 
 integrity, he has never intentionally defrauded 
 any one, and has the confidence and esteem of 
 all who come in contact with him in thi 
 walks of life. His success is but the just reward 
 of his own industry and good management, 
 starting out 111 life for himself his capital consisted 
 of naught save a pair of willing hands and .1 
 determination to succeed. 
 
 JOHN H. KFFSER, a well-known merchant 
 of Snow Shoe. Centre county, where he suc- 
 cessfully conduits a butcher shop, bakeryand 
 grocery, also interested to some i x tint in fann- 
 ing and mining, is a i of the county, horn in 
 Haines township, [une 2, [842. 
 
 II me Reeser, father of our subject, was 
 born in Pennsylvania, and v I in an Fish 
 
 family, as Ins parents died when he w 
 young, and when a boy he 1 lUD- 
 
 t\, where he died in 1884, at the agi 
 four years. He married Rebecca Muss 
 departed this life in 1878, aged fifty yeai I 
 une the parents of seven children, nam 
 Jacob, who was wounded .it the battle oi 
 Wilderness, after which he was taken pria 
 and died in a Rebel prison; John H., of th 
 view, who was also drafted, but his father Ii 
 a substitute for him; Elizabeth, deceased. 1 ' 
 M. . who is th butchering busim • 
 
 Mahaffey, Clearfield Co., Penn.; Susan, wit 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BWORAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 543 
 
 Daniel Heckler, a farmer of Benner township. 
 Centre county; Emeline, wife of Wilson S. Scholl, 
 a carpenter of Bellefonte; and William, a farmer 
 of Ohio. 
 
 In the usual manner of farmer lads John H. 
 Reeser was reared and educated, and remained 
 under the parental roof until twenty-five years of 
 age, when he rented the old homestead farm, 
 which he operated for two years. Subsequently 
 he removed to Spring township. Centre county, 
 where he made his home until coming to Snow 
 Shoe, in 1S95, at which time he purchased his 
 present business from his brother. He is one of 
 the most progressive, wide-awake and enterpris- 
 ing business men of the place, and has already 
 succeeded in building up an excellent trade which 
 is constantly increasing. His political support is 
 ever given the men and measures of the Repub- 
 lican party. 
 
 On February 4, 1867, in Bellefonte, Mr. 
 Reeser was married to Miss Anna M. Musser, 
 and to them have been born four children: 
 Andrew M., Minnie K., Harry A. and Bessie K. 
 Mrs. Reeser was born in Spring township, Centre 
 county, May 12, 1842, a daughter of Andrew and 
 Rachel (Hoobler) Musser, both of whom were 
 natives of Penn's Valley, in the same county. In 
 1842 they removed to a farm in Spring township, 
 where they spent their remaining days, the fa- 
 ther dying in 1869, at the age of fifty-three years, 
 and the mother in 1874, at the age of sixty-five. 
 They were earnest members of the Lutheran 
 Church, and in politics the father was a Repub- 
 lican. Ten children have graced the union of 
 Mr. and Mrs. Musser, namely. Noll, who died 
 in Centre county, in 1890; William and Michael, 
 deceased in childhood; Samuel, agent for agri- 
 cultural implements in Kansas City, Mo. ; 
 Rosetta, living with our subject; John, in the 
 agricultural implement business in Colfax, Iowa; 
 Anna M., wife of our subject; Phoebe, wife of 
 Landis Gerberick, who is now living retired in 
 Lebanon, Penn. ; Ellen, wife of Silas Manspeak- 
 er, a railroad engineer of Saxton, Penn. ; and 
 James G., a seed agent at Fillmore, Pennsyl- 
 vania. 
 
 Jacob and Elizabeth (Hagenberger) Musser, 
 the paternal grandparents of Mrs. Reeser, were 
 the maternal grandparents of our subject. Both 
 were natives of Pennsylvania, the latter born in 
 Centre county, where the grandfather located at 
 an early day and there engaged in farming 
 throughout life. His father, a native of Germany, 
 came to America when a young man, and be- 
 came a land owner in Pennsylvania. The ma- 
 ternal grandparents of Mrs. Reeser were John 
 and Christian (Johnsonbaugh) Hoobler, the former 
 
 a native of Germany, and the latter of Centre 
 county. The grandfather emigrated to the 
 United States in early life, making his home in 
 Centre county, but returned to Germany to ob- 
 tain a fortune left him. Alter securing it he 
 again started for the New World, and it is sup- 
 posed he was murdered on" the vessel as nothing 
 has since been heard of him. 
 
 RS. MARTHA P. ODENKIRK, widow of 
 George Odenkirk, is one of the highly re- 
 spected and honored citizens of Centre Hall. 
 She was born in 1830, in Mifflin county, Penn., 
 one mile east of Milroy, and is a daughter of 
 Leonard and Elizabeth (Allison) Lingle, who 
 came to Potter township, Centre county, when 
 Mrs. Odenkirk was but a child, and located near 
 Centre Hall. In early life the father was a 
 miller, but later turned his attention to farming, 
 and became the owner of a comfortable home 
 and two valuable farms. His wife, a native of 
 Mifflin county, was a faithful member of the 
 Presbyterian Church. The}' now sleep side by 
 side in the cemetery at Centre Hill. 
 
 Mrs. Odenkirk is the youngest and the only one 
 now living in a family of ten children, of whom 
 the others are as follows: William, who died 
 unmarried in Mifflin county; Mary, who was also 
 single, and died in Potter township, Centre coun- 
 ty; James, who died in Centre Hall; John, who 
 died in Potter township; Eliza, who died unmar- 
 ried in Potter township; Matilda and Jane, who 
 were also single at the time of their deaths, which 
 occurred in Potter township; Sally, who married 
 John Shannon, and died in the same township; 
 and Thomas, who married Elizabeth Sinclair, 
 and died in Potter township, leaving four chil- 
 dren. 
 
 Upon the home farm, Mrs. Odenkirk was 
 reared, and in the district schools of the neigh- 
 borhood obtained a good, practical education. 
 She remained under the parental roof until her 
 marriage, which was celebrated in Potter town- 
 ship, April 7, 1863. Mr. Odenkirk was also a 
 native of Mifflin county, born January 25, 1805, 
 and in Armagh township, that county, he was 
 married March 22, 1832, to Nancy Porter, a na- 
 tive of Mifflin county. They had five children, 
 namely: Mary J., born December 31, 1832, 
 died September 15, 1842; Elizabeth, born No- 
 vember 16, 1835, died October 6, 1842; Nahcy, 
 born March 14, 1837, is now Mrs. William Ben- 
 ner, of Potter township; John H., born July 6, 
 1839, in connection with farming was proprietor 
 of the " Old Fort Hotel " in Potter township for 
 
•Ml 
 
 COMMKMOliA TlVfC BIOGRAPEU . I /. /.'/•.' <>UD. 
 
 twenty years, and died November 6, 1893; and 
 James P.. born January 14. 1S42, is now a resi- 
 dent of New Mexico. The mother of these chil- 
 dren departed this life June 9, 1861. Mr. Oden- 
 kirk, who was one of the most reliable and sub- 
 stantial citizens of his community, was tin- owner 
 of a large estate surrounding and including the 
 old fort in Potter township, all of which he ac- 
 cumulated by industry, economy and good man- 
 
 ment. He was widely known and 1 red 
 
 throughout the county as a man of inflexible 
 honor and stability of character, and had the re- 
 spect and confidence of all with whom he came in 
 contact. He was called to his final rest October 
 4, 1877, and his remains were interred in the 
 cemetery of Centre Hall. 
 
 After her marriage, Mrs. Odenkirk and her 
 husband lived in Centre Hall for a year or two, 
 and then removed to her present comfortable 
 home, where she has since continued to reside. 
 She is a woman of good business ability and 
 sound judgment, and has ably managed the prop- 
 erty left her. With the Presbyterian Church of 
 Centre Hall she holds membership. She merits 
 and receives the highest respect and esteem of 
 the whole community, and is much beloved by 
 every one with whom she comes in contact for 
 her gentle ways and genial manner. 
 
 H 
 
 has two children; Jacob died in 1874; Isaiah, of 
 Jefferson county, Kans. , married Bella Thomas, 
 of Pineville, Penn. ; Catharine is the wife of 
 William Tibbins, of Virginia, by whom she has 
 five children; our subject is next in order of birth: 
 Mary E. is the wife of Gersham Piddle, ol Lev 
 isburg, Union Co., Penn., by whom she has one 
 child; (harks T. died in Perry, Kans., in 1878; 
 Sarah J. is the wife of William Thomas, of Miles- 
 burg, l>v whom she has four children; and Lew 
 F. died in [88] . 
 
 In 1879 Mr. Zimmerman wedded Miss Je 
 Mai tin, and seven children bless their union, 
 whose names and dates of birth are as follows 
 Oscar Martin, 1880; Eva I . . August 10, 1882; 
 Marian s. . September 10, 1884; Roy F., 1886; 
 Paul Peritan, [888; Homer David. 1890; and 
 Alta, 1893. Mr. Zimmerman is a Republican at 
 all times, and uniformly supports the principles 
 of his party, while, religiously, he is a com 
 member of the Presbyterian Church. His life is 
 exemplary in all respects, and he has ever sup- 
 ported those interests which are calculated to up- 
 lift and benefit humanity, while his own hiji 
 moral worth is deserving of the highest com- 
 mendation. 
 
 ■'.. ZIMMERMAN. Prominent among the 
 
 more intelligent, active and enterprising cit- 
 i ol Benner township, Centre county, is the 
 
 ileinan whose name introduces this biography. 
 His reputation for integrity and industry is second 
 to none in the county, and, being a man ol rare 
 intellectual attainments, his advice is often 
 sought by the people of the community. His 
 pleasant home is surrounded bj a fine farm of 
 180 acres, which is well improved and highly 
 cultivated 
 
 Of German descent, Mr. Zimmerman was 
 horn in Marion township. Centre county, in 1844. 
 and is a son of Elias and Eve (Pontius) Zimmer- 
 man, the former born in l8lO, the latter in 1.X12. 
 When twenty-five years ol age the father came 
 to Centre county, where for a time he worked at 
 his trade of carpentering, but for the last thirty- 
 four years of his life he engaged in agricultural 
 pursuits. The mother departed this life in 1882, 
 and was laid to rest in the cemetery of Miles- 
 burg, Centre county. Then family consisted <>f 
 ten children, namely: Lucy A. is the wifi 
 David Harter, of Marion township, l>y whom she 
 has three children; John P., who is living in Moi 
 ris county, Kans.. married a Miss 1'h as, and 
 
 \AT " l "LOSE, the well-known postn 
 Wm at Oak Hall Station. Centre count] 
 born in Mifflin county, Penn. , September 27, 1844, 
 a son of [ohn and Rachel (Longwell) Close, also 
 natives of that county. The paternal grand- 
 father, Petei < lose, was born in Germany, 
 whence, during the latter part of the eighteenth 
 century, he came to Aunt i< .1 and took up hi> I 
 dence in Mifflin count). Penn., where his death 
 I occurred March 24, [838. His wife, who I 
 the maiden name of Jane Orr, died March 
 1864, at the age of eighty-six years. Six chil- 
 dren constituted their family: John, Willi 
 who die, I m infancy; Henry, who died in Mifflin 
 
 unty, in 1894; Adam E., who died in thea 
 county in 1893; Eliza J . . who married William 
 Aitkens, a blacksmith, and died in [851 
 William T.. a farmer of Mifflin counts, who 
 in [892. 
 
 In the common schools ol Siglerville, M 
 county, John (lose obtained Ins education, 1" 
 an early age he left school and learned the si 
 maki le with Matthew Longwell, wha 
 
 daughter, Rachel, he afterward married. Mr 
 
 •well lived to the extreme old 
 hundred 3 ears and ten months. After his 1 
 riage, Mi (lose operated rented (arms 111 Ins 
 native countj some twenty years, and th 
 cated in Penn's Valley, near Spring Mills. I 
 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 545 
 
 county, where he made his home for two years, 
 while the following three years he passed near 
 Callensburg, Clarion Co., Penn. He died, how- 
 ever, in Mifflin county, of dropsy, December 24, 
 1862. His wife, who was born March 4, 18 14, 
 in that county, died of pneumonia, December 
 
 30. 1873- 
 
 To this worthy couple were born eight chil- 
 dren: Eliza J., born September 27, 1833, is the 
 widow of John D. Miller, a school teacher, for- 
 merly of Pleasant Gap, Centre county, who died 
 in 1892; Catherine E., born March 9, 1835, is 
 the wife of Christian Lowry, of Rock Forge, 
 Centre county; Mary H., born May 25, 1837, is 
 the wife of William Benner, of Lemont, Centre 
 county; Sarah M., born May 20, 1840, is the wife 
 of Adam Thomas, a carpenter of State College; 
 John A., twin brother of Sarah, died on his re- 
 
 I turn from the war, June 20, 1S65; W.' H. is next 
 in order of birth; a daughter, whose name is not 
 
 j given, born January 7, 1847, is the wife of Fran- 
 cis McBath; Frances M., born September 21, 
 
 I 1849, became the wife of A. J. Hassinger, of Le- 
 
 " mont, and died March 16, 1888. 
 
 The first school which our subject attended 
 was held in the Beatty school house, in Mifflin 
 county, and was taught by John Swartzel. He 
 
 < was ten years of age before beginning his educa- 
 tion, and at the age of sixteen it was completed, 
 since which time he has made his own way in 
 the world. On coming to Centre county in 
 
 1 1862, he rented land for a time, but December 
 22, 1863, he laid aside personal interests and en- 
 listed in Company H, 148th P. V. I., under Capt. 
 George Baird, of Bellefonte. He participated in 
 the battles of the Wilderness, Poor River, 
 Spottsylvania Court House and Antietam. He 
 received two wounds in the knee joint, which 
 
 'makes the leg stiff, and one in the jaw which 
 completely severed the bone, and knocked out 
 several teeth. 
 
 Mr. Close was married December 15, 1867, 
 to Miss Sarah A. Benner, a granddaughter of Gen. 
 Benner, who received his title in the Revolution- 
 iry war. Four children bless their union: Eva, 
 aorn October 6, 1868, is the wife of J. C. Car- 
 nan, an implement agent at Oak Hall Station; 
 fohn Henry, born March 15, 1871, is a lumber- 
 pan by occupation; and Milo M., born Novem- 
 ber 21, 1875, and Clifford E., born May 24, 
 [1884 are at home. After his marriage, Mr. 
 -lose operated rented land in Benner township, 
 Centre county, until 1883, when failing health 
 Compelled him to abandon it, and for two and 
 one-half years he was ill. In 1887 he was ap- 
 pointed postmaster at Oak Hall Station, which 
 
 position he has since acceptably filled. Casting 
 35* 
 
 his first Presidential vote for George B. McClel- 
 lan, he has ever been a stalwart Democrat in 
 politics, is a member of Robert M. Foster Post 
 No. 197, G. A. R. , and for twenty-three years 
 has held membership in the Methodist Episcopal 
 Church. He is widely and favorably known 
 throughout Centre county, and is held in the 
 highest regard by all with whom he has come in 
 contact, either in business or social life. 
 
 ISAAC GUSS, M. D., dentist and physician in 
 the borough of Philipsburg, Centre county, 
 Pennsylvania, where he resides. 
 
 D^AVID A. DEITRICH, the well-known e.x- 
 ' press and ticket agent for the Pennsylvania 
 Central railroad at Hublersburg, is a native of 
 Centre county, his birth having occurred in 
 Walker township, September 29, 1856. On the 
 paternal side his ancestors came to this country 
 from Switzerland, but hisfather, John H. Deitrich, 
 was born in Aaronsburg, Centre county, and died 
 there September 15, 1S85. The mother, who 
 bore the maiden name of Sarah A. Dunkle, was 
 of German origin. They were highly respected 
 by all who knew them, and were laid to rest in 
 the Hublersburg cemetery. 
 
 To this worthy couple were born eight chil- 
 dren: Elizabeth is the wife of William C. Ful- 
 ton, a farmer and miner of Walker township. 
 Centre county, and they have six children; Lewis 
 C. , also an agriculturist of Walker township, 
 married Ettie Markle, daughter of Joseph 
 Markle, and they have five children; John, a 
 plasterer living at Bellefonte, Centre county, 
 married Minerva Hiller, who died in 1890, leav- 
 ing two children; Sarah is the wife of John H. 
 White,, a farmer and laborer, by whom she has 
 five children; Henry M. , a farmer of Walker 
 township, married Amanda Hubler, and has six 
 children; Jacob A., an agriculturist of Miles 
 township, Centre county, married Emma Roush, 
 and has two children; David A., of this sketch, 
 is the twin brother of Jacob A. ; and Benjamin 
 F , who makes his home in Bellefonte, married 
 Emma Dugan, and has two children. 
 
 David A. Deitrich received an excellent edu- 
 cation, attending the common schools until he 
 had attained his majority, and completing his 
 literary course in a select school in Spring Mills. 
 For twelve years he then followed the profession 
 of teaching through the winter months, proving 
 a most able and competent instructor, while the 
 
546 
 
 COMMEMORA Tl VS UHKiUM-llKAI. RECORD. 
 
 summer season he passed in farming. For the 
 past three years he has capably filled his present 
 position, and not only have his labors been per- 
 formed to the satisfaction of his employers, but 
 he has also proved a most obliging and accom- 
 modating agent, very popular with the traveling 
 public. 
 
 On March 26, [882, Mr. Deitrich married 
 Miss Emma L. White, a daughter of John White, 
 of Walker township, and the) have four children: 
 I .mm M.. bom August 9, 1883 ; Lillie Annetta, 
 born October 31, 1886; Ezra M., born March 22, 
 1888, and died on the 28th of the same month; 
 and David A., born September 9, 1892. Mr. 
 Deitrich is a stalwart I 1 rat in politics, and 
 
 in religious faith is a consistent member of thi 
 Reformed Church. He is a well-< ale- 
 
 man, of pleasing address, has made host 
 friends, and enjoys in a marked degree the re- 
 spect and confidence of the entire community. 
 
 II B. YARNELL was bom in Centre county, 
 J\L in [840, a son of H. B. and Mary McCle- 
 lathan) Yarnell, who wen- also natives of Centre 
 county, and of Irish descent, the maternal grand- 
 nati\ es >f the Emerald Isle. 
 
 1 the parents of our subject were born 
 eleven children, the others being as follows: 1 1 
 Mary became the wife of Squire George Jack, a 
 merchant of Boalsburg, Centre county, who died 
 in 1876, and her death occurred in November. 
 1S90. (2) William, who made his home in Mis- 
 souri, enlisted in the Union service, and was 
 probably killed as he was never afterward heard 
 from. (3) Ruth died in 1S70, and was buried in 
 Mt. Pleasant cemet.i\ B iggs township, Centre 
 county, where her parents were also interred. 
 ji Thomas married; his wife died in February. 
 1894, and he died in September. [892, leaving 
 ten children. (5) Isaac, who was married and 
 reared a family of twelve children, was tilled in 
 a railroad accident in February, 1 8< 
 
 tries died in infancy. (7) Jane is the wife of 
 John Shuey, of Michigan. [8) Samuel died in 
 infancy. (9) Nathan enlisted August 21, 1 
 in Company C, [48th P. V. I., was a brave 
 and gallant soldier, and was killed at the battle 
 of Chancellorsville. where he was three times 
 slightly wounded before receiving his death 
 wound, (in Heber, who enlisted September 16, 
 
 • in I ompany G, 148th 1'. V. I., is married 
 and has a family. 
 
 Hardly had the echoes from Fort Sumter's 
 guns di J when >iect joined the 
 
 Union army, enlisting April 14, [8fcu, in Com- 
 
 , II. Seventh Pennsylvania Reserves 
 
 IFSAAC SHAFER, one of the earliest men tc 
 . engage in the business of lumbering on the 
 west branch of the Susquehanna, a business whii b 
 has been a I actor in the growth and wealth 
 
 oi Clinton count}', is now, with his estimable wife, 
 living retired at Lock Haven. Clinton count., 
 where they are passing the evening of their lives 
 in a comfortable home surrounded by a host ol 
 friends. 
 
 The Shafer family located in Centre count\ 
 in the beginning of the present century. Philip 
 Shafer, father of Isaac, was born in liirdsbor- 
 ough. Chester Co., Penn., and in early manho I 
 came to Centre- county, and here, and in Clint 1: 
 county, passed the rest of his life; however, his 
 death occurred in 187S, at some point in tli- 
 ry probably in Arkansas, while on a trip 
 to that section. His father was ft rmany. 
 
 On March 8, [81 1, Philip Shafer married M rj 
 Resides, who was born in Centre county, hei 
 r being a native of Ireland. She died in 
 Centre county, in 1824. Their children, win 
 are now living, are: Reuben, born in 182 
 resident of Flemmington, Penn., and 
 our subject. Those deceased are: Eliza, John, 
 , Reuben and Mary. 
 Isaac Shafer was born January 12. 1 
 near the borough of Bellefonte. Centre county. 
 The schools of his neighborhood and In 
 roundings were not such as to afford him an p- 
 portunity toward an education. His lathi 
 occupied in burning charcoal, and from tl 
 of twelve years young Isaac had to assist him 111 
 the work. He worked through the summers and 
 until about the time snow began to fall, when he 
 would attend a two-months' term at school; he 
 attended about two of these schools, then 
 the battle of lif< for himself. About this time, 
 along in the thirties, the West Branch division of 
 the Pennsylvania canal was being const 1 
 and on this he worked two years. Next h 
 to work for John Skinner, a neighboring I 
 with whom he remained five years, receivi: 
 his services fifty cents per day. He then 
 to Farrandsville, Clinton county, and 
 lumbering, a business with which he coir 
 with little exception throughout life. He < 
 off the timber from Lick run, and in l^ 
 d the logs down the stream, the first 
 of the kind ever performed there. Ri 
 were, in the woods, with but limited adv.v 
 and no means, our subject early becan 
 pendent and self-reliant, and was, through his 
 industrious habits and economy, enabled : 
 ally, and yet surely, to move forward, and I 
 
 that position and success in life reached 
 only by a few. In politics he is a stanch Repub- 
 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 547 
 
 lican. He has never cared for public notoriety, 
 and though elected to several minor offices he 
 has paid a fine rather than serve. He, how- 
 ever, in 1893, did accept an election to the office 
 of county commissioner and served one term, 
 and his acts in that body were always character- 
 ized with that prudence and wisdom with which 
 his whole business career abounded. An earnest 
 Christian, and an upright business man, he has 
 the respect of everybody. 
 
 In 1846, Mr. Shafer was married to Miss 
 Sarah Proctor, a daughter of Thomas Proctor, of 
 Clinton county, and five children came to this 
 marriage: Perry is in business in Jefferson 
 county; Clara is deceased; Dollie is the wife of 
 O. E. Aldrich, cashier of the bank at Johnson- 
 burg, Penn. ; Katie is deceased; John is at John- 
 sonburg, Penn. The mother of these died in Oc- 
 tober, 1890. Our subject was again married, on 
 March 20, 1892, this time to Fredericka Kinz- 
 ing; both himself and wife are members of the 
 Presbyterian Church. 
 
 T\>AVID O. ETTERS, Superintendent of the 
 ! J^ City Schools of Bellefonte, Centre County, 
 Pennsylvania. 
 
 J 
 
 OSEPH F. McGUIRE has demonstrated the 
 true meaning of the word success as the full 
 accomplishment of an honorable purpose. 
 Energy, close application, perseverance and good 
 management — these are the elements that have 
 entered into his business career and crowned the 
 efforts of prosperity. He now resides in Wayne 
 township, Clinton county, where he is success- 
 fully engaged in general farming and the raising 
 of tobacco. 
 
 Mr. McGuire was born near the "Half-Way 
 House, "in Pine Creek township, Clinton county, 
 January 18, 1845, and belongs to one of the old 
 and honored families of that community. His 
 grandfather, Joseph McGuire, was a native of 
 one of the lower counties of Pennsylvania, and 
 came to this section of theState at an early date, 
 taking up his residence in Pine Creek township 
 when it was still a part of Northumberland coun- 
 ty. His home was near the well-known " Half- 
 Way House " between Lock Haven and Jersey 
 Shore, and there he owned 137 acres of land, 
 which he greatly improved, building thereon one 
 of the first brick dwellings in the township. He 
 became the owner of the " Half-Way House," 
 but rented it to other parties. In his family he 
 reared Matthew Rogers, one of the oldest set- 
 tlers in Pine Creek township, who made his home 
 
 with Mr. McGuire for forty-five years. The 
 grandfather of our subject, one of the valued and 
 honored citizens of this community, died on his 
 farm in Pine Creek township, in 1S78, and was 
 buried at Jersey Shore. In politics, he was a 
 Whig, and, in religious belief, a Presbyterian, to 
 which Church his estimable wife also belonged. In 
 their family were four children, namely: Ellen, 
 deceased wife of James Ferguson; Mary A., 
 widow of Woods Ferguson; Jane, wife of Ed- 
 mund Love, and David, father of our subject. 
 
 David McGuire received only a limited edu- 
 cation in the subscription schools, and. as he was 
 the only son, he spent his entire life on the old 
 homestead with his father and mother, operating 
 the farm until his death, which occurred March 
 13, 1865, when quite young. He was a Repub- 
 lican in politics, and widejy and favorably known. 
 In Pine Creek township he had married Cather- 
 ine Staver, who was of German descent. She is 
 still living, and now makes her home in Jersey 
 Shore. By her marriage she became the mother 
 of five children, of whom our subject is the eld- 
 est. (2) Margaret died unmarried, August 7, 
 1894. (3) Jane is the wife of Thomas Bartholo- 
 mew,- of Dunnstown, Clinton county, and had six 
 children — Torrance, Nora, Nellie, Stella, Joseph 
 and one who died in infancy. (4) Perry, a 
 farmer in Wayne township, Clinton county, mar- 
 ried Elizabeth Sour, of that township, and has 
 one son, George S., born in 187S. (5) David R. 
 died at the age of nine years. 
 
 The subject of this sketch pursued his studies 
 in the McGuire school house in Pine Creek town- 
 ship, under the direction of Alexander Hamilton, 
 and has made the most of his opportunities, be- 
 coming a well-read man. He is a subscriber to 
 several daily papers and magazines. After his 
 father's death he remained on the old home- 
 stead with his grandfather and mother, and at 
 the age of twenty started out in life (or himseif. 
 He first rented a part of the Brown farm, where 
 he engaged in raising tobacco until 1879, when 
 with his mother he removed to Pine Creek town- 
 ship and bought sixty acres of land, on which he 
 has made many improvements, including the 
 erection of a barn. For four years he there car- 
 ried on tobacco raising, and then sold the place 
 and purchased fifty-eight acres in Wayne town- 
 ship, where he followed farming for three years, 
 and he has since rented the place. In 18S6 he 
 removed to his present farm in the same county, 
 and he is 'now devoting his time and attention to 
 the raising of tobacco and in general farming with 
 most satisfactory results. The Republican party 
 finds in him a stanch supporter, and although he 
 has never cared for office, he has acceptably 
 
548 
 
 CO.VAtK.Voli A TIVE liKniUM'll V A I. RB( <>HD. 
 
 served as tax collector of the township. He is a 
 strong temperance man. and a useful and va! 
 citizen. In the Methodist Episcopal Church he 
 and bis wife hold membership, and they receive 
 the merit and high regard of the entire commu- 
 nity. His public and private life are above re- 
 pp iach, for his career has ever been one character- 
 ized by the utmost fidelity to duty. 
 
 On February \<j. 1XS0, in Pine Creek town- 
 ship, Mr. McGuire was married to Miss Mar- 
 garet E. Emery, who was born there March 2, 
 Her father, Jacob Emery, was born Au- 
 gust 22, 1812, in Lycoming county, Penn., wi 
 his father, Henry Emery, engaged in farim 
 The former also made that occupation his life 
 \\«>rk. and on coming to Pine Creek township. 
 Clinton county, in 1S40, bought the Thomas 
 farm of 180 acres, which he operated with good 
 success until his death September 23, 1890. In 
 connection with general farming he engaged in 
 stock raising and the culture of tobacco. He, 
 too, was a Republican in politics, and a faithful 
 member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to 
 which his wile and family also belonged. In Ly- 
 coming county, he married Rebecca Martin, who 
 was born at Larry's Creek, that county, in May, 
 1817, a daughter of Alexander and Sarah Mar- 
 tin, of English descent. She was one of a fam- 
 ily of three children, and died September 6, 
 [880. Mr. and Mrs Emery now sleep side by 
 side in the Jersey Shi etery, In their fam- 
 
 ily were nine children: Henry J., a resident of 
 Pine Creek township; Sarah, wife of Frank Al- 
 len; Mary, wife of Clayton Peppeman ; Martin A. 
 and Margaret A., who died when young; Rebec- 
 ca J., wife of James Shaw, son of Squire Shaw; 
 George \V.. of Pine Creek township; Clara N. , 
 wife ot Jacob Bannell, a railroad man of Ji 1 
 Shore; and Margaret E., the honored wife o( 
 subji 
 
 HON. CHARM S A MAYER, of Lock Ha- 
 ven, Clinton county, has now held 
 thirty years the pos I President Judg< 
 
 the Twenty-fifth Judicial District of Pennsjlva- 
 I his ability, learning and high cl 
 
 ■ 
 He h uit- 
 
 able candidate foi the Bench of t! 
 
 ; this State, but his attachn ent 
 
 for [] ii nds I most amiable- 
 
 trait in his character — has led him to stea 
 
 any movement toward securing ti 
 ination. 
 
 Jud : was horn December 15, i 
 
 m York county, Penn., and his youth was spent 
 
 mainly in Chambersburg, Franklin Co., Penn.. 
 his parents having located there during his boy- 
 hood. He was educated in the academy at that 
 place, then an institution of high reputation, 
 under the able management of Prof. YV. Y 
 Davis. After completing a course of study then 
 he entered Franklin and Marshall 1 
 located near Mercersburg, Franklin county, 
 in 1S4S he was graduated. He then entered 
 upon the study and continued ab 
 
 two years, when he decided to change this pi 
 fession for that of the law. In January. 1 
 he went to Lock Haven to enter the offio 
 White ec 1 'niggle as a student, devoting himself 
 to his studies with great diligence. In 1 S 54 h 
 was admitted to the Bar of Clinton county, and 
 at once entered upon a lucrative practice as the 
 successor of his preceptors. He was subsequent- 
 ly elected District Attorney of Clinton countv. 
 served two terms in that position to the eminent 
 satisfaction of his constituents, and with credit 
 to himself. 
 
 In 186S he became a candidate for President 
 Judge of the Twenty-fifth Judicial District, a 
 posed of Centre. Clearfield and Clinton coun- 
 His competitors were Hon. J. H. Orvi~. 
 who was presented by Centre county, and ex- 
 Judge George R. Barrett, presented by Clear- 
 field county. After a tedious struggle, in which 
 Judge Mayer was sustained by friends and sup- 
 
 ters in all the counties, he was nominated and 
 elected by a large majority over Hon. J. B. M 
 Enally, then President Judge of the District, by 
 appointment. In 1878 he was renominated by 
 the concurrence of his party convention in all 
 three of the counties, and re-elected over Chai 
 S. McCormick. Esq., a member of the Clinton 
 Countv Bar. who was announced as an It 
 pendent candidate. In 1888 Judge Ma) 1 
 again nominated and re-elected, and is thus see- 
 ing his third term, and will be renominated 
 both the Republican and Democratic parties of this 
 
 1 ict for a fourth term. In 1883 the Ji 
 cial District was changed from Clearfield, ' 
 and Clinton counties to Cameron. Elk and Cl 
 
 1, which counties have since compi 
 Twenty-fifth Judicial District. A natural 
 
 1 t. • the law. and an extraordinarily n 
 memory, together with intelKitn.il qualitii - 
 high gi I habit ol close study 1 il l< 
 
 pr< iblen I In: fudge at the ! 
 
 his profession. His decisions on the Bench 
 marked by strict impartiality and integrity, 1 
 a sti t dutj governs his conduct at 
 
 times. 
 
 On January 2. 1861, Judge Ma; 
 united in marriage with Miss Helen McCormi 
 
^-. &, 2^-z£L^ 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 549 
 
 daughter of Saul McCormick, of Lock Haven. 
 She died February 16, 1893, leaving two daugh- 
 ters: Mary B., wife of Col. James B. Coryall, 
 of Williamsport, Penn., colonel of the Twelfth 
 Pennsylvania Regiment, N. G., and Miss Helen 
 E. Mayer, who is at home. Socially the family 
 is prominent, and the Judge is a member of the 
 Masonic fraternity, belongs to the Chapter, and 
 is a Knight Templar. In politics he is an un- 
 swerving Democrat. 
 
 CAPTAIN ROBERT S. BARKER, deputy 
 ' sheriff of Clinton County, Pennsylvania, re- 
 sidence at Lockhaven. 
 
 T^HOMAS M. WOLF. Among the reliable, 
 substantial and prosperous farmers of Pine 
 Creek township, Clinton county, there is prob- 
 ably none who stands higher in the public esti- 
 mation than the gentleman whose name introduces 
 this article. On the farm where he still con- 
 tinues to reside he was born November 4, 1852. 
 His grandfather, Michael Wolf, was a native of 
 Germany, and came to this country prior to 
 the Revolutionary war, in which struggle he 
 took a very active part. He located in Berks 
 county, Penn.. where he reared bis family and 
 continued to reside for some years, but spent 
 his last days at the home of his son, Michael, 
 in Clinton county. He was one of those hardy 
 pioneers who were noted for their industry, in- 
 tegrity and sterling worth. In politics he was a 
 Democrat, and in religious belief he was a 
 Lutheran. 
 
 Michael Wolf, Jr., the father of our subject, 
 was born, reared and educated in Berks county, 
 receiving instruction in both German and Eng- 
 lish. He continued under the parental roof 
 until his marriage to Miss Catherine Miller, 
 also a native of Berks county, and, with his 
 bride and two brothers, he then removed to 
 Brush Valley, Centre county, Penn., locating 
 near Rebersburg, where he spent several years. 
 He then came to Pine Creek township, Clinton 
 county, where he purchased 300 acres of land, 
 the greater part of which he cleared and im- 
 proved with good, substantial buildings. In con- 
 nection with the cultivation of his land he operated 
 a gristmill in the same township, and was a very 
 hard-working, energetic and progressive man. He 
 cared for his aged parents during their declining 
 days, was an active and prominent member of the 
 Lutheran Church, and was a stanch Democrat 
 m politics. On one occasion, while riding a 
 horse to Jersey Shore, it fell upon him, injuring 
 
 his arm in such a way as to render it useless to 
 him during the remainder of his life. He died 
 in 1 85 1 , on the old homestead in Pine Creek town- 
 ship, where his wife also departed this life. In 
 the family of this worthy couple were eleven 
 children, namely: John, deceased; Elizabeth, 
 deceased wife of John Hegarty; Michael, who 
 died when a young man; George, deceased; 
 Henry A., a resident of Tioga county, Penn.; 
 Catherine, wife of John Stout, of Illinois; Sarah, 
 deceased wife of Jacob Bonnel; Jacob, of Kan- 
 sas; Susan, deceased wife of Thomas Bonnel; 
 Thomas M. , the subject of this review; and 
 William, deceased. 
 
 Thomas M. Wolf was provided with only a 
 common-school education, his farm training, how- 
 ever, being not so meagre. At the age of four- 
 teen he left home and began working among the 
 neighboring farmers, but his wages were given to 
 his parents until he attained his majority. He 
 then obtained seventy-five acres of the old home- 
 stead farm, on which he has made many excel- 
 lent improvements, which add greatly to its value 
 and attractive appearance, including the erection 
 of a good residence, barns, sheds, etc. Since 
 1 88 1 he has been interested in the cultivation of 
 tobacco in connection with general farming, and 
 in that undertaking he is also meeting with a 
 well-deserved success. 
 
 In 1847, in Pine Creek township, Mr. Wolf 
 was married to Miss Esther Kline, a native of 
 Berks county, and a daughter of Jacob Kline, a 
 farmer of that county, who was of German de- 
 scent. Eleven children blessed this union, in 
 order of birth as follows: Catherine, now the 
 wife of David Saladay, of Pine Creek township; 
 Mary, wife of Peraville Snyder, a farmer of Col- 
 orado; Louisa, wife of William Stevenson, of 
 Jersey Shore, Lycoming Co., Penn.; William, at 
 home; Jacob, a railroad man living at Jersey 
 Shore Junction; Elizabeth, who died in child- 
 hood; Ida, widow of James Kissel; Alice, wife of 
 George Guff, of Pine Creek township; Minnie, 
 who died in childhood; Edward, of Williamsport, 
 Penn. ; and Thomas, who died when young. 
 
 The Democratic party finds in Mr. Wolf an 
 earnest advocate and a stalwart supporter, and 
 he has been honored by his fellow-citizens with 
 the offices of president of the school board and 
 county commissioner of Clinton county, having 
 been elected to the latter position in 1869 for a 
 term of three years, during which time the court 
 house was completed, two iron bridges built and 
 many other improvements made in the county. 
 He is regarded by all as one of the most public- 
 spirited and representative men of Pine Creek 
 township, and merits and receives the warmest 
 

 COMMEMORA TIVB RIOORAPIIK'AL RECORD. 
 
 confidence and esteem of the community. He 
 is one of the active and leading members of 
 the Lutheran Church, was a member of the 
 building committee at the time of the rebuilding 
 of the present house of worship in i 869, ami is 
 now serving as trustee of the Church. 
 
 PATRICK M< MAHON (deceased) was one of 
 the honored ami highly respected citizens of 
 Renovo, Clinton comity, where his death oc- 
 curred in 1SS4. He was a native of County 
 Clare, Ireland, where he spent the greater pari 
 of his life engaged in agricultural pursuits, but in 
 [860 he bade goodbye to friends and native land, 
 and with his family came to America. He first 
 located in Lock Haven, Penn., where be resided 
 for a us, and then came to Renovo, mak- 
 
 ing it his home until 1 ailed to his final rest. 
 
 In Ireland Mi McMahon had wedded Miss 
 Mary Crowley, a daughter of Michael and Brid- 
 get (Chambers) Crowley, who spent their entire 
 lives in that country. To our subject and his 
 worth}- wife were born five daughters, who 
 yet living, namely: Margaret, now the wife of 
 Lewis Kramer, a resident of Australia; Mrs. 
 Joseph Swartzfish, oi Renovo; Anna, wife of M. 
 J. Dillen, oi 1, X. Y., and Mollie and Sue, 
 
 who make their home with their mother in Re- 
 There were also two sons: John, who 
 
 1 in 1871, and Michael, who died in 1891. 
 Mrs. McMahon and her daughters, Mollie and 
 
 , occupy a comfortable home at Xo. 1 
 Erie avenui I md socially they stand 
 
 high, being numbet mg the most highly 
 
 res] th place. In religious 
 
 belief they olics, to which Church Mr. 
 
 \1 Mahon also belonged. He was a kind and 
 indulgent husband and father, and his memory 
 will red inheritance to his children, and 
 
 will also be cherished by a multitude of friends. 
 Thi i oi continued and far- 
 
 reaching usefulness, his duties were performed 
 with the great and during a 1< mg 
 
 his p integrity were without 
 
 blemish. 
 
 [ON. JAMES W FREDERICKS, of Lock 
 Haven, who has been twice chosen to rep- 
 ti in a unity in the St ; islature, 
 is a man of commanding influence in this section, 
 and his popularity is shown by the fact that he 
 is the second Republican ever elected as a repre- 
 sentative from his county. He bears an e.v 
 lent record, and his career carries out the prom- 
 of earlier years, when, as a mere boy, he did 
 
 gallant service in the Civil war in defense of a 
 righteous cause. 
 
 He was born in Clinton county in 1843, a son 
 of Benjamin H. and Margaret (Dunn) Fredericks, 
 both of whom were also natives of Pennsylvania 
 The father, who died in 1880, was engaged in 
 farming and lumbering during the greater port!" n 
 of his life, and although he was an intelligent 
 and progressive citizen he took but little part in 
 public affairs. The mother passed away in 189:, 
 ng three children: James \\\, Miss Ella M 
 and J. H. 
 
 Major Fredericks was reared upon a farm un- 
 til he reached the age of fifteen, his educational 
 opportunities being limited to the rural schools 
 <>f his time. The questions at issue between the 
 Xorth and South interested him deeply, and. 
 when the war broke out, he enlisted, altl 
 he was but seventeen years old, in Company I». 
 nth 1'. V. I., the first troops that went from 
 the "West Branch." His regiment was an 
 the first to enter the Shenandoah Valle) 
 |nl\ 2, r86l, he took part in the battle of Fall- 
 ing Waters, where he first experienced the un- 
 mt sensation of seeing men killed or wound- 
 ed by shot and shell. At the expiration of his 
 term of nine months he returned homi 
 raised a new company of 105 men, who were 
 led in the 207th P. Y. I. For eleven 
 months he served as captain, participatii 
 several fierce engagements, including th 
 tie of Dutch Gap, and a number in the vicin- 
 ity of Petersburg. At Fort Steadman hi 
 promoted to the rank of major, and hi 
 important mentwasat Hatcher's Run. He 
 
 remained in the army as Ion- is any 
 
 fighting to be done, but fortunateh 
 capture or serious wounds. When ho.~; 
 ceased he came back home and engaged in 
 ness, meeting with success from the star 
 1 s s 5 he has conducted a hardwan 
 stove business at Lock Haven. 
 
 lb- work m support ol the Ri ] 
 
 party was red some yi 
 
 pointment in the United States re\ en 
 as gauger and deputy revenue coiled 
 position he held for eight years. In 1894b 
 elected to the I . slature, ami so well did he 
 
 ( lintoh county b 
 
 e that he was re elected in [896, I 
 other term. lb' is now .1 member of tin 
 mittees on Railroads and on Labor Ri I 
 
 January 25, 1 : subject mat 
 
 Miss Emily J. Walton, 1 I 
 
 Walton, of Lycoming county, Penn. The W ■ 
 ton family 1- one of the oldest in the Sti I 
 now holds dei d by William Penn an 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 551 
 
 son. Two children have blessed our subject's 
 home: Benjamin W., a resident of Chicago, and 
 Edith M. Maxwell, of Troy, Penn. Socially the 
 family is prominent, and Mrs. Fredericks is an 
 active member of the Presbyterian Church, while 
 the Major is identified with several fraternal 
 orders, including the F. & A. M., the P. O. S. 
 of A. and the G. A. R. 
 
 BH. FURST, of the firm of Furst Brothers, 
 manufacturers of and dealers in all kinds of 
 grain, flour, feed, plaster, salt and general mer- 
 chandise, Cedar Springs, Pennsylvania. 
 
 fATHEW ROGERS, one of the oldest and 
 most honored citizens of Clinton county, 
 has spent almost his entire life in Pine Creek 
 township, where his birth occurred December 2, 
 1 8 1 2, and is a son of Seth and Elizabeth ( Books) 
 Rogers, the former a native of Kilkenny, Ireland, 
 and a farmer by occupation. From the age of 
 ten years he was reared by a Mr. McGuire, and 
 was provided with fair school privileges and a 
 good moral training, which well fitted him for 
 life's responsible duties. 
 
 Until he had attained the age of forty years, 
 Mr. Rogers continued to make his home with Mr. 
 McGuire, though in the meantime he often 
 worked for neighboring farmers in Pine Creek 
 township, and was also employed in the lumber 
 woods, pealing bark, or in rafting or boating on 
 the river. In 1S52 he purchased his present 
 farm of fifty acres, upon which he has made all 
 of the improvements, but at one time had the 
 misfortune to lose his barns, sheds and other out- 
 buildings by a flood, which damaged his property 
 to the amount of $5,000; but with characteristic 
 energy he at once rebuilt, and now has a well- 
 improved and highly-cultivated farm which stands 
 as a monument to his thrift and industry. He 
 was the first in this section to raise tobacco, and 
 he continued to actively engage in business until 
 1896, when he was eighty-four years of age. At 
 this writing he is living retired, enjoying a well- 
 earned rest. 
 
 Mr. Rogers was married in 1845, in Pine 
 Creek township, to Miss Mary Staver, who was 
 born in that township, in 182 1, a daughter of 
 Frederick Staver, who was a farmer by occupa- 
 tion. Three daughters blessed this union: 
 Martha J. ; Mary E. ; and Margaret, wife of A. 
 K. Hamilton. For the long period of thirty-five 
 years the wife and mother was an invalid, but 
 hnally, in 1894, death released her from her suf- 
 ferings. The two older daughters tenderly cared 
 
 for her, making great sacrifices in her behalf, and 
 they now look after the business interests of their 
 father, being ladies of good business ability and 
 sound judgment. Wherever known they are 
 held in high regard, and their friends are many. 
 Politically, Mr. Rogers was first a Whig and 
 is now a Republican, casting his first Presidential 
 ballot in 1883, and his last in 1896 for Major 
 McKinley. On election days he is always found 
 at the polls, has taken a deep and commendable 
 interest in political affairs, and now advocates 
 sound money. For some eighty-five years he 
 has been identified with the interests of Clinton 
 county, and his has been a long and busy career. 
 His life has ever been such as to commend him to 
 the confidence of all with whom he came in con- 
 tact, and he has the respect and esteem of old 
 and young, rich and poor. 
 
 LEWIS ARMSTRONG (deceased). Of the 
 _j middle-aged business men of Clinton county, 
 probably none developed so early in life, and at- 
 tained so prominent a position among the busi- 
 ness men of the State, as did Lewis Armstrong, 
 who was born in 1859, in Sullivan county, Penn. 
 Peter Armstrong, his father, also a native of 
 Pennsylvania, was a manufacturer of paper, be- 
 ing identified with mills at Philadelphia and else- 
 where, haying his residence in Philadelphia. He 
 married Miss Hannah Taylor, who, too, was born 
 in the Keystone State. 
 
 Lewis Armstrong, at the age of seven years, 
 went to Philadelphia to live, and in the public 
 schools of that city he received his school train- 
 ing. When but fourteen he started out on the 
 road traveling as a salesman for the mills with 
 which his father was connected, and he was 
 reared and trained in the paper business, and 
 understood it thoroughly. His traveling experi- 
 ence brought him early in touch with men prom- 
 inent in the same business throughout the State 
 and beyond State lines, and he became exten- 
 sively known to and prominently identified with 
 the manufacturers of paper throughout the East. 
 He and his brother built the paper mills at Lock 
 Haven, as well as other mills elsewhere, and he 
 was associated with some of the leading business 
 men of Philadelphia and New York City. At the 
 time of his death he was vice-president of the 
 New York and Pennsylvania Paper Co., and pres- 
 ident of the Armstrong Real Estate Improve- 
 ment Co. of Johnsonburg, Penn., where some of 
 the mills of the company with which he was con- 
 nected were located. He was ambitious, and 
 hoped to control the paper mills of the country, 
 but overworked himself, which resulted in his 
 

 i OMMR VOBATIVB BIOGRAPHICAL BEt <>1U>. 
 
 th. He had left home on a business trip to 
 New York when his death, coming suddenly, was 
 caused by the bursting of a blood vessel at the 
 base of the brain. Socially he was i mi mb 
 the Manufa i lub, and ol the Manhattan 
 
 Athletic Club, both ol New York. He led a 
 most active and busy life, and his death was 
 greatly deplored in business circles. 
 
 In 1S7S Mr. Armsti married to Miss 
 
 Ida M. Kelly (who was bom in Philadelphia, and 
 was 1 I there), a daughter of Samuel J. 
 
 and Mai Kelly. The marriage of our 
 
 ject and wife was blessed with the following 
 children: Grace, Calvin, Russell, Ervin Scott. 
 and Dorothy; the sons are now preparing for 
 college, and the daught nding a college 
 
 in Virginia. Mrs. Armstrong, who is a woman 
 of culture and refinement, is identified with the 
 Methodist Episcopal Church. 
 
 HENRY S. BAKER, a prominent resident of 
 Lock Haven, has been engaged in the hard- 
 wire business there for many years, and his judi- 
 cious management, fair dealing and unfailing 
 courtesy have won foi him a substantial success. 
 
 Mr Bal was born in November, [842, in 
 Berks county, Penn., a son of Henry and Mar} 
 (Shutter) Baker, who were both natives ol the 
 Keystom Mate. The father was a weaver by 
 trade in early life, but afterward engaged in farm- 
 ing, and continued until his death, which oc- 
 curred in 1S90. Our subject's mother passed to 
 the unseen life in 1883, and of a large family ol 
 children only live arc now livin. mi, wife 
 
 of John Fitzgerald; Mary, wifeof William Mayer; 
 
 ih, wife of Levi Reitnauer; Christine, who 
 in, 11 1 I'd John Stires; and Henry S., of this 
 
 tch. 
 
 H. S. Baker was reared in Montgomerj coun- 
 ty, Penn., havin taken there in his b 
 bond. He attended the public schools until he 
 reached the age of fourteen, when he began to 
 !• am the tinner's trade, an apprenticeshi| 
 three years giving him a complete knowledge of 
 the business, .Settling at Lock Haven, 
 working nearly I rneyman, he- 
 established a business of Ins own, which he has 
 successfully conducted evei sinci His stock has 
 been gradually enlarged as his custom has grown 
 in volume, until he probabl) ha line 
 of hardware, stoves sehold utensils to be 
 found in Clinton county. He is devoted to busi- 
 ness, and has never given any time to politics, 
 although he is a stanch Democrat and a firm op- 
 ponent of monopolies. 
 
 In 1861 Mr. Baker married Miss Mary E. 
 
 Waggner, whose father, a resident at one t: 
 of Mechanicsburg, Penn.. met a soldier's death 
 during the Civil war, at the battle of Atlai 
 Three children were born of this union, all now 
 deceased. Mi ind his wife are lean 
 
 members of Trinity Methodist Church at I. 
 Haven, and at present he holds the office 
 trustee He also belongs to numerous social or- 
 ders, including the K. ('.. E., the K. ol I 
 which he is a past chancellor), the I. O. 0. I 
 Great Island Lodgi No. 320 (in which he 
 past noble grand 1, and the Masonic fraternitv 
 being a Knight Templar. 
 
 EY. DR. R. \Y. PERKINS. "To make 
 the world within his reach somewhat I 
 better for his being, and gladder for his human 
 speech " is an ambition which calls forth a mi 
 noblest energies, and in the helpful life of 
 well-known clergyman it has been brought tofull 
 fruition. As pastor of the First Baptist Church 
 of Lock Haven, Clinton county, he has intro- 
 duced and maintained numerous movent 
 which have already produced good results, 
 which promise to wield still greater influence in 
 the future. 
 
 Dr. Perkin his zeal and enthu- 
 
 from a long line ol - ancestors, d I 
 
 back to the old Brandywine Baptist Church 
 the battlefield of that name of the Kevolun 
 and covering than two hundred years 1 
 
 one branch of his maternal ancestors were 
 
 iker origin, buying their land directly I: 
 Penn. They becami Baptists before 1700— 
 other branch was a Baptist family from W I 
 who in 1755 settled in Chester county. The 1 
 sons entered the Revolutionary army in tl 
 company, holding, in ordi the four hi 
 
 est commission^ company — one afterw 
 
 became a Baptist minister. Their desi 
 have been mostly well-to-do farmers or sch 
 teachers, a number were lawyers, somejud 
 the Courts, principals of academies and hie 
 schools of learning, and college and univen 
 professors and ministers of the Gospel. 
 
 The family was a very lai 
 
 patriots, but kept out of active politu ■ 
 were nearly all Church members. A few 
 1 'i I'd kuw was one of sixteen cousin 
 Baptist ministry. Joseph Perkins, the fatl 
 Dr. R. \V. Perkins, of a race of prospei 
 
 of Revolutionary stock, lived and died on 
 farm where he was born, following agricult 
 an occupation, and giving in his useful yet 
 existence an example worthy of the imital 
 all men. He died in 1SS7. and his estun.. 
 
 
^^/L^^ 
 
 L 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 553 
 
 wife, Margaret T. Frame, who was also a native 
 of the same county, died in 1884. Dr. Perkins 
 is the eldest of four children; the others living are: 
 Martha J. and Joseph \V., who reside at the old 
 homestead near Elam, Delaware Co., Penn- 
 sylvania. 
 
 The Doctor's birth occurred March 12, 1847, 
 and his elementary education was received in the 
 public schools near his home. At the age of 
 eighteen he completed his academic course and 
 engaged in teaching, which he continued for 
 about four years. He then entered Bucknell 
 University, and in 1872 was graduated with the 
 degree of A. B. In pursuance of a long-cher- 
 ished wish to enter the ministry, he took a course 
 in the Crozer Theological Seminary, and, after 
 graduating in 1875, he remained there over a 
 year, taking a post-graduate course in philosophy 
 and theology. In the meantime he served as 
 assistant to the pastor of the Upland Baptist 
 Church, and on leaving the seminary was or- 
 dained pastor (in 1877) of the Third Baptist 
 Church at Camden, N. J., where he spent over 
 ten years. He was very successful in his work, 
 and, aside from his labors in behalf of denomi- 
 national Church work and Union Sunday-school 
 work, took an active part in the local charitable 
 organizations and in temperance work, serving as 
 president of the Camden County Temperance 
 Society for several years. During this time he 
 was also examiner of Sunday-school books for 
 the American Baptist Publication Society. In 
 1887 he took charge of the First Baptist Church 
 at Lock Haven, and under his ministrations the 
 spiritual life of the congregation has been quick- 
 ened and the enrollment increased four-fold, the 
 once crushing debts have all been paid off, the 
 church edifice, a handsome and commodious 
 structure, has been renovated, and everything is 
 in a prosperous condition. Dr. Perkins is an 
 earnest student, especially in theology, philoso- 
 phy and history, his very large library containing 
 a very fine collection of works on these subjects. 
 Since locating at Lock Haven he has devoted 
 some time to teaching languages, literature and 
 philosophy in the State Normal School, and for 
 one year he conducted a large Monday-evening 
 union Bible-class in the Presbyterian Church. 
 His sympathetic nature, his wide culture and his 
 unfailing energy have made him a helpful factor 
 in all charitable and evangelistic enterprises. He 
 has given much study to hymnology, sacred mu- 
 sic and congregational singing, and has been 
 president of the Lock Haven Chorus since its 
 organization. He began advocating a public 
 hospital that culminated in the Lock Haven Hos- 
 pital. Some years ago his alma mater conferred 
 
 upon him the Doctorate. For several years he 
 has been chairman of the Book Committee of the 
 Lock Haven Library. 
 
 In 1S93 Dr. Perkins was married to Miss 
 Sallie E. Rhoads, widely known as a successful 
 teacher in the Lock Haven High School. She be- 
 longs to a well-known family, and her father, 
 Joseph A. Rhoads, formerly a student at Buck- 
 nell University in its first class, is a highly re- 
 spected resident of Lock Haven. Her father's 
 family were religious refugees from the Palatinate, 
 early in the eighteenth century, settling in Berks 
 county, Penn. Like the most of the Germans, 
 they kept aloof from the governmental affairs 
 until the struggle for freedom against George III, 
 and then they entered the Revolutionary army. 
 Mrs. Perkins' ancestors in three lines fought in 
 the Revolution. One of her great-grandfathers 
 was an officer of distinction. She is a charter 
 member and historian of a successful chapter of 
 the Daughters of the American Revolution. The 
 families of Dr. and Mrs. Perkins were loyal dur- 
 ing the Civil war, and rendered all the aid in 
 their power to the government. Both Dr. and 
 Mrs. Perkins took an active part in a flourishing 
 Shakespeare Society, and in the University Ex- 
 tension Society. While Dr. Perkins is a man of 
 affairs whose advice is widely sought, still his 
 greatest pleasure is in fulfilling the simple duties 
 of the Gospel minister. 
 
 First Baptist Church. — The records of the 
 early history of the First Baptist Church of Lock 
 Haven are very fragmentary. The Church was 
 gathered under the auspices of Rev. George Hig- 
 gins, then pastor of the Baptist Church in Jersey 
 Shore, Lycoming county. It is very probable 
 that it was organized in 1836, as the first item of 
 Church record states that the first communion 
 season of the Church was held December 15, 
 1836. The formal public recognition occurred 
 June, 1838. The services were conducted in a 
 private house by Revs. George Higgins, Charles 
 Tucker and G. M. Spratt, D. D. On December 
 1, 1 84 1, a call was extended to Rev. J. F. Jones, 
 who labored successfully for two years in enlarg- 
 ing the membership. That able and distinguished 
 minister, Rev. Charles Tucker, having succeeded 
 to the pastorate of the Jersey Shore Church, 
 began to supply this Church January 4, 1843, 
 and continued to do so somewhat regularly 
 for more than a year; upwards of thirty per- 
 sons were added to the Church as the result 
 of meetings held in the old court house in 
 the spring of 1843. Mr. Tucker is spoken of as a 
 man of marked ability and fine oratorical powers. 
 On April 1, 1845, Rev. J. G. Miles became pastor 
 
55 I 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOOHM-lil'Al. RECORD. 
 
 of the Church; he was then young and commended 
 himself to the community, and had a successful 
 pastorate, and his goin^; awa\ was unfortunate 
 for the Church, fur his labors had been abund- 
 antly blessed and at the end of his pastorate the 
 Church numbered 150 members. They should 
 have gone forward and built, but timid coun- 
 sels prevailed, some removals occurred, and 
 
 n [851 to [860 the Church was without a 
 pastor, and hail only an occasional sermon. It 
 will take at least three generations to get over 
 the crippling effect of that blunder. They had 
 occasional suppli 1 lessors of the Un- 
 
 iversity at Lewisburg, now Bucknell University, 
 especially from the president, Dn | R. Loomis, 
 .ui<l ('.. M. Spratt, D. D., secretary of tin- Penn- 
 sylvania Baptist Education Society, but the 
 ( 1 1 inch dwindled almost to disorganization. In 
 i860 Rev. A. J. Furman, a graduate from Buck- 
 nell, was ordained pastor, and after two years of 
 very successful labor m gathering the - 
 Church, and baptizing thirty-three, resigned to 
 become chaplain in thearmy. He was succeeded 
 by the Rev. J. A. Kirkpatrick, who bought the 
 present site of the Church, and added one hun- 
 dred and thirty-four to the membership, but his 
 pastorate was only two years; and from about 
 the middle oi 1 So 1 un til April, 1 866, the Chui 
 was supplied part of the time by the Mi 
 Committee of the Northumberland tion; 
 
 al that date Rev. J. G. Miles was again indm 
 to take charge of the Church. He gave Ins at- 
 tention to the erection of the present house of 
 
 hip, winch was so far completed as to 
 the Church to worship in the lecture room, for 
 up to this time the Church had been hind: 
 and cramped for want of a permanent place of 
 worship. Mr. Miles labored hard and planned wise- 
 ly, but resigned in 1868. ["he I hurch soon called 
 Rev. A. B. Runyan, who beganin April, 1869, and 
 ' 15. 1 s — 1 . 1 ! ess- 
 
 ful in putting the dome on th I .in 
 
 reducing the debt, and 1 I to tak<- 
 
 tation of the Church at Eagle- 
 ville, now Blanchard, ( entre county. Then 
 Re\ Gei rge W. Snydei became pastor, who 
 
 ipleted the main audience room and dedicated 
 the (.hurch in June. 1873; the Church pi 
 
 ■ 1 immodious structure. Mr Snj 
 was a successful and judicious minister, but 
 his health w as ci impletely bi 1 ion 
 
 afterwaid died. Mr. Sn eded by 
 
 Re\ ( I Barto, pastor f r< mi January 1 . [8 
 I 1 I ■ 1 1 1 1 1 . 1 1 \ 1 . 1 875 ; and Re\ R. 1 mnlap, p 1 
 October 17. 1875, until March 3, [877 1 1 
 this time for n - the Church was again 
 
 D. D if the First 
 
 Baptist Church, Williamsport, tried to have 
 somewhat regular supplies for the Church). In 
 1882, Re\ F. H. Cooper, a graduate of Buck- 
 nell, was ordained pastor, in June, and served 
 until the spring of 1886. After another dis- 
 
 anizing interregnum of eighteen months, 
 the present pastor, Rev. l>r. R. W. Perkins, be- 
 gan his labors, in November, 1887; the church 
 edifice has been frescoed, many repairs and im- 
 provements have been made, and thedebtshave 
 been paid; an additional adjoining lot purchased, 
 the membership largely and materially increased, 
 and the Church is in a flourishing condition. 
 
 The present officers (1898) are: John Mac- 
 Nanl, Archibald Munro, Theodore Myers, Prof 
 \\ J. Wolverton, Thomas Gummo, S. II. Laird, 
 O. G. Munro. William Munro, II. E. Chamber- 
 lain. I. 1 Loveland, R F. Bowers. President 
 Board of Trustees, Archibald Munro; Church 
 Clerk, Theodore Myers. Two young men, grad- 
 uates of Bucknell University, sons of deacon- 
 this Church, are esl I and able Bapti-t 
 
 ministers— Rev. Henry C. Munro, son of 
 
 Deacon Alexander Munro, and Rev. Willard 
 C. MacNaul, son of Deacon John Ma s - 
 Mr. MacNaul was a student at Yale Divi 
 School, and was graduated at Divinity Scho 
 the I in\ ei sity of Chicago 
 
 The Lock Haven Hospital. — On June 
 1896, Rev. Dr. Perkins wrote an article for tins 
 Daily Democrat, and one of like import b>r 
 Lock Haven Express, tircim; the necessity 
 
 sibility of starting a hospital here and outlin- 
 ing the general work of .1 hospital. The proj 
 met with general favor, and the physicians. mi 
 m- a few days later, gave the enterprise their 
 
 rtiest endorsement and published in the | 
 pers what had been done in surrounding I 
 -tih' same class in general h"spital work. 
 the possibility of Lock Haven doing thi 
 The projeel was often the subject "I favoi 
 private remark. The ministers and phj 
 met at Dr. R. P.. Watson's office, July 22, 1 ■- 
 I »i Perkins presided. An earnest and frank ■ 
 eds, the possible resoun ! - 
 pai ticipated in bj 1 Irs. Ball, 
 Armstrong, Watson. 1! Shoemaker a 
 
 Dumm, and the ministers Rev. | E. Wright, 
 D . Revs i II. Black. L. Nichols, W II I 
 ley, I l>- rr, II Arlt. and ( S Long 
 1 the project feasible. \ 
 
 in it 1 1' publii meel ings, I >rs. Perkins, Ai 
 
 nd Ball, was appi linted I >n a< 1 
 
 made meetings and revival meetings, it » 
 
 ruary i". [897, before a general meeting* 
 called by the committee in the Y. M. C. \ 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 555 
 
 rooms. Wilson Kistler, Esq., presided, and Dr. 
 Perkins was secretary. Addresses highly com- 
 mending the feasibility and necessity of the hos- 
 pital were made by T. C. Hippie, Esq., H. T. 
 Harvey, Esq,, Rev. J. Harper Black, Rev. Dr. 
 Wright, Drs. Ball, Church, Hayes, Watson and 
 Armstrong. By unanimous vote, standing com- 
 mittees were appointed on charter and nomina- 
 tion of officers: Rev. Dr. J. E. Wright, Rev. L. 
 Nichols, T. M. Stevenson, Esq.; and on finance: 
 David Salmon, J. F. McCormick, E. A. Monag- 
 han, T. R. Mann, George Loder, Dr. H. E. Brady, 
 C. H. Myers, Wilson Kistler, and the following 
 ladies: Dr. R. B. Church, Miss Clara Kreamer, 
 Mrs. L. A. Scott, Mrs. T. C. Hippie, Mrs. D. 
 Salmon, Mrs. R. W. Perkins. The various com- 
 mittees did a very great deal of earnest work, 
 and the newspapers from time to time commend- 
 ed the work. Miss Clara Kreamer was made 
 secretary of the finance committee. At last a 
 public meeting was called for May 27, at the 
 court house, over which Wilson Kistler presided 
 and S. M. McCormick, Esq., was secretary. Dr. 
 Perkins gave a brief history of the movement. 
 Dr. Wright offered the charter, which was adopt- 
 ed, making provision for a general annual meet- 
 ing, with general officers of president, vice-presi- 
 dent, secretary and treasurer, with a board of 
 managers of fifteen, who should have charge 
 of the management of the hospital, and who 
 should make an annual report to the mem- 
 bers and subscribers. The following board of 
 managers was elected: Drs. R. Armstrong, F. 
 P. Ball, R. B. Watson, J. H. Hayes, W. H. 
 Shoemaker, R. G. Furst, Rev. Dr. R. W. Per- 
 kins, Rev. Lewis Nichols, Messrs. W. Kistler, 
 J. A. Bickford, E. A. Monaghan, David Salmon, 
 Joseph B. Furst, J. A. Marshall and F. L. Whit- 
 aker. David Salmon, chairman of the finance 
 committee, reported pledges and money amount- 
 ing to $2,062.50. The meeting adjourned to 
 meet June 10, in the Y. M. C. A., to perfect the 
 organization, Dr. Perkins presiding, S. M. Mc- 
 Cormick, Esq., secretary. The following officers 
 were elected for the society: President, W. Kist- 
 ler; vice-president, Charles Kreamer; secretary, 
 W. A. Kinsloe; treasurer, T. R. Mann. The 
 committee on place, Dr. Armstrong, chair- 
 man, reported in favor of the Proctor-Myers 
 Estate, on Water street. C. H. Myers then 
 offered the property until the following spring 
 rent free. The offer was accepted, and the 
 place selected for the hospital. The committee 
 on charter, Dr. J. E. Wright, Rev. L. Nichols 
 and T. M. Stevenson, Esq., were instructed to 
 take the necessary legal steps to secure the char- 
 
 ter. 
 
 The board of managers organized with: 
 
 President, Dr. R. Armstrong; Secretary, Rev. L. 
 Nichols; Executive Committee, Dr. F. P. Ball, 
 Dr. R. B. Watson, Dr. R. W. Perkins, W. Kis- 
 tler, E. A. Monaghan. Dr. R. B. Church was 
 elected superintendent and matron, and the 
 work of gathering supplies has slowly progressed, 
 for the magnitude of the work has made the 
 progress necessarily slow. Every one whose 
 name is mentioned has given much time to the 
 enterprise, and many, whose names are not men- 
 tioned here, have given invaluable aid. The 
 heaviest burdens have naturally fallen on the 
 physicians who have labored with the self-sacri- 
 ficing public spirit characteristic of that learned 
 profession. 
 
 The Ladies Aid Society, of the Lock Haven 
 Hospital, was organized with Mrs. R. W. Per- 
 kins, president; vice-presidents, Mrs. S. D. Ball, 
 Mrs. Herman Simon, and Miss Puella Dorn- 
 blazer; recording secretary, Mrs. William Keiner; 
 corresponding secretary, Mrs. C. G. Furst; 
 treasurer, Miss Eleanor Gearhart; executive 
 committee, Mrs. David Salmon, Mrs. J. E. 
 Wright, Mrs. T. C. Hippie, Mrs. D. M. Fred- 
 ericks, and Miss Kate Monaghan. The hospital 
 is doing a good work and is meeting with general 
 favor. 
 
 The Lock Haven Chorus. — The Lock Ha- 
 ven Chorus owes its existence to the untiring 
 zeal and musical talent of its accomplished di- 
 rector, Mr. T. C. Hilton, one of Lock Haven's 
 prosperous druggists. The Chorus was organ- 
 ized in 1893 with Rev. Dr. R. W. Perkins, 
 president; E. E. Adams, vice-president; S. D. 
 Furst, Esq., secretary; S. M. McCormick, Esq., 
 treasurer; T. C. Hilton, musical director; and 
 Messrs. T. C. Hilton, James Snyder and W. J. 
 Wolverton, executive committee. The Chorus 
 is composed of the best people of the city, num- 
 bering at various seasons from eighty to one 
 hundred members. They have rendered Gaul's 
 Holy City, Joan of Arc, Haydn's Creation, and 
 many choice selections from the great masters. 
 Their annual May Festival is a society event. 
 
 The Lock Haven Library. — The Lock Ha- 
 ven Library Company was chartered May 31, 
 1866, and Was fully organized in July, 1868, with 
 the following officers: President, Rev. G. W. 
 Shinn; secretary, L. D. Squire; librarian. Dr. J. 
 H. Barton; treasurer, John C. Zellars. The or- 
 ganization owes it origin to that public benefactor, 
 Philip M. Price, Esq., who provided in his will 
 for the maintenance of a public library and read- 
 ing room. The object of this society is to pro- 
 vide choice reading at a trifling expense for all 
 

 ( 'OM VEMORA Tl I 'B UK"; It A PIIICA L REOOR /'. 
 
 who choose to avail themselves of the opportun- 
 ity thus afforded. Dr. J. H. Barton, for many 
 i- librarian, did leal for the library. 
 
 There are now over 5,000 volumes in the library, 
 officers are: President, S. I). Ball, Esq. ; 
 presidents, Hon. C. A. Mayer and Moore 
 I redericks; secretary. T. C. Hilton; librarian and 
 treasurer, Mrs. Elizabeth Karskaddon; directors, 
 Rev. Dr. R. W. Perkins, H. T. Hall, Esq I 
 M. Stevenson, Esq., Dr. F. P. Ball, and A. S. 
 Grow. The rooms of the library in Mayer's 
 Block, Water street, are open every day, Sun- 
 days excepted. 
 
 QEORGE \V. HIPPLE, a prominent manu- 
 facturer of Clinton county, and senior mem- 
 ber of the extensive lumber firm of Hippie iV 
 Kintzing, doing business in the city of Lock 
 Haven, is descended from one of the substantial 
 families of this Commonwealth. He was born 
 in Philadelphia, Penn., July ;, and is the 
 
 eldest son of Henry and Catharine Graeff Hippie. 
 
 The subject of our sketch removed from the 
 Quaker City with his parents, when he was about 
 one year old. His childhood and youth were 
 passed at Jersey Shore, Lycoming Co., Penn., 
 where he attended the public schools and the 
 Jersey Shore High School, the latter being an in- 
 corporated institution of considerable repute in 
 its <iay for its thorough methods and high educa- 
 tional standard. He completed the course at 
 this High School when about nineteen years of 
 I then entered upon tin study of the law 
 in the office of Hon. |ames Gamble, of Jersey 
 
 re, a leading lawyer of that section, and con- 
 tinued the same upward of two years. He, how- 
 1 ii"t entirely fancy the law, and discon- 
 tinued his studies, having determined to learn 
 and pursue the trade and vocation of his father, 
 who was a well-known and successful builder 
 and contractor. Having served a thorough 
 prenticeship, Mr. Hippie soon became a partner 
 with his father in contracting and building. His 
 brother, Henry G., subsequently became a mem- 
 ber of the firm, which was known as Henry Hip- 
 pie & Sons. Their firm operated extensively, 
 and their handiwork exists throughout this sec- 
 tion as good evidence of their energy, skill and 
 reliability. They also engaged considerably in 
 lumbering with satisfactory succi 
 
 In 1867 Mr. Hippie went to Michigan, where 
 his wife's parents then resided, intending to lo- 
 cate permanentl) .>t Saginaw, in that State. He 
 purchased timber lands in that locality, erected 
 a sawmill and engaged in the lumber-manufact- 
 uring business, in connection with merchandising, 
 
 for about three years. He did not. however, re- 
 main there steadily, because of indifferent health. 
 Having meanwhile purchas interest of Alli- 
 
 son White in the planing-mill and sash and doer 
 factory, then conducted by White, Hip, 
 at the same place as that now operated by Hij • 
 pie & Kintzing, he returned to Lock Haven in 
 where he has ever since been in that busi- 
 ness. 
 
 The present firm of Hippie & Kinl 
 extensively in the wholesale manufacturing 1 I 
 doors, sash and house-building supplies, ha 
 large trade in Philadelphia and other citie 
 ranking high among dealers in their line. Their 
 establishment is one of the reliable- and impor- 
 tant industries of the West Branch Region, and 
 gives steady employment to a large number ol 
 men. 
 
 Mr. Hippie was married December 2, 1 
 at Jerse\ Shore, I Miss Helen A. Chapman, 
 daughter of George W. Chapman, an extensive 
 railroad contractor, and member of the firm of 
 Dillon & Chapman, then of New York City. 
 Mrs. Hippie was born June S, 1839, at Richmond, 
 Mass., and died at Lock Haven, July 6, 
 She possessed many kindly and Christian traits 
 which endeared her to the people of the commu- 
 nity in which she' lived. 
 
 Our subject is an active and efficient member 
 of the Trinity M. E. Church of Lock Haven, in 
 which he has for many years held official posi- 
 tion. He served twelve years continuous!} 
 member of the City I >uncil ol Lock Haven, and 
 was for a number of years president of that 
 He has for a long time been one of the tr 
 of the flourishing Central State Normal School 
 of Lock Haven, and is at present vice 
 of the board of trustees of that institution. 
 
 JOELH HERB, a well-known citizen ol I. 
 gan township, Clinton county, is numb 
 among the self-made men 1 Valley, 
 
 his accumulations being the result of his ow 
 dustry, obtained bj self-denial and econom 
 the exercise of a naturally good judgtm 
 in regard to agricultural pursuits anil business 
 matters. He was born near Reading, in I 
 county, Penn., July 2, 1S17, and is 
 son of John Herb, a native of Germany, w 
 coming to this country located in Berks count\. 
 where he followed the occupation of farming 
 and spent his remaining da 
 
 Abram Herb, the father of our sub 
 was also born 111 Berks county, where he re<- 
 a German education, and engaged in agricu 
 pursuits throughout life, his farm beinu 
 
iz^ 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 557 
 
 in Oley township, where his death occurred in 
 1872. He was a pronounced Democrat in pol- 
 itics, and was widely known and highly respected. 
 He married Catharine Bachtel, also a native of 
 Berks county, by whom he had thirteen children 
 — Rachel, Hattie, Isaac, Mary, John H., Cath- 
 arine, Abram, Hannah, David, Harriet, Daniel, 
 John, and one whose name is unknown. The 
 mother, who was a faithful member of the Re- 
 formed Church, died while making her home 
 with one of her children in Schuylkill county, 
 Pennsylvania. 
 
 The subject of this sketch received only a 
 limited education in the German language, and 
 was reared in his native county, working on the 
 home farm until fourteen years of age, when he 
 left the parental roof and started out to make his 
 own way in the world empty-handed. He first 
 worked among farmers, and his small wages 
 were all given to his parents. Two years were 
 spent in Schuylkill county, and at the age of 
 twenty he went to Dauphin county, where he 
 learned the miller's trade with Henry Reninger, 
 remaining there for four years. Hearing that 
 the business prospects were better in central 
 Pennsylvania, Mr. Herb came to Clinton county 
 in 1 84 1, and located in Sugar Valley, where he 
 rented the Klickner Mills at Loganton and en- 
 gaged in the manufacture of flour for nine years. 
 The following two years were spent in the mill- 
 ing business in Woodward, Centre county, and 
 he was similarly employed in Greenbriar, Penn 
 Valley, for the same length of time. Renting 
 the Logan Mills in Logan township, Clinton 
 county, he operated them quite successfully for 
 four years, and in 1859 bought the Jacob Miller 
 farm of ninety-seven acres in the same town- 
 ship. He cleared and improved the place with 
 good and substantial buildings, and devoted his 
 energies to agricultural pursuits until 1887, when 
 he rented the farm, and now lives retired, enjoy- 
 ing the rest that he so well deserves. 
 
 In Logan township, Mr. Herb married Miss 
 Mary Brungart, a native of Sugar Valley, and to 
 them were born five children: Harriet, wife of 
 William O. Groninger, of Jasper county, Mo., 
 by whom she has seventeen children; Joseph, 
 who is now living retired in Booneville, Clinton 
 Co. , Penn. ; Jefferson B. , a farmer of Green town- 
 ship, same county; Calista, wife of Harvey 
 Wise, of Woodward township, Clinton county; 
 and John, of Madisonburg, Centre county. Mrs. 
 Herb was called to her final rest January 21, 
 i89i,and her remains were interred in the Sugar 
 Valley cemetery. She was an earnest Christian 
 woman and a faithful member of the Reformed 
 Church, to which her husband also belongs. In 
 
 his political affiliations Mr. Herb is a Democrat. 
 On reaching Sugar Valley his cash capital con- 
 sisted of twenty-five cents, and the old clothes 
 that he wore constituted his other property; but 
 by hard work, strict ceconomy, perseverance 
 and honorable dealing, he succeeded in accumu- 
 lating a comfortable competence, and is now able 
 to lay aside business cares and enjoy the fruits of 
 his former toil. He has won the respect and 
 confidence of the entire community, and his 
 friends are many. 
 
 WILLIAM HUFF was for many years act- 
 ively identified with the lumber and farm- 
 ing interests of this section of the State, but is 
 now living retired in Bald Eagle township, Clin- 
 ton county. He is a man of keen discrimina- 
 tion and sound judgment, and his executive abil- 
 ity and excellent management gained for him 
 a well-deserved success in his undertaking, so 
 that he is to-day numbered among the prosper- 
 ous and substantial citizens of his community. 
 
 Mr. Huff was born March 10, 18 17, at Far- 
 randsville. Clinton county, when it still formed 
 a part of Lycoming county, and he is a son of 
 James and Susan Huff. The father was a na- 
 tive of that portion of Northumberland county 
 which afterward became Lycoming county, and 
 throughout the greater part of his business ca- 
 reer followed the occupations of farming and 
 lumbering. Both he and his estimable wife 
 passed away in 1855, and, with the exception of 
 our subject, their four children have also de- 
 parted this life. 
 
 The opportunities afforded our subject for 
 obtaining a good education were very poor. The 
 nearest school house was three miles from his 
 home, and to reach it he was obliged to cross 
 the river twice. The terms were also short, and 
 the teachers but poorly equipped for their duties. 
 Until he reached the age of twenty-five he 
 worked for his father, who was a lumberman 
 and farmer, and then followed those occupa- 
 tions on his own account. Although he has re- 
 sided in Clinton county for sixty-five years, the 
 greater part of the time he has spent in the lum- 
 ber woods of Clearfield county, where he has 
 owned large tracts of timber land. He now has 
 two valuable and well-improved farms, and one 
 hundred acres of timber land in Bald Eagle and 
 Beech Creek townships. As a business man he 
 has been progressive, upright and honorable, 
 and succeeded in winning the confidence and re- 
 spect of all with whom he came in contact. 
 
 On October 6, 1855, Mr. Huff was united in 
 marriage with Miss Susan McCormick, a daughter 
 

 COMMKMOHA TITS BIOGRAPHICAL UF.ioRD. 
 
 of Joseph McCormick, who was widely and favor- 
 ably known throughout Lycoming and Clinton 
 counties during pioneer days. Two children 
 blessed this union: Joseph H., a prominent 
 farmer, of Bald Eagle township, and Anna I 
 wife of Charles Salmon, a farmer of Beech Creek 
 township, Clinton county. The wife and mol 
 was called to her final rest in 1889. Although 
 Mr. Huff has never been an aspirant for official 
 honors, he has been called upon to serve in many 
 local positions in his township He is a stanch 
 supporter of the Democratic party, and is identi- 
 fied with the Christian Church. At this writing 
 he is nearing the eighty-first milestone on life's 
 rney, but in spirit and interests seems yet in 
 his prime. There is an old age that is a bi 
 diction to all that comes in contact with it, that 
 gives oul of its rich stores of learning and ex- 
 perieni and grows stronger intellectually and 
 spiritually as the years pass. Such is the life of 
 Mr. Huff, an encouragement to his associ 
 and an example well worthy of emulation to the 
 young. 
 
 E 
 
 PHRAIM W BIGl >NY, late of Lock Haven, 
 LL^ Clinton county, where he carried on a 
 
 ! and was also engaged in the ice business, 
 had been identified with the business and social 
 affairs of the place for thirty-five years, an hon- 
 ored and esteemed citizen. 
 
 Joseph Bigony. his father, was born in Mont- 
 gomery county, Penn., and there was married 
 to Rachel Wesley, also a native of Montgomery 
 county. They passed the greater part of their 
 lives in their native county as farming people, 
 plain, substantial and good citizens. While a 
 
 eral fanner Mi Bigony dealt largely in stock, 
 and for years was a venue crier. Hi's death oc- 
 curred in November, 1869, that of his wife in 
 May. i- 
 
 Ephraim W. Bigony was born March 9, 1828, 
 in Berks county, Penn. His father had a lai 
 family, and being a man of but limited mi 
 was enabled to afford our subject only m< 
 school privileges. In his boyhood the schools 
 of the neighborhood were pay schools, and ki pi 
 only three months in the year, the childrei 
 the family going generally by turns. From four- 
 teen to twent) one years of age Mr. Bigony 
 served a seven-years' apprenticeship at the trade 
 of manufacturing woolen goods, in the woolen- 
 mills of Marlsboro, Montgomery county, Penn., 
 but strange as it may seem, after the completion 
 ol the long apprenticeship he never worked at 
 the business. On leaving the woolen-mills, and 
 from 1849 to 1853, he clerked in a dry-goods 
 
 store at Reading, Penn. From this employmeni 
 
 he engaged in the hotel business, and for a 
 of fourteen years was a most popular and 
 able landlord, having an extended acquan 
 with the thousands of traveling men and tin 
 tanners of that locality that stopped with bin 
 during that 1 d. Some of the hotels hi 
 
 were located at Troj (Penn. . Allentowr 
 (Perm.), the "Fallon House," at Lock 1 1 
 and the " Bush House," at Bellefonte. Follow 
 ing this he became interested in the coal busi- 
 ness in Bellefonte. Penn., with W. W. Rankir 
 until 1877, when from his large experience ir 
 and thorough knowledge of the hotel business, 
 he was tendered and accepted the stew 
 of the Central state Normal School at I. 
 Haven. This position he filled very satisfacto- 
 rily some six years. In 1 884 he managed a sum- 
 mer resort at Ronceverte, W Va. , but ne\ei 
 up his residence in the former city. H. 
 then resumed the coal business, keepin. 
 and feed, which he conducted until his death, 
 November 17. [897. His life had been an active 
 one, a business career characterized by inl 
 and honor, and one which his posterity 1 
 \ lew with pride. 
 
 In January, 1853, Mr. Bigony was unit 
 marriage with Mary B. Knause, a daughl 
 Solomon Knause, of Allentown, Penn. ! 
 marriage, were born: Alpheus Joseph, w 
 engaged in the coal business at Lock 1! 
 Charles Solomon, who is a resident of Sunbury, 
 Penn.; and Ephraim Keck, who is at Lock Ha- 
 ven. An adopted daughter is now Mrs E. E 
 Stewart, whose husband is a business man of 
 Reynoldsville, Penn. The mother of these, the 
 youngest son, and the one next to him. are iden- 
 
 I with the Episcopal Church. The I 
 too, affiliated with that denomination. Thi 
 est son is a Presbyterian. Socially, our s 
 was identified with the F. & A M 
 
 THOMAS B. REED, of the firm of Mus 
 & Reed, of Lock Haven. Clinton a 
 is a representative business man of this - 
 of the State. The firm is known far and n 
 one characterized by fair dealing, promp 
 and for the care exercised in earning 
 promises made to then patn ins. 
 
 Samuel Reed, father of Thomas B 1 
 was born in Lycoming county, Penn.. and u.i 
 occupied in early life in agricultural pursuits 
 the excitement and impetus given to what 
 became Farrandsvillc. on the Susquehann 
 miles above Lock Haven, when that vicinil 
 
 opened up and coal and iron industries 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 559 
 
 established, he located there, and in the latter 
 part of the "thirties" became engaged in the 
 hotel business, keeping one of the old-time tav- 
 erns. At that period Farrandsville was a point 
 of considerable importance and business. Some 
 years later, early in the "forties," he located at 
 Lock Haven, was there engaged in the hotel 
 business for a time, and subsequently carried on 
 farming. By his marriage with Mary Clenden- 
 ning, a native of Lycoming county, he had chil- 
 dren as follows: John R. , of Shamokin, Penn. ; 
 Rebecca (Mrs. Samuel S. Seeley), of Jersey 
 Shore; Mary (Mrs. L. Mussina), of Lock Haven, 
 Penn.; Jane (unmarried), of Lock Haven; Daniel 
 T. , of Lock Haven; Thomas B. (our subject); 
 Samuel S., of Lock Haven, who was in the Civil 
 war, served in Company C, 52nd P. V. I., and 
 contracted a disability from which he never re- 
 covered; and Lizzie (Mrs. Charles Worthmani, 
 of Philadelphia. The father of these children 
 died in 1862, and the mother in 1S65; both were 
 estimable people. 
 
 Our subject was born December 25, 1840, at 
 Farrandsville, Penn., and received his education 
 in the common schools of Lock Haven, in which 
 city the greater part of his life has been passed. 
 Until out of his 'teens he was occupied chiefly in 
 performing farm work for others, and at the age 
 of eighteen years he may be said to have become 
 his own boss, as at that time he reaped the re- 
 ward of his own labor. Later on he became engaged 
 in tobacco growing and canal-boating. About 
 the year 1870 he formed his present partnership 
 with L. Mussina in Lock Haven, at first handling 
 only coal, later adding ice, and they have the 
 largest ice house on the river; still later they 
 added grain and groceries. They have com- 
 modious buildings. Mr. Reed has earned the rep- 
 utation of being a conservative and careful busi- 
 ness man. In politics he is a Republican, and is 
 quite active in public affairs. He has served 
 three terms in the city council, and two as water- 
 commissioner, in both capacities with credit to 
 himself and very acceptably to the public. In 
 his religious views he leans toward the doctrine 
 of the Baptist Church. Socially he is a member 
 of the Lock Haven Business Men's Club. He is 
 a typical and successful self-made man, a thor- 
 oughly representative American. In addition to 
 other property, he owns improved real estate 
 both in and out of Lock Haven. He has never 
 married. 
 
 MT. KESSLER, a prominent business man 
 ._ and a successful general merchant of Pin 
 Station, Clinton county, is a native of Pen-nsyl- 
 
 vania, his birth having occurred in Allentown, 
 Northumberland county, June 22, 1844. His 
 father, Jacob Kessler, was born near Easton, 
 in Northampton county, of German ancestry, 
 and received a very limited education. He made 
 farming his life occupation, following that pur- 
 suit both in his native country and in Northum- 
 berland county. Later he rented a farm in New 
 Jersey, where he continued to live until 1865, 
 when he came to Clinton county, Penn., and lo- 
 cated on the Cook farm, in Porter township, 
 renting that place for three years. Subsequently 
 he rented another farm in the same township, 
 and from there removed to Jersey Shore, Ly- 
 coming county, where the following two years 
 were passed in retirement from active labor. 
 He next lived with his son John in Dewart, 
 Northumberland county, and spent his last days 
 in Watsontown, same county, where he died at 
 the advanced age of ninety-one years and eight 
 months. In politics he was first a Whig, later a 
 Republican, and in religious belief was a Lu- 
 theran, to which Church his wife also belonged. 
 She bore the maiden name of Jane Marks, was 
 of English descent, and died at Jersey Shore. 
 
 In the family of this worthy couple were nine 
 children, namely: Annie L. , deceased wife of 
 Edward Sheckler, of Lehigh county, Penn. ; 
 Maria, wife of Mr. Regellnee, of Berks county; 
 Susanna, who died unmarried; Mary, deceased; 
 William, a resident of North Carolina; George 
 W. , who was a soldier in the Civil war; John 
 M., who also fought in that war; H. T. , the 
 subject of this sketch; and Alfred, of Jersey 
 Shore. 
 
 The opportunities afforded our subject for ob- 
 taining an education were very meagre, as his 
 parents were in very limited circumstances. At 
 the age of fifteen he started out to fight life's bat- 
 tles, at first working as a farm laborer at $4 per 
 month. From his birthplace he went to Hunter- 
 don county, N. J., where he was employed on a 
 farm for two years, and in Belvidere, that State, 
 spent the following two years, after which he 
 came to Clinton county, Penn., and worked in 
 the lumber woods for six years. He was next 
 employed in a sawmill in Williamsport for two 
 summers, and clerked in the store of John Greggs 
 at Pine Station, for a time. Buying out his em- 
 ployer, he conducted the store for a short time, 
 and then sold it to its original owner, and re- 
 turned to Williamsport, where he clerked in the 
 store of M. Greggs. Returning to Pine Station 
 in 1 88 1, he embarked in the general merchandis- 
 ing, and by the courteous treatment of his cus- 
 tomers, and fair and honorable dealing, he soon 
 built up an excellent trade, which he still enjoys 
 
m i 
 
 " VEMORA TIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 II- also owns and operates a small farm, and 
 has erected a good store building and residence 
 Pine Station, the former at the cost of $1,000 
 and the latter costing $1,800. 
 
 [n Easton, Northampton county, Penn., Mr. 
 Kessler enlisted, in [865, in Company E, 215th 
 P. ' V. I, under Capt. W. Wallace, and sei 
 for four months in the Anns of the Potomac, 
 doing guard duty at Camp Dover, Fort Dela- 
 ware and Fairfax Court House. When the war 
 was over he was nw it at Fort Dennison 
 
 and returned home; he now holds membership in 
 Bitnei Post No. 112, G. A. R.. of Lock Haven. 
 He is an uncompn Republican in pol- 
 
 itics, and served as postmaster at Pine Sta- 
 tion from 1 S90 to 1S94 An earnest Christian 
 
 itleman, he is an active member of the Meth- 
 odist Episcopal Church, has taught in the Sun- 
 day-schools, and served as trustee of the Church. 
 He to-day enjoys the reward of his painstaking 
 and conscientious work. By his energy, prese- 
 verance, and fine business ability, he has ac- 
 quired a comfortable competence, and has also 
 gained the confidence and respect of all with 
 whom he has come in contact. 
 
 On December 28, 1870, Mr. Kessler was 
 married in Pine Station to Maggie A. Henry, 
 who was bom in Wayne township, Clinton coun- 
 ty. May 17, (845, an d as they have no children oi 
 their own they have adopted a daughter, Grace 
 M. Thomas Henry. Mrs. Kessler's father, was 
 born in the same township, August 17. 1812, and 
 was a son of Robert and Ann (Love) Henry. 
 The grandfather, a farmer of Wayne township, 
 was drowned while crossing the west branch of 
 the Susquehanna, and his wife died in PineCrtek 
 township, Clinton county. Thomas Henry ac- 
 c]iiired his education in the common schools, and 
 during his youth he learned the shoemaker ~ 
 
 le, which he followed throughout his active 
 business life. He also owned ami operated a 
 
 11 farm of forty acres in Wayne township, 
 but since [885 he has lived retired, and finds a 
 pleasant home with our subject. Since 1S95 he 
 has been blind. His political support has <\'i 
 1 given to the men ami measures of the Re- 
 publican party, ami in religion both he and his 
 wife are devout members of the Methodist 1 . 
 copal Church. In the community where tiny 
 have so long made their home they have a 1 
 oi warm friends, ami all who know them enter- 
 tain for them the highest respect. 
 
 On March 28, 1842, in Wayne township. Mr. 
 Henry was united in marriage with Miss Eli 
 beth Shaner, who was born in Pine Creek town- 
 ship, Clinton county. May 1;, 1 
 ol Adam and Jane (Wisner) Shaner. Ten chil- 
 
 dren have blessed this union, namely: M 
 A., wife of- our subject; Sarah, wife of Benjamin 
 Shirk, of Watsontown. Northumberland 
 Penn.; Albert and Harvey, residents of Indian.;. 
 Matilda, wife of Lewis Carson, of Williamsport; 
 Flora, wife of William Quiggle, of the 
 place; Cordia H.. wife of Walter Thompson, f 
 Illinois; Dora, who died unmarried; and Alii e 
 and Emily J., who died when young. 
 
 Gl. MORLO( K, assistant cashier of the First 
 Nan. nil Bank, Lock Haven, Clinton Coun- 
 ty, Pennsylvania. 
 
 CHARLES STEWART McC< >RMICK, a pi 
 inent member of the Clinton County Bar, 
 and an influential citizen of Lock Haven, where 
 he has passed nearly forty years in the practice 
 of law, is one of the representatives of a family 
 which for upward of 125 years has been identi- 
 fied with the history of the Commonwealth. 
 
 The McCormick, McCormack, Mc< 
 etc., family derive their surname from an ancient 
 kingly source, meaning, literally, the son ol 
 mac, and, etymologically, ' ' the son of a chariot. " 
 Cormac ruled Ireland, as King, in the third 1 
 tury, and whose interference was called for m 
 continuous quarrels of the two rival tribe- 
 the Scotch-Irish, a branch of the great Celtic 
 family, that found their way into the North I 
 Ireland, across the channel, from the we 
 shores ol North Britain and established t 
 selvi s at a very early period in what is now called 
 Ulster. Cormac's palace at Tara, County M 
 was the seat of this celebrated monarch. This 
 was the magnificent royal residence of tin K 
 of Ireland — especially of Cormac, with his retinue 
 of I 50 brave champions and 1,050 soldiers, and 
 his bards, druids and law-givers. It is related 
 as a fragment ol Breton Law, that 1 • 
 McCormack, a kinsman of King Cormac, ha> 
 carried away, by force, the niece of another ch 
 tam, tin lattei determined to take revengi 
 the insult, hurried to Tara. where the 
 was then a guest. He arrived alter sun 
 Now there was a law prohibiting any person 
 ing armed into the palace after sunset - 
 went unarmed, and taking down Cormai 
 from the place where it hung in the hall, he k 
 1 allach McCormac on the spot, and draw 
 back the spear with great force, the ferrol 
 out the King's eye. Soon after the Km 
 cated, in ice to a law or custom th 
 
 hibited "in- exi - ■■ 1 reignty who-. 
 
 was 1>1> 
 
£ 5. 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 561 
 
 Cormac's Round Tower and chapel upon the 
 Rock of Cashel, County Tipperary, are also as- 
 sociated with the annalsiof this family, and are, 
 perhaps, "the most interesting assemblage of 
 architectural ruins in the British Isles." Part of 
 these ruins consists of a beautiful stone-roofed 
 church of what is called the Norman style, and 
 familiarly known as Cormac's chapel. The in- 
 terior of the cathedral is crowded with monu- 
 ments of great antiquity. The tomb of Cormac 
 is near the north porch to the entrance.to the 
 chapel. This Cormac, King of Minister, was 
 born in 831, and spent a large part of his time 
 in a monastery. He was nearly seventy years 
 old when he came to the throne, and was killed 
 in battle A. D. 908. 
 
 Londonderry, as a city, has been the scene 
 of violence for ages, so much so that only the 
 ancient walls remain, which are almost as per- 
 fect as they were during the memorable siege of, 
 1688-9, when it became the great stronghold of. 
 the Protestants, who resisted effectually the ef- 
 forts of James II., with his French allies, to sub- 
 jugate them. The siege lasted one hundred and 
 five days, during which 2,300 citizens suffered 
 death from famine and violence. This victory, 
 followed a year later by that of the battle of, 
 Boyne, gave liberty, civil and religious, broad 
 lands, and dominant sway to the Protestants as 
 supporters of William and Mar)-. Ulsterland 
 thenceforth became the permanent and peaceful 
 possession mainly of the Scotch Presbyterians. 
 
 Somehow a branch of the McCormac family 
 sprang up in Scotland as if a twig from the par- 
 ent trunk in some political convulsion had been 
 torn and borne by favoring winds from the land of 
 the Shamrock to the land of the Thistle. At 
 any rate we find the names spelled exactly the 
 same in both of these lands, yet. having distinctly 
 different armorial bearings, all of Scotch origin. 
 James McCormick, evidently a Scotch Presbyte- 
 rian, was in the siege of Londonderry. His 
 name appears as one of the signers of the ad- 
 dress of the " Governor officers, clergy and other 
 gentlemen in the City and Garrison of Lou 
 derry, to William and Mary, July 29, 1689." 
 He left sons: Hugh, Thomas and another, it is 
 supposed, bearing his own name, James. From 
 this Scotch-Irish ancestor {James McCormick), 
 through his sons and daughters, have come m 
 Americans who honor his name and memory in 
 their different walks and vocations, and v 
 lives have been a beneficence to the human rai 1 
 According to history of the, McCormick family, 
 from which the foregoing is extracted — James 
 McCormick— the missing brother of Hugh and 
 
 Thomas, all the sons of James of Londonderry. 
 33* 
 
 was probably the McCormick who came to this 
 country about 1761, and whose son John, born 
 in the North of Ireland in 1748, became the pro- 
 genitor of the Clinton county family as follows: 
 The great-grandfather of the well-known citizen 
 of Lock Haven whose name introduces this 
 sketch, immigrated to this country about the 
 year 1761, leaving one of his sons, named John, 
 behind him to be educated by his grandparents. 
 John was then about thirteen years of age, hav- 
 ing been born in 1748, and being of an enterpris- 
 ing disposition, and having a natural longing to 
 see his parents, brothers and sisters, he soon re- 
 solved to follow them. After much anxiety and toil 
 and many hardships he reached his parents in Ches- 
 ter county, Penn. , and as he arrived in the evening 
 he thought he would play a joke on his mother. 
 Pretending to be a stranger, he asked her to give 
 him a night's lodging, and she refused, telling' 
 him that he must go to the tavern; but after he 
 made himself known " the fattedxalf was killed," 
 metaphorically speaking, and he was received 
 with great rejoicing. In 1772, the year North- 
 umberland county was organized, John McCor- 
 mick removed to Loyalsock, Lycoming count}-, 
 and in the following spring he went to Great 
 Islam! where he built the house familiarly known 
 as the "Sassafras Cabin." Subsequently he 
 purchased a tract of land from Joseph Fleming 
 known as the " point ", lying immediately west 
 of the junction of the Susquehanna with the 
 Bald Eagle. There he spent his remaining years, 
 his death occurring when he had reached the 
 ripe old age of ninety-six. Among the eventful 
 scenes in which he participated was the "Big 
 Runaway" in June, 1778. In due time he re- 
 turned with the rest of the fugitives, and from 
 this to its close his life was smooth and trandquil. 
 He was an honored and useful member of the 
 community, taking part in the various progressive 
 movements of the time. The Great Island 
 Presbyterian Church of Lock Haven, of which 
 he was a member, has still in its possession a 
 subscription paper showing the provision that 
 was made for the support of the Gospel in the 
 year 1788. The heading is as follows; "We 
 trie subscribers do promise to deliver to the 
 house of Robert Fleming or David Hannah the 
 quantity of wheat, rye and corn that is annexed 
 ach of our names, on or before the first day 
 of February next. We do also constitute and 
 appoint David Luck, William Reid, Sr. , and 
 |ames Rogers to mak£ sale of said grain to the 
 use of paying the Presbyterian ministers that 
 come to preach the ensuing year. In witness 
 whereof we have hereunto set our hands this 
 first day of December, 1787. " Following this 
 
562 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 is a list of names, thirty-three in all, and oppo- 
 site them the quantities of wheat, rye or corn 
 which the subscribers agreed respectively to give. 
 In this honorable list, along with the names al- 
 ready mentioned, is that of John McCormick 
 with a liberal contribution. John McCormick 
 married Elizabeth Fleming, and they had the 
 fellowing children: Alexander, Benjamin, John 
 Fleming, David. Mollie, Elizabeth, Robert and 
 Saul; all deceased. Elizabeth, the last survivor, 
 died in 186S, Benjamin was drowned in early 
 life and David and Saul were both leading elders 
 in the Presbyterian Church at Lock Haven. 
 Alexander bequeathed to the same Church $500, 
 and the interest of it had been paid annually 
 since April, 1850, as a small but welcome addi- 
 tion to the pastor's salary. All of his children 
 are deceased, but numerous grandchildren and 
 great-grandchildren perpetuate his name and 
 cherish his memory. 
 
 Robert McCormick, our subject's father, 
 passed his life in Clinton county, and was en- 
 gaged in agricultural pursuits. He was a man 
 of quiet habits, and was held in high esteem by 
 his associates. His death was caused by an ac- 
 cident. As he was returning from a trip to a 
 mill, where he had taken a load of wheat, his 
 v gon was struck by an engint of the Philadel- 
 phia & Erie railroad, and he was thrown vio- 
 lently to the ground, fracturing hi> skull and 
 of his thigh bones. He was carried to the resi- 
 dence of his son, Charles, in Lock Haven, white 
 he died on the following Sabbath morning, Oc- 
 tober 20, 1867. The community felt the shock, 
 and gave free vent to the expression of its sym- 
 pathy. A valuable citizen, extensively con- 
 nected and universally respected, had been 
 stricken down with fearful suddenness. The 
 stoutest hearts were touched, and eyes unused to 
 weeping, wept. His charactei was bright and 
 beautiful. While unswervingly upright, he was 
 in an unusual degree kind and courteous. Hi 
 was an eminently successful life, a continuous 
 growth in all that tends to ripe manhood, faith- 
 ful in the discharge of his duties, liberal tow 
 public chariti incere friend; he lived in the 
 
 fear of God, quietly and peaceably during the 
 days that were given him. In 1 S2 1 he was hap- 
 pily married to Mary, daughter of Col. John 
 White, who possessed in an eminent degree the 
 qualities of wife and motherhood. She died 
 November 12, 1S78. To be able to trace ances- 
 try to such a source is enough to thrill 
 American heart with pride. It should be an un- 
 failing stimulant to good citizenship in this, our 
 new world. The motto on the coat of arms, 
 " sine timore," is characteristic of the race. 
 
 Robert and Mary (White) McCormick bad 
 eight sons, of whom Charles Stewart is the sev- 
 enth. Four of these sons still survive, viz.; (1) 
 John is a physician in Kansas. (2) Robert W 
 and (3) William H. reside in Lock Haven. 
 
 Charles Stewart McCormick was born in 
 November, 1836, at the old homestead near 
 Lock Haven, and received his elementary educa- 
 tion in the schools of that city. Later he at- 
 tended Dickinson Seminary at Williamsport. 
 Penn., for two years, then took a course in La- 
 Fayette College at Eastern, Penn., and graduat- 
 ing from that institution in 1858, he at once 
 entered the office of C. G. Furst, of Lock Haven, 
 as a law student, and since being admitted to 
 practice in December, i860, he has been active- 
 ly engaged in professional work. His 
 attention to his business is a leading factor in his 
 successful career, and in his nearly forty years of 
 practice he has not absented himself from his 
 office two weeks at any one time. He is widely 
 known throughout central Pennsylvania, and 
 stands high socially and professionally. In 1 
 he was married to Susan Fleming, widow of T. 
 M. Reesman and daughter of Algernon Sidn j 
 Fleming. Four sons blessed this union: Alii 
 White, born March 1, 1S64, graduated at L 
 Fayette College in [885, read law with his fathei 
 admitted to the Bar in 18S8. Charles 
 Stewart, born May 4. r866, died November 7, 
 1867. Sidney Fleming, born July 21, 
 dealer in real-estate. Robert B., born July, 
 1873, graduated in LaFayette College in 
 read law with his father, was admitted to the 
 Bar in 1896. All three reside in Lock Haven, 
 and are members of the Presbyterian Church, of 
 which their father is an elder. Politically 
 Charles Stewart McCormick has been idei 
 with the Democratic party for many yeai 
 from district attorney he has held no | 
 office, as he prefers to give bis entire ti 
 profession. 
 
 Elizabeth Fleming (wile of John McCorn 
 he daughter of John Fleming, who de- 
 led from the Earl of Wigtown; the lattei - 
 descendants still prize and use his Coat of 
 Mr Fleming was anions the early settlers of the 
 West Branch Valley; an account of bis - 
 ment and family is given farther on. The sur- 
 name of the Fleming family, according t 
 sentiments of the most approved historian 
 intiquarians, was at first assumed from a 1 
 of distinction, who in the days of King Da\ 
 (1124 , a Fleming by nation, transplanted 
 self into Scotland, and took the surname 
 
 is, or Le Fleming, from the country of his 
 origin. Robert Le Fleming, the direct and ii 
 
cS/afr^foT^r^^^c^ 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 563 
 
 mediate ancestor. aL the earls of Wigtown, was 
 one of the greaLbarons of Scotland, under King 
 Edward I. of England (i 272-1 309). In Fur- 
 ness Abbey, Lancashire, England, an ancient 
 burial place of the Fleming family, may be seen 
 the statue of an armed Knight with a fret upon 
 his shield; hands elevated in a praying posture. 
 Robert Le Fleming was succeeded by his son, 
 Sir Malcolm Fleming, Lord of Fulwood, also in 
 great favor with the King, who made him a large 
 grant of land in Wigtownshire, and also Gover- 
 nor of Dumbarton Castle and sheriff of the coun- 
 ty. Sir Malcolm Fleming was succeeded by his 
 son of the same name, who was a forwarder and 
 assister of the right and title of David II., Bru- 
 cian line. He succeeded his father as Governor 
 of Dumbarton Castle. During the whole of the 
 usurpation of Baliol, this castle was a place to 
 which the royalists did freely and with great 
 security resort. Here Sir Malcolm had the 
 honor to shelter and protect, in that evil time, 
 Robert, Lord High Steward of Scotland, after- 
 ward King Robert II. (1371). His highness 
 was graciously pleased in reward to Sir Mal- 
 colm's signal loyalty and fidelity in his service, 
 to create him Earl of Wigtown. On his death 
 he left his estates and title to his grandson, 
 Thomas Fleming, second Earl of Wigtown. Mal- 
 colm Fleming, Earl of Wigtown, was in great 
 favor with James V., by whom he was consti- 
 tuted Lord High Chamberlain of Scotland. He 
 was slain in the service of his country at the bat- 
 tle of Pinky, September 10, 1545. He married 
 Janet, daughter of King James IV., and by her 
 had a son, James Fleming, who, being a noble- 
 man of fine and polite parts, was by special 
 favor of Mary, Queen of Scots, made her Lord 
 High Chancellor. He accompanied Queen Mary 
 to Scotland, and died in Paris, December 1, 
 1558. He was Governor of Dumbarton Castle, 
 and distinguished himself for his zeal and loyalty 
 to his queen. 
 
 The Flemings who became Lords of the Bar- 
 ony of Slane, County Meath, Ireland, descended 
 from Archibald Fleming, who went from Eng- 
 land to Ireland, A. D. 1 1 73, with Gilbert de 
 Clare, Earl of Pembroke, and took part in the 
 Norman Invasion and Conquest of Ireland. The 
 Lords Fleming, of Slane Castle, numbered suc- 
 cessively, twenty-three. This branch of the 
 family came also originally from Flanders, with 
 William the Conqueror, whose wife is known 
 in history as Matilda of Flanders. Sir Thomas 
 Fleming, son of Earl of Wigtown, emigrated 
 to Virginia, in 16 16. Many of the family fol- 
 lowed him to the same colony, one of whom 
 was Col. William Fleming, and another, the 
 
 father of James Fleming, who was born in Iredell 
 county, N. C, in 1762. He served in the Rev- 
 olutionary war; afterward removed to Ohio, 
 where he died in 1832. He was the great- 
 grandfather of Hon. Josiah Mitchell Fleming, of 
 Denver, Colo. Another descendant of these 
 Wigtownshire Flemings was Col. John Fleming, 
 who migrated from Virginia to Kentucky in 
 1790. He was the grandfather of Hon. John 
 Donaldson Fleming, late United States District 
 Attorney for Colorado. 
 
 A grandson of Sir Thomas Fleming, who 
 came to Virginia in 1616, removed, in the latter 
 part of the seventeenth century, to Chester 
 county, Penn., and located upon lands what 
 were known as the London Cross Roads. Here 
 his son John married Susan Chatham, who was 
 born in Dublin, Ireland, and came to this coun- 
 try when quite an infant. About the year 1765 
 Col. Chatham and his son-in-law, John Fleming, 
 visited the West Branch Valley. The former 
 purchased a body of lands on what is now Chat- 
 ham's run, and from whom, it is said, the run 
 derives its name. In 1773 John Fleming bought 
 the tract of land, containing over 1,600 acres, in 
 the warranty name of Dr. Francis Allison. 
 There either was erected, or Colonel Chatham 
 built a mill on Chatham's run, and there lived 
 out the balance of his days. John Fleming built 
 a house near where the southern abutment of the 
 dam was afterward located, the hearthstones of 
 the chimney of which were found by the work- 
 men in making excavations for the abutment. 
 In 1798 he was appointed associate judge of Ly- 
 comingcounty by Governor Mifflin. Judge Fleming 
 died in the house at the south end of the abut- 
 ment in 1777, leaving to survive him six sons and 
 three daughters. By a provision in his will the 
 tract of land in the warranty name of Dr. Fran- 
 cis Allison was in 1784 divided into nine shares 
 or purparts, one of which was taken by each of the 
 children. The Lot No. 1 extended from the conflu- 
 ence of the Bald Eagle creek and the west branch 
 of Susquehanna river to the eastern line of what 
 is now the Fleming farm. The city of Lock Ha- 
 ven is built on lots No. 4 and No. 5, and Flem- 
 ington borough is also upon a part of this same 
 land. John Fleming was called for his father, 
 and occupied a portion of this land, east of the 
 city, until the time of his death in 1863. He 
 was one of the first associate judges of Clinton 
 county, his term of office extending from De- 
 cember, 1839, until February, 1845. His chil- 
 dren and grandchildren who still survive have 
 occupied the land down to the present time. 
 
 Algernon S. Fleming, a son of John Fleming, 
 who purchased the lands in 1773, was elected 
 
564 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 sheriff of the county in 1S66, and died before the 
 expiration of his term, leaving four sons and three 
 daughters; one of these, Susan C. , who retains 
 the ancient family name, is the wife of the person 
 whose name opens this article. At the time of 
 his death the preamble and resolutions by the 
 Bar of Clinton county bearing testimony of his 
 unblemished character, rare fidelity, truth and 
 honor were spread upon the records of the court. 
 
 IERT W. McCORMICK, who through a 
 XX long life has been extensively and success- 
 fully identified with the great lumber and agri- 
 cultural interests of this section, is a representa- 
 tive of one of the pioneer families of Clinton 
 county — a family of prominence in its history. 
 A sketch of the McCormick family, and of Robert 
 McCormick, our subject's father, will be found 
 elsewhere in this volume. 
 
 Robert W. McCormick was born on the old 
 homestead, near Luck Haven, Clinton county, 
 April 15, 1830. He attended the public schools 
 of the neighborhood and was for a time in school 
 at Oswego, X. Y. He followed fanning exclu- 
 sively as an occupation until 1864, when he 
 came to Lock Haven, and was one of a company 
 that built the bill sawmill near the junction of 
 the R. & E. .V Bellefonte R. R., this being the 
 first mill built to saw all kinds of timber in this 
 section of the State. The company conducted 
 this business four or five years when they sold 
 out, and Mr. McCormick bought a mill called 
 the Satterlee mill, which was one of the first built 
 in that locality. Alt. 1 the death of his partner, 
 Mr. Robert G. Cook, Mr. McCormick sold out 
 his interest in the mill and purchased an 111U 
 in the mills of N. Shaw & Co. After a time he 
 sold his holdings in the concern, and bought the 
 products of the N. \V. Frederick sawmills at 
 Farrandsville, which coi 1 some 40,000,- 
 
 000 feet of different ki amber. During 
 
 all of these years, since 1 869, he has been more 
 or I 1 in the square-timber busin 
 
 handled in that period many million feet 
 er. Mr. McCi irmick has also, all his life, 
 been interested in i inite 
 
 extensively. He now owns a very fine fan? 
 some 130 acres located at the head of (> 
 Island. He ha life, 
 
 all of which has been passed in [ 
 its vicinity. He sustains the 
 by his Scotch ai ..rity was 
 
 nd questi d whose reputation for 
 
 citizenship was proverbial. He ha- suc- 
 
 cessful man. 
 
 On June 5, i860, our subject was marri 
 
 Miss Emily W., daughter of Judge Flemii 
 sketch of whom is given in the Robert McCor- 
 mick biography Five children came of this union 
 three of whom are living: John is a partner of hi- 
 father in the lumber business; William is an at- 
 torney at Pittsburg; Mary W. is at home. Th< 
 parents are members of the Presbyterian Church 
 In politics Mr. McCormick has been a lifelong 
 K publican. 
 
 kEN. JESSE MERRILL, of Lock Haver.. 
 Clinton county, is the city's repre- 
 
 sentative citizens, his ability as a lawyer, hi- 
 haracter as a man, and. his gallant record 
 as a soldier, affording an example th 
 worthy of emulation. 
 
 1 1 w is born March 2 
 lin, Penn.. and is a member of an excellent fan - 
 ily, his father, Hon. James Merrill 
 a leading 1 Pennsylvan 
 
 delegate to, the Constitutional ( 
 1838. The 1 1 
 
 Lewis, was a daughter of tl 
 a well-known resident of Buffalo Valli 
 county. 
 
 n. Merrill attend 
 New Berlin until he w 
 he entere ! I arora Academj . in 
 Juniat < 
 
 then began the stud lw with his brother in 
 
 New Berlin, i 
 
 Penn., to enter the office ol Lawson & Bi 
 with whoi ntil April. 1 
 
 he was admitted to the . mbury, 
 
 In the following 
 veil, and I start his 
 
 and his gentlemanly and ad 
 
 the friendship and 
 his pi 
 strated. He is a m 
 
 six feet in height, and. it 
 there is bul 1 ■■ 
 
 tairlii. . and tl 
 
 lack 
 
 i 
 a April 
 -th P. V. C, with 
 On j 
 ant, 
 
 I 
 tomb 
 
 and in 1 '■ h 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 565 
 
 quarters at Louisville, Ky. On May 9, 1S62, he 
 was elected captain of his old company, but early 
 in the same year he became chief signal officer 
 in the Army of the Ohio, joining that army im- 
 mediately after the battle of Pittsburg Landing. 
 He participated in the campaign around Hunts- 
 ville, Ala., and through Tennessee and Kentucky, 
 being in the battle of Perryville.- When the 
 Army of the Cumberland was re-organized he 
 was made chief signal officer, and as such took 
 part in several important engagements, including 
 the battles of Stone River, Chickamauga, and 
 Missionary Ridge. Later he served in the Army 
 of the Potomac as chief signal officer for the De- 
 partment of Virginia and North Carolina, but 
 during the summer of 1864 he was assigned to 
 the Department of the South, where he served 
 in the same capacity until October 3, 1865, the 
 date of his discharge from the army under a 
 special order of the War department. On the 
 16th of the same month he was given a brevet as 
 major, by the President of the United States, as 
 a reward "for long, faithful, and meritorious 
 service." In November, 1865, he resumed his 
 practice at Lock Haven, but he has always felt 
 a keen interest in military affairs, and on April 
 24, 1 87 1, he was appointed by the governor of 
 Pennsylvania as major-general of the Eleventh 
 Division, National Guard of Pennsylvania. Dur- 
 ing his term this division was called out to assist 
 in quelling the riot at Williamsport. The Gen- 
 eral is a member of the G. A. R., and of the 
 Pennsylvania Commandery of the Loyal Legion. 
 In politics he is a stanch Republican, but his 
 only official position has been that of postmaster 
 at Lock Haven, which he held one term. 
 
 In 1866 he married Miss Julia J. McCleery, 
 daughter of Dr. William McCleery, a leading 
 physician of Milton, Penn. She died January 5, 
 1893, her death causing sincere grief throughout 
 the community, where all classes had felt the in- 
 fluence of her kindly heart. Seldom is there 
 found such a union of gentleness and sympathy 
 with strong character and executive ability, and 
 her effective memorial in the hearts of the people 
 of Lock Haven. For man)' years the General 
 has been identified with the Presbyterian Church, 
 and for ten years he has held the office of pres- 
 ident of the board of trustees. 
 
 WILLIAM WEBSTER BARROWS (de- 
 MlW ceased). For nearly a half century the 
 name of William Webster Barrows was identi- 
 fied with the history of Lock Haven, Clinton 
 county. He was one of the pioneer lumbermen 
 on the West branch of the Susquehanna river, 
 
 and throughout a busy life was prominently 
 identified with the lumbering interests of this 
 section. 
 
 Atwood and Mary (Webster) Barrows, his 
 parents, were of prominent families of the State 
 of Maine. The former was a man of distinction 
 and prominence in the community in which he 
 resided, and in the public affairs of the State. 
 He was a member of the General Assembly of 
 Maine, contemporaneous with Hon. James G. 
 Blaine. He was born July 17, 1798, and died 
 at Lock Haven, Penn., December 23, 1873; and 
 his wife's birth and death, respectively, were 
 September 7, 1799, and December iS, 1877. 
 
 Our subject was a native of Maine, born at 
 Hebron, November 14, 1S22. He received his 
 education at Fryburg Academy, an institution in 
 which the Hon. Daniel Webster in his young 
 days was an instructor. In 1850, in company 
 with Dudley Blanchard, Mr. Barrows located at 
 Lock Haven and became one of the pioneer lum- 
 bermen on the West branch of the Susquehanna 
 river. It has been said that he was the first 
 man of the locality to drive short logs, i.e., in 
 length, for the mill, down that branch. In his 
 old age he enjoyed recalling his early experien- 
 ces in this line, and especially delighted in telling 
 of the difficulties he had in making the people 
 owning the lands understand that they did not 
 own the logs left on the banks of the river when 
 the water receded. Mr. Barrows led a very active 
 and busy life, and succeeded in accumulating 
 considerable means. He was a successful busi- 
 ness man, a useful citizen, always interested in 
 everything pertaining to the development of the 
 county's resources and the growth of its seat of 
 justice. 
 
 On February 14, 1854, Mr. Barrows was 
 married to Elizabeth, daughter of the late Will- 
 iam White, of Lock Haven; she was born April 
 14, 1829, at Clearfield, Penn. Their children 
 are: Mary W. B. ; Ross B., who is engaged in 
 the lumber business; Nancy, who is now in Paris 
 studying art; and Mrs. John W. Peale, of New 
 York City. All are identified with St. Paul's 
 Episcopal Church, in which our subject was a 
 vestryman. He died on June 19, 1893. 
 
 JB. G. KINSLOE (deceased), who at the 
 time of his death was one of the oldest print- 
 ers, editors, and publishers in Pennsylvania, 
 was born near Mexico, Mifflin (now Juniata) 
 county,' this State, April 5, 1820. 
 
 In the spring of 1827 his parents removed to 
 Lewistown, the county seat, and on the evening 
 of their arrival young Kinsloe made the acquaint- 
 

 566 
 
 ' oMMEMORA TIVE B10GHAP11VM. RECORD. 
 
 r, 
 
 ance of Levi Reynolds, editor and proprietor of 
 the Mifflin Eagle, ami was a daily visitor to the 
 office, spending his leisure hours in acquiring a 
 knowledge of the "art preservative" until in 
 1834, when he became a journeyman printer, at 
 $16 per month in the office of the Lewistown 
 Gazette. During the administration of Joseph 
 Rittner, Mr. Kinsloe served as clerk in the pro- 
 thonotary's office under William Brothers. In 
 1838, in company with his oldest brother, W. 
 A Kinsloe, he published the Eagle, afterward 
 called the Clintonian, in Lock Haven. At the 
 close of the memorable campaign in 1840, the 
 paper was suspended, when Robert McCormick 
 
 1 the subject of this sketch soon after renewed 
 it tinder the name of the Clinton County Whig. 
 In [841 Mr. Kinsloe purchased an office in Mif- 
 flintown, and removed it toThompsontown, where 
 he became the publisher of the Juniata Free 
 Press, at onetime edited by Hon. A. K. McClure, 
 and a monthly journal called the Temperance 
 nt. In 1842 he removed the office to Ship- 
 pensburg, Penn , wherein connection with his 
 brother he commenced the publication of the 
 Cumberland Valley, also continuing the Temper- 
 ance Agent at the same point. Afterward we 
 find him in Philadelphia during the exciting times 
 of the native American riots, and up to 1846 in 
 the office of the daily Spirit <>f tin- '/'inns, as 
 foreman and night clerk. 
 
 During 1849-50 he was in the employ of L. 
 Johnson & Co., the oldest type founders in Amer- 
 ii 1, as general jobber, engaged in getting up 
 their magnificent specimen book. In that estab- 
 lishment he acquired much useful knowledge re- 
 lating to the secret of fine printing. Soon after 
 this he received a "call" to Knoxville, Tenn., 
 where he removed in 1S51 and took charge of 
 the Presbyterian Witness with Rev. A. Black- 
 burn as editor. The Knoxville Register was put 
 up for public sale in a few years after his removal 
 to the place, ami he purchased it. Rev. A. 
 Blackburn's interest was sold to W. A. Kinsloe, 
 
 1 under the firm name of Kinsloe & Brother, 
 the first power press was introduced into East 
 Tennessee. In 1854 they purchased Brownlow's 
 Knoxville Whig, retaining Mr. Brownlow as ed- 
 itor. VV. A. Kinsloe remained in Philadelphia, 
 while J. B. G. had the entire management 
 control of the large establishment, to which he 
 had added a first-class bindery and a monthly 
 I journal, edited by Dr. Richard O. Curry. 
 
 Soon after W. \ sold his one-half interest 
 to Charles A. Rice, to whom J. B. G. also sold 
 in 1859, and shortly after this W. G. Brownlow 
 purchased it at sheriff's sale, and J. B. G. con- 
 tinued with him as business manager until the 
 
 Whig ceased to exist. When Tennessee w 
 declared out of the Union — the last paper being 
 printed and sent out after Brownlow had left the 
 city, with the hope of stealing through the Rebel 
 lines at Cumberland Gap, or some other point 
 in the mountains — Mr. Kinsloe remained in 
 Knoxville throughout the fearful struggle 
 until six months after Burnside's army captured 
 the place. This occurred about the middle of 
 the afternoon, and as Kinsloe had purchased a 
 job office of J. A. Sperry, just before the evacua- 
 ti n 1 Knoxville by the Rebel forces, he issued 
 a small daily the next morning, and continued 
 Its publication until the return of Parson Brown- 
 low, who at once resuscitated the Whig. 
 
 Mr. Kinsloe then took a position in the cus- 
 tom house, where he remained until April 14, 
 1864, when he returned to Pennsylvania and pur- 
 chased a one-half interest in the West Branch 
 Bulletin, at Williamsport, of P. C. Van(. 
 about the 1st of June, 1S64, and in May, 1868, 
 he was elected city clerk of the select branch of 
 city councils, of Williamsport, which position he 
 filled acceptably for two years, and until that 
 branch discontinued. In November, 18' 
 Bulletin and LycomingGasettev/ere consolidated, 
 and the Gazette and Bulletin Publishing Associa- 
 tion organized, with J. B. G. Kinsloe as business 
 manager and treasurer. On September 9, 1871, 
 he disposed of his stock in the association, but 
 remained in the office until February 28, 1874, 
 performing whatever duties were required of him. 
 In March following, he purchased the Clinton 
 Republican, and at once made Lock Haven his 
 home, being up to his death deeply interested in 
 evi i\ thing connected with the city. In March, 
 1882, the l-.veuiug Express, a daily newspaper, 
 was established by Kinsloe Brothers, sons of J. 
 B. G. Kinsloe, and issued from the office of the 
 Clinton Republican. From the spring of 
 the Clinton Republican and Evening Express 
 were published by J. B. G. Kinsloe & Sons, and 
 since the death of the senior partner they have 
 been conducted by the two suns. Mr. Kinsloe 
 died July 30, 1896, ag< ity-six years, three 
 
 months and twenty-five days. 
 
 He was a man of deep religious convictions. 
 and failed not in doing his duty as a citizen and 
 a Christian. He was, moreover, a useful and 
 prominent citizen. He had been one of the 
 trustees of the Central State Normal S 
 since June 14, 1881, and always took a deep in- 
 terest in the welfare and success of that institu- 
 tion. For a number of years he gave annually 
 a free scholarship to some deserving young man 
 or woman, and to his generosity some of the 
 Normal graduates are indebted for the higher 
 
 i 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 567 
 
 education they received at the Normal. For 
 many years he was one of the trustees of Trinity 
 M. E. Church, and in 1875 ne was among the 
 foremost in Sunday-school work. 
 
 On July 3, 1851, J. B. G. Kinsloe was mar- 
 ried to Kate Hefflefinger, and three children 
 were born to them, two sons and one daughter, 
 William A., Frank G., and Lucy E., now Mrs. 
 Duncan E. Shaffer, of Frostburg, Md. Mr. 
 Kinsloe was a man of active, energetic habits, 
 faithful to all his trusts, and a true friend. His 
 life's work is ended, and he has passed into the 
 great beyond. Peaceful in death, he has laid 
 down life's cares for a well-earned rest, but the 
 influence for good which he leaves behind can 
 ■j never be measured. 
 
 and Eliza Clark died 
 Hall. Their children 
 , John F., Wilbur H., 
 
 JUDGE JAMES W. CLARK, the manager 
 and one of the publishers of the Clinton 
 Democrat, Lock Haven, is a native of Clin- 
 ton county, born July 28, 1843, at Mill Hall. 
 
 His parents were David and Eliza Clark, who 
 were born, David, February 28, 1809, in Nit- 
 tany Valley, and Eliza, December 8, 1809, in Bald 
 Eagle township. David Clark died November 
 12, 1879, at Mill Hall, 
 
 j March 27, 1883, at Mill 
 
 i-were: Joseph F., W. W. 
 
 i; James W. and Sutton G. 
 
 James W. Clark received his education in 
 the public schools of Mill Hall. In 1857 he en- 
 tered the office of the Clinton Democrat at Lock 
 Haven, as an apprentice to the printer's trade. 
 He remained in that office until in August, 1862, 
 when he enlisted in Company C, 137th P. V. I., 
 
 j commanded by Capt. Samuel H. Brown. The 
 regiment formed a part of the Army of the Po- 
 tomac, and it was first assigned to Gen. Han- 
 cock's Brigade, Smith's Division, 6th Corps. 
 The regiment was at South Mountain, and at the 
 battle of Antietam; it was in pursuit of Stuart 
 when that general made his cavalry raid into 
 Pennsylvania. Next it maneuvered in the de- 
 fenses of Washington; it performed duty about 
 Fredericksburg under Gen. Burnside. Later, 
 it was assigned to the Third Brigade, First Di- 
 vision, First Army Corps, and was in the cam- 
 paign under Gen. Hooker; it fought at Franklin 
 and figured about Chancellorsville. Mr. Clark 
 shared the fortunes of the command, and was 
 mustered out with it June 1, 1863. He returned 
 to Lock Haven, where he secured a clerkship in 
 the post office under Postmaster A. M. Coe. In 
 1 June, 1864, under the President Lincoln admin- 
 istration, he was appointed mail-agent and as- 
 signed to duty on the route from Lock Haven to 
 
 Ridgway. He remained in the service several 
 years, and then entered the office of the Clinton 
 Democrat, at the time conducted by Whaley & 
 Orth, and followed his trade until the summer of 
 1876. At this time he received the nomination 
 for the office of register of wills and recorder of 
 deeds, to which he was elected that fall. He 
 was re-elected to the same office in 1879, and 
 again in 1882. On the expiration of his third 
 term, in 1888, he opened a bookstore at Lock 
 Haven, and continued in that business until in 
 February, 1890. The following August he was 
 nominated by his party for the office of associate 
 judge of Clinton county. That fall he was 
 elected to the office and served one term. At its 
 close he became one of the publishers and the 
 manager of the Clinton Democrat, a weekly 
 newspaper, and the Lock Haven Democrat, an 
 evening publication. He is a large stockholder 
 in the Democratic News and Publishing Co., at 
 Lock Haven. The career of Judge Clark has 
 been an honorable one. As a public servant he 
 was efficient, careful and just, and as a business 
 man he is able and successful. He has ever 
 been interested in seeing the affairs of his native 
 country advanced, and is friendly to all move- 
 ments having for their objects the building up and 
 improvement of Lock Haven. He is a stanch 
 Democrat. 
 
 On June 19, 1881, Judge Clark was married 
 to Barbara Brady, a daughter of Samuel and 
 Margaret Brady, of Lamar township. 
 
 JOSEPH H. HAYES, M. D., a representative 
 citizen of Lock Haven, Clinton county, and 
 one of the most prominent men of the medi- 
 cal profession of his section, has descended from 
 one of the early families to settle in the State. 
 
 John Hayes, his great-great-great-grandfa- 
 ther, came from Londonderry, Ireland in 1740. 
 Robert Hayes, his great-great-grandfather, born 
 in Chester county, removed to Northampton in 
 1742; he was a lieutenant in the army in 1776. 
 William Hayes, the Doctor's father, was born in 
 Northumberland county, Penn., in 18 17, and in 
 1 841 he was married to Sarah Reeder, a native 
 of Northumberland county, Penn., born in 1823, 
 a daughter of Henry and Betsey Reeder; their 
 children now living are: Albert R. , Bruce, James 
 B., Mary W. and Joseph H., our subject. The 
 father of these died in 1861, and the mother in 
 1896. The father for years was a merchant of 
 McEwensville, Penn., a respected and esteemed 
 citizen; he was a quiet and unassuming man, 
 whose life was given to his family and to his own 
 business affairs. 
 
 
568 
 
 COMMEMi'UA 'LIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 Our subject was born April 9, 1841. in N r 
 thumberland county. He was graduated from 
 Lafayette College. Easton, Penn., at the age of 
 seventeen years, and then began the studj 
 medicine under Dr. Armstrong, of Lock Haven 
 In the spring of 1862 he was graduated from the 
 Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia. The 
 same year he offered his services to his country, 
 and was appointed assistant surgeon of the 88th 
 P. V. I. In 1863 he was made surgeon of the 
 90th P. V. I., and as such served until the cl 
 of the war, early in 1S65, when the regiment was 
 mustered out of the service. Dr. Hayes is - 
 to have been the youngest surgeon of the Army 
 of the Potomac; his army experiences were var- 
 ied and hardships many, but the satisfaction of 
 having performed his duty in so noble a cause is 
 more than a recompense for the privations under- 
 gone, a heritage that will be treasured by his 
 children and children's children. At the close of 
 the war the Doctor returned to Lock Haven and 
 engaged in the practice of his profession, and has 
 since been so occupied. He is a physician of 
 ability, and has enjoyed a good practice. In 1 
 he was united in marriage with Anna H. Mackey, 
 a native of Lock Haven, Penn., a daughter "I 
 Hon. L. A. Mackey, of Lock Haven. Two sons 
 were born to the union: Mackey and W. Bruce. 
 Mrs. Hayes, a woman of culture and refinement, 
 is esteemed for her many virtues; she is a mem- 
 ber of the Presbyterian Church, and enjoys a large 
 circle of friends and acquaintances. Dr. Ha 
 in politics is a Republican. He is now the cor- 
 oner of Clinton county; also is member of the 
 pension board of examining surgeons. He is 
 identified with the order of B. P. O. E., as are also 
 his two sons. 
 
 HON. WILSON CONRAD KRESS, of Lock 
 Haven, Clinton county, is one of the best- 
 known lawyers of the State. His success as a 
 practitioner, his services in the War of the Re- 
 bellion, and his general conduct as a man have 
 innstrated his fitness for any office requiring 
 ability and fidelity. Few men enjoy in as great 
 a degree the respect and confidence of their fellow- 
 mell. 
 
 His paternal grandfather, Conrad Kress, was 
 born in Germany, and when he was two years of 
 age came with his parents to the Colony of 
 Pennsylvania in the year 17G0. At the breaking 
 out of the Revolutionary war he enlisted ami 
 served with the patriots until peace was declared. 
 Subsequently he married Mary Iddings, a daugh- 
 ter of Jonathan Iddings, who had emigrated from 
 Wiles to Chester county, Penn., many years 
 
 before the Revolutionary war. The wife of 
 Jonathan Iddings was a native of England, 
 ami their daughter Mary was born in Chester 
 county in 1 761 . Jonathan moved into Buffal > 
 Valley mow Union county), Penn., befon tl 
 Revolutionary war, and he and his five sons 
 served in that war. In 1778, when Mary ■ 
 sevi ears of age, she and her mother, with 
 
 her sisters, were in what was called the "Big Run- 
 away,'' when the inhabitants of central Pennsyl- 
 vania were compelled, for fear of the Indians, t 
 abandon their homes and go to the eastern 
 counties of the State, there to remain until ti. 
 
 i close of the war. 
 
 Conrad and Mary Kress had four daughl 
 and one son, George B., who married Eliza I 
 
 I lop, of Penn's Valley, whose sweetness of dispo- 
 sition, true piety and many virtues endeared her 
 to all her acquaintances. Of this union the - 
 ject of this sketch was born. July 14, 1836, in 
 Lycoming township. Lycoming county, Penn 
 His father was a farmer with a large family. 
 was unable to give his children more than 
 customary common-school education. This 
 therefore, taught school in order to obtain fu 
 for a course at Dickinson Seminary, at Willia 
 port, Penn., where he was graduated in 1 
 after which he continued to teach school an I 
 study law at the same time. In June, [861, he 
 established the Lock Haven Press, a K | 
 newspaper, of which he was both publisher and 
 editor. In August, 1S62. his newsp 
 was interrupted by his entering the army, etili.-t - 
 ing in the 137th P. V. I. He was elected hr-t 
 lieutenant in Company E, of said regiment. In 
 December of that year his printing office was de- 
 stroyed in the great fire that devastated I 
 Haven. In June, 1863, he was discharged 
 his regiment by reason of expiration of term I 
 service, and in the following month hi 
 elected captain of Company K. 37th 1 
 of Pennsylvania militia, and assigned to si 
 in the Army of the Cumberland. When his 
 regiment was mustered out, he received tli 
 pointment of deputy provost marshal of his district, 
 which position he held until the close of th« 
 In October, ieT>4, while in Keating township, 
 Clinton county, in the discharge of his din 
 was shot by Isaac Gaines, Jr., a desertei 
 the army. The ball entered his body on the 
 right side, wounded both lungs, and was exti 
 from the left side. The wound was \ 
 and his life for a time was despaired of, but he 
 astonished the surgeons and his friends I 
 recovery. In May. 1864, a brothei 1 
 Guyer, a member of the 6 2d P. V. I . was shut 
 and killed at the battle f Spottsylvania Court 
 
Ur/c/kfaM 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 569 
 
 House. Another brother, Mortimer Newton, 
 served during the war in the First Regiment 
 Pennsylvania Cavalry. 
 
 After the war Col. Kress finished his law stud- 
 ies, and was admitted to the Bar of Clinton county 
 in May, 1866. He soon gained a large and lu- 
 crative practice, which he has enjoyed ever since. 
 In politics he has always been a Republican, and 
 while not desiring political office, he has given 
 considerable attention to the 'interests of his 
 party. He has frequently represented his party 
 in Republican State conventions, has often been 
 a member of the State committee, and has served 
 a number of times as chairman of the county 
 committee. From 18S1 to 1884 he was a mem- 
 ber of the city council from the First ward of the 
 city of Lock Haven. In iSSS he was elected 
 councilman at large under the Act of 1SS7, and 
 served as president of select councii for more 
 than a year, when the Act was declared uncon- 
 stitutional. In 1S88 he was a member of the 
 Electoral college, which cast its vote for Gen. 
 Harrison for President. In 1S91 he was chosen 
 as a delegate to the Constitutional Convention. 
 His interest in military affairs has always been 
 active. He served at one time in the Pennsyl- 
 vania militia as assistant adjutant-general, with 
 the rank of lieutenant-colonel. While acting in 
 this capacity his division was called into active 
 service during the great Williamsport riots in 
 1872, and the Colonel served two weeks in the 
 field. In 1895 he was appointed State reporter, 
 his duties being to report the decisions of the Su- 
 preme Court of the State of Pennsylvania, and 
 when the Superior Court of the State was organ- 
 ized in 1896, he became, by virtue of his office, 
 the reporter of that court also. 
 
 In 1 869 he married Eliza J. Chatham, daugh- 
 ter of Hon. James Chatham, who was a well- 
 known citizen and a leading lawyer of Lock 
 Haven. Mrs. Kress' mother was Henrietta De- 
 Haas, who was a great-granddaughter of Brig. - 
 Gen. John Philip De Haas, whose honorable 
 services in the Revolutionary war are well known, 
 and a granddaughter of Gen. De Haas' son, 
 Major De Haas, who was also a gallant officer in 
 the Revolutionary war. Major De Haas' wife 
 was Ann Shippen, a daughter of Captain Ship- 
 pen, who was killed in the battle of Princeton. 
 
 Col. and Mrs. Kress have had seven children, 
 five sons and two daughters. The youngest son 
 died in infancy, and the others are still living. 
 The family is identified with the Presbyterian 
 Church, and is prominent in social life in Lock 
 Haven. The Colonel belongs to various fraternal 
 orders, including the F. & A. M. and the G. A. 
 R-, in which he is a past commander of the 
 
 John S. Bittner Post No. 122, Department of 
 Pennsylvania. 
 
 Although Col. Kress' labors have always been 
 assiduous, yet he retains the remarkable consti- 
 tution with which nature so generously provided 
 him, while his energies continue unabated, and 
 his working powers seem now to be only attain- 
 ing their highest degree of efficiency. 
 
 w ON. JOHN UPTON SHAFFER has gained 
 J3L a distinguished position in journalistic and 
 legislative circles, and ranks to-day among the 
 public-spirited and representative men of the 
 State, whose force of character have made them 
 leaders of thought and action. A man of strong 
 mentality, a close student of the signs of the 
 times, he views with a broad outlook the needs 
 of the people, and in the General Assembly and 
 through the columns of the press has advocated 
 the measures best calculated to advance the gen- 
 eral welfare. His influence has been strongly 
 felt, especially in behalf of educational interests, 
 and Clinton county numbers no more valuable 
 citizen than this gentleman. 
 
 Mr. Shaffer, who is now the editor of the 
 Rcnovo Record, was born in McConnellsburg, 
 Penn., March 27, 1843, and at the age of five 
 years was left by his parents at the home of an 
 uncle for whom he was named, while they re- 
 moved to the West. His uncle liberally educated 
 him through private instruction, and in the pub- 
 lic schools, and at the age of seventeen he was 
 apprenticed to the printing business, serving a 
 usual term of years. From the position of com- 
 positor he was promoted to that of local editor 
 in the Fulton Republican, and ably served in 
 that capacity for a year, when he went to Pitts- 
 burg and readily found employment on one of 
 the leading dailies in that city. In February, 
 1862, he returned to his native town, where he 
 purchased a half interest in the Fulton Democrat, 
 forming a partnership with Hon. Henry G. 
 Smith, who afterward became an associate edi- 
 tor of the Lancaster Daily Intelligencer, and a 
 member of the State Constitutional Convention 
 of 1873. 
 
 Shortly after his return to McConnellsburg, 
 Mr. Shaffer was united in marriage to Salinda, a 
 daughter of William B. Shaffer, of the same 
 county.' In 1S65 our subject sold his interest in 
 the Fulton Democrat and accepted a position in 
 the printing department of the New York World, 
 being connected with that journal for nearly a 
 year. Returning then to Pennsylvania, he pur- 
 chased an interest in two Democratic papers in 
 Hanover — one English and one German, but 
 

 '"MM! MORATIVB BIOGRAPHICAL REi 
 
 time he disposed of his interest in both 
 
 these, and went to Baltimore, where he obtained 
 
 a p in the . . with which he 
 
 lected for four years. 
 
 On account of failing health, in the fall of 
 
 ' I led his pi ad again 
 
 ansylvania, joining the staff of the 
 
 Republican, published at Lock Haven, 
 
 man. Ail ving in that 
 
 for two years, his attention 
 
 thi th of the new railroad town of 
 
 Rei | of its 
 
 to establish a weekly m 
 p i] Accordingly, on Decern! :\ . 
 
 the first issue of the Renovo Record was given to 
 i '■ nture h ! a financial 
 
 ■ in.l the paper h 
 tor in molding I al sentimenl nn- 
 
 tv. It is a well 
 
 ir in its treatment of th as ami 
 
 • ■ • 
 
 Mr. Shaffei h id not li >n I in Renovo 
 
 sition of prominence 
 m public affairs He served as clerk of the town 
 
 until i I in the last year became the i 
 
 nomin • itive to 
 
 thi I tion he 
 
 i the Republican candid ite, A. J. 
 b lyler, b \|, >h 
 
 ■I it thi , Hon. 
 
 I seph W. Merrey, who bad I the 
 
 mtj in th I gislature in I >ur- 
 
 rg.Mr Sh iffei introdm 
 
 the Central Normal S< hool building at I 
 
 Hav, ii. which had remain i unnni- 
 
 The 1 in's 
 
 hen bill 
 
 D, which | | 
 
 majoril pular in the lum- 
 
 >k much 
 int< ■ tlv to S ei 
 
 nefiting icational ai trial 
 
 inti 
 
 tn ' I ker 
 
 t the li 
 mission of lunacy and chat mly 
 
 I li mocratic i 
 
 on that com a. In 1889 Mr. Shan" 
 
 ien iminated by the Democracy of Clinton 
 ty by an almost unanimous vote, an 
 by a lai I ,,bor 
 
 Reform tnd Pi lidates 
 
 winter of that year, the Central N rmal 
 1 : . Haven was burned I 
 
 the ground, entailing a loss of over $100,000, 
 upon which the State had only $10,000. Dur- 
 the session of the Assembly Mr. Shaffer in- 
 ! nee. I an appropriation bill for $100,000 to 
 replace the burned building. The committee on 
 appropriations, was at first reluctant to make an 
 appropriation, but after careful consideration 
 ■:ed to report the bill to the House for $85,- 
 000, which subsequently passed both houses and 
 became a law. During the same session several 
 important bills in the interest of lumbermen and 
 other industrial interests became laws. During 
 his service Mr. Shaffer served on various impor- 
 tant committees, including that of congres- 
 sional and legislative apportionment, constitu- 
 tional reform, retrenchment and reform, print- 
 ing, mines and mining, and a number of special 
 committees appointed by the speaker. During 
 the session of 1891 he went to Harrisburg at the 
 urgent solicitation of the officers of the Centr al 
 Normal School at Lock Haven to assist the 
 Clinton county member in getting through that 
 body a further appropriation for that institution, 
 and was largely instrumental in securing the 
 passage of a bill giving $20,000 to the school. 
 While performing effective service in the in- 
 terest of the State at large, Mr. Shaffer has not 
 been neglectful of his duty to the community in 
 which he resides. He has been a very imp 01 
 tant factor in local affairs, advancing the interest 
 of Renovo by a liberal support of all public m< 
 calculated for the general good. Eul 
 would be superfluous in connection with the rec- 
 ord of Mr. Shaffer. His career speaks for itself, 
 lie finds his reward in the gratitude and es- 
 n of the people who recognize his beneficent 
 service\ and accord to him their warmest regard 
 and confidence. 
 
 HON JAMES < QUIGGLE, one of the 
 most prominent representative citizens of 
 Clinton county, is a native of same, born De- 
 1851, at Lock Haven. He is a son 
 of the late Hon. James \Y Quiggle and Cordelia 
 Ma) ter of Judge C. A Mayer. She is 
 
 still livii 
 
 In 1 11 subject's parents removed to 
 
 Philadelphia, andin is 59 he accompanied them to 
 Antwerp, Belgium, his father being United St 
 -ul at that port, where he sojourned for ah 
 
 nd a half, and attended French and 
 nan schools. In November, 1861, he re- 
 turned to Philadelphia with his parents, where 
 ne ' I school and commercial 
 
 led for the law, and was 
 student in the court 1 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 571 
 
 common pleas of Philadelphia, but after reading 
 about a year he was obliged, owing to defective 
 eyesight, to abandon his intentions to follow the 
 profession. In October, 1871, before he was 
 twenty years of age, he was tendered the office of 
 United States consular agent at Cornwall, Can- 
 ada, which he accepted, serving until March 10, 
 1872, when he resigned. In 1873 he removed 
 to his father's farm in Wayne township, Clinton 
 county, where he has since resided (except while 
 in Canada), engaged in agricultural and lumber- 
 ing pursuits. In 1876 he was selected to fill an 
 important position in the office of the chief secre- 
 tary of the United States centennial commission 
 at Philadelphia, which he held for five months. 
 He has been treasurer and auditor of Wayne 
 township, and in February, 1879, was unani- 
 mously elected justice of the peace, and served 
 until September 1, 1887, when he resigned to 
 accept the United States consulship at Port 
 Stanley and St. Thomas, Canada, to which he 
 had been appointed by President Cleveland on 
 August 31, 1887, which office he held until April 
 19, 1890, when he was superceded for purely po- 
 litical reasons by the Harrison administration, he 
 having represented his country so acceptably as 
 to call forth the commendation of the Depart- 
 ment of State in a special dispatch, thanking 
 him for the satisfactory and economical manner 
 in which he conducted the business of his office. 
 Before his return from Canada Mr. Quiggle 
 was unanimously re-elected justice of the peace 
 of Wayne township for five years from May, 
 1890, but resigned December 1, 1890. In Au- 
 gust, 1890, he was nominated by acclamation for 
 member of the Assembly, by the Democratic 
 convention of Clinton county, and was elected in 
 November following over Capt. James W. Fred- 
 ericks (Republican) by 546 majority. He served 
 in the Legislature as a member of the commit- 
 tees on Ways and Means, Federal Relations, 
 Manufactures and Bureau of Statistics. In 1892 
 he was again nominated for the Legislature, and 
 elected without opposition by an overwhelming 
 majority. In the session of 1 893 he served on the 
 committees of Appropriations, Elections, Federal 
 Relations, and Printing. On October 10, 1893, 
 he resigned to accept the appointment of U. S. 
 consul at Collingwood, Canada, and served till 
 September 6, 1897, when he resigned. Mr. 
 Quiggle has always been a consistent Democrat, 
 and taken an active interest in politics. He has 
 been a delegate to county conventions, and in 
 1885 was a delegate to the Democratic State 
 Convention, and for five years he was a member 
 of the Democratic Standing Committee, serving 
 as its secretary in 1884. 
 
 On February 23, 1882, Mr. Quiggle was 
 married to Miss Ella L. Quiggle, eldest daughter 
 of Jacob Quiggle, of Pine Station, and three 
 children were born to them: James W. , Jr., 
 Edmund B., and one that died in infancy. Our 
 subject owns a fine property of some 3,500 
 acres, on which he has an excellent residence 
 and other commodious buildings. 
 
 H 
 
 TON. S. WOODS CALDWELL, of Lock 
 
 Haven, Clinton county, is one of the in- 
 fluential men of his locality, his ability and pub- 
 lic spirit being recognized by all classes. When 
 a mere youth he spent three years in the Union 
 army during the Civil war. In 1 880 and 1 88 1 he 
 represented his county in the State Legislature, 
 and for many years he has been active in the 
 Democratic party. 
 
 Mr. Caldwell was born May 18, 1845, in 
 Montour county, Penn., and comes of good pio- 
 neer ancestry. John Woods Caldwell, his father, 
 was a prosperous farmer, of Irish blood, while 
 his wife, Susanna (Fuhlmer), traced her descent 
 Irom some of the early German settlers of the 
 State. Mr. Caldwell spent his boyhood upon 
 the old farm, attending the Limestoneville Acad- 
 emy to complete his education. In 1861 he en- 
 listed for three years in Company C, 14th P. V. 
 I., and went to the front. In 1865 he formed a 
 business partnership with his brother, James H. 
 Caldwell, of Titusville, Penn., and for three 
 years they operated in oil in western Pennsyl- 
 vania. In.1871 he purchased the " Irvin House," 
 maintaining it as the leading hotel in the city of 
 Lock Haven. 
 
 As our subject always took a deep interest in 
 politics, he was naturally drawn into public life. 
 In the winter of 1880 he received the Democratic 
 nomination from Clinton county for the Legisla- 
 ture. An exciting campaign followed, which re- 
 sulted in his election by a majority of 751 votes 
 over Gen. Jesse Merrill. In 1882 his name was pre- 
 sented as the unanimous choice of the Democrats 
 of Clinton county for the- State senatorship; but 
 after protracted balloting and several adjourn- 
 ments from place to place, Mr. Caldwell with- 
 drew from the contest on account of an attempt 
 to bribe his conferees. In August, 1890, he was 
 elected county treasurer for a term of three years, 
 which he filled satisfactorily, and in 1894 he be- 
 came a candidate for the nomination to the State 
 Senate from the Thirty-fourth District, composed 
 of Clinton, Centre and Clearfield counties. For 
 more than twenty years the Democratic party in 
 that district had made its nominations for this 
 office by a conference of nine delegates, three 
 

 CORD. 
 
 unty, the manner of rli 
 it to their n 
 
 the counties had an 
 but in I 
 rule whi< i nee that I 
 
 ct confi ■ ntions 
 
 should be apportioned ai 
 
 irlield county 
 quently 
 
 put it into 
 county sending nim 
 
 Clintoi unty. bavin 
 cided to maintain the rii 
 sent but three, Mr. Caldwell beinj hoice, 
 
 Id county presented the nai 
 Matti - mty the name 
 
 vin Meyer 1 1 
 
 ... 
 
 Mi. S vhilethethn Clinton county 
 
 illy anni mm i I 
 
 ith nominatii 
 by the Dauphin count) - i the two co 
 
 n the 
 I 
 publican, Mr I i field county. 
 
 In 
 
 ' ] 1'.. njamin Myers, 
 
 a well-known citi. child 
 
 1 this ii; \V. Tin- family is 
 
 which 
 
 well is 
 
 the |"hn S. Bitti I , A. K. 
 
 J I I'll MACKEV < ORSON, M D. Not 
 ir by influence i 
 n. but 
 
 bility 
 winning him . 
 
 on th' . had 
 
 nplished | 
 ■ 
 
 Clinton county i- Di 
 
 m 
 I h idier ;, 1868, in 
 
 Shrew hip, in tin- L\ - 
 
 coming county, Penn 
 
 who w . in tin- hip. April 4, 
 
 1 8 ; r. ch an. estry I h 
 
 hools in th. 
 I lyhood h id afterward 
 
 I 'In- Minus State Not m.ii - 
 : it- tir^t graduates. On the old 1 
 his birth occurred he spent In- entii 
 owning and op the (arm of 300 acres, on 
 
 which he made many valuable and useful improve- 
 rs, including the re-erection of a good frame 
 larns and other outbuildings. In 
 connection "with general farming he was exten- 
 di the stock business, buying and 
 ttle, sheep, etc. He was a lover of 
 tin. "I which he kept several for driving 
 
 put 1 nd was regarded as an excellent judge 
 
 of cattle He has also been interested in the 
 real-est uess, owning several building lots 
 
 in both Picture Rock, and Hughesville, Lyconi- 
 nty, but is now living practically retired 
 imily homestead in that count)', 
 enjoying the ease and quiet which should always 
 foil tig and useful career. He is an advo- 
 
 cate .f the free coinage of silver and the prin- 
 ciples of the Democratic party, served as tax 
 collector of his township for sixteen years, and 
 
 -sessor, school director and t: 
 urer. A Lutheran in religious belief, he has 
 n active and prominent part in Church 
 work, and has filled various Church offices, in- 
 cluding that of elder. 
 
 In Muncy township, Lycoming county, Jacob 
 I Corson was united in marriage with Miss 
 Emma J. Neece, who was born in that township 
 in 1840, a daughter of Joseph Neece, a merchant 
 ' of Pennsville, Lycoming county. Six children 
 were born of this un mely: Clara B., wife 
 
 I 'r 11. M. Essick, the well-known owner of 
 the Essick of Highland Lake, Penn.; 
 
 Thomas N., who married Iola Taylor, by whom 
 .hild, and now operates the old home 
 (arm. Will S., who graduated from a comi 
 cial college, and engaged in bookkeeping until his 
 aving a wife, formerly Miss Sadie 
 I Picture Rock, and a son and daughter; 
 ph Mackey, of this sketch; Flora A., at 
 Ernest, who died at the age of t 
 and a half. 
 During his early boyhood our subject pursued 
 his public schools of his native 
 
 -hip, for two years attended the Muncy Uni- 
 ty, of Lycoming county, and after his grad- 
 . red the Factoryville Acad- 
 . where he also graduated at the end of a 
 lb then spent one year at 
 Union county, Penn. Hav- 
 I j hood to become a 
 began reading medicine un- 
 his brother-in-law, Dr. Es- 
 re Rock, where he spent two years, 
 triculated at Jefferson Medical 
 iduating from that noted 
 insti j, with the degree of M. 
 
 \ ear he was in partnership 
 March, 1893, established 
 
 with 1 lr. 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 573 
 
 an office at Charlton, Pine Creek township, Clin- 
 ton county, succeeding the late Dr. A. S. Stokes, 
 and has since built up a large and lucrative prac- 
 tice. He is the only physician between Lock 
 Haven and Jersey Shore, and his practice ex- 
 tends over a large territory. 
 
 On June 15, 1893, at Hughesville, Lycoming 
 county, Dr. Corson was married to Miss Ella 
 May Boak, who was born in that place, where 
 her father, James K. Boak, is engaged in the 
 manufacture of furniture. The Doctor and his 
 wife now have two children: J. Alan, born July 
 12, 1894, and James K., born August 2, 1896. 
 The parents are both active workers in the Meth- 
 odist Episcopal Church and Sunday-school, and 
 Mrs. Corson is also a member of the Epworth 
 League. The Doctor is censor of the County 
 Medical Society, and is also secretary of the West 
 Branch Medical Society. Politically, he is what 
 may be termed a gold Democrat, being greatly 
 opposed to the free coinage of silver. Constant 
 study and close application to the details of his 
 profession have made him a leader in the medi- 
 cal fraternity, and as a pleasant, affable gentle- 
 man he occupies an enviable position in social 
 circles. 
 
 [ON. JOSEPH W. MERREY, a leading resi- 
 dent of Beech Creek borough, Clinton 
 county, has for many years held an influential 
 position in the business and political life of this 
 section, and has several times been called upon 
 to fill offices of trust and responsibility. 
 
 Mr. Merrey was born December 15, 1846, in 
 England, a son of James.Merrey (merchant) and 
 his wife Sarah (Staley), both of whom were also 
 natives of England, where they passed their entire 
 lives. They had seven children, as follows: 
 Michael died in infancy; Emily married Thomas 
 Philips (deceased), and, if living, is somewhere 
 in the West; Clara died in England; Joseph W. 
 is our subject; Charles R. is a clerk in England; 
 Sarah died in that country; James T. resides in 
 Beech Creek, Clinton county. 
 
 Our subject received his education in the 
 schools of his native land, and when twenty years 
 old came to this country to seek his fortune, 
 making his home in Pennsylvania. Within two 
 months after his arrival he engaged in the busi- 
 ness of brewing ale and beer at Flemington, Clin- 
 ton county, and two years later he became 
 interested in lumbering, merchandising, and 
 hotel-keeping at Keating, in the same county. 
 These enterprises he conducted successfully for 
 twenty years, and in the meantime he invested in 
 good farming land at different points, also in 
 
 valuable mining property in Clearfield county, 
 the management of these interests occupying 
 much attention at times. He has also been 
 associated with various brewing companies as 
 manager, and at present he has charge of the 
 Lock Haven branch of the business of the Hoster 
 Brewing Company, of Columbus, Ohio. In 
 politics he is a stanch Democrat, one plank in his 
 platform being the principle of opposition to 
 monopolies. He' is active in party work, and 
 has served on the State central committee and 
 on the County committee, over which he has 
 several times presided as chairman. Among the 
 local offices which he has held we mention those 
 of justice of the peace, school director, treasurer, 
 and president of the borough council. His 
 abilities have also been displayed in a wider 
 sphere, as he served in 1883 and 1884 as a repre- 
 sentative from Clinton county to the State Leg- 
 islature. While in that body he was chairman 
 of the committee on Federal Relations, and a 
 member of the committee on Ways and Means, 
 and of the committee on Corporations. In 1888 
 he was a delegate to the Democratic National 
 Convention. 
 
 In 1868 Mr. Merrey was married to Mrs. 
 Eliza Bailey, ne'e Magnus, a daughter of George 
 Magnus, of Lewistown, Penn. She died Feb- 
 ruary 2, 1896, leaving two children: Josephine, 
 who married Harry C. Clark, and Lillian, who 
 is at home. By her marriage to Mr. Bailey Mrs. 
 Merrey had two daughters: Ella and Sadie, 
 Sadie being now the wife of F. T. Ouigley, of 
 Keating, Penn. Mr. Merrey's family has always 
 been identified with the Episcopal Church, of 
 which he is still an adherent. Fraternally, he is 
 a member of the B. P. O. E. of Lock Haven. 
 
 WILLIAM FRANKLIN ELLIOT. For 
 nearly twenty years the Novelty Iron 
 Works, at Lock Haven, conducted by him whose 
 name introduces this sketch, has been an indus- 
 try that has contributed to the growth and pros- 
 perity of that city and of Clinton county. 
 
 The Elliot and Spangler families have been 
 represented in the Commonwealth by their de- 
 scendants since the years 1732 and 1727, respect- 
 ively, and William Franklin Elliot has a com- 
 plete genealogical record in the form of a family 
 tree on both sides dating back to the year 11 50. 
 The Elliots were from Scotland and the Spang- 
 lers from Germany. William D. Elliot, the fa- 
 ther of our subject, was born November 19, 1828, 
 at York, Penn., and there passed his life, which 
 was a very busy and active one. He was a 
 manufacturer of plug tobacco. He took an active 
 

 > OMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 interest in public affairs, and was one of the 
 I i minent men of York. He was mayor of that 
 city, ind, duru. ivil war, was secretary of 
 
 the Sanitar. i nission. His death occurred 
 
 in 1S89. His widow, who is still living, a resi- 
 dent of York, and whom he married in 1 
 
 Margaret Spangler, born July 13, 1832, at 
 Y rk, Penn., a daughter of Col. M. II Spangler. 
 Of the children born to this marriage, the follow- 
 ing ire living: William Franklin, our subject; 
 1 rence M. . Frank S . an attorney of Philadel- 
 phia; Thomas E., city clerk of York, lY'nn. ; 
 ryE., wife of Alexander Cathcart, of Chicago; 
 James. Walter. Luther, a resident of Chicago; 
 : I 1. uisa. 
 William Franklin Llliot was reared at York 
 ! there educated, attending the Collegiate and 
 Politecbnic Institutes After leaving school he 
 m apprentii eship at the machinist's trade, 
 I on the completion of the latter he went to 
 New York City, and wa years in 
 
 the Delemeter Iron Work- At the close of I 
 period (1879) he located in Lock Haven and 
 
 bli hed hi pn 1 nt business, which I. 
 developed into th tnd constantly growing in- 
 
 du-trv "f to-day, giving employment to some 
 ty men The plant, as originally built in 
 I brick, thn h. 70 x 1 10, 
 
 i. with a found r} t, and boiler-house 
 
 30 ichinery being driven 1 
 
 twenty-five-horsepowei Stead employ- 
 
 ment was thi 11 given to twenty skilled workin 
 
 y make twmills, 
 
 make steam 1 everything in the line 
 
 of mill machim eral machine work. 
 
 t of Lo< k Haven's 
 
 influential and prominent in its business 
 
 \t tin- time he i~ a member 
 
 ■ I ' rnity, tbi 1 and 
 
 tin Grand Ci >mmandery, Knights 
 
 in mb< 1 P. O. E In pi ilitics 
 
 Republican, dent of 
 
 ncil 
 On Jum Mr. 1 larried to 
 
 Mis l beth 1 aw, and three childi 
 
 thi ii hi im« . namely; Willi 
 Brown, Marj ui riti nd Ub< rl Warn n 
 mother "I these is I ter ol |acob Brown 
 
 inent citi; en 1 if 
 1 1 k Haven. Oui mem- 
 
 • St Paul's Episcopal Chui 
 
 HENRY I II \K\ EY, ol Lo« k II . 
 of the leading mei 
 ( ounty Bar, I in successful 1 1 
 
 re than thirty-three years. His professional 
 work has included some of the most important 
 
 iness that has arisen in the locality during 
 that time; he is also identified prominently with 
 extensive financial interests, and in various pro- 
 
 ssive movements, political and non-political 
 in his city. 
 
 Mr. Harvey was born October 22, 1842, 111 
 Clinton county, a son of George C. and grand- 
 son of Isaac Harvey, who came to Clinton coun- 
 ty in 1 81 2, and in 181 8 settled at Salona. Later 
 he purchased a farm in Lamar township, Clin- 
 ton county, where the remainder of his life was 
 spent. George C. Harvey (father of Henry T. 1 
 was a native of Berks county. Penn., but ac- 
 companied his parents to Clinton county, and 
 grew to manhood there. As a young man he 
 engaged in milling and hat-manufacturing, but 
 afterward studied medicine and practiced at Sa- 
 lona until 1850. In the meantime, however, 
 he became interested in the Salona Foundry, 
 where a large business was done at that time in 
 tin manufacture of plows and threshing ma- 
 chines. He decided to give up his medical prac- 
 and, in 1850, began to devote his entire at- 
 tention to business. In 1854 he formed a part- 
 
 hip with A. H. Best, Hon. L. A. Mackey, 
 and William Fearon, and built the Lock Haven 
 1 indr) and Mai bine shop, the first establish- 
 ment of the kind in Lock Haven. Of this Dr. 
 Harvey had the full management until 1870. 
 when he retired from business. He was a man 
 of much influence in political affairs as well as 
 in financial circles, and for five years he served 
 as associate jud;. uton county. His death 
 
 occurred in Lock Haven on February 8, [886, at 
 the advanced age of eighty years. His wife, 
 whose maiden name was Roxanna S. Atwood, 
 born in New Haven, Conn., in January, 
 and died October 15. [885. 
 
 Henrj I Harvej received his elementary ed- 
 ucation in the public schools ol Salona and Lock 
 Haven, and. in 1857, he entered the academy 
 in Lock Haven, where for two years he continued 
 In- studi I 1 ; Ri 1 rs In 1859 he be- 
 
 in thi Agricultural College of Penn- 
 sylvi 1 ntre county, and on graduating, in 
 
 Hue a law student in the office of 
 Orvi Lock Haven. In 1863. dur- 
 
 the Civil war. his studies were interrupt! d b\ 
 an enlistment in the 26th P. V. I. ; but his patri- 
 
 thwarted by an attack 
 
 typl : which so injured his health that he 
 
 from the service. On returning 
 
 his legal researches, and. in 
 
 lu was admitted to practice, 
 
 a nd at tied an office in Lock Haven, 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 575 
 
 where he has ever since been actively and suc- 
 cessfully engaged in professional work. 
 
 Notwithstanding the important nature of his 
 legal practice, and his steadfast devotion to his 
 work, Mr. Harvey has taken an active inter- 
 est in political work and in various financial or- 
 ganizations. He was instrumental in founding 
 the Lock Haven Trust & Safe Deposit Company, 
 and has been president of the institution ever 
 since its organization in 1 89 1 . This ranks among 
 the prosperous financial concerns of this section 
 of the State, its assets being now more than 
 five hundred thousand dollars. Mr. Harvey 
 shows a generous interest in educational affairs, 
 and has been a trustee of the Pennsylvania State 
 College and of the Central State Normal School 
 for some years, having been identified with the 
 latter institution ever since it was founded. In 
 politics he is a stanch Republican, and, in 1876, 
 he was a delegate to the National Convention of 
 his party. His name has been mentioned in 
 connection with several important offices, and 
 he has received more than once the indorsement 
 of Clinton county for the office of Congressman 
 from his district. On April 18, 1872, he was 
 married to Miss Sarah Pollock, of Philadelphia. 
 Three children were born to this union, of whom 
 one, James Pollock, died at the age of sixteen. 
 The survivors, Sarah Hepburn and Henry T. , 
 Jr., are at home. Mr. Harvey and his wife are 
 both members of the Presbyterian Church, and 
 for a number of years Mr. Harvey has served as 
 trustee. 
 
 IRA MILTON HARVEY, Lock Haven's popu- 
 __ lar and efficient postmaster, is a man who ex- 
 erts more than ordinary influence in his locality, 
 and as one of the proprietors of the Clinton 
 Democrat, he has done much to strengthen the 
 Democratic party in this section. 
 
 Mr. Harvey is a native of Clinton county, 
 born November 4, 1854, at Cedar Springs. His 
 parents, Nathan E. and Lydia (Erb) Harvey, 
 who were both born in Pennsylvania, died during 
 his childhood, the former in 1863, and the latter 
 in 1857. Nathan E. Harvey was a farmer by 
 occupation, and, with that sturdy patriotism 
 which seems to characterize the tillers of the 
 soil, enlisted at the beginning of the Civil war 
 in Company E, 7th Pennsylvania Cavalry, and 
 met his death in an engagement with the enemy, 
 near Nashville, Tenn. Our subject was the 
 youngest of four children, the others being: 
 Anna (Mrs. Joseph Sayler), Ella (Mrs. James 
 Daley), and Lizzie (Mrs. James Edmiston). 
 
 At the age of eleven years our subject, who 
 
 had previously begun his education in a public 
 school, was sent to the Soldiers' Orphans School 
 at Orangeville, Penn., where he remained two 
 years. He was then transferred to a similar in- 
 stitution at McAlisterville, Penn., and on leaving 
 that school, at the age of sixteen, he engaged in 
 farm work for a year. In January, 1871, he be- 
 gan to learn the printer's trade at Lock Haven 
 in the office of the Clinton Democrat, and in No- 
 vember, 1876, having acquired a thorough knowl- 
 edge of the business, he went to Williamsport, 
 Penn., where he was employed as a journeyman 
 printer for a short time. Later he returned to 
 Lock Haven, and in 1878 formed a partnership 
 with H. Bixby, A. S. Grow and John Noble, and 
 established the Daily Journal. This paper was 
 discontinued in 1883, the material being sold, 
 and Mr. Harvey, in partnership with John No- 
 ble, purchased the job printing office, which they 
 conducted until September, 1S85. Mr. Harvey, 
 at that time, bought a one-third interest in the 
 Clinton Democrat, the leading Democratic organ 
 of the county, and for several years he had 
 charge of the office. In 1893 ne was appointed 
 postmaster of Lock Haven by President Cleve- 
 land, and the duties of that position have since 
 occupied his attention. While he is an ardent 
 Democrat, he has not been an office-seeker, and 
 aside frojm the post which he now fills so ad- 
 mirably, he has only held one position, that of 
 city auditor. He has always been strongly op- 
 posed to monopolies, and his paper represents 
 his views on this and other questions. In 1882 
 he was married to Miss Sallie Coldwell, daugh- 
 ter of John Coldwell, a native of Leeds, York- 
 shire, England, who became in later life a 
 prominent resident of Lock Haven. Four chil- 
 dren have blessed this union: Frank J., Ira S., 
 Benjamin C. and Edna C. The parents are not 
 members of any religious denomination, but 
 they attend the Disciple Church, and take an 
 interest in its various lines of work. The father 
 belongs to several fraternal orders, including the 
 B. P. O. E. , and, by virtue of his father's gallant 
 record as a defender of the Union, is a member 
 of the Society of the Sons of Veterans. 
 
 P ; HILIP PETER RITTMAN, who to-day is at 
 tiie head of one of Lock Haven's important 
 manufacturing plants as its manager and a mem- 
 ber of the firm controlling it, is a self-made man, 
 and one whose influence is far-reaching. 
 
 John Michael Rittman, his father (who was a 
 son of John and Sophia Agnes Stiokel), was born 
 September 15, 1795, at Wittenberg, Germany, 
 and on September 25, 1831, there married 
 
570 
 
 VOBATJ} UPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 Margaret Kothfuss, wh itive of the 
 
 ter Fuss, 
 
 fan Ject 
 
 were born thr< viz.: 
 
 I 
 
 set. On coming to 
 
 irents li < n a farm 
 
 i Williai 'id tlicr. ; the 
 
 i ttman dying in 
 
 Mrs. Rittman in 1894, .■. hty- 
 
 thn i that sturdy and fru- 
 
 ndustry and 
 
 rtably. 
 
 Philip Peter Rittm n March 25, 
 
 it Williamsport, Penn \ ■ : I ten 
 
 :Ui by the family to Lock 
 
 Haven. Here he attended a private school 
 
 M >s Bi 
 
 I at the old ac 
 
 1 when our 
 
 thrown 
 
 n leavin ; ! lie 
 
 nun I nd deci- 
 
 into the furnishing business, in 
 
 wh a store 
 
 nd Church 
 1 with this business, he e.-i 
 
 ly i >ne in the 
 
 in- 
 
 ! that in mpelled to seek 
 
 ! to his present coin- 
 
 nue 
 
 the firm carry- 
 
 1 Furnitui ind 
 
 >try in Lock Haven. 1 : 
 
 »yl- 
 
 in 
 Mr. Ritt- 
 
 1 1 However, h 
 
 men in tl 
 
 II 
 
 lb icil, 
 
 and sident ol md 
 
 rongly Republi- 
 
 Mr. Rittman w This is 
 
 oi the man- 
 
 agers of the Building ec Loan Association. He is 
 a Knight Templar, F. and A. M. 
 
 M '. 1 . 1876, Mr. Rittman was married 
 to Toosie Keller, a daughter of Col. Reuben Kel- 
 ler, of Lock Haven, and their children are: 
 Harry, who is in charge of his father's furnish- 
 and loan business; Joe is studying pharmacy; 
 and Mary Margaret is at home. 
 
 HON. WILLIAM DUNN (deceased 1 was born 
 cember 1, 1S11, on Great Island, about 
 one mile below the present city of Lock Haven, 
 and died very suddenly in that city on Septem- 
 ber 7. [877. 
 
 William Dunn, his grandfather, was one of the 
 earliest settlers in that portion of the Valley of 
 the West branch of the Susquehanna. He pur- 
 chased the Great Island, first, from the Indians, 
 then from the State, and passed it by will to his 
 sun. Washington Dunn, Esq., who was for 
 many years one of the leading and most intelli T 
 ; and reputable citizens of his locality, and 
 father of the subject of this sketch, to whom he 
 transmitted a portion of his homestead, includ- 
 ing his residence. 
 
 the day of his death. Judge Dunn, as he 
 frequently did, came to Lock Haven to transact 
 some business and greet some of his many friends 
 and associates. Just after partaking of a social 
 supper, with d friends, he remarked to 
 
 them that he felt chilly, and at once drew his 
 chair near to the stove. In a moment or two 
 he fell from the chair in a helpless state. Dr. 
 Larimer quickly responded to the call fur medi- 
 cal aid, and other physicians soon came to his 
 i ittack proved to be a severe 
 
 nd all efforts to produce a 
 tem failed. In less than an 
 hour all hope ol ng life was given up, as 
 
 . idently occurred. His son, an only 
 chil. tiding railroads in the W 
 
 em Ter; vas at once telegraphed for, and 
 
 reti. atend the funeral on the fol- 
 
 family burying-place at 
 
 Dun the north side of the river from 
 
 md. 
 
 in the time he was able to read, Judge 
 
 of his father's exten 
 
 i library, and not being at any 
 
 ssity of or much disposed to 
 
 1 a great part of his time 
 
 iphy and poetry 
 
 r in the county. When yet 
 
 - unanimously presented by 
 
 linton county for Congress, 
 
 tin the nomination. Always an 
 
 
WILLIAM DUNN 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 577 
 
 active politician, he was in a few years thereafter 
 twice nominated and elected to the State Legis- 
 lature from the district, then composed of the 
 counties of Clinton and Lycoming, each time 
 largely leading his party ticket in the popular vote. 
 He was an industrious and faithful representative, 
 and besides discharging his general duties to the 
 entire satisfaction of his district, also accomplished 
 all the local legislation desired at the time. In 
 1862 he was again presented by the Democracy of 
 Clinton county for Congress, but again failed to 
 obtain the district nomination. In 1871 he was 
 nominated by his party for the office of associate 
 judge, and was elected by a creditable majority. 
 After the expiration of his term he devoted him- 
 self mainly to his farm. He had had an attack 
 of paralysis a few years before his death, but it 
 was thought had fully recovered from it. His 
 worthy and respected father died of dropsy. 
 
 In his religious views Judge Dunn may be 
 described as a theoretical moralist. He was a 
 kind man, and his temper was rarely if ever seri- 
 ously disturbed. He was very charitable in 
 sentiment and with his means, and none more 
 seriously regretted his death than his poor neigh- 
 bors. He was fond of social enjoyment and of the 
 company of the intelligent, and we are no doubt 
 safe in saying that he died without an enemy. His 
 character for integrity and honor stands, as it 
 always stood, unimpeached. He was public- 
 spirited, and always gave a helping hand to all 
 enterprises that promised to benefit the public. 
 His acquaintance was very extensive, and there 
 are few in his county who did not know him. 
 He was of quiet, unassuming, and unobtrusive 
 disposition, and never crowded himself into 
 prominence. Few there are who will be more 
 kindly and generally remembered after death. 
 
 Of William Dunn, grandfather of our subject, 
 the following has been written: "About the year 
 1768 a party of surveyors visited the upper por- 
 tion of the West Branch Valley for the purpose 
 of running off Allison tract, and probably other 
 tracts in the vicinity. They were accompanied 
 by William Dunn, a native of York county, 
 Penn., who acted in the capacity of hunter for 
 the party, it being his business to furnish the 
 company with wild game for food. Dunn car- 
 ried splendid equipments, with rifle to correspond, 
 which attracted the especial attention and ad- 
 miration of an Indian chief, the owner of the 
 Great Island. The chief's admiration for Dunn's 
 accoutrements grew into a determination to pos- 
 sess them, but the owner declined to part with 
 them till the chief, being naturally more inclined 
 to follow the war-path than the plow, offered to 
 give his island for Dunn's rifle and trappings and 
 
 37 A 
 
 a keg of whiskey which the surveyors had with 
 them. Dunn, having an eye to business, accept- 
 ed the offer, and took possession of the Big 
 Island, as it was generally called at that time. 
 After having drank the whiskey the Indian, boy- 
 like, wished to 'trade back,' but Dunn held fast 
 to his purchase. It is no wonder the Indian re- 
 gretted his bargain, and wished to again get pos- 
 session of his island home, for it was one of the 
 most delightful spots in the West Branch Valley, 
 and had long been a favorite resort for the Red- 
 men. There they had met in solemn council in 
 times of war, and there they had rested beneath 
 the tall elms when peace had prevailed. No 
 wonder the Indians were loath to give up and 
 depart forever from a place which had been held 
 sacred by them from childhood, a place where 
 their fathers had trod long years before, and 
 where their children had sported in their inno- 
 cent glee. Indeed, home, with its surroundings 
 and associations, has its attractions for even a 
 savage humanity." 
 
 The island was owned by Mr. Dunn for many 
 years, and at his death was divided among his 
 heirs. The eastern end is still in the family, be- 
 ing now owned by the Hon. William Dunn, 
 grandson of the original settler. The remainder 
 is owned by Henry and Robert McCormick, John 
 Meyer's heirs and Richard Dorey. It is all un- 
 der cultivation and is highly productive. 
 
 William Dunn, the elder, took an active part 
 in the war of the Revolution, being one of the 
 Committee of Safety for Northumberland county, 
 of which the Island was then a part. At the 
 time of the • 'big runaway," in July, 1768, he 
 was forced like his neighbors to leave his house 
 and fly to a place of safety. He found his way 
 to York, which place he had left a few years be- 
 fore, and enlisted in the army. He participated 
 in several battles, among others those of Ger- 
 mantown and Trenton. After the latter the gov- 
 erment pressed all teams into the service that 
 were available. Mr. Dunn was surprised one 
 day to see his own horses and wagon brought 
 into camp, and immediately asked to take charge 
 of them, which was granted, so he had the satis- 
 faction of driving his own team if he was a 
 soldier. 
 
 In Dunstable township, in 1833, Judge Dunn 
 was married to Elizabeth Barker, who was born 
 in Nippenose Valley, Penn., April 18, 1812, 
 daughter of the late John and Nancy (Ramsay) 
 Barker, who were the grandparents of Capt. 
 Barker, deputy sheriff of Lock Haven, Penn. 
 She attended the primitive subscription schools 
 of Jersey Shore, the school houses in those early 
 days being constructed of logs and furnished with 
 

 KMBJiOBATn RAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 slab while thi 
 
 stricl ' four winter months each year, th. 
 
 scholars having to pay tl 
 
 and a half per quarter. Wh 
 
 ith her 
 I family, wl tl I ' : stable 
 
 iship, ( In- 'in- 
 
 William Dunn, om- 
 
 menced hoi the old on, 
 
 whi 
 
 ro add to hei sorro 
 
 r she I nly child 
 
 Washington, born August July 14. 
 
 ;. in tin- prime "t life, 1 fine man in all re- 
 irnamenl ty. This w 
 
 terrible blow t.. tin- widowed, and now childl 
 
 tliet ; Imii ,{'■ with 
 
 Christian humility. Sin of her I 
 
 i. Mi~ 1 >mm has after tl 
 
 ■ ie farm 
 in general, stock fune flood of 
 
 ■ 
 
 ia 1 
 gh now eighty-l 
 
 ■ 
 thread a needle without gl 
 hardly impaired, and k as of j 
 
 n facl n atl I luties with a 
 
 ! her \ 
 She is a membi 
 
 Bib 1 . and she attendi :-t Sabbath- 
 
 held m Jei -< j S Mr- \\ atson be- 
 
 perintendent, an.! Mr- Gamm< I, ol [ei 
 I teacher Maj 
 tn her numen >us friends by whom 
 she i. and held in so high 
 
 CHARLES \\ BE( K, a thi 
 < -us agriculturist "I Lai iton 
 
 family of that locality, whose men 
 
 ■\ the qualiti 
 iking "I . ship 
 
 Th 
 definite account is John Bi 
 
 who was hum in Northan 
 county, Pi an . |anuarj 1. 178 j, ai 
 ■ in January 1, 1806, to M 
 Snyder, a native of the same county, 
 temper :;. 1783. Tl time 
 
 I •••it Nazareth township, Northampton 
 ' J , hut later i i to Centre c 
 
 located upon a farm near HublersburL;. John 
 k became well known among the agricultur- 
 ist section, and he lived several years 
 the allotted limit of man's existence. 
 away July 27. 1858, while his wife sur- 
 vived him about four years, dying on October 
 They had the following children : 
 liel, born October 27, 1806, died Maj - 
 74; John G., our subject's father, is men- 
 tioned more fully farther on; Sarah, born 
 
 ■ inber 2. of the s 
 , Mary, burn September 14, 1810, married 
 Swartz, ami died July 2, 1865; Chat 
 n May 1 resides in Porter township, 
 
 iton county; Simon, born ' 1 
 d March »; Catherine, born December 
 
 1 November 9. 1881; Henry, born 
 M, itch 24. 1817, died March 24. [884; Joseph, 
 
 ary 24. 1820, resides in Illim 
 Mai October 6, 1S21. died March 11. 
 
 1S46; Elizabeth, born June 4, 1824, died July 
 1 ;, S in, born November 23, 1 : 
 
 ember 25, 1 884. 
 fohn G. Heck, the father of ect, was 
 
 Northampton county, near the present 
 town ol Newburg. At the time of the removal 
 tre county he was a well-grown lad, and a 
 ater he returned to his native county. 
 where he was married, in [831, to Miss Elizabeth 
 Workheiser. She was born in that counts' Au- 
 9, [81 1, the daughter of John Work- 
 heiser, a wealthy farmer. Soon after his mar- 
 fohn 1 . Beck went back to Centre county, 
 and for a time he followed the mason 
 there and elsewhere in this State. In iS;5he 
 purchased the farm now occupied by our subject, 
 a fine property lying along Fishing creek, and 
 letlv known as the old Porter homestead. 
 There he resided during the remainder of his life, 
 much of his time being devoted to his trade. In 
 hi> boyhood he was crippled by a fall on the ice 
 which injured his left hip, but notwithstanding 
 this handicap hi ged to do a great deal of 
 
 hard work in his lifetime. In politics he w 
 
 ilthough he never sought offi- 
 wards, and for many years he was an act- 
 ive member of the Lutheran Church, in which 
 
 Me was a large man, 
 
 while his wife was shorter than the average 
 
 - quite slender in build. He died 
 
 October 1 1 , ml her death occurred Sep- 
 
 the remains of both being in- 
 
 terv, in Porter township, 
 
 Clinton county. Our subject was the youngest 
 
 : children whose names with 
 
 th are as follows: Sarah. March 1. 
 
 1 Bartholemew, and died in 
 
 I 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 579 
 
 Porter township, Clinton count}', April 13, 1877; 
 Rebecca, July 21, 1S33, married Daniel Korkman, 
 and died in Bellefonte February 10, 1877; 
 George, September 27, 1834, is a commission 
 merchant in Pittsburg, Penn. ; Jeremiah, June 
 30, 1836, is a carpenter in Williamsport, Penn.; 
 Daniel, December 31, 1837, is a farmer near 
 Charlton, Penn.; Mary. October 20, 1839, mar- 
 ried R. W. Porter, and died in Mackeyvilie, May 
 
 10, 1S72; Leah, September 10, 1843, married 
 R. \Y. Porter, and died January 1 I, 1892; Eliza, 
 September 1, 1844, married F. E. Beck, and 
 now resides in Williamsport, Penn. ; William F., 
 October 14, 1846, is an accomplished musician, 
 and at present is engaged in piano tuning at 
 Lock Haven; Harriet, December 23, 1848, mar- 
 ried Jacob Stably; John, May 7, 185 1, died May 
 
 11. 1859; and Israel, November 20, 1852, is a 
 fanner in Porter township, Clinton count}'. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was born January 
 14, 1855, in WfLlker township, Centre count}', 
 one mile from Hublersburg, and was but an in- 
 fant when his parents removed to the present 
 homestead. His education was obtained in the 
 schools of Mackeyvilie. his first teacher being a 
 Mr. Seward. He assisted in the work of the 
 farm during boyhood, and remained at home 
 almost continuously until 1882, when he went 
 west and spent some time in Illinois, Kansas, 
 and Wisconsin as a farmhand and journeyman 
 •carpenter. While staying in Freeport, 111., he 
 took lessons in vocal music, and developed an ex- 
 cellent basso voice, and later he and his brother 
 William traveled through the West conducting 
 singing-schools. At the end of a term of ten 
 lessons they would give a concert, and in some 
 towns they would hold musical conventions 
 which aroused great interest. Since 1887 Mr. 
 Beck has had charge of the homestead, manag- 
 ing it first for his mother, and after her death he 
 made an arrangement with the other heirs for 
 renting the place. While he is not a politician, 
 he takes much interest in public affairs, and a 
 few years ago he left the Democratic party, 
 transferring his allegiance to the Prohibition 
 party. Socially, he is prominent as a member 
 of the K. G. E. at Lamar, and his fine musical 
 gifts are often called into service at public gath- 
 erings. At present he is a member of the choir 
 of the Methodist Church at Mackeyvilie. 
 
 On March 9, 1887, Mr. Beck was married in 
 Nittany Valley to Miss Mary Maurer, a native of 
 Centre county, Penn., born June 25, 1859. One 
 child blessed this union, Charles R., who died in 
 infancy. Mrs. Beck is an intelligent and accom- 
 plished woman, and for four years previous to 
 her marriage she taught school, one term being 
 
 spent in Iowa. Her father, the late Owen 
 Maurer, a carpenter by occupation, died at the 
 age of seventy-three years, and her mother, 
 whose maiden same was Tena Tate, died at six- 
 ty-eight. There were eight children: Robert 
 T. , who served in the Civil war as a member of 
 the 7th Pennsylvania Cavalry, and was killed in 
 Georgia; Ellery H., a merchant at Viola Center, 
 Iowa; W. C. , of Nebraska; R. I., of Iowa; H. 
 G., of Porter township, Clinton county; Emma, 
 now Mrs. John McGovern, of Iowa; Barbara, 
 who died at the age of twenty-one years, and 
 Mrs. Beck. 
 
 PROF. JAMES W. ELLIOTT, superintendent 
 of the Renovo public schools, and one of the 
 most able instructors in central Pennsylvania, was 
 born in 1859, in Reedsville, Mifflin county, this 
 State, a son of Rev. George and Laura (Wilson) 
 Elliott, natives of Ohio and Pennsylvania, re- 
 spectively. The father was born in a Scotch 
 settlement in Ohio, and belonged to the "border 
 Elliots" who came from England to America, 
 while his wife, who is still living, was born of 
 Irish and English parentage. She is a grand- 
 daughter of Gen. James Potter, of Revolutionary 
 fame. During the years of his manhood Rev. 
 Elliott labored in the ministry of the Presbyterian 
 Church, and after a long and useful life passed to 
 his reward in the spring of 1895. 
 
 Professor Elliott began his education in the 
 schools of Freeport, 111., and later attended Mc- 
 Ewensville Academy, this State. He next pur- 
 sued his studies in the Pennsylvania State Col- 
 lege, and since leaving that institution in 1SS0 
 has successfully engaged in teaching, having at 
 different times charge of the schools at Orbi- 
 sonia, Penn., and Osceola Mills. He was also 
 professor of Latin and Greek in the Doylestown 
 Seminary, and was, later, superintendent of the 
 public schools of Bangor, Penn. In 1S96 he 
 came to Renovo, and has since had charge of the 
 public schools at this place. He is a man of 
 scholarly tastes, and has the happy faculty of 
 imparting easily and readily to others the knowl- 
 edge he has acquired. In his chosen calling he 
 has therefore met with excellent success. 
 
 In December, 1884, Prof. Elliott was united 
 in marriage with Miss May, a daughter of John 
 H. Vincent, an attorney of Northumberland, 
 Penn., and to them has been born one child, 
 Kathryn Vincent. The parents are members of 
 the Presbyterian Church, and in social circles 
 occupy an enviable position. Fraternally the 
 Professor belongs to the Royal Arcanum, while 
 politically he is a Republican. He has written 
 

 I OMMBMORATITB BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 lis a number of able 
 • nal articles, ami has frequently lectured 
 acceptably before thi - County Instituti 
 
 I 
 
 WASHING 1 I >N DUNN. Whether tl 
 meats - in life are innate attri- 
 
 ol the individual, or 
 quickened bv a process of circumstantial d 
 opment. it is im| clearly determine. 
 
 Yet tin- stud) tul life is none thi 
 
 sting and profitable by :■ 
 ence of this same uncertainty. The march of 
 ivement and pn - : iccelerated day by 
 
 day, and each sui 
 maud of men a broader intelli ind a 
 
 nt than did the preci 
 Successful men in this age must be progn 
 men, men bristling with activity, and the lessons 
 of biography may be liing to an extent 
 
 lly evident. the most success- 
 
 ful men that Clinton county has produced was 
 lington Dunn, whose name introduces this 
 • h. 
 
 Born on Gi H Clinton 
 
 I on, . m i >ii of Judge William 
 
 Dunn t was i chiefly iii the 
 
 ils of that city. At the twenty he 
 
 1 with • il engineering 
 
 if Sidney 1 Hllon, who built the Phil 
 
 phia ' i lilroad. After having thoroughly 
 
 letails, Mr. Dunn. 
 at the early age of twenty-five, built thefirsl 
 enty-five miles of the Western & Maryland rail- 
 
 • 5,000. Sub- 
 went to Utah, and constructed the 
 Mi mtana, known as 
 tah & Northern After building 1 1 8 miles 
 of that narrow 
 
 with tlu- Rocky Mountain I the North- 
 
 ern Pacific, built the i nil Lake 
 
 ■ 
 
 . and then V . r k in 
 
 the Cast ade Mi mnl lin . trib- 
 
 ' his mi igineer 
 
 led the follow ii n of Ji lm 
 
 Codman, win n " 1 .ippim ott s Mag- 
 
 azine:" "Ci 
 
 f r< -iii here, we pursi north- 
 
 ward to Butte, Mont. I n< r the 
 
 admiration of tl ering skill 
 
 of Washington Dunn, who superintended the 
 truction of the Utah & Northern, and who 
 is now emp m the Northern Pacific. 
 
 Much i 'f the I laid over the lava 
 
 the most difficult formation engineers 
 
 .end with, and the most expensive to grade. 
 
 This is particularly noticeabie in the Beaver 
 
 -n, where the crossing is made through the 
 
 main range of the Rocky Mountains. There 
 
 lid seem to have been scarcely room 
 enough for the rushing stream, most inappropri- 
 ately named I >ry Creek." 
 
 July M- '^> s 3. while on his way from 
 
 tland, Oregon, to Missoula, Mont., and at 
 some point west of the latter place, on the line 
 of the Northern Pacific, Mr. Dunn was taken ill 
 of heart disease, it is supposed, and after a brief 
 illness expired in the sleeping car. Mrs. Dunn at 
 once started westward to bring his body back to 
 ild home for interment; but as the railroads 
 were not complete in that Western country, the 
 
 ains had to be conveyed seventy miles by 
 
 ; m, and it was four weeks after his death be- 
 fore they were finally interred in Highland cem- 
 ry, Lock Haven. Rev. J. Max Lantz, of 
 Trinity M. E. Church, officiated at the funeral, 
 which was largely attended, and the once busy 
 man, cut off in the heyday of his manhood, now 
 sleeps his last sleep. 
 
 Mr. Dunn's sudden taking away caused deep 
 sorrow among his many friends and acquaint- 
 ances, besides creating a great loss to Western 
 railmad interests. He was a man of indomitable 
 en< : xcellent organizer and manager of 
 
 railroad labor, and one of the active agents in 
 bringing in the great public works which are 
 
 ilutionizing the material and social life of the 
 
 people. In many respects he was an extraordi- 
 
 man, and his views on other subjects be- 
 
 s those of railroads were eminently practiced. 
 11 was greater than a theorist; he was a master. 
 And not alone for the important part he took in 
 public works, but for the prominent and worthy 
 features of his life and character, is he deserving 
 than passing notice. His disposition 
 was truly kind and gentle. His relation- with 
 his sub-contractors and subordinates were char- 
 
 rized by such fairness, magnanimity and 
 kindness as to win an extraordinary share of confi- 
 dence and esteem, and each one, in his death, 
 felt the loss of a friend. Endowed by nature 
 with a sound judgment and an accurate . discrim- 
 inating mind, he (eared not that laborious atten- 
 tion details of business so necessary to 
 achieve success, and this essential quality was 
 -ense of moral right which 
 the employment of only those 
 
 ins that would beai the most rigid examina- 
 
 by a fairness of intention that neither sought 
 
 se. His charity was great, 
 
 and the practical interest he took in the struggle of 
 
 commencement in life will be 
 
 I 
 
WASHINGTON DUNN 
 
 i 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 581 
 
 well remembered by many a one whom he quietly 
 and unostentatiously assisted. To his estimable 
 family his sudden departure from their midst 
 could not be measured by words; but the gloom 
 of their bereavement has been followed by the 
 sweet memories of a well-spent and spotless life 
 in his useful and worthy achievements. 
 
 On September 25, 1870, Mr. Dunn was mar- 
 ried to Miss Louise Ann Fisk, of Lock Haven, 
 and to them were born three sons and one 
 daughter, who are still living: William Arthur, 
 now a civil engineer on the Pennsylvania rail- 
 road; Charles, who is engaged in business in 
 Boston; Clarence; and Ada. Socially, the fam- 
 ily is one of the most prominent in Lock Haven, 
 and their home is noted for its warm-hearted 
 hospitality. 
 
 P. DARRAH, editor and proprietor of 
 The Evening News, of Renovo, Clinton 
 county, was born October 6, 1872, in Pittsburg, 
 Penn. His parents moving to Renovo when he 
 was quite young, he obtained his rudimentary 
 education in the schools of that town. In 1886 
 he became a student at St. Vincent's College, 
 Latrobe, Westmoreland county, where he pur- 
 sued a classical and commercial course, gradu- 
 ating in 1 89 1 with the degree of M. A. After 
 completing his college courses, he entered upon 
 his course as a bookkeeper, but finding the duties 
 of a commercial life incongenial to his tastes, he 
 entered upon journalism. His first newspaper 
 work was done at Renovo, upon the paper which 
 he now conducts, and later he filled responsible 
 positions on the staffs of journals in the cities of 
 western Pennsylvania, and Cleveland, Ohio. In 
 1896 he returned to Renovo, and in December, of 
 that year obtained possession of The Evening 
 News, the only daily paper published in Clinton 
 county outside of the county seat. His able 
 management of The News redounds to Mr. Dar- 
 rah's credit as a newspaper publisher, and his 
 tact and energy as an editor have given Renovo 
 a clean, fearless journal, which has become in- 
 despensable in this community. 
 
 |EV. JOHN O. ADAMS, who is now prac- 
 JLJL tically living retired in the village of Dunns- 
 town, Woodward township, Clinton county, was 
 born January 24, 1826, in Loganton, Sugar Val- 
 ley, the same county, and has devoted the greater 
 part of his life to the work of the ministry. 
 
 His grandfather, William Adams, was a native 
 of Massachusetts, and of English descent. He 
 grew to manhood in that State when the country 
 
 was still under British rule, and on the outbreak 
 of the Revolutionary war enlisted in the Conti- 
 nental army under Washington, valiantly fighting 
 for liberty until independence was achieved and 
 the colonies were recognized as free States. On 
 leaving his native State he removed to one of the 
 southern counties of New York, where he en- 
 gaged in farming for some time, and then came to 
 Stroudsburg, Monroe Co., Penn., where he con- 
 tinued to follow that occupation throughout his 
 remaining years. He was a well-educated man, 
 and took a just pride in the fact that he had 
 aided in establishing this most glorious republic 
 of ours. He married a Miss Everett, of Scotch 
 descent, who also died at Stroudsburg, and to 
 them were born six children: William, Benja- 
 min, Joseph, Jesse, John and Margaret. 
 
 William T. Adams, our subject's father, was 
 born in Monroe county, in 1794, and, as there 
 were no public schools in that locality during his 
 boyhood, his education was limited to the 
 knowledge he could acquire through his own 
 unaided efforts. He spent much time in the 
 reading and study of the Bible. Until eighteen 
 years of age he assisted his father in the cultiva- 
 tion of the home farm, and then learned the mill- 
 wright's trade, which he followed in his native 
 county for twelve years. In 1824 he located in 
 Sugar Valley, Clinton county (then a part of 
 Centre county), where he assisted in building the 
 first gristmill, and continued to follow his chosen 
 occupation in Clinton, Centre, Lycoming, 
 Dauphin, Lebanon and Schuylkill counties, Penn. , 
 until he had secured a comfortable competence 
 which enabled* him to lay aside business cares in 
 1864. He then removed to Berrysburg, Dauphin 
 county, where he lived retired at the home of 
 our subject until called to the world beyond in 
 1874, and now sleeps the sleep of the just in the 
 silent graveyard at Berrysburg. He was a faith- 
 ful member of the United Brethren Church, to 
 which his wife also belonged, and was an ardent 
 Republican in politics. 
 
 In Sugar Valley William T. Adams had wed- 
 ded Miss Mary Miller, whose birth occurred in 
 Lebanon county, in 1802, and of the nine chil- 
 dren born to them our subject is the oldest. He 
 was followed by Angelina, now the widow of 
 William Sharer, of Lock Haven; Jesse, of Will- 
 iamsport, Penn. ; Martha, wife of B. F. Roden- 
 baugh, of Muncy, Lycoming county; Charles, 
 who died from the effect of wounds received at 
 the second battle of Bull Run during his service 
 in the Civil war; George; Thomas, who was 
 killed at the battle of Petersburg; Rebecca, wife 
 of Daniel Pottiger, of Renovo, Penn. ; and Har- 
 riet, wife of Jonathan Overholtzer, of Iowa. The 
 

 VORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 m.'ther survived her husband for son dy- 
 
 ing at the li subject in Dunnstown in 
 
 and her remains were interred t: 
 The only education which our subject re- 
 ceived w.is obtained by three months' atti 
 during the winti n at the public 
 
 and h< ! to walk A two 
 
 miles to the school house. His summi 
 
 ! to farm labor ii .alley, where he 
 
 tinued I : until sixteen y 
 
 With his lather lie then leai millwright's 
 
 trade, which he foil tie. 
 
 Union, Dauphin and other 
 
 nties in the sumi >n, while the winter 
 
 nths were devoted I 
 
 his own 
 mind, and lia\ in ne a 
 
 mil ted much atten- 
 
 t theol<.i; , \ . At the 
 twenty-two he 1 to pn the 
 
 United Brethn Ni 1 1 .land, 
 
 Lancastei I I Ins tir-t charge was 
 
 in the H circuit, Lykens Valley, Dauphin 
 
 inty, whi ttended to the spiritual w 
 
 of the | pie for three . uring which time 
 
 hi built a church at Lykenstown, .mother at 
 Cr< lathird lis Valley. From 
 
 una 
 mission and located at Linglestown, Middle 1 
 
 townsh inty, where i 
 
 on* nd built a fine brick 
 
 church. The next I in Lan- 
 
 n, , whei 
 rship and made other ii ents in the 
 
 church pn ; there' he moved ti i 
 
 High Spire, Dauphin county, where he made his 
 
 which tin 
 
 it his trade. In 
 
 wh followin l in 
 
 tion with farming he also serve 
 
 preacher. 
 
 Mr. Ad made his home in Dunns- 
 
 tov. ■', and ha I in market 
 
 ling, owning and i >pi ratii ill farm. In 
 
 ■ I by t: 
 
 il I, causin k>, and he then 
 
 moved to hi where he contii 
 
 to follow gardening 1 1 
 
 iching the ■, but has 
 
 local minister, and has 1 the 
 
 Unit* d 1 Irethren Church 1 
 torical power, h hing has 
 
 ive, and he has been thi l bringin 
 
 lis to Christ. Since the the 
 
 Republican party he has t its eari 
 
 ad> nd. heir. : nee Wi U 
 
 he is a prominent member of the Good Templars, 
 and also is identified with the Knights of Pythias 
 fraternity and the Order of Odd Fellows, hold- 
 ing membership in the lodge at Berrysburg, in 
 which he has filled all the chairs. No man in 
 Clinton county is more highly respected, or is 
 more deserving the high r< gard in which he is 
 uniformly held than Rev. John Q. 'Adams. 
 
 In 1S50. at Berrysburg, Mr. Adams was 
 united in marriage with Miss Hannah Forney, a 
 native of that place, and a daughter md 
 
 Margaret 1 Rumberger) Forney, the former born in 
 Mifflin township, Dauphin county, in 1 7 S s , and 
 the latter in Northumberland county, Penn., in 
 
 ;. The father received a good German t 
 cation in his native county, and made farming his 
 life occupat ning and operating several 
 
 farm- in Dauphin count}', at different tin 
 three of which were in Mifflin township. He be- 
 came finite well-to-do, was widely and favorably 
 known, was 1 Republican in politics and a mem- 
 ber of tl il Church, to which his fam- 
 ily also belonged. He died in Mifflin township, 
 
 iphin county, in 1873, and his wife in 1 
 In their family were the following children: 
 Catharine, wife of William Mettz, of Dauphin 
 county; Susanna, wife of Adam Zortman, of 
 Northumberland county; Mary, wife of Ge> 
 
 it-, of Northumberland county; Hannah, wife 
 
 ur subject; and Daniel, who died at the 
 .teen y< 
 
 en children blessed the union of Mr 
 Mrs. Adams, namely: 1 William O., born. 
 March 15, [854, in Linglestown, Dauphin coun- 
 ty, began his education in the public schools of 
 that county, and later attended the Berrysburg 
 nd Lebanon Valley College. He is 
 □ in the car shops at Roanoke, Va. 
 He married Sarah Rodenbaugh, and has four 
 children- Dottie, Alice, Lillian and Daisy. 
 
 ph M . born April 23, [856, died in March, 
 rth E., bom in High Spire, 
 inty, December 27, r86i, attended 
 the Berrysburg public schools, and graduated at 
 the Seminary of that place and also at the busi- 
 llege in Lock Haven. He has taught 
 100I, but is now a traveling in for a 
 
 lumber Lock Haven. He married 
 
 Lock Haven, Penn. (4 U 
 S. Cram, born November [9, 1 S65, in Berrys- 
 burg, where he pursued his studies in the public 
 
 d in teaching in 
 
 Dunnstown and Beach Creeks, Clinton county. 
 
 rapher, of New York City. 
 
 Lillian M Berrysburg, was edu- 
 
 cated in the public schools of Clinton county and 
 in the Central State Normal School, where she 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 583 
 
 graduated in the spring of 1897. For eight years 
 she was successfully engaged in teaching, six in 
 Castanea and two in Lockport. She possesses 
 an excellent voice, and is now a member of the 
 Methodist Episcopal Church choir. (6) Mary H. , 
 born in Berrysburg, was a student in the public 
 schools of Clinton county, and the high school 
 of Lock Haven. She was married in the latter 
 place in 1893 to Mackey C. Fargus, of Dunns- 
 town, and now has a son, Grant E., born in 
 1 895. (7) Edith E., also born in Berrysburg, 
 and a student in the public schools of Clinton 
 county and the high school of Lock Haven, 
 graduated in 1895 at the Central State Normal 
 School, and has taught for one year in Pine 
 Creek township, Clinton county. She also sings 
 in the Methodist Church choir. As will be seen, 
 the children have all been provided with excel- 
 lent educations, are now filling important posi- 
 tions in life, and occupy a prominent place in so- 
 cial circles. 
 
 WH. DORNBLASER, a leading agricult- 
 urist of Porter township, Clinton county, 
 is a worthy representative of one of the old 
 Colonial familes. 
 
 Mr. Dornblaser is of the fifth generation in 
 direct descent from Gotlieb Dornblaser, who 
 came from Germany before the Revolutionary 
 war and located in Northampton county, Penn. 
 This honored pioneer had a son, Paul, who had 
 a son, John (our subject's grandfather), who set- 
 tled in Nittany Valley at an early date. 
 
 Gideon Dornblaser (the father of our subject) 
 was born July 21, 181 7, and was but a boy when 
 his parents removed to this section. He learned 
 the carpenter's trade with Matthew Riddle, near 
 Pleasant Gap, Centre county, but his youth was 
 mainly spent upon his father's farm, his educa- 
 tion being limited to an attendance at the schools 
 of that locality. In early manhood he was mar- 
 ried near Nittany Hall to Miss Catherine Miller, 
 who was born January 7, 1824, the daughter of 
 John and Eve Miller. After his marriage he set- 
 tled at the old homestead with his father, and, 
 except for making improvements upon the farm, 
 he did not work at his trade. In time he pur- 
 chased the farm where he continued to reside 
 until his death, which occurred September 24, 
 1866, his life being doubtless shortened by a 
 severe attack of typhoid fever in 1855. He was 
 of ordinary build, weighing 148 pounds usually, 
 and until weakened by the fever he was a most 
 industrious worker. In the management of his 
 farm he was very successful, and with the assist- 
 ance of his wife's economy he gained a hand- 
 
 some competence, being regarded as one of the 
 substantial men of the neighborhood. He was 
 prominent in local politics as a member of the 
 Democratic party, and after serving creditably in 
 various township offices he was elected, in 1S60, 
 count)' commissioner. While he held firm 
 opinions, he was not inclined to argue, and could 
 always keep his temper in a discussion. In re- 
 ligious work he was active,, being a leading mem- 
 ber of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, in which 
 he held offices almost constantly. Although his 
 sympathies were readily awakened in behalf of 
 any movement which promised benefit for the 
 community, his home and family constituted his 
 chief interest. On November 28, 1861, his be- 
 loved wife passed to the other world, and their 
 remains now rest in the cemetery at Snydertown. 
 Our subject was the eldest of eight children, the 
 others being: John M., born May 2, 1846, is a 
 merchant at Valley Falls, Kans. ; Benjamin F. , 
 born June 4, 1848, died in 1855; Mary E., born 
 August 25, 1849, is now Mrs. Jacob P. Krope, 
 of Porter, Penn.; Sarah O, born February 3, 
 1852. married W. J. Burrell; Miss Emma J., 
 born July 24, 1855, resides at Lamar; Clara E. , 
 born August 12, 1859, died May 28, i860; and 
 Annuel G., born May 10, 1861, is a Lutheran 
 minister at Columbus, Ohio. 
 
 W. H. Dornblaser was born June 30, 1844, 
 at the present homestead, and his education was 
 obtained in the Washington school, at what is 
 now known as Lamar, his first teacher being 
 Jane Watson. As the eldest son there was al- 
 ways plenty of work for him at home, but his 
 parents desired him to make the most of his op- 
 portunities and sent him to school as much as 
 possible. He has resided at the homestead all 
 his life, and after his father's death he bought a 
 half interest in the estate, in which he and his 
 sister, Miss Emma, are now equal owners. The 
 management of the place devolves entirely upon 
 him, however, and he is recognized as an enter- 
 prising and successful farmer. 
 
 On November 13, 1866, he was married to 
 Miss Sarah J. Beck, a daughter of Charles Beck, 
 who is mentioned more fully farther on. Four 
 children have blessed this union, all of whom 
 are living: (1) Arthur S., born August 20, 1867, 
 was educated at the Lock Haven Normal 
 School, Susquehanna University, Selins Grove, 
 and the Boston School of Music. At present he 
 resides at Hagerstown, Md. He married Miss 
 Betty Isminger, of Funkstown, Md.. and has one 
 child, Madge. (21 Catherine E., born Septem- 
 ber 1, 1869, an attractive young lady now at 
 home, studied at the Lock Haven Normal School 
 and later was graduated from the Seminary at 
 

 I OMMEMORATIVB BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 rstown, Md [3 Dora B., born March 4, 
 and (4 Edith I 
 are at home. Mr. D 1 and his » 
 
 prominent me the Luthei h, in 
 
 which he holds tli n, and hi 
 
 he A. O. U. \\ -I. Ha n; I 
 ( , I ... and tl Po- 
 
 litical!) hi l, and I 
 
 ■ 
 
 Chari 1 I '.1 th t ither of Mrs 1 ' 
 
 , D imber i| 
 
 nthsand 
 le his home with <>ur sub- 
 • and most highly 
 ■ : that locality. He was 
 M 2, in Walker township, Centre 
 
 county, ti t John and Elizabeth 
 
 i came imily which has long 
 
 well-known in I the Mate. 
 
 For n Iture, 
 
 in which he was ver) 11 wife, 
 
 Elizabeth Smith, who rn April 20, 181 1, 
 
 Dunnsl ty, died N 
 
 bei 1 leeply lamented b) a 
 
 ■ he youngi st. H ■ :11< fonti . 
 
 and Elizabeth is now the wife "I G W Smith, 
 
 of til- 
 
 CHARLES ( < >RSS st mem- 
 
 bers "I the legal fraternity in tlu> section, 
 
 Haven for 
 hi thirtj ility and 
 
 ning have won w ide recogniti 
 Mi ,j the 
 
 1 < )n the paternal 
 hi 1- ol the sixth gi , t line, 
 
 ettledin D 
 in 1690, and died ii i 
 
 beth Catlin, and the) h Dur- 
 
 k of Deerfii Id, in 1703 | I 
 1 then the w idow ol the , 
 
 killed, and 
 
 irty 
 h and In 
 
 Jan bi 'in at Di 1 rfield in 1 
 
 f wealth and mi' I i 
 
 iti >l huntei and ti id during the French 
 
 and Indian w.u 1 His O >ur- 
 
 and public spiril 
 old age approached, for he ; 
 vati unk. 1 Hill, although 
 
 he was at that time eight) I 1 1. 
 
 ■ii.l Thankful Munn, and their -"ii Ash 
 
 I -grandfather, was born 111 
 Mass., in 1737, and became a suc- 
 sful farmer there, his tine old homestead bi 
 still in the possession of one of his descendants 
 1 1 married Submit Chapin, and their 
 Asher I our subject's grandfather, 
 
 was born in Greenfield in 1774, and died in [814, 
 his life having been spent in agricultural pursuits. 
 He married Lucy Grennell, of Greenfield, and 
 de In- home at that place. Our subjects fa- 
 ther. Rev. * Chapin Corss, was born at 
 Id, May 22, 1803. and received an ex- 
 cellent education, graduating from Amherst Col- 
 and the Theological Seminary at Princeton, 
 N. J. ! the ministr) of the Presbyterian 
 he continued to preach the Gospel for 
 many yi I his life being spent in Penn- 
 sylvania, where he located in 1835, residing at 
 Km hen in Athens, and finally in Smith- 
 held. He attained the venerable age of ninety- 
 thn his death occurring in His 
 wife, Ann Hoyt, was born in 181 7, in Kiii-- 
 I'enn., and died August 7. 1 S 5 1 . She was 
 a descendant of Simon Hoyt, who settled at 
 . Mass., in 1630. Her immediate ances- 
 tors were residents ol Danbury, Conn. , her great- 
 grandfather, (apt. Comfort Hoyt, and grandfa- 
 ther, Daniel Hoyt, having been prominent citi- 
 Her father, Ziba Hoyt, was born in Dan- 
 bur}, but removed to Kingston in the latter part 
 of the eighteenth century. 
 
 1 harles Corss was born July 20, 1837, at the 
 
 old home at Kingston, and as his parents fully 
 
 reciated the value of a good education, he 
 
 given every advantagi within their reach. 
 
 During boyh i he pursued his studies at home 
 
 under his fathei nice, and was thus pre- 
 
 l to enter th imore year at Lafayi 
 
 I ton, 1 Vim . where he was gradu- 
 
 as the valedictorian of his class. 
 
 In 1 ived his Master's degn the 
 
 • institution, and was chosen to deliver an 
 
 oration. For two years he held the position of 
 
 tnt"i in and in the meantime began 
 
 study of law with Judge Henry D. Maxwell, 
 
 ol Easton. In iS6ohe was admitted to the Bar, 
 
 n the fall of the same year he located at 
 
 hi has 1 ntinued in success- 
 
 •'>> I' e. In politics he is a stanch 
 
 Republican, but he has never sought 01 I 
 
 In [862, Mi was married to his first 
 
 w 'fe. Mi Ann Kennedy, oi Belvidere, N. 
 
 J • who dii I April 7, 1880. On June 5, 1889, 
 ima Pollock, daughter of ex- 
 Philadelphia, Penn. Three 
 cml "i to the first marriage, namely: 
 
-r~2^ 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 585 
 
 Mrs. J. F. McCormick, of Lock Haven; James 
 Kennedy, born April 14, 1S69, and Sarah Ann, 
 who was born in 1S80 and died in the same year. 
 One son, Charles Pollock, born in 1892, has 
 blessed the second union. James Kennedy Corss, 
 who is a young man of marked ability, was grad- 
 uated from Amherst College and the University 
 of Pennsylvania, and is now practicing medicine 
 at Newport News, Va. On April 24, 1895, he 
 was married to Miss Susan E. Seay, of Cumber- 
 land, Maryland. 
 
 Socially, our subject and family are promi- 
 nent, but he has not joined any secret society 
 since his college days, when he was a member of 
 the Delta Kappa Epsilon, a Greek letter society. 
 In religious faith he is a Presbyterian, and since 
 1869 he has been a ruling elder in the Church. 
 
 EV. JOHN ELIOT WRIGHT, D. D. , the 
 beloved pastor of the Great Island Pres- 
 byterian Church, at Lock Haven, Clinton coun- 
 ty, has a remarkable ancestry, being descended 
 in both paternal and maternal lines from several 
 generations of clergymen. The Wright family 
 originated in the North of Ireland, but it has 
 been identified with the New World for more 
 than two hundred years. 
 
 Hon. John Wright, the great-grandfather of 
 our subject, was a resident of Westmoreland 
 county, Penn., and Rev. John Wright (grandfa- 
 ther of Rev. John Eliot Wright) was a promi- 
 nent minister at Lancaster, Ohio, in early days. 
 Rev. Edward W. Wright, D. D., our subject's 
 father, was born and reared at Lancaster, and 
 when a young man entered the Presbyterian 
 ministry, locating in Indiana, where he spent the 
 greater portion of his life. He died in 1866, and 
 his wife, whose maiden name was Henrietta 
 Swift, passed away in 1895. She was born in 
 Pittsburg. Penn., the daughter of Rev. Elisha P. 
 Swift, D. D., of Allegheny. Penn., and a grand- 
 daughter of Rev. Seth Swift, of Williamstown, 
 Mass., whose wife was a direct descendant of 
 John Eliot, the "Apostle to the Indian." The 
 Swifts and the Eliots are of English extraction, 
 but both families have been in America for about 
 two centuries. Rev. Edward Wright and his 
 wife had a large family of children, of whom the 
 following are living: Williamson S., of Portland, 
 Ore.; John E., our subject; Jeannette E. , Ed- 
 ward E., and Mrs. Lucy H. Gerwig, all of Pitts- 
 burg; and E. P. Swift Wright, of New York. 
 
 Dr. John Eliot Wright was born December 
 17, 1842, in Lafayette, Ind., and, having deter- 
 mined upon his vocation at an early age, he ap- 
 plied himself diligently to study, and in 1S62 
 
 was graduated from Jefferson College, at Can- 
 onsburg, Penn. In 1864 he was licensed by the 
 Logansport (Ind.) Presbytery, and in 1865 he 
 completed his course at the Theological Semi- 
 nary, Princeton, N. J. On December 27, 1866, 
 his ordination took place at Allegheny, Penn., 
 and for two years he remained there as a co- 
 pastor with Rev. L. L. Conrad in the Second 
 Presbyterian Church. In 186S he accepted a 
 call to the Church at Greenville, Penn., and from 
 1874 to 1878 he was pastor of the First Presby- 
 terian Church at Walnut Hills, Cincinnati, Ohio. 
 On leaving that place he took charge of a Church 
 at Madison, Wis., remaining until 1882. He 
 then spent some time as pastor of the Jefferson 
 Park Church, at Chicago, but later removed to 
 Philadelphia and on April 25, 18S3, was installed 
 as pastor of the Market Square Church, at Ger- 
 mantown. In the fall of 1892, feeling the need 
 of complete relief from care, he resigned, and 
 after resting for a few months, he assumed his 
 present charge, arriving in December, 1893, and 
 was installed in October, 1894. His work there 
 and elsewhere has been rewarded with abundant 
 success, and he is held in high esteem wherever 
 he is known. At present he is a member of the 
 board of trustees of the General Assembly of the 
 Presbyterian Church. 
 
 In 1869 Dr. Wright was married to Miss 
 Ellen M. Kerr, daughter of Rev. John and Annie 
 (Bakewell) Kerr, of Pittsburg, and three children 
 brighten their home: "Mary Swift, Gifford King, 
 and Naomi. 
 
 HON. J. HARRIS McKINNEY, one of the 
 __ distinguished citizens of Clinton county, 
 now serving as associate judge, and a leading 
 representative of the agricultural interests, has 
 back of him an ancestry honorable and eminent. 
 He is a representative of the Scotch-Irish ele- 
 ment that forms so important a factor in our 
 American citizenship. The name was originally 
 spelled McKinnie, and the family was founded in 
 America by the great-grandfather, Henry Mc- 
 Kinney, who was born in Scotland or the north- 
 ern part of Ireland, and came to this country in 
 1720, settling in Dauphin county, Penn., where 
 he followed farming. He was married and had 
 several children, including Henry, James, John 
 and Mathew. When young men James and 
 Mathew removed to Mercer county, Penn. The 
 great-grandfather died in Dauphin county, and 
 is supposed to have been buried in the historic 
 graveyard surrounding Deny Church, in which 
 Church he was a consistent member and faithful 
 worker. 
 
 His son, John McKinney, was born on the 
 
 S 
 
- 
 
 C0MM1 VORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 banks ol Swatara river, Dauphin county, and 
 
 making farn 
 his n irried in his 
 
 inty to I nd they bei ame the 
 
 ! in 
 
 rchyard. 
 
 Th were ]• ibn, who 
 
 ! in N< irthumber- 
 land county, Penn.; James Harris, father of the 
 
 I ihn Inn I >un- 
 
 iunty; Mathew, . 
 
 ship, L) ty; and 
 
 William, wh tree 
 
 in Northumberland county. The grandfather re- 
 
 North- 
 
 umberland county, in t78o, travelin im, 
 
 mi wliu h id in Turbut 
 
 tow nsh his remains 
 
 ■■ ith thosi other meml 
 
 of the family rry churchyard. He sen 
 
 in 1 tauphin a >unty, 
 which was known .1- thi ng (Inn 
 
 ins with 
 the In- 
 randfather, with 
 ! the Warrioi Run Church, in Northum- 
 
 \ Inch tli 
 I hurch. Hi I unflinching 
 
 munity. 
 ney, father ol the [ud 
 
 phii on his 
 
 father's farm ai 
 
 which h |y at ho 
 
 When mm 1 joined the army 
 
 I did dul \ Y.. with 
 
 Warrior Run Kill. \ Hi his 
 
 warded in 1 
 nment. 
 • •in to N 
 
 : in farming for 
 to N'ittanj \ 
 
 inty, on 
 which he 1 
 dui t h e n 
 
 wnship, 1 
 
 I basing the Myi 
 
 II ■'■' '" 111.I he built 
 
 thl : 
 
 more than | . burning the brick u] 
 
 own land. He also built a barn, ind n 
 in. .-Hi impi , develo] 
 
 ' " ■ fat - in the township. I fe 
 
 in- land under a high stal 
 
 • 
 ■ 
 
 |ames Harris McKinney was married January 
 1. [818, in Northumberland county, to Ruth L. 
 11, who was born in Northumberland 
 ity. April 11, 1799, a daughter of Andrew 
 id, a farmer of Northumberland county, 
 scotch-Irish descent. They had nine children: 
 |ohn, deceased; Esther G., deceased wife of 
 Robert M. Russell, of Dew art. Northumberland 
 ■ ty; Nancy, who died in young womanhood; 
 Andrew C, a miller of Pine Creek township; 
 William L. , who died at the age of twenty-two 
 t ne. who died in Nittany Valley; David 
 F., a physician and now a resident of Frederick 
 City, Md., and a surgeon of the 87th Regiment 
 during the Wai of the Rebellion, married Mary, 
 only daughter of William E. Trego, of Baltimore, 
 Md. ; J. Harris, the Judge; and Priscilla. widow 
 of Oliver P. Montgomery, of Watsontown, Nor- 
 thumberland county. The father of this family 
 >i domestic taste.-, who did all in his 
 power to promote the happiness and welfare of 
 his family. Realizing the value of education he 
 his children excellent advantages in this di- 
 rection. He was a stanch part}' man who voted 
 the Whig ticket in early life and afterward the 
 Republican. He and his family were consistent 
 s of the Presbyterian Church. He died 
 at the old homestead March 14, 1S79. His 
 wife, who had been to him a faithful companion 
 helpmeet on life's journey for more than 
 fifty years, died Julys, l88o, and both v 
 buried at Jersey Shore. His well -spent life won 
 him the pect of all with whom he 
 
 came in contact, and his ability led to his selec- 
 tion forvarious local offices, in which he served 
 with credit to himself and satisfaction to his con- 
 stituents. 
 
 Judge J. Harris McKinney acquired his pri- 
 lucation in the district schools of his na- 
 hip, and afterward attended the high 
 I Jersey Shore, where he was graduated. 
 He then returned to the farm where he has since 
 II tred for his parents in their old 
 and after his father's death took charge of 
 the hom 1 which he has made some 
 
 nt improvements. He is one of the ex- 
 tensive tobacco growers in this section of the 
 nty, and has built excellent tobacco sheds. 
 I as one <>f the most progressive 
 farmers in this section of the count)', and the 
 the place well indicates his 
 : vision. 
 On August 12, 1S74, in Watsontown, North- 
 umberland county, Judge McKinney was married 
 to F vho was born in that county, 
 
 ! Robert and Sarah (Caldwell) Mc- 
 11 r father was a farmer of Northumber- 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 587 
 
 land county, and was of Scotch-Irish extraction. 
 Mrs. McKinney was one of five children, and by 
 her marriage became the mother of three chil- 
 dren: Sarah McKee and Ruth Ferguson are 
 twins, the former of whom is a graduate of the 
 high school in Jersey Shore, taking first honors 
 in the class of '95, and is pursuing her musical 
 education, while the latter died in infancy; and 
 Hester Graham is a student in the high school 
 of Jersey Shore. The mother died May 29, 
 1886, and the Judge was again married Novem- 
 ber 21, 1888, his second union being with Miss 
 Ella Leib, of Wellsboro, Tioga Co., Penn., a 
 daughter of George Leib, a merchant of that 
 county. Her death occurred September 5, 1895. 
 Both of his wives were members of the Presby- 
 terian Church. 
 
 Judge McKinney has been prominent in po- 
 litical affairs as a leader of the Republican forces 
 of his township and county. He was elected 
 township auditor for six terms, and in 1S95 was 
 elected associate judge of Clinton county by a 
 good majority, his personal popularity and his 
 sterling worth winning him many votes of the 
 Democracy. In the discharge of his duties he is 
 prompt, reliable and true to the trust reposed in 
 him. He is an active advocate of the cause of 
 temperance, is a consistent member of the Pres- 
 byterian Church, in which he has served as elder 
 and steward, and in the Sunday-school he has 
 acted as teacher. He is a self-made man, and 
 has not only advanced along financial lines, but 
 has developed his scholarly tastes by extensive 
 reading, and is to-day a well-informed man on 
 the political and general issues which claim the 
 public attention. To his family he is an indul- 
 gent father, and with him friendship is inviolable. 
 He receives and merits the highest regard, and is 
 well deserving of mention among the honored 
 citizens of Clinton county. 
 
 JUDGE JAMES W. CRAWFORD. Men of 
 marked ability and strong individuality leave 
 their impress upon the world in such indeli- 
 ble characters that time is powerless to obliter- 
 ate their memory or sweep it from the minds of 
 men. Their commendable acts live long after 
 they have passed from the scene of their earthly 
 career. 
 
 Judge Crawford is one of the strong charac- 
 ters who have become an integral part of the 
 business life of Clinton county, and by the exer- 
 cise of his powers has not only advanced his in- 
 dividual prosperity, but has contributed to the 
 welfare of the county. He has filled public po- 
 sitions of honor and trust in a most creditable 
 
 manner, and has won the utmost regard of all 
 with whom he has come in contact. He is now 
 one of the leading agriculturists of Chapman 
 township, was born October 15, 1832, near 
 Chatham Run, in Pine Creek township, Clinton 
 county, while his father, James Allison Crawford, 
 was a native of Wayne township, the same 
 county, a son of Robert Crawford and a brother 
 of the late Judge George Crawford, an old settler 
 of- Pine Creek township. The father obtained 
 only such an education as the subscription schools 
 of his daj' afforded, and was reared on the home 
 farm in Wayne township. When a young man 
 he removed to the present site of Charleston, 
 Pine Creek township, where he purchased a 
 small tannery and engaged in its operation until 
 1 S37, when he bought the Duncan farm in that 
 township, improving and cultivating the same 
 for ten years. In 1S47 he removed with his 
 family to Lock Haven and embarked in mer- 
 chandising, which business he successfully carried 
 on until 1855, when he sold out and returned to 
 his farm in Pine Creek township. In 1862 he 
 rented the place and again moved to Lock Haven, 
 where he engaged in lumbering a short time 
 and lived retired until his death, which occurred 
 in that city, August 12, 1884, his remains being 
 interred in Highland cemetery. He and his 
 family were consistent members of the Presbyte- 
 rian Church, and in politics he was a stalwart 
 Democrat, but no politician in the sense of office- 
 seeking. 
 
 In Pine Creek township, James Allison 
 Crawford was married to Miss Tabitha White, 
 who was born in that township, a daughter of 
 James and Elizabeth (Whitesall) White, the 
 former of English descent. Eight children were 
 born of this union, namely: Robert, who died 
 in 1878; Elizabeth, widow of R. R. Bridgens, 
 of Lock Haven; James W. ; Charlotte, who died 
 in childhood; Emma, wife of Alexander McDon- 
 ald, of New York City; George, who resides on 
 the old homestead; Thomas E., a contractor, of 
 Lock Haven; and Isabella, wife of S. Peck, of 
 West Virginia. The mother died in Lock Ha- 
 ven in 1890, and was also buried in Highland 
 cemetery. 
 
 Judge Crawford began his education in an old 
 log schoolhouse supplied with plank benches and 
 other primitive furniture, having for his teachers 
 Alexander Hamilton and a Mr. Walters. After 
 the removal of the family to Lock Haven, he 
 continued his studies in the public schools dur- 
 ing the winter, while during the summer months 
 he worked in his father's store, and in his em- 
 ploy also spent one year in the lumber business 
 in Clearfield county. In 1S50 he came to North 
 

 VORATH BAPHWAL RECORD. 
 
 (then known as \ Womanstown) 
 
 worked in the genera of his 
 
 father ami Michael • and also 1 
 
 of his father, re- 
 maining in their for four years, during 
 which time he mana some •■ 
 1 1 < then purchased his father's interest in the 
 for $1,300, and, in partnership with Mr. 
 Quigl n business until in [861 with 
 I le then turned his attentii m to 
 the lumber business, buying timber and 1 
 ing in the manufacture of lumber and shipping it 
 to different points, and in this enterprise he was 
 connected with Gammel, White & 1 
 era] years, I le is still intei 
 
 nt farm in Chapman township is 
 I ol 117 acres which he pun hased in 
 On ti ted a a imfortable 
 
 where he continues making his ! 
 surrounded by all the comforts and many of the 
 luxui life, which ha. tained 
 
 through Ins own individual effort, sound judg- 
 ment, ai ability. 
 
 In 1 s ; 4 , .it North Bend, Mr. Crawford was 
 married to Miss Frances A. Q a native of 
 
 that 1 Michael Quig 
 
 prominent merchant, lumberman and farmer, who 
 f German and Irish descent. Tothemwere 
 Emma, \\ i Samuel W. 
 
 at home; Lottie McD., wife 
 ink Ransdorf, and [ames, Ann 
 I whom died in childhood. The 
 
 family of prominem the center of 
 
 ■I friend quaintances, Be- 
 
 in ardent 1 t, Mr. Crawford was 
 
 i. that ticket, in 1 
 Clinton county, and so satisfactorily did 
 the term of five years that in 1890 he 
 
 u.is again the nominee "I his party, and v. 
 
 I by the Republican party, which made 
 ainst him, ti gain, thus 
 
 beiiu without oppi ; which in- 
 
 sularity and t ! 
 trusl in him by hi Foi 
 
 he served r in Chap- 
 
 man township, and at the same tii 
 as auditor, but after the law « 
 
 from holding the two 1 once, 
 
 signed the latter. Ik 
 Hav< nI ,, F. & .\. M. ; Lock I 
 
 P. B. O. E., and with his fam- 
 il\ 1- a member of the Presbyterian Church. His 
 een well -pent, marked bj integrity in 
 business relations and fidelity to ever) duty, 
 public or private. His sterling worth has gained 
 him the uniform regard of all. and Clinton 1 
 I to number him among her 1 
 
 ALVA S. GROW, the efficient and popular 
 -ter and recorder of Clinton county, 
 with residence at Lock Haven, is a native of 
 the county, born July 28, 1856. at Mill Hall. 
 
 Mathias Grow, father of our subject, was a 
 
 lier in the Civil war, having enlisted in Com- 
 pany C, 1 ;, _ th P. Y. I., and died in December, 
 
 j, in Findlay Hospital, Washington, District 
 of Columbia. 
 
 Alva S. Crow received his education in the 
 
 iiers' Orphan Schools of the State, for a time 
 ne at McAlisterville, Juniata county. 
 In October, [872, he entered the office of the 
 Clinton Democrat, where he passed three years, 
 learning the printing trade and assisting the edi- 
 tor, Hon. J. C. C. Whaley, with the local de- 
 partment of the paper. In October. 1 S 7 7 , Mr. 
 Grow became a member of the Journal Associa- 
 npany with Ira M. Harvey, John T. 
 Noble and H. Byxbe, in which he continued un- 
 til the spring of [878, when he went to Belle- 
 fonte, becoming local editor of the Bellefonte Re- 
 publican. In February, 1879, he was elected 
 
 stant burgess on the same ticket with (now) 
 D. H. Hastings, who was elected chief 
 burgess, and he remained at Bellefonte until July 
 1, 1879, when he returned to Lock Haven and 
 purchased the Journal newspaper establishment. 
 Mr. Crow enjoys the distinction of being the 
 first person to introduce printing by steam in 
 Clinton county, and at the same time was the 
 owner of the most rapid press in the county, 
 
 n to the present time. In December, 1883, 
 the Journal fixtures were sold to a New York 
 party, and for a time our subject engaged in 
 newspaper work in Philadelphia. In the spi 
 of 1884 he became a member of the firm of 
 Georv- T. Bisel & Co., publishers and booksell- 
 if Philadelphia, remaining with the firm un- 
 til May, 1889, when, selling out his interest 
 tlun in. he returned to Lock Haven, and at once 
 
 red tin office of Charles M. O'Connor, as 
 general manager of that gentleman's extensive 
 busim 
 
 In August. [891, Mr. (.row received the nom- 
 ination of the Republican party for register 
 recorder of Clinton county, and at the Novem- 
 f that year was elected by a major- 
 ity ol 582, In 1894 he was re-elected, and was 
 thus serving his second term, when, in October. 
 
 7, he wa ted State bank examiner by 
 
 Gov. Hastings, and at once assumed the duties 
 of I' He has been actively identi- 
 
 fied with the efforts to establish new enterprises 
 '» Lock and in every matter pertaining 
 
 e of the county he has given much 
 time. Mr. Crow is a trustee of the Central 
 
/VL. & *&r&u>s 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 589 
 
 Normal School, a director of the Lock Haven 
 Library, a member of the executive committee 
 of the Board of Trade, and president of the Lock 
 Haven Business-Men's Club. 
 
 In September, 1883, our subject was married 
 to Elizabeth W. Cummings, a most estimable 
 Christian woman, who died in December, 1895, 
 leaving to survive her a son. 
 
 DANIEL QUIGGLE, Esq., who has been for 
 __ ' twenty years past a justice of the peace in 
 and for Wayne township, Clinton county, is one 
 of the oldest citizens of that locality, and is held 
 in the highest esteem by all who know him. One 
 remarkable fact in connection with his long pub- 
 lic service is that no appeal has ever been taken 
 from his court, and this speaks volumes for the 
 impartiality and wisdom which have so com- 
 pletely won the confidence of the people. 
 
 Squire Quiggle was born August 27, 1818, at 
 the old family homestead on the banks of the 
 Susquehanna river, in the same township in 
 which he now resides. He was the eldest child 
 of George Quiggle and his second wife, Cather- 
 ine (Strayer) Quiggle, who are more fully men- 
 tioned elsewhere. The family has been identi- 
 fied with the locality from an early day, and our 
 subject's brothers, Jacob, Robert C, Thomas, 
 and Richard (now deceased), all settled in the 
 vicinity. The Squire was educated in the sub- 
 scription schools of his boyhood days,' the house 
 being built of logs and furnished with plank 
 benches and slab desks. His attendance was 
 limited to three months in winter, as his father 
 needed his help at home in clearing and grub- 
 bing the timber land which he had purchased for 
 a homestead, and in the other work of the farm. 
 Until he reached the age of twenty-six the 
 Squire remained at home; but in 1844 he was 
 married in Wayne township to Miss Delilah 
 Matter, and on assuming this new responsibility 
 he engaged in work on his own account, secur- 
 ing employment on the canal, which was then 
 being constructed. Two summers were spent in 
 this way, the winters being devoted to lum- 
 bering in the woods, and then he removed to 
 Pine Creek township, Clinton county, where 
 he conducted for five years the hotel known 
 as the "Half-way House." The year following 
 was passed at Jersey Shore, but in 1856 he re- 
 turned to his native township and settled upon 
 the farm where he now resides. He is an excel- 
 lent manager, and his property has greatly im- 
 proved under his care, a comfortable residence 
 with barn and other outbuildings having been 
 built by him. During all this time he was more 
 
 or less interested in buying and selling grain and 
 lumber, and for forty-six years he was a pilot on 
 the Susquehanna river, being employed at vari- 
 ous times in taking "arks" and rafts from Lock 
 Haven to Marietta and Columbia, Penn. In 
 1892 he retired from active business, but not- 
 withstanding his many years of toil he is still 
 hale and hearty, few young men possessing his 
 strength. 
 
 Politically, the Squire is a Democrat of the 
 deepest dye, having voted the party ticket since 
 Van Buren's candidacy. In 1878 he was elected 
 justice of the peace, and has served continuously 
 since that date, settling many disputes satisfac- 
 torily. During this time he has solemnized two 
 marriages. At different periods he has been 
 called to fill other offices, and he has served as 
 judge of election, township assessor, and tax col- 
 lector, holding the latter position three years. 
 
 Our subject and his estimable wife have had 
 five children, all of whom lived to adult age: (1) 
 Catherine married Joseph Shuler, of Lykens, 
 Penn., and they have two children — Michael and 
 Maude. (2) Daniel A., a mechanic at McKees- 
 port, Penn., married Miss Anne Hahndice, and 
 has had five children — Louise, Martha, Grace, 
 Dora, and Edna. (3) Michael S. , an employee 
 of the National Pipe Line, married Miss Carrie 
 Probs, of Woodward township, Clinton county, 
 who died in Wayne township, leaving no chil- 
 dren. (4) Robert T. , a resident of Beech Creek, 
 Penn., married Miss Elizabeth Wilson, and has 
 had eight children — Stewart, Jane, James, John, 
 Scott, Guy, Tissie, and one whose name is not 
 given, who died at an early age. (5) Binnie, 
 who died in 1887, was the wife of R. Overdorf, 
 of Nippenose Valley. Squire Quiggle and his 
 family are Methodists in religious faith, and for 
 many years he has been a leading member of the 
 Church and a teacher in the Sunday-school. 
 
 Mrs. Quiggle, with whom our subject has 
 now spent more than a half century of happy 
 wedded life, was born February 10, 1S24, in 
 Lykens Valley, Dauphin county, Penn. Her 
 grandfather, John Matter, a native of Germany, 
 located there at an early date, purchasing land 
 for a homestead where he and his wife, whose 
 name is not now recalled, passed their remaining 
 years. They were members of the Lutheran 
 Church, and reared their family in that faith. 
 George Matter, Mrs. Quiggle's father, was born 
 at the old home in Lykens Valley, and was edu- 
 cated in both English and German in the schools 
 of the locality, being especially well-read in the 
 latter language. Although he was a cooper by 
 trade he followed farming throughout his life, 
 and in 1838 he removed from his native place to 
 

 ( OMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 '. Iley. Clinton county, where he resided 
 
 He tip n settled in Si i Valley, 
 
 Huntingdon county, Penn., making a perm 
 ; , and his death occurred there in 
 
 Politically he was alw lys a Dem icrat, and, like 
 rents, he remain Iherent of 
 
 thi Luthei n Church 1 1 ! 'i Ly- 
 
 They 
 
 who died in Lykens 
 
 y; |onathan, a merchant at Lykens; May, 
 
 township, 
 Hunt mntj . I hus- 
 
 band, |ames Helli ! in the Civil war; 
 
 and. Delilah, the v Mrs I 
 
 inly (our '.\ hen shi 
 
 i Linton county. SI. d a good 
 
 i and 
 m that lanf nd she - I nglish 
 
 l h tudy oi the Bible 
 and she has n ad thi entire volume thi 
 
 tament thirty-two 
 Although m • from rheuma- 
 
 has always been an active worker, be- 
 ing 'I has the repu- 
 
 township. 
 
 RICHARD ARMS! RONG, M. D., ol Lock 
 nd( '1 from 
 promim i w hi ise hist' u 
 
 interesting. In the belt of country in the south- 
 ern part "f Scotland near the border of England 
 and now embraced in the counties "l Dumfries 
 and Roxburgh, once dwi I re- 
 
 ;>h lowland families, an: 
 whom were the i lans Johnston, Elliot, Doug] 
 
 well, ( hrisholm and Am ind ol these 
 
 the clan Ai hich the subject of this 
 
 worthy the 
 
 t noted, most numerous, and most powerful. 
 
 I onard M. Morrison in his "Rambles in 
 
 of the h lily in an 
 
 interesting style, and we will borrow liberally 
 
 ;ion of countn 
 the "D( 
 in Scotland it wa I to the claims of England. 
 
 It was often overrun by the am 
 
 dom, and - itimes stripped and despoiled 1a 
 
 both, and by thi ndi- 
 
 tionsand the I n which they 
 
 were plait d b\ the lawl ge, they 
 
 wen- forced t" resort to ■ xpedientsnot justifia 
 in a more enlighten sting to 
 
 • the origin and antiquity ol the name Arm- 
 strong, as it was without doubt conferred upon 
 le individual physical strength or ti i 
 
 p in perpetual remembrance some act 
 
 •tion and bravery. This supposition is sus- 
 tained b) the tradition that a Scottish King 
 
 ing his horse killed under him in battle was 
 immediately remounted by Fairbairn, his armor- 
 bearer, who took the king by the thigh and set 
 him on his saddle. For this timely assistance the 
 king rewarded him with lands on the border and 
 pellation of Armstrong, assigning 
 him for a crest a mailed hand or arm, in the left 
 hand a leg or foot in armor, couped at thi 
 all proper This crest is borne at the present 
 branches of the family. It was 
 borne in the county of Cumberland. England, in 
 [235, and at Berwick on Tweed in 1335. The 
 an ancient one, and is found spelled in 
 forty-four different ways. Letters of safe' con- 
 ducl i anted to William Armstrong in 1 
 
 and 1363. It is not till [376 that any of the 
 name can be identified as belonging to Liddens- 
 dale, in the " Debatable Country," but they may 
 have been there many years before. Soon after 
 1376 Alexander and David Armstrong are men- 
 tinned in the family record: Robert Armsti 
 and Margaret Temple, his wife, being in posses- 
 portion ol a m.inorinThorpe, England, 
 m [377 
 
 Mangetton castle was an important seat of 
 the Armstrongs and the residence of Thomas 
 Armstrong, the chief of one of its branches, and 
 
 her of Johnnie Armstrong, of Gilmockie. 
 The original deed of the family having been lost 
 
 I, the towns and lands were re-grant 
 by Francis, Earl of Bothwell, to Launcelot Arm- 
 strong on October 9, 1586, and remained in pos- 
 ;ion of his descendants till about 1730. It 
 stood on the southwest bank of the Liddel river, 
 about twenty miles northeast of Carlisle, Ei 
 land, and its ruins can still be seen. Another 
 important seat of the family was at the " Hol- 
 
 - " in Cannobie. on the bank of or near the 
 river Hsk. Here dwelt Johnnie Armstroi 
 
 lied " < lilmockie," a celebrated bor- 
 der Chieftain who caused both the English and 
 the Scottish people considerable trouble. He was 
 treai j taken prisoner with many of his 
 
 iners in 1530, by King James V. of Scotland, 
 and he and thirty-five of his men were hanged at 
 ■no is still a familiar one upon 
 the border and in the border poetry. Many of 
 the Arm repose in the old cemetery of 
 
 Castleton, and' monument we find the 
 
 name of the Rev. Robert Armstrong, who died 
 April 16, 1732, enty-two. He \\ ,. s the 
 
 father ol Dr. John Armstrong, a somewhat noted 
 physician and p< ndon, whose writings can 
 
 ound in the Linen Hall Library in 1 
 
 tnd. There are also stones erected to the 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 591 
 
 memory of Rev. William Armstrong and to 
 Robert Armstrong, " shepherd," thus denoting 
 his occupation, as is common in the old burial 
 places. The " Willhelm Cross" was erected in 
 memory of some Armstrong as early as 1350. 
 
 The Clan Armstrong in its palmiest days 
 (about 1528) numbered with its adherents up- 
 wards of three thousand horsemen, and the dis- 
 ruption of the clan came about 1530. The race 
 is not numerous in the locality in which it origi- 
 nated; yet many members of it are found in Eng- 
 land; great numbers in Ireland, and not a few in 
 the United States and the British provinces. It 
 is safe to say that every person of the name 
 Armstrong, who rightfully bears that name, is 
 descended from the powerful clan on the border 
 of the " Debatable Country." Among the man}' 
 prominent men of the name on this side of the 
 blue sea, may be mentioned George W. Arm- 
 strong, Esq., of Brookline, Mass., and Gen. S. 
 C. Armstrong, president of Hampton Institute, 
 Virginia. Another member of the clan who de- 
 serves especial mention is Rev. Richard Arm- 
 strong, our subject's uncle, for whom he was 
 named. For many years he was a missionary in 
 the Sandwich Isles, and did much good among 
 the natives of that far-off land. 
 
 The branch of the family to which our sub- 
 ject belongs became identified with Pennsyl- 
 vania at a very early day. James Armstrong, 
 the grandfather of our subject, was a resident of 
 the State, and James Armstrong (2), our sub- 
 ject's father, passed his life within its borders, 
 following surveying and teaching. He was a 
 quiet, unassuming citizen, but he was held in 
 high esteem by all who knew him. He died in 
 1 87 1 , and his wife, Mary Reader, who was also a 
 native of Pennsylvania, died in 1870. The}' had 
 five children (three sons and two daughters), 
 and of those three are now living: Dr. Arm- 
 strong, who is the eldest of the survivors, is men- 
 tioned more fully below; George B., residing in 
 Troy, Penn. ; and Mary E. is the wife of Frank 
 Morgan, of Troy, Pennsylvania. 
 
 Dr. Richard Armstrong, of this review, was 
 born June 15, 1832, at McEwensville, Northum- 
 berland Co., Penn., and received his literary ed- 
 ucation in the academy at that place. From an 
 early age he had a clear perception as to his 
 proper vocation, and at sixteen he began the 
 study of medicine in the office of Dr. R. H. Wat- 
 son, of McEwensville. In 1850 he entered Jef- 
 ferson Medical College, Philadelphia, where he 
 was graduated in 1854, and at once engaged in 
 practice there, in partnership with his preceptor. 
 In 1856 he removed to Lock Haven, and has 
 since been continuously engaged in practice there, 
 
 his forty-one years of earnest professional work 
 making him the senior practitioner of that lo- 
 cality. His skill and ability are widely recog- 
 nized, and he takes a prominent part in various 
 professional organizations, being a member of 
 the Clinton County Medical Society, and a per- 
 manent member of the State Medical Society, 
 and of the American Medical Association. He 
 was elected one of the vice-presidents of State 
 Medical Society at its meeting in Philadelphia 
 May, 1894, and at present he is one of the vice- 
 presidents of the Alumni of Jefferson Medical 
 College, Philadelphia. He has also served on 
 the Board of Pension Examiners, and his advice 
 and influence are valued in lines outside of his 
 profession, as he has been a trustee of the State 
 Normal School at Lock Haven ever since it was 
 founded. In religious faith he is a Presbyterian, 
 and has served for many years as an elder in the 
 Church at Lock Haven. In politics he is a Re- 
 publican, but has held himself aloof from the 
 partisan strife and from the scramble for official 
 honors. 
 
 On November 3, 1857, he married Miss 
 Mary Fenton Kintzing, daughter of Tench Kintz- 
 ing, Sr., and a member of an old Philadelphia 
 family. She passed away May 24, 1894, leav- 
 ing four children: Carrie K., wife of F. J. 
 Duffner, of Allegheny City, Penn. ; Miss M. 
 Gertrude, who is at home; William N., a med- 
 ical student, and Miss Mary E., now at home. 
 
 JOHN DORNBLASER, a venerable octogen- 
 arian and retired agriculturist residing at 
 Lock Haven, Clinton county, bears the 
 name of a family that through generations have 
 played an honorable part in the history of Penn- 
 sylvania. 
 
 Gotlieb Dornblaser, his great-grandfather, 
 came to this country before the Revolutionary 
 war, and located in Lower Nazareth township, 
 Northampton county. He had two sons and 
 three daughters, namely: Paul died in North- 
 ampton county; John died in Ohio; Mrs. Stein- 
 inger died near Bath, Penn. ; Mrs. John Fogle 
 lived near Foglesville, Penn.; and Mrs. Shaffer 
 died in Ohio. Of these, Paul (the grandfather of 
 our subject) had nine children, seven living to 
 old age. Two died in infancy. The seven were: 
 Joseph, Thomas, Mary, Benjamin, Jacob, John, 
 and George. Of these, John Dornblaser (the 
 father of our subject) was born January 14, 
 1787, in Lower Nazareth township, Northamp- 
 ton county, and on March 22, 1812, in the same 
 county, was married to Catherine Lawall, born 
 July 16, 1788, a daughter of William H. and 
 
 

 VMEMORA TI7B BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 abeth (Naulin Lawall, and their children 
 
 ry 21, 1 lui 
 
 : n July 21, 181 
 
 ust 
 14, 
 
 ■ Willia 
 nship; Benjamin, b 
 went ti i llln. var of the I 
 
 lion, lived at Joliet, later in Shelby county, and 
 
 I I ' 
 the- md 
 
 D the war of 1812 he 
 
 iny from his sect! 
 ■ >l the Mate that went to oppose the advance 
 the British on Philadelphia 5 iquently I 
 
 >in in the Mate militia. He 
 ■ irmer in 1 
 lived until in April. [831, when he came to that 
 Nittany Valley, which is n<»w Porter 
 
 his 
 1 from the Watson heirs. He became 
 the leading men ol the 1 vas always 
 
 to the fi the welfare 
 
 of the peo] 
 
 nty conn He was active in Church 
 
 is, and his influi t. His 
 
 death occur the homestead, < >ctober 17, 
 
 .', and that 1 il hi ice, 
 
 both arc buried in Snydertown 
 
 inty. They were mem- 
 
 ical Lutheran Church. In 
 
 Mi 1 1 i nblaser 1 »i mocrat. 
 
 |ohn 1 lornbl • in De- 
 
 N t-areth township, 
 
 thampton count} 1 fe w 1 m, 
 
 and ith In- 1 the lands m Porter 
 
 1 which t ; ted The journey 
 
 ide in a white n drawn by 
 
 they were six 'lays on the road. 
 
 Though onlj I the time, Mr. Dornbla 
 
 the trip. The coun- 
 tr\ here was then new, and the ■ 
 
 rd manj ad\ 11 
 
 wed [arming until 1879, when he came to 
 
 tive life. In 
 
 ; ried ti 1 Mar} M Barthi ilomew, 
 
 a native of Clinton county, born October 17. 
 
 itherine 
 t Barthi Their - 
 
 ben, Sarah and Emanuel dii d in infa 
 W. is a fanner "l I '.nship. Henry is a 
 
 Lutheran ministi ngfield, Oh C. 
 
 died in childhood; and Harrii I I now Mrs. J. 
 H. Line ton, Penn. Our subject. 
 
 r his marriage and until he came to Lock 
 11 ■ ■ :.. resided on what is known as the 
 
 rin He has at this tin all 
 
 tract of land in the borough of Flemington, w hich 
 he farms. He is remarkably well-preserved for 
 a man of his years, retaining his mental faculties 
 almost unimpaired. He has been an active 
 
 en, industrious and economical, and now is 
 
 fortably situated, and lives in ease and hap- 
 -urrounded by a family of which he is 
 justly proud. He has served as county auditor, 
 ducting the affairs of the office in a most 
 business-like manner. He is identified with the 
 Lutheran Church, to which he has been a liberal 
 contributor. In politics he is a Democrat. 
 
 Referring again to the Lawall family. Will- 
 iam H., the maternal grandfather of our subject, 
 
 of German extraction, and resided on the 
 Easton and Bethlehem road in Northampton 
 nty. He kept a tavern at Farmersville in 
 that county. He was one of several children. 
 among whom were: Michael; one that married 
 J.din Brown and resided at Stroudsburg, Penn.; 
 one that married Christian Brown and resided at 
 Nazareth, Penn. ; one that married John Snyder 
 and resided in Walker township, Centre county; 
 and one that married a Mr. Boyer and lived near 
 Farmersville. The children of William Lawall and 
 
 . Elizabeth Naulin, were: Daniel W., Will- 
 iam. Pi ' Michael, George, Mrs. Erdman, Mrs. 
 Glour-e, Mrs. Cole, Mrs. Towmend, Mrs. Roth- 
 rock, Mrs. Suable, and Mrs. John Dornblaser. 
 
 WILSON KISTLER. For nearly thirty 
 is Mr. Kistler has been prominent ly 
 identified with the business and social interests 
 t Lock Haven, Clinton count}-. At the head of one 
 e city's greatest industries for so many years 
 and a long period of service as one of the direct- 
 of the First National Bank, he has gained a 
 reputation as a financier and safe business man 
 enjoyed by tew. 
 
 phen Kistler. his father, was born Octo- 
 ber 5 1, 1S14, at Kistlers Valley. Lehigh Co., 
 Penn. He was a tinner by trade, and followed 
 that business as an occupation throughout his 
 On arriving at manhood he married Esther 
 Mosser, win., too, was a native of Pennsylvania, 
 bom at Mosserville, Lehigh county. May .24. 
 1816. Their children were: Rufus, of Mt. Jew- 
 ett, Penn.; Milo, of Tannersville, Penn.; Mich- 
 ael !».. ol Morgantown, N. C. ; Wilson, our 
 subject; and two — a daughter and a son — who 
 died after arriving at womanhood and manhood. 
 The father of these, who was a conservative 
 ness man of practical ideas, and possessed of 
 good common sense, died in 1880. his estimable 
 i 'receded him three years, dying in 
 7; she wa nan of many good traits of 
 
 
'?Td^^ c^wl^r^ 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 59B 
 
 character, and her death was keenly felt by 
 many friends and acquaintances. 
 
 Wilson Kistler was born October 12, 1S45, 
 at Lehighton, Penn.', his father removing to 
 Tannersville, Penn., in 1850, where he received 
 his education in the common schools of that 
 place, and at the Allentown Seminary. In 1863, 
 when General Lee was threatening an invasion 
 of Pennsylvania, though but a lad, young Kistler 
 offered his services to the government and joined 
 the energency men called out by the government, 
 and performed several months' service in the 
 southern part of the State as a member of Com- 
 pany H, 27th Regiment, under Col. Frick. On 
 returning to his home, then at Tannersville, 
 Penn., he began working in his father's tannery, 
 and remained there employed until in 1871 when 
 he came to Lock Haven. His brother, Charles 
 E., now deceased (one of the two deceased chil- 
 dren of the family referred to), had preceded him 
 here one year, and established the West Branch 
 Tannery, which has since been developed into 
 so great an industry. On coming to Lock Haven 
 he joined his brother in the enterprise to the ad- 
 vancement of which he has ever since given his 
 best efforts; as a result we see now a plant of 
 considerable magnitude, and one to which the 
 city points with pride, as it gives steady employ- 
 ment the year round to some one hundred hands 
 and keeps in circulation many dollars. The ca- 
 pacity of the tannery is nearly one hundred thou- 
 sand hides peryear. The partnership of the two 
 brothers continued until the death of Charles E. , 
 March 22, 1880, since which time Wilson has 
 carried on operations alone. Besides the tan- 
 nery in question Mr. Kistler is interested in tan- 
 neries at St. Mary's, Johnsonburg, Mt. Jewett, 
 Penn., and at Morgantown, N. C. He is also 
 interested in the commission business of Kistler, 
 Lesh & Co., of Boston, Mass. Mr. Kistler is a 
 broad-gauged business man, and a successful one. 
 He is a stockholder in the First National Bank 
 of Lock Haven, of which he is vice-president. 
 Since 1872 he has been identified with the Demo- 
 cratic party, following the gold wing of that party 
 in 1896. He has been absorbed too deeply in 
 business to enter politics to any great extent, 
 never having aspired to political preferment. He 
 has acceptably served his fellow-citizens as a 
 member of the city council for six years. He is 
 a member of the F. & A. M. and of the Lock 
 Haven Club. 
 
 On May 28, 1867, Mr. Kistler was united in 
 marriage with Henrietta Stauffer, a native of 
 Tannersville, born March 24, 1848; she was the 
 daughter of Jacob S. and Anna Stauffer, natives 
 of Pennsylvania. To our subject and his wife 
 
 38* 
 
 have come the following children: M. Gertrude, 
 the wife of B. W. Frederick, of Chicago, 111. ; 
 and Sedgwick, who is still living at home. The 
 parents of these are identified with the Presby- 
 terian Church of Lock Haven. 
 
 FREDERICK BRUNGART, Sr., the oldest 
 living male representative of one of the 
 most honored and highly-respected families of 
 Nittany Valley, was born December 11, 18 17, 
 in Miles township, Brush Valley, Centre Co., 
 Penn., a son of Jacob and Margaret (Gephart) 
 Brungart. The family is a numerous one in both 
 Brush and Nittany Valleys, and was founded here 
 in 1798 by Martin Brungart, who came from the 
 vicinity of Hanover, York Co., Penn., and pur- 
 chased the interest of a Mr. Kreamer in a tract 
 of land in the east end of Brush Valley, where 
 he located permanently. He and his wife died 
 there, and were buried in the old cemetery at Re- 
 bersburg. 
 
 In the family of this worthy couple was Jacob 
 Brungart, our subject's father, who was born 
 January 15, 17S6, and died September 5, 1862. 
 When but a boy he went with his parents to 
 Brush Valley, where he was reared and married 
 to a Miss Weaver, by whom he had three chil- 
 dren: Polly, Susan and John. For his second 
 wife he chose Margaret Gephart, and to them 
 were born the following children : Martin ; George ; 
 Jacob; Frederick; Samuel: Catharine, wife of 
 Adam Bear; Margaret, wife of Jacob Smeltzer; 
 Regina, wife of John Shaffer; and Sarah, wife of 
 William Johnson. The daughters by the first 
 wife — Mary (or Polly) married John Heckman; 
 and Susan married John Weaver. The father 
 was one of the most successful, thrifty and highly 
 esteemed farmers of Brush Valley, owning sev- 
 eral fine farms, three of which were in Nittany 
 Valley, Clinton county, and these he gave to his 
 sons, John, George and Frederick, who in that 
 order came to this locality. 
 
 The subject of this sketch conned his lessons 
 in the Brungart school in the east end of Brush 
 Valley, which was conducted on the subscription 
 plan, and James McGhee was one of his first 
 teachers. He early became familiar with all the 
 duties which fall to the lot of the agriculturist, 
 and often in boyhood took loads of grain to 
 market for his father, going as far as Lewisburg. 
 When a young man he used to come to Nittany 
 Valley to assist his brothers who had previously 
 located here, and in the spring of 1842 he took 
 up his residence upon his present farm in Lamar 
 township, Clinton county, living in the same 
 house which has since been greatly remodeled 
 

 VORATIVS BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 that tim< 
 hall d to its furthi ■ nt and 
 
 cultivat ii I 
 
 the 
 
 lity. 
 
 [2, in S ley, Mr. 
 
 d to M I 
 h, who « n Bi ush 
 
 Petei ■••tli 
 
 (Miller Redabach ind 
 
 She 
 
 i i i William I... 
 
 in the 
 
 I I niel H ! i I in 
 
 iiltiir.il pursuits, and has spent h life 
 
 1 !■ D t in poli- 
 
 ind 
 
 72, 
 
 he \\;i> married, in i 
 
 Mar) J Bii rly, wh< . ril, i 841 , a 
 
 .liter of Melchoir and ( atharim irt) 
 
 1 in her 
 f.ttl Ij who ■ rity, 
 
 the othi 
 
 ni L. I 
 
 ier 14, 
 1 iec- 
 
 ! in clerking in 1 1 
 I , Pel Marx [., 1 
 
 A |. 
 
 in 
 
 I 
 
 ln> r the D he 
 
 111- 
 H faithful mem 
 
 1 
 
 igh 
 
 -till well md 
 
 fi 
 
 nty, wh rid 
 
 ■ er. 
 
 PI. I ER B SMITH, ex-sheriff of Clii I 
 ty, passed 1 
 
 Hotel," .1 hostelrj 1 
 Haven m ily 
 
 wh in what is now Clinton county a hun- 
 
 dred 
 
 VI. im Smith, hiN fathei 
 
 ; ranch Valley, in what is now Wood- 
 iwnship, Clinton county, his parents hav- 
 fi >m Dauphin county, this State, as 
 1800. and located on the "Muncytown 
 On this original farm Adam Smith passed 
 the . of his lifi I le was a man of 
 
 sition, genial and whole-souled, which 
 attracted to him many friends and gave him great 
 ilarity. He was possessed of good business 
 lifications, and was a useful man in the com- 
 munity. He was a progressive man, and v 
 
 by the people of his section by an elec- 
 to the board of county commissioners. 
 i| which he discharged acceptably. His 
 th occurred in 1876, when a enty-six 
 
 His wife, Hannah 1 
 in Northampton county, was the daughtei 
 
 ihe died in January, 1 d sixty- 
 
 is. Of their children now living Pel 
 B., bject, is the eldest; the others are: 
 
 ge JohnW., of Lock Haven, Clinton county; 
 rt F„ of 1 I Kinky 1). , of Mill 
 
 Hall 1 ^ceased are: Elizabeth Packer 
 
 and A B. Smith. 
 
 Pi ter B, Smith was born November 5, 1 
 1 'ii the hi ime farm, and was there reared amid ag- 
 Itural pursuits. In the days of his youth that 
 quite primitive, the old school-house 
 that he attended was one built of logs, having a 
 puncheon lloor and slab seats; his teachers were 
 men of little learning, and his opportunities for 
 iving an education were necessarily limited. 
 At the .«■. he left the farm 
 
 went to Elk county and engaged in lumbering. 
 He was there six years, and in [850 he returned 
 to Wo dward township, Clinton county, and was 
 there occupied in farming until 1869, when he 
 pted a position as jailer under his brother, 
 then sheriff of the county. He tilled this posi- 
 - . then engaged in the livery busi- 
 : Lock Haven, and in 1 88 1 he was elected 
 ' the ci unity. He served one term — three 
 1 efficient officer. On the expir- 
 rm of office, he engaged in the ho- 
 tel i r since successfully con- 
 
 duct, d the "Eagle Hotel," of which property he 
 is the owner. A- a good citizen and business 
 mat respect and esteem of his 
 
 His life has been an upright and 
 
 , Mr. Smith was married 
 to I i Heir, of Lycoming county, Penn , 
 
 wh Novembei 1, in Germany, 
 
 and 1 hildren Lorn to the union four sur- 
 
 : A. D.. Robert N., Clara C .Mrs. 
 ili .Mrs. William M .- 
 naf1, Penn. Those deceased are: 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 595 
 
 Mary, Elizabeth. The mother of these died in 
 1884, and in 1S87 our subject was married to 
 Amy P. Salmon, of Lock Haven. In politics 
 Mr. Smith is a Democrat. Aside from his career 
 as sheriff he has served in some local offices. He 
 is a Knight Templar, F. & A. M. 
 
 JOSEPH EDWARD TIBBINS, M. D., who 
 loyally served his country in the Civil war, 
 is now successfully engaged in the practice 
 of medicine in Beech Creek, and is a man of 
 broad humanitarian principles whose deep interest 
 in his profession and in his fellowmen has made 
 him very successful in his chosen calling. 
 
 Born November 18, 1847, in Centre county, 
 in Nittany Valley, Dr. Tibbins is a son of 
 Samuel and Elizabeth (Garbrick) Tibbins, both 
 of whom were natives of Pennsylvania and 
 spent their entire lives in this State. The father 
 carried on agricultural pursuits throughout his 
 active business career, and was called to his final 
 rest in 1897 after passing the eightieth mile- 
 stone on life's journey. His estimable wife died 
 in 1S79. Their children are William; Henry J. ; 
 Angeline, wife of John Noll; Joseph E. ; Jemima, 
 wife of Edward Godun; Elizabeth, wife of Potter 
 Tate; Alice, widow of Jacob Showers; and Sam- 
 uel I. 
 
 Dr. Tibbins acquired his primary education 
 in the common schools, and supplemented it by 
 study in a seminar}', and in the Centre County 
 Normal. He remained on the home farm until 
 seventeen years of age, and then donned the blue 
 in defense of his country, in the Civil war, enlist- 
 ing in Company I, 98th P. V. I. He was in 
 •active service for three and a half months, and 
 upon receiving his discharge returned to his home 
 where he again entered school. In a short time, 
 however, he turned his attention to teaching, 
 and followed that profession for five terms. 
 During this time he was reading medicine under 
 the preceptorship of Dr. Joseph Holloway and 
 Dr. Dorsworth. In 1875 he was graduated in 
 the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia, 
 and at once came to Beech Creek, where he 
 opened an office. He is now established in a 
 lucrative practice, and in his professional work 
 has been very successful. From the faithful 
 performance of each day's duty, he finds strength 
 and inspiration for the labors of the next and his 
 ability has given him high rank among his pro- 
 fessional brethren. Since 1893 he has served as 
 a member of the board of pension examiners of 
 Clinton county. 
 
 In 1868 Dr. Tibbins was married to Emma 
 R. Hoy, of Centre county, who died in January, 
 
 1872, leaving one son. Dr. George Hoy Tibbins, 
 now a practitioner of Wyoming county, Penn. 
 In June, 1873, the Doctor was again married, his 
 second union being with Emma J. McDowell, a na- 
 tive of Centre county, by whom he has one son, 
 Perry McDowell Tibbins, who is now pursuing a 
 classical course in Dickinson Seminary, Williams- 
 port, Penn. The Doctor in his political views is a 
 Democrat, and in religious faith, Mrs. Tibbins is a 
 Presbyterian. Possessed of many excellencies of 
 character, they have the warm regard of all with 
 whom they have been brought in contact, and 
 enjoy the hospitality of the best homes in this 
 localitv. 
 
 SAMUEL E. WALKER. If the title of the 
 most successful business man and farmer of 
 Nittany Valley could be consistently bestowed 
 upon any one now residing in that beautiful re- 
 gion, the subject of this sketch could well claim 
 the honor. 
 
 Mr. Walker is the owner of four large valuable 
 farms in Lamar township, Clinton county, rep- 
 resenting an outlay of more than $45,000, and, 
 although he now contents himself with a general 
 oversight, he was for many years an active 
 worker in the practical details of their manage- 
 ment. Dame Fortune has smiled upon him, 
 and in addition to his extensive real-estate hold- 
 ings mentioned, as well as valuable real estate 
 in the State of Nebraska, he has money invested 
 in mortgages and various enterprises. He is the 
 holder of considerable stock in the Lock Haven 
 Trust & Safe Deposit Company's Bank, of which 
 he is a charter member, and for several years 
 served as one of its directors. He is also a stock- 
 holder in the First National Bank of Lock Haven. 
 He is a stockholder in the Salona Creamery 
 Company, and for several years held the office 
 of treasurer of the same. His chief interests, 
 however, have been agricultural, and he is a 
 prominent member of the Lamar Grange. 
 
 Mr. Walker was born November 5, 1832, in 
 Miles township, Centre Co., Penn., at the old 
 Walker homestead, one of the noted land-marks 
 in the early days of Brush Valley. He was the 
 eldest son and second child of Daniel and Han- 
 nah (Erhart) Walker, who are mentioned more 
 fully elsewhere, and was taught at an early age 
 to make himself useful upon the farm and in his 
 father's grist and saw mill. He first attended the 
 Brungart school in his district, but owing to the 
 need of his help at home, his studies were pur- 
 sued irregularly. Later he attended the Aarons- 
 burg Academy, of which Ilgen Surrell was at that 
 time at the head, and before he reached the age 
 

 Willi- A I. RB( ORD. 
 
 teach, 'i 
 
 tive 
 winters, hi- I th< Heck- 
 
 illey, wl 
 
 th 1 i thn - winters 
 wn disti 
 
 Mis 
 sun the farm, ai i at- 
 
 taining his i id him at the i 
 
 r month lui ing thi 
 
 A i st before 
 manently, he went to Illii 
 summer, but wis lud< d that tl 
 
 ind in the spring 
 i he foi - rship with a brother-in- 
 
 law, Reuben Snook, and mo 1 inty 
 
 • 
 
 i >n December 27, i860, he was married to 
 Mi la E. Bri daughti 
 
 and Elizabeth (Wohlfort) Brungarl 
 township, Clintoncounty.pl e agricultur- 
 
 ol that 
 
 nd. which he rented 
 her. and on April 2, 
 theplace, tl first farming land that he 
 
 r owned. It 1 which he 
 
 pai ■ -till in his possession. 
 
 In the sprin - Mr Walker mi Sal- 
 
 id in thi ttled at his 
 
 ■ s 
 
 pot. Mr. Walk shrewd busii 
 
 man, hi^ involving tl - of 
 
 doll by 
 
 strict honesty, and he is held in the high 
 
 itly the 
 vanl 1, and h liil- 
 
 In his 
 tion "ii 
 : with a knowledge of the real worth 
 dollar, are indis] 
 
 ing man whethei in 
 
 . children, five lived 
 
 11 Mate 
 •mil Scl of G. M. 
 
 wnship, 
 
 ' 
 : 1. ill. Ruth, • 
 
 ; |este 1 . born I 
 
 ' !• I ' . h"rn N 
 
 1 le married 
 nnie B. Rute, and the) h.r. hild, 
 
 I Clement, 
 
 Haven Stal il in 
 
 but he is now in chat . I his 
 
 father's farms; he is married to Miss Lola Eni- 
 
 erick. (5) Charles Edward, born April 3, 1869, 
 
 course of study at the Lock Haven 
 
 State Normal School, graduating therefrom in 
 
 1 . also later at the Williamsport Commercial 
 College, and is at present taking a special course 
 in the Normal University at Ada, Ohio. He is 
 
 mng man of excellent qualities, energetic and 
 industrious. He taught school successfully for 
 eight years, at the last two, being principal of the 
 
 10I in his home district. (6 W. Harrison, 
 born August 30, 1874, a sketch of whom appears 
 elsewhere, is an attorney at law in Bellefonte, 
 Centre Co.. Pennsylvania. 
 
 The mother of this family, who was born 
 August 28, 1S41, died July 6, 1886, and isburied 
 in the Cedar Hill cemetery near Salona. 
 was it member of the Lutheran Church; 
 
 an affectionate wife, a good and kind mother, 
 and was highly esteemed and beloved by ail who 
 kmw her for her many good qualities. Mr. 
 Walker has since married Miss Mary C. Best, of 
 Lamar township, Clinton county, who was the 
 daughter of John Best, a well-known citizen 
 Porter township, Clinton county 
 
 Politically, Mr. Walker is a stanch Democrat, 
 and while he seems quite indifferent to political 
 and official honors, he has served as township as- 
 sessor and auditor several times, and for three 
 years. 1 '</>, fi c held the office of audi- 
 
 tor of Clinton count)-, tilling the same most ac- 
 ceptably. He is a member of the Lutheran 
 Church, in which he has been a deacon and 
 elder, and at present is serving as trustee and 
 
 -urer. For many years he has contributed 
 liberally of his time and means to the support of 
 1 use. 
 
 FRANKLIN MOORE ROSS (deceased) 
 in in Cape May county, N. J.. February 
 son of John Ross, who was a son of 
 Thomas and Mary (Hand) Ross. John Ross was 
 born December J 1 , 1781, and died Octobej 
 
 - mother was Sarah Moore 
 Hand, born March 27, 1805. daughter of Jona- 
 than Hand and wife, Sarah (Mo,, re). 
 
 ndmi ither of Franklin 
 Moot , was one of the thirteen maidens 
 
 who strewed the path of Gen. Washington with 
 
 I his reception at Trenf 
 N. J., April 21, 1 In a history of the First 
 
 ; in Mount Vernon to New 
 I Iphia Times o\ April 28, 18 
 publish iris, and give 
 
 iumphal arch, taken from an old 
 print, with a description of the scene. At the 
 
77^<*^^1 APC. J^-rt^, 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 597 
 
 bridge over the Assumpink, on the spot where 
 Washington had captured the Hessian mercenar- 
 ies in 1776, a triumphal arch had been erected 
 decorated with evergreen wreaths and emblems, 
 celebrating his victory at Trenton. Upon the 
 arch was the motto: "The Hero Who Defended 
 the Mothers Will Protect the Daughters." At 
 one side of the Arch stood six little girls dressed 
 in white and carrying baskets of flowers, and 
 on the other side were thirteen maidens, repre- 
 senting the thirteen States. Then" follows a list 
 of these "young ladies, the belles of Trenton" 
 — quoting from the Times — among whose names 
 is that of Sarah Moore. It was the duty of 
 these maidens to strew the Hero's path with 
 flowers, while the six little girls chanted the lines 
 of an ode, written for the occasion. 
 
 The subject of this sketch, Franklin Moore 
 Ross, went from his home to Philadelphia, when 
 he was a boy. He was thrown upon his own re- 
 sources, and being of strong will and good cour- 
 age, he took care of himself until he became a 
 man, forming those careful and prudent business 
 habits that were so characteristic of him in after 
 life. In 1865 he came to Clinton county, to take 
 charge of the interests of a lumber company, 
 doing business at Rosecrans, in the Sugar Valley 
 Mountains. He finally purchased the sawmill 
 and property, and carried on the business, a few 
 years later coming to Lock Haven, where he con- 
 tinued to reside, enlarging his business from time 
 to time until he became one of the extensive 
 lumber and mill men of this section. He had 
 the city's interest at heart, and labored to see it 
 improve and advance, and was an important 
 factor in business circles. He became president 
 and general manager of the Lock Haven Gas 
 and Electric Light Co. He was a director of the 
 Lock Haven Trust and Safe Deposit Co. ;" also a 
 director of the Steam Heating Co., and trustee 
 of the Lock Haven Club. He took a great in- 
 terest in secret societies and benevolent institu- 
 tions, and was prominent in these at home and 
 well-known throughout the State. He was a 
 member of the Order of Elks, and an influential 
 Mason, being connected with the following- 
 named bodies: Lafayette Lodge No. 199, F. & 
 A. M., Lafayette' Chapter No. 163, R. A. M., 
 Hospitaller Commandery No. 46, K. T., of Lock 
 Haven, Caldwell Consistory, 32d degree, Blooms- 
 burg, Penn. ; Lu Lu Temple, A. O. N. M. S., 
 Philadelphia, and was Past Master of Lodge No! 
 199, Past High Priest of Chapter No. 163, and 
 Past Commander of Commandery No. 46. In 
 politics he was a stanch Republican, but no office 
 seeker, though often urged by his friends to al- 
 low his name to appear for preference. 
 
 Mr. Ross was very energetic and prompt' in 
 all matters of business, and kind and generous 
 to those in need. He was a member of the 
 Presbyterian Church, and while living in the 
 Sugar Valley Mountains gave liberally toward the 
 erection of a church in a neighborhood that was 
 without a place of worship. It was built upon 
 the top of the mountain, and was used by differ- 
 ent denominations for a number cf years. Dur- 
 ing his active life in Clinton county and Lock 
 Haven, of more than thirty years, probably none 
 of his fellow-citizens were more kindly disposed 
 toward humanity at large. 
 
 On February 10, 18S0, our subject was mar- 
 ried to R. Annie Halenbake, of Lock Haven, 
 daughter of G. W. Halenbake, of Bald Eagle 
 Valley. Mr. Ross died January 3, 1897. 
 
 GILES WINNE HALENBAKE (deceased). 
 The ancestors of Mr. Halenbake came from 
 Holland, and were among the early settlers of 
 Albany. The first record of the family in this 
 country is that of the baptism of one of the name 
 in 1684, recorded in the Dutch Church. There is 
 also a will made on the 9th of September, 1685, 
 by Caspar Halenbake, disposing of some prop- 
 erty in Albany to the heirs. Another will, dated 
 1754, leaves an estate with a great number of 
 negroes, the inhabitants of the Province of New 
 York being permitted to own slaves at that time. 
 Hendrick Halenbake, after whom a street in 
 Albany was named in olden times, was born in 
 1692, and was the head of the house of the third 
 generation. He was apparently a man of con- 
 siderable estate, as devised by his will made in 
 1764, in the reign of his Majesty 'George III. In 
 the quaint language of the time, some of this 
 land is described, as "abutting to ye South of 
 ye creek commonly called Beaver kil " 1 after- 
 ward Buttermilk creek), and to the north "with 
 ye hills and ye plain lying in the common." This 
 Hendrick was heir-at-law ("Eare-at-law "), and 
 married ("marryd")at 27years of age ("adge"). 
 Some of the descendants disputed his possession, 
 but one of the contestants being an " antient " 
 man did not " chuse " to proceed against them. 
 There was until June, i860, an old graveyard, 
 an ancient landmark in Albany, where were 
 buried these sturdy Dutch settlers and their pos- 
 terity. One of the boundaries of this "Burial 
 place " was designated by a cannon which re- 
 mained in the ground for many years; probably a 
 relic of the French and Indian war, or, later, of 
 the Revolutionary war. This land was set apart 
 by Hendrick Halenbake as a burial ground for 
 his family, about the middle of the last century. 
 

 VORATIVR BIOGRAPBICAL RECORD. 
 
 It was finally sold, and thii pur- 
 
 chased in the Rural cemetery, whither th< dead 
 .nil a monumenl heir 
 
 A street was opened through this 
 ce in the midst ol the city, and the 
 throngs littli ■' a 
 
 ■ 
 1 [alenbake, the ' 1 lendrick, 
 
 : !i in i 744, Henrj 1 [alenbake, 
 nardus, was born in the fathi 
 
 the subject ol this sketch. 
 
 ( tiles W Halenbak rn in 1 
 
 lucatii 'ii 
 went td Philadelphia where he I t .1 
 
 men. fi 
 metime in the " thirtii nds- 
 
 ville, Penn., as secretary and cashier for the i 
 
 ny. At that time th 
 ;t very few houses in the future tow 
 Lock H •••11. and thi ; from there 
 
 I [1 iw ard '■■■ 1- fullj I 'hi- way through 
 
 nfested with animal 
 ! highway robbers, and the fi 1 g it 
 
 wire but thi with log-cabins oi 
 
 tiers.'' While al ■ Run he 1 niein- 
 
 nal'l, Halenbake & I 
 any that sent their pri iduce 
 rn mark' ts, by 1 vn the 
 
 Mi II ilenbake was om 
 thi 
 the country from the 
 
 iina and 
 other Stati fn tl lai who 
 
 knew him intimately: 11 .•. is 01 !>ea- 
 
 pths of a social 
 will and maintained ind kept bright his 
 
 uity; and this 
 through the ferment of the trying times, that 
 alw >mpany the establisl I a new 
 
 I ement Aftei a few years the iirm cl< 
 tin ir bu with their families 
 
 Bald 1 agle \ alle} . « hi re they pui md 
 
 and divided it into four adjoining farms. II 
 he huilt an . which is still standing, and 
 
 i d the his 
 
 ks, and ng his farm inti i I 
 
 r in the n st Lock Haven Bank, also 
 or m the Bi iy 1 fe alw 
 
 nded a helping hand to the i r and 
 
 and especially to any ambitious mind struggling 
 
 I t that mind v 
 
 a challenge to his own, t 
 [earning to any one gi | in the dark. 
 
 for the light ol knowledge. In re th 
 
 instance he taught Latin, algebra and geometry 
 gratuitously to pei ho had no « 
 
 tainingthe knowledge of such bi In this 
 
 way he made his life useful to others. He was a 
 1 >• mocrat, but not an active politician. In I 
 
 William Bigler appointed him as one of the 
 commissioners to represent the State of Pennsyl- 
 vania at the " Exhibition of the Industry of all 
 Nations" at New York. During the Civil 
 hew nch Union man, and used all of his 
 
 infiu r the cause, and died March 27, 1 
 
 ( in January 15, 1843, Mr. Halenbake mar- 
 ried I ram 1 - |ohnson, who was of English par- 
 entage, havibg been born in England in 1 
 He is survived by his wife, and two daughters: 
 Mr-, [oseph B 1 urst, of Flemingl >n, Penn., and 
 Mrs. Franklin M. Ross, of Lock Haven, Penn- 
 sylvania. 
 
 PROF. W. A. SNYDER, of Salona, the 
 cient superintendent of public schools of Clin- 
 ton county, was, at the time of his first election 
 in 1893, the youngest man ever chosen to that 
 nd he is now serving a second term 
 with increased prestige. As he was born 
 reared in the Nittany Valley, his popularitv is 
 based upon sterling merit, which could stand 
 the test of long acquaintance. 
 
 The Snyder family is well-known in this Si 
 
 its progenitor having come from Holland in' the 
 
 early part ol the eighteenth century to locate in 
 
 iy. Among his children was a son, 
 
 Christopher, our subject's great-grandfather, who 
 
 removed from what is now Snyder county ithen 
 
 Union count) to the 11st end of the Nittany 
 
 Valley, and purchased th nt homestead in 
 
 Lamar township, Clinton counts-, where he died 
 
 v years later. The land was in a primitive 
 
 idition in the main, ami the improvements 
 
 which have made it one of the best farms in that 
 
 lit)' are due to the efforts of this old pioneer 
 
 and his des , the title having remain* 1 
 
 in the family from his day. He had seven chil- 
 
 Harmon, who located in Clarion counts, 
 
 in., and died there leaving a Iannis: John, 
 
 our subject's grandfather; Benjamin; lam 
 
 Hannah; Rachel; and Sarah. Of these, only 
 
 Harmon and John lived to adult age. 
 
 John Snyder, the grandfather of our subject, 
 1 7 S S in svhat is nosv Snyder 
 county, and accompanied his parents to the 
 Clinton county homestead, svhich in time came 
 into his 1 m. He resided there until 1S33, 
 
 when he pui mother farm in the east end 
 
 "I ti nd removed to it, renting the old 
 
 w farm svas at the time im- 
 proved but little, and he gave much time to pre- 
 tanent home. In his later 
 ad dsvelling house up 
 
 . 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD, 
 
 599 
 
 place in which his last days were spent in retire- 
 ment, his death occurring July 4, 1S70, when he 
 had reached the advanced age of eighty-three. 
 For some years previous to his death he was 
 afflicted with a cataract in his eye, and although 
 operations gave him temporary relief he was 
 nearly blind for years. 'While he was of ordi- 
 nary build, he was a most energetic worker, and 
 he acquired a handsome competence. He was 
 an excellent citizen, a good Christian, and a 
 member of the New Mennonite Church. Po- 
 litically, he was first a Democrat and later a 
 Whig, but he never took much interest in public 
 affairs, and toward the close of his life, becom- 
 ing disgusted with the work of the politicians, he 
 seldom attended an election. In early manhood 
 he married Miss Nancy Neff, daughter of John 
 Neff, a prominent farmer of Centre county. She 
 died May 6, 1865, in her seventy-fourth 3 ear, 
 and the remains of both rest in a private ceme- 
 tery on the farm where their last years were 
 spent, and which is now owned and occupied by 
 their son, Elias. They had the following chil- 
 dren: Elizabeth, who married Christian Sheats, 
 and died in Lamar township, Clinton county; 
 Catherine, who married a Mr. Knights, and also 
 died in Lamar township; Nancy, wife of Jacob 
 Long, of Livingston county, N. Y. ; Susan, wife 
 of H. M. Bean, of the same county; Leah (widow 
 of William Sheats), of Lamar township, Clinton 
 county; John, our subject's father; Lucinda 
 (widow of Levi Zimmerman), of Jewell county, 
 Kans. ; Fannie, who married Henry Neff, and 
 died in Lamar township, Clinton county; Hannah 
 (widow of E. A. Hancy), of Oregon; Elias, a 
 farmer at the second home; and Charlotte 
 (widow of Samuel P. Burrell), of Lock Haven, 
 Pennsylvania. 
 
 John Snyder (2), our subject's father, who is 
 now a highly esteemed resident of Lamar town- 
 ship, Clinton county, was born- at the original 
 homestead November 5, 1824, and was educated 
 in the schools of that time and locality. The 
 furnishings of the school room were of the rud- 
 est sort, wooden benches running around the 
 walls being the only seats, and the apparatus 
 was equally primitive, quill pens being used for 
 writing. The methods of discipline were also 
 far from the best modern standards, and during 
 his first term of school Mr. Snyder, on being 
 asked by the teacher,, his uncle Benjamin, 
 whether he would obey the rules, failed to un- 
 derstand the question as he could not speak En- 
 glish. He made an unlucky guess as to the 
 teacher's meaning, and replied " No", for which 
 he was rewarded with a sound whipping. He 
 was reared to agricultural work, and always re- 
 
 mained at home except for one winter, that of 
 1S46-47, which he spent in St. Louis working 
 as a deck hand on the steamer "Lehigh". 
 The journey west was made by water from Hol- 
 lidaysburg, Penn., following the Pennsylvania 
 canal and the rivers, and the experience gained 
 during his absence entirely cured the young man 
 of his taste for wandering. On April 1, 1847, 
 he returned home where he was employed by 
 the month for a time, and in 1848 he rented the 
 place, and from that date paid his board when 
 at home. On December 11, 1851, he was mar- 
 ried in Lock Haven to Miss Jane C. McGuire, 
 who was born in 1S30 in Union county, near the 
 city of Lewisburg. When she was about eight 
 years old, her parents, George and Jane (Stew- 
 art) McGuire, removed to Lamar township, 
 Clinton county, where she grew to womanhood. 
 After his marriage Mr. Snyder continued to re- 
 side at the homestead, where he has made many 
 improvements; in 1S65 he built a barn on modern 
 plans, and in 1871, the present comfortable res- 
 idence was erected. The estate contains 
 135 acres of excellent land, and is kept in 
 a high state of cultivation, Mr. Snyder, not- 
 withstanding his advanced age, giving personal 
 attention to the management. He is a man of 
 much more than ordinary intelligence, and, de- 
 spite his limited educational opportunities in 
 youth, he has gathered a goodly store of practical 
 information. In politics he inclines to the Dem- 
 ocratic faith, but he is not active in party work. 
 He and his wife are both prominent members of 
 the River Brethren Church, and they have 
 always taken keen interest in all phases of relig- 
 ious enterprise. Their children have received 
 good educations, and several of them have be- 
 come known as successful teachers. Nancy E., 
 who was once a teacher, is now the wife of J. P. 
 Anthony, of Lock Haven; Henry M. is a farmer 
 in Porter township, Clinton county; Miss Ida re- 
 sides with her parents; Clara E. died at the age 
 of sixteen; William A. will be mentioned more 
 fully below; Miss Lottie is a teacher, and resides 
 at home; Elmer N. is a cutter in the tailoring 
 department of the Indian School maintained by 
 the United States Government at Carlisle, Penn- 
 sylvania. 
 
 Prof. Snyder was b'orn April 10, 1863, at the 
 old homestead, and is of the fourth gem ration of 
 the family to reside upon the place. His educa- 
 tion was begun in the district schools of the 
 locality, his first teacher being Daniel Herr, who 
 taught thirty-seven consecutive terms in that 
 township. Before our subject had reached the 
 age of fifteen, he had completed the course of 
 study offered in the local schools, and he then 
 

 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RE* 
 
 I ■ ' ner 
 
 ! work 
 he b ig in Dun wnship, i 
 
 iring the next winter hi 
 
 :. that hi 
 
 ty, interrupted only 1 
 
 in v wnship ,|tx ' 1 ""' 
 
 in farm 
 
 rk, with which he became familiar under his 
 
 | ;it j. n, and until 1893 he made his 
 
 home with 1 he 
 
 laughter 
 
 I mar 
 
 tow l linton 1 
 
 In May, 1893, he was ele I 
 perintendent - in his county, and 
 
 tion in if ' tne a f'i 
 
 it in the cause ol 
 
 is higl shed, ha\ 
 
 Iphia for some tii 
 her mar Sev- 
 
 inty. She is 
 
 1 
 i] »the Pi ' 
 
 .. and Margerj C, b 
 
 ill publ 
 
 tioi I 
 
 I, but in 
 
 vnship or count) »de- 
 
 lan." 
 
 Bi »BER l ( Ql [GGL1 ' M ility 
 
 ht he 
 tak. graphy." 
 
 ill ma k' • 
 nine of lasting inti i) that 
 
 the I 
 
 r, Philip ' 
 h will re. 
 
 which the thoughtful will 
 I unit) tl larked 
 
 n in bus 
 th 
 of then enterpri 
 
 iketch, .1 promim 
 township, Clinton count) 1 
 
 at Fine Station, where he owns valuable prop- 
 erty He was born in that township August 22, 
 Ison of Philip Quiggle, just referred 
 to that locality from York, Penn.. 
 rly date, and purchased 160 acres of land 
 tead, his labors as a hunter, fisher- 
 man farmer and lumberman bringing a comfort- 
 able livelihood for the time. With the assistance 
 - sons he cleared his land and built a com- 
 house, which was considered quite a 
 lence by his less fortunate or less ambi- 
 ,s. He and his wife, whose name 
 Hester, died at this home, and their remains 
 Je's cemeterv. in Waym hip, 
 
 cllll , v . They were of German descent. 
 
 ?g le, oursubject's father, was born 
 in, rk county, Penn. , where he attended 
 
 tion schools in boyhood, receiving a fair 
 k now ledi ' ,h and German. He ac- 
 
 he family to Clinton county, and en- 
 1 m the same occupations as his father, and, 
 3 employed for many years as a pilot 
 Susquehanna river. He s "ear the 
 
 home of his parents, purchasing 160 acres of tim- 
 ber land, which he cleared and improved, build- 
 a log house. Politically, he was always a 
 at, but he did not take an active part 
 in public affairs. He was twice married. 
 first wife being Hester Swartz, a native of York 
 ntv. who was the mother of four children: 
 William, John, and Elizabeth Mrs. John 
 Fisher), none of whom are now living. His sec- 
 wile, Catherine (Strayer), was of Gen 
 scent, but her family had resided in York county. 
 everal generations. She wa 
 ipril 7, 1 7"4- the daughter ol Henry 
 tyer, who afterward removed to Wayne town- 
 linton county, and continued his business 
 iving. There were- nine chil- 
 this union: Daniel, a farmer in Wayne 
 iship; Isaac (deceasi d I fai b, 1 1 sid< 1 
 Wi ship; rhomas, a farmer in the - 
 
 E rah, a widow of Nathan Simcox; Rich- 
 rtC, our subject; Maria, who 
 married Washington Henninger, of New York 
 nd Matilda, wife of D. A. Cochran, the 
 Gamble House." at Jc; 
 Sho The father died in 1845. and the 
 
 t her survived him many years, her death oc- 
 curring in [ i 
 
 Mi iject) may be said to be 
 
 - the schools of his section v 
 
 rly times, and his attendance 
 
 was lii 1 account of the need of his help 
 
 ther's death he went into 
 
 partnership with his brother Jacob in farming 
 
 and lui ntinued for nearly half a 
 
 
/£ 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 601 
 
 century, working together in perfect harmony 
 and keeping a common treasury upon which 
 either could draw when he wanted money. Not- 
 withstanding the extent of their business and the 
 large sums constantly passing through their hands, 
 they never felt the need of making a contract, 
 and at their settlement, in 1892, they divided 
 the property equally. They still own many 
 acres of timber land in partnership, and for many 
 years they had an extensive tract' devoted to the 
 raising of tobacco. Our subject now has eighty 
 acres of good farming land, and is one of the 
 chief tobacco growers of the locality. For forty- 
 two years he was a pilot on the Susquehanna, 
 running "arks" and rafts down to Marietta, 
 Penn., and, in addition to his own lumber opera- 
 tions, he has filled many contracts for carrying 
 lumber to market for others. In all his under- 
 takings he has been successful, being equal, seem- 
 ingly, to any task, and since 1894 he and his son 
 have conducted a profitable mercantile business 
 at Pine Station. He owns a fine residence there, 
 built after designs prepared by himself, and his 
 tobacco sheds and barns also were designed by 
 him, and were built with his own hands. He also 
 owns several dwelling houses in the town. De- 
 spite all his hard work he is remarkably vigorous, 
 never knowing sickness, and he can now do as 
 much in a day as most men who are a score of 
 years younger. In politics he is a sound Demo- 
 crat, and for twenty-five years he was township 
 assessor, for three years tax-collector, and for 
 some time he was school director, acting as presi- 
 dent of the board during a part of the period. 
 He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
 Church, in which he holds the office of trustee, 
 and for many years he has been superintendent 
 of the Sunday-school. Socially, he is identified 
 with the Masonic order, being a member of La- 
 bell Valley Blue Lodge, No. 232, F. & A. M., at 
 Jersey Shore; Lafayette Chapter, No. 163, F. & 
 A. M., at Lock Haven; Baldwin Commandery, 
 No. 22, of Williamsport; and the Order of the 
 Mystic Shrine, at Philadelphia. 
 
 On June 17, 1856, our subject was married, 
 at Jersey Shore, to Miss Margaret A. Clark, by 
 whom he has had the following children: (1) 
 Ida A., born January 4, 1858, was crushed to 
 death, in 1867, by some floating ice in the West 
 branch. (2) Clark W., born April 13, i860, 
 was killed, June 2, 1882, on the P. & E. R. R., 
 a train striking a team which he was driving. 
 He was a bright young man, taking much of the 
 responsibility of his father's business, in which 
 he was a partner at the time of his death, and he 
 was prominent socially as a member of Blue 
 Lodge No. 22, F. & A. M., at Jersey Shore. He 
 
 married Miss Jennie Ferguson. (3) Clarissa, 
 born January 9, 1S62, married Dr. B. M. Yost, 
 of Lycoming county, and they have two children 
 — Edith M. and Robert Ouiggle. (4) Carson R. , 
 born June 11, 1864, is now in partnership with 
 his father, and is considered a promising business 
 man. He was educated in the local schools and 
 in the Williamsport Commercial College, where 
 he was graduated in 1893. Like his father, he 
 is a stanch Democrat, and is a member of several 
 fraternal societies, including the B. P. O. E. , 
 No. 182; Lock Haven Lodge No. 232, F. & A. 
 M., at Jersey Shore; Lafayette Chapter No. 163, 
 F. & A. M., at Lock Haven; Hospitaller Com- 
 mandery No. 46, K. T. , and Lulu Temple at 
 Philadelphia, Noble of the Mystic Shrine. He is 
 not married. On February 22, 1894, he was ap- 
 pointed postmaster at Pine Station, and resigned 
 July 3. 1897. (5) Letitia May, born May 6, 
 1866, married Allen D. Russell, who is men- 
 tioned more fully below. She is well educated, 
 as all of our subject's children are, and at present 
 she is postmaster at Pine Station. (6) Kate A., 
 born May 6, 1868, married Charles H. Rich, 
 and has had two children — Edna D., born April 
 3, 1887. and Mary M. L., born April 30, 1891. 
 Mrs. Rich is an accomplished musician, and she 
 is one of the most popular and efficient teachers 
 of the art in her locality. She is also well-known 
 a composer, having written the "Autumn 
 
 :iS 
 
 Waltz," and the " Hyacinthe March," which she 
 published in 1895, and named in honor of her 
 favorite flower; both pieces are copyrighted, and 
 have gained recognition among musicians. (7) 
 Harvey S., born February 28, 1877, died from 
 diphtheria June 16, 1882. 
 
 Mrs. Margaret A. Ouiggle, who has been an 
 able helpmeet to her husband, was born April 
 18, 1S35, in the Nippenose Valley, Lycoming 
 county, where her ancestors settled many years 
 ago, on their arrival from Ireland. William 
 Clark (deceased), the father of Mrs. Quiggle.was 
 a native of the Valley, and owned a fine farm of 
 200 acres there which he operated until his sons 
 were old enough to take charge of it. He then 
 engaged in the hotel business in the same locality, 
 but after a few years he returned to his farm to 
 spend his declining years, his death occurring in 
 1875. He was a good citizen, a firm adherent of 
 the Republican party, and he was held in high es- 
 teem by all who knew him. His first wife, Agnes 
 Gretner, a native of the Nippenose Valley, died 
 in 1846, and he afterward married Clarissa Stew- 
 art, of the same locality, who died in 1880, leav- 
 ing no children. By the first marriage there were 
 seven children: Maria (deceased), formerly the 
 wife of John Cochran; Priscilla, wife of John 
 

 00MM1 VORATIVB BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 mnty; I >a\ id A 
 merchant in the Nip] 
 Amelia, wil rmer in 
 
 line 
 
 "I'h 
 in-, i i April 25, 1 I 
 
 1 six childrei 
 David hi.! An- His 
 
 th' ■ 
 
 ■ 
 April j, ther wh tch 
 
 ■ 
 
 lucation in the 
 :ul for a time 
 
 twenty- 
 take a 1 
 
 held 
 winning thi and the conn- 
 
 en >- 
 moted to th the Si ind- 
 
 t P 
 
 IV- 
 hlS 'lilt: 
 
 His death, 
 
 1 throughout the community, 
 
 11 identified \\ ith the 
 ind 
 an 
 
 1, .ui.l hi 
 
 h his widow, 
 
 ited by I I 
 
 Mr Russell v ssful 
 
 I land in central 
 nt his me 
 
 his habit 
 dail vj r . 
 
 BOBERT M STEV1 NSi IN 
 I tlie ti" 1 . manu- 
 
 fabi Chatham Run, I 
 
 born July 2 
 
 worthj • 1 tin- highl) -1 
 
 ternal | Joh/i an. I Fann) 1 Brown 
 
 m, t Irish and Scotch nativity respect- 
 ively, lived in County Tyrone, Ireland, where 
 the former followed the occupation of farming 
 throughout his entire life, dying there in 1825 in 
 the faith of the Presbyterian Church, of which 
 he was a consistent member. In his family 
 were six children: George, John, William, Alex- 
 ander. David, Sarah, an.) Elizabeth (wife of 
 [an In 1S40 the mother brought her 
 
 family to the New World and located in Jersey 
 e, Penn., where she departed this life in 
 remains being interred at that place. 
 She was a most estimable woman, highly re- 
 spected by all who knew her. 
 
 .ander Stevenson, our subject's father, 
 
 born in County Tyrone, Ireland, in 1S15, 
 
 lined as in educaton as the public- 
 
 ols of that day in his native land afforded, 
 
 the carpenter's trade at Barnscort 
 
 Castle which he helped to build. On attaining 
 
 his majority he bade good-bye to the Emerald 
 
 Isle, and with the hope of making a fortun 
 
 to America with the rest of the family, At Lon- 
 
 donderry, Ireland, they boarded a sailing vessel, 
 
 ami came near being lost on two occasions as the 
 
 captain was intoxicated, but finally, after a \ 
 
 >ix weeks, reached Philadelphia in saf< 
 
 t time spent in that city they took 
 
 the train fur Harrisbuig, and by canal packet 
 
 to their destination — Jersey Shore, 
 
 Penn., which was then a mere hamlet. Mr. 
 
 11 built a house for the family, his 
 
 brother-in-law, James Moore, doing the mason 
 
 work, and it was often remarked that Stevenson 
 
 & Moore could bmld the town. He remained in 
 
 Jersey Shore until 1859, when he purchased a 
 
 t of 1,000 acres of timberland in Clinton 
 
 .t\. "ii which was erected a sawmill, and he 
 
 d in tl of lumber for the 
 
 lie then sold his property and returned 
 
 locating on the West branch of the 
 
 [uehanna, in Pine Creek township, where he 
 
 winked at his trade' until 1SG7, when he pur- 
 
 tially-improved farm of seventy acres. 
 
 I ' further development and cultivation he 
 
 Ins energies until 1890, and upon the 
 
 place erected a good residence, barns and other 
 
 outbuildings. On account of failing health he 
 
 -t three years of his life in retirement 
 
 1. and die,! in 1893, being buried 
 
 at Woolrich. As an architect and builder he 
 
 tion of the first Methodist 
 
 hurch building at that place, and 
 
 minently identified with the building in- 
 
 u for many years. He was 
 
 inch adherent of the Democratic party, and 
 
 lithful member ot the Methodist Episco- 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 60S 
 
 pal Church, in which he held the office of trustee, 
 class-leader and steward. By all who knew him 
 he was held in high regard, and he was a kind 
 and affectionate husband and father. 
 
 At Jersey Shore, Alexander Stevenson mar- 
 ried Sarah Miller, who was born in Linden, Ly- 
 coming Co., Penn., of English ancestry, and 
 they became the parents of five children: 
 George, a lumberman and farmer, of Arkansas; 
 Robert M. ; John, an accountant and agricultur- 
 ist, of Sherman, Texas; Mary Frances, wife of 
 Charles Cameron, of Dunstable township, Clin- 
 ton county; and William, partner of our subject, 
 in the manufacture of woolen fabrics, and also a 
 member of the lumber firm of Kreamer & Stev- 
 enson, of Lock Haven. The mother of these 
 children died in 1856, in Jersey Shore, where 
 her remains are interred, and Mr. Stevenson 
 was again married, at Jersey Shore, this time to 
 Miss Mary A. Moore, a native of County Tyrone, 
 Ireland, and a daughter of James Moore, a 
 farmer by occupation. Eight children blessed 
 this union: Sarah, wife of O. H. Johnson, of 
 Woolrich; Lizzie, at home; Alexander, who died 
 in childhood; Rebecca, wife of D. B. Dunkel; 
 Aimer E. and Josephine are residents of Pine 
 Creek township, Clinton county; Mattie B. 
 makes her home with William H., in Lock Ha- 
 ven; and Lydia E., who died in childhood. Mrs. 
 Stevenson, who was a devout member of the 
 Methodist Episcopal Church, died on the old 
 homestead in Pine Creek township, in 1889. 
 One of her sons, Aimer E., born April 6, 1862, 
 attended the public schools of Woolrich, and 
 worked at home until 1887, when he entered the 
 employ of the lumber firm of Rreamer & Steven- 
 son. He is now successfully engaged in the 
 manufacture of shingles at Chatham Run, is a 
 Democrat in politics, and a member of the 
 Methodist Episcopal Church. 
 
 Robert M. Stevenson, whose name intro- 
 duces this sketch, obtained his education in the 
 public schools of Jersey Shore, and worked at 
 the carpenter's trade with his father until twen- 
 ty-four years of age, when he obtained a posi- 
 tion in the Rich Woolen Mills at Woolrich, be- 
 ing for seventeen years connected with the spin- 
 ning department. He managed to save some 
 money which he then invested in the Farley 
 farm of 108 acres, near Woolrich, and upon that 
 place he engaged in general farming and tobacco 
 growing, with fair success for eight years. Sell- 
 ing his place in 1894, ne an ^ his brother William 
 H. bought the old Rich Mills at Chatham Run, 
 Dunstable township, put in new machinery at a 
 cost of $4,000, and are now successfully en- 
 gaged in the manufacture of woolen goods, mak- 
 
 ing a specialty of double woolen-socks and 
 heavy woolen-shirts, known as the Alaskan 
 brand. Our subject also operates a small farm 
 of forty acres, on which he has made many im- 
 provements, and runs a cider press. He is a 
 wide-awake, enterprising business man of pro- 
 gressive ideas, and the success that he has 
 achieved in life is due entirely to his own indi- 
 vidual efforts, good management and sound 
 judgment. 
 
 In 1868, at Woolrich, our subject was mar- 
 ried to Miss Acirema Crider, who was born in 
 Dunstable township, of German extraction, and 
 is a daughter of Philip Crider, an agriculturist. 
 Twelve children were born to them, namely: 
 Torrence R. , a shingle manufacturer of Cambria 
 county, Penn. ; Charles, a traveling salesman for 
 his father, married Lizzie Shultz, and has two 
 children — Helen and Robert; Annie H., who died 
 in 189^; Mary M., Jane C, Alice L. , Nora E., 
 Sarah E., John R., William E. and Leila F., all 
 at home ; and one who died in infancy. The daugh- 
 ters aid their father in the work of the factory, 
 are active and prominent members of the Method- 
 ist Episcopal Church (to which the parents also 
 belong). In social circles the family occupies an 
 enviable position. 
 
 Politically. Mr. Stevenson is not bound by 
 party ties. At the age of nineteen he had a strong 
 desire to enter the Union army, but was opposed 
 by his parents. However, he ran away from 
 home in March, 1864, crossed the West branch 
 and took the train for Williamsport, where he 
 enlisted in Company D, First Pennsylvania Cav- 
 alry, under Captain McDonald and Colonel Tay- 
 lor, of Mifflin county, Penn. On missing him, 
 his father followed him to Williamsport, but find- 
 ing that he was already in soldier's uniform, he 
 allowed him to remain, and our subject partici- 
 pated in all the engagements of his regiment 
 from the battle of the Wilderness up to the time of 
 Lee's surrender. After participating in the 
 Grand Review at Washington, D. C. , he was 
 mustered out July 10, 1865, and returned home 
 with an honorable war record, of which he may 
 be justly proud. 
 
 C CHARLES SMITH, M. D., one of the exten- 
 di/ sive land-owners of Clinton county, and a 
 retired physician, was born August 26, 1S14, in 
 Lycoming county, Penn., a son of John and 
 Saloma (Treon) Smith. 
 
 His father was from Pottstown, Penn., and 
 became a farmer in Black Hole Valley, Lycom- 
 ing county. He was an industrious, energetic 
 man, but possessed a kindly nature which led 
 
601 
 
 -o/.'.ir/i EAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 hin ecurity for his li 
 
 casions, and in this waj h lerable. 
 
 In politics he was a Dei and, in i 
 
 faith, a Lutheran Hi died al I 
 
 buried in Snydertown, i 
 tn His wil 
 
 . and was laid 
 
 n ["hej had five children, all of whom 
 
 I adult age, nami Ij I I kiel, 
 
 wh Her- 
 
 Muncy; 1 ame the wife of 
 
 I - k, and died in Mun who 
 
 living in that plain-; and a practicing 
 
 physician, who died at < entre Hall. 
 
 I h ( bai les Smil h nd edui 
 
 in Black Hole Valley, his a 
 
 At th en- 
 
 fterward 
 
 : m. 1 le was in 
 
 th, and his physician, Dr. Thomas 
 
 \Y 
 
 ig with that gentlemen, 
 
 I with Dr. 1 I his 
 
 father-in-law. He began practice about 1837 in 
 
 Mahanoy, Northumberland in., 
 
 \x went to • ' Th< ntre 
 
 liits. where he rema d for nil 
 
 . ing them e to Penn Hall, w contin- 
 
 1 for .1 numbi I li alsi 1 spent four 
 
 ent home in P vnship, which is situated 
 
 I ik< Hei fortable 
 
 ind in 1 895 built ellent barn. 
 
 I [1 1 ntinui '1 in 
 
 tnl. havi \- his 
 
 i he made judicious 
 investments in I : new ow 
 
 ' lition t I timber 
 
 land. 
 
 1 >r Smith w as mai 1 I twenty- 
 
 n Northumberland county, 
 Rebi I o • • 1 rn in that county, in 
 
 1 'i Frederick Ti m 
 : tithful helpn nion to 
 
 husband. i hen 
 
 the) 1" -.in hou . , but si d him in 
 
 all 1 .. and not .1 little ol his 
 
 was due to her capable management, 
 a consistent member of tin- Lutheran Church, 
 and died in that faith in February, 1882, hi 1 
 
 interred at Penn Hall. She was the 
 ther of the following named children: 1' 
 rmer of Pi itter township, ( entn 
 
 n Calvin F., a practicing physician of In- 
 lis, Ind., who I: ter, [ulia; 
 
 ma, at I ' >hn, of Lamar, Penn., who 
 
 has three children — Katie K., Elnora B., and 
 M. ; Charles W., formerly a dentist, 
 but now a farmer residing near Howard, Cen- 
 tre ci unity, his children being — James N., Mina, 
 Willard, and Cora. 
 
 Dr. Smith holds membership in the Lutheran 
 Church, and exi bis r 1 •_; h t of franchise 
 
 support I thi Democracy, but has never been an 
 offie His life has been a worthy one. 
 
 marked by fidelity to duty in all its relations 
 rhough he started out in very limited circum- 
 stances, he has steadily worked his way upward, 
 all obstacles by industry, persever- 
 ance and ft 1. md prosperity has rewarded 
 him. 
 
 J\i OB QU1GGLE, a prominent agriculturist 
 I tobacco grower of Wayne township, 
 t linton county, is the owner of a fine farm 
 
 nergetic and judici 
 management insures good returns notwithstand- 
 riard times" so commonly heard 
 in the past few years. Although his business in- 
 
 ise attention, he has al- 
 ways shown much public spirit, and has sei 
 in various official positions, including that of 
 nty conn r, his ability and fidelity to 
 
 duty winning the approbation of the people. 
 Hi- ligrated from Germany in an 
 
 The name was formerly spelled 
 fley," the German mode of spelling being 
 "Quickie." Our subject derives his remarkable 
 mental and physical rom the German stock 
 
 which has furnished - 1 many able citizens to this 
 ntry. Philip Quiggle (or Quiggley . thegrand- 
 father of our subject, was born and reared in 
 York county, Penn., where also he spent some 
 ■ his manhood. He married, and had 
 ral children, but his wife's name is not km iwn. 
 in life Philip Quiggle decided to make anew 
 itral Pennsylvania," then a wilderm 
 and removed with his family to what is now 
 Wayne township, Clinton county, the territory 
 1 that time a part ol Northumberland 
 He took up ,1 homestead of 160 acres 
 of timber land, which he proceeded to clear and 
 impi ! that was considered 
 
 quit r those times. A com- 
 
 fortable livii I by fishing, hunting 
 
 and the river, while the proceeds from 
 
 the clearing of the homestead also proved a 
 rhi 1 mains of this well-known 
 pioi - 1 ! his wife in Ouig- 
 
 in Wayne township, Clinton 
 nty 
 
 
crQ^e^V 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 605 
 
 George Quiggle, our subject's father, was born 
 September 8, 1785, in York county, Penn., and 
 received a fair education in the subscription 
 schools of that day, learning to read and write 
 both English and German. After coming to 
 Clinton county with the family he followed the 
 same occupation as his father, much of his time 
 being spent in running "arks" and rafts on the 
 Susquehanna river from Lock Haven to Marietta 
 and Columbia, Penn., carrying grain or lumber 
 on the downward trips and bringing back mer- 
 chandise. He purchased 160 acres of land in 
 Wayne township, Clinton county, where he made 
 his permanent home, building a log house and 
 improving the place as his time and means per- 
 mitted. In politics he was a Democrat, but 
 while he gave loyal support to his party at all 
 times he never sought official honors. His death 
 occurred January 25, 1843, and he was buried in 
 the family plot in Ouiggle's cemetery. In early 
 manhood he was married in Wayne township, 
 Clinton county (then a part of Lycoming county), 
 to Miss Hester Swartz, a native of York county, 
 who died a few years later, leaving four children: 
 George, William, John, and Elizabeth (Mrs. John 
 Fisher), all of whom are now deceased. The 
 father of these was again married, this time to 
 Miss Catherine Strayer, a lady of German descent, 
 who was born in York county, April 7, 1794, the 
 daughter of Henry Strayer, also a native of York 
 county, and in later life a farmer and weaver of 
 Wayne township, Clinton county. By this mar- 
 riage there were nine children: Daniel, a farmer 
 in Wayne township; Isaac, who died at an early 
 age; Jacob, our subject; Thomas, a farmer of 
 Wayne township; Sarah, widow of Nathan Sim- 
 cox;* Richard, who died in Wayne township; 
 Robert C. , a farmer of Wayne township; Maria, 
 wife of Washington Henninger, of New York 
 State; and Matilda, who married D. A. Cochran, 
 the proprietor of the " Gamble House," at Jer- 
 sey Shore, Penn. The mother of this family 
 lived to the advanced age of eighty-four years, 
 and her last days were passed at the home of her 
 son, Robert C, her death occurring July 1, 1878. 
 A marble monument in Ouiggle's cemetery testi- 
 fies to the affectionate regard of the children for 
 their honored parents. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was born October 
 17, 1822, at the old homestead, and throughout 
 his life he has resided there. He had but limited 
 educational opportunities, and as there were no 
 school houses in his locality during his boyhood 
 he attended classes in the log homes of the 
 neighbors, Jesse Price being his first teacher. At 
 that time the teachers were paid by subscription, 
 and were boarded by the different families in 
 
 turn. As a boy Mr. Quiggle formed habits of 
 industry, and has since done much hard work. 
 For forty years he piloted " arks " and rafts on 
 the Susquehanna to Columbia and Marietta with 
 cargoes of lumber and grain, and for ten years he 
 was a captain on the Pennsylvania canal, the 
 " Melissa," of Jersey Shore, being his first boat. 
 During these years he also engaged extensively 
 in lumbering, and with the help of his sons 
 cleared 160 acres of land, upon which he made 
 many improvements, and for some time had his 
 residence. In 1857 he bought the Gallagher 
 farm of 160 acres, where he has since made his 
 home. In managing his farm he has shown 
 much discretion, choosing crops that would bring 
 him a profit, and he was among the first in his 
 county to attempt to raise tobacco. This enter- 
 prise has proved very successful, and he now 
 ranks among the largest producers of the crop in 
 his locality. Notwithstanding his hard work in 
 the past, Mr. Quiggle is still strong and vigorous, 
 quite free from illness, and he can keep up with 
 any young man in the township during a day's 
 labor in the wheat field. 
 
 Politically, he is a stanch Democrat, and, in 
 1864, he was elected county commissioner by a 
 good majority for a term of three years. He 
 served with such satisfaction to the people that 
 a renomination was tendered him, but he declined. 
 For several years he was a school director in his 
 township, serving as president of the board dur- 
 ing a portion of the time, and he has also been 
 assessor, tax collector, and supervisor, the du- 
 ties of each position being discharged creditably. 
 He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
 Church, to which he has always contributed 
 liberally, and he also belongs to the I. O. O. F., 
 Lodge No. 101, at Jersey Shore. 
 
 In the fall of 1849 he married Miss Eliza Hil- 
 born, and eight children have blessed the union. 
 (1) Ida died in infancy. (2) Crawford J., de- 
 ceased, lived to adult age. (3) Harry L., born 
 in i860, in Wayne township, Clinton county, re- 
 ceived a public-school education there, and now 
 has charge of the homestead in partnership with 
 his brother Jacob. He is also engaged in the 
 manufacture of cigars, and is one of the success- 
 ful business men of the locality. Like all the 
 members of the family, he is a Democrat in poli- 
 tics, and at present he holds the office of school 
 director. In religious faith he is a Methodist. 
 On April 8, 1883, he was married to Miss Emma 
 Ferguson, of Pine Creek township, Clinton coun- 
 ty, a daughter of Matthew Ferguson, and they 
 have had three children — Bessie (deceased), 
 Eckley B. and Chester L. (living). (4) Jacob Vail 
 and (5) one unnamed (twins) were born April 8, 
 

 VMEMORATIVB BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 i. the latter ..I whi< h.weighii Is at 
 
 birth, died in infancy; Jacob V. weighed only a 
 ii. 1 and a half, but hi 
 
 Ath. and md healthy man. 
 
 U. rtner with his brother in (arming and 
 
 ir manufacturing, af- 
 
 i th( Den cratii org ini the 
 
 township, having served two tern 
 
 H Methodist Church, and is 
 
 lent of th I, in 
 
 which he has been a teacher for ars. 
 
 ratified with I & A. M., 
 
 ig t o B 1 u e 1 
 
 I • . No. 
 
 om- 
 ! II iven. H 
 
 .1 in the public 
 -it Wayne township, an. I is now the wife 
 ited States consul at 
 I • --nil. \ and St. Th I ida, 
 
 under the fii d admin , and at 
 
 I, ( )ntai la, under the second. 
 
 Th' had three children — James \\ '. , Ed- 
 
 mund l> . and one that died in infant 
 lie M pursu I udy in the 1 
 
 and man i < i W. Smith, ol Baltimore, 
 M.l . a shi| i dard Oil Co. They 
 
 ha'. I., L. , and 
 
 Lillian I Minnie L. was edu- 
 
 and is now the wife 
 
 ! Smith, a banker and real-. iler 
 
 in ' rk < itv. They have three childn i 
 
 1 1 rd 1 nd Frances M. I . 
 
 W Smith and W. F. Smith, just mentioned, are 
 
 . and dii of John Quincy 
 
 Ml heen a true help- 
 meet to her husband during their long married 
 life, was 1" >rn in Northumbei tin., 
 th. Vbel Hilborn nd laughter 
 
 Samuel Hill. I n. ..f Scotch-Il lit. 
 
 Abel Hilborn w.^ a native of Roaring (■ 
 \ lie] . V irthumberlan M Peni .when he 
 
 ■ i portion .•( his lil ■- ing 
 
 al burnin occupation Hi had a 
 
 • 
 
 i consistent 
 mber i il tin Baptist Church f..r man] 
 He to eei teresl i the 
 
 time, and was a lirm adherent of the Republican 
 party. His death I ille, 
 
 I tin., in 1863, and Ins wife, wh 
 nan I lienor Vail, 1 1 home : 1 
 
 dying there in 1 881 1, the 
 remains of both being interred m Quiggle's cem- 
 She was horn in Kingston, < mtario, Can- 
 the daughter of Lewis Vail, whowasals 
 
 .dian by birth, and was of English descent. 
 lienor Hilborn had ten children, as 
 Charlotte (deceased was the wife of 
 Jacob Mover; Lewis, Hiram and Jesse are all 
 deceased; Calvin resides near Chicago. 111.; 
 \lb. rt Wetherald, of Frank- 
 lin. Ind. ; Eliza is the wife of our subject. Mary 
 with Mrs. Quiggle; Catherine is the wife 
 ': of Jonas Mincer, of Lock Haven. Clinton county; 
 and Abel is a res I Frankton, Indiana. 
 
 SAMUEL L. HEARD, justice of the peace, 
 and a well-known milli lona, Clinton 
 
 county, was born January 29, 1856. 
 
 John P. and Mary J. C. McGhee) Heard, 
 his parents, were born, the father, April 
 1816, in the east end of Nittany Valley, Lamar 
 township, Clinton county, and the mother, May z, 
 1826, at Salona. The parents of John P. Heard 
 were Robert and Annie (Hazlett) Heard, the 
 former of Scotch-Irish extraction, whose family 
 were early pioneers of Nittany Valley. Robert 
 lb ard, a farmer by occupation, was born April 
 
 [788, and died February 28, 1843, while his 
 wife was burn December 13, 17SS, and died De- 
 cember 16, 1841. Her parents were John and 
 Margaret Hazlett, the former ..f whom was born 
 in 1742. and .lied August 26, 1830. and the lat- 
 ter, born in 1753, dud February 13, 1834. Thej 
 wen- buried at Salona. The paternal grand- 
 parents of ct also sleep in the Method- 
 ist cemetery at that place. In their family were 
 five children: Delinda, who became the wife of 
 Peter Best, of Cedarville. Stephenson Co., 111.; 
 John P., lather of our subject; William, who 
 .Ind 111 Freeport, 111.; Robert, who died in Keo- 
 kuk. I., w.i .and Margaret, who died when a voting 
 
 In Nittany Valley, John P. Heard was reared 
 t.i manhood, living with his parents in Lamar 
 and Porter townships, Clinton county. He at- 
 led the public schools of his day and learned 
 very rapidly. He also took private lessons of a 
 Mr. Berkley, petent instructor. When 
 
 iung man he learned the carpenter's trade 
 with Samuel B. 1 - dona, and continued 
 
 1" « until ill health prevented it. 
 
 ht man] if school, was an ex- 
 
 cellent teacher, and among his pupils was the 
 
 rd became his wife. 
 Many ol th t Lamar township 
 
 ittended his - 
 
 P. Heard was married 
 
 whose father, John 
 
 McG rn August 1. 1780, in Trunamul- 
 
 leii. Ireland, in which country his father, Thomas 
 
 I 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 607 
 
 McGhee 
 
 life. The family 
 
 followed farming and spent his entire 
 
 was a prominent and intelli- 
 
 gent one, and the son received a good education 
 in his native land. When a young man he 
 crossed the Atlantic and took up his residence in 
 Penn's Valley, Penn. He began learning the 
 millwright's trade, but did not long devote his 
 attention to it. He taught school for many 
 years, and in the possession of his family is an 
 old agreement which shows the plan of hiring 
 teachers in his day, and is as follows: " Articles 
 of agreement made and concluded this Decem- 
 ber 1 8, 1802, between John McGhee, schoolmas- 
 ter, of the first part, and the subscribers of the 
 other part, both parties being of the township 
 of Haines, Centre Co., Penn., witnesseth and 
 saith, That said McGhee on his part doth prom- 
 ise to teach an English school and to teach all 
 such children as are committed to his care, read- 
 ing, writing and arithmetic, so far as his skill 
 and their abilities will admit, for the term of one 
 year, reserving to himself every other Saturday 
 and two weeks in harvest. And we, the sub- 
 scribers, do on our part promise to find him a 
 sufficient schoolhouse with every accommodation 
 necessary; to find him a stove in the winter sea- 
 son with plenty of firewood; and we likewise 
 promise to pay him for the aforesaid term of one 
 year the sum of forty pounds, one-half at the ex- 
 piration of the first six months, and the remain- 
 der at the expiration of one year; we likewise 
 promise to find him on sufficient board during 
 said term. In witness whereof we the subscrib- 
 ers interchangeably set our hands and number of 
 scholars." 
 
 On November 13, 1806, John McGhee was 
 married in what is now Porter township, Clinton 
 county, to Miss Mary T. McKibben, who was 
 born in Franklin county, Penn., December 8, 
 1786, a daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Grimes) 
 McKibben, who removed from that county to 
 Porter township, then a part of Centre county, 
 in the spring of 1787. During the Revolutionary 
 war Mr. McKibben went with a team to Balti- 
 more for goods, being there at the time Corn- 
 wallis was in that city. Both Mr. McKibben and 
 his wife were buried in Jacksonville cemetery. 
 Mr. and Mrs. McGhee began housekeeping in 
 Brush Valley, but in the spring of 1819 came to 
 Salona, where he engaged in merchandising for 
 a number of years, and where he built the old 
 stone mill. He also built a stone mill in Clin- 
 tondale, and both were operated by hired millers. 
 At one time he made a trip to Philadelphia, and 
 on his return two noted desperadoes, Lewis and 
 Connelly, waited in a tree to waylay him ; but 
 coming home by another route his life was spared. 
 
 He died in Salona, March 11, 1S31, and his wife 
 passed away September 20, 185S. In their 
 family were six children, namely: Thomas, 
 born September 25, 1810, died in Lock Haven; 
 Joseph, born March 5, 1814, died in childhood; 
 John C, born April 27, 18 18, died in Lock 
 Haven; Sarah, born August 3, 1824, married 
 Thomas Pollock, and died in Salona; Mary J. C. 
 is the mother of our subject; and Isabella M., 
 born November 15, 1829, is the wife of David 
 Griffith, of Kansas. 
 
 At the time of his marriage, John P. Heard 
 and his brother William were engaged in the 
 foundry business in Greencastle, Franklin Co., 
 Penn., but shortly afterward he returned to Sa- 
 lona, where he engaged in mercantile pursuits 
 for a number of years. In 1855 he removed to 
 the home where his last years were passed, dy- 
 ing there June 7, 1893, and his remains were in- 
 terred in the Cedar Hill cemetery. He took an 
 active interest in political affairs, first as a Whig, 
 and later as a Republican; for twenty years he 
 served as justice of the peace, and for a long 
 period was also a school director. He was rec- 
 ognized as one of the most valued and useful 
 citizens of his community, and scrupulously per- 
 formed every duty which devolved upon him, 
 whether public or private. For a third of a cen- 
 tury he was a faithful member of the Methodist 
 Episcopal Church, took an active part in its 
 work, and held many Church offices. His widow 
 still resides on the old homestead, and she, too, 
 is a consistent member of the Methodist Church. 
 
 In the family of this worthy couple were 
 seven children, namely: Horace McG., born 
 October 28, 1846, is a dairyman of Lamar town- 
 ship, Clinton county; Lorren H., born October 
 5, 1848, died at the age of seventeen years; 
 Mary V., born August 7, 1 8 50, lives with her 
 mother; Robert T. , born August 9, 1852, is a 
 carriage-trimmer; Samuel L. , our subject, is next 
 in order of birth; Anna M., born October 19, 
 1858, is the wife of Edward McDowell, of Irvona, 
 Clearfield Co., Penn.; and John E., born March 
 4, 1 86 1, died in infancy. 
 
 Samuel L. Heard attended the public schools 
 of Salona, beginning his education under the 
 instruction of Lydia Wilson. He early became 
 familiar with milling, and in 1876 went to 
 Chatham Run, where he worked in the gristmill 
 of Joseph Farley for some time. On his return 
 to Salona he took charge of the old stone mill 
 erected by his maternal grandfather in 1819, and 
 operated it until 1878, when he went to Chanute, 
 Kans., where he was engaged in farming a short 
 time. The next year he again took charge of the 
 mill in Salona, and remained here until the 
 

 ( OMME VORATIVB BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 when he wi nt to Minneapolis, 
 Minnesota Shortlj 
 in the Assini intry, in Bril 
 
 the construi I 
 
 then buildii ly he retui 
 
 Mini ' ' s 
 
 now North D "1- 
 
 sylvania 
 
 ind 
 in t : the 
 
 -mill in ^ h he nov 
 
 t )n Februarj .. Mi Hi ard was united 
 
 in marriage to Miss Ida Krapi 
 
 a daughter oi Robert Ki to them has 
 
 |ohn R Republican 
 
 ticket. Mr. i I 
 
 and is 
 ibly lillm He is a stanch 
 
 ind does all in his power 
 its interests and insure its succi 
 
 Balona, in promi- 
 
 ing citizen, whi to all 
 
 neral wi 
 His the 
 
 Mi ' ; hnrch. 
 
 1j*H< )M ^S iiding in Wayne 
 
 g the highly- 
 mn- 
 in. I has been id vith its agricultural 
 
 wild and unim- 
 -n. In the work ol developn 
 in ai live part, and lias aided in open- 
 Ltion is 1 
 tithfull) . 
 nship, and I 
 
 nunity hi 
 the old 
 Mr 
 
 the f- Mirth chili e. Wa; 
 
 township at that time w 
 
 inty. In gh- 
 
 ■ 
 during the wint ths, while tl 
 
 pent at work upon the linn. 
 There hi ade 
 
 many valuable and useful improvement 
 the place, building .1 fin 
 
 which ai ^OOO. B rm- 
 
 Mi forty-fh 
 
 on the west branch of the Susquehanna, 
 running from Lock Haven to Columbia, Mari 
 
 with ■■ .m- 
 
 \orked in the lumber regions with 
 his brothers, Jacob and Robert C. . but sii 
 
 I his entire time to agricultural 
 pursuits. He li interested in the raising 
 
 60, and in all his undertak- 
 ings has met with a fair degree of success, being 
 now numbered among the prosperous and sub- 
 stantial citizens ol Wayne township. 
 
 In 1S50, in Pine Creek township, Clinton 
 county, Mr. Quiggle was married to Miss Fannie 
 Willhelm, a native of Jersey Shore, Penn., and 
 r of William Willhelm. To them were 
 born t\\" children: Fannie, now the wife of 
 rles Ingram, of Renovo. Clinton county; 
 and Richard, who married Emma Hager, by 
 whom he had two children, Clarence and Fiona, 
 and died in 1893, at the age of forty years. 
 This wife of our subject, who was a faithful 
 member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, died 
 in Wayne township, in 1 S 5 3 , and was buried in 
 the » 'niggle cemetery- Our subject was again 
 married, in 1855, his second union being with 
 Catharine Willhelm (sister of his first wife), by 
 whom he had six children: < 1 1 Tucker, a farmer 
 ol Wayne township, who married Arvilla Young, 
 of that township, and has one son, Walter. (2 
 Ettie married Jerry Chubb, who died leaving two 
 children, Torrence and Willard. She is now the 
 wife of John Corson. (3) Willard, a railroad 
 man, living in Williamsport, married Mag 
 
 1, and has three children, LeRoy. Beu- 
 lah and John. 4 Enola is the wife of John 
 
 ■r. a furniture manufacturer and under- 
 taker ol Rei linton county, and has three 
 cliil ' rid Dorothy. 1 5) Carrie 
 is the wife of William Shurr. of Wayne town- 
 
 1 Arvilla is the wife of William Airgood, 
 • ■ wberry, Lycoming ( . Penn., and 1 
 child. Thomas. The mother of this family died 
 in 1878, and wa nterred in the <Hiiggle 
 
 For his third wife Mr. Quiggle chose Miss 
 thaA Corson, who was born March 24, 1S45. 
 and their mam.' celebrated in Salladas- 
 
 burg, I unty, in 1 S79. Her grand- 
 
 father, Thoi .1 native of Chest. 1 
 
 I French descent. Through- 
 ntire life he followed agricultural pur- 
 111 his native county, where his death oc- 
 curred II. was a Whig in politics, and a mem- 
 I 1 1 tends. He was twice 
 wife being a Miss Pipps, and 
 the father of twelve children, among whom 
 1 1 ' )uiggle's father. 1 I 
 n Chester county, where he 
 followed the occupation of farming until after his 
 ■ when : to a farm near Lin- 
 
THOMAS OUIGGLE 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 609 
 
 den, in Lycoming county. He there owned 200 
 acres of land, which he improved with good 
 buildings, and continued to cultivate until called 
 to his final rest in 1870, at the age of eighty-one. 
 He was a hard working, energetic man, and was 
 widely and favorably known. In Chester county 
 he married Rachel Harvey, a native of Berks 
 county, Penn., and a daughter of William Har- 
 vey, a hatter by trade, who was of English de- 
 scent, and died in Williamsport, Penn. Mrs. 
 Corson was a member of the Methodist Episco- 
 pal Church, and a most estimable lad}'. She 
 was the mother of twelve children, namely: 
 Thomas and William, both farmers of Lycoming 
 county; Mary, deceased wife of Samuel Everett; 
 Emma, deceased wife of Robert McWilliams, of 
 Harrisburg, Penn. ; Rebecca, deceased wife of 
 Charles Mosely, of Muncy, Penn.; Sarah J., 
 widow of Joseph McLain, of Johnsonburg, Penn. ; 
 John, a lumberman of Newberry, Lycoming 
 county; Elizabeth, widow of Charles Swain, of 
 Lewistown, Penn.; Rachel, who died unmarried; 
 Charles, who resides on the old homestead in 
 Lycoming county; Martha, who first married 
 Charles Blackwell (who died in 1875), and is now 
 the wife of our subject; and Edmund, a farmer 
 of Level Corners, Lycoming county. 
 
 Socially Mr. Quiggle affiliates with the Inde- 
 pendent Order of Odd Fellows, and religiously is 
 a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
 He has been an unwavering supporter of the 
 Democratic party since casting his first vote for 
 James K. Polk, and at the last election, in the 
 fall of 1896, voted for William J. Bryan and the 
 free coinage of silver. For the past twelve years 
 he has served as school director, but has never 
 cared for political distinction, preferring to de- 
 vote his entire time to his business interests. He 
 is one of the representative and prominent citi- 
 zens of Wayne township, and certainly deserves 
 honorable mention in a work of this character. 
 
 C\APT. JAMES S. HALL, deceased, was one 
 1 of the men who valiantly fought for the 
 preservation of the Union during the dark days 
 of the Civil war, and was later an honored and 
 valued citizen of Renovo. He was a native of 
 Pennsylvania, his birth occurring September 1 , 
 1828, in Bald Eagle Valley, Centre county, a son 
 of T. M. and Uretta (Roberts) Hall, who spent 
 their entire lives in that county. The Captain's 
 primary education was obtained in the schools of 
 Bellefonte, and he subsequently attended the 
 Meadville College for some years, after which 
 he successfully engaged in teaching in the public 
 
 schools for a number of years. He also served 
 39* 
 
 as deputy sheriff under his father from 1846 to 
 '1849, in his native county. 
 
 In 1S50, in company with E. B. Lipton, also 
 of Milesburg, Centre county, Mr. Hall went to 
 California, expecting to make his fortune in the 
 gold mines. The venture, however, did not 
 prove very successful, and later he was appointed 
 and served as deputy sheriff of Nappa county, 
 that State. Failing health at length caused him 
 to return home in 1854, and the same year he 
 wedded Miss Mary A. Iddings, daughter of 
 Joseph and Margaret (Henry) Iddings, also na- 
 tives of Pennsylvania. Her father, a farmer 
 by occupation, died in 1865, and her mother 
 passed away in 1884, at the advanced age of 
 ninety-one years. In their family were ten chil- 
 dren, four of whom are yet living: William, a 
 resident of Centre county; Mrs. Ann Moore, of 
 Grampian, Clearfield Co., Penn.; Mrs. Lydia 
 H. Root, of Blair county, Penn.; and Mrs. Hall. 
 To James S. Hall and his wife were born ten 
 children, of whom four sons and One daughter 
 are now deceased. Those living are: Alice L., 
 wife of John McDonald, of Driftwood, Penn. ; 
 Edgar H., of Salisbury, N. C. ; and Wilburetta, 
 Mary and Cornelia, all at home. . 
 
 After his return to Pennsylvania our subject 
 taught school and engaged in clerking until the 
 outbreak of the Civil war. In 1S61 he assisted 
 Capt. Kiernan in recruiting Company D, 53d P. 
 V. I., of which company he was commissioned 
 lieutenant, and some time after entering the serv- 
 ice was detailed for duty in the Signal Corps. At 
 that period the department was in its infancy, and 
 he rendered his superior officers valuable service 
 in raising it to a high state of perfection, which, 
 later on, proved invaluable to the army. At 
 Fredericksburg he was with Gen. Burnside, and 
 when Gen. Hooker succeeded to the command he 
 was retained, and continued at headquarters. 
 After the battle of Chancellorsville, when the 
 army moved northward, he accompanied it to 
 Gettysburg, and was sent to Little Round Top. 
 On the memorable 2d of July, when Gen. Long- 
 street was forming his column to assault that 
 stronghold, which is universally conceded to have 
 been the key to the position occupied by the 
 Union army, he gave timely notice to Gen. 
 Meade of the contemplated movement. Gen. 
 Warren, chief of the staff, hastened to Round 
 Top to ascertain the situation. Seizing the Cap- 
 tain's field glass he hastily glanced in the direc- 
 tion of the Confederate lines, but failed to note, 
 from some cause, the forming column. Unusual 
 as it was for Gen. Warren to be impatient, he 
 censured the Captain for being unnecessarily 
 alarmed. The controversy continued for consid- 
 
610 
 
 VORATTVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 erable time, Captain Hall insisting that he 
 correct in his opinii uliar ac- 
 
 tivity and I i he had noted and sign 
 
 was the precursor of an assault. 
 A little later it became apparent Warren 
 
 that u was onlj too true. Aids were immedi- 
 ately di I with the utmost haste, and tr 
 wen li a double-quick, and arrived 
 just in timi I and hurl back 1 
 
 ■mi, led by the Louis I 
 
 1 Round Top would have b 
 the Union Army. The timely warning of 
 tin signal i ifficer was all t d it. 
 
 A fi l ! treet vis- 
 
 tin pui . viewing the 
 
 I '■>" i line wl 
 
 it confront* I R und Ti ip. Hi n fen ed to the 
 ten winch h red at that point, 
 
 marking: " It is 
 all '. . and I hold no ill feeling toward the 
 
 sault "ii RoundTop," but 
 ne little 
 
 d v 1 on the summit and vigorously 
 
 il flag, Until'. 
 his premeditated assault. " That officer was Capl 
 S, I [all, ami his timely warning doubl 
 i 'I that Capt. Hall 
 
 rvewiththe Army of the Potomac 
 until the South laid down it- arms, and peace was 
 
 R< turning Capt. Hall lo- 
 
 ad when the Philadelphia & 
 tablished its shops there, he was 
 t i. mi, which 
 ptably filled until failing health caused his 
 i the la - of 
 
 in invalid and was unabli 
 rk, hut linn- his sufferings without a mur- 
 ium Hi 
 
 M.l, and died a Christian soldier, with 
 
 ' H< this life March 
 
 . and bis death was widely and deeply 
 
 timed, for his friends were man} 1 i m early 
 
 life he stent member of 
 
 the Method 
 
 ■n\ horn Ted membi i Masonii 
 
 1 ind Armj 
 estimal a ho still survives him, contin 
 
 to make her borne in Ri i 
 ular and highlj n lady, ! lei) 
 
 and kindly 
 words. 
 
 native of what is now the county of Clinton, b irn 
 ;t 2 i . [820, in B le township. 
 
 i ks, hisfather, was born in 1769, 
 
 ■ to that portion of 
 county which was then a part of Centre, 
 at Mill Hall, where he and a brother-in- 
 law built the stone gristmill that yet stands there. 
 purchased a farm on the banks 
 ie creek, and there passed the rest of 
 d as a farmer. He was a \ 
 active man. energetic and thrifty, yet retiring — 
 a quiet, una- itizen whose life was given 
 
 to I tei 1 lis 1 iw n affairs. He died in M 
 
 1S4;, a respected pioneer of the Conn ilth. 
 
 11:- estimable wife, who was born in 1774 in 
 1 hestei county, Penn., survived him seven years, 
 dying in 1S30. Their children were: Gi 
 \V. dud near Peoria, 111., in his eighty-third 
 r; Benjamin H. died at Lock Haven, the re- 
 Milt ol a fall from a wagon, in his seventy-first 
 year; John died at the age of thirty-five years; 
 11 1 11 died in Lock Haven, aged sixty-four 
 3; Henrietta died when eighty-threi 
 
 1 to be sixty-tour years old; 
 1 G. W.Smith, and resides 
 at Peoria, 111., in the eighty-third year of her age; 
 and Newton \Y. is our subject. 
 
 ■■ton \\ cks had but limited edu- 
 
 cational advanta 
 
 I'lie li 1] house, w ith 
 
 NEWTON \\ FREDERK KJ rthy 
 
 f Lock 1 ind an extensive 
 
 fai ■ business man of Clinl 
 
 its pun slab seats and desks, was the 
 
 " tempi rning, " in which the boys and girls 
 
 of his day were taught. He was reared on a 
 farm, an ; hat occupation as a means of 
 
 livelihood until in 1855, when he embarked in 
 
 lumber and tire-brick business, and he 
 ever since been chiefly identified with these lines 
 of business. Winn a young man he was pos- 
 I business ideas, and. by exercising 
 care and judgment, together with close appl; 
 tion to his business, he has accumulated a coin- 
 a success of life. He owns 
 ral nice farms and residence property; also 
 ii k works of Fredericks, Munroe 
 irrandsville. Although Mr. Freder- 
 icks, at this writing, is in the seventy-seventh year 
 of his a remarkably well-pn and 
 
 ell as he did at the 
 fiftj He personally superintends the 
 running 1 1 looks after his various 
 
 business intei 
 
 1" ' subject was married to Miss Mary 
 
 A itsi :.. . daughter of George Watson, of 
 
 Northumberland county, and three sons and one 
 
 ih, who died in infancy, were 
 
 union, the sons being: George Wat- 
 
 mington, Penn.; 
 
 Worth, a partner of his father in busi- 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 Gil 
 
 iness at Farrandsville, Clinton county; John 
 Thomas, one of the leading attorneys of the 
 Williamsport Bar. Mrs. Fredericks, the mother 
 of these, died in 1855, and Mr. Fredericks was 
 again married, this time in October, 1857, to 
 Charlotte W. (Crawford) Guyer, daughter of 
 George Crawford, of Pine Creek township, Clin- 
 ton county, and two daughters — Mary C., wife 
 of Edgar P. Geary, an attorney at Lock Haven, 
 and Rosetta D., wife of George W. Howard, of 
 Latrobe, Westmoreland county, Penn., were 
 born to them, both of whom are living. The 
 mother of these died on May 31, 1894. Our 
 subject is a member of the Presbyterian Church, 
 as are all of his children, and also as were his 
 wises. In politics he is a Democrat, but he is 
 conservative in his views. He has never aspired 
 to any office. He has ever been found on the 
 side of right in all moral questions affecting the 
 good of the community, in which he has so long 
 resided, and of which he has been so important 
 a factor. For many years he has been a director 
 in the First National Bank at Lock Haven. 
 
 JOHN W. HARRIS, an efficient alderman 
 from the Third ward, and who for morethan 
 a decade was the popular postmaster of Lock 
 Haven, Clinton county, his place of residence, 
 was born at Williamsport, Penn., February 25, 
 
 1833. 
 
 William and Sarah (Grafius) Harris, his 
 parents, were natives of this State, and their 
 lives were here passed. William Harris was 
 born April 9, 1797, in Maryland, and in early 
 life was engaged as a mercantile clerk at Will- 
 iamsport, Penn., and later he carried on a boot 
 and shoe store. He was elected sheriff of Ly- 
 coming county when quite a young man, and 
 died July 31, 1835, while serving in that capacity. 
 His estimable wife, who was born December 31, 
 1807, at Williamsport, lived to a ripe old age, 
 dying December 16, 1883, aged seventy-six 
 years. She was a woman of lovely character, 
 and drew about her hosts of friends. Of the 
 four children born to William Harris and wife, 
 the following three are living: Mrs. Dr. Rhodes, 
 of Williamsport, Penn. ; Mrs. Charles Stewart, 
 of Williamsport, Penn., and John, our subject; 
 the one deceased is Jacob G., who died in No- 
 vember, 1887. 
 
 Alderman Harris in youth attended the com- 
 mon schools of that day, also the select schools 
 then in vogue. After leaving school he learned 
 the tanner's and currier's trade, although he did 
 not follow it long as an occupation. Some time 
 after completing his trade he went to the Mo- 
 
 nongahela river at a point above Brownsville, 
 Penn., where he superintended the job of build- 
 ing dams for steamboat navigation, and was there 
 employed in this line of work for two years. In 
 the spring of 1856 he returned to his native 
 town, Williamsport, and became engaged in the 
 mercantile business as a clerk, continuing until 
 1859. In September of that year he came to 
 Lock Haven and engaged in the mercantile busi- 
 ness in partnership with his brother, J. G. Har- 
 ris. This business was conducted until 1869, 
 when John W. Harris was appointed postmaster 
 of Lock Haven by President Grant. He very 
 creditably to himself, and most satisfactorily to 
 the public, served in this position throughout 
 President Grant's two terms, and through the 
 Hayes administration, being succeeded to the 
 office in 188 1. In 1884 he was appointed by 
 Gov. Pattison as alderman of the Third ward, 
 and in 1885 was elected to that office; he was re- 
 elected in 1890, and in 1895, and is still serving. 
 On February 13, 1862, Mr. Harris was mar- 
 ried to Mary D. White, born December 15, 
 1840, in Bald Eagle township, Clinton county, 
 Penn. , a daughter of Andrew White, of Clinton 
 county, and two sons were born to their union: 
 Andrew W. and Charles S. The former is 
 ticket agent of the Beech Creek railroad at 
 Castanea. Penn., and Charles is the agent of the 
 Adams Express Company, at Renovo, Penn. 
 Alderman Harris and wife are members of the 
 Presbyterian Church. Socially he is identified 
 with the F. & A. M. ; is also a member of the 
 G. A. R. In politics he is Republican and has 
 been an active worker in the party for many 
 years; he has served on various State and other 
 important committees. Mr. Harris has served 
 as the treasurer of the borough of Lock Haven, 
 and during the war of the Rebellion, for a period, 
 he was one of the emergency men called out by 
 the governor when General Lee invaded the 
 State. He is one of Lock Haven's enterprising 
 and progressive citizens and most capable busi- 
 ness men. 
 
 'AMES A. BICKFORD, the present efficient 
 manager of the Queens Run Fire-Brick Com- 
 pany, at Lock Haven, Clinton county, is a 
 native of the State of Maine, born July 27, 1S45, 
 at Bangor. 
 
 Samuel M. and Caroline A. (Higgins) Bick- 
 ford, his parents, were both natives of Maine. 
 They were married in 1840, and their children 
 are: Edith H. (Mrs. W. T. VanDyke), Frank 
 E. , Charles F., William M. (deceased), and 
 James A. (our subject). The father of these 
 
612 
 
 ( OMMBMORATIVB BIOGRAPHICAL RB( ORD. 
 
 with family, until in ine, and 
 
 th.it year located il I . ck 1 1 ■•• n, Penn., wl 
 the . lived the their li\ 
 
 highly-] the fa- 
 
 ther dying in [888, and tl 
 Rear ! in a lumber Mate Mr. Bickford early 
 turned his attention to that business and : 
 it t! ut his lifetime. I i - the Bick- 
 
 kburn and S M Bii kl o.'s 
 
 II known to the 
 n; they i ten 
 
 million ment to 
 
 Jam- - A Bi( kford d in a lumbering 
 
 district, and had but limit rl uni- 
 
 attending the common district scl I of the 
 
 nly two ■ ir three months 
 in the ye ir. 1 1 until 1 887 he was 
 
 upied in that line of busii In that year 
 
 the Queens Run pany was organ- 
 
 d and im I, and "I this company Mr. 
 
 ! was ma nan- 
 
 T, which positions he has since held. This in- 
 • 1 ust r\ is quite an important factor in the busi- 
 itei ' I I I i en, giving employment 
 
 ne hundred and thirty hands. Mr. Bii kford 
 1 etarj , ti and manager of the 
 
 Clinton Mining Company, another of the promi- 
 nent industries ol Lock Haven. In the conduct 
 of 1 '.11 busim 
 
 and capacity He I the enterprising and 
 
 I 'lmt'. n county. In politii s 
 he 1- .1 Republican though not a politician in the 
 trm of the word. He as a 
 
 ■ il. 
 In i ject was married to Miss Sarah 
 
 M. Brunei . wh( 1 was born May 21 1, 1 851 1, at 
 Mi in., ami to the marriage were born: 
 
 la M. . Mrs. William F M . 
 
 L. Fay, M | J. 
 
 Max. all Ir. ' fohn B. and Paul A. (twii 
 
 itnied with the M E. ( hun h .it I 01 k II. 1. 
 The fathi 1 !>er of th 
 
 WILLI VM IGGL1 1 .v. men have 
 
 financial 
 litions than fell to tl I Ins well-known 
 
 and enterpri rthy 
 
 ■ ion. 
 
 Mi 
 
 In- r, Philip • 
 
 nl ■ Pi nn., having been among thi 1 arly 
 
 ■ I what is now \\ lyne township, Clinton 
 
 Penn 1 our subj nd- 
 
 father, made his home in the same locality and 
 
 reared a numerous family among whom were Ja- 
 R l>ertC, Thomas, and Richard, all respected 
 lents of Wayne township. Richard Quig 
 born at the old homestead in 1829, and was 
 educated in the local schools, which were con- 
 ducted on the subscription plan. He grew to 
 manhood at the farm, and then after spending 
 - as a pilot on the Susquehanna river, 
 he became a section foreman on the Pennsyl- 
 vania railroad, a position he rilled satisfactorily 
 for some time. One night while on the roadbe- 
 twe I I uid Jersey Shore, he was at- 
 
 tacked by robbers and left insensible on the* 
 track in such a posture that a passing freight 
 train cut off one of his legs. The railroad com- 
 pany paid only his doctor bill, and as he was in- 
 capacitated for active manual labor, he located 
 1 farm in Pine Creek township, Clinton coun- 
 ty, and in connection with its management he 
 operated the " Quiggle Ferry". 
 
 AtPineStation,ClintonCo.,Penn. , Mr. Quiggle 
 married to Miss Elizabeth Adams, a lady of 
 German descent, who was born at Muncy, Penn., 
 in 1829, a daughter of Daniel Adams. .1 prosper- 
 ous farmer. She died in Wayne township, 
 Clinton county, Decembei [6, [896, her husband 
 passing away December 21, 1895. Politically 
 he was a stanch Democrat, and he and his wife 
 were both consisl mbers ol the Methodist 
 
 Church. They had the following children: 
 Mary, wife ol John Riggle, of Braymer, Mo.; 
 Di morest V., wife ol John Gillen, of Pittsburg, 
 Penn.; Josephine, wife of William J. Weaver, of 
 Reynoldsville, Penn.; William C, our subject; 
 Linus G., a t< legrapher at Warren, Ohio; Flor- 
 A , wife ol Robert Martin, of Newberry, 
 ih B., wife of Jesse W. Phillips, of 
 irlton, Penn. ; Rebeca comes next in order of 
 birth; Margaret and Clinton H., both of whom 
 dud in childh 
 
 d ijecl of our sketch was born March 
 
 t.(. 1858, in Wayne township, Clinton county, 
 
 where 1. d the public schools for a time, 
 
 although hi is mainly indebted to his own efforts 
 
 1. private study enabling him to 
 
 ition on the topics of 
 
 day. When his father lost his limb, the 
 
 n to help in the support of the 
 
 1 ing em] at on the railroad at 
 
 i twelve hours. After spending 
 
 tlin vork he went to Big Ra] 
 
 ■'■■ when employed for a time in the 
 
 lumberb 1 turning home he rented 
 
 m Robert C. Cook, of Pine 
 
 iship, Clinton county, and for two 
 
 pick and shovel for the 
 
 J 
 
■ Q. <f^L; 
 
 -H- 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 613 
 
 National Transit Co. (Standard Oil Co.), receiv- 
 ing $1.75 per day. Later he was employed for 
 two years in unloading coal for the same com- 
 pany (at $50 per month), and in eight years he 
 walked the pipe line something over 29,000 
 miles (receiving $60 per month), in the Cumber- 
 land Valley, Adams county, Penn. He also 
 worked for them as foreman. In 1895 he was 
 appointed engineer of their pumping engines at 
 Pine Station, and, as he had become a proficient 
 in telegraphy in the meantime, he was also made 
 the operator and engineer at that point, his sal- 
 ary for this being at present $85 per month. His 
 faithful performance of every duty has won him 
 the entire confidence of his employers and the 
 esteem of the public. In 1886 he built a neat 
 dwelling-house in the town at a cost of $1,000. 
 He is regarded as one of the substantial men of 
 the locality. 
 
 On June 15, 1885, William C. Quiggle was 
 married in Pine Creek township to Miss Mary E. 
 Martin, a native of the township, where her fa- 
 ther, the late Alexander Martin, and her uncle, 
 Joseph Martin, were well-known as citizens. 
 Three children have blessed this union — Walter , 
 Gregg, born in 1888; Beulah May, born in 1890; 
 and Joseph Boyd, born in 1893. Socially, Mr. 
 Quiggle belongs to La Belle Valley Lodge No. 
 232, F. & A. M., at Jersey Shore, Penn.; in his 
 religious views he is an active worker in the Meth- 
 odist Church at Pine Station, being a teacher in 
 the Sabbath-school. He believes in the princi- 
 ples of sound money, and of late has voted the 
 Republican ticket, though formerly a Democrat. 
 Any movement which promises to benefit the 
 community is certain to receive his sympathy and 
 support, and he is especially devoted to the 
 cause of temperance. Mr. Quiggle is also an in- 
 ventor, having invented a lamp burner, in which 
 the wick can be adjusted from either side of the 
 lamp, which he has placed with a firm in Massa- 
 chusetts on a royalty, which nets him a snug in- 
 come. 
 
 JOHN EARON, now living retired in Lock 
 Haven, is a man whose sound common 
 sense and vigorous, able management of his 
 affairs have been important factors in his suc- 
 cess, and, with his undoubted integrity of char- 
 acter, have given him an honorable position 
 among his fellow-men. His entire life has been 
 passed in Clinton county, his birth occurring in 
 Coldbrook township, May 15, 1824. 
 
 His father, Christian Earon, was born in 
 Germany, March 3, 1781, and for four years in 
 early life he was a sailor on the high seas, dur- 
 
 ing which time he sailed all over the world. In 
 that capacity he came to the United States when 
 about twenty-five years of age, and after landing 
 in' New York decided to remain in this country, 
 where for some time he was employed as a ped- 
 dler. While traveling through central Pennsyl- 
 vania, he met and married Miss Mary Catharine 
 Smith, who was born June 23, 1792, a daughter 
 of Adam Smith. After his marriage Mr. Earon 
 located on the river above Lock Haven, where 
 he engaged in farming until his death, which oc- 
 curred September 29, 1868, when he was over 
 eighty-seven years of age. His wife died Jan- 
 uary 8, 1858, at the age of sixty-five, and both 
 were buried near Flemington in Clinton county. 
 He was at one time a Republican, but during 
 the greater part of his life supported the Democ- 
 racy, and served his fellow-citizens as overseer 
 of the poor. He was horiored and respected by 
 all who knew him. In his family were the fol- 
 lowing children who reached adult age: Jacob, 
 a resident of Sugar Valley Mountain; Christian, 
 who for several years lived in the same place, 
 but now makes his home with his children; John, 
 of this review; Adam, of Pine Creek township, 
 Clinton county; and Henry S., who died in Cold- 
 brook township, Clinton county. 
 
 The education of our subject was obtained 
 under great difficulties, but, if his opportunities 
 had been equal to his ability to learn, he would 
 have become one of the best informed men in 
 this section of the State. He attended the sub- 
 scription school, but to reach the school house 
 he was obliged to cross the West branch of 
 the Susquehanna river, which at times could not 
 be crossed. While attending school during the 
 winter, the remainder of the year was spent in 
 assisting his father in the cultivation of the home 
 farm until eighteen years of age, when he began 
 work in the woods, at first driving a team. 
 For a quarter of a century he continued to en- 
 gage in lumbering, and endured such hardships 
 as only a man of a remarkably strong constitu- 
 tion could stand. He became familiar with all 
 branches of the lumber business, and was one 
 of the best judges as to the amount of lumber 
 in a raft. 
 
 On December 9, 1 849, Mr. Earon was mar- 
 ried to Miss Eve Catharine Myers, who was born 
 in Baden, Germany, December 31, 1828, but 
 when only a year old was brought to America 
 by her parents. Christian and Eve Catharine 
 (Ziegler) Myers, who located in the German set- 
 tlement in Clinton county. Her school privi- 
 leges were limited to two months' attendance at 
 the public schools. Mr. Earon began house- 
 keeping on a farm of 150 acres which he had 
 
814 
 
 •■' VBMORA TIVB BIOQRAPHIOAL RECORD. 
 
 pn Jit at a sheriff's sale for $600. 
 
 The improvi -ice cons 
 
 an ,nt - 
 
 while their household -ted 
 
 e in 
 it in 
 life. During tl 
 
 was .it work in th< . his wife was 
 
 to ! <'k- 
 
 I children and attending 
 rk. She proved a most faithful 
 et to Iht husband in those ear!) 
 
 ns. When their means 
 ■ 
 
 Mi itinued the cultivati im- 
 
 ent of the farm until the spring of 1 
 when he sold hi and imj I re- 
 
 lish his j 
 n, William M , in business there. On the 
 
 broke up h vitb 
 
 k township, 
 Clinton county, with him until the 
 
 Lock 
 Haven tl >w make their home sur- 
 
 nd many of the 
 I by 
 nest toil, my. 
 
 I Mr. and Mrs J ihi 1 the fol- 
 
 low stian M\ 
 
 mnty 1 Sarah C, 
 wife ol Ad; hip; 
 
 Mrs. \V. H.Wrei 
 
 wife 
 
 ■hip; 
 
 iship; Aman la M., who 
 died in [. . wife ol W. H Sal- 
 
 wnship; Mrs. 
 
 n; William M.. 
 I in that 
 
 W. II. I mi. 
 
 The family I to habits ol industr) 
 
 thrift, tl the 
 
 har 
 and useful p 
 
 In Jul) pail in- h 
 
 subject fell 
 
 1 which he h d. His 
 
 litic.il support has alwa | 
 
 il town- 
 ship offices 1 tnd trust, being t 
 
 time he 
 held membership in vife 
 
 !■ 'I with the Laurel Run M 
 
 Although they I 
 
 ,h their 
 
 own unaided efforts, they take far greater satis- 
 faction in the fact that they have reared a family 
 vhich they can be justly proud, its members 
 being numbered pi perous and most 
 
 highly-respected citizens of Clinton counts 
 
 KIMBALL D. BATCHELER, a lumber 
 aler, manufacturer, and proprietor ol the 
 Kimball D. Batcheler Planing-mills at Lock 
 Haven, Clinton county, was born here, April 15, 
 1855 of Jesse H. and Lucinda E 
 
 His parents were natives of Pennsyl- 
 vania. The greater part of their lives have been 
 passed in or about Lock Haven. Jesse H. 
 Batcheler is now a foreman for his son in his 
 planing-mills. and at the age of seventy yea: 
 quite active. His father, Cephus Batchele-r, 
 lived to be ninety-three years old; and our sub- 
 ject rial grandfather Davis is yet living, 
 at tl ! ninety-four years. Jesse Batcheler 
 : wife ha. 11 and four daughters living, 
 namely: Kimball D. (our subject 1, Annie O. 
 Mrs . Mary J. Mrs. K. E. 
 Kifti, Sarah H. Mr- I A. Thome), and Lizzie 
 unmarried). 
 
 Kimball I) Batcheler attended the public 
 sch(' ■'- ol Lock Haven until he was fifteen years 
 He then entered the employ of Gossler 
 \\ho operated a planing-mill and were 
 lumber 1 1 Lock Haven, with which com- 
 
 pany he was employed some eighteen years, un- 
 til 1 ■ M the age of twenty-six years he 
 drop] 1 a time and took a business 
 study at the Eastman Business Col- 
 N. Y. On his return to 
 Lock Haven ntered the planing-mill and 
 kept the books of the company. In the spring 
 
 ss for himself, founding 
 
 his present business. The mills are quite exten- 
 
 si\e and Mr. Batcheler does a large business, 
 
 ha\ |e trade in sash, do 
 
 blinds ami all kinds ol work turned out at afirst- 
 
 II. The business is on a solid footing, 
 
 and is 1 'eloped into one of considerable 
 
 inder the careful and judicious man- 
 
 lur subject, who is a far-sighted and 
 
 an. Mr. Batcheler is a 
 
 ( Chapter and Command- 
 
 1 & A. M. Hi 1- Past Master in Blue 
 
 High Priest in the Chapter. He 
 
 ler of the Commandery; also 
 
 is a me: th e R ova ] Arcanum. In poli- 
 
 blican. He is a self-made man, 
 
 rseverance and in- 
 
 his way to a most creditable 
 
 : - ocial circles. 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 615 
 
 On February 19, 18S4, Mr. Batcheler was 
 married to Hattie B. Marsh, a daughter of 
 Samuel Marsh, of Lock Haven. The marriage is 
 without issue. Both Mr. and Mrs. Batcheler are 
 identified with the M. E. Church. 
 
 i)OBERT A. SHAW, Esq., one of the most 
 \ successful agriculturists and prominent citi- 
 
 zens of Pine Creek township, Clinton county 
 was born October 25, 1S31, in Wayne township, 
 the same county, when it formed a part of Ly- 
 coming county. 
 
 The Shaw family is of Scotch-Irish extraction, 
 and possesses the chief characteristics so common 
 to that people — thrift, industry, enterprise and en- 
 ergy — making them useful and valued citizens of 
 any community where they may chance to re- 
 side. Robert Shaw, our subject's grandfather, 
 was a farmer by occupation, and at one time 
 owned a farm in the vicinity of Bald Eagle, Penn. 
 He reared his family in Lycoming county, but 
 spent his last days in Venango county, Penn. 
 Robert M. Shaw, the father of our subject, was 
 born November 8, 1798, on Centre Plains, Ly- 
 coming (now Clinton) county, and received only 
 a common-school education; but being a man of 
 sound judgment and a close observer, he gained 
 a good practical knowledge of men and events. 
 He, too, was an agriculturist, and when a young 
 man began life for himself upon a farm in Wayne 
 township, and then removed to Pine Creek town- 
 ship, Clinton county, buying the Squire Hamil- 
 ton farm of 115 acres, upon which he made very 
 extensive improvements, including the erection 
 of a good brick residence and a substantial barn. 
 He also planted an orchard, and took great pride 
 in his farming and stock-raising, being accounted 
 one of the most practical farmers and reliable 
 business men of his community. He was first a 
 Whig and later a Republican in politics, and 
 took quite an active part in political affairs. 
 
 On March 25, 1823, near Charlton, was cel- 
 ebrated the marriage of Mr. Shaw and Miss Fan- 
 ny Crawford, who was born at Chatham Run, 
 Clinton county, August 21, 1799, a daughter of 
 Robert Crawford, a tanner by occupation, who 
 was of Scotch-Irish descent. The children born 
 to them are as follows: Hugh, born January 9, 
 1824, died suddenly in Pine Creek township, 
 July 3, 1890; Elizabeth, born June 3, 1827, was 
 married October 1, 1867, to William King, of 
 Illinois, and died May 6, 1868; Robert A. , of this 
 sketch, is next in order of birth; Martha, born 
 February 22, 1S36, is the wife of Jacob Bubb, of 
 Jersey Shore, Penn.; George C, born August 
 15. 1838, on the homestead. The father died 
 
 January 30, 1878, on the home farm, where the 
 mother also passed away, and the remains of 
 both were interred at Jersey Shore. In religious 
 belief they were Presbyterians. 
 
 Robert A. Shaw pursued his studies in the 
 public schools of Pine Creek township, under the 
 direction of Squire Joseph Walters, Alexander 
 Hamilton, Mr. Ross and Mr. Parker, who taught 
 in an old log school house, known as the Duncan 
 school. His youthful days were spent upon the 
 home farm, assisting in the labor of the fields, 
 and becoming thoroughly familiar with all the 
 duties which fall to the lot of the agriculturist. 
 At the age of twenty-three he began operating 
 the farm on shares, being thus employed for 
 three years, and then he removed to the Martin 
 farm near Jersey Shore, in Lycoming county. In 
 1865 he located upon his present farm, which he 
 purchased from Henry Kissell, and on which he 
 has made extensive improvements. He bought 
 the Ramm farm of eighty-eight acres in 1871, 
 and has also made many useful and valuable im- 
 provements upon that place. His present com- 
 fortable residence was erected in 1868 at a cost 
 of $3,500, and in its construction he did much 
 of the work, making every door in the house, 
 which would do credit to a skilled workman. In 
 i860 he began raising tobacco, being one of the 
 first in the community to engage in that industry, 
 and in the enterprise he has met with excellent 
 success. His present fine barn was erected in 
 1876 at a cost of $3,000, and all the improve- 
 ments stand as monuments to the thrift and in- 
 dustry of the owner, who is recognized as one of 
 the most systematic and thorough farmers of 
 Pine Creek township. 
 
 Rev. J. G. Pearce, a Methodist Episcopal 
 minister, performed a marriage ceremony at Lock 
 Haven, November 10, 1853, which united the 
 destinies of Mr. Shaw and Miss Margaret J. Dunn, 
 who was born June 9, 1S31, at Liberty, Dunsta- 
 ble township, Clinton county, a daughter of Will- 
 iam and Sarah (Poorman) Dunn, the former a 
 merchant of Liberty and a cousin of Judge Will- 
 iam Dunn. Mr. and Mrs. Shaw are the parents 
 of five children: fi) James G. , born August 25, 
 1854, is a farmer of Pine Creek township. He 
 married Rebecca Jane Emory, and has five chil- 
 dren. (2) Ida B., born in September, 1S56, in 
 Lycoming county, is the wife of M. B. Rich, a 
 member of the firm of John Rich & Bros., at 
 Woolrich, Clinton county, and has seven chil- 
 dren — Jennie, Robert, Katie, John, Anabel, 
 Gracie and Margaret. (3) William D., born at 
 Charlton, March 27, 1858, is a merchant of 
 Wellsboro, Penn. He wedded Mary Lamb, a 
 niece of Judge Williams, and they have one 
 
616 
 
 VMEMORA T1VK liloiiltM'IllcM 11EC0RD. 
 
 bter, Margery. (4) Elizabeth C, born in 
 
 is th( « it'- -I 1 >r. C. B. S( l:roeder, 
 
 of I. a, Penn (5 Annie M began her 
 
 • n in the ; Is near her home, 
 
 t thi i lemy, 
 
 I th I ' . 
 
 nary; lab iebe] Institute 
 
 of \\ D. C. SI idy of 
 
 scholarly tastes, and lias for nine ccess- 
 
 full) 
 
 Our subject is an earnest advocate of the 
 
 prim the Republican party, and on that 
 
 - 5, was tirst elei I >l the 
 
 Pii Creek townshi] lie has 
 
 t creditably and rilled, his 
 
 by the higher 
 
 For fill .1 efficiently as 
 
 I director, an.] lias also been auditor and 
 
 I ctor in his township. In [874 he was 
 
 county commiss n the 
 
 but as the partj was in the 
 
 rity he m Mr. Shaw's influence 
 
 at and alwaj pathy, his 
 
 ng will long be re- 
 ! when he h ! awaj . and h< is 
 
 the leading and 1 
 1 )linton county. 
 
 H'. WILLIAM II. MAYER, th. 
 t th.- city ..I L.'.k Haven, gh 
 ninistrati econom 
 
 ited management that a man of fair judg- 
 t brings to the conduct <.f his own afl 
 Mi born M irch 1;. [83 ;. in Mer- 
 
 I iklin Co., Penn., and sarly 
 
 I" rsburg, Penn. From th. , M j| a _ 
 
 "lu'a an.) secured employment in a i 
 
 I 
 that business. In 1855 he 
 
 cjtj Lock H nn., which he condi 
 
 til! the latter part ..f th. 
 
 enlx'e.l in the 37th P. V. I., with the rank of 
 
 ser and in M 
 
 he was appointed bj Pn sidenl ! 
 
 nited State- navy, wh 
 
 he 1 eld until th. I,,. 
 
 ills, Wis., an ! b 
 .n.I lumber busin ain- 
 
 irs, In 1876 he 1 
 H ". Penn., and 1 
 cantile business, which busin 
 lb has always taken a lively intei I 
 
 m.l although h. ■ mi i, 1 1 mocrat, 
 
 the city i< largely Republican, In- popular- 
 
 ity 1 I the test uf several elections. His 
 
 nd judgment and impartiality make him an 
 
 excellent mayor, and has won the support of all 
 
 classes. Socially Mr. Mayer is prominent, and 
 
 he is identified with the G. A. K , the B. P. O. 
 
 the K. of P. and the I. O. O. F. He is also 
 
 interested in a number of business enterprises of 
 
 a corporate nature, and is vice-president of the 
 
 k Haven Traction Railway Co. 
 
 PERRY WILSON McDOWELL, a venerable 
 and highly esteemed resident of Lamar 
 township, Clinton county, has been identified 
 with the agricultural interests of this section for 
 re than half a century, and notwithstanding 
 these lo of toil, care and responsibility, 
 
 he finds himself toward the beginning of his 
 t\ -first year robust and heart}-. Always jo- 
 vial and merry, he is a good companion, and his 
 ity is unfailing. It is said that he never 
 cts a friend or an enemy — though it is difficult 
 ve that he has any of the latter class. 
 ng and old prize his acquaintance, and the 
 children, always the keenest judges of character, 
 delight in his kindly greetings. 
 
 Mr. McDowell was born September 8, 1M7. 
 in the Kishacoquillas Valley, Mifflin county, 
 Penn., where his ancestors were pioneers. John 
 McDowell, his grandfather, who was of Scotch- 
 Irish stock, came from the North of Ireland 
 il 1755, and for some time resided in the 
 vicinity of Carlisle, Penn. During his residence 
 there he p. aid a visit to his native land, and soon 
 after his return he removed to the Kishacoquillas 
 Valley and bought a claim of 600 acres of land 
 itifully situated about three miles from the 
 f Belleville. The former owners, 
 two nun named Torringtine, had abandoned the 
 1 their fear of the Indians, and 
 had escaped from the supposed danger bj way of 
 the old trail across Jack's Mountain at McVey- 
 town. As a token bywhich Mi McDowell could 
 tify his purchase, they told him that in the 
 cabin which they had built near a spring on 
 the place, he would find buried an axe, a mat- 
 tock, • ud a bottle of whiskey, which articles as 
 found there. John McDowell made 
 tantial improvi ments upon the tract, and the 
 
 iidence -till 
 
 a farmhouse, being kept in excellent 
 
 it owners. John McDowell 
 
 ts an exampleof the hardy, fear- 
 
 I the foundations for the civili- 
 
 I ay. In 1 770, or earlier, he married 
 
 Mis- Elizabeth Reed, of reek, Hunt- 
 
 mnty, near the present town of Peters- 
 
' «^r ^/a//^ 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 617 
 
 burg. Both were devout members of the Pres- 
 byterian Church. Mr. McDowell died in 1809 
 at the age of seventy-five years, and his wife in 
 18 1 2 at sixty-five, their remains being interred 
 in a small burial plat near the old farm house. 
 Another member of the McDowell family who 
 ■came to America was Robert, a brother of John, 
 but we have no record of him after the latter's 
 removal from Carlisle. 
 
 John McDowell left a large estate which was 
 divided among his children, but as most of them 
 seem to have inherited his love of travel there 
 are few of his descendants now living in the 
 Valley. Of his thirteen children all but two 
 reached adult age: (1) Polly was scalded to 
 -death when quite small. (2) Robert (deceased) 
 was a resident of Belleville, Mifflin county, Penn. 
 He had four sons — William, who died at Belle- 
 ville, unmarried; John; Robert, Jr.; and James, 
 who married and settled in Fayette county, Penn. 
 (3) William, our subject's father, is mentioned 
 more fully below. (4) James, who served in 
 the war of 181 2, resided at Long Hollow, near 
 the present site of Newton Hamilton, Penn. Of 
 his ten children, Robert and William settled in 
 Altoona, Penn., James and Carson in Illinois, 
 Jonathan and Walker remained near Newton 
 Hamilton, Joseph disappeared during the late 
 war, Mrs. Mary Brilhart located in Philadelphia, 
 and Mrs. Belle Norton in Illinois. (5) John 
 died in Kishacoquillas Valley, unmarried. (6) 
 Samuel, who resided near the site of Altoona, 
 was twice married and had four children by 
 each union. By the first there were Isaac, 
 Eliza, Lydia, and another who was killed; and 
 by the second there were Brown, Samuel, Sarah, 
 and Jennie. Samuel and Isaac removed to 
 Iowa, but the rest of the family remained in or 
 near Altoona. (7) Joseph lived and died in 
 Mercer county, Penn., and had one daughter 
 who married and probably settled in Ohio. (8) 
 Jonathan resided in Clearfield county, Penn., 
 and had the following children — Eliza, Samuel, 
 Charles, Elizabeth, Bertha, and anotherdaughter 
 who settled in Clearfield, James, and George, 
 both of whom located in Clarion, Penn. (9) 
 Elizabeth married Samuel McGlathery, who 
 owned and settled upon a part of the land now 
 occupied by the city of Altoona. Of their chil- 
 dren, Samuel, who resided at Altoona, left seven 
 or eight children: Allen lived in or near Altoona, 
 where most of his children also settled; John went 
 to Virginia, where he died leaving several children; 
 Elizabeth Reed, Mrs. Haggerty, resided near 
 Altoona, and the two daughters and one son who 
 survived her probably located in the same vicin- 
 ity; Isabel married George Merriam. (10) Jean 
 
 married Henry B. Taylor and resided in the 
 Kishacoquillas Valley, as did her two daughters, 
 Elizabeth Reed, who married Dr. Mitchell, and 
 Mary Williamson, wife of Robert Taylor. (11) 
 Nancy never married. (12) Sallie died in early 
 womanhood, unmarried. (13) Polly (2) died in 
 childhood. 
 
 William McDowell, our subject's father, 
 spent his early years at the old homestead and 
 later removed to the eastern end of the same 
 Valley, where his last days were passed, his death 
 occurring in 1851 at the age of seventy-five. In 
 1809 he was married to Ann Alexander, daughter 
 of Maj. Thomas Alexander, of Revolutionary 
 fame, and seven children were born to the union; 
 (1) Samuel Alexander settled in Centre county, 
 Penn.. where he died at over seventy years of 
 age. He married Sarah Eichy, of Union coun- 
 ty, Penn., and had one son, William, who in- 
 herited the farm near Jacksonville, married and 
 had six children. (2) John Reed taught school 
 in early manhood, and later conducted the 
 " Valley House " at Lewistown for several years, 
 but his remaining years were spent in farming. 
 He was active in political affairs, and held office 
 as deputy sheriff for some time, and in 1841 was 
 elected prothonotary of Mifflin county, which po- 
 sition he filled acceptably two terms. He died in 
 1 86 1, aged about forty-seven, and his wife, Mar- 
 garet Jacobs, passed away April 19, 1887, at the 
 age of sixty-eight. They had the following chil- 
 dren — Margaret J., Mrs. Samuel McNitt, resid- 
 ing near Milroy; James, a resident of York 
 county, Penn. , who married first Helen Camp- 
 bell, and, after her death, her sister Dora; Wildey, 
 a resident of York county, who married Louisa 
 Bacher; William Howard, who is mentioned 
 more fully below; Annie, Mrs. S. F. Fry, of York 
 county; and John, who died in childhood. (3) 
 Thomas Jackson died at the age of nineteen. (4) 
 Perry Wilson is the subject proper of this sketch. 
 (5) William Elliott was a successful farmer in the 
 eastern end of the Kishacoquillas Valley, where 
 he died in 18S2. He was married late in life to 
 Louisa McGuire, of Luzerne county, Penn., who 
 survived him. They had two children — Minnie, 
 who died when a few months old, and a son, 
 Milton Spear, who was graduated from the Penn- 
 sylvania State College, Centre county, and after 
 spending some time there as a professor was em- 
 ployed as a chemist at the tannery in Ridgway, 
 Penn. (6) Sarah Ann married Thomas Brown, 
 now deceased, and had one daughter, Mrs. J. M. 
 Bunnell, who resided two miles east of Milroy. 
 (8) Eliza Jane married William Kennedy, of 
 Kishacoquillas Valley, and after his death, John 
 Stroup, of Adams county, Ohio, a farmer by oc- 
 
618 
 
 ■! VBMOBA Tl VB B10QRAPHH '.I /. BSCORD. 
 
 cupation. By the first marriage she had two 
 
 ■ hildren fames, who is married and n 
 
 Adams county, Ohio, and Willa, who died in 
 
 girlhood. By the second marri lia<l one 
 
 [ohn, who inherited his father's farm. 
 
 William Howard McDowell, the first son of 
 
 [obn Reed and M McDowell, 
 
 - born in Lewistown, Augu (.3, and 
 
 whi ice panied his parents 
 
 the farm near Milroy, wh to man- 
 
 hood. After his father's death he removed with 
 hi- m ith i to \ nty, Penn., and in 1 
 
 I from that county in < ( ■ . 9th 
 
 ivalry. Hi took part in a num- 
 
 . and was with 
 
 Sherman's arm) "ii the march to Atlanta, being 
 
 signed to Kilpatrick's division. In Septeml 
 
 ition, !)'■ was 
 . lured by guerrillas, with two of hi 
 
 the latter escaped but Mr. 
 
 Mcl >i iwell, it the mercy of 
 
 hi- After suffering imprisonment in 
 
 he was finally taken to Anderson- 
 
 ville, whi . lied in March, 1 1 
 
 Perrj Wilson McDowell was educated in a 
 which was held in a log building 
 furnished in the old-l ed way, with I 
 
 und the wall. As farmers had little or no 
 help from machine^ in th 
 
 irk at all ind Mr. 
 
 few weeks each win- 
 I lli~ practical training in 
 
 iltural wi not neglected, however, 
 
 1 willing, ambitious boy with great 
 
 ngth for one of his age, he was ol much as- 
 
 the farm, being able to plow when he 
 
 'her 
 
 with th n g_ 
 
 (rum the six years he has 1 
 
 Med with varying degrees the 
 
 1 e as tn In 
 
 ly manhood he spenl summers work- 
 
 i, but he made his 
 ne with his parents until [839 when he w 
 1" ' ill farm mar Milroy I the first 
 
 land that hi 1 [is first work w 
 
 when hi out thirl Id, for [ohn 
 
 ■.in- as wages four dollars per month 
 one season; bul tb< really first money he earned 
 
 n silver fiftj 
 for "following acradler" along with another 
 
 On June 7. 1S42, Mr. McDowell was mar- 
 
 : in Milroy, 1'. nn., to Mis: ( tthi 1 
 
 itive of Mifflin county, horn April ;, [819. 
 
 Hei . John and Man miry, well- 
 
 of that county, had fifteen chil- 
 
 dren, of whom nine daughters and two sons lived 
 to adult age. Mr. McDowell and his bride be- 
 gan their married life on the little farm near Mil- 
 in the spring of 1S52, but later in the same 
 
 1 he purchased a farm in Marion township, 
 Centre county; then finding it too far from the 
 neai >ol for his children, he removed to 
 
 Milroy, near a school, and there remained some 
 two years. He then bought a farm in Lamar 
 township, Clinton county, and remained there 
 until 1857, when he disposed of it and settled 
 upon the Centre county farm. In [871 he lo- 
 cated at Howard, Centre county, where he spent 
 and during half that period he was 
 occupied in running a gristmill. In 1 S79 he 
 lit in- present farm near Mackeyville, a tine 
 
 te, formerly known as the Brady farm. 11 
 now- owns two other well-improved farms in 
 Marion township, Centre county, and is regarded 
 as one of the substantial citizens of that section. 
 
 In 1892 our subject and his wife celebrated 
 their golden wedding, the happy event drawing 
 
 thei I '■■■ itions of their descendants. 
 
 Mrs. McDowell died November 5, 1S97, a 
 
 and seven months, after a 
 married life of fifty-five years; her's was the first 
 death in the family. She had not been in good 
 health of late years, having suffered a paralytic 
 stroke in June, 1885, from the effects of which 
 she never re 1. She was a devout mem- 
 
 ber of tl i \ terian Church, and was held in 
 
 high esteem by a large circle of friends. The 
 children ol this worthy couple wan trained in 
 early life to habits of usefulness, and their , 
 ents always appreciated the value of their assist- 
 ance, Mr. McDowell having distributed am 
 them about $5,000 to give each a good start in 
 life. A brief record of their children is as fol- 
 lows: (1) Anna M. , born March 20. 1S43, mar- 
 ried J, W. Blair, of Belle Centre, Ohio, and has 
 
 child, Anna C. 121 Sarah E., born Janu- 
 - married James Allison, of Porter 
 township, Clinton county, and four years later 
 they moved to Seman, Ohi". they have three 
 children Kate C, David Mr D., and Nettie A , 
 the eldest of whom is now the wife of Dr. Mont- . 
 Himtsville, Ohio, and her two chil- 
 li subject the patriarchal honors 1 
 
 (3) N. Margaret, born May 
 married Capt. S. H. Bennison, of 
 Marion township, Centre county, and they have 
 had eleven children — Perry Mc, Jane, Robert 
 H., Mary C, John, Bertha C, Guy, Emma, 
 Nellie E., D 1 Helen C, all yet living ex- 
 
 cept John. 141 Emma J., born March 17, 1S54, 
 married Dr. J E. Tibbins, of Beech Creek, 
 Penn., and they have one son — Perry McD. (5) 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 61& 
 
 Henry T. , born October 28, 1S57, married Miss 
 Mary B. Kline, and located in Marion township, 
 Centre county; they have had three sons: Will- 
 ard K. , living; and Perry W. and Eugene B., 
 deceased. 
 
 Our subject has been a lifelong Democrat, 
 his first vote having been cast for David R. 
 Porter for governor. No change of policy or 
 principle on the part of the leaders of the party 
 has ever shaken his allegiance, and he has held 
 many a heated argument- with those who were 
 less inclined to stand by the old organization at 
 all hazards. Although he has not especially 
 cared for official place, he has been chosen to 
 various township offices, including that of justice 
 of the peace. He is proud of the fact that he 
 has followed farming fifty-eight years; is a man 
 of much energy, and has a bright mind, has been 
 a great reader, and is well-informed on all sub- 
 jects, his advice and counsel being frequently 
 
 sought. 
 
 BENJAMIN F. BROWN. For upward of 
 - half a century the name of Brown has been 
 prominently identified with the business interests 
 of Lock Haven and Clinton county. The gen- 
 tleman, whose name introduces this sketch, is of 
 the second generation of the name to have suc- 
 cessful careers in mercantile lines here. 
 
 Jacob Brown, his father, whose death on 
 March 13, 1896, closed a long busy, life, remov- 
 ing from the community a prominent business 
 man, a good citizen, and one of the pioneer 
 merchants of this section, was born March 20, 
 1820, in Wurtemberg, Germany. At the age of 
 seventeen years he came to America. He found 
 his way to Lycoming county, Penn., and secured 
 work at Trout Run. A year later he went to 
 Ralston, then passed several months at Far- 
 randsville, Clinton county. His next move was 
 to come to i^ock Haven, where he served two 
 years in learning the carpenter's trade. After 
 this he went to Muncy Creek, Lycoming county, 
 and there remained two years engaged in farm- 
 ing and lumbering. The following three years 
 he worked at his trade in Philadelphia, and at 
 the expiration of this time he returned to Lock 
 Haven, and here formed a partnership with his 
 brother George Brown, who was then in the 
 mercantile business. In 1852 George Brown 
 withdrew from the firm, selling his interest to 
 James Fearon. The business was carried on 
 under the firm name of Jacob Brown & Co. 
 Shortly afterward Mr. Fearon's death caused a 
 change in the firm, his widow selling her interest 
 in the business to Mr. Brown. Later W. H. 
 Mayer, subsequently mayor of Lock Haven, se- 
 
 cured an interest, and the business was conducted 
 under the name of Brown & Mayer. At that 
 time the store was on Water street, opposite the 
 "Fallon House." In 1857 Mr. Brown sold out 
 to his partner, and one year later started a gen- 
 eral store in a building which he erected for him- 
 self on Main street. In 1869 he confined his 
 business to a general grocery which he conduct- 
 ed alone until 1S74, at which time he admitted 
 B. F. Brown (his son) and Peter Berger to a 
 partnership, the firm becoming Jacob Brown & 
 Co. Some time afterward Mr. Berger retired 
 from the firm, since which time the business has 
 been carried on under the name of Jacob Brown 
 & Son, the widow succeeding her husband in the 
 business. Jacob Brown was a thrifty German, 
 honest, industrious, and a good manager. These 
 essentials coupled with his business tact made 
 him a successful business man. On his death 
 one of the Lock Haven papers said: "By his 
 death a prominent business man is removed from 
 Lock Haven. He was a man of integrity, square 
 in his business transactions, congenial with com- 
 panions, and possessed a happy disposition." 
 His progressive ideas and public spirit were 
 shown in his long service in the city council and 
 the school board, and in various other official 
 positions. He was a member of the Masonic 
 fraternity, and the Masons had charge of the 
 funeral. At the outbreak of the Civil war he 
 was made captain of the "Steuben Rifles," a 
 local military company. 
 
 In 184S, in the city of Philadelphia, Jacob 
 Brown was married to Margaret Heid, who was 
 a native of Germany. To the marriage were 
 born Caroline (Mrs. A. T. Elliott). Benjamin F. 
 (our subject), Elizabeth (Mrs. W. F. Elliot), 
 James (deceased), and George W. (deceased). 
 
 Benjamin F. Brown, who to-day is one of the 
 best and most favorably known of the business 
 men of Lock Haven, where he was born August 
 29, 1851, received his education in the schools 
 of that city, supplementing his course there by 
 one year of study in a school at Westchester, 
 Penn., and by a business course at Williamsport, 
 Penn. At the age of fifteen he entered his fa- 
 ther's store, and he has been connected with the 
 establishment ever since, having become a part- 
 ner at an early age. As his father's health de- 
 clined, more and more responsibility rested upon 
 the son, and he may be said to have been the 
 head of the enterprise for twenty years past. 
 One factor in his success is his careful selection 
 of his goods, of which he carries a large stock, 
 thus meeting the demands of the best class of 
 custom. The firm carries a large stock, and 
 there are employed some half dozen clerks in the 
 

 UOBATIV HAPHIOAL RECORD, 
 
 The building in which 
 the busim v, be- 
 
 in size 20 x 100 fi and a 
 
 ment. Mr. Brown's well-provi city 
 
 lued advisoi in other important 
 ■ 1 1 1 s . and he is nowa director in thi I 
 1 1 .i\ en Trust & panj 
 
 While not ra.lir.il in his political views, our 
 
 subject affiliates with the Democratic parts Hi 
 
 >ught "tt'n ial h we\ er, pre- 
 
 /e his time to h:> private busim 
 
 illy be 1 nal 
 
 ncluding the B P. O I ind the F. & 
 
 A M 
 
 Bi >BER I MANN. I -quarters 
 
 1 century the name "I Maim has stood 
 if all that there is in the man- 
 pf the best brand, m st widely known, 
 and exti nsi\ in the country. 
 
 Rob< it Mann, the gi ntleman whose skill and 
 ^ht built up the great business in this li ne- 
 at Mill Hall, Clinton county, now the 
 
 Mann " family, and 
 
 nly mali ration, 
 
 ■ Rutland township. n Co., 
 
 N Y., born near Watertown, June [3, [824. 
 
 Mann, the foundi 1 ol thi family in 
 
 America, was born in Count) Derry, Inland, 
 
 A j > r 1 1 10, 1750, and was 1 lad ol eight 
 
 le to An 
 I England, where Thomas grew up, 
 
 and with his wife, Thankful, wh xn in 
 
 January 7. 1737, migral 
 nty, N Y., wh 
 
 upation of blacksmith- 
 •n life he 1 1 New 
 
 an.] dad at \\ iinty. in 
 
 Among tlu-ir children that In 
 William, the lath. 
 n John w.is a lawyer, and died 111 New 
 City; 1 .1 farmer, ami died in 
 
 New York, and Nathan was 
 smith and m and di 
 
 in New Y..[k. '!,,■ chil 
 
 daughti 1 
 William Mann. Sr.. v. iS, 
 
 1 : Braintree, M : was hm a lad 01, 
 
 bis parents moving to Montgon inty, where 
 
 1 fe leai n< d the 
 blacksmith's trade with bis father. After his 
 In- started in bus I on a 
 
 small thes In 1829 
 
 I Belief on te, Penn., where two ol his 
 
 William and Harvey, had pi 1 |i d him 
 and v. I [ n the 111. unit. 
 
 This journey to Pennsylvania the fathei 
 
 with a two-horse covered wagon. On the ar- 
 rival of the family at Bellefonte the father built 
 i began the manufacture of forks, 
 hoes, rakes, etc. In about 1801, in Montgomery 
 nty, New York, he married Miss Rachel 
 Gillette, who was there born, May 30, 1782, be- 
 ing a daughter of Stephen and Ruth (Case) Gil- 
 lette, the former a native of near Hartford, 
 Conn., born in 1753. and the latter of the same 
 ility, born in 1763. William Mann. Sr.. dud 
 at Boiling Springs, Centre county, February 19, 
 wife passed away years previo 
 (7 in Philadelphia, her remains being in- 
 terred in that city. William. Sr. , was buried 
 : I lefonte, in the beautiful cemetery on the 
 hill under the shadows of the towering pine 
 trees, which seemingly have been left as senti- 
 nels stai r the graves of the many 
 disti 1 dead of that renowned mountain 
 town. The children born to this couple were: 
 William Mann, Jr., born October 18, 1802. 
 and died June II, 1 S 5 5 , near Lewistown, Penn. 
 Harvey Mann, born July 2, 1804, and died 
 ., at Boiling Springs, Penn. (Will- 
 was thi ■ of the family in the axe 
 business in I vania, and with his brother 
 Harvej started a factory in Bellefonte in 1825, 
 and later at the Boiling Springs, two miles from 
 Sb phen G. died in Tennessee, 
 whither he had gone in search of a better cli- 
 mate for his health. He was also an axe nianu- 
 ; Willis, born February y, 1815, 
 died February 18, 1879, and at the time of his 
 d in Mifflin county, although his 
 death occurred in Clearfield county. He, too, 
 was an axe manufacturer, and the pioneer of the 
 l.uinU in that business in Clinton county. (One 
 James Hayi pil of the Manns in the axe 
 business in Bellefonte, Centre county, went to 
 Clinton county and there established himself 
 near Mackeyville in the axe business, but in time 
 it. This business was revived by 
 Willis Mann). (5) Maria died September 
 
 . unmarried, near Lewistown, Penn. (6) 
 Harri> left Mifflin county when twenty-one years 
 of age, and was ni id from afterward. 
 
 rt is our subject. The father of these, 
 William Mann, Sr. , was a man of strong con- 
 victions, but kind-hearted and true. While in- 
 dustrious and a thorough workman, he was not a 
 money-getter. He was a in 1 high sense 
 
 of honor, and had great antipathy for all forms 
 ind untruthfulness. He was 
 "iet! in whatever he did and most thor- 
 
 d left as a legacy to his children a gi 
 nd thorough schooling in his trade, which 
 le them riches and renown throughout the 
 

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 621 
 
 country. He took great care of his health, and 
 as a result sickness was almost unknown to him 
 until extreme old age. 
 
 Returning; to Robert Mann (to whom it was 
 left to carry forward and to augment the busi- 
 ness established in Pennsylvania by his older 
 brothers'), who was only a lad at the time of his 
 parents' removal from New York to Bellefonte, 
 as they came en route via Williamsport, Mill 
 Hall and on into Nittany Valley, it did not dawn 
 upon the mind of their youngest son that they 
 were passing the site of his future great achieve- 
 ments, when he was to rescue the declining 
 fortunes of the village of Mill Hall with its iron 
 works collapsing into ruin, and rehabilitate it with 
 a new industry that in less than a half century 
 would make it a busy commercial center, with 
 Robert Mann at the head of one of the leading 
 axe manufacturing industries in the United 
 States; and less than sixty years later finds the 
 gentleman whose business sagacity and foresight 
 developed this great industry retired with ample 
 means to live as his refined tastes desire. He 
 now is passing the evening of life in an elegant 
 home that overlooks the picturesque mountains 
 and valleys and streams of Nittany Valley — a 
 home, too, that overlooks the factory where his 
 sons are managing even to greater success the 
 business of their forefathers. 
 
 Robert Mann recalls with great pleasure his 
 childhood days at Bellefonte, where he received 
 his first schooling; these were halcyon days, full 
 of enjoyment — swimming, skating and coasting 
 on those steep hills, and, in company with older 
 boys, hunting squirrels, trapping rabbits, and, 
 not the least interesting, listening to stories such 
 as "Jack, the Giant Killer," as he sometimes 
 sat on the platform of the old pump that stood 
 in the diamond square. When he was twelve 
 years of age his father finally settled on a small 
 farm near where Unionville, Centre county, has 
 since been built; here Robert took his first les- 
 sons as a practical worker in iron. He remem- 
 bers an occasion when his father was sitting on 
 the vice bench with a neighbor while he (Robert) 
 was forging a piece of iron; and, no doubt stimu- 
 lated by the spectator, he heard his father say 
 "there is a boy who will make a good work- 
 man." Of course this was very gratifying 
 to him, for he had no higher ambition. During 
 the four years that Robert resided there he at- 
 tended school three or four months each winter, 
 and in summer worked principally on the land. 
 His father, though then a man of some sixty 
 years, worked with his sons Harris and Robert. 
 He rarely scolded them, and he was indul- 
 gent as far as his limited means would permit. 
 
 They were allowed plenty of time for hunting 
 and fishing, of which they were very fond. The 
 father's favorite books were "Scott's life of Na- 
 poleon Bonaparte," "Blair's Sermons," and 
 "Seneca's Morals." Robert read these books 
 with interest, particularly the former. After 
 dinner during the summer season his father usu- 
 ally lay upon his back, always preferring the 
 hard floor, and read until he fell asleep. Rob- 
 ert's fondness for reading grew with his years, 
 and was only limited by the very few books he 
 had access to. They had a school book called 
 the "National Reader," which was read and re- 
 read many times over by the brothers, and the 
 pieces they most admired were such as had ac- 
 quired a vvide celebrity in the world, such as 
 "Gray's Elegy, "and writings of Addison, Mil- 
 ton, Pope and Akenside. 
 
 William Mann, Jr., twenty-two years older 
 than his brother, Robert, having finally settled 
 .near Lewistown, Mifflin county, and established 
 an axe factory there that was destined to be- 
 come famous, after, say,, some five years' suc- 
 cessful operation, visited his parents and the 
 family near Unionville, and prevailed on his 
 father to move near his place, he believing that 
 there would be a better opening for Harris and 
 Robert than there in the secluded place where 
 they then resided. In the year 1840 the change 
 was therefore made. William Mann, Sr. , and 
 family moved into the stone house at the en- 
 trance of the narrows below the axe factory, and 
 here, practically in the employ of his brother, 
 William, Robert Mann spent seven years of his 
 life, principally in the forging department, in the 
 manufacture of .tools and axes, but a liberal pro- 
 portion of this time was devoted to a subordinate 
 care in the management, and also traveling on busi- 
 ness over various parts of the State on horseback 
 and in other ways in vogue half a century ago. 
 Finally, Robert Mann, seeing that there was no 
 favorable opening with his brother, William, for 
 bettering his condition, as the latter had sons 
 rapidly growing up, accepted an offer from his 
 brother, Willis, at Mackeyville, Clinton county, 
 to take a position in a new store which he was 
 starting in connection with his axe business. 
 Robert, therefore, bid adieu to Mifflin county, 
 having little or nothing to carry out of it but his 
 experience, which proved to be valuable in the 
 years to come. Robert stayed with his brother, 
 Willis, about two years, principally in the store, 
 during which time he discovered that his broth- 
 er's affairs were in bad shape, and that his failure 
 was sure to come in the near future. While 
 this condition of his brother's affairs filled him 
 with sorrow and regret, it also inspired him with 
 

 ( OMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 ■ nination to start in business (or himself; 
 tli. i arly in Januarj . 1849, hi arti- 
 
 cle nt and co-partnership with Mr. 
 
 i Mill H 
 
 the 
 old - fter this. 1 ibert Mann 
 
 ..hi, tin 
 twentj tter twenty years of age, 
 
 April i.-t they commenced h 
 
 iril) in '•'•• Thus the busin 
 
 I simul- 
 >ly in the venture of life. And here it 
 
 i) in the 
 
 linton a couple who I tributed 
 
 h to the industry of tl pie, 
 
 1 period of til 
 
 1 led life 
 
 Mrs Robert 
 Mann, was born in Dauphin county, Penn., and 
 when .1 small lad was thrown on his own re- 
 
 the milling 
 
 5, which he I rs. Hi 
 
 pui ville, Clinton county, 
 
 which i and thru- built a mill. 1 1 is 
 
 wife, Christina, the mother ol all his children, 
 
 ith husband 
 il the Evangelical 
 ned for 
 md worship 
 
 M mo- 
 
 ( hristina R Mr. Reesman 
 
 was md 
 He was nun 
 tim I died in 1 I is buried with his 
 
 ille. 
 The new firm of Robert Mann & 
 
 it August 1 n. The 
 
 lowly, but steadily, until the 
 Prior I 
 1, ho we\ 
 
 itly 
 enlarging tl 
 
 57 Mi. Met -run Mi Mann then pur- 
 
 i In- property, and in > 
 further enlarged, .md again in 1876 he further 
 e, until from tli. small beginning 
 day. it • 
 that in ■ 
 The w 
 -1 until they wi by 
 
 tire ..11 September 11, 1877 PI ins re- 
 
 building of 1 
 
 ' by April. 1878, the new w..rk>. with in- 
 
 ition. In 1- 
 Mi Mann built a new factory, ete in its 
 
 appointments, below Mill Hall, at which exclus- 
 
 ively ••double-bit" axes have ever since been 
 i ur years before the absorption of the 
 business by the American Axe & Tool Co , Mr. 
 Mann 1 is exclusive control to his three 
 
 3, Thomas K.. at the lower factory, with an 
 output in 1 890 of 400 ■ • di mble-bit " axes per da v. 
 men, and Alfred C. and 
 William H., at the upper factory, with an output 
 of 800 singl per day, and employing too 
 
 men. At that period the Mann family were the 
 mo- manufacturers of axes in the 
 
 world, making at their various factories 2,800 
 per day, or 840,000 per year, their trade and 
 reputation extending around the globe. The 
 t success of the ••Mann Axe" is due to the 
 ittention given t" the one business, and to 
 the constant care they have ever exercised in 
 keeping their goods up to the highest point of 
 excellence. In 1890 these factories were ab- 
 sorbed by the American Axe & Tool Co., and 
 the business at this point is now being managed 
 by the sons of Robert Mann. For some years 
 havi lanufactured here all of the "double- 
 
 bit' axes made by the above company, with a 
 capacity of 1,200 "double-bit" axes per day, em- 
 ploying 1 81 1 men. 
 
 I illowing are the children of Robert and 
 Christina Mann: Frances M. Garth, whose hus- 
 band. Abbott B., is a merchant of Mill Hall, and 
 paymaster and shipper of the American Axe .V 
 Tool Co., was born at Mill Hall, October 19, 
 1849; Harris I . born March 8. 1851, died Sep- 
 tember 15. 1862, of diphtheria; JohnW., born 
 iruary 22, 1853, died September 2, 1862, of 
 diphtheria; Thomas K.. born February 19, 1 
 
 ashier ol irado & North-western Kail- 
 
 way Co.. and manaj irge smithing works 
 
 in Boulder, Colo. ; Alfred C, born March 7. 1857, 
 is the superintendent of the American Axe & 
 I Mill Hall; Joseph K. , born February 
 , is president of the Mann Edge Tool 
 Con ' Lewistown, Penn. ; Carrie E., born 
 
 April 26, 1861, died September, 1802, of diph- 
 ria; William H.. born August 2. 1S63, is a 
 at of Mill Hall. Penn.; Mary M.. born 
 May 20, 181 December 28. 1865; and 
 
 Robert. Jr., born Oct ber [6, 1866, is vice-pres- 
 ent 1 f the Mann Edge Tool Co., 
 Lewistown, Penn. The mother of these died 
 id was buried at Cedar Hill 
 1 y. Sh< in of many virtues, 
 
 an affectionate wife, and a kind and indulgent 
 her. and her death was keenly felt in the 
 nunity in which she had so long lived. Mr. 
 Mann, although starting in life very humbly and 
 with litt - by his untiring industry 
 
 tact not only built up a great indus- 
 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 623 
 
 try, become wealthy and made for himself a 
 name and position in the business world, but he 
 has by reading and study become a man of edu- 
 cation and culture, and one coming in contact 
 with him would judge him a college-bred gen- 
 tleman. He is unassuming, genial and social, 
 yet with it all carries dignity. He is a success- 
 ful man. In politics he is a Republican, well- 
 posted on the history of parties and on the issues 
 of the day. He takes a deep interest in politics 
 although he has never been active in a party 
 sense. With his force and business ability, had 
 he early in life received a more liberal education, 
 he certainly would have forged his way to the 
 front in public affairs, if he had so desired to do. 
 He is a member of the Presbyterian Church. 
 
 The following notice of Harvey Mann, for 
 forty years the distinguished head of the axe fac- 
 tory of Boiling Springs, near Bellefonte, is taken 
 from the private narrative of his brother Robert: 
 " My brother Harvey was a man of good mind 
 and scrupulously honorable in his dealings; as 
 long as he devoted his attention strictly to his 
 axe business he was very successful, though 
 greatly hampered by his poor waterpower. He 
 claimed to be the inventor of the process of 
 drawing axe-bits under a trip-hammer, a practice 
 that soon became universal. His greatest in- 
 vention was the overlaid steel which has come to 
 be extensively used, and which during his life- 
 time yielded him a handsome royalty; but it was 
 at the sacrifice of his reputation as a manufact- 
 urer, for his mind was so engrossed by his inven- 
 tion that his axe business suffered, and at the 
 time of his death was on the decline when it 
 came into the hands of his only surviving son 
 Harvey, a noble young man, whose sudden death 
 a few years after by a railroad accident near 
 Steubenville, Ohio, was the last and the hardest 
 of the heart-crushing bereavements that his now 
 childless and widowed mother had to endure. It 
 was pitiable to see her hopeless sorrow, yet she 
 endured and survived it. Her nephew, J. Fearon 
 Mann, my b.rother William's third son, leased 
 her axe factory — her greatest business care — and 
 was otherwise much comfort and help to her. 
 She built a small church near her house, and 
 lived for many years in her desolated home with 
 ample means, with which she did much good. 
 She died in the seventy-fourth year of her age, 
 and the family of Harvey Mann became extinct." 
 
 [Mill Hall, Penn., September, 1S97.] 
 
 J; NDREW C. KISSELL (deceased). Prom- 
 _ JL inent among the representative citizens of 
 Woodward township, who have witnessed the 
 
 marvelous development of Clinton county during 
 the past half century, and who, by honest toil 
 and industry, succeeded in acquiring a com- 
 petence, which enabled them to spend the even- 
 ing of life in quiet and refinement, was the 
 gentleman whose name introduces this sketch. 
 His entire life was passed in the county, his 
 birth occurring October 22, 1823, in Pine Creek 
 township, then a part of Lycoming county, and for 
 many years he was actively identified with its ag- 
 ricultural and industrial interests. His paternal 
 grandfather, a native of Germany, became a pio- 
 neer farmer of that township. 
 
 Henry Kissell, our subject's father, was born 
 February 15, 1798, in Pine Creek township, and 
 there grew to manhood, acquiring his education 
 in its subscription schools. Throughout his act- 
 ive business life he followed the carpenter's 
 trade, making his home on a small farm of thirty 
 acres in Pine Creek township, where his death 
 occurred January 22, 1S65, and he was laid to 
 rest in a cemetery in Porter township, Lycoming 
 count}'. He was a member of the Methodist 
 Episcopal Church, was highly respected by all 
 who knew him, and was a Democrat in politics. 
 
 In early manhood Henry Kissell was married 
 to Catharine Bowers, who was born March 6, 
 1796, and by whom he had five children: Jacob, 
 who died in Illinois; Andrew C. , of this sketch; 
 Margaret, deceased wife of C. Eckard; Martha, 
 widow of Frederick Rayhorne; and Jane, de- 
 ceased wife of John Shiley. The wife and 
 mother, who was also a consistent member of 
 the Methodist Episcopal Church, died in Pine 
 Creek township, March 1, 1837, and for his sec- 
 ond wife Mr. Kissell chose Jane Morrison. 
 Twelve children were born to 'this union, of 
 whom four died in infancy; the others are as fol- 
 lows: Catharine, wife of R. B. Staver, of Will- 
 iamsport, Penn.; Mary; Barbara; Elizabeth, 
 wife of William Porter, of Lock Haven; Hettie, 
 wife of Andrew Myers, of Williamsport; Rebec- 
 ca, widow of William Layman, of Williamsport; 
 Morrison, of Williamsport; and Martin. Mrs. 
 Kissell died August 25, 1886. 
 
 During his boyhood and youth Andrew C. 
 Kissell attended the public schools of his native 
 township for three months during the winter, 
 and spent his summers at work upon the home 
 farm. At the age of twenty-one he began learn- 
 ing the tanner's trade, working for four years for 
 Mr. Walters, who at that time owned a tannery 
 in Pine Creek township. Subsequently our sub- 
 ject conducted the " Half Way House " in that 
 township for a year and a half, and then rented 
 and operated the McKinney tannery in the same 
 township for a year, after which he went to Nit- 
 

 • VORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 illey, Clinl rented a 
 
 tannery and O] 
 wit i Returning to his native 
 
 ■ 
 
 In 
 
 ■ 
 
 in 1 l ek township, intil 
 
 ■ i . when he - ; me 
 
 I ward township. Here he purchased a 
 
 1 farm ol Mr. Bickford, 
 
 and until i ■' Farming, to- 
 
 nce 
 live. I retired l ill health, having never 
 
 fully recovered from 
 
 On the 4th of July. [848, in Pine Creek town- 
 
 : ah Ann 
 
 nlap, whose hirth occurred in that township, 
 
 Jui: I ler father. i >unlap, was 
 
 rn m Philadelphia, November 12. 1799, of 
 
 F rench ind when a young man 
 
 Muncy, Lycoming Co., Penn., where 
 he • ni farming e time, and • 
 
 Sarah G llinger, who was horn 
 then- N 2, and died at the home 
 
 i fuly 17. [883. From Miincy Mr. 
 Dunlap removed t< 1 farm in Fine Creek town- 
 ship, Clinton county, where he followed the oc- 
 t fanning until his death, which 
 irred in Septen He and his w 
 
 n the Pine Ci 
 
 the Lutheran 
 and he • to the 
 
 Whig party. In their family were the follow 
 
 Sam- 
 uel, of Nip '• ibeth, dece 
 wife of Joel K 
 
 Portei township, Lycoming coun- 
 | 1 
 
 wifi f John 1 reek township; 
 
 •my. wife 1 'i Henry Myers, ol thi 
 ship. 
 Mr and Mi • the 
 
 rn April 
 i the wife ol I i 
 
 Haven; Arabella, born Api - ime 
 
 |ames Hi m Run. and 
 
 died M ilia J., 
 
 2 2. the wil 
 
 ighter was born and 
 Millard F . l>"rn « li tober 14, 
 
 ! 
 th mi Run, irm; 
 
 . born April 2, 1858, died I 11, 
 
 I illie M . born S died 
 
 a tanner, horn 
 
 has three children; and three other children of 
 our ; m infancy. 
 
 Politically Mr. Kissell was a firm supporter 
 
 Mican party. He cast his first 
 
 iry Clay, and was proud that he was 
 
 able to take his place side by side with the great 
 
 majority ol the American people who voted for 
 
 McKinley and sound money at the 
 election, and hoped to be able to support the 
 same party in 1 900. His fellow-citizens recog- 
 nizing his worth and ability called him to pub- 
 lic office, although he never cared for political 
 distinction. On his party ticket he was elect- 
 ed by a larg rity a commissioner of Clin- 
 ton county in the fall of 1890. His term was a 
 trying one for the commissioners, as it was just 
 after the great tlood of 1889, when much dam 
 was done to bridges and other property, and 
 while faithfully discharging the arduous duti< 
 the.i Mr. Kissell contracted the cold which 
 laid the foundation of his subsequent ill health. 
 He served as tax collector and assessor, was 
 school director in Pine Creek township for sev- 
 eral terms, justice of the peace for fifteen years, 
 postmaster at Chatham Run for four years, and 
 judge of elections, all of which offices he filled to 
 the satisfaction of the general public and with 
 credit to himself. 
 
 I 1 twelve years Mr. Kissell was a member 
 t Washington Camp, P. O. S. of A., at Chat- 
 ham Run, and with his wife and family held 
 membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
 I 1 years he taught in the Sunday-school 
 
 ni Creek township, and also served as su- 
 ntendent. He was well-posted on theUible, 
 1 a daj passed that he did not read in the 
 I'.ook, and he was a strong temperance 
 man. never tasting intoxicants of any kind. For 
 almost fifty years Mr. and Mrs. Kissell trav< 
 life's journey together, and although they hail 
 met with sorrows, they were contented and h 
 py m ea h other's love, and had the respect and 
 1 who knew them. They reared a 
 lily of children, who highly honpred and re- 
 r old age, and are all earnest 
 Christians. The husband and father passed 
 1 .-. .a his home in Dunns- 
 eventy-four years. The funeral 
 
 inducted by Rev. George M. 
 in the home church The inter- 
 ; "> was m isburg in one of the ..Li- 
 
 the county. 
 
 RICH 1 \MILV 
 ily h ialf a 
 
 y idem 
 
 of Clinton county. Thi 
 
 century been prom- 
 with the industrial and 
 
^#&&<c 
 
 
 &Uvt- /Z'tJi? 
 
 t 
 
 J- W. RICH 
 
 JOHH B. RICH 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 625 
 
 mercial interests of Clinton county, and the name 
 is a synonym for honorable and "straightforward 
 dealing. One of their leading characteristics in 
 business affairs is their fine sense of order and 
 complete system, and the habit of giving careful 
 attention to details without which success in any 
 undertaking is never an assured fact. 
 
 The family was founded in this country by 
 John Rich, who was born in Wiltshire, England, 
 October 16, 17S6, a son of John Rich, a wool- 
 carder by occupation, and a native of the same 
 county, who spent his last days with his son John 
 in Clinton county, Penn. In his native land the 
 son received a very limited education, and under 
 his father's able direction he became a wool- 
 carder. Having a strong desire to try his fortune 
 in the New World, he, in 181 1, at the age of 
 twenty-five years, sailed from Liverpool, accom- 
 panied by his father, landing at Philadelphia. 
 In Germantown, Penn., he found employment 
 as a carder in a woolen-factory, where he re- 
 mained for several years, and then came to Mill 
 Hall, Clinton county, and here rented a small 
 woolen-factory from Nathaniel Harvey, which he 
 operated some seven years. Removing to Pine 
 Creek township, he was engaged in the same 
 business at Plum Run, Dunstable township, 
 Clinton county. He purchased the "Mansion 
 farm," owned by John Fleming, and in partner- 
 ship with Daniel McCormick erected a woulen- 
 mill. He also had an interest in a woolen-mill 
 at Cooperstown, Venango Co., Penn., the busi- 
 ness being carried on under style of Rich, Booth 
 & Hillier. For several years these men also 
 operated the factory at Chatham Run, which, 
 later, John Rich rented to John Hillier for some 
 years. Finally, however, Mr. Rich purchased 
 his partner's interest at Plum Run, and moved 
 the machinery from the Plum Run mill (in 1S43) 
 to Factoryville (now Woolrichj, Clinton county, 
 and built a fine brick factory, the first of the 
 kind in central Pennsylvania, burning the brick 
 upon his farm. He also erected a second house 
 at that place, and in the midst of the wilderness 
 established quite a thriving little settlement, 
 where employment was furnished to a number of 
 people. He built four good log dwellings, and 
 took an active and prominent part in the growth 
 and development of the village. Until his'death, 
 which occurred in 1S70, he successfully operated 
 the mill, along with his son, John Fleming Rich, 
 who was the inventor of the patented lumber- 
 man flannel known as "Rich's patent." He be- 
 came one of the leading and influential citizens 
 of the community, and was called upon to serve 
 in several public positions of honor and trust, 
 being one of the commissioners of Clinton county 
 
 40* J 
 
 for several years, and also county auditor. He 
 was a strong party man, always upholding the 
 principles of the Whig party until its dissolution, 
 when he became an ardent Republican. In relig- 
 ious belief he was a Methodist, and was a liberal 
 contributor to all Church work. Wherever 
 known he was held in high regard, and was noted 
 for his kindness and generosity. 
 
 John Rich was married to Miss McCloskey, a 
 native of Dunnsburg, Clinton county, a daughter 
 of Isaac McCloskey, a farmer by occupation. To 
 them were born twelve children, namely: Re- 
 becca, widow of George McCormick; Rachel, 
 wife of Charles Roch, of Horseheads, N. Y. ; 
 Airy, wife of J. W. Crawford, of Dunstable 
 township, Clinton county; Mary, deceased wife 
 of John Caldwell, of Horseheads, N. Y. ; John 
 Fleming, Stiles and Thomas, all three deceased; 
 Jane, deceased wife of Hon. Alexander McDill, 
 of Wisconsin; Charles B., deceased; Joseph, who 
 was killed in a railroad accident in 1876; and 
 Elizabeth, deceased wife of ex-Sheriff Van Bus- 
 kirk. The mother of these children died at 
 Chatham Run, in 1S76, and was laid to rest by 
 the side of her husband in the cemetery at that 
 place. 
 
 Of this family John Fleming Rich was born 
 October 11, 1826, and in the subscription schools 
 of Pine Creek township, Clinton county, he ob- 
 tained his primary education, which was supple- 
 mented with an attendance of several terms at 
 Allegheny College. In early boyhood he began 
 work in his father's woolen-factory, and soon 
 mastered all branches of the business. In 1868 
 he and his brother, Charles B., were admitted 
 to the firm, and the business was conducted under 
 the style of John Rich & Sons, later J. F. & C. 
 B. Rich. After the death of C. B. Rich, the 
 sons of J. F. Rich (John and M. B.) became in- 
 terested in the business and made many improve- 
 ments in the factory, putting in new machinery 
 at a cost of $5,000. Erecting a fine brick store 
 building at a cost of $2,500, they became the 
 first merchants of Woolrich. To John Fleming 
 Rich is due in a great degree the prosper- 
 ity and development of that thriving village. 
 There he made his home, having erected an ele- 
 gant residence at a cost of $3,000, and, in con- 
 nection with his other business interests, he also 
 superintends the management of his fine farm of 
 300 acres. He was a man of scholarly tastes 
 and broad general information, and at the age of 
 fifty years mastered the Greek, Latin and Ger- 
 man languages, later in life taking the study of 
 Hebrew. In the pressure of his business cares 
 he never forgot the holier duties of life, was a 
 close Bible student, and for a number of years 
 

 ( OMMBMORATIVB BIOGRAPHICAL RE( ORD. 
 
 . ed as local preacher in the Met: pis- 
 
 >al community at Woolrich. Politically he 
 Randall Democrat .t\ aud- 
 
 itor, school director, ami in other local positi 
 and took a i lable interest in all matters 
 
 pertainii: h Church and St 
 
 On January ir Jersey Shore, Ly- 
 
 :., John I ming Ri< h 
 ma: < Mil. who v. 
 
 at Bloi k House, th.it county, March 2* 
 a daughter of Michael and Sarah \\ Ohl, 
 
 tin: forn rid the lattei lish 
 
 1 ler father was a miller by occi . 
 Nine children were born t" Mr and Mr?. Rich, 
 namely: Rachel 1 1 rah I. twins 
 
 i' . i ■ . th of whom died in infancy; 
 
 Lvdia I. . born July i. 1851, became the wit. 
 [ohn St of Texas, and is now d 
 
 John B. and M mentioned farther 
 
 B , born January J, 1857, died inch 
 Stiles I is mentioned farther on; Charles 
 11., born 1 ' n an, 
 
 farmer, civil ei and inventor, living in 
 
 inty; and William Fleming, 
 mi ntioned farther on. The father of this family 
 iwaj March 17. ["he mother, w 
 
 'ithful m ' the Methodist 
 
 il Church at Woolrich. 
 
 John Rich 
 
 family ju->t mentioned, was born in Woolrich, 
 
 March 19, t8« in the pub- 
 
 i that pi." e, later attended Dickinson 
 
 ninary, Williamsport, Penn., and was a grad- 
 
 n Busin ! igh- 
 
 N. V. In [877 he and his broth' 1 
 
 B. were admitted to a partnership in 
 
 tin 11 father's bu the 
 
 lather the name wa to J hn Rich & 
 
 |ohn Rich w -client business 
 
 man. always upright Me in all trans- 
 
 I had the confidence and respei I 
 all who knew him. On July 16 
 united in m.irri . widow 
 
 oi ("lark Qu killed 111 a rail: 
 
 accident). She is a native -1 P k town- 
 
 ship, 1 Hint m 1 iunt} . ind a daughter of Mat 
 
 township. By her 
 
 md man 
 children: John Woods, born in September, 18 
 and Stiles Fleming, born in August, [8 14. I 
 husband and lather di< : mber 27, 1 .- 
 
 irned by all who knew him. Hi ■• is un- 
 erving in his support of the Republican party, 
 and for thirty yean was an eai 1 
 member of the Methodist I |>iscopal Chui 
 v\ ,1- 1 me ■ d its most act and libi 
 
 supporters, and for man) y< ed as super- 
 
 intendent of the Sunday-school, president of the 
 Epworth League, steward and trustee. 
 
 Michael P> Rn 11. now the senior member 
 of the firm of fohn Rich <S: Bros., was born April 
 30, 1855, in Woolrich, where he acquired his 
 
 nentary education, and during the years 1 
 
 Dickinson Seminary, at Will- 
 iamsport. being a pupil of Dr. Spotsw land 
 
 Dr. I. [.Gray. On laying aside his text books he 
 into business with his father and brother, 
 and has since been a member of the tirm. which 
 still continues operations under the firm nan 
 John Rich ec Bros. He is now a managing part- 
 ner of the woolen-mill and of a general store at 
 Woolrich, where he has a comfortable and pleas- 
 ant residence, erected at a 1 - 3,000. On 
 the Republican ticket he was elected school 
 
 '•tor of Pine < t iwnship and >m- 
 
 missioner, most creditably serving in the latter 
 office from 1880 until 18S5. He, too, is a faith- 
 ful member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
 has served as class-leader, exhorter, Sunday- 
 school superintendent and teacher, and his sup- 
 port and influence are always found on the side 
 of right and order. He was married in Pine 
 k township, in 1880, to Miss Ida B. Shaw, a 
 native of that township, and a daughter of R. A. 
 Shaw, justice of the peace, and to them have 
 
 n born seven children: Jennie 1' . Robert 
 1 k Ltii I... John B., Anna B., Grace E., and 
 Margaret M. 
 
 W. Fi eming Rich, the junior member of the 
 firm of John Rich & P>ros., was born in Wool- 
 rich, February jj. 1862, and. after attending the 
 schools of Pine Creek township for some time, 
 he became a student in the Central State Nor- 
 mal School at Lock Haven, where he graduated 
 with the class of • 1882. Like his brothers, he 
 early became familiar with every detail of the 
 busi nnected with the woolen-factory, and 
 
 in 1889 he purchased the interest of his father 
 in the mill, with which he has since been con- 
 nected. In Woolrich he has a pleasant home 
 o, is president of the Patriotic Order 
 America, at that place, has been a 
 and superintendent of the Sunday-school 
 ' d with the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
 in which he holds membership, and is identified 
 with the Republican party. In Pine Creek town- 
 was married, in 1888. to Miss Mary 
 1 native of Lock Haven, and a daugh- 
 ter "i David Stevenson. She died the follow 
 
 r, and in [891 Mr. Rich was wedded, in 
 Dunstable township, Clinton county, to Miss 
 Clai ird, who was born in that township. 
 
 where her father, John Q. Baird, is engaged in 
 farming and tobacco growing. Three children 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 627 
 
 have graced this union: Ruth E., Mary H. and 
 Lydia F. 
 
 The Rich Brothers are justly numbered 
 among the most progressive, enterprising and 
 reliable business men of Clinton county. In 
 their factory they give employment to about 
 forty hands, and during the panic of 1893 they 
 continued business uninterruptedly, so that the 
 people of Woolrich did not feel the effects of the 
 hard times. The man who establishes on a firm 
 basis and conducts a large and paying enterprise 
 does more for a community than he who gives 
 large sums of money for its embellishment, for 
 the former furnishes means of livelihood to many 
 and promotes commercial activity, which is es- 
 sential to the welfare of an}' community. In 
 this way the Rich family have materially ad- 
 vanced the interests of Woolrich, and deserve an 
 honored place among Clinton county's prominent 
 and representative citizens. 
 
 Stiles Edward Rich, the third son of John 
 Fleming and Catherine A. Rich, was born in 
 Woolrich, December 3, 1859, attended the 
 schools of his boyhood home, the Normal at 
 Lock Haven, Dickinson Seminary at Williams- 
 port, and graduated from the Eastman Business 
 College at Poughkeepsie, N. Y. He then se- 
 cured a position as clerk for W. W. Barrows, 
 general merchants and lumber dealers at Cam- 
 eron, Penn., remaining with them some three 
 years. Returning to Woolrich at the end of 
 that time, he was bookkeeper for John Rich & 
 Sons several years, finally, in 1893, g°' n g to 
 Harriman, Tenn., where he commenced a dry- 
 goods and boot and shoe business for his own 
 account, and has made a success of his enter- 
 prise. 
 
 In 1883 Stiles Edward Rich married Miss 
 Minnie H. Hesser, daughter of Rev. W. C. and 
 Helen Hesser, the former of whom is a M. E. 
 minister of the Central Pennsylvania Conference, 
 at the present time stationed at Hughesville, 
 Penn. Two children have blessed this union: 
 William H. and Ross B. In polities Mr. Rich 
 was originally a Republican, but is now a strong 
 Prohibitionist; in religious belief he is a member 
 of the M. E. Church and a steward in the same. 
 
 MICHAEL BLANCHE (deceased) was one 
 of the leading business men and highly- 
 respected citizens of Renovo. He was widely 
 known and honored, and in his death the com- 
 munity, whose interests he had so much ad- 
 vanced by his enterprise, has lost a valuable 
 citizen. His integrity of character and never- 
 
 failing courtesy made him beloved by all who 
 had the honor of his acquaintance. 
 
 Mr. Blanche was a son of Patrick Blanche, 
 and was born in 1841, in Ireland, where his par- 
 ents spent their entire lives. Until he had at- 
 tained his majority he remained on the Emerald 
 Isle, but in 1862 he determined to try his for- 
 tune in the New World where he believed better 
 opportunities were afforded ambitious young 
 men. Accordingly he sailed for America, and 
 for some years made his home in New York. 
 From 1864 until 1867 he was on a man-of-war, 
 and visited the West Indies and several coun- 
 tries in South America. While in the service he 
 received injuries from which he never recovered. 
 On leaving New York City, Mr. Blanche came 
 to Renovo, Penn., where for some time he was 
 in the employ of the Philadelphia & Erie rail- 
 road, but in 1S85 erected the "Central House " 
 on Erie avenue between Ninth and Tenth streets, 
 successfully conducting the same until called to 
 his final rest. In 1889 he remodeled the place, 
 making a good three-story structure containing 
 ten bed rooms and first-class accommodations 
 for twenty guests. It is one of the best equipped 
 hotels of its size in. Clinton county, and Mr. 
 Blanche proved a most popular landlord. 
 
 On July 24, 1864, in New York City, Mr. 
 Blanche was married to Miss Bridget McGovern, 
 and to them were born nine children, but only 
 four daughters are now living, namely: Mary, 
 Anna, Margaret and Jennie, who are still resid- 
 ing together in Renovo, and comprise one of the 
 most highly-respected and popular families of 
 the place. The mother was called to her final 
 rest on September 3, 1891, and the father de- 
 parted this life May 3, 1894. Although of for- 
 eign birth his duties of citizenship were performed 
 with a loyalty equal to that of any native son of 
 America, and when the nation was imperiled by 
 the hydra-headed monster, Rebellion, he went in 
 defense of the Union and protected the cause of 
 his adopted country. Later he became an 
 honored member of the Grand Army of the 
 Republic. 
 
 EV. CHARLES D. RUSSELL, pastor of 
 St. Mark's Evangelical Lutheran Church of 
 Loganton, Clinton county, was born September 
 16, 1873, in Ashland, Schuylkill Co., Penn., in 
 which place his parents are still residing. 
 
 His father, Charles F. Russell, was born in 
 Fountain Springs, same county, and although he 
 was provided with very limited school privileges, 
 he, by reading and observation, has become a 
 well-informed man. During early manhood he 
 

 ( OMXEMORATIVB BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 the painter's trade, which he i 
 numbi 'th in Fountain Spi 
 
 and Ashland, but is now filling the important and 
 responsible position r of 
 
 the General Security - ifety Funds. H< 
 
 ry ol tli i Light Companj 
 
 land, and ol the Ashland Mutual Fire Insur- 
 ance ny, and the 
 most reliable and honorable bus; n of the 
 pla litics he , ublican, 
 and in i - a Lutheran, and t 
 quite an active and prominent part in all Church 
 work, li leacon in the ( hurch, 
 superintendent and teacher in the Sunday-sch 
 iternally, he is identified with the Masonic 
 i I i Schuylkill county, he 
 united in marriage to Mi Deitzler, a na- 
 
 that place, and to them were born 
 children: Lulu, at home; Charles D., ol this 
 ti h; William, who died in childhood; Hai 
 
 nd Mamie and Karl, who are at- 
 ling schi h 
 
 In the public and high - native 
 
 ! began his literary edu- 
 cation, and later nit. red the Susquehanna Uni- 
 t Selins Grove, where he pursued both a 
 
 luating with 
 
 honors in 1893. In the spring of 1896 he v 
 
 call Valli j pastorate, and has 
 
 sin> St Mark's Church of Logan- 
 
 ■ the congregations at Booneville, 
 
 Tylers\ ille, I Hill and Bui In his 
 
 ibor he has worked faithfully and 
 
 well, and in the pulpit hi ially gifted, his 
 
 ! well-trained, and his man- 
 
 I I 
 
 ii their appeals to follow 
 
 the teachingsof the Master. He is popular with 
 
 all 1 nade many warm friends out- 
 
 In May, I Lock Haven, Clinton coun- 
 
 ty, Rev. Russell was man Jennie 
 
 I 
 
 I -known 
 
 and highly-] 
 
 JAMES I SMITH, 1 lif. t of 
 
 Clinton county, where his occupation 
 n that of a lumberman irn June 
 
 ■ nsliip 
 
 His fatl ph M01 1 is Smith, 1 Phil 
 
 tnd 
 
 lit-; 
 
 B Ci ek country to 
 
 in the lunib 
 
 ' thousan timber lands in 
 
 primith 2 he built a mill on the 
 
 k at the mouth of Monument run, about 
 m the Bald Eagle. About the 
 time this mill was built Beech creek was cleared 
 so that sawed lumber could be rafted out of it. 
 One of the tirst bills of lumber sawed by Mr. 
 Smith was timber for the Harrisburg bridge. 
 This timber was three by twelve inches, thirty- 
 two, thirty-four and thirty-six feet long, and was 
 rafted at the mill. Having had no business ex- 
 
 ience, Mr. Smith did not make a success of 
 the enterprise, and he sold the timber lands be- 
 fore they became valuable. He was engaged in 
 the lumber i however, more or less, until 
 
 j when he abandoned it, and passed 
 the lis life on a farm he had cleared up 
 
 near the borough of Beech Creek. In 1850, on 
 the formation of Beech Creek township out of a 
 part of Bald Eagle, he was chosen as one of the 
 auditors for the new township. He subsequently 
 served as a justice of the peace. His wife, ]en- 
 nette David, whom he married in [832, was a 
 natr B ech Creek, Clinton Co., Penn., b 
 
 in 1 Si 3. 
 
 I this marriage were born fourteen children, 
 
 . en of whom are now living, namely: Rowland, 
 
 sident of th Si ol Washington; Mary, 
 
 the wife of Col. Henry Bollinger, of Lebanon, 
 
 S. Dak.; Charles P., of Beech Creek, Penn.; 
 
 Sidn lette, widow ol S. B. Darrah. "1 the 
 
 te of Washington; Temple C. , of Beech Creek; 
 
 (an. ur subject; Joseph Morris, of Kane, 
 
 1.; William A., of Montana; Emily, the wife 
 
 i rank Trump, ol Renovo, Penn.; Alice, tin- 
 wife of John Miller, of Beech Creek, Penn.; and 
 Martha V., of Renovo. The father of these dii I 
 October 11, 1870, and the mother. February 5, 
 
 • 
 
 Jam- I Smith was reared on a farm, and 
 received only such an education as could be ob- 
 tained in the schools ol the vicinity. His father's 
 family w e, and the boys were put to work 
 
 early in life. He remained on the farm until the 
 rs, at which time the death 
 of his father cau hange to be made, and 
 
 the mother with her family left the farm and 
 the borough of Beech Creek to reside. 
 Oui l had worked in the woods a ;;reat 
 
 i in sawmill- n,l when twenty- 
 
 eight hi aced in charge of a log-drive 
 
 the Lehigh rivei ~ after this was made he 
 ichool again, so he went to 
 Pittsburg where he took a business course in the 
 City B • ( >n bis return the 
 
 followin) r he was employed in coum 
 
 luml wmill of that locality. Following 
 
 this he soon became I in the -lumber bu 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 629 
 
 ness, and from that time to the present he has 
 been more or less engaged in the lumber business, 
 in which he has been successful. He is one of 
 the substantial citizens of Lock Haven, where he 
 is prominent and influential in business circles 
 and in public affairs. In politics he is a Demo- 
 crat, and has been an active worker in the party 
 for years. He was three times nominated for 
 the office of register of wills and recorder of 
 deeds, to which offices he was twice elected 
 (elected in 1885 and re-elected in 188S), failing 
 the third time owing to the third-term issue. He 
 was a capable and an accommodating officer. 
 He is a member of the F. and A. M. 
 
 On August 2, 1876, Mr. Smith was married 
 to Miss Bella E. Weaver, a daughter of George 
 B. Weaver, now deceased, formerly a prominent 
 citizen of Bellefonte. To this marriage came 
 five children: Claude Morris, who is now a clerk 
 in the office, at Lock Haven, of the New York Pulp 
 and Paper Mills Company; Adda W. , who is a 
 student in the Central Normal School; Ruth; 
 Ralph; and Isabel. The mother of these was 
 born December 21, 185 1, at Bellefonte, Penn. 
 She and her husband are identified with the M. E. 
 Church. They have a nice home on Bellefonte 
 avenue, Lock Haven. 
 
 LUKE BINDER (deceased) was for a quarter 
 of a century prominently identified with the 
 business interests of Renovo, Clinton county, 
 and was one of its leading and representative citi- 
 zens. His birth occurred in Germany, March 
 13, 1844, but during early childhood he was 
 brought to America by his parents, who spent 
 their remaining days in Cambria county, Penn. 
 The father, Lutzeon Binder, was a shoemaker 
 by trade, and continued to follow that occupa- 
 tion until his death. 
 
 Our subject attended the district schools of 
 Cambria county during his boyhood and youth, 
 and later was a student in St. Vincent's College 
 at Latrobe, Penn. With his father he learned 
 the shoemaker trade, but at the age of eighteen 
 he left home and went to Altoona, Penn. , where 
 he found employment in a brewery. During 
 the seven years he remained in that city he 
 thoroughly mastered the business in all its vari- 
 ous departments, and on coming to Renovo, in 
 1872, he purchased the Brewery's Run Brewery, 
 which he successfully conducted until life's la- 
 bors were ended, May 3, 1897. Genial and so- 
 cial in disposition, he made friends easily, and it 
 is safe to say that in the circle of his acquaint- 
 ances no man had more friends. He was a pro- 
 gressive, public-spirited citizen who took a deep 
 
 and commendable interest in the welfare of his 
 town and the county, and did all in his power to 
 insure their prosperity and advancement. As a 
 business man he was honorable, straightforward 
 and reliable in all transactions, and as a citizen 
 he well deserved the high regard in which he 
 was uniformly held. 
 
 In 1 87 1, Mr. Binder was married to Miss 
 Mary Endris, the ceremony being performed at 
 Altoona by Father Schell. She is a daughter of 
 Anton Endris, a native of Germany, who became 
 a resident of the United States. He had two 
 other daughters, Mrs. Christian Schilling, and 
 Mrs. Agenie Sheminger, both living in Altoona. 
 Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Binder, 
 namely: Edward L., Frank, Louisa, Mary, 
 John, Luke, and Anna. The mother and chil- 
 dren are members of the Catholic Church, to 
 which Mr. Binder also belonged. The family is 
 one of prominence, and their many friends are 
 always sure of a hearty welcome at their hospit- 
 able home. On the death of the father theeld- 
 .est son, Edward L. , who was born October 7, 
 1 872, has carried on the business in his own name. 
 The capacity of the brewery is about 1,000 bar- 
 rels per year. The brewery is to be improved 
 in the spring of 1898, in the way of increased 
 capacity, and by the addition of large bottling 
 works. It will have a capacity of 10,000 bar- 
 rels per year. The elder Mr. Binder left a fine 
 hotel property. He was president of the Reno- 
 vo Electric Light Heat Power Company. He 
 was a stockholder in the First National Bank of 
 Renovo. 
 
 C CHARLES LYON FULLMER, M. D., is a 
 '/ worthy representative of the medical pro- 
 fession in Renovo, Clinton county, and one of 
 the valued citizens of the town. He was born, 
 in 1859, in Montoursville, Lycoming county, 
 Penn., and his parents, Joseph and Catherine 
 (Ebner) Fullmer, were also natives of Pennsyl- 
 vania, where their entire lives were passed. The 
 father was a coal dealer, following that industry 
 as a means of livelihood throughout his business 
 career. His pilgrimage on earth was ended in 
 1878, and his wife passed away in 1891. In their 
 family were two sons, the Doctor's brother being 
 J. R. Fullmer. 
 
 Dr. Fullmer spent his boyhood days in the 
 usual manner of lads of that period, the duties of 
 the school room and the pleasures of the play- 
 ground occupying most of his time. He received 
 his primary and academic education in Montours- 
 ville, attending the Montoursville Normal, and 
 was subsequently graduated with the class of 
 

 ' 0MMEMORAT1VB BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 in l 1 Seminary, Williamsport. 
 
 I • .iltcr leavin ■■■ he engaged in 
 
 teaching school, but this was only a means to an 
 for it was his desire to enter the 
 
 lical profi nd he matriculated in the 
 
 Jefferson Mi Philadelphia, where 
 
 he •• ! liately after- 
 
 bi n estab- 
 
 lished in .1 large and lucr,iti\e practice, standing 
 among the !■ 
 
 cality. In addition ti > a lai 
 •ice he h I for the past fifteen 
 
 tn at R Pennsyl- 
 
 vania Raili He 1 to the 
 
 iety and tin Si 
 Mi ! I in this '.'. | s fully 
 
 abreast with the ment that is continually 
 
 le in medical circles. 
 In [883 Dr Fullmer was married to Miss 
 
 I John T. Reed, at 
 it "I Lycoming 
 ity. They have 1, J I Iryan Fullm 
 
 Mrs 1 ullmer is a me the Methi idist E] - 
 
 illy the Docl 
 with the Ma ternity. In j>< >1 itics he has 
 
 n identified with thi irty 
 
 Tominenl mi and in 1 
 
 1 Linton county, in 1 
 1 and he h 
 
 member of the city council, dis- 
 all public duties with tl ked 
 
 fidelity that chai - his pi d work 
 
 Ai 1 '.I M HEIMBAI II. M. D. The 
 world has little misanthi 
 
 The universal truth of brotherhood is widely - 
 1 that he serves G 
 fellowmen Th 
 
 ttention than thi 
 1. and the ,,),,, 
 
 through wmen gives his time and 
 
 ntion to the < hum. in sufl 1 »] 
 
 1 1' imbach, a homeopathii phys 
 is r. 
 
 sion in Clinton o mnty. 
 The Doctor was born Febi uarj ;, in 
 
 Berks county, Penn 1 Williai 
 
 line Gehry) Heimbach, who havespent then 
 
 Pennsylvania, at pn idling in 
 
 Allentown, where they located in 
 many years the father was 1 m 
 
 farming and <t<>< k dealing, but I <-ti. 
 
 calK ide busin 
 
 well In the famih lit chil- 
 
 dren, namely: Celia; O. Frank; Dr. A. Eugene; 
 P. Harwin; Elrnira, wife of C. J. Gehman; Dr. 
 James H., of Kane, Penn.; Evana, wife of Will- 
 Wieand; and Charles. 
 
 Dr. Heimbach acquired his early education 
 in the public schools of his native county, which 
 was ted by oni attendance at a 
 
 school m Philadelphia, and he was later a stu- 
 dent in the Keystone Mate Normal at Kutztown, 
 from which institution he was graduated in 1882, 
 at the age of nineteen years After successfully 
 in teaching for about five years he be- 
 
 the study "t medicine under Dr. A. J. Rii 
 of Lebanon, Penn., ami subsequently 
 Hahnemann Medical College, of Philadelphia, 
 whi : completing a thre 
 
 course of study, he graduated in 1890. For nine 
 months he engaged in practice in Allentown, but 
 lary 17. 1891, he opened an office in 
 Renovo, where his skill and ability soon won 1 
 Ognition, so that he now enjoys a large and lu- 
 crative practice. 
 
 In 1892 Dr. Heimbach was married to Miss 
 Emma V, Blank, of Allentown, and they now 
 have a son, Allen IUank. The family occupies 
 an elegant residence which the Doctor erected at 
 a cost of $6,000, which is supplied with all mod- 
 ern conveniences. It is one of the best homes 
 in R md there hospitality reigns supreme. 
 
 The Doctor holds membership in the Refon 
 
 rch, while his wife is a Lutheran in religious 
 belief. Socially, he is connected with the Pa- 
 triotic Sons of America, and, politically, is iden- 
 
 I with the Republican party. Although he 
 started out in life for himself empty-handed, he 
 has, through his own el' • d an enviable 
 
 reputation physician and surgeon, and has 
 
 also been financially successful. He has that 
 love for his profession without which there is no 
 success, and by constant study keeps thoroughly 
 ted on all discoveries and improvements in 
 his chosen calling As a progressive physician 
 and an agreeable, pleasant gentleman, he cer- 
 tain! es the high regard in which he is un- 
 iformly h 
 
 Pli RCE M. DORNBLASER, a thrifty and 
 !ul agriculturist of Porter township, 
 Clinton county, is a member of a leading family 
 of that locality, and in his own life maintains the 
 mdard of citizenship that character- 
 
 ime identified at an early date 
 
 with Northampl nty, Penn., and in 1831 
 
 '"" andparents, [ohn and Catherine 
 
 rnblaser. left their old home in Low. r 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 631 
 
 Nazareth township to remove to Clinton county, 
 where their remaining years were spent. 
 
 Peter Dornblaser, our subject's father, was 
 born February 21, 1813, in Lower Nazareth 
 township, Northampton county, and was 
 reared to farm work as a boy, being able to do 
 a man's share in the harvest field when but fif- 
 teen years old. He has always been a most in- 
 dustrious man, and hard work seems to have 
 agreed with him as he is still living at an advanced 
 age, and is enjoying in well-deserved leisure the 
 rewards of past labors. His education was ob- 
 tained in the subscription schools of his time, 
 and at the age of sixteen he began to learn the 
 cabinet maker's trade, serving an apprentice- 
 ship of two and one-half years. He afterward 
 worked for some time in the same shop as a 
 journeyman, but in the fall of 1831 he followed 
 his parents to Clinton county, their removal hav- 
 ing taken place in the spring. He walked the 
 entire distance, and on his arrival began to work 
 at his trade, the first winter being spent in Belle- 
 fonte at "journey work." In 1S3S he was mar- 
 ried to Miss Elizabeth Shaffer, who was born in 
 Brush Valley, near Madisonburg, the daughter 
 of Michael and Margaret (Walburn) Shaffer. Dur- 
 ing the first year after their marriage he made 
 his home with his parents, and then locat- 
 ed upon the farm where he yet resides. His 
 brother John was at that time in partnership 
 with him, and the place contained two hun- 
 dred acres; but, later, the brother also mar- 
 ried, and the farm was divided, Peter taking the 
 eastern portion. All the buildings now on the 
 place have been erected by him, and he has 
 shown himself an excellent manager. Although 
 the regular farm work has occupied his time 
 chiefly, he has done some work at his trade, and 
 he built a shop on the farm for that purpose. 
 He is a man of the strictest integrity, willing to 
 make any sacrifices in order to pay a debt, and 
 he is held in high esteem by all who know him. 
 In manner he is modest and unassuming, and he 
 is very fond of his home. Much of his spare 
 time has always been devoted to reading, and 
 now, at the age of eighty-five, he peruses the 
 newspapers daily. He has been a subscriber to 
 The Lutheran Observer ever since its foundation, 
 and as a member of the Evangelical Lutheran 
 Church he has taken an active part in religious 
 work, holding various offices in the Church. His 
 contributions have been generous, but he is one 
 who never lets his left hand know what his right 
 hand may do for charity. Politically he affiliates 
 with the Democratic party, but he is not blindly 
 subservient to the leaders, and on occasion he 
 votes independently, choosing the "best man." 
 
 Although he has never been eager for political 
 honors for himself, he has served creditably in 
 different local offices. In March, 1894, his be- 
 loved wife passed to the unseen world, her 
 remains being interred in the cemetery at Sny- 
 dertown. 
 
 This couple had children as follows; Cath- 
 erine married John Hatcher, and died in Kansas; 
 Thomas, a veteran of the Civil war, is now a 
 Lutheran minister in Illinois; Amanda is the 
 wife of Ephraim Townsend, of Valley Falls, 
 Kans. ; Luther died in Kansas; Albert died in the 
 fifth year of his age; Puella is a prominent 
 worker in temperance and philanthropic lines; 
 Pierce M. is our subject; and Mabel married Dr. 
 f. M. Dunn, and died at Mackeyville. This 
 family is one of which any parent might well be 
 proud, and Miss Puella Dornblaser's work de- 
 serves especial mention. Her education was 
 begun in the district schools near her home, and 
 later she took a course in Susquehanna Univer- 
 sity. For some time she was successfully en- 
 gaged in teaching, and at present she is the State 
 lecturer and organizer for the W. C. T. U. and 
 one of the State superintendents of the same so- 
 ciety, in which she also represents the mission- 
 ary department of the State. For eight years 
 she was a vice-president in the State W. C. T. U., 
 and her earnest and efficient work in these vari- 
 ous positions has won her a wide reputation. 
 Her gifts as a speaker are notable, and she is a 
 valued worker in religious and educational meet- 
 ings. For ten years she was president of the 
 Synodical Society of the English Lutheran 
 Church, embracing seven counties and one hun- 
 dred Churches. Ever since the organization of 
 the Eagle's Mere Chautauqua Society she has 
 been closely associated with its work, and dur- 
 ing the meeting of 1897 she had charge of the 
 devotional services, and assisted in the publica- 
 tion of their daily paper. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was born April 24, 
 1854, at the present homestead, where he was 
 reared, plenty of "chores" falling to his lot in 
 youth, as is usual with the son of a busy farmer. 
 During boyhood he attended the Clinton school, 
 which was held in a brick building, and among 
 his teachers were T. J. Smull, Joseph Hays 
 and James Walker. He was an apt student, be- 
 ing the first in that school to take up the study 
 of United States history. In early manhood he 
 engaged in the threshing business, which he has 
 continued ever since in connection with the culti- 
 vation of his farm. This is a tract of sixty acres, 
 which he rented from his father for a time, but 
 purchased in 1886. He is an energetic manager, 
 thoroughly up-to-date in his methods, and de- 
 

 VMEMORA TTVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 serves the success whici to him. 
 
 an intelligent citizen he takes an interest in the 
 
 pub the day, and at one thru 
 
 acti\ 
 
 (in . . he was mai 
 
 ma S. Royer, who was born March i 
 in I township, Clinton county, and 
 
 edui ated in the pul ity. 
 
 where her parents, Philip and Isabella Harper) 
 iminent i Five children 
 
 have blessed this union: M ibel E , born March 
 ! rrj I. . April I 5, 1 889; Minnie A., 
 April 1 Delia M., 
 
 Ruth F., December 7, [894. Mr. Dornbla 
 
 ! his wife are both acth - of the 
 
 Lutheran Church, in which Mr Dornblaser lias 
 
 ■ u and ti id Mrs 
 
 I >• 11 nb line musical 
 
 nst in S 5unday- 
 
 In poln icrat, but he 
 
 is not an ol ilthough he has been a 
 
 and w that ofl 
 
 tryol the township school board. 
 
 GK. HECKMAN, the 
 
 most distinguished and honored citizen 
 mnty, was 1>i >rn S 
 l 
 ;>. then Logan, where he now r< 
 
 gin. 
 
 < itive 
 
 intj . Penn., win-re he spent his l 
 tys in thi ing, but aft- 
 
 i his ' 
 in'sVall inty, wh 
 
 pring Mills, whicl 
 nd improve until called to 
 world beyond. Hi 
 in that ■ onntj I fe was a J 
 
 in 1 I with si wn- 
 
 shi] which he tablj filled. 
 
 In his family w ht children 
 
 John. George, 1 |acob, Michael, 
 
 Kmsell, and one daughtei who married in the 
 VV« 
 
 John 1 li 1 1. in. hi. father, was born 
 
 red in Penn s \ alii j nty, and 
 
 I a fair German n. and v. 
 
 abli '.,. After attaining to man'ses- 
 
 he ' ame to what is now Sugai \ I lin- 
 
 nty, but at that tini. was still a 
 here he pui 
 Kleckner a farm of 200 a >t of the borough 
 
 of Logan ton, which he cleared and impi 
 
 making it his home for over half a century. 
 
 His death occurred upon the farm in 1870, and 
 
 his remains were interred in the Sugar Valley 
 
 ry. Like his father he was a stanch sup- 
 
 ! the 1 'emocracy, and was an active and 
 
 minent member of the Lutheran Church, in 
 
 which he served as elder, and to which he was a 
 
 liberal contributor. 
 
 In early manhood John Heckman married 
 
 th Kleckner, a native of Mifflinburg, 
 
 Penn., and a daughter of John Kli 
 
 ner, a prominent farmer first of Centre county 
 
 and later of Clinton county. Nine children 
 
 this union: Sarah, who wedded John 
 
 Wilt, but both are now deceased; John, deceased; 
 
 passed away; Elizabeth, 
 who married John Ruhl, of Miles township, 
 1 in., but both are now deceas 
 
 I wife of John Wi 
 111. ; Mary A., wife of Jefferson Hart- 
 ' ; in; Peter, deceased; Daniel K 
 
 this sketch; and Rebecca, widow ol John B. 
 
 1 township, Clinton county. 1 
 mother of these children died on the home farm, 
 was buried in Sugar Valley cemetery. The 
 father afterward married Catharine Barnet, wid- 
 ow 1 Karsteter, and to them were 1 
 e children — Fretta, wife of William Lan 
 of Washing! vnship, Snyder Co., Penn.; 
 Supera, widow of John Herlacker; and Iswa. of 
 linton county. The second 
 1 en the home farm, and was buried 
 in Logan! 
 
 To a limited extent Gen. Heckman attei 
 the subscript ol his boyhood, which 
 
 ight in little log school houses by v 
 inferior teachers, bul fond of reading and 
 
 study he has become a well-informed man. and 
 be ]>r< iperly classed among the self-educated. 
 t childhood he became familiar with 
 all the duties which fall to the lot of the agricult- 
 urist, and has made farming his life occupation. 
 He never left the old hon which he oper- 
 
 m with his lather until twenty- 
 e when the I d to an 
 
 ning fai him in charge of the 
 
 place. It is now one of the most highly improved 
 and desirabli Green township, theGen- 
 
 d both the house and bam at 
 I has placed the land under 
 a higl cultivat 
 
 In 1849, in l 1 ntre county. 
 
 Miss Elizabeth 
 
 Kline, a native of that township, and iter 
 
 ol ' ''in. IK 1 she died in 1870, 
 
 and « ganton cemeter} She 
 
 pur children: Dennis, who was 
 

 k^*£ 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 633 
 
 for some years an invalid, and died in 1873. 
 John K., who married Delia Cole, and is engaged 
 in farming in Green township, Clinton county. 
 Regina, wife of R. W. A. Jamison, treasurer of 
 Clinton county, now living in Lock Haven; she 
 has two children — Helen Inez, and Daniel Rich- 
 ard Heckman. Minerva, wife of Howard Smith, 
 of Loganton; she has two children — Lizzie, liv- 
 ing, and one that died in infancy. In 1874, in 
 Buffalo Valley, Union county, the General was 
 was again married, this time to Hannah Slear, 
 who was born in Hartley township, that county, 
 December 4, 1836, a daughter of George and 
 Elizabeth Slear, the former of whom was a 
 farmer in Berks county, Perm., born March 17, 
 1793, and died March 1, 1875. He had the fol- 
 lowing children: Daniel (deceased), Esther, 
 (Mrs. Shively), Peter (deceased), Margaret (Mrs. 
 Long, deceased), Charles (deceased), George 
 (living), William (deceased), Mary C. (Mrs. S. 
 Miller), Elizabeth (Mrs. George Himmelreich), 
 James (living), and Hannah (Mrs. Heckman). 
 The parents of this family were both members 
 of the Lutheran Church, of which he was an 
 elder; the mother died in 1872. Mr. Slear was 
 a Democrat, and served in the war of 18 12. 
 
 By his friend, the late Gov. Curtin, our sub- 
 ject was commissioned brigadier-general of the 
 State Militia, but his term of service had expired 
 before the Civil war broke out. As a patriotic 
 and loyal citizen, he had a strong desire to en- 
 list in his country's service, but having an in- 
 valid wife and son at home, it was hard to de- 
 cide which course to pursue. His wife was will- 
 ing for him to make the sacrifice for his coun- 
 try's sake, but his friends in the Valley, learning 
 that he was about to raise a company, prevailed 
 upon him to remain at home as his children were 
 all young and needed a father's care. Desiring 
 to be of some assistance, however, he hired a 
 substitute for $800, although he was never 
 drafted. 
 
 In connection with general farming Gen. 
 Heckman has taken considerable interest in the 
 raising of fine-bred horses, and has owned some 
 beautiful animals. He is president and a stock- 
 holder and director of the Sugar Valley Fire 
 Insurance Co., of which he was one of the first 
 promoters, and in 1861, in connection with 
 Joseph Snook and Philip Woolford (both now 
 deceased), he organized the company and ob- 
 tained its charter. He is now the oldest director, 
 and since 1875 has served as president, being 
 continuously re-elected without a dissenting vote. 
 As a friend he has but few equals, and he has 
 lost over $6,000 in going bail and security for 
 parties whom he wished to assist. His political 
 
 support has always been given the Democratic 
 party; religiously, he is a member of the Lutheran 
 Church; socially, he affiliates with the I. O. O. F., 
 at Lock Haven. He served with the State mili- 
 tia, in all, some fifteen years, commencing as a 
 private in the Ringgold Artillery, organized at 
 Loganton about 1846, and was made a general 
 from a private by a vote of the company, receiv- 
 ing only one dissenting vote. No better, more 
 patriotic or popular citizen can be found in cen- 
 tral Pennsylvania, and he justly merits the high 
 regard in which he is uniformly held. 
 
 LEWIS W. DORNBLASER. Among the 
 substantial agriculturists of Nittany Valley, 
 " the garden of Clinton county," is the subject 
 of this biography, whose fine farm near Clinton- 
 dale gives evidence of scientific management. He 
 is a member of a well-known family, which has 
 been identified with that locality for many years, 
 and the high standard of citizenship established 
 by his ancestors is maintained by him in all the 
 relations of life, private and public. 
 
 Mr. Dornblaser was born June 15, 1848, the 
 third son and child of John and Mary M. (Bar- 
 tholomew) Dornblaser. He was reared at the 
 old homestead on Fishing creek, in Porter town- 
 ship, Clinton county, and in his youth attended 
 the "Clinton school," which stood upon that 
 farm. His first teacher was Joseph F. Hays, 
 and among the others 'who contributed to his 
 education were Archibald Attice, Andrew Keller 
 and T. J. Smull. The methods of instruction, 
 like the school apparatus, were somewhat crude, 
 and, as he could only attend during four or five 
 months each winter, Mr. Dornblaser had but 
 limited opportunities for advancement; and this 
 realization of his own deprivations has made him 
 an ardent friend of better schools for the youth 
 of to-day. He remained at home until his mar- 
 riage, and, after attaining his majority, worked 
 for his father by the year. On December 31, 
 1878, he was married in Mackeyville to Miss Mar- 
 garet F. Porter, who was born July 26, 1854, a 
 short distance southwest of that town, on the old 
 homestead of her parents, James H. and Eliza- 
 beth (Reeseman) Porter. As Mr. Dornblaser's 
 father had vacated the farm on Fishing creek, 
 the young couple located there, and for a num- 
 ber of years rented the place. In March, 1891, 
 they removed to the present homestead, which 
 Mr. Dornblaser purchased in December, 1890, 
 from Daniel S. Royer, it being a portion of the 
 old "Royer estate." It contains 113 acres of 
 excellent land, and is considered one of the best 
 
084 
 
 ( VMEMORA riVK BJOGBAPEH AL RECORD. 
 
 farms of its si/e in th< having been brought 
 
 nt. 
 Mr and Mrs. Dornblaser have two attrai 
 daughters M. Elizabeth, who has been attend- 
 ing school in I n, and Anna M. , both at 
 h<. me. The family is identified with the St. 
 Lutheran Church of Nittany Valley, in 
 which Mr. D er has held the office of dea- 
 
 elder and treasurer. 
 
 ha\ ! the latl tion for many years. 
 
 All phases of re mand his hearty 
 
 sympathy and aid, and he is a faithful teacher in 
 
 the Sabbath-school. In fact, hi fails to 
 
 an) movement which promises to 
 
 benefit the community, and his influence is rec- 
 
 ! as an nt in the cause of 
 
 In politii ' inch Democrat ; 
 
 he i ml, and has held 
 
 the offices of school director and township audi- 
 
 Socially hi ted with the Patrons 
 
 Iry, Nittany G No. 554, at La- 
 
 JOHN D< >KM AN i ir of this 
 
 \ condui Ion- 
 
 many wh" 1 
 nary limit of m md 
 
 still le and hearty. The sub this 
 
 a well-known resident of Clint 
 Clint nt :n January 21, ] 825, in 
 
 ounty, about halt a mile from Hartleton, 
 re life has been -pent among the hills 
 inia. Much hard work ' 
 fallen to hi nt prosperity being 
 
 the result of his own well-directed efforts, bul 
 
 !th and is now enjoying the 
 frin ! 
 
 Mr 1 ' 5 of good pioneer stock; 
 
 father, 1 n, was a native of Union 
 
 nty, and remained there throughout his life, 
 
 following th iccessfully in his 
 
 His industry brought a 
 but he never accumulated 
 much property, mily to sup- 
 
 In early Whig, and later 
 
 me a Republican, while in religious faith 
 he \- , out Lutheran. I le died at the 
 
 nd his wife, Catherine 
 Kemmer, also attained an advanced age. 
 
 tains i>f both now rest in the 
 
 Laurelton, Penn. They had fourteen children, 
 
 whom the following lived to maturity: G 
 
 dud in Kansas; Lew is, .1 resident 1 1 Penn's 
 
 Valley, Centre county; Mary, who married John 
 
 died in Milroy, Penn. ; Sarah, 
 
 now Mrs. Jonathan Strayhorn, of Kansas; John, 
 our subject; Katy, now Mrs. J. Boop, of Union 
 
 oty; David, a resident of Hartley township, 
 Union county; Jacob, who met a soldier's death 
 while serving in the Civil war; Samuel, who re- 
 sides in Union county; and Daniel, a resident 
 ol Walker township, Centre county. 
 
 John Dorman's educational opportunities were 
 limited, the free-school system being introduced 
 too late to do him much good. He remained at 
 home until he reached the age of nineteen, when 
 he began to learn the shoemaker's trade with 
 Christian Gann, the only recompense that he re- 
 ceived during his apprenticeship being his every- 
 day clothes. At twenty-two he hired out to 
 [ames Hays, a farmer on Cedar run, in Porter 
 1 ip, Clinton county, for a summer's work, 
 and later, acting under the advice of Mr. Hays, 
 he established a shoeshop in the same locality, 
 the enterprise proving successful from the start. 
 His work in the shop was relieved in the harvest 
 season by outdoor labor for different fanners, 
 and in time he managed by close economy to buy 
 a quarter of an acre of land with a house, in 
 which he took one room for a shop. In [848 he 
 married Miss Sarah A. Best, who was born Jan- 
 uary 3, 1825, in Northampton county, Penn., 
 and was reared in Clinton county, her parents, 
 John and Leah (Link' Lest, settling there during 
 her childhood. Mr. Dorman had but little cap- 
 ital at the time of his marriage, and he resided 
 at his first humble home until February 12. 1S67, 
 when he took possession of his present farm, 
 which was improved in primitive fashion with a 
 
 house and barn. Under his management it 
 has taken on an entirely different appearance, all 
 the buildings on the place having been erected by 
 him. In his business dealings he has shown 
 much shrewdness and caution, his success coming 
 from a gradual accumulation rather than from 
 speculation; he ranks among the substantial men 
 of his locality. 
 
 On November 12, 1892, the wife of our sub- 
 sed to the unseen world, her remains be- 
 ing interred in Mt. Bethel cemetery. She was a 
 consistent member of the Reformed Church, and 
 held in high esteem by all who knew her. Of 
 their live children, the eldest, Samuel F., resides 
 at Zion, Penn.; Mary J., who married J. Piper, 
 died in Colorado leasing five children; Rebecca 
 \ . formerly the wife of George Kaup, died in 
 Walker township, Centre county; Milton B. and 
 Leah A. are at home. 
 
 Our subject, in politics, is a stanch Republic- 
 an, and he has held various township offices. II- 
 belongs to the K I Church, in which he has 
 
 1 and elder, and his sympathies 
 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 635 
 
 are always readily enlisted in any religious enter- 
 prise. Socially, the family is prominent, and his 
 home is a center of hospitality and good cheer. 
 
 AMES MURPHY, merchant, was born Jan- 
 uary 28, 1842, in Ireland. His parents were 
 Daniel and Mary (McMahon) Murphy, both 
 of unmixed and worthy Irish extraction. He 
 came to this country in r854, and settled with his 
 family in Lock Haven, Penn., where his educa- 
 tion was acquired under T. R. Rogers, and though 
 debarred from pushing his studies in the thorough 
 and complete manner he desired, he nevertheless 
 succeeded in obtaining a useful and practical 
 education. In December, 1856, he entered the 
 general mercantile establishment of the Wright 
 Brothers, of Lock Haven, and continued to act 
 in their employ until 1861. At that date the 
 original firm was succeeded by Simon Scott & 
 Sons, with whom he remained until May, 1S65. 
 A branch store was then opened at Renovo, and 
 being extended an interest therein, he took charge 
 of the business at that point, under the name of 
 Wells, Murphy & Co., it being the leading mer- 
 cantile house in Renovo. At that time Renovo 
 had a population of 1,600. Two years later our 
 subject purchased the interest of Mr. Wells, and 
 from 1867 to 1877, continued the business under 
 the style of Murphy & Co. He then bought the 
 interest of Messrs. Scott & Sons, and has since 
 been alone in the business. He is now president 
 of the First National Bank, and occupies a prom- 
 inent position in commercial circles. He has 
 always manifested a deep interest in the welfare 
 and progress of Renovo, and has supported 
 those means calculated to prove of public good. 
 He was married to Miss Catherine Keefe in 1864. 
 
 TfENRY ZIEGLER, a well-known lumber- 
 L man and agriculturist of Porter township, 
 Clinton county, now residing at Abdera, seems to 
 have discovered the long-sought Fountain of 
 Youth, as notwithstanding the fact that he is 
 entering upon his eighth decade, he is hale and 
 hearty, and gives attention to business with his 
 accustomed success. 
 
 Mr. Ziegler was born February 9, 1826, in 
 Potter township. Centre county, and belongs 
 to a family which has been identified with this 
 section for many years. Peter Ziegler, our sub- 
 ject's grandfather, came from Maryland about 
 1806 and located first at Millheim, in Penn's 
 Valley, but in 1S07 removed to Earlytown, 
 where he conducted a hotel during the war of 
 
 1812. In 181 7 he engaged in agriculture, rent- 
 ing the Swancy farm in Marion township, Centre 
 count)', for three years, and a farm at Fleming- 
 ton, now (1898) McDowell farm, where he died 
 (1820) two weeks after taking possession of a 
 place belonging to a Mr. Bressler. His remains 
 were interred in the cemetery on the hill at Lock 
 Haven. He was twice married, and by his first 
 wife had the following children: Elizabeth, who 
 married John Keet, and died in Huntingdon 
 county, Penn. ; Jacob, who was for some time a 
 blacksmith at Potter's Bank, but later removed 
 to Venango county, Penn., where he died; Peter, 
 a blacksmith at Centre Hall, now deceased; 
 George, who located first in Venango county, 
 and then went to Iowa, where he died; and 
 Michael, who is mentioned more fully farther on. 
 By the second marriage there were six children: 
 Catherine, a mute, who lived to adult age, but is 
 now deceased; John, who died in Marion town- 
 ship, Centre county; Susan, deceased, formerly 
 the wife of George Hoy, of Centre county; Dan- 
 iel, who died in Brush Valley, Centre county; 
 Keziah, who married John Garwick, and died in 
 Marion township, Centre county; and Julia, who 
 married James Hair, and died in Clinton county. 
 Michael Ziegler, our subject's father, was 
 born January 12, 1800, in Maryland, but the 
 greater part of his life was spent in this State. 
 He was married (first) in Penn's Valley, near 
 Centre Hall, to Miss Mary Murray, daughter of 
 Levi Murray, and for some time made his home 
 upon a rented farm in that locality. Afterward 
 he bought a farm in Brush Valley, above Madi- 
 sonburg, which he cultivated for many years. In 
 1854 he retired from active work, and in the fol- 
 lowing year he removed to Spring Mills, but his 
 last days-were passed in Aaronsburg, his death 
 occurring there at the age of seventy-three. He 
 was buried in a cemetery on the pike below 
 Spring Mills, in Penn township, Centre county. 
 Politically he was a stanch Democrat, and for 
 years he was a member of the Reformed Church. 
 He was a large man, a hard worker, and excel- 
 lent manager, and although he began as a young 
 man at forty-five cents a day with a grubbing hoe, 
 he left an estate valued at $60,000. During 
 their residence at Spring Mills his wife died at 
 the age of seventy-three years, and he afterward 
 married a Mrs. Thomas Weaver (a widow), of 
 Aaronsburg, whose maiden name was Moyer. 
 Michael Ziegler had seven children, all by his 
 first marriage: Levi died in infancy; Elizabeth 
 married David Krape, and died in Haines town- 
 ship, Centre county; Henry, our subject, is men- 
 tioned farther on;" William settled in Virginia; 
 Peter went to Indiana; John died in Centre 
 

 ■ VOBATl) RAPSJCAL RECORD. 
 
 inty; and Mary, who married [saai Train, 
 
 1 in Marion township, Centre county. 
 
 Il.nf. . nainly in 
 
 Miles township, ( unty. where he at- 
 
 ded a schi m '1 "I the > >ld-fashioned quill 
 
 being the only kind used in the writing 
 
 he showed decided me- 
 chanical genius, working readily at carpentering 
 
 i wagon-making, l>ut he was nol 
 to any trade. He remained at home until lie 
 twent) -thi' :. the last tw 
 
 in grubbing, at which he managed to 
 a little i In 1851 he took ch 
 
 the farm which he now owns, his father hav- 
 purchased it tin- 5 For tl 
 
 bis brother William, but later our subi 
 conduct' 'I the place alone, and he continued to 
 iduct the farm until [882, when 1 
 
 ■ nt hi ime m Ab j 1 hat time he 
 
 the lumber busi- 
 ginning by building a sawmill in [88] on 
 the farm, but alter operating it I 
 
 the mountains 1 
 for threi 
 In 1886 he I a mill in Sugar Valley, 
 
 ing a l.i- I mill 
 
 ind his work is carried on chiefly in 
 the wintei ! He 1 ■ ■■. ns ] icres ol farm- 
 
 ing land, and 200 acres of mountain land; li is 
 
 in abundant 
 il world]} 
 At the ag< of f . was 
 
 married to Miss Mar) A. Anderson, who was born 
 in 1830 in Lebanon county. Penn., the daughter 
 n. Five children have ble 
 » th J., now Mrs. William 
 D< \-iu-s. Mrs. S. Hoy, ol Marion 
 
 township, Centre county; Mich.' , t of 
 
 the -an township; J er in Pi 
 
 township, Clinton county; and Franklin P 
 
 mi. The famil) 
 with th( 1 h. in which 
 
 Mr. Z'u nve 
 
 1. havui- ,jn- 
 
 lent of th.' Sund I • ically hi 
 
 with tin- 1 1 
 his own thinking, an pendently when- 
 
 : ' ellent mem- 
 
 Mr Zieglerto recall with distinct: 
 the events ol ln> long 
 
 with him proves both interesting and in- 
 tive. 
 
 Jl.NKV II VAN DYKE di It is 
 
 ii important duty to honor and perpel 
 ls possible, the memory of an eminent cit- 
 
 •. ho by his blameless and honorable 
 life ished career reflected credit upon 
 
 the entire community. Mr. Van Dyke was for 
 main- years prominently identified with the busi- 
 Lock Haven, and was also num- 
 : leading and most influential cit- 
 izens. 
 
 A nativi insylvania, he was born 
 
 23, 1832, 111 Lycoming county, and re- 
 mained upon his father's farm until seventeen 
 rs of age, when he embarked in the tanning 
 business, which he successfully followed for three 
 year- He then went to western New York, 
 where In assisted in the construction of a rail- 
 road from Youngstown to Niagai 1 1 ills, and 
 : in the construction of another road from the 
 latti to Lewiston, after which he spent 
 
 in clerking in Canada. At the end of 
 that time he was called home to assist in the di- 
 vision of his father's farm, on which he remained 
 ir, and then sold his land and came to 
 Lock Haven, where as a contractor he built a 
 portion of the Philadelphia ec Erie railroad. On 
 ompletion hi 1 in lumb 'ii Beech 
 
 creek for a year, and then in connection with his 
 her. L. J. Van Dyke, he took a contract to 
 complete the Bald Eagle Valley railroad, which 
 ipied three years. They then built a section 
 of the Snow Shoe road, and were subsequently 
 ployed in the construction of the Lewisburg & 
 Spruce* n ek railroad, taking and completing seven 
 rent contracts. Mr. Van Dyke then opened 
 a hardware store at Lock Haven, which he sue- 
 fully conducted up to the time of his death. 
 ■ ted considerable time and attention 
 e transactions, and was the owner of 
 some ol the finest farms in Clinton county, as 
 well as much valuable city property in Lock Ha- 
 ven. He was an upright, honorable business 
 man of undoubted integrity and sterling worth, 
 trouble in winning the confidence and 
 high regard of all with whom he came in contact, 
 in either business or_social life. 
 
 On Januan 1;. [863, Mr. Van Dyke was 
 Hannah M., daughter of Alex- 
 ander an .t 1m Mi 1 lowell 1 McCoy, of Cen- 
 ounty, Penn., where the father successfully 
 in fanning throughout life. Mrs. Van- 
 Dyke is the only surviving member of their fam- 
 ily. SI pted daughter, who is now 
 Etsweiler, of Philadelphia. 
 I ht rs she has been a sincere and 
 faithful member of tl \ terian Church, and 
 1 by all who know her. 
 Henr) II. Van Dyke was called to his final 
 February 14, [895, at the age of sixty-three 
 years, and widely and deeply 
 
HHU 
 
 Ct^^_ 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 637 
 
 mourned, for his friends were many. He was an 
 honored and prominent member of the Masonic 
 fraternity, and as a Republican took active and 
 leading part in political affairs, being called upon 
 to serve as councilman, school director and in 
 other local positions of honor and trust. He was 
 serving as president of the Lock Haven Business 
 Men's Club at the time of his death, and he took 
 an active interest in everything calculated to ad- 
 vance the public welfare. It is but just and 
 merited praise to say of him that as a business 
 man he ranked among the ablest; as a citizen he 
 was honorable, prompt and true to every en- 
 gagement; and as a man he held the honor and 
 esteem of all classes of people. He was char- 
 itable and benevolent, a friend to the poor and 
 needy. Truly such a life is worth having been 
 lived, and such lives deserve permanent record 
 on the pages of their country's history, that oth- 
 ers, seeing their good works, may follow in their 
 footsteps. 
 
 NDREW COCHRAN McKINNEY 
 is a worthy representative of a prominent 
 family of Scotch-Irish origin, who at one time 
 spelled the name McKinnie. His great-grandfa- 
 ther (First generation), Henry McKinney, is 
 thought to have been born in Scotland. In 1720 
 he crossed the Atlantic and took up his residence 
 on the banks of the Swatara river, in Derry 
 township, Dauphin Co., Penn., where he engaged 
 in farming and spent his remaining days. He 
 was married in that community, and became the 
 father of several children, among whom were 
 (Second generation): Henry; James; John and 
 Mathew. Henry, James and Mathew became 
 residents of Mercer county, Penn. The parents 
 of these children are both supposed to have been 
 buried in the old historic graveyard, near the 
 Derry church, of Dauphin county, of which they 
 were consistent members. 
 
 II. John McKinney, our subject's grandfa- 
 ther, was born on the banks of the Swatara 
 river, in Dauphin county, Penn., and spent his 
 early life in that county, where he married Jane 
 Laird, whose sister wedded James Harris, a rel- 
 ative of John Harris, the founder of Harrisburg, 
 Penn. To Mr. and Mrs. McKinney were born 
 sixteen children, but eleven of the number died 
 and were buried at the Derry church, in Dau- 
 phin county. The others were as follows: (Third 
 generation) John, also an elder in the Warrior 
 Run Church, where he was laid to rest, married 
 Nancy Wallace, and died in Turbut township, 
 Northumberland Co., Penn.; (Third generation) 
 James Harris, the father of our subject; Cathar- 
 
 ine, wife of John Imes, of Dunstable township, 
 Clinton county; Matthew, who died in Watson 
 township, Lycoming county; and William, who 
 was killed by a falling tree in Turbut township, 
 Northumberland county. In 1795 the grandfa- 
 ther with his wife and the above named five chil- 
 dren left their old home in Dauphin county, and 
 by team removed to Turbut township, Northum- 
 berland county, where he purchased a tract of 
 land, and converted the same into a good farm, 
 making it his home until his death. His remains 
 were interred at Warrior Run, that township. 
 He was a devout member of the Presbyterian 
 Church, and was for many years an elder in the 
 Derry Church (as was also his father Henry be- 
 fore him), which was known as the fighting 
 Church, as it was necessary for the members to 
 carry their guns when attending service for fear 
 of an Indian attack. Gov. John Penn, then gov- 
 ernor of the Province of Pennsylvania, was a 
 member of the same congregation. Mr. McKin- 
 ney was a man of the strictest integrity and 
 honor, was widely and favorably known, and 
 with several others founded the New Derry 
 Church, and, later, the Church at Warrior Run, 
 Northumberland county. His widow, at the 
 age of ninety-four, died at the home of her son 
 Mathew, in Watson township, Lycoming county, 
 about the year 1840, and was laid beside her hus- 
 band at Warrior Run. 
 
 III. James Harris McKinney, was also born 
 on the banks of the Swatara river, in Dauphin 
 county, June 11, 1793, and at the age of two 
 years moved with his parents to Turbut township, 
 Northumberland county. Although his school 
 privileges were meager, he made the most of his 
 opportunities, became quite well-read, and was 
 a good Bible student. At the age of nineteen he 
 enlisted in the United States army, under Captain 
 Gaston, for the war of 18 12, and was on duty at 
 Black Rock, N. Y., with the old Warrior Run 
 Rifle Company. He faithfully served his coun- 
 try, and was later rewarded by a small pension 
 from the government. After his marriage, on 
 January 1, 18 18, he engaged in farming for sev- 
 eral years, near Turbutville, but in 1830 came 
 to Nittany Valley, Clinton county, purchasing a 
 farm, now the property of Mrs. Nathan Mowery, 
 on which he spent seven years. On selling out 
 he came to Pine Creek township, and bought the 
 Myers farm, two miles from Jersey Shore, and 
 ten miles from Lock Haven. This comprised 
 200 acres of valuable land, and upon it he erect- 
 ed an elegant brick residence, one of the finest 
 in the township. Besides burning his own brick, 
 he burned enough for four other residences, owned 
 by different parties, in the same locality. He 
 

 CO HUE MORA TIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 built a barn and other outbuildings, and made it 
 
 one >>f the most desirable and attractive farms in 
 
 locality. He took great prid< in bis sfc 
 
 I owned some fine horses, but would rather 
 
 k ten miles than care for a hi irse to carry him. 
 
 Several times, while living in Nittany Valley, he 
 
 Northumberland county, 
 xty miles : ly going and one return- 
 
 Particularly fond ol his home, he was a 
 kind and affectionate husband and induhj 
 
 ivided his children with excellent 
 school advantages Originally he was a Whig 
 in politics, and lat< dent Repub- 
 
 n. while in religious belief he was a Presby- 
 i! 1 Ij all who knew him he w as held in the 
 ln_ pei t and esteem, and his circli 
 
 friends and acquaintam tensive. 
 
 He was called upon to serve in all of the town- 
 ship "ft faithful i 
 trusl din him. whether public or private. 
 111. ( >n |anuary i. 1818, in Northumberland 
 inty, James Harris McKinney wa d to 
 Mi>s Ruth I.. I n lur mother's maiden 
 me was Esther Grayham, of Carlisle, Cum- 
 berland county), who was born in that county, 
 April 11, 1799, daughtei oi Andrew Ferguson, 
 who was of Scotch-Irish descent, and a farmer; 
 manuf I flour and woolen t:oods 
 his mills on Chatham run. Nine children 
 reborn to tins union, namely: (Fourth gen- 
 eration) John (deceased . i .. decea 
 
 rt M. Ru I Dewart, North- 
 
 umberland count} ; and their children are -Ed- 
 mund, 1 and Mi 1 Vim 5 , who died 
 in the twenty-sixth year ol I Andrew 1 
 of tins review; William L., who died at the 
 of twenty-t\ I ed in Nittany Valley; 
 I ' ! I Mollj . 1- the only child of 
 W. I i' 0, il Baltimore, Maryland), wh 
 physician an in of the 87th Pennsylvania 
 nt during the ■. • at K bi lli< n, - iw a res- 
 ident ol I 1 ity, Md. ; J. Han iate 
 judge of Clinton county, is also an elder in the 
 
 al |ersi j Sh 
 tin- four generations is repri sented by an elder in 
 the ( bun h of 1 hi ii ind Priscilla, widow 
 
 "I ' rth- 
 
 umberland county, who,,- children are — Jan 
 William and Jem 
 
 I ourth generation): Andrew C. McKinney, 
 whose name inti horn in 
 
 Turbut tow nship, Northumb iuntj . 1 
 
 \ 9, 1824, and was five years old when 
 ight bj In- i : tow nship, Clin- 
 
 ton thi mnty. \\ hen tweh 
 
 'pained his parents on then 
 moval to Pine Creek township, where 
 
 tended pay school taught by Esquire Walters, 
 and also a night-school taught by Nchemiah 
 
 3, and gresv to manhood upon the farm now 
 owned by his brother, Judge McKinney. He 
 assisted in the operation of the place until 
 twenty-three years of age, when he began learn- 
 ing the tanner's trade with his old school teacher. 
 Squire Walters, remaining with him for three 
 In 1850, in Burnside township, Clear- 
 field county, he built and operated a small tan- 
 n. tv for three years, but desiring to engage in 
 the manufacturing business on a more extensive 
 scale, he went to Lock Haven, where in part- 
 nership with a Mr. Hiram Gray, in 1856. he 
 erected a flouring-mill and bread, cracker and 
 candy factory, and later started the first planing- 
 mill and door, sash and blind factory in the 
 county, admitting to a one-third partnership, in 
 
 1. in the operation of the flouring-mill and 
 planing-mill, his wife's half-brother, Hon. Allison 
 White, and a Mr. H. Hippie, a one-fourth in 
 the planing-mill. This partnership was only 
 fairly started (fifteen days), when in 1861 both 
 the mills and the factory were destroyed by 
 tire at a loss of over $30,000 to our subject, 
 nearly the entire loss falling on him. 
 
 Although all was lost except his debts and 
 reputation or credit, Mr. McKinney was not dis- 
 
 raged, but with indomitable energy began life 
 anew, building a bread and cracker bakery and 
 buying out the interest of Mr. Gray. He con- 
 ducted the business with good success until l8< 
 but in the meantime had settled or assumed the 
 debts of the firm of Gray <S: McKinney, and as- 
 sisted his late partner to embark in the lumber 
 business, and as he failed after a few years in 
 business, he lost a large amount. In 1863 Mr. 
 McKinney purchased a tract of 1,100 acres of 
 timber land in Keating township, Clinton county, 
 and was for years engaged in the lumber busi- 
 ness, cutting square timber and in rafts running 
 it to Marietta and other markets down the Sus- 
 quehanna; but in the great rlood of 1865 he lost 
 about $9,000 worth of timber. With character- 
 istic energy, however, he continued operations, 
 cutting his timber until [873, when he built a 
 
 brick block, 125 feet front by 60 feet de. 
 known as the McKinney block, a part of which 
 was a market. This was erected at a 
 
 of $20,000, but in this enterprise he was op- 
 1 by members of the city council who were 
 stockholders in another market, and passed ordi- 
 nani ■ his building, and the 
 
 block was finally sold at a great sacrifice. 
 
 In 1879 Mr. McKinney and his family re- 
 
 to Chatham Kun, Pine Creek township, 
 
 where he took charge of the grist and saw mills 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 639 
 
 formerly owned by George Crawford, his father- 
 in-law (originally built and owned by his grand- 
 father, Andrew Ferguson), and has there con- 
 tinued to engage in the milling business up to 
 the present time, having fitted out the plant with 
 new machinery, rollers, etc. Both mills are run 
 by water-power. During the flood of 1889 the 
 sawmill was torn from its foundation and de- 
 stroyed. The damage to mills, crops on hand 
 and growing, and house and barn, which were 
 carried away, could not well be estimated. In 
 connection with his milling interests, Mr. McKin- 
 ney owns and operates a farm of forty-five acres 
 cleared and 100 in heavy timber, on which he is 
 engaged in raising wheat and tobacco. His has 
 been a remarkable career (five times while living 
 in Lock Haven he was roused in the night to find 
 his property on fire), full of adversity as well as 
 prosperity, but he has steadily overcome all ob- 
 stacles in his path, and is justly regarded as one 
 of the most persevering, progressive and reliable 
 business men of Pine Creek township. His hon- 
 esty and integrity are above question, and he 
 commands the respect and esteem of all who 
 know him. He was at one time a member of 
 both the Odd Fellows Society and the Masonic 
 Order, but at present is connected with no secret 
 organization. He has always been identified 
 with the Republican party until the election of 
 1896, when he and his four sons supported the 
 Democratic ticket, believing that the free coin- 
 age of silver would be for the best interests of 
 the wealth-producing people. 
 
 On the old Crawford homestead in Pine 
 Creek township, where they are now residing, on 
 December 9, 1856, was consummated the marriage 
 of Mr. McKinney and Miss Elizabeth White 
 Crawford. She was born in that township, Feb- 
 ruary 26, 1833, a daughter of George Crawford. 
 Seven children blessed this union, as follows: 
 (1) (Fifth generation) Virginia Ruth, born Feb- 
 ruary 23, 1858, died March 17, 1859. (2) Eliza- 
 beth C, born February 4, i860, is the wife of 
 Millard F. Kissel, of Dunnstown, Woodward 
 township, Clinton county, and has three children 
 — (Sixth generation) J. Harris, Clarence and 
 Charles. (3) James Harris, born October 7, 
 1861, died September 1, 1863. (4) George C. , 
 born March 25, 1865, was educated in the Lock 
 Haven High School, and is a miller by occupa- 
 tion, operating the Chatham Run Mill. He mar- 
 ried Cora Betts, only daughter of William and 
 Matilda (Candy) Betts. (5) John G., born Au- 
 gust 2, 1867, also attended the Lock Haven High 
 School, and later pursued a course in the East- 
 man Business College of Poughkeepsie, N. Y., 
 where he graduated in 1S88. He is now a book- 
 
 keeper or transfer clerk at Grand Junction, Colo. , 
 for the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad Co. He 
 married Florence Robinson, of Salt Lake City, 
 Utah, and has one daughter — Ruth V. (6) 
 Mary (Mamie), born November 26, 1869, was 
 educated in the schools at Chatham Run, and is 
 with her parents. (7) Robert R. , born Septem- 
 ber 15, 1872, in Lock Haven, pursued his studies 
 at Chatham Run, and is now with his parents en- 
 gaged in farming and in operating their sawmill. 
 (8) William, born February 1, 1875, was edu- 
 cated at Chatham Run, and is still with his par- 
 ents. 
 
 The Crawford family, to which Mrs. McKin- 
 ney belongs, is also of Scotch-Irish descent. Her 
 great-grandfather, James Crawford, was born in 
 Ireland, and on coming to this country settled in 
 what was then Wayne township, Northumber- 
 land Co., Penn., but is now a part of Clinton 
 county. There he followed the occupation of 
 shoemaking, and spent his remaining days. In 
 his family were several children, including Robert 
 Crawford, grandfather of Mrs. McKinney. He 
 became a resident of Pine Creek township, where 
 he engaged in the tanning business throughout 
 his active business life. He married Elizabeth 
 Cjuiggle, of Wayne township, who was also of 
 Scotch-Irish descent, and they became the par- 
 ents of six children: James A.; Ann, wife of 
 Levi Packer; Fanny, wife of Robert Shaw, and 
 mother of Squire Shaw, of Pine Creek township; 
 Nancy, wife of Hugh White; Eliza, wife of 
 Thomas Condon; and George, the father of Mrs. 
 McKinney. The parents of these children both 
 died in Pine Creek township, and their remains 
 were interred at Jersey Shore. Both were earnest 
 and consistent members of the Presbyterian 
 Church, and the fatherwas a stalwart Democrat in 
 politics. 
 
 George Crawford, one of the most prominent 
 and influential citizens of Clinton county, was 
 born November 7, 1794, in Wayne township, 
 attended the common schools to a limited extent, 
 but was almost wholly self-educated. His early 
 life was spent as a boatsman (a book of original 
 entries, in possession of A. C. McKinney, shows 
 he kept a country store as early as October 10, 
 181 5, carried on his commerce by river boats) on 
 the river, plying between Jersey Shore and 
 Columbia and Marietta, carrying lumber and 
 grain to market and returning with goods for this 
 region. In 1834 he was superintendent of the 
 Pennsylvania canal on the West branch division 
 of the Susquehanna. He then lived and kept 
 store in Pine Creek township, where he pur- 
 chased the farm of 130 acres, on which George 
 Crist now resides. There he erected a fine brick 
 
640 
 
 I OMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 dence and made man) im- 
 
 . but in 1848 removed to the Chatham 
 
 Run mills, which hi d until 1874, when 
 
 he! all business cares. His fellow citi- 
 
 wi rth and ability chose him 
 I gislature 
 in [831, 1832 and 1833, and he filled that 
 spoi 1 n with 1 himself and to 
 
 the ral public. B) the 
 
 i he was ap] judge under 
 
 tin titul i his colleag 
 
 Hi n. Thomas Burnside and II in. John Fleming. 
 II. .■ - later elected t,> i I term 
 
 5, and was then associated with Hon. 
 W. Woodward and Hon. John Fleming. 
 He the Clinton County 
 
 until 1 843, and most faith- 
 fully performed all duties which devolved upon 
 him, whether public or private. 1 1 w is isti 
 I '. nd was an ai ti\ 1 and 
 
 iit member of the Presbyterian Church, 
 in which he sen 
 
 On J. ulnars 2, Mr. ( rawford was mar- 
 
 I, b> Rev. J. II Grier, to Mr-. Elizabeth 
 White, widow of James White, who was b 
 Decembei n the White Island, and 
 
 died at the old homestead in Pine Creek town- 
 ship, M The children born to 
 - worthy couple are as follows: 1 Char- 
 lotte W . born December 4, 1822, married N. 
 W F Lock Haven, ami died in 
 14; i:i Robert A . bom May 1;, 1^25, died 
 
 rn July 27, 
 I at the |. fferson Colli 
 l'eim., whi 'k the d 
 
 I'e A. . and was I tnty 
 
 ■■ .; until [852. Subsequently 
 
 f the Kan f armer and Daily 
 tt. Kans., and died at Grand 
 Jui He was the foum 
 
 of 1 tt. Kan- Junction, Col,,. 
 
 William II.. bin January 10, 1 ikes 
 
 - : ' ■ Lycomi nn. ; 
 
 John \\ March 11, is a 
 
 hatham Run, Penn. . and has a 
 m 1 rrand Jun< tion, i ■ ibeth, born 
 
 Februarj our 
 
 sub; Mary J rn June 14, the 
 
 widow t 1 harli B Rich, ol Wo,, Inch. Penn. 
 She and h> 1 si n. C. B., lughter, M 
 
 Josephine, now ' [unction, Colo- 
 
 AUG1 STf S N. .sTI.\ 1 \>i«N is ., prom- 
 inent hardware merchant at 't the 
 ling business men ,,f Renovo. It is not diffi- 
 cult ■ ire what manner of man is Mr. 
 
 11. In a republican country where 
 merit must win. we can tell much of his life. 
 Wealth may secure a start but it cannot main- 
 in 1 position where brains and executive 
 ability are required. He did not have wealth to 
 aid him in beginning his business career. His 
 reliance has been placed in the more substantial 
 qualities of perseverance, untiring enterprise, res- 
 olute purpose and commendable zeal, and withal 
 his actions have been guided by an honesty of 
 purpose that none have questioned. 
 
 Our subject was born in Jersey Shore, Ly- 
 ing county, Penn., June 14, 1S40, the eldest 
 son of Joseph S. and Margaret Stevenson, repre- 
 sentatives of the earliest pioneer families of that 
 itv. The father was quite prominently con- 
 nected with the agricultural and business interests 
 of the Wesl Branch Valley. The son was pro- 
 vided with a liberal education, attending both 
 the public and private schools of his native city. 
 At an early age he entered his father's mercantile 
 iblishment, where he remained for several 
 years gaining a general knowledge of the business, 
 and in the latter part of the year 1S62 he was 
 appointed baggage master on the old Catawissa 
 railroad, his run being between Williamsport and 
 Tamaqua. During this period the Civil war was 
 raging, and he, like many loyal spirits, resigned 
 his position to enter the Union army, becoming 
 a in fohn E. Wynkoop's Cavalry 
 
 R( giment, which was assigned to duty along the 
 1', iti imac 1 e. 
 
 After serving his term of enlistment, Mr. 
 
 enson was honorably discharged and entered 
 
 a hardware store at Milton, Penn., where he 
 
 served as salesman for nearly two years and 
 
 I a thorough knowledge of the busin 
 In the spring ,,1 [868 the construction of the low 
 
 de division ol tin- Allegheny Valley railn 
 between Driftwood and Red Bank was com- 
 menced, and Col. G. A. Worth, of Elmira, X. 
 Y., became contractor for the building of section 
 Mix Run, Cameron Co., Penn., where he 
 established his headquarters. He gave employ- 
 ment to several hundred men and employed Mr. 
 \ master and bookkeeper, which 
 position he acceptably filled from March, \l 
 to November, 1869, when the section was coin- 
 In Janu ,. Mr. Stevenson was married 
 Miss Margaret Campbell, of Milton, Penn., 
 3 born one child, Margaret, July 
 4. 1S70, who died in ( I, 1S71. The fol- 
 lowing year the lather became general manager 
 Martin & Worth's large supply store in La\v- 
 sonham, Clarion county, which did a business of 
 than $100,000 annually, under the able 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 641 
 
 supervision of our subject. Before the term of 
 his contract had expired at that place, there had 
 been established another supply store at Penfield, 
 where the railroad made its headquarters, and 
 Mr. Stevenson was transferred to that point, 
 where he remained until the road was nearly 
 completed. In May, 1873, he came to Renovo 
 and leased a small store building, where he em- 
 barked in the hardware business on his own ac- 
 count. At that time the stores of the place were 
 all general mercantile establishments, but from 
 the beginning he prospered in his new undertak- 
 ing, and it soon became necessary to seek larger 
 quarters. In November, 1874, he leased a new 
 store building, 24 x 50 feet, on Erie avenue below 
 .Sixth street, which he completely stocked with 
 a general line of hardware, cutlery, paints, oils, 
 glass, etc., and three years later purchased the 
 property. In the spring of 18S8 he built a fine 
 two-story brick addition, making the building 
 24 x 90 feet. He now has one of the finest and best- 
 arranged hardware stores between Harrisburg 
 and Erie, and by fair and honorable dealing has 
 built up a large and constantly increasing trade. 
 Since becoming a resident 'of Renovo Mr. 
 Stevenson has taken quite an active and promi- 
 nent part in public affairs, and has been elected 
 to the city council, of which body he was chosen 
 president for the last year of his term. He is a 
 recognized leader in the local Republican organi- 
 zation, and in 1896 was prominently spoken of 
 for associate judge of Clinton county. He is 
 now a member of the State Central Committee 
 from Clinton county. He is an honored mem- 
 ber of the Masonic fraternity, with which he has 
 been connected since residing in Penfield in 1873, 
 when he joined Clearfield Lodge No. 314, F. & 
 A. M. In 1S82 he became a member of Renovo 
 Lodge No. 495, F. & A. M. ; the following year 
 he became connected with La Fayette Chapter 
 No. 163, R. A. M., and Hospitaller Commandery 
 No. 4C, R. T., of Lock Haven; in 1S84 he was 
 made a member of Philadelphia Consistory, S. 
 P. R. S. ; and three years later became identified 
 with Lu Lu Temple, A. A. O. K. M. S. He is 
 also a charter member of Bucktail Post No. 142, 
 G. A. R., which was organized at Renovo, Sep- 
 tember 24, 1879, and for the first five years he 
 served as quartermaster. He also took an active 
 interest in bringing into the organization many 
 of the old soldiers of the Civil war. Mr. Steven- 
 son has made good use of his opportunities, 
 and has prospered in his business undertakings. 
 Courteous, genial, well-informed, alert and en- 
 terprising, he stands to-day one of the leading 
 representative men of Clinton county — a man 
 who is a power in his community. 
 
 41* 
 
 JAMES W. BRIDGENS, who has now been 
 actively engaged in mercantile business in 
 Lock Haven for more than thirty-five years, is 
 one of the most valued citizens of that progress- 
 ive and wide-awake community, his influence 
 being given to the support of every movement 
 that seems calculated to advance the interests of 
 the locality. 
 
 Mr. Bridgens was born September 28, 1838, 
 at North Bend, Clinton county, the son of Rob- 
 ert and Lois (Summerson) Bridgens, who both 
 were natives of that county. His father was en- 
 gaged in farming and lumbering as a business, 
 and took a prominent part in political affairs, hav- 
 ing been one of the first commissioners of Clin- 
 ton county. His death occurred in 1882, and 
 our subject's mother passed away in 1893. This 
 worthy couple had seven children: John B. (de- 
 ceased), Nancy E. (Mrs. John Cjuiggle), Malissa 
 M. (Mrs. D. M. May), Sarah A. (Mrs. G. G. 
 Reese), Thomas J., Robert R. , and James W. 
 (our subject.) Reared as a farmer boy, James 
 W. Bridgens had only the educational advantages 
 afforded by the local schools, where the terms 
 were short, and the methods of teaching much 
 inferior to those of to-day. At the age of twen- 
 ty-four he left home and settled at Lock Haven, 
 engaging in the dry-goods and grocery business, 
 which he has continued successfully ever since. 
 He is now the oldest merchant in his line in the 
 city, and for the last ten years his son, James F. 
 Bridgens, has been associated with him under 
 the firm name of J. W. Bridgens & Son, and 
 they rank among the solid business men of the 
 county. 
 
 In 1867, our subject was 'married to Miss 
 Mary E. Fearon, daughter of James Fearon, a 
 well-known resident of Clinton county. Four 
 children have blessed this union: James F., 
 Edward W., Carrie M. and Elizabeth L. The 
 family is identified with the Presbyterian Church, 
 of which Mrs. Bridgens, the eldest daughter, and 
 the youngest son are active members. 
 
 Politically, Mr. Bridgens is a Democrat, and 
 has always been a firm opponent of monopolies. 
 While he does not aspire to official honors of any- 
 kind, he has done good service to the cause of 
 education as a trustee of the Central State Nor- 
 mal School, and as a director of the local schools, 
 having held the latter position for more than 
 twelve years. 
 
 JACOB BECHTEL. No man in Clinton coun- 
 ty is probably more worthy of representation 
 in a work of this kind than the gentleman 
 whose name opens this sketch. For over half a 
 
64: 
 
 - OMMEMORATn GRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 ;ury he ! i identified w ult- 
 
 ur.il interesl », makii upon his 
 
 farm in Lamar township since April, He 
 
 has given i onsiderabli attention to the stud 
 fruit-culture, ami the knowledge thus acquired 
 has been pul to th< 
 
 the most successful fruit-growers in 
 nty. 
 Boi n Dei embi i mty, 
 along Fishing creek, in Porter township, near 
 the Lamar township line, Mr. Betchel is a son of 
 [ohn B( ti hel, whose bin * >. near 
 tsville, in Schuylkill I n. The grand- 
 father, Abraham Bechtel, was > in 
 Schuylkill county, about 1781, of German an- 
 ted with "i f the wealthy 
 
 and prominent families of tin- Fatherland. Tin' 
 grandfather had several It. I long whom 
 
 wen 1 who died in E ley, Pi mi. ; 
 
 muel ami 1 >aniel. lomon, 
 
 and a sister whi thewifeof Jacob Ri 
 
 (both Solomon and Mrs. Roats are living). In 
 [812 Abraham Bechtel local dar Run 
 
 in Portei township, Clinton county, but two 
 Fishing Cr« ek, where he 
 ; inued 1 nion county, 
 
 Penn., in 1854 He was a general mechanic, 
 and in early lifi 1 in shoemaking during 
 
 the winter season, while in summer he followed 
 In, r, threshing and other work 
 
 which he could lim! Liter he followed 
 
 farming mall scale, ami also conduct 
 
 sawmill on Fishing creek ('>r a number of yi 
 lie married Catharine Contner, by whom he had 
 two children: Hannah, who married |ohn Hull, 
 ami died in Centre county, 1 | 1, fa- 
 
 ther of oursubject. The grand fathi 
 
 in Union ci iunty, anil in 
 3 than a \ear his wife also passed away, the 
 a^; interred in Union county. 
 John Bechtel was born March 14. 1 
 w.i ily a boy when brought 
 
 Ins parents to Clint ,v to 
 
 manhood. His mother spun the Rax and v 
 the cloth ha thi nd while 
 
 I |i >l 1 1 1 Wl i|e lliil 
 
 He married Miss Catharine Best, wl born 
 
 in Columbia county, Penn., in 17117. a daughter 
 nf Jacob Best, and thi y bei ame tin- | 
 two children: Eliza, now the w William 
 
 raylor, of Mifflinburg, Penn. ; and [acob, nf this 
 
 The mothei died in 1880, ami thi 
 thi ,it tin- hmi, 
 
 subject, ami both were buried at 1 Mill. 
 
 They had lived in Nittany Valley, Clinton coun- 
 ty, until 1854, when tin > removed t • > Union 
 ating mar Forest I fill, where tin- 
 
 Later the father, hav- 
 :i his thigh ami helpless, made 
 
 with our subject until he, too, departed 
 this hie. 11 I for the Demo- 
 
 but la! ined the Whig 
 
 party, ami on its dissolut a Repub- 
 
 lican. His memory was tine, his knowledge of 
 ptures th 1, ami he was a faithful 
 
 member of the Methodist Church. 
 
 In a primith hool-house Jacob Bechtel 
 
 began his education, and one winter attended 
 school in Aaronsburg, Center Co.. Penn. Being 
 an only son, In- remained upon the home farm. 
 
 1 which he now was purcha 
 
 by his father from Henry Yeager in 1S39, and 
 after his removal to Union county, in 1S54. our 
 subject remained upon the place. In connection 
 with its cultivation he also embarked in the saw- 
 mill business, in and since that time has 
 w months each year to lumbering. 
 
 I [is In in ipi ises 1 20 acres of rich ami arable 
 
 land, ami he also has 5 20 acres of timberland, so 
 that he is now one of the most prosperous and 
 substantial citizens of his community. He has 
 now laid aside the more arduous duties of the 
 farm, but continues its management ami k< ■ 
 thiir. I air. 
 
 1 Bainbridge, in Lam I 1 unt) . Penn., 
 
 on 1 1 r j.;. 1853, Jacob Bechtel was uni- 
 
 with Miss Catharine Reese, who 
 
 was born in August, 1S37, a daughter of Rev. 
 
 Charles I a Lutheran minister, and they 
 
 the parents of the following childi 
 Olivia K., wife of John Fortney, of Lamar town- 
 ship, Cli unty; Mrs. Reuben McClintock, 
 of Mill Hall, Penn.; Bertie, widow Of Albert Eli, 
 Haven; and Charles. inter of 
 [ohnstown, Penn. Thewife and mo sed 
 unseen world June iS, 1889, and was 
 I 1 tery. 
 Mr. Bechtel uses his right of franchise in sup- 
 port nf the men ami ! of the Republii 
 party, hut h 1 ared for tin- honors or 
 ,.f publii 1 1 aterna'ly, he is a 
 idler of the Grange, and, religiously, i> identi- 
 fied with tin- Lutheran Church, [nmanyresp 
 his life has been an exemplary one. He is an 
 intelligent man, with sound, common sensi views 
 
 nd its duties; : ill well doing, 
 
 ■lions and of good business habits. 
 
 in fact. thi qualifications that go 
 
 t.' make up a n and an honorable man. 
 
 BRAHAM L. BITNER. The subject of 
 this 11. ertainly entitled to be con- 
 
 red not "lib the enterprising fain 
 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 043 
 
 oi Bald Eagle township, Clinton countv, but one 
 of its respected and honored citizens, and a man 
 of more than ordinary ability. He was born 
 November, 1 1, 1833, in Liberty township. Centre 
 Co., Penn., a son of John and Susan (Orner) 
 Bitner, and a grandson of John Bitner, Sr. 
 
 The father, a native of Centre county, was a 
 stonemason by trade, and followed that pursuit 
 in early life, but later purchased a farm in Beech 
 Creek township, Clinton county, and devoted his 
 remaining days to agricultural pursuits. He was 
 in very limited circumstances at the time of his 
 marriage, having to borrow money enough to 
 pay all necessary expenses at that time, but being 
 industrious, energetic and persevering, he secured 
 for his family a good home. He developed a 
 good farm at the foot of the Alleghany Mount- 
 ains, and there spent his last years, dying at the 
 age of fifty-eight years, nine months and twenty- 
 three days. His wife departed this life at the 
 age of seventy-eight years, six months and twen- 
 ty-eight days, and was laid by his side i» Eagle- 
 ville cemetery. Both were earnest and consist- 
 ent members of the Church of Christ, and in 
 politics the father was a Democrat. 
 
 In the family of this worthy couple were 
 eleven children, who reached years of maturity, 
 married and reared families of their own. They 
 were as follows: Christopher, a resident of 
 Beech Creek township, Clinton county; Emaline 
 widow of Fulton Miller, of the same township- 
 John, a retired farmer of Eaglevflle; Margaret,' 
 widow of George Kessinger, of Minnesota; Eliz- 
 abeth, wife of Wayne Gardner, of Howard, 
 Penn.; Abraham B., of this review; Sarah, now 
 Mrs. Adam Myers, of Chatham Run, Penn. ■ 
 Nathan M., of Centre county; Julia A., who 
 wedded (first) Matthias Grove, and is no'w the 
 widow of David Stephenson, of Lock Haven- 
 Alvina, wife of David Simons, of Lock Haven; 
 and Hezekiah, of Holmes county, Ohio. 
 
 The education which our subject received was 
 such as the country schools of his day afforded, 
 
 heatfirstattendingtheBrownschoolinBaldEagle 
 township, where the furniture was of the most 
 primitive character and where the pupils wrote 
 with quill pens. He remained upon the home 
 farm until his marriage, which important event 
 in his life was celebrated at Beech Creek, March 
 IS. 1856, Miss Martha J. Trexler becoming his 
 wife. She was born in Williamsport, Penn 
 September 2, 1839, and is the second child and 
 eldest daughter in a family of seven children- 
 two sons and five daughters— whose parents were 
 William and Elmira (White) Trexler. The father 
 followed the occupation of shoemaking in Beech 
 Creek. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. 
 
 Abraham B. Bitner are as follows: William F. , 
 who died in infancy; Irvin T., a cigarmaker of 
 Altoona, Penn. ; C. McClellan, a cigarmaker of 
 Du Bois; Ernest D., a farmer of Bald Eagle 
 township, Clinton county; Delia, wife of Harry 
 Best, of Lock Haven; Ira M. , who died at the 
 age of five years; Fullmer E., at home; Tillie, 
 who died in infancy; and Blair and GroverC.! 
 both at home. 
 
 When married, Mr. Bitner's cash capital 
 consisted of only $50, which he had saved from 
 teaming and trapping. He trapped many foxes, 
 which were quite numerous in this section at that 
 time. For one-fourth of the products he oper- 
 ated his father's farm for one year, it being 
 stocked by his father, and then worked for one 
 season in a sawmill on Beech creek, but with that 
 exception his life has been devoted to agricult- 
 ural pursuits, carrying on operations in Beech 
 Creek, Pine Creek and Lamar townships, Clinton 
 county, and Liberty township, Centre county. 
 In the spring of 1886 he removed to his present 
 farm in Bald Eagle township, Clinton county, 
 where he had lived once before, and now has his 
 land under a high state of cultivation. He 
 heartily endorses the principles of the Democratic 
 party, and has served his fellow-citizens very 
 acceptably in the capacity of school director. 
 Both he and his wife are faithful members of the 
 Church of Christ, in which he is serving as elder, 
 and wherever known they are held in high regard.' 
 A man of the strictest integrity and honor, his 
 word is considered as good as his bond, and he 
 is liberal and generous almost to a fault. At 
 this writing he is serving as judge of election 
 in Bald Eagle township. 
 
 JOHN SPRINGER, one of the best-known citi- 
 zens of Gallaher township, Clinton county, is 
 a man whose successful struggle with adverse 
 circumstances shows what can be accomplished 
 by industry and economy, especially if he is aided 
 in his efforts to secure a home and competence 
 by a sensible wife. 
 
 Born at the "Block House," in Lycoming 
 county, Penn., December 15, 1S33, Mr. Springer 
 is the only child of Samuel and Christina (Fost) 
 Springer, the former a native of Pennsylvania 
 and the latter of Germany. The father, a farmer 
 by occupation, lived mostly in Lycoming and 
 Tioga counties. The mother was twice married, 
 her second husband being Thomas Gottschall, of 
 Gallaher township, Clinton county, by whom she 
 had five children, namely: Mary, wife of Samuel 
 Swartz; Elizabeth, who died unmarried; Cath- 
 arine, wife of Michael Biser: Rebecoa, deceased 
 
644 
 
 \t XEMORA TIYB BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 wi|, . England; and Lucy, who died 
 
 in childhood. Both Mr and Mrs. Gottschall 
 died in Rose Valley, Lyi mnty. She was 
 
 i xcellent woman and a hard work 
 John Sprinj ication was limited • 
 
 few months' atti odance at the country schools. 
 With his stepfather he worked at lumbering and 
 shingle-making until twenty-seven years 
 starting out m life for himself in i860. His first 
 venture was in buying fifty acres of timber land. 
 which h 1 and converted into highly cul- 
 
 tiv.i' ! waving grain. He also pur- 
 
 chased another tract of the ind now 
 
 has one of the finest farms inGallaher township, 
 it being improved with an elegant residence and 
 good barns and outbuildings, the cost of which 
 ait $3,000. In his work he has been ably 
 assisted by his estimable wife, who has ind 
 proved a faithful helpmeet to him. 
 
 1 In April in Gallaher township, 
 
 Clinton county, Mr. Springer was married to 
 Mi>- Christina Beisser, who was born in Witten- 
 lermany, December 27, 1830, a daughter 
 k l'.eisser, who -pent his entire life in 
 the Fatherland. She was educated in her native 
 land, and wh< n 1 young girl crossed the Atlantic 
 in the " William Tell," which landed her safely 
 at New York. Alt. 1 spending a short time in 
 that city she \ the home of her uncle, 
 
 Cb rles Bei ■ 1 , ii o mnty, Penn., with 
 
 whom she remained until giving her hand in 
 marria: subject. She is well-known all 
 
 ount} for her excellent cooking, and 
 she is one ol the best housekeepers to be found 
 in the locality. 
 
 □ 1" 'in nine children: 
 
 < 1 Geoi M . born 1: lied in infancy. 
 
 bon, July 5, i860, married Ella 
 
 , and h II irvey C, 
 
 Ma : I Mar) I. He is a carpenter and 
 
 living in VVilliamsport, Penn , 
 Demoi rat m i' I the 
 
 Mi thodist I Church, M., 
 
 born Mai len Harber, and 
 
 has two children Roy and Lawrence, lb 
 lows farming inGallaher township, Clinton coun- 
 ty. (4 Nam j . born ( > \, died when 
 ten Samuel, born February 21, 
 1 865, died in infant 1 . ]. . born Oc- 
 
 lied February 1 8, 
 Jacob, born June 1 ;. 
 
 Gallaher township, married I- ttschall; 
 
 and has one daughl 
 
 ust 10, : Reuben, born February 
 
 ;•■ both at hon 
 
 is allegi 
 •.. and has faithfully served his fellow- 
 
 citizens in the capacity of tax collector, school 
 director, overseer of the poor, supervisor and 
 assessor. He has ever been found true to 
 v trust reposed in him. whether public or 
 private, and has discharged his duties in a 
 -t commendable and satisfactory manner. 
 He has accumulated a handsome property, and 
 his life illustrates what can be accomplished 
 through industry, perseverance, good manage- 
 ment, and a determination to succeed. 
 
 JACOB VONADA, a well-known and high- 
 ly-respected agriculturist now living in Porter 
 township. Clinton county, near the Lamar 
 township line, was born February 20, 1S36, in 
 Hartle) township, Union Co., Penn., but when 
 only a few months old was taken by his parents, 
 rge and Mary (Heinly) Yonada, to Perm's 
 Valley, Centre county, locating near Woodward. 
 Later they removed to Nittany Valley, the same 
 county, where both died, the father at the age 
 of seventy-two, ami the mother at the age of 
 eighty-two, and the remains of both were in- 
 terred in Hublersburg cemetery. They were Lu- 
 therans in religious belief, and in politics Mr 
 Yonada was a Democrat. Throughout his en- 
 tire life he followed the occupation of farming. 
 In the family were eight children — four sons and 
 lour daughters — of whom three sons and tin 
 daughters are yet living. 
 
 Dunn- his boyhood and youth Jacob 
 Vonada attended the district schools of Penn's 
 Valley, which at that time were not noted for 
 their efficiency. He began his education in the 
 Harper school, under the direction of Jacob T. 
 Mi yer. In early life he also learned the black- 
 smith's trade at " St. Paul's Church,'' in Hail 
 township, Centre county, under Squire Jacob 
 Hosterman, but, not liking that occupation, he 
 devoted most of his attention to agricultural pur- 
 suits. Upon the farm where he was reared he 
 t forty years of his lil 
 
 On December 2. 1866, in Penn's Valley, Mr. 
 Vonada was married to Miss Rebecca Stover, 
 who was born February 27, 1838, near !' 
 
 k, Haines township, Centre county, the 
 dai. Andrew and Sarah (Frank) Stovei 
 
 They became the parents of two children: Ed^ar 
 1 '• . who is married and has one child, and is en- 
 d in farming on his father's and uncle J. 
 11 Lamar township, Clinton coun- 
 ty; and Ida, wh I Lt the age of tlire. 
 Afti ur subject continued t 
 
 ! homestead in Haines township, 
 nty, as Ins father had removed I 
 Hublersburg in Nittany Valley, and 
 
 , 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 645 
 
 there the son remained until April 4, 1876, when 
 his father purchased a tract of ucji acres in La- 
 mar township, Clinton county, known as the Best 
 farm. After the death of his mother John and 
 Jacob Vonada purchased the Best farm, where 
 Jacob resided till the spring of 1897, when he 
 removed to his present residence in Porter town- 
 ship. He has ever been a hard-working, ener- 
 getic, progressive farmer, and in his labors has 
 been ably assisted by his estimable wife, who has 
 indeed proved a true helpmeet to him. His up- 
 right, honorable life has commended him to the 
 confidence and esteem of all with whom he has 
 come in contact, and his friends in his adopted 
 county are many. Through his own efforts he 
 has secured a comfortable competence, and he is 
 to-day numbered among the prosperous citizens 
 of the community. He has always been unwav- 
 ering in his support of the Democratic party, and 
 he has served as deacon and elder in the Luther- 
 an Church, with which he is connected. 
 
 THEW JOHNSON, a lumberman now resid- 
 ing in Hyner, Chapman township, Clinton 
 county, has been an important factor in business 
 circles, and his popularity is well-deserved. He 
 is public spirited, and thoroughly interested in 
 whatever tends to promote the moral, intellectual 
 and material welfare of his community. 
 
 Mr. Johnson was born March 17, 1822, in 
 Lycoming county (now Noyes township, Clinton 
 county), a son of John Johnson, whose birth oc- 
 curred in Yorkshire, England, in 1797. In 1800, 
 when only three years old, he was brought by 
 his parents to America in a sailing vessel, land- 
 ing at Philadelphia, whence they came to Wayne 
 township, Clinton county, which was at that 
 time a part of Lycoming county, and located 
 near Pine Station. There John Johnson attended 
 school, where he learned to read and write, which 
 was considered a sufficient education for ordinary 
 use in those days. Learning the miller's trade, 
 he came to Chapman township when a young 
 man, and rented a small gristmill on Hyner run, 
 which he operated for twenty-two years. Sub- 
 sequently he bought a farm of 100 acres now in 
 Grugan township, and followed agricultural pur- 
 suits up to the time of his death, which occurred 
 in 1876, his remains being interred in Hyner 
 cemetery. In early life he was a Whig, and 
 later supported the Republican party, while re- 
 ligiously he and his family held membership in 
 the Methodist Episcopal Church, and they were 
 held in high regard by all who knew them. 
 
 John Johnson was married to Miss Mary 
 Shaffer, by whom he had six children, namely: 
 
 Margaret (deceased), Thew (our subject), Shaffer 
 F. (a banker of Lock Haven), Angeline (now de- 
 ceased), Isabella (living), and John W. (who op- 
 erates the old homestead in Grugan township). 
 The mother died upon that place, and was laid 
 to rest by the side of her husband. 
 
 Mr. Johnson, whose name introduces this 
 sketch, pursued his studies in an old log school 
 house in what is now Chapman township, sup- 
 plied with the rudest of furniture, and spent the 
 first thirty-eight years of his life under the pa- 
 rental roof, working on the farm during the sum- 
 mer season and in the woods through the winter 
 months. In partnership with his brother Shaf- 
 fer he engaged in the lumber business, and rafted 
 their products down the west branch of the Sus- 
 quehanna to Marietta. In i860 he located in 
 Hyner, where he now owns a home. For a num- 
 ber of years he and his brother continued busi- 
 ness together, and he is now connected with F. 
 S. Johnson, W. C. Weaver and Joseph Power. 
 They own about 6,000 acres of timberland in 
 Clinton county, and in 1894 erected a sawmill on 
 Hyner run, which three years later was destroy- 
 ed by fire, but they are still interested in the 
 lumber business. 
 
 In i860, at Hyner, our subject was married 
 to Miss Mary Southerland, who was born in Lib- 
 erty, Dunstable township, Lycoming county, in 
 1820. The only child born of this union died in 
 infancy. 
 
 Mr. Johnson cast his first Presidential vote 
 for the Whig candidate, and is a Republican and 
 for sound money. He has served as auditor of 
 Chapman township, but has never cared for of- 
 ficial honors, preferring to devote his time and 
 attention to his business interests. His life has 
 been one of toil, beginning work in early boy- 
 hood (as soon as he could handle an axe), and he 
 is now suffering from the effects of exposure on 
 the mountains. Due success has not been de- 
 nied him, and he is classed among the substan- 
 tial citizens of his community. He takes delight 
 in travel, and has visited many portions of this 
 country in search of lands. In many respects 
 his life has been an exemplary one. 
 
 CHARLES H. RICH. Central Pennsylvania 
 ' boasts of quite a number of men of inventive 
 genius, men who have done much, by reason of 
 superior ability in that line, to advance the in- 
 terests of this region; but none are held in higher 
 regard or deserve greater recognition than the 
 subject of this sketch, now a prominent lumber- 
 man, farmer and civil engineer, of Woolrich, Pine 
 Creek township, Clinton county. He was born 
 
646 
 
 • OMMBMORATIVB BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 in that place December Jl, i860, a son of John 
 F. and Catherine A. (< 'hi Rich, and is a brother 
 of the gentlemen who 1 the well-known 
 
 firm "f John Rich & Brothel □ manufact- 
 
 urers, of Woolrich. 
 
 During his boyhood and \"Uth our sul 
 learned all the branches of woolen manufact 
 but since completing his collegiate course has 
 given ii" attention to that line of business. At 
 Chatham Run, Pine Creek township, he began 
 his education in the public schools, later attended 
 a select school taught by T. W. Twitmire, and 
 in Philadelphia, 
 
 where he pursued a business and law course, 
 graduating from that institution in 1SS0. He 
 then took a course in higher mathematics and 
 civil engineering, in Alleghei _■'. at Mi 
 
 ville, Penn., and in [882 entered Jefferson Medi- 
 cal ing to make the practice of 
 medicine his life work, but liged to lay 
 li his 1 — ks at th ii on account 
 ol failinf ht. 
 
 Ri turning to bis borne in Woolrich, Mr. Rich 
 ! in civil engineering and surveying, which 
 be still continued to follow in connection with 
 bis other business. In 1889 he opened a lumber 
 yard al Woolrich, being the first and only lum- 
 bei mi t that place; he also owns and 
 
 I farm of 1 So acres, 
 "ii which he is successfull) 1 in general 
 
 farming and tobacco growinf lace 
 
 tenant houses, three 
 tol [20x24 feet, barns and other 
 
 ' >uildings, but in 1894 he had the misfortune 
 hisshedsand barns, which wei 
 b} -5.000. With character: 
 
 I nilt. and is now 
 
 ful and profitable business. His com- 
 fortable home in Woolrich was 
 
 Besides his other business 
 inti ! ickholder in a local oil- 
 
 well company. 
 
 ing mm b Mr. Rich 
 
 invented anumb ful articles, chief 
 
 ■.Inch 1- the para-n smitting 
 
 bismuth disk, whii b was the 
 
 ,1 Bell telephone, but unfortunati 
 he 1 with him an individual who 
 
 cated his our subjecl 
 lati 1 f it to the Bell Teli ; 
 
 pan} for an immense sum, of which Mr. Rich 
 ed a cent II Iso invented and 
 patented the vacuum oiler tube, and a nut and 
 : > for a carriage spindle, and .1 carriagi whip 
 ind an automatic gate fixture, wl 
 patented in 1890, a rotary engim n accel- 
 
 .1 bicycle, besides many 
 
 other inventions of great value to the public; but 
 of all these he has made a side issue, it being a 
 great pleasure to spend his leisure time in that 
 way. 
 
 At Fine Station, in 1SX4, Mr. Rich was mar- 
 ried to Miss Katie A. Ouiggle, a native of Wayne 
 township, Clinton county, and a daughter of 
 Robert Quiggle. Two children have graced this 
 union: Edna Dunn and Mary L. Politically, 
 Mr. Rich has always been identified with the 
 Republican party, ever taking an active part in 
 its principles, and, although he has never been 
 an office-seeker, he has served as auditor of his 
 township, and has faithfully performed e\ 
 duty of citizenship, being appointed a member of 
 the Congressional conference that met at Belle- 
 fonte, that put Gen. John Patton in nomination; 
 also to place Hon. A. C. Hopkins in nomination, 
 later Hon. Fred. C. Lenard for Congress. Having 
 a good command of language, Mr. Rich is an excel- 
 lent debater, and takes an active part in all the 
 local debates. A Methodist in religious bel 
 he has served as trustee of his Church and as a 
 teacher in the Sunday-school, and he takes a 
 leading and influential part in all enterprises cal- 
 culated to promote the moral and material wel- 
 fare of his native county. Socially he holds 
 membership in the Royal Arcanum of Lock Ha- 
 ven, and the Patriotic Order Sons of America, 
 of which he is president, of Woolrich. His strict 
 integrity and honorable dealing in business com- 
 mend him to the confidence of all; his pleasant 
 manner wins him friends, and he is one of the 
 popular and honored citizens of Clinton county. 
 
 Stiles E. Rich, a brother of our subject, re- 
 ceived his elementary education in the common 
 schools of Chatham Run, and later pursued a 
 business course at the Eastman Business College, 
 Poughkeepsie, N. Y. Where he graduated in 
 1880), also attending Dickinson Seminary, Will- 
 iamsport, Penn., and State Central Normal 
 School. He then served as bookkeeper and 
 assistant in his brothers' woolen mills, at Wool- 
 rich, until [893, when he removed to Harriman, 
 Tenn., where he is now successfully engaged in 
 merchan He is a Republican in politics, 
 
 onsistent member of the Methodist Epis- 
 copal Church, and a strong temperance man. 
 lb was married to Miss Minnie H. Hesser, of 
 Bloomsburg, Penn., a daughter of Rev. W. 1 
 " - Methodist Episcopal minister, and 
 
 they have two sons: William H. and Ross B 
 
 AM M, JOHNSON, one of the most 
 minent and respected residents of 
 Clinton county, was born October 3, 
 
N, 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 647 
 
 1825, in Delaware county, N. Y., a son of Mar- 
 tin Johnson, who was born in the same county 
 in 1800. The grandfather, Solomon Johnson, 
 was a native of the same State, and one of thir- 
 teen children, all of whose names begin with the 
 letter "S." The grandfather was a lumber man- 
 ufacturer in Delaware county, where he operated 
 three sawmills, and was one of the prominent 
 farmers, owning 150 acres of land. He was a 
 member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, was 
 a Jacksonian Democrat in his political views, and 
 a man of sterling worth, who spent his entire life 
 in Delaware county. He was twice married. 
 
 Martin Johnson, a son by the first marriage, 
 received his education in the subscription schools, 
 and throughout his life followed lumbering and 
 farming. He owned 300 and cleared off 1,000 
 acres of timber lands, on a part of which the 
 town of Sidney, N. Y., now stands, including the 
 old family residence. He engaged in the lumber 
 business on an extensive scale, operating three 
 mills, and was ranked among the leading and 
 substantial citizens of the county. Retiring from 
 active work, he removed to Tioga county, Penn., 
 and later made his home with his son, Nelson E. 
 Johnson, in Lycoming county, where he died in 
 1 86 1. He was very active in Democratic circles, 
 but never sought office, and he was a faithful 
 member of the Baptist Church. 
 
 Martin Johnson was married in Franklin 
 township, Delaware county, N. Y., to Mary A. 
 Patton, also born in that township, a daughter 
 of John Patton, a native of Scotland, and a sol- 
 dier of the Revolutionary war, who died at the 
 age of one hundred and three years. Mrs. John- 
 son, who was a very devoted wife and mother, 
 died in Jackson, Penn., where her remains were 
 interred. In the family were eight children: Al- 
 bert died in Tioga county; Horace, Elizabeth and 
 Mary, all three deceased, Horace dying in child- 
 hood; William M.; Anna M. ; Mrs. Jane Warner, 
 of Wisconsin; and Nelson E. , a well-known mill- 
 wright of Williamsport, Pennsylvania. 
 
 Our subject attended the public schools of his 
 native county through the winter months, in the 
 summers working on the farm, in the lumber 
 woods and in the mill. Desirous of improving 
 himself mentally, he spent all his leisure time in 
 study, and is now a well-informed man. He 
 worked at home until twenty years of age, at lum- 
 bering and farming, and then in connection with 
 his brother Albert, and an uncle, established a 
 lumbering business at Southport, N. Y. , and also 
 operated the Wells Mills at that point, which 
 they conducted for a year with fair success. As 
 he had not then attained his majority, he paid 
 his father $200 for his time. After this our sub- 
 
 ject spent one year at the carpenter's trade, build- 
 ing the first church at the State line. He then 
 removed to Tioga county, where he spent nine 
 years as a millwright carpenter in saw or grist 
 mills. He also passed some time in Clinton and 
 Lycoming counties, and was afterward engaged 
 for five years in general merchandising at Law- 
 renceville, Tioga county. He then removed to 
 Mill Hall, Clinton county, where he began the 
 manufacture of windmills, rakes, etc., and in that 
 enterprise was very successful. It was the first 
 factory of the kind at Mill Hall, and he turned 
 out thousands of windmills. He also conducted 
 a store a part of the time during his six-years' 
 stay at that place. In 1863 he secured a position 
 as traveling salesman for the manufacturing firm 
 of J. S. Marsh & Co., of Lewisburg, his territory 
 covering five counties in Pennsylvania. Later 
 he was given the general agency, and traveled all 
 through the central and western States. He 
 spent twenty-three years with that firm, winning 
 for himself the confidence and respect of both his 
 employers and the public. He sold over $125,- 
 000 of manufactured goods each year for eight- 
 een years as general salesman. In 1870, while 
 traveling, he purchased the Peter Smith farm in 
 Woodward township, Clinton county, compris- 
 ing 126 acres, and on his retirement in 1885 he 
 located on the farm, where the next eight years 
 were passed in the quiet pursuits of rural 
 life. In 1895 he built for himself a commodious 
 and beautiful residence in Lockport, at a cost of 
 $4, 500, and is now living there surrounded by all 
 the comforts and many of the luxuries of life, and 
 enjoying the friendship and regard of all who 
 know him. 
 
 In 1853, in Clinton county, Mr. Johnson was 
 married to Anna M. Stewart, who was born in 
 Lycoming county, a daughter of Charles Stewart, 
 a prominent citizen of that section of the State. 
 Six children grace this union: (1) Charles D. 
 operates the home farm in Woodward township, 
 married Carrie Probst, of that township, and had 
 six children — Nettie I., Alma, Edward, Leroy, 
 Carrie and Charles. (2) Ida D. is an accom- 
 plished young lady at home. (3) William, a 
 machinist of Philadelphia, married a Miss Galliher, 
 and has two children — Elmer and Howard E. 
 (4) Annie was the wife of Preston Albertson, 
 and is now deceased. (5) Nellie died when 
 twenty-two years old, and (6) Orville died in in- 
 fancy. 
 
 Mr. Johnson has served as school director 
 and tax collector in his township, and is a stal- 
 wart Republican, unwavering in his support of 
 the men and measures of the party. He belongs 
 to the Presbyterian Church, and has served as 
 

 VMBMOBA TIVB BIOOBAPBICAl BECOBD. 
 
 erintendent ami teacher in the Sunday-school. 
 member of the I. O. O 1 
 and the Sons oi Temperance, an lest 
 
 worker in tli ranee. His success 
 
 in life is attributable to his own efforts, and his 
 bus ird is without a blemish. Helabo 
 
 earnestly to advance the inti hiscompany 
 
 during his 1 nd had their 
 
 unqualified confidence. His nami 
 with honorable dealing, and his worth is attested 
 bv all who know him. 
 
 D KAUFMAN, a well-known agriculturist and 
 prominent citizen ol Porter township, Clin- 
 county, has made his special field of indus- 
 try a success, and is highly-esteemed and 
 
 ted l>\ those who know him bi 
 Born Mav 16, i 32 1, in Miles township. Brush 
 Centre Co., Penn., Mr. Kaufman is a 
 son of Nicholas and Llizabeth (Willman ) Kauf- 
 man. The paternal grandfather also bore the 
 name of Nicholas. The father- birth occurred 
 April 30, 1777. in Berks county, Penn., where he 
 itinued to reside until after his marriage. His 
 d( in Nittany Valley, and his wife 
 
 -ed away in Brush Valley, leaving two chil- 
 ler of our subject being Hannah, now 
 the wid ' >nrad Long, and a resident of 
 
 Howard. Penn By occupation the father was 
 always a farmer, and in political sentiment he 
 in ardent Democrat. 
 [> Kaufman, ol this sketch, passed the days 
 of his boyhood and youth in bis native Valley, 
 in much the usual manner of farmer lads, assist- 
 his father in the labor of the fields, and. 
 wh< it home, at- 
 
 tending the pub tl eighborhi 
 
 One ol his first teachers was Solomon Mo. 
 
 named under the parental 
 : until his marriage, at thi : twenty-i 
 
 Miss Rebec* a Bi -> , th< j being ; 
 
 formed in Hublersburg, Centre count) 
 a native of Lehigh county, Penn., an 
 ■ [ohn and I 
 tin 1 ■ ttive ol the honored and 
 
 i families of Nittany Valley. Mr. 
 I Mrs Kaufman have three children: Will 
 11 r of Centre 1 md Leah E. and 
 
 John I . bi ith at hon 
 
 After his marriage Mr. Kaufman continue 
 le on the old homestead farm in Brush Val- 
 ley, Centre county, which he his 
 
 father for some time, and then 1 
 
 ime county, where he was empli 
 at days work lb ira, and worked 
 
 for different parties until coming to Nittany Val- 
 ley in [866, when he purchased his present farm 
 of sixty-two acres, in Porter township. Clinton 
 t\ He is an excellent farmer, and a thor- 
 hly reliable business man, gaining the confi- 
 dence and respect of all with whom he comes in 
 contact. For a time before coming to Nittany 
 Valley he made his home in Sugar Valley. In 
 early life Mr. Kaufman used his right of fran- 
 chise in support of the Democratic party; but 
 since the war he has been a pronounced Repub- 
 lican, and has done all in his power to advance 
 his party's interests. He and his estimable wife 
 are members of the Mt. Bethel Reformed Church, 
 and wherever known they are held in high 
 regard. 
 
 JAMES T TAYLOR, a wealthy retired agri- 
 culturist of Lamar township, Clinton county, 
 can look back with satisfaction upon a well- 
 spent life as he passes down ' ' the western slope. " 
 Surrounded by the comforts which his early toil 
 has procured, his position is an enviable one, yet 
 he doubtless finds his chief pleasure in the affec- 
 tion which brightens his home, and in the 
 thought of the sons and daughters who are, in 
 their turn, filling honorable and useful places in 
 life. 
 
 The Taylor family belongs to that sturdy 
 and energetic race known as the Scotch-Irish. 
 Matthew Taylor, our subject's grandfather, came 
 at an early date from Scotland to make his home 
 near Reedsville, Mifflin county, Penn., where he 
 purchased a large farm, still called the '*old 
 Taylor homestead." Our subject's father. Henry 
 Taylor, was born at this homestead, and became 
 one of the leading agriculturists of that locality, 
 owning and operating about 400 acres of land. 
 He was a large man, and possessed great strength 
 
 vitality, attaining the advanced age of eighty- 
 three years. In politics he was first a Whig, and 
 later a Republican, but never sought or held 
 office, and he was actively identified with the 
 Presbyterian Church for many years, his consist- 
 ent conduct in daily life being a witness to the 
 sincerity of his faith. His wife, whose maiden 
 name was Priscilla Turbet, was the daughter of a 
 farmer in Juniata county, Penn. ; she died at the 
 
 1 if sixty-four, and the remains of both were 
 buried in the cemetery at the old stone church 
 on the hill near Reedsville. Their children were: 
 ried Samuel Laird, and died at 
 Pen 1 it Royal), Juniata county; 
 
 Anna, v : Junes Kyle, of Mifflin county; 
 
 Henry, I farmer, residing at Reedsville; 
 
 James T. , ect; Priscilla, who married 
 
 
r 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 649 
 
 William Thompson, and died near State College, 
 Centre county; and Matthew, a farmer of Mifflin 
 county. All were noted among their associates 
 for their intelligence and high character, and 
 were held in great esteem. 
 
 The subject of our' sketch was born March 
 27, 1827, at the old homestead near Reedsville, 
 and his education was mainly acquired in the 
 subscription schools of that locality. He studied 
 for one term at an academy in Academia, Juniata 
 county, taught by Prof. Wilson. As the son of 
 a busy farmer, he was given every opportunity to 
 become familiar with the details of agricultural 
 work, and while he was still at home his father 
 encouraged him to invest his small savings in 
 stock, so that he not only gained valuable experi- 
 ence in such deals, but was enabled to secure a 
 little capital before starting out into the world 
 for himself. In 1855 he left home and came to 
 Clinton county, and purchased the old Fearon 
 farm in Lamar township, the price being $11,000 
 for 183 acres. Mr. Taylor was obliged to go in 
 debt for a portion of this sum, but as he was 
 young and strong he had no fears as to the result, 
 his energy and courage promising success. He 
 prospered from the start, secured a good equip- 
 ment and a fine lot of stock. Not longer after 
 his removal to Clinton county he met Miss Nancy 
 J. Hughes, to whom he was married at Williams- 
 port, Penn., on September 16, 1856. She proved 
 to be a most wise and economical helper, and 
 her work and good management have been fac- 
 tors in the success which has crowned Mr. Tay- 
 lor's efforts. He cleared the debt from his first 
 farm, and then, having accumulated some surplus 
 cash, he bought the Jacob Best farm in the same 
 township, in partnership with his brother Henry. 
 In April, 1 864, he removed to that place, which he 
 continued to cultivate until October, 1895, when 
 he thought it time to retire from active business 
 cares. Since that date he has resided near the 
 depot at Salona, in a comfortable and tasteful 
 home, which was built according to his own ideas. 
 He has at present two fine farms, but his first 
 purchase, the old Fearon place, was sold some 
 time ago, the money being distributed among his 
 children. Mr. Taylor has never been a believer 
 in undue self-denial, his family always enjoying 
 the best advantages obtainable by a man of his 
 means, and his home being supplied with every 
 comfort. His reputation for honesty has never 
 been questioned, and his generosity, a leading 
 trait, has never been found wanting. In fact, he 
 has at times lost considerable sums through en- 
 dorsing or going bail for friends. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Taylor have had the following 
 children: (1) The first born, a boy, died at the 
 
 age of eight months. (2) Henry Turbet, born 
 March 3, 1858, married Miss Virginia Eldred, of 
 Muncy, Penn. , and they have two sons — Harry 
 and Ralph. (3) Turbet, who resides at Larned, 
 Pawnee Co., Kans. , is the secretary of the Key- 
 stone Security Co., of that place, and also over- 
 sees some large land holdings for Eastern capital- 
 ists. (4) Elizabeth C. , born September 4, 
 1859, married A. C. Mann, of Mill Hall, and they 
 have four children — Harry T., James R. , Mar- 
 guerite A. and Fred P. (5) Anna P., born July 
 27, 1862, married Joseph R. Mann, of Lewis- 
 town, Penn.. and they have five children — Har- 
 vey B., Edith, Joseph, Jr., Thomas and Anna. 
 (6) William C, born April 4, 1868, graduated 
 from Bloomsburg Normal School, and taught for 
 a time in Bald Eagle township, Clinton county, 
 and at Mackeyville, but he is now a farmer in 
 Lamar township. He married Miss Kate Strunk, 
 and they have three children — Joseph, Pauline 
 and Dorothy. (7) John J., born January 18, 
 1870, was educated at the Bloomsburg Normal 
 School. He married Miss Kate Smale, and they 
 have one son, Harry M. The family holds a 
 prominent place socially, and Mr. and Mrs. Tay- 
 lor are leading members of the Presbyterian 
 Church, in which he has filled various offices. In 
 politics he was first a Whig and later a Repub- 
 lican, and his sons are all stanch supporters of 
 the latter party. While Mr. Taylor has always 
 taken keen interest in the success of his ticket, 
 he has never been an aspirant for political place 
 or honors. 
 
 Mrs. Taylor was born March 28, 1838, in 
 Mifflin county, Penn., the daughter of John and 
 Elizabeth (Conley) Hughes. ' When she was but 
 ten years old her father removed to Jacksonville, 
 Centre Co., Penn., and later he settled at 
 Mackeyville, Clinton county. He was a man of 
 small stature, but was very industrious, and 
 throughout his life he followed the blacksmith's 
 trade successfully, his strict honesty winning the 
 respect of all who knew him. He died at the 
 age of sixty- three and his wife at sixty-nine, their 
 remains being buried in the cemetery at Jackson- 
 ville. Politically, he was a Democrat, and in re- 
 ligious faith he was a Presbyterian. Of his chil- 
 dren, the eldest, James, who was a soldier in the 
 Civil war, died near Buffalo Run, in Centre coun- 
 ty, at the age of forty-four; John went west, and 
 died in Missouri; Richard made his home in Vir- 
 ginia, in the Shenandoah Valley, and died there; 
 William, a veteran of the Civil war, died in July, 
 1894, in Centre county; Mary married William 
 Elder (now deceased), and at this time makes 
 her home with her children; Nancy J. (Mrs. Tay- 
 lor) was the sixth in order of birth; Elizabeth 
 
I •,.-,(! 
 
 VMBM0RAT1VB BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 married George Rish, and resides near Centre 
 Hall; Isabella died at the age of twenty-four 
 
 rs. 
 
 JOSEPH JENNINGS KINTNER, of Renovo, 
 is one of the young members of the Clinton 
 Counts Bar, but his prominence is b\ 
 
 sured by his years, on the contrary he 
 has won a reputation of which many an older 
 practitioner might well envy. 
 
 ! r several generations the Kintner family 
 
 have lived in this commonwealth. Benjamin 
 
 Kintner and wife, wl Elizabeth Winnii 
 
 his grandparents, were born in Monroe county. 
 
 Th farming people, and in about i 
 
 moved to Wyoming county. Their children were 
 
 follows: Moses S., Jacob C, James M . 
 
 William H. (decease.! i. Mary, Easton, Sarah, 
 
 and Elijah, all residents of Wyoming county e.\- 
 
 [ames, who resides .it Wansocket, S. 
 
 I>.ik. Of these the late Col. Jacob C. Kintner, 
 
 the father of him whose name opens this review, 
 
 was born July n. 1838, in Wyoming county, 
 
 Penn He became a merchant by occupation, 
 
 and as such held a creditable position in the 
 
 business circles of I nmunity in which he 
 
 resided. He was a patriot, and during the Civil 
 
 war served Ins country four years and seven 
 
 nths. l: enlisted as a sergeant in G 
 
 II 'd P. V, I. He was soon thereafter 
 
 transferred to the Signal Corps, and later, for 
 
 meritorious service, was promoted to the rank of 
 
 . tain. He participated in the battle of Antie- 
 
 tam; was at Fredericksb thesec- 
 
 1 battle of Bull Run, and in the many other 
 
 engagements in which In ind participated. 
 
 He was a prominent Republican, and for four 
 
 IS mi the stafl "f Gov. Hoyt, and was 
 
 intei< sted in the Nal tuard for a time I [i 
 
 al- I as revenue collector for Ins district 
 
 some time Hi- was one of the most promi- 
 
 : ;t an. I influi nl of his community. 
 
 II'- departed this life March 21 . and his 
 
 wife passed away Ocf at Will 
 
 barre. Penn ng a famil) of f>>tir children: 
 
 Charles B., a 1 I Buffalo, N. Y. ; Mary 
 
 C. and Joseph J (twins ind Ruth C, wh 
 
 now attending Wilson College, Cbambersburg, 
 
 mi. The mother t.t these was a daughtei 
 Paul B. and Elizabeth (Tutl ! was 
 
 an • England, coming to this country when 
 
 nineteen years ■■( ag 
 
 The Jennings family was one of note in the 
 iiitrv. The children of Paul B. and 
 I li abetb Jennings «.re Joseph, William N., 
 Mi- i; W. Studevent), and Marj A 
 
 Mrs. Elizabeth (Tuttle) Jennings, grandmother 
 of Joseph Jennings Kintner, was born August 
 10, 1796, in Luzerne county, near the battle- 
 field of Wyoming. 
 
 Joseph Jennings Kintner, of this review, was 
 born in 1870 in Mehoopany, Wyoming Co., 
 
 ii. He obtained his primary education in 
 the Towanda schools, later attending the Wyo- 
 ming Seminary at Kingston, and subsequently 
 Pennsylvania State College, at State College, 
 Penn. After leaving school he went to Bloom- 
 field, Perry Co., Penn., and was appointed dep- 
 uty in the register and recorder's office. While 
 serving in that capacity he studied law under the 
 direction of Hon. C. H. Smiley at that place for 
 about four years, and was then admitted to the 
 In August, 1S95, he located at Renovo, 
 where he ha- uccessfully engaged in both 
 
 the life and fire insurance business, representing 
 some of the leading and most reliable companies 
 in the United States. Socially Mr. Kintner is 
 identified with the B. O. P. E., while politically 
 he affiliates with the Republican party. He 
 takes quite an active and prominent part in po- 
 litical affairs, and when twenty-one years of age 
 
 in speaking all over his county in the inter- 
 
 of his party and its candidates. During the 
 campaign of the following year he was employed 
 by the State central committee, and he has also 
 served as a delegate to the county conventions 
 since coming to Renovo. He is not an official 
 aspirant, preferring to give his time to his pro- 
 
 ional duties and other business affairs. He 
 is one of the most promising young attorneys of 
 Clinton county, and no doubt a brilliant future 
 awaits him. He is self-made, leaving home at 
 the early age of fourteen years, since which time 
 he has made his own way in the world. 
 
 JOHN YEARICK. Among the leading farm- 
 ers of Clinton county, the record of whose 
 lives tills an important place in this volume, 
 it gives us pleasure to commemorate the name 
 of this gentleman, now a prosperous citizen of 
 r township. 
 Mr. Yearick was born in October, 1826, in 
 Gregg township, Centre Co., Penn., a son of 
 John and Mary Kishel 1 Yearick, who spent many 
 years of their lives upon the farm where our sub- 
 ject now . both dying there at about the 
 age of seventy-three, the mother having survived 
 her husband a few years. Their remains were 
 interred at the cemetery in Madisonburg. In the 
 Reformed Church they held membership, and in 
 politics the father was identified with the Demo- 
 cratic party. Although he never served a regular 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 651 
 
 apprenticeship, he thoroughly mastered the car- 
 penter's trade, at which he worked for some 
 time, but later devoted his entire time and atten- 
 tion to agricultural pursuits, in which he met with 
 excellent success. He was a large man, and a 
 very industrious, energetic and progressive one. 
 
 Our subject is third in order of birth in the 
 family of children, as follows: William, who died 
 in Hublersburg, Penn. ; Jacob and Henry, both 
 residents of Jacksonville, Centre county; Samuel, 
 who died in Brush Valley, Centre county; Adam, 
 of Jacksonville; Mary, who wedded John Zubler, 
 and died in Centre county; Rebecca, who mar- 
 ried Jacob Royer, and died in Brush Valley; 
 Elizabeth, who became the wife of Elias Hoy, 
 and died in Centre county; Sarah, who married 
 Samuel Phillips, and died near Akron, Ohio; 
 Katy A., widow of George Hoy, living near Jack- 
 sonville; and Julia A., who married John Spayd, 
 and died in Centre county. 
 
 The education of John Yearick, Jr., was 
 mostly acquired in the German schools, he only 
 attending an English school for one winter. The 
 schoolhouses were primitive structures very com- 
 mon at that early day, and the writing was all 
 done with quill pens. Our subject was able to 
 attend school for only a few months during the 
 year, as his services were needed at home, and 
 while his father was engaged in carpentering and 
 building, he was employed in hauling lumber dur- 
 ing the winter season at the expense of his edu- 
 cation. His boyhood was passed upon the home 
 farm, and when a young man he engaged in the 
 manufacture of harvesting cradles, at which he 
 was several times employed in Ohio, walking 
 from his home to Summit county, that State. 
 
 At the age of twenty-six Mr. Yearick was mar- 
 ried to Miss Mary E. Shaffer, who was born in 
 1829, in Miles township, Brush Valley, Centre 
 county, a daughter of Adam Shaffer and wife. 
 To Mr. and Mrs. Yearick were born the follow- 
 ing children: Lydia E., now Mrs. Harvey Helt- 
 man, of Porter township, Clinton county; Emma 
 M., Mrs. Charles Sheaver, of Centre Hall, Penn. ; 
 ElvinaC. , Mrs. William Springer, of Williams- 
 port, Penn.; Abbie J., Mrs. Charles F. Allabach, 
 of Farransville, Penn.; Ida R. , at home; A. 
 Frank, a carpenter of Bellevue, Ohio; Adam N., 
 who died in infancy; William H., of Bellevue, 
 Ohio; John B., a farmer of Porter township, 
 Clinton county; and Lewis H. and Samuel J., 
 both carpenters of Bellevue, Ohio. 
 
 Among the several farms which Mr. Yearick's 
 father owned was the one in Porter township 
 where our subject began his domestic life, and 
 where he has since continued to reside. Being 
 a natural mechanic, in addition to his farming 
 
 operations he has manufactured furniture, sleds, 
 sleighs, etc., especially for his own use, and he 
 can make almost anything from wood that he 
 sees. He has made many improvements upon 
 his place which add to its value and attractive 
 appearance, and he has an excellent peach or- 
 chard. Politically he has always been an ad- 
 herent of the Democratic party, and he has 
 served his fellow-citizens in the capacity of super- 
 visor and school director in a most creditable 
 manner. Fraternally he affiliates with the 
 Grange, and religiously he and his wife are 
 faithful members of the Reformed Church. They 
 are widely and favorably known throughout this 
 section of the State, and at their hospitable home 
 their many friends are always sure of a hearty 
 welcome. 
 
 C; H. BRESSLER, editor and proprietor of 
 ' The Mill Hall Times, in Clinton county, 
 was born, July 20, 1865, in Flemington, Clinton 
 Co., Penn. He is a son -of the late J. J. Bress- 
 ler, and grandson of Hon. George Bressler (de- 
 ceased). Our subject was educated in the pub- 
 lic schools at Flemington, and worked at va- 
 rious odd jobs, assisting in the support of his 
 widowed mother, until February 16, 1885, when 
 he entered the office of The Clinton Democrat as 
 an apprentice. On October 18, 1888, he took 
 unto himself a wife in the person of Miss Mar- 
 garet Troxel, residing with his mother for about 
 two years thereafter. For twelve years he ac- 
 ceptably filled different positions in the office of 
 the Democrat until April 4, 1897, when he sev- 
 ered his connection with the establishment and 
 purchased the above-named paper and tripled 
 the circulation during the first six months. Al- 
 though employed in the office of the Democratic 
 organ of the county, Mr. Bressler has always 
 been an active, stalwart Republican, and is fear- 
 lessly publishing such a paper. He was convert- 
 ed and joined the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
 in October, 1892, and is an active member of 
 the same, at present a class-leader and the as- 
 sistant superintendent of the Sunday-school. 
 
 m NDREW V. GROUP, the second son in 
 jtfL the family of Peter Group, was born 
 February 18, 1S46, and received his early edu- 
 cation in the public schools of Clinton county. 
 After obtaining agood common-school education to 
 serve as a foundation, he studied theology, and was 
 early ordained a minister of the Methodist Epis- 
 copal Church, but later became a minister of the 
 Presbyterian Church. Faithful in the discharge 
 

 OOMMBMORA TlYE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 of all his duties, he lived as nearly as he could 
 the Christ life, practicing that charity, so broad 
 in its conception, that the weeds and poisons of 
 tin human heart die away in the Klad sunshine 
 of brotherly love. In 1874, he moved to Phila- 
 delphia, and there continued his work. His 
 diligence in his studies led him to over-estimate 
 his strength, and in June, 1S79, worn out by an 
 attack of brain fever, he passed to the un> 
 ■ Id. 
 
 On Octobei I, Andrew V. Group was 
 
 united in marriage to Miss Martha Jane Sallada, 
 a daughter of John and Rebecca Sallada. Their 
 marriage was graced with six children, namely: 
 John Stuart; Zula M. ; Andrew V., Jr.; Grace 
 G. ; M irj Edith and Annie E., all yet living ex- 
 cept Mary Edith, who died at the age of six 
 At the time of the father's death, the 
 eldest child, John Stuart, was but six year-; 
 old, the youngest, Annie E., only two month-, 
 but the brave mother determined that the little 
 family should not becon and moved 
 
 back to her old home in Nippenose Valley. 
 Here sh< remained for two and one half years, 
 but realizing that her children would have su- 
 ducational facilities in the city, she re- 
 turned to Philadelphia, and there maintained a 
 home until the five children had all received the 
 
 ular public school education. At the time 
 when school days were past, and the children 
 
 it to provide the home, the mother, on Jan- 
 uary 23, [8 ng her task done, folded her 
 hands and passed to her eternal rest in the 
 : the Master she had served so well. 
 The memorj ol her noble, self-sacrificing life, 
 still lives in the minds and hearts of her loved 
 md the fruits of her Christian influence is 
 shown in the characters of her children — a 1 
 iiil; monument to the virtues of true womanhood. 
 
 John Sti \ki Group, the eldest in the al 
 mentioned family, was born July 10, 1870, in 
 Nippenose Valley, but has passed the greater 
 
 1 of his life in Philadelphia. His education 
 
 obtained in the Quaker City, which is, as 
 
 his home. For eight years past he has been 
 
 in the employ ol the Boothbj II pany of 
 
 Philadelphia, Penn., beginning as receiving clerk, 
 
 and was gradually promoted from one position to 
 
 another until he now holds one close to the 
 
 Though but twenty-eight years of age, 
 
 Mr. Group has accomplished what few nun of 
 
 r< than twice his years seldom succeed in 
 doing. He has already carved out for himself 
 an ample competence, and is now closing up his 
 investments in Philadelphia preparatory to re- 
 turning to his early home in Clinton Co., Penn. 
 He owns his beautiful home in Philadelphia, be- 
 
 sides property in Delaware county, Penn. ; he is 
 also the possessor of two farms in the Nippenose 
 Valley, one of 215 acres, once owned by his 
 grandfather, John Sallada, and one of fifty-two 
 acres, previously owned by William B. \Vels- 
 hans. These two farms are known as the Valley 
 View Farms, and are under a high state of cul- 
 tivation. Since purchasing this land, Mr. Group 
 has added much in the way of modern improve- 
 ments, spending over six thousand dollars in re- 
 pairs, and in the erection of buildings. Plans 
 are now ready for a handsome fifteen-room res- 
 idence, 67 x 82 feet, to be erected for the future 
 home of the family. 
 
 On October 17, 1893, John Stuart Group 
 was married to Miss Mabel N. Whipple, and of 
 this union two children have been born: John 
 Stuart Wells, and Edith May. Mrs. Group 
 comes of an old family, prominent in public af- 
 fairs for generations; her great-great-uncle, Will- 
 iam Whipple, was one of the signers of the Dec- 
 laration of Independence. Mr. Group is a man 
 of independent thought and action. Manly, 
 straight-forward and self-reliant, his success is 
 but the outcome of his own labor and keen fore- 
 sight. With a love for wealth only for such 
 pleasure as it brings to himself and others. Mr. 
 ip gives freely in the aid of the less fortunate, 
 and contributes liberally to the needs of the Pres- 
 bvterian Church. 
 
 WILLIAM H. STEVENSON, a prominent 
 wholesale lumberman of Lock Haven, 
 Clinton county, and the general manager of the 
 nsive lumber firm of Kreamer, Stevenson Ov. 
 Co., whose mills are located at Flinton, Cam- 
 bria county, is a native of Pennsylvania, born at 
 Jersey Shore, S< 1 27, 1856. 
 
 John and Fannie (Brown) Stevenson, his 
 grandparents, were natives of County Tyrone, 
 Ireland, Scotch-Irish farming people, the for- 
 mer born in Ireland, the latter in Glasgow, 
 Scotland. John Stevenson died there in 1825 
 in the faith of the Presbyterian Church, of 
 which he was a consistent member. The chil- 
 dren of this couple were: George, John. Will- 
 nder, David, Sarah, and Elizabeth, 
 the latter the wife of James Moore. In 1840 
 the mother brought her children to the United 
 locating at Jersey Shore. Penn., where 
 she died in 1S47, and was there buried. She 
 was a most estimable woman, highly respected 
 by her many friends and acquaintances. One of 
 these sons, Alexander Stevenson, the father of 
 our subject, was born in County Tyrone, Ire- 
 
' 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 653 
 
 a good common- 
 
 land, in 1S15. He received 
 school education, and at Castlederg, Barnscort, 
 he learned the carpenter's trade and assisted in 
 the building of that castle. On coming to this 
 country with the rest of the family he left Lon- 
 donderry, Ireland, in a sailing vessel, which 
 came nearly being lost on two occasions owing 
 to the intoxication of the captain; however, after 
 a voyage of six weeks they reached Philadelphia 
 in safety. From that city the family went to 
 Harrisburg, thence by canal in packet boat to 
 Jersey Shore, Penn., the point of destination. 
 That point then was a mere hamlet. There 
 Alexander built a house for the family, the ma- 
 son work of which was done by James Moore, his 
 brother-in-law. It was often remarked that 
 Stevenson and Moore could build a town. In 
 1859 Alexander Stevenson purchased a tract of 
 one thousand acres of timber land in Clinton 
 county, on which was erected a sawmill, and he 
 was engaged in the manufacture of lumber for 
 some five years. Then, selling his property, he 
 moved to Charlton, on the West Branch of Sus- 
 quehanna river, in Pine Creek township, and 
 there followed his trade until 1867, when he 
 moved to the present site of Woolrich, and there 
 purchased a partly-improved farm of some sev- 
 enty acres. To its further development and cul- 
 tivation he devoted his energies until 1890, and 
 upon the place erected a good residence and 
 other buildings. Owing to failing health he 
 passed the last three years of his life in retire- 
 ment from active labor, dying in 1893, aged sev- 
 enty-eight years. He was buried at Woolrich. 
 As an architect and builder he superintended the 
 erection of the First Methodist Episcopal Church 
 edifice at Woolrich. Politically he was a stanch 
 Democrat; he was a consistent member of the 
 M. E. Church, in which he held the office of 
 trustee, class-leader and steward. He was held 
 in high regard by all who knew him. He was a 
 kind father and an affectionate husband. 
 
 His wife, to whom he was married at Jersey 
 Shore, was Sarah Miller, who was born in Lin- 
 den, Lycoming Co., Penn., of English ancestry, 
 and bore him the following children: George, a 
 resident of the State of Arkansas, is engaged in 
 the lumber business and farming; Robert M., a 
 resident of Chatham Run, is the senior member 
 of the firm of Stevenson Brothers, manufacturers 
 of woolen goods; John F. , an accountant and 
 agriculturist, resides at Sherman, Texas; Mary 
 Frances is the wife of Charles Cameron, of near 
 Woolrich, Clinton county; and William H. The 
 mother of these died when William H. was one 
 and one-half years old, and, subsequently, the 
 father was again married, this time to Miss Mary 
 
 A. Moore, a native of County Tyrone, Ireland, 
 and a daughter of James Moore, a farmer, and 
 to the marriage eight children were born, name- 
 ly: Sarah is the wife of O. H. Johnson, of 
 Woolrich; Lizzie is at home; Alexander died in 
 childhood; Rebecca is the wife of D. B. Dunkel; 
 Aimer E. and Josephine are residents of Pine 
 Creek township, Clinton county; Mattie B. makes 
 her home with W. H. at Lock Haven; and Lydia 
 E. died in childhood. Mrs. Stevenson, who was 
 a devout member of the M. E. Church, died on 
 the homestead in Pine Creek township in 1S89. 
 William H. Stevenson as a lad attended the 
 schools at Woolrich, and later he was sent to the 
 Central State Normal School at Lock Haven. 
 He was finally sent to the famous Dickinson 
 Seminary at Williamsport, Penn., and was grad- 
 uated from that institution in 1883. In the 
 oratorical contest of that year, in which there 
 were five States represented, on that occasion 
 young Stevenson carried away the first prize. 
 After his graduation he taught three terms of 
 school in his home town of Woolrich, one term 
 in Nittany, and one at Lock Haven. He read 
 law for some six months, intending to make the 
 profession his life work, but he Changed his mind 
 and decided upon a business career, and at once 
 engaged in the lumbering business with Charles 
 Kreamer, and from that time to this the two have 
 been associated in business together. As the 
 years passed these men kept pace with the times, 
 and, being progressive and enterprising, their 
 business grew, until to-day the firm of Kreamer, 
 Stevenson & Co. is a great factor in the com- 
 mercial affairs of their locality. They employ 
 many men, and keep a great deal of money in cir- 
 culation. The out-put of their mills is large and 
 their product goes all over the country, giving 
 the firm a large business acquaintance. The gen- 
 eral manager is young and active, and possesses 
 that tact and energy which has made his business 
 move. He has proven himself a capable busi- 
 ness man, and his efforts have not been un-re- 
 warded as he is a man of means. He has the 
 confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens 
 among whom he has moved since boyhood. He 
 is a man of education and letters, and is a valuable 
 citizen in the community. He is a member of 
 the school board, to which office he was elected 
 in the spring of 1896. His tastes, however, are 
 not those which make office seeking desirable. 
 Politically he was an independent Democrat till 
 the Presidential election in 1896, when he voted 
 for William McKinley for President; he like thou- 
 sands of other independent voters could not ac- 
 cept the free-silver theory embraced in the Dem- 
 ocratic platform. He is identified with theBusi- 
 
<•..-, I 
 
 COMMBMORA TIYE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 ness Men's t. lub of Lock Haven, and is a mem- 
 ber of the Royal Arcanum. 
 
 On January i-\ [884, Mr. Stevenson was 
 married t . the second daughter 
 
 of Charles and Vesta L. Kreamer, of Lock Ha- 
 ven, bom June 1. 1862, at Queens Run. Clinton 
 county, and to the marriage has come: Mabel 
 harles Kreamer, Galen Eaton and George 
 Bond. The parents of these are members of the 
 M I.. Church. Mrs Stevenson is a woman of 
 ition and culture, and is deeply interested in 
 lucation and training of her family. She is 
 Bed with several organizations in Church 
 work, and devotes a gi I of her time look- 
 
 ing after the poor and needy in her community. 
 
 WILLIAM YOUTZ, master carpent* 
 the division of thi Philadelphia & 
 
 I : railroad, was burn, in 1839, in Mt. Gretna, 
 Li banon Co . Penn. His lather, Jacob Youtz, 
 - born in America, but the grandfather was a 
 lany. The fathi I the ad- 
 
 irs, having long sur- 
 vived his wife. Four of their children are still 
 living: James, Mrs K 31 I 1st, Joseph and 
 William." 
 
 Our subject acquired his education in the dis- 
 trict schools, and worked upon a farm and at a 
 furnace until -■ ! age, when he 
 
 was apprenticed to r, sei ving a four- 
 
 term. < >n the expiration of that period 
 was employed on the construction of Clark's 
 I erry bridgi the S ia, and after- 
 
 •I went to Harrisburg, where he worked on 
 the weighlock. I 
 
 in building canal | Harrisburg, 
 
 Marietta and Lewis) June 1, i86t,he 
 
 wenttoAni Md.,withCol. fohn L. Piper, 
 
 and entered thi I nited Stal 
 
 eminent. After building some docks at Annap- 
 olis and a new rad line to Annapolis Junction, 
 Mr. Youtz •■•• ■ 1 Washington, D. ('.. as 
 
 stanl fo truction ol the 
 
 long-bridge, and upon the completion 'if that 
 work aided in building many bri 1 the use 
 
 the Armj ol the Potomac, often working under 
 the heai n< mj In 
 
 ord \V W. Wright, at 
 
 Wh n . to build a that 
 
 I it The bridge was to be 900 feel long and 
 
 : high, and although Mr *> I to 
 
 1 his n into tl; rto 
 
 be used in its construction, he had it up in four 
 and one-half daj - Hebuill r Look- 
 
 k, after which his party was organ 
 the First Division Construe) ps II- 
 
 n eighty head of oxen and thirty mule teams 
 
 aul the provisions and tools of the division 82 
 miles to Dalton, where a bridge was to be built 
 2,300 feet long and 95 feet high. Mr. Wentz, 
 the engineer in charge, asked how long it would 
 take to complete the bridge, and when Mr. Youtz 
 replied fifteen days, he told him he was crazy to 
 think of such a thing under three months. Nev- 
 ertheless the work was completed in thirteen and 
 one-half days. He built many other bridges, in- 
 cluding one at Resaca, at Etowa and Allatoona, 
 where the division camped three weeks and cut 
 timber enough to build all the bridges from there 
 to the sea. In five days they built a bridge 1,000 
 ■ long and 100 feet high, across the Chatta- 
 hoochie. This is but one of many instances in 
 which Mr. Youtz executed rapid and efficient 
 work in this line. He had to rebuild the bridge 
 at Resaca five or six times, and on more than 
 one occasion the rapidity with which he con- 
 structed bridges, thus allowing the army to pro- 
 ceed on its way. was undoubtedly the means of 
 winning a number of battles. 
 
 Shortly after the war Mr. Youtz formed a 
 partnership in the planing-mill business in Mar- 
 tinsburg, Va., but not liking this he resun 
 budge building and constructed about six small 
 iron bridges on the Northern Central railway be- 
 tween Harrisburg and Sunbury for the Keystone 
 
 Ige Company. On September 15, 1867, he 
 entered the service of the Philadelphia & Erie 
 railroad, and was placed in charge of the main- 
 tenance of way shop at Renovo. Later he was 
 promoted to master carpenter of the road, and by 
 
 nsion had charge < >f the line from Erie to Sun- 
 bury, acting in that capacity until the position 
 of division-master carpenter was created. He aft- 
 erward built a large number of bridges on contract 
 
 the Western New York & Pennsylvania, Erie 
 S Pennsylvania Company in Elk county. Clar- 
 
 River railroad, the Howard railroad and the 
 Narrow-Gauge railroad, and in 1884 built the new 
 iron '.000 feet long across the Potomac 
 
 .it Washington, I). C. He resigned his position 
 with the Pennsylvania Railroad Company March 
 1. 1884, but re-entered its service October 1, 
 master r of the Middle Divis- 
 
 ion. Philadelphia & Erie railroad. Since then 
 his fine abilities as a mechanic, his good judg- 
 ment of men. Ins bravery and his capacity to en- 
 dure exposure have enabled him to perform some 
 very important work, e.jual to that which he did 
 during the war. In the repair of the lines east 
 hi I Erie after the great flood disas- 
 ter- of 1 in his efforts to 1 
 store commu and. with the other mas- 
 ter 1 ~m thi Pennsylvania system, is en- 
 
, ^ 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 655 
 
 titled to great credit for accomplishing it in such 
 a short space of time. Their work was done un- 
 der the most adverse circumstances, wide, deep 
 and angry streams and forbidding washouts con- 
 fronted them, tracks destroyed, and material to 
 be had only under the greatest difficulty, yet on 
 they went with an ardor and loyalty unsurpassed 
 until success crowned their efforts. In the many 
 emergencies since Mr. Youtz has maintained his 
 high and deserved reputation. 
 
 In July, 1869, our subject was united in mar- 
 riage with M. E. Crouse, of Renovo, Penn., and 
 they now have six children: Charles, William 
 Harry, George, Walter, and Cyril. Mr. Youtz 
 and his family are members of the Catholic 
 Church. While the effect of his services and his 
 labors is immeasurable Mr. Youtz deserves the 
 commendation that is ever accorded to genuine 
 worth, to the faithful and fearless performance 
 of duty under trying circumstances. Ever true 
 to the trust reposed in him, he carried on his work 
 amid the fire of Civil war and in the face of a 
 more intangible but none the less to be dreaded 
 foe— a flood. He is respected by all who know 
 him and, the company numbers him among its 
 most efficient employees. 
 
 I AMES H. ROTHROCK, the senior member 
 i of the firm of Rothrock Brothers, dealers in 
 general groceries, flour, feed, etc., at Lock 
 Haven, Clinton county, was born in Centre 
 county, July 19, 1864. 
 
 These brothers have descended from a family, 
 members of which have been identified with the 
 history of the State through several generations. 
 The name of Rothrock is closely connected with 
 the early history of York, York county. The 
 following is copied from records of the Moravian 
 Church, of that city, which were secured during 
 the Revolutionary period: 
 
 Philip Rothrock was born near Worms, in Germany 
 December 8, 1718. He emigrated to America, and settled 
 } ^ '" 17SS - M^ch 22, 1740, he was married to Cath- 
 erine M. Kuntz, who also was of German birth. They had 
 fourteen children In the York Moravian Congregational 
 Diary or the year 1775, Pastor Neister has made, fn German 
 the following records: "July31.-With the people in genera 
 we have thus far been in peace. However, urgent requests 
 arm S , en Vl t0 ? Ur f Pe0P K le L° a " end the drilling fn the S 
 atTha, It T 1 ' re , hren m t0Wn have ' however . ar ^-ed 
 
 a tend SSfl. ™ a f ' ^% Can "° lun ^r be compelled to 
 attend drills. A few of the voung men have yielded and 
 smW ,r' Ben J amin . Rothrock, son of Philip Lthroc'kjn 
 wpnt ff i 16 remo , nstra V ons °f both his father and brothers 
 whvV du ™g, th e night with a company of Virginia trooos 
 which marched through this place." (This was the rifle 
 company commanded by Capt. Daniel Morgan, later he 
 distinguished General Morgan.) 
 1776. 
 July 17, Jacob Rothrock has also escaped being draft- 
 
 ed, but Ernest Schlosser, the three sons of Brother Roth- 
 rock, will have to march off in the next few days " 
 
 "On the 28 of September, 76, Mr. Philip Rothrock re- 
 turned from a visit to his sons in camp near New York " 
 
 "On October 12, 1776, Mr. Philip Rothrock's son, Benia- 
 mfn, who, since the beginning of 1776, had been detained a 
 prisoner of war, returned home." 
 
 "March 29 Bro. Philip Rothrock gave me information 
 with regard to several political occurrences and the discov- 
 ery ot a plot against this town by the Tories." "April 4 I 
 visited Bro. John Rothrock, who I found sick, so his father 
 daily attends to the printing of Continental bills." 
 its; 
 
 "February 5 I received a letter from Jacob Rothrock 
 together with a uewspaper from Baltimore, containing intel- 
 ligence that peace was concluded, and the independence of 
 the United States of North America had been acknowledged 
 for which we praised God." ' 
 
 These and many other records of the early 
 history of York county show the connection of 
 this family with the development of our county. 
 Among the children of John Rothrock, spoken of 
 above as printing Continental bills, was George, 
 born May 24, 1781, married and removed to 
 Bellefonte, Penn. His youngest child was Dr. 
 H. H. Rothrock, father of the brothers first 
 spoken of in the foregoing. He was born Sep- 
 tember 1, 1833, near Bellefonte, on what was 
 known as ' ' Mountain Home. " He was educated 
 for the profession of dentistry, and followed it 
 throughout the greater part of his life, retiring 
 from active practice some years ago. He was a 
 resident of Bellefonte for many years, and was a 
 most useful man and citizen. A glance at the 
 history of that community will reveal the name 
 of Rothrock connected with a number of its insti- 
 tutions which have been of benefit to the public 
 in general. He was a member of the school 
 board at Bellefonte along in the seventies, at 
 the time of the election of the present governor, 
 Daniel H. Hastings, as principal of the schools 
 of the borough. He is now a resident of Lock 
 Haven. 
 
 On September 4, 1861, Dr. H. H. Rothrock 
 was married to Lydia Ann Canan, who, too, was 
 a native of Pennsylvania, born September 9, 
 1843, at Stormstown. Their children were: Anna 
 Virginia, James Herbert, Clifford Thompson, 
 Marian Amanda, Ernest Hart, William Canan 
 and Harold Alton. The mother of these died 
 on January 25, 1892. She had led an exem- 
 plary Christian life, and was beloved by many. 
 James H. Rothrock received his education in 
 the schools of Centre county, principally at 
 Bellefonte. He was a pupil" under Principal 
 Hastings. At the age of fifteen years he began 
 clerking in the store of A. W. Reese at Port 
 Matilda, Penn., with whom he remained two 
 years. He then worked for two years at dentist- 
 ry under the instruction of his father. Follow- 
 ing which for two years he taught school in 
 
,■:,,; 
 
 VORATIVB BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 < .utre and Clinton counties. In 1890 he and 
 ; ,th( r, < I R ithi bed their 
 
 present business at No. 48 Bellefonte avenue, 
 Lock Haven. Th n with small capital, 
 
 but by careful man 
 
 to business both I d business 
 
 the) have built up a large trade. Their 
 ized by honor and in- 
 tegrity . and rd they have pr 
 business and been : »ful. Their establish- 
 ment is a tirst-cl.i n which a $5,ooo-stock 
 ds is carried. They are out of debt, have 
 
 1 1 thousand dollars 
 cm interest — a period. 
 
 Our subject is a meml erol the Episcopal Church, 
 the vestrymen ol the Church at 
 ! Havei In politics be has been a Repub- 
 
 lican, but now has strong Prohibition proclivities. 
 K T in degree in the Masonic order, 
 ol the Blue Lodge; he is also a 
 if the K. of P. and of the K. of M. On 
 September 8, [897, he was married at New York 
 City to Miss Lliza Jane Heltman, ol Mackeyville, 
 Pennsylvania. 
 
 ROB! KT S. SMITH, one of the most pros- 
 • tntial agriculturist, of Clin- 
 inty, is now living retired at his pleasant 
 home in Pine Creek township, surrounded by 
 that earnest labor has brought him. 
 The story <>f the founders of this nation and of 
 • onary forefathers is interesting, not 
 only from a historic standpoint, but also as a 
 source of inspiration and en 
 ■ ■th ', d not look to the past . the 
 
 presi fit furnishes many examples worthy of em- 
 ulation in the men who have risen through their 
 own efforts to positions of prominence and im- 
 rtance in professional, political and busim 
 ro this 1 is belongs Mr. Smith. 
 He was born Septeml 
 township, Lyci iming ( >., Penn 
 Thomas and Elizabeth • nith. K 
 
 • Smith, the grandfather, 
 
 nid a native ol Berks county. Penn., 
 where be w farm and educated 
 
 in the public s< hools. On attaining his major- 
 
 ived 'Ait. ily by th 
 
 King to L3 eating ii I 
 
 Corners, Piatt township, where he bought a 
 farm of 130 acres, on which hi 
 the necessary buildings 1 the cultivation and 
 • mi nt of his farm he devoted his atten- 
 throughout the remainder ol In- lif< 
 1 few years during the sprii he ran 
 
 river boats on the West branch, and "arks" on 
 the Susquehanna from Jersey Shore to Marietta, 
 carrying grain, lumber and other products to 
 market. In Lycoming county, he married Cath- 
 arine Clark, a native of that county, and to 
 them were born the following children: George, 
 wlii 1 in farming in Ohio until his death; 
 
 fohn, a blacksmith of Lycoming county, where 
 his death occurred; Thomas, the father of our 
 subject; Abram. a farmer of Lycoming countv, 
 now deceased; Robert, who operated the old 
 homestead; Isaac, who died on his farm in Ohio; 
 William, a farmer and hotel keeper, who died in 
 Lycoming county; Elizabeth, who married Will- 
 iam Crownover, and died in Lycoming county; 
 Annie, wife of William Bennett, of Level Cor- 
 ners, Lycoming county; and Catharine, wife of 
 Robert Quigley, of the same county. The per- 
 ents of these children both died on the old 
 homestead at an advanced age, and were laid 
 to rest in Pine Creek cemetery, Lycoming coun- 
 ty. They were members of the Presbyterian 
 Church; the grandfather was a strong supporter 
 of the Whig party, and was an industrious, en- 
 ergetic and highly respected citizen. 
 
 Thomas Smith, father of our subject, was 
 born at Level Corners December i, 1795, and in 
 the subscription schools of the locality obtained 
 a limited education, which was supplemented by 
 
 ' stud] and close observation in later years. 
 He remained upon the home farm until his mar- 
 riage m [820, and then for three years rented the 
 Alam King place, where he and his bride began 
 life in very limited circumstances, but they pos- 
 sessed stout hearts and willing hands, and pros- 
 
 ty at length crowned their efforts. Having 
 
 da small sum of money, Mr. Smith invested 
 the same in a tract of 200 acres in Porter town- 
 ship, Lycoming county, of which only fifty acres 
 had been cleared, while the rest was still covered 
 with timber. Year after year saw more land 
 placed under cultivation until the place was con- 
 verted into one of the best farms of the town- 
 ship, it being also improved with good and sub- 
 stantial buildings. He did not long enjoy his 
 
 home, however, as he was called from this 
 ember 15, 1831, at the early age of thirty- 
 six years, and he was laid by the side of his par- 
 ents in Pine Creek cemetery, where a marble 
 
 ument marks his last resting place. He « 
 onian Democrat in politics, was 
 the leading and influential men of his party 
 in his community, and acceptably ser 
 
 1 11 ector, assessor and tax collector 
 in Porter township. Both he and his wife were 
 
 est and faithful members of the Presbyterian 
 Church, and their sterling worth and many 
 
^r/t^^J)^,™^ 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 657 
 
 excellencies of character gained them many 
 friends. 
 
 On March 16, 1820, at Jersey Shore, Thomas 
 Smith was married to Elizabeth Gambel, who 
 was born near that place April 14, 1S03, a 
 daughter of James Gambel, who was of Scotch- 
 Irish descent, and was a farmer of Piatt town- 
 ship. Lycoming county. She died in 18G6 at the 
 home of Andrew McKinney, her son-in-law, of 
 Pine Creek township, Clinton county. In the 
 family were four children, as follows: | 1 1 James 
 G., born Jul}' 1, 1822, married Susan Webb, 
 January 9, 1845, a daughter of Richard Webb, 
 and four children were born to them — Richard 
 deceased, Rebecca J., Elizabeth and James. 
 James G. was a farmer of Lycoming county, 
 and died in Jersey Shore May 20, 1852. His 
 political support was given the Democracy. (2) 
 Mary, born February 20, 1825, married Robert 
 Stewart, of Lock Haven, Penn., and died at 
 Fort Scott, Kans. , November 24, r 8S5, leaving 
 nine children. (3) Catharine, born October 30, 
 1826, married Andrew McKinney, of Frederick 
 City, Md., and died in August, 18S4, leaving 
 four children. (4) Robert S. completes the 
 family. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was only two 
 years and a half old when his father died, and 
 in consequence he grew up without a father's 
 loving and protecting care. In an old log school 
 house he began his literary education, Alexan- 
 der Hamilton and a Mr. Ross being among his 
 first teachers, and he also pursued his studies 
 under the direction of Dr. A. McMurray and his 
 cousin, Rev. Jacob McMurray. He was able 
 to attend school for only about three months 
 out of the year, but he made the most of his ad- 
 vantages, and being a keen observer and great 
 reader he has become a well-informed man, 
 especially on the leading questions of the day. 
 Until seventeen years of age he remained at 
 home with his mother, but in 1845 went to 
 Jersey Shore, where he served a three-years' 
 apprenticeship to the carpenter's and joiner's 
 trade, and then worked as a journeyman for 
 two years. In 1850 he purchased eighty acres 
 of the old homestead, where the following 
 twenty years were passed, caring for his mother 
 in her declining years. He replaced the old log 
 house by a fine brick residence, built barns and 
 made other necessary improvements, the cost of 
 which amounted to over $5,000. In 1870, how- 
 ever, he sold the place to the son of Judge 
 Ferguson, and purchased the Duncan farm of 
 one hundred acres in Pine Creek township, Clin- 
 ton county, where in 1884 he erected the finest 
 brick house in the township, at a cost of $4,000. 
 
 42* 
 
 He also erected a barn and other buildings at a 
 cost of $3,000. In 1890 he also bought the 
 Goller farm of ninety-seven acres in the same 
 township, and upon that place built a barn val- 
 ued at $2,000 and tobacco sheds at a cost of 
 $1,500. He is one of the most extensive tobacco 
 growers in the township, devoting twelve acres 
 each year to the cultivation of that product. 
 Always a thrifty, industrious and progressive 
 agriculturist, he met with a well-deserved suc- 
 cess in his undertakings, and is now enabled to 
 lay aside business cares and enjoy the fruits of 
 his former toil. 
 
 On February 4', 1862, in Porter township, 
 Lycoming county, Mr. Smith was married to 
 Miss Nancy McQ. McKinney, who was born Oc- 
 tober 11, 1836, in Turbut township, Northumber- 
 land Co., Penn., a daughter of Matthew and 
 Elizabeth (Ferguson) McKinney, the former a 
 farmer of Northumberland and Lycoming coun- 
 ties, and an uncle of Judge J. H. McKinney, of 
 Pine Creek township. Three children graced 
 this union, namely: Matthew M. , born December 
 23, 1862, died of diphtheria in February, 1863. 
 1 _■ 1 John A. G., born September 5, 1864, ob- 
 tained his education in the public schools of Pine 
 Creek township and the Jersey Shore Academy, 
 and now operates the home farm. He was mar- 
 ried February 2S, 1894, to Anna M. Harris, a 
 native of Pine Creek township, and a daughter 
 of James and Amanda (Bonnell) Harris. They 
 became the parents of one child — Helen Virginia, 
 who was born October 5, 1895, an d died August 
 6, 1896. The son is a Democrat in politics, and 
 is a wide-awake, progressive business-man. (3) 
 Graham McK., born April 24, 1871, was educated 
 in the same schools as his brother, and made 
 farming his occupation. On February 20, 1895, 
 he married Carrie Jones, a daughter of John 
 Jones, of Pine Creek township; he died De- 
 cember 19, 1896, leaving many friends as well 
 as his immediate family to mourn his loss. 
 
 As a Democrat, our subject has ever taken a 
 commendable interest in public affairs, but has 
 never been a politician in the sense of office seek- 
 ing, though he has most efficiently served as 
 overseer of the poor in his township. As a hus- 
 band and father he is a model worthy of all im- 
 itation, and he is unassuming in his manner, 
 sincere in his friendships, steadfast and unswerv- 
 ing in his loyalty to the right. Throughout his 
 career of continued and far-reaching usefulness, 
 his duties have been performed with the greatest 
 care, and during a long life his personal honor 
 and integrity are without blemish. Both he and 
 his estimable wife are faithful members of the 
 Presbyterian Church of Jersey Shore. 
 

 COMMEMORATIVE BIOOIiAPniCAL RECORD. 
 
 M WILLIAMSON PORTER. On reaching 
 man's allotted years — threescore and ten — 
 
 how few men there are that can with the subject 
 of this ty, practically speaking, that that 
 
 span oi years has been passed within one hundred 
 and fifty rods of the place of his birth. 
 
 Mr. Porter is now living retired at Mackey- 
 ville, Clinton county, i the leisure and 
 
 n forts of a well-deserved rest after a long life 
 of activity and toil. He has descended from a 
 patriotic ancestry. His grandfather, Samuel 
 1 rter, figured conspicuously in the Continental 
 army during the Revolutionary war. Born in 
 N rth Ireland in 174''. when of age (1771) he 
 came to America. He resided in ( h< ster coun- 
 ty, Penn., and in October. 1770. the date <»f his 
 enlistment in the army in Capt Hawkins Boone's 
 npany <'f the 12th Pennsylvania Regiment, of 
 which William Cooke u..^ colonel, was living in 
 Buffalo Valley (now I'nion county). In Jul 
 1777, he was detached with Capt. Boone and 
 1 rifleman to Col. Daniel Morgan's rifle 
 nd, and was in several engagements | 
 ng Burgoyne's capture, and at his surrender 
 In 177S the [2th and other regiments were 
 merged Into the 3rd, commanded by Col. Craig, 
 but Mr. Porter, continuing with the rifle com- 
 1. participated under Maj. James Parr in 
 Sullivan's campaign against the Indians in 1799. 
 Alter taking part in twenty-two engagements, 
 ping without a wound, he was discharj 
 \"lt c.f tli.' Pennsylvania Line ti 
 service, with the followiti ficate: " Thi 
 
 to > ertify that tl imuel P01 !ier, 
 
 ha\ 1 in the jrd regiment of Pennsylvania 
 
 during the trim of his is now dis- 
 
 charged from tic of the United Mates of 
 
 1 ica. 
 1 i a Trenton this 2 1st of |anuar\ , A 1 1 
 
 An i ik'Ny Wayne, B, G 
 Thi - married in ( hest< r county 
 
 • Futha, who was born at 
 
 About 1790 the) with oth 
 pushed their way up Fishing creek in a canoe, 
 and bought I squatter a tract <.( 300 acres 
 
 of excel], nt bottom land, for which thi 
 thirty dollars. The improvements on thi | 
 > primitive type The ho 
 1I1 wi re constructed of i- !L >d with 1 
 
 :n the beautiful 
 Nittan) Valley. The childi 
 
 re: Jarrn died adult 
 
 1 at Lock Haven; Polly reached . 
 tut. md died at S unmarri 
 
 Ann also reached mature' age, never man 
 and died at Salona. In their religious vi 
 
 lily were Presbyterians. The father 
 
 was a stanch Democrat. His death occurred 
 at the old homestead on January 10, 1825. 
 and his wife's some years previously. His 
 remains rest in the old cemetery in Lock 
 Haven, Clinton county. Of their children, 
 James Porter, born in Chester county, April 1, 
 
 ;, married Miss Margaret Williamson, who 
 was born in the Cumberland Valley, Penn., Feb- 
 ruary 15, 1788. The)- began their married life 
 near Mackeyville, going to housekeeping in a log 
 cabin in Lamar township. For a time the hus- 
 band followed teaming, hauling iron to Pittsburg 
 and store goods back, the trip requiring four 
 weeks. Farming, however, was his chief occu- 
 pation. He was a great hunter and enjoyed the 
 sport. He had a farm of 400 acres which he 
 cleared with the aid of his sons, and man.u 
 successfully, and he operated a sawmill on Fish- 
 ing creek. He killed bear and deer, which were 
 plentiful at that time, and pheasants in their 
 season were so numerous that one of the sons 
 says he had often seen him shoot them through 
 the raised window. His death occurred Novem- 
 ber 15. 1852, while on a hunting expedition in 
 the Cooper settlement, Clearfield county, amo 
 the Alleghany Mountains, dying suddenly after 
 eating a hearty breakfast. His remains were in- 
 terred in the cemetery at Salona. His widow 
 survived until 1861, dying near Mackeyville, 
 March 16. She was well educated, a great 
 
 ler, and a woman of more than ordinal) in- 
 telligence. They were plain but good people. 
 industrious, and made the kindest of neighbors 
 and best of citizens. He, while reared in the 
 byterian Church, later in life became a Meth- 
 odist. He was a large and powerfully built 
 man, just such as was needed in the opening up 
 of a new country. Their children were: Martha, 
 married Samuel Bridgens, and died at Salona: 
 Samuel was a canal boatman, and died in Flem- 
 ington; Harriet married Willis Mann, and died 
 
 feagertown, Mifflin county; Barbara J. mar- 
 ried Joseph Reeseman, and died in Wisconsin; 
 Adolphus died in boyhood; Elizabeth also died 
 whei >ung; James H. is a farmer in 
 
 Nittany Valley; Margaret is the widow of Hon. 
 J. G. Eldred, of Mackeyville; William T. resides 
 
 »gle county. III.; R. Williamson is our sub- 
 ject; and Nancy, who died in Mackeyville. The 
 
 therof these was the daughter of Moses Will- 
 iamson and Barbara Walters, the former of 
 
 tch-Irish and the latter of German lineage. 
 s Williamson was a merchant. He moved 
 from the Cumberland Valley to Lewistown, Miff- 
 lin count)-, where he carried on business, and 
 branch store in the Kishacoquil- 
 las Valley, conveying his goods to the latter point 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 059 
 
 in a keel-bottomed boat. He was a man of good 
 and large heart, and ruined himself in business 
 by extending too great a credit. He failed in 
 business, and with the little that was left after 
 settling up his affairs he bought at a tax sale 800 
 acres of land, paying for it ten cents per acre. 
 This land was located on Fishing creek in what 
 is now Porter township, Clinton county, and on 
 a portion of this tract he resided and died here, 
 and was buried at Jacksonville, Centre county. 
 While living at Lewistown he represented his 
 district in two sessions of the Legislature. He 
 and his brother, Thomas Williamson, of Carlisle, 
 surveyed and took up a large tract of land in La- 
 mar and Porter townships. His children were: 
 Margaret, Joseph, Thomas, Mary A., Harriet, 
 Nancy, and Robert. 
 
 R. Williamson Porter was born March 14, 
 1828, on the homestead farm in the vicinity of 
 Mackeyville. With the exception of one winter, 
 his school days were passed in the little log 
 school house that stood on the opposite side of 
 the road from the site of the present house in 
 the homestead neighborhood (the exception be- 
 ing in a house on his father's farm). He now 
 vividly recalls in his mind's vision the scenes of 
 those days of the long-ago, and is startled when 
 he thinks of how few are left of the many who 
 came and went from that house. In those days 
 the quill pen was used, and it was no small part 
 of the teacher's work to keep them in order. Mr. 
 Porter was reared on the farm and lived in the 
 days of the sickle, the scythe, and the cradle — 
 when to live on a farm meant work. His 
 father was a good manager and always found 
 work to keep the boys busy. Our subject re- 
 mained at home for several years after he be- 
 came of age. For two years after the death of 
 his father, R. Williamson and his brother, William 
 T., farmed the homestead. Subsequently the 
 former with the widowed mother left the farm, 
 moving to Mackeyville and into the house in 
 which our subject now resides and owns. The 
 mother, however, finally returned to the farm 
 where she died. From the time our subject 
 moved to the village up to some two years ago 
 he worked at various occupations. By his in- 
 dustrious habits, good management and the 
 practice of economy he has become well-to-do, 
 retiring from the activities of life with a com- 
 petence. He has been married three times. His 
 first wife was Mary Beck, who bore him one child 
 — Mary, that died in infancy. His second wife 
 was Miss Elizabeth Gummo, who died without 
 issue. For his third wife he married Leah Beck 
 (sister of the first wife). The third Mrs. Porter 
 also died without issue. Mr. Porter is a citizen 
 
 of unquestioned integrity, and commands the 
 the highest respect and esteem of his fellow- 
 citizens, unassuming in manner and of a most 
 social turn. He has been a useful citizen in the 
 community. He is a member of the Method- 
 ist Church, is treasurer and steward of his home 
 Church. For a number of years he has served 
 without pay as the sexton. He gave much of 
 his time and contributed liberally toward the 
 building of the church edifice there at Mackey- 
 ville, giving at one time $650. He was one of 
 the building committee, and during the time the 
 edifice was being built and paid for, he did what 
 he considers about the hardest work of his life, yet 
 it was a labor of love as his Church relations have 
 ever been close and dear to his heart. Mr. Por- 
 ter is identified with the I. O. O. F., being a 
 member of the Great Island Lodge No. 320, at 
 Lock Haven. Politically he is a Democrat. 
 Residing among the mountains for so many years 
 and travelling over them so often, Mr. Porter is 
 most familiar with all localities, knowing every 
 nook and corner. He at one time while hunting 
 at night shot and killed a deer at a lick without 
 seeing the animal, and when it was too dark to 
 see his gun. He did this by locating the deer 
 through the sound made by it when taking the 
 gravel into its mouth. 
 
 ACOB SCOTT, one of the substantial and 
 ; prosperous business men of Lock Haven, 
 Clinton county, was born April 10, 1840, at 
 Hazleton, Luzerne county, Pennsylvania. 
 
 Simon Scott, his father, was a native of Ger- 
 many, born May 2, 181 5, at Rodelheim, near 
 Frankfort-on-the-Main. He came to America 
 when only a lad of fifteen years. He set out in 
 life with a fixed purpose to become independent, 
 and for years worked at whatever his hands found 
 to do. For a time he was a peddler. Later he 
 located at Pottsville, Penn., where he began fol- 
 lowing mercantile pursuits, on a small scale at 
 first, which business he increased as his means 
 and the trade justified. He remained there sev- 
 enteen or eighteen years, and prospered. From 
 Pottsville he moved to Pine Creek, Clinton coun- 
 ty, where he was a merchant until he came to 
 Lock Haven. He here carried on a general 
 store, and some years later was also engaged in 
 operating a tannery. He was an energetic and 
 industrious man of good business ability, and met 
 with success. He was enterprising and progress- 
 ive, and, as a citizen, he was a valuable man to 
 Lock Haven. His death occurred on October 6, 
 1892. His wife, whom he married April 20, 183S, 
 was Julia Ann Horn, born in 1820, at Hazleton, 
 
661 1 
 
 VORATn GRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 \w i and Lewis. 
 
 are livii 
 
 Jao Scott Lock 
 
 Haven and Penn., and 
 
 pleting hi- ■ he followed in the i< 
 
 df Ins (ath- rking in the mercantile busi- 
 
 -. in which he is still I. He h 
 
 ciated in business with him his brother, Lewis 
 
 the tinii being Sc tt Bi 
 Th' tin, and 
 
 largely in i This firm is one ->f the 
 
 soli i Haven ; it does a I 
 
 the men being conservative 
 and careful. J 5 tt is the first vie 
 
 . 1 laven Tru I iny. 1 1 
 
 a finam shown in th-' manner 
 
 in which he has managed his own airs. 
 
 He is a man nd influence. In politics 
 
 he is a Den 
 
 ( in May I- 1 nr subject was marrii 
 
 linnet, daughti i ol Samuel and Mary Smith, of 
 
 children ha. 
 - this ma: Mary J. I Mrs ' ■ ■ 
 
 Mrs J. E I >rofbaugh i, and 
 Miriam Mrs J. II Fursl . The motherof tl 
 
 t New York, born Maj i ;. 1 842, it 
 Dansville; nan 
 
 • I w inning maimers that 
 friends. 
 
 1 1 I I AM F SPERRING. a typical self- 
 l\L of the 1 I ative 
 
 I 1 k Haven, Clinton coun- 
 ty, is the popular bookkeeper an 1 ol the 
 
 ity 
 
 Mr. Sperrii t Pennsylvania, 
 
 m Clinl ty, a son of 
 
 1 1- m\ and Jan. th of 1 ng- 
 
 lisli nativity, coming to the United States with 
 
 theii 1 family 
 
 Farrai I linton ■ mi. 
 
 1 1- m\ E n at Ta nd, 
 
 June 2 - ' , 1823, and 
 
 then in 1 at 
 
 Im 1 ! . near Bolton, Lancashire, England, 
 
 , on the li< Lit • ■ Dewart 
 Clinton, ' and landed in New '1 1 - , 
 
 [831 ■. then six \ 
 
 Henry £ 
 in the lumbering and coal b 
 ville and Whetham, 1 ly in th 
 
 I ck Haven, li\ ing there in retii 
 ten II- t! m the . 
 
 twenty 
 
 died 1; H 
 
 very active man and patriotic citizen, and while 
 
 sident of Lock Haven he served in the city 
 
 ncil, on the school board, and in other local 
 
 tions. His widow is still living at the ad- 
 
 vani f seventy-four years, and in the en- 
 
 1 health. Five of this honored 
 
 1 a also survix- \ : Mrs. J. 
 
 i,l t Clinton county; A. B., living near 
 
 Mill Hall; Ruth A., at home; William F., our 
 
 1 Mrs. W. T. Turner, of Keating 
 
 Summit. 
 
 William F. Si g received his education 
 
 at the Lock Haven public schools, subsequently 
 takii -mess course under Prof. S. N. ( hris- 
 
 t ] Haven, Mr. Sperring being his hr>t 
 
 hl.it-. On : subject 
 
 accepted a position as bookk A. Pardee 
 
 & Son, lumbermen, with whom he remained 
 eleven years, in April. [888, coming to bis pi 
 
 bookkeeper ami cashier of the 
 Holloway Bottling Company. Beginning life's 
 struggles at the early age of sixteen years, he has 
 by application and energy advanced rapidly by 
 In- own effi II 
 
 In March. [886 William F. Sperring was 
 married to R Margaret Brut -man. dauf 
 
 in A. Brutzman, of Lock Haven, and one 
 child. Ada Elizabeth, brightens their hom< Mrs. 
 Sperring is a member of the English Lutheran 
 I hun h Socially Mr. Sperring is affiliated with 
 the B. P. O. E.; in politics he is a Democrat, 
 -polies; he is a member of the 
 sch- I, - il which he is treasun 
 
 A 
 
 N. HECKMAN, a wealth) retired agricult- 
 PS*. urist residing at Lamar, Clinton county, 
 ne of the county's most valued citizens, and 
 
 belongs to ;i family which has been for main 
 lentified with the best interests of this 
 m. 
 John Hickman, the grandfather of oui sub- 
 was a prosperous farmer in Penn's Valley 
 in the early days, but his last years were spent 
 11 a farm in Sugar Valley, in Green township, 
 nt} His son John (2), the latii- 1 
 March 9, 1810, in Penn's 
 Vail panied his patents to their 
 
 where he grew to manhood. On 
 July 12, if I to Miss Anna 
 
 Maria Brungart, wh rn August 16, 1 81 1, 
 
 the and Susanna Brungart. 
 
 Alter hi ubject's father continued 
 
 in a small house in 
 
 the . and later he had charge of 
 
 the ■ but finally purchased the 
 
 1. He had a good start in 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 661 
 
 life, receiving $500 from his father at the time of 
 marriage, and by his successful management he 
 accumulated a handsome propety. In 1863 he 
 bought the "Arnold Custard" farm in the Nit- 
 tany Valley, and in the spring of 1873 removed 
 to that locality, retiring from active business. 
 He afterward purchased the John Watson farm 
 of 1 13 acres for $14,799.68. He was an indus- 
 trious man, full of resolution, and invariably ful- 
 filled his promises. At the same time he enjoyed 
 life, taking pleasure when it came rightfully, and 
 he lived to see his eighty-second year, his death oc- 
 curring in Porter township, Clinton county. In 
 politics he was first a Whig and later a Demo- 
 crat, but beyond voting regularly he paid little at- 
 tention to public affairs. For many years he was a 
 leading member of the Evangelical Lutheran 
 Church in his locality, in which he held various 
 offices, and to which he gave liberally. His es- 
 timable wife died at the age of seventy-five years, 
 and the remains of both were interred in St. 
 Paul's cemetery in Porter township, Clinton 
 county. Of their nine children, the first, a son, 
 died in infancy unnamed. Harriet, born Sep- 
 tember 30, 1836, died May 6, 1837. A son and 
 daughter (twins), born March 20, 1838, died in 
 infancy. Thomas, born February 3, 1840, died 
 September 8, 1843. Saul, born August 18, 
 1842, died September 8, 1843. A. N., our sub- 
 ject, was the next in order of birth. Eve, born 
 March 12, 1847, is now Mrs. D. S. Royer, of 
 Springfield, Ohio. Harvey B,, born September 
 29, 1850, died October 14, 1868. 
 
 The subject of our sketch was born Septem- 
 ber 2, 1844, in Logan township, Clinton county, 
 and was reared at the old homestead. In the 
 winter of 1850-51 he began to attend school in a 
 house which stood upon his father's farm, Will- 
 iam McGhee being his first teacher. A primer, 
 spelling book and the New Testament were the 
 only text books, but as his father placed a high 
 estimate upon an education, he was regular in at- 
 tendance and made the best of his opportunities. 
 In early manhood he married Miss Catherine A. 
 Sankey, daughter of Jacob and Sarah (Kratzer) 
 Sankey, well-known residents of Sugar Valley. 
 After this event he continued to reside with his 
 father at the Logan township homestead until 
 1 87 1, when he removed to the "Arnold Custard 
 farm " in Nittany Valley, and later he purchased 
 the place at $100 per acre. He was very suc- 
 cessful in his business, and has never been in- 
 volved in litigation, his kindly disposition enabling 
 him to live in peace with all men. In the spring 
 of 1888 he retired from active business, and in 
 1 89 1 he left the farm and located at Lamar, 
 where he had built a comfortable home. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Heckman have had five sons, 
 of whom three are living: (i) Charles A., a 
 farmer in Porter township, Clinton county, mar- 
 ried Miss Naomi J. Gramley, and has two chil- 
 dren — Grace and Florence. (2) William E. 
 died of scarlet fever at the age of fourteen. (3) 
 John E., a farmer in Porter township, married 
 Miss Emma Bartges, and has one daughter, 
 Ruth. (4) Luther died at the age of eleven 
 from scarlet fever, and was buried in the same 
 grave with his brother William. (5) Samuel 
 H., a clerk at Lock Haven, married Miss Jennie 
 Kreamer, of Center Hall, and has one child, 
 Catherine. 
 
 For many years Mr. Heckman has been an 
 active member of the Lutheran Church, and since 
 1872 he has been continuously in office with the 
 exception of one year. He served as elder for 
 twelve years, and for some time was superintend- 
 ent of the Sunday-school. He and his sons are 
 all stanch Republicans, and he has held various 
 township offices while others have been declined, 
 as he has little inclination for public affairs. 
 Educational matters command especial interest, 
 however, and at one time he served as school 
 director for six years in succession. Socially, he 
 is identified with the well-known order of the 
 Patrons of Husbandry. 
 
 LW. SHULER. Prominent among the rep- 
 resentative farmers of Porter township, 
 Clinton county, and one of its worthy citizens, 
 is the gentleman whose name introduces this 
 article. He is entirely a self-made man in the 
 truest sense of the word, having been the ar- 
 chitect of his own fortunes, and he has secured a 
 comfortable competence, aided only by his 
 strong arms, indomitable energy and laudable 
 ambition. 
 
 Mr. Shuler was born on February 24, 1825, 
 in Porter township, a son of William and Eliza- 
 beth (Walkay) Shuler. The mother died in that 
 township in 1858, and later the father was again 
 married. In 1854 he removed to Cedarville, 111., 
 but spent his last days in Iowa, where his death 
 occurred in 1876. During early life he worked 
 at the cooper's trade, but was later a millwright 
 for many years. 
 
 Our subject, with the exception of five years, 
 has spent his entire life in Porter township, liv- 
 ing in Wayne county, Ohio, from the age of 
 thirteen to eighteen. During his boyhood and 
 youth he aided his father in his work, and started 
 out in life for himself empty-handed. In 1847 
 he and his father together purchased fifty acres 
 of land in Porter township, which has since been 
 

 OOMMBMORA TIVB BIOGRAPHICAL RBOORD. 
 
 his home and which he placed under a high state 
 of cultivation, and improved with good and sub- 
 stantial buildings. When his father removed to 
 the West be purchased his interest, and has 
 made of the place an excellent and valuable 
 farm; has since added to it by purchase ioo 
 acres, having now i 50 acres. 
 
 L. W. chiller was married at the age of 
 twenty-seven years, the lady of his choice bi 
 Miss Catharine Smith, also a native of Porter 
 township, and a daughter of Peter Smith. They 
 
 ime the parents of three daughters, namely: 
 
 hi E., wife of Noah Suavely, of Porter town- 
 ship; Mary E., who died at the age of twenty- 
 one - n.ih A . wife "I John 1 >sman, of 1 
 ter township. The wife and mother, who was a 
 tunable lady, was called to her linal rest 
 September J, and her remains were in- 
 terred in the terj al Mackeyville. The 
 father is unwavering in his support of the men 
 and measures of the Republican party, and he 
 is a faithful and at member of the United 
 
 ngelical Church, in the work of which he 
 takes a;. ninent part. He has also 
 
 held various Church offices, and no citizen in 
 Nittany Valley is held in higher r< p< t He has 
 lost over $1,000 in going security for friends, but 
 his own honesty and integrity are above ques- 
 tion, his word being considered as good as his 
 bond. 
 
 J 1 'UN BERRY, om >i Loganton's oldest and 
 highly-i I citizens, was born near that 
 
 Valley, then a part of Centre 
 county, but now Clinton county, March S, 1 
 I Scotch-Irish descent. 
 Jan grandfather, was a native 
 
 M 5., where he received a good edu- 
 tion, and when a young man came to Penn- 
 pending some time in !.• bam m coun- 
 ty. He then removed to Brush Valley, Centre 
 unty, whei irehased a farm and built 
 
 : house in Rebersburg. He conducted as' 
 th( ielling out went 
 
 Franktown, then a pari ol Huntingdon coun- 
 ty, where he spent the remainder of his life, and 
 where his remain- were interred. In Lebanon 
 county he had wedded Mary Krichbaimi, who 
 
 man ancestry, and the) 
 ■ me the parents. ol the following clnl.ii 
 
 l . 1 1- nry, \\ illiam K , and 
 Catharine, wife of John Bierly, of I '.rush Valley. 
 All of the sons followed fanning, and made their 
 hoim m ( >hio with the exception of the father of 
 subject, andj ihn I ntof [ohnstown, 
 
 ni. The grandmother dud m Brush Valley 
 at the horn. i| her children. Both she 
 
 and her husband were members of the Reformed 
 Church, and in politics, he was an Old-line Whig. 
 
 William K. Berry, father of our subject, was 
 born in 1803, in Brush Valley, and in the public 
 schools obtained a good education in both En- 
 glish and German, it being the intention of his 
 parents at one time to educate him for the min- 
 istry. In early life he learned the trades of shoe- 
 making and stonecutting, and for some time fol- 
 lowed the former during the winter season and 
 the latter in the summer months. Subsequently 
 he came to Sugar Valley and bought a farm of 
 103 acres near Loganton, in Green township, now 
 owned by Conrad Bowersox. He made all the im- 
 provements upon the place, including the erection 
 of a good residence, barns and outbuildings, and 
 made it his home until called from this life. His 
 remains were interred in the Loganton cemetery 
 near the Evangelical Church, of which he was a 
 most active and consistent member. By his first 
 vote he supported the Whig party, later became a 
 strong Abolitionist, and on the organization of 
 the Republican party joined its ranks. He served 
 as overseer of the poor in Green township, and 
 also as school director, auditor and tax collector. 
 He was temperate in all his habits, was well 
 liked and respected by all who knew him. In 
 Brush Valley, Centre county, he was married to 
 Miss Esther Friedley, who was born near Carlisle, 
 in Cumberland county, Penn. Her father, Lud- 
 wig Friedley, was a member of Washington's 
 body guard for six years during the Revolutionary 
 war. She died on the home farm, and was laid 
 to rest by the side of her husband. In their fam- 
 ilj were eleven children: Sophia, widow of 
 Peter Karstetter; James, who died in Loganton; 
 William 1 deceased 1; John, of this sketch ; Thomas, 
 a farmer of Arkansas; Priscilla, deceased wife of 
 Jonathan Confer, of Green township, Clinton 
 county; Euilla, who died in Jewell county, Kans. ; 
 
 ih, who died unmarried; Delila, who died 
 in infancy; Catharine, wife of J. Frank, of 
 □ township; and Lewis F. , who died in 
 I 
 
 During his childhood and youth John Berry 
 
 nded the public schools of Salona,- Nittany 
 Valley and Loganton, and started out in life for 
 himself as a farm hand, working in that way 
 until eig 1 ars of age, when he spent one 
 
 1 in learning the stonecutter's and mason's 
 trade with his lather. The next year he worked 
 for John Struck, and continued to follow that 
 trade for twenty years, during which time he cut 
 the first n building the railroad bridge 
 
 at Muncy, Northumberland Co., Penn. He was 
 n the lumber woods during the 
 winter season when work at his trade was scarce. 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 663 
 
 On March 1 1, 1847, at Tusseyville, in Georges 
 Valley, Centre county, Mr. Berry was married to 
 Miss Catharine Morris, who was born February 
 10, 1827, the oldest daughter of Daniel R. and 
 Abigail (Mowery) Morris, and they have now 
 traveled life's journey together for over fifty 
 years, sharing its joys and sorrows, its adversity 
 and prosperity. Six children came to brighten 
 the home by their presence, namely: Sebilla J., 
 wife of Harvey Smith, of Johnsonburg, Penn.; 
 Elmira, wife of Jared Karstetter, of Oregon; 
 Dora, wife of Samuel Goodman, of Loganton, 
 Penn.; W. Scott and E. O., who died when 
 young; and J. Curtin, an engineer living in Lo- 
 ganton. 
 
 During the Civil war our subject manifested 
 his patriotism by enlisting, August 24, 1864, in 
 the United States service. He was appointed a 
 recruiting officer, and from Clinton, Centre and 
 Luzerne counties he formed a company, which 
 was mustered in as Company G, 210th P. V. I., 
 of which he was commissioned second lieutenant, 
 serving under Capt. Wilson P. Palmer and Col. 
 YV. T. Sargant, in the Army of the Potomac, 
 Fifth Corps, Second Division, Third Brigade. 
 He participated in the battles in front of Peters- 
 burg, Hatcher's Run, Dabney Mills, Stone Creek, 
 Five Forks, Gravel Run, Weldon Railroad Raid, 
 and also took part in the Grand Review at 
 Washington, D. C. Being taken ill, he was for 
 four weeks confined in the Fourth Ward City 
 Point hospital, and when the war was over was 
 mustered out with the rank of first lieutenant. 
 
 In 1 87 3 Mr. Berry became a resident of Lo- 
 ganton, where he has since made his home, and 
 until 18S2 he continued to follow lumbering, but 
 is now retired, though he is still quite strong and 
 enjoys excellent health. He is a member of the 
 United Evangelical Church, and in politics is a 
 stanch Republican. He was appointed postmaster 
 under President Lincoln, and served for four years 
 under Grant. He also filled the same office for 
 four years in Loganton under President Harrison, 
 and has been overseer of the poor, constable five 
 terms, and supervisor three terms. He proved 
 a popular and capable official, and discharged 
 the duties with credit to himself and to the satis- 
 faction of all concerned. 
 
 JACOB A. BITNER, one of the most pro- 
 gressive, thorough and systematic agricult- 
 urists of Lamar township, Clinton county, 
 was born November 28, 1S37, in the same town- 
 ship, a son of Christian Bitner, whose birth 
 occurred in 1803 near Eagleville, in Centre coun- 
 ty, Penn. The paternal grandfather, when a 
 
 boy, removed with his parents from Lancaster 
 county, Penn., to Liberty township, Centre 
 county, becoming one of its honored pioneers 
 and leading farmers. His death occurred near 
 Eagleville. In his family were sixteen children, 
 and his wife by her first marriage was the mother 
 of another child. 
 
 Christian Bitner, the second son of his par- 
 ents, was reared as a farmer boy. Although 
 small, he was a great worker, and in his younger 
 years devoted much time to the occupations of 
 threshing and chopping wood. At one time he 
 and another gentleman contested for a wager of 
 $10, and between sunrise and sunset Mr. Bitner 
 chopped eleven cords of wood, while his adver- 
 sary chopped nine. This contest attracted uni- 
 versal attention throughout this section of the 
 State at that time. 
 
 In Wayne township, Clinton county, Chris- 
 tian Bitner was married to Miss Nancy A. Dice, 
 who was born in that township, in 1803, a 
 daughter of George Dice, a weaver by trade. 
 She, too, learned that occupation, and from the 
 flax which our subject often gathered, would 
 weave the cloth for the clothes of her family. 
 Mr. and Mrs. Bitner began their domestic life 
 upon a farm owned by a Mr. Miller, the first 
 sheriff of Clinton county, and from that place 
 removed to Bald Eagle Valley, Beech Creek 
 township, Clinton county. After renting there 
 for some time, the father located in Nittany Val- 
 ley, where he became one of the first successful 
 corn raisers of the Valley. The first land that 
 he ever owned is the farm now occupied by our 
 subject, but when the family removed to the 
 place in 1842 but one field had been cleared, it 
 being the present orchard, which the parents 
 planted. In imitating them our subject planted 
 an apple seed in a tea cup, and as it sprouted, it 
 was later set out in the orchard, and is to-day an 
 excellent tree, of the variety known as the golden 
 pippin. Although the father had but fifty cents 
 at the time of his marriage, he succeeded in ac- 
 cumulating a good property through his own in- 
 dustry, good management and perseverance. 
 His political support was always given the Dem- 
 ocratic party, and he faithfully served his fellow 
 citizens in the capacity of supervisor of his town- 
 ship. For many years he was a deacon in the 
 Christian Church, of which he was a prominent 
 and active member, and to which his estimable 
 wife also belonged. They are both now de- 
 ceased, the father dying at the age of sixty- 
 seven, and the mother at the age of eighty- six, 
 and their remains were interred in the Disciple 
 cemetery at Salona. 
 
 The children born to this worthy couple were 
 

 I OMMl MtiKATIVF BIOOBAPBICAL RECORD. 
 
 I 1 'r. Eli Parry, and 
 ■ I ck Haven; George D. was a medical 
 student at the time of hi being accident- 
 
 ally drowned a short distance below Columbia, 
 in Lancaster county; John is a farmer of Dunns- 
 burg; Mary S. died in girlhood; Jacob A is our 
 subjei t; Harriet C is the wife of Henry Wass 
 <>f Toronto, Woodson Co., Kans.; and two died 
 in infancy. 
 
 In the Salem - under the direction of 
 
 Wesle) Ferree \ Bitner began his lil 
 
 ary education, but his privileges along that line 
 were very limited, as he was never able to at- 
 tend a full term, and the schools of that day were 
 verj po i During his boyhood he would ride 
 the horses used in threshing on the barn floor, 
 and perform other labors about the farm. At 
 tin- age ot twenty-one he taught a four-months' 
 school in Sugar Valley, but he continued to make 
 his norm with his parents, never leaving the old 
 homestead, where he still continues to reside. 
 1 r several years after his marriage he rei 
 the place, and subsequently purchased the inter- 
 • of the other heirs. In [878 he built a good 
 barn, and five years later erected his pleasant 
 residence lb has also added to the original 
 tract until he now has 1 12 acres. 
 
 On December 7, in Clinton count\. 
 
 our subject was married to Miss Nancy E. Hall, 
 wh( rn October 22, 1S44. in Beech Creek 
 
 township, a daughter of Samuel and Sarah Mc- 
 Closkey) Hall, in whose family were eight chil- 
 dren : - and five daughters. Mrs. Bit- 
 is the oldest, and acquired her education in 
 thi By her marriage she has 
 • me the mother of seven children, whose 
 
 nan illows: Samuel c. , Marj I 
 
 ih J . Meda M. graduated at the Lock Ha. 
 Normal School in the class of 1895, and is now 
 Uma K. graduated at the 
 same institution m 1 ■ .-. | 1 ph d ed in infancy; 
 and [essii I All of the children are still at 
 lion 
 
 Mr Bitner is an earnest supporter of Di 
 cratic principles, and has been honored with a 
 number of local offices, being county auditor 
 tei in. ind in Lamar town- 
 
 ship for thirteen consecuth declininj 
 
 1 1 he Christian 
 
 Church, is justly regarded as one of the valued 
 and useful citizens of his community, as he gives 
 a liberal support to all worthy enterprises f< >r the 
 public g I he certainly deserves honorable 
 
 mention m a record of Clinton county's promi- 
 nent and representative His family is 
 one of the most highly respected in the Valley, 
 upying an enviable position in social circles. 
 
 AHIBALD MUNRO, of the firm of 
 1 redericks, Munro & Co., of Lock Haven, 
 anufacturers of an excellent quality of 
 fire brick at Farrandsville, Clinton county, was 
 born March 4, 1S34. at Cape Breton, Nova 
 Scotia, and is of Scotch descent. 
 
 Alexander Munro, his father, was born in 
 the Citj ol Glasgow, Scotland, October 9, 1805. 
 He was a practical miner and foreman of a 
 mine in his native country, and, in 182 1, he 
 was brought to Nova Scotia by an English 
 company to operate mines. He remained there 
 seven years, and, in 1838, came to America and 
 to the town of Farrandsville, Clinton county, 
 which was then a point of considerable impor- 
 tance owing to the bituminous coal mines that 
 were being operated there, and to the iron in- 
 dustries. Here he was employed in mining for 
 the Lycoming Coal Company, until in 1840, 
 when they ceased operations. At this time Mr. 
 Munro n his family to Queens Run, and 
 
 there regained until in 1847, at which time the 
 Farrandsville Coal Company began operations, 
 and then returned to that point. He under- 
 stood mining thoroughly and was a good fore- 
 man, a good handler of men. His wife, who 
 also was a native of Scotland, born at Glasgow, 
 was Jeanette Dick, and their children: Alexan- 
 der Neal, of Tioga county, Penn.; John C. (de- 
 ceased); Annie, Archibald, our subject; Rev.. 
 Henry C, of Montour county; Jeanette (de- 
 ceased); Euphemia (deceased); William 1 de- 
 ceased); and Robert (deceased). The parents 
 of these died, the father in 1872, and the mother 
 in 1879. 
 
 Archibald Munro received only a district- 
 school education excepting one year's attendance 
 in the high school of Lock Haven. In 1847 he 
 entered the store of the Farrandsville Coal Com- 
 pany as a clerk, and remained in their empl 
 until they gave up the business in i860. He 
 then became the timekeeper and paymaster of 
 the Eagleton Coal & [ron Company, which em- 
 ployed 150 men. Eagleton was then a li\ 
 and bustling little place, the mines were profit- 
 able, and things thereabout wore a business air. 
 Young Munro remained in the employ of the 
 company until the mines were closed in 1865. 
 At about this time the Rock Cabil mines were 
 ied by the McHenry Coal Company, and 
 Mr. Munro became their manager, and remained 
 with the company until 1869. He then re- 
 tun. ;ile, and, in 1873, the pres- 
 ent fire brick works of Fredericks, Munro & Co., 
 at that point, wa 1 by Mr. Eredericks 
 and himself, which from that time to this has 
 been successfully operated. It is now a great 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 665 
 
 industry, and the manner in which it has been 
 conducted, reflects credit to its promoters and 
 management. This firm gives employment to 
 1 50 men the greater part of the year. They 
 carry on a general store in connection with their 
 business at Farrandsville, a point some six miles 
 west of Lock Haven. They are successful busi- 
 ness men. In 1888 Mr. Munro built a beauti- 
 ful home at Lock Haven which would be a 
 credit to a more pretentious city, where he has 
 since resided. 
 
 On May 19, 1859, our subject was married to 
 Miss Anna Owen, a daughter of Silas Owen, of 
 Luzerne county, Penn., and the following chil- 
 dren have come to bless their home: Mary (Mrs. 
 Leisenring), Jennie (Mrs. Oscar Wolever), Ada 
 C. (Mrs. Rev. Edward Blint), Gertrude, Grace, 
 Oscar G. , Sallie (deceased), and Archie. The 
 parents of these are identified with the Baptist 
 Church, in which Mr. Munroe is a deacon and 
 trustee; also treasurer of the Church. In politics 
 he is a Republican. He has never sought public 
 office, although he has been elected to some of 
 the minor offices of the city, among them that 
 of school director and postmaster at Farrands- 
 ville, having held the latter office since appointed 
 by President Arthur, thus giving evidence of his 
 worth as an official, and of his great popularity 
 with the Democrats and Republicans. Mrs. 
 Munro was born at Kingston, Luzerne Co., 
 Pennsylvania. 
 
 HpUSTON WEIDLER, the well-known and 
 I popular proprietor of the Rauchtown Roller 
 
 Mills, in Crawford township, Nippenose Valley, 
 Clinton county, was born September 19, 1846, in 
 Mifflin township, Lycoming Co. , Penn., a son of 
 Christian Weidler, whose birth occurred in 
 Wurtemburg, Germany, on Christmas Day, 1818. 
 The grandfather, Frederick Weidler, also a 
 native of Germany, was a gunsmith by trade, 
 and also worked as a piano-maker in that coun- 
 try. In 1829 he bade adieu to the Fatherland, 
 and with his family took passage on a sailing ves- 
 sel bound for the United States. On landing at 
 Philadelphia he went direct to Lycoming county 
 and located near Williamsport, where he at first 
 followed his trade, but later devoted his time and 
 attention for several years to farming. Having 
 a strong desire to see more of the great Repub- 
 lic in which he had cast his lot, he traveled quite 
 extensively over the middle and western States, 
 but returned to Lycoming county, Penn., and 
 spent his last days with his family in Mifflin town- 
 ship, where his remains were interred. He was 
 an industrious, energetic man, who had the re- 
 
 spect and esteem of all who knew him. In his 
 family were six children, as follows: Christian; 
 John, who died in Kansas; Barbara, wife of John 
 Chromer, of Pottsville, Penn. ; Daniel, of Mifflin 
 township, Lycoming county; George (deceased); 
 and one child who died in France. 
 
 Christian Weidler received a fair German ed- 
 ucation in his native land, and was eleven years 
 of age on the emigration of the family to the 
 New World. He made his home near Williams- 
 port for some time, and with Obadiah Ellis, of 
 Williamsport, Penn., learned the trade of a mill- 
 wright, which he followed for about twenty years. 
 In 1854 he came to Crawford township, Clinton 
 county, and located on a farm of 230 acres in the 
 west end of Nippenose Valley, which was covered 
 with a heavy growth of timber, and was known 
 as the Stuck farm. He cleared much of the land 
 and made many excellent improvements there- 
 on, including a fine residence, good barns, and 
 an orchard. He continued its operation until 
 1 89 1, when he retired from active business life, 
 and has since made his home in Rauchtown, 
 where he has a comfortable residence, and is sur- 
 rounded by all the comforts and many of the lux- 
 uries of life, all of which has been obtained 
 through his own industry, enterprise and good 
 management. In 1879 he bought the Rauch- 
 town Mills, which our subject is now operating. 
 
 In Mifflin township, Lycoming county, Chris- 
 tian Weidler was married to Miss Julia Ann Sal- 
 lada, who was born in that county in 1824, a 
 daughter of Jacob Sallada, the founder of Sallad- 
 asburg, Lycoming county, and a millwright by 
 occupation. To Mr. and Mrs. Weidler were 
 born eight children, as follows: Houston is our 
 subject; Oliver operates the old homestead farm; 
 Adaline is the deceased wife of Henry Sweely, of 
 Williamsport, Lycoming county; Sevilla, Mary 
 E. and Michael W. all died when young; Anna 
 C. is the deceased wife of Clarence Arnot, of 
 Chicago, 111. ; and Wilks C. is a cooper, of Will- 
 iamsport, Penn. The wife and mother was 
 called to her final rest in 1892, and was buried 
 in the Lutheran churchyard in Limestone town- 
 ship, Lycoming county. In early life the father 
 was a Democrat, but is now a stalwart supporter 
 of Republican principles, and has served as 
 school director in his township. Thoroughness 
 and persistency characterized his entire business 
 career, and they have been supplemented by 
 careful attention- to details, and by honorable 
 straightforward effort that has gained him a most 
 excellent and enviable reputation. 
 
 In the winter months during his boyhood and 
 youth, Houston Weidler attended the schools of 
 Mifflin township, Lycoming county, and Crawford 
 
r,,w, 
 
 VMBMOBA TIVB BIOGRAPHICAL RBCOBD. 
 
 township, Clinton county, and remained with 
 his parents until he had attained the age of 
 twenty-seven. He then learned the millwright's 
 and miller's trades, at which he worked during 
 the fall and winter seasons, while the spring and 
 summer months wen I to the stonemason's 
 
 trade. With John Smith he had learned milling, 
 and after becoming thoroughly familiar with the 
 business he rented the Raucbtown Mills from his 
 father in 1879. He has since successfully oper- 
 ; the same, but in the meantime served as 
 engineer in a sawmill for five years on account 
 is health. In 4890 his father put into the 
 Rau< htown Mills a full set of rollers, at a cost of 
 $2,000, and has made other valuable improve- 
 rs m the plant 1. He also built a good resi- 
 e in the town in 1876 at a cost of $1,000. 
 Houston Weidler was married in Williams- 
 Penn., in 1S74, to Miss Pauline Hayes. 
 born in New Jersey, of Holland extraction, and 
 they have become the parents of five children: 
 tii exemplary young man, who at the 
 of fifteen 1 neei and is now 
 
 employed in Tioga county, Penn. ; Carrie L 
 milliner, is al I ink L., a miller, resides 
 
 with his parents; Annie F. is at home; and 
 Norris died in childh 1 
 
 Our sub ne term as justice of the 
 
 ■I Crawford township. Clinton county, 
 and was the same office, but refus 
 
 [ualify. He filled the position of school 1 
 director two terms, and constable of his town- 
 ship 1 me t< rm. but has never cared for the hot) 
 of public office. His politic it is always 
 
 Democratic party. II faithful 
 
 iber of the Lutheran Church, is temperate 
 in all his ha : his honorable, upright life 
 
 commands the respect and confidence of all with 
 whom hi - in contact, either in business or 
 
 social lif nal and moral inter- 
 
 i b) him, and anythi 
 that tends to uplift and benefit humanity 
 his heatt 
 
 CHARLES II. NOWELL, a leading farmer 
 d tobacco grower of Woodward township, 
 
 Clinton county, beloi in old and bom 
 
 Massai husi tts family ol English descent. 
 
 In 16301m: well and his brother John 
 
 braved the dangers of an ocean voyage at that 
 
 v day and took up their residence in the V 
 sachusetts Bay Colony, where the forme: 
 as secretary under Gov. John Winthrop. Hi 
 preacher for the colony. One of his 
 imuel Nowell, was a member of the first 
 - that graduated at Harvard Coll. 
 
 the father of Capt. Peter Nowell, who was born 
 in Salem, Mass., in 1670, and was an officer un- 
 der the British crown. In 1698 he was sent to 
 Maine to settle the difficulties between the In- 
 dians and white settlers, and while there pur- 
 chased a tract of land, or took it up frofh the 
 
 ' rnment, where the town of York. York 
 county, now stands. There he afterward made 
 his home and devoted his time to farming. He 
 was married there or in Salem, Mass., and be- 
 came the father of eight children, whose names 
 and dates of birth are as follows: Peter, Feb- 
 ruary 24, 1698; Sarah, June 29, 1700; Mary, 
 July 10, 1702; John, March 18, 1705; Ebenezer 
 Kb- ii . November 12, 1709; Abram, February 
 28, [712; Paul, 1714; and Silas, 1 7 1 7 . Some of 
 the children died in childhood, and the parents 
 both passed away while living in York county, 
 Maine, and were buried there. 
 
 Of this family. Ebenezer Nowell spent his en- 
 tire life on the old homestead in York county, 
 Maine, and followed the occupations of farming 
 lumbering. He married a Miss Hamilton, 
 who was born in the same county of Scotch an- 
 cestry, and among their several children was 
 Jonathan Nowell, who was born in York county, 
 in 174''. and, like his ancestors, followed lum- 
 bering and farming throughout life. In his native 
 county, he raised a company, of which he was 
 missioned captain, during the Revolutionary 
 war, and was later promoted to the rank of 
 major for gallant service in that terrible struggle, 
 in which hundreds of men laid down their lives 
 their country from British oppression. 
 He gave his political support to the party of 
 which Jefferson was at the head, and he and his 
 family all belonged to the Congregational Church. 
 In York county he married Elizabeth, daughter 
 of the well-known Capt. John Frost, of Revolu- 
 tionary fame, and in their family were the fol- 
 lowing children: Ebner, the grandfather of our 
 subject; George; Jonathan; Henry; Mrs. Col. 
 Hobb; Mrs. Hiram Hayes; Mrs. James Johnson; 
 and Mrs Reuben Neal. The father died in 
 North Berwick, Maine, in 1821, the mother in 
 [830, and their remains were interred in the 
 cein that place. 
 
 mer Nowell was born in 1707. in York. 
 York Co., Maine, and accompanied his parents 
 on their to North Berwick, in the same 
 
 inty, where he also followed the occupation of 
 farming and lumbering, and continued to make 
 his home until his death, in i860. He was 
 classed among the well-to-do citizens of the 
 county. a number of years lived retired 
 
 from active labor. In North Berwick he married 
 Rachel Grant, a native t that place, whose 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 667 
 
 father was also born in York county, and followed 
 agricultural pursuits. The children born to them 
 were as follows: Elizabeth, wife of Dr. C. Traf- 
 ton; Mary, wife of William Shaw; Tabitha, wife 
 of Ebner Littlefield; Sophia, who died unmar- 
 ried; Lucretia, who also died single;' Joshua, 
 father of our subject; and Sybil, wife of Dr.' 
 Hatch. The family held membership in the 
 Baptist Church, and the father was one of the 
 most prominent and influential men of the Dem- 
 ocratic party in his community. 
 
 Joshua Nowell was born in 1806, in North 
 Berwick, Me., where he spent his entire life, fol- 
 lowing the occupations to which he had been 
 reared. His literary education was rather limited, 
 but he became a thorough and skillful agricult- 
 urist, and owned a fine farm of 200 acres which 
 he placed under a high state of cultivation and 
 improved with good and substantial buildings. 
 He was also a stanch Democrat in politics, and 
 was a member of the Free Will Baptist Church, 
 to which his wife and family also belonged. In 
 his native place he was united in marriage with 
 Miss Sarah Hammond, who was also born there, 
 a daughter of John Hammond. Eleven children 
 were born to them, namely: Ebner, still a resi- 
 dent of Maine: Sybil, who died unmarried; Au- 
 gusta, wife of Joseph B. Frost, both now de- 
 ceased; John, who is living on the old home- 
 stead; Charles H., of this review; George, of New 
 Hampshire; William, of Colorado; Elizabeth, 
 wife of Stephen Harvey; Amelia, wife of William 
 Reed; Joshua, of Melrose, Mass.; and Sarah, 
 who died in infancy. The mother died in De- 
 cember, 1879, and the father in December of the 
 following year, and both were laid to rest in the 
 cemetery at North Berwick. 
 
 For only about two or three months during 
 the winter season was Charles H. Nowell, of this 
 sketch, able to attend the public schools of his 
 native county during his boyhood, and at an early 
 age his school days were over. He assisted in 
 the work of the farm during the summer season, 
 and when not in school during the winter, he 
 drove an ox-team in the woods, hauling lumber. 
 At the age of twenty he left home and started 
 out in the world to make his own living, his 
 capital consisting of only a pair of willing hands 
 and a determination to succeed. Bidding fare- 
 well to his parents he came to Pennsylvania, and 
 was first employed in cutting timber in Clearfield 
 county during the winter, while in the summer he 
 worked in a sawmill at Chatham Run, Clinton 
 county, being thus employed until 1865, when 
 he went to Minnesota, and spent a year and a half 
 as foreman in the lumber regions for Senator 
 Washburn. 
 
 In 1867 Mr. Nowell returned to Pennsylvania, 
 and in Lycoming county purchased a farm of 230 
 acres, which he operated for two years and then 
 sold. In 1869 he removed to Dunnstown, Clin- 
 ton county, where he spent eleven years engaged 
 in the manufacture of lumber, running a sawmill 
 and selling the product at different markets. In 
 the meantime he bought fifty acres of land in 
 Woodward township, and began raising tobacco 
 and doing general farming. To this place he re- 
 moved his family in 1886, and to the original 
 purchase added eighty acres known as the Major 
 McClosky farm, on which he built a good barn 
 and made other substantial improvements which 
 add to its value and attractive appearance. For 
 the past twenty years he has made a specialty of 
 the raising of tobacco, and has met with excellent 
 success in his undertakings. 
 
 On April 5, 1865, at Lock Haven, Mr. Now- 
 ell was married to Miss Matilda Shobert, who 
 was born November 8, 1845, in Watson town- 
 ship, Lycoming Co., Penn., a daughter of Josiah 
 and Mary (Reigle) Shobert. The Shobert fam- 
 ily was founded in America by Frederick Sho- 
 bert, a native of Wurtemburg, Germany, who 
 in 1765 came to America and located in New 
 Jersey. When the Revolutionary war broke 
 out he cast his fortunes with the Colonies, 
 joining Washington's army about 1777, and 
 when hostilities ceased he returned to his 
 farm. His son Simon (Mrs. Nowell's grand- 
 father) removed from New Jersey to Luzerne 
 county, Penn., in 1805, and followed the occu- 
 pation of hotel-keeping. Josiah Shobert was 
 educated in both English and German, and was 
 a well-informed man. In 1840, with his wife 
 and one child, he removed from Luzerne county 
 to Watson township, Lycoming county, where 
 he purchased a farm of 100 acres, and continued 
 to operate the same until his death, which oc- 
 curred in 1887. His widow still resides on that 
 place. On his removal to Lycoming county, he 
 was accompanied by his two younger brothers, 
 Frederic and Napoleon, who during the gold ex- 
 citement went to California. They have been 
 very successful, and at present are located on 
 large farms in Oregon. 
 
 To Mr. and Mrs. Nowell were born five chil- 
 dren, as follows: (1) James A., born February 7, 
 1866, in Minneapolis, Minn., was educated in 
 the public schools of Clinton county, the high 
 school of Lock Haven, and La Fayette College, 
 where he graduated in 1888. For a time he then 
 engaged in teaching in Mankato and St. Paul, 
 Minn., and was later political reporter for the 
 St. Paul Daily Globe. In the meantime he 
 studied law, and *vas admitted to the Bar of that 
 
668 
 
 " VEMORA TIVS BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 te, where he en. I news- 
 
 paper work until 1893, when he was appointed 
 
 by President Cleveland as chief clerk in one of 
 the auditor's offices in Washington, D. C. He 
 is now president and manager f«»r a Baltimore 
 firm at Minneapolis and St. Paul, and is a stanch 
 supporter of the Democratic party. He married 
 Mi-s Nannie St rough. (2) Minnie, born Febru- 
 ary 17, 1868/ died in January. 1871. (3 Maj 
 A . born October 21, 1869, attended the high 
 school of Lock Haven and the Central State 
 Normal, graduating from the latter institution in 
 
 3, after which she successfully engaged in 
 
 bing for nine years, in the home school, and 
 in Pine Creek township, in Clearfield county, 
 and in Lebanon county. Penn. In August, [894, 
 she t hand in marriage to John K. Wat- 
 
 son, of Clearfield county, and now has two chil- 
 dren — George and May A, (4) Nellie, born June 
 
 1873, was also educated in the public schools 
 of Woodward township, Clinton county, the high 
 school of Lock Haven, and the Central State 
 
 rmal School of the latter place, and has now 
 successfully taught school for seven years — three 
 in the home school in Clinton county and four in 
 Elk county, where she had charge of one school 
 four terms. (5) Graci I., born November 12, 
 
 2, has attended the public schools and also 
 
 high school of Lock Haven. 
 
 In June, 1863, Charles H. Nowell enlisted at 
 I k k Haven in the emergency service, becoming 
 a membei of Company A, 58th P. V. I., under 
 Capt. S. Brown and Col. Horn. He was sworn 
 into tin- United States .it Reading, was 
 
 on guard duty at that place and Greencastle for 
 six weeks, and was mustered out at Reading, 
 
 his family hold mem- 
 
 - Ii i I > in the Methodist Episcopal Church of 
 Dunnstown, Woodward township, and hold an 
 enviable position in social circles, where intelli- 
 nce and worth are received as passports. 
 1' ilitically, he is a free-silver Democrat, and has 
 bi en called upon to serve as school director 
 1 president of the board one term), overseer of the 
 poor and supervisor one term. While posses 
 the qualities of a successful business man and a 
 irable social companion, perhaps Mr Nowell's 
 Ij marked chara< teristic 1- his un- 
 swerving fidelity to duty, His devotion to the 
 mal interests of the country is only excelled 
 by the patriotism which never loses sight of the 
 highest duties of citizenship. 
 
 WILLIAM GUMMO, a valued and esteemed 
 iculturist of Bald Eagle township, Clin- 
 county, owns a fine, well-improved farm, be- 
 
 sides other land. The buildings upon the home 
 place are of a neat and substantial character, and 
 betoken thrift and prosperity. He was born De- 
 cember 23, 1841, near his present home in Bald 
 e township, and is a worthy representative 
 of one of the prominent and highly-respected 
 families of the county. 
 
 |ohn and Jane (Rounsaval) Gummo, grand- 
 parents of our subject, in 1832 left their old home 
 in Cornwall, England, and came to the United 
 States, accompanied by their children — William, 
 James, Edward, Thomas, Elizabeth, Jane and 
 Maria — taking up their residence at Farrands- 
 ville, Clinton Co., Penn. In his native land the 
 grandfather had been employed in the smelting 
 works, but in this country he turned his attention 
 to agricultural pursuits, buying a farm in Bald 
 Eagle township, where he lived for some years. 
 He died at Queens Run when in his seventy-third 
 year. 
 
 Richard Gummo, our subject's father, was 
 born in 1S04, the eldest in the family. While 
 still a resident of England he married Miss Ag- 
 nes Nancarrow; he did not accompany his par- 
 ents on their immigration to America, but re- 
 mained in his native land until 1S41. when he 
 crossed the Atlantic, and also took up his resi- 
 dence on a farm in Bald Eagle township, Clinton 
 county. At that time he had never seen a tree 
 chopped down, and was entirely unfamiliar with 
 agricultural pursuits; but he was industrious, en- 
 tic and persevering, and soon mastered the 
 occupation of farming. In early life he enjoj 
 excellent health, being a robust young man, and 
 succeeded in clearing many acres of land. His 
 first plow he carried home two miles on his shoul- 
 der, and he was obliged to endure many of the 
 hardships and trials incident to pioneer life, as 
 he found this region still in its primitive condi- 
 tion. Although he began life here empty-handed, 
 he met with success in his undertakings and be- 
 came the owner of two valuable farms. He died 
 in Paid Eagle township at the ripe old age of 
 eighty-five, his wife when seventy-eight, and 
 both were laid to rest in the Brown cemetery. 
 In religious belief they were Methodists, in poli- 
 tics the father was a Republican, and although 
 he never was an office-seeker, he faithfully served 
 as supervisor of his township. His upright and 
 honorable course demanded the respect and es- 
 11 of all who knew him. In his family were 
 seven children, namely: William, the subject of 
 tin- sketch; Edward, a prominent farmer of Bald 
 le township; George, Eliza, Richard and 
 Elizabeth A., who all died in 1*5 5; and Matilda, 
 a resident of Flemington, Pennsylvania. 
 
 Our subject received such education as the 
 
ClWl. 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 cm 
 
 country schools of his day afforded, and it was 
 begun in a primitive log school house sixteen feet 
 square, furnished with slab seats, his first teacher 
 being Ellen Rogers. Being the eldest son, his 
 services were often required at home, much to 
 the detriment of his school training. He con- 
 tinued to assist in the work of the farm until his 
 marriage, which took place in October, 1864, 
 Miss Sarepta Sollars, a native of Luzerne coun- 
 ty, Penn., becoming his wife. Her father, Peter 
 Sollars, was a farmer by occupation. Nine chil- 
 dren blessed this union, six of whom are living: 
 Anna A., who is engaged in teaching; Mary C. , 
 now the wife of William Glossner, of Beech 
 Creek township, Clinton county; Richard E., of 
 Porter township, in the same county; Etta M., 
 at home; Myron E., a farmer of Bald Eagle 
 township; and James W. , at home. Those de- 
 ceased are: Effa died when eighteen months 
 old; Alma I., when two years old, and one in 
 infancy. 
 
 After his marriage Mr. Gummo located on 
 his father's farm in a log house, which was built 
 expressly for our subject's occupancy, and is still 
 standing. In January, 1875, he removed to 
 his present comfortable home, which stands on 
 land purchased from the George Kessinger es- 
 tate. He has become quite well-to-do, owning 
 205 acres of fine farming land in Bald Eagle 
 township, 150 acres of mountain land, and a 
 farm of ninety-five acres in Porter township, 
 Clinton county. He is thrifty, progressive and 
 energetic — characteristics which cannot fail to 
 win success. 
 
 As a Republican Mr. Gummo has taken a 
 prominent and influential part in political affairs, 
 and has been honored with several official posi- 
 tions of trust, being school director about twenty 
 years; tax collector, eighteen years; overseer of 
 the poor, fourteen years; township treasurer and 
 treasurer of the school board, several years; and 
 also supervisor of his township. It is needless 
 to say that his duties were always performed in 
 a most satisfactory and able manner. Although 
 not a member of the Laurel Run Methodist Epis- 
 copal Church, he was one of the building com- 
 mittee in 1894, contributing liberally of his own 
 means toward the erection of the house of wor- 
 ship. He has since served as trustee, and is also 
 secretary of the Sunday-school. His career has 
 been ever such as to warrant the trust and con- 
 fidence of the business world, for he has con- 
 ducted all transactions on the strictest principles 
 of honor and integrity. His devotion to the 
 public good is unquestioned, and arises from 
 a sincere interest in the welfare of his fellow- 
 men. 
 
 THOMAS J. SMULL, a prominent merchant 
 of Mackeyville, Clinton county, is a man 
 who commands in a remarkable degree the es- 
 teem and confidence of his fellow-citizens. His 
 popularity is based upon an appreciation of his 
 sterling qualities of character, even his political 
 opponents being stanch personal friends. As 
 one evidence of this we may mention the fact 
 that he has held the position of postmaster in his 
 town for more than thirty years through all 
 changes of administration, but other incidents 
 are not wanting as will be seen in the follow- 
 ing history. 
 
 Mr. Smull was born May 24, 1834, in Rebers- 
 burg, the youngest child of Henry Smull and his 
 first wife, Elizabeth Royer, who are mentioned 
 more fully elsewhere. When our subject was 
 but a few days old his mother died, and he was 
 taken to the home of his grandfather, Christo- 
 pher Royer, in the vicinity of Rebersburg. He 
 attended school in the latter town, Mr. Mulford 
 and Mr. Burkett being among his first teachers, 
 and although the instruction was decidedly in- 
 ferior in many respects to that given in the com- 
 mon schools of to-day, he managed to secure the 
 rudiments of a practical education, and a good 
 knowledge of the German language, English not 
 being spoken. He remained in that locality un- 
 til he was about fifteen years old, when, his 
 grandfather having died, he went to the Nittany 
 Valley to reside with a cousin, Samuel Royer. 
 There he found the English language in common 
 use, and for some time this was a handicap to 
 him in his studies, but after six years' attendance 
 (four months in each year) at the Clinton school 
 he was qualified to teach. While in this school 
 he made a yarn ball which he sold to a play- 
 mate, now the Rev. Dr. Dornblaser, and in 
 later years, believing that he had driven too hard 
 a bargain, he returned the money with compound 
 interest to the date of payment amount- 
 ing to more than two dollars. The transaction 
 illustrates well the strict integrity which has 
 characterized his business life. After leaving 
 school he taught successfully for eleven terms, 
 including a term in the " Clinton school," one in 
 Mill Hall, and four in Madisonburg, Centre coun- 
 ty. In 1S57 he spent a few months near Valley 
 Falls, Kans., and in 1S59 he went to Illinois, 
 where he remained a year, during which he 
 taught one term of school in Stephenson county. 
 Before returning home in June, i860, he spent 
 some time in Ohio and in Philadelphia, where 
 he visited an uncle. He had been reared as a 
 farmer boy, but, having a desire to enter mer- 
 cantile life, he secured a position as a clerk with 
 Joseph H. Long in a store in Lamar township. 
 
.•,7. 1 
 
 ( OMMEMORATIVE BIOQRAPHH AL RECORD. 
 
 Clinton county, on the pike, near the Porter 
 townsbip line. While there he gained a prac- 
 insight into the business, and in the spring 
 of t866 he formed a partnership km \vn as Heck, 
 Smull & Co., and engaged in mercantile business 
 at Hamburg (now Mackeyvill in., continu- 
 
 ing one yeai Another firm, which had started 
 at ti i tired before the end of the 
 
 r, and our subject, with F. E. Hays as a 
 partner, secured the store and carried on busi- 
 
 there until 1870, when Mr. Smull beca- 
 the sole owner. He met with success, and in 
 
 1 built a new store house to accommoda 
 In- increasing trade, but in 1889 this was de- 
 iod which carried away every- 
 thing, causing a loss of $6,ooo. His safe was 
 not found f<>r more than two years, when it was 
 imbedded in the debris a short dis- 
 tance below Mackeyville One week before the 
 Mi Smull had drawn his check to pay 
 1 lot of flour, canceling his only indebted- 
 si but his satisfactiun was ol brief dura- 
 week later he was practically pen- 
 Hi — n learned the value of a "good 
 name," his reputation as a straightforward, 
 honest business man bringing its own reward, 
 that Mr. Smull, who has been an 
 ardent Republic since the organization ol 
 
 the party, was m the h hi ilding heated 
 
 ms on the topics of the day with Mr. 
 Perry W. McDowell, an equally anient Demo- 
 crat. These tilt'- were always friendly, a I 
 which speaks volumes fi >r the good sense of both 
 the gi ntlemen, and Mr. McDowell had no sooner 
 learned ol Mi Smull's misfortune than he det 
 mined tn show his appreciation of the hitter's 
 worth b) offering him sufficient ground for a 
 building I In land was at the opposite 
 end of 1 hi Mr. Smull's formi >n, 
 
 and Mr. McDowell had refused numi 1 ipo- 
 
 sitions from others who wished to buy it 
 business purp [1 Mr. Smull erected a 
 
 new ston and resident •• upon the site mentioned, 
 ami lie has -nice condui I business th 
 
 He was obliged to make " a ni in life," 
 
 but In- credit wa I las had no ti 
 
 ble in sustaining an honorable place in busii 
 circles. Always 1 i\ ial, he like- to 1 
 joke, and can relish a joke from others, and no 
 man in Nittanj Valley has mor< or better friends 
 than • ' |efl Smull. " 
 
 On February [3, 1873, Mr. Smull was mar- 
 ried tn Miss I Ian iel I is born No- 
 ber 4, [842, in Hublersburg, Penn., the 
 daughter ol P< ter Transue, a well-known fanner, 
 and his wife, Eli ibeth 1 Best . both of whom 
 were natives of Northampton county, Penn. 
 
 Then last years were spent in Clinton county, 
 and their remains now rest in the cemetery at 
 Mt. Bethel. Mrs. Smull was the fourth daugh- 
 and fifth child in a family of eight chil- 
 dren, three sons and five daughters. Four 
 children have brightened our subject's home, 
 two of whom died in infancy. (1) Lilly E., 
 born July 22, 1S74. lived only eighteen months. 
 (2 Thomas J., Jr.. born September 22, 1875. 
 5sful teacher, having begun that occu- 
 pation before he was seventeen years old ; he 
 was married March 28, 1894, to Miss Mary 
 Benntson, daughter of Capt. S. H. Bennison, a 
 leading citizen of Centre county, and grand- 
 daughter nf P. W. McDowell, and they now re- 
 side in Mackeyville. (3) James L. , born June 
 7, 1879, is also a licensed teacher, and at pres- 
 ent resides at home. (4) Martin D., born Au- 
 
 I 24. [871, died at the age of ten months. 
 As Mr. Smull values education highly, he has 
 endeavored to give his sons good opportunities, 
 and they do credit to his efforts. He has ah' 
 
 n a leader in his community, being ready 
 to forward any progressive movement, and for 
 six years he served as school director. He was 
 influential in securing the post office at Mack 
 ville, and the citizens evidently consider him the 
 only suitable person to take charge of it. Dur- 
 ing the Civil war he was a member of the 28th 
 iiient. Pennsylvania Militia, and for six 
 weeks u i in "emergency service." 
 
 The family is identified with the Methodist 
 ich. of which Mrs. Smull is an active mem- 
 ber, lb 1- a member of the G. A. R. 
 
 Our subject has made many original printed 
 speeches, seldom quoting from other speakers, 
 and was always sufficiently humorous to do as 
 the poet sanl: "Made many laugh that never 
 
 :hed before, and those that laughed, laughed 
 
 :ore. " I lis own produ I dotes 
 
 used, frequently with considerable effect, 
 
 bj younger speakers in the central part of 
 
 Pennsylvania. 
 
 WILLIAM J BURRELL. There is prob- 
 ably no beti' i type of farmer in Nittany 
 Valley, nor a more exemplary citizen in Clinton 
 ity than William J. Burrell, who represents 
 imily that . t tied in this section of 
 
 Pennsylvania, and played well their part through 
 Liie, and busy In 
 
 n December 20, 1844, on the farm where 
 1"' now .11,1 winch he owns, Mr. Burrell 
 
 is the son of Samuel and Lydia (Ilgen) Burrell, 
 the Burrells being ol I rench extraction Samuel 
 Burrell was born about 1S0; in Northumberland 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 671 
 
 county, Penn. He was one of two sons who 
 were left orphans in early boyhood. Samuel was 
 bound out, and at the age of twelve years came 
 to Centre county in company with his brother 
 John Burrell and wife. For some time both 
 brothers followed the mason's trade, and in com- 
 pany with George Ilgen they purchased a tract of 
 timber land on Egg Hill, where John Burrell 
 cleared a farm and built a home for himself. 
 Samuel Burrell on coming to Centre county 
 brought with him, tied in a handkerchief, all of 
 his effects. After learning his trade with his 
 brother, he worked at it for years and assisted 
 in building many of the barn walls in that re- 
 gion. He helped to build the old stone mill 
 yet standing at Clintondale, Clinton county. 
 He was married near Aaronsburg, Centre county, 
 and resided for some years near Penn Hall where 
 he owned a small farm of forty acres. His wife, 
 who was the daughter of a pioneer preacher, 
 whose name was a household word in many of 
 the homes of the early residents of Central Penn- 
 sylvania — Rev. Ilgen — was born near Aaronsburg 
 in Penn's Valley in about the year 1810. 
 
 The children of Samuel Burrell and wife 
 were: John I. became a very prominent Lu- 
 theran minister, died while serving a charge in 
 Brooklyn, N. Y. , and is buried in Greenwood 
 cemetery in that city; Samuel P. (deceased) was 
 a farmer of Lamar township, Clinton county; 
 Mary L. is the widow of J. Kleckner, and re- 
 sides at Sugar Valley, Clinton county; Anna L. 
 was the wife of Rev. E. Studebaker, and died in 
 Huntingdon county, Penn. ; Margaret R. died 
 after reaching maturity, unmarried; Leah E. be- 
 came the wife of Rev. Burke, and died at Balti- 
 more, Md. ; Lydia was married to Prof. W. W. 
 Herr, and died at Salona, Clinton county; Will- 
 iam J. is our subject; James L. A. was a 
 physician, and died at Williamsport, Penn.; 
 Laura J. is Mrs. George Bufnngton, of Lycom- 
 ing county; Charles W. , after graduating at 
 Pennsylvania College, went to Los Angeles, Cal., 
 where he now resides. The father of these be- 
 gan life as a poor boy, but he was industrious 
 and economical, and, with the aid of his good 
 wife, became well-to-do. They had their early- 
 struggles. The young husband followed his 
 trade during the summer seasons, and with the 
 assistance of an old German who was in the em- 
 ploy of the family, the wife and children put out 
 and cultivated the crops After a residence of 
 some years in Centre county, Mr. Burrell and 
 his brother-in-law — George Ilgen — bought in 
 partnership 300 acres of land in Nittany Valley, 
 Clinton county, from a Dr. Ard (a part of this 
 land is the present farm on which our subject re- 
 
 sides). After a few years Mr. Burrell purchased 
 the interest of his partner. The greater part of 
 the land was then in its primitive condition. The 
 house stood on the south side of the road and the 
 barn on the site of the present road. The first 
 few years on the farm were rather discouraging 
 ones, the land was stony and not very productive, 
 but these parents toiled on and on, each succeed- 
 ing year bringing new hope, as the crops in- 
 creased. Time passed on, and with it came im- 
 provements, the old barn and house were replaced 
 by new ones, and the appearance of things gen- 
 erally underwent a transformation. These build- 
 ings are yet standing; the old barn-wall, built by 
 the father himself, and though sixty years have 
 passed it is as substantial and "plumb" as when 
 his hands laid it up. This farm, mainly cleared 
 and improved by the father, became one of the 
 best and most productive farms in Nittany Valley, 
 and on a part of it he passed to his final rest May 
 12, 1883. His wife preceded him many y'ears, 
 she dying October 18, 1862. Both rest in Cedar 
 Hill cemetery, Lamar township. They led ex- 
 emplary lives, reared their children so that they 
 occupied honorable and useful stations in life, 
 and all (parents included) bore the respect and 
 esteem of their neighbors and acquaintances. 
 The parents, as stated, were industrious and be- 
 came well-to-do; nay more than this, they were 
 good managers and became rich, the father leav- 
 ing an estate of some $60,000. The father in 
 politics was a Democrat. In the days of slavery 
 he was a pronounced Abolitionist, being bitter in 
 his denunciation of slavery. He had no inclina- 
 tion to hold office, but on the other hand under 
 no circumstance would he accept it. He was a 
 most useful citizen, was a member of the Lu- 
 theran Church, and led a life in keeping with his 
 profession. He was a kind husband and an in- 
 dulgent parent, and in his passing away a good 
 man and a most successful one left this world. 
 
 William J. Burrell was reared and remained 
 an agriculturist. He attended the schools of the 
 district in which he lived, his first teacher being 
 James Rogers. Mr. Burrell has great regard for 
 those old district schools of his boyhood, and 
 great respect for the teachers of that day. It 
 was often the case that out of those rude build- 
 ings, where discipline was not slack, came boys 
 that startled the world — set the pace for college- 
 bred men to follow. From such schools and 
 surroundings came boys of practical ideas, and, 
 turned loose in the world, were prepared to cope 
 with it. Young Burrell, along in 1863-64 and 
 '65, attended Missionary Institute (now Susque- 
 hanna University), at Selins Grove, in Snyder 
 county. He later taught school some at Hyner, 
 
672 
 
 MORA TIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 Clinton county, but, not liking it. soon aban- 
 doned i d to hum phar- 
 macy in the dn - I Mr Archie Sempl 
 
 n aftei 
 and clerked 
 
 videre, N. [., b nt was in- 
 
 - health, and he returned to the h 
 (arm and t< 11 has -mce 
 
 ii and devoted his energies toward 
 
 cation, 
 
 in all scientific and 
 
 improved mi i to 
 
 farmer in getting 
 -ults in ti. I his work. < m 
 
 ■i purchased other inter- 
 ii tin farm, and h ned it. He 
 
 arm of 17 and some 300 acres 
 
 ..f timber land. with md impn 
 
 nt.-.. indii farmer that 
 
 H utial men <>f the 
 
 inty, ambitii -tate 
 
 ■ ■I Ins health to reach his aim. He has a lai 
 [uaintam e, and 
 
 Politically he is an Independent, voting 
 
 1 ami mi ' he time seem to 
 
 his judgi itry or the com- 
 
 nitj 1 taring th ment he was 
 
 ititied and in sympathy with it. During the 
 
 :id administi ition hi ppointed post- 
 
 masti 1 .a R ilv. hav- 
 
 ■ i k nf tin :> by nth 
 
 II had ind 
 
 auditor of the tow nsl 
 
 On Septembei 26, 1876, in Lamar township, 
 Mr. Burrell was man 1 C. Di irnbla 
 
 la daughter of 
 
 1 1 thi> mai 
 
 John I. isnowatten : lanna University 
 
 Pi mi d Mabel 
 
 1 ■• member 
 
 J 1 dlN W < IR< H 1'. an .1" 
 Rauchti iwn 
 
 Ian man 
 
 whose well him ah 
 
 envy, I . 1 nner in 
 
 which ;! In his 
 
 he has followed tin ind 
 
 with a never-failing en. ited his 
 
 int. 1 that tin- obsl 
 
 path ha . ■ 
 
 ved. 
 Mi ices- 
 
 ti\ I 1 . . was ': 
 
 in York county, Penn., reared to manhood on a 
 farm, and throughout his life carried on agricult- 
 ural pursuits; he also en ting be- 
 tween Baltimore, Philadelphia and Pittsburg be- 
 
 the days of railroads and canals. He owned 
 a farm in that part of York count) which was 
 made into Adams county, and died on the old 
 ad near the historic battle ground of Get- 
 tysburg, September 12, 1 S44, at the same hour 
 in which occurred the birth of our subject. His 
 remains were interred in the Lutheran cemetery 
 at Gettysburg. In politics he was a stani h Ji f- 
 fersonian Democrat. He married a Miss Brame, 
 who now rests by his side. They were the par- 
 ents of eight children. 
 
 Peter Group, the father of our subject, was 
 bor, in February. 1S07, in Adams county, received 
 
 od education in English and German, and in 
 his early life followed farming and freighting for 
 his father. When a young man he came to cent- 
 ral Pennsylvania and worked on the Pennsylvania 
 canal in the capacity of a blacksmith, which 
 trade he had learned in his native county, doing 
 the blacksmith work on the Lock Haven dam; at 
 that time he lived in Lock Haven. Later he 
 removed to Nippenose Valley, and settled in that 
 part of Lycoming county which is now Crawford 
 
 isliip. Clinton county, where he made some 
 improvements on his land, afterward buying ad- 
 ditional land adjoining his first purchase. Here 
 he spent his remaining days, dying in 1877, his 
 
 ains being interred in the Lutheran cemetery 
 in Nippenose Valley. He was a member of the 
 Methodist Episcopal Church, was a Jeffersonian 
 Democrat in earl} 1 life, later became a war Di 
 ocrat, and afterward joined the ranks of the Ke- 
 publican party. He served as township su| 
 visor, was school director, overseer of the poor, 
 and collector of taxes. He was a man of firm 
 
 mictions, as true t ibal promise as t 
 
 written one, faithful to every trust reposed in 
 him. He held friendship inviolable, and was re- 
 s' all who knew him. 
 At Lock Haven, Peter Group was married to 
 ii Straub, who was born in 1810, in Mil- 
 Pi-iiii.. ,1 daughter of Andrew and Elizabeth 
 Miaul), the former a carpenter and mill- 
 wright of Lock Haven. Mr. and Mrs. Group 
 had four children: ( I ) John W. is our subj. 
 
 Andrew \\, who was educated in the public 
 
 scho lit school in Clinton county, aftei 
 
 which Ik- studied the. logy, d to tin 
 
 ministry of the Meth dist Episcopal Church, 
 
 minister of the Presbyterian 
 
 rch, and .lied in Philadelphia, in iS; 
 Tillman H., wh hool in Clinton 
 
 county. farmer in Oklahoma. [4) Emma 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 673 
 
 is the wife of William T. Welshans, of Rauch- 
 town, Clinton county. The mother of this fam- 
 ily who was a consistent member of the Method- 
 ist Episcopal Church, died at the home of our 
 subject, who took care of both his parents during 
 their old age. 
 
 John W. Group was born in Crawford town- 
 ship, Nippenose Valley, Clinton county, Septem- 
 ber 12, 1844, on a farm where his early life was 
 passed. He attended the public schools up to 
 the age of seventeen years during the winter 
 months, and throughout the remainder of the 
 year assisted in the labors of the farm. He 
 studied hard to obtain an education, and taught 
 school for seven years during the winter months 
 while working on the farm in the summer. Am- 
 bitious to achieve mental advancement he saved 
 enough money from his teaching to enable him to 
 spend two years at Dickinson Seminary, Will- 
 iamsport. fn 1871-72 he was a law student in 
 Ann Arbor University, Mich., and was graduated 
 in the latter year. Returning then to Lock Ha- 
 ven, he studied law with Seymour D. Ball, in 
 1874, was admitted to practice in the courts of 
 Pennsylvania, and, later, in the United States 
 courts. His success was marked and immediate, 
 his superior ability, indomitable energy and 
 laudable ambition winning him distinctive pre- 
 ferment in his chosen calling. In 1894 he began 
 his farming operations, and is accounted one of 
 the most practical and progressive farmers in 
 Nippenose Valley. He owns a farm of 170 
 acres, on which he built a fine residence and barn 
 at a jcost of more than $8,000. He makes a 
 specialty of the breeding of fine Jersey stock, and 
 has thirty-five head of blooded cattle. He takes 
 a deep interest in all that advances the welfare 
 of the agriculturist, and improvements mark his 
 labors. In addition to the home farm he owns 
 1,000 acres in other parts of the State, including 
 coal and mineral lands. Besides his farm inter- 
 ests he is interested in milling, having, in 1896, 
 erected a steam feedmill near his house and barn, 
 with a capacity of fifty bushels per hour. 
 
 In 1 89 1, in Camden, N. J., Mr. Group was 
 married to MissJestia May Gebhart, a native of the 
 Nippenose Valley, and a daughter of George Geb- 
 hart. They had two children: Charles George 
 Gordon, and one that died in infancy. In his 
 political preferences Mr. Group is a gold Demo- 
 crat; socially he is a member of the Masonic fra- 
 ternity. His prominent characteristics were man- 
 ifest when he provided for his own education — 
 determination, self-reliance and undaunted per- 
 severance—showing that the student would make 
 a capable man of affairs in the business world. 
 
 He is popular, and is the center of a large circle 
 43 
 
 of friends and acquaintances who honor and es- 
 teem him for his manly virtues and sterling 
 worth. 
 
 one of the leading 
 
 G\EORGE W. HERR is 
 _i and influential citizens of Salona, who has 
 taken an active part in promoting the substantial 
 improvement and material development of Clin- 
 ton county. As a miller and farmer he was for 
 many years actively identified with its agricult- 
 ural and industrial interests, but is now devoting 
 his energies to merchandising, having in the 
 spring of 1896 purchased the store of O. H. 
 West, in Salona, which he is now successfully 
 conducting under the firm style of G. W. Herr& 
 Son. 
 
 Our subject was born July 18, 1848, a short 
 distance east of Salona, in Lamar township, and 
 is a representative of an old and highly-respect- 
 ed family of Clinton county, it being founded at 
 Mill Hall about 181 5. His grandfather, Daniel 
 Herr, was born August 10, 1777, and was the 
 great-grandson of Hans Herr, a native of Switz- 
 erland, who founded the family in this country 
 during the early part of the 1 8th century. In 
 181 5 the grandfather's family left Lancaster 
 county, Penn., and came to Mill Hall, Clinton 
 county, but he remained behind to settle up some 
 business, and later died while en route to Mill 
 Hall, his remains being buried at Columbia, 
 Penn. His widow, who bore the maiden name 
 of Rebecca Bressler, and was born February 16, 
 1778, was left with what could be called a com- 
 fortable competence, which was invested by her 
 brother in a manufacturing business at Mill Hall, 
 but the enterprise proved unprofitable. She died 
 September 18, 1873. In her family were three 
 children: George, the father of our subject; 
 Mrs. Dr. Parry, who spent her entire life in Lan- 
 caster county; and Mrs. Shoff, now deceased. 
 
 George Herr, Sr. , was born February 24, 
 1805, in Lancaster county, and acquired his 
 education in the schools of Mill Hall, in 
 which place he also clerked for his uncle, 
 George Bressler, a merchant, during his young- 
 er years. He was first married in Nittany 
 Valley, in 1834, to Miss Charlotte Miller, by 
 whom he had three children as follows: Emma, 
 born March 12, 1835, is now the widow of Eli 
 Hyatt and a resident of Salona; Henry, born Jan- 
 uary 29, 1837, was a tanner and lumberman by 
 occupation, and died in Salona; and Daniel, born 
 January 7, 1840, is a dairyman, at Quincy, 111. 
 For his second wife, George Herr, Sr., married 
 Miss Catharine Wilson, who was born Septem- 
 ber 28, 1S09, in Lamar township, east of Salona, 
 
-.71 
 
 VMBMOBATIVB BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 and was a daughter of Samuel and Catharine 
 i Bressler Wilson. Four children blessed this 
 union, of whom our subject is the oldest. Re- 
 becca, born December i er home 
 in Salona. Sarah and Charlotte (twins) were 
 born March irmer is ii' iw the 
 wife of W. H. Cadogan, of Quincy, 111., while 
 the latter died at the age of fourteen. 
 
 About [834 the father located in Nittany 
 Valley, where soon afterward he purchased a 
 farm which is still in the family, and he turned 
 ntion to agricultural pursuits. He was a 
 man of rather spare build, never wi 
 1 , ip mnds. 1I<- started out in life practically 
 empty-handed, but became one of the successful 
 farmers of tl y, and for several years pre- 
 
 vious to his death lived retired from active la- 
 in his farming opera: was system- 
 atic and methodical, and as a citizen deserved 
 the high regard in which he was uniformly held. 
 He was the leading members oi the Meth- 
 odist Church, to which he was a liberal contrib- 
 utor, and of which 1: I as trustee formany 
 In politics he was tirst a Whig and later 
 a Republican, and although he took an active in- 
 terest in political affairs, he never cared for of- 
 ficial h lli> death occurred January 16, 
 
 4. ami his wife passed away Januarj 13, 
 17, an. I 1: in the Salona 
 
 cemetery. 
 
 In the Salem si bool, under the instruction of 
 Sally A. Herr, the subject of this sketch b< 
 his education, and the knowledge I in 
 
 the .hstrict schools was later su] 
 
 ;rse in Dickr miliary at Williamsport, 
 
 which I .1 at tic ; eighteen. Al- 
 
 though he was naturally bright and able to learn 
 rapidly, he was not ambitious and .lid not make 
 the most "f his advantage, n irrow in 
 
 liter years, as he fully appreciates the value of 
 n. and he has provided Ins chil- 
 dren with good a.lvanta g that line. He 
 was reared a- .1 farmei boj although his parents 
 removed to Salona when he was thirl 
 
 . and when his school days w hi be- 
 
 learning the miller's trade at tic- old si 
 mill in that place under the direction ol Joseph 
 I trley, who gave him $6 per month for his -. 
 ices, i: pleted his trade, however, in the 
 
 old Liggett mill abovi Eagleville, in Centre 
 county, an.l for twelve years followed that occu- 
 
 on, having charge of the old stone mill in 
 loiia l,,r ten years of that time. I me time 
 
 he 1 his mother's farm, but in the spring 
 
 of 1894 took up his resilience in his present home 
 ■ml for two j ears w.i- again engaged 
 in the milling business. Since that time, how- 
 
 ever, he and his sons have successfully engaged 
 in merchandising. 
 
 On February 2. 1871, Mr. Herr was united 
 in marriage to Miss Anna Fredericks, who was 
 born January 23, 1848. in Qhillisquaque town- 
 ship, Northumberland Co., Penn., a daughter 
 of John and Rachel (Walter) Fredeiicks. She 
 was reared in her native county, where she suc- 
 cessfully engaged in teaching previous to her 
 marriage. She has become the mother of two 
 children: 1 1 Wilso.i F. , now engaged in busi- 
 ness with his father, was born Ma\ 29, [873, and 
 graduated at the Lock Haven Central State Nor- 
 mal School in 1891. He is a stanch Republican 
 in politics, and is a member of Olympic Council, 
 Royal Arcanum, at Lock Haven. He married 
 Anna F. Heard, and has two children — Leigh and 
 Paul. (2) Jessica F. was a member of the 
 graduating class of the Lock Haven Central State 
 
 mal School in 1893, and resides at home. 
 
 Although an ardent Republican in politics, at 
 local elections our subject supports the men 
 whom he considers best qualified for the office re- 
 gardless of party ties. Fraternally, he is a mem- 
 ber of the Grange; the Patriotic Order Sons of 
 America, at Salona; and Olympic Council, Royal 
 Arcanum, at Lock Haven; while religiously he 
 and his wife are both members of the Methodist 
 Church, of which he is one of the trustees. In 
 the formation of the Salona Creamery Company 
 Mr. Herr took an active part, and has been 
 prominently identified with every enterprise cal- 
 culated to prove of public benefit, so that hi 
 justly regarded as one of the foremost citizens 
 as well as substantial and reliable business men 
 of Salon 
 
 J' >SEPH R. KENDIG, an honored veteran of 
 the Civil war, and a trusted and faithful em- 
 ployee of the Pennsylvania Railroad Coin- 
 pan), has for several years been general manager 
 of the store of that company at Renovo. Clinton 
 county, having previously served a number of 
 year.- as maintenance of way clerk, and for the 
 1 nine years was chief clerk to superin- 
 tendent of the middle division of the Philadel- 
 phia & Erie division of the Pennsylvania Rail- 
 ny. 
 Mr. Kendig was born in Cumberland county, 
 Penn., in 1839, a son of Jacob and Susan Reif- 
 sny.ler) Kendig, who spent their entire lives in 
 nsylvania. The father, in 1845. moved from 
 Cun I county. Penn., to Franklin county, 
 
 sane locating in Orrstown, then a thriv- 
 
 ing village, where he followed the occupation of 
 blacksmithing, ami 1 ! in the manufactur- 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 675 
 
 ing business. His death occurred in 1891, hav- 
 ing long survived the mother of our subject, who 
 died in 1841, leaving three children by his first 
 wife, who are yet living: Henry B., a resident 
 of Altoona; Joseph R. ;and Elizabeth, of Renovo. 
 
 The common schools afforded our subject his 
 educational privileges. He was reared upon the 
 home farm until eighteen years of age, when he 
 began school teaching, a profession he success- 
 fully followed for five years. On the breaking 
 out of the Civil war, he, with his brothers, Abra- 
 ham R. and William H., enlisted in the service 
 of the United States Government for three years 
 or during the war, the brothers becoming mem- 
 bers of Company B and he of Company H, 107th 
 P. V. I. He was engaged in skirmish at Thor- 
 oughfare Gap, Va. , in the second battle of Bull 
 Run, and in the battle of Fredericksburg, De- 
 cember 13, 1862, where he was wounded by a 
 minie ball passing through his right hip. From 
 the consequence of his wound he was given an 
 honorable discharge April 23, 1863. On recov- 
 ering his health Mr. Kendig, on January 11, 
 1865, entered the service of the Pennsylvania 
 Railroad Company at Renovo, with which he 
 has since been connected, holding different posi- 
 tions, and since 1889 has had continuous charge 
 of their store here. He has faithfully served his 
 employers, as is quite evident by his long re- 
 tention in their service. 
 
 Mr. Kendig was married to Miss Rebecca 
 Brown, daughter of John and Catharine (Grimes) 
 Brown, of Newville, Cumberland Co., Penn., 
 and they have become the parents of nine chil- 
 dren, as follows: Roscoe B., Thomas A. (de- 
 ceased), Wilfred M., Florence, Clara L. (de- 
 ceased), Joseph R. , F. Louis, Julian H. and 
 Dorothy. Both parents hold membership in the 
 New Jerusalem Church (Swedenborgian), while, 
 socially, Mr. Kendig belongs to the Grand Army 
 of the Republic, and, politically, affiliates with 
 the Republican party. He has never been an 
 aspirant for official honors, but has held some 
 school offices. He stands to-day in his mature 
 years a strong man, strong in the consciousness 
 of well-spent years, strong to plan and perform, 
 strong in his credit and good name. His has 
 been a pure, honorable and useful life, actuated 
 by unselfish motives, prompted by patriotism and 
 guided by truth and justice. 
 
 TJUC 
 
 'The art of growing old 
 MIL gracefully" is well exemplified in the per- 
 sonality of this venerable and honored citizen of 
 Lamar, Clinton county, who, despite the fact 
 that he has now advanced nearly a score of years 
 
 beyond the Scriptural limit of man's life, is still 
 hale and hearty. His step is firm and steady, 
 and his faculties in full use, his eyesight enabling 
 him to read as well as ever, although as a pre- 
 cautionary measure he procured a pair of specta- 
 cles about two years ago. 
 
 Mr. White was born September 12, 18 10, in 
 Pine Creek township, Clinton (then Lycoming) 
 county, and is of our best Colonial stock. 
 Hon. Hugh White, his grandfather, was a native 
 of Dauphin county, Penn., both of Scotch-Irish 
 descent, and was a colonel in the Revolutionary 
 army. Later he served in the State Legislature 
 as a representative from Lycoming county, where 
 his last years were spent upon a farm. The es- 
 tate is now within the limits of Pine Creek town- 
 ship, Clinton county, and the burial place of the 
 old pioneer is known as Pine Creek cemetery. 
 He also owned a large tract of land in Bald 
 Eagle Valley, where his sons, William and Hugh, 
 located; but others of the family remained in the 
 vicinity of the old homestead, and all of them 
 settled within the State. His first wife was a 
 Miss Allison, and his second a Mrs. Wetzel, a 
 widow. By the first marriage there were seven 
 children: William, our subject's father; John, 
 who was subject to fits, and during one fell out 
 of a canoe and was drowned; Chesney, who died 
 unmarried; Allison, who was killed while horse- 
 back riding, being thrown against a tree; Hugh, 
 who died in Bald Eagle Valley, leaving a family; 
 James, who died in Pine Creek township, Clin- 
 ton county; and Nancy, wife of John F. McCor- 
 mick, of Lock Haven, in which city her death 
 occurred a few years ago. Four children were 
 born of the second marriage: Isabella, who 
 married (first) Robert Bailey, (second) James 
 Allen, and now resides in Jersey Shore; and 
 George, John and Henry, all of whom died in 
 Williamsport, Pennsylvania. 
 
 William White, the father of our subject, was 
 born November 26, 1774, and was married April 
 5, 1803, in what is now Pine Creek township, 
 Clinton county, to Miss Hannah Jackson, who 
 was just six days older than he. In February, 
 181 1, he removed to Bald Eagle township, Clin- 
 ton (then Centre) county (then a new section), 
 and engaged in farming. He held a prominent 
 place among the pioneers of that locality, and 
 for some years served as justice of the peace. 
 In politics he was a Whig, and in religious faith 
 was an ardent Presbyterian, being an elder in the 
 Church. Financially he met with success, and 
 at his death he left a goodly inheritance to his 
 children. He died on December 31, 1831, and 
 his wife passed away about June 15, 1833, their 
 remains being interred in.theold cemetery on the 
 

 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 hill above Lock Haven. Of their children, the 
 eldest. Margaret, born January 16, 1804. mar- 
 ried John Stout, and died at Lamar; Caroline, 
 born December 21, [805, marri ■ W'or- 
 
 rick, and died at Mackeyville, Penn. ; Jackson, 
 born July 17, 1807, died in childhood in Bald 
 Eagle Valley; Agnes, born November \j, 1S0S, 
 also died in childhood; Hugh (our subject) is 
 
 utioned more fully below; Miss Lucinda, burn 
 January 10, 1813, died at Lamar, at the age of 
 
 bty-two years; the seventh child, a son. died 
 in infancy; William A., born September 23, 
 1816, became a successful merchant of Clinton- 
 dale, and died at the age of seventy- four, leaving 
 a large estate. 
 
 Our subject was but an infant when his par- 
 ent- removed to the Bald Eagle Valley, and his 
 educational opportunities were restricted .to tin- 
 subscription schools of that day and locality. 
 All the apparatus was of a primitive sort, quill 
 pens being used for writing, and the methods of 
 bing no less old-fashioned. However, he 
 made the most of his time at school and, having 
 prepared to teach, he in early manhood took 
 charge of a school for five months. As the son 
 of a pioneer farmer he became thoroughly fa- 
 miliar with agricultural work, and at the age of 
 twenty-four he left home to learn the tanner's 
 trade with a cousin. Robert Hamilton, in Lycom- 
 ing county, about a mile above Newberry. Five 
 
 rs Mi White spent in that business, and then, 
 in the fall of [839, he went to Lock Haven, 
 which had just begun to attract the notice of set- 
 tlers, and opened a Three years later 
 he sold out, but not long afterward he establish- 
 ed another in the same town, and this he con- 
 ducted successfully for hve years, his trade in- 
 g with ti th of the city. In the 
 fall "f 1849 he reni"\. 1 to Nittany Valley and 
 ■ iblished a -tore on the pike mar "Custard 
 
 vern, " where he remained until 1863. Since 
 that date he has be< dent of Lamar, and 
 
 until r88o he - I in the mercantile 
 
 business there, while acting also as postmaster. 
 Hi- dealings were always 1 autious and conserva- 
 tive, steady gains being prefi rable in his opinion 
 i" reckli with a view to unusual 
 
 profits, and hi- integrity has won for him the 
 
 ■ii of all who knew him. < >n dis| 1 his 
 
 80, he retired from business with a 
 handsome comp which I 
 
 entirely by his own well-directed effort- For a 
 numbei Lucinda White, 
 
 kept house for him; she died Decembei \ 1 
 II- is the only member of the family now li> 
 and his strength and vigor give prom iny 
 
 1 s of life for him. 
 
 Although Mr. White is not a member of any 
 religious denomination, he has contributed lib- 
 erallv to the Presbyterian Church, which he at- 
 
 ds, and is in sympathy with ever)' effort which 
 tends to progress. He has taken an intelligent 
 interest in the questions of the time, and has been 
 an active and influential worker in local politics, 
 tirst as a Whig and later as a Republican, never 
 missing a Presidential election since arriving at 
 his majority, and assisting the party at all emer- 
 gencies as the occasion demanded. For three 
 
 rs he served as county auditor. For some 
 thirty years he was postmaster and acting post- 
 master at Lamar. 
 
 EMORY BEARDSLEY WATERS, an un- 
 / dertaker and embalmer of Lock Haven, 
 
 Clinton county, who is skilled in his line, is a 
 young man of education and intelligence, and is 
 descended from one of the pioneer families of 
 Warren county, this state. 
 
 His grandparents, Albert Starling and Mary 
 Jane (Coxwell Waters, were residents of War- 
 ren county, Penn. Starling W. Waters, a son 
 of this couple, and the father of the subject of 
 this sketch, is one of the prominent citizens of 
 Warren, born in the county of the same name. 
 He was married to Mary Rosamond Hall, a na- 
 tive of Warren county, Penn., and a daughter 
 of Orris Hall, who located in that county while 
 yet the Indians were there, being one of the first 
 settlers of that locality. He at one time owned 
 much of the land on which the present town of 
 Warren stands, and donated the ground on 
 which four of the churches of the place are built. 
 The children of Starling W. Waters and wife 
 are: Wilson Hall, Myron, and Emory Beards- 
 ley, our subject. 
 
 Starling W. Waters has thus far passed his 
 life in the county of his nativity, where he has 
 been very active in business affairs, and whi 
 too, he has served the public for years creditably 
 to himself and to the satisfaction of his constit- 
 uents. He was for three terms the prothonotary 
 of the county, and is at present the postmaster 
 ol Warren. He has been prominent in the coun- 
 cils of the Republican party many years. He is 
 a large oil produi 
 
 Emory Beardsley Waters was born in War- 
 ren. July 20, 1871. He attended the public 
 wn, and was graduated from the 
 high school in 1885. After his graduation he 
 red the undertaking establishment of P. 
 Greenland & Sons, and of these gentlemen 
 the business. Desiring to become thor- 
 oughly equipped in a knowledge of the best 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 677 
 
 methods in vogue in this line, in New York City, 
 he went thither and entered an embalming school 
 from which he was graduated in 1890. He has 
 ever since given the subject his undivided atten- 
 tion, and is now very proficient in the business. 
 His undertaking rooms in Lock Haven are well 
 regulated, and present a neat and inviting appear- 
 ance. Socially, he is identified with the F. &A. 
 M., and with the Royal Arcanum. In politics 
 he is a Republican. He is a member of the 
 Presbyterian Church. 
 
 On October 14, 1897, Mr. Waters was mar- 
 ried to Grace May Fisher, of Lock Haven, a 
 daughter of an old English family who came 
 from England to Lock Haven when it was a small 
 place. The parents were engaged in the bakery 
 business until their deaths. 
 
 DAVID R. WERTS. Among the business 
 men whose enterprise and activity in trade 
 circles have made them prominent citizens of 
 Renovo is this gentleman who is now success- 
 fully engaged in dealing in coal, wood and ice. 
 
 Mr. Werts was born in 1858, at Westport, 
 Clinton county, a son of Samuel and Nancy 
 (Pfouts) Werts, both of whom are also natives of 
 Pennsylvania. The father was a farmer and 
 lumberman, following those pursuits throughout 
 his entire life. He took quite a prominent part 
 in local affairs, and often filled public positions 
 of honor and trust. On November 12, 1892, he 
 was called to his final rest, but his estimable 
 wife is still living. Her father, Simeon Pfouts, 
 was the first settler on Kettle creek, in this sec- 
 tion of the West branch district, coming to the 
 county when it was a wilderness. Samuel and 
 Nancy Werts had a family of two daughters — 
 Viola and Eva (both dead) — and six sons — W. C. , 
 Simeon P., Daniel B., John F. , Samuel M. and 
 David R. , all living. 
 
 David R. Werts acquired his early education 
 in the district schools, and, subsequently, for 
 three years attended the Lancaster schools. He 
 was reared under the parental roof, and early 
 became familiar with all the duties that fall to 
 the lot of the agriculturist; but his tastes lay in 
 another direction, and on attaining his majority 
 he came to Renovo where he was employed in 
 the car shops for a year and a half. He then 
 embarked in business on his own account, estab- 
 lishing a woodyard. His capital was at first 
 small, but he gradually extended his operations 
 and began dealing in coal and ice as well as 
 wood. He is now a leader in his line of trade, 
 enjoying a large patronage, from which he de- 
 rives a good income. He is known as one of 
 
 the most famous hunters of his age in this sec- 
 tion of the country, having killed 200 deer and 
 thirteen bear and numerous other game. 
 
 In 1880 Mr. Werts was united in marriage with 
 Miss Ada Stewart, a daughter of J. F. and Jane 
 (Fair) Stewart, natives of Pennsylvania. The 
 following children grace this union: Nannie M. , 
 Samuel B., Alfred, K. P., Winifred, and Ray- 
 mond. The parents are consistent members of 
 the Methodist Episcopal Church, and, socially, 
 Mr. Werts is connected with the Knights of the 
 Golden Eagle and the Maccabees. In politics 
 he is a Republican, and has served as high con- 
 stable and police commissioner of Renovo, dis- 
 charging his duties in a most satisfactory man- 
 ner. He has the essential qualifications of the 
 successful business man, and his indefatigable 
 labor, his sound judgment and well-directed ef- 
 forts have brought to him the prosperity which 
 he now enjoys. In manner he is pleasant and 
 genial, and the circle of his friends is constantly 
 widening. 
 
 If, H. BROWN, a well-known farmer of La- 
 jPflk mar township, is a worthy representative 
 of one of the oldest and most prominent pioneer 
 families of Clinton county, and its members have 
 been actively identified with the growth and 
 prosperity of this region. 
 
 Samuel Brown, his paternal grandfather, 
 was born March 21, 1770, of Scotch-Irish ances- 
 try, and was the first of the family to locate 
 upon the present farm of the latter, which has 
 now been in the possession of the family for 
 over a century. He found the land still in its 
 primitive condition, but at once commenced to 
 clear and improve it, erecting thereon a good 
 stone residence in 1800. Throughout his entire 
 life he was engaged in agricultural pursuits. 
 On February 18, 1799, he was married to Miss 
 Ann Fearon, who was born January 14, 1771, 
 and died November 20, 1831, while his death oc- 
 curred May 24, 1842, and both are laid to rest 
 in the Cedar Hill cemetery. In religious belief, 
 they were Presbyterians, and in politics the hus- 
 band was a Whig. In their family were the fol- 
 lowing children: Sarah F., born January 4, 
 1800, married Alexander Jackson, and died in 
 Lamar township, Clinton county, June 18, 1861; 
 William F. , born May 26, 1S01, emigrated to 
 Stephenson county, 111., where he engaged in 
 farming until his death; Joseph, born May 19, 
 1803, was a merchant for some years at Cedar 
 Springs, but died at Weaverville, Northampton 
 Co., Penn. ; James, born August 3, 1805, also 
 became a farmer of Stephenson county, 111., and 
 
678 
 
 - OMMBMOBATIVB BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 and <Jie< I at Freeport, that State; Thomas, the 
 father of A. H., is next in order of birth; Sam- 
 uel, born October 2}, was an agriculturist, and 
 died at Clintondale, Clinton county, September 
 30, 1873; and Robert B., born .September 17, 
 1S11, was a retired farmer at the time of his 
 death, which occurred in Altoona, Penn., Sep- 
 tember 12, i.- 
 Thomas Brown was born October 13, 1807, 
 in the old stone house on our subjects farm, and, 
 with thi i '"II ol nine years, he there spent 
 
 his entire life engaged in agricultural pursuits. 
 The subscription schools afforded him his edu- 
 cational advantages, and he made the most of 
 his opportunites. On May 23, 1843, in Belle- 
 fonte, Penn., he was married by Rev. Linn to 
 Miss Eleanor J. Hays, who was born May 24, 1819, 
 in 1 (aid Eagle Valle) .one mile above Marsh creek, a 
 daughter ol William and Mary (Hays) Hays. 
 Sin- was reared in her native Valley. 
 
 William Hays (Mrs Brown's father) was born 
 in Coimty Tyrone, Ireland, in 1778, and came to 
 the United Mates, when young, with his parents. 
 His lather, William Hays, Sr., was buried in 
 11 ■■, emetery, in Beech Creek, Clinton county. 
 < in attaining to man's estate the son was married 
 Bi ech < reek, to Mary Hays, who was born 
 there May K>, 17SS, a daughter of Lieut. Jai 
 Hays, whose parents, John and Jane Hays, came 
 to the New World from Wesl Donegal, Ireland, 
 in 1 73-. The Lieutenant won his title while 
 
 ring 111 the French and Indian war in 
 Colonel Bouquet, and in return for his services 
 he received a tract of land at the month 1 >t 1 leech 
 ek, in Clinton county, where he located and 
 his family. Mrs Brown's father, who 
 always followed the occupation of farming, dud 
 January 30, [838, and his wife passed away 
 Sepl to, 1827, the remains of both being 
 
 interred in l Springs cemetery. In their 
 
 family were six children, namely: Sarah B. , now 
 the widow (if Robert Pearon, and a resident of 
 Lock Haven; William N., who is living in New 
 I Westmoreland Co., Penn.; Mrs 
 
 Brown; Emeline, widow ol Alexander Sloan, and 
 a resident ol Lock Haven; Elizabeth, widow of 
 John P, Martin, and a resident ol [ersey Sh 
 and Mary A., who w.-dded Aaron Schofield, now 
 deceased, and makes her home near Geuda 
 Springs, Kansas. 
 
 Thomas and Eleanor Brown were born 
 six children: Mary A . who died in childhood; 
 William N\, also dei Sarah ]., wife of 
 
 Samuel Hays, of Pine Creek, Lycoming Co., 
 I mi .. and the mother of four children — Thomas 
 B . Matthew Mc . Eli tnor J. and Alfred W . A. 
 II. whose name introduces this sketch; and Tillie 
 
 E. and Anna E., both at home. The father of 
 this family died August 3, 1884, and was buried 
 in Cedar Hill cemetery. His first vote was cast 
 for Andrew Jackson, the Democratic candidate 
 for President, but after that he supported the 
 Whig party, and later became an ardent Repub- 
 lican, but was never an office-seeker, preferring 
 to devote his entire time and attention to his 
 business interests. Upright and honorable in all 
 the relations of life, he gained the confidence and 
 respect of all with whom he came in contact, 
 and those who knew him best were numbered 
 among his stanchest friends, a fact which plainly 
 indicates a good life. He was a consistent mem- 
 ber of the Presbyterian Church, to which his es- 
 timable wife also belongs. She is still living 
 with her children on the old homestead, and at 
 heradvanced age is exceedingly well preserved, and 
 possesses a remarkable memory, which seems a 
 characteristic of her family. 
 
 SAMUEL MORTIMER, an enterprising citizen 
 and prominent agriculturist of Beech Creek 
 township, Clinton county, Penn., was born in 
 England in 1833, a son of William and Susanna 
 (Wakely) Mortimer, also natives of England, 
 where they passed their entire lives. 
 
 The son had but meager educational advan- 
 tages in his native land, as his parents were in 
 no better than moderate circumstances, and early 
 in life he learned the trade of a weaver, at which 
 he worked in England until he was twenty years 
 old. At that time (about 1853) he came to the 
 New World, taking up his first residence here in 
 New York State, whence after some ten months 
 he came to Clinton county, locating in Ginger 
 township, where he worked for two years; then 
 moved to Lock Haven, and there lived till 1857, 
 
 year of his coming to Beech Creek township. 
 From 1872 to [884 (twelve years in all) he was 
 engaged in farming in Kansas, returning to Clin- 
 ton county in the latter year. In 1885 he pur- 
 chased his present farm of 100 acres, on which 
 he has neat, substantial and commodious build- 
 ings. 
 
 In 1858 our subject was united in marriage 
 with Miss Margaret Lynn, daughter of James 
 Lynn, of Clinton county, and five children have 
 this union, all yet living: Joseph, Susanna 
 (wife of John Zurbee), Tacie Edith (widow of 
 John Pi Samuel, and Cora (wife of Oliver 
 
 Bitner). The mother of these died in Decem- 
 ber, 18S7, and in December. 1889, Mr. Mortimer 
 wedded Miss Sarah Catherine Sproul, of Centre 
 county. Mr. and Mrs. Mortimer are members 
 of the M 1. Church; in politics Mr. Mortimer is 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 679 
 
 a Republican, and, while no aspirant for office, 
 has served efficiently as supervisor. Socially he 
 enjoys the esteem and respect of all as a kind 
 husband, an indulgent parent and a trustworthy 
 citizen. 
 
 M DAM DICKEY, a leading farmer and fruit- 
 ./tL. grower of Bald Eagle township, Clinton 
 county, was born in that township, December 2, 
 1849, a son of Robert L. and Magdalena (Ress- 
 ner) Dickey. 
 
 Robert L. Dickey was a native of Stone Val- 
 ley, Huntingdon Co., Penn. , but during boyhood 
 was brought by his father to Mill Hall, Clinton 
 county, where he made his home for several 
 years while employed as a collier and in cutting 
 cord wood. Later he removed to a small farm 
 near that village, where he made for his family a 
 comfortable home. He was a hard-working, en- 
 ergetic man, and a highly-respected citizen of the 
 community. During the dark days of the Civil 
 war, he enlisted in Company B, 11th P. V. I., 
 under Col. Coulter, faithfully aided in the de- 
 fense of the Union for eighteen months, and was 
 twice wounded at the battle of the Wilderness, 
 one wound causing, in later years, the loss of the 
 sight of his right eye. Originally, in politics he 
 was a Whig, and on its organization became a 
 stanch supporter of the Republican party. 
 
 At Mill Hall, Penn., Robert L. Dickey was 
 married to Magdalena Ressner, a native of Leb- 
 anon county, Penn., whose mother died when 
 she was only seven years old. They became the 
 parents of four children, namely: Sarah A., 
 wife of Thomas J. Fox; William T.,who when last 
 heard from was in California ; Adam, of this sketch ; 
 and Henry A., a farmer of Bald Eagle town- 
 ship, Clinton county. The father died at the age 
 of forty-five, the mother at seventy-nine, and 
 the remains of both were interred in the Brown 
 cemetery. 
 
 Adam Dickey began his education in the 
 Brown school under the direction of Fern Brown, 
 but his privileges along that line were very 
 meager, as during early boyhood he began work- 
 ing away from home for his board. At the age 
 of fifteen he found employment in the lumber 
 woods, where he continued to work for several 
 years. On April 25, 1875, he was married to 
 Miss Sarah C. Earon, who was born September 
 21, 1850, in Beech Creek township, Clinton 
 county, a daughter of John and Eve (Myers) 
 Earon, farming people. She obtained a good, 
 common-school education, and successfully en- 
 gaged in teaching in her native township, the 
 same county. Seven children blessed the union 
 
 of Mr. and Mrs. Dickey: Anna M., born March 
 4, 1876; John W., February 10, 1878; Robert 
 L., May 2, 1880; Adam C, October 12, 1882; 
 Henry E. and Charles W. , who died in infancy; 
 and Eleanor P., born May 27, 1896. 
 
 Previous to his marriage our subject support- 
 ed his mother for several years, and therefore had 
 saved but little. He continued to reside upon a 
 rented farm in Beech Creek township, where he 
 located in 1873, making it his home until his re- 
 moval to his present farm in Bald Eagle town- 
 ship, Clinton county, in March, 1880. He pur- 
 chased the place of John Keener, but had to go 
 heavily in debt for the same, and may properly 
 be numbered with the self-made men of the com- 
 munity, who have attained a good home and 
 comfortable competence by the exercise of good 
 business ability, industry and sound judgment. 
 
 In his labors to build up a homestead, Adam 
 Dickey has also kept in view the good of his com- 
 munity, and is one of the first men approached 
 in the inauguration of an enterprise tending to 
 the building up of the township and the welfare 
 of its people. A stanch Republican in politics, 
 he keeps well posted in regard to current events, 
 and is a liberal contributor to both educational 
 and religious matters. He has served as school 
 director twelve years, overseer of the poor eight 
 years, supervisor two years, and township treas- 
 urer three years, discharging the various duties 
 of those positions in a most creditable and satis- 
 factory manner. Both he and his estimable wife 
 are identified with the Methodist Church, and he 
 has served as trustee of the Church and superin- 
 tendent of the Sabbath-school. She has been an 
 important factor in his success, and they merit 
 and receive the respect and esteem of all who 
 know them. 
 
 S\AMUEL BRUNGARD. The name Brun- 
 ^J gard is almost a synonym for that of a good 
 farmer and excellent citizen, for those who bear 
 the name are invariably thorough and skillful 
 agriculturists and thrifty and enterprising busi- 
 ness men, who have made for themselves com- 
 fortable homes. Our subject is no exception to 
 the rule as he is to-day one of the leading and 
 prominent farmers of Lamar township, Ciinton 
 county. By a different branch of the family the 
 name is spelled Brungart. 
 
 Samuel Brungard was born February 10, 1844, 
 on a farm in Lamar township, in the eastern 
 part of Nittany Valley, where his father first 
 located on coming to Clinton county. He was 
 George Brungard, a native of Brush Valley, 
 Miles township, Centre Co., Penn., born July 
 

 ( OMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 24, 1 Sid, and a son of Jacob and Margaret 
 phart) Brungard. He was reared as a farm- 
 er boy, and in his native Valley was married, 
 February 14. 1 Elizabeth Wohlford, the 
 
 ceremony being performed by Rev. Peter S 
 1 -her. Mrs. Brungard was born July 19, 1815, 
 a daughter "1 John and Catharine Wohlford. 
 The parents of our subject began their domestic 
 life upon a farm in Nittany Valley, where the 
 father owned considerable land, divided into two 
 farm- His first home in Lamar township 
 an old log house, but in later years it was re- 
 place • I re pretentious dwelling, and g 
 barns and other outbuildings were also erected. 
 He died upon that place March 10. 1865, and 
 his wife, after surviving him many years, passed 
 away August 26, [885, and they now sleep side 
 by side in Cedar Hill cemetery. He was official- 
 ly connected with the Lutheran Church, and 
 was 1 Democrat in politics, but took little inter- 
 est in political affairs, although he faithfully 
 lined all duties of citizenship. 
 To George and Elizabeth Brungard were born 
 the following children: John, born April 3, 
 1839, was a member ofth. Seventh Pennsylvania 
 dry during the Civil war, and after that 
 Struggle went to Kansas, where he died Januarv 
 3, 1875; Sarah, born March 29, 1840. is the wife 
 M Miller, of Madisonbur-. Centre Co., 
 a.; Amanda K . bom August 28, 1S41, mar- 
 ried S. E. Walker, and in Lamar township, 
 Clinton county, was gored to death by a bull, 
 Jul} . Mary J., bom November 19, 1842, 
 1- the wife ol George S Gramley, of Lamar 
 township; Samuel is next in order of birth; Henry 
 J., born May 15, 1845, is a fanner of Lamar 
 township; Catharine, born July 2. 1 the 
 wit. 1 < yrus Erhart, of Rebersburg, Penn. ; 
 rge I'... born July 9, 1850, and Jacob, born 
 Septembei 26, [852, are both agriculturist 
 
 township; Margaret, born March 14, 18; 
 is living in Indianapolis, fnd.; Luther, bom 
 March 1. 1856, makes his home in Salona Penn.; 
 and K isii \ . bom September 18, 1858, is the 
 wife of John Mayberry Herr, of Indianapolis, In- 
 diana 
 
 During his boyhood and youth the subject of 
 this sketch atti nded the publii 5, which 
 
 were much inferior to those ol the present day, 
 and among his earls' teachers w< re fames Rog 
 and Judge Austin Furst. Rean ' 
 
 be was able to handle the plow at the age 
 of ten years, and he has since devoted his . 1 
 Kies to agricultural pursuits. After renting In- 
 present farm of Ins mother 1 he pur- 
 chased the plai e, which comprises 100 acres of 
 rich and arable land, which he has placed un 
 
 1 cultivation, and he also has a similar amount 
 niber land. His present barn was erected 
 in 1871, and in 1889 he built his comfortable and 
 commodious residence. 
 
 On December 31, 1868, Mr. Brungard was 
 married to Miss Mary J. Wolf, who was born 
 October 31, 1844, in Brush Valley, Centre coun- 
 ty, a daughter of Daniel and Rebecca (Minich) 
 Wolf. She is one of a family of six children, 
 one son and five daughters, was reared in her na- 
 tive Valley, and when a young lady accompanied 
 her parents on their removal to Nittany Valley. 
 Bj h'-r marriage, to our subject she has become 
 the mother of five children, whose names and 
 dates of birth are as follows: George E. , No- 
 vember 12. 1S60; Anna S. , December 10, 1S70; 
 Daniel O., March 22, 1S73; Ella M., December 
 3, [878; and Rebecca E., August 3. 1880. The 
 oldest son is now a farmer of Lamar township, 
 and the others are all at home. Although not 
 strictly partisan, the father of these usually sup- 
 is the Democratic party by his ballot, and he 
 has served as supervisor longer than any two 
 men in his township, being the present incum- 
 bent. This fact plainly indicates his popularity 
 and the high regard in which he is uniformly- 
 held. He is an active and prominent member of 
 the Lutheran Church, and has served as deacon 
 and trustee. 
 
 GEORGE S. GOOD, a man of large business 
 interests, and of prominence in the business 
 circles of central Pennsylvania, and a resident of 
 I. k Haven, Clinton county, was born April 10, 
 1845, near Milton, Northumberland Co., Pennsyl- 
 vania. 
 
 George and Mary (Smith) Good, his parents, 
 were natives of Northampton county, this State, 
 and were there married. George Good (the 
 father) passed his younger life as an agricultur- 
 ist, but later he engaged in milling, carrying on 
 a merchant-mill within the limits of the city of 
 Williamsport, Penn., being there so occupied at 
 the time of his death in November, 1871. He 
 - a reputable business man, a man of unques- 
 tioned integrity, and held the esteem of the com- 
 munity. His estimable wife, who was a daugh- 
 ter of Abram Smith, of Northampton county, 
 died in October, 1886. They left nine children 
 surviving them, namely: John is operating the 
 mill at the homestead; Abraham is also engaged 
 in large milling operations, residing in Williams- 
 port, Penn. ; Lli/abeth is the wife of Jonas Trex- 
 ler, and • Shamokin Dam, just opposite 
 
 Sunbury, Penn.; Margaret is the wife of Jesse 
 Snyder, of Williamsport, Penn.; Emma is the 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 681 
 
 wife of Charles F. Datesman; Jennie is the widow 
 of Daniel Smith; George S. is our subject; Hattie 
 M. is the wife of John R. Ault; and Laura is 
 Mrs. Johnson, who resides at Williamspbrt, Penn- 
 sylvania. 
 
 George S. Good received his school training 
 at the famous Dickinson Seminary, at Williams- 
 port, Penh. ; his education, however, was broken 
 in upon in 1862, when seventeen years of age, 
 by his entering the United States service. His 
 country's flag had been fired upon, and too great 
 was the patriotism of young Good to longer with- 
 stand her call to arms, and he accepted the ap- 
 pointment to a second lieutenancy in Company 
 I, 84th P. V. I. He shared the fate of that 
 command for nearly three years, and left a record 
 which his posterity will cherish and in which they 
 can justly take pride. At the battle of Chancel- 
 lorsville, Va. , May 1 to 4, 1863, he received (on 
 Sunday) a gunshot wound, taking effect in the 
 right hand, and was taken prisoner by the enemy 
 and confined in Libby prison at Richmond, Va. , 
 for three weeks. He was again made a prisoner 
 of war November 25 (Thanksgiving Day), 1863, 
 at the battle of Mine Run, Va., while in com- 
 mand of the skirmish line, and was for six months 
 confined in Libby prison. He was one of the 
 109 prisoners that escaped in May, 1864, through 
 the famous tunnel, and at the time was one of 
 the youngest men in the prison. Unfortunately 
 he did not long enjoy his freedom, as he was 
 re-captured on the following day near the Chick- 
 ahominy river, and confied in a cell or pen 11x12 
 feet in size, in the same prison, and for a week 
 his only diet consisted of a short allowance of 
 cornbread and water. Through political influ- 
 ence he with some others was soon liberated, 
 and that same May (1864) Lieut. Good was put 
 on court martial duty in Washington, D. C, and 
 there remained until in November, 1864, when 
 his regiment was consolidated and he was mus- 
 tered out as first lieutenant. He participated in 
 the battles of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville 
 and Mine Run. He returned to Lock Haven 
 and engaged in the grocery, business and his occu- 
 pation has since chiefly been in mercantile lines. 
 Since 1876 he has carried on, in connection with 
 his other business, general contracting, doing 
 considerable railroad work. He has constructed 
 upwards of 500 miles of railroad, 122 miles of 
 which were in the Indian Territory, a part of the 
 Choctaw, Oklahoma & Gulf railroad. He is 
 now chiefly engaged in the manufacture of vitri- 
 fied brick and sewerpipes, making some three car- 
 loads per day. The works are now located in 
 Patton, Cambria Co., Penn., where the clay and 
 coal used are mined by him. He holds large 
 
 railroad and mercantile interests, and is one of 
 the substantial men of Clinton county. At this 
 time he has a contract for building 165 miles of 
 railroad from El Paso, Texas, to White Oaks, 
 Mexico, and forty miles of railroad in the State 
 of Missouri (from Bolivar to Osceola). He has 
 continually in his employ some 800 men. 
 
 In November, 1867, Mr. Good was united in 
 marriage with Miss Kate Baker, a daughter of 
 George Baker, a prominent business man of 
 Milton, Penn., and their children are: . Sallie 
 B., Mary W., Blanche B., Harry F., Ralph, and 
 George S., Jr. The family are identified with 
 the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Good figures 
 conspicuously in a number of orders, clubs, etc. 
 He is a member of the G. A. R. ; of the I. O. O. 
 F. ; of the Lock Haven Business Club; of the 
 Hecla Park Club, and of the Young Men's Repub- 
 lican Club, of Williamsport. He is prominent in 
 politics, though he has had no political aspira- 
 tions. 
 
 HENRY M. SCHWENK, now living retired 
 in Green township, is justly numbered 
 
 among the honored and highly respected citi- 
 zens of Sugar Valley, Clinton county, and was 
 for many years prominently identified with its 
 business interests as a farmer and lumberman. 
 He has an honorable record of a conscientious 
 man, who by his upright life has won the 
 confidence of all with whom he has come in 
 contact. 
 
 The name was originally spelled Schwenck, 
 and the family was founded in this country by 
 two brothers who came from Germany about 
 1685, and took up their residence in Montgom- 
 ery county, Penn., where they followed farming. 
 The paternal grandfather of our subject was 
 born near Norristown, in that county, where he 
 was reared and educated, and continued to make 
 his home throughout life. He successfully fol- 
 lowed the occupation of farming and tanning, 
 and also owned and operated saw and oil mills, 
 becoming one of the most prosperous as well 
 as one of the most highly esteemed citizens of 
 the county. For seven years he valiantly aided 
 the colonies in their struggle for independence 
 as a soldier of the Revolutionary war, and was 
 in many of the important battles. In politics 
 he was a Whig, and in religious belief both he 
 and his wife were Lutherans, belonging to the 
 old-school Lutheran Church. He had married 
 Fanny Bower, also a native of Montgomery 
 county, and to them were born eight children: 
 John, George, Samuel, Abram, Jacob, Elizabeth, 
 Catharine and Mary, or Molly. 
 

 I OMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RKri.iRD. 
 
 George Schwenk, our subject's father, 
 born in Montgomery county, in 1 7-^4. and re- 
 ceived a fair German and English education. 
 \yith his father he learned the tanner's trade, 
 and for tei rated the tannery. On 
 
 selling out he n to the northern part of 
 
 Mi ntgomery county in 1815, where he purchased 
 a farm and engaged in agricultural pursuits for 
 seven years. A< the man who bought the tan- 
 was unable to meet his payments. Mr. 
 
 wenk could not obtain the money to finish 
 paying for his farm, which was finally sold by 
 the sheriff, and he only saved about $100 dol- 
 lars—the result of S' irs hard labor. With 
 teristic energy he and his worthy wife 
 new, purchasing 100 acres of land at 
 .1 place known as The Leap, in Montgomery 
 county, which he worked hard to clear and im- 
 prove I here he spent the last twenty-one 
 
 rs of bis life, dying in [843 honored and re- 
 
 Cted b\ all who knew him. He manifested 
 
 his loyalty by faithful service in the war of [812, 
 
 and throughout life was a consistent member ol 
 
 the Lutheran Church, while his wife, who so 
 
 I by him in his hour of trial, held 
 
 mbership in the Reformed Church. He sup- 
 ported Andrew Jackson for the Presidency, and 
 
 tinued to vote with the Democratic party un- 
 til 1 S i< .. when he cast his ballot for William H. 
 Harrison, the Whig candidate. 
 
 George Schwenk married Mi>s Catherine 
 Moyer, a native of Monl ounty, and they 
 
 th( pan nts children: [ulia, de- 
 
 wife of John Boyer; Abr: sed . 
 
 Benjamin, who died in Ulster county, N. V. ; 
 tharine, wife of Abram Zii muel, .1 1 
 
 D Fe 
 
 Henry M . our subject. 
 
 1 Ii nry M, Schwenk was born ! 
 
 iO, in Mont-, mery county, and received only 
 
 lerman education, not being able to speak 
 
 ;lish until after his marriage. 1 fe remaii 
 at home aiding his lather 111 the arduous task of 
 aring and improving a new farm until seven- 
 teen years when he began learning the 
 miller's trade, which he successfully followed 
 about eighteen years in Montgomery, Lehigh 
 and I.11. unties. In 1 s 3 5 he brought his 
 family to Clinton county, and in Sugar Valley, 
 Logan township, bought a tract of 
 mountain land, which hi tion 
 with lumbering I lb then pur- 
 chased the Major Wolford farm in Green town- 
 ship, and to its cultivation and improvement 
 
 ited his time and attention until laying a 
 all business care> in 1897, when he sold his place 
 to his son Harvey, who now operates it. 
 
 In Luzerne county, Penn., Mr. Schwenk was 
 married to Miss Margaret McXeal, who was born 
 in Salem, that county, in 1820, and is a grand- 
 daughter of James McXeal, a native of Scotland, 
 who came to this country when a young man 
 I settled in Luzerne count}-, where lie engaged 
 in surveying and farming throughout his remain- 
 ing years. There he was married, and reared his 
 family of seven children, namely: John, Samuel, 
 William. Amy, Elizabeth, Margaret and Sarah. 
 John McXeal, Mrs. Schwenk's father, was born 
 in Salem, Luzerne county, in 1780, and obtained 
 an excellent education in the schools of Phila- 
 delphia. In early life he followed the cabinet- 
 maker's trade, but afterward devoted his time to 
 farming and lumbering, always making his home 
 in his native count}', where he died in 1 S 5 4 . He 
 was married at Salem to Miss Rachel Shi; 
 and to them were born eleven children: Eliza- 
 
 i, wife of Samuel Jones; Amos; Margaret, 
 wife of our subject; Hannah, wife of Theodore 
 Haas; Mary, wife of Benjamin Budd, of Wiscon- 
 sin; William Wallace; and five who are now de- 
 ceased — Andrew, James, Eariah, John ami Will- 
 iam. The parents were both faithful members 
 of the Society of Friends, and were widely and 
 favorably known throughout their native county, 
 where the}' spent their entire lives. 
 
 Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. 
 Henry M. Schwenk, as follows: Emily, who 
 died when young; William Wallace, who was a 
 
 lier of the Union army during the Civil war, 
 and located in the West; Samuel Sharron, a 
 shingle manufacturer and farmer, who married 
 Sophia Brown and has five children; Clayton, 
 deceased; Benjamin, a lumber manufacturer of 
 Green township, Clinton county, who married 
 
 ma Bargess and has four children; Edgar A . 
 of Green township, who married Susan Shryer; 
 Harvey, late a merchant, now operating the old 
 homestead, who married Maggie Barner and has 
 
 11 children; Charles, who married Elsie 
 Barner and lives in the State of Washington; 
 and Frank, who was killed in a sawmill at the 
 f ten years. 
 
 Mrs. Schwenk, a well-educated and refined 
 ight her husband the English language 
 r marriage, and has always proved a true 
 helpmeet to him. aiding him in all his undertak- 
 b) her encouragement and sympathy. They 
 began their 1 life in limited circumstances, 
 
 and were forced to pay $3 per bushel for wheat 
 and $35 for a hog, but being industrious, enter- 
 prising and energetic they acquired a comfort- 
 mpetence which now enables them to 
 
 nd their declining years in ease and retire- 
 
 nt. They are prominent members of the 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 683 
 
 German Baptist Church of Green township, to 
 which one of their children also belongs, and 
 their sterling worth and many excellencies of 
 character have gained for them many friends. 
 On attaining his majority Mr. Schwenk cast his 
 first Presidential vote for William H. Harrison, 
 and at the last election in the fall of 1896 sup- 
 ported Major McKinley, being at the present 
 time an ardent Republican. Socially, when a 
 young man, he affiliated with the Independent Or- 
 der of Odd Fellows, but withdrew from the order 
 in 1848. 
 
 'OSEPH MARTIN, a well-known agriculturist 
 j and honored veteran of the Civil war, resid- 
 ing in Pine Creek township, was born in 
 Middletown, Dauphin Co., Penn., November 7, 
 1838, of German ancestry. 
 
 His grandfather, John Martin, was a native 
 of Lancaster county, this State, where he was 
 reared, but when a young man removed to Dau- 
 phin count}', there purchasing a farm of 100 
 acres, between Harrisburg and Middletown, 
 where he followed farming, and also conducted 
 the well-known hostelry known as " Black Bear 
 Tavern." During the Revolutionary war he 
 served in the Continental army in 1775 and 1776, 
 and in politics was a Whig. He was married in 
 Lancaster county, Penn., his wife's Christian 
 name being Elizabeth, who also was a native of 
 that county; both passed away at "Black Bear 
 Tavern," in Dauphin county. In their family 
 were three children, namely: Joseph, father of 
 our subject; Abram, a minister of the Winebren- 
 nerian Church, who also followed farming, and 
 died in Dauphin county; and John, an agricult- 
 urist of the same county. 
 
 Joseph Martin, Sr. , began his earthly career 
 at "Black Bear Tavern," and in the county of 
 his birth was educated, learning to speak Ger- 
 man and read and write English. He remained 
 at home working upon the farm until he had 
 reached the age of twenty-one, when he went to 
 Middletown, Dauphin county, where, during the 
 dull seasons, when other work was not obtain- 
 able, he picked up a knowledge of the cooper's 
 trade, and engaged in the manufacture of tubs, 
 barrels, etc. Hearing that land was cheap in 
 central Pennsylvania, and desiring to have a 
 farm of his own, he in 1840 came to Clinton 
 county and located on a tract of timber land in 
 Pine Creek township. After clearing a small 
 tract, he erected a house and barn thereon, and 
 in the winter months continued to engage in the 
 manufacture of barrels, as he found there was a 
 demand for the same at the mills in this section 
 
 of the State, while he spent the summer months 
 in clearing, improving and cultivating his farm 
 with the help of his family, and had the pleasure 
 of seeing waving fields of grain replace the wild 
 and primitive forests he found on his arrival 
 here. 
 
 At " Black Bear Tavern " Joseph Martin, 
 Sr. , was married to Miss Rebecca Shiley, a na- 
 tive of Dauphin county, and a daughter of John 
 Shiley, a farmer of that county. Twelve chil- 
 dren were born to them, namely: Alexander 
 died in Pine Creek township, Clinton county, at 
 the age of fifty-seven years; Sarah is the wife of 
 Irvin Hammer, of Ontario, Canada; Mary died 
 in Pine Creek township at the age of twelve 
 years; Rebecca died unmarried in the same 
 township; Joseph is the subject of this sketch; 
 Christiana A. M. is the wife of Daniel Ricker, of 
 Wayne township, Clinton county; Louise is the 
 wife of John M. Scout, of Indiana; Sebina is the 
 deceased wife of Henry Chambers, of New York 
 State; Catharine is the wife of James Scout, of 
 Pine Creek township; Amelia died at the age of 
 thirteen years; Elizabeth is a resident of Jersey 
 Shore, and Ida died at the age of eight. The 
 father died on his farm in December, i860, the 
 mother at the home of our subject, December 
 14, 1888, and their remains were interred in the 
 graveyard attached to the Lutheran Church in 
 Pine Creek township. They were members of 
 that Church, and were widely and favorably 
 known. The father was first a Whig and later 
 an ardent Republican in politics. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was only two years 
 old when brought by his parents to Clinton 
 county, and in the public schools of Pine Creek 
 township he acquired his education, Joseph Ma- 
 son and a Mr. Garman being among his teachers. 
 As soon as old enough he began to assist in the 
 arduous task of clearing and developing the wild 
 land, and although he worked for neighboring 
 farmers at times, he remained upon the old 
 homestead after the death of his father, caring 
 for his mother and looking after her interests. 
 During the Civil war in 1863 he manifested his 
 patriotism by enlisting at Williamsport, Penn., 
 in Company E, 143d P. V. I., under Capt. L. 
 M. Blair and Col. E. L. Daney, and was mus- 
 tered into the United States service at Harris- 
 burg, where the regiment was assigned to the 
 Fifth Army Corps. On going to the front, he 
 participated in the engagements at Thorough- 
 fare Gap, Va., the Wilderness, North Ann River, 
 Bethseda Church, and Cold Harbor, where he 
 received a rifle ball in the left shoulder, that is 
 still imbedded in the flesh. For four weeks he 
 was confined in Campbell Hospital, Washington, 
 
• )S1 
 
 VMEMORA T1YE BIOGRAPHICAL UK'OliD. 
 
 D. C, and Chestnut Hill Hospital, Philadelphia, 
 and on his recovery rejoined his regiment in 
 front of Petersburg, in which battle he took part. 
 Later he was in the Weldon Railroad raid and 
 the first and second battles at Hatcher's Run, 
 after which he was sent to New York harbor to 
 guard prisoners and secure recruits. When the 
 war was over he was honorably discharged at 
 
 \ York, in June, 1S65, and returned to his 
 home in Clinton county, with a war record of 
 which he may justly be proud, for he was always 
 found at his post of duty, valiantly fighting for 
 the old Bag and the cause it represent 
 
 In [866, Mr, Martin found employment in a 
 sawmill, and for three years during the winter 
 season worked in the lumber woods of Lycoming 
 county. In 1K75 he purchased the old M I 
 key farm of forty-four acres in Pine Creek town- 
 ship, Clinton county, on which he has erected a 
 
 >d frame residence, a barn, tobacco sheds, etc., 
 and made many other excellent improvements, at 
 a cost of $4,000. I!< now devotes his energies 
 principally to agricultural pursuits, and has met 
 with a fair degree of success in his undertakings, 
 
 In issj, at Jersey Shore, I. county, 
 
 Mr. Martin was married to Miss Elizabeth A. 
 Kline, a n;ii line Creek township, Clinton 
 
 county, and a daughter ol Daniel Kline. She 
 was at that time the wid >\\ of Christian Kine- 
 hart, who died in that township, in 1NS0, leaving 
 one -on. Bert, who now lives with our subject. 
 Two sons Lirace the second marriage — Ervin Ray- 
 mond, born March 11, [883; and Benjamin 
 
 nklin, born November 12, [886. The lather 
 now serving as treasurer of the Pa- 
 triots 1 )rder Sons of America at Charlton, and 
 he and his family hold membership in the Lu- 
 theran (hun h. m the work of which he has ever 
 taken an active and prominent part 
 of the teachers in th hool. His polit- 
 
 ical support is always given the men and measures 
 of the Republican party, but he has never been 
 an office-seeker, though he has creditably served 
 as overseer of the poor in Pine Creek township. 
 He lost the hearing of one of his ears during his 
 army service, and now receives a pension of $12 
 per month from the government as a slight co 
 pensation for the injury. He has the respect and 
 Coiit I all who know him, and his friends 
 
 are many throughout Clinton county 
 
 JOHN HAAGEN was reared to the occupation 
 of fanning, and has devoted his entire lit 
 th.it honorable calling, i [1 upon 
 
 the farm where his birth occurred in [833, His 
 parents, George <-. and Mary 1 Barger) Haagen, 
 
 were natives of Germany and Berks county, 
 Penn., respectively. The father resided in that 
 country and in England until forty years of age, 
 and then crossing the Atlantic took up his res- 
 idence in Pennsylvania, where he spent the re- 
 mainder of his life upon a farm. He was a pro- 
 gressive citizen, and was the first man in his sec- 
 tion of the State to own a post-digger. He was 
 well-educated, and earnestly advocated all meas- 
 ures tending to advance the welfare of the com- 
 munity. He died in [863, and his wife passed 
 away in 1 S 7 3 . They had a family of eight chil- 
 dren, namely: Sarah (deceased;, Mary Louisa, 
 George C. , Solomon, Alexander, John, William, 
 and Nathan. 
 
 John Haagen received only the educational 
 advantages afforded by the common schools. 
 His training at farm work began in early life, and 
 he has since followed that pursuit, being now the 
 owner of 172 acres of valuable land in Beech 
 Creek township, Clinton county. This is under 
 a high state of cultivation, and the well-tilled 
 fields surround modern and substantial buildings, 
 which indicate the pre and practical 
 
 spirit of the owner. His methods are modern 
 and systematic, and the thrifty appearance of the 
 place well indicates his careful supervision. 
 
 In [862 Mr. Haagen was united in marriage 
 with Miss Fayetta Brungard, a daughter of John 
 Brungard, of Sugar Valley. Clinton county. 
 They now have a family of ten children, namely: 
 Nelson, who is married and resides in Iowa; 
 Hattie, wife ol Robert McGee; George; Ellen, 
 wife of Charles Rutrich; William; Tennyson 1 
 S. R. Peal; Maggie; Alexander; and Bessie. 
 
 The parents are members of the Disciple 
 Church, and the family is one of prominence in 
 the community, while the household is noted for 
 its hospitality. Mr. Haagen is a member of the 
 Odd Fellows Society, and in politics is an advo- 
 cate of the Democracy. He has served in local 
 official positions, having been jury commissioner, 
 while lor fifteen years he did effective service as 
 a member of the school board. He is public- 
 spirited and progressive, and manifests his deep 
 interest in the welfare of the community by 
 giving an earnest support to all measures for the 
 public good. 
 
 EV. J. J GORMLEY. There is no posi- 
 tion held by man more important than that 
 "I pastor ol a Church, nor is there a position 
 that has attached to it greater importance or 
 ponsibility when properly conceived and con- 
 scientiously discharged. This is more essen- 
 tially the case with the clergymen of the Catholic 
 
&£<*<?. 
 
 L 
 

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 685 
 
 faith, for they are held more as instructors and 
 guides, not only in religious matters, but in moral 
 and social conduct, by their congregations. 
 There are few men by character and education 
 better fitted to preside over a people in all these 
 relations than the reverend gentleman whose 
 name opens this biography. 
 
 Father Gormley, pastor of St. Joseph's Cath- 
 olic Church, at Renovo, was born in 1849, in 
 Ireland, and there began his preparation for the 
 priesthood. He first attended St. Mels College, 
 in Longford, and later took a philosophical and 
 theological course at All Hallows College, Dub- 
 lin. Coming to America, in 1874, he entered 
 the Niagara University, in New York, where he 
 completed the course the following year. After 
 being ordained, he had charge of St. Patrick's 
 Church, in Carlisle, Penn., for five years, and 
 for the following seven years was pastor of St. 
 Joseph's Church, in Bonneauville, Adams Co., 
 Pennsylvania. 
 
 It was in May, 1888, that Father Gormley 
 came to Renovo, and under his able pastorate 
 St. Joseph's Church is now in a flourishing and 
 prosperous condition. The house of worship, 
 which he has erected, is an elegant brick struct- 
 ure, 65 x 125 feet, and is finished on the interior 
 in the most approved style. Besides this build- 
 ing, which cost $45,000, he has also erected a 
 fine parsonage, at a cost of $5,000, and has im- 
 proved the convent and school buildings, so that 
 the church property is now very valuable. -The 
 congregation has been rapidly gaining under his 
 pastorate; the parochial school now numbers 
 300 pupils, and the high school fifty. Father 
 Gormley is a man of good address and winning 
 manners. He is a zealous, active and efficient 
 worker for the Church, and is held in high 
 esteem not only by the people of his own congre- 
 gation, but by the residents of Renovo generally. 
 In the pulpit he is especially gifted, and his dis- 
 courses are scholarly and effective in their 
 appeals to follow the teachings of the Master. 
 In business he is shrewd, and as a financier no 
 priest in the diocese can excel him. Renovo is 
 proud of his citizenship, and points with pleasure 
 to his latest work, the church, that will afford 
 for future generations a monument to his memory. 
 
 D 
 
 C. GRIEB, one of the most active, enter- 
 MLJ J prising and systematic farmers of Porter 
 township, has spent his entire life in Clinton 
 county, his birth occurring June 9, 1853, in 
 Green township, Sugar Valley, near Tylersville, 
 where the family was early established. 
 
 His grandfather, Christian Grieb, was born 
 
 June 10, 1799, in Germany, but at the age of 
 sixteen left the Fatherland, emigrating to the 
 United States and becoming a pioneer of Sugar 
 Valley. He was one of a family of sixteen chil- 
 dren, whose descendants are now scattered over 
 this country. He began life here in very limited 
 circumstances, but by industry and economy he 
 succeeded in accumulating a handsome property, 
 and at one time owned and operated a gristmill 
 in Sugar Valley. As a companion and helpmeet 
 on life's journey he chose Miss Catharine Heinly, 
 who was born in 1893, and by their marriage 
 they became the parents of four children who 
 reached years of maturity: Thomas, who lives 
 near Carthage, Mo. ; Henry, also a resident of 
 Missouri; Jacob, father of our subject; and Aaron, 
 who died in Sugar Valley, December 15, 1875. 
 The father of these passed away March 24, 1867, 
 the mother July 30, 1878, and both were laid to 
 rest in the Tylersville cemetery. 
 
 Jacob Grieb was born in 1829, and on attain- 
 ing to man's estate was joined in wedlock to 
 Miss Lovina B. Royer, a daughter of Daniel 
 Royer. To them were born four children, name- 
 ly: D. C, of this review; John I. N., a resident 
 of Missouri; Samuel, a hotel-keeper at State Col- 
 lege, Penn. ; and Supera, wife of James Bierly, 
 of Anderson county, Kans. The father was a 
 tall man, an agriculturist by occupation, and 
 highly respected by all who knew him. He died 
 March 20, i860, and his wife departed this life 
 January 12, 1868, at the age of thirty-seven, the 
 remains of both being interred in the Lutheran 
 and Reformed cemetery at Tylersville. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was only seven 
 years old at the time of his father's death, after 
 which he lived with his uncle, Samuel Royer, 
 who was his guardian, remaining with him until 
 he started out in life for himself. He began his 
 education in the public schools, and at the age of 
 sixteen entered the Missionary Institute at Sel- 
 ins Grove, Penn., where he pursued his studies 
 for some time. Reared as a farmer boy, he has 
 always followed that occupation, and has met 
 with a well-deserved success in his undertakings. 
 
 In October, 1878, Mr. Grieb was married to 
 Miss Ella M., daughter of Charles and Catharine 
 (Yearick) Stitzer, and they now have six children: 
 Charles B. , Edwin B. , Elma P. , Jay S. , Russell G. 
 and Herman W. After his marriage Mr. Grieb 
 operated his uncle's farm on Fishing creek until 
 the spring of 1891, when he removed to his pres- 
 ent farm of eighty acres in Porter township, 
 Clinton county, which he purchased of Charles 
 Romig. The well-tilled fields and neat and 
 thrifty appearance of the place indicate the 
 industrious habits and progressive spirit of 
 

 COMMEMORATIVE BIOORAPJIICAL RECORD. 
 
 the owner, and it is to-day one of the most 
 highly cultivated and attractive places of the local- 
 ity 
 
 On attaining his majority Mr. Grieb became 
 a Republican, and continued to support that 
 party until the fall of 1896, when he cast his bal- 
 lot for \V. J. Bryan and free silver. He takes 
 a commendable interest in public affairs, but 
 cares nothing for the honors or emoluments of 
 
 itical office. Fraternally he belongs to the 
 ( irange, and was formerly a member of the Pa- 
 triotic Order Sons of America, and, religiously, 
 both he and his wife hold membership in the 
 Lutheran Church, in which he has served as dea- 
 con and secretary of both Church and Sabbath- 
 school. They are industrious, intelligent people, 
 and well deserve the confidence and respect 
 winch is so freely accorded them by the entire 
 inunity. 
 
 ROBERT J. WOLF, No foreign element 
 has become a more important part in our 
 American citizenship than that furnished by Ger- 
 many. The emigrants from that land have 
 brought with them to the New World the stabil- 
 ity enterprise and perst - ristic of 
 their people, and have fused these qualities with 
 th' i\eness and indomitable spirit of the 
 Western hemisphere. Mr. Wolf is a represent- 
 ative of this class. He came to America poor, 
 hoping to benefit his financial condition, and his 
 
 ms oi tin future have been more than real- 
 ized, as he now owns a good home, besidesa fine 
 flouring-mill in Mackeyville, Clinton county. 
 
 Mr. Wolf was born October 4, 1843, in Prus- 
 sia. Germany, a son of William Frederick and 
 Hannah (Kantner) Wolf. The father was also 
 a miller by trade, and owned a small mill in his 
 native land, where he and his wife spent their 
 ah occurring in 1852, at the 
 i, while his wife passed away at 
 the eventy-two. At In- death he left the 
 
 mill and home, which the mother retained, 
 she ■ mer until she. too, was called 
 
 away. • »ur subject was the youngest son in the 
 family of eight children, four sons and four 
 daughters, all of whom remained in Germany 
 with the exception of Robert J. and two broth- 
 Ernest, now a farmer of Kansas, and Will- 
 iam, a miller of Philipsburg, Pennsylvania. 
 
 In his native land Robert J. Wolf secured a 
 good common-school education. He was but 
 nine years of age when his father died, but the 
 mother kept her children together until they 
 were old enough to start out in life for thi 
 selves. At the age of fourteen he began serving 
 
 a regular apprenticeship to the miller's trade, 
 and during his term of three years received only 
 fifty cents per month. When he had attained a 
 sufficient age he entered the army, and remained 
 in the service for three years, after which he 
 again worked at his trade. His older brother, 
 William, had already gone to the United States, 
 and was doing much better than he could have 
 done in Germany, therefore our subject con- 
 cluded to try his fortune on this side of the At- 
 lantic. He had saved some money, and in May, 
 1869, took passage at Hamburg on the vessel 
 
 1 iermany, " which, after a voyage of twelve di 
 reached the harbor of New York. The follow- 
 ing August that vessel foundered several hundred 
 miles from New York. 
 
 Mr. Wolfs destination was Williamsport, 
 Penn., where his brother, William, was then 
 living, but as the party he was with, including 
 his brother, Ernest, were principally going to 
 Chicago, he decided to go with them. As he 
 could not find work at his trade, the first mo 
 he earned in the United States was as a laborer 
 in clearing away some debris where there had 
 been a fire. After a short stay in Chicago, he 
 went to St. Louis, and later to Marquette, 
 Michigan, where he was employed as watchman 
 in an iron furnace during the winter of 1869-70. 
 The following spring he came to Williamsport, 
 Penn., and soon afterward secured a position as 
 miller in Montoursville, where he remained for a 
 year and a half. His brother, William, had 
 been in the employ of John S. Furst as miller in 
 Lamar township. Clinton county, and that posi- 
 tion our subject filled at different times for fif- 
 teen years. In the meantime the mill was de- 
 stroyed by fire, so that he was forced to seek 
 employment elsewhere, and worked for a time in 
 both Bellefonte and Williamsport, after which 
 he returned to the Furst mill, which had been 
 rebuilt, and was then conducted by Furst Broth- 
 ers. On account of ill-health he was compelled 
 to resign his position in the spring of 1889. Mr. 
 Wolf then removed to Mill Hall, but as his health 
 improved, on August 1, 18S9, he took charge of 
 the old Hamburg Mill, which he purchased from 
 William Decker, and has since made his home in 
 Mai ki \ \ ille. He has greatly improved the plant 
 by putting in new machinery, etc., at a cost of 
 over $5,000, and now has one of the best mills 
 of its capacity in Clinton county. 
 
 On September 26, [872, at Mill Hall, Mr. 
 Wolf was married to Miss Lucetta Masden. who 
 was born Maj 28, 1851, in Bald Eagle Valley, 
 ton county, a daughter of William and Han- 
 nah n. They now have three 
 children: Maud D., born June 14, 1876, is the 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 687 
 
 wife of Burton Tobias, of Mackeyville; and Jen- 
 nie P., born July 4, 1880, and Harry E., born 
 February 27, 1884, are both at home. The 
 father's sympathies are generally with the Dem- 
 ocratic party, but at local elections he en- 
 deavors to vote for the best rrian regardless 
 of party affiliations. In religious belief he is a 
 Lutheran, while his wife holds membership in the 
 Disciple Church. Socially he belongs to the 
 Knights of the Mystic Chain. His life record is 
 one well worthy of emulation and contains many- 
 valuable lessons of incentive, showing the possi- 
 bilities that are open to a young man who wishes 
 to improve every opportunity for advancement. 
 
 JOHN G. SCHRACK, one of the most intelli- 
 gent and progressive agriculturists of Green 
 township, Clinton county, is a worthy repre- 
 sentative of one of its honored pioneer families. 
 
 John and Benjamin Schrack, two brothers, 
 were born in Scotland, and when young men 
 crossed the Atlantic and located in Lancaster 
 county, Penn., where they followed farming for 
 several years. Emigrating westward, they took 
 up their residence in what was then a part of 
 Northumberland county, but is now Forest Hill, 
 Union county. Benjamin finally located on the 
 present site of Lewisburg, where he spent his re- 
 maining days, but in 1773 John came to Sugar 
 Valley, now Clinton county, crossing over Sugar 
 mountain. In Green township he squatted upon 
 a tract of about 360 acres, known as the Weister 
 tract, that being the name of the man who first 
 surveyed it. Here John Schrack followed hunt- 
 ing and farming until he, too, was called to his 
 final rest, and his remains were interred in the 
 Sugar Valley cemetery, which was laid out upon 
 a part of his farm. In his family were foursons: 
 John and James, who remained in Sugar Valley; 
 and David and Charles, who became pioneer set- 
 tlers of Stark county, Ohio. 
 
 John Schrack, of the family just mentioned, 
 was the grandfather of our subject. His oppor- 
 tunities for obtaining an education were very 
 limited, as there were no schools in his neighbor- 
 hood at that early day. He aided his father in 
 the arduous task of clearing and cultivating the 
 new farm, and after attaining his majority pur- 
 chased the tract on which his father had first 
 located. As it was covered with timber, he 
 erected a sawmill and engaged in the manufact- 
 ure of lumber, and as the land was cleared he 
 placed it under cultivation and erected good and 
 substantial buildings thereon. His entire life 
 was passed in Sugar Valley, where he married 
 Catharine Brocius, who was born there, the 
 
 daughter of Jacob Brocius, a farmer, of German 
 descent. Their children were as follows: Jacob, 
 John, David, Pinkney, Levi, Mrs. Catharine Brun- 
 gart, and Mrs. Elizabeth Goodman. The family 
 has ever been one of the highest respectability. 
 The grandfather was a Democrat until that party 
 got the State so deeply in debt by the construc- 
 tion of canals, when he changed his political 
 allegiance, becoming a Whig. He and his wife 
 were earnest and consistent members of the Old 
 School Lutheran Church. 
 
 On the home farm, David Schrack (our sub- 
 ject's father) was reared, and obtained a fair 
 English education, considering the number of 
 schools that existed in the Valley during his boy- 
 hood. These were taught on the subscription 
 plan in old log school houses, and the teachers 
 were poorly prepared for their duties, but were 
 strict. He spent his entire life on the old home- 
 stead, and when the property was divided after 
 the death of his father, he took the 150 acres 
 which constituted the lower half. Upon his land 
 he erected a good residence and barn, planted 
 an orchard and made many other useful im- 
 provements, which added to its value and attract- 
 ive appearance. Farming and lumbering he 
 made his principal occupations throughout life, 
 and upon his place he built a sawmill. He at- 
 tended the great Centennial Exposition held in 
 Philadelphia in 1876, and was taken ill on his re- 
 turn home, and died on tne 12th of November of 
 the same year. In politics he was an uncomprom- 
 ising Republican, and was called upon to serve 
 in the office of overseer of the poor. 
 
 In Sugar Valley David Schrack was married 
 to Miss Mary Greninger, who was born there, 
 and was a daughter of Peter Greninger, a farmer. 
 The children born to this union were as follows: 
 Catharine, wife of Henry Fidler, of Wisconsin; 
 John G. ; Mary, wife of John Miller, of Logan 
 township, Clinton county; Elizabeth, wife of 
 John Emig, of the same township; Isabella; 
 David, who lives on a part of the old homestead; 
 Aaron, who died when young; Jacob, also de- 
 ceased; Harriet, wife of Ellis Frantz, of Tylers- 
 ville, Penn.; Emma J., wife of Charles Weaver, 
 of Logan township; and Harvey, deceased. The 
 mother's death occurred in Tylersville in 1891, 
 and she was laid to rest by the side of her hus- 
 band in the Booneville cemetery. Both were 
 faithful members of the Lutheran Church, and 
 had a host of warm friends who appreciated 
 their sterling worth. 
 
 John G. Schrack (our subject) was born Sep- 
 tember 28, 1838, at the ancestral home in Green 
 township, and in an old log school house he pur- 
 sued his studies for about four months out of the 
 

 KOBATIVE RIOQRAPMCAL RECORD. 
 
 i when bis servici not needed on the 
 
 home farm. Later he attended the Williams- 
 port College for one term, and being a great 
 reader he has become one of the best-inforn 
 in. a of the township, being thon Highly posted on 
 all the I ues of the day. 
 
 1 i twenty-three years he was engaged in the 
 re of lumber in his father's sawmill, 
 and when ti rty was divided in 1876) be- 
 
 tween his brothei David and himself, he 
 tained eighty-fivi which ha been his 
 
 home. He has been quite successful in its oper- 
 ation, and has made all the improvements found 
 thereon, including the erection of a comfortable 
 residence and good barns and outbuildings t : 
 the shelter of his grain and stock. 
 
 In May, 1866, Mr. Schrack was married by 
 a justice of the peace to Elizabeth Wolf, 
 who was bom February 4. [840, in I .y kens Val- 
 Dauphin Co., Penn., and was at that time 
 the widow of William Wallace Schwenk. Her 
 parents were Samuel B. and Ann M. (Witman) 
 Wolf, both now deceased, the former dying in 
 Sugar Valley in 1 "1 the latter in the same 
 
 e, m 1881. By occupation the father was a 
 farmer and blacksmith. Mr. and Mrs. Schrack 
 have no children. Wherever known they are 
 held in high regard and have the respect and 
 
 fidence of the entire community. 
 
 II I.IAM K. GOODMAN, M. D. In 
 §f studying the liv< h iracter ol pr< rai- 
 
 ment men we are naturally led to inquire the 
 secret of their success and the motives that have 
 
 mpted their a< tion. Success is oftener a n 
 ter of experience and sound judgment, and 
 thorough preparation for a life work, than it is 
 us, howevei bright. When we trace the 
 career of those whom the world acknowledges as 
 successful, and those who stand high in public es- 
 1. we find that in almost every case they are 
 those who havi idually by their own ef- 
 
 forts, their diligem e and pel 
 qualities are undoubtedly possessed in 
 
 ■ -lire by the gentleman whose name intro- 
 duces this sketch, and added to these is a devo- 
 tion to principle that may well b( 
 note of ln~ 1 h.u tcter. It is this which commands 
 the mfidence and respi 1 t iven 
 
 him, and it is tins that h nin a lib< 
 
 dice as a medical practitioner in Logant 
 md an eminent position in both political and so- 
 cial 
 
 The I'll was born April 9, [85 1 , in 
 
 n where he still makes his hon n of 
 
 Iman, whose birth occurred in Dau- 
 
 phin county, in 1S12. The father only received 
 a meagre education in the German language, be- 
 able to read the writing but not the Ger- 
 man print, but was only able to speak English to 
 a limited extent. Learning the shoemaker's 
 trade, he made that his life occupation. When 
 a young man he came to Loganton, Clinton 
 county, where he built for himself a home, and 
 followed his trade throughout the remainder of 
 his life, dying here in 1892. In Loganton he had 
 married Lyddie Sugard, who was born in Read- 
 ing in 1815, and died in 1892, being laid to rest 
 by the side of her husband in Sugar Valley cem- 
 etery. In their family were six children, name- 
 ly: [eremiah, now a resident of Wisconsin; Jen- 
 nie, wife of William Hibler, of Lock Haven, 
 Penn. ; Elizabeth, wife of George Tibbins, of Lo- 
 ganton; William K.; Samuel, of Loganton; and 
 Joseph, a shoemaker of Lock Haven. The fam- 
 ily is one of the highest respectability. 
 
 During his boyhood Dr. Goodman was only 
 able to attend the public schools of Loganton 
 during the winter term. At the early age of nine 
 years he began working for farmers in the Valley, 
 the first \ear receiving only his board and clothes. 
 The following year he was given $3 per month, 
 and the next year $4, but this was all given to 
 his parents. After working in this way for four 
 years, at the age of thirteen he began learning 
 the shoemaker's trade with his father, and the 
 following seven years he was employed at farm 
 labor during the summer months, and at work in 
 the woods, mills or at teaming during the winter 
 season. 
 
 In 1 87 1 he went to Illinois, where he worked 
 on a farm, but in the winter of 1872 returned to 
 Pennsylvania and found employment in a saw- 
 mill. Saving a little money with which to pay 
 his expenses, he attended the summer schools of 
 Loganton, and during the next fall and winter 
 clerked in the store of Mr. Witmer, after which 
 he pursued his studies in the normal school of 
 county, for a time, under the 
 direction of Prof. Martin Herr. The following 
 winter hi the primary school of Logan- 
 
 ton, and read medicine with Dr. J. A. Houtz, of 
 that place, and the next summer attended the 
 
 tral Pennsylvania College of New Berlin, 
 Union county, after which he taught the gram- 
 mar school of Loganton through the winter while 
 Miiimg his medical studies. He then entered 
 the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia, 
 and during his two-years' course spent the vaca- 
 tions in • in Loganton. After his gradu- 
 
 1 880, he went to Ree 
 ville, Mifflin 1 Penn., where he spent two 
 
 months, and for the same length of time was en- 
 
<>, &, 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 689 
 
 gaged in practice in Rebersburg, Centre county, 
 but at the death of Dr. Mover, an old practi- 
 tioner of Loganton, our subject was invited to 
 locate here by his former preceptor, Dr. Houtz, 
 with whom he entered into partnership in the 
 fall of 1S80. Their skill and ability have won 
 for them a large and constantly increasing prac- 
 tice, and among their professional brethren they 
 occupy an enviable position. 
 
 On March 24, 1880, in Beech Creek, Clinton 
 county, Dr. Goodman was married to Miss Annie 
 M. McCloskey, who was born near Farrandsville, 
 same county, a daughter of Abner McCloskey, an 
 old and honored citizen of Beech Creek. They 
 have two children: Lee McCloskey, born Sep- 
 tember 12, 1 88 1, attended the public schools of 
 Loganton, where he graduated, and was later a 
 student for three terms in the Central Pennsyl- 
 vania College of New Berlin, and with the class 
 of 1S97 graduated at the high school of Lock 
 Haven, and is now attending Bucknell Universi- 
 ty, Lewisburg, Penn. ; and Linn Sumner, born 
 February 19, 1883, completed the grammar- 
 school course in Loganton in 1896, and is now 
 attending the Lock Haven High School. 
 
 Socially the Doctor is a prominent member 
 of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and 
 also of La Fayette Lodge, F. & A. M., of Lock 
 Haven, and the Chapter and Commandery. He 
 is one of the leading Democrats of the county, 
 and has been honored with a number of impor- 
 tant official positions, being chief burgess several 
 terms, a member of the council and school direct- 
 or, the duties of which offices were most faith- 
 fully and efficiently discharged. 
 
 GEORGE GLOSSNER, a well-known tobac- 
 co grower and farmer of Woodward town- 
 ship, Clinton county, comes from the Fatherland, 
 and the strongest and most creditable character- 
 istics of the Teutonic race have been marked ele- 
 ments in his life, and have enabled him to win 
 success in the face of opposing circumstances. 
 Mr. Glossner was born November 18, 1835, in 
 Wittenberg, Germany, of which place his par- 
 ents, Jacob and Elizabeth (Ghoul) Glossner, we re 
 also natives, the former born in 181 1, the latter 
 in 18 1 3. In his native land the father acquired a 
 good German education and learned the carpen- 
 ter's trade, which he continued to follow there 
 until 1836, when, with the hope of bettering his 
 financial condition, he came to the United 
 States accompanied by his family, on a sailing 
 vessel, which reached the harbor of Baltimore 
 
 after a long voyage of eleven weeks. From 
 
 44* 
 
 there they walked to Chambersburg, Penn., 
 and by wagon proceeded to Harrisburg, and 
 thence to Eagleville, now Blanchard, Centre 
 county, where Mr. Glossner built for himself a 
 home and followed his trade throughout the re- 
 mainder of his life. He died in 185 1, and was 
 buried at Eagleville. He was a Whig in poli- 
 tics, was a consistent member of the German 
 Reformed Church, and had the respect and con- 
 fidence of all who knew him. His estimable 
 wife belonged to the same Church. In their 
 family were eight children, namely: Christina, 
 deceased wife of Peter Shaub, of Harrisburg; 
 George, of this sketch; Elizabeth, wife of John 
 Sloan, of Harrisburg; David died in childhood; 
 Daniel died in Leidy township, Clinton county; 
 Joseph died in Lock Haven, Clinton county; 
 Jacob, of Butler county, Penn., and Christian, 
 of Cameron county. After the death of her 
 first husband the mother married James Saw- 
 yers, of Eagleville, by whom she had two chil- 
 dren: James and Irwin. 
 
 Our subject was only a year old when brought 
 by his parents to America, and in the public 
 schools of Centre county he received his edu- 
 cation, while his business training was received 
 in a fanning-mill manufactory, at Beech Creek, 
 where he worked from the age of twelve to six- 
 teen, receiving only thirty cents per day, from 
 which he had to board himself. During the 
 last year he worked at piece-work and made 
 better wages. In 185 1 he found employment in 
 a blacksmith shop in Eagleville, where he re- 
 mained for two years, and afterward was engaged 
 in scaling logs in different counties for almost 
 twenty-three years, during which time he meas- 
 ured many million feet of lumber, was regarded 
 as one of the best scalers in the business, and 
 met with a well-deserved success in that enter- 
 prise. He has also acted as pilot on the West 
 branch of the Susquehanna, rafting lumber down 
 the river to markets. In 1875 he purchased a 
 farm of sixty-two acres in Woodward township, 
 Clinton county, on which he has erected a com- 
 fortable residence and made many other valuable 
 improvements, and he hassince devoted his time 
 and attention principally to general farming and 
 tobacco raising. 
 
 In Chapman township, Clinton county, in 
 1857, Mr. Glossner was married to Miss Jane 
 Kelley, a native of that township, and a daugh- 
 ter of Samuel Kelley, a farmer by occupation. 
 To them were born five children: Amelia, wife 
 of Cline McCloskey, of Bald Eagle township, 
 Clinton county; George B., a merchant of Gale- 
 ton, Potter Co., Penn.; Jennie, who has success- 
 fully engaged in school teaching for twelve years; 
 
690 
 
 ■Ml \im;.\TlYK BIOQRAP11KM. RECORD. 
 
 and two who died in infancy. The wife and 
 mother died at Lock Haven, in i 
 
 Mr. Glossner was again married at Fleming- 
 ton, in [868, his second marriage being with Miss 
 Mary F. Jones, who was born April 8, 1833, in 
 Berkshire, Mass. She began her education in 
 the public Schools ol that place, and later attend- 
 ed the State Normal School "I Connecticut, 
 wlun- -in .1 d in 1851. I 
 
 she followed the teacher's profession in that 
 Sta; 'Iiiiiil; with her parents to 
 
 1 lemington, Penn., in 1 tinued toen- 
 
 ■<• in teaching for six years in Clinton county, 
 for one year in the high school in Bellefonte, 
 
 I also in the grammar department, sin 
 with excelli 1 ess as a teacher, is a cultu 
 
 and lady, and she and her husband are 
 
 held in high regard by all who know them. The) 
 hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal 
 Church, in which he is serving as trustee and 
 
 a. nd. Politically, he is identified with the 
 Republii 01 party. 
 
 To Mr. and Mi 1 .eorge Glossner have 1 
 
 liildren, namel) . 1 1 Emma E. was 
 
 educated m tile public schools of Woodward 
 
 township, and in the Central State Normal at 
 Lock Haven, and then taught school fori 
 its in Clinton county. < >n October 18, \i 
 she was married to William E. limn 
 Hill, Clearfield Co., Penn., and they now have 
 three children Mary, Ruth, and Carl 2) |. 
 
 nk also attended the public schools ol Wood- 
 ward township, and now assists his father in the 
 n ot the home farm. 
 
 Albeit Jones, the grandfather of Mrs. Closs- 
 mr, was born in Connecticut, of Welsh ance >1 
 and throughout Ins active business life follow 
 droving and merchandising. In his political 
 views he was .1 \\ nig, and in his Church rela- 
 tions was a Baptist His last days were spent in 
 
 kshire, Mass. He married Lillie Maxwell, a 
 daughti Maxwell, an officer in the Rev- 
 
 olutionary war. undei Gen. \\ ton, with 
 
 whom he crossed the Delaware river the night 
 before the battle ol I renton. He was ah 
 member ..t the firsl < olonial Congress. Mr. and 
 Mrs Jones had four children: Alfred. Elizabeth, 
 Joshua, and fohn. 
 
 I apt. John Junes, Mrs Glossner's fathei 
 cei\ od education, and was a dro> 
 
 time. 1 b was a self-made man, an I >m- 
 
 ing to Flemington, Clinton Co., Penn. . 
 ,a contractor for the Philadelphia & I ri< railroad. 
 Hi w.i- man nd in Berkshire, Mass., to Emeline 
 Knight, a native of that place, and a daughti 
 Arthur Knight, and to them were born three chil- 
 dren: Mrs. Glossner; Alfred, who died in child- 
 
 hood; and Carrie, who died at the age of twenty- 
 one. The mother passed away in Flemington, 
 in 1 86 1, and the father, who was also born in 
 Berkshire. Mass, in 1S11, died at the home of 
 his daughter, in Dunnstown, Woodward town- 
 ship, in [878. He was a member of the Presby- 
 terian Church, in which he had long been active 
 and prominent, and he was unwavering in his 
 support of the principlesof the Republican party. 
 No man in Clinton county was more highly re- 
 spected or esteemed than Capt. Jones. 
 
 CHRISTIAN MYERS is a representative ol 
 one of the pioneer families of Clinton coun- 
 ty, and has for many years been prominently 
 identified with its agricultural interests. 
 
 The Myers family is of ( ierman origin, and was 
 founded in America by Christian Myers, a native 
 of Baden, Germany, who learned the mason's 
 trade in that country, and in iSjg came with his 
 wife and five children — Charles, Catharine. Mary, 
 Conrad and Eve — to America. The voyage was 
 a long one, but at length they reached their des- 
 tination and located in the German settlement 
 in Clinton county. The father had exhausted all 
 his means on the trip over, but provided (or his 
 family by working at bis trade. He pun based 
 a wooded tract of land, and while clearing the 
 place endured many hardships, but he was a sturdy 
 1 rerman, possessing the resolute character of his 
 people, and ultimately he obtained a good home. 
 
 He dud m 1S51 at the age of sixty years. His 
 wife, who bore the maiden name of Eve Cathar- 
 
 Ziegler, lived to a ripe old age. and was buried 
 by his side in the Xiegler cemetery in Dunstable 
 township, Clinton county. They were both 
 members of the Lutheran Church, and he was 
 was a Democrat in his political views. 
 
 The children of this worth)- couple, who 
 lived tn adult age. were as follows: Christian, 
 who died in Gallagher township, Clinton county; 
 tharine, who became the wife of Adam Engler, 
 and died at Lockport; Conrad, who died in Beech 
 Creek township, Clinton county; Charles, of 
 i township; Mary, who became the wife 
 ol William Pelton, and died in Lock Haven; Eve 
 C, wifi I hn Earon, of Lock Haven; Adam, 
 
 who lives on the old homestead; Elizabeth, who 
 married Martin Tyler, and died in Farrandsville; 
 
 in, wife of Charles Van Gordon, of Mount 
 tre 11 unity; and (aniline, wife of 
 George Kirby, of Farrandsville. Barbara died at 
 the age 1 if ten years, and several children died in 
 infancy, there being about twenty children alto- 
 gether in the family. 
 
 Christian Myers, the father of our subject, 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 691 
 
 was born in Baden, and in early life was a 
 shepherd. He lived with his uncle, Mr. Shaffer, 
 and remained in Germany several years after his 
 parents' removal to America, but on his uncle's 
 death in 1847 he came to America on the same 
 vessel on which his future wife, Barbara Trost, 
 was a passenger. They were married soon after 
 reaching this country, and Mr. Myers and his 
 brother Charles purchased 100 acres of timber 
 land, on one-half of which the father of our 
 subject established a home. He endured many 
 hardships and privations while developing and 
 improving that property, but lived to see it 
 transformed into a good farm. He was an act- 
 ive, industrious man, and put forth every effort to 
 provide for his family. After a lingering illness 
 of several months he died in October, 1867, and 
 was buried beside his wife, who had passed away 
 seven years before and was laid to rest in Gallaher 
 cemetery. In political belief he was a Demo- 
 crat, and in religious faith a Lutheran. 
 
 Christian and Barbara Myers were the par- 
 ents of the following named children: Gottlieb, 
 of Renovo, Penn., who was born in 1848; Chris- 
 tian; Thomas, a brickmaker of Castanea, born 
 in 1 851; Martin, of Bensinger, Elk Co., Penn., 
 born in 1853; Adam, who was born in 1854, and 
 died in childhood; George, who died in infancy; 
 John A., of Bensinger, Penn., born in 1856; 
 Theresa, born in 1S58, wife of David Myers, of 
 Bald Eagle township, Clinton county; and Fred- 
 erick, who was killed at the age of nineteen by 
 being thrown from a load of fodder. 
 
 Christian Myers, whose name opens this arti- 
 cle, was born February 3, 1850, in Gallagher 
 township, Clinton county. He attended the 
 schools of the neighborhood to a limited extent, 
 but his privileges were meager, as his service 
 was needed in clearing the home farm. In his 
 boyhood he lived in a log cabin, and not a house 
 could be seen from the place. The path to 
 school was never trod except by the school chil- 
 dren, and lay through the dense woods, where 
 frequently deer could be seen. He aided in 
 clearing and developing the farm, and at the 
 time of his parents' deaths he went to live with 
 John Earon in Beech Creek township, Clinton 
 county, making his home with his uncle until he 
 began work on the Philadelphia & Erie railroad 
 as a brakeman. After two years, illness com- 
 pelled him to abandon that work, and he worked 
 in the lumber woods and on a farm. 
 
 On April 14, 1880, in Beech Creek, our sub- 
 ject was married to Miss Mary J. Earon, who was 
 born March 20, 1847, in Dunstable township, a 
 daughter of John and Eve (Myers) Earon, who 
 now live in Lock Haven. They began their do- 
 
 mestic life on the Philip Lehr farm, which Mr. 
 Myers purchased. There he lived for fourteen 
 years, and in the spring of 1893 came to his 
 present home in Bald Eagle township, known as 
 the J. D. L. Smith farm. The stone residence, 
 which still stands, was built more than a century 
 ago. He has 108 acres of valuable land, and he 
 owns another farm of 125 acres in Beech Creek 
 township. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Myers 
 has been blessed with three children: Thomas 
 A., born July 10, 1882; Albert C, born February 
 21, 1885; and Barbara E., born August 23, 
 1887. 
 
 In his political views Mr. Myers was formerly 
 a Democrat, but his strong temperance princi- 
 ples led him to endorse the Prohibition part)', 
 with which he is now identified. He and his 
 wife are members of the Laurel Run Methodist 
 Episcopal Church, and he served as a member 
 of the building committee at the time of the 
 erection of the house of worship in 1S94, and 
 contributed liberally to its support. He was one 
 of its first trustees, still fills that office, and he 
 has been class-leader for seventeen years. Mr. 
 Myers started out in life a poor boy, but has be- 
 come one of the substantial farmers of the com- 
 munity. His life has been one of earnest, inde- 
 fatigable labor, guided by sound judgment, and 
 characterized by the strictest honor in all busi- 
 ness transactions. There is no better or more 
 valuable citizen in Bald Eagle township than 
 this gentleman. 
 
 M 
 
 ENRY H. FRITZ, who is classad 
 
 township, Clinton county, is well worthy of no- 
 tice in a work of this kind, and to be ranked 
 among the men who have distinguished them- 
 selves as useful and enterprising citizens. He 
 was born June 8, 1840, and is a son of Joseph 
 Fritz, whose birth occurred near Williamsport, 
 in Lycoming county, Penn., where he acquired 
 a limited English education, and continued to 
 make his home until early manhood. He then 
 came to Lock Haven, where he started the first 
 brick manufactory, which he operated very suc- 
 cessfully for a number of years, and also en- 
 gaged in farming on the Isaac Lusk property. 
 In politics he was a Whig, and in religious be- 
 lief a Baptist. He died in Lock Haven, in 1848, 
 honored and respected by all who knew him. 
 
 At Williamsport, Penn., Joseph Fritz was 
 married to Christina Hartsock, a native of Ti- 
 oga county, Penn., and to them were born six 
 children, namely: John, a resident of Indiana; 
 

 ' 0MMBM0BAT1VB BIOGRAPIII'AL RECORD. 
 
 Surah. hall; Henry 
 
 II , of tin- review; William, ol Watson i un- 
 ship, Lycoming Co., Penn.; Daniel, who died 
 in Lock Ha d one child, who died in in- 
 
 After the d . her lirst husband 
 
 Mrs. Fritz married John Gottscball. She died 
 in Gallagher township, Clinton county, and was 
 buried in Caldwell cemel 
 
 Henry II. Fritz attended the public schi 
 of Lycoming county, and Luck Haven and G 
 lagher township . bul hi 
 
 t i < • t i was limited as his father died when he was 
 only eight years old, and he was forced to rani 
 In- own livelihood. For a short time he worked 
 in Whiti Deei Valley, and then assisted h 
 father in the arduous task of cleanup and de- 
 veloping a new farm, remaining with him until 
 od. He then i ngaged in shingle 
 making and lumbering in different parts of the 
 county until 1865, when he located on the old 
 G ittschall farm ■■! 1 37 acres, which he still con- 
 tinues to own and operate in a most profitable 
 manner. He has made- many excellent improve 
 ments upon the place, including a fine hi 
 and substantial barns and outbuildings, and it is 
 now one of the most attractive and valuable 
 farms ol Gallagher township. In connection 
 with general farming he is also engaged in 
 stock-raising. 
 
 On April .v. 1865, in Loganton, Sugar Valley, 
 Mi Fritz \\a> married to Miss Adelia Sheetz, who 
 was born 1 ebruar) 27, 1842, in Miles township, 
 Brush Valley, Centre county, Penn., a daughter 
 of Jacob and Margaret (Snyder) Sheetz, natives 
 of Powells Valley, Dauphin county, and North- 
 umberland county, Penn., respectively. By oc- 
 1 upation the father was a farmer. The children 
 
 11 to Mr and Mrs. Frit; were as follows: 
 Harriet V. and Franklin F., who died when 
 W\ a I estus, who « ated in tin- 
 
 Central Normal, ol Lock Haven, and has 
 
 iged in teaching fur two terms; 
 Elmer Harrison, at home; Irena E., wife of 
 George A. 1 M. , fohn 1 1, and | 
 
 Jacob Garfield, all at home The oldest son 
 
 at home, and in politics is a I 
 publican. 
 
 I'n attaining his majority our subject sup- 
 ported the men and mea the Whig party, 
 and mil ivil War hi n an ardent 
 Republican. I Ie ha 1 ailed upun ti. serve 
 in several official p of honor and trust, 
 being tax 1 olli ct irol his ti >v» nship, si hool din 
 
 I 
 In the Tinted Evangelical Church he and his 
 family hold membership, and occupy a prominent 
 in in the social circlesof the community, 
 
 JBSALOM FARWELL, whose identification 
 L with the business, political, social and 
 moral interests of Clinton county numbers him 
 its leading citizens, is a representative of 
 one of the earliest families of Chapman town- 
 ship. 
 
 His ancestors located in New England in 
 Colonial days, and the first of the family to come 
 to Pennsylvania was Lemuel Farwell, the grand- 
 father of our subject, who resided near South 
 ningham, Mass., whence he removed in 1800 
 hapman township, then a portion of North- 
 umberland county. He settled on a tract of land 
 near Bakerstown, built a log house and barn and 
 began farming and lumbering on his own account. 
 Hi spent Ins entire life there, dying at the age of 
 fifty-five, and his remains were interred in Bak- 
 erstown. He was married in Chapman township 
 to a daughter of Abner McCloskey, of Scotch- 
 Irish descent, a farmer and lumberman of the 
 neighborhood. In their family were five chil- 
 dren: Abel removed to Stephenson county. 111., 
 though his death occurred in Clinton county, 
 Penn. ; James followed farming in Clearfield 
 
 nty, Penn., until his death; Lemuel died in 
 Hyner, Penn., in 1889; Nathan died on the 
 homestead in Chapman township; and Mrs. 
 Rachel Lingle died in Ohio. The mother of this 
 family passed away in Chapman township. 
 The grandparents were both members of the 
 M.tliodist Church, and he was a man well known 
 for his honesty and upright dealing. 
 
 I einuel Farwell (father of our subject) was a 
 native of Chapman township, and attended the 
 subscription schools, but was mostly educated 
 under the direction of his father who was a man 
 
 cholarly attainments. He followed lumber- 
 ing and farming with his father for a time, and 
 afterward engaged very extensively in the lumber 
 business, erecting a sawmill and shipping his 
 lumber in rafts to Middletown, where it was sold. 
 Mr. Farwell was one of the most extensive lum- 
 ber dealers in his section of the State, and be- 
 
 le so thoroughly acquainted with the West 
 
 nch ol thi £ • anna that he frequently 
 
 I as pilot on the river in his young days. 
 He also owned and operated a gristmill, and, as 
 there was no bank in the community, he acted as 
 a local banker, loaning money to his neighbors 
 at a small rate of interest. In 1 869, after a long. 
 busy and useful career, he retired to private life 
 and moved to Hyner, where he built a comfort- 
 wit h Ins wife there enjoyed the 
 mer toil. His death I in 
 
 i' ss, c In politics he was a Democrat, but not an 
 office-seeker. He and his wife were faithful 
 members of the Methodist Church, in which he 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 693 
 
 served as class-leader, and was Sunday-school 
 superintendent and teacher. Temperate in all 
 his habits, he abstained from strong drink and to- 
 bacco, and in all his business dealings his hon- 
 esty was proverbial. Genial in manner and 
 kindly in temperament, he was a good father, kind 
 husband and faithful friend, and his death was 
 deeply mourned. His wife, who bore the maiden 
 name of Jane McCloskey, was born in Dun- 
 stable township, Clinton county. Her father, 
 Abner McCloskey, was born in the North of 
 Ireland in 1798, and became a farmer of Clin- 
 ton county. Mrs. Farwell had five children: 
 Absalom, our subject; Nancy, widow of George 
 Valentine, of Starrucca, Penn. ; Kline J., a lum- 
 berman of Renovo, Penn.; Mary A., deceased 
 wife of R. S. Condon, of Chatham Run; and 
 Sarah E. , wife of Samuel Mummah, of Juniata, 
 Penn. The mother of this family is still living 
 in Hyner, at the advanced age of eighty-one 
 years, and enjoys good health. 
 
 Absalom Farwell is one of the progressive 
 men of Pine Creek township. He was born in 
 Chapman township, December 18, 1839, attend- 
 ed the public schools, and Dickinson Seminary, 
 Williamsport, Penn. He afterward taught school 
 in Logansville for one term, and one term in 
 Pine Creek township. Having a good knowl- 
 edge of the lumber business, he then took charge 
 of his father's mills, which he operated until the 
 great flood of 1865, when the mill was washed 
 away and lumber to the value of many thousands 
 of dollars was lost. In the summer of that year 
 he became a jobber in nursery stock, handling 
 fruit trees and shrubbery, and in this way traveled 
 through every county of Pennsylvania and man}' 
 of the eastern, middle and western States and 
 Canada. For a quarter of a century he followed 
 that business, employing many agents and meet- 
 ing with good success in his undertakings. Dur- 
 ing that time he made his home at North Bend, 
 Clinton county, where he had a fine residence 
 and good farm of one hundred acres, which is 
 now operated by his son. In 1885 he purchased 
 the Brown farm in Pine Creek township, Clinton 
 county, comprising 125 acres, on which stand a 
 fine brick dwelling house, good barns and other 
 substantial buildings. In 1892 he retired from 
 the nursery business and took up his residence 
 upon this farm, where he has since made his 
 home. He is now quite extensively engaged in 
 cultivating tobacco, and has built good sheds 
 and secured other facilities to advance his inter- 
 ests in this line. He is also engaged in raising 
 stock, and has one of the best-cultivated farms 
 in his section of the county. 
 
 In 1868, in Dunstable township, Clinton 
 
 county, our subject was married to Martha Jane 
 Baird, who was born in that township, Novem- 
 ber 24, 1844, a daughter of David and Tabitha 
 (Quigley) Baird. They have five children: (1) 
 Truman L. L. D. , who was educated in the 
 schools of Chapman township, the Lock Haven 
 Normal, the Westchester Normal, and the Penn- 
 sylvania State College, now operates the farm at 
 North Bend. He married Nellie Gallagher, who 
 is a member of the Presbyterian Church. In 
 politics the husband is independent. (2) Tab- 
 itha Josephine, educated in the public schools 
 of Clinton county, Bucknell Seminary of Lewis- 
 burg, and the West Chester Normal, is engaged 
 in teaching music. She married Harry Crist, 
 of Pine Creek township. (3) Franklin Pierce, 
 educated at Charlton and Lock Haven Normal 
 school. (4) Milton Girard Gambetta and (5) 
 Howard M. are at home. 
 
 Absalom Farwell is a Democrat, and he 
 stanchly advocates the principles promulgated 
 by Bryan. In 1877 and again in 1888 he was 
 a candidate for sheriff, but failed to overcome the 
 strong Republican majority. He has served as 
 auditor of Chapman township, and as school 
 director of Pine Creek township, acting as sec- 
 retary of the board. His wife holds member- 
 ship in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and 
 Mr. Farwell formerly belonged to the Odd 
 Fellows Society. His life record is one well 
 worthy of emulation. In his business he is ener- 
 getic, persevering and progressive, and conducts 
 his interests along the lines of the most honor- 
 able business dealings. He has achieved success 
 through his capable management, and his pros- 
 perity is certainly well deserved. Public spirited, 
 he withholds his support from no enterprise cal- 
 culated to benefit the community. He holds 
 friendship inviolable, and is true to all the duties 
 of both public and private life. 
 
 JEREMIAH J. BARNER, one of the most 
 progressive lumbermen and farmers of Green 
 township, Clinton county, was born there on 
 May 1, 1838, a son of Henry Barner, a native of 
 Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania. 
 
 John Barner, the grandfather, was also born 
 in Schuylkill county, and was of German descent. 
 He was an agriculturist, and on leaving his native 
 county came to what is now Clinton county (then 
 Centre), and in Green township purchased a tract 
 of 400 acres, which he improved and cultivated 
 throughout the remainder of his life. In connec- 
 tion with farming he also engaged in lumbering. 
 He was a man well known and highly respected. 
 Retiring one night in the best of health, he was 
 
694 
 
 VORATIYE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 found dead in bed the next morning, being shot 
 during tin- night b} sunn- unknown assassin, who 
 was never found or brought to justice for the ter- 
 rible crime. His wife was one of the best of 
 women, verj strong, being able to carry three 
 bushels of wheat, and at the time her yi 
 child was married she was still able to ride on 
 hoi the mountains to visit her chil- 
 
 dren, In the family were twenty-two children, 
 none <>f whom were twins, but only the names of 
 the followingare known: David, George, Henry, 
 B njamin, John, Daniel, Adam, Samuel, Christi- 
 an, Lyddie, Mary, Fanny, Elizal 
 and Cathai ii 
 
 Henr} Barner, oui - father, received 
 
 a fair education in both the I and English 
 
 languages. He accompanied his parents on their 
 
 1 to Clinton county, where he grew to 
 
 m. ml 1 on the borne (arm, and rting out 
 
 in life foi himself i i ricultural pursuits 
 
 in Sugai Valley, Green township, wherein I 
 
 bought 300 ai timber land. Upon his 
 
 pla I a sawmill, and converted the 
 
 timber into marketable lumber, and cleared 150 
 !, which he placed under cultiva- 
 tion arid improved with good buildings, including 
 a fine n He alsi conducted a h 
 
 his farm in Green town- 
 ship, and in his undertakings met with a fair de- 
 H vas a stanch supporter of 
 and was an elder in the Lutheran 
 Church. Ilw upright, honorabli e in life 
 
 gamed (or him the confidence and e I all 
 
 with whom he came in contact, either in his busi- 
 ns. 
 
 In Green 1 p, < lint m county. Henrj 
 
 ner was united in marriage with M tiar- 
 
 ine Kurn, who was 1>, ,rn in Logan township, ,1 
 djanghtei oi fohn Kurn, a native of Germany, and 
 
 rmer bj occupation The following children 
 were bom to then, |. ,l>n. .1 r< sidenl oi Gi 
 township; Israel, who died in 1892; Emanue 
 Nittanj Valley, Penn . Sarah, widow of David 
 Mil i remiah |. . Rebecca, wifi 
 
 David Shry< r; 1 >aniel, of < Ire* n township; Helen, 
 wifi le; Catharine, wife of |ohn 
 
 Douty; Henry, who died when young; G 
 of Penn's Valley; and 01 died in infan 
 
 'I'he father departed this life in 1872, ther 
 
 in [893, and both were laid to rest in Mount 
 1 n cemetery, Green township. 
 
 miah J. Barnei obtained a limited educa- 
 tion in the public school n township, but 
 his business training was not so meagn . am 
 had a knowledge of the milling busi- 
 
 i that at the early age of tw< • he was 
 
 given charge of a circular saw for the lumber 
 
 firm of Yoras & Caldwell in the eastern part of 
 Green township, remaining with them for three 
 
 rs. For the same length of time he was a 
 sawyer for Hoover & Price, and the next three 
 years were spent in the sawmill of Haffey & Co. 
 He was then a partner in the manufacture of 
 shingles in the Engle sawmill, but two years 
 later he accepted the position of head sawyer in 
 a mill at Williamsport, where he remained three 
 years, and spent the following eight years in a 
 mill on Little Pine creek, after which he trav. 
 for a time through the western States, and in the 
 Rocky Mountains as far as Colorado. He then 
 accepted a position in a sawmill in Jackson coun- 
 ts. Mo., but as the climate did not agree with his 
 health, he resigned at the end of two months and 
 
 rned home. After working in a sawmill in 
 Brush Valley, Centre county, for a year and a 
 half he came to Green township, Clinton coun- 
 ty, in [885, and entered into partnership with 
 the Engle brothers in the manufacture of lumber, 
 since doing business under the firm style of Engle, 
 
 ner & Engle. It >f the most reliable 
 
 companies of the kind in the county, and is 
 
 ting with a well-deserved success. Mr. 
 Barner is also interested in farming, having a 
 valuable place of sixty-five acres, whose well- 
 tilled fields and neat and thrifty appearance tes- 
 tify to the skill and ability of the owner as an 
 ulturist. 
 
 During the dark days of the Civil war. Mr. 
 Barner laid aside all personal interest, and at 
 Lock Haven, on August 10, 1861, enlisted in 
 Company B, 11th P. V. I., under Capt. Shanks 
 and Col. P. D. Collier. On being mustered in 
 at Harrisburg. the regiment was assigned to the 
 Army of the Potomac, and with his command 
 
 subject participated in the battles of balling 
 
 Water. White Plains, Thompson Gap, Ce 
 
 Mountain and Gettysburg. After the last named 
 
 he, with three comrades, bought 
 
 some milk to drink, and the others died from the 
 
 which it contained, while he himself 
 
 bj rendered unfit for duty for almost a 
 
 ring which time he was confined in six 
 
 rent hospitals in Washington, and suffered 
 untold agonies. As soon as he was able to be 
 moved he was discharged in May, 1864, at Wash- 
 ington, and returned home. 
 
 At Lock Haven, Mr. Barner was married to 
 Miss Elizabeth Engle, a native of Green town- 
 Clinton county, and a daughter of John 
 Engle, a lumberman. Her brother Jacob is now 
 a partner ol ;bject. Five children grace 
 
 this union. Franklin is engaged in milling; Mc- 
 Clellan is ] ti 1 and a sawyer at Carroll, 
 
 1 a is the wife of Cyrus Bix- 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 695 
 
 ler, of Buffalo Valley, Union Co., Penn. ; Law- 
 rence was educated in the Musical College of 
 Freeburg, and is now engaged in teaching music; 
 and Grant is at home. 
 
 Fraternally, Mr. Barner is an honored mem- 
 ber of George E. Myers Post No. 379, G. A. R., 
 and Sugar Valley Lodge, I. O. O. F. , both of 
 Loganton, while politically he has been a pro- 
 nounced Republican since the war. For five 
 years he has served as school director, and he 
 has always taken an active interest in those meas- 
 ures calculated to promote the general welfare 
 along various lines. As a citizen he is highly re- 
 spected, enjoys the confidence of his neighbors, 
 and is regarded as a man of excellent business 
 judgment. 
 
 OHN SOLT. ft must be with a deep sense 
 of just pride and of grateful satisfaction that 
 a successful self-made man at eventide of life 
 looks back over the past — to his early poverty 
 and struggles, and later victories and triumphs. 
 In a position to do this is he whose name intro- 
 duces this sketch. 
 
 Born February 20, 1829, on a farm in Por- 
 ter township, Clinton county, Mr. Solt is the 
 son of John and Mary (Miller) Solt, the former 
 of whom was a native of Northampton county, 
 Penn. Our subject was one of seven children 
 born to his parents, and one of twins — their first 
 born. His parents were farming people of the 
 county, plain, unassuming and hard-working 
 country folks, God-fearing and law-abiding citi- 
 izens, who plodded on through life yet were of 
 good cheer, scattered sunshine as they went 
 along, and left the world the better for their hav- 
 ing lived in it. The father was identified with 
 the Evangelical Church. He died at the age 
 of eighty-one years, and his faithful companion 
 passed away when she was forty-seven. Both 
 are buried at Mackeyville. He had been pre- 
 viously married, and to that union were born 
 seven children. Our subject was raised on a 25- 
 acre farm; his parents being poor he had to assist 
 in the support of the family, and was not given 
 many school privileges. At the age of eighteen 
 years he worked on a farm for David Allison, and 
 although performed a man's work he received 
 for his services only six dollars per month. His 
 father had previously bought a small farm of 
 twenty-five acres, but had not been able to pay 
 for it. This tract was in the woods, and the 
 father and sons had performed much hard work 
 in clearing, grubbing and preparing the ground 
 for cultivation. A combination of circumstances 
 seemed to conspire against the father, and he 
 was unable to pay for the land and so lost it. 
 
 Finally, however, by the combined efforts of the 
 family, the little farm and home were paid for. 
 
 The son, John, while yet in his teens, was 
 away from home much of the time, working at 
 different places at whatever he could find to do 
 until finally he located on his father's farm, which 
 he rented and began farming on a small scale. 
 He commenced with two horses (one of them be- 
 ing quite old and of not much service) and one 
 cow. He remained on the little farm some two 
 years, he and his faithful wife struggling on, full 
 of hope that inspires youth to its greatest ener- 
 gies. At the time of his marriage, in December, 
 1852, when he was twenty-four years of age, and 
 before he rented the home place, himself and 
 bride began their married life in two rooms in 
 the house of his brother Samuel, at Mackeyville. 
 At this time the husband depended upon his day's 
 labor for support, and his wages were then but 
 fifty cents per (fay. But with stout hearts and 
 willing hands they went to work and toiled on. 
 From Mackeyville they went to the farm, thence 
 to the Thomas Brown farm, which the husband 
 rented in connection with his brother Samuel, 
 but their efforts were still unrewarded, for after 
 planting and cultivating, the harvest was not suf- 
 ficient to pay for the seeding; and their efforts 
 did not yield them a living. This farm was aban- 
 doned, and again the young husband resorted to 
 days' labor, residing on rented property at Mackey- 
 ville. Later on he rented a farm in Lamar town- 
 ship, and after six years of effort, good managing 
 and economical living, they were successful in get- 
 ting a good start and bought the John Reesman 
 farm, going in debt to the extent of nearly 
 $4,000, which, as time passed by, the united ef- 
 forts of husband and wife paid off the obliga- 
 tions. No sooner out of debt than their only 
 daughter was married, and the good parents, 
 prompted by their generous love to their child, 
 moved to Mackeyville, and left the daughter on 
 the farm to begin life under more flattering cir- 
 cumstances than awaited their own marriage. 
 Subsequently (1880) Mr. Solt purchased another 
 small farm of eighty-odd acres, and after one 
 year's residence at Mackeyville, moved to it, where 
 he resided until 1892; then returned to Mackey- 
 ville, where he now occupies and owns one of the 
 most comfortable houses in the village. Although 
 pretty well advanced in years, nearing the three- 
 score and ten period, he is by no means inactive, 
 but finds something to keep his active and rest- 
 less mind busy. He still farms a little, and is 
 hardly on the retired list. 
 
 Mr. Solt is an example of what perseverance 
 and a determined effort may accomplish, rising 
 from a poor boy through adverse circumstances 
 
896 
 
 VMEMORA TITS BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 to a competence and i ible citizenship. 
 
 I i years he served the people oi bis township 
 as overseer ol the poor, and (nr t\ - rs as 
 supervisor. II I as a citizen, and is 
 
 a man of influence in the community in which 
 he resides Politically he is a 1 • t he 
 
 does not always vote that ticket, believing it a 
 duty to vote for the man in his judgment the 
 better qualii best fitted (or the 
 
 office. His wife, who was a Miss Mary A. Au- 
 man, a native of Centre county, born April u. 
 i, m Brush Valley, has been most surely a 
 
 d help-meet and companion her un- 
 
 tiring efforts and good cheer much of the hus- 
 band's sui cess is due. She is the daughter of 
 Pi t.-r and Julia A. (Dale Auman, and when an 
 infant of one year was taken by her parents who 
 then moved to the vicinity of Kebersburg, 
 Centre county, whei ared. she was 
 
 the second of five children, and the eldest 
 hter. 
 
 One daughter Amanda J. — was born to our 
 subject and wifi She married M. Swavely, and 
 
 I in August, 1887, leaving two children — 
 Mamie and Anna, who make their home with 
 and wife, and with her father, re- 
 spectively. Mr>. Solt is a member of the 
 Luth' rch. 
 
 J! I'll W SMI HI, the popular and effi- 
 i Renovo, is also one of the 
 borough's prosperous and successful 
 men. Not 00 the plains of 1 he 
 
 :t out on life's journey, but in the valley of 
 limited circumstances with tb gh and rugf 
 
 n of hard undertaking before him He 
 
 1 ted on 1 ed his way steadily 
 
 upward, climbing higher and higher until he now 
 stands on the mountain top of prosperity. 
 
 Mr. Smith was born Augu 5, in 
 
 Lock Haven, ( linton county, a son ol [ai 
 and Mary I Smith, natives ol Germany. 
 
 The father was for many years a leading mer- 
 chant and prominent and progressive citizi 
 Lock Haven, but is now living retired in that 
 city though he still e xcellent health. 
 
 The mother of our subject was called to her 
 final rest in 1 S70. 
 
 The early education of Joseph W. Smith was 
 acquired in the public schools of L \ en, 
 
 and the knowledge there obtained was supple- 
 mented bj 1 in St. Vincent's College in 
 Westmoreland county, Penn. He also attei. 
 
 rce's Business College in Philadelphia, and 
 on laying aside Ins text bonks began his business 
 career in his father's store, where he remained 
 
 ars. He then engaged in the cigar 
 and tobacco business on his own account for 
 several years, and continued that line of trade 
 for about nine months after coming to Renovo 
 in 1884. In the spring of the following year, 
 however, he embarked in the wholesale liquor 
 and bottling beer business, and in 1889 added 
 to this the ice business, but disposed of the latter 
 in 1895. 1° 'he former enterprise he is still en- 
 gaged and enjoys an excellent trade. 
 
 In [875 Mr. Smith was married to Miss 
 Clara, daughter of Matthew Mellon, of Lock 
 Haven, and they now have two sons: Albert 
 W. and Bart J. The family are all communi- 
 cants of the Catholic Church, and, socially, our 
 subject is a member of the Benevolent & Patri- 
 otic Order of Elks. Politically, he is a lifelong 
 Dem crat, opposed to all monopolies and an ear- 
 nest advocate of the principles of his party. He 
 has done all in his power to advance its inter- 
 ests and insure its success; in 1896 he was 
 chosen chairman of the Clinton County De- 
 
 racy, the following year was unanimously 
 re-elected and is now serving in that position. 
 He has also been a member of the Democratic 
 State Central Committee, has served as a member 
 of the borough council in Renovo, and is at 
 present most satisfactorily tilling the responsible 
 ition of burgess. Wherever found he is a 
 social, affable, genial gentleman, whose friends 
 are legion, and his record as a self-made man is 
 one of which he may be justly proud. Success 
 is not measured by the height which one a 
 chance to occupy, but by the distance between 
 the starting point and the altitude he has 
 reached; therefore, Mr. Smith has gained a 
 
 • brilliant success — a just reward of meri- 
 torious, honorable efforts which command the 
 respect and admiration of all. 
 
 JAMES Mi NAMAKA, a leading coal dealer of 
 Renovo, is one of the most energetic, pro- 
 ■ and enterprising business men of 
 Clinl ty His birth occurred in 1801, in 
 
 :itv Clare. Ireland, on the banks of the river 
 ■I his parents, Patrick and Bridget 
 Birmingham) McNamara, were born, reared and 
 married in that country. The mother died in 
 nd, but the -pent his last days in the 
 
 United 5ta1 Of their six children, five are 
 
 still living, namely: Mary, wife of Cornelius 
 Mulvahill, of Keno\ Susan, wife of William 
 Dwyer, ol the same place; Anna, wife of Charles 
 M 1 I Philadelphia; Bridget F., a resi- 
 
 dent ol Chicago; and fames. 
 
 ned but a limited ed- 
 
U/u^^^f 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 697 
 
 ucation in the schools of his native land as he had 
 to walk six miles to the school house, carrying 
 his share of the fuel under his arm as was then 
 the custom in Ireland under English rule. He 
 was reared to habits of industry upon the home 
 farm, and early became familiar with agricultural 
 pursuits, which he continued to follow until cross- 
 ing the Atlantic in 1880. On reaching the shores 
 of the New World he came to Renovo, Penn., 
 where he first worked in the railroad shops, then 
 in the store of his brother-in-law, William 
 Dwyer. Subsequently he started in business for 
 himself as a teamster, and also worked at different 
 occupations until he began dealing in coal. He 
 now does the largest business of the kind in the 
 borough. 
 
 On April 27, 1892, Mr. McNamara was mar- 
 ried to Miss Agnes Rouen, a daughter of Thomas 
 Rouen, a native of Ireland. They now have 
 three children, namely: Patrick S., James Joseph, 
 and Thomas Francis. The parents both hold 
 membership in the Roman Catholic Church, and 
 are widely and favorably known. In his political 
 views, Mr. McNamara is a Republican, and at 
 State and National elections always votes for 
 that party, but at local elections his support is 
 generally given the man whom he considers best 
 qualified for the office regardless of party affilia- 
 tions. He has never cared for official honor, pre- 
 ferring to give his undivided attention to his busi- 
 ness interests. He believes that the Republican 
 party some day will be the means of giving liberty 
 to his native land. His life is a living illustration 
 of what ability, energy and force of character 
 can accomplish, for on reaching Renovo his cash 
 capital consisted of only one penny. He is to- 
 day the owner of much valuable property in the 
 city, and is numbered among its thrifty and pros- 
 perous citizens. In everything pertaining to the 
 upbuilding of Renovo he takes an active part, and 
 is a liberal contributor to the enterprises which 
 insure its progress. Although of foreign birth, no 
 more loyal or patriotic citizen can be found in 
 Clinton county, and it is to such men that the 
 community owes its prosperity, its rapid progess, 
 and its advancement. 
 
 WILLIAM STRUNK, an energetic and pros- 
 perous agriculturist of Porter township, 
 Clinton county, residing near Parvin, is re- 
 garded as one of the best citizens of that 
 locality. His success has been obtained by his 
 hard work and shrewd management, and he is 
 truly "the architect of his own fortune." 
 
 His ancestors came from Germany at an early 
 date, and members of the family fought in the 
 
 cause of freedom during the Revolutionary war. 
 William Strunk, our subject's grandfather, was 
 for many years engaged in the miller's trade in 
 Bucks county, Penn., but his last days were spent 
 in Mifflin county, where his death occurred in 
 1838. He was twice married and had eighteen 
 children, five sons and four daughters born to 
 each union. The sons by the first marriage were 
 William, George, Daniel, John and Jacob, while 
 those by the second were Benjamin, Findley, 
 Isaac, Andrew and Joseph. 
 
 John Strunk, the father of our subject, was 
 born February 17, 1806, in Bucks county, and, 
 like all of his brothers and half-brothers, he fol- 
 lowed the miller's trade. On August 14, 1827, he 
 was married in Lewistown, Penn., to Miss Nancy 
 Henry, who was born October 30, 1806, in Beaver 
 township, Snyder county, the daughter of Adam 
 Henry, a well-known blacksmith of that time. 
 The young couple had a poor start in life — abed, 
 two plates, a knife and fork constituting their 
 household effects — but they established their 
 home at Lewistown, and gradually added to the 
 comfort of their surroundings. While there Mr. 
 Strunk was employed at milling by his brother 
 George, but later he removed to Yeagertown, 
 Penn., and rented a mill. In 1831 he went to 
 Spring Mills, Centre county, where he spent nine 
 years in the employ of James Duncan without any 
 articles of agreement. He continued in the mill- 
 ing business until 1840, when he purchased a farm 
 in Marion township, Centre county, and made 
 his permanent home there. He was a kind- 
 hearted man, his friendly manners endearing 
 him to all who knew him, and among the guests 
 at his hospitable home were man}' of the leading 
 men of Bellefonte. As he always did his own 
 thinking his opinions were valued by his asso- 
 ciates, and on several occasions when he was 
 called to serve on the jury he was made fore- 
 man. Politically he was a Democrat until Henry 
 Clay's candidacy, when he became a Whig, and 
 later he joined the Republican party. Although 
 he was not anxious for office he took much inter- 
 est in local affairs, and at times held positions in 
 the township. In religious work he was active 
 as a member of the Reformed Church, to which 
 he gave liberally of his time and money, serving 
 as elder and superintendent of the Sunday-school 
 for many years. His wife died in June, 1862, 
 and he survived her many years, passing away 
 in 1884. They had the following children: 
 George C, born December 13, 1828, is now re- 
 siding at Hillsdale, Mich. ; William, born March 
 27, 1830, is our subject: Mary A., born August 
 31, 1 83 1, married Laird Holmes, and died in 
 Centre county; John F., born August 29, 1832, 
 

 COMMEMORATIVE BIOORM'lII'-AL RECORD. 
 
 ! in Muphenson county, III.; Margaret, born 
 November 27, 1833, 1- now Mrs. John Seiler, 
 ■ •I Osage comit\. Kans. ; James, born Januar) 
 30, 1835, enlisted during the Civil war in Com- 
 pany E, 7th Pennsylvania Cavalry, ami died No- 
 vember 27, l86l, at 1 i I micron, Harris- 
 burg, Penn., his remains beinj^ interred in Jack- 
 sonville, Perm ; Susan, born April 14. 1836, is 
 now Mrs Samuel A Stonebrakei ck Jack, 
 
 Kans.; Robert, born September 21, 1837, is now 
 a resident of Belief onte; Thomas, born March 
 10, 1839, died in lib I ibby, born Septem- 
 
 ber 6, 1840, is now Mrs. [saac Reish, of Lamar 
 township, Clinton county; I'eter. bom May 19, 
 1X42. is now a resident of Illinois; Samuel C. , 
 
 •1 August 29, 1 s 4 5 . resides in Morris county, 
 Kans.; Ira C, born March 22. 1846, is now con- 
 duct ommercial college at New Albany, 
 Ind. ; and Catherine died at the age of seventeen. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was bom M 
 27, 1830, in the Kishacoquillas Valley, Mifflin 
 
 nty, Penn., and was educated in the common 
 schools of that time, his studies being begun at 
 Spring Mills. Centre county, under a Mr. Smith. 
 At the age "f twenty he entered upon an appren- 
 ticeship to the miller's trade with his uncle, 
 ph Strunk. oi Reedsville, Penn. Afterlearn- 
 ing In- trade lie worked one yeai at Lewistown 
 
 John Sterrett, and two and one-half years at 
 Bellefonte f"i Wagnei & Thomas, but later he 
 found employment at Hoys Mill, in Marion town- 
 ship, Centre county. On February 23, [854, 
 he was married in Walker township, Centre 
 
 iiity. to Mi>> Mary Jane Myers, who was born 
 in that township Januarj [9, 1835, the daughter 
 el John and Elizabeth ( Mowry) Myers. 1 le then 
 located at Cedar Springs, Clinton county, wh 
 
 rented a home and followed his trade for 
 
 In i860 he bought his present farm, 
 a part of the Peter Seil 1 since [ 86] 
 
 he has resided there. In- m being given to 
 
 icultural work. When he took ] n of 
 
 the plai barn ami an old dwelling-hi 
 
 were the only buildings, but he has made man} 
 improvements. In (868 he built anew barn, and 
 in 1883 lus comfortable resilience was erected, 
 the homestead b w a most attractive 
 
 His firs! purchase consisted .>! ninety acres, but 
 he has -iiH e a. Me, l to it until he owns 1 33 acres 
 of as good land as can be found in that vicinity. 
 
 Mr. Strunk and his wile have bad seven chil- 
 dien: Flora, bom March ;, 1854, now Mrs. 
 George Manly, of Ybrkville, III. ; Charles A . b 
 April 11, 1858, is a farmer in Dunstable town- 
 ship, Clinton Co.. Penn.; Clar, born July 22, 
 [861, is the wife of Elmer McClintock, of Clinton- 
 dale; Harry 1'., born April 22, 18.14, died in in- 
 
 fancy: William L., born October 28, 1866; 
 Catherine K. , born October 17, 1869, is Mrs. 
 Charles A. Taylor, of Lamar township, Clinton 
 county; and Joseph B. , born February 4, 1874, 
 is at home. The family is prominently identified 
 with the social life of the neighborhood, and 
 Mi- Strunk is an active member of the Presby- 
 
 m Church. 
 
 As a stanch Republican, Mr. Strunk takes 
 much interest in the success of his party. At 
 times he has held township offices, serving with 
 credit as auditor and overseer, but he does not 
 aspire to political honors. He was once a mem- 
 ber of the Grange, but is not now identified with 
 the society. In manner he is plain and unassum- 
 and he is noted for his frank expression of 
 his convictions, a trait which has won him the 
 respect of all who place a proper value upon 
 freedom of thought. 
 
 J 
 
 OHN B. KUTE, now a prosperous and sub- 
 stantial agriculturist of Lamar township, 
 1 linton county, started out in life for him- 
 self with nothing but his indomitable enei 
 and his accumulation of this world's goods is at- 
 tributable to his sound judgment, close applii 
 tion to business and untiring industry The 
 family name of Rute has at times been spelled 
 Ruth. 
 
 rn April 27, 1838, in Mires township, Brush 
 Valley, Centre Co., Penn., Mr. Rute is the 
 oi Benjamin and Maria (Binkley) Rute, who 
 had removed to that locality the year previous, 
 from Lancaster county, Penn., locating on the 
 farm where his birth occurred. The father con- 
 tinued to reside in the east end of Brush Valley 
 until the spring of 1S70, when he and his wife 
 went to live with their son Elias in Buffalo town- 
 ship, Union county. Later they located on a 
 farm near Yicksburg, that township, where both 
 died, the father at the age of seventy-six, and 
 their remains were interred in the Union ceme- 
 tery of Mazeppa, Union county. He was a small 
 man but very industrious, and in connection with 
 farming worked at his trade of shoemaking. In 
 the Reformed Church he held membership, an I 
 politically, he was identified with the Democratic 
 party. Our subject was the oldest of four chil- 
 dren, the others being Elizabeth, now Mrs. 
 ib Schilling, of Porter town-hip, Clinton 
 >t\ ; Rebecca, wife of John W. Carter, of 
 Vicksburg, Penn. ; and Elias, a farmer of Buf- 
 falo township, Union county. The paternal 
 grandparents and uncles and aunts of our subject 
 ntire lives in the southern part of 
 the Mate. 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 699 
 
 The first thirteen years of his life John B. 
 Rute spent in Brush Valley, and in the Brun- 
 gard school he began his education. One of his 
 first teachers was Mr. Dieffenbach, who taught at 
 the Wolf school which he also attended, but his 
 educational advantages were much inferior to 
 those afforded by the common schools of the 
 present day. As a heavy tax payer and school 
 director, he has done much to improve the schools 
 of his township. Being the older son, his school 
 days were often interrupted by work upon the 
 home farm. At the age of thirteen he went to 
 Cedar Run, Clinton county, where he lived for 
 three years with John Wagner, receiving the 
 meager wages of $4 per month in the summer 
 and nothing at all in the winter season except 
 the privilege of attending school. Having saved 
 from his wages a little over $100, Mr. Rute, at 
 the age of eighteen, purchased 106 acres of 
 land in Brush Valley at assignee's sale, but went 
 $400 in debt. This was bought for a home for 
 his parents. 
 
 After three years spent in Clinton county, 
 Mr. Rute returned to Brush Valley, where he 
 worked as a farm hand until his marriage, which 
 was celebrated in Rebersburg, March 17, 1861, 
 Rev. Tobias performing the ceremony which 
 made Miss Anna M. C. Snook his wife. She was 
 born January 8, 1838, in Sugar Valley, and was 
 one in a family of twelve children, six sons and 
 six daughters, whose parents were Levi and 
 Margaret (Wolford) Snook, farming people, who 
 removed to Brush Valley when she was about 
 six years old. There she was reared and edu- 
 cated in the district schools. Mr. and Mrs. Rute 
 have become the parents of six children: Matilda 
 M., who married Clayton Brungard, and died in 
 Brush Valley, leaving two children — Sarah C. 
 and John H.; Thomas E., a farmer of Lamar 
 township, Clinton county, who is married, and 
 has six children — Laura G., John S. , Mabel H., 
 L. Nora, Virgie E. and Ellis T. ; Sadie E., 
 wife of Ira E. Spangler, a United Evangelical 
 minister, of Sullivan county, Penn. ; Jennie, now 
 Mrs. George D. Walker, of Lock Haven, and 
 the mother of one child — Lula C. ; Amelia M., 
 who is a teacher in the Sabbath-school, and re- 
 sides at home; and Kate M., organist of the 
 Lutheran Church at Salona, also at home. 
 
 For three years and a half after his marriage 
 John B. Rute worked for his father-in-law, re- 
 ceiving $100 per year and his board and clothes, 
 and in the spring of 1865 he came to Lamar 
 township, Nittany Valley, Clinton county, where 
 he operated a rented farm for two years. He 
 then returned to Brush Valley, where he contin- 
 ued to live until 1883, when he purchased his 
 
 present farm in Lamar township from Eli 
 Snook for $15,000. It comprises 137 acres of 
 valuable and productive land, which he has 
 placed under a high state of cultivation and im- 
 proved in many ways, making it one of the most 
 desirable farms of the locality. 
 
 Until the Democratic party tried to deprive 
 the soldiers of their vote, Mr. Rute was one of its 
 supporters, but since that time has been a pro- 
 nounced Republican, and has always given his 
 influence to all measures which he believed would 
 benefit the public or advance the general welfare. 
 He was drafted, but the war ended before he 
 was mustered in. He enjoys excellent health, 
 never having been ill for a day in his life, and he 
 has performed much hard labor, in this way 
 gaining for himself and family a good home and 
 comfortable competence. He and his wife are 
 active and prominent members of the Lutheran 
 Church, in which he has held nearly all the 
 offices, being elder at the present time, and was 
 once elected superintendent of the Sabbath- 
 school, but declined the honor. His word in busi- 
 ness transactions is considered as good as his 
 bond, and he is justly recognized as one of the 
 energetic and representative citizens of Clinton 
 county. 
 
 THOMAS J. FOX, in whose life the well-di- 
 rected efforts and perseverance which have 
 marked his business career have brought him 
 success, was born June 6, 18 19, near McEwens- 
 ville, Northumberland county, and is a son of 
 John and Elizabeth (Resh) Fox. His father was 
 born, reared and married in Chester county, 
 Penn., and the mother was a native of the 
 same locality. He was a miller by trade. In 
 1833 he moved to Marsh Creek, Howard town- 
 ship, Centre county, and turned his attention to 
 lumbering and sawmilling, also clearing land, 175 
 acres of which he farmed. He passed away in 
 1850, leaving seven children, and his remains 
 were interred at Jacksonville, Centre county. 
 His widow remarried, marrying Daniel Schenck 
 two years later. She passed away in 1862, and 
 was laid to rest by the side of her former hus- 
 band. John Fox had eleven children, four of 
 whom were sons. The youngest was our sub- 
 ject. The father was a Democrat in early life, 
 but later gave his support to the Whig party. 
 He was a member of the Reformed Church and 
 his wife of the Lutheran Church. 
 
 Thomas J. Fox removed with his parents dur- 
 ing boyhood to Centre county. His school life 
 was limited to three months and nineteen days' 
 attendance in a log school building, but experi- 
 
Too 
 
 ( OMMBMORATIVB BIOGRAPHICAL UF.coRD. 
 
 ence, reading and observation have made him a 
 well-informed man. He worked for his father 
 without wages until twenty-four years of age, at 
 which time he « I his father after- 
 
 ward paid him as a regular farm hand. He w 
 ded Mary Ream, a Dative of Lebanon county, 
 whose father died when she was only two years 
 of age, after which she was reared by William 
 Strunk. 
 
 After living two years I a his father's 
 
 farm. Mr. Fox began housekeeping for himself. 
 With the money he had earned he purcl 
 horse, and, as his father had previously given 
 him one, with this team he began his farming 
 11 the place which is now his home, 
 living there from 1847 until 1855. He then re- 
 moved to am >t lur farm, but in 1863 returned to 
 his present farm, and the following yeai pur- 
 chased 160 acres. He has since sold a portion 
 of this, but has a valuable property of eighty 
 acre ning. The well-tilled fields and the 
 
 1 and thrifty appearance oi the place indicate 
 his careful supervision. He is a wide-awake. 
 progressive farmer, and the prosperity which he 
 has achieved is well merited In 1878 he 
 In- first wife. Their children were: Elizabeth, 
 wife "I Samuel Wolf, ol Suj y; Harriet. 
 
 wife of John U. Wasson, of Marion township, 
 
 -tre county; Maggie, who died al the age of 
 twenty-three; William T.. of I George 
 
 \\ . who died in Kansas; [ohn, deceased; Cur- 
 
 M , who is living near Jacksonville, Penn. ; 
 Elmer E., deceased; and [ra J., principal of the 
 First ward schools ol Lo< k Haven. I oi his sec- 
 ond wife, Mr. Fox married Mis, Sarah A. 1 >ii ke) 
 Barrett, widow of George 11 Barret) Then 
 children are Mary A., Carrie B , Charles M 
 and Thomas J. 
 
 Our subject has always been a stalwart I 1 
 ocrat. and has served as school director and su- 
 pervisor, discharging his duties with marked 
 
 lity and abilit] His interest in public affairs 
 
 nanifest by a prompl performai f his duties 
 
 of citizenship, and by Ins support ol all measures 
 calculate 1 to prove of public good. His deal 
 have been honorable and straightforward, and 
 In- well-spent life commends him to the confi- 
 dence and regard of all. 
 
 JOHN S BOSSERT. The subject of this 
 biography, one of the honored sons of Clin- 
 ton COUnty, and a QlOSt Successful fanner ol 
 
 Bald Eagle township, minently a self-made 
 
 man. He began life with a definite purpose in 
 \ie\v, worked faithfully, honestly, and with a will 
 for its accomplishment, and now enjoys a com- 
 
 fortable competence which has been secured en- 
 tirely through his own efforts. 
 
 Mr. Bossert was born June 8, 1851, in 
 Bald Eagle township, a son ol II. M. Bos- 
 sert. a native of Northampton county, Penn., 
 who resided for some time in Reading and 
 later in Northumberland county, whence he 
 came to Clinton county. He attended school at 
 McEwensville, and was also a student for a time 
 in LaFayette College, but owing to lack of fin 
 did not complete the course. For a number of 
 years he successfully engaged in teaching. He 
 captain of a military company at Mill Hall, 
 and on President Lincoln's call for 75,000 vol- 
 unteers ht enlisted in the 1 ith P. V. I., later re- 
 enlisting, this time in the 137th P. V. I. He 
 was a recruiting officer for the last regiment at 
 k Haven, and was commissioned colonel, and 
 as such served until elected register and recorder 
 of Clinton count}-, when he resigned. He took 
 an active and prominent part in political affairs, 
 
 I was a recognized leader in the ranks of the 
 Republican party in this section of the State. 
 In religious belief he was a Presbyterian; socially 
 he was identified with the I. O. O. F. and the 
 I ii tnge He was an honored and valued citizen 
 i his adopted county, one who enjoyed the high 
 regard of all who knew him. 
 
 In Bald Eagle Valley, H. M. Bossert wedded 
 Miss Mary C, daughter of George Brown, and 
 for a number of years they lived in that town- 
 ship, but later removed to Westport, Clinton 
 county, where Mr Bossert engaged in teaching. 
 His wife died in 1876, and was buried in Beech 
 Creek cemetery; he passed from earth in 1892, 
 at the age of sixty-seven years, and his remains 
 were interred in the Noyes cemetery at West- 
 
 I In their family were seven children, 
 namely: George, who died in childhood; Eliz- 
 abeth 11, who died when about twenty-four 
 
 is of age; John S., the subject proper of this 
 sketch; Anna C . , who married Dr. A. W. Heil- 
 man, and died in Flemington, Penn.; William 
 and Caroline, who both dud in childhood; and 
 Mary F., wife of Joseph R. DeHass, of West- 
 Inn 1 
 
 John S. Bossert pursued his studies in the 
 Blown school, where almost his entire literary 
 education was obtained; for one term he attended 
 
 10I near his home, taught by D. H. Hastings, 
 
 the present governor of Pennsylvania. He was 
 
 1 boy, and when a young man also 
 
 familiar with lumbering, which at that 
 
 tune was one ol the principal industries of this 
 
 region, especially along Bald Eagle creek. Go- 
 
 Douglas Co., Kans. , in 1 8 7 s . 
 
 he was employed by an extensive farmer and 
 
 i 
 
• (s<Q&<2^£^ZyZ7 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 701 
 
 stock raiser for one summer, and then returned to 
 Bald Eagle Valley, where he again followed 
 lumbering during the winter season. In 1879 he 
 obtained a position as heater in the axe factory 
 at Mill Hall, and advanced gradually until he 
 held a responsible position. By strict economy 
 he saved enough of his wages to buy a piece of 
 land. His first property was the old home place 
 which he purchased from his father's estate, and 
 later he owned another farm now included in the 
 town of Mill Hall. The latter place he traded 
 May 15, 1894, to T. H. Hammon for his present 
 farm of sixty-five acres of valuable land in Bald 
 Eagle township, which is improved with good 
 and substantial buildings. He is a methodical 
 and skillful farmer, and the success that he has 
 achieved is certainly well-deserved. 
 
 In 1885 Mr. Bossert married Miss Minnie 
 Holmes, of Bald Eagle Valley, who was reared 
 by Andrew White, and they have a family of six 
 children: Mary E., Jennie, Anna, John S., Jr., 
 Henry J. and Florence L. At one time Mr. 
 Bossert was a Republican in politics, but at pres- 
 ent his leanings for the most part are toward the 
 Democratic party. He has acceptably served as 
 assessor of his township. He is an honored 
 member of Beech Creek Grange, and is recog- 
 nized as one of the leading citizens of his native 
 county. As an energetic, upright and conscien- 
 tious business man, Mr. Bossert commands the 
 respect and confidence of all who know him, and 
 he stands high in the estimation of the entire 
 community. 
 
 I OWER C. YOUNG. The world instinctively 
 pays deference to the man who has risen 
 above his early surroundings, overcome the ob- 
 stacles in his path and reached a high position in 
 the business world. This is a progressive age, 
 and he who does not advance is soon left behind. 
 Mr. Young, by the improvement of the oppor- 
 tunities by which all are surrounded, has steadily 
 and honorably worked his way upward, and has 
 attained a fair degree of prosperity. He is now 
 successfully engaged in general merchandising in 
 Youngdale, Clinton county, and is also serving 
 as postmaster. 
 
 Samuel Young, his grandfather, was born in 
 Lancaster county, Penn., of English ancestry, 
 and was a shoemaker by occupation. On leaving 
 his birthplace he came to Wayne township, Clin- 
 ton (then a part of Northumberland) county, 
 where he followed his chosen calling for a num- 
 ber of years, and in 1S60, with his family, re- 
 moved to Freeport, 111. , where he spent the remain- 
 der of his life. In early life he was a Whig, and 
 on its organization joined the Republican party. 
 
 In Lancaster county, Penn., he married Hannah 
 Gray, a native of Strawberry, York county, this 
 State, and to them were born the following 
 children: Emanuel, Samuel, Bower, Jonas, Ed- 
 ward, Marion, Asher, Eliza, Mary and Hannah, 
 all now deceased, and John, the father of our 
 subject. 
 
 John Young was born February 26, 18 19, in 
 Wayne township, Clinton county, and there ac- 
 quired his education in the subscription schools. 
 With his father he learned theshoemaker'strade, 
 at which he worked for several years, and then 
 rented a farm in Wayne township, and turned his 
 attention to agricultural pursuits. He continued 
 to operate rented land until 1887, when with his 
 hard-earned savings he purchased a farm in his 
 native township, but during the great flood of 
 1889 his property was almost totally destroyed, 
 his loss amounting to $1,000. He is still residing 
 upon his farm, but has laid aside all business 
 cares and responsibilities, and is enjoying that 
 rest which should always follow a long and useful 
 career. 
 
 In Wayne township John Young was married 
 to Miss Sarah Strayer, a native of that township, 
 and a daughter of Daniel Strayer, a farmer by 
 occupation. Eight children were born to this 
 worthy couple, namely: Daniel, who died of 
 diphtheria in 1862; Bower C, of this review; 
 George, who died February 19. 1896; Frances E., 
 wife of John Hammersley, of Wayne township; 
 Jacob, who also died of diphtheria; Rebecca, 
 wife of B Depew, of New York State; Amelia 
 M., wife of Thomas McCoy, of Denver, Colo., 
 and Ella M., who died at the age of twenty-two. 
 The father is a pronounced Republican, and to 
 use his own words: "If one hair of my head 
 was a Democrat, I would pull it out." He and 
 his estimable wife are now well-advanced in 
 years, and have reason to feel that their lives 
 have not been spent in vain. They are consist- 
 ent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
 have endeavored to exercise the kindly spirit of 
 charity and benevolence, to do good as they have 
 opportunity, and have proved the friends and 
 sympathizers of those less fortunate. 
 
 Mr. Young, whose name introduces this 
 sketch, was born July 29, 1850, in Wayne town- 
 ship, and may be classed among the self-edu- 
 cated as well as the self-made men of Clinton 
 county, for his school privileges were very 
 meagre, and his teachers not very proficient. 
 He continued to work at home until sixteen 
 years of age, during which time he obtained a 
 good knowledge of navigation on the river, and 
 later piloted lumber rafts down the Susquehanna 
 river to Marietta. 
 
702 
 
 I OMMBMOBATIVB BIOGRAPHICAL BBCOBD. 
 
 In 1873 our subject went to \ irginia, where 
 be w.is made foreman in the lumber woods for 
 the firm of Allison, White & Co., of Philadel- 
 phia, receiving $5*. 30 per month and expenses, 
 ,nd he remained in that State for five years. 
 Not finding employment on his return h<<> 
 he went to Lig Rapids, Mich., where he secured 
 the position of tore-man for Turnbull brothers, 
 lumber manufacturers, and there spent two y< 
 
 I in again returning home he bought a tract of 
 
 ind known as the Mathew land, (or 
 win. h he paid $l,0OO, and at once commenced the 
 
 ration of cutting timber. I lis brother Ge< u 
 who had gol married while in Michigan, was 
 living in a rented house of G. S. Smith, and 
 h iving no steady employment, and only seventy- 
 five dollars in money, he gave his brother 
 a half-interest in this tract of timberland, 
 and, m two yeai >rge lived in a house 
 
 own, and it all came out of this tract of 
 timberland, except the lot which his father bought 
 foi him. Later on our subject helped him in dif- 
 lii April. 1887, Bowei < Young 
 bought a small ti land in Wayne township 
 
 from [oshua Sykes for $700, which was thickly 
 timbered with maple, poplar and linwood, which 
 - cut into cordwood and sold to the 1 
 
 II iven Papei Mill at six dollars and twenty-five 
 
 I I li< 1 r and bark 
 
 and a la 1 of tie tunber on said trait. 
 
 it being the best timber tract in that section at 
 the time. He cleared $2,600 over and above all 
 expi ■ ' month from the day of the 
 
 great |une flood he was bitten by a copperhead 
 ke, in his back yard, and came near losing his 
 life, and just one month more, to the day, he lost 
 ughter. ( >li\ e Pearl. 
 
 On April 16, 1890, Mr. Young purchased a 
 stock oi merchandisi al Youngdale, and has 
 
 lly engaged in business thi 
 I [is pn sent fin building was ere, ted in 
 
 ost of $1,500, and he has also built 
 a beautiful resident in the same pi ting 
 
 mount. Through his instrumentality 
 a p' was established here in 1892, and 
 
 the postmaster-general named it Youngdale in 
 honor ol our subject, after which the railn 
 I ion was given thi He was 
 
 tmaster, and is still filling that position 
 ti 1 the entire satisfactii >n oi the publii 
 
 On Februarj 8, 1884, in Wayne township. 
 ( linton county, Mr. Young was married to Miss 
 
 idenen, who w as boi n there, and 
 daughter of lie in 1 To them w 
 
 born three children: Luella Ruth; Pearl, de- 
 ceased; and Blaine The parents both 
 hold membership in the Meth list Epis opal 
 
 Church, and their circle of friends and acquaint- 
 ances is extensive. Like his father, Mr. Young 
 is an ardent Republican, but has never cared 
 for office, though he has served as school director 
 and is a member of the board of trustees of the 
 M. E. Church. Fraternally he is a member of 
 the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and 
 the Knights of Pythias. The flood of 1889 
 proved disastrous to him as well as to others, 
 but he soon retrieved all losses, and in all of 
 his undertakings he has been generally quite suc- 
 cessful. It is but just and merited praise to say 
 of him that as a business man he ranks among 
 the ablest in Clinton county, and that as a citi- 
 zen he has the honor and esteem of all classes. 
 
 TN. BICKEL is a wide-awake and progress- 
 ive citizen of Porter township, Clinton 
 county, and his home with its surroundings de- 
 notes the supervision of an intelligent farmer and 
 a capable business man. who at the same time 
 has proved a useful member of society, and one 
 rvingof the esteem and confidence of the 
 people around him 
 
 Mr. Bickel was born February 28, [847, near 
 Wolfs Store in Miles township, Brush Valley, 
 Centre Co., Penn., but when quite small 
 taken by his parents, John and Catharine 
 1 Dupes) Bickel, to Sug u \ alley Mountain, where 
 they lived for a few years 1 [857). They then re- 
 moved to a place below Hublersburg, in Centre 
 county, from there, in 1S59, came to Lamar 
 township, Clinton county, locating near Cedar 
 Springs, and later they lived on the Fox Hollow 
 in Porter township, whence, in 1863, they 
 removed to Laid Eagle Valley. Subsequently, 
 in 1 So-, they settled on a farm near the present 
 ol Abdera; from there, in [869, they went to 
 Buffalo Run, Centre county, and finally located 
 in Snydertown, Penn., in 1870, where the father 
 died m [871 at the age of sixty-lour. The moth- 
 er passed away at the age of seventy-nine, and 
 both were buried at Snydertown. They were 
 mei the Lutheran Church, and in poli- 
 
 ties the father was a Democrat. 
 
 In the family of this worth) couple were the 
 following children: Mary, who wedded William 
 Erhart, and dud in Centre Hall, Penn. ; Jona- 
 than, who died in the West; Ann, wife of Close 
 Mi Clintock, of Salona, Clinton county ; Lucinda, 
 now- Mrs. Daniel Dorman, ol Centre county; 
 William lent of Beech Creek township, 
 
 Clinton county ; Amanda, Mrs. Frank Russell, of 
 
 isas; Alice, wife of Aaron Shaffer, of Illinoi 
 Daniel, of Missouri; T. X., of this sketch; and 
 niah, who died in childhood. 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 708 
 
 T. N. Bickel was able to attend school only 
 for a few days each week, and only for a few 
 months each year during the winter season, as 
 his services were needed at home. Never for a 
 single day was he a student in a summer school. 
 At the age of twenty-two he left the home farm 
 and began learning the carpenter's trade under 
 Daniel Everhart, of Bellefonte, Centre county, 
 who paid him $15 per month during his appren- 
 ticeship. After mastering the trade, he worked 
 at the same for about five years on his own 
 account. 
 
 On January 2, 1872, Mr. Bickel was married 
 to Miss Sarah M. McKibben, a daughter of Will- 
 iam S. and Barbara (John) McKibben, represent- 
 atives of an honored pioneer family of Nittany 
 Valley, and six children bless this union, namely: 
 Emma, now the wife of Dorn Bitner, of Jackson- 
 ville, Centre county; Clara, Ida, Anna B., and 
 Mary H., all at home; and Sarah R. , who died 
 in infancy. 
 
 After his marriage, Mr. Bickel located on the 
 old home farm of his father-in-law, his wife being 
 of the fourth generation of the McKibben family 
 to occupy it. For some time our subject con- 
 tinued to work at his trade, but of late years has 
 devoted his entire time and attention to the cul- 
 tivation and improvement of the farm, which he 
 bought of the McKibben heirs in August, 1891. 
 He now has 1 1 7 acres of rich and arable land, and 
 is successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits. 
 Mr. Bickel usually gives his support to the men 
 and measures of the Democratic party, but al- 
 ways votes for the man whom he considers best 
 qualified for the office regardless of party ties. 
 He has efficiently served as supervisor of his 
 township, and faithfully discharges every duty 
 that devolves upon him, whether public or pri- 
 vate. He is a member of the Knights of the 
 Golden Eagle Lodge No. 406, and of the Presby- 
 terian Church, of which he is now serving as 
 trustee. He deserves no little credit for the suc- 
 cess that he has achieved in life, for through his 
 own efforts he has gained a home and com- 
 petence, and he is justly regarded as one of 
 the valued citizens of his community. 
 
 JAMES P. ROACH is a wide-awake and pro- 
 gressive business man whose name is insepa- 
 rably connected with the commercial inter- 
 ests of Renovo. One of his leading characteris- 
 tics in business affairs is his fine sense of order 
 and complete system, and the habit of giving care- 
 ful attention to details without which success in 
 any undertaking is never an assured fact. 
 
 A native of Clinton county, Mr. Roach was 
 
 born December 7, 1861, in Lock Haven, a son 
 of William and Bridget (Kane) Roach, who were 
 born in Ireland but when young crossed the At- 
 lantic to America. In early life the father 
 worked on the canal and engaged in steamboat- 
 ing, being for many years captain of a boat with 
 headquarters at Lock Haven. In 1864 he re- 
 moved to Driftwood, where he engaged in the 
 hotel business until coming to Renovo in 1SS1, 
 and then for five years engaged in railroad con- 
 tracting. He efficiently served as tax collector 
 of Renovo for seven years, and took a very active 
 and prominent part in public affairs up to the time 
 of his death, which occurred in August, 1894. 
 His estimable wife did not long survive him, dy- 
 ing in January, 1895. They left a family of six 
 sons, namely: James P.; Dr. Thomas E., of 
 Renovo; John F. ; William Henry; Michael Ste- 
 phen; and Charles Peter. 
 
 James P. Roach received a good practical ed- 
 ucation in the public schools of Driftwood, which 
 he attended until seventeen years of age, and 
 then entered the machine shops of Renovo to 
 learn the trade. Later he worked as a machinist 
 in Erie, Penn.; Saxton, Bedford county, this 
 State; St. Paul, Minn.; and Winnipeg, Mani- 
 toba, after which he returned to St. Paul, where 
 he engaged in mercantile pursuits for about a 
 year. On again coming to Renovo he embarked 
 in general merchandising and millinery business, 
 which he has since successfully carried on, being 
 one of the leading merchants and most enterpris- 
 ing business men of the place. His store at the 
 corner of Eighth street and Huron avenue, is 
 stocked with a full and complete line of every- 
 thing found in a first-class establishment of the 
 kind. His fair dealing and systematic methods 
 of doing business have won for him the confi- 
 dence and respect of all with whom he comes in 
 contact. 
 
 On June 2, 1886, James P. Roach was mar- 
 ried to Miss Margaret E., daughter of Patrick 
 Quinlan, of St. Paul, Minn., and they have be- 
 come the parents of three children: Martha B. , 
 Mary E. and Edward L. Mr. and Mrs. Roach 
 are members of the Catholic Church, and so- 
 cially he affiliates with the Knights of Labor. 
 His political support at all times and under all 
 circumstances is given the Democratic party, and 
 he does all in his power to promote its interests. 
 He is at present serving as tax collector of Re- 
 novo, and every duty which devolves upon him, 
 whether public or private, is always most faith- 
 fully and conscientiously discharged. As a pub- 
 lic-spirited, progressive citizen he is certainly en- 
 titled to honorable mention is a work of this 
 character. 
 
7"! 
 
 - '0 MMEMORA TI YE BIOOBAPHU 'AL BE( <>RD. 
 
 JOHN BROWN, a well-known merchant, has 
 gained recognition and prestige as one of 
 the influential and representative business men 
 of Loganton. His career proves that ambition, 
 
 ind indefatigable 
 industry, combined with sound busi inci- 
 
 ples, will 1 and that true- success 
 
 follows individual effort only. 
 
 Our subject was born January 16, 1853, 
 on the old Brow n h ship, 
 
 Clinton county, and is descended from a good 
 ;.M German family, his great-grandfather having 
 
 ne to this country from the Fatherland and 
 located in York county, Penn., when- he spent 
 his remaining days. John Brown, the grand- 
 father, was born in that county in 1786, received 
 
 iod German ication, but was also able to 
 
 ik English. He learned the chairmaker's 
 
 trade in York county, where he conl I to 
 
 until after his mania-, to Regina l'inges, 
 
 a native of Lebanon county, Penn., when he 
 
 I to the central part of the Mite, taking 
 
 up his residence in Penn's Valley, Centre county, 
 
 where he ei in farming for a number of 
 
 Hearing that better advantages were 
 
 rded a growing family in the West, he re- 
 moved to Indiana in a covered wagon, which was 
 the onlj of transportation in those days, 
 
 but "ii his arrival was greatly disappointed with 
 the prospects, and after six weeks spent in Indi- 
 rned to Pennsylvania. In 1 839 he 
 
 ited in Sugar Valley, then Logan, but now 
 
 ■ ii township, Clinton county, where he pur- 
 chased 700 acn ind, of which 500 were 
 
 intain and timber lands Upon the remainder 
 he made manj improvements, and engaged in 
 farming until called to his final rest in [866, at 
 :li' e. his remains being interred 
 
 in the Lutbi I anton. He I 
 
 many township oi : ■ widely and favor- 
 
 ably known. In politics he was a [acksonian 
 D crat, and in religious belief was a I utheran, 
 but his estimable wife held membership in the 
 Reformed Church. In their family were nine 
 children, "f whom threi il living at very 
 
 advanced ages: John, who makes his hom< 
 Indiana . Adam, a resident of Oregon; and Regina, 
 wid< ■'■ 1 I ■• rgi ["routnei n township, 
 
 Clinton county. The others w 
 
 vho died in early life; Philip, who died in 
 Alabama m [88o; Catharine, wife ol |ohn Grinn- 
 ans Mills; Samuel, who died on the 
 old homestead; and 1 fenry, lath' 
 
 The last named was horn June 26, 1822, in 
 
 n's Vail. I nti iunty, and was 1 onsid 
 
 : man schi ilar, ha\ ing been well-edu- 
 cated in the subscription schools He could 
 
 write both English and German. The first 
 thirtv years ol his life were passed upon the 
 home farm, and he then purchased a tract of 
 timber land n. Sugar Valley, where for over two 
 years he engaged in the manufacture of sawed 
 lumber. In 1 S54 he embarked in merchandising 
 in Loganton, his hr-t store being a small log 
 cabin, and being a man of sound judgment and 
 excellent business ability he prospered in his un- 
 dertaking. Believing that there was a good 
 opening for a store in Hublersburg. where a for- 
 tune could soon be made, he decided to remove 
 to that place, where he had a number of frien 
 including Governor Curtin and other leading cit- 
 izens of Bellefonte who were interested in the 
 furnaces at Hecla and Roland. Accordingly, in 
 1857, he located there and started a general 
 store, and putting into practice his enterprising 
 and progressive ideas he met with the success 
 which he anticipated. For twenty-eight years 
 out of the thirty-eight in which he carried on 
 business there, he served as postmaster to the 
 entire satisfaction of all concerned. He was 
 widely known for his honorable and straightfor- 
 ward dealings, and had the confidence and re- 
 spect of all who knew him. He never used in- 
 toxicants or tobacco in any form, and in many 
 respects was a most exemplary man. He, to.,. 
 was a stanch supporter of the Jacksonian prin- 
 5 ol Democracy, and most creditably served 
 in a number of local positions, although he never 
 was an office seeker. His death occurred in 
 Hublersburg in 1895, and in the cemetery of that 
 place was laid to rest. 
 
 In early manhood Henry Brown was mar- 
 ried in Loganton to Miss Catharine Stamm, a 
 native of Sugar Valley, and a daughter of avid 
 and Hlizabeth (Long) Stamm, and to them were 
 born four children: |ohn. of this sketch; David, 
 a brick manufacturer of Minnesota, who married 
 Savilla Wentzel, and has two children; Mary, 
 wife of John (.. Womeldorf, of Loganton; and 
 Jennie, who died when young. The mother of 
 these children died in [886, in Hublersburg, 
 where she was buried, and the father later mar- 
 Mi" Julia Rockey, who still makes her home 
 in I lublersbui 
 
 In the public schools of Centre counts. John 
 Brown began his education, and was later for 
 
 ral terms a student in the Nittany Valley In- 
 stitul t bj Rev Dotterer, a Reformed 
 
 minister. At an early age he began his busim 
 
 in his fal where he remained 
 
 until thirty, becoming thoroughly familiar with 
 
 mercantile pursuits under the able direction of 
 
 his fathi as justly regarded as one of the 
 
 business men of this section of the State. 
 
 1 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 705 
 
 Coming to Wayne township, Clinton county, in 
 1884, our subject purchased the old Throne mill 
 at Youngsdale, and operated the same very suc- 
 cessfully for five years, during which time he 
 greatly improved the plant. On selling out in 
 1889 he came to Loganton, and in partnership 
 with his father-in-law, John Morris, purchased 
 the general mercantile establishment of J. B. 
 Barner, which they conducted under the firm 
 name of Brown & Morris for two years. At the 
 end of that time Mr. Brown bought Mr. Morris' 
 interest, and has since successfully engaged in 
 business alone. By upright dealing and court- 
 eous treatment of his customers he has gained 
 the confidence and good will of the public, and 
 therefore receives an excellent patronage. Near 
 Loganton he owns a fine farm of ninety-one acres, 
 which he has greatly improved and operates in a 
 most profitable manner. He also built a hand- 
 some brick residence on Main street, in the heart 
 of the town, which is now his place of abode. 
 
 On February 22, 1883, in Loganton, Mr. 
 Brown was married to Miss Hervetta L. Morris, 
 who was born in that place, and they now have 
 two daughters: Jennie C. and Euphemia May, 
 who are both attending school in Loganton. John 
 Morris, Mrs. Brown's father, was born in Berks 
 county, Penn., September 16, 1835, a son °f 
 David R. and Appalonia (Mower) Morris, the 
 former of Scotch-Irish and the latter of German 
 descent. His father was also a native of Berks 
 county, and was a weaver by occupation. When 
 only three years old Mr. Morris was brought by 
 his parents to Sugar Valley, Clinton county, 
 where he later attended school and also pursued 
 his studies in the schools of Sugar Valley. At a 
 very tender age he began life for himself as a 
 farm hand in Brush Valley, and was thus en- 
 gaged until eighteen when he began learning the 
 carpenter's trade with G. C. Breon. After he 
 had mastered the same he worked for eight years 
 as a journeyman in Sugar Valley, and then en- 
 gaged in the lumber business in partnership with 
 his brother, D. M. Morris, and the Stamm 
 brothers, conducting a sawmill with success for 
 three years. He then purchased another tract of 
 timber land, and in partnership with Joseph Kem- 
 merer engaged in the sawmill business for two 
 years, after which he sold out and was interested 
 in the real-estate business in Loganton for five 
 years. In that enterprise he also met with suc- 
 cess, and next purchased the old Loganton grist- 
 mill in 1876 from Henry Wirth. During the 
 twenty years he operated the same, he greatly 
 improved the plant, putting in a twenty-four-foot 
 water wheel, a steam engine and other modern 
 
 machinery, and making it a first-class roller mill 
 "45* 
 
 at a cost of over $12,000. This venture did not 
 prove a success, however, for the hard times 
 came on, and in 1S96 he finally sold out to his 
 brother, D. M. Morris. For two years he was 
 also in partnership with our subject as previously 
 stated, and in all his undertakings met with a 
 well-deserved success with the exception of the 
 operation of the gristmill. In 1858, Mr. Morris 
 was married in Loganton to Miss Jane E. Wirth, 
 who was born in August, 1838, in Green town- 
 ship, Clinton county, a daughter of Henry and 
 Sarah (Huber) Wirth, the former a lumberman 
 and farmer of Green township, who died and 
 was buried in Loganton. Mrs. Wirth, who was 
 of German descent, also died in Loganton and 
 was there laid to rest. To Mr. and Mrs. Mor- 
 ris were born five children: Hervetta L., 
 wife of our subject; Emma M. and Sarah A., at 
 home; and David and Katie, who died in child- 
 hood. Mr. Morris always voted the Democratic 
 ticket until 1884, when he became a Prohibition- 
 ist, as he is very temperate in his habits, not 
 having tasted strong drink for sixteen years, or 
 tobacco for thirty years. He is an honored mem- 
 ber of Sugar Valley Lodge No. 829, I. O. O. F., 
 of Loganton, and religiously belongs to the Evan- 
 gelical Association. He is a great Bible student, 
 a most earnest and consistent Christian, and is 
 now serving as trustee of his Church and teacher 
 in the Sunday-school. Wherever known he is 
 held in high regard. 
 
 Our subject is one of the prominent members 
 of Sugar Valley Lodge, No. 829, I. O. O. F., in 
 which he has filled all the chairs; politically he 
 is identified with the Democratic party. He has 
 been called upon to serve in a number of official 
 positions of honor and trust, being a member of 
 the town council .for six years; school director 
 and treasurer of the board, re-elected in 1898; 
 clerk of Walker township, Centre county, for 
 eight years; and auditor of Wayne township, 
 Clinton county, for two years. He, too, is an 
 earnest supporter of all measures calculated to 
 promote the moral or temperance interests of his 
 community, is a faithful member of the Evangel- 
 ical association, and has served as teacher and 
 superintendent of the Sunday-school for a num- 
 ber of years. 
 
 OEL ADRIAN HERR. Fortunate is he who 
 has back of him an ancestry honorable and 
 distinguished, and happy is he if his lines of 
 life are cast in harmony therewith. 
 
 Mr. Herr is blessed in this respect, for he 
 springs from an old and prominent family, which 
 was founded in the United States at an early day 
 
706 
 
 VMEMORA TIVB BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 by Rev, Hans (or John) Herr, a Mennonite 
 preacher, who was descended from the nobility 
 « >f Switzerland, and became an early settler ot 
 Lancaster county. Penn, He had live sons: 
 John, Christian. Emanuel, Abraham, and Henry, 
 and, of these, Emanuel had six children — Rev. 
 John, Emanuel, Martin. Susanna, Elizabeth, and 
 Mary. Of the last named family, Martin Herr, 
 who died m Strasburg, Penn., March 27, 1811, 
 was tin- father of six children [oel, Darnel and 
 Samuel, all of whom start'! from Lancaster to 
 Clinton about 1800, and here their descendants 
 still live; John, who emigrati ihio at an 
 
 early day; Martha; and Ann. Samuel reared a 
 family of eleven children at his home in Salona, 
 where he died in md where his remains 
 
 1 (aniel died n route for Clinton 
 county, where his family afterward located. 
 
 Joel Herr v, randfather of our subject. 
 
 He was born October 27, 1774, and died 
 ruary 3, 1 s 5 j . while- his wife, who bore the 
 11 name of Frani born Sep- 
 
 tember 10, 1782, m Lancaster county, and died 
 o, both bi ing interred in the 
 tery at Salona. For many years he con- 
 d a mill thi time kept the 
 
 tollgate between Mill 1 1 
 
 he was a Whig and in religious belief his 
 wife was a Menu :t their children were 
 
 I as Methodists lb. \ were as follows: 
 Charlotte, born May 24, 1804, married G 
 
 2 5, and died in < Juincy, 
 III.. 1890; Elizabeth, born September 19, 
 married Samuel Wilson, and died in S 
 
 i was the father of our sub- 
 Martin, bo ni April 10, 1X1 1. died m E 
 in 1893; L'mah, born Februarj l, still 
 
 makes his home in Salona: Catharine, born Oc- 
 tober 7, [8l6, died unmarried; Rebecca, born 
 •1 14. 1819, is the widow of John Miller, of 
 Salona; Frances A., born October 7, 182 1, mar- 
 ried Prof. J ihn W. Ferree, and dii d in 1 ss 4 
 while on a visit to Hannibal, Mo Harriett, born 
 I > ( tober 28, [825, is living m S 
 
 a resid. 
 that place. 
 
 i 1 Herr was born in Sal 
 
 nber 1 1 . 181 18, and during his youth !< 
 
 tie h tt.r's trade, but devoted tie 
 
 of his life to agricultural pursuits F01 a short 
 
 time he lived on a farm in Lamar township, 
 
 ton county, was later 1 m the 1 
 
 ery business in Williamsport with bis brother 
 
 Martin until [845, and then returned to Salona, 
 
 wh. re he conducted .1 foundry for two years 
 
 the end of that time he removed to the farm on 
 
 which he spent his remaii vs, dying Ma) 
 
 1871. Politically he was first a Whig, and 
 later a Republican, but was never an office- 
 seeker, yet served as supervisor of his township 
 and took a great interest in public affairs. He 
 an earnest Christian gentleman, a devout 
 member of the M. E. Church, and held various 
 Church offices. 
 
 In - er, (836, George Bressler Herr 
 
 was married to Miss Clarissa Miller, who was born 
 in Strasburg, Penn.. July 14, 1813, a daught 
 Samuel and Harriett (Bressler) Miller, and to 
 them were born six children, of whom our subject 
 Idest. The others are as follows: John 
 C. , born July 19. 1839, died unmarried at C 
 Spi ! bruary 7, r s 7 3 : Albert M., born 
 
 November 14. 1S41, died March 26, 1S45. i n 
 Williamsport; Mary I-'., born July 23, 1845, lives 
 with our subject; Elizabeth, born December [9, 
 1847. .lied in Cedar Springs, Penn. ; and Edmund 
 \\ .. born April 22, [85 1, died March 23, 1892. 
 The mother of these children died in April, 1 I 
 
 I was laid to rest in the . at Salona. 
 
 The father .rried Rachel Hamilton, and 
 
 after her death wedded Lucy Eritz, but had no 
 children by either of these marria 
 
 Joel Adrian Herr. whose name introduces 
 this article, was born March I, 1S3S, m Lamar 
 township, Clinton county, began his education 
 in Williamsport, continued it in the public schools 
 of Clinton county, and later attended a Si 
 school in Salona, At the early age of seventeen, 
 he began teaching, at first finishing a term for 
 another teacher. He was then employed at the 
 Burrell school in Lamar township during the 
 winter of 185 5-0, and later he attended Will- 
 sport (Penn.) Dickinson Seminary for two 
 years, but not continuously as his resources did 
 not permit it. After that he taught each succeed- 
 
 year in the public schools in Clinton county 
 pi while in the army) until [864. 
 
 In September. [862, Mr. Herr enlisted as a 
 private in Company C, 137th, P. V. I., and during 
 his nine-months' service he acted as company 
 clerk. On being honorably discharged on the 
 1 his term, he returned home, where 
 he > I until the fall of 1864, when he went 
 
 Vineland, N. J., farming and teaching tl 
 until [871. While a resident of that place he 
 
 in enlisted, in April, 1865, becoming sergeant 
 
 1 ompany B, 2nd X. J. V. I. When the war 
 
 1 1 1 es w.re no longer needed, 
 
 he returned to his farm in New Jersey, and while 
 
 living there was one ol the county examiners m 
 
 unty, and also held various township 
 
 On 1 th of his father in 1871, our sub- 
 
 ject returned to the old homestead in Porter 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 707 
 
 township, Clinton Co., Penn., where he has 
 since carried on farming, and until 1878 he also 
 engaged in teaching during the winter season, 
 being recognized as one of the most competent 
 and successful instructors of the county. As an 
 ardent Republican he has taken an active interest 
 in public affairs. In June, 1879, he was elected 
 a member of the State Board of Agriculture, 
 with which he has since continuously been con- 
 nected; has been president of the County Agri- 
 cultural Society since 1880; a trustee of the State 
 College since 1886; was a member of the World's 
 Fair Committee from Pennsylvania in 1893. 
 Being a great reader, he is well posted on all 
 topics of general interest, and is especially well 
 informed on agricultural matters, thus being 
 ably qualified to fill his present responsible 
 positions. His long, active service on the State 
 Board of Agriculture and contributions to the 
 reports of the same, and his services as Farmers' 
 Institute instructor in most of the counties of 
 the State, has given him a prominence in agri- 
 cultural circles, and a wide acquaintance with 
 prominent citizens all over the State seldom 
 reached by a farmer. His honor and integrity 
 have never been impeached, and his word is as 
 good as his bond. 
 
 Since 1874 he has been a member of the 
 Patrons of Husbandry, and he also is a member 
 of John S. Bitner Post No. 122, G. A. R., of 
 Lock Haven. He has received the endorsement 
 of his county for State Senator, and is honored, 
 respected and esteemed by all who know him. 
 He has been of great assistance to the other 
 members of the family, and no man in Clinton 
 county has more friends or is more deserving of 
 the high regard in which he is held than Joel 
 Adrian Herr. 
 
 C GEORGE WAGNER. The career of him 
 _|f whose name introduces this review illus- 
 trates most forcibly the possibilities that are open 
 to a young man who possesses sterling business 
 qualifications. It proves that neither wealth nor 
 social position, nor the assistance of influential 
 fnends at the outset of his career are necessary 
 to place him on the road to success. Through 
 his own unaided efforts Mr. Wagner has achieved 
 prosperity, and is now doing a successful business 
 as a general merchant in Rosecrans, Green town- 
 ship, Climton county. 
 
 He was born March 18, 1840, in Saville 
 township, Perry Co., Penn., a son of John Wag- 
 ner, who was born, reared and educated in Wit- 
 enberg, Germany, where he followed farming 
 until coming to this country in early manhood. 
 
 For some time after his arrival he made his 
 home in Berks county, Penn., and then removed 
 to a farm in Saville township, Perry county, 
 where he spent his remaining days, dying in 1879. 
 His remains were interred in the Loysville cem- 
 etery, of Perry county. He was a stanch sup- 
 porter of the Democratic party, and a faithful 
 member of the Reformed Church, in which he 
 served as elder and deacon. By his first wife 
 he had eight children, namely: Dorothy, wife 
 of Henry Turnbach, of Perry county; Jacob and 
 Catharine, both deceased; John, a resident of 
 New Bloomfield, Perry county; George, of this 
 sketch; Samuel, who was killed in the army; and 
 two who died in infancy. The mother died in 
 Saville township, and was also buried in Loys- 
 ville cemetery. For his second wife the father 
 chose Mary Fogel, who also died in Perry coun- 
 ty. By this union there were five children: 
 Maggie, David, Elizabeth, and two who died in 
 childhood. 
 
 Only during the winter months was our sub- 
 ject able to attend th.e public schools of his na- 
 tive county, and at a very early age his school 
 life was over, as he was hired out among the 
 farmers, at first receiving only $2 per month, 
 but his wages were gradually increased until he 
 obtained $12 per month. In this way he worked 
 until i860, when twenty years of age, when he 
 came to Clinton county. In Green township he 
 found employment as a farm laborer for one 
 year. 
 
 The dark cloud of war, which had for some 
 time lowered over our beloved country, now 
 broke upon our people, and patriotic men from 
 all walks of life thronged to the front in re- 
 sponse to the call of the general government to 
 defend our nationalise. Fired by the spirit of 
 patriotism, in 1861, Mr. Wagner enlisted as a 
 private in Company E, 7th Pennsylvania Cav- 
 alry, under Captain Shaffer and Colonel Wyn- 
 coop. As a member of the Army of the Cum- 
 berland he participated in the battles of Selma, 
 Tenn., Stone River, Chattanooga, Chickamauga, 
 Mission Ridge, Lovejoy Station and many oth- 
 ers, being in the service for about four years, 
 during which time he was ill for about a month 
 and confined in the regimental hospital at Jeff-r- 
 sonville, Ind. He assisted in the capture of 
 Jefferson Davis, was always found at his post of 
 duty, bravely defending the old flag, and, when 
 the war was over and his services no longer 
 needed, he was honorably discharged at Hunts- 
 ville, Alabama. 
 
 Returning to Clinton county, Penn., Mr. 
 Wagner, with the money he had saved during 
 his service, purchased a farm of 125 acres of J. 
 
708 
 
 VORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 T. Clepper, at Pleasant Hill, in Green township, 
 of which ainetj were under cultivation. 
 
 To its further development and cultivation he 
 devoted his enei a numbi md 
 
 still owns the . vhich his son John now 
 
 conducts. In 1881 hi bought lift) tear 
 
 the mestead >ant Hill, fi 
 
 William Miller, and there he built a fine 1 
 dem 'her imp nts. 
 
 Tint pi. me, ami. I1.1 ked 
 
 bis store with ,1 | general merchandise, 
 
 successfully engaged in busin 
 In 1 861 , t\\ ' the 
 
 army. Mr. Wagner was marrie<l in Green town- 
 ship, Clinton county, 1 1 Miss Mary A Wirt, who 
 was born in that township in September, 1840, 
 and they became tin parents of seven children: 
 M.uv Ellen, now the wife of John 
 
 •n township; John, who married Clara Bur- 
 ley, and operates the "Id homestead; Leah Ma- 
 la (Tillie), wife of Jan iggle, of Wayne 
 township. Clinton county, bj wh has two 
 children Viola M, and Trudie M. ; Lizzie E., 
 wife of G. Hoi of Rem ivo; Katie 
 M . .'t home; and Annie J. and Susanna, who 
 died in childhi 
 
 Philip Wirt, Mr> W 1 na- 
 
 ti\' if Dauphin 1 inty, Penn., and in iS32came 
 
 to Lock 11.1'. .11, I inn. , where li ;rm- 
 
 iiil; and id in the butcher business. 
 
 In 1 s ;.■ up his ri en town- 
 
 shi| unty, where he purchased a tract 
 
 of i'"' vhich he and 
 
 tinned to cultivate until his death, in 1X91. 
 Ih- n mail in the Pleasant Hill 
 
 neterj In early lde he was a great hunl 
 and took much delight in tha Politically 
 
 he affiliated with thi ratio party, and re- 
 
 ligious!) rof the Lutheran 
 
 Church. He was married in Lock Haven to 
 Ann. 1 B nil, of that city, 
 
 and to them h hi nun- children, fiv< 
 
 whom died in infancy. Those still living 
 William J., a farmer; Mary A , wifi 
 Sarah J. , wife of \< mathan 1 
 Adam M. . of Green t. <\\ nship. 
 
 In 1877, d tit's adminis- 
 
 tration, Mr. \\ agni 1 was app iint( d the Brsl 1 
 mastei of R 
 till that positii >n to the entii n of all 
 
 I d. Ill 
 
 he 
 
 towi md during h um- 
 
 ber : med many man 
 
 I many cases where lu.^ judgment was alv> 
 I by the highi 1 
 
 term, and as supervisor. He is now a free-silver 
 ind takes quite an active interest in 
 ncal affairs. In his Church relations he is a 
 Lutheran, and has served as elder, deacon and 
 trustee in the Pleasant Hill Church, and also a 
 and superintendent in the Sunday-school. 
 He has filled the office of treasurer of the Sugar 
 Valle) In-urance Company, and is now vice- 
 presidenl of the company. He has been presi- 
 dent of the school board in his district. Genial 
 and hospitable in manner, he is very popular 
 ivith all classes, and his friends are many through- 
 1 mt In- adopted countw 
 
 JAMES A. McCLOSKEY. In the great com- 
 petitive struggle of life, when each must en- 
 ter the field and fight his way to the front. 
 
 ise be overtaken by disaster of circumstance 
 or place, there is ever particular interest attach- 
 ing to the life of one who has turned the tide of 
 success, has surmounted the obstacles and has 
 shown his ability to cope with others in their 
 rush for the coveted goal. Among the sue 
 ful and prominent agriculturists of Chapman 
 township, Clinton county, is Mr. McCloskey, 
 who has been prominently identified with both 
 the business and political interests of his locality. 
 He was born March iS. 1829, in that county, 
 and on the paternal side is of Scotch-Irish de- 
 scent. 
 
 Nathan McCloskey. father of our subject, was 
 born in Clinton county, when it formed a part oi 
 Lycoming county, received only a limited com- 
 mon-school education, and was reared to farm 
 life. Throughout his business career his princi- 
 pal occu] farmingand lumbering, and 
 he ran a number of rafts on the West branch of 
 the Susquehanna to Marietta, Columbia and 
 other markets. He made his home in Colebrook 
 township, where he owned and operated seventy- 
 five acres of farming land, and also had 200 acres 
 of timber land, where he engaged in lumbering. 
 He was 1 hard workei and did all of his har\ 
 ing with a sickle, which our subject still has in 
 his :i He greatly improved his farm. 
 
 thereon until called to 
 his final rest. His remains were interred at 
 Dunnstown, in Woodward township, Clinton 
 faithful member of the Meth- 
 pal Church, a highly-respected and 
 and a Whig in politics He 
 married Ann:, Bridgens, a native of Clinton coun- 
 ty, by who,,, he had twelve children: David, 
 
 1 ased; Rachel, decea 
 
 wifi i ; Agnes, deceased wife 
 
 tret, wife of Noah Mi - 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 709 
 
 Kane; Nathan and William, deceased; Abner, a 
 resident of Beach Creek; James A., of this sketch; 
 Elizabeth, wife of George Stevenson; and Mary, 
 deceased wife of William Ritchey. The mother, 
 who was also a consistent member of the Meth- 
 odist Episcopal Church, and a most estimable 
 lady, died at the home of our subject in Hyner. 
 
 James A. McCloskey conned his lessons in an 
 old log shanty in Colebrook township, which had 
 been used as a dwelling by men during the con- 
 struction of the canal through this section, and 
 his early teachers were N. W. McKane and 
 Frances Piatt. For only three months during 
 the year did he attend school, devoting his re- 
 maining time to assisting in the cultivation of the 
 home farm. From early boyhood he also en- 
 gaged in lumbering, and he remained on the 
 farm, helping to support his widowed mother un- 
 til 1859, when he came to Chapman township 
 and bought the Benjamin Baird farm of 180 
 acres. It was then partially covered with tim- 
 ber, and after clearing thirty acres, Mr. Mc- 
 Closkey devoted his energies to its further devel- 
 opment and cultivation. He has erected a fine 
 residence, and has made many other excellent im- 
 provements, which add greatly to its value and 
 attractive appearance, and in connection with 
 general farming is also engaged in stock raising 
 and lumbering, owning 1,000 acres of timber 
 land. 
 
 In 185 1, at the old Methodist Episcopal 
 Church in Chapman township, by Rev. Mc- 
 Gheen, Mr. McCloskey was married to Miss Jane 
 E. Baird, who was born on the Baird homestead 
 in that township, in 1827, a daughter of Benja- 
 min and Jane (Ellen) Baird, well-known agricult- 
 urists. Her mother was of English birth. Nine 
 children have been born to Mr. and McCloskey, 
 as follows: Behring, a farmer of Chapman town- 
 ship, who married Josie Grugan, and has three 
 children — Glenn, Blanche and Lacey; Benjamin 
 B., agent for the Pennsylvania railroad and the 
 Adams Express Company at Hyner, who is mar- 
 ried to Sybil Nowell, and has one child — Knox; 
 Grant, agent at Carman, Elk Co., Penn. , for the 
 Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburg railway and 
 American Express Company, who married Rosie 
 Sibley, now deceased; Delbert V., at home; Cur- 
 tis, who married Bertha Barrett, and, with his 
 wife and two children, lives in St. Mary's, Penn., 
 bookkeeper for Portland Lumber Company; 
 Alma, who died at the age of eighteen years; 
 Effie, who died at the age of three; and Clarence 
 and Mabel, who died in infancy. 
 
 James A. McCloskey has been honored with 
 several important official positions, being elected 
 county commissioner of Clinton county, in 1878, 
 
 and most acceptably serving for three years. For 
 fifteen years he has held the office of justice of 
 the peace in Chapman township, and during that 
 entire time has never had a judgment reversed ; he 
 is also postmaster at Hyner. He is an earnest 
 advocate of the Republican part)-, does all in his 
 power to promote its interests and insure its suc- 
 cess, and socially affiliates with Lock Haven 
 Lodge No. 98, I. O. O. F. An earnest, consci- 
 entious Christian gentleman, he has for many 
 years been one of the most active and prominent 
 members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of 
 Hyner, in which he has served as trustee, class- 
 leader, Sunday-school teacher and superintend- 
 ent. His life is exemplary in all respects, and 
 he has ever supported those interests which are 
 calculated to uplift and benefit humanity, while 
 his own high moral worth is deserving the high- 
 est commendation. He is strictly temperate, 
 never using any kind of intoxicating drinks, and 
 he has the esteem of his friends and the confi- 
 dence of the business public. 
 
 JAMES CROWE. A brilliant example of a 
 seif-made American citizen, and a grand ex- 
 emplification of the progress that an ambi- 
 tious foreigner can make in this country of un- 
 bounded opportunities, is shown in the case of 
 Mr. Crowe, one of the leading citizens of Renovo, 
 Clinton county, and car inspector for the Penn- 
 sylvania Railroad Company. 
 
 Born in 1842, in Ireland, Mr. Crowe is a son 
 of Patrick and Winifred Crowe, also natives of 
 Ireland, where the father's death occurred. La- 
 ter the mother came to America, and spent her 
 last days in Elmira, N. Y., where she died in 
 1880. In their family were two sons and one 
 daughter: Mary, wife of Edward Devine, of El- 
 mira, N. Y. ; Patrick, who has not been heard 
 from since 1854; and James, our subject. 
 
 James Crowe was provided with only very 
 limited advantages for obtaining an education. 
 When about seven years of age he came to 
 America, and since that time has mainly been de- 
 pendent upon his own resources for a livelihood. 
 He began his business career by carrying water 
 for the railroad hands during the '50s, and later 
 carried the tools for the men. Throughout most 
 of his life he has been in some way connected 
 with railroading, and from the very lowest posi- 
 tion he has worked his way steadily upward, be- 
 ing employed in various capacities. Since 1861 
 he has assisted in laying ties, tracks, etc., for the 
 Philadelphia & Erie Railroad Company, and 
 since locating permanently in Renovo in 1865 
 has served as car inspector for that road. Be- 
 
71" 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 in^' economical, industrious and enterprising, he 
 
 has succeeded in accumulating some valuable 
 
 real in this place, and is now numbered 
 
 g its substantial and reliable citizens. 
 
 In April. 1866, Mr. Crowe was married to 
 M s Mary Garry, who died November 1. [872, 
 leaving two daughters, namely: Mary and Anna. 
 Mr. ( 1 :i married, in 1 878, his 
 
 ond union being with Ellen E. Mahanay, adaugh- 
 tei ol ferrj and Catherine (McCarthy) Crin 
 whi I Irish birth, bur had come to America 
 
 in the '30s. They Settled on a farm of seventy- 
 five acres in Ridgi bury, nd there resided 
 until they died in i I 1894 respectivi 
 Mr- I a family of four children, 
 the others being: Jerry; Michael, who is con- 
 nected with the weather bureau at Washington, 
 I> C. ; and Mrs. James Welsh, a resident of 
 Ridgway, Penn. Four children grace the second 
 marriage of our John, I atherine, 
 Matbew and Michael Raymond. There was also 
 another son, |am< 5, who is now decei 
 
 Religiously, Mr. Crowe and his family are 
 connected with the Catholic Church, and, pi 
 ically, he always suppi 1 1 the Democratic 
 
 or Prohibition parties. His life has been an 
 h i: rable and useful one, and he justly merits 
 tin hi L ; in which he is held by the entire 
 
 community. 
 
 JLEXANDER M. DE HAAS, a resident of 
 L Beech t reek township, Clint nty, is 
 
 families of 
 
 Pennsylvania. 
 
 It appears ol r< ■ Strasburg, l'mvinceof 
 
 that the original name was Von 11 
 ! when that province was annexed to France 
 the name was changed to de Haas the French 
 of Von Haas In 1 540. Charles de Haas ac- 
 quired large possessions near the city of Stras- 
 burg, France, and became the founder of the 
 I 1 iich noble family of that name. He was a 
 
 baron and general undei the Emperor Rodolph, 
 k the city of Fli Italy, and was n 
 
 ernor of Centra! Italy, and was authorized 
 appropriate the am.- ol Florence as the family 
 
 t of arm- ral of the family -till livi 
 
 Strasburg. [Thi copy of the record of 
 
 tin family was taken from the original 
 
 record at Strasburg, France, ii 
 
 a. John Philip de Haas I this family, came 
 from France to this country during the Revolu- 
 tionary war. He was given command ol the 
 I irsl Pennsylvania Battalion, and contributed 
 largely of his means lor thi t of tin 
 
 diers under his command, besides rendering much 
 
 valuable service to achieve our American inde- 
 pendence. At the close of the war he became 
 the owner of large tracts of land in the States of 
 Pennsylvania, Virginia and Kentucky. His son, 
 Mai. 1- P- de Haas, and Henrietta, his daughter, 
 survived him, but these lands never came into 
 possession of their children. Maj. de Haas died 
 in Philadelphia. His son, John P. de Haas 
 ther of Alexander M. De Haas), was a native of 
 Philadelphia, and acquired his education in Bus- 
 seltown Academy. He came to Clinton county 
 with his father, and spent the greater part of his 
 life in school teaching. His career was one of 
 usefulness, worthy of emulation, and he died 
 
 r passing the seventieth anniversary of his 
 birth, respected by all who knew him. His wife 
 was Hannah Morrison, a native of Chester coun- 
 ts, Penn., and their children were seven in num- 
 ber, two of whom — Alexander M. and Mary Jane 
 (wife of Nathan Johnson, of Centre county) sur- 
 vive. The mother of these died in 1863, at 
 Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. 
 
 The subject of thi* sketch was born in 1827, 
 in Clinton Co., Penn. He had very limited 
 school privileges in his youth, for the school 
 terms were short and his time was largely devot- 
 ed to farming. He purchased the Mountain 
 farm in 1857, and for forty years has made his 
 home thereon. For twenty-six years he was a 
 successful pilot on the Susquehanna river. He 
 owns 175 acres of land here, and the place is im- 
 proved with neat and substantial buildings and 
 other accessories found upon a model farm of the 
 ioth century, while the well-tilled fields which 
 surround his home yield to him a golden tri- 
 bute in return for the care and cultivation he 
 bestows upon them. 
 
 On January 14, [851, Mr. De Haas was mar- 
 ried to Sarah A. |ohnson, a native of England, 
 who came to America when two years of age. 
 They now have six children: Forest; Mary Vir- 
 ginia, wife of Wilson Devling; Willis, assistant 
 
 erintendent of the paper mills, of Johnson- 
 burg; Grant, a bookkeeper at Marquette. Mich;. 
 Ellen Florence, wife of William Richards, of Ti- 
 oiinty, Penn.; and Charles Woodward, chief 
 manager of the Filter Works at Johnsonburg, 
 
 1 The parents of these are member- 
 the Christian Church, with which Mr. De Haas 
 has been identified since sixteen years of a 
 Hi v, is for many year- an Odd Fellow, bti; 
 
 now identified with the organization. In 
 politics he is a Democrat, and was three times 
 elected justice of the peace, serving one term. 
 discharging his duties with marked fairness and 
 
 irtiality. He has also been tax collect 
 school director and supervisor, discharging his 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 711 
 
 duties with promptness and fidelity. The fact 
 that he has been honored with political offices, 
 and that for a quarter of a century he has served 
 as elder of his Church, plainly indicates the confi- 
 dence and trust reposed in him in all circles, and 
 it is a trust that has never been betrayed. His 
 life has been well spent and is worthy of emula- 
 tion. 
 
 C. BARNER, a prominent representative of 
 j the agricultural interests of Lamar township, 
 
 Clinton county, and one of its highly esteemed 
 and honored citizens, is a native of the county, 
 his birth having occurred in Loganton, February 
 13, 1842. 
 
 Henry Barner, his grandfather, a well-known 
 pioneer of this section, left his old home in Perry 
 county, Penn., when a young man, accompanied 
 by his brother, George, who located at Liver- 
 pool, but he took up his residence on Sugar Val- 
 ley Mountain, one mile north of Loganton, in 
 Clinton county, early in the present century. 
 He believed that the soil of the mountain was 
 better than that in the valley, and the land was 
 much cheaper. He did not long enjoy his new 
 home, however, as his death occurred in 1820. 
 His widow, who survived him for twenty-four 
 years, was thus left with the care of a large fam- 
 ily, twenty-one children having been born to 
 them, of whom fifteen reached years of maturity. 
 The trials and hardships she was forced to endure 
 in her primitive mountain home were many; the 
 wild animals which haunted the forests often 
 killed her cattle; and she was compelled to work 
 early and late in order to keep her family to- 
 gether until they were able to care for them- 
 selves. Her last years were spent with the 
 father of our subject, who operated the old home 
 farm, and there she passed away at the age of 
 seventy-two, her remains being interred in the 
 old cemetery in Sugar Valley. 
 
 Christian Barner, our subject's father, was 
 born on Sugar Valley Mountain, December 19, 
 1816, and was the youngest child of Henry and 
 Susanna (Bunce) Barner that lived to adult age. 
 As a farmer boy he was reared in the mountain 
 home, and received a very limited education, as 
 the nearest school was several miles distant and 
 hard to reach. As soon as old enough he began 
 learning the miller's trade, but his health did not 
 permit his following that occupation, so he took 
 up the mason's trade. All of his nine brothers 
 who reached manhood had also learned some 
 trade, and it was under the instruction of his 
 brother Harmon that he mastered masonry. 
 As a young man he was employed at various 
 
 places, but always considered the farm where he 
 was born, " home." 
 
 On October 20, 1839, in Penn's Valley, Chris- 
 tian Barner was married by Rev. Fisher to 
 Catharine Frazier, who was born February 24, 
 1 82 1, near Rebersburg, in Brush Valley, Centre 
 county, a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth 
 (Bierly) Frazier, also natives of Brush Valley. 
 Her paternal grandfather was Ludwig Frazier, a 
 pioneer of that Valley; and her maternal grand- 
 parents were John and Catharine (Garman) 
 Bierly. Mrs. Barner is the oldest in a family of 
 six children, of whom one died in infancy, 
 and the others are as follows: Elizabeth, who 
 died at the age of fourteen; John, who died in 
 Huntingdon county, Penn., in the fall of 1896; 
 William, who did in Salona; and Jonathan, who 
 died in Penn's Valley. She was only ten years 
 of age when her father died, but being the eldest 
 she was forced to earn her own livelihood and 
 help take care of the younger children. She 
 accordingly worked as a domestic from the age 
 of fourteen until her marriage. By her marriage 
 she became the mother of six children, namely: 
 J. C. , of this sketch; George H., a resident of 
 Lock Haven; Rebecca, wife of H. J. Brungard, 
 of Lamar township, Clinton county; Sarah E., 
 now Mrs. J. Edward Bressler, of Renovo, Penn.; 
 Nathaniel J., of Emporium, Penn. ; and Amanda 
 C. , wife of John E. Furst, of Lamar township. 
 
 After their marriage the parents of our sub- 
 ject located in Loganton, where the father 
 worked at his trade during the busy season, and 
 in the winter chopped wood or engaged in thresh- 
 ing, receiving only one dollar per day as a mason 
 and fifty cents per day as a laborer. From his 
 small wages, however, he saved enough to pur- 
 chase two lots, and upon one of these he built a 
 residence, making Loganton his home for eight 
 years. He then returned to the old homestead 
 on Sugar Valley Mountain, as his mother was 
 then in feeble health, and while living there she 
 died. Later the place was divided into two parts 
 and sold, Mr. Barner purchasing the portion on 
 which the buildings stood. At the end of eight 
 years, however, he sold and came to Nittany 
 Valley, where he operated rented land for sev- 
 eral years, and then bought a farm in Lamar 
 township, which he subsequently sold at a profit. 
 He traveled through Illinois and Iowa on a pros- 
 pecting tour, but concluded to remain in Nittany 
 Valley, and bought the farm where our subject 
 now lives. In the summer of 1876 he built a 
 very comfortable home at the east end of Salona, 
 where he continued to reside while engaged in 
 light farming until his death, which occurred in 
 March, 1884, being laid to rest in Cedar Hill 
 
71: 
 
 ■MI:M'>i;.\TIVK biogsapsical record. 
 
 tery. 1 rs he was officially 
 
 connected with tin.- Lutheran Church, and in pol- 
 itics was alv. vith the Democratic 
 party. Although at Ins death he left a very 
 propert} . h I in life for him- 
 self in very limited circumstances, but in his 
 lab' r' assisted by bis excellent wife, 
 who was to him a tn As a girl she 
 I >n tht ha) field at twenty-five 
 v. ami after her man I d in the 
 work of the farm while her husband was em- 
 fed .it bis trade. Sh i a faithful mem- 
 Lutheran Church, and is enjoying a 
 well-earned rest at her pleasant home in 
 
 she is surrounded by loving kindred 
 and frii I 
 
 In his native village, J. C. Barner began his 
 ication, but was never able to attend school 
 more than four months out of the year. When 
 about eight scars old he accompanied his parents 
 on their removal to the farm on Sugar Valley 
 Mountain, after which his studies were often in- 
 terrupted by farm work as he was the oldest 
 child. He began to assist in the plowing at the 
 ■ ■I thirteen, and continued to help in the 
 cultivation of the farm until after the outbreak of 
 the Civil war. In the summer of [862, at Lock 
 Haven, Mr. Barner enlisted in ( E, 
 
 137th P. V. I., and from Harrisburg proceeded 
 to Baltimore and th< Washington, D. C, 
 
 r which place the regiment went into camp 
 His tii it South Mountain, 
 
 which was loll,, wed by the battle of Antietam 
 I all the oth< 1 ments in which his n 
 
 at took part during his ten-months' servi 
 luding the battles ol Frederii ksburgand Chan- 
 cellorsville. He was honorably d 1 at 
 
 I [arrisburg in 1 S63. 
 
 Afti turn fn >m the army. Mi 
 
 worked foi Ins father until his marriage, which 
 ted in Clinton county, in March, 
 
 Valley, and a daughter of Samuel and Mary 
 (Wolf) II. liter, becoming his wife. Tbechildren 
 born to them are as follows: William 1! 
 printer li\ in idville, Penn. ; Charli I 
 
 ho is mat I has 
 
 child, Erma; Christian S . a machinist by 
 trade, but now a farmer of Lamar township, who 
 is married and h children - Ira X.. Will- 
 
 iam J., and Margarel M ; Henrj K., a machinist; 
 and George N.,J. Wesley, Mar) C. and Flor- 
 ence A. ( . all at home. 
 
 I : me tune after Ins marriage 1 mr sul 
 lived upon Ins lather's farm near Salona, and 
 then rented the Samuel Segmund place until 
 Iowa in 1869. In Audubon county, his 
 
 father-in-law owned a large tract of land, and 
 subject also purchased eighty acres there. 
 He converted the wild land into a good farm, 
 erected good buildings thereon, but at the end 
 of three years and a half returned to Pennsyl- 
 vania, and after renting his place in Iowa for 
 two years sold it. As a renter he first located 
 upon his present farm in Lamar township, Clin- 
 ton county, but after the death of his father he 
 purchased the land, and under his able manage- 
 ment and careful supervision it has become one 
 of the most desirable places in the locality. He 
 owns 132 acres of farming land and 21 acres of 
 timber land in the home place and a small tract 
 in the east end of Nittany Valley, fn the course 
 of his life he has paid out over $5,000 for rent. 
 but he is now the owner of a most attractive 
 and productive farm, which has been acquired 
 through his own well-directed efforts and untir- 
 ing energy. 
 
 Politically, Mr. Barner is an adherent of 
 locratic principles, and although he has 
 ed as school director, he has never cared for 
 the honors or emoluments of public office, 
 cially he is an honored member of John S. Bit- 
 ner Post No. 122, G. A. R., and of the Grange, 
 and, religiously, he and his wife both belong to 
 the Lutheran Church, in which he has served as 
 deacon for several years, fn October. 1897, he 
 was elected a deacon of the Lutheran Church at 
 Salona for a term of two years. He was at one 
 time superintendent of the Sunday-school in the 
 east end of Nittany Valley. While in Iowa he 
 was one of the leading members of the Lutheran 
 Church of his locality, and served as superin- 
 intendent of the Sunday-school. In January, 
 is elected one of the directors of the 
 Salona creamery for the term of one year. 
 Pleasant and affable in manner, their circle of 
 friends is only limited by their circle of acquaint- 
 ances. 
 
 IRVIN W GLEASON is a leading representa- 
 tive of the business interests of Chapman 
 township, Clinton county, being the present sen- 
 partner of the firm of L. K. Gleason & Sons, 
 who own ami > the Puritan Tannery at 
 
 North Bend He al as general superin- 
 
 tendent Of excellent business ability and 
 id resources, he has attained a prominent 
 place among the substantial citizens of the coun- 
 ty, and ognized leader in public affairs. 
 II' by well-directed, energetic 
 efforts, and the prosperity that has come to him 
 ly well deser 
 A nati' nnsvlvania, Mr. Gleason was 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 713 
 
 born August 20, 1862, in Union township, 
 Tioga county, and is descended from an 
 honored New England family who took a very 
 active part in the Revolutionary war, valiantly 
 fighting for the freedom of the country from 
 British oppression. Jacob Gleason was born in 
 Massachusetts, where he followed farming for a 
 time, but when a young man removed to Rutland, 
 Vt. , where he owned and operated a farm until 
 life's labors were ended. Three of his four sons, 
 and himself joined the Continental army, and 
 aided in the successful struggle for independence. 
 He was a member of the Congregational Church, 
 and a stanch Democrat in politics. 
 
 His youngest son, Jacob Gleason, the great- 
 grandfather of our subject, spent his entire life 
 in Rutland, Vt., and followed the occupation of 
 farming. He was there married and reared a 
 family of six children, all now deceased, namely: 
 Timothy, Jacob, Edmund, Daniel, Sylvia and 
 Ruth. The parents were both interred in the 
 cemetery at Rutland. The father was also a 
 Congregationalist in religious belief, but was an 
 Old-line Whig in politics. 
 
 The grandfather of our subject also bore the 
 name of Jacob, and was born in Rutland, where 
 he obtained a limited education in the subscrip- 
 tion schools, and grew to manhood on the home 
 farm, remaining there until thirty years of age. 
 Going to Bolton, Warren Co., N. Y. , he worked 
 as a laborer for ten years, and then removed to 
 Bradford county, Penn., where the following 
 year was spent. In 1841 he took up his residence 
 in Union township, Tioga county, Penn., where 
 he purchased 100 acres of timber land, which he 
 cleared and improved with good buildings, and aft- 
 er operating his farm for several years he worked in 
 an iron furnace at Blossburg. Later he engaged 
 in lumbering on Pine Creek, Lycoming county, 
 and spent the last years of his life at the home 
 of his son Le Roy, the father of our subject, 
 who tenderly cared for him during his old age. 
 He died at Canton, Penn., in 1869, and was 
 there iaid to rest. While in Bolton, N. Y. , he 
 had married Sarah Eaton, a native of Warren 
 county, and a daughter of Benjamin Eaton, a 
 farmer by occupation, and to them were born 
 five children, but only the father of our subject 
 reached years of maturity. The grandfather 
 was a deacon in and prominent member of the 
 Baptist Church, and in politics first supported 
 the Whig ticket and later joined the Republican 
 party. 
 
 Le Roy Gleason was born November 16, 
 1829, in Bolton, N. Y. , but at an early age ac- 
 companied his parents on their removal to Penn- 
 sylvania. As they were in limited circumstances 
 
 his opportunities for obtaining an education were 
 meagre, and he only attended school about six 
 months altogether while living in Tioga county, 
 being hardly able to write his name at the age of 
 nineteen years. When only eight he was able 
 to handle the axe in helping his father cut cord- 
 wood for charcoal burning, and he continued to 
 assist his father in that way and in improving the 
 farm until sixteen, when he obtained a position 
 in the coal mines at Blossburg, where he received 
 $4 per week for the first year, and $7 per week 
 for the following two years, as he did a man's 
 work. When nineteen, Mr. Gleason began lum- 
 bering in the camps on Pine creek, where he was 
 employed during the winter months in cutting 
 timber and logging, while the summers were spent 
 in a sawmill from 1852 until 1870. He took con- 
 tracts for cutting timber on Pine creek, and in 
 this way managed to save some money, with 
 which he embarked in the tanning business at 
 Canton, Penn., in partnership with his brother- 
 in-law, William Irvin, the business being con- 
 ducted under the firm name of Gleason & Irvin 
 for seventeen years and success crowning all their 
 efforts. In 1881 they established the first tan- 
 nery at North Bend, which is the largest plant 
 of the kind in Clinton county, being erected at a 
 cost of $80,000. In 1887 Mr. Gleason purchased 
 his partner's interest, and admitted his sons to 
 membership in the firm, since which time busi- 
 ness has been carried on under the style of L. R. 
 Gleason & Sons. Besides this tannery they have 
 one at Driftwood, Cameron Co., Penn., and an- 
 other at Medix Run, Elk county, and in all 
 branches of the business furnish employment to 
 hundreds of men, thus materially benefiting the 
 entire community. The father looks after the 
 business at Canton, while his sons have charge of 
 the branch establishments. He is a very pro- 
 gressive, industrious and energetic man, whose 
 success in life is due entirely to his own unaided 
 efforts, and he certainly deserves great credit for 
 the honorable position he has succeeded in at- 
 taining in the business world. He is not only a 
 self-made man, but also a self-educated one. As 
 his school privileges were very limited he has 
 devoted much time to reading and study since 
 reaching manhood, and is especially proficient in 
 botany, geology and other sciences. In 1889 
 L. R. Gleason & Sons, in connection with How- 
 ard & Perley, lumber manufacturers of Williams- 
 port, built a standard gauge railroad from North 
 Bend to Potter county, which now connects with 
 the Black Forest road for the purpose of getting 
 out their bark, and Howard & Perley's logs. 
 Since then the road has been chartered with F. 
 A. Blackwell, general manager; William Howard, 
 
ri4 
 
 VMBMORATITB BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 president; Allen \V. Perley, treasurer; and I. W. 
 Gleason, secretary. The main line of the road 
 is twenty-one miles long, which has numerous 
 branches, ami it is well equipped with three large 
 
 1 : arid with its own lumber and bark 
 
 and passenger coaches. The road is called the 
 North Bend & Kettle (reek railroad. 
 
 In 1852, in l'ni"ii township, Tioga county, 
 I Roj ' was united in marriage with Miss 
 
 Martha Irvin, a native "1 Lehigh county, Penn., 
 ami a daughter of Benjamin Irvin, a charcoal 
 manufacturer, of Scotch-Irish descent Bight 
 children were born to this union, as follows: 1 1 
 William and l elia both died when young. 
 
 I lied 5 oui Irwin W. is the 
 
 next of the family. 5 John, who was educated 
 in the Canton public sch [aged in 
 
 with Ins father at Driftw 1. He mar- 
 
 ried Hattie Rury, and has two children -Martha 
 and Franklin. (6) Li Key W., educated in the 
 
 lie schools of Ca mil a 1 lusi- 
 
 rtner in the tanning 
 business, and is superintendent ol the plant at 
 Medix l\un, I Ilk county. He married Bessie 
 Muthersbaugh, a native ol Lewistown, Penn., 
 ive three 1 hildren — Celie, Ruth and 
 tl led the same schools 
 as his brother LeRoy, and, as a partner in the 
 tanning business; 1- I Driftw I, super- 
 
 intendent of the plant there. He married Min- 
 
 Rury. (8) James completed his education 
 
 the Milr Bordentown, N. [., 
 
 I is now with our subject at North Bend, as 
 he. too, is a partner in tin- business He n 
 
 I Lucy Walton, "f North Wend. The motl 
 
 hese children died in 1SS0, and the follow 
 
 nton, the fathei d Elizabeth 
 
 Mitchell, widow ■ > t Byron Clark, and a daughter 
 Mitchell, of that place. Thev h 
 
 adopted daughter, Mai- I the family 
 
 make their home in Canton. Alter voting for 
 
 mont in 1856, LeRi >j Glea ;i m I to 
 
 support the Ri publican partj until alter the elec- 
 ti t President Hayes, since which time he has 
 
 ii an ardent Prohibitionist, as he is a sti 
 ten . man. II and promi- 
 
 nent membi Baptist Church, in which he 
 
 has served .is deacon and Sundaj 
 and superintendent Sociall) he affiliates with 
 the Blue Lodge <>f the Masonic ( )rder at Canton. 
 II' has reared a family of which he may be 
 justly proud, has given his sons all an excellent 
 -tart in life, and thev are now wide-awake, en- 
 terprising business men. Temperate in his hab- 
 its, honorable in all business relations, his influ- 
 ence is ever found on the side of right and ord 
 
 Irvin W. Gleason, whose name intl 
 
 this sketch, pursued his studies in the public 
 schools of Canton, Penn., and in the Business 
 College at Elmira. At an early age he began 
 working in the tan yard of his father, soon be- 
 came thoroughly familiar with every department 
 of the business, and remained in the tannery at 
 Canton until [881, when he transferred to North 
 Wend, continuing to work for his father and uncle 
 until 1 S 8 7 , since which time he has been a part- 
 ner in the business. He has also served as gen- 
 eral superintendent, has made many improve- 
 ments in the plant, and furnishes employment to 
 about one hundred men. On June 1, 18S7. at 
 North Bend, he married Miss Josephine Haynes, 
 a native of that place, and a daughter of John 
 H. and Elizabeth (Gilbert) Haynes, the former a 
 lumber manufacturer of North Bend. Mrs. Glea- 
 son attended the public schools of her birthplace 
 and also the Central State Normal School, Lock 
 Haven, where she graduated in 1885, and the 
 following year graduated at Darlington Seminary, 
 Philadelphia. She then engaged in teaching for 
 three terms in North Wend and in Potter county, 
 To Mr. and Mrs. Gleason has been born 
 a daughter, Elizabeth. The family occupy a 
 pleasant home in North Bend, where they are 
 surrounded by a large circle of friends and ac- 
 quaintances. He is a prominent Mason, having 
 taken the thirty-second degree, and belongs to 
 the Blue Lodge of Renovo, the Chapter of Lock 
 Haven, the Commandery of Philadelphia, and 
 the Consistorv of Wloomsburg. His political sup- 
 port is ever given the men and measurer- of the 
 Democratic party. His business methods have 
 been above question, and in all the relations of 
 life he has been found true and faithful to every 
 trust reposed in him. 
 
 PETER FABEL, who in his lifetime was a 
 highly respected citizen of Castanea, Clinton 
 countv. was born April 14. [838, on the banks of 
 the River Whine. He possesses the energy and 
 determination which mark the peopleof Germany, 
 and by the exercise of his powers he has steadily 
 uid has not only won a handsome 
 . but has commanded univi 1 
 by Ins straightforward business methods. 
 John W. Fabel, his father, also a native of 
 many, was a cooper and brewer by trade, 
 and. after selling all his property in the Fath 
 land, brought his familv to America in 1 S 5 5. 
 landing in New York after a long and tedious 
 voyage. Lock Haven, Penn., was his destina- 
 tion, and here he found work at the cooper's 
 trade Beit \cellent mechanic, he com- 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 715 
 
 manded good wages, and, as he lived economic- 
 ally, he prospered, and in his adopted city built 
 an elegant residence, much better than he ever 
 expected to own. His last years were spent in 
 retirement from active labor, enjoying a com- 
 fortable competence which he so richly deserved. 
 His political support was given the men and 
 measures of the Democratic party, and in 
 religious belief both he and his wife were 
 Lutherans. 
 
 In his native land John \V. Fabel had mar- 
 ried Margaret Weigen, who bore him eleven 
 children, two of whom died before the immigra- 
 tion of the family to the New World. The others 
 are as follows: Charles and Martin, now de- 
 ceased; Christian, a resident of Lock Haven; 
 Philip, Michael and John, all deceased; Peter, of 
 this sketch; Barbara, widow of George Scheid, 
 of Lock Haven, and Margaret, deceased. The 
 mother died of a cancer in 1857, and the father 
 passed away in 1886, both being interred in the 
 cemetery at Lock Haven. 
 
 Peter Fabel was educated in his native land, 
 and, when not in school, worked in his father's 
 cooper shop, where he soon mastered the trade, 
 at which he was employed in Lock Haven after 
 coming with the family to this country at the age 
 of seventeen years. Considering Castanea a 
 good location, he in 1865 removed here, and for 
 several years followed agricultural pursuits, 
 having purchased a small farm, on which he 
 built a good residence and made many other 
 valuable improvements. For thirteen years he 
 also engaged in the dairy business, selling the 
 milk in Lock Haven, but at the time of his death, 
 July 31, 1897, he was practically living retired 
 at his comfortable home in Castanea after many 
 years of arduous labor. He owns three dwell- 
 ings on Church street, in Lock Haven, and his 
 property was all acquired through his own un- 
 aided efforts. 
 
 In 1865, at Lock Haven, Mr. Fabel was mar- 
 ried to Miss Elizabeth Marks, also a native of 
 the Fatherland, and a daughter of Peter Marks, 
 who after coming to the United States became a 
 farmer of Clinton county, Penn. She died in 
 1876, leaving four daughters: Annie, wife of 
 Charles Kindley, of Altoona, Penn. ; Ida, wife of 
 Peter Poorman; Clara, wife of John Simmons; 
 and Emma, wife of George Hemburger. For 
 his second wife Mr. Fabel chose Sybella Sousley, 
 a native of Berks county, Penn.,' who died in 
 1892, and in October of the following year, at 
 Columbia, Penn., he married Mrs. Rosa Hetrick, 
 nee Ball, who was born in Baltimore, Md., a 
 daughter of John Ball. She first wedded George 
 Hetrick, by whom she had five children, but all 
 
 died in infancy; and after the death of her hus- 
 band she married T. W. Stover. 
 
 On the Democratic ticket, Mr. Fabel was 
 elected to several official positions of honor and 
 trust, serving for eighteen years as tax collector 
 in Castanea township, several years an auditor, 
 overseer of the poor for some time, and also 
 supervisor of his township, and it is needless to 
 say that the duties of the offices were always faith- 
 fully performed. He was a member of the 
 Lutheran Church, and was justly regarded as one 
 of the most valued and useful citizens of Cas- 
 tanea. 
 
 UGH McLEOD. Since 1870 Mr. McLeod 
 _Ok has been identified with the business inter- 
 ests of Lock Haven and of Clinton county. He 
 is now the genial and accommodating landlord 
 of the "Custer House," a large and well-regu- 
 lated hotel centrally located near the court house, 
 Lock Haven, where he bids a hearty welcome to 
 his many patrons. 
 
 Norman McLeod and Martha (McKenzie) 
 McLeod, his parents, were both born in Scot- 
 land, whence, in early life they came to Nova 
 Scotia and there resided through life. The fa- 
 ther was a tailor by trade, and followed that as 
 an occupation for a period, but his life was given 
 the most of the time to agricultural pursuits. 
 They were plain, hard-working farming people, 
 kind-hearted and well-disposed, such as gained 
 and held the respect of the community in which 
 they lived. Their children are: Margaret, Anna, 
 Sarah, Mary, Christie, Jane, Martha, Belle, 
 Kenneth, Hugh (our subject), Roderick, John 
 and Angus. 
 
 Hugh McLeod was born in 1849 in Nova Scotia, 
 was reared on a farm, and had only limited school 
 advantages, attending the subscription schools 
 of the neighborhood. After passing fifteen years 
 on the farm he went to sea, and for five years 
 was a sea-faring man. In 1870 he came to 
 Lock Haven, and for ten years was employed in 
 the woods cutting and shaping timber, the first 
 work he performed being for Patrick Flynn. In 
 1880 he became engaged in the hotel business 
 on Bellefonte avenue, at Lock Haven, for five 
 years remained at that point, and then (January 
 1, 1885) moved to his present location. Mr. 
 McLeod is well adapted to this line of business, and 
 is making a success of it. He is obliging and ac- 
 commodating, understands human nature thor- 
 oughly, and not only anticipates the wants and 
 desires of his guests, but amply supplies them. 
 
 In 1879, Mr. McLeod was married to Ella 
 Walsh, who was born in 1859, in New Bruns- 
 
716 
 
 \f ME MORA TIVB BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 wick. She is of the Roman Catholic faith, while 
 Mr. McLeod was reared in the faith of the 
 Presbyterian Church. In politics he is a Demo- 
 crat. Socially he is a member of the I. O. O.F., 
 and of the K. of G. 1. He has been identr 
 with the public affairs of Lock Haven more or 
 less, and has at different til presented his 
 
 ward in the city council, six yeai 
 
 REV. M. W. FAIR deceased i was one whose 
 life record remained untarnished by shadow 
 
 of v : suspicion of evil. Upright and hon- 
 
 orable, ol broad humanitarian principles, di 
 ing his life to others, he so lived as to win the 
 
 ;>ect and love of all. He was born in Man- 
 chester. Carroll Co., Md., August 9, 1837. ap d 
 in his youth was an exceptionally good boy, al- 
 ways obedient to his mother and faithful to her 
 teaching- II attended the public schools, a 
 pursued lii> in an academy at Manchester, 
 
 after which he became a student in Gettysburg 
 College, and later was graduated in the theolog- 
 ical department of Susquehanna University, at 
 Selin's Grove, Pennsylvania. 
 
 ring determined to devote his life to the 
 ministry, and thus prepared foi his chosen call- 
 ing, Mr. Fair accepted the pastorate of the 
 Church in Funkstown, Washington Co., Md.. 
 after which he went to Woodsboro', Frederick 
 
 inty, that State. Failing health at length 
 compelled him to retire from the ministry, and 
 in the fall of 1873 he removed to York, Penn., 
 where he continued his 1 until called to 
 
 the home beyond, June 2 , his remains be- 
 
 nchester. Md. Rev. D. J. 
 li D. D., who is now living in Hanover, 
 
 N irk I . Penn., at the advanci I ninty- 
 
 thn was instrumental in influencing him 
 
 nter tlie ministry. Hcli.nl known Mr. Fair 
 irly boyhood, had baptized him and re- 
 ceived him into tin- Church, and had ever I 
 his friend and counsellor, and as the end drew 
 
 1 it was Mr. Fair's request that th 
 man should take charge ol the fum 
 
 On M \ 28, Rev. Fair was mi 
 
 Miss Sarah A Furst, who I it 3, 
 
 1841, in Lamar township, Clinton Co., Pi nn 
 daughter of Samuel and Mary (Wilt) Furst. the 
 former born in Northumberland county, Penn., 
 April 29, 1793, the latter in Perry county, 1 
 ruary [2, 1805. The grandparents, and 
 
 Agnes (Snyder) Furst, came to Nittany Valley in 
 the year 1797. and located in the midst of the 
 timber land, where the grandfather developed a 
 farm, which is still in thi f the family. 
 
 I 1 RST, the father of Ml 
 
 when fourteen years of age, walked twenty miles 
 to Kebersburg. crossing two mountains, to attend 
 catechetical lectures by Rev. Ilgen, preparatory 
 to entering the Lutheran Church. He was mar- 
 ried in Lamar township, Clinton county, to Mary 
 Wilt, a daughter of Michael and Gertrude (Zell- 
 Wilt A brief record of their family is as 
 follows: Franklin B. is a farmer of Lamar 
 iship. Louisa died in 1894. Rebecca A. be- 
 came the wife of Joseph Hayes, and died in 
 1892. William \V. is an agriculturist of Lamar 
 township. Samuel E. . who, after attending the 
 Aaronsburg Academy, entered the sophomore 
 class in Pennsylvania College in i860, was grad- 
 uated in 1S63, and in 1867 was admitted to the 
 Clinton County Bar, after which he practiced for 
 ten years; in [878 he entered the Theological 
 
 linary at Gettysburg, and was licensed to 
 preach the same year, after which he ably rilled 
 the pulpits in Bellefonte, New Berlin and Schell- 
 burg, Penn.; about August 1. [894, he went to 
 na to visit his invalid sister, and while there 
 died, on the 14th of August. Mrs. Fair is next in 
 the order of birth. M. Luther is a minister of the 
 Lutheran Church at Tallman. N. Y. M. Kath- 
 arine lives in Salona. 
 
 Samuel Furst lather of Mrs. Sarah A. 
 Fair) was a Republican in his political views, 
 and in religious belief he was a Lutheran, who 
 for sixty-five years was a member of the Church 
 
 ^alona. He contributed liberally to its sup- 
 port, did all in his power for its advancement. 
 He was also an ardent temperance worker, never 
 using either tobacco or liquor in any form. He 
 was a man of but medium size, yet possessed of 
 3 of endurance. At one time he took 
 grain to Harrisburg (on "an ark," on the Sus- 
 quehanna river), and returned on foot to his home 
 ad of 125 miles). On another occasion, 
 
 after attending court at Bellefonte. then the 
 county seat 1 about twenty-five miles from his 
 home), he walked back to Nittany Valley. He 
 was very neat and clean in person, was also cool 
 and calm in demeanor, and was a man of schol- 
 arly tasl \. i\ fond of books, and having 
 a broad know ledge of literature. His father had 
 lour sons, to each of whom he gave a farm, pro- 
 1 that the sons would pay half of its value to 
 there were also four daughters 
 in the family Samuel Furst built upon his land 
 an elegant brick residence, the brick used in its 
 burned upon his farm. He 
 delighted to surround his family with the com- 
 forts of life, and secured to them every advan- 
 A e,reat lover of nature, he was 
 fond of spending much time in the woods, and 
 I name all the varieties of birds and trees. 
 
SAMUEL FURST 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 717 
 
 His wife was particularly fond of poetry, a taste 
 she cultivated by extensive reading; she also 
 possessed a very fine soprano voice, which still 
 retained its sweetness when she had reached the 
 age of eighty years. His well-spent life and 
 kindly nature won to Samuel Furst the regard 
 of all who knew him, and at his death, which 
 occurred November 7, 1872, he was deeply 
 mourned. His wife passed away March 27, 
 18S5, and was laid by his side in Cedar Hall 
 cemetery. "The memory of the just is 
 blessed." 
 
 THOMAS CHRISTIE, an old-time agricult- 
 urist and lumberman of large experience, is 
 now numbered among the elderly residents of 
 Dunnstown, Woodward township, Clinton coun- 
 ty, by whose people he is held in that reverence 
 and respect tacitly accorded those whose lives 
 have been distinguished by integrity and use- 
 fulness. 
 
 Mr. Christie was born July 29, 181 3, in Black- 
 ville, New Brunswick, Canada, a son of Wesley 
 Christie, whose birth occurred on the banks of 
 the St. Johns river, in the same province, in 
 1792, and who was of English descent. In that 
 country the father engaged in lumbering until 
 twenty-six years of age, when he removed with 
 his family to Somerset county, Maine, where in 
 connection with that occupation he also worked 
 in a sawmill, followed farming and piloting rafts 
 of lumber on the rivers. He died in the State of 
 Maine, February 25, 1874, at a ripe old age, 
 honored and respected by all who knew him. 
 Politically he was first a Whig, and later a Re- 
 publican, while, religiously, he was a member of 
 the Free Will Baptist Church, to which his wife 
 also belonged. She bore the maiden name of 
 Sarah Weaver, was a native of Canada and of 
 Pennsylvania-German descent, and gave her hand 
 in marriage to Mr. Christie while residing in New 
 Brunswick. She also departed this life in Maine. 
 Our subject is the oldest of their seven children, 
 the others being as follows: Abigail was the wife 
 of Charles Dyer, both deceased; George W. is a 
 resident of Maine; Sarah was the wife of Israel 
 Dyer, both now deceased; Wesley is deceased; 
 Mary A. is in the West; and Barbara is the wife 
 of Henry Folley. 
 
 When only five years old Thomas Christie 
 was taken by his parents to Maine, where he at- 
 tended the township schools during the winter 
 months, while the summer season was devoted to 
 work in the woods or on the farm, his wages go- 
 ing toward the support of the family. At the 
 age of twenty he left home, having purchased 
 
 his time from his father for $70, and obtained a 
 position in a sawmill, where he received $16 per 
 month for night work. He continued to work in 
 the woods during the winter, hewing and cutting 
 timber and teaming with oxen until thirty-six 
 years of age, when he left Maine and came to 
 Dunnstown, Clinton Co., Penn., where he helped 
 to erect the West branch boom in 1852, was ap- 
 pointed by the court as scaler of logs for the 
 West Branch Boom Company, which position he 
 filled until 1859. He owned and operated a 
 farm in Dunstable township, Clinton county, 
 for some time. Since 1889, however, he has 
 lived retired at his pleasant home in Dunnstown, 
 enjoying the fruits of his former toil, while his 
 son-in-law, John N. Bitner, conducts the old 
 home farm. 
 
 In Harmony, Somerset county, Maine, in 
 1837, Mr. Christie was married to Miss Statira 
 Xutt, who was born in Lincoln county, that 
 State, in April, 181 3, a daughter of William and 
 Lucy (Avery) Nutt, the former of Irish and the 
 latter of English descent. By occupation her 
 father was a shoemaker. To Mr. and Mrs. 
 Christie have been born the following children: 
 (1) Laura V., born in Maine, was married in 
 1859 to John N. Bitner, a native of Clinton 
 county, Penn., and they have eight children — 
 Jennie, wife of J. A. Leitzel; Mary S., wife of 
 Andrew Nonenmacher; Nancy and Thomas, de- 
 ceased; Abigail, wifeof Morton Brown; Albert W. , 
 deceased; Ivie E., and Edward. (2) Thomas M., 
 of Jersey City, N. J., married Miss C. Herr, and 
 has four children — Winfield G., a pen artist, 
 employed in New York City; Eugenia married 
 William McCloskey; Charles, and Thomas. Jr. (3) 
 Perley M., an ice dealer, of Lock Haven, Penn., 
 married Sarah Varner. (4) William Wesley, of 
 Lock Haven, married Mary Beshler, and has one 
 child, a daughter, who married Edward Drawken 
 and they have four children: (5) Samuel is con- 
 nected with the Eastman Business College, of 
 Poughkeepsie, N. Y. His children are Mable, 
 Frederick, and Harry. (6) Abigail, and (7) Per- 
 ley, both died in childhood, and, last (8), Mar- 
 vin, deceased. 
 
 Mr. Christie cast his first Presidential vote for 
 the Whig candidate in 1846, and is now an ar- 
 dent Republican, having voted for William McKin- 
 ley at the last election, in 1896. He is an ear- 
 nest and faithful member of Christ's Church, has 
 taken an active part in its work, and has served 
 as teacher and superintendent of the Sunday- 
 school. He and his faithful wife have enjoyed 
 sixty years of happy married life, and their record 
 has been an honorable one, their years have been 
 fruitful with deeds of usefulness and kindness, 
 
718 
 
 ( OMMRMORATIVR BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 with malice toward none and friendliness toward 
 all who have come under their influence, and 
 they have gained the respect and honor of the 
 « hole community. 
 
 Our subject thu to the journey from 
 
 the Province to St. Albans, in Maine, and to 
 other reminiscences: 
 
 •• We left the southwest branch of Mirimichi 
 (my father, mother and three children — the 
 \V The only conveyance 
 
 was a birch canoe, thence up the river some 
 thirty miles to 1 vo; thence twenty miles 
 
 through the woods to a branch of the St. Johns 
 • river, called the Nashwalk, down that in the 
 canoe to the St. Johns, near]} opposite Freder- 
 ickton, up the river to the mouth of Eel river to 
 a certain point; thence another carry across into 
 a lake, one of the head waters of the St. Croix 
 river, across that, thence another carry into Bask- 
 
 gan lake, the head v. a branch called 
 
 i, down that into Matawamkeag, on 
 
 down into the i sixty miles to Orono, 
 
 wh irch canoe was left We then hired 
 
 a man by the name of George Need to take us to 
 
 lit miles, in a wagi m . then on h< 11 
 
 . through wo,,, is in a bushed road most of 
 the way, thirty miles t i St. Albans, mother car- 
 ry iin W. in her arms 
 
 " My litst lessons were learned in a vai 
 log house in summers and in barns two summers, 
 and in winters in private houses, never having a 
 
 school 1 se until I was eighteen years of age 
 
 and helped to make the brick to build one. the 
 tirst brick house in the township. 
 
 " In the fall of [827 a laughable incident oc- 
 curred, which I long since have 1 and 
 winch I will now ta ire in relating. We 
 were living in the west part of a house for that 
 father built one; he had bought 
 a pi round containing 100 acres adjoining 
 the on,- which we then occupied. My father, 
 with another man. his son and myself, were sit- 
 ting on a log in front ol the house, we heard : 
 
 rking in the direction | ol corn just out 
 
 of sight from the house. seon the dogs cami 
 sight, driving a large coon, every few yards hav- 
 ing a fight. They drove the coon passed wl 
 we sat. the n, a lad- 
 
 der standing inside, the 1 ion went up the ladder 
 and the dogs after him and across tli 
 whl ild lady and S ddren were still 
 
 g on their pillows. Thi a fight, 
 
 and in it si se boards w I ; down 
 
 went coon and dogS on the old lady and child] 
 
 h music was and I 1 
 
 heard the lil When the dooi med 
 
 out came Mr. Coon and dogs, and the old gen- 
 
 tleman took the poker-stick and made short life 
 of Mr. Coon. So ended the laughable story of 
 coon and dogs." 
 
 BM FIELD, who for more than a third of 
 a century has been a most active and en- 
 terprising business man of Lock Haven, Clinton 
 county, and during that period an extensive coal- 
 dealer, is a native of the State of New Jersey, 
 born in June. 1K23. 
 
 I Im and Margaret (Paulsen) Field, his par- 
 ents, were natives ol New Jersey. John Field 
 came to Pennsylvania and located in Lycoming 
 county. He was by occupation a contractor 
 and builder of internal improvements and was 
 engaged in work on a number of railroads and 
 canals built in his time in that section of the 
 State. He was a man of considerable ener^v 
 and push, and somewhat reserved in manner; 
 was quiet and made no display. Field station 
 and post office were named after this family. 
 
 B. M. Field, in bis boyhood, had the ad- 
 vantages of the Williamsport schools, in which 
 he obtained a fair English education. After 
 leaving school he became engaged in railroading 
 for a time, and then was a foreman and coti- 
 
 tor for many years, and built the rail r 
 running from Sunbury through to Erie, Penn. 
 In [867 he began dealing in coal, and has con- 
 tinued in that business from that time to the 
 present. He has been an enterprising and pro- 
 
 sive citizen, and figured in various lines in 
 the development of Clinton county and Lock 
 Haven. He was one of the organizers of the 
 State Bank of Lock Haven, which was a pros- 
 perous institution for many years, but which 
 owing to some bad loans made was closed in 
 
 J, Mr. Field was instrumental in organizing 
 the Lock Haven Trust Company, which is in a 
 flourishing condition, and is one of the substan- 
 tial concerns of the place. He is a stockholder 
 in this bank. II has been a prominent pro- 
 moter of many enterprises in the city of his 
 
 ption, which has added to its wealth and 
 
 beauty. Hi 1 good acquisition, and has 
 
 pro ilways interested in everything 
 
 taining to the borough's advancement. He 
 
 is not 1 of any Church, but is liberal to 
 
 all. In politics he i Democrat, opposed to 
 
 all monopolii Hi was one of the organizers 
 
 of the Lock Haven Power & Steam Co., and is 
 
 ted with it. Our subject has 
 
 never married, and for twenty-two years he has 
 
 with " Uncle" Peter Meitzler, a genial 
 
 and accommodating landlord of Lock Haven. 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 719 
 
 JOHN N. GETZ, Jr., of Lock Haven, Clinton 
 county, where he has for twenty odd years 
 been a dealer in agricultural implements, 
 wagons, buggies, etc., enjoying the confidence 
 and esteem of his fellow-townsmen, and of his 
 patrons from far and near, is a native of Dun- 
 stable township, Clinton county, born August 15, 
 1847. 
 
 Jacob Getz, his father, and Catherine (Deise) 
 Getz, his mother, are highly-esteemed farmers 
 residing in the county in ease and comfort, and 
 passing the evening of their lives surrounded by 
 their children. The father is now in his seventy- 
 eighth year, and the mother in her seventy-sixth. 
 Both are natives of Pennsylvania, where their 
 long lives have been passed. Jacob Getz has 
 been engaged in agricultural pursuits chiefly, and 
 has done much toward the development of the 
 section in which he has resided. Having man- 
 aged his own business affairs successfully, he was 
 a fit man to look after the affairs of the county, in 
 which he has been somewhat prominent, and the 
 people elected him to the office of county com- 
 missioner, and re-elected him on two occasions, 
 giving him a service of three terms. He served 
 in this important position very acceptably, exer- 
 cising good judgment. Five of the eight children 
 of this couple are yet living, namely: John N. 
 (our subject), Mary E. (Mrs. Henry C. Ohl), 
 George A., Sarah C. ■ and Charles D. Those 
 deceased are: Margaret and Annie (both of whom 
 died in infancy), and Henrietta (who grew to 
 womanhood, and died in 1896). 
 
 John N. Getz, Jr., was reared on a farm, and 
 had only the school privileges given to the general 
 farmers' sons, that of neighborhood district 
 schools. He remained on the home farm until 
 he was twenty-one years of age, when he became 
 engaged in school teaching, having by diligent 
 study prepared himself for the profession. This 
 vocation he followed most successfully for seven 
 years, and gained the reputation of being a com- 
 petent instructor and a good disciplinarian. Dur- 
 ing this period he gained a good knowledge of 
 human nature, which served him well in after 
 business life. On leaving the schoolroom he was 
 employed as a lumber accountant in the lumber 
 business for two years, then embarked in his 
 present business at Lock Haven. This business 
 he has most carefully given his attention and 
 efforts to until he has become one of the substan- 
 tial men of the place, and the business one of the 
 leading ones of its kind in this locality. He 
 handles the Conklin wagon, the Cortland spring 
 wagons, fine top buggies, road wagons, Oliver 
 plows, spring harrows, Hench cultivators, Os- 
 borne harvesters, Tiger hay- rakes, Superior drills, 
 
 steel land-rollers, corn-planters, corn-shellers, 
 feed-cutters, pumps, phosphate, etc. 
 
 On November 27, 1S95, Mr. Getz was mar- 
 ried to Alice M. Dunkle, a daughter of Ira Dunkle, 
 of Ames, N. Y. ; she was horn May 26, 1858, at 
 Frey's Bush, N. Y. The parents are members 
 of the M. E. Church. In politics Mr. Getz is a 
 Democrat. 
 
 m 
 
 j\AMIEN LACHAT. Courteous, obliging, gen- 
 jy ial, and socially inclined is the gentleman 
 whose name opens this sketch, requisites for a 
 popular landlord, which he is, being the propri- 
 etor of the " Clearfield House " at Lock Haven, 
 Clinton county, and the dispenser of an open 
 hospitality at that hostelry. 
 
 George and Catherine (Bron) Lachat, his 
 parents, were born and reared in Switzerland, 
 the father born September 18, 1805, at Mont- 
 sevelier, Canton de Berne, and the mother born 
 April 9, 18 19, at Montsevelier, Canton de Berne. 
 They came to America in 1852, located at Louis- 
 ville, Stark Co., Ohio, and in 1S60 settled in 
 Frenchville, Clearfield county, Penn., where the 
 father died February 18, 1872. By occupation he 
 was a laborer — a plain man of good hard sense, 
 kindly-disposed and charitable to all. His good 
 wife, though now nearing the eightieth mile-stone 
 on the journey of life, is well-preserved, and bids 
 fair to be with her children some years yet. She 
 makes her home with and is tenderly cared for 
 by our subject. Her children now living are: 
 Leonard, Mary, Frank, Emelie, and Damien 
 (our subject). 
 
 Damien Lachat was born March 6, 1847, in 
 Switzerland. His parents were poor and he had 
 no educational privileges, not having attended 
 school at all. At the early age of nine years he 
 began working out, doing chores, milking, etc., 
 for which the first year he received his board and 
 clothes, and for the second year, one dollar per 
 month and he clothed himself. During the year 
 he saved nine dollars of the twelve received. On 
 coming to Pennsylvania, in i860, he began work- 
 ing in the woods getting out timber; this con- 
 tinued to be his occupation until thirty-five years 
 old, and, in 1881, he went into the hotel busi- 
 ness at Lock Haven. This business he has fol- 
 lowed ever since, and he has prospered in it. 
 Beginning life poor and without any knowledge 
 whatever of books, unaided, he has risen to an 
 independence pecuniarily, and become a well- 
 informed man. He is an example of what one 
 can accomplish when he sets out in life with a 
 fixed purpose and determination to succeed. The 
 " Clearfield House " is a neat and substantial one, 
 

 '-v\/ VORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 and gu< ping there will ne\ Lway 
 
 hungry. 
 
 On Api - 1 1 . Mr. Lachat was mai 
 
 to Louise Tourdain, a native of Alsace, Fran 
 
 :i August 29, [862, and five children h 
 
 ne to them: George, Mary, Anna, Fredd 
 
 and Charles. The parents are identified with 
 
 Roman ( atholii 1 hurch. Mr. Lachat votes 
 th. ! 
 
 silver. 
 
 FERDINAND C. LUCAS The popular pro- 
 prietor and opi 1 the Castanea Brew- 
 en', Clinton county, with residence at Lock 
 Haven, in a very fine home erected in 1896, and 
 owned by him, was born February 9, \^Gz, in 
 Germany, 
 
 Christian and Hannah (Galverinan Lucas, 
 In- parents, were also natives of Germany, where 
 the) resided until coming to America in 1S70, 
 
 j in Allegheny county, Fenn., where they 
 have ever since resided. Christian Lucas was in 
 
 ploy of the Pennsylvania Salt Manufactur- 
 ing ' watchman for some twenty-five years, 
 which remarkably long term of service for the 
 
 impany is, of itself, evidence of his faith- 
 fulness to duty and of bis employers' confidence 
 in him. He and Ins wife are now living in re- 
 tirement, enjoying the fruits of their early toil. 
 I hey are the parents of six children, four of 
 whom are living, namely: Ferdinand C, Will- 
 iam (.'., Henry H. and Charles J., all residents 
 Allegheny county, excepting 
 
 linand C. Luc:! .\ his education 
 
 in the schools of Nation. 1, Penn., and at the 
 
 : went to Steubenville, Ohio, where 
 
 he learned the bakery trade, and followed it 
 
 e three j lb' then went to Pittsburg, 
 
 :i., when- he worked for a time at tie 
 111- In the fall of 1883 he 1 
 1 . ■ Haven, and in partnership with W. 
 
 Luther took Id Fabel brewery at 
 
 l"he business was conducted by this 
 firm for eighteen 1 itbs, when Mr. Lucas pur- 
 chased his partner's interest, and h 
 
 ried on the business inn-elf. in [888 he 
 
 I the Old brewery building, and erected I 
 
 ■nt lar:,- tus structure. The 
 
 bre it) of 10,000 barrels per an- 
 
 num, employment being given to 51 vera! hands, 
 
 luct is principally sold in Lock i 
 ven, thereby keeping all the money used in con- 
 tion with the operation of the plant at hon 
 May 24. 1885, our subject was united in 
 with Li misa Wi llingi 1 . win 1 was bi irn 
 
 iruary 29, 1S64, in Pittsburg, a daughter of 
 fohn G. Wellinger, of that city, and two sons 
 ami one daughter have 1 rn to this union, 
 
 namely: Ferdinand C, Jr., John G. and Claire 
 M. The parents are members of the German 
 Lutheran Church, and their children have all 
 
 1 baptized in that faith. Socially Mr. Lucas 
 is a member of the K. of P., the Knights of the 
 Golden Eagle and the B. P. O. E. In politics 
 he is a Democrat, and is opposed to all monopo- 
 lies. Hehashe\'i sought public office. Begin- 
 ning life without anything, he early became self- 
 supporting and self-reliant, and has gradually 
 forged to the front until he is well-to-do pecun- 
 iarily, and has attained a position in the com- 
 munity that commands the respect of his fellow 
 citizens. 
 
 MICHAEL D. ROCKEY. There is particu- 
 lar satisfaction in reverting to the life his- 
 tory of this honored and venerable gentleman, 
 since his mind bears impress of the historical an- 
 nals of this section of the State from the early 
 pioneer days, and from the fact that he is one of 
 the honored and highly respected citizens of Lo- 
 
 townshi] Valley, Clinton counts . 
 
 Mr. Hockey svas born March 22, 1S15, in 
 Gregg township, George's Valley, Centre Co., 
 Penn., and on the paternal side is of Scotch-Irish 
 descent. His grandfather, David Kockey, was a 
 native of Ireland, and on coming to this country 
 he located in Delasvare county, svhere he fol- 
 lowed farming throughout the greater part of his 
 life, but he spent his last days near Pleasant 
 
 . in Centre county, when his death occurred. 
 He was buried near Bellefonte. His political 
 suppi nt v. ii the 1 lemoi 1 
 
 1m net Rockey, our subject's father, svas a 
 native of Delasvare county, svhere he was 
 reared, educated, and learned the tanner's trade. 
 In early life he moved to George's Valley, near 
 
 Creek, Centre county, svhere he worked as a 
 until the spring of 1S1S, when he moved 
 with his family to Brush Valley, near Spring 
 Lank, where he built a house and bam. cleared 
 land and farmed until, in the spring of 1S26, he 
 moved to Sugar Valley on a farm in the Morgan 
 Survey, and in the fall ol 1 S s 2 he bough) a trad 
 "t woodland, and in the spring of 1833 nn 
 
 1 it. This he cleared and improved, build- 
 ing thereon a house and barn. He farmed this 
 land until the time of his death — January 26, 
 
 H recognized as one of the n 
 
 industrious, honest and highly respected citi/ 
 of the community. His remains svere interred 
 in the Tylerville cemetery. In politics he svas a 
 
/ 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 721 
 
 Democrat, and in his Church relations was con- 
 nected with the Evangelical Association, to which 
 his wife also belonged. 
 
 In Delaware county, Barnet Rockey had 
 married Margaret Danton, who was born near 
 Baltimore, Md., in 1776, and died in Rock 
 Grove, 111., in 1877, at the extreme old age of 
 one hundred and one. They were the parents of 
 nine children: Abram and Jacob (deceased); 
 Elizabeth, wife of William Burnet (both de- 
 ceased); Michael D. , of this review; John, a res- 
 ident of Illinois; Susanna, wife of John Myers, of 
 Illinois, where both died; Henry (deceased); 
 David, of Rock Grove, Illinois; and William, of 
 Nora, Illinois. 
 
 Although our subject is a well-informed man, 
 he is almost wholly self-educated, as the sub- 
 scription schools which he attended in Brush and 
 Sugar Valleys were much inferior to the schools 
 of the present day. Until twenty-two years of 
 age he remained under the parental roof, helping 
 his father to clear the land, and later he worked 
 as a farm hand in Sugar Valley for about thirty 
 years. In 1850 he returned to the old home- 
 stead, which he operated until 1869, and then 
 removed to his present home, having previously 
 erected his residence, and leaving his only son 
 in charge of the farm. In 1881 he retired from 
 active farm labor, and is now enjoying a well- 
 earned rest. He built the first house in Tylers- 
 ville, in 1842, and also bought a farm there, 
 which is now occupied by his son-in-law, Dr. 
 Hubler. 
 
 In Logan township, Clinton county, Mr. 
 Rockey was married to Miss Amelia Kleckner, 
 who was born in Loyalton, Penn., October 3, 
 1 8 1 8, a daughter of Abram and Emma (Gill) 
 Kleckner, the former of English descent and a 
 cooper by occupation. Seven children graced 
 this union: Mary C, at home; William B., who 
 married Clarissa Rishel, and has three sons; 
 Elizabeth J., who died in childhood; Sarah A., 
 wife of Dr. Hubler, of Tylersville; Frances H., 
 wife of W. H. Rishel; Esther A., who died when 
 young; and Martha J., at home. The son still 
 continues to operate the old homestead farm, 
 and is a Democrat in politics. The mother de- 
 parted this life March 4, 1894, and was buried at 
 Tylersville. On October 11, 1896, Mr. Rockey 
 was again married, this time to Magdalena Hub- 
 ler, a native of Penn's Valley, Centre county, 
 a daughter of Jacob Hubler and widow of John 
 Funk. 
 
 Our subject has always been an ardent sup- 
 porter of the principles of the Democratic party, 
 and in 1848 was elected justice of the peace in 
 Logan township, which office he most efficiently 
 
 46* 
 
 filled for a quarter of a century, during which 
 time he married over sixty couples, and out of 
 the 1, 500 cases tried before him none were ever 
 taken before the higher courts, so impartial and 
 just were his decisions. For four years he also 
 served as notary public, has been overseer of the 
 poor, constable five years, and in fact filled every 
 township office with the exception of supervisor, 
 which he declined. As a member of the Evan- 
 gelical Association, he has been a leader in 
 Church and Sunday-school work, and for some 
 time served as superintendent of the Sunday- 
 school. No man in his community enjoys the 
 confidence and esteem of the people in a greater 
 degree than Michael D. Rockey. 
 
 Wilson H. Rishel, our subject's son-in-law, 
 was born in Logan township, October 3, 1853, an d 
 is a grandson of Daniel Rishel, who spent his en- 
 tire life in Miles township Centre county, and 
 followed the occupation of farming. He married 
 a Miss Poorman, by whom he had eleven children: 
 Jacob P.; Catharine, wife of J. Shull; Ann, wife 
 of Jacob Sliner; Susan, wife of Peter Heckman; 
 Daniel; Elizabeth, wife of Henry Shull; Michael; 
 Peter; Christina, wife of David Shaffer; Mary, 
 wife of Samuel Foust; and Henry. Both par- 
 ents died in Centre county, the father at the age 
 of eighty-three. 
 
 Jacob P. Rishel, father of Wilson H., was 
 born in 1817, in Miles township, Centre county, 
 where he was reared and educated. On coming 
 to Sugar Valley, Clinton county, he located on 
 the Spangler farm of ninety acres in Logan town- 
 ship, where he followed farming and lumbering 
 until 1874. when he laid aside business cares and 
 built a residence on another part of his farm. 
 There he spent his remaining days, dying Sep- 
 tember 14, 1896, but his wife is still living at 
 that place, and enjoys excellent health for one of 
 her years. In politics he was a Democrat, in re- 
 ligious belief a Lutheran, and he served as elder 
 in the Church and superintendent of the Sunday- 
 school. He also filled the offices of overseer of 
 the poor, and school director, and was widely and 
 favorably known. He was married in Miles 
 township, Centre county, in 1847, to Miss Mary 
 Bressler, who was born October 21, 1821, a 
 daughter of Michael and Ann (Spangler) Bress- 
 ler, and to them were born six children: Claris- 
 sa, wife of William Rockey, son of our subject; 
 Joan, wife of Lewis Jackson, of Lock Haven; 
 Wilson H.; Mary E., wife of Calvin H. Creps; 
 Dervin D., a lumberman; and one who died in in- 
 fancy. 
 
 Wilson H. Rishel was educated in the public 
 schools of Logan township, Clinton county, and 
 has spent his entire life on his father's farm, tak- 
 

 i OMMBMORATIVB BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 ing charge of the same on the latter's retirement 
 in i s 7 3 . ;md since operating it with good success. 
 He purchased the place in 1896, and has made 
 many good improvements thereon. In 1873 he 
 was married to Miss Frances II Rockey, and 
 they have become the parents ol six children: 
 Hat tie V. , wife of Henry A. Karchner, by whom she 
 has two children, Harold C. and Helen C. ; [ai 
 1 . \\ ■ liam A. ; II any ('. . Harvej J .and RoyR. , 
 
 who died in childh I. The family is c mne 
 
 with the Lutheran Church, and Mr. Rishel has 
 sen deacon. Sunday-school I and 
 
 teacher P he is identified with the 
 
 1 >ei party, and, socially, he affili; 
 
 with the fndi penden Id Fellows. I !■ 
 
 in his i" 1 his gram ■ k, now 
 
 over 120 years old, which has been hand id down 
 tothe eldest son in the Rishel family, and i 
 much-pi 1 :ed heii loom. 
 
 TIloMAs EDWARD ROACH, M D., who 
 is engaged in the practice of mi 
 »vo, was born in Lock Haven, Clinton ( 
 Penn., in 1 865, .1 si »n 1 >l \\ illiam and 
 
 ich, both of whom were natives ol 
 Ireland, whence thej came to America in ei 
 life, afterwai ter part of ti 
 
 days in Clinton c< mntj I h father wa- 
 in lumbering, railn ting and 
 building. He was a quiet, unassuming citizen, 
 devoting his attention principally to his busin 
 interests, and 1>\ his well-spent life commanding 
 the respect of those with wh he came in con- 
 tact. He died in 1894, " l ' 1 bis wife passed 
 They had a (amilj of si 
 
 nt ol Renovo, Penn. ; 
 I ' Thomas I |< dm F., who 1- a 1 mal 
 
 ball player and resides in P [11. ; Will 
 
 H , a druggist in Driftw I, Penn.; Michael S., 
 
 a professional ball living in Hartford, 
 
 Conn. ; and Charles 1 I living at Ni irth 
 
 Bend. Pennsylvai 
 
 I ! i whose name opens this review, 
 
 I In- earlj education 111 the public scb 
 
 ' w I. Penn. , and at the age ol sixt 
 
 employed bj the Pennsylvania Raih 
 npany as telegraph operati >r at Emp 
 P( nn . whi re lie remained until reaching 
 of twenty-one, when he lookup the studj 
 medicine under the direi tion ol 61 S S. smith. 
 ol Emporium, Penn. IL subsequently enti 
 the College ol Physicians and Sui of Chi- 
 
 cago, III., the medical department of the I'ni- 
 versity of Illinois, and was in that 
 
 institution in March, 1890. Hi at oni 
 
 the practice of his profession in Renovo, Penn., 
 where he has since continued, meeting with 
 marked success in his undertakings. He is well 
 in the science of medicine and surgery, 
 and in the application of their principles to the 
 alleviation of human suffering, has given evidence 
 of his superior ability in his chosen calling. 
 
 In his political views Dr. Roach is a Demo- 
 crat, and in religious belief is a Catholic. 1! 
 a gentleman of sterling worth, and has n 
 warm friends. 
 
 ANDREW NO WL AND, an industrious and 
 thrifty farmer and stock-raiser residing in 
 Gallagher township. Clinton county, was born in 
 ttlement in that township, March 20. 
 
 His grandfather, Andrew Nowland, Sr . w 
 native of County Wexford, Ireland, and a farmer 
 by 01 cupation. Before leaving the Line raid Isle, 
 he married a Miss Redmond, by whom he had 
 six children: John, the father of our subject, 
 Mary, wife of Jacob Shoemaker; Ann. wife of 
 Petei Connoway; Julia, widow of Owen Malone; 
 
 n. wife of Michael Morrison, both of whom 
 died in Belief on te; and one son, who died in in- 
 fancy. The father and family landed in Canada. 
 where he remained for a time, then moved to 
 New York, thence went to Llmira. thence to 
 Mill, where he kept a grocery store tor a 
 number of years. From Sandy Hill he moved to 
 Gallagher township, Clinton Co.. Penn.. where 
 he acquired a good farm, and on his retirement 
 he occasionally made a trip to Harrisburg to see 
 the governor Andrew G. Curtin. Mr. Nowland 
 was educated in a college at Dublin for the 
 priesthood. He spoke three languages fluently. 
 Ill- education was completed in England. On 
 returning home lie met Miss Redmond, fell in 
 love with her. gave up the idea of becominj 
 1 priest, married her, and they lived most happily 
 together until separated by death. 
 
 It is narrated by our subject that Andrew 
 Nowland, Sr. , with wife and four children set 
 sail from the 1 merald Isle March 20, 1830, in 
 an old man-of-war Styled " Totinghani." com- 
 manded by < apt. Spencer, the tirst mate bei 
 1 Ml D tirst cousin to the grandmother 
 
 of th" subject of this sketch;. While crossing 
 the ocean the vessel sprang a leak, and the captain 
 toa lif< I" '.a. Doyle, howei 
 I by the vessel and saved her and the pas- 
 On the landing of the ship in the har- 
 bor the captain was discharged, and the m 
 D03 ■ - promoted to the captaincy of the 
 Doyle made one more trip with 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 723 
 
 the " Totingham," when the old ship was 
 abandoned and set afloat. The captain then 
 had a boat of his own built, called the " Mary," 
 at the masthead of which was a woman five feet 
 in height. 
 
 On coming to Clinton county Andrew Now- 
 land, Sr. , purchased some 400 acres of timber 
 land. He cleared about seventy-five acres and 
 successfully engaged in farming and lumbering. 
 A few years before his death he retired at the 
 home of his daughter (Mrs. Morrison) in Belle- 
 fonte, where he died in 1870, and was buried in 
 the Catholic cemetery there. He was a devout 
 member of the Catholic Church, was a Demo- 
 crat in politics, and for a number of years served 
 as justice of the peace in Gallagher township. 
 
 John Nowland was also born in Ireland, where 
 he received only a limited education. He ac- 
 companied his parents on their emigration to the 
 New World, and with his father engaged in lum- 
 bering and farming until twenty-four years of age, 
 when he bought 300 acres from James Wilson, 
 of Jersey Shore, Penn., 200 of which he cleared 
 and transformed into a fine farm after several 
 years of active and arduous labor. He made all 
 of the improvements upon his land, including a 
 comfortable residence and substantial outbuild- 
 ings. He also bought 1,800 acres of timberland 
 in the same township, erected thereon a sawmill 
 and engaged in the manufacture of lumber, 
 which he shipped in rafts down the Susquehanna 
 river to Marietta and Columbia. He continued 
 the improvement and cultivation of his property 
 until life's labors ended in 1892, and he was laid 
 to rest in the Catholic cemetery of Lock Haven. 
 Politically, he was a strong Democrat, and most 
 creditably filled the offices of tax collector, as- 
 sessor and overseer of the poor in Gallagher town- 
 ship. His wife departed this life in 1870. Both 
 were consistent members of the Catholic Church, 
 to which their children also belong, and no couple 
 in Gallagher township were more highly respected 
 or were more deserving the high regard in which 
 they were held. 
 
 Mrs. John Nowland bore the maiden name of 
 Ellen Lovett, and was born in Ireland, a daugh- 
 ter of John Lovett, who became a farmer of Gal- 
 lagher township, Clinton Co., Penn., where she 
 gave her hand in marriage to the father of our 
 subject. Nine children blessed their union, 
 namely: (1) James R. remained at home with 
 his father until after he became twenty-one years 
 of age. He then started out in life for himself, 
 carrying on a lumber business until his marriage, 
 in 1884, to Sadie Conway, daughter of Peter and 
 Ann Conway, of Gallagher township, Clinton 
 county. James R. then purchased of his father 
 
 160 acres of land in Gallagher township — the 
 homestead of the grandfather, Andrew Nowland. 
 He became a prosperous and influential citizen, 
 and at his death, which occurred April 6, 1889, 
 he left many friends, who held him in the highest 
 esteem. He most acceptably filled several local 
 offices, among them tax collector, j dge of elec- 
 tions and juryman. He left surviving him a 
 widow and one child — James Edward, a prom- 
 ising boy. (2) Hannah is the wife of Matthew 
 Harber, a justice of the peace of Gallagher town- 
 ship. (3) Annie is the deceased wife of Taylor 
 Krider. (4) Ellen is the wife of Jacob Sands, of 
 Gallagher township. (5) Andrew is the subject 
 of this sketch. (6) John J. is supervisor of that 
 township, married Jennie Packard and has one 
 child, Emily. (7) Mary is the wife of John 
 Lovett. (8) George married Jennie Conklin, 
 and lives in Castanea, Clinton county. (9) Joseph 
 married Frances Muhenen, and resides in Galla- 
 gher township. 
 
 The public schools of Gallagher township 
 afforded our subject his educational privileges, 
 and at an early age he began working on the 
 homestead with his father at lumbering. After 
 he had attained his majority he spent three years 
 in the lumber woods, principally in Clinton coun- 
 ty, in the employ of others, and then returned to 
 Gallagher township. Since 1890 he has had 
 charge of the old home farm, which he has suc- 
 cessfully operated, and he also devotes consider- 
 able attention to stock-raising with most gratify- 
 ing results. He has 175 acres placed under a 
 high state of cultivation, and he also owns a 
 tract of 400 acres of timber land. 
 
 In November, 1896, Mr. Nowland was mar- 
 ried in Lock Haven to Miss Jennie Shoemaker, a 
 native of Woodward township, Clinton county, 
 and a daughter of Peter J. Shoemaker. Like 
 his parents, Mr. Nowland is a member of the 
 Catholic Church, and his political support is un- 
 swervingly given to the Democratic party. He 
 is sober, industrious and progressive, and all who 
 know him entertain for him the highest respect. 
 
 Mr. Nowland's land is underlaid with the 
 finest fire-clay and coal, and the minerals have 
 been analyzed. There are sixteen feet of fire 
 clay and a quantity of coal on the lands; also 
 other minerals have been found which resemble 
 silver and lead. 
 
 HH. MOTHERSBAUGH, M. D., who since 
 _ 1879 has engaged in the practice of medi- 
 cine in Beech Creek, was born in Hollidaysburg, 
 Blair Co., Penn., in 1841, a son of Daniel and 
 Eleanor (Riem) Mothersbaugh, who spent their 
 
724 
 
 ( OMMBMORATITE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 entire lives in this State, the father devoting his 
 enei agricultural pursuits He was de- 
 
 scended 1 1 ■ m i .erman ancestry, and his wife 
 ,,\ S( otch lini I le took quite an active part 
 
 in local and Chunh affairs, and died in i - 
 His wife, surviving him for several years, died in 
 i s 7 2 . Their children are: Daniel, Eleanor, Mrs 
 Susan Lank. i. Mrs. Mary Rhinesmith, H. II.. 
 L. K . M C, Mrs Friscilla Glenn and Amanda. 
 
 The Doctor was reared on his father's farm, 
 and acquired an education in thecominon 
 and academv. and at the State Agricultural 
 ntre county. He read medicine 
 under the direction o) Dr. Fisher, ol Boals- 
 burg, ( entre county, and was graduated from the 
 1 nnsylvania University at Philadelphia, with 
 the class of 1879. Immediate!) afterward he 
 cami ' Beech 1 reek, where he has since fol- 
 d his profession with marked success. 
 
 1»: Mothersbaugh was married, in 1875, to 
 Miss Susan C. Hartswick, of Boalsburg, and two 
 children -raced this union: Mary and Robert. 
 The parents are leading and influential members 
 of the Presbyterian Church, in which the D01 toi 
 is now serving as trustee. I 1 his political 
 
 support to the men and measures of the Repub- 
 lican part)', Imt bas never been an aspirant for 
 office He keeps abreast with all the improve- 
 ments of the profession by his membership in the 
 Clinton Count) Medical Society, the Medical 
 Society of the West Branch, and the stale M i 
 ical Association. He is well versed in his call- 
 in-, and his ability to successfully apply the prin- 
 ciples ol up.!;, me to the alleviation of human 
 suffering has gained turn an enviable place anion- 
 those who devote their lives to the noble work. 
 His in. inner is pleasant and kindly, and his ster- 
 ling worth has won foi him the esteem of a large 
 circle of friends. 
 
 riU.IAM O'DWYER, iol theself-made 
 
 menol R< novo, whose early home wa 
 the . ah. 1 side life 
 
 without othi il than his strong hands and 
 
 ■ lute will, and m Ins undertakings prospered, 
 but he has now laid aside all busii 
 
 Born January I, 1839, in Count) (hue. In- 
 land. Mr, O'l >wyei 1- a son ol Mi< h tel and Mar- 
 garet (Kelly) O'Dwyer, also natives of Ireland, 
 who in 1865 emigrated 1 • America and located in 
 Ren ! mi. , wh« 1 pent then remain 
 
 d.iv>. In less than a \eu alter his arrival, the 
 father, whose hearing was impaired, was walking 
 along the Pennsylvania railroad track when a 
 me sliding down from the mountain top 
 upon him and broke one of his legs, and other- 
 
 wise injured him so that he died eleven d 
 later. His wife long survived him. passing away 
 in April, 1886. She left three children: Will- 
 iam; Michael D., a merchant of Renovo; and 
 Catherine, wife of Daniel Hayes. 
 
 The opportunities afforded our subject for ob- 
 taining an education were very limited, and on 
 starting out in life for himself he worked as a 
 common laborer in his native land until 1862, 
 when he crossed the Atlantic and took up his 
 
 lence in Renovo. For a time he worked on 
 bridges, in mills, or at anything which he could 
 find to do, including railroading, but in 1869 he 
 embarked in the coal business in Renovo, which 
 he successfully followed for twenty years. In 
 [872 he also started a store, and was actively en- 
 gaged in both lines of business until 1889, when 
 he retired to private life. He met with excel- 
 lent success in his operations, and he was of an 
 industrious, economical nature, and has never 
 v.t had occasion to regret his emigration to 
 America, for here he has secured a good home 
 and a comfortable competence which enable him 
 to spend his declining days in peace and quiet 
 
 < )n February J 5, 1 S79, Mr. O'Dwyer was joined 
 in wedlock to Miss Susanna McNamara, also a 
 native of County Clare, Ireland, and a daughter 
 ol Patrick and Bridget (Birmingham I McNamara. 
 The mother spent her entire life in Ireland, dying 
 there Dec mber 22, 1S72, but the father later 
 came to America, where his death occurred N 
 
 nber 24, [890. In their family were six chil- 
 dren, five of whom are now living: Mary, wife of 
 1 Mulvihill; Nora, wife of Patrick Henry Duffy; 
 Susanna, wife of our subject; Anna, wife of C. 
 Mcllhenny, a resident of Philadelphia; James, of 
 Renovo; and Bridget, of Chicago. Mrs. Nora 
 Duffy died March 17, 1897. Nine children 
 blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. O'Dwyer, but 
 only five are now living. In order of birth they 
 were as follows: Alice Frances, Charlotte Ann, 
 Lisnori, Margaret Mary and Agnes Theresa. 
 The parents are members of the Roman Catholic 
 ' hurch, and in politics Mr. O'Dwyer is an ar- 
 dent Democrat. He has the respect and esteem 
 1 who know him, and has made many friends 
 in his adopt, d . . >untry. 
 
 FRANK HARVEY, of Renovo. Clinton coun- 
 ty, is th.' possessor of a handsome property 
 which now enables him to spend his years in the 
 pleasureable enjoyment of his accumulations. 
 The record ..f his life is that of an active, en- 
 terprising, methodical and sagacious busin 
 man, who bent his energies to the honorable 
 quirement of a comfortable competence for 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 725 
 
 himself and family. He was left an orphan at 
 an early age, and without capital started out to 
 overcome the difficulties and obstacles in the 
 path to prosperity. His youthful dreams have 
 been realized, and in their happy fulfillment he 
 sees the fitting reward of his earnest toil. 
 
 Mr. Harvey was born in 1 842, in Ireland, a son 
 of Richard and Mary (McNeelus) Harvey, also na- 
 tives of that country, where the mother died six 
 weeks after the birth of our subject. In 1849 
 the father immigrated to the United States and 
 took up his residence in Allegany county, Md., 
 where he continued to make his home until he, 
 too, was called to his final rest in 1856. Only 
 two sons are now living: James, still a resident 
 of Maryland; and Frank, of this review. 
 
 To a limited extent Frank Harvey attended 
 the public schools of Maryland, but the terms 
 were short and the teachers very incompetent. 
 After his father's death he became a driver in 
 the mines, and, subsequently, engaged in rail- 
 roading until after the outbreak of the Civil war, 
 being in the employ of the Broadtop Railroad 
 Company. The superintendent of the road, J. 
 J. Lawrence, organized a company in 1862, 
 which Mr. Harvey joined, it becoming Company 
 F, 125th P. V. I., under Col. Jacob Higgins. 
 For nine months our subject was in active serv- 
 ice, and on the expiration of his term he, with 
 the other employees of the road which formed 
 the company, were re-instated, as was also the 
 superintendent. In 1864, when Mr. Lawrence 
 was transferred to the Sunbury & Erie, now the 
 Philadelphia & Erie railroad, he took with him, 
 among other employees, Mr. Harvey, who served 
 as engineer on that road until December 31, 
 1869, when he retired from the business. He 
 has since been one of the important factors in 
 the upbuilding and development of Renovo, 
 being prominently connected with a number of 
 its leading enterprises. He erected the "Ex- 
 change Hotel," one of the most commodious 
 hostelries in the place, and also built the water 
 works. 
 
 In 1867 Mr. Harvey was united in marriage 
 with Miss Susan, daughter of Dr. Thomas Kane, 
 a native of Ireland, and to them were born seven 
 children, of whom six are still living: Mary, 
 now the wife of A. P. Hassett, of Johnsonburg, 
 Penn. ; John F., who married M. A. Burgess, 
 and also resides in Johnsonburg; Nellie; Thomas 
 E., a railroad fireman; Frank, who is clerking in 
 a store in Johnsonburg; and Charles Pattison, 
 who is attending the Renovo High School. 
 
 Mr. Harvey and his family are all communi- 
 cants of the Catholic Church, and in politics he 
 has always been identified with the Democratic 
 
 party. He has made a careful study of political 
 matters, and has done much to promote his party's 
 interests and insure its success. His fellow-cit- 
 izens, recognizing his worth and ability, have 
 called upon him twice to serve as burgess of Re- 
 novo, and in 1885 he was appointed by Presi- 
 dent Cleveland to fill an unexpired term as post- 
 master, and was later re-appointed for a full term, 
 creditably serving in that position until 1890. As 
 a contractor he has been interested in railroad 
 work, such as laying tracks, building bridges, 
 grading etc. Being a successful man of business, 
 his ability to advise what is best for the general 
 welfare should be and is greater than that of an 
 individual whose scope is more limited. He has 
 made good use of his opportunities throughout 
 life, and is still vigorous and well preserved, with 
 a remarkable faculty for the conduct and dispatch 
 of business. 
 
 w 
 
 ILLIAM SCOTT HARRIS. Of 
 the younger men of Lock Haven, who 
 have come to the front in the business circle of 
 that enterprising city, Mr. Harris is deserving of 
 mention. 
 
 Jacob G. Harris, his father, is now a retired 
 merchant of Lock Haven, a man held in high 
 esteem by a wide circle of business acquaint- 
 ances with whom from boyhood he has had 
 business dealings, and by the many friends of the 
 family. Jacob G. Harris was born March 18, 
 1 83 1, in Williamsport, Penn., and when but a 
 boy came to his present place of residence. He 
 was married in 1858, to Phcebe A., daughter of 
 Edward Shultz, a native of Pennsylvania, born 
 February 2, 1S39, at Lebanon, and of their 
 children, two only are living, namely: William 
 Scott and Elizabeth; one — Sarah S. Harris — is 
 deceased. 
 
 William Scott Harris was born October 5, 
 1861, and received his primary education at a 
 private school. Later he attended the public 
 schools of Lock Haven. At the age of seven- 
 teen he dropped out of school and began his 
 business career as a clerk in the dry -goods store 
 of his father. He remained so occupied until 
 1893; however, in 1883, he, in connection with 
 his store duties became interested in the Lock 
 Haven Gas Company, and since 1887, when the 
 Electric Light Company was organized by the 
 Gas Company and the two consolidated, he has 
 been identified with it. Since 1893 he has given 
 all of his time to the interests of the Gas, Elec- 
 tric & Power Company, of which for the past 
 three years he has been the efficient manager. 
 He is a capable business man, and has most sue- 
 

 WBATIVB BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 cessfully conducted the affairs of the company 
 as well as his ventures, 
 
 cially be is identified with the B. P. 0. P.. and 
 is Past Exalted Ruler of the B. P. 0. E., No 
 182, at Lock Haven. In politics he is a Re- 
 publican, and active and influential in party 
 irs He is now sen ing the 
 
 school board. 
 
 JOHN R. THOMPSON. To a student of biog- 
 raphy there is nothing more interesting than 
 to examine the life-history of a self-n 
 n, and to deteel thi nts of character 
 
 wli bled linn to pass on the highway 
 
 •naiiy companions of his youth who at the 
 ■ set of ihi rs were more advantageously 
 
 I or endowed. The subject of this re- 
 view has through his own exertions attained an 
 and marked prestige among 
 th( ntative business men of Clinton coun- 
 
 ty 
 
 James T. Thompson, his father, one of the 
 well-known and highly-] is ol Sal- 
 
 ts born April 50, iSj(>, on the old home- 
 Mackeyville, in Lamar township, 
 Clinton county, a son of Moses and Hannah 
 tts) Thompson. Among his first teachers 
 was Jan ins opportun ob- 
 
 taining lucation ware limited as his Si 
 
 ■n the home farm until si 
 years "I age. He then began learning 
 the miller's trade in Mackeyville under David 
 ml during Ins thi' tice- 
 
 ship received no compensation for his servii 
 pt his hoard. Alter mastering the trade, he 
 Mended si hool for a short time in Mack- 
 lie, and subsequentl) successful lj I in 
 
 ■\ er five terms. 
 On April 24, 1856, 111 Lewisburg, Penn., 
 James T. Thompson was married to Miss Han- 
 nah M. Lemon, who was born December 18, 
 1832, in New Berlin, Penn., a daughter of Dan- 
 
 ind Catharine (Thompson) Lemon, in wh 
 family wen □ children: 1 Ellen, 
 
 Th Sarah J., 1 -ydia, I lannah M. . and 
 
 Mary. The father, who was a chair maker and 
 furniture manufacturer, died in Williamspi 
 
 n., at a ripe old agi lid also bis 
 
 wife, and the remains of both wi 
 there. In the famil) ol Mi and Mrs l hi im] 
 were the following Eliza Ellen, born 
 
 April 18, 1858, is now Mrs. Edward Burrell, of 
 I ck Haven; John R, is next in order of birth; 
 Mary Belle, born May 23, r86i, is the wil 
 A M Reigel, of Salona; Thomas L., born 
 March 14, a butcher of Lock Haven; 
 
 Samuel W., born August iS, 1866, died Febru- 
 ary 7, 1 S - 1 ; Harry A., born October 3, 1K71, 
 died in infancy; and Anna G., born August 18, 
 rs the wife of Dr. T. C. Conser, of Sun- 
 bury, Penn. The wife and mother, who was a 
 consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal 
 Church, was called to her final rest February 7, 
 1890, and was buried at Cedar Hill. 
 
 Alter his marriage James T. Thompson lo- 
 cated in Mackeyville, where he engaged in mer- 
 chandising in partnership with his brother, Rob- 
 inson, until r 858, when he sold out and removed 
 to Salona. For two years he was then con- 
 nected with his brother, Solomon, in the tanning 
 business, but soon after the outbreak of the Civil 
 war he embarked in the butchering business at 
 Salona, which he successfully carried on for a 
 quarter of a century, gradually retiring after our 
 subject became interested in the enterprise until 
 he is now practically living retired. Until 1889 
 he was a stanch supporter of the Republican 
 party, but in that year joined the ranks of the 
 Prohibition party, as he is a great enemy of the 
 liquor traffic. 1 1 many years he has been a 
 prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal 
 ( 1 nirch. He is now living in Salon a, surrounded 
 by a large circle of friends and acquaintances, 
 who appreciate his sterling worth and many ex- 
 cellencies of character. 
 
 John R. Thompson was born June 9, 1 
 at Salona, and in its public schools began his 
 literary education under the direction of Daniel 
 H. Hastings, the present governor of Pennsyl- 
 vania. He regularly attended school until eight- 
 een years of age, thus acquiring a good practical 
 
 ation, and it is his opinion that the govern- 
 ment of the schools at that day was much better 
 than at the present time. For one year he 
 taught school in Beech Creek township, Clinton 
 county, receiving $24 per month. 
 
 In the spring of [880 Mr. Thompson beg in 
 working as a carriage-painter for \V. J. Eddy & 
 D B. Krape, of Salona, at fifty cent lay, 
 
 but at the end of two months his wages were hi- 
 ed to $1.50. The burning of the factory 
 
 ed him to go to Howard, Penn., where (or 
 two years he worked at his trade for ( , M Quig- 
 After his man hi visited Illinois, Iowa 
 
 and Missouri, and for a few months was employed 
 in Quincy, 111., after which he returned to Sa- 
 lona, and has since engaged in the wholesale 
 butcher business, buying cattle, which he slaugh- 
 ready lor market and then sells. 
 Since [886 he has successfully engaged in this 
 undertaking, and he also does an extensive busi- 
 ness as a shipper and seller of live stock. In the 
 sprii ie located upon his present farm 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 727 
 
 in Lamar township, Clinton county, known as a 
 part of the Nestlerode farm, which at one time 
 was owned by James Thompson, a brother of 
 our subject's great-grandfather. It comprises 
 some of the finest land to be found in Nittany 
 Valley, and has been improved by him until it is 
 now one of the most attractive and desirable 
 places in the township. His elegant modern 
 residence at Salona was erected in 1894, and the 
 barns and other outbuildings have been remod- 
 eled. Besides his place, he owns property in 
 Lock Haven, a number of houses in Salona, a 
 half interest in several valuable timber tracts in 
 Union county, and adjoining his home farm he 
 purchased a tract of land, a portion of which he 
 has laid off and sold into town lots, which have 
 been improved with good houses. Since 1892 
 he has successfully engaged in the raising of 
 tobacco in connection with his farming. 
 
 In January, 1886, Mr. Thompson was mar- 
 ried to Miss Lottie S. Hyatt, of Lamar township, 
 Clinton county, who was born in Bradford coun- 
 ty, Penn., September 18, 1859, a daughter of 
 Eli and Emma F. (Herr) Hyatt, the former a 
 native of Otsego county, N. Y., and the latter of 
 Salona, Penn. In early life her father was a 
 farmer and insurance agent, and later engaged 
 in lumbering and in the manufacture of axes. 
 He died in Salona, where his wife, who was born 
 March 15, 1835, is still living. In their family 
 were six children, namely: George T., also a 
 resident of Salona; H. Clinton, a shoe dealer of 
 Lewisburg, Penn. ; Hattie R., who married Elmer 
 Jakway, and died in East Smithfield, Penn.; Lot- 
 tie S., wife of our subject; Anna, now Mrs. 
 Thomas H. Harris, of Tremont, 111. ; and Jennie, 
 of Salona. The father of these children was a 
 Democrat in politics, served as justice of the 
 peace while living in Salona, and was a faithful 
 member of the Disciple Church. Mr. and Mrs. 
 Thompson have four children, whose names and 
 dates of birth are as follows: Randolph H., Sep- 
 tember 11, 1886; Clinton T. , February 27, 1888; 
 Helen C, April 4, 1890; and Emma L. , March 
 4, 1897. 
 
 Since casting his first vote for James A. Gar- 
 field, Mr. Thompson has been unwavering in his 
 support of the Republican party, but he has al- 
 ways refused to accept office, preferring to de- 
 vote his undivided attention to his extensive 
 business interests. Fraternally, he is a member 
 of Olympic Council Royal Arcanum, No. 932, 
 at Lock Haven. In business affairs he is ener- 
 getic, prompt and notably reliable. Tireless en- 
 ergy, keen perception, honesty of purpose, a 
 genius for devising and executing the right thing 
 at the right time, joined to every-day common 
 
 sense, guided by resistless will power, are the 
 chief characteristics of the man, and have been 
 the important factors in his wonderful success. 
 In advancing his own interests he has also ma- 
 terially promoted the prosperity of his commu- 
 nity by giving employment to a number of men, 
 especially in the dull seasons. Thus as a public- 
 spirited, progressive citizen he justly deserves the 
 success that he has achieved, and is entitled to 
 the respect and confidence that is everywhere 
 accorded him. 
 
 JOHN P. ANTHONY, a prominent citizen of 
 Lock Haven, Clinton county, is now serving 
 
 his second term as alderman from the First 
 ward of that city, and his popularity is shown by 
 the fact that he has twice overcome a large Re- 
 publican majority in his ward without sacrificing 
 his stanch Democratic principles. His influence is 
 by no means confined to municipal affairs, how- 
 ever, as he has taken an active part in county 
 politics, and at one time held the office of county 
 auditor. 
 
 The Anthony family originated in France, 
 and Philip Anthony, our subject's father, was 
 born in that country, and came to this country in 
 early manhood as one of the " Ole Bull " settlers. 
 He was for many years a leading merchant-tailor 
 of Lock Haven, and is now living in that city at 
 the advanced age of eighty-four years. He mar- 
 ried Miss Philbena Baseharp, and of their two 
 living sons our subject is the elder. The young- 
 er, L. H. Anthony, is engaged in business as a 
 merchant-tailor at Lock Haven. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was born in 1852, 
 at Jersey Shore, Lycoming county, Penn., but 
 was reared in Lock Haven, receiving his educa- 
 tion in the elementary branches in the public 
 schools, as one of the first pupils of Dr. A. N. 
 Robb. Later he pursued higher lines of study 
 at the Central State Normal School in the same 
 city, and at the Central Pennsylvania College at 
 New Berlin, where he spent two years. In 1880 
 he took charge of the First Ward School in Lock 
 Haven, and held the position until 1891, his abil- 
 ity as a teacher winning wide recognition. In 
 1 89 1 his name was presented as a reform candi- 
 date for alderman, and, having the confidence of 
 the best people of all parties, he was elected. 
 So well did he discharge the duties of the post 
 that he was re-elected in 1896 for another term. 
 He is a firm opponent of monopoliesof all kinds, 
 and has been an ardent supporter of the Demo- 
 cratic party since he was old enough to have 
 opinions of his own. 
 
 In 1877 he was married to Miss Snyder, a 
 
728 
 
 VMBMORA TIVI-: BIOORAPffTCAL RECORD. 
 
 daughter of John Snyder, tit "f tin 
 
 ■ •ml .)l Nittany Valli \ « >ur subject is a member 
 <>f \..iri*.ii— orders, including the Knights of the 
 Golden Eagle, th< ' i I A., and the I. O. 
 
 <i I . in which hi I i • .rand and Pasl ( )hiei 
 
 Pati i.i n h ..I th( 1 Encampment . 
 
 ILLIAM li ( ii;\l R, a prosp. i ms and 
 influential farmi tow nship, 
 
 Clinton county, was born there November 16, 
 1847, liis birth occurring on the farm which lias 
 now been in I ily for ovei eight) \. 
 
 Ilis grandfather, [ohn Orner, a nativi I 
 Northampton county, Penn., was the first of the 
 familj I i" Clinton county, and 
 
 first in Nittan) Valli \ He bo ill tract 
 
 ol land in Bald Eagle township, of which only a 
 
 few acres had been cleared. A st imason by 
 
 tde, he worked at that occupation during 
 I'H 11, while his family engaged in the 
 
 further development ami cultivation "I the farm. 
 I' ii' hi and his wife, who bore the maiden name 
 
 Elizabeth Paul, died upon that place, and now 
 sleep in Brown cemetery, Bald l iwnship. 
 
 Their children wen >ws: Elizabeth, 
 
 who married Jonathan Daughenbaugh, and died 
 hi Eagleville, Centi I Penn.; Susan, who 
 
 married John Bitt I died in Beech < 
 
 Clinton county; Mary, who wedded Andrew Smith. 
 and died in I Ci eek; Yanne, who married 
 
 William B township; 
 
 John, Who died ill Jell Ullty. l'ellll. . 
 
 ibald A., who was ind died in 
 
 Bald Eagle township, August 11. 1873, bei 
 invalid for twenty years before his death; Levi, 
 « hi 1 died in Iowa ; Margaret, who mat ried I 
 Myers, ind died m Bald township; and 
 
 I ib, the lather of our subji 
 
 |acob Ornei I . tgi I I 1 hi I imily, was 
 born June 1 |, [824, on the old home farm in 
 Bald Eagle township, received only a n 
 ucation, and was the only one ol the sons that 
 did not learn a trade « > ning to man's 
 
 tat ■ he man ied I li abeth I r, who was 
 
 born ( >< tober 1, 1822, in Middletown, Penn., the 
 
 \dam I r, and ti 
 
 housekeeping on the Ornei homestead, where 
 remained for four yeai i l he I 
 
 tented the John I lai le) man farm in I 
 
 town ihip foi five yeai ;, and then re ved to the 
 
 farm now owned and occupied 1>> our subject, 
 purchasing the same of Eli B I In 
 
 1853 he built a log house, which is still standing, 
 and in the spring of 1 the plai e, 
 
 making it Ins home until 1878, when he removed 
 to another farm in the same township, where lu> 
 
 curred in 1SS5. Ilis wife was called to 
 her final rest in [888, and both were buried in 
 Allen a Bald I ti iwnship. They 
 
 mbers of the Christian Church, 
 in which he is elder for many years, and 
 
 in politii tarn h 1 democrat. He sto.nl 
 
 five feet, eleven inches in his stocking feet, 
 weighed from [90 to 196 pounds, was hearty and 
 robust, being seldom ill. Alth mgh he started 
 
 m life for himself in limited circumstano 
 
 he si I ulating a comfortab 
 
 petence, and also gained the respect and confi- 
 dence of all with whom he came in contact. 
 
 nd Elizabeth (Kessinger) Orner had a 
 family of nine children: Mary P., born Decem- 
 
 50, 1845, is tin- wife of Samuel Achtiff, of 
 I I. IIa\eii. Penn.; William II., our subject, is 
 next in order ol birth; Margaret I... born April 
 [3, 1850, is now Mrs. Robert Lannen, of Lock 
 Haven; Elizabeth M., born April 2, 1852, is the 
 wife of Henry Chambers, of Mill Hall, Clinton 
 county; Sarah A., born August 2, 1854, is the 
 
 of William Reeder, ol Lock Haven; George 
 I'.., born November 1. 1S56, is a resident of Bald 
 
 ;le township; Emily C, bom August 28, 1 8 
 makes her home in Lock Haven; Charles I 
 born May 10, [862, is a farmer of Laid Eagle 
 township; and Bertha I., born December 7, 1864, 
 is the wife ol Green B. Shearer, ol Cameron 
 county, Pennsylvania. 
 
 In the Plunkett's Run school, under the direc- 
 tion of I. S. Marshall, William H. Orner began 
 his literary education, and afterward only at- 
 led lor four months during the winter season, 
 when work upon the farm was practicall) over. 
 The schools were of the most primitive charac- 
 ter, and our subject learned to write with a quill 
 pen. He continued to assist in the labors ol the 
 home (arm during the summer, and at the age ol 
 eighteen began working as an employe in the lum- 
 ber woods, but four years later embarked in busi- 
 ness on his own account as a lumberman. From 
 that time until he had attained th i twen- 
 
 ty-eight h : |>i,6oo, often spending as much 
 
 as ten n mt of thi : in the lumber 
 
 ps. While ei I in log driving he experi- 
 
 I all thi id privations of such a 
 
 life, but met with excellent success in his labors. 
 
 At ' ol twenty-eight, Mr. Orner was 
 
 married to Miss Lydia J. Bitner, a native of 
 
 1 Creek township, Clinton county, a daugh- 
 ter of Abraham Bitner, and in that township 
 
 made their home for two years, while he 
 
 1 hi lumbei ing. From his father he then 
 
 rented his present farm for four years, and pur- 
 
 • 1 having the aid, in 
 doing, ol a portion ol Mrs. Orner's legacy, which 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 729 
 
 she received from her parents), since which time 
 he has devoted his entire attention to agricultural 
 pursuits with results which cannot fail to prove 
 satisfactory. He has ioo acres of fertile and 
 productive land, on which he erected an elegant 
 residence in 1895, it being a model of conven- 
 ience and one of the best homes in Bald Eagle 
 township. In connection with general farming 
 he raises thoroughbred Chester- White hogs, and 
 all the stock upon his place is of a good grade. 
 Skillful and systematic in his work, his success 
 has been worthily achieved, and he is to-day 
 ranked among the substantial, progressive and 
 reliable business men of his township. 
 
 To our subject and his wife were born seven 
 children: Alma, Stella, Olive, Lawrence T. , 
 Etta and Bessie (twins), and Raymond P., all of 
 whom are still living with the exception of Bes- 
 sie. The parents hold membership in the Church 
 of Christ, and in social circles occupy an enviable 
 position, their true worth and many excellencies 
 of character being duly appreciated. At State 
 and National elections, Mr. Orner always sup- 
 ports the Democratic party, but at local elections 
 where no issue is involved he votes for the man 
 whom he believes best qualified to fill the posi- 
 tion. For six years he served as auditor of his 
 township and declined a re-election. 
 
 J J. WENTZEL, Esq., a well-known mer- 
 chant-tailor of Renovo, was born in 1850, in 
 Northumberland county, Penn. , a son of Elias 
 and Rachel (Geise) Wentzel, also natives of 
 Pennsylvania, where they have spent their entire 
 lives. Throughout his active business career the 
 father engaged in agricultural pursuits, but for 
 the past ten years has lived in retirement, enjoy- 
 ing the fruits of his former toil. He has now 
 reached the age of seventy-seven, while his wife 
 is seventy-five, and they make their home in 
 Snyder county, where they are surrounded by a 
 large circle of friends and acquaintances who es- 
 teem them highly for their sterling worth. They 
 have eight children, as follows: Louisa, wife of 
 Jonathan Spangler; J. J., of this sketch; Kate, 
 wife of Andrew Deal, of Elkhart, Ind. ; Mary, 
 also a resident of Elkhart; Sarah, wife of Will- 
 iam Witmer; Rachel, wife of Dr. Krebs. of 
 Northumberland county; David, a resident of 
 Nebraska; and George N., who lives on the old 
 homestead farm in Snyder county. 
 
 When a child of eight years, J. J. Wentzel 
 accompanied his parents on their removal to 
 Snyder county, where he was reared upon a 
 farm, and in the public schools of that county he 
 obtained his elementary education. Later heat- 
 
 tended the Freeburg Academy for a year and a 
 half, and one winter taught school in Snyder 
 county, another winter in Dauphin county, and 
 one year had charge of the high school in Gratz- 
 town, Pennsylvania. 
 
 At the age of twenty, Mr. Wentzel left the 
 parental roof, and for five years engaged in mer- 
 chandising. Later he followed merchant-tailor- 
 ing, and was also agent for sewing-machines and 
 organs at Selins Grove, whence he removed to 
 Shamokin, where he also engaged in merchant 
 tailoring for nine years. Since 1886 he has been 
 a resident of Renovo, and is one of the leading 
 tailors of the place as well as one of its repre- 
 sentative and highly respected citizens. 
 
 Mr. Wentzel was married, in 1S73, to Miss 
 Mary L. , daughter of Samuel Faust, of Selins 
 Grove, and to them were born four children: 
 Samuel F. , Katie R. (Mrs. Chauncey D. Saltzman), 
 Mary Lidia (deceased); and Guy E. The parents 
 are sincere and faithful members of the Methodist 
 Episcopal Church, in which Mr. Wentzel is now 
 serving as steward. In his political affiliations he 
 is a Democrat, and has ever been an active worker 
 in the interests of his party. He served as as- 
 sistant postmaster while a resident of Salem, 
 Snyder county, and was postmater at Dry Valley 
 Cross Roads, Union Co., Penn., which office he 
 established. He discharged the duties of the 
 office in a prompt and efficient manner. In No- 
 vember, 1890, he was appointed justice of the 
 peace, by the Governor, for Renovo, and held that 
 office for a year and a half. In 1896 he was 
 elected to the same position, which he is now 
 filling with credit to himself and to the entire 
 satisfaction of the community, his decisions being 
 always fair and impartial. 
 
 MENRY J. EMORY was born August 8, 1840, 
 in Pine Creek township, Clinton county, 
 where he now follows farming and tobacco raising. 
 From the North of Ireland came the first 
 American ancestors of the family. Henry Em- 
 ery, who spelled the name with an e, was born in 
 Buffalo Valley (now a part of Union county), 
 June 23, 1789, of Scotch-Irish descent, and when 
 a young man removed to Linden, Lycoming 
 county, where he purchased a tract of land and 
 followed farming until within a few years of his 
 death. Some time before he died he bought a 
 home on the public road near Linden, where he 
 lived retired, departing this life November 20, 
 1872. He was an industrious, energetic man, 
 upright in his dealing, well-known and respected 
 by all. His political adherence was transferred 
 from the Whig to the Republican party, and he 
 

 VMBMORA T1VK BIOGRAPHICAL UE< DRD. 
 
 and his family were leading Methodists, their 
 home being the pla ntertainment for all 
 
 ministi rs "I that denomination. 
 
 Henry Emery was married January i. [812, 
 
 -virah Horn, who was born October 21 
 Thi : ten children: Jacob F. 
 
 was born October 22, 1S12; Elizabeth, bom Di 
 : 28, 1813, died February 12, t892;Nancy, 
 rn October 2, 18 1 5, married Mar-hall Hughes, 
 who died in Wisconsin December 10, 1877, and 
 her death occurred in that State August 13, \- 
 Margaret, born Septembei 29, 1817, became the 
 wife of William Marshall, and died near Linden, 
 Penn. ; Mary, born August [8, 1819, married 
 Abram Williamson, "1 Wi tharine, 
 
 11 July 26, 1822, is the widow of Robert Mar- 
 tin. "I Lycoming county, Penn.; John B. , a sad- 
 dler, b irn August 4. 1827, died in Kansas, Janu- 
 1 [1 my. born March 3, 1 ides 
 
 nn the eld homestead; Sarah, born May 14, 1832, 
 died August 27. 1856; Rachel A., born May 17, 
 1835, man th, of Linden, and 
 
 i :n May, 1897. The mother of this family, 
 who was a consist! nt Methodist, died November 
 1. 1 
 
 Jacob F, Emory, a native oi Linden, received 
 
 immon-school education, and remained on his 
 lathers (arm until 184O, when he lo( the 
 
 Samuel Thomas farm of too acres in Clinton 
 
 nt) lb made excellent improvements there, 
 remodeled the dwelling, built a good bam, and 
 was extensivel) engaged in stock raising, alw 
 keeping fine horses He sp 
 
 fifty years ol his life as a respected farmer and 
 I Pini 1 nek township, and died Sep- 
 •1 In : he \\.i> first a 
 
 Whig and afterward a R< publican, i all 
 
 the tow nshi] that ol justii e ol thi 
 
 e. I le was industrious, temperate, hon 
 able in all things, and daily made a studs' of his 
 Bibl 
 
 < In ( )( tobei 1 ,-. 1 • 9 l( Linden Spi ings, Penn., 
 Mi i Emoi ■■ was man Rebecca 
 
 Martin, who was born Ma) 5, 1817 iter 
 
 Alexander and Sarah Alien Martin, both ol 
 whom were ol Scotch-Irish de-cent. Her death 
 occurred September 6, t88o, Both Mi 
 Mrs Emor) wen consistent members of the 
 M. thi id hi In 11 family numbered n 
 
 children; Henry J, 1- oui subject; Sarah I 
 1" 1 u June 2 j, 1 842, was m 570, 
 
 to Hugh F. Allen. Mar) I - . 
 
 rn April 7, 1S44, became the wile .4 Anthi 
 1 Pepperman, ol Lock Haven, February 
 
 11 A. , born June 1 , 1 N40, died |une 
 
 10, 1870; Rebecca J., born February 9, iS;o, is 
 
 ■■ i' 1 fames Shaw, ol Pine Creek township, 
 
 Clinton county; Geor-e Winfield, born July 19, 
 2. wedded Mary Bunnell, of Pine Creek town- 
 ship, by whom he has five children; Clara A., 
 born April 30, iS;;, is the wife of Jacob Bunnell ; 
 and Margaret E., born March 2, 1 848, is the wife 
 of Joseph ). McGuire, of Wayne township, Clin- 
 ton county. 
 
 Henry J. Emory started out in life for himself 
 empty-handed, and to-day he is classed among 
 the substantial farmers and most enterpn- 
 citizens of Pine Creek township. His advan- 
 tages were very meagre but he made the most of 
 his opportunities, and determined purpose has 
 enabled him to reach the goal of prosperity. He 
 attended the public schools of Pine Creek town- 
 ship and spent the lirst twenty years of his life 
 on the homestead. In 1S67, in connection with 
 his father, he purchased 119 acres of the old 
 Harris farm in Line Creek township, which he 
 operated for rive years, making excellent im- 
 provements thereon. He afterward purchased 
 the Carman homestead. He had little capital 
 when he started out in life, but by raiting on the 
 river he managed to save $ 1,000 with which he 
 made the first payment on the farm March 12, 
 1872. His economy and industry soon enabled 
 him to clear the place of all indebtedness, and he 
 now has ninety-two acres of rich land, largely 
 planted to tobacco. In this industry he has been 
 very successful. He built three tobacco sheds 
 75 x 24 feet, and two sheds 50x25, and his capa- 
 ble man I of his interests has bought to 
 him good financial returns. He also own- two 
 dwellings in [ersey Shore, and a good farm in 
 Porter township, Lycoming county. 
 
 On July 2, 1867, in the home where they 
 now reside, by Rev. Winton, a Lutheran minis- 
 ter, Mr. Emory was married to Miss Hannah 
 ;e Gar man, who was born August 14. 1841, 
 a daughter 1 >t Henry and Hannah (Groffj Garman. 
 Hi lather was born in Dauphin county, Penn., 
 August 4. 1807, and on coming to central Penn- 
 sylvania purchased the old Lay farm of 200 
 m Pine ( reek township, Clinton county. 
 Here. 111 1840, he built one of the first brick 
 houses in the township, at a cost of $4,000. ! 1 
 
 built barns and made other substantial im- 
 pro\ 1 continued active farming until 
 
 1S72, when he retired to private life. In 1874 
 he removed to Jersey Shore, where his death oc- 
 curred in 1 Soil, his remains bein^ interred in the 
 Jersey Shore cemetery. He was married in 
 Lancaster county to Hannah Groff, a nativi 
 that county, and a daughter of Isaac Groff. She 
 died at the old homestead in 1S72. Both Mr. 
 and Mrs Garman were active members of the 
 Lutheran Church, in which he served as elder. 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 731 
 
 He was a worker in the temperance cause, a 
 student of the Bible, and an honorable, upright 
 man, whose influence was ever on the side of the 
 good. For a number of years he served as jus- 
 tice of the peace of Pine Creek township. Mr. 
 and Mrs. Garman had children: David, a re- 
 tired merchant of Jersey Shore, married Maria 
 Knepley, and has one child, William; Jacob, 
 who married Sarah Good, and had one child; 
 Mamie, died in Chester county, Penn., at the 
 age of forty; Rebecca resides in Jersey Shore; 
 Mrs. Emory is the next of the family; Mary C. 
 died in infancy; and Henry, a jeweler of Coats- 
 ville, Chester county, married Jennie Scott, and 
 has one child, Edgar. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Henry J. Emory have two chil- 
 dren: (i) Carrie V., born April 17, 1868, who 
 was educated in the public schools, and was mar- 
 ried September 19, 1888, to Harvey J. Betts, a 
 farmer of Porter township, Lycoming county, by 
 whom she has two children — Grace E., born 
 September 21, 1889; and Charles H., born June 
 21, 1896. (2) Charles A., born January 16, 
 1 87 1, attended the schools of Pine Creek town- 
 ship and the high school of Jersey Shore, and is 
 now engaged in tobacco raising on the home 
 farm. He was married, in February, 1897, t0 
 Barrie H., a daughter of Henry and Rebecca 
 (Kline) Earon, of Pine Creek township. Mr. 
 Emory is an elder in the Lutheran Church, a 
 teacher in the Sunday-school, and a man whose 
 upright life and fidelity to principle commends 
 him to the confidence and regard of all. Tem- 
 perate, industrious, true to every trust, his circle 
 of friends is very extensive, and his example is 
 most worthy of emulation. 
 
 OuRRIN HARVEY ROSSER, M. D. In com- 
 _Ji parison of the relative value to mankind of 
 the various professions and pursuits, it is widely 
 recognized that none is so important as the med- 
 ical profession. From the cradle to the grave 
 human destiny is largely in the hands of the 
 physician. One of the ablest representatives of 
 this noble calling in Clinton county is Dr. Rosser, 
 of Renovo. 
 
 The Doctor is a native of the county, his 
 birth having occurred in Lock Haven, March 6, 
 1866, and he is a son of William H. and Hen- 
 rietta Catherine (Reither) Rosser, who are now 
 residents of Mill Hall. The mother is a native 
 of Germany, but the father was born in Tioga 
 county, Penn., in 1840, though his father was a 
 native of Wales. When only seven years old 
 William H. Rosser was brought to Clinton coun- 
 ty, where he has since made his home. For 
 
 many years he followed carriage making and 
 blacksmithing, but is now living practically re- 
 tired. In answer to his country's call for aid 
 during the dark days of the Rebellion, he enlisted 
 in Company C, 52d P. V. I., but at the end of a 
 year was honorably discharged on account of lung 
 trouble. He is one of the most highly respected 
 and honored citizens of Mill Hall, where he is 
 now acceptably serving his fifth term as justice 
 of the peace. The Doctor has two brothers, 
 George McClellan and Jesse B., of Mill Hall. 
 
 Our subject attended the common schools un- 
 til thirteen years of age, and in 1882 entered the 
 Normal, at Lock Haven, where he was graduat- 
 ed in June of the following year. During the 
 next two years he was engaged in the axe busi- 
 ness for his father, but spent his leisure hours in 
 studying medicine with Dr. W. J. Shoemaker, of 
 Lock Haven. In September, 1887, he matricu- 
 lated at the Medico-Chirurgical College of Phila- 
 delphia, and graduated from that institution 
 April 10, 1890. He at once opened an office in 
 Vanderbilt, Fayette Co., Penn., but in May, 
 1 89 1, came to Renovo, where he soon built up a 
 large and lucrative practice, which he to-day en- 
 joys. He is a progressive member of the pro- 
 fession, who keeps abreast of the latest discover- 
 ies and theories by his perusals of medical jour- 
 nals. His skill and ability are attested by the 
 liberal patronage he enjoys, and which ranks him 
 as one of the leading physicians of the county. 
 
 On April 17, 1890, Dr. Rosser was united in 
 marriage with Miss Nettie E. Welsh, a daughter 
 of Nathan Welsh, of Lock Haven. Politically, 
 the Doctor is identified with the Democratic par- 
 ty, and, fraternally, is a member of the Renovo 
 Lodge No. 595, I. O. O. F., and Dexter En- 
 campment No. 163. He is an honored member 
 of the Clinton County Medical Society, and also 
 of the Medical Society of Pennsylvania, and, in so- 
 cial as well as professional circles, he stands de- 
 servedly high. 
 
 CS.HARLES H. KLINEFELTER, now serving 
 ^J as justice of the peace in Chapman town- 
 ship, Clinton county, is a prominent general 
 merchant of North Bend, Clinton county. Com- 
 paratively few men can attain to the highest 
 offices in civil or military life, but commerce 
 offers a broad and almost limitless field in which 
 one can exercise his powers unrestrained, and 
 gain a leadership as the head of a chosen calling. 
 In the life of our subject we learn that the quali- 
 fications necessary for success are a high ambi- 
 tion and a resolute, honorable purpose to reach 
 the exalted standard that has been set up. From 
 

 VMBMORA TIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 the age of twelve years he has been dependent 
 ii his own res 
 
 Mr. Klinefelter was !»>rn March 18, 1862, in 
 Madisonburg, Centre Co., Penn.. and is a grand- 
 son of Peter Klinefelter, Sr., who was born in 
 Y<>rk county, Penn., of German descent, and 
 there followed farming until coming, when a 
 ing man, to central Pennsylvania. He pur- 
 chase'! a farm of i-5 acres mar Madisonburg. in 
 Centre county, on which he made man}- useful 
 and valuable improvements, and successfully 
 ;aged in farming and stock-raising He died 
 at Madisonburg in 1872, and was buried there. 
 He was a nt member of the Lutheran 
 
 Church, was a Democrat in politics, and was 
 widely and favorably known. He married and 
 had several children. 
 
 Peter Klinefelter, "ur subject's father, « 
 native 1, 1 Madisonburg, and acquired a fair edu- 
 cation in both German and English, such as the 
 public schools of the day afforded. He made 
 fan principal occupation, and spent his 
 
 entire life upon his father's place, where he died 
 in 1X74, being laid to rest in the Lutheran ceme- 
 teiv at Madisonburg. He was a member of the 
 Lutheran Church, ami on the Democratic ticket, 
 which he always supported by his ballot, he was 
 elected to several township offices of honor and 
 trust in Miles township. Centre county. In Re- 
 bersburg, that county, he married Elvina Sinull. 
 that place, and a daughter of Henry 
 Smull, .1 tanner, who was of German descent. 
 I hildren blessed this union: One who d 
 
 in infancy; Jane, wife ol [ohn Stiver, of Fl< 
 ington, Clinton county; Luther, who died at the 
 of thirty; Tyrus, a resident of Nippenose 
 Valley, Lycoming Co.. Penn. ; and Charles H. 
 Alter the death of her first husband, the mother 
 married William Bierley, ol Rebersburg, wl 
 they are still living. 
 
 In the public schools of Centre county the 
 subject of this -ketch received his primary edu- 
 cation, which was supplemented by a o 
 
 Is in Rebersburg and in the Eastman 
 •liege of Poughkeepsie, N Y. His 
 father dying when he was twelve years of age, he 
 came to Clinton count} to live with an uncle, T. 
 J smull. a merchant ol Mackeyville, with whom 
 lu remained for three years, clerking in the store 
 and attending school. He then returned to 
 lersburg, where he pursued his studies in a 
 private school, as previously stated, and lived 
 there for several years. Attheagi ol u he 
 
 taught his first school in Woodward. Centre 
 county, and successfully followed that profession 
 (or four terms m Nippenose Valley, in Reb< 
 burg, and in Dodge City. Kansas. 
 
 ; a year and a half Mr. Klinefelter clerked 
 in the store of L. Putt, in Renovo, Penn., and in 
 
 4 went to Newton, Kans. , where he was 
 similarly employed for the same length of time. 
 In that State he pre-empted 160 acres of land, 
 which he still retains, and during the great boom 
 of that section he successfully engaged in the 
 real ml loan business until 1889. Return- 
 
 ing to his native State. Mr. Klinefelter located in 
 Clearfield county, where he engaged in clerking, 
 and also became manager of a coal companv s 
 store, remaining there until 1894, when he came 
 to North Bend and bought the Webster property. 
 Here he has since successfully engaged in general 
 merchandising, and is numbered among its wide- 
 awake and enterprising business men. For three 
 years he also conducted a store at Gleasonton, 
 but sold out in the spring of 1897. 
 
 In 1889, in Lock Haven, Mr. Klinefelter was 
 married to Mi-- Stella Webster, a native of 
 Wayne county, Penn., and a daughter of H. M. 
 Webster, a real-estate broker, who was of Lng- 
 lish descent. On the Republican ticket, Mr. 
 Klinefelter was elected justice of the peace of 
 Chapman township, in 1S94. and is now accept- 
 ably serving in that office, having married one 
 couple and tried many cases, none of which have 
 been appealed to the higher courts, so fair and 
 impartial is he in his decisions. Socially, he is 
 identified with the Independent Order of Odd 
 Fellows, and, religiously, both he and his wife 
 are members of the Lutheran Church. Two 
 
 : liters have been born to them: Erma and 
 Mildred. 
 
 SAMUEL] [SENHOWER. Among the rep- 
 resentative and enterprising farmers of Green 
 township, Clinton county, there is perhaps none 
 that is looked upon with more respect than Mr. 
 iihovver, who was born March 17, 1848, in 
 the same township. Henry Eisenhower, his 
 grandfather, was a native of Lebanon county. 
 Penn., a farmer and weaver by occupation, and 
 a Democrat in politics. He was three times 
 married, and spent his last days m Indiana. 
 
 Daniel Eisenhower, father of our subject, was 
 horn on January 27, 1813, in Lebanon county. 
 near the city of Lebanon, and attended the sub- 
 s< ription schools of the locality. At the age of 
 eighteen he learned the tailor's trade, at which 
 he worked in his native county until 1835, when 
 tme to central Penns) Ivania and took up his 
 lence in White Deer. Lycoming county, 
 where for thirteen years he worked at his trade 
 and also at other employments. For a short 
 time after coming to Sugar Valley, in 1848, he 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 733 
 
 continued to follow tailoring, and then purchased 
 100 acres of land, to the cultivation and im- 
 provement of which he devoted his energies un- 
 til 1888, when he sold out, and is now living 
 retired, enjoying a well-earned rest, though he 
 is not entirely idle, being too energetic for that. 
 For many years he has been a consistent and 
 faithful member of the Lutheran Church, and is 
 an earnest advocate of the Republican party. 
 
 In 1836, at White Deer, Daniel Eisenhower 
 was united in marriage with Miss Leah Lutz, a 
 native of Lebanon county, Penn., and a daugh- 
 ter of William Lutz, a farmer of that county. 
 Nine children were born to them: William, who 
 died while in the army; Henry, a resident of 
 West Point, Clinton county; John, also of Clin- 
 ton county; Samuel, of this sketch; Cornelius, of 
 Reedsville, Mifflin county; Margaret, wife of 
 William Miller, of Illinois; Sarah, widow of Ed- 
 ward Shafer; and two who died in childhood. 
 The wife and mother was called to the world 
 beyond in 1884, and was buried in Pleasant Hill 
 cemetery. Four years later the father was again 
 married, in Green township, his second union 
 being with Barbara A. Citherman, who was born 
 December 31, 1828, in Union county, Penn., 
 and at the time of her marriage to Mr. Eisen- 
 hower was the widow of Andrew Cornman. Her 
 father was David Citherman, a farmer of Union 
 county. 
 
 The subject of this sketch attended the pub- 
 lic schools, conducted in an old log school house 
 at Pleasant Hill, and taught by Mr. Watson and 
 afterward by Mr. Bitner, for only three months 
 during the winter until thirteen years of age, 
 when his school days were over. He has ever 
 been a close student, however, and by reading 
 and observation has become a well-informed 
 man, well posted on all topics of general interest. 
 
 At the age of thirteen Mr. Eisenhower left 
 home and was employed by the farmers of Lamar 
 township, Clinton county, for four years, receiv- 
 ing about $12 per month. In 1865, as a chop- 
 per, he began cutting logs in the woods of Elk 
 county, Penn., where he was employed for three 
 years, and then returned to Green township, 
 Clinton county, and began business for himself 
 in manufacturing lumber, railroad ties, etc., with 
 Andrew Jamison as a partner. In 1876 he 
 went to Nebraska, where he only remained a 
 short time, and on his return purchased his 
 present farm of 125 acres of valuable land from 
 John Herman. Here he has since made his 
 home, and has improved the place with a fine 
 residence, good barns and other outbuildings, 
 which stand as monuments to his thrift and in- 
 dustry. In connection with general farming, he 
 
 makes a specialty of the raising of potatoes, and 
 is looked upon as one of the most skillful and 
 methodical agriculturists of the locality. 
 
 In 1870, in Green township, Mr. Eisenhower 
 was married to Miss Rebecca Herman, who was 
 born in Lykens Valley, Dauphin county, Penn., 
 a daughter of Josiah and Matilda (Dappendorf) 
 Herman, of Green township, Clinton county. She 
 has indeed proved a faithful helpmeet to her hus- 
 band, is an excellent housekeeper and cook, and 
 is a most estimable lady. The following children 
 have been born to them: Albert, who was edu- 
 cated in the public schools and the Central State 
 Normal, and is now successfully engaged in 
 teaching in the West; Harvey, who also pursued 
 his studies in the schools of Green township and 
 the Central State Normal at Lock Haven, after 
 which he taught for three terms in Green town- 
 ship, and is now taking a musical course in the 
 college at Valparaiso, Ind. ; Noah, Leah, William, 
 Josiah, Sarah and Jennie P., all at home, and 
 two who died in infancy. Fully realizing the 
 advantages of a good education, Mr. Eisenhower 
 is providing his children with the best possible 
 opportunities along that line. He has done 
 much to promote the cause of education in his 
 district, while serving as school director and 
 president of the board,* and he has also efficiently 
 filled the office of overseer of the poor in Green 
 township. He is a member of the Independent 
 Order of Odd Fellows, and of the Lutheran 
 Church, in which he has served as elder for six 
 years, and also as deacon and trustee, and Sun- 
 day-school superintendent and teacher. All 
 enterprises calculated to promote the moral, 
 intellectual or material welfare of the community 
 receive his hearty support. 
 
 JAMES R. THRONE, a representative farmer 
 and tobacco grower of Wayne township, 
 Clinton county, was born October 10, 1847, 
 near Youngsdale, in that township, and is a 
 worthy member of one of the highly-respected 
 families of the county. 
 
 John M. Throne, his grandfather, was a na- 
 tive of Germany, and when a young man emi- 
 grated to this country, first locating in Berks 
 county, Penn., where he followed milling for 
 some time. He then removed to Centre Mills, 
 Centre county, where he followed the same pur- 
 suit for a number of years, and was subsequently 
 engaged in the milling business in New Lisbon, 
 Ohio, where his death occurred. In his political 
 affiliations he was a Democrat. He was married 
 in Berks county, Penn., and became the father 
 of. the following children: Jesse, John, Samuel, 
 
784 
 
 OOMMEMORA T1VS BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 David, Michael, and Mary Polly . wife of David 
 If Snook, of Centre Mills, Centre county. I 
 
 US all removed to Ohio with the exception of 
 Mil bael, the lather ol our subject. 
 
 In the ci minion schools Michael Throne learned 
 tn read and write both English and German, and 
 became especially proficient in the latter lai 
 When a young man he removed with his parents 
 
 i Berks county to Centre county, and, being 
 a miller by trade, he operated the < entre Mills 
 [or several years. He then n ItotheCald- 
 
 M ills, <jf which he also had charge for a 
 number ol ■ I from there came i 
 
 Valley, where he operated the Logan Mills, 
 ■.era I years spent thei netoWayne 
 
 township, where he the first gristmill in 
 
 this section of Clinton county, and when his 
 plant was destroyed bj tire, he rebuilt in 18 
 
 i cost of $5,000, erecting the present mill at 
 
 *^ gsdale, which he operated until 1853. He 
 
 then gave up milling and purchased a farm of 
 I ;.( acres, on which he made many improve- 
 rs and continued to make his home until his 
 death, in Febru Mills, Cen- 
 
 tra county, he married Hannah Gauby, who was 
 born near Reading, in Berks county, and they 
 
 ame the parents ol five children: John 
 
 I Harrisburg, Penn . [ames R., of 
 tin |ane. ". I lin McKange; Sam- 
 
 uel, who died at the .iL:e ol twent) years; and 
 Sarah, who died at the age of eighteen years. 
 The inothei passed away in iSSS. and both she 
 and her husband were buried in Union cemeti 
 
 \ had 1 1 mfidence ol the en- 
 
 tire community, and were faithful 1 3 of 
 
 th<- Methodi pal Church, active in both 
 
 Church and Sunday-school work. In politics 
 Mr Tin ' rat 
 
 During his boyh I and youth James R. 
 
 atti nded the public schools of Wayne township, 
 and was oared on the home farm, wh 
 
 tire I if, •. He took charge of the place 
 m 1881 . and has since 1 it. 
 
 In the June floi id ol 1 889 his resident • . barn, 
 
 hard and other improvements were all 
 stroyed at a lossol $3,500, but with characteris- 
 tii em rg) hi beg in to repli . buildin 
 
 hoi: ol $1 ,500, and erecting bai 
 
 tobacco sheds and other outbuildings He 
 
 lanted tl trd Sii he has b 
 
 interested in the tobacco industry, and also 
 votes considerable time I raising, both of 
 
 which have proved quite profitable He owns 
 and op. i f land, and at one time 
 
 engaged in piloting on the Susquehanna, running 
 arks and rafts between Lock Ha> en and Mar- 
 aud Columbia 
 
 In 1869, in Clearfield county, Penn., Mr. 
 Throne was married, the lad)' of his choice being 
 Miss Catharine A Dice, a native of Wayne town- 
 ship, Clinton county, and a daughter of Benja- 
 min Dice, a late farmer of that township. They 
 have five children, as follows: (1) Norman F., 
 horn September 29. 1 871, began his education 
 in the schools of Wayne township, and later 
 nded the Northwestern Ohio State Normal 
 School. He is now gauger for the Crescent Oil 
 1 ompany, and is a Democrat in politics. On 
 January 15, 1 S94, he was married in Camden, X. 
 (., to Alice E. Waters, a native of Tyrone, 
 Blair Co., Penn., and a daughter of J. H and 
 Mary M. (Blake) Waters. They now have two 
 children Robert 1'.. born in January. 1895; a "d 
 Thelma, born June 21, [896. (2 William S., 
 born April 2S. 1873, was educated in Wayne 
 township, and is a telegraph operator residing at 
 home. He also supports the Democratic party. 
 He was married September 15, 1897, a * Lock 
 Haven, Penn., to Mary E. Hurley, of Wayne 
 township, Clinton county, the only daughter of 
 Mr. and Mrs John Hierly. (3) Gertrude M.. 
 born November 2, 1876, (4) Edward C, born 
 ember 13, 1878, and [5 John M., born 
 March in, 1SS6, are all at home with their 
 parents. 
 
 As a Democrat, Mr. Throne has taken quite 
 an active interest in politii 5, and has served as 
 school director several years, assessor, judge of 
 election, and overseer of the poor. During the 
 Civil war it was his desire to join the Union 
 army, but his parents opposed it, and he has 
 ever proved a loyal and patriotic citizen. Fra- 
 illy he is a member of the Mystic Chain, and 
 inge, and, religiously, belongs to the Evan- 
 gelical Church In all the relationsof life he has 
 proved a straightforward, honorable man, and 
 the respect of all who know him. 
 
 OSCAR F II LMLEE, the proprietor of one 
 livery stands in this section, at 
 whose stables in Lock Haven, Clinton county, 
 nd the safest horses and up-to-date 
 vein ill kinds, is a native of the neighbor- 
 
 ntre. born April 8, 1859. 
 id and Christina (Heinbach) Felmlee 
 ware born in Pennsylvania, and in this State 
 >ed their livi I n many years he was oc- 
 cupied in farming and as a contractor. His 
 in 1871, and his wife passed 
 awav in ; They were industrious and good 
 
 pie. Their children were: [ohn, a resident 
 of Iowa: Mary, the widow of John Feese; 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 735 
 
 George H., a resident of Renovo; and Oscar F., 
 our subject. 
 
 Oscar F. Felmlee received but a limited edu- 
 cation. He attended the common schools of 
 this locality, but his father dying when he was 
 only twelve years of age, he had to early de- 
 pend upon himself. The spirit of self-reliance 
 that adverse circumstances in life develops, and 
 while it robs the boy of his boyhood, it makes 
 the man of him, and brings him success in life 
 that would otherwise have been a failure. From 
 that tender age our subject has been self-sup- 
 porting. The family moved to Clinton county 
 sometime in the sixties, and since 1870 Oscar 
 F. has resided at Lock Haven. For eighteen 
 years continuously he was in the employ of 
 Furst, Ricke & Co., lumbermen, which is evi- 
 dence of his fidelity to the duties he had to per- 
 form and of the company's estimation of his 
 services. In 1890 he embarked in business for 
 himself, establishing his present livery stable, 
 which is proving to be a successful undertaking. 
 His stables, as before shadowed in the preceding 
 reference to the business, are commodious and 
 well-equipped in all that goes to complete a first- 
 class livery business. Socially he is a member 
 of the I. O. O. F., and is past grand of his 
 lodge; he is also a member of the Royal Arca- 
 num, and of Lock Haven Business Men's Club. 
 In politics he is a Republican. 
 
 On September 29, 1881, Mr. Felmlee was 
 married to Crissa A. Long, a daughter of J. H. 
 Long, of Lock Haven. To the union have 
 come two children: Beryl and Gertrude. The 
 parents of these are members of the Lutheran 
 Church. The mother was born April 27, 1862, 
 in Clinton county, and is a daughter of J. W. 
 Long and Margaret Eyer. 
 
 FREDERICK MUTHLER, one of the most 
 industrious, wide-awake and progressive 
 farmers of Beech Creek township, Clinton coun- 
 ty, was born in Lockport, Penn., November 6, 
 1855, a son of Joseph and Catharine (Lehr) 
 Muthler. During his boyhood and youth he at- 
 tended the schools of Lock Haven to a limited 
 extent, but his priviliges along that line were 
 meager. At the age of ten years he began 
 acting as a driver for his father, who owned and 
 operated canal boats for some years, and he also 
 became familiar with agricultural pursuits upon 
 the home farm in Beech Creek township, which 
 he now occupies. For some time he aided in 
 the work of the farm during the summer months, 
 while the winter seasons were spent in the lum- 
 ber woods. 
 
 On March 23, 1882, Frederick Muthler was 
 married to Miss Susan Earon, who was born 
 July 11, 1856, in Beech Creek township, a daugh- 
 ter of John and Eve Catharine (Myers) Earon. 
 She obtained her education at the Bitner school 
 in her native township. By her marriage she 
 has become the mother of five children: Charles 
 W., Anna C. , Adam D., Lucy E., who died 
 when only two weeks old, and Naaman Joseph, 
 born September 14, 1897. The parents began 
 their married life in a rented house, and the 
 husband for a year and a half worked on his 
 father's farm. He then purchased a farm from 
 George Pottorf in Bald Eagle township, Clinton 
 county, where he lived for five years and a half, 
 and in March, 1889, removed to the old home- 
 stead of his father. He also owns what is known 
 as the John Bitner heirs farm, and has 130 
 acres of arable land besides 200 acres covered 
 with timber. He is a sturdy farmer, unosten- 
 tatious and honest, and is a man of good busi- 
 ness ability and sound judgment. Being indus- 
 trious and energetic, he has prospered in his un- 
 dertakings, and has already secured a comfort- 
 able competence, and undoubtedly greater suc- 
 cess awaits him in the future. Fraternally he 
 affiliates with the Grange. Politically he is iden- 
 tified with the Democratic party; and in their 
 religious views both he and his wife are members 
 of Laurel Run Church, in which Mr. Muthler 
 is serving as trustee and steward. He has effi- 
 ciently filled the office of school director, and is 
 a supporter of all enterprises calculated to ad- 
 vance the moral, educational or material welfare 
 of the communitv. 
 
 E\LMER E. DOUTY, one of the prominent 
 'I and influential citizens of Sugar Valley, 
 
 where throughout his business career he has suc- 
 cessfully followed lumbering and farming, was 
 born November 3, 1863, in Green township, 
 Clinton county. 
 
 Mr. Douty belongs to a family of French 
 origin, which is noted for its industry and patriot- 
 ism. His grandfather, George C. Douty, was a 
 native of Columbia county, Penn., where he fol- 
 lowed farming and married a Miss Kurtz. With 
 his wife and small family he came to Sugar 
 Valley, then a part of Centre county, and pur- 
 chased a tract of land, on which he and his two 
 brothers built a sawmill, which they operated for 
 a number of years. He became one of the most 
 successful lumbermen of the locality, and gave 
 the greater part of his attention to that business, 
 but was interested to some extent in agriculture, 
 owning and operating a small farm. After ac- 
 

 ' 03IMBM0RATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 i j 1 1 1 ri ri^; a comfortable ence he retired 
 
 from active I and spent his I; ma 
 
 pleasant home at VVatsontown, Northumberl 
 county, Penn., surrounded by all the comforts 
 and many of the luxuries of life, which he had 
 secured through his own toil in ars. 
 
 While a i - igar Vall< rved as 
 
 justice of tli . numbei rs, being 
 
 appointed by the governor of the State, and 
 satisfactorily settled many a dispute. I 
 well-informed man. nt, he often 
 
 acted the part of a lawyer (or his friends, and his 
 
 ice was sought on various subjects. His 
 
 ■nable wife died in Lycoming county, Penn. 
 1 li ith v.' re men I I Ivangeli cia- 
 
 tion, and were highly respected and esteemed. 
 In their family were nine children: Ad. mi, Lliza- 
 beth, Reuben, Rebecca, Ellis. Jennie. Hattie, 
 Hiram and Agni 
 
 Reubi n Douty, our subject's father, was born 
 in i inty, Penn., August 2, 18 — , and 
 
 1 English education. Like 
 his father, he made lumbering his lifework, and 
 although he continued to make his home from 
 childhood in Sugar Valley, he carried on opera- 
 tions in Clinton, » entreand other counties, where 
 the forests were still untouched by the axe. In 
 his undertakings he met with a well-deserved 
 success, becoming the prosperous and 
 
 substantial citizens of his community. His busi- 
 iii -s calling him into various sections of the State, 
 he became widely known, and • asilj won the 
 nfidence and friendship ol those with whom he 
 lb- built a pleasant home in 
 rroll, Clinton county, where he spent his last 
 days, and where his widow still resides. His 
 death was quite unexpected, he passing away 
 when asleep. H a consi>- mber of 
 
 the I \ ingi lical Chun h, was a -trout; Republican 
 m politics, and under the Baker law was the first 
 of his party elected judge of elections in Green 
 t< iwnship. 
 
 [n that township he was married to Sabina 
 Smith, a daughter oi John Smith, a r of 
 
 Green township, ami she is still quite hale and 
 hearty for one of |. They became the 
 
 pan fourteen children, who in order of 
 
 birth are as follows: Thomas, a lumber manu- 
 facturer of Green township; Rebecca, wife 
 Robert Lynch; Laura, deceased wife of William 
 Lupoid, Albert, a teacher of Mifflinburg, Union 
 Co., Penn.; William, a merchant and lumber 
 manufacturei Elmer 1 I tin- sketch . I 
 
 who died in childhood; Frank, t Forestville, 
 Union county; Ambrose, a lumberman ol tar- 
 roll, Green township, Clinton county; Lester, a 
 <i of Eastville, in the same township; 
 
 Charles, a lumberman of Green township; and 
 Harry and Edwin, all sawyers living in 
 Green township. 
 
 The opportunities afforded our subject for 
 obtaining an education were such as the public 
 schools of Green township were able to give. At 
 age of thirteen he began working in the 
 mill with his father, and after attaining his ma- 
 jority continued in the lumber business, being 
 for a part of the time a partner of his father and 
 also of his brothers, William and Thomas. He 
 resided principally in Green township, but was 
 
 iged in the manufacture of lumber both in 
 Clinton and Centre counties, following that busi- 
 ness exclusively until 1894, when he purchased 
 the Henry Reninger farm of 145 acres in Green 
 township, and now devotes a part of his time to 
 agricultural pursuits with results which cannot 
 fail to prove satisfactory. He has greatly im- 
 proved his place by the erection of a fine resi- 
 dence and substantial barns and outbuildings, 
 the aggregate cost of which was about $4,000, 
 and he now has one of the most desirable and 
 beautiful country places in Sugar Valley. 
 
 In 1S.S4 Mr. Douty was married to Miss 
 Johanna Troutner, a native of Sugar Valley, a 
 daughter of George and Regina (Brown) Trout- 
 ner, well-known agriculturists. Her mother is 
 an aunt of John Brown, a merchant of Logan- 
 ton. Eight children grace this union, namely: 
 Reuben < . Elsie K., George T., Mary S., Harry 
 L. , Laura E., Lester R. and Russell E. The 
 parents are both earnest and consistent members 
 of the United Evangelical Church, and in the 
 social circles of the community occupy an en- 
 viable position. The father of these takes an 
 active interest in the success of the Republican 
 party, which he always supports by his ballot, 
 but he is no politician in the sense of office-seek- 
 ing, preferring to devote his undivided attention 
 to his extensive business interests. He is a man 
 of progressive ideas, is well-posted on the cur- 
 rent events and topics of the day, and keeps fully 
 abreast with the times in every particular. In 
 manner he is genial and pleasant, and his sterl- 
 ing qualities command the respect and confidence 
 of all. and have secured for him the high regard 
 of a large circle of friends. 
 
 JOHN MUTHLER, one of the active, prom- 
 inent and most enterprising citizens of Bald 
 jjle township, Clinton county, was born 
 September 29, 1857, in Lock Ha\ 
 
 Joseph Muthler, his father, was born July 2. 
 1827, in Baden, Germany, and when a young 
 man came alone to the United States, landing at 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 737 
 
 New York without a penny. He traveled on 
 foot to Philadelphia, and his meals consisted of 
 frozen turnips found along the road, while he was 
 obliged to sleep in corn shocks covered with snow. 
 He found employment near Lebanon, Penn., 
 whence he later removed to Lock Haven. After 
 his marriage he worked as a hewer for different 
 firms, and acquired an enviable reputation on ac- 
 count of his skill in that line. He was also at 
 times employed at the carpenter's trade, and, pos- 
 sessing the economical traits characteristic of the 
 German people, he managed to save some of his 
 wages. Having a horse given him, he purchased 
 a boat for $10 and began boating on the canal, 
 making one or two trips in that way. He then 
 sold the boat and bought a better one, and also 
 purchased four mules, continuing boating until 
 removing to his farm in Beech Creek township, 
 Clinton county. During early life he often 
 worked for only fifty cents per day and boarded 
 himself, and at one time he worked for a whole 
 week for a razor, with which to shave himself. 
 For one year after his marriage he made his 
 home in Lockport, from there went to Lock Ha- 
 ven, and in the spring of 1870 purchased a farm 
 in Beech Creek township of the Bitner heirs, 
 continuing his residence there until the spring of 
 1889, when he returned to Lock Haven to spend 
 his remaining years in retirement. By excellent 
 management, good business ability and industri- 
 ous habits, he accumulated considerable proper- 
 ty, owning two good farms and 400 acres of tim- 
 berland besides his home in Lock Haven. 
 
 On April 3, 1853, Joseph Muthler was mar- 
 ried to Catharine Lehr, who was born June 17, 
 1826, in Germany, where her parents, Conrad 
 and Sophina (Harbach) Lehr, spent their entire 
 lives. By trade the father was a cooper. In his 
 family were seven children — one son and seven 
 daughters — namely: Hannah, Lizzie, Margaret 
 (now the widow of Joseph Bacher, of York, 
 Penn.), Elizabeth (who married a Mr. Hecken- 
 staller, and died in Sugar Valley, Penn.), Mary 
 (widow of Jacob Yv'idman, of Lock Haven), Cath- 
 arine, and Philip (a farmer of Beach Creek town- 
 ship, Clinton county, where his death occurred). 
 In 1852 Mrs. Muthler left Bremen in company 
 with her sister, Mrs. Margaret Speese, a widow 
 lady with two children, and a cousin, Christian 
 Lehr. After a voyage of six weeks they landed 
 at Baltimore, whence Mrs. Muthler went to Pitts- 
 burg, Penn., and eight weeks later to Centre 
 county, where her brother Philip was living. At 
 the time of her marriage she was living as a do- 
 mestic with a Mr. Liggett near Eagleville. She 
 is still living in Lock Haven, enjoying the com- 
 fortable competence left by her husband, but he 
 47* 
 
 passed to his final reward September 25, 1894. 
 In his younger days he was robust and strong, 
 and performed much hard labor. Although he 
 was a stalwart Democrat in politics he cared 
 nothing for the honors or emoluments of public 
 office, always declining to become a candidate 
 In religious belief he was a Catholic. 
 
 Our subject is the third in order of birth in a 
 family of six children, the others being as fol- 
 lows: Mary, wife of John Lehr, living near Fos- 
 toria, Kans. ; Frederick, a farmer of Beech Creek 
 township, Clinton county; Elizabeth, wife of 
 Adam Aaron, of the same township; Catharine, 
 wife of John D. R. Beaver, of Lock Haven; and 
 Joseph W., who died at the age of nineteen years. 
 
 John Muthler received only a limited com- 
 mon-school education, beginning his studies in 
 the schools of Lock Haven. At the early age of 
 six years he commenced driving on the towpath 
 for his father, who then owned a canal boat, and 
 during boyhood he made several trips to Balti- 
 more and Philadelphia. He was about twelve 
 years of age when his parents removed to the 
 farm, where he assisted in the arduous task of 
 clearing and developing new land. On attaining 
 his majority he started out in life for himself, at 
 first being in the employ of Wallace Gakle at 
 Mill Run, and he was later engaged at various 
 occupations in different localities. In the spring 
 of 1879 he went to Kansas, where he spent eight 
 months. 
 
 On February 19, 1885, Mr. Muthler was mar- 
 ried to Miss Victoria H. Peters, who was born 
 March 27, 1859, in Bald Eagle township, Clin- 
 ton county, and is the daughter of Casper and 
 Phcebe (Eckert) Peters, the former a native of 
 Germany, and the latter of Lycoming county, 
 Penn. Her father was first a laborer and boss 
 on railroad'construction, later engaged in lumber- 
 ing, and afterward became a farmer. He and 
 his wife are still living in Beech Creek township, 
 Clinton county, surrounded by many friends 
 who esteem them highly for their sterling worth. 
 In their family were ten children, six sons and 
 four daughters, of whom eight reached adult age. 
 Mrs. Muthler was provided with a fair common- 
 school education, is a consistent member of the 
 Presbyterian Church, and a most estimable lady. 
 By her marriage to our subject she became the 
 mother of five children, whose names and dates 
 of birth are as follows: Joseph O, November 
 23, 1885; Annie I. C, November 4, 1887; George 
 A., September 17, 1889; Elizabeth P., Septem- 
 ber 17, 1 891; and Grace M., May 4, 1894. 
 
 For four years after his marriage, Mr. Muth- 
 ler lived upon his father-in-law's place in Beech 
 Creek township, but in March, 1889, removed to 
 

 COM.VE.VORA TIVB BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 his present farm in Bald Eagle township, which 
 was once owned by his fathei his fine 
 
 farm of 153 acres he lias 200 acres of timber- 
 land, and is meeting with excellent success in his 
 undertakings as he is a thorough and systematic 
 agriculturist of progressive ideas and industrii 
 habits. Fraternally, he- is a member of the 
 and. politically, is identified with the 
 Dei ratic party. He seems to have inhei 
 the thrift that always attended his lather's efforts, 
 as well as those sterling principles ol honesty and 
 fairness that caused his parents to be so highly 
 respected. 
 
 J MEYER WILLIAMS, one of tl 1 in- 
 
 telligent, enterprising and industrious farm- 
 it Bald Eagle township, Clinton county, 
 was born on the farm where he still contini 
 to reside. |une 16, [ 858 . I John and Mary 
 
 I Meyer) Williams. 
 
 The father was a native of Wal n Au- 
 
 l 22, [813, and was a son of William and Eliz- 
 abeth (Lewis Williams, whose other children 
 were as follows: Mar) A., who wedded a Mr. 
 Davis, and ■ lived in Minersville, 
 
 Penn., where she died; Mrs. Morgan, who died 
 in Schuylkill county. Pi an Ellen, who mar- 
 
 ! Alexander Easton, and died in tin- Wi 
 Charlotte, who married Henrj Handley, and died 
 in Iowa; and |aines, who in early life followed 
 iiiiiihil; and later engaged in tanning in Beech 
 k township, Clinton county, where his 
 death occurred. The lather of our subject was 
 the the family 1 the New World, 
 
 and in 1 s ;s the grandfather with the other mem- 
 bers crossed the Atlantic, taking up their n 
 
 e in Beech (nek township, Clinton county, 
 where he purchased a tract ol wooded land and 
 developed a small farm, on which he erected a 
 
 hi He endured all the hardships 
 privations incident : er life in order to se- 
 
 cure lor his family a comfortable home lie de- 
 parted this life when 01 
 
 ami Ins rem I in the cemetery 1 »n 
 
 the hill near Lock Haven, when- his wife, who 
 survived him for some time, « laid to 
 
 r.^t at the time ol her death In religious 
 lief they were Methodists 
 
 In his native land John Williams, the father 
 of our subjei employed .1- a miner, and 
 often for a whole wi would m the 
 light of day, beginning work before sunrise and 
 nevei stopping until after dark. Hi- father be- 
 ing a 1 1 laboring man, he was early thrown 
 
 upon his own resources, and his school privili 
 were necessarily limited. In 1S38, after a 1 
 
 tge, he reached this country and first local 
 
 m Pottsville, Penn., where he engaged in mining, 
 but in later years came to Beech Creek township. 
 Clinton county, where his father had located, 
 and here he also worked in the ore mines for 
 some time. In December. 1850, in Beech 
 Creek township, John Williams married Mrs. 
 Mary Poorman, widow ol David Poorman, and 
 
 eldest child of Valentine and Elizabeth Hoy 
 Meyer, the other children being as follows: Sam- 
 uel, born September 16, 1816, died in California; 
 Catharine, born July 9, 1818, married Samuel 
 
 -ter, of Clintondale; William, born April 30, 
 [820, died in Clintondale; Elizabeth, born Feb- 
 ruary 9, 1S22, died unmarried at the age of 
 twenty-three; John, born February 26, [824, wasa 
 member of an Iowa regiment during the Civil 
 war, and is still a resident of Jasper county, that 
 Stal a, born February 19, 1826, man 
 
 William Moore, and at the time of her death, 
 winch occurred in MifHinburg, was the wife of 
 Jacob Maurer; and Joseph, born October 17. 
 [827, died in Newton. Iowa, in [858 Valentine 
 Meyer, the father of Mrs. Williams, was born 
 March 4, 1793, in Schuylkill county, Penn.. but, 
 when a boy, accompanied his father, Henry 
 Meyer, on his removal to Union county, where 
 he was reared. He was a wagonraaker by trade, 
 but devoted his later years to farming. He died 
 in 1858, and was buried in Bethel cemetery. Por- 
 ter township, Clinton county, while his wife, who 
 was born in September, 1793, died November 4. 
 1 ^27, and was buried in Snydertown. Centre 
 
 Penn. The) were both earnest and < 
 sistent members of the Reformed Church, and in 
 politic- he was tirst a Democrat, but being an 
 anti-slavery man he joined the Republican party 
 
 ts organization. 
 
 The birth of Mrs Williams, the mother of 
 our subject, occurred in Limestone township. 
 Union Co., Penn , February 2, 1 s 1 5 , and she 
 was four years old when brought by her pa- 
 rent- I I' it. 1 township, Clinton county, where 
 she was reared and first married. By that 
 union she had four children: Daniel, who 
 drowned while bathing in Spirit Lake. Iowa; 
 Catharine, wife of Isaac Loveland, of Porter 
 township; Matilda, who married Reuben Wet/el, 
 and died in Missouri; and Elizabeth J . who wed- 
 ded James Treaster, and died in Nebraska. In 
 
 " Mr. and Mrs. I 1 removed to Venan- 
 
 nty, Penn., where he died March 1:. 
 
 (, alter which she returned to Clinton coun- 
 
 naking her home in Porter township, until 
 ing her hand in marriage to Mr. Will- 
 iams. From there they removed to the present 
 farm of our subject, in Bald Eagle township, in 
 the By her second marria. 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 739 
 
 Mrs. Williams became the mother of six children: 
 Emma, now the wife of John E. Williams, of 
 Newberry, Lycoming Co.. Penn. ; Mary, a school 
 teacher, who makes her home with her mother 
 in Lamar; Martha, wife of Theodore S. Faus, of 
 Spring Mills, Penn. ; Ella, who is engaged in 
 teaching in Renovo, Penn. ; J. Meyer, of this re- 
 view; and Minnie, now Mrs. William Nancarrow, 
 of Pittsburg, Penn. For the past fifteen years 
 Mrs. Williams has made her home in Lamar, is 
 a faithful member of the Methodist Church, and 
 is highly respected by all who know her. On 
 January I, 1893, she broke one of her lower 
 limbs, but with that exception is still well- 
 preserved. 
 
 During his boyhood J. Meyer Williams at- 
 tended the Laurel Run school, John Salmon and 
 Mary Van Dusen being among his first teachers, 
 but he supplemented the knowledge there ac- 
 quired by a course in the Central State Normal 
 School, where he was a student in the fall of 
 1880 and the following winter. Reared on a 
 farm, he early became familiar with agricultural 
 pursuits, and since old enough has successfully 
 operated the home farm, renting it after his mar- 
 riage until the spring of 1891, when he purchased 
 it. He has 144 acres of rich and valuable land, 
 and in connection with general farming is en- 
 gaged in fruit growing. He thoroughly under- 
 stands that branch of his business, having de- 
 voted much time to reading and study on the 
 subject. 
 
 On January 26, 1882, Mr. Williams was mar- 
 ried to Miss Belle B. Winters, a native of Bald 
 Eagle township, and a daughter of William and 
 Elizabeth (Bruner) Winters. After attending the 
 common schools for some time, she pursued her 
 studies in the Central State Normal School, and 
 also in a select school at Lock Haven, and later 
 successfully engaged in teaching for seven terms. 
 Mr. and Mrs. Williams have six children: Ray 
 R., Helen F. , Ralph E., Ruby A., W. Scott and 
 Edwin. 
 
 On attaining his majority Mr. Williams es- 
 poused the principles of the Republican party, 
 but since 1894 has given his support to the Pro- 
 hibition party, as he is strictly temperate in all 
 his habits, never using intoxicants or tobacco in 
 any form. He and his wife are active members 
 of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he 
 is now serving as steward, and both have been 
 teachers in the Sabbath-school. He keeps well 
 posted on the leading questions and issues of the 
 day, and being a man of the strictest integrity, 
 honorable and upright in all things, he has the 
 confidence and esteem of all with whom he 
 comes in contact. 
 
 BANIEL EYER, an agriculturist residing in 
 Bald Eagle township, Clinton county, pre- 
 sents in his life a splendid example of industry, 
 close application to business, and perseverance. 
 He commenced life at the foot of the ladder, but 
 blessed with a prudent and sensible wife as a 
 helpmeet, not too proud to labor, he is now able 
 to take life easily and comfortably, in the en- 
 joyment of the fruits of his early labor. 
 
 Mr. Eyer was born in Dry Valley, Union Co., 
 Penn., January 3, 1821, but during his childhood 
 his parents located near Muncy, Penn. They 
 were John and Elizabeth (Wise) Eyer, the for- 
 mer a farmer by occupation. After residing for 
 some time near Muncy, he disposed of his prop- 
 erty there and took up his residence near Jersey 
 Shore, where his wife died in June, 1838, and 
 was there laid to rest. The father spent his last 
 days with a son in Nittan\- Valley, dying there 
 at the ripe old age of eighty-two, and his re- 
 mains were interred in Brown cemetery. Our 
 subject is the youngest in their family of eight 
 children, the others being as follows: Jacob, who 
 died at his home below New Buffalo, Penn. ; 
 Elizabeth, who married Peter Risser, and died in 
 Lycoming county; John, who was buried in Brown 
 cemetery, Clinton county; Samuel, who died on 
 Sugar Valley Mountain; William, who died in 
 Lock Haven, and was buried on Sugar Valley 
 Mountain; Kate, wife of John Bechtel, of Dane 
 county, Wis. ; and Abraham, who died in Will- 
 iams county, Ohio. 
 
 In a primitive log school house near Muncy, 
 Penn., Daniel Eyer began his literary education, 
 but his advantages in that direction were very 
 limited. Reared to agricultural pursuits, he 
 worked as a farm hand for a few years previous 
 to his marriage. At the age of twenty-eight he 
 wedded Miss Julia Owns, who was born in Pine 
 Creek township, Clinton county, October 10, 
 1823, and when a girl accompanied her parents, 
 Robert and Margaret (Korns) Owns, on their re- 
 moval to Clearfield county, Penn , where she 
 was reared. Four children graced this union, 
 namely: David H., a resident of Jersey Shore, 
 Penn. ; William H, a farmer of Bald Eagle town- 
 ship, Clinton county; Samuel H., married, who 
 died in 1894, and was buried at Jersey Shore; 
 and Maria H., who died in infancy. 
 
 By making posts and fence rails, Mr. Eyer 
 had managed to save a small sum of money pre- 
 vious to his marriage, and he began his domes- 
 tic life in a rented house in Beech Creek town- 
 ship, Clinton county. Later he purchased ten 
 acres of land in Bald Eagle township, where he 
 now lives, but had to go heavily in debt even for 
 that small amount. For several years he con- 
 

 ( OMMBMORATIVB BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 tinned i m the manufacture 
 
 oi posts and fence rails, in tins way paying a 
 small amount on bis farm each year, and when 
 his financial resources increased, he extended its 
 boundaries until he ii"W has a valuable place of 
 one hun h and arable land, which 
 
 he has p der excellent cultivation and im- 
 
 proved with good and substantial buildings. In 
 his financial operations he has met with a well- 
 deserved success. In politics he was first a 
 Whig, later a Know- Nothing, and is now a 
 thorough Republican, believing that within that 
 party lie the principles which arc the safest guides 
 foi 'in national government. He has served as 
 i seer of the poor and supervisor in his town- 
 ship, and di to be numbered among the 
 honored and prominent citizens of his commu- 
 nity. 
 
 EDWIN S. MOBLEY resides in Beech Creek, 
 _j and the commercial activity of the town is 
 largely promoted through his efforts. He is a 
 member oi the firm ol Mobley & Hall, general 
 merchants, and is a wide-awake, progressive 
 business man. 
 
 Born in Mark county, Ohio, in 1861, Mr. 
 Moblej 1 of Salethiel and Emily (Quigle) 1 
 
 Moblej The father was born in Ohio, and 
 
 ;it forty-eight years of his life there. Through- 
 out his business carter he has carried on mer- 
 chandising, and his well-directed efforts brought 
 him fair success. In 1865 he removed to Beech 
 1 reek, where he has since made his home, and 
 is now Hearing the eightieth milestone on lil 
 journey. In public affairs he has taken quite a 
 prominent and commendable part. His wile 
 ed awaj in 1 ■ 
 
 Edwin S. Moblej acquired his early educa- 
 tion in I leech Creek, and supplemented it by 
 study in the schools "f Lock Haven. On laying 
 aside his text books he turned his attention to 
 merchandising. The first money he earned was 
 eleven dollars, which he invested in a small 
 >tock of confectionery, and with the profit de- 
 rived from it- purchased his tail 
 
 ■ k of t Thus little by little he in- 
 creased his capital until lie was enabled to bu) a 
 hall interest 111 his fat I e, and -till 
 l.e became sole proprietor. In 1889 he a 
 ciated with him Mr. Hall, Ins pi. 
 and the firm ranks among the leading and pro- 
 gr< rms "f the town. They carry ;> full 
 and complete stock ol general men handise, and 
 their well-appointed .--tore and courteous t: 
 (i out of theirj ■ nid their h irable deal- 
 
 ing have secured to them a liberal and well-mer- 
 ited patronc 
 
 In 1885 Mr. Mobley was united in marriage to 
 Miss Sarah A. Hall, a daughter of Samuel Hall, 
 ased, an old and respected citizen of Beech 
 (reek. They now have a son and daughter, 
 Roy Hall and Stella May. Mr. and Mrs. Mob- 
 ire leading members of the Methodist Epis- 
 il Church, in which he is serving as cla-s- 
 leader and assistant superintendent of the Sab- 
 bath-school. Socially, he is a member of the 
 Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Patriotic 
 < »rder Sons ol America, and the Royal Arcanum. 
 In politics he is a Republican with Prohibition 
 proclivities. In business he is honorable, in 
 public affairs faithful to his duties of citizenship, 
 and in social relations is pleasant and cordial. 
 
 JOHN F. ROCKEY, a retired lumberman 
 and farmer of Green township, Clinton coun- 
 ts, belongs to a family noted for its patriot- 
 ism and loyalty, live sons having aided their 
 country in her successful effort to preserve the 
 Union, and among the number was our subject, 
 who did his duty nobly and unflinchingly on the 
 field of battle or in the camp. He was born 
 in Sugar Valley, Logan township, Clinton coun- 
 ty. February iS, 1 S39, and is a grandson of 
 Bernard Rockey, who was of Scotch-Irish de- 
 scent. 
 
 Abraham Rockey, our subject's father, was 
 a native of Potter Bank, Centre Co., Penn., 
 and received a fairly good common-school edu- 
 cation in English, and was also able to speak 
 
 man. With his parents he removed to Lo- 
 gan township, Clinton county, where he engaged 
 in farming until 1841, when he located upon 
 the farm in Green township where our subject 
 now resides. Purchasing 400 acres of timber- 
 land, he erected a sawmill thereon, and for a 
 quarter of a century engaged in the manufacture 
 
 lumber. He also placed some of his land 
 under cultivation and improved the same with a 
 substantial log house and barn. He was a hard- 
 working, energetic man of good business ability, 
 and as a lumberman met with excellent success. 
 He possessed the confidence of his business asso- 
 ciates, as well as the respect and esteem of all 
 who knew him. His death occurred on his farm 
 in 1865, ami his remains were interred in the 
 n township cemetery. The Democratic 
 party found in him an ardent supporter, but he 
 was no politician in the sense of office seeking. 
 
 During early manhood Abram Rockey was 
 
 ■iied in Logan township, Clinton counts 
 Mi-s Lydd) Wolmeldorf, a native of that town- 
 ship, and a r of Frederick Wolmeldorf. 
 Thirteen children were born to them: Paul, n 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 741 
 
 a resident of Freeport, 111.; Jacob, who died at 
 the age of twenty-eight years; Rebecca, widow 
 of Lewis L. Berry, of Jewell City, Kans. ; Jere- 
 miah, a carpenter by trade, who was a soldier 
 in the Civil war; John F. , of this sketch; Thomas, 
 who was also one of the brave "boys in blue," 
 and is now a resident of Charleston, W. Ya. ; 
 Lewis, a Union soldier, now living in Jewell 
 county, Kans.; William, of Williamsport, Penn., 
 Abram D., a Union soldier residing in Minne- 
 sota; Mary, wife of William Runegar, of Jewell 
 county, Kans. ; Harriet, wife of William Huler, 
 of Salem county, 111. ; James, who was killed by 
 a falling tree; and Hannah, married. After the 
 father's death the mother married Frederick 
 Staver, of Sugar Valley, and she departed this 
 life in Wisconsin. 
 
 In an old log school house in Green township, 
 supplied with slab seats and a huge fire-place at 
 one end, John F. Rockey pursued his studies, his 
 first teacher being Samuel Bower, and although 
 his school training was rather limited he has be- 
 come a well-informed man by subsequent read- 
 ing and observation. In early boyhood he began 
 work in his father's sawmill, where he remained 
 until eighteen years of age, and then served a 
 two-years' apprenticeship to the carpenter's 
 trade under Michael Karsteter, after which he 
 again followed milling until 1863. In that year 
 he responded to his country's call for troops, en- 
 listing at Williamsport in Company D, First 
 Pennsylvania Cavalry, which was assigned to the 
 Army of the Potomac, and during his eleven- 
 months' service participated in the battle of 
 Stone Creek and in several other engagements. 
 He was also present at the surrender of Gen. 
 Lee, and took part in the grand review in Wash- 
 ington, District of Columbia. 
 
 When the war was over and his services were 
 no longer needed, Mr. Rockey was honorably 
 discharged and returned home. His father hav- 
 ing died while he was in the service, he and his 
 mother operated the sawmill for three years, and 
 then our subject removed to Crawford township, 
 Clinton county, where he lived until 1876, in 
 which year he returned to the old homestead and 
 again took up lumbering and farming. Since 
 1894, however, he has lived retired, while his 
 son operates the farm, which comprises seventy- 
 eight acres of valuable land. He was always a 
 very active and progressive business man, and 
 accumulated a competence which now enables 
 him to spend his declining years in ease and re- 
 tirement, surrounded by loving kindred and many 
 warm friends. 
 
 In Limestone township, Lycoming Co. , Penn. , 
 Mr. Rockey was united in marriage with Miss 
 
 Ellen Shaw, who was born in Crawford township, 
 Clinton county, a daughter of Daniel Shaw, and 
 eight children blessed their union: James, who 
 married Susan Hoover, and operates the old 
 homestead; David, a lumberman of Cambria 
 county, Penn.; Lyddie, who died in childhood; 
 Maggie, wife of Nathan Phleger, of Limestone 
 township, Lycoming county; Lottie, Mary and 
 John, who died in childhood; and Eva, at home. 
 Fraternally, Mr. Rockey is a member of George 
 W. Moyer Post No. 379, G. A. R., of Logan- 
 ton, and politically he affiliates with the Democ- 
 racy. Although he has never been an office 
 seeker he has been called upon to serve as tax 
 collector and assessor in his township, the duties 
 of which positions he most faithfully discharged. 
 
 CHRISTIAN LEHR, of Clintondale, Clinton 
 county, is one of the most highly esteemed 
 citizens of the county, and no better example of 
 a self-made man can be found in the Nittany Val- 
 ley. 
 
 Mr. Lehr was born December 21, 1825, in 
 German}', a son of John and Catherine (Lape) 
 Lehr, both of whom passed their entire lives in 
 the Fatherland. He received an education in the 
 schools of his native place, and at an early age 
 began to work at farming, saving his scanty earn- 
 ings in order to secure the money to pay for his 
 passage to America, the " land of promise." In 
 1852 he embarked on a sailing vessel, and after a 
 voyage of thirty-two days landed at Baltimore, 
 Md., from which point he made his way to Pitts- 
 burg. He could not speak a word of English, 
 and when he had paid for his first night's lodg- 
 ing he was practically out of money and did not 
 know where to find a shelter for the next night. 
 He applied for work at a tannery in Allegheny, 
 where he was at first refused, but when the own- 
 er was informed of his destitute condition he was 
 employed for four dollars per month, at grinding 
 bark. With this and some extra work, Mr. 
 Lehr managed to exist, and by the closest econ- 
 omy saved a little money. A few months after 
 his arrival at Pittsburg, a cousin, Catherine Lehr, 
 from Germany, joined him, and he decided to 
 accompany her to the home of her brother at 
 Beech Creek, Clinton county. He spent about 
 two years in that vicinity as a farm laborer, and 
 then went to Lock Haven where he was em- 
 ployed for a time as hostler at the "Montour 
 House," and later worked in a brick yard. On 
 leaving Lock Haven he went to Chicago, and 
 there he met and married his first wife, Miss 
 Amelia Gronet, a native of Germany, who came 
 to the United States when she was a child. 
 
742 
 
 VORATIVB BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 Soon after this event the young couple came to 
 Lock Haven, and Mr 1 und himself with 
 
 but one cent in bis \ This he threw into 
 
 the canal lock, determining to "begin over en- 
 tirely," as hi He secured employment in 
 a brick yard belonging to a Mi an, and 
 afterward found work in a sawmill where he re- 
 mained twelve years, being able while then 
 save quite a sum of mon< 1 i some time he 
 ii cleaning out the canal, under 
 the direction of Lewis Walter-, and fur sixt 
 
 e was toll keepn at the Lock Haven 
 bridge, In- i i vice in tlmt ca- 
 
 pacity being unequaled by that of any other keep- 
 er, as hi> Ii i.i "f employment indical 
 
 In [885 hi re ved to Clintondale, having pur- 
 chased from Allison Whiti perty u] 
 which he has since made his home. He has 
 
 atly improved the place, making one of the 
 . the Nittany Valley, and 
 he is now enjoying in wi ed leisure the re- 
 
 ward ol former toil. Quiet and unassuming in 
 manner, he has made many friends, while no man 
 can accuse him ol an unworthy act in any busi- 
 
 3 deal. Politically he is a D u rat, but he 
 has neithei sought nor held office. 
 
 During his 1 in Lock Haven his first 
 
 wife died, leaving one daughter. Lizzie, who 
 married ol Lock 11 I is 
 
 now 1- Mr. Leh ! .1 second matri- 
 
 monial union, this time with Mi line 
 
 1 wry, who was born June- 22, 1834, in Union 
 
 I hi., a daughter of Jacob and Mai 
 1 M"lu i Lowi in the Nit! 
 
 Valley, her pan nts having removed to that 
 lot ality when she was but a child. Onedaughtei 
 this marriage, Miss Lillie, who is still 
 at home, and is prominent in the social lifi 
 the place. In religious faith Mr. Lehr is a Lu- 
 theran, and foi six years he was a deacon in the 
 German Lutheran Church at Lock Haven. At 
 one time he was a men the 1 0.0 F. . 
 
 Lnit he now 1: ittend Ii 11 
 
 JA< I IB GOTTSI 11 \I.L. a 1 itive 
 
 farmer and pn iallagher 
 
 township, Clint itj , was born [anuary 
 
 21, 1831, mar Williamsport, L inty, 
 
 Penn., and paternal sidi nan 
 
 deso in His grandfathi 1 , fohn Gi ttsi hall, a 
 native of Berks county. Penn., followed the 
 
 occupation of lumbering, using the old whip-saw 
 the manufacture of -awed lum- 
 ber. Tl ter pari ol Ins life was passed in 
 his native county, but he dnd m Lycoming 
 county in 1839 while visiting somi of his family. 
 
 11 was a Lutheran in religious belief, a Demo- 
 crat in politics, and an honored and valued 
 citizen of his community. During the Revolu- 
 tionary war he aided the colonies in their strug- 
 gle for independence. In Berks county he mar- 
 ried a Miss Fouse, and to them were born twelve 
 chikb 
 
 One of that number was John Gottschall. fa- 
 thi r of our subject, who was also a native of 
 Berks county, and was educated in German, 
 but could not read or write English. Until he 
 attained his majority he followed lumbering 
 with his father, and then spent a short time in 
 New York State, after which he located near 
 Williamsport, Lycoming county, Penn., where 
 he engaged in lumbering until 1S41. Coming to 
 dallagher township. Clinton county, he bought 
 150 timber land, which he cleared, cul- 
 
 tivated and greatly improved, and continued to 
 make his home until called to his final rest in 
 J iiiy. [862, his remains being interred in the 
 Caldwell cemetery. He was a kind husband and 
 father, and a true friend. With the Lutheran 
 Church he held membership, and gave his polit- 
 ical support to the Democratic party. 
 
 John Gottschall was twice married, his first 
 wife being Miss Kate Sherman, who was born at 
 Munc) Creek, Lycoming county, died in (849, 
 and was buried in Caldwell cemetery. The fol- 
 lowing children constituted their family: John, 
 now a resident ol North Carolina; three who died 
 in infancy; Thomas, of Lock Haven, Penn.; 
 
 omon, a wagon manufacturer of Williams- 
 port; Abram, who lives in the West; Jacob; 
 Mrs ( atharine Maker, a widow lady; Samuel, of 
 Tyro in.; Rebecca, wife of Frederick Pi- 
 
 per; and two others who died in infancy. Mr. 
 Gottschall's second marriage was with Christina 
 Hartzock, v.: foseph Fritz, and the moth- 
 
 er of Henry Fritz, of Gallagher township, Clinton 
 county. 
 
 As there were no schools in Gallagher town- 
 ship during the boyhood of our subject, his 
 education has all been acquired outside of books. 
 At the early age of seven years he began to 
 ban. lie the axe in the woods, and worked for his 
 fathei both at lumbering and farming in dallagher 
 township until he had attained his majority in 
 1852, when he bought a tract of 1 of 
 
 land still covered with a heavy growth of timber. 
 In the midst of the wilderness he began life for 
 himself, and as he cut down the trees upon his 
 place he manufactured them into shingles by 
 
 d, making 1,400,000 for John Ram, of 
 Chatham Run. When he located upon his farm 
 the countrj roundabout was all wild, and the 
 "ear. tmill and store were twelve miles 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 743 
 
 distant, while no roads led to his place, and he 
 had to carry his grain to mill. For almost a 
 half century he has now resided there, and in 
 that time a wonderful transformation has taken 
 place; where once were unbroken forests, fields 
 of grain now greet the eye, a fine orchard has 
 been set out, and a good residence, barns and 
 outbuildings have been erected, making it a most 
 desirable farm. Although he never kept books 
 of any kind, he had an excellent memory, and 
 while extensively engaged in the lumber business 
 and the manufacture of shingles, employing a 
 number of men, he could give his expenditures 
 and receipts of the year to a cent. At one time 
 he was in partnership with John Blush, a well- 
 known shingle manufacturer and lumberman. 
 
 On October 2, 1852, in Gallagher township, 
 Mr. Gottschall married Miss Sarah Fritz, who 
 was born in Lock Haven, a daughter of Joseph 
 Fritz, and a stepdaughter of our subject's father: 
 Their children were as follows: Martha B., 
 born May 21, 1856, is the wife of Wesley Phillips, 
 a farmer of Gallagher township; Mary A., born 
 July 17, 1858, is the wife of Albert Green, also 
 an agriculturist of Gallagher township; Ambrose, 
 born November 6, i860, a farmer, is married to 
 Ellen Connoway, of Gallagher township, by whom 
 he has three children; George, born July 20, 
 1864, also a farmer, married Emma Edwards, 
 and has one son, Samuel; Robert, born October 
 26, 1866, wedded Mary Manier, and operates 
 the home farm; Jennie, born May 4, 1869, is the 
 wife of Hiram Myers, and has three children; 
 and Rosie, born March 13, 1877, is at home. 
 Mrs. Gottschall, who was a devoted wife and 
 loving mother, died October 26, 1892. The 
 family belong to the Baptist Church, and are 
 widely and favorably known. 
 
 In 1852 Mr. Gottschall cast his first vote for 
 Van Buren, the Democratic candidate for Presi- 
 dent, later became a Whig, and now supports the 
 Republican party, casting his last Presidential 
 ballot for Major McKinley in 1896. Although 
 he had no education to assist him in his life 
 work, he has made the most of his opportunities, 
 and has not only acquired a comfortable compe- 
 tence, but has also gained the good will and con- 
 fidence of all with whom he has come in contact. 
 
 J; ESSE LAUBACH. Honored and respected 
 by all, there is no man in Bald Eagle town- 
 ship, Clinton county, who occupies a more 
 enviable position in agricultural circles than Mr. 
 Laubach, not alone on account of the success that 
 he has achieved, but also on account of the honora- 
 ble, straightforward business policy he has ever 
 
 followed. He was born January 24, 1831, in 
 North Whitehall township, Lehigh Co., Penn., 
 where he continued to make his home until the 
 spring of 1848. 
 
 Christian and Elizabeth (Dech) Laubach, par- 
 ents of our subject, were born, reared and mar- 
 ried in Northampton county, Penn. Jacob Dech, 
 the maternal grandfather, was a native of Ger- 
 many, and on coming to this country located on 
 a wooded farm near Bath, Penn. Members of 
 his family still reside in Northampton county, 
 and are numbered among its wealthy and prom- 
 inent citizens. The paternal grandparents of 
 our subject also came from the Fatherland, and 
 many bearing the name of Laubach are leading 
 professional and business men of Lehigh county. 
 In the county of his nativity Christian Laubach 
 owned a good farm, which he traded on a larger 
 tract in Lehigh county, where he afterward re- 
 moved. His last years, however, were spent 
 with his son Edward in Crawford township, Clin- 
 ton county, where he died when almost ninety 
 years of age, while his wife jeached the age of 
 ninety-three, and their remains were interred in 
 Limestone township, Lycoming Co., Penn. For 
 over sixty years they had traveled life's journey 
 together, sharing its joys and sorrows, and they 
 had the respect of all who knew them. The 
 father was a man of undoubted integrity and 
 blameless life, and was a very successful farmer. 
 He was a devout member of the German Re- 
 formed Church, to which he was a liberal con- 
 tributor, while his wife was a Lutheran in relig- 
 ious belief. In politics he was first a Whig and 
 later a Republican. 
 
 To Christian and Elizabeth Laubach were 
 born the following children: Elias, in his day a 
 successful farmer, who died in Northampton 
 county at the age of seventy years; Julia, who 
 married Rudolph Kemmerer, and died in Summit 
 county, Ohio; Abraham, who was always an in- 
 valid, and died at the old home in Lehigh coun- 
 ty; Eliza, who married Thomas Seighfried, and 
 died at the age of forty years in Lehigh county; 
 Mary, who wedded Conrad Lerch, and died in 
 Crawford township. Clinton county; Joshua, who 
 is now a stock dealer of Lehigh county; Charles, 
 a farmer of Lycoming county; Edwin, a retired 
 miller of Lehigh county; Stephen, a farmer of 
 Lycoming county; Jesse, of this sketch; Edward, 
 a resident of Crawford township, Clinton county; 
 and James, a farmer of Lehigh county. 
 
 Jesse Laubach received a fair German educa- 
 tion in the country schools near his boyhood 
 home, but could not speak English until he 
 reached the age of sixteen. He was naturally 
 bright and learned readily, while his memory was 
 
711 
 
 ( OMMSMORATIYB BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 remarkable, though his advantages were poor. 
 He was anxious to learn the English langua 
 but it was spi iken but little in his locality; through 
 his own efforts, however, he mastered that tongue, 
 and by reading and observation has becon 
 well-informed man < >n leaving home, Mr. Lau- 
 bacli went to Mauch Chunk, Penn., where for 
 two months he clerked in a store for $6 per 
 month and his board. His brothei St< phen, 
 who had visited Clinton county, was at that time 
 in Mauch (hunk with a mule and ca per- 
 
 suaded our subject to accompany him on his re- 
 turn to Clinton county, where their brother 
 Charles was also living. On his arrival he re- 
 mained with the latti r f<>r a few weeks, and 
 on March 22. 1848, began working for Samuel 
 L. Allison, of Lamar township, as a farm hand, 
 fur $9 per month, receiving his wages onl\ 
 the six months when the farm work was heaviest, 
 while during the other six months he worked for 
 Ins board, As he was industrious and proved 
 
 rj valuable to his employer, Ins wages w 
 raised $1 per month each year for three years, 
 and as an inducement to have our subject remain 
 with him. Mr. Alii- red him the farm on 
 
 shares. He conducted the place in that way for 
 three years, and wishing to give his attention to 
 other business he refused a better offer from his 
 employi 1 
 
 W uli th' money that he had saved, Mr. Lau- 
 bach be^an dealing in horses, cattle and sheep, 
 which business called him to every section of the 
 Stati . oid in his new undertaking he met with 
 ■ llent success. Later he became a huckster 
 and butcher, with his market in Lock Ha\ 
 and he also speculated in anything honorable 
 whereby money could be made In [862, in 
 partnership with Jacob Bower, he opened a gen- 
 1 Lot k Haven, bul six months later 
 Mr. Bower sold his interest to Samuel Adams, 
 and foi u m 11 \ years busmen was carried on under 
 the firm name oi Laubach A Adams Finally 
 selling out to John E. burst and I 
 ner, Mi Laubach embarked in the real-estate 
 business in the same place, and in that enterp 
 also prospered, until, unfortunately, in a busini 
 venture with unscrupulous men, he. in [876, 
 practically lost everything. Going to Fleming- 
 ton, he d in general merchandising and 
 the coal business (or .1 year and a half, and at 
 the end oi that tune again tinned his attention to 
 agricultural pursuits, with the hopes ol retrieving 
 his lost fortune Aftei operating rented land 
 several was able to purchase, in 1 ■- 
 lu> present farm in Laid Eagle township, from 
 the A. ('. V : ite, .md two years later took 
 up his residence thereon, devoting his energies to 
 
 its cultivation and improvement until 1S94, when 
 he rented the place and removed to his present 
 home, where he is now living practically retired. 
 
 In March. 1 S 5 5 . Mr. Laubach married Miss 
 Catharine L. Allison, a native of Porter town- 
 ship, Clinton county, and a daughter of Samuel 
 and Elizabeth (Troutman) Allison. Six children 
 blessed this union: Ltta E. , who married How- 
 ard McClintock, and died at the home of our 
 subject; Ida A., wife of Enoch Bartholomew, of 
 Ridgway, Penn. ; Ella C, wife of James H. Huff, 
 ol Laid Eagle township; Nina A., wife of Will- 
 iam Riter, of the same township; Emery G., a 
 farmer of Laid Lagle township; and Allison J., 
 a prosperous merchant of Ridgway. 
 
 The Republican party has always found in 
 Mr. Laubach a stanch supporter, and he has 
 been called upon to serve as school director, 
 auditor, supervisor and in other township offices, 
 which he tilled with credit to himself and satis- 
 faction to his constituents. One of the leading 
 and influential men of his community, he takes 
 an active interest in all public improvements, and 
 gives his support to every enterprise calculated 
 to advance the general welfare. At the age of 
 sixteen he joined the German Reformed Church, 
 but while a resident of Lock Haven he became a 
 prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal 
 Church, and since coming to Bald Eagle town- 
 ship has held membership in the Presbyterian 
 Church, with which he is officially connected. 
 He affiliates with the Patriotic Order Sons of 
 America, and at one time belonged to the Odd 
 Fellows Society. He is a most progressive, en- 
 terprising farmer, thoroughly up to date in all 
 his methods, and is now government correspond- 
 ent of the agricultural reports in his locality. 
 Besides his valuable farm of 200 acres, he now 
 owns two resiliences. In business transactions 
 his word has ever been considered as good as his 
 bond, and in all the relations of life he has been 
 found true to every trust reposed in him. He 
 
 traveled extensively over man) of the States 
 of the Union, and wherever he goes he wins 
 friends, and has, moreover, the happy faculty of 
 able to retain them. 
 
 Gl KALI' is an energetic and 
 r thorough-going business man, now engaged 
 in general merchandising in Lamar. Clinton 
 nty. A so,, of George and Martha (Marks) 
 ip, he was born October 13, 1 832. in Colum- 
 bia county, Penn., where he was reared upon a 
 farm, attending school only about two months 
 through ntire boyhood 
 
 In his native county Mr. Raup married Miss 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 745 
 
 Sarah Roadarmel, and to them were born the 
 following children: Christopher C, Thomas J. 
 and W. S., all farmers of Northumberland coun- 
 ty, Penn. ; W. K., who is engaged in business 
 with his father; U. S. Grant, a resident of Mt. 
 Carmel, Penn.; Martha, who is married; and Ida 
 and Rosa M., both at home. In Columbia 
 county, Mr. Raup conducted a sawmill until 
 1 87 1, when he removed to Ralpho township, 
 Northumberland county, where he engaged in 
 lumbering, and later followed the same pursuit in 
 Nittany Valley, Clinton and Centre counties, 
 meeting with a fair degree of success. On Sep- 
 tember 23, 1895, he bought his present mercan- 
 tile business from the assignee of R. Loveland 
 Axe Company (limited) at Lamar, where, in 
 partnership with his son, W. K., he has since 
 successfully engaged in business under the firm 
 style of G. M. Raup & Son. They have greatly 
 enlarged the stock of goods, and are now con- 
 ducting one of the best stores in Nittany Valley. 
 
 In June, 1863, Mr. Raup enlisted in the 
 Emergency Service, and was engaged in active 
 duty for one month. In the following year he 
 joined Company H, 48th P. V. I., under Capt. 
 Alfred Thompson, and saw much hard fighting. 
 Although he was severely wounded at the battle 
 of Petersburg, he would not go to the hospital, 
 and was never off duty, being in all engagements 
 of his regiment until the close of the war. After 
 ten months of arduous and faithful service he 
 was honorably discharged. He also took part 
 in the grand review at Washington, District of 
 Columbia. 
 
 Mr. Raup's sterling integrity and general ur- 
 banity of manner have won for him a large num- 
 ber of friends in Nittany Valley, and his business 
 energy and earnestness a numerous and increas- 
 ing patronage. In his new venture in the mer- 
 cantile line he is fast achieving a merited suc- 
 cess, and has won the respect and confidence of 
 all with whom he has come in contact. Although 
 his business interests are now in Lamar, his 
 family continues to reside in Ralpho township, 
 Northumberland county. The Republican party 
 has always found in him a stanch supporter, but 
 he has never cared for official positions. 
 
 © 
 
 H. WEST. Few men have passed through 
 as many trying vicissitudes as marked the 
 early life of the subject of this sketch, now a 
 wealthy and influential resident of Salona, Clin- 
 ton county. Beginning his business career as a 
 mere boy, without education, capital or friends, 
 his Yankee shrewdness has served him well, and 
 he has succeeded in many an enterprise of which 
 
 others disapproved as too venturesome. One 
 factor in his success which cannot be too often or 
 too strongly brought to the attention of the am- 
 bitious young man of to-day is his "reliability," 
 a quality that has enabled him to gain and keep 
 the confidence of capitalists who have been glad 
 to furnish the fuDds for the business operations 
 which his keen intellect designed and his un- 
 tiring energy carried to a successful conclusion. 
 
 Mr. West was born March 25. 1833, in Hart- 
 ford, Conn., and his parents, Lyman and Jerusha 
 (Backus) West, were also natives of that city. 
 Lyman West learned the blacksmith's trade in 
 his youth, and followed it for some years in Con- 
 necticut; but in 1837 he removed with his family 
 to Tioga Center, N. Y., and after continuing the 
 same business for a time he bought 1 50 acres of 
 timber land in that county, which was then 
 sparsely settled. He built a log house in the 
 woods, and lived in primitive style while clearing 
 his land and bringing it under cultivation, and 
 his wife, who was an expert weaver, made the 
 flax from their fields and the wool from their 
 flocks of sheep into cloth. In politics he was 
 first a Whig, later a Republican, and he and his 
 wife were both members of the Methodist 
 Church. He died at the age of forty-seven, and 
 she survived him many years, passing away in 
 her seventy-ninth year, their remains being in- 
 terred at Tioga Center, N. Y. They had six 
 children: Louisa, widow of Richard German, of 
 Louisiana; O. H., our subject; Sarah A. and 
 Mary A. (twins), and Joseph, a cooper, residing 
 in Chemung county, N. Y. Sarah A. married 
 Cyrus Deeby, and they lived in the city of Auburn, 
 N. Y. , but she died of cancer, at her daughter's 
 in Michigan in the fall of 1896. Mary A. mar- 
 ried Orange Munson, and died in New York State 
 from cancer, about 1882. Harriet (Mrs. Edwin 
 Bradley) lived at Elmira, N. Y., where she died 
 of cancer in 1895. 
 
 As Mr. West was only four years old when 
 his parents settled in Tioga county, N. Y. , his 
 earliest remembrances are of the surroundings in- 
 cidental to pioneer life. Being the eldest boy he 
 was obliged to work hard at home, and obtained 
 only an occasional chance to attend school, prob- 
 ably spending there altogether less than a year. 
 His father's discipline seemed to him too severe, 
 and at the age of fifteen he ran away from home, 
 his possessions at the time consisting of two pairs 
 of tow pants (worn and patched), two linen shirts 
 (also patched), a ten -cent straw hat, and twenty- 
 five cents in cash. He started out bare-footed, 
 with his few belongings tied in a handkerchief, 
 and walked twenty-five miles to Elmira, N. Y. , 
 before getting anything to eat. On arriving 
 
746 
 
 ■ OMMBMORATIVB BIOGUM'llKM. HF.CQRD. 
 
 there he invested ten cents in a plate of beans, 
 and then went <>n bis way toward Tioga county, 
 
 in. A fanner on tli tve him 
 
 employment at ten dollars per month, and after 
 spending some time at that work Mr. West se- 
 cured a situation in a sawmill. From "jacking 
 logs " he was set to other tasks, and finally 
 learned everj branch of the lumber business. 
 SOine wars his winters were spent in the 
 ids, while in summers he found other employ- 
 ment, three seasons being passed on the Erie, 
 Oswego and ( hemung canals, and during 
 sun i fireman on a steamboat 
 
 mi Seneca lake, N. Y. He was often employed 
 m driving logs and rafting square timber to mar- 
 ket, and in this work he was noted for being the 
 first to start out in the spring, his rafts being us- 
 ually sent down the river at a stage that others 
 con us. In time be won the at- 
 
 tention and confidence of capitalists, who em- 
 ployed him to manage their interests, and no 
 matter how great th< sibility he wasm 
 
 rid wanting As time passed he engaged in 
 
 the lumber busil his own account, and in 
 
 <and 1S70 he built two mills in Clearfield 
 
 inty, one ol them costing $5,000. In [887 he 
 disposed ol his lumber interests including his saw- 
 mills and 1,0cm acres of land in Clearfield coun- 
 ty, and the following year he removed to Salona, 
 hoping to find then- relief from the asthma. 
 11 when ill he could not refrain from business 
 entirely, and soon after going to the pleasant 
 little mountain town hi ed in a busin 
 
 block and opened a store. The people prophesied 
 that he would at l.i teeth cut, 
 
 but he suci ind a few years later he sold 
 
 out his business to 1 W. Kerr & Son. In 
 
 the meantime he had purchased a business block 
 and a dwelling house there, in addition to which 
 hi owns considerable land in that vicin At 
 
 tunes he has bad large tracks of mountain land, 
 much of which he has sold at an advance, and 
 he now has a fine farm of 120 acres in Girard 
 town -hi p. Clearfield county. Besides these hold- 
 ings he has money at interest, his investmi 
 being managed with characteristic ability and 
 foresight. A presi nt he 1- .1 stockholder in 
 Salona creamery. Although his transactions 
 have been large, covering thousands of doll 
 
 he has always kept bis own books, and was his 
 
 own manager. His education is, oi course, self- 
 
 | .iled, and the extent and thoroughness of his 
 
 knowledge of men and affairs does credit to his 
 I" 1 " /ation. 
 
 In mannei Mr West is quite unostentatious, 
 
 but he is a man of much force of character, as 
 may be interred from his career, and at all time-. 
 
 and under all circumstances he does his own 
 thinking. Notwithstanding the hardships of his 
 early life, he is robust for one of his age, and 
 bids fair to enjoy for many years the rewards of 
 his past efforts. Politically he is a stanch Re- 
 publican, his devotion to his party being quite 
 from selfish considerations, as he has no as- 
 pirations for office. 
 
 In 1857 he was married at Nelson, Tioga 
 Co., Penn., to Miss Jane A. Stephens, who was 
 bin at Beecher's Island, Penn., a daughter of 
 James and Eliza Stephens. She died in March, 
 1885, leaving two children: Louisa, wife of 
 Allen Murray, who now has charge of our sub- 
 ject's farm in Clearfield county; and Ella, wife 
 of William Seaman, of Sand Lake, Mich. Mr. 
 West has no sons of his own, but he took into 
 his home some years ago two little boys, Oscar 
 \V and Lewis Knapp, brothers, whom he has 
 
 red and started in business as if they were 
 his children. They have done credit to his 
 training, and are now prosperous young business 
 men of Salona. 
 
 GEORGE W. GARMAN, justice of the peace 
 of Pine Creek township, Clinton county, 
 represents one of the old families of the State. 
 His grandfather, George Garman, was born either 
 in Lancaster county or in Dauphin, and followed 
 farming and distilling in the latter county where 
 he spent the greater part of his life. He was 
 married there, and had a family of ten children: 
 Henry, Michael, Martin, Daniel, George. Sam- 
 uel, Jonathan. Catharine, Lyddie and John. 
 The grandfather was a Democrat, and he and 
 his family were members of the Lutheran Church. 
 Both he and his wife died in Dauphin counts', 
 and were buried in Shoops cemetery. 
 
 John F. Garman, father of our subject, was 
 born in Dauphin county, and attended its sub- 
 
 ption schools, both English and German, 
 speaking and writing the latter language as well 
 as the former. He spent his boyhood days upon 
 his father's farm and in the distillery, and when 
 
 >ung man studied medicine: but on account 
 of his health he never practiced hi-- profession. 
 Following farming in Dauphin county until 1S40, 
 he then ! to Clinton county, purchasing 
 
 land in Pine Creek township, which he trans- 
 formed mto a tine farm. He erected a house at 
 a cost of $;,ooo, built good barns and placed his 
 
 hundred acres of land under high cultivation. 
 
 He spenl seven years on that place, during 
 
 which tune he taught school in t fie winter sea- 
 
 lling that property he returned to 
 
 Dauphin county, locating in Middle Paxton town- 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 747 
 
 ship, where he operated a rented farm for two 
 years, after which he removed to the A. B. 
 Hamilton farm, near Harrisburg, and cultivated 
 that land until his death in 1854. He and his 
 family were consistent members of the Lutheran 
 Church, and in political faith he was a stalwart 
 Democrat. His life was honorable, and he was 
 known as a good husband and father, a faithful 
 friend and a loyal citizen. 
 
 In 1840, John F. Garman was married in 
 Middle Paxton township, Dauphin county, to 
 Elizabeth C. Fertig, a native of that township, 
 and a daughter of Adam Fertig, a farmer, who 
 was of German descent. Her death occurred in 
 her native township, August 19, 1888. She was 
 a faithful mother and a devoted helpmeet to her 
 husband. Her family numbered nine children: 
 George W. ; John, a blacksmith of Kane county, 
 111. ; Elias, of New Columbia, Penn. ; Rebecca 
 E., wife of J. Bogner, of Dauphin county; Har- 
 ry M., who was burned to death while camping 
 on Jack mountain; Annie M., wife of Eli Stout, 
 of Middle Paxton township, Dauphin county; 
 Daniel, deceased when a young man; Mary C, 
 wife of Jacob A. Kline, of Pine Creek township, 
 Clinton county; and one that died in infancy. 
 
 George W. Garman was born in Pine Creek 
 township, September 9, 1841, and when six 
 years old removed with his parents to Dauphin 
 county, where he attended the public schools in 
 the winter months, while through the remainder 
 of the year he assisted in the labors of the farm. 
 When a lad of twelve years, while helping to 
 thresh grain he had his right arm caught in the 
 machinery, and the injury necessitated amputa- 
 tion, the operation being performed by Dr. 
 Weilsling, of Harrisburg. A year later his 
 father died, leaving a large family to be provided 
 for, and as our subject was the eldest of the 
 family the burden of responsibility fell upon 
 him. He learned to use his left hand to write, 
 and soon afterward obtained a teacher's certifi- 
 cate. He taught school in Dauphin county be- 
 tween the ages of eighteen and twenty-one years, 
 and then through the instrumentality of his 
 uncle, Henry Garman, who was a school director 
 in Pine Creek township, Clinton county, he ob- 
 tained the position of teacher in the Garman 
 school. Later he returned to Dauphin county, 
 where he engaged in teaching until 1861, when 
 he again came to Clinton county, and served as 
 teacher in the Garman school until 1867, suc- 
 cessfully following that profession for seventeen 
 years. He then turned his attention to farm- 
 ing on the old Kissel place, and the following 
 year was elected constable of the township. He 
 has also served as justice of the peace for the 
 
 past twenty-one years, and so fair have been his 
 decisions that he has never had a case appealed 
 to a higher court. He is a man of talent and 
 scholarly attainments, and what he has accom- 
 plished in life is most creditable to his ability and 
 ambition. He made excellent improvements 
 upon his farm, and is now the owner of a valua- 
 ble property. 
 
 Mr. Garman was married in Pine Creek town- 
 ship, Clinton county, in September, 1867, to 
 Ellen B. Kissel, who was born in Oakland, 
 Lycoming county, June 2, 1833. Her father, 
 Andrew Kissel, was born in Cumberland county 
 in 1772, a son of John Kissel, and one of a family 
 of nine children. His father was of German 
 descent, was a farmer by occupation and a soldier 
 of the Revolutionary war. Andrew Kissel was 
 educated in the German tongue, and with his 
 parents removed to Lycoming county, where he 
 followed farming. He afterward purchased one 
 hundred acres of land in Pine Creek township, 
 Clinton county, which he greatly improved and 
 later sold. He then bought eighty-nine acres in 
 the same township, which he operated for a 
 number of years. His last days, however, were 
 spent in retirement, and he died in 1868. His 
 wife bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Bowers, 
 and was a daughter of Christopher and Madeline 
 (Stetzell) Bowers, both of German descent. 
 Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. 
 Kissel: Henry, deceased; Sarah, deceased wife 
 of Jacob Kline; G. Shriver, deceased; Christopher, 
 a farmer of Pine Creek township; Elizabeth, who 
 died in childhood; Jane E., deceased wife of 
 Daniel Kline; and Mrs. Garman. The father of 
 this family was first a Whig and afterward a 
 Republican in political belief, and in religious 
 faith he was a Lutheran. He died at the 
 advanced age of over ninety years. 
 
 To Mr. and Mrs. Garman were born four 
 children: John A., born August 17, 1868, died 
 at the age of seven years; Joseph K. , born May 
 12, 1872, died in infancy; Elias C. , born October 
 12, 1874, died in infancy; and Daniel K., born 
 July 3, 1876, now assists in the operation of the 
 home farm. Mr. Garman is a member of the 
 Patriotic Order Sons of America, and of Chatham 
 Run Council, of which he was secretary and 
 president. He served as supervisor of his town- 
 ship for eighteen years, and discharged his duties 
 with marked fidelity and ability. He has steadily 
 worked his way upward in the face of difficulties 
 that would have utterly discouraged many men, 
 and has achieved a success that reflects great 
 credit upon his ability. He has won the highest 
 esteem of friends and neighbors, and all who 
 know him entertain for him warm regard. 
 
748 
 
 COMMl VORATITB BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 DWARD GUMM( l Prominenl the 
 
 prosperous and pro( farmers of Clin- 
 
 ton county may be named the subject of this 
 
 graphical notice, whose homestead is pli 
 antly located in Bald Eagle township, and who, 
 by enterprise ami energy in the direction ol his 
 
 3en industry, has given to his work a signifi- 
 cance and beauty of which few deem it capable. 
 Hi was born February 12, 1844, on his present 
 farm, a son of Richard and Nancan 
 
 Gummo, and in an old log school house which 
 stood some distance from his home he began his 
 education, Louisa Montgomerj and Ellen 
 being among his first teai I 
 
 Mi Gummo was reared in much the usual 
 manner of farmer boys in a pioneer settlement, 
 a< the development of this section was much be- 
 hind the others of the county. He aided in the 
 arduous task of clearing at least one-half of his 
 farm, and when a young man he also worked in 
 thelumbei woodsat different times. After attain- 
 ing his majority be assumed the management of 
 rm, receiving one-half the products, 
 and, later, two-thirds until becoming sole owner. 
 
 The place '■ prises no acre- highly cultivated 
 
 and improved with excellent buildings, and the 
 well-tilled fields and neat and thriftj appearance 
 of the place plainly indicate the supervisor to be 
 a thorough and skillful farmer .1- well as a busi- 
 
 - man of excellent ability. In connection 
 with Ins property he owns tour lots in the villi 
 of Flemington, and is justly numbered an 
 
 well-to-do and substantial cil I his 
 
 community. 
 
 Mr Gummo wa I February 12, 1S90, 
 
 to Miss Ann!. M Packer, a daughter of Roberl 
 and Mary (Tyler) Packer, and the) have an in- 
 tughter, Marj Vgnes The parents 
 both sii ..' members of the 
 
 Methodisl Episcopal Church at Laurel Run. Mr. 
 Gummo was a member of the building commit- 
 tee at the time erection of the house, ,1 
 worship, and has served as treasurer and tru 
 since the organization of the Church. In his 
 political views he 1 oim ides with the Republican 
 party, but care- nothing for the honors or emol- 
 ument- of public office. A- a citizen hi 
 
 ry requirement, and manifests a commendable 
 interest in everything calculated to promote the 
 public welfare. In manner he is pleasant, genial 
 and approai hable, and all who know him esteem 
 him highly for his genuine worth. 
 
 A I.I \ \\M R K. II VMILTON, a worthy 
 r\. representative "f the agricultural interests 
 I'l" ' reek township, Clinton county, was I 
 
 there I uly 1 1. 1835, a son of Alexander and Ann 
 rrison Hamilton. He belongs to a patriotic 
 and distinguished family that was early founded 
 in the West Branch Valley. His great-grand- 
 father, Capt. Alexander Hamilton, moved from 
 Juniata Valley to what is now Pine Creek town- 
 ship. Clinton county, early in the year 1772, and 
 marked out for himself a tract of land one mile 
 square, which he bought of the Indians with a 
 few presents. He was killed by the Redmen in 
 the fall of 1 78 1. a short distance above North- 
 umberland on the North branch. 
 
 Robert Hamilton, the grandfather of our sub- 
 ject, and a soldier of the Revolutionary war, 
 purchased of the heirs the east half of the tract 
 above mentioned, and in 1789 built the dwelling 
 which is yet standing on the river bank, on the 
 public road leading from Jersey Shore to Lock 
 Haven, and is one of the landmarks of the town- 
 ship. He married Anna Jackson, whose father 
 had come to this section from Orange county. 
 N. V.. and in 1790 they began housekeeping at 
 that home, where they spent the remainder of 
 their days, the grandfather dying June 2, 1845. 
 at the age of eighty-two, and his wife April 16, 
 1862, at the advanced age of ninety-five years. 
 
 The father of our subject was also a native of 
 Pine Creek township, and in its subscription 
 schools obtained his education. As a boy he 
 worked on his father's farm, but afterward 
 learned the printer's trade, and in 1837 became 
 editor of The Watchman, published at Belle- 
 fonte, Centre county, Penn. , with which he 
 was connected for several years. Later he was 
 similarly employed in Harrisburg, Penn., and 
 was afterward editor of a paper in Jersey 
 Shore. For a number of years he was also 
 
 aged in piloting rafts from Lock Haven to 
 Marietta. He purchased a tract of timber land 
 in Wayne township, Clinton county, at the foot 
 of Bald I Mountain, the lumber and bark 
 
 from which he sold, and after clearing 170 acres, 
 placed it under a high state of cultivation. Foi 
 many years he was one of the most popular and 
 'ul teachers of Pine Creek township, hav- 
 ing charge of the Duncan and McGuire schools, 
 and having his pupils some of the most 
 
 prominent citizens of this community at the pres- 
 ent day. While gathering bark upon his farm he 
 contracted a cold, which resulted in his death in 
 1850, when our subject was fifteen years old. 
 II was a Whig in politics, and was one of the 
 most highly respected citizens of Pine Creek 
 township At Big Meddons, Tioga Co., Penn., 
 In- had married Ann Morrison, by whom he had 
 eight children: Robert, who died at the age of 
 twelve years; John, who married Dolly Arm- 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 749 
 
 strong, and lives in Iowa; Alexander K., of this 
 sketch; Jackson, a resident of Pine Creek town- 
 ship; Anna Amanda; Nancy Jane Hayes, de- 
 ceased; Elizabeth, who died in childhood; and 
 Mary P., who is employed as a saleslady in Lock 
 Haven. After the death of her husband, Mrs. 
 Hamilton made her home with her children until 
 she, too, was called to her final rest in 1871, be- 
 ing laid by his side in the old Pine Creek ceme- 
 tery of Pine Creek township. Both were faith- 
 ful members of the Presbyterian Church, and had 
 many friends throughout the community. 
 
 Mr. Hamilton, whose name opens this 
 sketch, attended the schools in Pine Creek 
 township taught by his father, and upon the 
 home farm was reared to habits of indus- 
 try. A few years after his father's death, he 
 accompanied the family on their removal from 
 Wayne to Pine Creek township, where he worked 
 on the Ridge farm until July, 1861, when he en- 
 listed at Jersey Shore, Lycoming Co., Penn., in 
 Company A, 5th Pennsylvania Reserves, under 
 Capt. Ulman and Col. Simmons, of Harrisburg. 
 After being mustered into the United States 
 service at Harrisburg, the regiment was assigned 
 to the Fifth Corps, Army of the Potomac, and 
 with that command Mr. Hamilton participated 
 in the following battles: Gainesville, June 6, 
 1862; the seven-days' fight at Mechanicsville; 
 Gaines Hill, June 27, 1862, where he was slightly 
 wounded by a ball striking him in the breast; 
 White Oak Swamp, June 30, 1862; Malvern 
 Hill, July 1 ; second battle of Bull Run, August 
 29 and 30; Chantilly, Va., August 30; South 
 Mountain, Md., September 14; Antietam, Md., 
 September 16 and 17; and Fredericksburg, Va., 
 December 15, where he was again wounded, by 
 a ball passing through his left foot while trying 
 to rescue a superior officer. The regiment then 
 went into winter quarters, and the following year 
 Mr. Hamilton took part in the battle of Gettys- 
 burg, Penn., July 2, 3 and 4, 1863; Williams- 
 port, Md., July 7; Wapping Heights, July 9; 
 Bristow, Va., October 14; Rappahannock Sta- 
 tion, Va., November 7; and Hope Church and 
 Mine Run, both in November, 1863. During 
 the bitter cold of that winter he lost his hearing 
 in one ear, while several of his comrades were 
 frozen to death. The next year he took part in 
 the battle of the Wilderness, May 5, 6, 7 and 8; 
 Spottsylvania, May 9, 10, 11 and 12; North Ann 
 River, May 23 and 24; and Bethseda Church, 
 Va., May 30. His three-years' term of service 
 having expired, he was mustered out at Harris- 
 burg, June 14, 1864, and returned home. 
 
 In Pine Creek township, Mr. Hamilton then 
 engaged in agricultural pursuits upon a small 
 
 farm, where he now resides, and in connection 
 with general farming he has successfully engaged 
 in tobacco raising. In 1880 he built a comfort- 
 able residence upon his place, and has also a 
 good barn, tobacco sheds and a fine orchard. 
 He also operates the Rogers farm, and is justly 
 regarded as one of the most thorough and skill- 
 ful agriculturists of the community. In April, 
 1879, in Pine Creek township, he was united 
 in marriage with Miss Margaret Rogers, a native 
 of that township, and a daughter of Mathew 
 Rogers. To them were born five children: Pris- 
 'cilla, born July 14, 1880; one that died in in- 
 fancy; Bessie, born September 22, 1883; Mat- 
 thew Stanley Quay, born January 7, 1887; and 
 Robert Bruce, born September 27, 1893. 
 
 Politically, Mr. Hamilton is identified with 
 the Republican party, and has served as presi- 
 dent of the school board, of which he was a 
 member for six years. The success that he has 
 achieved in life has been due to his own efforts 
 and the assistance of his estimable wife, who has 
 indeed proved a faithful helpmeet to him, and no 
 couple in Pine Creek township merit or receive 
 in a greater degree the respect and esteem of the 
 entire community. Mr. Hamilton is as loyal to 
 his country's interests in days of peace as when 
 following the old flag to victory on Southern 
 battle fields. 
 
 JOSEPH H. HAYES, a leading agriculturist 
 of Porter township, Clinton county, occupies 
 a fine homestead near Parvin, the estate 
 having been purchased by his father more than 
 half a century ago. The Hayes family, which is 
 of Scotch-Irish stock, has been identified with 
 central Pennsylvania from an early period, our 
 subject's ancestors being numbered among the 
 first settlers along Beech creek. 
 
 James Hayes, the father of our subject, was 
 born and reared in Bald Eagle township, Clinton 
 county, and in his youth learned the axe-maker's 
 trade with Harvey Mann, of Bellefonte. La- 
 ter he engaged in the manufacture of axes on 
 his own account in his native township, and for 
 seven years he conducted an axe-factory near 
 Mackeyville. In 1839 he removed to Stephen- 
 son county. 111., and located on a farm four 
 miles northwest of Freeport; the entire journey 
 being made by team. The land was new, and 
 while his time was mainly spent in cultivating 
 it he also found time to make a few axes by 
 hand. After two years he returned to the East 
 by way of the lakes, and settled near Lamar, 
 where he and W. N. Hayes built an axe-factory, 
 the first in the vicinity. This they conducted 
 

 C0MM1 VORATIYB BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 for about (our years when they sold out to Reu- 
 beo Loveland. James Hayes then remove 1 
 
 no's Valley, Centre county, as he had traded 
 his 320 acres ol land in Stephen: nty, 
 
 III., (or a tannery and a small tract of land near 
 Woodward. Hi ed in tanning, and con- 
 
 tinued about twi but in 1847 he sold the 
 
 perty and purchased the present homestead, 
 which was then known as the Wilson farm. 
 He was an nt citizen, always ready to 
 
 lend Ins influence to any pi vement, 
 
 and for years he was a prominent member of 
 the Presbyterian church. In politics he was 
 
 • a Whig and later a Rebublican. but he 
 never sought orheld office Beginning life poor, 
 he acquired a comfortable competence through 
 own efforts. He was a large man, nearly 
 six feet tall and weighing about 350 pounds, and 
 he lived to the advanced age of eighty-six years. 
 Hi- wife, Esther Heverly), to whom he was 
 
 iried in Centre county, was a native of Leb- 
 anon county, Penn., but had been taken to Centre 
 
 inty, when she was about eleven years old, by 
 father, Christopher Heverly, who settled near 
 She dii seventy- 
 
 three, and her remains 1 : beside those of 
 
 husband in Cedar Hill ry. < >f their 
 
 four children, tin- tirst. Jam-, died in girlhood; 
 William died in April, 1896, at Mackeyville; [os- 
 eph II. is the sul • tin- sketch; Miss Han- 
 
 nab, who is an invalid, own.- a -hare in the 
 id and resides thi 
 
 Mr Haj es, our sub I 1 mber 
 
 i''. 1835, '" Lamar township. Clinton county, 
 a -boit distance below Mackeyville. In the fall 
 of 1841, after tin- return of Ins parents from Illi- 
 
 -. he I- attend school in Howard. 
 
 1'' mi . Mi-- Lillj being his tirst teacher. Later 
 he attended the Washington school in 1' 1 
 
 •iship, but his opportunities were much infer- 
 ior to those of tin- present day in the same local- 
 ities lb- w.i- reared to (arm work, not even 
 learning In- father's ti.it making, and al- 
 
 ways remained at home without any spei ial ar- 
 rangements as t" wages, the care ol the place 
 /olving entire!} upon him during his fa- 
 ther's 1 is In 1S74 In- married V 
 Mary J. Pettit, a native "t 1 nty, 
 and a daughter oi Samuel Pettit I 1 hil- 
 dren have blessed this un fames I 
 [ennie B. . Samuel, fosephine I • . 
 
 all at home. Mr and Mi - II 
 are both members of the Presbyterian Church, 
 and tided with the ial circli 
 
 their locality. 
 
 The management of his farm, which contains 
 ir" acres, requires much attention, but in a quiet 
 
 way Mr. Hayes takes an interest in local affairs, 
 and at one time he served as school director, 
 lb- was formerly a member of the Grange, but 
 is not now- connected with it. While he is by 
 no means a politician, he keeps well informed 
 upon the questions of the day, and is a stanch 
 supporter of the Republican party. 
 
 Dl NNIS M. MAY, the well-known and popu- 
 lar proprietor of the " Renovo House." 
 Renovo, Clinton county, was born in Erie coun- 
 ts. Penn., in 1*43, and is a son of Wallace and 
 Matilda (Sloan) May, also natives of the Key- 
 stone State. Throughout his active business 
 career the father followed the quiet pursuits of 
 farm life, and now at the age of eighty years 
 is living retired in Erie counts, surrounded by 
 
 comforts which his past labors have brought. 
 He has the respect and confidence of all who 
 know him, and is justly deserving of the high 
 
 . rd in which he is held. The mother of our 
 subject died in 1856, leaving six children v. 
 are yet living, namely: Dennis M., George II.. 
 Thomas I).. Edward, Mis. Emma Lurch, and 
 Elizabeth (wife of George Campbell 1. 
 
 The country schools of his native county 
 afforded our subject his educational privile^< -. 
 and upon the home farm he was reared to habits 
 of industry and thrift. On attaining his major- 
 its' he left the parental roof and came to Renovo, 
 when he clerked 111 the "Renovo Hotel " for 
 two nd also served as constable. He 
 
 devoted his energies principally to the hotel busi- 
 ness until January 1, [885, when he removed to 
 Lock Haven to assume the duties of sheriff, to 
 which office he had been elected the pre\ i 
 November. He most acceptably served in that 
 responsible position tor a term of three years, 
 and then took charge of the "Keller House" at 
 Lock Haven, conducting that popular hostelry 
 for two years. ( >u the expiration of his lease 
 he became proprietor of the " Harmonia House " 
 in the same city, but at the end of three years 
 returned to Renovo and has since successfully 
 
 ducted the •• Renovo Hotel," which is one of 
 
 the leading hotels in the place. He is e\er 
 
 mindful ol the interests and comforts of his 
 
 tnd his house has therefore become a 
 
 vorite with the traveling public 1 
 
 nt and comfortable, md the cuisine is 
 
 unexcepl 
 
 Ini87oMr May married Miss Malissa, daugh- 
 
 if Robert Bridgens, a worthy citizen 
 
 ( linton county, and to them have been born five 
 
 children: William. Annie I) . Sarah Helen. 
 
 Edward 11 and Florence. The mother is a 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 751 
 
 consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal 
 Church, and is a most estimable lady. Since at- 
 taining his majority Mr. May has taken an active 
 and prominent part in political affairs, and is a 
 recognized leader in the local Democracy. His 
 ambition has been to acquit himself of life's du- 
 ties honorably before all men, to improve his 
 capabilities and opportunities and to become of 
 use in the world; and it is this spirit mainly that 
 has made him one of the most eminent and 
 highly esteemed citizens of Renovo. 
 
 fARTIN F. MURPHY. A financial and 
 commercial history of Renovo would be 
 incomplete without a personal mention of Mr. 
 Murphy, whose life is interwoven so closely with 
 its business interests. ' Like many of the promi- 
 nent and leading citizens of Clinton count)', he 
 comes from across the sea, having been born in 
 Ireland in 1848. His parents, Daniel and Mary 
 (McMahon) Murphy, were born in the same 
 country, whence, early in the '50s, they emigrated 
 to the New World, taking up their residence in 
 Clinton county, where the remainder of their 
 lives was passed. 
 
 In the schools of Lock Haven Martin F. 
 Murphy received a good practical education that 
 has well fitted him for the responsible duties of 
 business life, and on leaving the school room at 
 the age of fourteen he began clerking in a mer- 
 cantile store in Renovo, which place has since 
 been his home, and he has been prominently 
 identified with its business interests. After clerk- 
 ing for some years he opened a store of his own 
 in 1 88 1, as a dealer in clothing and gents' furnish- 
 ing goods, and has since successfully conducted 
 the same. His large and commodious store 
 building is well stocked with a fine and complete 
 assortment of everything found in a first-class 
 establishment of the kind, and it is conveniently 
 located on the corner of Third street and Erie 
 avenue. He is also a stockholder and director 
 in both the First National Bank and the Renovo 
 Electric Light Company, and as a thrifty, pro- 
 gressive citizen he is always identified with all 
 enterprises calculated to prove of benefit to the 
 town. He has made good use of his opportuni- 
 ties, has prospered from year to year, and has 
 conducted all business matters carefully and suc- 
 cessfully, and in all his acts displays an aptitude 
 for successful management. He holds member- 
 ship in the Catholic Church, and on political 
 questions usually coincides with the Democratic 
 party. Political honors have no attraction for 
 him, as he prefers to devote his entire time and 
 attention to his extensive business interests. 
 
 yfALENTINE SOHMER. the popular land- 
 lord of the "Pennsylvania House" at Lock 
 Haven, Clinton county, is a native of Germany, 
 born in 1850. Mathias and Hermolia (Smith) 
 Sohmer, his parents, were also born in the Fa- 
 therland, and there passed their entire lives. 
 Mathias was a cooper by trade, and followed that 
 occupation as a means of livelihood. Both par- 
 ents were industrious, hardworking people, kind 
 neighbors and good citizens. They reared a fam- 
 ily of children, who followed in their footsteps 
 and have proven worthy of the name they bear. 
 Six of their children are still living, namely: 
 Brigeter, Mathias, Blondina, Valentine (our sub- 
 ject), Ferdinand and Pauline. 
 
 Valentine Sohmer attended the schools of his 
 native place until fourteen years of age, at which 
 time he was thrown on his own resources and 
 became self-supporting. On leaving school he 
 worked on a farm until 1868. He then came to 
 America and located at Lock Haven, where for 
 some ten or more years he worked in a brewery. 
 After the expiration of that time, having saved 
 his earnings, he was enabled to go into business 
 for himself, and began keeping the "Pennsyl- 
 vania House," a hotel that bears a great reputa- 
 tion throughout the State for the generous hos- 
 pitality dispensed. The rooms are neat and air)', 
 the beds comfortable and easy, and the table 
 bountifully spread. The "Pennsylvania House" 
 is centrally located, and affords accommodations 
 for seventy-five guests. The landlord is popular 
 among the traveling public, and is one of the 
 best of our German citizens. Like the general 
 German, he has made and saved money, becom- 
 ing well-to-do. 
 
 Our subject has been twice married, first in 
 1 87 1 to Julia Herman, a German by birth, and 
 seven children were born to them, namely: 
 Emma (Mrs. Kert Shaw), Frank, Anna, Lulu, 
 Helen, Valentine and Viola. The mother of 
 these died in January, 1892, and in March, 1895, 
 Mr. Sohmer was again married, this time to Mar- 
 guerite Haugh, of Pittsburg, who presides with 
 an air of good cheer at the "Pennsylvania 
 House." In politics Mr. Sohmer is a Democrat; 
 he is a member of the Roman Catholic Church. 
 
 S\AMUEL L. and CHARLES L. RICKER, 
 _J comprising the firm of Ricker Brothers, pro- 
 prietors of the Jersey Dairy of Nittany Valley, 
 are among the most thrifty, enterprising and 
 progressive business men of Lamar township, 
 Clinton county. Their father, Jacob Ricker, 
 was born February 14, 1827, in Lehigh county, 
 Penn., whence when a boy he was brought by 
 
...^ 
 
 < OMMEMORATIVB BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 his parents to Clinton county. The grandfather, 
 
 George Kick ;i cabinet-maker and car; 
 
 ter by occupation. 
 
 Jacob Kicker, the father, started < >ut in life 
 for himself in limited circumstances, but pros- 
 per* '1 in lus undertakings and 1» . lite well- 
 
 lo. After his marriage he located on a farm 
 in tl of Nittany Valley, and later re- 
 
 moved to th cupied l>\ I 
 
 [01 som ontinuing to conductj both farms. 
 
 1!.- was ,m exi ellent judge of horses and a very 
 skillful driver, and has owned some line animals. 
 He i- 'till residing with his sons, and is honored 
 and respected by all who know him. On Sep- 
 tember 17, 1849, he married Miss Sarah Allison, 
 whose latin ' , was a cousin of Sen- 
 
 ator Allison, of Iowa. She was born July 7, 1830, 
 on the farmwhere her sons are still living, and died 
 July 7, [885, her remains being interred in Cedar 
 Hill ry. In order of birth her children 
 
 were as follows: John .v. born April 26, 1850, 
 is a sawyer in West Virginia; William J., born 
 September 17, 1851, is a traveling salesman; 
 Samuel I., was born in Nittany Valley, Decem- 
 bei - 1 ;. [85 Gi rge L.. born November 13, 
 -7, is a butcher at Flat Kock, Penn.; H. L., 
 born September 6, I So;, is a butcher at Salona, 
 Clinton county; Arthur I. , born July 19, 1869, 
 1- also a resident of Salona; and Charles L., 
 
 1 November 13, 1873, completes the family. 
 
 Samuel L. Kicker was reared upon his pres- 
 ent farm, attended tin district schools of the 
 
 ih 1. and completed his education in 
 
 iIh schools ol Salona. In early manhood he 
 left home and went to Lincoln county, Kans., 
 where be bought a tract of prairie land, built a 
 " dugout," and kept bachelor's hall for two years. 
 One season he planted one hundred acres in 
 wheat, but the entire crop was destroyed by 
 drought, and In- never harvested a grain. Be- 
 
 Ming discouraged, ho and a companion -tarted 
 from that stat. t,, Pennsylvania in a covered 
 wagon, but on arriving at Atchison. Kans.. they 
 
 in-, I employment for a short time, which 
 suited m Mr. Ricker remaining there for some 
 While at that place he married Anna 
 Sheats, who was bom in the east end of Nittany 
 Valley, Clint m l Penn., a daughter of Will- 
 iam and I. cab (Snydei Sheats, and the) have 
 
 en children: Cora. Clyde, Sarah E., S G 
 Bj r< in, 1 dna and < ilenn. 
 
 In Atchison, Kans., Mr. Kicker was em- 
 ployed as a drivi months, 
 and then started m the dairy business on his own 
 mt He rented 1 50 acres of land near that 
 place, prospered in his new enterprise, and 
 made money rapidly; but failing health caused 
 
 him to sell out and return to Pennsylvania 
 I five months after his arrival here he 
 
 confined to his bed, and on sufficiently re- 
 ring to engage in business he bought a few 
 acres of land near Flat Kock, in Nittany Valley, 
 with the intention of building a store and engag- 
 ing in merchandising, finally, however, giving up 
 that idea. For a few years he was interested in 
 the butcher business, but after the death of his 
 mother, he returned to the old homestead as his 
 father was left without a housekeeper. Here he 
 has continued to reside, and since 1887 he and 
 his brother Charles L.. have engaged in the 
 dairy business. They began operations on a 
 moderate scale, but as they prospered they have 
 added to their business, and now keep on hands 
 from forty to forty-five cows. Their herd in- 
 cludes many thoroughbred' Jersey and Holstein 
 tie, some of the finest in the county. They 
 also own the Miles Hanna farm near Castanea, 
 which they rent, besides the old homestead, and 
 are justly numbered among the wide-awake, 
 straightforward and reliable business men of their 
 community, as well as the leading dairymen of 
 Lock Haven, in politics Samuel L. Ricker is a 
 pronounced Republican; in religious belief his 
 wife is a Lutheran. 
 
 71 I). PORTER. No more thrifty farmer or 
 jtA. better citizen can be found in Nittany Val- 
 ley than our subject, whose home is in Porter 
 township, Clinton county, and he is descended 
 from honored old Revolutionary stock. He was 
 born April 11. 1852, about one mile southwest 
 of Mackeyville (then Hamburg), in Lamar town- 
 ship. Clinton county, and is a son of James H. 
 ami Elizabeth Reeseman) Porter. The grand- 
 father, James Porter, Sr., was a son of Samuel 
 I'rter, the progenitor of the family in Nittany 
 Valley, who was born in the North of Ireland of 
 Scotch-Irish ancestrv. 
 
 [ames 11 Porter, our subject's father, was 
 born March 22, 1822, on the old Porter home- 
 
 1 near Mackeyville, and in the primitive log 
 school house of that early day he acquired his 
 
 ition, his first t' ai h< 1 being fane Walters, 
 who afterward became the wife of James Rogers. 
 He was once punished at school by having a 
 pincber placed upon his nose. He remained 
 upon the home farm, aiding in the arduous task 1 I 
 clearing and developing wild land until his mar- 
 riage in February, 1848, with Miss Klizabeth 
 an. She was born near Millheim, in Cen- 
 
 ounty, Pi an. , 1 ebruarj 22, [826, a daughter 
 
 fohn and Christina iHeltman) Reeseman. 
 
 the lir-t two years of his married life Mr. 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 753 
 
 Porter lived in a tenant house upon his father's 
 farm, and then removed to another place in 
 Lamar township, where he spent one year. 
 Subsequently he bought fifty-five acres in that 
 township at $15 per acre, cleared it and erected 
 good buildings thereon, and later sold the place 
 for $60,00 per acre. For the past forty years 
 he has lived upon his present farm, which he pur- 
 chased from A. H. Best, and which was known 
 as the old Thompson homestead. Here he has 
 a most comfortable home, and is practically liv- 
 ing retired, enjoying the fruits of former toil. 
 His early life was one of hardship. As a boy 
 one pair of shoes was furnished him each winter, 
 but they often did not last longer than February 
 at the farthest, and he was obliged to go bare- 
 footed all through the cold days of spring. His 
 mother spun the flax from which most of the 
 clothes of the family were made. But all this 
 has been changed, and Mr. Porter is now num- 
 bered among the wealthy and prosperous farmers 
 of his community, owning two valuable farms, 
 one in Lamar township and the other in Porter 
 township, aggregating 335 acres of rich and arable 
 land. Although he usually supports the Dem- 
 ocratic party, he is not strictly partisan, and 
 often votes the Prohibition ticket, as he is a strong 
 temperance man, never using liquors or tobacco 
 in any form. His father being such an inveterate 
 hunter, mostly seen with dogs and guns, he be- 
 came disgusted with the sport, and has never 
 loaded a gun in his life. He was a charter mem- 
 ber of the Grange, and is justly regarded as one 
 of the most valued and honored citizens of Clin- 
 ton county. 
 
 •To the parents of our subject were born the 
 following children: Mary, who wedded F. E. 
 Hays, and died in Lamar township; John R., a 
 farmer of that township; Adolphus D., of this 
 review; Margaret F , wife of Lewis W. Dorn- 
 blaser, of Porter township; Jane, wife of Harry 
 Snyder, of Porter township; and Hays H., who 
 makes his home in Lamar township. During his 
 boyhood and youth Adolphus D. Porter attended 
 the public schools at Mackeyville, and among his 
 first teachers were Belle Cofiley, John Shoemaker 
 and a Mr. Kelderwood, while later he pursued 
 his studies under the direction of Daniel H. Hast- 
 ings, the present governor of Pennsylvania. He 
 never attended any higher institution of learning, 
 but is a warm friend of better and more advanced 
 schools. Under the able guidance of his father 
 he became a thorough aaid skillful farmer, and 
 while never learning any trade, he is able to do 
 carpentering and horseshoing, as he is a natural 
 mechanic and very skillful with tools of all kinds. 
 At the age of twenty-six he began life for himself, 
 
 48* 
 
 he and his brother J. R. forming a partnership. 
 They bought stock and tools, and together oper- 
 ated their father's farm for nine years, at the end 
 of which time our subject purchased his brother's 
 interest and rented what was known as the Aus- 
 tin Brungart farm, in the east end of Nittany Val- 
 ley, until the spring of 189 1. He then removed 
 to his present farm of seventy acres, known as 
 the John Watson farm, and to its improvement 
 and cultivation has since devoted his attention, 
 making it one of the most desirable and valuable 
 places in the Valley. 
 
 On March 27, 18S4, Mr. Porter was united 
 in marriage with Mrs. Sevilla R. Shipe, nee 
 Campbell, who was born in Shamokin township, 
 Northumberland Co., Penn., October 30, 1854, 
 and is an only daughter. She first married J. 
 H. Shipe, by whom she had one son, born May 
 13, 1882, and who is now known as Calvin J. 
 Porter. Politically, our subject's sympathies are 
 with the Prohibition party as he is an uncom- 
 promising enemy of the liquor traffic, but at 
 elections he always endeavors to support the best 
 man regardless of party affiliations. In religious 
 belief he is a Methodist, is a liberal contributor 
 to all Church work, is now serving as trustee, 
 and for a long time was treasurer of his Church. 
 He is also an active and prominent worker in the 
 Sabbath-school, and gives a hearty support to all 
 enterprises calculated to advance the moral, in- 
 tellectual or material welfare of his community. 
 His honesty and integrity are proverbial, and he 
 has the respect and esteem of young and old, 
 rich and poor. He is thoroughly a self-made 
 man, is progressive and energetic, believing in 
 keeping thoroughly abreast with the times, and 
 in this way has achieved a well-merited success 
 in his life work. 
 
 CHARLES W. LOVELAND, of Lock Haven, 
 Clinton county, who is now serving his sec- 
 ond term as the obliging and painstaking clerk 
 to the board of county commissioners, was born 
 in i860 at Lamar, and has thus far passed his 
 life in the city. 
 
 Reuben Loveland, his father, was born in the 
 State of Connecticut, and some time in the early 
 "40s" located at Lamar, where he engaged in. 
 the manufacture of axes, conducting an axe fac- 
 tory at that point for years. He was a Christian 
 man and a worker in the Church, always inter- 
 ested in religious matters in the community, and 
 in every movement having for its object the ele- 
 vation of his fellowmen. He and feis estimable 
 wife, who was a Miss Nancy Rossman, were both 
 identified with the M. E. Church, and were 
 
754 
 
 ITIVB BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 among the best of Lamar's people. He died in 
 tnd she on July 2, [897. 
 
 Charles W. Loveland attended the schools of 
 his native town, and was then sent to Allegheny 
 College, Meadville, Penn., where he remained 
 three years. After returning home from colli 
 hi traveled for a firm, following which he wis 
 foi thiee years 1 in mercantile busines 
 
 Lamar. In 1894 he was appointed clerk to the 
 board of county commissioners, and in [897 he 
 
 - reapp tinted t" I ! in. He has 
 
 proven himself a very competent clerical m 
 accurate and efficient. 
 
 In 1884 Mr. Loveland was married to Miss 
 Clara B. Watson, a daughter oi John Watson, of 
 Lamar, and to the marriage have come the fol- 
 lowing four children: Leslie L. , Stella, Amy and 
 Miriam. The parents of these were members of 
 the M. E. Church, and are active in its social 
 Mr. Loveland is a member of th< 
 Royal Arcanum and of the Lock Haven Club. 
 In |M>litics he is a Republican. 
 
 B\ . J \M ES SAAS. Evidently qualified and 
 . fitted for the life and self-denial, responsi- 
 bility and trust to which the priest is called, is 
 R< 1 I -. the pastor of St. Agnes Roman 
 
 tbolic Church, at Lock Haven, Clii 
 
 county. 
 
 Father Saas was born in Germany, whi 
 he came to America when quite He re- 
 
 ceived his theological and philosophical educa- 
 tion at St. Vincent's College, in Westmoreland 
 comity, Penn., and was ordained a priest in 
 
 14 He was tirst assistant priest of St. An- 
 thony's Church, at Lancaster, Penn., remaining 
 in that incumbency a short time, then, in M 
 1 hi was sent to his present 1 at 
 
 Lock Haven, of which he h inci had in- 
 
 dependent chai Si Agi irch is in a 
 
 thriving condition, both financial]) and spiritu- 
 allj rhere is a large and • 1 in 
 
 connection with the parish, which is excellently 
 
 dui ted. This Church was organized at 1. 
 Haven, in January, 1873, and the 1 tion 
 
 has gradually increased until it now numb 
 
 ral families. < onsiderabli 1 
 expended in 1 hurcb property, buildings, etc., 
 and in improvement I 
 
 nise, and his life bids to be one of gt< 
 fulne 
 
 JOHN N. KEMMERER, on< 
 tive and enterprising business men of 
 Green township, Clinton county, is the senior 
 partner of the firm of Kem merer & Broth 
 
 lumber manufacturers and farmers. He is a na- 
 tive of Sugar Valley, born in the borough of 
 Loganton. February 14, 1S66, and is a son of 
 Joseph and Elmira (Lebo) Kemmerer, who were 
 born, reared and married in Lykens Valley, 
 Dauphin county, Penn. The paternal grand- 
 parents were Christian and (Fisher) 
 
 Kemmerer, well-known (arming people of Wash- 
 ington township, that county, and the maternal 
 
 idfather, Lebo, was also an agriculturist of 
 Dauphin county. 
 
 The birth of Joseph Kemmerer occurred in 
 Elizabethville, and in the schools of his native 
 county he acquired a good English and German 
 education, becoming especially proficient in 
 mathematics. There he began his business ca- 
 reer as a farmer, but on first coming to Logan- 
 ton, Cliiit>n county, he operated a pottery, manu- 
 facturing crocks, etc., and continued to follow 
 that occupation for several years. He invented 
 and patented a washing machine, the first of the 
 kind in central Pennsylvania, and after engaging 
 in its manufacture for some time, he • mbarked 
 in the lumber business, buying a large tract of 
 timber land in Green township, Sugar Vail 
 where he erected a fine steam sawmill, and oper- 
 ated the same up to the time of his death. He 
 purchased the Grannelv farm of 140 acres, 
 which he improved and cultivated. While tak- 
 ing logs mi Sugar Vail - Mountain, February 9, 
 1 81 13, one large log jumped from the slide striking 
 Mr. Kemmerer, and he expired a few seconds 
 later in the arms of our subject. He was a kind 
 and affectionate husband and father, and besi 
 his familyhe left many friends to mourn his death, 
 for he was widely known and highly respect- 
 He began life here in limited circumstances, but 
 by industry, perseverance and good management 
 he succeeded in accumulating a comfortable 
 competence. He v\as a consistent member of 
 the Lutheran Church, was a lifelong Democrat 
 in politics, a ed his fellow citizens in the 
 
 capacity of auditor of his township. His widow, 
 who is a m ble lady, now makes her 
 
 home with her children, who are as follov 
 
 ih, wife of McClennell Brungart, of Green 
 township; Sybella, wife of John Reninger, of 
 - ' ire, Penn.; [ohn N.; Frank, who mar- 
 ried Clara Miller, and is engaged in busim 
 with our subject; James L. , a farmer of Green 
 township, who married Alice Wolf, daughter of 
 Eli Wolf, of that township. One child died in 
 infancy. 
 
 The education of John N. Kemmerer was such 
 as the public schools of Green township afforded. 
 He began work at lumbering with his father in 
 the mill, where he remained until twenty-two 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 755 
 
 years of age; than was employed as engineer in 
 the Jameson sawmill for a year and a half, and six 
 months at lumbering in another part of the town- 
 ship. In 1890 he returned home and worked 
 with his father until his death, when in partner- 
 ship with his brother Frank he took charge of the 
 business, which they have since successfully con- 
 ducted. Besides making extensive improvements 
 in the mill and machinery, costing upward of one 
 thousand dollars, the)' have erected a steam saw- 
 mill in Logan township at a cost $1,200, and now 
 carry on a large and profitable business. They own 
 over one thousand acres of timber land in Sugar 
 Valley, besides other small tracts, and the old 
 homestead of 140 acres also belongs to our sub- 
 ject, who is acknowledged to be one of the most 
 reliable, straightforward and progressive men of 
 Clinton county. 
 
 Mr. Kemmerer was married in 1S93 to Miss 
 Anna V. Mover, a native of Penn's Valley, Centre 
 county, Penn., a daughter of George and Cath- 
 arine (Wagner) Moyer, of Green township, Clin- 
 ton county, and they have two interesting chil- 
 dren — Harry L. and Katie E. Politically, Mr. 
 Kemmerer is identified with the Democratic 
 party, but cares nothing for the honors or emolu- 
 ments of public office. Although he is a very 
 quiet, unassuming man, he is genial and well- 
 liked, and has a host of warm friends throughout 
 his native county. 
 
 JOSEPH S. SMITH, who is successfully en- 
 gaged in the wholesale liquor business in 
 Renovo, Clinton county, was born in St. 
 Mary's, Penn., in 1866, but his parents, Joseph 
 and Anna (Krug) Smith, were natives of Ger- 
 many, whence in their youth they came to the 
 New World, taking up their residence in this 
 State. As a life work the father engaged in the 
 butcher business, but for some years previous to 
 his death, which occurred April 10, 1885, he 
 lived retired. His estimable wife still survives 
 him as does also their three sons — John L., Jos- 
 seph S. and Sebastian. 
 
 In the city of his birth Joseph S. Smith was 
 reared, acquiring his education in its public 
 schools. On starting out in life for himself he 
 first worked in the mines, and was later em- 
 ployed as a clerk and deliverer of goods in a 
 mercantile establishment. In 1892 he began 
 business in Renovo as a wholesale liquor dealer, 
 and has met with excellent success in the under- 
 taking. He carries on business on Erie avenue, 
 and receives a liberal share of the public pat- 
 ronage. 
 
 Mr. Smith was married, in 1S93, to Miss 
 
 Mary E. Sullivan, a daughter of Cornelius Sulli- 
 van, of Wellsville, N. Y. , and they now have an 
 interesting little daughter, Marie Catherine. 
 Mr. and Mrs. Smith are both communicants of 
 the Catholic Church, and in his political affilia- 
 tions he is a Democrat. A progressive and en- 
 terprising citizen, he takes a deep and commend- 
 able interest in public affairs, and supports all 
 objects which he believes calculated to promote 
 the general welfare. 
 
 EV. FRANCIS P. MCCARTHY. Though 
 as yet in the enjoyment of a comparatively 
 short pastorate at the Church of the Immaculate 
 Conception in Lock Haven, Clinton county, 
 Father McCarthy has by his devout life, while 
 quietly working in his appointed sphere, so en- 
 deared himself to his congregation, and gained 
 the esteem and regard of all classes in the com- 
 munity, as to give promise of great usefulness in 
 this field of the vineyard. 
 
 Father McCarthy was born in 1863, at Prov- 
 idence, Rhode Island, where the rudiments of 
 his education were received. Subsequently, for 
 two years, he attended the Christian Brothers 
 school in the same city, and completed his col- 
 lege course at Manhattan College, New York, in 
 1883. After his ordination he was given his first 
 charge — St. Vincent De Paul, New York City — 
 remaining two years. He next was sent to Har- 
 risburg, Penn., where for four years he was the 
 assistant to the priest in charge at the Renovo 
 Church. On May 2, 1895, he came to his pres- 
 ent field of labor, and has since had charge of 
 this parish, which is one of the best in Central 
 Pennsylvania. 
 
 The Church at Lock Haven was established 
 in 1S63, by Rev. Father Gilligin. The charge is 
 provided with a very handsome brick church 
 edifice, and a commodious school building, the 
 former having a seating capacity of 500. The 
 school is conducted by the Sisters of Mercy. The 
 congregation is growing, and the parish is in ex- 
 cellent condition both spiritually and financially. 
 
 CHARLES F. BICKFORD. The lumbering 
 interests in and about Lock Haven, Clinton 
 county, have been one of the important factors 
 in the growth of that prosperous and flourishing 
 little city. Since the building of the West Branch 
 boom in 1849 millions of feet of sawed logs have 
 annually been secured and there manufactured 
 into lumber and timber, giving employment to 
 hundreds of men. One of the operators here for 
 
766 
 
 ' '0 VMEM0RAT1 VE BIOGBAPHH 'AL IiECORD. 
 
 a lifetime in this important industry is he whose 
 name introduces this sketch. 
 
 Our subject comes of a family <>f lumbermen 
 who came from a lumber State Maine. Samuel 
 
 kford, his lather, was a conspicuous man in 
 lumber circles in this seel fa cen- 
 
 tury, ami si followed in the sa 
 
 line, and either are now, or have been, identified 
 with thi A sketch of the iather 
 
 given in that of James A. Bickford elsewhere. 
 Charles 1 i 
 
 county, and here received the rudin his 
 
 education. L.r attended the Eastman 
 
 B 5S College, Poughkeepsie, N. Y. In his 
 
 childhood he had heard the lumber intei 
 Maine talked of, while as he was growing up 
 that subject was the I ition at 
 
 home, and it was but natural that his mind should 
 be directed in that channel. Beginning in I 
 
 d he was for many years employed in the' 
 
 lumber yard as shipping clerk for his father, and 
 
 by step he came up in the business, learning 
 
 rtment thoroughly. From 1S77 until 
 
 bookkeeper and shipping 
 
 clerk in the planing-mill, and in 1883 he became 
 
 engaged in the- sawmill business, in which he has 
 
 1 since continued. The mills and business 
 are n by our subject am) his b 
 
 I I ho is a partner. The capacity of 
 
 this plant is from two million to three million 
 per annum. These brothers are capable 
 tie business men, and are meeting 
 with the success their efforts deserve. In polil 
 our sub Republican. He is a member of 
 
 the B 1' 0. E., of the Royal Arcanum, and of 
 Workmen. As a citizen he com- 
 mands the respect of the community. 
 
 On 1875, Mr. Bickl 
 
 married to Yirgie T. Kit. hie, and they have three 
 children — Clan rence and Mirian. Mrs. 
 
 Bickford was born in Clinton county. February 
 
 1 J52, and is a daughter of William Ritchie, 
 
 1 .( ck 1 lavec She is a ! ,,]v, 
 
 and is a men,' the Meth pal 
 
 Church. 
 
 HENRY T. HALL. ! L k 11 - 1, Clinton 
 county, who i> now serving his second term 
 district attorney for Clinton county, hi 
 
 brilliant . and his - re- 
 
 ts tin/ more pon him because it 
 
 obtained by his own efforts, notwithstanding the 
 sand discouragements which inevitably ac- 
 pany limited 
 Mr. Hall was born Octoi 1858, at Mill 
 
 Hall. Clinton county, a son of James and Julia 
 
 (Zellarsj Hall. His father, who was a native of 
 Ireland, came to America when but fourteen 
 years old, and spent the greater portion of his 
 life at Mill Hall and vicinity, be mu engaged for 
 about twenty-five years in the occupation of axe- 
 making. During the Mexican war he ser 
 with honor as a private soldier, and in all the 
 relations of life he commanded the respect of his 
 associates. His death occurred in 18 — ; his wife, 
 who was a native of Clinton county, passed away 
 in 1889. They had four children: John, Henry 
 T. and George W. twins and Mary Frances, 
 wife of Cilery S. McNaul, of Lock Haven 
 
 A- his parents were in moderate circum- 
 stances, our subject was obliged to become a 
 bread winner at an early age, and for some years 
 his educational opportunities were restricted to 
 tin winter terms in the Mill Hall schools. How- 
 ever, he made the most of his advantages and 
 prepared himself to teach a country school, the 
 proceeds, together with his savings from his work 
 during summer in a sawmill, enabling him to take 
 a course at the Mate Normal School in Lock 
 Haven, entering in 1878 and graduating in 18S0. 
 His ability and success as a teacher may be seen 
 from the fact that he had charge of the public 
 schools of I'lemington one year and those of Mill 
 Hall three years. After graduating from the 
 Normal School he continued to teach foi two 
 years, spending his summers, as before, in work- 
 ing in a sawmill. He then entered the office of 
 H. T. Harvey, and began the study of law. 
 Alter two and one-half years of preparatory read- 
 ing he went to Winneld, Kans., where he was 
 admitted to the Bar and established himself in 
 practice. Soon, howevar, he was called home 
 on account of the serious illness of his mother, 
 decided to remain, an advantageous part- 
 nership being formed with T. C. Hippie. Four 
 years later he was nominated by the Republicans 
 for the office of district attorney, and. notwith- 
 standing the fact that Clinton county usually 
 
 Democratic by about 500 votes, he was 
 elected by a majority of 288. At the end of his 
 term of three years he was nominated unani- 
 mously by his party, and was again elected, his 
 
 ority being 700. No better testimon) 
 popularity could be desired than this endorse- 
 ment in a community where he has been known 
 
 childl d. and Ins able discharge of the 
 
 duties of the position fully justifies the confidence 
 
 I i| Ills SUppi '1 I 
 
 far, Mr Hall has not joined the rani- 
 the happy Benedicts. While he is not a Church 
 member he inclines to the Presbyterian faith, 
 and Ins sympathies are with every movement 
 thai - to bring a benefit to the community 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 757 
 
 S\AMUEL MILLAR McCORMICK, of Lock 
 _! Haven, is a prominent member of the Clin- 
 ton County Bar, and the story of his successful 
 struggle with adverse circumstances in early life 
 cannot fail to strengthen the purpose and stimu- 
 late the energies of any ambitious youth who 
 reads these lines. 
 
 The McCormick family is one of the oldest in 
 this section, and it is supposed that its founders 
 came originally from Scotland. William Mont- 
 gomery McCormick, our subject's father, was 
 born in Clinton county, and for some years of his 
 manhood followed farming there. In 1852 he 
 went to California in search of gold, but he was 
 probably killed by the Indians, as nothing definite 
 was ever learned concerning his fate. His wife, 
 Ann Eliza (Millar), who died in 1889, was born 
 in Pennsylvania, of German descent. 
 
 Our subject was born in 1846, in Lamar town- 
 ship, Clinton county, and is now the only sur- 
 viving member of the family. He secured a 
 public-school education, but being anxious to 
 pursue his studies farther he taught some four or' 
 five years in order to obtain the funds to carry 
 him through a course in the State Normal School 
 at Millersville, where he was graduated in 1870. 
 On leaving this institution he resumed the work 
 of teaching, and continued until the fall of 1874, 
 when he entered the office of C. S. McCormick, 
 of Lock Haven, and began the study of law. 
 On January 1, 1877, ne was admitted to the Bar, 
 and for more than twenty years has been actively 
 engaged in professional work, making a specialty 
 of cases in the Orphans' Court, and acquiring 
 also a large office business. He cherishes a firm 
 faith in the principles of the Republican party, 
 but is not an aspirant for political honors, 
 although he has served ably as United States 
 revenue collector, and has been prominent in 
 municipal affairs as a member of the city council, 
 having held the position of clerk in that body- 
 almost continuously for ten years. In any enter- 
 prise which promises to benefit his locality he is 
 to be found among the leaders, and he is 
 especially interested in educational matters. 
 Since May 1, 1879, he has served as a trustee of 
 the Central State Normal School at Lock Haven, 
 and during all that period has been secretary of 
 the board. 
 
 On March 7, 1877, Mr. McCormick married 
 Miss Henrietta M. Holahan, daughter of Thomas 
 Holahan, a highly respected citizen of Lock 
 Haven, who served two terms as superintendent 
 of schools in Clinton county. Mrs. McCormick 
 died in January, 1895, leaving two sons, Ralph 
 W. and Clay M. Mr. McCormick and his wife 
 united with the Great Island Presbyterian Church 
 
 early in their married life, and since 1880 he has 
 held the office of treasurer. For a year past he 
 has also served as elder of the Church. He 
 belongs to Great Island Lodge No. 320, I. O. 
 O. F., in which he is a past grand, and to Clin- 
 ton Encampment No. 27, in which he is past 
 chief patriarch, and has been treasurer since 1883. 
 
 FREDERICK W. KELLER is one of the act- 
 ive, enterprising and popular business men 
 of Lock Haven, Clinton county, a native of that 
 city, in which he was born in the year 1866. 
 
 Henry Keller, father of our subject, was born 
 in Germany, whence when a young man he came 
 to America, locating in Pine Creek township, 
 Clinton county. Subsequently he moved to Lock 
 Haven, and there learned the shoemaker's trade, 
 which he worked at for a time, and in 1859 es- 
 tablished the present business carried on by Fred- 
 erick W. , under the name of Henry Keller's Son. 
 He was thrifty and industrious, and succeeded in 
 accumulating a fair share of this world's goods. 
 He built up a good business, and played well his 
 part as a good, law-abiding citizen of the county 
 seat, in the affairs of which he was always inter- 
 ested, and to which he gave a share of his time 
 and counsel. He was a man somewhat retiring 
 and unassuming, yet affable and easily approached. 
 He read and investigated, had good practical 
 ideas, and he served very creditably in the city 
 council. His death occurred in 1894. His 
 widow, who is a respected resident of the com- 
 munity, was Elizabeth Knights, and was born in 
 Pennsylvania. Their children are: Emma, Anna, 
 Ella, Frederick W. (our subject), and Charles H. 
 
 Frederick W. Keller was reared in Lock Ha- 
 ven, and attended the public schools of the city, 
 subsequently taking a business course of study. 
 At the age of sixteen years he began assisting his 
 father in the store, and of him learned the busi- 
 ness. In a manner he was reared in the store 
 and to this line of business. He is thoroughly 
 acquainted with it, and the success with which 
 he has met since the death of his father has 
 proven that he is a worthy successor of that fa- 
 ther. He is possessed of that tact and manner 
 that are calculated to attract and hold custom. 
 He is ambitious, and has that energy that will 
 win in the course of time. Mr. Keller was reared 
 in the religious faith of the German Lutheran 
 Church. 
 
 OBERT H. IRVINE, general manager and 
 secretary of the Lock Haven Traction 
 
 Company, is a young man who has won an en- 
 I viable reputation in his chosen line of effort — 
 
:•'- 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOURAl'IIIVAL RECORD. 
 
 that of civil ring. While he possesses a 
 
 thorough knowledge of the practical details of 
 his profession, he has also a rare degree of exec- 
 utive ability as is shown in his successful work in 
 superintendine; lar^e enterprise 
 
 Mr. Irvine is a native of Lock Haven, born 
 
 in 1868, the "nly son "f Dr. Joseph S. K. Ir 
 
 and his wife, Carrie (Abrams). The father was 
 
 born in Cumbei mnty, Penn., and when 
 
 twenty-f rs old settled at Lock Haven. 
 
 where 1: physician, but he 
 
 , at a comparatively early age. Our 
 
 ither, who was born in W'illiamsport, 
 
 till living. When lour years of age 
 
 our subject was taken to Reading, Penn., wh< 
 
 he received his education in the public schools. 
 
 After hi: •.ion Ir- was employed as a civil 
 
 the Reading railroad for three years. 
 
 and then went to South America to assist in a 
 
 similar capacity in the construction of the first 
 
 : oad built in the United Stat 
 
 re occupied in this work, and 
 hi:- return home he gave his attention to the 
 a of electric railways, being employed 
 I on a tin ndeii, N. J. Later he re- 
 
 ock Haven to build the road with 
 which li 1. and after its 
 
 upletion he v I by the company as 
 
 The line is ti\ e and one- 
 half mi! s constantly beii led, 
 that it bids fair to become one of the leading 
 
 Is in this section. 
 In 1890 Mr. Irvine was married to Lenon 
 
 I P. Shenfelder, 
 ially, Mr. Irvine and 
 wifi minent, and the latter is a member 
 
 of tti'- Presbyterian Church. Mr. Irvine beloi 
 
 . including the 1 : 
 O. E., the A. O. I". W., and the Royal Arcan- 
 um. I; 
 
 J' '-i-l'Il r\KN'.N>. who for thirty-five j 
 - been an hi I Lock 1 ! 
 
 •1. Clinton count) the most in- 
 
 ntial and intelligent citizi -hat thru 
 
 town, ami for ten years has 1 ted the - 
 
 ward in the city council. lb tei m of 
 
 the Civil war, and among the vivid pictures 
 which memorj hold- lor him 1- the battle of An- 
 tietam, where the dead and dying fell on all 
 ring the Ion- hours of the fight. Mr. 
 Parsons has an interesting personality, has Hi 
 ary gifts, and his in com- 
 
 man -teem of all who know him. 
 
 Mr. Parsons comes of good Colonial stock, 
 his grandfather, Stephei g been a 
 
 soldier in the Revolutionary war. William Par- 
 sons, our subject's father, was a lifelong resident 
 of Pennsylvania, and as a contractor did much 
 toward making public improvements of various 
 kinds, including canals, which in his day fur- 
 nished the best means of transportation. He 
 
 ! in 1 s 33 at Paradise. Lancaster Co. t Penn., 
 and his wife, Catherine (Collins 1, who was also a 
 native of Pennsylvania, passed away some years 
 before. 
 
 Squire Parsons, who is now the only survivor 
 of his family, was born at Womelsdorf, Berks 
 Co., Penn., and was reared after the old-fash- 
 ioned plan, receiving but limited schooling. 
 Among his teachers was a man in Harrisburg 
 named Cross, who seemed to think that whip- 
 ping was an indispensable aid to education; but 
 notwithstanding the disadvantages of his en\ ir- 
 111 -ubject became an ardent student, 
 and by his own efforts has gained accurate infor- 
 mation on a wide range of topics. He pursued a 
 course of legal study, was admitted to the Bar in 
 early life, and he is also well-read in science, his- 
 t' iry and literature. In fact, he has wielded the pen 
 to ^ood effect himself, some poetical gems hav- 
 ittracted favorable notice. Extensive travel 
 has added to his practical knowdedge of men and 
 affairs, as he has circumnavigated the globe, Riv- 
 ing especial attention to the interesting scenes of 
 the Holy Land and to the important cities of the 
 Old World. About 1861 Squire Parsons made 
 his home at Lock Haven. For a number of 
 years he served as justice of the peace, and he 
 has held his present office continuously since 
 In politics he has always been a Jeffer- 
 sonian Democrat; but in 1896, believing that his 
 party had deviated from its principles, he voted 
 the Republican ticket. 
 
 In 183S our subject married Miss Ann E. 
 Fribley, oi Lycoming county, Penn., who passed 
 from earth in February, 1894. Six children 
 survive: John F., a resident of Emporium, 
 Penn.; William; Mary A., widow of Dr. Cantield; 
 Edward K. ; (hail.- F., and Georgia, widow of 
 1 Mr. Dietrich. Socially the family is promi- 
 nent, ami our subject is now the oldest member 
 of the Masonic fraternity in Lock Haven, having 
 joined the F. & A. M. in 1851. In religious faith 
 he is a Presbyterian. 
 
 E^LIAS SNYDER, a prominent agriculturist of 
 t the Nittany Valley, is the owner of a tine 
 farm near Lock Haven. Clinton county. His 
 residence, which was built in 1887, is without 
 doubt the best farm house in the Valley, and 
 rything about the estate gives evidence of 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 759 
 
 liberal and progressive management. These 
 signs of material prosperity are of less import- 
 ance, however, than some which point to the ex- 
 cellent qualities of character that mark a good 
 citizen, or to the elevated home influence that 
 have prepared a family of clever children for use- 
 ful and honorable places in the world. 
 
 Mr. Snyder is of pioneer stock, his great- 
 grandfather having come from Holland at an 
 early day to locate in Pennsylvania. Christo- 
 pher Snyder, our subject's grandfather, was the 
 first of the name to settle in Clinton county, and 
 the farm in Lamar township where he located in 
 the early part of this century is still in the pos- 
 session of his descendants. He was already well 
 advanced in years when he removed to the place, 
 and as it was nearly in its primitive condition he 
 made only a beginning toward its improvement, 
 his death occurring a few years after his removal. 
 Of his seven children five' — Benjamin, Fannie, 
 Hannah, Rachel, and Sarah — did not live to 
 maturity. Harmon settled in later years in Clar- 
 ion county, where he died leaving several chil- 
 dren. John, our subject's father, was born about 
 1788, in what is now Snyder county, but was 
 then a part of Union county, and, when his par- 
 ents left their old home there to settle in Clin- 
 ton county, he was entering upon manhood. At 
 his father's death he came into possession of the 
 homestead, where he continued to follow farming 
 until 1833. He then rented the place, and re- 
 moved to the farm now occupied by our subject, 
 where he made many improvements. As old 
 age drew on he retired from active work, and 
 having built another residence upon the farm he 
 passed his last days there. During this period 
 he was nearly blind at times from a cataract, as 
 operationsseem to give him only temporary relief. 
 He was of medium height and build, but in his 
 early days was a great worker, acquiring a com- 
 fortable competence. As a citizen he was held 
 in high esteem, and he was a devout member of 
 the New Mennonnite Church, his religion being 
 illustrated in his daily life. At one time he sup- 
 ported the Democratic party, and later he was a 
 Whig; but he finally became disgusted with pol- 
 itics and politicians, and did not even go to the 
 polls on election day. He died July 4, 1870, in 
 his eighty-fourth year, and was buried in a pri- 
 vate cemetery on our subject's farm. His wife, 
 whose maiden name was Nancy Neff, was a native 
 of Centre county, and a daughter of John Neff, a 
 well-known farmer. She lived to her seventy- 
 fourth year, breathing her last on May 6, 1865. 
 They had eleven children: Elizabeth, who mar- 
 ried Christian Sheats, and died in Lamar town- 
 ship, Clinton county; Catherine (Mrs. Knights), 
 
 who died in the same township; Nancy, wife of 
 Jacob Long, of Livingston county, N. Y. ; Susan, 
 wife of H. M, Bean, of the same county; Leah, 
 widow of William Sheats, of Lamar township, 
 Clinton county; John, who now occupies the orig- 
 inal homestead; Lucinda, widow of Levi Zim- 
 merman, of Jewell county, Kans. ; Fannie, who 
 married Henry Neff, and died in Lamar town- 
 ship, Clinton county; Hannah, widow of E. A. 
 Hancy, of Oregon; Elias, our subject; and Char- 
 lotte, widow of Samuel P. Burrell, of Lock Haven. 
 Our subject was born March 9, 1834, in a log 
 house which stood about six feet in front of the 
 site of his present residence. As the son of a 
 busy farmer he was trained to habits of industry 
 in his youth, and he well recalls the tedious days 
 spent in threshing and other work which is now 
 done by machinery. For a few months in each 
 winter he was permitted to attend school in a log 
 house near his home, but everything was of the 
 most primitive order, the seats being rough 
 benches arranged around thesides of the room. He 
 learned to write with a quill pen, and often 
 made his own as he was forbidden to use steel 
 pens. His first teacher was William Allison, 
 and as his instructors were changed nearly every 
 term, in accordance with old-fashioned customs, 
 his reminiscences cover a wide range of exper- 
 ience in this respect. In early manhood he went 
 to Lock Haven to engage in the real-estate busi- 
 ness with E. A. Hancy, but since 1869 he has 
 been in charge of the homestead, which he rented 
 for a short time. At his father's death, in 1870, 
 it came to him by will, and the later improve- 
 ments on the place have all been made by him. 
 His beautiful residence has been already men- 
 tioned, and in 1893 he rebuilt his barn, which is 
 now a model structure, 46x90 feet, with a wing 
 27x48. 
 
 In all his efforts Mr. Snyder has had the assist- 
 ance of a good wife, that best of blessings, and 
 like a true man he delights in acknowledging the 
 value of her aid. He was married in November, 
 1868, in Livingston county, N. Y., to Miss Mar- 
 tha Salinger, who was born July 12, 1845, 
 in Livonia, N. Y. , the daughter of Issachar and 
 Catherine (Weaver) Salinger. Her father, who 
 was a wagon maker by trade, died at the age of 
 forty-four, leaving a home to his widow, and with 
 the help of the older children she managed to 
 keep the family together. She lived to her eight- 
 ieth year, and the remains of both are interred 
 at Livonia. They were members of the Men- 
 nonnite Church, and were much respected among 
 their associates for their admirable qualities of 
 character. Mrs. Snyder was the youngest of six- 
 children. Of the others, Edward is a farmer in 
 

 ( OMMBMORATIVB BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 Livingston county, N. x reliant, 
 
 died in Wayland, N. Y. ; Issachar resides in 
 Livonia, N V Theresa married Isaac Havens, 
 I ake, N. V ; Mary, the widow 
 
 •m \Y Iruff, i I nia. N. Y. 
 
 Mrs Snyder attended the common schools i 
 her home until she was fifteen when she entered 
 the seminary at Dansville, N. Y., whi 
 
 it four terms. Thus prepared she engaged 
 in teaching in Livin iunty, N. V.. begin- 
 
 ning at fifteen doll. nth and board. 
 
 She was successful in the work, and taught nine 
 terms in the same county before Mr. Snyderper- 
 
 ded her to abandon the calling. They be- 
 gan their housekeeping in the spring ol 1869, in 
 the little log house in which our subject was 
 born. Four children have • lnir union: 
 
 ra L.whowasgra from the Lock Haven 
 
 N 11n.1l School in 1889, and has taught several 
 terms of school successfully; Marguerite M., also 
 ; the Lock Haven school, and a suc- 
 -ful teacher; Charles B . born September 21, 
 1876, is now ,1 student at Stair College, Penn. ; 
 and Florence E., is still at home. Mr. Snyder's 
 limited opportunities in early life have stimula 
 him ti 1 give Ins children the best advantages with- 
 in reach, and he and his wife find then lev, 
 for the : them taking a place 
 
 ing the best social and intellectual circle 
 the 1' icality. 
 
 While Mr Snyder holds a high rank as a 
 in, and 1- sufficiently popular to 
 pire with confidenci to political office, he has 
 nevei I terest in public af- 
 
 fair- I le bas 11 . judge 1 il 
 
 . and tax ■ tor, holding the latter 
 
 offi< years, and Ins sympathies are 
 
 with the D tic party as a rul ugh 
 
 he 
 
 part) lines The familj is identified with the 
 Methodi rch, of which Mrs. Snydei 
 
 member. Dun Haven 
 
 Mr Snyder joined the Masonic fraternity, but 
 after In- removal to the farm he found the dis- 
 tan him to continue the active 
 
 work ol the order, and he withdrew from m 
 bei ship. 
 
 LEX WDLK Y. J( »N1 the 
 
 •• RenoA Hotel, Renovo, Clinton iunty, 
 was bum Ocl - 4-. m Ebensburj 
 
 bn.i ( 1 . Penn . and I imas M. and 
 
 Ann (Williams) [ones The fathei was b in in 
 Wales, whence about 1832, when a young man, 
 he th( I and spent the 
 
 rest of his life 111 Pennsylvania where ins death 
 occurred in 1874. He was an active, enterpris- 
 
 man, who engaged in the manufact- 
 f woolen goods and in lumbering through- 
 
 his business career, and his straightforward 
 honorable course won for him the confidence and 
 esteem of all with whom he came in contact. 
 His wife, who was a native of Philadelphia, also 
 departed this life in 1874. Four children yet 
 survive them, as follows: Alexander Y., of this 
 review; Mrs. Mathew Griffith, of Kane, Penn.; 
 Mr-. William P. Eckles, of Smithport, Penn. ; 
 and Elmer E., a resident of Ohio. 
 
 During his boyhood and youth the subject of 
 this sketch attended the common schools, and 
 about the time he should have entered college 
 the tocsin of war sounded, so that he laid aside 
 his text books and responded to the President's 
 call for troops to put down the Rebellion. He 
 joined Company 1", 123d P. V. I., and on the 
 expiration of his term of service in that regi- 
 ment he re-enlisted, this time in the 209th P. 
 V. I , with which he served until hostilities had 
 ceased, being honorably discharged March 25, 
 \t Fori Mr. idman he received a gunshot 
 wound in the head. On returning to his home 
 in Ebensburg, Mr. Jones accepted the position 
 of bookkeeper for A. A. Barker, and after ac- 
 ceptably filling that position for four years, he 
 
 aged in the woolen business for about five 
 years. He then removed to Kane, where he 
 had the management of a mercantile establish- 
 ment until 1892, when he came to Renovo to 
 take charge of the "Renovo Hotel," one of 
 the largest hostelries between Philadelphia and 
 His pleasant, genial manner makes him a 
 most popular landlord, and he is meeting with 
 excellent success in his new undertaking. 
 
 In [866 Mr. Jones was married to Permelia 
 I Kinkead, daughter of Harrison Kinkead, of 
 Ebensburg, and they have become the parents 
 of four children, namely: T. H.. Linda, Raj 
 and Eva. The parents and children are con- 
 with the Presbyterian Church, in which 
 Mi Jones is now serving as elder. Socially he is 
 a Master Mason, and politically is an ardent Re- 
 can. For eight years he served as justice 
 
 the peace in Kane, Penn., discharging his 
 duties with a promptness and fidelity worthy of 
 all tii a, and other official honors 
 
 would have been conferred upon him had he not 
 ! He is emphatically a man of enter- 
 character, indomitable energy, 
 strict integrity and liberal views, and is thor- 
 oughly identified with the growth and prosperity 
 ol 1 ted city. In days of peace as in 
 
 days of war, he has been found a brave and 
 worthy the high regard in which 
 ly held. 
 

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 761 
 
 BiENJAMIN K. FOCHT. Three terms in 
 _) the Legislature, each replete with instances 
 of loyalty to his constituents and care for the 
 interests of the entire State, up to the present, 
 comprise the public career of Benjamin K. Focht, 
 the subject of this biography. Mr. Focht is 
 editor and proprietor of the Saturday News, of 
 Lewisburg, and he has not only made his mark 
 in journalism, but, through his practical work 
 in the political field, has won a reputation 
 as one of the best organizers in Pennsylvania. 
 
 Benjamin K. Focht was born in New Bloom- 
 field, Perry Co., Penn., March 12, 1863. His 
 father was the late Rev. David Henlein Focht, a 
 Lutheran minister, who was known as an author 
 and who was noted for his powers as a pulpit 
 orator. His mother was Susan Brown Focht, 
 daughter of John Brown, one of the original 
 settlers of Lewisburg, Penn., and one who had 
 tracts of land there. On the death of her hus- 
 band, in 1864, one year after the son Benjamin 
 was born, she returned with her children to her 
 native place. Mr. Focht's ancestry includes 
 many clergymen, and others who were Revolu- 
 tionary heroes. John George Focht, his great- 
 grandfather, emigrated from Neustadt. Franco- 
 nia, Germany, in the eighteenth century, and 
 settled in Northampton county, Penn. He 
 served under General Wayne, and took part in 
 the battles of Stony Point, Germantown and 
 Trenton, and he also served under General Sul- 
 livan against the Indians of the Six Nations. 
 When Benjamin Focht was old enough to go to 
 school, he was sent to Bucknell Academy, Lew- 
 isburg, where he was educated, also receiving a 
 course of instruction at State College and Selins- 
 grove Institute. At the age of fourteen he en- 
 tered a printing office as an apprentice, and so 
 rapid was his progress in this line that, at the 
 age of seventeen, he wrote the salutatory for the 
 first issue of the Lewisburg Local News. 
 
 Mr. Focht had a decided leaning to journal- 
 ism, both in its practical and theoretical branches, 
 and he became part owner of the Local News, 
 and then, after one year, upon becoming sole 
 proprietor, changed its name to the Satin-day 
 News. The difficulties that beset him in the 
 early part of his journalistic career were many; 
 but by his energy and application to business he 
 surmounted all obstacles, becoming, within the 
 space of a few years, one of the strongest edi- 
 torial writers in Pennsylvania, and owner of an 
 extensive and valuable newspaper plant. It was 
 but a natural step from the field of journalism 
 into that of politics, and early in his career as a 
 publisher and editor Mr. Focht attracted the at- 
 tention of the Republican party. 
 
 The victories which Mr. Focht won as a jour- 
 nalist marked him as a man of progress before 
 he reached his majority, and it was only a short 
 time before he had attained a prominent position 
 in his community as a leader of thought. As 
 early as 1882 he came into the notice of the 
 Republican organization of his district by up- 
 holding its course as opposed to the "Independ- 
 ents," in which cause he exercised all his influ- 
 ence and his able pen. Mr. Focht's first active 
 participation in the affairs of the Republican par- 
 ty occurred in 1889, when he was elected dele- 
 gate to the State Convention. In 1892 he was 
 chosen and served as a Congressional Conferree; 
 and three times he was elected delegate to the 
 Republican State League Convention. In 1890 
 Mr. Focht was a candidate for the Republican 
 nomination for Assembly; but the contest was a 
 three-cornered one, and so peculiar were the po- 
 litical conditions which obtained that he met 
 with defeat. Nothing daunted, however, he was 
 again a candidate in 1892. Although bitterly 
 opposed, on account of his leadership in the bat- 
 tle of the previous year, when Judge Bucher, a 
 Democrat, was defeated in the Union-Snyder- 
 Mifflin District by an opponent who, at the time, 
 was not a resident of the district, he won at both 
 the primary and general elections. The fact 
 that Benjamin K. Focht was a man of wonder- 
 ful resources as a political leader was indicated 
 in the contest which defeated Judge Bucber, and 
 in which H. M. McClure, Mr. Focht's brother- 
 in-law, was victorious. This triumph was a great 
 one, as Judge Bucher was reputed to be one of 
 the most sagacious politicians in central Penn- 
 sylvania, and had as his supporters nearly the 
 entire Bar of the District, together with all the 
 Democratic papers and five Republican papers in 
 his District. The fact that he could so well fight 
 a desperate political battle thus gave Mr. Focht 
 a place among the most resourceful and wisest 
 leaders in the State. 
 
 In 1894 he was re-elected to the State As- 
 sembly, and again in 1896, the last time receiv- 
 ing a majority of 1,265, tne largest ever given a 
 Republican candidate for that office in Union 
 county. On March 5, 1898, Mr. Focht, at the 
 Republican primary of Union county, was again 
 nominated for the Assembly. 
 
 In 1887 Mr. Focht was married to Florence 
 Edith, daughter of H. G. Wolf, a prominent 
 merchant of Mifflinburg, and president of the 
 Farmers Bank. They have two children, both 
 daughters, Ellen Wolf and Edith Virginia Focht. 
 Mr. Focht has three brothers and one sister: 
 Rev. Dr. J. B., George M., Dr. M. L., and 
 Mrs. H. M. McClure. His interests are centered 
 
782 
 
 < OMMEHORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 in his duties as a legislator and in his capacity as 
 a newspaper editor and proprietor, in both of 
 which he enjoys the confidence of the public. 
 
 BEV. GEORGE RIPLEY BLISS, D. D., 
 LL. D., was born June 20, 1816, near 
 
 Sherburne, N. Y. His father, a New England 
 farmer and school teacher, had migrated from 
 Connecticut to that region, and at a later time 
 ihed still farther west in the Empire State. 
 The son, catching the prevailing impulse of that 
 generation, left home early and made his way to 
 the extreme front of civilization, then in Indiana. 
 Bui after some rough experience of life in the 
 wilderness, he returned to the State of his birth. 
 He was not yet twenty-one years old when, after 
 a brief period of service as a clerk in a country 
 termined to prepare himself for the 
 
 ( bristii tinistry, and i the Junior class 
 
 at Madison (now Colgate) University, at Hamil- 
 ton, N. Y. He was graduated from the college 
 with honor in 1S3X, and two years later from the 
 Theological School. For about three years (in- 
 cluding his own period of study) he was a tutor 
 in the University; but in 1N42 he accepted a call 
 to the pastorate of the First Baptist Church of 
 New Brunswick, X. J., a position which he occu- 
 
 1 in which his learning, 
 piety and winning personality made a deep im- 
 upon Church and community. In 1S49 
 he was called to the New Jersey chair of Greek 
 and Latin in tin- Baptist University at Lewis- 
 burg, Penn. (now Bucknell University , mid 
 here, lor twenty-live years, the most active period 
 of his life, he labi 'led as an educal 
 
 During a considerable part of this period he 
 added t" the duties of his chair in the university 
 th' ;-'i of the Lewisburg Baptist Church. 
 
 No doubt this double activity, aided by his nat- 
 urally sympathetbii lament, helped to 
 n that practical interest and influence in 
 the uen which always chars 
 him. To the last, notwithstanding his 
 tion in his work, Dr. Bliss remained a disinl 
 • 1. but ii"t an uninterested, observer and ad- 
 er. He was not only learned in books; he 
 
 ■ ise in his dealings with men. 
 In 1874 hi ppointed to the 
 
 Biblical I is in ( rozer Theological Semi- 
 
 nary, at Upland, Penn., and ten years later ■ 
 
 igy. In this 
 
 nained until his death in 18 
 
 His special fitness for this position had been 
 
 demonstrated by a life largely devoted to the 
 
 studs of Biblical interpretation, and the lan- 
 
 ges necessary to that study, and by much 
 
 scholarly work in translation, both from the 
 Greek and from the Hebrew, and in exposition. 
 To this work much of his time was devoted dur- 
 ing his residence in Lewisburg. In 1841, before 
 he was twenty-five years old, he was engaged 
 to " carefully review and critically examine " the 
 Old Testament portion of a version of the Bible 
 being prepared by Rev. David Bernard. This 
 
 k was published in 1S42 by J. B. Lippincott, 
 and is known as the I'.ernard Bible. A few years 
 later he was selected to translate several books of 
 the Old Testament for the American edition of 
 Lan :a1 l!ible Commentary, published by 
 
 Charles Scribner. His work on the Old Testa- 
 ment, performed for the American Bible Union, 
 of which the volume on Ruth was published in 
 1878, reflected the highest credit on his critical 
 acumen and insight. Indeed, the portions of the 
 American Bible Union's version of the Bible 
 which have been published, compare very favor- 
 ably with the later and more famous " Revised 
 Version," for many of the inovations of which 
 they set the example. 
 
 In the three volumes of the International 
 Sunday-School Lessons, entitled "Moses in Is- 
 rael", "Heroes and Judges", "Israel's Kings 
 and Christ's Apostles", the lessons covering the 
 first six months of [874, 1875 and 1876, Dr. 
 I Hiss « as chosen to aid in revising the text of the 
 Old Testament books from Exodus through II. 
 Kings, and the book of the Acts in the New Tes- 
 tament. Much of the work was done alone, but 
 in parts of it he was associated with Dr. Conant, 
 Dr. Hackett and other Biblical scholars of like 
 
 itation. 
 
 The Commentary on Luke, in the New 
 Testament series, published in 1885 by the 
 American Baptist Publication Society, Philad 
 phia, is perhaps the best known of Dr. Bliss' ex- 
 
 tical books, and exhibits unusual scholarly ac- 
 curacy in translation and interpretation. 
 
 It would be difficult to say whether his liter- 
 ary or nis educational work was the more dis- 
 tinguished and important. Including three years 
 ervice as tutor in Madison University, he 
 it forty-seven years in teaching, and during 
 that time carried 45 college classes through their 
 entire college or seminary course in his depart- 
 
 nt. Hundreds of his former pupils, now en- 
 
 ed in the work for which he trained them, 
 bear witness to his thoroughness, skill and pa- 
 tiem instructor and guide. But he never 
 
 ceased to be himself a student. He had a 
 natural bent towards linguistic acquisitions and 
 philosophical inquiries, which he carried not 
 into the classic tongues but also into the 
 literature of modern Europe. His knowledge 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 763 
 
 was large yet precise. His candor was as com- 
 plete as his views were clear and well considered. 
 It was justly said of him by an associate: " He 
 was not ashamed of a truth because it was old, 
 nor afraid of a truth because it was new. " 
 
 Dr. Bliss died at his home on Seminary Hill, 
 Upland, on March 27, 1893. He is buried in 
 the cemetery at Lewisburg, almost under the 
 shadow of the University, which for a quarter of 
 a century he served so faithfully and well. 
 
 fON. PULASKI F. HYATT, one of the 
 prominent men of the Commonwealth, a 
 resident of Lewisburg, Union county, and who 
 at this writing is United States consul at Santia- 
 go de Cuba, is of the seventh generation of the 
 family in America. He is descended from an 
 ancestry that have proven their patriotism in 
 nearly all the wars in which this country has 
 been engaged. 
 
 The paternal lineage of Consul Hyatt in 
 America begins with Thomas Hyatt, who locat- 
 ed at Cambridge, Mass., now a part of Boston, 
 in 1631, and who held a squire's commission from 
 the crown. The intermediate grandparents lo- 
 cated in Connecticut, some of whom took part, 
 in the Indian, and the French and Indian wars, 
 there being record that the citizens of Norwalk, 
 Conn., in January, 1676, voted one Capt. 
 Thomas Hyatt a large tract of land for heroic 
 services in "ye Indian warres." Samuel Hyatt, 
 grandfather of Consul Hyatt, served in the 
 Continental army, throughout the war of the 
 Revolution, and was chief of an observation 
 corps, whose duty it was to keep track of and re- 
 port the movements of the enemy, and his nu- 
 merous hair-breadth escapes are a family legen- 
 dary. Soon after the close of the war he re- 
 moved to Ostego county, New York. 
 
 Thomas Hyatt, father of Consul Hyatt, en- 
 tered the service of his country as a drummer boy 
 in the war of 181 2. After returning from the 
 war he married Miss Sabrina Griffith, of Scotch 
 descent, and daughter of a well-known tanner, 
 and the young couple settled on a farm near the 
 old homestead, where, in due course of time, 
 twelve children came to bless their home, the 
 subject of this sketch being the seventh son and 
 eleventh child, whereupon the family declared 
 him a doctor, a title he bore as a child and which 
 he afterward made good by graduating in phar- 
 macy, dentistry and medicine. 
 
 Consul Hyatt was born in Otsego county, 
 N. Y., June 4, 1836. His early scholastic op- 
 portunities did not extend beyond the academic 
 degree, but being of studious habits he acquired 
 
 a liberal education, and taught school four terms, 
 three of which were in Beech Creek, Clinton 
 Co., Penn. At the age of twenty-three he mar- 
 ried Miss Margaret Elizabeth Allen, daughter of 
 William Allen, Esq., member of an old and 
 honored family of Williamsport, Penn., the 
 young couple settling in Lock Haven, but their 
 housekeeping honeymoon was cut short, for the 
 war cry of secession was already ringing through- 
 out the land. Although a lifelong Democrat, 
 his ancestral blood would not let him keep 
 quiet when our flag was assailed, and in 1S61 he 
 entered the old nth P. V. I., as a private, al- 
 though offered a commission by Gov. Curtin. 
 He was at once made hospital steward of the 
 regiment, and after a year's service in the field, 
 was transferred to the regular army and stationed 
 at Carver Hospital, Washington, D. C, where 
 he was soon promoted to be surgeon, and re- 
 mained as such until six months after the close 
 of the war. 
 
 During the war a strong friendship grew up 
 between Dr. Hyatt and Czar Dunning, and the 
 two agreed to enter the drug business together 
 after the war, the Doctor giving his attention to 
 the practice of medicine, and Mr. Dunning to 
 the store, an agreement which was carried out 
 by the subject of this sketch buying a property 
 at Bordentown, N. J., where a successful prac- 
 tice and business was carried on for eighteen 
 years, when the Doctor returned to Pennsyl- 
 vania and located at Lewisburg, stopping, how- 
 ever, long enough in Philadelphia to take a 
 post-graduate course at Jefferson Medical Col- 
 lege. 
 
 The Doctor always found time to take upon 
 himself the duties of citizenship as well as those 
 of a physician. While at Bordentown he served 
 fifteen years as president of the Board of Trus- 
 tees of the public schools, and as secretary of the 
 Bordentown Female College. He declined the 
 nomination as mayor of the city, and also a 
 nomination on the Democratic ticket for mem- 
 ber of the State Legislature, when a nomination 
 was equivalent to an election. In 1876, during 
 the disputed Presidential election, Samuel J. 
 Tilden sent him as confidential commissioner to 
 Florida to investigate the returns of the election 
 boards of that State. In Lewisburg he served 
 for several years on the board of ministerial edu- 
 cation of Bucknell University, and as deacon in 
 the Baptist Church from almost the time of 
 making that place his home to the present. He 
 is one of the few men who never divorce politics 
 and religion, and could never see why a man 
 should abandon the latter if active in the former. 
 In politics he has always been a Democrat, 
 

 i OMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 although not of the violent type, and for two 
 successive term- count) chairman of his 
 
 party. Following this, he was for three suc- 
 cessive terms selected Democratic chairman of 
 the Sixth Division of Pennsylvania, inclu*! 
 l'"tter, Tioga, Clinton, Lycoming, Union and 
 Snyder counties, and in 1K91 was prominently 
 mentioned throughout the Commonwealth for the 
 Democratic State chairmanship. 
 
 While Division chairman, Consul Hyatt 
 early felt the public pulse beating favorably for 
 the nomination of Robert E. Pattison as Gov- 
 ernor of the Commonwealth, and he consulted 
 with the late Ho». Charles S. Wolfe concerning 
 the advisability of bringing Mr. Pattison out as a 
 candidate. Mr. Wolfe replied that in a political 
 sense he owed the ex-Governor nothing, but as 
 he believed Mr. Pattison an upright, fearless and 
 able man. peculiarly suited to the times, he 
 would support the ex-Governor if a candidate. 
 Joi 1 Hen. Esq . of Clinton county, a prominent 
 Republican and Granger, and many others of like 
 kind, informed the chairman to the same effect. 
 Armed with this knowledge he wrote Mr. Patti- 
 son of the situation in centra! Pennsylvania, and 
 Mr. Pattison consulted with Hon. William F. 
 Harrity, then postmaster at Philadelphia. Mr. 
 Harrity then informed Chairman Hyatt that if 
 the sentiment elsewhere in the State should 
 crystalize in favor of Mr. Pattison, the ex-Gov- 
 r would enter the field as a candidate. 
 Circumstances favorable to the accomplishment 
 of this end came thick and fast. It was thought 
 if the Republicans put forth Delamater there 
 would be enough defection from the Republican 
 
 ks to elect Mr. Pattison. The Division Chair- 
 men, nine in all, controlled the place and date 
 of tli' ( ^mention. Excluding the vote of Chair- 
 man Hyatt, there was a deadlock as to the 
 arrangements. His vote decided that the Nomi- 
 native Convention of 1S90 should be held after 
 the Republican State Convention, and at Scran- 
 ton, a Pattison stronghold, instead of Harris- 
 burg, where the Wallace men wanted it. After 
 Mr. P tti n's nomination and election, to secure 
 which Chairman Hyatt worked with tireless 
 energy, no recognition was asked of the Governor 
 for himself, but he did ask tl rnorthat the 
 
 services of his Division Secretary, T. Kit' 
 Van Dyke. Esq., and of the Hon. Charles F. 
 Wolfe, be properly recognized. Mr Van Dyke 
 was made chief clerk in the corporation depart- 
 ment in the State administration, and Mr. Wolfe 
 was appointed director-general of the Pennsyl- 
 vania exhibit at the World's Fair, Chic > 
 although he did not live to assume the duties of 
 his appointment. 
 
 Gov. Pattison having declined to stand in the 
 way of ex-President Cleveland's nomination at 
 Chicago, and Mr. Harrity becoming Democratic 
 National Chairman in the meanwhile, both gen- 
 tlemen were in a position to be heard by Mr 
 Cleveland after his election, and they made it a 
 personal matter to urge Dr. Hyatt for a foreign 
 appointment. Letters of endorsement were also 
 addressed to Mr. Cleveland by ex-Govs. Curtin 
 and Beaver; Congressmen Wolverton, McAleer, 
 Mutchler. Kribbs. Beltzhoover, Reilly and Hines; 
 Democratic State Chairman James Kerr; Presi- 
 dent Judges ( >rvis. McClure. Savage, Peek, Metz- 
 ger and others. The result was his appointment 
 on June 8, 1893, as United States Consul at San- 
 tiago de Cuba, with sub-offices at Daiguiri, Guan- 
 tanamo, Santa Cruz del Sur and Manzanille — a 
 jurisdiction in which over $17,000,000 of Ameri- 
 can capital are invested, and which ships over 
 1,000,000,000 pounds of freight monthly to the 
 United States. The commercial side of this ap- 
 pointment, however, was soon dwarfed in impor- 
 tance by the diplomatic duties which arose be- 
 cause of the outbreak in Cuba of the present 
 desolating insurrection, the first official informa- 
 tion of which was given our government by Con- 
 sul Hyatt in his dispatch N'o. 95, of I r ebruary 2 J, 
 lays before the formal birth of the 
 war. This dispatch, together with others relat- 
 ing to subsequent "Affairs in Cuba,'' were pub- 
 lished in a message from President Cleveland " in 
 response to House resolution of December 28, 
 1895," making a document of 206 pages, about 
 one-half of which were written by Consul Hyatt, 
 and concerning which ex-Minister Mont, the 
 greatest Spanish authority on international law, 
 said in a speech in the national cortes: "When 
 the work was published for the first time some- 
 body well versed in diplomatic affairs told me 
 that it was an admirable paper, in which were 
 reflected the his; the insurrection and the 
 
 character it bore at its beginning. After I read 
 it I found that the aforesaid opinion was well 
 grounded, and I am constrained to believe that 
 when you shall hear what I am going to tell you, 
 you will agree with me, at least as far as regards 
 the importance of the revelations it contain- 
 
 The frequent arrests and arbitrary trial 
 American citizens contrary to law within his jur- 
 isdiction; assaults of Spanish men-of-war on 
 American vessels in these waters; the flagrant 
 menaces and injuries to American estates from 
 both Cuban and Spanish sources — sometimes 
 
 n under cover of law; amidst prejudices and 
 passions a general disregard for the right- 
 neutrals; together demanded in this position, 
 during such critical times, rare intelligence, tact 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 765 
 
 and a firm hand; and Consul Hyatt, seconded 
 by his son, Hon. John T. Hyatt, as Vice Consul, 
 had such signal success in the discharge of their 
 official duties as to receive an unbroken line of 
 approvals from the Department of State. Presi- 
 dent McKinley, although early informed of a 
 readiness to vacate, lias not deemed it wise to 
 make any change in this office. 
 
 To the marriage of Consul Hyatt and Miss 
 Margaret Elizabeth Allen there came to make 
 happy their home children as follows: Margaret, 
 Paul Allen, John Thomas, and Fred Pulaski 
 Hyatt, all being now deceased except John 
 Thomas Hyatt. 
 
 [ON. JOHN THOMAS HYATT, of Lewis- 
 JLTA. burg, Union county, who has recently re- 
 tired from the United States Diplomatic Service 
 as Vice and Deputy Consul at Santiago de Cuba, 
 and who for some years has been engaged in lit- 
 erary lines of work, is the son of Hon. Pulaski F. 
 Hyatt and Margaret (Allen) Hyatt, the former 
 being, at this writing, the U. S. Consul at Santi- 
 ago de Cuba. 
 
 The younger Mr. Hyatt was born at Borden- 
 town, N. J., September 12, 1868. He attended 
 the public schools of that city from 187610 1882, 
 when he entered the Bordentown Military Acad- 
 emy, under command of Col. Samuel E. Rusk, 
 remaining there two years. He was employed 
 from the fall of 1882 until that of 1885 in the 
 home office of the Standard Insurance Company 
 of Trenton, N. J., when he entered the academy 
 connected with Bucknell University, Lewisburg. 
 In 1 891 he graduated with honors from the col- 
 lege of the university, with the degree of Bach- 
 elor of Philosophy. While in college Air. Hyatt, 
 at one time or another, was chosen to fill about 
 all the highest offices within the gift of the stu- 
 dent body. He was elected censor, secretary, 
 vice-president and president, respectively, of the 
 Theta Alpha Literary Society. He was made a 
 member of the executive committee of the Ath- 
 letic Association; was afterward selected as treas- 
 urer, and then as president. In company with 
 Messrs. Truman, Purdy and William C. Gretzin- 
 ger, he was appointed on the committee which 
 formulated the official cry of the University stu- 
 dents. In 1 S89 he was elected business manager 
 of the Bucknell Mirror, at that time the only 
 publication of the university, and through his 
 business ability more improvements were made 
 in the periodical than under any predecessor, and 
 the income of the paper was more than doubled 
 in a single year. He refused to accept a unan- 
 
 imous re-election to the managership. He was 
 appointed editor-in-chief of the Daily Commence- 
 ment News for the year 1890-91, and became a 
 member of the Sigma Chi fraternity while in col- 
 lege. 
 
 During the Pattison-Delamater Presidential 
 campaign of 1S90 in Pennsylvania, Mr. Hyatt 
 made political addresses at New Berlin, Allen- 
 wood, New Columbia and Laurelton. He was 
 invited by State Chairman Wright to be one of 
 the State speakers during the Presidential cam- 
 paign of 1892, and on Memorial Day, 1893, he 
 was orator of the day at Milton — delivering his 
 address in the evening at the opera house — ex- 
 Governor Beaver having been the orator the 
 year previous. After his graduation he spent 
 from September, 1S91, to May, 1892, doing 
 special newspaper work and traveling through 
 the States of the South and West, at the expi- 
 ration of which time he took up the study of law 
 at Lewisburg with Hon. Samuel H. Orwig. Be- 
 fore the completion of his course, however, he 
 was on September 12, 1893, appointed United 
 States Vice and Deputy Consul at Santiago de 
 Cuba, which office, because of his excellent prep- 
 aration, natural diplomatic talent, and ac- 
 quaintance with the ways of the world, he filled 
 with distinction until he resigned in August, 1897. 
 Two years before this resignation he was elected 
 honorary member of the " Press Association " of 
 Bucknell University. Mr. Hyatt is a writer of 
 ability. The Cosmopolitan Magazine, of Sep- 
 tember, 1S95, contained a very interesting eight- 
 page article by him, entitled " The Ancient Capi- 
 tal of Cuba," which article received very high 
 encomiums from the leading American newspa- 
 pers, and was copied at large by the Reviezv of 
 Reviews. On June 11, 1894, Mr. Hyatt was 
 unanimously elected to full membership in the 
 Union Ibero-Americana Society, of Madrid, 
 Spain. 
 
 On December 16, 1895, M'r. Hyatt was mar- 
 ried to Miss Margaret McLaughlin, of Lewisburg, 
 daughter of George Yencer and Margaret (Glass) 
 McLaughlin. On December 2, of the following 
 year, a daughter — Margarita Allen — was born 
 to Mr. and Mrs. Hyatt at Santiago de Cuba, she 
 being the only child born in Cuba to native 
 Americans after the outbreak of the now famous 
 insurrection. On April 4, 1S97, Mr. Hyatt's 
 child died in Cuba, which sad event was followed 
 three days late by the death of his wife. 
 
 Possessing rare ability, with a liberal educa- 
 tion and the broad experience that travel and 
 contact with the world has given him, and as 
 yet but at the threshold of life, we predict for 
 Mr. Hyatt a brilliant and useful career. 
 
766 
 
 VMBAfORATITB BIOGRAPHICAL REl ORD. 
 
 LINCOLN. Lindum Colonia was the ancient 
 Roman or Latin name for the city of Lin- 
 coln, in the county of that name in England, 
 which was founded about the year 100 of the 
 Christian Era; and by the custom of R 
 writers in abbreviating proper names, the transi- 
 tion is easy fron Lindum Colonia. to Lin Colon, 
 or Lincoln. Tin.- name was very common in 
 I and hund years before the discovery 
 
 ol America, Between 1635 and 1645, or from 
 fifteen to twenty years after the landing of the 
 Pilgrims from the "Mayflower 'at Plymouth, 
 then the infant settlement at Hingham, 
 
 in Massachusi it men from England of the 
 
 name of Lincoln. Three of these — Samuel, 
 I>.iiiiel and Thomas were brothers; the others 
 first and second cousins of the tirst named. 
 (mm the neighborhood of Hing- 
 ham, in the county of Norfolk. Two of these 
 three brothers « i i « - < i without heirs, but Samuel 
 family 1 eleven children , including 
 w to manhood, viz. : Samuel, 
 cai and 1 His descendants 
 
 are numerous and widely scattered, while many 
 of them have occupied conspicuous posit 
 public and private life. Two of them wen 
 ernors oi Massachusetts, and one of them a gov- 
 ernor of Man i been members of 
 1 ress and occupied other high offices under 
 the United States and State governments; and 
 one of them has made In- name immortal as the 
 great " War President " and tl ncipator of 
 millions of human beings from chattel si 
 
 The genealogy is traced as follows: Richard 
 
 V. B. Lincoln is the son of John Lincoln, who 
 
 the son of Mishael, who was the son of 
 
 Thomas, who was the son of Mordecai, who 
 
 ol Mordecai, who was tl 
 Samuel, who ram.- from England in 1637 aged 
 seventeen \. Abraham Lincoln, 
 
 the President, was the son of Thomas, who was 
 the son of Abraham, who was the son of [ohn, 
 who was the son ol Mordecai, who was the son 
 of Mi who was the son ol Samuel, who 
 
 came from I ngland in 1637 nteen 
 
 igular fact that among the Lin- 
 colns mentioned 1 nerations from Samuel 
 
 Lincoln, the immigrant in 1057. down to near 
 later, t 1 not one who does 
 
 n t beat a S riptural name, and that for six 
 rations nearly all were pioneers in the set- 
 tlement of new countries, viz.: tts, 
 New [ersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Kentucky, 
 Indiana. Illinois, Missouri, etc 
 
 nuel Lincoln, the eldest son of the Sam- 
 uel aforementiom participator 
 in King Philip's war, which began in p ;; An- 
 
 other descendant of his was one of the party 
 who, disguised as Indians, threw the tea into 
 
 ston harbor, and helped to precipitate the 
 war of the Revolution: many others served as 
 officers and privates in that war until it ended. 
 
 Gen. Benjamin Lincoln, of the Revolution, 
 though not a descendant of Samuel, was a Hing- 
 ham man. descended from Thomas Lincoln, a 
 relative of Samuel. He served from the begin- 
 ning to the end of the war. and at the surrender 
 
 the British at Yorktown was appointed by 
 Gen. Washington to receive the sword of Lord 
 Cornwallis. the British commander. 
 
 The descendants of Samuel Lincoln have, in 
 the main, been active, well-to-do citizens of 
 Massachusetts. New Pennsylvania, Vir- 
 
 ginia, Kentucky, etc. ; men who everywhere 
 played their parts well, and who were endowed 
 with the spirit of adventure, patriotism and 
 thrift. 
 
 Mordecai Lincoln, the third son of Samuel, 
 the immigrant, was born at Hingham, Mass., 
 Jun< 1 ,. [657; married, for his tirst wife, Sarah 
 
 ies, a daughter of Abraham and Sarah (Whit- 
 man) Jones, (here is the origin of the name 
 Abraham in the Lincoln family, which has been 
 kept up for more than 200 years), and for his sec- 
 ond wife, wedded the widow, Mary Gannett, of 
 Scituate, Mass. She died April 19, 1745, aged 
 seventy-nine years. He died November 8, 1 727, 
 in his seventy-first year. He had four sons: 
 lecai, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and two 
 
 ,'hters. In his will of May 5. 1 727, he provides 
 liberally for his wife Mary, gives to " son Mor- 
 decai no pounds in lawful bills of credit; to 
 Abraham sixty pounds in money or good 
 bills of credit, besides what he has already re- 
 ceived; to son Isaac, the home he now dwells in 
 in Hingham, mill property, etc.; to son Jacob, 
 my homestead in Scituate, also lands, mills, and 
 other valuables; also to the oldest sons of Mor- 
 
 li and Abraham, ten pounds each when they 
 become of age." Provision is also made for 
 
 ling three ol his >ns to college should 
 
 they desire a liberal education. Before the date 
 ol this will, his two sons. Mordecai and Abra- 
 ham, had removed to Monmouth county, N. J., 
 and (<>r this reason all of the real estate of the 
 111 Hingham and Scituate, including his 
 interest in ironworks, sawmills and gristmills was 
 be.pieatli.il to his younger sons, I 1 Jacob, 
 
 while to the two older sons the sum of money 
 
 ■re named was given, in addition to what 
 they had before rei eived. 
 
 Mordecai. tl ol Mordecai, the son of 
 
 Samuel, was born in Hingham. April 24, 1686. 
 removed from there to Monmouth county, N. J. 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 767 
 
 He married Hannah Bowne Salter, of Freehod, 
 N. J., a daughter of Richard and Sarah (Bowne) 
 Salter. (Richard Salter was a leading lawyer 
 of that place, member of the Assembly, and 
 Judge). His wife Hannah died in 1 7 17. About 
 1720 he removed to Amity township, Philadel- 
 phia county, Penn. (now Exeter township, 
 Berks county), and bought about one thousand 
 acres of land there, some of which remained in 
 the possession of the family over one hundred and 
 twentyyears. He married a second time, and after 
 his death his widow married Roger Rodgers. He 
 died in 1735 or '36, and was interred in the 
 Friends burying ground in Exeter township, Berks 
 county. His will is dated February 22, 1735, 
 and recorded June 7, 1736. He had one son 
 and four daughters by his first marriage, and 
 three sons by his second. The names of the 
 sons are: John, Mordecai, Thomas and Abra- 
 ham. The following are some extracts from his 
 will: " I give and bequeathe to my son Mordecai 
 Lincoln the half of my land situate in Amity, and 
 to his heirs and assigns forever. I give and be- 
 queathe to my son, Thomas Lincoln, the half of 
 my land aforesaid, with this proviso, that if my 
 wife Mary should prove enceinte at my decease 
 and bring forth a son, then I order that the said 
 land be divided into three equal parts." (A post- 
 humous child was born, was a male, and named 
 Abraham). "I give and bequeathe to m}' daugh- 
 ters Hannah and Mary, a certain piece of land 
 at Matjaponix, N. J., already settled on them by 
 deed or gift, f give and bequeathe to my two 
 daughters Anna and Sarah, and to their heirs 
 and assigns forever, one hundred acres of land 
 lying at Matjaponix in the Jerseys. " He also 
 provides liberally for his wife Mary, and desires 
 " my loving and trusting friends and neighbors 
 Jonathan Robeson and George Boone, trustees, 
 to assist my wife as executrix." "I give and be- 
 queathe unto my son John Lincoln a certain 
 piece of land lying in the Jerseys containing 
 three hundred acres, and to his heirs and assigns 
 forever." This John Lincoln was the great- 
 grandfather of Abraham Lincoln, the President; 
 he was born in New Jersey, and as is shown by 
 the above quoted clause of his father's will re- 
 ceived three hundred acres of land there. This 
 land he sold, and bought a farm near Birdsboro, 
 Berks county, Penn., where he lived until 1760, 
 when he sold it and removed to Virginia to what 
 is now Rockingham county, Va. His will was on 
 file at the probate office in Harrisonburg in that 
 county, but was destroyed by fire along with 
 other papers on file there; it is known, however, 
 that he had sons, John, Thomas, Abraham, 
 Isaac and Jacob, and daughters. One of these 
 
 sons, Abraham, the grandfather of the President, 
 in 1780 sold his Virginia possessions, and re- 
 moved to Jefferson county, Ky., where he en- 
 tered seventeen hundred acres of land in three 
 different localities. He undertook to clear and 
 farm one of these tracts not far from the present 
 city of Louisville, and while thus employed work- 
 ing on his clearing with three sons, an unexpect- 
 ed shot from a skulking Indian killed him. He 
 left three sons: Mordecai, Josiah and Thomas, 
 and two daughters: Mary and Nancy. Thomas, 
 the youngest of these sons, was born in 1778 in 
 North Carolina, where his father was at 
 that time living, and died in 185 1 in Macon 
 county, Illinois. On June 12, 1806, he married 
 Nancy Hanks, by whom he had three children — 
 two sons and one daughter — viz. : Abraham (the 
 President); Thomas, who died in infancy; and 
 Sarah, who* married Aaron Grigsby, and died in 
 1826. The ancestors of Nancy Hanks were 
 neighbors of the Lincolns in Berks county, and 
 went with or followed them to Virginia. 
 
 The name of the second son of the Mordecai 
 Lincoln who settled in Berks county was also 
 Mordecai; he had two sons, Benjamin and John, 
 both of whom removed long ago to Fayette 
 county, Penn. His descendants are still to be 
 found in that county, and in the adjoining coun- 
 ties of Pennsylvania. 
 
 Thomas, the third son of Mordecai the first 
 of Pennsylvania, was the second sheriff of 
 Berks county, and had two sons, Hananiah and 
 Mishael, and one daughter, Sarah. Hananiah 
 was a lieutenant in Col. William Cooke's 
 Twelfth Penn. Regiment of the Continental 
 line. He resigned his commission in the army 
 soon after the battle of Brandywine, and went 
 to Daniel Boones's settlement in Kentucky. 
 (The Boones and Lincons were neighbors in 
 Pennsylvania, and the two families were very 
 much mixed in marriages). 
 
 Mishael Lincoln, the other son of Thomas 
 Lincoln, the sheriff, was a soldier in the war of 
 the Revolution for six months; he served in Gen- 
 eral Sullivan's expedition against the Indians in 
 the southern part of the State of New York, 
 which was sent out by Washington to revenge 
 the infamous massacre of Wyoming. He was 
 also at Fort Freeland, on the West branch when 
 Captain Brady was killed by the Indians in 
 1779. and assisted in carrying him into the fort. 
 Having by his experience and observation in the 
 war become somewhat familiar with the West 
 branch country, he, immediately after the close 
 of the war, purchased a large tract of land in 
 Buffalo Valley, about one mile east of Mifrlin- 
 burg, to which he removed in 1783 with his wife 
 
768 
 
 VMEMORA TTVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 Rachel Thompson, and son, an infant, a j 
 old From [817 to 1 the 
 
 imissioners "f the county ol Union, and he 
 
 I August ghty-eighth j 
 
 his wife Rachel had died the 
 pre 1 in her eighty-eighth year. They are 
 
 both interred in the Lewis graveyard in Lime- 
 
 !■• township, where many of the early settlers 
 oi that neighborhood are buried. M Lin- 
 
 coln and Rachel Thompson, his wife, had two 
 |ohn and Thomas, and one daughter, 
 h Sarah married Michael Roush, of Mif- 
 Hinb 1 mi. , and none of their posterity re- 
 
 main in Pennsylvania. Thomas, the younger of 
 the two sons, removed in [840 to Pickaway 
 
 mty, Ohio, where he died after a few years. 
 
 One of his daughters is the wife of Samuel M r- 
 
 ns. the cashier of the Third National Bank of 
 
 lie, Ohio. His sons, Solomon and John, 
 
 I daughter, Sarah, reside at Mount Pulaski, 
 I : 1 , 111 John is the president of the 
 
 I National Bank of that place, and his son, 
 C. W. Lincoln, is cashier. 
 
 [ohn Lincoln the eldest son of Michael and 
 
 hel (Thompson Lincoln, was horn in Berks 
 mty, l'ciin.. June 30, 1 782, was brought by 
 his pari uffal Valley (then Northumber- 
 
 land, now I'mi'ii count) I, the year following; re- 
 hool education he had at 
 Mifflinburg in the subscription schools in vogue 
 at that day. and by vocation was a farmer. On 
 June 13, 1819, he married Hannah Van Boskirk, 
 tin- daughter of Richard and Hannah (Kelly) 
 -kirk, of Mifflinburg, Penn She was 
 horn March 20, 1801. After his marriage he 
 owned and resid farm about three miles 
 
 : Mifflinburg, now owned by the 1. 
 
 Dr, J. R. Lotz. In 1826 his father-in-law 
 
 e him the farm in Hartley township, now 
 owned by John Lincoln Knight, on which he 
 made his home until his death on August 19, 
 
 His wife survived him until March 21 
 dying m the 79th anniversary of her birth. For 
 
 ilv half a century they were members of the 
 Methodist Episcopal Church. The cozy church 
 building, with the cemeterj d, known 
 
 the Lincoln M E ' hurch, or " Lincoln Chapi 
 was named in his honor, it 1- md 
 
 ■ I by him for thai 3e. Their chil- 
 
 n were: >i Richard Van P">kirk. bom I 
 
 .lier is, 1822; (2) Rachel Thompson, I 
 January 13, 1825, and (3) Catharim th. 
 
 born Ocl < H these, Rai he! n 
 
 ried I>r Samuel H. Knight, and had two chil- 
 dren, one of whom. John Lincoln Knight, sur- 
 vives his parents, and owns the old Lincoln 
 hoi ni Hartley township. His mother 
 
 died October 17. [875, his father a few years 
 rward. Catharine E. married \Y. R. Half- 
 penny. Their children are: Hannah Mary. 
 John Lincoln and James Milton. 
 
 Richard Van Boskirk Lincoln, the only son 
 h:i and Hannah (Van Boskirkj Lincoln, was 
 born in Buffalo township. Union county, a few 
 miles east of Mifflinburg, removed with his par- 
 ents to Hartley township, when irs old; 
 attended the subscription schools of his neighbor- 
 hood when opportunity afforded, until he was 
 nine years old, when he was sent to the Mifflin- 
 burg Academy, then in charge of Rev. Nathaniel 
 Presbyterian minister. He remained at 
 the Academy with some intermissions, until his 
 sixteenth year, when he entered the Sophomore 
 class at Pickinson College, at Carlisle, Penn., 
 where he graduated with the degree of A. B. in 
 July, 1841, standing second in a class of twenty- 
 three. After leaving college he taught school 
 i terms of three months each, when, having 
 iled to follow farming as his business, he 
 commenced, in 1845, to work on the farm which 
 has been his home from that time until now 
 1 [897) a period of fifty-two years. 
 
 Cumberland county was erected out of Lan- 
 caster on the 27th of January, 1750, and was to 
 embrace all of the lands within the province of 
 Pennsylvania, west of the Susquehanna river, 
 and north and northwest of York county. The 
 country north of the Kittatinny or Blue Mountains 
 was not then purchased from the Indians. On 
 July 6. 1754. the chiefs of the Six Nations, by 
 treaty made with Thomas and Richard Penn. 
 conveyed to the Penns "all that country lying 
 west and south of a line commencing at the Blue 
 Hills on the Susquehanna river; thence by said 
 river to a point one mile above the mouth of a 
 certain creek called Kaarondinhah (now Penns 
 Creek); thence northwest and by west as far 
 the province of Pennsylvania extends, to the west- 
 ern line or boundary. " This line wasmarked on the 
 maps as running from a mile above the mouth 
 i Penns Creek north 45 degrees west crossing 
 the West branch, a little above the mouth of the 
 Sinnemahoning and striking Lake Erie a few 
 miles north of the present city of Erie. Within 
 alley it crossed Penns creek near New Ber- 
 lin, the present turnpike near Ray's church, 
 thence over Buffalo Creek and the mountains be- 
 
 Tbe Indians alleged that they were cheated. 
 
 they .lid not understand the points of the 
 
 . and that if the line was to run so as to 
 
 include the West branch of the Susquehanna 
 
 they would never agree to it, as it would be de- 
 
 pri\ heir best hunting-grounds. Not- 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 769 
 
 withstanding this dispute, the Proprietaries made 
 surveys along Penns creek as early as February 
 1 3, 1755. The farm to which Richard V. B. 
 Lincoln went in 1845 was included in the dis- 
 puted territory, and one John Turner had made 
 an improvement where Lincoln now lives, which 
 in 1755, just ninety years earlier, Turner had 
 sold to John Harris. 
 
 Braddock's defeat took place July 9. of that 
 year, and the Indians, emboldened by that suc- 
 cess, in October, swooped down upon the few 
 settlers along Penn's creek, and captured or 
 killed all who did not escape; and no settlers 
 ventured again upon the bloody ground until a 
 new treaty and survey had been made in 1768. 
 The farm of Richard V. B. Lincoln will thus be 
 seen to be one of the oldest in the county. In 
 1 78 1 it was owned by John Shively, who was 
 taken captive by a band of Indians in that year 
 while making hay in the meadow in the rear of 
 the house, and was never heard from afterward. 
 
 In politics Mr. Lincoln was in early life a 
 Whig, and cast his first Presidential vote, for 
 Henry Clay. On the formation of the Repub- 
 lican party, he at once became and has ever since 
 been an active and prominent member thereof. 
 In 1S51 he was elected a justice of the peace, 
 and continued in that office for twenty years by 
 successive re-elections, until he declined to serve 
 any longer; and now, after having been out of 
 office for more than twenty-five years, the ap- 
 pellation of" 'Squire" still clings to him, and his 
 advice is sought by nearly all the community in 
 matters of a legal nature. He was elected coun- 
 ty commissioner in 1855, ar, d re-elected in 1S57 
 for another three years. He has served as school 
 director thirty years, and has many times filled 
 other township offices, such as assessor, overseer 
 of the poor, etc. The Republicans of his county 
 at one time presented his name as their choice 
 for State Senator; and in 1876 the Republicans 
 in his Congressional district made him their 
 standard-bearer in the election of that year. The 
 district being largely Democratic, he failed of an 
 election, though he received the full party vote, 
 and in his own county ran several hundred votes 
 ahead of his ticket. In 1890 he was again the 
 unanimous nominee of the Republicans of his 
 county for Congress, but failed to receive the 
 district nomination. In his whole career he never 
 solicited or canvassed for votes, in this respect 
 being different from most of his contemporaries. 
 
 On August iS, 1852, Mr. Lincoln was mar- 
 ried to Anna Maria Pellman, daughter of Samuel 
 and Mary (Wolfe) Pellman. She was born May 
 24, 1 83 1, in Berks county, Penn. Their chil- 
 dren are: (1) John W., born May 24, 1 S 5 3, 
 
 49* 
 
 married Gertrude Reed, of Seneca county, Ohio, 
 on October 7, 1880; they have one daughter — 
 Marie Reed, born July 19, 1885. (2) Samuel 
 P., born October 5, 1856, died July 29, 1866. 
 (3) Mark H., born September 13, i860, gradu- 
 ated in 1885 from the medical department of the 
 University of Pennsylvania; on April 14, 1886, 
 he married Carrie Pearce; he is practicing his 
 profession in Philadelphia. (4) Hannah Mary, 
 born September 7, 1863, graduated from Dick- 
 inson Seminary, Williamsport, in 1884, with the 
 degree of B. S. ; on September 7, 1887, she mar- 
 ried Rev. S. B. Evans, of the Methodist Episco- 
 pal Church, for the last ten years stationed at 
 Lock Haven and Williamsport; their children 
 are — Lucile, born June 2, 1889; Vincent Good- 
 sell, July 11, 1890; Grace Winifred, November 
 1 8, 1893; and Marion Gray and Miriam Gertrude 
 (twins), November 6, 1895. (5) Louis P., born 
 August 8, 1866, married December 24, 1896, to 
 Celesta J. Albright, of Mifflinburg, Penn. ; he is 
 in the employ of the Carnegie Steel Company at 
 Homestead. (6) Rufus V. B., born April 17, 
 1 87 1, graduated from Dickinson College with the 
 degree of A. B. in 1895, and from the Dickinson 
 School of Law with the degree of LL. B. in 
 1896; was admitted to the Bar of Cumberland 
 County, Penn., in June, 1896, and in December, 
 1897, to the Bar of Northumberland County, 
 Penn. , in which county he is located at Shamo- 
 kin. (7) Anna Rebecca, born February 16, 
 l ^73< graduated from Dickinson Seminary in 
 1893, with the degree of M. E. L. 
 
 BB. HARRIS has served as Collector of 
 Taxes for the Borough of Lewisburg, Union 
 county, ever since the law of 1886 went into 
 force, and his efficiency and ability had been pre- 
 viously tested by a long period in a similar 
 capacity in two of the wards, under the old law. 
 The history of this popular and public-spirited 
 citizen is of unusual interest, his war records of 
 two wars and his experiences in the West in the 
 early days recalling scenes now historic. 
 
 A native of Union county, born May 3, 1839, 
 he was taken to Lewisburg in 1850, and there 
 acquired his education in what is now known as 
 Bucknell Academy. In 1854 he went to Free- 
 port, 111., to find a brother, with whom he 
 remained until the Pike's Peak excitement set in 
 and led him with hosts of others to cross the 
 Plains. Although he paid his passage he drove a 
 wagon load of shoes from Freeport to Omaha, 
 Neb., where the owner traded the shoes for fif- 
 teen head of milch cows, which Mr. Harris drove 
 to Denver, riding all the way on an Indian pony 
 
770 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE IiWGRM'HK AL RECORD. 
 
 Those were wonderful days, but many failed to 
 realize the ambition which had taken them upon 
 the Ion;; and toilsome journey, and Mr. Harris 
 
 - one of those upon whom fortune failed to 
 smile. He first located on Clear creek at Boul- 
 
 City, but soon found that the man with 
 whom he had crossed the Plains, and for wli 
 he had endured many hardships, could not 
 furnish him employment, and nothing remained 
 but to return to Denver as best he could. He 
 shouldered his trunk and carried it to a po 
 where he could await a wagon train bound to 
 that city, and on Ins arrival met a cousin from 
 I | ■',[, 111., in whom the gold-hunting fever 
 
 - at its height. Joining the Rocky Mountain 
 
 mpany, Mr. Harris soon bec,< 
 a favorite among them. Retiring from the 
 services oi the Rocky Mountain Prospecting 
 mpany, he returned to Denver, packing the 
 y Range ol the Rocky Mountains alone. 
 
 Denver was but little more than a gambler's 
 camp at that time, affording but little choice of 
 
 i) pat ion to a needy man. and Mr. Harris 
 "roughed it" for a time in a manner truly Bo- 
 hemian, washing dishes in rant for his 
 meals, and finding his bed where he best could. 
 After a tew weeks, however, he was offered the 
 pla. I waiter, the former incumbent hav- 
 
 been killed in a brawl. The salary of $50 a 
 
 nth seem nuine bonanza. He remai 
 
 i and then joined tin- army for the 
 Mormon war, participating in the battle at I i 
 Man's Gulch, the s> 
 Alter sis months in this service hi 
 rancher or cowboy, and, taking the Platte fever, 
 he finally turned his face homeward, making the 
 trip to Nebraska City in a wagon. From there 
 Mr. Harris made his wa) by railroad to 1 reeporl. 
 111., wh red employment and remained 
 
 until a brother, J, S. Harris, came from 
 nia and took him home to Lewisburg. This 
 was in i860, and Mr. Harris decided nd- 
 
 ing some time at home to visit the oil fields on 
 tin- Allegheny river, which were then creating 
 
 inn h excitemenl While at New Pennsyl- 
 vania on his way by boat to < >il City, pa] 
 were put on board which told the story of the 
 
 ck upon Fort Sumter, and the boat at ■ 
 turned back to Pittsburg where thej lound the 
 
 pie wrought up to a high state of feeling. 
 Mr. Harris started on his return home, going by 
 railway to Lewistown, and walking from that 
 point to Harrisburg where he found a brother-in- 
 law F. P. Green ; accompanying him to Belle- 
 fonte, he then returned to his home in Lewis- 
 bur;,'. He was among the first to enlist for the 
 three-months' service when our Civil war broke 
 
 out, and at the end of that time he re-enlisted 
 three years in Company E, 51st P. V. I., which 
 was assigned to the Ninth Corps of the Burnside 
 expedition. He took part in the battles of 
 Roanoke Island, Newberne, Camden, Cold Har- 
 bor, and numerous other engagements; his health 
 not being equal to the strain, he was discharged 
 at Newberne, N. C, June 17, [862. While on 
 tin- frontier he was wounded by a Indian arrow 
 and spear in the shoulder and groin. 
 
 After hi i rge from the United States 
 
 service he returned home, and as he regained his 
 health refused to remain inactive while the na- 
 tion's life was imperiled, and, on November 28, 
 
 13, he rejoined the army. But his patriotic 
 ardor was again balked by illness, and he v 
 discharged a second time, February 1, 1864, on 
 surgeon's certificate of disability. Having pre- 
 viously become proficient in dentistry he enga. 
 in that calling in Seymour, Conn., New Y irk 
 City, Philadelphia, Lewistown and Lewisburg, 
 but later gave up the business to follow that of 
 steam-fitting, plumbing and gas-fitting. In 1 
 he was appointed tax collector for a portion of the 
 City of Lewisburg, and after the new law was put 
 in force in iS,S6 he was elected collector for the 
 city. Since that time he has made the work his 
 chief interest, gradually withdrawing from his 
 other business. 
 
 On July 4. 1869, Mr. Harris was married to 
 Miss Jennie E. Diefenderfer, who was born in 
 Lewisburg, June 8, 1S45. and has always had 
 her home there. Her father, Joel Diefenderfer, 
 a native of White Deer Valley, Union county. 
 was born March 17, 1S24, and died June [5,1846. 
 Her mother, whose maiden name was Elizabeth 
 Dentler, was born December 31, 1824, and is still 
 living, surviving a second husband, the late S S 
 Hess. Both families were of high English and 
 high German descendants. On the paternal side 
 Mrs. Harris' grandfather was John Diefenderfer, 
 a native of Bucks county, who spent his last 
 in Union county. Her maternal grand- 
 father, John Dentler, was born in Philadelphia 
 county, and died in Lewisburg, in [854, at the 
 age of seventy-four. At one time he was wealthy, 
 but s came and in his later years he 
 
 worked as a laborer. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Harris have had four children, 
 of whom three are living: William Laird, born 
 May 3, 1S70, was educated in the Lewisburg 
 High Scho il, and is now employed in the Maine 
 and Ear Infirmary of Portland, Maine. He 
 married Gertrude Tinsman, and has one living 
 chil Mae; two others, Ralph and Jean- 
 
 in infancy. (Mrs. W L. Harris' 
 brother. Wm. H. Tinsman. Jr.. was one of the 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 m 
 
 ill-fated Maine's crew, who lost his life when our 
 battle ship " Maine " was blown up in the harbor 
 of Havana). (2) Harry Elsworth, born March 
 
 16, 1873, is in the employ of the Lovel Excel 
 Bicycle Works in Portland, Maine. (3) James 
 S., born January 3, 1875, is a stenographer and 
 typewriter at Lewisburg. (4) Frank G., born 
 October 6, 1884, died on the same day. 
 
 In political affiliations Mr. Harris is a Re- 
 publican. Socially, he is prominent and various 
 fraternal orders in his locality owe much to his 
 active support. He was a charter member of 
 the G. A. R. Post No. 52, of Lewisburg, and his 
 family are identified with the Associated branches, 
 the two eldest sons (one a lieutenant) as mem- 
 bers of the society of Sons of Veterans, Port- 
 land, Maine, and his wife and daughter-in-law 
 (president) as members of the Ladies' Aid Society 
 and the Woman's Relief Corps. Mr. Harris also 
 belongs to the B. P. O. E. ; to the Protected 
 Home Circle, and to the Ancient and Illustrious 
 Order of Knights of Malta, being a charter mem- 
 ber of Mount Carmel Commandery No. 22, Mt. 
 Carmel, Penn. , and of the College of the Ancients, 
 an affiliated body. He was the organizer of Red 
 Cross Commandery at Lewisburg, founded May 
 
 17, 1888, and re-organized February 13, 1891. 
 His eldest son, W. L. Harris, of Portland, 
 Maine, is connected with the A. P. A., and is one 
 of the youngest members of the Order of Knights 
 of Malta, having entered it when but one day 
 over eighteen. 
 
 The Harris family is well known in Pennsyl- 
 vania, and one of its members, John Harris, was 
 the founder of its capital city. Our subject is 
 of the fourth generation in descent from William 
 Harris, who came from Wales and located in 
 Paxton township (then Lancaster county, Penn.). 
 He died there in 1763. His wife, whose maiden 
 name was Kathrin Douglass, was a native of 
 Scotland, and a relative of Sir Robert Douglass. 
 They had six children: James, born January 16, 
 1739, died 1786; Sarah, born March 20, 1741 
 (nodateof death preserved); John, November 20, 
 1746 (no date of death preserved); William, 
 November 20, 1749, died in 1763; Mary, July 22, 
 1752 (no date of death preserved); and Robert, 
 March, 1755. The last named served as sur- 
 geon's mate in the Revolutionary army, and the 
 medicine chest that he carried is still in the 
 family. He died March 4, 1785, and is interred 
 in the churchyard attached to the Chester Valley 
 Presbyterian Church, near Berwyn, Chester Co. , 
 Pennsylvania. 
 
 James Harris, the grandfather of our subject, 
 was a soldier in Washington's forces during the 
 struggle for independence, and took part in the 
 
 battle on Brandywine Creek. He was married 
 June 2, 1768, to Miss Mary Laird, born May 10, 
 1750 (her mother's maiden name was Catharine 
 Spencer, from Scotland), and had ten children, 
 whose names with dates of birth and death are 
 as follows: William, April 28, 1769, February 
 2, 1785; Elizabeth, July 18, 1770, May 20, 1842, 
 married Thomas Howard and settled in Buffalo 
 Valley; Catharine, April 2, 1772, December 28, 
 1784; Jean, January 6, 1774, December 5, 1839, 
 never married, was buried at Lewisburg, as were 
 also Laird, February 22, 1776, June 30, 1704; 
 Robert, November 22, 1777, about 1813; Sarah, 
 September 4, 1779, December 30, 1827; James, 
 June 13, 17S1, July 1, 1 868; Martha, August 13, 
 1784, February 13, 1873; William L., May 17, 
 1786, November 11, 1845. 
 
 William L. Harris was a prominent politician, 
 a member of the Legislature, and a member of 
 the convention which assembled at the State 
 Capital in Harrisburg, May 2, 1837, to alter and 
 amend the constitution of the State of Pennsyl- 
 vania. He died from the effects of a surgical 
 operation. The father of this family died in 
 1 786, his remains being interred in Derry grave- 
 yard in Dauphin county. His widow survived 
 him and brought her children to Union county 
 about 1794, locating in (then) Buffalo township, 
 on land which has been in the family ever since. 
 She held the title until 1818, when she deeded it 
 to two of her sons, James (2), our subject's 
 father, and William L., and she continued to 
 reside there until her death, December 13, 1842, 
 from old age. Her remains now rest in the 
 cemetery at Lewisburg. The portion of the 
 farm which she gave to William L. Harris is now 
 owned and occupied by a brother of our subject, 
 William L. Harris (son of James Harris). 
 
 James Harris (2), the father of our subject, 
 had not yet attained his majority when he came 
 to Union county, and the greater part of his life 
 was spent there in farming. In his later years he 
 bought property in Lewisburg where he passed 
 away. He was nearly six feet tall, and of slender 
 build, and in disposition he was active, making 
 a success of his own business affairs and taking 
 an influential part in the local movements of his 
 time. In politics he was first a Whig, and later 
 a Republican, and he served ably in various 
 township offices. He and his wife were both de- 
 vout members of the Presbyterian Church, and 
 were highly esteemed among their associates. 
 They were married October 19, 18 19. and Mrs. 
 Harris passed away April 13, 1879. Her maiden 
 name was Sarah Bell and she was born in 
 Dauphin county on Sweet Arrow creek, in 1 794. 
 They had nine children, of whom our subject, 
 
772 
 
 VOBATJVB BIOGRAPHICAL 11EC0RD. 
 
 Berryhill B. Harris, is thi st: | i i Will- 
 
 1:1 tn L. . born August 24 3 a farmer in 
 
 East Buffalo township, Union 1 1 mnty, and is also 
 engaged in bankii | S., born April 
 
 i.(. 1 ind was buried 
 
 in Mt- Verm ml ry, Philadelphia 1 1 
 
 a physician and s] st, the 
 
 first cabin at Neva.];. ; al., ha\ 
 
 built by him. He married Miss Emma E. Whar- 
 tenby, < >ct >ber 12, 1 - 52 
 
 September 2, [824, resided at I [11., 
 
 married Anna E. VanDyke, June 11,1 
 March 8, 1 897, in Beloit, Wis 
 
 ' I ry L. . born Novembi 
 Wilson E 
 Mifflinburg. 1 5 1 Ri ibet t D., born 
 ruar) 1, died at Granada City, Nicai 
 
 < >ctol lieutenant 
 
 in Walki r's ] 
 
 .'4, 1831, resides in Bellefonte. 
 born June 1 ;. 18 53, married I P. ! 
 
 line 1 > . bi >rn Januai 
 i 14, buried in I .ew- 
 
 isburg ■ ryhill B., born May 3, 
 
 • 
 
 J I - I IN R< 'I. I'll L( '< »MIS, l I I)., for man) 
 d nt ol 1 '•!;, knell ( ollege, and the 
 whom, more than : ithei m- 
 
 dividual, is due the credit (or it 
 
 int Of J \ : I 1 i 1 - 
 
 mntj "t England, 
 
 in 1638, and after a short 1 in Mas 
 
 I, in 11 , to Wii 
 
 ■ 
 1 'i I ai in Bennington, \Y . 
 
 N. Y.. Ai His pn 
 
 tion i m Univi 
 
 York, and, ntered 
 
 n I Inn Providence, R. I . 
 
 which he graduated w ith the 1 He 
 
 iltural 
 I -land, and thi tutor, 
 
 and soon after pi Natural S 
 
 Wa-tervill Iby I'm 
 
 Maine. Th< 1 
 until He then 
 
 ia and Peru, South Ami 1 1 v. hii h he 
 
 came to Li w tered the university as 
 
 ; of Natural S 
 
 mad' it of the university, 
 
 ■ in. and remained in that n 
 for twentj -tw mtil 1 879, 
 
 when !. and was succei d( d b) 1 >r 
 
 David • Hill. During his presidency h 
 
 « harged the dutii t [ntell 
 
 Philosophy and Metaphysics. In 1S65, Dr. 
 1. imis was successful in raising $100,000 addi- 
 tional endowment for the College. He has 
 traveled much. In 1S71 he was absent from the 
 university on a trip to Europe, touching also 
 Africa and Asia, and returning by way of San 
 Francisco. He made visits to Europe again, in 
 in 1K73 and 1879, and in 1SS2 sojourned in Cal- 
 
 nia. He has written much for the press, and 
 in 1S51 published a work on Geology, and in 
 I Iutiiui Physiology. 
 
 Dr. Loom is was married on January 16, 1838, 
 
 sarah Anne Freeman, of Richfield Spin 
 N. V., who died March 3, [852. The eldest 
 
 by t his marriage is Freeman Loomis, now 
 
 ol M' idem I an □ the university. 
 
 On January 17. 1854. Dr. Loomis married his 
 
 second wife, Mary Gilbert. Carrie Loomis, for 
 
 four years teacher of Modern Languages in the 
 
 iale Institute of the university, is a daugl 
 of this marriage. The Doctor's third wife, now 
 living, to whom he was married A >. [873, 
 
 Miss Augusta Tucker. A son by this mar- 
 
 -. Andrew Gi g Loomis, graduated from 
 the college in 1 895, and is n lent 
 
 of law in Columbia University, New York. 
 
 In closing this brief sketch of Dr. Loomis, 
 we cannot do better than to use a few words of 
 characterization from one who knows him and 
 his work intimately: "For more than twenty 
 year- Di I ood as the leading represent- 
 
 ative of higher education among the Ba| 
 Pennsylvania. His broad and deep scholarship. 
 his large knowledgi derived from extensive for- 
 eign travel and careful observation of men, his 
 1 hristian faith and his indomitable reso- 
 lution combined to fit him for leadership. Hun- 
 
 liini with grati- 
 tude, and confess that to him, more than to any 
 other man. they owe thi ine of mind and 
 
 force of character that have made them success- 
 ful in tlie world. The Lewisburg Baptist church 
 edifice stands not only as a monument to ins su- 
 ' hitectural taste, but also to his remark- 
 If-sacrifice in toiling and giving for 
 
 It has been the characteristic ol 
 his life t h that which he undert 
 
 and he I a long careei ti 1 the real 
 
 ds 111 the elevation and eii- 
 lighteniiu 
 
 [ON, JAMES R. Kl 1 I ER I nion county 
 A A I '.erks county for some of hei 
 
 ■ tits of her first setl 
 having taken a prominent part in the develop- 
 

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 773 
 
 The Ritter family, which is of German ex- 
 traction, became identified with Berks county at 
 an early date, and the first of the name to leave 
 it for the less thickly populated lands of central 
 Pennsylvania was Jeremiah Ritter, our subject's 
 father, who came to Union county in early man- 
 hood, and after a short residence near Lochiel, 
 settled near Vicksburg, where he lived to the 
 good old age of seventy-two. He was an intelli- 
 gent man, highly educated, and possessed much 
 influence in the community. For several years 
 he was an officer in the State militia, and during 
 the Rebellion he went to Harrisburg with the 
 ' ' Home Guards. " He was a member of the Re- 
 formed Church, but his wife, Elizabeth (Ruhl), 
 who died at the age of seventy, was a Lutheran 
 in faith. She was a member of one of the lead- 
 ing pioneer families of Union county, and her 
 father, Hon. Philip Ruhl, who lived and died 
 near Buffalo Cross Roads, was a member of the 
 State Legislature and an associate judge of the 
 county. Our subject was the elder of two sons, 
 and the younger, William P. , is now a resident 
 of Lewisburg. 
 
 James R. Ritter was born June 11, 1852, in 
 East Buffalo township. Union county. His force- 
 ful character was displayed at an early age in a 
 most worthy cause, as he left home when but 
 twelve years old in order to find better educa- 
 tional facilities than the local schools afforded. 
 Going to Mifflinburg, he worked as a hostler for 
 his board while attending school, thus securing 
 an education much beyond that of the average 
 youth of his day. On leaving school he clerked 
 in a store for three years, but after his marriage 
 in 1876 he rented a farm, where he remained two 
 years, managing by industry and economy to lay 
 aside a small sum of money. With this he be- 
 gan buying poultry for the city markets, and, 
 finding the business profitable, he extended his 
 operations to cattle and anything that could be 
 sold to advantage. 
 
 For fifteen years past Mr. Ritter has made a 
 specialty of dealing in carriages, and as his cap- 
 ital now permits him to give credit he commands 
 a large trade, his sales amounting to 150 in one 
 year. His manly bearing and upright character 
 have won him friends far and near wherever his 
 business operations have taken him. and as he 
 is both active and influential in the councils of 
 the Republican party, he was recognized as an 
 available candidate and one who could add 
 strength to the ticket. In 1S90 he was elected 
 to the State Legislature, and during his term he 
 became well acquainted with the leaders of both 
 parties throughout the State. His purse, his 
 time, and his talents are always at the disposal 
 
 of the Republican party, and no man is more 
 looked to than he for advice on important move- 
 ments. Mr. Ritter is a member of the Lutheran 
 Church, and gives liberally to that and other 
 religious societies. He also belongs to the Ma- 
 sonic fraternity, and for twenty years has been a 
 member of Mifflinburg Lodge. 
 
 His wife, formerly Miss Mary J. Watson, was 
 a native of West Buffalo township, Union coun- 
 ty, born March 4, 1845, died June 15, 1S95. 
 Two sons blessed their union: Clarence, who 
 died when two years old; and Charles W. , born 
 January 1, 1S76, who was educated at the Penn- 
 sylvania State College, and is now a traveling 
 salesman for a wholesale paint and oil house. 
 
 WILLIAM H. SLIFER (deceased). Sud- 
 denly called from earth before manhood's 
 prime had been attained, the subject of this 
 memoir had established a name in which his 
 children may take honorable pride, and the fol- 
 lowing record is given in loving remembrance of 
 his life and character. 
 
 Mr. Slifer was of German descent, but the 
 family has been located in this country for nearly 
 two hundred years, his great-great-grandfather 
 having crossed the Atlantic about 1700 to make 
 his home in Bucks county, Penn. There a son 
 Abraham was born, whose son of the same name 
 became the father of the late Hon. Eli Slifer, 
 the father of our subject, and one of the ablest 
 and most distinguished men that this Common- 
 wealth has produced. He was born in Coven- 
 try township, Chester Co., Penn., in 18 18, the 
 third in a family of five children. His parents, 
 who belonged to the sect of German Baptists, 
 commonly known as Dunkards, died when the 
 children were quite young, and although Eli re- 
 ceived some kindly help from Samuel Harley, a 
 member of the same religious community, the 
 boy was thrown upon his own resources at an 
 early age. In 1834 he began to learn the hat- 
 ter's trade in Lewisburg, and while serving his 
 apprenticeship he passed through an experience 
 which, though unpleasant at the time, proved to 
 be of lasting benefit. He naturally desired the 
 friendship of boys of his own age, but it so hap- 
 pened that the youths of Lewisburg found some- 
 thing to ridicule in his country manners and 
 garb, and, humiliated by his reception, young Eli 
 avoided them, and devoted his spare time to 
 books instead of the amusements which would 
 otherwise have held his attention. A bright 
 mind thus turned exclusively to study enabled 
 him to acquire an excellent education, while his 
 powers of judgment were developed by his inde- 
 
771 
 
 VOBATIVS BIOQIiAPMCAT. UECORD. 
 
 pendent course as they could have been in no 
 i it her way. 
 
 In 1841, Eli Slifer went to Northumberland 
 county, Penn., to engage in boat-building, but 
 in 1S45 he returned to Lewisburg, and in part- 
 nership with William Frick, established a similar 
 business, to which they afterward added the 
 manufacture of lumber. The firm of Frick & 
 Slift-r had an extensive trade, employing over a 
 hundred nun, and their profits wereso large that 
 in a few year.- Mr. Slifer retired with a fair com- 
 petence. Business life is not readily given up, 
 however, by one who has decided talents as a 
 manager, and as Mr. Slifer was still in the prime 
 of his powers, he again bei lively inter- 
 
 ested in affairs as a member of a company, which 
 owned a foundry and a shop for the manufacture 
 of agricultural it nts. 
 
 Thi lie slavery question, 
 
 which was then for- the front as an 
 
 issue, aroused his earnest sympathy, and, not- 
 withstanding th d attitude j 1 by 
 ds toward all political movements, he 
 joii Whigs al |X. his abilities and 
 forceful charactei dily bringing him into 
 prominence. In [849 he was nominated unani- 
 mously for islature in the district com- 
 
 iniata and Union counties, the la 
 then comprising also what is now known as Sny- 
 dei 1 ount) He was elected, and served so suc- 
 
 sfully that he was re-elected bj an over- 
 whelming majority. In 1851 he was a compro- 
 ididate for the State Sen; h county 
 
 in his district having presented a " favorite son," 
 and he was chosen to the office without opposi- 
 tion, although the Democrats carried the district 
 
 In 1 8 55 he became 
 but in the following year hi 
 ts having come into power. 
 In 60 he was chi 
 
 that office, but in January, l86l, four months 
 before the expiration of his term, he resigned to 
 accept the post of Secretary of State, under 
 Gov. Curtin. This office, which is second only 
 to that of the governor in importance, he 1 
 during the war, and only resigned in 1867, when 
 impaired health compelled him to lay aside his 
 can 
 
 As has been said in recognition of his w 
 "The services he rendered his State during the 
 Rebellion were ting and 
 
 untiring, and all w ed with notable 
 
 unselfishness and a ] ition to the pub- 
 
 lic weal." After his retirement he spent nearly 
 - ar in Europe, going on a government vessel 
 by invitation of the national authorities. His 
 remaining years were spent upon his farm near 
 
 Lewisburg, his influence being used in effective, 
 though quiet, ways, to promote progress in Vari- 
 ous lines. Of him it may be truly said that he 
 never sought distinction and honor, and respon- 
 sibility came to him through a recognition by the 
 people of his worth. 
 
 In 1840 Eli Slifer was married to Miss Cath- 
 erine Frick, a sister of his business partner, and 
 eight children were born to the union: John 
 Frick died in infancy; Samuel H. is a resident of 
 Indianapolis, Ind.; Catherine married Andrew 
 H. Dill, of Lewisburg; Clara is the wife of Rob- 
 ert Green, of Muncy, Penn.; William H. and 
 John were accidentally killed; Eli resides in In- 
 dianapolis, Ind.; Anna Frick married William 
 Wall-, oi Lewisburg. 
 
 The late W. H. Slifer was born at Lewisburg, 
 January 1, 1848, and was educated mainly in 
 the public schools of his native place. He had 
 the advantage of one year of study at Bucknell 
 College, and he always retained his membership 
 in the Sigma Chi fraternity of that institution. 
 Having both inclination and ability for mechanics, 
 he learned the machinist's trade, serving his ap- 
 prenticeship in the Central Manufacturing Com- 
 pany at Lewisburg, of which he became foreman 
 after a few years. 
 
 On September 1. 1X70, he was married at 
 Lewisburg, to Miss Charitv Voris Conard, who 
 proved a true helpmeet. In 1S70 failing health 
 caused Mr. Slifer to remove to the country, 
 where outdoor life might restore the vigor which 
 too much confinement had impaired, and he lo- 
 cated upon the farm now occupied by his widow 
 and the family. His death occurred there Sep- 
 tember 22, [879, while he was overseeing the 
 work in a stone quarry on the estate, the earth 
 caving in upon him and killing him instantly. 
 Six children were left to comfort the 1" 1 
 
 wife and mother. Edith is now the wife of J. 
 W. Meixell; A. Conard is at home; Robert G. 
 and Grace are students at Bucknell Colli 
 William H. attends the academy; and Clara J. is 
 pursuing her studies in the seminary. 
 
 Mrs. Si u i.k was born at Pottsgrove, Nor- 
 thumberland Co., Penn., the daughter of Adam 
 and Elizabeth (Jones) Conard, who were both 
 natives of Montgomery county, Penn., where 
 they were married. Later they moved to Potts- 
 luiv Mr. Conard was engaged in m 
 
 tile business, and in (865 they made their 
 home at Lewisburg, Mr. Conard conducting a 
 confectionery establishment. His last years 
 wen spent m retirement at Montandon, where 
 he breathed his last December 3, 1884, at the 
 
 of eighty-two years, seven months and four 
 days. I i hi of prominence in business 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 775 
 
 and social life, and in religion was a Quaker. His 
 widow, who still resides at Montandon, is a mem- 
 ber of the Baptist Church. They had four chil- 
 dren: Mary A., wife of M. V. Andrews, who is 
 in the insurance business at Montandon; William 
 K. , who died at the age of twenty-one; Charity 
 V., Mrs. Slifer; and Elizabeth, who married John 
 H. Egolf, a general merchant at Douglasville, 
 Berks Co., Pennsylvania. 
 
 FRANCIS C. HARRISON, M. D. (deceased), 
 was one of Lewisburg's most prominent citi- 
 zens, and was for many years a leader in finan- 
 cial circles, as well as in the social, religious and 
 political movements which furnish a cohesive 
 force in a community and develop the public 
 spirit that brings practical unity. 
 
 Dr. Harrison was born in 1823, in Ireland, 
 whence he came to America with his parents 
 when he was seven years old. He grew to man- 
 hood at Castleton, Vt., and was educated at a 
 college there, adding to his literary studies a 
 course in medicine. Coming to Pennsylvania, he 
 located first at Bloomsburg, where he practiced 
 successfully for some time. In 1866 he was mar- 
 ried to Miss Jane Cameron, daughter of William 
 Cameron, and not long afterward removed to 
 Lewisburg. where he turned his attention to 
 finance, taking the position of president of the 
 First National Bank, the duties of which responsi- 
 ble post he discharged ably and faithfully until 
 his retirement from active business. While he 
 was a politician he gave hearty support to the 
 principles of the Republican party; in religious 
 faith he was a member of the Presbyterian Church. 
 He died December 28, 1893, leaving a widow, 
 and one daughter, Eleanor, who resides with her 
 mother at Lewisburg. Three children died in 
 infancy: William ,(i) at the age of ten months; 
 William (2) when about a year old, and Hugh. 
 
 The Cameron family has long been prom- 
 inent in this State, many of its members having 
 won distinction in public life. The head of this 
 branch was Simon Cameron, who came from 
 Inverness, Scotland, in 1755, with his family, his 
 minister, Colin MacFarquhar, being the leader of 
 the party of voyagers. They located at Donegal 
 Church, in Lancaster county, where Simon Cam- 
 eron purchased a farm now owned by Gen. 
 Simon Cameron. Charles Cameron, a son of 
 Simon, was five years old at the time of the re- 
 moval to the new home, where he remained until 
 after his marriage. In 1808 he removed to Sun- 
 bury, then to Washingtonville, and in 18 10 to 
 Lewisburg, where he is mentioned in the assess- 
 ment lists as a tailor. He died January 16, 18 14, 
 
 at his home on the corner of Front and St. John 
 streets, now a vacant lot, belonging to the estate 
 of William Cameron. His widow, Mrs. Martha 
 Cameron, died November 10, 1830, while on a 
 visit to her son, Col. James Cameron. Their 
 children were: William, John, Simon, James, 
 Daniel, Eliza, Jane and Catherine. 
 
 William Cameron, the father of Mrs. Har- 
 rison, was born at Maytown, Penn., October 15, 
 1795, and became a tailor by trade. When 
 business was dull he would engage in other occu- 
 pations, often joining the rivermen in their work 
 of carrying produce to market at the time of 
 high water, frequently making the return journey 
 on foot. In September, 18 14, he volunteered 
 as a private in the "Northumberland County 
 Blues," attached to Col. George Weirick's regi- 
 ment, and marched to Marcus Hook. This 
 regiment was discharged at Philadelphia in the 
 latter part of December, 18 14, and his account 
 of their muster is interesting as showing the 
 limits of the city at that time, as they are said 
 to have marched out of the city about Fourth 
 street, to the old "Brick Tavern" to encamp on 
 Union Green. 
 
 On January 5, 1820, he was married at Lew- 
 isburg, by Rev. Thomas Hood, to Miss Eleanor 
 McLaughlin, who was born June 20, 1803. Her 
 father, Hugh McLaughlin, owned several lots in 
 Lewisburg, and for some time lived in a log 
 house on the corner of Market and Fourth 
 streets. At the time of his death, in 181 5, he 
 had traded this property for seventy acres of 
 land in Kelly township, Union county, but it 
 had not been entirely paid for, and the busi- 
 ness of settling the estate was further complicated 
 by the long minorities of some of the children. 
 They were six in number: James, Eleanor, 
 Mary (who died at twenty), Catherine (wife of 
 the late Col. Jackson McFaddin), Hugh and 
 Margaret. During the first years of their mar- 
 ried life William Cameron and his young wife 
 occupied rented rooms in the upper stories of 
 business buildings. One spring morning Mrs. 
 Cameron remarked that they might be able to 
 buy a place near by upon favorable terms — an 
 old hatter's shop which stood there having been 
 partially burned. The prospect was not bright, 
 but Mr. Cameron, who was about to start upon 
 a trip down the river, said that his energetic and 
 clever spouse might try leasing the place. By 
 the time he returned her industry had made the 
 place a clean and comfortable dwelling, and their 
 hope of ownership, though in the future, made 
 the place seem indeed a home. They bought it 
 as means permitted, built a better residence, and 
 from this starting point may be dated their pros- 
 
776 
 
 I OMMEMOBATIVE BlOGUM'lIUAL RECORD. 
 
 perity. Later Mr. Cameron purchased all the 
 places dear to him by early associations, the 
 home of his father, the old home of his hc-loved 
 " Nellie," and the grounds on both I the 
 
 creek where he had wooed and won her, a touch- 
 ing evidence of the sensitiveness which underlay 
 Ins somewhat stern exterior. At the time of his 
 mi. I a 1 'iint of the best prop- 
 
 erty in Lewisburg, while his country lands ex- 
 ti nded north from the east end of the Lime- 
 stone Ridge across the heart ol Buffalo Val 
 and along the east hank of the West branch of 
 the Susquehanna to the border of Milt 
 prising many of the best (arms of that fertile 
 
 ■ n. 
 
 His business enterprises were varied and ex- 
 tensive, the first of note being the construction, 
 under contract, of portions oi the Pennsylvania 
 canal, by which he cleared about ten thousand 
 dollars. While engaged in this work Mrs. Cam- 
 eron moved into a log cabin upon a farm which 
 they bought near the scene of operations. It 
 was rlorn looking place, but by hard work 
 
 and good mana transformed into a 
 
 vntable garden, Othi rprises were the 
 
 tunnel of Elizabethtown, the railroad bridge at 
 Eiarrisburg on the Cumberland Valley K. K., 
 and the dams at Columbia and Lewisburg. In 
 1831 1 in the wholesale dry-goods busi- 
 
 Philadelphia, under the firm name of 
 Welsh, I ttneron S Co., and ci ml bout 
 
 three years He was also a leading member of 
 a firm that successfully operated the railroad 
 fron mbia to Philadelphia. It had been 
 
 managed for one year by the Department of Pub- 
 lic Works, but was falling deeper and deeper in 
 debt, when Mi < imeron 1 10I chargi ol it. In 
 I in banking, assisting in the es- 
 tablishment of the Lewisburg Institution, 
 winch la State bank, 
 then, under the National Banking Act, was in- 
 corporated as the Lewisburg National Bank. On 
 
 occasion, when ind, hegi 
 
 • ■ baiikm. occupation. 
 
 In speaking of his life, in bis | 
 he never failed \ redit to Ins . her 
 
 share in the 1 Sorts which bad gained his wealth, 
 and at his death, which occurred Se] 10, 
 
 1877, he left almost all his possessions to her 
 for her lifetime It is a fact worthy of note that 
 his work tended to the improvement and devel- 
 opment of the localities in which he was in' 
 ested, dilapidated buildings being] imp 
 
 lands drained, or avenues of 
 
 \\ hile he did not make a name m public lib; like 
 his brother, Hon. Simon Cameron, or lu-> brother 
 Jamt -. who fell in the first battle of the Civil 
 
 1 while serving as colonel of the 79th High- 
 landers ol New York, his influence was no less a 
 power for good wherever he was known. Never 
 ostentatious in gifts, he still made generous do- 
 nations when a worthy cause was recognized. A 
 steam fire-engine, costing over $10, 000, was given 
 to the ' it] il I. wisburg, and twice a year he 
 gave orders to the coal dealers to see that none 
 were suffering from cold, while the gifts quietly 
 sent from his own store houses cannot be esti- 
 mated. He was familiarly known in the com- 
 munity as "the Squire," the title having first 
 been acquired through his commission from Gov. 
 Schultz, February 19, [827, as a justice of the 
 peace, but it was continued as a tribute of re- 
 spect to his character and standing. 
 
 His willow. Mrs. Eleanor Cameron, and 
 two daughters survive him. Of the latter, Mary 
 is tb. wit. of Hon. John B. Packer, and Jane 
 married Dr. Harrison, of this sketch; another 
 daughter, Elizabeth, married John A. Green, 
 and 1 iving two children, Martha and Mar- 
 
 garet; and a son, William, ]r.. whose death in 
 1 ' 1 cut short a promising career at the Bar, 
 left two children — William and Nellie mow Mrs. 
 Harrv Mai 
 
 JAMES MERRILL LINN. William Linn, 
 the great-great-grandfather of James Merrill 
 Linn, emigated from the North of Ireland in 
 1 73 J. and settled, originally, in New Jersey, op- 
 posite Bristol, Penn. He was of Scotch-Irish 
 stock, a man of giant frame and of immense mus- 
 cular strength. His only son, William, so the 
 family tradition runs, was in Philadelphia with 
 his team when Benjamin Franklin, the great 
 quartermaster, impressed him into the baggage 
 train service of Gen. Braddqck's army, and he 
 was compelled to wagon it out to Pittsburg. 
 Both going and returning, he stopped to water 
 his horses at a spring at the base of North mount- 
 ain, a few miles north of Shippensburi/. a place 
 that delighted him. On his return and discharge 
 he purchased the place. 
 
 James Merrill Linn, the fourth child of James 
 
 F. and Margaret I. Linn, was born October 17, 
 
 J, in the house in Lewisburg in which he 
 
 bout his life. His early education 
 
 was ! in the Lewisburg Academy. When 
 
 nrst session of the university commenced in 
 
 1*46, he entered what was then 
 
 called tb. senior academic class. The next j 
 
 In entered college, and graduated August 20, 
 
 185 I, with the salutatory, bein^ not quite eighteen 
 
 II e was a member of the Gamma 
 
. '/fa^nt/^f^,. 
 
 ^-^z-*-r 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 777 
 
 Chapter of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity, and 
 during the early history of this Chapter took an 
 active interest in its affairs. In 1852 he went to 
 Lancaster to read law with James Black, a 
 former student of his father. In the same year 
 he was appointed a tutor in Franklin and Mar- 
 shall college in that city, teaching Greek and 
 Latin. This was for two years; then he returned 
 to Lewisburg, and was admitted to the Bar in 
 September, 1854. For six months he practiced 
 in Phoenixville; then returned to Lewisburg, and 
 in 1858 became a partner of his father, under the 
 firm name of J. F. & J. M. Linn. 
 
 When the Civil war broke out in 1 861 , and 
 the call for 75,000 troops was issued, he was at 
 a law suit in Snyder county. The suit came to 
 an end at once. He hastened home, enlisted 
 and served as second lieutenant in Company G, 
 4th P. V. I., for three months. Then he aided 
 in recruiting a company, of which he was com- 
 missioned captain — Company H, 51st P. V. I., 
 in which he served from November 16, 1861, un- 
 til April 14, 1864, when he resigned on account 
 of greatly impaired health. During his last en- 
 listment he served as a staff officer a considerable 
 part of the time, and particularly as judge advo- 
 cate of the division, on account of his legal train- 
 ing and equipment. After his return from serv- 
 ice it was several years before he resumed his 
 profession. His father dying in 1869, he entered 
 into partnership with Andrew H. Dill, which con- 
 tinued for ten years. The partnership being dis- 
 solved, he then practiced his profession alone. 
 
 An old soldier Mr. Linn ever manifested the 
 utmost interest in anything that pertained to the 
 Civil war, being especially concerned in collect- 
 ing and publishing reliable history of the strug- 
 gle. One great desire and ambition of his life 
 was to see a becoming soldiers' monument 
 erected in Lewisburg as a testimonial of respect 
 and regard, and in honor of the soldiers of Union 
 county. As a citizen it was simply just to speak 
 of him in high praise. His public spirit and 
 civic pride kept him always to the front of enter- 
 prise, ready to lend his willing assistance and to 
 create in others something of his own enthusiasm. 
 In his social life he was highly esteemed, and his 
 friends found him a most interesting companion. 
 His gentle nature, stimulated by his love for all that 
 is chaste and beautiful in literature and art, made 
 him a gentleman always agreeable and entertain- 
 ing. Well educated in his youth, he added to 
 his college training a great fund of knowledge by 
 a wide range of study in history and literature, 
 He was a frequent contributor to local papers. 
 
 At a meeting of the local Bar of Lewisburg, 
 to present appropriate resolutions on the death 
 
 of Mr. Linn, Hon. Harold M. McClure, the pre- 
 sident judge, on taking the Bench to preside, 
 thus spoke: " We have met to-day in memory 
 of one of a long line of eminent men, whose eru- 
 dition, scholarly attainments, gentlemanly de- 
 portment, thorough knowledge of the science of 
 law, and skill and faithfulness in its practice, 
 have kept this Bar in the front rank of the pro- 
 fession. Mr. Linn was a worthy descendant of 
 an illustrious sire; a conspicuous example of the 
 hereditary transmission of the physical qualities 
 of parents to their children. 
 
 ' ' There are those who hold that preachers are 
 rarely made in one generation. If this be true 
 analogy will account for his intuitive perception 
 of the underlying principle that controlled every 
 case. The lamp lit by the father was not dimmed 
 when held by the son; the mantle that fell from 
 his shoulders never reached the earth. He came 
 early to the law, and for nearly half a century 
 bore evidence of her jealousy as a mistress. 
 From Brown vs. White Deer Township, 3 Casey, 
 where his contention that an appeal from the 
 township auditors was the exclusive remedy to 
 recover money expended by a supervisor on be- 
 half of the township, was sustained, down to the 
 current volume, the reports of the Supreme 
 Court bear unquestioned and unimpeachable tes- 
 timony to his legal acumen, his untiring energy 
 and midnight labors in behalf of those whose 
 cause he advocated. A lawyer of the old school, 
 his loyalty to his clients was only exceeded by his 
 zeal in their cause. Without fee, reward or 
 hope thereof, he protected the weak and de- 
 fended the poor. Of weak physical constitution, 
 his mental endurance was without limit. That 
 he should have been chosen by so many to cham- 
 pion their cause, is pregnant proof of the ad- 
 vancement of our civilization. A poor cham- 
 pion he would have been with staves and leather 
 target in the lists of the Norman invader, to wage 
 the battles of his clients. In the modern forum 
 he quailed before no antagonist, nor asked for 
 quarter. He was a living witness of the power 
 of mind and the weakness of matter in the strug- 
 gle for supremacy in the closing years of this 
 nineteenth century. Advancing years impaired 
 his health, but did not enfeeble his mind or di- 
 minish his energy. He was kind and generous, 
 affable and courteous, and of all the illustrious 
 men who have passed before him not one has 
 left a better name, none were more sorely missed. 
 In the garland to his memory we twine this leaf, 
 a small testimonial of his worth as a man, his abil- 
 ity as a lawyer, his patriotism as a citizen, his 
 attainments as a scholar, his love and tenderness 
 as a husband and father', and his loyalty as a 
 
77- 
 
 < OMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 friend. ' Woe unto us, nut him; for he sleeps 
 well."' 
 
 On December 26, 1867, Mr. Linn was mar- 
 ! to Mar) Ellen, eldest daughter of Philip 
 Billmeyer, and they ha- son Philip 1 >i 1 1 - 
 
 meyer Linn, who was associated with his father 
 in the practice of the law, under the firm name 
 I I M. & P. B. Linn. Mr. Linn was a mem- 
 ber of the Presbyterian Church. He died sud- 
 denly February j.;. 1897, of paralysis oi 
 heart. 
 
 His son, Philip Billmeyer Linn, was born 
 at Lewisburg, Mas ■ He graduated at 
 
 Harvard Universit) in [890, rend law with his 
 father, and was admitted to the Bar in I i 
 from which tune up to the death ol his lather he 
 prai tii ed with him. 
 
 WILLIAM SPOTTS ( RISWELL 
 ing representative of the agricultural in- 
 i tin- sei tion, is a member of a family 
 which has for many years been prominentl) iden- 
 tified with Union county. His grandparents, 
 ph and Elizabeth (Hutchinson) Criswell, lo- 
 in pioneer til 1 reared a family 
 of seven children, namely: Jan 1 August 
 51, 1 1 6 rhomas 11 . March 28, 181 -■ . Hannah 
 B. 1 Mrs. John Huntington . March ~ : . i8io;John 
 II. M ty 7, 1814; M 
 \, June jo. [816; and Elizabeth (Mrs. William 
 5potts),Auf ' • 1 8. t m tin- familythe last 
 nly survivor. 
 Th> in H ( riswell, the father ol our 
 was a man ol unusual force of character, 
 and, although he never attendi 1 more 
 than eleven days in his life, he - fair ed- 
 tion through ition and private study. 
 He followed farming and shoemaking during his 
 active life, and gained thereby a comfortable live- 
 lihood. As vas prominent in local 
 
 andidate ol the Re- 
 publican partv for township offices, his faithful 
 vice in any position of trust having won for 
 him the confidence of all 
 
 On April 16 |ohn H. Ci iswell married 
 
 Mi-- Jane Mathers, who was horn in Mazeppa, 
 I'enn., June 24, 1 s 1 1 , the daughter of James and I 
 bella (Oliver) Mathers. The following children 
 bli ssi d this union: Joseph, born I 
 
 15,isa tailor of Chattam 1, renn. ; James, born 
 April [6, 1837, died Septembei 27, 1853; Will- 
 Spotts, oui subject, ismentioned more fully 
 below; Elizabeth, born Sep 24, 1841, is 
 
 the wife of Daniel Kuhns, of Kelly township. 
 Union county; Marj V. born July 15, 1843, re- 
 sides at the old home*stead in Kelly township. 
 
 Union county; Isabella M. , born July 21, 1S45, 
 died September 5, 1853; Rachel, born April 21, 
 1848, died August 26, 1853; Sarah M.. born Oc- 
 tober 10, 1852, died October 11, 1 S 53 ; Thomas 
 O., born September 2, 1853, is a farmer near 
 r i\ loisville. Penn.; and John, born May 5, 1S50, 
 died April 16, 1866. The father died April 17, 
 
 14, and the mother September 4, 1884, both 
 having attained an advanced age, and so univer- 
 sally beloved were they that they were known by 
 young and old in their locality as "Uncle " and 
 ■ ■ Auntie I riswell. 
 
 William Spotts Criswell was born April 12, 
 1839, in Kelly township, and was reared to ag- 
 ricultural pursuits, his work apon his fathi 
 farm during his boyhood alternating with his 
 attendance at the local schools. In 1862 he en- 
 listed in Company A, 131st P. V. I., under Capt. 
 Jacob Moyer, whose place was taken a tew 
 months later by Capt. Joseph K. Orwig. Dur- 
 ing his term of service Mr. Criswell was detailed 
 for a time on ambulance duty, hut he saw some 
 severe fighting, and took part in the battles of 
 Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. He was 
 never wounded; at the expiration of his term he 
 urned home, receiving his discharge at Harris- 
 burg, Penn., May 23, 1S63. 
 
 On 1 >> icember 21, 1865. Mr. Criswell was 
 married to Miss Mary L. Wagner, and shortly 
 afterward he established his home at I 
 Hill, Union county, when' he was employed for 
 u. He then returned to his native township 
 and rented one of his father's farms, remaining 
 n years. Since that time he 
 has resided upon his present farm near Kelly 
 Cross Koads, which he at first rented from his 
 i, itlier. but afterward acquired by inheritance. 
 Mr. Criswell is identified with all of the pro- 
 
 sive movements of his locality, and while 
 he :s not a politician, he is an influential sup- 
 porter of the Republican party. He is a mi 
 
 lie Grand Army 1' I No. 52, of Lewis- 
 burg, and is active in religious work as a member 
 of the Lutheran Church. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Criswell have had nine chil- 
 
 . whom all but one are living: (1) James, 
 
 who resides in Kellv township, Union county, 
 
 rried Miss Anna Machmer, and has five chil- 
 dren— J. Roy, William D., Mary E., Sarah M. 
 and Milton M. (2) Emma died at the age of 
 John W . a I. inner of Kelly 
 township, married Miss Susan M. Hafer. 14) 
 Edith married W. H. Showers, a farmer in 
 White Peri township, Union county, and has 
 hid two children— Russell H. and Lei 
 Willi, mi manages the farm of his aunt, Miss 
 Mary C. Criswell, in Kelly township, Union 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 779 
 
 county. (6) Joseph 0. is in the meat business 
 at Milton, Penn. (7) Caroline E., (8) Paul W. 
 and (9) David A. are at home. 
 
 Mrs. Mary E. Criswell is a descendant of an 
 old Lancaster county family; her grandfather, 
 Thomas Wagner, passed his life in that locality. 
 Her father, Daniel Wagner, was born there in 
 1799, but in early manhood moved to Centre 
 county, where he met and was married to Miss 
 Margaret Rote, a native of that county. In 1832 
 he went to Lewisburg, where he operated a mill 
 for a few years, but he finally located in East 
 Buffalo township, Union county, and operated a 
 gristmill there until his death, which occurred 
 August 26, 1S60, at the age of sixty-one. He 
 was a Republican from the time of the organiza- 
 tion of the party, and in religious faith he was a 
 devout Lutheran. His estimable wife survived 
 him, and breathed her last July 12, 1877. 
 
 Mrs. Criswell was born in East Buffalo town- 
 ship, Union county, May 29, 1836, and was the 
 second in a family of eleven children. Of the 
 others, John is a farmer and cattle dealer in 
 Iowa; Daniel died at the age of fifty-one; Thom- 
 as died at forty-four; Sarah, deceased, was for- 
 merly the wife of John Kerstetter, of Milton, 
 Penn. ; Margaret married Alfred Dehl, a baker of 
 Watsontown, Penn.; Emma is the wife of N. C. 
 Freck, a contractor in Millersburg, Penn. ; Har- 
 riet married E. K. Spotts, a farmer of Kelly 
 township, Union county; Katherine married 
 Phineas Bly, a miller of White Deer Mills; Sam- 
 uel is in the milling business at Forest Hill, 
 Union county; and William died in 1895, at the 
 age of forty-four. 
 
 PETER HAUSE, of White Deer township, 
 Union county, is the owner of a fine farm 
 near New Columbia, and is also engaged in busi- 
 ness as an agent for the Champion Implement 
 Company, and the Clark's Cove Fertilizer Com- 
 pany, of New York. As Mr. Hause has made 
 his way in the world against heavy odds, his 
 struggle for a livelihood having begun when he 
 was a mere child, his history is of more than or- 
 dinary interest. 
 
 Mr. Hause was born April 7, 1853, in North- 
 umberland county, Penn., and his father, George 
 Hause, who was also a native of that county, 
 was a resident of Chillisquaque during the greater 
 part of his life, having engaged first in the butch- 
 ering business, then in the hotel business, and, 
 finally, in mercantile enterprises. He was twice 
 married, first to Miss Mary Reefer, by whom he 
 had seven children: Mary A. , wife of William 
 Galbrath, an insurance agent at Milton, Penn.; 
 
 Elizabeth, widow of Robert Martin, of Northum- 
 erland county; Lida, deceased, formerly the wife 
 of John Harmon, a farmer in Michigan; Hannah, 
 wife of Charles Sanders, of White Deer town- 
 ship, Union county; Sarah and John, who died 
 before reaching adult age; and George, a farmer 
 in California. The mother of this family died in 
 1848, and the father was married to Miss Sarah 
 Reefer, a sister of his first wife. She was a na- 
 tive of Union county, where their marriage oc- 
 curred. There were two children by this union: 
 Peter, our subject; and Frank, who is now in the 
 livery business at Corning, N. Y. Both parents 
 were identified with the United Evangelical 
 Church. The father died in 1856 at the age of 
 thirty- five, but the mother survived many years, 
 passing away at the home of our subject, March 
 3, 1894, aged seventy-two years. 
 
 As Peter Hause was left fatherless at the age 
 of three years without adequate provision for his 
 support, the serious business of life was taken up 
 as soon as his labor became of value. He re- 
 mained with his mother until he was ten years 
 old, when he spent eight months in work for an 
 uncle, David Reefer. He then returned home 
 and attended school during the winter, and in the 
 following spring he was hired by Ellis Miller, 
 with whom he spent one year. Until he was six- 
 teen he continued to work on farms in summer, 
 attending school in winter, and then for some 
 years he took whatever employment he could find. 
 
 On June 18, 1874, our subject was married 
 to Miss Rebecca C. High, who has proved a true 
 helpmeet, and they made their home at their 
 present farm, which Mr. Hause worked for half 
 the proceeds of the farm for seven years before 
 increasing prosperity enabled him to purchase it. 
 Industrious and thrifty, he has won a high repu- 
 tation as a manager, and is a leading member of 
 the Farmers Alliance. He is also prominent in 
 the various activities of the community, and in 
 the local Republican organization, having been 
 tax collector for one year, and supervisor for two 
 years. 
 
 Seven children make his home merry: Frank 
 M., George W., Florence, James C, Percy, 
 Amy V. and Mary J. Mrs. Hause is a native of 
 White Deer township, Union county, and was 
 born February 22, 1848, the daughter of Aaron 
 C. High, a native of Berks county, and grand- 
 daughter of Samuel and Catherine (Pott) High, 
 who settled in Union county at an early day to 
 spend their remaining years, both being interred 
 in the Rlapp graveyard. 
 
 Aaron C. High died in White Deer township, 
 Union county, in June, 1894, at the age of sev- 
 enty, his last years having been spent in retire- 
 
780 
 
 COMMK.VnJtATlVE BIOORAPSIi AL /.'/."' <>IiD. 
 
 nt on ac< illness. He was married in 
 
 White Deer township, t'> Miss Mary Rank, who 
 LMirn in Berks county, November 22, 1822, and 
 whose parents, John and Nancy (Luthers) Rank, 
 
 loved from that locality to Union comity. 
 where they breathed their last, their remains be- 
 in^- laid to rest in Klapp graveyard. Five chil- 
 dren have been horn to Aaron C. and Mary 
 High: Robert, now rnment surveyor in 
 
 Nebraska; Anna M., deceased, formerly the wife 
 of Elias [ngleman, who is living in retirement at 
 White Pigeon, Mich.; Rebecca C. (Mrs. II 
 Barbara, wife of James Bernan, an employee in 
 
 car works at Mill I Alford, a farmer in 
 
 Texas. The mother has contracted a second 
 marriage, being now the wife of William Miller, 
 a farmer residing in St. Joseph county, Michigan. 
 
 W 
 
 II.I.IAM DA\ ID HIMMELREN 1! 
 born in Kell) township, Union Co., 
 Penn., September 11, 1842, the ninth child of 
 Peter Himmelreich and Elizabeth nie Charles). 
 Petei - father ei I from Germany in the 
 
 iteenth century, and settled in Buffalo town- 
 ship, Union county. Going one step farther ! 
 
 i., the grandmothei ol the subject of this 
 
 sketch was a Within ne of whom came 
 
 'and at an early date to this country, 
 
 and carried on a successful business at clock 
 
 making, in Mifflinburg, under style of Withing- 
 
 ton & Son, for many years. Capt. Peter With- 
 
 i the heroes of the Revolution, 
 
 having commanded a company in the Twelfth 
 
 Pennsylvania Regiment of the Continental Line. 
 
 ied m 1 :' 
 
 When scarcely tall enough to peep over the 
 
 counter, the subject of this sketch began hisbusi- 
 
 - career in a country store near home. Close 
 
 b) . on the same fat 1 an old scl 
 
 in which he received his early education. Tin 
 
 of clerking found the little fellow grown a 
 head taller, and possessed of an ambition that 
 could no longer find scope in the old environ- 
 
 I b- be' ami a cierk for Capt. Cr 
 postmaster, at Lewisburg. Several ventures in 
 
 mtile business, ippan ml}' not I 
 liking, followed, and finally he attracted the 
 favorable attention of John 1 1. P kei ^presi- 
 dent of the First National Bank of Sunbury. He 
 became a clerk in that institution, and here his 
 business ability w ied. Through faithful 
 
 attention to every detail of his work 
 the confidence of Mr. Packer, an eminent lawyer 
 and financier — a circumstance which had much 
 
 with later successes. Mr. Packer wi 
 undemonstrative man, but he had his own way 
 
 of showing his appreciation of fidelity in an em- 
 ployee. A hard worker himself, he knew the 
 value of industry, while his own strict integrity 
 served as a touch-stone in his judgment of oth- 
 
 The fact that Mr. Himmelreich reman 
 with him ten years, and during the latter part of 
 his service was entrusted with the most delicate 
 and intricate business, is sufficient evidence of his 
 worth. It may be noted, also, that throughout 
 the remainder of Mr. Packer's life he retained a 
 firm friendship for Mr. I limmelreich, and showed 
 his undiminished confidence in substantial ways. 
 
 The arduous work of the bank proved to be 
 too great a strain upon Mr. Hinunelreich's health, 
 and he purchased an interest in the firm of Bill- 
 meyer, Dill & Company, boat builders and man- 
 ufacturers of lumber, at Lewisburg, in 1872, 
 This was a prosperous enterprise with a n 
 capable head, Philip Billmeyer, who was an au- 
 thority on all matters relating to lumber. The 
 firm name was subsequently changed to P. Bill- 
 meyer & Co., the other partners being George S. 
 Matlack and Henry C. Wolfe, who ■ eci- 
 
 ally efficient workers in their respective depart- 
 ments — and to this harmonious combination Mr. 
 Himmelreich added new force and energy. Mr. 
 Billmeyer died in I S S 5 , but the business was 
 continued by the other partners under the firm 
 name of W. D. Himmelreich & Co., which re- 
 mained unchanged at the death of Mr. Matlack 
 in 1893, leaving but two of the firm. Mr. Him- 
 melreich's quarter of a century in this branch of 
 business was an unusually successful one, and he 
 enjoyed a reputation for honesty and business in- 
 
 ity that but few can attain, especially in the 
 great commercial centres. 
 
 1 hiring all this time Mr. Himmelreich's 
 busy brain and energy were concerned in the ad- 
 vancement of the welfare of Lewisburg, and 
 lopment of its industrial interests. He, 
 along with George S. Matlack. was instrumental 
 in having the Buffalo Mills located here, backed 
 by Judge Hoffa, and was one of its principal 
 stockholders. He was connected as stockholdii 
 and director in the Nail Works, Furniture Works, 
 Water, Coal. Light and Teleph 
 panies. In addition to giving these various 
 interests a portion of his time, he assumed, in 
 March, [895, the duties of president of the 
 Union National Bank. As its executive he 
 avenues of business by his strong 
 
 Bonality, and under his direction the institu- 
 h.is certainly been a prosperous one. 
 
 Hi- latest and most extensive project was 
 the tract of virgin forest 
 
 in West Virginia. After tramways had been 
 built, mills established and the difficulties sur- 
 
 
/ 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 781 
 
 mounted, he associated with him Congressman 
 Dayton, of West Virginia. Hon. S. T. Foresman, 
 of Williamsport, W. R. Kramer, of Milton, and 
 H. C. Wolfe, of Lewisburg. The new firm had 
 just entered the markets with the brightest 
 possible prospects of success, when suddenly 
 the brain that conceived it all was stricken in 
 death. 
 
 Mr. Himmelreich took an interest in public 
 affairs. His political affiliations were with the 
 Democrats, but he had due consideration for 
 the opinions of others, and was far from being 
 a politician. In 1888 he was a Presidential 
 elector, and subsequently made postmaster at 
 Lewisburg by President Cleveland. As a trustee 
 of the State Hospital for the Insane at Danville, 
 he served for a number of years, faithfully and 
 conscientiously. 
 
 "Perhaps in no place will his loss be more 
 keenly felt than in the Presbyterian Church and 
 Sunday-school. As a member of the board of 
 trustees he was a tower of strength in solving 
 the questions and difficulties that regularly pre- 
 sented themselves. His wise counsels and feas- 
 ible plans were backed by a generous purse, and 
 his example of itself was an incentive to spur 
 others on to more earnest activity. For over 
 four years he conducted the Bible studies of a 
 class of young ladies in the Sunday-school. His 
 teaching had the merit of being from the heart, 
 and he implicitly believed what he taught — that 
 the religion of Jesus was to be made a part and 
 study of our daily life. Faithful and earnest in 
 attendance, always coming prepared, it was little 
 wonder that he taught with a force that comes 
 to but few. In his hasty business trips from 
 city to city he spent many an hour on the train 
 with Bible and lesson book, seeking out the hid- 
 den truths. " [Lewisburg Journal, October 29, 
 
 1897.] 
 
 Mr. Himmelreich amassed a substantial for- 
 tune, and, what is still better, made good use of 
 it. While there is no loss through methods or 
 careless good nature, he delighted in lending a 
 helping hand in an effective way wherever there 
 was need. It would be impossible to enumerate 
 his private charities, the straightened circum- 
 stances eased by his timely aid, the hearts he has 
 comforted. In his business dealings he strove to 
 be just, and while he never allowed an oppor- 
 tunity for a profitable venture to pass unim- 
 proved, no one has ever come out of a bargain 
 blaming him for dishonest methods. In fact, 
 Mr. Himmelreich was much more than a busi- 
 ness man. Reading and travel had added men- 
 tal cultivation, and developed his companionable 
 qualities, while a sympathy for his fellow men 
 
 had prevented any crusting over of his kindly 
 heart. 
 
 An enduring monument to his memory is the 
 W. D. Himmelreich Library of the Presbyterian 
 Sunday-school, a gift of about four thousand 
 volumes. It was his pride and care during life, 
 and by his will he made ample provision to per- 
 petuate it by placing apart funds to the amount 
 of $30,000 (which sum may be materially in- 
 creased) for a library building and for endowing 
 it. His death occurred suddenly in New York 
 City, October 23, 1897, from heart failure. 
 
 I BRAHAM W. FARLEY. This age is not 
 
 JMi wholly utilitarian. On all sides we see 
 some earnest souls laboring devotedly to bring 
 about a recognition of some higher principle in 
 life than selfish greed, and stimulating in the 
 hearts of others a desire for spiritual progress. 
 The friends of Abraham W. Farley, a prominent 
 agriculturist residing in East Buffalo township, 
 Union county, will see in his years of faithful 
 work in all forms of religious endeavor, a source 
 of present good to the community, and long after 
 he has entered into his final rest his influence will 
 continue in ever widening circles. 
 
 Mr. Farley comes of honorable ancestry. 
 When the colonies gathered their forces for the 
 war against the mother country, his grandfather, 
 Caleb Farley, then a young man, entered the 
 ranks of the patriots. He was a representative 
 of one of the oldest and most highly respected 
 families of New Jersey, pioneers of Tewksbury 
 township, Hunterdon county, and proved him- 
 self a gallant fighter, remaining in service until 
 peace was declared and gaining a commission as 
 first lieutenant. Soon after the close of the war 
 he married Miss Charity Pickle, and came to 
 Pennsylvania, locating in Union county, where 
 he cleared and improved several farms. Through 
 legal complications over prior entries he lost 
 his first claims, but afterward purchased what 
 was known as the David Cupples tract, 
 on White Deer Mountain, comprising 120 
 acres, and there made his permanent home. He 
 attained the age of eighty-four, his death oc- 
 curring previous to 1840, and his wife sur- 
 vived him only a few years, having attained 
 the age of ninety-four. They had eight chil- 
 dren: Charity, John, Jacob, Barbara, Cather- 
 ine, Elizabeth, Abraham and Sarah. 
 
 Abraham Farley, our subject's father, was 
 born in 1 791 , in White Deer township, Union 
 county, and died in 1S75, in East Buffalo town- 
 ship, at the age of eighty-four years, and always 
 followed farming as an occupation. On March 
 
782 
 
 COMXKM'iliMIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 29, 1S24, he married Rebecca Wolfe, born March 
 19, 1S04, the daughter of Michael and Catherine 
 1 Smith 1 Wolfe, who reared a family of ten chil- 
 dren, six daughters and four sons. After his 
 marriage Abraham Farley bought the farm on 
 tin- Furnace road, in East Buffalo township, 
 Union county, which is now owned by our sub- 
 ujd there in 1875, and his wife passed 
 away August 27, 1878, at the home of her 
 
 ther was a devout member of the 
 
 iical Church, and their large famil) of 
 
 children received faithful training in Christian 
 
 principles, Of these the first born, Catharine, 
 
 died in infancy; Caroline, now residing in the 
 
 te "l [owa, married Daniel Wolfe, and reared 
 a famil\-; Michael married Hannah Hoy, and had 
 ral children; Abraham W. is mentioned more 
 fully below; Charity died in infancy; Sarah mar- 
 David Voneida ind reared a family; |i>hn 
 
 ried Mary Brown, by whom he had several 
 children; facob married Mary E. Brown, and had 
 a family; Elizabeth and Wilson died in infani 
 
 The subject of this biography was born Au- 
 gust 28, 1834, at the present homestead. When 
 he began his education the -vstem 
 
 had nol been adopted, his first teacher, Aaron 
 Smith, being employed on the su 11 plan. 
 
 The events of that time are still clearly defined 
 in his memory, even to the learning of the alpha- 
 bet, letti ttended the 
 first free school organized in his district, the Ml 
 Vernon si hool, taught by Squire Tharp, of Mil- 
 ton, Penn. He learned rapidly, grasping ideas 
 far more readily and accurately than the avera 
 boj of his age, and only the lack of opportunity 
 studies prevented him from pre- 
 iome profession. Being reared 
 farming, with no knowledge of other occupations, 
 he naturally engaged in it in early manhood, and 
 has continued it th ghout his life. 
 
 Onjanuary r 5, [857, in his native township, 
 Mr. Farle) was married to Mi nab B 
 
 who was born near Lochiel, Union 
 county. Alien, t 6, 1838 Her parents, David 
 and Molly (Gel S hrack, well-know -its 
 
 of thai lo ality, had four children, of whom Mrs. 
 I rlej was the eldest. The others, Angeline, 
 now Mrs. John Shaffer, Franklin and William 
 H . all reside in Lewisburg. David Schrack 
 was a carpenter in his early years and afterward 
 a farmer, but f years previous to his 
 
 th lie lived m retirement at Lewisburg. He 
 was between sixty and seventy years old when 
 he died, and his wife survived him a few years, 
 the remains of both being now at rest in Lewis- 
 burg cemetery. 
 
 ar after his marriage Mr I arl< 
 
 mained at the homestead, taking charge of the 
 place for his father, and then, after living one 
 r on a rented farm, he moved to the Schrack 
 homestead, where he spent a year. The first 
 home that he ever owned was a small place in 
 Northumberland county, Penn., where he was 
 engaged in gardening from i860 to 1864. The 
 war making labor scarce, he returned to the old 
 home to assist his father for a year, and the next 
 thirteen years were spent on the Jonathan 
 Wolfe farm in East Buffalo township. 
 
 fn 1878 Mr. Farley purchased his present 
 home from his father's estate, his brother Mich- 
 ael buying the western part of the farm. The 
 place contains 150 acres of excellent land, and 
 ranks among the best in the township. Mr. 
 Farley gives his personal attention to its man- 
 nent. Although his health is somewhat 
 impaired he remains active. In 1892 he I 
 the use of his left ej result of an attack 
 
 ivsipelas, and hi> hearing is now defective. 
 but these ailments do not interfere as much as 
 one would suppose, with his accustomed inter- 
 ests. Many years ago he joined the United 
 Evangelical Church, and he has always taken a 
 leading part in its work, serving in various 
 Church offices, including that of trustee, which 
 he still holds. He has been especially active in 
 Sunday-school work, and since 1858 has been 
 superintendent in different localities where he 
 has resided, and during five years of this time 
 he was at the head of two schools. In the 
 township Sunday-School Association he has been 
 an influential worker, and at different times he 
 has served lent or secretary. His 
 
 wife is also a devout member of the United 
 Evangelical Church, ami their family, taught by 
 both precept and example, are following in their 
 I eps. 
 < >ur subject and his wife may well look 1 
 their children with pride, in the consciousness 
 that their successful training brings far greaf 
 and more lasting honor than accumulation of 
 riches. The eldest son, John C, born March 
 [5, [859, is engaged in teaching, and also works 
 on a farm in Kelly township. Union county. 
 James A., born March 4, 1861, married to 
 Miss Jane Bohner, of Northumberland county, re- 
 sides in Lewisburg, and is a traveling salesman for 
 a wholesale dry-goods house in Philadelphia. Anna 
 M., born February 22, 1863, married Rev. W. 
 B Cox, a minis! the United Evangelical 
 
 Church, located at Glen Rock, York Co., Penn. 
 David F., born June 2, [865, married to M 
 Liberty Taylor, of Mifflinburg, a teacher, resides 
 in Buffalo township, Union county. He is a 
 n, and is active in religious 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 783 
 
 work as superintendent of a Sunday-school, and 
 president of the Sunday-School Association of 
 his township. William H., born July 14, 1867, 
 lives at the homestead, and is engaged in opera- 
 ting a steam thresher. He is also prominent in 
 religious work, being a trustee and steward in the 
 Church, and the superintendent of a Sunday- 
 school. Molly R., born November n, 1869, 
 married Rev. J. H. Gamber, a clergyman 
 of the United Evangelical Church, now re- 
 siding at Reddick, Kankakee Co., 111. Eman- 
 uel P., born October 8, 1871, resides in Illinois, 
 and is bookkeeper in a large brick establishment 
 at LaSalle. Hiram C, born March 7, 1874, isa 
 teacher by profession and resides at home. Su- 
 sannah B., born June 11, 1875, Angeline M. , 
 October 17, 1877, Clarence B., January 19, 
 1879, and Maggie E. July 25, 1882, are all at 
 home. 
 
 Our subject is interested in all local move- 
 ments that tend to progress, and has for years 
 been identified with the Grange or Patrons of 
 Husbandry. He is no politician but keeps well- 
 informed upon the issues of the day, and, al- 
 though he gave his support in early years to the 
 Democratic party, his uncompromising enmity to 
 the liquor traffic led him some time ago to unite 
 with the Prohibitionists. 
 
 J 
 
 OHN JEFFERSON BROWN. Among the 
 honored pioneers of this section who still 
 remain with us, linking by their recollections 
 the stirring scenes of our modern civilization to 
 the time when unbroken forests covered the sites 
 of many of our thriving towns and villages, none 
 are more highly esteemed than Mr. and Mrs. 
 J. J. Brown, of Kelly township, Union county, 
 who are now nearing the fiftieth anniversary of 
 their marriage, which took place October 9, 1 8 5 1 . 
 Mr. Brown, who, though now retired from 
 active business, has been for many years a lead- 
 ing agriculturist of that locality, was born Decem- 
 ber 2, 1824, in Schuylkill county, Penn. On 
 the paternal side he is descended from an old 
 Pennsylvania family. His grandparents were 
 residents of Schuylkill county, where for many 
 years the grandfather, Adam Brown, was occu- 
 pied with the management of a gristmill and an 
 extensive farm. His wife was an Ohlrick. 
 
 The late George Brown, our subject's father, 
 was born in Berks county, and there was mar- 
 ried to Miss Sallie Bartlett, a native of that 
 locality, daughter of Abraham and Dorothy 
 (Huttenstein) Bartlett, and for some time made 
 his home in the county. In 1839 he removed to 
 a farm in White Deer township. Union county, 
 
 where he and his wife spent their remaining 
 years, the latter passing away in 1845, at the 
 age of forty-eight. The father had attained his 
 eightieth year when he was called away in 1874, 
 and during his long life he had held a prominent 
 place in the community, holding the office of 
 supervisor, and taking an active part in the 
 work of the Reformed Church, of which he was 
 a deacon and elder for many years. 
 
 Of the children of this estimable couple, 
 Elizabeth died in her youth; Katie married Israel 
 Guyer, both now deceased; John J. is the sub- 
 ject proper of this sketch; George is a retired 
 farmer in White Deer township, Union county; 
 Sarah married Simon Benage, a farmer in the 
 same township; Rebecca married Daniel Moyer, 
 and both are now deceased; and Elizabeth, sec- 
 ond wife of Daniel Moyer, mentioned above, 
 survives him, and resides in 'Buffalo township, 
 Union county. 
 
 John Jefferson Brown's early surroundings 
 were not favorable to rapid educational advance- 
 ment, farm work often interfering with such 
 opportunities as the local schools of the day 
 afforded. He remained with his father until 
 the age of twenty-two, when he found employ- 
 ment in a brickyard and worked for two seasons, 
 and then, after a short visit at the old home, he 
 went to White Deer and engaged in teaming, 
 receiving $180 per year. After six years in this 
 occupation he took a farm, which he worked for 
 one-half of the proceeds, but the sale of the 
 place eight years later caused him to leave it, 
 and in 1865 he purchased a farm in White Deer 
 township, Union county, in partnership with 
 W. P. Sheller. Four months later he traded his 
 interest for another farm near West Milton, 
 which he sold after occupying it four years, the 
 sale realizing him a profit of $4,600. The next 
 three years were spent upon a rented farm, and 
 he then bought fifty-five acres of choice land near 
 Kelly Point at $ r . 75 per acre, and, making many 
 substantial improvements which show both taste 
 and judgment, he established his permanent 
 home there. 
 
 Though not an active worker in political 
 lines, Mr. Brown is among the influential Demo- 
 crats of his locality. He and his wife are lead- 
 ing members of the Reformed Church. Their 
 pleasant home has been brightened by two chil- 
 dren: William, born January 10, 1853, lived 
 only six months; and Mary E., born June 10, 
 1854, married Joseph Burke, a successful farmer 
 and butcher, and now resides at the homestead. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Brown took to their home and 
 hearts a boy, James Brown, and cared for him 
 from his birth. He remained with them until 
 
784 
 
 wnUORATIYB BIOGRAPHICAL BSOORD. 
 
 .,„. aEe f twenty-six, when 1 ied and 
 
 S ov 2 e toBloo m ington.in.,.whereh ( aler 
 
 '" ''\I,- Brown, wh 
 
 mty, lanuar) --• ■ ' ' ', 
 
 , Jonathan Ranck, havin, 
 
 ount\ at an i li,r u "' 
 
 minent agriculturist then H, hew 
 [supervisor, and was active mloca 
 
 I nine m 
 married thr. • first to Miss Kal 
 
 ^second I Vnna M 
 
 lauehtei whose l f* 
 
 nt in thai " 1 U -"; 1 ; 1 '-; 
 
 . „ W emb eroi the Rel Chu, ■ 1. -1 died 
 
 in that - n. 1846, ... tl, 
 
 fifty-two years and I iths. tfhe third* f < 
 
 was Mi 
 
 ose v. dl6din 
 
 dren namely: £ "ho married Daniel Ben- 
 
 Mo , rpenterin 
 
 on. well- Earm- 
 
 wp. i ,n : nty; 
 
 Williamsport, Perm ;M 
 wi f, el, ol Danville. Perm., 
 
 Jonathan, now living n 
 
 Hurtz ahardv, it at Van Wert. Ohio. 
 
 J HI | \M'I R Bl I HER is th« 
 
 Rey |oh Bucher, D D His 
 
 n in Dauphin county, Penn., 
 
 . to 
 
 tin 
 
 , andFr. 
 
 H 
 
 red the istry of the Re- 
 
 I hurch, in which I I jo, all 
 
 3 ixt\ years. He was prominent in I ncils 
 
 of the Church, and a pre; »ous 
 
 He wasa resident ministei .1 th Re 
 ( hurch at Middletown, Frederic 
 \ M . on the 28th of January. .836, when his son 
 pe, Bucher, the subject of this sketch, 
 
 was burn. 
 
 When the son was six y, " r h 
 
 accepted the pastorate of the Reformed Church 
 ' ' ne re he remained a num- 
 
 ',,... Whilst at 1 \ th , esonV Tn a f 
 
 I lv , ;l n ex-Cathohc priest of 
 
 1 .,.,■ =.« a teacher Upon th< n movaTl 
 some celebrity as a teacner. 1 
 
 f the [ather to Mercersburg, Franklin Co 
 
 entered the prepa, depart- 
 
 iu , nt Qi ( u College located there In 
 
 ^853. during his collegiate course, the institu- 
 
 dto Lancaster Penn., and united 
 
 with Franklin Colleg the name of Fr ank- 
 
 lin and Marshall. There the subject of this 
 
 sket( h completed his collegiate course and grad- 
 
 5 , with one of the highest honors of 
 
 J". ,,„. , a ledi ration was assigned 
 
 to him, and his address, delivered on comme n ^ 
 
 ment day, bore ample testimony that he was 
 
 worthy olth ' vv,th;i 
 
 ,„,, that raised the enthusiasm 
 
 uatio .enta year as principal of an ... ad- 
 
 Ln Maryland, and then commenced the 
 Zdy of th,,' law in the office of Hon. I 
 
 Berlin, Union Co. Penn. » 
 
 was admitted to the Union County Bar in 1858, 
 
 went into partnership with his £»«*<* 
 
 Mr Slenker eminent lawyer and had an 
 
 the confidence of his 
 
 d the communit) 
 
 l83 oto ,1835 .and 
 
 a member of the ''Yi T, 
 
 In ,86, he was the D. 
 
 Pre rwentieth Judic, 
 
 I At the general Q be received a ma- 
 
 , of the h e vote, but was defeated bj an 
 
 .tenotth. >d bylaw. He Ad 
 
 not . ^ the reason that th, 
 
 washostili I I ■■'■> 
 
 iecting the army vote. In 
 
 , Slenker was elected Auditor-General 
 
 ontl . ocratic ticket. With °d 
 
 [oseph C Buche, 
 
 upon bis professi. eei under most favora- 
 
 ISpiceS. , , ,v , Ul , 
 
 In f850he « 'd for District At 
 
 „ county, on the Democratic tic! 
 ,f thai yea. 
 ing h.s 1 [ohn Blan Linn, 1 5q., a 
 
 leading lawy. 1 majority 257 votes al- 
 
 though the Republican majority in the county on 
 
 the Mate ticket was 5 23- He discharged the 
 
 ties of th, 1 delitj and ability. On 
 
 November, 1861, he was married 
 
 Ma] ! Hon. John Walls, and 
 
 riddaugl n. Abbot Green. He was 
 
 lte in this alliance. His wife is a woman 
 
% 
 
 &<£t^_ 
 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 785 
 
 of culture and refinement, and her tastes are con- 
 genial to his own. She presides over his hos- 
 pitable home with dignity and grace, and has 
 contributed largely by the force of her character to 
 the advancement of the interests of her husband. 
 He has three sons — John W. , Joseph Casper and 
 Abbot Green — and one daughter — Miriam A. 
 Bucher. 
 
 When Mr. Slenker entered upon his duties as 
 auditor-general, the partnership of Slenker and 
 Bucher was dissolved, and Mr. Bucher removed 
 to Lewisburg, where he opened a law office. His 
 practice u as extensive and varied, but was con- 
 fined principally to the counties of Union and 
 Snyder, although he frequently tried causes else- 
 where. In his profession he was singularly suc- 
 cessful, having very many of the best traits of an 
 advocate. He attained a superficial knowledge 
 of the German language whilst at college, and 
 during his residence at New Berlin acquired the 
 habit of speaking it with fluency, and that was 
 the " patois " of Snyder county, especially of the 
 west end. His manner was hearty and cordial. 
 He was easy of access; had a quick, bright ap- 
 prehension, and a very retentive memory; had 
 the faculty of gathering facts and spreading 
 them in narration, grouped with graphic power. 
 His voice was loud and clear; his expression 
 without hesitation, and of such confidence that 
 it would carry conviction. Then, besides, he 
 mingled freely with the people. He knew al- 
 most every one in the counties, their history, 
 character, foibles and idiosyncrasies, so that his 
 selection of jurors and his knowledge of how to 
 touch them was rarely amiss. 
 
 In 1 87 1 he was made the Democratic can- 
 didate for president judge of the Twentieth Ju- 
 dicial District, composed of the counties of 
 Union, Snyder and Mifflin, against Hon. Samuel 
 S. Woods, of Mifflin county, the incumbent 
 of the office. In politics he has always been an 
 active Democrat; his voice has been heard with 
 no uncertain sound in support of the principles 
 of his party, in almost every school house in the 
 counties of Union and Snyder. The political 
 passions engendered by the war had not yet had 
 time to cool. He was on terms of social inter- 
 course with many of the Republican leaders, who, 
 whilst friendly to him personally, differed widely 
 from him in his political opinions. The contest 
 was waged with unexampled bitterness; it as- 
 sumed the fierce heat of a Presidential struggle. 
 The political organization to which he was at- 
 tached stood around him in one unbroken, com- 
 pact mass. On the other hand, the Republican 
 organization could not be held together. His in- 
 timate acquaintance with the people, his ad- 
 
 50* 
 
 mitted ability and integrity, together with the 
 active and open support of a large majority of 
 the Republican lawyers of the District, was 
 more than his opponent could withstand, and he 
 was elected in the face of a large adverse polit- 
 ical majority. The vote was exceedingly close 
 in so large a poll. In Union the majority for 
 his competitor was 278; in Mifflin the majority 
 for him was 278, and Snyder gave him a ma- 
 jority. Thus the counties in which the candi- 
 dates resided were a tie, and Snyder county 
 decided the result by the slender majority of 
 nine votes. 
 
 He entered upon the duties of his office in De- 
 cember, 1 87 1, and carried with him to the Bench 
 the same energy, quick and ready apprehension, 
 incisive, yet full way of expression, that had 
 characterized him as a lawyer. After a few years 
 he got rid of the ways of an advocate, and be- 
 came an able judge. Jurors could hear and un- 
 derstand every word he said. He had great ad- 
 ministrative powers, and conducted the business 
 of the court with dispatch. He grappled every 
 question of law as it presented itself, and it was 
 clearly put on the notes of trial, and every bill 
 of exception cheerfully signed and sealed, so that 
 if a case went to the Supreme Court, the record 
 plainly disclosed what had been decided. His 
 decisions were well sustained by the Supreme 
 Court. At the close of his term he had the con- 
 fidence of the Bar as well as of the people. 
 
 He was a candidate for re-election in -1881, 
 and defeated his competitor, J. Merrill Linn, 
 Esq., by a decisive vote in every county of the 
 district, having received 1, 189 majority in Mifflin 
 county, 867 in Snyder, and 183 in Union — ag- 
 gregating 2,239. The adverse majority in the 
 Presidential contest of the previous year was 
 upwards of 1,400. This vote was a just tribute 
 to an able, capable and upright judge. At the 
 end of his second term of ten years he was again 
 the nominee of his party in 1891. Party spirit 
 was at high-tide at this time. During the cam- 
 paign Governor Pattison convened the State 
 Senate in extraordinary session to try the State 
 Treasurer and Auditor-General on charges of 
 malfeasance, connected with the defalcation of 
 John Bardsley, city treasurer of Philadelphia. 
 Republican and Democrats were on their mettle, 
 and party nominees were mere targets to the 
 enemy's fire. Judge Bucher was defeated by 
 Harold M. McClure by the meagre majority of 
 406, whilst the Republican's State ticket, at the 
 same time and in the same counties, had a ma- 
 jority of 1,618. Learning, ability, experience and 
 every other qualification for the high office was 
 to some measure lost to sight and reason, and 
 

 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 one of the ablest judges in the State was sacrificed 
 to political strifi irtisan b rhe 
 
 second term of ten years ended on the tirst M 
 1 January, i 
 
 In his twenty-years' service on the Bench, 
 Judge Bucher not only id the dutii 
 
 his high "Hire with promptness and fidelity in his 
 own district, but was called specially to pn 
 in man}- "I the other judi the 
 
 by the Supn 
 
 irt in any criminal case, and | 
 trii him for aim n to 
 
 the law. A> a chancellor on the Equity sidi 
 
 the CoUl I 
 
 partments of the law. ! ite-wide 
 
 putation fi lity. 
 His retii the 
 judiciary "I the S ci illy ti 
 
 if the Twentieth Judicial District, bul 
 lly. 
 Immedi thi 
 
 I ■nil., 
 ■ ining In nee and 
 
 of law ii 
 criminal and civil. In | 
 
 Hi 'ii. John B l'.i< i. : fi >r the 
 
 nsylvania railroad, the X. C. R. K., Phila- 
 delphia & Erie R. R., Pennsylvania I 
 
 iy, the D. H. & W. K. R., The M Rail- 
 
 id and Minin her affilii 
 
 lies. On the 27th da | the 
 
 te Convention met at Han 
 
 i her 
 Mate <>ii Jud 1 of Unii 
 
 Hannibal K. Sloan, 
 nat 
 
 ! the 
 tion iiim ng the \ 
 
 01 his nominati it did, a 
 
 time when 
 
 lied onlj bling thi 
 
 tion, he was indu 
 can 
 
 ti Committee. In 1 
 !. and ui 
 
 Judge Buchi ned, an 1 1 th ol 
 
 id nomi- 
 nati d I'll, mias ( ',,!!] ■ 
 
 I H K Sloan, d 
 Jud 
 
 ami in the fl lod-tide ol pn 1 
 I ! 
 md he is singul ■ >th 
 
 the court and the jury, 
 he has 
 
 of twenty years, instead of diminishing hiscapacity 
 as a trial lawyer, has only increased it. 
 
 Judge Bucher has shown himself to be a public- 
 spirited citizen, always ready and willing I 
 
 dy and deserving. He has given the 
 ght of his influence and contributed la: 
 
 incement of the material interests of the 
 town and county in which he resides. He is now 
 the last surviving member of the original hoard 
 
 f the Lewisbur- R. R. and \\ 
 Brii pany; he is a director of the Lewis- 
 
 I ink. and a member of the board 
 i| the Lewisburg Presbyterian Church 
 
 NDREW ALBRIGHT LEISER, born July 
 
 1. at 
 
 I .I'.' 
 
 Penn., 1- the 
 
 son "f the late Dr. Will 1 ;ser and 
 
 Maria Louisa Leiser /.• lit . whose only 
 
 children were the subject of this sketch and 
 William 1 • ser, Jr., M. D., whose biograpln 
 i elsewhere 111 this volume, 
 lb- was prepared for college in the public 
 I iurgh and the University 
 
 ud enteri I I reshman class of the 
 University at Lewisburgh (now Bucknell Uni- 
 versity) in the fall of [865, takn; fohn M. 
 Finn first prize for the best preparation for 
 college His career at the University disclosed 
 natural abilities and literary tastes, combined 
 with thoroughly studious mid moral habits. He 
 luated with distinction, being the lust in his 
 , and was selected to deliver tin valedicl 
 
 mencement exercises in July. 
 ng his classmates ware Charles Hill 
 Anderson, of Philadelphia. Ri v. Francis M. 
 Dauphin; George \Y. Bliss. 
 
 i the New York 
 I lartin Hell, of Hollidaysburi 
 
 n. ; Frederick Evaus Bower, Esq., of Mid- 
 i -1111. ; Rev. Dr. John Howard 11. u 1 
 
 knell University; Rev. Frederick 
 Kohlei Fowler, of Olean, N Y. ; Rev. Edmund 
 Wells, of Charleston, S ( ; Andrew B. Laris 
 M D. , ol Lambertville, N. [.. and otl 
 Air 
 
 ter in Ken 
 Brighton, P - in- 
 
 structor m the University I 
 
 then in Preparal 
 
 Lewisburgl 
 ar. 
 
 ful in th mal em- 
 
 inent, he soon r< law as 
 
 ifter ■ • lea. hi pre- 
 
 ■1. with a brief I - in 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 787 
 
 the law department of the Univerity of Pennsyl- 
 vania, at Philadelphia, he was admitted to the 
 Union County Bar at May Term, 1874. In Sep- 
 tember, 1876, he was appointed by the Court, 
 District Attorney for the county of Union for the 
 unexpired term of Alfred Hayes, Esq. (who had 
 been elected to the Legislature), and the same fall 
 was elected to that office for the full term. 
 
 From the first Mr. Leiser's grasp of legal 
 principles and careful application thereof to the 
 case in hand showed he had carried into his pro- 
 sessional work the same habits of study and 
 thoroughness that characterized his work in the 
 college; and, in consequence, early in his career 
 he received many appointments as Auditor and 
 Master in Chancery in cases involving large in- 
 terests and intricate and difficult questions of 
 law and fact and the application of one to the 
 other. In 18S1 he formed a legal partnership 
 with the late Hon. Charles S. Wolfe and James 
 Dale Wilson, Esq., under the firm style of Wolfe, 
 Leiser & Wilson. Mr. Wilson removed to Phil- 
 adelphia in 1882, but the firm continued, un- 
 der the style of Wolfe & Leiser, until Mr. Wolfe's 
 untimely death, August 13, 1 891 . In the in- 
 terim they had established an enviable reputa- 
 tion as a strong firm, and had acquired a large 
 clientage. Since Mr. Wolfe's death Mr. Leiser's 
 practiced has widened and extended in many 
 directions, before both State and Federal courts, 
 and he is frequently called upon to conduct 
 cases in many another than his local forum. 
 
 Mr. Leiser may emphatically be termed a 
 busy lawyer, and a credit both as a scholar and 
 as a gentleman to a profession, which, although 
 grounded on conventional and conservative rules, 
 is, more than any other human institution, the 
 basis of our freedom and civilization. His work 
 at the Bar is marked by clearness, precision, 
 care, strength and thoroughness. As 
 lor he is careful and conservative; 
 lawyer thoroughly prepared, alert and ready; 
 strong in the presentation of his own side of the 
 case; quick to see the points of his adversary, 
 and to parry them or turn them against him; 
 skillful in the marshaling of facts and evidence; 
 and in the appellate courts his work is of the 
 best, his briefs of law and fact and argument be- 
 ing masterly, clear, logical and exhaustive. In 
 all that he undertakes he is an indefatigable 
 worker, subjecting everything to an ultimate 
 analysis, so that there is no detail so small as to 
 be overlooked, no possible contingency unpro- 
 vided for. With a large law library stocked with 
 the best books as his working-tools, he never 
 rests content until he has exhausted the subject 
 in hand. He exemplifies his belief that there is 
 
 a counse- 
 as a trial 
 
 no genius like hard work, and that in thorough 
 work lies the secret of success. 
 
 Mr. Leiser is a charter member of the 
 Pennsylvania Bar Association, and for several 
 years has been on the Executive Committee. 
 He is also a member of the American Academy 
 of Political and Social Science, and of the Amer- 
 ican Statistical Association. In 1865, while a 
 student, he joined the Phi Kappa Psi (college) 
 fraternity, with which he has kept in close 
 touch ever since — being the presiding officer at 
 the Grand Arch Council held in Philadelphia in 
 1876, and largely instrumental in securing the 
 removal of the iron-clad pledge against college 
 fraternities at the University at Lewisburgh. 
 
 The ancestral stock to which Mr. Leiser be- 
 longs goes back on both sides to the original set- 
 tlement of the State in the earlier part of the last 
 century. His family connections are in conse- 
 quence numerous and widely spread. 
 
 His father, Dr. William Leiser, was the 
 youngest son of Jacob Leiser, who was born in 
 (Little) York, York Co. , Penn. , October 4, 1779, 
 and Mary Leiser, nee Shettley, who was born at 
 the same place December 3, 1780. 
 
 Jacob Leiser came to Milltown, now Milton, 
 toward the close of the eighteenth century, and 
 directly afterward moved across the river into 
 White Deer township (now Kelly township), near 
 what is now West Milton. He was a carpenter 
 and master builder, and as such erected many of 
 the most substantial buildings in Milton and 
 neighborhood. In 1S15 he purchased a large 
 farm located about a mile west from Datesman's 
 — now West Milton — from James Patterson, 
 which farm is still in the ownership of his de- 
 scendants. Here he afterward made his home, 
 and died May 26, 1862, his wife having preceded 
 him on the 13th of May, 1855. Their children 
 were: (1) John Leiser, born January 3, 1802, 
 died in infancy. (2) Elizabeth Leiser, born Sep- 
 tember 2, 1803; married to Isaac High. Her 
 children: Jacob High; Mary, married to Benne- 
 ville Bickel, and Susan, married to Samuel F. 
 Gundy, all living in this county. (3) George 
 Leiser, born November 6, 1806; his children: 
 Susanna, married to John Schreck; Mary Ann 
 (deceased;, married to George Adam Stahl; 
 Lydia, married to John Hummel; Jacob (de- 
 ceased), and John — all making their homes here- 
 abouts. (4) Susanna Leiser, married to Abra- 
 ham Grove; her children: John L. Grove; Nancy. 
 married to Henry Ruhl; Mary, married to Jacob 
 Ruhl, Jr.; Jacob (deceased). (5) John Leiser, 
 born July 4, 1S10; his children: David (deceased); 
 Abraham; Jacob; Emeline, married to John H. 
 Bishop; Lovina (deceased) and Benjam.n F. 
 
788 
 
 ( OMMEMORATIVS BIOGRAPHICAL 11F.C0IID. 
 
 All these childri pi Jacob located in Mich- 
 
 igan, where the fal I I facob, 
 
 April i 1 ', 1813; In- children: Wilson; Cordelia, 
 
 . William Augustus; 
 Phineas; | M. D.; Han it" 
 
 Dr. I. M. lv ickefelli 1 . I I); Eliza 
 
 M K 
 < Hiver, M. D \. and Phil 
 
 who live in Watsontown, all the abi re- 
 
 ini". 
 
 [8 16, l: 
 
 bom . [818; uni 
 
 1 1 v \ aub- 
 
 li. Hi' was born in Kelly town- 
 ship, Union county. October 21, 1821. 
 
 :i in the country scho 
 Mifflinburg Academy and Pennsylvania Colli 
 
 Then hing 
 
 foi 1 short 1 1 1 1 1 ■ ine with 
 
 1 >i . Samuel L. B raduated M. D. 
 
 in 1S4S, by the Medical Departmenl if Pennsyl- 
 van 1 it Philadelphia, wh I ulty 
 
 • in men: William 
 I'm.: M I ' . [ohn Wiltbank, M. D., II 
 S P : . M. I).. William R. (.rant. M. I ).', 
 
 David Gilbert, M. D., and Washington L At 
 M. D 
 
 I i' Maj 3 1 Maria Lou- 
 
 1 Andrew Albright and 
 Agn< s Albi ighl Duni rectly thei 
 
 after removed from New 1 he 
 
 first began to practice, to I.< h where he 
 
 ntinuously resided and | I until his death. 
 
 April 12, 1878. He was 1 man ol superior cul- 
 ture and attainments, a lover of b 
 
 it friend and promoter of the "Common 
 Sch for a numbei icre- 
 
 tary ol the board ol il th( I 
 
 ' wisburgh. In his profession he 
 learned, able, skillfu minentlj sful, 
 
 ind died ! lamented bj a hi isl of 
 
 Irien 
 
 Maria Loi isa Albrighi was born March 1 1, 
 1 827, in M township 1, North- 
 
 ampton Co., I isburgh Novem- 
 
 1 , She I ited mother, and 
 
 a woman ol great inl e and very many su- 
 
 perior qualities. Hei mother was Vgnes 1 1 >unn) 
 Albright, daughl | mes I 'mm and Esther 
 
 Dunn 1 /.-,', Willi 1': I Dunn emigrated 
 
 to the United Sta u Lon- 
 
 donderry, Ireland. He was a S itch-Irishn 
 • md 1 the "Irish Settlement " in North- 
 
 pton county. In [832 he moved with his 
 family to Union county, remaining there for sev- 
 eral years, when he removed to Delaware town- 
 ship, near \\ N rthumberland county, 
 
 wlnre he died in 1849. He had three brothers, 
 William and Thomas, who, like himself, emi- 
 grated t'> the United Mat. s Thomas settling at 
 Waterford, Erie Co., Penn., and William in 
 at, Mo. — and David, who was with 
 1 i in I >evonshire, 
 
 [land, in May, 1861, an Admiral and a 
 Knight. 
 
 Albright, the fath I Maria 
 
 Louisa (Albright) Leiser, was the son of John 
 Henry Albright, who was the son of Andrew 
 Albrighi \ Albrecht — the first of the 
 
 line in this country. ANDREAS ALBREi hi was 
 
 n April J, 1718, at '/a 11a, near Sahl, in Thnr- 
 
 i. In 1741 when the war of the Austrian 
 hi broke out (Frederick the Great being 
 King 1 if Pru rer of a i 
 
 . . in Silesia. From 1744 to 1746 he 
 with hi- hernia. In 1748 he pi 
 
 lischarge from th ind 
 
 joined the Moravians, having been deeply inter- 
 1 : in the preai : • I iunt Zinzendi irf. In 
 
 1 he came to America, and engaged in 
 
 nufacture of guns at Christian-Spring, n 
 Nazareth. Here his guns became famous, and 
 they were among the first, if not the very first, 
 
 le in the province. Later in the st 1 
 the Moravian Church, he became an instrui 
 in music in Nazareth Hall, and in 1766 landlord 
 of thi 11 Inn " at Bethlehem, the property 
 
 of the Church, where he remained four and one- 
 half years, 1766 1771. In 1766 he married Eliz- 
 
 th Orth, daughter of Balthasar (or Bal 
 Orth born 1704, in Germany; married 1729, 
 and died October 19, 1789, in Lebanon county), 
 and Anna Catharina Orth {nee Roehmei . ol I 
 anon. In 1771 they removed to Lititz, where 
 he resun ture of guns, a brisk de- 
 
 mand developing in consequence of the Revolu- 
 tionary war. He died at Lititz April 19, 1S02. 
 He had issue: (1) John Albright, born March 
 12, 1768; died July .5, 1768. (J) fohn Andrew 
 Albright, born 28 February, 1770, at Bethlehem, 
 Penn., cami to I ewisburgh in 1 798 ; was elected 
 sheriff of N berland county, when hi 
 
 moved to Sunbury, the county seat. In 1 
 was elected a member of the Assembly, and 111 
 1 8 1 3 was appointed Associate [udge by Gover- 
 nor Snyder; was ted Mate Senator just be- 
 bis death, 26th November, [822. W - 
 twice married, but had no children. (4) Jacob 
 Albright, born March 20, 1775, at Lititz, Penn. 
 He 1 1 to the West at an early period, 
 married and left descendants. (5) Susan Eliza- 
 beth Albright, born November 2, 1778, at Lititz; 
 married John Philip Bachman, a pioneer organ- 
 builder; left descendants, one of whom was 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 789 
 
 Cyrus Bachman, late of Sunbury, and Watson- 
 town. (6) Gottfried, born June 19, 1782, at Li- 
 titz; served in the war of 18 12; married but left 
 no descendants; died March 25, 1835. 
 
 John Henry Albright, the great-grandfa- 
 ther of Andrew Albright Leiser, was born August 
 5, 1772, at Lititz, Penn., died January 27, 1845, 
 a,t Nazareth, Penn. He was educated in the 
 Moravian parochial school at Lititz, and learned 
 the trade of gunsmith with his father. Later he 
 was with William Henry, who had been an ap- 
 prentice of his father and the founder of the gun 
 works at Bolton, Northampton county. He was 
 married twice, first to Anna Barbara Hubley, and 
 secondly to Louisa Beck (nee Clewell) . He lived 
 at Lititz, Lancaster, Chambersburgh and Ship- 
 pensburgh, besides Bethlehem and Nazareth, 
 Penn., and at Gnadenhuetten, Ohio. 
 
 Anna Barbara Hubley, daughter of Bern- 
 hard Hubley, was born at Lancaster, Penn., 
 March 21, 1773, and died February 25, 1830, at 
 Nazareth, Penn. Her father, Bernhard Hubley, 
 was born at Maulbrun, German)-, October 18, 
 1 7 19, came to America in company with his fa- 
 ther, George, and brother, Michael, in 1732, and 
 settled in Lancaster, where he died January 4, 
 1803. He was for many years a member of the 
 Board of Associated Burgesses of Lancaster, 
 Penn. — twice chief burgess, and for some years 
 commissioner of the county. During the Revo- 
 lution he was an active Whig. He was appointed 
 barrackmaster, with the rank of captain, Decem- 
 ber 18, 1777. He was twice married and had 
 twenty-one children. Bernhard, Jr., his son, 
 was a captain in the German regiment in the 
 Revolution, and was promoted to lieutenant- 
 colonel on February 24, 1778. He retired from 
 the army in 1781; removed to Northumberland; 
 was brigade-inspector; in 1807 published the first 
 volume of a "History of the American Revolu- 
 tion." The work was never completed as he died 
 at Northumberland, in 1808. 
 
 John Henry Albright and Anna Barbara, his 
 wife, had issue: (1) Maria Eliza, born February 
 27, 1796, at Lancaster, died September 6, 1842, 
 at Bethlehem; married Rev. John Peter Kluge, 
 a Moravian missionary to the West Indies, and 
 left issue — John P. Kluge, M. D., for many years 
 chief physician for the Panama Railroad Com- 
 pany, stationed at Panama, in whose service he 
 died April 28, 1869, at sea. (2) Susan, born 
 August 28, 1797, at Chambersburgh, died March 
 18, 1887, at Chester, Penn.; married. John 
 Deemer, of Bath, Penn., and left issue, whose 
 numerous descendants reside in Chester, Penn., 
 and other parts of the United States. (3) Bern- 
 hard died in infancy. (4) Maria Barbara, born 
 
 June 21, 1799, at Shippensburgh, died March 5, 
 1842, at Hyde Park, Penn. On March 23, 1817, 
 she married William Henry, grandson of Judge 
 William Henry, of Lancaster, prominent in the 
 Revolution, and son of William Henry, proprie- 
 tor of the Bolton Gun Works, Northampton Co., 
 Penn. William Henry, husband of Maria Al- 
 bright, formed the first company to develop the 
 iron and coal beds of the Lackawanna Valley, 
 and two of their daughters married two brothers, 
 Selden and Charles Scranton, who, with others, 
 founded the city of Scranton. (5) Andrew [see 
 below.] (6) James, born August 29, 1806, at 
 Shippensburgh, died September 13, 1827, at 
 Nazareth, Penn. (7) Thomas John, born July 
 5, 1808, at Gnadenhuetten, Ohio, died February 
 9, 1890, at St. Louis, where he carried on an 
 extensive gun trade; married twice: (1) Elizabeth 
 Broadhead, of the Delaware Water Gap; (2) 
 Ann Frances Hassell, of Montgomery, Alabama. 
 His children and descendants reside chiefly in 
 the western States. (8) Ann Sophia, born June 
 25, 1 8 10, at Lititz, died September 2, 1873, at 
 Nazareth. She married the Rev. John Christo- 
 pher Brickenstein, a Moravian minister and edu- 
 cator, descended from a Dutch family, originally 
 called Broistidt, who emigrated to Germany from 
 Lyden, and finally settled in Magdeburg in con- 
 sequence of the Spanish oppression in Holland 
 in the sixteenth century. They left surviving 
 issue — Laurence C. Brickenstein, now (1898) a 
 professor at Bethlehem, Penn. ; the late Rev. 
 Hermann Albright Brickenstein, formerly princi- 
 pal of Linden Hall Seminary at Lititz, Penn. ; 
 Anna Louisa, wife of the Rev. Edward T. Kluge, 
 Bethlehem, Penn.; Ellen, now a resident of New 
 York, and Susan Matilda, the wife of Andrew 
 Albright Leiser, the subject of this notice. (9) 
 Joseph Jacob, born September 23, 181 1, at War- 
 wick, Lancaster county, died January 12, 1888, 
 at Scranton. He was an early iron-master in 
 Northampton county, Penn., and afterward in 
 Botetourt county, Virginia. Later he .removed 
 to Scranton, Penn., and became sales agent for 
 the Delaware & Hudson Canal Company, presi- 
 dent of a national bank, and a pioneer in the 
 anthracite coal trade to the West. His children 
 have erected in his memory and presented to the 
 city of Scranton the Albright Memorial Library 
 Building. (10) Aquila Ernest, born July 6, 181 3, 
 at Warwick, Penn., died January 28, 1S71, at 
 Livonia, N. Y. ; married twice. 
 
 Andrew Albright (son of John Henry Al- 
 bright and Anna Barbara Hubley) was born 
 March 28, 1802, at Shippensburgh, Penn., and 
 died February 23, 1837, at Mooretown, near 
 Nazareth, Penn. He was married October 
 

 VJfEMORATIVS BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 r . 1823, at Moore town, Northampton Co., 
 Penn., to Agnes Dunn, daughter of James 
 Dunn and his wife, Esther Williams. 
 Dunn was born August 2, 1S03, in 
 
 Agnes 
 
 North- 
 
 ampton county, Penn., and ptember 20, 
 
 1849, at Warrior Run, Northumberland Co., 
 
 m. They had issue: (1) LaFayette Albright, 
 born September 6, 1 s - 4 . at town, North- 
 
 ampton Co., Penn.; married (October 27, 1847, 
 to Amelia Eliza Christ, Nazareth, Penn. ; died 
 March; it Lewisburgh, Penn. Was thrice 
 
 elected sheriff of Union county. Surviving chil- 
 dren, Maria Louisa, married to Frederic 
 lette, Esq., of Mauch Chunk; Emma fane; An- 
 drew Jacob; Florence Matilda, married to Will- 
 iam Wensel, and Henry Chi Maria 
 ISA Ai . m March 11, i >:;, at 
 Mooretown, Penn., married to Dr. Willian 
 Leiser, May 31. 1849; died November 12. 1- 
 at Lewisburgh,] | 5 Henry Albright, 
 l>om August 1 1 , [829, at nn. ; 
 married Ocl Anna Trump; living 
 nburgh, Union Co., Penn. Sur- 
 viving children: Sarah Agnes; Henry Aquila; 
 David ( larence; Emerson Deemei ; Daniel Trump; 
 Margaret Isabella; Ellen May; Celeste fane; 
 
 ben Albright, M. D.. 
 . t 21, 183 1, at nn. ; 
 
 married Ocl ;. to Ann Robb Webster; 
 
 livi I Muncy, Lycoming Co.. Penn. 
 
 Children: Joseph Webster. M. D. ; Chester 
 [r.; William Leiser; Andrew Curtin 1 
 race Lino iln ; Anna I , mi 1 man 
 t 1 I Hubley 
 
 Dunn Albright, born July 25, 1834. at Moore- 
 town, Penn. ; marn 
 
 II len I Owen, living (1898) at Laurel- 
 
 ton, Union Co., Pennsylvania. 
 
 Andrew Albright Leiser, the subjei 
 sketch, was married >t Bethlehem, Penn., April 
 17, an Matilda Brickenstein (daugh- 
 
 ter of Rev, r Brii k 
 
 Ann >..|>hu Brickenstein, Albright) 
 
 ve], who was born at Bethlehem, Penn., 
 May 22, [85 1. Thi children, 
 
 son, Andrew Albright Leiser, Jr., born at Lewis- 
 burgh, Penn., February 6, 1 member of 
 the class of icknell University; a: 
 daughter, Marie Louise Lei \is- 
 burgh, Penn . m February 14, 1883, a member 
 of the class of 1899, at Bucknell Institute. 
 
 JOHN K. KREMER, cashier of the Union 
 National Bank, at Lewisburg, Union county, 
 is recognized as its most capable finan- 
 
 ciers. He was born February 21, 183S, in the 
 
 thriving city in which he now resides, and 
 is of pioneer ancestry, his grandparents, George 
 and Sophia (Kline) Kremcr. having come from 
 New Jersey about 1797 to settle in Union coun- 
 ts The grandmother lived to the age of seven- 
 ty-five. Particulars concerning the grandfa- 
 ther's death are not now obtainable. 
 
 Abraham Kremer, the father of our sub 
 was born in Columbia county, Penn., in 1791, 
 and was married there to Miss Elizabeth Whit- 
 aker, a native of Danville, Penn., where her 
 father, Thomas Whitaker, first located on his ar- 
 rival from Ireland, his native land. After his 
 marriage Abraham Kremer moved to LewisL 
 where for years he acted as salesman forGed ' 
 Marsh & Co. He was a Methodist in his r< 
 ious md a Democrat in politics. Hi- 
 
 timable wife, who was born in 1 800, died in 
 id he survived her only five years. T! 
 the following children: Mary Jane, the 
 of Joseph Y. Derr, of Lewisburg; Fran< 
 widow of James S. Marsh, of Philadelphia; Anna 
 ibeth, who married Joseph W. Shriner, of 
 Lewisburg; William, who died when two years 
 and seven months old ; Julia H., widow of George 
 W. Forest, of Philadelphia; Joseph A., a tinner 
 by occupation, who died at Lewisburg, February 
 3, 1 1 sixty-one years; John K., our sub- 
 
 ject; and Margaret M., who died at an early aj 
 
 The Lewisburg schools furnished Mr. 
 mer his early education. When he was fifteen 
 
 rs old he removed to Winfield, Union county, 
 and there he entered upon his business career as 
 a clerk in a store. At seventeen he became a 
 .keeper, and held the position for twenty-t 
 Later hi to Lewisburg to engage 
 
 with his brother in a flour, feed and coal busin- 
 but in 1878 he was elected cashier of th> 
 National Bank, and entered upon the duties of 
 that responsible post. As the active busil 
 the institution he has shown marked ability 
 1, winning a high reputation in finan- 
 cial circles. Mr. Kremer was at one timi 
 
 ninent member of the Republican party Alt- 
 er removal to Lewisburg he was elected chief 
 burgess of the town lor one term. In 1859 he 
 was mai Vliss Margaret E. Leaver, a na- 
 
 tive of Millerstown, Terry Co., Penn., born Febru- 
 ary 1 and to this union seven children w 
 born: in Arthur B. , August [8, i860, married 
 Miss Regina Kishel, and has one child, Jessie; 
 2 Jesse 1!., June 24, 1863. (3) Fannie, Sep- 
 tember 11, 1865, married F. S. Beckley, and 
 
 iter, Katharine; (4) Charles S 
 October is. Margaret W., April 21. 
 
 187' izabeth, April 6, 1879; ha 
 
 \\ ishington, July 4. 1876. who died April 8. iS- 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 791 
 
 WILLIAM HENRY DENNIS, deceased. 
 The Dennis family of Union county 
 traces its descent from one Daniel Dennis, of 
 Irish parentage, who, with a brother Anthony, 
 came from England, about seventy miles from 
 London, in 1776, and joined the Continental 
 army, one as a fifer and the other as a drummer, 
 their stirring music, perhaps, awakening on many 
 an emergency the nerve and daring of hearts 
 which might otherwise have faltered at the 
 deadly task which lay before them. At the 
 close of the struggle for independence Daniel 
 Dennis, who was the great-grandfather of the 
 gentleman to whose honored memory this memoir 
 is written, settled near Philadelphia. In the 
 next generation we find that his son Anthony, 
 our subject's grandfather, located for a time in 
 Berks county, Penn., and later moved to Union 
 county, where he made his home in White Deer 
 township. 
 
 George Dennis, the father of our subject, was 
 a native of Berks county, but his life was mainly 
 spent in Union county, where he combined the 
 shoemaker's trade with the work of cultivating a 
 small farm. He was a member of the Reformed 
 Church, and was always mterested in political 
 questions, espousing the principles of the Repub- 
 lican party on its organization. He died Febru- 
 ary 26, 1868, at the comparatively early age of 
 fifty-eight. He was twice married, (first) to 
 Mary Diffenderfer, and (second) to her sister 
 Catherine. They were members of a well-known 
 Union county family, and their father, John 
 Diffenderfer, died in White Deer township. He 
 was a tall man with black hair and fair com- 
 plexion. His wife was Miss Elizabeth Masters. 
 
 To George and Mary Dennis four children 
 were born: Pharos, a coach-maker at Flat 
 Rock, Ohio; Aaron, who conducts a boarding 
 house at Williamsport, Penn. ; Sarah, who died 
 in infancy, and Levi, an agriculturist of near 
 Marseilles, Mich. Mrs. Catherine Dennis sur- 
 vived her husband many years, her death occur- 
 ring on April 10, 1S94, at the age of seventy-five. 
 Of the six children of the second marriage our 
 subject was the eldest. Charles T. is a resident 
 of New Columbia, Penn. ; Ellen died at the age 
 of fourteen; Alfred is a farmer in Kelly township, 
 Union county; Alda resides in New Columbia 
 with her sister, Emeline Baker; and Emeline is 
 the wife of Samuel Baker, a farmer in Kelly 
 township. 
 
 William Henry Dennis, who during his brief 
 career had established a. high reputation among 
 the business men of New Columbia, and was 
 also widely known and respected for his estima- 
 ble character as a man and citizen, was born in 
 
 White Deer township, Union county, October 
 10, 1851, and passed to the unseen life Decem- 
 ber 10, 1894. His early life upon the farm gave 
 him excellent training in thrifty management 
 of resources, and also established habits of in- 
 dustry. When twenty years old he began to 
 sell Bibles for A. J. Holman & Co., of Phila- 
 delphia, and, after three years in this occupation, 
 he followed huckstering for one year, with the 
 exception of the fall season, which he spent in 
 threshing. 
 
 On August 21, 1875, Mr. Dennis was married 
 to Miss Mary J. Bell, and made his home upon 
 a small farm in his native township, which he 
 cultivated for two years, taking charge also of his 
 widowed mother's farm (moved on another farm, 
 same township, third year). The next four 
 years were spent upon another farm which he 
 bought from the Engleman estate near White 
 Deer, where he began his business career by sell- 
 ing farm implements, and in April, 1884, he re- 
 moved to New Columbia and engaged in mer- 
 cantile business, his stock at first consisting of 
 implements only. As time passed his growing 
 success encouraged him to enlarge his store, and 
 he added to his departments until finally he had 
 on hand a full stock of hardware and general 
 merchandise, and controlled a large and profit- 
 able trade. It was the largest implement store 
 in the county. He gave strict attention to his 
 own affairs, taking no active part in political 
 work although he was always a strong Repub- 
 lican in belief. Religious matters, however, 
 claimed more of his active sympathy, and from 
 the age of seventeen he was a consistent member 
 of the Reformed Church. 
 
 Mrs. Dennis survives him with three sons: 
 Hary G., born April 4, 1877, now with his fa- 
 ther's successor; DueyZ. , born January 15, 1879, 
 is a telegraph operator at Montgomery; and 
 Floyd B., born May 24, 1885. Mrs. Dennis is a 
 native of White Deer township, Union county, 
 and is also of patiotic stock, her paternal grand- 
 father, John Bell, having been a Revolutionary 
 soldier. He resided in Juniata county, Penn., 
 where he and his wife, Mary Evans, died at an 
 advanced age. 
 
 Their son Zachariah, the father of Mrs. Den- 
 nis, was born there, November 21, 1820, the 
 next to the youngest of a family of eleven chil- 
 dren. As a young; man he came to Union county 
 and located in Kelly township, where he followed 
 the cooper's trade, for a time. On November 3, 
 1848, he was married in Lewisburg, to Miss 
 Margaret Ranck, who was born in White Deer 
 township, Union county, June 3, 1825, the sec- 
 ond daughter and child in a family of six daugh- 
 
792 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE B10CUAl'lll< AL RECORD. 
 
 and two sons of Adam and Jane (Johnson) 
 K.mck. They were natives of Lancaster county, 
 
 in., but removed t>> Union county, where the 
 father became a prominent citizen of White Deer 
 township, By occupation he was a blacksmith 
 an. I farmer. After his death his widow removed 
 to Lewisbur- where she died, and both now rest 
 in the cemetery t h 
 
 time alter his marriage Mi. Hell 
 lived m Whit. ownship, Union county, 
 
 and then removed t<> Montour county, Penn., 
 and was employed in the vicinity of Danville as 
 a lime burner. Later he came back to Union 
 
 inty, and rented the farm where his wife ' 
 born and reared. For twenty-eight years he 
 bate, and then after two \ ears in 
 Limestone township, in the same county, he 
 tied in Initial., township, where he died Sep- 
 tember 2 i , [891. Politically he was a stanch 
 Republican, and wa a leading mem- 
 
 ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church, hold 
 
 mams were interred at 
 White Deei Church, Mrs. Bell, who now re- 
 sides with her son, Miles S., is a devout Methi 
 dist. and is held in high regard by all who know 
 hei . 
 
 There w en children born to our sub- 
 
 and his wife, namely: Martha E., born 
 August ?, '849, man led Ad, mi G 1 farmer 
 
 in Whit. Deei township; Mar} | , Mrs Dennis, 
 was born October 4. 1851; Emmet, born Sep- 
 tembi '853, died m infancy; Charles li., 
 
 n March ;. 1856, 1- a farmer in Buffalo Val- 
 ley; Ranck A., born August ,s. 1863, is an en- 
 ginei iwmill in Buffalo Valley; Harrj I'.. 
 
 born November 3, 1865, died at eight years of 
 and Miles S.. born April 28, 1868, 1- a 
 fanner in Buffalo township, Union county. 
 
 HON. HAROLD M. M< I l.i RE, ol I 
 bur-. I unty. w ho h 
 
 trict since 1 ine of thi - in 
 
 the State, but his acute and well-disciplined 
 
 mind places him a ig the Lest oi ourablejudi- 
 
 ry, and his decisions are marked by sound 
 
 and a thori iugh km iwledj 
 Judge McClure is a nal nion county. 
 
 lie was bom m Lewisburg, Augusl 8, 1859, but 
 his boyhood was mainl) -pent in Northumber- 
 land, and he attended the public schools of that 
 town. In [871 he returned to I and 
 
 took a course in Bucknell University, graduating 
 in 1 S77 with the degree of A. I'.., !.• which he 
 M an 
 
 iiit in athletic sports whih 
 
 student at the University, his unusual skill as a 
 ball player attracted the attention of the man- 
 's of professional teams, and brought to him 
 temptin to accept engagements At this 
 
 time an inviting salary was of great considera- 
 . promising the means of aiding him in his 
 law studies. He entered the professional ranks 
 with [ohn M. Ward, playing with the Athletics of 
 Philadelphia, the Binghamton, Syracuse, R - 
 chest. 1. and Boston clubs. He was at the time 
 1 as one of the best catchers and most 
 accurate throwers in the country, always remain- 
 ing cool and deliberate in the most exciting 
 Aftei traveling over a large part of the 
 United States, including the Pacific coast, he left 
 the field and commenced his preliminary course 
 of reading at Sunbury, Penn., and in June. 1SS1. 
 w as admitted to the Bar. He at once began the 
 practice of law at Sunbury, three 
 
 t with his preceptor, before he opened an 
 office of his own His abilities commanded rec- 
 1 m the first, and in 1891, as has been 
 said, he was elected President Judge, a , 
 which he fills efficiently. The admiration gamed 
 by his mental ability is augmented by his high 
 character as a man of .pure life and correct ideals, 
 and In- popularity is not limited to any class. 
 The contest preceding hi- election t.. the 
 ich was in many respects a most remarkable 
 Called from Northumberland county, in 
 iher district, to fill a place on the Republican 
 ticket made vacant by the withdrawal of a can- 
 didate, facing discouragement on all sides from 
 the active politicians, and an almost unanimous 
 partisan press, both Democratic and Republican, 
 duet., the belief that the task was a hopeless 
 . Judge McClure entered the field, placing his 
 sole reliance upon hi- faith in the people who 
 i they wanted a candidate. The result demon- 
 ted how skillfully he managed his campaign, 
 and how well his confidence had been plai 
 After a contest that has bei 1 ime part of the polit- 
 ical i 1 .mill Pennsylvania, hi defeated 
 Ins opponent and reversed a 1 ritj 
 in tl al district 0(2.199, received b\ |i 
 
 tier ten years before, to a majoril for 
 
 himsell The faith the people had in Judge Mc- 
 
 i the polls in this memorable 
 
 a \ indicated in the most sal 
 
 ind gratifying manner. They have found 
 
 in him a dignified and upright man. though 
 
 i ,,i imp ali.il 
 
 decisions and prompt dispatch ol 
 
 and aiost 
 
 at in th . I . 
 
 was married in June, 1S90, to 
 Mis- Mai -a: of Lewisburg, Two chil- 
 
/&. ~z#, -Tu. <£& 
 
 6*>^i 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 793 
 
 dren, James F. and Margaret, make their home 
 merry. 
 
 The McClure family became identified with 
 the Virginia colony at a very early period, but 
 the Judge's great-grandfather, Roan McClure, 
 left the Old Dominion in 1790, and settled 
 in what is now Union county, Penn., on Buffalo 
 creek, two miles from Lewisburg, where his re- 
 maining years were spent in farming. His son, 
 James, the Judge's grandfather, married a widow, 
 Mrs. Maria Flanagan Lyndall, who already had 
 four children — Stephen, Henry, Joseph and 
 Sarah. James and Maria McClure reared a fam- 
 ily of six children: (1) Roan, (2) Richard and 
 (3) Edward, all of whom went to California in 
 the early days. Roan returned, and is now liv- 
 ing near Ames, Iowa. Richard and Edward died 
 there. (4) James C. is our subject's father. (5) 
 Elizabeth, now deceased, intermarried with Og- 
 den Vorse, of Lewisburg; and (6) Maria, who 
 married Horace Nichols, resides near Ames 
 Iowa. 
 
 James C. McClure was born March 22, 1S30. 
 He early engaged in the mercantile business, 
 changed to lumbering, and is now an anthracite- 
 coal operator in the Lackawanna region. His 
 wife, Glorvina (Elder), who was a daughter 
 of Joshua D. Elder and Eliza (Murray), former 
 residents of Harrisburg, Penn., died in Scranton, 
 May 22, ;898,.at the age of sixty-four years, and 
 was buried in Lewisburg Cemetery. She was a 
 brilliant, gifted and charming woman, with rare 
 musical talent, of broad culture and great intel- 
 lectual attainments. Of the two children who 
 survived, the Judge is the elder. The young- 
 er, Maria Flanagan, married Frank B. Garvin, 
 of Marshalltown, Iowa, and has two daughters, 
 Ella and Edna. 
 
 TON. ALFRED HAYES, of Lewisburg, is 
 X T X one of the distinguished members of the 
 Union County Bar, and with marked ability has 
 represented his locality in the State Legislature 
 during three sessions. He is a descendant of a 
 pioneer family, his ancestors, in both paternal 
 and maternal lines, being prominent among the 
 settlers of the State. 
 
 John Hayes, the great-great-grandfather of 
 our subject, came with his wife, Jane (maiden 
 name Love), and four children, from London- 
 derry, Ireland, to America in 1735 or 1736, and 
 settled in Chester county, Penn. After the burn- 
 ing of his house in this place he removed to 
 Northampton county, where he kept a public 
 house and store. During the Indian troubles he 
 
 used to beat a drum upon a hill-top near his home 
 to warn the settlers of approaching danger. John 
 Hayes died about 1789, aged eighty-five years, 
 and was buried near Allentown, Penn. His 
 widow, Jane, died in Derry, Northumberland 
 Co., Penn., about 1806, aged about ninety-four 
 years. As stated, four children were born in 
 Ireland, namely. Capt. John, who was born in 
 1726, died near Meadville, Penn., November 17, 
 1796; William, who removed to Virginia; Isa- 
 bella (Mrs. Patton), whose descendants live near 
 Bellefonte, Penn. ; and Mary, who married Mr. 
 Gray, and afterward Mr. Steel. Five children 
 were born in Pennsylvania, namely: Elizabeth, 
 who was married in 1760 to. Thomas Wilson, 
 grandfather of the late Francis Wilson, of Buf- 
 falo township, Union county, and died in Beaver 
 county, Penn., August 30, 181 2, aged seventy- 
 five years; James; Robert, who was born in North- 
 ampton county, Penn., in 1742; Francis, who re- 
 moved to Tennessee; and Jane, who married a 
 Mr. Brown, and settled first in Virginia, but aft- 
 erward returned to Pennsylvania. 
 
 Robert Hayes, the seventh child above named, 
 married Mary Allison. He was captain of a com- 
 pany of Associators in the Revolutionary war 
 [2nd Series Pennsylvania Archives, Vol. XV, 
 page 62], and moved to Northumberland county 
 in 1790. For nine years he lived on a farm near 
 Warrior Run Church, for seven years at Derry, 
 and in 1806 removed to a farm in Delaware town- 
 ship, near what is now Dewart. Although this 
 farm was a large one, containing more than 200 
 acres, there were but seven or eight acres cleared 
 when he came to it, and the work of cutting off 
 and burning the pine timber, which grew on the 
 place, was a burdensome one. There were then 
 two huts on the premises, used respectively as a 
 dwelling and a school house. Robert Hayes died 
 in 1 8 19; his wife attained the age of eighty. 
 They had eight children, of whom the following 
 account is given: John, whose descendants live 
 at Waterford, Erie Co., Penn., died in 1803. 
 Jane, born in 1774, died at the age of eighty-nine; 
 she married Moses Laird, who died in 18 16 in 
 Derry township, aged about forty-five years (the 
 father of R. H. Laird, Esq., late of Lewisburg, 
 born June 22, 1796, and who recollected seeing 
 his great-grandmother, Jane, wife of John Hayes). 
 William, born May 23, 1776. died February 17, 
 1843. James, born in 1778, died in 1855. 
 Joseph, born August 1, 1780, died March 7, 
 1S70. Mary, who was born in 1782, and died 
 aged eighty-four, married a Mr. Walker. Sarah 
 (Mrs. Shipman) died in Michigan between sixty 
 and seventy years of age. Elizabeth, who inter- 
 married with her cousin, a Mr. Brown, was born 
 
794 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPMCAL RECORD. 
 
 in 1789, and died near Franklin, Penn. , at a very 
 advanced 
 
 William I! married October 4, 1803, 
 
 to Mary Wilson, who was born April 14. 
 the daughter of William Wilson, of Kelly town- 
 ship, Union county, who was born June 4, 1743. 
 1 April 9, [824. His wife, Elizabeth 
 1. to whom he was married in her six- 
 th year, rn in [758, and died April 
 n. [815. William Hayes was prominent in the 
 
 ltd was the second 
 ter thei ..luring the 
 
 icy of James Madison. In 1797 he v 
 I afterward he c 
 duct rs the principal store in Buf- 
 
 1 referred to in Fla 
 nd m Linn's Annals. 1 1 
 y 17, 1843, and his wile Mary died De- 
 
 ; whom 
 all I to adult rt, born 
 
 July 7, 1 I Emily Field. May 2$ 
 
 was m arj 7, 
 
 roline Gi ! in Phila- 
 
 h. born 
 hi Chamberlin, 
 
 iam \\Y m July 21, 
 
 1:1 Xo\ 
 i more fully below. ; 
 i'.'. r8i2, married 1 >r. Christ 
 
 I in Harrisburg, 
 5, born May 
 14, to M 
 I Mary Huh 
 
 |S 45. 
 ently he married Jane ( he 
 
 died I his wid 
 
 Jam 
 
 Murray, j, Penn., March 28, 
 
 and died A her husband is still 
 
 - 
 : . married Sarah Hepburn, of Williamsport, 
 4 1. and has practii 
 r many years; h in Mm 
 
 Penn. 1 uary 14. 1821, I 
 
 March 17 
 
 Hon. Thomas Hayes, iur - father, 
 
 a tanner by trade, and followed that occu- 
 n for a number of years in Lewisbu 
 rs, how. ter his man 
 
 I out that business to II. W. Fi en- 
 
 gaged in merchandising with Peter Beaver, un 
 
 •■ of Hayes .\ Beaver. He also car- 
 ried on busim r. Hayes & I After some 
 years his brother James took the store, and ear- 
 on the same for many years with various 
 
 partners, and Thomas Hayes continued in the 
 
 in trade, sending wheat, flour, etc., to Phila- 
 delphia, Baltimore and the North Branch re: 
 by canal, and dealing also in salt, coal, plaster 
 and similar commodities. He afterward engaged 
 in the milling business, which, however, was not 
 successful, the first mill being destroyed by fire, 
 while poor crops on account of weevil produced 
 much loss during several years. 
 
 Hon. Thomas Hayes was one of the original 
 corporators and trustees of the First Presbyterian 
 Church of Lewisburg in 1842, and was actively 
 interested in the founding of the university, in 
 the building of the court house and of the Pres- 
 byterian Church edifice now used by the congre- 
 gation. During the years 1 and 1861 
 he was a member of the Assembly for the Rep- 
 resentative District of Union, Juniata and Snyder 
 counties, and in 1861 he removed with his fan 
 to Philadelpnia, at which place he served as an 
 inspector in the custom house for a number of 
 died at Philadelphia, December 1, 
 
 6, and now rests by the side of his wife, Mary 
 (Hulme), and near the grave of his father, Will- 
 Hayes, in the family burial lot in Lewis- 
 burg cemetery. Mary Hulme, to whom he 
 was married October 8, 1854, was born in 
 Hulmeville, Bucks Co., Penn., October 4, 1812, 
 and died in Winona, Minn., September 
 
 \. She was of Quaker ancestry, the 1. 
 her father, Joseph Hulme, to her mother, 
 
 ilah Canby, who was born in August. 1; 
 
 being authorized by the Middletown Monthly 
 
 Meetings, on October [6, 1806, as appears in ! I 
 
 Pennsylvania Archives, Vol. IX, pae,e 22;. 
 
 Their children were born in Hulmeville, Bucks 
 
 Penn., namely: Thomas Canby, born S 
 tember 26, 1S07, died in 1S5G; Edward was 
 
 1 June 21, 1S10; Mary married Thoi 
 Hayes, the father of our subject; Elizabeth 
 married Samuel J. Pott>. ol Reading, Penn., 
 
 e deceased. The father of Joseph Hulme 
 John Hulme, Jr., the founder of Hulme- 
 ville, a member of the Assembly, and a man 
 much ability and influence in the county, whose 
 marriage with Rebecca Milner was authorized 
 by Falls Meeting, May 23, 1770. [See 2d Series 
 Pennsylvania Archives, Vol. IX, page 242.] 
 
 The children of Thomas Hayes and Mary, 
 his wife, were as follows: William. Jr.. b in 
 December 28, 1835, died October 27, 1837; Al- 
 fred is tl ct proper of this sketch: Emma 
 Beulah, irch 11, 1839, married Matthew 
 I Winona, Minn., August 30, 1866; 
 Mary Elizabeth, born August 25, 1S42. married 
 Matthew A. Cowden. of Philadelphia, November 
 11, [869, and died February 11, 1889; and Will- 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 795 
 
 iam, born November 27, 1846, is unmarried and 
 resides in Winona, Minnesota. 
 
 Alfred Hayes, the second child of Thomas 
 and Mary Hayes, was born July 17, 1837, and 
 was educated at Lewisburg, graduating from the 
 university on August iS, 1855. After nine 
 months' service in the institution, which after- 
 ward became the Lewisburg National Bank, he 
 began the study of law under G. F. Miller, Esq. , 
 continuing his course at the Harvard Law School, 
 and finally completing his work as a student under 
 the direction of John C. Bullitt, Esq., of Phila- 
 delphia. He was admitted to practice in the 
 District Court of Philadelphia, and the Courts of 
 Common Pleas and Quarter Sessions of the same 
 city and county on May 12, i860, after which, 
 on account of failure of health, he returned to 
 Lewisburg. In 1861 he practiced law in com- 
 pany with S. H. Orwig, Esq., in Union county. 
 In August, 1S62, he enlisted as first sergeant in 
 Company E, 43d P. V. I., in the Civil war, but 
 was discharged in November of the same year on 
 account of sickness. Having been elected dis- 
 trict attorney of Union county in the autumn of 
 1862, he continued in that office from term to 
 term until 1876, when he resigned to become a 
 member of the Assembly. He served in the latter 
 capacity during the sessions of 1877 and 187S, 
 and during a subsequent session in 18S9. Since 
 his retirement from that post of duty he has been 
 in the continuous practice of law at Lewisburg. 
 
 On September 11, 1862, Mr. Hayes was mar- 
 ried to Mary M. Van Valzah, of Buffalo Cross 
 Roads, Union Co., Penn., who was born August 
 II, 1840, and is the great-granddaughter of 
 Lieut. -Col. Thomas Sutherland [See Pennsylvania 
 Archives, 2nd Series, Vol. XIV., page 341], who 
 died October 15, 18 16, in the eighty-fourth year 
 of his age, and of Jane Sutherland, his wife, 
 who died February 9, 1S19, in her eighty-second 
 year. Mrs. Hayes is the granddaughter of Dr. 
 Robert Van Valzah, who was born April 17, 
 1764 [See Linn's Annals, page 551], who died 
 April iS, 1850, aged eighty-six years, and of 
 Elizabeth Sutherland, his wife, daughter of 
 Lieut. -Col. Thomas Sutherland, born April 4, 
 1768, who died March 30, 1840. 
 
 William W. Van Valzah, the father of Mrs. 
 Hayes, died October 13, 1S57, aged forty-eight 
 years; Sarah L. (Forster), the mother, who was 
 born May 8, 1817, died November 16, 1862. 
 She was the daughter of John and Mary (Miles) 
 Forster, of Aaronsburg, Penn., the former of 
 whom was a son of Capt. John Forster, an offi- 
 cer of the Revolutionary army [See Linn's An- 
 nals, page 243], and Jane, his wife. The chil- 
 dren of William and Sarah L. Van Valzah were 
 
 as follows: John Forster, born October 6, 1835; 
 Elizabeth S., born November 12, 1837, married 
 Charles H. Shriner, and died August 23, 1871; 
 Mary M. (now Mrs. Hayes); Sarah, born Novem- 
 ber 19, 1842, died May 10, 1853; Dr. Robert T. , 
 born April 15, 1845, died October 8, 1877; Dr. 
 William W., born December 11, 1848, is now 
 engaged in the practice of medicine in the City 
 of New York; and Thomas Howard, born July 
 14, 1852, is now residing in Leadville, Colorado. 
 Of the six children of Alfred and Mary M. 
 (Van Valzah) Hayes, five are living. (1) Charles 
 Harold, born January 7, 1S64, married October 
 18, 1892, to Maud Smith, of Tacoma, Wash., 
 who was born October 15, 1866, and they have 
 one child, Mary Louise, born March 12, 1897; he 
 was educated at Lewisburg, and September 22, 
 1880, entered the United States Naval Academy 
 at Annapolis, from which he graduated, and he 
 is at the present time a passed assistant engineer 
 in the United States navy on the battle ship 
 "Massachusetts." (2) William Van Valzah, 
 born September 22, 1867, was educated at Lewis- 
 burg, graduating from Bucknell University in 
 1888; after spending a year in study in Europe, 
 he studied medicine at the College of Physicians 
 and Surgeons in New York City, graduating 
 therefrom, and has been connected with the 
 New York Hospital, the Sloane Maternity Hos- 
 pital, and the New York Foundling Hospital; he 
 practices his profession in New York. (3) 
 Thomas, born April 23, 1872, died May 20, 
 1872. (4) Alfred Jr., born October 15, 1873, 
 was educated at Bucknell University and at 
 Princeton, graduating from the latter in 1895. 
 After his graduation he devoted himself to the 
 study of law, and is now engaged in fitting him- 
 self for that profession. (5) Emma Beulah, born 
 October 7, 1876, graduated from Bucknell Insti- 
 tute in 1895. (6) Matthew Cowden, born Sep- 
 ber 8, 1885, is at present attending the public 
 schools at Lewisburg. 
 
 \ EV. PHINEAS B. MARR. It is now nearly 
 a quarter of a century since there ended, 
 upon the earthly plane, a life of such singular 
 beauty and usefulness that its influence is still 
 felt as an inspiration to right living among all 
 who were privileged to view it, and to see within 
 it the reflection of the high and steadfast pur- 
 pose which guided its activities. While, with 
 those who knew the Rev. Mr. Marr, his Chris- 
 tian character and saintly life is indelibly im- 
 pressed beyond the power of words to aid or 
 intensify, it is well to place here a record which 
 
796 
 
 ( OMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 will extend the memory of that helpful influence 
 throughout the coming years. 
 
 Mr. Man was born January 20, 1808, in Mil- 
 ton, Penn., and at an early age made choir 
 the ministry. Aftei eting a literary course 
 
 1 son College he entered upon his theo- 
 ical studies at Princeton, and on his gradua- 
 n was ordained. At twenty-three Ik was 
 ed at Williamsport, Perm., where he 
 ched for two years, and at twenty-five he 
 became pastor of the Presbyterian Church at 
 Lewisburg. Twenty years of earnest, effective 
 labci were spent in that position, and then he 
 resigned, remaining, however, in Lewisburg to 
 bis family. He occasionally preached 
 in neighoring towns, but accepted no regular 
 his life flowing peacefully and quietl) 
 on to the end, which came January 27, 1 S 7 4 . 
 mpathy with phase ol nee, 
 
 d his keen perception ol the peculiar difficul- 
 and hindrani et each person, m 
 
 him a valued ad\ is< 1 to th< I. and a 
 
 1 rowful. 1 [is versatility was 
 ukable, enabling him 1 pi himself to 
 
 any condition of thought or brim-. His dwn 
 ni.il culture and abilitj fitted him for com- 
 lionship with I intellects, and his m 
 
 ■ Hi doubtless thi ise iii which 
 
 he ' I with bis peers in education and re- 
 
 menl and the lofty conceptions of the n 
 human thought, the poets and phib 
 
 phers of the past. He was an interested ob- 
 server ol currenl evi I in polities was an 
 adherent ol the Democratic party. 
 
 In 1835 he mai 1 1 iraham, who 
 
 was born September 24, 1 s 1 4 , and died Novem- 
 ber 24, 1890. Their children were: Mary, Will- 
 iam, Henry. James, Addison, Margaret, Helen, 
 Henriel ind twi 1 who dud in infancy. 
 
 James and G ted at Pi im eti m, and 
 
 were ordained as ministers of the Presbyterian 
 < hurch, but the latter is now | id. 
 
 GEORGE SMED1 I v i MATLACK, born in 
 West ( hester, I hestei Co., Penn., August 
 19, 1851, in his bi 13 hoi wis- 
 
 burg and entered the academj of the University, 
 luating at the college June 28, 1870. 
 ation was furthered by his wide reading, 
 which he continued as [01 I i 
 
 a son oi George and Lettia Matlack. 
 
 u after graduating he I 
 as a partner with the firm of P. Billmeyer & 1 
 and \ 28, \^J7. was married to Miss 
 
 Emma J. Billmeyer, a daughter of the head of 
 firm, the lab Philip billmeyer. This union 
 
 was blessed with one child, a daughter. Mary, 
 born December 9, 1877. During the next 
 Mr. Matlack became a member of the Presby- 
 terian Church of Lewisburg, and in the succeed- 
 ing years became its treasurer, a trustee, an el- 
 der, and clerk ol the Session; a teacher in the 
 Sunday-school, he was elected superitn 
 and sang in the choir- — in fact, active in Church 
 wi irk all his life. 
 
 After his marriage Mr. Matlack settled per- 
 manently in Lewisburg. Upon the death of Mr 
 Billmeyer, September 5, [885, the firm remained 
 practically the same, only the name was changed 
 to that of W. D. Himmelreich & Co. The place 
 of business of the firm was long known as the 
 '• Boat-Yard." which was established in Lewis- 
 burg in 1850. The firm was extensively engaged 
 in the manufacture of bill timber, and in the 
 building of boats, in which they have been most 
 successful. Mr. Matlack continued to be an bu- 
 rnt factor in the business until the day of his 
 death, fune 14, 1893, and was identified, be- 
 sides, for years with the Buffalo Milling Com- 
 pany, Lim., he being one of the organizers of 
 that corporation in 1883, and a director and sec- 
 
 ry, He was a director of the Union Na- 
 tional Bank, of the Lewisburg Gas Company. 
 and intimately connected with all that pertained 
 to local pride and improvement. 
 
 " When death comes the community sums up 
 its estimate of the one he strikes. It is never 
 far wrong, and in a few choice expressions the re- 
 sult is declared. Some are spoken of as promi- 
 nent, implying something against which the pop- 
 ular current has always been striking, and is seen 
 e it. There is more of appreciation when 
 the community shows by its expression that they 
 feel that a vital force has been taken away. 
 
 "In the quiet current of our existence here 
 there was one w ho was a part 1 'I it in all its parts, 
 not exclusively as a business man — although 
 tin 1 I and competent 
 
 an.l ful, which is the criterion— not ex- 
 
 clusively in his own business, although that was 
 ting one, for he gave his hand to many 
 ; in hospitalit) he lind- 
 
 ane! he ga\ e just as nd careb 
 
 the requirements of society as he did to 
 what would seem to be weightier matters; be V 
 a member of the Church, illustral 
 tion of Paul 1 not refuse to mingle with 
 
 and concern himself in the mi nt; 
 
 he bee;;; lier that he might acquaint him- 
 
 with his duties; in every walk of life of the 
 citizen hi himself acquainted and took part. 
 
 lb was neat in person ami in dress, and just 
 same neatness which is shown in his outward ap- 
 
- i 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 797 
 
 pearance could be seen in his inward conduct 
 and private life. Nothing which bore any rela- 
 tion to man was profane to him. He sat at his 
 table, he lifted his rich voice in the choir, he 
 mingled in all entertainments of society, with 
 the same grace with which he bore the chalice 
 at the communion. 
 
 " Were it not that we see that he has done 
 everything his hand found to do every day, so 
 completely, we would wonder that his life was 
 so short, but no doubt his essential character was 
 ripened, in longer years there might have been 
 decay. We cannot question Heaven. We simply 
 accept." \Lewisburg Saturday News, June 17, 
 iS93] 
 
 JEROME B. DERSHEM. The Dershem 
 homestead in White Deer township, Union 
 county, is now occupied by the fifth genera- 
 tion in direct descent from the first settler of that 
 name, its well-kept acres and substantial im- 
 provements speaking better than words could do 
 of the thrifty, industrious race which has long 
 had it in charge. It was purchased by Jacob 
 Dershem, the great-grandfather of the gentleman 
 whose name opens this review, and his grand- 
 parents, Samuel and Susan Dershem, lived there, 
 but died on a farm in White Deer township, now 
 known as the W. D. Williams farm, and their 
 remains were laid to rest in the White Deer 
 graveyard. 
 
 Jacob Dershem, our subject's father, was 
 born there August 15, 1S15, and still resides 
 upon the place, although as he began to feel the 
 encroachments of age he turned the management 
 over to his sons. Although he has thus with- 
 drawn at present from his accustomed activities, 
 he has by no means lost the important place in 
 the community which his ability and character 
 won for him in earlier years, and he takes much 
 interest in the problems of the time, being a 
 warm supporter of the principles of the Repub- 
 lican party. He has held offices at times, serv- 
 ing as supervisor and overseer of the poor, and 
 has long been identified with the Lutheran 
 Church. His lamented wife, Eve Reed, who 
 passed to her eternal reward February 10, 1892, 
 at the age of seventy-two years, nine months and 
 twenty-seven days, was also a devout member of 
 the Church, and was greatly beloved for her 
 Christian character. In her youth she accom- 
 panied her parents, John and Catherine Reed, 
 from Schuylkill county, Penn., the old home of 
 her family, to her new home in Union county. 
 John Reed became one of the leading agricultur- 
 ists of his locality, and he and his wife breathed 
 their last there, and were buried side by side in 
 
 the White Deer cemetery, the last resting place 
 of many of our old pioneers. 
 
 To Jacob and Eve Dershem the following chil- 
 dred were born: Mary, deceased, formerly the 
 wife of Moses Kostenbader, who resides at Kelly 
 Cross Roads; John, who lost his life as a soldier 
 in defense of the Union; Susan, wife of Isaac 
 Bingerman, of East Buffalo township, Union 
 county; Jerome B. , our subject; Catherine, wife 
 of Josiah Weikel, of Newberry, Penn., a car in- 
 spector on the Reading railroad; George, who 
 died at the age of four years; Eva A., wife of 
 John Guyer, a farmer in West Buffalo township, 
 Union county; Louisa, who married Franklin 
 Deitrick, a farmer of White Deer township, Union 
 county; Jacob F. , a farmer at the old home- 
 stead; Verdilla, wife of Charles Leinbach, a 
 farmer in Buffalo township, Union county; and 
 Clara, who married Levi Hafer, a farmer in 
 Kelly township, the same county. 
 
 The birth of our subject occurred September 
 24, 1845, and his life has been mainly spent at 
 the old homestead, his early education being 
 gained in the neighboring schools. At the age of 
 twenty-three, having acquired by practical work 
 a complete knowledge of farm management, 
 he took the place on shares, but two years later 
 he moved to Kelly township. Union county, and 
 occupied the Jacob Reed (now Eisenhauer) farm 
 for one "year. He then, in 1873, removed to his 
 present home in White Deer township, where he 
 built a handsome frame house in 1896, choosing 
 for it a beautiful location on a sloping hill near Sus- 
 quehanna river, commanding an extensive view, 
 overlooking other buildings on neighboring farms, 
 while both the Pennsylvania and Reading rail- 
 roads are easily seen. 
 
 Mr. Dershem is a stanch Republican, but, 
 although he wields great influence in the local 
 councils of the party and has served one year as 
 supervisor, he is not known as an office seeker. 
 He is a Lutheran in religion, and is an active 
 sympathizer with progress in all lines. 
 
 On January 19, 1869, Mr. Dershem was mar- 
 ried at Milton to Miss Ellen Smith, by whomhe has 
 had five children, all of whom are living: (1) Ber- 
 tha A. married Henry C. Bennage, a farmer in 
 White Deer township, Union county, and has had 
 two children — Wilber E. and Susie E. (2) 
 Lulu E. married Kelly A. Rank, an operator at 
 White Deer Mills, has one daughter, Mildred E. 
 (4) Eucharius W. married Elizabeth L. Moyer, 
 and now resides at the home. (4) Quay A. and 
 (■5) Etha E. are at home. 
 
 Mrs. Dershem is a native of Clinton town- 
 ship, Lycoming Co., Penn., and was born March 
 11, 1848, the daughter of Ezekiel and Catherine 
 
798 
 
 ( OMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 Metzger) Smith, who passed their entire livi 
 that locality. Her paternal grandfather, John 
 smith, died in Centre county, but her grand- 
 mother, Sarah S. Smith, passed away at the old 
 home in Lycoming county, and is buried there. 
 On the maternal sid 
 
 and Susan (Deitrick) M natives of 
 
 Pennsylvania. Her great-grandfather, Ge 
 Metzger, was born in Germany, and came to 
 America accompanied by his brother, who died 
 on tin 1 was buried .<t 
 
 Ezekiel Smith was a tailor by trade, but his 
 
 r years were spent in farming. Politically, 
 he was a Democrat, and he and his wife 
 
 Lutheran Church. She 
 
 i January i age of seventy- 
 
 three, and Mr. Smith did not long survive, pass- 
 ing away September 15. [896, in his seventy- 
 
 '1 year. They had seven children, nam 
 Harriet, wife ol ! Weigle, of Williams- 
 
 , Penn. ; Carolim married Samuel B 
 
 1, a lumberman at Williamsport; Ellen, Mrs 
 
 ;hem; Hervey, a farmer of Clinton township, 
 i ty, now holding the office of 
 
 :i\ comi 1 ; Sarah J., wife of John J. 
 
 achmaker at New Columbia, Penn.; 
 
 ■11 A., deceased, formerly the wife of John 
 App, a lumberman ol Williamsport; and Anna 
 M., who marrii 1 Pierce Ap| rmer in Clin- 
 
 township, Lycoming county, and now owns 
 : 5mith homestead. 
 
 JOHN F. MILLER stands t among 
 
 the pi riculturists of Lii 
 
 township, : nty. His practical 
 
 notwith- 
 nding the disadvant straightened cir- 
 
 Stanci s in \ substantial for- 
 
 tune. Nor has he n ; his tint; - citi- 
 
 ■ >e in his community 
 iving In >m him 
 sup] 
 
 rhi 
 sub ler havin 
 
 m this country John Miller, tin 
 lather ol our ind 
 
 married in 1 1 
 chili in the lii 
 
 ent. M' is< s Millei 
 30, 1807, and. in 1 ' to 
 
 Mary I hip, 
 
 u n t y , 
 
 Huguenol ime having 
 
 fanner] ixth 
 
 mily in this countrj 
 fath 1 n in 1781 . and 
 
 became one of the leading residents of Oley 
 township, Berks county, owning two farms, a 
 gristmill, and a sawmill. He and his wife, Mary 
 
 ismer, who was also born in [781, reared a 
 family of six sons and three daughters, and c 
 tinued to reside at their homestead in Berks 
 county throughout their lives. 
 
 In the spring of 1 S3 5 Moses Miller rem 
 to Union county, locating first in West Buffalo 
 
 nship. Later he purchased from Mr. Pan- 
 coast the farm in Limestone township which is 
 occupied by our subject as a homestead. On May 
 1, 1844, the family took possession, and a : 
 
 ks afterward, on May 30, the husband and 
 father passed away. He was a man of high 
 character, much esteemed among his associates. 
 
 for many years was a class leader in the 
 Evangelical Church. His sympathies in national 
 affairs were with the Whig party, but he was 
 not especially active in political work, although 
 he at one time held the office of supervi- 
 
 rtly before his death he had lost 
 through going bail for friends, and his property 
 was by no means free from debt. As the se 
 children were all too small to be of any assistan 
 his widow had a difficult task to complete the 
 
 ments and keep the family together; but in 
 her nature strong, motherly affection was c 
 bined with fine mental abilities and a firm will, 
 and she succeeded notably. For about six 
 years she rented the farm to tenants, and then 
 as hi jew old enough, each in turn took 
 
 charge of it nine. In 1S73, having won 
 
 by her judicious management a comfortab 
 petence, she built a house in Mifllmburg. in which 
 to spend her declining years, and her death 
 curred thee March 2, 1S92. Her reman 
 repose beside those of her husband in the New 
 Seven children were born to 
 this estimable couple: Sarah, born January 30, 
 irn April 7. 1 rn 
 
 Novi [osej Noven h r 1 7, 
 
 rn 1 >ea ml er 21, 1 839; John 
 F. , born January \2\ and Gee; | 
 
 January 21, 1 
 
 Mr. Mill 
 
 tune. nlj the 
 
 near th 
 rite with a quill pen, and the other 
 methods of teaching were also far from 1 
 
 lard As he was a mere child when 
 his father died !. recollection of hi 
 
 but the watchful id training of his noble 
 
 fatl 
 struction in early life. Our subject w nly 
 
 one of the bi lid not learn ;< I aid 
 
 he 1; ' in agriculture, re- 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 maining at home except for one season when he 
 was employed by a brother-in-law, Henry Maize. 
 After he reached his majority he worked for his 
 mother, and by the time of his marriage he had 
 about $600 saved. On his mother's removal to 
 Mifflinburg, he rented the homestead. In 188S 
 he purchased the place which he has improved in 
 many ways. He now owns two farms in Lime- 
 stone township, containing altogether more than 
 200 acres of excellent land. He is a man of more 
 than average intelligence, a constant reader of 
 newspapers, magazines and other literature, and 
 his sterling qualities of character and friendly, 
 courteous manners, give him great influence in 
 the community. Politically he is a Republican. 
 His first vote was cast for Gov. Curtin the sec- 
 ond term, and his first ballot for President was 
 given to Abraham Lincoln, then a candidate for 
 re-election. He has been school director for 
 nine years, and auditor twenty years, other offi- 
 ces having been declined. 
 
 On October 26, 1S71, Mr. Miller married Miss 
 Margaret Klose, a former schoolmate, who was 
 born in Limestone township, September 20, 
 1845, the daughter of Jacob and Sarah (Musser) 
 Klose, highly respected residents of that locality. 
 This union has been blessed by seven children: 
 Cora M., born October 1, 1S72; Harry A., 
 born October 4, 1874, now a farmer in Lime- 
 stone township; Sarah A., born September 20, 
 1876; John J., born September 5, 1878; D. Ber- 
 tolette, born August 11, 1881; Mary E., born 
 July 23, 1883, and Paul T. , born November 17, 
 1887. Sarah and Mary both received good music- 
 al educations. Mr. Miller and his wife are active 
 workers in the M. E. Church, in which he held 
 the office of trustee, and both have been teachers 
 in the Sunday-school. During the war Mr. Miller 
 was a member of the Union League, and he now 
 belongs to that well-known organization, the Pa- 
 trons of Husbandrv. 
 
 JOHN McCALL (deceased), who in his life- 
 time was a very active business man of Union 
 county, extensively engaged in lumbering, 
 was born in 1809, in County Armagh, Ireland. 
 John McCall (1), his grandfather, was de- 
 scended from Robert Bruce, king of Scotland, 
 through the marriage of George McCall with 
 Lady Dundas, a granddaughter. He migrated 
 from near Glasgow, Scotland, to County Ar- 
 magh, Ireland, prior to 1777. He had married 
 a Miss Hamilton, whose brother emigrated to the 
 West Indies, where was born Alexander Hamil- 
 ton, who subsequently became prominent in the 
 affairs of the United States Government, serving 
 in President Washington's cabinet as Secretary 
 
 of the Treasury, and was killed in a duel with 
 Aaron Burr. Alexander McCall, a son of John 
 Mc Call (I), was born in County Armagh, Ire- 
 land, in 1777, and in 1805 was married in the 
 same county to Elizabeth Graham. They came 
 to the United States in 1828, locating in Phila- 
 delphia, but soon afterward settled in Delaware 
 county, N. V.. where Mr. McCall purchased a 
 large farm, on which he resided up to his death, 
 which occurred at Kortright on October 6, 1 S 5 7 , 
 when he was aged eighty-one years. Elizabeth 
 (Graham) McCall, his wife, was also of Scotch 
 descent; her mother, who was a Stuart, came 
 from the Highlands of Scotland. The children 
 of Alexander McCall and wife were: (1) James, 
 born in 1807, and died in 1895, at Cowan, Penn., 
 aged eighty-seven years; he left two sons — James, 
 who served three years in the Civil war as . a 
 member of the 144th N. Y. V. I., and was badly 
 wounded in the head at Port Royal in 1862; and 
 John, who married a Miss Shamp. (2) John, 
 born in 1809, is our subject, and is referred to 
 more at length farther on. (3) George was born 
 in 1810. (4) Hamilton, who was born in 1812, 
 is now residing in Philadelphia, aged eighty-five 
 years. (5) Elizabeth was born in 1815. (6) 
 Jones was born in 1820. (7) Alexander was 
 born in 1823. (8) Joseph Graham, who was 
 born in 1827, is a resident of Wichita, Kans. , 
 where he is engaged in the practice of law. He 
 was married to a daughter of Judge Hakes, of 
 Delaware county, N. Y. , and they have the fol- 
 lowing children: Lyman Hakes, George, Har- 
 low, Florence (married to a Mr. Mounts), Vienna 
 (married to a Mr. Comstock) and Elizabeth. 
 
 John McCall, whose name opeus this review, 
 on his father's moving to Delaware county, N. Y. , 
 in 1830, remained in Philadelphia, where, in 
 1830, he was married to Annie Baird, who was of 
 Scotch-Irish descent, her family coming into Ire- 
 land from Scotland with Prince William of 
 Orange, and locating at Londonderry. To the 
 marriage of John McCall and Annie Baird six 
 children were born, namely: John, born in 1834, 
 died in November, 1864; Elizabeth, born in 1S36, 
 died in childhood; Joseph Hamilton, born in 
 1S3S; William Henry Harrison, bor.n in 1841, 
 died in May, 1886; fames, born in 1843, 
 died in childhood; Annie, burn in 1845, married 
 Frank S. Schaffle. and died at Wilkesbarre, 
 Perm., in February, 1897, leaving one son. The 
 father of these, in 1S51, moved to Union county, 
 and located on White Deer creek; his brothers, 
 Hamilton and Joseph, remained in business with 
 him until 1S57, when his sons, John, Joseph 
 and William, were taken into the firm. They 
 purchased 5,800 acres of timber land. Here 
 
Boo 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL lU.rnRD. 
 
 they w : ged in the lumber business until 
 
 the beginning of the Civil war. 
 
 The fathei lied in June. 1863, and his wife 
 in Septembi 
 
 William Henry Harrison (nami lent 
 
 Han is a private in < 
 
 ;th Pennsylvan ps, in the Civil 
 
 war, and at th< years was must 
 
 n. On 
 
 de lieutenant 
 the 200th P. V. I. He missioned colo- 
 
 nel of the regiment, March 25, 1 Sr .5 , and on 
 \|.i il .'. tme year, h ned 
 
 illanl sei ■ 1 his 
 
 .utry at the head of his brigade, which captured 
 vick and Steadman. At the timi 
 
 than twenty-three j age, 
 
 and was probabl) the youngest I eral 
 
 in the volu Vfter the capture of 
 
 the t Lincoln, Gi n McCall 
 
 i by President Johnson and Gen. 
 Hancock to take direct chai the trial and 
 
 the execution. He and Ins staff had their 
 Iquartei Arsenal, Washington, I> 
 
 1. McCall died in tt, Ariz< ma, 
 
 and was there buried. A move is on foot look- 
 in the removal of his remains to the cei 
 teiy.it Lewisburg, Penn. (1 A. McCall, 
 
 who was the I mmander of the Penn- 
 
 sylvania Reserve Corps, was of the same descent . 
 1 1 in 11. Mi Cm l, s 'ii of John and A 
 rd) Mc< 'all, ol Lewisbui n ci mntj 
 
 the only survivor of the immediate family. He 
 was bom in [838, at Philadelphia, and in I' 
 
 r, 1865, was married to Celestia |. Bright, 
 whose mother was a Schreyer, and of tl 
 family of that name of which Ji r, of 
 
 visburg, and W. A. Schreyer, of Milton, 
 Penn., are 1 I 1 hildren born to the 
 
 marriage were: Harry Bright, \A 
 intermarried with Nellie Benson Kauffma 
 I eph Clyde. John, Jesse Schreyer, Lorrania 
 I in 1882), and Edward Ammons. The fa- 
 ther of these was stationed at Morris Island, 
 S C, during the war, in charge of the Govern- 
 ment shipping. He was captain of the Lewisburg 
 Artillery from 1866 to 1871; then he entered 
 the I S Railway Mad Service, as head clerk, 
 which position he occupied fifteen years; was 
 also connected with the U. S. R Service, 
 
 during the administration of President H 
 
 r:-< -n. 
 
 COLLMAN K. SOBER, a prosperous lumber- 
 man of Union and surrounding counties, 
 nember of the Glen Union Lumber Co., is 
 the subject of this biographical notice. 
 
 Mr. Sober is a native of Pennsylvania, born 
 ier 24, 1842, at the old homestead of 
 his parents, some seven miles distant from 
 Shamokin, Northumberland county. Isaac 
 ber, his father, was also a native of the Keystone 
 born in the same county February 23, 
 1N14. where he resided all his life, a wealthy 
 and influential agriculturist, dying June 12. 
 [882. He married Miss Mary Krighbaum, also 
 ol Northumberland county birth, and ten chil- 
 
 a were born to this union, namely: 1 1 
 man W., a fanner in Virginia; Harriet, wife of 
 Swinehart, of Northumberland county, 
 Penn ; » k\, the subject proper of this 
 
 sketch; Clinton I)., a farmer and dairyman t 
 Northumberland county, a great shot with the 
 gun, Isabella, wife of F. W. Gilder, of Phila- 
 
 h in. Penn.; Barbara Ann. wife of Mahlon I 
 Moyer, of Shamokin; Amanda, wife of Geoi 
 Shamokin; Adeline, deceased wifi 
 A.J.Camphell;Martin Luther, another phenomenal 
 shot in the family, and in whom Mr. Sober says 
 he finds the nearest approach to a rival in game 
 1 Clara, wife of ex-County Treasurer 
 1» S. Hollibaugh, M. D., a prominent physician 
 of Shamokin, Penn. The mother of this inter- 
 esting family was not only an excellent rifleshot, 
 but was also an expert mechanic, many a time 
 in her girlhood assisting her father in his shop, 
 he being a gun maker by occupation. In fact, 
 so skilled was she that with her own hands 
 manufactured a -mi that became the property ■[ 
 her future husband. 
 
 Up to the age of eighteen our subject re- 
 mained at home, his summers being spent in 
 farm work, and his winters devoted to study 
 in the neighboring schools. So well did he 
 improve these educati >nal opportunities that 
 he prepared himself for teaching, and on leaving 
 lion lie 1 ngaged in that profession with 
 
 such success that he continued it through eight- 
 
 terms with increasing reputation. His vaca- 
 tions were spent in study at higher schools, or in 
 various occupations, such as pumping oil in the 
 oil 1 il tin-- Mate, working in a sawmill, in 
 
 blast furnaces, or in the rolling mills at Danville, 
 Penn. His industry knew no bounds, and when 
 he had a •• night turn " he would take contracts 
 
 unload coal boats or draw board rafts during 
 lay. 
 
 Among the higher schools he attended was 
 the Danville Academy, and, in [854, at the close 
 of his term there, he found himself obliged to 
 look around for work of some kind, his circum- 
 stances, financially, not being the best, whilst, 
 moreover, he was too proud to accept any as- 
 nce from his father. It so happened that 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 801 
 
 one of his schoolmates, a lad by the name of C. 
 R. Savage (now judge of Northumberland coun- 
 ty), having exhausted all his means, was obliged 
 to seek some kind of employment before the term 
 of school came to a close, and procured work at 
 corn-husking with a farmer named Fox. Through 
 this old school "chum," young Sober, now 
 twenty-two years old, and of slight build made 
 application to William Fox for similar work. 
 The latter, however, having "sized up " the 
 youthful applicant, remarked that he was too 
 light for such a task, and that his earnings there- 
 at would be very meagre. (The corn shocks 
 were 7x9, or sixty-three hills). Nevertheless 
 the lad's application being favorably received, he 
 began work on the following morning, and when 
 night came it was found he had husked no less than 
 eighty-six shocTs! Mr. Fox having left the farm 
 for a few days, a report was made to Mrs. Fox 
 by some of the hands, of the rapid work of the 
 new man, whereupon she immediately sent for 
 Mr. Sober and informed him that he was dis- 
 charged for the reason that he " would break 
 her husband up!" He thereupon demanded set- 
 tlement and his pay; but, Mrs. Fox being unpro- 
 vided with necessary funds, young Sober was 
 permitted to remain at work until her husband's 
 return. On the latter's arrival home, and on his 
 learning of this phenomenal record in husking, 
 he at once set about to investigate whether or 
 not the work was well done. In his examination 
 he failed to find a single stalk with an ear re- 
 maining unhusked. All this might be counted a 
 mystery were it not explained away by the fact 
 that Mr. Sober accomplished with two motions 
 what others required four to do. 
 
 Another anecdote, bearing on Mr. Sober's in- 
 nate skill and natural adaptability to existing 
 circumstances, is recorded of him in quite a dif- 
 ferent trend. "The hammer in the hand above 
 all the arts doth stand " is a well-known adage, 
 and Mr. Sober's present expertness with the an- 
 vil is better known than is his boyhood expe- 
 rience with one, as here related: When he was 
 a sixteen-year-old lad he had a long distance to 
 tramp to school, and about midway between his 
 home and the school house was a blacksmith 
 shop or "smithy," where on cold days he would 
 stop to warm himself and watch the smith forg- 
 ing horse-shoe nails, etc. One day young Sober 
 asked permission of this son of Vulcan to make 
 a horse-shoe nail, whereupon the latter laugh- 
 ingly asked the lad if he was aware that to learn 
 to do such a job properly required usually a full 
 year's apprenticeship. Nevertheless, the un- 
 daunted stripling insisted upon being allowed to 
 try his hand, at least, and after but five attempts 
 
 51* 
 
 he presented to the astonished blacksmith a per- 
 fect nail, ready for use! 
 
 In 1880 our subject was employed, by the 
 day, by Beecher & Zimmerman, lumbermen, 
 who, quickly recognizing his ability, at the end of 
 a month offered to receive him into the firm. 
 He accordingly purchased a one-third interest, 
 and on the death of Mr. Zimmerman, a year or 
 two later, Mr. Sober bought one-half of the de- 
 ceased's interest, thus becoming a half owner of 
 the entire business. The firm, which is one of 
 the largest lumbering concerns in the State, their 
 offices and freight depot being situated at Glen 
 Union, in Clinton county, now owns over 45,000 
 acres of the best timber lands in Pennsylvania, em- 
 ployment being given to a small army of one hun- 
 dred men. Their sawmills turn out, each month, 
 one and one-half million feet of sawed lumber, 
 and at least 125 car-loads of prop timber, per 
 month. In this connection it might not be out 
 of place to cite an illustration of Mr. Sober's 
 business acumen and foresight. His first pur- 
 chase of prop timber was 1,100 acres bought 
 "on the stump," and by the ton, at fifty cents 
 per ton, and he immediately arranged for its 
 transportation by rail, securing a reduction of 
 fifty cents per ton (just the sum the timber cost 
 him) from the regular rate; thus his purchase in 
 reality cost him nothing, while at the same time 
 he was the first to buy, sell and transport timber 
 by the pound. 
 
 Mr. Sober was the head and front of this 
 concern, everything being under his supervision, 
 he giving his attention mainly to the field work 
 of the company, his special province being 
 the examination of timber land, and' the direc- 
 tion of operations in the woods. Independent of 
 the Glen Union plant, he conducts an extensive 
 personal business; his shipments for the year 
 1897 aggregating 1,542 car-loads of prop-timber, 
 pulp-wood, lumber and hay. His administra- 
 tive and executive ability is well exemplified in 
 the generalship he displays in handling and con- 
 trolling his many employees, something that in 
 the lumber woods requires no little tact and dis- 
 cretion. He is a master of every detail of his 
 business, and has never had a mechanic in his 
 employ to whom he could not teach something, 
 while he often finds points in the machinery of 
 his plant upon which, perfect though it may 
 seem, he could suggest some improvement. This 
 comprehensive grasp of detail is characteristic of 
 the man; and it is also said of him that wherever 
 and whenever he sees an effect he is sure to find 
 the cause — that is in anything that may interest 
 him. He is so thorough a business man, and so 
 prominent as a citizen, that it would be injustice 
 

 COMMEMORATIVE DIOGliM'llKM. JtEroRD. 
 
 to him to give undue prominence even to his 
 marvelous feats with the shotgun, which will be 
 fullv spoken of farther on. He has made his own 
 way in the world with a clear-eyed singleness of 
 purpose which i one of his unerring aim 
 
 at a target. In all his enterprises, great and 
 small, he is precise and painstaking, and tin- 
 strictest integrity marks his business dealings, 
 every obligation being met promptly and fully. 
 While he would not take an unfair advantage of 
 an opponent in a shooting contest or an athletic 
 
 and wi tuld n< >t accept a penny thai 
 did nol consider his due. neither would he 
 smother his sense of right and yield tamely to an 
 infringement upon his own just claims. Thor- 
 ry thing is one of his strong points, 
 and he will never allow himself to be excelled in 
 t, if earnest, persistent thought and 
 labor will win. 
 
 Mr. Sober is not only a marvel of ambidex- 
 terity with the shotgun, as the reader will pi 
 ently d and an expert in work on the 
 
 anvil, as above recorded, but he is also highly 
 skilled in taxidermy, an art that cannot be 
 learned in a da) , yel one that came to linn natur- 
 ally and without any instruction. Some fine 
 i his skill in mounting birds, etc., in- 
 cluding an eagle shot by N. B Grugan, of 
 Gl ii Union, and which measured seven I 
 from tip to tip of wings (prepared for Dr. B. II. 
 Warren, the State Zoologist), were exhibited at 
 the World's Fair held in Chicago in [893, and at- 
 
 racted much attention and man) encon ns ol 
 
 praise; while among other specimens, he has in 
 
 possession some five deer heads, taken from 
 nol'i ils of his own slaying, and mounted 
 
 by himsell 
 
 I hen also, as an engraver on gold and other 
 metaU. he excels, in this respeel being not 1 
 whit behind professionals, though he never re- 
 ceived instruction in the art. his designing and 
 engraving of horses, dogs, violins, locomotives, 
 etc. (from tools of his own making), being sur- 
 
 ngly ele'. 
 
 Socially, Mr. Soberis looked upon as a prince 
 anion- men, exceedingly pleasant and affable, 
 and he is a perfect gentleman, hospitable and 
 liberal — in short, " a royal good fellow, 
 called b\ bis closest acquaintances, and he alv 
 carries under his vest a big heart. He is a man 
 pro] . active, strong and 
 
 quick, in height about five feel ten inches, and 
 weighing some 175 pounds; his complexion is 
 Bandy, much tanned by his out-door 
 life; possessed of the bright blue eyes of a sure 
 shot — in fact what you might expect in the maki - 
 up of a sportsman; and although in age he is now 
 
 midway between the half-century and the three- 
 score mark, he only shows a better developed 
 maturity of vigorous manhood. In his habits he 
 is very abstemious, using neither tobacco nor 
 liquor in any shape. In his political predilec- 
 tions he has always been a Democrat, but has 
 never found time to seek official preferment or 
 recognition, save that in May, 1 884, he was com- 
 missioned, by Postmaster-General Walter Q, 
 Gresham, postmas'tcr at Sober (Centre county 1. 
 which office was named in his honor, and of which 
 he was the first postmaster. He was also post- 
 master at Glen Union. Clinton county, from 1892 
 to 1897. In 1870 he was appointed, by Gov. 
 [ohn W. Geary, coal and iron policeman for the 
 
 te of Pennsylvania, he being one of six, and 
 clothed with all the authority of the city 
 police. In 1S7S he was appointed mercantile 
 appraiser of Northumberland county, Penn.. he- 
 me, chosen from among twelve- applicants. On 
 November 17, 1896, he was appointed, by Gov. 
 1). H. Hastings. State game commissioner, which 
 office he still holds. 
 
 In 1 No ( Coleman K. Sober was united in 
 marriage with Miss Bernetta Anderson, of North- 
 umberland county, a daughter of Jacob and 
 Phebe Anderson, and four children blessed their 
 union, two of whom are deceased; those living 
 are: (ij Mary B. has been twice married, first 
 time to Harry drove, by whom she had 
 child. Helen Mary; after Mr. Gro\ •■ s decease his 
 widow wedded Martin I.esher, and they have - 
 child, Bernetta Edna; Mrs. Lesher is skilled in 
 oil, pastel and crayon work, and excels in free- 
 hand drawing. (2) Waldron Bland married Miss 
 K. Elizabeth Bright; although yet a young man. 
 he has acquired marvelous skill as a trap-shot, 
 and as a sportsman few of the old hunters 
 "bt game in a day than he. Our sub- 
 
 ject's residence .at present is at Lewisburg, Union 
 Penn., where he has a pleasant home, in 
 which he enjoys himself as the result ol years of 
 energetic business life. His attention to detail 
 is shown in the perfect appointments ol Ins home. 
 Every part of the premises shows his careful 
 mar \ and his stables, in which he keeps 
 
 some fine horses, some of them beine. last trot- 
 ters, are sufficiently neat and comfortable for the 
 1 human beings. 
 
 We now pass from Coleman K. Sober, the 
 business man, the blacksmith, the engraver, the 
 
 idermist, the private gentleman, to Coleman 
 K. Sober, the champion shot-gun shot of the 
 world, the "Wizard of the Gun;" and only in a 
 
 I- what limited manner can we speak of his 
 marvelous skill, for his wonderful gun-feats num- 
 ber at least one hundred and fifty, and he can en- 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 803 
 
 tertain a multitude of spectators three full hours 
 with his fancy shooting alone. It is but just to 
 say of him that he is not only the champion trick 
 (or trap) shot of the world, but the champion 
 all-round shot of the universe. We have here 
 used the word "trick" as a sort of colloquialism, 
 but it is not the correct term, as, in truth, Mr. 
 Sober's feats with the gun are not mere "tricks," 
 but the effect or result of scientific and skillful 
 calculation. He says he does not know how he 
 acquired his expertness, but "guesses it was 
 born in him." Indeed, inheritance, as has al- 
 ready been mentioned, has not a little to do with 
 this astounding skill of his, in which he has no 
 rival the world over; and this same inheritance 
 has clung to him from early boyhood, through 
 every change in occupation and fortune. 
 
 When as a boy Mr. Sober began to handle 
 a gun, he determined to excel in its use, and 
 often he would do his farm "chores" at night 
 in order to gain time for practice in the woods 
 by daylight. Many an hour he has also spent at 
 night in practicing some difficult feat, or some 
 new method of handling his weapon. With 
 such persistent exercise in rapid and accurate use 
 it is no wonder that he does marvels, and his 
 constant travel in the forest in connection with 
 his business enables him to continue his favorite 
 sport almost constantly. 
 
 It will be seen that in 1875 he was but little 
 more than a boy, and, to show that he has from 
 early boyhood been a prodigy, we cite some re- 
 markable local sweepstake exhibitions given by 
 him between September, 1875, and August, 1877. 
 During this time he participated in various contests 
 — shooting at 481 live pigeons, and killing 440, 
 an astounding record of more than 91 per cent! 
 It must be remembered, also, that these birds were 
 killed at twenty-one yards rise — and with the 
 use of only one barrel; excepting that out of 
 this number he shot nineteen doubles standing 
 midway between the traps forty-one yards apart. 
 
 For several years past Mr. Sober has hunted 
 Ruffed Grouse only, as that is the quickest bird 
 in America to get into full flight upon discovery, 
 and gives him the rapid work which he enjoys. 
 During the fall of 1890 he shot thirty-two of 
 these birds without a miss, and in the last fifty 
 that he killed that year he shot at fifty-five only. 
 The press of this and other States has often 
 made extended mention of his wonderful feats, 
 and from the American Field of January 9, 
 1892, we glean the following: 
 
 "In the spring of 1880, he shot 537 wild 
 pigeons in three days at Kane, Penn., while the 
 birds were flying to and from their feeding- 
 grounds, and at no time did he kill more than 
 
 one bird at a shot. For a number of years, 
 however, the increased pressure of business 
 cares has prevented Mr. Sober from attending 
 trap shoots, from which fact some people think 
 he cannot shoot over a trap, but his scores on 
 record show he had no difficulty in winning 
 when he did attend. He never broke 100 King- 
 birds straight, but has broken 100 out of 101. 
 He has never killed 100 live pigeons straight, 
 but he killed ninety-six out of 100, at twenty- 
 one yards rise, using one barrel only. At a 
 match at twelve live bats to each man, in which 
 seventeen shooters contested, Mr. Sober won 
 with a score of eleven killed, it being the only 
 match at bats in which he had contested. 
 
 "When he attended trap shoots he often made 
 clean scores at glass balls. King-birds and live 
 pigeons, often making from fourteen to thirty 
 straight kills, and readily defeated all who shot 
 against him. The most remarkable exhibitions 
 of Mr. Sober's skill, however, are in trick shoot- 
 ing, or as he terms it ' rough and tumble shoot- 
 ing, ' in which he handicaps himself in many 
 different ways, shooting from all sorts of posi- 
 tions at King-birds, glass balls or live pigeons 
 sprung from a trap, in which his scores are fully 
 equal to those made by many trap shooters who 
 shoot from the shoulder and are not in any way 
 handicapped. Through long practice of these 
 feats — many of which he originated — Mr. Sober 
 has become so expert that he can perform more 
 unique shots with the double-barreled shotgun than 
 any other living man. He performs at least one 
 hundred and fifty feats, each shot being more 
 marvelous than the preceding one, all from 
 different positions or under new forms of handi- 
 cap. He breaks glass balls or Kjng-birds_from 
 either shoulder, with handkerchiefs tied around 
 both barrels of his gun, with the barrels 
 thrust through objects of different sizes, varying 
 from a cigar-box up to a flour barrel, with his 
 gun either side up, and 
 with wonderful accuracy, 
 own target (single or double), and then breaks 
 the targets. He shoots from almost every con- 
 ceivable position, standing and lying, holding the 
 gun over his head, between his legs, at his neck 
 or breast, etc. 
 
 "Mr. Sober commences with simple shots, 
 single and double, and goes from one feat to an- 
 other, handicapping himself, not only as we have 
 described, but in many other ways. At Lewis- 
 burg, Penn., in the fall of 1886, he gave his 
 fourth public exhibition, when he shot at 130 
 glass balls from fifty-one different positions, and 
 missed but eight. At the tournament of the 
 Elmk-a (N. Y.) Gun Club, in July, 18S7, Mr. 
 
 a 
 
 in many other ways, 
 He even springs his 
 
MM 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGUA I'/fH A L RECORD. 
 
 Sober made a phenomenal record. He shot at 
 ios ills, from seventy-nine very difficult 
 
 positions, an<! missed hut fourteen. 
 
 "The most difficult of Mr. Sober's shooting 
 I"- photographed for the purpos 
 illustrate placing his gun on the ground 
 
 at a distance of ei spring his own 
 
 running and picking up his gun, 
 breaking single or double targets- King-bin 
 glass balls. In man) ol the (cats which In- \ 
 
 r can turn back to the trap, call 
 ■pull,' pick up his gun with the box, keg <>r bar- 
 rel on it. as ■• may be, turn around and 
 scori- ther singles Mes. 
 "He can break double King-birds, one with 
 
 his gun overhead ami theotherfr his shoulder, 
 
 or one from between his legs ami the other from 
 the shoulder. Scoring doubles, one from each 
 i, is to him hut a simple pastime. The 
 \h Sobei performs in shooting with boxes, 
 barrels, tables and obstructions around 
 
 :un ban idered successful only by 
 
 >f the nicety of calculation which he has 
 acquired by long practice. Many who see the 
 King-birds glass balls, or live pigeons fall before 
 his unerring aim wonder how he hail got si^ht 
 i or under such obstructions. He does not 
 take sight, for that would be impossible. His 
 success is due to remarkably accurate calcula- 
 tions. When it is remembered that there are at 
 least one hundred ami titty different trick sh its 
 mi his list, m. in in more difficult than we 
 
 havi I and the fact is considered that 
 
 Mr N>ber's challenge to the world m his line of 
 shooting remained open two years, ami that he 
 has never been defeated in that line in a match, 
 it is not strange that he is called the champion of 
 the world by many admirers in his native Mate. " 
 There is hardly a sportsman in the State of 
 Pennsylvania who has not seen him shoot, and 
 few in the United Mates who have not read of 
 his accomplishments with the gun. He takes 
 pleasure in showing the world what perfection 
 can be attained in tl lling of the shot-gun. 
 
 and there is scarcely an exhibition of importance 
 in the State to which he is not invited. To give 
 a full detailed account of all his exhibitions would 
 be unnecessary in this article; but his achieve- 
 nts cannot by an) means be passed lightly 
 over. 
 
 Mr. Sober has proved him- If to be, beyond a 
 peradventure, the < n ill-round shot-gun 
 
 shot of the world, a title he does not assume, but 
 which belongs to him by right, ami by virtue of 
 his challenge to the whole world to enter the 
 lists with him. This challenge has never been 
 accepted; but a critical view of Mr. Sober's 
 
 marvelous shots will remove all doubt as to his 
 ability to vanquish any other specialist in his line. 
 The case stands as follows: In the American 
 Field of February 23, 1889, Mr. Sober "issued 
 a challenge to any man in the world — Dr. \Y. F. 
 
 . er preferred — to shoot an exhibition match 
 
 nst him with a double-barrel shot-gun for a 
 of five hundred dollars a side; and he offered 
 to pay the expenses of any one who would meet 
 him and shoot at Sunbury, Penn. , the following 
 May." Previously Mr. Sober ami Dr. Carver 
 had correspondence through the columns of the 
 American Field, ami tin former had de] 
 fifty dollars forfeit as an earnest of his sincerity. 
 Subsequently H. C. Fuller ami Mr. Sober had 
 some correspondence through the same medium, 
 but in neither case was a match made, and Mr. 
 Sobers money was returned to him after the 
 1 couple ol years. In tin- i ait 
 
 must be borne in mind that he is not a prot 
 sional shot, nor has he ever posed as such, n 
 withstanding his well-known ability; and. more- 
 over, he never perform-, tor money, his public 
 exhibitions being for the benefit of some public 
 charity, or to aid in the attraction to State and 
 
 nty fairs, Grange picnics, Grand Army re- 
 unions, 01 such like, and he is always sure to be 
 a "drawing card,'* as the wonder shot of the 
 world, thousands of delighted spectators witness- 
 ing with interest his bewildering ('.its. What 
 adds a charm to the occasion is his modest, un- 
 assuming manner. He comes on the scene with 
 a calmness and unobtrusiveness that at once wins 
 the attention of his audience; then what he does 
 is square business, with nothing to attract but 
 the merits of the very tine work he does with the 
 shotgun. An article in the Meadville Republican, 
 ol September ro, 1S04. written by an eyewitness 
 of one of these exhibitions, covers in a few words 
 what might be said of all Mr. Sober's perform- 
 ances, and we quote therefrom in part: "The 
 members of our Gun Club visited him in large 
 numbers, and got from him many points of m- 
 
 iction, which hi ery much pleased to 
 
 impart. His skill with the gun wis even more 
 than advertised. He shot with effect in almost 
 every conceivable position, and the gun in every 
 variety of grasp — under him, over him, to right, 
 to left, sittme,. standing, lying, with gun al 
 his head, between his feet, upside down, thrust 
 through barrels, boxes and tables, and in ever) 
 position except with the muzzle in his hands. 
 I on, 1 applause greeted his numerous wonderful 
 shot- Indeed, we might quote page after page 
 of similar encomiums, did space permit; yet a 
 just tribute to "Creation's greatest shot,'' we 
 plead as excuse, were such necessary, for dwell- 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 805 
 
 ing longer on this highly interesting subject. In 
 addition to newspaper and other extracts in this 
 article, we quote the following: 
 
 "At Centre Hall, in 1889, when Mr. Sober 
 commenced shooting, the wind was blowing a 
 regular gale, and no one of the ten thousand vis- 
 itors expected to see more than a few plain shots. 
 But Mr. Sober is not built that way. He be- 
 lieves in giving every piece on the programme, 
 gale or no gale. All the fancy shots were made, 
 and in all his shooting he missed but one King- 
 bird, which was caught by the wind and darted 
 down in such a manner as to make it impossible 
 to hit it. Everybody expressed astonishment at 
 the remarkable work, no one having any idea 
 that it was possible under the circumstances; 
 and no one will believe hereafter that there is a 
 man on the face of the earth than can compete 
 with C. K. Sober, when it comes to fancy wing 
 shooting." [Mifflinburg Telegram.} " Dr. Car- 
 ver, Buffalo Bill, Capt, Bogardus, and many 
 other renowned marksmen have given exhibitions, 
 but none have ever excelled Mr. Sober's. " [El- 
 mira Daily Advertiser, July 2, 1887.] "He 
 handles a shotgun as a boy would a tin rattle — 
 is as quick as lightning, and as sure as fate. He 
 accomplishes all — even the most difficult — shots 
 with the greatest ease and grace, and by the 
 time the ordinary marksmen get through aiming, 
 Mr. Sober will have broken a barrel of King-birds. " 
 [Middleburg (Snyder county) Post, September 
 24, 1 89 1.] " But the greatest feature of the day 
 was the shooting of Mr. C. K. Sober and his son. 
 This was a revelation to the visitors to the fair. 
 Mr. Sober is a wonderful marksman. He shot 
 at 147 targets yesterday from a great number of 
 different positions, and at all sorts of disadvanta- 
 ges, yet he did not miss a single one. This is, 
 perhaps, the greatest exhibition Mr. Sober ever 
 gave, and this is equivalent to saying that the 
 York County Fair grounds have been the scene of 
 the greatest shooting ever done in the world. 
 Nothing can prevent him from scoring. He 
 shoots just as accurately with the gun turned up- 
 side down and thrust through a flour barrel as 
 he does with the gun in the usual position." 
 [York Gazette, October, 1894.] 
 
 We will conclude our description of Mr. So- 
 ber's trap-shooting with the account of a couple 
 of amazing and almost incredible shots that he 
 makes: A bird is thrown from the trap thirty 
 yards away from the shooter, who stands with 
 his side toward the trap, gun inverted, the barrel 
 of which is passed right through a wooden box 
 14x16 inches in size, and gun (with barrel in 
 the box as described) held at arm's length di- 
 rectly above his head. Thus handicapped, the 
 
 marksman pulls the trigger, and the bird drops 
 to the ground ! This feat has been accom- 
 plished by no other human being, and reads like 
 one of Baron Munchausen's fictions, but it is 
 nevertheless true in every particular. Another re- 
 markable feat Mr. Sober accomplishes with ease 
 is to spring two King-birds from a trap, shoot 
 one of them from between his legs while standing 
 with his back toward the trap, then turn quickly 
 and drop the second King-bird. We cannot avoid 
 giving special emphasis to the four exhibitions 
 given by Mr. Sober at the York County Fair, 
 before a multitude of fifty thousand people, 
 where he shot at 588 targets with but five misses, 
 two of which were made on his first day's trial, 
 three being lost on the fourth day, toward the 
 close of his final exhibition. A representative of 
 the publishers of this work by invitation attended 
 one of Mr. Sober's shooting entertainments given 
 at Brooke Park (Lewisburg) in October, 1897, 
 where was witnessed the killing of sixty-five pig- 
 eons without a miss, and the breaking of 200 
 targets without an error ! And it must be borne 
 in mind that not a shot was made without some 
 form of handicap — shooting from both shoulders; 
 gun inverted, and above his head; with gun 
 thrust through powder kegs, flour barrels, boxes, 
 etc. — yet he seemed to experience neither hin- 
 drance nor inconvenience. It was like the leg- 
 erdemain of some great wizard. 
 
 For several years past Mr. Sober has passed 
 most of his time in the forest, hunting out tim- 
 ber lands and superintending lumber operations. 
 These pursuits have rendered it possible for him 
 to follow his favorite sport of shooting Ruffed 
 Grouse (Bonasa umbellus) almost uninterruptedly 
 during the proper season, and a gentleman who 
 has accompanied him on such expeditions says 
 that, although he has hunted with many expert 
 wing shots, it has never been his privilege to 
 meet any one in field or cover who was able to 
 demonstrate the phenomenal skill which Mr. 
 Sober displays at different times when grouse- 
 shooting in the wilds of Pennsylvania. 
 
 Mr. Sober, it would seem, shoots by instinct 
 rather than by sight. The number of Ruffed 
 Grouse, alone, killed by him during the past few 
 years is astonishing. In 1884 he shot 95; in 
 1885. 87; in 1886, 108; in 1887, 40; in 1888, 1 17; 
 in 1889, 116; to December 15, 1890, 148; to De- 
 cember 21, 1891, 103; in 1S92, 105; in 1893, 
 79; in 1894, 97;in 1895, 84; in 1896, 92; and in 
 1897, 106 — a total for the fourteen years of 
 1,377 birds, or an average of over ninety-eight 
 each season. On November 5, 1897, he killed 
 seven Ruffed Grouse out of eight fired at, and 
 many a day he has shot at and killed every grouse 
 

 MOIIATIVK BIOQRAPHIOAL RECORD. 
 
 he would see. In a two-days' hunt in December, 
 1880, at the foot of Shade Mountain, near 
 Adamsburg, Perm., he shot sixteen pheasants 
 (Ruffed G twelve rabbits, four wild turkeys 
 
 and one graj squirrel. [See illustration. ] 
 
 Mr. Sol thai most of these birds were 
 
 killed on his own lands 'luring his bush 
 tramps, and that one of the best shots he ever 
 made at Ruffed Grouse was as follows: He had 
 been on the mountains chestnutting, and was re- 
 turning home with a bag ol chestnuts on one 
 should) 1. his gun with a basket hanging from the 
 barrels slung over the same shoulder, ami an axe 
 in the other hand, while walking along a lumber 
 road a Ruffed Grouse suddenly flushed from the 
 side of the road, and Mr. Sober d the axe, 
 
 the bag and the basket in time to shoot the bird. 
 He has never met any one who had the requisite 
 endurance to stay with him an entire day in field 
 or cover shooting when he traveled at the 
 he 11-11, oU takes while hunting alone. To still 
 more fully set forth the wonderful ingenuity of our 
 subject, it is proper here to speak of a simple de- 
 he invented and always carries with him on 1 
 his hunting expeditions. It is an implement for 
 eviscerating game birds, and whenever he kills 
 one. he immediately, oi as soon after as he maj 
 have op; this little instrument. It 
 
 is vi pie, merely a little twig, sharpened at 
 
 end with .1 small spur near the pointed end. 
 This hi iiinler the tail of the bird, then 
 
 gi\ ' I the entrails 
 
 jected. The larger part of the 
 gun. hi kills goes to the tables of his friends and 
 the bedside of the sick. In hunting the Ruffed 
 Grouse which, by the way, he claims is the 
 gamiest bird in America, he uses pointer dogs 
 trained by himself to such a marvelous deg 
 ol pi rfection that their intelligence seems almost 
 human. He has no use [or setters in that pur- 
 suit, for, as he says, they are too headstrong and 
 fast and not sufficiently cautious. 
 
 About his guns we must also say something. 
 The first one he used was, when he was a lad. 
 an old " flint-lock owned by an elder brother, 
 and with that the boy killed squirrels and rabbits 
 
 by the hundred- was plentiful in Pennsyl- 
 
 vania thru , and with it he downed quails, occa- 
 sionally, on the wing as well. The first gun he 
 
 owned he I ght foi one dollar and a half, and 
 
 it was a 28-inch, 20-gauge, sim I. which 
 
 he says was made ir pol metal for all he 
 
 knows; but with it he did great work on quails 
 and pheasants (Ruffed Grouse] on the wing, and 
 he still has that old gun. Next he had another 
 single 28-inch, [4-gauge gun made to order, with 
 which he did fineshooting also. His third gun was 
 
 adoubled-barreled, 30-inch barrels, 14-gauge, that 
 weighed eight pounds, and with it he defeated 
 the best shots in Pennsylvania at the trap in 
 pigeon shooting. The next gun he bought was a 
 Parker Brothers make. He still uses their guns, 
 and says he will do so until he rinds a better arm; 
 for shooting game he uses a cylinder-bore, 28- 
 inch barrels, of either 10-gauge or 12-gauge. In 
 his "den," as he calls it, a room which he has 
 appropriated to his exclusive use in his beautiful 
 home in Lewisburg, there are suggestions, from 
 the number and variety of guns, of a small arse- 
 nal. But after long experience with various 
 makes of shotguns he has arrived at the conclu- 
 sion that American-made arms are equally as 
 good as, and he believes superior to, those of 
 foreign manufacture, for shooting in the field and 
 cover. 
 
 For many years past, Mr. Sober has 
 ceedingly energetic in his endeavors to propagate 
 game and fish. - purchased large num- 
 
 bers of birds, particularly quail, and liberated 
 them in different localities in the various fertile 
 valleys of the Susquehanna. His love for trout 
 fishing has led him to stock numerous streams in 
 Centre, Clinton and Lycoming counties with 
 brook and other varities of trout. 
 
 Sui h is thi life history of this successful busi- 
 ness man and phenomenal marksman. Of the 
 success in life which America affords to an ener- 
 getic, persevering and industrious man, no mat- 
 ter how humble his origin, Mr. Sober is a fair ex- 
 ample. He is, withal, a typical self-made man. 
 the mainspring of whose character has in his busy 
 life been the qualities of energy and persistence, 
 coupled with the strictest integrity of purpose, 
 unflinching firmness and characteristic love of (air 
 play. 
 
 i NTHONY ARMSTRONG is a hading fac- 
 TL tor in the public life of Allenwood, Union 
 county, as carrying on general merchandising. 
 He has back of him an honorable ancestry, prom- 
 inently connected with the history of the Mate. 
 ami he wears worthily the untarnished name which 
 i to him. 
 His randfather, James Armstrong, was 
 
 born in County Fermanagh, Ireland, and on May 
 30, 1786, landed in A He located in 
 
 Philadelphia, and soon secured a position as pro- 
 lessor of mathematics in Pennsylvania Academy. 
 He married Eleanor Pollock, a lady of superior 
 culture and womanly graces, belonging to one of 
 the distinguished families of the State. At an 
 . day thej removed to Northumberland coun- 
 ty, Penn.. where James Armstrong purchased a 
 
GamP k,l] p H i n ;V K U ^ p AKALLELED EeCORD ! 
 
 ofTAfilt^^lZ^ 1 ^ C ^ am P— Ground Snot-g.n Slxof 
 Mountain ne^ L™ i Y ^ Unf ml)eGei ^ei 1880, at foot of Shade 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 807 
 
 large farm. He died September 20, 1829, at the 
 age of seventy-five years, and his wife died Feb- 
 ruary 26, 1823. Their youngest son, Richard, 
 was the father of Gen. Samuel Armstrong, who 
 commanded a battalion of colored troops in the 
 Civil war, and was one of the founders of the 
 Freedman's Academy at Hampton Roads, near 
 Norfolk, Virginia. 
 
 Capt. Anthony Armstrong, the grandfather of 
 our subject, was born September 6, 1788, and 
 won his title by commanding a militia company. 
 He died on the old homestead near Milton, Penn. , 
 in 1S66. He had one sister, Mary, nowdeceascl, 
 and two brothers, James, a surveyor of McEwens- 
 ville, Penn., and Richard, previously mentioned. 
 Capt. Armstrong married Elizabeth Guffy, daugh- 
 ter of Alexander Guffy, and their children were: 
 Jane, wife of Edward Derickson; Matilda, who 
 became the wife of John F. Dentler, and had ten 
 children; Margaret, wife of John Sloan; Andrew; 
 James P., who married Margaret Guffy; and 
 George W., who married Elizabeth Witter. He 
 served in the Mexican war, was a general of the 
 State militia before the Civil war, and is now a 
 retired merchant of McEwensville, Pennsylvania. 
 
 The maternal great-grandparents of our sub- 
 ject were John and Mary (Curry) Watson, the 
 former a native of Ireland, whence he emigrated 
 to Chester county, Penn. Watsontown was 
 named in his honor, and both he and his wife 
 were buried in the cemetery there. He owned 
 1,000 acres of land at that place, and was one 
 of the leading men of the community. The 
 grandparents, George and Elizabeth (Vincent) 
 Watson, were farming people of Northumberland 
 county, where they spent their entire lives. 
 
 Andrew Armstrong, father of our subject, was 
 born on the old family homestead in North- 
 umberland county, October 27, 181 5, and 
 throughout his business career engaged in agri- 
 cultural pursuits. His last eight years were 
 spent in retirement from business cares. He 
 held a number of township offices, and was highly 
 esteemed for his sterling worth. He married 
 Angeline Watson, who was born on the Watson 
 farmstead December 15, 181 5. His death 
 occurred April 10, 1888, and his wife, who was 
 a member of the Presbyterian Church, died May 
 20, 1865. Their marriage, which was celebrated 
 January 26, 1838, was blessed with the following 
 children: George W., who died at the age of 
 five years; Elizabeth J., wife of H. P. Allen, 
 who founded the town of Allenwood, where he 
 now follows general merchandising; Emma, of 
 Watsontown; Mary, who became the wife of 
 Fred Gosh, and died leaving three children; 
 James D., who married Anna Zeigler, and oper- 
 
 ates the old Armstrong farm; Seth, who died in 
 childhood; Anthony; David W., who married 
 Jane McWilliams, and is also living on the old 
 Armstrong farm. 
 
 Anthony Armstrong, of this review, was born 
 in Turbut township, Northumberland county, 
 August 17, 1852, and attended the high school in 
 Watsontown. At the age of fifteen he began 
 clerking for H. P. Allen, of Allenwood, in whose 
 employ he remained until 1872, when he went 
 to Lock Haven, Penn., where for four years he 
 was employed as a salesman in the general store 
 of J. W. Bridgins. On February 1, 1877, he 
 went to Black Hills, Dakota, and was a member 
 of the Philadelphia Mining Company, operating 
 on Rapid creek. During that time he repre- 
 sented the Camp Crook district in convention on 
 new Territory, held in Deadwood, Dakota, 
 September 29, 1877, which convened for the 
 purpose of electing a representative to Congress, 
 who could secure the independence of that Terri- 
 tory. He left Dakota October 29, 1877, and 
 returning to Allenwood was again employed by 
 Mr. Allen until 1889. He was then for two 
 years treasurer and manager of the Allenwood 
 planing-mill, and on August 1, 1893, he embarked 
 in general merchandising. Here he has secured 
 a good patronage, and is meeting with excellent 
 success. 
 
 On January 6, 1881, Mr. Armstrong was mar- 
 ried to Miss Kate Griffey, who was born in Gregg 
 township. Union county, March 19, i860, a 
 daughter of Benjamin and Margaret (McCor- 
 mick) Griffey. Her father was a railroad con- 
 tractor, bridge builder and miller. He at one 
 time part owned and operated the largest 
 woolen-mills in Pennsylvania, the machinery in 
 the same costing $110,000; the plant was de- 
 stroyed by fire. He built the high bridge at 
 Sandy Hook, Conn., and a number of others. 
 Both he and his wife are now deceased. They 
 were members of the Washington Presbyterian 
 Church, and in politics he was a Republican. 
 Their children were: Martha, wife of C. L. 
 Gudykunst, a farmer and tax collector of Gregg 
 township. Union county; Robert, a miller of 
 White Deer Mills, who married Laura Bower, 
 whose father is president of the First National 
 Bank of Watsontown; Clara, wife of W. C. Fore- 
 man, a farmer and live-stock dealer of Alvira, 
 Penn. ; and Mrs. Armstrong. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong have three interest- 
 ing children: Elizabeth, born in 1 88 1 ; Robert, in 
 1885, and Richard, March 12, 1898. The family 
 is prominent, and well-known people of the com- 
 munity, and its members have a large circle of 
 warm friends throughout Union county. Mr. 
 
808 
 
 < "MMEMOUATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 Armstrong served as postmaster, which office he 
 filled from 1 888 until 1S91. and to which In- was 
 re-appointed on August 1, 1893, serving to July 
 14, 1897. His business ability has brought him 
 success in his undertakings, and by Ins honorable 
 methods he has won the confidence of all with 
 whom he has corne in contact. 
 
 GEORGE CALVIN MOHN, M. D. To the 
 professional or commercial man whose suc- 
 cess has been worthily achieved, who has ac- 
 quired a high reputation in his chosen calling, 
 and whose social prominence is not less the result 
 an irreproachable life than of recognized natural 
 gifts, the world at large instinctively pays defer- 
 ence. Many a man mistakes his life-work, yet by 
 earnest application makes a partial success; but it 
 is only when natural tact is coupled with proper 
 ambition to succeed that anything like eminence 
 is reached in any vocation. Dr. Mohn has not 
 only gained an enviable reputation in the ranks 
 of the medical fraternity, but also stands high in 
 business and fraternal circles. 
 
 A native of Pennsylvania, having been born 
 May 24, 1X5S, in Centreville, Snyder county, our 
 subject is descended on both sidi old fam- 
 
 ilies prominent amoi loneers of the State. 
 
 Peter Mohn. his great-grandfather, was the 
 third son of Ludwig Mohn, who was born in 
 1730 at Hanovei Germany, whence he emi- 
 grated to America in 1753, and n Berks 
 county. Penn. , at or near where the city of Read- 
 ing now stands. Peter Mohn died in that county 
 in [832. 
 
 John Mohn, grandfather of Dr. Mohn, was 
 bom September 23, [788, near Reading, Penn., 
 and was there married to Elizabeth Reppard, of 
 that county, born May 15, 1793. Here their 
 family of six children were born, as follows: 
 I ih, who married Thomas Hartley; Peter, who 
 
 I a bachelor in 181 who married 
 
 N ah Kei ter, and moved to Ohio; [ulian, mar- 
 ried to 1' 11 Markle; Vmelia, wife of Isaac Culp; 
 and John, who is the only one of this family now 
 living, and will be spoken of farther on. In 1 
 Grandfather John Mohn moved with his family 
 fron i'. t , Union (now Snyder) coun- 
 
 ty, and passed the n si of his days there, dying 
 March 2, 1861, at Centreville. His wife passed 
 from earth at the same pi; \ '\vs\ 29, 1 
 
 John Mohn. the father of our su!>ject. was 
 bom in 1831, in Berks county, Penn., and. as 
 will be seen, was about live 1 when the 
 
 family moved to what i^ now Snyder county. 
 For a time he followed carpentry, but later has 
 de\ 1 mie and attention mainly to the saw- 
 
 mill business. As one of the leading Republicans 
 I of the community in which he lives, he has filled 
 various public offices in Snyder county, such as 
 constable of his township some eighteen years, 
 and for a time was county commissioner of Sny- 
 der county. In religious faith he is a Lutheran. 
 In 1S52 he married Miss Barbara Stun, who was 
 born in Snyder county, Penn., in 1829, and they 
 became the parents of the following children: 
 Alice, now the wife of William Hartman, of Cen- 
 treville; Henry, who is in business with his fa- 
 ther; George C, the subject proper of this re- 
 view; Charles, a graduate of the College of Phy- 
 sicians and Surgeons, of Baltimore, Md., and who 
 is now successfully engaged in practice at Jersey 
 Shore, Penn.; John E., a graduate of the Phila- 
 delphia College of Pharmacy, and now the owner 
 of two drug stores at Jersey Shore; William, who 
 is in business with his father at Centreville; James 
 O., a physician of St. Mary's, Elk Co., Penn., 
 who graduated from Jefferson Medical College in 
 ;: and Thomas E., a railroad agent at Muncy 
 Valley, Pennsylvania. 
 
 Dr. George C. Mohn received his earlier edu- 
 cation at Centreville and Selins Grove, Snyder 
 Co., Penn., and completed his literary studies at 
 Valparaiso, Ind., after which he taught school 
 for three winters. After reading medicine for a 
 time at Centreville he entered the College of 
 Physicians and Surgeons at Baltimore, Md., 
 graduating there with the class of '82, and on 
 the 13th of April, same year, he commenced the 
 practice of his chosen profession at Laurelton, 
 Union county, where his ability soon won him 
 recognition, and where he has built up for him- 
 self an enviable record as an eminently success- 
 ful physician. Possessed of a kindly and sym- 
 pathetic nature, a keen sense of discrimination, 
 a natural taste for the various branches of the 
 medical profession, coupled with quick intuition 
 and consummate skill, his success ami popularity 
 are no surprise to his many friends. For about 
 eight years the Doctor was also engaged in the 
 drug business at Laurelton, and, being a man of 
 more than ordinary business acumen, he soon 
 red considerable capital. Desiring to ex- 
 
 d his business relations and possibilities, he, 
 in 1892, became a member of the Laurelton 
 Lumber Co., which concern is now remarkable 
 
 having at its head three of the most enter- 
 prism n of the county. He is also a 
 Stockholder in and a director of the Linden Hall 
 Lumber Co., of Linden Hall, Penn., of which 
 also superintendent, 
 
 In 1883 Dr. Mohn was united in marriage 
 with Miss Laura A Showers, a native of Centre- 
 ville, Snyder county, and a daughter, Ruth B., 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 809 
 
 born March 18, 1892, brightens their home. Fra- 
 ternally the Doctor is one of the highest, most 
 prominent and zealous Freemasons in the State, 
 having taken all the degrees to and including the 
 32nd, Scottish Rite, and being a member of the 
 Mystic Shrine, Lu Lu Temple, Philadelphia. 
 Politically he is an ardent worker in the ranks of 
 the Republican party, having served as a com- 
 mitteeman continuously since 1884. For four 
 years, during President Harrison's administra- 
 tion, he acceptably served as postmaster at Lau- 
 relton. 
 
 The Doctor is one who, outside of the esteem 
 in which he is held for his scientific knowledge 
 and business capacity, enjoys the admiration of 
 all for his kindliness of disposition and amiability 
 of heart. In manner he is social and friendly, 
 and possesses qualities that readily win popu- 
 larity and respect. In private life that true man- 
 liness of deportment, that genial and kindly na- 
 ture, which have always characterized him in 
 public, find still more adequate and complete ex- 
 pression, and in the bosom of his family he ever 
 finds his highest happiness. 
 
 D\ERR FAMILY, of Lewisburg, is descended 
 __' from that well-known pioneer, Ludwig 
 Derr, the founder of Lewisburg, which was for- 
 merly known as Derrtown. The first record 
 dates back to 1756, when Ludwig Derr is named 
 among the residents of Heidelberg township, 
 Berks county. In 1769 he came to Buffalo Val- 
 ley to find a suitable location for a new home, 
 and is mentioned in the notes of Charles Luk- 
 ens, who made a survey along the river from 
 the mouth of White Deer creek in October, of 
 that year. He was perhaps the first settler in 
 the Valley, and Charles Wilson, who surveyed 
 the tract next below that of Lukens, mentions in 
 his field notes for September 20, 1770. that Lud- 
 wig Derr was then living on " the proprietaries' 
 tract." 
 
 Where Lewisburg now stands this enter- 
 prising pioneer established a trading-post, a 
 house of one story and a half built of heavy 
 logs, with its roof half-sloped, like the modern 
 mansard, and containing a dormer window. On 
 the lower floor were small, square windows and 
 one heavy battened door. This building was 
 completed as early as 1770, and his next enter- 
 prise was the construction of a mill, which was 
 running in 1772. In June, 1772, he purchased 
 from John Coxe, merchant, of Philadelphia, a 
 large tract of land in the same vicinity for one 
 hundred and seventy-five pounds. Two years 
 later it seems that he wanted to borrow some 
 
 money, and Robert Fruit and Thomas Hewitt, 
 the county commisioners, valued the tract, on 
 which the said Derr now lives, having a grist and 
 saw mill, dwelling house and barn, clear upland 
 and meadow, at one thousand pounds Pennsyl- 
 vania currency — about $2,666.60. On July 31, 
 1773, he purchased a sixth of a tract of 
 eleven thousand and fifty acres which Walter 
 Clark had bought for himself and others in 
 November, 1 77 r . Northumberland county was 
 organized in 1772, and the name of Ludwig Derr 
 appears among the first grand jurors of the first 
 session of court. He was without doubt a man 
 of great force of character, courageous, and of 
 unusual discretion. His mill and trading-post 
 were known throughout this region, travelers 
 making the point a regular stopping-place. Many 
 meetings were held there by the patriots during 
 the Revolutionary period, yet so kindly and justly 
 had he treated the Indians that when nearly every 
 structure built by white men between the Wy- 
 oming and the Mahantango was destroyed by the 
 Indians, his stood and he remained with them 
 unharmed. In March, 1785, he laid out his 
 town, Samuel Weiser making the plot. A few 
 lots were sold, and in September of that year 
 he went to Philadelphia where he disposed of a 
 few more, how many is not known exactly, the 
 price averaging about twenty-five pounds. Time 
 passed with no word from him, and his son, 
 George, becoming alarmed went to Philadelphia 
 to find him, but neither in his boarding house nor 
 among business men could anything definite be' 
 learned as to his whereabouts. He left a widow, 
 Catherine, and an only son, George, who inher- 
 ited all the property. The name was spelled ir- 
 regularly. Ludwig signed himself Ludwig Duer, 
 his wife's signature was Catherine Darr, and 
 "Tarr's mill " is spoken of in various accounts 
 of the time. The Encyclopaedia Americana of 
 1790 speaks of " Lewisburgh, or Tarstown." 
 
 George Derr was but a boy when his father 
 located on the present site of Lewisburg, where 
 he grew up amidst pioneer surroundings, and be- 
 came a farmer and miller by occupation. He 
 died in 1S29, and his wife, Fannie Yentzer, passed 
 away in 1842. They had eleven children: Cath- 
 arine, Susan, Louis, George, John, Jacob, Fannie, 
 Benjamin, Joseph, Elizabeth and Henry, all of 
 whom except the youngest lived to adult age. 
 
 Joseph Yentzer Derr, the ninth child of George 
 Derr and Fannie Yentzer, was born in Buffalo 
 township, Union county, October 10, 18 10. He 
 was reared in Lewisburg, and had more than or- 
 dinary educational advantages, but his fine mind 
 could easily have absorbed even a higher course 
 of study. He spent his earlier days in a drug 
 
810 
 
 I OMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 store, and was remarkable for his aptness in 
 Heine, and in later years, when he had retired 
 to his farm— the estate upon which his family 
 now lives — he would quit work to visit any sick 
 hbor and alleviate distress wherever it was 
 found. He always had an ambition fur the study 
 
 nedicine, and felt that his life would have I' 
 mi si replete « itfa satisfaction to himself and good 
 results to humanity had he been thoroughly trained 
 in that '' He was burn in Buffalo town- 
 
 ship, Union county, October 10, 1S10, and died 
 in Lewisburg |ul) 21, 1864. A progressive and 
 independent thinker, he took keen interest in all 
 the questions of his day. In early years he was 
 a Whii; politically, and later a Republican, and, 
 while he was not a politician, his influence was 
 widely felt. Hi 1 Mi-> Mary J. Kren 
 
 who was born in [819, and lived near Winlield 
 until the age of ten years, and afterward in Lew- 
 isburg. She was fond of literary pursuits, in 
 which she showed much talent, and was a teacher 
 in the public >chools about four years. Their 
 children were: Elizabi th and Clara are at home. 
 Pattison is in the iron business in Maine. 
 Josi phi at hi imi 1 ranees married D. L. 
 
 ' coal dealer at Harrisburg, Penn., and 
 has had lour children Mary died Maj 1 1, 1884, 
 Susan at home. Fannie who married Dr. I 
 K. Garber, and has one child. Mary |ane), and 
 lie (who married [ohn Nestor, ol Harrisburg, 
 hild, Francis). John I>. is a machinist 
 in the steel worksat Steelton, Penn.; he married 
 hild, from Chillisquaque, Penn., 
 and has three children— Hannah, [oseph and 
 Margaret. Augustus S. is engaged in the iron 
 - in Maine; he married Miss Mary Moyer, 
 and has three children George William, How- 
 ard Wilson and Mariam Kamona. |ames M., 
 now of Wichita, Kans. , married Miss Klda Rob- 
 on, and has one child, Mary Klda. Austin 
 tig, a farmer in Northumberland county, 
 Pi mi., married Sophia Reber, and has one child, 
 Edna. Louisa K. married Isora Pontius, of 
 I ewisburg, and has six children — Horace 1'.. 
 Anna J., Fannie Belle, Channing, Mane | 
 and Clara M Horace W. died January 22, 
 (888, at the age of twenty-seven years. Marj 
 is at home. 
 
 Mrs. Mary Kremer) Derrhasnow attained the 
 -.om, -what uncommon age of seventy-eight, and 
 pite this fai 1 is still vigorous, physically and 
 mentally. Her large family received during 
 former years her devoted attention, and aovi she 
 has the satisfaction ol seeing them filling useful 
 and honorable stations in life. She is tall with a 
 \ proportioned frame, and must have been 
 endowed with great physical strength and endur- 
 
 ance, while intellectually she is brilliant, and in 
 no way indicating her advanced age. She visits 
 her neighbors and attends to business as in 
 younger days, and her conversation is full of in- 
 terest. Her memory runs back to the time when 
 all freight was hauled by wagons, and passenger 
 transportation was entirely by stage. There was 
 then no canal in this part of the State, but later 
 she saw the overland system give way to the 
 water routes, and this in turn supplanted by the 
 railroad. 
 
 Mrs. Derr is a granddaughter of George 
 Kremer, who came from New Jersey and settled 
 in Union county, Penn., about 1797. He mar- 
 ried Miss Sophia Kline, who died at seventy-five 
 yeai ; the date of his death is not known. 
 
 Abraham Kremer, Mrs. Derr's father, was born 
 in 1 791, and grew to manhood in Union counts. 
 He married Elizabeth Whittaker, who was born 
 in 1 Soo, and died in December, 1 s 4 2 , and bis own 
 death occurred in 1847. He was a Whig politic- 
 ally, and both were devout members of the M. E. 
 Church. Their children were: Mary Jane (widow 
 of Joseph Derr), Frances widow of James S. 
 Marsh, and lives in Philadelphia, Penn.i, Anna 
 E. (the widow of Joseph Shriner, of Lewis- 
 burg), William (died when two years and seven 
 nths old), Julia M. widow of George Forrest, 
 des in Philadelphia, Penn.), Joseph A. died 
 in Lewisburg February 3, 1893, at the age of 
 sixty-one years), John K. (the cashier of the 
 Union National Bank of Lewisburg), and Margaret 
 M . 1 died at an early .1. 
 
 THOMPS* IN BAKER, A. M., promim nt 
 
 mg the native sons of Union county, 
 Penn., was born in Buffalo township, in 
 [847, 'of German, Scotch-Irish, and French- 
 Huguenot parentage. His a rs wen pio- 
 
 rs in the settlement of Buffalo Valley, being 
 Wendel Baker, born 1730, Henry Rockey, bom 
 1744, John Pontius, born 17 iS, and John Thump- 
 son, born 1720, all of whom lived and died in 
 Buffalo Valley, Union county, Pennsylvania. 
 
 J. Thompson Raker received his elementary 
 education in the district schools of the neighbor- 
 hood of his home, and completed his studies at 
 
 .nell University, in Lewisburg. He purs 
 his law studies in the office of Judge Bucher, was 
 admitted to the Bar in 1870, and immediately 
 entered upon the practice of his profession. He 
 won a high place iii the legal world, and the 
 faithful discharge of his duties, his fidelity to his 
 clients, and his repudiation of unprincip 
 
 I hods to win unjust causes, has given to him 
 the true respect of his fellow citizens. 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 811 
 
 In 1874, Mr. Baker was united in marriage 
 with Miss Margaret E. Bordner, and by this 
 union he has five children — one son and four 
 daughters: Frederick Thompson, Margaret Stuart, 
 Katharine Pontius, Frances Moore and Mary 
 Howard. Our subject has been closely identified 
 with all the material interests of the county, and 
 has contributed liberally of both his time 
 and means to aid in its advancement. He 
 is president of The Union National Bank of 
 Lewisburg, Penn., the Lewisburg Water Com- 
 pany, the Home Telephone Company, the trus- 
 tees and corporation of Beaver Memorial M. E. 
 Church, and, in fact, wherever and whenever any 
 enterprise that tends to the benefit of the com- 
 munity, is to be encouraged Mr. Baker is found 
 to be actively engaged therein. He has also 
 been instrumental in establishing a successful 
 granite business in the State of Maine, and in 
 founding and building the borough of Wildwood, 
 New Jersey. 
 
 m 
 
 C. STEADMAN, M. D. The faithful 
 physician has an unequaled opportunity 
 for doing good, and only one who has stood by 
 the open grave of such a one and witnessed the 
 heartfelt mourning of the entire community gath- 
 ered to pay their last tribute of respect and 
 gratitude, can realize how strong has been his 
 hold upon the affections of rich and poor, high 
 and low, ignorant and learned, to whom in some 
 trying moment his presence has brought relief 
 and hope. 
 
 The subject of this memoir, formerly a prom- 
 inent physician and surgeon of Mifflinburg, Union 
 county, was a man to whom professional fees were 
 a secondary matter. To all his patients he was 
 the same, answering with as much alacrity a call 
 to the home of the poor and humble as to the 
 wealthy and influential, and tending a stranger 
 with the same kindly devotion that he gave to 
 a neighbor. Wholly regardless of self, he often 
 discharged the duties of nurse as well as those 
 more strictly in the lines of his profession, his 
 only thought being to serve and save others. 
 
 It is most fitting and appropriate that the his- 
 tory of this noble man, dearly beloved by the 
 people of his day, should be kept in memory 
 by the descendants of those among whom his 
 life was spent, and for that reason the following 
 brief record is inserted here. 
 
 Dr. Steadman was born July 12, 1832, in 
 Lewisburg, but his youth was mainly spent in 
 Juniata county, Penn., where he obtained his 
 literary education. His inclination for the med- 
 ical profession was manifested at an early day, 
 
 and as soon as prepared he entered the medical 
 department of the University of Pennsylvania, 
 where he was graduated in 1861. He then locat- 
 ed at Buffalo Cross Roads, and August 2, 1862, 
 was mustered into the army as assistant surgeon, 
 87th P. V. I., was honorably discharged, Jan- 
 uary 27, 1S64, for physical disabilities. After 
 his return from the army he located in Mifflin- 
 burg, of which place he was appointed post- 
 master, January, 1868, holding this office until 
 his death. May 22, 1876. 
 
 His widow, Mrs. Julia Bound Steadman, still 
 survives with two sons: William H., merchant 
 and manufacturer, who married Miss Gertrude 
 Moss, and resides in Mifflinburg; and Merrill Linn, 
 a pharmacist, who is single. Those deceased are: 
 Joseph Bound, Sarah McClellan and Franklin 
 Bound, Mrs. Steadman, to whom the Doctor was 
 married March 24, 1863, at Milton, Penn., is a na- 
 tive of that town, born October 17, 1836. Her 
 fine native abilities were developed by careful 
 education, and the refinements of a cultured home 
 made a lasting impression upon a nature admirably 
 adapted to receive their subtle benefits. At the 
 death of her husband she was appointed post- 
 mistress of Mifflinburg, serving in that capacity 
 until 1887. Her father, Joseph Bound, who was 
 of English descent, was born in Chester county, 
 Penn., but became a resident of Milton, where he 
 engaged in mercantile business. He was a Pres- 
 byterian in religion, an elder for forty-one years, 
 an'd was said to be "the friend of everything 
 good." He took an active part in local affairs, 
 serving for some time as justice of the peace. 
 His wife, Mary Ann Housel, died in 1869, at 
 the age of sixty-nine. They had six children: 
 Sarah Jane (deceased); Margaretta (deceased); 
 William H., a physician, died in the Sandwich 
 Islands; Franklin is a lawyer and ex-congress- 
 man; Charles A. died in the early part of the 
 war in the War Department; and Julia B. (Mrs. 
 Steadman). 
 
 P)ETER HAGENBUCH (deceased;. Al- 
 though the subject of this brief memoir did 
 not attain the limited age allotted to the average 
 man, he left an enviable record, in which kindly 
 thought for his fellows is clearly seen although 
 it was expressed in helpful deeds rather than in 
 words. As a citizen, a politician, and a man of 
 affairs, he stood the peer of any in his section, 
 but it was not in these phases of his well-rounded 
 character that he will remain longest in the mem- 
 ory and the affection of those who knew him 
 best. Rather will he be recalled as the helper of 
 the helpless, for though childless himself, he be- 
 
812 
 
 COMME.VORA TlYE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 came a father to those who had been bereft of 
 ital care. 
 
 Mr. Hagenbuch's ancestors were earl) 1 settlers 
 in Berks county, Penn., his parents. Andrew and 
 Mary (Weikel) Hagenbuch, both being natives 
 ol that county. They came to Union county, 
 thenColumbia county, shortly after their marria 
 and located on a farm in East Buffalo township, 
 where both died in 1863, at the age of seventy- 
 six, the same illness affecting them, and the wife 
 sun r husband but a few days. Of their 
 
 four children none ard now living. Aaron was a 
 farmer and banker in Michigan; Elizabeth ■■ 
 the wife of Charles ck, whose death oc- 
 
 curred a few months from her own. Peter, oui 
 subject, was the third in order of birth; and 
 Henry Lightstreet was a farmer in Columbia 
 county. Penn., for many years, but at the ti 
 of his death he had retired from active business. 
 
 Mr. Hagenbuch was born in Union count) in 
 iSji, and in earl] manhood engaged in agricult- 
 ure and in speculating, his efforts in both lines 
 being attended with success. His ability and 
 nee made him a leader in local politics, 
 and he was a valued adviser in the Republican 
 organization. On Deci 1^50, he was 
 
 rried at Berwick, Columbia county, Penn., to 
 Miss Julia A. Landbach, and in 1854 they settled 
 at the present homestead near West Milton, 
 where a beautiful and commodious residence was 
 built. 
 
 Mr, 1 fagenbuch's death occurred in ( olumbia 
 county in 1875, cutting short his useful life at 
 the 1 itive early age of fifty-four. As has 
 
 been said, he had no children of his own, but he 
 and his kind-hearted wife took into their pleasant 
 home seven children to rear and train for honor- 
 isitions in life. One, Elmira A., died at 
 the age of twelve years; | < ■ 1 1 1 1 Allward grew to 
 manhood, married, and is now a t of 
 
 Johnstown. Penn. ; Emma Ferguson married 
 Henry Lewallen, and lives in the West; William 
 Stutzman is married, but his present residence is 
 not known, and his brother, Judson, who 
 
 d for a time with Mr. and Mrs. Hagenbuch, 
 
 red; I lai 1 \ Mi Call married, and now 
 
 resides in St. Paul, Minn.; Isabella Whatmore 
 
 iw the w ife of I hinist at 
 
 Milton, Pennsylvania. 
 
 Mrs. Hagenbuch is a prominent member of 
 the Presbyterian Church at Lewisburg, to which 
 been a liberal contributor, and her gen- 
 erosity 1^ 1 potent factor in many philanthropic 
 enterprises. she was born on Briai en 
 Columbia county, July 10. 1824, and was the 
 only child of George B. and Elizabeth \\ 
 Landbach, who were natives 1 if Lancaster Ci lunty, 
 
 Penn. Her father was a well-known contractor 
 and builder, and held a high place in business 
 and social life, being identified with the best in- 
 terests of his locality. He died in Columbia 
 county in 1 831, at the age of forty, and the 
 mother, who was never separated from her 
 daughter, lived to the age of seventy-six, passing 
 away in 1 
 
 DANIEL R. SMITH, the popular and effi- 
 nt treasurer of Union count}', was born 
 in Hartley township. May t8, 1853, a son of 
 J<.lm and Mary (Rockey) Smith, the former of 
 whom was of the same nativity, born in 1809, 
 and died in Hartley township, in 1889. He was 
 a son of Leonard Smith, also a native of Union 
 county, who married and reared a family of four 
 sons and three daughters: John, Leonard, Peter, 
 Jacob, Susanna (who became the wife of John 
 Dii lil Mary 1 who wedded Jacob Weirick), and 
 1 >i t -1 •> 1 wife of Jacob Shively), all now deceased. 
 The entire family were devout Christians, mem- 
 bers of the Lutheran Church. 
 
 John Smith, the father of our subject, was a 
 lifelong farmer, and passed his entire life in 
 Hartlej township. By his wife Mary (Rocl 
 he had a family of six children, as follows: Will- 
 iam, who lost his life in front of Petersburg, 
 having enlisted during the Civil war in Company 
 E, 3 1 st P. V. I.: Isaiah, who also served in the 
 51st Regiment, as a member of Company I, was 
 taken prisoner at the battle of the Wilderness, 
 and died of starvation in Andersonville prison; 
 Mary |ane, who married J. W. Showalter, a 
 farmer of near Hartleton. Union county, and has 
 six children — Newton. John, Daniel, William, 
 Hannah and Esther; Samuel, who wedded Miss 
 11 Knape, and took up farming in Centre 
 
 nty, but lost his life February 17, 1SS0, 
 through an attack made on him by a vicious cow 
 he left a widow and one son); and Catherine 
 and Daniel R. 1 twins), the former of whom mar- 
 ried Isaac Walker, a farmer of Centre county, 
 Penn., mar Tyrone, by whom she has eight 
 sons. 
 
 On the home farm Daniel R, Smith was 
 reared to h industry and economy, at- 
 
 ling during the winter seasons the common 
 
 iols of the neighborhood. Building upon 
 these good loundations, he made the best use of 
 such opportunities as he could find for study, 
 and himself to be an earnest, diligent 
 
 and apt scholar. Thus qualifying himself, he at 
 the age 1 >i se> enteen commenced teaching school, 
 first in Centre county, later in Hartley town- 
 ship, Union county — one term each ; after which, 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 813 
 
 with laudable ambition, he attended the Normal 
 School at Shippensburg one term. Returning 
 to his old home, he again took up the profession 
 of teaching, and taught in Lewis township, 
 Union county, three terms, atthe ending of which 
 time, being desirous of further advancing his 
 studies, he attended school at State College, 
 Centre county, two terms. For two years 
 thereafter he taught school in Buffalo and Kelly 
 townships, Union county, some two years. 
 
 In i S8 1 Mr. Smith engaged with a surveying 
 party to locate the Northern Pacific railroad, 
 crossing the Rocky Mountains between Bozeman, 
 Mont., and Portland, Ore., Helena, Mont., being 
 headquarters, and was thus employed one year, 
 being associated in the exploit with "Buffalo 
 Bill" and other early border celebrities. He 
 then returned to Union county (having during his 
 absence purchased the old farmstead near Laurel- 
 ton), and in 1882 was appointed postmaster at 
 Laurelton, in which village he established the 
 first drug store, which he conducted some four 
 years, when his stock was destroyed by fire. Mr. 
 Smith's next employment was as traveling sales- 
 man for Kline, Heitz & Co., of Millersburg, 
 Penn. , manufacturers of carpets, rugs, etc., and 
 in that capacity he remained two years; then en- 
 gaged with S. Lynd Fox, a grocery man of Phil- 
 adelphia, continuing with him some three years, 
 in all of which positions he earned for himself a 
 well-merited confidence. 
 
 On February 15, 1896, he was nominated on 
 the Republican ticket for treasurer of Union 
 county, and in the fall of the same year, on No- 
 vember 6, he was elected by the flattering ma- 
 jority of 1,064 votes, defeating a candidate who 
 had been solidly endorsed at the Democratic 
 convention. On January 7, 1897, Mr. Smith 
 took charge of the office, and it is unnecessary to 
 add that his short term therein has already 
 strengthened his unquestioned popularity through- 
 out his native county. He is an active worker, 
 doing his duty to his constituents in a manner 
 that has won him both applause and honor. 
 
 On September 12, 1S83. Mr. Smith was uni- 
 ted in marriage with Miss Fannie Kate Barnitz, 
 daughter of Rev. A. M. and Sarah Barnitz, and 
 three children — two daughters and one son — 
 have come to gladden their home: Nellie, Annie 
 and McClain. In religious faith Mr. and Mrs. 
 Smith hold membership with the M. E. Church, 
 with which denomination he identified himself 
 when eighteen years of age. Socially, he affili- 
 ates with the Royal Arcanum and P. O. S. of 
 A., of which latter he was, in 1895, appointed 
 district president. In 1895, by special appoint- 
 ment of Gov. Hastings, he was made one of a 
 
 committee of ten to investigate all the public 
 institutions of refuge throughout the State, for 
 the purpose of ascertaining the exact number of 
 linns quartered in such institutions, and which 
 investigation resulted in the passage of the 
 "Alien Bill," which provides for the removal 
 from the public institutions of Pennsylvania all 
 unnaturalized foreigners to the States and coun- 
 tries from whence they came. This measure 
 will result in a saving of over one million dollars 
 per year to the Commonwealth. 
 
 Mr. Smith is the owner of the old Smith 
 homestead in Hartley township, embodying 181 
 acres of highly-improved land, and considered 
 one of the finest and most fertile farms in Union 
 county, in addition to which he owns valuable 
 property in Laurelton. He is one of the most 
 popular men in the county, strong in his polit- 
 ical party, and the longer he is known the more 
 he is esteemed, respected and admired. In the 
 heyday of mature manhood, possessed of a host 
 of friends and a deserved prosperity, he is as- 
 suredly a man to be contented and to be envied. 
 
 HARRISON HAFER. Among the pleasantest 
 rural homes of this section is that of Mr. 
 and Mrs. Harrison Hafer, of Kelly township, 
 Union county, the culture and artistic taste of its 
 occupants being reflected in its appointments, 
 while a gracious hospitality adds a charm to its 
 material comforts. Mr. Hafer is a veteran of 
 the Civil war, and bears an honorable record for 
 brave service in the cause of freedom and union, 
 and in the paths of peace he has also won an en- 
 viable reputation through the sterling qualities 
 which go to the making of a good citizen. 
 
 The Hafer family has been identified with 
 Union county since 1806, when our subject's 
 grandparents, Michael Hafer and wife, came 
 from Berks county, Penn., and located upon the 
 Henning farm near Lewisburg, the grandfather 
 following agricultural pursuits. Later they set- 
 tled in Buffalo township, near Lochiel, but their 
 last years were spent upon a farm in Kelly town- 
 ship. Their remains now repose in the burial 
 ground at Driesbach Church. 
 
 Jacob Hafer, the father of our subject, was 
 born in Berks county, and accompanied his par- 
 ents to their new home, where he spent his life, 
 engaging in farming as an occupation, and also, 
 to some extent, in weaving. In politics he was a 
 Republican, and for many years he served as con- 
 stable in his township. He was married in 
 Union county to Miss Rebecca Gilbert, daughter 
 of Henry Gilbert, and a native of Schuylkill 
 county, where his parents were both born and 
 

 MORATIVE BlotSRM'lIK AL UECOUD. 
 
 where they passed their lives with the exception 
 
 few years in Union county in early d 
 Jacob Hater and his wife wi .t Lutherans 
 
 ■ ! died in that faith, the former in 1874, .it the 
 oty-nine years and four months, and 
 the latter in 1 885, aged eighty-four. 
 
 They had twelve children, nine of whom lived 
 to maturity: 1 William, who died in r88i, was 
 .1 physician .it Marshallville, Ga. He had two 
 children, one ol whom, Herbert, is living. 
 Hi nry, a n tired agriculturist residing near Kelly 
 3, Union county, was born March 30, 
 iwnship, of the same county. 
 11 is 1 well-known Republican, ami a prominent 
 membei of the Lutheran Church. On December 
 1;. [850, he was married to Miss Mary Yost, a 
 1 German descent, and a daughter of 
 Michael Yo irthumberland county, Penn. 
 
 Three children were born to them: a William 
 1 a farmer bj ition, married Elizabeth 
 
 lv nn< i. and has five children, (b Levi F. rriar- 
 herman, and has had tw 
 Amnion E. died January 28, 1886, and his 
 remains rest in White 1' ry. 3) | 
 
 ised, was a soldier in the Civil w 
 ipation he was a farmer, and the greater 
 life was -pent in Michigan. 
 H>- left a family, all of whom reside in Michigan 
 1 daughter, who married Paterson Meix- 
 ell, son of Martin Meixell. and lives in Kan- 
 41 Andrew was married in Buffalo. N. Y., 
 to Miss Nancy Barnhart, of Union county, Penn., 
 and settled in Ouray county, Colo., where h 
 now engaged in agriculture. He was formerly 
 inti ■ . the mining of gold and silver, be- 
 
 longing I Ithy syn in New 
 
 ^ :k as the Colorado Mining & Land Company, 
 winch opened a number of mines at a 
 
 000 Andrew 11. iter and two men by the 
 name <■( Mclntyre, brothers, who were also mi 
 bers impany, sold their prior individual 
 
 interests in the mines to the compan 
 000, tal. k in the tion in paymi 
 
 Henry Hater, mentioned above, als ted 
 
 heavily, but later ti any became embar- 
 
 ind the entire property was sold for $15,- 
 000. th( \. J. S. Buell, of New York City, 
 
 eth died at the 
 nd the next three in 
 der of birth died in infant \ 
 sen ier in the "late unpleasantni 
 
 has been for some time engaged in teaming in 
 Lewisburg, but was formerl) a farmer. He 
 married tfirst' Miss Matilda Noll, and (second) 
 Miss Mary Kinmv By the first marriage there 
 wet' bildren: Jacob, Samuel. Margaret, 
 
 Iwin. 1 10) Jonas, a farmer in Kelly 
 
 township, Union county, married (first) Miss Mary 
 Hollenbach, and (second) Laura Gusler, and has 
 
 hail two children: Isaac and Anna. Isaac, a 
 farmer in Kansas, married Miss Jane Lisenhauer. 
 ill! Harrison is mentioned more fully below. 
 a married William Kauch, of White 
 Deer township. Union county, who is engaged in 
 farming, ami. in partnership with his brother 
 Peter, carries on a large milling business. 
 
 The birth ot Harrison Hater, our subject, 
 curred |anuary 27, 1841, in Kelly township, 
 Union county, and his youth was passed in the 
 wholesome surroundings of farm life. Whih 
 sisting his father on the farm he learned the 
 
 per's trade, but the outbreak of the war 
 caused him to forego his plans for business life, 
 and offer his services to his country. August 6, 
 
 p2, he enlisted in Company A. 1 ;t-t P. V. I., 
 under Capt. J. R. Orwig. with the rank of fourth 
 
 poral. He was mustered out May 23, 1 
 but re-enlisted in Company I. [92nd P. V. I . 
 and served until the close of the war, receiving 
 his final discharge in August, 1865. Among the 
 important engagements through which he passed 
 were the battles of Antietam. September 1,". 1 
 and Fredericksburg, and the live-days' stru. 
 at Chancellorsville, beginning May 1, 1863. On 
 bis return 1; again engaged in farm work 
 
 with his father, but in the spring of 1 867 he 
 rented a farm and began work on his own ac- 
 .nt. In 1875 hi' purchased a place in Kelly 
 township, which he still owns and now re- 
 there. In 1879 he removed to Northumberland 
 county, but after thn returned to his old 
 
 farm, where he remained until his removal, in 
 
 2, to his present home in the same township. 
 
 Kelly Point. Alwaysan industrious worker 
 
 and thrifty manager. Mr. Hafer d his suc- 
 
 He is a stanch Republican, and an active 
 
 member of the Grand Army Post No. 
 
 of 
 
 Lewisburg. 
 
 He and his amiable wife are both 
 connected with the Reformed Church. 
 
 Mr. Hafer has been twic d. His first 
 
 i Gi ive, to whom be was united 
 
 in 1 laughter of Abraham and Susanna 
 
 Leiser) Grove, well-known I Kelly 
 
 nship, Union county. She passed to the un- 
 
 tv 22, [875, aged thirty ye 
 
 eight months and eleven days, leaving twodaugh- 
 
 S irah, now the wife of : Smith, a 
 
 farmer in Kelly township; and Susanna M.. who 
 
 married John \Y Crisswell, a carpenter in the 
 
 same locality On December 28, 1876, Mr. 
 
 Hafer was married to his present wi: 
 
 Mary C. Hottenstein, and three children — Lettie 
 
 V., Rebecca E and Frances C. — brighten their 
 
 home. 
 
COil SI ESI') HA TIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 
 Mrs. Hafer was born January 9, 1849, > n 
 Northumberland county, Penn., a daughter of 
 Hon. Charles C. Hottenstein, and a granddaugh- 
 ter of Henry and Catherine 1 Spohn, Hottenstein. 
 of Berks county. Mrs. Hafer's father, who died 
 March 8, 1 891 , at the age of seventy-nine, was 
 a man of great ability, and held a prominent 
 place in public life. He was a native of Berks 
 county, Penn.. where he married Miss Veron 
 Kaufman, daughter of Daniel and Mary D. 
 (Whitenheimer) Kauffman, both lifelong resi- 
 dents of the same county, where Mr. Kaufman 
 was a leading agricultur; 
 
 Soon after their marriage, Mr. Hafer's par- 
 ents moved to a farm in Northumberland county 
 and established their home. Mr. Hottenstein 
 followed surveying as an occupation, and his su- 
 perior judgment in affairs was recognized by his 
 fellow citizens in many ways. For about thirty 
 years he held the office of justice of the peace, in 
 which he was serving at the time of his death. 
 He was a delegate to the National Democratic 
 Convention, at Charleston, S. C, in i860, and 
 represented his county in the State Legislature 
 in 1859. His wife died in May, 1877, at the age 
 of fifty-seven years and fifteen <i? 
 
 They had the following children: Allen S., 
 an attorney at Milton. Penn.; Henry K.. a re- 
 tired farmer residing in Northumberland county; 
 Daniel, a resident of Paradise, Northumberland 
 county, who was appointed at his father's death 
 by Gov. Pattison, to fill the unexpired term 
 justice of the peace, and has since retained that 
 office by the election of the people; Mars' C, 
 Mrs. Hafer; Sarah E., deceased, formerly the 
 wife of Jacob K. Stahl. who is mentioned farther 
 on; Susannah E., who married Thomas Long, 
 the proprietor of a sawmill at Williamsport, 
 Penn.; Clara V., wife of Daniel Raup, of North- 
 umberland county: Abraham C. and William P.. 
 farmers in the same county: and Clarissa and 
 Catherine, who died in their youth. 
 
 Jacob K. Stahl, a brother-in-law of 
 Hafer, was for many years a successful farmer in 
 Kelly township. Union county, and is now living 
 retired at Mazeppa. While there eral 
 
 families of the name in the county, the branch to 
 which he belongs was the first to be represented 
 in Kelly township, his grandfather, Adam Stahl. 
 coming from Schuylkill county, Penn , about 
 1820, and making his permanent home upon a 
 farm. He was a prosperous citizen, influential 
 in local affairs, and standing high in the esteem 
 of his neighbors. He had eleven children, among 
 whom were seven stalwart sons, each over six 
 feet tall. 
 
 John Stahl, the father of the gentleman men- 
 
 tioned, was a man of note in his locality, and, 
 although he attended school but very little, about 
 four months in all, he acquired through his own 
 efforts a fair education. His skill in mechanics 
 
 •tinted to positive genius, an examination of a 
 piece of machinery enabling him to duplicate it. 
 He received some regular training as a carpenter, 
 but did not complete a term of apprenticeship, 
 and he was equally competent as a worker in iron 
 with no special instruction. In the shop which 
 he built upon his farm he made wagons, drills 
 and various kinds of tools, and did all his own 
 ,1 and iron. His robust constitution 
 was equal to severe and long continued toil, and 
 and until the hour of his death, from heart dis- 
 ease, he was actively engaged in business and 
 other cares. A deep thinker, he was not much 
 
 ■n to talking, and in the management of busi- 
 he displayed the rar tive ability which 
 
 keeps others employed without friction or ; 
 plexing complications. He made his home 
 throughout life upon the farm where he was born, 
 from which he was seldom absent except when 
 business called him. In politics he was a Re- 
 publican, but while he attended elections regu- 
 larly, he never sought office, his quiet disposition 
 finding private life more congenial. He was a 
 leading member of the Lutheran Church in his 
 locality. At his death, which occurred February 
 16. 1884, a large estate was left, including four 
 farms and considerable cash. His first wife, for- 
 merly Miss Catherine Kauffman, to whom he was 
 united in the latter 40s. was a native of Buffalo 
 township, and a daughter of Jacob Kauffman. a 
 well-known citizen. She was a devout Christian 
 and a member of the Reformed Church. On Oc- 
 tober 18, 1850, she passed to the better world, 
 leaving one son, Jacob K. Stahl. By a second 
 marriage, this time with Miss Amelia Kauffman, 
 there was also one son. Aaron O, born Decem- 
 ber 10. 1856. now a resident of Buff a! 
 ship. Union county. Mrs. Amelia Stahl, who 
 
 ies with her son, was a native of Buffalo 
 
 nship. born in December, 18 16. Her fat: 
 John Kauffman, was born in Berk 
 July 11. 1764. and her mother. Catherine Wan- 
 wilier, also a native of that county, was born in 
 Ole township. December 26. 1772. They reared 
 a familv a daughters. 
 
 HON. JACOB HOWEF: 
 ing city >burg. Union county, is one 
 
 of the successful business men of that local 
 having been for many years a leading furniture 
 dealer and undertaker. He served with distinc- 
 tion in the Civil war. entering Company A. 1 3 
 
B16 
 
 ( OMMBMORATIVE BIOGUM'IW AI. RECORD. 
 
 P. V. I. on August 6, 1862. At the expiration 
 lis term in fune, [863, here-enlisted in Com- 
 panj F, 1 25th P. V. I., and remained 1 m dul 
 
 long as hostilities lasted, receiving his disch; 
 Ma) -?. 1865. He took part in a nui 
 important battli I cksburg, Chancellors- 
 
 ville, and otl I was promoted for bra\ 
 
 to the rank of first sergeant. 
 
 Mayor I lower w Decen s 4' • 
 
 in Hartley township, I >unty, where his 
 
 grandfather, Gi >rgi II >wer, settled at an earl}' 
 
 day upon a [arm where he lived to the ripe old 
 
 eighty-three. The family is of German 
 
 [in, and it is probable that George Hower was 
 a native of the Fatherland, but he had resided 
 for some time in Berks county, Penn., before 
 coming to this section. His children were John, 
 George, Samuel, Elizabeth, and Cathi 
 whom the only survivor is Samuel. 
 
 The late J >lm Hower, the father of our sub- 
 ject, was born fune 13, 1806, and passed his life 
 m Union counts in agricultural pursuits, his 
 death occurring September 25, 1892. His wife, 
 
 anah Spigelmyer, was born January 23, 1810, 
 and died March 27, 1880. They had nine chil- 
 eased; Mary, who has never 
 married, resides in Kansas; John, who resides in 
 Michigan; Catherine, Mrs. Henry Catherman; 
 1 resident of Kansas; Elizabeth, wife of 
 Henry Huffman, of Hartleton, Penn. ; Jacob, our 
 subject; Susan, now Mrs. Cox, of Kansas; and 
 Henry, who lives in Oklahoma. 
 
 The schools of his Dative township] 
 Ma. r with an education of which his 
 
 tical mind has made good use as a founda- 
 observation and reading. At an early 
 age he learned the business of cabinet making 
 and undertaking, but his military service in the 
 defense of his country interfered for a time with 
 his business career. On his return from the 
 army he established himself in Lewisburg where 
 In- speedily gained a large trade, ami an honor- 
 able standing. As a funeral director he per- 
 forms his delicate and important duties with rare 
 tact and discretion. 
 
 In 1866 oiu was married to Miss Jen- 
 
 nie Lerkley, a native of I.' wisburg, born January 
 15, 1 84 1, and five children have blessed the 
 union: Margaret was married to C. E. Stein, of 
 Lewisbur-; F. A. is a resident of Chicago, 111.; 
 C. W., now in business with his fathei al I ■ wis- 
 burg; Warren E., a trawling salesman, is a resi- 
 dent of Lewisburg; and Nellie E., who is attend- 
 ing school. 
 
 In 1894 the people of Lewisburg chose Mr. 
 Hower as their first burgess under the new law, 
 and his administration has full}' justified their 
 
 confidence. Mayor Hower is prominent in all 
 local movements, and is identified, socially, with 
 the <■ A. R., and the I. O. O. F.; he has 1 
 treasurer of the latter organization for twenty- 
 tlm He is a member of the Encamp- 
 
 r. and has passed through all the chairs. 
 
 W1LLARD ' >. SHAFFER, who is now 
 his fifth consecutive term as pro- 
 thonotary of Union county, is deservedly popu- 
 lar, few men in any public position display 
 the unwearying devotion to duty which has char- 
 his official life. 
 
 Mr. Shaffer, unlike many of his fellow work- 
 ers in the county administration, is a native of 
 Lewisburg, where he was born March 18, 1847. 
 His paternal grandfather, David Shaffer, a native 
 
 Northampton county, settled in Union coun- 
 ty in early manhood, and became a well-known 
 farmer of •• ye olden time." Daniel Shaffer, the 
 father of our subject, was born in Union county, 
 Februarv ;. [821, and was a prominent resident 
 of Lewisburg, where for many years he had been 
 
 iged in business as a marble dealer. II 
 died January 5. 1897. He was married in 1 
 to Miss Mary Ogden, a native of Northumber- 
 land county, born August 15, 1824, and they 
 passed more than half a century in loving union. 
 Our subject is the elder of two sons: C. F. 
 Shaffer, the younger, is also in the public serv- 
 ice as deputy prothonotary of the county, which 
 office he has filled for twenty-one years. 
 
 The schools of Lewisburg provided our sub- 
 ject with excellent educational advantages which 
 he was not slow to improve, and in 1872 he 
 was graduated from Bucknell College. He 
 
 ght for one term in the academy at Mc- 
 Ewensville, Penn., and then returned to Lewis- 
 burg and began the study of law. On being ad- 
 mitted to the T>ar in [875, he engaged in prac- 
 tice, but since 1883, when he was first elected to 
 the office of prothonotary, his time has been 
 fully taken up with the responsible duties of that 
 post. He is a director of the Home Telephone 
 
 npany, a director in the Lewisburg National 
 
 k, and is active in the promotion of various 
 movements which are beneficial to the commu- 
 nity. Since 1882 he has been a member of the 
 Fire Department, and is treasurer of the organiza- 
 tion. 
 
 In 188C Mr. Shaffer married Miss Anna 
 
 Srhreyer, a native of Lewisburg, born August 6, 
 
 1, and three children — Harold A., Mildred J. 
 
 and Helen L. — brighten their home. Mr. and 
 
 Mrs. Shaffer are prominent socially, and are 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 817 
 
 leading members of the Presbyterian Church, 
 Mrs. Shaffer being an active worker in the Mis- 
 sionary Society. 
 
 FREDERIC EVANS BOWER, attorney at 
 law, Lewisburgh, Union county, and Mid- 
 dleburgh, Snyder county, was born January 21, 
 1846, in Selins Grove, Snyder county (then a 
 part of Union county), Penn., where his father, 
 Hon. Thomas Bower, was then engaged in the 
 mercantile business. 
 
 On his father's side our subject is of German, 
 Scotch and Welsh descent. His paternal grand- 
 father, Philip Bower, came to America with his 
 brother Lewis at an early day, a German emi- 
 grant. After landing, the brothers " hired out," 
 not improbably at farm labor, to pay their pass- 
 age across the seas. Having faithfully performed 
 their contract of service, they enlisted in the 
 American army during the Revolutionary war, 
 served their adopted country as faithfully as they 
 had their employer, and were honorably dis- 
 charged at Philadelphia. Their company and 
 regiment have not yet been traced, but a grand- 
 son of Philip, Rev. Frederick Bower, a retired 
 Baptist minister, now nearly eighty years of age, 
 has frequently donned the " roundabout" worn 
 by Caspar while in the service. 
 
 Lewis remained in Philadelphia, acquiring 
 considerable real estate, part, at least, on Walnut 
 street. So far as known, he never married. 
 
 Philip came up the Susquehanna and located 
 in the neighborhood of Sunbury, at Shamokin 
 Dam, where some of his descendants still reside. 
 He married and became the father of several 
 children, among them being John Bower, a man 
 of great energy and thrift. He served a term of 
 three years as one of the commissioners of Union 
 county. His wife, a Miss Barton, was a lady 
 of Scotch and Welsh extraction, by whom he 
 had sons and daughters as follows: Thomas 
 Bower (who died November 3, 1893), the father 
 of Frederic E. Bower; William Bower, who 
 died while a young man; Dr. Charles Bower, 
 who was assistant-surgeon during the Mexican 
 war, also brigade-surgeon during the Civil war, 
 and who died in 1867; Rev. Frederick Bower, 
 still surviving; Sabra, married to the late Dr. 
 Baird, of Huntingdon county; and Harriet, mar- 
 ried to the late Maj. John Cummings, of Selins 
 Grove. Both the sisters are deceased. Thom- 
 as Bower was a man of intelligence and high 
 character, well known, personally and polit- 
 ically, throughout Snyder and Union counties. 
 When nineteen years of age he served as deputy 
 sheriff of Union county, during the official term 
 
 52* 
 
 of Maj. John Cummings. He was elected to the 
 Pennsylvania Legislature at the general election 
 of 1856, in the district composed of the coun- 
 ties of Union, Snyder and Juniata, over a large 
 adverse majority. While in the House he was 
 Chairman of the Committee on Currency and 
 Banking, and as such favored the granting of a 
 charter to the State Bank at Lewisburgh, which 
 practically became the predecessor of the present 
 Lewisburg National Bank. From 1866 to 1870 
 he was deputy assessor of Internal Revenue, for 
 the County of Snyder, Pennsylvania. 
 
 Hon. Thomas Bower married Miss Catharine 
 Kremer, daughter of the Hon. George Kremer, 
 a man of powerful memory, a constant reader of 
 the best literature of his day, a fluent speaker, 
 and, withal, of superior business qualifications, 
 and of the highest standing in the community. He 
 was born November 21, 1775. His father, Jacob 
 Kremer, was a half brother of Gov. Simon Sny- 
 der, and came from the Palatinate in his child- 
 hood, with his parents, the father dying on the 
 passage. His mother, Eliza (Fleming) Kremer, 
 was of Irish parentage. Mr. Kremer was, from 
 early youth until well past middle age, engaged 
 in mercantile pursuits, residing for many years at 
 Lewisburgh, Penn. He represented his District in 
 Congress during the memorable contest for the 
 Presidency of the United States before the Na- 
 tional House of Representatives between Gen. 
 Jackson, Henry Clay and John Quincy Adams, in 
 which contest he was a prominent and ardent 
 friend of Jackson's. His old age was spent at 
 his hospitable mansion near Middleburgh, Penn. 
 On her mother's side Mrs. Bower descended by 
 two strains from Roger North, an emigrant from 
 Ireland, of high family standing in his native 
 land, of English origin, a lieutenant in the Pro- 
 vincial service of 1748, and the father of thirteen 
 children — eight sons and five daughters. Accord- 
 ing to family tradition, the eight brothers all 
 served in the American army during the Revo- 
 lution, and recent searches of historical records 
 have already confirmed this tradition as to five 
 of these brothers. One of them, Caleb, who 
 died November 7, i860, aged eighty-seven years, 
 held the rank of colonel in the Pennsylvania 
 Line, was the last field officer of the Revolution- 
 ary army, and was president of the Pennsylvania 
 Society of the Cincinnati. 
 
 Elizabeth North, one of the daughters, mar- 
 ried George Evans, Jr., of Welsh lineage, and 
 became the mother of Captain Frederick Evans 
 (born March 30, 1766, died December 16, 1844), 
 who was deputy surveyor-general for Northum- 
 berland county, Penn., and surveyed thousands 
 of acres of wild land for applicants in the central 
 
M.« 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RE'VRD. 
 
 part of the State. He was also captain of an 
 artillery company in the wai ol 1812, and engaged 
 in the defence of Fort Mc Henry, Baltimore, dur- 
 ing its bombardment by the British. Capt. I 
 
 . on April 2, 1791, married his cousin, Ann 
 North, daughter of John North, one of the eight 
 brothers already referred to, and one of the hve 
 whose Revolutionary records bavi been found. 
 These two, on his mother's side, were the great- 
 grandparents of Frederic Evans Bower, who v 
 named after his great-grandfather. 
 
 Mr. Bower, our subject, was educated at the 
 University at Lewisburg, Penn. (now Bucknell 
 University), when he graduated with credit in 
 1869 ll< studied law in the office of Hon. John 
 1' 1 ronmiller, at Middleburgh, Penn., and was ad- 
 mitted to the Bar in May, 1878. In 1882 he 
 was elected district attorney of Snyder county 
 for a term of three years, and re-elected in 1885. 
 both times by good-sized majorities in the face 
 of a large adverse party majority. He is Secre- 
 tary of the Board of Examiners for admission to 
 the Bar ol Snyder County, and is a member of 
 the Committee on Legal Biography of the Penn- 
 sylvania State Har Association. 
 
 Mr. Bower is an active, energetic practitioner, 
 nil since his admission has been concerned in a 
 large proportion of the most important Civil and 
 Criminal cases tried in Snyder county. In (893 
 In moved his residence to Lewisburgh, Penn., I 1 
 educational purposes, where he has since opened 
 
 office, retaining also his Middleburgh office. 
 He has been prominent politically as well as 
 professionally, giving active support to the Dem- 
 ocratic part) and its candidates until the Presi- 
 dential election of 1896, when the party went 
 estrayonthe " free-silver issue, " and he thereupon 
 refused to support the platform or the candidal 
 Mr. Bower is one of the Directors in the First 
 National Bank ol Middleburgh, Pennsylvania. 
 
 He was a member of Compan) A. 28th Regi- 
 ment Pennsylvania Volunteer Militia, in [863, dur- 
 ing the war ol the Rebellion, and is a member of 
 Andrew ( rregg Tinker Pi >st No. 52, at Lewisburgh, 
 Penn. He is also a member ol the Masonic Lodge 
 of Selins Grove, Penn. , and a pa I 1 by serv- 
 
 ice Mr Bower has brothers now living as follows: 
 Charles 1 , a prominent physician of Elkhart. Ind ; 
 William H., of Cumberland, Md . assistant general 
 managi r 1 if the W esl \ S Pitts- 
 
 burgh Railroad Compan) ; and Edwin, chief clerk 
 in the offi e ol the Philadelpl ( rie Railroad 
 
 Companj al Ren vo, Penn. Besides these he 
 had a brothei , Gei >i ge Kreim 1 B r, an ensign 
 in the United States Navy, who was lost on the 
 "Oneida " in Yokohama Bay, fanuary 24, 1870, 
 through the collision of that vessel with the Brit- 
 
 ish ironclad "Bombay;" and one sister, Flor- 
 ence, who died while in attendance at school at 
 the University Female Institute, at Lewisburgh, 
 in 1868. 
 
 Mr. Bower, on March 31, 1875, married Miss 
 Harriet K. Harris, of Indiana county, Penn., a 
 sister of Rev. John Howard Harris, LL. D., 
 president of Bucknell University. They have 
 eight children — five sons and three daughters. 
 Their eldest son, II. Harris Bower, graduated at 
 knell University in [896, and has since been 
 engaged in teaching and in the study of the law. 
 The second son, Bryant E., is a member of Corn- 
 pan}- A, 1 2th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunl 
 Infantry, in the Spanish-American war. Their 
 eldest daughter, Catharine Ruth, recently grad- 
 uated from the classical department of the Sem- 
 inary of Bucknell University. Their other chil- 
 dren are attending school or college. Both Mr. 
 and Mrs. Bower, with their entire family, except 
 the youngest, are members of the Lewisburgh 
 Baptist Church. 
 
 ^EIT.R BROWN, a successful agriculturist 
 [[ and business man of East Buffalo township, 
 Union county, is the owner of a valuable farm 
 near Lewisburg, and in its management much of 
 his time is spent. Although the snows of sev- 
 enty winters have passed over his head, time has 
 dealt gently with him, and mentally and physic- 
 ally he is as vigorous as many men who are much 
 youngei . 
 
 His family is well known in Union count), its 
 founder, John Brown, our subject's grandfather, 
 having settled there at an early day. His early 
 home was in Schuylkill county, Penn., on Sw 
 Arrow creek, and his son Christian, the father of 
 our subject, was born there, the removal to Union 
 county taking place a few years later. 
 
 Christian Brown began farming in a humble 
 way with thirty acres of land, but later he re- 
 ceived a few acres from his father's estate. He 
 was at one time engaged in distilling whiskey, 
 and by industry and judicious management he 
 secured a fine property. He was a stout man. 
 with large fists, but was not quarrelsome. Polit- 
 ically he was a Whig, and later a Republican, 
 and he took an active part in all progressive 
 movements in his locality, contributing gener- 
 ously to the Church ol which he was a member. 
 He was married in Union count) to Miss Eliza- 
 beth Wolfe, a daughter of Peter Wolfe, and a 
 member of a prominent family. She died at the 
 age of sixty-eight, and he followed her at seventy- 
 six years ol agi . both being interred in the Dreis- 
 bach cemetery. 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 819 
 
 Our subject, who was the only child of his 
 parents, was born on the old homestead, August 
 8, 1826. He attended different schools in the 
 neighborhood during his youth, the Pike schools, 
 Gundy school and Shrock school furnishing him 
 his chief educational advantages. As a farmer's 
 son he became well acquainted with all kinds of 
 agricultural work, but he never learned a trade, 
 the management of the homestead devolving 
 upon him as he grew to manhood. The distill- 
 ery was abandoned while he was still a young 
 boy. During the life of his parents he remained 
 at the farm, but since their death he has made 
 his home in Smoketown, while still continuing to 
 oversee his estate, which he rents to other par- 
 ties. 
 
 Inheriting a fair fortune, Mr. Brown has added 
 to it by wise investments, and is doubtless one 
 of the wealthiest men in the county, being ex- 
 tensively engaged in loaning money at interest. 
 His dealings are marked by strict honesty, and 
 the better one knows him the more he is esteemed. 
 He is of a retiring disposition, never much away 
 from home, and seldom conversing to any extent 
 with his acquaintances, and, despite his wealth, 
 his expenditures for personal comfort are very 
 small. A kindly heart beats under the rough 
 exterior, however, and- he is credited with gen- 
 erous sympathy for the needy. In his business 
 he never was known to foreclose if a debtor 
 seemed in the least inclined to help himself, and, 
 although unmarried and childless, he favors the 
 best schools obtainable for the children of his 
 district, and cheerfully pays enlarged taxes to 
 secure better educational privileges for them. 
 
 Politically he is a Republican, and in early 
 years he was a Whig, but, while as an individual 
 he supports his principles steadfastly, he has 
 never taken an active share in party management 
 or sought official distinction. 
 
 JOHN LILLEY. Among the skilled artisans 
 whose work in the material development of 
 this section will furnish an enduring monu- 
 ment to them, is the well-known iron-molder, 
 John Lilley, of Lewisburg, who is now, at the 
 age of seventy-six, enjoying the leisure which a 
 life of industry and thrift has gained. Mr. Lil- 
 ley was born in Robinson township, Berks Co., 
 Penn., April 14, 1821, the son of John and 
 Sarah (Almond) Lilley, and grandson of Walter 
 Lilley and his wife (who was a member of the 
 old Depew family). 
 
 The father of Mr. Lilley, who was a suc- 
 cessful molder, died in Pottsville, Penn., in 1858, 
 at the age of sixty-four, from the effects of a 
 
 rupture, while on a visit, and his remains were 
 interred there. He was a native of Berks coun- 
 ty, as was his wife, whose parents, George and 
 Mary (Mingus) Almond, were born in America of 
 German ancestry. She died in 1872, aged sev- 
 enty-nine years, eleven months and twenty- 
 eight days. Our subject is now the only sur- 
 viving member of a family of seven children, 
 namely: Elizabeth, widow of the late Thomas 
 Fair; Samuel; Anna, who married Peter Cox, 
 now deceased; John; Henry; Caroline, widow of 
 the late Henry Green; and Sarah J., wife of H. 
 Worthington, also deceased. 
 
 John Lilley's aptitude for mechanial work 
 was displayed at a remarkably early age. When 
 only twelve years old he would prepare the 
 molds for a tin-plate cook stove in a day, but, 
 as he was not then permitted to handle the 
 hot iron, his father would do the casting in the 
 evening. At fifteen he was fully competent to 
 take a place in the molding room, and do a full 
 day's work. Until the age of twenty he re- 
 mained with his parents, then started to make 
 his own way in the world. 
 
 On February 23, 1840, our subject was mar- 
 ried to Miss Sarah Heckman, the daughter of 
 John J. Heckman, a native of Berks county, 
 Penn.. where Mrs. Lilley was born December 
 22, 18 19. Mr. Lilley's financial outlook was 
 dark at the time of his marriage, times being very 
 hard; so hard that between 1838 and 1840 he 
 received $1 per day instead of $1.30, as before, 
 and, in fact, he was glad to get work at any 
 price. He and his devoted wife kept in good 
 cheer, however, sustained by their mutual af- 
 fection. 
 
 In 1853 Mr. Lilley formed a partnership with 
 Henry Frick in a foundry business at Lewis- 
 burg, the firm continuing until 1857, when the 
 plant was sold at a loss of $4,000. Mr. Lilley 
 resumed his work as a molder, which he followed 
 seven years, but in 1864 he entered the employ 
 of James S. Marsh, with whom he spent four- 
 teen years selling agricultural implements. From 
 1878 to 1890 he was engaged in molding, his 
 last work of that kind being done on the last 
 three spans of the Lewisburg bridge. In 1890 
 he retired from business, and has since been ex- 
 empt from the cares which for so many years 
 occupied his time. 
 
 His faithful wife passed away on April 1, 
 1892, and of their six children, one has been 
 taken away. Samuel, the eldest, is a well-to- 
 do farmer in Dakota; Sarah J. married A. M. 
 Pearce, a retired farmer now living in Lewis- 
 burg; Alford, a plasterer, resides in Fremont, 
 Ohio; Mary E., widow of Amos Powman, lives 
 
820 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 at Linntown, Penn. ; Henry, deceased, was a 
 shoemaker at Lewisburg, where his son Walter 
 P. is now a successful business man; and John 
 - a fanner in Union county. 
 
 Mr. Lill rvedly popular ai lg a 
 
 :e circle ol acquaintances, his genial nature 
 
 ment making an attractive com- 
 
 y, he is a Republican, and in 
 
 relig th is a Lutheran. He formerly be- 
 
 I the United 
 Or<1 American Mechanics, but withdrew 
 
 GU.YIX MOHN, M. D. To the 
 ifessiona man whose suc- 
 
 has ac- 
 quired a high reputation in his ch< mg, 
 and whi the result 
 i irrepn fe than i I natural 
 i I tinctivel) efer- 
 his life-work, yet 1>> 
 eai nest ap| s; but it 
 nly when natural pled with pr per 
 ambition to nything like eminence 
 n any V I >r. Mohn has not 
 
 i inks 
 it also stands high in 
 business and I 
 
 A Ivania, having been 
 
 Ma) 24 • county, oni- 
 
 on both sill fam- 
 
 ilies prominent among I ite. 
 
 grandfather, was the 
 
 thii : Ludwi n, who was born in 
 
 I i ■ man) , w he emi- 
 
 I ■ near whi I Read- 
 
 ing now stands. 1' t( 1 Mohn died in that county 
 
 hn Mohi Di Mi bn 
 
 ptembei inn,, 
 
 and pard, of 
 
 unty, horn May 15. 1793. Here their 
 
 six children were horn, as follows: 
 
 ■ 
 S illie, whi 1 mai 
 Noah 1 
 
 P i ! M irkle; Amelia, « il ulp; 
 
 d |ohn, who is th nily now 
 
 livii I will 1 n. In 1 
 
 ither John M ihn ' w ith his family 
 
 1 now Snydei 1 coun- 
 
 of Ins days there, dying 
 
 March -, 1 His w ife passed 
 
 from plai '■ ust 29, 1 
 
 n Mohn, the lather of our subject, was 
 
 born in 1831, in Berks county, Penn., ami, as 
 will be seen, was about five years old when the 
 family moved to what is now Snyder county, 
 For a time he followed carpentry, but later has 
 devi 'ted his time and attention mainly t( 1 the saw- 
 mill business. As one of the leading Republicans 
 of the community in which he lives, he has tilled 
 various public offices in Snyder county, such as 
 constable of his township some eighteen years, 
 and for a time was county c nissioner of Sny- 
 der county. In religious faith he is a Lutheran. 
 In 1852 he married Mi-s Barbara Stine.wbowas 
 born in Snyder county, Penn., in 1829, and tl 
 became the parents of the following children: 
 Alice, now the wife of William Hart man, of Cen- 
 treville; Henry, who is in business with his 
 ther; George C. , the sul>ieet proper I this re- 
 view; Charle luate of the College oi Phy- 
 sicians and Surgeons, of Baltimore, Md., and who 
 is now successfully engaged in practice at |ei 
 Shore, Penn. ; John E . 1 graduati of the Phila- 
 
 phia toll, gi ol Pharmacy, and now the ownei 
 of two drug stores at Jerse) Shore; William, who 
 is in business with his father at Centreville; James 
 O., a physician of Si M try's. Elk Co . Penn . 
 who graduated from Jefferson Medical College in 
 
 14; and Thomas E., a railroad agent at Munc) 
 Valley, Pennsylvania. 
 
 Dr. George C. Mohn received his earliei 
 
 cati otreville and Selins (ir"\<. Snyder 
 
 Co., Penn., and completed his literary studies at 
 
 Valparaiso, Ind., after which he taught school 
 
 (or three winters After reading medicine for a 
 
 time at Centreville he entered the Collegi 
 
 Physicians and Surgeons at Baltimore, Md., 
 
 luating there with the class of '82, and on 
 
 the 13th o| April, same year, h<- commenced the 
 
 practice of his chosen 1 a at 1 turelton, 
 
 Union county, where his abi m won him 
 
 and wheie hi has built up lor him- 
 
 sell an enviable record as an eminently succ. 
 
 fill 1 11. Poss' I a kindly and sym- 
 
 nature, a keen sense 1 'l discrimination, 
 
 itural taste for the various bran the 
 
 ion, coupled with quick intuif 
 
 and mate skill, hi I p pulai it\ 
 
 to his many friends. I < ir about 
 
 eighl years tin D01 toi was also I in the 
 
 dm. ; Laurelton, anil, being a man of 
 
 irdinary business acumen. 1 
 
 ipital. Desiring t" 
 
 I hi-- business relations and possibilities, he, 
 
 in member of the I turelton 
 
 I. umbei 1 ■ which he 1- 1 sid< nt, and 
 
 win rn is now remarkable for having at 
 
 its head threi ol the n g )"illlf; 
 
 men mI the county. He i-~ also 1 lar^e stock- 
 
. 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 821 
 
 holder in and a director of the Linden Hall Lum- 
 ber Co., of Linden Hall, Penn., of which con- 
 cern he is also superintendent. 
 
 Laurelton Lumber Company, manufactur- 
 ers of lumber, shingles and lath, shippers of prop 
 timber and ties, with general office at Sunbury, 
 Penn., is one of the largest concerns in that line 
 of business in Pennsylvania. The firm owns 
 some 25,000 acres of timber land, and the ex- 
 ecutive department at present (1898) consists of 
 S. W. Rutherford, president; Dr. G. C. Mohn, 
 vice-president; and Charles Steele, secretary and 
 treasurer. The Laurelton Lumber Company is 
 remarkable for having at its head three of the 
 most enterprising young men of the county, and 
 own and control seventeen miles of narrow-gauge 
 railroad, called the Laurelton & Pine Creek rail- 
 road. The business was built up from the small 
 portable sawmill to the present mammoth con- 
 cern. Their product is mainly virgin-growth 
 white and yellow pine, and goes to the largest 
 consumers in the country. They trade largely 
 with the anthracite mines, and are noted for 
 quick shipments, their plant at Laurelton, Penn., 
 being on the Pennsylvania railroad, and only 
 forty-nine miles from Shamokin. They have the 
 largest body of white pine, yellow pine, and hem- 
 lock in the central part of the State. The suc- 
 cess of the company, who have a paid-up capital 
 of $100,000, has been due to the energetic efforts 
 of its officers, who personally conduct the busi- 
 ness and look after its every detail. 
 
 Linden Hall Lumber Company, manufac- 
 turers of lumber, shingles, and lath, shippers of 
 prop timber and ties, with general offices at Sun- 
 bury, Penn., ranks among the most extensive 
 concerns in their line of business in Pennsylvania. 
 The firm own some 10,000 acres of timber land 
 in Centre and Huntington counties, and the ex- 
 ecutive department at present (1898) consists of 
 M. F. Nagle, of Shamokin, Penn., president; 
 Chas. A. Meek, vice-president; Dr. G. C. Mohn, 
 superintendent; and Chas. Steele, secretary and 
 treasurer. Their plant at Linden Hall, Penn., 
 is bus) twelve months in the year, and their cus- 
 tomers are the largest buyers of railroad and 
 mining timbers in the country. G. C. Mohn and 
 S. W. Rutherford are large stock holders in the 
 company. They have a narrow-gauge railroad 
 fifteen miles long. 
 
 In 1883 Dr. Mohn was united in marriage 
 with Miss Laura A. Showers, a native of Centre- 
 ville, Snyder county, and a daughter, Ruth B., 
 born March 18, 1892, brightens their home. Fra- 
 ternally the Doctor is one of the highest, most 
 prominent and zealous Freemasons in the State, 
 having taken all the degrees to and including the 
 
 32nd, Scottish Rite, and being a member of the 
 Mystic Shrine, Lu Lu . Temple, Philadelphia. 
 Politically he is an ardent worker in the ranks of 
 the Republican party, having served as a com- 
 mitteeman continuously since 18S4. For four 
 years, during President Harrison's administra- 
 tion, he acceptably served as postmaster at Lau- 
 relton. 
 
 The Doctor is one who, outside of the esteem 
 in which he is held for his scientific knowledge 
 and business capacity, enjoys the admiration of 
 all for his kindUfiess of disposition and amiability 
 of heart. In manner he is social and friendly, 
 and possesses qualities that readily win popu- 
 larity and respect. In private life that true man- 
 liness of deportment, that genial and kindly na- 
 ture, which have always characterized him in 
 public, find still more adequate and complete ex- 
 pression, and in the bosom of his family he ever 
 finds his highest happiness. 
 
 JOHN B. ZEIGLER, the popular and well- 
 known postmaster of Swengel, Union coun- 
 ty, is a native of Centre county, Penn. , born 
 November 1 1, 1843, and is a son of Michael and 
 Lydia (Gephart) Zeigler. He is the second in 
 order of birth in the family of eleven children, . 
 the others being as follows: Daniel, now a sad- 
 dler living in Millheim, Centre county; Sarah J., 
 wife of Andrew Reesman, a tinsmith, of Centre 
 Hall, Centre county; Mary A., wife of Benjamin 
 Arney, a farmer living near Centre Hall; Emma 
 R., wife of Geary Van Pelt, a manufacturer re- 
 siding in New York; James, a resident of Union 
 county; Alice E., who died in childhood; and 
 four died in infancy. 
 
 To a limited extent, Mr. Zeigler attended the 
 public schools, but he is almost wholly self-edu- 
 cated. Until seventeen years of age, his early 
 life was mainly devoted to the work of the farm, 
 but at that time he left the parental roof to make 
 his own way in the world. In 1862, when only 
 nineteen, he enlisted in Company A, 148th P. V. 
 I., and participated in all the important battles 
 in which his regiment was engaged, including 
 those of Reams Station, Chancellorsville, the 
 Wilderness and Gettysburg. He belonged to 
 General Beaver's command, and when the war 
 had ended he was honorably discharged. 
 Throughout the principal part of his active busi- 
 ness career he has followed the carpenter's trade, 
 and is a skillful, painstaking workman. 
 
 In 1867 Mr. Zeigler was married to Miss 
 Sarah J.'Yarger, who was born January 1, 1849, 
 and is a daughter of Edward and Elizabeth Yar- 
 ger. To them was born one son, Edward Grant, 
 

 ' OMMEMORATIVB BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 named in honor of Gen. Grant, but he died at 
 the age of seven years. 
 
 On October 31, 1894, Mr. Zeigler was ap- 
 pointed postmaster of Swengel, the duties of which 
 office he has since discharged in a most capable 
 manner. Well posted on the leading issues and 
 questions of the day, he has become a stanch bi- 
 metalist, and as an intelligent, honorable and 
 patriotic citizen, he has gained the confidence 
 and esteem of all with whom be has come in con- 
 tact in either business or social life. 
 
 SW. RUTHERFORD, P. O. Laurelton. 
 Pennsylvania, is president of the Laurelton 
 Lumber Company, with general office at Sun- 
 bury, Penn. [See description of business on 
 e 821.] He is also a large stockholder in 
 the Linden Hall Lumber Company. [See de- 
 scription of business on page 821.] 
 
 JOHN H. MAl'CK, as a nurse, and as a vet- 
 erinary surgeon, has become widely and 
 favorably known throughout Union county, 
 where he has spent his entire life, his birth oc- 
 curring in New Berlin, July 13, 1837. 
 
 His paternal grandparents, Conrad and Cath- 
 arine Mauck, in the early part of the present 
 century came to this section of the State, and lo- 
 cated 111 what was then a part of Union countv, 
 but is now Snyder county. There the grand- 
 father followed agricultural pursuits, and reared 
 his family of six sons and three daughters: 
 John and Jacob both died in New Berlin. Da- 
 vid, the father of our subject, is next in order 
 of birth. George died in Montgomery county, 
 Penn. Jesse died in Millheim, Centre Co., 
 Penn., where his descendants still live. Thomas 
 died near New Berlin, at the age of twenty- 
 three. Polly married John Siple, and removed 
 to Illinois, where his death occurred. She then 
 returned to Pennsylvania and became the wife 
 of Feldy Eiawes, but died in Pekin, 111. Eliza- 
 beth married Abram Frederick, and died in 
 Aaronsburg, Centre Co., Penn. Sally married 
 Samuel Wilson, and died in New Berlin, The 
 grandparents were laid to rest in the cemetery 
 at New Berlin. 
 
 David Mauck, who was born in Montgomery 
 county, Penn., in 1799, was quite young when 
 
 ight by his parents to Union county, where 
 he later learned the sadler's trade. On reach- 
 ing manhood he was married, near N< w Berlin, 
 to Nancy Shrayer, who was born December 23, 
 1804, in Lancaster county, Penn., and was a 
 daughd -r of Conrad and Catharine (Hokelander) 
 
 Shrayer. The following children were born to 
 this union: Sally, now the widow of Charles L. 
 Nicholson, of Yicksburg, Union countv; James, 
 a saddler of Lock Haven. Penn.; Mary J., wife 
 of Isaac King, of New Berlin; Catharine, who 
 died at the age of twenty-two; John H., of this 
 sketch; Anna, wife of Jacob Cassel, of Philadel- 
 phia; Elizabeth, who died at the age of twenty-two 
 
 rs; and one son and two daughters who died 
 in infancy. 
 
 After his marriage, David Mauck located near 
 New Berlin, in Snyder county, but later removed 
 to that village, where his death occurred in 181 
 and his body was laid to rest. Throughout life 
 he continued to follow the saddler's trade, but 
 also gave some attention to agricultural pursuits, 
 and became quite well-to-do. He was of or- 
 dinary height and well built, and in politics was 
 first a Whig, and, later, a Republican. He and 
 his wife both held membership in the Lutheran 
 Church, and had the respect and esteem of all 
 who knew them. She continued to live at the 
 old home in New Berlin, which he had erected 
 in 1827, until called to her final rest on March 
 3, 1887. Although almost eighty-three years of 
 
 . she retained her faculties to the last, and 
 was not even gray, her hair being still jet black 
 at the time of her death. Her body was interred 
 by the side of her husband in the New Berlin 
 cemetery. 
 
 The educational advantages of John H. Mauck 
 were such as the public schools of his day af- 
 forded. His boyhood and youth were spent 
 under the parental roof, and at the age of eight- 
 een he began learning the tanner's trade, receiv- 
 ing no wages during his two-years apprenticeship, 
 but was allowed two weeks time in the harvest 
 and hay-making seasons to earn some moi 
 for himself. When he had mastered the busi- 
 ness he obtained employment in a steam tannery 
 in McAlisterville, Penn., but as he suffered from 
 rheumatism his work was often interrupted. 
 
 During the dark days of the Rebellion, Mr. 
 Mauck joined Company D, Sixth Pennsylvania 
 Reserves, under Capt. Dickson, and with his com- 
 mand was sent to Virginia. While stationed at 
 Smoky Hollow, inflamed eyes compelled him to 
 give up regular duty, and for some time he drove 
 a team. He also served as officer's cook for a 
 time. Later he was at home for a while, but in 
 
 ; he went to Harrisburg, where he enlisted 
 in March of that year in Company ('. 101st P. 
 \ I., joining the command in North Carolina, 
 and remaining at the front until hostilities ceased. 
 In August, 1865, it Harrisburg be was honorably 
 discharged and returned home. 
 
 Mr. Mauck continued to reside with his par- 
 
5^7 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 823 
 
 ents in New Berlin until 1S70. since which time 
 he has made his home in Vicksburg. Before his 
 enlistment he had taken considerable interest in 
 the anatomy of the horse, and had studied under 
 Conrad Mitchell, a skilled veterinary surgeon of 
 New Berlin. Gradually he began practice, and 
 for over a quarter of a century has successfully 
 followed that profession. As an excellent nurse 
 his services are always in demand in his locality, 
 and while in the army he also exercised his 
 ability along that line. He has had much ex- 
 perience in laying out the dead, people coming 
 from miles around to secure his services. 
 
 On August 16, 1893, in Buffalo township, 
 Union county, Mr. Mauck was married to Miss 
 Lizzie Weller, a native of Snyder county. As 
 he has no children of his own, he has adopted 
 Verna M., the daughter of Al and Sarah Wittis. 
 She was born in March, 1887, and has practic- 
 ally made her home with him since three weeks 
 old. He has occupied his present comfortable 
 home in Vicksburg since 1887, having erected 
 the same in that year. In early life he was a 
 Democrat in politics, but since Lincoln's second 
 election, in 1864, he has been an ardent Repub- 
 lican. Genial and full of fun, he makes friends 
 wherever he goes, and has the respect and con- 
 fidence of all with whom he comes in contact 
 either in business or social life. 
 
 WILLIAM STROHECKER. The banks of 
 the Susquehanna present a beautiful pan- 
 orama with their well-kept fields interspersed 
 among wilder scenes, and with the clustering 
 farm houses here and there adding charming 
 glimpses of home life. Among the best of these 
 estates is that of Mr. Strohecker, of East Buffalo 
 township, Union county, and his home is one 
 where culture and refinement unite with the sim- 
 ple and wholesome surroundings of rural life to 
 make an ideal abode. 
 
 It was at this pleasant spot that William 
 Strohecker, on November 14, 1832, was born, 
 and he has always made his home there. His 
 grandparents, Daniel and Leah (Garber) Stro- 
 hecker, were both natives of Reading, Penn., 
 and remained in Berks county, a large family be- 
 ing reared by them to lives of usefulness, namely: 
 Samuel, who became a prominent physician of 
 Brush Valley, was at one time a representative 
 from Centre county in the State Legislature; Da- 
 vid (deceased) was a farmer in Illinois; William 
 died in Sugar Valley, near Booneville; Jacob died 
 in East Buffalo township, Union county; Robert 
 H. (deceased) was a resident of Rebersburg, 
 Penn.; Daniel, Jr., died at the age of sixteen; 
 
 Charles (deceased) was a physician at Buena 
 Vista, 111. ; Sarah (Mrs. Samuel Fix) died in 
 Reading; Mary (Mrs. David Miller) died in North- 
 umberland county, Penn.;- John is mentioned 
 more fully below; Elizabeth (Mrs. Tunis Fisher) 
 died in Lewisburg; and Susan (twin of Elizabeth) 
 died in infancy. 
 
 John Strohecker, the father of our subject, 
 was born in Berks county, in August, 1803, and, 
 on starting out from the parental roof to make 
 his own way in the world, located for a short 
 time in Northumberland county before settling 
 at the present homestead. He was a short man, 
 heavy set, and possessed a fine constitution, 
 never knowing what sickness was until that which 
 terminated his life fastened upon him. At the 
 time of his death, in October, 1885, he had 
 nearly all his teeth, and showed but few signs of 
 age. His wife, Elizabeth Friedley, died in Au- 
 gust, 1 88 1, at the age of seventy-seven years, 
 and both were interred at Lewisburg. She was 
 born in 1804, in Lewisburg, the daughter of 
 John Friedley, and his wife, Elizabeth Layman, 
 a native of Lebanon county, Penn. Mrs. Stro- 
 hecker became blind in 1837, and, as is often the 
 case with those so afflicted, her other senses 
 gained acuteness, and she could recognize by the 
 voice alone friends from whom she had been 
 separated for years. 
 
 Both of our subject's parents were devout 
 members of the Lutheran Church, and the father 
 held the office of elder for many years. He was 
 prominent also in local affairs, and in the Repub- 
 lican organization, of which he was at all times 
 an outspoken champion, although he never 
 sought office. While he had but little schooling 
 in youth, his fine intellect enabled him to gain 
 information from observation and reading, and 
 his judgment in business affairs was unusually 
 good. By trade he was a bricklayer, and in 
 1856 he built the handsome residence at the 
 homestead, but he did not follow the business 
 regularly except for a few years in early life. 
 He was a natural mechanic, and besides repair- 
 ing all his farm tools, he used to make rakes, 
 single trees, and do other work in iron and wood. 
 For years previous to his death he was a director 
 in the National Bank of Lewisburg, and his ad- 
 vice was valued in all movements of im- 
 portance. As a self-made man, the comfortable 
 competence left by him reflects great credit upon 
 him, especially as it was acquired without undue 
 economy. Anything that he wanted he bought, 
 always choosing the best, and he spent much 
 time and money in traveling in all parts of this 
 country. His home, however, was the dearest 
 place on earth to him. His business in town 
 
824 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 during later years was always transacted on cer- 
 tain days, and in the intervals he was always to 
 be found at home. Our subject was the elder of 
 
 two children; the young •. widow of Dr. 
 
 Washii ' Lewisburg. 
 
 William Strohecker attended the Gundy 
 School, in his native township, in boyhood, but 
 nol beii nature he did not 1 i k. < 
 
 ing ti scho I, and did not go oftener than he 
 ■ compf I was very fond of horses, 
 
 in which he differed from his father, who stood 
 in I them. As he grew to manhood, Mr. 
 
 Str lined a responsible place 
 
 I nn. 
 On was married to 
 
 Miss | nei itive of the same town- 
 
 ship, born Jul} i, 1843, t he eldest of a family of 
 six nd four sons. Her father, Isaac 
 
 1 irn in the township, was 
 in early life a tanner and later a butcher. He 
 marrii ' ] h tnna Kelly, who was born in Lewis- 
 bin. I 1 848 they i d to that city, 
 where they now reside at advanced ages, Mr. 
 
 n years old and his 
 wife seventy-four. They have two great-grand- 
 children, William F Strohecker and Leo Rice. 
 Mrs. S - r is a lady of rare mental gifts, 
 
 \, she rei xcellent instruc- 
 
 tion in youth at Lewisburg, in the public schools 
 and unary, tl spent in the 
 
 r institul 
 Aft our subject began house- 
 
 keeping in I where he was born, from 
 
 which I: parents had removed on the completion 
 of the brick residence In the spring of 1886 he 
 of the brick house, and has since 
 occupied it. His lour children were all born 
 during his residence in the old house: (1) John 
 G., born July 30, 18C4. now occupies it in his 
 turn, and assists in the management of the estate. 
 II Miss Minnie M. Fisher, and has one 
 
 son, William F. , who is of the third generation 
 in that house. (2) Emma S., born June 
 iteof the Lewisburg High 5 
 ■ fine musii tan Foi - tveral years she 
 pianist in th-school. She married 
 
 George I' Bertollette, and resides in Lewisburg. 
 (3) 1 arrii I . bom April 30, [869, married Will- 
 iam A Kut' 1. I I wisburg. (4 Anna 11, born 
 Man li 7, 1878, is at home. The family is prom- 
 inently identified with the Lutheran Church, and 
 Mrs Strohecker is a leading member of the 
 I ilics Aid Society, the Missionary S o< iety and 1 
 the Christian I ndeavor Society, and for more 
 than fifteen years she was a teacher in the Sun- 
 day-school. 
 
 While Mr. Strohecker meets fully all the re- ' 
 
 quirements of good citizenship, as befits a man of 
 his high standing in the community. he has never 
 sought or held office, having enough to do to at- 
 1 to his own business. In politics he has 
 always been a Republican. 
 
 STEANS FAMILY. In the pioneer days of 
 Union county, no name was more widely 
 known or more highly respected than that of 
 
 Will 
 
 lam and Catharine Steans resided 
 of Leicester, Leicestershire, Eng- 
 they reared their family, among 
 three sons, John, William and 
 
 ns 
 in the town 
 land, where 
 whom were 
 Thomas. 
 
 John Steans was born in 1773, and was the 
 only member of the family to come to America. 
 He bade farewell to childhood scenes in 1S01, 
 and, alone, set forth to find a new home and 
 fortune in the New World. On arriving in this 
 country, he purchased 300 acres of land near 
 Cowan, in Union county, Penn. No clearing 
 had been done on this tract 111 fact, there were 
 no traces of human habitation on all this land, 
 save a rude cabin, that was scarcely fit for occu- 
 pancy. This afforded him shelter for a time, 
 until he had made his first clearing. This farm 
 he cultivated and improved, and here he died 
 May 27. 1851. He married Agnes Bovard, who 
 was a daughter of James and Hannah (Beatty) 
 Bovard (they had five children: Agnes (Mrs. 
 
 ins), Robert, Mary. Jane and Alexander). 
 To John Steans and his wife came children as 
 follows: (1) Hannah became the wife of David 
 Kauffman, and died May 31, 1S73. (2) Mary 
 wedded William Mather, and died May 1 1, 1 S 5 j . 
 (3) Catharine was the wife of James Mather, and 
 she died in 1834. (4) Jane died unmarried Feb- 
 ruary S, 1850. (5) Sarah A., a maiden lady, re- 
 sides in New Berlin, Penn. (6) William (of 
 whom an extended mention will follow) died Oc- 
 tober 24, 1891. 71 Nancy married Henry T. 
 Cook, and died April 25, 1XS9. The mother of 
 this family died April 26, 1S63. John Steans 
 becaim a naturalized citizen of the United States 
 August 25, 1S08. In his religious belief he v 
 a faithful member of the Baptist Church, con- 
 scientiously practicing the religion he professed. 
 Though an earnest advocate of all -ive 
 
 movements, he was modest and retiring in dis- 
 position, and never accepted office. His wife 
 and children were all members of the Presbyte- 
 rian Church. The old "Steans Manor" is yet 
 in the possession of the family. 
 
 William Steans was born April 18, 1 8 1 8 , and 
 spent his entire life on a farm. He married 
 Caroline Irvin, and they reared a family of seven 
 
^^777 
 
 *<£ 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 825 
 
 children: (i) Harriet, who died in girlhood. (2) 
 J. Charlton. (3) Rev. W. Irvin, pastor of the 
 Mahoning Street Presbyterian Church, at Dan- 
 ville, Penn. ; he married Miss Wells, of Scranton. 
 (4) Agnes, who died in girlhood. (5) Jennie R., 
 who resides with her mother at Mifflinburg, 
 Penn. (6) Annie, who died in childhood; and 
 (7) Ralph. After an honorable and useful life 
 the father of this family passed away October 
 24, 1 89 1. He was active in public work, taking 
 an especial interest in educational matters. For 
 one term he held the office of county commis- 
 sioner, and was school director and justice of 
 the peace almost continuously from the time he 
 arrived at man's estate until his death. In re- 
 ligious matters he was very devout, for thirty 
 years serving as elder in the Presbyterian Church. 
 His widow resides at Mifflinburg. 
 
 Dr. J. Charlton Steans was born Septem- 
 ber 20, 1852, and received his primary education 
 in the schools of Union county. At the age of 
 thirteen he entered Central Pennsylvania College 
 at New Berlin, Penn., and at the end of one 
 year entered the academy at Mifflinburg. Dur- 
 ing the following two years he was under private 
 instructors at Columbia, Lancaster county, after 
 which he himself taught for three years. The 
 study of medicine seemed to hold out to the 
 young man alluring possibilities, and he deter- 
 mined to become a follower of .Esculapius. He 
 began reading medicine with Dr. S. L. Van Val- 
 zah, of Mifflinburg, and then attended a course 
 of lectures at Jefferson Medical College, from 
 which institution he was graduated in 1876. On 
 March 23, of that year, he opened an office at 
 Cowan, Union county, but at the end of the first 
 year he bought the practice, goodwill, etc., of his 
 former preceptor, and located at Mifflinburg, 
 forming a co-partnership with Dr. George S. 
 Kemble, a very distinguished physician and sur- 
 geon. After three years of pleasant association, 
 this partnership was dissolved by the death of 
 Dr. Kemble, and until 1891 Dr. Steans contin- 
 ued to practice without an associate, when he 
 was joined by his brother Ralph, and the firm is 
 now known as J. Charlton Steans & Bro. In 
 the spring of 1884 Dr. J. Charlton established a 
 drug store at Mifflinburg, with a complete line 
 of goods. This is a model store, furnace heat- 
 ed, with three large consultation and operating 
 rooms on the second floor. For his prescription 
 clerk the Doctor was fortunate enough to secure 
 the invaluable services of Merill Linn Steadman, 
 a courteous gentleman, and a careful and com- 
 petent druggist. 
 
 On February 5, 1884, Dr. }. Charlton Steans 
 was married to Miss Elsie C. Foster, daughter of 
 
 Robert and Helen (Chambers) Foster, of Mifflin- 
 burg, where the former still resides; the latter 
 died April 17, 1887. To Dr. Steans and his 
 wife have come four interesting children: Sarah 
 Foster, born December 21, 1884, now a student 
 at the preparatory school of Lewisburg, Penn. ; 
 Robert Espy, born May 14, 1888; William Bo- 
 vard, born December 10, 1890; and John Charl- 
 ton, Jr., born May 28, 1895. For sixteen years 
 the Doctor has been a member of the Lycoming 
 County Medical Society, and regularly attends 
 the meetings at Williamsport; he is also a mem- 
 ber of the State Medical Association. In his re- 
 ligious belief he inclines to the faith of his father, 
 and has long been an earnest instructor in the 
 Sunday-school. Kindly and charitably inclined, 
 he has long been looked upon as one of the 
 benevolent men of the place, and his honorable 
 business principles have won for him a place 
 among that class of men whose traits of character 
 are most exemplary, tending to the spreading of 
 the beneficent lights of broader Christianity. 
 
 Dr. Ralph Steans obtained his literary 
 education at LaFayette College, class of '87, 
 and his medical education was secured in the 
 University of Pennsylvania, from which he was 
 graduated in 1891. After spending early summer 
 in Mifflinburg he went to Garfield Memorial Hos- 
 pital, Washington, D. C. , in September. Re- 
 turning to Mifflinburg in 1892, he has since prac- 
 ticed medicine with his brother, and has greatly 
 distinguished himself in his chosen profession. 
 In the comparatively short time he has been 
 practicing he has taken high rank, especially as 
 a diagnostician. 
 
 On October 10, 1895, Dr. Ralph Steans was 
 wedded to Miss Carrie Lall Hoffa, a daughter of 
 Hon. Cyrus Hoffa. Dr. Ralph has always been 
 an active Church worker, and succeeded his fa- 
 ther as elder in the Presbyterian Church. He 
 is conscientious and faithful in the discharge of 
 every duty, and the unfortunate never fail to find 
 in him a helping friend. 
 
 The firm of Steans Bros, enjoys a most ex- 
 tended practice, proving alike their ability as 
 physicians and their worth as men. 
 
 J'ACOB H. SMITH. A true educator leaves 
 upon the plastic material with which he deals 
 an impress which is none the less powerful 
 because its results are intangible and may, indeed, 
 be unrecognized by those who are most benefited 
 by his labors. The late Jacob H. Smith, of 
 Kelly township, Union county, who was for 
 twenty years a teacher in that locality, is held in 
 grateful remembrance by many for whom he 
 
B26 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 smoothed the path of knowledge, but no one can 
 fully estimate the good which he accomplished 
 during his career. 
 
 Mr. Smith was born in [836, in Hartleton 
 township, Union county, and was the son of a 
 well known farmer, George Smith, who with his 
 wife, Catherine Hoff, came from their birthplace 
 in Berks county. Penn., to this section early in 
 their married life. At that time they had one 
 child, Benneball (now deceased), and eight "thers 
 were born to them at the old homestead at Hart- 
 leton, namely: John (deceased), Rachel (widow 
 of Jonathan Clingman, a noted lime manufac- 
 turer, of Buffalo township. Union county, where 
 she still resides), George (deceased), Sarah who 
 married Aaron Miller, both now deceased), Jacob 
 H. (our subject), Henry (deceased), Hannah 
 (now of Tiffin, Ohio, widow of John Smith, who 
 was no relation), and Frank, an extensive land 
 owner and agriculturist of Clay county, Kans. 
 The father of this family died at Hartleton, in 
 1X70, having then attained the allotted limit of 
 three-score years and ten. The mother survived 
 him and spent her last days at the home of our 
 subject, where her death occurred in 1SS4, at the 
 age of seventy-one. 
 
 Jacob H. Smith became familiar with the 
 details of farm work in his youth, and was always 
 mon or less engaged in agriculture. He began 
 teaching at the age of nineteen, and so marked 
 was his success that his services were always in 
 demand, nine years being spent in one school at 
 Black Run. After leaving the profession he con- 
 tinued to show a keen interest in educational 
 progress, and lor six years he served as a 
 school director in his district. He was a 
 man whose influence was felt in public affairs, 
 and he was twice elected supervisor, and 
 also held the office of tax collector for two terms. 
 Financially he was regarded as one of the sub- 
 stantial men of the township, and at his death 
 he left a fine estate. 
 
 In the fall ol [856 Mr. Smith was married to 
 Miss Elizabeth Miller, with whom he passed 
 nearly forty years oi wedded life before he was 
 called from earth, his death occurring Januar) 
 22, 1894, at the age of fifty-seven years, eight 
 months and twenty-two days. Mrs. Smith now 
 resides at Taylorville I Dion county, and four 
 children of their union also survive: Allen M. 
 lives in Colorado, where he is engaged in farming 
 and trucking; Franklin Linn, nowol Los Vngi 
 Cal., is a for a mineral spring company; 
 
 George E. manages the old I ead. in Kellj 
 
 township, Union county; and Margaret E. res 
 with her mother. 
 
 Mrs. Smith was a native of Buffalo township, 
 
 Union county, born January y, [836, and her 
 . parents, George and Sarah (Marts) Miller, were 
 lifelong residents of that county. Her ancestors 
 on both sides came to this section at an early 
 , period, and her paternal grandfather, George 
 Miller, Sr. , lived and died upon a farm which 
 lay on the line between Union and Snyder coun- 
 ties, while her maternal grandfather, Peter Marts, 
 had his home in Snyder county. Her father 
 owned and operated a distillery in Buffalo town- 
 ship during his early manhood, but later located 
 on a farm in Buffalo township, Union county, 
 where he died in 1850, at the age of sixty-one 
 years and three months. Her mother survived 
 him until 1S64, when she breathed her last at 
 seventy years of a: 
 
 Thirteen children were born to their union: 
 George (a farmer, died in Ohio), Catherine (mar- 
 ried Samuel Bickel, both now deceased), Peter 
 1 who died in Union county, was a farmer until 
 his retirement from active business), John (de- 
 ceased, was a farmer in Union county), Henry 
 (is now deceased), Aaron (deceased, was a car- 
 penter in Union county), Sarah (deceased, was 
 the wife of Howard Anderson, the owner of a 
 chopmill at Taylorville), Edward, a retired farmer 
 of Kelly township, Union county), Levi (de- 
 ceased), Mary P. (married Richard Bickel, a 
 farmer in Seneca county, Ohio), Elias (a farmer 
 in Buffalo township, Union county), Elizabeth 
 1 Mrs. Smith, was the twelfth in order of birth , 
 and Benjamin (an engineer in a sawmill at Fre- 
 mont, Ohio). 
 
 JE. GROVE, freight and ticket agent. Penn- 
 L sylvania Railroad Company. Millmont, 
 Union County, Pennsylvania. 
 
 SOLOMON K. UREISBACH (deceased), who 
 at the time of his death was the oldest male 
 representative of the honored pioneer family of 
 that name, was born September 17, 1825, on the 
 old Dreisbach homestead in Buffalo township, 
 Union county. 
 
 The estate came into the possession of the 
 family before the Revolutionary war. having been 
 purchased in 1773 from Dr. William l'lunkett by 
 our subject's great-grandfather, Martin D] 
 bach. This pioneer was born in Weisbaden, 
 German\. about 1717, and came to America 
 in 1752. locating first in the vicinity of Reading, 
 Penn. About twenty years later he removed to 
 his new home, in what is now Buffalo township, 
 Union county, and the remainder of his life was 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 327 
 
 spent there in the care of his extensive estate. 
 In 1788 he donated seven and one-half acres of 
 land, near his home, in order to encourage the 
 building of the Lutheran church, and the log 
 structure then erected became a historic land- 
 mark. The site has ever been sacred to relig- 
 ious uses, and Dreisbach Church will doubtless 
 serve as a memorial to its founder through all 
 future time. He was one of the first elders, and 
 at his death, February 18, 1799, at the age of 
 sixty-seven years, he left a large family. Of the 
 four sons, Henry went to Ohio in 1804, and laid 
 out the town of Circleville; Jacob died in Union 
 county, Penn. ; John lived and died in Mifflin- 
 burg; Martin, Jr., the grandfather of our subject, 
 is mentioned more fully farther on. There were 
 two daughters, Mrs. Henry Aurand and Mrs. 
 Peter Fisher. 
 
 Martin Dreisbach was born about 1764, and 
 was but a child when he accompanied his parents 
 to Union county, where he remained, agricult- 
 ural pursuits occupying his attention. He died 
 at the old farm on October 20, 1831. 
 
 Among his children was Martin Dreisbach 
 (our subject's father), who was born December 
 6, 1800, and attained a position of marked influ- 
 ence in the political, social, and business affairs 
 of the community. On February 3, 1865, he 
 was appointed, by Gov. Curtin, to the office of 
 associate judge of the county, and a few months 
 later he was elected to succeed himself, his term 
 beginning November 6, 1865, and expiring in 
 December, 1870. He was a Democrat until the 
 Civil war, when he gave allegiance to the Repub- 
 lican party. By occupation he was a farmer, the 
 greater portion of his life being spent on the 
 homestead, although he resided for a time on a 
 farm just south of it; but his last days were 
 passed in Lewisburg, his death occurring March 
 15, 1880. On October 14, 1824, he was mar- 
 ried to Miss Elizabeth Kleckner, who was born 
 in Union county about 1802, the daughter of 
 Solomon Kleckner, and his wife, a Miss Hoover. 
 Mrs. Dreisbach passed away October 2, 1875, 
 and the remains of both parents now rest in the 
 churchyard where so many of the name sleep. 
 Seven children were born to this honored couple, 
 namely: (1) Solomon K., our subject; (2) Cy- 
 rus, who followed farming for some years, and 
 then removed to Lewisburg to engage in the 
 hardware business; he died at the age of sixty- 
 eight years; (3) Charles, who died at the age of 
 thirty-two years, at Vicksburg, Penn., where he 
 was building a large hotel; (4) Hiram, who owns 
 and operates a planing-mill at Sunbury, Penn.; 
 (5) William, a manufacturer of shoes and shoe 
 findings, with residence at Philadelphia; (6) Mar- 
 
 tin, a resident of Wilkes Barre, Penn., who was 
 formerly a coal operator, and is now a clerk in 
 the office of the commissioners of Luzerne coun- 
 ty; (7) Miriam, who died in Lewisburg. 
 
 The venerable subject of this sketch was an 
 eye witness to great changes in the locality where 
 his youth was spent. He was reared as a farmer 
 boy, and attended a subscription school in a log 
 cabin on the homestead, Daniel Breyfogle being 
 his first teacher. On leaving the parental roof 
 he took charge of a farm in Hartley township, 
 Union county, belonging to his father, and on 
 March 18, 1849, he was married to Miss Susan- 
 nah Shoemaker, who was born March 2, 1827, 
 near Vicksburg, Penn., daughter of Benjamin 
 and Susannah (Ludwig) Shoemaker. The first 
 year of their wedded life was passed at the farm 
 in Hartley township, but in the spring of 1850 
 Mr. Dreisbach formed a partnership with Joseph 
 Forey, and became the owner of the mill and 
 part of the machinery. After four years in this 
 business he gave it up and engaged in preparing 
 sumach for market; but after a time the repeated 
 cutting of the plant brought about its extinction, 
 and he found his occupation gone. His factory 
 near Laurelton had fine water power, which he 
 used in various profitable ways, and at one time 
 he manufactured farmers' supplies of different 
 kinds. In 1863 he moved to New Berlin, and 
 began the manufacture of blasting powder in 
 partnership with B. F. Potts, their establishment 
 being the only one of the sort ever founded in 
 the country. On abandoning this business a few 
 years later, our subject embarked in the grocery 
 business at Sunbury with his brother Hiram, 
 under the firm name of Dreisbach Bros., and 
 continued for about twenty-five years. From 
 the year 1893 he lived in retirement in New Ber- 
 lin, where he owned a comfortable and handsome 
 home recently remodeled. He had other valu- 
 able real estate in New Berlin, with other prop- 
 erty in Sunbury, Lewiston and Laurelton, includ- 
 ing some business blocks. He also owned a farm 
 in West Perry township, Snyder county, and the 
 care of his investments kept him in touch with 
 the business world in which he was so long an 
 active figure. Of his two children, Charles W., 
 died at the age of four years; Agnes married 
 William Davenport, and died near Beach Haven, 
 Luzerne Co., Penn., leaving one daughter, Ella, 
 who is now attending school at New Berlin. Mr. 
 Dreisbach was called from earth March 20, 1898. 
 
 Our subject never entered the political arena 
 as an office-seeker, but he took keen interest in 
 the various issues which came up for discussion 
 and settled during his long life. In his early 
 days he gave his support to the Democratic party, 
 
-'- 
 
 ' OXMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 but his anti-slavery sent led him to j 
 
 the Republican organization a~ - it was 
 
 formed. 
 
 H. R< (THERMEL, de: - and 
 
 shoes, Kelly Cross Roads, Union Co., 
 Pennsylvania. 
 
 JEREMIAH MUSSER, v I Jaid aside 
 
 the cares and n business, is 
 
 numbered among the ■ 
 Mifflinburg, Union county, h; e he 
 
 is held in that reverence and respect tacitly ac- 
 corded those whose lives have been distinguished 
 by integrity and usefulness. 
 
 Mr. Musser was born Marcl in Sny- 
 
 ounty, Penn., which at that time was a part 
 of Union county, and he is a son of John and De- 
 bora (Stetler) Musser, native ks and Sny- 
 der counties, Penn., respectively. The paternal 
 
 idparents spent their entire lives in Berks 
 county. The parents of cur subject were mar- 
 in Snyder county and reared a family of ten 
 children, namely: Henry, I .■ \.l;un, Jere- 
 
 h, Reuben, Sarah, Lydia, Amelia, Matilda 
 all of whom grew to maturity and 
 
 ime heads of families with t u of 
 
 the youngest — Sophia, who died in childhood. 
 
 On reaching manhood Jeremiah Mi 
 
 rving a i 
 nticeship, and he continued to - 
 
 lullv follow that occupation until [858, when 
 he pun h ised a farm and turned his attentioi 
 
 icultural pursuits. Upon that place he 1 
 tinned to reside until the spring oi 1873, when 
 he retired from active labor, and has ved 
 
 in Mifflinburg, occupying a comfortable and pleas- 
 ant home. 
 
 At the age of twenty-four, Mr. Musser 
 
 married to Miss Mary Dennis, who was born in 
 
 Berks county, November 8, iSjj. and when a 
 
 mere child was brought to Union county, by her 
 
 nts, [ohn and Elizabeth nis, na- 
 
 5 of Berks county. The who wa 
 
 lri>h origin, died at the ight) years, and 
 
 the mother, who was of English di scent, at the 
 age of nghty-eight. both passing away in Ur 
 county, and their remains were interred at R 
 Church in Lewis township 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Musser have six children, who 
 in order of birth are as follow-; John, a resident 
 of Mifflinburg, is married and follows the occu- 
 pations of fanning and burning lime; Robert, who 
 was a Union soldier, laid down his life on the 
 
 altar of his country during the war of the Rebel- 
 lion; Matilda is the wife of Jacob Rudy, a car- 
 penter and builder ol Mifflinburg; Elizabeth is 
 the wife of Harry De Long, a carpenter residing 
 in Philadelphia; Daniel is married, and is engaged 
 in the lime business in Mifflinburg; and Chi 1 
 is married, and operates his father's farm in West 
 Buffelo township. 
 
 1 st toil and habits of economy, Mr. 
 
 and Mrs. Musser have accumulated considerable 
 
 - on starting upon their married life 
 
 they had very little of this world's goods. She 
 
 le their carp flax which they raised, 
 
 and the seen t - f their success was their ability 
 
 tacture with their own hand- everything 
 
 necessary for thi tnce of their family. It is 
 
 : opinion that the inability of the young peo- 
 
 he present day to acquire homes of their 
 
 may be laid to the fact that they are not 
 
 satisfied in life as their parents did. Al- 
 
 Mr. Musser is now eighty years of age 
 
 and his wife seventy-five, they are still well pre- 
 
 ed and active, doing their own work without 
 
 I help. They are widel} and favorably 
 
 ughout Union county, where they 
 
 have so long made their home, and no couple is 
 
 mention in a work of this 
 
 character than Jeremiah Musser and his estima- 
 
 HENRY BROWN. The Brown family is an 
 old and numerous one in Union county, and 
 has contributed many prominent and worthy citi- 
 zens to this section of the State, among whom is 
 ■ ntirely deserving of all the 
 m invariably tendi red the name. 
 The family, while not the oldest, or even among 
 the oldest, has ever since its advent in Union 
 nty, in the spring of 1S04, been actively 
 identified with the development of this region, 
 and been instrumental in placing the county in 
 the ' fty position it occupies in the magnificent 
 ixy of Pennsylvania's counties. 
 
 ild home in Pine Grove township, 
 Berl 1 Penn., John Brown, the grandfather 
 
 subject, came to Union county, in 1 i 
 and located in Buffalo Valley. He was born in 
 1756, in this State, of German parentage, and 
 m their st 1 r independ- 
 
 ence. Near what is now Smoketown, he pur- 
 chased what was known as the Andrew Edge 
 r eight pounds per acre, and about 
 the only improvement upon the farm was an old 
 cabin. Hi dud December 13, 1838, his wife 
 in 1806, and both were buried in the Dreisbach 
 cemeterv. In their familv were nine children, 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 829 
 
 namely: John, who migrated to Ohio; Eliza- 
 beth, who married Simon Crist, and moved to 
 Ohio; Christina, wife of Philip Frederick; Peter, 
 who became a resident of Ohio; Abraham, of 
 Pennsylvania; William, father of our subject; 
 Christian, of Pennsylvania; Michael (deceased), 
 who at one time served as county commissioner 
 of Union county; and Jacob. 
 
 William Brown was born in Berks county in 
 1792, and when twelve years of age took up his 
 residence in Union county, where he later mar- 
 ried Barbara, a daughter of Henry Getz. They 
 began their domestic life upon a part of his fa- 
 ther's land in East Buffalo township, and, in con- 
 nection with its operation, he also engaged in 
 the distilling business for some time in partner- 
 ship with his brother Abraham. Later he pur- 
 chased fifty acres, which forms a part of our 
 subject's farm, and gave his entire attention to 
 agricultural pursuits. He was a robust man ami 
 did considerable hard work. In politics he was 
 first a Whig, and later a Republican, and took 
 quite an active interest in public affairs, while, 
 religiously, he was a prominent member of the 
 Reformed Church, in which he was serving as 
 elder at the time of his death, September 29, 
 1S75. He was at that time eighty-four years of 
 age; his wife had died at the age of sixty, and the 
 remains of both were interred in the Lewisburg 
 cemetery. 
 
 Eight children were born to this worthy 
 couple, namely: John, who died at the age of 
 twenty-two; Peter, who died in childhood; Will- 
 iam, who died in Kansas; Henry, of this sketch; 
 Mary, who became the wife of Charles Yoder, 
 and died in Wichita, Kans. ; Abram, a resident of 
 East Buffalo township, Union Co., Penn. ; Ma- 
 tilda, wife of Jonas Hoy, of Buffalo township, 
 the same county; and Isaac, a minister of the 
 Reformed Church, who died in Wichita, Kansas. 
 
 During his boyhood Henry Brown attended 
 the Turtle Creek school, which was conducted 
 on the subscription plan, but at that time one 
 month's schooling a year was considered suffi- 
 cient. His training at farm work, however, was 
 not so limited, and, with the exception of five 
 years, his entire life has been passed on the old 
 homestead, where his birth occurred September 
 25, 1820. 
 
 In East Buffalo township, Mr. Brown was 
 married December 22, 1846, to Miss Rachel 
 Gundy, who was born in that township, October 
 16, 1 829, and is the oldest of the four children of 
 George and Catharine (Zentmeyer) Gundy, hav- 
 ing two brothers and one sister. For four years 
 after his marriage Mr. Brown operated rented 
 land, but in the spring of 1S5 1 he returned to the 
 
 old homestead, having purchased fifty-six acres 
 of land from his father. Eight years later the 
 old one-story-and-a-half house was replaced by 
 his present substantial brick residence, and he 
 has made many other valuable and useful im- 
 provements upon the place. He has also en- 
 larged the boundaries of his farm, which now 
 include eighty-four acres of rich and arable land. 
 
 For over half a century Mr. and Mrs. 
 Brown have now traveled life's journey together, 
 sharing with each other its joys and sorrows, its 
 adversity and prosperity. Their home has been 
 brightened by six children: William George, 
 born January 1, 1848, died July 12, 1S70; 
 Franklin W. , born December 31, 1849, is now 
 the minister of the Reformed Church at Aarons- 
 burg, Penn.; John E., born August 30, 1852, is 
 a resident of Snyder county, Penn.; Simon P., 
 born June 5, 1S55, is a farmer of Freeport, 111.; 
 James S., born October 21, 1859, is a photogra- 
 pher of Lewisburg, Penn.; and Isaac C. , born 
 May 31, 1862, is at home. He married Miss 
 Marsche Wetzel, and has two children — Rue E. 
 and Charles W. 
 
 Mr. Brown has lost considerable by going secu- 
 rity for others, but has mainly prospered and his 
 word is considered as good as his bond. Asa stanch 
 Republican he has been elected to a number of 
 official positions of honor and trust, including 
 those of school director and supervisor. He is 
 an active and prominent member of the Reformed 
 Church, in which he has served as elder for 
 about twelve years, while his estimable wife holds 
 membership in the Lutheran Church. 
 
 DAM MUSSER. There are few men more 
 3L worthy of representation in a work of this 
 kind than the subject of this biography, who is 
 passing the later years of his life in retirement 
 at his pleasant home in Laurelton, Union coun- 
 ty. His has been a long and busy career, rich 
 with experience, and in which he has established 
 himself in the esteem and confidence of all who 
 know him. 
 
 Of German descent, Mr. Musser was born in 
 Snyder county, Penn., April 3, 1S15, a son of 
 John and Deborah (Stetler) Musser. His father 
 and grandfather both spent their entire lives in 
 that county. In the family of the former were 
 ten children: Henry, who died in Juniata coun- 
 ty, Penn., at the age of eighty-four years; George, 
 who, at the age of seventy-two, was killed at 
 Franklin, Snyder county, left a family; Adam, of 
 this sketch; Jeremiah, who is married and lives 
 in Mifflinburg, Penn.; Sarah, who became the 
 wife of Jacob Gloss, died several years ago; Ly- 
 
580 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 dia, who lives in the West; Amelia, a resident of 
 Mifflinburg, Penn. , Reuben, who makes his home 
 in < Hit > Matilda, deceased wife of John Miller, 
 of Buffalo Valley, Penn. ; and Sophia, who died 
 at the age of two years. 
 
 The first twenty years of his life Adam Mus- 
 ser spent upon the home farm, and then began 
 learning the carpenter's trade, which he success- 
 fully followed for many years, being a thorough 
 and skillful workman whose services were always 
 in demand. He was also interested in [arming, 
 and he is still the owner of considerable real es- 
 tate in Hartley township. In the common 
 schools he received a good practical education, 
 which well fitted him for the responsible duties 
 of business life, and his career has been charac- 
 :ed by habits of industry and frugality, 
 which have been important factors in his sue- 
 On September 20, 1835, Mr. Musser was mar- 
 ried to Miss Mary, daughter of Solomon Gloss. 
 I n children graced their union: Hugh, born 
 April 22, 1836, lives in Ohio; Reuben, born 
 June 28, 1838, is married and lives in Toledo, 
 the same State; Sophia is the wife of Jacob 
 Long, of Centre county, Penn. : Lydia is the wife 
 of Henry Rearick, of Lewis township. Union 
 county; Levina is the wife of Charles Teighman; 
 Delilah is the wife of George Yonada, of Hart- 
 ley township, Union county; Deilma, who mar- 
 ried George Zimmerman, died at the age of 
 
 thirtv-five, leaving rive children; Isaiah 
 
 is mar- 
 wife of 
 and he 
 mother 
 
 ried, and lives in Ohio; Amelia is the 
 Samuel Long; and Nathan is married, 
 lives in Bellevue, Ohio. The wife and 
 passed away December 26, 1888, and was laid 
 to rest in the Dunkard cemetery, near Mifflin- 
 burg, Pennsylvania. 
 
 For many years Mr. Musser was a member of 
 the Dunkard Church, but at present is connected 
 with no religious organization. Politically, he is 
 identified with the Republican part}', but has 
 never desired official honors. He enjoys the 
 friendship and acquaintance of a large number of 
 the best people of Laurelton and vicinity. 
 
 BRAHAM G. BROWN. If one desires to 
 m a vivid realization of the rapid ad- 
 vance in civilization which the last few dec 
 have brought about, he can listen to the stories 
 that men, who are still living among us, and by 
 no means overburdened with years, can tell of 
 their boyhood. The log cabin home in the 
 clearing, the still ruder school house with its 
 rough seats made of slabs, its limited range of 
 studies and its brief terms arranged on the sub- 
 
 scription plan*; the routine of work at home un- 
 relieved by any of the modern devices by which 
 machinery is made to do in a short time what 
 formerly occupied the entire year; these and sim- 
 ilar descriptions will bring up in sharp contrast 
 the advantages of to-day. 
 
 The subject of this sketch, a venerable and 
 highly respected citizen of Union county, residing 
 near Lewisburg, has many interesting reminis- 
 cences of this sort. In his boyhood, threshing 
 was done by the old-fashioned method of tread- 
 ing out the grain on a floor, and it became his 
 regular winter's work to ride the horses at this 
 task, as he could thus save a man's time. His 
 father, who was a weaver by trade, prepared the 
 cloth for the family, and his mother made it up 
 without the aid of Paris fashion plates. 
 
 Mr. Brown is a member of an old and now 
 numerous family. He was the fourth son and 
 fifth child of John and Barbara (Getz) Brown, 
 well-known residents of East Buffalo township. 
 Union county, and was born June 10, 1823, 
 His early education was mainly acquired in the 
 old Turtle Creek School, near his home, but 
 farm work ever interfered sadly with his attend- 
 ance there, a few months in winter being all that 
 he could secure. He had always lived at the 
 old homestead (an addition being built to the 
 house on his marriage in order that he might re- 
 main and conduct the farm). Until the death 
 of his father he managed the place on shares, 
 but he then acquired the title by will. It is a 
 fine estate of 120 acres, situated less than a mile 
 from Lewisburg borough, and under his manage- 
 ment it has been greatly improved, all the build- 
 ings, except a portion of the old homestead, hav- 
 ing been erected by him. In addition to this 
 fine property he owns fifty acres of timber land. 
 
 On June 1, 1 S 5 4 , in White Deer township, 
 Union county, Mr. Brown was married to Miss 
 Susanna Heverling, who has proved herself one 
 of the best of helpmeets, assisting him in every 
 way. She is of an old " Pennsylvania-Dutch " 
 family, and as a girl worked in the harvest field, 
 doing thi' work of a regular hand. Her parents, 
 John and Susan (Barrier) Heverling, were both 
 natives of Schuylkill county, Penn., and she was 
 born there on June 1, 1830, the fourth child and 
 tirst daughter in a family of eight children; but 
 while she was still an infant her parents removed 
 to Union county, and settled upon a farm. Mr 
 and Mrs. Brown have two sons, both of whom 
 reside at the homestead: (1) John W.. born 
 May 31, [855, married to Miss Emma Biddle, 
 and has one son, Raymond W. (2) James C 
 born December 21. 1859, is not married. 
 
 Mr. Brown is a man of influence in his local- 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 831 
 
 ity, and his manner, though quiet and unassum- 
 ing, conveys the impression of a strong character. 
 He and his family belong to the Reformed Church, 
 in which he held at one time the office of deacon. 
 Politically, he was first a Whig, and, later, a 
 Republican, and while an earnest supporter of 
 his principles, he does not confuse national with 
 local issues, and in township and county elections 
 votes for " the best man." He is not a man to 
 seek office for the honor of it; as school director 
 he has shown himself a firm friend of education, 
 seeking to improve the facilities for the rising 
 generation of his locality. 
 
 HARVEY E. FRANTZ, a general farmer re- 
 siding at Spring Garden, in Gregg township, 
 Union county, was born August 12, 1850, in Penn 
 township, Lycoming Co., Penn. , and is of German 
 descent, his paternal grandparents, Peter and 
 Elizabeth (Beaver) Frantz, having come to Amer- 
 ica at an early day and taken up their residence 
 in Pennsylvania. The former was accompanied 
 by his two brothers, John and David, all of whom 
 spelled the name Frantz, but the descendants of 
 John have changed the spelling to Frontz. The 
 maternal grandparents of our subject, Daniel and 
 his wife, were also natives of the Fatherland, 
 where the grandmother died, but the grandfather 
 came to the United States, and spent his last 
 days upon a farm in Lycoming county, Pennsyl- 
 vania. 
 
 Jacob and Elizabeth (Good) Frantz, the par- 
 ents of our subject, were natives of Lycoming 
 county, Penn., and Germany, respectively, and 
 were married at the former place, where the 
 father died in March, 1876, at the age of seventy- 
 eight years, nine months and seven days. He 
 was a farmer by occupation, and, as an ardent 
 Democrat, he took quite a prominent part in 
 local affairs, serving in several township offices of 
 honor and trust. In religious belief, he was a 
 Lutheran, to which Church his wife also belongs. 
 She was born in November, 1820, and now re- 
 sides with her daughter, Mrs. Amanda Vander- 
 vilt, in Lycoming county. 
 
 In the family of this worthy couple were six 
 children, namely: Peter, now a farmer of Muncy 
 Creek township, Lycoming county; Daniel G., a 
 farmer of the same county; Amanda, widow of 
 John Vandervilt, of Lycoming county; Harvey 
 E., of this sketch; William B., an agriculturist 
 of Lycoming county; and Elias, who was killed 
 by a runaway horse. 
 
 During his boyhood and youth, Harvey E. 
 Frantz attended the local schools and worked on 
 his father's farm or at teaming. On attaining 
 
 his majority he left the parental roof, and for two 
 years boarded with his sister, Mrs. Vandervilt, 
 while he operated her farm. He then purchased 
 a tract of land a mile and one-half from that 
 place, in Muncy Creek township, Lycoming coun- 
 ty, buying eighty acres at $120 per acre. There 
 he made his home from 1876 until the spring of 
 
 1886, when he sold out and went to Brown coun- 
 ty, S. Dak., where he purchased a farm and also 
 took up some government land, which he im- 
 proved with new buildings. In the fall of 1889, 
 however, he returned to Pennsylvania, and after 
 a few months spent in Northumberland county 
 while looking up a location, he bought his present 
 farm of seventy-eight acres at $80 per acre. In- 
 dustrious and persevering, he has placed the land 
 under a high state of cultivation and made many 
 excellent improvements thereon, which stand as 
 monuments to his thrift and enterprise. 
 
 Mr. Frantz was married in Lycoming county, 
 December 23, 1873, the lady of his choice being 
 Miss Alice Beaber, who was born in Wolf town- 
 ship, that county, February 14, 1854, a daughter 
 of George and Charlotte (Shipman) Beaber, of 
 Lycoming county, where the father followed 
 farming and the tanning business throughout 
 life. In his younger years he also engaged in 
 teaching, and he was called upon to fill a number 
 of township offices. He died May 14, 1888, 
 aged sixty-two years, his wife on November 13, 
 
 1887, aged fifty-nine. His parents were John 
 and Hannah (Shaffer) Beaber, natives of Berks 
 county, Penn., who removed to Lycoming coun- 
 ty, at an early day. There the grandfather fol- 
 fowed farming until his death. The maternal 
 grandparents of Mrs. Frantz, Jacob and Caroline 
 (Britton) Shipman, were born in New Jersey, 
 but died in Lycoming county, Penn., where the 
 former followed agricultural pursuits for many 
 years. 
 
 Mrs. Frantz is the third in order of birth in a 
 family of seven children, the others being: 
 Thomas J., who died at the age of thirty-three 
 years; Mary J., who died unmarried at the age 
 of forty-one; M. Alice, the wife of our subject; 
 John J., a farmer of Northumberland county, 
 Penn.; George M., a dealer in wire fences at 
 Potts Grove, Penn.; Margaret E., the wife of 
 I. V. Sudam, a farmer of Michigan; and Amon 
 B., an agriculturist of Lycoming county. 
 
 Eight children graced the union of Mr. and 
 Mrs. Frantz, namely: Charles D., born Octo- 
 ber 1, 1874, died at the age of eighteen years; 
 Cyrus B., born January 8, 1876, is at home; 
 Jacob M., born October 9, 1878, is a saddler re- 
 siding in Milton, Penn.; George S., born July 
 28, 1 88 1 , died at the age of nine years; Edward 
 
B82 
 
 COMMEMnUATlVE BIUGRAl'llKAL RECORD. 
 
 L., born August 25, 1883, and Ralph, born Jan- 
 uary 21, 1890, are at home; and Harvey D. and 
 Emma A. twins) were born October 27, 1892, 
 the former dying in infancy. 
 
 Our subject takes an active interest in the 
 success of the Democratic party, with which he 
 has always been identified, and on that ticket 
 was recently elected supervisor of his township. 
 He is also si ceptabl) I the 
 
 poor, and is recognized as one of the representa- 
 tive and valued 1 itizi ns of Gregg township. 
 Prior to coming to the county, he and his es- 
 timable wife held membership in the Lutheran 
 Church. They are widely and favorably known, 
 enjoying the respect and confidence of all with 
 whom they come in contact. 
 
 A 
 
 , DAM KIMl'i 1. has now laid aside business 
 \. cares, and is enjoying a well-earned re 
 ,1 pari of the old homestead farm in Wesl Buffa- 
 lo township, where his birth occurred January 
 1, 1S20. 
 
 The family was early established in I 
 county, Ins paternal grandparents locating tl 
 when 11 11s an unbroken wild, mess, in- 
 
 habited mainly by the Redmen. The heavy 
 
 its were the hn imes ol many wild anin 
 and game of all kinds could be found in abund- 
 ance, rhe randfather, Henry Kimpel, was a 
 native of Germany, while his wife was born in 
 l-n-land. Their marriage was celebrated in v 
 Jersey, where they continued to maki 
 
 1 numbei >l ind on coming h Union 
 
 county were accompanied by their sons, Philip 
 and John. The former, who was the father of 
 our sub i mie one rous farmers 
 
 "I this 1 egii in, where he died many yi re- 
 
 spected by all who knew him. His wife passed 
 away in [823, our subject thus being deprivi 
 a mother's tender care at the age of thn 
 The other children were: John, Sarah. S 
 Philip, Rebecca and Peter. 
 
 Amid rural scenes Adam Kimpel was reared, 
 receiving his education in the subscription schi 
 near hi hi 1 h he be- 
 
 i in the work of the farm, and he 
 never left the old h id, but contin 
 
 us time and attention to its cultivation 
 and improvement throughout his active business 
 career. 1 ral sears he has now lived re- 
 
 tired, leaving the management of the farm to his 
 only child, Henrj Philip, In [867, Mr. Kimpel 
 was joined in wedlock with Miss Susanna Noll, a 
 daughter of Henry Noll, an agriculturist ol \\ 
 Buffalo township. Shediedin 1880, leaving 
 son, Henry Philip, who was born January 10, 
 1869, on the old home farm where he and his 
 
 lather still reside. On March 14, 1889, he was 
 married to Miss Emma Nickel, who was born 
 March 2, 1^70, a daughter of George A. Nickel, 
 a prosperous farmer of West Buffalo township, 
 child graces their union — Charles Elmer, 
 horn July 1 2, IS<J4. 
 
 Mr. Kimpel has always affiliated with the 
 Democratic party, and take a deep and c >m- 
 mendable interest in public affairs. Altl 
 believer in Christianity he is a member of no par- 
 ticular Church, but he has led an honorable, up- 
 ri'^ht and conscientious life, never wronging any 
 one to ite his own selfish interests. He 
 
 has traveled in six different States of the Union. 
 
 r>EORGE W. SCHOCH, editor and proprie- 
 VJ tor ol The Mifflinburg Telegraph, Mifflin- 
 
 ■. Union county, was born in Mifflinb 
 Union Co., Penn., May I, [842, and is a son of 
 George Schoch, who was a son of Michael 
 of Mathias Schoch. 
 
 The latter, with his brothers, John and Ge 
 and two sisters, came to this country from G 
 many in the eighteenth century, locating in 
 . , Penn. The sisters married — one 
 a Mr. Spangler, the other a Mr. Saltzgever, b 
 of Tulpehocken, Berks Co., Penn. Mat!, 
 born in Germany, December 16, 173 
 in America, May [2, (8l2. He was twice mar- 
 nldren as follows: John, Henry. 
 I, Jacob, Peter and Catharine, by his 
 wife; an . Daniel and Rebecca, by his 
 
 second wife. 
 
 Michael Schoch, son of Mathias, was born 
 [une 20, 17- twice married: first to Miss 
 
 Ann Bi I after her death he wi 
 
 widow named Dreese. By his first wife he had 
 the following children: Catherine, born Sep- 
 tember [4, 1796, married a Mr. Kocher, of Cir- 
 cleville, Ohio; Leah, born July 14. [800, mar- 
 
 i fohn Craft, of Circleville, Ohio; Elizabeth, 
 
 born November 24, 1S01, married Adam Dover, 
 
 ircleville, Ohio; George, born January 1, 
 
 1804, died March 28. [888; Samuel, born j 
 
 14, 1801''. died May 1;, [892; Susan, born Janu- 
 
 I homas Craft, of Circle- 
 ville l Lydia, born May 31, [811, 
 married Samuel ing citizen, and 
 
 is each, jus- 
 tice of the peace of Mifflinburg, Penn. She 
 J82. Michael had no chil- 
 
 n by his sec »nd wife. He was a carpenter 
 by trade, was one of the builders of the old St. 
 
 is Church in Mifflinburg, used conjointly by 
 the Lutheran and Reformed congregations for 
 man\ years, hi being an ardent Lutheran. He 
 also followed (arming, and at his death, which 
 
/K /&Z^L<rC*K, 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 833 
 
 occurred March 19, 1853, when he was aged 
 eighty-three years, eight months, twenty-nine 
 days, he left an estate of considerable acreage the 
 proceeds of the sale of same being divided equit- 
 ably among his surviving children, in accordance 
 with his will. His remains and those of his two 
 w.ves are buried in the old graveyard in Mifflin- 
 burg. H 1S hrst wife died October 4, 1823 a-ed 
 fifty-four years and three months 
 
 George Schoch, son of Michael and grandson 
 of Mathias, was united in marriage April 23 
 
 1826 with Harriet Warley, a daughter of Henry 
 and Mary Warley, of Philadelphia. Their chil 
 dren were as follows: Mary Ann, born March 3 r 
 
 1827 died October 27, 1882; Catharine, born 
 October 27, 1828, intermarried with Dr. Andrew 
 
 J u2" 0t ^ r ,f She d ' ed March 8 ' l8 5L having one 
 child— William Herbert Crotzer, who was born 
 February 28, 185 1, died January 13, ,S 9 8, and 
 buried in Laurel Hill cemetery, Philadelphia)- 
 Henry M born August 3. 1830, a prominent 
 merchant of Danville, Penn. ; Harriet, born Oc- 
 tober 17, 1832, intermarried with John Neyhart 
 residing at Lewisburg, Penn. ; Elizabeth, born 
 J«y 3, 1835, died June 29, 1887; Gilbert, born 
 
 UL- I 1 ' l837 ' a leadin g merchant tailor of 
 Mifflinburg, Penn.; John Calvin, born March 17 
 ij>39, residing in Edwardsburg, Mich., of which 
 place he was postmaster during Cleveland's first 
 term as president; Emeline, born February 7 
 1841, residing in Lewisburg, Penn.; George w' 
 (the subject of this biography), born May 1, 184^ 
 and Milton M., born December 24, 1849 fore- 
 man of the Telegraph printing office, Mifflinburg 
 Penn The father of the children just named 
 was born January 1, 1804, as before stated, and 
 died March 28, 1888. The mother was born 
 August io, 1S05, and died June 7, 1870. Both 
 are buried in the cemetery at Lewisburg, Penn 
 as are their children— Mary Ann, Catharine and 
 Elizabeth. 
 
 Henry Warley, hereinbefore mentioned was 
 born September 4, 1775, and his wife Catharine 
 (Ffiegor) was born in 1785. Their children were 
 as follows: Mary, born December 2, iSc- Har- 
 riet (wife of George Schoch, as before stated) 
 born August 10, 1805; Ann (wife of E. Gilbert 
 Oiles), born July 26, 1808; Samuel (married to 
 Kebecca Pflegor), born December 24, 181 i- 
 Reuben, born June 27, 18 14; Henry, born No- 
 vember 22, 1816; Rebecca, born July 15, 1819- 
 Catherine born May 1, 1823; George (married 
 to Emma Miller), born June 9, 1826; and John, 
 born June 5, 1832. 
 
 Accordingly, from what has been written it 
 will be noticed that George W. Schoch was a 
 great-grandson of Mathias Schoch, grandson of 
 
 Michael Schoch, and son of George Schoch. His 
 education was solely acquired in the free or pub- 
 lic schools of his birthplace, supplemented with 
 a few terms in the Mifflinburg academy, his 
 teachers in the latter institution being suc- 
 cessively, Henry G. McGuire, Aaron C. Fisher, 
 Kobert C. Allison and the latter's assistant Mr 
 Hartman His tuition under teacher Fisher was 
 paid for by his personal services as janitor- 
 making the fire, sweeping the school room and 
 ringing the bell at school time. Shortly after 
 arriving at the age of thirteen years he entered 
 the printing office of the Union County Star, then 
 published in Mifflinburg. to learn the art of print- 
 ing. Here he worked a few months, when the 
 offlce passed by sale from the owners— Drs A 
 J. Crotzer (his brother-in-law) and Chesselden 
 tMsner— into the possession of Reuben G. and 
 1 nomas G. Orwig, brothers, for whom, also he 
 worked a short time. Subsequently he went to 
 Lew.sburg, Penn., to which place his parents 
 had removed shortly after the division of the 
 county which took place in 1855, his father 
 having been chosen one of the county commis- 
 sioners Here he secured employment in the 
 office of the Lewisburg Argus, published by 
 hrankhn Ziebach, working there for about six 
 months, when Mr. Ziebach removed to Sioux 
 Uty, Iowa, taking the material of the office with 
 him Shortly thereafter he secured employment 
 in the office of the Lewisburg Chronicle, published 
 by O. N Worden & J. R. Cornelius, where he 
 remained until the Civil war broke out in iS6r 
 when he "ran away from home," and on August 
 \2, that year, enlisted in Company D, 5th Regt 
 Penn. Res. Corps, serving with said command 
 until its discharge on June 11, 1864. He par- 
 ticipated in the following battles: Mechanics- 
 ville, Va., June 26, 1862; Gaines' Mill Va 
 June 27, 1862; New Market Cross Roads Va ' 
 June 30, 1862— (McClellan's campaign)- Bull 
 Run, Va., August 28, 29 and 30, 1862— (Pope's 
 campaign); South Mountain. Md., September 14 
 1862; Antietam, Md., September 16 and 17' 
 1862— (McClellan's campaign) ; Fredericksburg' 
 Va., December 13, 1862— (Burnside's campaign): 
 Gettysburg, Penn., July 2, 3 and 4, 1863; Bris- 
 toe Station, Va. , October 14, 1863; Mine Run 
 Va., November 27^30, 1863; Wilderness, Va ' 
 May 5, 1864— during Grant's campaign, with 
 Meade as commander of the Army of the Potomac 
 1 his (the Wilderness) was the last engagement 
 he took part in, being unable to endure further 
 marching on account of an injury to his knee 
 which he incurred at Miner's Hill, Va., a few 
 months previous, and was obliged to go to the 
 ar, being so ordered by his captain, William 
 
884 
 
 cu.UMKMtiliATIVE BIOGRAPU!' Al. RECORD. 
 
 H. H. McCall. About a month later, June n. 
 1864. he was discharged with his regiment at 
 Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. 
 
 Mr. Schoch then returned to Lewisburg, re- 
 suming his position in the Chronicle office, re- 
 maining there until January 1, 1873, at which 
 date he purchased The Miffiinburg Telegraph, 
 which he has conducted ever since. On Ma\ 1. 
 1892, he also became the owner of The Lett 
 Chronicle, which has been published under his 
 supervision up to the present time. Both publi- 
 cations are ardently Republican. He has la- 
 bored faithfully for the success of the party; was 
 delegate to State Conventions a number of 
 times, and served as secretary of the Repubh 
 County Committee for twelve consecutive yea 
 In [885 he was assistant sergeant-at-arms, and, 
 in 1S87, messenger of the House of Representa- 
 tives of Pennsylvania; also postmaster of Mifflin 
 burg under President Harrison, and re-appoiri 
 by President Mckinley, under the latter taking 
 charge of the office i ni February 15, 1898. For 
 these respective official positions he was very 
 strongly endorsed by his home people and others. 
 
 With the Grand Army of the Republic Mr. 
 Schoch has been connected since the year 1 
 — first as charter member of Andrew Gregg 
 Tucker Post No. 52, of Lewisburg, Penn., with 
 which he continued membership until the organ- 
 ization of William R. Forster Post No. 247, .if 
 Miffiinburg, Penn., of which, also, he is a charter 
 member, being at this writing its adjutant — a po- 
 sition he has occupied many years. He has been 
 a delegate to the State Encampments of the or- 
 der scry many times, als lelegate to the Na- 
 tional Encampment. For the welfare of the old 
 soldier he has ever manifested the utmost inl 
 est, both in his newspaper and by personal ef- 
 fort, especially in the securement ol pensions for 
 worthy comrades, for which service he never 
 would accept pay. Every public enterprise for 
 the good of his town and county found in him an 
 ardent supporter. Tins he notably demonstral 
 in his zealous advocacy of the water-works for 
 the borough, the expense to be equitably bo 
 by the taxpayers. The question was submitted 
 to a vote of the people, (he result of said vote 
 being largely in favor of borough construction 
 and ownership ol said plant; accordingly, Coun- 
 cils by ordinance resolved to have the plant con- 
 structed in the spring and summer of 1S98. 
 
 On April 2S, 1S70, George W. Schoch was 
 joined in marriage with Isabella Derr Kelly, who 
 was born November 1. iS 50, a daughter of Josiah 
 and Frances Yentzer (Derr) Kelly. To Mr. and 
 Mrs. Schoch were born two children, namely: 
 Harriet Mae, born February 17, 1S71. and 
 
 George Warley, born October 17, 1 S7 3. The 
 daughter was married May 2j, 1896, to Franklin 
 McCreary Earnest, son of Rev. Dr. and Mrs. 
 John A. Earnest, and they have one child, Frank- 
 lin McCreary Earnest, Jr., born April 25, i v " 
 The son, George Warley, was joined in marriage 
 March 17, 1898, with Emma Brown Cook, a 
 daughter of Mr. and Mrs John H. Cook. Josiah 
 Kelly, father of Mrs. George W. Schoch. was a 
 son of James Kelly, who was noted in the olden 
 time as an earnest, radical Abolitionist — a h 
 of human slavery — and a zealous advocate of 
 temperance. His son, Josiah, inherited and en- 
 tertained the same principles, and was a faithful 
 soldier in the war for the Union. He died De- 
 cember 13, [895, aged seventy-five years, nine 
 months and twenty-five days. Frances Yentzer 
 (Derr 1 Kelly, the mother of Mrs. George W. 
 Schoch, was a daughter of Lewis and Charlotte 
 (Stoner) Derr, granddaughter of George Derr, 
 and great-granddaughter of Ludwig Derr, the 
 founder of Lewisburg. Penn. She died April 25, 
 1895, aged sixty-nine years, eleven months and 
 three days. Both Mr. Josiah Kelly and wife are 
 buried in the Lewisburg cemeter} 
 
 Mr. Schoch is a man of fine as well as 1 
 ble intellectual qualities, an extensive reader and 
 close thinker. In manner he is social and friend- 
 ly, and possesses qualities that readily win ad- 
 miration and respect. 
 
 GW. FOOTE, the able and courteous editor 
 of The Times. Miffiinburg, Union county, 
 was born in that borough October 5, 1840, a son 
 and now the only survivor of the family of Asa 
 and Hannah I Reichle) Foote, the latter of whom 
 1 daughter of Christian Reichley. 
 
 ote, father of our subject, was a son of 
 Oliton Cushman Foote, who was a son of 
 Ephraim Foote, No. 250 in line of descent from 
 Nathaniel Foote, who was born in England. 
 came to this country, and in 1633 took the oath 
 ol Freeman in the Colom of Massachusetts B 
 
 Our subject was reared in his native village, 
 receiving his education in the public schools, quit- 
 ting school at the age of fourteen years. In June. 
 
 aine a ' ' printer's devil " and 
 the • ■ ai i itive of all a During thi 
 
 Civil war he first enlisted in Company G. 4th 
 1' V. I., servjng three months, and then re- 
 enlisted, this time as a member of Company 1 
 and Company II respectively), 51st P. V, V. 
 foi tin ars; participated in the battles of 
 
 Roanoke Island. N. C, February 8, [862; New- 
 bern, N. C, March 14/1862; Camden, N 
 April 19, 1862; was in the skirmishes along tl 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 535 
 
 Rappahannock with General Pope, where for 
 twenty-six days the command and men were 
 sleeping under arms and not given time to change 
 their clothes; Second Bull Run, August 30, 1862; 
 Chantilly, September 1, 1862; South Mountain, 
 September 14, 1862; Antietam, September 17, 
 1862; Wilderness, May 6, 1864; Spottsylvania 
 Court House, May 12, 1864. He was wounded 
 in the head and face at Antietam, and in the 
 right forearm at Spottsylvania Court House. 
 He was with Company C, commanded by Cap- 
 tain Franklin, 12th United States Infantry, 
 through the draft riots in New York Citv in July, 
 1863. 
 
 On September 10, 1867, he married Augusta 
 P. Coy, of Sinclairsville, N. Y. , and two daugh- 
 ters were the result of this union: Alice, born 
 August 14, 1868, and Amy Louisa, born Febru- 
 ary 12, 1872, died August 27, 1873. 
 
 In May, 1885, Mr. Foote established The 
 Times in Mifflinburg, and conducted it as a 
 Democratic journal until 1896, when it became 
 independent, and now advocates the cause of 
 honesty and morality in government. Under 
 Mr. Foote's able management the paper has 
 prospered, and is regarded as a wholesome, 
 clean, newsy sheet. 
 
 WILLIAM S. RAUCH. The ancestors 
 of this gentleman settled in eastern 
 Pennsylvania in pioneer times, and his grand- 
 parents, Peter and Mary (Sipe) Ranch, were 
 both natives of Lehigh county, the birth of the 
 former occurring about 1793. Like many of the 
 immediate descendants of the early settlers of 
 the State, they desired in turn to open up new 
 lands on the frontier, and in 1820 they removed 
 to Union county, where the grandmother died in 
 1827. In 1836, Peter Rauch, who was a farmer 
 and miller by occupation, removed to Williams- 
 port, Penn., where his death occurred in 1877, 
 at the age of eighty-four years. He was mar- 
 ried three times, but the second wife, Mrs. Eliz- 
 abeth Geyer, and the third, Mrs. Tray, who 
 now resides at Williamsport. bore him no chil- 
 dren. Three sons and one daughter blessed the 
 first union: Jonas, who is mentioned more fully 
 below; Tilman, a miller and farmer, now de- 
 ceased; John, deceased, formerly a carpenter in 
 Missouri; and Mary, who married Robert Hom- 
 ier, a farmer of Clinton county, Penn., and died 
 there some years ago. 
 
 Jonas Rauch, the father of our subject, was 
 born in Lehigh county, July 5, 1815, but has 
 been identified with this section from early child- 
 hood. Despite his advanced age he enjoys good 
 
 health, and all who have come within his cheery 
 influence can but wish that he will be spared 
 for many years and show to other generations 
 what manner of men were bred in pioneer days. 
 He has always been engaged in milling, and at 
 the age of eighteen began an apprenticeship of 
 three years in the roller and chop mill near 
 Kelly Cross Roads, White Deer township, Union 
 county, which is now owned and operated by his 
 sons. For some time he lived in Clinton county, 
 but in 1856 he settled at White Deer Mills, 
 Union county, and remained nine years, when 
 he removed to the present homestead. In 1862 
 he purchased the plant which is adapted to either 
 water or steam power, and has a capacity of 
 twenty-five barrels per day. He also owned and 
 operated a farm, and still resides there with his 
 sons, although he has delegated the business to 
 their hands. Public affairs are watched by him 
 with intelligent interest, and he is a steadfast sup- 
 porter of the principles of the Republican party. 
 In religious faith he is a Methodist. 
 
 In 1856 Jonas Rauch was married, in Clinton 
 county, to Miss Eleanor Shaw, a native of Ly- 
 coming county, and a daughter of William and 
 Jane (Moyer) Shaw. She passed to her eternal 
 rest in 1885, at the age of sixty-seven, while on 
 a visit to her daughter, Mrs. Mary Bennage, of 
 White Deer township, Union county, and her 
 remains were interred in the White Deer ceme- 
 tery. Five children were born to this union: 
 (1) Mary, wife of David Bennage, a farmer of 
 White Deer township, Union county, has had 
 four children. (2) William S., our subject, will 
 be mentioned at length below. (3) Peter H.. 
 who is in partnership with our subject, married 
 Miss Izora Gemberling, and has had two children 
 — Myron and Carrie. (4) John R. died at an 
 early age. (5) Agnes, deceased, was formerly 
 the wife of William Stutzman, who is married 
 again and resides in Philadelphia. 
 
 William S. Rauch was born November 18, 
 1844, at Rauch Gap, Clinton county, and much 
 of his time in youth was spent in assisting his 
 father in the mill and on the farm, as business 
 might require. His educational opportunities 
 were hardly such as to be satisfactory to a clever 
 and ambitious lad, and he soon passed beyond 
 the help of the local schools. In October, 1864, 
 he left home to enter the service of the govern- 
 ment as a member of the 1st Pennsylvania Light 
 Artillery, under Capt. L. B. Richardson and 
 Lieut. Cameron. He went to the front, and, 
 although he was never wounded, the privations 
 and exposure to which he was subjected brought 
 on an attack of yellow jaundice, and he was 
 obliged to spend eight weeks in a hospital near 
 
B86 
 
 - OMMEMORATIVE lU(i(SUM'lW\\L RECORD. 
 
 Washington. As long as there was any prospect 
 of fighting he remained in the army, but on be- 
 ing mustered out, June 13, [8( returned 
 home and resumed his studies, attending Buck- 
 nell Academy one term. 
 
 In [867 Mr. Rauch taught school at Kelly 
 Cross Roads, but one term convinced him that 
 the occupation was too confining l"t one of his 
 stat.- oi health, and he entered the employ of his 
 father at a salary. Later he and his brother 
 purchased the mill, as has been said, and it is 
 now operated under the firm name of 1'. II. 
 Rauch & Brother. While Mr. Rauch is well 
 known as a substantial business man, he is no 
 prominent in local affairs, being especially 
 active in edui ati at. Since 1 
 
 he has been a school director, having been re- 
 elected at the end oi his first term of three years, 
 and, in 1896, he was chosen treasurer of the 
 school board. He is a leading member of the 
 Lutheran Church, md has held the office of el- 
 der fur three years, and he also belongs to the 
 Grand Army Post No. 52 it I wisburg. 
 
 On November 2-, [873, Mr. Rauch was uni- 
 ted in marriage with Miss Rebecca Hafer, and 
 two children, Annie B and Gilbert W. , brighten 
 their home. Mrs. Rauch was horn in Kelly 
 township, Union county, May 16, 1843, the daugh- 
 ter of Jacob and Rel i (Gilbert Hater. Her 
 
 adparents, Jacob and Rebecca Hafer, came 
 from Berks county. Penn. , at an early day, and 
 located upon a farm near Lewisburg. Her fa- 
 ther was bom in Berks count}', but coming to 
 this section in childhood, remained, and engaged 
 in farming, and for some time in weaving. He 
 was prominent in local affairs, and in politics 
 was a steadfast Republican. He and his wife, 
 wlii 1 was born in Schuylkill county, were inem- 
 
 5 of the Lutheran Church. Both lived to a 
 good old age. the former dying in 1 N74, at the 
 age of seventy-nine years and four months, and 
 the latter in 1885, at the age of eighty-four. 
 They had the following children: William, de- 
 ceased, formerly a physician at Marshalh ille, 
 Ga. ; Henry, a retin 1 oi Kelly township, 
 
 Union county; Andrew, a farmer of Ouray coun- 
 ty, Colo. ; Daniel, of Lewisburg, Penn. ; Jonas and 
 Harrison, who are both fanners in Kelly town- 
 ship. Union county; and Rebecca, Mrs. Rauch. 
 
 CHARLES SEEBOLD (deceased). Among 
 the early settlers of Union county was 
 Christopher Seebold, a native of Wurtemberg, 
 Germany, who located in 1793 about two and 
 one-half miles west of New Berlin, purchasing a 
 mill and a tract of farming land. 
 
 Mr. Seebold had come to this country when 
 but seven years ..Id, and was reared to manhood 
 in Lebanon county, Penn., where he was married 
 to a Miss Spade, and remained some years, sev- 
 eral children being born there. 1 1 is death 
 occurred about 1806, and he was buried at New 
 
 lin, in a lot which has since I nidoned 
 
 ry and laid out as a portion of the 
 town, an alley running across the spot where his 
 grave was made. His wife survived him, and 
 was also interred at New Berlin. They had 
 three sons: Christopher. Jr., who is mentioned 
 more fully below; John, who succeeded to his 
 lather's mill ; Michael, who died unmarried; and 
 
 nil daughters, among whom were: Otilia. 
 who married Michael Greenhoe, and died in 
 Ohio; Maria, Mrs. Henry Hassenplug, whodiedin 
 Mifflinburg; Barbara, Mrs. Auble, ol Mifflinburg, 
 who was blind for many years before her death; 
 and Margaret, wife of Andrew Wagner, at 
 time a hotel keeper in New Berlin. 
 
 Christopher Seebold, jr., the grandfather oi 
 the subject of this memoir, was born September 
 ;. 1763, in Lebanon county, and was married 111 
 Lancaster county, April 8, 1788, to Miss Anna 
 Eva Hochlander. of Manheim, who was born 
 August 29, [769. After the removal of the fam- 
 ily to Union county, he assisted his* father in the 
 mill for a time, but in 1795 or '96 he settled at 
 New Berlin, and became one of the leading citi- 
 zens of the growing town. He followed boating 
 as an occupation at first, running a small boat 
 between New Berlin and various points on the 
 Susquehanna river and Penn's creek, which was 
 found to be navigable for such craft, horses hem^ 
 i-niployed to pull them up stream. He carried 
 produce to the markets down the river, and on 
 his return trip brought up articles of merchan- 
 dise. Later he kept a tavern, and as the town 
 developed, certain real-estate investments became 
 profitable. When Union county was organized, 
 New Berlin was made the county seat, and the 
 court house and county offices were built upon 
 his land, his donation towards the cost of erec- 
 tion being $200. In 1813 he was appointed 
 justice of the peace, and in 1820 he was elected 
 county treasurer. Politically he favored the 
 Democratic party until the anti-Masonic agita- 
 tion, and in religious faith he was a Lutheran 
 He died May 6, [839, his wife surviving him un- 
 til November 3, 1 S 57 . Of their nine children, 
 our subject's father, Philip Seebold, was the eld- 
 est. Elizabeth, born December 2, 1 79 1 , mar- 
 ried Jacob Long, and died in Perry county, Ohio, 
 March 29, 1880; Christopher, born August 2;, 
 1704, was a carder and manufacturer of linseed 
 oil near New Berlin, and his death occur 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 837 
 
 in that vicinity April 3, 1870; Catherine, born 
 March 3, 1797, married Thomas Hummel, and 
 died at Homer, Ohio, July 1, 1882; Mary, born 
 January 15, 1800, married Conrad Pontius, and 
 died in May, 1877, in Ross county, Ohio; John 
 H., born June 14, 1802, is still living (1897) in 
 New Berlin, where he has spent his entire life. 
 For many years he was a leading hotel keeper 
 and druggist, and notwithstanding his advanced 
 age, he is well-preserved and has the full use of 
 his faculties; Nancy, born May 4, 1806, died 
 April 27, 1828, unmarried; Sally, born Novem- 
 ber 3, 1808, married John Dieffenbacher, and 
 died at Selins Grove, Penn., February 19, 1828, 
 she was buried at New Berlin; Hannah, born 
 November 14, 181 5, married Abraham Schoch, 
 and died at New Berlin. December 9. 1875. 
 
 Philip Seebold, the father of our subject, 
 was born January 19, 1789, in Lebanon county, 
 and was but a child when he was taken to the 
 new home near New Berlin. He learned the 
 potter's trade with Adam Maize, of that place, 
 and followed that business for many years, but 
 in later life he moved to a country home in the 
 same township, where he died July 25, 1874. 
 He was a well-known citizen, highly respect- 
 ed and influential, and was a prominent member 
 of the Lutheran Church. In early years he was 
 a Democrat, and later a Know-Nothing, but the 
 anti-slavery controversy led him to become a 
 supporter of the Republican party. His first 
 wife, Rachel De Haas, of New Columbia, Penn., 
 died at New Berlin, where the remains of both 
 now rest. His second wife was a widow, Mrs. 
 Stuck, of Selins Grove, who died in Limestone 
 township, Union county. He had eight children, 
 all by the first marriage: Polly, wife of Samuel 
 Weirick, an attorney at New Berlin, died at 
 Middleburg, but was buried at her home; Anna 
 married (first) Daniel Holt, and, after his death, 
 Allen Dorsey, resides at Baltimore, Md. ; John is 
 a resident of Yellow Creek, Stephenson county, 
 111. ; Charles, the subject proper of this sketch, 
 ■was the fourth in order of birth; William lives at 
 Hartleton, Penn.; Sarah, widow of Mr. Hutchin- 
 son, resides in Baltimore, Md. ; Harriet, Mrs. 
 Thomas Hassenplug, lives at Mifflinburg; Lizzie 
 (deceased) never married. 
 
 The late Charles Seebold was a man of keen 
 judgment and strong character, one who could 
 plan and carry to successful completion business 
 plans of more than ordinary scope. As a pioneer 
 in the business of tomato canning, now a leading 
 industry at Baltimore, Md., his name became 
 widely known. He was born Nov. 20, 18 14, at 
 New Berlin, and at an early age began to learn 
 the printer's trade, his parents being then in 
 
 comfortable but not affluent circumstances. For 
 some time he conducted a printing office of his 
 own and published the Anti-Masonic Star, but 
 in the early '50s he sold the business and moved 
 to Baltimore to engage in the canning trade. 
 The idea occurred to him during the visit of a 
 brother-in-law, Daniel Holt, an oyster merchant 
 of Baltimore, who, while eating some canned 
 tomatoes at our subject's table, remarked upon 
 their excellence and spoke of the prolific growth 
 of that crop near Baltimore. Mr. Seebold saw 
 at once an opening for a new and profitable ven- 
 ture, and going to Baltimore he purchased twelve 
 acres of land which he devoted to tomato grow- 
 ing, the entire crop being canned for market. 
 The experiment proving a success from the start, 
 he continued and rapidly enlarged the scope of 
 his operations buying from other growers to meet 
 the demands of the trade. He took his brother, 
 Henry, into partnership, and some years after- 
 ward, having acquired a handsome fortune, he 
 sold out his interest in the business to this broth- 
 er who still conducts it. Returning to his na- 
 tive place, Mr. Seebold passed his remaining 
 years in well-earned leisure, and in 1882 he built 
 there the most substantial, artistic and expensive 
 residence to be found in the locality. He also 
 invested largely in real estate, and at the time of 
 his death owned two farms in Union township, 
 Union county. He was a public-spirited citizen, 
 a stanch Republican in politics, and while never 
 a politician was interested in the issues of the day. 
 On February 1, 1836, Mr. Seebold was mar- 
 ried at New Berlin to Miss Mary Franck, a na- 
 tive of that town, born May 9, 181 8. Her fa- 
 ther was born near Hagerstown, Md. , but the 
 family came at an early period to Union county, 
 meeting with some losses from Indian raids in 
 the pioneer days. Philip Franck, who was a 
 clock maker by trade, died at the age of seventy- 
 one, and his wife, Salome Schreffler, passed 
 away at eighty-five, both being buried at New 
 Berlin. They were highly respected by all who 
 knew them, and were consistent members of the 
 Lutheran Church. Of their twelve children the 
 following lived to adult age: Margaret, widow of 
 John Teats, of Bellefonte; Catherine, who mar- 
 ried Jacob Hubler, and died at Pittston, Penn., 
 in December, 1896; Mary, Mrs. Seebold; Eliza- 
 beth, who married John Burkert, and died in 
 December, 1896, at Indianapolis; Sarah, Mrs. 
 Henry Heckman, who died at Annville, Penn. ; 
 Permilla, who married Dr. Harshberger, and 
 died at New Albany, Penn. ; Jane, widow of 
 Michael Fetterhoff, of Huntingdon, Penn. ; Har- 
 riet, widow of John Freet, of Reading, Penn., 
 and Miss Anna, a resident of New Berlin. 
 
*:;> 
 
 I OMMBMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 Mr. Seebold passed to the unseen world July 
 5, 18S6, his death causing sincere grief through- 
 out the community where his family has so long 
 been known, and where so many years of his own 
 life were spent. His widow still lives in the ele- 
 gant home which his thoughtful affection provid- 
 ed. She takes much interest in the work of the 
 Lutheran Church, of which her husband was 
 also an active member, and is one of the most 
 esteemed residents of the city. A family of 
 which any parent might be proud attests the 
 loving care bestowed upon them. Of nine chil- 
 dren, the eldest, Rachel A., born January 20, 
 1837, married Henry Vogler, and died in Balti- 
 more April 24, [887; Philip U., born May 28, 
 1839, died at Washington, D. C. , October 9, 
 Sarah A., born May 20, 1841, died Janu- 
 ary 2, [844; Mary 1... born June 30, 1844, is 
 the wife of Charles Pearson, of Washington, 1». 
 C. ; Henry F., August 10, 1S45, resides in San 
 Diego, Cal. ; Samuel W. , born May 14, 1848, 
 ■ In '1 October 24, 1849; Charles S . born Decem- 
 5, 1850, is a dentist at Baltimore, Md. ; 
 
 ma, January 17, 1853, married Judge J. J. 
 Dobler, a prominent citizen of Baltimore; Franck, 
 November 26, 1859, is a dentist in Washington, 
 District of Columbia. 
 
 MKs < ARRIE 1 STROHECKEF 1 BARR, 
 of Lewisburg, Union county, widow of the 
 late Dr. Washington Barr, is a member of one of 
 the oldest and most highly respected families of 
 that section, and her own personality has won 
 for her a high place in the esteem of her large 
 circle of acquaintances. She was born in July, 
 [830, on the old Stroheckei homestead, on the 
 banks of the Susquehanna river, in East Buffalo 
 township, Union county, and was the eldest child 
 and only daughter of John and Elizabeth 1 Fried- 
 ley) Stroheckcr. 
 
 Mrs. Barr gave early signs of the mi 
 ability which has since made her prominent in 
 social circles, and after pursuing her studies as 
 far as the local schools would permit, attended 
 school for a time in Lewisburg. In 1867 she 
 was united in marriage with Dr. Parr, and went 
 to Harrisburg, Penn . to reside, their home be- 
 
 L. KURTZ, editor and proprietor of the 
 Lewisburg Journal, Lewisburg, Union 
 nty, was born in Centre county, Penn., in 
 1 S62; graduated from Bucknell College in 1885; 
 purchased the Lewisburg journal in 1895, and 
 fully continued its publication to tin- 
 lit time. 
 
 ing situated at the corner of Second and Locust 
 streets. 
 
 The Doctor was a man of more than ordi- 
 nary intellect, and was widely known, not only 
 in professional life, but in social movements, be- 
 ing an active member of the Masonic fraternity, 
 the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the 
 Order of Red Men, the Sons of Temperance, 
 and the Good Templars (Washington Lodge). 
 In political faith he was a Republican. His 
 death occurred April 30, 1876, at Harrisburg, 
 where his remains were interred. 
 
 After the Doctor's death, Mrs. Barr returned 
 to the home of her childhood and remained there 
 until May. 1886, when she moved to her home 
 in Lewisburg, a pleasant residence, located on 
 Brown street. She is a consistent member of 
 the Lutheran Church, and her comfortable com- 
 petence enables her to carry out the plans for 
 intellectual and social activities which appeal 
 most strongly to her refined taste. 
 
 LEVI ROOKE, M. D. This name is a fa- 
 miliar one in this section, having been asso- 
 ciated for years past with many of the leading 
 business enterprises of the time. In finance, 
 commerce, and the various industrial movements 
 which have served to develop resources. Dr. 
 Ro< >ke has easily held a foremost rank. He was the 
 first to carry on the iron business successfully for 
 any considerable time in Union and Snyder counties. 
 Others had attempted it as far back as 1824, but 
 failure and disappointment had inevitably result- 
 ed, and at the time that Dr. Brooke engaged in 
 it but few would have dared to hazard the neces- 
 sary capital. Difficult as was the enterprise, he 
 succeeded notably, and in this connection we 
 may mention the significant fact that he gave 
 constant personal supervision to the work of his 
 furnaces, while the same is true of his other lines 
 of effort. Our subject comes of good old Colo- 
 nial stock, the first of the line beine; Rev. George 
 Rooke, an Irish clergyman, who came to America 
 about 1700. Of the next in order of descent 
 nothing is now known, but the third generation 
 is represented by Thomas Rooke, our subject's 
 grandfather, who resided in Chestercounty, Penn., 
 first in Last N'antmeal township, and later in 
 East Vincent township, where he died. 
 
 James Rooke, father of Dr. Rooke, was born 
 in the former locality, and married Miss Mary 
 Murray, daughter of a prominent agriculturist 
 there, whowasol English descent. Of their four 
 children the Doctor was the youngest, and was 
 the only one to establish his home outside of 
 East N'antmeal township, Chester county. Eliz- 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 839 
 
 abeth, widow of Thomas Frickland, now resides 
 there. Catherine (who married Edwin Morris) 
 and Jonathan" both died there, the latter at the 
 old family homestead. 
 
 Dr. Levi Rooke was born July 22, 1826, and 
 was reared at the old farm, receiving the best 
 educational advantages that the locality afforded. 
 After attending a grammer school conducted by 
 Benjamin Tucker, he pursued a course in Union- 
 ville Academy under John Gause, and then 
 taught for two years. His medical studies were 
 begun in the office of Dr. Stephen M. Meredith, 
 and completed in Jefferson Medical College, 
 Philadelphia, where he received his degree in the 
 spring of 1848. For three years he practiced 
 his profession, but finding it less congenial than 
 he had hoped he decided to give it up. He then 
 removed to Union county and engaged in man- 
 ufacturing iron at the Berlin Iron Works on 
 Penn's creek, four miles west of Hartleton. 
 Later he formed a partnership, and built a large 
 anthracite furnace, known as the Union furnace, 
 situated on the Susquehanna river four miles 
 from Lewisburg, and here he acted as manager 
 and superintendent from 1853 to 1 891 , when the 
 furnace was abandoned. During this time he 
 was also engaged in the iron business in Snyder 
 county, and had an interest in similar works at 
 various points. In 1896 he purchased the inter- 
 ests of James S. Marsh and Peter Beaver (his 
 partners) in the furnace and lands, but has now 
 retired from this business. The Doctor's ability 
 as an organizer and manager of large enterprises 
 was speedily recognized in business circles, and he 
 has been constantly urged to lend his aid to new 
 undertakings. In this way he has become finan- 
 cially interested in many companies, especially in 
 a number of incorporated banking firms, in which 
 he is a director. He was one of the first sub- 
 scribers to the stock of the Union National Bank 
 of Lewisburg, and is now one of the largest 
 stockholders. In 1892 he was elected president 
 of the institution, and served until 1895. In 
 1893 he purchased a general store at Winfield, 
 including all the personal property of said firm, 
 which he still conducts in addition to his exten- 
 sive coal yards there, and he is heavily interested 
 in the firm of C. M. Rooke & Co., known as the 
 Dry Valley Lime Manufacturing Co., located at 
 Winfield. He built his first kiln there in 1875, 
 and the firm now has seventeen in steady oper- 
 ation. He has also been extensively interested 
 in the manufacture of lumber, owning more than 
 700 acres of land in Union county. In 1868 he 
 purchased the old homestead in Chester county. 
 As an employer Dr. Rooke has always been popu- 
 lar, and some of his workmen have been in his serv- 
 
 ice for forty-three years. He is not a politician, of- 
 fice having no charms for him. In early life he 
 was a Whig, and warmly advocated a protective 
 tariff and the abolition of slavery. Naturally he 
 joined the Republican party on its organization, 
 and has since been its steadfast supporter. In 
 1872 he was elected to the Constitutional Con- 
 vention of this State. 
 
 Dr. Rooke has a handsome brick residence on 
 the main road from Lewisburg, which he built at 
 a spot that would give him a view of his furnace. 
 This location was objected to by some of his 
 neighbors, but a lawsuit settled the matter in the 
 Doctor's favor. In 1849 he married Miss Eliza- 
 beth H. Church, of Churchtown, Lancaster Co. , 
 Penn., by whom he had four children: Mary R. 
 (Mrs. Morris Reagan), now residing with her 
 father; Frances A., married to J. Russell Young- 
 man, an attorney of Lock Haven, Penn.; Laura, 
 married to William Vance, of Kearney, Neb. ; 
 and Charles M., a resident of Winfield, in part- 
 nership with his father in the lime business. The 
 mother of this family died in 1879, and August 
 31, 1882, Dr. Rooke married Miss Anna E. 
 Kreamer, of Winfield. She is an active worker 
 in the Evangelical Church, and the Doctor, though 
 not a member, is in sympathy with her generous 
 efforts. 
 
 Mrs. Rooke is a daughter of Illis Kreamer, a 
 well-known agriculturist and dairyman, who 
 owns a fine farm in Union township, Union coun- 
 ty. The Kreamer family in that section is de- 
 scended from Daniel Kreamer, a native of Berks 
 county, Penn., who settled in Centre county when 
 a young man and engaged in farming. He died 
 at the age of eighty-six, and his wife (formerly a 
 Miss Kern) passed away within two weeks of his 
 death. Their son, Col. Daniel Kreamer (the 
 grandfather of Mrs. Rooke), was born in Centre 
 county, and remained there, following agricul- 
 tural pursuits. His title of colonel was derived 
 from a militia regiment which he commanded. 
 He married Miss Catherine Neece, a daughter of 
 Henry Neece, a well-to-do farmer of Centre 
 county. Col. Kreamer was a religious man, but 
 made several changes in Church membership, 
 being a Lutheran first, then a member of the 
 Evangelical Church, finally joining the United 
 Brethren Church. His wife was a member of 
 the Evangelical Church all her days; she died in 
 1847, at the age of fifty-one. His death oc- 
 curred in 1885 when he was eighty-six years old, 
 and of their eight children only three are now 
 living. Jacob (now deceased) settled in Nebras- 
 ka; John, an Evangelical minister, lived in Kan- 
 sas during the latter part of his life; William 
 died at his home in Iowa; Jonathan died in Cen- 
 
S}|) 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 tre county, Penn. ; Daniel, a minister of the 
 United Evangelical Church, resides at Shannon, 
 111.; Elizabeth (deceased) was the wife of Will- 
 iam Gertillius, a painter of Mifflinburg; Elias is 
 mentioned more fully below; and Henry is a 
 farmer and painter residing near Brooklyn, Illi- 
 
 Elias Kreami i was born January 28, 1 83 1, in 
 Penn township, Centre county, and his education 
 v 1- obtained in the local schools, while he as- 
 sisted his father on the farm. At the age of 
 twenty-three he rented the place, but after five 
 years he moved to Snyder county, purchasing a 
 farm of 236 acres for $8,000. Eight years later 
 he sold this for $13,000, and purchased 114! 
 acres in Buffalo Valley, Union county, at $129. 50 
 per acre. Six years later he sold this and re- 
 turned to the old homestead, which he rented for 
 six years. Since then he has made his home on 
 his present farm of 179 acres, which he bought 
 at $150 per acre. For the past thirteen years 
 he has been extensively engaged in dairy work 
 in connection with general farming, and at 
 various times he has been identified with im- 
 portant business ventures. In 1871 he united 
 with John C. Moots, |ohn Keene and Albert 
 \\ alker in organizing the Millheim Bank, but 
 
 1 his interest before moving to his present 
 
 lion Politically he is a Democrat, and 
 
 held several township offices. He is a lead- 
 
 ing member of the United Evangelical Church, 
 
 and at present is a trustee. 
 
 On October 13, 1 S 5 3 , Elias Kreamer was 
 
 married in Union township, Union county, to 
 
 innie I. Ever, a native of Winfield, born 
 
 January 6, 1831. Her father, Isaac Eyer, who 
 
 - also born in Winfield. died in that vicinity in 
 1878, his wife. Elizabeth 1 Kleinfelter), passing 
 away at Mr. Kreamer's home in 1887. Their 
 
 rtship was a peculiar one. Mr. Eyer had 
 heard of the charms ol Miss Kleinfelter, then re- 
 siding in York, York county, their native State, 
 and being fascinated with the account, went to 
 see her. The result was that soon alter his 
 
 1 to Winfield he made another journej 
 that place and brought home ins bride, the trip 
 being made on horseback. It is proper to add 
 that, notwithstanding their limited acquaintance, 
 they proved well adapted to each other and 
 '• lived happily ever after. " They had nine chil- 
 dren: Abiaui. a retired farmer of Kansas; Cath- 
 erine, wife of Martin Dunkle, a fanner of Buffalo 
 
 nship, Union county; Isaac and [acob (both 
 deceased ; Miss Elizabeth, who resides at the 
 Kreamer home; Fannie I. (Mrs Kreamer); Su 
 
 1 formerly the wife of George Smith, 
 a farmer of Elkhart county, Ind.; Jonathan, a 
 
 ; a farmer of Buffalo Valley. Union county; and 
 
 ; Joseph (deceased). 
 
 To Sir. and Mrs. Kreamer eight children were 
 born: Isaac, a contractor in Chicago; Anna E., 
 wife of Dr. Rooke; Daniel, who died September 
 12, 1 ; Westley, who is in partnership with 
 his brother Isaac; Abram, who married Rose 
 Couser, and resides at the homestead; Ada, wife 
 \lford Reed, a merchant of Call county, Neb. ; 
 Olive, who married Charles M. Rooke. of Win- 
 field; and W. Charles, a dentist in Chicago. 
 
 HON. HORACE P. GLOVER, a leading 
 citizen of Mifflinburg, Union county, is 
 only a successful lawyer, but he has been for 
 many years prominently identified with The 
 Mifflinburg Bank, of which he is now the presi- 
 dent, having succeeded his father, the late 
 Robert V. Glover. 
 
 The Glover family is one of the oldest in this 
 section, our subject's great-grandfather. John 
 Glover, Sr. , having settled in what is now Hart- 
 lev township, Union county (then Buffalo town- 
 ship, Northumberland county ), in 1772, locating 
 about one and one-half miles west of Hartleton 
 to the south of the turnpike, where some of his 
 descendants still reside. His ancestor- migrated 
 from England to the North of Ireland in the 
 days of Cromwell, during the seventeenth centu- 
 ry, and the above named American pioneer was 
 always proud of the fact that in his veins flowed 
 the blood of sturdy Protestant stock which, two 
 generations before him, had taken part in the 
 defense of Londonderry and had survived that 
 famous siege. 
 
 Born in Ireland, December 25, 1744 (O. S.), 
 John Glover, Sr., came to America in 1 7 
 landing at Baltimore and locating near Winches- 
 ter, Va. He was accompanied by two nephews 
 whose names are not certainly known, but it is 
 family tradition that one of them settled in 
 Kentucky and the other in New York He was 
 married to Sophia Duncan, born February 13, 
 [749 i' S . with whom he w ibly ac- 
 
 quainted before leaving Ireland, and who share. 1 
 with him all the privations of early frontier life 
 in this country. In 177S occurred the "big 
 runaway," when the Indians drove all the - 
 tiers out of Buffalo Valley, and John Glover. 
 Sr., took his family back to Virginia lor safi 
 returning to Hartley township in 1789, where 
 his subsequent life as a farmer was without spe- 
 cial incident. He 1- taxed with one slave in the 
 assessment books of 1804 His death occun 
 in 1825. and his remains, together with those of 
 his wife, are buri' I mrelton. 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 841 
 
 John Glover, Jr., son of the preceding, who 
 was born in 1782, near Winchester, Va., inher- 
 ited the homestead in Hartley, and became a 
 man of influence in his locality. In 1822 he 
 was appointed a justice of the peace by Gov. 
 Hiester, holding that office until 1838, when the 
 constitution of that date went into effect; and in 
 the following year was elected register and re- 
 corder of Union county. In 1806 he married 
 Elizabeth Gray (b. 1785, d. 1856), a native of 
 Ireland, who came to America when about nine 
 years of age. They had eight children: One 
 daughter, Sophia, wife of Dr. Uriah Reed, of 
 Jersey Shore. Penn., and seven sons, to wit: 
 William, who was sheriff of Union county from 
 1837 to 1840; Andrew; John (3d), a farmer of 
 near Hartleton; George Gray, who remained on 
 the old Glover homestead, where he died in 1885, 
 and on which his descendants still reside; Thomas; 
 Robert V., mentioned more fully below; and 
 James, a farmer of near Laurelton, holding the 
 southern portion of the old farm. John Glover, 
 Jr., died in 1862, and is buried at Hartleton. 
 
 The late Robert V. Glover, the father of 
 our subject, was born December 1, 1821, at the 
 old homestead, and was educated in the local 
 schools and at Mifflinburg Academy. After 
 teaching school for a few years he engaged in 
 mercantile business atHartleton, continuing forty- 
 five years. He was also identified with other 
 business enterprises, notably The Mifflinburg 
 Bank, of which he was the first cashier and after- 
 ward president. In religious faith he was a 
 Presbyterian, and for thirty years held the office 
 of ruling elder in the Church at Hartleton. He 
 was married in Union county to Miss Helen Pell- 
 man, a native of Berks county, Penn., born May 
 3, 1827. She died November 13, 1893, and his 
 death occurred on December 8 of the same year. 
 Our subject was the eldest of their six children; 
 James Oliver resides at State College, Penn. ; 
 Mary married James C. Hayes, of Polk county, 
 Minn. ; Samuel P. is a physician in Altoona, 
 Penn. ; John Newton is a farmer in Union counts': 
 and David L. , now district attorney of Union 
 county, is in partnership with our subject. 
 
 On the maternal side Mr. Glover is descended 
 from Arnold Pellman, who was born near Maast- 
 richt, Holland, and his wife, Maria Van den Vaero, 
 a native of Grubben Vorst, Gelderland, both of 
 whom lie buried at Meerloe. Theirson, Conrad, 
 was born February 2, 175 1, in Vankum, Holland, 
 studied medicine at Amsterdam, and during the 
 American Revolution came to this country as a 
 surgeon in the Anspach regiment of Hessian 
 troops. He was a man of great ability, and was 
 noted in his profession as is shown by memorials 
 
 and certificates written by men high in authority 
 in the English government. It seems that he 
 had thought of settling in Nova Scotia, but in 
 1783 he returned to Holland and two years later 
 came to Pennsylvania, locating in Berks county, 
 where he continued in practice until his death, 
 which occurred December 29, 1803. He took 
 the oath of allegiance in Oley township, October 
 10, 17S6. On the 19th of September, of the 
 same year, he married Miss Mary Kline, who was 
 born in Amity township, Berks county, Novem- 
 ber 30, 1763, and died in Union county, January 
 29, 1850. Their children were John, Jacob, 
 David, Samuel, George K., Charles, Maria, Cor- 
 nelius and Rebecca, the last named being the 
 wife of the late Michael K. Boyer, of Reading, 
 Penn. David served in the United States navy 
 in the war of 1812, and in 1815 shipped in the 
 merchant marine, and was never heard from aft- 
 erward. 
 
 Samuel Pellman, fourth son of Conrad, was 
 born September 23, 1794, in Amity township, 
 Berks county, and, after the death of his father, 
 resided with an uncle, Abraham Kline. During 
 boyhood he attended the district schools, and, 
 after attaining his majority, studied for some 
 time in the schools of Reading, thus acquiring a 
 good education for that day. He learned the 
 blacksmith's trade, and followed it for a few 
 years in his native township, but later settled 
 upon a farm there, where he remained until 
 1832. He then moved to Union county, and 
 bought a farm in Limestone township, where he 
 made his permanent home. He was a success- 
 ful farmer and held in high esteem; industry and 
 integrity being marked elements in his character. 
 He was a member of the Lutheran Church; in 
 politics he was a Democrat. 
 
 On February 5, 1825, Samuel Pellman mar- 
 ried Mary Wolff, who was born August 19, 1806, 
 the daughter of Abraham and Rebecca (Shatz) 
 Wolff, prominent residents of Hamburg, Berks 
 county, where the ancestors of both had settled 
 on coming from Germany. Mr. Pellman died 
 July 25, 1875, his wife in 1S87, and both are 
 buried at Mifflinburg. They had six children: 
 Helen, who married Robert V. Glover; David 
 Wolff; Anna, who married Richard V. B. Lin- 
 coln; Rebecca, who married James Glover; Lewis 
 Conrad; and Oliver Kline. 
 
 Horace Pellman Glover was born December 
 10, 1852, at Hartleton, Penn., the eldest son of 
 Robert V. and Helen (Pellman) Glover. After 
 an attendance at the common schools of his town 
 and at the old Union Seminary at New Berlin, 
 he entered Lafayette College, Easton, Penn., 
 graduating with the class of 1871. In the fol- 
 
B42 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOORAPni'M. RECORD. 
 
 lowing year he became cashier of the Mifflinburg 
 Bank, and while there, having decided upon the 
 legal profession, he pursued the required course 
 of study under the direction of the late J. Merrill 
 Linn, of Lewisburg, and at the March term, 
 1878, was admitted to the Bar. He then opened 
 an office in Mifflinburg, where he won prompt 
 recognition, and four years later was admitted to 
 practice before the supreme court. On entering 
 the profession he relinquished his position as 
 cashier, became a director, and in 1893 suc- 
 ceeded his father as president of the bank. Mr. 
 Glover has always taken a moderate interest in 
 politics, and in 1886 was elected from Union 
 county, on the Republican ticket, to the legisla- 
 ture, serving one term. He was delegate from 
 his county to the Republican State Conventions 
 ol 1877 and 1 
 
 On November 30. 1886, he married George 
 Anna Kemble, daughter of George S. Kemble, 
 M D., a noted physician and surgeon of Mifflin- 
 bur^. Penn., who had served with distinction 
 during the Civil war, holding the rank of corps 
 surgeon and medical director Mr. (ilover is a 
 member of the Masonic fraternity, being affiliated 
 with Mifflinburg Lodge No. 370. F. & A. M., at 
 linburg. He has one son, Robert Van Val- 
 born Si . 
 
 lover, youngest son of Robert V.. 
 - born December 17, r866, at Hartleton, and 
 after a preparation at Bloomsburg, Perm., he en- 
 tered Lafayette College, where be graduated with 
 the class of 1S90. Having studied law with his 
 brother, he was admitted to the Bar of Union 
 county at the September term, 1S93, and in [895 
 i district att >rneyof the county, which 
 office he still holds, and is enjoving a successful 
 practice of the law in association with his brother. 
 Horace P., under the firm name of Glover & 
 Glover, at Mifflinburg. 
 
 WILLIAM MIIKLDS.Registerand Recorder 
 of Union county, is an able official, whose 
 faithfulness in the discharge of his duties has 
 won appreciation from the public, as is shown 
 by his recent re-election to his post at the ex- 
 piration of his first term of three years. He is a 
 ran of the Civil war, and is also a prominent 
 business man, having been engaged in wagon- 
 making in Kelly township. Union county, foi 
 many years previous to his election as above, and 
 consequent removal to Lewisburg. 
 
 Mr. Shields is a native of Union county, hav- 
 ing been born June 23, 1841, and is of Irish de- 
 scent. His grandfather, William Shields, was 
 born in County Down, Ireland, in 1776, and was 
 
 married in the Old Country to Mary Thompson, 
 also a native of Ireland, born in the same year, 
 She was a sister of James Thompson, a noted 
 scholar, who was at one time president of Bel- 
 fast Institution, now known as Queen's College, 
 Belfast. William Shields and his wife crossed 
 the Atlantic in 1 805, and settled in Buffalo Valley, 
 Union Co. , Penn. , where he followed the weaver's 
 trade for many vears, his death occurring in 1858. 
 His wife died March 6, 1853. They had a large 
 family, of whom only three survived infancy, 
 viz.: James, our subject's father; Ellen, married 
 to Andrew Magee, who died in 1876; and Cath- 
 erine, who married Robert Strayhorn, and is at 
 present residing in California. The last two were 
 born in America, but James Shields, who was 
 born in 1804, was a native of Ireland. He was 
 reared in Buffalo Valley, attending first the local 
 schools, later the academy at Mifflinburg. and 
 then began an apprenticeship to the blacksmith's 
 trade. An injury which crippled his arm caused 
 that work to be abandoned, and after a course 
 at Mifflinburg Academy he engaged in teaching. 
 Having a natural talent for mechanics he later be- 
 came a gunsmith, then a chairmaker, and finally 
 a cabinetmaker, and he also followed' wagonmak- 
 ing successfully. In religion he was a Presbyte- 
 rian, while politically he affiliated with the Re- 
 publican party. He was married in Union county 
 to Miss Esther Lucas, who was born September 
 20, 1807, and died September 6, 1853; his own 
 death occurred March 24, 1864. Of six children, 
 four lived to adult age: ( 1 ) William, our subject; 
 12 1 Mary Ann. who married John Irvin, and died 
 February 2. 1892. leaving two children — Jennie 
 G. and William L. ; (3) Nancy E., born January 
 27. 1845, married R. Wesley Harris; and (4) 
 Hannah C. , born March 20, 1847, died single 
 November 12, 1891. 
 
 The early life of our subject was spent at the 
 old home in Kelly township, Union county, where 
 he attended the district school. Through assist- 
 ing his father in the wagon shop, he became fa- 
 miliar with all branches of the trade, and had 
 already engaged in it as a workman when he at- 
 tained his majority. The Rebellion was then in 
 progress, the need of soldiers becoming more and 
 more urgent as the resources of the enemy were 
 realized. Mr. Shields enlisted, in 1862, in Com- 
 pany E, 142nd P. V, I., and remained in serv- 
 ice until after hostilities ceased, being mustered 
 out June 26, 1865. He saw much severe fight- 
 ing at Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, the Wil- 
 derness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, Bethesda 
 Church, Petersburg and other places which are 
 made forever memorable by that struggle. On 
 March 1 1, 1S64. he was promoted to the rank of 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 843 
 
 sergeant major, and on February 6, 1865, he re- 
 ceived a wound, a token of courage and gallantry 
 which was even more distinctive, though less 
 agreeable, than the other. On his return to the 
 paths of peace, Mr. Shields resumed his business, 
 and continued it until elected to his present office 
 in 1894; his re-election coming in 1896, he en- 
 tered upon his second term in January, 1897. 
 In politics he is a Republican. He is identified 
 with the Presbyterian Church, and, socially, with 
 the G. A. R. As a citizen he has always been 
 prompt to aid in local advancement. 
 
 On December 26, 1867, Mr. Shields married 
 Miss Katherine Angeny, a native of Bucks coun- 
 ty, Penn., born September 18, 1844, and seven 
 children have blessed their union, their names 
 with dates of birth being as follows: Esther L. , 
 December 26, 1868, a graduate of Blockley Hos- 
 pital, Philadelphia, is a trained nurse by occu- 
 pation, and now in the Royal Hospital in Seoul, 
 Korea, having been sent in August, 1897, by the 
 Foreign Mission Board of the Presbyterian 
 Church; the others — Lillian, December 12, 1870; 
 Ellen, January 31, 1873; William Scott, April 
 11, 1875; Edgar Thomson, September 24, 1877; 
 Charlotte E., May 4, 1880; and James Leigh, 
 January 27, 1885, are all at home. 
 
 HON. D. F. GUTELIUS. In the early days 
 of Mifflinburg there appeared in her busi- 
 ness life an energetic, progressive young man, 
 Fredrick Gutelius by name, who came from 
 Lancaster county, Penn., and established his 
 permanent home in this then thriving village. 
 He married Miss Goodyear, and by h.er became 
 the father of twelve children: Frederick, William, 
 Israel, John, Henry, Joseph, George, Andrew, 
 Rev. Samuel, Elizabeth Catharine and Sarah. 
 
 Fredrick Gutelius, the eldest in the above 
 mentioned family, and the grandfather of the 
 worthy gentleman whose name appears at the 
 opening of this review, was born in 1796, and died 
 in 1865. He was. one of those versatile men 
 who find their work in various lines of effort 
 crowned with equal success. His list of occupa- 
 tions were varied, including the weaving of a fine 
 grade of linen and carpets, then for a time he 
 followed butchering in Milton, Penn., later 
 returning to his native city. He married Miss 
 Lydia Crotzer, also a native of Mifflinburg, and 
 had ten children. (1) Thomas is a retired car- 
 riage maker in Mifflinburg. (2) William is a 
 painter and paper hanger in the same city. (3) 
 John, our subject's father, is mentioned be- 
 low. (4) Caroline is the widow of William, 
 Shriner (her daughter, now Mrs. Chambers, of 
 
 Denver, Colo. , is a writer of unusual merit, and 
 received the national prize for the best poem on 
 Pike's Peak). (5) Catherine, widow of Samuel 
 Faust, resides at Renovo, Penn. (6) Jacob, one 
 of the pioneers in the coach-building business at 
 Mifflinburg, died in 1897. (7) Samuel, a den- 
 tist at Millheim, Penn., died in 1896. (8) 
 Charles Henry is a dentist of Mifflinburg. (9) 
 Joseph, a soldier of Company D, 150th P. V. I., 
 the famous " Bucktail Regiment," was killed at 
 Gettysburg on the first day of the fight; he was 
 in command of the color guard, and after all the 
 others had been shot he clung to the flag, though 
 wounded; when our forces were driven into the 
 town of Gettysburg, he sat down on a door step, 
 weary and faint from loss of blood, and was 
 there bayoneted by a Rebel soldier, and the 
 flag taken from his body. (10) Miss Lydia re- 
 sides at the old home in Mifflinburg. 
 
 John Gutelius, our subject's father, was born 
 in 1826, and grew to manhood in Mifflinburg. 
 He married Miss Catherine Kenn, a native of 
 Penn's Valley, Centre Co., Penn., born in 1828, 
 and after residing for a time in Millheim, Penn., 
 located in his native city. By trade he was a 
 millwright, but for eleven years he assisted his 
 brother Jacob in the wagon and carriage-making 
 business, and in 1875 he opened a shop of his 
 own, in which he has since manufactured car- 
 riages, sleighs, wagons and all kinds of light vehi- 
 cles. He now has an extensive trade and em- 
 ploys twenty-five hands, most of his stock being 
 sold in this State. Since 1881 our subject has 
 been in partnership with him. The following 
 ten children were born to John Gutelius: 
 (1) Thomas O., who is employed in the shop, 
 married Miss Jemima Thompson, and has three 
 children— Clark, Katie and Anna. (2) H. L. 
 (died in 1896) married Miss Alice Moyer, and be- 
 came the father of five children — Wells, Merrill, 
 Florence, Horace and Warren. (3) David Fred- 
 rick. (4) Charles A. married Miss Ella Badger, 
 and has ten children — Charles L. , Anna M. , Eva, 
 Harry, Vernie, Stella, Grace, Edna, Susa and 
 one unnamed. (5) Joseph, who works in his 
 father's shop, married Miss Minnie Hough, and 
 has two children — Clarence and Sarah. (6) 
 John, Jr., who is also employed in the shop. 
 (7) Annie married F. E. Leitzel, of Scottsdale, 
 Penn. (8) Sarah Jane, (9) Ida and (10) Lillian 
 are at home. 
 
 D. F. Gutelius, the subject proper of this 
 sketch, was born January 17, 1855, and was edu- 
 cated in the public schools. When quite young 
 he entered his father's employ, and soon had ac- 
 quired a complete and thorough knowledge of the 
 business. On coming of age he was made man- 
 
Ml 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 ager, and later accepted as a partner. He is re- 
 garded as an able business man, and by close 
 application to Ms work he has well earned tin- 
 respect and admiration of the entire community. 
 In 1894 he was nominated on the Democratic 
 ticket for burgess, and, in spite of the customary 
 Republican majority, he was elected. A thor- 
 ough acquaintance with the people in whose 
 company his whole life has been passed has 
 served to strengthen the confidence in his ability 
 to discharge any duty that might become his. 
 That he has fully met the expectations of his 
 constituents is a well-known and indisputable 
 fact evidenced by his popularity with all classes, 
 irrespective of party. 
 
 On February 27, 1879, Mr. Gutelius was 
 marrjed to Miss Clara Zimmerman, a daughter 
 of Jacob Zimmerman, a well-known residem 
 Mifflinburg. Three children — Edythe, Lucy and 
 Nelson — have lint their cheering presence to this 
 happy borne On Julj 19, 1888, the wife and 
 mother was called from earthly cares and joys, 
 
 1 for a time the bereaved father and children 
 boardfd with Mr. Jacob Zimmerman; but as the 
 children became older. Mr. Gutelius moved into 
 his beautiful residence, where, with the assistance 
 of a housekeeper, the little family arc passing a 
 contented home life. The eldest daughter, 
 Edythe, graduated from the Dickinson Seminary 
 port, Penn., in June, 1898, and the 
 two younger children are in school. Fraternally, 
 Mr. Gutelius 1- a member of the F. & A. M., 
 . in which In* 1-- past master, and he is 
 also a member of the Royal Arcanum S illy, 
 Mr. Gutelius and family are prominent fact 
 and in their abundant In >spitality often open wide 
 their doors to their mam friends. 
 
 J' >HN HOW \K1> HARRIS, LL. D., was in- 
 augurated president >>f Bucknell University in 
 June, 1889, He entered upon the lab<>: 
 \ eminent and devoted men, who laid the 
 foundations wisely, and t'> whose services and 
 merits the new president always rous 
 
 recognition. One part <>( his work, not the 1: 
 important, has been the rallying of old friends to 
 the institution. He has spoken in over [30 dif- 
 ferent Churches in Pennsylvania and New Jersey; 
 has lectured in all of the Normal Scho lis ol the 
 Si, tie except two, and has brought main- acade- 
 and high schools mm close affiliation with 
 the college. In all his efforts, the president has 
 been ably and cordially aided by tie Board of 
 Trustees, the Faculty and the Alumni. Two 
 buildings, the gymnasium and laboratory, I 
 been erected during his adnmnsti Ltion; nearly 
 
 $100,000 added to the endowment; the library 
 increased from 9,000 to iS.ooo volumes, the 
 number of courses from fifty-one to one hundred 
 and fifty-two: and the attendance in the college 
 from seventy to two hundred and forty-seven, 
 and to four hundred and thirty in all depart- 
 ments. 
 
 Dr. Harris was born in Bufnngton, Indiana 
 Co., Penn., April 24, [847. On the paternal 
 side, he is of Welsh descent, his father, Reese 
 Harris, born in 1804. having come to America in 
 1830, and served as mine superintendent until 
 1844, when he purchased a farm in Indiana 
 count\- from the proceeds of the sale of his Welsh 
 freehold, which he had inherited from his father. 
 On the maternal side Dr. Harris is partly of 
 English descent, his ancestor, James Coleman, 
 having been an officer with Capt. Brady in the 
 old French war. On another side he is of Ger- 
 man descent from a soldier of the Revolutionary 
 war. 
 
 Dr. Harris spent the first years of his life at- 
 tending the public and subscription schools of the 
 neighborhood, evincing at the age of nine an ap- 
 petite for historical reading which in the four 
 succeeding years led to the reading of all the his- 
 tories which were to be had from the scant pri- 
 vate libraries of the neighborhood. In i860 he 
 entered a local academy to prepare for college, 
 and continued his studies in that direction till 
 the school was broken up by the enlistment of 
 the principal. A. J. Bolar (afterward Major 
 Bolar), and aboul all oi the students who were 
 old enough for service Dr. Harris was among 
 those who volunteered; but was rejected on ac- 
 count of age. Ilis tirst public speech aside from 
 efforts in the debating societies was one in favor 
 of the Union at the fall of Sumter. His studies 
 nil interrupted, in 1862, by the head 
 teacher and most of the pupils responding to the 
 call of President Lincoln. Dr. Harris again 
 volunteered, but was again rejected. In the fall 
 and winter of 1862-63. he taught his first school. 
 In 1863, he had his experience repeated in the 
 breaking up of the school, but was himself ac- 
 cepted among the volunteers, serving as a prn 
 in the Second Battalion, P. V.. in West Virginia. 
 Alter his discharge, he continued his college 
 paration, and had all arrangements made to 
 er Bucknell College in 1864, but the call of 
 the Presides: ilunteers again led to his offer- 
 
 ing himself, and he ser\e,l i- sergeant in the 
 th P. Y. P. until the close of the war. In 
 ; he entered Bucknell College, and graduated 
 in the course in Arts in 1 S69. He has received 
 the degree of Master of Arts trim Bucknell. that 
 of Doctor of Philosophy from Lafayette, and 
 
jU^u f\- f£* 
 
 (ZCSLsl-^d ' 
 
 / 
 
 /S*<«-cM^ c^( 
 
 /^l^^Z^t^U 
 
 ■>•- 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 845 
 
 that of Doctor of Laws from Dickinson College, 
 Penn., and also from Colgate University, New 
 York. 
 
 Dr. Harris intended almost from childhood 
 to follow the legal profession, and in 1863 was 
 enrolled as a law student in the office of Hugh 
 W. Wier, of the Indiana Bar. He completed all 
 the course except the office work, but from lack 
 of funds after graduation he entered upon the 
 work of teaching. He took charge of a subscrip- 
 tion school in Factoryville, near Scranton, 
 which he developed into Keystone Academy, an 
 institution, when he left it, with fine campus of 
 twenty acres, three large buildings, costing $75,- 
 000, a good library, and over 200 students, 
 three-fourths of them being boarders. In 1869 
 he decided to devote himself to the work of the 
 ministry and teaching. He followed closely the 
 course of study laid down in Crozer Theological 
 Seminary, doing all of the work of the course ex- 
 cept Hebrew. He has devoted special attention 
 to New Testament study having read it all in 
 Greek ten times, and most of it thirty times. 
 In 1872 Dr. Harris was ordained, and served the 
 West Abington Church nine years as pastor. In 
 that time the Church increased its benevolent 
 contributions, enlarged its edifice and nearly 
 doubled its membership. 
 
 His first wife, Miss Mary Mace, who was 
 born in Wyoming county, Penn., August 24, 
 1855, died leaving two children, Mary and Her- 
 bert. By a second marriage, with Miss Lucy 
 Bailey, born in 1858, he has seven sons: Reese, 
 George, Spencer, John, James, Walter and 
 Stanley. 
 
 |FILLIAM C. BARTOL, Ph. D., was born 
 ml in Huntingdon, Penn., November 24, 
 1847. He was prepared for college in the pub- 
 lic schools of his native town. At the age of 
 nineteen he entered the University at Lewisburg, 
 now Bucknell, and was graduated with honor in 
 1872. He immediately entered upon educa- 
 tional work. His first five years as teacher gave 
 him an experimental knowledge of almost every 
 phase of school instruction. During this period 
 he was successively professor of mathematics in 
 the Salisbury Academy, Conn; principal of the 
 Centre Hall high school, Penn. : superintendent 
 of the public schools of Union Grove, Wis.; and 
 principal of the Huntingdon Academy, Penn. 
 Thus he gained a most valuable experience and 
 training for his work as a public teacher. After- 
 ward he became professor of mathematics in the 
 Pennsylvania State Normal School at Mansfield. 
 During his stay of four years at Mansfield, he 
 
 gained such a reputation as a mathematical in- 
 structor that, upon the resignation of Dr. George 
 M. Philips from the chair of mathematics and 
 astronomy in Bucknell University, August, 1881, 
 he was immediately chosen his successor. Dr. 
 Bartol entered upon his duties as professor of 
 mathematics and astronomy in Bucknell Univer- 
 sity, Septembers, 1881. Some years later the 
 college astronomical observatory was built, 
 largely through his efforts. He was then made 
 its director, though retaining his former duties 
 as a professor. He is an assiduous worker, and 
 has found time to publish a number of brief 
 studies in the science of perspective and of the 
 culculus. He assisted Dr. French in the revis- 
 ion of his mathematical works, published by 
 Harper & Brothers. He is also the author of a 
 solid geometry which has had a large sale. 
 
 The ancestors of Dr. William C. Bartol were 
 German. His grandfather, John Barthold, was 
 born, where he spent his entire life and died, on 
 a farm near Klecknersville, Northampton Co., 
 Penn. The farm was located about one and a 
 half miles from the village, north toward the 
 Blue mountains, and about three-eighths of a 
 mile nearly northeast from the site of the old 
 Indian defense called Peter Doll's block house. 
 John's father had lived upon and owned this 
 farm for many years. He died here probably in 
 the year 1783, at which date John was sixteen 
 years old. John Barthold was accustomed to re- 
 late that his father had been a German soldier 
 for five years, and that upon being discharged 
 from military duties he and his younger brother, 
 not yet of age. came to this country, landing in 
 New York. Both were unmarried. Shortly 
 after landing the brothers became separated, and 
 since have had no knowledge of each other, nor 
 have their families ever had knowledge of each 
 other. This could not have occurred later than 
 1750, and possibly ten years earlier. The chil- 
 dren of John Barthold by his first wife were 
 Peter, Paul, John, Abraham, Jacob, Johnstine, 
 Christina, Catharine and Barbara. He married, 
 after the death of his wife, a Mrs. Beer, whose 
 maiden name was Staley. Their children were 
 Simon, Henry, Elizabeth, and Elias, who was 
 the father of the subject of this sketch. John, 
 Sr. , died in 1843, when he was about seventy-five 
 years old. 
 
 When Elias was nineteen years old he left 
 home with his brother Henry, and located in 
 Boalsburg, Centre Co., Penn. About this time 
 he began writing his name Bartold, and a few 
 years later the brothers in Boalsburg changed 
 their name to Bartol, dropping the h and the d, 
 because, as they said, they were silent letters as 
 
846 
 
 ' OMMBMOBATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 the name was pronounced. All other members 
 of the family retain the original spelling. Elias 
 Bartol married Bathsheba Wieland, of Boalsburg, 
 August 19. 1 84 1 . Their children were Sarah, 
 Lilia, William Cyrus, Anna and Thomas Edgar. 
 
 The mother of I »r Bartol traces her ancestry 
 to Michael Weyland, the pioneer in this country, 
 who came from near Stuttgart in Wurtemburg, 
 or from the city itself, about the year 1737, per- 
 haps a few years earlier or later. In 1754 we 
 find Michael Weyland in Bethel, the northwest 
 township of Berks county, Penn. , and by the 
 same authority (J. B. Linn's Annals of Buffalo 
 Valley) we find him, in 1769, settled in Buffalo 
 Valley, Union county, on what is now D. B. 
 Miller's farm. This was the site of the old Indian 
 town, Shikellimy, near West Milton. Michael 
 W( viand was married to Magdalena Baker. 
 Their children were Michael, Jr., Jacob, George, 
 John. Samuel, Mary, Margaret, Catharine and 
 Magdaline. Michael, Sr. , died in 1771, and was 
 buried on the place, in an old graveyard, a little 
 wis up the road running from the river. John 
 in some way changed the name to Wheland. He 
 married Christina Oberlin, whose father was 
 Michael Oberlin. Her mother's maiden name 
 was Zwei 1 Michael Oberlin lived in Earl 
 township, Lancaster Co., Penn., and was one of 
 the original members of the old Bergstrass Lu- 
 theran Church there. John Wheland and his 
 wife, Christina, lived in this neighborhood 
 some years. They afterward, in [800, moved to 
 Lycoming county, Penn., and later to a farm 
 near Tussey ville, Penn. Their children were: Mi- 
 chael, Hannah, John, Christina, Frederick and 
 Lydia John, Sr., died near Tusseyville. and is 
 buiied in the old churchyard their. His wife 
 died in 1845, and is buried at Boalsburg. 
 
 The oldest chilil of John and Christina Whe- 
 land was Michael, born in Lancaster county, 
 Penn., about six miles from the village of New 
 Holland. At the early age of eight or nine years, 
 Michael was accustomed t<> attend divine serv- 
 ices m New Holland, traveling the six miles often 
 alone and on foot, running at times for fear oi 
 missing the musii "I the organ which was then 
 in the church. Michael Oberlin, the gi. nidi. ither 
 of Michael Wheland. gave his little namesake 
 some silver buckles in. I 1 si 1\ #-i spoon when the 
 grandson was perhaps two years old; some of 
 these keepsakes are yet in the possession of his 
 descendants. Michael Wheland married Sarah 
 Becht. They were taken or confirmed into the 
 Old-school Lutheran Church by the Rev. Fred- 
 erick Haas, somewhere in Mifflin county, Penn. 
 Sarah Becht was born January 23, 1793, and died 
 July 24, 1836. Her husband Michael died Sep- 
 
 tember 1 '1. [871. They are both buried at Boals- 
 burg, Penn. The children of Michael Wheland 
 were: Hannah, Lydia, Benjamin, Rebecca, 
 William, Bathsheba, Sarah, Lucy, Washington, 
 Anna, Drusilla Christina, and Daniel. 
 
 Elias Bartol married Bathsheba, at Spruce 
 Creek, Penn., and directly they moved to Pine 
 Grove Mills, Centre counts, and after a short 
 stay here, they moved to Manor Hill, from which 
 place they came to Huntingdon in 1 844. Here 
 they settled; and spent the remaining years of 
 their lives. Their oldest son, William Cyrus, 
 the subject of this sketch, married Martha Belle 
 Africa. The paternal ancestor of Mrs. Bartol, 
 pioneer in this country, was Christopher Africa. 
 He was (according to the family tradition) born 
 in the Kingdom of Hanover, and came to Amer- 
 ica when yet a young man. He was by trade a 
 miller. He settled at Germantown, Penn., and 
 there married an "English woman '* fbut we are 
 to bear in mind that, at that time, every person 
 not born in the Fatherland, was regarded by the 
 German as English). At least two of their sev- 
 eral children were born at Germantown — John 
 Michael and Jacob. 
 
 Before the breaking out of the American 
 Revolution, Christopher Africa and his family 
 moved to the vicinity of Hanover, York t 
 Penn. While residing there the two sons and 
 two or more of the daughters married. John 
 Michael married Catherine Grafnus, of York, born 
 October 23, 1 r ' ' 5 • died February 12, 1830. 
 Jacob married Catherine Geiger. One daughter 
 married George Louckert. Another, Rosina, 
 died unmarried about 1807, and was interred in 
 the German Lutheran Church-yard in the 1 
 ough of Hanover. When the church was about 
 toll' nl ir| ed, about fifteen years ago. it became 
 necessary to remove the remains to another part 
 of the yard. The grave was marked by n 
 head and foot stones in excellent preservation, 
 and the inscription was remarkably distinct. 
 John Michael's eldest child, Elizabeth, was born 
 in 1790. In 1791 he removed to Huntingdon, 
 having purchased the lots of ground, Nos. 320 
 and 322 Penn and Nos. 521 and 323 Alleghany 
 street, whereon he resided until his death, June 
 30, 1S22, when he was- aged sixty-five years. Ja- 
 cob's eldest children, John and Jacob were born in 
 Hanover. Jacob. Sr., moved to Huntingdon a few 
 years alter Michael had become a resident there. 
 Christopher remained in York county until after 
 the death of his daughter Rosina, when he fol- 
 lowed his sons to Huntingdon, where he died 
 and was interred in the Lutheran Church-yard, 
 northeast corner of Fourth and Church street 
 Michael dropped the prefix John about the time 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 847 
 
 he was married. From descriptions of his per- 
 sonal appearance given by old citizens who 
 knew him, he was six feet in height; had blue 
 eyes; was neither corpulent nor lean, and wore 
 his dark hair in a queue. Jacob was shorter in 
 stature, and more corpulent than his brother 
 Michael. His children were: John, Jacob, 
 David, Samuel, Mary, Catherine, Elizabeth, 
 Margaret, Harry and Daniel. 
 
 Christopher Africa had charge of a gristmill 
 at or near Germantown, and his two sons were 
 employed in the mill. On going to York county 
 he bought a mill and paid some money thereon. 
 The title proving defective, he lost the property 
 and his investment therein. After this misfortune 
 Michael became a brickmaker, to which he added 
 a winter occupation, that of dyer. His brick- 
 yard in Huntingdon extended eastward from 
 Sixth street three lots, of fifty feet each, and 
 northward from Mifflin street to Moore street. 
 There the brick for all the brick houses erected 
 in Huntingdon for over two-score years were 
 made. Hon. J. Simpson Africa, from whom 
 these narrated facts were obtained, says " at one 
 time I was inclined to believe the family name 
 we bear was an English corruption of a German 
 patronym, but I since learned from four different 
 German immigrants that they knew the name in 
 Germany. One mentioned the city of Coblentz 
 on the Rhine, another Augsburg in Bavaria, an- 
 other Berlin, and the locality mentioned by the 
 fourth has escaped my recollection." Jacob Af- 
 rica, Jr., married Miss Elizabeth Zimmerman, 
 December 7, 1819. They had a number of chil- 
 dren — William Stevens, Eliza Ann, Andrew Jack- 
 son, John H., Letitia M., Robert Wesley, Eunice 
 M. and Anderson. Andrew Jackson Africa mar- 
 ried Maria King, and their children were: Martha 
 Belle (Mrs. Bartol), William Carey, Thomas Ed- 
 gar and Vinton Zimmerman. 
 
 Mrs. Bartol traces her ancestry on the mater- 
 nal side to Alexander King, who is described by 
 those who knew him as a Scotch-Irishman; a 
 strict Scotch Presbyterian; in personal appear- 
 ance a man of medium height and weight. He 
 came from Ireland to America probably in the 
 year 1774. About two years later, on January 
 10, 1776, he enlisted as a soldier of the Revolu- 
 tionary war, under Capt. Henry Darby in the 
 Delaware regiment commanded by Colonel Has- 
 lett. He was then a young man, presumably 
 twenty-five years of age, and served under these 
 officers for one year, during which time he was 
 in the disastrous battle of Long Island, after 
 which, retreating with his regiment, he fought at 
 White Plains under Washington. Here he re- 
 ceived a slight wound from a bayonet in the 
 
 hands of a Hessian. He continued with his regi- 
 ment in the perilous flight through New Jersey, 
 and was at the taking of the Hessians at Tren- 
 ton, after the famous crossing of the ice-drifted 
 Delaware. The time of his enlistment having 
 expired, Alexander King remained at home for 
 a few months and then re-enlisted in Capt. Ben- 
 jamin Fishborne's company of the Fourth Penn- 
 sylvania Regiment, commanded by Col. William 
 Butler. His re-enlistment was probably from 
 New London, Chester Co., Penn. Under Fish- 
 borne he served with some distinction, being pro- 
 moted from corporal to sergeant of his company. 
 He fought in the battles of Brandywine and Ger- 
 mantown, and afterward at Monmouth on the 
 memorable sultry day in June. Marching with 
 his regiment to Schoharie, where the winter was 
 passed, he was ordered the following summer to 
 join the expedition under General Sullivan against 
 the Indians in the Genesee country, and upon his 
 return he, together with his company, joined the 
 main army. He remained in the service until 
 the month of January, 1781, when he was dis- 
 charged on account of sickness and returned 
 home. 
 
 Alexander King made an application for a 
 pension on April 14, 1818, at which time he was 
 residing in Huntingdon county, Penn., and was 
 sixty-four years of age. His pension was allowed 
 for five years actual service as corporal and ser- 
 geant in the Revolutionary war. He came to 
 Huntingdon not later than 1796. This we may 
 safely conclude from the fact that the county 
 records give Alexander King, of Huntingdon, as 
 the purchaser of lot 181 on January 30, 1797. 
 He probably came direct from Chester county to 
 Huntingdon. He died August 8, 1826, and was 
 buried in the Riverview cemetery, Huntingdon. 
 He was admitted to membership in Lodge No. 
 55, Free and Accepted Ancient York Masons at 
 Huntingdon June 24, 1800, and was buried with 
 the usual Masonic honors. Alexander King 
 married Nancy Jackson probably before coming 
 to America. Their children were John and 
 Thomas. John married Christine Berkstresser. 
 They settled in Bedford county, Penn. Their 
 children were William R. , James, Harry S., 
 Caroline, John, Margaret, Thomas, Nancy, 
 Alexander and Elizabeth. Thomas King, Sr. , 
 spent his life in Huntingdon, Penn., where he 
 followed the occupation of his father Alexander, 
 that of a tailor. He was also, like his father, a 
 member of the Masonic order there. He served 
 for a short time ("three months) in the war of 
 1 8 1 2 under Captain Robert Allison. 
 
 Thomas King was married in Huntingdon, in 
 1803, by the Rev. John Johnston, to Martha 
 
848 
 
 CO.V.V/-:.Vt>i;.[ TIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 ris, and their children were William II.. Ann, 
 Margaret, Catherine, Mary, Elizabeth, Sarah and 
 Maria. Thomas King died March 9, [83 
 fifty-sevi rs, his wife, Martha Norris. on 
 
 June 22, 1 s 3 5 , /enty-five sears. Their 
 
 daughter Maria was married to A. Jackson Africa. 
 in Huntingdon, by the K ] Willi 1 
 
 Octobei 28, 1 Their oldest daughter, 
 
 Martha Belle, married William ( Bartol, April 
 [3, 1875. Their children are Mary, Belle, 
 William V and Helen Kii 
 
 BE( K FAMILY. A he German immi- 
 
 uits who left theii along the Rhine 
 
 during the great migration of German Protestants 
 to Pennsylvania in the tury was Johann 
 
 ■ mas Beck. He came from tin Duchy of 
 Hanau, and embarked from the port of Rotter- 
 dam. 111 Holland, in the year 1752. with his wife 
 ther, his son Henry and his daughter Margaret. 
 He did not live to see the New World, for he 
 
 1 on the and the Atlantic became his 
 
 burying place. His widow and children reached 
 Philadelphia, from whence they went to Berks 
 county. Penn., where they settled, and where the 
 widow subsequently married one McMullen. 
 
 Hi nry Beck, the son of [obann Thomas Beck, 
 was born in the Duchy of Hanau about the year 
 174S, and was lour years of age when he came 
 to Pennsylvania with his mother. He grew up 
 in Berks county, and in the year 1775 married 
 Margaret Wolfgang. Like almost all the Penn- 
 sylvania Germans, he was engaged in farming, 
 which he varied occasionally by superintending 
 the wood-cutting for one of the local furnaces. 
 The Revolutionary war came on shortly after his 
 marriage. In the militia companies which were 
 formed from time to time for short terms as the 
 war progressed, and were composed chiefly of 
 the farming population who attended to their 
 farms in the summer and went into the army in 
 the winter, he went out three different times, 
 first as orderly sergeant and subsequently as 
 lieutenant, and was in one of the commands that 
 failed to cross the Delaware at the time when 
 Washington captured the Hessians at Trenton. 
 He remained upon his farm in Berks county until 
 his removal to a farm near Pottsgrove. in North- 
 umberland county, Penn., where he died in the 
 year 1S24. Both he and his wife Margaret are 
 buried in the old Lutheran graveyard at Milton, 
 Pennsylvania. 
 
 Henry Beck, by his wife, Margaret, had seven 
 
 < children, all of whom were born and reared in 
 
 Berks county, on their father's farm. They were 
 
 Henry, George, Thomas, Sophia, Elizabeth, Mary 
 and Catharine. Henry Beck, the eldest son, was 
 born Jul\- 10, 1776, and was married to Hannah 
 Ludwig, of Berks county. George Beck was 
 married to Mary Greiner, and had the following 
 children. William, Susan, Jeremiah, Henry and 
 Mary Ann; he remained in Berks county until his 
 death in May. 1854; his son, Henry Beck, with 
 his family, resides at the present time at Potts- 
 town, lurks county. Thomas Beck removed to 
 Fayette, Seneca county, N. V., where he resided 
 until his death. Sophia married William Gp 
 Elizabeth married David Kaufman, who settled 
 in Union county, Penn. Mary married Steph 
 Glaize, who settled in the northern end of 
 Northumberland county, Penn. Catharine mar- 
 ried John Hill, and resided upon the homestead 
 near Pottsgn ve until her death. After his mar- 
 riage, Henr) Beck settled upon a farm in Earl 
 township, Berks county, where he followed farm- 
 ing and tanning. In the year 18 13 he removed 
 with his family to a farm adjoining (and now a 
 part of 1 Lewisburg, Enion Co., Penn., which 
 place he had previously visited with a view to 
 ement. Here he built a new tanner}-, which 
 he carried on in connection with his farm. The 
 large brick house at the upper end of Second 
 street in Lewisburg was built by him in 1823, 
 and was occupied by him and his family. By 
 his wife, Hannah, he had six children, one of 
 whom, named Daniel, died in infancy. The 
 others were Samuel L. Beck, born April 6, 1802; 
 Rebecca L., born November 30, 1807; Isaac L., 
 born May 5. 1811, died May 20, 1856; Mary 
 Ann, born October 19, 181 5; Lydia L , born 
 April 12. 1818. Hannah Beck died November 
 •9. 1 839, aged fifty-seven years. Henry Beck 
 died January 2, 1846, aged sixty-nine years. 
 Both are buried in the cemetery at Lewisburg, 
 Penn. Henry Beck was a member of the Luth- 
 eran Church at Lewisburg, while his wife, Han- 
 nah, belonged to the German Reformed Church. 
 He took an active part in town affairs, and in 
 politics was a Democrat. 
 
 Samuel L. Beck, his eldest son, was eleven 
 - old when his parents moved to Lewisburg, 
 here he grew up on his father's farm. He 
 had little taste for farming, but a great apti- 
 tude for study. One of his tutors was Samuel 
 Kirkham, the author of the famous old English 
 gram; Mathematics and surveying « 
 
 taught by his uncle, Daniel Ludwig, who resided 
 near White Deer Mills, in the same county. For 
 a short time he taught school and kept his fa- 
 ther's books. Having decided to take up the pro- 
 fession of medicine, in which his uncle. Dr. 
 Michael Ludwig, of Berks county, had won con- 
 

^itliu 
 
 £U*>€/ 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 849 
 
 siderable reputation, he studied for some time 
 in the office of Dr. VanValzah, of Lewisburg. 
 In 1825 he entered, as a student, Jefferson Medi- 
 cal College, Philadelphia, where he remained 
 until he graduated in 1828, having, as a class- 
 mate, Dr. Samuel Gross, the famous surgeon. 
 After his graduation he returned to Lewisburg, 
 where he settled permanently and look up the 
 practice of his profession. On April 12, 1842, 
 he married Anna Stitzel, the youngest daughter 
 of Adam Stitzel (whose father, Johannes Stitzel, 
 came to America in June, 1735), and his wife, 
 Sarah (Levan). of McEwensville, Penn. Anna 
 Stitzel was born October 3, '18 14. 
 
 Of the other children of Henry Beck, Rebecca 
 L. married John K. Housel, and died near Free- 
 port, 111., in 1892; Issac L. married Mary Dreis- 
 bachjulvj, 1839, and died at Mifflinburg, Penn., 
 in 1856, leaving two children, Henry and Kate; 
 Mary A. married Thomas Reber, and died at 
 Lewisburg in 1896; Lydia L. married Daniel 
 Zeller, and still resides at Lewisburg. 
 
 Dr. Samuel L. Beck was a Whig in politics 
 until the disruption of that party, when he be- 
 came a Republican. He died at Lewisburg No- 
 vember 1, 1882, and was buried in the Lewis- 
 burg cemetery. His wife, Anna, died in Lewis- 
 burg March 2, 1885, and was buried by the side 
 of her husband. By his wife, Anna Stitzel, Dr. 
 Beck had five children: William H., born Feb- 
 ruary 28, 1843; Samuel L. , born September 14, 
 1844; Valeria R. , born July 29, 1846; Thomas 
 Romeyn. born March 17, 1848; Mary, born July 
 28, 1849. 
 
 Of these William H. Beck, the eldest son, 
 received his education at the University of Lew- 
 isburg, Penn. , where he graduated in the class of 
 1862. He entered the army during the Civil 
 war, and was a member of Company C, 131st P. 
 V. I. He was admitted to the Bar as a lawyer 
 in Lewisburg in 1865, and since that time has re- 
 sided in Winchester and Alexandria, Va., New 
 Orleans, La., and Washington, D. C, which 
 last place is his residence at this writing. 
 
 Samuel Ludwig Beck, the second son, married 
 Miss Susan Case, of Trenton, N. J., and has a 
 printing office in Philadelphia, where he resides. 
 Valeria R. Beck married David Myers January 
 3, 1 87 1. They resided for some years on his 
 plantation near Talladega, Ala., whence they re- 
 moved to Lima, Ind., and thence to Lewisburg, 
 Penn., where she now resides. Thomas R. Beck 
 resides in Lewisburg, Penn. Mary Beck mar- 
 ried J. N. McCoy, the son of Col. DeWitt Clin- 
 ton McCoy, of the 83d Penna. V. I. She now 
 resides with her husband in Reading, Pennsyl- 
 vania. 
 
 54* 
 
 eEORGE GROSS, a highly respected resident 
 of New Berlin, Union county, can look back 
 over more than seventy years of life, during 
 which his retentive memory has treasured many 
 interesting reminiscences of the past. During 
 the greater portion of his life he has been identi- 
 fied with the mercantile and agricultural interests 
 of this section. At present he is living in retire- 
 ment and enjoying the fruits of his past labors. 
 
 Mr. Gross is a member of an old Pennsyl- 
 vania family, his ancestors having settled in 
 Montgomery county in an early day. Henry 
 Gross, his grandfather, was born there, being 
 one of a large family of children, several of whom 
 left the old home to locate elsewhere. One 
 brother moved to the western part of Pennsyl- 
 vania, another lived in Dauphin county, Penn., 
 a sister died in Mifflin county, another brother 
 died in New Orleans, a sister died in Franklin 
 county, Penn., and still another brother at Beav- 
 ertown, Snyder Co., Penn. Henry Gross was 
 married in York county, Penn., to Miss Phoebe 
 Havice, and came on horseback with his bride to 
 what is now Beaver township, Snyder county, in 
 the latter part of the eighteenth century. He 
 established a mercantile business at Middleburg, 
 but in 1 801 his store was burned, and he then 
 engaged in farming, purchasing land below Me- 
 Kees Half Falls. In 18 14 he bought the land 
 upon which New Berlin now stands, and he fol- 
 lowed farming there for a number of years. This 
 land formerly belonged to George Long, and the 
 village, when first laid out, was called Longs- 
 town. At one time Henry Gross owned six 
 farms. His death occurred in 1842, when in his 
 eighty-third year. His wife died in 1837, as the 
 result of injuries received from an accident in 
 falling down stairs. Henry, his eldest son, who 
 served as justice of the peace and surveyor in 
 Snyder county in an early day, in 1830, went 
 west, locating in Seneca county, Ohio, where he 
 died sixty-five years ago. The children of Henry 
 and Phcebe (Havice) Gross were as follows: 
 Henry (mentioned in the foregoing), Elizabeth 
 (Mrs. George Herald), Sarah (Mrs. John Hilbish), 
 Catherine (Mrs. Jacob Dubbs), Philip (father of 
 our subject), John (who died near Chattanooga, 
 Tenn.), Polly (Mrs. Col. Henry Royer) and 
 Barbara (Mrs. George Kleckner). None of these 
 children are now living. Mrs. Kleckner died one 
 year after her marriage. 
 
 Gen. Philip Gross, the father of our subject, was 
 born in 1797, in Middleburg, and his educational 
 opportunities in youth were limited to the schools 
 of that place. He always resided upon the old 
 homestead, following agriculture as an occupa- 
 tion, and at times did considerable business as 
 
850 
 
 COMMEMORA TI VE BIOGR. 1 1' III' '. 1 /. RECORD. 
 
 an administrator and executor in the settlement 
 of estates. He was a robust man, well-propor- 
 tioned, and was seldom ill. Throughout his life 
 he took keen interest in military affairs, and, 
 only his ineligibility on account of age, prevented 
 him from serving in the Civil war. He filled 
 every office in the home militia from privati 
 general, and was the last to serve in that rank 
 under the old regime in the brigade of Union and 
 Northumberland counties, He was a stanch 
 Democrat, as was his lather before him, and 
 lie held a number of offices, serving one term as 
 county treasurer before the separation from 
 Union county, when the county seat was at New 
 Berlin. For more than forty consecutive years 
 he served as justice of the peace. In religious 
 faith he was a Lutheran, and for many years held 
 the office of trustee in the Church. He died in 
 1879. His wife, who died in 1894, at the age of 
 ninety-one years, was Elizabeth Schoch. She 
 was born March 31, 1803, in Snyder county, the 
 daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Hendricks) 
 Schoch. Her remains now rest beside those of 
 her husband in the cemetery at the old homestead. 
 They had the following children: Henry died in 
 Philadelphia, in February, 1890; George is our 
 subject; Jacob died in infancy; | died in 
 1889, in Limestone township; Phoebe is the 
 widow of Thomas Yearick, of Aaronsburg, Penn. ; 
 Mary J. married John Stauffer, and died in Boyi r- 
 town, Penn.; Elizabeth C. is the widow- of Rev. 
 George B Dechant, of Catawissa, Penn.; Ben- 
 jamin F. died at the age of nineteen; |ohn died 
 in childhood; an infant son died unnamed; Mi- 
 ni ira died in childh I; Susan married Dr. Jerry 
 
 Hay. and died in Bloomville, Ohio; Laura is the 
 widow of Mar ion S< hnui > , oi Selins Grove, Union 
 count} , tnd Ji >bn dud in infan 
 
 Gross was bom Augusl 23, 1823, at 
 the old homestead, and his education was begun in 
 the schools of New Berlin, his first teacher being 
 Mr. Hague. After attending the common schools 
 until he was nineteen years old, he spent two 
 
 is at the Lewisburg Academy, and. although 
 
 qualified to teach, he never cared to do so. On 
 
 ing si hi h 'I he 1 el m ned hon ■ ■ in 
 
 u work. In the fall of 1S44. he, with three 
 other young men, went to Seneca county, Ohio, 
 driving the entire distance. He had relatives in 
 that locality, and foi a yeai was empl 
 clerk by an uncle iu Bellevue. Later he worl 
 in the same capacity foi .1 tim< al 1'iliiii, Ohio, 
 and then returned to Pennsylvania, and entered 
 the employ of his brother I bury, then a n 
 chant at Aaronsburg. On August [3, [846, he 
 was married at New Berlin, to Miss Elizabeth 1 
 Nettle, a native of Carlisle, Penn.. and a daugh- 
 
 ter of Isaac Nettle. He then located on his fa- 
 ther's farm for a year, whence in 1 847 he removed 
 to Rebersburg, where he established a gei 
 mercantile business. In 1848 he started a branch 
 store iii Loganton, Sugar Valley, under the tirm 
 name of Gross, Bogar & Co., Mr Cross owning 
 a half interest. For some tunc, in addition to 
 his other work, he held the office of postni. 
 at Rebersburg, but, in 1S58, he sold his store 
 there and returned to the old homestead In 
 1S5S he disposed of his interest in the Loganton 
 store, and. 111 [861, he bought out John I). Bo- 
 gar, of New Berlin, and continued business for 
 six years under the linn name of Gross >.\ LutZ, 
 and afterward as Gross & Wilson, until 1878, 
 when he sold out and retired from active busi- 
 ness in that line. In Maw 1859, he became a 
 director in the Lewisburg National Bank, and he 
 has attended every meeting of the board since 
 that time with possible exception.- of three or 
 four regular weekly meetings in a year. He is 
 the surviving executor of his father's estate, and 
 for years he looked alter his mother's interests. 
 Since 1 So 1 he has occupied his present home .it 
 New Berlin, a beautiful place, which was at one 
 time owned by Hon. Joseph Casey, who after- 
 ward became Judge of the Court of Claims 
 Washington, I). (' , and who died in that city 
 February 10. 1879. His wife was a sister of Mrs. 
 Gross. Mr. Gross, in religious faith, is a Lu- 
 theran, but as his wife is a Presbyterian, he at- 
 tends that Church regularly. They have had 
 three children: William G., now a resident of 
 Philadelphia; and two, George A. and Rosa K., 
 who died in infancy. In politics Mr. (iross has 
 always been a Democrat, and has held numerous 
 offices in the borough of New Berlin. He was a 
 senatorial delegate to the State Convention held 
 at Erie, Penn., in 1875; he was also a member oi 
 the Mat. Democratic Committee during the 
 year 1879. 
 
 ARRY P. RANCK, a pi ign ssive and suc- 
 cessful agriculturist of White Deer town- 
 ship, Ln i is a descendant of a well- 
 known pioneer family, and now owns and occu- 
 pies a farm near New Columbia, which has bi 
 in the possession of the family for more than a 
 
 tury. It was purchased about 1707, by our 
 subject's great-grandfather, John Ranck, who, 
 with his second wife, Barbara, came from Lan- 
 caster county to make his permanent home, his 
 
 th occurring there in 1S20. at the age of 
 seventy-eight. His widow survived him until 
 March 27, 1830, when she passed away, aged 
 seventy-five years. 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 851 
 
 Jonathan Ranck, our subject's grandfather, 
 was a native of Lancaster county, born July i, 
 1789, but the greater part of his life was spent 
 in Union county, where he became a prominent 
 farmer. He died May 5, 1856, leaving a large 
 family. He was married three times, (first) to 
 Miss Catherine Long, (second) to Miss Margaret 
 Dieffenderfer, our subject's grandmother, and 
 (third) to Mrs. Harriet (Kline) Dieffenderfer, 
 the widow of a brother of his second wife. 
 Margaret Dieffenderfer was born in Union coun- 
 ty, then Northumberland county, in January, 
 1798, the daughter of Jacob Dieffenderfer, and 
 died in February, 1844. By the first of these 
 three unions there was one son, Joseph, born 
 March 15, 1816, died in May, 1895. By the 
 second there were ten children, whose names 
 with dates of birth are as follows: Sarah, Jan- 
 uary 17, 18 19, Mrs. Daniel Bennage (deceased); 
 Moses, September 4, 1820; Susannah, January 
 14, 1822, Mrs. J. J. Brown; Jacob, January 28, 
 1824 (deceased); Edward, December 31, 1825; 
 Solomon, September 9, 1827; Mary, August 14, 
 1830, Mrs. Charles C. Wetzel; Levi, January 9, 
 1833 [see farther on]; Jonathan, April 2, 1834; 
 and Ellen, January 18, 1837. 
 
 The late Levi Ranck, the father of our sub- 
 ject, was a prominent citizen of White Deer 
 township, and during his active 'life followed ag- 
 ricultural pursuits at the old homestead where 
 he breathed his last April 29, 1866. His wife, 
 Charlotte Ranck, who was also a native of White 
 Deer township, was born August 7, 1834, and 
 died Octcber 5, 1881. They had the following 
 children: Florence, born December 24, 1853, 
 married Charles Baskins, a railway engineer re- 
 siding at North Platte, Neb. ; Virginia, born 
 January 15, 1856, married David Gross, sheriff 
 of Union county, who resides at Lewisburg, 
 Penn.; Norman L. , born December 4, 1857, 
 is a farmer of Gregg township. Union county; 
 Anna E., born November 23, 1861, married Ad- 
 dison Koch, who is now engaged in trucking at 
 New Columbia, Penn.; Mary E., born April 6, 
 1864, married Howard Carson, a farmer and 
 dairyman of Lycoming county, Penn. ; Harry 
 P. will be mentioned more fully below; Carrie 
 C. , born May 18, 1869, resides in Lewisburg 
 with her sister, Mrs. Gross; Violet P., born July 
 16, 1872, married Howard Reed, of Benton, 
 Penn.; Charles W. , born April 28, 1874, resides 
 with our subject; Daisy D., born March 29, 
 1876, is with her sister, Mrs. Baskins, in Ne- 
 braska; and Levi R. , born January 1, 1879, is 
 attending school in Lewisburg. 
 
 Harry P. Ranck has always had his home at 
 the old farm, where he was born May 19, 1866, 
 
 and it is now owned by him in partnership with his 
 sister Florence. The residence is a handsome 
 stone structure of old-fashioned style, and the 
 whole place shows the occupancy of a genial, 
 hospitable family. He has a reputation as a 
 good manager, and as a citizen is prominent in 
 local affairs. In politics he is a Republican, and 
 in February, 1897, was elected supervisor and 
 served one year, and was re-elected, in February, 
 1898. He is an active member of the Grange 
 of his township. 
 
 On April 7, 1889, Mr. Ranck was married to 
 Miss Sallie R. Becker, and their home has been 
 made brighter by three children: Russell R., 
 born March I, 1892; Violet V , born February 
 6, 1894; and Charles L. , born October 19, 1897. 
 Mrs. Ranck's paternal grandfather, Jacob Beck- 
 er, a wagon maker by trade, was a native of 
 Berks county, Penn., but settled upon a farm at 
 the present site of New Columbia about 1S1S, 
 and there he and his wife, Margaret Long, passed 
 their remaining years, the latter dying October 
 13, 1862, aged sixty-two years and eight months, 
 and the former passing away November 27, of 
 the same year, at the age of sixty-seven 
 
 Of their ten children, Rachel died in infancy; 
 Mary married Fred Ludwig, a farmer in Ohio; 
 Levi, who married Eliza Miller, is a farmer of 
 Montgomery count}-, Penn. ; Charles, a black- 
 smith by trade, married Miss Elutz; Margaret 
 married Charles Corp, a carpenter at Lewisburg, 
 Penn. ; Catherine (deceased) was the wife of 
 James Taylor, a farmer of Minnesota; Jacob left 
 home, and his present location is unknown; Will- 
 iam, who died in 1895, was twice married, (first) 
 to Matilda Peters, and, after her death, to Carrie 
 Haynes, also deceased; Sallie married a farmer; 
 and Amos G. (Mrs. Ranck's father), who was 
 born at New Columbia, November 25, 1S40, and 
 is still residing in his native township. For 
 fifteen years he followed the sawyer's trade but 
 at present is not engaged in any regular business. 
 In 1864 he enlisted in Company I, 202nd P. V. 
 I., under Capt. Jacob Neighbert, and, although 
 he took part in several important engagements, 
 including the second battle of Bull Run, he was 
 not wounded. He belongs to the Grand Army 
 Post at Milton, and, in politics, is a steadfast 
 Republican. 
 
 Amos Becker was married to Miss Margaret 
 J. Beckheimer, a native of White Deer township, 
 born December 24. 1842. Her father, Samuel 
 Berkheimer, a farmer by occupation, was born 
 in Chester county, Penn., and died in White 
 Deer township, Penn. He and his wife, Mary 
 Cattler, reared a family of four children: Mar- 
 garet (Mrs. Becker); Joseph (a farmer near 
 

 OOMMBMORA TIVB BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 eppa, I Vim. , Eli/a (who married Levi 
 Ki efer, a fanner in White 1 >eer tow nship, Union 
 countyi: and William a resident of the same 
 tow Dship . 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. 1 • membi i 
 
 the Methodist Episcopal Church, and have 
 always hem in hearty sympathy with progress in 
 all lines. They have five living children: 11 
 Elmer, I m i 24, i $< '-. married Miss 
 
 Mai e 1. rid has had three children -Lula, 
 
 Lee. and Hazel. 2) Li. la, born May 11. 1 
 mai muel Bennage, a carpenter of White 
 
 Deer township, Penn., and has one son, Albert. 
 
 h 8, 1 870, is the wifi 
 our subject. (4) Samuel, born February 10, 
 a railway emploj 1 resides at Sham 
 
 okin, Penn. He married Miss Mary Cornelius 
 and has one daughter, Sadie. (5) Miss Clara 
 born Mas 27, 187S. resides with hei parents. 
 
 CHARLES W lll< (MAS, a leading citizen 
 of West Buffalo township, Union county, is 
 an honored member ol the Thomas family which 
 trj back to the earliest period "f 
 Colonial history, and is one of the oldest families 
 in the State of Pennsylvania. Greek scholars 
 ha\ e agrei d that the name comes from Thomas, 
 named Didymus, the twin. At first it was prob- 
 ably assumed as a surname by some one whose 
 father's name was Thomas, though in some in- 
 stances it may have been chosen by one whose 
 
 tron saint was St. Thomas. If the father and 
 wen- b.ith named Thomas, the latter was 
 called Thomasson, the son of Thomas, to dis- 
 tinguish him from the former. The name has 
 been less changed than any other in modern 
 language. We find it therefore unaltered in 
 
 ry Germanic country. It exists in Germany 
 and England, but is particularly common in 
 Wales, where the language 1^. of course, Celtic. 
 
 That the first Thomas came to Pennsyh 
 before William Penn we have conclusive evi 
 deuce. History informs us that in 1681 John 
 Thomas and Edward [ones, .if North Wales, 
 purchased from William Penn a tract of 10,000 
 acres of land extending westward from the 
 v huylkill river. This land was afterward in- 
 cluded in what was known as the "Welsh Set- 
 tlement." On August 1 ). 1682, these gentlemen, 
 with forty colonists, arrived at the Schuylkill, 
 and immediately proceeded to found a settlemi 
 Penn did not arrive until the following October. 
 The Thomas family has therefore been identified 
 with the history of the State for 215 years. 
 Coming down to later times we find that George 
 
 Thomas was lieutenant-governor of Penn's Col- 
 ony from August, 1 7 v s . to May, 1747. 
 
 •'Iron John Thomas, the grandfather of 
 
 subject, was tlie ancestor ol the majority who 
 bear the name in central Pennsylvania. He was 
 so called because he was early int. vith 
 
 his step-father in the manufacture of iron, and 
 also to distinguish him from Rev. |ohn Thomas, 
 the third child of Henry, the pioneer. He was 
 born in 1770 and was rocked in the cradle of the 
 Revolution, being a child of six years when inde- 
 pendence was declared. He located on Larry's 
 creek, and in early life seems to have become a 
 representative of the family. His education was 
 limited to the meagre facilities of the time in 
 which he lived, but being possessed of an execu- 
 te, mind and thrown early into the society of 
 men, he rapidly developed into an active 
 energetic business man. In 1816 he and his 
 
 hers, Jesse. Samuel and William, formed 
 themselves "into a company or co-partnership in 
 all of the concerns of the furnace, forge and smith- 
 shop," and under this agreement carried on busi- 
 until 1821. He was evidently a man of great 
 force of character and took a leading part in the 
 affairs of his locality. He was rugged and strong 
 physically, aggressive, enterprising and d 
 headed, and in religious belief was a Methodist, 
 that being the Church to which most ol the early 
 members of the family belonged. Two of its 
 members became Methodist Episcopal ministers. 
 
 On December 24, 1797, "Iron'' fohn Thomas 
 wedded Mary Murphy, who was born July 25, 
 1781, and tradition says she was the first white 
 child born on Larry's creek, where Millville now 
 •-lands. Her father, John Murphy, was a famous 
 clockmaker of his time, and an early settler on 
 Larry's creek. Mr. Thomas died February 20, 
 1X43, aged seventy-three years, and his wife 
 passed away June 20. 1857, at the age of seven- 
 ty-five. In their family were the following chil- 
 dren: George, born August 28, 1798, died July 
 21, 1877; Charles, born August 31, 1800, died 
 March 7, 1879; Elizabeth, born March 12, 1804, 
 died April [6, [826; Maria, born May 19, i> 
 Margaret, born July 8, 1809, died April 9, 1855; 
 John, born June 15, 181 1, died February 1 8, 
 
 1. Sarah, born July 14, 1813, died June 29, 
 i860; Ellen 1- deceased; Gideon D., born August 
 3, 1S1S, is still living; Julia A., born m 1820, 
 dud in childhood; Jane Knox, born May 11, 
 1822, dud February 17. 1893; and Martha, born 
 February 15. 1825, died August 17. 1879, 
 
 Charles Thomas, the second son of John, 
 and the father of our subject, was united in mar- 
 riage with Miss Eliza Tackaberry, who was born 
 February 6, t8o6, in Ireland, and is a descend- 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 853 
 
 ant of Lord Grey, of England. When only two 
 years of age she was brought to this country by 
 her parents, William Tackaberry and wife. Her 
 death occurred on the 4th of December, 1874. 
 Our subject is the third in order of birth in the 
 family of ten children, the others being as fol- 
 lows: Allen; William; John; Mary A., wife of 
 Wilson Doane, of DeKalb county, Mo. ; Jane, 
 widow of John King; Margaret, wife of John 
 Kline; Frank; George; and Alice, who died at 
 the age of twenty-seven. 
 
 In the public schools. Charles W. Thomas, 
 of this review, acquired a good practical educa- 
 tion, and was reared to habits of industry upon 
 the home farm, where he continued to work with 
 his father until attaining his majority. He then 
 began learning the miller's trade, but before he 
 had completed his apprenticeship, he started for 
 California, and remained upon the Pacific slope 
 for six years. Returning to Pennsylvania, he 
 engaged in farming and lumbering in Lycoming 
 county for eleven years, but since that time has 
 made his home in Union county, where he is ac- 
 counted one of the most valued and honored citi- 
 zens, having the respect and confidence of all 
 with whom he comes in contact. 
 
 Soon after his return from California, Mr. 
 Thomas was united in marriage with Miss Cal- 
 phurniaL. , daughter of Rufus Rockwell, a farmer 
 of Bradford county, Penn. Four children bless 
 this union, namely: Clarence, who is married 
 and lives in Wausau, Wis., where he is interested 
 in the lumber business; Wilson, a merchant of 
 Mifflinburg, Penn.; Emma, who resides with her 
 parents at their beautiful home in West Buffalo 
 township; and Jessamine, wife of Edwin Bru- 
 baker, a Methodist minister now living near 
 Marksville, Virginia. 
 
 JAMES M. PAWLING. The Pawling family, 
 which has long been prominently identified 
 with this section, is descended from English 
 ancestry, and the first of the name crossed the 
 ocean while this country was still a dependency 
 of the British Crown. He located in Chester 
 county, Penn., but his son, Joseph, the great- 
 grandfather of the well-known citizen whose 
 name opens this sketch, removed early in the 
 present century to what is now Snyder county, 
 and purchasing a tract of 400 acres of land near 
 Selins Grove, engaged in business as a farmer 
 and hotel keeper. He was twice married, but 
 his first wife died leaving one son, John, who 
 moved to the West, and his descendants now 
 live in Kentucky. By his second wife, Mary 
 Shannon, he had four sons and four daughters. 
 
 One of the latter became the mother of Judge 
 H. P. Ross, president judge of Montgomery 
 county. 
 
 Samuel Pawling, the eldest son of Joseph 
 and Mary Pawling, and the grandfather of our 
 subject, was born February 9, 1794, and was 
 married January 24, 1815, to Elizabeth Wood- 
 ling, who was born February 5, 1797, the daugh- 
 ter of John Woodling. Eleven children were 
 born to this union, their names with dates of 
 birth being here given: (1) Harriet, December 
 31, 181 5, married David Schoch, and died in 
 1840. (2) Maria, December 4, 1817, became 
 the second wife of David Schoch, and died No- 
 vember 2, 1870. (3) Susan, February 25, 1819, 
 married Jacob Hilbish, died March 16, 1897. 
 (4) Levi, July 27, 1820, married Margaret C. 
 Weaver, born March 17, 1831, died January 16, 
 1880. and had seven children: Margaret S., Al- 
 len Francklin, Jefferson Samuel. Nora Elizabeth, 
 Melinda J., Ida C. and Anna S. (5) John, Oc- 
 tober 21, 1823, married Barbara Gemberling 
 (born March 31, 1831) and had nine children: 
 West W., Sarah E., Christopher G., Mary L. , 
 Emma F., Catharine J., Bertha A., Alice R. , 
 and Melinda R. (6) Jane, June 15, 1825, mar- 
 ried Lewis Gemberling, and died October 1, 1856. 
 (7) Samuel Benjamin, September 14, 1828, is 
 mentioned more fully below. (8) Rebecca, De- 
 cember 25, [830, married James Biehl. (9) 
 Angeline, September 22, 1834, married Benja- 
 min Ulrich. (10) Charles W., May 31, 1837, 
 married Lydia C. Long, and had two children: 
 Charles W. and Cora E., both now deceased. 
 (11) Lewis E., December 10, 1839, married 
 Amanda Schoch (born June 1, 1844J, and had 
 five children — Albert S., Samuel J., Emanuel 
 E., S. Alice and Delia E. The parents of this 
 large family attained a good old age, spending 
 sixty years of their lives together in happy wed- 
 lock. The father died November 23, 1874, and 
 the mother October 9, 1S83, and their descend- 
 ants numbered at that time fifty-five grand- 
 children, forty great-grandchildren, and one 
 great-great-grandchild, making one hundred and 
 seven direct descendants. 
 
 The late Samuel B. Pawling was born and 
 reared at the old home near Selins Grove, and 
 received a common-school education. January 
 18, 1853, he was married to his first wife, Miss 
 Leah Huffman, daughter of John and Mary Huff- 
 man, and in that year he moved to Union county, 
 where he spent his remaining years. His wife 
 died February 11, 1855, leaving one son, James 
 Calvin, born November 8, 1853, who did not 
 long survive his mother, passing away May 29, 
 1855. On November 10, 1856, Mr. Pawling was 
 

 COMMEMORATIVE BIOORM'IIICAL RECORD. 
 
 married to Miss Sarah Jane Marshall, by whom 
 he had the following children: James Marshall, 
 our subject, who is mentioned more fully farther 
 on; Elizabeth Jane, born September II, 1858, 
 died June 28, 1S90; Samuel Albert, who was 
 born February 3, i860, and died April 28, 1875, 
 his last words being "Jesus is here; " Sarah Ag 
 nes, born June , died May 27, 1865; John 
 
 Correy, born February 8, 1805, died June 11, 
 1865. The mother died May 21, 1865, from the 
 effects of diphtheria, from which all the children 
 were suffering, two of them following her shortly 
 afterward, and the others being saved with diffi- 
 culty through the devoted care of the father and 
 physician. On May 15, 1866, Mr. Pawling 
 
 ned a third matrimonial union, with Miss Hes- 
 ter Ann Long, born September 9, 1S26, the 
 daughter of Benjamin Long. Two sons were 
 born of this union — I l.n : \ Jackson, Februar) 25, 
 
 -, and West Glide, February 20, 1870, died 
 January 10, 1895. 
 
 111* -l B. Pawling was eminently successful 
 
 in business, and at his death was tin- owner of a 
 
 farm, comprising about 120 acres and a con- 
 
 rable personal estate. He was a cheerful 
 giver to all worthy movements and especially to 
 the cause of religion. Early in life he united 
 with the Lutheran Church, in which for many 
 year- In- held the office of deacon. During that 
 
 oil. in 1877, St Johns church, at White 
 Deer, a handsome and commodious edifice, was 
 built by the congregation, his time and means 
 bemj,' given liberally to the enterprise. Political 
 honors had no charms for him as he declined all 
 solicitations to bee e a candidate for office, con- 
 
 ring his duty fulfilled by a proper care for the 
 other in n winch he was concerned. 
 
 James M. Pawling was born July 21, 1857, 
 at tlie old homestead. He was educated in the 
 
 d schools and at Bucknell College. After 
 
 through school, from 1874 to 1881, he was en- 
 
 hool at a time when in that 
 
 locality there were not many school. houses, but 
 
 there wi id man} scholars, the roll often 
 
 itaining upward oi eighty, ranging in age from 
 five years to twenty-two. He had the honoi oi 
 having the first class of scholars to graduate in 
 White Deer township under the grade adopted 
 
 b) 1 ■ 00] S) Stem at that time. ( >n 
 
 becoming oi age, Mr. Pawlii in estate 
 
 from his grandfather, the late Hon. James Mar- 
 ill, which he invested in a farm, purchasing 
 what was know 11 as the "Squire Kanck (arm." 
 one of the oldest settled places in White Deer 
 township, where he now resides. The place has 
 been greatly improved since it came into the 
 possession of our subject, to such an extent that 
 
 connections of the Ranck family say that they 
 hardly know it. A commodious and massive 
 barn and shed have been built, running water put 
 into the house, a large lawn, beautifully arranged 
 in front with gardens at either side fronting on 
 the public road, made, all of which have greatly 
 added to the attractiveness of the farm. Mr. 
 Pawling takes a great interest in public affairs, 
 having inherited largely the traits of his grand- 
 father, who was one of the leading politicians of 
 his day. This inheritance seems to come to the 
 surface at the opening of each campaign where 
 there is any issue involved. In religious belief 
 the family are all Lutherans, Mr Pawling hav- 
 ing for a decade or more been director of music 
 at White Deer Church. He is one of the coun- 
 ty's most progressive, intelligent and public- 
 spirited citizens. 
 
 On February 7, 1884, our subject was mar- 
 ried to Miss Mary Catherine Lahr, daughter of 
 N. C. Lahr, and has had seven children: Edna 
 Lahr, born December 25, 1884; Clara Jane, 
 born February 27, 18S6; Mary Alvema, May 4, 
 [887; Harold Marshall, August 26, 1889; Foster 
 S., July 8, 1 891, died September 23, [892; Paul 
 Justin, January 6, 1894; and Warren John, No- 
 vember 24, 1811;. 
 
 BENJAMIN HARRISON LONG. Few, if 
 any, nun can point to more valuable and 
 more numerous evidences of their skill and energy 
 than can the subject of this sketch, a well-known 
 contractor and brick layer residing near West Mil- 
 ton, Penn, It would be difficult to make even a 
 mere list of the handsome structures erected by 
 him, many of them being from his own designs: 
 but we 1 ntioii the two churches at White 
 
 Deer, the Music Hall at Lewisburg, the Happen- 
 stein Opera House at Shamokin, the Baptist 
 church at Montanduni, the Union National Bank 
 at Genette, Penn., the woolen-mill at Lewisburg, 
 and the large three-story brick block at Freeburg, 
 Snyder county, for Professoi Moyer. He also 
 worked (or twelve years on the Huntingdon Re- 
 formatory, at Huntingdon, Pennsylvania. 
 
 The following brief review of Mr. Long's 
 history and family connections will be of interest 
 among his large circle of friends. He is a na- 
 tive of Union county, born at the old homestead 
 in Last Buffalo township, December 3, IV 
 Ih- lather, Benjamin Long, was born upon the 
 same farm, and made his home there all his life, 
 his death occurring; in 1880, at the age of seventy- 
 six. He added the business of contracting and 
 brick laying to his agricultural work, and contin- 
 ued them all successfully until old age compelled 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 855 
 
 him to retire. He was a. man of influence in his 
 locality, a Republican in politics, and for many 
 years an active worker in the Lutheran Church. 
 His wife, Mary Dabler, a native of Snyder coun- 
 ty, died in 1883, aged sixty-five years, the re- 
 mains of both being laid to rest in the cemetery 
 at Lewisburg. They had ten children: John, a 
 brick layer, residing in East Buffalo township, 
 Union county; Matilda, wife of William Scho- 
 field, an engineer at Milton, Penn. ; Benjamin 
 H., our subject; Jacob, who occupies the old 
 homestead ; Mary, wife of Charles Isley, a farmer 
 of Clay county, Kans. ; Zachariah, of Danville, 
 Penn. ; Caroline, who resides with her brother 
 Jacob at the homestead; and three others, Daniel, 
 Isaac and Emanuel, who are deceased. 
 
 Benjamin H. Long's ability and inclination 
 for his present work became apparent at an early 
 age, and at twelve he began his apprenticeship 
 under his father's tuition. As failing health 
 caused the latter to leave more and more of his 
 work to younger hands, Mr. Long took his place 
 and until his twenty-seventh year he resided at 
 home, caring for his parents and looking after 
 the business. For one season he was employed 
 as foreman for David White, of Tyrone, and dur- 
 ing that time he built a three-story brick block at 
 Genette, Pennsylvania. 
 
 Notwithstanding Mr. Long's extensive busi- 
 ness operations he has never had but one lawsuit, 
 and that involved a claim for a barn wall, for 
 which he was compelled to sue twice in order to 
 get his dues, which he finally won. He was 
 never a witness in a suit but once, and, in fact, 
 has kept remarkably clear of disputes and entan- 
 glements. Mr. Long resides upon a farm, but, 
 as his other interests require his time, he does 
 not have the active management of the place, 
 which he. rents to another party. He is highly 
 esteemed by all classes wherever he is known, 
 and has much influence in his community, es- 
 pecially in the local Republican organization, 
 and in the Reformed Church, of which he is a 
 leading member. 
 
 On May 1, 1895, our subject was united in 
 marriage with Miss Sadie Hendershott, an amia- 
 ble lady. She is a daughter of Albert and Mar- 
 garet (Watson) Hendershott, and was born at 
 Muncy, Penn., where her mother was born De- 
 cember 27, 1 841 . and which has been the home 
 of her maternal ancestors from an early period, 
 her grandparents, Hugh and Sarah (Sidles) Wat- 
 son, having spent their lives there upon a farm. 
 Her paternal grandfather, William Hendershott, 
 was a farmer near Jerseytown, Penn., and his 
 remains were interred at that place. Albert 
 Hendershott, Mrs. Long's father, was born at 
 
 Jerseytown, March 1, 1845, and after many 
 years of successful work as an agriculturist, is 
 now living in retirement in Union county, Penn. 
 Mrs. Long is the younger of two children born to 
 Albert and Margaret Hendershott, and is now 
 the only living child, their first born, Hervey, 
 having died at the age of fourteen. 
 
 JOSIAH SHOWALTER, who at the time of 
 his death, April 6, 1897, after a long and act- 
 ive life was spending his declining days in 
 the midst of ease and plenty, on his fine farm at 
 Glen Iron, Hartley township, Union county, was 
 born in Adams county, Penn., December 4, 18 15. 
 He reached the ripe old age of eighty-one years, 
 four months and two days. His position, so- 
 cially and financially, was the result of his own 
 unaided industry, coupled with the sound sense 
 and excellent business capacity with which nature 
 endowed him. His remains were buried in Lin- 
 coln cemetery in Hartley township, Union Co., 
 Pennsylvania. 
 
 John and Elizabeth (Rote) Showalter, par- 
 ents of the deceased, were natives of Lancaster 
 county, Penn., and came to Union county, in 
 1 82 1, locating near Laurelton, in Hartley town- 
 ship, upon a farm, which the children cultivated, 
 while the father worked at his trade of carpen- 
 tering. The family were comprised of the fol- 
 lowing named: Jonathan, who made his home 
 in Union county, died at the age of eighty-eight; 
 Johanna is the widow of Peter Boop, who died 
 in 1 88 1, and she resides on a farm in Hartley 
 township; Cyrus, who was married, died in 1876; 
 Josiah was next in order of birth; Elizabeth is 
 the wife of Samuel Shirk; Lydia married John 
 Shirk, who died some years ago, and she now 
 lives in Laurelton, Penn. ; Samuel, a carpenter 
 by trade, went west, and died in Ohio; and Peggy, 
 who married and went west, has not been heard 
 from for several years. 
 
 The subscription schools furnished our sub- 
 ject his educational privileges, and his business 
 training was obtained upon the home farm, 
 where he early learned habits of industry and 
 economy. Throughout his active business ca- 
 reer, he followed the occupation, to which he 
 had been reared. As a Republican, he formerly 
 took quite an active interest in political affairs, 
 and acceptably served as supervisor of his town- 
 ship for two terms. Religiously, he was a con- 
 sistent member of the Methodist Church, and he 
 was a man of unswerving integrity and honor. 
 
 On May 31, 1838, Mr. Showalter was mar- 
 ried to Miss Hannah Miller, a daughter of John 
 Miller, who was engaged in the distillery business. 
 
858 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHI'M. RECORD. 
 
 They became the parents of eight children: | i i 
 John \\\, born March 3, 1839, served (or three 
 years as a Union soldier during the Rebellion. 
 He is married, and has six children. (2) Will- 
 iam and (3) Mary, 'twins, born September 18, 
 1 S40, grew to manhood and womanhood, and 
 the former is now a fanner living in Glen Iron, 
 Union county, while the latter is the wife of Cy- 
 Durst, of I 'litre county. Penn. William 
 h is four children, and Mary three. (4) Samuel, 
 born February 2, 1842, lives in Cowan, Penn., 
 and has five children. (5) Catharine, born July 
 25, 1843. (6) Rachel K. (Mrs. Grove), born 
 October 26, 1848, has three children. (7) Han- 
 nah E. (Mrs. Katherman), born February 26, 
 1S54, Ills two children. (8) Martin enlisted 
 in Company F, 1 < j 5 1 li 1'. V. I., and gave his life 
 in defense of his country dying August 27, 1864, 
 at the age of eighteen years, and was buried at 
 I derick City, Md. The wife and mother, a 
 most estimabe lady, departed this life July 22, 
 1891, and was buried in Lincoln cemetery, Hart- 
 ti iwnship, Union county. 
 
 HON. >A.\IUEL. H. ORWIG, of Lewisbur-. 
 Union county, one of the ablest and most 
 distinguished lawyers of this section, is deserving 
 of a prominent place in these memoirs, not onbj 
 through his own ability and achievements, but 
 through the interest attaching to two lines of 
 er ancestry. 
 
 The Orwi<,< family is of German origin, and 
 
 ject is of the fourth gi < ent 
 
 from Godfrey Orwie,, who was born in the Fa-' 
 
 rland in [719, and came to America in 1741, 
 accompanied by his wife. Clara. Their sixth 
 child, George, the grandfather of our subject, 
 wis born March 11, 1 7 5 S . and passed his life in 
 Pennsylvania. He and his brother Peter laid 
 Out the town of Orwigsburg, in Schuylkill coun- 
 ts, in 1796; but later he came with his wife, 
 Maria Magdalena Gilberdin (Gilbert), and their 
 family, and located in Buffalo Valley, in what is 
 now Union county. His last years were spent 
 in MifSinburg, where he died March 2, 1841. 
 Of his twelve children: (1) George, born Jan- 
 uary 17. 17S0, built a mill in New Berlin, which 
 he operated for soim- time, but he finally re- 
 moved to Ohio. (2) John, born July 21, 1781, 
 was ;i merchant oi MifSinburg fur several y< 
 and went to < thio with lus brothi r. (3) Jacob, 
 born April 18, 1783, died in New Berlin. (4) 
 I aac, born February 27. 1785, died at Orwigs- 
 burg, Schuylkill county. (5) Abraham, burn 
 February 2(1, 17N7, built a gristmill i>n Buffalo 
 creek in 18 17, which remained in the Orwig fam- 
 
 ily for over half a century. He had four sons — 
 William W., who became an eminent divine in 
 the Evangelical Association, and was made bish- 
 op, his residence in later years being at Cleve- 
 land, Ohio; Henry, who succeeded his father in 
 the ownership of the old homestead and mill, 
 and died in MifSinburg; Elias (deceased), late of 
 Hartleton, Penn. ;and Abraham (deceasedj, late of 
 Kankakee, 111. (6) Henry, born January 27, 
 •789- (7) Maria, August 27, 1791, and 8) Mary 
 Magdalena, December 5, 1793, are all deceased. 
 (9) Rebecca, born February 1. 1796. married 
 Thomas Crotzer, and died in Mifflinburg. (10) 
 Samuel, born April 6, 1798, is mentioned more 
 fully below. (1 1) William, born March 22, 1800. 
 died in Lewis township. Union county, leaving a 
 farm which is now operated by his son — -Edward. 
 (12) Hannah, born July 1, 1802, died in Mifflin- 
 burg. 
 
 Samuel Orwig, the father of our subject, re- 
 received a good elementary education in the 
 schools of that day. He served an apprentice- 
 ship at saddle and harness making in Mifflinburg, 
 where he afterward followed the trade for some- 
 time, but later in life he devoted his time wholly 
 to agriculture. He was a man of fine physique, 
 and his strong character and excellent judgment 
 him great influence in the community, For 
 many years he was a leading member of the Lu- 
 theran Church, and he was prominent in official 
 affairs, holding local offices. Politically he was 
 a Democrat until the organization of the Repub- 
 lican party, which he was among the first to join. 
 
 On September 22, 1829, Samuel Orwig mar- 
 ried Miss Mary Myers, who was born June 16, 
 1803, and died July 10, 1867, his death occur- 
 ring August 7, 1874. They had eight children, 
 of whom six are living: 1 1 Mary J. married J. 
 C. Hendricks, of Decatur, 111. (2) Reuben G. is 
 a real-estate dealer in Chicago, 111. (3; Thomas 
 (i., now an attorney in Des Moines, Iowa, was 
 captain of Battery E, 1st Pennsylvania Light 
 Artillery during the Rebellion. 141 Samuel H 
 is the subject proper of this biograph) (5) J°" 
 
 1 R. was captain of Company A, 1 >i>t Regi- 
 ment Pennsylvania Volunteers, is now the assist- 
 ant State librarian at Des Moines, Iowa, and is 
 1 authority on books, having devoted 
 his life to th' B im M, was stud) 
 
 law in the University of Pennsyvania when the 
 Civil war broke out, but patriotically offered his 
 services as a soldier, enlisting as a private in the 
 battery of which his brother Thomas was cap- 
 tain. His preceptor, a distinguished attorney of 
 Philadelphia, had made him a proposition by 
 which one of them could be exempted from mili- 
 tary service, but the young student rejected the 
 
c^&^idyy^i 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 857 
 
 well-meant offer, saying " No act of mine shall 
 tend to lessen the number of Union soldiers." 
 He was promoted to the rank of lieutenant, and 
 at the expiration of his first term he re-enlisted, 
 January i, 1864, for "three years or the war, " 
 serving until mustered out July 24, 1865, at 
 Philadelphia. Orwig's battery played a prom- 
 inent part in the service, and on July 26, 1862, 
 the inspector-general pronounced it superior to 
 any other volunteer battery in the army. On 
 his return to the paths of peace, Lieut. Orwig 
 completed his preparation for his profession, and 
 located in Des Moines, Iowa. But hardships 
 incident to a soldier's life had undermined his 
 delicate constitution, and he died at Des Moines, 
 October 28, 1867; his remains rest in the family 
 lot in the Mifflinburg cemetery. When he en- 
 tered the army he took with him a Bible, and, 
 at the solicitation of his friends, a bottle of 
 brandy. The book returned well-worn, but the 
 bottle remained unopened. (7) Sarah Louise 
 died at Mifflinburg at the age of thirty-seven. (8) 
 Miss Rebecca resides with her brothers in Iowa. 
 On the maternal side, also, Mr. Orwig is of 
 German descent. His great-grandfather Myer or 
 Myers came to America in 1743. After his 
 arrival in this country he married, and established 
 his home in Berks county, Penn. He had three 
 sons, John, Henry and Yearick, of whom the 
 eldest and the youngest located in the Miami 
 settlement in Ohio. In order to keep his son 
 Henry at home he deeded him the Berks cuunty 
 farm, but in 1805 they sold out and purchased a 
 farm in Union county, a few miles northwest of 
 Mifflinburg, where our subject's great-grand- 
 father died in 18 16. Henry Myers, Mr. Orwig's 
 grandfather, was a soldier in the Revolutionary 
 army. He died in 1806, and his wife, Elizabeth 
 (Ulrich), in 1814. They had nine children, of 
 whom our subject's mother, Mary Myers, was the 
 youngest. (1) Eve, the eldest, born in 1785, 
 married Henry Royer, of Hartleton. (2) Henry, 
 born in 1787, married Betsy Spiegelmyer, and 
 removed to Ohio. (3) Margaret, born in 1789, 
 died when about two years old. (4) Daniel, 
 born May 28, 1 791 , was a very large man, 
 weighing 240 in his prime, and 300 pounds when 
 fifty years old; he married Esther Kauffman, who 
 was born December 9, 1793. (5) Valentine, 
 born March 3, 1793, was also a large man, over 
 six feet in height, and weighing over 200 pounds. 
 He was married April 5, 18 14, to Elizabeth Hoy, 
 who was born September 2, 1792. They lived 
 and died in Clinton county, Penn. (6) William, 
 born in January, 1796, was a physician of Buf- 
 falo Valley; he died in 1823, unmarried. (7) 
 Elizabeth, born May 28, 1798, married Benjamin 
 
 Heiser, and then moved to Stephenson county, 
 111. (8) Catherine, born February 26, 1801, 
 was married August 23, 1832, to Andrew Ohl, of 
 Jefferson county, Penn. (9) Mary, born June 
 16, 1803, married Samuel Orwig, September 22, 
 1829, and died July 10, 1867. 
 
 Samuel H. Orwig was born in Mifflinburg, 
 Penn., August 18, 1836, and was reared in that 
 village, hiseducation being obtained mainly in the 
 public schools at the Mifflinburg Academy, and at 
 the University at Lewisburg. He afterward 
 turned his attention to teaching, filling accepta- 
 bly the position of principal of an academy at 
 Hollidaysburg, Penn. We next find him a proof- 
 reader in a publishing house in Philadelphia, his 
 spare time being given to the study of law under 
 the direction of Judge William D. Kelly. Later 
 he pursued a course in the law school of Yale 
 College, and on graduating in 1857, with the de- 
 gree of LL. B., was admitted to the Bar of 
 Union county, and located at Lewisburg, where 
 he soon gained a good practice. The University 
 at Lewisburg (now Bucknell University) conferred 
 on him the degree of Master of Arts. In i860 
 Mr. Orwig was admitted to practice in the Su- 
 premeCourtof the State, and in 1869 to the Bar of 
 the Supreme Court of the United States. In 1 860 
 he formed a partnership with Alfred Hayes, 
 Esq., who was then admitted to the Bar. This 
 partnership continued until Mr. Orwig retired 
 from the Legislature, after which he removed to 
 Philadelphia and engaged in the practice of law 
 in that city until the death of his wife in 1875, 
 after which he returned to his native county. 
 His practice since then has included some of the 
 most important matters in litigation in this sec- 
 tion. A thorough student of the law, he has an 
 unusual grasp of legal principles, and his bearing 
 is courteous, dignified and impressive. 
 
 He is well-known in the political arena also, 
 his services as an orator being in demand when- 
 ever occasion demands an able plea. There have 
 been but few campaigns since the Civil war in 
 which he has not been active as an expounder of 
 the principles of the Republican party, and his 
 speeches have been widely published. In 1864 
 he was elected a member of the State Legisla- 
 ture from the district of Union, Snyder and Jun- 
 iata counties, and in 1865 he represented the dis- 
 trict composed of Lycoming, Union and Snyder 
 counties. After these two terms he refused 
 further honors in that direction, and declined a 
 renomination. While in the Legislature he served 
 on the committees on Ways and Means, General 
 Judiciary, and was the chairman of the Local 
 Judiciary. He was largely instrumental in re- 
 pealing the law taxing real estate for State pur- 
 
-•> 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 poses, and inaugurated the present system of 
 taxing corporations for State revenue. He ably 
 championed the bills for establishing the Soldiers 
 Orphans' Schools, for extending the right of sol- 
 diers to vote in the field, reviving and extending 
 the charter for the Lewisburg iY Spruce Creek 
 railroad, in addition to much other work of a 
 general nature. He served his constituency with 
 fidelity, and the State with marked ability. In 
 1882 he was the nominee of his party for Con- 
 gress against ex-Gov. A. G. Curtin. Although 
 he received more than his party vote he did not 
 overcome the normal Democratic majority in the 
 Congressional District. He continues actively 
 engaged in the practice of his profession, leads 
 an unobtrusive and exemplar}- life, and is noted 
 for his generosity. During the invasion of the 
 State by Lee's forces, Mr. Orwig enlisted as an 
 "emergency man," serving as a private in Com- 
 pany 1), 28th Regiment. 
 
 In January, [860, Mr. Orwig married Miss 
 Margaret A. McFaddin, daughter of the late I 
 Jackson McFaddin, of Lewisburg. She died 
 June 7, 1875, and in 1878 lie married Miss Mar- 
 I Barber Hayes, a great-granddaughter of 
 John Hayes, an early settler at Donegal, Lan- 
 caster Co., Penn., who married Margaret, daugh- 
 ter of Capt. William Gray, an officer in the Rev- 
 olutionary army. Their son, Robert Goo. 
 Harper Hayes, married Esther Renick, and their 
 son. John Hayes, married Ellen Mary Barber, 
 and their children are Margaret Barber (now 
 Mrs. Orwig); Robert G. H., a physician in Belle- 
 fonte; John C, .1 druggist in Pittsburg; and 
 Mary Elizabeth Hayes, of Mifflinburg. On the 
 maternal side Mrs. Orwig is a great-granddaugh- 
 ter ol Dr. Robert Van Valzah. They have no 
 children. 
 
 GM »RG1 1,. S< HNURE is one of the most 
 thrifty young farmers and highly educated 
 young men of New Berlin. Union Co., Pennsyl- 
 vania. 
 
 Born in Selins Grove, Penn., February 2;. 
 1870, Mr. Schnure is a son of Francis M. and 
 Laura (Gross) Schnure. The father was born in 
 the same place, November^, 1 S4 5 . The grand- 
 father, George Schnure, was born 111 Penn town- 
 ship. Snyder Co., Penn., December 23, 1X11. 
 and his grandfather, according to the records of 
 the Church at Dudenhopen, Hesse Cassel, Ger- 
 many, was John George Schnure, who in that 
 country married Anna C. Mennor. Their son, 
 John Christian Schnure, was born at Duden- 
 hopen, July 2, 1 763, and in 1781 sailed for 
 America. In this country he was bound out by 
 
 the captain of the vessel in order to pay his pas- 
 sage, serving for a term of years with a farmer 
 in Berks county, Penn. When his term of serv- 
 ice had expired he removed to Snyder county, 
 where he married Elizabeth Pontius, who at an 
 early day had accompanied her parents from 
 Philadelphia to that place. She was born Feb- 
 ruary 19, 1776, and died September 17, 1852, in 
 Union county. John Christian Schnure died 
 July 27, 1S27. Their children were Catherine, 
 who married Tobias Miller, and located in 
 Venango county, Penn.; Henry, whose descend- 
 ants live in Michigan and Indiana; Elizabeth, 
 who married Charles Smith: Christian and Mi- 
 chael, whose descendants live in Union county; 
 Mary; George; Levi; and Margaret, wife of 
 Robert Lucas. 
 
 In early life George Schnure, the grandfather 
 of our subject, assisted his father on the farm, 
 and for about two or three months in winter at- 
 tended school, where both German and English 
 were taught. At the age of nine years he entered 
 the employ of Robert Foster, a merchant of 
 Hartleton, Penn., and after a short time returned 
 to his father's farm, but his mercantile experience 
 had awakened a desire for that life and he soon 
 entered the store ol A. 1>. Halm, a merchant and 
 hotel keeper of Hartleton, in whose service he 
 remained four years. In 1825 he accompanied 
 his employer to New Berlin, continuing his clerk- 
 ship there tor a year, alter which he spent three 
 years as a clerk in a store of John A. Sterrett. of 
 Northumberland, and nine months with Mr. 
 Sterrett's successor, John Guyer. In 1X33 he 
 removed to Selins Grove, and at the age of 
 twenty-two entered into partnership with his 
 former employer, John A Merrett, their store 
 being at the corner of Market and Walnut 
 
 ets. After three years Mr. Sterrett -old his 
 interest to Henry C. Eyer, and the firm of 
 Eyer & Schnure did business for seven years, 
 Two years after that period Mr. Schnure 
 formed a partnership with James K. Davis, 
 Jr., and opened a general store at the corner 
 oi Mai, Pine streets. He then bought 
 
 property on the opposite corner, and at 
 the new m carried on business as dealers 
 
 in gram ami general merchandise for twelve years, 
 when the store was sold to Charles S. Davis, 
 and Lewis R. Hummell. About i860 Mi 
 Schnure purchased Mr. Davis' interest, and car- 
 ried on business with Mr. Hummell for four 
 years, when he withdrew. In 1868, in partner- 
 ship with Daniel Carey, he purchased the Maine 
 sawmill from Scribner & Perkins for $22,000, 
 and was in the lumber trade until 1873, when his 
 partner died and he gave his time unto the settle- 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 859 
 
 ment of their business affairs and of Mr. Carey's 
 estate. 
 
 In September, 1879, Mr. Schnure bought an 
 interest in a flouring-mill, in which his son, H. 
 D. Schnure, was interested, and together they 
 carried on business, rebuilding the mill, putting 
 in new machinery, erecting a grain building and 
 laying a railroad track. About 1850 George 
 Schnure, Sr., was elected a director of the North- 
 umberland Bank, and continued to serve in that 
 capacity until his death, although the bank was 
 removed to Sunbury. On January 21, 1864, he 
 was elected the first president of the First Na- 
 tional Bank at Selins Grove, and filled that posi- 
 tion for a number of years. He was very suc- 
 cessful in business, and accumulated considerable 
 property. He was president of the Sunbury & 
 Lewistown railroad, frequently served as school 
 director, as chief burgess, and as councilman, 
 and for many years was president of the board 
 of directors of Missionary Institute, now Susque- 
 hanna University. 
 
 On September 23, 1841, George Schnure, Sr., 
 was married to Cordelia, daughter of James K. 
 Davis, and a granddaughter on the maternal side 
 of Anthony Selin, the founder of Selins Grove. 
 She died March 1, 1859. Their children were: 
 Francis M. ; John S. , who was born January 21, 
 1848, and died March 15, 1881; Howard D., 
 who was born at Selins Grove, October 30, 1850, 
 and is president of the First National Bank of 
 that city; Mary Elizabeth, who was born Jan- 
 uary 12, 1853, and died June 5, 1884, the wife 
 of Ira C. Schoch, of Selins Grove; and Emma 
 C who was born January 4, 1S57, and is the 
 wife of H. Harvey Schoch, of Selins Grove. 
 For his second wife the father of this family mar- 
 ried Amanda Spyker, of Lewisburg. They were 
 married April 15, 1863, and she died January 
 II, 1877. In the various walks of life Mr. 
 Schnure was ever held in the highest esteem. His 
 opinion and advice were frequently sought, and 
 his honorable example has been followed by 
 many who revere his memory. He had a sym- 
 pathetic, kindly nature, and was very charitable. 
 At his death he left a valuable estate. 
 
 Francis M. Schnure was reared in his native 
 town, attended the seminary there, and when a 
 young man entered the bank at Selins Grove, of 
 which his father was president. Later he was 
 with the firm of McCarty, Moyer & Schnure, 
 general merchants, and was in the mercantile 
 business up to the time of - his death. On No- 
 vember 11, 1868, he was married to Laura M. 
 Gross, who was born in Limestone township, 
 Union county, a daughter of Philip and Elizabeth 
 (Schoch) Gross. Mr. Schnure was a Democrat in 
 
 politics, a Lutheran in his Church relations, and, 
 socially, a Mason. He died October 5, 1871, and 
 was buried at Selins Grove, since which time his 
 widow has made her home in New Berlin. She 
 is also a member of the Lutheran Church. 
 
 George G. Schnure, their only child, was 
 quite young when his mother returned to New 
 Berlin, where his early education was acquired, 
 Miss Emma Oldt being his first teacher. He at- 
 tended college in New Berlin, and later in Blairs- 
 town, N. J., and, in the fall of 1890, entered the 
 University of Pennsylvania, but in the fall of 
 1893 failing health compelled him to abandon his 
 studies. He then spent one year at home, after 
 which he took a course in typewriting and short- 
 hand in Drexel Institute, of Philadelphia. He 
 also read medicine for three years under Dr. C. 
 Sumner Musser, of Aaronsburg, Penn., but his 
 health forced him to give up the profession. 
 He now superintends the management of his 
 farm, which is operated by a tenant, he making 
 his home in New Berlin. 
 
 On December 11, 1893, our subject was 
 united in marriage with Miss Lovey Matchett 
 Odgers, who was born in Newcastle, Del., July 
 11, 1877, and during her early girlhood went to 
 Philadelphia with her parents, James and Mary 
 (Alexander) Odgers. Mr. and Mrs. Schnure have 
 one child, Marion Odgers, born October 13, 
 1895. They are members of the Lutheran 
 Church, and Mr. Schnure belongs to the Masonic 
 lodge at Selins Grove. He is a worthy repre- 
 sentative of two honored old families, and is a 
 young man of excellent character, splendid men- 
 tal development and sterling worth. 
 
 EV. S. SMITH. A man of strong character 
 3l and noble purpose cannot fail to leave upon 
 the community with which he is identified, an 
 indelible impression which time cannot efface. 
 His influence lingers after he has passed to the 
 world beyond, and his good deeds serve as a 
 source of inspiration to others. Such has been 
 the life of Mr. Smith that his power for good in 
 Union county and elsewhere has been broadly 
 felt. 
 
 Mr. Smith was born in Penn township, 
 Centre Co., Penn., November 8, 1833, a son of 
 Capt. Henry and Catharine (Biehl) Smith. He 
 first attended the subscription schools prominent 
 at that day, then the public (free) schools, and 
 when about eighteen years of age he taught one 
 term of school in his native county, near Aarons- 
 burg, receiving $22 per month. At the age of 
 nineteen he entered the Mifflinburg Academy, of 
 
m;h 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BlOGRAI'IIKM. RECORD. 
 
 which Aaron Fisher was principal, and in that 
 school received the only instruction which sup- 
 plemented his early education in the subscription 
 and free schools. On leaving that institution he 
 resumed teaching, and was one of the first to in- 
 struct in grammar and geography in the country 
 schools of Penn's Valley. For several years he 
 followed that profession, his last service in that 
 line being to conduct a select school in Millheim. 
 
 Our subject having determined to enter the 
 ministry, he in 1856 accepted a position as assist- 
 ant minister in Snyder county. Later he was as- 
 sistant to Rev. Sebastian Musser, in Nittany Val- 
 ley and Sugar Valley, and in the spring of 1857 
 was licensed to preach by the Annual Conference 
 of the Evangelical Church. He was assigned to 
 duty in Buffalo Valley, and the following year was 
 in Lycoming county, Penn. In the spring of 
 [859 he was ordained by the Annual Conference 
 and assigned a charge in Dushore, Sullivan Co., 
 Penn., where he remained a year, after which he 
 spent two years in Wyoming county, and two 
 years at Oak Hall. Centre county. He was 
 afterward pastor of the Church in Williams- 
 port, where he delivered sermons both in Ger- 
 man and English. He spent two years in York. 
 Penn., accepted the pastorate in Clintondale, 
 Penn., and after two years returned to Williams- 
 port, where he remained one year, when he was 
 elected presiding elder of the W r illiamsport dis- 
 trict for four years. On the expiration ol that 
 period he served for three years at New Berlin, 
 and was for two years pastor of the Church in 
 Middleburg, Snyder county. For one year he 
 served a pastorate in Penn's Valley, for three 
 
 1- had charge of the Millmont circuit, and 
 later went to McClure, Penn., where he remained 
 two years. Fora similar period he was pastor 
 of the White Deer circuit, and through the two 
 succeeding years accepted no pastorate, giving 
 his attention to his farming interest- On re- 
 suming his Church work he spent tin 
 Port Trevorton, Snyder county, and for two 
 years occupied the pulpit of the Church in 
 Middleburg, Snyder county. In the spring of 
 1895 he returned to his home near M 
 where he resided two years. In the spring of 
 1 17 lie accepted a charge at Guava, Columbia 
 Co., Penn., where he still resides. 
 
 On November 15, i860, Rev. Smith was mar- 
 
 1 to Helen Zeibach, who was born August 27, 
 1S41, a daughter of Jacob and Am ock) 
 
 Zeibach. Rev. and Mrs. Smith have five chil- 
 dren: William E., of Mifflinburg; Anna C. , wife 
 of W. A. Heiss, of Mifflinburg; H. Lizzie, wife 
 nt Rev. J. X)lie Biggs, of the Evangelical Church; 
 Samuel E., who resides on the homestead at 
 
 Mazeppa, Union Co., Penn.; and Ida M., at 
 home. 
 
 Our subject has greatly improved his farm, 
 has cleared a portion of the land, planted a new 
 orchard, and in 1SS9 built a fine barn. In politics 
 he generally votes either with the Democracy 
 or the Prohibition party on State and National 
 questions, but at local elections frequently dis- 
 party ties He is a man of broad general 
 culture, who speaks both English and German 
 fluently. He is largely self-educated, but his 
 reading and study have been extensive, and have 
 supplied the lack of more thorough school train- 
 ing. For sixteen consecutive years he was a 
 member of the General Conference, and has 
 been very active and prominent in Church work. 
 He served his Conference quite a number of years 
 
 secretary of the Missionary Society, and as 
 Conference treasurer. He was a member of the 
 Conference Board of Examiners for a quarter of 
 a century, and served as president of the board 
 a number of years. Since he entered the minis- 
 try he has traveled some 80,000 miles, and 
 preached some 7, 500 sermons. He is still vigor- 
 ous, well preserved, and will spend the remainder 
 his active life in the Gospel ministry. 
 
 HON DANIEL REISH HARBESON, asso- 
 ciate judge of Union county, and one of 
 the representative citizens of his locality, is not 
 only a leader in political circles, but is promi- 
 nently identified with the agricultural intei 
 and with various movements for the development 
 of the community. He comes of a family which 
 is accustomed to be in the front rank, and is of 
 Scotch-Irish descent on the paternal side, his 
 randfather, John Harbeson, having been 
 tin i 1 to cross the Atlantic and estab- 
 
 lish his home in America. He served in the 
 Revolutionary army. This worthy pioneer had 
 three sons: John, our subject's grandfather; Hugh, 
 who left home and was never heard of again; and 
 
 iiiel. who was a school teacher at Lebanon. 
 1 He died thereat the age of seventy-nine, 
 imily of sons. The correct orthog- 
 raphy of the name is "Harbison," but in some 
 way during tne Revolutionary period the "i" 
 was changed to " e," and this branch of the fam- 
 ily adheres to the latter method — Harbeson. 
 
 John Harbeson, the grandfather, who 
 born in Lancaster county, Penn., was left an 
 orphan at an 1 .n 1\ age, and was brought by John 
 
 \ to Union county, where he remained, set- 
 tling in Whit Deei township, and engaging in 
 business as a carpenter. He married Sarah 
 Bower, a native of Lycoming county, Penn., and 
 
J^tA^ctJ-c^i/ 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 861 
 
 a daughter of George Bower, who was born in 
 Berks county, but who finally located in Union 
 county upon a farm. He was a teamster in the 
 Colonial army during the Revolutionary war, and 
 one day, while riding a horse, he was cut in the 
 knee by a British soldier who had been lying in 
 ambush. He saw Gen. La Fayette at the battle 
 of Monmouth. 
 
 Thomas V. Harbeson. the father of our sub- 
 ject, was born in White Deer township, Union 
 county, November 28, 1821, and has always re- 
 sided in that county. He is a miller by trade, and 
 for many years conducted a farm and a mill in 
 West Buffalo township. During his residence 
 there he was one of the most prominent men of 
 his locality, and served two terms as county com- 
 missioner, being elected in 1866 and re-elected in 
 1869. He also held at different times many 
 township offices, and for nineteen years was over- 
 seer of the poor, at times having as many as 
 seventy paupers under his charge. Although he 
 received but a nominal salary for his work, his 
 devotion to his trust often led him to neglect his 
 private affairs in the interest of the general wel- 
 fare of his township; and whilst he was some- 
 times censured for being too generous in his 
 treatment of paupers, statistics prove that he 
 maintained his poor, even if better, at a less cost 
 than the average. In his political views he is a 
 Republican, and in religious faith he adheres to 
 the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he has 
 long been a leading member. He was married 
 February 28, 1850, at Mifflinburg, to Miss 
 Susannah Reish, a native of West Buffalo 
 township, Union county, and a daughter of 
 Daniel and Catherine (Englehart) Reish. Her 
 father came from Berks county in early manhood, 
 and became a successful business man, being en- 
 gaged at the time of his death (at the age of 
 forty-eight) in conducting a farm, a gristmill and 
 a distillery. 
 
 To Thomas V. and Susannah Harbeson seven 
 children were born : Samuel O. , a leading citizen of 
 West Buffalo township, was elected jury com- 
 missioner in 1 885, held township offices at dif- 
 ferent times, and is now serving as commissioner 
 of Union county; Sarah C, who died at five 
 years of age; Daniel R. , our subject; Margaret 
 J., wife of Reuben Miller, a farmer of Buffalo 
 township; Lydia, who died at the age of five 
 years; Mary A., who resides with her sister, Mrs. 
 Miller;. and Thomas Gr?\nt, mentioned more fully 
 below. The mother of this family was called to 
 the unseen life March 4, 1889, at the age of 
 sixty-three, and in the spring of 1889 the father 
 left the old home, and has since resided among 
 his children, having retired from active business. 
 
 Judge Harbeson's childhood was spent on the 
 old home near Forest Hill in West Buffalo town- 
 ship, where he was born November 18, 1853. At 
 the age of fourteen he went to live with William 
 P. Cornelius in order to attend school during the 
 winter seaspn, the summers being spent at farm 
 work, for which Mr. Cornelius paid him by the 
 month. In 1870 he returned home to work for 
 his father in summer, and during the winter he 
 would engage in teaming and lumbering. In 1882 
 he took the homestead on shares, but five years 
 later he removed to the White Deer Factory 
 farm, which he conducted seven years. Since 
 then he has resided at his present home near 
 Forestville. known as the White Deer Furnace 
 farm. He is an excellent manager, is deservedly 
 prosperous, and has always held the esteem and 
 respect of all classes in his community, through 
 his sterling qualities of character. His influence 
 in the Republican organization in his locality is 
 marked, but he has always declined to be a can- 
 didate for any township office excepting that of 
 school director. In 1877 he was first a member 
 of the Republican County Committee, and in 
 1895 he was elected associate judge, his able 
 and faithful discharge of the duties of these posi- 
 tions winning him new friends while binding to 
 him yet more firmly the regard of former ac- 
 quaintances. 
 
 The Judge was married June 30, 1881, to 
 Miss Margaret M. Flick, and five clever, healthy 
 children brighten their home: Paul, Maud, 
 Mary E., Thomas C. and Roy. Mrs. Harbeson 
 was born, in 1862, at Loganton, Clinton Co., 
 Penn., where her father, Edward Flick, was en- 
 gaged in business as a distiller. He and his wife, 
 Catherine Hildebrand, died there when Mrs. 
 Harbeson was but a child, and she was reared at 
 the home of Daniel DeLong, of West Buffalo 
 township. Union county. 
 
 Thomas Grant Harbeson is a young man of 
 remarkable mental ability, which was displayed 
 at an early age. Money given him for circus 
 tickets, or other uses dear to the boyish heart, 
 was spent by him for books, so that by the time 
 he was twenty-one, he had already accumulated 
 a library of over one thousand standard works; 
 he never attended college, and is wholly self- 
 educated, much of his learning having been 
 gained through his travels, which have included 
 the greater portion of Europe and the United 
 States. He began teaching in the public schools 
 of Union county at the age of seventeen years, 
 and when twenty-two was granted a teacher's 
 permanent certificate. During the spring and 
 summer of 1886 he made an extended pedestrian 
 tour through the Southern States, in company 
 
882 
 
 COMMEMOUATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RB( OBD. 
 
 with his bosom friend. E. E. Magee, studying 
 the fauna and flora of the region visited. In the 
 fall of 1886 he accepted the position of principal 
 of the Highlands Academy, at Highlands, N. C. 
 which position he held foi seven years. During 
 his principalship pupils were enrolled from nearly 
 ever\ - State in the Union, and the school attract- 
 ed a good deal of attention on account of its 
 thoroughness and unique methods. A youth 
 from this school passed the best entrance exami- 
 nation among a class of eighty-three New 
 England youths, at a college in Massachusetts. 
 During his stay at this place he was prominently 
 identified with the public affairs of the town. 
 
 ed a term as mayor. 
 
 He is an ardent advocate of an educational 
 s\stem that will provide a garden and workshop 
 in connection with every elementary school, and 
 m 1893 he made a tour of Norway, Sweden. 
 Denmark, German)', Switzerland and Belgium, 
 inspecting and studying the results and metl 
 ol -uch schools. On his return to North Caro- 
 lina he was invited to accept the principalship of 
 th- Waynesville High School and Normal Insti- 
 tute, [or which new building had been 
 
 . ided. Here he taught Latin, German. 
 mathematics and botany for two years, when a 
 
 tion as field botanist for the Biltmore Herb- 
 arium, on the estate . >l George W. Vanderbilt, 
 Esq., was ottered him, and he began work in the 
 botanical field in the spring of 1898. The spring 
 and early summer was spent in botanizing tie- 
 swamp region of eastern North Carolina, includ- 
 ing tie' Dismal Swamp and Smith's Island. The 
 fall and early winter he spent in the Rocky. 
 Cascade and Coast Range mountains. At pres- 
 ent he is living on the Biltmore estate, and is en- 
 d in botanical work for the well-known phil- 
 anthropist and patron of science — George VV. 
 Vanderbilt. 
 
 Thomas Grant Harbeson was married Au- 
 gust 26, 1- Miss Jessamine M. Cobb, 
 daughter of Judd M. ('ol>l>, born at Saxl 
 River, Vt. The latter is of Puritan stock, a 
 lineal descendant of John Cobb who 1 
 Mas tts in 1624, and built an ited 
 the first iron foundry in America. Like his 
 worthy a r, fudd M. Cobb is of an inventive 
 turn of mind, and was the first building 
 manufacturer in America. 
 
 CAPTAIN JOHN A OWENS, a well-known 
 resident of Lewisbrfrg, Union county, Penn., 
 and a veteran of our Civil war, has an unusu 
 interesting history, his pluck and ability being 
 
 read between the lines rather than in open words 
 of praise. 
 
 Capt. Owens was born in Pittsburgh, Penn., 
 July 27, 1835, and is of Welsh and Scottish 
 ancestry. His grandfather, Hugh Owens, mi- 
 
 ied frotn Swansea, Wales, and settled first 
 in Blair county, and later in Westmoreland 
 county. Penn. Occcupying a large farm, he 
 raised to maturity a family of eight, among 
 whom was John Owens, the father of our 
 subject, who was born in Blair county, Penn. . July 
 17. 1804 At the age of twenty-five he engaged 
 in the carpenter business in Pittsburgh, and be- 
 came prominent as a contractor and builder. He 
 built a home, lived in it for fifty years, and died in 
 it at the age of eighty-four, honored as a citizen 
 and revered as a Christian. On October, 8, 
 iSjq, he was married to Miss Catherine Smith, of 
 Columbiana count), Ohio, whose father had 
 come from Glasgow, Scotland, and settled with 
 a colon)' of Scotch farmers, where he became a 
 ruling spirit. He was a Whig, Abolitionist and 
 director of the Underground R. R. John and 
 Catherine Owens, parents of our subject, in- 
 herited strong, sterling elements of character 
 which were transmitted to the children born to 
 them. They were: Andrew, Martha, Hugh, 
 John A.. Isabella, Samuel T., and Mary Cath- 
 erine. 
 
 Returning to the subject proper of this biog- 
 raphy, we find that his early boyhood was spent 
 in the public schools and Western University, of 
 Pittsburgh, Penn He early manifested a desire 
 to enter the stirring activities of life, his especial 
 desire being to acquire the skill necessary to 
 pilot a steamboat on the Ohm river, at that time 
 a lucrative employment. His father, however, 
 took a less romantic view of life's possibilities, 
 aiul at the age of seventeen he was sent to the 
 university at Lewisburg, Penn., since nan 
 Bucknell University. He passed through the 
 academy and entered the freshman class of the 
 < ollege, but during the year withdrew from col- 
 and taught school in an adjoining township 
 and later in the G 1 School of Lewisbi 
 
 In [855 he married Miss Lucinda Gundy, dau{ 
 ter of Adam Gundy, whose ancestors had come 
 from Holland during the last century, and hi 
 borne an honored place in the history of Union 
 county, Penn.. and whose brothers, John and 
 Jacob, were prominent citizens until their death. 
 Adam Gundy was highly esteemed for his probity, 
 and a man whon -poke oi but to praise. 
 
 He was from the Follmer family, who cane 
 the vicinity of Lewisburg with the earliest set- 
 tlers, and they still have a large and influential 
 connection. His wife, Sarah Parks, was a wo- 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 863 
 
 man of strong personal character and impressed 
 upon the children born to them an individuality 
 which has been a marked feature in their de- 
 scendants. Their children were: Mary Ann, 
 Elizabeth, Matilda, Christian V. , Sarah E. , Lu- 
 cinda, Margaret L. and Abram B. Thus the 
 wife of our subject, Lucinda Gundy, inherited a 
 character which has developed with her years 
 into a womanhood which commands the respect 
 and admiration of her friends. She has natur- 
 ally fallen into the work of Temperance Crusader, 
 W. C. T. U., Woman's Relief Corps and Church 
 and Sunday-school efforts of various forms. Her 
 teaching has borne fruit in the lives of her chil- 
 dren. 
 
 Capt. Owens was among the pioneers in the 
 petroleum discoveries made in Virginia and Ken- 
 tucky in i860. In 1 86 1 this territory was not 
 tenable for Northern men, and returning to Lew- 
 isburg he spent some time in drilling at the Jacob 
 Gundy school house, with some forty different 
 men, many of whom enlisted. In the fall of 
 1862 seventeen of these men signed a paper 
 which stated that if Capt. Owens would enlist 
 under the three-years' call, just then made, they 
 would go with him. He accepted their offer, 
 and with a friend, who drove with him from place 
 to place, he in three days enlisted sixteen more 
 men. These, with the recruits gathered by G. 
 Merrill, Charles Evans and A. G. Tucker, were 
 formed into Company E, 143d P. V. I., and was 
 mustered into the United States service on August 
 28, 1862. Capt. Owens was promoted to the 
 captaincy on the removal of Capt. G. Merrill to 
 Missouri, and before they left Camp Curtin, Har- 
 risburg, Penn. The I42d Regiment did very hard 
 fatigue duty at F"ort Massachusetts, near Wash- 
 ington, D. C. , but they had the satisfaction of 
 knowing that the work they did kept Gen. Early 
 out of the National Capital later in the war. 
 Capt. Owens, through exposure, contracted rheu- 
 matism, and was sent to a hospital in Alexandria, 
 from which, after months of suffering and being 
 pronounced incurable, he was discharged for dis- 
 ability, and returned home on crutches. He is 
 now (1898) commander of Post No. 52, Depart- 
 ment of Pennsylvania, G. A. R., and enjoys 
 hearing and telling the tales of camp life at the 
 camp fire of the post. After recovering some- 
 what he entered again upon the profession of 
 teaching, in which he became a decided success, 
 and rose to be superintendent of schools of 
 Union county, Pennsylvania. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Owens have had five children: 
 
 (1) Addison died at the age of two months. 
 
 (2) William G., who was graduated from 
 Bucknell University in 1880, at the age of twen- 
 
 ty-two years, and after teaching for a short time 
 in the Academy of the University, was appointed 
 professor of chemistry in his alma mater. In 1885 
 he married Miss Florence J. Waffle, of Allegany 
 county, N. Y. They have three children — Elsie, 
 Albert W. and Jeanette. In 1889 he spent part 
 of a year in the University of Berlin, Germany. 
 He is a successful instructor and an active Church 
 worker. 
 
 (3) Everett G. took a course in Bucknell 
 Academy, and through the sophomore year in the 
 college. In 18S6 he married Miss Carrie G., 
 daughter of ex-President Dr. J. R. Loomis, of 
 Bucknell University. They purchased a farm in 
 Fayette county, Ohio, and moved upon it in 1887. 
 They have two children — Justin L. and Lucille. 
 They have proven that education and culture are 
 not incompatible with the life on a farm; that 
 the home of a tiller of the soil may be as refined 
 as that of a merchant or manufacturer., 
 
 (4) John G., deceased, was graduated from 
 Bucknell University in 1887 at the age of twenty- 
 one. He taught three years in South Jersey In- 
 stitute, N. ]. His summer vacations were spent 
 at Woods Hall, Mass., or at Harvard University, 
 perfecting his study in botany and kindred sub- 
 jects. In 1889 he went with Dr. J. W. Fewkes, 
 during the summer vacation, on an expedition to 
 the Zuni Indians of New Mexico. They were 
 employed by Mrs. Hemmenway, of Boston, who 
 wished to have a record of the customs and 
 religious rites of these Indians before they be- 
 came corrupted by contact with white men. 
 The next year they went to the Moqui Indians, 
 of Arizona, for the same purpose. While among 
 the Moquis, John G. discovered a number of new 
 features in their lives, and became a member of 
 one of their secret orders, by which he learned 
 much and was highly esteemed by his red breth- 
 ren. The accounts given of the snake dance 
 they witnessed, and the various new features they 
 discovered made quite a sensation among scien- 
 tists. While pursuing a course in archaeology at 
 Harvard University in 1 891 , John G. was sent 
 as executive officer of an expedition to explore 
 the ruins of Copan, Honduras, Central America. 
 After a successful trip they returned in the spring 
 of 1892. During the summer of 1892 he went 
 to Madrid. Spain, to assist Dr. J. W. Fewkes 
 to arrange Indian curios and relics in the Hem- 
 menway exhibit of the Columbian Exposition 
 held there. In October of the same year he 
 headed, as director, the second expedition to 
 Copan, and was succeeding nicely ; new and won- 
 derful discoveries were being made, the long 
 buried ruins were taking tangible shape, when he 
 was stricken with the dreaded tropical fever, and 
 
B64 
 
 COMMKMnUA 11 YE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 died February 17, 1893, a sacrifice to science. 
 His grave is in the unearthed Plaza Granda of 
 the ruins he loved to explore, and beside a stela 
 covered with characters which no one is yet able 
 t" read, a fitting il for the short but 
 
 ntful life that was laid on the altar of scien- 
 tific study. 
 
 (5) Mi— Marj Catherine, theyoi t this 
 
 interesting family, was graduated from the Lew- 
 isburg High School in 1S91, and from Bucknell 
 University in 1 897. 
 
 The < aptain, wife and daughter are, at this 
 writing 1 [898), living with the son. Prof. W. G. 
 Owens, in his beautiful home, "Sunny Side, 
 near the Bucknell Laboratory, Lewisburg, Penn. 
 The parents look back upon a checkered life, in 
 which sorrow has been mingled, by a merciful 
 Hand, with a mount ol real happiness. 
 
 LINCOLN HULLEY, Ph. IV. was horn May 
 3, 1865, near Camden, N. J., but has lived 
 almost continuously since then in Pennsylvania. 
 His early education was received in the South 
 Chester High School, where he was awarded a 
 prize for the highest hip of his class. In 
 
 1884 he graduated from Keystone Academy 
 with a fine record for scholarship. Principal 
 Harris, of the Academy, wrote to Harvard: 
 "Mr. Lincoln Hulley, who graduated from this 
 institution in [884, held the highest place in 
 the class of which he was a member, and proved 
 himself a man of energy and character worthy 
 the confidence of the community." 
 
 tie entered Bucknell with the class of "88, 
 the largest class in ihe history of the college up 
 to that time. For two Mars he was class pres- 
 ident. In the Freshman year he was awarded 
 the first prize for the best scholarship in Latin, 
 Greek, and Mathematics, and the "Mirror" 
 prize for the finest study of Shakespere's women 
 characters, fn the Sophomore year he was 
 awarded the "Essay Prize" for the best essay 
 on Spanish American Colonization and Con- 
 quest, besides winning distinction in public de- 
 bate. In the Junior year he was awarded the 
 " Junior Prize " in Oratory, and was elected an 
 editor of the college paper, being re-elected in the 
 Senior year. During the Junior year he was also 
 elected vice-president of the Lycoming County 
 Normal School at Muncy, which he accepted for 
 a limited time. Principal Peoples, of the Nor- 
 mal School, wrote of him: "He is thorough 
 and exact in scholarship, and is broadly in- 
 formed. He is apt and soulful in his teaching, 
 and has unusual power to govern, interest, in- 
 struct, and inspire his pupils." In the Senior 
 
 year he was awarded, by President Hill, the first 
 
 prize in Psychology, and. by the Faculty, the 
 
 tirst honors of the class and the valedictory ad- 
 
 I) was also awarded a prize of $50, 
 
 red by the "American Protective Tariff 
 League of New \" jrk. ' ' 1 by the Senior 
 
 classes of all Colleges and Universities in the 
 United Mates, for a treatise on an assigned sub- 
 ject in Economics. President Hill wrote of him 
 that he "Is a man of unusual ability and force 
 of charai I In addition to the regular work 
 
 of the College. Mr. Hulley attained a gi le of 
 "Excellent" in nine "Honor" subjects, the 
 equivalent of a year's work; and in the Sopho- 
 more year he was appointed tutor for all delin- 
 
 nts in Latin and Greek. All through his 
 course he was prominent in debate, athletics, 
 music and Christian work. 
 
 In 1888 I>r. Hulley was given a scholarship 
 in Harvard University, and went there to special- 
 ize in Metaphysics, Ethics, and Psychology, un- 
 der Professors James, Royce, Peabody and 
 Bowen. Professor James, of Harvard, says of 
 him: " He was an unusually earnest and thor- 
 ough student, who did good written work be- 
 sides distinguishing himself in the class-room." 
 Taking thi A P>. degree from Harvard, in 
 he accepted an appointment to teach Natural 
 S tences in Bucknell Academy and Institi 
 and held the position for three years In '90 he 
 was ordained to the ministry. 
 
 Principal Martin, then of Bucknell Academy, 
 says of him: "By nature, training, and experi- 
 ence he is eminently qualified for the professi"ii 
 of teacher. 1 1 1 - mind is keen and penetrating; 
 quick to preceive truth, and tenacious to retain 
 it; ardent in affection for it, and tireless in its 
 quest. He possesses dignity, energy, and magnet- 
 ism of character. His training has been thor- 
 ough, extended and varied. He has alw. 
 been devoted to excellence in work, and to the 
 making the most of the best opportunities. In 
 an experience of three years in academic work 
 he had displayed great aptness to teach. He is 
 enthusiastic in his work, he awakens and sustain- 
 
 rest. His subjects have taken a wide range. 
 but he has been eminently successful in them 
 all." In '91 he took the Master's degree at 
 Bucknell, and during the summers of 1890 and 
 [891 he Studied Hebrew with Dr. Harper, at 
 Chautauqua. The first summer Dr. 1 1 
 offered Mr. Hulley a Fellowship at Yale, which 
 he declined. Later he accepted a Fellowship at 
 the University of Chicago. For the last year oi 
 his teachings at Bucknell he was pastor of "The 
 Temple Baptist Church " of Philadelphia. While 
 engaged in graduate work in the Semitic Lan- 
 
<^^zU6^%^Mtl£i 
 
 7 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 865 
 
 guages and Literatures in The University of Chi 
 cage., he accepted the Chair of Hebrew and 
 History >n Bucknell. In ,895 the degree of 
 Doctor of Philosophy was conferred on him by 
 
 u*\a T Q T iy ° f Chica g°- Mrs. Hulley also 
 holds the degrees of A. B. from Ann Arbor, and 
 A. M. from The University of Chicago. For 
 three summers Dr. Hulley has been in charge of 
 the Summer Schools of Hebrew and Biblical 
 Literature at Lakeside, Ohio, and at Monteagle 
 1 enn. During his professorship at Bucknell he 
 has preached one and one-half years for the Im- 
 manuel Baptist Church, of Baltimore, Md 
 During the summer of 1897 he spent, with his 
 wife, twelve weeks in foreign travel. A writer 
 recently said of Dr. Hulley that " To hold such 
 a distinguished position in the world of scholars 
 and to have earned it by pre-eminent ability' 
 while yet on the threshold of actual life, has not 
 affected the simplicity or affability of the man in 
 the least. In the class room he is an excellent 
 instructor, outside a thorough man." 
 
 Dr. Hulley's success was never greater than 
 at present as professor of History and Hebrew 
 He is actively interested in every student, and in 
 every phase of College life. He is now prom- 
 inent in the religious, athletic, social and scholas- 
 tic life of the Institution. His courses are all 
 elective, and yet his class room is crowded. He 
 pushes his classes with tremendous energy and 
 is exacting in his demands for hard work. He is 
 inconstant request as a lecturer in the County 
 Teachers Institutes and elsewhere, and his fame 
 as a teacher, lecturer, preacher, and writer has 
 gone into other States. 
 
 ^FILLIAM LEISER.JR., M. D., a prom- 
 mm. ment physician of Lewisburgh, has 
 built up a large practice and gained a high repu- 
 tation for professional ability and skill, despite 
 the fact that he has chosen to remain in his na- 
 tive city and among the companions of his 
 youth. To do this requires not only mental 
 fitness but a force of character which is rarely' 
 found, as even a prophet is held in more honor 
 by those whom the disillusionizing tendencies of 
 early intimacy and friendship cannot affect. 
 
 Dr. Leiser was born in Lewisburgh, March 1 1 
 i8S4, and is a grandson of Jacob Leiser, a pio- 
 neer of Kelly township, Union county, where he 
 purchased a farm one mile west of West Milton 
 He was born at York, Penn., October 4, 1779, 
 and died at his Union county farm May 26, 1862.' 
 His wife, Mary Leiser, was born in the vicinity 
 of \ork, December 3, 1780, and her death oc- 
 curred May 13, 1855. 
 
 55* 
 
 William Leiser, M. D., the father of our 
 subject, was born in Kelly township, Union 
 county, October 25, 182 1. He pursued his lit- 
 erary studies in Pennsylvania College at Gettys- 
 burgh Penn., and received his degree in medi- 
 cine from the Medical Department of Pennsyl- 
 vania College at Philadelphia in 1848 After a 
 short residence at New Columbia, Union county 
 he located permanently in Lewisburgh, where he 
 built up an extensive practice and continued in 
 active professional work until his death, April 
 12, 1878. In May, 1849, he married Miss 
 Maria Louisa Albright, who was born at Nazar- 
 eth, Penn., March n, 1827, was educated at the 
 Moravian Parochial School there, and later re- 
 moved to Delaware township, Northumberland 
 county, with her mother. She died in Lewis- 
 burgh November 12, 1 881, in her fifty-fifth year 
 Her farmly history runs back to one Andreas 
 Albrecht, who was born April 2, 1718, at Zella 
 in Thuringia, and was married November 19' 
 1766, at Bethlehem, Penn., to Elizabeth Orth a 
 daughter of Balthasarand Ann Catharine (Roem- 
 er)Orth. He died at Lititz, Penn., April 19 
 1802, in his eighty-fifth year, and is buried in 
 the Moravian Cemetery, grave No. 190 He 
 was a gunmaker by trade. His wife was born 
 August 14, 1739, in Lebanon county, Penn and 
 died at Lititz, June 4, 1830, in her ninety-first 
 year. A son, John Henry Albright, was born at 
 Lititz, August 5, 1772, and died January 27, 
 1845, at Nazareth where he settled in 1816! 
 By trade he was a carpenter and gunsmith, and 
 he also engaged in mercantile pursuits On 
 March 27, 1795, he married Miss Anna Barbara 
 Hubley, a native of Lancaster, Penn., who was 
 born March 21, 1773, and died February 25 
 1830. John Henry Albright had an elder broth- 
 er Andrew, next in order of birth to himself 
 who was prominent in political life, serving as 
 sheriff of Northumberland county, member of the 
 State Assembly, and associate judge, and at the 
 time of his death was senator-elect. John Hen- 
 ry's son, Andrew, our subject's grandfather, was 
 born at Shippensburg, Penn., March 28 iSo-> 
 and in 1830 built a mill in Moore township, near 
 Nazareth, Penn., where he died February 23, 
 1837. He married Agnes Dunn, daughter of ' 
 James Dunn, a Scotch-Irishman, and his wife 
 Esther Williams. She died at Warrior's Run' 
 September 20, 1S49, and was buried at War- 
 rior's Run Church. 
 
 We will now return to the subject proper of 
 our sketch. The desire to enter the medical 
 proiession was awakened in Dr. Leiser at 
 a very early age, and fortunately an active 
 ind, a fine physique, and the opportunities 
 
866 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE DIOdRAPUKM. RECORD. 
 
 which a competent fortune placed at his hand 
 were all combined to clear his pathway before him. 
 Realizing the necessity for sound literary attain- 
 ments as a foundation for technical study, he en- 
 tered the university at Lewisburgh mow Bucknell 
 I ni\ •. rsityt from which he was graduated in [872. 
 Shortly afterward he began his medical course in 
 the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, 
 and in 1875 received the degree of M. D. , hav- 
 
 barely attained his majoritj at that til 
 Returning home he spent a year and a half in 
 practice, and then, following a most common 
 ble ambition to excel in his profession, he went 
 to Edinburgh, Scotland, and, as a post-graduate 
 student, spent the scholastic year [876 ~~ under 
 the instruction of the renowned professors of the 
 University there. Thus qualified he resumed his 
 practice at Lewisburgh, and has c\ er since contin- 
 ued with a success which is in itself the higl 
 p ssible testimony of his worth as a physician 
 and a gentleman. He is a skillful surgeon, a fine 
 oculist, and as a medical expert in court trials 
 has demonstrated his command of the situation 
 when opposed to the recognized leaders in the 
 pi fession. 
 
 The Doctor is a Republican in his political 
 affiliations, and he keeps up the friendships and 
 itions of college days by his mem- 
 bership 111 the Phi Kappa l'si fraternity. 
 
 On June 8, 1SS7, l) r . Leiser was united in 
 marriage with Miss Anna E. Frick, daughter of 
 Henry Frick, a native of Lewisburgh, born May 
 12, 1865, and one son, William, has blessed the 
 
 m. 
 
 DAVID D. DIEFFENDERF] R (decea- 
 The Dieffenderfer family has been repre- 
 sented in 1'nioii county from an early day, and 
 its various members have been characterized by 
 the industry, economy and thrift which form 
 basis of success in life. The subject of this 
 sketch was nol onl) .1 prosperous businessman, 
 but as a citizen he took an active part in the pro- 
 gressive movements of his time, his patriotism 
 ng shown in a practical way by his service as 
 a soldier in the Union army during the Civil war. 
 
 Mr. Dieffenderfer was born in White I 
 township, Union county. February 21, 1S30, the 
 son of Paul and Harriet (Kline) Dieffenderl 
 v ho were both natives of that county, and sp 
 their days upon a farm there, their remains at 
 death being interred at White Deer cemetery. 
 Their children were: Charles, who died in New 
 ( Columbia at the age of sixty; David I > , our sub- 
 ject; Sarah M., who married David Nees, of New 
 Columbia, where both died; Joel K., an empl 
 
 in a furniture factory at Picture Rock, Lycoming 
 Co., Penn. ; Ephraim L., a physician of Wilkes 
 Barre, Penn. ; Eliza, wife of William Leinbach, 
 proprietor of a woolen-factory at Antes Fort, 
 Perm. ; Rebecca, who married W. W. Brown, 
 formerly sheriff of Union county, and now a liv- 
 ery man at Lewisburg; and James, foreman of 
 the machine shop at Ashley, Pennsylvania. 
 
 The early life of our subject was spent upon 
 his father's farm in the outskirts of New Colum- 
 bia. At eighteen he began an apprenticeship to 
 the carpenter's trade, which he followed all his 
 days, uniting with it the undertaking busn 
 and the manufacture of furniture. On September 
 27, 1864, he enlisted in Compatn B, 76th P. V. 
 I., commanded by Lieut. John G. Lit tell, and 
 served until hostilities ended, being mustered out 
 fune 28, 1865. During the bombardment of 
 Fort Fisher he was on the boat, but much to his 
 <li-<atisfaction he was detailed to help the cook 
 instead of being allowed to fight, an illness hav- 
 ing brought him under the doctor's care some 
 time before. Previous to this enlistment he had 
 in an emergency served as corporal of Company 
 E, 28th P. V. I., of Milton, under Capt. Charles 
 H. Dougal, and was discharged July 27, 1863. 
 
 On his return home from the army he re- 
 sumed his business and continued until his 
 death, which occurred September 17, 1893. but 
 for about five years prior to that sad event he 
 done but little work as an undertaker. Dur- 
 ing this period he was employed in the car fac- 
 tory at Milton as a skilled workman in heavy 
 woodwork. He left a comfortable competence, 
 and had been considered one of the substantial 
 business men of his vicinity. In politics he was 
 publican, but he never aspired to pubiic 
 office. He was a member of the Lewisburg 
 Post, G. A. R. , and was active in religious 
 work as a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
 Church at New Columbia, of which he was one 
 of the leading organizers, He held various offi- 
 cial positions in the Church, and for many Mar- 
 was stew aid, class leader and superintendent of 
 (he Sunday-school. 
 
 Mr. Dieffenderfer was twice married. His 
 first wife, Miss Llmira Campbell, who was born 
 in Union county, Januar) 10. 1835, bore him 
 two children: Clarence, born October 24. 1 8 < 
 died June 22, i860; and Ina, born January 23, 
 . died December 3, i860. The mother 
 passed to the unseen world September ;. 1862, 
 and on March 1, 1866, Mr. Dieffenderfer was 
 married, at the residence of the bride in White 
 Deer Mills, to Miss Sarah Black. By this union 
 there was one daughter. Hattie Belle, bom April 
 2, [873, who I Joseph O Whitman, and 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 Betsie^^ 2h l8 93- having two children- 
 uncle Sarah B " now ^siding with an 
 
 Mrs Dieffenderfer resides at New Cohim 
 b.a, and, like her lamented husband fea geneT 
 ous and active helper in Church work bfinfa 
 
 ot Milton, and taking also a keen interest in the 
 Methodist Episcopal Church of New Suit 
 for which Mr. Dieffenderfer did so much She 
 is a native of White Deer Mills, where she was 
 
 Tames Si" ^ ^ Her father ' the ^te 
 James Black, was of Scotch-Irish descent and 
 
 was bom in County Donegal, Ireland, Dumber 
 2 5. 803. He came to America alone in 18-0 
 landing at New York after a voyage of hi Ln 
 weeks, and soon located at White Deer Mills 
 
 In 1834 Mr. Black married Miss Matilda 
 Ludw,g a native of Union county, born March 
 Ludwig dau ? hterof Daniel and Catherine 
 
 867 
 
 JJ H. GETZ, of Lewisburg, is one of the lead- 
 Mmg members of the Union County Bar, and 
 h s efficient service as District Attorney has shown 
 him to be, as an official, a faithful guardian of 
 the public interests. While yet a boy n years 
 he gave proo of his patriotism by his'servlc as 
 a soldier, enlisting first in 1863, at the a<,e o 
 Vrr'i 00 ^ F ' 28th Penn S y?v b a n °a 
 
 lorTlTu v lhtia " He SaW Six wee <" of active 
 work wnhh.s company, and in February, 1864 
 he joined Company H, 51st Pennsylvania Volun- 
 teer Infantry, Gen. Hartranft's old I regiment and 
 went to the seat of war, remaining CI peace 
 wm declared; he was mustered out July 2" 
 
 Mr. Getz was born in Lancaster county Oc- 
 
 stock 3, H lS44 ; andi f of °ld Pennsylvania-Dutch 
 ! ° , H r '? Paternal grandfather, Henry Getz a 
 
 trad^in TT " IOn "^^ f ° ll0Wed the Renter's 
 trade in Union county, Penn., but he died at a 
 
 comparatively early age. The late Wilham 
 
 E, t'Buff S 1 Ubj f Ct ' Sf u ather ' WSS b0 ™ ln l82 °. - 
 tast Buffalo township, Union county, whence 
 
 rnaSo M t0 L . nCaSter COUnty - Where he w - 
 
 coun v h f. anmS Gr ° ff ' a " ative of that 
 county, born July 24, ,819. Her father, David 
 
 famn;r S ° a " atiVe ° f the count y- a "d her 
 family was among the oldest of the locality the 
 
 .Do^trefH^^r^- C ° me fr ° m Switzerland in 
 •695 to settle ,n the vicinity of Groff 's Dale. Will- 
 
 en yea' T™^ ^ ** WUe ' S De °P le for ab °ut 
 en years, then moved to Lebanon county, and in 
 
 ocati P n r ' ng p f I8 S 2 rCtUrned t0 Union bounty, 
 Seating , n East Buffalo township where he em 
 
 gaged in carpentering until advancing age caused 
 h m to cease his labors, and retire fo fhe home 
 of our subject on North Fourth street, Lewis- 
 burg. He was, however, an apparently healthy 
 2 T;8Q 2 h° n b H^ ^ ° f his d -th, "January" 
 
 It J, f \ f gone up town t0 bu y rubb ^ 
 
 hoes for his w,fe, as the funeral of a grandchild 
 a daughter of D. H. Getz, was appointed for 
 Monday, January 25th. He was a prominent 
 member of the Reformed Church, an/for many 
 
 DleTn? ty p a ^^ su PP° rt ^ of the princi- 
 ples of the Republican party. His widow a 
 a venerable and highly esteemed lady, is still 
 living. ■'' 
 
 As the residence of the family was changed 
 during our subject's youth, he spent some years 
 m Lancaster and Lebanon counties, and then 
 came with his father to Union county His lit 
 erary education was obtained in '• Lebanon Val- 
 ley Institute " and at the University at Lewis- 
 burg. His legal studies were carried on under 
 the d.rect.on of Hon. Charles S. Wolfe, and 
 while pursuing the course he taught school dur- 
 ing the winter. In December, 1875, he was 
 admitted to the Bar, and since opening his of- 
 fice in the following spring he has been in suc- 
 cessful practice. In 1S79 he was elected Dis- 
 trict Attorney, and in September, 1892 he was 
 again chosen, being unanimously nominated by 
 the Republican party, and elected for the term 
 of three years. Mr. Getz is one of the valued 
 advisers of his party, and has always been deeply 
 interested in local affairs of every nature, lend- 
 ing a helping hand to every worthy project He 
 is a leading member of the Reformed Church 
 while, socially, he belongs to Post No. 52, G.' 
 A. R. 
 
 On November 20, 1884, Mr. Getz was mar- 
 ried to Miss Ida Handley, a native of Northum- 
 berland county, and three children— Fannie M 
 Helen E. and Frederick K. -brighten their home' 
 
 TAMES BIEHL. In the fine agricultural dis- 
 JJ tnct surrounding the town of Lochiel, Union 
 county, ,t would be difficult to find a more 
 thrifty and successful manager than the subject 
 of this biography. Mr. Biehl is an acknowledged 
 leader in the farming fraternity, for two years 
 was president of the Union County Agricultural 
 Society, and for fifteen years was on the execu- 
 tive committee. 
 
 As his name indicates, Mr. Biehl is of Ger- 
 man descent, his paternal great-grandfather 
 Christian, having come from the Fatherland in 
 the eighteenth century. Peter Biehl, the grand- 
 father of our subject, was a farmer in Berks 
 
M> 
 
 ( OMMEMORATIVB BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 county, Penn., and died there, leaving six chil- 
 dren by his first wife-. By a second marriage 
 there was no issue. His eldest >"ii, Samuel, 
 died in Berks county; Peter, Jr., in Lycoming 
 county; Daniel, near Springfield, Ohio; and 
 Reuben, in Philipsburg, Penn, A 'laughter, 
 Diana, married Samuel Lobach. 
 
 Gid- hi, the third son of Peter, and the 
 
 fattier of our subje< t, was born in 1804, in Berks 
 county, where he grew to manhood, his educa- 
 tion being gained in the subscription schools. 
 The instruction was chiefly in German, hut he 
 could read and write English also. His father 
 had at one time owned a large amount of prop- 
 erty, but reverses in later years prevented him 
 from giving his sons a start in business. Gideon 
 Biehl learned t he blacksmith's trade and followed 
 it about four years, when he married Miss Re 
 becca Dreibelbis, a native of Berks county, born 
 about 1808. Her father, Daniel Dreibelbis, was 
 a wealth} 1 farmer; she was one of a family of six 
 children: Leah, Rachel, Hannah, Susan, Re- 
 becca and Martin. 
 
 After his marriage Gideon Biehl rented a 
 farm in Richmond township, Berks count)-, be- 
 
 [ing to an aunt, whose death some years later, 
 without nearer heirs, left him the owner of a 
 goodly number of acres. In 1845 he sold this 
 place and moved to Buffalo township. Union 
 county, purchasing the Rockey farm. The re- 
 
 val was made after primitive fashion with a 
 train of wagons of the old style, having 1 
 English wagon boxes. The family reached the 
 new home on April 2, 1845, and remained six 
 years, when Mr. Biehl bought a hotel "on the 
 pike in East Buffalo township, which he con- 
 ducted for many years, interrupted by a short 
 
 iod, during which it was rented to other par- 
 ti'--- It became widely known as " Biehl's Ho- 
 tel," but in 1868 he sold it to the present owner, 
 1 >a\ id Royei 
 
 I iideon Biehl was a well-built man, five feet, 
 eight and a half inches in height, and in early 
 life possessed great strength, of a genial na- 
 ture, he was always fond of company, but he 
 1 cared to visit much away from home. In 
 political affiliations he was a Democrat, but he 
 was a stmng supporter of the Union cause dur- 
 ing the war, and soldiers en route to the front 
 found an especially kindly welcome at his hotel. 
 While living in lierks counts he w e in 
 
 politics, and from boyhood until old age he took 
 an influential part in religious work as a men 
 of the Lutheran Chui Iding various offices 
 
 ntributing liberally. His wife, who was a 
 devout member of the Reformed Church, died in 
 December, i id his later years were spent 
 
 at the home of our subject, his death occurring 
 in 1 S74. His remains now rest beside those of 
 his wife in Driesbach cemetery. In that era of 
 high prices his estate was valued at $40,000, 
 which represented energetic and well-directed 
 efforts on his part to increase his inheritance. 
 ( hir subject was the eldest of four children, all 
 of whom settled in Union county. Hannah, 
 Mrs. Idem Meixel, died in Kelly township; Sa- 
 rah, now Mrs. John F. Zeller, and Catherine, 
 Mrs. F, W. Miller, both reside in East Buffalo 
 township. 
 
 James Biehl was born March 17, 1829, at the 
 old farm in Berks count)-. The free-school sys- 
 tem was not introduced in his township in his 
 early days, and the subscription schools were 
 decidedly inferior to those which he found in 
 Union count). He attended a somewhat ad- 
 vanced school in Boyertown, in his native count)-, 
 for thirteen weeks, but on his parents' removal to 
 their new home when he was about sixteen he 
 found that he could not enter classes with those of 
 his own age. It so humiliated him to be ranked 
 with the younger children that he did not attend 
 much, a few months each winter being spent in 
 study. At nineteen he left school altogether, 
 the last winter of his attendance being at Lime- 
 stoneville, Montour Co., Penn, where he worked 
 for his board while pursuing his studies, and with 
 the exception of this time he remained at home 
 throughout his youth. 
 
 On January 14, 1851, he was married in Sny- 
 der county to Miss Rebecca Pawling, and soon 
 afterward he established his home upon his 
 father's farm in Buffalo township. Union county. 
 In 1885 he removed from that place to his pres- 
 ent homestead, but he still continues to oversee 
 the first farm in a general way. At present he 
 owns 145 acres in all, with three good resi- 
 dences. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Biehl have three children, all 
 of whom are highly esteemed for their ability and 
 worth: (I) Sarah J., born September 7, 185 J, 
 married Israel T. Ruhl, a prominent resident of 
 Buffalo township, Union county, formerly super- 
 intendent of Sunday-schools. He is an influential 
 Republican, and an active worker in Driesbach 
 C lunch, hem- at present the leader of the chon ; 
 is a justice of the peace, at present serving his 
 third term. (2) Jefferson P., born January 29, 
 1857, is a graduate of Jefferson Medical Coll' 
 and is now practicing his pr> at Plymouth. 
 
 Penn, (3 GideonT., born December 22. 1861. 
 
 1 is one of the leading farmers of Buffalo township. 
 
 1 and may be said to have taken his father's place 
 in the Union County Agricultural Society, having 
 
 1 succeeded him in various committees. Gideon 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 869 
 
 T. is now nominated for county surveyor on the 
 Republican ticket. 
 
 Mr. Biehl is one of the best-known citizens of 
 his locality, and for years has been a pillar in the 
 Driesbach Church, giving generously of his time 
 and money to its support, and he has held every 
 office except that of preacher. His family are 
 all identified with the same Church. In his po- 
 litical views he has long been a Republican, but 
 his first vote was cast for Franklin Pierce, and 
 he continued to vote the Democratic ticket un- 
 til the second gubernatorial compaign of A. G. 
 Curtin. While he now gives unwavering support 
 to the Republican party on State and National 
 issues, he does now draw partisan lines in local 
 affairs. While living in Buffalo township he held 
 numerous offices — assessor, assistant assessor, 
 inspector, and for ten years was school director. 
 He has now held the office of supervisor of the 
 West Precinct of East Buffalo township for five 
 years, his duties being discharged to the entire 
 satisfaction of the public. 
 
 Mrs. Biehl is a member of one of the pioneer 
 families of Snyder county, and was reared and 
 educated in that locality. Her great-grandfather 
 Pawling came from England prior to the Revolu- 
 tionary war, and settled in Chester county, Penn. 
 Early in the present century his son Joseph, Mrs. 
 Biehl's grandfather, went to the vicinity of Selins 
 Grove, and, purchasing 400 acres of land, erected 
 buildings and engaged in business as a farmer 
 and hotel keeper. He was twice married, and 
 by his first wife he had one son, John, who went 
 West, and whose descendants now live in Ken- 
 tucky. His second wife, Mary Shannon, bore 
 him four sons and four daughters. One of the 
 latter married Mr. Ross, and became the mother 
 of the late Judge H. P. Ross, of Montgomery 
 county, Pennsylvania. 
 
 Samuel Pawling, the eldest son of the second 
 marriage, was born February 9, 1794, and was 
 married on January 24, 181 5, to Miss Elizabeth 
 Woodling, born February 5, 1797, the daughter 
 of John Woodling. Eleven children blessed this 
 union, whose names with dates of birth are as 
 follows: Harriet, December 31, 1815, married 
 David Schoch, and died in 1840; Maria, Decem- 
 ber 4, 18 1 7, became the second wife of David 
 Schoch, and died November 2, 1870; Susan, Feb- 
 ruary 25, 1819, married Jacob Hilbish; Levi, 
 July 27, 1820, married Miss Margaret C. Weaver, 
 who was born March 17, 1831; John, October 
 21, 1822, married Miss Barbara Gemberling, 
 who was born March 31, 1831; Jane, June 15, 
 1825, married Lewis Gemberling, and died Octo- 
 ber 1, 1856; Samuel B., September 14, 1828, 
 married (first) Miss Leah Huffman, (second) Miss 
 
 Sarah J. Marshall and (third) Miss Hester A. 
 Long; Rebecca, December 25, 1830, is the wife 
 of our subject; Angeline, September 22, 1834, 
 married Benjamin Ulrich; Charles W. , May 31, 
 1837, married Lydia C. Long; Lewis E. , Decem- 
 ber 10, 1839, married Miss Amanda Schoch. 
 
 The father of this family died November 23, 
 1874, in his eighty-first year. His wife, with 
 whom he spent sixty years of wedded happiness, 
 survived him and passed away October 9, 1883. 
 At that time their direct descendants numbered 
 one hundred and seven in all: fifty-five grand- 
 children, forty great-grandchildren and one great- 
 great-grandchild. 
 
 M. WILSON, M. D., is now the oldest 
 medical practitioner at New Berlin, Union 
 count}'. It is natural to look to a man's ances- 
 try for some sign of the traits for which he is dis- 
 tinguished, and we are not surprised to find that 
 Dr. Wilson comes of good old New England 
 stock. James Wilson, his great-grandfather, 
 came from Connecticut about 1 79 1 to make his 
 home in eastern Pennsylvania, where he married 
 Rebecca Orwig. Samuel Wilson, the only son 
 of James, was born in Schuylkill county, Novem- 
 ber 25, 1793, in early manhood located at New 
 Berlin, and became a successful merchant, ac- 
 cumulating a handsome fortune for that day. 
 As a member of the Democratic party, he was 
 active and influential in local affairs. He was 
 also interested in the work of the Presbyterian 
 Church, and at the time of his death, November 
 3, 1855, he held the office of elder. His wife, 
 Sarah Mauck Wilson, to whom he was married 
 at New Berlin, was a native of Pennsylvania. 
 She died May 31, 1872, at the advanced age of 
 eighty-four years, and the remains of both now 
 rest in the family burial plot at New Berlin. 
 Three sons lived to adult age, two of whom en- 
 tered the medical profession. James W. went to 
 Fremont, Ohio, in 1839, and became one of the 
 leading practitioners of that section; he has now 
 retired from practice, but is known as one of the 
 wealthiest and most prominent citizens of Fre- 
 mont. Edward is mentioned more fully below. 
 Charles was a prominent physician at New Ber- 
 lin, where he died, leaving several children. 
 
 Edward Wilson, Dr. H. M. Wilson's father, 
 was born April 14, 18 17, at New Berlin, where 
 he was reared, receiving a good practical educa- 
 tion for that time, the schools of the place being 
 better than the average. He engaged in mer- 
 cantile pursuits in which he was extremely suc- 
 cessful. Although he owned a large tract of 
 farming land he never cultivated it, preferring to 
 
s7u 
 
 ' nMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 devote his whole attention to his business, and 
 for the same reason he took but little active in- 
 terest in political movements beyond giving his 
 individual support at the polls to the Democratic 
 ticket. He was a member of the lodge I. O. O. 
 F., at New Berlin, and was prominently identi- 
 fied with the Presbyterian Church, holding office 
 as a deacon, and later as an elder and as such 
 was swerving at the time of his death, in August, 
 1S79. His widow. Mrs. Mary (Aurand) Wilson, 
 is also a member of the Church. She was born 
 at New Berlin, November 15, 1826, and has al- 
 ways resided there. Her father, Samuel Aurand, 
 a native of Middleburg, Penn., and a son of 
 George Aurand, was for many years a hotel- 
 keeper at New Berlin. His first wife, Christina 
 Wise, a daughter of Josiah Wise, bore him 
 sons and one daughter, now Mrs. Wilson. By a 
 second marriage he had two I two daugh- 
 
 ters. The Doctor is thi st in a family "I 
 
 five children— Laura married Levi Boyer of Vir- 
 ginia; Emily, now Mrs. Galen Lutz, James, and 
 Mary, the widow of Isaac Wonderly, all reside 
 in New Berlin. 
 
 Dr. H. M. Wilson's birth occurred March 24, 
 1854, and his earh ion was obtained in 
 
 tin- schools of New Berlin, Miss Kate Ke 
 being his first teacher. In 1 87 5 he entered the 
 Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia, and, 
 on graduating in 1877, he at once established 
 himself in practice at his old home, where he 
 met with speedy success. He is ;i member of 
 th.' Union County Medical Examining Board, t" 
 which he was appointed in September, 1893, and 
 is at present its treasurer. In 1890 he married 
 Mi-. Ella (Schoch) Burg, widow of Dr. S. W. 
 Burg, and daughter of Abraham and Hannah 
 (Seebal.l 1 Schoch. Dr. and Mrs. Wilson are 
 prominent in social life and are leading members 
 of the Presbyterian Church, in which the Doctor 
 succeeded Ins father as elder. Politically he is 
 a stanch Democrat 
 
 THOMAS HOWARD WILSON, M. D. "A 
 youth of labor, with an age of ease," sur- 
 rounded by all that can be desired of friendship 
 and honor, sums up in brief the fortunate lot of 
 the subject of this sketch, one of Lewisburg's 
 most highly respected citizens, who, with his 
 estimable wife, is spending the afternoon of life 
 in leisure after a lone, and arduous career. For 
 near]} fifty years they have sustained each other 
 with their mutual love, and now they show to 
 li other the thoughtful attention, the tender 
 deference of the days of courtship. It is seldom 
 
 that so close a bond exists as that which has 
 woven their lives together. For many years 
 during Dr. Wilson's active career the demands of 
 his professional work kept him busy night and 
 day, and Mrs. Wilson was his constant compan- 
 ion, sharing his long and tedious journeys, driv- 
 ing the team while he slept, and then, on reach- 
 ing the home of some patient, would snatch a 
 brief interval of sleep for herself while he made 
 his visit. To heal the sick, to cheer the miser- 
 able, became their life work, while the poor who 
 could pay no fees were treated as carefully as the 
 rich. Hand in hand they followed the voice oi 
 duty, and m that loving union what might I; 
 been drudgery became unceasing joy. Advanc- 
 ing years have withdrawn Dr. Wilson from the 
 work which, as a popular physician of his local- 
 ity, he was once called upon to perform, but in 
 all that pertains to culture, refinement and prog- 
 ress, his home life gives a reflection of his high 
 
 ter. 
 
 Foregoing further into detail of the per- 
 sonal history of our subject, a review of his fam- 
 ily history is proper. The first ancestor on the 
 paternal side of whom there is a record was 
 James Wilson, born in September. 1719. who 
 came from Ireland at the age of seven years with 
 his parents, who settled in Berry township. Dau- 
 phin Co., Penn. His first wife. Martha Stern tt. 
 died in early womanhood, leaving no children. 
 He then was married to Ann Sterrett, born Jan- 
 | 16, 1725, and whose death occurred Janu- 
 ary 15, 1789, his own following on September 
 J ' s - '793- There were nine children by the sec- 
 ond union, namely: William is mentioned more 
 fully further on; Martha (Mrs. David Hays was 
 born February 7, 1745; Hugh, born September 
 »6, 1748, married Isabella Fulton; Joseph, born 
 September 5, 1750, married Margaret Boyd, and 
 died February 9, 1788; Mary, born Januar) 5, 
 1755, married James Todd; James, born June 18, 
 
 1757, died in October, 1806, at Reading. Bonn.; 
 Andrew, born October 18, 1759. married Martha 
 McClure; Elizabeth married James Stewart; and 
 Samuel married Eleanor Bell. 
 
 William Wilson, the grandfather of our sub- 
 ject, was born June 4, 174.1. and died April 9, 
 1824. He was married, October 24, 1773. to 
 Elizabeth Robinson, who was born in February, 
 
 1758, and died April 11, 1 S 1 5 . after a union of 
 forty-one years, four months and seventeen days. 
 They had thirteen children, as follows: 1 1 1 
 Martha, born August 20, 1774. died Novembei 
 29, 1788; (2) Thomas, bom August 1 8, 1776. 
 died May 25, iS;i, married Lydia Brake, and 
 had two children — William Robinson, born April 
 9, 1828, married Elsie Lawshe, and Samuel 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 871 
 
 Howard, born May i 5, 1830, died March 14, 1850; 
 
 (3) James, born August 3, 1778, died December 
 26, 1 83 1, married (first) Catherine Fruit, and 
 (second) Sarah Chamberlain, by whom he had 
 two children — William, who died October 24, 
 1856, and Catherine, wife of Robert M. Musser; 
 
 (4) Hugh, born September 6, 1781, died June 
 25, 1782; (5) Mary (Mrs. William Hayes), born 
 April 14, 1783, died December 10, 1827; (6) 
 Erne, born September 5, 1784, died September 
 19, 1784; (7) a son born October 14, 1785, died 
 October 21, 1785; (8) William, born August 10, 
 1787, died June 12, 1863; (9) Samuel, born 
 April 9, 1790, died January 16, 1843, married 
 Elizabeth Nevins; (10) Martha (2), born April 8, 
 1792; (11) Effie (2) (Mrs. Joseph Murray), born 
 December 13, 1794, died January 24, 1853; 
 (12) Eliza (Mrs. Peter Nevins), born March 18, 
 1797, ,died April 8, 1879; (13) Nancy Gray (Mrs. 
 William Murray), born July 8, 1799, died in 
 July, 1845. 
 
 William, the eighth child of William and 
 Elizabeth Wilson, and the father of our subject, 
 was married February 19, 18 18, to Ann How- 
 ard, who was born March 11, 1798, and died 
 September 21, 1865. Her father, Thomas How- 
 ard, born in May, 1760, died January 15, 1842, 
 was married February 9, 1797, to Elizabeth 
 Harris, born July 18, 1770, died May 20, 1842. 
 Our subject's mother was the eldest in a family 
 of nine children, the others being: Mary, born 
 July 9, 1799, died April 30, 18 19; Harriet (Mrs. 
 Thomas Van Valzah), born August 18, 1800, 
 died January 9, 1870; John Irvin, born March 
 S, 1803, died November 25, 1813; Laird, born 
 September 7, 1804, died March 19, 1870, mar- 
 ried Jane Barber; Elizabeth, born November 3, 
 1805, died March 30, 1829; Jane (Mrs. Joseph 
 Green), born Feb. 28, 1809, died April 30, 1870; 
 Thomas, born September 16, 181 1, died May 18, 
 1889, married (first) Ellen M. Dale, and (second) 
 Margaret Dickson; and David, born February 2, 
 1 814, died November 15, 1861. 
 
 The Harris family, to which belonged Eliza- 
 beth Harris, wife of Thomas Howard, is of 
 English origin, the first ancestor to cross the 
 ocean being William Harris, the great-great- 
 grandfather of Dr. Wilson. He located in Derry 
 township, Dauphin county, Penn., and he and 
 his wife, Catherine Douglass, who was of the 
 family of Sir Robert Douglass, of Scotland, 
 passed their last days there, their remains being 
 interred in Derry graveyard. They had six 
 children: James, born January 16, 1739, died 
 April 13, 1786; Sarah, born March 20, 1741; 
 John, born November 20, 1746; William, born 
 November 20, 1749; Mary, born July 22, 1752; 
 
 Robert, born 1753, died March 4, 1785, and was 
 buried at Nicaragua, Grenada. 
 
 James Harris, the Doctor's great-grandfa- 
 ther, was married June 2, 1768, to Mary Laird, 
 daughter of William Laird and his wife, Cath- 
 erine (Spencer), of Scotland. Mary Laird Har- 
 ris was born April 28, 1750, died December 13, 
 1842, and was buried in Lewisburg. The Doc- 
 tor's grandmother was the second in a family of 
 ten children, the others being: William, born 
 April 28, 1769, died February 2, 1785; Katharine, 
 born April 2, 1772, died December 28, 1784; 
 Jean, born January 6, 1774, died December 5, 
 1839; Laird, born February 22, 1776, died June 
 30, 1804; Robert, born November 22, 1777; 
 Sarah, born September 4, 1779, died December 
 30, 1827; (3) James, born June 13, 1781, died 
 July 1, 1868, married Sarah Bell; Martha, born 
 August 13, 1784, died February 13, 1873; and 
 William Laird, Jr. (2), born May 17, 1786, died 
 November 1 1, 1845. 
 
 Our subject is the only surviving child of the 
 family, in which he was the second in order of 
 birth. The others were: Elizabeth R., born 
 March 31, 18 19, died August 4, 1889; Sarah 
 Jane (Mrs. John Walls), born June 16, 1823, died 
 January 9, 1876; Mary Harris, born October 4, 
 1825, died July 10, 1845; William Henry, born 
 June 28, 1830, died August 9, 1831; and Martha 
 Harris, born April 7, 1833, died November 23, 
 1839. 
 
 Dr. Thomas H. Wilson was born May 17,. 
 1 82 1, and was reared in the town of Lewisburg. 
 After attending the local schools for a time he 
 studied in the academy at Danville, Penn., and 
 later in the Lewisburg Academy. He then 
 clerked in his father's store until, having deter- 
 mined upon the medical profession as his life- 
 work, he began preparations for same under a 
 preceptor. In 1844 he was graduated from the 
 Medical Department of the University of Penn- 
 sylvania, and at once entered upon professional 
 work at Lewisburg, where, as has been said, he 
 gained a large practice. His wife, to whom he 
 was married February 3, 1848, was formerly Miss 
 Elizabeth Dale. They have had four children, 
 as follows: (1) James Dale, born April 18, 1850, 
 was married June 14, 1883, to Miss Mary Beck 
 Smith, and has had four children — Thomas How- 
 ard, born August 16, 1884, died July 18, 1886; 
 Margaret Smith, born August 2, 1887, is at home; 
 James Dale, born October 23, 1889, died in Au- 
 gust, 1892; and William, born August 26, 1893. 
 (2) Anna Howard, born April 30, 1855, was mar- 
 ried October 19, 1882, to Louis K. Lodge, born 
 February 2, 1851, died December 31, 1890, and 
 has one son — John, born November 16, 1885. 
 
^7: 
 
 COMMEMORA TI7E BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 Helen Potter, born October [9, [857, died 
 April 29, 1859. 141 Willi; mi Wilberforce, born 
 [anuary 29, i860, resides in Altoona, Pennsyl- 
 vania. 
 
 Mrs. Wilson was a daughter of James Dale, 
 oi Dale's Hill, Union Co., Penn., and a grand- 
 daughter oi Samuel Dale, who was born in 1741 
 in County Monahan, Ireland, and dud September 
 27, 1S04. In January, [769, lie married Ann 
 Futhey, who died April 23, [835. [ami I 
 was married February 24, 1 s 1 x, to Eliza Bell, 
 who dud February 14, 1837. Tiny had four 
 children: Ann Margaret, born July 27, 1 
 died in New Berlin December 29, 1833; Lllen 
 Mary, horn September 1 S, 1S21, was married 
 1 ebruarj 17. 1842, to Thomas Howard, and died 
 May 7, 1861; Elizabeth (Mrs, Wilson), born 
 February 2, 1 S 2 4 ; and Samuel, born March I, 
 [828, died August tO, 1S4S. 
 
 DAVID M VI IKS (deceased). Lewisburg has 
 ' been fortunate in the possession of a 1 
 number of broad-minded citizens, who, while 
 furthering financial interests indi\ idual and pub- 
 lic— have also contributed to the establishment 
 of a high intelli tandard in her social cir- 
 
 . and conspicuous among this class of business 
 men was the late David Myers. 
 
 ( >ur subject was a descendant of pioneer 
 stock. His ancestors on both his father's and 
 mother's side were German immigrants who 
 came to Pennsylvania in its early Colonial days, 
 and betook thei to farming, lie was a 
 
 son of David Myers, who was born [anuary (6, 
 [788, in Lancaster county, Penn., and Ann 
 (Sheibley) Myers, born in the same county Much 
 "7. '799- They were married March 25, 1815, 
 and m [829 removed to Union county, settling 
 11 a farm just outside of Lewisburg, on the 
 Valley Dike. Of this marriage there were eleven 
 children: Nathan, bom November 29, 1816, was 
 cashier of a bank in Clarion county, Penn., and 
 died Ma) 6, 1892; Alpheus, born April 23, 1818, 
 was a physician in Logansport, Ind., and dud 
 bruary 28, 1887; Matilda, born September 
 iS, 1 Ski, married Joseph Frederick, and died in 
 Northumberland county, September 6, 1S66; 
 Eliza, born May 26, [821, dud February 
 [893, was blinded by an accident, and 11 
 married; Abraham, born September 27, 1 
 died March 7, [848, was a physician in Clarion 
 county, Penn. ; Susannah, born February 26, 
 [824, died September 28, 1858, was the wifi 
 John Brown; Lewis 15., born July 4, [825, wa 
 physician, and died December 24, 1896; Ann S., 
 born February 17, 1827, became the wife of 
 
 fo eph Baker, and died April 9, [862; David, 
 the subject of this article, was the ninth in order 
 of birth, and was born in Lancaster county, 
 Penn., M . [830; Sarah, born September 
 
 17, 1831, died February 13, 1886, the wife ol 
 Daniel Swart/; Henry A., the youngest child, 
 born January 28, 1833, became a physician, and 
 died March 8, 1886. The father, David My 
 died [anuary .50, 1833, leaving the mother with 
 the the children. She reared them all 
 
 to manhood and womanhood, and died on No- 
 vember 17, 1869, in Lewisburg, Penn. Dr. 
 Lewi- B. Myers, of Fremont, Ohio, was the last 
 survivor. 
 
 David Myers, our subject, was reared in 
 Lewisburg, and throughout his life was identil 
 with the place His education was limited to 
 the course offered in the common school-,, but 
 observation and reading brought to a mind, nat- 
 rally clever, valuable practical results. He 
 was engaged in business for some time in Lewis- 
 burg, Penn., and then went to the western part 
 of the State, and from there, after the war, he 
 went to Alabama, where he engaged in cotton 
 raising. On [anuary 3, 1871, he was married to 
 Miss Valeria K. Heck, the eldest 1 of the 
 
 late Dr. Samuel Ludwig Heck, of Lewisburg. 
 About two years after his marriage Mr. Myers 
 returned to Pennsylvania, and settled in Lewis- 
 burg, where he died on July 6, 1894. His widow 
 and daughter, Aida B. Myers, still reside in the 
 same town. 
 
 David Myers was a Republican in politii 
 member of the Presbyterian Chinch in Lewis- 
 burg, he took a great interest in all religious mat- 
 ters. 
 
 Gl ORGE G. GROFF, M. A., M D., IV 
 : ol ( '1 ".inn Si iem es in Bucknell I ni- 
 versity, Lewisburg, Union Co., Penn., was bom 
 on "The Great Welsh Tract in the Province of 
 Pennsylvania," on a farm near Valley Forge, in 
 ["redyffrin township, Chester Co., Penn., April 5, 
 185 1, descending from ancestors who were anion;,' 
 the earliest settlers of the State. 
 
 Dr. Groff 's line ol descent is as follows: J a 
 Graf (1), born in Holland [?J in 171 5, the 
 of this branch of the Groffs in America, with his 
 wife Man. 1, settled near old Goshenhoppen, in 
 Upper Salford, Montgomery county, in 1; 
 Jacob Groff 1 2), son of Jacob in, married 
 
 ibeth Hubner, daughter of Melchoir and 
 Anna Maria Fisher Hubner, and a granddaughter 
 
 Mans and Maria Huluiei (he a Schwenck- 
 felder, who came from Low ia with his 
 
 Church in 1734). The Schwenckfelders en- 
 
<&** ^ ^/fr 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 873 
 
 joyed the unique distinction of having received a 
 formal invitation from their former sovereign, 
 Frederick the Great, to return to their homes in 
 Silesia, which, having been destroyed, he offered 
 to restore. Jacob Groff (3) (son of Jacob (2) ) 
 married Catherine Reiff, had a son, John Groff, 
 who married Susan Beaver, and their son is Dr. 
 George G. Groff. The name Graf in German 
 means Count, and is equivalent to the English 
 Earl. 
 
 Hans Jakob Reiff, the pioneer in Pennsyl- 
 vania, came to the State about 1640, with the 
 Dutch settlers on the Delaware river. He had 
 two companions, Levering and Frey, both of 
 whom remained in the Province. He had a son, 
 Hans George Reiff, a newlander and land specu- 
 lator, who settled in Upper Salford township, 
 Montgomery county, whose wife was Anna (or 
 Veronica), and they had a son, Jacob Reiff (2). 
 The latter married Catherine Schneider, and had 
 a son, George Reiff. George Reiff married Rachel 
 Pawling, and had a daughter, Catherine Reiff 
 (wife of Jacob Groff (3) ). 
 
 Henry Pawling, the pioneer, came from Eng- 
 land in 1 70 1. He purchased two tracts of land, 
 of a thousand acres each, from Penn before leav- 
 ing England. On the map of 1683, he is shown 
 as holding two lots in Philadelphia, one on 
 Market street and the other on the Schuylkill 
 front. He had a son, Henry Pawling, and he in 
 turn a son, John, who married Elizabeth De- 
 Haven, a daughter of Herman In de Haven, and 
 they had a daughter, Rachel Pawling (wife of 
 George Reiff). The Pawlings settled first in 
 Lower Providence township, Philadelphia coun- 
 ty, and later in Montgomery county on the 
 Schuylkill river, near Pawling's Bridge. In 1734, 
 Henry Pawling, Sr., owned five hundred acres of 
 land opposite Valley Forge, and his son, Henry, 
 twelve hundred acres in Perkiomen township. 
 In 1747 Henry, Jr., was elected captain of a com- 
 pany of Associators. In 1 76 1 he was appointed 
 by the Governor one of the commissioners for 
 improving the navigation of the Schuylkill river, 
 and was in 1773 succeeded in this office by his 
 son, John Pawling, Jr. In 1761 Henry was sent 
 into the Wyoming region to build nouses for 
 friendly Indians. This was a movement of the 
 Proprietors of the Province to forestall the ad- 
 venturers from Connecticut. He was a justice 
 of the peace for many years in Philadelphia, and 
 a member of the Colonial Assembly from 1764 to 
 1774 inclusive. In politics, the Pawlings were 
 always attached to the Proprietary party. 
 
 Everett In de Hoff and his wife, Elizabeth 
 Schiphower, with their sons, Gerhard, Herman 
 and Peter, came to Pennsylvania from Holland 
 
 in 1698. In 1706 Everett took up two hundred 
 acres of land in Whitpain township, Montgomery 
 Co., Penn. Herman In de Haven had a daugh- 
 ter Elizabeth De Haven, who in 1786, in Christ 
 Church, Philadelphia, married John Pawling, 
 and became the mother of Rachel Pawling and 
 the grandmother of Catherine Reiff. The fam- 
 ily were prominent in the Reformed Church, 
 both Everett and Herman having been presid- 
 ing elders. 
 
 George Bieber, with his brothers, John and 
 Dewald, came from Elsass in 1744, and settled 
 in Tredyffrin township, Chester Co., Penn. His 
 son, John Beaver, and wife Margaret, had a 
 son, George Beaver (2), who married Susan 
 Hausman. George Beaver (2) and Susan Haus- 
 man had a son, John Beaver (2), who married 
 Deborah Barry, and had a daughter, Susan 
 Beaver (wife of John Groff). From the pioneer 
 John Bieber, Governor James A. Beaver is de- 
 scended. 
 
 Frederick Hausman came from Wurtemburg, 
 Germany, when twelve years of age and settled 
 in Tredyffrin township, Chester Co., Penn. He 
 married Elizabeth Kemp, of Kutztown, Berks 
 Co., Penn., daughter of Theobald Kemp and 
 wife Elizabeth (he the pioneer from Strasburg), 
 and had a daughter, Susan Hausman (wife of 
 George Beaver (2). 
 
 Richard Barry, from Ballo, County Cork, 
 Ireland, settled Radnor, Chester (now Delaware) 
 county, Penn., had a son, Col. James Barry, 
 who married Ellen Jones, and their son. James 
 Barry (2), married Sarah Davies, daughter of 
 Samuel Davis (or Davies), from Wales, his wife 
 Tabitha, had a daughter Deborah Barry (wife of 
 John Beaver). The Barrys are of Norman de- 
 scent, and in Ireland rose to great wealth and 
 prominence, intermarrying with the nobility of 
 the kingdom. Richard Barry became a Friend 
 under the preaching of William Penn, and being 
 disowned by his family came to America. His 
 people were attached to the Roman Catholic 
 Church. 
 
 John Beaver, son of George Bieber, the 
 pioneer, contracted camp fever at Valley Forge 
 while assisting to lay out the American camp, 
 and died of it. Col. James Barry served with 
 honor during six years of the Revolutionary 
 struggle. John Pawling and Herman In de Haven 
 were stanch patriots during the same struggle. 
 They manufactured gun flints for the army, their 
 factory being at the Falls of French Creek, in 
 Chester county, Pennsylvania. 
 
 The ancestors of Dr. Groff were Dutch, Ger- 
 man, English, Welsh and Norman-Irish. With 
 the exception of two cousins of his father's, Dr. 
 
874 
 
 ( OMMEMOBATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 Henry G. Groff and Dr. John W. GrofT, all the 
 family have been tillers of the soil. In the 
 present and rising generations there seems a pre- 
 dilection for tbestudyof medicine. John Groff, 
 the father of George G., reared nine children, 
 viz.: George G., Charles Albert, John Howard, 
 M. D., Mary l.lizabeth, Deborah Beaver, Lydia 
 Frances, Sarah Rebecca, Elysses Grant and 
 una Beaver. 
 
 Jacob Graf, here called the pioneer accord- 
 ing to family tradition, is the earliest of our fam- 
 ily we have been able to discover in America. 
 Knpp gives the names of three Jacob Groffs, who 
 came to Philadelphia in 1737, 1744 and 17 
 Our ancestor purchased his farm in 1769, when 
 he was fifty-four years of age, and twenty years 
 after the arrival of the latest Jacob of Rupp. 
 Hence it seei -ether possible that our an- 
 
 cestor may have been the son of the pioneer. 
 His wife Maria was born in 1722. They were 
 married previous to 1745, and tradition states 
 that their eight childeren were all born in Ger- 
 many. Tradition also states that the family on 
 
 tiing to America first encamped under a large 
 oak tree, one-fourth mile east of Zieglerville, on 
 the banks of the Goshenhoppen run, on land re- 
 cently owned by Charles Koch, but at that time 
 public land. The permanent home was made 
 two miles to the northwest on the Perkiomen. 
 Beside farming, the elder Groffs were fullers and 
 dyers, in which work they continued at least 
 three generations. 
 
 I U t, son of Hans George, was prom- 
 
 inent in the affairs of the early Reformed Church 
 in America, going to Europe to collect funds 
 the Church. (He was a member of the Assembly 
 of Pennsylvania in 17S0, and, with the eleven 
 other German members, voted for the adoption 
 of the National Constitution). The Groffs and 
 Beavers originally belonged to the Lutheran 
 Church. The Pawlings were Episcopalians, and 
 extensive land holders. The Bams in Radnor 
 (Norman-Irish and the Davies in Merion (Welsh) 
 
 re Friends, called Quakers, living on "The 
 Great Welsh Tract." John Barry, the first Com- 
 modore in the America navy, was of this family, 
 an uncle of Col. I irry. 
 
 George G. Groff received his early education 
 in the public schools, and in academies at Phoe- 
 nixville and Norristown, and. later, in the West 
 stei st.itr- Normal School, Michigan Univer- 
 sity, Long Island Colli-.- Hospital, Brooklyn, N.Y. . 
 and the University of Leipsic. He received, at 
 different times, the college degrees of B. S. , M. 
 A., M. D., I'll I) , and LL. D. Until his eight- 
 eenth year he assisted in the labors of the farm, 
 then began to teach in the public schools, then in 
 
 the West Chester State Normal School, and in 
 1879 became professor of Organic Sciences in 
 Bucknell University. During 1SS7-8S he was 
 acting president of the University, and was 
 instrumental in starting an increase in attendance 
 which has continued until the present time. A 
 prominent Baptist wrote that he advertised the 
 University more in three months than had been 
 previously done in forty years. As a teacher he 
 has been enthusiastic and successful, inspiring 
 his pupils to diligent and accurate work. In 
 public life he has been school director, coroner, 
 assistant-surgeon in the National Guard of Penn- 
 sylvania, and a member of the State Boards of 
 Agriculture and Health for eleven years. At 
 present (1897) he is president of the State Board 
 of Health, a. id a member of the State Medical 
 and Dental Councils. A large portion of the 
 work of the State Board of Health has originated 
 with him. He is the author of almost all the 
 health circulars of this Board, which are said to 
 be the best issued b\ any Mate in the Union. 
 In [889, after the great floods of that year, 
 he had charge of the sanitation at Johnstown, 
 which he conducted in a most successful manner. 
 He has for fifteen years done much work at 
 Teachers and Farmers Institutes, lecturing on 
 health and scientific subjects. He is the author 
 of a large number of pamphlets, charts, m: 
 and diagrams intended to aid science teach, 
 also of a Series of School Physiologies. Farm and 
 Village Hygiene, School Hygiene. Dairy Hy- 
 giene, and a text book on Mineralogy. Dr. Groff 
 is a constant contributor to leading periodical 
 literature. He is a member of the Sons of the 
 American Revolution, of the Pennsylvania Ger- 
 man |7, and of the Welsh Society of Phil- 
 adelphia. He is a member of the Baptist 
 Church, and in all theological matters holds lib- 
 eral views. 
 
 In 1S80 the Doctor was married to Margaret 
 Palmer Marshall, of West Chester, Penn. The 
 union has been blessed with five children, viz.: 
 William Marshall, John Charles, Margaret Beav- 
 er, James Andrews, and Frances Lloyd. All the 
 ancestors of Dr. Groffs wife, too, were am 
 the earliest settlers of the Province of Pennsyl- 
 vania. In the following are set forth the pro- 
 genitors in America of her family, the Roman 
 characters indicating each generation in the 
 various branches of the family, the child follow- 
 ing that ol parents thus, II. Thon: shall 
 1 i 1 is of the second generation and is a son of 
 
 n Marshall and Sarah Smith; and so on. 
 
 I. John Marshall, the pioneer, came from 
 Elton, Derbyshire, England, prior to 1685, mar- 
 ried, in 1688 at Darby. Penn., Sarah Smith, 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 875 
 
 from Croxton, Leicester, England. II. Thomas 
 Marshall (i) married Hannah Mendenhall, daugh- 
 ter of Benjamin Mendenhall, from Wiltshire, 
 England, about 1683, settled in Concord town- 
 ship, and Ann Pennell, daughter of Robert Pen- 
 nell, from Nottinghamshire, England, prior to 
 1686, to Middletown township, and wife Hannah. 
 
 III. Thomas Marshall (2) married Edith Newlin. 
 
 IV. Thomas Marshall (3) married Mary Grubb. 
 
 V. Samuel Marshall married Philena Pusey. 
 
 VI. William Pusey Marshall married Frances 
 Lloyd Andrews, whose daughter is Margaret P. 
 Marshall. 
 
 I. Nicholas Newlin, the pioneer, from Mount 
 Molock, Tyrone, Ireland, in 1683, to Concord 
 township; wife Elizabeth. II. Nathaniel Newlin, 
 who came with his father from Ireland, married 
 Mary Mendenhall, sister of Benjamin. III. Na- 
 thaniel Newlin (2) married Jane Woodward, 
 daughter of Richard Woodward and Jane, who 
 came from England and settled in Middletown 
 township. IV. Nathaniel Newlin (3) married 
 Esther Metcalf, daughter of Thomas and wife 
 Jane. V. Edith Newlin (wife of Thomas Mar- 
 shall (2)). 
 
 I. John Grubb, who was settled in Upland, 
 Penn., prior to 1679, and wife Frances. II. John 
 Grubb (2) married Rachel Buckley, daughter of 
 John Sanderson Buckley, and granddaughter of 
 Dr. Sanderson. John Buckley (came from Wilt- 
 shire, England, 1682) was a son of John Buckley 
 and Mary Empson, of Cheshire, England, who 
 never came to America. III. Samuel Grubb 
 married Rebecca Hewes; their daughter Mary 
 Grubb (wife of Thomas Marshall (3))- 
 
 I. William Hewes, who came from England 
 about 1675-6, settled first in New Jersey, then 
 in 1678-9 settled near Marcus Hook; wife Deb- 
 orah. II. William Hewes (2) married Sarah 
 Bezer, daughter of Edward Bezer and Ann Fry, 
 who came from Wiltshire, England, about 1682 
 and settled in Bethel township. III. William 
 Hewes (3) married Mary Withers. IV. Rebecca 
 Hewes (wife of Samuel Grubb). 
 
 I. William Withers. II. Thomas Withers, 
 who came from Wiltshire, England, and settled 
 in Chichester, married Elizabeth Collett, daugh- 
 ter of Jeremiah Collett, who came from England 
 in 1682, or earlier, and settled in Chichester, and 
 
 Jane May, and granddaughter of May 
 
 and Joan , of Wiltshire, England. 
 
 III. Mary Withers (wife of William Hewes (3)). 
 
 I. William Pusey, from London, England, 
 about 1700, settled in London Grove township, 
 married Elizabeth Bowater, daughter of John 
 and Frances. John Bowater, from Worcester- 
 shire, England, reached Pennsylvania about 1684 
 
 after visiting, as early as 1677, New England, 
 Maryland and Virginia as a public Friend. II. 
 Joshua Pusey married Mary Lewis, daughter of 
 Ellis Lewis, who was born in Wales, and came 
 to Pennsylvania in 1708, and Elizabeth Newlin, 
 
 and granddaughter of Mary ; had a son, 
 
 Ellis Pusey, who married Abigail Brinton, and 
 had daughter, Philema Pusey (wife of Samuel 
 Marshall). 
 
 I. Nicholas Newlin (wife Elizabeth). 
 
 II. Nathaniel Newlin married Mary Mendenhall. 
 
 III. Elizabeth Newlin married Ellis Lewis. 
 
 IV. Mary Lewis (wife of Joshua Pusey). 
 
 I. William Brinton, who came from Stafford- 
 shire, England, in 1684, and settled in Birming- 
 ham township, married Ann Bagley, daughter of 
 Edward Bagley. II. William Brinton (2), who 
 came over with his father, married Jane Thatch- 
 er, daughter of Richard Thatcher, who came 
 from England about 1685, and settled in Thorn- 
 bury township, and wife Jane. III. Joseph 
 Brinton married Mary Pearce, daughter of George 
 Pearce, who came from Somersetshire, 
 England, in 1684, and settled in Thornbury 
 township, and Ann Gainer, of Gloucestershire, 
 England. IV. Moses Brinton married Eleanor 
 Varnam, daughter of Hattil Varnam, who came 
 from County Wexford, Ireland, in 1728, and 
 settled in Lancaster county, and Abigail Sand- 
 with, the latter a daughter of William and 
 Joan Sandwith, of County Wexford, Ireland. 
 
 V. Abigail Brinton (wife of Ellis Pusey). 
 
 I. William Andrews, who came from Lurgan, 
 Ireland, to Newcastle county, State of Delaware; 
 wife Miriam. II. Ezekiel Andrews married 
 Rebecca Robinson (she was born on the vessel 
 coming to America), daughter of Francis Robin- 
 son and wife Elizabeth, who came from Ireland. 
 
 III. James Andrews married Martha Bunting. 
 
 IV. James Andrews (2) married Hannah Lloyd. 
 
 V. Frances Lloyd Andrews (wife of William Pusey 
 Marshall). 
 
 I. Anthony Bunting; wife Ellen. II. Will- 
 iam Bunting married Mary Stumson. III. Sam- 
 uel Bunting, who came from Derbyshire, Eng- 
 land, in 1722, and settled in Darby, married 
 Sarah Fearne, daughter of Josiah Fearne (son of 
 Elizabeth); (Elizabeth Fearne (widow) came 
 from Derbyshire, England, in 1682, and settled 
 in Darby), and Sarah Blunston, and granddaugh- 
 ter of John Blunston and Eleanor Brantrion. 
 IV. Josiah Bunting married Sarah Hunt. V. Mar- 
 tha Bunting (wife of James Andrews (1)). 
 
 I. James Hunt, who came in 1684 from 
 Kent, England, and settled in Kitigsessing, mar- 
 ried Elizabeth Bonsall. II. James Hunt (2) 
 married Rebecca Faucit, daughter of Walter 
 
876 
 
 ( nu\i: vmtATIVE BIOORAPUU AL RECORD. 
 
 Faucit, who arrived at Chester as early as II 
 and Rebecca Fearne, the latter a daughter of 
 Elizabeth Fearne. III. John Hunt 12) mar- 
 ried Elizabeth Sellers. IV. Sarah Hunt (wife 
 of Josiah Buntini 
 
 I. Samuel Sellers, who came from Derby- 
 shire, England, in 1682, and settled in Darby 
 township on land now in possession of his descend- 
 ants, married Anna Gibbons, daughter of Henry 
 Gibbons and wife Helen, who came from Derby- 
 shire, England, in 1682, and settled in Darby 
 township. II. Samuel Sellers, Jr., married 
 Sarah Smith, daughter of John Smith, who came 
 in [684 from Liecestershire, England, and set- 
 tled in Darby township, and Elenor Dolby. 
 III. Elizabeth Sellers (wife of John Hunt 
 
 I. Robert Lloyd, who came to Pennsyl- 
 vania in [863 from Wales, married Lowry Jones. 
 
 II. Richard Lloyd married Hannah Sell 
 
 III. Hugh Lloyd married Susanna Pearson. 
 
 IV. Charles Lloyd married Frances Paschall. 
 Y. Hannah Lloyd married Jame^ Audi 
 
 VI Frances Lloyd Andrews (wife of William 
 Pusey Marshall). 
 
 I. Samuel Sellers married Anna Gibbons. 
 II Samuel Sellers 12) married Sarah Smith, 
 daughter of John Smith and Elenor Dolby. 
 III. Hannah Sellers (wife of Richard Lloyd). 
 
 I. John Blunston, who came in 1682 from 
 Derbyshire, England, and settled in Darby, mar- 
 ried Sarah . II. John Blunston, Jr., 
 
 married Ann Hunt, daughter of James Hunt and 
 Elizabeth Bonsall. III. Hannah Blunston mar- 
 ried Thomas Pearson, son of Benjamin Pearson, 
 who came from Yorkshire, England, about 1712, 
 end Susanna Bui beck. IV. Susanna Pearson 
 (wife of Hugh Lloyd). 
 
 I. Thomas Paschall, who came from Bris- 
 tol, England, to Philadelphia, married Joanna 
 Sloper. II. Thomas Paschall man u-d Margar- 
 et Jenkins, daughter of William Jenkins, who 
 came from Turby, Wales, about 1682, and settled 
 in Haverford, and Elizabeth Griffith, the latter 
 a daughter of Lewis Griffith. III. John Pas- 
 chall married Frances Hodge, daughter of Henry 
 Hodge, "I Philadelphia, Penn., who was a son 
 of Henry Hodge, of Antigua, and Frances Knight, 
 the latter a daughter of ( hristopher Knight, of 
 Antigua. IV. Dr. Henry Paschall married Ann 
 P.Garrett. V. Frances Paschall married Charles 
 Lloyd. VI. Hannah Lloyd (wife of James An- 
 drews). 
 
 I. John Garrett 1 wife Mary). II. William 
 Garrett, who came in [684 from Liecestershire, 
 England, and* settled in Darby, married Ann 
 Kirke. III. Samuel Garrett married Jane Pen- 
 nell, daughter of Robert and Hannah Pennell. 
 
 IV. Nathan Garrett married Ann Knowles. 
 
 V. Ann P. Garrett iwife of Dr. Henry Paschall 1. 
 I. John Knowles, of Berkshire, England, 
 
 married Elizabeth Newman, daughter of Paul 
 Newman, of Berkshire. England. II. John 
 
 • wles (2), who came from Berkshire, Eng- 
 land, and settled in Oxford township, Philadel- 
 phia, married Ann Paull, daughter of Joseph, 
 who came from Somersetshire. England, about 
 1686, and Margaret Paull. Ill Ann Knowles 
 (2) (wife of Nathan Garrett). 
 
 The ancestors of Margaret P. Marshall were 
 English, Welsh and, possibly, French-Huguenot. 
 The majority of these ancestors were Friends, or 
 Quakers, the Marshalls from the time of George 
 Fox. Hugh Lloyd, son of Richard, was a colonel 
 of the Chester County Associators during the war 
 of Independence. Later, he was twice elected 
 a member of the State Legislature, but before 
 the expiration of his second term he was com- 
 missioned one of the judges of the courts of 
 Delaware county, which office he filled for thirty- 
 three years, resigning on account of old age 
 December 31. 1825. In 1793 he was one of the 
 Electors from Pennsylvania that elected, unani- 
 mously, George Washington President of the 
 United States for his second term. Through the 
 Lloyds she traces her ancestry to the Princes of 
 of Wales and the Kings of England: I. Will- 
 iam, the Conqueror, King of England, and Ma- 
 tilda, his wife, had a son, Henry I. Henry had 
 a daughter Matilda, who married Geoffrey, Duke 
 it Anjou. Matilda had a son, Henry II. Henry 
 married Eleanor, and had a son, John. John 
 married (second) Isabella. Their son, Henry 
 III., married Eleanor. Then son, Edward I., 
 married Eleanor, daughter of Ferdinand III., of 
 Castile. Their daughter, Eleanor, married Henri, 
 Count de Barr, of France. Their daughter, 
 Eleanor de Barr, married Llewelyn ap Own 
 ap Merededd, from Rhys ap Tudor, Prince of 
 h Wales Their son, Thomas ap Llewelyn, 
 married Eleanor, granddaughter of Llewelyn ap 
 Griffith, Prince ol North Wales, and Eleanor 
 Montfort, daughter of Simon de Montfort, Earl 
 of Leicester. Their daughter, Eleanor, married 
 Gruffydd Yychan IV.. Baron of Glyndyfrdwy. 
 Their son. Lord of Gwyddelwern, married M. 
 daughter of Ieuf ap Howel ap Ada. Their only 
 daughter Lowry and heiress), married Gruffydd 
 ap Einion of Corsygedoi in Merionethshire. 
 Their son, Ellissau ap Gruffydd, married Mar- 
 
 t, daughter and heiress of Jenkin ap Ieuan. 
 Their daughter Lowrj married Reinallt ap 
 Gruffydd ap Rhys, of Branas Uchaf. Their daugh- 
 ter Mary married Robert Lloyd ap David Lloyd, 
 of Gwern ol Brychdwyn. Their son, Thomas 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 877 
 
 Lloyd, married Catharine, daughter of Robert 
 ap Griffith. Their daughter Mary married 
 Richard of Tyddyn Tyfod, who had a son, Rhys 
 ap Richard. Who had a son, Griffith ap Rhys. 
 Who had a son, Richard Price. Who had a 
 daughter, Hannah, married Rees John William. 
 Their daughter Lowry married Robert Lloyd 
 (Pioneer in Pennsylvania). Their son Richard 
 married Hannah Sellers. Their son Hugh mar- 
 ried Susanna Pearson. Their son Charles 
 married Frances Paschall. Their daughter 
 Hannah married James Andrews. Their daughter 
 Frances Lloyd married William P. Marshall; 
 and their daughter Margaret P. Marshall married 
 George G. Groff (our subject). 
 
 Rhirid Flaidd,* Lord of Penllyn, married 
 Gwenllian, daughter of Edynfed, Lord of 
 Broughton. Their son Madog of Rhiwaedog, 
 Lord of Penllyn, married Ardun, daughter of 
 Philip ap Uchtrydd, Lord of Cyfeiliog. Their 
 son Iorwerth, Lord of Penllyn, married Gwer- 
 fyl, daughter of Pasgen ap Gwyn ap Gruffydd, 
 Lord of Cidigfa, and Deuddwr. Their son, 
 Madog ap Iorwerth, Lord of Penllyn married Eva, 
 daughter of Griffith ap Einion ap Griffith. 
 Their son Sir Gruffyd ap Madog, mar- 
 ried Janet, daughter of Cynfelyn ap Dol- 
 phin, Lord of Manofon. Their son, Sir Ievan 
 ap Gruffyd, Knt, of Llanuwchllyn, and Cefn 
 Treflaith in Llanstundwy, married Annesta, 
 daughter of Llewelyn ap Einion ap Meiler Grug, 
 Lord of Tref Gynon. Their son Ievan Vychan, 
 of Llanuwchllyn, in the Comot of Penllyn, mar- 
 ried Anne, daughter of Sir Griffith Vaughan, 
 Knight Banneret, at Agincourt; and Lord of 
 Burgedin, Garth, and Garth Fawr. Their son 
 David ap Ievan Vychan, of Llanuwchllyn, mar- 
 ried Gwenhwyfar, daughter of David Lloyd ap 
 Howell, descended from Rhirid Flaidd, Lord of 
 Penllyn. Their son, David Lloyd, ap David, of 
 Llanuwchllyn and Llandderfel Penllyn, married 
 (first) Annesta, daughter of Griffith ap Ievan. 
 Their son, Robert Lloyd, of Mantfreur, in 
 Llandderfth, Penllyn, married Mary, daughter of 
 Reynold ap Griffith of Upper Branas. Their 
 son, Thomas ap Robert Lloyd, married Cather- 
 ine, daughter of Robert ap Griffith, ap Evan, 
 derived from Marchweithian, Lord of Isaled. 
 Their daughter Mary married Richard of Tyddin 
 Tyfod, and had a son Rhys, ap Richard of Tyd- 
 din Tyfod, alias Rees Richard. His son Griffith 
 ap Rhys, of Tyddin Tyfod, married and had a 
 son Richard Price (alias ap Rees, or Prees), of 
 Tyddin Tyfod, who married and had a daughter 
 
 "Rhirid Flaidd himself traced his line toGynedda Waledig. a native 
 chieftain of Cumberland, who. according to the Triads, lived in the 
 fourth century, and was one of the first to embrace Christianity, and who 
 donated much land to the Christian missionaries. 
 
 Hannah; she married Rees John William (alias 
 Prees Jones of Merion, near Philadelphia). Their 
 daughter Lowry married Robert Lloyd. Their 
 son Richard married Hannah Sellers. Their 
 son Hugh married Susanna Pearson. Their son 
 Charles married Frances Paschall. Their daugh- 
 ter Hannah married James Andrews. Their 
 daughter Frances Lloyd married William P. 
 Marshall, and their daughter Margaret P. Mar- 
 shall married George G. Groff (our subject). 
 
 OHN F. SCHOCH, a leading citizen of New 
 Berlin, Union county, belongs to that numer- 
 ous and important class of business men 
 known as commercial travelers. A long term of 
 service with the same firm shows his practical 
 and effective work better than words could do, 
 and the reward of his efforts is seen in a com- 
 fortable competence and a beautiful and well- 
 appointed home. 
 
 Mr. Schoch is a descendant of a prominent 
 pioneer family of Limestone township, Union 
 county, his great-grandfather, Jacob Schoch, a 
 son of Matthias Schoch, of Snyder county, hav- 
 ing settled in that locality at an early day. 
 Sem Schoch, the grandfather of our subject, was 
 born at New Berlin, in 1805, and he and his wife, 
 Esther Klose, reared there a large family, among 
 whom was a son Charles, our subject's father, 
 born October 1, 1828. Charles Schoch was 
 married, in 1849, near Middleburg, Penn , to 
 Miss Amelia Klose, a native of Snyder county, 
 born March 18, 1830. She was a member of the 
 well-known family of Daniel Klose, and a twin 
 sister of Rev. Daniel Klose. After his marriage, 
 Charles Schoch resided for some time at New 
 Berlin where he was employed in a tannery be- 
 longing to his father, but later he removed to 
 Allenville, Penn., and, in 1855, went to the 
 vicinity of Parkville, Mich., where he purchased 
 a farm. He died there September 9, 1 860, his un- 
 timely death cutting short a promising career. He 
 was a devout Christian, a member of the Lu- 
 theran Church, and was held in high esteem by all 
 who knew him. His widow still lives near Park- 
 ville, and of their seven children all but one 
 survive. Alice, born July 27, 1850, married 
 James M. King, deceased, of Three Rivers, Mich. ; 
 William A., born December 31, 1851, resides at 
 Petoskey, Mich. ; John F. is mentioned more 
 fully farther on; Emma D., born December 31, 
 1854, is the widow of George A. Young, of Bat- 
 tle Creek, Mich.; Elizabeth J., born October 1, 
 1856, married A. H. Thurston, and died at Nat- 
 tawa, Mich.; Ida M. , born August 27, 1858, 
 married Samuel Bennett, and resides near Park- 
 
878 
 
 VOUATIVE BI0QRAP1WM. RECORD. 
 
 ville, Mich.; Mary E., born April 2, i86t>, is the 
 wife of Orville Daugherty, of Three Risers, 
 Michigan. 
 
 John F. Schoch was born July 19, 1853, 
 while his parents were Living at Allenville, Penn., 
 and as he was but a child ol two years when his 
 parents removed to Michigan his education was 
 begun there. When he was seven years old his 
 father died and he returned to Pennsylvania to 
 make his home with his paternal grandfather. at 
 New Berlin, Ins studies being continued m the 
 schools of that place. He entered upon his busi- 
 ness career in 1S71 as a chrk in the store of H. 
 I Miller, of Selins Grove, at a salary of eight 
 dollars a month. Though inexperienced in com- 
 mercial life he learned the business quickly, and 
 after two years he accepted a situation as sales- 
 man l'i Beates & Miller, wholesale druggists at 
 Philadelphia. With th< ption of one year 
 
 (1876), when he acted as bookkeeper, he has 
 continued in the same position, Ins territory em- 
 bracing much of centra] Pennsylvania. During 
 tlii- quarter of century he has spent with this 
 house, changes have been made in the owner- 
 ship, the firm being now Miller & Lambert, but 
 In-- faithful and diligent sen ice has been at all 
 times appreciated. 
 
 On September 25. 1S88, Mr. Schoch was 
 married to Miss Lila A. Keeler, of Freeburg, 
 I tin., and on January \z. [889, he located at 
 New Berlin where he has ever since made his 
 home. His resi • which has been thorough- 
 
 ly remodeled, is without doubt as richlv and 
 artistically furnished as any other in the county. 
 No one can begrudge Mr. Schoch his well-earned 
 prosperity, and certainly no one in New Berlin, 
 where he passed his boyhood, can fail to rejoice 
 in his success. He is at all times interested in 
 local improvements, and is regarded as one of 
 the progressive citizens of the town Politically 
 his sympathies are with the Democratic party, 
 but 1h is not a blind partisan, and votes for the 
 best man, upon whatever ticket his name maybe 
 placed. His interest in polil rids onl) to 
 
 the support of the principles involved, and his 
 active work ends with the depositing of his own 
 ballot. Both Mr. and Mis. Schoch are mem- 
 bers of the Lutheran Church. 
 
 HENRY FRICK HUNTER. Pride in an 
 h irable tinea but an indication of 
 
 just appreciation of values, and in this day when 
 the worship of wealth threi to undermine 
 
 our higher ideals, it should be encouraged as 
 tending to emphasize more chivalric qualities 
 The subject of this sketch, a prominent resident 
 
 of Spring Garden. Union county, has an inter- 
 esting genealogy, which will furnish a suitable 
 introduction to his personal history. 
 
 On the paternal side he is a grandson of Da- 
 vid Hunter, a native of County Donegal, Ireland, 
 who came to America at an early date, and mar- 
 ried Isabella Patterson, of the Patterson manor, 
 in Chester (now Lancaster; county, Penn. They 
 settled at Spring Garden, where they maintained 
 an elegant home, employing servants to do their 
 work, an unusual thing in pioneer times. Their 
 son, James P., our subject's father, married Mar- 
 garet Montgomery, through whom our subject 
 can claim descent from a still more remote an- 
 cestr\. dating back to 1066, when William the 
 [ueror invaded England. Several of his 
 principal officers bore the name ,,| Montgomery. 
 Of these, some remained in England, while others 
 settled themselves in Ireland, and others again 
 in Scotland; some of their descendants, in after 
 is, emigrated to the English Colonies of 
 North America, now the United Mates of North 
 America, long before oui American Revolution- 
 ary war of 1775-83, and then descendants are 
 now found in every State and Territory of the 
 United States. Among the members of this 
 family we may mention especially Thomas Mont- 
 gomery, an Irishman by birth, who married 
 English lady, and lived in the City of Dublin, 
 Ireland. He had three sons, named Alexander, 
 John and Richard, and a daughter, who was mar- 
 ried to Viscount Ranelagh. Alexander was an 
 otiicer in the English army under Gen. Wolfe, 111 
 tin' hard fought battle between Gen. Wolfe and 
 Gen. Montcalm on the Plains of Abraham, at the 
 city of Quebec, in Canada. North America, and 
 wherein both of the said generals fell mortally 
 wounded. Alexander, after his return t" Ire- 
 land, represented the Countj Donegal, in Ire- 
 land, in the British Parliament h>r forty success- 
 sears. 11k brother [ohn was a noted mer- 
 chant in the city of Lisbon, Portugal, and died 
 there, while Richard, the third son. became an 
 officer in the 17th Regiment of the British army, 
 and was under Gen. Amherst at the taking of 
 ■ Breton, in North America, in the war be- 
 tween France and England. In 1772 Richard 
 Montgomery came t<> New York, purchased a 
 farm at Kmgsbridge. and in Jul)'. 1773, he mar- 
 ried Janet Livingston, the daughter of Robert R 
 Livingston. At the conn ent of our Revo- 
 
 lutionary war, Congress appointed Philip Schuy- 
 ler major-general and Richard Montgomery brig- 
 adier-general, at the special request of Gen. 
 Washington. Schuyler and Montgomery were 
 ordered to invade and conquer Canada, and 
 hed at the head of their forces for said pur- 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 879 
 
 pose. Schuyler soon afterward became sick, 
 which then gave Montgomery the command of 
 the whole army, and he received his commission 
 as major-general before he attacked Quebec. 
 After making himself master of upper Canada, 
 he advanced against Quebec, where he waited 
 for reinforcements under the command of Gen. 
 Benedict Arnold, and while so waiting his army 
 was much reduced in number by the smallpox. 
 On Arnold's arrival, Montgomery ordered Arnold 
 to attack the upper part of Quebec, while he 
 himself (Montgomery) attacked the fortifications 
 of the lower part of the town. Montgomery and 
 his two aides-de-camp fell mortally wounded, in 
 front of his army, almost immediately on his 
 making the attack, and through the courtesy of 
 Gen. Carleton, of the British army, the body of 
 Montgomery was buried within the walls of the 
 city of Quebec, with the honors of war. His 
 body remained there for forty-three years, but 
 was then, in pursuance of a special Act of the 
 Legislature of New York, removed from Quebec 
 to the city of New York, and reburied, with a 
 suitable monument erected to his memory. 
 
 fn 1737, Robert Montgomery, the head of 
 our subject's branch of the family, born about 
 1705, emigrated from the County Armagh in Ire- 
 land, with his wife Sarah and his children, and 
 settled himself on or near the site of the present 
 city of Harrisburg, in Lancaster (now Dauphin) 
 county, Penn. He was one of the first grand 
 jurors of Dauphin county. 
 
 On October 15, 1776, he died, aged seventy- 
 one years, and was buried in the Paxton Church 
 cemetery, about three miles from Harrisburg, 
 and on October 15, 1784, Sarah Montgomery, 
 his wife, died, and was buried in the same place. 
 They left five sons: William, Thomas, Hugh, 
 David, and John; and three daughters — Mrs. 
 Duncan, of Duncan's Island; Mrs. Nathan Pat- 
 ton, of Milton, and Mrs. Gallagher. 
 
 Our subject's great-grandfather was the fifth 
 son of the aforesaid Robert and Sarah Montgom- 
 ery, was born in Ireland, and was only four years 
 of age when he came to America. He married, 
 as we have already seen, Christiana Foster, of 
 Lancaster county. Penn. About 1773 he ex- 
 changed his improved farm in Dauphin county, 
 for a large tract of wild land, owned by William 
 Patterson, in Turbut township, in Northumber- 
 land county, and soon afterward settled there on 
 that part which now forms the farm of the heirs 
 of Philip Raup, deceased. He built himself a 
 small dwelling-house, made of stout hickory sap- 
 lings, near the spring, and surrounded his house 
 and spring with a stockade fence. He also built 
 himself a small log barn on the east side of his 
 
 house and spring. Said Patterson also owned 
 several other tracts of land adjoining, but 
 as he had valued this as being the best he 
 called it Paradise. On July 28, 1779, about 
 three hundred British and Indians attacked and 
 burned down " Fort Freeland " on the Warrior 
 Run creek about four miles from his home. On 
 his being informed of what was going on at Fort 
 Freeland, he made his escape with his wife and 
 children to Dauphin county, Penn., where he 
 rented a farm of John Harris, near the present 
 city of Harrisburg, until 1783, when peace with 
 Great Britain was declared; and he then returned 
 to Northumberland county. On arriving there 
 he found that the Indians had burned down all 
 his buildings, and that Capt. William Rice and 
 his forty German soldiers of Col. Lund Weltner's 
 " German Battalion," sent to our frontiers in the 
 fall of 1779, had built a nice two-story limestone 
 building that enclosed his spring. He then 
 made some alterations in and additions to said 
 spring house building, and used it as a dwelling 
 house. On November 8, 1792, he was killed at 
 the age of fifty-eight years, by a tree falling on 
 him while he was opening what was called " The 
 Derry Road," leading from the town of Milton 
 to Derry township, in Northumberland (now 
 Montour) county. His widow, Christiana, died 
 March 2, 1821, aged eighty years, and she and 
 her husband both lie buried in the old Chillis- 
 quaque graveyard. They had seven children as 
 follows: Robert, John, William, David, Jane, 
 Sarah, and Margaret. 
 
 Robert Montgomery, our subject's grand- 
 father, was born in 1762. About the year 1790 
 he married Catherine Frick, a lady of German 
 descent, of the town of Northumberland, and 
 settled himself one mile east of grandfather's 
 homestead. Catherine died on the 9th of Sep- 
 tember, 1805, aged thirty-eight years, four 
 months and five days, and was buried in the 
 Warrior Run graveyard. About the year 1808, 
 Robert married Mary Harrison, his second wife, 
 and died on the first of December, 18 14, aged 
 fifty-two years, and was buried in the Warrior 
 Run graveyard. Robert Montgomery by his first 
 wife, Catherine Frick, had two sons and four 
 daughters named: John, David, Margaret, Cath- 
 erine, Christiana and Sarah. 
 
 Margaret Montgomery was born July 14, 
 1794, and on July 9, 1S16, married James P. 
 Hunter. They at first lived a mile east of Para- 
 dise homestead, and adjoining the farm of Judge 
 Montgomery, and afterward moved to the White 
 Deer Hole Valley, where Margaret died on Feb- 
 ruary 28, 1880, aged eighty-five years, eight 
 months and twelve days, and was buried in the 
 
COMMBMORA TIVB BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 Washington Church graveyard, in said Valley. 
 |, m , s P. Hunter was born Apn 2, .794. » 
 Northumberland county, and .hcd December .8, 
 i8 75> aged eighty-one years.eight months and 
 teen day" He was a miller and farmer in Gi 
 township, Union county, for many years, locating 
 there in 1809. For fifty years he owned and 
 operated a pottery in the same township. He 
 prominent in I hold.ng various 
 
 offices^ and n. political affiliations was hrst a 
 Whig and later a Republican. His wife was a 
 d e VO ut member ol the Presbyterian Church. 
 . bad eleven children: Robert, born April 
 i 4 1817, died in .860; Isabel, born s, ,„,,„- 
 ber 19, 1818, died August 9, .888; David born 
 Ipril io, 1820. died May 10. .886; Edmi 
 Burk. born May 2, 1822, died March .5. 1846; 
 r hn is a grain merchant at Ashland, Penn., 
 H U gh 1).. bom September n, 1826, died Janu- 
 ary 22 1885; lames P., died in the town of Che- 
 halis, Wash.. February 23, 1893; Henry F., 
 mentioned more fully farther on; Thomas a 
 plasterer, lives in Nebraska; Charles G born 
 T U 1 V ,c ,835, died June 10, 1879; and Miss 
 Sarah resides upon a portion of the old Hunter 
 homestead at Spring Garden. 
 
 Henry Frick Hunter was born October 7. 
 ,8->9 at the homestead in Gregg township, 
 Union county, which was then a part of Lycom- 
 ing county. He attended the local schools during 
 bovhood, and remained at home until he reached 
 his majority, his time being largely spent in as- 
 sisting his father on the farm and in the pottery. 
 \t twenty-one he went to Iowa where he worked 
 at the potter's trade for two years, but he 
 decided that there was no place like home, and 
 turning he spent ten years with his father, 
 managing the farm in summer and working in the 
 pottery in winter. During the war he went to 
 Virginia where he was employed for two years, 
 by a sutler to give out provisions. Since return- 
 ing to the North he has been engaged in farming, 
 and during a part of the tune has also operated 
 a pottery. Having become the owner of his 
 father's plant he sold it in 1876, but in .890 he 
 purchased another from the heirs of his br. 
 Hugh and this he is still conducting, 
 never taken an active part in political affairs 
 gh he is a believer in the principles of the 
 Republican party, and he has not at any time 
 been a member of a fraternal order. Heisintei 
 dint hurch work, however, and is 1 
 the Presbyterian Congregation at Spring 
 
 ^oTjanuarv 1. 1879. he was married to Miss 
 
 Esther McKee, who was born January 13, i»34. 
 
 ,,- Watsontown. Northumberland Co.. I enn. 
 
 Her grandfather, Robert McKee. a native of Scot- 
 land crossed the ocean with a brother George, 
 and settled in Northumberland county, or. a farm 
 where his remaining years were spent. His wife, 
 Manha Walla,-,-, was a native of Perry county, 
 Pennsylvania. Their son. George C Mrs. Hun- 
 ter's father, was horn in Northumberland county 
 an d remained there following agricultural pur- 
 suits He was an active Republican, holding 
 various local offices, and is a member oi the 
 Presbyterian Church. He married Miss Mary 
 Bennett, daughter of Joseph and Nancy (Wat- 
 son) Bennett, both of whom were born and 
 reared at the present site of Watsontown and 
 , their marriage settled there upon a farm 
 Mrs. Hunter was the eldest of a family of eight 
 children. Of the others: James resides m Wat- 
 sontown; Martha married her cousin, Robert Mc- 
 Kee now a retired farmer living at Watsontown; 
 , ane is the wife of Jacob Leisher, a farmer in 
 Northumberland county; Mary married S. V. 
 Gottshawl. a coach manufacturer at Wilhams- 
 nort Penn. ; Miss Sarah resides with her brother; 
 Henry P. and George are both farmers in 
 Northumberland county. 
 
 WI1 LIAM CHRISTIAN GRETZINGER, 
 Ph B was born in Reading, Penn., 
 Auenst-23. '866, and comes from a vigorous 
 German ancestry who were among the hrst set- 
 tlers in Berks county, Penn. His father v. 
 Tohn Christian Gretzinger. the only son of Chris- 
 tian and Christianna Gret/.inger. of Reading. His 
 grandmother, Christianna Gretzinger, was a 
 daughter of John Print*, an early settler of Read- 
 in/ His mother was Amelia, daughter of J ere- 
 mfahand Henrietta Went/el, the latter having 
 been a daughter of Henry and Mary Le.nbach 
 of Alsace township, Berks Co Penn. Mar 
 Christianna. wife of Wilson Snyder, of Hyde 
 Park (Berhart's P. O.), Berks county, and Will- 
 iam Christian Gretzinger. were the only children 
 ,,, r hn C. and Amelia Gretzinger. 
 
 Mr. Gretzinger (our subject) received hisrud- 
 imentarj "' the public schools of 
 
 Reading, aftei leaving which he took a course in 
 the Reading Business College Later on be. en- 
 tered 11 Institute, Reading, a ory 
 ir college, and while at that institution 
 nerecer 1,1 medal (or deportment After 
 &nis hing Ins course he started to read law, but 
 U the need ol a m.,re thorough preparation 
 for Ins chosen profession he took a course at 
 kiomen Seminary, from there entered Buck- 
 nilll „ and was graduated from that in- 
 stitution with a first-class oration in the Latin 
 
2? 
 
 r r 
 
 AjiJhZi-^^QjL^--' 
 
 Registrar of Bucknell University. 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 881 
 
 Scientific Course with the class of 1889. Mr. 
 Gretzinger received the Chaplain J. J. Kane 
 prize, a gold watch, for the best graduating ora- 
 tion, and also won the Junior Oratorical prize, 
 whilst in college. 
 
 During his college course Mr. Gretzinger was 
 always active and prominent in all the important 
 affairs of the University. In 1887 he founded 
 the Commencement News. He was also the prime 
 mover in founding LAgenda, in 188S, and be- 
 came the business manager of that publication. 
 He was assistant manager for one year and busi- 
 ness manager of the Bucknell Mirror for two 
 years, and served on the Board of Editors during 
 his Senior year. 
 
 In 1889, before his graduation, he was elected 
 Business Agent (now called Registrar) of Buck- 
 nell University, which position he has held with 
 credit to himself and with honor to the institu- 
 tion ever since. He has made the office what 
 it is to-day. having systematized the business 
 affairs of all the departments of the University 
 under one central office with perfect satisfaction. 
 
 On February 11, 1891, Mr. Gretzinger mar- 
 ried Mary Adelaide Stoner, who graduated from 
 Bucknell Institute with the class of 1887, and 
 their marriage has been blessed by one daughter, 
 Margaret Christine. Mrs. Gretzinger is the eld- 
 est daughter of William Bruce Stoner, M. D., of 
 Sunbury, and Margaret (Henderson) Stoner, of 
 Hummelstown. 
 
 While in college Mr. Gretzinger spent his va- 
 cations either in reading law or doing work for 
 city newspapers. For a time he was editor of 
 the Lewisburg Chronicle. He was also editor of 
 the Shield, the official organ of the Phi Kappa 
 Psi fraternity. 
 
 Mr. Gretzinger has always been actively 
 identified with the interests of Lewisburg. He 
 is a member of the town council. He is also a 
 member of the Lewisburg Fire Department, and 
 of the I. O. O. F., Lodge No. 96. He has been 
 mentioned several times for political preferment 
 in the Republican party, but has steadfastly de- 
 clined such honors. Besides his secular duties, 
 he still is able to devote time to religious mat- 
 ters, being secretary of the board of trustees of 
 the Lewisburg Baptist Church, and secretary 
 of the Sunday-school. 
 
 WALTER FAMILY, which is now numer- 
 ously represented in this section, has an 
 honorable reputation maintained through several 
 generations of upright and useful citizenship. In 
 the following address, read by Prof. F. C. Bow- 
 ersox, of Middleburg, Snyder county, at a re- 
 
 56* 
 
 union of the Walter family held in September, 
 1891, at Middleburg, we find such an interesting 
 and accurate account that we venture to insert it 
 in full: 
 
 In seeking to go back, by the traces of recol- 
 lection, to the period when the first impressions 
 of the pioneers which from the history of the 
 Walter family were made on our minds, we are 
 carried so completely into the scenes of our in- 
 fancy, that we feel like a child such as old tales 
 tell of, who being lost in a forest tries to find his 
 way back again by the possibly preserved track 
 of a few grains of corn that he chanced to scatter 
 on the ground as he came. To wander in these 
 memories has, however, a pleasure of its own, 
 many pleasant places presenting themselves to 
 stop at, from whence to review with a sweet sad- 
 ness, through the long vale of past days, some 
 distant, lovely scene, under the soul-hallowed 
 twilight of time — such scenes are peopled with 
 beloved forms, living there before our heart's-eye; 
 but, in reality, long removed from us into an 
 eternal paradise. History, time's great chron- 
 icler, breathes with ineffable delight the story of 
 man's advent into the world. Prophecy declares 
 that the seed of Abraham shall be as innumer- 
 able as the stars of the firmanent, and the facts 
 prove that the posterity of Jacob Walter, in the 
 present census number hundreds of thousands, 
 and constitute the largest kindred in the United 
 States. 
 
 Amid the ice-clad mountains of the kingdom 
 of Wurtemberg, Germany, diversified by the 
 picturesque scenery of the beautiful Rhine, Jacob 
 was born on the 15th day of January, 1729. Be- 
 ing of poor but sturdy parentage, the boy soon 
 learned adversity's sternest lessons, and with a 
 noble aim and honest face, as his only recom- 
 mendation, we, in fancy, see him leave the hum- 
 ble home to launch out into the temptation and 
 trials of an active life as a tailor's apprentice, 
 content in his chosen occupation, unmindful of 
 his privations, courageous in his conduct, prepos- 
 sessing in his appearance, he calmly passes from 
 his teens into the glorious morning of manhood's 
 estate. And while no vain ambition racks his 
 brain and destroys his future prospects, he hon- 
 orably emulates the skill of his fellow-craftsmen, 
 inspiring their confidence and esteem and win- 
 ning their warmest friendship. Laboring patient- 
 ly on, he forms new associations, greets new 
 friends and while at some village gathering, or 
 in some humble hamlet, Apollo gently strikes the 
 golden Lyre, Cupid draws his bow, the arrow 
 hits the heart and Jacob Walter is deeply in love 
 with Maria Kauffman. I imagine a short court- 
 ship follows, visions of a home fill his thoughts 
 
B82 
 
 COMMKM0I1A TIVE BIWUIAI'IIH AI. UECOIiD. 
 
 by day and dreams of enduring happiness by 
 night. Proposals are made and accepted, and on 
 the 24th day of July, 1757, the happiest day in 
 his life, Jacob Walter and Maria Kauffman are 
 made one in wedded bliss. Continuing in his 
 trade, he works faithfully to maintain himself and 
 wife and to secure the long-desired home. But 
 ere that happy end is attained, a welcome little 
 visitor appears to gladden the heart of the fathei 
 and grace the bosom of the mother. But bow 
 quickly the picture of earthly opulence is 
 ruined, competition grows greater, the paltry 
 wages earned will scarcely meet the neces- 
 expenditures of his household. No open hand 
 of relief stands ready to help. Great sacrifices 
 must be made; poverty stares him in the face and 
 all seems desolation, when at last, a report, 
 properly authenticated, comes from England to 
 Germany declaring that in America are millions 
 of broad acres to be cultivated, and offering free 
 passage to all families who will go there. Bi 
 suddenly seized with a burning desire to immi- 
 grate to the New World, Jacob soon secured his 
 passports, agreed to pay hi- in a limi 
 
 time, and with family and portable possessions, 
 left the endearing scenes of childhood and youth 
 and set sail on Ocean's turbulent waves; after a 
 two-months' voyage they land at Philadelphia, 
 homeless, friendless, penniless and grief-stricken, 
 for far out in the depths of Atlantii 's chilling bil- 
 ious, lay the remains of what once was a father's 
 pride and a mother's comfort. 
 
 Leaving the din and bustle of the city behind 
 them, the}- pushed forward to the fertile acres 
 of Lancaster county. Settling there for a time, 
 they soon hear that richer fortunes lie to the 
 rthward, and rather liking the adventure prom- 
 ised in a prospecting journey, they accordingly 
 leave Lancaster county, then the western civili- 
 zation, plunge deeper and deeper still into the 
 gloomy wilderness, never desponding, never com- 
 plaining until the peaceful shades of a tall white 
 oak tree, standing on the property now possessed 
 b\ 1-a ii Swarm, was reached. Under its invit- 
 ing foliage a small tent was erected, a home once 
 more established, and thousands of acres of land 
 secured under the homestead law then in fori 
 \\ ith his gun and axe, Jacob Walter provides for 
 his family. One giant after another kisses the 
 breeze foi the last time, then falls at the stroke 
 of the axe, and is soon transformed into a rafter 
 to complete his newly erected log house. The 
 unerring aim of that trusty gun brings down the 
 fleet-footed deer, and the odor of the sweet veni- 
 son steaks prepared in that humble home render 
 the air redolent with fragrance. Clearing acre 
 after acre, sowing seed after seed, he labored 
 
 from early morning till the shadows of evening 
 
 fell, and while vague yearnings of ambition may 
 fail as he grows older in years, and dreamy fan- 
 cies hang like cloud cities around him, yet the 
 curtain of existence is slowing but surelv rising 
 in many-colored splendor and gloom, and the 
 ethereal light of God's love is gilding his horizon, 
 and the music of song is on his path as he walks 
 in glory and in joy behind his plough upon the 
 mi mntain side. 
 
 Time rolled on. Twelve sons and two daugh- 
 ters blessed his union with Maria Kauffman. 
 And, with the additional aid thus raised, heerect- 
 , ed the first linseed mill for the manufacture of 
 oil in this section of Pennsylvania. By judicious 
 management he was enabled to keep a small force 
 engaged in cutting down the mighty forest, burn- 
 ing the timber, splitting rails, tilling the soil, 
 manufacturing the oil. while he still found a few- 
 spare moments to follow his trade, that of mak- 
 ing buckskin pantaloons. 
 
 With increased aid came greater wealth, and 
 after harvesting the grain and converting it into 
 cash, one autumn day he started for the village 
 of Reading, perhaps to remove the last and only 
 lien the government held on his thousands of 
 acres. It appears to me, as he mounted the 
 steed at the door of his humble home, while the 
 anxious family gathered round to press their sad 
 farewells, an earnest prayer went up to God t o 
 protect those loved ones from hostile hand and 
 restore in safety to their sweet embrace their n< >w 
 departing father. Recognizing the providence of 
 Almighty God in his signal delivery from Indians 
 and wild beasts, he resolves to commemorate his 
 safe return, and to enshrine his memory in the 
 hearts of his children by the presentation of a 
 large Bible, costing $10, to each of his ten liv- 
 ing sons, so that, notwithstanding the absence of 
 schools, they may be taught the habit of well- 
 directed reading, which, in time, would become a 
 source of the greatest pleasure and self-improve- 
 ment, and exercise a gentle coercion, with the 
 most beneficial results, over the whole tenor of 
 their character and nature. 
 
 With the destruction of the forests came the 
 glimmering rays of civilization. The country 
 began to be more thickly populated. Young 
 people became more sociable, because of more 
 frequent opportunities presenting themselves for 
 friendly intercourse with their neighbors. Plans 
 were laid, suggestions made, decisions determined, 
 and the conclusion attained is, that younger 
 shoulders must assume the cares and responsi- 
 bilities of pioneer life. The storms and hurri- 
 canes of many winters are rapidly revealing their 
 painful tale in the silver tresses of father's head. 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 883 
 
 That frame once so erect is now stooped and 
 bent. That step once so firm and elastic is now 
 feeble and tottering. Mother, too, has a few 
 more furrows engraved on that calm and noble 
 brow. Her cares and labors for so large a fam- 
 ily are too distressing. She needs more aid to 
 lighten her burdens in the kitchen, at the wash 
 tub and in the garden. Father also desires to 
 lay off the responsibilities of the farm, to cease 
 from its active management, and to repose in his 
 declining years in comparative comfort and ease. 
 
 The manly sons, perceiving the fast approach- 
 ing inevitable, determine to hasten the relief by 
 assuming the burdens and cares of the parents. 
 David, accordingly, speaks more affectionately to 
 Susanna Everhart; John and Joseph hasten with 
 lighter step to the Misses Kern; Philip pays 
 closer attention to Miss Bowersox; Henry gayly 
 climbs the wood-covered hills to the home of 
 Miss Mertz; Jeremiah finds the Pearl of the 
 Price's; Christian walks in living faith by the 
 side of Miss Swartz; Jacob follows the course of 
 the setting sun to Miss Lauver; and Michael ca- 
 ressingly clings to Miss Varick. Not content 
 with the inroads already made in the Walter 
 family, affection led Daniel Hassinger to seek 
 the blushing Elizabeth, and Mr. Stroub the timid 
 Mary. With the greatest joy each wedding day 
 is announced, the nuptials in succession tied, the 
 parental blessing bestowed, the land divided, and 
 each son and daughter leave the home of so 
 many joys and sorrows to carry to a higher state 
 of cultivation his farm, which was the well-ap- 
 pointed gift of the father, and there rear their 
 families in the beneficent atmosphere of personal 
 freedom. 
 
 The pioneer fathers, perceiving the necessity 
 of greater educational facilities than those af- 
 forded by the hearth and fireside, endeavored to 
 establish a school. I imagine the undertaking to 
 be no little difficulty since the children would be 
 compelled to travel several miles to any central 
 point among the few settlers. The idea was 
 abandoned for awhile, and an improvised school 
 held at a neighbor's house, but at last through 
 the generosity of one Simmons, a tract of land, 
 now owned by the Lutheran Church of the Gen- 
 eral Council, commonly known as Hassinger's 
 Church, was devised for the erection thereon of 
 school and church buildings as well as for the 
 maintenance of the same. Probably, a good 
 school having been established for the following 
 season in some neighbor's house, the church 
 building was the first to materialize on the de- 
 vised lands. Jacob Walter, Mr. Hassinger and 
 Mr. Maurer constituted a committee to superin- 
 tend building of the log church situated on the 
 
 exact site where the third (present) church now 
 stands. Mr. Walter, living with Christian, to 
 whose lot the old homestead fell, became obliv- 
 ious to the duties of the farm and devoted the 
 whole of his attention to the Church enterprise. 
 Through unrelenting industry, the corner stone 
 was laid. One log after another finds its ap- 
 pointed place upon the foundation. The sides 
 gradually rise toward the heavens. The Church 
 is completed, dedication day appointed, and one 
 fine autumnal day, gathering in from many miles 
 around, came a happy people, to dedicate to the 
 worship of the Triune God the noblest monu- 
 ment of Christian evidence from Christian peo- 
 ple. 
 
 A fewmore years, and time, youth's great dis- 
 poiler, wreaks its vengeance into the emaciated 
 form of Father Walter. Standing on the outside 
 of his simple, unpretentious home, encircled with 
 meadow and field pure with the white mantle of 
 winter, he admiringly gazes for the last time at 
 the beautiful pine tree in the front yard, laden 
 with the fleecy flakes of snow and glistening like 
 a diamond as the rays of sunshine fall upon it. 
 Inside, was quiet, cleanliness, thrift and comfort. 
 I imagine there was the old clock that had wel- 
 comed in steady measure every newcomer to the 
 family, that had ticked the solemn requiem of 
 the dead, and had kept company with the watch- 
 ers at the bedside. There were the big restful 
 beds, and the old open fireplace, and the old 
 family Bible, thumbed with the fingers of hands 
 soon to be still and stained with the tears of eyes 
 soon to be closed, holding the simple annals of 
 the family, and the heart and the conscience of 
 the home. Christian, the master of the home, 
 now comes from the woods to his loved ones, 
 the aged and perhaps trembling father, happy in 
 the heart and home of his son, lays his hand down 
 on the young man's shoulder, as they start to 
 the house. And as they got to the door, the old 
 mother came with the sunset falling fair on her 
 face and lighting up her deep patient eyes, while 
 with lips trembling with the rich music of her 
 heart, she bade her husband and her son wel- 
 come to their home. Beyond was the house-wife 
 busy with her household cares clean of heart and 
 conscience, the buckler and helpmeet of her hus- 
 band, trooping home after the cows, seeking, as 
 truant birds do, the quiet of their home nest. 
 And as we look on that picture, we see the night 
 come down on that house, falling gently as from 
 the wings of the unseen dove, and the old man, 
 while a startled bird called from the forest, and 
 the trees were shrill with the cricket's cry. and 
 the stars were swarming in the sky, gathered the 
 family around him, and taking the old Bible from 
 
884 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 the table called them to their knees, while he 
 closed the record of that simple day by calling 
 down God's benediction on his absent sons and 
 daughters, on that family and that home. That 
 night the rider on the " Pale Horse," and in the 
 stillness of the morning hour, death broke the 
 thread of life, and on the 23rd day of January, 
 $, the spirit of Jacob Walter left the tene- 
 ment of earthly clay. His age was seventy-1 
 years and eighteen days. Weeping relatives and 
 friends gathered round. Preparations for the 
 funeral obsequies were made, and in a few days 
 all that was earthly of Ja< ob Walter was laid to 
 rest in Hassinger's cemetery. At the head of 
 that sacred tomb, loved ones soon raised the tirst 
 marble tablet in the cemetery, to perpetuate his 
 memory. At the foot, some kindly hand planted 
 an apple tree, whose spreading branches bending 
 with the load of golden fruit continue to magnify 
 the generous gifts of him who slumbers beneath 
 their peaceful shade. 
 
 The character of Jacob Walter was that of a 
 typical Christian German. His usefulness, 
 th< nigh confined to the humble spheres of life, 
 made bright the path of those who surrounded 
 him. His courage was as firm and steadfast as 
 the everlasting hills, and while his neighbors fled 
 for safety from savage attack, Mr. Walter trust- 
 ing in Divine aid, manfully stood his ground. At 
 one time an alarm was circulated that the In- 
 dians would massacre the whites in this section. 
 All the other settlers immediately left for the 
 fort at Northumberland, but Mr. Walter being 
 without a proper conveyance, and it being in 
 harvest time, was unable to go, At this time he 
 had four mown sons. After the settlers left, two 
 of the boys were stationed to watch for Indians 
 and sound the alarm if necessary, while the father 
 and other two cut the grain. Upon the return 
 of the settlers, Mr. Walter and sons were threat- 
 ened a second time with a more certain death, 
 since having escaped the tomahawk of the In- 
 dian, they were open to the suspicion of the set- 
 tlers, who seeing they had escaped from savage 
 brutality, believed that Mr. Walter had conspired 
 with the Indians, who permitted them to hat 
 their grain while the neighbors were left desti- 
 Similar perils attended him for years, but 
 with fearless tread, he kept boldly on, surmount- 
 ing every obstacle until, at the end of life, he was 
 able to write in glittering characters. " I have 
 fought the fight, I have kept the faith and I have 
 the en iwn. " 
 
 1 1 David Walter (1 I a ol [acob was 
 
 born July 15, i,~ r, 4- died December 9, [838, 
 itj -seven years, one month and twenty- 
 seven days. In youth he married Susanna Ever- 
 
 hart. and the union was blessed with ten childi 
 He lived on a farm where Phares Shambach now 
 lives, and which originally comprised 500 acres 
 of land. David enlisted as a soldier in the Revo- 
 lutionary war, and served faithfully in giving 
 decent burial to the victims of the famous 
 Wyoming Massacre. 
 
 (1) David Walter, Jr., was the proud father 
 of the following ten children: Wilhjelmina, 
 Elizabeth, Daniel D., Leah (who married Henry 
 Moyer), Catharine, Mrs. J. M. Jordan, Samuel 
 (living in Ohio, Lydia who married John Deob- 
 Amos and Eno. 
 
 2 Philip (son of David, Sr. 1 was the happy 
 progenitor of the following ten children: Daniel 
 (who died while a soldier in the Civil war). Henry 
 (living in Indiana), Absalom and Solomon (who 
 settled in the West), Jacob (who died in the 
 Civil war), Abraham. Isaac. Joseph and Napo- 
 leon (all living in the West), and Elizabeth. 
 
 (3) Frederick D. (son of David, Sr. ) had the 
 following seven children: Wilhelmina who mar- 
 ried George Stahlnecker), Elizabeth (Mrs. Jacob 
 Bowersox), Catharine (Mrs. Solomon Walter), 
 Mary (Mrs. Samuel B. Walter), Enos, Reuben, 
 and Sarah (who married Henry Hackenberi; . 
 
 (i John D. (son of David, Sr. ) had the fol- 
 lowing eleven children: Fanny (who man 
 Uriah Berger), Washington (now in the West), 
 Catharine (who married John Reisht, Susanna 
 i Mrs. Uriah Weirick), Moses (a minister, de- 
 ceased), Lephinius (residing in Penn township . 
 Sophia who married Reuben Steminger. and was 
 the grandmother of the famous Steminger prod- 
 ig) 1. Harriet (who married Mr. Neffi, Marietta 
 wife of Jefferson Bowersox), Harrison, and 
 Henry. 
 
 (5) Deitrich, commonly known " Deeter " 
 (son of David, Sr. ), had but one child, who lived 
 to raise a family of his own, Ephraim, who at 
 present lives in Centreville. 
 
 George ison of David. Sr. 1 was born May 
 7, 1S09, died May 26. 1865, aged fifty-six years' 
 and nineteen days. He had the following ten 
 children: Jacob G., William 1111 Indiana , A 
 lia 1 married Levi Bowersox). Jonathan 
 
 ph 1 in Indiana), Elizabeth (married Berne- 
 ville Bowersox), Fred G. , Catharine (living in 
 Michigan . Mary (married Adam Walter), Levi 
 in Michigan ,. 
 
 Simon (son ol David, Sr 1 had three sons: 
 Abraham, Samuel and Edward, and several 
 daughters. 
 
 Elizabeth daughter of David. Sr. ) mar- 
 ried David Weirick, and moved to Ohio; no 
 childi 
 
 Catharine (daughter of David, Sr. 1 mar- 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 8S5 
 
 ried Mathias Swartz, and settled in Juniata coun- 
 ty; number of children unknown. 
 
 (10) Maria (daughter of David, Sr.) married 
 Christian Shambach, by whom she had twelve 
 children: Daniel (in Ohio), David, George, 
 Jesse, Polly (who married Reuben Snyder), 
 Isaac and Jacob (residing in Indiana), Elizabeth 
 (who married Benjamin Lose), John and 'Will- 
 iam, Lydia (who married Reuben Fisher), and 
 Henry (who died in the Civil war). 
 
 (11) Henry Walter (son of Jacob, the pioneer 
 head of the family) was born June 13, 1772, near 
 Middleburg, and died May 12, 1840, aged sixty- 
 two years, ten months, twenty-nine days. He 
 married Miss Mertz, and their union was blessed 
 with nine children: Jesse, William, George, 
 Henry, Samuel, Abraham, David and John H., 
 and Wilhelmina. Henry was in his latter days 
 a merchant, and resided where Gabriel Beaver 
 now lives in Middleburg. He died very suddenly 
 while feeding the chickens in the back yard. 
 (1) Jesse (eldest son of Henry) had the following 
 children — Mary (deceased), Rose (who married 
 Frank Lilly), Maggie (Mrs. S. S. Schoch), Jane 
 (Mrs. W. W. Wittenmeyer), and Frank (who is a 
 railroader in the West). (2) William had the 
 following four children — Jonathan, Judith, Kate, 
 and Joel. (3) George had the following six chil- 
 dren — William, Mrs. Jonathan Frederick, Caleb, 
 Solomon, Thomas, and Bossier. (4) Henry, Jr. , 
 had the following children — Catharine (who mar- 
 ried Solomon Powell), Noah, Mary (who married 
 David Hummel), Levi, Elias. Mary (who married 
 Joseph Hoffman), Sarah (who married George 
 Bolig), and Elphina (Mrs. Jacob Wetzel). (5) 
 Samuel had the following two children — Sarah 
 (who married David Gross), and Barbara (who 
 married Allen Thomas). (6) Abraham had eight 
 children — Mary (who married Mr. Mensch) So- 
 phia (Mrs. Aaron Klose), Harriet (Mrs. Jonathan 
 Sanders), Dr. Eyer, Thomas, Henry, Jackson 
 and John (all of whom live in Union county). 
 (7) David had nine children — Emanuel, James, 
 Valentine, Josephat, Longinius, Vitalius, Aaron 
 C, Wilhelmina, and Malinda. (8) John H. had 
 nine children — Samuel B., Adam B., Mary (who 
 married John Beachel), Leah (Mrs. John Hart- 
 man), Paul, Catharine (Mrs. Nathaniel Walter), 
 Rachel (Mrs. Harry Bowersox), Phcebe (Mrs. J. 
 M. Bingaman), and Job. (9) Wilhelmina, daugh- 
 ter of Henry, and youngest child of the above 
 family, married John Frey, by whom she had 
 children — Sophia (who married Jesse Shambach, 
 of Snyder county), and Magdalena (who married 
 John Bowersox, of Snyder county). 
 
 III. John (son of Jacob, the pioneer) was in 
 early youth married to Miss Kern, and was pre- 
 
 sented with the farm where Maxwell Bowersox 
 now lives. He reared a family of five sons as fol- 
 lows: John and Michael (both ministers), Ga- 
 briel, Jonas and William. There were also sev- 
 eral daughters. 
 
 IV. Philip (son of Jacob) married a Miss 
 Bowersox; he received as his share of the es- 
 tate the farm where Nathaniel Walter now lives. 
 He has quite a number of children, but we have 
 the names of only: Andrew and Sophia. (1) 
 Andrew had the following children — Sophia (de- 
 ceased), Hettie (who married Emanuel Walter), 
 Susanna (wife of Moses Frey), and Nathaniel. 
 (2) Sophia (daughter of Philip) married Jacob 
 Bowersox, by whom she had the following chil- 
 dren — Elizabeth (who married Joel Lose), Levi, 
 Berneville, Harry, Jefferson, Edward and Amelia, 
 the majority of whom are now residing in Ohio, 
 
 (V) Jeremiah (son of Jacob) lived on a farm 
 now owned by Henry Hartman, northwest of 
 Middleburg. His union with Miss Price was 
 blessed with three children: Adam, Jeremiah (de- 
 ceased), and Jacob (who moved to the West). 
 (1) Adam resided on the old homestead. His 
 children are — Jesse (who lives in Illinois), John, 
 Elizabeth (who married Amos Gift), Catharine 
 (Mrs. Jacob Eisenhower), Amelia (who married 
 William Shambach), Adam, Jeremiah, David, and 
 Mary (who married Henry Hackenberg). 
 
 (VI) Jacob (son of Jacob) married a Miss 
 Lauver, and shortly thereafter moved to Centre 
 county. He had a numerous family as follows: 
 Jonathan, William, Michael Conrad, Daniel, 
 Jacob, Martin, Benjamin, Peter, and several 
 daughters. After his death, his family returned 
 and settled in Centre township. 
 
 (VII) Conrad (son of Jacob) had two chil- 
 dren: Jefferson and Catharine (the latter now 
 deceased). 
 
 (VIII) Michael (son of Jacob) married Miss 
 Rearich, and lived for a time on a farm where 
 Daniel Benfer now lives. He had the following 
 children: Abraham, Elizabeth, and Mary. (1) 
 Abraham had five children — Aaron, Louisa (who 
 married Jacob Guinn), Edward (a resident of 
 Union county), Noah (deceased), and Amanda. 
 
 (IX) Joseph (son of Jacob) married Miss 
 Kern, and resided for some time on the farm now 
 owned by John W. Walter, but later he moved 
 to Selins Grove. He had the following chil- 
 dren: Joseph, Deitrich, Abraham, Edward, 
 Catharine, Elizabeth, Susan, and Sophia. (1) 
 Deitrich had the following children— Aaron (now 
 residing in Ohio), Joseph, John W. , Elizabeth (de- 
 ceased), Edward (deceased), and Amanda (married 
 John Stathnecker). (2) Abraham had two 
 children — Aaron and Jane (both of whom are 
 
SSIJ 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 now living at Corning, N. Y.). (3) Edward had 
 two children — Burdette and Flora. (4) Cath- 
 arine married John Reitz, by whom she had the 
 following children — Amelia (who married Reuben 
 Decker), John, Mary who married Simon Deck- 
 er), Isaac, Edward, Susanna (who married Mr 
 Wagner), and Catharine (who married Mr. Price), 
 the last two residing in Michigan. (5) Elizabeth 
 married Jacob Bolender, by whom she had the 
 following children- Eve (who married John W. 
 Remunger), Catharine (Mrs. P. S. Reigle), 
 Chas A., and Emma (deceased). (6) Sophia 
 married Samuel Stouffer, by whom she had the 
 following children — Emma (deceased), Violetta 
 (who married Alex. Bowersox), Mary, and 
 Charles. 
 
 1 \ 1 Christian (son of Jacob married Miss 
 Swart/., and lived on the old homestead, and 
 there they reared the following children : 
 Christian, John, Jacob C. , Isaac, Catharine, 
 Sophia Judith, Mary, Amelia, and Malinda. (1) 
 n had the following children — Reuben, 
 Jacob F., Barbara (wife of S. H. Voder), and 
 Sarah (wife of Robert Keelerj. (21 John had 
 the following children — Cassandra 1 who married 
 Hiram Kantz), Fred (deceased), and Jane (who 
 married fohn Hilbish). (3) Jacob C, the only 
 surviving son of this family, had the follow 
 children Serena (who married Reuben linyii, 
 Ira (who now lives on the farm), and Adelia who 
 married George Shaeffer). (4) Isaac had the 
 following children — Alfred, Emma Mrs. Thomas 
 Hilbish), Thomas (deceased). Christian and 
 Amelia who married Main Miller). (5) Judith 
 married Benjamin Wittenmcycr, by whom she 
 had the following children — Amanda, Mary who 
 married Dan Crouse), John \\\, Amelia (who 
 married L. M. Moal I, and Kate (who married 
 Dr. I. G. Barber). (6) Mary married Aaron 
 Metier, by whom she had three daughters and 
 five sons — John F., Calvin, George 1'. Henrj 
 S . and one who died in infancy. (7) Malmda 
 married Jacob A. Smith, by whom she hail the 
 following children: Savilla (who married Wil- 
 liam Freyman), Henrietta (Mrs. Jacob Heintzle- 
 man), Rose (Mrs | eph Reihl), Ammon, Lilly, 
 Josephaiwho married Nelson Gutelius), Izora, 
 Carrie (who married Thompson Hilbish), and 
 Alvin (the youngest of the fourth generation). 
 
 Doubtless from the many sources that in- 
 formation has been obtained concerning this re- 
 markable family there are still many persons 
 who claim the proud distinction of their connec- 
 tion to the Walter family. We would say that 
 if any such there be, we have not purposely 
 omitted you, and shall be pleased to have you 
 notify us at your earliest opportunity. Suffice it 
 
 to say that the posterity of Jacob Walter now 
 numbers six generations, and from the seven 
 generations in this country we look in pride to 
 the sturdy yeomanry cultivating the fields of 
 Snyder, to the thrifty merchants behind the 
 counters, to the faithful operators at the electric 
 key, to the honest business men behind the desk, 
 and as we look, to-day, we hear coming from the 
 corn shocks of Illinois, from the machine shops 
 of Indiana, from the fertile sands of Michigan, 
 and from the rolling plains of Ohio, the generous 
 praises of sons and daughters proud in the name 
 " Walter." 
 
 We will now trace the history of LONGINDS 
 Walter, a substantial citizen of Limestone 
 township, Union county, who is a great-grandson 
 of Jpcob, the original settler, and a grandson of 
 Henry Walter. David H. Walter, his father, 
 was born about December 30, 1801, in Snyder 
 county, in what is now Franklin township, then 
 Centre. He learned the trade of a wagon maker 
 and wheelwright, but after following it some years 
 he engaged in agricultural pursuits in Union 
 township, Union county, where he purchased a 
 homestead in [832. At one time he made his 
 home near Wintield, in Union township, Union 
 county. Prosperity rewarded his efforts, an 1 at 
 his death, which occurred in Franklin township, 
 Snyder county, in 1864. at the age of sixty-three, 
 he left a handsome competence. He was a 
 member of the U. B. Church, and, in political 
 faith, was first a Whig, and later a Republic 
 His wife, Catherine Phillips, who was born 
 March 17, 1807, died May 25, 1895. Of 'heir 
 children mentioned above: Emanuel and James 
 P. both died in Limestone township. Valentine 
 is a resident of Centreville, Penn. Jemima 
 married Jacob H. Steininger, and died in Snyder 
 county. Longinus is mentioned more fully below. 
 Joseph resides in Middleburg, Snyder county. 
 Yitalis lives in Northumberland county, Penn. 
 Malinda married J. J. Steininger, and died at 
 Hart let on. Aaron C. lives near Centreville. 
 
 Longinus Walter was born in Snydei 1 ounty, 
 December I, 1838, and first attended school at 
 Middleburg. Except for certain times when he 
 worked for his brothers, he remained at home 
 until his marriage, on February 4, 1S64, to Miss 
 Sophia Klose, then of Union county. She was 
 horn in Beaver township, Snyder county, Novem- 
 ber 4, 1837 (the daughter of Jacob and Leah 
 Hassinger Klose), and was but a child when her 
 parents settled in Limestone township, Union 
 county. After his marriage Mr. Walter and his 
 wife began housekeeping at Centreville, Snyder 
 county, but it was not long before he returned to 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 887 
 
 the homestead, of which he took charge for three 
 years, his father having died. In 1867 he pur- 
 chased a portion of his father's estate, and has 
 since cultivated it. The tract comprises 106 
 acres, and is well improved, Mr. Walter having 
 built a handsome residence in 1893, while a new 
 barn and other buildings show liberal and wise 
 expenditure for the work of the farm. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Walter have had two children: 
 AmmonK., born January 12, 1865, now at home; 
 and Lewis E., born October 10, 1869, who is a 
 professor in the schools of Marietta. Since 1889 
 Mr. Walter and his wife have had in their family 
 a little girl, Nora E. Walter, who was born Feb- 
 ruary 2, 1883. 
 
 The family attend the United Evangelical 
 Church, of which Mrs. Walter is a member, as 
 are also her sons. In politics Mr. Walter is a Re- 
 publican, and he has held various local offices. 
 For many years he has served as assessor, and he 
 has also done much to improve the educational 
 facilities in his district while acting as school 
 director. He is regarded as one of the repre- 
 sentative agriculturists of his locality, and as a 
 citizen he is highly respected for his intelligence 
 and his sterling character. 
 
 C^HARLES H. GUTELIUS, M. D. This 
 _# patronymic has been a familiar one in Union 
 county from pioneer days, the family tracing its 
 descent from Frederick Gutelius, one of the first 
 settlers of Mifflinburg. He came from Lancas- 
 ter county, Penn., in early manhood, and mar- 
 ried a Miss Goodyear, by whom he had twelve chil- 
 dren: Frederick, William, Israel, John, Henry, 
 Joseph, George, Andrew, Rev. Samuel, Eliza- 
 beth, Catherine and Sarah. By profession he 
 was a druggist and surveyor. 
 
 Frederick Gutelius, had a brother, John Peter 
 Gutelius, who came over in the ship "Nancy," 
 August 31, 1750, from Rotterdam, and is buried 
 at Manheim, Lancaster county. On his tomb- 
 stone are inscribed these words: "Here lies an 
 eminent surgeon and physician." The name 
 Gutelius is proverbial as a Church-going people. 
 The old stock were mostly devoted members of 
 the Reformed Church, of which the Heidelberg 
 catechism was their symbol of faith. In poli- 
 tics they were Old-line Whigs, strong protec- 
 tionists, and lastly Republican; always standing 
 for loyalty for the flag of their country, no truer 
 patriots could be found. 
 
 The eldest of this large family was born in 
 Mifflinburg, in 1796, and on reaching manhood's 
 estate married Miss Lydia Crotzer, of Mifflin- 
 burg. The occupation of Frederick Gutelius 
 
 was that of weaving fine linens and carpets. He 
 spent the most of his life in the town of Mifflin- 
 burg, where he died in 1865. He was the father 
 of ten children: Thomas, William, John, Caro- 
 line (now Mrs. Shriner), Catherine (now Mrs. 
 Faust), Jacob, Samuel, Charles H., and Joseph, 
 who was killed at the battle of Gettysburg; and 
 Miss Lydia, who resides at the old homestead. 
 
 Dr. Charles H. Gutelius was born in Mifflin- 
 burg, November 18, 1836, and received his early 
 education in the public schools of that town; in 
 1S62 he enlisted as a private soldier in Company 
 D, 150th P. V. I., the far-famed " Bucktail 
 Regiment," also his two brothers, Samuel and 
 Joseph, Samuel being appointed second lieuten- 
 ant. The company was first detailed to guard 
 duty for President Lincoln at his summer resi- 
 dence at the Soldiers' Home, about three miles 
 north of the city of Washington. Mrs. Lincoln 
 showed her appreciation of the boys by many 
 kind words and distribution of lunch which the 
 boys highly appreciated. The boys displayed 
 great courage and valor on the battle field. On 
 the first day of the battle of Gettysburg, Joseph 
 Gutelius was in command of the color-guard, 
 and during that dreadful struggle for supremacy 
 on that day, one after the other of color-bearers 
 being shot down, the duty devolved upon him to 
 bear aloft the stars and stripes; he, although 
 severely wounded, still clung to the flag of his 
 country. As the Rebels were driving them 
 through the town of Gettysburg he sat down upon 
 a doorstep weary and faint from loss of blood, and 
 was there bayoneted by a Rebel soldier, and 
 the flag taken from his body. Strange to say, 
 this same flag was found in the baggage of Jeffer- 
 son Davis when he was captured, and is now in 
 the capitol at Harrisburg. 
 
 Dr. Charles H. Gutelius was discharged for 
 disability before the close of the war, and re- 
 turned home. After he regained his health he 
 began the study of dentistry under the tutorship 
 of Drs. Harter and Swartz, of Centre coun- 
 ty. In 1 87 1 he started for Denver, Colo., for 
 his health, and while there studied under Dr. 
 Mobery, an Englishman, who was a graduate of 
 both medicine and dentistry. Having spent two 
 years in Denver, Colo., Dr. Gutelius returned to 
 Mifflinburg, Penn., the home of his birth, and 
 opened out an office, and although there were 
 two dentists in the town they soon decided to 
 leave the field. For about seventeen years he 
 was the only dentist in Mifflinburg, but of late 
 years he has been glad to turn over a portion of 
 his practice to younger hands, he only doing 
 some special work for old friends, as his health 
 will permit. 
 
m 
 
 COMMtWnitA TIYF. BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 Dr. Gutelius has been twice married, first to 
 Miss Lydia Motz, of Woodward, Centre county, 
 who died leaving one child, Elizabeth F. Gute- 
 lius. now residing in Denver, Colo.; she has 
 imbibed the fondness of travel from her mother 
 who crossed the Plains with an ox-team, and 
 invested largely in real estate in Denver City, 
 then in its infancy; within the last few years 
 the daughter has done the same. The Doctor's 
 present wife was formerly Miss Euphemia Mc- 
 of New Bloomfield, Perry county, a de- 
 scendant of a Scotch-Irish family, intelligent 
 and of most excellent standing, displaying great 
 musical ability, ex-Judge Barnett being an uncle, 
 while lawyers and doctors are related to it. 
 
 ffELANCTHON MENCH. Among the fine 
 old estates around which cluster the mem- 
 ory of many years of unbroken family life is the 
 Mench homestead in Limestone township, Union 
 county, of which the subject of this biography is 
 now the owner. The family is descended from 
 Christian Mench. who came from Germany dur- 
 ing the Colonial period, and settled in Berks 
 county, Pennsylvania. 
 
 Abram Mench, a son of Christian, and the 
 nd father of our subject, was born in Berks 
 county, Penn., in 1768, and for many years was 
 engaged in business there as a farmer, merchant, 
 distiller, and hotel keeper. He was about five 
 feet, eight inches in height, and active in mind 
 and body, his forceful character giving him much 
 mlluence among his associates. His hotel in 
 
 Berks itj was headquarters for the home 
 
 militia, the battalions meeting thei ular 
 
 intervals. In 1 8 1 8 he removed to Montour coun- 
 ty, Penn., and purchased a farm near Danville, 
 and while the canal was in process of construction 
 near Catawissa h<- kept boarders. About 1 
 he removed to another farm in Lewis township, 
 Union county, where he spent his remaining 
 years, bis death occurring in i860. His first 
 wife, Elizabeth Miller, died in 1804, and in 1807 
 he married Hannah Voder, of Berks county. 
 There were two children by the first marria 
 u, our subject's father, and Elizabeth, who 
 iried Jacob Ziegler, and died at Danville. 
 lit children were born of the second union, 
 of whom are now deceased. Reuben died 
 near Hartleton, Penn. ; Benjamin, at Mifflinburg; 
 Miss Sarah, in Lewis township. Union county; 
 Miss Lydia, in Union county; and Nancy (Mrs. 
 Samuel Steese), in Limestone township, Union 
 county; of the three survivors — Esther \\\, wife 
 of Michael Swart/, lives in Stephenson county, 
 
 111., and Christian and Abram are resident 
 Lewis township, Union county, Pennsylvania. 
 
 John Mench, the father of our subject, was 
 born in Berks county, April 19, 1800, and had 
 the good fortune to receive an excellent educa- 
 tion, which his acute and vigorous intellect fitted 
 him to appreciate. It so happened that a Ger- 
 man in his father's employ was a man of rare 
 attainments, and gave him an early training after 
 the most approved kindergarten methods, later 
 instructing him in more advanced lines. Mr 
 Mench thus acquired a knowledge of the German 
 as well as of the English language, and while he 
 was known as a man of few words, he could, 
 when he chose, talk upon almost any subject 
 He had an extraordinary memory, and as a 
 mathematician his abilities were remarkable, as 
 he could calculate mentally with rapidity and 
 accuracy. He was a powerful man physically, 
 although only five feet, eight inches tall, with an 
 average weight of 150 pounds, and unusual feats 
 of strength were performed by him at various 
 times. When a boy he clerked in a store at 
 Danville for Peter Baldy, Sr. ; but his time was 
 mainly spent at home. In 1823 he was married 
 near Paradise, Penn., to Miss Elizabeth Rishel, 
 who was born in Columbia county, February 27, 
 1807, the daughter of John and Sarah (Egbert 
 Rishel. He remained with his father until 1 - 
 and then located near Buffalo Cross Roads, Union 
 county, where his father-in-law owned a large 
 amount of land. The first farm that he ever 
 purchased is the one now occupied by our subject, 
 and there he built a residence prior to 1830, and 
 made his permanent home. He was a successful 
 farmer, and left a valuable inheritance to his 
 children as a result of his work. In local affairs 
 h had great influence, but he took no part in 
 politics farther than to vote the Democratic 
 ticket regularly. He and his wife were both 
 members of the Evangelical Church, and died in 
 that faith, the former on September 4, 1858, and 
 the latter July 14, 1870, their remains being in- 
 terred at Miftlinburg. They had a large family 
 of children, of whom: John died at the age of 
 two years; Sarah J. (Mrs. Joseph Steese) at twen- 
 ty-two years, and Hannah (Mrs. Daniel Ret 
 at nineteen; Elizabeth, who was Daniel Reb 
 second wife, died when thirty-three years of age; 
 Isaiah, who died at twenty-six, married and left 
 four children; Mary A. died at thirteen years of 
 age; John K. will be fully spoken of farther on; 
 Jeremiah resides in Rockford, 111. ; Oliver P. is an 
 agriculturist in Limestone township, Union coun- 
 ty. Elva 1 deceased) was the wife of William 
 Chambers, who will be more fully mentioned 
 presently; Abram H. will also be more fully 
 
i 
 
 % 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 spoken of later on; Martin L. resides in Lime- 
 stone township, Union county; Melancthon, our 
 subject, is the thirteenth in order of birth; Diana 
 A. is the wife of George A. Schoch, of Middle- 
 burg, Pennsylvania. 
 
 Melancthon Mench, our subject, was born 
 March 28, 1S49, at the old homestead. The 
 " Green Grove School," in the same neighbor- 
 hood, furnished him an elementary education, his 
 first teacher being Jesse Miller. At seventeen 
 he entered the Union Seminary at New Berlin, 
 where he studied for two years, his active and 
 industrious habits enabling him to make unusual 
 progress in that time. Although this ended his 
 schooling, he did not consider his education com- 
 pleted, and he has always been a diligent reader 
 of the best literature, giving especial attention to 
 science, history, and theology. His reading ex- 
 tends beyond that of many professional men, and 
 his conversation is made interesting by his wide 
 information and thoughtful reflection. 
 
 On leaving school in August, 1868, Mr. 
 Mench decided to give his attention to mercan- 
 tile pursuits, and soon afterward entered the gen- 
 eral store of Reichardt & Miller, in Mifflinburg, 
 as a clerk at six dollars per month. Six months 
 later he became a partner under the firm name 
 of Reichardt & Mench, and continued until the 
 spring of 1873 when he went back to the old 
 home to engage in farming. This was consid- 
 ered a very unwise project by his acquaintances. 
 He was making a success as a merchant, and 
 knowing little or nothing of farming, it was by 
 no means certain that he would make it profit- 
 able. However, other considerations prevailed. 
 The death of his mother left the estate in the 
 hands of the heirs, and as things then stood the 
 place would have been sold had Mr. Mench not 
 determined to retain it in the family on account 
 of early and almost sacred associations. He 
 bought the claims of the other heirs, going in 
 debt to the amount of $12,000, and by hard 
 work and good management he accomplished his 
 aim. The farm contains 240 acres of excellent 
 land, and is one of the best in the locality, its 
 buildings being kept in perfect repair, while con- 
 stant improvements add to its value as time 
 passes. Mr. Mench is wide-awake and progress- 
 ive, and in many ways is a leader, and is a nota- 
 ble one in the adoption of modern methods of 
 agriculture. He lives well, having all the pleas- 
 ures and luxuries that his means permit, and has 
 never held to the belief that undue self-denial will 
 advance one's interest, even in matters of finance. 
 Nor has his success been gained at the cost of integ- 
 rity, for no man is more highly respected for 
 square dealing than he. 
 
 Mr. Mench has a pleasant home and an in- 
 teresting family. On November 10, 1870, he 
 was married at Mifflinburg, to Miss Jennie B. 
 Graff, who was born in Clarion county, Penn., 
 April 5, 185 1, the daughter of Jacob and Jane 
 (Steele) Graff. Her father died when she was 
 but a child, and her mother subsequently mar- 
 ried Dr. William Reichardt, a man of noble char- 
 acter, and one of the most successful and hon- 
 ored physicians of the day. For thirty years he 
 practiced in Clarion county, and then removed 
 to Mifflinburg, where after some years of profes- 
 sional work, he retired to await in peace the 
 summons to another world, his death occurring 
 November 10, 1893, when he was aged seventy- 
 eight years, six months and eight days. His 
 widow still resides in Mifflinburg. Mrs. Mench 
 received a good common-school education, at- 
 tending the schools of her native county until 
 she was fourteen, when the family removed to 
 Mifflinburg, where she attended the Mifflinburg 
 Academy, and Mifflinburg Seminary, one year. 
 Mr. and Mrs. Mench have five children: (1) 
 Alice L. , born August 22, 1872, graduated in 
 1894 from Bucknell University, and then pursued 
 an advanced course in music at Philadelphia; 
 she is now the wife of Edgar E. Pawling, an at- 
 torney at Middleburg, Penn. (2) William R. , 
 born March 6, 1879, (3) Graff A., born October 
 10, 1SS1, (4) James M., born July 9, 1883, and (5) 
 Janet S., born February 9, 1890, are all at home. 
 Our subject is an ardent believer in Repub- 
 lican principles, and is one of the leading advis- 
 ers in the local organization. He has at times 
 held office as township auditor, tax collector, 
 school director and secretary of the school board. 
 He is also prominent in religious work as a mem- 
 ber of the M. E. Church, with which he united 
 in 1 868 at Mifflinburg. His time and means 
 have been freely given to this cause, and since 
 November 3, 1883, he has done much effective 
 work as a license exhorter. He has been a class 
 leader of the Church at Mifflinburg, and is now 
 the recording steward and president of the board 
 of trustees, and for many years he was assistant 
 superintendent of the Sunday-school, in which 
 he is at present a teacher. It was in a measure 
 the result of his efforts that the Penn's Creek 
 Sunday-school was organized, and he has ever 
 since been its zealous supporter, for five years 
 serving as its superintendent. 
 
 Elva (our subject's sister), who married Will- 
 iam Chambers, left one son, Rev. I. Mench 
 Chambers, who graduated from LaFayette Col- 
 lege, and afterward entered Union Theological 
 Seminary, of New York City. In 1891 he en- 
 tered the ministry of the Presbyterian Church, 
 

 I 0MMS11ORATJVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 located at Merchantville, N. J., where {or six 
 consecutive years he has proven himself a most 
 efficient and successful pastor, many having been 
 added to the Church during his ministry. 
 
 John R. Mench, brother of Melancthon. at 
 the age of ten vears entered the Mifflinburg 
 Academy, at that 'time under the supen 
 Henry McGuire (commonly known as " Bossy 
 McGuire), and remained there one year. The 
 father of John K. was a shareholder in the 
 Union Seminary, New Berlin, Union county. 
 now Central Pennsylvania College;, and 
 p re( some talent in his son, had the lad 
 
 attend this institution one year, after which John 
 K. taught in the common schools of Centre town- 
 r county, two terms, and in Lime- 
 hip. Union county, one term. On 
 December 27. [860, he was married at Mifflin- 
 Penn., to M - sannah Hassenpley, 
 daughter of William and Susannah Hassenpley, 
 and six children have been born to this union, 
 viz.: r) Ella V. is the wit. t Henry Herman, 
 iving in Wyandot comity. Ohio, near 
 vas married to Ada Herman, of Lime- 
 hip. I'nion Co.. Penn. (3) Elmer, 
 who acquired a good English education, and 
 taught school for more than six terms in Union 
 county, mam. d [da Harpster, of Hancock coun- 
 1 Ihio, where Elmer now lives on his beautiful 
 farm. . I • M. married Warren Gross 
 New Berlin, Union* ; on., and is comfort- 
 a bl3 d 5 Susan \ i e, a bright . 
 
 luati d from Hagerstown Seminary at the age 
 of twenty-two, and after a while made her h 
 with her uncle, Hon. Alfred G. Schoch. of Mid- 
 dleburg, Snyder Co., Penn : she died at the age 
 twenty-four year- " risR., the young- 
 
 m the family, graduated from the State 
 Normal at Lock Haven, Clinton Co.. Penn., 
 June 30, 1894, leaving a brilliant record with the 
 ulty of that school. For four terms he taught 
 m the common schools of Union county. Penn., 
 then in the spring of 18 >ved to Ohio, lo- 
 
 cating at Tiffin, and entered the firm of Sucath 
 & Baker, dealers in carpets and lace curtains. 
 remaining with them, however, only part of one 
 r when he accepted the position of teller in 
 the Commercial Hank of Tiffin, which incum- 
 bency he is at present rilling. The mother of 
 this family was called from earth Decembei 
 1878, and was buried in Mifflinburg Cemetery, 
 the father being left with six children— no small 
 care upon his shoulders. On March 23, 
 
 Ided MaryC, daughter of Benjamin and 
 Mary Noll, and to them have been Lorn tu- 
 ns: Benjamin Clark and Harry Warren, both 
 at home with their parents. 
 
 John R. Mench ranks among the prominent 
 citizens of Limestone township, Union county, 
 where he owns a couple of highly-cultivated 
 farms. He lives abreast of the times, and keeps 
 himself well posted on current events. He is a 
 member of the M. E. Church at Mifflinbui 
 and is held in the highest esteem by the commu- 
 nitv in which he lives. As a debater and inter- 
 esting conversationalist, it is safe to say he has 
 few equals, if any, in the State, his arguments, both 
 pro and con. in" any controversy being delivered 
 forcibly and conclusively, and with a judgment 
 and delicacv characteristic of the man. His re- 
 markable affection for his brother Melancthon 
 has been frequently noticed by their many 
 friends, in which respect it may be said that they 
 are " Fratn (true brothers ) 
 
 Abram H. Mench, a younger brother of our 
 subject, was a graduate of Williarnsport Semi- 
 nary in 1863, in September of which year he en- 
 tered Dickinson College, graduating there with 
 honors in 1 867. He was a fine linguist, and could 
 read, speak or write in six languages. After his 
 graduation he taught in the Danville Academy 
 till deciding to take up the ministry as his life 
 vocation. For over six years he was a faithful 
 minister of the M. E. Church, when, his health 
 failing, he was compelled to retire from the 
 labors of the vineyard and seek restoration of his 
 strength in Colorado, at the Manitou Sprm 
 Death, however, had set his seal on him. Re- 
 signed to his fate, and fully convinced that his 
 life was fast ebbing out. Abram returned to his 
 old home to die there at the early age of thirty- 
 three years. He now sleeps his last sleep in 
 Mifflinburg cemetery, but the memory of him is 
 still green in the hearts of his relatives and 
 friends. 
 
 GEORGE BARTLEY BROWN, a highlj 
 teemed resident of White Deer township, 
 Union countv, is a man who at three score and 
 ten seems by his mental and physical vigor to set 
 old age at defiance. He is of good old Pennsyl- 
 vania stock, his great-grandparents in both the 
 paternal and maternal lines having come from 
 Germanv to settle in Schuylkill county. Penn.. at 
 an early lav His paternal grandfather, Adam 
 Brown, a wealthy farmer and miller, married 
 Miss Uhlrick, and remained in the same county- 
 all his life. 
 
 The late George Brown, our subjects father, 
 3 born th was his wife. Sarah Ban 
 
 a daughter of Abraham and Dora (Huttensi 
 Bartlev. Her grandfather Hartley was a native 
 of Germanv George and Sarah Brown were 
 
 J 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 S91 
 
 married in Schuylkill county, but removed a few 
 years later, in 1839, to White Deer township, 
 Union county, and made their permanent home 
 upon a farm, where Mrs. Brown died in 1845, at 
 the age of forty-eight years. The father of our 
 subject attained the age of eighty years, passing 
 away in 1874, the remains of both being interred 
 in the cemetery at White Deer Church. He was 
 for many years an active worker in the Re- 
 formed Church, and was also a leader in local 
 affairs, holding the office of supervisor. 
 
 He had a numerous family: Elizabeth died 
 before reaching womanhood; Catherine married 
 Israel Guyer, both now deceased; John J. is a 
 farmer of Kelly township, Union county; George, 
 our subject, is mentioned more fully below; 
 Sarah married Simon Bennage, a farmer of White 
 Deer township, Union county; Rebecca married 
 Daniel Mover, both deceased; Mary A. married 
 Isaac Kurtz, both deceased; Elizabeth, second 
 wile of Daniel Moyer, survives him, and resides 
 in Buffalo township, Union county; and Adam 
 died in infancy. 
 
 George B. Brown was born in Schuylkill 
 county, February 8, 1827, and the first twenty- 
 three years of his life were spent with his parents, 
 assisting in the work of the farm. On October 
 17, 1850, he was married to his first wife, Miss 
 Mary A. Dersham, and they made their home 
 upon the Dersham farm in White Deer township, 
 Union county, belonging to his mother-in-law. 
 He rented this for three years, but at the end of 
 that time he removed to William Brown's farm, 
 near Lewisburg, which he rented for four years, 
 his brother, John J. Brown, being in partnership 
 with him for three years. The next six years 
 were spent at the Dersham farm, and then our 
 subject and his brother John purchased a farm 
 in Buffalo Valley for $8,000. After one year 
 there they sold out to Peter Guyer at a profit of 
 $500, and removed to a rented farm in Kelly 
 township, where he spent one year. Since that 
 time he has resided at his present homestead, 
 which contains 120 acres, and was first bought 
 in partnership with U. P. Sheller, a banker, for 
 $8,000, but later, on the failure of Mr. Sheller, 
 Mr. Brown bought his half interest for $5,200. 
 
 Mr. Brown has never been away from home 
 longer than three weeks at any one time, and 
 until his retirement a few years ago, was noted 
 for his industry, his farm showing in all depart- 
 ments the effects of his able management. As a 
 self-made man he may well feel proud of his 
 position among the substantial men of his 
 locality. 
 
 In politics, our subject is an independent 
 voter, refusing to be bound irrevocably by parti- 
 
 san ties, and he has never been a candidate for 
 office, his private affairs requiring his attention. 
 He belongs to the Grange of White Deer, No. 
 122, and is a leading member of the Reformed 
 Church. Although the need of his assistance at 
 home during his boyhood often deprived him of 
 the opportunity of attending the schools of that 
 time, such as they were, Mr. Brown has gained 
 a good practical education, reading both English 
 and German, and keeping informed on all ques- 
 tions of general interest. 
 
 Mr. Brown has eleven living children and 
 twenty-five grandchildren. His first wife died July 
 6, 1864, at the age of thirty-eight, and he formed a 
 second union, this time with Miss Sarah E. Yost, 
 daughter of Michael and Catherine (Fulmer) 
 Yost, of Bucks county, Penn. She passed to 
 the unseen world on April 12, 1883, in her forty- 
 ninth year, and Mr. Brown was married a third 
 time, the last time to Mrs. Sarah E. (Collier) 
 Bellman, widow of Samuel S. Bellman. There 
 were no children by the third marriage, but by 
 the first there were eight, the names with dates 
 of birth being as follows: Abraham, August 
 30, 1 85 1, married to Emma Stahl, is a farmer 
 near Lewisburg; William F., February 3, 1854, 
 married to Ella Moss, is a coach manufact- 
 urer at Mifflinburg, Penn. ; Susannah, January 
 29, 1857, was married to William Ranck, a 
 farmer of Kelly township; Sarah E., August 23, 
 1858, was married to Rev. William Unangst, of 
 Davis, 111.; Mary J., August 31, i860, died in 
 infancy; Miss Catherine J., August 2, 1861, re- 
 sides with her brother Abraham; John J., May 
 10, 1863, died August 24 of the same year; and 
 EmeliDe M., June 29, 1864, died July 13, fol- 
 lowing. By the second marriage there were 
 seven children: James M., November 27, 1865, 
 married to Bertha Ritter, is a coach maker 
 at Montgomery, Penn.; Paden S., January 6, 
 1867, died October 30, 1884; Irene B., February 
 26, 1868, was married to Alphus Koch, a farmer 
 of Lycoming county, Penn.; Sevilla C, March 
 1, 1870, was married to J. C. Baker, of White 
 Deer township, Union county; George A., 
 April 6, 1 87 1, married to Emma Ranck, is a 
 farmer of Buffalo township, Union county; Miss 
 Eva D., February 28, 1878, resides with her sis- 
 ter, Mrs. Irene Koch; and Cyrus W., April 9, 
 1883, resides with our subject. 
 
 Mrs. Brown was born in Perry county, Penn., 
 January 20, 1843, the daughter of Nathan Col- 
 lier, and the granddaughter of Nathaniel Collier, 
 a miller of Juniata county, Penn., who was of 
 German descent. Her mother, whose maiden 
 was Susannah Ogle, was a daughter of John and 
 Martha (Beaty) Ogle, of Perry county, whose re- 
 

 COMMEMnl; A TIVE BIOGRAPHICAL UECOllD. 
 
 mains now rest in the cemetery near Marysville, 
 Penn. Mrs. Brown's father was born in Juniata 
 and her mother in Perry, and were married in 
 Perry county, where their last years were spent 
 upon a farm. The father, who was born Febru- 
 ary 7, 1807, died August 19, 1876, and the 
 mother, whose birth occurred November 
 1827, died October 19, 1SO2, buried at Duncan- 
 non. Both were members of the Lutheran 
 Church, and were highly esteemed amonc their 
 acquaintances. Of their six children, Mrs. Brown 
 the eldest; John O. is a farmer of Pern- 
 county; Zachariah, a car inspector, resides at 
 Marysville; Nathan A. died at the age of nineteen; 
 George W., of Marysville, is a switchman by oc- 
 cupation; and Mary J. is the wife of Amos Clen- 
 denon, a railway clerk at New Cumberland, 
 Pennsylvania. 
 
 Mrs. Brown's first marriage occurred on May 
 14, 1S63. Mr. Bellman was a native of Lycom- 
 ing county, Penn., born April 26, 1837, and was 
 a son of Samuel and Catherine 1 Wise) Bellman, 
 of this State. By occupation he was a cooper. 
 Politically, his sympathies were with the Repub- 
 lican party, while in religious faith he was a 
 Lutheran. He died March 23, [881. Six chil- 
 dren were born of this marriage, four of whom 
 are living, and Mrs. Brown now counts among 
 her descendants fifteen grandchildren. Of her 
 children, Harry C, born July 24, 1864, is a lum- 
 berman in Forest county, Penn.; Mary C, born 
 December 18, 1867, married Theodore Shaffer, 
 a railroad employee; Martin L., born August 8, 
 >, died February 19, 1871; Lawrence C, 
 born February 20, 1S72, died April 4 
 Anna H.. born July 21, 1875, married Clinton 
 Reed, a farmer of Union county: and Walter N., 
 born Februai 7. resides at the homestead. 
 
 T wTILLIAM H. SPOTTS, a leading farmer 
 Vlt of Kelly township. Union county, has his 
 home at Kelly Cross Koads. By the manner in 
 which he carries on his business he evidences 
 that he thoroughly understands the vocation in 
 which he is engaged, and that success is attend- 
 ing his efforts toward acquiring a competency. 
 tness and order prevail upon his place, which 
 is managed, with regard to its cultivation, in a 
 manner which reflects credit upon the owner. 
 Mr. Spotts was born in Kelly township, E 
 tember 3, 1843, and is a grandson of Joseph 
 Spotts, who was born in Berks county, Penn., in 
 1780, coming thence to Union county when 
 about thirty years of age. Here he spent the 
 remainder of his life, dying May 20, 1 S 5 7 . and 
 was buried in White Deer cemetery. By trade 
 
 he was a wagonmaker, but his later years were 
 devoted to farmn 
 
 Samuel Spotts, the father of our subject, 
 born in Union county in February, 1S10, and be- 
 came a prominent agriculturist of Kelly town- 
 ship, where he died July 26. 1S6S, his remains 
 also being interred in White Deer cemetery. In 
 religious faith he was a Lutheran. He married 
 Esther, daughter of Samuel Yoder, of Ola, 
 Berks Co.. Penn., and to them were born I 
 children, of whom our subject is the eldest. The 
 others were as follows: Joseph, a resident of 
 Buffalo township. Union county, wedded M 
 Mar) Dersham, and has rive children — three girls 
 and two boys: Anna A. is the wife of Hov. 
 Lomison, a farmer of White Deer Valley, 
 Lycoming county. Penn. . by whom she has two 
 children — one son and one daughter. Rebecca 
 is the wife of John C. Noll, a prominent farmer 
 of Kelly township. Union county, and they have 
 one daughter. Samuel O., a farmer of Buffalo 
 township, is married to Clara Noll, of East Buf- 
 falo township. Union Co., Penn., and has two 
 sons and one daughter. 
 
 William H. Spotts obtained his literary edu- 
 cation in the Spotts school house. No. 3, it being 
 only a short distance from his father's house. 
 On February 26. 1863, he was united in marriage 
 with Miss Catherine Dersham, a daughter of 
 Frederick Dersham. a prosperous farmer of 
 Union county. Three children grace their union: 
 1 Amelia H. is the wife of John E. Hunting- 
 ton, an extensive shipper of produce, residing at 
 Vicksburg, Buffalo township. Union county; they 
 have two sons, Russell H. and Park W 
 Isora M. is the wife of J. L. Baker, a well-to-do 
 agriculturist of Buffalo township, and has two 
 daughters. M. Catharine and Florence E. 
 William Blaine is at present attending school. 
 
 N t alone is there particular interest attach- 
 ing to the career of our subject for what he has 
 done, but in reviewing his genealogical record we 
 find his lineage tracing back to the Colonial his- 
 tory of the nation, and to that period which 
 marks the inception of the grandest republic the 
 
 id has ever known. He had two paternal 
 uncles in the Revolutionary war, and also one in 
 the Black Hawk war. In politics, Mr. Spot: 
 a stanch Republican, and for nearly a quarter of 
 a century has served as justice of the peace, 
 being recently reelected for another term of five 
 years — so acceptable has his service been. He 
 
 -ion five commissions as 
 such, from the Governors, as follows: John F. 
 Hartranft. 1875; Henry M. Hoyt, 1SS0; Robert 
 E. Patti fan s A Beaver, 1890; and 
 
 Daniel H. Hastings, 1896. Socially, he has been 
 
9^ 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 S93 
 
 a leading member of the Patriotic Order Sons of 
 America for four years; in religious faith he holds 
 membership with the Lutheran Church. By his 
 neighbors he is held in high esteem, and is very 
 popular with all classes of citizens. 
 
 JOHN A. KELLY. This name recalls to 
 mind one of the noted characters in the 
 early history of our country, Col. John Kelly, 
 of Revolutionary fame. Born in February, 1 744, 
 in Lancaster county, Penn., this honored pioneer 
 was in the full vigor of manhood at the time 
 that the oppressed colonies resolved to throw off 
 the English yoke, and his quick intelligence and 
 dauntless courage brought him into prominence 
 from the first. 
 
 He had already established a home in the 
 wilderness in Buffalo Valley, then a part of 
 Northumberland county, having settled there 
 immediately after the purchase from the Indians 
 in 176S, and before the opening of the land 
 office in 1769. He was about six feet, two 
 inches in height, with a vigorous, muscular frame, 
 which easily endured the labors and hardships 
 of pioneer life. He took an active part in the 
 discussion of the wrongs of the colonists, which 
 led to the attempt at separation from the mother 
 country, and in 1776 was a member of the first 
 Constitutional Convention of the new State of 
 Pennsylvania. He had had considerable experi- 
 ence as a member of the militia, and at twenty- 
 seven had been appointed major in that service, 
 and he was thus well prepared to assist in the 
 tremendous task that confronted the patriot 
 forces. The fall of 1776 was a dark period. 
 The loss of Forts Washington and Lee with their 
 stores, and the defeat on Long Island, had 
 brought the hopes of the colonists low, but it was 
 at this critical juncture that the rally was made 
 to drive the British from New Jersey, the wrongs 
 of that colony being felt by others as their own. 
 A large force went from this State, Col. Kelly 
 being conspicuous among the number for his 
 ability. Of the brave deeds performed history 
 has a scanty but significant record, and to the 
 ordinary dangers of war there was added the 
 prospect of an ignominious death as a rebel, 
 belligerent rights not being acknowledged. 
 
 We quote from an address made on the oc- 
 casion of the unveiling of a monument to Col. 
 Kelly on April S, 1835: "For three days at a 
 time there was no regular service of provisions, 
 and for more than thirty-six hours, at another 
 time, they were constantly on the march, or in 
 action, without a moment's sleep or giving up 
 their arms. In the course of one of their re- 
 
 treats, the commander-in-chief, through Col. 
 Potter, sent an order to Maj. Kelly to have a 
 certain bridge cut down to prevent the advance 
 of the British, who were then in sight. The Ma- 
 jor sent for an axe, but represented that the enter- 
 prise would be very hazardous. Still the British 
 advance must be stopped, and the order was not 
 withdrawn. He said he could not order another 
 to do what some might say he was afraid to do 
 himself; he would cut down the bridge. Before 
 all the logs on which the bridge lay were cut off, 
 he was completely within the range of the Brit- 
 ish fire, and several balls struck the log on which 
 he stood. The last log broke down sooner than 
 he expected, and he fell with it into the swollen 
 stream. Our soldiers moved on, not believing 
 it possible for him to escape. He, however, by 
 great exertions, reached the shore through the 
 high water and the floating timber, and followed 
 the troops. Encumbered, as he must have been, 
 with his wet and frozen clothes, he, on his road, 
 made a prisoner of a British scout, an armed 
 soldier, and took him into camp. What did 
 Curtius do more than this? If such an instance 
 of devoted heroism had happened in Greece or 
 Rome, the day would have been distinguished 
 from all other days. A medal would have been 
 struck, and every means used to secure the ever- 
 lasting remembrance of such a deed. In Eng- 
 land such a man would have been made a Knight 
 or a Lord, with the thanks of Parliament. In our 
 poor devoted land such instances were too com- 
 mon to receive especial notice. History men- 
 tions that our army was preserved by the de- 
 struction of that bridge; but the manner in which 
 it was done, or the name of the person who did 
 it, is not mentioned. It was but one of a series 
 of heroic acts, which happened every day, and 
 our soldiers then were more familiar with the 
 sword than with the pen. 
 
 "Major Kelly was present at Trenton, when the 
 Hessians surrendered, and assisted in that most 
 masterly movement on Princeton, by which the 
 chain of communications of the enemy was 
 broken, all their plans deranged and their army 
 compelled to return to New York. After his dis- 
 charge he returned to his farm and family, and 
 during the three succeeding years the Indians 
 were troublesome neighbors to this then frontier 
 settlement. He became colonel of the regiment, 
 and it was his duty to keep watch and ward 
 against the incursions of hostile Indians through 
 our mountain passes. At one time our people 
 were too weak to resist, and our whole beautiful 
 country was abandoned. Col. Kelly was among 
 the first to return — for at least two harvests 
 reapers took their rifles to the fields, and some of 
 

 i OMMBMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL REi <>RD. 
 
 the company watched while others wrought. Col. 
 Kelly had the principal command of the scouting 
 parties in this Valley, and very often he was out 
 in person. Man} and many nights has he lain 
 among the limbs of a fallen tree to keep himself 
 out of the mud, without a tire, because a fire 
 would indicate his position to the enemy. lb 
 had become well skilled in their mode of warfare. 
 One circumstance deserves particular notice: The 
 Indians seem to have resolved on his death, with- 
 out choosing to attack him openly. One night 
 he had reason to apprehend that they were mar 
 11. lose in the morning, and. by looking through 
 the crevices of his log house, be ascertained that 
 two, at least, if not more, were lying with their 
 arms, so as to shoot him when he should open 
 his door. He fixed his own title and took his 
 tion so that by a string he could open the 
 ■ and watch the Indians. The moment he 
 pulled the door open two balls came into the 
 house, and the Indians rose to advance. He 
 fired and wounded one, and both retreated. After 
 waiting to satisfy himself that no others remained 
 he followed them by the blood, but they escaped. 
 "Foi many years Col. Kelly held the office of 
 a magistrate of the county. In the administra- 
 tion of justice, he exhibited the same anxiety to 
 do right, and the same disregard of selfish gain, 
 which had characterized him in the military 
 
 ice of the country. He would at any til 
 forgive his own fees, and if the parties were 
 poor, pay the constable's costs, to procure a 
 compromise; while, by industry and e< 
 his own pecuniary circumstances were comforta- 
 ble and easy, he seemed to desire the proeperitv 
 11 men, and most anxiously to desire that all 
 hbors should be friends. No man ever in 
 vain sought his interposition to reconcile con- 
 ing interests, to soothe angry passions, to 
 stand, as the defender and protector of the poor 
 man, the widow, and the orphan. He obeyed 
 the injunction, 'be given to hospitality.' It is 
 true that so general is the hospitality of his 
 neighborhood that the want of it would be i 
 sidered a great vice; but in him it was a part ol 
 the same character, indicating a freedom from 
 selfishness, an inability to enjo) fully God's 
 bounties alone; a feeling th od thing is 
 
 rendered tar more valuable by participation; and 
 a. conviction that the diffusion of happiness is 
 not merely right in itself, but thi source ol gi 
 joy to every well-regulated mind. Col. Kelly 
 was an affectionate husband, and a kind and 
 judicious father, as well as a friend)} and hospit- 
 able neighbor. He was a sincere and an exem- 
 plary Christian, and adorned all his other virti 
 by exhibiting a pattern of humility well worthy of 
 
 imitation. Having no anxieties who should be 
 greatest in the kingdom of Heaven, he had no 
 striving who should be greatest in the Church on 
 earth; his profession of religion was well sus- 
 tained by his practice. He had that true char- 
 
 nstic of bravery, an indisposition to fight his 
 battles over again, and that feeling of humility, 
 that where a man has only done his duty, boast- 
 ing has no place. It is in some measure owing 
 to this reserve that our notice of his life must be 
 so brief and so imperfect. He seemed not to 
 know that other men would have done differ- 
 ently from him; but to believe that whatever dis- 
 tinguished him from others, arose mainly from 
 the circumstances under which he acted. We 
 are of another generation, and his contempora- 
 ries have either gone down to tin 
 through lapse of time and failing faculties, are 
 unable to give particular details. From himself, 
 but a few gleanings from a life long and full of 
 incidents, have been obtained. 
 
 " His last end proved his character to becon- 
 nt. He met the grim messenger calmly; 
 ' for he knew in whom he had trusted;' and he 
 could 'walk through the valley and shadow t 
 death, fearing no evil.' The frame was bent, 
 and the muscles relaxed; but the mind — the im- 
 mortal mind — could not be obscured. It bright- 
 ened more and more ■ unto the perfect day.' At 
 the age of eighty-eight years, he departed, leav- 
 ing his memory to our care and his virtues for 
 our imitation. " 
 
 Col. Kelly married Sarah Polk, and reared a 
 numerous family, of whom our subject's father 
 was tlu' youngest, The eldest son, John, who 
 settled in Penn's Valley, was the father of Hon. 
 James K. Kelly, U. S. Senator, of Portland, 
 Oregon; James also made his home in Penn's 
 Valley; William, who married a daughter of 
 Archibald Allison, of Centre county, died Janu- 
 ary 2j, 1830; Andrew, a bachelor, born [783, 
 died September 24. 1867, aged eighty-four; Sam- 
 uel settled in Armstrong mntj . Penn. ; Elizabeth 
 married Simeon Howe; Mary married John 
 ill, of Lewisburg; Robert died April 1:, 
 [86; seventy-seven; and Joseph died 
 
 ;ed sixty-six. 
 
 Tin late David H. Kelly, our subject's fa- 
 was born November 5, 179S, on the old 
 homestead in a house built by Col. Kelly before 
 the Revolutionary war. He was reared as a 
 farmer boy, his lather's extensive estates afford- 
 ing plent) oi work for him as his strength devel- 
 nd his education was obtained in the sub- 
 scription schools of that time. His mind was of 
 a high order, and the limited instruction of his 
 early days was so supplemented by study and ob- 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 895 
 
 servation that he became well-informed upon 
 general topics, and his opinions were held in 
 high respect by his associates. He was a stanch 
 Democrat in politics, and held every office in 
 Kelly township except that of justice of the 
 peace. In 1859 he was elected county commis- 
 sioner. In religious matters he was also active, 
 adhering to the doctrines of the Reformed 
 Church and attending regularly the Union 
 Church at Mazeppa, in which he served many- 
 years as an official. He followed farming exclu- 
 sively, and although he owned a gristmill at Kel- 
 ly Cross Roads he did not operate it. He was 
 six feet tall, and weighed 180 pounds, and his 
 robust and well-built frame enabled him to do 
 much hard work as well as to perform some not- 
 able feats in hunting and fishing, of which sports 
 he was very fond. His home life was pleasant, 
 and he delighted in gathering about him a gay 
 company of neighbors for whom he would evoke 
 sweet strains from his violin, visitors often gath- 
 
 ering at his house to dance 
 
 an evening through. 
 
 His wife, Mary (Baker), to whom he was 
 married February 10, 1831, was born February 
 8, 18 12, the daughter of Jacob and Catherine 
 (Rockey) Baker, and resided until her marriage 
 upon the same farm. Their first home was upon 
 an estate in Kelly township given to David Kelly 
 by his father, but in the spring of 1858 he bought 
 another farm in Buffalo township which was at 
 one time owned by Wendell Baker, a well-known 
 pioneer of Buffalo Valley. Both these farms 
 descended to the heirs together with a large tract 
 of mountain land. David Kelly died February 
 11, 1875, and was buried in Baker's cemetery, 
 where all the deceased members of the family 
 have been interred except his son, David S. Mrs. 
 David H. Kelly is still living, now in her eighty- 
 seventh year. 
 
 Our subject was the eldest in a large family 
 of children. Catherine R., born April iS, 1833, 
 married Dr. L. B. Meyers, of Fremont, Ohio, 
 who died December 24, 1896; Jacob B., born 
 September 6, 1834, died June 7, 1 891, in Kelly 
 township; Sarah E., born June 14, 1836, is the 
 widow of Joseph Kleckner, of Buffalo township; 
 Robert H., born February 14, 1S38, and died 
 November 26, 1S60, at Elmore, Ohio, was a 
 student of pharmacy; William W., born Decem- 
 ber 29, 1839, is a druggist at Ottawa, Ohio; 
 Mary A., born December 3, 1841, married J. S. 
 McCreight, of Lewisburg, Penn.; James B., born 
 June 28, 1844, died February 8, 1884, in Buffalo 
 township; Caroline E., born April 1, 1846, is the 
 widow of David Fredericks, of Pottsgrove, 
 Northumberland county; David S., born Decem- 
 ber 21, 1847, was a merchant of Fremont, Ohio; 
 
 he died September 10, 1887, at San Jacinto, 
 Cal., while traveling for his health, and was 
 buried at Ottawa, Ohio; his widow, Mrs. Annie 
 (Hauk) Kelly, is living in that city; Jane E., 
 born November 29, 1849, married J. W. Fred- 
 erick, of Northumberland county; H. Brady, 
 born October 17, 1851, resides in Buffalo town- 
 ship; Clara M., born July 25, 1854, died April 
 22, 1856; a son, born February 27, 1858, died in 
 infancy. 
 
 John A. Kelly first saw the light November 
 21, 1 83 1, in Kelly township, Union county, and 
 now occupies the farm in Buffalo township upon 
 which his father spent his last years. He is an 
 excellent citizen, progressive and public-spirited, 
 and ranks among the substantial men of his lo- 
 cality. Fond of reading, and possessing a keen 
 intellect, he is unusually conversant with current 
 topics. He began his education in the " Union 
 School " at Mazeppa in an old building near the 
 site of the present one, and his first teacher was 
 Miss Mary A. McClellan. After completing the 
 course of study offered there, he entered the 
 academy at Perrysville, Penn., where he pre- 
 pared for teaching (on leaving that institution) a 
 school in Potter township, Centre county, at a 
 salary of $18.00 per month. The next seven 
 years he spent in teaching part of the time in St. 
 Clair county, 111., where he went in the spring of 
 1855. His summer vacations were mainly de- 
 voted to selling implements. He remained in 
 Illinois until 1869, with occasional visits home, 
 and during the last three years he was superin- 
 tendent of a brick yard in which he held a one- 
 third interest. While in this business he traveled 
 for about a year through the Western States, 
 and " took up a claim " in Nemaha county, Kans., 
 which he still owns. 
 
 On returning to his native State Mr. Kelly 
 settled at his present home, and on September 
 27, 1870, he was married at Mifflinburg to Miss 
 Christina Kleckner, who was born February 3, 
 1839, in West Buffalo township, the daughter of 
 a well-known farmer, David Kleckner, and his 
 wife, Esther Wingert. Mrs. Kelly is a lady of 
 fine intellectual powers, and previous to her 
 marriage she taught successfully for seven years 
 in Union cointy, in West Buffalo and Lewis 
 townships. Three children have blessed this 
 union, viz.: David K., born July 22, 1876; An- 
 drew J., born November 16, 1877; and Mary B., 
 born December 7, 1879, all of whom are at 
 home. 
 
 Mr. Kelly takes an active interest in local 
 affairs, and although one of the stanchest of 
 Democrats in a township which is strongly Re- 
 publican, his popularity is so great that he has 
 

 I >>MMF.M<>h.\TlYE BIOGli.U'IlI'M. RECORD. 
 
 been elected to office many times. He served 
 year as supervisor, and is now in his eight- 
 eenth year as school director. He is also active 
 in the work of the Reformed Church, in which he 
 has held the office of elder for twenty years, and 
 for some time was superintendent of the Sunday- 
 school. He has given much time and attention 
 to the work of the Grange, and is a leading 
 member of the flourishing branch known as 
 falo Valley Grange, No. 520, at Buffalo 
 Cross Roads. 
 
 D ROSSWELL ROTHROCK, M. D., a well- 
 known physician and pharmacist, is deserv- 
 111- of especial mention in this volume, his career 
 showing that earnest, energetic pursuit of a wor- 
 thy purpose which makes the lives of our self- 
 made men so helpful as object lessons, while his 
 name is entitled to be permanently associated, 
 not only with the industrial, but also with the 
 intellectual development of New Berlin, Union 
 county. 
 
 Our subject comes of German ancestry, but 
 his family have been identified with Pennsylvania 
 since Colonial times. Joseph Rothrock, his 
 great-grandfather, was born in what is now Leb- 
 anon county, Penn., of German parentage, and 
 in early manhood removed to Mifflin county, set- 
 tling near Lewistown, where he followed farm- 
 ing. He married (first) Nancy , and (sec- 
 ond) a Miss Sell. He was well known among 
 the early pioneers, and was a bishop in the Ger- 
 man Baptist Church; in politics he was a Whig. 
 He had eight children, all by his first marriage: 
 John, Abraham, Isaac, Lizzie (who married Jon- 
 athan Amich), Nancy (who married a Mr. Pricei, 
 Mary (who married a Mr. Hannavalt), Mrs. Jacob 
 Mohler and Mrs. Daniel Bashore. 
 
 Dr. Isaac Rothrock, our subject's grandfather, 
 was born at the old homestead near Lewistown, 
 November 22, 1798. At an early age he mani- 
 fested a keen desire for knowledge, mathematics 
 ind grammar being his favorite studies. His 
 
 lness for intellectual work continued through- 
 
 • his life, and even in old age he rejoiced to 
 
 find a difficult problem to solve. He began his 
 
 medical studies with Dr. Ezra Doty, of Mifflin, 
 
 Juniata Co., Penn., and afterward studied with 
 
 ell-known practitioner, Dr. Thomas Van Val- 
 zah, of Lewisburg. Later he attended three 
 
 ilar courses of lectures in Jefferson Medical 
 College, and although he did not graduate, he 
 was afterward given a complimentary diploma 
 by the Eclectic Medical College of Philadelphia. 
 II began his practice in Middleburg, with Dr. 
 Henry Lechner, but afterward moved to Mifflin- 
 
 town, and then to Adamsburg, where he pur- 
 chased property and resided until 1864. For 
 forty-five years he practiced medicine, his busi- 
 ness extending over a large territory, but his last 
 years were spent in retirement at Adamsburg 
 among his beloved books. He was first a Whig, 
 later a Republican, and besides holding a number 
 of local offices, including that of school director, 
 he was elected in 1866 as a member of the House 
 of Representatives from the district composed of 
 Lycoming, Union and Snyder counties. He was 
 a devout member of the German Baptist Church, 
 and died in that faith June 8, 1872. He was 
 married four times. His first wife. Miss Snyder, 
 a niece of Gov. Snyder, died soon after their 
 marriage, and the only child of the union died 
 in infancy. His second wife was Miss Susan 
 Swenk, a native of Middleburg, and a daughter 
 of David Swenk, a well-known justice of the 
 peace. She died in June, 1852, leaving seven 
 children: Rosswell, who is mentioned more fully 
 below; Mary A., born December 28, 1832, who 
 married 'first) David Heckendorn, the first su- 
 perintendent of public schools of Union and Sny- 
 der counties, and 1 second) Philip Derr, of Phila- 
 delphia, since deceased; Isaac S., born May 22. 
 1835, graduated in dentistry in Chicago and Phil- 
 adelphia, and now resides in Bannerville, Penn , 
 having been for thirty-seven years an invalid from 
 spinal trouble, which also affected his eyes; Har- 
 riet C. , born May 11, 1 837, is the widow of James 
 Herlacher, of Haven, Kans. ; David C. , born May 
 3, 1842, is a dentist in McClure, Penn.; Allen 
 E., born February 13, 1851, is a tanner in Lew- 
 istown. Dr. Isaac Rothrock's third wife was 
 Mrs. Lydia (Bowersox) Leonard, a widow. She 
 died in February, 1857, leaving one daughter, 
 Adda L. , born September 20, 1854, who mar- 
 ried R. R. Long, of Gettysburg, Penn. By his 
 fourth wife, Angelina Wallace, a native of Mif- 
 rlintown, he had no issue. She died March 
 1879, a fine Christian woman and great Sab- 
 bath-school worker; she is interred at Adams- 
 burg 
 
 Dr. Rosswell Rothrock, the father of our sub- 
 ject, was born in Adamsburg, October 14, 1S31, 
 and was reared there, his school privileges being 
 such as were common in those days. However, 
 he taught a few terms of a public school in the 
 vicinity of Adamsburg, reading medicine and 
 teaching, etc., until he entered Jefferson Medical 
 College, where h ted in 185 1 , when barely 
 
 twenty years old. He remained in active prac- 
 tice from the time of his graduation until his 
 death on March 1, 1897 — a period of nearly forty- 
 six years — and at that time he was the oldest 
 practitioner in Snyder county. He first located 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 897 
 
 at Adamsburg, but from 1853 to 1855 he prac- 
 ticed at Millville, Clarion Co., Penn. He then 
 went to Beavertown, Snyder county, and in i860 
 he removed to New Bethlehem, Clarion county. 
 On August 29, 1 86 1, he became the surgeon of 
 Company C, 78th P. V. I., and went to the seat 
 of war. He was taken prisoner at the battle of 
 Chickamauga, and with eleven others of the reg- 
 iment marched across Lookout Mountain to Ring- 
 gold, where they were placed on board a train. 
 Their destination proved to be Richmond, Va. , 
 where they spent one month in Libby Prison. At 
 the end of that time the Doctor and 125 others 
 were marched off in the night and placed on 
 Belle Isle or " Devil's Den," where he remained 
 until February 22, 1862. Their next change 
 came again at night, they being taken, this time, 
 to the Pemberton buildings, where the) - were 
 put on board a train and sent to Andersonville, 
 Ga. There they found thirty-five thousand other 
 prisoners, and they were obliged to endure all 
 the horrors of the place until September 5, 1862, 
 when the Doctor was sent along with a body of 
 two thousand fellow prisoners to Savannah. Six 
 weeks later he had orders from the Rebel author- 
 ities to gather up all the men who could stand 
 transportation and board a train. They had no 
 idea what this command meant, and their desti- 
 nation was equally a mystery; but after a week's 
 ride, interspersed with numerous delays, they 
 reached Millen, Ga. , where a new stockade had 
 been built. Not long afterward the welcome 
 news came that ten thousand prisoners would be 
 exchanged, and the Doctor was one of the first 
 six hundred to be sent north, the journey being 
 made by way of Annapolis, Md. He rejoined 
 his family, then residing in Clarion county, Penn. , 
 and on November 27, 1864, he was honorably 
 discharged from service. In 1866 he located at 
 Bannerville, Snyder county, and in the spring of 
 1879 he established himself in practice at Middle- 
 burg, for the purpose of educating his children, 
 as there were better schools, etc., at that place, 
 but in 1884 he located permanently at McClure, 
 Penn., where he practiced until his final sickness 
 interrupted his work. His intuitive sagacity, 
 sharpened by long experience, placed him in the 
 foremost ranks of his profession. To all his 
 patients he was the same, flying with alacrity to 
 every call, attending upon the poor and humble 
 as zealously as upon the rich and powerful, and 
 on the stranger as readily as upon the neighbor. 
 Often he discharged the duties of a nurse as well 
 as those of a physician, being wholly regardless 
 of his own interests and even of his own health, 
 such was his zeal to serve and save others. 
 
 As a citizen he was held in the highest 
 
 57* 
 
 esteem. While he was never a politician, he 
 was an ardent supporter of the Republican party. 
 In religious work he was prominent as a member 
 of Christ Church (Evangelical) at McClure, 
 Penn., for some years previous to his death. He 
 was a member of Capt. M. Smith Post No. 355, 
 G. A. R., and of McClure Lodge No. 770, I. O. 
 O. F., in which he was Right Supporter to the 
 Vice Grand in 1896. At his own request the G. 
 A. R. took charge of his funeral (which occurred 
 at McClure), assisted by the I. O. O. F. He 
 had been especially active in the work of this 
 Post, having served one year as commander of 
 same and ten years as surgeon. 
 
 On August 4, 1853, he was married at New 
 Bethlehem, Penn., to Miss Catherine Mohney, 
 who survives him, and is now a highly-respected 
 resident of McClure. She was born April 25, 
 1835, at New Bethlehem, where her early life 
 was spent. Her parents, Frederick and Mary 
 (Caster) Mohney, were both born in Northamp- 
 ton county, Penn., of Dutch ancestry. Both 
 were consistent members of the German Re- 
 formed Church, and their remains now rest in 
 Oak Ridge cemetery, in Clarion county. Her 
 father was a well-known Democrat of his time, 
 and was highly respected as a citizen because of 
 his kindness and generosity. He had the follow- 
 ing children: David (a Democratic politician, 
 and justice of the peace for years), born Febru- 
 ary 16, 1825, married Elizabeth Imhoff, and re- 
 sides at New Bethlehem; Elizabeth, born April 
 21, 1827, married Jacob Yeaney, of Shenandoah, 
 Penn.; Jeremiah, born November 26, 1833, mar- 
 ried Lizzie Shawber, resided in Lillyville, Penn., 
 and died November 29, 1896; Catherine, our 
 subject's mother, was the fourth in order of birth; 
 Sophia, born December 25, 1837, married Chris- 
 topher Yeaney, of Shenandoah, Penn.; Mary E., 
 born March 5, 1842, is the wife of Daniel C. 
 Eyster, ex-sheriff, banker and lumberman, of 
 Ridgvvay, Penn.; Christina, born August 20, 
 1845, ' s tne wife of John L. Cribb, ex-legislator 
 of Clarion county, 1892, of New Bethlehem; and 
 Matthias, born May 6, 1850, married Elizabeth 
 McClellan, and is a plasterer and contractor at 
 Reynoldsville. Penn. Dr. Rosswell Rothrock 
 and his wife had five children, namely: Marand 
 is a practicing physician at Fremont, Penn. ; 
 James B. is a plasterer and an extensive contrac- 
 tor in Swineford, Penn. ; Clara married Edward 
 Knapp, who has been a carpenter on the Lewis- 
 town & Sunbury railroad for years, with resi- 
 dence at Lewistown; Mary E. is the wife of 
 Charles Decker, a farmer of McClure, Penn. ; 
 Dr. D. Rosswell is the youngest in the family. 
 
 We will now return to the subject proper of 
 
898 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 this sketch, who was born December 28, 1861, 
 at New Bethlehem, Clarion county, Penn. When 
 he was four years old his parents removed to 
 Bannerville, where his youth was spent, five 
 months of each year being given to study in the 
 public schools. His independent nature asserted 
 itself very early in life, and from the age of thir- 
 
 11 he earned his own clothes. On April 3, 
 1 79, the family removed to Middleburg, but he 
 did not long remain at home after that as on 
 April 8, following, he and his brother, James B., 
 went to the vicinity of Elkhart, Ind., where our 
 subject was employed during the summer upon a 
 dairy farm, at from twelve to fifteen dollars per 
 month. In October, 1S79, he returned home at 
 his father's request, in order to attend school 
 during the winter, and in the fall of 1880 he was 
 licensed to teach. During the summer of 1880 
 he attended the Selins Grove Normal Institute, 
 conducted by Prof. William Noetling, county 
 superintendent. In the following winter he took 
 charge of a school in Franklin township, Snyder 
 county, at twenty dollars per month. In 1881 
 he took a course in the academy at Freeburg, 
 and daring the next winter he taught the Win- 
 
 I school in Hartley township, Union county, 
 t 11 thirty-five dollars per month. In 1882 heat- 
 tended the Freeburg Academy again, and in the 
 ar he taught a primary school at that 
 place. His summers were spent in any labor 
 that would bring him in funds to prosecute his 
 
 lies, as his one ambition was to secure a good 
 education. In the spring of 1882 he passed the 
 examination before the Snyder County Board of 
 Medical Examiners, composed of Drs. H. H. 
 Bordner, H. M. Nipple, and J. Y. Shindle, se- 
 curing a certificate of competency to read medi- 
 cine. From that time his spare moments 
 were spent in reading medicine, under his 
 father as preceptor, at the same time teach- 
 
 school. In the winter of 1882-83 he taught 
 the first term of school ever held in the 
 new brick school house in Franklin township, 
 north of Middleburg, Snyder county, and in the 
 fall of 1883 he entered the College of Physicians 
 and Surgeons at Baltimore, Md. On his return 
 home, March, 1S84, he spent the summer in 
 working in the harvest field and in other employ- 
 ments as well as reading medicine, and, as his 
 father removed to McClure in that year, he prac- 
 ticed for a short time with him, under his pre- 
 ceptorship. In the fall of 1884 he entered the 
 Medical Department of Baltimore University 
 School of Medicine, and in the following year he 
 was graduated with the highest honors, receiving 
 a beautiful gold medal as a reward for his pro- 
 ficiency in his studies. His only difficulty dur- 
 
 ing his college course was caused by the scarcity 
 I of funds, and after his graduation his money was 
 j so nearly exhausted that he had no money 1 1 
 pay his fare to Selins Grove Junction, so had to 
 sell a few of his text books for that purpose. He 
 was rowed across the Susquehanna river, in a 
 I boat, to Selins Grove, arriving penniless, at five 
 o'clock one cold morning. Breakfast was out of 
 the question, and he set out on foot through the 
 snow for Fremont, ten miles distant, his precious 
 diploma being carried under his arm, and gold 
 medal in his pocket. At Fremont he found his 
 brother, Dr. Marand, who supplied him with 
 sufficient money to take him home; but this our 
 subject decided to save, and the rest of the 
 journey, some twenty-two miles, was accord:' 
 made on foot. 
 
 On April 2, 1885. he located at Three 
 Springs, Huntingdon Co., Penn., where he pur- 
 chased, on a year's time, a stock of drugs, a 
 horse, and certain accessories of a do< • 
 1 office, from Dr. John B. Ollig. When he reached 
 his new home he had but thirty -one cents in 
 cash; but fortune smiled upon him and he read- 
 ily secured a paying practice. In the meantime 
 his brother Marand met with an accident, and 
 October 10, 1886, our subject went to Fremont, 
 to take charge of his practice, which was very 
 large. There he remained until February 14. 
 1S87, when he established an office at New Ber- 
 lin, Penn., where he has ever since followed his 
 profession with well-merited success. In 1888 
 he opened a large drug store, which he has con- 
 ducted in connection with his practice with grat- 
 ifying success. In accordance with the Act of 
 May 24, 1S87, of the Pennsylvania Legislature, 
 relating to pharmacists, he was examined by the 
 State Pharmaceutical Board in the Senate 
 Chamber, Harrisburg, on April 11, iSSS, and 
 his examination having proved successful he was 
 given a diploma as a registered pharmacist. In 
 February. 1S94, he placed on the market a line 
 of proprietary medicines, which now find their 
 way into homes throughout the United States. 
 In June, 1S92, the Faculty of Freeburg Academy 
 (which had just been chartered) presented him 
 with a diploma such as that institution has 
 always given to those among its students who 
 enter one of the learned professions. Dr. Roth- 
 rock is energetic, and public-spirited, and his ge- 
 nial manners make him a general favorite. His 
 influence as a citizen is marked, and is alw 
 exerted on the side of progress. He owns a 
 home and business block in New Berlin, also five 
 acres of land near town, and since taking pos- 
 sion of the property has made many improve- 
 ments and additions. 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 899 
 
 In September, 1897, the Doctor, prompted 
 by a spirit of enterprise and love for the little 
 town of his adoption, also with a view to provid- 
 ing employment for the young folks of the place, 
 rented, in partnership with Prof. A. M. Wonder, 
 a suitable building, bought knitting machinery, 
 together with engine, boiler, etc., in fact every- 
 thing pertaining to a perfect plant of that descrip- 
 tion, and in a short time the village and vicinity saw 
 with pleasure, and something akin to wonder, in 
 some cases (it is said) even with envy, the smoke 
 and steam of the first enterprise that ever made 
 its appearance in these parts. So great was the 
 novelty that the people flocked from all quarters 
 to see a stocking knit by steam and machine. 
 The factory manufactures men's half hose, and 
 in six weeks from the time of starting up the 
 product was increased to sixty dozen pairs of 
 hose per day, employment being given to thirty- 
 two people, which means an average of $300 per 
 month for New Berlin, the citizens whereof are 
 proud to have among them such an enterprising 
 and go-ahead citizen as Dr. Rothrock, the pro- 
 genitor and life and soul of the knitting factory. 
 May his shadow never grow less! 
 
 On June 16, 1885, Dr. D. Rosswell Rothrock 
 was married at Centreville, Snyder county, to 
 Miss Ella Walter, a native of Limestone town- 
 ship, Union county, born February 3, 1 863, second 
 in the family of four daughters of Valentine and 
 Susannah (Shaffer) Walter, the former of whom is 
 a well-to-do retired merchant. When she was a 
 child her parents removed to Snyder count}-, and 
 she was reared in the town of Centreville; subse- 
 quently she became an experienced public school 
 teacher, teaching seven terms in all. Two chil- 
 dren grace the home of Dr. and Mrs. Rothrock: 
 Walter R., born January 8, 1887; and Helen 
 Katherine, born August 4, 1894. 
 
 Politically our subject is a leading Repub- 
 lican, manifesting a keen interest in the success 
 of his party. Before he had resided in New 
 Berlin a year he was elected to the office of chief 
 burgess of the place, and he has also served as 
 school director and treasurer of the school board. 
 Socially he is prominently identified with the I. O. 
 O. F. at New Berlin, and has filled all the impor- 
 tant chairs therein; in 1895 he was elected district 
 deputy of Union county, and in May, 1897, he 
 was sent as a representative of the Grand Lodge, 
 which convened at Williamsport, Penn. In re- 
 ligious faith Dr. and Mrs. Rothrock are active 
 members of the Lutheran Church at New Ber- 
 lin, of which he is deacon and treasurer, and 
 none enjoy to a greater degree the respect and 
 the esteem of the community in which they 
 live. 
 
 GEORGE WASHINGTON SHOWERS, an 
 agriculturist of note residing upon a fine es- 
 tate near W'est Milton, is descended from two 
 of the well-known pioneer families of Union 
 county, whose history contains much that is of 
 general interest. On the paternal side the first 
 ancestor of whom we have record is Michael 
 Showers, who was born in Berks county, and 
 was by occupation a farmer. He died at about 
 eighty years of age. 
 
 Christian Showers (son of Michael), the grand- 
 father of our subject, was born September 5, 
 1779, in Union county, and died in the Nippe- 
 nose Valley, Clinton Co., Penn., February 10, 
 1865, aged eighty-five years, five months and 
 five days. His wife, Margaret Markel, also at- 
 tained a good old age, and both were buried in 
 the Nippenose Valley, their occupation being 
 farming until well advanced in years; then they 
 lived retired until they passed away at the old 
 homestead. 
 
 Their son Samuel, our subject's father, was a 
 native of Snyder county, Penn., born August 4, 
 18 14, and in early life began farming in a small 
 way in Clinton county, in the Nippenose Valley, 
 but in 1854 he moved to Union county and set- 
 tled upon the farm now occupied by our subject. 
 He acquired a fine estate, and at his death, which 
 occurred January 18, 1894, he owned several 
 farms as well as other property. Politically he 
 was a Republican, and in religion he adhered to 
 the Lutheran faith. He married Sarah Hoffman, 
 who was born in Union county August 23, 1806, 
 and died October 16, 1889, aged eighty-three 
 years. Her family has been identified with Union 
 county from an early day, having come from 
 Lebanon county, Penn., to settle there before 
 the division of Northumberland county, which 
 resulted in the present county organization. Jost 
 Hoffman, her grandfather, purchased the farm 
 of 291 acres, upon which our subject now re- 
 sides, the deed, which is now in Mr. Showers' 
 possession, being dated November 27, 1793. 
 John Hoffman, the son of this old pioneer, and 
 the father of Mrs. Showers, was born in Leba- 
 non county March 16, 1767, and the greater part 
 of his life was spent in farming in White Deer 
 township, Union county, where his death oc- 
 curred July 26, 1840, his remains being buried in 
 White Deer graveyard. His wife, Catherine 
 Baker, who was born in Lebanon county Octo- 
 ber 13, 1765, survived him, passing away Feb- 
 ruary 25, 185 1 . 
 
 George W. Showers was the first born of 
 three children, and is now the only survivor. 
 John died at the present homestead, April 25, 
 1870, and Samuel died in Nippenose Valley, 
 
' H II I 
 
 I OMMEMORATIVE BIO(jn.\riIHAL RECORD. 
 
 Clinton county. Our subject was born^Decem- 
 ber 2G, 1842, at the old home in Clinton county, 
 and being trained to farm management in his 
 youth was prepared to take charge of the home- 
 stead when his father retired from business in 
 April, 1867, and removed to near New Columbia. 
 Since that time Mr. Showers has continued to 
 reside at the farm with the exception of one year, 
 1869-70, which he spent on an adjoining estate. 
 Genial and clever, he has hosts of friends, but al- 
 though he has had much influence in local affairs 
 and is a leading Republican, he has Q( ver sought 
 or held office. Until 1 895 he was an active mem- 
 ber and master of the Grange, and he takes keen 
 interest in all public questions. 
 
 On January I, 1807, Mr. Showers was mar- 
 ried at Lewisburg, by Rev. Mr. Evans, to Miss 
 Sarah E. Geyer, a native of White Deer town- 
 ship, Union counts, born June 28, 1844. Nine 
 children have blessed this union, the names with 
 dates of birth being as follows: William H., 
 April 9, 1868, residing upon the farm adjoining 
 the homestead, married Miss Edith Criswell, and 
 has had two children — Russell H. and William 
 L. ; Ellen J., June 3, 1869, died August 30, of 
 the following year; Norman J.. November 8, 
 1870; Laura C., December 25, 1S71; George 
 W ., Jr., September 25, [873; Sarah E., Decem- 
 ber 19, 1874; John, April 24, 1876, and Frank- 
 lin, July 26, 1877, are allat home; and Alice M., 
 born August 9, 1885, lived only two brief years, 
 passing away August 8, 18S7. 
 
 The Geyer family came to this section from 
 Reading, Penn., and Mrs. Showers' paternal 
 grandfather, Adam Geyer, a prosperous mill- 
 wright, died in Union county, his last years be- 
 ing spent in freedom from business cares. He 
 was buried in White Deer cemetery, but his wife, 
 Susannah Garrett, was interred in St. Joseph 
 county, Mich. Their son Israel, the father of 
 Mrs. Showers, was born at Reading, July 10, 
 [822, but came in early manhood to White Deer 
 township, where he became a prominent farmer 
 and a leader in local affairs, being elected to va- 
 rious township offices, and taking an influential 
 part in the Republican organization. He was 
 married in White Deer township, Union county, 
 to Miss Catherine Brown, who had accompanied 
 her parents, George ind Sarah (Bartlett I Irown, 
 from Schuylkill county, Penn , their native place, 
 to a new home in that township Israel G 
 1 d March 10, 1875, and his wife passed away 
 in the sixtieth year of her age on March 29, [882, 
 The former had been a Lutheran in faith in his 
 youth, while the latter adhered to the Refoi 
 
 irch, but some years before their death they 
 united with the Evangelical Church. 
 
 Of their numerous family of children, Mrs 
 Showers is the eldest; John G. , Adam and 
 James are well-known agriculturists in White 
 
 r township. Union county; Susannah married 
 Reuben Zimmerman, of Buffalo Cross Roads, 
 now supervisor of his township; Marv C. died at 
 the age of four years; William C. is a successful 
 farmer in White Deer township; Rebecca died 
 when only fifteen months old; Ellen J. married 
 Josiah Yerger, a farmer in Montgomery count}-, 
 Penn. ; Samuel B. resides upon a farm in Kelly 
 township, Union caunty; Anna L. married Frank 
 Gemberling, a farmer in Atchison county, Kans.; 
 and Eliza A. is the wife of Howard North, who 
 is also engaged in farming in that counts. 
 
 MRS. MARIA MILLER (deceased), formerly 
 of W T est Buffalo township, was a lady of 
 large business capacity and marked intelligence, 
 and was distinguished in the records of Union 
 county for her straight-forward and womanly 
 course, no less than for the tact and energy she 
 employed in her business affairs after her hus- 
 band's death. 
 
 A daughter of John C. and Anna M. (Ben- 
 zinger) Kaup, Mrs Miller was born April 16, 
 1826, in West Buffalo township, on the old an- 
 cestral home of the Kaup family, where she 
 resided at the time of her death, the property at 
 the death of her parents, having been purchased 
 by her husband. Her father was born in Berks 
 county, Penn., in 1775, and, in 181 5 came to 
 Union county with his young wife, locating on 
 the place now owned by our subject. The land 
 at that time was covered with a heavy growth of 
 timber, which he cleared away, and in the midst 
 of the wilderness developed a fine farm, devoting 
 his time and attention to its cultivation and im- 
 provement until called from this life in 1851. 
 His widow, who long survived him, died in 1872, 
 at the advanced age of eighty-nine years, and 
 they now sleep side by side in the Miniinburg 
 cemetery. She was a daughter of Frederick 
 ' Benzingei. 
 
 Upon the home farm, Mrs. Miller was reared, 
 remaining with her parents until twenty-four 
 years of age, when, in 1850, she gave her hand 
 in marriagi to Jacob Miller, a popular young 
 farmer ot West Buffalo township. They became 
 the parents of four children, but with the ex- 
 ception of one all died in infant \ Mary, who 
 grew to maturity, is now the wife of P. L. Id- 
 dings, a prosperous agriculturist of West Buffalo 
 township, ami they have the following children: 
 Maria B., Jacob R., Nora B., Charles, William 
 1 Margaret I).. Pearl E., Lewis A.. Mary J., 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 901 
 
 Albert S. (deceased), and Arnold B. Mr. Miller 
 and the three children who died in infancy now 
 lie buried in the cemetery at Mazeppa, Penn- 
 sylvania. 
 
 Upon the death of her husband. Mrs. Miller 
 found their home heavily encumbered by debt, 
 but by her excellent management and indus- 
 trious, frugal habits, it is now free from all debt, 
 and she made many improvements in the build- 
 ings in the last few years. She succeeded in 
 demonstrating the fact that a woman is well 
 qualified to carry on a farm successfully. She 
 merited and received the warmest respect and 
 esteem of the whole community, and was much 
 beloved by everyone with whom she came in 
 contact for her gentle ways and genial manner. 
 Religiously she was a consistent member of the 
 Lutheran Church. She departed this life Jan- 
 uary 29, 1898, aged seventy-one years, nine 
 months and thirteen days. 
 
 JOHN L. KNIGHT, one of the most profi- 
 cient instructors in music in Union county, 
 has spent his entire life there, his birth oc- 
 curring in Hartley township, where he is still 
 living, occupying the old homestead of his ma- 
 ternal ancestors — the Lincolns. 
 
 Samuel H. Knight, his father, a native of 
 Cecil county, Md., came to Union county, Penn., 
 in 1842, and there became acquainted with Miss 
 Rachel T. Lincoln, who shortly afterward became 
 his wife. She was born in Union county, where 
 her death occurred October 19, 1875, when she 
 had reached the age of fifty years, eight months 
 and twenty-four days. The father, who was a 
 graduate of the Washington University of Balti- 
 more, Md., became a prominent and successful 
 physician and surgeon, his practice extending 
 throughout Union and Centre counties, but for the 
 last ten years of his life he lived retired. He died 
 June 7, 1882, aged sixty-five years, and was laid by 
 the side of his wife in Lincoln cemetery, Hartley 
 township. Of the two children born to them, Han- 
 nah E. died at the age of sixteen years, seven months 
 and seven days, her remains being interred by 
 the side of those of her parents. She was a 
 beautiful and accomplished young lady, beloved 
 by all who knew her. 
 
 John L. Knight obtained an excellent literary 
 education in the Randolph Academy of Lewis- 
 burg, Penn., and in Bucknell College, where 
 he completed his studies. His instruction in 
 music was under the direction of Prof. Loose, 
 and since the age of twenty-two he has success- 
 fully engaged in teaching that art, having a large 
 number of pupils. Possessing remarkable mu- 
 
 sical talent and receiving the best instruction, he 
 is now recognized as one of the ablest teachers 
 of music in central Pennsylvania. A consistent 
 member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, he 
 has efficiently served as superintendent of the 
 ! Sunday-school for a number of years, and he 
 j also has been elected president of the Epworth 
 League a number of times. He has filled the 
 position of organist of Lincoln Church many years. 
 His political support is given to the Republican 
 party. He owns two fine farms in Union county, 
 which he inherited on his mother's death. His 
 ancestors were originally from England, but the 
 family was established in the New World prior 
 to the Revolutionary war. 
 
 THOMAS WASHINGTON KEEFER, a 
 wealthy retired agriculturist of White 
 Deer township, Union county, is the owner of a 
 fine farm, which was purchased October 4, 
 18 14, by his grandfather, Martin Keffer (as the 
 name was then spelled), from John Blakeny. 
 This estate has ever since been occupied by some 
 member of the family with the exception of one 
 year, 1891, when it passed into the possession of 
 H. H. Trumpfheller. In 1892 Mr. Keefer be- 
 came its owner, and has since resided there. 
 
 Martin Keffer was born in Strasburg, Germany, 
 but in an early day came to America. His wife, 
 Mary Lawrence, was also a native of Strasburg, 
 and accompanied her father, Morris Lawrence, 
 and her two brothers, whom the father wished 
 to free from the military service required of all 
 able-bodied young men in the Fatherland. He 
 was considered a wealthy man in Germany, but 
 could not realize upon his property, and, in order 
 to pay the passage across the ocean, he contract- 
 ed that his daughters work for a certain length 
 of time to pay the debt incurred. He lived to 
 the age of one hundred and nine years, his death 
 occurring in Northumberland county, Pennsyl- 
 vania. 
 
 Martin and Mary (Lawrence) Keffer spent 
 their later years at the present homestead, and 
 their remains were interred at Milton, then a 
 part of Northumberland county. Their son 
 James, our subject's father, was a noted hunter 
 and farmer of his day. He and his wife, Mary 
 Cherry, were born, reared and married in North- 
 umberland county, where they remained until 
 after the birth of their second child, William, 
 when they moved to the old homestead. The 
 father, who was a Catholic in faith, died in Au- 
 gust, 1862, aged sixty -nine years, and the mother, 
 a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
 passed away November 21, of the same year, 
 
91 »2 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPUUM RECORD. 
 
 aged sixty-six. Her death was caused from a 
 fall, her dress catching on a doorsill. At the 
 time she was visiting three of her sons, who were 
 in the livery business at Corning, New York; but 
 as the only effect of the accident seemed to be 
 an injury of one arm, she paid no attention to it, 
 yet <>n returning home a few days later she took 
 to her bed and died shortly afterward. 
 
 James and Mary (Cherry) Keffer reared a fam- 
 ilv of twelve children, namely: Elizabeth., Mrs. 
 F l!runer, a widow, residing with her son-in- 
 law. John Klapp, a farmer in White Deer town- 
 ship. Union count}'; William, who died at the 
 old homestead at the age of seventy-two; Ma 
 Mrs. George Haase, who died in 1846; James, 
 an 1 e fanner in California, where he has 
 
 Sarah, who was the second 
 wife of the late George Haase, and died in 1894; 
 John, a tanner of Seneca county, N. V.; Wen- 
 del, who went to California; Thomas W., our 
 subjo t. Martin, a farmer of White Deer town- 
 ship, Union county; David and Levi, of Union 
 county; and Franklin, a resident of Erie, Penn- 
 sylvania. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was born Decem- 
 ber 30, 1828, and as farm work in those days re- 
 quired attention all the year round, he received 
 but little schooling. After reaching the age of 
 sixteen he was often employed on neighboring 
 farms, usually receiving fifty cents per day, but 
 he -pni! one week in mowing and raking at twen- 
 ty-fi At the age of twenty-one he left 
 
 home to seek a livelihood, and worked the first 
 summer for his brother-in-law, George Haase, 
 at • i!<nth. The next year he was em- 
 
 ployed seven months at $7 a month, the winters 
 being spent at home, With this experience he 
 coii' is no money in farming, 
 
 and l>e-. in learning tin- trade of chair manuf 
 urin;;. apprenticing himself to David Cinter for 
 three years at $25 pel year, with the privilege of 
 doing farm work in summer in order to defray 
 expenses, lb- learned the business, but his hope 
 of steady and profitable employment was dis- 
 pelled before long by the introduction of ma- 
 chinery. Again ne found himself face to face 
 with the stubborn necessity for making a living, 
 and 'aIk-ii twenty-six years old he went to Si 
 ben county, N. Y. , to visit a brother who was 
 engaged in the livery business. 
 
 Finding no employment, Mr. Keefer returned 
 
 where a letter from his brother John 
 
 awaiti d him, containing an invitation to come to 
 
 ieca county, N. Y.. where work could be had. 
 He started at ono t (or Williamsport, 
 
 where he took a horse-car to Trout Run. Thence 
 he went by stage across the Alleghany Mountains 
 
 to Blossburg, a distance of twenty-five miles, and 
 from that point he traveled to Corning, N. Y., 
 over a railway, the rails and ties being made of 
 wood bound with iron. The promised employ- 
 ment consisted in "taking up" after an old- 
 fashioned " Huzzy Reaper," the first machine of 
 the sort made in the United States. The motive 
 power was furnished by two horses hitched to 
 the back part of a wagon. Mr. Keefer received 
 $1 a day for his work, and remained about five 
 months, returning home when cold weather 
 set in. 
 
 The following spring, an uncle, Charles 
 Cherry, a butcher in Steuben county, V Y. , em- 
 ployed him at $10 per month, and he remained 
 there six months. One very cold day his uncle 
 remarked in the course of a conversation that 
 work could be had at $3 a day at floating logs, 
 and Mr. Keefer eagerly availed himself of this 
 information; but there were no rubber boots in 
 those days, and one day in the icy water suf- 
 ficed him. The next year he engaged in butch- 
 ering in partnership with a brother, and for a 
 time had a thriving trade, on credit; but when 
 one ledger had been filled with worthless ac- 
 counts, they burned it and abandoned the busi- 
 ness. 
 
 Mr. Keefer then went to Corning, and spent 
 a summer in working for his brother for his 
 board; but as the old proverb says, "It is always 
 darkest before daylight," and things soon made 
 a turn for the better with him. He was thirty- 
 six years old when he began business as a car- 
 penter, and his set of tools was incomplete; but 
 he made headway from the start and contin 
 for twenty years. With his savings, which 
 amounted to $1,800, he purchased a small farm 
 in White Deer township, Union county, and re- 
 sided there until 1892, when he traded the place 
 in the old homestead. 
 
 His wife, formerly Miss Elizabeth Clouser, a 
 native of Kelly township, Union county, was born 
 August 10, 1837. They have one daughter, 
 Lizzie C, who was married at the age of twenty- 
 two to Charier- 1). Rich, a farmer of White Deer 
 township, Union county. Three children were 
 born to Mr. and Mrs. Rich: Clara A., Dartha 
 M., and K 13 Keefer. 
 
 Mrs Keefer'S father, Abraham Clouser, was 
 born in Lancaster county, and passed his life 
 there, his death occurring in 1870, at the age of 
 fifty-eight. He is a well-known citizen, a Re- 
 publican in politics, and he and his wife, whose 
 maiden name was Hannah Fink, were leading 
 membersof the Reformed Church. Mrs. Clouser 
 was a native of Northumberland county, but 
 she died in Union county in 1S77, and was buried 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 90S 
 
 beside her husband in the graveyard at White 
 Deer Church. Their children were: Henry, de- 
 ceased; Sophia, wife of Andrew Zong, both now 
 deceased; Elizabeth (Mrs. Keefer); Sarah, who 
 married Moses Baker, a farmer of White Deer 
 township, Union county; and Mary, wife of John 
 Shaffer, a farmer and stonemason in Kansas. 
 
 Mr. Keefer has retired from active business, 
 the management of his farm devolving upon 
 Charles H. Malada, a young man of eighteen, 
 who from the age of two years has had his home 
 with Mr. Keefer. After a life of toil, leisure is 
 doubly sweet, and an abundant competence can 
 be best appreciated perhaps by one whose labors 
 have been but poorly requited in the past. Mr. 
 Keefer is now regarded as one of the substantial 
 men of his locality, in whose progress he shows 
 a genuine interest. He is a member of the 
 Evangelical Church, and in his political views is 
 a Republican. 
 
 SIMON BENNAGE. The Bennage family of 
 ' Union county traces its descent from Simon 
 and Mary Bennage, who came to America from 
 Germany during Colonial times, and located in 
 Berks county, Pennsylvania. 
 
 Their son Simon, the grandfather of the well- 
 known citizen whose name opens this sketch, 
 was born in Heidelberg township, Berks county, 
 August 19, 1757, and married a native of the 
 county, Miss Elizabeth Renninger, and later 
 moved to what is now White Deer township, 
 Union county, purchasing the tract of land now 
 known as the Bennage homestead. He was a 
 successful man, and at the time of his death, De- 
 cember 24, 1 82 1, at the age of sixty-four years, 
 four months and five days, he owned several 
 farms in the county and other land in New York 
 State. Progressive and far-seeing, he sought to 
 promote the best interests of the community 
 which he helped to develop, and he was one of 
 the organizers of the first Lutheran Church es- 
 tablished there. He and his good wife spent 
 their last days at the present homestead, and 
 their remains were interred in the family burial 
 lot in White Deer Church cemetery, where, as 
 time has passed, their descendants have been laid 
 for their final repose. Their four children were 
 all born at the homestead: Samuel, March 28, 
 1788; David, December 28, 1791; Mary, Octo- 
 ber 15, 1794, and Elizabeth, January 5, 1798. 
 All are deceased, the last having passed away at 
 the age of nineteen years, ten months and ten 
 days. 
 
 David Bennage, the father of our subject, 
 spent his entire life at the homestead, following 
 
 agriculture as an occupation. He was married 
 in the same township to Miss Nancy Ranck, a 
 native of Lancaster county, Penn., a daughter of 
 Henry and Nancy (Geigley) Ranck, who were 
 born in Lancaster county, and settled in White 
 Deer township. Union county, at a time when, as 
 they made their way by boat up the river, they 
 saw the sites of the now thriving towns of Lew- 
 isburg, New Columbia and Milton, but one house 
 each. 
 
 To David and Nancy Bennage seven children 
 were born, namely: Henry Simon and John R. 
 W. , who occupy portions of the old farm; Enos, 
 a farmer of Kelly township, Union county; Dav- 
 id, a farmer in White Deer township, residing 
 two miles north of the old homestead; Louis, 
 who died April 27, 1866; and Mary A., who 
 married Calvin Keefer, both now deceased. The 
 mother of this family died February 24, 1864, 
 and the father December 19, 1866. Both were 
 members of the Evangelical Church and passed 
 away in full faith in a future life, their remains 
 now resting in the family burial lot. David 
 Bennage owned at the time of his death 390 
 acres of land, which was divided into five farms 
 for his surviving sons, and four of these are still 
 in the family. 
 
 Simon Bennage was born February 28, 1831, 
 and was reared at the old homestead. When he 
 was twenty-one he and his brother Henry took 
 charge of one of their father's farms in the same 
 township, and after one year our subject settled 
 at his present home. An old house stood there, 
 which he occupied until 1859, when he built the 
 handsome two-story brick in which he now re- 
 sides. He has otherwise improved the place, a 
 new barn, also built in 1859, being a notable feat- 
 ure. As a manager he is capable and successful, 
 and his judgment is held in respect by his asso- 
 ciates. 
 
 During the Civil war he went to the front as 
 a defender of the Union, enlisting October 7, 
 1864, in Company E, 76th P. V. I. He took part 
 in the Fort Fisher expedition, and previous to the 
 battle was accidentally wounded in the head by 
 a musket, the injury confining him to the boat 
 for two weeks. Before the war was closed he 
 went through a number of hot skirmishes, but, 
 hostilities ending, he was discharged at Raleigh, 
 N. C, July 18, 1865, and returned to his farm. 
 Mr. Bennage has unusual talent as an artist and 
 writer, and a diary which he began when he en- 
 tered the army is a valuable record of events 
 from his point of view. Several battle scenes 
 sketched from memory of the struggles in which 
 he participated are full of interest. 
 
 Politically, Mr. Bennage is a strong Repub- 
 
904 
 
 COMMEMuUA T1VB BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 lican, but his ambition does not lie in the di- 
 rection of official life, although he has taken a 
 loyal interest in all that concerns the welfare of 
 his country, his State and his own community. 
 Socially, he is a member of the Grand Army 
 Post, No. 129, of Milton, and of the Grange, at 
 White Deer, No. [22. 
 
 In December, 1852, our subject was married 
 to Miss Sarah Brown, and eight children bless 
 their union: 1 ! 1 Miss Mary A. 1'" 1 is at 
 
 home. 1 - 1 Miss l.lizabeth R. died at the age of 
 twenty-six. (3) John \V. operates the home 
 farm. He married Miss Amanda Noll, and has 
 had three children — Bertha A., Delroy. and .M 
 E. (4) Sarah C. married John C. Baker, a 
 
 ner of Kelly township, Union county, and has 
 two sons — Charles E. and George \\". (5) David 
 died at the age of nine months. (6) Miss Susan- 
 nah was killed by a railway locomotive at \\ 
 Milton, February 5, 1880, while in a sleigh with 
 nine others, none of whom were seriously in- 
 jured. (7) Ellen J. married Henry Mooser. of 
 West Milton, and hashad six children — Ralph C., 
 Mary M., Sarah E., Raymond E. , Jennie M.. 
 deceased, and James R. (8) George W., a 
 farmer at the homestead, married Miss Minnie 
 Snyder, but has no children. Mr. Bennage is 
 ii' il formally connected with any religious society, 
 but his wife is a member of the Reformed 
 Church. 
 
 She was born August 7, 1X29, in Schuylkill 
 county, Penn., whore her parents, George and 
 
 ih [Bartley) Brown, were born, reared and 
 married, Her paternal grandparents, Adam and 
 Catharine Brown, died there, and her maternal 
 grandparents 1 Elizabeth fDougherty) Bartley and 
 husband) moved there from their early home at 
 Reading, Penn.. to spend their remaining years. 
 George Brown, who was a farmer by occupation, 
 settled in White: Deer township, l'nion counts, 
 in 1839, and was prominent in local affairs as a 
 Democrat, and a member of the Reformed 
 Church. Of eight children, four are now living. 
 Elizabeth died at the age of two years; Catharine 
 married Israel Geyer, both now deceased; Jeffer- 
 son resides in Kelly township, Union county; 
 George is a resident of White Deer township, in 
 the same county; Sarah. Mrs Bennage, was the 
 fifth in order of birth; Rebecca, deceased, was 
 the first wife of the late Daniel Mover, mentioned 
 farther on; Mary A., formerly the wife of Isaac 
 Kurt/., both deceased, he being accidentally killed 
 by falling from a buggy; Elizabeth was the sec- 
 ond wife of Daniel Mover, deceased, and now 
 ides in Buffalo township, Union county. Mrs. 
 B image's mother died in 1844. at the age of forty- 
 nine years, and the father married a second wife. 
 
 Susan Messersmith, by whom he had no children. 
 He died in the spring of 1873, aged eighty-two, 
 and she passed away in 1S85. 
 
 E 
 
 NOCH MILLER, of Mifmnburg, Union 
 county, ranks among the leading 1 ntractors 
 and builders of this section, his work including 
 some of the handsomest structures in Union, 
 Snyder and Northumberland counties. He has 
 won a high reputation as an architect, his designs 
 being at once artistic and practical. Since 1875 
 he has operated a planing-mill for the manufact- 
 ure of doors, sashes and all sorts of finished 
 wood work for interiors. From this it will be 
 seen that in the most literal sense he has had a 
 large share in the upbuilding of the thriving city 
 of Mifflinburg, and the following biography will 
 be of general interest. 
 
 Mr. Miller is of German descent on the 
 paternal side, while his mother traced her an- 
 cestry to one of the French Huguenots who 
 came to this country to find freedom of 
 conscience. John Miller, the paternal grand- 
 father, left the Fatherland about a hundred years 
 ago, settling in Berks county. Penn., and his son, 
 Moses W. Miller (our subject's fatheri. was born 
 there October 30, 1807, and in 1831 married 
 Miss Mary Bartlet, a native of Oley township, 
 Berks county, born October 30, 1 8 7 Her 
 father, Daniel Bartlet, who died in that county 
 at the age of eighty-seven, left six sons, Jacob, 
 Daniel, Isaac. Abraham, Samuel, and Peter, a 
 physician. The name of this family was origi- 
 nally Bertolet as used in France. 
 
 In the spring of 1835 Moses W. Miller and 
 his wife moved to Union county, locating on a 
 farm in West Buffalo township, where he died 
 May 2}. 1X44. He was a member of the Evan- 
 gelical Church, and as a citizen was always keen- 
 ly interested in the questions of the day, his 
 political sympathies being with the Whig party. 
 After his death Mrs. Miller purchased the farm. 
 and in 1873 she built a house in Mifflinbu 
 where she spent her later years, her death occur- 
 ring in 1893. She had seven children: Sarah 
 Mis. Henry Maize;, born January 30, [832; 
 Maria Mrs Hassler), born April 7. [834; Enoch, 
 
 -ubject; Joseph, born November 17. 1837, now 
 
 ling m Mifrlinburg; Daniel B., December 29, 
 
 coach maker in the same place; John 1 
 
 February 10, 1842. a resident of Limestone 
 
 township, l'nion county; and George A.. January 
 
 21, 1844, now a resident of Des Moines, Iowa. 
 
 Mr. Miller, our subject, who was born Novem- 
 
 the first of the children born in 
 
 Union county, and his early years were passed in 
 
S/<U^<^ ^//tJ^Ul 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 905 
 
 the old home in West Buffalo township. As 
 soon as he was strong enough he began working 
 on neighboring farms, attending school in the 
 winter only. At the age of fifteen he took charge 
 of the farm for his mother, but after one year he 
 went to Mifflinburg to learn the carpenter's trade 
 with Joseph Boop. With him he remained two 
 years as an apprentice, and one year as a part- 
 ner, and then went into business on his own 
 account. In i860 he built a house and shop on 
 the corner of Sixth and Market streets, and he 
 has met with marked success in all his under- 
 takings, his business, including the planing-mill, 
 keeping about sixteen men employed. He has a 
 handsome residence, erected in 1870. His wife, 
 to whom he was married September 20, 1856, 
 was formerly Miss Sarah Katherman, and she, 
 too, is a native of Union county, her birth occur- 
 ring September 6, 1837. Her parents, Fred- 
 erick and Christiana (Stitzer) Katherman, were 
 well-known residents of the county. 
 
 Of the nine children who have blessed our 
 subject's home, the eldest, Mary C. , married 
 J. C. Bulger, a carriage dealer in Mifflinburg, 
 and has had three children — Miller, May and 
 John. (2) Frederick Warren, born July 7, 1S58, 
 died December 4, 1863. (3) Anna S. married 
 D. B. Moss, a coach-maker of Mifflinburg, and 
 has one child — James. (4) Edith married H. 
 Bringhurst, of Lancaster, Penn. ; he is now 
 deceased. (5) Sallie B. died at an early age. 
 (6) Bessie Virginia is at home. (7) Margaret B. 
 married Henry W. Myers, of Birmingham, Ala. 
 (8) Louisa M. is at home. (9) Georgia died of 
 diphtheria in her second year. 
 
 The first vote cast by Mr. Miller was for 
 James Buchanan, and he has always remained in 
 the Democratic fold, although he is not a strong 
 partisan. He is a prominent member of the 
 Reformed Church in his city, and his fine musical 
 talents have been effectively used in the service 
 for twenty-five years, during which he has been 
 a leader of the choir. 
 
 E ^DWARD RANCK. A biographical record 
 'I of the pioneer residents of this section would 
 
 be incomplete without special mention of the 
 Ranck family, of White Deer township, Union 
 county, who have been intimately connected 
 with the development of that locality from a 
 period long prior to the organization of the 
 county. 
 
 The first ancestor of whom we have a distinct 
 record was John Ranck, the grandfather of the 
 gentleman whose name opens this sketch. He 
 came from Lancaster county, Penn., about 1797, 
 
 and settled upon a farm in what is now White 
 Deer township, Union county, then part and 
 parcel of Northumberland county, and his death 
 occurred there in 1820, at the age of seventy- 
 eight. A large tract of land which he acquired 
 is still in the possession of his descendants, the 
 homestead of our subject being a part of it. He 
 was twice married. His first wife died in Lan- 
 caster county, but his second, Barbara, who ac- 
 companied him to his new home, survived him, 
 passing away March 27, 1830, at the age of 
 seventy-five. 
 
 Their son Jonathan, the father of our sub- 
 ject, was born in Lancaster county, July 31, 
 1789, and having come to this section during 
 his boyhood, became one of the prominent farm- 
 ers of his time, his death occurring May 5, 1856. 
 On April 2, 181 5, he was married to his first 
 wife. Miss Catherine Long, who died March 25, 
 1816, and on April 27, 1817, he formed a second 
 union, this time with Miss Mary Dieffenderfer, 
 who was born in January, 1798, in Union coun- 
 ty, then within the limits of Northumberland 
 county, where her father, Jacob Dieffenderfer, 
 passed the greater part of his active life. She 
 died in February, 1845, ar >d on December 7, 
 1 85 1, Jonathan Ranck wedded Mrs. Harriet 
 (Kline) Dieffenderfer, widow of his second wife's 
 brother. She died leaving no children. By the 
 first marriage there was one son, Joseph, born 
 March 15, 1816, died in May, 1895. Ten chil- 
 dren blessed the second union: Sarah, born Jan- 
 uary 17, 1819, married the late Daniel Bennage, 
 and died December 18, 1845; Moses, born Sep- 
 tember 4, 1820, is a retired carpenter residing in 
 Michigan; Susannah, born January 14, 1822, is 
 the wife of J. J. Brown, a well-known resident of 
 Kelly township, Union county; Jacob, born Jan- 
 uary 28, 1824, died April 19, 1878; Edward, 
 born December 31, 1825, is mentioned more fully 
 farther on; Solomon, born September 9, 1827, is 
 a retired farmer in White Deer township, Union 
 county; Mary, born August 14, 1830, married 
 Charles C. Wetzel, an architect of Danville, 
 Penn.; Levi, born January 9, 1833, died in 
 April, 1886; Jonathan, born April 2, 1834, is 
 now living in retirement in White Deer township, 
 Union county; Ellen, born January 18, 1837, is 
 the wife of Samuel Hertz, a hardware merchant 
 of Van Wert, Ohio. 
 
 Edward Ranck was born at the old home- 
 stead, and his youth was spent there, practical 
 knowledge of all branches of agricultural work 
 being gained in the labors of the farm. At 
 twenty-one he left home and found employment 
 as a farm hand, receiving for the first ten months 
 only $8 per month, and during the next season 
 

 COMMEMORATIVE R10GRAPUHAL RECORD. 
 
 he received $10 per month for some length 
 of time. The next year he spent with his 
 father, who paid him $100 for the year's 
 wi irk. He then rented a portion of the old 
 farm, where he made a home for himself and 
 bride, Miss Sarah A. Goodlander, to whom he 
 was married December 7. [848. Three years 
 later he purchased the place and continued to 
 reside there until 1S83, when he moved to his 
 present home, a fine estate near New Columbia, 
 with a beautiful brick residence commanding a 
 •• cross roads." 
 
 Mr. Ranck has always taken a leading part 
 in local affairs, his high character as a man and 
 citizen, no less than his wealth, giving him great 
 influence in the community. He has served as 
 assessor one term and overseer of the poor for 
 three terms, and was a valued adviser in the Re- 
 publican organization in hjs locality until 1 8 
 when he became identified with the Prohibition 
 party. He and his wife have always taken an 
 active interest in religious matters. For forty- 
 six years he has been a member of the Evan- 
 ical Association, and for thirty years has been 
 a class-leader and tru 
 
 Mrs. Ranck is a descendant of a well-known 
 family, and was born in White Deer township, 
 Union county, September 13, 1825, the daugh- 
 ter of Paul and Rachel (Heckel) Goodlander, 
 who were natives of Northumberland county, 
 but whose lives were mainly spent upon a farm in 
 what is now Union county. They were devout 
 members of the Lutheran Church. Mrs. Ranck 
 was the youngest ol a family of five children, 
 the others being: Elizabeth, who married Jacob 
 Shirik, both now deceased; Polly, widow of 
 Jonathan Mover, of Milton, Penn. ; Rachel, 
 widow of John Grove, of Kelly township, Union 
 county; and Samuel, a retired carpenter of White 
 
 1 township. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Ranck have had eleven children, 
 of whom ten are living and married: (1) Mary 
 
 born Octob.i 1 ., [849, married H. H.Trum- 
 feller, a clerk in a hardware store at York, Penn., 
 and they have six children. (2) John J., born 
 July 31, 1851, is a coachmaker and undertaker 
 m New Columbia, Penn. He married Miss 
 Sarah Smith, and has had five children. (3) 
 Jeremiah, born September 2, 1852, died Janu- 
 ary 4, 1S53. (4) William H. . born October 24, 
 [S53, is a farmer in Kelly township, Union 
 county, and he and his wife, Ann Brown, have 
 five children. (5 Rachel L. (twin to William 
 H.), married David H. Bennagi , who now man- 
 ages our subject's farm, and they have one child. 
 (6) Sarah A., born September 6, 1 S 5 5 , married 
 W. H. Geyer. a farmer of White Deer town- 
 
 ship, and has had three children, one of whom 
 is now deceased. (7) Edward F., born January 
 iS, 1857, is a farmer in White Deer township, 
 and is also engaged in school teaching. He 
 married Miss Minnie Fry, and has had six children. 
 
 Samuel C, born November 20, 1859, is a gen- 
 eral merchant in New Columbia. He married 
 Miss Sarah Werkhiser, and has had three children. 
 (9) Pharos F., born November 4, 1 861, is en- 
 gaged in farming in White Deer township, and 
 
 ■ in school teaching. He married Miss Emma 
 Bickle, and has had three children, (io'i James 
 A., born August 6, 1863, now a farmer on the 
 old homestead in White Deer township, married 
 Miss Liza Koch, and has had three children. 
 ill! Minnie A., born May 6, 1869, married 
 Thomas C. Bennage, a farmer of Kelly town- 
 ship, Union county, and has had one child. 
 
 BOBERT JOHN MOVER, who has won 
 more than ordinary success in the honored 
 
 calling of agriculture, was born July 6, 1 851, in 
 White Deer township, Union county, upon the 
 farm where he now resides. 
 
 Like many of our well-known citizens, Mr. 
 Moyer is of Berks county stock, his paternal 
 grandparents, Henry and Mary (Kellen Moj 1. 
 having passed their lives there upon a farm. 
 They had four sons and three daughters. Their 
 son, Joseph K. , the father of our subject, was 
 bom in Pike township, Berks county, and re- 
 mained at home assisting in the labors of the 
 farm until he was eighteen, when he began an 
 apprenticeship to the tailor's trade. On becom- 
 ing proficient in this business, he came to this 
 section, settling in Kelly township, Union coun- 
 ty There he married Miss Elizabeth Heckel, a 
 native of White Deer township, in the same 
 county. Her parents, George and Hannah 
 (Spotts) Heckel, were both born in the same 
 county, in Kelly township, and were highly es- 
 teemed among the early agricultural workers of 
 their locality. Their remains now lie in the 
 cemetery at White Deer church. 
 
 Shortly after his marriage our subject's 
 father purchased the old Heckel homestead of 
 1 ''2 acres, in partnership with a brother-in-law, 
 John Moore, each paying the sum of $1,500. 
 They divided the farm and Mr. Mover contin 
 to cultivate his portion until 1876, when he re- 
 tired from active business and removed to another 
 house on the farm, where he and his good wife 
 spent their remaining years, the latter's death 
 occurring December 18, 1882, while the former 
 breathed his last, September 5, 1890, at the age 
 of seventy-three He was prominent in the 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD, 
 
 907 
 
 community, and was a stanch Democrat in his 
 political views. He and his wife were devout 
 members of the Reformed Church, and for 
 many years prior to his death he held the office 
 of elder. They had five children: Mary (de- 
 ceased), formerly the wife of Solomon Robenold, 
 who now resides at Allentown, Penn.; Hannah 
 and Henry, who died in 1866, within six weeks 
 of each other, the former being sixteen years of 
 age; Robert J., our subject; and Joseph H., a 
 freight conductor of the Fall Brook railroad, now 
 residing at Corning, New York. 
 
 As Robert J. Moyer's life has flowed on in 
 the quiet activities of an agricultural community, 
 he has been spared many of the exciting and 
 often unpleasant experiences which some, whose 
 histories are related in this volume, have passed 
 through before acquiring a foothold in the busi- 
 ness world. He remained with his parents until 
 he was twenty-five, when he married and took 
 possession of the old residence, his parents re- 
 moving to the smaller home as has been said. 
 For a number of years he rented the place, but 
 in July, 1890, he purchased it, and has since con- 
 tinued to reside there. 
 
 His first wife. Miss Emma Dunkle, to whom 
 he was married January 27, 1876, was a native 
 of Kelly township, Union county, born in 1856. 
 Her father, the late Peter Dunkle, was born in 
 the same county, in Buffalo township, and be- 
 came a leading farmer, but his last years were 
 spent in retirement at the home of a daughter, 
 Mrs. Fannie Crovvel, where he died August 6, 
 1894, at the age of seventy-four. His wife, 
 Lydia Kiper, a native of Snyder county, Penn., 
 died in January, 1891, aged sixty-five. Their 
 children were: Catherine, Mrs. James McCor- 
 mick, a widow residing at Knoxville, Tenn. ; Clin- 
 ton, a resident of Macon, 111. ; William, of 
 Kansas; John L. , a farmer near Salina, Mo.; 
 Fannie, wife of Samuel Crowel, a printer at 
 Lewisburg, Penn. ; George and Calvin, residents 
 of Kelly township, Union county; Miss Ella, who 
 resides in Lewisburg; and Miss Ida, now of 
 Orange, N. J. Mrs. Emma (Dunkle) Moyer 
 passed to the unseen life May 6, 1886, leaving 
 three children — Elizabeth L. , George K. , and 
 John C. , who are all at home. 
 
 On December 10, 1887, Mr. Moyer formed a 
 second union, this time with Miss Emma Ranck, 
 a native of White Deer township, Union county, 
 and a daughter of the late John L. Ranck, who 
 was born in the same township, and became a 
 prosperous farmer and influential citizen, holding 
 various township offices and supporting vigor- 
 ously the Republican party in his locality. He 
 was married in Union county to Miss Mary 
 
 Geyer, a native of Kelly township, who, like 
 himself, was a devout Lutheran in religious 
 faith. She died November 11, 1887, aged sixty- 
 four, and he breathed his last August 15, 1895, 
 at the age of seventy-three. Eight children were 
 born to them: Joseph A., residing in White 
 Deer township, Union county, is a farmer and 
 school teacher, and also holds the office of jus- 
 tice of the peace; Louisa married George Der- 
 sham, a farmer in Michigan; Harriet is the wife 
 of. Isaac Reed, a farmer of White Deer town- 
 ship; Emma, Mrs. Moyer, is the fourth in order 
 of birth; Lavine married Levi Joes, a farmer in 
 White Deer township; John C. is engaged in ag- 
 riculture in Kelly township, Union county; Han- 
 nah married William E. Neiman, of White Deer 
 township; and Annie is the wife of John Beck, a 
 farmer in the same township. 
 
 Mr. Moyer is a genial man, who takes a loyal 
 interest in every movement that promises to 
 benefit the locality, and in conversation he makes 
 an excellent impression. He is a member of the 
 Reformed Church, and of White Deer Grange, 
 P. of H., at New Columbia. For the past 
 twenty-four years he has been also a member of 
 Pomona Grange, of Union county, in which he 
 has been continuously in office, and now holds 
 the rank of master. Politically he is a Demo- 
 crat, and for nine years he has been auditor in 
 his township. 
 
 TENRY FRICK, one of the oldest residents 
 LTJL of Lewisburg, Union county, is still actively 
 engaged in business, and takes his accustomed 
 interest in the questions and movements of the 
 day. Born January 16, 1827, he retains his 
 vigor of mind and body, and seems to hold Time 
 at bay in a manner which some younger men 
 might envy. 
 
 The Frick family is descended from Conrad 
 Frick, who came from Germany in 1732, and 
 settled in Germantown, a suburb of Philadelphia, 
 and built, in 1760, the first brewery in the vil- 
 lage. He died there leaving a large family. One 
 of his sons, Peter, went to Baltimore, Md., and 
 others located in York county, Penn., and their 
 descendants in those localities are now numer- 
 ous. "John Frick, another son of Conrad, and 
 the great-grandfather of our subject, settled per- 
 manently in Lancaster, Penn., and the brewery 
 which he built there in the last century is still 
 standing. He had a large family, among whom 
 was a son, John, our subject's grandfather, who 
 made his home in Northumberland county, 
 Penn., and built a brewery. He died there in 
 181 1, leaving a family of eleven children. Of 
 

 ' OMMEMORATIVB BIOGRAPUl'M. RECORD. 
 
 his daughters Mr. Frick has no record, but he 
 recalls the following concerning the sons: Jacob 
 was cashier of the Penn Township Bank in Phil- 
 adelphia. George A., an attorney, married and 
 settled in Danville. Penn. Henry was a prominent 
 resident of Milton. Penn., and was widely known 
 as "Gen. Frick;" he was a prosperous publisher 
 at Milton, and was unusually active mentally, 
 possessing the rare gift of being able to talk upon 
 one subject and write upon another at the same 
 time; he was elected to Congress, and died in 
 Washington, U. C., in the spring of 1K44 while 
 on duty. Frederick became a tanner, and lo- 
 cated first at Danville, Penn., and later in 
 Mercer count)-, where he died leaving a 
 numerous family. Benjamin was a foundrymarj 
 for some time, and subsequently engaged in busi- 
 
 3 as a contractor for building railroads, bridges 
 and similar structures; he located at Kiefers- 
 burg, Ohio, and later he and a son removed to 
 Burlington, Iowa, where the father died. James 
 went to Luzerne count), Penn., as the chief of 
 a division on the canal, and his death occurred 
 there. 
 
 John Frick, our subject's father, was the 
 third son, and was born in Lancaster count)', 
 December 3, 1788. In the same year the family 
 removed to Northumberland county, where In- 
 spent his entire life, his death taking place in 
 1847. He was a wheelwright by trade, and was 
 prominent in local politics as a Democrat. In 
 March, 1812, he married Elizabeth Gotshall, 
 who died in [859, aged sixty-six years. Both 
 were devout adherents of the Lutheran Church. 
 They had sixteen children, of whom, four died in 
 childhood; Charles removed to Alton, 111., and 
 
 1 there; Catherine married Hon. Eli Slifer, 
 and both are now deceased; Rebecca married 
 A. G. Yoris, and both are now deceased; William 
 
 eased) located first in Lewisburg, and later 
 in Chester, Penn.; George A. (deceased) was an 
 attorney in Lewisburg; Jacob served in the Mex- 
 ican war under Zachary Taylor, and was also 
 colonel of a regiment during the Rebellion, a 
 medal being j;iven him by Congress for valor in 
 the famous charge at FredricksluirL;; Anna 
 ceased) was the wife of Christopher Reich; Henrj 
 is mentioned more fully below; Edwin (deceased) 
 a boat builder; Miss Marion resides in Lewis- 
 burg, Penn.; Clarence G. is a merchant in Wil- 
 mington, Penn. ; Susannah is the deceased wife 
 ■ it K. F. Brown. 
 
 Although our subject's birthplace was in 
 Northumberland county, his boyhood was mainly 
 spent in Lewisburg, where at the age of sixteen 
 he began to learn the boat builder's trade. This 
 acquired, he engaged in the business there, or- 
 
 ganizing the firm of Frick, Slifer & Co., which 
 continued from 1845 to i860, and during that 
 time built 750 canal boats. Since i860 Mr. 
 Frick has been interested in the lumber business, 
 and is one of the leading dealers in that line in 
 his county. On November 6, 1855, he married 
 Miss Sarah J. Blair, who was born December 2, 
 1829, and they are now nearing the fiftieth mile- 
 stone of their wedded life. Six children have 
 blessed their union: Ida is at home; Jennie mar- 
 ried George Barron Miller, an attorney, and thej 
 have two sons — Harry B. and George P. ; Walter, 
 the city engineer at Carbondale, Penn., married 
 Margaret Bennett, and has two sons — Henry and 
 Walter; Ann married Dr. W. Leiser, and has 
 one child — William: Sarah J. is the wife of B. S. 
 Gundy, and has one child — Margaret; and Harry 
 died at an early age. In his political views Mr. 
 Frick is not hampered by partisan ties, measures 
 and men being judged entirely on their merits. 
 He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and 
 is affiliated with the Masonic fraternity. 
 
 BEV. WILLIAM WTCKLEIN CLOl'SPK, 
 a well-known clergyman of the Reformed 
 Church, has won through his unselfish labors in 
 the cause of the Gospel the respect and affection 
 of a numerous and widely scattered flock. He 
 ministers to the congregations at White Deer, 
 Alvira. Mazeppa and at St. Peter's Church in 
 Kelly township. Union county, preaching to two 
 each Sunday, and the results of his work are to 
 be seen in a deeper spiritual life among those 
 who have come within range of his inspiration 
 and influence. 
 
 Mr. Clouser was born June 25, 1842, in Rob- 
 inson township, Berks Co., Penn. His parents. 
 Benjamin F. (son of John Clouser) and Abigail 
 Clouser (daughter of Jacob Wicklein), were also 
 born in Berks county, the former on October 15, 
 [815, and the latter on June 7, 1820. Her 
 mother was Margaret {nee Lindaman). They 
 were married there, and later, in 1841, moved to 
 Reading, Penn., where Mr. Clouser is now en- 
 joying a well-earned leisure after a life of useful 
 industry. Mrs. Clouser died April 27, 1897. at 
 the age of seventy-seven years. In his earlier 
 years the father was a farmer, and for some time 
 in connection with that work he attended the 
 Reading market with his produce, being one of 
 tin- leading dealers there. Agriculture and hor- 
 ticulture occupied his time, and now, at the age 
 of eighty-two years, he is a hale and heart)' man. 
 He is a member of the Reformed Church, but 
 his wife was a Lutheran in faith. Of their seven 
 children, our subject is the eldest; Mary, born 
 
 , 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 909 
 
 November 23, 1845, married William Kerlin, 
 who resides near Reading, and is engaged in 
 farming, marketing and milling; Maggie, born 
 April 3, 185 1, married Harry Hoffman, a farmer 
 of Robinson township, Berks county (their chil- 
 dren are as follows: Lena, born June 22, 1877; 
 Bertha, born September IS, 1879; Elsie, born 
 August 12, 1881; and Katie Abigail, born Sep- 
 tember 22, 1886). Hannah, born November 6, 
 1848, died at the age of fourteen. Catherine, 
 born June 7, 1855, is at home. Amanda, born 
 February 25, 1859, died at the age of three years. 
 Alvin, born August 22, 1863, and who is at 
 home, was recently married to Miss Ida Brown. 
 
 Rev. Mr. Clouser remained under the parental 
 roof until he reached the age of twenty years, 
 attending the schools of his native township until 
 he was sixteen, when he began to teach school, 
 an occupation in which he met with marked suc- 
 cess. On leaving home he went to Delaware 
 county, spending four years at Cartertown, and 
 one at Marcushook, continuing the work of teach- 
 ing. He then clerked for five months in a notion 
 store at Lewisburg, for Abraham Mensch; but 
 through these various changes the hope of finally 
 entering the Christian ministry was his guiding 
 star. In 1867 he began a course of study in the 
 Reformed Church College and Seminary at Mer- 
 cersburg, Franklin Co., Penn., where he was 
 graduated in 1870, his ordination following. 
 Since that time he has been in charge of the four 
 stations named, each year seeing his influence for 
 good made stronger. He has a pleasant home, 
 one of its main features being a large and well-se- 
 lected library, which indicates both the wide range 
 of information and the excellent literary judg- 
 ment of the owner. Although Mr. Clouser takes 
 a keen interest in public affairs, local and national, 
 he has never sought political office. He is often 
 called upon, however, to act as adviser in various 
 matters, and at present he is administrator of an 
 estate. He is also at present serving his com- 
 munity in the capacity of secretary of the Board 
 of Education. 
 
 On January 22, 1874, Mr. Clouser was mar- 
 ried at Kelly Point, Union county, by Rev. D. 
 G. Adams and Rev. J. G. Anchbach, to Miss 
 Mary E. Gemberling, and three children — Elsa 
 R., Minnie A. and Augustine I., have blessed 
 their union. Mrs. Clouser is a native of Kelly 
 township, Union county. Her father, Lewis 
 Gemberling, who was born May 2, 1827, is now 
 living retired at Kelly Point. Her mother, 
 whose maiden name was Jane Pawling, died in 
 October, 1856. at the age of thirty-one, and 
 her remains were interred at Lewisburg. They 
 had three children: Calvin (deceased), Mary E. 
 
 (now Mrs. Clouser) and Sarah E. (deceased), who 
 was a twin to Mrs. Clouser. 
 
 Rev. Clouser began his pastorate of twenty- 
 three years at the foregoing named places, Octo- 
 ber i, 1870. When he first entered this field he 
 was a mere boy, as it were. A period of twenty- 
 three years of close application and unceasing 
 labor, however, has changed the apparently boy- 
 ish appearance, and made it to assume one of 
 more advanced years. During this time almost 
 an entire generation passed away. The elders 
 and deacons whose names are on the call which 
 he received from the charge are all gone, with 
 one exception, and he is ready to depart. West 
 Susquehannah Classis, under whose jurisdiction 
 he has labored, and of which he has been and 
 still is a member, has undergone almost an en- 
 tire change. It has become a new classis. So 
 a marked change can be observed on a general 
 way. Villages have sprung up within the bounds 
 of the charge; the Shamokin Division of the 
 Philadelphia & Reading railroad, which forms the 
 eastern boundary of the charge, was constructed 
 during the early part of his period. Here and 
 there new church edifices have been built; and 
 in many other ways a general improvement is 
 evident in the onward progress of events. What 
 a change! Altogether new congregations. Lit- 
 tle children, then, but now full grown men and 
 women. Young men and women then, but now 
 stricken with the marks which time has wrought. 
 The speedy end which many experienced by ac- 
 cident and disease — by falling trees, by drown- 
 ing, by fire and other mysterious ways, not that 
 we in any manner think of criticising our Heav- 
 enly Father's merciful Providence. A retrospect 
 of the field during the time already mentioned 
 furnishes wonderful and abundant material and 
 reason for grateful remembrance of the goodness 
 of God, and establishes a certain knowledge of 
 the great realities which form a part of our 
 being. 
 
 William W. Clouser is the author of a work, 
 to be entitled "The Eventful Realities of My 
 Life," which will soon be ready for publication. 
 From this collection of writings have been 
 selected a few facts bearing upon the results of 
 his ministrations among the membership of his 
 field of labor. They are as follows: Number 
 of persons baptized, both infants and adults, 
 1,022; number of additions to the Church by 
 the rite of confirmation and certificate and re- 
 newal of profession, 600; number of marriages 
 solemnized, 246; number of funerals, 615; amount 
 contributed for benevolent purposes, $4,000; 
 amount of congregational expenses, $20,000; 
 number of miles traveled, 5,000; number of 
 
910 
 
 COMMEMORA 771'/; BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 pastoral visits, 23,000; number of catechetical 
 lectures, 1,400; number of sermons preached, 
 4. 1 88. To this Mr. Clouser adds the following: 
 " A glance at these figures would at once indi- 
 cate the endless routine of work required — the 
 continued wear upon the mental, moral and 
 physical being, the frequent anxieties and mis- 
 givings with reference to the probability of suc- 
 cess or failure of the work I am heartily 
 thankful to Almighty God for the preservation 
 of my life and health in all these years. Not 
 unto me, but unto His great Name must be 
 ascribed whatever of success has resulted in 
 my undertakings." 
 
 HENRY J. YOCUM, an enterprising and pro- 
 gressive agriculturist of White Deer town- 
 ship. Union county, is one of our representative 
 self-made men. He was born in Danville. Mon- 
 tour Co., Penn., fanuary [8, i860, t he son of 
 Anthony and Regina Rein) Yocum, who were 
 5 of Germany, but w ho met and mar- 
 it Danville. They had but little of this 
 world's goods, and our subject had early training 
 in industry and thrift, qualities winch have bi 
 of use to him in his subsequent career. At the 
 age of ten he found employment in the Danville 
 Iron Works, and, his parents removing to Sham- 
 okin in 1 S 7 5 , he spent one year there in the 
 coal mines. 
 
 The family then settle, 1 on a farm in White- 
 Deer township, Union county, and, after work- 
 ing for his father for a short time, Mr. Yocum was 
 employed for three years by Charles Isley upon 
 the Chamberlin farm in Northumberland countv, 
 Penn. Three years were then spent at Dan- 
 ville in the iron works, and then followed 
 seven years at Milton in similar employment. 
 In the sprin-,' 1887 he removed to his present 
 horn* sti ad, which he purchased from John [ows, 
 but he continued his work at Milton for three 
 
 rs longer. F01 the last seven years he has 
 given his attention to the cultivation of his farm, 
 and has also been employed in gathering cream 
 for the Pleasant Valley Creamer) Company at 
 Milton. He was married, December 8, 1 878, 
 to Josephine Kolp, and two children have 
 blessed their union: Harry A., horn January 14, 
 1882, is at home, but Laura K . who was born 
 July 10. (879, died at the age of four years, 
 nine months and twenty-six d 
 
 Mr, Yocum has won many friends by his gen- 
 ial manners and his upright dealings, and. while 
 he has never sought prominence, he has an 
 intluence in the community which speaks well 
 for him. He is a Republican in politics, and. 
 
 in religious faith, is a Lutheran. Fraternally, he 
 belongs to the Royal Arcanum at Milton, and to 
 the Grange, No, 122, at New Columbia. 
 
 His father. Anthony Yocum, now a prominent 
 farmer of White Deer township. Union county, 
 has had an interesting career, which well illus- 
 trates the value of the sturdy self-reliance which 
 is characteristic of the best class of German- 
 Americans. His faithful helpmeet is also spared 
 to enjoy the fruits of past labors, in which she 
 shared. 
 
 Anthon) Yocum was born February 13, 1827, 
 and passed his youth in his native land. His 
 father, John A Yocum, a well-to-do grain mer- 
 chant and miller, died July 2, 1842, at the age of 
 forty-nine years, eleven months and twenty-eight 
 1 tys. He served as a soldier in the Napoleonic 
 wars, and participated in many historic engage- 
 ments, including the battles of Waterloo, Juneau. 
 Magdeburg and Leipsic, and was on the road to 
 Mi iscow when the terrible repulse which the army 
 suffered there caused the memorable retreat and 
 stopped tin advance of re-inforcements. His 
 wife, Eve E. Leis, was also a native of Ger- 
 many, and for live or six generations in a direct 
 line her paternal ancestors had borne the name of 
 Michael Leis, and had been engaged in the black- 
 smith's trade. To John A. and Eve Yocum 
 eight children were born, of whom two are now 
 living: Anthony, and Susannah, widow of Joseph 
 Grone, formerly a grocer of Danville. 
 
 After the death oi his father, Anthony 
 Yocum, then a mere lad of fifteen, took charge 
 of the estate and business, which he conducted 
 successfully for four years, but as the time ap- 
 proached when he would be compelled to serve 
 his term in the German army, he determined he 
 would not waste the best years of his early man- 
 hood in that way, and in 1847 he came to 
 America, the voyage occupying forty-five days 
 Later, in 1 S 5 4 . his mother, her brother-in-law. 
 and two of Anthony's sisters crossed the ocean 
 and settled at Danville, Penn., and the mother 
 died at his home in 1878, aged eighty-four years 
 and three months. 
 
 On landing at New York Anthony Yocum 
 was not long in realizing the extent of the sacri- 
 fice which he had made to reach this land of 
 
 I im Instead of being at the head of a pros- 
 perous business, he was a poor emigrant, who 
 could not speak or even understand the language 
 of those about him, and who was more than 
 once victimized by unscrupulous sharpers. Work 
 of any sort was difficult to find, and he traveled 
 long distances to secure employment on canals 
 or in mines, which was occasionally varied by 
 teaming and odd jobs of all kinds. 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 911 
 
 His first work was in an ore mine near Lan- 
 caster, Penn., where he worked one year at 
 sixty-five cents per day. He then formed a 
 partnership in the teaming business, but at the 
 end of three trips his partner ran away with all 
 the funds after pawning the teams. From 1850 
 to 1875, Mr. Yocum worked in the blast furnace 
 at Danville, and then, after one year in Sha- 
 mokin, he settled upon his present farm. He is 
 interested in all that concerns the welfare of his 
 adopted country, and in politics is an ardent 
 supporter of Republican doctrines. He and his 
 wife are Lutherans in religious faith. 
 
 Mrs. Regine (Rein) Yocum was born Decem- 
 ber 17, 1842, and came to America alone when 
 only fifteen years old. Her paternal grand- 
 father, Godfrey Rein, passed his entire lite in 
 the Fatherland, engaged in agricultural pursuits, 
 and her father, Godfrey Rein, after serving for 
 some time as a teamster in the Napoleonic wars, 
 entered the employ of the government, being 
 connected first with a stone quarry and later 
 holding the office of street commissioner for 
 twenty-five years, or until his death, which oc- 
 curred in December, 1857, at the age of seventy- 
 four. He married Barbara Messersmith. daugh- 
 ter of George G. Messersmith, a wagon- maker in 
 Germany, and had five children: Rosanna, who 
 died in White Deer township, Union county, was' 
 married (first) to Charles Haas, and (second) to 
 August Seitz, both deceased; Amelie is the wife 
 of R. Otterbach, a farmer in Illinois; Regina is 
 the wife of Anthony Yocum; John is a farmer of 
 White Deer township, Union county; and Mar- 
 garet, deceased, was the wife of Henry Fleckin- 
 stein, of Danville, Pennsylvania. 
 
 To Anthony and Regina Yocum sixteen chil- 
 dren were born, of whom Henry J. was the first. 
 
 (2) Adam, born December 17, 1861, is a farmer 
 in White Deer township, Union county, and has 
 been twice married, first to Miss Marv Gruver, 
 who died October 28, 1895, leaving four chil- 
 dren — Katie, Franklin, Harrison and Raymond. 
 His present wife was formerly Miss Louisa Joe. 
 
 (3) Charles, born June 26, 1865, also resides in 
 White Deer township, where he is engaged in 
 farming and gathering cream. He married Miss 
 Annie Laun, and has had five children — Clarence; 
 Calvin; Walter (deceased); Nelson(deceased); and 
 Paul. (4) John, born September 27, 1867. is a 
 farmer in White Deer township, and he and his 
 wife, formerly Miss Carrie Emery, have one son, 
 George. (5) Anna R. , born May 3, 1870, mar- 
 ried J. N. Kutz, a machinist, of Milton, and 
 they have no children. (6) George W., born 
 August 21, 1872, resides with his parents. He 
 is a talented artist and has studied at Shamo- 
 
 kin, Penn., and Centralia, 111. When only ten 
 years old he lost his right leg through an acci- 
 dent aS he was riding on a stone wagon. (7) 
 Rosanna, born July 8, 1874, married George 
 Dougherty, a farmer of Kelly township, Union 
 county, and has had two children — Anthony and 
 Anna L. (8) Margaret, born November 26, 
 1876, married Simon Keefer, a farmer of White 
 Deer township, but they have no children. (9) 
 Catherine, born January 13, 187S, the wife of 
 David Rowe, also a farmer of White Deer town- 
 ship, has no children. (10) Clara, born August 
 15, 1879, is at home. (11) Harriet and (12) 
 Harry (twins), born April 1, 1881, died July 25, 
 of the same year. (13) Ida, born April 5, 1882, 
 and (14) Daniel, born April 26, 1883, are at 
 home. (15) Edward E., born September 21, 
 1884, died October 3, 1884. (16) Anthony, 
 born December 9, 1887, resides with his parents. 
 
 Mrs. Henry J. Yocum is of German descent, 
 though remotely, her great-grandparents on the 
 paternal side, George and Mary (Sowers) Kolp, 
 having crossed the ocean at an early date to set- 
 tle in Lancaster county, Penn. Their son, An- 
 drew, Mrs. Yocum's grandfather, spent his life 
 there, engaging in business as a farmer and car- 
 penter, millwright and tailor, and acquiring a 
 large fortune, a portion of which he lost, how- 
 ever, two farms being sacrificed to meet the de- 
 mand for forfeited bail money. He married 
 Elizabeth Sowers, of Lancaster county, and had 
 ten children, none of whom are now living ex- 
 cept Mrs. Yocum's father, the youngest of the 
 family. The others were: Emanuel; Cyrus; 
 Hiram; Andrew; Polly, who married Isaac Bat- 
 zer, now deceased; Catherine, wife of John Bat- 
 zer, a brother of Isaac, also deceased; Elizabeth, 
 wife of Peter Swarley, deceased; Leda, who mar- 
 ried Isaac Shaffer, deceased;' and Sallie, who 
 never married. 
 
 Daniel Kolp, Mrs. Yocum's father, was born 
 in Lancaster county, -March 10, 1824, and was 
 married there in 1840 to his first wife, Miss Har- 
 riet Masters, a native of the same county, born 
 November 17, 1826. Her father, Henry Masters, 
 was an extensive farmer in Lancaster county, 
 where his death occurred, and her mother, 
 Maria Masters, breathed her last in White Deer 
 township, Union county, her remains being in- 
 terred there. They had three children: Har- 
 riet; Matilda, born December 1, 1832; and Hen- 
 ry, who was a soldier in the Civil war, and now 
 resides in Allentown. Penn. Mrs. Harriet Kolp 
 died February 10, 1850, and was buried on the 
 old homestead in Lancaster county. On Octo- 
 ber 24, 1852, Mr. Kolp was married to her sis- 
 ter, Matilda. He had been running a threshing 
 
912 
 
 COMMEMORA TIYK DUKlHAPIIlrM. UKCORD. 
 
 machine in Lancaster, Dauphin and Union coun- 
 ties since early manhood, but in 1856, after 
 about twenty-seven years at that occupation he 
 purchased a farm of 108 acres in White Deer 
 township, Union county, paying for it $1,950. 
 He still resides there, and, as a Democrat, is 
 prominently identified with local affair*, and he 
 is a member of the Reformed Church 
 
 By his first marriage, Mr. Kolp had the fol- 
 lowing children : m Lusetta. born October 21, 
 1N41. married William Koch, a farmer in White 
 Deer township, and has had ten children, all of 
 whom are living — Addison, William H., Ida, 
 Eliza A., Alpheus, Amanda, John O., Dora M., 
 Hattie S., and Olive D. (2) Franklin, born 
 bruary 21, [844, is deceased. (31 Matilda, 
 l»rn June 13, 1846, married Henry H. Hebe, a 
 railway conductor residing at Corning, N. Y. , but 
 has no children. 41 Addison, born June 24, 
 1847. and 5 Waris, born fuly 2. 1848, are de- 
 ceased. By the second marriage there were six 
 children. (6) Clementine, born July 10, 1853, 
 I in April, 1855. (7 Daniel, born Decem- 
 -';. [858, is a farmer in New York State, and 
 he and his wife, Ellen Snyder, now deceased, 
 had four children — Benjamin. Harry, James, 
 and Mary. (8) Josephine, born February 2, 
 1 860, is the wife of our subject. (9) Clareta, 
 born August 10, 1861, died at the age of nine 
 months. (io) Henry H., born March 20, 1863, 
 is a carpenter in White Deer township, and he 
 and his wife, Clara J. Koch, have five children — 
 William W., Emma E., Bessie B. , Nettie N., 
 and Ralph R. (ll) John G., born February 12, 
 [866, is a resident of Corning, N. Y., and by oc- 
 cupation is a railway brakeman. He married 
 Miss Carrie Wertz, but has no children. 
 
 DAVID GROSS, sheriff of Union county, is 
 "lie of Lewisburg's most popular citizens. 
 Through hi- ive business connections he 
 
 -amed. long ago. a high reputation as a man of 
 ability and probity, and the wide influence thus 
 gained has been increased by his faithful dis- 
 charge of duty in public life. 
 
 Mr. Gross was born in Snyder county, Octo- 
 bei 4, 1833, and is of an old Pennsylvania-Dutch 
 family. His grandfather, John Gross, a native 
 oi I'.' rks county, Penn., settled in Snyder county 
 in early manhood, and followed agriculture there 
 for many years, his d< ath occurring at the age of 
 seventy-seven, when our subject was about ten 
 irs old. The late Jacob Gross, our subject's 
 father, was born in Beaver township. Snyder 
 county, in [81 3, and died in 1877. He was a 
 well-known agriculturist, influential in county 
 
 affairs and in the Republican party, and served 
 two terms as treasurer of Snyder county. He 
 married Miss Catherine Benfer, who was born 
 October 12, 1813, in Pennsylvania, probably in 
 Union county, and died February 15, 1886. She 
 was a devout Christian and a member of the Re- 
 formed Church, but her husband was not identi- 
 fied with any religious organization. The Ben- 
 fer family was also of Dutch origin, and her 
 lather, Daniel Benfer, was born in Union county 
 and became one of the substantial business men 
 of his day and locality. He was engaged exten- 
 sively in farming, stock raising and milling, many 
 mills in this section having been built by him. 
 Our subject was the eldest of nine children, the 
 others being as follows: William died in child- 
 hood; Malinda is the wife of Robert Smith, of 
 Snyder count)'; Anis resides upon the old home- 
 stead; Wilson lives in Thompsontown, Juniata 
 Co., Penn.; Susan married Joseph Stadon, of 
 Norristown. Penn. ; Matilda is the wife of Peter 
 Bobb, of Beaver township, Snyder county; and 
 Nancy and Robert died in childhood. 
 
 Mr. Gross, our subject, was reared at the old 
 homestead in Beaver township, Snyder county, 
 his early education being acquired in the neigh- 
 boring schools. Farm work, as he found it in 
 his early years, not being to his liking, he sought 
 more congenial employment as a clerk in a store 
 at Selins Grove, where he remained until 1857. 
 He then married Miss Sarah Ann Walter, of 
 Union county, and, removing to that locality, en- 
 gaged in farming with his father-in-law. He 
 also became interested in stock dealing, and 
 shipped cattle and horses to various points, con- 
 tinuing that business for about two years after 
 giving up, in 1885, the active management of his 
 farming interests. He has 241 acres of land of 
 his own, and two shares, amounting to 100 
 acres, in the old homestead, with an equity in 
 700 acres of timber land. He also holds a half- 
 interest in a gristmill at Winfield, Penn. His 
 wide acquaintance in the county, and his popu- 
 larity among all classes, have made him espe- 
 cially available as a candidate for office, and he 
 has often been placed upon the ticket of the Re- 
 publican party in his section. In 1894 he was 
 called to the office of sheriff, his term beginning 
 in January, 1 
 
 Mrs, Sarah Ann (Walterj Gross, his first 
 wife, was born in Union county. August 15, 
 1 - J3, and passed to the unseen life June iw. 
 18S4. Four children were born of this union: 
 in Jane Anna, who died in childhood; (2) Glan- 
 cy W., who lived only a few months; (3) Laura 
 M., who married William Dunkle, a farmer in 
 Buffalo township, Union county, and has four 
 
'a^A^t (£>v^¥ 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 U18 
 
 living children — Estella, Edna, Forest D. and 
 Ira; (4) Ira J., who resides in Russell county, 
 Kans., married Miss Delia Ulsh, and has one 
 child, Norman. In June, 1888, Mr. Gross 
 formed a second matrimonial union, this time 
 with - Miss Jennie Ranck, a native of Union coun- 
 ty. Socially, Mr. Gross is identified with the 
 P. O. S. of A., and he is prominent in religious 
 movements in his locality as a member of the 
 Lutheran Church. 
 
 D.ANIEL SNYDER (deceased) was one of 
 ' those gifted beings whose genius enables 
 them to grasp intuitively any mechanical prob- 
 lem, and to do with ease the practical work for 
 which others require years of training under ex- 
 perienced teachers. He was a native of the 
 Keystone State, having first seen the light in 
 Mahanoy, Northumberland county, in 181 5, and 
 the greater part of his life was spent at Lewis- 
 burg. His death occurred in 1870 at the com- 
 paratively early age of sixty-five. A loyal citi- 
 zen, he gave attention to all questions of public 
 interest, and every worthy movement had his 
 sympathy and endorsement. In politics he was 
 a firm adherent to Republican principles, and in 
 religion he adhered to the Lutheran faith and 
 was a leading member of the Church at Lewis- 
 burg. His business ability was not confined to 
 one line of enterprise; for some years he carried 
 on blacksmithing, while he also engaged success- 
 fully in the mason's trade and in teaming on an 
 extensive scale. 
 
 Mr. Snyder married Miss Elizabeth Gibson, a 
 native of Montour county, Penn., born in 18 16, 
 and two children were born to them: (1) Mar- 
 garet (deceased) married C. H. Hassenplug, and 
 has six children: Alice, wife of T. W. Palms, of 
 Palms' Business College, Philadelphia, Penn. ; 
 Blanche, wife of J. O. Dreisbach. of Philadelphia; 
 Charley; Eudora, wife of W. R. Follmer, an attor- 
 ney of Lewisburg; Barron, and Emily. (2) Jon- 
 athan, born December 14, 1844, married Miss Isa- 
 bella Kelly, and has nine children : Charles, Carrie 
 Eliza, Minnie, Daniel, Grace, Emma, Jonathan, 
 Irving, and Margaret. Mrs. Snyder occupied her 
 pleasant home on Third street, Lewisburg, noted 
 for her kindliness, and her life gave evidence 
 of the Christian faith which she so long pro- 
 fessed as a member of the Lutheran Church, and 
 in which she passed away December 27, 1897. 
 Her family has been identified with this State 
 from an early day, her grandfather, William Gib- 
 son, coming from Ireland in the eighteenth cen- 
 tury. Her father, William Gibson (2), was born 
 at Washingtonville, Penn., and died at Moore- 
 
 58* 
 
 burg, Montour county. He married Miss Nancy 
 
 Berry, by whom he had twelve children: May, 
 
 William, John, Grace, Doan, Agnes, David, 
 
 Elizabeth, Ellen, Sarah, Margaret and Matthew. 
 
 S\YLVANUS BENNETT (deceased) was for- 
 .! merly a leading citizen of Lewisburg, being 
 prominent not only in business life but in social 
 and religious circles. He was born in that city 
 March 9, 1835, and his parents, Peter and Mary 
 Ann (Adams) Bennett, remained there throughout 
 their later years, and were highly esteemed in the 
 community for their excellent qualities. At the 
 age of nineteen Mr. Bennett, having already 
 learned the molder's trade, left his native city 
 and went to Philadelphia, where he spent six 
 years. Returning to Lewisburg, he entered a 
 drug store belonging to his brother William and 
 learned the details of the drug business, which 
 he followed successfully until death, on January 
 17, 1S82, cut short his promising career. He 
 was a Methodist in religious faith, and, without 
 being a politician, was an influential adviser in 
 municipal movements and a leading member of 
 the Republican party in his locality. In 1861 he 
 was united in marriage with Miss Margaret Ro- 
 denbaugh, a native of Perry county, Penn., born 
 near Duncannon February 1, 1838, and five chil- 
 dren blessed their home: (1) Mary, born May 
 5, 1862, died September 15, 1864. (2) R. Mor- 
 gan, born June 15, 1865, is a machinist by trade, 
 is unmarried, and resides at home. (3) Marga- 
 ret, born April 28, 1867, married Walter Frick, 
 city engineer at Carbondale, Penn., and has two 
 children — Sylvanus and Harry. (4) Clayton, 
 born December 26, 1870, is married, and is now 
 in San Francisco, Cal. (5) Sylvanus, Jr., born 
 May 3, 1878, died December 25, 1880. 
 
 Mrs. Bennett, a lady of unusual intellectual 
 ability, is a valued member of Lewisburg's best 
 social circles. She owns the post office building 
 in South Market street, and resides there. The 
 Rodenbaugh family is of German origin, Mrs. 
 Bennett's great-grandparents having been the 
 first of the line to cross the ocean. Their son 
 Isaac, Mrs. Bennett's grandfather, was born in 
 Bucks county, Penn., and followed farming for 
 many years, his life extending several years be- 
 yond the allowed three-score and ten. He mar- 
 ried Miss Steelwaggon, and had a son Jacob, who 
 was born in Montgomery county, Penn., in 1S12, 
 and became a well-known minister of the Chris- 
 tian Church. He was married in his native 
 county, in 1836, to Miss Susan Wagner, and con- 
 tinued to preach there until 1S59, building up 
 ihe Church and doing work which will never lose 
 
914 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 its influence for good. He then removed to 
 Lewisburg, where he established and de% - eloped 
 a thriving congregation. He died July 3, 1894, 
 but Mrs. Rodenbaugh, who was born July 23, 
 c8o8, is still living. They had the following 
 children: Catherine, now Mrs. Morgan; Mar- 
 garet, Mrs Bennett; Ann. wife of George Slifer, 
 toll collector at the Lewisburg bridge and notary 
 public for the Union National Bank; John, who 
 died in Lewisburg; 1 ight years ago. leaving a fam- 
 ily; Mary Jane, now Mrs. Rawn, a widow, In 
 in Lewisburg; Elizabeth, wife of Dr. W. E. Cor- 
 of Sergeantsville, N. J., and Isaac Newton, 
 who died in childhood. 
 
 SOLOMON BENNER, a retired agriculturist 
 ling in Vicksburg, is a member of a 
 family which has been established in Union 
 county since 1.S02, when the name first appears 
 upon the tax lists. 
 
 That year our subject's great-grandfather, John 
 Benner, a native oi Germany and a shoem 
 by trade, came to the county and located in 
 Limestone township, a quarter of a mile west of 
 Berlin. His first purchase of land w.is 
 small, but he added to it as time went on until he 
 became the owner of more than 300 acres. He 
 died prior to 1820, and his wife, Elizabeth 
 Hishou, also a native of Germany, passed away 
 between 1830 and 1840, the remains of both 
 being interred at New Berlin. Among their large 
 family of children were: John, our subject's 
 grandfather; a daughter, who married Caspar 
 Gost, a dealer in groceries, soft-beer, and cakes, 
 in New Berlin; Susan, Mrs. Michael Neiman; 
 Mary, Mrs. Joseph Lebkicker, of Liverpool, 
 Penn.; and Harry, of Thompsontown, Penn., 
 none of whom are now living. 
 
 John Benner was born March 9, 1783, and, 
 coming to Union count}- with his parents, fol- 
 lowed distilling in connection with farming at tin 
 old homestead. He was a powerful man, being 
 able to lift a barrel of whiskey by the chime ami 
 
 e it to his knee. While he was comfortably 
 situated and took the world easy, extracting all 
 the pleasure possible from it, he was not wealthy. 
 As a citizen he was well-known and influential, 
 and throughout Ins life he was a steadfast sup- 
 porter of the Whig party. He belonged to the 
 Reformed Church, and at various times held 
 office. He was married at Carlisle, Penn., to 
 Mi<> Mary Brownawell, who was born near that 
 city in 1784, and died May 5, 1846, his own 
 death occurring in March, 1856. Their children 
 were: Henry, who settled in Centre county, and 
 at his death was buried at New Berlin; John, our 
 
 subject's father; Matthias who died at New Ber- 
 lin; Michael, who died in Brown county, Ohio; 
 Samuel, who went west in early manhood and 
 was lost sight of, a report coming back that he. 
 was waylaid and killed; Charles, who died in 
 Limestone township, at the age of twenty-four; 
 Aaron, who died in infancy; William, a resident 
 "f New Berlin; Edward, who died near Selins 
 Grove, Penn.; Elizabeth, Mrs. Archibald Thom- 
 as, of Sandusky county, Ohio, now deceased; 
 Sarah, Mrs. Klias Hummell. of Mifflin county. 
 Penn., now deceased; and Mary, who married 
 (first) Andrew Glover, and (second) George Ben- 
 ninghoff, and died in Snyder county. 
 
 John Benner, the father of our subject, was 
 born January 25, 1801, in what was then Tul- 
 pehocken township, Lebanon county. He was 
 but a babe when his parents moved to Union 
 county, and he was reared at the old homeste; 
 finding plenty of work to do as his strength in- 
 creased. His schooling, which was often inter- 
 rupted in order that he might help on the farm 
 or in the woods, was meagre, but he made the 
 most of what opportunities he found, and se- 
 cured a fair knowledge of the common branch 
 By assisting his father in distilling he became 
 familiar with that business, and later 1 ned 
 
 the carpenter's trade. He continued to re- 
 at home until his marriage on December 17, 
 
 9, at Mifflinburg, to Miss Mary Leiby, who 
 was born February 12, 1809, in Berks county, 
 Penn., and came to Union county in childhood 
 
 with her parents, John Jacob and Leiby. 
 
 The young couple began housekeeping at the 
 Leiby homestead in Limestone township, Union 
 county, and remained sixteen years. Mr Benner 
 following carpentering as a business. The first 
 farm that he ever owned was in Lycoming coun- 
 ty, now Gregg township, Union county, where 
 he purchased 100 acres of land which proved to 
 be of unsatisfactory quality. He was obliged to 
 Stay there six years because he could not sell it. 
 but finally he found a buyer, and moved to East 
 Buffalo township in the same county, and rented 
 the old Harris farm for three years. He then 
 bought the Adam Sheckler farm of 100 acres at 
 Vicksburg, paying eighty dollars an acre, and 
 continued to cultivate it until the spring of 1863, 
 whin he retired from active work, although in 
 good health at the time. In i860 he built the 
 pres lious residence at the homestead, 
 
 and after his retirement he spent much of his 
 leisure time in reading, of which he was very 
 fond. He was a quiet man, never given to ar- 
 gument, but the company of friends was alwa 
 a pleasure to him. In early years he was a 
 Whig, and later a Republican, but beyond cast- 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 915 
 
 ing his vote regularly he took no active interest 
 in politics, invariably declining any official hon- 
 ors. He was a member of the Reformed Church, 
 and at times held office, serving some years as 
 deacon. His first wife died August 18, 1865, 
 and on November 7, 1867, he was married to 
 Mrs. Charlotte (Anderson) Heinly, widow of 
 John Heinly. She survived him a few years, his 
 death occurring August 31, 1875, after a linger- 
 ing illness, and his remains, with those of both 
 his wives, now rest in Dreisbach cemetery. Our 
 subject was the youngest of three children by the 
 first marriage, the others being Sarah A., born 
 May 16, 1830, married Joseph A. Dietrich, and 
 died in Lycoming county, February 21, 1862, 
 leaving several children. Charles, born August 
 3, 1834, died January 21, 1S41. 
 
 Mr. Benner's birth occurred September 16, 
 1S38, in Limestone township, Union county, 
 near New Berlin, and as the only son of a well- 
 to-do farmer he had a better start in life than the 
 average youth of that day. He had the full 
 benefit of the local schools such as they were, 
 his first teacher being Emanuel Engle, in the 
 Turkey Run school. Constant training in the 
 work of the homestead during boyhood enabled 
 him to take charge of it on his father's retirement, 
 and for some years he rented it. At the death 
 of his father he was appointed executor, and 
 after paying off the claims of his sister's children, 
 the only heirs except himself, he took the re- 
 mainder of the estate, including the homestead. 
 He now owns two farms containing 130 acres 
 of excellent land, and has a small tract of timber 
 land on the mountain. His careful management 
 has secured a handsome competence, and in 
 September, 1897, he retired from business and 
 located at Vicksburg to enjoy his leisure. 
 
 On December 2, 1862, our subject was mar- 
 ried, in Lewisburg, to Miss Mary A. Miller, who 
 was born in Snyder county, March 30, 1843, the 
 daughter of Daniel and Esther (Wagner) Miller. 
 Of five sons born to this union all but one are 
 living: W. E. , born November 19, 1864, is now 
 a farmer in Buffalo township, Union county; he 
 was married, November 28, 1889, to Miss Sally 
 E. Hubler, daughter of Isaac and Susanna (Faust) 
 Hubler, and they have one child, Mary S. John 
 F. , born May 15, 1866, died October 15, 1869. 
 Charles A., born January 19, 1869, is a clerk in 
 a store at Mazeppa, Penn. Newton M., born 
 March 30, 1872, was married November 26, 
 1896, to Miss Margaret N. Klose, of Vicksburg. 
 Elmer L. , born June 17, 1877, is at home. Mr. 
 Benner and all his sons are stanch Republicans, 
 his connection with the party dating back to his 
 first vote in Lincoln's first campaign. He has 
 
 never sought or held office and never argues on 
 politics, contenting himself with voting regularly. 
 He is active in religious work, and he and his wife 
 are both members of Dreisbach Lutheran Church. 
 Both have been teachers in the Sunday-school 
 for many years past, and Mrs. Benner also takes 
 a generous interest in the work of the Missionary 
 Society. 
 
 HENRY JACOB SYPHER, the proprietor of 
 the Spring Garden Grist Mill in Gregg town- 
 ship, Union county, is a man of high standing in 
 his community, his energy and ability having been 
 demonstrated in his successful business career. 
 Like so many of our leading citizens he comes of 
 Teutonic stock. His ancestors came from the 
 Valley of the Rhine during the early part of the 
 seventeenth century, and settled upon the Dela- 
 ware river near the present site of Chester, Penn. 
 His great-grandfather, Abraham Sypher, with 
 five brothers, served gallantly in the Continental 
 army during the struggle for independence, and 
 participated in the battles of Trenton, Princeton, 
 Brandy wine, Germantown and Monmouth, and 
 were at Valley Forge with Washington. Later 
 generations have been no less patriotic, members 
 of the family bearing arms in the war of 18 12 
 and in the Civil war. Gen. J. Hale Sypher, our 
 subject's second cousin, enlisted as a private 
 April 21, 1 86 1, in the Cleveland, Ohio, Light 
 Artillery, and served throughout the war in differ- 
 ent commands, rising by successive promotions 
 to the rank of general. At the close of the war 
 he settled in Louisiana to engage in the culture 
 of cotton and sugar, and was four times elected 
 a representative from that State, serving in the 
 XLth, XLIst, XLIInd and XLIIrd Congresses. 
 Capt. Jacob Sypher, our subject's grand- 
 father, earned his title by service in the war of 
 1 81 2. He was a native of Perry county, Penn., 
 but in early manhood he located in White Deer 
 township, Union county, where he conducted a 
 farm, and also built and operated a sawmill. His 
 wife, Salome Steece, was a native of Union 
 county, and a member of a well-known pioneer 
 family. The late Abraham Sypher, the father of 
 our subject, was born in White Deer township 
 in November, 1821, and in 1849 went to North- 
 umberland county, Penn., where he spent nine 
 years as a farmer. He then returned to the old 
 homestead and operated the sawmill for ten 
 years, and in 1869 he bought the estate upon 
 which our subject now resides, and where his 
 remaining years were spent. A gristmill stood 
 upon the place, and after rebuilding it on modern 
 principles he operated it until 1892, when he 
 
916 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 retired from business. He was a Republican in 
 politics, but was not especially active as a parti- 
 san. His death occurred October 9, 1895, and 
 his wife, Anna Follmer, who was a devout mem- 
 ber of the Lutheran Church, died January 30, 
 1892. She was a native of Turbut township, 
 Northumberland county, born March 28, [824, 
 and was a daughter of Henry and granddaughter 
 of Michael Follmer. Henry Follmer married 
 Miss Eve Follmer, his second cousin, and both 
 
 sed their lives in Turbut township, North- 
 umberland county, where he was extensively en- 
 gaged in farming and in other business, including 
 gristmilling and the manufacture of lumber. Our 
 subject was the elder of two children. A you] 
 sister, Leah Ann, married J. \Y. Bricker, a mer- 
 chant at St- ng Garden, where he now holds the 
 office of ' i aster. They have three children — 
 Natha- . nna and Laura. 
 
 M.. Sypher first saw the light May 19, 1848, 
 at the old home in White Deer township, Union 
 county, and until he reached the age of twenty 
 he resided at home, assisting his father on the 
 farm and in the mill, while several winters were 
 spent at work in the woods. His education was 
 acquired in the local schools after the usual cus- 
 tom of country lads. On January 14. 1869, he 
 was married at New Columbia to Miss Julia 
 Berkheimer, and he then settled in White Deer 
 township, where he operated a sawmill for a year. 
 He then went to Turbut township, Northumber- 
 land county, where for twenty-three years he 
 made his home upon a rented farm, but during 
 the greater part of this time he was compelled to 
 trust his agricultural work to hired help, as his 
 time was largely taken up with his practice as a 
 veterinary surgeon. In 188] he was compelled 
 to register in accordance with a new law, and 
 from that time until 1892, when he gave up 
 the business as uncongenial, he averaged one 
 sick animal a day, and sometimes had thirteen 
 in one day. During one year he spent $270 for 
 homeopathic and $So for allopathic remedies. 
 There, as in his native place, he held the esteem 
 of his neighbors, and an account of his life was 
 published in 1 S92 in the History of Northumber- 
 land County. In [892 he returned to spring 
 Garden to take charge of the mill which had 
 been willed him by his father, and he h 
 become the sole owner of the old farm, having 
 purchased his sister's interest. He runs his mill 
 night and day, the a) ■ it pi: t for one month 
 
 in 1896 having been ninety-one bushels per day, 
 while he has, on one occasion, ground 1 5 5 bushels 
 in one day. Politically, he is an Independent, 
 voting always for the best man, and he is not an 
 office seeker. He takes much interest in local 
 
 affairs, and is a member of the Patrons of Hus- 
 bandry, Spring Garden Grange, No. 32, at Spring 
 Garden. 
 
 Mr. Sypher and his wife have reared an in- 
 teresting family of five children: (1) Anna M. 
 married Harvey J. Sones, of Turbut township, 
 Northumberland county, a teacher by occupa- 
 tion, who now holds the office of township as- 
 sessor. (2) William H., a farmer in the same 
 township, married Miss Maggie Lahr, and has 
 one son, Morris H., and a daughter, born Feb- 
 ruary 26, 1898. (3) George A., a miller at 
 Spring Garden, married Miss Ida Kurtz, and has 
 one daughter, Clara M.; his wife was born in 
 March, 1^74. near the old home of the Sypher 
 family, in Northumberland county, and her par- 
 ents, Josiah W. and Sarah Kurtz, still reside in 
 that locality. (4) Miss Veronica is at home; 
 I (5) Miss Bessie L. married Le Roy Hunter. De- 
 cember 23, 1897, at Spring Garden. 
 
 Mrs. Sypher was born February 24, i 
 in Chillisquaque township, Northumberland 
 county. Her paternal grandparents, William 
 and Mary Berkheimer, natives of Germany, 
 came to America and settled on a farm 
 in that county. Her father, George Berk- 
 heimer, was born there, but in 1854 he removed 
 to White Deer township, Union county, where 
 he followed farming in connection with the stone 
 mason's trade. He married Miss Mercy Stanart, 
 daughter of Jonathan and Susannah Stanart, 
 then of Northumberland county, but later of 
 Lewisburg, Penn., where Mr. Stanart engaged 
 in the manufacture of brooms. George Berk- 
 heimer died in June, 1893, aged seventy-! 
 and his wife, on February 7, 1887, at the age of 
 sixty-four years and four days. They had the 
 following children: William F. and Susannah, 
 who died in childhood; George, a farmer in White 
 Deer township, Union county; Mary, who d 
 at an early age; Julia, Mrs. Sypher; Jacob, now of 
 Limestoneville, Penn.; Sarah E., wife of Dennie 
 Hibler, of Williamsport, Penn. ; Andrew, Caro- 
 line and Lehr, who all died in childhood; Sam- 
 uel, a farmer in Northumberland county; Lavina, 
 wife of John Baker, of Limestoneville; and Re- 
 becca, who married William Hoffman, of Nor- 
 thumberland county. 
 
 MRs SARAH YOUNG. In these progress- 
 lays it occasions no surprise to find a 
 woman tilling successfully a prominent place in 
 the business world, and the subject of this bi 
 raphy, a wealthy resident of Buffalo township, 
 Union county, sustains a high reputation for 
 ity and enterprise, her tine estate near Cowan 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 917 
 
 being one of the best in the locality. She is the 
 widow of the late Adam Young, who passed away 
 October 8, 1872, leaving a large fortune, and 
 since 1873 she has occupied her present home, 
 where she has made all the improvements in- 
 cluding the tasteful and commodious residence, 
 built in 1882. Two daughters: Ida M., born 
 September 19, 1868, and Nora M., born May 8, 
 1870, reside with her, and seem to have inherited 
 her business talent. A son, Martin R. , born Au- 
 gust 24, 1 87 1, died in his eighteenth year. The 
 family is identified with the Reformed Church, 
 Mrs. Young and both her daughter taking an act- 
 ive part in the various lines of work carried on 
 by the society. 
 
 Mrs. Young was born April 11, 1843, in Buf- 
 falo township, the daughter of Abraham and Mary 
 (Young) Spigelmeyer. She was reared in the 
 same locality, receiving a common-school educa- 
 tion, and her marriage to Mr. Young occurred 
 June 13, 1867. On the paternal side she is de- 
 scended from an old Berks county family, but 
 her grandparents, Henry and Catherine Spigel- 
 meyer, removed to Snyder county early in the 
 present century. Her father was born August 
 6, 1806, in Berks county, and was the seventh 
 son and youngest child in a family of eight. 
 Coming to this section in boyhood, he learned the 
 miller's trade at New Berlin, and, after working 
 for some time for various employers, he and his 
 father-in-law purchased a gristmill at Farmers- 
 ville, now Cowan, which he operated during the 
 remainder of his life. He died suddenly on Au- 
 gust 30, 1862, his remains being interred in Dreis- 
 bach cemetery. For some years prior to his 
 death he held the office of elder in the Reformed 
 Church, of which he had longbeen an active mem- 
 ber. He sympathized with the anti-slavery 
 movement and the Republican party, but depre- 
 cated the use of force and did not vote in i860, 
 believing that Lincoln's election would precipi- 
 tate war. On April 21, 1842, he was married to 
 Miss Mary Young, who was born in Buffalo town- 
 ship, May 21, 1 82 1, the daughter of Abraham 
 and Mary Catherine (Reidy) Young. Mr. Young 
 was a shrewd, enterprising business man, and, in 
 addition to his work as a carpenter and builder, 
 conducted a sawmill and-the gristmill above men- 
 tioned. He was a stanch Democrat, and at one 
 time was asked to become a candidate for the 
 Legislature, but declined. Of his eleven children, 
 three sons and six daughters lived to adult age. 
 
 To Abraham Spigelmeyer and his wife six 
 children were born, of whom Mrs. Young was the 
 eldest; Henry resides in Nashua, Iowa; Susan- 
 nah lives in Cowan; A is a farmer in Buf- 
 falo township; Mary C. married James P. Glaze, 
 
 of Mazeppa, Penn., and John \V. resides in West 
 Buffalo township, Union county. The mother 
 of this family survived the father many years, 
 passing away October 16, 1886, at her home 
 near Cowan. 
 
 The late Adam Young was born February 13, 
 1 80S, in Buffalo township, Union county, the son 
 of Jacob Young, an early settler of that locality, 
 who paid taxes there as early as 1799. This 
 well-known pioneer was born in 1775, and died 
 June 7, 1857, leaving a large estate. His wife 
 was a Miss Bower, and of their children, Adam 
 was the only one to reach adult age. He was 
 reared as a farmer boy, with the customary 
 school privileges, and was engaged in agriculture 
 throughout his mature years. In religious faith 
 he was a Lutheran, and his politic allegiance 
 was given to the Democratic party?" \ '' as been 
 said he was a successful business mail, L ~id he 
 was at the same time popular among his associ- 
 ates, his genial manner making many friend*. 
 He was thrice married. By his first wife, a Miss 
 Rockey, he had six children: Jacob (deceased); 
 George W., of Mifflinburg, Penn.; John, of 
 Three Rivers, Mich. ; Maria, who married Hugh 
 Reish, and died in Indiana; Sarah (deceased), 
 the first wife of George Catherman; and Marga- 
 ret, who after her sister's death married Mr. 
 Catherman. By the second wife, Elizabeth 
 Swartzlander, a native of Buffalo township, Mr. 
 Young had twelve children: James, now resid- 
 ing in Darke county, Ohio; William D., a farmer 
 in Buffalo township; Reuben, of White Deer 
 township, Union county; Charles, a physician at 
 Lynchburg, ite(h^; Harvey, a farmer near Belle- 
 vue, Ohio; Oliver, a farmer at Three Rivers, 
 Mich. ; Oscar, who follows the same business in 
 South Dakota; Ellen, wife of Aaron Nogel, of 
 Buffalo Cross Roads; Leannah, Mrs. Oscar Fury, 
 of Constantine, Mich. ; Harriet, Mrs. William 
 Kerstetter, of Buffalo township; Mary, Mrs. Mil- 
 ton Hendricks, of Buffalo Cross Roads; and Sus- 
 anna, Mrs. Miles Miller, of Buffalo township, 
 Union township. 
 
 WILLIAM JONES, a prominent member 
 of the legal fraternity in Union county, 
 was born August 9, 1822, but despite his years 
 is too vigorous, mentally and physically, to dream 
 of retiring from business, and at present in ad- 
 dition to his other cares is the superintendent of 
 the Lewisburg Water Company. 
 
 On the paternal side Mr. Jones is of Welsh 
 descent, but his father, the late Thomas Jones, 
 was born in this State, and was for many years 
 
918 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 a hotel keeper in Lewisburg. He was married 
 to Maria House), a native of Northumberland 
 count), Penn., where her father, Jacob Housel 
 (who was of Dutch ancestry), was also born. 
 She lived to the advanced age of eighty-four 
 years. To Thomas and Maria Jones a family of 
 seven children were burn, viz.: Adella (de- 
 ceased), formerly the wife of Dr. Thomas Thorn- 
 ton: Samuel, a banker, who died at Williams- 
 port, Penn.: William, our subject; Elizabeth 
 'Mis. Charles Shortly), residing in Williamsport; 
 John, a resident ot the same city; Catherine, 
 widow of William Humes, of Bellefonte; and 
 Emily, wife of Judge Rockfeller, of Sunbury, 
 i sylvan i a. 
 
 The subject of our sketch was born in North- 
 umberland county, but his youth was mainly 
 spent in Lewisburg, where he pursued his studies 
 in the public school and the academy. His first 
 yment was as a driver on the canal, from 
 which position he soon rose to the management 
 of a boat, but after six or seven years in this 
 business he learned the coach maker's trade and 
 worked as a journeyman for a time. A clearer 
 perception of his powers led him to decide upon 
 tudy of law, and in 184S he was admitted 
 to the Bar and engaged in practice. Soon after- 
 ward he took a trip to California, where for two 
 years and a half he supported himself by work- 
 bis trade and clerking in a store, with 
 some legal business added from time to time. 
 Returning home, he was married, in March, 
 to Miss Ada Bell, a native ol Milton, Penn. He 
 located at Lewisburg, opening an office, and has 
 since practiced law while attending to other lines 
 of business, public and private. He is a stock- 
 holder in the water works which he now super- 
 is, and he has been continuously active in 
 political life, being regarded as a leader in th<- R. 
 publican party of his locality. He has served two 
 terms as county treasurer, and had held office in 
 the borough as treasurer and town clerk for 
 than thirty consecutive years; he resigned a few 
 years ago, declining to accept any lurther re- 
 sponsibility. For fifteen years he was a member 
 of the school board, serving as secretary, also 
 rer part of that time, and he has always 
 been found among the chief workers for local 
 improvement in all lines. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Jones have two daughters, Clara 
 and Gertrude. ( t » Clara married Horace I. 
 r, a civil engineer and contractor in Brook- 
 lyn, N. Y., and has two children — William and 
 Adaline. (2) Gertrude is the wife of Jacob G. 
 Stevens, of Chestnut Hill, Penn., a suburb of 
 Philadelphia. They have one daughter, (Cath- 
 erine. 
 
 WILLIAM M. ('.INTER is numbered among 
 the loyal sons of Lewisburg, Union coun- 
 ty, who, passing their youth there, have de- 
 voted their mature years to the upbuilding and 
 development of the interests of the place, each 
 working in his own line in his own way. Mr. 
 Ginter's specialty is photography, and his desire 
 to be at the top in his chosen business has re- 
 sulted most happily, the artistic quality of the 
 pictures taken in his well-patronized gallery be- 
 ing equal to that of the best metropolitan work. 
 He also conducts successfully an undertaking 
 business, succeeding his father, the late David 
 Ginter. 
 
 The Ginter family is of German origin, our 
 subject's grandfather, John Ginter, having come 
 from the Eatherland to locate, finally, in Milton, 
 Penn., where he and his wife Elizabeth, a native 
 of Switzerland, died and were buried. The late 
 David Ginter, son of this John, was born in 
 Berks county, Penn., in 1808, and at the age of 
 twenty-three settled in Lewisburg, where he en- 
 
 ed in the cabinet-maker's trade, to which he 
 afterward added the business of undertaker and 
 funeral director. He was a man of intelligence 
 and character, a member of the M. E. Church 
 for sixty-five years, and in politics a Republican, 
 having previously been an Old-line Whig. He 
 was married to Miss Margaret Martin, who was 
 born in Lewisburg in 18 10, and was a member 
 of an old Pennsylvania family. She died in 1S77, 
 he in 1893. Of their twelve children, six lived 
 to mature age: Rebecca (Mrs. E. A. Stark, of 
 Lewisbur^i; Peter M.ialso of Lewisburg); Will- 
 iam M. lour subject); Elizabeth (deceased); Har- 
 riet ia resident of Lewisburg); and Margaret (wife 
 of Ralph Musser, of Williamsport, Penn. 1. An 
 adopted son, Sidney Townsend, was reared by 
 Mr. and Mrs. David Ginter from the age of five 
 years, and is now a resident of Brooklyn, New 
 York. 
 
 William M. Ginter. our subject, has alv 
 made his home in Lewisburg. On leaving the 
 pubile schools he assisted his father in the furni- 
 ture and undertaking business for a time, but hav- 
 ing decided to engage in photography, he, in 
 1869, after due preparation, which he secured in 
 his native town, opened a gallery, and has 1 
 since conducted it with gratifying success. He 
 now has with him G. B. Cook, an unusually ca- 
 pable photographer from New York City, and no 
 expense or pains is spared to keep the work of 
 the establishment at the highest grade of excel- 
 lence. Since the death of his father, as has 
 been noted. Mr. Ginter has also been engaged in 
 business as an undertaker and funeral director 
 In r 88 1 our subject married Miss Julia C. Ritter, 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 919 
 
 a native of Lewisburg, and they have two at- 
 tractive daughters, Marian and Eva. 
 
 Mr. Ginter served as a soldier in the Civil 
 war, and is a member of the G. A. R. His mil- 
 itary experience was somewhat unusual. He 
 was drafted on the first call and sent a substi- 
 tute, but when the Rebels invaded his native 
 State he joined the State militia, Company E, 
 28th Regiment, to protect home interests. He 
 also served for more than a year as a clerk in the 
 commissariat department at Burnside's head- 
 quarters. 
 
 OHN JEFFERSON RANCK, a well-known 
 coachmaker and undertaker at New Colum- 
 bia, is a self-made man whose history shows 
 the triumph of a determined will over adverse 
 circumstances. 
 
 Born in White Deer township, Union county, 
 July 31, 1 85 1, Mr. Ranck is a member of an old 
 pioneer family of that locality, his great-grand- 
 father, John Ranck, having settled there in 1797, 
 purchasing a large tract of land, most of which 
 is still owned by his descendants. John Ranck 
 was born and reared in Lancaster county, and 
 on coming to Union county was accompanied by 
 his second wife, Barbara. He died in 1820, at 
 the age of seventy-eight, and his wife in 1830, at 
 the age of seventy-five. 
 
 Their son Jonathan, our subject's grand- 
 father, was born in Lancaster county, July 1, 
 1789, but his life was mainly spent in Union 
 county, where he became prominent as an agri- 
 culturist. He was married three times, (first) to 
 Miss Catherine Long, (second) to Miss Mary 
 Dieffenderfer, our subject's grandmother, and, 
 (third) to Mrs. Harriet (Kline) Dieffenderfer, 
 widow of the brother of his second wife. 
 
 Mrs. Mary (Dieffenderfer) Ranck was born in 
 January, 1798, in Union (then Northumberland) 
 county, the daughter of Jacob Dieffenderfer, and 
 her death occurred in February, 1844. She had 
 ten children, among whom was our subject's fa- 
 ther, Edward Ranck, now a highly respected cit- 
 izen of White Deer township, who resides upon 
 a portion of the original homestead. He was 
 born December 31, 1825, and has been engaged 
 in agricultural work since early manhood. He is 
 a Prohibitionist in politics, though formerly a Re- 
 publican, and he holds a prominent place in lo- 
 cal affairs, having served in various township 
 offices in his more active days. For forty-six 
 years he has been identified with the Evangelical 
 Association, and for thirty years has been an of- 
 ficial in the same. 
 
 On December 7, 1848, Edward Ranck mar- 
 
 ried Miss Sarah A. Goodlander, a native of 
 White Deer township, Union county, born 
 September 13, 1825, and a daughter of Paul and 
 Rachel (Heckel) Goodlander. Eleven children 
 were born to this union: Mary (Mrs. H. H. 
 Trumfeller), John J. (our subject), Jeremiah (who 
 died January 4, 1853, at the age of four months), 
 William H. (a farmer of Kelly township, Union 
 county), Rachel L. (Mrs. David H. Bennage), 
 Sarah A. (Mrs. W. H. Geyer), Edward F. (a 
 farmer and school teacher in White Deer town- 
 ship), Samuel C. (of New Columbia), Pharos F. 
 (a school teacher and farmer of White Deer town- 
 ship), James A. (who is engaged in farming in 
 the same township), and Minnie A. (Mrs. Thomas 
 C. Bennage). 
 
 The subject of our sketch remained at home 
 until the age of sixteen, assisting his father upon 
 the farm in the summer, and attending school 
 four months each winter. At sixteen he worked 
 eight months duringthe busy season for an uncle, 
 Levi Ranck, receiving $8 per month. The next 
 winter was spent at home, and in the spring he 
 was employed by Jacob Kizer, of Kelly township, 
 for a year, receiving $16 a month for the eight 
 months of the busy season, and tending stock in 
 winter for his board while attending school. The 
 following season was also spent with Mr. Kizer 
 at $16 a month, but the next winter Mr. Ranck 
 returned home. 
 
 He then decided to learn the coachmaker's 
 trade, and in the spring went to New Columbia 
 to begin an apprenticeship, but work was so 
 scarce that after six weeks he returned to Mr. 
 Kizer's employ and remained until the next spring, 
 the winter season, as usual, bringing him only 
 his board. The outlook for his trade being more 
 favorable, he went back to New Columbia and 
 served as an apprentice to William H. Blind for 
 two years, receiving $75 for the term. Mr. Blind 
 then employed him for a year at $16 a month, 
 and afterward Mr. Ranck worked at piece work 
 as a journeyman for some time at various places, 
 spending four months at Warrensville, Penn., 
 with Samuel Keys, to whom he carried a letter 
 of reference, three weeks at Saloma, Penn., with 
 Frank Crape, and six weeks with David Crape. 
 He next went to Jacksonville, Penn., and re- 
 mained with Ira C. Johnson for some time, but 
 in the spring of 1874, after a few weeks spent at 
 home, he went to Kalamazoo, Michigan. 
 
 In the fall he returned home, and, on Decem- 
 ber 15, 1874, he was married at Muncy Station, 
 at the home of the bride's parents, to Miss Sarah 
 J. Smith, who has since shared his joys and sor- 
 rows and lightened his cares with her womanly 
 sympathy. After working at his trade for one 
 
920 
 
 ( "\i\nMORATIVE BIOOliA/'Jll' M. UE< DKD. 
 
 year in Hlimsport, Perm., he returned to New 
 Columbia and purchased his present property, 
 re he built a shop and residence. As he was 
 industrious and his workmanship was of the best, 
 he succeeded in establishing a profitable trade, 
 ti which he added an undertaking business in 
 13, in which he took into partnership with him 
 his brothei , S * . Ranck. 
 
 Our subject has held .1 number of local offices, 
 including that oi register, and. in the spring of 1891 i, 
 he was elected assessor on the Republican ticket 
 He has served six years as school direct' 11 . hi- lack 
 of suitable opportunities for study in youth making 
 him desirous of securing better advantages for this 
 and future generations. He belongs to the Patri- 
 otic Order Sons of America, of New Columbia, in 
 which he holds the office of treasurer, and he 
 and his wife are prominent members of the 
 United Evangelical Church. Five children bless 
 theii union: Percy E., born October 27. 1875, 
 1 a blacksmith, and April 1, 1898, was taken in 
 as partner in the carriage business; Charles S . 
 born July .22, 1S77, is a telegraph operator at 
 Hall Station, Penn. ; Estella, born June 19. 18 
 and Harry B and Harriet E, (twins), born July 
 26, 1 881, are at home. 
 
 Mrs. Ranck was l»>rn August 16, 1854, in 
 Clinton township, Lycoming Co., Penn. Hei 
 paternal grandparents, John and Saloma (Treon) 
 Smith, were among the old-time agriculturists of 
 that locality, and their remains now repose there. 
 Her father, Ezekiel Smith, was born in the same 
 township, and became a prominent farmer. For 
 twenty years before his death, which occurred at 
 Muncy September 15, 1895, at the age of seven- 
 rs and nine months, he lived in retire- 
 it, and he left a large estate to his children. 
 He was a Democrat in politics, and in activi days 
 wielded great influence in Ins community. He 
 and his estimable wife, Catherine A. Metzger, 
 were devout adherents of the Lutheran Church. 
 Both were buried in Mt. Pleasant cemetery, in 
 I vcoming county, Mrs. Smith having passed 
 away January [6, 1S02, in her seventy-third 
 year, Hei grandfather. Jacob Metzger, came 
 from Germany and settled in Lycoming county, 
 where his last days were spent, and her parent-. 
 George and Susan (Dietrichi Metzger. died there 
 at an advanced age, after several years spent in 
 retirement, and their remains now lie in the cem- 
 et< 1 y at Turbutville. 
 
 I ekiel and Catherine Smith reared a large 
 family; (1) Harriet, born in January, 1846, 
 married Percival Weigle, a carpenter at South 
 Williamsport, Penn., and has two children — Ella 
 M. and Arthur 1. 2) Caroline married Samuel 
 Bastian, formerly a lumber dealer and now a 
 
 clerk in the office of the county ' commissionei - 
 of Lycoming county. They have three children 
 —Jennie E , William H. and Edith. 13) Ellen 
 married Jerome Dersham. 41 Hervey, born in 
 April, 1850, is a wealthy farmer near Muncy 
 ion, and is now county commissioner of Ly- 
 coming county. He married Catharine Walter, 
 and has had four children — Walter E. (deceased), 
 Elizabeth, Minnie and William. (5) Sarah J. 
 married Mr. Ranck. (6) Susan A., who died in 
 February, 1S93, at the age of thirty-six years, 
 was the wife of John App, a sawyer at South 
 Williamsport. They had two children — Anna 
 L. and Mimla M., both of whom are living 
 (7) Anna, born' in June, 1 800, married Piers^n 
 App. a brother of John App, and resides at the 
 old homestead. They have one daughter, Alta. 
 
 JEAN FRANCOIS ELYSEE AVIRAGNET, 
 director of the Bucknell School of Music, 
 Bucknell University, Lewisburg, Union coun- 
 ty, is a native of France, born July 30, 182S. In 
 October, ten years later, he entered the R< 
 College at Bordeaux and pursued a literal v 
 course of study. In 1S45, be went to Paris, and 
 in 1847 he graduated from the Sorbonne. In 
 1 85 1 he took up the teaching of French, Greek 
 and Latin, and in 1852 he received a degree cor- 
 
 ionding to the degree of Master of Arts. Dur- 
 ing all this time he spent his leisure moments in 
 developing his taste for music, studying under 
 Duprez, Delsarte and Revial. Later he studied 
 vocal music under Lamperti, in Italy. He then 
 
 . up the study of harmony, and compi 
 many songs which were published by Le Mene- 
 strel, a publishing house belonging to Heugel, 
 while Hartman, the publisher, also gave to the 
 world some of Prof. Aviragnet's music. 
 
 Later our subject went to Mauritius and be- 
 came a teacher in Latin, Greek and the Romance 
 languages in Bourbon College; at the same time 
 he was the musical critic of French editions of 
 
 Vfauricien, Le Cerneen and the Commercial 
 
 ette, papers published in both French and 
 English. Up to 1865 Prof. Aviragnet was an 
 amateur musician, in that year becoming a pro- 
 Previously, however, he had taken 
 parts in concerts and conducted a Philharmonic 
 Society of Amateurs. After leading operatic 
 orchestras for a time, he attracted the attention 
 of composers, among whom was the late Am- 
 
 ise Thomas, the celebrated author of " M 
 non," •' Hamlet" and many other masterpiec 
 These famous composers presented Pmf Avirag- 
 
 ■vitli well-merited testimonials of his worth 
 as a musician. 
 
-*-* 
 
 -jejC> 
 
 Director of the School of Music of Bucknell University 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 921 
 
 Prof. Aviragnet has traveled a great deal, and 
 has spent many months in Italy, Spain, Egypt, 
 Greece, India and the West Indies, leading or- 
 chestras and teaching vocal music and the lan- 
 guages. At the beginning of the Prussian war 
 (1870) he chanced to be in his native country, 
 and he at once entered the service of the French 
 army as a private, later becoming a lieutenant 
 and aide-de camp of the Commandeur Superieur 
 of the 10th Arrondissement. At the beginning 
 of the Commune the government of the defense 
 Nationale was obliged to go to Versailles, and 
 Lieut. Aviragnet was sent several times as a spe- 
 cial messenger to Versailles, to the National As- 
 sembly. Being obliged to remain in Versailles, 
 he was, by commission bearing date April 18, 
 1 87 1, made officer d'ordonnance, for the organ- 
 ization of the legion of the 10th Arrondisse- 
 ment, which was with the army when it en- 
 tered Paris and ended the Commune by bloody 
 battles upon the streets of that city, May 21 to 
 28, 1871. 
 
 Four years before coming to the United States 
 Prof. Aviragnet was a teacher of comparative lan- 
 guages at Bolivar College, Port of Spain, Trini- 
 dad. Although not connected with the music de- 
 partment of that institution, he organized a band 
 composed of students of the college, which or- 
 anization, during the vacation, made a successful 
 tour in Venezuela. He then went to New York, 
 where he taught music for one year, when he was 
 engaged by S. W. Murray, of Milton, Penn., to 
 teach music and the languages to his daughter 
 and the children of several prominent Milton 
 families. In 1887 he became a teacher at Buck- 
 nell Institute, the department of music being 
 then a part of the Institute. Through dint of 
 application, and by thorough work, Prof. Avira- 
 gnet raised the standard of the music department 
 until the board of trustees deemed it wise to cre- 
 ate a School of Music, with Prof. Aviragnet at 
 the head as director. In 1893 the University 
 conferred upon our subject the degree of Doctor 
 of Music, an honor which he wears with dignity 
 and merit. 
 
 Dr. Aviragnet is a member of the Society of 
 Arts and Sciences, of England (Mauritius branch). 
 He is a life member of the Association of French 
 Opera Artists, to which organization Patti, Calve, 
 Plancon, Lassalle, de Reske brothers, and many 
 other well-known artists belong or belonged. He 
 is also a member of the Music Teachers Associ- 
 ation of America, and is widely known through- 
 out eastern Pennsylvania as an instructor in Ro- 
 mance languages at the Mt. Gretna Chautauqua. 
 He belongs, also, to the Modern Language Asso- 
 ciation of America. 
 
 FENRY BENNAGE. For more than a cen- 
 JHl. tury the Bennage homestead in White 
 Deer township, Union county, has been occupied 
 by members of the family, having been first pur- 
 chased by that noted pioneer, Simon Bennage, 
 who was born in Heidelberg township, Berks 
 Co., Penn., August 19, 1757, the son of Simon 
 and Mary Bennage, natives of Germany. He 
 married Miss Elizabeth Renninger, also of Berks 
 county, and soon after located at the present 
 homestead, where a family of four children were 
 born to them: Samuel, March 28, 1788; David, 
 December 28, 1791; Mary, October 15, 1794; 
 and Elizabeth, January 5, 1798. The father 
 became one of the leading landholders of Union 
 county, owning several farms beside the home- 
 stead of 160 acres, and he also had about 400 
 acres of land in New York State. He was one 
 of the founders of the Lutheran Church in his 
 township, and took a leading part in the develop- 
 ment of the locality in all lines. His death oc- 
 curred December 24, 1821, and his remains, with 
 those of his estimable wife, now rest in the 
 family burial plot in the cemetery at White Deer 
 church. 
 
 David Bennage, the father of our subject, 
 followed agricultural pursuits all his life upon a 
 portion of the old homestead, and at his death, 
 which occurred in 1866, he left an estate com- 
 prising 390 acres, which was divided between 
 five surviving sons, all but one of the farms being 
 still retained in the family. His wife, Nancy 
 Ranck, who died in 1863. was a native of Lan- 
 caster county, Penn. , and a daughter of Henry 
 and Nancy (Geigley) Ranck, who was born, 
 reared and married in Lancaster county, but 
 settled in White Deer township, Union county, 
 in pioneer times. 
 
 David Bennage was prominent in the local 
 movements of his time, and he and his wife were 
 leading members of the Evangelical Association. 
 Our subject was the eldest of a family of seven 
 children, the others being: Simon and John R., 
 who also occupy a portion of the estate left by 
 their father; Enos, a farmer in Kelly township, 
 Union county; David, who cultivates a portion 
 of the old farm; Louis, who died April 29, 1867, 
 in Northumberland county, Penn., at the age of 
 twenty-one; and Mary, wife of Calvin Reefer, 
 both now deceased. The remains of the parents, 
 together with those of all the other departed 
 members of this family, repose in the White 
 Deer Church cemetery. 
 
 Henry Bennage has always resided in Union 
 county, but he can recall scenes quite different 
 from those which now surround him. He was 
 born at the old homestead January 31, 1828, 
 

 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 and was reared after the custom of those days, 
 working upon the farm and attending the local 
 schools as he had opportunity. At twenty-one 
 his school days ended, and on January 15, 1850. 
 he was married to Miss Mary Heimbach, and 
 settled upon one of his father's farms, which he 
 worked for one-half of the proceeds until 1 
 He then moved to his present farm, which was 
 in its primitive condition, and building a little 
 home, 14x20 feet, he began the work of clearing, 
 Five years of hard work enabled him to make 
 many improvements, including the comfortable 
 
 lence which he now occupies. 
 
 On August 10, 1864, Mr. Bennage enlisted in 
 Company I, 202nd 1'. V. I., but as the company 
 was too full he was transferred to Company G, 
 same regiment. He remained in the service un- 
 til after the close of the war, being mustered 
 out August 3, i S65 , but although he was engaged 
 in several skirmishes he saw no important battles, 
 and happily was never wounded. On his return 
 to the paths of peace he again engaged in farm- 
 ing, but of late years he has allowed the active 
 work of the place to fall into younger hands, 
 while he enjoys awell-deserved leisure. His politi- 
 cal sympathies have been with the Republican 
 party from the early days of that organization, 
 and he has been active in the local administra- 
 tion, holding ' >tTice at times as assessor and school 
 director. In religious work he is also prominent. 
 At the age of fifteen he became a member of the 
 Evangelical Association, but since the division of 
 that society he has been identified with the 
 United Evangelical Church. In his younger 
 days hi- served as class leader, and at present he 
 holds the office of trustee. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Bennage have a goodly array 
 I descendants, of which they may well be proud. 
 They have had ten children, of whom ei^ht are 
 living: (1) Mary E., born December 2 1 , [S50, 
 died September 14, 1S53. (2) John S. , born 
 January 14, 1852, married Miss Caroline Trox- 
 well, and has had two children — Irene R., who 
 is at home; and Jacob H. (deceased). (31 Hetty 
 A., born May 10, [853, married James \Y. G 
 er, a farmer in White Deer township, Union 
 county, and has had five children — Clara, Cyrus. 
 Dora, Norman, and Reuben. (4) Rebecca A , 
 born August 2 1 . 1854, married William Harps- 
 ter, of White Deer, Penn. (5) Sarah C, born 
 May 12, 1 S 5 7 , married Robert Newman, of 
 White Deer township, and has had two children 
 — Kelly, and Irvin. (0) Samuel 1)., born Au- 
 gust 26, 1859, who resides in White Deer town- 
 ship, married Miss Lida Becher, and has had 
 one son, Albert. (7) Amanda J., born June 6, 
 1862, married Amos Kostenbader, of White 
 
 Deer township, and has had six children — Anna, 
 Ernest, Morris, Sallie (deceased), John (de- 
 ceased), and Susan. (8) Emma M., born No- 
 vember 1, 1S66, married Amnion Hoffman, of 
 White Deer township, and has had the following 
 children — Ida (deceased), Beckie, Bertha, John, 
 Mary (deceased), Luther, and Willard. (9) Ida 
 S., born December 17, 1868, married James 
 Keefer, a farmer in Montour county, Penn., and 
 hashad five children — Blanche, Harry (deceased), 
 Raymond, Henry, and Herman. (10) James H., 
 born August 30, 1872, died January 29, 1883. 
 
 Mrs. Bennage is a native of Union county, 
 and was born December 18, 1S30, in Buffalo 
 township. Her parents, Samuel and Elizabeth 
 (Bower) Heimbach, were born in Snyder county, 
 the former in Middleburg, and the latter in Dry 
 Valley. The father was a well-known black- 
 smith, and resided for many years in Buffalo 
 township, Union county, where he died in 1885, 
 at the age of seventy-five. His wife, who 
 passed away two years before him, was also sev- 
 enty-five years of age. They adhered to the 
 Lutheran faith, and were devout members of the 
 Church, and both were interred at Dreisbach 
 Church in Union county. Their children were: 
 Catherine, now the widow of Daniel Bailer, of 
 Union county; Hattie, wife of Jacob Isley, a re- 
 tired farmer in Clay county, Kans. ; Mary, Mrs. 
 Bennage; Jonathan, a resident of Buffalo town- 
 ship. Union county; Rachel, widow of Peter 
 Reich, formerly engaged in agriculture in Dakota; 
 Ellis, of Union county; Elizabeth, now Mrs. 
 Puttick, of New Berlin, Penn.; Susan, wii 
 Henry Frock, a farmer in Buffalo township, Union 
 county; Beckie (deceased), formerly the wife of 
 Samuel Dauberman, a carpenter at New Berlin; 
 John H., who lives in Buffalo township; and 
 Martha M. Whitman 'now deceased). 
 
 A MOS VASTINE PERSING, M. D.,a prom- 
 £\. inent young physician and surgeon of Al- 
 lenwood, Union county, was born October 17, 
 1868, in Elysbury, Northumberland Co., Penn- 
 sylvania. 
 
 His parents were Emanuel S. and Catherine 
 i\ istine) Persing. On both sides he traces his 
 ancestry back to the early Colonial period, the 
 Persing family being descended from three broth- 
 ers who crossed the Atlantic from France and 
 settled in New Jersey at a very early day. His 
 paternal grandparents, Mathias and Johanna K. 
 (Parent Persing, were natives of Schuylkill coun- 
 ty, Penn. The grandfather, who was a contract- 
 or in his younger years and a farmer later in life, 
 did the stone work on the D. L. & W. R. R. 
 
 1 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 923 
 
 between Sunbury and Catawissa, Penn., and on 
 the Crow Hollow railroad between Pottsville 
 and St. Clair in Schuylkill county. The ma- 
 ternal grandparents, Amos and Susan (Lerch) 
 Vastine, were natives of Northumberland county, 
 and died on the old Vastine homestead in that 
 county, which is now occupied by the parents of 
 our subject. For several generations the Vas- 
 tine family has been identified with the agricult- 
 ural and distilling interests of Northumberland 
 county, and the grandfather served as commis- 
 sioner for one term. All of the Doctor's grand- 
 parents were buried in St. Jacob's Lutheran cem- 
 etery in that county. His great-grandfather, 
 Felix Lerch, for many years conducted a tavern 
 at Mt. Carmel, where his ancestors were early 
 settlers. 
 
 Emanuel S. Persing, the Doctor's father, was 
 born in Schuylkill county, in August, 1S43, and 
 was reared upon a farm, where he remained un- 
 til joining the Union army during the Civil war. 
 At the age of twenty-three he entered a mercan- 
 tile establishment where he clerked for two years, 
 but at the age of twenty-five again turned his at- 
 tention to agricultural pursuits. He is now the 
 owner of the valuable farm upon which he re- 
 sides, but has practically laid aside business 
 cares, leaving its cultivation to younger hands. 
 In early manhood he married Miss Catherine 
 Vastine, who was born in Northumberland coun- 
 ty, in September, 1841, and their entire married 
 life has been passed at Elysburg, where they are 
 surrounded by hosts of warm friends and ac- 
 quaintances. With the Lutheran Church they 
 have long held membership, and, politically, the 
 father is identified with the Republican party. 
 Four children blessed their union: Amos V., of 
 this review; Johanna R., who died at the age of 
 eleven years; Sadie, who died at the age of seven 
 months; and Susan B., at home. 
 
 At the age of seventeen Dr. Persing left home 
 to attend Bucknell Academy, where he graduated 
 two years later, and at once entered upon the 
 study of medicine. Going to Mt. Carmel, he 
 worked in the drug-store of Drs. Montelius & 
 Williams for one year, and in the fall of 1889 
 matriculated at the Jefferson Medical College, 
 which he attended for four consecutive terms, 
 graduating May 2, 1893. Returning home, he 
 conducted Dr. Gilbert's practice for two weeks 
 while that gentleman was attending the World's 
 Fair in Chicago, and in the following June lo- 
 cated in Allenwood, where he has succeeded in 
 building up a large and lucrative practice, which 
 is constantly increasing. 
 
 On March 15, 1894, Dr. Persing was married 
 to Miss Estella V. Pensyl, and they have a son, 
 
 William E., born February n, 1895, and a 
 daughter, Katharine Viola, born May 29, 1897. 
 Mrs. Persing was born April 23, 1869, in Elys- 
 burg, Penn., of which place her parents, William 
 and Harriett (Hull) Pensyl, were also natives. 
 There the mother's death occurred August 10, 
 1889, when in her fiftieth year, but the father is 
 still a resident of Elysburg, where he owns and 
 operates a tannery and farm. He was born in 
 1835, and is the father of seven children: Laura, 
 now the wife of William Reed, a miller and 
 farmer of Crowl, Northumberland county; Elmer 
 and Katie, who died in infancy; Estella, the wife 
 of our subject; Anna, now the wife of Preston A. 
 Vought, a prominent lawyer of Mt. Carmel; and 
 Viola and Carrie, still at home. Both parents 
 were consistent members of the Baptist Church, 
 and in politics the father is a Republican. 
 
 Although one of the younger members of the 
 medical profession, Dr. Persing has been very 
 successful in the practice of his chosen profes- 
 sion, and is recognized as one of the most skillful 
 physicians and surgeons of Union county. In 
 social as well as professional circles he stands 
 high, and is an honored member of the Masonic 
 Lodge No. 414, of Elysburg, and Camp No. 50S, 
 P. O. S. of A., of Allenwood. He is a member 
 of the Lycoming County Medical Society. Being 
 a strictly temperate man, he is an ardent sup- 
 porter of the Republican party, and is a faithful 
 member of the Lutheran Church. 
 
 ICHAEL KLECKNER (deceased) was for 
 many years one of the most popular and 
 well-known men of Union county. He was very 
 influential in public affairs, as by his strong force 
 of character and undoubted integrity he gained 
 the confidence of the people, who saw in him a 
 man whom they could trust as a guide and well 
 fitted to hold public office. His entire life was 
 passed in Union county, his birth there occurring 
 January 7, 1807. 
 
 Solomon Kleckner, his father, came from 
 Northampton county, Penn., to Union county, 
 first locating in West Buffalo township, but, after 
 several years passed there, removed to Limestone 
 township. He died August 18, 1837, at the age 
 of seventy-two, and was buried at Mifflinburg. 
 His wife, a Miss Hoover, whom he had married 
 in Northampton county, survived him a few 
 years. By trade Solomon Kleckner was a clock 
 maker, manufacturing the old-fashioned clocks 
 then in use, but he also engaged in farming, and 
 for years owned the mill at New Berlin. Being 
 very successful, he became one of the most sub- 
 stantial men of Buffalo Valley, and at his death 
 

 ( OMMBMOBATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 left an estate valued at $100,000. Physically he 
 was of ordinary size; politically he was a Whig; 
 in religious belief he was a Lutheran. In 
 the family of Solomon Kleckner were the fol- 
 lowing children: John, who removed to Illinois; 
 Jacob, who died in Limestone township, Union 
 county; Peter, who is still living in Stephenson 
 county, 111., at the age of ninety-five; Joseph, 
 who died in Kapidan, \'a.. and was buried in 
 New Berlin, Penn. ; William, who died at Vicks- 
 burg, Penn.; Michael; Susanna, who married 
 Daniel Kline, and removed to Spring Mills, Cen- 
 tre Co., Penn., but died at Aaronsburg; Eliza- 
 beth, who married Martin Dreisbach, and died in 
 Lewisburg, Union county; and Catharine, wife 
 of Dr. J. P. Seebold, of Stephenson county, 
 Illinois. 
 
 During his youth, Michael Kleckner learned 
 the miller's trade in his father's mill at New Ber- 
 lin, and after his marriage he located at that 
 place, where he managed the mill for a short 
 time. Subsequently he engaged in farming in 
 Middle Creek township, Snyder Co., Penn., for 
 a time, and then returned to New Berlin, becom- 
 ing owner and proprietor of the " Union Hotel, 
 which he conducted for half a century. He built 
 extensive additions to the house, and as a popular 
 landlord was known far and near. 
 
 On February 10, 1S29. Mr Kleckner married 
 Miss Susanna Reber, who was bom in June, 
 [8l2, near Lochiel, in Buffalo township, Union 
 county, on a farm, where her parents, John and 
 Catharine (M ei Keber, had located in 1803. 
 The father added to his place until lie owned 
 nearly 300 acres of the finest land in Buffalo Val- 
 ley. In 1 S3 1, he removed to Lewisburg, where 
 he died in 1852, at the age of eighty-two years. 
 In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Keber were ten 
 children — John; Samuel, who was a member of 
 the State Legislature in [843; Elizabeth, who 
 became the wife of Dr. Isaac S. Vorse: James; 
 Mary, who wedded Jacob Dunkel; Susan, the 
 wife of our subject; Margaret, who never mar- 
 ried; Thomas; David; and Leah, who became 
 the wife oi Rev. 1). V. Heister, a German Re- 
 formed minister. 
 
 Mrs. Kleckner was reared in what is now 1 last 
 Buffalo township, Union county, and by her mar- 
 riage to our subject became the mother of the 
 following children: Jeremiah, who died at Cleve- 
 land. Ohio, May 1, 1881; Charles, proprietor of 
 a boarding stable in Philadelphia; Catharine K 
 and John K. . twins, the former of whom is now 
 the widow of Charles Cawley, of Philadelphia, 
 and the latter, a traveling salesman residing in 
 Harrisburg, Penn.; Margaret, who became the 
 wife of Dr. J. L. Brallier, and died in Altoona, 
 
 Penn., April 30, 1882;' Samuel T., who died in 
 Lewisburg, while his father was sheriff, October 
 24, 1S75; Mary E., a resident of New Berlin; 
 Anna E., wife of M. L. Schach, of Philadelphia; 
 George W. , a traveling salesman, who died Sep- 
 tember 29, 1879; Henrietta, who died in infancy, 
 April 13, 1847; James R., who was a resident of 
 Nanticoke. Penn., and died in May, 1S97; i 
 eph R., who died in infancy, April 29, 1 s 5 1 ; 
 and Alice, a resident of New Berlin. The father 
 of these children departed this life August 27, 
 1887, the mother on February t, 1892, and both 
 were buried at New Berlin. 
 
 Originally, Mr. Kleckner was a Whig in pol- 
 itics, and later became a pronounced Republican, 
 doing all in his power to advance the interests of 
 his party. From 1841 until 1843 he served as 
 county treasurer, was county commissioner from 
 1864 to 1867, and sheriff from 1S70 to 1873, the 
 duties of which offices he discharged in a most 
 efficient manner, winning the commendation of 
 even his political enemies. On Christmas Day, 
 
 2, he fell and sustained such injuries as to 
 render him a cripple for the remainder of his life. 
 He had hosts of friends, and being kindhearted 
 and generous, he could never refuse to grant a 
 favor, in which way he lost many a dollar. In 
 early life he was a Lutheran, but later he be- 
 came a faithful member of the Reformed Church. 
 During his career as a public official, Mr. Kleck- 
 ner still retained control of the hotel, which 
 property has been under the management of the 
 family for over sixty years, a case doubtless 
 without parallel in the county or in central Penn- 
 sylvania. Since their father's death Misses Mary 
 E. and Alice Kleckner have conducted the hotel, 
 in a manner which reflects great credit upon their 
 business ability, and they have perpetuated the 
 excellent name and reputation it has borne for 
 over sixty years, it being considered the best ho- 
 tel in any town, the size of New Berlin, in cen- 
 tral Pennsylvania. 
 
 BENJAMIN FRANKLIN KEISER. The 
 beautiful borough of West Milton, Union 
 county, was established by the Keiser family 
 upon land which has been held in the family 
 since 1836, when Jacob and Elizabeth (Elick 
 Keiser, the parents of the gentleman whose name 
 opens this biography, came from Northampton 
 county, Penn., their native place. They settled 
 upon a farm, whose fields, once covered with 
 abundant crops under their skillful and energetic 
 management, are now being built upon by the 
 settlers in the thriving little town. 
 
 Jacob Keiser was a son of Michael Keiser, a 
 
 

 1 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 925 
 
 native of Pennsylvania, and a soldier in the Rev- 
 olutionary war, and was born in Northampton 
 county, Penn., February 26, 1807. He was a 
 man of great force of character, a Republican in 
 politics from the organization of that party, and 
 was prominent in the community, holding vari- 
 ous local offices. He died February 12, 1867, 
 aged fifty-nine years, eleven months and four 
 days. His estimable wife, who was born in 
 Northampton county, September II, 1805, 
 daughter of Christopher Elick, survived him 
 many years, breathing her last October 8, 1892, 
 at the age of eighty-seven years and twenty-six 
 days. Both had been consistent members of the 
 Lutheran Church, and passed away in the full 
 faith of a future life, their remains being interred 
 in Church Hill cemetery, Kelly township, Union 
 county. 
 
 Jacob and Elizabeth Reiser had eleven chil- 
 dren: (1) Susanna married Solomon Ranck, 
 who was formerly engaged in agriculture and 
 later in coachmaking, but now lives in retire- 
 ment at New Columbia. They have one son, 
 Harrison Ranck. (2) John A., a well-known re- 
 tired farmer of West Milton, was educated in the 
 common schools of that locality, and has always 
 made his home there. He was married Decem- 
 ber 29, 1859, to Miss Sarah Heilman, daughter 
 of John Heilman, of Lycoming county, Penn. 
 She died in November, i860, and was buried in 
 Lycoming county. One child survived her a 
 short time only. On March 13, 1861, J. A. 
 Reiser married Miss Sarah J. Deitrick, by whom 
 he had two children: Jane Estella, born Feb- 
 ruary 8, 1865, died ■ February 18, 1869, and was 
 buried in Church Hill cemetery; and Elmer Ed- 
 gar, born February 7, 1863, was nearly killed 
 when a boy by a kick from a horse; but he has 
 made a brilliant record as a student, and is now a 
 successful physician in Tacony, Penn., a suburb 
 of Philadelphia. After completing the course 
 offered in the Oakland school near his father's 
 home, he entered the academy at Lewisburg in 
 1879, and later took a course in Bucknell Univer- 
 sity, at Lewisburg, Penn., graduating in June, 
 1886. In October following he entered the 
 University of Pennsylvania, and in 1889 was 
 graduated with the degrees of A. M. and M. D. 
 He then engaged in practice at Tacony, where 
 he has ever since remained, his abilities com- 
 manding success from the first. In May, 1891, 
 he married Miss Genia Deans, daughter of John 
 Deans, of Phoenixville, Penn., and a graduate of 
 the University of Pennsylvania, now Bucknell 
 University. Two sons, Hubert Deans, born in 
 1894, and Laurence Botton, born in 1896, have 
 blessed this union. (3) Caroline died at the age 
 
 (4) Harrison and (5) Reuben 
 
 The former is now an agriculturist 
 
 of nineteen years 
 are twins 
 
 residing in West Milton, Union county; he mar- 
 ried Miss Elizabeth Wise, daughter of John 
 Wise, and has had six children — Laura, Marget, 
 Ambrose, Annie R. , Sarah and Harry. Reuben, a 
 retired farmer in Northumberland county, Penn., 
 married Miss Elizabeth Foresman, and has four 
 living children — Brison, Frederick, Grace and 
 Estella. (6) William died in April, 1890, at the 
 age of fifty years, and was buried in Lewisburg 
 cemetery; he married Miss E. Alice Yarger, 
 daughter of Jacob Yarger, of Hartley township, 
 Union county, and has had six children — Lewis 
 J., Annie, Morris, Mary, Lester, and Hattie. (7) 
 Jacob married (first) Miss Rebecca Deitrick, who 
 died leaving one daughter, Rebecca; he then 
 married Miss Susan Leinbach, by whom he had 
 five children — Edward L., John, Ammon, Erl 
 J., and Catharine. (8) Aaron M. died in infancy. 
 (9) Samuel, a farmer in West Buffalo township, 
 Union county, was elected in 1896 to the office 
 of associate judge of the county; he was married 
 (first) to Miss Carrie Ruhl, who bore him six- 
 children — Elizabeth J., Clara A., Clement C, 
 Jennie, Mabel, and Grace C. Reese. His pres- 
 ent wife (formerly Miss Susannah Beaver) is a 
 daughter of Rev. Adam Beaver, a minister of 
 the Dunkard faith, (to) Benjamin F. is men- 
 tioned more fully below. . (11) Melancthon, for- 
 merly a prosperous farmer and dairyman, died 
 in May, 1890, and was buried at Mifflinburg; he 
 married Miss Emma Rothermel, daughter of 
 Isaac Rothermel, of Union county, a shoemaker 
 by trade; they had three children — Clarence, 
 Susie and Mary. 
 
 Benjamin F. Reiser was born January 30, 
 1846, at the old homestead, on the site of the 
 present village of West Milton, and his early life 
 was spent in the healthful activities of farm life, 
 while the neighboring schools afforded him an 
 education. In the spring of 1868 he went with 
 his brother, Samuel, to West Buffalo township, 
 Union county, and purchased a farm; but after 
 remaining there six years he sold his interest to 
 his brother and returned to West Milton. For 
 one year he was out of business, and he then 
 purchased a third of the old homestead, which 
 originally comprised 105 acres. Two acres of 
 this were sold to John Datesman, whose son now 
 owns and operates it. Since his first purchase 
 of thirty-six acres. Mr. Reiser, in 1S92, bought 
 sixteen and sixty-eight one-hundredths of the 
 John Datesman lot, which adjoins the homestead 
 on the south. The town of West Milton was 
 laid out January 8, 1872, by Harrison and 
 Melancthon Reiser, and previous to 1874 they 
 
926 
 
 ( "VMKMOUATIVE 11 Ion k.U'lIU A I. RBi OSD. 
 
 sold eight lots. In December, 1883, B. F. 
 Keiser laid out an addition, surveyed by J. A. 
 Gundy, and he has disposed of twenty-nine lots. 
 
 Since 1875 Mr. Keiser has been engaged in 
 business in addition to the management of his 
 farm, and he deals extensively in coal, Hour, 
 feed, and similar commodities. He is a man of 
 unusual ability and public spirit, and has done 
 much to advance the interests of the town. He 
 and J. H. Kriet/er. of Milton, were the first to 
 circulate a petition for the erection of the iron 
 bridge, 1,400 feet in length, between Milton and 
 \\ est Milton, which was secured after a fierce 
 opposition, and was built in 1894 at a cost of 
 $75,000. In 1888 Mr. Keiser helped to win 
 another advantage for his town in the Philadel- 
 phia & Reading railroad extension, known as the 
 Catawissa & Williamsport branch, the ground at 
 \\. -t Milton being leased by him to the company 
 at one dollar per war for ninety-nine years. His 
 best work, however, and that with which future 
 generations should connect his name most gr; 
 fully, is the establishment of better schools in his 
 locality. From 1X76 to 1890 he served as school 
 director of Kelly township, and during that time 
 new buildings for educational purposes were se- 
 cured in the Moore and West Milton districts. 
 The latter was opposed by the non-progressive 
 element, but Mr. Reiser's personal influence won 
 the day. In politics he is a Republican, and he 
 is a leading member of the Lutheran "Church. 
 I 1 iternally he is a member of the Milton Lodge, 
 I a A M. No. 
 
 On February 3, [881, Mr. Keiser was mar- 
 I to Miss Mary L. Pawling, a native of Kelly 
 township, Union county; and a daughter ol |ohn 
 Pawling, a prominent agriculturist Four chil- 
 dren have blessed this union: James L. , bom 
 November 21, 1881; George O., June 26, iSS6; 
 John K , Mayo. 1889; and Bertha A . June 5, 
 
 JOHN 0. BENNAGE, a wealthy reti 
 culturisf 1 if Whit Deei b >« nship, Union 
 county, repi worthily a family which 
 
 has been prominent in that locality from an early 
 day. 
 
 The name is of German origin Oursubji 
 great-grandparents, Simon and Mary Benna 
 crossed the ocean in Colonial times to make their 
 home in Pennsylvania. Simon Bennage, the 
 grandfather of our subject, was born August 19, 
 1757. in Heidelberg township, Berks county, and 
 was the first of the family to n Union 
 
 county, where he acquired large tracts of land. 
 most of it being still in the possession of his 
 
 descendants. He also owned about 400 acres of 
 land in New York State, and at the time of his 
 death, which occurred December 24, 1821, he 
 was considered a very rich man. He was one of 
 the founders of the Lutheran Church in his 
 locality, and his public spirit was demonstrated 
 in other movements for the advancement of the 
 nm unity. He and his wife, Elizabeth Ren- 
 ninger, a native of Berks county, reared a family 
 of four children — Samuel, David, Mary and Eliza- 
 beth, all now deceased. 
 
 Samuel Bennage, our subject's father, was 
 born on the old homestead March 28, 17SS, and 
 passed his life in that vicinity, conducting a 
 sawmill and an extensive farm. He was married 
 in Union county to Miss Susan Ganger, a native 
 of Northumberland county, and our subject was 
 the youi seven children of this union, the 
 
 others being as follows: Adam is a retired farmer 
 in Illinois; Evi . the widow of John Buch, resides 
 at Niagara, N. V.; Mary married Henry Buch, 
 a brother of John Buch, and both are now de- 
 ceased; Elizabeth, widow of George Dersham, 
 lives at Niagara, N. Y. ; Susan, widow of Solomon 
 Dietrich, resides in Hancock county, 111.; and 
 Sarah is the wife of Samuel Goodlander, a re- 
 d carpenter in White Deer township, Union 
 county. The father passed to the unseen life 
 April G, 1866, aged seventy-eight years and nine 
 days, and the mother attained the advanced age of 
 ninety-two years ami twelve days, her death oc- 
 curring April 19. 1 s s 5 ; both were devout mem- 
 bers of the Lutheran Church, and the father was 
 prominently identified with local improvements, 
 and with the work of tin- Republican party. 
 They breathed their last in the home now occu- 
 pied by our subject, and their remains were 
 interred in the burial-ground at White Deer 
 eliurch. 
 
 John 0. Bennage has always had his home 
 upon his present farm, where he was born March 
 10, 1S38. During all this time the longest period 
 of absence (up to the trip referred to further oni 
 was seven weeks, wdien he visited a sister in New 
 York State. On December 25. 1856, he was 
 married to Miss Mary A. Snyder, and they are 
 ing their golden wedding day. Farm man- 
 occupied much of his time and 
 attention, and he has a high reputation as a 
 manager, but in the spring of 1892 he rented the 
 homestead to his son. John H. Bennage, and has 
 retired from business. Old age, howi ver, is -till 
 far off, for a finer specimen of physical manhood 
 would he hard t<> find, his "six feet one" in 
 height being well proportioned by his 258 pounds, 
 and his estimable wife also enjoys the best 
 health 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 927 
 
 In his political affiliations, Mr. Bennage is a 
 Republican, and he holds at present the office 
 of supervisor and school director, having served 
 in the latter capacity nine years. For four years 
 he was constable in his township. He is a 
 prominent member of the Grange of New Col- 
 umbia and the Alliance of White Deer township, 
 and takes an interest in all the questions of the 
 day. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Bennage have had seventeen 
 children, one of whom died unnamed, the others 
 were: (i) Jennie is deceased. (2) William, a 
 farmer in New York State, is not married. (3) 
 Sylvester is deceased. (4) Mary S. married 
 Samuel Yost, a farmer in White Deer township, 
 Union county, and has had two children — Cora 
 and Edward. (5) Charles E., a laborer in White 
 Deer township, married Miss Emma Baker, and 
 has had five children — Ernest, Sadie, William 
 (deceased), Nellie and Martha. (6) Elizabeth 
 married William Wentzel, who is engaged in 
 trucking in Northumberland county, Penn., and 
 has one daughter, Cora. (7) John H., who 
 manages the homestead farm, married Miss Su- 
 san Ware. (8) Minta married William P. Cam- 
 eron, a wealthy retired citizen of Buffalo town- 
 ship, Union county, and has had three children 
 — Mary, William and Rosa. (9) Thomas C. , a 
 farmer in Kelly township, Union county, mar- 
 ried Miss Minnie A. Ranck, and has two sons, 
 Clyde and Willard. (10) Manford E. resides at 
 the old homestead. (11) Lillie married William 
 Shreck, a farmer in White Deer township, 
 Union county, and has had three children — 
 William, Mary and Ray. (12) Rosa married 
 Wilson Confer, of Jerseytown, Penn., and has 
 two daughters, Myrtle and Mary. (13) Rebecca 
 is deceased. (14) Irvin, a farmer in White Deer 
 township, is unmarried. (15) Tuella and (16) 
 Oliver S. are at home. 
 
 Mrs. Bennage was born November 11, 1839, 
 in Gregg township, Union county, the daughter 
 of Joseph and Elizabeth (Rotherme) Snyder, 
 natives of Berks county, who came to Union 
 county in early life and remained, the father 
 being engaged in milling. He worked at White 
 Deer mill until it was destroyed by fire, when 
 he went to Forestville Mill. The mother, who 
 was born October 16, 1S09, died August 5, 1854, 
 and the father breathed his last December 16, 
 1877, at the age of sixty-four. They were 
 members of the Reformed Church, and were 
 highly respected among their associates. Mrs. 
 Bennage was the eldest of a family of eight 
 children, the others being: Elizabeth married 
 Israel Eaton, a printer in Philadelphia; Rebecca 
 resides at Williamsport, Penn. ; Catherine, Mrs. 
 
 John Irvin, resides in Gregg township, Union 
 county; Charles E. is a lumber dealer in West 
 Virginia; and Lida, Daniel and Joseph died in 
 childhood. 
 
 On December 10, 1897, our subject and his 
 wife returned from a trip which they entered 
 upon October 11th of that year. They went 
 I to New York State to visit two sisters, and to 
 Dallas City, 111., where they visited another 
 sister. They also visited a brother in Iowa, 
 having a most enjoyable trip and visit. 
 
 JACOB HEINLEY, a prominent resident of 
 Lewisburg, Union county, spent many years 
 in the honorable calling of agriculture before 
 retiring to that charming little city to enjoy a 
 well-earned repose. 
 
 Born October 19, 1820, in Buffalo township, 
 Union county, Mr. Heinley is of a hardy and 
 long-lived ancestry, his father attaining the age 
 of ninety-four years, six months and sixteen days. 
 The family became identified with Berks count}' 
 at an early period, which county was probably 
 the birth place of our subject's grandfather, John 
 Heinley, who settled in Union county in 179S 
 upon a farm north of Vicksburg, where he died 
 in 1845, at the age of seventy-five. His wife, 
 Eva Hummel, passed away in the fall of 1848, 
 aged seventy-six years. They had eleven chil- 
 dren: George (who died at the age of twenty- 
 one), David, Jacob (who died near Lewistown, 
 Mifflin county), John, Elizabeth, Magdalena, 
 Pollie, Eve, Hester, Catherine and Lydia. 
 
 David Heinley, the father of our subject, was 
 born in Berks county, in 1793, and died in 1887. 
 He retained his vigor and strength almost to the 
 end of his life, and at seventy-seven drove a team 
 and rode a mower in the hay field. He was 
 active in politics, first as a Whig and later as a 
 Republican, and held several county offices. 
 Coming to Union county in childhood, he passed 
 his life there. In 1S20 he settled upon a farm 
 in Buffalo township, but in 1843 removed to 
 Kelly township, where his remaining years were 
 spent. He was a member of the Lutheran 
 Church. His wife, Elizabeth Reedy, was born 
 in 1 803 , and passed to her eternal reward in 1 846. 
 Of their five children our subject is the eldest, 
 the others being: Catherine, who married Isaac 
 Hollenbach, resides in Kelly township, Union 
 county; John is a farmer of Rice county, Kans., 
 and wedded Eve Ann Hertz; Mary Ann married 
 Jacob Kostenbader, of Kelly township; and Miss 
 Amelia makes her home with our subject. 
 
 Mr. Heinley was reared as a farmer boy and 
 attended the schools in the vicinity of the old 
 
- 
 
 COMMEMOUA TIVE BI0OUAP1IKAI. RECORD. 
 
 homestead, the subscription schools of his first 
 years being .superseded by the modern system be- 
 fore his school days ended. In 1850 he was mar- 
 ried to Mis? Mary Ann Moore, who was born in 
 eastern Pennsylvania in 1825, and at the age of 
 four years accompanied her parents to Union 
 county, where she grew to womanhood. The 
 first twelve years of their married life were spent 
 
 n a farm in Kelly township, but Mr. Heinley 
 then sold the place and moved to White Deer 
 . nship, in the same county, where he remained 
 four years. His father's health began to fail, 
 nil Mr. 1 Itinles returned to the homestead 
 where for thirteen years he conducted the farm 
 
 1 cared for his father as he quietly passed to- 
 ward life's setting sun. Thisdut\ performed, he 
 retired to Lewisburg, a comfortable income en- 
 abling him to enjoy a time of leisure. He and 
 his estimable wife have reared a family of four 
 children, all of whom ate living: (1) David M., 
 a farmer, resides in White Deer township. (2) 
 Miss Rebecca E., who. while popular socially, 
 rinds her greatest pleasure in the home, to which 
 her domestic gifts enable her to add comfort and 
 attractiveness. (3) John \\ . , who resides in 
 White Deer township. Union county, married 
 
 - Lizzie Hutrimel. and has one daughter — 
 Nellie. (4) Jerome B., a farmer in Colorado, 
 married Miss Nellie Hamlin, and has three chil- 
 dren — Berintha, Jennie and Amelia. 
 
 Mr. Heinky is not a politician, according to 
 the common acceptation of that term, but he has 
 always taken a keen interest in political questions. 
 [n the days b te war, when " State Banks, " 
 
 secession, the fugitive slave law, and other vital 
 issues were agitating the country, he watched as 
 a participant the mighty movements around which 
 the present political clans crystalized. An un- 
 compromising Whig in the days of Henry Clay 
 niel Webster, he followed the natural 
 channel of his thought, and became a Republican 
 on the organization of that party. He was bit- 
 terly oppi sed t<> human slavery, is justly proud 
 of having cast his vi ite from the first for the parts 
 whose greatest achievement was the removal of 
 this disgraceful blot upon our National honor. 
 
 F KANT Is I. BROWN, proprietor of the 
 Lewisburg stock yards, and one of the lead- 
 ing business men of Buffalo Valley, has shown in 
 his successful career that he has the ability to 
 plan widely and execute with energy, a combi- 
 nation which, when possessed by men in any walk 
 ol life, never fails to effect notable results. 
 
 Mr. Brown is a representative of an old and 
 highly respected family. John Brown, the 
 
 great-grandfather of our subject, came from Pine 
 Grove township, Berks county, now a part of 
 Schuylkill county, in 1804, and located near the 
 present site of Smoketown. His son Abram 
 married Annie Gundy, a member of a prominent 
 family in this section, whose ancestors had set- 
 tled in what is now Union county before the 
 Revolutionary war. The name was originally 
 Van Gundy, and the family is of Holland-Dutch 
 extraction. She was the eldest child and only 
 daughter of Christian Gundy, born Februan 
 1766, in Lancaster county. Penn. , and her 
 mother, whose maiden name was Mary M. Full- 
 mer, was a native of Berks county, born Sep- 
 tember 16, 1773 
 
 Abram and Annie (Gundy) Brown had the 
 
 wing children: John, a farmer, died in East 
 Buffalo township, Union county; Martha married 
 Levi Sterner; and died in Lewisburg; Elias is 
 mentioned more fully below; Sarah, widow of 
 Daniel Shrack, resides in Wyoming, Del.; Jacob 
 died November 17, 1896, in Kent county, Del.; 
 Elizabeth (Mrs. Wilson Linn) died at North 
 Wales, Penn. ; Abram died at seven years of age; 
 and Christian died when nineteen years old. 
 
 Elias Brown, our subject's father, was born 
 February 3, 1820, in East Buffalo township, 
 Union county, and, being reared at the old home- 
 stead there, attended the local schools of the 
 time with occasional opportunities to study in the 
 schools of Lewisburg. On March 11, 1845, he 
 was married in Buffalo township, in the same 
 county, to Miss Mary M. Gebhart, and the first 
 two years of their wedded life were spent upon a 
 farm, in East Buffalo township, belonging to an 
 uncle, George Gundy. In April, 1847, he pur- 
 chased a farm in the same township for a perma- 
 nent home. te> which he added at various times 
 until he owned 135 acres. The buildings on the 
 place were poor, but he replaced them all with 
 modern structures and made other substantial 
 improvements. Successful in business, he was 
 prominent in local affairs, and although a fearless 
 and outspoken Democrat in a Republican strong- 
 hold, he \\a- often chosen to office in the town- 
 ship, his ability and fidelity winning the praise 
 of all classes and parties. For more than sixty 
 years lie was a faithful member of the Reformed 
 Church, serving as elder during much of the time, 
 and frequently representing the society as a dele- 
 to the Synod. He was of average height 
 and compact build, and an excellent constituti 
 prolonged his life beyond the ordinary limit, his 
 death occurring March 29, 1895. His remains 
 were interred at Lewisbi:: 
 
 Of his children, the eldest, Mary E., born 
 July 6, 1S46, married Jacob Farley, of White 
 
 . 
 
1 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 929 
 
 Deer township, Union county, and has had eleven 
 children, all living: Miss Sarah L., born July 
 23, 1848, died April 18, 1877. Miss Malinda 
 A., born November 17, 1850, is at home. Cath- 
 erine P., born March 10, 1853, married William 
 Groover, of East Buffalo township, and has had 
 nine sons, of whom all but one are living. B. 
 Ogden, born March 22, 1855, resides at Linn- 
 town, Penn., he married Sarah Jane Hummel, 
 and has three children. Francis E., our subject, 
 is mentioned more fully below. Abram G., born 
 October 2, 1S61, a farmer at Linntown, married 
 Clara E. Eyer, but has no children. 
 
 Our subject's mother, who died March 25, 
 1897, was born in Buffalo township, Union 
 county, November 4, 1825, and was educated in 
 the schools near her home, receiving fair oppor- 
 tunities for that day. The Gebhart family is 
 numerously represented in this section, the 
 Centre county branch spelling the name Gep- 
 hart, although old records and papers es- 
 tablished the proper form as Gebhart. The 
 head of the Union county branch was John 
 Philip Gebhart, who located, about 1S10, in 
 Buffalo township, between Lewisburg and Buffalo 
 Cross Roads. In connection with farming he 
 followed distilling, then a common business, and 
 accumulated a goodly share of wealth. He was 
 of small stature but active, and took a leading 
 part in local affairs and in the Lutheran Church. 
 He died in middle age, and his remains now rest 
 in Dreisbach cemetery. He and his wife, whose 
 maiden name was Margaret Gebhart, reared a 
 large family as follows: Jonathan and John 
 George died in Buffalo township; John removed 
 to Indiana, and died there; Henry, who resided 
 near Zion, Centre county, died in Lewisburg; 
 Michael settled in Millheim, Penn.; Peter died in 
 Buffalo township, Union county; Elizabeth (Mrs. 
 Jacob Reidy) died in Illinois; Sarah (Mrs. George 
 Shaeffer) died in Centre county; Molly (Mrs. 
 Thomas Iddings) died in Buffalo township, Union 
 county. 
 
 John George Gebhart, Mrs. Brown's father, 
 was born May 3, 1798, in Bethel township, 
 Berks county, Penn. , and coming to Union county 
 in boyhood was reared at the old Gebhart home- 
 stead, a part of which he inherited. He was a 
 large man, five feet, nine and a half inches in 
 height, and weighing 240 pounds. Although 
 well educated in German, he attended English 
 schools only a few months, but he was always 
 keenly interested in all that concerned the welfare 
 of the country. In politics he was an ardent 
 Republican, and previous to the organization of 
 that party he was an Old-line Whig. He always 
 
 made his home at the old farm, his sister Eliza 
 59* 
 
 beth keeping house for him before his marriage, 
 and at his death, which occurred December 13, 
 1870, he left a fine estate of 140 acres, with an 
 extensive tract of timber land. 
 
 J. G. Gebhart was married March 14, 1S24, 
 at the site of the present village of Vicksburg, 
 Penn., to Miss Mary M. Sheckler, who was born 
 February 26, 1806, daughter of Daniel and Mary 
 M. (Renner) Sheckler. She survived him many 
 years, breathing her last on August 29, 1896. 
 Both were members of the Lutheran Church, and 
 Mr. Gebhart held different offices at times. Their 
 children were: Mary M. (Mrs. Brown); Susan- 
 nah (Mrs. Andrew S. Ruhl), who was born April 
 9, 1827, and died in 1889 at Buffalo Cross Roads; 
 Daniel, a resident of Buffalo township; Sarah, 
 who died in infancy; and Margaret E. , who died 
 at four years of age. 
 
 We will now return to the subject proper of 
 this sketch, who was born at the old homestead 
 September 11, 1S57, and has always maintained 
 his residence there. His early education was 
 such as the district schools of the day afforded, 
 and his first teacher was Jonathan Royer at the 
 Fairfield school, along the pike. His business 
 acumen was displayed at an early age, his present 
 calling being undertaken in an unusual manner. 
 When fifteen years old he received $2 as a 
 premium at the Lewisburg fair, and with this he 
 bought from his father a lamb, which with its 
 progeny was sold a year later to William Steiner, 
 a Lewisburg butcher, for $10. This seemed to 
 the delighted boy to be "the biggest $10 that he 
 had ever seen," and his inclination to continue 
 in the business being encouraged by his father, 
 he made other successful deals, and soon became 
 an excellent judge of live stock. 
 
 In the fall of 1878 Mr. Brown began ship- 
 ping sheep to Philadelphia in partnership with 
 the late J. W. Rodenbach, and in 1880 he en- 
 gaged in business at Lewisburg, associating him- 
 self with Cobb Brothers, of Spring Mills, N. Y. 
 Five years later he began work upon the stock 
 yards, a short distance west of Lewisburg, caus- 
 ing a decided sensation in business circles, not a 
 few. predicting failure for the undertaking. But 
 Mr. Brown is not the man to misjudge a situa- 
 tion, and his able management secured a firm 
 basis for his enterprise, which is now one of the 
 most extensive of its kind in central Pennsyl- 
 vania. He has handled over four thousand head 
 of cattle in one year besides many hogs, sheep 
 and horses. The inauguration of regular cattle 
 sales has attracted buyers far and near, and cus- 
 tomers from seven counties are supplied from his 
 yards, which he replenishes chiefly from Buffalo, 
 New York. 
 
980 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 In May. 1894, Mr. Brown established a retail 
 meat market in Lewisburg. which he still con- 
 ducts successfully, and he is also a stockholder 
 and director in the Home Telephone Company 
 at the same place. Thoroughly straightforward 
 in his dealings, he has won a high reputation 
 integrity, while his courteous and agreeable 
 manner easily transforms acquaintances 
 warm friends. He is ever ready to forward 
 movement that promises to benefit the commun- 
 ity, and in 1892 he erected at the stock yard 
 commodious hall, known as " Brown's Lyceum." 
 used as a polling place at elections and by the 
 1 iiners Alliance for their meetings, Mr. Brown 
 gives the use of this gratuitously to a Sabbath- 
 school and Church, and is, himself, an acl 
 
 1 ker in that line. He is also prominent in 
 other work of the Reformed Church, of which he 
 is at present a trustee. For three years — li 
 [889 and 1S90 — he was president of the Union 
 County Agricultural Society, and with the excep- 
 tion of those years, he has served as vice-pi 
 dent since 1884. He is also identified with 
 Masonic fraternity, as a member of the Chapter. 
 Mr Brown is one of the leading Democrats 
 of his county, his popularity among all sorts and 
 conditions of men making him particularly 
 lable as a candidate in that Republican 
 stronghold. In 1890 he was defeat the 
 
 Li islature by 173 votes only, the normal Repub- 
 lican majority being 1.200. In his own district, 
 which usually polls 75 Democratic votes in a 
 total of 280, he had a majority of 73. The city 
 of Lewisburg gave him a majority, an honor I 
 no other Democratic candidate for the Legi 
 ture has ever gained. It is quite probable that 
 he would have been elected except for the fact 
 that the Assembly of that year was to choose a 
 ruited States Senator. In various township 
 offices, including those of assessor and inspector 
 of elections, Mr. Brown has shown the devotion 
 to public interests that marks the ideal ofh* 
 
 ABRAHAM MENSCH. Among the promi- 
 nent and wealthy farmers ol Lewis town- 
 ship, Union county, the subject ol tins sketch 
 ;i enviable position. He was born Feb- 
 ruary 19. 1828, in Columbia county, Penn., and 
 is of German I hristian Mi nsch, his 
 
 grandfather was a native of the Fatherland, 
 born June 30, 1745. His wife, too, was a native 
 of Germany. On coming to the New World 
 they located in !•■ mnty, Penn. Adam ami 
 
 Abraham Mensch, brothersof Christian, born in 
 Germany June 2. 1745, tnd February 25, 1750, 
 
 respectively, accompanied Christian and \ 
 to this country. 
 
 Abraham Mensch, Sr., father of our subject, 
 was born January 24, 1774. For some years he 
 was engaged in the hotel and mercantile business 
 in Berks county. However, finally selling out 
 there, he moved to Columbia county, and was 
 occupied as a farmer; ten years afterward he 
 bought another farm in Lewis township, Union 
 county, and moved there, becoming one of the 
 well-known and most prosperous agriculture' 
 that township, where he spent his remaining days. 
 He was twice married, his first wife b< 
 Elizabeth Miller, by whom he had two children: 
 John, born in 1800, became a farmer of Lit 
 stone township. Union county, where he died 
 September 2 and Elizabeth, born in 1797, 
 
 married Jacob Seichler, a prominent farmer of 
 Danville, Penn. The wife and mother 
 shortly after the birth of her son, and Mr. Mensch 
 afterward married Miss Hannah Votter, 
 was born January 24. 1 7 S 5 . Our subject is the 
 youngest of the eight children born to this un 
 the others bein^' as foliows: (ii Reuben, born 
 
 jtember 15, 1806, was a farmer of L 
 township, Union county, where he died March 
 21, [86« Lydia born March 14. 1- 
 
 died, unmarried, July I, 1852. (3) Sarah, I 
 June 21, 1S11. died March 28, 1876. 14) B 
 jamin, born July 1, 1813. was an agriculturist 
 Lewis township, Union county, and died 1 ' - 
 cember 4. 1889. (5) Nancy, born November 7, 
 1815, is the wife of Samuel Stees, of near Miffiin- 
 burg. (6) Esther, born December 12. 1817, 
 wife of Michael Swartz, of Lee county, 111. 
 7) Christian, born May 20, 1S20, married Miss 
 Mary, daughter of John Beichler, a carpenter 
 and farmer by occupation. They have five chil- 
 dren — JohnB., Beneval, William, Emanuel A., 
 and Daniel C. fSj Beneval, born in 1822, 
 in infancy. The mother's death occurred March 
 4, 1858, and the father passed away January 1 5. 
 1 861 , both being interred in Ray's church grave- 
 yard, in Lewis township. Union county. 
 
 Abraham Mensch, Jr., when only (our years 
 old was brought from his birthplace in Columbia 
 county, to Union county, where he was reared 
 upon the home farm, aiding his father, as soon 
 
 lie reached a sufficient age, in its cultivation 
 and improvement, and attending the subscrip- 
 tion schools of the locality. He continued un- 
 der the parental roof until his marriage, with 
 exception of a year and a half spent in farming 
 on his own account. From his father he inherit- 
 rable property, and his industrious, 
 thrifty habits have enabled him to add to this un- 
 til to-day he is numbered among the most pros- 
 
 . 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 931 
 
 perous and substantial citizens of the community. 
 On January 15, 1856, he was joined in marriage 
 with Miss Salinda Kleckner, a daughter of George 
 Kleckner, who was a plasterer by trade, but in 
 later life purchased a farm and devoted his at- 
 tention to agriculture. Mrs. Mensch has six 
 brothers and sisters, namely: Daniel, John F., 
 Henry H., Hannah C, James and Caroline, and 
 she also had one brother, John F. , who was 
 killed in the Civil war. In politics, our subject 
 is a stanch adherent to the principles of the 
 Democratic party, in which he sees the best 
 guarantees for the preservation of our national 
 liberty, and he has been called upon to serve as 
 overseer of the poor two years, as treasurer of the 
 school board for a number of years, and also as 
 school director. In religious belief he is a Lu- 
 theran. A progressive, enterprising citizen, he- 
 gives his support to every movement calculated 
 to benefit the community or advance the general 
 welfare. 
 
 |AVID JOHNSON, one of the oldest and 
 " most honored citizens of Hartley township, 
 Union county, is a worthy representative of a 
 family noted for its patriotism. Mr. Johnson was 
 born in Richmond, New York, in 1S06, and is a 
 son of Peter Johnson, a gunsmith by trade, who 
 is said to have made the rifle used by Davy 
 Crockett, the well-known hero of the Mexican 
 war. Although they have reached very advanced 
 ages, all of the four children of the family are 
 still living, namely: William, born in 1800, is a 
 retired merchant living in Hartley township, 
 Union county. He has reared a family, all of 
 whom are now grown and in business for them- 
 selves. Alanson, the second son, is a farmer of 
 Canada. David is next in order of birth. 
 Caroline, who now weighs about 380 pounds, is 
 married, and reared a family in Michigan, most of 
 whom are now residing in California. 
 
 As his school privileges were very limited, 
 David Johnson is almost wholly self-educated, 
 but being of a studious nature and possessing a 
 retentive memory, he has become a well-informed 
 man by extensive reading since reaching 
 maturity. He is especially proficient in the use 
 of the pen. By occupation he is a farmer, and 
 although he has performed much hard work in 
 course of his life, he is still well preserved for 
 one of his years. 
 
 Military life has ever had great attraction for 
 him, and in 1847, during the Mexican war, he 
 enlisted for five years in the United States army, 
 and served until hostilities had ceased, when he 
 was honorably discharged. He participated in 
 
 the principal battles of that struggle, and aided in 
 the capture of the City of Mexico. Graphically 
 he described the peculiar rattling sound of the 
 soldiers' bones as the shot from the enemy's ar- 
 i tillery literally tore them limb from limb. He 
 i served under General Scott, for whom he has 
 I great veneration. During the Civil war he en- 
 I deavored to enlist, but he was always rejected on 
 , account of disabilities occasioned by his service 
 in the Mexican war. He was married to Miss 
 j Cordelia E. Brown, by whom he had five 
 children, as follows: Albert, who is married and 
 is engaged in lumbering in Union county ; George, 
 who lives with his parents; Mary J., wife of 
 Robert L. Timmons, a farmer and miner of 
 Plymouth. Amador county, California; Estella, 
 wife of Matthias Lanors, a miner living at San 
 Francisco, California, by whom she had one 
 child; and Rebecca, now a resident of Philadel- 
 phia. Pennsylvania. 
 
 Becoming dissatisfied with all of the existing 
 parties, Mr. Johnson is now an Independent in 
 politics. After a long, honorable and useful life, 
 actuated by unselfish motives, prompted by 
 patriotism and guided by truth and justice, he 
 may in old age rest assured that the people of 
 this country are not unmindful of those who have 
 devoted themselves to their interests 
 
 rrENRY GROOVER. It would be difficult 
 to find a more concise expression of prac- 
 tical wisdom than is contained in the homely and 
 somewhat abrupt injunction, "mind your own 
 business." That it is a good rule to follow has 
 been abundantly demonstrated in the lives of 
 many of our substantial citizens, and all who 
 know the quiet, industrious agriculturist whose 
 history is here outlined will agree that it has been 
 an important factor in his success. Mr. Groover 
 is noted also for his strict honesty in dealing with 
 others, and his unassuming manners do not blind 
 his neighbors to his sterling worth. 
 
 In both paternal and maternal lines Mr. 
 Groover is of German descent, but his parents, 
 Nicholas and Susanna (Rufe) Groover, were born. 
 reared and married in Bucks county, Penn. They 
 spent some years in Columbia county, and then 
 settled in Union county, first upon a farm in 
 White Deer township, and later, in 1856. upon 
 the present homestead near Lewisburg. It was 
 purchased from George Reed, and at the time 
 was but little improved, the log cabin and othet 
 buildings contrasting strongly with the neat and 
 commodious structures which have since been 
 erected. 
 
 Our subject's father was a stout, robust man, 
 
 1 ■ 
 
- 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE B1<><,HM'1II'AL RECORD. 
 
 a hard worker, and continued to attend to busi- 
 ness until he reached an advanced age. He was 
 a cabinet maker by trade, and while conducting 
 his farm did much work in that line, especially 
 after his removal to the vicinity of Smoketown. 
 At the age of seventy-seven he made several bu- 
 reaus, one of which is now a cherished heirloom 
 in our subject's home. His thrift and industry 
 gained him a competence, and in addition to his 
 farm he owned some property in Lewisburg. A 
 stanch Democrat politically, he took a keen in- 
 terest in the success of his party, and made a 
 point of casting his own vote regularly. In re- 
 ligious affairs he was active in holding office in 
 the White Deer Lutheran Church, with which he 
 and his good wife were identified many years. 
 He attained the age of eighty-three years, his 
 birth occurring early in 1799, and his death in 
 October, 1882. His wife, who was born April 
 3, 1S06, lived to be more than sixty years old. 
 The remains of both now rest in White Deer 
 cemetery. 
 
 Their children were: Thomas, a carpenter 
 of New Columbia, Penn. ; William, who went 
 west, and has not since been heard from; Mary. 
 who married James Yost, and died in White 
 Deer township, Union county; Samuel (de- 
 ceased), formerly a resident of the same town- 
 ship; Eli, a farmer of Marshall county, Iowa; 
 Kufus and Aaron, who lied in childhood; Henry, 
 our subject; and Sarah, uow Mrs. Isaac Reber. 
 
 Mr. Groover was born February 6, 1S43. 
 during his parents' residence at the farm in White 
 Deer township. He had a district-school educa- 
 tion, attending the Ramsey school in White 
 Deer township, and the Gundy school in East 
 Buffalo township. His life at home familiarized 
 him with farm work, and he made choice of that 
 calling in early manhood. When eighteen years 
 old his father gave him his time, and he began to 
 work at the carpenter's trade, but finding it un- 
 congenial he found employment as a farm hand. 
 
 At the age of twenty-one, Mr. Groover was 
 married to his first wife. Miss Mary J. Shively, a 
 native of Limestone township, Union county, 
 and a daughter of John and Sarah (Catherman) 
 Shively, and rented for a short time in S 
 
 n, with John Reber. His parents were then 
 ■ feel the effects of their advan 
 ind in the spring of 1865 Mr. Gn 
 took charge of the homestead, which he after- 
 ward purchased, both parents remaining with 
 him during their last days. Many improvements 
 have been made in the place under Mr. Groover's 
 management, including a well-arranged barn. 
 
 Mrs. Mary Groover, who was a devout and 
 consistent member of the Lutheran Church, of 
 
 Lewisburg, died February 19, 1893, and was in- 
 terred in White Deer cemetery. Mr. Groover 
 afterward formed a second union, this time, De- 
 cember 15, 1896, with Mrs. Rosa Riehl, nit 
 Smith, widow of Joel L. Riehl, and daughter of 
 Jacob and Malinda (Walter) Smith, of Snyder 
 county, Penn. Three children blessed the first 
 marriage: Miss Sallie L. Groover is at home; 
 Ada A. married Thomas Reardon, of Shippen- 
 ville, Clarion Co., Penn.; and Susanna died in 
 infancy. 
 
 While Mr. Groover is an ardent supporter of 
 the Democratic party, he has never been a seeker 
 for office. He is a prominent worker in the 
 Lutheran Church of Lewisburg. 
 
 GF. ERDLEY. The subject of this sketch 
 stands second to none among the prosperous 
 and progressive agriculturists of East Buffalo 
 t iwnship, Union county, whose record it has 
 been deemed wise to preserve in this manner for 
 the perusal of coming generations. As a judi- 
 cious tiller of the soil he has met with excellent 
 success, and as a business man and citizen oc- 
 cupies an enviable position among his neighbors. 
 His life has been one of unabated industry, 
 and he certainly deserves the wonderful success 
 that he has achieved. 
 
 A native of Pennsylvania, Mr. Erdley was 
 born March 26. 1842, in Middle Creek town- 
 ship. Snyder county, and the birth of his father 
 occurred in the same township, in 1S01. The 
 family was founded there by the grandfather, 
 Jacob Erdley, St., who when a young man emi- 
 grated from Berks county, Penn. He was the 
 youngest of a large family that was noted for 
 strength, one of his brothers, a large, powerful 
 man* having killed a bear in a hand-to-hand fight. 
 Jacob Erdley, Jr., the father of our subject, fol- 
 lowed farming and also conducted a water-power 
 sawmill. He married Mrs. Barbara (Bollan 
 Mowry, a daughter of Henry Bollander, a far 
 by occupation. By her first marriage she had 
 three children, two sons and one daughter, who 
 were reared by Mr. Erdley, and ten children. 
 five sons and five daughters, were born to the 
 second union. The parents both departed this 
 life in Snyder county. 
 
 The educational privileges of our subject were 
 only such as the district schools of his native 
 township afforded, and at the age of nineteen he 
 began learning the blacksmith's trade at Middle- 
 burg. Penn., under the direction of Samuel Stet- 
 kr. who gave him $50 for his two-years' service. 
 t which Mr. Erdley saved $34. Going to 
 Brush Valley, Centre Co., Penn., he worked 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 933 
 
 at his trade in Rebersburg for James Mallory for 
 a short time, and then entered the employ of 
 Samuel Wise, at Madisonburg. On leaving there 
 he went to Bellevue, Ohio, where he worked a 
 short time, and then returned to Brush Valley, 
 working for Samuel Condo, at Rockville. Sub- 
 sequently he started a shop of his own at Wolfs 
 Store, in Centre county, successfully carrying on 
 business there for two years. 
 
 At the age of twenty-one, Mr. Erdley was 
 united in marriage with Miss Rebecca Meese, who 
 was born in Brush Valley, October 2, 1S41', and 
 is a daughter of John Meese.' Nine children bless 
 their union: Thomas J., a farmer of East Buffalo 
 township; and Charles E. , Elizabeth, Elmeda, 
 John M., William J., Minnie, Ida and Lottie, all 
 at home. 
 
 After his marriage Mr. Erdley began farming 
 in Miles township, Centre county, near Madison- 
 burg, upon rented land, and his first purchase 
 consisted of seventy-eight acres in Haines town- 
 ship, the same county, for which he went heavily 
 in debt. After five years spent upon that place 
 he came to East Buffalo township, Union coun- 
 ty, in 1S73, and bought of Elias Rhiel 100 acres 
 at $80 per acre, again going in debt for much of 
 the amount. The buildings were poor, and on 
 April 21, 1877, his barn with all the stock and 
 implements, was destroyed by fir.e, causing a 
 great loss. He then built his present barn, and 
 has since erected all of the substantial buildings 
 now in use upon his place. Prospering in his 
 undertakings he has become the owner of 253 
 acres of valuable farming land, besides twenty- 
 two acres of timber. 
 
 Mr. Erdley has not confined his attention 
 alone to general farming, but in July, 1894, he 
 erected a creamery, which he has since success- 
 fully operated, keeping on hand an average of 
 fifty cows for the manufacture of butter, which 
 is sold in the coal regions. Probably no man in 
 the county has done as much as he in the way of 
 introducing good stock, having upon his place 
 full-blooded Chester-white and Berkshire hogs, 
 excellent draft horses and thoroughbred Durham 
 and Jersey cattle. He has the largest herd of 
 cows in this section of the State. Progressive in 
 his ideas, he keeps well posted on the markets, 
 and knows exactly when to sell his products at 
 the best prices. He also uses the most im- 
 proved machinery in carrying on his work, and 
 while other farmers are complaining about the 
 hard times and poor prices, he goes to raising 
 some other articles more saleable. He has 
 erected a mill for grinding bones to be used upon 
 his farm as fertilizers, and also has a blacksmith 
 shop upon his farm, where he does his own work 
 
 in that line. He also built a chop-mill, prepar- 
 ing his own chopping, and also that for his neigh- 
 bors. In 1S97 he built two houses, and intends 
 to build a barn in the spring of 1898, then will 
 divide his land in three farms, which he will give 
 to two of his sons to superintend the ensuing 
 season. Possessed of more than ordinary busi- 
 ness ability, wide-awake and energetic, he has 
 become one of the most extensive farmers and 
 substantial business men of Union county, and 
 is ably assisted in his work by his sons, who are 
 steady-going, industrious young men. 
 
 Although not strictly partisan, Mr. Erdley 
 generally supports the men and measures of the 
 Democracy, and, socially, he holds membership 
 in the Farmers Alliance. He and his wife are 
 consistent and faithful members of the Reformed 
 Church, of which he is now serving as trustee, 
 and the family is one of prominence in East 
 Buffalo township, holding a high place in social 
 circles. 
 
 CHARLES W. PAWLING (deceased) was for 
 many years one of the leading and promi- 
 nent agriculturists of Gregg township, Union 
 county. He was born on the old Pawling home- 
 stead at Selins Grove, Penn., and was reared in 
 much the usual manner of farmer boys of his 
 time, being chiefly employed in assisting his fa- 
 ther in the fields and attending school. He com- 
 pleted his literary education in the Mifflinburg 
 Academy. In 1859 he went to Elkhart county, 
 Ind., on a prospecting tour, but at the end of six 
 months returned to Union county, satisfied that 
 Pennsylvania was good enough for him. Pur- 
 chasing the Brown property in Gregg township, 
 where his widow is still living, he there continued 
 to follow agricultural pursuits until 1880, when 
 he removed to Allenwood, the same county, 
 where he lived retired until called to his final 
 rest, May 16, 188 1. 
 
 Mr. Pawling was a man of excellent principles 
 and a blameless life, and thoroughly enjoyed the 
 esteem and respect of the community in which 
 he resided, and died mourned by a large circle of 
 friends and acquaintances. He took an active 
 part in the work of the Presbyterian Church, of 
 which he was a faithful member, and did all 
 within his power for the betterment of mankind 
 or to promote the general welfare. 
 
 On Septembers, 1858, at Freeburg, Penn., 
 by Rev. Ellenmyer, Mr. Pawling was married to 
 Miss Lydia Long, who was born in Selins Grove, 
 October 22, 1837, and they became the parents 
 of two children: Cora E., who was born Novem- 
 ber 12, 1859, and died March 10, 1881, and 
 

 I OMMEMORATIVE BKmilAPlIirAL RECORD. 
 
 Charles W. , who was born January 7, 1861, 
 
 July 21, [885. The latter was for a time a 
 lent in Allegheny College at Meadville, Penn., 
 
 but owing to ill-health was compelled to ret 
 home before completing the course. He re- 
 mained with his mother after his father's death, 
 and finally decided to travel through the \\ 
 with the hope of recovering his former strength, 
 but while passing through the Indian Tern; 
 
 ere cold, which caused his death. 
 In [885, Mrs. Pawling returned to the farm, 
 which is one of the finest in Union countv, and 
 
 since made her home there. She is an at- 
 tractive and accomplished lady of rare ability, 
 
 linent in social and religious circles, and is 
 an active 1 of the Presbyterian Church. 
 
 ijamin and Elizabeth (Fetter) Long, the 
 parents of Mrs. Pawling, were natives of M 
 town, Lancaster county, and Reading. Perm., 
 respectively, but were married at Selins Grove, 
 where th it the remainder of their livi - 
 
 upon a farm, which the father operated. He 
 died April 14, 1 >d fifty-four years, and 
 
 his wife, who was born April 1, 1S01, died 1 
 ruary28, 1875. Both held membership in the 
 Lutheran Church, and in his political affiliat 
 the father was a Democrat. In their family were 
 the following children: Jacob (deceased) was a 
 farmer of Indiana, and left three sons; E 
 is the wife ol Daniel Ott, a retired farmer 
 Hester is the widow of Benjai 
 Pawling, of White Deer township. Union 
 Henry died at the age of twenty-one; Calvin, a 
 retired carpenter living near Selins <. 1 nar- 
 
 ried Catherine Hum-, whose father, Captain 
 
 ies, was a soldier of the Revolutionary v. 
 Lydia C. is the v. | our subject; and Mary 
 
 is the wife ol Col. William Snoddy, an atton 
 of Alva, Oklahoma. 
 
 The paternal ii Mrs. Paw 
 
 Jacob and Elizabeth Whittier) Long, were born, 
 reared and married in Maytown, Lancasti 
 Penn., but became early pioneers ler 
 
 county, where they purchased a large tl 
 land adjoining the town ol Selins Grove. The 
 grandfather was the founder ol the first Ch 1 
 established at that place, and served as its elder 
 for many years. His remains were interred in 
 the Selins Grove cemetery. In his familv w 
 four children, all now deceased, namely: fao 
 Man-, who wedded Daniel Lebo; Elizabeth, v 
 became the wife of Mathias Donbauch, also de- 
 ceased; and Benjamin, the father of Mrs. Paw- 
 ling. The maternal grandparents were Peter 
 and Mane (Snyder) Fetter, natives of Germany, 
 who, on crossing the Atlantic to the New World. 
 located near the old Row's church, in Snyder 
 
 county, but later became residents of Union 
 county, where the grandfather followed agricult- 
 ural pursuits. They had six children who mar- 
 ried, but are now deceased, namely: Catherine, 
 wife of John Row; Elizabeth, mother of Mrs. 
 Pawling; Philip, who married a Miss Zearfoss; 
 mon; Benjamin; and Lydia, wife of Peter 
 Row. 
 
 JAMES SCHOCH. The Schoch family has 
 been prominent in the vicinity of New Ber- 
 lin, Union county, from the early days, and 
 one of its chief representatives at the present 
 time is the respected citizen whose biography we 
 now present. Mr. Schoch. has nominally retired 
 from an active tanning business in which he was 
 engaged, but continues to find ample employ- 
 ment for his time, the force of habit being 
 strong upon him. 
 
 Mr. Schoch traces his descent to that well- 
 known pioneer, Matthias Schoch, whose re- 
 mains now rest near Selins Grove. Jacob 
 Schoch, a son of Matthias and the grandfather 
 of our subject, was a prosperous farmer and black- 
 smith, and owni ;e amount of real estate 
 whichhesold to his sonsas they reached maturity. 
 Hewas a small man, but possessed much strength 
 and energy, and reached the good old age of 
 seventy-nine. In r< I faith he was a Lu- 
 theran, and his interest in the welfare of the 
 community was shown in many ways. At his 
 death he was interred in the cemetery at New 
 Berlin. He was twice married, and his first wife, 
 
 iss Hendricks, was the mother of all his chil- 
 dren, whose names with dates of birth were as 
 follows: George, born March 23, 1796, died 
 August, it Freeburg, Penn.; Catharine, 
 
 born 1797, died in 1S03: Michael, born 1799, 
 died in M Snyder county, Penn.; 
 
 Jacob, born 1801, died 1853, in Snyder county, 
 Penn.; Elizabeth, born March 31, 1803, married 
 Philip Gross, and died in New Berlin; Sem, born 
 October 7, 1805; John, born 1S0S, died 1863 in 
 
 ler county; Catharii n 1809, married 
 
 ler, and died in 1883; Abraham, born 
 January 30, 1 8 1 1 , died March 19. [881; David, 
 181 3, died in Snyder county; Mary, born 
 1815, married the late Beatty Cook, and now re- 
 in New Berlin; Benjamin, born 1819, died 
 • Selins Gi Susanna, born [821, married 
 
 Rev. An yes in Mifflinburg. 
 
 Si hoch, the father of our subject, was 
 born in S mnty, near Smith Grove. He 
 
 recen I ■ ■, • education, but had an acute 
 intellect which enabled him to secure practical 
 knowledg bjects. During his 
 
 1 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 935 
 
 youth he learned the tanner's trade at Freeburg, 
 Snyder county, and in early manhood he estab- 
 lished a tannery of his own at New Berlin, which 
 is still in the possession of his descendants. In 
 i860 he made our subject his partner and in 1866 
 he withdrew from the business altogether, giving 
 his attention to agriculture, and his extensive in- 
 vestments in the West, to which section he had 
 made many visits. At the time of his death in 
 July, 1887, he owned two farms, and was re- 
 garded as one of the substantial citizens of his 
 locality. A portion of his fortune was inherited 
 from his father, of whose will he was executor. 
 Politically he was a Democrat, and for many 
 years he attended the Lutheran Church at New 
 Berlin, of which he was a consistent member. 
 Among his good traits was a generous hospitality, 
 nothing pleasing him better than to receive his 
 numerous friends at his own home, and while 
 New Berlin was the county seat his table was 
 seldom without a guest. His first wife. Miss 
 Esther Klose, was born and reared in Snyder 
 county, where their marriage occurred. She died 
 January 5, 1845, an d in February, 1846, he 
 married Mrs. Margaret (Ruhl) Kleckner, widow 
 of George Kleckner. There were nine children 
 by the first union, the names with dates of birth 
 being here given. Susannah, born March 11, 
 1827, married Benjamin S. Winter, and died in 
 New Berlin; Charles, born October 2, 1828, died 
 in St. Joseph county, Mich. ; Elizabeth, born Oc- 
 tober 25, 1 83 1, married Wilson Van Valzah and, 
 resides in New Berlin; Caroline, born February 
 17, 1S34, is the widow of P. O. Catherman; 
 Sarah, born April 5, 1836, married George Glass, 
 of Freeburg, Penn. ; James, born April 3, 1838, 
 is mentioned more fully below; Louisa, born 
 October 22, 1840, married Orlando Russell, of 
 Michigan; Sevilla, born September 18, 1841, 
 married John Klose, of the same State; and Anna, 
 born August 13, 1 843, is the wife of Fred Knight. 
 Three children were born of the second marriage: 
 Jane, born April 9, 1847, married John Spangler, of 
 Limestone township, Union county; Araminta, 
 born May 23, 1849, is the wife of Thomas Spang- 
 ler, of the same township; and Jacob M. , born 
 July 25', 1850, resides in Philadelphia. The 
 mother of this family, who was born January 29, 
 1809, died in May, 1S87, and her remains were 
 buried beside those of her husband and his for- 
 mer wife in the cemetery of New Berlin. 
 
 With this review of the history of this well- 
 known family we will now return to our subject, 
 who was born in the thriving little town where 
 he makes his home, and to whose interests he 
 has given his best efforts. His education was 
 acquired there, beginning in the public schools, 
 
 with Miss Kate Kessler as his first teacher, and 
 at eighteen he entered the seminary to pursue 
 higher branches of study. During boyhood he 
 was employed at various times in his father's 
 tannery, and thus he gained a complete knowledge 
 of the business. In i860, as has been said, he 
 took a more responsible share of the work as a 
 partner, and six years later he became the 
 owner of the plant. Since October, 1884, his 
 son, Brainard S. , has had charge of the business, 
 making the third in the line of descent to con- 
 duct it. As one of the leading capitalists of his 
 locality, Mr. Schoch gives much time to various 
 kinds of investments, and his shrewd judgment 
 is shown in their successful management. He 
 owns considerable real estate, including 125 
 acres near New Berlin, and an extensive tract in 
 Kansas. He has an elegant home at New Ber- 
 lin recently remodeled, and his family hold a 
 high position socially. He was married August 
 23, 1861, to his first wife, Miss Rebecca W. 
 Peters, daughter of Michael Peters, a leading 
 resident of Hartley township, Union county. 
 She died July 10, 1865, leaving two children: 
 Brainard S. , born February 10, 1862, who re- 
 sides at the old homestead and conducts the tan- 
 nery, and Ida M., who was born September 6, 
 1863, and died August 20, 1870. Mr. Schoch's 
 second wife, Miss Mary Eyer, was a native of 
 Dry Valley, and a daughter of Abraham Eyer. 
 She passed away September 20, 1877, and her 
 only child, Anna M. , who was born December 
 25, 1872, died November 16, 1879. Mr. Schoch 
 formed a third matrimonial union with Miss Mar- 
 garet E. Gephart, a native of Millheim, Penn., 
 born January 6, 1855, the eldest daughter of 
 Jacob and Catherine (Decker) Gephart. By this 
 marriage there are two children: Pauline S., 
 born June 11, 1881, now attending the college at 
 New Berlin, and Frederick G., born August 1, 
 1886, who is also at home. 
 
 As a good citizen Mr. Schoch is interested in 
 public progress. He is a Democrat in politics, 
 and he and his-wife are both active members of 
 the Lutheran Church, in which he has been 
 treasurer for a number of years and at present 
 holds also the office of trustee. 
 
 SPANGLER. Most of those bearing this 
 _J name, that are here represented, trace 
 their ancestry back to an old Northumberland 
 county family, but the family is now most nu- 
 merous in Snyder, Union and Centre counties. 
 The name of Spangler appears quite often in this 
 volume, and just as often as we have introduced 
 a sketch of some one of that family, just so often 
 

 COMMBMORA TIVB BIOGRAPHICAL RBCORD. 
 
 will you find the highest type of American citi- 
 zenship. John Si. i . by no means an ex- 
 ception to that rule. He is one of the honest, 
 industrious farmers and well-to-do citizens of 
 Limestone township, Union county. 
 
 On Penn's creek, two miles and a half west 
 t New Berlin, John Spangler was born February 
 2 j, 1843, his parents being Daniel and Lydia 
 ngler. He was born in the same stone 
 house which he now occupies, it being built by his 
 paternal grandfather in 1802. So well was it con- 
 struct! 1 that for sixty-six years the first roof 
 lasted, and the whole building is in such an ex- 
 cellent state of preservation to this day that it 
 will undoubtedly last another century. 
 
 Upon his present farm John Span- 1 « 
 reared, and his education was obtained in the 
 neighboring schools, his first teacher being Jacob 
 Sanders, but his advantages were limited, as the 
 farm work extended throughout most of the year. 
 Alter one season's crops were at last threshed and 
 ready for use, it was only a few weeks before the 
 spring work began, so that he had but little time 
 to attend school. Most of his early life was spent 
 under the parental roof, but for two seasons he 
 worked away from home; the first, when eight- 
 een years of age, receiving $10 per month for 
 his services. 
 
 In New Berlin, December 20, [866, Mr. 
 Spangler was married to Miss Jane Schoch, who 
 was born at that place. April 9, KS47, a daughter 
 of Sem and Margaret (Ruhl) Schoch. With 
 Miss Kate Kessler as teacher, she began her 
 learningin the schools of New Berlin, and there 
 completed her education. She has been the 
 mother of five children: Annie, born September 
 
 12, iSf'.j, died August 12. [870; Clementine, 
 born October 22, [869, is now the wife of Jacob 
 Miller, of Limestone township, Union county; 
 Reno S., born August 3, 1S71, is one of the 
 steady-going young men of Limestone township; 
 he assists in the operation of the home farm, and 
 is also interested in the lumber business; Maggie, 
 born October 8, 1873, is the wife of H. P. Good- 
 ling, of York, Penn. ; and one child (unnam 
 (the last), born February 3, 1876, died M.irch 
 
 13. I 
 
 After his marriage, Mr. Spangler rented his 
 father's farm, and such arrangements contin 
 until October 19, 1S71. when he and his brother 
 Christopher bought the homestead, our subject 
 receiving ninety-two acres when the property v 
 divided. He was obliged to go in debt, but bj 
 industry, perseverance and good management, 
 he has succeeded in clearing the place of all in- 
 cumbrances, and has made many valuable and 
 useful improvements, his farm being now one of 
 
 the best along Penn's creek, either in Union or 
 Snyder counties. 
 
 An excellent citizen, of the strictest integrity, 
 he is highly respected by all who know him, and 
 he and his family occupy a position of promi- 
 nence in the community. Both Mr. and Mrs. 
 
 ngler are consistent members of the Lutheran 
 Church, taking a leading and active part in its 
 work. Mr. Spangler now serving as a deacon, and 
 in this capacity has been foremost in matters 
 pertaining to the best interests of the Church. 
 
 REV. AMMON STAPLETON. A. M., M - 
 Lewisburg, Union count}-, was born 
 
 Spangsville, Berks Co., Penn., Januar\ 1;, 1S50, 
 a son of William and Elizabeth (Spechti Staple- 
 ton, also natives of Berks county. 
 
 The ancestor of the subject of this sketch was 
 Robert P. Stapleton, born in England, in 1G90, 
 of noble origin, but becoming a Quaker he was 
 ostracized by his people, and hence emigrated to 
 Pennsylvania. In 1732 he acquired a fine plan- 
 tation in Oley township, Berks county, but in 
 1750 he migrated to the Shenandoah Valley, Vir- 
 ginia, where be died in 1754. leaving four sons 
 and six daughters, all married. 
 
 Our subject emanates from the emigrant Rob- 
 ert P. Stapleton's son John, in whose care the 
 Oley estates were left. John died in Oley. in 
 the same year (1754) as his father, leaving a son, 
 John, jr., born in 1751, who was an officer in 
 the Revolutionary war. He died in 1820, leav- 
 ing a son, William, Sr. , whose son, William. Jr., 
 born in 181 5, is the father of Rev. Amnion Sta- 
 pleton. In 1853, the parents of our subject re- 
 moved to Buffalo Valley, Union county, where 
 the arly boyhood days were passed. In 
 
 1SG1 he was sent to Berks county where he re- 
 mained with his relatives till 1863, when he re- 
 turned. In July, 1864, then but fourteen years 
 of age, he enlisted under the call of President 
 Lincoln for volunteers to repel the invasion of 
 the Rebel General Early, and saw nearly five 
 months' active service as a member of Company 
 F, 195th P. V. I., his regiment participating in 
 the Shenandoah Valley campaign under Sheri- 
 dan, where he heard the roar of battle at Win- 
 chester, Cedar Creek, &c. Returning home in 
 November, 1864, he re-enlisted in February, 
 1865, in Company I, 192nd Regiment, which 
 was assigned to Hancock's Veteran (Firsti Corps, 
 and which was kept in service until August, 1 
 
 In [867 Mr. Stapleton began his collegiate 
 studies, intending at first to prepare for the med- 
 ical profession; a change in his purpose of life, 
 however, led him to prepare for the ministry in- 
 
 _ 
 
2fe^^s~ /f/tr,M,s, 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 937 
 
 stead, and he completed his course at Central 
 Pennsylvania College, in 187 1. In March, 1872, 
 he entered the itinerant ranks of the Central 
 Pennsylvania Conference of the (now) United 
 Evangelical Church. Amid all the cares and 
 arduous labors of his itinerant life, he never for 
 a moment discontinued his studies, his special 
 field of research being the natural sciences. In 
 the field of geology and paleontology he had 
 many eminent correspondents, among them the 
 world-renowned Prof. James Hall, of the New 
 York State Museum, and Prof. Williams, of Cor- 
 nell University, while his researches resulted in 
 the discovery of hitherto unrecorded fossils. 
 Later he turned his attention to Colonial.history, 
 and in 1891 was elected, on the recommendation 
 of Hon. John Blair Linn, ex-Secretary of the 
 Commonwealth, as a member of the Pennsyl- 
 vania Historical Society. 
 
 Mr. Stapleton's services to his Conference 
 and denomination have been very valuable. For 
 seven years he was secretary of his Conference; 
 in 1 89 1 was a delegate to the Philadelphia Gen- 
 eral Conference, and, in 1894, to the Naperville 
 (111.) General Conference, at which time he was 
 one of the secretaries. In 1895 he was elected 
 to the office of presiding elder, his headquarters 
 being at Lewisburg. 
 
 Besides many serial magazine and newspaper 
 articles on science and history, Mr. Stapleton 
 published, in 1885, "Natural History of the Bi- 
 ble ".and, in 1895, "Compend of Church His- 
 tory" ; his large history of his denomination is j 
 at the present time (1897) going through the ' 
 press; besides three works — "The Evangelical 
 Catechism", "Evangelical Cabinet", and 
 " Memorials of the Huguenots ", — as yet unpub- 
 lished. 
 
 In 1875 Rev. Ammon Stapleton was united 
 in marriage with Miss Sarah E. Crandall, of 
 Canton, Bradford Co. , Penn. , and they have two 
 sons and three daughters living. 
 
 JOHN DEWIRE, of Lewisburg, is a man 
 whose successful struggle with adverse cir- 
 cumstances shows what can be done by in- 
 dustry and economy, especially if a sensible wife 
 seconds his efforts to secure a home and com- 
 petence. Born of poor parents, Mr. Dewire was 
 obliged to make his way in life without any of 
 the aids which are usually considered essential to 
 success. 
 
 Thomas Dewire, his father, was born in Ire- 
 land in 1800, and his people being of very limited 
 means, came as a young man to this country to 
 work as a laborer on a canal then in process of 
 
 construction along the Susquehanna river. He 
 spent seven weeks on the ocean, and, on landing, 
 had but a few cents in his pocket. He was a 
 short man, stout in build, and a hard worker, 
 but never made over fifty cents a day. While 
 in one of the shanties where he boarded while 
 working on the canal, he made the acquaintance 
 of Miss Julia A. Barnhart, daughter of John 
 Barnhart, of Berks county, Penn., who was also 
 a day laborer. Love laughs at poverty as well 
 as at bars and locks, and the two were married, 
 managing in some way to maintain a home on 
 his scanty wages. He remained in Pennsylvania, 
 living for a time in Northumberland county, and 
 later removing to Union county, and the last six 
 years of his life were spent in East Buffalo town- 
 ship, near Hardscrabble. 
 
 In politics Thomas Dewire was a Whig. Hav- 
 ing been reared as a Catholic, he clung to that 
 form of faith for many years, but in 1843 he 
 joined the Evangelical Association, of which his 
 wife was a devout member, and remained stead- 
 fast to its principles until his death, which oc- 
 curred at Lewisburg in 1846; his widow sur- 
 vived him nearly forty years, dying January 27, 
 1883, at the age of sixty-nine. The last ten 
 years of her life were passed at the home of our 
 subject, and when she passed away her remains 
 were laid to rest in the Lewisburg cemetery, 
 those of her husband being in the old Lutheran 
 cemetery at Lewisburg, beside the present Lu- 
 theran church. Seven children were born to 
 Thomas and Julia Dewire: Margaret, who mar- 
 ried (first) Noah Young, and (second) Jefferson 
 Kaler, and died in East Buffalo township; John 
 D. , our subject; Rosanna, now Mrs. Jacob Ackey, 
 of Lycoming county, Penn. ; Thomas, of East 
 Buffalo township. Union county; James, who died 
 when seven years old; William, of Turtleville, 
 Penn. ; and Alexander, who served in the 51st P. 
 V. I. during the Rebellion, and died in 188 1. 
 
 John Dewire was born March 25, 1833, his 
 parents-then residing in Northumberland county, 
 near Tuckahoe. As they remained in that local- 
 ity until he was seven years old, his educa- 
 tion was begun there, but on their removal to 
 Union county, he attended the Jefferson school 
 house. With these somewhat limited advan- 
 tages his education stopped, and the conscious- 
 ness of his own deprivations has made him a firm 
 friend of better educational opportunities for the 
 rising generation. 
 
 At the time of his father's death Mr. Dewire 
 was only thirteen years old, but, as the eldest son 
 in a large family of children, a heavy sense of 
 responsibility rested upon him. His widowed 
 mother worked at knitting and spinning, but her 
 
- 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAl'IIKM RECORD. 
 
 earnings were not sufficient for the needs of so 
 many. For two years Mr. Dewire worked in a 
 tannery at Lewisburg at $2.50 per month, and 
 then hired out at $5 per month to farmers in the 
 vicinity, working for some time for William 
 Brown and Byers Amnion. Later he worked 
 fi r one year in the construction of the Winfield 
 furnace, and he was afterward employed as a 
 ; kman in the mines of the company for twen- 
 ty-three years, during which time he managed to 
 save the money to buy his present home near 
 Lewisburg. 
 
 On October 9, 1855. Mr. Dewire was married 
 to Miss Mary C. Zearns, who was born at Middle 
 Creek, Snyder Co., Penn., October 4, 1837, the 
 daughter of Levi and Esther (Gemberlingi 
 Zearns. The father died leaving three small 
 children: Lydia, now Mrs. George Bower, of 
 Selins Grove; Mary C, Mrs. Dewire; and Aman- 
 da, widow of William G. Smith, residing at Lew- 
 isburg. The mother married a second husband, 
 Frederick Hare, by whom she had four children. 
 She died at Selins Grove at the age of sixty-nine. 
 
 When Mrs. Dewire was eight years old she 
 was placed among relatives, and until her mar- 
 riage her life was passed without a fixed home. 
 It is not to be wondered at that both our subject 
 and his wife should devote their energies to se- 
 curing a home of their own, and their delight 
 and satisfaction can only be imagined when in 
 March, 1866, they finally found themselves ac- 
 tually in possession of their cozy house. Con- 
 tinued effort has brought increased prosperity, and 
 other land has been added until they now own 
 about forty-seven acres of excellent land. Not 
 one cent of indebtedness stands against any of it, 
 and they have a comfortable sum of money in- 
 vested in ther ways. And this success, remark- 
 able under the circumstances, has been won by 
 honest means, a notable fact in these days of un- 
 scrupulous methods of business, and among all 
 Mr. Dewire's acquaintances there is not one man 
 who can justly charge him with a wrong. 
 
 Ten children have been reared in this home, 
 their names with dates of birth being as follows: 
 Oliver, April 18, 1856, is a carpenter and car 
 builder at New Columbia, Penn.; Albert, Sep- 
 tember 24, 1857, is 1 as a brakeman on 
 the Reading railroad; Emma, August 22, 1 
 married Andrew Veager, of Sunbury, Penn.; 
 Charles P., April 17, 1 .. is a teacher at Lew- 
 isburg; Ada, July 15 married William [. 
 Hess, of Riverside, Penn.; C Nervon, Oct 
 13, 1S67, lives in Winfield, Penn. ; JaneE., Jan- 
 uary 28, 1872, married Samuel Paul, ol New 
 Columbia, Penn.; Alice, October 11. [875, mar- 
 
 I William Richards, and li Sunbury; Ed- 
 
 ward J., April 21, 1878, and Minnie, July 1 . 
 1880, are at home. 
 
 In religious faith, Mr. Dewire is inclined to 
 the Evangelical Church, of which his wife is a 
 member. Politically, he is a steadfast Repub- 
 lican, but though a regular voter he is not an 
 office seeker. He served, however, as tax col- 
 lector in East Buffalo township when Jacob Mac- 
 hamer, Thomas Barber and Mr. Shuck formed 
 the board of commissioners. He is identified 
 with the Patrons of Husbandry, belonging to Jus- 
 titia Grange, No. 434. at Lewisburg. 
 
 JS. HOCH. Among the most attractive 
 _ L. homes in the pleasant little city of New 
 Berlin, Union county, is that of the well-known 
 merchant whose career this biography outlines. 
 Although now retired from active business, Mr 
 Hoch has been long and prominently identified 
 with mercantile circles in this section, having 
 successfully conducted establishments at various 
 places. 
 
 Mr. Hoch is of German ancestry, his great- 
 grandfather having been the first to cross the 
 ocean from the Fatherland. Samuel Hoch, our 
 subject's grandfather, a farmer in Snyder county, 
 died at a comparatively early age leaving a large 
 family of children, of whom our subject's father, 
 John Hoch, was among the oldest. The family 
 was separated after this bereavement, and John 
 Hoch, then quite a small boy, was hired out 
 a farmer, an entire stranger, no provision being 
 made for his schooling, which was limited to a 
 few months snatched at intervals in his work. 
 At sixteen he began an apprenticeship to a car- 
 penter, Albright Swineford, receiving his board 
 and clothes, and this business he followed at 
 Middleburg, Penn., throughout his active life. 
 He retired from business at the age of fifty-se\ 
 and the last few years of his life were spent in 
 Mifflinburg, his death occurring at seventy-seven. 
 His wife, Flizabeth Swineford, a daughter of his 
 former employer, died at New Berlin, Penn., 
 but both were buried at Middleburg, her birth- 
 place, and their home during the greater portion 
 of their I lit. Sin was a Lutheran in 
 
 faith, while Mr. Hoch belonged to the Reformed 
 Church, and he gave liberally toward the support 
 of both Churches. He held various offices in 
 the Church at Middleburg, .and at one time sa 
 the edifice from being sold by the sheriff, a sub- 
 scription being raised by him for this purpose. 
 This task was undertaken on foot through Centre 
 and Union counties, and many weary miles 
 wire traversed before the object was ace 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 939 
 
 plished. Politically, he was a stanch Repub- 
 lican, and while he was not eager for official 
 honors he held some minor offices. He was of 
 a stout build, and in his active days was a hard 
 worker, accumulating two competences in his 
 lifetime, the first having been lost through the 
 unscrupulousness of others. His home was to 
 him the dearest spot on earth. Of his three 
 children, our subject was the eldest; Abraham 
 died in infancy; Mary M. married Samuel E. 
 Long, and resides in Butler county, Pennsylvania. 
 A. S. Hoch was born June 11, 1836, at Mid- 
 dleburg, and such schooling as fate vouchsafed to 
 him was obtained there. While he was a boy 
 his father's business reverses compelled him to 
 leave school and assist in supporting the family, 
 as he could earn fifty cents per day at car- 
 pentering. By the time his father had retrieved 
 his fortunes our subject was past school age, and 
 thus he began his independent business career at 
 twenty-one with but little preparation. His 
 hard work during boyhood had undermined his 
 health, and he could not continue the carpenter's 
 trade, so he accepted a position as clerk for 
 Daniel J. Bogar, a merchant in Middleburg, 
 Snyder Co., Penn., at ten dollars per month and 
 board. After a short time Mr. Bogar failed, and 
 Mr. Hoch then spent more than two years in 
 clerking for Reuben Keller, at Adamsburg, Penn. 
 In the fall of i860 he established a mercantile 
 business of his own at Margaret's Mills, Snyder 
 county. His capital amounted to $39 at the 
 time, but he had won the confidence of some 
 monied men, among whom was Robert W. 
 Smith, of Middleburg, Snyder Co., Penn., a for- 
 mer employer, who gave him a start. In 1861 
 Mr. Hoch transferred his business to Kelly Cross 
 Roads, Penn., and later opened another store at 
 Kelly Point, where he was the first merchant. 
 He built up a large trade at both places, and 
 while there was instrumental in having a post 
 office established at each. In March, 1888, he 
 moved to New Berlin, where his son, John W., 
 was in the same line of business as senior mem- 
 ber of the firm of Hoch & Kline, and by purchas- 
 ing Mr. Kline's interest our subject entered the 
 firm, which then became Hock & Son. Five 
 years later he retired, and the firm has since been 
 known as Hoch & Oldt. A handsome compe- 
 tence has rewarded the past years of effort, and 
 Mr. Hoch is now enjoying his well-earned leisure. 
 He is jovial in manner, and is well-preserved, 
 looking ten years younger than he is. He and 
 his wife are prominent in social life, and in the 
 work of the Lutheran Church, in which Mr. 
 Hoch has twice held the office of elder, and for 
 two years was president of the Christian En- 
 
 deavor Society. He also belongs to the Masonic 
 lodge at Lewisburg, Union county, Pennsylvania. 
 
 On April 16, 1857, Mr. Hoch was married to 
 his first wife, Miss Amelia Saltzman, who was 
 born in November, 1838, in Adamsburg, Penn., 
 the daughter of William and Catherine Saltz- 
 man, well-known residents of that village. She 
 died June 18, 1884, and her remains now rest in 
 the Lutheran cemetery in Kelly township, Union 
 county. Of her two children, the first, Lizzie, 
 died in childhood; John W. , born August 7, 1859, 
 is now one of the leading merchants of New Ber- 
 lin, as noted above. Mr. Hoch's present wife, 
 whom he wedded October 16, 1888, in White 
 Deer township, Union county, was formerly Miss 
 Ida M. Keefer. She was born in Buffalo town- 
 ship, Union county, the daughter of Martin and 
 Utica (Herman) Keefer, who reared a family of 
 ten sons and three daughters, of whom she is the 
 eldest. 
 
 In his political sympathies Mr. Hoch has al- 
 ways been a Republican, and he walked three 
 miles to cast his first vote for John C. Fremont 
 for President. Wherever he has resided he has 
 taken an influential part in local affairs, serving 
 as assessor, overseer of the poor, school director 
 in different places, and in New Berlin as a mem- 
 ber of the city council, of which he was president 
 for three years. 
 
 ILLIAM LAIRD IRWIN. This gentle- 
 man is now living in the town of Mifflin- 
 burg, and is a native of Union county, born in 
 Buffalo township, in 1844, a son of James and 
 Amelia (Pontius) Irwin. William Irwin, the pa- 
 ternal grandfather, was a native of Ireland, but 
 when only twelve years old came to America and 
 took up his residence in Pennsylvania, becoming 
 one of the pioneers of the central portion of this 
 State. He was an enterprising, progressive 
 man, a Presbyterian in religious belief, and died 
 at the age of sixty-eight years. The maternal 
 grandparents were Peter and Barbara (Kleckner) 
 Pontius. The grandfather, who was a farmer by 
 occupation, died at the age of eighty years. The 
 father of our subject also engaged in agricultural 
 pursuits throughout life. 
 
 William Laird Irwin is the third in order of 
 birth in a family of eight children, the others be- 
 ing: Robert H., now a farmer of Cowan, Union 
 county, enlisted in Company E, 51st P. V. I., 
 which was assigned to Burnside's Corps. For 
 three years he served his country with distinc- 
 tion, was the first man on the Antietam bridge, 
 and threw open the gate for his comrades to fol- 
 low. Peter Pontius, the second son, enlisted in 
 

 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 Company F. 49th P. V. I., was taken prisoner 
 at the battle of the Wilderness, and incarcerated 
 in Andersonville, Ga., where his death occurred 
 September 22, [864. James Winfield is now a 
 farmer of Montour county, Penn. Jennie died 
 unmarried. John S. is a farmer living near 
 Kelly Point, Union county. Joseph C.,is a resi- 
 dent of Mifflinburg. Amelia P. died in infancy. 
 
 During his boyhood and youth our subject 
 attended the public schools of his native county, 
 and after finishing his education worked on his 
 father's farm until twenty years of age. Prompted 
 by a spirit of patriotism, he also joined the Union 
 service in 1X64, enlisting in Company E, 12th 
 Pennsylvania Cavalry, and faithfully served his 
 country until the war had ended, and his services 
 were.no longer needed, being mustered out June 
 5, 1865. He then devoted his time and attention 
 to farming, in which occupation he is still en- 
 gag 
 
 In December, 1 871, Mr. Irwin led to the mar- 
 riage altar Miss Mary Wilson Snodgrass, a daugh- 
 ter of Benjamin and Anna 'Wilson Snodgrass, 
 of Cumberland county, Penn. Her father fol- 
 lowed farming, and also operated a foundry anil 
 gristmill. Mr. and Mrs. Irwin have one daugh- 
 t 1, Anna Blanche, who was born in Mifflinburg, 
 November 17, 1872. For some time she at- 
 tended the public schools, but completed her 
 education in a select school of Mifflinburg. With 
 the Presbyterian Church the parents hold mem- 
 bership, and the family is held in the highest re- 
 gard by all who know them. In his political 
 affiliations Mr. Irwin is an inflexible adherent to 
 the doctrines and principles of the Republican 
 part)'. He is a public-spirited, enterprising man, 
 and takes an active interest in everything which 
 seems to promise a benefit to the community. 
 
 KNKY EISENHAUER, a venerable and 
 "X highly respected resident of Kelly town- 
 ship, Union county, has been for many years a 
 leading agriculturist of that locality, and al- 
 though now retired from active business, he owns, 
 among other property, 038 acres of the best land 
 to be found in that region of fertile farms. 
 
 Horn October 10, 1 8 1 9, in Snyder county, 
 Penn., he comes of pioneer stock, his grand- 
 parents, Martin and Sarah Eisenhauer, having 
 settled there at an early day upon a farm. The 
 first years of their married life were, however, 
 spent in Berks county, Penn., and our subject's 
 father, Abraham Eisenhauer, was born there. 
 He also followed agricultural pursuits, his life 
 being spent mainly in Snyder county, where he 
 was prominently identified with local affairs, as a 
 
 member of the Reformed Church, and a warm 
 sympathizer with the doctrines of the Republican 
 party. He was married in Snyder county to 
 Miss Eve Uolender, a native of Union count), 
 and daughter of Henry 11 'lender, a prominent 
 farmer, who came originally from Lancaster 
 county, and whose death occurred in Snyder 
 county. Mrs. Eisenhauer died in 1840. at the 
 age of forty-two, but our subject's father lived a 
 few days beyond his eightieth year, breathing his 
 last in 1878. 
 
 They had ten children (of whom six are still 
 living): Elizabeth married Henry Rearick, a 
 farmer, and both are now deceased; Henry is 
 mentioned more fully below; Catherine is the 
 wife of Jacob Walter, a farmer in Cook countv . 
 111.; Amelia married George Utt, a farmer, and 
 both are now deceased; Barbara married Fred 
 Engle, a farmer at Middleburg, Snyder county, 
 and both now deceased; Mary is the widow of 
 Reuben Agler, of Beavertown, Penn., who, at 
 the time of his death, was a retired farmer; 
 Sarah married William Hess, a merchant at 
 Philipsburg, Penn. ; Lucinda is the widow of 
 Samuel Bowen, formerly an auctioneer at Mid- 
 dleburg; Robert (deceased) was a farmer in 
 Michigan, and Benjamin is now engaged in 
 agriculture in Michigan. 
 
 Mr. Eisenhauer, our subject, was reared to 
 farm life, and while assisting in the work at home 
 attended the local schools. He remained with his 
 father until the age of twenty-eight, when he went 
 west on a prospecting tour; but finding " no 
 place like home," he decided to return to his na- 
 tive place to live. He rented one of his father's 
 farms for nine years, and his industry and thrift 
 being rewarded with good returns he purchased a 
 farm of 230 acres in Union county, to which he 
 removed in 1857. Thereon he remained until 
 the spring of 1806, when he took possession of 
 his present residence near Kelly Point. He is a 
 leading member of the Reformed Church at 
 White Deer, in which he has been an officer for 
 over forty years and in politics he is a stanch 
 Republican. 
 
 In February. 1S47, Mr. Eisenhauer was mar- 
 ried at Middleburg, Penn., to Miss Esther Agler, 
 a daughter of Jacob and Esther Agler, well- 
 known residents of Snyder county. Penn. Twelve 
 children were born of this union, their names 
 with dates of birth being as follows: Uriah A 
 November 4, 1847, is a farmer in Kelly town- 
 ship, Union county; Orgim X.. February i8, 
 1849, is also a fanner in the same locality: Ursh 
 A., August 29, 1851, is engaged in farming in 
 Union county; Thama E., July 17, 1853, mar- 
 ried Benjamin Stahl, a carpenter in Union coun- 
 
(sZ>-&nAA- v/Lix^/x<. 
 
 CK^aS\ 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 941 
 
 ty; AlvyJ., January 3, 1856, died at an early 
 age; Alice Esther, December 30, 1857, is the 
 wife of Charles Cooper, a merchant at Milton 
 Penn. ; Sarah E., September 17, i860, died at 
 two years of age; Sybilla A., April 29, 1S62 re- 
 sides in Chicago, 111.; John H. , June 1, l8 6 4 , is 
 a farmer in Kelly township, Union county and 
 Mary A., May 31, 1867, died in infancy. Two 
 sons died at or about birth, unnamed, one born 
 July 1, 1852, and the other born jMarch 10 1859 
 The mother of this family passed to the unseen 
 hfe May 31, 1867, at the age of forty years and 
 three months. On November 7, 1867, Mr. 
 Eisenhauer formed a second union, this time with 
 Miss Semmira Baker, the ceremony being per- 
 formed at Mifflinburg, Penn. They have one son 
 William S., born June 25, 1868, who is now a 
 farmer in Kelly township, Union county. 
 
 Mrs. Eisenhauer is a bright, clever woman 
 devoted to her home, and has been a true help- 
 meet to her husband. She was born May 30 
 1840, in White Deer township, Union county a 
 daughter of Samuel and Christiana (Kunes) 
 Baker, and granddaughter of Michael and Sarah 
 (Wolfenberger) Baker, who came to this section 
 from Lebanon county, Penn., and passed their 
 last days upon a farm in White Deer township 
 Samuel Baker was born in Union county, and 
 became a successful farmer there. In politics he 
 was a Democrat, while in religion he adhered to 
 the principles of the Evangelical Church, of 
 which he was a member. He died in June, 
 1882, aged eighty years, six months and three 
 days, and his wife passed away December 21, 
 1878, at the age of sixty-seven years and nine 
 months. She was a native of Schuylkill coun- 
 ty, Penn., where her parents, John and Hannah 
 (Smith) Kunes, were lifelong residents. The 
 children of this union were: Uriah, who died at 
 the age of ten years; Semmira (Mrs. Eisenhauer); 
 Samuel S. , who is in the drug business at Coburn' 
 Penn.; Anna B.. wife of George P. Straub, fore- 
 man in a car factory at Watsontown, Penn ■ 
 Levi, who died in infancy; and Michael, a mer- 
 chant at Watsontown, where he conducts an ex 
 tensive business. 
 
 fISS ESTHER VONEIDA. The Voneida 
 homestead in Buffalo township, Union 
 county, is one of the oldest estates in the local- 
 ity, and is now occupied by the fourth generation 
 in direct descent from the original purchaser, 
 rmiip Voneida, a native of the Palatinate, Ger- 
 many, and a miller by trade, who on arriving in this 
 country settled first in one of the lower counties 
 ol Pennsylvania, but later became a pioneer in 
 
 Buffalo Valley. He and his wife, Hannah Reed 
 reared a large family, and their descendants are 
 numerous in this section, and especially in Centre 
 county. 
 
 Their son Peter, the father of the estimable 
 lady whose name introduces this sketch was 
 born at the homestead July 25, 1780, and being 
 reared to farming, followed that occupation there 
 throughout his life. He was successful, finan- 
 cially, and left a comfortable competence at his 
 death. In person he was short and heavy set 
 and his good constitution enabled him to do 
 much hard work in his time. He was a stanch 
 Republican in politics. His disposition was most 
 genial, and he greatly enjoyed social intercourse 
 often visiting his friends while making his own 
 home a center for a most generous hospitality. 
 As a citizen he was highly esteemed in the 
 community where he resided so long. He died 
 August 26, 1853, after a lingering illness of seven 
 years, having suffered three severe strokes of 
 paralysis. On September 1 1, 18 10, he was mar- 
 ried to Miss Esther Kauffman. who was born June 
 31, 1793. the daughter of John and Catherine 
 Kaufman. She died July 8, 1865, a broken 
 limb becoming inflamed and causing her death 
 at the end of seven weeks of suffering. Both 
 were devout members of the Reformed Church 
 and died in that faith, their remains be- 
 ing interred at Dreisbach Cemetery. They 
 had twelve children, whose names with dates of 
 birth are as follows: Philip, November 24, 181 1, 
 died July 13, 1S77, in Nippenose Valley;' John' 
 April 13, 1813, died March 13, 1871, in the same 
 locality; Daniel. May 22, 1816, was also a resi- 
 dent of Nippenose Valley, and died there July 6, 
 1893; Catherine. May 21, 18 18, married Michael 
 Groove, and died July 29, 1885, at Mifflinburg; 
 Jacob, April 16, 1S20, resides in Nippenose Val- 
 ley; Peter, March 12, 1S22, died in Northumber- 
 land county April 24, 1894; Solomon, February 
 9, 1824, died April 22, 1826; David, October 25, 
 1825, died in Buffalo township April 2, 1891; 
 Henry. February 11, 1828, died April 27, 1837; 
 Joseph, June 10, 1830, died in Lewisburg April 22,' 
 1889; Hannah, March 10, 1834, died in Lewisburg 
 May29, iS96;Esther, December 2, 1836, is now a 
 highly-esteemed resident of Lewisburg. She was 
 born at the old homestead, and in childhood at- 
 tended the Pontius school in the same neighbor- 
 hood, but, as the youngest of the family, her 
 parents looked to her for much attention in their 
 declining years, and her generous affection made 
 her more than willing to sacrifice her education 
 to their need. An unusually intelligent mind 
 has enabled her to make good her early depriva- 
 tion, and she is well informed upon the topics 
 

 942 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECO 
 
 which interest people of culture. ^he own? 145 
 acres of land in East Buffalo township. Union 
 count v and a pleasant home in Market street, 
 Lewisburg, purchased in 1883. She and her sis- 
 ter Hannah resided at the home farm until April 
 1 [884 when thev removed to Lewisburg. 
 Miss Hannah Voneida passed to the unseen life 
 in 1896, as has been said, leaving the memorj t 
 
 voted < hristian character, and Miss Esther 
 still occupies the home which their mutual ai 
 
 1 brightened Ei »r each. She takes a kindly 
 
 ie st in all that concerns the welfare of 
 community, and is a member of the Reformed 
 Church, having made profession of her faith at 
 the age of seventeen. 
 
 All. REEDY. Few men in any calling 1 
 a ki iation of life than 
 
 by the subject of t! ! iphy. one of 
 
 I most progressive farmers of Buffalo township, 
 ounty. Extensive travel and intelligent 
 atioi ' rous course o{ 
 
 |j ngi havi a him a widei : of lnforma- 
 
 and tin? without the sacrifice of material 
 success, for while he has never made tl usi- 
 
 t j on { n sole ambition, he has pros- 
 
 the most parsimonious. 
 M, Reed) comes of an excellent family, a 
 leading characteristic being the mutual helpful- 
 bj which its members sustain each other at 
 3. His ancestors located in Berks county, 
 I an .arly day. and his grandfather, 
 Michael Reedy, enlisted from that county as a 
 drummer boy in the Revolutionary army at the 
 of sixteen, and served under General 
 hambeau. After the war closed he followed 
 l or many years, but never 
 accumulated enough money to buy a home, 
 seventeen years he was a cripple fromrheun 
 and his means being exhausted during the en- 
 forced idleness, he decided to seek a home in 
 I tnon count v. where, land being cheaper, he 
 
 ht hope for better opportunities. Possibl 
 hoped to derive benefit also from the change of 
 air. At any rate the mrney wa 
 
 about [820, Mr. R< 1 dj lying on a feathei b 
 
 wagon which conveyed the household goods. 
 He and his wife. Anna M Sarvey, reared a 1 
 family, but some of the children remained in 
 Berkscountv, only four accompanying them, 
 [onathan, who died in 1896 at Millmont, aged 
 lety-six years; Emanuel, our subject's father; 
 Michael, Jr.. who went west, but has 1 
 heard from since the war. when he was livin 
 Michigan; and Lydia, Mrs. George Baker, who 
 died in Kelly township, Union county. 
 
 Emanuel Reedy was born February 28, 1810, 
 in Tulpehocken township. Berks county, and 
 was therefore, about ten years old when he came 
 to Union county. His education was limited I 
 a few months'attendance at a country sch 
 near Kelly Point, and at an early age he v. 
 bound out to David He.nly, a farmer of Buff: 
 township, to remain until he was eighteen. After 
 he had served his term he learned the miller s 
 trade at what was known as Chamberhn s mill, 
 
 i'.uffalo creek, but later he engaged in fa. 
 ing As long as his parents lived he gave his in- 
 , toward their support, and thus handi- 
 capped it was many years before his energy and 
 industry, his only capital, began to bring him i 
 return ' The first land he ever owned was a farm 
 in Kelly township, now in the possession of one 
 of his sons, and in the fall of .876 he bought the 
 -David Herbst farm" of 108 acres in Buffalo 
 ship at $1 15 per acre. He was an excellent 
 business man, shrewd and far sighted, and not- 
 withstanding his meager schooling he was remark- 
 ablv accurate in arithmetical calculations, which 
 were all made by a mental process. His sound 
 me.it caused his advice to be sought ... irri- 
 tant matters by his neighbors, by whom he 
 hdd in the highest esteem. Politically he 
 was a Republican, supporting that party stead- 
 fastly from its organization. 
 
 On Vpnl 4. 1839, Emanuel Reedy was mar- 
 to Miss Rachel Engelman, who was born 
 November 28, .8.4. in White Deer township, 
 Union county, and died January 5. i*>94. at the 
 farm in Buffalo township. His own death oc- 
 curred there April i 7 , 1884. Both were devout 
 Christians, and for many years were members ot 
 the Union Church at Mazeppa. An instance 
 which shows Emanuel Reedy's kind heart and 
 family pride even more clearly than did his filial 
 affection in his youthful days, was his care for 
 his brother Jonathan, who became helpless in 
 bis old age. Our subject and his brothers con- 
 tinued the regular contribution to the support o 
 this uncle after their father's death, feeling that 
 were only acting as he would have done had 
 he lived Of his five children our subject 
 the voungest, the others being: Samuel, born 
 ry 5. 1841, died August 26, 1843; Anna 
 M, born "February 7. ' s 43. married M. L 
 Wi aver, and died in Buffalo township in 1 
 John, born November 8. 1844. resides in Lnion 
 1 county; Levi, born April 6, .847. « » farmer 
 and stock dealer at Buffalo Cross Roads 
 valuable estate was left to the children, and wittt 
 characteristic unity of spirit and action the three 
 surviving brothers kept the property intact, ana 
 all worked together until each had a good farm 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 043 
 
 of his own. The result is seen in their pros- 
 perity, and, to-day, it would be difficult to find 
 three brothers in Buffalo Valley who are as suc- 
 cessful in all ways. 
 
 A. E. Reedy was born September rS, 1851 
 in Kelly township, Union county, and 'during 
 boyhood attended the "Hill school," in that 
 township, Miss Jane Thompson being his first 
 teacher. He was an apt pupil, but the limited 
 opportunities and faulty methods of the country 
 school prevented him from feeling great enthusi- 
 asm over his studies, and he did not avail him- 
 self of the chance to pursue them further 
 Under his father's management he gained a thor- 
 ough training in agricultural work, which has 
 since proven of great service to him. At eight- 
 een he entered the store of A. S. Hoch, of Kelly 
 Point, as a clerk, and, with some interruptions 
 held the position for seven years, living at home 
 in the meantime. In 1877 the family moved to 
 the farm in Buffalo township, where he now re- 
 sides, having bought the place after his father's 
 death. He is a good manager, his neat and 
 well-kept farm showing his systematic and pre- 
 cise methods. The residence, which was built 
 in 1795. is in an excellent state of preservation 
 In addition to his other interests, Mr. Reedy has 
 from early manhood been engaged at different 
 times in buying and selling live stock. 
 
 He is a firm believer in the policv of the Repub- 
 lican party, but while he earnestly desires the suc- 
 cess of its principles he cares nothing for official 
 honors. In religious faith he is a Presbyterian and 
 has been a trustee in the Church at Buffalo Cross 
 Koads, to which he has always been a liberal 
 contributor. 
 
 ♦ a?" ft" Uary 4 ' lSS7 ' Mn Reed y was married 
 to Miss Mary E. Reedy, a native of White Deer 
 township, Union county, and a daughter of 
 Jacob and Anna (Vocht) Reedy. She died April 
 1. 1894, leaving no children, and was buried in 
 the cemetery at Union church, in Mazeppa She 
 was a very intelligent woman, and for some years 
 previous to her marriage was a teacher in Cen- 
 tre county. Her memory was remarkable, a 
 Bible having been presented to her by the Buff- 
 alo Cross Roads Sunday-school for committing 
 3.000 verses of Scripture. A devout and consist- 
 ent follower of Christ, Presbyterian in faith, she 
 was loved by all who knew her, and the inspira- 
 tion of her life still remains a power for good 
 
 FREDERICK O. WHITMAN, the late post- 
 al master at Lewisburg, Union county, is de- 
 servedly popular among all classes, his work 
 while in charge of the Lewisburg/,*™*/ having 
 
 made his name familiar for many years past. 
 He held his position in the public service from 
 1S93 to 1897, and won added popularity by his 
 unfailing care for the interests of the people. 
 
 Mr. Whitman is a native of Pennsylvania 
 having been born in Middletown, Dauphin coun- 
 ty, December 29, 1840. The Whitman family 
 is of German origin, and our subject's great- 
 grandfather, and grandfather, John Whitman 
 came to America when the latter was a boy' 
 They settled in Dauphin county, where John 
 Whitman became a prominent agriculturist his 
 remaining years being spent there. The father 
 of our subject, George Fencil Whitman, was 
 born December 22, 1809, and died in 1887. His 
 wife, Mary Hemperly, a native of Middletown 
 Dauphin county, born September 15 18 15 and 
 her death occurred in 1S91. Of their children 
 our lived to mature years: Benjamin, a pub- 
 lisher in Erie. Penn. ; Frederick O., our subject- 
 Kate E., wife of Henry C. Demming; and 
 George, a well-known clergyman of the Baptist 
 Church, now residing in Buffalo, New York. 
 
 Frederick O. Whitman, the subject of this 
 sketch, grew to manhood in the county of his 
 birth, and in 1855 commenced his apprentice- 
 ship in the office of the Middletown Journal 
 Shortly afterward he went to Harrisburg and 
 was employed in the office of the Daily Herald 
 When this was sold to the Patriot & Union As- 
 sociation, he finished his trade on the daily issued 
 by this company. When the war for the Union 
 broke out, he was at work in the office of the 
 Harrisburg Telegraph, and October 3, 1861 he 
 joined Company I, 93d P. V. I., as a " high pri- 
 vate." He was in course of time promoted to 
 corporal, and when his three-years' term was 
 ended, m October, 1864, he was third sergeant 
 of his company. Mr. Whitman took part in 
 most of the many battles in which his regiment 
 was engaged, which included Williamsburg Fair 
 Oaks, Seven-Days' fighting, ChantiHy, Antie- 
 tam, First and Second Fredericksburg, Salem 
 Church, Gettysburg, the Wilderness, Cold Har- 
 bor, Spottsylvania, Petersburg, Washington 
 Winchester, Fisher's Hill, Cedar Creek, and the 
 Sheridan march up the Shenandoah Valley. At 
 Salem Church (near Chancellorsville) he was se- 
 verely wounded in the breast, and was left lying 
 unconscious on the battlefield. When his senses 
 returned he managed to reach the Union lines 
 by slow and painful marches. After some 
 months' retirement at the army hospital, he re- 
 turned to his company in time to take part in 
 Gen. Grant's movements. At Winchester he 
 was slightly wounded in the left leg. On Octo- 
 ber 28, 1864, he was discharged from the service 
 

 
 MBMORA TIVK BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 on account of the expiration of his term of en- 
 listment, and at once recommenced his trade. 
 
 In 1869 Mr. Whitman was married to Miss 
 Lizzie B. Walter, who was born in Bridgeport, 
 Conn. Her father was a graduate of \ale Col- 
 lege and her mother of Harvard Institute. Mr. 
 Mrs. Whitman have had eight ch.ldren, five 
 .horn have died. The following survive: Ed- 
 gar O., Benjamin, and Mary Emma. 
 
 In 1871 Mr. Whitman purchased the Lewis- 
 burg Journal, and o 1 it for ° v er twenl >" 
 
 four years, till May, 1895. A loyal Democrat, 
 he has filled various positions of honor in his 
 partv He has been a delegate to State conven- 
 tions, was the nominee for county treasurer etc 
 In [une, 1893, he was appointed, by President 
 Cleveland, postmaster at Lewisburg. Upon the 
 
 ration of his four-years' term, and the com- I 
 ins into power of the Republican party, he was 
 succeeded August 1. 1897. by another. On : 
 
 :ust i 7l that year, Mr. Whitman purchased 
 the large grocery establishment at the corner of , 
 Third and Market streets, Lewisburg, and isman- 
 acine it apparently with unusual success. What- 
 ever success he may have attained, he claims. 
 has been largely due to the able and intelligent 
 assistance he has received from his accomplished 
 wife He has had a varied experience in busi- 
 ness life— has tasted the bitterest of afflictions 
 and sorrows, had miraculous escapes while in 
 the army, but has a never-faltering faith in an 
 overruling Providence, and the salvation accord- 
 ed to all through a blessed Saviour. 
 
 Mr Whitman is a member of the Baptist 
 Church of his city, and is also identified with the 
 F. .V A. M . G. A R., and the Protected Home 
 Circle. 
 
 JOHN KAUP. A cultured mind and polite 
 manner adorn any calling, and, in the pro- 
 gressive and enterprising agriculturist whose 
 history we now enter upon, they are leading 
 characteristics, and have had no small share in 
 ning for him the influential place which he 
 holds in the community. 
 
 Mr Kaup is the owner of a fine farm of 1 2, 
 acres in Buffalo township, Union county— the old 
 Martin Dreisbach estate— and his residence occu- 
 pies the site of the original dwelling built by Mr, 
 
 ach in 1797 As a citizen Mr K; " 
 well known for activity in forwarding various 
 helpful movements, especially those which relate 
 to educational and religious advancement and 
 his view, have weight among all classes. He is 
 
 an old Pennsylvania familj ; his gran 
 em- Christian and Anna M. (Bensingec) K 
 came from Berks c this section in 1815, 
 
 locating in West Buffalo township Christian 
 Kaup was a stanch Whig, and m religious faith 
 was a Lutheran, and he became one of the prom- 
 inent citizens of his locality in his day. For a 
 time, in early manhood, he followed the weav- 
 er's trade, but later he engaged in farming. He 
 d.ed at the age of seventy-six. and his wife 
 passed away in her eighty-ninth year. Of _the,r 
 ar-e fam.lv. several died in infancy. The others 
 Fred, who died in Oregon; Catherine, 
 who married first George Conser and (second) 
 Mr Garrett. 1 ,n Illinois; Christian, Jr., 
 
 who died in Centre county; Susan, wife of John 
 ,le. of Osage, Iowa; William, .vho -as a res,, 
 dent of Oak Hall, Penn.. died in October. 1 89; , 
 Elias who died in West Buffalo township. L mon 
 county; Isaac, who died in Kansas; Lev,, our 
 subject's father; and Maria, who became Mrs 
 Jacob Miller, of West Buffalo township, and died 
 in February, 1898. 
 
 Levi Kaup. who is now a venerable resident 
 of Union county, was born in \\ est Buffalo 
 township January 31. '823. During his active 
 years he was a gunsmith, and he also owned and 
 operated a farm in his native township. He was 
 married there to Miss Elizabeth Hoffman, daugh- 
 1 ter of Joseph Hoffman, a well-known resident of 
 i the same locality. She was a devout Lutheran 
 I in her religious views, and her death, which oc- 
 curred April 7. 1890, was deeply mourned Her 
 remains now rest in the cemetery at Mnfl.nburg^ 
 Two children. William E. and Mary L did not 
 live to adult age, the latter dying when four years 
 old Two sons survive. John, our subject, and 
 Mfred, a res.dent of Mifflinburg. and the father 
 makes his home with them, visiting them alter- 
 
 nat Vhe subject of our sketch was born June 1 5, 
 ,s-- in West Buffalo township, Union county, 
 and was reared as farmers' sons usually were in 
 those days, the Kauffman school in that neigh- 
 borhood burnishing him his only educationa 
 privileges At eighteen he began to learn the 
 Sp nfer's trade with Jacob J. Strickler re- 
 ceiving $14 ity-six days the first summer. 
 Notwithstanding his somewhat meagre advan- 
 ces in th< I schooling he had prepared 
 56 lf for teaching, and at the age of twenty he 
 took charge of the Red Bank school in West 
 Buffalo township at a salary of $25 per month. 
 Later he taught in Lewis township. Union coun- 
 ty! and in the winter oi 52 he taught « 
 Nodaway county, Mo., also two terms m Buffalo 
 
 , Iiall nine consecutive terms. 
 
 His summer vacations were spent in working at 
 his trade, sometimes for Mr. Strickler and some- 
 times for himself. 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 945 
 
 On February 8, 1SS3, Mr. Kaup was mar- 
 ried in West Buffalo township to Miss C. Alice 
 Kauffman, who was born in that township. May 
 18, 1858. Her father, the late Amos Kauffman, 
 a prosperous farmer, was a native of the same 
 locality, a son of David Kauffman. He died at 
 the age of fifty-eight; but her mother, Mrs. 
 Catherine J. (Taylor) Kauffman, daughter of 
 James Taylor, a well-known resident of the 
 township, is yet living at the age of sixty. Mrs. 
 Kaup was the second in a family of three chil- 
 dren. The eldest, David, resides in Mifninburg, 
 and the youngest, Lizzie, is the wife of A. L. 
 Shoemaker, of West Buffalo township. During 
 the first year of their married life, Mr. and Mrs. 
 Kaup remained at the Kauffman homestead, 
 but, on March 11, 1S84, they removed to their 
 present farm, which they rented until September 
 1, 1893, and then purchased, the owner at that 
 time being Amos Kauffman. They have a pleas- 
 ant home which is brightened by two attractive 
 daughters, Lizzie M., born May 5, 1884, and 
 Maud C, born August 31, 18S6. 
 
 Mr. Kaup and his wife are both members of 
 the Lutheran Church; he has for years held office 
 as deacon and later as trustee, and he is now 
 serving the fifth successive year as superintend- 
 ent of the Sunday-school at Dreisbach church. 
 
 His interest in the cause of education has 
 been shown by his faithful work as school direct- 
 tor in his township, and he is active in local poli- 
 tics as a member of the Republican party. At 
 present he is filling the unexpired term of J. F. 
 Schrock as township auditor. 
 
 T EDWIN IRLAND, engineer of the Lewis- 
 burg Water Works, is noted as a veritable 
 mechanical genius, and, although he lacked the 
 advantage of a thorough technical education in 
 his youth, he has made good the deficiency in 
 the practical school of experience. 
 
 The Irland family became identified with 
 Northumberland county many years ago, our 
 subject's great-grandfather and grandfather hav- 
 ing come from Scotland to follow agriculture in 
 that locality. James Irland, the father of our 
 subject, was one of a family of seven children, of 
 whom, Thomas, Margaret (who married Samuel 
 Oakes), Ann (wife of Benjamin Simington), and 
 John are now recalled. James Irland was born 
 in Northumberland county, not far from Milton, 
 and died in 1855. His life occupation was farm- 
 ing, and his political affiliations were with the 
 Democratic party. He was married to Miss 
 Louise Weimer, a native of Sunbury, who died 
 February 4, 1897, at the age of seventy- four. 
 
 60* 
 
 Her father, Peter Weimer, was a lifelong resi- 
 dent of Sunbury. She was the youngest of four 
 children, the others being: Sarah, who married 
 a Mr. Wallace, and resides in Lebanon, Penn. ; 
 Mary, wife of James Lughow; and Ann, now 
 Mrs. Boyer. 
 
 To James and Louise (Weimer) Irland four 
 children were born, our subject being the young- 
 est; the others were: John W. , who was a soldier 
 in the Union army, and died from disease con- 
 tracted in the service; Anna, who married Will- 
 iam P. Furey, of Newport News, Va. ; and 
 Margaret, who married R. A. Lawshe, of Lewis- 
 burg. 
 
 Our subject was born July 9, 1852, at the old 
 homestead near Milton. Left fatherless at the 
 age of three years, he was reared in the city of 
 Lewisburg, where he attended the public-schools 
 and the academy during boyhood. He made 
 early choice of the machinist trade, in which he 
 served an apprenticeship at Lewisburg. Six 
 years were then spent at Hazleton, Penn., and 
 ten in Lebanon, and, thus prepared by experience 
 and by the observation of the work of some of 
 the best mechanics of the day, he decided to 
 return to Lewisburg and proffer his services to 
 the municipality. He was appointed engineer 
 of the water works in 1892, and, as might be 
 expected, has filled the position with signal 
 ability. 
 
 Mr. Irland is not only well-known for his 
 proficiency in his chosen line, but his strength of 
 character and high qualities, as a man and a 
 citizen, have given him wide popularity. In 
 political affiliations he is a Republican, and he is 
 a leading member of the Presbyterian Church. 
 He was married to Miss Emma McCurdy, of 
 Jersey Shore, and they have one son, George 
 Allison. 
 
 JrOHN GROFF, now living retired on the old 
 Groff homestead, is one of the wealthy and 
 prosperous agriculturists of Gregg township, 
 Union county, as well as one of its most honored 
 and highly respected citizens. His birth occur- 
 red October 12, 1S27, near the city of Lancaster, 
 Penn., but almost his entire life has been passed 
 upon his present farm, the family being among 
 the early settlers of Union county. 
 
 Both the father and grandfather of our sub- 
 ject bore the name of John Groff, and were 
 natives of Lancaster county, Penn., where the 
 latter followed farming throughout life. The 
 former, who was born November 24, 1790, came 
 to Union county, in 1832, and took up his resi- 
 dence upon the present homestead of our sub- 
 
940 
 
 COilXEMoiiA TIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RE( 'ORD. 
 
 ject. He was a progressive farmer, and became 
 one of the influential citizens of Gregg township. 
 On January 31, 1821, he was united in marriage 
 with Mrs. Sarah J. Downing) Burkes, who was 
 born in West Virginia, August 26, 1789, and \ 
 a consistent member of the Society of Friends. 
 She was twice married, her first husband being 
 John Burkes, by whom she had three children — 
 Jane married Mark McCleas, who was wounded 
 during hi* service in the Union army, and both 
 died in the West, whither they had removed at 
 an early day; Rebecca became the will ol Lewis 
 McMertry; and Phcebe married a Mr. Pents, but 
 both are now deceased. 
 
 To John and Sarah Groff were born thi 
 lowing children: Samuel and Mary (twins) were 
 the oldest. The former married Fannie Walt- 
 man, but both are now deceased, and the latter 
 wedded Charles Ludwig, a retired lumber mer- 
 chant of Van Btiren county, Mich. Ann became 
 the wife of James Walton, both of whom ha 
 passed away. Hliza is the wife of Calvin Smith, 
 a retired farmer and tobacco grower of Jerse) 
 Shore. lVnii. John is next in order of birth. 
 Benjamin, deceased, married Dina Kling, who 
 now resides in Miller county. Mo. John Groff, 
 Sr. , the father of this family, died August [6, 
 
 ;, the mother in 1866, and both were laid to 
 rest in the Baptist church cemetery, in Gregg 
 -In) . I iiion county. 
 
 I pon his present farm our subject spent his 
 boyhood and youth in much the usual manner of 
 fanner lads of that period in a new and undevel- 
 oped country, aiding his father in the arduous 
 task of clearing and improving a farm in the 
 midst of the forest. On attaining to man's es- 
 tate he was married, May 27. [852, t<> Miss Cath- 
 erine A. Moore, who was born Ociober 23, 1 i 
 in Clinton township, Lycoming Co., Penn., near 
 Montgomery, and is a daughter of Joseph and 
 Susan (Miller) Moore, of that county, where the 
 mother died in [ 88 1 , at the age of eighty years, 
 but the father passed away at the home of our 
 subject in 1883, at the age of seventy-nine, and 
 was luiried in the graveyard at the Brick church, 
 Clinton township, Lycoming county. There w< 
 only two children in the family, the sister of Mrs. 
 Groff being Sarah Jane, now the widow of Flias 
 Strow, a farmer and merchant, who died leaving 
 three children: Anna. Fmina and Thomas. Mis. 
 Groff's paternal grandl:iihi-i was Michael Moore, 
 of New Jersey, who died in Clinton township, 
 Lycoming Co., Penn., and was buried there, and 
 the maternal grandfather, Conrad Miller, lived 
 and died in Little York, Pennsylvania, 
 
 Eight children blessed the union of Mr. and 
 Mrs Groff, namely: (1) Emily, horn Maj 13, 
 
 1854, is the wife of James Snoddy, a farmer of 
 Lycoming county, and they have two children — 
 Mattilina and John O. {2> Samantha I., born 
 January 8, 1850. died on the 28th of the follow- 
 ing September. (3) Susan A., born September 
 29, [857, married Silas Bailey, a farmer of Ly- 
 coming county, and has six children — Laura, Eva, 
 Catherine. Groff, Hess and Harold. (4) Joseph 
 M . born February 8, i860, married Flora L 
 Dunbar, and is engaged in farming in Gi 
 township, Union county. (5) John C, born Sep- 
 tember 28, 1863, died'july 13, 1864. (6) Will- 
 iam D , burn October 9, 1865, is a druggist of 
 Nortonville, Kans. He married Florence Webb, 
 has three children — Vera F. , Hazel C. and 
 John R. (7 Mary M.. born March 3, 1868. is 
 the wife of Joseph Piatt, a farmer of Lycoming 
 
 nty, by whom she has one child — McCall. 
 
 Sarah K., born October 13, 1873, is the only 
 one of the children now at home. 
 
 A thorough and skillful farmer, Mr. Groff has 
 met with a well-deserved success in his chosen 
 calling, becoming one of the most substantial citi- 
 zens of Gregg township. As a Republican 
 t.ik.s a deep interest in public affairs, but has 
 r cared for the honors or emoluments of 
 office, preferring to give his entire time and atten- 
 tion to his business. He has, however, accepta- 
 bly served as school director fur six years, 
 the past thirty years he has been a deacon in the 
 Baptist Church, with which he is connected, and 
 is always ready to aid and relieve suffering and 
 distress. He is kind, unaffected and approacha- 
 ble, and his courteous manner has gained for him 
 many warm frien 
 
 II M< >S SCOTT, a well-to-do agriculturist of 
 £\. Gregg township, Union county, now living 
 in retirement at his homestead, a beautiful farm 
 between Allenw i Llimsport, was born 
 
 March 6, 1S40, near his present home, and 
 is of Scotch descent on the paternal side. 
 
 Henry and Mary Scott, great-grandparents of 
 our subject, came to America before the Revolu- 
 tionary war. and settled near Montoursville, 
 Lycoming Co., Penn., where they purchased an 
 extensive tract of land. They continued to re- 
 side there with the exception of brief periods 
 when rumors of an attack by the Indians com- 
 pelled them to flee for safety to some less exposed 
 place. Their children, who were all born there, 
 were as follows: Hannah, born January 14, 1761, 
 died in infancy; Hannah (2), born October 14, 
 1762; John, born March 20, 1765; Joseph, born 
 December 26, 1766; Susannah, born June 6, 
 i"' S in, born December 22, 1 77 1; Amos, 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 947 
 
 a sketch of whom follows; and Henry, born Au- 
 gust 7, 1783. 
 
 Amos Scott, our subject's grandfather, was 
 born April 30, 1779, and died April 14, 1843; his 
 wife, Rachel Blakeney, who was born January 
 25, 1783, died June 18, 1841. Her mother was 
 a native of Ireland. Amos and Rachel Scott had 
 a family of eight children, viz. : Charles, born 
 December 4, 1S03, died January 7, 1876; Henry 
 is spoken of fully farther on; Sarah, born August 
 18, 1808, died April 6, 1882; Rachel, June 29, 
 1S12, died February 15, 1880; George, born 
 November 8, 18 14, was drowned October 28, 
 1 8 16; Mary, born December 21, 1817, died No- 
 vember 8, 1889; Amos, born October 5, 1820, is 
 the only survivor of this family, and is now a re- 
 tired physician residing at Rockford, 111.; and 
 Martha, born November 8, 1823, died January 
 15, 1861. 
 
 Henry Scott, our subject's father, was born 
 near Montoursville, Perm., October 19, 1806, 
 and died June 23, 1890, at the present home- 
 stead, leaving an estate valued at several thou- 
 sand dollars. For forty years previous to his 
 death he was afflicted with rheumatism, and 
 lived in retirement, but in his early days he was 
 an active, energetic worker. He was married 
 November 27, .1834, at his native place, to Miss 
 Mercy Rodgers, and for some time made his 
 home in Fairfield township, Lycoming county. 
 On April 1, [837, he removed to Washington 
 township, in the same county (now Union 
 county), locating upon a farm on South creek, 
 where the only dwelling was an old log cabin so 
 poorly built that as one lay in bed the stars could 
 be seen through the cracks or slits in the roof. 
 In 1845 he built a new house, and lived upon 
 this farm until 1854, in which year he purchased, 
 from Jacob Slenker, the present homestead on 
 Spring creek, and moved into an old stone house, 
 which was built in 1800, which house is still 
 standing near the main road between Allenwood 
 and Elimsport. On this property Mr. Scott 
 built a barn in 1858, and in 1865 a new house. 
 He was a well-read man, especially familiar with 
 the Bible, and was a liberal and active member 
 of the Baptist Church at White Deer. In poli- 
 tics he was a Republican, and from time to time 
 he served in various local offices with ability and 
 fidelity. His beloved wife, who still resides 
 with her son Amos at the homestead, was born 
 September 1, 18 16, near Montoursville, the eld- 
 est child of William and Isabella (Huston) 
 Rodgers. She has one brother, John, living in 
 retirement at Montoursville, and a sister, Fannie 
 (lately deceased), who resided at Muncy, Penn., 
 and married (first) Jacob Bastian (now deceased), 
 
 and (second) Fleming Wilson (also now deceased). 
 Henry and Mercy Scott had four children: Isa- 
 bella, born January 27, 1837, married Franklin 
 Hamilton, of Muncy, Penn., and died July 26, 
 1872; Amos is the second in order of birth; 
 Rachel, born February 24, 1842, died in infancy; 
 Mary E., born September 8, 1S47, is the wife of 
 F. D. Thomas, a farmer of Gregg township, 
 Union county. 
 
 With this review of previous generations we 
 may now return to our subject, who was reared 
 to manhood at the last mentioned farm, and 
 when he became competent to manage the es- 
 tate he relieved his father of much business and 
 care. He was educated in the local schools, 
 and also attended Bucknell Academy, at Lew 
 isburg, for several months. On August 27, 1862, 
 he married Miss Hannah C. Houston, and from 
 that time until the death of his father he re- 
 sided at the old stone house mentioned above. 
 In the fall of 1890 he removed to the newer 
 residence which he had thoroughly renovated, 
 painting and papering it throughout. He has 
 two daughters, both of whom are highly gifted 
 and have received excellent educational advan- 
 tages: (1) Ra Chella, born October 17, 1864, 
 was the first lady to graduate from Bucknell Col- 
 lege, her course being completed in 1885, and 
 for three years she was one of the faculty of the 
 State Normal School, at Mansfield, Penn.; she 
 married George W. Beale, an Englishman by 
 birth, who is now a leading attorney of Scran- 
 ton, Penn., and they have two children —Cath- 
 erine L. and Hannah H. (2) Miss Frances G. 
 Scott, born December 17, 1877, is now a student 
 at Bucknell Seminary. 
 
 Mr. Scott is a man of fine intelligence, fond 
 of reading and art, and is a graduate of the 
 Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle. He 
 is a prominent member of the Baptist Church, 
 in which he has served as clerk for thirty years. 
 At one time he was a master in the Spring Gar- 
 den Grange, but he has retired from the order. 
 His political sympathies are with the Republican 
 party, but although his ability and high standing 
 as a citizen give his opinions great weight, he 
 has not entered public life, further than in the 
 spring of 1897 he was made chairman of the 
 Republican County Committee of Union county, 
 and in the same year was also appointed chair- 
 man of the Farmers Institute Committee of 
 said county. 
 
 Mrs. Scott, who also possesses much literary 
 and artistic taste, was born August 27, 1839. at 
 Muncy, Penn., and is a granddaughter of Robert 
 and Isabella Houston, pioneer residents of that 
 locality. Her father, the late James Houston, 
 

 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGIIM'IW AL RECORD. 
 
 
 was born and reared in Lycoming county, and 
 after spending some years at Williamsport as a 
 wagonmaker. he settled upon a farm in the same 
 county, where his death occurred in September, 
 1870, when he was seventy-one years old. He 
 was a popular man, holding local office at times, 
 and was said at one time to know every men in 
 his county. He had a brother, Matthew Hous- 
 ton, a merchant tailor at Richmond, \'a. , who 
 among his customers had Jeff Davis, Robert E. 
 Lee and others of note. James Houston was 
 married at Muncy to Miss Rachel Clayton, a 
 Quaker, but he was not a member of any Church. 
 Mrs. Houston, who died August 30, 1858, aged 
 fifty-eight, was a native of Chester county, where 
 her parents, Jacob and Hannah (Miller) Clayton, 
 wire also born, but the family removed to Muncy 
 later, and both parents died there. They were 
 devout Quakers in religion, and were held in high 
 esteem among their acquaintances. Mrs. Scott 
 was the youngest in a family of seven children: 
 Isabella married William George, a retired black- 
 smith of Lycoming county; Isaac M. (deceased) 
 was a successful physician in Iowa, and served 
 as surgeon in the Civil war; Miss Keturah resides 
 at Montoursville. Robert (lately deceased) was a 
 farmer in Muncy Valley; Zillah married Henry 
 Sunderland, a miller of Pennsdale, Penn. ; Rachel 
 J. is the wife of Farr Taylor, a wealthy luml 
 man of Hughesville, Penn. ; and Mrs. Scott. 
 
 URIAH ABRAHAM EISENHAUER is a 
 prominent and successful agriculturist of 
 
 ly township. Union county, residing near Kelly 
 1 int, and is actively identified with the various 
 
 ^ressive movements of his locality. He is a 
 native of Snyder county, Penn., and is a great- 
 grandson of the well-known pioneer farmer, Mar- 
 tin Eisenhauer, who came from Berks county. 
 Penn., at an early date. 
 
 Abraham Eisenhauer, our subject's grandfa- 
 ther, was born in Berks county, but the greater 
 portion of his life was spent in Snyder county, 
 where he engaged in agriculture as an occupa- 
 tion. He was married there to Miss Eve Bolan- 
 der, a native of Union county, and a daughter of 
 Henry Bolander, a prominent farmer. She die 1 
 in 184.) , at the age of forty-two, and in 1878 
 Abraham Eisenhauer passed away in his eighty- 
 first year. They had ten children: Elizabeth, 
 Mrs. Henry Rearick, deceased: Henry, our sub- 
 ject's father; Catherine, Mrs. Jacob Walter, of 
 Cook county, Mich. ; Amelia. Mrs. George Ott, 
 deceased; Barbara, Mrs. Engle, deceased; Mary, 
 Mrs. Reuben Aigler, of Beavertown, Penn.; 
 
 >h, Mrs. William Hess, of Philipsburg, Penn. : 
 
 Lucinda, Mrs. Samuel Bowen, of Middleburg, 
 Penn. ; Robert, deceased; and Benjamin, a farmer 
 in the West. 
 
 Henry Eisenhauer, the father of our subject, 
 I was born in Snyder county, October 10, 1819, 
 and is now one of the wealthy land owners of 
 Kelly township. Union county. He has a pleas- 
 ant home near Kelly Cross Roads, and has re- 
 tired from the active management of his farms. 
 He was married in February, 1 S 4 7 . at Middle- 
 burg, Penn.. to Miss Esther Aigler, daughter of 
 Jacob and Esther Aigler, well-known residents 
 of Snyder county, and of this union ten children 
 were born, as follows: Uriah Abraham. Novem- 
 ber 4, 1847; OrgimZ.. February [8, 1849; Ursh 
 A., August 29, 1851; A. Jacob, January 3, 1856 
 (deceased); Thama E., July 17, 1 s 5 4 , now Mis. 
 Benjamin Stahl; Alice, December 30. 1857, Mrs. 
 Charles Cooper; Sarah E., September 17, i860 
 (deceased); Sybilla, April 29, 1862; John H., 
 June 1, 1864; and Mary A., May 3 1 . 1 
 ceased). Mrs. Esther Eisenhauer died May 31, 
 1867, aged thirty-nine years and three months. 
 The father was married November 7, 1867, to 
 Miss Semira Baker, by whom he has had one 
 son, William S., born June 25, 1868. 
 
 The subject of our sketch was reared upon a 
 farm, receiving his education in the local schools. 
 He remained at home until the age of thirty, 
 with the exception of five months spent in travel- 
 ing through the West prospecting and sight-see- 
 ing. A comparison of his native State with 
 others made him content to settle down here, 
 and ever since engaging in farming on his 
 account he has resided at his present home. 
 Financially he has prospered, and. as ev> 
 citizen shi mid be, he is interested in public affairs. 
 In politics he adheres to the Republican party. 
 He is a member of the St. Peters Reformed 
 Church at White Deer, and also belongs to the 
 Justicia Grange at Lewisburg. 
 
 On September 21 , 1879, Mr. Eisenhauer was 
 married in Kelly township. Union county, at the 
 residence of the bride's parents, to Miss Lucy A 
 Grove, and two sons have blessed their union — 
 John II., born August 13, 1882; and Arthur V. 
 born December [3, 1884. Mrs. Eisenhauer is a 
 native of Kelly township, where she first saw the 
 light Si pti mber 22, 1858, and is a granddaughter 
 of Abraham .ih iLeiser' Grove, who 
 
 were early settlers in L'nion county. Her lather, 
 John L. Grove, was born there in 1835, and has 
 
 D for many years a leading agriculturist 
 
 Kelly township. Her mother, whose maiden 
 
 Caroline Dieffenderfer, was born in 
 
 the same county. September 20, 1826, and died 
 
 I February i''>. 1893. Both parents united many 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 949 
 
 years ago with the Lutheran Church, and helped 
 in every way to further the cause of religion in 
 their community. Of their children, Mrs. Eisen- 
 hauer is the eldest; William H., of Mazeppa, 
 Penn., is in the employ of the Pleasant Gap 
 Creamery; Abraham L. is a farmer at Swengel, 
 Penn. ; Amos is engaged in agriculture at Rand, 
 Penn. ; Elizabeth J. married John Alleman, a 
 farmer of Kelly township, Union county; and 
 Norman resides at the homestead with his father. 
 
 FRANKLIN GEMBERLING, a well known 
 resident of Kelly township, Union county, 
 is a descendant of an old pioneer family of this 
 State, whose history takes us back to the time 
 when our largest cities were mere hamlets, sur- 
 rounded by unbroken forests, through which the 
 traveler made his way along Indian trails. Among 
 the earliest settlers in the Tulpehocken region 
 were Jacob and Catherine (Wolfensberger) Gem- 
 berling, our subject's great-grandparents, their 
 home being in what is now Lebanon (then Lan- 
 caster) county, Pennsylvania. 
 
 They had fourteen children, of whom the 
 third in order of birth was a son Philip, our sub- 
 ject's grandfather, who was born July 27, 1773, 
 three years prior to the Declaration of Independ- 
 ence. During his childhood the family moved 
 to Schaefferstown, and in his ninth year they set- 
 tled in the Shamokin region, the father purchas- 
 ing 300 acres of land at the present site of Selins 
 Grove for six shillings per acre. To use his own 
 words, " Ei das war eine lust es anzusehen." As 
 railroads and canals were then unknown, the 
 family carried their simple furniture in keel boats 
 while they rode in slow-moving wagons, with the 
 exception of the mother, who was on horseback. 
 They passed the site of the city of Harrisburg, 
 where there was but one house at that time 
 (1782), and the remainder of their journey occu- 
 pied four days, the road being merely an Indian 
 trail. On arriving at Selins Grove they found 
 but three houses — that of Col. Eyer, one on the 
 Richter homestead, and one owned by the late 
 Gov. Simon Snyder, which had formerly belonged 
 to Leonard App. The 300 acres in the Gember- 
 ling homestead remained in the family eighty 
 years, Jacob Gemberling having intended it for 
 his posterity as well as for himself. He died 
 there at the age of eighty-eight, and his good 
 wife was far advanced in the seventies when she 
 was called away. The remains of both now rest 
 together in the old " Gottes Acker" at Selins 
 Grove. An interesting relic of this famous pio- 
 neer couple is an old clock six feet high, now in 
 the possession of our subject, and still in running 
 
 order. Their son, Philip Gemberling, purchased 
 250 acres of land from his father at $16 per acre, 
 and became one of the leading citizens of his 
 locality, his influence shaping the future of the 
 community in a marked degree. Physically 
 strong and healthy, he was no less vigorous and 
 forceful mentally, but his practical nature found 
 an outlet for its energies in the activities of com- 
 mon life, rather than in the departments of art, 
 literature and science. He died of apoplexy in 
 the eighty-seventh year of his age. He was 
 twice married. By his second wife, Eve Gass, 
 with whom twenty-two years of wedded life were 
 spent, he had five sons and four daughters. 
 
 Philip Gemberling, Jr., the father of our sub- 
 ject, was born and reared at the old homestead 
 at Selins Grove, and was married in that town 
 to Elizabeth Martin, a native of Northumber- 
 land county, Penn. Early in their married life 
 they removed to Union county and settled upon 
 a farm, where they passed their remaining years, 
 Mrs. Gemberling passing away October 13, 1861, 
 at the age of sixty-three years and nine months, 
 and the father following her in April, 1870, aged 
 seventy-four years. They had the following chil- 
 dren: Mary A. , who married David Grove, a farm- 
 er of Union county, both now deceased; Levi, a 
 farmer of Kelly township, deceased; Christopher, 
 deceased, formerly in the butcher business in the 
 West; Lewis, a farmer in Buffalo township, 
 Union county; Frederick, a retired farmer resid- 
 ing in Lincoln, 111.; Sarah J., wife of Thomas 
 Huntington, a farmer of Kelly township, Union 
 county; Barbara A., deceased, formerly the wife 
 of John Pawling, of Kelly township; Benjamin, 
 who died in Ohio; Franklin, our subject; Eliza- 
 beth M., wife of Benjamin Miller, a farmer of 
 Kelly township, Union county; and Catherine E., 
 wife of Daniel E. Sanders, who is mentioned 
 below. 
 
 Franklin Gemberling is a native of Union 
 county, where he first saw the light, October 6, 
 1835. His youth was spent in active work upon 
 his father's farm, the neighboring schools fur- 
 nishing him an elementary education, which he 
 has supplemented by a wide and varied course of 
 reading. At the age of twenty-seven he en- 
 gaged in agriculture on his own account, but in 
 1869 Mr. Gemberling retired from business, and 
 his time has since been given to reading and va- 
 rious occupations, in which a refined and culti- 
 vated taste finds pleasure. He continues to re- 
 side with Mr. Sanders, and he is prominently 
 identified with local affairs, although his influence 
 is exerted in a quiet manner. In politics he is a 
 Republican, and he belongs to the St. Peters Re- 
 formed Church at White Deer. 
 
950 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RE( 
 
 JOHN HUBLER, Sr. The Hubler home- 
 stead on Turtle creek, in East Buffalo town- 
 ship, Union county, has now been in the pos- 
 session of the family for a century, and is one of 
 the oldest farms in that locality. Its first settler, 
 John Hubler, the noted pioneer, was the grand- 
 father of the present owner, whose history forms 
 the subject of this brief but interesting biography. 
 Henry Hubler, a son of the pioneer settler, was 
 born on the same farm in 1S01, and passed his 
 life there in agricultural pursuits. He married 
 Rebecca Heimbach, and had five sons and one 
 daughter, of whom four sons lived to adult a 
 
 fohn Hubler, Sr., the fourth son of Henry, 
 was born at the homestead June 23, 1832, and 
 has always resided there, the title coming to him 
 in 1877. His eldest son, John Hubler, Jr., now 
 relieves him of care, having rented the place, and 
 the fifth generation is represented by some bright 
 and attractive grandchildren, who make the old 
 home merry. Mr. Hubler can tell of many 
 changes which have taken place under his ob- ' 
 servation, and one with which he is especially 
 pleased is the introduction of improved methods 
 of education, his own schooling having been lim- 
 to the old-fashioned subscription schools of 
 the early days. Like most country boys, he re- 
 ceived thorough and practical instruction in farm 
 work, as there was always plenty to do at home. 
 As a young man he would occasionally spend a 
 day working for some neighbor, but he never 
 "hired out" as a regular hand, and on attaining 
 his majority he took charge of the homestead, 
 working it on the shares. 
 
 At the age of twenty-four Mr. Hubler married 
 Miss Eliza Hauck, a native of Buffalo township. 
 Union county, and began housekeeping at the 
 farm. After the death of his father, in 1874, he 
 rented the place, and when his mother passed 
 away, three years later, he became sole owner. 
 Of his six children, all are living: Margaret 
 married F. W. Getz, of Linntown; Miss Lizzie 
 is at home; John is married, and now conducts 
 the farm; Miss Angie is at home; Katie married 
 Prof. A. D. Miller, of Lewisburg; and Samuel 
 lives at Freeport, III. 
 
 Mr. Hubler has done much hard work in his 
 day, and has secured good results, his later years 
 being blessed with a comfortable competence. 
 Since 1892 he has allowed himself to enjoy his 
 well-earned leisure, although he shows but few 
 signs of his years. He has never entered the 
 political arena as an office seeker, but his interest 
 in national and local movements has been none 
 the less keen on that account, nor does his influ- 
 ence lose in power from being quietly exercised. 
 In early life he was a Whig, and since the for- 
 
 mation of the Republican party he has been one 
 of its stanchest supporters. \Vith his estimable 
 wife he united many years ago with the Lutheran 
 Church, and in all movements tending to pro- 
 mote the general welfare he has been prompt to 
 sympathize and to aid. 
 
 On November 26. 1889, the family circle was 
 broken by the death of the beloved wife and 
 mother, whose remains were laid to their final 
 rest in Dreisbach cemetery. She was a member 
 of a well-known family of Buffalo township. Un- 
 ion county, her father, John Hauck, being a 
 prosperous agriculturist and highly-respected cit- 
 izen. His wife, Margaret Weidler, to whom he 
 was married December 14. 1822, died in [861 , 
 and he passed away in the following year. They 
 bad eleven children: Mary A., born June 9, 
 1S24, died October 14, 1829; Henry \\ ".. born 
 August 6, 1825, died at Sunbury, Penn., leaving 
 a family; William, born January 26, 1828, died 
 at Lewisburg in April, 1896; Eliza, Mrs. Hubler, 
 was born December 29, 1829; Levi, born Octo- 
 ber 12. 1831, died in Lewisburg some years ago; 
 Benjamin, born November 21, 1833, died at 
 Yicksburg, Penn., where he was engaged in the 
 hotel business; Harriet, born April 27, 1836, 
 married Joseph Kleckner, and died in Monroe, 
 Wis.; Samuel, born September 7. 1838, died 
 March 2. 1S42; John A., born May 1, 1842, re- 
 sides in Illinois; Martin L., born September 24, 
 [844, was killed in a railway accident in Texas 
 in 1877; and Charles W. . born November 20, 
 1846, is now a resident of East Buffalo township, 
 Union counts 
 
 CAl'T. J. P. HKOOKE. Pennsylvania has 
 'l reason to be proud of her brave sons in the 
 dark days of the Rebellion, and has never ceased 
 to honor those who bore aloft in her name the 
 banner of freedom and union. Happily mans of 
 these gallant defenders still live, ami this volume 
 preserves for the perusal of future generations 
 stories of patriotic devotion which knew no lim- 
 iting sense of expediencv, ami gave without re- 
 serve in response to the nation's call. 
 
 The subject of this sketch, now a prominent 
 citizen of Lewisburg. Union county, was among 
 those who gave the first years <>( his manhood to 
 the cause. He enlisted September 16. 1 
 the age of twenty-one. in Company F, 51st P. 
 V. I., entering for three months only, but before 
 the time expired the magnitude "f the work to 
 be done was realized, and the North gathered 
 her strength f>>r a prolonged struggle. Capt, 
 Brooke re-enlisted for three years of the war, 
 and remained in the service until his regiment 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 951 
 
 was disbanded at the close of that historic pa- 
 geant, the Grand Review. In 1862 he was pro- 
 moted from the ranks to first sergeant, then to 
 first lieutenant, and in 1864 was commissioned 
 captain. His first service was along the coast, 
 but later his regiment was assigned to the Army 
 of the West, remaining therewith until the spring 
 of 1864 when he was transferred to the Army of 
 the Potomac. Among the engagements in which 
 Capt. Brooke took part were those of Knoxville, 
 Vicksburg, Newbern, Cold Harbor, the battle 
 of the Wilderness, and the final campaign that 
 ended at Appomattox Court House. He was 
 wounded twice, first time at Cold Harbor, and 
 again at the battle on the railway near Weldon. 
 
 Captain Brooke was born in Berks county, 
 Penn., October 9, 1839, and is of an old Phila- 
 delphia family, his grandfather, Roger Brooke, 
 and father, Bowyer Brooke, being natives of that 
 city. The latter, who was born in 1808, learned 
 the blacksmith's trade there in his youth, but in 
 early manhood settled in Berks county, where he 
 engaged in agriculture. Later he became a mer- 
 chant in Montgomery county, and while there 
 served a term as prothonotary of the county. 
 In the "fifties" he spent some time at Potts- 
 town, Penn,, as train dispatcher on the Phila- 
 delphia & Reading railroad, but his last days 
 were spent in Philadelphia where, after serving 
 some years as inspector in the custom house, he 
 engaged in the coal business. His wife, Rebecca 
 (Ives), who was born in Berks county, in 1807, 
 died in 1S76, and his death occurred April 17, 
 1 89 1 . They had the following children: Reese, 
 who died in childhood; Harriet, deceased; Will- 
 iam, who died at an early age; Rebecca and 
 Mary, both now residing at Philadelphia; and J. 
 P., our subject; 
 
 Capt. Brooke attended the schools of Berks 
 county until he was twelve years old, at which 
 time the family removed to Montgomery county, 
 where his studies were continued. On leaving 
 school he learned the jeweler's trade, and on his 
 return from the army he engaged in that business 
 in Lewisburg, following it fifteen years, but re- 
 tired some years ago. In 1884 he was elected 
 county treasurer, serving one term, and he is a 
 leader in the Republican organization of his lo- 
 cality, being the present chairman of the County 
 Committee. His interest in military affairs has 
 continued, and he is a member of the G. A. R., 
 while for fourteen years he has been identified 
 with the Pennsylvania National Guards, serving 
 as lieutenant, captain and major, respectively, 
 and now holding the rank of lieutenant-colonel. 
 Socially, he is identified with the F. & A. M., 
 and he is a prominent member of the Presbyte- 
 
 rian Church at Lewisburg. In 1867 he married 
 Miss Mary Anna Stevens, a native of Montgomery 
 county, born January 14, 1843, and four children 
 have blessed the union: (1) Clara, widow of H. 
 B. Proctor, has two children — Ethel and George; 
 (2) Harriet is the wife of Walter V. Smith, and 
 resides in Philadelphia; (3) Frank, a traveling 
 salesman, is not married; and (4) Donald, is at 
 home attending school. 
 
 NDREW GROFF. The Groff family, which 
 l&L is well known in this section, is frequently 
 called Grove, the change having been made many 
 years ago by David Groff, an early settler and 
 an -uncle of the gentleman whose name opens 
 this sketch. The family came to Union county 
 from Lancaster county in 1831, the grandparents 
 of our subject, Abraham and Nancy (Graybill) 
 Groff, settling with their children upon a farm in 
 Kelly township, where they passed their remain- 
 ing days, the grandfather retiring from active 
 business some years before his death. Among 
 their sons was David Groff, or Grove, mentioned 
 above, who was born in Lancaster county, but 
 spent the greater part of his life in Union coun- 
 ty, where he was known as a wealthy farmer and 
 a good citizen. 
 
 Another son of Abraham and Nancy Groff 
 was the late John Groff, our subject's father, who 
 was but twelve years old when he accompanied 
 his parents to their new home. He became an 
 extensive agriculturist, and was prominent in 
 local affairs as a member of the Reformed 
 Church, and also as an active worker in the Re- 
 publican party, holding the office of supervisor 
 two terms. His death occurred April 26, 1891, 
 when he was aged seventy-two years; his wife, 
 Rachel Goodlander, an estimable lady, who was 
 born in Union county, February 11, 1819, is still 
 living in the enjoyment of excellent health, and 
 resides with her children. The children of this 
 worthy couple were: Elizabeth J., deceased, 
 formerly the wife of Jeremiah Hummel, a farmer 
 in Snyder county, Penn. ; Andrew; Nancy, widow 
 of Wentel Swartze, of White Deer township. 
 Union county; Reuben, a retired farmer in Kelly 
 township; and Sarah A., wife of Isaiah Beaver, 
 of East Buffalo township, Union county. 
 
 Andrew Groff was born at the old homestead 
 in Kelly township, Union county, July 4, 1844, 
 and spent his early life there, his education be- 
 ing acquired in the local schools. On May 19, 
 1867, he was married at Milton, Penn., by Rev. 
 Samuel Reed, to Miss Julia A. Kline, and he es- 
 tablished his home on his present farm near 
 West Milton. He purchased sixty-nine acres at 
 

 ' OMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 $125 per acre, and by his judicious management 
 has made the place one of the finest farms of its 
 size in the locality. On March [5, [898, he 
 moved from his farm to West Milton, and is now 
 living retired. Clever and genial, he is highly 
 esteemed, and while never an active politician, 
 he has much influence in the community and in 
 the local Republican organization. In religious 
 faith he adheres to the doctrines of the Reforn 
 Church, in which he was reared. He has a 
 pleasant home, in which two daughters have 
 grown to womanhood — Leah Ann, born Novem- 
 ber 8, [868, is the wife of Newton Spangler, a 
 school teacher of Buffalo township. Union coun- 
 ty; and Abbie M., born September :: 1 , 1S72, mar- 
 ried Charles Edward Herman, a clerk in a mer- 
 cantile establishment at Lewisburg, Union 
 county. 
 
 Mrs. Groff is a native of Columbia county, 
 Perm., where she first saw the light May 23, 
 1844. Her parents, Samuel M. and Julia A 
 (Ritts) Kline, were born, reared and married in 
 Berks county, Penn., but settled in Lycon 
 county, Penn., where the father, a stone mason 
 by trade, died September 21, [876, aged eighty- 
 nine years and five months. He was a Demo- 
 crat in politics, and was prominently identified 
 with the Reformed Church for many years pre- 
 vious to his death. The mother spent her last 
 days in Union county, at the home of J. 1). 
 Kline, a grandson, where she closed her eyes in 
 death February 2 1, [886, in her seventy-eighth 
 year. Seven children were born of this union, 
 of whom all are living except David, the eldest, 
 who died at the age of sixty-three. 2) Mary, 
 who resides at Lewisburg, Penn., married (first) 
 Amos Whitmeyer, and after his death became 
 the wife of Henry Fenstmaker, now also de- 
 ceased; both husbands served as soldiers in the 
 Civil war. (3) Elizabeth J. marrie! An- 
 
 drew Bennett, deceased, and ( second Alivan 
 Sickles, a farmer in Corey, Cass Co., Mich. 141 
 Henry C. is a farmer in White Deer township, 
 Union county. 151 Julia A. married our subject. 
 (6) Rebecca is the wife of William Huntington, 
 a farmer in Kelly township, Union county. (7 
 Geor^. W. is an agriculturist near Salina, 
 Kansas. 
 
 HARRY N. HOFFMAN, a leading pharmacist 
 of Lewisburg, Penn., is a young man of 
 more than ordinary ability and enterprise; th 
 traits have been put to good account in his busi- 
 ness, which has proved a grand success, won only 
 by diligent work and attention to business. 
 
 Mr. Hoffman was born April 15, 1867. in 
 
 Lewis township. Union county, Penn., in which 
 county his family has been represented for sev- 
 eral generations. William Hoffman, his great- 
 
 1 lfather, was born in Germany, and at an 
 early date in this country's history came across 
 the " briny deep, " for a short time locating at 
 Germantown, Penn., in the year 1801 settling in 
 Union county, where he followed masonry as an 
 occupation. He was married to Catherine Mill- 
 house, and they both enjoyed this life to a good 
 ripe age, he dying May 3, 1 S47, at the age of 72 
 
 is, 3 months, and 8 days; his wife lived to be 
 89 years, 8 months and 20 days old, dying July 
 28, 1876. 
 
 William Hoffman, Jr., the grandfather of our 
 subject, was born in West Buffalo township, 
 Inion county, and from the time he was quite 
 young was a very successful agriculturist. He 
 married Miss Mary Baker, whose grandfather 
 served under Washington, in the Revolutionary 
 war. William Hoffman, Jr., died in November, 
 [886, his remains being interred in the Ray cem- 
 etery. He and his wife had the following chil- 
 dren: (1) Mary E., whose husband, Richard 
 Mover, was a private in the 49th Regiment, P. 
 C, and lost his life in defense of the Union. 
 Noah, who enlisted August 28, 1862, in Company 
 E. 142nd P. V. I., served faithfully to the close 
 of the war, when he again turned to farming as 
 an occupation, and now resides in Hartley town- 
 ship. (3) Henry W. , a member of Company E, 
 142nd P. V. I., took part in many of the great 
 battles of the Rebellion, was at no time absent 
 from his company to the close of the war; re- 
 turned home to follow his trade, that of a car- 
 penter, and now resides in the borough of Hart- 
 leton, Penn unuel served his country dur- 
 
 ing the same conflict, and now resides in Mifflin- 
 burg, Penn.; 151 Emanuel, a school teacher by 
 profession and a brick-layer by trade, residing in 
 Mifflinburg, Penn.; (6) Jesse, a carpenter by 
 trade, lives in Lewis township, Union county; 
 (7) Reuben, a tinsmith by trade, and dealer in 
 stoves and tinware, opened up in Mifflinburg, and 
 afterward went to Lewisburg where he conducted 
 a tine business for several years, when he mo> 
 to Kansas, and died there in 1888; (8) Susan, 
 who married S. G. Grove, a farmer of West 
 Buffalo township, died in 1894, and was interred 
 in Mifflinburg cemetery; (o; Christianna married 
 Ludwig Shoemaker, a successful agriculturist and 
 dairyman of West Buffalo township, and a son 
 of Samuel Shoemaker; (10) Solomon B. H ff- 
 man is the father of our subject. 
 
 The last named was born in West Buffalo 
 
 iship, June 3. 1838; he received his education 
 in the public schools, and graduated from the 
 
COMMEMORATIVE' BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 953 
 
 Hartleton Grammar School, under the tutorship 
 of Prof. Woods McQuine, taking the houors of 
 his class at the age of seventeen, and then went 
 with his uncle to learn brick-laying and masonry. 
 After serving as an apprentice fcr three years he 
 became a contractor and builder, following that 
 vocation for thirty years. In 1857 he began 
 teaching school during the winter, and followed 
 his trade during the summer. He is now en- 
 gaged as one of the teachers in the public school 
 of Mifflinburg, and is one of the oldest teachers 
 in the county, having taught thirty-eight years in 
 Union county. On August 28, 1862, he enlisted 
 in Company E, I42d P. V. I., and served faith- 
 fully, taking part in many hard fights, such as 
 South Mountain, Antietam and Fredericksburg, 
 at which latter place he was wounded December 
 13, 1862, for which injury he now draws a pen- 
 sion. Mr. Hoffman is prominent in local poli- 
 tics as a Republican, and has held many impor- 
 tant offices, being county commissioner for six 
 years, also a justice of the peace and school di- 
 rector, and is at present serving as a director of 
 the poor, which office he has successfully filled 
 for twelve years. He is a consistent member of 
 the Lutheran Church, an efficient teacher in the 
 Sabbath-school, and served as superintendent of 
 same for twenty years; is active in the temper- 
 ance cause and social reform, and a leader in 
 every good work, while a3 a citizen he is in the 
 front rank in every good movement and enter- 
 prise for the improvement of the town. He 
 stands beyond reproach, and has the respect of 
 all. 
 
 His wife, Maria (Inhoff), was born in North- 
 umberland county, and is a daughter of William 
 Inhoff, a native of Berks county, who engaged 
 in the hotel business first in Northumberland 
 county, and later in Mifflinburg, where he died 
 in 18S7. His widow, Elizabeth (Whitaker) In- 
 hoff, now lives with her daughter Mrs. Hauck, 
 of Sunbury, Perm. Four children also survive: 
 William, a railway conductor; Maria (Mrs. Hoff- 
 man), mother of our subject; Joanna, wife of 
 Amnion Hauck, of Sunbury; and Kate, widow of 
 Samuel Charles, of Mifflinburg. Of the chil- 
 dren of S. B. and Maria Hoffman, five are living: 
 William L. , a tinsmith at Mifflinburg; Emma J., 
 wife of John E. Kreisher; Martin L., station 
 agent of the P. & E. R. R. at Selins Grove 
 Junction; Harry N., our subject; and Miss Maria 
 E. Hoffman, with her parents. 
 
 Being reared in Mifflinburg, Harry N. Hoff- 
 man had excellent educational advantages in his 
 youth, and in 1882 was graduated from the acad- 
 emy. He began reading medicine with Dr. Bru- 
 baker, and remained with him four years as a 
 
 clerk in his drug store. This work proving con- 
 genial, he spent five years in a similar capacity 
 with Dr. James Kleckner, of Mifflinburg. In 
 September, 1891, he purchased a drug store in 
 Lewisburg, where he has met with well-deserved 
 success. He is thoroughly prepared for his call- 
 ing, holding a State certificate as a pharmacist. 
 On October 22, 1890, Mr. Hoffman married 
 Miss Anna J. Klose, who was born in Limestone 
 township, Union county, September 9, 1868, and 
 one child, Edna, blesses their union. Mr. Hoff- 
 man is prominent socially as a member of the 
 Masonic fraternity, of the order of K. G. E., 
 and of the I. O. O. F. While he is by no means 
 a politician, he is a stanch Republican in belief, 
 and in a quiet way wields much influence in local 
 affairs. 
 
 OBERT GELLINGER. In the respect that 
 rli is accorded to men who have fought their 
 
 way to success through an unfavorable environ- 
 ment we find an unconscious recognition of the 
 intrinsic worth of a character which can not only 
 endure so rough a test, but gain new strength 
 through the discipline. The following history 
 sets forth briefly the steps by which our subject, 
 now one of the substantial agriculturists of East 
 Buffalo township, Union county, overcame the 
 disadvantages of his early life. To begin with, 
 his ancestors, though thoroughly respectable, had 
 but little of this world's goods. His grandfather, 
 Michael Gellinger, a resident of Snyder county, died 
 in 1 8 17, leaving a widow, Mrs. Catherine Grace 
 Gellinger, and several children with but limited 
 means of support. The youngest child, Henry, 
 our subject's father, who was born January 24, 
 1817, was less than a year old. The homestead 
 was about three miles above Middleburg, and 
 Henry Gellinger grew to manhood in that lo- 
 cality. At a very early age he began to learn 
 the miller's trade at Van Buskirk's mill, and he 
 followed this occupation for some years. 
 
 In January, 1839, Henry Gellinger was mar- 
 ried in Hartley township, Union county, to Miss 
 Nancy Pontius, who was born in Laurelton, Au- 
 gust 23, 1 S 1 7. Her father, Peter Pontius, was 
 a well-known blacksmith at that town; he and 
 his wife, Barbara Bouse, reared a family of 
 nine children, none of whom are now living ex- 
 cept Mrs. Gellinger, and the only son, Henry, a 
 resident of Bellefonte. A few years after his 
 marriage, our subject's father gave up his trade 
 and found employment as a miner at Berlin Fur- 
 nace. While there he narrowly escaped death 
 from a falling stone, some Irishmen who were 
 working near him rescuing him from his peril- 
 ous position. During his later years he followed 
 
954 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGliAPniCAL RECORD. 
 
 farming, renting land indifferent parts of Buffalo 
 Valley. His death occurred at Brook Park, in 
 January, 1890, and his remains were buried at 
 Levvisburg. While he never took an active part 
 in public affairs, he was interested in the issues 
 of the diy, and politically was in sympathy with 
 the ratic party. Late in life he united 
 
 with the Reformed Church, of which his widow, 
 who resides at Brook Park with her son John, 
 is a highly-esteemed member. Our subject is 
 the youngest of five sons. John, burn November 
 3, [839, served as a soldier in the Civil war, and 
 is now a farmer at Smoketown. Lewis H., born 
 December 9, 1840, has been a cripple from birth, 
 and now resides at Brook Park. Jackson, born 
 April l8, 1843, has for some years conducted a 
 blacksmith shop at the same place; he is a vet- 
 eran of the Civil war, and a prominent citizen, 
 having served at one time as associate judge of 
 Union county. Charles, born December 10, 
 1845, resides at Linntown, Pennsylvania. 
 
 Robert Gellinger first saw the light in Hart- 
 ley township, Union county, December 2, 1S4S, 
 and his education was acquired chiefly in the lo- 
 cal schools. In 1805 his parents removed to 
 Buffalo township, in the same county, and his 
 schooling then ended with the exception of two 
 winter terms at the new home. When eighteen 
 
 rsold he was apprenticed to a harness maker, 
 Henry Riment, <>f Buffalo Cross Roads, receiving 
 his l»>ard with $25 for the first year and $30 
 the second. He remained only eighteen months, 
 however, and then went to Mifflinburg, where he 
 received better wages from John S. Stitzer. 
 Three years were spent altogether in learning 
 his trade, and for some time he worked as a 
 
 rneyman at Pittston, Wilkesbarre and Dan- 
 ville, before trying to establish a business of his 
 own al Vicksburg, Union county. He had a 
 hard struggle there, and at the end of four years 
 was compelled to give up the attempt and find 
 more profitable business. His capital was limit- 
 ed, but through the confidence of his friends he 
 was. enabled to engage in huckstering, and in this 
 he built up a tine trade, notwithstanding the 
 lare.e numb' -hen in that business in 
 
 coal regions. Energy, business tact and 
 close economy brought their due reward, and in 
 the spring of [895 he had saved enough in 
 t" buy i"7 acres of excellent land near Lewis- 
 burg, known as the Peter Getz farm. Here he 
 has made substantial improvements, 1 
 and beautifying the residence, and he now h 
 
 fortable home. This work, with the culti- 
 vation of the farm, occupied his entire time until 
 the fall of 1S96, when he resumed his business 
 Huckster. 
 
 One important factor in his success has not 
 yet been mentioned. When about twenty-five 
 years old he married Miss Sarah J. Weidensaul, 
 daughter of Samuel and Polly (Catherman) 
 Weidensaul, and to her thrift and industry he 
 justly attributes his rapid progress. They have 
 three attractive daughters: Annie C, Mary 
 Florence and Blanche Irene, all at home. Mr. 
 Gellinger and his family are identified with the 
 an Reformed Church, and he takes a gen- 
 erous interest in all progressive movements. He 
 is a stanch Democrat politically, but while voting 
 regularly and supporting his principles in a quiet 
 way, he is by no means a politician in the usual 
 sense. 
 
 JOHN BAKER MOOKE. The deserved re- 
 ward of a well-spent life is an honored re- 
 tirement from business, in which to enjoy 
 the fruits of former toil. To-day, after a useful 
 and beneficial career, Mr. Moore is quietly living 
 at his pleasant home on the old Moore farm at 
 Spring Garden, Gregg township, Union county, 
 and is surrounded by the comfort that earnest 
 labor has brought him. He is a native of the 
 countw his birth occurring at Forest Iron Works, 
 February 10, 1S2S. 
 
 Joseph Moore, the father of our subject, was 
 born in Lycoming county, Penn., September 24, 
 1802, a son of James and Mary (Ott) Moore, na- 
 tives of France and New Jersey, respectively. 
 The grandfather, a prominent bridge builder and 
 contractor, was the founder of the University of 
 Lewisburg, Penn., of which he was one of the 
 trustees for many years, holding that position up 
 to the time of his death. He also defrayed the 
 expenses of building a road from the college to 
 the city of LewisburL', and was one of the most 
 prominent and influential citizens of the com- 
 munity. He was born August 1, 1780, and died 
 May Z't. 1855, and his wife was born April 15, 
 17SS, and died February 16, 185S, both passing 
 away in Union county. 
 
 Like his father, Joseph Moore became a bridge 
 contractor in early life, but later devoted his 
 attention to farming. From 1 S23 until 1836 he 
 made his home at Forest Iron Works, Union 
 county, when it was almost an unbroken wilder- 
 ness, and there he erected a mill. In the latter 
 
 1, however, he removed to the farm now 
 owned and occupied by our subject. In early 
 life he married Miss Anna Baker, who was born 
 in Lycoming county, March iS, 1802, a daugh- 
 
 of John and Elizabeth (Hill) Baker, agricult- 
 urists ol Herks county, Penn. Her father was 
 born in September, 1773. and died at Muncy, 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 955 
 
 Penn., September 29, 1855, and her motherwas 
 born in 1774, and died at the same place in Oc- 
 tober, 1833. The parents of our subject are also 
 deceased, the father having passed away July 2, 
 1880, and the mother February 13, 1887. Both 
 were active and prominent members of the Bap- 
 tist Church, in which Mr. Moore served as deacon 
 for half a century. He was also trustee of the 
 University of Lewisburg for several years, and 
 held a number of official positions of honor and 
 trust in Gregg township. 
 
 John B. Moore is the third in order of birth 
 in the family of seven children, the others being 
 as follows: Elizabeth B., born April 8, 1824, is 
 the widow of George Irvin, of Gregg township. 
 James, born June 2, 1S26, died August 28, 1846. 
 Rev. William C., born March 24, 1830, is now a 
 resident of Allenwood, Penn. George M., born 
 August 19, 1832, is a farmer of Gregg township, 
 and a deacon in the Baptist Church. Joseph, 
 born August 29, 1835, became a member of Com- 
 pany B, 131st P. V. I., during the Civil war, and 
 died at Fredericksburg, February 18, 1863. 
 Mary, born May 2, 1837, died of diphtheria Sep- 
 tember 2, 1848. 
 
 Our subject has resided upon his present 
 farm during his entire life with the exception of 
 eight years, five of which were spent in Missouri 
 with his father, and three on his grandfather's 
 farm near West Milton, Penn. Returning to the 
 old homestead June 9, 1886, he has there con- 
 tinued to reside, and, although the old house still 
 stands on the farm, he occupies a more modern 
 dwelling, which was erected in 1879. It is hand- 
 somely furnished, and the entire place is supplied 
 with all the conveniences and accessories which 
 go to make up a model farm of the nineteenth 
 century. Although he has no aspirations for of- 
 ficial honors, he has creditably served in several 
 local positions, and is a stalwart Republican in 
 politics. He is an excellent conversationalist, 
 and has the happy faculty of making friends 
 readily, and easily retaining them. As did his 
 ancestors, he takes an active interest in promot- 
 ing the moral and material welfare of the com- 
 munity, and for twenty-five years he has been 
 trustee of the Baptist Church, of which he is a 
 consistent member. 
 
 On February 18, 1864, Mr. Moore was mar- 
 ried to Miss Katherine VanDyke, and they have 
 become the parents of five children, namely: (1) 
 Anna E., born April 22, 1866, is now the wife 
 of Gus B. Lorrison, a railroad official located at 
 Allenwood, Penn., and they have three children 
 — John M., Clifton O., and Malvern Van D. (2) 
 Joseph L. , born May 27, 1869, is an engineer 
 and bridge builder residing at home. (3) Mar- 
 
 garet B., and (4) Minnie M. (twins), were born 
 February 25, 1871, but the latter died on the 6th 
 of the following August. (5) Katherine Van D. 
 was born January 24, 1875. 
 
 Mrs. Moore, who was born in Nippenose Valley, 
 Penn., December 27, 1834, a daughter of James 
 C. and Elizabeth (Clark) Van Dyke, has been 
 an earnest Christian since childhood, at first be- 
 longing to the Presbyterian Church, but for the 
 past twenty years has held membership in the 
 Baptist Church, to which her husband belongs. 
 She traces her ancestry back to her great-great- 
 grandfather, Henry Van Dyke, who spent his en- 
 tire life in Holland. Her grandparents, Lam- 
 bert and Margaret (McMichael) Van Dyke, were 
 natives of Holland and Scotland, respectively, 
 but were married in New Jersey, whence they 
 removed to Dauphin county, Penn. The grand- 
 father died at Paradise, Penn., while improving a 
 a farm there for his son. He was of royal Hol- 
 land stock, and he and all of his brothers par- 
 ticipated in the American Revolution, as mem- 
 bers of the Colonial army. The paternal grand- 
 parents of Mrs. Moore, Thomas and Christina 
 (Fraley) Clark, were among the first settlers of 
 Nippenose Valley, Lycoming Co., Penn., where the 
 former followed farming throughout the remain- 
 der of his life. He was also a Revolutionary 
 soldier. Both he and his wife were natives of 
 Lancaster county, Penn., and of Scotch-Irish ex- 
 traction. 
 
 James C. Van Dyke, the father of Mrs. 
 Moore, was a farmer by occupation, and was a 
 Whig in politics, while, in religious belief, both 
 he and his estimable wife were devout Presby- 
 terians. He died in 1857, aged seventy-one 
 years, and she passed away in 1870, at the ripe 
 old age of seventy-eight years, eleven months 
 and eight days. 
 
 In the family of this worthy couple were the 
 following children: Margaret, now the widow 
 of Solomon Kaufman, of Overly, Penn.; Es- 
 ther, deceased wife of Jacob Voneida, a farmer 
 of Nippenose Valley, Lycoming county; John, a 
 retired farmer of South Williamsport, Penn. ; 
 James H., a fire-insurance agent, who was the 
 first of the family to die, being at that time 
 thirty-five years, eight months and twenty-four 
 days old; Sarah V., who died unmarried; Lam- 
 bert, a railroad contractor, who died in 1867; 
 Elizabeth, deceased wife of F. B. Pursel, of 
 Williamsport; Mary, wife of Simon P. Houts, a 
 farmer of Gregg township, Union county; Henry 
 H., a wealthy and prominent contractor and 
 hardware merchant of Lock Haven, Penn., who 
 is now deceased; Katherine, the wife of our sub- 
 ject; William T., ex-postmaster of Lock Haven, 
 

 ' 0MMBM0RAT1VB BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 
 
 who is now an invalid; and Eleanor J., wife of 
 H. H. Nauff, a farmer oi Montandon, Pennsyl- 
 vania. 
 
 WILLIAM PIATT ALLEN, who is now 
 successfully engaged in business as a dec- 
 orator and painter at Allenwood, Union county, 
 comes of an honored pioneer family long identi- 
 fied with the history of this region. He was 
 born June 12, 1839, in what was then Union- 
 town, but is now Allenwood. 
 
 I aac Allen, his paternal grandfather, was 
 born in New Jersey, and removed to Lycoming 
 county, Perm. His children were: Charles 
 (who died at South Williamsport), Allen (wife of 
 James Reed), Anna (wife of John Simpler), Will- 
 iam (married to Margaret Taylor), Mary (wife of 
 Robert Hayes), Abraham, Sarah (wife of Will- 
 iam Jones), Isaac, and Jane. All are now de- 
 ceased. 
 
 Isaac Allen, father of our subject, was born 
 in Lycoming county, February 5, 1 Soo, and re- 
 mained on the old family homestead until his 
 marriage, in 1827, to Miss Jane Piatt, who was 
 b in in that county, January 1 8, 1801, a daugh- 
 ter of John Piatt, who was of German line.i 
 while his wife was of French descent. Their 
 children were: Elizabeth (wife of Samuel Mc- 
 Cormick), William (who married Hannah Brady), 
 Herman C. (who married Lotta Brady), |ulia 
 Ann (wife of John Hammond . and Mrs. Allen. 
 After his marriage, Isaac Allen engaged in lum- 
 bering. In 1833 he purchased a part of the 
 present site of Allenwood, which place was then 
 called Uniontown; it was laid out by John Mc- 
 Curdy, June 1, [815. In 1866 he gave to the 
 Philadelphia iV Reading Railroad Company the 
 right-of-way through his farm and a plot of 
 ground 56.x 175 feet on which to build a station. 
 He was a lumberman, and during his latter days 
 
 aged in contracting and in conducting a hotel 
 in Allenwood. He died February 22, 1S45, at 
 the age of forty- five years, and his wife passed 
 away August [8, [886. Their children were as 
 follows: Julia (widow of Jacob Kramer, ex-sher- 
 iff of Northumberland county, and treasurer of 
 Watsontown), Charles (who served for three 
 years and nine months in the I nion army, and 
 died after a nine-months' imprisonment by the 
 Confederates), Herman P. (a merchant of Allen- 
 wood), Henrietta F. widow of David W. Mc- 
 Carty, of Lewisburg), William P. (our subject), 
 Jennie (widow of Dr. Thomas Burns, of I 
 City, Iowa), Isaac W. and Helen 1 who died in 
 infancy). 
 
 William Piatt Allen remained at home until 
 
 after attaining his majority, and in his youth 
 worked for a shilling a day. He was also en- 
 
 ed in rafting on the river. When twenty-tw 1 
 years of age he went to Ogle county, 111., where 
 he engaged in general farming and tobacco-raid- 
 ing. After his return he clerked for his brother 
 for two years, and then served a three-years' ap- 
 prenticeship at the stonemasons' trade under 
 Fred Haines. 
 
 On August 16, 1864. Mr. Allen enlisted in 
 Company I, 202d P. V, I., and was largely en- 
 
 ed in fighting; the guerrillas, but whatever hi^ 
 duty, it was discharged with a loyalty that was 
 above question. On his return home he ran a 
 ferry-boat for a year, after which he sold out to 
 his brother and went to Cedar county. Iowa. 
 For some years thereafter he spent a portion of 
 his time in the West, where he owned a farm of 
 240 acres. This, however, he sold March (8, 
 1S74, and has since continued to make his home 
 in Allenwood, where he is engaged in business as 
 a decorator and painter, enjoying an excellent 
 trade. 
 
 On October 9, 1S72, Mr. Allen was married 
 to Miss Lydia Gudykuntz, by whom he has one 
 son, William C. Her grandfather. Adam Gudy- 
 kuntz, a native of Germany, located in Lehigh 
 county, Penn., at an early day, and there fol- 
 lowed the hatter's trade. His son Charles was 
 born there, October 15, 1799. He also learned 
 the hatter's trade, which he followed for some 
 years, and before attaining his majority he be- 
 gan clerking for Ludwig Stitzel, enjoying the 
 highest confidence of that gentleman, who made 
 him the executor of his estate. Mr. Gudykuntz 
 married Sarah, the eldest daughter of Mr. Stit- 
 zel. He purchased and operated a sawmill, and 
 also became the owner of six farms and other 
 landed interests. He was a very active and suc- 
 cessful business man, was at one time a director 
 in the West Branch Bank of Williamsport, and 
 afterward a director in the Cameron Bank of 
 Lewisburg. In politics he was an ardent Repub- 
 lican, took a deep interest in the cause of his 
 party, held many township offices, and served as 
 State revenue commissioner by appointment of 
 Gov. A. G. Curtin. For many years he was a 
 consistent member of and elder in the Presbyte- 
 rian Church. 
 
 Mr. Gudykuntz lost his first wife May 
 1832, and on the 10th of May, 1834, he married 
 her only surviving sister. To the first marri 
 w is born one son. Edward Stiple. who for man} 
 years served as a justice of the peace. The chil- 
 dren born to the second marriage are: Sarah 
 Jane married W. F. Campbell in 1866, a farmer 
 and extensive lumberman: Mary Margaret, born 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 957 
 
 May 31, 1840; Charles L. , born December 16, 
 1842, married Martha J. Griffa, by whom he has 
 three children — Margaret B., Charles B. and 
 Mary J.; James P., born April 21, 1845, married 
 Anna Van Alstine, and is a carpenter of Allen- 
 wood; Anna Maria, born September 24, 1848, is 
 the wife of Robert Brown, a farmer of Gregg 
 township, Union count}', and ex-commissioner, 
 by whom she has one child, Claude A. ; Josephine, 
 born January 23, 185 1, is the wife of J. F. 
 Hagenbuch, a farmer of Allenwood; Eliza C, 
 born March 11, 1853, is the wife of C. Brown, 
 by whom she has two daughters — Irene and Mary; 
 and Mrs. Allen. Mrs. Gudykuntz, the mother 
 of this family, is living in Allenwood surrounded 
 by her children; she is a devout member of the 
 Presbyterian Church, having the respect of all 
 who know her. Mr. Gudykuntz died January 
 12, 1866, and his death was deeply mourned 
 throughout the entire community. The maternal 
 grandparents of Mrs. Allen were Ludwig and 
 Anna M. (Fox) Stitzel, the former a native of 
 Rhein, Germany, and the latter of Berks county, 
 Penn. Her great-grandmother (Fox) died while 
 on the ocean en route to America. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Allen are very prominent people, 
 held in the highest esteem by all, and she is a 
 member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Allen 
 formerly belonged to the Junior Mechanics, and 
 is a thirty-second-degree Mason of Watsontown. 
 He has spent almost his entire life in this com- 
 munity, and the fact that his warmest friends are 
 numbered among those who have known him 
 from boyhood indicates an honorable career. 
 
 : -RS. SAMAXTHA ORW'IG, widow of Eman- 
 
 JAL uel Orwig, is a representative of one of the 
 most prominent and highly respected families of 
 Union county, where her birth occurred. 
 
 Jesse Bloom, her father, was a native of Xew 
 York State, but her mother, who bore the 
 maiden name of Catharine Baker, was born in 
 Snyder county, Penn., and died at the age of 
 seventy-six years. Her parents were Peter and 
 Elizabeth (Wise) Baker. John Baker, the 
 great-grandfather of Mrs. Orwig, was a native of 
 Germany, but came to this country in boyhood, 
 landing at Philadelphia, and working out his 
 passage money after his arrival. He located in 
 Snyder county (at that time a part of Union 
 county), where he purchased land and erected 
 thereon good and substantial buildings, making 
 that place his home until his death, which oc- 
 curred at an advanced age. He not only cleared 
 and cultivated the land, but also made most of 
 the furniture found in his primitive dwelling. 
 
 Emanuel, 
 of fifty- 
 this life 
 
 Mrs. Orwig is the eldest of the children, the 
 others being as follows: Hannah became the 
 wife of Samuel Markel, and lived in Bellefonte, 
 Centre Co., Penn., where she died in May, 1896; 
 Rebecca is the wife of Henry Stitzer, a farmer 
 of Hartley township, Union county; Sarah is the 
 wife of Aaron Carlyle, a tinsmith of Williamsport, 
 Penn. ; and Xathan is living retired in Xewberry, 
 Pennsylvania. 
 
 In 1855 our subject gave her hand in mar- 
 riage to Emanuel Orwig, a native of Mifflinburg, 
 Penn., who became one of the most prominent 
 and highly esteemed agriculturists of Hartley 
 township, Union county. He was the fourth in 
 order of birth in a family of six children, 
 namely: Edward, Elviner, James, 
 Sarah, and William. At the age 
 eight years, Mr. Orwig departed 
 December 21, 1S90, and his remains were in- 
 terred in Pleasant Grove cemetery, Lewis town- 
 ship. He was by nature liberal and public-spir- 
 ited, and wherever he took up his abode main- 
 tained an interest in the people around him, and 
 contributed to the best of his means and ability 
 to their improvement, socially, morally, and 
 financially. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Orwig became the parents of 
 five children: Howard, born in February, 1857, 
 is married and lives near Lewisburg, in Union 
 county, where he is engaged in farming; Alice, 
 born December 14, 1859, was married to Will- 
 iam Stahl, and died at the age of twenty-five 
 years; Horace is married, and lives in Hartleton, 
 Penn., where he is extensively engaged in the 
 lumber business, employing a number of hands; 
 Mary is the wife of Daniel Hassinger, who owns a 
 pleasant home in Mifflinburg, Penn. ; and Katie 
 is the wife of James Miller, a farmer of Buffalo 
 township, Union county. Mrs. Orwig, who is 
 held in high regard throughout the community, 
 is a member in good standing of the Methodist 
 Church. 
 
 SAMUEL F. RUHL, a well-known citizen 
 ^_J of Swengel, is a worthy representative of 
 one of the prominent pioneer families of Union 
 county, and a son of George and Hannah (Kauff- 
 man) Ruhl, the latter a daughter of David 
 Kauffman, a respected farmer of this locality. 
 George Ruhl was born nearManheim, in Lancas- 
 ter county, Penn. , and when ten years of age was 
 brought to Union county by his parents who lo- 
 cated in Lewis township, upon a farm where his 
 father died in April, 1843. The father of our 
 subject then purchased the old homestead, on 
 which he continued to reside until called to his 
 

 ( OM MELIORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 final rest August 7, 1S7S. It then became the 
 property of Samuel F. and his brother Henry 
 \\\, who lived thereon until the spring of 1888, 
 when they rented the place and retired from 
 active labor, ill the meantime having purchased 
 property in the adjoining village of Swengel, 
 where they now make their homes. 
 
 George Ruhl, the father of our subject, was 
 twice married, having by the first union three 
 children, as follows: (1) David married and re- 
 moved to Illinois, where he reared his family and 
 died at the age of fifty-eight years. He alter- 
 nately engaged in farming and merchandising, 
 following the former occupation at the time of 
 bis death. [2) Joseph died in infancy, 
 1 >rge P. became a prominent farmer of Lewis 
 township, and is now living retired in Swengel, 
 spending his time with his children as he lost his 
 wife some years ago. He owns considerable 
 real 1 state in Union county. 
 
 By his second marriage the father had five 
 children: (n Elizabeth became the wife of 
 Amos Grove, of Vicksburg, Penn., where her 
 death occurred. (2) Priscilla is the wife of S. 
 Shrack, a retired farmer of Lewisburg, Penn. 
 1 3 1 Samuel F. is next in order of birth. (4) 
 Henry W , a resident of Swengel, married 
 Miss Elizabeth Maister, a daughter of John 
 Maister, a farmer of Lancaster county, Penn. 
 They have one daughter, Jennie, a beau- 
 tiful and accomplished young lady, who com- 
 1 her education in the New Berlin Sem- 
 inary, and is a prominent member of the Chris- 
 tian Endeavor Society. (5) Sarah is the wife of 
 Christian Schnure, of Vicksburg, Penn., and has 
 two sons — Harry and Clarence. 
 
 The boyhood and youth of Samuel F. Ruhl 
 was spent in much the usual manner of farmers' 
 sons, aiding in the labors of the fields and attend- 
 ing the local schools. On attaining to man's 
 estate he married Miss Barbara A. Paul, a daugh- 
 ter of George Paul, a carpenter of Lewisburg, 
 Penn. The two children born of this union both 
 died in infancy. 
 
 In political sentiment, Mr. Ruhl is a strong 
 K publican, but has never cared for the honors 
 or emoluments of public office. He is a con- 
 sistent and faithful member of the Lutheran 
 Church, and takes an active part in the work of 
 the Christian Endeavor Society. He is enjoying 
 the reward of a well-ordered life, in which he has 
 exerted himself to do good to those around him. 
 
 January 2, 1827, in Lewis township. His an- 
 cestors were originally from Germany, and his 
 paternal grandmother was a Miss Hochlander. 
 He had two brothers — David married and re- 
 moved to Illinois, where he reared a family and 
 engaged in farming and merchandising at differ- 
 ent times. He died in that State at the age of 
 fifty-eight years. Joseph died in childhood. Mr 
 Ruhle also has two half-brothers and three half- 
 sisters, among whom is Samuel F. Ruhle. Among 
 his relatives was Philip Ruhle, an uncle, who 
 faithfully served his country in the war of 18 12. 
 
 The subscription schools furnished our sub- 
 ject his educational privileges, and his business 
 training was received upon a farm. Possessing 
 considerable inventive genius, he has aire 
 patented two articles, and is now at work on a 
 third invention. Industrious, energetic and pro- 
 gressive, he met with a well-deserved success in 
 his farming operations, and now in his declining 
 years is able to lay aside business cares and en- 
 1 13 the fruits of his former toil. 
 
 On reaching manhood, Mr. Ruhle married 
 Miss Catharine Morrison, a daughter of Thomas 
 Morrison, who was of English descent. She was 
 born in 1826, and died October 31, 1885, aged 
 fifty-nine years, two months and sixteen days, 
 after thirty-six years of happy wedded life. Her 
 remains were interred in the graveyard at Ray's 
 church. By her marriage to our subject she be- 
 ne the mother of four children: (1) Israel, 
 born August 27, [850, is a farmer residing near 
 Mifiiinburg, Penn., and is now serving as justice 
 of the peace. He is married, and has two chil- 
 dren — James and Fannie. (2) Mary, born Au- 
 gust 10, 1S52, is the wife of Andrew Harter, a 
 tanner, living in Illinois. (3) David M. , born in 
 i860, married Miss Mary A. Crouse, daughter of 
 Daniel Crouse, a retired farmer of Lewisburg, 
 formerly of Snyder county. Penn. (4 Franklin, 
 born October 1, 1S55, died February 25, 1859. 
 
 Mr. Ruhle uses his right of franchise in sup- 
 port of the men and measures of the Republican 
 party, and has faithfully and capably served his 
 fellow citizens in the capacity of supervisor, 
 school director and overseer of the poor in his 
 township. He is held in the highest esteem and 
 respect by all who know him, and has the confi- 
 dence of all with whom he comes in contact 
 either in business or social life. 
 
 G GEORGE P. RUHLE, one of the retired 
 T farmers and leading citizens of Swengel, is 
 a native of Union county, his birth occurring 
 
 LEVI MILLER. Few of the gallant surviv- 
 ors of the Civil war have so painful a re- 
 minder of those days as has the subject of this 
 sketch, a well-known citizen of Mirflinburg, 
 whose sight was totally destroyed by an attack 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 959 
 
 of smallpox while in the service. Mr. Miller is 
 an intelligent man, one who doubtless could have 
 made a success in almost any line of business, and 
 it is gratifying to note that in 1S86 he finally re- 
 ceived from the government a pension in recog- 
 nition of his claims upon the nation's gratitude. 
 
 The Miller family was represented in Hart- 
 ley township, Union county, in pioneer times, 
 our subject's grandfather, Peter Miller, a native 
 of Lancaster county, Penn., settling there to en- 
 gage in lumbering. He conducted a sawmill for 
 many years, and died there in his ninety-eighth 
 year. 
 
 John Miller, the father of our subject, was 
 born in that township, in 1805, and, after spend- 
 ing the greater portion of his life as a laborer in 
 Hartley township, died in Limestone township, 
 Union county, in 1872. His wife, Sarah Deck- 
 ard, a native of Berks county, Penn., born in 
 1809, died January 16, 1897. They had twelve 
 children, of whom, one died in infancy, the fol- 
 lowing living to adult age: John P., who died 
 in July, 1896, in Northumberland county, Penn.; 
 Mary, Mrs. Samuel Badger; Levi, our subject; 
 Jacob, now living in Michigan; Isaac, a resident 
 of Bellefonte, Penn. ; Susannah, wife of Jacob 
 Wirt, of Gleniron; Catherine, Mrs. William 
 Shawley, now deceased; Maude, wife of Samuel 
 Rincard, of Missouri; Rebecca, who married 
 Isaac Bickhart, of New Jersey; Frank, who lives 
 near Pine Grove, Penn. ; and Jane, wife of Alfred 
 Wayland, of Chillisquaque, Pennsylvania. 
 
 Mr. Miller, our subject, was born January 25, 
 1836, in Hartley township, Union county, and 
 grew to manhood in that locality, engaging in 
 business as a carpenter. During the dark days 
 of the Rebellion, when the North was summon- 
 ing all her forces for a final struggle, he entered 
 the army, enlisting in 1864, at Petersburg, Va., 
 in Company H, 49th P. V. I., attached to the 
 Sixth Corps, Army of the Cumberland. He 
 took part in the battle of Fort Stephen, but later 
 contracted the dread disease through which he 
 lost his sight, and for some time prior to the 
 close of the war he was confined to a hospital. 
 On his return home he worked at his trade as he 
 could, but is now living in retirement. Politic- 
 ally, he is an ardent supporter of Republican 
 principles, and he is actively interested in relig- 
 ious work as a member of the Reformed Church. 
 
 In 1862 Mr. Miller was married at Mifflin- 
 burg, Penn., to Miss Adaline Smink, and three 
 children blessed their union: Miss Lillie V., 
 born March 3, 1865, is at home; Charles E., born 
 December 26, 1867, died April 1, 1872; and 
 William Oscar, born June 21, 1870, married Miss 
 Catherine Moore, and has one son, Raymon. 
 
 Mrs. Miller was born April 24. 1839, the 
 daughter of Jacob and Eva (Christ) Smink. The 
 father made his home in Union county for many 
 years, but spent some time in other parts of the 
 State, and his death occurred at Shamokin. His 
 first wife, a Miss Brown, died leaving six chil- 
 dren: Samuel, Washington, Hiram, Josiah, 
 Lydia and Sarah. By his second marriage, to 
 Miss Christ, he had nine children: Isaac, now 
 residing in Shamokin; John (deceased); Daniel, 
 of Shamokin; Mary (Mrs. Samuel Martz), de- 
 ceased; Jacob, of Shamokin; Elizabeth (de- 
 ceased), who married John P. Miller, our subject's 
 brother; Adaline, Mrs. Miller; Reuben, who 
 lives in Reading, Penn. ; and Matilda, widow of 
 Charles Martz, of Shamokin. 
 
 * W. SCHNURE, a leading farmer of Hartley 
 L^f township, Union county, and an honored 
 veteran of the Civil war, is a native of Union 
 county, born June 26, 1836, a son of Christian 
 and Lydia (Keister) Schnure. 
 
 The family has long been identified with the 
 interests of this region, his paternal grandfather, 
 who emigrated from Germany to America during 
 his youth, having located in Union county at an 
 early day, and the birth of the father occurred in 
 Laurelton. The latter died in 1890, having sur- 
 vived his wife six years, an d both were laid to 
 rest in the Dunkard churchyard. 
 
 In the family of this worthy couple were the 
 following children, namely: John, who enlisted 
 in Company F, 184th P. V., and served his 
 country with distinction until taken prisoner 
 while on picket duty in front of Petersburg, and 
 died in Andersonville prison; G. W., of this 
 sketch; Amelia, who married Hiram Durst, of 
 Centre HalJ, Penn., and died in 1867; Elizabeth, 
 who became the wife of F. W. McCurdy, and 
 died, leading one daughter, Jennie, now the wife 
 of Wesley Fairchild, of Northumberland county, 
 Penn. ; Margaret, who died of diphtheria at the 
 age of twenty-one; Sarah, wife of Philip Durst, 
 who lives near Centre Hall, in Centre county, 
 Penn.; Christian, a resident of Vicksburg, Penn.; 
 O. P., who married Anna Irvin, and lives in 
 Mifflinburg, Penn. ; Louisa, a resident of Hartle- 
 ton, Penn. ; Mark, who married a Miss Ruhl, and 
 lives near Mifflinburg, where he follows the occu- 
 pation of farming; and Louis, of Laurelton, Penn- 
 sylvania. 
 
 G. W. Schnure early became familiar with 
 agricultural pursuits upon the home farm, his 
 education being obtained in the district schools 
 of the locality. While quietly following the oc- 
 cupation to which he had been reared the storm 
 

 VMBMOSATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 of Civil war broke over our beloved country, 
 and in response to the call of the general govern- 
 ment lor men, Mr. Schnure enlisted March 11, 
 1S64, at the age of twenty-seven years, becoming 
 a member of Company E, 51st P. V. I., with 
 which he faithfully served until the war had ended. 
 He participated in the battles of the Wilderness, 
 
 ! Harbor, Spottsylvania Court House and 
 many others, and was several times slightly 
 
 inded. Being mustered out at Alexandria, 
 Va. , at the close of the war, he returned home 
 and resumed farming, meeting with excellent 
 success in his chosen calling. He owns a fine 
 farm near Laurelton, which yields bountiful har- 
 vests for the care and labor he bestows upon it. 
 
 As a companion and helpmeet on life's jour- 
 ney, Mr Schnure chose Miss Sarah Kleckner, 
 daughter of Isaac Kleckner, of Hartley township, 
 Union county, who at one time conducted a hotel 
 at Woodward, Centre Co., Penn., and later be- 
 came a speculator in land. Removing to Wis- 
 consin in 1 84 1, he there spent his remaining 
 days. Mr. Schnure has been called upon to 
 mourn the death of his estimable wife, who 
 passed away in February, 1892, and was buried 
 in Lincoln cemetery in Hartley township, Union 
 county. 
 
 In his political views Mr. Schn re is a Re- 
 publican, and in religious belief is a Methodist. 
 Fraternally he is a worthy member of J. C. 
 Schnure Post No. 546, G. A. R. His genial, 
 hospitable manner has won for him a host of 
 warm friends, and he has the esteem and confi- 
 dence of the entire neighborhood. 
 
 Gi ORGE PETER NOLL. Prominent among 
 the early settlers of Kelly township, Union 
 county, were the Nolls and the Meixells, the pa- 
 ternal and maternal ancestors of the gentleman 
 whose name introduces this sketch, and who in 
 his industry, thrift and sound judgment, and pro- 
 gressive spirit, proves himself worthy of pioneer 
 od. 
 
 On the paternal side the family is of German 
 origin, his ancestors crossing the ocean prior to 
 the Revolutionary war. The first to settl 
 this section were our subject > grandparents, Pe- 
 ter and Christiai ■ 1 > N ill, natives of B 
 county, Penn. They located in Union county in 
 the wilderness, with the Indians for their neigh- 
 bors, upon timber land purchased at $8 per acre, 
 and, clearing de a fine farm. Of their fam- 
 ily of four children, none are now Living. They 
 Daniel was a farmer in Kelly township. 
 Union county; Sarah married Peter Hursh, and 
 
 r a residence of fifty years in Lewisburg, 
 
 Penn., moved to Lancaster, Kans. , where they 
 recently died; Elizabeth did not live to maturity; 
 and John, our subject's father, is mentioned more 
 fully below. The mother of these children died, 
 and Peter Noll married a second wife, Christiana 
 Spotts, but no children were born of this union. 
 
 The late John Noll, the father of our subject, 
 was born at the old homestead of the Noll fam- 
 ily, March 5, 1 S 1 S, and lived to more than three 
 score years and ten, passing away on April 6, 
 1 388. He followed the shoemaker's trade, and 
 was also a successful agriculturist, but for a few 
 years before his death he left the active work of 
 his estate to younger hands. His influence in 
 the community was marked, and he ranked 
 among the leading Republicans of the township, 
 holding various offices at times. During the war 
 he contributed time and means toward filling the 
 quota of men for his township. 
 
 On May 2. 1839, John Noll was married, in 
 Kelly township, to Miss Leah Meixell, a native 
 of Lancaster county, Penn., who was born Sep- 
 tember S, 1821, and died June 28, 1891, in her 
 seventieth year, the remains of both being in- 
 terred in White Deer churchyard. Her father, 
 George Meixell, came to Union county in early 
 manhood, when that locality was in a primitive 
 condition, and he and his wife. Nancy Rover, 
 had to undergo the usual privations of the pio- 
 neer farmer. George Meixell lived to the age of 
 seventy, and his remains now rest in the Dunk- 
 ard cemetery in Kelly township, Union county. 
 His children were: Pharos, now a retired farmer 
 residing in Nebraska; Jeremiah, a retired farmer 
 of Lycoming county, Penn.; Violetta, who mar- 
 ried John Moyer, both now deceased; George, 
 deceased; Leah, our subject's mother; Martin, 
 formerly a farmer, now living in retirement in 
 East Buffalo township, Union county; Rebecca, 
 who married John Clinger, a lumberman and 
 farmer in Virginia, where both died; Anna, wife 
 of John Ruhl, a farmer near Atchison, Kans.; 
 Harriet, wife of William Gann, a farmer in Ly- 
 coming county, Penn.; Elam, a fanner in Buf- 
 falo township, Union county; Alpheus, who went 
 to the West; and John, who died at an early age. 
 
 Our subject's parents passed their lives amid 
 the quiet scenes of an agricultural neighborhood, 
 taking part in all that tended to advance the 
 community and identifying themselves with the 
 work of the Lutheran Church. They had five- 
 children, whose names are as follows: (1) An- 
 geline, born March 21, 1S40. was married (first) 
 to Philip Ruhl (d I), and (second) to A. J. 
 
 Rishel (deceased). She died September 8,1891, 
 and was buried in Union cemetery. Two sons, 
 John G. and George C, and one daughter, Jen- 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 961 
 
 nie Ruhl, survive, and are engaged in a furniture 
 factory at Lewisburg. (2) George Peter, born 
 September 11, 1842, is mentioned more fully 
 below. (3) William F., born February 2, 1844, 
 was reared upon the homestead, receiving a 
 common-school education, and except for seven- 
 teen years in Northumberland county, has lived 
 in Union county. He owns a farm in Kelly 
 township, and some valuable property in the city 
 of Lewisburg. In politics he is a Republican, 
 and he is a prominent member of the Lutheran 
 Church. At the age of sixteen he enlisted in the 
 Union army, but his parents refused to let him 
 go to the front. On September 16, 1S79, he 
 was married to Miss Susan Ryan, daughter of 
 Benjamin Ryan, a farmer, then a resident of 
 Snyder county, Penn., but now of Northumber- 
 land county. One daughter, Nora G., born Oc- 
 tober 3, 1880, is now attending the high school 
 at Lewisburg. (4) Levi, born June 2, 1847, is a 
 farmer in Kelly township. Union county, residing 
 on the farm which he bought in the year 1892, 
 known as the Adam Young farm, which makes a 
 pleasant home. He married Miss Mary Rother- 
 mel, daughter of Isaac Rothermel, a shoemaker, 
 formerly of Berks county, Penn., but now of 
 Union county, and has two sons, Newton and 
 Hommer. (5) John C. , born April 6, 1854, is 
 also engaged in agriculture in Kelly township. 
 He resides on the old homestead where the Noll 
 family was reared, which he bought some years 
 ago. His wife, Rebecca, is a daughter of Sam- 
 uel Spotts, of the same township, and they have 
 one daughter, Laura, born in 1882. 
 
 Farm life during our subject's boyhood fur- 
 nished many kinds of employment which, owing 
 to the absence of machinery, extended through- 
 out the year. Mr. Noll remained at home until 
 the age of eighteen, assisting in the work and 
 attending the local schools, and then began work- 
 ing by the month for other farmers, spending 
 four years at this occupation. One year as a 
 carpenter for the Pennsylvania Railroad Com- 
 pany followed, but he preferred agricultural pur- 
 suits and returned to the old homestead, where he 
 was employed by the month for two years, and 
 also ran a threshing machine in partnership with 
 his brother William. 
 
 On November 26, 1868, Mr. Noll was mar- 
 ried, at the residence of the bride's parents, to 
 Miss Sarah J. Leiby, who was born in Limestone 
 township, Union county, March 30, 1846. Her 
 father, David Leiby, is a well-known citizen in 
 Kelly township, Union county. Mr. and Mrs. 
 Noll have one son, William C. , born November 
 26, 1869, who is now his father's right-hand 
 man upon the farm. 
 
 61* 
 
 After his marriage, Mr. Noll rented a farm in 
 Buffalo township, Union county, for three years, 
 and then for twenty years rented a farm which 
 belonged to the late Squire Cameron, of Lewis- 
 burg. In 1 891 he removed to his present home 
 near Kelly Poin^, and in 1892 he purchased the 
 farm in that locality now conducted by his son, 
 formerly known as the John Kling farm. In ad- 
 dition to his agricultural work, Mr. Noll has been 
 extensively engaged in dealing in stock, and by 
 his careful and judicious management he has ac- 
 cumulated a fair competence. 
 
 Mr. Noll is an active member of the Farmers 
 Alliance at Brook Park, and is also prominent in 
 the Republican organization of his locality. 
 While in Buffalo township he served as school 
 director for nine years. He is a ready friend to 
 any religious movement and for many years has 
 been a member of the Lutheran Church. 
 
 P 
 
 A. BAKER, a leading business man and 
 farmer residing in Vicksburg, is a native of 
 Union county, born May 19, 1844, in Buffalo 
 township, and on both the paternal and mater- 
 nal sides belongs to old and prominent families 
 of Pennsylvania. Wendell Baker, who was the 
 first of the family to come to Union county, was 
 born April 2, 1730, and during the trying times 
 of the Revolutionary war aided the Colonies in 
 throwing off the yoke of British oppression. His 
 wife was born August 4, 1730, and died on the 
 8th of October, 1782. In their family were sev- 
 eral daughters and two sons, the latter being 
 Jacob, the grandfather of our subject, and John. 
 Jacob Baker was one of the prominent and 
 most substantial business men and farmers of his 
 community, owning a large tract of land, and 
 also a sawmill, fulling-mill and carding-machine, 
 which he operated. After the death of his brother 
 John he purchased his property. He married Cath- 
 arine Rockey, who was born in Lancaster county, 
 Penn., January 17, 1782, and died May 5, 1857. 
 She was' the daughter of Henry and Elizabeth 
 Rockey, the former of whom was born in 1757, 
 and died in 1796, and the latter born in 1757, 
 died in 1807. The death of Jacob Baker oc- 
 curred April 19, 1827, and he and his wife were 
 were both buried in a private cemetery in Buffalo 
 township, on what was known as the Wendell 
 Baker farm, and in which Wendell Baker was 
 the first interment. The grandfather's death re- 
 sulted from illness brought on by breaking through 
 the ice while crossing Buffalo creek. While not 
 a member of any Church, he leaned toward the 
 Dunkard faith, and led a straightforward, honor- 
 able life. 
 
962 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 In the family of Jacob and Catharine (Rockey) 
 Baker were the following children: Elizabeth, 
 born June 25, 1804, married Jacob Rengler, and 
 died in St. Clair co%nty. 111. ; Samuel, born Oc- 
 tober 19, 1806, died in Buffalo township, Union 
 county, October 1, 1895; John, born Octobei 2, 
 1808, died in the same township May 26, 1838; 
 Mary, born February 8, 1812, is now the 
 widow of David Kelly, and lives in Buffalo town- 
 ship; Jacob, born December 3. 18 13, died in 
 that township in the fall of 185;; Henry, the 
 father of our subject, is next in order of birth; 
 Catharine, born November 12, 1820, married 
 Peter Voneida, and died in Northumberland 
 county, Penn.; and William, born December 10, 
 1822, died in Buffalo township. 
 
 Henry Baker was born July 20, 1817, on the 
 old Baker homestead, along Buffalo creek in 
 Buffalo township, and was there reared until 
 fifteen years of age when he went to live with 
 his brother-in-law, David Kelly, in Kelly town- 
 ship, Union county, remaining with him six 
 years. On going there he was able to do a man's 
 work 111 the harvest field. Later he spent one 
 summer in Illinois, riding to and from that State- 
 horse back, and on his return trip started 
 with two fine horses which he had purchased, 
 • as one became unmanageable he sold it and 
 bought instead a fine sorrel mare of running 
 stock. 
 
 In Buffalo township, during his early man- 
 hood, Henry Baker was married to Miss Mary 
 M. Pontius. Her father, Philip Pontius, was 
 born August 15. 1789, and was the eighth son of 
 Lieut. Henry and Catharine (Wolfe) Ponl 
 The Lieutenant was a son of John Pontius who 
 came to America from Switzerland in the early 
 part of the seventeenth century, and with his 
 wife located in Berks county. Penn. Their son 
 Henry, who was born in 1744. was a Revolution- 
 ary soldier, and in that war attained the rank of 
 lieutenant. Soon after the French war he 1 
 to Buffalo Valley, but did not locate permanent- 
 ly here until 1770, when he took up 600 acres of 
 land on Cedar run, and built a house that stood 
 I 1 ' ver a century, though it was greatly re- 
 modeled. He was a noted Indian fighter, and 
 was one of the principal actors in the frequent 
 dramas brought about by the contiguity of the 
 Red men and the early settlers. He married 
 Catharine Wolfe, by whom he had twelve 
 children, namely: Andrew, Frederick, Henry, 
 Nicholas, John, George, Peter. Philip, Jonathan, 
 ( itharine, Christina, and Barbara. He died in 
 [822, and Ins widow seven years later. 
 
 Philip Pontius, the maternal grandfather of 
 our subject, spent his entire life in Union county. 
 
 During the war of 18 12 he was drafted, but 
 having several brothers in the service, and being 
 needed at home, he hired a substitute. In his 
 younger years he taught school for some time, 
 and for many years was a member of the school 
 board, and also secretary of the board of trustees 
 of the Mifrlinburg Academy. He was recognized 
 as a valued and public-spirited citizen, and was 
 called upon to serve in a number of local offices, 
 including those of supervisor and assessor of his 
 township. He retained his excellent memory 
 until near the last of his long and honorable 
 career, and died in 1S72, when past the age of 
 
 ity-three. In 1S14 he had married Abigail 
 Thompson, who was born in 1790, and was the 
 daughter of Benjamin and Eleanor (Robinson) 
 Thompson. Nine children were born to them: 
 Catharine; Benjamin Thompson; Mary Matilda, 
 the mother of our subject; Emanuel; Samuel; 
 Eliza A. ; Henry P. ; Caroline, and Angeline L. 
 
 Alter his marriage, Henry Baker located on 
 his mother's farm as a tenant, remaining there 
 seventeen years, and then bought the John Piddle 
 farm near Vicksburg, where he lived for twenty 
 years. Removing to Vicksburg in the spring of 
 [885, he lived retired until his death, which 
 curred at his beautiful home in that place, Feb- 
 ruary 24, 1890. His wife passed away in April. 
 1893, at the age of seventy-two, and they now 
 sleep side by side in the Dreisbach cemeter) 
 They were consistent members of the Reformed 
 Church, and the parents of four children: P. A . 
 of this sketch; Benjamin F., who died at the age 
 of fifteen; Henry K., who died of diphtheria at 
 the age of six years; and Laura A., now the wife 
 of John Everett, of Vicksburg. 
 
 Physically the father was five feet eight and 
 a half inches in height, and weighed about one 
 hundred and fifty-two pounds. On November 
 5, 1874, while in Lewisburg with 32 cwt. of 
 coal upon his wagon, he fell off the wagon in 
 trying to lock it and had both limbs crushed. 
 Only the best medical skill and attendance saved 
 them; by the following March he had almost en- 
 tirely recovered their use to the surprise of every- 
 one. In politics he was a stanch Democrat, but 
 took no active part in public affairs. In a K 
 publican township he was several times elected 
 overseer of the poor, a fact which indicated his 
 popularity and the high regard in which he was 
 held. 
 
 While temporarily making his home with his 
 maternal grandfather, P. A. Baker began his 
 education in the Pontius school-house, and the 
 knowledge that he acquired in the country 
 schools was supplemented by a course in the 
 academy at Lewisburg. On January 9, 1872, in 
 
COMMEMORA TIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 963 
 
 Vicksburg, he was married to Miss Mary J. Kleck- 
 ner, who was born in Union county, May 16, 
 1844, a daughter of William and Elizabeth 
 (Shoemaker) Kleckner. Six children grace their 
 union: H. \V. , born October 2, 1873, is a farmer 
 residing at home; Martin E., born August 17, 
 1875, is assistant postmaster of Vicksburg; 
 Francis T., born August 12, 1878, is attending 
 school; and Marion E., born April 12, 1881; 
 Philip E., born December 10, 1883, and Mary 
 L. , born June 10, 1887, are all at home. 
 
 After his marriage, our subject operated his 
 father's farm two years, but in 1874 purchased 
 the Adam Young farm at $142.50 per acre, and 
 there continued to live until his removal to Vicks- 
 burg, where he owns one-half part of the old 
 Shoemaker farm of 127 acres, which cost him 
 $166 per acre, and was but poorly improved in 
 the way of buildings. He sold his first purchase 
 in 1890, but still retains the farm at Vicksburg, 
 which he successfully operated for a few years, 
 but now gives most of his time and attention to 
 the implement business, fn 1894 he erected his 
 present store building, where he also conducts the 
 post office, being appointed postmaster on the 
 17th of June of that year. He has never taken 
 a very active part in political affairs, but always 
 supports the men and measures of the Demo- 
 cratic party, and has been made election in- 
 spector. 
 
 Mr. Baker and his estimable wife are active 
 and prominent members of the Reformed Church, 
 and he has been appointed elder of the Church 
 newly organized in Vicksburg. The Sunday- 
 school has also found in him an able champion, 
 and he fitted up the building in Vicksburg, where 
 the first Sunday-school was held. A public- 
 spirited, enterprising man, he is always ready and 
 willing to aid any measure for the interest or 
 benefit of the community, and one time was a 
 member of the Grange. 
 
 THOMAS WILSON, formerly a leading agri- 
 culturist of Kelly township, Union county, 
 is now a resident of the charming little city of 
 Lewisburg, where he and his family are promi- 
 nently identified with the most cultured social 
 circles. He is a representative of a well-known 
 family, and his estimable wife belongs to the 
 Geddes family, whose name has been held in 
 honor in this State from an early day. 
 
 On the paternal side the first ancestor — 
 Scotch-Irish in descent — of whom there is a 
 definite record, is James Wilson, who, when 
 seven years old, came from Ireland with his par- 
 ents, and settled in Derry township, Union coun- 
 
 ty. He married (first) Martha Sterritt, and 
 (second) Ann Sterritt, who died January 15, 
 1789, his death occurring in September, 1793. 
 By the second union there were nine children, 
 of whom the eldest was a son, William, the 
 grandfather of our subject. He was born June 
 14, 1743, and died April 9. 1824. His wife, 
 Elizabeth Robinson, to whom he was married 
 October 24, 1773, was born in 1758, and died in 
 181 5. Of their thirteen children, our subject's 
 father, Samuel Wilson, was the ninth in order 
 of birth. He was born April 9, 1790, and died 
 January 16, 1843, and was during his lifetime a 
 prosperous agriculturist of Kelly township, Union 
 county, and a well-known Democrat. On De- 
 cember 12, 1 8 16, he married Miss Elizabeth 
 Nevius, who was born October 4, 1796, and died 
 August 9, 185 1. They were both members of 
 the Methodist Church, and were highly esteemed 
 for their excellent qualities of character. Their 
 children's names with dates of birth are as fol- 
 lows: Mary, March 22, 18 17, who married 
 William Frick. and died in Chester, Penn., Feb- 
 ruary 25, 1889; Elizabeth, January 29. 1S19, 
 died September 25, 1823; Sarah Ann, July 26, 
 1821, died October 12, 1823; William. April 15, 
 1825, died July 9, 1896; Lucretia, January 12, 
 1827, married James L. Norton, and resides in 
 Winona, Minn.; Lutetia, January 12, 1S27; 
 Thomas, our subject, August 21, 1828; Samuel, 
 February 28, 1 831, was a colonel in the Union 
 army during the Rebellion, and is now living in 
 Williamsport; Eliza, February 3, 1833, has 
 never married; John M., September 27, 1834; re- 
 sides in Chester, Penn.; James, October 12, 
 
 1836, died March 25, 1S38; Nancy Maria, De- 
 cember 2, 1838, resides with her sister in Minne- 
 sota; George Potter, January 19, 1840, is an at- 
 torney in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 
 
 For many years Thomas Wilson resided in 
 Kelly township. Union county, where his birth oc- 
 curred nearly seventy years ago. His wife, form- 
 erly Miss Mary Elizabeth Geddes, was born July 4, 
 
 1837. Of nine children, three are living: (1) 
 James Geddes, born February 2, i860, died July 
 18, 188S. (2) William F., born October 17, 
 1 861, married Miss Bertha Rank, of Minnesota, 
 and has four children— Glenn W.. Paul, Thomas. 
 and Carlyle. (3) Harry Norton, born December 
 6, 1863, died December 23, 1881. (4) George 
 Matthew, born January 20, 1867, died March 6, 
 1881. (5) Paul G., born November 20, 1869, 
 died February 15, 1886. (6) Thomas S., born 
 March 21, 1871, married Miss Maude Wheelock, 
 of St. Charles, Minn., and has one son, Alonzo. 
 (7) Mary Elizabeth, born March 19, 1873. hav- 
 ing graduated from Bucknell Institute, is now 
 
904 
 
 ' OMMEMOBATIVB BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 pursuing a post-graduate course at the University 
 ! Michigan. Carrie G., born November 30, 
 
 1875, died August 30, 1S86. (9) J. Earl, born 
 April 25, 1S81, died April 2, 1893. 
 
 The Geddes family is of Scotch origin, and 
 traces its descent from Paul Geddes, who was 
 born between 1660-70, in Scotland, and died 
 there between 1720-30. He married a widow, 
 Mrs. McElroy, and, according to family history, 
 had one son, James, born in 1704. If there 
 were other children, there is now no record of 
 them. James Geddes married Margaret Muir, a 
 native of Scotland, and seems to have lived for 
 a time in Ireland, their youngest son, Samuel, 
 having been born there. About 1752 James 
 Geddes came with his wife and three sons to 
 America, and settled permanently in what is now 
 Dauphin county. Penn.. where his death occurred 
 at the age of sixty. His widow lived to eighty- 
 four years of age, and passed away in 1783. Of 
 the three children who grew to maturity, Paul, 
 born in 1732, died May 25, 1814; William, born 
 in 1735, died in [789; and Samuel, born in 1739, 
 died in 1788. 
 
 Samuel Geddes, the great-grandfather of Mrs. 
 Wilson, left four children, whose names, with 
 dates of birth and death, are here given: Sam- 
 uel, Februarv 26, 1775. August 23, 1S48; James, 
 August 5, 1 78 1, March 22, 1S67; William, Sep- 
 tember 10, 1789, October 28, 1836; Margaret, 
 June 11, 1785, May 6, 1862. James Geddes, 
 Mrs. Wilson's grandfather, was married Febru- 
 ary 12, 1807, to his cousin, Mary Geddes, and 
 resided all his life in Lewisburg, I'enn. He was 
 a man of marked character and absolute integ- 
 rity, and for more than forty years he was annu- 
 ally elected treasurer of a corporation of which 
 he was a member, an evidence of the unlimited 
 confidence of his associates. He and his wile 
 were both members of the Presbyterian Church, 
 and were greatly esteemed by a large circle of 
 friends. They had three children: Paul, Mar- 
 garet and James: 
 
 Paul Geddes 'father of Mrs. Wilson) was born 
 August 11. 1S10; he married Henrietta Fred- 
 rick, February 21, [832. He accompanied < . 
 eral Fremont across the Plains to California, and 
 spent a number of years in that State during its 
 pioneer days. His life was full of romance 
 adventure, which, if accurately recorded, would 
 make a volume of exciting interest, but he never 
 revealed the story, and posterity has thus lost 
 much valuable history. He died July 2, 1889, 
 at Lewisburg, Penn., where he was born and 
 where he spent the latter part of his life, enjoy- 
 ing the confidence and respect of all who knew 
 him. His wife, Henrietta, was born October 25, 
 
 1812, and died September 13, 1893. They had 
 four children, of whom Mrs. Wilson was the 
 youngest. The others were: James F., born 
 December 24, 1832, died December 12, 1S40; 
 Harriet Jenkins, born April 24, 1835, died April 
 7. [855; and William Cameron, born July 
 1839, died July 10, 1890. 
 
 JOSEPH D. WINTERS, a prominent mer- 
 chant of New Berlin, Union county, is a fine 
 type of business man, and while he had not 
 the extremes of poverty in early life which some 
 have had to overcome, he has worked his own 
 way up from the foot of the ladder. He has 
 unbounded energy and pluck, balanced by excel- 
 lent judgment, and his jovial, hearty manners 
 have won him a host of friends, his good humor 
 seeming to possess a contagious quality which 
 places all around him on pleasant terms. His 
 225 pounds avoirdupois is no barrier to an inces- 
 sant activity, notwithstanding the commonly ac- 
 cepted theories to the contrary, and if anyone 
 doubts it his personal history will prove that he 
 has been no laggard in life's battle. Mr. Win- 
 ter's ancestors settled in Pennsylvania at a very 
 early period, and his grandfather, Daniel Win- 
 ters, was born January 18, 1776, in Lancaster 
 county, where he grew to manhood, learning in 
 his youth the carpenter's trade. When a young 
 man he was married in his native country to Miss 
 Phcebe Sailer, who was born June 18, 1775. A 
 few years after his marriage he moved to New 
 Berlin, where he followed his trade and also at 
 times acted as auctioneer and town-crier. He 
 and his wife were both devout Church members, 
 and were held in high esteem by all who knew 
 them. He died January 5, 1837, and his wife 
 on March 26, 1861, their remains being interred 
 in the Union Cemetery at New Berlin. His 
 mother accompanied him from the old home in 
 Lancaster county, and her last days were spent 
 at New Berlin. Daniel and Phcebe Winters 
 reared a family of eight children, of whom our 
 subject's father was the youngest; Christian 
 died at Muncy, Penn.; Joseph at New Berlin; 
 John in Maryland; Daniel, Jr., and Samuel in 
 Centre county, Perm.; Elizabeth, widow of Henry 
 Mussina, resides at Mt. Carmel, Penn.; and 
 Jacob lives in New Berlin. 
 
 The late Benjamin Sailer Winters, the father 
 of our subject, was born August 15, 1S1 7, in 
 New Berlin, and although his parents were poor, 
 he secured education, his skill in pen- 
 
 manship being especially worthy of note. 1 r 
 
 r years he was engaged in teaching, but wages 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 965 
 
 in this calling were at that time too meagre to re- 
 tain men of ability, and Mr. Winters soon found a 
 more promising opening in mercantile life. Dur- 
 ing his boyhood he had spent some of his lei- 
 sure time clerking for John M. Benfer, of New 
 Berlin, and later he was employed by a merchant 
 at Aaronsburg, Penn. , and by John D. Bogar 
 and others of New Berlin. With this expe- 
 rience he ventured into business for himself, at 
 his native place as a member of the firm of Bo- 
 gar & Winters, later Rathfon & Winters, and 
 finally Schoch & Winters. For fifty years he 
 continued this business and then, on March 27, 
 1886, he retired, although in excellent health. 
 An acquaintance then remarked that he had 
 weighed and measured more goods than any man 
 in New Berlin. He retained much of the vivac- 
 ity which marked his youth, and the weight of 
 years seemed to have no effect upon his mental 
 faculties. He was always genial in manner and 
 witty in conversation, and throughout the large 
 circle of acquaintances which his extensive busi- 
 ness brought him he was held in high esteem, 
 his excellent habits and honest methods com- 
 manding the respect of all classes, while on his 
 part he was never known to desert a friend. If 
 he had an enemy he never knew it, for he was 
 himself incapable of holding an unforgiving at- 
 titude toward anyone. He was five feet eight 
 inches in height, and weighed 163 pounds, and 
 wore a full beard, fourteen inches long. His 
 constitution was unusually strong, and his first 
 serious illness came with a stroke of paralysis on 
 August 15, 1892, which resulted in his death Jan- 
 uary 24, 1894. As a citizen he was always 
 ready to forward any worthy movement, and if 
 necessary he did not hesitate to lead one, his 
 interest in local progress being shown in many 
 ways. For many years he was a consistent 
 member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, in 
 which he held various offices, and he also filled 
 creditably positions of trust in civil life, serving 
 as burgess, councilman and school director. His 
 first vote was cast for William H. Harrison, and 
 he remained a Whig until the formation of the 
 Republican party, of which he became a stead- 
 fast supporter. In the words of a friend, " One 
 always knew where Ben Winters stood " in State 
 or National issues. 
 
 When about twenty-five years old he was 
 united in marriage with Miss Susannah Schoch, 
 a native of New Berlin and a member of one of 
 its best families. She was born in 1827, the 
 daughter of Sem and Esther (Kline) Schoch, and 
 her death occurred April 30, 1891. Our subject 
 was the youngest child and only son of this esti- 
 mable couple. Miss Jennie E. Winters now re- 
 
 sides in Philadelphia, and Anna E. married Jere- 
 miah Maize, of New Berlin. 
 
 Joseph D. Winters first saw the light October 
 19, 1 8 59, and has always made his home at 
 New Berlin. He attended the public schools 
 for a time, Miss Kate Mouck being his first 
 teacher, and later took a course in the Union 
 Seminary (now C. P. C). On leaving school 
 in the spring of 1876 he began to turn his atten- 
 tion to the problem of self support to which he 
 had already began to attach importance, as he 
 had from the age of fourteen bought his own 
 clothes from the proceeds of the sale of news- 
 papers. In this business he was a pioneer in his 
 town, being the first boy to sell papers on the 
 street. On October 10, 1876, he entered his 
 father's store as a clerk, remaining until 1886, 
 when he was employed by M. L. Schoch in a 
 similar capacity at a salary of $45 per month. 
 This position he held until April 19, 1892, and 
 on August 8 of that year he became a traveling 
 salesman for the Hooven Mercantile Co., of 
 New York, his task being to introduce their 
 goods into Union, Perry, Centre, Snyder, Mifflin, 
 and Juniata counties, where they had not been 
 represented up to that time. He was taken for 
 a month on trial, and so successful was he that he 
 was retained at an increased salary. As business 
 grew his salary was again enlarged, and he now 
 enjoys a large trade and a correspondingly satis- 
 factory income. On April 1, 1887, he bought a 
 lot at New Berlin with an eye to erecting a resi- 
 dence and store building, and in 1893 this plan 
 was carried out, his present store being opened 
 March 10, 1894. When he began this venture 
 he inaugurated the cash system, then entirely 
 new in that town, and despite predictions of fail- 
 ure he has demonstrated that business may be suc- 
 cessfully conducted on this basis even in the face 
 of one hundred years of contrary practice. The 
 fact that his large custom has been built up in 
 competition with old and well established firms 
 reflects great credit upon him. While still re- 
 taining his position with the New York firm he is 
 always to be found in his store when not " out on 
 the road," and his success so far indicates that in 
 due time he will be the leading merchant in his 
 locality. 
 
 Mr. Winters was first married to Miss Margar- 
 et Moyer, a native of East Buffalo township, 
 Union county, born April 6, i860, the daughter 
 of Samuel and Margaret (Brown) Moyer. She 
 passed to the unseen life April 6, 1891, and on 
 March 15, 1894, he formed a second union with 
 Miss Carrie M. Derr, who was born May 18, 
 1870, near Paxtonville, Penn., the daughter of 
 Calvin L. and Lydia (Moyer) Derr. By the first 
 
966 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 marriage he has one son, Wainwright M., born 
 June 25, 1880, who is now a clerk in the store. 
 There are two children by the second marriage, 
 Deloma D., born August 25, 1S94, and Rowena 
 Schoch, born March 22, 1897. Mr. Winters' 
 home is a pleasant one, supplied after his own 
 ideas with all modern conveniences. His family 
 is well known in social life, and he is a leading 
 mi mber of the Lutheran Church, serving as dea- 
 con at onetime, and always taking an active part 
 in the Sunday-school, of which he is at pres- 
 ent the secretary. He also belongs to the I. O. 
 O. F., of New Berlin. In politics he is a stanch 
 Republican so far as National or State policy is 
 concerned, but in borough or county elections he 
 chooses tin " bi si man." 
 
 JOHN A. BEARD, an able and successful at- 
 torney of Mifflinburg, is a young man who 
 has won recognition in his profession in an 
 unusually brief time. He was born June 30, 
 1861, in Berks county, Penn., where his family, 
 which is oi German origin, has been prominent 
 sini ■■ 1 r times. Henry Beard, his grand- 
 
 father, passed the ninety years of his life there, 
 he and his wife, who was a Miss Warren, a 
 granddaughter of General Warren, of Bunker 
 Hill fame, rearing a family of four children — 
 Augustus W. . Elizabeth; Amos H., now living in 
 Reading, Penn.; and Catherine. 
 
 Augustus W. Beard, our subject's father, was 
 born October 19. 1830, and also made his per- 
 manent home in Berks county, engaging for 
 some time in early manhood in school teaching, 
 ami later in mercantile business in Philadelphia, 
 Penn. For many years previous to his death in 
 September 13. [876, he was identified with the 
 Reformed Church, and held a place among the 
 leading men of his community. His wife, 
 Amanda Louise Bechtel, was born in Berks 
 county, September 18, 1 S 3 7 , and died April 16, 
 1889. Her father, John A. Bechtel, was a na- 
 tive of Philadelphia, and resided there during the 
 greater portion of his life, his death occurring at 
 Newport, Penn., at the age of seventy-six. He 
 married a Miss Seidel, who died when but little 
 over twenty years old, leaving three children — 
 Henry H., of Cincinnati, Ohio; Mrs. Mary M. 
 Gast, of Mifflinburg, Penn. ; and Mrs. Beard. Of 
 the six children of Augustus and Amanda Beard 
 three died in infancy. Three sons survive — 
 Horace, superintendent of the Newport tannery 
 at Newport, Penn.; Harry B., who superintends 
 a similar establishment at New Decatur, Ala. ; 
 and John A., of this sketch. 
 
 During his boyhood, Mr. Beard received ex- 
 
 cellent educational advantages, attending school 
 for a time in Philadelphia, and from 1876 to 
 [880 he pursued higher branches of study at 
 Mifflinburg. He then began to read law under 
 the direction of Horace P. Glover of that city, 
 in December, 1882, was admitted to the Bar, and 
 at once opened an office for independent prac- 
 tice. In this he has been very successful, hav- 
 ing acquired an extensive general practice, in 
 connection with which he does special work in 
 collections. 
 
 On November 1, 1894, Mr. Beard was mar- 
 ried to Miss Minerva J. Pellman, a native of 
 Limestone township, Union county, born Feb- 
 ruary 23, i860. They are prominent in the 
 best social circles of Mifflinburg, and Mr. Heard 
 is a member of the Reformed Church, and of 
 the Masonic fraternity. In politics he is a Re- 
 publican. 
 
 A 
 
 j MOS GROFF, a well-known resident of 
 Yicksburg, is one of the principal land- 
 holders of that locality, his possessions including 
 four farms of one hundred acres each, with other 
 tracts, amounting in all to about six hundred 
 acres. One of his estates has especially inter- 
 esting associations, being the original homestead 
 of the Groff family in Union county. TheGroffs 
 came from Germany at a very early day, and the 
 family is now numerously represented in this 
 section, but the name is commonly spelled Grove. 
 Our subject is now about the only one in Union 
 county who retains the old form. For several 
 generations his ancestors have followed agri- 
 cultural pursuits, his great-grandfather, Adam 
 Groff, residing in Pennsylvania. The first of the 
 family to acquire land in Union county was 
 Abraham Groff, Jr., our subject's grandfather, 
 who bought a tract in Buffalo township, near 
 Mifflinburg, about [828, which he gave to his 
 eldest son, Adam. In 1S31 Abraham Groff, Jr., 
 and his wife, Nancy Graybill, came to the county 
 and settled in Kelly township, where he died at 
 the age of seventy-one, and his wife at sixty-one 
 years of age. They had twelve children, none 
 of whom are now living, three dying in infancy. 
 Adam is mentioned below; Abram died it; Kelly 
 township; Lavina, Mrs. John Leiser, died in 
 1856 in Northumberland county; Nancy m 
 married; Catherine, Mrs. William Leinbach, 
 died in Northumberland county; David and John 
 in Kelly township. Union county; Lucy, Mrs. 
 Peter Guyer, in Buffalo township; and Martha, 
 Mrs. John Leinbach, in Northumberland county. 
 A lam Groff, our subject's father, was born 
 December 21, 1802, in Earl township, Lanca- 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 967 
 
 county, Perm., and was married in 1828 to Miss 
 Leah Miller, who was born in the same county 
 October 22, 1807, the daughter of John and 
 Magdalena (Groff) Miller. After his marriage 
 Adam Groff located at once upon the farm near 
 Mifninburg, being the first of the family to take 
 up his residence in the county. He was a suc- 
 cessful farmer, and though somewhat below the 
 average height was capable of much hard work. 
 In his business dealings he was noted for scrupu- 
 lous fulfillment of obligations, and his excellent 
 qualities gained him the respect of all who knew 
 him. Although not especially fond of political 
 office, he served one term as supervisor of Buffalo 
 township, and was an unwavering supporter of 
 the principles of the Republican party. He and 
 his wife were both members of the Reformed 
 Church. His death occurred March 6, 1878, 
 and she survived him until December 23, 1893, 
 when she breathed her last, the remains of both 
 being interred in Dreisbach cemetery. Of their 
 two children, our subject was the only one to live 
 to adult age, the elder son, Graybill, dying when 
 three years old. 
 
 Mr. Groff first saw the light April 1, 1832, at 
 the old homestead, and his life during boyhood 
 was that of the average country boy of that day, 
 farm work requiring much more time then than 
 now. He attended the " Pontius school " in his 
 district, and might have had better opportunities 
 when he completed the course of study there, 
 but he declined his parents' offer to send him 
 elsewhere. Practical training in all kinds, the 
 details of farm work management prepared him 
 for his successful career, while by precept and 
 example his father and mother impressed upon 
 him the value of honesty and uprightness, and 
 all the sterling qualities of character which go to 
 make up good citizenship. On December 24, 
 1854, he was married in Hartley township, Union 
 county, to Miss Elizabeth Ruhl, who was born 
 November 30, 1S31, the daughter of George 
 Ruhl, a well-to-do farmer of that township, and 
 his wife, Hannah Kauffman. Mr. Groff con- 
 tinued to reside at the homestead until March, 
 1893, when he removed to Vicksburg, his widowed 
 mother accompanying him. Her death was 
 followed on March 27, 1895, by that of his 
 estimable wife, who was buried at Dreisbach 
 church. Although Mr. Groff does not work as 
 actively as of yore, he still oversees his extensive 
 property. As a manager he has shown unusual 
 sagacity, his fine inheritance having been increased 
 largely, and while he has at times met with seri- 
 ous losses he has never been overwhelmed by 
 them. Asking only his dues, he concedes the 
 same right to others, and many worthy move- 
 
 ments have been assisted by him. In manner he 
 is quiet and unassuming, but his conversation is 
 of rare interest owing to a keen memory which 
 keeps all the observations of past years at ready 
 command. He is a leading member of the Re- 
 formed Church, and is active in local politics, 
 his advocacy of Republican doctrines being as 
 constant and effective as was that of his honored 
 father. He has never sought office, however, his 
 business requiring his entire time and attention. 
 
 JONATHAN SANDERS. The old homestead 
 of the Sanders family in Union county is 
 beautiful for situation, lying along the bank 
 of Penn's creek, just below the Bridge at Cen- 
 terville. It has been in the possession of some 
 member of the family ever since September 26, 
 1796, when Henry Sanders, Sr., the grandfather 
 of the well-known citizen whose name opens this 
 sketch, came from Cocalico township, Lancaster 
 county, Penn., to make his home in this section. 
 He was a blacksmith by trade, and prominent 
 among the early settlers. His death occurred 
 February 17, 1850, at the age of eighty-two 
 years. His wife in her maidenhood was Eva 
 Franz, and they reared a family of eight children, 
 among whom were four sons, viz.: Henry, Jr., 
 our subject's father; David, who removed to 
 western Pennsylvania, and died there in 1878; 
 John, who died in Snyder county in 1876; and 
 and Jacob, who located in Sandusky, Ohio. 
 
 Henry Sanders, Jr., was born in 1795 in Lan- 
 caster county, and was a mere child when he was 
 brought to the present homestead, where he grew 
 to manhood, with the training common to the 
 time and locality. Choosing farming as an occu- 
 pation, he made his first venture on a farm be- 
 longing to his father, in Hartley township, Union 
 county. While there he married Miss Catherine 
 Kauffman, a native of the township, and in 1826 
 he removed to his father's farm near Centerville 
 and made his permanent home. He was a good 
 manager, and, without doing as much manual 
 labor as some, he succeeded admirably, his boys 
 being allowed to do the greater part of the active 
 work as they grew old enough. In local affairs 
 he was influential, and he occasionally held office, 
 serving at one time as supervisor of what is now 
 Limestone township, Union county. In 1844 he 
 was elected county commissioner, the wages 
 then being $1.25 per day. Politically he was 
 first a Whig and later a Republican. He died 
 January u, 1870, and his wife, who was a de- 
 vout member of the Lutheran Church, passed 
 away February 16, 1877, at the age of seventy- 
 seven, the remains of both being interred in the 
 

 COMMEMDUA 11 7R BIOGRAPHICAL UKCORD. 
 
 cemetery at Centerville. Their children were: 
 Henry K., a retired farmer residing at Center- 
 ville; Jacob, a resident of New I>erlin, Penn. ; 
 Joseph, a farmer who died in Mifflinburg March 
 4. 1896; Jonathan, our subject; Sarah, who died 
 at the age of eighteen years; Margaret, \\ id- 
 Daniel Reber, of New Berlin; and Anna C, 
 widow of Col. Edward Smith, of the same city. 
 Our subject's birth occurred at the old home- 
 stead September 23, 1836, and he received bis 
 early education in a school house which stood 
 upon the same estate, his first teacher being 
 Miss Matilda Weirick. His instruction was con- 
 fined almost exclusively to reading, writing and 
 arithmetic, but the study 1 grammar was added 
 during one winter term. At sixteen he left 
 school to take charge of a team for hauling wood, 
 coal and lime. There was plenty of work to do 
 at home, and, being the youngest son, he was 
 kept busily employed after the elder boys mar- 
 ried and left the farm. On December 24, 1863, 
 he was married in New Berlin to Miss Harriet 
 Walter, who was born April 16, 1846, in the 
 same township, the daughter of Abraham and 
 Christiana (Eyer) Walter. She had also been 
 reared to farm life with the usual educational 
 privileges of the time, and has been an unfailing 
 helper in all his enterprises. The young COI 
 located at the homestead, Mr. Sanders working 
 the farm on shares, and, after his father's death 
 in 1S70, he purchased the place, paying sixty 
 dollars per acre, and going 111 debt to some ex- 
 tent. The estate has been greatly inipr>> 
 since, the barn and residence having been re- 
 modeled, and all the other buildings replaced 
 with new. The same faculty for management 
 for which his father was so noted is prominent 
 in his work, and he ranks among the most suc- 
 cessful agriculturists of the locality. In addition 
 to the homestead, he owns 170 acres of farming' 
 and timber land in Snyder county, and a pleas- 
 ant home in New Berlin. In [88 1 he had the 
 misfortune to be kicked by a horse, and he has 
 never fully recovered from the injury. Since 
 that time he has done no manual labor, and in 
 removed to New Berlin. The attrac- 
 tions of the old home, where his entire life I 
 been spent, were too strong for him to be con- 
 tented anywhere else, and in 1891 he returned 
 to the farm, where he has remained in a happv 
 and peaceful retirement. With plenty of this 
 world's goods, he takes life philosophically, satis- 
 fied that he has done his duty in his appoii 
 sphere. His three daughters, who were edu- 
 cated in New Berlin, have all married well: 1 1 1 
 Emma J., is the wife of Harvey Mover, of Sny- 
 der county, and has had five children — Lester. 
 
 Torrence C, Harriet, Martha and Henry J., all of 
 whom are living, except Martha. (2) Elva C. 
 married Prof. G. Holzapfel, of Cleona, Penn., 
 proprietor of a monthly magazine known as the 
 "Pulpit', and editor of two others, "The 
 Preacher's Helper" and •' The Teacher's Aid." 
 They have two children, Nellie Ruth and Cora 
 Grace. (3) Cora Belle married Charles O. 
 Smith, a graduate of the Philadelphia College of 
 Pharmacy, now residing in Washington, Dis- 
 trict of Columbia. 
 
 Mr. Sanders is a Republican, but has never 
 • into political life, although he has at times 
 held office as township auditor and inspector of 
 elections. He and his wife are leading members 
 of the Lutheran Church, in which he has ser 
 as elder. 
 
 DAVID REBER (deceased, whose name will 
 long be remembered amofig those of the 
 financial leaders of this section, was identified for 
 nearly forty years with the Lewisburg National 
 Bank as cashier. His unwavering devotion to 
 the duties of this responsible post, together with 
 his natural qualifications, gained him the un- 
 bounded confidence of all whose interests were 
 entrusted to his hands, while as a citizen he was 
 held in the highest esteem throughout the com- 
 munity. His broad sympathies included all 
 phases of effort, and he was prominent in relig- 
 ious and philanthropic work as a member of the 
 Presbyterian Church. While he was never a 
 politician, he took a keen interest in the ques- 
 tions of the day, and was a stanch believer in 
 the policy of the Republican party. Mr. Reber's 
 family became identified with Buffalo Valley at 
 an early day, and he was born at the old home- 
 stead in Union county. June 19, 1817. ' His 
 father, the late John Reber, followed agricult- 
 ural pursuits for many years; but his last days 
 were spent in retirement at Lewisburg. Of his 
 sons, only one, Thomas Reber, of Lewisburg, is 
 now living 
 
 On January 7, 1840, David Reber was mar- 
 ried in Kelly township, Union county, to Miss 
 Margaret Musser, who was born December 11, 
 181 7, and they then settled in Lewisburg, in the 
 pleasant home where they spent more than half 
 a century of mutual happiness. On September 
 11, 1894, Mr. Reber passed from earth, his de- 
 voted life companion surviving him until June 
 14. [897, when she, too, was called to the life be- 
 yond, at the time of her death being one of the 
 oldest residents of Lewisburg. Their two sons 
 are well settled in life: (1) William McClellan, 
 born March 4, (842, resides in Bloomsburg, 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 9(59 
 
 Perm. He married Elizabeth R. McKinney, of 
 that city, and has two children — Edith McKin- 
 ney and William McKelvy. (2) John Musser, 
 born September 24, 1845, is a resident of Bos- 
 ton, Mass. He married Miss Ferry, and has two 
 sons — Jack and William. 
 
 Mrs. Margaret Reber was a member of the 
 Presbyterian Church, and in former days was a 
 leader in its activities. Her father, John Musser, 
 was a native of Lancaster county, Penn., of 
 which locality her grandfather Musser was an 
 early settler. John Musser came to Union coun- 
 ty and located upon a farm in Kelly township, 
 where he died at the age of forty. He was a 
 man of unusual enterprise and business acumen, 
 and successfully conducted a distillery for some 
 years. His wife, Sarah (McClellan), was born in 
 Mifflin county, the daughter of the well-known 
 pioneer, Hugh McClellan. She survived her 
 husband forty-two years, remaining faithful to 
 his memory, her death occurring when she was 
 eighty years and two months old. Her children 
 were: Robert (deceased); Margaret (Mrs. Reber); 
 Joseph; William, a physician at Muncy, Penn.; 
 John, who met a soldier's death at the battle of 
 the Wilderness while serving as lieutenant- 
 colonel of a Pennsylvania regiment; and James 
 W., who died in California in May, 1897. 
 
 FREDERICK REAGEL, a worthy and 
 honored representative of the early pioneers of 
 Central Pennsylvania, is a true type of the ener- 
 getic, hardy and courageous men, who actively 
 assisted in the development of Union county. He 
 was born October 24, 1S21, four miles and a half 
 west of Centreville, in what is now Snyder county, 
 but was then a part of Union county, and is a son 
 of John and Catharine (Bingaman) Reagel. The 
 father, who was one of a large family, was born 
 in Berks county, Penn., but when a young man 
 located in Snyder county, where his marriage was 
 celebrated. Learning the tanner's trade under 
 Jacob Moyer in Moser's Valley, he followed that 
 occupation for many years, but later turned his 
 attention to farming. He lived to be about 
 seventy-two years of age, and his remains were 
 interred in the Hossinger Church cemetery, in 
 Snyder county, and his wife, who died at the 
 home of our subject in Buffalo township, Union 
 county, at the age of eighty-eight, was also 
 buried there. He was identified with the Demo- 
 cratic party, and both held membership in the 
 Reformed Church. 
 
 Frederick Reagel was the oldest son and 
 second in order of birth in the family of fourteen 
 children, seven sons and seven daughters. The 
 
 family being large, and the parents poor, the 
 boys early began earning their own livelihood, and 
 therefore our subject's educational advantages 
 were limited to three months' attendance at a 
 German school. At the age of fourteen he 
 started out in life for himself, and for four years 
 his wages went toward the support of the family. 
 Under the direction of Samuel L. Noll, he then 
 began learning the carpenter's trade, which he 
 successfully followed for forty years. As a con- 
 tractor he erected many of the best houses and 
 barns in his locality, and he also worked at the 
 cabinet maker's trade, manufacturing much of his 
 own furniture. 
 
 On December 16, 1845, in Middleburg, Snyder 
 county, Mr. Reagel was united in marriage with 
 Mary A. Wyle, who was born April 2, 1826, near 
 Fogelsville, in Lehigh county, Penn., and is a 
 daughter of Jacob and Mary A. (Harman) Wyle. 
 The former, who was born in Montgomery 
 county, Penn., was a son of Peter Wyle. The 
 birth of the mother occurred in Germany, but 
 when an infant she was brought to the United 
 States by her parents, John Harmon and wife. 
 Jacob Wyle, a stone mason by trade, came to 
 Union county, where he and his wife spent their 
 remaining days, the former dying at the age of 
 forty-seven and the latter at the age of seventy- 
 five. In their family were thirteen children, five 
 sons and eight daughters, of whom Mrs. Reagel 
 is the fourth daughter and sixth child. She re- 
 mained at the old home in Lehigh county until 
 twelve years of age when she began earning her 
 own living, and her education was also in the 
 German language. 
 
 Upon his marriage Mr. Reagel rented a small 
 place in East Buffalo township, Union county, 
 which was very sparsely furnished, having only the 
 mere necessities. Later he rented a small farm 
 in Buffalo township, of David Gleck, for two 
 years, and in March, 1850, removed to his pres- 
 ent place, which he rented of George Frederick 
 for three years, and then purchased. For the 
 twenty-seven acres he paid $65 per acre, going 
 in debt for $1,450, but he has lived to see the 
 place cleared of all encumbrance, and with his 
 own hands he has erected every building upon 
 the place, and set out every fruit tree with the 
 exception of one sour cherry tree. In 1884 he 
 abandoned carpentering, and has since given his 
 entire time to the cultivation of his farm. 
 
 To Mr. and Mrs. Reagel were born a family 
 of eight children, as follows: Saloma H., born 
 September 27, 1846, married John Curus, and 
 died in Selins Grove, Penn. ; Lydia A., born July 
 9, 184S, first married Jonathan Miller, and since 
 his death has become the wife of John Irwin, of 
 
970 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPDICAL RECORD. 
 
 Kelly township, Union county; Elizabeth, born 
 July 2, 1850, died May 22. 1858; Wesley B.. 
 born May 26, 1852, is a harness maker of Chi- 
 cago, 111.; Mary A., born September 22, 1 s ; 4 . 
 is the wife of Samuel Schnure, of Montour coun- 
 ty, Penn.; Ausben \\\, born April 13, 1S56, is a 
 druggist of Waverly, 111., Alice C, born March 
 13. 1859, is at home; and Minerva, born May 12, 
 1866, is the wife of Charles Noll, of Buffalo town- 
 ship. Union county. 
 
 Mr. Reagel is still quite active and well pre- 
 served, having never been ill but once in his life, 
 when in 1855 he had typhoid fever. Honest, 
 industrious and persevering, he and his wife have 
 secured a comfortable competence, and their 
 genial, hospitable manners haw them a 
 
 t of warm friends. Earnest, consistent Chris- 
 tians, they are faithful members of the Dreisbach 
 Church, in which Mr. Keagel has served as dea- 
 con. On December 16, 1895, they celebrated 
 their golden wedding. In his political views Mr. 
 Reagel was first a Whig and later a Republican. 
 and has served his fellow citizens in the capacity 
 of overseer of the poor in Buffalo township. 
 
 CHARLES A. BOGAR, a general merchant 
 and substantial citizen of Mifflinburg, Union 
 county, is a native of Pennsylvania, having been 
 born January 25, 1 S60, at Mifflinburg. 
 
 William Bogar, father of our subject, whose 
 parents were Paul and Mary (Mahoghy) Bogar, 
 was born April 24, 1S24, in Sunburv, Penn., and 
 died March 25, [889. When in his teens he was 
 
 renticed to W. 1'.. Thompson, late of Mifflin- 
 burg, with whom he learned cabinet-making. 
 Later, his father having died and his mother re- 
 marrying, he went t « > Middleburg, Penn., where 
 he clerked in the store of his stepfather. Judge 
 Wittenmyer. Subsequently he went ti< Virginia 
 on a prospecting tour, remaining six months, 
 when he returned to Middleburg and again en- 
 ;ed as clerk in the store of his stepfather. 
 Later he went to Centreville, Penn., and there 
 was employed by his brother, Daniel, in a 
 mercantile business, which he afterward bought 
 and successfully condia ted for a numl 
 On June 21, 1852, he was married to Miss s.tbra 
 Bibighaus, daughter of Dr. John Bibighaus, and 
 two children were born of this union, namely: 
 John, who died at the age of four years, and 
 Charles A., whose name introduces this sketch. 
 The family located in Mifflinburg about the year 
 1855, where William Bogar lived aln I itin- 
 uously until the time of hi> death, and where his 
 widow still resides with her son, Charles A. 
 William Bogar was a merchant throughout his 
 
 life. He was a prudent, industrious and eco- 
 nomical man, and left to his widow and son a com- 
 fortable competence. He served many years as 
 overseer of the poor, and made an efficient officer. 
 For some years just prior to his death, he had 
 been a terrible yet patient sufferer. For his good 
 traits, genial and social disposition he will ever 
 be fondly remember- 
 
 Charles A. Bogar received his education in 
 the common schools, and ever since he has been 
 tall enough to chin a counter, he has known no 
 special business outside of the mercantile; and 
 if there is any detail in this line unfamiliar to him 
 it would be difficult to mention it. For the past 
 quarter of a century he has sold goods at his pres- 
 ent location. He was first a clerk for his father, 
 l>ut two years prior to his father's death, in 1889, 
 he assumed control of the business, and at that 
 time became proprietor. Few indeed are the 
 needs found in any store that cannot be supplied 
 in this, which is well stocked in general merchan- 
 dise. His specialties are boots and shoes, and 
 glass and queens ware; and to the latter, includ- 
 ing crockery, his second story is given exclusively. 
 As a kind of side issue Mr. Bogar has established 
 a successful livery business. He is a director 
 and shareholder in the Farmers' Bank of Mifflin- 
 burg. In 1888 he was married to Miss Annie C. 
 Leaman, and two children were born to the union, 
 namely: Sabra Leaman, and one that died in 
 infancy. Mr. Bogar and wife are members of 
 the German Reformed Church. The name of 
 Charlie Bogar is a familiar one, his acquaint- 
 ances are numerous and his friends many. In 
 his business dealings he is gentlemanly, prompt 
 and correct. 
 
 MI>s KATIE i: BRAUCHER, a popular, 
 accomplished and refined young lady re- 
 siding near Millmont. in Lewis township, Union 
 owns a fine farm inherited from her fa- 
 ther, John Braucher, a prominent and wealthy 
 agriculturist, who died July 12, [892, leaving his 
 wife and three children amply provided for. Our 
 subject ! her excellent education in the 
 
 Missionary Institute, now the Susquehanna I'ni- 
 inny, genial manner has gained 
 iier a host of warm friends throughout the 
 commun 
 
 John Braucher, who was of German extrac- 
 tion, was one of a family "t seven children, who 
 in order ol birth are as follows: Elizabeth, 
 Mary, Sarah, Abbie, John, David and Samuel. 
 On reaching manhood he married Miss Elmira 
 Garrett, daughter of Michael Garrett, who was 
 of French origin, and spent his entire life in 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 971 
 
 Union county. In the Garrett family were six 
 children, the others being Sarah, wife of August- 
 us Gilbert, of Mifflinburg, Penn. ; Jonathan and 
 Caroline, who both died in infancy; James, who 
 was taken prisoner by the Confederates while 
 serving in the Civil war, and died in Anderson- 
 ville prison; and Franklin, who was married and 
 died in Huron, Ohio, in March, 1885. 
 
 To Mr. and Mrs. Braucher were born three 
 children, namely: (1) Charles L. , born in 1864, 
 in Lewis township, Union county, married Miss 
 Sarah Voneida, daughter of Solomon Voneida, a 
 miller residing in Laurelton, Penn., and they 
 have three children — Nellie, John and Bessie. 
 (2) Elmer S., also a native of Union county, 
 married Miss Ina Coleman, daughter of John 
 Coleman, and three children grace their union — 
 Mable C, Maud B. and Ellen C. (3) Katie E. 
 completes the family, whose members all hold 
 membership in the Lutheran Church, and have 
 the respect of all who know them. The father, 
 who was one of the distinguished and leading 
 citizens of Lewis township, was laid to rest in the 
 Hartleton cemetery. 
 
 JOHN E. MORGAN (deceased). In a beau- 
 tiful home overlooking the city of Lewisburg 
 the venerable subject of this sketch passed 
 the afternoon of an honored and useful life. Born 
 April 1 , 1 8 1 3, he to the last was hale and hearty, 
 and gave personal attention to his extensive real- 
 estate holdings, while keeping pace also with the 
 current of thought upon all subjects of interest 
 to cultivated minds. In this connection we may 
 mention that he was a lifelong abstainer from 
 tobacco, a fact which conveys its own moral. 
 Mr. Morgan's ancestors were pioneers in this 
 State, and his home abounded in relics of past 
 generations. Among them is a Bible printed in 
 the Welsh language in 1813. Another heirloom 
 is a handsome mahogany arm chair, in which 
 Charles Thomson, permanent secretary of the 
 Colonial Congress, sat while signing many im- 
 portant documents. This was given by the old 
 patriot to Mrs. Margaretta Elliott, at whose 
 death it came to Capt. William Morgan, our sub- 
 ject's father. The old rocking chair in which 
 the nine children of Capt. William Morgan were 
 rocked during infancy has also descended to our 
 subject, and is treasured for its associations. 
 
 The Morgan family is of Welsh origin, and 
 the first of this line to cross the Atlantic was our 
 subject's grandfather, Thomas Morgan, a native 
 of Radnorshire, Wales, who located before the 
 Revolutionary war in Lower Merion township, 
 Montgomery county, Penn. He was but nine- 
 
 teen years old at the time, and he was married 
 in this country to Miss Patience Miller, a mem- 
 ber of the Society of Friends. They had the 
 following children: John; Margaretta, who mar- 
 ried John Elliott, and died in 1850; Reuben; 
 William; and Joseph Charles. The last named, 
 who died in 1880, owned several ocean vessels, 
 and for many years was a captain on the high 
 seas. For eight years he was in the diplomatic 
 service of the United States, at Tripoli, Africa. 
 He married Mary Ann Miller, and had three 
 children, two of whom now reside in St. Paul, 
 Minnesota. 
 
 Capt. William Morgan, the father of our sub- 
 ject, was born in Montgomery county, Penn., 
 near Lancaster turnpike. During the war of 
 1812 he served as an officer in the militia, and 
 for several months was stationed below Marcus 
 Hook, in order to prevent the British from com- 
 ing up the Delaware, and to guard the only pow- 
 der mills in the country, those near Wilmington, 
 Del., belonging to the Du Ponts. The following 
 interesting record is copied from a document now 
 in the possession of the family: 
 
 Received December 16, 1814, from Capt. William Mor- 
 gan, of First Company, Sixty-fifth Regiment, First Brigade, 
 
 nd Division, Pennsylvania Militia, the following articles 
 of camp equipage into the State arsenal: Ninety-seven car- 
 touch boxes and belts and scabbard; seventy-five haver- 
 sacks; ninety-two knapsacks; ninety-four canteens; three 
 water buckets: twenty-seven camp kettles; twenty-nine 
 mess-pans; two axes; twenty common tents; three wall tents, 
 with Hies; fifteen sett poles; four sett wall tent poles; ninety- 
 eight muskets, with bayonets. 
 
 (Signed) William Allen, 
 
 Assistant Brigade Inspector. 
 
 In March, 1S05, Capt. Morgan married Miss 
 Mary Evans, a member of the Friends Society, 
 and a daughter of William and Mary Evans, 
 whose remains now rest in Radnor churchyard, 
 in Delaware county, Penn. The Captain resid- 
 ed at the old homestead at Morgan's Corners, 
 now generally known as Radnor Station, on the 
 Pennsylvania railroad. Bryn Mawr is situated 
 upon a part of his estate. After fifty-five years 
 of happy wedded life he passed away on August 
 28, 1859, and his wife did not long survive him, 
 her death occurring January 8, 1862. Their 
 children were: Thomas, born December 31, 
 1805, who married Ellen Evans, and is now de- 
 ceased; Mary Ann, born in March, [807; Pa- 
 tience, born in 1809, died in 18 16; Joshua Evan, 
 born in 181 1, died in 1S31; John Elliott, our 
 subject; Margaretta Elliott, born December 15, 
 181 5, died August 21, 1849; Sarah Potts, born 
 June 6, 1S1S, was married October 4, 1853, to 
 William M. Lowman, of Dauphin county, Penn., 
 since deceased; William, born in April, 1820, 
 died in February, 1852; Patience Miller, born 
 February 5, 1824, was married March 22, 1864, 
 
072 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 to Walter L. Trewick, of Harrisburg, Pennsyl- 
 vania. 
 
 The subject of our sketch was a native of 
 Delaware count}', Penn., and was reared upon 
 his father's farm, attending the local schools, 
 which were conducted on the old fashioned sub- 
 scription plan. On December 22. [861, he mar- 
 ried Miss Catherine Rodenbaugh. a native of 
 Montgomery county, Penn., and settled upon the 
 old homestead for a time. In 1S65 he went to 
 Chillisquaque township, Northumberland Co., 
 Penn. , and after eight years there moved to Lewis- 
 burg. He resided in the city about five years; but 
 in [878 bought a fine farm in Kelly township, and 
 spent twelve years in agricultural pursuits, retir- 
 ing about seven years ago to his last earthly 
 home. He has always had a keen interest in 
 public questions, and was a believer in the doc- 
 trines of the Republican party. In religion he 
 followed the faith of his Quaker ancestry, but 
 attended the Christian Church at Lewisburg. 
 On January 7, 1898, he was taken to his final 
 reward; and his remains were interred on Jan- 
 uary 11, in the beautiful cemetery at Lewisburg. 
 
 Mrs. Morgan is a member of the Christian 
 Church, and has always been active in good 
 works. She is a daughter of Elder Jacob Roden- 
 baugh, and a granddaughter of Isaac Rodenbaugh, 
 a native of Berks county, Penn., born October 
 23, 1772, who married Margaret Stellwagon, born 
 in Delaware county, Penn., May 19, 1772, and 
 settled at Germantown, Penn. The Stellwagon 
 family held a prominent position socially, and 
 one of the daughters married Edwin M. Lewis, 
 of Philadelphia. Elder Jacob Rodenbaugh was 
 born February 12, 1S12, in Montgomery county, 
 Penn., and for more than fifty years was actively 
 engaged in the ministry in the Christian Church, 
 having charge of the congregation at Newport, 
 Gulf Mills and Lewisburg, Penn., remaining at the 
 last named place twelve years, and in Hunterdon 
 county, N. J., where he spent eight years. While 
 residing in Union county he served nine years as 
 school director in Kelly township, using his influ- 
 ence in the cause of progress, and securing the 
 erection of several handsome school buildings. 
 
 On January 7, 1836, Elder Rodenbaugh mar- 
 ried Susan J. Wagner, born July 23, 180S, and 
 had the following children: Catherine Wagner, 
 born November 9, 1S36, now Mrs. Morgan; 
 Margaret R., born February 1, 1838, who mar- 
 ried Sylvanus G. Bennett, of Lewisburg, and has 
 three living children; Annie Pechin, l><>rn August 
 5, [839, who married George W. Slifer, of Win- 
 field, Penn., and has four children; John Wag- 
 ner, born July 1, 1841, died November 26, 1888, 
 married Elizabeth Amnion, and has two children; 
 
 Mary Jane, born May 4. 1843, who married Ed- 
 win W. Rawn, now deceased, and now resides 
 in Lewisburg, Penn.. with one daughter. Mary; 
 Elizabeth Hawk, born March 22. 1S45, who mar- 
 ried Dr. William E. Cornog, of Sergeantsville, 
 N. J., and has one son, Jacob R. ; and Isaac 
 Newton, born October 16, 1846, died November 
 30, 1847. 
 
 Mrs. Morgan's mother was a daughter of John 
 and Catherine (Jones Wagner, "f Lower Merion 
 township, Montgomery Co., Penn. She was one 
 of a large family of children: Charles, the eld- 
 est; John, who married Sarah Johnson, both now 
 deceased; William, who married Abigail Reese, 
 deceased; George, deceased, who married Sarah 
 Ann Moyer.of Roxboro, now also deceased; Jacob, 
 deceased; Ann, who married Edward Pechin, of 
 Radnor, Delaware Co., and both are now de- 
 ceased; Susan J., Mrs Rodenbaugh; Mary Jane, 
 who married Robert Hunter, now deceased, and 
 was the first American lady to go to Tasmania, 
 where they settled in 1840, their voyage occupy- 
 ing six months; and Elizabeth became Mrs. God- 
 frey Hawk, of Sussex county, N. J., and is now 
 deceased. 
 
 WILLIAM I). YOUNG, one of the progress- 
 ive citizens and substantial farmers of 
 Union county, was born in Buffalo township. 
 November 24, 1845, a son of Adam and Eliza- 
 beth Young. His father was born on the same 
 farm February 13, 1808, and was a son of 
 Jacob Young, a pioneer of Union county, who was 
 numbered among the tax-payers of Buffalo town- 
 ship as early as 1799. He was born in 1 7 7 5 . 
 and died June 7, 1857, at the age of eighty-two. 
 He married a Miss Bower, and their son Adam 
 was their only child who reached adult age. 
 Jacob Young was a well-known citizen, promi- 
 nent and progressive, and was the owner of the 
 first buggy ever brought to Buffalo township. 
 At his death he left considerable property. 
 
 A. lam Young, father of our subject, was 
 reared on the home farm and received but limited 
 school privileges. He married a Miss Rockey, 
 and their children were Jacob, who died in Dallas 
 county, Iowa; George W., of Mifrlinburg, Penn., 
 John, of Three Risers, Mich. ; Maria, who became 
 the wife of Hugh Reish, and died at their home 
 in Indiana; Sarah, wife of George Catherman; 
 and Margaret, who, after her sister's death, also 
 married Mr. Catherman. After the death of 
 his first wife, Adam Young wedded Elizabeth 
 Swartzlander, a native of Buffalo township. 
 Their children are James, of Darke county, Ohio; 
 William D. ; Reuben, of White Deer township. 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 978 
 
 Union county; Charles, a physician of Lynch- 
 burg, Va. ; Harvey, who follows farming near 
 Bellevue, Ohio; Oliver, an agriculturist of Three 
 Rivers, Mich.; Oscar, a farmer of South Dakota; 
 Ellen, wife of Aaron Nogel, of Buffalo Roads; 
 Leannah, wife of Oscar Fury, of Constantine, 
 Mich. ; Harriet, wife of William Kersteter, of 
 Buffalo township; Mary, wife of Milton Hen- 
 dricks, of Buffalo Roads; and Susanna, wife of 
 Miles Miller, of Buffalo township, Union county. 
 The mother of this family died in August, 1866, 
 and was buried in Dreisbach cemetery. Adam 
 Young was again married, June 13, 1867, his 
 third wife being Sarah Spigelmeyer, who was 
 born in Buffalo township, April 11, 1843, a 
 daughter of Abram and Mary (Young) Spigel- 
 meyer. They had three children — Martin, who 
 died at the age of eighteen years; Ida M. and 
 Nora M., who are living with their mother. The 
 father died October 8, 1872, and was buried in 
 Dreisbach cemetery. He was a member of the 
 Lutheran Church, and in politics was a stanch 
 Democrat. In business he was very energetic, 
 persevering and successful, and at his death left 
 an estate valued at $60,000. In manner he was 
 very genial, and his hearty laugh could be heard 
 for a long distance. His farm, which was one 
 of the neatest and best in the county, was sold 
 to Addison Baker. Mrs. Young bought her 
 mother's farm, and now resides there. 
 
 William D. Young began his education in the 
 school at Buffalo Cross Roads, Mr. Cook then 
 acting as the teacher. He assisted in the work 
 of the farm until the fall of 1866 when he went 
 to Seneca county, Ohio, where he worked as a 
 farm hand for $11 per month, and in the spring 
 of 1867 removed to Darke county, where he was 
 employed as a farm hand at $20 per month. In 
 the spring of 1868 he went to Donovan county, 
 Kans. , where he worked through the summer, but 
 in the fall of that year returned to Pennsylvania. 
 In the spring of 1S69 he again went to Darke 
 county, Ohio, where he spent the summer at 
 farm work, receiving $25 per month, and in the 
 autumn he returned to his Pennsylvania home. 
 
 On December 11, 1870, Mr. Young was mar- 
 ried in Smoketown, Penn., to Miss Sarah J. 
 Wolfe, who was born in Northumberland county, 
 Penn., August 11, 1848, a daughter of George 
 and Catharine (Reamer) Wolfe. They now have 
 five children: Carrie M. , Minnie M. , George A., 
 Charles E. and William Paul, all at home, ex- 
 cept Carrie M., who is the wife of John Miller, of 
 Lochiel, East Buffalo township. For a year 
 after his marriage Mr. Young operated a rented 
 farm in Kelly township, and then lived upon a 
 rented farm in Anthony township, Montour coun- 
 
 ty Penn., four years. The succeeding year was 
 spent in Buffalo township, Union county, 
 and for three years he operated the Henley 
 farm near Vicksburg. After one year spent in 
 Mifflinburg he remained for three years on the 
 Frederick farm in Buffalo township, and in 1S83 
 purchased the Andrew Hauck farm in Buffalo 
 township, where he has made his home since the 
 spring of 1884. He has placed his land under a 
 high state of cultivation, and his place is neat 
 and thrifty in appearance. At local elections he 
 is independent in politics, but when officers for 
 the State and Nation are to be selected he votes 
 with the Democracy. Both he and his wife are 
 members of the Lutheran Church, and he has 
 served as deacon and elder. His upright life 
 commends him to the confidence and goodwill 
 of all, and he is one of the best citizens of Buf- 
 falo township. 
 
 D,AVID C. JOHNSON is entitled to distinc- 
 __" tion as one of the most progressive and en- 
 terprising men of Union county, and has since 
 1 88 1 been identified with the mercantile interests 
 of Weikert. Upon the commercial activity of a 
 community depends its prosperity, and the men 
 who are now recognized as the leading citizens 
 are those who are at the head of the most im- 
 portant business enterprises. He is a man of 
 broad capabilities, who carries forward to suc- 
 cessful completion whatever he undertakes. Be- 
 sides his property in Weikert he also owns 600 
 acres of valuable land, a part of which is covered 
 with timber. 
 
 Mr. Johnson was born June 10, 1856, near 
 Kaler, in Hartley township, Union county, a son 
 of William and Catharine (Sweitzer) Johnson. 
 The father, who is still living at the advanced 
 age of ninety-seven years, is a man of broad 
 learning, and is especially interested in astron- 
 omy. In the family were seven children, namely: 
 William, a farmer of Cherry Run, Hartley town- 
 ship; Anna, who married S. C. Wilt, of Hartle- 
 ton, Penn., and died in 1876, leaving a husband 
 and two children; Alanson, an agriculturist re- 
 siding near Weikert, in Union county; Aramudee, 
 wife of David Benny, of Cherry Run; David C, 
 of this sketch; Mary, who died at the age of three 
 years, and Gertrude, who died at the age of 
 thirteen. 
 
 After attending the common schools for some 
 time, David C. Johnson completed his education 
 in Union Seminary, of New Berlin, Penn., now 
 known as the Central Pennsylvania College. He 
 then successfully engaged in teaching school for 
 seven years. In 1880 he married Miss Hannah, 
 
974 
 
 ( OMMBMORA VIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 daughter of William Weikel, of Glen Iron, Union 
 county, and to them were born six children, 
 whose names and dates of birth are as follows: 
 Maud, May 20, 1882; Kay, March 24. 1884; 
 Grace, April 14, [888; Harold, February 15, 
 1 89 1 ; Ernest, December [3, 1892; and Arthur, 
 March 19, 1895. The wife and mother, who 
 was born February 25, 1863, departed this life 
 April iS, KS95, and was laid to to rest at Hy- 
 ronimus Church, in Union county. In his po- 
 litical affiliations. Mr. Johnson is a stalwart Re- 
 publican, and religiously he is a faithful member 
 of the Lutheran Church. He is an enterprising 
 business man, of pleasing address and genial 
 manners, and is a citizen whose life is in ever) 
 way above reproach. Since [893 he has been a 
 Master Mason, having taken the first three de- 
 grees of that ancient and honorable order, whose 
 precepts he closely follows 111 every-day life. 
 
 MRS. MARY A. ( OOK, of Laurelton, is a 
 lady who is well known throughout this 
 section of Union county, and is highly respei 1 
 \ native of the Pine Tree St came to 
 
 Pennsylvania, in 1854, with her parents, Alva 
 and Sarah (Purrington) Marston, who located in 
 Union county, where the father followed lumber- 
 ing throughout his active business life. He was 
 a son of Shem Marston, who was also born in 
 Maine, of English ancestry. The father of Mrs. 
 Cook departed this life Septi mber i<>, 1870, and 
 the mother's death occurred in 1878, the remains 
 of both bein d in the Dunkard church- 
 
 I in Hartley township, Union county. In 
 the Marston family were six children, as follow--: 
 James, now a farmer of Kansas, is married and 
 li • a family; Alvah, Jr., also married, and re- 
 sides in Kansas; Vesta became the wife of Brown 
 McKnit, of Milroy, Penn., and died in 1S93, 
 ving a family; Charles is married, and follows 
 agricultural pursuits in Kansas; Addie makes her 
 home in Mifflin county, Penn.; and Mary A. 1 
 pletes the family. 
 
 Shortly after her arrival in Union county, 
 Miss Mary A. Marston became acquainted with 
 W. H. Cook, a prominent young farmer and a 
 member of a highly respected family of this sec- 
 tion, and in [858 they were joined in wedlock. 
 They made their home in Union county, where 
 Mr. Cook successfully engaged in farming until 
 called to the unseen world in May. 1889, his re- 
 mains being interred in Lincoln cemetery, Hart- 
 lex- township. As a citizen he was honorable, 
 prompt and true to every engagement; as a man 
 he held the honor and esteem of all classes of 
 people, and as a husband and father he was a 
 
 model worthy of all imitation; unassuming in his 
 manner, sincere in his friendship, steadfast and 
 unswerving in his loyalty to the ri-ht. His 
 memory will be a sacred inheritance to his chil- 
 
 n; it will be cherished by a multitude of 
 
 i Is. His father, Andrew Cook, was a native 
 of Ireland, but when only two years old was 
 brought to the United States by his parents. 
 
 Three children were born to W. H. and Mary 
 A Cook, namely: (1) Charles M., who lives on 
 the old homestead in Hartley township. Union 
 
 nty, married Miss Clara Reed, daughter of 
 Reed, a bricklayer residing in Lewisburg, 
 Penn. They had two children — William, born 
 December 13, 18S6; and G. Donald, born An 
 19. 1890. (2) Willis P. is married, and i 
 
 ■sperous farmer of Washington county, Kans. . 
 in which State he has male his home since 
 seventeen years of age. (3) Albert died in in- 
 fancy. Mrs. Cook, who is a conscientious mem- 
 ber of the Methodist Church, is much beloved by 
 ■ ill who know her for her gentle ways and pleas- 
 ant manner. 
 
 JACOB BAKER, a venerable and highly re- 
 spected citizen of Alvira, Union county, is 
 now spending the evening of his life in re- 
 tirement after years of well-directed effort. He 
 is the oldest resident of his township, and his 
 eighty-five years have spanned a period of develop- 
 
 nt in this section which can scarcely be 
 realized by this generation. He is of good old 
 Berks county stock. Joseph Baker, the father of 
 our subject, was born there in 1795, and became 
 ,1 wood chopper and charcoal burner by occupa- 
 tion. He married (first) Miss Mollie Dry, v 
 died in [812 from typhoid fever. Of her (our 
 children. Polly, Jacob, Benjamin and Charles, 
 all except our subject died within a week of her 
 death from the same disease. The father re- 
 moved later to Schuylkill county, Penn., where 
 he died in 1 <-d seventy-five years His 
 
 second wife, Elizabeth Musselman, died there at 
 an advanced age. Seven children were born of 
 this union, viz.: Daniel, Anna, Washingl 
 Joseph, Frank, Harry and Beckie; none of them 
 are now living. 
 
 Mr. Baker was born December 9, 1812, in 
 Roscommon township. Perks county, and at the 
 of fourteen was placed on a farm to work, 
 his wages going to the support of the family. In 
 fact Mr. Baker never knew what his wages w 
 for the four years which he spent in this work 
 At eighteen he began an apprenticeship to the 
 blacksmith's trade 111 Berks county, receivi 
 only his board and clothes for three and one half 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 975 
 
 years. He was a clever youth, and, as a lack of 
 opportunity (or learning had been a source of 
 keen regret to him, he made arrangements with 
 his employer, on completing his term as appren- 
 tice, to work mornings and evenings for his board 
 in order to attend school. After a few months 
 his employer offered him five dollars a month as 
 a regular hand, but Mr. Baker declined, preferring 
 to continue his studies. Later he accepted an 
 offer of $5.50 per month, and his schooling ended. 
 Not long afterward he rented his employer's shop 
 for one hundred dollars per year, agreeing also 
 to do all the blacksmithing needed on the latter's 
 farm, and at the end of the year the rent was 
 raised to $110 per year with the work as before, 
 and a son of the employer was to be hired at six 
 dollars per month. These conditions Mr. Baker 
 accepted, but after one year he gave up the shop 
 and spent two years working at different places 
 for sixty-two cents a day. In October, 1837, he 
 was married in Berks county to Miss Dinah 
 Rodarmel, and about a year later he removed to 
 what is now Gregg township, Union county, then 
 Washington township, Lycoming county, being 
 accompanied by his wife and little daughter, 
 Maria, and his wife's parents. He built a black- 
 smith shop and carried on his business two years, 
 and then purchased a lot at Alvira, where he 
 erected another shop and continued his work un- 
 til 1872. Concluding to try agricultural work, he 
 bought a farm in the same township, and re- 
 mained ten years, when he retired from active 
 business. He has always been influential in local 
 affairs, his sound judgment and integrity winning 
 the confidence of his associates, and he has held 
 various positions of responsibility, including the 
 offices of collector and supervisor of his town- 
 ship. His interest in political questions is keen, 
 and in early life he supported the Whig party, of 
 which his father was also a member, but since 
 the organization of the Republican party he has 
 adhered to that. He belongs to the United 
 Evangelical Church, and for some time served as 
 steward. 
 
 Seven children have blessed his home: Maria 
 married Rev. Samuel Davis, of Columbia Co., 
 Penn., and has four children and five grandchil- 
 dren. Miss Sophia, who resides with her father, 
 is universally esteemed for her womanly character 
 and fine mental gifts. Catherine married Francis 
 Fagley, a carpenter in Lycoming county, and has 
 eight children and one grandchild. Joel, a farmer 
 in Lycoming county, married Miss Sarah Yoder 
 of New Berlin, and has nine children. Henry, a 
 blacksmith and dealer in implements at Alvira, 
 married Miss Tena Bailey, of Elmsport, Penn., 
 and has two children. Ella, who married Her- 
 
 man Kennedy, a carpenter at Williamsport, 
 Penn., has no children. Charlotte, wife of Jacob 
 Clark, a merchant at Alvira, has one child. 
 
 On July 11, 1894, the home of our subject 
 was darkened by the death of the beloved wife 
 and mother, who passed away at the age of 
 seventy-nine years, two months and twenty days. 
 She was born and reared in Berks county, as were 
 her parents, Joseph and Christina Culler Rodar- 
 mel, who spent their last years in Union county 
 upon a farm. They had the following children: 
 Jacob; Isaac; Paul, who died in childhood; Jo- 
 seph; Marcus; Barbara, who married Christian 
 Noll; Elizabeth, wife of Joseph Snyder; Esther, 
 who married (first) Elijah Hess, and (second) Jo- 
 seph Dewalt; Dinah, Mrs. Baker; Susannah, wife 
 of Isaac Ulrich; Hannah, wife of Charles Heffner; 
 and Catherine, who married William Muffett. 
 Of this large family the only survivors are Mar- 
 cus, now residing at Bethlehem, Penn., and 
 Esther Dewalt, of Alvira, Pennsylvania. 
 
 GEORGE HAUCK SHECKLER, one of the 
 best known and most popular men of West 
 Buffalo township, Union county, is a farmer as 
 far as owning a good farm is concerned, but his 
 occupation is that of a lecturer, in which he has 
 evinced rare ability. He also usesastereopticon 
 to illustrate the subjects of his discourse. Mr. 
 Sheckler was born September 21, 185 1, in the 
 house where he now resides, it being the old an- 
 cestral home of the Haucks, his maternal an- 
 cestors. He was the only child of Conrad and 
 Mary A. (Hauck) Sheckler, honored and valued 
 citizens of Union county. She was the eldest 
 child and only daughter of George and Mary 
 (Myersj Hauck, who died in Union county, the 
 latter at the advanced age of ninety years, and 
 both were laid to rest in the Mifflinburg cemetery. 
 By trade the grandfather was a shoemaker. 
 
 Conrad Sheckler, the father of our subject, 
 took a prominent and active part in public 
 affairs. Being elected justice of the peace in 
 1854, he acceptably filled that office for forty 
 years, or until 1894, when succeeded by his son, 
 who still holds the office to the satisfaction of all 
 concerned. The latter attended the public 
 schools of Union county, but also received valu- 
 able instruction from his father, who in early life 
 followed the teacher's profession. He also 
 learned surveying with his father, who for nearly 
 half a century followed that occupation in Union 
 county. In 1S58 Conrad Sheckler planted the 
 first vineyard in West Buffalo township, and two 
 years previous had also set out a fine peach 
 orchard. He was a progressive, enterprising 
 
970 
 
 ( •>MMEM0RAT1VE BIOORAFUl'AL RECORD. 
 
 man, and was widely and favorably known. On 
 July 7, 1896, he departed this life at the age of 
 seventy-three years, surviving his wife about two 
 years, her death occurring October 28. 1894, 
 when she had reached the age of seventy. For 
 three terms, from 1873 until 1875, George H. 
 Sheckler successfully engaged in teaching, but at 
 the end of that time entered the lecture field, and 
 has since devoted most of his energies to that call- 
 ing. In the fall of 1S80 he married Miss Hannah 
 C. Miller, the accomplished and beautiful daughter 
 
 j isiah Miller, a teacher of Northumberland 
 county. Penn., who died in the spring of 1S78, 
 in Milton, where his remains were interred. Her 
 mother's death occurred in [884, and she was 
 buried at Mifflinburg. Six children grace the 
 union of our subject and his estimable wife, 
 whose names and dates of birth are as follows: 
 Linn, September 26, 1881; Harold, August 31, 
 
 5; Lulu, July 8, 1886; Mary A.. March 3, 
 1889; Alvin, August 16, 1891, and Bruce, No- 
 vember 26, 1893. They have been called upon 
 to mourn the loss of one child — Lulu, who died 
 November 2, 18S7. 
 
 In his political affiliations, Mr. Sheckler is a 
 stalwart Republican, and in religious views is a 
 Unitarian. Although he cares nothing for official 
 distinction, he has served six years as school di- 
 rector, and in that capacity did much to advance 
 the educational interests of his community. Pro- 
 
 -sive and fully abreast with the times in every 
 particular, he and his wife occupy an enviable 
 position in social circles, and their attractive 
 home is ever open for the reception of their 
 many friends. 
 
 GA. STAHL. The charming little citj 
 Lewisbnrg can boast of many attractions, 
 not the least being a cultured society which re- 
 ceives constant accessions of people whose wealth 
 and leisure permit them to enjoy the refinements 
 
 life. Among the prosperous agriculturists, 
 who on retiring from active business, have chosen 
 that city as their place of residence, is the sub- 
 ject of this sketch, who settled there in iS 
 and has become one of the leading workers in 
 municipal affairs. 
 
 Mr. Stahl was born in Schuylkill county, 
 Penn., January 10, 1S31, but despite his years 
 he sets old age at defiance by his vigorous men- 
 tality. His family has been identified with Penn- 
 sylvania since Colonial times, and his grandfather, 
 
 m Stahl, resided for some time near Reading, 
 removing afterward to a farm in the Schuylkill 
 Valley, where he was engaged in agriculture and 
 in rafting lumber for many years. He died be- 
 
 fore our subject was old enough to remember 
 him, and left a family of six children: John, 
 who died in Schuylkill county unmarried; Jacob, 
 who settled in Kelly township, Union county, 
 in 1S29, and spent his remaining years there; 
 Peter (deceased); Adam, our subject's father; 
 Elizabeth, who married John Kenn, and moved 
 to Wayne county, Ohio; and Magdalena, who 
 married a Mr. Miller. 
 
 Adam Stahl, the father of our subject, was 
 born near Reading, June 9, 1786, but was reared 
 in the Schuylkill Valley, and was married there to 
 Miss Catherine Hafer, a native of Buffalo Val- 
 ley. He located in Kelly township, Union coun- 
 ty, in 1 S3 1. and remained there, following agri- 
 cultural pursuits, and leaving at his death two 
 fine farms and some money. He was a man of 
 much intelligence, a Whig politically, and a 
 leading member of the Lutheran Church. He 
 died October 21, 1850, and his wife, who was 
 seven years younger than he, survived him about 
 twelve years. The remains of both were laid 
 to rest at Mazeppa in the Union cemetery. They 
 had eleven children, all of whom lived to adult 
 age and married, and three are still living: Eliza- 
 beth married Jacob T. Stahl, of White Deer 
 township, Union county, both now deceased; 
 John and Daniel died in Kelly township; William 
 died near Monroe, Mich. ; Peter resides near 
 Spring Hill, Kans. ; Jacob died in Buffalo town- 
 ship, Union county; G. A. is mentioned more 
 fully below; Rebecca married Joseph Stahl, and 
 both are living in Kansas; Michael died in Kelly 
 township, Union county; Jeremiah died in the 
 same county, in East Buffalo township; and Cath- 
 erine and her husband, Joseph Kahl, resided in 
 Kansas, but both are now deceased. 
 
 G. A. Stahl was but three months old when 
 his parents moved to Union county, and he was 
 reared at the Kelly township homestead, attend- 
 ing the schools of the neighborhood while assist- 
 ing in the farm work according to his strength. 
 In early manhood he engaged in general farming, 
 and continued until his retirement in 1888 when 
 he delegated to other hands the active work of his 
 his estate, which contains 1 53 acres of choice land. 
 He has held an important place in the political 
 movementsof his county, and ashasbeen intimated 
 :s prominent in the municipal government in his 
 new heme where he was elected in 1896 to the 
 city council. He is a stanch Republican, and in 
 early years was a Whig. In religious faith he is 
 a Lutheran, and his sympathy and support can 
 always be relied upon in any good cause. 
 
 Mr Stahl was married in 1855 to his first 
 wife. Miss Mary Ann Leiser, who was born in 
 Kelly township. Union county, December 13, 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 977 
 
 1 83 1, and passed from earth May 21, 1872. 
 His present wife was formerly Miss Mary Gember- 
 ling. By the first union there were six children: 
 (1) Calvin, who wedded Miss Sarah Lindenmuth, 
 manages the homestead; (2) Anna married Frank 
 Kine, and has two children — Ida and George; 
 (3) Franklin, who is not married, is a farmer in 
 Northumberland county, and also conducts a re- 
 tail milk business; (4) Harry, a grocer in Lewis- 
 burg, married Miss Alma Young; (5) Lizzie married 
 Grant Nagel, a dairyman, who owns a farm in 
 Kelly township; (6) Mary, who married William 
 Gast, a farmer. There are two children by the 
 second marriage, Jane and William, both at home. 
 
 JESSE CORNELIUS, a wealthy retired citi- 
 zen of Lewisburg, is a man who, in the arena 
 of business, has won a handsome fortune, 
 and has at the same time, established a reputa- 
 tion for strict integrity. Born in West Buffalo 
 township, Union county, May 20, 181 8, he is now 
 past three-score years and ten, but, happily, he 
 still enjoys the good things of life which past 
 years of arduous labor have provided. Coming 
 of pioneer ancestry, his accounts of early days in 
 this State contain much interesting history. His 
 paternal grandfather, John Cornelius, who was 
 born in this State, was a soldier in the Revolu- 
 tionary army, and took part in the battle of 
 Germantown under Gen. Chamberlain. He aft- 
 erward settled in Union county, as did also his 
 son James, our subject's father, who was born 
 in Chester county, Penn., and died in Lewisburg 
 at the age of ninety-one. Our subject's mother, 
 whose maiden name was Sarah Hutchinson, died 
 at sixty-four. Her father, Thomas Hutchinson, 
 located in Colonial times in what is now Union 
 county, and was in his day the heaviest tax- 
 payer in this section. Just at the time that the 
 old Colonial currency became outlawed he had 
 bought eight hundred acres of land in Union 
 county, but learning that the money had become 
 worthless, before he paid it out he returned the 
 deeds and took back the money. A few days 
 later his wife paid four hundred dollars of this 
 same money for a copper kettle, and a like 
 amount for a cow. Both the Cornelius and the 
 Hutchinson families were of Scotch and Irish 
 blood, and on first coming to this country settled 
 in what was known as the Scotch settlement in 
 eastern Pennsylvania. To James and Sarah Cor-' 
 nelius thirteen children were born, as follows: 
 James, Margaret, Thomas, John, William, Jane, 
 Jesse, Andrew, Mary, Jackson, Lucinda and 
 Julia (twins) and Sarah. 
 
 Mr. Cornelius was reared in Union county, at- 
 
 62* 
 
 tending the local schools of his time. As tin- 
 other children came to maturity they left the pa- 
 ternal roof for homes of their own, but he re- 
 mained with the old folks to care for them 
 through their declining years. Although he sub- 
 sequently started in life with no capital, he has 
 the satisfaction of knowing that he has fulfilled 
 to his utmost ability the Biblical injunction, 
 " Honor thy father and thy mother," watchfully 
 guarding them while going down the western 
 slope of life. As he is now in his turn experienc- 
 ing the languor incident to failing physical pow- 
 ers, he can the more heartily rejoice in the 
 thought of that early filial duty so faithfully dis- 
 charged. At the time of his marriage, in 1848, 
 to Miss Mary Hess, Mr. Cornelius had nothing 
 except his own abilities to rely upon. He en- 
 gaged in farming, and in the course of a few years 
 established an extended reputation as a fruit- 
 grower. As the city grew and modern improve- 
 ments and buildings demanded constant supplies, 
 he began contracting to haul material, and built 
 up a business which soon required a force of 
 helpers. He continued many years, and in his 
 dual capacity as workman and employer accu- 
 mulated a handsome competence, being to-day 
 known as one of the substantial men of his city. 
 The tract of land which he once farmed is now 
 covered by suburban homes, and he owns a num- 
 ber of fine residences which he rents. His gen- 
 erosity has led him at times into losses through 
 becoming surety for a friend, but fortunately they 
 have not made serious inroads upon his income. 
 He has never been sued for a debt of his own 
 making, and is regarded as the soul of honor. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Cornelius are now Hearing their 
 golden wedding day. The latter was born Au- 
 gust 15, 1827, in Muncy, Lycoming Co., Penn. 
 Of their children, three grew to adult age: (1) 
 Emory, who resides in Lewisburg, married Miss 
 Ida Hate, and has one son, Leon. (2) Miss 
 Florence is at home. (3) Sallie married D. P. 
 Higgins, treasurer of Union county, and has two 
 children — Jessie C. and Mary. As a citizen Mr. 
 Cornelius has always held a prominent place, his 
 sound judgment and high character giving him 
 great influence. His first Presidential vote was 
 cast for William Henry Harrison, and he has al- 
 ways supported either the Whig or the Repub- 
 lican policy in national affairs. 
 
 S\AMUEL CROSSGROVE, who owns and 
 _J operates 145 acres of good land in Limestone 
 township, Union county, was born in this local- 
 it}-, July 18, 1840, and was a son of James and 
 Mary (Ulch) Crossgrove. Hisgrandfather, Sam- 
 
978 
 
 COMMBMORA TIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 uel Crossgrove, Sr., was bom a mile and a half 
 from Dublin, Ireland, about 1773, and was ason 
 of a weaver who lived and died in that country. 
 He had brothers who came to the United States, 
 I > 1 1 1 little is known of them. them, Will- 
 
 iam, lived in New York, and died while visiting 
 the In' ither in Union county. 
 
 Samuel Crossgrove, Sr.. learned the weaver's 
 
 trade in Ireland, and when less than twenty 
 
 years ol age came to the United States, the ocean 
 covering three months. After working 
 at various plai es he came to Uni I \ about 
 
 o, and was married in Limestone township, 
 to Catherine, daughter of William Fisher, who 
 was a native of Ireland. M. ive was 
 
 born in Limestone township, about [783. At 
 their marriage Mi Cro purchased fifty 
 
 id of his father-in-law, who had se- 
 ed thi ime "li a soldier's warrant given him 
 for his services in the Revolution. He erected 
 thereon a set of buildings, and d. 1 a farm 
 
 cm which he made his home until his death in 
 1861, when he was laid by the side of his wife, 
 who had died in 1855, and was buried in Lewis 
 cemeterj in Limestone township They w 
 both members of the Pi rian Church, and 
 
 m politics he was a Democrat. 
 
 The following is the record of their family: 
 James, burn March;. [804, was a farmer and 
 1 irpenter; Margaret, born December iS. 1S05, 
 married Philip Voneida, and dud in Nippen 
 Valley, Lycoming county, May 20, 1868; Susan, 
 born March 24, 1808, died in Nippenose Valley, 
 Novembei 30, 1867; Jacob, born August 15, 
 1810, was married in Ohio to Catherine Spang- 
 ler, and died in Hob, thai State, May 
 
 11, [868; William, boi n Nov . 1812, 
 
 rried Susan I Ich, of Snyder county, Penn., 
 •\id carpentering in Union and Sip. 
 counties, and afterward carried on (arming in 
 Fulton county, Ind., until his death; Samuel, 
 born April 2, [815, married Anna Spangler in 
 Holmes county, Ohio, and died there at the 
 of thirty-four; John, born December 30, 1S17. 
 was a farmer and school teacher of Union coun- 
 ty, who served there as county sheriff, but spent 
 his last years in Montour county, Penn.; he mar- 
 ried Anna Shroyer; Catherine, born May 16, 
 1820, married Simon Hurry; Nancy, born Ma) 
 19, 1 823, died at tl I >avid 
 
 K., born September [9, [827, was formerly a 
 fanner and school teacher, and now lives in 
 Limestone township, Union county. 
 
 James ( e, fathei 1 subject, was 
 
 bom in lame tone township, March 7, 1804, w is 
 reared on a farm, educated in the subscription 
 S( hools, and learned the carpenter.- trade under 
 
 Mr. Lashel, of New Berlin. He started in life 
 in limited circumstances, and often walked from 
 Limestone to Bellefonte, where he worked at 
 carpentering, except during the harvest sea 
 
 when he was employed on different (arms. At 
 length he was enabled to purchase a small farm, 
 
 11 which he would work in the early spi 
 bit.. ic the carpenter season opened. He was 
 married in 1 839 to Miss Ulch, who was born m 
 Snyder county, September 21, iSi<i. Her fa- 
 Ulch, a shoemaker by trade, -pent 
 his last days in Indiana, and died at an advanced 
 |ames Crossgrove was a very prominent 
 citizen, and such was his fairness and honesty in 
 all things that he was frequently called upon to 
 settle differences between his neighbors, who also 
 entrusted him with their moneyed interests. In 
 politics he was a Democrat, and was honored 
 with a number of township and county offii 
 He belonged to the Presbyterian Church, and 
 long served as Sunday-school superintendent, 
 lb- was also a lieutenant and captain for many 
 years in the home military companies. His first 
 wife died Oi . [845. leaving two children 
 
 -Samuel and Catherine. The latter, bom Feb- 
 ruary -'7, 1843, ' s tm ' w 'f c °f George E. Seebold, 
 ol Limestone township. Union county, lor Ins 
 second wife James Crossgrove chose Elizabeth 
 Derr, who was born January 2, [823, and their 
 children were; Aai n 1 irpenter and painter, 
 who was born August 12, [848, and lives in 
 Middleburg, Penn.; Franklin 1'., a farmer of the 
 
 e township, born October 10, [852; Adda, 
 born Dei i.|, 1854, widow of fohn Daub- 
 
 in, -I Limestone township; Mary, born 1 
 tober 21, 1856, wife of M. (.. Maurer, of Lime- 
 stone township; Alice, born October 2<\ 1 
 wife of Newton Maize, of Northumberland coun- 
 ty, Penn.; and David B., of Limestone township, 
 born April [8, 1862. The father of this family 
 died February 27, 1876, the mother on October 
 28, 1 
 
 Samuel Crossgrove attended Turkey Run 
 school, and as a farmer boy aided in the lal 
 of the fields until October 14, [86l, when he en- 
 listed in Company K, 5 1 st 1'. V. I., under Capt. 
 George 1'. Carmans. From Harrishiirg they want 
 to Annapolis, Md., and after a lew weeks p 
 
 ded by transports to Roanoke Island, which 
 they captured, this being their first engagemi 
 Mr. 1 ithhisi ompany until taken 
 
 ill. After el< ven we: I - ;pi nl in the hospital at 
 Baltimore hi iment at Petersburg, 
 
 ami was in active service until July 27, 181 
 with the exception of a thirty-days' furlough, 
 granted him at the time of his re-enlistment. 
 
 The war having ended Mr. Crossgrove re- 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 979 
 
 turned to home and farm life. He was married 
 March 7, 1867, to Mrs. Mary Mitchell, widow of 
 William Mitchell, and a daughter of John and 
 Elizabeth (Spangler) Seebold. She was born in 
 Limestone township, April 18, 1845. By her 
 first marriage she had two children — Lizzie J., 
 wife of Jacob Klose, of Limestone township, and 
 Harry, a farmer of Buffalo township, Union coun- 
 ty. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Crossgrove 
 are Katie S. ; John R., a carpenter; Adda L., 
 wife of Charles Miller, of New Berlin; Anna V., 
 a successful school teacher; Samuel J. ; and Helen 
 M. Mr. Crossgrove began his domestic life upon 
 a rented farm. Fourteen years later, in April, 
 1883, he purchased his present farm of S. K. 
 Pellman, and now has 145 acres of rich land un- 
 der a high state of cultivation and improved with 
 excellent buildings. He is a very energetic and 
 progressive farmer, and the success that has come 
 to him is the reward of his own labors. In poli- 
 tics he is a Democrat, and has served as super- 
 visor and school director. He and his wife are 
 members of the Reformed Church, in which he 
 has served as deacon and elder. Socially the 
 family rank among the first in the township, and 
 Samuel Crossgrove, as one of the leading agri- 
 culturists of the community, is well deserving of 
 representation in this volume. 
 
 SAMUEL B. SHIRK is an intelligent and en- 
 J terprising farmer who represents one of the 
 pioneer families of Union county. His identifi- 
 cation with the agricultural interests has been 
 long and honorable, and he is to-day the owner 
 of one of the fine farms of Buffalo township. 
 
 Mr. Shirk was born in Hartley township Jan- 
 uary 25, 1853, a son of Samuel and Margaret 
 (Bird) Shirk. His father was born in Lebanon 
 county, Penn., about 1814, and during his youth 
 came to Union county with the grandfather, Ab- 
 rarn Shirk, who located in West Milton, and aft- 
 erward removed to Hartley township, where he 
 entered a large tract of land, spending his re- 
 maining days thereon. He married a Miss Gin- 
 gerich, and they became the parents of the fol- 
 lowing children: Jacob and Michael, who died 
 in Hartley township; Samuel, who died in West 
 Buffalo; John who died in Hartley township; 
 William, who went to the West, and died in Ne- 
 braska; Mary, who became the wife of Jonathan 
 Showalter, and died in Mifflin county, Penn. ; 
 and a daughter who became the wife of Daniel 
 Luckington, and removed to Illinois. Abram 
 Shirk, the grandfather, was a member of the Ger- 
 man Baptist Church. 
 
 Samuel Shirk, father of our subject, was 
 
 reared on a farm, and later learned the carpen- 
 ter's trade, which he followed for fifteen years. 
 He was employed in that capacity throughout the 
 Buffalo Valley, erecting many houses and barns 
 there. He was married June 18, 1835, to Mar- 
 garet Bird, who was reared in Kelly township, 
 Union county. She was of English descent, and 
 was born August 27, 181 5, her parents being 
 Peter and Isabella (Judge) Bird. They were 
 married November 20. 18 10. Mrs. Bird was 
 born August 27, 1790. They had two sons and 
 three daughters: Mary, wife of Samuel Jordan; 
 Lamira, whose death, resulting from a fall from 
 a chestnut tree, occurred in September, 1829; 
 Margaret, Mrs. Shirk; John who died April 16, 
 [873; and Isaac P., of Pennsylvania. The fa- 
 ther of this family died November 12, 1820. 
 
 Samuel and Margaret Shirk began their do- 
 mestic life upon a rented farm in Hartley town- 
 ship, but they made the most of their opportuni- 
 ties, lived frugally, and in course of time were 
 able to purchase a small farm a mile southwest 
 of Laurelton. Later Mr. Shirk purchased the 
 Laurelton milling property, hired a practical 
 miller, and for twenty years carried on a success- 
 ful business in that line. Subsequently he pur- 
 chased a farm of 100 acres in West Buffalo, upon 
 which he lived a retired life. He was a very in- 
 dustrious, energetic man, and as the result of 
 his labor accumulated a handsome property, leav- 
 ing to his family an estate valued at $18,000. 
 He died at the age of sixty-seven years, and was 
 laid by the side of his wife, who died on March 
 24, 1873, in Forest Hill cemetery. In politics 
 he was first a Whig and afterward a Republican. 
 He served in some township offices in Hartley 
 and West Buffalo townships, but never sought 
 political preferment. Reared in the faith of the 
 German Baptist Church, he afterward became a 
 member of the Evangelical Church, and his wife 
 belonged to the Lutheran. 
 
 Their children were: William J., who was 
 born October 8, 1836, and died January 4, 1897, 
 in Hartley township; Isabella, born October 20, 
 1 84 1, wife of Samuel Bird, of Kelly township; 
 Josephine, born December 24, 1843, wife of 
 Emanuel Catherman; Lamira M., born February 
 7, 1846, wife of Samuel Showalter, of Buffalo 
 township; Margaret, born December 8, 1847, 
 died in Mifflnburg. in 1894, leaving her hus- 
 band, Andrew Iddings, to mourn her death; Sam- 
 uel B. is our subject; and Lena J., who was born 
 in 1855, died at the age of sixteen years. 
 
 Samuel B. Shirk, whose name introduces 
 this review, began his education in Laurelton, 
 his first teacher being James Marston. He at- 
 tended school for about four months each year, 
 
981 > 
 
 ( OMMEAtORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 and had ample opportunity to indulge his love of 
 hunting and fishing until sixteen years of age, 
 when his parents removed to a farm, and he was 
 obliged to bear his part in the work of cultivating 
 and improving that property. 
 
 On June 15, 1872, Mr. Shirk was married to 
 Savilla I. Iddings, who was born in West Buffalo 
 township, April 7, 1853, a daughter of Andrew 
 and Rebecca (Pontius) Iddings. They have five 
 children: Clementa M.. Annie I., Chester C, 
 Paul B. and Myrtle E., all at home, 
 
 On his marriage, Mr. Shirk located on his 
 lather's farm in West Buffalo township, where 
 he lived until the spring of 1 88 1 , when he rerm ived 
 to his present farm, which he had pun hased in 
 the fall of 1879. It comprises 110 acres, and is 
 now under a high state of cultivation, yielding to 
 the owner a good tribute for the care he bestows 
 upon it. The improvements are substantial and 
 neat in appearance, and the owner is one of the 
 progressive and up-to-date farmers of the com- 
 munity. He is prominent in Church work, he 
 and his wife holding membership in the United 
 Branch of the Evangelical Church. He is now 
 serving as one of its trustees, and for twenty 
 years has been a teacher in the Sunday-school. 
 He is richly endowed with those qualities which 
 win friendship, and throughout the community 
 is highly regarded. 
 
 THOMAS W. SHIPTON, now living retired 
 in the village of Swengel, Union county, 
 is an honored representative of a worthy pion 
 family of this section of the State, in whose de- 
 velopment and progress its members have borne 
 an important part. 
 
 His paternal grandfather, Thomas Shipton, 
 a native ol England, came to America with the 
 great scientist, Ur. Priestley, and also the 
 Dougherty, Forsythe and Lyon families, all of 
 whom located in what is now Northumberland 
 county, Penn., naming it in honor of their 
 home in Northumbi hire, England. 
 
 coming one ol the prominent and representative 
 citizens of that locality, the grandfather served 
 as associate judge in Northumberland county, 
 and as justice of the peace, in Middleburg, for 
 thirty years prioi t his death. He was bi 1 
 at Hassingers Church, near Middleburg, Snyder 
 Co., Pennsylvania. 
 
 Mr. Shipton, whose name introduces this 
 review, was born December 22, [818, in Centre- 
 ville, Snyder county, of which place his father, 
 John Shipton, was also a native. John Shi| 
 married Elizabeth Swengel, daughter of Michael 
 Swengel, who followed the occupation of farm- 
 
 ing and blacksmithing in Snyder county, where 
 his death occurred. 
 
 Our subject is the oldest of a family of ten 
 children, five sons and rive daughters: Maria is 
 the wife of Daniel Triester, a farmer living in 
 ( (hio. Susan died unmarried at the age of forty 
 years, and was buried in Beavertown, Snyder Co., 
 Penn. Sarah, widow of Thomas Watkins, re- 
 >i.les in Dickinson county, Kans. Jesse R. is a 
 widower, and lives in Fulton county, III. He 
 has been justice of the peace in Bernadotte 
 township nearly all the time for nearly thirty 
 years. In 1 896 he married his 100th couple. Over 
 thirty years ago he married a young man ami 
 woman, and within the last two years he married 
 that man's daughter. He has been a good officer, 
 and is generally respected. John, a farmer and 
 carpenter, is married and lives in Hancock coun- 
 ty, III., where he has reared his family. Joseph 
 died unmarried at the age of fifty-one. Henry 
 is married, and is engaged in farming in Tazewell 
 county, 111. Eliza became the wife of Charles 
 Reigel, of Snyder county, Penn., where he died 
 some years ago, leaving five children. Anna J. 
 died about two years after her marriage to 
 Samuel C. Bratton, of Mifflin county, Pennsyl- 
 vania. 
 
 Thomas W. Shipton was educated in the sub- 
 scription schools of Beavertown, Snyder county, 
 and at the age of eighteen began learning the 
 carpenter's trade, but throughout the greater part 
 of his business career he was interested in agri- 
 culture. He was postmaster at Beaver Springs, 
 Snyder Co., Penn., from 1849 to 1853. He 
 moved his family to Union county in 1S58. After 
 a long life of usefulness he is now resting from 
 all labor, surrounded by many comforts and lux- 
 uries, obtained by former years of toil. Politic- 
 ally he is a pronounced Republican, and relig- 
 iously is an earnest member of the United Evan- 
 gelical Church. 
 
 In early life. Mr. Shipton was joined in wed- 
 lock with Miss Catharine, daughter of William 
 Snook, who was born in New Jersey, of Scotch- 
 Irish extraction. On his removal to Snyder 
 county, Penn!. her father purchased 300 acres of 
 land wh 1 1 i \el\ille now stands, and there en- 
 gaged in farming until his death, which occurred 
 a few years later. 
 
 Seven childn ed the union of Mr. and 
 
 Mrs. Shipton, namely: 1 Maria is now the 
 wife of J. H. Meyers, M D., who has for a num- 
 ber of years engaged in practice in Mifflin county, 
 Penn., and is also interested in mercantile busi- 
 ness. (2) Malinda is the wife of John Drum, a 
 merchant of Winfield, Union county. (3) Margaret 
 J. is the wife of Hiram Good, a retired farmer liv- 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 981 
 
 ing near Selins Grove, Snyder county. (4) Al- 
 fred T. is a justice of the peace for Lewis town- 
 ship, Union county, and was postmaster for 
 twelve years at Swengel and Rand, Penn. He 
 married Miss Lucy Boring, daughter of David 
 Boring, of Mifflinburg, Penn. (5) Sarah is the 
 wife of Thomas Bennett, a railroad employee re- 
 siding at Milton, Penn. (6) Catharine is with 
 her parents. (7) Harriet, who became the wife 
 of J. Wesley Campbell, of Sunbury, Penn., died 
 on August 20, 1896, leaving four children. 
 
 T^HOMAS WALTER, one of the leading ag- 
 riculturists of East Buffalo township, Union 
 county, resides in a pleasant home near Lochiel, 
 surrounded by the comforts which years of hard 
 toil enabled him to secure. Born in that town- 
 ship, December 22, 1833, he has spent the greater 
 part of his life there, and is regarded as one of 
 its substantial citizens. 
 
 The Walter family has been represented in 
 central Pennsylvania from an earl)- day, and our 
 subject's grandfather, Walter, was a mer- 
 chant in Middleburg, Snyder county, for many 
 years. George Walter, the father of our sub- 
 ject, was born in that town in 1798, and after 
 attending school there until he had completed 
 the course offered, he pursued his studies in a 
 school of higher grade at Milton. He learned 
 the weaver's trade in all its branches, including 
 the weaving of stockings, but did not long con- 
 tinue it. 
 
 When but little over twenty years old, George 
 Walter was married to his first wife, Miss Leah 
 Betts, born in 1800, the daughter of Solomon 
 and (Dunkle) Betts, whose family con- 
 sisted of six daughters and two sons. Mr. Betts 
 was a wealthy farmer of East Buffalo township, 
 where his death occurred some years ago. The 
 young couple located upon the Betts homestead 
 in a tenant house; a few years later Mr. Walter 
 bought the first land he ever owned — a farm in 
 the southern part of the township, near the 
 mountain. From there he moved to another 
 farm in the same township, and remained twen- 
 ty-five years, when he disposed of it in a trade 
 with a neighbor, and moved to Lewisburg. He 
 spent about seven years there, but for some time 
 previous to his death, which occurred in Janu- 
 ary, 1 86 1, he made his home with a daughter in 
 Northumberland county. 
 
 George Walter had taken keen interest in the 
 issues of that time, leaving the Whig party to 
 support the new Republican organization, and 
 with prophetic vision he predicted the war which 
 broke out a few months after his removal from 
 
 earthly scenes. He left an estate valued at 
 $25,000, most of which had been accumulated 
 through his own efforts. He was a strong, act- 
 ive man in youth, his well-built frame carrying 
 160 pounds with perfect symmetry. In addition 
 to his work in farming, he engaged in hauling 
 goods long distances. His six-horse team was 
 known everywhere, and his control over them 
 was considered remarkable. For some time he 
 carried produce to Bellefonte, and exchanged it 
 for iron, which he would sell to blacksmiths 
 along the road from that, city to Philadelphia. 
 He was prominent in local affairs, holding vari- 
 ous township offices, and gave his influence to 
 the Evangelical Church, in which he was at one 
 time an exhorter. His remains were interred in 
 Dreisbach cemetery beside those of his first wife, 
 who died in 1847. His second wife, Mrs. Lucy 
 Hackenberg, nee Bossier, is now living with 
 her only child, Bossier Walter, a resident of 
 Wabash county, Ind. By the first marriage 
 there were nine children, of whom, three died in 
 infancy. Of the others, who were as follows, 
 our subject was the youngest: Solomon, de- 
 ceased, was a farmer of Northumberland county; 
 Rachel is the widow of John Frederick, of Sa- 
 lona, Clinton Co., Penn.; William resides in 
 Northumberland county; Susanna married Peter 
 Kline, and died in Pickaway county, Ohio; and 
 Caleb died in Chicago, Illinois. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was reared to farm 
 work, his school days being mainly spent on the 
 threshing floor, where he rode the horses while 
 they tramped out the grain in the old-fashioned 
 way. This experience has made him an ardent 
 champion of the right of the rising generation 
 to a good education, and he has not only given 
 his own children the best advantages within his 
 reach, but he has strenuously advocated the im- 
 provement of the public schools in his locality. 
 At nineteen he went to Northumberland county 
 to live with his brother Solomon, remaining 
 about a year. 
 
 In 1853 Mr. Walter was married to Miss 
 Mary App, daughter of Leonard App, of Selins 
 Grove, and located upon the Hetrick farm, which 
 farm he purchased; it comprised 120 acres, and 
 he paid $1,600 for it, and sold it three months 
 later for $2,750, a remarkable transaction for a 
 mere youth to carry through. In 1858 he en- 
 gaged in huckstering from Union county to Phila- 
 delphia, where he sold a large quantity of prod- 
 uce. He later bought a farm in his native 
 township, going in debt to the amount of $7,000, 
 and continued to cultivate it until 1883 when, 
 having acquired a comfortable competence, he 
 retired to his present home, a small estate of 
 
985 
 
 COMMBMORA T1YE BIOGRAPHICAL i;h'(iRD. 
 
 twenty acres near Lochiel. In all, he owns i $3 
 acres of fine land in the township. Withal, he 
 has lived in generous style, spending liberally 
 wherever necessary, believing that money thus 
 * in ployed is put to the best possible use. 
 
 In manner Mr. Walter is plain and un- 
 assuming, and his peaceable disposition is shown 
 in the fact that he has never had a lawsuit with 
 any one. He lias traveled extensively, making 
 eight trip-; to Illinois and other parts of the West, 
 and was formerly a noted hunter and fisherman, 
 all the trout streams and game haunts of tin- 
 locality being well known to him. This pastime 
 he has given up as advam ing years dulled his in- 
 terest in them, but his conversation with visitors 
 in his hospitable home is enlivened by many an 
 interesting story of adventure or travel, rem- 
 iniscenses of his more active days. 
 
 On March 19, 1875, his first wife passed 
 away, her burial taking place in Dreisbach 
 cemetery. Mr. Walter has since formed a second 
 union, this time with Miss Abby Ann Ritter, who 
 was born at White Deer Furnace, Union county, 
 June 21, laughter of William Ril 
 
 a prosperous blacksmith, and his wife, Rebecca 
 Hearbst, both now deceased. They had two 
 children, Thomas H., of Cleveland, Ohio, and 
 Mrs Walter. 
 
 By the first marriage there were six children: 
 Oliver '1 mer in East Buffalo township, 
 
 Union county; Ellen C, now Mrs. Albert Har- 
 wood, of Constantino, Mich.; Miss Adda, wh 
 at home: James E., a graduate of Michi 
 University, now practicing medicine at Los 
 Angeles, Cal. ; Wilson A., a farmer of ] 
 Buffalo township; and Albert A., who died in 
 infancy. There were five children by the second 
 union, of whom, the first. Mary C, only lived to 
 the age of four years; John W, Harry B. and 
 Thomas H. are at home; and Isaac F., the 
 youngest, died when five months old. 
 
 In politics Mr. Walter is a stanch Repubh 
 and he has taken an influential part in township 
 affairs, serving as school director and supervisor. 
 His wife is an active member of the Evangelical 
 Church, to which Mr. Walter contributes 
 liberally, although not a communicant. 
 
 FOLLMER DONALDSON THOMAS is one 
 of the representative farmers and prominent 
 citizens of Gir-- township, Union county. Be- 
 lieving that " from labor, health, from health, 
 contentment springs," he has bent every energy 
 toward perfecting his agricultural projects, and 
 has proved himself eminently one of the best 
 citizens of the community. 
 
 Mr. Thomas was born February 21, 1850, in 
 the same township where he now lives, but at 
 that time it formed a portion of Lycoming coun- 
 ty. His father, Lewis Thomas, who was born 
 on Pine creek, near Jersey Shore, Lycoming 
 county, December 18, 1822, followed farming, 
 rafting and lumbering throughout his active busi- 
 ness life, but is now living retired in Gregg town- 
 ship. Union county. In religious belief he is a 
 Presbyterian, and in politics is a Democrat. The 
 mother, who bore the maiden name of Susana 
 Donaldson, was born March 28, 18 18, in Gregg 
 township, where her marriage was celebrated, 
 and there her death occurred September 24, 
 1 896. She was a daughter of James and Rachel 
 (Follmer) Donaldson, and the paternal grandpar- 
 ents of our subject were Samuel and Ellen 
 Thomas. The grandparents of Susana Donald- 
 son was a Revolutionary soldier, serving the 
 seven years in the army, and died in this vicinity 
 with a British ball in his hip. 
 
 Follmer D. Thomas is the oldest in a family 
 of five children, the others being: Mary E., who 
 died in 1862; Miss Rachel, who is with her fa- 
 ther; Sarah J., wife of Oliver Grier, a mechanic 
 of Watsontown, Penn. ; and Maria B., wife of 
 Milo Radall, a farmer of Addison county, Vt. 
 During the infancy of our subject his parents and 
 his uncle, Follmer Donaldson, lived in the sunn 
 house, and when the former moved away he re- 
 mained with his uncle, making his home with 
 him from the age of three years until his mar- 
 ■, during which time he acquired a good com- 
 mon-school education, and became thoroughly 
 familiar with farm work. 
 
 On May 22, [873, Mr. Thomas was married 
 to Miss Mary E. Scott, who was born on the 
 farm where sin- still resides, September 8, 1S47, 
 a daughter of Henry and Mercy Scott. She was 
 tin youngest of four children, the others being: 
 Isabella, born January 2~. [837, married Frank- 
 lin Hamilton, a resident of Muncy, Penn., and 
 died July 26, [872; Amos, born May 6, 1840, is 
 a prominent citizen of Gregg township. Union 
 county; and Rachel, born February 26, [842, 
 died July 14. 1845. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas have 
 children: Susan B., Henry S, Mercy R., 
 
 Lewi- D. and Mary J. 
 
 On his marriage. Mr. Thomas located on the 
 old Scott homestead where he now resides, but 
 later resided for three years near Spring Gar- 
 den. He operated the Follmer Donaldson farm 
 for eleven years, and afterward spent five years 
 in the village ol Spring Garden in order to pro- 
 his children with better educational privi- 
 leges. In the spring of 1896, however, he re- 
 turned to the homestead of his wife's people. 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 983 
 
 That he is a progressive and skillful agriculturist 
 is attested by the neat and thrifty appearance of 
 the place, and the well-tilled fields yield abun- 
 dant returns for the care and labor bestowed 
 upon them. Both he and his estimable wife are 
 consistent members of the Baptist Church, and 
 enjoy the respect and confidence of all with 
 whom they come in contact. In his political 
 affiliations he is a Republican, but he has never 
 aspired to office. 
 
 ISAAC REBER, a well-known and highly re- 
 spected resident of Smoketown, Union county, 
 is a member of a family which became prominent 
 in that locality at an early day. It was in the 
 year 1803 that John Reber, the grandfather of 
 our subject, settled in Buffalo Valley, where he 
 purchased a tract of land near Lochiel, from Sol- 
 omon Be'z. He was an energetic, thrifty man, 
 warm-hearted, and lent generous assistance to all 
 public improvements in the then new community. 
 As prosperity smiled upon him, he added more 
 land to his first purchase, and at his death there 
 were 290 acres to be divided among his sons. In 
 1830 he built a house in Lewisburg, to which he 
 removed in the following year, and his death oc- 
 curred there on June 22, 1S52, at the age of 
 eighty-two. 
 
 John Reber and his wife, Catherine Moser, 
 reared a family of ten children: John, Samuel 
 (a member of the Legislature in 1843), Mary 
 (Mrs. Jacob Dunkel), Elizabeth (who married 
 Dr. Isaac S. Vorse), James (our subject's father), 
 Susan (Mrs. Michael Klecknen, Margaret (de- 
 ceased, who never married), Thomas, David, and 
 Leah (wife of Rev. D. T. Heisler, a minister of 
 the German Reformed Church). 
 
 James Reber, the father of our subject, was 
 born September 21, 1805, at the old home near 
 Lochiel, and in his youth attended the subscrip- 
 tion schools of the vicinity. In 1 S3 1 he was 
 married in Union county to Miss Elizabeth Royer, 
 a native of Lancaster county, Penn., born Feb- 
 ruary 26, 181 1. She came to Union county with 
 her parents, Joel and Susannah Royer, who 
 located in Kelly township. 
 
 The young couple located at the Reber home- 
 stead, John Reber removing soon afterward to 
 Lewisburg, and they made their home there until 
 the spring of 1852, renting and operating the 
 farm. On leaving the place our subject's father 
 removed to Smoketown and purchased a small 
 farm from Daniel Mook, but in September of the 
 same year he died suddenly. His widow subse- 
 quently married Isaac Meyers, but on her death 
 in April, 1890, she was buried beside her first 
 
 husband in the Lewisburg cemetery. She had 
 no children by her second marriage, but by the 
 first there were three sons: John, a bookkeeper, 
 who died in Smoketown in 1892; Isaac, our sub- 
 ject: and Joel, a bachelor residing in Smoketown. 
 
 Our subject's father was always interested in 
 agricultural pursuits, but at times engaged in 
 other business, sometimes taking contracts for 
 hauling goods long distances. He was a large 
 man, weighing 240 pounds; he was active in local 
 affairs as well as in business, giving his influence 
 to the Democratic party in political questions. 
 He was a member of the Reformed Church, but 
 his wife belonged to the German Baptist Church. 
 
 Isaac Reber's birth occurred at the old home- 
 stead, April 20, 1S34, and his youth was spent 
 there. He attended the Fairfield school in the 
 same neighborhood, and also studied during one 
 winter at the Royer school in Kelly township. 
 His attendance was so irregular that in arithme- 
 tic he only reached the " single rule of three. " 
 During one winter he was present only one day, 
 and another only a half day, as his father want- 
 ed his help hauling lumber from Brush Valley, 
 Centre Co., Penn., through the "long narrows" 
 to Lewisburg. Many of the residences and 
 barns of East Buffalo township were built from 
 lumber brought down by him. As he was the 
 only able-bodied son his father had there was 
 always plenty of work to do. After his father's 
 death, Mr. Reber remained with his mother a 
 short time and then went to Stephenson county, 
 111., and worked as a farm hand during the sum- 
 mer of 1854. On returning to Union county he 
 hired out for a year to Abram Wolfe, a farmer 
 in East Buffalo township, at $9 per month for the 
 winter and $12 per month for the summer. 
 
 On December 27, 1855, Mr. Reber was mar- 
 ried to his first wife, Miss Susan Wolfe, who was 
 born December 27, 1835, tne daughter of George 
 and Catherine (Reamer) Wolfe. He began house- 
 keeping at his mother's home in Smoketown, and 
 remained there three years, taking charge of his 
 mother's little farm, and cultivating other land 
 in the vicinity. In 1859 he bought seventy acres 
 of land on Turtle creek, giving cash for half the 
 price, and paying the other half in five years. 
 He still owns this place, with five acres of wood- 
 land on Buffalo mountain, and five at Smoketown. 
 In 1876 he engaged in general mercantile busi- 
 ness at Smoketown with his brother John,> under 
 the firm name of J. & I. Reber, but after six 
 years they sold to Simon Duck. Mr. Reber 
 bought his present home at Smoketown in 1876, 
 but did not .settle there until 1878. He has lost 
 several thousand dollars through going surety for 
 friends, but has left a comfortable competence; 
 
'.'-I 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOQRAPIW 'AL RECORD. 
 
 he is regarded as one of the substantial men of 
 the neighborhood. 
 
 His first wife, who was a devout Christian 
 and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
 died on December 4, [882, and her mortal re- 
 mains were laid to rest in Lewisburg cemetery 
 On April 8, 1884, Mr. Reber married Miss Sarah 
 Groover, a native of White Deer township, 
 Union county, born August 24, 1847. She un- 
 educated in the schools of East Buffalo township, 
 where her parents, Nicholas and Susan Groover, 
 located in 1 857. 
 
 Mr. Keber is a man who does his own think- 
 ing, and in political questions he is not bound by- 
 partisan ties. In local issues he looks only to 
 the character of the candidate. 
 
 JBURREY, whose name is inseparably con- 
 nected with the commercial and industrial 
 
 interests of Yicksburg, is one of the most 
 enterprising, energetic and successful business 
 men of that thriving little village, He has ever 
 cheerfully given his support to those enterprises 
 that tend to public development and, with hard- 
 ly an exception, he has been connected with 
 every interest that has promoted general welfare 
 A native of Union county, he was born March 
 27, [858, in Limestone township, a son 
 Simon and Catharine Crossgrove Burrey. The 
 father was born in the same township, May 
 10, 1820, and as he was left an orphan at the 
 of eight, and there were no public school 
 time, his education was very meagre. He was 
 reared by John Mensch, one of the leading agri- 
 culturists of Limestone township, remaining 
 with him until thirty years of age, when he 
 united in marriage with Catharine Crossgrove, a 
 daughter of William Crossgrove, also a farmer. 
 Her birth occurred in Li township, M i\ 
 
 16, 1820. 
 
 At the time of his marriage, Simon Burrey's 
 cash capital consisted of only the small amount 
 he had been able to save from his wages, and his 
 wife had received only what was known as a 
 "setting out" in the way of household furniture. 
 For a few years tie \ rented land in their native 
 township, and by working early and late man- 
 aged to save a few hundred dollars, which, in 
 
 '. they invested in a farm in Kuffalo town- 
 ship, one and one-half miles south of Vicks- 
 burg. As Mr. Burrey lacked sufficient money to 
 pay for the same, he was supplied by Mr, 
 Mensch, who had implicit confidence in him. 
 Industrious and energetic, he soon paid oft in 
 indebtedness, and as the years passed he added 
 more land to the original purchase. There he 
 
 continued to make his home until called from 
 this life at the age of fifty-seven years. He was 
 a man ordinarily weighing about 1 50 pounds, and 
 was quite robust and active in his younger years, 
 and by hard work and good management was 
 able to leave his family in comfortable circum- 
 stances. Originally he was a Whig in politics 
 and later a stanch Republican, but took no 
 active part in public affairs. He dud in the 
 faith of the Lutheran Church, which he joined 
 in later years, and of which his wife was also a 
 consistent member. After her husband's death 
 she lived with our subject until she, too, passed 
 away at the age of sixty-seven, and was laid by 
 his side in the Dreisbach cemetery. To them 
 were born six children: A daughter, who died in 
 childhood; Isaiah, an attorney of the State of 
 Washington; David C, an attorney of Los An- 
 geles, Cal. ; our subject; and a son and B. F., 
 who both died in infancy. 
 
 N t caring as much for study as his brothers, 
 J. Burrey remained at home from choice, 
 while they graduated from the law school of Ann 
 Arbor, Mich. In the Reed school his literary 
 training was acquired, but in later years he un- 
 
 ' nil- more fully the benefits to be derived 
 from a good education, and impresses this fact 
 upon his children, whom he is providing with ex- 
 cellent advantages along that line. At the age of 
 twenty-one he was united in marriage with Miss 
 Sarah E. Arbogast, a .laughter of Lewis and 
 Elizabeth (Duck) Arbogast. They now have two 
 children — William ('., born April 8, 1881, and 
 and Mary E., born November 11, [889. After 
 his marriage, Mr. Burrey tor a time followed 
 farming on the place left vacant by his father's 
 death, but not liking that occupation, he in 
 the spring of 1884 removed to Yicksburg. where 
 purchased his present property, which he has 
 improved in many ways. For three years 
 
 iwned a half-interest in a threshing outfit in 
 partnership with David Smucker, and when the 
 depot was built at Vicksburg by the Lewisburg 
 & Bellefonte Railroad Company, he became the 
 first agent, but after a few months resigned his 
 position, and embarked in general merchandi- 
 as a member of the firm of Smucker & Bun 
 After seven and a half years spent in that busi- 
 ness, the partnership was dissolved, our subject 
 receiving, in part payment for his portion, the 
 coal yard and lumber business, which he still 
 conducts. He also immediately turned his atten- 
 tion to the grocery business, and in July, 1894, 
 completed his store building, where he has since 
 carried on operations along that line. He also 
 has a feed mill and chopper, having erected a 
 suitable building in which to carry on that indi 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 985 
 
 try, and to all these various enterprises gives his 
 personal supervision. A wide-awake and court- 
 eous merchant, he has gained the confidence of 
 his patrons, and therefore enjoys an excellent 
 trade. Besides his business block and comfort- 
 able home in Vicksburg, he owns sixty acres of 
 timber land in the southern part of Buffalo town- 
 ship. His name is a synonym for honorable 
 business dealing, and he is always mentioned as 
 one of the invaluable citizens of Vicksburg. He 
 is an ardent Republican in politics, and has 
 served as constable of Buffalo township for one 
 year, but cares nothing for official distinction. 
 In religious belief he and his wife are Lutherans. 
 
 J GEORGE ROYER. Union county has 
 many well-to-do and successful citizens, who 
 have worked their way upward from a hum- 
 ble position to one of prominence in both busi- 
 iness and public life, and among this class the 
 name of the subject of this notice is entitled to 
 a place. He occupies the old homestead of the 
 Royer family near Swengel, in Lewis township, 
 is a man of rare intellectual attainments and ex- 
 cellent executive ability, and for more than eight 
 years has served as justice of the peace with 
 credit to himself and to the satisfaction of his 
 constituents. Throughout his active business 
 life he has followed the occupation of farming, 
 and has met wilh a well-deserved success in his 
 operations. Upon the farm where he still lives 
 Mr. Royer was born July 16, 1858, and on both 
 the paternal and maternal sides is of German 
 origin, his great-grandfather Royer emigrating 
 from the Fatherland to America at an early day. 
 Isaac and Anna (Shellenbarger) Royer, the par- 
 ents of our subject, natives of Lancaster and 
 Juniata counties, Penn. , respectively, in early 
 life came to Union county, where their marriage 
 was celebrated. Their other children were John 
 S., who is married and lives in Versailles, Darke 
 Co., Ohio, where he has taught school for thirty- 
 six years, and is now the superintendent of the 
 public schools; David, who was born April 23, 
 1848, and died September 12, 1849; and Mary 
 E., who was born May 19, 1S50, and is now the 
 wife of Eli Ullrey, a farmer living near Brad- 
 ford, Darke Co., Ohio. 
 
 Peter Shellenbarger, the maternal great- 
 grandfather of our subject, owned considerable 
 real estate, and at his death left to his three 
 sons, John, Christian and Jonathan, fine farms of 
 over 100 acres each. John, the grandfather, 
 was a tailor by trade, but after coming into pos- 
 session of the farm left by his father, he turned 
 his attention to agricultural pursuits and the 
 
 distilling business at Evandale, Juniata Co., 
 Penn. His last years were spent in retirement, 
 and he died at the advanced age of eighty-seven, 
 being buried near Richfield, Juniata county. His 
 wife was a daughter of a Mr. Stuck by a second 
 marriage, whose first wife and two children were 
 killed by the Indians. 
 
 J. George Royer was reared to agricultural 
 pursuits upon the home farm, and obtained a 
 good common-school education. On December 
 14, 1876, he was united in marriage with Miss 
 Clara, daughter of Daniel Knauss, a prominent 
 farmer of Lewis township, Union county, who 
 died December 31, 1891. Three beautiful and 
 attractive children grace their union — Lottie M., 
 Anna M. and Shem E. 
 
 E 
 
 >\LIAS MILLER, of Buffalo township, Union 
 
 county, is a man who has found no reason 
 to complain of agriculture as an occupation, his 
 industry and careful management having brought 
 him a fair return in material comforts. Since 
 1868 he has operated the Stahl farm, near Buf- 
 falo Cross Roads, this being the longest term of 
 rental for any farm in the township and probably 
 in the county, and during his residence there he 
 has bought a place of 140 acres in Kelly town- 
 ship, Union count)', at a cost of $11,900, a suf- 
 ficiently convincing evidence of prosperity. 
 
 Mr. Miller is a native of Buffalo township, 
 and comes from pioneer stock, his grandfather, 
 George Miller, a farmer by occupation, having 
 been engaged in hauling goods for the use of the 
 Colonial forces during the Revolutionary war. 
 George Miller, Jr., our subject's father, was born 
 and reared in Dry Valley, Union county, and be- 
 came a farmer, locating in early manhood in Buf- 
 falo township and clearing a tract of land. For 
 some years he conducted a still on the place, 
 and altogether he succeeded in acquiring a fair 
 competence. In political faith he was a Whig, 
 with strong anti-slavery sympathies, and in re- 
 ligion he was a Lutheran. He died in 1852, at 
 the age of sixty-one, and his wife, Sarah Mertz, 
 who was a member of the Reformed Church, 
 lived to more than seventy years. They were 
 buried in the cemetery at Mazeppa, where he 
 had been one of the founders of the Church, serv- 
 ing on the building committee. Fifteen children 
 were born to them: Jonas, who died in child- 
 hood; George, who died in 1895; John, who at- 
 tained the age of seventy-three; Peter, who died 
 in Buffalo township; Catherine, Mrs. Samuel 
 Bickel, deceased; Henry, who died when over 
 seventy years of age; Aaron, who died at forty- 
 eight; Sally, Mrs. Howard Anderson, deceased; 
 
986 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 Edward, a farmer in Kelly township, Union 
 county; Levi, who died in Buffalo township at 
 the age of sixty-one; Polly, a resident of Seneca 
 county, Ohio; Elias, our subject; Susan, Mrs. 
 Lewis Tuner, who died in 1896; Elizabeth, 
 widow of J. H. Smith, of Kelly township; and 
 
 jamin, a resident of Fremont, Ohio. 
 
 The country schoolswhich Mr. Miller attended 
 in his youth were not of the best, and the work 
 of the farm required too much of his time to per- 
 mit him to make the most even of these oppor- 
 tunities. After his father's death he contii 
 working at the homestead for his mother. In 
 [858 he was married in Stephenson county, 111., 
 to Miss Sarah Engelman, a native of Kelly town- 
 ship. Union county, born November 28, 1835, 
 whose parents, David and Sarah (Seibert) Engel- 
 man, moved to Illinois in 1856. She was one of 
 
 tit children, viz.: Solomon, Margaret, John, 
 
 ah, Joseph, Jacob, William and Aaron. The 
 young couple began housekeeping at the Miller 
 homestead, both working for our subject's mother 
 for about four years. In the spring of 186S Mr. 
 Miller rented the farm where he now resides, and 
 the articles of agreement then drawn up betw 
 him and the owner, John Stahl, have continued 
 in force since the estate fell into the hands of |. 
 K Stahl, a son of the former owner. Mr. Miller's 
 success in life is well deserved, no tricken 
 dishonesty marring it, and he is known as a man 
 whose word is as good as his bond. His estima- 
 ble wife is spared to enjoy the fruits of past la- 
 bors, in which she took her full share. Three 
 children have brightened their home: Ella, now 
 Mrs. Alfred Engelman, of Michigan; William M. , 
 a school teacher, who operates the farm in Kelly 
 township; and Janus A., who is at home, 
 progressive agriculturist Mr. Miller is actively 
 identified with the Grange, and he and his wife 
 are leading members of the Lutheran Church, in 
 which he has been a deacon and elder, and is 
 now the superintendent of the Sunday-school. 
 Politically his sympathies are with the Prohibi- 
 tion party, but he has nevi 1 1>< en an office-seeker, 
 although lie was at one time the supervisor of 
 his township. 
 
 SPIGELMEYER, one of the leading farm- 
 f^. ers and prominent citizens of Buffalo town- 
 ship, is one of the two male representatives of his 
 branch of the family left in Union county. In 
 the township where he still resides he first opened 
 his eyes to the light March 1. [848. His father, 
 Abraham Spigelmeyer, was born in Rock 
 township, Berks Co., Penn., August 6, 1S06, 
 and was the seventh son and eighth child in a 
 
 family of eight children born to Henry and Cath- 
 arine Spigelmeyer, who removed to Snyder coun- 
 ty, Penn., when he was a mere boy, and there 
 died. 
 
 In early life the father of our subject learned 
 the miller's trade at New Berlin, and soon after- 
 ward secured a position at the old Cameron Mill, 
 in Buffalo township, Union county, working for 
 a man who knew nothing of the business, so that 
 he had all of the care and responsibility. On April 
 21, 1842, he wedded Mary Young, who was born 
 in Buffalo township May 21, 1821, the daughter 
 ol Abraham and Mary Catharine (Reidy) Young. 
 At one time her father followed the carpenter's 
 trade, and conducted a sawmill at Cowan, and 
 was also interested with the father of our subject 
 in a gristmill at that place. While he attended 
 school only for about three weeks during his en- 
 tire life, Mr. Young was a shrewd, far-sighted 
 man, of great influence, was called upon to settle 
 many estates, and his advice was often sought on 
 various questions. Although a stanch Democrat 
 in politics, he declined to become the candidate 
 of his party for the Legislature. Of his eleven 
 children, nine grew to adult age, three sons and 
 six daughters, and he left to his family a very 
 comfortable competence. After his marriage 
 Abraham Spigelmeyer located at what was known 
 as Rengler's Mills, in Buffalo township, where he 
 continued to work at his trade until April, 1848, 
 when he removed to Farmersville, now Cowan. 
 After working in a gristmill at that place for a 
 short time, he and his father-in-law purchased 
 the same, which he operated dining the remainder 
 of his active business life. He died of apoplexy 
 while plowing for seeding, August 30, [862, and 
 was buried in Dreisbach cemetery. His sympa- 
 thies were with the Republican party, but as he 
 predicted the war in case of Lincoln's election, 
 he did not vote in [860. He was an expert mil- 
 ler, and was well known in that capacity through- 
 out Buffalo Valley. For several years previous 
 to his death he has served as elder of the Re- 
 formed Church, of which he was a prominent 
 member. 
 
 In the family were six children, as follows: 
 Sarah, bom April 1 1, 1843, is now the widow of 
 Adam Young; Henry, born November 7, 1S44, 
 is a resident ol Nashua, Chichasaw Co., Iowa; 
 Susanna, born October I, 1846, lives in Cowan, 
 Penn. ; our subject is next in ordei of birth; Mary 
 C, born February 10, 1850, is the wife of James 
 P. Glase, ol Mazeppa, Union county; and John 
 W. , born July 9, 1 852, is a resident of West Buffalo, 
 the same county. After her husband's death the 
 mother bought a home near Cowan, and kept her 
 family together. In the faith of the Reformed 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 987 
 
 Church, she died October 16, 1886, and was 
 buried in the Dreisbach cemetery. 
 
 The birth of our subject occurred at Camer- 
 on's Mills, in Buffalo township, and he was only 
 four weeks old when taken by his parents to 
 Cowan, where he later attended the common 
 schools. Although only fourteen years of age 
 when his father died he was of great help to his 
 widowed mother, and during her last illness was 
 much of the time at her bedside. He began to 
 learn the miller's trade, but his father's death in- 
 terrupted this, and at the age of seventeen he as- 
 sumed the management of the home farm. At 
 the parsonage of the Reformed Church in Mifflin- 
 burg, Rev. George E. Adams performed a mar- 
 riage ceremony October 4, 1870, which united 
 the destinies of Mr. Spigelmeyer and Miss Mar- 
 tha E. Gaunt, who was born at Potters Mills, 
 Centre county, March 13, 1852. Her father, 
 Richard Gaunt, an expert woolen manufacturer, 
 was born in Yorkshire, England, July 3, 181 5, a 
 son of William and Amelia Gaunt. In that 
 country he worked in a factory until crossing the 
 Atlantic to America at the age of twenty-one, 
 and for some time was here employed in different 
 mills. He finally drifted to Union county, 
 Penn., where he married Susan Kleckner, who 
 was born in Hartley township, February 22, 
 1816, a daughter of George Kleckner. When a 
 little girl she went to live with John Lincoln, at 
 whose home in Hartley township she was resid- 
 ing at the time of her marriage. For a time Mr. 
 Gaunt worked in the woolen mills at Laurelton, 
 but in 184S removed to Potters Mills, Centre 
 county, where he remained until 1863, at which 
 time he came to West Buffalo township, Union 
 county. He is now a resident of Milton, but his 
 wife died April 14, 1881. 
 
 After his marriage Mr. Spigelmeyer located 
 upon the same farm in Buffalo township, where 
 he had previously lived with his sister, Mary C, 
 as his housekeeper. In the spring of 1873 he 
 sold off his effects and removed to St. Joseph 
 county, Mich., but in the fall of the same year 
 returned to Union county, locating at Cowan, 
 where he bought a house and lot. While living 
 at that place he engaged in teaming and farming, 
 later rented land in Buffalo township, occupying 
 one farm for eleven years, but in the fall of 1890 
 purchased the William Baker farm of sixty-six 
 acres, and since the following spring has there 
 made his home. He is a progressive and skill- 
 ful agriculturist, honest and straightforward in 
 all business transactions, and his integrity is 
 above question. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Spigelmeyer have four children, 
 namely: (1) Theodore E., born December 16, 
 
 1 87 1, was engaged in clerking for H. A. Cook 
 for four years, but now he is a shipper of whole- 
 sale produce at Vicksburg; is superintendent of 
 the Sabbath-school at the Dreisbach Church; (2) 
 Elsa M., born January 2, 1875, was united in 
 marriage on March 1, 1898, to C. E. Erd- 
 ley, of East Buffalo township, where they will 
 make their future home; (3) Naomi V., born No- 
 vember 16, 1879, and (4) Blanche O., born Oc- 
 tober 24, 1 88 1, are at home. The parents and 
 children are all members of the Reformed Church 
 and are widely and favorably known throughout 
 the community. Mr. Spigelmeyer is now serving 
 as deacon of the congregation. Politically he is 
 a stalwart Democrat, but cares nothing for office, 
 and socially is a member of the Knights of the 
 Golden Eagle at Mifflinburg. 
 
 EvLIAS HEIMBACH resides on a farm one 
 'I mile west of Laurelton in Hartley township, 
 
 Union county, but has now practically laid aside 
 business cares, enjoying a well-earned rest. 
 Throughout his active life his time and attention 
 were devoted to agricultural pursuits. 
 
 Mr. Heimbach was born July 31, 1845, in 
 East Buffalo township, Union county, and is a 
 son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Bower) Heimbach, 
 natives of Snyder county, Penn. Both have 
 now passed away, and their bodies were laid to 
 rest in Dreisbach cemetery near Mifflinburg, 
 Penn. By trade the father was a blacksmith. 
 
 Our subject is the eleventh in order of birth 
 in the family of thirteen children, the others be- 
 ing as follows: Catharine is the widow of Daniel 
 Bailer, and lives near Mifflinburg; Hetty is the 
 wife of Jacob Yeisley, a farmer of Kansas, and 
 they have three children; Rachel married Peter 
 Reish, who is engaged in farming in South Da- 
 kota, and they have five children; Mary is the 
 wife of Henry Bennage, an agriculturist of White 
 Deer township, Union county, by whom she has 
 had ten children; Jonathan, a farmer and black- 
 smith of Buffalo township, Union county, is 
 married and has five children; Rebecca is the 
 wife of Samuel Dauberman, a carpenter residing 
 in New Berlin, Penn., and they have one son; 
 Martha wedded Jacob Whitman, and has four 
 children; Simon died at the age of two years; 
 the next child died in infancy; John, a resident 
 of Buffalo township, Union county, who served 
 for four years in the Union army during the Civil 
 war, is married and has five children; Elizabeth 
 is the wife of Elias Perdick, also an honored 
 veteran of the Civil war, and they live in New 
 Berlin; and Susan married Henry Frock, a farmer 
 
 I 
 
988 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 
 
 of Buffalo township, Union county, by whom 
 she has one child 
 
 During his boyhood and youth Elias Heim- 
 bach attended the common schools, but when 
 less than eighteen years of age he laid aside all 
 personal interest to enter the service of his coun- 
 try, and enlisted on the 14th of January, 1863. 
 in Company E, 51st P. V. I., serving under Col. 
 Hartranft, who afterward became Governor of 
 Pennsylvania, and Gen. Burnsides, who was the 
 corps commander. Our subject was a bi 
 soldier, always found at his post of duty, and he 
 participated in the following great battles, besides 
 numerous engagements of less importance: An- 
 tietam, Spottsylvania Court House, the Wilder- 
 ness, Cold Harbor, Ream's Station, and those in 
 fn mt of Petersburg. He was mustered out at 
 Alexandria, Va., July 27, 1865, when the war 
 had ended, and his services were no Ion 
 needed. He now receives a pension, and is an 
 honored member of Post No. 247, G. A. R., at 
 Mifflinburg. 
 
 Returning home, Mr. Heimbach resi 
 farming. On September id, [866, he was united 
 in marriage with Miss Emma, daughter of Jacob 
 Wittes, and three children blessed their union: 
 (ii Anna M.. born September 22, 1867, is the 
 wife of Henry Doebler, a butcher of Mifflinburg, 
 Penn., and they have one son, Robert, (2) Cora 
 I., born in 1869, died in 1873. (3) Samuel 
 Grant, burn July 2, 1872, is a telegraph operator 
 living in South Dakota. The mother of these 
 child 1889, and was buried in 
 
 1 'oisbach cemetery, near Mifflinburg. Mr. 
 Heimbach was again married January 1, 1895, 
 his second union being with Miss Susan Boop, 
 daughter of Jacob Boop. 
 
 In politics Mr. Heimbach is identified with 
 the Republican party, and is a si 1 liever in 
 
 its principles, while in religious belief he is a 
 Lutheran. He and his estimable wife are hon- 
 ored and respected in their community for their 
 sterling worth, generous hospitality and un- 
 bounded liberality. 
 
 AT. NOGEL, a well-to-do agriculturist now 
 _. living in retirement at Buffalo Roads, Union 
 county, is a man of influence in his locality. He 
 was born October 6, [838, in Kelly township, in 
 that county, the son of Jacob Nogel, a promi- 
 nent farmer who came from Allentown, Lancas- 
 ter Co., Penn., in early manhood, and located 
 in Union county. At first he rented land in 
 East Buffalo township, then rented the Andrew 
 Kelly farm, on which he lived fourteen years; he 
 then bought a small farm of fifty acres near 
 
 Kelly Point, on which he made his permanent 
 home. He was a Democrat, but voted inde- 
 pendently in local affairs. His death occurred 
 April 20, i860, in his sixty-fourth year, and his 
 wife, Elizabeth Engelman, passed away March 
 6, 1843, aged forty-two years, eight months and 
 twenty-four days, the remains of both being in- 
 terred in the old cemetery at White Deer church. 
 Mrs. Xogel was born June 9, 1S00, in White 
 Deer township, Union county, the daughter of 
 Solomon Engelman, born August 17, 178c, died 
 October 20, 1853, and of Margaret Engelman, 
 born December 28, 1773, died December 1, 
 1853. To Jacob and Elizabeth Nogel nine chil- 
 dren were born, viz.: Mary A.. Mrs. John Keh- 
 rer, who died in Kelly township; William, who 
 died in Lewisburg; Lucy. Mrs. Lewis Gember- 
 ling, of Buffalo township; Joseph, who died in 
 childhood; Margaret S., Mrs. William Noll, now 
 deceased; Miss Elmira, a resident of Kelly town- 
 ship, and for some years a successful milliner; 
 
 h E., widow of William Wolfinger, ol M 
 ville, Mich.; A. T.. our subject, and Caroline, 
 Mrs. Washington Dieffenderfer, of California. 
 
 A. T. Nogel's youth was spent in his native 
 township, the local schools furnishing his only 
 educational advantages. A comparison of his 
 privileges with those of the children of to-day 
 shows great progress in our public-school system, 
 and no one is a firmer friend to this movement 
 than he. He was a young man when the war 
 broke out, and in 1862 was drafted as one of six 
 from his township to make up a quota of twenty 
 from Union county. On October 28, 1802, he 
 was enrolled in Company G, 172nd P. V. I., un- 
 der Capt. Michael Smith, for nine-months' service. 
 The recruits were sent to Harrisburg and then to 
 Washington, where the regiment took a steamer 
 1 1 Newport News. From that point they marched 
 to Fort Yorktown, where some time was spent in 
 guard and heavy artillery duty. Later they were 
 sent to Baltimore and, after marching out the 
 pike to Hagerstown, went into camp for the night 
 and the next day joined in the pursuit of a Rebel 
 force which crossed the Potomac at Williamsport 
 in safety. Mr. Nogel took part in all the work 
 assigned to his regiment until July, 1863, when 
 he was compelled to drop out of the ranks during 
 a forced march to Alexandria, the exposure and 
 h proving too severe for him. He was 
 placed in an ambulance, but it broke down; then 
 room was found for him in a provision train 
 which was going part of the way, and when he 
 left that he tried to walk but fell unconscious by 
 the roadside. His comrades picked him up and 
 carried him to their destination, where he was 
 ed in a hospital. The following day he was 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 989 
 
 taken with the regiment to Washington, and aft- 
 erward went to Baltimore, where he again 
 entered a hospital for a night. He was then 
 transferred to Harrisburg, and, as it was not 
 thought advisable to send him farther while in 
 that condition, he was kept there in a hospital 
 until his brother William arrived to take him 
 home. 
 
 On July 31, 1863, our subject was discharged 
 at Harrisburg from further service. He resumed 
 his work at home, and also spent some time on 
 his brother William's farm in Kelly township, 
 and thus his time was employed until his mar- 
 riage, on March 5, 1S74, to Miss Eliza Ellen 
 Young, a native of Buffalo township, born Sep- 
 tember 14, 1847. Her parents, Adam and Eliz- 
 abeth (Swartzlander) Young, were prominent 
 among the agriculturists of that locality, and she 
 was educated in the district schools near her 
 home. Mr. Nogel rented a farm from his 
 brother William for two years, and then bought 
 seventy-three acres in Buffalo township, at a 
 cost of $6,750. While residing there he pur- 
 chased his present home at Buffalo Roads, a 
 fine brick house, to which he removed in 1888. 
 He has a comfortable competence largely gained 
 through his own efforts, and is held in high 
 esteem by those who know him. 
 
 Mr. Nogel was reared in the Lutheran faith, 
 both his parents being devout members of that 
 Church, and he and his wife have been actively 
 identified with the work of the society for many 
 years, Mrs. Nogel having taught in the Sunday- 
 school for some time. Their only child, Anna 
 L., born November 27, 1SS1, did not live a 
 year, passing away September 22, 18S2. About 
 the time of this bereavement they took into their 
 home a little girl of four years, Jennie C. Meek- 
 ly, who was born October 21, 1S78, the daugh- 
 ter of Jacob and Elizabeth Paige Meekly, and 
 still resides with her foster parents. On polit- 
 ical issues of a national character Mr. Nogel 
 favors the Democratic view, but he is not a blind 
 follower of his party, voting for good men out- 
 side its lines whenever he thinks best. He is a 
 member of the Grange, and sympathizes with all 
 efforts to secure the greatest good to mankind in 
 general. 
 
 B) S. SCHOCH, a well-known business man 
 _J of New Berlin, conducts the oldest and 
 most extensive tannery in Union county. It has 
 now been owned and operated by three genera- 
 tions of the Schoch family, the grandfather and 
 father of its present proprietor having in turn 
 carried on the business at the same location. 
 
 Mr. Schoch was born February 10, 1862, at 
 New Berlin, the only living child of James and 
 Rebecca W. (Peters) Schoch. His boyhood was 
 spent there, his education being obtained in the 
 local schools, and so well did he improve his op- 
 portunities that at eighteen he was qualified to 
 teach. In the meantime he had also picked up a 
 knowledge of his father's business, partly from 
 observation and partly from work done at irregu- 
 lar times, as he never served an apprenticeship. 
 During the winter of 1879-80 he taught the Win- 
 field school at thirty-five dollars per month, and 
 in 1 88 1 he began selling queensware for Young, 
 Keiper & Co., of Philadelphia, representing them 
 in Union, Snyder, Clinton and Centre counties. 
 This business occupied his time for about a year, 
 and then he took a position in the tannery, with 
 which he has ever since been connected. In 
 1884 he was taken into partnership, the business 
 continuing under the name of Schoch & Son 
 until August, 1886, when he became sole owner. 
 He has a thorough knowledge of the business, 
 and no detail, however insignificant, escapes his 
 attention. The plant employs several men, and 
 is open all the year round. It is safe to say 
 that, as a business man, Mr. Schoch has no su- 
 perior of his age in that locality, the growing 
 trade of his establishment being due to his wide- 
 awake, energetic management. 
 
 In September, 1883, Mr. Schoch was married 
 to Miss Mary M. Benner, who was born near 
 Salem, Snyder county, where her father, Ed- 
 ward Benner, was a leading citizen. One 
 daughter, Rebecca, born in 1884, blessed this 
 union. Mrs. Schoch is prominent socially, and 
 is an active member of the Lutheran Church. 
 Our subject's genial temperament and pleasant 
 manners make him popular with all classes. He 
 is one of the leading Democrats of his town, and 
 while not anxious for political distinction he 
 takes keen interest in the success of his party. 
 In municipal affairs he is active and influential, 
 and for three years he served as a member of the 
 council. 
 
 JOHN MYERS has spent his entire life in 
 Union county, and his name is inseparably 
 connected with its agricultural and public 
 interests. He was born near Lewisburg Sep- 
 tember 17, 1835, and is of German descent, his 
 ancestors having come to this country previous 
 to the Revolutionary war. His grandfather was 
 John Moyer, but his descendants have changed 
 the name to Myers. David Myers, an uncle of 
 our subject, lived near Lewisburg, Penn., where 
 he was killed by the kick of a vicious horse. He 
 
990 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 left a large family, of whom, six sons, Alpheus, 
 Abraham, Lewis, Nathan, David ami Henry, re- 
 moved to the West. 
 
 Isaac and Salome (Weidler) Myers, the par- 
 ents of our subject, were both natives of Lancas- 
 ter county, Perm., where their marriage was 
 celebrated, but shortly after that event they came 
 to Union county, where the father had previous- 
 1\ spent one year, and where he afterward be- 
 came well known as a Dunkard preacher. 1 
 the} reared their family of seven children, namely: 
 roltne, who became the wife of William K. 
 Moore, and removed to Illinois, where she died, 
 leaving two children; George \V. , a tanner by 
 trade, who also 1 in lumbering, but is now 
 
 farming in southern Indiana, and as a 
 
 minister of the Dunkard Church; Simon Peter, 
 a resident of Birmingham, Ala., who is married, 
 and is now living retired, having become quite 
 wealthy during his active business life; fohn, of 
 this sketch; Sarah, who died at about the age of 
 twenty-five years; Hannah, who died at the age 
 nineteen; and Elizabeth, who died in Illinois, 
 where she had gone with the hone of benefiting 
 her health. 
 
 John Myers, of this review, was educated in 
 the common schools, and was reared upon the 
 irm, which he and his brother George 
 rated for two \ ter he completed his 
 
 education, his father having retired from active 
 labor. Our subject then went west, visiting nine 
 States, but finally returned to Union countv, 
 where he has since successfully engaged in agri- 
 cultural pursuits, making his home in Hartleton. 
 On December ii. 1862, Mr. Myers was mar- 
 ried to Miss Candace Diffenderfer, a popular ami 
 estimable young lady, and a daughter of Henry 
 Diffenderfer, a prominent farmer of the county. 
 She was one of fourteen children, all of whom 
 grew to maturity with the exception of one. 
 They are now scattered throughout various States 
 of the Union, and many have become leading 
 and representative citizens of their various com- 
 munities. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Myers have five children, as 
 follows: (1) Elizabeth, born September 9, 1; 
 is the wife of Galen C. Whitmer, a pop 
 business man of Hartleton. (2) Grant, born 
 May 4, 1867, died April 30, 1868. (3) Jessie, 
 born February 19, 1870, graduated from the 
 Normal School of Bloomsburg. Penn.. in 1890. 
 She is now a professional nurse located at Wash- 
 ington, 1). C, having graduated from the Train- 
 ing School of the Philadelphia Hospital. Phila- 
 delphia, in 1894. (4) Nora, born September 14, 
 1871, also graduated at the Bloomsburg Normal, 
 and is now with her parents at their home in 
 
 Hartleton. (5) Minnie, born October 8, 1874, 
 is the wife of Albert J. Musser, a resident of 
 MifHinburg, Pennsylvania. 
 
 Mr. Myers cast his first Presidential vote for 
 James Buchanan, but has since been an ardent 
 supporter of the Republican party, taking a deep 
 and commendable interest in political affairs. He 
 has served his fellow citi/.ens in the capacity 
 of tax collector, auditor, supervisor, over- 
 seer of the poor, school director, town council- 
 man, and in 1897 was elected burgess of Hartle- 
 ton, which office he is now filling with credit to 
 himself and to the satisfaction of his constituents. 
 Progressive and public-spirited, he has ever 
 cheerfully given his support to those enterprises 
 that tend to public development, and does all in 
 his power to promote the general welfare of the 
 community. Religiously, he is a conscientious 
 member of the Lutheran Church. 
 
 PASCHAL LEWIS CLINGAN, justice of the 
 peace in and for the borough of Lewisburg, 
 Union county, is noted for his clear insight into 
 
 il questions, and his decisions being founded 
 on sound and broad judgment of men and affairs. 
 and careful study of principles, have seldom been 
 revi tsed in the higher courts. 
 
 Squire Clingan was born in Kelly township, 
 Union county, February 6, 1830, and is descend- 
 ed from Scotch-Irish stock, a strain of blood 
 which has furnished to America many families of 
 ability and prominence. William Clingan, our 
 subject's grandfather, was bdrn in Lancaster 
 county, Penn., and served as a soldier in the 
 Revolutionary war. At an early day he settled 
 in Kelly township. Union county, where he died 
 about 1S20. His wife, Jane Roan, of Lancaster 
 count\. was also of Scotch-Irish descent, and 
 her father, Rev. John Roan, a Presbyterian cler- 
 gyman, crossed the ocean and settled in Lancas- 
 tei 1 unity in 1739. Her brother, Flavel Roan, 
 was the author of a deed which is quoted in the 
 law books as the most eccentric on record. It 
 was mi. ide to Clara Helena Elkinhuysen, in 1 793. 
 and is found in the archives of Northumberland 
 
 iY at Sunbury, in deed book F, page 280, 
 under date of November 3, 1793. William and 
 Jane Clingan had the following children: Mar- 
 
 1. Mrs. John Scott, died in Illinois; Anne 
 Roan, Mrs. Joseph Lawson (deceased); Thom- 
 as, our subject's father; Elizabeth, Mrs. Thomas 
 Barber, who died in Union county; George Cling- 
 an, who died in Illinois; and Flavel Clingan, who 
 died in Union county, Penn. 
 
 Thomas Clingan, the father of our subject, 
 was born in Lancaster county in 1785, and in 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 991 
 
 1800 became a resident of Kelly township, Union 
 county, where he remained, following agricultural 
 pursuits. In his religious views he was a Presby- 
 terian, and in politics was formerly a Whig, and, 
 on the organization of the Republican party, he 
 became its stanch supporter. He died at the 
 age of seventy-one, and his wife, Margaret 
 Lewis, who was born in Union county, February 
 20, 1790, attained the age of seventy-two. Seven 
 children grew to maturity, our subject being the 
 youngest; William died at seventy-six years of 
 age; Elizabeth married Samuel Laird, and died 
 in Illinois, leaving several children; fane mar- 
 ried James Lawson, and died in Kelly township, 
 Union county; Mary (deceased) never married; 
 Amelia (deceased) was formerly the wife of John 
 Sterett; and Sarah (deceased) was the wife of 
 William P. Dougall. 
 
 The common schools of his native county 
 afforded Squire Clingan his first glimpses of the 
 long and toilsome paths of knowledge, and later 
 he pursued higher studies at Lewisburg Academy. 
 For some years he followed farming, but in 1873 
 he removed to Lewisburg and engaged in the 
 coal business, which he carried on successfully 
 until 1892. In that year he was elected to his 
 present office, and has since devoted to it the 
 greater part of his time. In 1865 he was mar- 
 ried to Miss Maria Zuber, a native of Montgom- 
 ery county, born in 1833, and they have two 
 children, Emily and Frank, both of whom are at 
 home. 
 
 CV-VPT. BEACH CRARIE AMMON, an hon- 
 ^ ored veteran of the Civil war, and the well- 
 known postmaster at Winfield, has throughout 
 life been identified with the interests of Union 
 county. He was born at Lewisburg May 23, 
 1839, a son of Samuel Amnion (also a native of 
 Lewisburg), and a grandson of Andrew and Eliz- 
 abeth (Meyers) Amnion, who died in that city, 
 the former on March 14, 1842, and the latter on 
 February 14, 1868, at the age of eighty-two. In 
 their family were five sons, all now deceased, 
 namely: Byers, Daniel, Samuel, Alexander and 
 Abel. 
 
 For a number of years Samuel Amnion con- 
 ducted a tailor shop in his native city, and also 
 engaged in the lumber business. He was united 
 in marriage with Miss Mary H. Hicks, who was 
 born in Salem, Luzerne Co., Penn., May 18, 
 1817, a daughter of Jesse and Candace (Culver) 
 Hicks, natives of Bucks county, Penn., and New 
 York State, respectively. Her father was born 
 September 21, 1761, and died February 26, 1829, 
 in the county of his nativity, and in September, 
 
 1838, the widowed mother removed from their 
 old home on the banks of the Susquehanna river, 
 in Luzerne county, to Lewisburg, where she died 
 January 27, 1863, aged eighty-three years, six 
 months and twenty-seven days. They had three 
 children: Mary (the mother of our subject), who 
 is living in Lewisburg at the age of seventy-eight 
 years; Elwood, who died August 18, 1830, aged 
 eleven years, five months and one day; and Sarah 
 C, who died July 14, 1836, aged fifteen years, 
 one month and nineteen days. Samuel Amnion, 
 who was a consistent member of the Christian 
 Church, and a Democrat in politics, was called 
 to his final rest September 14, 1852, at the age 
 of thirty-eight years, nine months and six days. 
 Our subject is the eldest in a family of six 
 children, the others being as follows: Emily, 
 who died in infancy; Levi H., who was a mem- 
 ber of Company E, 51st P. V. I., during the 
 Rebellion, and was killed in the battle of the 
 Wilderness, in May, 1864; William L. , who also 
 served in the Union army, as a member of Com- 
 pany D, 142nd P. V. I., and later went to Mex- 
 ico, but has not been heard from for twenty-five 
 years; Harvey C, a plasterer and truckman re- 
 siding in Lewisburg, Penn.; and Mayland H., a 
 machinist in Cleveland, Ohio. 
 
 The first thirteen years of his life Capt. Am- 
 nion spent under the parental roof, attending the 
 local schools during the winter. Coming to Win- 
 field August 1, 1855, he accepted a position as 
 clerk in the store of Beaver, Marsh & Co., with 
 whom he remained until the spring of 1893, when 
 the firm ceased to exist. Prompted by a spirit 
 of patriotism, he, on September 7, 1861, en- 
 listed in Company E, 53rd P. V. I., serving first 
 under Capt. Church and later under Capt. John 
 Shield. For meritorious conduct he was promoted 
 from second to first lieutenant November 27, 
 1863, and April 25, 1864, he was commissioned 
 captain. He was never wounded, although he par- 
 ticipated in many hotly contested battles, includ- 
 ing those of Fair Oaks, Antietam, Gettysburg, 
 Cold Harbor and Spottsylvania, and on the ex- 
 piration of his term he was honorably discharged 
 and mustered out October 30, 1864. 
 
 Returning to his home in Winfield, Capt. 
 Amnion was made outside foreman at the Union 
 Furnace, which was incorporated in' 1853. A 
 year later he took charge of the company's store, 
 where he remained until 1878, and then was 
 made bookkeeper in the office, which position he 
 is still acceptably filling under Dr. Levi Rooke. 
 He is a stockholder in the Union National Bank 
 of Lewisburg. 
 
 On November 30, 1865, Capt. Amnion was 
 married to Miss Maria T. McMichael, who was 
 
- 
 
 ' VIZ/' UORA TI 7E BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 born in Churchtown, Lancaster Co., Penn., No- 
 vember ii, 1839, a daughter of Thomas and Ade- 
 line (Church) McMichael, the former a native of 
 Berks county, the latter of Lancaster county. 
 The mother, who was a faithful member of the 
 Episcopal Church, died at Churchtown, in 1842, 
 aged twenty-seven years. She left two children: 
 Maria T. , wife of our subject; and John, who 
 never married; he was killed in the battle of 
 Fredericksburg during the Civil war. For his 
 second wife the father wedded Catherine Davis, 
 1 West Chester, Chester Co., Penn., where she 
 is still living, but Mr. McMichael died in Read- 
 ing, Penn., in 1875, at the age of sixty years. 
 He was a railroad mail agent. Three children 
 blessed the union of Capt. and Mrs. Ammon: 
 Laura R., who died at the age of eight years; 
 and two who died in infancy. 
 
 Fraternally, the Captain is an honored and 
 prominent member of the Grand Army of the 
 Republic, Patriotic Order Sons of America, and 
 the Knights of Pythias. His political support is 
 given the men and measures of the Republican 
 party, and since 1866 he has acceptably filled 
 the office of postmaster at Winfield, being one of 
 the oldest in continuous service in the United 
 States, which fact plainly indicates his faithful 
 
 barge of duty and his popularity with his 
 fellow-citizens. He served as a member of the 
 State Central Committee, and was county chair- 
 man of the Republican Committee two terms. 
 
 J 
 
 ACOB S. SHIVELY is one of the repre- 
 sentative and prominent agriculturists of 
 w Limestone township. Union county, where 
 the family, which was of Swiss origin, was es- 
 tablished over one hundred and twenty-five years 
 ago. On the paternal side the great-grandfather, 
 Christian Shively, was a native of Switzerland, 
 and on coming to the New World he took up his 
 residence in York county, Penn., in what is now 
 Y"rk township. His wife was a native of Ger- 
 many. In 1773 he came to Union county, where 
 he purchased 1,100 acres of wild land near what 
 is now White Spring, in Limestone township, 
 and a portion of that tract comprises the present 
 farm of our subject. He then returned to York 
 county, where he died soon afterward. 
 
 Christian Shively, Jr., the grandfather, was 
 born in York county, October 2, 1750, and, a 
 short time after his father purchased land in 
 Union county, he located here, making it his 
 home for many years. During the Indian out- 
 rages after the battle of Lexington, for safety he 
 left the countv, which at that time contained but 
 
 few families, his home being near that of Col. Wat- 
 son, whose family was murdered by the Redmen. 
 After the Revolutionary war, Mr. Shively re- 
 turned to Union county and located upon the 
 present farm of our subject, where he made many 
 useful improvements. Of his two brothers, John 
 and Henry, the former was taken by the Indians 
 and all trace of him was lost. Christian Shively 
 
 married Catharine , who was born May 
 
 20, 1752, and they became the parents of seven 
 children: Barbara, who died on the old home- 
 stead; Susanna, who married and removed to 
 Ohio; John and Samuel, who died in Union 
 county, Penn. ; Henry, who was found dead near 
 Mitninburg, Penn.; Daniel, who became a resi- 
 dent of Columbiana county, Ohio; Christian, 
 who located in Clarion county, Penn. ; and 
 George, the father of our subject. The mother 
 of these children departed this life July 5, 1S21, 
 the father September 12, 1842, and both were 
 buried in the English cemetery in Limestone 
 township. 
 
 George Shively was born July 26, 1788, in 
 Limestone township, and became one of the sub- 
 stantial agriculturists of that locality, owning a 
 large and well-improved farm. He married 
 Rachel Steese, also a native of Limestone town- 
 ship, born May 23, 1700, a daughter of John 
 Steese. In their family were the following 
 children: Catharine, who married John Steese, 
 and died in Stephenson county, 111. ; John, who 
 died in Union county, Penn. ; Rachel, now the 
 wife of John Beaver, of West Buffalo township, 
 Union county; Barbara, who married Benjamin 
 Shively, and died in Jewell county, Kansas; 
 Christian, who died in Limestone township; 
 Susan, wife of Robert Badger, who died in Dal- 
 las county. Iowa; Jacob S., of this review; and 
 five sons who died in childhood. The father was 
 a stalwart supporter of the Whig party, was a 
 consistent member of the German Baptist Church, 
 and a most excellent citizen of his community. 
 He died November 22. 1854, and his wife passed 
 away September 30, 1861. 
 
 Jacob S. Shively was born November 5, 1 S 2 7 , 
 in the house which he still occupies, and in the 
 district schools of the neighborhood he obtained 
 his education, his first teacher being Eleanor 
 Barber. He remained at home until sixteen 
 years of age, when he began learning the tan- 
 ner's trade under John Steese, serving a three- 
 years' apprenticeship, but he has never followed 
 the business. For eleven years he successfully en- 
 gaged in lumbering, beginning business along 
 that line when his capital consisted of an old 
 horse, but he subsequently owned a half-interest 
 in a sawmill on Penn's creek. Upon a tract of 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 993 
 
 twenty-five acres of land, which his father gave 
 him, he built a house and barn, and for several 
 years he worked as a general laborer at fifty cents 
 per day. 
 
 On October 10, 1849, Mr. Shively was united 
 in marriage with Miss Elizabeth A. Stoughton, 
 who was born in Northumberland county, Penn., 
 April 6, 1828, and was a daughter of Aaron 
 Stoughton. She departed this life July 15, 1858, 
 and was laid to rest in the Lewis cemetery. Mr. 
 Shively was again married February 10, 1862, 
 his second union being with Mrs. William 
 Keinard, whose maiden name was Sally Boop, a 
 daughter of Jacob and Catharine (Fees) Boop. 
 Her birth occurred February 23, 1829, in Hart- 
 ley township, Union county. By her marriage 
 with our subject she became the mother of five 
 children: William E., who died in childhood; 
 Elizabeth A., wife of Franklin Mitchell, of Lime- 
 stone township, Union county; Mark M., a 
 teacher of Mifflinburg, Penn., married Miss Sadie 
 Rule; Jennie C. is at home; and Greene, who is 
 a minister of the German Baptist Church, and 
 operates the home farm. The mother of these 
 departed this life February 20, 1898. 
 
 After his second marriage, Mr. Shively went 
 to housekeeping in Hartley township, Union 
 county, where his wife owned a small farm, but 
 in 1865 he removed to his farm in Limestone 
 township, and in April, 1883, located on the old 
 family homestead, where he has since resided, 
 the place having been in the possession of the 
 family for over a century. In August, 1889, he 
 fell from a scaffold while painting, and sustained 
 injuries which have since made him a cripple. 
 
 Mr. Shively and his family are active and 
 prominent members of the German Baptist 
 Church, of which he has been deacon for thirty- 
 three years, and treasurer of the Church for many 
 years. In politics he was a stanch Republican, 
 but for many years has not taken an active part 
 in party affairs; he has served as school 
 director six years, and also as tax collector. Of 
 undoubted integrity and honor, he has been 
 called upon to serve as executor, assignee, at- 
 torney and guardian, and has settled many 
 estates, thousands of dollars having passed 
 through his hands in this way for other people, 
 none of whom ever required him to give a bond. 
 In all his dealings he has never had a lawsuit of 
 his own, although he has been a defendant in 
 proceedings while acting as executor or adminis- 
 trator, but, as an individual, his affairs have al- 
 ways been settled out of court. He is a man of 
 rare good sense and sound judgment, possessing 
 intelligence above the average, and a trust 
 reposed in him has never been betrayed. 
 
 63 
 
 FRANK C. STOUGHTON, supervisor and 
 trainmaster of the Lewisburg branch of the 
 Pennsylvania R. R. , is one of the ablest and 
 most popular officials of that road. A native of 
 Lewisburg, he was born March 4, 1846, a son of 
 
 A. Stoughton, 
 
 now the oldest living citizen of 
 
 that place. 
 
 The Stoughtons are of New England lineage. 
 Augustus Stoughton, our subject's great-grand- 
 father, lived near Hartford, Conn. Augustus 
 Stoughton (2), the grandfather of our subject, 
 and a bridge builder by occupation, established 
 his home in Lancaster county, Penn. He mar- 
 ried Hannah Ferry, and had five children, of 
 whom three lived to adult age, viz. : Augustus 
 (3). our subject's father; Kate, who married 
 George Wilson, and moving to Ohio, has not 
 been heard from since the war; and Hannah, who 
 married a Mr. House, and died in Harrisburg, 
 Pennsylvania. 
 
 Augustus Stoughton (3) was born June 25, 
 1 8 14, and at the age of eighteen left his early- 
 home in Lancaster county to learn the tinner's 
 trade in Milton, Penn. In 1837 he went to Lew- 
 isburg and worked for a time as a journeyman, 
 but in 1843 he engaged in business on his own 
 account, and has continued ever since, having 
 occupied his present shop for thirty-five years. 
 In 1840 he was married to Miss Rebecca Pettit, 
 who was born in New Jersey, February 22,1820, 
 and is now hale and vigorous, despite her ad- 
 vanced age. She has never worn spectacles, 
 her eyesight being still impaired. Her father, 
 William Pettit, was a native of Hunterdon coun- 
 ty, N. J., but settled in Pennsylvania, his death 
 occurring in Lewisburg in 1839. His children 
 were: William (deceased); James, who resides 
 in Philadelphia; Nathan, Charles, and Caroline 
 (living;; Rebecca, Mrs. Stoughton; Abbie (de- 
 ceased), who married Cyrus Wanford, and re- 
 sides in Waverly, N. Y. ; and Tillie, Mrs. Over- 
 ton, who lives in Illinois. 
 
 Twelve children were born to Augustus (3) 
 and Rebecca Stoughton, of whom two died in in- 
 fancy; the others were: Roland, who was cap- 
 tain of Company D, 150th P. V. I., the "Buck- 
 tail Regiment," died at Fredericksburg, his body 
 being brought home for burial. He had a leg 
 fractured during the battle of the Wilderness, and 
 lay so long on the field before he was cared for 
 that he could not survive the shock of amputa- 
 tion. Jennie is the wife of J. M. Rhodes, of 
 Milton, Penn. Frank C. is mentioned more fully 
 farther on. Mary is at home. Isabelle died at 
 the age of thirty-four years. Abbie is at home. 
 Carrie married Dr. Allbright, of Muncy, Penn. 
 James, who is single, resides at Lewisburg. 
 
994 
 
 COMMEMORA TIYE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 Nellie C. married Harry Mathers, and Anna is 
 deceased. 
 
 Frank C. Stolghton was reared in Lewis- 
 burg and received a public-school education. In 
 1S65, at the age of nineteen, he enlisted for one 
 
 i in Company C, 10th P. V. I., and served 
 until peace was restored. In 1S68 he entered 
 the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad Com- 
 pany, and has been in continuous service since. 
 He was in the construction department of the 
 Pennsylvania & Erie from 1873 to 1880, in the 
 baggage department from 1880 to 1885, was a 
 passenger conductor from 1885 to 1891, and then 
 t"'k his present position as supervisor and tram- 
 master, his promotions showing the esteem which 
 his faithful and efficient work had won. 
 
 In 1869 our subject was married to Miss Julia 
 E. Montgomery, who was born in Louisiana, S 
 tember 21, [848. Nine children brighten their 
 home: Annie. 1 r, Rebecca Hill, 
 
 Thomas R., Jennie, Frank J., Julia, Marg: 
 and Augustus, Jr. 
 
 FETER RANGLER. The descendants of 
 Michael Rentchler. who came to America 
 from the kingdom of Wurtemberg, Germany, in 
 the year 1757, have altered the spelling of tl 
 name in various ways, Rengler or Rangier b( 
 the accepted form in the branch of the familv to 
 which the subject of this sketch belongs. Mm 1 
 Rentchler was accompanied by his wife and son, 
 John, and they made their first home in 1'. 
 county, Penn., but removed in May, 1788, to 
 what is now Union county, locating upon a large 
 tract of land on Buffalo creek, at its junction 
 with Spruce run. 
 
 John Rentchler, the grandfather of our sub- 
 ject, was probably the first man to build a mill 
 in Union county, and the grist and saw mills 
 which he erected in 1818 are still in use, and 
 bear the name of their founder. He owned a 
 farm about three-quarters of a mile north of 
 Buffalo Cross Roads, where he died February 
 [825, aged sixty-six. His wife was Maria Dorothy 
 Will, a native of Berks county, and they had 
 three sons — Daniel, Jacob and Benjamin. Daniel 
 Kentchler, the father of our subject, was born in 
 Union county in 1793, and lived to the ripe old 
 age of eighty-one years, four months and five 
 days, continuing the work of fanning and milling 
 at the old homestead, known as the Buffalo Cross 
 Roads farm. He served as a sergeant in the war 
 • ■I [812, in the regiment commanded by Lieut - 
 Col. George Weirick. taking charge at the battle 
 t Marcus Hook, and winning a reputation there 
 in other engagements for courage and dis- 
 
 cretion. After the war closed he was elected 
 lieutenant in the State Militia, and served many 
 years. In 1 8 1 7 he married Miss Susanna Dunkel, 
 of Union county, by whom he had eight children, 
 of whom our subject was the eldest; (2) John 
 married Miss Mary Ritter, and lives in Michigan; 
 (3) Susannah married Isaac Reish; (41 Daniel 
 married Miss Susanna Royer, and resides at 
 Mazeppa, Penn. ; (5) George married Miss Wil- 
 helmina Wolfinger, and settled in Michigan, 
 Fannie Maria married Daniel Gephart, of Buffalo 
 township, Union county; (7) Jacob, married to 
 Miss Caroline Himmelreich, and (8) Benjamin, 
 married to Miss Rebecca Ewing, both settled in 
 Nebraska. The mother of these passed away 
 August 29, 1858, aged fifty-nine years, ten months 
 and fifteen days. 
 
 Peter Rangier was born in Buffalo township, 
 Union county, April 17, 1 81 8, and was reared at 
 the old homestead which he now owns. He 
 attended the local schools of that day while learn- 
 ing the detailsof farm work, and on attaining man- 
 hood engaged in agricultural work on his nun 
 account, spending five years upon a farm in his 
 native township. He then removed to North- 
 umberland county, Penn.. and continued this 
 occupation for thirty-nine years, but nine years 
 ago he retired from active work and settled in 
 Lewisburg, where he now resides. In 1S44 he 
 united in marriage with Miss Mary Dunkle, 
 and more than half a century of wedded life has 
 been passed by them. Mrs. Rangier was born 
 in 1827, the daughter of Michael and Elizabeth 
 Spitzer) Dunkle, of Union county, Pennsylvania. 
 
 Of the five children of Mr. and Mrs. Rangier, 
 three are now living: (1) William H. Harrison 
 was born in 1847, and died November 23, 1 
 he served three years as a soldier in the Union 
 army during the Civil war. (2) Susannah, who 
 married Daniel Stamm, died June 25, 1890, at 
 the age of forty-three years, four months and one 
 bad five children — Clarence A. , John E. , 
 MaryE., Spencer W. and Robert Clement. (3) 
 Mary Klizabeth is at home. 14 ) Peter F., un- 
 married, is a farmer by occupation. (5) Clara 
 May married Edward J. Hubler, of Buffalo Cross 
 Roads, and has one daughter, Eve May. 
 
 Mr. Rangier is prominently identified with 
 the Reformed Church, and has always been a 
 man of influence among his acquaintances who 
 best know his worth. 
 
 OLIVER W. H. GLOVER, M. D., an eminent 
 physician and surgeon of Union county, lo- 
 cated at Laurelton, Hartley township, was born 
 on his father's farm in Hartley township, one- 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 995 
 
 half mile east of Laurelton, May 16, 1868, and 
 belongs to a family that has long been promi- 
 nently identified with the growth and prosperity 
 of this region. 
 
 John Glover, Sr., called " King of Buffalo," 
 his great-grandfather on the paternal side, was a 
 native of Ireland, whose parents emigrated to 
 that country during Cromwell's time from Lon- 
 don, was born in or near Londonderry, in 1745. 
 In 1766 he came to America, accompanied by 
 his two nephews, sons of an older brother. For 
 a time he lived in Virginia, where he married, 
 and, accompanied by a wife and two daughters, 
 settled in Hartley in 1772, remaining here en- 
 during the privations of pioneer life until the 
 time of the " Great Runaway " in 1 778, when he 
 went to Dauphin county for a year, thence to 
 Virginia, and did not return to Hartley until 
 1789. He died in March, 1825, and is buried in 
 the Laurelton graveyard beside his wife and 
 daughter. 
 
 John Glover, Jr., the grandfather of Dr. 
 Glover, was born in 1782, in the Old Dominion, 
 some sixteen miles from Winchester. He came 
 with his parents to Hartley township, Union Co. , 
 Penn.,and, in about 1807, married Elizabeth 
 Gray. He became one of the leading and influ- 
 ential citizens of Union county, succeeding his 
 father in the ownership of the farm. In 1822 
 he was appointed by Gov. Heister a justice of 
 the peace, and served in that capacity until he 
 was removed by the Constitution of 1838. How- 
 ever, he served one term thereafter, having been 
 elected by the people. In 1839 he was elected 
 register and recorder for Union county. He 
 died May 16, 1862, aged about seventy-nine 
 years, and was buried in Hartleton, Union coun- 
 ty, and besides him are his wife and two sons, 
 John and Andrew. 
 
 James Glover, the father of our subject, was 
 born July 20, 1824, at the old Glover homestead, 
 being the youngest of eight children. The others 
 were as follows: (1) William, born in 1808, 
 died November 8, 1854, is buried at Rockgrove; 
 he was a candidate for sheriff in Illinois, and died 
 the night of the election (defeated). He was 
 sheriff of Union county, Perm., in 1837; was a 
 merchant and a general business man. He mar- 
 ried and had five children. (2) Andrew, born in 
 1810, died in May or June, 1852, and was buried 
 in Hartleton, Union county. He served as justice 
 of the peace and constable, was a tanner by trade. 
 He married, and had five children. His daugh- 
 ters were married as follows — Jane to Henry 
 Dale, and resides at Council Bluffs, Iowa; 
 Amanda to David Brancher, of near Hartleton; 
 Elizabeth to James Moore, and lives in Missouri; 
 
 and Ellen to William Reed, of Huntingdon, 
 Penn. John, the only son, served in the Civil 
 war, and died in September, 1872. He was 
 buried at New Berlin. (3) John was born in 
 September, 181 2, and died March 4, 1897. He 
 was buried at Hartleton, Penn. ; one daughter 
 survives him. (4) Sophia, the only daughter of 
 John Glover, was born November 19, 18 14. She 
 married Dr. Uriah Reed, of Jersey Shore, and 
 became the mother of three daughters. She is 
 now living and vigorous for one of her years. 
 (5) George, born in April, 1S17, died in Septem- 
 ber, 1885, and was buried in the Pellman ceme- 
 tery. He married, and had four sons and two 
 daughters. His widow, daughter and two sons 
 live at and own the original homestead. (6) 
 Thomas, born July 7, 1819, was a "Forty-niner," 
 and died at Fort Larimie, on his way to Califor- 
 nia. Two of his sons and one daughter now live 
 in the West. (7) Robert V., born September 3, 
 1S22, died December 9, 1893, and was buried in 
 the Pellman cemetery. He was a general mer- 
 chant for fifty years. He married, and had seven 
 sons and two daughters. [See biography of 
 Horace P. Glover.] 
 
 James Glover for nine winters taught in the 
 public schools of Union and Snyder counties. 
 Later he located on a farm east of Laurelton, a 
 part of the original Glover lands. He served as 
 justice of the peace for ten years, discharging the 
 duties of the office in a most creditable and sat- 
 isfactory manner; he served as school director 
 for eleven years. He was active as a Republican 
 and party worker, and voted at all elections for 
 fifty-one years. As his ancestors did, he occu- 
 pies an enviable position in the estimation of his 
 fellow citizens. He was married to Rebecca 
 Ann Pellman, of Limestone township, Union 
 county, February 23, i860; she died March 10, 
 1873, aged thirty-nine years and nine months. 
 They became the parents of five children: Anna 
 Mary, born April 13, 1861, married Milton Bing- 
 man, March 1, 1887, and resides on a farm in 
 the borough of Hartleton; Laura Ellen, born 
 January 4, 1864, is at home; Charles Pellman, 
 born June 8, 1865, married Minnie Pursley, De- 
 cember 2, 1889, and resides on the James Glover 
 homestead farm, having one son — James; Oliver 
 Wendell Holmes, our subject, is the next of the 
 family; Louis Pellman, born April 9, 1871, died 
 September 2, 1893, and was buried in Pellman 
 cemetery. On April 28, 1874, James Glover 
 took for his second wife Martha Pellman, who 
 died December 2, 1S87. 
 
 Dr. Oliver W. H. Glover during his boyhood 
 and youth attended the district school, later 
 going to Bloomsburg State Normal for a term, 
 
996 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 and then to the New Berlin Academy. He 
 taught school one term. He then became a 
 drug clerk, and while thus employed began read- 
 ing medicine. He entered Jefferson Medical 
 College in September, 1888, graduating in [8 
 After forming a partnership with Dr. Mohn, he 
 began practicing at once in Laurelton. A 
 later, Dr. Mohn wishing to retire from active 
 practice, owing to other business, our subject 
 took charge of his large practice. Dr. Glover 
 is a close and thorough student; he is a m 
 ber of the Lycoming County Medical Socie- 
 ty; a man of deep research, and his inves- 
 tions into the science of medicine, to- 
 ler with his skillful application of knovvl- 
 edge thereby obtained, has won him a place in 
 the foremost ranks of the medical fraternity. In 
 religion as in politics, he has followed in the foot- 
 steps of his father, is a Presbyterian and a Re- 
 publican, an active party worker, having done 
 effective work for his party while serving as a 
 member of the county committee. He has 
 served as a school director. Fraternally, he is 
 a member of the Patriotic Order Sons of Amer- 
 ica, and is a Ma - <\\ 
 
 WILLIAM HAMMOND BAKER is a repre- 
 sentative of one of the old and prominent 
 families of Buffalo township, Union county, 
 where his ancestors located in pioneer days, 
 since which time their descendants have been 
 active factors in the business and social life of 
 the community. Wendell Baker, the first of the 
 family to locate in Buffalo Valley, established a 
 home, in which occurred the birth of William 
 Baker, the father of our subject. The grand- 
 parents were Jacob and Catharine (Roi 
 Baker. 
 
 In the usual manner of farmer lads of that 
 pioneer time, William Baker, the father, was 
 reared to manhood. He was married in \\ 
 Buffalo, November 20, [845, to Susan Kauff- 
 man, \\h" was born September 24, 1S20, a 
 daughter ol Livid and Elizabeth (Beck Kauff- 
 man. Her father, who was a wealthy farmer, 
 reared a large family. Mr. and Mrs. Baker be- 
 gan their domestic life on the Frederick Heiser 
 farm in Buffalo township, and in 1866 In- pur- 
 chased and ! I to the John Hauck farm, 
 which adjoined the old place. He afterward di- 
 vide.! his l.md mt' 1 three farms, and erected a new 
 set of buildings on the third farm, where he lived 
 from 1 S77 until his death, which occurred April 
 29, 1889. He died very suddenly while d 
 his morning work, and was buried in Dreisbach 
 cemetery by the side of his wife, who had passed 
 
 away September 23, 1882. In politics he was a 
 stanch Democrat, while in religious faith he was 
 a member of the Reformed Church, in which he 
 held a number of offices. His wife belonged to 
 the Lutheran Church. In his business he was 
 systematic, industrious and persevering, and his 
 well-directed efforts brought to him success. He 
 accumulated considerable property, and at his 
 death left three good farms. His children were 
 as follows: Catharine, born August 11, 1 
 died in Buffalo township, March 7, 1892; Will- 
 iam H., our subject, comes next; Henry R. , 
 born January 13, 1849, > s a farmer of Buffalo 
 township; Elizabeth, born March 1, 1855, is the 
 wife of Alfred Kaup, of Mil'tlinburg. 
 
 William H. Baker, the second of this family, 
 acquired the greater part of his education in 
 Cowan, later attending the Mifmnburg Academy. 
 His school days being completed, he remained 
 with his parents and assisted his father on the 
 (arm at home until his marriage, October 24, 
 1876, with Jennie Lesher, daughter of John and 
 Elizabeth Lesher. She was born in Hartley 
 township, Union county, May 23, 1853, and 
 when fifteen years of age removed with her par- 
 ents to Buffalo township, where her father died. 
 Her mother is still living there. Mrs. Baker is 
 the second of their four children, the others be- 
 ing Andrew, of Lewisburg, Penn. ; Philip, of 
 Buffalo township; and Margaret, who died in in- 
 fancy. Mr. and Mrs. Baker have one child, 
 Maineard L. , born November 26, 1877. He at- 
 tended Bucknell Academy for three years, and is 
 now a pharmaceutical student at Philadelphia 
 College of Pharmacy, where he will take a thor- 
 ough course. 
 
 On March 28, 1877, the family located at 
 their present home, and Mr. Baker operated the 
 land on shares until 1890, when he purchased it 
 of his father's estate. He has an excellent farm 
 of eighty acres under a high state of cultivation, 
 improved with substantial buildings and furnished 
 with the modern equipments of the nineteenth 
 century. He is a capable, energetic business 
 man, and his steady application has brought to 
 him a well-merited success. He and his wife 
 are 1 sin Presbyterian Church of Lew- 
 
 isburg, and Mis Laker belongs to the Presbj 
 rian Home and Foreign Missionery societies. 
 
 MBROSE FAIRCHILD is extensively en- 
 gaged in farming in Gregg township, 
 Union county, where he owns a very valuable 
 property, scarcely surpassed among the country 
 
 nes of the State. The land is rich and 
 ble, and has been placed under a high state of 
 
COMMEMORA TIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 997 
 
 cultivation. He also raises a good grade of 
 stock, and the products of his farm being of supe- 
 rior quality demand the highest market price. 
 A substantial residence, good barns and other 
 outbuildings have been erected to the value of 
 $15,000, and all of the conveniences and acces- 
 sories of a model farm of the nineteenth century 
 are there found. 
 
 Mr. Fairchild was born in Luzerne county, 
 Penn., December 31, 1856, and is a son of Sol- 
 omon and Sarah (Robins) Fairchild. The for- 
 mer was also born in Luzerne county, and his 
 father, Solomon Fairchild, Sr. , was a well- 
 known farmer there. The maternal grandfather 
 of our subject, Jonathan Robins, was a native of 
 New Jersey, but spent his last years as an agricult- 
 urist in Iowa. The mother of our subject was also 
 born in New Jersey, and was married to a Mr. Fair- 
 child in Luzerne county, where they continued to 
 make their home until 1874. They then re- 
 moved to Northumberland county, where they 
 now reside, Mr. Fairchild having retired from 
 active business life. He was formerly extensively 
 engaged in agricultural pursuits, and is now a 
 stockholder and director in the First National 
 Bank of Milton, Penn. He has creditably filled 
 a number of township offices, and has worthily 
 won a competence by the exercise of excellent 
 business and executive ability and honorable 
 dealing. Both he and his wife are members of 
 the Presbyterian Church, and in politics he is a 
 Republican. 
 
 The children of Mr. and Mrs. Solomon Fair- 
 child are Ambrose; Frank P., who is operating 
 the old homestead; George W., who is also fol- 
 lowing farming in Northumberland county; Sol- 
 omon L., an agriculturist of Union county, Penn.; 
 Elizabeth, wife of C. C. Brown, a merchant of 
 Lewisburg. Penn; and Linda, Minnie and Grace, 
 all at home. 
 
 Ambrose Fairchild spent the days of his boy- 
 hood and youth under the parental roof, and in 
 the public schools of the neighborhood acquired 
 a good practical education, which was supple- 
 mented by several months' study in the East- 
 man Commercial College, Poughkeepsie, N. Y. 
 He continued to aid in the cultivation of the 
 home farm until twenty-six years of age, when 
 he began operating one of his father's farms in 
 Northumberland county, devoting his energies to 
 that work for twelve years. He then purchased 
 his present property in Gregg township. 
 
 On January 24, 1883, in Northumberland 
 county, Mr. Fairchild was married to Miss Ada 
 Dunkel, who was born in that county in 1862, a 
 daughter of Hiram and Christina (Frederick) 
 Dunkel, also natives of that county, where they 
 
 still reside. Her father is cashier in the Farm- 
 ers National Bank of Watsontown, and is a 
 capable financier, holding high rank in business 
 circles. In his family are seven children: Mary, 
 wife of E. P. Datisman, a farmer of Northumber- 
 land county; Mrs. Ada Fairchild; Edward K. , a 
 physician of Jersey City, N. J. ; Sarah, wife of 
 George Millett, an architect, of Honey Brook, 
 Chester Co., Penn.; Anna L. , a teacher of elocu- 
 tion; Bessie and Catherine, at home. The 
 paternal grandfather of Mrs. Fairchild was 
 Killen Dunkel, a native of Union county, who 
 followed agricultural pursuits, and died in 
 Northumberland county. The maternal grand- 
 father was Isaac Frederick, of Union county, 
 who also died in Northumberland county. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Fairchild have a family of four 
 children: Solomon, born October 24, 1883; 
 Helen, born November 21, 18S4; Edwin D., 
 born March 22, 1891; and Hunter M., born 
 September 17, 1893. They lost their third child, 
 Blanche, who was born January 1, 1886, and 
 died June 22, 1889. Mr. and Mrs. Fairchild 
 have a wide circle of acquaintances, and their 
 friends throughout the community are many. 
 Their pleasant home is noted for its hospitality, 
 and their courtesy and culture make it a favorite 
 resort with all. Mr. Fairchild gives his political 
 support to the Republican party. 
 
 Great 
 
 HM. MILLER, proprietor of the 
 Western Hotel " at Vicksburg, and one of 
 
 the genial and accommodating landlords of Union 
 county, was born June 24, 1834, in what is now 
 Snyder county, Penn. , but at that time was Union 
 county. His father, George Miller, was a na- 
 tive of Lehigh county, this State, whence he 
 came to Union county when quite young, with 
 his father, who died soon afterward. George 
 was then bound out to Adam Yonkman, a car- 
 penter and farmer, and with him learned the car- 
 penter's trade. In Snyder county he married 
 Barbara Manbeck, a native of that county, and 
 they became the parents of ten children — five 
 sons and five daughters — of whom the following 
 named reached adult age: Eve, who married 
 John F. Smith, and died in Walker township, 
 Juniata Co., Penn. ; Isaac, who died in the same 
 township; Eliza, now the widow of George S. 
 Smith, and a resident of Lebanon, Penn. ; and 
 H. M., of this sketch. 
 
 George Miller and wife began their domestic 
 life in a small house in the woods, and for some 
 time he devoted most of his time to carpenter- 
 ing, clearing his land as he found opportunity. 
 On selling that place he purchased the old Al- 
 

 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL REi 'ORD. 
 
 bright farm in Moser Valley, which he operated 
 some years and then removed to Adamsburg, 
 where he followed mercantile pursuits for a time, 
 finally selling out his business there to Reuben 
 Keller. While serving as justice of the peace 
 for a number of years, he also carried on farm- 
 ing near Adamsburg, and subsequently removed 
 to Walker township, Juniata county, where he 
 owned two good farms. There he died at the 
 ripe old age of eighty-seven years. The mother 
 of our subject died in the same county at the 
 age of sixty-one, after which the father was 
 three times married, but all of his children were 
 of the first union. Both parents were buried in 
 Locust Run cemetery in Walker township. Al- 
 though George Miller's early education was limited 
 to two months' attendance at a German school, he 
 obtained a good practical knowledge of affairs 
 by experience and observation, and conducted all 
 his business in English. He was almost six feet 
 in height, was strong and active, and in wrestling 
 matches in early life always came off victorious. 
 First as a Whig and later as a Republican, he 
 took quite an active and prominent part in local 
 politics, and served as school director alter the 
 free schools were established. He was an in- 
 fluential member of the t Evangelical Church, with 
 which he was officially connected for years, and 
 for some time served as class leader. 
 
 Mr. Miller, whose name introduces his 
 sketch, began his education in the early country 
 schools, and later attended the free schools for 
 a time, while he acquired a good business knowl- 
 
 • in his father's store. At the age of sev- 
 enteen he went to Ohio, working as a lab- 
 orer in the vicinity of Akron and Canton for a 
 short time, after which he returned home and 
 remained under the parental roof until his mar- 
 riage. In Snyder county he wedded Miss Mar\ 
 S., a daughter of George Arbogast, who followed 
 farming in early life, later engaging in milling. 
 Our subject began house-keeping on his father's 
 farm of 17S acres in Walker township, Juniata 
 county, which he subsi quently purchased, but as 
 he was heavily in debt, and had to paj as high 
 as ten and twelve per cent interest, he finally 
 traded that place for a farm in Buffalo township, 
 Union county, where he remained for one year. 
 
 Later he lived on two different farms in East 
 Buffalo township, where his wife died June _i. 
 1 886, and was buried in Manbeck Church ceme- 
 tery in Snyder county. She left four children: 
 George A., a resident of Le wist own, Penn. ; 
 Reuben U., an attorney of Crestline, Ohio; Ed- 
 win D., a telegraph operator of Crestline; ami 
 Emma I., at home. On December 26, 1889. 
 Mr. Miller was again married, his second union 
 
 being with Miss Mary E. Bentley, of Lewisburg, 
 Penn., who was a graduate of the grammar 
 school of that place, and engaged in teaching 
 for a time. Later she successfully followed 
 dress-making for nineteen years, commencing in 
 1870. 
 
 For several years before his removal to 
 Yicksburg, Mr. Miller lived at Lochiel, but on 
 the 22nd of March, 1893, took charge of the 
 " Great Western Hotel ", which he has since 
 successfully conducted. It is one of the best 
 hostelries in Buffalo Valley outside of Lewisburg, 
 and under the able management of our sub- 
 ject is a great favorite with the traveling public. 
 His wife a very kind, accommodating woman, 
 is one of the few- model landladies. Besides his 
 business here he still owns 1 17 acres of valuable 
 land in Buffalo township. For some time he 
 dealt extensively in horses, and is an excellent 
 judge of the noble steed. Although he always 
 supports the men and measures of the Republic- 
 an party at State and National elections, he is 
 not strictly partisan, and at local elections votes 
 for the man whom he considers best qualified to 
 fill the position. He has served on the election 
 board, and as supervisor in Juniata county, but 
 is no politician in the sense of office seeking. 
 Religiously he is a member of the Evangelical 
 Church. 
 
 rVAVlli I!. NESBIT. Among the first to re- 
 xJ spond to the call for defenders of the im- 
 perilled Union, when the attack upon Fort 
 Sumter thrilled the North with indignation, was 
 was the subject of this sketch, who enlisted 
 April iS, 1861, in Company G, 4th Penn. Vol. 
 Inf., in the first company that left Union county. 
 His regiment was first ordered to duty at Annap- 
 olis, Md., and speedily found itself in the " ene- 
 my's country,'' being obliged to rebuild a railroad 
 before they could go on to Washington. After 
 remaining sometime in the latter city, they were 
 sent forward in the first campaign in Virginia, 
 and served in the Third Brigade at the first bat- 
 I Bull Run. Shortly after this notable strug- 
 gle they were discharged, their term of service 
 having expired. The hope of an early termina- 
 tion oi hostilities, cherished in the first days of 
 the war, van time passed and Mr. Nes- 
 
 lut subsequently re-enlisted, this time as first ser- 
 geant ol ( ompan) C, 3d Regiment, Pennsylvania 
 Volunteer Militia, when the Confederates first en- 
 tered Pennsylvania in 1862, and next in Com- 
 pany F, 28th P. V. I., for an emergency term, 
 and was on duty at the skirmish at Oyster Point, 
 at the bombardment of Carlisle and Hagerstown 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 999 
 
 about six weeks in 1863, the time being spent 
 chiefly at Hagerstown, Md. He was com- 
 missioned as first sergeant September 13, 1862. 
 
 Mr. Nesbit is now a prominent citizen of 
 Lewisburg, Union county, where he was born 
 August 20, 1837. He is of Scotch-Irish ances- 
 try, the first of the family to cross the Atlantic 
 being his great-grandfather. The grandfather, 
 Alexander Nesbit, was born probably in York 
 county, Penn., but removed to Northumberland 
 county, where his last days were passed. He 
 was married twice, and his second wife had also 
 made a previous marriage. John Nesbit, our 
 subject's father, who was born in York county, 
 Penn., in 1785, married (first) Miss Isabella Da- 
 vidson, and (second) Mrs. Sarah Elliott, nee 
 Beale, the mother of our subject. She was born 
 in Juniata county, Penn., in 1787, and died 
 in 1 861, the father passing away three years 
 later. They were Presbyterians in religion, and 
 Mr. Nesbit, who was a contractor by occupation, 
 held a prominent place in the business and polit- 
 ical life of his locality. On March 26, 1820, he 
 was appointed justice of the peace to serve 
 "during good behavior, " and it is unnecessary to 
 state that he held the position many years, and 
 finally relinquished it voluntarily on account of 
 advancing years and the pressure of other duties. 
 The greater part of his life was spent in Lime- 
 stone township, Union county, where he owned 
 two farms. By his first marriage he had seven 
 children: Alexander (deceased) was a commission 
 merchant in Philadelphia; Sarah A. (deceased) 
 was the wife of P. M. Housel; Mary E. (deceased) 
 never married; Nancy is probably living; John, 
 Isabella and Caroline all died in childhood. Our 
 subject was the youngest of the three children 
 by the second union, and is now the only sur- 
 vivor. John died at the age of twenty-four; and 
 Margaret Jane died after her marriage to Joseph 
 M. Housel. By Mrs. Sarah Nesbit's marriage 
 with Thomas Ury Elliot there were four chil- 
 dren, none of whom are now living: William B., 
 phrenologist, was the eidest; Cassandra died in 
 childhood; Mary married Louis Iddings; and 
 Thomas was a druggist by occupation. 
 
 David B. Nesbit grew to manhood in Lewis- 
 burg, and received his education in the public 
 schools and the academy. His father had built 
 there the first steam flour and feed mill in Union 
 county, and the first employment in which our 
 subject engaged was as a salesman for its product, 
 in 1854, when about seventeen years of age. 
 After spending several years "on the road," he 
 learned the carpenter's trade, serving a three- 
 years' apprenticeship, and since that time he has 
 followed contracting and building, enjoying a 
 
 large custom. He is a leading Republican, and 
 as a man and a citizen is highly esteemed. In 
 1895 ne was elected justice of the peace, a posi- 
 tion in which he displays marked ability. He is 
 a member of the G. A. R. Post No. 52, of 
 Lewisburg. In 1870 he married Miss Emma C. 
 Squires, who was born in Nottingham, England, 
 April 27, 1848. They had eight children, of 
 whom four are now living: Norma C. , Clarence 
 H., Melville D. and Bruce S. 
 
 JOHN WATSON. This gentleman, who 
 spent his early manhood in active business, 
 
 and mainly in agricultural pursuits, is now 
 living retired in West Buffalo township, Union 
 county, enjoying the fruits of his former toil. 
 He is a worthy representative of an honored 
 pioneer family of this section of the State, and 
 is also descended from good old Revolutionary 
 stock. His paternal grandparents were David 
 and Jane (Clark) Watson, the latter being a 
 daughter of John Clark, who held a captain's 
 commission in the war for Independence. Patrick 
 Watson, a great-uncle of our subject, was mor- 
 tally wounded by the Indians, who killed and 
 scalped his mother, in May, 1780, near the pres- 
 ent site of the city of Mifflinburg, Pennsylvania. 
 
 William Watson, the father of John, was 
 born in West Buffalo township, Union county, 
 in April, 1797, and was the ninth in order of 
 birth in a family of eleven children. Among the 
 number were David and John C. Watson, 
 neither of whom married. They spent their de- 
 clining days with our subject, where the former 
 died at the age of eighty, and the latter at the 
 age of seventy-seven years. The family is of 
 Scotch-Irish descent, and its members have 
 mostly belonged to the Presbyterian Church, 
 of which the grandfather of our subject was an 
 elder for many years. 
 
 On attaining to man's estate, William Wat- 
 son married Sarah Boop, who died in January, 
 1878, at the age of sixty-nine years. They be- 
 came the parents of five children, namely: John, 
 of this sketch; David, who is now living retired 
 in Mifflinburg at the age of fifty-eight; Mary 
 who became the wife of James R. Ritter, a mer- 
 chant of Mifflinburg, and died in June, 1895, and 
 Sarah and William, who both died in childhood. 
 The father, who was one of the most substantial 
 and highly respected citizens of Union county, 
 passed away May 23, 1866, and now lies buried 
 by the side of his wife in Mifflinburg cemetery. 
 
 As soon as he had attained a sufficient age, 
 Mr. Watson, whose name introduces this review, 
 entered the public schools, where he pursued his 
 
1 
 
 C0M.VK.VO1; A TIYK BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 studies until he had attained the age of twenty, 
 and was noted for his studious habits, always be- 
 ing at the head of his classes. He has still, at 
 the age of sixty-one, a splendid memory, and is 
 a well-informed man on the leading questions 
 the day, as well as on general topics of interest. 
 Early becoming familiar with agriculture, he 
 chose farming as a life work, and met with ex- 
 cellent success in his undertaking^ 
 
 In 1871, Mr. Watson was united in marriage 
 with Miss Sarah E., a daughter of Emanuel 
 Hartman, a prominent farmer of Union county, 
 Penn. Her paternal grandfather followed the 
 same occupation in Northumberland county. 
 Four children blessed this union: Flora J., born 
 in 1 87 1, completed her education in the Wilson 
 Female College of Chambersburg, Penn. ; Mabel 
 E. died at the age of three years and three 
 months; Sarah S., born in 1876, was educated in 
 the Miffiinburg High School; and David H., born 
 in [879, is now attending that institution. 
 
 Mr. Watson always uses his right of franchise 
 in support of the men and measures of the Re- 
 publican party, and has faithfully served his fel- 
 low citizens in a number of official positions of 
 honor and trust, but cares nothing for political 
 distinction. He takes great pleasure in traveling, 
 and has visited nearly every State of the Union. 
 His family, which is connected with the Presby- 
 terian Church, holds a prominent place in the 
 social circles of West Buffalo township, and in 
 their hospitable home they delight to entertain 
 their many friends. 
 
 JAMES PURSLEY. Among the leading and 
 influential citizens that make up the agri- 
 cultural population of Union county, this 
 gentleman is certainly deserving of prominent 
 mention. He is one of the most progressive 
 and energetic farmers of Hartley township, and 
 is now a member of the honorable board of 
 county commissioners. In the township where 
 he still resides, his birth occurred October 23, 
 1S44, and since attaining to man's estate he has 
 been actively identified with the development 
 and prosperity of this section. 
 
 William Pursley, the father of our subject, 
 was born in Mifflin count)-, Perm., and was of 
 Irish descent. He married Miss Eliza Switzer, 
 who was born in Juniata count)-, Penn., but was 
 reared in Mifflin county, and was a daughter of 
 David Switzer. She died at the age of seventy- 
 one years, ten months and some days, and the 
 father passed away at the age of eighty-seven 
 years, four months and sixteen days. He was a 
 lumberman by occupation, a stanch Democrat in 
 
 politics, and a Presbyterian in religious belief, 
 but his wife held membership in the Evangelical 
 Church. In the family were eight children, 
 namely: Ann, now the wife of T. Libby, of 
 Hartley township, Union county; Mary, who 
 married John Goodlander, and died in Missouri; 
 James, of this sketch; Mark, who died at the 
 age of fifteen years; David, a- lumberman, of 
 Lock Haven, Penn.; Reed and Joseph, both 
 residents of Hartley township; and William, who 
 died when young. 
 
 Our subject spent the days of his boyhood 
 and youth in his native township, with the ex- 
 ception of four years passed in Mifflin county, 
 Penn., whither his parents had removed, but at 
 the end of that time they returned to Union 
 county. He began his business career in the 
 lumber woods, and later worked on a farm until 
 1863, when he enlisted in Company F, 4th 
 United States Infantry, and served with the 
 Arm\- of the Potomac until the war ended. He 
 participated in the battles of the Wilderness, 
 Cold Harbor, Spottsylvania and Petersburg, and 
 was twice slightly wounded. Brave and fearless 
 on the field of battle, he was always found at his 
 post of duty, and is now an honored member of 
 John C. Schnure Post, G. A. R. 
 
 On returning home, Mr. Pursley again re- 
 sumed business in the lumber woods, and be- 
 came a contractor in getting out timber. Sub- 
 
 iently he purchased land, and now gives most 
 of his attention to agricultural pursuits, in which 
 he has met with good success. He is one of the 
 leading representatives of the local Democratic 
 organization, has always taken a prominent part 
 in public affairs, and by his party was elected 
 commissioner of Union count)-, although the 
 county usually has a large Republican majority. 
 
 In 1866 Mr. Pursley was married to Miss 
 Sarah Swank, who was born in Lewis township, 
 Union county, in 1S46, and they have had eight 
 children: Ellen, wife of J. L. Fesenden, by 
 whom she has three children — Bennie, Florence 
 and Philip; William; Minnie, wife of Charles 
 Glover; David, born January 4, [874, now has 
 charge of his father's hotel in Laurelton; Eliza; 
 Sadie; James Gettes and Harry. 
 
 MICHAEL SLEAR, junior member of the 
 firm of Burns & Slear, leading lumber 
 merchants and operators at Winfield, Union 
 county, is one of the substantial citizens of his 
 locality, having won the success due to honest 
 and well-directed effort in business life. He •■■ 
 born April 14, 1S51, in the township where he 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1001 
 
 now resides, a son of Charles Slear and a grand- 
 son of Jacob and Mary Slear. 
 
 The father, who was a native of Union town- 
 ship, Union county, became a successful farmer 
 and tanner. He was an active member of the 
 Lutheran Church, and a stanch supporter of the 
 Democratic party. He was killed by a runaway 
 horse on March 30, 1872, at the age of fifty 
 years, four months and twenty-six days. His 
 wife, Elizabeth (Smith), who still resides at the 
 Slear homestead in Union township, Union coun- 
 ty, was a daughter of Michael and Lida (Slough) 
 Smith. Ten children were born to Charles and 
 Elizabeth Slear: Maggie, who married (first) 
 Mr. Stover, and (second) Mr. Bovver, of Elkhart, 
 Ind. ; Howard, a resident of Lewisburg; Emma, 
 wife of George Mourer, a farmer of Doniphan 
 county, Kans. ; Martin, a hotel-keeper at Sham- 
 okin Dam, Snyder Co., Penn. ; Michael, our sub- 
 ject; Miss Anna M., at home; Catherine, wife of 
 William Sasaman, a farmer of Snyder county; 
 Oliver, a tanner at Winfield; Ada, wife of Will- 
 iam Everhart, a carpenter and farmer in Union 
 county; and Laura, who married Henry Ritter, a 
 farmer in Northumberland county, Pennsylvania. 
 
 Mr. Slear (our subject) attended the schools 
 near his early home during boyhood, and had 
 the further advantages of one year of study 
 in Union Seminary, at New Berlin, Penn. 
 After the death of his father he and his brother 
 Howard took charge of the tannery, which they 
 conducted for three years, and then for five years 
 he carried on the business with his brother Oli- 
 ver, being also engaged in farming. On May 28, 
 1874, ne was married at Selins Grove, Penn., 
 to Miss Louisa J. Long, and the first thirteen 
 years of their wedded life were spent upon a farm 
 in Union township. In the spring of 1888 they 
 removed to a newly-built home in Winfield, 
 where they have since resided. Four children 
 have blessed their union: Bertha B., born Au- 
 gust 9, 1875, married Edward Rholand, of Union 
 county, and has one son, Wendell; Martin L., 
 born August 30, 1877; Helen S., March 19, 
 1893, and Dale, December 17, 1895, are at home. 
 
 In 1895 Mr. Slear formed a partnership with 
 Samuel Burns in the lumber business, and they 
 operate a sawmill, carrying on an extensive 
 trade in that line. Mr. Slear gives his attention 
 to cutting and shipping the wood, spending most 
 of his time in the forest, notwithstanding the 
 fact that he has suffered from rheumatism from 
 boyhood. In politics he is a Democrat, and his 
 influence is felt in party affairs. He has served 
 one term as township auditor, two as school 
 director, and in the fall of 1887 he was elected 
 commissioner of Union county for a term of three 
 
 years. He is also prominently identified with 
 the Lutheran Church, the Patriotic Order Sons 
 of America, at Winfield, and Charity Lodge, No. 
 144, F. & A. M., of Lewisburg. 
 
 Mrs. Slear is a native of Monroe township, 
 Snyder Co.. Penn., and was born March 24, 
 185 1. Her father, Solomon Long, now a well- 
 known retired resident of Winfield, was born in 
 1827, a son of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Bird) 
 Long. His wife, Harriet Rowe, was born in 
 1834. Mrs. Slear was the eldest in a family of 
 five children; Clara is the wife of Samuel Shan- 
 non, a farmer of near Ashland, Penn., and Theo, 
 Newton and Samuel are all three residing at 
 Winfield. 
 
 F< W. MILLER. A list of the leading agri- 
 culturists of Union county would certainly 
 include the subject of this sketch, the fortunate 
 owner of two valuable farms, one near Lochiel 
 and the other at Vicksburg. Mr. Miller is not 
 content with being successful in his calling, but he 
 is thoroughly in sympathy with the movements 
 which promise to widen the horizon of other 
 farmers who for one cause or another find them- 
 selves at a disadvantage. As an active worker 
 in the Farmers Alliance, he has done much to 
 create and foster the new spirit of comradeship 
 and unity by which the members of this honored 
 guild are enabled to combine for mutual benefit. 
 
 Mr. Miller is a native of Penn township, 
 Snyder county, born October 24, 1841. His 
 education was begun in the schools of that 
 locality, bnt his parents, Daniel and Esther 
 (Wagner) Miller, removed during his boyhood to 
 Northumberland county, where he attended the 
 district schools for some time. While still in his 
 'teens he accompanied the family to East Buffalo 
 township, Union county, his father having pur- 
 chased a farm there. As the youngest son, Mr. 
 Miller remained at home to assist his father, and 
 much of his youth was spent in clearing at the 
 new home, and in the routine of farm work. 
 
 On October 28, 1862, Mr. Miller was married 
 in Lewisburg, by Rev. R. A. Fink, to Miss 
 Catherine Biehl, who was born in Berks county, 
 Penn., June 27, 1841, a daughter of Gideon and 
 Rebecca (Dreibelbeis) Biehl, who later removed 
 to Union county. After his marriage Mr. Miller 
 located upon a farm in Kelly township, Union 
 county, belonging to his father and father-in-law 
 in partnership. He remained there eight years, 
 purchasing the place in the meantime, and in 
 1 87 1 moved to the Biehl homestead in East 
 Buffalo township, near Lochiel. This is a 
 beautiful place, one of the finest in the county. 
 
1002 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPIIK A I. REi ORD. 
 
 Mr. Miller bought eighty acres for $16,000, and 
 made his home there since 1871. In 1890 he 
 bought Noah Slear's brick house in Lochiel, and 
 moved into it in April. 1893, when his son, 
 Harry E., moved onto the Lochiel farm. In his 
 farm near Vicksburg, in Buffalo township, he 
 has sixty-seven acres, making 147 acres in all, 
 which cost him on an average $182.50 per acre. 
 Being accustomed to active life, and wishing to 
 improve the farm buildings, our subject, in the 
 
 1897, ved "iitothe farm near Yicks- 
 
 burg, where he now lives. Notwithstanding the 
 fact that his education was restricted to the 
 countrv and was summarily ended when 
 
 he was seventeen, he is a well-informed man in 
 many lines. He is a warm friend of education, 
 his influence being used whenever possible for 
 the improvement of the schools of his neighbor- 
 hood. 
 
 Of his four children, the eldest, Harry 1 ... 
 born September 25, 1863, married Miss Annie 
 Rel" has had two children— John Frank- 
 
 lin, who died March 23, t887,,aged eight months, 
 and Clementine A. Alice I., born April 30, 1 
 is the wife of Newton ( ilover, 1 >l Buffalo township. 
 Union county, and has a daughter, Mary Catherine. 
 James B., horn February 15, [868, and Clarence 
 D. , born April 19, 1 Mr and 
 
 and Mrs. Miller are both members ol the Lu- 
 theran Church, and are prominent in religious 
 work. As has been said, Mr. Miller is a leading 
 spirit in the Farmers Alliance in his section, 1 
 for some time he has been identified with the 
 k Park Associatii 
 
 Dl I STRICKLER, one of the most success- 
 itorsof Union county, was born in 
 West Buffalo township, July 21,1 
 
 Jacob Strickler, his grandfather, was born in 
 Spring Garden township, York Co., Penn., Au- 
 gust 7. 1805, a son of John and Catharine (Bixler) 
 Strickler, who spent their entire lives in York 
 county. Their children were: I Inch, wh. 
 of cancer in York count) I ieth, who became 
 
 the wife ol John Miller, and died at their home 
 in Montgomery county, Ohio; Catharine, who 
 lived with her brother Jacob, and died in West 
 Buffalo township, Union county; fohn, a fanner 
 who died in York count} ; Micl 
 who died in York ci iunt) ; 1 .\ dia, w I 
 the wife ol Michael Shellenberger, and died in 
 York county; and Maria, who became the wife 
 of John Shellenberger, and died in York county, 
 The fathei ol this family died at the age of fifty- 
 nine years, and at his death left considerable 
 
 Jacob Strickler, the grandfather of our sub- 
 ject, was left fatherless at the age of eleven 
 years, and two years later his mother died, but 
 he was carefully reared by his sister Catharine. 
 He married Rebecca Smith, who was born in 
 Manchester township, York county, April 4, 
 1809, a daughter of Peter and Elizabeth (Wentz) 
 Smith. Her father was a farmer and spent his 
 entire life in York county. He had two sons and 
 six daughters. Alter his marriage, Jacob Strick- 
 ler located on a small farm in York county, 
 where he lived until April, 1 S 3 7 , when he came 
 with his family to West Buffalo township. Union 
 county, making the journey by team. On the 
 farm which he purchased he made his home until 
 the early '60s. He died October 26, 1885, and 
 his wife passed away July 22, 1889. He voted 
 with the 1 >emi >cracv,but took no active part in pol- 
 itics. He belonged to the German Baptist Church. 
 His business was successfully conducted, and he 
 owned a farm in West Buffalo township, and 
 another in Limestone township, Union county, 
 together 1 ting 280 acres. He also erected 
 
 the buildings on the old Strickler homestead in 
 West Buffalo township. He and his wife lie 
 buried in the German Baptist cemetery in that 
 township. 
 
 Their children were: Elizabeth, wife of Jacob 
 Rover, of Millmont, Penn. ; John, who operates 
 the homestead farm in West Buffalo township; 
 Emanuel, who died in infancy; Jacob, of \\ 
 Buffalo township; Rebecca, who is living in the 
 township; llrich; Henry, who died near 
 Lewisburg, Penn. ; Catharine, of West Buffalo 
 township; Simon P.. who died in Millmont, 
 Penn., Novi 16, 1895; Michael, of Kelly 
 
 township, Union county; Daniel, of Mifflinburg, 
 Penn., and Isaac, of Limestone township, Union 
 county. 
 
 Ulrich Strickler, father of our subject, was 
 
 1 December 18, [836, was reared on a farm, 
 and educated in the district schools, to which he 
 had a long distance to walk, until in his la 
 youth, when a school-house was built on his 
 father's land. He learned the plasterer's trade 
 under Abraham Eberhart. When twenty-six 
 in West Buffalo township, he mar- 
 ried Sarah Royer, who was born in Northumber- 
 land county, Penn., in 1837, a daughter of 
 Charles Royer, who removed from Lancaster 
 counts to Union county. Mr. and Mrs. Strickler 
 began their domestic life in West Buffalo town- 
 ship, and. 111 1874, located in Buffalo township 
 "ii the farm which is now the home of our sub- 
 ject. The father purchased a half interest in this 
 property, of his brother Jacob, and made the place 
 his home until his death, February 19, 1891. 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1003 
 
 He was a member of the German Baptist Church, 
 and was buried in its cemetery. In politics he 
 was a Democrat, and lived a quiet and unassum- 
 ing, but upright life. A year after his death his 
 widow removed to West Buffalo township, where 
 she now lives. She, too, is a member of the 
 German Baptist Church. They had four chil- 
 dren: D. H.; Charles E., of Mifflinburg; Jacob 
 U., a plasterer of West Buffalo township; and 
 Theodore F., of the same township. 
 
 D. H. Strickler attended the Pike school in 
 West Buffalo township, was reared under the 
 parental roof, and since eleven years of age has 
 resided at his present home. His early educa- 
 tional privileges were supplemented by study in 
 the Central Pennsylvania College, of New Ber- 
 lin, and in a normal school at Buffalo Cross 
 Roads, also at Michael's Commercial and Business 
 College of Oberlin, Ohio. When twenty years 
 of age he was employed as teacher of the Pon- 
 tius school, in Buffalo township, since which time 
 he has been teacher in the Red Bank school, and 
 the Pike school, both of West Buffalo township; 
 the Strawbridge school in Buffalo township; the 
 Creek school and the Loudon school in West 
 Buffalo township. He spent the summer of 1888 
 near Huron, S. Dak., working as a farm hand, 
 and with this exception, has been continuously 
 and successfully engaged in teaching since the 
 age of twenty years. 
 
 On June 16, 1891, in New Jersey, Mr. Strick- 
 ler was married to Miss Lizzie Wagner, who was 
 born in West Buffalo township, July 8, 1865, a 
 daughter of John and Catharine (Bechler) Wag- 
 ner. Her mother was born November 30, 1838, 
 in Lewis township, a daughter of John and Eliz- 
 abeth (De Long) Bechler. Her father, John 
 Wagner, was a blacksmith by trade. Mrs. Strick- 
 ler, their only child, began her education in 
 Creek school, under the direction of William 
 Bechler, and when ten years of age entered the 
 Mifflinburg High School. Later she attended a 
 select school taught by Mrs. Burrows, and when 
 sixteen years of age began teaching in the school 
 where she was first a student. She has since 
 successfully followed that profession, with the 
 exception of three winters, and for eight terms 
 was teacher of the Creek school, has taught in 
 the Pike school for three winters, had charge of 
 the intermediate grade in the Mifflinburg school 
 one winter, was for two terms a teacher in the 
 Pontius school of Buffalo township, two terms in 
 the Loudon school, and three terms in the Pike 
 school. Both Mr. and Mrs. Strickler are num- 
 bered among the successful educators of Union 
 county, and are most highly respected people. 
 
 Mr. Strickler is a member of the German 
 
 Baptist Church, his wife of the German Re- 
 formed Church. They have two children: Mi- 
 riam J., born September 26, 1892; and Myrna 
 R. , born February 17, 1894. On their marriage 
 they located at their present home, where Mr. 
 Strickler owns forty-seven acres of land. During 
 the months of vacation he follows farming, and 
 in 1897 he thoroughly remodeled his home, 
 making it a very pleasant residence. 
 
 JACOB M. SCHOCH, a native of Union coun- 
 ty, but now a resident of Philadelphia, was 
 born in New Berlin, July 25, 1850. 
 
 Mr. Schoch is the only son of Sem and Mar- 
 garet (Ruhl) Schoch. His mother was twice 
 married, her first husband being Mr. George 
 Kleckner. The first eighteen years of the life of 
 our subject were passed in his birthplace, where 
 he attended the public schools for some time, 
 his first teacher being Miss Kate Kessler; but he 
 completed his education in Union Seminary (now 
 Central Pennsylvania College) at New Berlin, re- 
 ceiving such an education as would fit him for a 
 successful business career. His father being a 
 tanner in New Berlin, Jacob was often employed 
 in the tannery during boyhood, grinding bark, 
 and doing such other work as his strength would 
 permit. 
 
 When still in his teens Mr. Schoch became a 
 clerk in the store of Rathfon & Winters, where 
 he secured his first knowledge of mercantile 
 business. But New Berlin was not the place for 
 an enterprising, progressive young man, and in 
 March, 1869, he concluded to go West. After a 
 few days spent in Chicago, however, he decided 
 to return to the East and locate in Philadelphia. 
 He entered the wholesale notion store of Park, 
 File & Co., as a clerk at a salary of $10 per 
 week. For twenty-one years Mr. Schoch re- 
 mained with that firm, but since September, 1890, 
 he has been connected the Young, Smyth, 
 Field & Co., of Philadelphia, one of the largest 
 wholesale houses in their line in the United 
 States. For almost thirty years Mr. Schoch has 
 spent much of his time on the roads as a travel- 
 ing salesman, and he has formed an extensive 
 acquaintance such as only a man in his line can 
 form. He now spends only a few months of 
 each year in traveling, making his home in Phil- 
 adelphia, but passes the summer with his family 
 at New Berlin. 
 
 On the 9th of February, 1875, Mr. Schoch 
 .was married in New Berlin to Miss Angeline 
 Kessler, who was born March 6, 1851, a daugh- 
 ter of ex-Sheriff John and Catharine (Spangler) 
 Kessler, and they now have two children: Ed- 
 
1004 
 
 < OMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 ward C, who was born September 3, 1876, and 
 who is associated in business with his father; and 
 Alice M., born July 24, [882. Mr. Schoch usu- 
 ally supports the Democracy, but is not strictly 
 
 partisan 
 
 SAMUEL BLYLER. While there is much 
 truth in the strictures made upon the mod- 
 ern scramblers for the almighty dollar, who seek 
 to accumulate vasl Fortunes by selfish and un- 
 scrupulous means, there is nothing more worthy 
 of praise than the quiet aid steady pursuit of 
 some honest calling and the determined exercise 
 of the industry, econom) and sagacity which en- 
 ables a man to acquire a home and a competence. 
 The subject of this biography, now a prosperous 
 saddler and harness maker at Brook Park, Union 
 county, is a man whose brave struggle with early 
 adversity has brought him a competence without 
 sacrifice of principle. 
 
 Mr. Blyler was born in Limestone township, 
 Union county, July 26, [847, the son of Absalom 
 and Catherine (Heimbach) Blyler. Absalom 
 Blyler, who was a native of Berks county. Penn., 
 was a shoemaker by trade, but spent some years 
 at farming. Tall, broad-shouldered and possess- 
 ing much strength in his active days, he was 
 known as 1 hard worker, but for some reason he 
 never gained anything beyond a small home and 
 a fair living. In politics he was a Democrat, but 
 he did not seek official honors. His wife died 111 
 [854, and he survived her only eight years, both 
 being buried in Snyder county. They had four- 
 teen children, six sons and eight daughters, of 
 whom two died in infancy, and our subject was 
 the twelfth in this large family. 
 
 In those times theschoolsof this section were 
 not as numerous as they are to-day, and our sub- 
 ject had to trudge many a weary mile to secure 
 an 1 n at all. As a son of a poor man 
 
 there was much to hinder his studies, farm work 
 occupying his time. After \\\- father's death thi 
 family was si att< red, and in [864, though a lad 
 of seventeen, Mr. Blyler entered the Union 
 army, as a private in Company B, 184th 1'. V. I, 
 He took part in all the engagements of his regi- 
 
 iit, remaining at the front until the close of 
 the war. While on the return march to Wash- 
 ington for the grand review, he was overcome 
 with fatigue and sent to the hospital, and thus he 
 missed the historic pageant that marked theclose 
 of the struggle in which he had borne so bra 
 part. On receiving his discharge he returned to 
 Union count}-, ami began to learn his trade with 
 John Herbst, of New Berlin, remaining two 
 years, and receiving $50 with the privilege of 
 
 working four weeks for farmers in harvest time 
 to secure a little ready money. After his appren- 
 ticeship ended he worked for Mr. Herbst a short 
 time, and then found employment with John 
 Stitzer at Mifflinburg. In 1S6S he went to Kent. 
 Stephenson Co., 111., and being unable to find 
 work at his trade, he spent more than two years 
 as a farm hand. Coming back to Pennsylvania, 
 Mr Blyler found conditions unfavorable for fol- 
 lowing his trade, but an opening at Dayton, 
 Ohio, led him to go there and remain some time, 
 interrupted only by a short period of work at 
 Tippecanoe, Ohio. In [872 he came to Lewis- 
 burg, and entered a shoe factory as a workmen, 
 but the failure of the firm threw him out of em- 
 ployment again, and he went to Watsontown, 
 Penn., to take a similar position. On leaving 
 that place he returned to Lewisburg, and began 
 working at his trade which he has since followed. 
 In the fall of 1SS6 he began business on his own 
 account, locating at Brook Park, where he has 
 built a shop and a comfortable residence. His 
 success, gained by hard toil, is well deserved. 
 Honesty in his dealings, and a faithful discharge 
 of every obligation, have won him the lasting 
 esteem of all classes in the community. 
 
 In 1881, Mr. Blyler was married in S 
 Grove. Penn., to Miss Mary A. Zearfoss, daugh- 
 ter of John Zearfoss, of Lewisburg, Penn., and 
 three attractive daughters, Lena, Mary and 
 Emily, brighten their home. Mrs. Blyler is a 
 member of the Reformed Church, and takes much 
 interest in the work of the society. As a citizen 
 Mr. Blyler has always lent his influence on the 
 side of progress, and he is one of the active sup- 
 porters of the Farmers Alliance. In politics he 
 was a Republican until 188 1, but the candidacy 
 of General Hancock, his old commander, won 
 his vote for the Democratic ticket. His sympa- 
 thies are with the Democrats in the main, but he 
 is not a blind partisan, and often " splits the 
 ticket." 
 
 MA. COOK. To the ambitious young man 
 who fancies that no suitable opportunity for 
 the exercise of his abilities can be found outside 
 of our great commercial centers, the following 
 history will convey a helpful suggestion. As a 
 produce shipper, grain dealer and general mer- 
 chant Mr. II. A. Cook, of Vicksburg, has built 
 up an extensive business, and at the same time he 
 has been helping to develop a new section and 
 extend these lines of activity. 
 
 Mr. Cook is a native of Mifflin county, Penn., 
 having first seen the light near Allenville, Decem- 
 ber 4, 1856. His father, the late J. B. Cook, a 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1005 
 
 successful agriculturist, died at the age of sev- 
 enty-six, and his mother, whose maiden name 
 was Mary Schoch, is now in her eightieth year. 
 They have two sons living, and of their four 
 daughters, one died in childhood. Another lost 
 her life by swallowing a button, all attempts to 
 dislodge it failing, and two lived to adult age. 
 Our subject first attended the common schools of 
 his native township, but when he was eight years 
 old his parents removed to the vicinity of New 
 Berlin, Union county, where he continued his 
 education in the public schools and later in the 
 seminary. He was an industrious youth, men- 
 tally and physically, and on Saturdays or other 
 holidays he would spend his time grinding bark 
 at the tannery of his uncle, Abram Schoch, at 
 New Berlin, and his wages, though small, 
 amounted in time to a neat sum. His uncle en- 
 couraged him to save his money, giving him a 
 note for all that he left on deposit with him, 
 and thus Mr. Cook established at an early age 
 the habit of accumulation. His studies did not 
 suffer in the meantime, as at seventeen he was 
 competent to teach, but he followed that occu- 
 pation only one term. He did some work as a 
 farm hand for neighbors, but in 1871 he secured 
 a position as clerk in the large general store of J. 
 S. Raudenbush, at Vicksburg, at a salary of 
 eleven dollars per month. The business was en- 
 tirely new to him, but he learned rapidly and 
 soon proved his worth, his wages being raised 
 after four months. In less than a year he was 
 placed in charge of the produce car which his 
 employer sent at regular intervals to the coal 
 regions, where an excellent market was found. 
 For a number of years Mr. Cook conducted 
 this important department of the business, the 
 remainder of his time being spent in the store. 
 In 1889 he became a member of the firm of 
 Raudenbush & Cook, which continued until 1 891 . 
 He then established a similar business of his 
 own, building his present convenient store, and 
 in the fall of the same year he erected an elevator 
 by the railroad track, where he carries on an 
 extensive trade in grain, salt and other com- 
 modities. He owns the store and residence 
 formerly occupied by Mr. Raudenbush, and has 
 built for himself a new and elegant home in the 
 same tbwn, while his business in all lines is con- 
 ducted on a much more extended scale than was 
 that of his old employer. This success has not 
 been gained without effort, few men in any busi- 
 ness working more constantly than does Mr. 
 Cook. His straightforward methods have won 
 for him the entire confidence of the people with 
 whom he deals, and these he esteems above any 
 material reward. While he is interested in the 
 
 political issues of the day, and votes the Demo- 
 cratic ticket regularly, his attention is too closely 
 given to his business interests to admit of active 
 participation in public affairs. 
 
 In 1 88 1 Mr. Cook was married in Mifrlinburg 
 to Miss Lizzie Bottiger, a native of Union county, 
 and daughter of Isaac Bottiger. They are promi- 
 nent in social life, and are active members of 
 the Reformed Church at Vicksburg. Two clever 
 boys — J. Paul and Ralph B. — make their home 
 merry. 
 
 NATHAN SLEAR, an honored and highly 
 respected citizen of East Buffalo township, 
 
 Union county, was born March 25, 18 17, near 
 Shamokin Dam, in what is now Monroe town- 
 ship, Snyder Co., Penn., and is a son of Charles 
 and Hannah (Fisher) Slear. The paternal grand- 
 father also bore the name of Charles Slear. The 
 father, a native of Dry Valley, Union county, 
 was in limited circumstances, and supported his 
 family by day labor. He died at the age of forty, 
 but the mother lived to be nearly eighty-five, 
 and both were buried at Selins Grove, Snyder 
 county. In their family were four children, 
 namely: Annie, who became the wife of John 
 Bowen, and died in Northumberland county, 
 Penn., at the age of eighty; Catharine, who first 
 married John Serer, and, after his death, Noah 
 Deibler, and died December 11, 1896; Nathan, 
 of this sketch; and Esther, now Mrs. Daniel 
 Deibler, of Clay county, Illinois. 
 
 Our subject was reared in his native town- 
 ship, but his educational privileges were very poor. 
 His father died just two days after he had cele- 
 brated the tenth anniversary of his birth, and the 
 mother was left with only a small house and 
 about thirty acres of land. He therefore began 
 work on a farm at the early age of twelve, his 
 first employment being at pitching hay, and 
 although he was teased and taunted by his fellow 
 workers, he was able to do his share and did not 
 give up. For some time he continued to work 
 for neighboring farmers, his earnings going to- 
 ward the support of the family, and as soon as 
 large enough to operate the home farm he under- 
 took that work. His mother, who was a strong, 
 robust woman, often helped him in the fields, 
 doing a full day's work with either the sickle or 
 flail. 
 
 On February 2, 1836, Mr. Slear was married 
 to Miss Abbie Snyder, who was born in Middle 
 Creek township, Snyder county, September 3, 
 1 8 16, and was a daughter of Jacob Snyder, a 
 farmer by occupation. He was fortunate in the 
 selection of his wife, who proved a most valuable 
 
1006 
 
 COMMEMORA TI YE BIOGRA I'll I < . 1 /. RECORD. 
 
 house-keeper and true helpmeet. After a happy 
 married life of almost fifty-eight years, she was 
 called to her final rest on November 17, 1893. 
 Their only child. Charles 1'., horn in [836, died 
 November 19, [859. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Slear began their domestic life 
 upon his mother's farm, remaining there sixteen 
 years, but in 1852 removed to East Buffalo 
 township, Union county, where he rented one 
 farm six years and another one year. He then 
 lived on the Rhiel farm on the Furnace road, in 
 the same township, for two years, next operated 
 the John Gearhart farm, in Buffalo township. 
 one year, passed the following five years upon 
 the Jacob Dunkel farm, in Mast Buffalo town- 
 ship, and then spent one year on the John 
 Aurand farm, in the latter township. About 
 
 -- he purchased Ins present farm of Abram 
 Aura ml, paying over $200 per acre for his forty- 
 acre tract, which he bought at two purcha 
 At in time he was heavily in debt, but by per- 
 1 and good management, he now has 
 an excellent little farm all paid for, and some 
 
 1.1I besidi 
 
 I 'riginally, Mr. Slear was a Whig in politics, 
 and, since the dissolution of that party, he has 
 hern identified with the Republicans. He is a 
 faithful membei of the Evangelical Church, and 
 altli lives all alone he still observer fam- 
 
 ily worship. For over thirty years he was the 
 leader of the choir at Salem Church, East Buf- 
 falo township, and as a singer was known far 
 and wide. While nearly eighty years of age, he 
 is still well preserved, is jovial in disposition, is 
 a good conversationalist, and possesses an excel- 
 lent memory, speaking with ease of events that 
 happened in his boyhood. 
 
 CHARLES THOMAS DENNIS, a prominent 
 citizen of New Columbia, Union counts, is 
 not only well-known in business circles, as a 
 dealer in lumber, coal and grain, and similar 
 commodities, but is influential in various progress- 
 ive movements in his locality. He is president 
 of the Alliance of White Deer township, Union 
 county, and was one of the chut promote! 
 the Patriotic Order Sons of America, of New 
 Columbia, organized in 1892, having been its 
 first president. In the religious advancement of 
 the community he also takes an active part as a 
 member of the Reformed Church, which he has 
 been a member of ever since he was twelve 
 s of age. 
 
 Mr. Dennis has good pioneer blood in his 
 veins, Anthony Dennis, his great-grandfather 
 on the paternal side, having come to America 
 
 from England during the Revolutionary war. 
 with a brother, Daniel and one sister, to settle 
 near Philadelphia. Both brothers cast their lot 
 with the Revolutionary forces immediately after 
 their arrival, one serving as fiferand the other as 
 drummer. Anthony Dennis had four sons and 
 seven daughters. His son Lewis, our subjects' 
 1 indfather, was married to Sarah Trump, and 
 lived in Lehigh county, l'enn., for some time, 
 but finally located with his wife and three sons — 
 George. Anthony and Daniel, and four daughters, 
 Ann, Juda, Sarah and Catharine, in White Deer 
 township, Union county. 
 
 His son George, the father of our subject, 
 was born in Lehigh county, but came to Union 
 county at an early age. and remained, engaging 
 in fanning on a small scale, and also in sh< 
 making. In politics he was a Republican, 
 he was an active member of the Reformed 
 Church. He married (first 1 Miss Mary Dieffend- 
 erfer, by whom he had four children: Ferris, a 
 coachmaker at Flat Rock, Ohio; Aaron, who 
 conducts a boarding house at Williamsport, 
 l'enn.; Sarah, who died in infancy; and Levi, a 
 farmer near Marseilles, Mich. After the death 
 of his first wife, George Dennis married her sister 
 ( ttherine, and six children blessed their union: 
 William, deceased; Charles T., our subject; 
 Ellen, who died at the age of fourteen; Alfred, a 
 farmer of Kelly township. Union county; Alda, 
 who resides with our subject; and Emeline, wife 
 oi Samuel Baker, a farmer of Kelly township. 
 The father died February 26, [868, aged fifty- 
 
 il years; and the mother survived him until 
 April 10, 1894, when she passed away at the age 
 of seventy-five, she was a native of Union 
 county, and her father, John Dieffenderfer, died 
 in White Deer township, where his remains re- 
 pose. He was a man of more than medium 
 height, with black hair and fair complexion. 
 
 Charles Thomas Dennis was born September 
 4, [85 J, in White Deer township, and was taught 
 in early manhood the value of industry and econ- 
 omy. As his father left but limited means, he 
 left home at fourteen to seek a livelihood, his first 
 emplo\ inent beingupon a farm in the same town- 
 ship, where he remained one year at $2. 50 per 
 month. The next two years he received $6 per 
 month, and for the two following years \ 
 being then well grown and thoroughly instructed 
 in all kinds of farm work, he found employment 
 upon another farm in the neighborhood at $16 a 
 month for the first year, and $20 for the suc- 
 ceeding four years. 
 
 At the end of this time he returned home and 
 worked upon the farm for his mother, and also 
 engaged in threshing, continuing until 1890, 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1007 
 
 when he moved to New Columbia, and purchased 
 his present business. In addition to his trade 
 in lumber and coal, he has a chop mill and grain 
 house, his enterprise and sagacity enabling him 
 to build up a lucrative business. His public 
 spirit has already been noted, but it is a fact 
 worthy of special mention that while he is active 
 in local affairs, and is also an earnest supporter of 
 Republican doctrines, he is in no sense a politi- 
 cian. 
 
 On March 13, 1890, Mr. Dennis was married 
 to Miss Elizabeth J. Pawling, who died June 10 
 of the same year, at the age of thirty-three, 
 deeply lamented by all who knew her. She was 
 a native of White Deer township, Union county, 
 a descendant of one of the pioneer families of 
 this State, her great-grandfather having come 
 from England to America at an early period. 
 He located in Chester county, Penn., but his 
 son Joseph moved to what is now Snyder county, 
 and the family has since been identified with 
 this section. On January 13, 1898, our subject 
 was again married, this time to Mary C. Farley, 
 a native of White Deer township, Union Co., 
 Penn., and a daughter of Jacob and Mary E. 
 Farley, descendants of one of the pioneer fam- 
 ilies of this State. 
 
 GEORGE M. SLEAR. Among the leading 
 and influential farmers of Buffalo township, 
 Union county, who thoroughly understand their 
 business, and pursue the avocation of their chosen 
 calling in a methodical and workmanlike manner, 
 is the subject of this biographical notice. He is 
 a native of the county, born in West Buffalo 
 township, June 27, 1825, a son of George and 
 Sophia (Miller) Slear. 
 
 The father was born March 17, 1793, in 
 Berks county, Penn., where his father, George 
 Slear, spent his entire life. As a young man the 
 former came to Union county, and was here 
 united in marriage with Miss Hannah Kairffman, 
 who was born October 17, 1789, a daughter of 
 Peter Kauffman. They became the parents of 
 four children, namely: Daniel, born February 
 2, 1812, died in Buffalo township; Esther, born 
 November 13, 1813, is now the widow of Samuel 
 Shively, and a resident of Illinois; and Peter 
 and Margaret (twins) were born May 8, 1819. 
 The former died in Mifflinburg, and the later be- 
 came the wife of Ephraim Long, and died in 
 Buffalo township. For his second wife the fa- 
 ther was married to Sophia Miller, who was born 
 April 16, 1796, and to them were born three 
 children: Charles, born September 2, 1822, 
 died in West Buffalo township, Union county; 
 
 George M. is next in order of birth; and Will- 
 iam, born October 13, 1826, also died in West 
 Buffalo township. After her death the father 
 wedded Elizabeth Barklow, who was born No- 
 vember 15, 1796. Four children graced this 
 union, as follows: Elizabeth, born November 6, 
 1835, is the wife of G. W. Himmelrich, of Buf- 
 falo township; Hannah, born December 4, 1836, 
 is the wife of Daniel Heckman, of Sugar Valley, 
 Clinton Co., Penn.; Mary C. , born March 18, 
 1S3S, is the wife of S. F. Miller, of East Buffalo 
 township. Union county; and James, born July 
 28, 1839, is a resident of Buffalo township. 
 
 After his first marriage the father of our sub- 
 ject located in West Buffalo township, and 
 on coming to Buffalo township first rented 
 land, but later bought, of Jonathan Van Valzah, 
 what was known as the Sleekier farm. The 
 place was later divided, and our subject now 
 owns the western portion. Throughout his en- 
 tire life the father followed the occupation of 
 farming, and left to his children a comfortable 
 competence. His death occurred March 1, 1875, 
 and his remains were interred in the Dreisbach 
 cemetery. He was widely and favorably known 
 throughout the community, was a Lutheran in 
 religious belief, and a stanch Democrat in poli- 
 tics. 
 
 In the White Springs school, Mr. Slear, of 
 this review, began his education, and although 
 his privileges in that direction were rather lim- 
 ited, he earnestly advocates better educational 
 advantages for the young. With the primitive 
 implements used in his early years farm labor was 
 much more arduous, and as soon as old enough 
 he. began to aid in the work. As the family 
 was large, and his services were not always need- 
 ed at home, he worked for neighboring farmers 
 during his boyhood and youth. For some time 
 after reaching manhood he continued to work for 
 wages, mostly for his father, but he has since 
 purchased his present farm from his father's 
 estate. 
 
 On November 28, 1865, our subject was mar- 
 ried to Miss Sarah J. Beaver, who was born in 
 Union township, Unioncounty, October27, 1831, 
 a daughter of Simon and Elizabeth (Oldt) Beav- 
 er. He has been called upon to mourn the 
 death of his estimable wife, who died November 
 1, 1893, and was laid to rest in the Dreisbach 
 cemetery. A conscientious, earnest Christian, 
 she was a faithful member of the Lutheran 
 Church, to which our subject also belongs. He 
 is a liberal contributor to the Church, and to 
 all worthy objects which will in any way benefit 
 the community or advance the general welfare, 
 and for several years he has served either as 
 

 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRM'IWAI. RECORD. 
 
 deacon or elder of the congregation to which he 
 belongs. His political support is always given 
 the men and measures of the Democratic party, 
 but he has always declined to become a candi- 
 date for office. Since 1883 he has practically 
 laid aside business cares, but still resides on his 
 farm, which is now operated by others. His 
 ling worth and upright, Christian life, have 
 ied him the confidence and esteem of all who 
 have the pleasure of his acquaintance. 
 
 MATHIAS NOLL, an undertaker and cabi- 
 net maker of East Buffalo township, is a 
 worthy representative of an old and honored 
 family, that has long been identified with the in- 
 dustrial interests of Union county. 
 
 The name was originally spelled Noel, and 
 tin family was founded in the United States dur- 
 ing the early part of the eighteenth century by 
 French Huguenots, one branch settling in Berks 
 county, and the other in York county, Penn. The 
 latter preserved the original spelling, and among 
 its members was Hon. John Noel, the first 
 mayor of York, Penn. The Berks county branch 
 adopted the form of Noll, and to them our sub- 
 ject belongs. The family was early established 
 in Buffalo Valley, and is now quite numerous in 
 eastern, central and southeastern Pennsylvania. 
 
 On the farm where he still lives, Mr. Noll, of 
 this review, was born June 6, 1845, a son of 
 Samuel L. and Anna (Reahmi Noll. The pa- 
 ternal grandfather was John Noll, who reared a 
 family of seven children, namely: Henry, John, 
 David, Samuel, William, Jacob, and Elizabeth. 
 He was a fine mechanic, following the occupa- 
 tions of carpentering and cabinet making. 
 George Reahm, the maternal grandfather, who 
 was also a cabinet maker and carpenter, married 
 1 Mrs. Getz, whose maiden name was Barn- 
 hart, and to them were born three children; 
 Susan, who married John Bower, of Illinois; 
 Daniel, who died in that State; and Annie, the 
 mother of our subject. 
 
 Samuel L. Noll, the father of our subject, 
 was born in West Buffalo township, Union coun- 
 ty, December 16, 1807, and was reared near 
 Mifninburg. learning the carpenter's trade under 
 his father's direction. He gained the reputation 
 of being one of the most particular mechanics in 
 the locality; his feats of hewing were remarkable. 
 During the summer he continued to work at the 
 carpenter's trade, often employing three or four 
 hands, and he built many of the best barns and 
 houses in the community, as well as the second 
 Dreisbach church in Buffalo township. In Union 
 county. April 29, 1830, he married Miss Anna 
 
 Reahm, who was born in East Buffalo township, 
 April 7, 1809, and they began their domestic life 
 upon a part of our subject's present farm, she 
 having received a portion of this from her father. 
 The building now used by our subject as a shop 
 served as their residence at one time. To the 
 
 mal tract, Samuel Noll added by subsequent 
 purchase, and upon that farm they made their 
 home for over half a century. The barn which 
 is still standing was erected by the father in 
 1S42. In connection with fanning and carpen- 
 tering, he also carried on cabinet making and 
 the undertaking business, any kind of a vehicle 
 being used as a hearse in those days. He was a 
 man of average size, weighing about 150 pounds, 
 was energetic and very industrious, and was held 
 in the highest esteem by all who knew him. His 
 ballot was always cast in support of Repub- 
 lican principles, and he and his wife were faith- 
 ful members of the Reformed Church. His 
 death occurred May 5, 1864, and hers on June 6, 
 1888, and both were interred in the Dreisbach 
 cemetery in Buffalo township. 
 
 In the family of this worthy couple were the 
 following children: Mary A., who wedded Will- 
 iam Walter, and died in Snyder county, Penn. ; 
 Mollie, who married, first, Henry Bowersox, but 
 she is now Mrs. Henry Loudenslager, of Buffalo 
 township; Matilda, who married Daniel Hafer, 
 and died in Michigan; Maitin, a resident of East 
 Buffalo township; Moses, also of that township; 
 Michael, a carpenter, living near Mifrlinbur^; 
 and Mathias, of this review. 
 
 With Mary Thompson as his first teacher, 
 our subject began his education at the Buffalo 
 school, which was conducted on the subscription 
 plan, but his studies were often interrupted as his 
 services were needed at home, and he also en- 
 gaged in threshing for others during his boyhood 
 and youth. Soon after his father's death he 
 started out in life for himself, learning the car- 
 penter's trade under David Reahm, though he 
 had become somewhat familiar with that occu- 
 pation previous to that time by assisting his 
 father. He continued to following carpentering 
 until 1874, when he was taken ill, and for two 
 years was unable to actively engage in any kind 
 of business. On February 16. 1874. he had 
 purchased the undertaking business of Andrew 
 Hauck, of Buffalo township, and since his recov- 
 ery has given it his attention. For some time, 
 Mr. Noll rented the old homestead from his fa- 
 ther's heirs, but in 18S8 purchased the place, and 
 there continues to make his home. He has re- 
 modeled the buildings, and made many other 
 valuable and useful improvements, having one of 
 the neatest homes to be found in the locality 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1009 
 
 The farm comprises twenty-two acres of well- 
 cultivated and highly productive land. 
 
 On June 16, 1867, Mr. Noll was married to 
 Frances E. Bowen, a native of Snyder county, 
 Penn., and a daughter of John and Anna (Slear) 
 Bowen. Three children blessed their union: 
 Adda M. and Edith I. (twins), and Mary E., who 
 are still with their father. The wife and mother 
 departed this life December 25, 1890, and was 
 buried in the Dreisbach cemetery, where a hand- 
 some monument marks her last resting place. 
 
 Although an ardent Republican, Mr. Noll has 
 never cared for political distinction, preferring 
 to give his entire time and attention to his busi- 
 ness interests. He is one of the best known 
 and most highly esteemed citizens of the com- 
 munity, and has a host of warm friends. Fra- 
 ternally, he is a member of the Grange, and, re- 
 ligiously, is an active member of the United 
 Evangelical Church, to which his wife also be- 
 longed. He is at present serving as trustee and 
 treasurer of the Church. Among his valued 
 possessions he has two old Bibles handed down 
 in the Reahm family, one dated 1589. and the 
 other 1770. 
 
 ISAAC KING, one of New Berlin's best citizens 
 and oldest merchants, is a self-made man, 
 who, without extraordinary family or pecuniary 
 advantages at the commencement of life, has 
 battled earnestly and energetically, and, by in- 
 domitable courage and integrity, has achieved 
 both character and fortune. By sheer force of 
 will and untiring effort he has worked his way 
 upward. 
 
 Mr. King is a native of Union county, born in 
 Hartley township, February 15, 1834, and is a 
 son of James and Sophia (Klose) King. During 
 the latter part of the past century the grandfa- 
 ther, James King, a native of England, started 
 for the New World with his father, who also bore 
 the name of James, but the latter died while in 
 route, and was buried at sea. The mother landed 
 at New York with her family of small children, 
 who were bound out to different persons and soon 
 became scattered, some of them never being 
 heard of again. 
 
 The grandfather was placed with a farmer and 
 drifted to Lancaster county, Penn., where he 
 later married a Miss Dornbaugh. He was reared 
 in much the usual manner of boys of his day, 
 practically having no schooling and being taught 
 nothing but labor. After his marriage he located 
 in Perry county, where he invested the little cap- 
 ital his wife had received, but this was soon lost, 
 as he had received no lessons in good manage- 
 
 64* 
 
 ment. He then became a laborer, supporting 
 his large family mainly by chopping wood. Some 
 time during the '20s he came to Union county, 
 where he died at the age of eighty-eight and his 
 wife at the age of eighty-six. 
 
 James King, one of the family of eight sons 
 and two daughters, and the father of our subject, 
 was born in Lancaster county, in 1804, and was 
 six years old when his parents removed to Perry 
 county. 'When a young man he accompanied 
 them to Hartley township, Union county. His 
 educational privileges were limited to three 
 months' attendance at the common schools. For 
 a number of years he was employed at the Berlin 
 furnace, which was located near his home, as a 
 wood chopper and teamster; and at one time he 
 chopped 600 cords of wood, no other work inter- 
 vening. In early manhood he married Sophia 
 Klose, a native of Beaver township, Snyder Co., 
 Penn., and a daughter of Solomon Klose. She 
 inherited a few hundred dollars, which they in- 
 vested in a home, and for some time the father 
 engaged in farming. In 1S58 he removed to St. 
 Joseph county, Mich., where he spent his remain- 
 ing days, but his death occurred in Kansas while 
 on a visit to friends. His remains were brought 
 back to St. Joseph county, and laid by the side 
 of those of his wife, who had died some years 
 previous. He was one of the most highly es- 
 teemed citizens of the community, and amassed 
 a comfortable competence. Considering his 
 youthful opportunities, he deserved no little credit 
 for his success in life. He was five feet nine 
 inches in height and of ordinary build, was a 
 stanch Democrat in politics, and a devout mem- 
 ber of the Lutheran Church. 
 
 Our subject is the fourth in order of birth in 
 the family of eight children, the others being as 
 follows: Amelia, who married Aaron Bobb, in 
 Michigan, and removed to Kansas, where her 
 death occurred; Sarah, now the wife of James 
 Childs, of Michigan; Samuel, who preceded the 
 others to Michigan, and was the first of the fam- 
 ily to pass away; Harriett, wife of Lewis Kem- 
 merling, of Elgin, 111. ; James, who died at 
 Three Rivers, Mich. ; Daniel, a resident of Sum- 
 ner county, Kans. ; and John, of Three Rivers, 
 Michigan. 
 
 In boyhood, Isaac King would walk two and a 
 half miles to the nearest school house, where he 
 pursued his studies for a few months during the 
 year, but he learned readily, and later attended 
 school at Mifflinburg, Freeburg and New Berlin, 
 where he paid the greater part of his expenses. 
 In 1S55 he successfully passed the teacher's ex- 
 amination at Freeburg, and for six terms taught 
 different schools in Snyder and Union counties. 
 
lOKi 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 In March, 1858, he was united in marriage with 
 Miss Mary J. Mauck, of New Berlin, a daughter 
 of David and Nancy (Shroyer) Mauck, and to 
 them were born two children: Katy and Frank, 
 both at home. 
 
 After his marriage, Mr. King located in Ni w 
 Berlin, where he subsequently embarked in busi- 
 ness, opening a small book and confectionery 
 store, with a capital of $175. From this start 
 his present business has grown, and he has added 
 to his stock other lines of goods, principally 
 hardware. Besides his store building he owns a 
 comfortable residence in New Berlin, and a farm 
 of 224 acres in Jackson township, Snyder coun- 
 ty, all of which have been accumulated through 
 his own well-directed efforts. 
 
 At one time Mr. King was a Democrat, but of 
 recent years his sympathies have been with the 
 Prohibition party, being a pronounced enemy of 
 the liquor traffic. His fellow citizens, recogniz- 
 ing his worth and ability, have called upon him 
 to serve as burgess of New Berlin, and he is at 
 present a member of the school board. He and 
 his wife are faithful members of the Lutheran 
 Church, of which he is now an elder, and is also 
 assistant superintendent of the Sabbath-school. 
 
 NORMAN L. KANCK is a wide-awake and 
 progressive agriculturist of Gregg town- 
 ship, Union county, and belongs to one of the 
 honored pioneer families whose identifica; 
 with the interests of this locality covers an entire 
 century. His great-grandfather, John Ranck, 
 I cated on the farm in 1797, where the birth of 
 our subject occurred December 4, 1857. The 
 latter is a son of Levi and Charlotte Ranck. His 
 father was born January 9, 1833, and died April 
 [888. The mother was born August 7, 
 1834, and died October 5, 18S0. Their children 
 w.re: (1) Florence Rose, who was born De- 
 cember 24, 1853, and is the wife of Charles 
 kins, by whom she has three children, Lee 
 and Lena, the former deceased, and Leslie, a 
 railroad engineer at North Platte, Neb, (2) 
 Virginia F, born January 15, 1856, is the wife 
 of David Gross, of Lewisburg, sheriff of Union 
 county. (3) Norman L. is the next of the fam- 
 ily. (4) Anna U., born November 23, 1S61, is 
 the wife of Addison Coch, a farmer of New- 
 Columbia, and they have four children 
 Man E., born April 6, 18G4, is the wife of 
 Howard Corson, of Hughesville, Penn., by whom 
 she has one child. Faith. (6) Harry P., born 
 May 10, 1866, is living in Union county. (7) 
 Carrie C, born May 18, 1869, is living with her 
 sister in Lewisburg. (8) Violet Pearl, born July 
 
 16, 1872, is the wife of Howard Reed, a sales- 
 man in a store in Benton, Penn. (9) Charles 
 W., born April 28, 1874, is living in Hughesville, 
 Penn. (io) Daisy D. is with her sister in N - 
 braska. (11) Levi R. , born January 1, 1879, is 
 attending school in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. 
 
 Norman L. Ranck spent the first thirty-three 
 years of his life on his father's farm, with the ex- 
 ception of one year passed in New York, where 
 he was employed as a farm hand. He was mar- 
 ried to Miss Joan Kennedy, who was born March 
 14, 1 86 1, and was a daughter of Benjamin and 
 Eliza (Bream Kennedy, of Lycoming county, 
 Penn. She died June 16, 1889, and was bui 
 near the Reformed Church in White Deer Val- 
 ley, Union county. She left one child, Ben- 
 jamin, born August 30, 1882. Mr. Ranck was 
 again married, in 1890, his second union being 
 with Etoil Lynn, and they have an interesting 
 little daughter, Ethel Audrey, born September 
 16, 1 89 1. Mrs. Ranck was born in Pleasant 
 Valley, Northumberland Co., Penn., July 19, 
 1869. Her paternal grandparents were Charles 
 and Catherine Lynn, of Columbia, Penn., whose 
 children were Mary A., wife of George Robbins, 
 of Northumberland county, Cal. ; John, who died 
 in [896; Libbie, who married John Boggert, and 
 after his death became the wife of Perry Jones; 
 Sarah, who married Richard Richardson, ami 
 after his death became the wife of Samuel Hess; 
 Abraham and Henry, who died in the army; and 
 
 iiida, wife of Henry Shurtz, who is living 
 near Chicago, 111. The maternal grandparents 
 of Mrs. Ranck were James and Nancy A. (Fowler) 
 Van Wagner, the former a native of Poughkeep- 
 sie, N. V., and the latter of Muncy, Penn. He 
 was engaged in the manufacture of fanning mills, 
 and died in Burlington, N. J. His widow after- 
 ward became the wife of Moses Yoder, a mer- 
 chant and postmaster at White Deer Mills, 
 Union county. She is again a widow, and is 
 living with her daughter at the age of seventy- 
 nine years. The maternal great-grandpai 
 were James and Ann (Croft) Fowler, the former 
 a native of Columbia count)', Penn. The latter, 
 a native of England, ran away from home when 
 sixteen years of age, and came to America with 
 an uncle and aunt. 
 
 The parents of Mrs. Ranck are Isaac and 
 Anna (Van Wagner) Lynn, the former a native 
 of Columbia county, and the latter of Muncy, 
 Penn. They were married at White Deer Mills, 
 and after residing at various places came to the 
 farm on which our subject now resides, in 1892. 
 Here Mr. Lynn carried on farming until his death, 
 which occurred July 2, 1893, having been struck 
 by a railway train which crossed his farm. He 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1011 
 
 was buried inWatsontown cemetery. For three 
 years he served his country in the Civil war, and 
 was always a loyal citizen. His widow now re- 
 sides upon the home farm, and is in partnership 
 with her son-in-law — our subject. The children 
 of Mr. and Mrs. Lynn were five in number, 
 namely: Blanche E., wife of John Burgenstock, 
 of White Deer Mills, by whom she has six chil- 
 dren: Mrs. Ranck; Nancy E., wife of Warren 
 Traxwell, telegraph operator at Allenwood, 
 Penn., by whom she has four children; Grace 
 G., who is the wife of David Jamison, and has 
 one child; and Merrill Y. , who is with his 
 mother. 
 
 On leaving the old Ranck homestead, Mr. 
 Ranck worked on a farm at White Deer Mills 
 for a year. He then came to his present place, 
 which he purchased May 25, 1891, in partner- 
 ship with his father-in-law. This is a very valu- 
 able property, highly improved. The elegant 
 brick residence and substantial outbuildings are 
 surrounded by well-tilled fields, and the place is 
 very neat and thrifty in appearance. Mr. Ranck 
 is now serving in the position of school director, 
 to which he was elected in 1896. In politics he 
 is a Republican. He possesses good business 
 ability, is a man of sterling worth of character, 
 and is highly esteemed by all who know him. 
 
 iEV. ISAIAH BEAVER, a well-known min- 
 JTX ister of the German Baptist Church, com- 
 monly known as the Dunkard Church, comes of 
 an honored ancestry, two of his progenitors in 
 different lines having served gallantly in the Rev- 
 olutionary army. Adam Beaver, or Beiber, as 
 the name was then spelled, came from Germany 
 when a lad of fourteen, and worked seven years 
 to repay his passage money. At twenty-one he 
 enlisted in the Continental forces, and remained 
 in service until honorably discharged at the 
 close of the war. He escaped wounds or injury, 
 but at the battle of Brandywine a button was 
 shot off from his vest. John Beaver, our sub- 
 ject's grandfather, married Anna Baker, daugh- 
 ter of John and granddaughter of Wendell Baker, 
 another Revolutionary soldier, and one of the 
 first to visit what is now Union county. A na- 
 tive of Lancaster county, Penn., he came to 
 this section before the war of Independence, but 
 was driven away by the Indians, and returned to 
 his early home. Later in life he again came to 
 Union county and remained, his death occurring 
 there at the age of eighty-eight. 
 
 John and Anna (Baker) Beaver reared a fam- 
 ily of ten children — David, who settled in Illinois 
 and died there at the age of sixty, leaving a num- 
 
 ber of children; Adam, a resident of Hartleton, 
 Union county, Penn.; Mary, who married the 
 late Andrew Houck, and after his death went to 
 live with her children in Ohio, where she died at 
 seventy-eight years of age; Anna married Chris- 
 tian M. Shively, a farmer of Limestone town- 
 ship, Union county, and died in May, 1S63, the 
 mother of sixteen children, only eight now living; 
 John L., our subject's father; Israel, who went 
 west in 1865, and is now postmaster at Panther, 
 Dallas county, Iowa, where he is now engaged in 
 business as a farmer and grocer;Benjamin H. who 
 died at seventeen years of age; Peter H., a resi- 
 dent of Northumberland county, a saddler by 
 trade, who has been postmaster for fourteen 
 years, and is now justice of the peace; Thomas 
 J., a farmer and carpenter residing in Dallas 
 county, Iowa; and Catherine B., Mrs. James 
 Merty, a widow, residing in Lewisburg, Penn- 
 sylvania. 
 
 Rev. John L. Beaver, the father of our sub- 
 ject, was elected to the ministry of the German 
 Baptist Church, June 3, 1859, and after many 
 years of faithful service is living retired upon his 
 fine farm near Miffiinburg, Penn. Among his 
 most highly prized possessions is a tomahawk, 
 which was carried by his grandfather, Adam 
 Beaver, while a soldier in Washington's army. 
 He was reared after the custom of country youths 
 of his time, helping upon his father's farm and 
 attending the neighboring schools as he could. 
 They were conducted on the subscription plan 
 during his early boyhood, but the free-school sys- 
 tem was introduced before his attendance ended. 
 He has always wielded much influence in the 
 community, and his well-known integrity and 
 sound judgment have caused him to be frequent- 
 ly called upon to settle estates. He has also 
 served as school director, but has never taken an 
 active part in politics, and since 1852 has not 
 even voted. On April 18, 1844, Rev. John L. 
 Beaver married his first wife, Miss Anna Shively, 
 by whom he had three children: Spencer, born 
 March 9, 1845, resides in Juniata county, Penn., 
 and like his father is a minister of the German 
 Baptist Church; Isaiah is mentioned more fully 
 below; Caroline, born June 2, 1848, married G. 
 W. Walters, a farmer in Dallas county, Iowa. 
 The mother of this little family died, and in 1S52 
 the father married her cousin. Miss Rachel 
 Shively, who was born March 8, 18 16, and is 
 quite well preserved for one ol her age. By this 
 union there were also three children — C. H., 
 born April 23, 1855, is now a bookkeeper in 
 a land and broker's office at Wizner, Neb., but 
 spent some years previously in teaching in 
 normal and graded schools; Johanna, born Feb- 
 
1012 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 ruary 3, 1857, lost her sight when but two years 
 old as a result of scarlet fever, but notwithstand- 
 ing this misfortune is quite proficient in music 
 and fancy work; Augustus C. , born August 3, 
 1 861, is married, ami operates the homestead for 
 his father. 
 
 Rev. Isaiah Beaver first saw the light in Lewis 
 township, Union county, October 14, 1S46, and 
 the White Spring school in that locality afforded 
 him his educational opportunities for a short 
 time, but his parents moved to West Buffalo 
 township when he was about seven years old, 
 he attended the Buffalo Creek school, Miss 
 Mary Hawes being his teacher for several years. 
 Contrasted with the schools of this day, his 
 privileges seem meager, but he managed to secure 
 a good start, and subsequent reading and observa- 
 tion have enabled him to acquire a goodly store 
 of information. He received practical training 
 in farm work, remaining at home until the age 
 of twenty-five, with the exception of one month 
 in the spring of 1868, when he worked for Isaac 
 Royer, a farmer in Hartley township. Union 
 county. 
 
 On September 28, 1871, Mr. Beaver was 
 married in Mittlinburg to Miss Sarah A. Grove, a 
 native of Kelly township. Union county, born 
 January 31, 1852. She was educated in the 
 Hagenbach school in that township, and was the 
 youngest child and daughter in a family of two 
 sons and three daughters. Her father, the late 
 John Grove, a well-known agriculturist, died at 
 the age of seventy-two, and her mother, whose 
 maiden name was Rachel Goodlander, is still liv- 
 ing, and is in her seventy-eighth year. Mr. Beaver 
 began farming on his own account after his mar- 
 riage, renting the old Beaver homestead, which 
 he was the fifth of the name to occupy, though 
 in the fourth generation from the first settler. 
 After spending six years at the old place, he pur- 
 chased, October 8, 1877, his present home in 
 East Buffalo township, Union county, one of the 
 oldest farms in the township, formerly known as 
 the Schrock homestead. It contains forty-eight 
 and a half acres under cultivation and fourteen 
 acres of woodland, and was purchased for $8,000. 
 Mr. Beaver took possession of this farm on March 
 21, 1878, and has ever since resided there. On 
 July 25, 1895, his barn was struck by lightning 
 and burned, but he rebuilt it, making various 
 improvements in the plan. He is a successful 
 manager, and is regarded as one of the sub- 
 
 ntial citizens of the township. Six children 
 have blessed his marriage — Rachel A., Salome, 
 Abby J., Sarah E., Norman F. and John R., all 
 of whom are living at home except Salome, who 
 died in infancy. 
 
 Mr. Beaver and his wife are both members of 
 the German Baptist Church, in which he was a 
 deacon for many years previous to his election in 
 1889 to the ministry, where his devotion to the 
 cause has been manifested by effective work. 
 He has never taken an active interest in politics, 
 but his sympathies are with the Republican 
 party 
 
 SF. MILLER, whose fine farm near Lochiel, 
 Union county, challenges the admiration of 
 every passerby, is one of the most progressive 
 agriculturists of his locality, his careful study of 
 scientific methods being put to practical use on 
 his estate. Mr. Miller was born in Penn town- 
 ship, Snyder Co., Penn., May 13, 1837, upon a 
 farm which has now been in the possession of his 
 family for more than a century, his grandfather, 
 George Miller, having once been its occupant. 
 This worthy pioneer owned a large quantity of 
 land and other property, including a gristmill, 
 and left each of his ten children a goodly por- 
 tion. His son Daniel, our subject's father, was 
 born and reared at the old homestead, assisting 
 in the work of the farm and mill, and securing 
 such education as he could in the neighboring 
 schools. In the division of the estate he and a 
 brother took the homestead at an appraisement 
 of $50 per acre. Daniel Miller was married in 
 Snyder county to Miss Esther Wangner, daughter 
 of Yost Wangner, and continued to operate the 
 old farm for some years. He then spent six 
 years in Northumberland county, and in [854 
 made his permanent home on the farm now 
 owned by our subject. It had then but a few 
 improvements, a log house and a barn being the 
 the most conspicuous; but the land was excellent 
 and he purchased it from James Reber at the 
 then remarkably high figure of $100 per acre. 
 It comprised 169 acres, and he incurred a debt of 
 00, requiring the payment of many hundreds 
 of dollars in interest before the obligation was 
 finally discharged. He and his wife resided 
 there until about ten years prior to his death, 
 when they moved to another farm near the 
 "Pike.'' In his last years he was sickly, but in 
 early manhood he enjoyed robust health, and his 
 well-built frame supported the weight of 200 
 pounds without loss of proportion. As a business 
 man he was very successful, adding to his inher- 
 itance and gaining a handsome competence. 
 While he took usual interest in public questi' 
 he was not a politician, and the only office that 
 he ever hi-ld was that of overseer of the poor, in 
 which he served for several years. He was a 
 Whig in early years, but his ardent advocacy ol 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1013 
 
 the abolition of slavery led him into the Repub- 
 lican party at its organization. He and his wife 
 were both consistent members of the Evangelical 
 Lutheran Church, in which he held various offi- 
 cial positions and was one of the leading workers. 
 He died at the age of sixty-nine, and his esti- 
 mable wife, who survived him, attained the age of 
 seventy-five, both being interred at death in 
 Dreisbach cemetery. Our subject is the eldest 
 of three children: Franklin W. resides in East 
 Buffalo township, Union county, and Mary, now 
 Mrs. Solomon Benner, lives in Vicksburg, Penn- 
 sylvania. 
 
 Mr. Miller was reared as a farmer boy, but 
 received better educational advantages than fell 
 to the lot of most of that class in his day. He 
 first attended the Middle Creek school in his na- 
 tive county, and then, after pursuing his studies 
 in the country schools in Union county until he 
 could go no further there, he entered Lewisburg 
 Academy, of which John Randolph was then the 
 head. His physique at the age of sixteen was 
 remarkable, and his strength equaled that of the 
 average man. As the eldest son, he was trained 
 to take a responsible part in farm work, and 
 when a young man relieved his father of much 
 care. 
 
 On September 15, 1859, he was married in 
 Buffalo township, Union county, to Miss Mary 
 C. Slear, and in the following spring they began 
 housekeeping in an old log cabin at the home- 
 stead. Eight years later they removed to the 
 main residence, which they have since occupied. 
 In 1S77 Mr. Miller bought a portion of the farm 
 at $125 per acre, and to the 112 acres then pur- 
 chased he afterward added until he now has 120 
 acres. At one time he was a member of the 
 Grange, and he has always been regarded as a 
 representative of the best element in agricultural 
 affairs. The original deeds of the farm are 
 records of interest and value. The original deed 
 of Edward Hodsoll to Abraham Betz bears the 
 date of 1 791. A later deed of Abraham Betz to 
 John Reber is dated 1807, and another deed of 
 Mary Ann and Eliza Morrison dated 1821, while 
 the deed of John Reber to Daniel Miller was 
 given in 1854. The farm is known as the 
 "Fairfield Farm." The present barn was the 
 first bank barn erected in Buffalo Valley, and 
 contains sufficient lumber to build three barns in 
 the present age. The appointments of the barn, 
 sheds and buildings are perfect, contain the 
 latest improved machinery and a large, sixteen- 
 foot wind wheel to furnish power for grinding 
 feed, sawing wood and running burr mills. The 
 water for house, barn, &c, is furnished by 
 water wheel. The beautiful spring and fish 
 
 ponds are stocked with German carp, black bass, 
 yellow perch, brook, brown, rainbow and Cali- 
 fornia trout. These fish ponds are the finest 
 private ponds in the country, and the farm the 
 best appointed and finest, not only in Union 
 county, but cannot be surpassed in Pennsyl- 
 vania. 
 
 Politically, Mr. Miller is a Republican, as he 
 is a stanch believer in the policy of protection. 
 In but one instance has he ever voted the Dem- 
 ocratic ticket in State or National elections. He 
 has served ably in the office of supervisor, his 
 progressive ideas being as valuable there as in 
 his private business. In religious faith he and 
 his wife are Lutherans, and he has been an elder 
 and deacon in the Church. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Miller have had nine children: 
 Adda E., born September 15, i860, died De- 
 cember 16, 1862; Charles S., born October 29, 
 1 86 1, lived to the age ef nine years; Augustus 
 D., born May 22, 1864, is now a well-known 
 resident of Lewisburg, Penn., and is prominent 
 among the younger workers in the local Repub- 
 lican organization, and was honored with the 
 Republican nomination for State Senator in 1896; 
 George F., born April 17, 1866, resides at Will- 
 iamsport, Penn.; William, born September 27, 
 1867, died June 17, 1869; John C, born June 
 26, 1871, and Clyde S., October 13, 1873, are at 
 home; Oliver P., June 23, 1875, is attending 
 college, and James L., born July 29, 1876, is at 
 home. Mrs. Miller was born in West Buffalo, 
 Union county, March 18, 1838, and was educated 
 in the schools of that locality. Her father, 
 George M. Slear, a prominent agriculturist, lived 
 to the age of eighty-one years, lacking sixteen 
 days. He was married three times and had thir- 
 teen children, ten of whom lived to maturity. 
 His third wife, Elizabeth Barklow, Mrs. Miller's 
 mother, had four children. She died at seventy- 
 five years of age, and was buried beside her hus- 
 band in Dreisbach cemetery. 
 
 FRANK P. CHURCH, the genial and popu- 
 lar proprietor of the hotel at Glen Iron, 
 Union county, was born in Hartley township, 
 that county, May 12, 1858, a son of John H. 
 and Susan (Knauer) Church, well-known and 
 highly respected citizens of Hartley township. 
 The father was born in Lancaster county, Penn., 
 September 15, 1 8 1 5, and was next to the oldest of 
 the six children of Thomas and Mary (Huston) 
 Church, the former of Irish, and the latter of 
 Welsh extraction. The others of the family 
 were: Adaline, Mary, Ann, Elizabeth and 
 Thomas. The grandfather served as quarter- 
 
1014 
 
 I uMMEMOUATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 master in the war of i S 1 2, and his father, who 
 also bore the name of Thomas Church, was a 
 soldier in the Continental army under General 
 Washington, faithfully aiding the Colonies in their 
 struggle for independence. 
 
 In 1851 John H. Church came to Union 
 county with his uncle, Clement Brooke, with 
 whom he had lived since the age of six years, his 
 father dying at that time. The uncle engaged 
 in the iron business, owning a forge and furnace, 
 which he operated very successfully for a num- 
 ber of years, and Mr. Church became an expert 
 workman along that line. By will he received a 
 half-interest in the property at the former's 
 death, and afterward bought the remainder, be- 
 coming sole owner. In 18S5, however, he sold 
 the furnace to the Jackson Iron Company, com- 
 posed of Messrs. Jackson and Crissman, who 
 still own the plant, but have not operated it for 
 several years. Mr. Church uses his right of 
 franchise in support of the men and measures of 
 the Republican party, anil, religiously, is a faith- 
 ful member of the Methodist Church. 
 
 In [841, John H. Church was joined in wed- 
 lock with Miss Susan Knauer, daughter of Sam- 
 uel Knauer, and they have become the parents 
 of the following children: Mary [now the wife 
 of William Showalter), Samuel, John, Maria, 
 Anna, Susan, Frank P. (of this sketch), and 
 Elizabeth (who is with her parenl 
 
 Frank P. Church received his education in 
 the public schools, and began his business train- 
 ing as a clerk in a store. Later he engaged in 
 merchandising on his own account for two years, 
 and then embarked in his present business, in 
 which he has met with a well-deserved success. 
 He has one of the best appointed hotels in his 
 section of the county, having erected the build- 
 
 bimself. It is conveniently arranged and 
 well furnished, and under his excellent manage- 
 ment is a first-class house, and is well patron- 
 ized, He is a wide-awake, progressive business 
 man, and his pleasant courteous manner has at- 
 tracted to him many warm friends. Politically, 
 he is identified with the Republican party. 
 
 On the 4th of July, 1SS5, Mr. Church was 
 married to Miss Anna Karns, a native of Swen- 
 gel, Lewis township. Union county, and they 
 now have two children: Louis, and Knaus. 
 
 JOHN HUFFERD, a retired farmer and car- 
 penter, who resides on a farm in Lewis town- 
 ship, Union county, has a history which can- 
 not fail to bring a lesson of encouragement to all 
 who must struggle against adversity, his success 
 having been won by his own energetic and well- 
 
 directed efforts. Having prospered in his under- 
 taking, he is now able to lay aside business cares 
 and enjoy a well-earned rest. 
 
 Mr. Hufferd is a native of West Buffalo town- 
 ship, Union county, and the son of John and 
 Rebecca (Ketner) Hufferd, the former of whom 
 died when our subject was only two days old. 
 The other children of the family were as follows: 
 (1) Mary is the wife of John Koser, a retired 
 farmer of Union county, and has two daughters 
 — Elizabeth, now the wife of Gideon Koch, a 
 miller by trade; and Lucinda, wife of Matthias 
 Gilbert, a farmer of Brush Valley, Centre Co., 
 Penn. , by whom she has children. (2) Susanna 
 died in childhood, and (3) David died in infancy. 
 The Hufferd family, which is of English origin, 
 was early founded in Union county, where oc- 
 curred the birth of the father of our subject. 
 
 Until fourteen years of age, John Hufferd, of 
 this review, lived with his aunt, Mrs. Reish, and 
 the following three years were spent with an- 
 other aunt, Mrs. Jay Anderson. He was pro- 
 vided with fair common-school advantages, but 
 at an early age began to make his own way in 
 the world. At seventeen he became an appren- 
 tice to the carpenter's trade with a Mr. Noll, of 
 East Buffalo township, Union county, for a 
 period of two years, receiving twenty dollars per 
 year for his services. As he had to furnish his 
 own clothes, he was allowed two weeks in harvest 
 time to earn whatever he could for himself. Un- 
 til his marriage he continued carpentering, and 
 after that event also successfully engaged in farm- 
 ing. He is a man of more than ordinary busi- 
 ness ability, and well deserves the prosperity that 
 has crowned his labors. 
 
 In 1 85 1, Mr. Hufferd was married to Miss 
 Susanna, daughter of William Noll, also a farmer 
 and carpenter by occupation. Three children 
 were born to them, namely: (1) William N., 
 July 3, 1S52, is well educated and a fine pen- 
 man, having completed his literary training in 
 the Hartleton graded schools. He resides with 
 his father. (2) Mary E., born September 24, 
 1859, became the wife of D. K. Rover, a popular 
 young farmer of Lewis township, Union county. 
 They were married twelve years before their first 
 child was born, which led to the death of the 
 mother, and the child died shortly afterward. 
 (3) Emma M., born July 21, 1865, is the wife 
 of William Troxel, a commercial traveler, by 
 whom she has four children — Franklin, Graham, 
 Merrill A., and Ralph, now one year old. Mr. 
 Hufferd has been called upon to mourn the death 
 of his estimable wife, who passed away October 
 1 1, 1SS4, and was laid to rest in the Ray's Church 
 cemetery 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1015 
 
 Since the organization of the Republican 
 party, Mr. Hufferd has been one of its stanch 
 supporters, and he has ever taken a deep and 
 commendable interest in public affairs, doing all 
 in his power to advance the welfare of his com- 
 munity. In his religious views he is a Lutheran, 
 and is a consistent member of that Church. 
 
 SAMUEL GETGEN, of Mifflinburg, Union 
 .) county, has seen twenty-six years of un- 
 broken service as justice of the peace in his 
 borough, a record which it would be difficult, 
 perhaps impossible, to equal in the State. The 
 achievement is the more notable from the fact 
 that he is a Democrat in a strongly Republican 
 neighborhood, but while he has at times met 
 stubborn opposition he has never failed at the 
 polls, and usually his majority has exceeded the 
 entire number of votes cast for his opponent. 
 He is prominent also in business life as the 
 senior member of the firm of S. Getgen & Son, 
 leading merchants of Mifflinburg, and it is due to 
 him to say that in this line of effort he has also 
 met and overcome obstacles, as his history will 
 show. 
 
 Squire Getgen was born in Mifflinburg July 3, 
 1820, the son of Ludvvig Getgen, who died nine 
 years later. The latter's wife, Maria Dietrich, 
 who was born in Berks county. Penn., of pioneer 
 stock, survived him many years, attaining the 
 advanced age of eighty-two. They had eleven 
 children: Thomas, Elizabeth, Pollie, John, Jacob, 
 Catherine, Adam, Charles, Sarah, Samuel and 
 Susannah. 
 
 The public schools of Mifflinburg afforded 
 Mr. Getgen (our subject) fair educational privi- 
 leges, but at an early age he sought and found 
 employment in a brewery, in order to enlarge 
 the family income. Later he learned the potter's 
 trade, which he followed for twenty-five years, 
 disposing of his ware in this section of the State. 
 He then ventured into horticulture, cultivating a 
 good-sized vineyard and raising various kinds of 
 small fruits, and was also interested to some ex- 
 
 tent in gardening. After a few years 
 
 this 
 
 work he sold out and engaged in his present 
 business, in which he and his son have gained an 
 extensive and profitable trade. 
 
 In religious faith Mr. Getgen is a Reformed, 
 and he has always been in sympathy with any 
 progressive movement in his locality. Socially 
 he is popular, and since 1846 has been identified 
 with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, 
 making him the oldest member in the county. 
 He is an active worker, and has passed all the 
 chairs in his local lodge. 
 
 In 1S46 Mr. Getgen was married to Miss 
 Lydia Schoch, who was born in 1812, and died 
 in 1882, leaving two children: (1) Anna M., 
 born March 10, 1847, who is living with her 
 father and brother, and is not married; (2) 
 Thomas M., born December 27, 1849, is not 
 married, and since 1870 .has been in business 
 with his father. He was educated in Mifflinburg, 
 attending the public schools and the academy, and 
 is a remarkable fine penman. On leaving school 
 he* learned the coach-maker's trade, which he 
 followed until he went into mercantile business 
 with his father. He was also interested in the 
 Live Stock Insurance Company of Union county, 
 of which he was secretary. He beiongs to a 
 number of fraternal societies, and has been secre- 
 tary of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows 
 for ten years, and of the Knights of the Golden 
 Eagle for eight years. He is a prominent mem- 
 ber of the Reformed Church, and has been secre- 
 tary of the Sunday-school for twelve years, and 
 for three years he has held the same office in the 
 Union County Sunday School Association. Polit- 
 ically he is a Democrat, and while taking an 
 interest in all local movements he is especially 
 active in educational matters, serving for fourteen 
 years past as secretary of the Mifflinburg board 
 of council, and as town clerk for said borough. 
 
 JAMES K. REISH, ex-treasurer of Union 
 county, and at this time postmaster of Vicks- 
 burg, is one of the leaders of the Republican 
 party in his section, his large acquaintance and 
 unbounded popularity giving him an influential 
 following, while his shrewd judgment of men and 
 affairs make his counsel of value in all important 
 movements. In business circles he also takes a 
 foremost rank, his success as a merchant, lumber 
 dealer and general financier being all the more 
 notable from the fact that it has been secured by 
 his own judicious management. 
 
 Mr. Reish is of Berks county stock. Daniel 
 Reish, his grandfather, who was born February 
 5, 1800, removed to near Forest Hill, Union 
 county, to engage in distilling. On April 18, 
 1820, this well-known pioneer was married to 
 Miss Catherine Ingelhart, a native of Berks 
 county, born July 22, 1801, and both died in 
 Union county, their remains being interred in 
 Mifflinburg. Ten children were born to them, as 
 follows: Mary A., in December 1824, married 
 Christian Plank; Benivel M., February 5, 1826, 
 is mentioned more fully farther on; Susanna, 
 June 5, 1S27, married Thomas Harbeson, and 
 died .near Forest Hill; Sophia, October 29, 1830, 
 died in childhood; George, July 17, 1832, died 
 

 ( OMMBMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 unmarried; Daniel, Maj i. died in West 
 
 Buffalo township, Union county; Eli, August 3, 
 56, died in childhood; Lydia, June 12, 1838, 
 married William Clapham, and now lives in In- 
 diana; Elvira, July 22. 1842, married John Bo- 
 genrief. of West Buffalo township; and Margaret. 
 July 7, 1S47, married Frederick Gast, and re- 
 sides near Mifflinburg. 
 
 Benivel M. Reish, our subject's father, ob- 
 tained a thorough knowledge of the distilling 
 trade by assisting his father in boyhood, and for 
 some years followed the business in connection 
 with other enterprises. On January 22, 1 
 he was married in Kebersburg. Perm., to 
 Lavina Kling, a native of York county, Penn., born 
 October 29, 1827. Her father, Joel Kling. a farmer 
 by occupation, removed to Union county in 1833, 
 locating in West Buffalo township, and later 
 went to Nittany Valley, and finally to Brush Valley, 
 where he died when between eighty and ninety 
 years old. His wife, Mary Meixel, lived to the 
 age of seventy-six, and both were buried in Nit- 
 tany Valley. They had four sons and six daugh- 
 ters, and Mrs. Reish, who was the fifth daugh- 
 ter, was the eighth child in order of birth. After 
 his marriage, Benivel Reish located at Reish's 
 Mill, near Forest Hill, upon property belong- 
 ing to his father, which had previously been 
 rented. He remained there until 1865, conduct- 
 ing a sawmill, gristmill and distillery, and then 
 sold out the entire business and removed to For- 
 est Hill. For a short time he dealt in live stock, 
 then forming a partnership, with Isaac Smith of 
 that village, he carried on a general mercantile 
 business. On disposing of this he purchased a 
 distillery, which he managed until his removal to 
 the "Forest House.'' a well-known hostelry at 
 the entrance to Brush Valley Narrows in West 
 alo township. Union county. In those days 
 teaming from Brush Valley was an extensive busi- 
 ness, and the house being a convenient stopping 
 place he did an immense business during his 
 fourteen years there From this place he re- 
 moved to Cowan, and lived for a short time in 
 partial retirement, but his last days were spent 
 at the old home between Forest Hill and Cowan. 
 He was a well-known citizen and a stanch Repub- 
 lican in politics, and, while taking great interest in 
 his party he was not a politician. His death occur- 
 red October 12, 1894, his funeral being held at 
 Mifflinburg. His widow now resides near Forets 
 Hill, with her son. Our subject was the eldest 
 of a large family. Mary died when six years old; 
 Catherine married William Swartslander, of 
 West Buffalo township; Agnes died at the age of 
 eight years; Joel is a distiller in West Buffalo 
 township; George resides in Hiawatha. Kins.; 
 
 Nannie (a twin of George) is the wife of Luther 
 Clingman, of Buffalo township; Benjamin resides 
 at Forest Hill; Charles is the proprietor of the 
 "Forest House" mentioned above; Emma mar- 
 ried L. Lahr, of West Buffalo township; Hattie 
 is the wife of John Clingman, of Buffalo Cross 
 Roads; and Ma'_'u'ie married Charles Wagner, of 
 Winfield, Pennsylvania. 
 
 James K. Reish was born October 30, 1850, 
 at the old home in West Buffalo township, his 
 early education being acquired in the schools of 
 Forest Hill. Conrad Sheckler was one of his 
 first teachers. In 1866 he entered Bucknell Uni- 
 versity, Lewisburg, where he spent two terms in 
 study. His business training was gained at home 
 under his father's direction, and included work 
 on the farm and in the distillery, as well as ex- 
 perience in the mercantile line. In 1870 he 
 started out to see what fortune had in store for 
 him, his first employment being as a farm hand 
 for Robert Strunk, near Jacksonville, Centre 
 county, where he remained one summer at $16 
 per month. During the following winter he 
 worked in the woods for the same employer, and. 
 in the spring of 1872, he made his first business 
 venture as a partner in a meat market with an 
 uncle, Joel Kling. In this he spent one yeai, 
 then selling his interest, he made a visit to his 
 parents, who resided at White Deer Mills. While 
 there he became interested in the live-stock busi- 
 ness, but in the fall of 1S72 he engaged 
 in distilling at Cowan, renting a plant, which he 
 bought after two years. In March, 1S91. he 
 traded his distillery and home at Cowan for a 
 general mercantile stock at Vicksburg. where he 
 has since resided. His trade is now as large as 
 can be found in any town of the size in the coun- 
 ty, but his energies are by no means limited to 
 its successful management. In June, 1892, he 
 purchased a tract of timber land in Hartley town- 
 ship, Union county, and for some years he has 
 been extensively engaged in lumbering at whole- 
 sale and retail, the business keeping two saw- 
 mills busy and requiring the employment of a 
 large force of men. He now owns over 2,000 
 acres of timber land, and other valuable prop- 
 erty including the " Forest House." He con- 
 ducts an extensive coal yard at Vicksburg, and is 
 interested in various corporate enterprises, being 
 a director in the Farmers Bank at Mifninbi 
 and a stockholder and director in the Home 
 Telephone Company, at Lewisburg. His business 
 relations being so extensive he has acquaintances 
 everywhere, and with him an acquaintance soon 
 becomes a friend. His strength among all classes 
 was shown by his election in the fall of 1891 to 
 the office of county treasurer, and during his 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1017 
 
 term of three years, which began in January, 
 1892, he established a high reputation for ability 
 and faithfulness. 
 
 On January 15, 1873, Mr. Reish was united 
 in marriage with Miss Mary E. Irvin, who was 
 born in 1852, in Walker township, Centre coun- 
 ty, the daughter of William and Elizabeth (Arm- 
 strong) Irvin, now highly respected residents of 
 Washington Furnace. Six children have blessed 
 their union: Grace L., Paul N., Bessie E., 
 Marcie B., William I. and James K., Jr., who 
 are all at home. Socially, the family is prom- 
 inent, and Mrs. Reish is one of the leading mem- 
 bers and workers in the Reformed Church at 
 Vicksburg. Mr. Reish is identified with the 
 Masonic fraternity as a member of the lodge at 
 Lewisburg. In July, 1897, he was appointed 
 postmaster at Vicksburg. 
 
 ^JfOAH RITTER, a' well-known and highly 
 
 1 esteemed citizen of Buffalo township, 
 Union county, is a native of Pennsylvania, his 
 birth having occurred in Alsace township, Berks 
 county, May 9, 1S27. 
 
 At the age of twelve years Mr. Ritter, with 
 his parents, John and Hannah (Hartman) Ritter, 
 traveling in covered wagons, drawn by four 
 horses, came to Union county. It was in the 
 spring of the year when the creeks were high, 
 and, as there were few bridges, most of the 
 streams had to be forded. In crossing one of 
 these the coupling-pin of one of the wagons 
 broke, but nothing serious happened, only in- 
 convenience. In East Buffalo township, the fa- 
 ther purchased a farm, and in connection with 
 its cultivation also engaged in blacksmithing. 
 Although a hard worker, he never accumulated 
 much property. He died at about the age of 
 seventy-five, his wife at eighty-one, and both 
 were buried in the Dreisbach cemetery. They 
 were active members of the Reformed Church, 
 in which he served as elder and deacon, and his 
 political support was given the Democratic party. 
 
 In the family of this worthy couple were the 
 following children: Simon, who died in Berks 
 county; William, who died near Lochiel, Penn. ; 
 George, who died in Limestone township, Union 
 county; Noah, of this sketch; Hannah, who mar- 
 ried John Noll, and died in East Buffalo town- 
 ship; Mary, now Mrs. John Rangier, of St. 
 Joseph county, Mich. ; Susanna, who died at the 
 age of four years; Valentine, a resident of Lewis- 
 burg, Penn.; and Leah A., who married Simp- 
 son Biddle, and died in Buffalo township, Union 
 county. 
 
 As he never attended school in Berks county, 
 
 Noah Ritter was twelve years of age before he 
 began his education, his first teacher being Aaron 
 Smith, who taught in English, a language with 
 which our subject was unfamiliar. His entire 
 school training did not cover more than one 
 year, but he is an ardent advocate of better edu- 
 cational privileges for the young. At the age of 
 twelve he was bound out by his father for six 
 years, and then began learning the blacksmith's 
 trade with his uncle, Jacob Ritter, serving a 
 three-years' apprenticeship. Until he had at- 
 tained his majority he never owned a pair of 
 boots, a fine shirt or an overcoat, and then pur- 
 chased these articles for himself. 
 
 At the age of twenty-two Mr. Ritter was united 
 in marriage with Miss Mary A. Rishel, a native 
 of Buffalo township, and a daughter of Martin 
 Rishel. They began housekeeping at Buffalo 
 Cross Roads, where he had established a small 
 blacksmith shop, which he conducted for one 
 year, and then turned his attention to farming, 
 operating the old John Rishel farm for ten years. 
 He then purchased twenty acres of land near Lo- 
 chiel, in East Buffalo township, where he lived 
 for five years, spent the following year on the 
 Daniel Rishel farm, and, subsequently, rented 
 the John Zeller farm for ten years. In 1875 ne 
 purchased his present place of four acres, on which 
 he has since resided, while during the winter sea- 
 son he follows butchering, and in the summer 
 months does all kinds of work, such as building 
 fences, etc. 
 
 Mrs. Ritter, who was a member of the Re- 
 formed Church, died May 8, 1876, and her re- 
 mains were interred in the Dreisbach cemetery. 
 By her marriage to our subject she became the 
 mother of four children: John, who died at the 
 age of seven years; Elizabeth, who married Wil- 
 son Smith, and died in Mifninburg; Daniel, night 
 messenger at the Pan Handle railroad shops in 
 Columbus, Ohio; and William, engineer of the 
 city water-works at Lincoln, Nebraska. 
 
 In February, 1881, Mr. Ritter was again 
 married, his second union being with Miss Leah 
 A. Herbst, who was born in Northumberland 
 county, Penn.. December 14, 1846. the daughter 
 of David and Saloma (Stahl) Herbst. Four chil- 
 dren were also born of this union: Frank, who 
 died in infancy; Clarence H. and Harry D., at 
 home, and George E. , who died in infancy. The 
 parents are both faithful members of the Re- 
 formed Church, in which Mr. Ritter has served 
 as elder for the long period of thirty-five years, 
 and was previously deacon. He has ever taken 
 an active and prominent part in all Church work, 
 and was superintendent of the Sunday-school for 
 many years. No more honest, upright or better 
 

 mis 
 
 ' "MMKMuliATIVE BI0G11APHK Al UKCORD. 
 
 citizen can be found in Union count}* than Mr. 
 Kitter, and he well deserves the high regard in 
 which he is universally held. Politically he is a 
 Democrat. 
 
 THOMAS WALTER, one of the most sub- 
 stantial farmers and citizens of Limestone 
 township, Union county, is descended from an- 
 cestors who have been identified with the growth 
 and development of this section of the State for 
 upwards of a century. 
 
 Henry Walter, his grandfather, was born in 
 what is now Snyder county, Penn. , and was 
 throughout his lifetime an agriculturist who 
 played well his part in the pioneer days of his 
 county. He married a Miss Mertz, and to the 
 union came the following children, all of whom 
 are now deceased: Magdalena was the wife of 
 John Bowersox; Wilhelmina married John Frey; 
 George wedded (first tts, and (second) 
 
 Miss Bosler; John married a Miss Bowersox; 
 David married a Miss Phillips; Henry; Samuel 
 wedded a Miss Eyer; Abraham became the hus- 
 band of Christina Ever; William selected a ' 
 Wolf for a life partner, and |esse married a Miss 
 Eyer. 
 
 Of these, Abraham Walter was born June 29, 
 [8l2, in that part of Union county which subse- 
 quently became Snyder county. After beginning 
 life for himself his first purchase of land was in 
 what is now Snyder county, then, in 1846, he 
 bought what is now the old Walter hoi 
 one mile south of Mifflinburg, in Limestone 
 township, and upon which Thomas Walter, a 
 son. now resides. Abraham Walter was an 
 
 iculturist throughout his lifetim<\ fie had a 
 mechanical mind, and was quite a good black- 
 smith. He was an honorable and upright man, 
 and reared his children to follow in his footsteps, 
 all of whom became good citizens and are useful 
 men and women. His death occurred at the 
 homestead on March 18, 1869. His marriage to 
 Miss Eyer took place <>n August 23, [836, and 
 was blessed with children, as follows: Mary Jane 
 is now Mrs. Abraham Mensch, of Buffalo town- 
 ship. Union county, Penn.; Sophia is Mrs. 
 Aaron Klose, of Mifflinburg. Penn. ; Thomas is 
 our subject; Jackson married Mi-- Ann Klinger- 
 man, and resides in West Buffalo township. 
 Union county; Harriet is Mrs Jonathan Sanders, 
 of Limestone township, Union county; Henry 
 married Susan Reber, and resides in Limestone 
 township, Union county, and Eyer is a physician 
 and druggist of Selins Grove, Snyder county; 
 Oliver died of typhoid fever when eight years of 
 age; John married Minerva Dundore, and resides 
 
 near Bettsville, Ohio. The mother of these 
 died October 8, 1867. She was a woman of 
 many virtues. 
 
 Thomas Walter was born September 15, 
 1 S 4 1 , in Limestone township, Union county, 
 where he received the usual common-school edu- 
 cation that was given the son of the general 
 farmer of that period. On the death of his fa- 
 ther in 1S69, he inherited the homestead upon 
 which he has continued to live. This is a most 
 excellent tract of 125 acres of land lying almost 
 adjacent to the village of Mifflinburg. The sub- 
 stantial improvements, and the neat appearance 
 in general of the buildings and things about the 
 place, give evidence of the thrifty and enterpris- 
 ing farmer who dwells there. Mr. Walter has 
 given his attention to farming, and while inter- 
 ested in politics and public affairs to the extent 
 that every citizen should be that has the welfare 
 of his country, of the State, and of his county, at 
 heart, has never been an aspirant to office — yet 
 when his fellow-townsmen sought his services he 
 did not shirk what appeared to be a duty, but ac- 
 cepted and filled to the best of his judgment and 
 ability the several town offices to which they 
 elected him. He served very acceptably as tax 
 collector, and as superintendent of the poor, 
 for several terms. He is a man of strong will 
 and determination, and generally accomplishes 
 what he sets out to do. He is ever ready to do 
 a kind act. He is a man of considerable force, 
 therefore influential. His wife, to whom he was 
 married on January 16, 1868, was Miss Diannah 
 Seebold, and there have come to gladden tin ir 
 home, children as follows: (1) Scott, a farmer 
 of Limestone township. (2) Reno received the 
 usual common-school education; he then entered 
 the Central Pennsylvania College of New Berlin, 
 Pennsylvania, where he pursued his studies a 
 few terms, completing the commercial course. 
 Shortly afterward he was married to Miss Cora 
 May Wittenmyer, a daughter of John and Cath- 
 erine Wittenmyer, of Mifflinburg, and they have a 
 daughter, Florence, who is the idol of the father 
 and grandfather. Reno and his devoted wife are 
 religious people, devout members of the Evan- 
 gelical Lutheran Church, of Mifflinburg. Reno 
 has rented and is now a resident of the old home- 
 stead 
 
 Mrs. Thomas Walter is a woman of rare 
 worth, and presides over the pleasant home with 
 dignity and i^race. She is a native of Union 
 county, being one of three children born to Jo- 
 seph and Nancy (Spangler) Seebold. Joseph 
 
 bold is a resident I the homestead in Lime- 
 stone township — on the farm where he first 
 faced the battle of life. His good wife died in 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1019 
 
 1 88 1. The other two of their three children, 
 were: Frank, who died when five years of age; 
 and Scott, who wedded Maize Heimbach, and 
 lives at the old Seebold homestead, where him- 
 self and wife are caring for the aged father. Mrs. 
 Walter is a religious woman, a devout member of 
 the Lutheran Church, as are her two sons. 
 
 JOHN LINCOLN HALFPENNY. Among 
 the enterprising and successful agricultur- 
 ists and business men of Lewis township, 
 Union county, this gentleman takes front rank. 
 His entire life has been passed here, his birth 
 occurring in Buffalo township, May 3, 1850, and 
 he comes of a distinguished family that has 
 borne an important part in the advancement of 
 Central Pennsylvania. 
 
 His paternal grandfather, Mark Halfpenny, 
 removed from Montgomery county, Penn., to the 
 vicinity of Northumberland, Penn., about the 
 year 1806, where he resided for a number of 
 years, then removed to Columbia county, near 
 Washingtonville, and finally located in Lycom- 
 ing county, Penn., near Muncy, in 1823. Here 
 his sons, James, H. S., John, Mark and William 
 R. were employed in the woolen factory owned 
 and operated by Samuel Rogers. In 1837 they 
 located in Millheim, Centre county, where they 
 engaged in the manufacture of woolen goods un- 
 til the spring of 1841, when they came to Laur- 
 elton, Union county, Penn., where James and 
 Mark established a woolen factory, and William 
 R., the father of our subject, turned his atten- 
 tion to agriculture. William R. married Miss 
 Catharine E. Lincoln, and they became the par- 
 ents of three children — Hannah, wife of Wm. 
 E. Smith; James M., a prominent mechanic of 
 Lewis township, Union county, who married 
 Miss Sarah J. Knauss, daughter of Daniel 
 Knauss; and John L. , of this review. He was 
 named after his maternal grandfather, John 
 Lincoln, of Union county, Penn. The family is 
 one of prominence, having the respect and es- 
 teem of all who know them. 
 
 During his youth, John L. Halfpenny was 
 provided with excellent educational privileges, 
 being a student for some time in the Lewisburg 
 Academy (now Bucknell College), and complet- 
 ing his literary course in the Dickinson Semi- 
 nary at Williamsport, Penn. For ten years there- 
 after he successfully engaged in teaching school 
 through the winter months, while the summer 
 seasons were spent in farming. In the spring of 
 1884 he purchased the homestead in Lewis 
 township, on which he is now residing, and be- 
 sides its cultivation he is also .interested in the 
 
 milling business, in partnership with A. E. Grove, 
 owning and operating a grist and saw mill on 
 Penn creek in Lewis township. A wide- 
 awake, progressive business man, he has met 
 with success in his undertakings, and is now 
 numbered among the substantial and reliable citi- 
 zens of his community. Possessing a liberal edu- 
 cation, and of pleasing address, he makes friends 
 readily, and has the happy faculty of being able 
 to retain them. His political support is given 
 the men and measures of the Republican party, 
 and although not a member of any Church, he is 
 a believer in the Christian religion. 
 
 Mr. Halfpenny was married to Miss Asenath 
 Knauer, a daughter of Samuel Knauer, a miller 
 by trade, who at one time owned and operated 
 the Berlin Iron Works (furnace and forge) in 
 partnership with John H. Church, on Penn 
 creek, in Hartley township, Union county. 
 Three children bless this union, whose names 
 and dates of birth are as follows: Paul E., Oc- 
 tober 1, 1882; Grace E., February 13, 1884; and 
 Samuel Lincoln, July 6, 1889. 
 
 /I\ UGUSTUS A. GEMBERLING, who is now 
 ^^ serving his third consecutive term as com- 
 missioner of Union county, resides near New Co- 
 lumbia upon a farm which was purchased by his 
 parents in 1832, and where he himself was born 
 May 23, 1849. The Gemberling family has been 
 well known since pioneer times in the vicinity of 
 Selins Grove, Penn., where Jacob and Cath- 
 arine (Wolfensberger) Gemberling, the great- 
 grandfather of our subject, purchased, about 1782, 
 a tract of 300 acres of land at six shillings per 
 acre. They made the journey from their old 
 home in the Tulpehocken region by wagon, and 
 followed the river route, their furniture being 
 conveyed in keel boats. At that time there was 
 but one house at what is now the city of Harris- 
 burg. 
 
 Their son Philip, the grandfather of our sub- 
 ject, was born July 27, 1773, and the greater 
 part of his life was spent in Selins Grove. He 
 was one of the leading citizens of that locality, 
 an extensive land owner, and his influence did 
 much to shape the future of the community. He 
 was twice married, and his second wife, Eve 
 Goss, bore him five sons and four daughters. 
 His death occurred from apoplexy, at the age of 
 eighty-six years, two months and twenty-six days. 
 
 The late Samuel Gemberling, our subject's 
 father, was born in Selins Grove, and was reared 
 upon a farm, learning also the tanner's trade, 
 which he continued until his retirement from 
 business in 1872. After taking possession of the 
 
1020 
 
 COMMEMHUATI VE BWGllAI'UICAL RECORD. 
 
 present homestead, he also conducted a sawmill. 
 He was a Republican in politics, although not 
 active in party work, and he and his estimable 
 wife, Matilda Kline, were both members of the 
 Reformed Church. She passed to the unseen 
 world May 26, 18S8, in her seventy-second year, 
 and he followed her May 30, 1 890, at the age of 
 eighty-three years, nine months, and twenty-four 
 days. She was a native of White Deer town- 
 ship, Union county, and was of old Berks coun- 
 ty stock, her grandparents having removed from 
 that locality to Union county. Her parents, 
 Charles and Sarah (Lutz) Kline, resided in White 
 Deer township, and died at New Columbia, the 
 father passing away in 1858 at the age of eighty- 
 six. Five children were born to Samuel and Ma- 
 tilda Gemberling, namely: Anna E., who died 
 in 1SG4; Charles K., who is engaged in the milling 
 business in southwestern Missouri; Augustus A., 
 our subject; Sarah I., widow of J. B. Met/ 
 formerly a druggist of Williamsport; and Eliza- 
 beth A., wife of O. W. Meek, a merchant of 
 Selins Grove. 
 
 A. A. Gemberling has always resided at the 
 old homestead, and his education was begun in 
 the public schools of the neighborhood. He 
 studied one year in the academy at Milton, and 
 later attended the Lewisburg Academy. As his 
 father's health declined, he took charge of the 
 farm, and the other business interests connected 
 with it, but in 1889 the sawmill was destroyed 
 by a flood, and it has never been rebuilt. 
 
 Mr. Gemberling is a leading Republican, and 
 his sound judgment and public spirit have been well 
 proved in various ways, notably in the discharge 
 of the duties of the office of county commission- 
 er, to which he was first elected in 1889. He is 
 a member of the Masonic order, of the Four- 
 teenth degree, belonging to Milton Lod^e. No. 
 256. at Milton. In religious faith, he is a Pres- 
 byterian, and in Church work, as in other local 
 movements, he is a generous helper as the occa- 
 sion may demand. He was married, in April, 
 1880, to Miss Fannie Patterson, and the union 
 has been blessed by two sons: Samuel and Rob- 
 ert P., who are both at home. 
 
 OHN PAWLING, a prominent retired agri- 
 culturist of Kelly township, Union county, 
 and one of its most highly esteemed citizens, 
 is a representative of a family which has been 
 identified with Pennsylvania from pre- Revolu- 
 tionary times, his great-grandfather Pawling, 
 having come from England about 1700, settling 
 in Philadelphia county, then a frontier point. 
 His son Joseph sought a new and undeveloped 
 
 country, settlint: in 1794 in what is now Snyder 
 county, and there purchased 400 acres of land 
 near Selins Grove, where he engaged in business 
 as a farmer and hotel keeper. By his first wife 
 he had one son, John, who moved to the West, 
 his descendants being found chiefly in Kentucky. 
 
 Joseph Pawlin^'s second wife, Mary Shannon, 
 bore him seven children, four daughters and 
 three sons, Samuel, Joseph, and Nathan. Of 
 these children, Samuel was the eldest. He was 
 born February 9. 1794. and became an extensive 
 farmer and leading citizen, being especially active 
 in local politics and holding various township of- 
 fices. On January 24, 1S15, he was married to 
 Miss Elizabeth Woodling, a native of Snyder 
 connty, Penn., and a daughter of John Wood- 
 ling, who died at the age of eighty-three years, 
 eight months and four days, and his wife, Su- 
 sannah Hendricks, passed away at the age of 
 eighty-four years, seven months and eighteen days. 
 Samuel and Elizabeth Pawling spent sixty years 
 of wedded life before their union was broken by 
 his death, November 23, 1874. She followed 
 him October 9, 1883, and at that time there 
 were living of their direct descendants nine chil- 
 dren, fifty-five grandchildren, forty great-grand- 
 children, and one great-great-grandchili 
 
 Of their children the following record is 
 given: (1) Harriet, born December 31. 18 15. 
 married David Schoch, and both are now de- 
 ceased, leaving one son, Allen Schoch. 
 Maria, deceased, born December 4, 1S17, was 
 also the wife of David Schoch, and left 
 son, Sofares Schoch. (3) Susannah, born Feb- 
 ruary 25, 1 S 19, now the widow of Jacob Hilbish, 
 resides at Swengel. Penn. She had six sons and 
 two daughters — Aaron, Charles, Wilson, James, 
 David, Amnion, Harriet, Agnes. (4) Levi, born 
 July 27, 1820, is deceased. (5) John, our sub- 
 ject, is mentioned more fully farther on. 
 Jane E., born June 15, 1825, married Frederich 
 Schoch, who died leaving no issue; she then be- 
 came the wife of Louis Gemberling, and they had 
 one daughter, who is married to Rev. W. W 
 Clowser. (7) Samuel B., deceased, born Sep- 
 tember 14, 1828, settled in Union county in 18; 
 and on dying left one son, James M. Pawling, 
 born to his first marriage; by a second marriage 
 he also had one son, and by a third wife he left 
 surviving him a son, Harry. (8) Rebecca, born 
 December 25, 1830, married James Biehl, of 
 East Buffalo township, Union county, anil they 
 had two sons and one daughter — Jefferson, Ged- 
 eion and Sady Rule. (9; Angeline, born Sep- 
 tember 22, 1834, now deceased, married Benja- 
 min Ulrich, a farmer near Selins Grove, had 
 three sons — Jerome, Benjamin, and Samuel 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1021 
 
 Ulrich. (10) Charles W., born May 21, 1837, 
 now deceased, married Miss Lida Long, who 
 survives him and resides in Gregg township, 
 Union county. (11) Louis E., born December 
 10, 1839, is a retired farmer residing at Selins 
 Grove. He has three sons and two daughters — 
 Allen, Samuel, Emanuel, Alice and Delia. 
 
 John Pawling was born August 21, 1822, in 
 Penn township, Snyder county, and his early 
 recollections picture a very different state of civ- 
 ilization from that which now prevails in that 
 locality. Passing his youth on the old home- 
 stead, he assisted his father with the farm work, 
 while attending the local schools, and at twenty- 
 two he engaged in agriculture at his present 
 farm near Lewisburg. For three years he man- 
 aged the place for his father, to whom it be- 
 longed, and for two years he conducted it on 
 shares, but he then purchased it and continued 
 to cultivate until his retirement from active busi- 
 ness. His son-in-law, H. A. Danowsky, now 
 rents the estate and resides there with his fam- 
 ily. In politics Mr. Pawling is a Republican, 
 and for many years he has been a leading mem- 
 ber of the Lutheran Church, in which he was 
 confirmed by Rev. J. P. Shindle, of Sunbury. 
 He has held the office of trustee in the Church 
 at White Deer Church for seven vears, and 
 served as deacon in 1867, '68, '69 and '70. 
 
 On March 19, 1850, Mr. Pawling was married 
 to Miss Barbara A. Gemberling, now deceased, 
 by whom he had the following children: Will- 
 iam, born March 6, 1S51, died at the age of four 
 years and six months; Sarah E., born Septem- 
 ber 22, 1852, is the wife of Jerry M. Aurand, a 
 farmer in Snyder county, and has one son, Harry 
 P. Aurand; Christopher G., born August 26, 
 1854, resides in Portland, Ore.; Mary L. , born 
 September 19, 1856, married Frank Keizer, a 
 coal and feed merchant, of West Milton, and 
 has three boys and one girl — James, George, 
 Ray, and Bertha; Emma F., born March 24, 
 1859, is the wife of Allen S. Snyder, a fruit 
 gatherer at Orange, Cal., and has two boys 
 — John and William; Catherine J., born May 9, 
 1861. married F. L. Smith, agent at Los An- 
 geles, Cal., of a mineral water company; Bertha 
 A., born August 22, 1863, married Reuben F. 
 Moyer, a farmer at Buffalo Cross Roads, Union 
 county; Alice R., born September 14, 1867, is 
 the wife of Henry A. Danowsky, who conducts 
 the homestead, and also has a sawmill on Beach 
 creek, and has three boys — William F. , Lloyd 
 L. , and John P.; Melinda R. , born December 
 22, 1869, is the wife of Chester Reedy, a farmer 
 in the same township, and has one daughter, 
 Detha Reedy. 
 
 Mrs. Barbara A. Pawling, who passed to the 
 unseen life March 5, 1875, was a native of Kelly 
 township, born March 31, 1831. Her father, 
 the late Philip Gemberling, Jr., was born in Sny- 
 der county, but, after passing many years in 
 agricultural pursuits in Union county, he re- 
 tired to Lewisburg to spend his last days. 
 His wife, Elizabeth, was a native of Un- 
 ion county, and her death occurred there. 
 Philip Gemberling, Sr., grandfather of Mrs. 
 Barbara Pawling, had twenty-one children, 
 three of whom are now living, namely: Lida, 
 widow of John Parks, resides at Selins Grove; 
 Reuben is a farmer near Elkhart, Ind.; and Will- 
 iam, a bridge builder, resides at Selins Grove. 
 
 Jefferson S. Pawling, a nephew of our sub- 
 ject, is a prosperous agriculturist of Kelly town- 
 ship, Union county, born December 13, 1854, 
 in the house where he now resides. He is a son 
 of Levi Pawling, and a grandson of Samuel and 
 Elizabeth (Woodling) Pawling, mentioned above. 
 Levi Pawling was married, May 25, 1847, 
 in Snyder county, to Miss Margaret Weaver, a 
 lady of German descent, whose ancestors had 
 settled in this State before the Revolution. 
 Her grandfather, Jacob Weaver, and his wife, 
 Catherine Hoffer, were both natives of York, 
 Adams Co., Penn. He enlisted in the Colonial 
 army during the struggle for independence, and 
 made an excellent record for courage and discre- 
 tion. On one occasion he was appointed to 
 carry some important dispatches to General 
 Washington, to whom he gave them personally, 
 and he narrowly escaped capture by the British 
 while on this difficult mission. He died in 1836, 
 at the age of eighty-four, in Shippensburg, Penn. 
 His son, Michael Weaver, the father of Mrs. 
 Pawling, was a prominent resident of New Ber- 
 lin, Snyder county, and held an influential place 
 in political circles, serving at different times as 
 register, recorder and surveyor of his county. 
 He married Miss Phcebe Townsend. The 
 Weaver family was never identified with agricult- 
 ural pursuits, its members choosing mercantile 
 business and similar occupations. 
 
 In the spring of 1848 Levi Pawling removed 
 with his wife from Snyder county to Juniata coun- 
 ty, and in 1852 to the present homestead, where 
 they spent the remainder of their lives. He was 
 active and influential in local affairs, and in the 
 Republican party, holding office at times, and 
 was noted for his sound judgment. When a boy 
 at play with his brother, from whom he was run- 
 ning, his right eye was destroyed through an ac- 
 cidental fall against a stove, a corner of the door 
 striking his eye. His wife was a woman of more 
 than ordinary mental ability and literary inclina- 
 
L022 
 
 COilMEMnRATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 tion. and his life was characterized by a beautiful 
 Christian spirit. Although she was for some time 
 a member of the Presbyterian Church, she after- 
 ward became a Lutheran, her husband being a 
 member of that Church. She died January 16, 
 1880, aged forty-eight years, nine months, and 
 twenty-nine days, and her husband survived her 
 thirteen years, his death occurring January 15, 
 1893, at the age of seventy-two years, five 
 months, and eighteen days, the remains of both 
 being interred in the Lutheran churchyard at 
 White Deer. 
 
 Their children were: Margaret S., born 
 March 6, 1840, who died in infancy: Allen 1". 
 born May I, 1S50, in Juniata county, now a dealer 
 in implements at Lewisburg, Penn. ; Jefferson S. . 
 born December 13, 1854; Malinda J., born N - 
 
 ber 14, 1859, who married M. R. Brown, a 
 farmer of Kelly township. Union county; N 
 1. . born October 2, 1861, who died at the age 
 of one year, live months and sixteen days; Ida 
 C born February 13, 1864, who died at twenty; 
 and Anna S., born August 15, 1867, who died 
 July 20, 1887. 
 
 Jefferson S. Pawling was reared at the old 
 homestead, where he assisted in the "choi 
 from boyhood. Until the age of fourteen he at- 
 tended the neighboring school in winter but, 
 having completed the course of study offered, he 
 entered Central Pennsylvania College at New 
 Berlin, and spent one year. At seventeen he 
 
 in teaching school, and after one term in 
 Wi ite Deer township, he taught eight years in 
 Kelly township. During this time he gave much 
 attention to the work at the farm, and owing to 
 his father's enfeebled health, he finally gave up 
 teaching in order to care for his home interests 
 more thoroughly. On March 7, 1895, he was 
 married at Freeburg, Snyder county, to Miss 
 Mary Moyer, a native of that town, and a daugh- 
 ter of Prof. William Mover, a well-known resi- 
 dent. They have no children. 
 
 Mr. Pawling's political sympathies are with 
 the Republican party, and he has been active in 
 local affairs, holding the office of assessor for 
 three years. He takes keen interest in educa- 
 
 d matters, and is now serving a two-years' 
 term as school director. His own early training 
 has been supplemented by a wide course of read- 
 in-, and in 1890 he graduated from the Chautau- 
 qua Literary and Scientific Circle. In religious 
 faith he is a Lutheran. 
 
 DAVID LEIBY. Among the honored repre- 
 _■ sentatives of pioneer times who are still 
 spared to us, this venerable gentleman, now re- 
 
 siding upon his farm near Lewisburg, holds a 
 leading place. Born in Union county, January 
 14. 1 S 1 9, his entire life has been spent there, and 
 the marvelous development of that locality may 
 be said to have taken place within his observa- 
 tion. He is of good old Berks county stock, and 
 both his grandfathers served as soldiers in the 
 Revolutionary war. His grandparents, on the 
 paternal side, had their home in Aulbury town- 
 ship. Berks county, where John J. Leiby, the 
 father of our subject, was born and reared. He 
 was married there, April 1. 1800, to Christiana 
 Neifert, a native of the same township, and a 
 daughter of Jacob and Eliza (Stumbin) Neifert. 
 In 1 8 1 1 |ohn J. Leiby and his wife came to Union 
 county, and settled in Union (now Limest 
 township. He was drafted during the war of 
 1 Si 2, but furnished a substitute. By occupation 
 he was a dyer, and by. reason of his strong and 
 decided character he acquired great influence in 
 the community, being chosen to various local 
 offices, and holding for twenty-five years the posi- 
 tion of elder in the Reformed Church. In early 
 life he was a Democrat, but later he joined the 
 anti-Mason faction, and finally became a Whig. 
 His death occurred March 22. 1856, at the age 
 of eight) -urie years and nine months, and his 
 wife passed from earth July S. [852, in her 
 seventy-eighth year. 
 
 They had six children, of whom the subject 
 of this sketch was the youngest, and is now the 
 only survivor: (1) George, born November 11, 
 1802, died in Union county in 1872; John, born 
 January 4, 1S05, died in Mifrlinburg in 1S72, 
 eleven weeks from the time of his brotl 
 death; Mary, born January 12, 1809, mar: 
 John Benner (now deceased), and her death oc- 
 curred in Buffalo township, Union county, in 
 
 5; Jacob, born May 16, 1S12, died in Lime- 
 stone township. Union county, at the age of 
 seventy-one; Catherine, born December 5. 1S14, 
 married the late John Norman, and died in 
 Snyder county, Penn., at the age of seventy- 
 three. 
 
 At the time of Mr. Leiby's birth his parents 
 were residing in Union (now Limestone 1 town- 
 ship. Union county, and he remained there until 
 . when he located at his present home in 
 Kelly township, purchasing the place from Thomas 
 Comley. It is a fine farm, and was first settled 
 in 1769, by William Patterson. Mr. Leiby is a 
 careful manager, and has always been considered 
 one of the best agriculturists in his vicinity, while 
 he has also taken a prominent part in local pol- 
 itics as a member of the Democratic party, and 
 has served as supervisor and overseer of the poor. 
 In religious faith he is a Lutheran, and for manv 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1023 
 
 years of his active life he held office as deacon 
 and elder in the Church. 
 
 On February 15, 1844, Mr. Leiby was united 
 in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Moyer, who was 
 born in East Buffalo township, Union count}', in 
 1820. Her father, Jacob Moyer, who was also a 
 native of Union county, was a man of prom- 
 inence and an extensive farmer and land owner. 
 He and his wife, Sarah Gemberling, who was 
 born in Snyder county, both died in Union coun- 
 ty. Mrs. Leiby passed to her eternal rest 
 August 29, 1892, sincerely mourned by a large 
 circle of friends, to whom her rare qualities of 
 mind and heart had endeared her. Of a family 
 of six children all but two are living. William 
 A., born January 5, 1845, conducts a grocery 
 and meat market at Lewisburg; Sarah J., March 
 30, 1846, married George Noll, a farmer in Kelly 
 township; Margaret Matilda, December 29, 1850, 
 resides with her father, to whose needs she min- 
 isters with rare filial devotion and womanly 
 skill; Harriet C. , July 4, 1853, married Charles 
 A. Moll, who is mentioned more full}- below; 
 John F., born September 14, 1S57, died March 
 21, 1858; and Mary C, born March 15, 1S60, 
 died March 16, 1861. 
 
 Charles A. Moll, Mr. Leiby's son-in-law, is 
 now in charge of the homestead, which he rents, 
 and his able management has earned for him a 
 reputation as a successful farmer. He was born 
 in 1848, in Gregg township, Union county, then 
 Lycoming county, and was married October 3, 
 1872, to Miss Harriet Leiby. Four children 
 were born of this union — Anna E., February 5, 
 1876; Jennie M., April 24, 1880; Regina, Octo- 
 ber 19, 1884; and George L., May 17, 1890, 
 making a family of whom any parent might feel 
 proud. Mr. Moll's paternal ancestors were early 
 settlers in the Keystone State, his great-grand- 
 parents, Martin and Catherine (Cashiner) Moll, 
 being residents of Berks county. His grandpar- 
 ents, Henry and Christiana (Cashiner) Moll, 
 moved from that county to Northumberland 
 county, where they located permanently. His 
 father, the late Henry Moll, was born and reared 
 there, and married a native of the same locality, 
 Miss Anna Ritter, who was also of an old Berks 
 county family. Her grandparents, John and 
 Elizabeth Ritter, lived and died there, and her 
 parents, George A. and Sophia (Crist) Ritter, 
 were both born there, but settled after their mar- 
 riage in Northumberland county. 
 
 Henry Moll died August 14, 188S, at the age 
 of seventy-four years, five months and twenty- 
 six days, and his devoted wife, who was born 
 June 9, 1 8 16, survived until November 12, 1897, 
 when, at the age of eighty-one years, five 
 
 months and three days, she too, passed away. 
 They had nine children, whose names with dates 
 of birth are as follows: Levi, February 9, 1840, 
 died November 17, 1869; Elias, September 14, 
 1841, died October 14, 1896; Henry A., Octo- 
 ber 10, 1844, is a carpenter at Milton, Penn. ; 
 Mary E., September 14, 1846. is the wife of 
 William Ringler, a painter, residing in Philadel- 
 phia; Charles A., July 19, 184S; Anna E., Octo- 
 ber 23, 1850, is the wife of Jonathan Snyder, a 
 sawyer at Lewisburg, Penn. ; Daniel, January 
 29, 1853, is a teller of the First National Bank 
 at Mahanoy City, Penn.; Sarah A., March 10, 
 1856, formerly the wife of Cyrus Dieffenderfer, 
 a farmer in Buffalo township, Union county, 
 died March 3, 1893; and Amanda E. , March 12, 
 1 861, married Cyrus Yost, a farmer of White 
 Deer township, Union county. 
 
 OEL REISH, a leading citizen of West Buf- 
 i falo township, Union county, is now the 
 proprietor of a distillery, which has been 
 successfully operated by some member of the 
 family for over three-quarters of a century, it 
 being established by his grandfather, Daniel 
 Reish, and later was conducted by his father, 
 Benivel M., who was succeeded by his son, 
 James K. Leasing the plant, our subject pur- 
 chased the stock and apparatus of his brother in 
 1893, and has since done a large and flourishing 
 business, the manufactured product, which is 
 noted for its purity, finding a ready sale in the 
 market. 
 
 At Forest Hill, West Buffalo township, Mr. 
 Reish was born March 19, 1859, a son of Benivel 
 M. and Lavina (Kling) Reish. As a pupil of 
 Miss Nancy Gibbony, he began his education in 
 the district school near his boyhood home, but 
 his educational advantages were much inferior to 
 those afforded the youth of the present day, and 
 he heartily endorses better schools. During his 
 boyhood he early became familiar with his pres- 
 ent business, under the able direction of his fa- 
 ther, and remained at home until the spring of 
 1880, when he went to Illinois, working as a farm 
 hand in both Fulton and McDonough counties 
 until the following December, and receiving from 
 $15 per month to $1 per day. 
 
 Returning to his native county, Mr. Reish 
 was for the four following years in the employ 
 of his brother, James K. , working in the distil- 
 lery and at other labor. In the spring of 1885, 
 however, with his wife and family, he removed 
 to Brown county, Kans. , where for eight years 
 he operated rented land, and at the end of that 
 time returned to Pennsylvania, where he has 
 

 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 since carried on his present business with excel- 
 lent results. 
 
 On March 14, 1881, in Mifflinburg, Union 
 county. Mr. Reish was married to Miss Sadie 
 Kersteter, a daughter of Reuben Kersteter, and a 
 native of Sugar Valley, Clinton Co., Penn., 
 where she was reared until eighteen years of age. 
 Three children blessed this union, namely: Pearl 
 E.,Carl B. and Hattie C. The wife and mother 
 was called to her final rest March 30, 1894, and 
 her remains were interred in the Mifflinburg 
 cemetery. 
 
 In politics, Mr. Reish is a stanch Republican, 
 but at times supports the men of other part 
 especially at township and county elections when 
 no issue is involved. He is progressive and pub- 
 lic-spirited, and has many warm friends in the 
 community, where almost his entire life has been 
 passed. 
 
 GEORGE E. SEEBOLD, one of the active 
 and energetic agriculturists of Limestone 
 township, is a worthy representative of a promi- 
 nent pioneer family of Union county. 
 
 His great-grandfather, Christopher Seebold, 
 was a native of Wurtemberg. Germany, but 
 when only seven years old came to the United 
 States with his father, Lenhart Seebold, and 
 family, landing at Philadelphia in 1750. Len- 
 hart Seebold settled in Lebanon county. Christo- 
 pher Seebold, the founder of the branch of the 
 Union county, Penn., family of Seebolds, and 
 wife, Barbara, had eight children, namely: ( 1 ) 
 Barbara, born in 1761, died in 1843. (2) Christo- 
 pher, Jr., born September 3, 1763, died May 6, 
 
 [9. (3) Michael, died (unmarried) in Leba- 
 non county. (4) Catharine (twin), born July 
 1769, and (5) Anna Maria (twin), born July 
 19, 1769, married Henry Hassenplug, and they 
 lived in Mifflinburg. (6) Otilia, born in 1774. 
 died in 1858, married Michael Greens. (Most 
 - of the family went to the West). (7) Grace died 
 in 1863, the wife of Andrew Wagner. (8) John, 
 born April 24, 1781. (All were born in Lebanon 
 county). About 1789-90, Christopher Seebold, 
 Sr. , and family, most of whom were married, re- 
 moved from Lebanon county to what is now 
 Union county. On April 25, 1792, he purchased 
 of James Watson one hundred and seventy acres 
 of land whereon was a gristmill, two miles west 
 of New Berlin, on the road going to Mifflin! > 
 This property has ever since been in the Seebold 
 name. He died on his place in 1S13, his widow 
 surviving him some years. He bore a promi- 
 nent part in the early development of this region, 
 
 1 here reared his familj 
 
 Our subject is descended from John Seebold, 
 who was born April 24. 1781, and was but a boy 
 when brought by his parents to Union county. 
 His father being a mill owner, he learned the 
 trade of a miller, and succeeded to the owner- 
 ship of the old Seebold mill, which stood the 
 ravages of time until recent years, when it was 
 torn down, but never passed out of the hands of 
 the family. In 1819, however, John Seebold 
 erected a new mill, which he operated quite suc- 
 cessfully for many years, doing an extensive busi- 
 ness for those early days, and shipping thousands 
 of barrels of flour to Baltimore. The principal 
 means of transportation from New Berlin was by 
 "arks" that floated down Penn's creek, and 
 often contained as many as 300 barrels of flour. 
 
 John Seebold, the grandfather, wedded Ma- 
 ria Auble, who was born April 24, 17S4, and 
 was a daughter of Conrad Auble, a Hessian 
 soldier, who was hired by the British in the Rev- 
 olutionary war, in which struggle he was wounded. 
 With his family he located in Buffalo Valley at 
 an early day. To Mr. and Mrs. Seebold were 
 born six children, namely: Rebecca, who became 
 the wife of George Leitner, and died in Lime- 
 stone township, Union county; Barbara, who 
 married John Rinkert, and died in the same town- 
 ship; John, the father of our subject; Jacob, who 
 died in Limestone township; Daniel, who still 
 lives in that township, and Mary, who died un- 
 married. The father of these children died Oc- 
 tober 26, 1S57, the mother April 19, 1866, and 
 both were buried at New Berlin. 
 
 John Seebold, Jr., was born two miles west of 
 New Berlin, March 1, 1S18, and with his father 
 learned the milling business, which he followed 
 for a number of years, but later turned his atten- 
 tion to farming, owning and operating the place 
 on which our subject now resides. During boy- 
 hood he was able to attend school for only a few 
 weeks each year as his services were needed in 
 the mill. In early manhood he married Miss 
 Elizabeth Spangler, who was born in Union, now 
 Snyder, county, Penn., March 13, 1820, a daugh- 
 ter of Jacob and Maria (Shroyer) Spangler. Two 
 children blessed their union: George E., of this 
 review; and Sevilla, wife of Samuel Crossgrove, 
 of Limestone township, Union county. The 
 mother was called to her final rest in i860, but 
 the father survived her many years, dying Feb- 
 ruary 20, 1 - : 12, ind both were buried in the New 
 Berlin cemetery. Originally, he was a Whig in 
 politics, later a Republican, and by his fellow 
 citizens he was called upon to serve as super- 
 visor, school director, and overseer of the poor 
 in his township. Industrious and enterprising, he 
 secured a comfortable competence, and his up- 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD, 
 
 1025 
 
 right, honorable career gained him the confi- 
 dence and respect of all who knew him. In re- 
 ligious belief he was a Lutheran. 
 
 In Limestone township, George E. Seebold 
 was born March 13, 1842, and since the age of 
 ten years he has resided at his present home, 
 now owning 100 acres of valuable land, which he 
 successfully cultivates. He also owns and oper- 
 ates a chopping-mill for his own use. Under the 
 instruction of Daniel Seebold he began his edu- 
 cation at Penn's Creek school, on the Sanders 
 farm, but the school house has since been torn 
 down. Later he attended the Union Seminary 
 at New Berlin, and was the first teacher to have 
 charge of the new school at Wehr's Hotel, where 
 he successfully taught for two terms. 
 
 On the outbreak of the Civil war it was Mr. 
 Seebold's desire to enlist, but his father opposed. 
 Finally, on February 28, 1865, at Harrisburg, 
 Penn., he enlisted in Company D, 74th P. V. I., 
 and joined the regiment near Cumberland, Md. 
 He was mostly engaged in guard duty in West 
 Virginia, protecting the property of the Baltimore 
 & Ohio railroad, and at the time of Lee's sur- 
 render he was stationed at Clarksburg, that State, 
 where he was honorably discharged August 27, 
 1865. He was never wounded or off duty on 
 account of illness. 
 
 On February 22, 1866, Mr. Seebold was mar- 
 ried to Miss Catharine Crossgrove, who was born 
 in Limestone township, Union county, February 
 27, 1843, a daughter of James and Polly (Ulsh) 
 Crossgrove, being one of the two children born 
 of her father's first marriage. He was a car- 
 penter by trade, but his later years were spent in 
 farming. Nine children were born to Mr. and 
 Mrs. Seebold, namely: Clara, born November 
 22, 1866, died August 14, 1873; Ella, born July 
 6, 1868, died March 10, 1870; Flora, born 
 March 19, 1870, married to W. E. Reed, of 
 Linntown, Penn., September 10, 1893; Mary- 
 Alice, born October 20, 1871, died February 
 5, 1891; Sadie Verdilla, born February 23, 
 1876; John, born July 16, 1877; George, born 
 January 12, 1881; James, born June 6, 1883; 
 Charles, born September 9, 1884, died February 
 13, 1885; and Adda Mae, born July 22, 1886. 
 
 Mr. Seebold is well informed on the leading 
 questions and issues of the day, is a stanch Re- 
 publican in politics, and has acceptably served 
 as school director, but cares nothing for official 
 honors. Always good natured and jovial and 
 pleasant in disposition, he makes hosts of friends 
 and is widely recognized as one of the thoroughly 
 reliable and highly respected citizens of Lime- 
 stone township. He and his estimable wife are 
 both worthy members of the Lutheran Church. 
 
 6 r 5* 
 
 SAMUEL BURNS, a prominent lumber mer- 
 _) chant residing at Winfield, Union county, is 
 a man whose life history presents an eloquent 
 lesson in the value of self-help. Beginning busi- 
 ness life as a boy of fourteen, with no capital and 
 but little education, he has steadily made his way, 
 and with such clear and steadfast aim that from 
 the first he has occupied positions which would 
 reflect credit upon any man. Mr. Burns was 
 born July 3, 1849, in Northumberland county, 
 Penn., on an island in the Susquehanna river, 
 and his ancestry on both sides had been identified 
 with the State from pioneer days. His father, 
 the late Christian Burns, was a native of Nor- 
 thumberland county, born February 14, 18 19, 
 a son of Peter and Elizabeth (Speece) Burns, 
 and was reared in Snyder county, returning 
 afterward to his earlier home to engage in farm- 
 ing. On October 18, 1849, he settled at Win- 
 field, but his last days were spent in Union 
 county, where he followed farming, and was also 
 employed ^ foreman in a stone quarry at his 
 death which occurred July 19, 1894. He mar- 
 ried Miss Mary Bettilyon, who was born Febru- 
 ary 12, 1825, in Perry county, Penn., and is yet 
 living. Her grandfather, Isaac Bettilyon, was a 
 native of Perry county, and her father, David 
 Bettilyon, was born in Hanover, Penn., married 
 Miss Mary Rafter, of Perry county, and in 1S45 
 they moved to Winfield, where both breathed 
 their last. 
 
 To Christian Burns and his wife the follow- 
 ing children were born: Sidney Ann, born May 
 18, 1844, died at the age of seven; David A., 
 born November 1, 1845, died at twenty-five; Jud- 
 son, born October 6, 1847, lived only one year; 
 Samuel is mentioned more fully below; Andrew 
 Bigler, born August 8, 185 1, lives in Milton, 
 Penn.; Susan E. , born September 16, 1853, mar- 
 ried Jacob Campbell, of the same place; Henry F., 
 born June 28, 1855, died in Brazil, South Amer- 
 ica; Mary L. (twin of Henry) married Clarence 
 Leisher, and died some years ago; Nancy J., 
 born March n, 1857, married F. Snyder, of Win- 
 field; William C, born April 16, 1859, resides at 
 W T infield; Alda C, born December 31, 1S61, 
 died at an early age; and Jeremiah, born March 
 1, 1863, now lives at Winfield. 
 
 As has been said, Mr. Burns (our subject) had 
 few educational privileges in his youth, his at- 
 tendance at the schools near his home being 
 limited to three winter terms. At fourteen this 
 opportunity was closed to him by the necessity 
 for earning a livelihood. The year he spent in 
 Clearfield county, where he worked in the woods 
 during the winter, boating on the canal in sum- 
 mer, and his energy and discretion were even 
 
1026 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 then so evident that at sixteen he took charge of 
 crews. When the Civil war broke out he was 
 much too young to go as a soldier, but on Feb- 
 ruary 8, 1865, he was accepted and joined the 
 15th New York Regiment, the Pioneer Engineer 
 Corps, enlisting at City Point. Fortunately the 
 need of recruits did not long continue, and in 
 May, 1S65, at the close of the Grand Review at 
 Washington, he was honorably discharged. Re- 
 turning to Clearfield county, our subject resumed his 
 former occupations, and soon began taking < 
 tracts for work of various kinds. For two years 
 he had charge of a force of men that built the 
 e at Sunbury and the transfer at Sbamokin, 
 also a number of trestles in the vicinity. He also 
 helped to build the Sunbury boom fur the Sun- 
 bury Lumbering Co., working two summers, and 
 then remained to manage the place for two years 
 re, conducting a coal yard at the same time, 
 in which he lost every cent which he had pre- 
 viously saved. Dunn.!,' the next summei 
 captain of a floating gang, and after^he comple- 
 of the Reading railroad he engaged in the 
 lumber business, making a specialt) ol getting 
 ps. He has gradually extended his trade 
 until he now commands a large and profitable 
 business in all kinds of lumber. He is sole 
 owner of his yard at Winfield, and has a camp in 
 Northumberland county, which he conducts in 
 partnership with Michael Slear, of Winfield. As 
 a citizen he is progressive and public-spirited. 
 In politics he has been a Republican for the | 
 six years, and while he has not sought public 
 office he has taken keen interest in party move- 
 its. Socially he is a charter member of 
 Winfield Lodge No. 352, P. O. S. of A., and 
 has twice been a delegate to the State camp at 
 Allentown and Altoona. 
 
 On December 5, 1873, Mr. Burns was mar- 
 ried in Northumberland county, to_Miss Matilda 
 Hummel, and four children have blessed their 
 union: William C. is now attending the State 
 Normal School, at Bloomsburg, Penn. ; Jennie 
 M. is at home; Benjamin F. is a student at 
 Bloomsburg; and Charlotte Anna died in infancy. 
 Mrs. Burns was born N 1 5, [844, in 
 
 Northumberland county. Her grandfather, Ja- 
 cob Hummel, of Northampton county, Penn.. 
 moved to Snyder county at an early day, with 
 his wife, Margaret (Kline), and remained there, 
 following carpentering and farming. Daniel 
 Hummel (Mrs. Burns' father was a lifelong res- 
 ident of Snyder county, and was by occupation 
 a farmer and carpenter. He was a Lutheran in 
 religion, and politically adhered to the Repub- 
 lican party. He died in 1 , thirty-six 
 is His wife, Anna Smith, daught 1 >j I 
 
 jamin and Eve Kesler) Smith, of Snyder coun- 
 ty, survived him many years, passing away April 
 27, 1S96, aged seventy-seven years, seven months 
 and sixteen days. Their children were: Eliza- 
 beth, wife of John Troxell, a carpenter; Benja- 
 min, a farmer: Matilda, Mrs. Burns; Amanda, 
 widow of Joseph Hess; Katie, who married Will- 
 iam Hess, a watchman on a railroad; and Levi 
 
 all of'whom reside in Snyder county, with 
 exception of Mrs. Burns. 
 
 REUBEN KLINE. A family who sent 
 seven brave sons to the defense of the flag, 
 
 in the dark days of threatened disunion, de- 
 serves a high place in the nation's roll of hoi. 
 and Union county takes pride in the fact that 
 such patriotism was nourished within her 1 
 ders. Of the nine sons of Jacob and Mary (In- 
 gelharti Kline, of West Buffalo township, all 
 but two entered the army and they were too 
 young to enlist. This record is doubtless une- 
 qualed by any other family in the State, and, 
 few if any, could be found to match it in the en- 
 tire country. The eldest son, Daniel, enlisted 
 in Company E, 51st P. V. I., in 1864. and re- 
 mained in the service until the close of the war. 
 John was a member of Company E, 142nd P. 
 V. I. , and lost his life at the battle of the Wilder- 
 ness; he was wounded and left on the field; is 
 
 I osed to have been burned by the forest fires 
 which swept over the spot where he was last 
 seen. George enlisted in Company E, 131st P. 
 V. I., for nine months' service, and at the close 
 of the term re-enlisted in Company E, 51st P. 
 V. I., for "three years or during the war, " and 
 was wounded at the battle of the Wilderness 
 May 6, 1864. Joel also answered the call f >r 
 nine months' service, and later re-enlisted in 
 Company E. 51st P. V. I., for three years, and 
 was wounded at the battle of Cold Harbor June 
 3, [864. Charles enlisted, first, in the 131st K 
 iment, and at the end of his term of nine 
 
 nths joined Company E, 51st P. V. I., and 
 was wounded in the battle of the Wildern 
 Jacob L. , a member of the 51st P. V. I., was a 
 valiant soldier, but privations and exposure 
 brought on an illness from which he died in the 
 hospital at Annapolis, Maryland. 
 
 Reuben Kline, the subject of this sketch, and 
 the 1 youngest of the gallant seven, was born in 
 West IWiffalo township. Union county, Novem- 
 ber 6, 1844, and enlisted while still in his 
 " teens" in Company E, 21st P. V. C, for six 
 
 iths In 1S64. when barely eighteen years 
 In re-enlisted in Company E, 51st P. V. I 
 
/ r 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1027 
 
 and served in the Army of the Potomac. He 
 took part in the battle of the Wilderness, and 
 was at Spottsylvania, North Anna, as well as 
 other places where the full horrors of war were 
 seen, and at Cold Harbor he was wounded in 
 the right leg so seriously that immediate ampu- 
 tation was necessary. This done, he was taken 
 to the hospital at Washington, and although he 
 was mustered out at the close of the war, he 
 was compelled to remain at the Soldiers' Home 
 in Philadelphia until 1S66, when he returned to 
 his native place. In his youth he had received 
 a common-school education, but while in Phila- 
 delphia he took advantage of the educational fa- 
 cilities offered at the Home, and studied hard to 
 prepare himself for some vocation in which his 
 crippled condition would not be a barrier to suc- 
 cess. After a visit at home, he went to Illinois, 
 and while there was brought out for nomination 
 in 1869 by the Republicans of Union county as 
 their candidate for the office of register and re- 
 corder. He came home, made the campaign, 
 and was elected, and so faithfully and well did 
 he serve that he held the office five consecutive 
 terms, 01 fifteen years. On retiring he engaged 
 in agriculture in West Buffalo township, but in 
 1897, being elected clerk of the commissioners' 
 court, he returned to the county seat to reside. 
 He is an influential factor in the politics of his 
 county, and is a popular member of the G. A. R. 
 His wife, who was formerly Miss Sarah E. De- 
 Long, was a native of West Buffalo township, 
 born November 15, 1845, and they have one 
 daughter and one son: Bertha M., married Wes- 
 ley Kleckner, and has one child — Ruth; and Ar- 
 thur Paul, who is at home. 
 
 The Klines are o! old Pennsylvania stock. 
 Grandfather Jacob Kline died in West Buffalo 
 township. His children were: John, who died 
 in Illinois; David, who died in Hartleton, Penn. ; 
 and Sallie, wife of George Ingelhart, the brother 
 of our subject's mother. Jacob Kline, the father 
 of our subject, was born in West Buffalo town- 
 ship, Union county, in 1805, and died in 1869. 
 He learned the carpenter's trade in early life, 
 and followed it for some years, but later became 
 a millwright, operating chiefly in his native town- 
 ship. His influence in the community was 
 marked, and was always exerted on the side of 
 patriotism and progress. His wife, who was 
 also a native of West Buffalo township, died in 
 1879. They had fourteen children: Daniel and 
 Eleanor (twins), the former of whom is now a 
 resident of Oneco, 111. , the latter being the wife 
 of Joel Hursh, and residing in Flemington, 
 Penn.; Eliza, wife of H. D. Royer, of Buffalo 
 township, Union county; John; who met a sol- 
 
 dier's death as mentioned above; George, now a 
 resident of Forest Hill: Joel, who resides in Wis- 
 consin; Charles, of Forest Hill; Sarah, wife of 
 Jacob Ross, also of Forest Hill, Union county; 
 Jacob L., whose life was sacrificed on the altar 
 of his country; Reuben, our subject; B. C. and 
 Stephen (twins), the former being a resident of 
 West Buffalo township, the latter dying in in- 
 fancy; and two younger children who lived but a 
 brief time. 
 
 GEORGE SCHNURE, Esy. (deceased), was 
 born in Union county, Penn township, De- 
 cember 23, 181 1, of German ancestry. His 
 grandfather, John George Schnure, according to 
 the records of the Church in Dudenhoppen, 
 Germany, was married to one Anna Catharine 
 Mennor. Of this union John Christian Schnure, 
 the father of George, was born at Dudenhop- 
 pen, in the principality of Hesse-Cassel, July 2, 
 
 1763- 
 
 In 1 78 1, John Christian Schnure left his home 
 
 and native land, and emigrated to this country, 
 knowing that upon the termination of the voyage 
 a bondage for a term of years awaited him to 
 pay his passage. Upon his arrival the captain 
 of the vessel bound him for three years to a 
 farmer named Ege, residing in Berks county, 
 and all he earned in that time went to pay his 
 fare, clothing and board. After serving out his 
 time he moved to what is now Middle Creek 
 township, Snyder county, where he was married 
 to Elizabeth Pontius, who, at an early age, had 
 removed with her parents from Philadelphia to 
 that locality. She was born February 19, 1776, 
 and died in Hartley township, Union county, 
 September 17, 1852. John Christian Schnure 
 died July 27, 1827. Their children were Cath- 
 arine, who married Tobias Miller, and settled in 
 Venango county; Henry, who has descendants 
 living in Michigan and Indiana; Elizabeth mar- 
 ried to Charles Smith, descendants living in 
 Centre and Union counties; Michael, descendants 
 living in Union county; Mary, who died unmar- 
 ried; George, who is the subject of this sketch; 
 Levi, descendants living in Ohio; and Mary, 
 married to Robert Lucas, descendants living in 
 Union county. 
 
 During his early life George Schnure assisted 
 his father on the farm. During the winter 
 seasons he had from two to three months' in- 
 struction in schools where some were taught in 
 English and others in German. The remainder 
 of the year was spent at work. When but nine 
 years of age he left the parental roof, and was 
 
1028 
 
 \COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 employed by R< bert Foster, who kept a store in 
 Hartleton. This early beginning impressed upon 
 his youthful mind a love for mercantile pursuits, 
 I laid the foundation for that industry and 
 thrift which, in after years, resulted in financial 
 success. After serving Mr. Foster a short time, 
 he returned to his father's farm, where he re- 
 mained during the summer, and then entered 
 the service of A. D. Hahn, who kept a store and 
 tavern at Hartleton, and remained four years. 
 In 1823 -Mr. Hahn moved to New Berlin, where 
 he < I in mercantile business, and George 
 
 Schnure accompanied him, remained his clerk 
 for one year, then went to Northumberland, and 
 for three years was clerk in the store of John A. 
 Sterrett. The store then being purchased !>\ 
 John Guyer, he continued with the new owner 
 nine months. 
 
 In 1 S 33 Mr. Schnure came to Selins Grove, 
 and at the age of twenty-two entered into partner- 
 ship with his former employer, John A. Sterrett. 
 Their store stood on the second lot from the 
 northeast corner of Market and Walnut streets. 
 Alter continuing this partnership for three years, 
 Mr. Sterrett, having sold his interest to Henry 
 C. Ever, retired from the firm. Ever & Schnure 
 remained in business for seven years, when they 
 • !i-[>osed of their store to Gundrum & Reichard. 
 Two years later Mr. Schnure entered into part- 
 nership with James K. Davis, Jr., and opened 
 
 neral store on the southeast corner of Market 
 and Pine streets. Mr. Schnure having bought 
 property on the northwest corner of said streets, 
 the store was moved to that place, where he and 
 Mr. Davis continued in general mercantile, 
 i, r rain and shipping business for twelve years. 
 In [858 the store was sold to Charles S. David 
 and Lewis R. Hummel. About i860 Mr. 
 Schnure bought back Charles S. Davis' interest, 
 and engaged in business with Mr. Hummel. 
 The new firm continued four years, when Mr. 
 Schnure withdrew and devoted the several years 
 following in settling up the partnership affairs. 
 In [868 he formed a partnership with Daniel 
 Carey, and purchased the Maine sawmill prop- 
 ert) from Scribner & Perkins, at a cost of$22,- 
 000, and continued in the lumber trade until 
 1873, when, upon the death of Mr. ('any, he 
 
 oted his time in settling up the busin 
 
 irs as well as the estate of his deceased part- 
 ner. In September, (879, Mr. Schnure bought 
 out A. Kreiger's and | Pauling's interest in the 
 flourmill at the upper end of Selins Grove, and 
 became a partner with his son, H. D. Schnure, 
 who had previously been in partnership with 
 Kreiger ec Pawling. They rebuilt the mill, 
 added new and improved machinery, erected a 
 
 large grain house, and connected the mill with 
 the railroad by means of a siding. 
 
 About 1850 Mr. Schnure was elected a direct- 
 or in the Northumberland Bank, and was fre- 
 quently re-elected. L"pon the removal of the 
 bank to Sunbury he was continued. On Janu- 
 ary 21, 1 864, he was elected the first president 
 of the First National Bank of Selins Grove, and 
 for almost twenty-three years continued to fill 
 this position. On November 6, 1889, he re- 
 signed the presidency, and afterward lived in re- 
 tirement. He freequntly served as school direct- 
 or, as chief burgess (was the first chief burgess 
 of Selins Grove), and as councilman. About 
 1868 he was president of the Sunbury & Lewis- 
 town railroad, then known as the Middle Creek 
 railroad, and during his administration part of 
 the grading was done. For many years he was 
 president of the board of directors of the Mission- 
 ary Institute. Throughout this eventful business 
 career Mr. Schnure was always successful, re- 
 sulting in the accumulation of much wealth and 
 property. 
 
 On September 23, 1841, he was married to 
 Miss Cordelia Davis, a daughter of James K. 
 Davis. Sr. , and a granddaughter on her maternal 
 side of Anthony Selin, the founder of the town. 
 Mrs. Schnure died March 1, 1859. Their chil- 
 dren are: Francis Marion, born November 13, 
 1845, married Miss Laura Gross, of New Berlin, 
 November 11, 1868, died October 5, 1871; John 
 Sylvester, born January 2 1, 1S48, died March 1;. 
 1 881; HOWARD Davis, born October 30, 1850, 
 married Miss Sarah J. Six, of Mechanicstown, 
 Md., September 20, 1876; Mary Elizabeth Eyer, 
 born January 12, 1853, married Ira C. Schoch, 
 October 23, 1878, died June 5, 1884; Emma 
 Catharine, born January 4, 1857, married Har- 
 vey H. Schoch, September 20, 1882. On April 
 15, 1863, Mr. Schnure was married, the second 
 time, to Miss Amanda Spyker, of Lewisburg. 
 She died January II, 1877, after an illness of a 
 few hours. 
 
 In the various walks of life Mr. Schnure was 
 ever held in high esteem. His opinion and ad- 
 vice were for many years sought and carefully 
 followed by many of his fellowmen. His 
 economy, pi 1st verance and discretion were care- 
 fully studied and practiced by those desiring to 
 
 nice in life. When a cause was just and de- 
 serving ol aid, his heart contained a sympathetic 
 chord that could always be touched by the hand 
 of charity. On January 27, 1893, after a busy, 
 useful and eventful life George Schnure passed to 
 his last rest, bequeathing to his sons and daugh- 
 ters imt only the fruits of his toil, but the better 
 heritage of untarnished honor. 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1029 
 
 JR. DIMM, D. D., President of Susquehanna 
 University, at Selins Grove, Snyder county, 
 is an educator of national reputation, his 
 ripe scholarship and remarkable gifts as an or- 
 ganizer fitting him for the highest ranks of the 
 profession. For some years also he has labored 
 faithfully and successfully in the ministry of the 
 Lutheran Church, and few men can review their 
 lives with as much satisfaction in the sight of 
 duties well done. 
 
 Dr. Dimm comes of Colonial stock, and is of 
 the fourth generation of his family in this coun- 
 try; the first of the line having come from the 
 ancestral home in Germany in 1743, to settle in 
 the vicinity of Philadelphia. The Doctor was 
 born in 1S30 near Muncy, Lycoming county, 
 Penn., the son of Simon and Rebecca Dimm. 
 His parents, who were devout Lutherans in re- 
 ligious faith, had him baptized in infancy in Im- 
 manuel Lutheran Church, in Muncy Creek town- 
 ship, and at twenty he was confirmed. At twenty- 
 one he entered the preparatory department of 
 Pennsylvania College at Gettysburg, and after 
 two years of study there he took a four-years' 
 course in the college, graduating in 1857 with 
 the highest honors of his class. On leaving col- 
 lege he assumed the management of the classical 
 school at Aaronsburg, Centre county. While 
 thus engaged he carried on a private course of 
 study in theology, and in 1S59, at Harrisburg, he 
 was examined and licensed by the Synod of 
 Eastern Pennsylvania. In the same year he be- 
 came pastor of the Lutheran Church at Blooms- 
 burg, Penn., where he labored eight years with 
 signal success. The Sunday-school and Church at- 
 tendance was largely increased, and a great deal 
 of general work for the Church was done in the 
 Susquehanna Valley. During this time he helped 
 to organize the State Normal School at Blooms- 
 burg, and taught the classics there one year. 
 
 In 1867, he became pastor of St. Peter's 
 Church, at Barren Hill, a suburb of Philadelphia, 
 Penn. During his stay of four years the Church 
 was remodeled, a private classical school was 
 established, and a great work done in religious 
 advancement. In 1871 he became secretary of 
 the Lutheran Board of Publication of Philadel- 
 phia, and in this capacity he traveled over five 
 States during the next fifteen months. In 1873, 
 he resumed pulpit work as pastor of the Lu- 
 theran Church on Jefferson and Sixteenth streets 
 in Philadelphia. The natural tendencies of his 
 mind led him back to school work, and in 1874 
 he became principal of the Lutherville Female 
 Seminary. During his administration of six 
 years the standard of scholarship was raised, and 
 many progressive changes were made. In 1880, 
 
 he was called to Kimberton, in Chester county, 
 to organize a new private school, and soon after- 
 ward was invited to the pastorate of two 
 Churches. In 1882, his reputation as a teacher 
 led to his being called to the principalship of the 
 classical department of the Missionary Institute 
 at Selins Grove, Penn. , now Susquehanna Uni- 
 versity, and later he became President. A great 
 change has come over the college since he as- 
 sumed management. The attendance has been 
 increased four-fold, and the curriculum greatly ex- 
 tended. The old building has been remodeled, 
 and a beautiful additional building, known as 
 Gustavus Adolphus Hall, erected in 1894. This 
 contains a chapel and six recitation rooms on 
 the first floor, the theological room, reading 
 room and library, and various other apartments 
 on the second floor. In 1897 another building 
 was added, containing four apartments — the chem- 
 ical laboratory, botanical and geological labora- 
 tory, a recitation room for science, and a room 
 containing the cabinet. 
 
 Dr. Dimm possesses high executive ability 
 as a college manager. A man of profound learn- 
 ing, indomitable energy and with a natural apti- 
 tude for teaching, he has gathered around him a 
 loyal faculty and board of trustees, and the prog- 
 ress of the institution has been a matter of pride 
 to all familiar with its history during late years. 
 
 Dr. Dimm has been a frequent lecturer, fol- 
 lowing chiefly scientific lines of thought. During 
 a single year he delivered nearly fifty lectures. 
 His literary efforts have been principally in the 
 form of review articles. He has received in turn 
 the degrees of A. B. and A. M. and D. D. from 
 Pennsylvania College, the last in 1884. 
 
 In 1859 Dr. Dimm was married to Miss Mary 
 C. Hill, a daughter of John Hill, Esq., of 
 Hughesville, Penn. One son and four daughters 
 have been born to them. The eldest daughter 
 died in infancy, but the other children are all 
 living: Margaret, who was educated at the 
 Lutheran Seminary near Baltimore, Md. , married 
 Rev. James Eugene Dietrich, a Lutheran min- 
 ister. They have two children — Charles and 
 Margaret. Evangeline Longfellow was educated 
 at Missionary Institute, now Susquehanna Uni- 
 versity, and is the wife of Rev. Jerome M. Guss, 
 a Lutheran minister. Charles H., the only son 
 of our subject, is a physician at Mifflinburg. He 
 married Miss Mary Snodgrass, and has one child, 
 Charles Alvin. Martha, a graduate of a musical 
 institute in Maryland, is now a teacher of vocal 
 and instrumental music in Susquehanna Uni- 
 versity. 
 
 Mrs. Dimm, who unites rare mental gifts 
 with a generous sympathy, is highly esteemed by 
 
1030 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGKAl'IIKAL RECOllb. 
 
 all who know her. She is now filling the second 
 term as president of the Women's Home and 
 Foreign Missionary Society of the Susquenanna 
 Synod. 
 
 HON. JOSEPH A. LUMBARD, of Selins 
 Grove, is the editor and proprietor of the 
 Snyder County Tribune, the oldest Republican 
 paper in that locality, and one of the leading 
 periodicals of this section, without regard to po- 
 litical complexion. As a citizen Mr. Lumbard 
 holds a high reputation, his patriotism having 
 been demonstrated at an early age as a sol 
 in the Union army. He was but a boy of eighteen 
 when, on. September 13, 1862, he enlisted for 
 three years in Captain Davis famous compan) 
 of volunteers. This band of recruits was at- 
 tached to the 147th P. V. I., and saw much severe 
 fighting, ending their service as a part of the 
 force that marched from Atlanta to the sea with 
 Sherman. Mr. Lumbard participated in all the 
 important battles of his regiment, and he was 
 wounded at Gettysburg. 
 
 The birth of our subject occurred January 5, 
 [844, at Selins Grove, where he received a com- 
 mon-school education. On April 2, 1S60, he 
 became an apprentice in the office of the Selins 
 Grove Times, published by Newhall *.V Weirick, 
 but his work there was interrupted by his mili- 
 tary service. After the war closed he returned 
 
 Snyder county, and on October 22, 1S65, he 
 took the position of foreman on the Snyder 
 
 nty Tribune, then published at Middleburg. 
 In October, 1866, he acquired a part-ownership 
 in the paper, and has since been continuously 
 connected with it, becoming its editor and pub- 
 lisher in 1874. The office was destroyed in the 
 great fire of February 22, 1872, and unfortu- 
 nately there was no insurance, as the paper 
 been moved from Middleburg to Selins Gn 
 andthe insurancehad notyet been transferredwhen 
 the fire destroyed the plant. Nothing daunted, 
 however, by the mishap, its owners purchased 
 new material, and in two weeks from the time of 
 the fire the Tribune was again issued. When 
 Mr. Lumbard took charge of the paper it was a 
 six-volume journal, printed on a Washington 
 hand press; it is now run by a water motor, and 
 its circulation has more than trebled. Mr. Lum- 
 bard is a vigorous writer, positive in its charac- 
 ter, and is ever ready to defend the right as he 
 sees it. 
 
 In political life he is an active and influential 
 worker, and has held a number of important pub- 
 lic positions, all of which he filled with credit. 
 In 1877 he was appointed one of the associate 
 
 judges for Snyder county, vice Hon. Daniel 
 Gemberling, deceased, and, in 1882 and 1890, 
 he held appointments in the State Legislature. 
 In 1893 he was messenger in the State Senate, 
 and in 1896 he was appointed clerk to the Com- 
 mittee on War Claims for the Fifty-fourth Con- 
 gress, a position which he holds at present. He 
 has been school director for thirteen years, and 
 for five years was president of the board, and he 
 has also served one term in the town council. 
 He has been chairman of the Republican County 
 Committee, and twice served in the capacit 
 delegate to the Republican State Convent 
 
 On June 19. 1866, Editor Lumbard was mar- 
 ried to Miss Sara E. Scharf, and their union has 
 been blessed with five children, four dauglr 
 ami a son, four of whom are married. 
 
 Mr. Lumbard is a well-preserved man, men- 
 tally and physically, and is capable of many 
 more years of useful work. When in the office 
 he fills a place at the case, generally setting up 
 his editorials and local matter without copy 
 
 HON SAMUEL ALLEMAN, deceased. The 
 name of Alleman has been a syn 
 through several generations of American citizen- 
 ship for energy, integrity, ability and patriot 
 and the representatives of this family in this 
 section have fully sustained this well-won reputa- 
 tion. An examination into history also re\ 
 the fact that during the time of Caesar's campaign 
 nst the Gauls, that great Conqueror was 
 itly tried by the warlike tribe of the Allemani. 
 During the days of Napoleon, the name Alleman 
 appears prominent in the official circles of the 
 French army, anil in the councils of the 1 
 Empire. In prol cal, financial and 
 
 il life, those of whom we now write have 
 gained an enviable rank, as the following 
 memoirs indicate. 
 
 The late Samuel Alleman, who war- for many 
 years one of the most prominent residents of 
 Snyder county, was born in Lancaster county, 
 Penn., February 2, [818, and died February 
 1881, at Selins Grove, where his mortal remains 
 now rest. Early in life he was thrown upon his 
 own resources, and by industry and economy was 
 enabled to obtain a liberal education, at 
 Pennsylvania College, located at Getlysb 
 About 1840, liter leaving college, he engaged in 
 teaching school at Millersburg, Dauphin ( 
 Penn., at which place, and in the surrounding 
 neighborhood, he is still favorably remembered 
 by the older inhabitants. In 1842, upon the 
 election Faunce as sheriff of Dauphin 
 
 county. Samuel Alleman was made his deputy. 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1031 
 
 and together they moved to Harrisburg. Soon 
 after his arrival at that city, Samuel Alleman 
 entered the law office of Crouse & Boas, and on 
 August 19, 1845, was admitted as a member of 
 the legal profession. During the administration 
 of Gov. William F. Johnston, Samuel Alleman 
 was chief clerk in the State Department, serving 
 until Gov. Johnston's successor was inaugurated. 
 He filled the position with marked ability, and, 
 being a most excellent scribe, he was noted as 
 one of the finest clerks that ever occupied the 
 office. 
 
 In 1856, Mr. Alleman removed from Harris- 
 burg to Middleburg, the county seat of the newly 
 formed county of Snyder, there to continue the 
 practice of his chosen profession. He was not 
 in the county long until his sterling worth and 
 ability were recognized, appreciated and reward- 
 ed, and he speedily took rank among the leaders 
 of the Snyder County Bar. In 1861 he was 
 elected county superintendent of the public 
 schools, serving his full term. In 1864 he repre- 
 sented his county in the State Legislature. In 
 1872 he was the choice of the Republican party 
 of Snyder" county, for Congress. in 1873 he 
 was the Republican nominee as delegate to the 
 Constitutional Convention, which met in Phila- 
 delphia. From time to time Mr. Alleman filled 
 a number of minor offices in the county and 
 borough in which he lived; always meeting ably 
 the respective requirements of the positions he 
 occupied. In executive ability he had no 
 superior, and his aid in any enterprise was appre- 
 ciated by his associates. He was one of the 
 first promoters of the Sunbury & Lewistown rail- 
 road; also the Selins Grove and North Branch 
 railroad; and sacrificed much in an effort to 
 make Selins Grove the county seat. 
 
 In his relations to his fellow men, Samuel 
 Alleman always fulfilled the part of a Christian 
 gentleman. For many years he was a member 
 of the Lutheran Church, at all times manifesting 
 great interest in its prosperity, and frequently 
 contributing liberally for the furtherance of its 
 different departments. In 1S73 he was in at- 
 tendance at the General Synod of the Lutheran 
 Church, which met at Canton, Ohio, as one of 
 the delegates from the Susquehanna Synod. 
 
 Mr. Alleman had a proper conception of the 
 importance of education, and for many years he 
 was a valued member of the board of directors of 
 Susquehanna University at Selins Grove. He 
 was a useful citizen, and a man of unblemished 
 honor and integrity. To the poor and humble 
 he was kind and generous, and in the bestowal of 
 alms he sought not the praises of men. In so- 
 cial life he was hospitable, warm-hearted and 
 
 jovial. On no occasion did his noble nature 
 manifest itself more strongly, than when enter- 
 taining his friends around the festive board. 
 
 Mr. Alleman was one of the representative 
 men of his county, one of whom it can be truth- 
 fully said: "The world has been benefited by 
 his having lived in it." 
 
 On May 18, 1846, Mr. Alleman was married 
 to Miss Ann E. Holman, eldest daughter of Sam- 
 uel Holman, a prominent citizen of Harrisburg, 
 and one of the most noted architects and con- 
 tractors of his day. This union was blessed 
 with four children; three sons — Horace, Charles 
 and John; and one daughter, Sarah E. 
 
 ON. HORACE ALLEMAN was born at Har- 
 IPL risburg, Dauphin Co., Penn., February 7, 
 1847, and at the age of ten years came with his 
 parents to Snyder county. His education was 
 obtained in the public schools of Dauphin and 
 Snyder counties; in select schools at Harrisburg 
 and Middleburg; at the Susquehanna University, 
 Selins Grove, and at Pennsylvania College, Get- 
 tysburg; from which last named institution he 
 was graduated with the degree of A. B. in 1869. 
 In 1S72 his Alma Mater conferred upon him the 
 degree of A. M. Immediately after his gradua- 
 tion at Gettysburg, he commenced the study of 
 law in the office of his father, the Hon. Samuel 
 Alleman, and so continued until the fall of 1870, 
 when he entered the Senior class of the law de- 
 partment of Columbia College, Washington, 
 D. C. In June, 1 871, he graduated from this in- 
 stitution with the degree of LL. B., and was ad- 
 mitted to practice in the Supreme Court of the 
 District of Columbia. Upon his return to Sny- 
 der county he was admitted to practice in its sev- 
 eral courts, on September 25, 1S71, and has con- 
 tinued his professional work there up to the 
 present time. 
 
 For a period of twenty-three years Mr. Alle- 
 man held the office of notary public, receiving 
 his commissions from Govs. Geary, Hartranft, 
 Hoyt, Pattison and Beaver. His services were 
 engaged as attorney for the county commission- 
 ers for a period of six consecutive years; and for 
 eight years he served as treasurer of the borough 
 of Selins Grove. Upon the vacancy caused by 
 the death of his father in 1881, he was elected a 
 director of the Missionary Institute, now Susque- 
 hanna University, which position he still retains. 
 The board of directors honored him by choosing 
 him as vice-president and member of the execu- 
 tive committee. 
 
 Since 1863 Mr. Alleman has been an active 
 
1082 
 
 COMMBMORA TIVE BIOGKM'IIKM. BEt <>RD. 
 
 and consistent member of the Lutheran Church. 
 He has served the congregation at Selms Grove 
 as its treasurer for eighteen years, and at the 
 present time is one of its trustees. At three 
 sessions of the Susquehanna Synod he represent- 
 ed the Selins Grove congregation as its lay dele- 
 gate, in 1882 at Montoursville, in 1SS6 at 
 Hughesville, and in 1S92 at Northumberland. 
 He also represented the Susquehanna Synod as 
 one of its lay delegates to the General Synod, 
 the highest legislative body in the Church, on 
 two separate occasions, in 1887 at Omaha, Neb., 
 and fa 1893 at Canton, Ohio. 
 
 During the war of the Rebellion, in Septem- 
 ber, 1862, being then but a lad in his sixteenth 
 year, he enlisted as a private in Company D, 
 1 8th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Militia, 
 and in June, 1863, re-enlisted and served in Com- 
 pany I, 30th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer 
 Kmergency Troops, having been sworn into the 
 United States service. Since the war Mr. Alle- 
 man has been a faithful member of the Grand 
 Army. As an officer of the Post he has served 
 in the capacity of quartermaster, adjutant and 
 post commander; and at the present time he is 
 the Post's historian. The military spirit seems 
 to have been inherited by the subject of this 
 sketch. In the war of the Rebellion he had two 
 uncles; in the war of 1812 a grandfather; and his 
 earlier ancestors were found in the Continental 
 army in the war of the Revolution. 
 
 On September 28, 1871, Mr. Alleman was 
 married to Miss Tillie Pierce, of Gettysburg. 
 During the great battle at her native place in 
 1863, Miss Pierce had a most thrilling experience. 
 Upon the opening of the battle, she left her home 
 in Gettysburg to seek safety with friends \vh 
 lived near Round Top. On the second and third 
 days of the battle the struggle was transferred, 
 in part, to her place of refuge; and hence it was 
 that she had an actual, personal experience of the 
 suffering and horrors spread out upon that field 
 of carnage. At the earnest solicitation of many 
 of the old soldiers she was induced to give in a 
 tangible form her experience on those memora- 
 ble days of July 1, 2, 3, 1863. Hence the pub- 
 lication of a very interesting narrative: "At 
 Gettysburg, or what a girl saw and heard of the 
 Battle." She proved herself an angel of mercy 
 to the weary, wounded and dying. For a num- 
 ber of years, Mr. and Mrs. Alleman, together 
 with their family, have occupied the Gov. Sny- 
 der mansion at Selins Grove. The issue of their 
 marriage is one son, Harry Pierce, now success- 
 fully engaged in business in Philadelphia, and 
 two amiable and accomplished daughters, Anna 
 and Mary, who are at the present time attending 
 
 Irving College for Young Ladies at Mechamcs- 
 burg, Pennsylvania. 
 
 1 rom the foregoing it will be seen that Mr 
 Alleman has been and is still one of our desirable, 
 useful, and appreciated citizens; and such a man 
 as everyone can honor and respect. His intelli- 
 gence, ability and uprightness tit him for the 
 highest positions in life; and no favor or trust re- 
 posed in him by his fellow citizens will be too 
 great for his merits. 
 
 OWARD DAVIS SCHNURE. Over a 
 X'-L century's identification with the growth of 
 the prosperous town of Selins Grove. Perm., 
 adds luster to the life-work and ancestry of the 
 subject of this sketch, Howard D. Schnure, who 
 has achieved the distinction of being one of the 
 most prominent and progressive citizens of Sin - 
 der county. Through his strict business integrity 
 and untiring zeal, he has risen to an honorable 
 eminence in his native community, and acquired 
 a conspicuous place on the long roll of Penn 
 vania's noted sons. 
 
 Howard Davis Schnure was born at Selins 
 Grove, Snyder Co., Penn., on the 30th day of 
 October, 1S50, and on his paternal side is a de- 
 scendant of good old German stock. He is the 
 son of George Schnure, whose father cam- 
 America from Dudenhoppen, Germany, in 1781, 
 and settled in Berks county, Pennsylvania. 
 
 Cordelia Davis was the maiden name of the 
 mother of the subject of this sketch. She was a 
 granddaughter of Major Anthony Selin, the 
 founder of the town of Selins Grove, Penn., and 
 a man of much prominence in the business and 
 political circles of his day. being also a member 
 of the famous " Society of Cincinnati. " 
 
 Mr. Schnure's boyhood was spent in the place 
 of his nativity. He received hiselementary edu- 
 cation in the public schools of Snyder county, 
 meanwhile increasing his store of kn 
 through wide and varied courses of reading. 
 The finishing touches of his schooling were ob- 
 tained at the educational institution now known 
 as the Susquehanna University. 
 
 Mr. Schnure made his first entrance into 
 business life as a clerk for the mercantile firm 
 of McCarty. Mover & Schnure, at Selins Grove. 
 Later he joined the clerical forces of the First 
 National Bank, in the same town, retaining his 
 position for a period of two years. In 1875 he 
 entered into co-partnership with A Kruger in 
 the vocation of milling, the business of the firm 
 being conducted as the "Isle of Que" mills at 
 Selins Grove. 
 
 The partnership remained intact for a period 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1033 
 
 of four years, and in 1879 the firm name was 
 changed to G. & H. D. Schnure, the father of 
 Mr. Schnure assuming the interest held by Mr. 
 Kruger, the entire business of the mills now 
 being conducted under the firm name of H. D. 
 Schnure since his father's death. 
 
 Mr. Schnure has always been progressive in 
 his ideas, and is a man of exceptional activity in 
 his chosen walks of life. He has the honor of 
 being the first to introduce electric lighting in 
 Snyder county. He recognized the value of the 
 modern system of illumination, and, in order to 
 keep step with the march of progress, he estab- 
 lished an individual plant of his own for the 
 exclusive purpose of supplying his dwelling and 
 mill properties with light, the power for his plant 
 being secured by the use of the water power from 
 his mills. 
 
 Mr. Schnure's close identification with the 
 development of his native town has placed him 
 in the front rank of its most valued and respected 
 citizens. On January 16, 1883, he was elected 
 a director of the First National Bank of Selins 
 Grove, and continued in that capacity for a term 
 of eleven years, when he was elected to the 
 presidency of that financial institution. His 
 election to that honorable position took place on 
 January 16, 1894. During the previous year he 
 was made a director of the First National Bank 
 of Sunbury, Penn., a position he still retains, as 
 well as that of the presidency of the First Na- 
 tional Bank at his home. 
 
 At present Mr. Schnure's entire attention is 
 devoted to his banking and milling interests. 
 Mr. Schnure has been a lifelong Democrat, and 
 he has often devoted his best endeavors to pro- 
 moting the welfare of the party of his fealty. In 
 1895 he was sent as a delegate to the State Con- 
 vention at Williamsport, and in the following 
 year he was again elected a delegate to the State 
 Convention at Allentown. His work at both 
 gatherings was marked by his customary earnest- 
 ness and energetic methods. 
 
 Mr. Schnure was married on September 25, 
 1876, to Sara J. Six, of Thurmont (formerly 
 Mechanicstown), Frederick county, Maryland. 
 Two children have blessed this union — one son and 
 one daughter — their names being William Marion 
 and Mary Cordelia Schnure. 
 
 MISS KATHRYN ANNA ARNOLD. 
 _ Among the early settlers of Union county 
 were representatives of the Arnold family, the 
 first of the line having come from Germany at a 
 date which is now unknown. Henry Arnold, 
 the great-grandfather of our subject, was a well- 
 
 to-do agriculturist of Union county, and he and 
 his wife reared a goodly family, their descend- 
 ants being now quite numerous. George Arnold, 
 the grandfather, became a well-known farmer of 
 Chapman township, Snyder county, where he 
 owned a large tract of land. He was a Demo- 
 crat in politics, and was prominently identified 
 with the Lutheran Church in his locality. His 
 death occurred in 18 — , and his wife, Mary 
 Bussler, a native of Union county, passed away 
 in 1880. They had eleven children, namely: 
 Jacob, a resident of Clearfield county, Penn. ; 
 Augustus, who is mentioned more fully farther 
 on; Stephen, a resident of Chapman township, 
 Snyder county; Calvin, of Port Trevorton, 
 Penn. ; Daniel, of Chapman township, Snyder 
 county; Samuel, of Shamokin, Penn.; Phely, 
 who married Daniel Guagler, of Ohio; Charlotte, 
 wife of Peter Glatfelter, of Perry township, Sny- 
 der county; Barbara, wife of William Leach, of 
 Chapman township; Fianah, wife of John Brown. 
 of the same township; and Minerva, who mar- 
 ried Joseph Reachner, of Williamsport, Pennsyl- 
 vania. 
 
 Augustus Arnold, the father of our subject, 
 was born in 1826, in Chapman township, Sny- 
 der county, and is now residing at Shamokin, 
 Penn. He was educated in the schools of his 
 native township, where the instruction was 
 chiefly given in German, and he did not learn to 
 read or write in English. He is a man of intelli- 
 gence, an expert mechanic, and for many years 
 he was successfully engaged in business as an un- 
 dertaker, carpenter, and wagon builder, the 
 greater portion of his life having been spent in 
 his native township. In 1S78 he removed to 
 Shamokin, where he now resides with one of his 
 sons. Politically, he is a Democrat, and he be- 
 longs to the United Brethren Church, his con- 
 sistent life winning him the respect and esteem 
 of all who know him. He was married in Chap- 
 man township, Snyder county, to Miss Leah 
 Rine, a daughter of Jacob Rine, an agriculturist of 
 that locality. She died May 3, 1893, in Sha- 
 mokin, leaving the memory of a helpful life. 
 Of the eleven children of this union, two, Set- 
 tilla and Uriah B., died in infancy. Mary is the 
 wife of Jonathan Bordman, of Paxtonville, Sny- 
 der county; Miss Kathryn A., our subject, is men- 
 tioned more fully below; Lucetta married Ed- 
 ward Zigler, a furniture dealer at Herndon, 
 Northumberland county, Penn. ; O. J. Pearce is 
 a wagonmaker at Shamokin; George is in the 
 hotel business at Shamokin; Wilson, a black- 
 smith, resides in Michigan; Reiley resides at 
 Shamokin; William settled in Texas; Agnes 
 married William Paule, of Kansas. 
 
1084 
 
 I OMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPUI'M. RECORD. 
 
 Miss Arnold was born March j_\ 1848, at the 
 old home in Chapman township, Snyder county, 
 where she remained until the age of fourteen, her 
 education being obtained in the local schools. 
 She possesses great force of character and rare 
 executive ability, which was manifested at an un- 
 usually early age, and at fourteen she took a re- 
 sponsible position in the home of Dr. W. H 
 Backus, of Aline. A few years later she as- 
 ned full charge of his elegant establishment, 
 and for more than thirty years she directed every 
 department, adding the feminine refinements with- 
 out which no house can be truly a home. The 
 Doctor delighted in hospitality, and she did much 
 to entertain his guests and make their stay 
 pleasant. At the Docfc r's death he made a 
 tical acknowledgment of her faithful care 
 for his interests by leaving her an ample in- 
 come, and the use of the home for her lifetime. 
 
 sonallyMiss Arnold is very attractive, and her 
 generous contributions to charitable work and 
 to the Evangelical Church, of which she is a 
 member, are proof of a kindly heart ^he takes 
 an intelligent and active interest in the various 
 
 stions of the day, and is a firm believer in the 
 principles of the Democratic party, feeling keen 
 regret over her inability to cast a vote in its sup- 
 port. 
 
 The late Dr. William H. Backus was born 
 at Williamsburg, Penn., and was of German de- 
 scent on the paternal side, the name ha\ 
 beei illy written 1 (Bake-hoi 
 
 < >n leaving the Fatherland his ancestors went 
 first to England, where the nan written 
 
 Backhouse and pronounced Backus, the latter 
 ling being the one adopted in America in 
 accordance with phonetic rules. The first of the 
 family to come to this country settled at an early 
 
 e in Connecticut, and Daniel Backus, the 
 Doctoi - grandfather, was born there, but settled 
 
 on Staten Island in earl) manh ! The family 
 
 is numerously 1 n the Hast, several 
 
 ol the I 1 relatives residing at Newark, X. 
 
 J., and at Parkersburg, W. Va., while Rev. Dr. 
 
 I timore. Md., and Rev. Dr. Woods, 
 
 1 ! Philadelphia, are also related to him. Calvin 
 
 Backus, a wealthy reside ildwell, belon 
 
 to the same family, and Maj Henry Backus, 
 
 who owned valuable estates neai Seli 5 Grove, 
 
 n uncle. 
 
 ; - Backus, the 1> ctor's father, was born 
 
 in 1803, on Staten Island, and was educated at 
 
 New Brunswick, X. J. On deciding to enter the 
 
 medical ied a course of study 
 
 in Xew York City, and for one \ iced 
 
 at 1 ere, N | In 1826, he was married to 
 
 ■ Sarah Dietrich, oi Williamsburg, Penn., 
 
 where he taught for one year in the academy. 
 In 1S27 he located at Georgetown, Penn., and 
 engaged in practice, remaining until 1838, when 
 he moved to McKee's Half Falls, on the Susque- 
 hanna river opposite Georgetown. His death 
 occurred there in 1848, and his estimable wife 
 died in 1S80 at Levvisburg, where her long widow- 
 hood had been spent in a comfortable home, sur- 
 rounded by all that could make her declining 
 years peaceful. Dr. S. S. Backus had a very ex- 
 tensive practice, extending through parts of 
 Juniata, Perry, Snyder and Xorthumberland 
 counties, and during the twenty years of active 
 work in his profession he traveled more than half 
 
 time on horseback. For some years he was 
 interested in mercantile business at Mahan 
 Chapman, Baltimore, and at Big Flats, X. Y., 
 the management of the different establishments 
 being in the hands of partners. He also took an 
 active share in political work, and while at 
 Georgetown was a member of the standing com- 
 mittee of the Democratic party for his county. 
 
 Dr. W. II. Backus received his elementary 
 education at Tuscarora Academy, and was pre- 
 pared by David Wilson to enter the Sophomore 
 class at Dickinson College. After studying for 
 some time at the latter institution, he entered 
 the Junior class at Lewisburg University where 
 he was graduated with honor, delivering the 
 salutatory. He was the president of a literary 
 society, the Phresakasmean, and on being chosen 
 as chief debater in a contest with a rival organ- 
 ization, the Philomathean, he was adjudged the 
 victor by the umpire, Hon. A. K. McClure. In 
 
 2 he went to Europe to secure a medical edu- 
 cation in the most noted institutions of the day, 
 Starting from Philadelphia in the "City of Man- 
 chester," which narrowly escaped being wrecked 
 near the Isle of Man, during a violent storm. 
 He was graduated at Wurzburg, Germany, Au- 
 gust 10, 1858, and also attended lectures at 
 Heidelberg, Zurich, Gottingen, Prague, and 
 Vienna. Some time was spent in visiting points 
 of general interest, including the principal cities 
 uf Europe, and during the administration of 
 Franklin Pierce he was consul to Hanover and 
 Brunswick. While in the latter province he 
 visited relatives, one of them being a prominent 
 general in the German army. In London he 
 found other relatives, one of whom occupied a 
 high position in the Foreign Office, and he was 
 most cordially welcomed by them. During his 
 
 j at Gottingen he was given two handsome 
 souvenirs, made of fine porcelain and suitably 
 inscribed. After spending seven years in the Old 
 World he returned to Lewisbure., where he re- 
 mained one year. In 1 S60 he began his profes- 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1035 
 
 sional work at McKee's Half Falls, and speedily 
 won the success which had distinguished his 
 father, his practice extending over the same ter- 
 ritory. About twenty years were passed in act- 
 ive work as a general practitioner, but, later, the 
 Doctor restricted his labors to office practice and 
 to consultations in difficult cases, neighboring 
 physicians often calling upon him to aid them by 
 his advice. 
 
 In 1879 he took possession of his property at 
 Aline, which he had purchased from Gen. Adam 
 Light. It is a beautiful estate, and under his 
 care was improved greatly. There he spent his 
 last years, his time being devoted to reading, to 
 the management of his extensive farms, and to the 
 society of the friends whom he loved to gather 
 around him in his home. He died on December 
 26, 1886, and his remains were interred at Lewis- 
 burg. While Miss Arnold has the use of much 
 of his estate for her lifetime, his entire fortune 
 is to go to Bucknell University at her death. 
 His valuable library has already been donated to 
 that institution, and his generous bequest will 
 prove a most beneficent and lasting memorial. 
 
 TTIRAM PERCIVAL JARRETT, justice of 
 Jf^L the peace for the borough of Selins Grove, 
 is one of the most highly esteemed residents of 
 that locality, and although he is now nearing the 
 ordinary limit of three-score years and ten he is 
 as active mentally and physically as many a 
 younger man. 
 
 He was born, March 1, 182S, in Snyder coun- 
 ty, then Union county, where his grandfather, 
 Jacob Jarrett, settled at an early day, having 
 come from Lehigh county, Penn. This worthy 
 pioneer, who followed agricultural pursuits 
 throughout his life, attained an advanced age. 
 His wife. Catherine Ott, also spent her last years 
 in what is now Snyder county. They had seven 
 children: Jacob, Isaac, Henry, JohnO., Daniel, 
 George and Catherine. 
 
 John O. Jarrett, our subject's father, was 
 born in 1808, in Union county, now Snyder 
 county, and died in 1S77, in Penn township, 
 Snyder county, where for many years he was en- 
 gaged in farming. He was a large man, weigh- 
 ing more than two hundred pounds. In religious 
 faith he was a Lutheran, and he took great in- 
 terest in politics, supporting at all times the 
 principles of the Democratic party. His wife, 
 whose maiden name was Mary Smith, was born 
 in Pennsylvania in 1806, and died in 1875. Of 
 their seven children the eldest, Matilda, married 
 Henry Krider, of Snyder county; Hiram P., our 
 subject, is mentioned more fully below; Lydia, 
 
 widow of Benjamin Harmon, resides in Kratzer- 
 ville, Penn. ; Susannah, who married John C. 
 McFall, resides on the Isle of Que; the next two 
 died in infancy, and Sarah, the youngest, was 
 married to Jerry Antley, and died leaving three 
 children. 
 
 Squire Jarrett was reared in Snyder county, 
 and attended the country schools of Penn, Mon- 
 roe and Jackson townships. From 1849 to 
 1853 he was engaged in boat building, and then 
 for a time he was occupied in the building of 
 bridges, but later he became interested in agri- 
 culture. This he followed for ten years, but in 
 August, 1865, he enlisted in Company D, 74th 
 P. V. I., for six months. On returning home he 
 resumed the occupation of bridge building, which 
 he continued until 1894. He has always been 
 an active worker in the Democratic organization 
 of his locality, and in May, 1894, he was ap- 
 pointed a justice of the peace, in which office he 
 is still serving with credit to himself and satis- 
 faction to others. He is a member of the I. O. 
 O. F., and of the G. A. R., C. S. Davis Post, 
 No. 148. 
 
 On June 2, 1853, the Squire was married to 
 Miss Rebecca Musselman, who was born in May, 
 1835, in Penn township, Snyder county. They 
 have had seven children, all of whom are living: 
 Newton P. is a foreman in a bridge-building 
 business. Milton T. , who is also a bridge 
 builder, resides on the Isle of Que. Alice J. 
 married Edward Gemberling, a time-keeper for 
 a bridge company, and has four sons — Charles, 
 Percival, Joseph and Ray. Barbara married 
 Charles Covert, and has five children — Rebecca, 
 Ethel, Guy, Newton (1), and Newton (2). Katie 
 married Mr. Norman, and has three children- 
 Marguerite, Milton and Hiram. Nora married 
 James Cary, and has one child, Clara. Maude 
 married Charles Fisher, and has one daughter, 
 Myra. 
 
 JOSEPH G. LESHER, editor and proprietor 
 of the Selins Grove Times, is a man of much 
 more than ordinary ability and influence, and 
 his history, though brief, will be read with in- 
 terest. 
 
 Mr. Lesher comes of German stock, his an- 
 cestors coming to America at an early period. 
 George Lesher, his grandfather, who was prob- 
 ably born in New Jersey, became a pioneer 
 settler in Point township, Northumberland Co., 
 Penn., where he was engaged in farming for 
 many years, his death occurring at the age of 
 eighty. He was married to a Miss Sarah Rob- 
 bins, and their son, Daniel R., our subject's fa- 
 
1086 
 
 i VMMEMORA 771*/; BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 ther, was born in 1820, at the old home in Point 
 township, Northumberland count)', and died in 
 1886. Daniel Lesher was married, in [845 
 Miss Sarah J. Van Kirk, who was born in [825, 
 and lived to the age of seventy-seven years, two 
 months and ten days. Joseph Van Kirk, her fa- 
 ther, who was of French descent, was a hotel 
 keeper in Northumberland county, and at the 
 age of eighty-two was as spry and active as a 
 boy, but he was killed by an accident at a rail- 
 way crossing. To Daniel R. and Sarah thirteen 
 children were born, as follows: Charles, who 
 died in childhood; Clarence L. , who died when 
 twenty-eight years old; Hannah, wife of Amos 
 Bloom, of Sunbury, Penn.; James B., a resident 
 of Abbot, Neb.; Daniel, who died in infai 
 Fannie, wife of Harvey Bloom, of Curwensville, 
 Penn. ; Joseph G., our subject; Miss Sarah ).. 
 and Miss Amelia; Gordon, a butcher at Shamo- 
 kin Dam, Penn.; Elizabeth, deceased; Martin, 
 who resides at the old homestead; and Miss 
 Loula, who is deceased. 
 
 Our subject's birth occurred August 9, 1856, 
 in Point township, Northumberland county, but 
 much of his time in boyhood was spent in Snyder 
 county, his education being obtained in the com- 
 mon schools. His first occupation was agricult- 
 ure, which he followed until [886, when he 
 bought the Selins < irove Times. This is a weekly 
 piper, and under Mr. Lesher's able administra- 
 tion it is a firm champion of the best interests 
 of the locality. As its editor is a Democrat, the 
 77 wo- supports the principles of that party at all 
 times. Mr. Lesher is a leader in Democratic 
 councils, and has frequently been a delegate to 
 
 te Conventions. On one occasion he allowed 
 his name to be presented on the ticket as a can- 
 didate for the Legislature, an act which was in 
 the nature of a sacrifice, as no member of that 
 party can hope for election from Snyder county. 
 
 On January 10. 1S84, Mr. Lesher was mar- 
 ried to Miss Ma/ie App, a native of Monroe 
 township, one of the leading ladies of her section 
 of the county, born in 1857. Two children, 
 Chalender H. and Lee Richmond, have blessed 
 this union. 
 
 > l.V W. A. HAAS, the honored pastor of 
 the Reformed Church at Selins Grove, has 
 now ministered to that charge for nine than a 
 quarter of a century, a fact which speaks more 
 eloquently in his praise than any wordy panegyric 
 could do. His influence throughout this long 
 period has been potent for good, his character 
 and life bearing silent witness to the power of 
 the Master, while his sermons h n effect- 
 
 ive expositions of the faith which he holds 
 
 Mr. Haas comes of that sturdy race known 
 as the Pennsylvania German. The first of whom 
 we have record was our subject's grandfather, 
 George Haas, a native of Lehigh county, Penn., 
 was a miller by trade, which he followed in 
 earh years, but later bought a farm in Northum- 
 berland county, where he lived to a very ad- 
 vanced age. He married Elizabeth Miller, and had 
 thirteen children, of whom five died in childhood. 
 Of the others, Mary married (first) Benjamin 
 Haupt, and (second) George Startzel, and died 
 at Snydertown, Penn., at ninety years of age; 
 Elizabeth married Jacob Wagner, and died in 
 Northumberland county; George, our subject's 
 father, is mentioned more fully farther on; Katie. 
 deceased, married Emanuel Erdman; Salome 
 married Samuel Miller, and lived in Juniata 
 count}'; Nathan, deceased; Henry died recently 
 at Mahanoy City; and Caroline, married to Mr. 
 Wiest, resides in Dauphin county. Several of 
 these children were among the first settlers in 
 Northumberland county. 
 
 George Haas, the father of our subject, was 
 born in Northumberland county, and became a 
 carpenter by trade. His first years were spent 
 in Schuylkill county. Penn., but he died in Clar- 
 ion when our subject was twelve years of age. 
 He married Miss Anna Knorr, a native of Schuyl- 
 kill county, who died at Pottsville, Penn.. at a 
 comparatively early acre, when Rev. Haas was 
 eight months old. Our subject was the youngest 
 of a family of three children. Edward, the eld- 
 est, who was a millwright by occupation, died in 
 Philadelphia, Penn., and Nettie, who married 
 Michael Hower. died at Ashland, Pennsylvania. 
 
 W. A. Haas was born January 20, 1S40, at 
 Pottsville, Schuylkill Co., Penn. He prepared 
 for college at Freeburg Academy, and afterward 
 took a course in Franklin and Marshall College, 
 graduating in 1864. Entering the Theological 
 
 unary at Mercersburg, Penn. , he there pursued 
 
 thor iugh course of training prescribed for the 
 ministers of the Reformed Church, and in 1 
 
 graduated with the degree of B. T. In the 
 same year he was ordained, and after spending 
 four years in the Augusta charge (his first), which 
 included four congregations, he was called in 
 1S71 to Selins Grove. There he has ever since 
 remained, taking charge also of the congregation 
 it Freeburg, Kratzerville and Salem, and in all 
 this time his kindly and helpful relations with 
 his people have never been disturbed. 
 
 In 1868, Mr. Haas was married to Miss 
 Sarah A. Haus. who was born January 23, 1848, 
 at Mercersburg, Penn., and died in iS93,aftera 
 period of wedded happiness of twenty-five years. 
 Five children were born to this union, viz. : Will- 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1037 
 
 iam A., who died at the age of twenty-seven, 
 was a graduate of Susquehanna University, and 
 was by trade a machinist; George H. died at 
 twenty-two years of age while a student at State 
 College; Olive Linnette died when eight years 
 old; Cyril H. is a student in Susquehanna Uni- 
 versity; and Carl \Y. is at home. 
 
 J A. SNYDER, of Middleburg, Snyder coun- 
 ty, ismaking an enviable reputation in journal- 
 istic work as the editor of the News Item, a 
 weekly paper, well-known as an organ of the 
 Democratic party in Snyder county. For about 
 four years he has been the sole proprietor of this 
 enterprise, having purchased his former partner's 
 interest, and at present he is also publisher of 
 the Search Light, a monthly devoted to the work 
 of the Christian Endeavor Society in that county. 
 
 The Snyder family is one of the oldest in this 
 section, our subject's great-grandfather, John 
 Snyder, having come from Germany at a very early 
 date to locate in what is now West Perry town- 
 ship, Snyder county, where he died at the ad- 
 vanced age of ninety-six. Among his children 
 was a son John, our subject's grandfather, who 
 resided in that vicinity all his life, and became 
 noted as a local preacher in the United Brethren 
 Church. Henry Snyder, the father of our sub- 
 ject, was one of six children, and was born in 
 West Perry township, in 1842. He occupies 
 the old homestead, and has been engaged in agri- 
 cultural work for many years. His wife, whose 
 maiden name was Ellen Graybill, was born in 
 Juniata county, Penn., and is still living. They 
 have had ten children: J. A., Clayton, Phcebe, 
 Emory, William, Edward, Samuel, Annie, Grace, 
 and Rena. 
 
 J. A. Snyder was born June 12, 1866, at the 
 old home in West Perry township, and was edu- 
 cated in the schools of Freeburg. He then 
 taught for about six years, but in 1888 he helped 
 to establish the News Item, and entered upon a 
 journalistic career. In 1893 he bought the en- 
 tire business, and has since edited and published 
 the paper with marked success. Being a stanch 
 Democrat in political faith, the paper reflects 
 his ideas, and it exerts a decided influence in the 
 community. 
 
 In 1890 Mr. Snyder was married to Miss 
 Minerva Bowers, a native of Mifflinburg, Penn., 
 born April 24, 1865. Three children have 
 blessed this union: Margaret, Emily, and Doro- 
 thy. Mr. Snyder and his wife are prominent, 
 socially, and he is a member of the Patriotic 
 Order of the Sons of America. 
 
 PROF. J. I. WOODRUFF, A. M. The work 
 of a faithful educator has a value that can- 
 not be estimated, for, however clearly its im- 
 mediate effects may be seen and appreciated, 
 there are lasting results of an indirect but potent 
 kind starting from each pupil as a center of in- 
 fluence, and radiating without limit through an 
 unending future. Truly there is no more useful 
 position than that held by the teacher whose 
 every word and act affects permanently the 
 plastic material with which he deals, and whose 
 unconscious influence has even greater power to 
 raise or lower the character of his pupils. 
 
 In Professor Woodruff, who occupies the 
 chair of Latin and English in Susquehanna Uni- 
 versity, at Selins Grove, we find an ideal teach- 
 er, untiring, conscientious and devoted to the 
 best interests of the institutions and of the stu- 
 dents committed to his instruction. He is a man 
 who believes that the works of genius are the re- 
 sult of hard work and application rather than of 
 some unanalyzed and unanalyzable gift of nature, 
 and his own industry shows his faith in the truth 
 of this conviction. 
 
 The Professor was born near Selins Grove, 
 November 24, 1864, the son of Henry and Eliz- 
 abeth Woodruff. The Woodruff family came to 
 this country from England in our Nation's early 
 history. The first representative of the family 
 who located in Snyder county was John Wood- 
 ruff. He was the father of two children: Fanny 
 and Elijah. Elijah was married to Miss Eliza- 
 beth Keller, and unto them were born four chil- 
 dren, who reached mature age: Susan, Han- 
 nah, Maria, and Henry. Henry, the only son, 
 thus being the only male representative of the 
 third generation. He, at the age of twenty-two, 
 was married to Barbara E. Klingler, and their 
 eldest living child is the subject of this sketch. 
 In all, there are living of this family: John I., 
 Emma K. (married to Charles Dinius), Mary J. 
 (married to Charles Shultz), Charles H., Carrie 
 E., and George C. About two years ago Mr. 
 Henry Woodruff died, aged fifty-seven years. 
 The mother is still living. 
 
 Life on a farm during boyhood afforded Prof. 
 Woodruff wholesome physical exercise, while 
 the neighboring district school supplied his grow- 
 ing intelligence with the means of development. 
 At eighteen he was prepared to take charge of a 
 similar school, and for two years he taught in his 
 native county, but a longing for more thorough 
 and extended education prevented him from re- 
 maining upon that level. In 1885 he entered 
 the Sub-Freshman class at Missionary Institute, 
 and he was graduated from this institution in 
 1888. The next fall he entered the Junior class 
 
1088 
 
 COMMEMORA TI VE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 at Bucknell University, and two years later re- 
 ceived his diploma from the classical department. 
 Immediately after leaving college he was elected 
 principal of the Friends' Normal Institute at 
 Rising Sun, Md. This, being a classical school 
 of high grade, called upon every resource of the 
 young professor, but Mr. Woodruff proved him- 
 self equal to the occasion, and conducted the 
 school to the entire satisfaction of all concerned. 
 The following year he was called upon to take 
 charge of the Mitilintown Academy, which po- 
 sition he resigned after one year, to accept the 
 professorship of Latin and English in Missionary 
 Institute, now Susquehanna University. With 
 the exception of a brief intermission he has been 
 in this institution ever since. Under his judi- 
 cious management the Latin and English courses 
 have been much strengthened and increased; and 
 it is certain that so long as such men are retained 
 in the Faculty of the Susquehanna University 
 we need not fear for her prosperity. Personally 
 he is much liked as a friend and helper, and his 
 work lias won the good will and respect of his 
 ues. 
 Professor is actively interested in Church 
 and Sunday-school work, and is a member of the 
 Evangelical Lutheran Church at Selins Grove. 
 While in college he became identified with the 
 Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, and he has since 
 joined the Good Templars, the Patriotic Order 
 Sin, oi America, and the Masonic fraternity. 
 In 1892 he was married to Miss Anna M. Moyer, 
 daughter of Henry Moyer, of Salem, Perm. 
 They have one child living, Ralph Waldo, and 
 one passed from earth in infancy. 
 
 Historical Sketch of Susquehanna Uni- 
 VERSITY. Situated in the quaint but beautiful 
 town "f Selins Grove, on the banks of the his 
 toric Susquehanna, is a comparatively young 
 but growing institution, bearing the name of 
 the stream that Hows by its side. Although 
 having struggled along in the early years of its 
 existence on few and slender endowments, it has 
 modestly worked its way against adverse circum- 
 stances until at present, while still somewhat 
 hampered by narrow means, it is justly claiming 
 the attention and recognition of the friends of 
 higher Christian education. 
 
 The university, first denominated Missionary 
 Institute, was endowed and established to meet 
 a special and peculiar need in the Lutheran 
 Church. Thus when founded in 1858 by Rev. 
 Benjamin Rurtz, D. D., of Baltimore, Md., it 
 was virtually a theological seminary designed to 
 train men, irrespective of age or domestic ties. 
 
 for the Lutheran ministry. In connection with 
 the theological course, at the same time, was of- 
 fered, for their better intellectual equipment, a 
 short classical training. 
 
 At the death of the founder. Dr. Rurtz. Re\ 
 Henry Zeigler, D. D. , who with the co-operation of 
 the good people of Selins Grove, was also an ac- 
 tive instrument in the establishment of the school, 
 was made the head of the theological depart- 
 ment. He was assisted in his work by Dr. Peter 
 Born, who had been elected principal of the 
 classical department in 1859. 
 
 Owing to the misleading name by which the 
 institution had been designated, the classical 
 course was pursued by few outside of those pre- 
 paring for the ministry. In consequence this 
 important department of the school made but 
 slowprogress until 1882. At this time Dr. J. K 
 Pimm, an earnest educator, was invited to 
 simie the principalship. Having no responsibil- 
 ity in regard to the theological work, which was 
 then earnestly prosecuted by Drs. Born and 
 Yntxy, he directed his efforts exclusively to the 
 
 nsion and elevation of his department. His 
 
 is soon effected an increase in the teaching 
 force and in the number of students. 
 
 It required but a few years for the institution 
 to outgrow its former equipments, and the emi- 
 nently successful work which it had accom- 
 plished soon gained the ear of the Church for its 
 crying needs. Up to the year 1894 the curricu- 
 lum had prepared students for the Junior class in 
 the various colleges surrounding. In June of 
 that year, however, the board of directors, real- 
 izing the increment of good that would follow in- 
 creased facilities, extended the course to that of 
 a full college, and at once put forth strenuous 
 efforts to sustain it. The name was changed to 
 the more appropriate one it now bears; new pro- 
 fessors were added; and, at the cost of over $20,- 
 OOO a commodious new building was erected 
 This edifice known as Gustavus Adolphus Hall, 
 contains a chapel, recitation rooms, library, 
 reading rooms, society halls, etc. ; and the old 
 building (Selins Grove Hall), remodeled and fur- 
 nished with modern conveniences, serves as a 
 dormitory. 
 
 A new chemical and physical laboraton has 
 recently been added which greatly facilitates the 
 study of the sciences. Thus, with a gymnasium 
 and a young ladies' dormitory assuming definite 
 proportions in the minds of the Alumni and 
 friends of the Institution, it bids fair to be 
 able to meet in the near future all the require- 
 ments of a modern, well-equipped university. 
 
 The teaching force of the school now num- 
 bers seven able professors, with Dr. Dimm as 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1039 
 
 president, three instructors and a teacher of 
 music and art. Besides these a professor from 
 the town instructs a large number of the young 
 men in glee club and orchestral music. 
 
 Four courses of instruction have been ar- 
 ranged and offered to the choice of the students: 
 the Classical, leading to the degree of A. B. ; the 
 Latin Scientific, to the degree of B. S. ; the Pre- 
 paratory course, which prepares for college; and 
 the Theological course, which covers a period of 
 three years. These courses have recently under- 
 gone a thorough revision; text books are of the 
 latest, and all subjects are presented by the lat- 
 est and most approved methods. 
 
 The expenses of a college course at Susque- 
 hanna are reduced to a minimum so as to be 
 within the reach of any plucky young man or 
 woman. The religious element has always been 
 paramount; the professors maintaining that the 
 science or philosophy or mathematics or lan- 
 guage, which does not point ultimately to the di- 
 vine Author of all knowledge, is defective in the 
 very essentials. 
 
 Though having lacked the training afforded 
 by a gymnasium hitherto, the physical man has 
 not been neglected. Foot-ball, base-ball, tennis 
 and wheeling receive their due amount of atten- 
 tion, as has been evidenced by the successful foot- 
 ball and base-ball teams placed on the field dur- 
 ing the last few years, and by experts in other 
 athletic sports. Literary work stands well upon 
 the list. Two well organized societies afford the 
 students practical training in voice culture and 
 literary development of various kinds. A month- 
 ly journal is published by the student body and 
 the Junior class publishes an ' ' Annual. " 
 
 The board of directors, with Mr. D. K. 
 Ramey as president, the Faculty and friends of 
 Susquehanna are constantly striving to increase 
 her usefulness. Taking all things into consider- 
 ation, her future looks exceedingly bright, and we 
 unhesitatingly predict for her a long and useful 
 career in the cause of higher Christian educa- 
 tion. 
 
 iEV. WILLIAM M. LANDIS, pastor of 
 ill Christ Reformed Church of Beaver Springs, 
 Snyder county, is a native of Pennsylvania, his 
 birth occurring April 17, 1836, in Springfield 
 township, Bucks county, and is of German de- 
 scent. His grandfather, Jacob Landis, spent 
 his last years in Lehigh county, and followed 
 the occupation of farming in Saucon township, 
 where he died at a ripe old age. He was a 
 member of the Mennonite Church, and a Whig 
 in politics. In his family were several children. 
 
 William Landis was born in Springfield town- 
 ship, Bucks county, received a good German 
 education, and also devoted his energies to agri- 
 cultural pursuits throughout life. For several 
 years he owned and operated a farm in his native 
 county, and then sold and removed to Saucon 
 township, Lehigh Co., Perm. , where he pur- 
 chased a farm and flouring mill, conducting the 
 same until his death in 1870. He had married 
 Miss Catharine Moyer, also a native of Lehigh 
 county, and a daughter of Peter Moyer, an agri- 
 culturist. Her death occurred in 1863. The 
 following children were born of this union: Han- 
 nah, now the widow of Charles Weaver, of 
 Bucks county ; Rebecca, wife of Benjamin 
 Jacoby, of the same county ; Sarah, Peter, Reuben, 
 Catharine, Caroline, all deceased; and William 
 M., our subject. The parents were both faithful 
 members of the Reformed Church, and were 
 held in high esteem by all who had the pleasure 
 of their acquaintance. The father gave his 
 political support to the men and measures of the 
 Republican party. 
 
 During his boyhood and youth William M. 
 Landis was provided with school privileges, such 
 as were afforded in the public schools of Lehigh 
 county, and later the Fredericks Institute of 
 Montgomery county, Penn., where he prepared 
 for college. Having a strong desire from early 
 boyhood to enter the ministry, he in 1861 be- 
 came a student in the Mercersburg Theological 
 Seminary, from which he was graduated in 1863 
 and was licensed in February, 1S64, and in June, 
 1865, he was ordained. From that time to the 
 present his life has been dedicated to the work 
 of the Church, and to preaching the Gospel which 
 God had called him to do. He has been a mis- 
 sionary in every sense of the word, and, in the four 
 charges he served, new churches were built, and 
 old ones remodeled under his supervision during 
 his thirty-two years of ministerial work. Success 
 has crowned his efforts, and the congregations of 
 which he had charge were left by him in a most 
 flourishing condition. 
 
 At the age of twenty-nine Rev. Landis ac- 
 cepted his first charge in Harmony, Butler Co., 
 Penn., where he spent six years laboring among 
 his people and attending to their spiritural wants. 
 He greatly improved the church property, and, 
 by his efforts and God's blessings, added a num- 
 ber to the fold. In 1871 he received a call from 
 a Church in Lykens Valley, Dauphin Co., Penn., 
 and here he displayed his ability as an organizer. 
 He built a church and also a parsonage in the 
 town of Lykens costing $4,000, and added quite a 
 number of members to the congregation. He was 
 next located at Rebersburg, Centre Co., Penn., 
 
1(1-1(1 
 
 (t)MMKMiiliA TTVB BIOGRAPHICAL UEcoRD. 
 
 where he faithfully labored for eleven years, dur- 
 ing which time he erected three churches, two 
 brick and one frame, the aggregate cost of which 
 was $14,000. In [883 he was called to his pres- 
 ent charge, and, daring the fourteen years of his 
 pastorate here, he has erected five new churches 
 — a brick edifice at Beaver Springs, costing 
 $6,000; a brick one at Troxelville, costing the 
 same amount, and a frame one in Decatur town- 
 ship, Mifflin county. He has also built a fine 
 parsonage at Beaver Springs, which is second to 
 none in the county. Here he attended to the 
 spiritual wants of five congregations. Long and 
 faithfully he has labored in the Master's vineyard, 
 and not only has the love and respect of his own 
 people, but is held in high regard by all who 
 know him. In 1865, in Lehigh county, Rev. 
 Landis was united in marriage with Miss Amelia 
 R. Basler, a native of Montgomery county. 
 Penn., and a daughter of Rev. H. S. Basler, 
 also a minister of the Reformed Church. They 
 have become the parents of three children, 
 namely: William H. completed his education 
 in the Franklin Marshall Seminary, of Lancaster. 
 Penn., where he graduated with the degree of 
 M. A. He was ordained a minister of the Re- 
 formed Church in 1893, and is now located in 
 ny, Bedford Co., Penn. Addie M. is al 
 e, Augustine C. is a cornice maker now liv- 
 ing in Chicago, Illinois. 
 
 JAMES K. DAVIS (deceased), late a promi- 
 nent citizen of Selins Grove, Penn., and a 
 businessman well and most favorably known 
 ,. throughout Snyder county as a successful busi- 
 ness man, and a self-made one, was born Novem- 
 ber 22, 1 S 1 5 , in Chapman township, Snyder 
 county. The Davis family traces their lineage 
 to one Jenkin Davis, who came to America about 
 1700, and died in 174". His daughter, Cather- 
 ine, married Reese Davis (who came to America 
 about 1719), and their son David Davis married 
 Jane Edwards, by whom he had a son, John, 
 who married Lydia Keemer, and their son, 
 lames Keemer (1), was the father of our subject. 
 
 James K. Davis I 1 1 was a native of Virginia, 
 1 in near Winchester. He was one of the old 
 innkeepers of Snyder county. He was three 
 times married, his first wife being Mary Weit 
 to which union was born a daughter, Charl 
 who married John Byers, both of whom are now 
 deceased. His second marriage was with Agnes 
 
 in, which was blessed with seven childrens 
 namely: Sclin and Lydia died in youth; Jame, 
 K., our subject, is referred to farther on ; Cathar- 
 ine married a Mr. McLanahan; Mary married 
 
 Col. Henry C. Eyer; Cordelia married George 
 Schnure; and Agnes married Franklin Spyker, of 
 Lewisburg, Penn. ; all are now deceased. The 
 third wife of the father of these children was 
 Margaret Hummel, and to the marriage were born 
 five children. 
 
 James K. Davis, whose name opens this re- 
 view, received but a limited education, attend- 
 only the district schools, and then not 
 mi >re than two months each year. He re- 
 mained at home until nearly twenty years 
 of age assisting his father about the hotel, 
 attending to the stable and making himself gen- 
 erally useful. He often said that the first monev 
 he ever made was earned by blacking boots. On 
 leaving home he went to Harrisburg, Penn., 
 where for some years he was a clerk for a stage 
 line which was operated between Williamsport 
 and Harrisburg. On his return from Harrisburg 
 he was employed in the post office at Selins 
 Grove, and later became the postmaster. Then 
 for a time he clerked in the store of George 
 Schnure. Later on, in 1S45, he began a busi- 
 ness career as partner with his employer under 
 the firm name of Davis & Schnure. He was sav- 
 ing, and lived economically, so that in 1S48. 
 when he was married, he had some $600. The 
 firm had a general store at Selins Grove, and in 
 connection with it carried on a grain business 
 until in 1858 when they sold the business to 
 Capt. Charles S. Davis, a half-brother of one of 
 the firm, and Louis R. Hummel, the latter being 
 the present postmaster of Selins Grove. Prior 
 to and at this time Selins Grove was a great 
 shipping point, and for years our subject in con- 
 nection with his partner did a large business and 
 made money. Mr. Davis was possessed of good 
 business tact, and had a successful business ca- 
 reer. He accumulated considerable means, at 
 the time of his death owning four fine farms. He 
 was one of the organizers of the First National 
 Bank of Selins Grove in 1870, holding stock in 
 the same, and was its president from November 
 6, 18S9, until January, 1894. when, owinj 
 poor health, he resigned this position. Politic- 
 ally he was first a Democrat, but when the war 
 issue arose he became a Republican, and an 
 active and earnest one. He was an influential 
 man both in party and in citizenship. He was 
 United States deputy provost marshal for Sny- 
 der county in 1864 and 1865; member of the 
 ird of revenue commissioners for the State of 
 Pennsylvania in the winter of 1S59-60; was ap- 
 pointed postmaster of Selins Grove by Amos 
 Kendall, Postmaster-General, November 7, 1836, 
 and served four years, succeeding Mathew Coan. 
 Esq. He had some complimentary offices, be- 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1041 
 
 ing correspondent of Snyder county under the 
 Department of Agriculture, Frederick Watts be- 
 ing the commissioner. In religious faith he was 
 a Lutheran. 
 
 The following are resolutions adopted by the 
 board of directors of the First National Bank of 
 Selins Grove on the death of Mr. Davis, which 
 occurred on September 4, 1894: 
 
 But few, perhaps, had better opportunities of knowing 
 him than his colleagues at the board and to know his great 
 worth. He always took a deep interest in the affairs of this 
 bank and an active part in all that related to its welfare and 
 prosperity. He aimed always to be just through his con- 
 scientious convictions of duty and riuht, and by this rule 
 gauged the conduct of his life. Therefore, Resolved — that in 
 the death of James K. Davis our board has lost one of its 
 best members, and the community a citizen endeared to 
 them by a life of usefulness, from youth to old age, spent in 
 their midst. Second, That we tender to the family of our 
 deceased friend our warmest sympathy in their bereave- 
 ment, knowing that the struggle to be up under it cometh 
 from Him who is too wise to err. Third, That we bow to the 
 irrevocable mandates of an all-wise Providence, and in view 
 of the uncertainty of life and the certainty of death we 
 should be aroused to a sense of our true condition and at all 
 times be prepared, for " in such an hour as we think not the 
 Son of Man cometh." Fourth, That a copy of these resolu- 
 tions be furnished to the family of our deceased friend. 
 
 Following is from resolutions prepared by 
 a committee from the board of directors of the 
 First National Bank of Sunbury: 
 
 The board of directors of the First National Bank of 
 Sunbury has learned with profound regret and deepest sor- 
 row of the death of James K. Davis, Esq., one of their oldest 
 and most honored members; our loss is the more marked 
 because of his close personal relation with each one of us, 
 and our admiration, for many years, of his exalted virtues. 
 The board, therefore, meets to express their deep sense of 
 this affliction and to make appropriate record of the life and 
 standing of the deceased, and to tender to the family their 
 heartfelt sympathy. Bound to us as he was by every tie of 
 friendship and personal business relations of the board, cov- 
 ering a very long period of years, we find it difficult to prop- 
 erly express the sorrow we all deeply feel at his taking 
 away. His wide financial policy, his sound reasoning, his 
 ability to look far into the future, in many of his business 
 matters coming before the board, gave his opinion the high- 
 est respect from us all. He was entirely worthy of our 
 highest esteem while he was a member of the board, and 
 now that in course of nature he has paid the debt, which 
 each one must in time pay, and has entered into the life be- 
 yond the grave, it is fitting that we, his fellow-members 
 of the board, whose relations here were so pleasant, should 
 perhaps more than others record his conscientious perform- 
 ance of every duty that devolved upon him. Saddened that 
 we shall see his face no longer among us; sorrowing that it 
 is no longer our pleasure to meet with him in our board, we 
 know that he has left to us a valuable inheritance; ever kind 
 and considerate, pure and conscientious, upright and digni- 
 fied; the record of a long and useful life is before us when 
 we examine the minutes of the board — the pleasant recollec- 
 tions of the past, together with his useful life and most ex- 
 cellent example, comfort us. 
 
 On January 31, 1843, ^ r - Davis was married 
 to Miss Agnes D. Swineford, and the marriage 
 was blessed with four children, one of whom sur- 
 vives: Harry E,, a coal operator of Sunbury, a 
 sketch of whom immediately follows. 
 
 Mrs. Davis, who was a woman of rare gifts 
 
 66* 
 
 of mind and heart, contributed greatly to her 
 husband's success in life. She was born October 
 23, 1 82 1, at Middleburg, Penn., of German de- 
 scent on the paternal side. Her father, the late 
 Jacob Swineford, of Middleburg, was a drover 
 by occupation, and was murdered on the night 
 of July 4, 1826, at Lebanon, Penn., where he 
 had just sold all but fifty in a drove of 380 
 sheep. It is believed the crime was committed 
 by persons who knew of this transaction. Mr. 
 Swineford met at the hotel an old acquaintance, 
 a Mr. Greenwalt, and they walked out together on 
 Hill street. When opposite an alley they were 
 attacked by three men, and Mr. Greenwalt, who 
 was knocked down twice, finally succeeded in 
 getting away. As he escaped he called out to 
 Mr. Swineford to run also, but a few moments 
 later some boys passing the spot found a man 
 lying on the ground. A light was brought, and 
 Mr. Swineford was recognized, but he was in the 
 agonies of death and expired almost immediately. 
 Arrests were made, but no convictions followed, 
 and the names of the murderers will probably 
 never be known. His wife, Susan Sailor, a na- 
 tive of Lancaster county, died in Juniata county, 
 Penn., when about fifty years old. They had 
 six children: (1) Robert was in early life a 
 traveling salesman, and later owned a clothing 
 store in Selins Grove. He married Miss Selin, 
 of that city, and his death occurred there. (2) 
 Harriet married a Mr. Brock, and died in Peoria, 
 111. (3) Absalom (deceased), an attorney at law, 
 resided near New Berlin, Penn. His wife, 
 formerly Miss Mary Ann Laschelles, daughter of 
 a prominent lawyer of that town, was drowned 
 in the Johnstown flood while coming back from a 
 visit to a son in St. Louis, Mo. The son's wife, 
 whose father, Mr. Wolfe, was on the editoral 
 staff of the St. Louis Republic, was also drowned, 
 her body being found in a cellar after the flood 
 subsided. (4) Barbara married Walter App, and 
 removed to Juniata county, Penn. (5) Agnes D. 
 is the widow of our subject. (6) John married a 
 Miss Hilbish, and died in Iowa. 
 
 Returning to the Selin family into which 
 James K. Davis, the father of our subject, mar- 
 ried: Agnes Selin, his wife, was a daughter of 
 Anthony Selin, who served as major in the war 
 of the Revolution. He was the founder of the 
 town of Selins Grove. He came to this country 
 from Switzerland. His wife was Agnes Snyder, 
 a sister of Simon Snyder, oncegovernorof Penn- 
 sylvania, and their children were Anthony and 
 Agnes. Anthony Selin was a member of the 
 Society of Cincinnati. His grandson, Harry E. 
 Davis, of Sunbury, has the certificate of mem- 
 bership signed by George Washington, as presi- 
 
1042 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 dent of the society, at Mount Vernon, January 2, 
 1784. Its holder at that time, Major Anthony 
 Selin.was a captain in General Hagen's regiment 
 and by brevet a major. A camp kettle carried 
 by him is now in the possession of H. D. 
 Schnure, of Selins Grove. 
 
 HENRY EYER DAVIS, a prominent citizen 
 of Sunbury, and one of the most enterpris- 
 ing, progressive and broad-gauged business men 
 of central Pennsylvania, is a native of Selins 
 Gro\>\ Snyder Co., this State. 
 
 Born June 7, 1845, ^ r - Davis is the grandson 
 of Major Anthony Selin, a patriot of the Revolu- 
 tion and the founder of Selins Grove, and the 
 son of the late James K. Davis, of Selins Grove, 
 a sketch of whom appears above, and elsewli 
 will be found a sketch of our subject's brother, 
 who in his lifetime was a leading member of the 
 Sunbury Bar. Our subject, therefore, is not the 
 only member of the Davis and Selin family who 
 has conspicuously achieved distinction. He was 
 educated in the public schools and in Selins 
 Grove Missionary Institute. He was alwa\ 
 bright and industrious boy. At the age of 
 twenty years he began his business career, and 
 has been active in affairs ever since. His first 
 rience was as clerk in a store in his native 
 town, in which position he served one year. 
 Then he removed to Meadville, Penn., where he 
 obtained a position in a large retail dry-goods 
 store, and remained a year. In [867 he entered 
 the First National Bank of Sunbury. Penn., the 
 most extensive institution of its kind in that sec- 
 tion. He remained there some years, and mas- 
 tered every detail of the business. But the 
 arduous nature of the work impaired his health, 
 and he was compelled to relinquish the position 
 and seek employment of a less confining char- 
 acter. 
 
 In 1 87 1 he became the representative of 
 Hall Brothers & Co., a Baltimore firm, which 
 was the sole agent for the sale of anthracite coal 
 mined by the Mineral Railroad ami Mining Com- 
 pany and the Lykens Valley Coal Company. His 
 district embraced Pennsylvania and the West, 
 and his office was located in Sunbury. He held 
 this important relation to the business interests 
 <>f his community for ten years. At the expira- 
 tion of that time he severed his connection with 
 the firm which he had served so long, so faith- 
 fully and so well, and went into the business of 
 buying and shipping anthracite coal on his own 
 account. The venture met with gratifying suc- 
 cess from the outset, and has been prosecuted 
 with characteristic energy ever since. Some 
 
 years ago he added to his business the industry 
 of mining and shipping bituminous coal from 
 mines which he acquired in Somerset county. 
 Pennsylvania. 
 
 Mr. Davis has always been one of the most 
 progressive citizens of his adopted home, and 
 every enterprise which promises the promotion 
 of the business and the development of the ma- 
 terial interests of the community has found in 
 him a willing promoter. He was one of the pro- 
 moters and for a number of years president of 
 the Sunbury and Northumberland Street railway, 
 an enterprise which is of great benefit to the 
 business of Sunbury. He is president and gen- 
 eral manager of the Bethel Coal Co., of Somer- 
 set county, Penn. ; was one of the promoters and 
 for a number of years a director in the Shamokm, 
 Sunbury and Lewisburg railroad, and a director 
 in the First National Bank of Sunbury, the insti- 
 tution in which he spent several years of his early 
 life. He is also a director in the First National 
 Bank of Selins Grove, Penn., and was one of 
 tin foremost promoters and for a number of 
 years president of the Sunbury Electric Light 
 and Power Co. ; also one of the promoters 
 for some years president of the Northumberland 
 Electric Light Co. In addition to that he 
 has always been among the first and most active 
 men in the community to advocate progressive 
 
 -and improvements in the affairs of the town, 
 and many of the advanced steps which mark 
 Sunbury as among the leading towns in the in- 
 terior of the State are traceable to his enterprise 
 and foresight He is a trustee of the Mary M. 
 Packer Hospital of Sunbury, Pennsylvania. 
 
 Mr. Davis is an active and earnest Democrat. 
 Naturally a man of his progressive spirit would 
 be called on by his party to serve in official 
 capacity, and he has proved himself not only 
 useful, but faithful, in the discharge of municipal 
 functions imposed on him in the town council, the 
 school board and other honorary capacities. He 
 has frequently been delegate to State and Counts- 
 Conventions, and has discharged every trust 
 which he has accepted with scrupulous fidelity 
 and notable intelligence. But he has never con- 
 sented to take an office of emolument, and to 
 those who have suggested such compliment his 
 invariable answer has been that he had too much 
 business to attend to to sacrifice his time in the 
 discharge of public duties which there were plenty 
 of competent persons willing to assume. But 
 while he thus abstained from political aspirations 
 on his own account, he has always been zealous 
 and active in the advancement of his friends, and 
 thus exercised an important influence in the 
 affairs of the county. Of honorary offices, how- 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1043 
 
 ever, he has had a full share, and in 1876 the 
 Democrats of Northumberland county named 
 him State Senator, but he readily yielded the 
 district nomination to his friend, Hon. A. H. Dill. 
 When Mr. Dill resigned to become the Demo- 
 cratic candidate for Governor two years later, 
 the eyes of the party naturally turned to Mr. Davis; 
 but he was among the most earnest advocates of the 
 nomination of Hon. S. P. Wolverton. In 1878 he 
 was a member of the State Committee, and in 1880, 
 during the Hancock campaign for the Presidency, 
 was on the Electoral ticket for the Twenty-seventh 
 Congressional District. In 1886 he was one of the 
 secretaries of the Democratic Convention, and was 
 an earnest advocate of the nomination of Hon. 
 William A. Wallace for Governor. He has al- 
 ways been a liberal contributor to the party cam- 
 paign funds, and is regarded by the Democratic 
 leaders of the State as one of the safest party 
 counselors and most sagacious political advisers. 
 In 1892 Mr. Davis yielded to the wish of his 
 friends and his party, and became the Democratic 
 candidate for State Senator, but was not elected. 
 Commenting on his candidacy the Milton Record 
 in October of that year observed: 
 
 No man stands higher in the estimation of the citizens 
 of his adopted town. In the prime of a vigorous manhood, 
 honest, generous and faithful to his friends, it is a pleasure 
 to take the warm and sympathetic grasp of his hand. Pos- 
 sessing every qualification requisite to rill this high position 
 in a manner creditable alike to himself and to the diversified 
 interests of the people of the district, he will make an ideal 
 Senator. Energetic and industrious in the pursuit of life, 
 he will be untiring in the duties assigned him in the Senate 
 of the State if the voters of the district are true to themselves 
 and elect him. 
 
 On October 13, 1869, our subject was mar- 
 ried to Miss Kate C. Haas, a daughter of Henry 
 Haas, for many years proprietor of the "Central 
 Hotel" at Sunbury. This was one of the best 
 conducted and most popular hotels in the State, 
 and its landlord was one of Sunbury's most 
 worthy and highly esteemed citizens. To the 
 marriage of Mr. Davis and wife were born three 
 daughters: Annie C, Helen A., now most ac- 
 complished ladies, and Annie, who died at the 
 age of ten. The family home is a most com- 
 fortable one, from which there is a generous hos- 
 pitality dispensed, as it is the especial delight of 
 Mr. Davis to entertain strangers visiting Sun- 
 bury. 
 
 WILLIAM EUGENE HOUSEWORTH, of 
 Selin's Grove, Snyder county, Pennsylva- 
 nia, teacher, lawyer and author, was there born 
 November 7, 1853. 
 
 At an early age Mr. Houseworth learned the 
 printer's trade, but not content with the compos- 
 
 ing room, he took upon himself the greater and 
 nobler responsibilities of the school-room, and 
 continued in the work for a period of twelve 
 years. Dr. E. E. Higbee, Superintendent of 
 Public Instruction of Pennsylvania, honored him 
 with a permanent certificate in 1885. From the 
 age of twenty-five up to the present, Mr. House- 
 worth gave the best part of his time to literary 
 pursuits, particularly on the side of poetry. As 
 a poet, he has few, if any, peers in his native 
 State, and is known throughout Pennsylvania by 
 the nom-de-plume, "The Bard of the Susque- 
 hanna." In 1874 he graduated with honors 
 from Susquehanna University, at Selin's Grove. 
 After graduation, he read law with Hon. Charles 
 Hower, was admitted to the Bar in 1880, from 
 which time he has been continuously practicing 
 in the place of his birth, and holds an enviable 
 place in the esteem of his friends and acquaint- 
 ances. 
 
 On March 9, 1880, the subject of this sketch 
 was married to Miss Emma Floranda Dietrich, 
 of Hamburg, Berks Co. , Penn., at which place 
 she was born September 7, 1861. The follow- 
 ing children, all born and residing at Selin's 
 Grove, are the fruits of this marriage: Mary, 
 born February 8, 1881; Fanny Ruth, born Sep- 
 tember 7, 1882; Benjamin Hawthorne, born June 
 12, 1884; Lydia Eva, born September 16, 1886, 
 and died April 11, 1888; William Gladstone, 
 born February 13, 1S89; Emma An>ta, born 
 September 26, 1891; Paul Eugene, born Sep- 
 tember 19, 1S95. 
 
 William Eugene Houseworth is naturally en- 
 dowed with more than ordinary musical as well 
 as poetical gifts, and divides his attention about 
 equally between his law practice and the study 
 of poetry. "The Sage and the Sexton," "The 
 Tramp's Soliloquy," and " The Teacher " are ad- 
 judged the best productions from his pen. The 
 lawyer-poet is of German extract. His great- 
 grandfather, Johannes Hauswirth, emigrated to 
 this country, from Rotterdam, Germany, on Oc- 
 tober 13, 1749. His grandfather, on his father's 
 side, John Hauswirth, was born in Northumber- 
 land county, Penn., on October 7, 1769, and 
 died in Selin's Grove, March 25, 1840. His 
 grandmother on his father's side, Elizabeth Haus- 
 wirth, whose maiden name was Miller, was born 
 September 30, 1774, and died at Selin's Grove, 
 January 6, i860. John Jacob Miller was the 
 name of the grandfather on the mother's side, 
 who was born March 9, 1786, and died at Selin's 
 Grove, March 18, 1842. Sarah Miller, whose 
 maiden name was also Miller, his grandmother 
 on his mother's side, was born December 9, 
 1786, and died at Selin's Grove, June 20, 1879. 
 
1044 
 
 COM.VE.VOKA Tl VE lilmiUAPllIi AL RECOlili. 
 
 His father, Benjamin Houseworth, was born in 
 Union county, Penn., on August 30, 1806, and 
 died June 24, 1878, at Selin's Grove. 
 
 Mr. Houseworth's mother, Lydia House- 
 ith, whose maiden name was Miller, was born 
 in Warwick township, Lancaster Co., Penn., 
 April 22, 1S10. She was married to Benjamin 
 Houseworth, February 14, 1833. Her death 
 occurred February 9, 1S91. The following chil- 
 dren, all born at Selin's Grove, were the fruit of 
 their marriage: Utica mow Mrs. B. F. Tanner 1, 
 born January 20, 1834; Mary Catherine (Mrs. j. 
 Hall), born October 6, 1835, died March 6, 
 1887; Benjamin Franklin, born December 8, 
 1837; John Jacob, born April 3, 1842; and Will- 
 iam Eugene, the subject of this sketch. The 
 Houseworth family were among the pioneer 
 families of Snyder county, and to their industry 
 and brawn (they all having been carpenters and 
 tradesmen) is attributed more than an equal 
 share, with their other pioneer contemporaries, 
 of the honor due the hardy yeomanry for the 
 goodly heritage left to their posterity, and which 
 they now enjoy and heartily appreciate. 
 
 OBERT MIDDLESWARTH. If it would 
 be impossible to prepare a satisfactory edi- 
 tion of Hamlet without naming the " melancholy 
 Dane," an attempt to give a view of the men 
 who have been and are prominent in the devel- 
 opment of this section with no mention of the 
 Middleswarth family, would be a signal failure. 
 
 It was in the year 1792 that John and Martha 
 Middleswarth, the great-grandparents of the well- 
 known citizen whose name appears above, came 
 from New Jersey to make their home at a point 
 on the frontier line in what was then Northumber- 
 land county, Penn., but is now included in Beaver 
 township, Snyder county. The pioneers found but 
 few wagon roads through this section, and v 
 obliged to cut their way through the forests and 
 cross deep and danger >us streams without bridges. 
 With Indians for neighbors they cleared a farm in 
 the wilderness, and deei ( -;i ized in their fields in 
 friendly company with their cattle. Amid such 
 surroundings, Ner Middleswarth, our subject's 
 grandfather, one of the most distinguished me» 
 of his day, grew to manhood, having accompai 
 his parents to their new home when he was about 
 ten years old. He was born during the Revolu- 
 tionary war, and was irs I age when the 
 Constitution of the United States was adopted. 
 His existence dates back to the birth of our coun- 
 try, and passes on through the war of iSu, the 
 Mexican war and the war of the Rebellion. He 
 lived durii g the administration of sixteen Presi- 
 
 dents, viz.: Washington, Jefferson, Adams, 
 Madison. Monroe, J. Q. Adams, Jackson, Van- 
 Buren, Harrison, Tyler, Polk, Taylor, Fillmore, 
 Pierce, Buchanan and Lincoln. In 1813, when he 
 was aged thirty years, Union county was formed, 
 and in 1855, when he was seventy-two years old, 
 Snydercounty was erected. He passed through two 
 county division campaigns, of which the erection 
 • >l Snyder out of Union was the most exciting 
 one in which all public men participated. Beav- 
 ertown was laid out in 18 10 when he was twenty- 
 eight years old, and he was a resident there in 
 1S27. When he was thirty-two years old. the 
 war of 18 12 with Great Britain commenced. 
 James Madison was President of the United 
 States, and Simon Snyder was Governor of Penn- 
 sylvania. He raised a company, became captain 
 and was assigned to the 8th Penn's Rifles. In 
 1 814 he raised another company, became captain, 
 marched to Marcus Hook, where they were sta- 
 tioned awaiting orders to face the enemy, the 
 regiment being under Col. Uhl, with Gen. Cad- 
 walader as division commander. 
 
 In 1 Si 5, after the close of the war, he 
 was elected to the Legislature of Pennsylvania 
 and was re-elected thirteen times, serving four- 
 teen terms, from 181 5 to 1S41. He was twice 
 elected Speaker of the House. In 1848 he rep- 
 resented his district in the Senate of Pennsyl- 
 vania, filling the unexpired term of Dr. Jacob 
 Wagenseller, who died after serving two years. 
 In 185 1 he was the Whi« nominee for Canal 
 Commissioner of Pennsylvania, and received 487 
 more votes in Union county than Gen. Irvin, the 
 nominee for Governor. This flattering vote was 
 an evidence of his popularity among the people 
 who had known him from his infancy. The 
 Pennsylvania Canal was built in [828 when he 
 was a member of the Legislature, and the large 
 vote polled for Mr. Middleswarth for Canal 
 Commissioner induced his party to nominate 
 him for State Treasurer in 1S52. His name was 
 often mentioned as a suitable person to be 
 elected governor, and he could have secured the 
 nomination had he desired it. In the year 1 
 he was elected a member of the Thirty-third 
 Congress of the United States, serving with ac- 
 ceptance the term of two years. After the I 
 mation of Snyder county, in 1855, he was elected 
 a count 5 iditor with Francis A. Boyer, Si . 
 and Henry W. Snyder, a son of Gov. Snyder, 
 popular and leading men of the county. Alter 
 ing three years as auditor he was elected, in 
 5, an associate judge of the county, serving a 
 full term of five years. He was a public servant 
 a period of twenty-seven years, and it we add to 
 this the time lie served in the war it will be about 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1045 
 
 thirty years, the period allotted to one genera- 
 tion of man. He was executor, administrator 
 and guardian for many estates in his locality 
 which required much of his time, besides being 
 frequently consulted in matters of public and 
 private business, and being a lover of peace he 
 frequently settled quarrels among neighbors, thus 
 preventing many lawsuits. 
 
 His successful career seems the more remark- 
 able when we consider that his schooling must 
 have been very limited. When he arrived at 
 the age of manhood, schools were still kept in 
 private houses where English and German read- 
 ing were taught. This fact is conclusive evidence 
 that when he was a youth, if they had schools in 
 the locality where he lived, they were of a very 
 inferior kind and of short duration, and accord- 
 ing to one authority he never attended school but 
 six days in his life. Private study and keen 
 observation enabled him to secure an excellent 
 education, and he was a fluent speaker in the 
 German and English languages, his addresses on 
 politital and other topics being listened to with 
 interest by large crowds of people. As a pre- 
 siding officer he was dignified, and he displayed 
 a complete mastery of parliamentary rules. His 
 public position brought him in contact with edu- 
 cated and refined people, and he was a man of 
 polished manners when in the society of the re- 
 fined. His appearance and manner would at- 
 tract the attention of those not personally ac- 
 quainted with him, and he would impress a 
 stranger as being more than an ordinary man. 
 During his Congressional term he was elected an 
 honorary member of a number of literary societies 
 in connection with different colleges and acad- 
 emies in Pennsylvania. He would always ac- 
 knowledge these honors in neatly and properly 
 worded replies, and he would also forward useful 
 public documents as contributions to their 
 libraries. He had an extensive correspondence 
 with his patrons when he was a member of Con- 
 gress, being then seventy-two years of age with 
 his mental faculties unimpaired, and the family 
 now possess a number of letters requesting him 
 to attend to various businesses in all the public 
 departments at Washington. Among them are 
 letters from Gov. Porter, Gov. Curtin, Gov. Mil- 
 ler, of Wisconsin, Judge Walls, Gov. Pollock, 
 Judge Shindel, Dr. Hottenstein, Samuel Pawling, 
 and many others too numerous to mention. 
 
 His was a busy life from infancy to youth, 
 from youth to manhood, from manhood to old 
 age. He was a living illustration of the proverb 
 of Solomon: "He that driveth with a slack hand 
 becometh poor, but the hand of the diligent 
 maketh rich." He acquired extensive real estate, 
 
 on which were erected grist, saw and paper mills, 
 and distilleries, and much of his property is still 
 owned by his descendants. While he was not a 
 Church member he was a believer in Christianity, 
 and contributed to the Lutheran Church at 
 Beavertown, to which several of his family be- 
 longed. He died -in June, 1865, aged eighty-two 
 years, four months and twenty days, and his wife 
 Christiana passed away some time before. They 
 had the following children: John, who married 
 Elizabeth Fall; Mary, Mrs. Jacob Howell; 
 Moses, who married Eliza Hontz; Abner, our 
 subject's father; Aaron J., who marrie.d Harriet 
 Oyginger; Abraham R., who married Elizabeth 
 Bubb; Merib, Mrs. Jacob Feese; Jacob, who 
 married Sarah Bubb; Martha, Mrs. John S. 
 Smith; Sarah, wife of Reuben Klose; and Ma- 
 tilda, Mrs. Peter Rigel. 
 
 Abner Middleswarth, the father of our subject, 
 was born about 181 5 at the old homestead in 
 Beaver township, and in his youth learned the tan- 
 ner's trade at Beavertown, under Henry Dreese. 
 After working for three or four years at this 
 business he engaged in milling above Beavertown, 
 continuing about eight years. In 1847 he re- 
 moved to a farm near Troxelville belonging to 
 his father and now owned and occupied by the 
 subject of this sketch, but subsequently he located 
 upon what is known as the "paper-mill prop- 
 erty" above Adamsburg. His last years were 
 spent in the same vicinity in the little town called 
 Peola, which he named. He was a leading Re- 
 publican, and at times held office, but was not a 
 seeker after political honors. In religious faith 
 he was a Lutheran, and for many years he served 
 as deacon in the Church. His death occurred 
 on September 17, 1889, aged seventy-four years, 
 ten months and twenty days, and his remains 
 now rest in the cemetery at Adamsburg. His 
 estimable wife, Sophia, a daughter of Henry 
 Bickel, survived him and attained the advanced 
 age of eighty-two years. Their children were: 
 Henry J., now a resident in Pawnee county, 
 Kans. ; Robert, our subject; Susan, widow of 
 Michael Smith, of western Nebraska; Ehnira, 
 Mrs. William Ewing, of Spring township, Snyder 
 county; Abram, now of Denver, Colo. ; Miss 
 Lizzie, residing in Colorado; and John, a resident 
 of Mifflin county, Pennsylvania. 
 
 Robert Middleswarth, the subject proper of this 
 biography, was born August 12, 1839, at Beaver- 
 town, and his education was begun there with 
 William Frederick as his first teacher. During 
 his boyhood his parents removed to his pres- 
 ent farm, and from that time his schooling con- 
 sisted of only a few weeks in each winter. Hav- 
 ing been reared to farm work, he has always 
 
1046 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 continued it. On arriving at manhood he rented 
 the old home for seven years, but in 1880 he 
 purchased the place from his father. It contains 
 150 acres of choice land, and he has made many 
 improvements since taking charge. He owns an- 
 other tract of ten acres, and also has a half-in- 
 terest in a threshing machine. At present he 
 es but little attention to business, personally, 
 his tenants managing the farm, but he has been 
 an active worker, his strength having been re- 
 markable in his youth. As a business man he is 
 shrewd and far-seeing, and he ranks among the 
 substantial citizens of the locality, while his fair 
 dealing in all transactions has won him the re- 
 spect and esteem of every one. He is a stanch 
 Republican, but has invariably declined to accept 
 a place on the ticket, his impaired hearing being 
 a hindrance. 
 
 At the age of twenty-two years he was mar- 
 ried to Miss Lydia Hassinger, who was born in 
 Beaver township, Snyder county, in 1 841, the 
 daughter of Joseph Hassinger. Two children 
 have blessed their union. David, a merchant at 
 Troxelville, is married and has one child, Neoi 
 and Jeannette, who married William H. Fet- 
 terolf, of Adams township, Snyder county, to 
 whom has been born a daughter, Annie. Mr. 
 Middleswarth and his wife are both members of 
 the Lutheran Church, and take a prominent part 
 in religious work. Fraternally, he belongs to the 
 K. G. E., at Adamsburg. 
 
 Our subject has always been, and is now. ex- 
 ceedingly fond of hunting, fishing and trapping, 
 and many a night, darkness having overtaken 
 him, he has slept in the mountains tributary to 
 the Alleghanies, with only a pine knot as a pil- 
 low, a rock as his sheet and the blue sky as hi^ 
 cover. Scores of deer and bear have fallen un- 
 der the unerring aim of his trust\- rifle; he is a 
 fine marksman with a steady nerve and a keen 
 eye, and has a great store of knowledge of the 
 habits and characteristics of birds and wild 
 animals. 
 
 MATHAN T. DUNDORE, a leading farmer 
 and business man of Union township, Sny- 
 der county, has for a number of years been the 
 popular postmaster of Dundore, which office was 
 named in his honor. He was born April 29, 
 1^40, in Bern township, Berks county, Penn., 
 and is the only representative of the family in 
 Snyder county. In 1881 there was completed 
 an extensive genealogical record of the Dundore 
 family, by Nathan Dundore, of Philadelphia, 
 who in his introductory remarks mentions sev- 
 eral gentlemen to whom he was indebted for as- 
 sistance, including our subject. 
 
 Mr. Dundore is a representative of the fifth 
 generation of the family in the United States, 
 being descended from Jacob and Anna M. Wen- 
 delbrecht) Dunder (as the name was then 
 spelled), who were married about 1745, in Ger- 
 many, their native land. They were probably 
 born in one of the Rhine provinces, and in 1748 
 immigrated to America, locating permanently in 
 Berks county, Penn., near Host Church. In 
 1 77 1 he bought a farm east of Bernville, but con- 
 tinued to reside for several years on his farm in 
 Tulpehocken township, Berks county, and finally 
 removed to the former place, where he died May 
 12, 1789. He was born July 25, 1720. His 
 wife survived him for some time. 
 
 Of their family of nine children, John, the 
 eldest son and third child, was born March 20, 
 1751, and died October 14, 1823. He married 
 Catharine Geiss, who was born December 23, 
 1753, and died January 12, 1S27. Of the nine 
 children born to them, John, the third son and 
 child, was born June 30, 1780, and died April 
 14. 185S. He was twice married, first, to'Eliza- 
 beth Kline, who was born March 30, 1783, and 
 died April 14. 1S12, leaving five children: Sam- 
 uel K., the father of our subject; Rebecca; Isaac; 
 Polly and Mary. After the death of his first 
 wife, John Dundore married her sister Christiana 
 Kline, who was born February 8, 1704, and died 
 April 5, 18G1. Five children grace that union. 
 
 Samuel K. Dundore was born April 27, 1805, 
 and on the 29th of January, 1830, was united in 
 marriage with Miss Catharine Tobias, who was 
 born January 10, 1809. They continued to re- 
 side in Berks county, where the father died De- 
 cember 18, 1857, and was buried at Zion Church 
 cemetery, while his wife died April 26, 1875, and 
 was laid to rest in Haag cemetery. Their chil- 
 dren were as follows: Aaron; Catharine; Aaron 
 T. ; Nathan T.. of this review; Cornelius T. ; and 
 Samuel T. 
 
 R( ired in the county of his nativity, Nathan 
 T. Dundore obtained his early education in its 
 country schools, where he learned readily and 
 progressed rapidly. At the age of nineteen he 
 entered the Union Seminary, at New Berlin, 
 Penn., where he pursued his studies for a time, 
 and subsequently took a course at the Eastman 
 Business College, Poughkeepsie, N. Y-, from 
 which institution he graduated. Previous to this 
 he had taught school in Berks county during the 
 winter of 1SG1-2, and on January 1, 1864, he 
 went to Philadelphia to accept a position as 
 bookkeeper for the wholesale hardware firm of 
 Smith & Seltzer, where he remained until March, 
 
 In the meantime, on April 6. 1865, Mr. Dun- 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1047 
 
 dore was married to Miss Maria Witmer, of 
 Union township, Snyder county, with whom he 
 became acquainted while attending Union Sem- 
 inary. She was born July 28, 1843, an d is a 
 daughter of ex-Associate Judge Daniel Witmer, 
 and his wife, Catharine Herrold. The Judge is 
 now deceased, having passed away in December, 
 1890. 
 
 In the spring of 1866, Mr. Dundore formed a 
 partnership with his father-in-law, in the mer- 
 cantile business, and together they conducted a 
 store at what is now Dundore, until the latter's 
 death, since which time our subject has been 
 alone in business. He carries a well-selected 
 stock to meet the demands of his customers, and 
 besides conducting his store he is also successfully 
 engaged in general farming. In September, 
 1869, he was appointed postmaster, a position 
 which he still fills to the satisfaction of all con- 
 cerned. He is a stanch Republican and strong 
 Protectionist, and though he takes a keen inter- 
 est in public affairs, he is no politician in the 
 sense of office-seeking, preferring to give his un- 
 divided attention to his extensive business inter- 
 ests. Being a great reader, he is well posted on 
 the questions and issues of the day, and is in a 
 position to make an intelligent choice of political 
 parties. As he is a strong friend of public edu- 
 cation, he has efficiently served as school director 
 in his township, and probably no man in the 
 community has done as much to promote the 
 moral, educational or material welfare of his 
 township or county. 
 
 In February, 1862, Mr. Dundore united with 
 the Evangelical Association, but since 1891 he 
 has been one of the most active and prominent 
 members and substantial supporters of the United 
 Evangelical Church. For fourteen years he was 
 superintendent of the Sabbath-school, has always 
 been active in its work, and has been a delegate 
 to a number of State and county Sunday-school 
 conventions. He was also a delegate to the first 
 General Conference of the United Evangelical 
 Church, which was .held at Naperville, 111., No- 
 vember and December, of 1894, and the following 
 year was a delegate to the Central Pennsylvania 
 Conference, held at York, Penn., where he was 
 appointed trustee of the Central Pennsylvania 
 College, at New Berlin, Penn. The Witmer 
 United Evangelical Church was built on a por- 
 tion of his farm, which comprises 300 acres of 
 excellent land, and he laid out the beautiful cem- 
 etery connected with the church. He has ever 
 been a liberal contributor to all enterprises tend- 
 ing to advance the interests of the community, 
 and is recognized as one of its most valued and 
 influential citizens. 
 
 Pi) SCOTT RITTER, sheriff of Snyder coun- 
 ty, is an able and popular official, and is re- 
 garded as one of the influential Republicans of 
 this section. He was" born April 16, 1862, at 
 Kratzerville, Snyder county, where his family 
 has been well known from an early date. His 
 grandparents, John and Elizabeth Ritter, resided 
 there, the latter attaining the advanced age 
 of ninety-three years. In their family were the 
 following children: Catherine, married to Jacob 
 Miller; Sarah, married to John Beachler; Eliza- 
 beth, wife of Squire Wagner, of Kratzerville; 
 Mary, who became the second wife of the same 
 gentleman; John, Daniel, Elias, all three de- 
 ceased; Louis; Samuel and H. J. 
 
 The late H. J. Ritter, our subject's father, 
 was born near Kratzerville, January 3, 1832, and 
 remained there for some time after his marriage, 
 removing finally to Shamokin Dam, Penn., 
 where he died December 31, 1886. In early life 
 he was a merchant, but his last years were spent 
 in agricultual pursuits. He was a man of excel- 
 lent character, a member of the Lutheran 
 Church, and was held in high esteem among his 
 associates. His wife, whose maiden name was 
 Veronica Wagner, was born near Selins Grove, 
 August 14, 1835, and is now residing with our 
 subject. She is a daughter of William and 
 Christiana (Beaver) Wagner, and on her mother's 
 side is descended from the noted pioneer family 
 of which ex- Gov. Beaver is a member. Our 
 subject was the eldest of seven children. Of the 
 others, Heber died in infancy; Irene married W. 
 G. Morris, of Mt. Carmel, Penn. ; H. L. resides 
 at Nuremburg, Penn.; Daniel P. is a shipping 
 clerk at Sunbury, but lives. at Shamokin Dam, 
 Penn.; Cora died in infancy; and Miss Katie I. 
 resides with our subject. 
 
 Mr. Ritter began his education in the public 
 schools of Shamokin Dam, and afterward studied 
 at Selins Grove for a few terms, acquiring a good 
 practical training as a preparation for life's 
 duties. He taught school successfully for five 
 terms, and then clerked in a store at Shamokin 
 Dam for nine years. In the meantime he be- 
 came an active and efficient worker in the local 
 Republican organization, and in recognition of his 
 ability and popularity he was nominated to his 
 present office, and was duly elected. His nomina- 
 tion was the result of an appeal to the people at 
 a primary, and, as the first contest ended in a tie, 
 the matter was again referred to the people, who 
 made him their choice by a decisive majority. 
 
 On October 16, 1888, Mr. Ritter was mar- 
 ried to Miss Abbie A. Hottenstein, daughter of 
 I. R. and Abigail (Thompson) Hottenstein, in 
 whose family were six children besides Mrs. 
 
1048 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIO<; RAI'IWM. II FJORD. 
 
 Kilter, as follows: H. P., William J., Isaac L., 
 Elija R.. Mary E. (twin sister of Mrs. Ritter) 
 and Carrie T. The father of this family was a 
 son of Dr. Isaac Hottenstein, one of the most 
 prominent physicians in central Pennsylvania; he 
 died February 7. 1895. The mother passed 
 away on December 6, 1880. To Mr. and Mrs. 
 Ritter have been born four children: Anna P., 
 Harry R.. Rachel M. and one that died in in- 
 fancy. 
 
 Socially Mr. Ritter is identified with the P. 
 O. S. A., in which organisation he held the office 
 of District President, and lie is a member of the 
 Lutheran Church, with which his family has 
 been connected for generations. 
 
 JAMES KEEMER DAVIS, Jr. (decea 
 who in his lifetime was a prominent men 
 of the Sunbury Bar, and one of the leading 
 citizens of the city, descended from one of the 
 old families of this Commonwealth and a pioneer 
 of this locality. 
 
 Major Anthony Selin, his great-grandfather, 
 was a patriot of the war of the Revolution, com- 
 ing to this country from Switzerland. He was 
 the founder of Selins Grove, Snyder county. 
 His wife, Agnes Snyder, was a sister of ex-Gov. 
 Snyder, of Pennsylvania. 
 
 Born October 14, 1843, at Selins Grove, 
 James K. Davis, the third bearing that name, 
 the son of the late James K Davis, a leading 
 citizen and business man of Selins Grov. 
 sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this vol- 
 ume. At the age of eighteen, young Davis en- 
 tered Allegheny Cellege at Meadville, Penn., 
 from which institution he was graduated in 1865 
 He then came to Sunbury and read law under 
 tin instruction of Hon. John B. Packer, and was 
 admitted to the Bar in August, [867. In Jan- 
 uary, following, he was also admitted to practice 
 in the Supreme Court of the Commonwealth, in 
 Philadelphia. In 1869 he was honored by his 
 Alma Mater with the degree of Master of Arts. 
 From 1867 to 1873, Mr. Davis was entrusted 
 with the management of the legal business of his 
 preceptor, the Hon. John B. Packer, while the 
 latter was a representative in Congress. In this 
 Mr Davis acquitted himself with creditable 
 efficiency. In 1875 he visited South and Central 
 America with the expedition to make examina- 
 tions and surveys for the proposed route for the 
 Inter-Oceanic canal between the Atlantic and 
 Pacific oceans; he was chief clerk for Capt. Ed 
 ward Barrett, of the United States ship " Can- 
 andaigua." during this survey, and his letters 
 home from the various foreign ports are of great 
 
 interest to the student, because of their literary 
 excellence and historical value. In 1S74 he re- 
 turned home, making a tour of various Southern 
 States, and in August, 1875, became managing 
 clerk in the law office of S. P. Wolverton, Esq., 
 which position he occupied up to his death June 
 20, 1881. Mr. Davis possessed legal abilities of 
 a high order, coupled with great energy and busi- 
 tact. He was a man of positive view- 
 plain and outspoken, but combined all the ele- 
 ments of a thorough gentleman. 
 
 On February 1 3, [878, our subject was mar- 
 ried to Miss Emily A. Haas, daughter of Henry 
 and Catherine C. (Weaver) Haas, both of whom 
 were born in Sunbury. For many years the 
 father was the genial landlord of the "Central 
 Hotel " there, a most hospitable home for the 
 traveling public. Mrs. Davis was one of four 
 daughters born to their parents, namely: Mar} 
 E. (Mrs. William R. Dunham), of Philadelphia; 
 Emily A. (Mrs. James K. Davis); Catherine C. 
 • Mrs. Henry E. Davis), of Sunbury; and Jane 
 W, (Mrs. Norman S. Engle), of Sunbury. To 
 the marriage of James K. Davis and wife was 
 born a son, James K., who is now attending The 
 Pennsylvania State College, Centre county 
 
 AM SMITH. M. I)., of Beaver Springs. 
 Snyder county, who has been in successful 
 practice for more than a quarter of a century. 
 might well be content with the professional hon- 
 ors which he has won, yet he has an equally 
 prominent place in other lines of effort, bein 
 leading capitalist, business man and politician of 
 his locality. He has an enviable record as a 
 soldier also, having entered the Union army as 
 a boy of seventeen and served until the close of 
 the war. 
 
 Dr. Smith was born February 25, 1846, the 
 eldest son of John S. Smith and his wife Mar- 
 tha Middle-worth, daughter of Hon. Ner Middle- 
 worth, one of Snyder county's most distinguished 
 citizens. The Doctor was reared upon a farm, 
 and began his education at Riegel's school house, 
 John Doon being his first teacher. Although 
 his father's educational privileges had been lim- 
 perhaps for that very reason, he had de- 
 termined to give his children the best advantages 
 possible, and in order to encourage the teachers 
 in this locality he boarded them at his home 
 without charge. When but twelve years old the 
 Doctor entered Union Seminary at New Berlin, 
 Penn.. and before he was seventeen he took 
 charge of a school at Port Ann, Penn. In Feb- 
 ruary. [864, he interrupted his studies to enlist 
 in Company I, 49th P. V. I., and he saw some 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 J 049 
 
 severe fighting during his term of service. His 
 first battle was the engagement in the Wilder- 
 ness, and July of 1S64 was spent in the Shenan- 
 doah Valley. The regiment then went to Peters- 
 burg, and, after taking part in the operations 
 there, went on to Richmond and was present at 
 Lee's surrender. The Doctor was wounded on 
 April 2, 1865, in a charge, and in a number of 
 battles he showed unusual bravery, for which he 
 was promoted in the spring of 1865 to the rank 
 of coiporal. At the close of the war he returned 
 home and resumed his studies in a school at 
 Selins Grove, known as the Missionary Institute, 
 now Susquehanna College, where he spent two 
 years and graduated in 1868. That year he be- 
 gan the study of medicine with Dr. I. B. Conrad, 
 of Beavertown, and in the fall of the same year 
 he entered Jefferson Medical College, Philadel- 
 phia, from which he was graduated in 1870. 
 Since that time he has been in active practice in 
 Beaver Springs, meeting with marked success 
 from the start. During eighteen years of this 
 time he has been a physician for the Pennsylva- 
 nia Railroad Company, and he takes a high place 
 in the various professional organizations, being a 
 member of the American Medical Association, a 
 permanent member of the State Medical Society, 
 and a member of the Snyder County Medical So- 
 ciety, of which he was president for five years. 
 His sound judgment in business affairs is widely 
 recognized, and he is a director in the Beaver- 
 town Mutual Fire Insurance Company, and owns 
 a one-half interest in a hotel and business block 
 in Adamsburg. He also operates some iron ore 
 deposits near Adamsburg, furnishing employment 
 to a number of men. A few years ago he built 
 the finest brick residence in Adamsburg, and his 
 real-estate holdings include some excellent farm- 
 ing lands, besides an interest in a tract of pine 
 land in Florida. 
 
 The Doctor was married to Miss Alwilda 
 Stetler, of Beavertown, a daughter of George 
 Stetler, and they had one son, Charles G., who, 
 in 1897, graduated from the Jefferson Medical 
 College of Philadelphia. 
 
 On March 14, 1882, Mrs. Smith passed to 
 the unseen life, and the Doctor has since mar- 
 ried Miss Carrie Specht, of Beaver Springs, the 
 daughter of J. W. Specht, a wealthy merchant. 
 Dr. Smith and his wife are prominent in social 
 life, and she is an active member of the Luther- 
 an Church. Fraternally, the Doctor is a mem- 
 ber of the Patriotic Order of the Sons of Amer- 
 ica, the Knights of the Golden Eagle, the Inde- 
 pendent Order of Odd Fellows, the Grand Army 
 of the Republic, of which he is a charter mem- 
 ber, and for seven years served as commander, 
 
 and the Masonic Order — the Blue L°dge at Se- 
 lins Grove, the Commander}' at Lewistown, and 
 the Scottish Rite at Harrisburg. Jovial, liberal 
 and public-spirited, Dr. Smith has a host of 
 friends, including the leading citizens of his lo- 
 cality. His influence is solicited in aid of every 
 movement in his community, and he is especially 
 active in politics. In January, 1S98, he was 
 nominated in his county for the State Legislature, 
 defeating W. W. Witmyer, having a majority of 
 447, and out of 235 votes cast in his township 
 he received 223 of same. Dr. Smith is also pen- 
 sion examiner for Snyder county. It was mostly 
 through his efforts that in October, 1897, the 
 board was appointed, for which he has the thanks 
 of the old veterans of the county. He was a 
 guest at a very elaborate banquet given to Hon. 
 Boies Penrose at Philadelphia, in honor of the 
 latter's election to the United States Senate, and 
 for some time he served as chairman of the Sny- 
 der County Republican Committee. 
 
 PiROF. GEORGE E. FISHER, Ph. B.,who 
 now fills the chair of Natural Sciences in 
 Susquehanna University at Selins Grove, is one 
 of the ablest of the young educators of the 
 State. A close student, he is a thorough master 
 of the subjects which he teaches, and his own 
 enthusiasm is an inspiration to even the dullest 
 and idlest student. The value of his work is not 
 to be tested merely by the actual instruction 
 given, though that is of the best, but in the 
 quickening and stimulating influence of his keen 
 and active mentality which produces results that 
 must operate long after his students have left the 
 institution. 
 
 Prof. Fisher was born January 17, 1869, in 
 Middlecreek township, Snyder county, near the 
 town of Kreamer, and inherits the name George 
 from his grandfather and great-grandfather. His 
 father, the late Calvin Fisher, was born in 1844 
 in Penn township, Snyder county, at the old 
 Fisher homestead. The Professor's mother, 
 whose maiden name was Matilda_ Miller, was 
 born in 1844, and is still living, but the father 
 passed away in 1872. They had six children: 
 Gertrude, who died in 1872, three months after 
 her father's death; Annie, who married Milton 
 Orwig, of Middleburgh, Penn.; George E., our 
 subject; Charles K., a teacher in the public 
 schools of the county; and Foster C, now prin- 
 cipal of the academy attached to Susquehanna 
 University, who graduated from the University 
 in 1893, and from Bucknell College in 1896, be- 
 coming the principal of the academy in the same 
 year. He is noted for ability as an educator, his 
 
1050 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 power as a disciplinarian being excellent, and his 
 class work most efficient. 
 
 During boyhood the Professor enjoyed the 
 advantages of farm life, strengthening his 
 physique by outdoor exercise; but after the death 
 of his father his mother removed to Salem, 
 Penn., where she has since resided. The public 
 schools near his home furnished the youth with 
 the beginnings of knowledge, but it was not long 
 before his keen and thoughtful mind demanded 
 better and wider opportunities. In the fall of 
 [884 he entered the Susquehanna University, 
 then Missionary Institute, and during his course 
 there he won the respect of his classmates and 
 teachers for his sterling qualities as a student 
 and a man. After graduation at the end of the 
 M'phomore year at Missionary Institute, he spent 
 one year teaching 111 the public schools of Penn 
 township, with ability and success, but feeling. 
 however, the need of a complete college course, 
 he entered the Junior class at Bucknell Univer- 
 sity in the fall of 1889. His work there was 
 marked by the same studiousness that had char- 
 acterized his work in the former institution, and 
 in 1 89 1 he was graduated from the university 
 with honors. 
 
 In the fall of the same year he accepted the 
 principalship of the Friends' Normal Institu 
 a Rising Sun, Mil. After holding tins position 
 for one year, he resigned to accept the professoE- 
 ship of Science in Bucknell Academy. In this 
 institution he labored faithfully for four years, 
 endearing himself, by his devotion to his work, 
 to all entrusted to his care and instruction. At 
 the close of the spring term of 1896 the profes- 
 sorship of the Natural Sciences in Susquehanna 
 University became vacant. After careful de- 
 liberation, the Board of Directors concluded 
 that Professor Fisher was the proper man for the 
 vacancy, and he was unanimously elected. To 
 tum it was a matter of great regret to leave his 
 former position, but his love for his rirst Alma 
 Mater, and a conviction that a larger field of use- 
 fulness was awaiting him, caused him to accept 
 the position he now holds. 
 
 To crown all Professor Fisher is an earnest 
 Christian, science and revelation speaking alike 
 of the great First Cause. He is a member of 
 the Lutheran Church, and his character is an ex- 
 emplification of his faith. 
 
 C MORRIS SHOWERS, a leading merchant 
 of Centreville, Snyder county, is a man of 
 excellent business ability, and is now the ow 
 of the store in which he clerked when a boy. at 
 
 the magnificent salary of seventy-five dollars per 
 year. Pleasant and courteous in manner and 
 honorable in his dealings, he has won the con- 
 fidence of a large circle of acquaintances and 
 his friends are legion. 
 
 Mr. Showers is a member of an old and high- 
 ly respected family of Juniata county, his great- 
 grandparents, John Adam and Elizabeth (Womer) 
 
 wers, having been pioneer residents there. 
 The former attained the advanced age of eighty- 
 seven years, and for fwenty years resided with 
 his son Daniel, his death occurring at Centerville 
 about 1 86 1. Daniel Showers, the grandfather 
 of our subject, was born in Juniata county, in 
 1803, and as one of a family of fourteen children 
 was obliged to begin work at a very early age. 
 He learned the carpenter's trade and followed 
 cabinet making, and for some time he was en- 
 gaged in farming in Washington township, 
 Snyder county, where he also conducted the 
 "Summit hotel." After removing to Centerville, 
 in 1848, he bought the "Centerville Hotel," 
 which he managed. 
 
 He was a short, heavy-set man, but was not 
 robust, and he died in May, 1858, at the age of 
 fifty-five, his remains being interred at Centre- 
 ville. In politics he was a Democrat, and he 
 was a devout member of the Lutheran Church, 
 as was also his wife, Mary B. Haines, who was 
 born in 1800, in Washington township, Snyder 
 county, and died in March 1854. They had 
 seven children: George W., our subject's father; 
 Elizabeth, who married Frederick Mertz, and 
 died in April, 1879; Margaret J., who married 
 
 rles Dieffenderfer, and died at New Colum- 
 bia, Penn.; Daniel H., who died December 9, 
 1896. at Philadelphia; Barbara Ellen, now Mrs. 
 Peter Hartman, of Centerville; and Mary and 
 John (twins), of whom the former is now Mrs. 
 J. E. Shenkel. of Centerville, and the latter is a 
 restaurant keeper at Lewisburg. 
 
 George W. Showers, the father of our sub- 
 ject, was born July 16, 1831, in Juniata county, 
 and was educated in the subscription schools of 
 that time. During his boyhood his parents lo- 
 cated in Centerville, where he became acquainted 
 with the details of carpentering and cabinet 
 making under his father's instructions, while 
 assisting also in hotel work. He was an excell- 
 ent mechanic, and for many years followed his 
 trade in Centerville. In his later years he car- 
 ried on a mercantile business there, as a mem- 
 ber of the firm of Walter cV Showers, and he 
 owned and cultivated a small tract of land in the 
 same vicinity. He gained a comfortable com- 
 petence, and was held in high esteem as a citi- 
 zen. Notwithstanding the temptations of hotel 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1051 
 
 life he was a total abstainer, never under any 
 circumstances indulging in intoxicants or to- 
 bacco. In politics he was a Democrat, but 
 beyond being a regular voter he paid little at- 
 tention to public affairs, although he served 
 creditably as school director. In religious work 
 he took an active part as a member of the 
 Lutheran Church, in which he held the office of 
 deacon. He was of less than medium height, 
 stout, and apparently healthy, but he died very 
 suddenly of apoplexy on May 26, 1878, at the 
 comparative early age of forty-seven years. 
 
 On September 14, 1852, George W. Show- 
 ers was married, in Center township, to Miss 
 Mary Yerger, who was born in that township on 
 June 8, 1830, the daughter of Charles Yerger. 
 The first six years of their married life was spent 
 in a rented house, but later Mr. Showers built a 
 residence. His wife died March 18, 1868, and 
 both were buried at Centerville. He had six 
 children: Elmira J., born April 4, 1853, mar- 
 ried Dr. J. F. Kanawell, and died in 1894; C. 
 Morris is the subject of this sketch; William 
 Franklin, born March 31, 1858, died June 15, 
 i860; Henry A., born August 15, i860, died 
 April 5, 1865; Lizzie A., born December 17, 
 1863, is the widow of James M. Miller, of Cen- 
 terville, and Laura A., twin to Lizzie, married 
 Dr. George C. Mohn, of Laurelton, Pennsyl- 
 vania. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was born Septem- 
 ber 25, 1854, at Centerville (Penn's Creek P. O.). 
 He began his education in a building that stood 
 near the present site of the United Evangelical 
 Church, his first teacher being Austin S. Houtz. 
 After availing himself of the somewhat limited 
 privileges of the local schools, he entered Free- 
 burg Academy in 1 871, and pursued his studies 
 there for three months. When but thirteen 
 years old he began clerking for Walter & Hart- 
 man, general merchants of Centerville, his sal- 
 ary being, as has been said, only seventy-five 
 dollars per year, without board. His school 
 days ended in 1871, and he resumed clerking, 
 which he had followed irregularly during boy- 
 hood. For some years he was employed by Wal- 
 ter & Hartman, by Walter & Showers, the firm 
 of which his father was a member, and by 
 Simonton & Showers, and in 1880 he became a 
 partner of Valentine Walter, in the same estab- 
 lishment. In 1882 he became the sole owner of 
 the store, but in 1890 was joined by his brother- 
 in-law, James M. Miller, as a partner. The 
 death of the latter in 1S92 caused Mr. Showers 
 to become the sole proprietor again, and he has 
 ever since continued the business alone. He buys 
 and sells produce, and carries a large stock of 
 
 merchandise, being the leader in his line in that 
 locality. 
 
 On February 24, 18S1, Mr. Showers was mar- 
 ried to Miss Savilla Walter, who was born July 
 11, i860, in Limestone township, Union county, 
 the eldest daughter of Valentine and Susanna 
 (Shaffer) Walter. She is a very intelligent lady 
 and has received more than ordinary educational 
 opportunities. Two sons were born to this 
 union: John C. , now a student in Susquehanna 
 University, of Selins Grove, and Ralph W., who 
 is at home. Mr. Showers and his wife are both 
 active members of the Lutheran Church, in 
 which he holds the office of deacon. In politics 
 he adheres in general to the principles of the 
 Democratic party, but on occasions he votes for 
 the best man according to his judgment. He is 
 not an office-seeker, but at present he is serving 
 as a member of the school board. Socially, he 
 is a member of the Masonic order at Selins 
 Grove. 
 
 EUBEN KROUSE, one of the most intel- 
 ligent and well-informed men of Middle 
 Creek township, is a worthy representative of a 
 pioneer family of this Section of Snyder county. 
 He was born February 28, 1839, on the farm 
 where he still continues to live. His grand- 
 father, Christian Krouse, came to this region 
 from Montgomery county, Penn. , upwards of 
 one. hundred and ten years ago, and died of 
 paralysis while assisting in the erection of the 
 second church at Salem, Penn. In his family 
 were five sons: John, Philip, Daniel, Henry and 
 George; and three daughters: Catherine, Eliza- 
 beth and Mary. 
 
 John Krouse, our subject's father, was born 
 in Middle Creek township, in 1789, and when a 
 young man married Miss Barbara Boyer, also a 
 native of Snyder county, and a daughter of 
 Leonard Boyer, a farmer by occupation. Their 
 children were as follows: Mary, who owns the 
 old homestead and lives with our subject ; George, 
 a resident of Cass county, Mich. ; Isaiah, who 
 died in Michigan after reaching manhood; Annie, 
 who married Benjamin Hotenstine, and died in 
 Snyder county; Valentine, who died in Middle 
 Creek township; Reuben, of this sketch; and 
 Lena, wife of Aaron Dennis, of Williamsport, 
 Pennsylvania. 
 
 After his marriage, John Krouse located on 
 the farm now occupied by his son and daughter, 
 and there successfully carried on agricultural 
 pursuits throughout life. He was an ardent 
 Democrat in politics, and in his township held 
 the office of overseer of the poor, while in re- 
 
1052 
 
 ( 0MMEMORAT1VE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 ligious belief he was a Lutheran. His death, 
 which occurred in 1855, resulted from an attack 
 of typhoid fever, and his wife, who died at the 
 age of seventy-six years, now sleeps by his side 
 in the Salem Church cemetery. 
 
 During his boyhood and youth Reuben Krouse 
 attended what is known as the Krouse schi 
 his first teacher being John M. Douberman. 
 Although the schools were much inferior to those \ 
 of the present day, he made the most of his 
 opportunities, and by subsequent reading and 
 observation he has become a well-informed man, 
 thoroughly posted on the leading questions and 
 topics of the day. Upon the home farm he con- 
 tinued to engage in agricultural pursuits until 
 twenty years of age, when he began learning 
 watch-making. Being a natural mechanic, he 
 could make wagons, sleighs and do all kinds of 
 carpenter work, and he familiarized himself with 
 watch-making by studying books on the subject 
 and taking watches apart and putting them to- 
 gether again. His entire life has been passed 
 on the old homestead with the exception of the 
 summer of 1865, which he spent at carpenter 
 work in Elkhart, Ind. He is now successfully 
 operating the farm for his sister, and also culti- 
 vates a tract of eighty acres which he owns in 
 Middle Creek township. Since 1890 he has also 
 engaged in the threshing business, and while thus 
 employed has become widely acquainted, and 
 wherever he is known is held in high esteem. 
 The Democratic party finds in him an earnest 
 supporter. He is not only a great reader, but 
 possesses a retentive memory, and is an excellent 
 conversationalist, which makes him quite a pop- 
 ular and prominent citizen of the community 
 where he has so long made his home. 
 
 CALVIN BLYTHE NORTH. To as early as the 
 fifteenth century the North family can be 
 traced in English history. In the time of Oliver 
 Cromwell one of the family crossed to Ireland. 
 and there settled on lands in County Westmeath, 
 and from this one of the name has descended 
 the subject of this brief biography. 
 
 The first of the family to settle in this coun- 
 try was Caleb North, who left Ireland with his 
 four sons and four daughters, and landed at Phil- 
 adelphia in July, 172'j. His son Roger had a 
 son Joshua, whose son John was the father of 
 the man whose name introduces this sketch 
 sketch. John North was born May 2, 1799, and 
 married Jane Houston McAlister, a daughter of 
 Hugh McAlister, and a granddaughter of Major 
 Hugh McAlister, the founder of McAlisterville, 
 Juniata Co., Penn., and whose military title was 
 
 won by service in the American Revolution under 
 Gen. Washington. 
 
 John and Jane H. (McAlister) North reared a 
 large and intelligent family : Calvin Blythe ; 
 Hugh M., of Columbia, Penn., one of the best 
 known lawyers and politicians :>f central Penn- 
 sylvania ; Thomas Elliot, a merchant of Carl' 
 dale, 111.; Adolphus, a retired farmer of Leba- 
 non. 111.; Samuel E.. of Carbondale, 111.; Ed- 
 mund D., attorney, of Lancaster, Penn.; and 
 Jennie E., married to Dr. Washington Righter, 
 of Philadelphia. 
 
 Calvin B. North, now one of the foremost 
 and leading citizens of Selins Grove, is a native 
 of Juniata count)', and was born at McAlister- 
 ville March 28, 1824. His early years were 
 spent under the home roof, and in attending the 
 public and private schools of that day. At the 
 age of sixteen he entered a store at Thompson- 
 town, in that county, as clerk, where he re- 
 mained for more than five years. In 1845 he 
 red a wholesale dry-goods house in Philadel- 
 phia, as salesman, remaining there until 1 
 when he returned to McAlisterville, where he 
 , irked in general merchandising with his fa- 
 ther, and continued this partnership for more 
 than eight years, after which he traveled exten- 
 sively (or a year or more through the Western 
 and Southern States. In the year 1857 Mr 
 North received an appointment to a clerkship in 
 the Department of the Interior at Washington, 
 D. C„ under the administration of President 
 Buchanan, and remained there until Noveml 
 1 86 1. In February, 1S62, he entered the Mifflin 
 County Bank at Lewistown, Penn., as teller, and 
 so continued till March, 1864, when the First N . 
 tional Bankof Selins Grove, Penn., was organized, 
 and he was elected cashier, which position he 
 has continuously occupied to the present time, 
 placing him in rank of length of service and 
 well in the van-guard of the bank officers of the 
 country. His faithful and conscientious service 
 conservative management have won for him 
 the highest regard of the community where he 
 lives, and the high esteem of all who know him 
 On January 5, 1S65, Mi. North was married 
 1 Miss Annie Richter, a daughter of the late 
 Peter Richter, a prominent and leading citizen 
 of Selins Grove, whose wife, Elizabeth Holstein 
 Richter, was a lineal descendant of Conrad 
 Weiser, who was most prominent in Provincial 
 times as the official interpreter between the Gov- 
 ernment and the Indians. The son and onh 
 child born to this union, Roscoe Calvin North, 
 has been for some years connected with the First 
 National Bank of Selins Grove as assistant 
 cashier. 
 

 
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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 lt)53 
 
 In politics Mr. North has always been a 
 Democrat, but on the currency question has 
 sided with the more conservative members of his 
 party, repudiating the doctrine of free silver. He 
 has ever been a prominent worker in the party 
 ranks, and in his younger years was active in 
 County and State Conventions, but became less 
 so in later years when other duties claimed the 
 major portion of his time. Though reared in 
 the faith of the Presbyterian Church, he, finding 
 no Church of that denomination in Selins Grove, 
 joined the Lutheran Church, in which, to-day, 
 he and his family are faithful and earnest work- 
 ers. 
 
 Though now past the alloted span of three- 
 score years and ten, Mr. North is still active in 
 the care of his business affairs. His interest in 
 the welfare of his community and the country is 
 undiminished, and he is yet at the front in pro- 
 gressive movements. Strong and true, he stands 
 like the sentinel for the past generation, keeping 
 watch over the present. 
 
 CHARLES BOYER. There are in every com- 
 ' munity men who are leaders in thought and 
 action, who take a prominent part in public 
 affairs, and are potent factors in advancing the 
 welfare and prosperity of the localities with which 
 they are connected. Such a man is Mr. Boyer, 
 who is now a general merchant, and the post- 
 master of Paxtonville. He was born in Middle- 
 burg, Snyder county, July 31, 1S35, and is a 
 representative of one of the .old families of the 
 State. His grandfather, John Boyer, was a na- 
 tive of Montgomery county, and removed to what 
 is now Center township, Snyder county, where 
 he owned and cultivated a farm of 200 acres. In 
 political belief he'was a Whig, and, in religious 
 faith, was a Lutheran. 
 
 George Boyer, father of our subject, was 
 born on the old homestead in Center township, 
 and was educated in the German schools. He 
 was reared to manhood upon a farm, and learned 
 the tanner's trade under the direction of his 
 brother Samuel, of Middleburg, following that 
 business until 1850, when he turned his attention 
 to farming. He laid out the town of Fremont, 
 which he named in honor of Gen. Fremont, and 
 for some years conducted a hotel there. He was 
 engaged in general merchandising in connection 
 with our subject for three years. In business he 
 was strictly honorable, enterprising and industri- 
 ous, and commanded the respect of all with 
 whom he was brought in contact. His political 
 support was given the Republican party, and he 
 served as county commissioner of Snyder county. 
 
 He took a very active interest in educational 
 affairs, was an earnest worker in the Lutheran 
 Church, and did all in his power to promote the 
 movements that tended to uplift humanity. He 
 was married, in Center township, Snyder county, 
 to Sarah Spaid, who was born in Franklin town- 
 ship, a daughter of George Spaid, a farmer of 
 Center township, of German descent. Mr. Boyer 
 died in Fremont, October 31, 1893, and his wife 
 also passed away in that town. They were the 
 parents of seven children: Samuel, of Fremont; 
 Charles, Henry, William and Edwin, all of Fre- 
 mont; Sarah, wife of Percival Garman, of 
 Fremont; and Mrs. Barbara Becker, of Kansas, 
 now deceased. 
 
 Charles Boyer, of this review, acquired his 
 education in the public schools of Middleburg, 
 and worked in the tannery with his father until 
 eighteen years of age, after which he learned the 
 carpenter's trade in Middleburg, following that 
 pursuit for a period of four years in Mid- 
 dleburg and Fremont. Through the suc- 
 ceeding four years he served as consta- 
 ble of Perry township, Snyder county, and 
 then exchanged civic for military service, enlist- 
 ing in October, 1862, as a member of Company 
 I, 172nd P. V. I. He was mustered in at Har- 
 risburg, was elected first lieutenant of the com- 
 pany, and assigned to the Army of the Potomac. 
 He did guard duty at Fort Yorktown, and served 
 for nine months, suffering greatly from the hard- 
 ship and exposure incident to army life. 
 
 After his return home Mr. Boyer embarked 
 in merchandise in Fremont in connection with 
 his father, whose interest he purchased after 
 three years, continuing alone in business for a 
 similar period. In 1872 he came to Paxtonville, 
 built a fine residence and business block at a cost 
 of more $7,000, and opened the first store at 
 this place. He carries a large and well-selected 
 stock of general merchandise, and his uni- 
 form courtesy and straightforward dealing have 
 secured to him a trade which is large and profit- 
 able. 
 
 In 1858, Mr. Boyer was married at Fremont, 
 to Mollie Rathfon, a native of Perry township, 
 and a daughter of Jacob Rathfon, a f aimer. 
 They became the parents of nine children, of 
 whom two are now deceased. Those still living 
 are: Nelson, a fruit grower and school teacher 
 of Lima, Ohio; Stephen, who is employed as an 
 engineer in Kansas; Elmer, a railroad foreman 
 of Chicago; Morant, also a railroad man of that 
 city; Clark S., who is engaged in clerking for 
 for his father, and Alda and Ida at home. 
 
 Mr. Boyer exercises his right of franchise 
 in support of the men and measures of the 
 
1054 
 
 COMMBMOEA TIVE BIOGUAl'lIl' A L REt 'ORD. 
 
 Republican party, and does all in his power 
 to promote its growth and insure its success. He 
 was assessor for one term, and tax collector for 
 two terms, and discharged his duties with 
 marked promptness and fidelity. His business 
 interests are well managed, and have brought to 
 him excellent returns for his labor. His life has 
 been well spent, and he has therefore gained the 
 high regard of all with whom he has been brought 
 in contact. 
 
 LFRED SPECHT, ex-sheriff of Snyder 
 county, is a citizen of Beavertown, and his 
 popularity, which is founded upon his character 
 as a man, extends through all classes in the com- 
 munity irrespective of political affiliations. His 
 position has been won by hard work and good 
 management, as he began life a poor boy, but his 
 perseverance and courage under difficulties have 
 but increased the respect and esteem of the peo- 
 ple among whom his life has been spent. 
 
 He comes of a patriotic family, and his grand- 
 father, Adam Specht, was a corporal in Captain 
 Henry Miller's company at Marcus Hook, on No- 
 vember 10, i s 1 4 . Lieut. -Col. George Weirick 
 ing the commander of the regiment. Adam 
 Specht came to New Berlin, Lancaster county, 
 m 1 791, when he was but seven years old, and 
 growing to manhood there he was married to 
 Catherine Smith, a daughter of Peter Smith. 
 For many years he carried on a pottery business 
 at Beavertown, which contained but a few houses 
 at the time that he settled there. He died on 
 November 6, [872, aged eighty-eight years, and 
 his wife on April 20, 1870, at the age of eighty- 
 two, both being buried in the cemetery at Bi 
 ertown. Among their children was a son Elias, 
 our subject's father, who was born March 25, 
 1820, at Beavertown. At an early age he left 
 home and learned the gunsmith's trade with his 
 brother Adam, in McAlisterville, Juniata Co., 
 Penn. He was married in Beavertown to Miss 
 Julia Hofnagle, a native of Beaver township, 
 born in 1S1S. Her parents, Christian and 
 Hannah Bingaman) Hofnagle, were prominent 
 residents of that locality. After his marriage our 
 subject's father continued to reside at Heaver- 
 town, following his trade. He had had but 
 limited educational opportunities in his vouth, 
 but possessed much mental ability, and was 
 highly respected in the community. In re it^ious 
 faith he was a Lutheran, and at one time he 
 was an elder in the Church. Although never 
 a politician, he was at times active in local af- 
 fairs, and during one year held the office of con- 
 
 stable. In early life he was a Democrat, but 
 when the war issues arose he became a stanch 
 supporter of the Republican party. In October, 
 
 1862, he enlisted in Company G, ij2d P. V I . . 
 and, after remaining at Fort Vorktown for some 
 time, took part in the battle of Gettysburg, and 
 later his regiment pursued Lee into Virginia. 
 H> was a drummer in his company and re- 
 mained in service about ten months, taking 
 part in all the engagements of his regiment. 
 His death occurred in February, 1890, but his 
 widow still resides at the old home in Beaver- 
 town. They had five children, of whom our 
 subject was the eldest; Mary married Samuel 
 Bickel, of Beaver township; Adam, who resides 
 111 Sunbury, Penn.. is a mason by trade; Eliza- 
 beth married Thomas Keller, of Adamsbi 
 and F. E. is the agent of the Pennsylvania Rail- 
 road Company at Beavertown. 
 
 Alfred Specht was born May 15, 1843, and 
 was reared in Beavertown. He attended school 
 in a building near the site of his present home, a 
 Mr. Frumbarger being his first teacher. After 
 he was ten vears old he attended school only in 
 the winter season, and at fifteen he left school to 
 enter the employ of his uncle, Moses Specht, for 
 whom he drove the team and delivered plows, 
 farm machinery and merchandise. On May 24. 
 
 1863, he was married in Beavertown to Miss 
 Sarah E. Kern, who was born in the same town- 
 ship, July 11, 1843, the daughter of Jacob and 
 
 h (Weirick Kern. For one year after his 
 marriage, Mr. Specht made his home at Bellevue, 
 Ohio, where for five months he was employed as 
 a night watchman and baggage master for the 
 Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad Com- 
 pany. In 1865 he returned to Beavertown and 
 learned the molder's trade in his uncle's foundry, 
 and for twenty-four years he continued to foil iw 
 that business, with the exception of short periods 
 when he was employed by his uncle in a store. 
 In 1869 he purchased a house and lot in Beaver- 
 town, upon which he has made many improve- 
 ments, and in 1872 he bought a small tract of 
 land near the town, where he carries on farming 
 in addition to his other pursuits. 
 
 Mr. Specht has always been a Republican in 
 politics, his first Presidential vote being cast in 
 
 ;. in York Center, Ohio, for Abraham Lin- 
 coln. His popularity has made him a favorite 
 candidate of his party for various offices, and in 
 the fall of 1893 he was elected sheriff of Snyder 
 county. He took charge of the office in January, 
 1894, and served until January. [897, his resi- 
 dence being at Middleburg during that time. In 
 1882 he was elected justice of the peace, and this 
 office he held for eleven years, resigning during 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1055 
 
 his third term in order to take the office of sheriff. 
 Educational affairs have always received his sym- 
 pathetic attention, and for three years he served 
 as school director. 
 
 Socially, the family is prominent, and he and 
 his wife are both members of the Lutheran Church. 
 Mr. Specht and his father at one time belonged to 
 an Odd Fellows' lodge at Beavertown, which has 
 since been suspended, and our subject has also 
 been a member of the Grange and of the Im- 
 proved Order of Red Men. He has two sons, 
 both residents of Beavertown: Charles F., who 
 married Clara Hartman, has one child, Lura E. ; 
 and Thomas J., who married Ella Custer, has 
 one son, Benjamin C. 
 
 Jj F. STETLER, one of Middleburg's most en- 
 terprising and successful citizens, who for six 
 years has served as the borough's chief 
 burgess, has won an enviable reputation as an 
 architect and builder, his artistic taste being 
 shown in many of the later structures erected 
 in this section. Space will not permit of a full 
 list of the handsome residences which have been 
 designed and built by him, but among the pub- 
 lic buildings we may mention the Snyder county 
 prison, the Lutheran Church edifice at Middle- 
 burg, the Mifflin County National Bank, the 
 Russell Bank, at Lewistown, Penn., and the new 
 school houses at Reedsville, Milroy and Free- 
 burg. 
 
 Mr. Stetler was born March 21, 1848, in 
 what is now Franklin township, Snyder county. 
 On the paternal side he is of German descent, 
 his great-grandfather Stetler having come to 
 Pennsylvania from the Fatherland at an early 
 day. His son, John Stetler, the grandfather of 
 our subject, was reared in one of the lower 
 counties, and as a young man settled in Snyder 
 county, where he engaged in brick laying for a 
 time, and later in agricultural pursuits, his death 
 occurring on a farm in Franklin township. He 
 married Elizabeth Bollender, and had seven 
 children: Kate, who married Fred Bollender, 
 and died in Illinois; Mary, wife of Joseph Sha- 
 man, of Adamsburg, Penn. ; Sarah, who died in 
 childhood; Elizabeth, now Mrs. Rathgeber; La- 
 vina, wife of Jacob Kizer, of Liverpool, Penn. ; 
 Franklin J., who removed to Michigan, and died 
 there; and Aaron, our subject's father. 
 
 The late Aaron Stetler, who was for many 
 years an honored resident of Snyder county, was 
 born in Franklin township, August 3, 1823, and 
 died March 27, 1890, at his home in the bor- 
 ough of Middleburg. He was a carpenter by 
 
 trade, and in early life was engaged in contract- 
 ing and building, but in 1859 he purchased a 
 farm and devoted his attention to agriculture. 
 As an intelligent and patriotic citizen he took 
 keen interest in the questions of his time, and on 
 August 22, 1862, he was drafted in the service of 
 his country, becoming a member of Company C, 
 i/2d Pennsylvania Infantry, with the rank of cor- 
 poral, and served until discharged on August 1, 
 1863, the greater portion of the time being spent 
 at Yorktown, Va. In politics he was a steadfast 
 Republican, and he was for many years an act- 
 ive member of the Lutheran Church. He was 
 married to Miss Mary Walter, who was born in 
 Centre township, Snyder county, and died April 
 1, 1885. Our subject was the eldest of four 
 children who lived to adult age. (2) Calvin, a 
 resident of Middleburg, is engaged in the insur- 
 ance business, and also follows the barber's 
 trade. (3) George F. operates a planing-mill at 
 Middleburg. (4) Henry S. resides at Akron, 
 Ohio. 
 
 J. F. Stetler's early life was spent upon his 
 father's farm ; his course of study in the local 
 schools was supplemented by two terms in the 
 seminary at New Berlin. In 1865 he began to 
 learn the carpenter's trade, and after completing 
 his apprenticeship he worked for two years as a 
 journeyman. He then established himself in an 
 independent business as a contractor, and short- 
 ly afterward he and his brother Calvin, and David 
 Stahlnecker, opened a planing-mill at Middle- 
 burg. This was purchased by their father some 
 time later and conducted by him until his death. 
 From the first Mr. Stetler endeavored to bring 
 to his work a higher order of skill and taste than 
 had before been prevalent among the builders of 
 this section, and his success led to a constant 
 demand for his services as an architect. Since 
 1885 his time has been almost entirely given to 
 this branch of his business, and pleasing exam- 
 ples of his work abound, adding to the natural 
 beauty of the landscape, and lending silent but 
 effective influence toward the cultivation of 
 higher standards of taste. 
 
 In 1 87 1 Mr. Stetler was married to Miss Het- 
 tie E. Ulrich, and their home is brightened by 
 five children: Lillian, Herbert, Clarence, Aaron 
 Leroy and Pauline R. , two of them living, 
 namely, Lillian and A. Leroy. Mrs. Stetler was 
 born October 4, 1858, in Jackson township, 
 Snyder county, the daughter of Jacob and Eliz- 
 abeth (Moyer) Ulrich. Her father, who was 
 born in Jackson township, Snyder county, in 
 1815, died in 1893, and her mother, who was 
 born in Union county, in 1820, passed to the un- 
 seen life in 1887. Mrs. Stetler was the youngest 
 
1056 
 
 ' 0MMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPIIKAL RECORD. 
 
 of four children, the others being: Mary, who 
 married William H. Beaver, of Middleburg ; 
 Lavina, wife of Aaron Stahlnecker, and Susan, 
 wife of B. F. Hermon. 
 
 W. POTTER, of Selins Grove, is one of 
 &L the leading members of the Bar of Snyder 
 county, having been actively engaged in practice 
 since 1S72, and all who are familiar with the 
 personnel of the legal profession in this section 
 will rind in that fact a sufficient evidence of ability 
 and worth. 
 
 Mr. Potter comes of a good old Pennsylvania 
 family, and his paternal grandparents, Jacob and 
 
 abeth All bright) Potter, lived and died in the 
 vicinity of Liverpool, Perry county. They had 
 six children: Ezra, Isaiah, Isaphene. Mary A 
 (Hoover), Rebecca (Van Camp) and William; of 
 these, Mrs. Mary Ann Hoover and Mrs. Rebecca 
 Van Camp are yet living. 
 
 Rev. Isaiah Potter, the father of our subject, 
 was born in Perry county January 7, 18 19, and 
 although his instruction was limited to the com- 
 mon schools of that day he managed to secure a 
 good education through private study, and be- 
 came a prominent minister of the United Brethren 
 Church. For many years he preached on a regu- 
 lar circuit, and for a time was a presiding eldei 
 in his Conference. He also served as a delegate 
 to the General Conference. He died Octobers, 
 
 : , his wife, Mrs. Mary Ann (Wasson) Potter, 
 who was born in Millheim, Penn., February 13, 
 1822, is still living. Of their eight children, the 
 eldest, Cyrus M., is in the United States postal 
 service at Washington, D. C. ; Albert W., our 
 subject, is mentioned again below; Seneca died 
 in 1 S 5 1 ; Lizzie C. married I. M. McCloskey: 
 Milton G. is in the postal service in Pittsburg, 
 Penn.; Newton I. died in 1884; Miles I. 1 
 attorney of Middleburg, Penn.; Emily I. died 
 when about twenty years of age. Mrs. Mary Ann 
 Wasson) Potter was a granddaughter of Robert 
 and Ruth (Elliot) Wasson, who were of Scotch- 
 Irish descent, and came from Liverpool. Eng- 
 land, in the latter part of the last century. They 
 married and settled in the neighborhood of 
 Ephrata, Lancaster county, Penn., later moving 
 
 iear " Potter's Bank " and Boalsburg, in Cen- 
 tre county. They reared a family of eight chil- 
 dren, among whom was a son, George M. George 
 M. Wasson married Elizabeth, daughter of Jacob 
 Kryder, who was one of the judges of Centre 
 inty. George M. Wasson engaged in mercan- 
 tile business in Millheim, Centre county, later 
 removing to Nittany Valley. Clinton county. 
 
 He became the father of five sons and four daugh- 
 ters, two sons and three daughters yet living. 
 The eldest daughter, Mary Ann, wife of the Rev. 
 Isaiah Potter, is mentioned above. 
 
 Mr. Potter, whose name introduces this 
 sketch, was born January 7, 1S47. in Hunting- 
 don county, Penn., but was reared in Mifflin 
 county, completing his literary education in a 
 seminary there. He studied law with George 
 W. Elder, of Lewistown, and in 1S72 was ad- 
 mitted to the Bar. Since that time he has been 
 continuously engaged in practice at Selins Grove, 
 his ability gaining for him a high rank in the pro- 
 fession. Hehasalwaystaken keen interest in public 
 questions, and is influential in local affairs and in 
 the councils of the Republican party. Three 
 different times he was the choice of his county 
 for the Congressional nomination. He belongs 
 to the Masonic fraternity, in "which he has the 
 rank of past master, and to the G. A. R., hav- 
 ing won the right to membership in the latter by 
 ninety-days' service in Company F, 46th Penn- 
 sylvania Volunteer Militia, in 1S63. 
 
 In 1869 Mr. Potter married Miss Mollie E. 
 Reams, who was born June 3, 1849, m Mifflin 
 county, and died in October, 1S76. In March, 
 1878, Mr. Potter formed a second matrimonial 
 union with Miss Marie L. Davis, a native of 
 Selins Grove. By the first marriage there were 
 three children: Grace B. (who died in 1871), An- 
 nie M. and John R. ; and by the second there 
 were also three, viz.: Edith M., Robert D. and 
 M. Marguerite. 
 
 On January 2;. 1898, there occurred a sad 
 accident, the result of which Mr. Potter will 
 suffer a lifelong inconvenience. A freight train 
 on the Sunbury ..V Lewistown railroad ran into a 
 Selins Grove sleighing party at Rreamer Station 
 at four o'clock that morning. Two persons were 
 instantly killed and a dozen others injured, four 
 of them seriously. Eighteen persons were in a 
 sled returning home from Middleburg, 
 where they had been attending a social party. 
 Before the driver was cognizant of an approach- 
 ing train, the big engine crashed into the side of 
 the sled just back of his seat. Mr. Potter had 
 both arms crushed, and his left leg broken in the 
 hip joint. The right arm had to be amputated 
 at the elbow. No one of the party escaped 
 without a bruise of some kind. The injured were 
 all taken to the hotel at Kreamer, where medical 
 aid was summoned from Selins Grove and Mid- 
 dleburg. The fortitude with which Mr. Potter 
 has borne this affliction proves him to be a man 
 ol e;reat courage and indomitable will, uncon- 
 quered by adversities, strong throughout all for- 
 tunes 
 
frST^r; C^-Ot^h,, 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1057 
 
 FRA C. SCHOCH, one of the leading citizens 
 J! of helms Grove, Snyder county, where for 
 twenty years he has been prominent in the busi- 
 ness of that locality, is a representative of one of 
 the old families of the State. 
 
 Matheus Schoch, the founder of the families 
 in Union and Snyder counties, Penn., was born 
 December 16, 1738, in the province of Alsace- 
 Lorraine, Germany. At the age of eleven years 
 he and a brother were sold as redemptioners to 
 pay their passage to America, entering into a con- 
 tract to pay for same by working for a term of 
 years after their arrival. They landed at Phila- 
 delphia September 2, 1749, having come in the 
 ship "Albany," of which Robert Brown was 
 master. They remained in that city until they 
 had carried out their contract and were again 
 free. Here in the New World, realizing the ad- 
 vantages, and having well ingrafted the Swiss 
 thrift and economy of their native home and 
 blood, these two brothers very soon accumulated 
 sufficient means to send across the ocean for a 
 brother and sister still there. Matheus Schoch 
 first settled at Tulpehocken, Berks county, and 
 in 1775 came to Penn township, then Northum- 
 berland county, now Snyder, settling near where 
 is now the town of Smith Grove, where at the 
 time of his death he was the possessor of large 
 landed interests. He died May 10, 1812, aged 
 seventy-four years. He was twice married his 
 first wife being Maria Margetta, by whom he'had 
 eight children, namely: John, Henry, Michael 
 Peter, Jacob, and two that died in infancy' 
 whose names are not known. The mother of 
 these died in 1785, and the father was again 
 married, this wife becoming the mother of three 
 children: George, Daniel and Margaret. The 
 mother of these survived her husband a number 
 of years, dying March 5, 1832. 
 
 Of the children by the first marriage, Jacob 
 was next in line of descent— the grandfather of 
 our subject. He was reared on his father's 
 farm in Middle Creek township, and became a 
 blacksmith by trade. After the death of his 
 father, in the division of his estate the lands 
 on which the town of Smith Grove is now built 
 and considerable of it adjacent thereto, fell to 
 Jacob. The latter was married to Elizabeth 
 Hendricks, a Quaker lady, of English origin of 
 Chester county, Penn. Jacob Schoch was a 
 thrifty and frugal man, and by close attention 
 to business throughout life prospered greatly 
 becoming well-to-do. He built the first house 
 erected in the town of Smith Grove, which 
 event occurred in 1822, this building being the 
 "stone hotel," there, which is yet used for that 
 purpose. He here resided, farming and keeping 
 
 hotel, until his death. Two of the thirteen 
 children born to this marriage died in infancy; 
 the others were: George, Michael, Jacob, 
 Samuel David, John A., Benjamin, Catherine 
 Elizabeth (Mrs. Philip Goss, of New Berlin 
 ^enn.), Margaret, and Angeline (Mrs. Rev Will- 
 iam Ansbach). 
 
 John A. Schoch, our subject's father, was 
 born January 5, 1808, at the old homestead near 
 what afterward became Kreamer, where he 
 passed his early years. On December 2 1830 
 he was married to Miss Lydia Houtz, and, hav- 
 ing purchased the old "stone hotel," settled in 
 it but , n 1836, not liking the hotel business, he 
 sold the property to Jacob More, and moved to a 
 farm three miles west of Middleburg, which he 
 became the owner of. There he remained fol- 
 lowing agricultural pursuits until his death which 
 occurred December 15, 1863. He was the 
 pioneer advocate of public schools in this local- 
 ity, and early in the forties donated the ground 
 upon which the first public school building in 
 Snyder county was erected. He was also instru- 
 mental in securing the best teachers and main- 
 taining a high standard of education, even mak- 
 ing personal sacrifices to accomplish these ends 
 His wife was born October 17, 1S12, at Selins 
 Grove, and is now living in that city, to which 
 she moved in 1866. She is a most estimable 
 woman, possessing marked excellence of char- 
 acter and nobleness of heart, and has always 
 been interested in educational advancement. 
 She has the honor of havingorganized, in 1846 the 
 first country Sunday-school in the county in which 
 she lived, and although now enwreathed with the 
 silver crown of a peaceful old age, she is still 
 profoundly interested in the higher Christian ed- 
 ucation. 
 
 Of the thirteen children born to her union 
 with John A. Schoch, the eldest, Franklin J is 
 a retired merchant at Selins Grove; he was born 
 October 3, 183 1, married to Kate S. Leisenring 
 in 1854, and has five children— Lydia Louise is 
 married to George C. Wagenseller; Anna Maude 
 is married to Rev. Harold Folmer; Eva Kate- 
 and two sons who died ,in childhood. (2) Anna 
 Elizabeth, born May 19, 1833, married to John 
 M. Smith in 1852, is now deceased. They had 
 seven children— Lillie is married to A. H. Amich, 
 of Cumberland, Md. ; Mary is married to Robert 
 Parns, of the State of Nebraska; Effie is married 
 to F. Foresman, of Nebraska ; Myra is married 
 to H. Were ; Carson is married and resides in 
 Illinois, where he is practicing medicine; Frank 
 is now in collage; and Sidney died in childhood 
 (3) David A., born February 18, 1835, was 
 married, in 1859, to Harriet Wagner, of Or- 
 
!,,.> 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 angeville, 111., and had four children, of whom 
 one only, a daughter. Anna Maude, survives, 
 the sons dying in infancy. (4, Kate M., born 
 December 7. 1S36, married November 24. 1 
 Judge Jerry Crouse, and resides at Selins Grove. 
 
 Ada, born in 1S38, married S. O. Kempfer, 
 M. D., who died in Illinois. His widow is a 
 resident of Selins Grove. | hn, born in 
 
 1S40, died when a boy. 7 John Calvin, born 
 October 11, 1842, married December 2. 1 
 Maggie Hassinger, and they have three children 
 — Clydia married Harry Kloss; Lyle married 
 Charles Swingle; and Naomi. John Calvin 1- 
 now the prothonotary of Snyder county. 
 Amen Z . born September 29. 1S44, married 
 February 6, 181 gie Appleman, and they 
 
 have one child They reside at Blooms- 
 
 burg, Penn. 19) Silas H., born in 1849, died 
 at the age of twenty-two years. (10) Ira C. 
 our subject, is treated farther on. ;ii) Cecelia, 
 born in 1855, died in infancy. [2) i! 
 Harvey, born August 20, 1S57, is a resident of 
 Selins Grove. He married Emma C. Schr. 
 and they have three children — Silas H.. Marion 
 nd Agnes Helen. [3 l .eorge H., 1 
 ■ j, 1859, died in infancy. 
 
 The Houtz family, into which John A. Schoch 
 married, were early residents of Pennsylvania. 
 Philip Houtz, the great-grandfather of Mrs. John 
 A Schoch, came to America from Switzerland 
 in the ship "Thistle", of Glasgow, which was 
 commanded by Master Colin Dunlap [See Col. 
 Rec. Ill, page 3S5. ] The line of descent of 
 Mrs. Schoch was Philip, Henry, and Christian. 
 Christian Houtz married Elizabeth Zoeller, who 
 a daughter of Frantz Zoeller, a patriot 
 through the war of the Revolution, having served 
 in Capt. John Lesher's company, Pennsylvania 
 Militia, from Berks county, under Col. John Pat- 
 ten. He enlisted August 27, 1776 [See Penn. 
 Archv. Second Series Vol XIV, page 256.] 
 Frantz Zoeller was the son of John Zoeller, who 
 was the son of Johan Heinrich Zoeller, who 
 came to America in 1708. The ZoeW 
 of German and French extraction, the place 
 their nativity being Hesse Darmstadt. On ac- 
 count of religious persecution they left their na- 
 tive land, determined to seek a home where ; 
 might worship God according to their own man- 
 : and belief. They accordingly went to Eng- 
 land, where, as they were men of some means, 
 they purchased from Good Queen Anne patents 
 f ir land in what is now the State of New York. 
 They located in Livingston Manor, but under 
 the persecutions of the Palatinates, freeholders 
 in 1723 received no more consideration than 
 
 ■rs, so they left New York and came to Tul- 
 
 y 
 
 pehocken, Penn. The land upon which they 
 settled has always been owned and lived upon 
 by some male member in the direct line. It is 
 now in the possession of Mr. Monroe Zoeller, a 
 gentlemen of rare ability, highly educated, a I 
 musician, and a man whose extensive travel has 
 taken him over a very large part of both hemis- 
 pheres. The deeds to the tract of land men- 
 tioned in the foregoing date back to 1696. 
 
 Ira C. Schoch, the subject of this biography, 
 was born August 14, 1 S 5 3, near Middleli 
 Penn. , and at an early age showed decided ten- 
 dencies toward study. When he was twelve 
 years old his father died, and his mother moved 
 to Selins Grove to give her growing family 
 benefit of better schools, and in due time young 
 Schoch entered Missionary Institute, now 5 
 quehanna University, where he was graduated in 
 1S71. He then taught for several years, and in 
 February, 1S76, he became a partner in the mer- 
 cantile firm of Schoch Bros, at Selins Grove. 
 This business was most congenial, as it brought 
 him into acquaintance with all classes of people. 
 He continued in it until 1892, when the firm was 
 dissolved and the store sold. Since that time he 
 has given attention only to his private invest- 
 ment. In 187S he married Miss Mary Schnure 
 (eldest daughter of George Schnure, presi- 
 dent and founder of the First National Bank 
 of Selins Grove), who died in 1S83, leaving three 
 children — John A. and George S. (twins), and a 
 daughter, Ethel D. , all of whom are now stu- 
 dents in the Susquehanna University. 
 
 On December 7, 1887, Mr. Schoch was mar- 
 ried to Miss Laura E. Richter, a native of Selins 
 Grove, born in May, 1857, and now prominent 
 in the best social circles of that place. By this 
 marriage there are six children: Pauline, Cath- 
 erine, Andrew, Brewster, Christin, and Dorothy 
 Richter. The chief care of Mr. and Mrs. Schoch 
 is the education of the children, to whom the 
 the best opportunities obtainable are given. The 
 home life is in itself a liberal education, refine- 
 ment and culture marking every phase. Mr 
 Schoch's manners are a model of courtesy and 
 geniality, and his career shows that brusque and 
 rude methods are by no means essential to suc- 
 cess even in business life. He is treasurer 
 Susquehanna University, which position he has 
 held for four years; he is also a director in the 
 Board of the University, as well as in the Public 
 School Board of Selins Grove. 
 
 H<'N CHARLES MILLER. One of the 
 most attractive estates in this picturesque 
 region is the old Miller farm in Penn township, 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1059 
 
 Snyder county, near the village of Salem It is 
 now owned and occupied by the well-known citi- 
 zen whose name opens this sketch, and it has 
 been in the possession of the family since the 
 days of his great-grandfather, Frederick Miller 
 In 1766, a warrant for this property was 
 issued by the Penns to Martin Troster, of Buff- 
 alo township, then a portion of Northumberland 
 county and, on April 3, 1778, a deed was ac- 
 knowledged before Benjamin Weiser, a justice 
 of the peace, conveying the land to Peter Hoster- 
 man. On October 25, 1778, the latter conveyed 
 it to Frederick Miller, who, in order to perfect 
 his title, obtained, on August 12, 1793, a war- 
 rant from the Commonwealth, signed by Gov 
 Thomas Mifflin . The title next passed to George 
 Miller, a son of Frederick, and next to his grand- 
 son, George D. Miller, from whom it came to its 
 present owner. 
 
 Frederick Miller, our subject's great-grand- 
 father, was a native of Germany, the son of 
 Johan Daniel Miller, citizen of Freymerdheim 
 and his wife Attilia Catharina, a born Rumelin' 
 They had a family of six children— four sons and 
 two daughters; Frederick, the second child and 
 first son of this family, being born November 2? 
 1738, and married Eva Maria Albright; coming 
 to America in early manhood, he settled, between 
 1770 and 1780, in what is now Snyder county 
 On taking possession of the present homestead 
 in 17S8 he found there a dense forest ©f sturdy 
 oaks and lofty pines; but with the energy which 
 characterizes his race he soon transformed it into 
 a productive farm. He died July 14, 1S21 and 
 his wife, Eva Maria, who was born July 25 
 1740, died September 14, 1822, both bein^ 
 buried at Salem church. Their son George our 
 subject's grandfather, was born in Penn town- 
 ship, April 19, 1773, and died there May 1, 1836 
 Like all of the members of this family, he took 
 an active interest in local movements, and he 
 was especially prominent in religious work as a 
 member of the Lutheran Church. He married 
 (first) Susanna Good, of Penn township and 
 (second) Mary Magdalena Deshler, a lady of 
 English descent, who was born June 20 1779 
 and died July 18, 1826. Miss Deshler' was a 
 woman of gentle character and of culture, hailing 
 from southeastern Pennsylvania; a singular ro- 
 mance of their marriage being, that, having won 
 this fair maiden's heart, her husband brought her 
 to his home in central Pennsylvania from the 
 banks of the Delaware on horseback, the method 
 of travel then in vogue. She brought, among 
 her household effects, the first piano known to 
 have been in this community. This early instru- 
 ment, during the lifetime of its owner, stood in 
 
 the old Miller homestead. It is now the property 
 of Mr. Deshler, a banker of Columbus, Ohio a 
 distant collateral relative of this family, it having 
 gone into that branch as an heirloom at Mrs Mill- 
 ers decease. By his first marriage he had four 
 children: John, a farmer and miller by occupation 
 born 27th of August, 1799, died in Washington 
 township, Snyder county; Mary Magdalena, born 
 the 2 1 st of February, 1S01, and married John 
 Kline, died at Globe Mills, Snyder county; Eliz- 
 abeth, born the 3d of February, 1803, was deaf 
 and dumb, never married (her death occurred in 
 Penn township); Catherine, born the 31st of De- 
 cember, 1805, and married Jacob Schoch, died 
 m Selins Grove. By the second marriage there 
 were six children, of whom our subject's father 
 George Deshler Miller, was the eldest (2) 
 Jacob born September 27, 1S11, a farmer, died 
 at Selins Grove. (3) Daniel, born April 24 1813 
 lived and died in Buffalo Valley, Union county' 
 two of his sons, Samuel F. and Frank W now 
 res.de in East Buffalo township, in that county 
 (4) barah, born 21st November, 1814, married 
 John Swengle, of Franklin township, Snyder 
 county, and both are now deceased. (5) Han- 
 nah, born May 19, 1816, is now Mrs. Michael 
 Swengle. of Princeton, 111. . (6) Frederick, born 
 November 21, 1817, died in youth, unmarried. 
 George D. Miller, born December 8, 1808 
 at the homestead, died March 2, 1884 He 
 was a tall man, six feet in height, and weighed two 
 hundred pounds. Likeothersof this family he was 
 an earnest supporter of the Lutheran Church and 
 for many years he held the office of trustee His 
 wife, Mary Kessler, was born August 1, 1S13 
 and died September 10, 1S61, the remains of 
 both being interred in the family burial plot at 
 Salem Church. They had five children: Sarah 
 now Mrs. David Witmer, of Salem, Penn. ; Will- 
 iam K., who married Sarah A. Boyer, and died 
 November 1, 1864; Charles, our subject; Matilda 
 Mrs. Calvin L. Fisher, of Salem, Penn., whose 
 husband died in 1872; and Mary E., now Mrs 
 Theodore Row, of Middlecreek township, Sny- 
 der county. 
 
 Charles Miller was born March 2, 1843, at 
 the old home, and has always resided there. He 
 attended the public schools of the locality for 
 some years and then entered the classical de- 
 partment of Missionary Institute (now Susque- 
 hanna University) at Selins Grove. Much of his 
 time in youth was spent in assisting his father in 
 farm work. On June 1, 1862, he was married 
 to Miss Lydia Kantz, of Penn township a 
 daughter of Philip and Catherine (Erdly) Kantz. 
 Her father was born December 10, 1793, in 
 Lebanon county, and died September 23, 1856, 
 
1060 
 
 COMMEMORA TIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 and her mother who was born February 8, 1S02, 
 in Penn township, then a part of Northumber- 
 land county, died July 22, 1866. Mr. Miller's 
 home life is an ideal one, his family enjoj 
 every comfort and privilege that can be secured 
 for them. He has had six children, of whom 
 four are living: (1) Ida died September 23, 
 [872. (2) William K. was educated at Selins 
 Grove Institute, and in Williamsport, Penn., 
 taught school; during Gov. Beaver's administra- 
 □ held the position of Assistant State Librari- 
 an, at Harrisburg, Penn., where he still resides 
 He is a member of the liar, having studied law 
 with Congressman Simon P. Wolverton, of Sun- 
 bury, and being admitted to the Philadelphia Bar 
 from the law office of United States Sen 
 Penrose. He was the representative dele 
 from his county to the Republican State Con- 
 ventions of Pennsylvania, in 1 S90 and 1S91, and 
 has been actively identified with the Republican 
 State Committee in Philadelphia for ten 
 
 George Philip, a physician, graduate of 
 the Medico-Chirurgical College, Philadelphia, 
 died September 19, 1895, at Kane, Penn. He 
 was a successful physician at Middleburg. His 
 wife, formerly Miss Mary Moyer, survives him 
 him with one daughter, Ida. (4) Franklin re- 
 sides at the homestead in Penn township. 
 Charles A. was graduated from the Susquehanna 
 University in 1895, and is now a teacher. (6) 
 Scott Edgar is a student at Susquehanna Uni- 
 versity. The father estimates highly the ad- 
 vantage of thorough knowledge, and no expense 
 has been spared in the education of his children. 
 The public career of our subject has been a 
 notable one, as he has filled acceptably numerous 
 positions of honor and trust. His honesty and 
 the unvarying sense of justice which has gov- 
 erned his conduct, together with his ability, 1 
 firmly established him in the confidence and 
 esteem of his fallow citizens. During the Civil 
 war, when Pennsylvania was invaded by the 
 Confederate army, he offered his services, enlist- 
 ing in the fall oi 1 < ompany D, [8th 
 P nnsylvania Volunteer Militia. This regiment 
 pursued the enemy beyond Hagerstown, Ml . 
 and cattle 1 ii Antietam many Rebel 1 
 oners and wounded men from both sides were 
 brought within their lines. Soon after his return 
 from this service Mr. Miller took charge of the 
 public schools at Salem, continuing until the 
 spring of [863. In 1876 he was elected on the 
 Republican ticket as a member of the State Le 
 lature, and in 1S7S, having served his constitu- 
 ents satisfactorily, ha was honored with a re- 
 election to the same seat. During his second 
 term the Pittsburg Riot BiU was introduced, 
 
 providing for the appropriation of four million 
 dollars from the State treasury to be distributed 
 among those who had sustained damage during 
 the riot. This iniquitous measure was pushed 
 forward by most unscrupulous means, Mr. 
 Miller and others being approached with large 
 and tempting inducements, but Mr. Miller re- 
 sented the insult and threw his influence toward 
 the defeat of the bill. This act of integrity was 
 rewarded by the people in 1882 with a third term 
 as representative, an unprecedented distinction, 
 Mr. Miller being the only representative from 
 Snyder county who has been accorded three 
 
 is. In 1876 he was the Senatorial delegate 
 for the district composed of the counties of 
 Northumberland, Snyder and Union to the Re- 
 publican State Convention, and in 1884 he was 
 
 in complimented with the same appointment. 
 In addition to these honors he has served several 
 terms as school director in his district, as town- 
 ship auditor, and as postmaster at Salem, where 
 he served from the establishment of the office 
 until his resignation several years later, when he 
 was succeeded by his brother-in-law, David 
 Witmer. 
 
 In religious and philanthropic work Mr. Mil- 
 ler has been equally active. His kind and gen- 
 erous heart has led him to relieve the needy 
 whenever he could do so, and many sincere 
 benedictions have followed his unobtrusive chari- 
 ties. He is a member of the Lutheran Church, 
 having been confirmed on May 25, 1861, at 
 
 em, by the Rev. C. G. Erlenmyer. His con- 
 tributions have been liberal, and he was a mem- 
 ber of the building committee when the new 
 church edifice was erected in 1897. His grand- 
 father was a trustee of this Church in 1S11, 
 being one of the patentees who secured the title 
 to the church property from the State, and he 
 also was a member of the building committee 
 when the ancient church was built, eighty-three 
 years ago. He has also done much to promote 
 the work of the Sabbath-school, in which his 
 family have always taken an active part, and for 
 
 is he has been a leading member of the 
 Church council. 
 
 JW. SAMPSEL, M. I)., a successful physi- 
 cian of Centerville, Snyder county, bel 
 family which has become famous in the 
 lical world, many of its members having ob- 
 tained prominence in the profession. 
 
 The first ancestor of whom we have an\ 
 count was the Doctor's great-great-grandfather, 
 Nicholas Sampsel, a man of more than ordinary 
 education, who came from England at an early 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1061 
 
 day. His son, Henry Sampsel, the great-grand- 
 father of our subject, resided for a time at Mif- 
 flinburg. Union county, Penn., but moved to 
 Ohio the year after that State was admitted. 
 He settled near New Lisbon, then a pioneer sec- 
 tion, where Indians and wild beasts were plenty. 
 His descendants are now scattered over the State. 
 He was twice married, and by his first wife had 
 seven children — four sons, Paul, Henry, Joseph 
 and George, and three daughters, Mrs. Fox, Mrs. 
 Bricker and Mrs. Frederick, all of whom raised 
 families. His second wife had several children, 
 among whom were some successful physicians of 
 their time. George Sampsel, our subject's grand- 
 father, was born November 30, 1790, in Mifflin- 
 burg, and accompanied his parents to Ohio where 
 he remained until he was about twenty-one years 
 old. He then returned to Pennsylvania, making 
 the journey on horseback, and early in 18 12 was 
 married in Union county to his first wife. Miss 
 Sarah Kuhns. She was born September 21, 
 1 791 , near Philadelphia, but her parents, Peter 
 and Rebecca (Neese) Kuhns, removed to Lewis- 
 burg when she was but a child, and later settled 
 near Centerville, where her father conducted a 
 mill. He died at the age of ninety-four, and his 
 wife attained the advanced age of one hundred 
 and three years. Their son, John, lived to the 
 age of ninety-four, and the family has always 
 been noted for longevity, as Nicholas Kuhns, the 
 father of Peter, lived to his ninety-sixth year. 
 After his marriage, George Sampsel located near 
 Centerville on a tract of land owned by his fa- 
 ther-in-law, where he followed milling until 1818, 
 when he returned to Columbiana county, Ohio. 
 Later he came back to this section on account of 
 the failing health of his father-in-law, who, at 
 his death, left a large estate to be divided between 
 three children — John, Sally (Mrs. Sampsel) and 
 Polly. There were two sawmills and a grist- 
 mill on Penn's creek, and a gristmill west of 
 Centerville included this property. Mr. Samp- 
 sel continued to reside in Snyder county until 
 his death at the age of seventy-six years. When 
 John Kuhns removed to Venango county, Penn. , 
 he bought his mill property, and consolidated it 
 with the mill that he had previously been oper- 
 ating. He accumulated a large fortune for that 
 day, and at one time owned about a thousand 
 acres of land. Politically he was first a Whig 
 and later a Republican, and while not a politican 
 he held various township offices. His informa- 
 tion on general subjects was extensive, as, al- 
 though his early educational opportunities were 
 limited, he was always fond of reading. His first 
 wife passed away September 6, 1855, and his 
 second wife was a Miss Barbara Yerger. By the 
 
 first marriage there were eight children — Joseph, 
 born October 20, 1812, was a cabinet maker by 
 occupation, and died at Hartleton, Penn. ; George, 
 born March 10, 1815, died in 1896 near Center- 
 ville; Polly, born March 15, 18 17, married John 
 Snyder, and died in Middleburg, Penn. ; Hopnia, 
 the father of our subject, is mentioned more fully 
 below; Sarah, born May 8, 1822, married John 
 Lenhart, and died at Shamokin Dam, Penn. ; Su- 
 sanna, born October 26, 1824, married Daniel 
 Bogar, now deceased, and resides in Shamokin, 
 Penn. ; Ner Jackson, born August 26, 1829, died 
 at Bellevue, Ohio, and was buried at Centreville, 
 Penn.; Napoleon, born July 9, 1834, resides in 
 Union county, Penn. By the second union there 
 were four children — Oliver, born July 7, 1858, 
 died in Snyder county, between 1820 and 1830; 
 Caroline, born June 1, 1861, married a Mr. Diehl, 
 and died in Dakota; John E., born November 8, 
 1 1863, resides in Hartley township, Union county; 
 and Catherine E., born January 8, 1867, is now 
 Mrs. Amos Musser, of Center township, Snyder 
 county. 
 
 Hopnia Sampsel, the father of our subject, 
 was born near New Lisbon, Ohio, October 8, 
 1 8 19. He was but an infant when his parents 
 located near Centreville, and he was reared there, 
 his youth being mainly spent in assisting his 
 father, leaving but little time for school. At 
 twenty-one he went to Ohio and spent two years, 
 being employed during most of the time in a 
 gristmill at Bellevue. On returning to Pennsyl- 
 vania he worked at the miller's trade in Lancas- 
 ter county for a time, but later rented his father's 
 mill, which he afterward bought, and has now 
 operated for more than fifty-two years. Since 
 1885 he has rented the property to others, and 
 he now resides at Centreville. He is exceedingly 
 well-preserved, his memory being excellent, and 
 he is highly respected by his associates. He is 
 a Republican in politics and a regular voter, but 
 has never sought office. In early life he was a 
 Whig, and his first Presidential vote was cast for 
 William H. Harrison. When about twenty-nine 
 years old he married Miss Anna Shinkel, who 
 was born February 14, 1829, in Coventry town- 
 ship, Chester Co., Penn., the daughter of John 
 and Mary (Smith) Shinkel, who afterward moved 
 to Centerville. She is a member of the Evan- 
 gelical Church, and is a lady of most estimable 
 character. Our subject was the eldest of three 
 children. (2) Charles E., a miller at Centerville, 
 married Sallie C. Middleswarth, a great-grand- 
 daughter of Hon. Ner Middleswarth, and they 
 have two children — Irene D. and Stanley Quay. 
 (3) Effie married Foster Chambers, of White 
 Springs, Union county. Their parents estimated 
 
1062 
 
 COMMEMOUAT1VE BJOGJiAI'IIICAL IlECuhl). 
 
 at their right worth the advantages of an educa- 
 tion, and all the children received excellent 
 opportunities. 
 
 Doctor Sampsel first saw the light March 22, 
 [852, near Centerville, Snyder county, and for 
 some time he attended the schools of that neigh- 
 borhood, his first teacher being John Mench. 
 At seventeen he entered the Freeburg Academy, 
 where he spent three terms, and then began 
 teaching at what was known as Herman's school 
 house. He taught school four terms in all, and 
 then engaged in milling with his father, ha. 
 learned the business during boyhood. The wirk 
 did not agree with him, and in 1875 he began to 
 study medicine. By private study he prepared 
 to enter the University of Pennsylvania, where 
 he spent the winter of 1876 and 1877. His sec- 
 ond year was spent in Jefferson Medical College 
 at Philadelphia, where he was graduated in the 
 spring of 1S78. Since that time he has been in 
 active practice at Centerville, and has built up a 
 large and lucrative business. In 1S87 he estab- 
 lished a drug business in connection with his 
 practice, and he now has one of the best stores 
 in the counts He has a farm in Center town- 
 ship and more than 500 acres of timber land, and 
 conducts a sawmill in connection with the latter. 
 His business property was built up by himself, 
 and in 1882 he also built a fine residence in 
 
 iterville. His success has been due to his 
 own efforts, his frugality enabling him to com- 
 plete his studies almost without assistance. His 
 
 jment is held in high esteem by his fellow 
 citizens, and he is one of the leading advisers of 
 the Republican party in his section. He cares 
 nothing for political honors himself, however, 
 and the only local office that he has ever held is 
 that of school director. Under Harrison's ad- 
 ministration he served as a member of the Sun- 
 bury Board of Pension Examiners. 
 
 For his first wife the Doctor married Miss 
 Kate Hartley, who died at Centerville, leaving 
 one daughter, Virginia B., now Mrs. G. C. Smith, 
 of Johnsonburg, Penn. After her death he mar- 
 ried Miss Henrietta R. Spangler, a daughter of 
 George C. and Mary (Ocker) Spangler, and by 
 this union he has one son, George Hopnia. 
 Socially, the Doctor and his family are promi- 
 nent, a.nd he was at one time identified with the 
 Patriot Order Sons of America at Centerville. 
 At present he is an active member of the Mason- 
 ic order at Selins Grove. 
 
 E 
 
 S. STAHL, a prominent representative of 
 the agricultural interests of Union township, 
 Snyder county, belongs to an old and honored 
 
 family of Swiss extraction which was founded 
 here previous to the nineteenth century. 
 
 His great-grandfather, Frederick Stahl, was a 
 native of Switzerland, and previous to coming to 
 Snyder county lived for a time near Hummels- 
 town, Penn. Here he located near Freeburg, in 
 Washington township, where his death occurred. 
 He was married in this country, and became the 
 father of three sons: Adam, the grandfather of 
 our subject; Peter, who went to Wayne county, 
 Ohio, during pioneer days; and Frederick, of 
 whom nothing is known. 
 
 Adam Stahl was born June 30, 1778, and was 
 but a boy when he accompanied his parents on 
 their removal to Snyder county, where he sub- 
 sequently married Eve Susanna Albright, who 
 was born May 10, 1782. Her father, Frederick 
 Albright, was one of the very earliest settlers of 
 Flintstone Valley, where he located several years 
 previous to 178S, as a warrant for land was 
 issued to him November 27 of that year. His 
 farm, comprising 1 y> acres in Washington town- 
 ship, Snyder county, was called "Garter Snak 
 On September 22, 1S00, Adam Stahl purchased 
 of his father-in-law sixty-two acres of the "Gar- 
 ter Snake " tract, where he continued to live 
 until 1822. and upon the place conducted a dis- 
 tillery, being one of twelve in Washington town- 
 ship at that time engaged in -that business. On 
 leaving that farm he removed to Union township, 
 
 !er count)', where he passed his remaii 
 days, dying October 16, 1863. His wife had 
 died on the 3d of April, of the same year, and 
 both were laid to rest in Reiser cemetery. Union 
 township. He was a powerful man, weighing 
 about 220 pounds, was a shoemaker by trade, a 
 Whig in politics, and a Lutheran in religious 
 belief. 
 
 The children of Adam Stahl and wife were 
 as follows: Lydia, who married Jacob Sholly, 
 and died in Union township; Frederick, a farmer. 
 who died in Monroe township, Snyder county; 
 Jacob, who died in Wayne county, Ohio; Peter, 
 who died at the age of five years; Mary, who 
 (first) wedded Henry Whitmer and (laten Simon 
 Sholly, and survived both husbands, dying in 
 Unii 'ii township; Susanna married Jacob Leaven- 
 good, ami spent her last days in Ohio; John, the 
 fathei 1 ur subject; Daniel, the only survivor, 
 who is still living on his farm in Union township, 
 where he has now made his home for seventy- 
 five - imuel, v 1 in Chapman town- 
 ship, leaving two sons, Adam and George, the 
 former a merchant and banker of Kans 
 the latter a teacher in the Pittsburg schools; 
 Elizabeth, who married D. J. Heintzelman, and 
 died at Port Trevorton. Snyder county, and 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1063 
 
 Benjamin, who was a Union soldier during the 
 Civil war, and died in Iowa. 
 
 NearFreeburg, in Washington township, John 
 Stahl, our subject's father, was born October 20, 
 1813, and was about nine years old when he was 
 taken by his parents to the new home in Union 
 township, where he was reared and continued to 
 remain for several years after attaining his 
 majority. At Freeburg, in 1S40, 'Squire Mohr 
 performed a marriage ceremony which united the 
 destinies of John Stahl and Miss Mary Shotz- 
 berger, who was born in Chapman township, 
 October 28, 1818, and never attended school but 
 about a month during her entire life, while her 
 husband had no educational advantages. She, 
 however, became able to read the German Bible, 
 but was entirely unfamiliar with the English 
 language. Her parents were Jonathan and 
 Catharine (Matter) Shotzberger. Her father was 
 born September 26, 1783, and died February 4, 
 1859, while the mother was born April 3, 1794, 
 and died August 29, 1874, the remains of both 
 being interred in Keiser cemetery, Union town- 
 ship. After his marriage John Stahl located on 
 the old Stahl farm in Union township, which he 
 and his brother Daniel operated for a short time, 
 and then he rented the old Sechrist farm for 
 three years. At the end of that period he pur- 
 chased a farm in Union township, where he con- 
 tinued to make his home for many years, and 
 where our subject was born May 19, 1841. The 
 other children were as follows: 
 
 (1) Levi Stahl, born October 16, 1842, inter- 
 married on July i, 1866, with Catharine Benner, 
 whose parents were Christian and Sarah Benner, 
 and to them were born the following children — 
 Hiram B. , born January 30, 1867, died Decem- 
 ber 5, 1870; Henry, born September 20, 1868, 
 died December 29, 1870; Harvey, born Decem- 
 ber 16, 1869, who in 1889 went to Nebraska, 
 was married May 6, 1894; and is now in partner- 
 ship with his brother Christian, owns and oper- 
 ates a farm in Nebraska; Mary, born March 3, 
 1 87 1, was but fourteen years old when her 
 mother died, took charge of the family and helped 
 her father raise the children, and, when all have 
 left but one, she still remains to keep house for 
 her father, who is a blacksmith and farmer; 
 Christian, born July 1, 1873, went to Nebraska 
 in 1892, and later became a partner in a farm 
 with his brother Harvey, and now assists him in 
 farming; Sarah, born August 27, 1874, married 
 to Benjamin Benner, and now lives at Shamokin, 
 Penn. ; Meta, born October 1, 1875, married to 
 John Stauffer,and lives in Iowa; Allen, born March 
 1, 1877, went to Iowa in 1896, where he now 
 resides. James, born September 11, 1878, died 
 
 November 8, 1878; Amnion, born December 20, 
 1SS0, now lives with his father in Union town- 
 ship. 
 
 (2) William S. Stahl, born June 23, 1S44, in- 
 termarried on September 11, 1870, with Lydia 
 Row, whose parents were Peter and Lydia (Fet- 
 ter) Row, and to them were born the following 
 children: John Keamer, born April 7, 1871; 
 Annie Matilda, born April 17, 1873; James 
 Franklin, born May 22, 1877; Jacob Peter, born 
 February 3, 1879; Jonas Aaron, born March 27, 
 1 881; Jeremiah Melanchton, born March 31, 
 1883; and Lewis Edward, born February 15, 
 1S86, died August 7, 18SS; the others are all 
 living in Penn township. The above mentioned 
 Annie Matilda Stahl was married on September 
 10, 1893, to Oscar Herman, and they have a 
 child, Mary Jane Herman, born March 7, 1894. 
 
 (3) Hannah Stahl, born December 19, 1845, 
 intermarried on July 23, 1863, with William 
 Krebs, and to them were born the following chil- 
 dren: Jennie and George, who live in Delaware, 
 and Franklin, a merchant in Philadelphia, Penn- 
 sylvania. 
 
 4 Aaron S. Stahl, born October 4, 1849, in- 
 termarried with Salome Martin, and to them 
 six children were born: Charles W. intermarried 
 with Gertie Coryell; William is a news agent at 
 the Pennsylvania depot, Sunbury, Penn. ; Jennie, 
 who died in infancy; Howard, Omar and Delia, 
 all living at Sunbury, Pennsylvania. 
 
 (5) Leah J. Stahl, born May 5, 1854, inter- 
 married on December 24, 1S71, with John S. 
 Aucker, and to them were born eight chil- 
 dren: Nora L., born July 10, 1873, intermarried 
 on December 24, 1S96, with Joseph M. Wal- 
 born; Charles E. , born March 31, 1875, on Au- 
 gust 25, 1894, intermarried with Kate Witmer, 
 and to them was born a daughter, Esther Marie, 
 on April 15, 1895; Rosa E. , born May 17, 1877, 
 intermarried on April 4, 1897, with George A. 
 Foltz; Arthur E. , born February 15, 1779; 
 Francis E., born March 27, 1882; Harry M., 
 born March 1, 1884; Robert F., born June 16, 
 1886; and Earnest Guy, born December 20, 
 1S93; all are living in Union township. 
 
 (6) Hiram S. Stahl, born September 3, 1857, 
 intermarried on January 8, 1882, with Annie 
 Laura Miller, and to them five children were 
 born, three of whom died in infancy, and the 
 other two are living in Washington township 
 with their parents — Olive Annette, born April 7, 
 1885; and Mary Cathrine, born May 3, 1887. 
 
 The mother of our subject and of the foregoing 
 family, who was a consistent member of the 
 Lutheran Church, died July 12, 1868, and was 
 buried in Keiser cemetery. 
 
1064 
 
 COMMEMORA TIVE BIOGRAPHICAL UECOltD. 
 
 After the death of his first wife, John S 
 sold his farm .to his son Levi, with whom he 
 made his home for a short time and afterward 
 lived with our subject. On November 19, 1871, 
 he was again married, his second union 1 
 with Mrs. Mary Readig, nee Bickle, who was the 
 widow of Thomas Readig. Mr. Stahl depart! 
 this life January 12, 1879, and was also laid to rest 
 in Reiser cemetery. While not a member of any 
 Church, he gave liberally to religious work, was 
 a peaceful, law-abiding citizen, and a Democrat 
 in politics. He possessed much mechanical skill. 
 was a man of sound judgment and good business 
 ability, and. as a farmer, accumulated a comfort- 
 able competence through his own unaided effort. 
 
 A- E. S. Stahl was the eldest son, and work 
 was plentiful upon the home farm, he was unable 
 to attend school as much as he would have liked 
 during his early boyhood, and at the age of eight- 
 een could scarcely speak a word of English, his 
 school training having been all in German. His 
 first teacher was John Ziegler. He was reared 
 in much the usual manner of farmer boys, and 
 by work in the harvest and hay fields managed to 
 save enough money to purchase his books and 
 pay his tuition at Freeburg Academy, which he 
 entered April 2, [860. Here he prepared him- 
 self for teaching, and for five terms successfully 
 followed that profession in Monroe, Penn and 
 Union townships, Snyder county. 
 
 On September 27, 1S63, Mr. Stahl was united 
 in marriage with Miss Julia Crissinger, who was 
 born in Northumberland county, Penn., January 
 1, 1842, a daughter of John and Christina A. 
 (Wolfe) Crissinger. They began housekeeping 
 near Fisher's school house in Penn township, 
 where Mr. Stahl was engaged in teaching, and 
 later lived on the Null farm in Union township. 
 Subsequently he operated the Hoover Mill farm 
 in Penn township, and in 1868 purchased the 
 farm of 100 acres of rich land, where he still lives, 
 buying the same of Samuel Pottiger. The log 
 house standing upon the place continued to be 
 his home for nearly twenty years, but in 1SS7 
 he replaced it by a substantial brick residence. 
 A good barn was built in 1883, and the other 
 buildings are all in keeping with the neat and 
 thrifty appearance of the place, which is regarded 
 as one of the model farms of Union township. 
 
 Four children came to brighten the home of 
 Mr. and Mrs. Stahl, namely: Ida G., born July 
 10, 18G4, is successfully engaged in teaching 
 school; Sarah P., born October 1:. 1865, is the 
 wife of Frank Brown and has two children, Ida 
 E. and Oliver R. ; J. Amnion, born January 1, 
 1867, is professor of the schools at Bancroft, 
 Neb.; and William O., born July 2 lied 
 
 Jul) "Of these, Ida G. and J. Amnion 
 
 entered the Freeburg Academy, while Major \\ 
 H. Dill, the best and most efficient teacher the 
 county ever had, was principal, to whom they 
 give the honor of having gained an education. 
 
 th hold diplomas from that institution, and 
 permanent certificates issued by the State 1 1 
 partment of Education of Pennsylvania. Both 
 commenced teaching at the age of seventeen. 
 Ida G. has successfully taught thirteen terms, 
 which vocation she is engaged in now. J. Am- 
 nion taught five terms in Pennsylvania, and in 
 . went to Schuyler, Neb., where he taught 
 three terms, then entered the University at Lin- 
 coln, Neb., continued his studies two years, was 
 then elected principal of the schools at Bancroft, 
 N' b., where he successfully taught four terms of 
 nine months each, and is employed for another 
 term. 
 
 Our subject is a Democrat in politics, but is 
 not strictly partisan, and often supports men 
 side of his party when he considers them best 
 fitted for the office. He has capably served as 
 school director, and in 1892 was appointed to fill 
 the unexpired term of D. S. Sholly as justice of 
 the peace, to which position he has since been 
 elected, and which he is now filling in a most 
 creditable manner. Both he and his wife are 
 faithful members of the Reformed Church, in 
 which he has served as deacon and superintend- 
 ent of the Sunday-school for several years. He 
 at one time held membership in the Grange, and 
 also in the Odd Fellows Society, but at present he 
 is connected with no fraternal order. An an in- 
 fluential and public-spirited citizen, he stands 
 deservedly high in the esteem of the entire com- 
 munity, and is a pleasant, agreeable and hospi- 
 table man, who keeps well informed on the lead- 
 ing questions of the day. 
 
 ENJAMIN F. WAGENSELLEK. M D , 
 a leading physician of Selins Grove. Sny- 
 der county, is a man of ability, one who, through 
 his force of character, has become prominent, 
 and has come to the front in the different walks 
 of life. 
 
 Born February 17, 1838, at Selins Grove, 
 Mivder county. Dr. Wagenseller has descended 
 from ancestors who for upward of 1 50 years 
 through their respective generations have been 
 identified with the interests of the Common- 
 wealth, among whom, too, have been men of ca- 
 pacity' and position, The founder of the family 
 here in America was (Stoffel) Christopher Wag- 
 enseil, a German, and the great-great-grand- 
 father of our subject, resided in Hanover town- 
 
<l^t^r- 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1065 
 
 ship, Philadelphia Co., Penn., and prior to 
 1734, as it is of record that he paid "quit rent" 
 on 1 50 acres of land there. His wife was Anna 
 Christina, and their children, whose names as 
 they appeared in the father's will dated June 13, 
 1760, were: John, Ann Mary and Elizabeth 
 Catherine. Of these, it is known that Ann Mary 
 married John Dirr (now spelled Derr), and Eliza- 
 beth Catherine married David Haag. The lat- 
 ter, so says the history of Montgomery county, 
 arrived from Germany September 7, 174S, at the 
 age of twenty-two years. It appears from Chris- 
 topher's will that he owned 101 acres along the 
 Perkiomen creek in Upper Hanover township, 
 Philadelphia county (Hanover township was di- 
 vided in 1S41); that he sold one-half of it to his 
 son-in-law, David Haag; and that he bequeathed 
 the other half to his only son, John. The Per- 
 kiomen creek divided the land equally with Dav- 
 id Haag's land on one side and John's legacy on 
 the other. John Derr at one time owned the 
 land upon which the town of Pennsburg now 
 stands. Johannes, or John Wagenseil was born 
 in Montgomery (then Philadelphia) county, June 
 2 4. r 739. an d died September 29, 1799. His 
 wife, who was Margaret Honnetter, was born 
 April 12, 1740, and died November 9, 181 1. 
 She was the daughter of Andrew Honnetter, a 
 farmer of Douglass township. Both she and her 
 husband lie buried in the cemetery at the old 
 Trappe Lutheran Church. Their eight children 
 were: 
 
 (1) John Wagenseller, born December 14, 
 1763. baptized January 23, 1764, married 
 Elizabeth Weidner, and died August 5, 1S11. 
 He was proprietor of the " Red Lion Hotel " 
 near Chester Springs, Penn. They had seven 
 children — Margaret, born May 15, 1789, mar- 
 ried Benjamin Ramsey, and died September 12, 
 1849; Thamzen married John Marshall, son of 
 Joseph Marshall, of near Wilmington, Del., and 
 died January iS, 1873; Fanny married an Evans, 
 and then Joseph Beidler, and died August 28, 
 1870; Abigail married Joseph John, and died 
 February 17, 1855; Abraham, born August 26, 
 1 79 1, at Lionville, Penn., married Catherine 
 Meyers, daughter of Capt. Henry Meyers, of 
 Philadelphia, and died January 31, 186S (his 
 wife died June 28, 1847, at Glen Moore, Penn.; 
 Abram and Catherine had five children); Julia 
 Matilda, born December 13, 1826, at Lionville, 
 married John Irey, December 25, 1845, ar, d 
 she now resides at Phoenixville, Penn.; Mary 
 Elizabeth, born May 3, 1830, married Dr. B. 
 G. Miller, and now resides at No. 1 509 Second 
 avenue, Rock Island, 111. ; Thomas Meyers, born 
 August 14, 1833, married Mary Malinda Rice, 
 
 of Perry ville, April 24, 1862, and died February 
 7, 1 87 1 (Mary has since married Richard Strat- 
 ton, of Fairbury, 111., and resides there now); 
 John Andrew, born December 11, 1836, 
 married Emily Johnston, May 18, 1864, 
 and now lives a retired life at No. 142 Price 
 street, Germantown, Penn. ;and Emily Law, born 
 December 3, 1839, was married on May 7, 1863, 
 to Newton Smith, a merchant, of Ulster county, 
 N. Y., who died December 12, 1884; the widow- 
 resides at Peoria, 111. The sixth child of John 
 and Elizabeth (Weidner) Wagenseller, was 
 George, born at the "Red Lion Hotel," Chester 
 county, January 18, 1788, and died April 18, 
 1857, in Crawford count}', 111. He was married 
 to Leticia Cavender, who was born October 3, 
 1788, and died September 29, 1865. To them 
 were born seven children: (a) John Cavender, 
 born July 24, 181 3, married Jane Rebel, and 
 died in September, 1871; (b) Thomas Weidner, 
 born November 19, 181 5, married Jane Mont- 
 gomery, September, 1849, and died March 5, 
 1865; (c) Abram, born September 2, 1818, mar- 
 ried Barbara McGowen, and is still living at 
 Indian Camp, Guernsey Co., Ohio, the oldest liv- 
 ing Wagenseller known in this country; (d) Will- 
 iam, born in Beaver county, Penn., June 24, 
 1 82 1, married Elizabeth Waldrop, at Palestine, 
 111., February 4, 1844. His wife was born Feb- 
 ruary 3, 1818, and died March 4, 1864; he then 
 married Eliza A. Gomer, July 30, 1865, and now 
 resides at Hamilton, Mo. ; (e) Amos, born May 
 30, 1S24, and on September 24, 1848, married 
 Malinda Rich, who was born June 4, 1827, and 
 died November 29, 1856. On September 6, 
 1857, he married Jemima Snapp, who was born 
 December 12, 1830, and died September 23, 
 1872; September 26, 1S74, he was married to 
 Elizabeth Rogers, who was born June 14, 1843, 
 and he now resides at Solomon, Kans. ; he is the 
 father of fourteen children, four with his first 
 wife, six with his second wife, and four with his 
 third wife, (f) Elizabeth married Hugh Mathus; 
 and (g) Thamzen, born October 15, 1830, died 
 March 21, 1839. The last of John and Eliza- 
 beth (Weidner) Wagenseller's children is Eliz- 
 abeth, born September 14, 1800, married Joseph 
 Riter, and died May 29, 1855. The descendants 
 are living about Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. 
 
 (2) Catherine, the second of John's children, 
 was born December 3, 1764, married Conrad 
 King, and died in 1820. Catherine was the 
 mother of nine children. (3) Susanna, born 
 February 2. 1768, married Conrad Swinhart, of 
 Montgomery county. (4) Anna Maria, born May 
 20, 1770, married Benjamin Royer, of Royers- 
 ford, Penn. (5) Maria Margaretha, born June 2, 
 
1066 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1772, married Mathias Walter, of Philadelphia 
 county. 
 
 William, born May 25, 177 s . married 
 Rebecca Neilor, who died October 20, 1844; he 
 was a hotel keeper in West Pikeland township, 
 Chester county, and died July 22, [868. Will- 
 iam and Rebecca had five children: James, born 
 November 28, 1808, married Harriet Hartman, 
 and died without children in Chester county, 
 July 15, 1868; George, born August 17, 18 12, 
 was never married, was superintendent of a divi- 
 sion of the Sunbury & Erie railroad, a member 
 of the House of Representatives from Schuykill 
 county, and died December 1 ;, 1873; Ann, born 
 April 14, 1 S 1 5 , married Frederick Holman, and 
 died June 23, 1885, at Chester Springs, Penn. ; 
 John Neilor, born April 11. 18 17, married Sarah 
 McVeagh ishe died September 20, 18' 
 resided at Sin<, r Sing, N. Y. , was in the hotel 
 business the last fifteen years of his life, and died 
 February 27, i87l;and Mai orn October 
 
 28. [818, married John Young, and is still living 
 at Anselma, Chester county. 
 
 The next child of John and Margarei 
 Wagenseil is Peter Wagenseller (here is where 
 the change in spelling occurred), the grandfather 
 of our subject, born in Philadelphia now M 
 gomery) county, September 24. 1774. man 
 
 anna Longaker (Longenecker), January 7, 
 1 800, and resided in Providence township, 
 Chester county, until the spring of 1834, when 
 they moved to Columbus, Ohio. ?Ie died June 
 14, 1 S 3 5 . Susanna's ancestry is traced back to 
 I'lrich Longenecker. Sr., born in Switzerland, in 
 1664. A copy of the family coat of arms is in 
 the possession of Hon. A. B. Longaker, of 
 N01 ristown. Peter and Susanna had ten children, 
 all born in Montgomery county. Jacob, the 
 father of our subject, born January 22, [801, will 
 be referred to more fully later on. John, born 
 December 17, 1802, married Mary Ann Norton, 
 December 25. 1823. >he was born September 
 2. [805, and Vlaj 19, 1834, from illness 
 
 contracted on the journey west to Ohio with her 
 husband's father. John next married Catherine 
 Briggs, who was born in Montgomery county, 
 N. Y", December 8, [810. John died in 
 Columbus, January 2, 1845, and in 1847 his 
 widow married Stacy Taylor. Mrs. Taylor died 
 March 28, 1S53. The children of John with his 
 wife were Araminta, born April 17, 1829, 
 married Reuben Bergstresser, March 14, 1S50, 
 lied at Pekin, 111., of typhoid pneumonia, 
 January 25, [86] (her husband v rn Janu- 
 
 824, in Selins Grove, and died May 10, 
 I, in Denver, Colo., of apoplexy*; Samuel 
 rton, born February 21. 1S27. and is : 
 
 residing at Ukiah, Cal.; Mary, born April 14, 
 1832, was first married to John Perkins, then 
 to William Rankin, and third to Lewis Lutz, now 
 resides at East Las Vegas, N. M.; Matilda 
 married a Stephenson, and resided in Ste- 
 phenson county, 111. ; and Sarah Ann died in 
 youth. John's marriage with his second wife 
 resulted in the birth of three children: Em- 
 ily, born January 10, 1840, near Columbus, 
 Ohio, married William Wirt Clemens, of Mas- 
 sachusetts, May 9, 1S65, and died July 31, 
 1897, at Columbus; John, born March 29, 1S45, 
 died of consumption; Jacob, born January 8, 
 1S38, went to California years ago, and as he 
 has not been heard of is supposed to have been 
 killed on the plains. The third of Peter and Su- 
 sanna's children is Benjamin, born November 4, 
 1809, married Elizabeth Doyle, July 20, 1842, 
 lied at Pekin, March 15, 1S44. His wife 
 was born August 9, [S26; they had only one 
 child: Theodore L., born April 18, 1843, mar- 
 ried Emily Lander, September 6, 1S66, at Chil- 
 licothe, 111., and now resides at No. 645 Fverett 
 
 nue, Kansas City, Kans. Peter's fourth son 
 was Joshua, born July 5, 1813, married Harriet 
 Rupert, May 1, 1840, a descendant of Prince 
 Rupert, who was a prominent man in the Royal 
 family during Cromwell's time. Joshua died at 
 Pekin, July 21, 1S82; his wifi >rn Jul\ 
 
 1823, and died March 17, 1873. They were the 
 parents of five children: Albert Elon, born Feb- 
 ruary 1, 1S41, married Mary Hammer, March 27, 
 
 1, who was afterward divorced, and February 
 24, 1897, married Hubbard Sylvester Latham, 
 and resides at Manito, 111. William Henry, born 
 February 1, [845, married Ophelia J. Leighton, 
 October 17, 18G6, and now resides in Omaha, 
 Neb.; his wife was born February 17, 1848. 
 Laura Catherine, born November 28, 1849, 
 and in 1870 married Algeia Parker 
 only brother of Mrs. Robert G. Ingers< 
 from whom she was divorced, and now re- 
 sides at No. 3608 Ellis avenue, Chicago. Frank 
 Rupert, born December 30, 1851, married Agnes 
 Reynolds, January [6, 1 s 7 3 , and now resides in 
 
 in with six children. Harriet, born Decem- 
 
 lied January 5, [888. Pet 
 
 filth son, who was also called Peter, was born 
 
 July i". 1 •! 1 5, and died m Selins Grove, Septem- 
 
 IO, [830. Peter's sixth son was William 
 
 lley, born November 13, 1817. His first 
 born was William Jeremiah, born March 23, 
 
 9, man i >ecca Forry, November 5, 
 
 1. and died August 3. 1895, at Selins Grove. 
 [See sketch of George Washington Wagenseller.] 
 He was married to Amelia Bergstresser, and 
 died August 10, 1876. For two terms he was a 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1067 
 
 member of the House of Representatives. His 
 children by Amelia Bergstresser are Martin 
 Luther, born September 6, 1840, married Carrie 
 L. Kistner, December 7, 1865, and now resides 
 at Selins Grove; Ada E., born June 17, 1842, 
 resides with her mother at Selins Grove; Ben- 
 jamin Newton, born October 17, 1846, died in 
 1863; Alice Laura, born March 12, 1849, mar- 
 ried Rev. Emanuel Benton Killinger, and now 
 resides in Trenton, N. J. Of the daughters of 
 Peter and Susanna was Catherine, born Novem- 
 ber 29, 1S04, married Mathew Chain, who died 
 in Franklin county, Ohio, March, 1835. She 
 then married Elijah Timbrel, and died of cancer 
 in 1872 at Pekin. She had four children by her 
 first husband, viz. : William P., Joshua Wagen- 
 seller, Kate and Matilda, and two by the second, 
 John and Benjamin, both of whom died in the 
 army, the latter December 1, 1S61, at Jefferson 
 City, Mo. Hannah (Catheiine's sister), born 
 April 25, 1807, married William Hamilton Chain 
 (brother of Mathew, and both sons of old Mathew 
 Chain, of Montgomery county). Hannah died 
 May 20, 1880, at Lewistown, 111., and her hus- 
 band died at Columbus, Ohio, October 8, 1855. 
 They had five children: Jacob M. resides at 
 Utica, Neb. ; William H. died at Bushnell, 111. ; 
 Albert resided in Denver; Mary, married to Will- 
 iam F. Criss, resides at Carthage, Mo. ; and 
 Sarah, married to Dr. Fisher, formerly of Jack- 
 sonville, 111. , but now both are dead, and are bur- 
 ied at Los Angeles, Cal. Two other children are 
 mentioned in Peter's family Bible — Susanna, 
 born May 20, 1S20, died May 27, 1820; and 
 Henry, born April 18, 1826, died April 24, 1S26. 
 (8) The eighth and last of John's and Mar- 
 garet's children is Jacob, who married Martha 
 Shrack, and died of heart and kidney trouble. 
 They had six children — David, born 1S12, mar- 
 ried, September II, 1834, Ann Meyers Wynn, 
 who died November 20, 1S65; he then married 
 Hannah McCracken. By his first wife he had 
 eight children: Martha, born January 14, 1836, 
 married Seth Humphrey, and resides at Glad- 
 wyne, Penn. ; Mary, born June 16, 1837, mar- 
 ried George Mallison, and died June, 1S85; Mar- 
 garet Ann, born October 7, 1840, married Sam- 
 uel Happersett, January 31, 1S62, and now re- 
 sides in West Chester, Penn. ; Levi, born Octo- 
 ber 4, 1842, married Alice Raney, and died near 
 Philadelphia (widow resides at No. 391 1 Melon 
 street, Philadelphia); Harriet, born April 2, 
 1845, married Harry Tovvnsend, and they now 
 reside at 26th and Poplar streets, Philadel- 
 phia; James Wagenseller, born December 29, 
 1850, married Esther A. Moore, March, 1883, 
 and now resides at Glen Moore, Penn. ; Fannie, 
 
 born December 7, 185 1, married Harry G. 
 Mason, and now resides in Chester, Penn. ; Ber- 
 tha, born September 14, 1856, married Edward 
 Riley, of Chester, Penn. Jacob's other children 
 are John Shrack Wagenseller, born November 
 16, 1808, married Margaret Wynn, who was 
 born in 1S10, and died May 17, 1889; Levi mar- 
 ried Catherine Worthington; Sarah married Jo- 
 seph Pearson; Margaret married James Mont- 
 gomery; Martha married William McCarraher, 
 formerly resided in West Chester, and died in 
 1S94. 
 
 The great-grandmother of our subject, Su- 
 sanna Longaker, traced her ancestry back to Ul- 
 rich Longenecker, Sr. , of Switzerland. On the 
 28th day of August, 1733, Ulrich Longenecker, 
 Sr. , aged sixty-nine years, and Ulrich, Jr., aged 
 twenty-two years, took the oath of allegiance at 
 Philadelphia. They arrived in the ship ' ' Hope, " 
 of London, from Rotterdam, last from Cowes, 
 and with them came Jacob, aged nineteen years. 
 David came about 1725; John, 1727, and Chris- 
 tian, 1729. Ulrich, Sr., had five sons including 
 Jacob, who, in 1845, married Susanna, the 
 widow of John (John was the son of Daniel). 
 They had five daughters, and two sons, Peter 
 and Jacob. The latter changed the name from 
 Longenecker to Longaker, and married Cather- 
 ine, daughter of John Detweiler. Their children 
 are: John, Jacob, Peter, Hannah (married 
 James Miller), Susanna (married Peter Wagen- 
 seller), Abraham, Isaac, Henry, Joseph, Samuel, 
 and Catherine (married Henry Swinehart). From 
 Peter and Susanna (Longaker) Wagenseller 
 sprang Jacob, the father of our subject. 
 
 Jacob Wagenseller, M. D., was a native of 
 Pennsylvania, born January 22, 1801, in Mont- 
 gomery county. He was liberally educated, 
 having graduated at the University of Pennsyl- 
 vania. He established himself in the practice of 
 medicine in his native county, but in about 1827 
 located at Selins Grove, Snyder county. In ad- 
 dition to practicing medicine he carried on mer- 
 cantile business, keeping a general store and 
 dealing extensively in grain. He was thus en- 
 gaged at the time of his death, which occurred at 
 Selins Grove, April 27, 1847. He had abandoned 
 his profession some years previously. He was a 
 man of fine business qualities, and made a success 
 of life. He became prominent in business affairs. 
 He was a Whig, and as such was elected to the 
 State Senate, in which body his intelligence made 
 him a useful member. He was active in party 
 affairs, and a man of influence in the community, 
 as well as a leading spirit in every movement 
 calculated to develop the resources of the county 
 and advance the interest of Selins Grove. He 
 
L068 
 
 COMMEMORA TIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 served two terms in the Senate, being; a member 
 at the time of his death. He married Miss Mary 
 Richter, who died in 1S63. Her father, Peter 
 Richter, was one of the leading citizens of Selins 
 Grove. Of the eight children of Jacob and Mary 
 Wagenseller, the eldest, Peter Richter. born De- 
 cember 8, 1S29, died August 18, 1873, was a 
 prominent physician at Selins Grove; he married 
 Catherine Chritzman, and they had six children: 
 Mary Amelia, born July 18, 1854, died in 
 infancy; Franklin Jacob, born October 8, 1855, 
 married Mary L. Keely; George C, born June 
 30, 1857. married Lulu Schoch, June 1, 1 
 Albertha Lemisa, born December 20, 1859, mar- 
 Dr. B. F. Emerick, June 16, 188 1 ; Gertrude 
 A , born September 29, 1861, died in infancy; 
 Annie E., born September 2, [865, married J. 
 A Strohm, of Carlisle, January 19, 1886. (2) 
 Sarah married J. B. Evans, of Chester county. 
 Mary married Rev. Franklin Gerhart, of 
 Williamsport. 141 Catherine died at an early 
 age. (5) Benjamin F. , our subject, is mentioned 
 more fully farther on. (6) Lydia Catherine, who 
 died in 1858, was the wife of William Holman, 
 of Chester Springs, Penn. (7) Martha Jane 
 married Lloyd Sharpless, of Bloomsburg, Penn. 
 (8) John J., who resides in Bloomsburg, married 
 (first) Miss Mary Willier, now deceased, and 
 (second) Miss Clara Hughes, now deceased, and 
 (third) Miss Jennie Mears, February 15, 1 
 
 Dr. Benjamin F. Wagenseller, in 1851, be- 
 came a student in the preparatory department 
 of Pennsylvania College, Gettysburg, and still 
 later he was a student at the University at Lewis- 
 
 g. Coming from a family distinguished for 
 its medical ability, heat an early age turned his 
 attention to this profession, and in 1856 began 
 
 ling with Dr. Samuel Wagenseller, at Pekin, 
 111. During 1858 and 1859 he read with his 
 brother, Dr. P. R. Wagenseller, at Selins Grove; 
 and then he became a student in the medical de- 
 partment of Pennsylvania College, Philadelphia. 
 !ii 'in which he was graduated in i860. In 1 
 he opened an office in Beavertown, Snyder Co., 
 Penn., and in August, 1862, he was commis- 
 sioned, by Gov. Curtin. as assistant surgeon of 
 the 139th 1'. V. I. This 
 manded by Col. Collier, a 
 became a brigadier-general 
 
 was corn- 
 man who afterward 
 and later one of the 
 
 judges of the courts of Pittsburg. Dr. Wagen- 
 seller served in this capacity until Januar) 31. 
 1863, and was then commissioned surgeon with 
 the rank of major and served under Brig.-Gen. 
 D. B. McKibbin (of the regular army) in the 
 158th 1'. Y. I. In September, 1863, he was 
 mustered out with the regiment. When the 
 201st Pennsylvania Regiment was ordered out 
 
 Dr. Wagenseller was commissioned surgeon with 
 the rank of major, and so served until the close 
 of the war. He saw much of severe service in 
 different portions of the South, and, at the close 
 of the war, he participated in the Grand Review 
 at Washington. Among the difficult duties per- 
 formed was the burial early in September, 1 - 
 by the 139th Regiment, of the Union soldiers who 
 had fallen at the battle of Bull Run about a week 
 before, and stdl lay on the field exposed to the 
 hot summer sun. Most of the Confederate dead 
 had already been interred, and the soldiers of 
 the 139th, under a flag of truce, performed the 
 last sad rites over the neglected bodies of our 
 own fallen heroes, burying fifteen hundred in 
 three days. 
 
 Since the close of the war Dr. Wagenseller 
 has been in active practice at Selins Grove, his 
 character and ability winning him a high rank 
 among his professional brethren. He is a mem- 
 ber of the Snyder County Medical Society, of the 
 Medical Society of the State of Pennsylvania, 
 and of the American Medical Association. In 
 the Snyder County Society he has served as pres- 
 ident. He also belongs to the Northumberland 
 County Medical Society, and is at the present 
 time serving as president of that body. This or- 
 ganization now has seventy-eight members. For 
 twenty-five years Dr. Wagenseller has been sur- 
 geon for the Pennsylvania railroad, and he is a 
 member of the National Association of Railway 
 Surgeons. At one time he filled the chair of 
 physiology at Susquehanna University, Selins 
 Grove. At all times a Republican, he has for 
 many years been identified with the organization 
 of his party, and has been to a number of State 
 Conventions, and to three National Conventions. 
 In 1S68 he was an elector and cast his vote for 
 Grant and Colfax. In 186- he was commis- 
 sioned, by President Grant, as revenue assessor 
 of the Fourteenth District, comprising the coun- 
 ties of Dauphin, Juniata. Northumberland. Sny- 
 der and Union, and served in that capacity until 
 [872. In the following year he was a candidate 
 for the State Senate, and during the same year 
 was appointed examining surgeon of the Un 
 States board of pension examiners. In 1880 he 
 was a delegate to the National Republican Con- 
 vention at Chicago, and in 1884 and 1S92 was 
 again a delegate. During 1S82 he received the 
 Republican nomination for Congress. In local 
 affairs Dr. Wagenseller has also been extremely 
 active, and has officiated as a member of the 
 borough council. Repeatedly he has been called 
 upon to fill the position of chief burgess. At 
 present he is serving as president of the board of 
 health of the borough. He has also been iden- 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1069 
 
 tified with the business interests to some extent, 
 and was formerly a director of the Snyder County 
 Bank. In religious faith he is a Lutheran; since 
 early manhood has been a member of the Church, 
 and for many years past he has served as elder 
 in the Church. Socially he is connected with 
 the Masonic fraternity as a member of Lafay- 
 ette Lodge. 
 
 In 1S61 the Doctor married Miss Maria A. 
 Schoch, daughter of Jacob Schoch, and he has 
 one child, Mattie J., who is now the wife of Mar- 
 tin L. Snyder. They have one child, Anna 
 Marie. The family reside in a handsome res- 
 idence on Market street. 
 
 JOHN P. WETZEL, a farmer and fruit grower 
 of Beaver township, Snyder county, was 
 born September 24, 1 846, in what is now Sny- 
 der county, then a part of Union county, and in 
 the same neighborhood has spent his entire life. 
 
 Mr. Wetzel is a son of John and Lydia (Aig- 
 ler) Wetzel, and a brother of Samuel A. Wetzel, 
 ex-Judge of Beaver township. He attended the 
 schools near his home, and as soon as old enough 
 to handle the plow began work on the farm. At 
 the age of fourteen he became his father's as- 
 sistant at the carpenter's trade, which business 
 he followed until 1867, when he learned the 
 blacksmith's trade in Mifflinburg, Union county, 
 following that pursuit for some time thereafter. 
 Hoping to benefit his financial condition, he 
 moved to St. Joseph county, Mich., where he 
 followed his trade for several months. He also 
 spent several months in Bellevue, Ohio, after 
 which he returned to Pennsylvania, and operated 
 the home farm for his father for a year. In 1871 
 he rented that farm, which he continued to cul- 
 tivate for three years, when he removed to the 
 farm of J. P. Smith, in Franklin township, rent- 
 ing that property for three years. In 1877 he 
 purchased the old homestead, and has since de- 
 voted his time and energies to its improvement. 
 He erected a fine barn and made other improve- 
 ments at a cost of $1,500, has placed his land 
 under a high state of cultivation, and has suc- 
 cessfully a>nd extensively engaged in the raising 
 of fruit. The place is neat and thrifty in its 
 appearance and well indicates his careful super- 
 vision. 
 
 In 1 871 Mr. Wetzell was married, in Beaver 
 township, Snyder county, to Mary E. Bingman, 
 a native of that township, and a daughter of 
 Frederick Bingman, who is still living. They 
 now have a family of seven children: Ida E., 
 wife of William W. Dreese, a telegraph operator, 
 of Mifflin county ; F. Marion, a lumberman; Kate, 
 
 wife of Charles Coleman, of Virginia; Samuel, 
 Mary C, John K. and Mabel R., at home. 
 
 Our subject is a stalwart Republican who 
 does all in his power to promote the growth and 
 insure the success of his party. He served for 
 three terms as supervisor. He belongs to the 
 Reformed Church, in which he has served as 
 deacon, and for fifteen years has been superin- 
 tendent of the Sunday-school, his devotion to the 
 cause of the Church being most marked and mer- 
 itorious. He has been president of the Snyder 
 County Agricultural Society since 1894. He be- 
 longs to the Odd Fellows Society, and in social, 
 political and business circles he is highly es- 
 teemed for his many excellencies of character. 
 
 Charles L. Wetzel, who is serving as county 
 surveyor of Snyder county, and justice of the 
 peace of Beavertown, was born January 17, 1861, 
 and is a brother of the gentleman whose sketch 
 is given above. He was educated in the public 
 schools of Beavertown and in Freeburg Academy 
 under Profs. Dill and Boyer, after which he 
 spent several terms as a student in the Normal 
 University in Ada, Ohio. He afterward engaged 
 in teaching in the district schools of Snyder county 
 for fourteen years, was for twelve years a teacher 
 in Beavertown, one term in Troxelville, and one 
 term in Adamsburg. He has followed surveying for 
 fifteen years, and was elected county surveyor of 
 Snyder county in the fall of 1892 for a three- 
 years' term. So acceptably did he discharge his 
 duties that in 1895 he was re-elected, and since 
 1894 he has also filled the office of justice of the 
 peace, discharging his duties with a fairness and 
 impartiality most commendable. He has also 
 been township auditor for nine years, and in his 
 political affiliations he is a stanch Republican. 
 
 In 1887, in Beavertown, Charles Wetzel was 
 married to Sarah Diehl, who was born near 
 Mifflinburg, a daughter of Henry Diehl, of Union 
 county. They have three children: Chauncy 
 Blaine, Maggie Eve and William D. Mr. Wetzel 
 belongs to the Patriotic Order Sons of America, 
 in which he has filled all the offices, and is a 
 member of the Reformed Church. 
 
 OHN LANDIS COOPER is a wealthy re- 
 tired agriculturist now residing at Selins 
 Grove, Snyder county, and his elegant home 
 displays the influence of the refined and cultured 
 tastes of its occupants. Mr. Cooper has always 
 been a friend of education, and, in fact, is in 
 sympathy with all advance movements. His 
 patriotism was demonstrated by gallant service 
 in the army during the Civil war, and he has for 
 years been actively interested in the G. A. R. 
 

 1070 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 The Cooper family originated in one of the Brit- 
 ish Isles. Our subject's grandfather Cooper, cross- 
 ing the ocean at an early day, located in New Jer- 
 sey, where he engaged in farming. He died there 
 in i S 1 8, leaving two sons, Israel and John. The 
 latter, who became the father of our subject, was 
 born in 1807, in New Jersey, and was left father- 
 less when nine years old. He began his business 
 career under disadvantages, and, although he had 
 no capital at the start, he acquired a handsome 
 competence, and at his death, in 1S79, was the 
 owner of 300 acres of land. His wife, Catherine 
 Snyder, a native of Northumberland county, was 
 born in 1809, and died in 1893. They had nine 
 sons and two daughters, all but one of whom 
 lived to adult age. Hiram, who married a Miss 
 Simpson, lives at Goshen, Ind. ; Jeremiah died in 
 Selins Grove; Isaac Newton is living in retire- 
 
 1 at Sunbury, Penn. ; Thomas died some 
 years ago; Harriet is the wife of Jacob Muench, 
 of Snydertown, Penn. ; John L. is mentioned 
 more fully farther on; Simon P. died at the age 
 of eight years; David W. lives on the homestead; 
 Joseph Melancthon, a physician in Schuylkill 
 county, Penn., weighs 285 pounds; Martin Luther 
 is living in retirement in Snydertown, Penn. ; and 
 Mary, who married Rev. A. K. Zimmerman, of 
 Selins Grove. Of those who lived to maturity 
 none weighed less than 184 pounds, and the 
 heaviest was light and strong on his feet. All of 
 them remained at home until they reached the 
 
 of twenty-one, with the exception of Thomas, 
 who became a clerk, but gave his salary to his 
 father while under age. They were a remarkably 
 harmonious family, the boys agreeing among 
 themselves, and never calling upon the father to 
 settle a dispute of any kind. 
 
 John Landis Cooper was born December 1 
 1S40, at the old homestead in Northumberland 
 county, where he grew to manhood, obtaining an 
 education in the district schools while assisting 
 in the farm work. He left home first when, on 
 August 14, 1862, he enlisted in Company C, 131st 
 1 V. I., in response to Gov. Curtin's first call 
 for nine-months' men. His regiment was as- 
 signed to the Army of the Potomac. He was 
 taken ill with typhoid fever, and while in that 
 condition, in September, 1862, he was taken 
 prisoner in Chambersburg, and as soon as able 
 1 1 'led and sent home. He remained 
 there some three weeks, and then reported at the 
 hospital at Harrisburg, where he was held until 
 a general exchange, March 4, 1863. He then 
 rejoined his regiment at Stoneman's Station, and 
 here remained until the regiment was discharged, 
 in June, 1863. After returning home he entered 
 the employ of the Northern Central Railroad 
 
 Company, remaining a part of two years, then 
 began farming and lumbering, which he has since 
 carried on with great success. In 1890 he built 
 his present home, still owning his two farms, one 
 of 87 acres and one of 204. In politics Mr 
 Cooper is a firm believer in the principles of the 
 Republican party. 
 
 On September 20, 1866, Mr. Cooper was 
 married to Miss Emma A. Hummel, by whom 
 he has had two children: (1) Nora E. was grad- 
 uated from Susquehanna University in 1- ~ 
 married Rev. Robert G. Bannen, who also grad- 
 uated in same class, and now is a Lutheran min- 
 ister of South Williamsport, Penn. ; they have 
 one child, Paul C. (2) Arthur E. was graduated 
 from Susquehanna University in 1890; he mar- 
 ried Miss Carrie L. Ulsh, of Middleburg, Penr. . 
 and they have one daughter, Florence Anita. 
 The parents are active members of the Second 
 Lutheran Church (General Synod) of Selins Grove. 
 Mrs. Cooper being very active in all Church and 
 temperance work. She is active in the \Y. C 
 T. [}., being treasurer of the work in the count v. 
 and superintendent of the Mother's work. 
 
 Mrs. Cooper was born July 28, 1845, near 
 Selins Grove, Snyder county, where the Hummel 
 family has resided for many years, her father, 
 the late John Hummel, having been born there 
 in 1817. He died in 1895, and his wife, Han- 
 nah Diebert, who was born in Orwigsburg, Penn., 
 in 1820, passed away in 1S77. Their children 
 were: Franklin, who died when twenty-one; 
 Emma A., Mrs. Cooper; Edward, who is now 
 representing the Seventh District in the State 
 Senate; Mrs. Kistner, of Selins Grove; and H. 
 \\\, who is a coal and lumber merchant in North- 
 umberland county. 
 
 JAY GILFILLAN WEISER. The familj ol 
 Weiser was eminent in the early annals of 
 Pennsylvania. Conrad Weiser, prominent in 
 the internal development of Pennsylvania long 
 before the Revolutionary war, emigrated from 
 Germany to Newburgh on the Hudson, in New 
 York, in the year 17 10. He became a leading 
 personage in Colonial times, and exercised a per- 
 manent and wide influence upon the times in 
 which he lived, rendering important services to 
 the Province of Pennsylvania in effecting treaties 
 with the different Indian tribes. 
 
 In the civil and military relations of those 
 early days he was, perhaps, one of the most 
 noted and distinguished of the public men wh' 
 helped to make Pennsylvania one of the leading 
 Colonies. He was noted particularly for his 
 sterling integrity, his high qualities of fair dealing 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1071 
 
 as an interpreter, and in his man}' important 
 negotiations with Indian chiefs, as well as in the 
 diplomacy he displayed in arranging questions of 
 moment affecting the disposition of the land, he 
 gained great influence and high standing with 
 both the representatives of the Indian tribes and 
 the Colonial government, in whose behalf he 
 spent the best years of his life. He made several 
 long journeys from the southeastern settlements 
 in Pennsylvania, by direction of the Provincial 
 authorities to arrange treaties, encountering 
 numberless perils of the forest and foe, penetrat- 
 ing into the far interior, reaching the Great 
 Lakes of New York and Canada, and returning 
 in safety. He died July 13, 1760, full of years 
 and honor, and his remains lie near Womelsdorf, 
 Berks Co., Pennsylvania. 
 
 Jay Gilfillan Weiser, subject of this article, 
 springs from Frederich, the second son of Conrad 
 Weiser, and traces his descent in unbroken line 
 through Jacob, John, Peter, and Jonathan, his 
 father. They were all more or less prominent 
 in the public affairs of their native State. Jona- 
 than Weiser married Mary Gilfillan, of near Mil- 
 lerstown, Perry county; her father was James 
 Gilfillan, and her mother was Sarah Jones, 
 daughter of Nathan Jones, who was born at Had- 
 dington, West Philadelphia, and who married 
 Sarah Gibson, of Kingsessing. The father of 
 Nathan Jones was Robert Jones, of Marion. 
 
 Jay Gilfillan Weiser, on his paternal side in- 
 herits German blood, and on the maternal side 
 he has an infusion of Irish and Welsh. The 
 Joneses lived on the famous Welsh Tract contig- 
 uous to Philadelphia and were contemporary with 
 the landing of William Penn. Jonathan Weiser, 
 father of Jay Gilfillan Weiser, was born at Wom- 
 elsdorf, Berks Co., Penn., and after he had 
 grown to manhood, located at Mahantango, Jun- 
 iata Co., Penn., where he became engaged in 
 business enterprises, holding several positions of 
 trust, and was elected associate judge, which pos- 
 ition he filled, and died shortly thereafter, leav- 
 ing to survive him his wife and five children — 
 three sons and two daughters — Jay being his 
 third child, born at Mahantango, Juniata Co., 
 Penn. He was educated at the Millersville 
 State Normal School, unde% the supervision of 
 Dr. Edward Brooks, eminent as an author of 
 educational works, now Superintendent of the 
 Public Schools of the City of Philadelphia. 
 Thereafter he entered the law department of the 
 University of Pennsylvania, and graduated in 
 1882, having studied law in the office of Hon. 
 Louis E. Atkinson, ten years a representative in 
 Congress from the 1 8th Pennsylvania District, 
 as well as having been under the tutelage of the 
 
 late Hon. Richard Vaux, ex-Mayor of Phila- 
 delphia, and Judge Michael Arnold, of the same 
 city. 
 
 Mr. Weiser was admitted to the Philadelphia 
 Bar in June, 1882, upon motion of Mr. Vaux, 
 spending some time thereafter in their law offices, 
 from which many rising young men went forth 
 into the professional field. He located in Mid- 
 dleburg, Snyder Co., Penn., December 23, 1886, 
 where he has since successfully practised his pro- 
 fession. He was his party's nominee for District 
 Attorney in 1SS8 but failed of election, because 
 of the overwhelming majority of the opposing 
 party; was a delegate to the Democratic Conven- 
 tions in 1889 and 1891, and in 1896 was chosen 
 at the Allentown Convention of 1896, as a Del- 
 egate to the National Chicago Convention of that 
 year, which nominated Hon. William J. Bryan 
 for the Presidency. In the law Mr. Weiser is 
 held in high esteem for his fine qualities of mind 
 and high professional honor, a thorough and apt 
 student, well equipped for his profession by a 
 complete education, and enjoying the confidence 
 and regard of all his professional brethren and 
 the public at large. 
 
 In politics our subject is a Democrat, clinging 
 to the Jeffersonian traditions of the organization, 
 and is frequently called into counsel, as a repre- 
 sentative of his district, at conventions held for 
 nominating State candidates and enunciating 
 party platforms. In 1893 he was pressed by the 
 leaders of his section of the State for a position 
 in the Consular service, under the second Cleve- 
 land Administration; and Gov. Pattison recogniz- 
 ing his trained qualities of mind and professional 
 ability appointed him one of the Five Commis- 
 sioners to prepare the History of " The Frontier 
 Forts of Pennsylvania, " erected as garrisons by 
 the Province, as a means of defence against the 
 Indians, prior to the Peace Treaty of 1781. He 
 performed his arduous work with ability and 
 fidelity, his district composing sixteen counties of 
 the Commonwealth. Mr. Weiser is President of 
 the Snyder County Historical Society, recently 
 organized, is a supporter of the progressive insti- 
 tutions of his community, is social and affable in 
 disposition. He is unmarried. 
 
 HARVEY SCHOCH, a successful business 
 man of Selins Grove, Snyder county, is 
 prominently identified with the various interests 
 of his locality, political, social and religious, as 
 well as financial. For some years he has been a 
 member of the well-known mercantile firm of 
 Schoch Bros., but of late he has given his atten- 
 
1072 
 
 ( OMitEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 tion to the insurance business, in which he is now 
 a leader. 
 
 Mr. Schoch is a representative of one of the 
 oldest families of the county. He was born Au- 
 
 I 20, 1857, on the old farm in Franklin town- 
 ship, Snyder county, a son of John A. and Lydia 
 (Houtz) Schoch [see sketch of Ira C. Schoch], 
 and after attending the public schools there and 
 ^elins Grove he took a course in Susquehanna 
 University, graduating in 1877. I' 1 1882 he be- 
 came a member of the firm of Schoch Bros, and 
 for seven years he was actively engaged in mer- 
 cantile business. He held the position of post- 
 master of the city under appointment of Benja- 
 min Harrison. Since 1882 he has been more or 
 less interested in insurance business, and, on giv- 
 ing up his connection with the firm in 1SS9, he 
 devoted his entire attention to that line, carrying 
 fire, life and accident risks. He is thoroughly up 
 to date in his business methods, and his manners 
 are gentlemanly and courteous under all circum- 
 stances. 
 
 As a member of the First Evangelical Lu- 
 theran Church of Selins Grove, he has always 
 taken an active part in religious work. In Ma- 
 sonic circles he has been a prominent figure for 
 years as past master of Lafayette Lodge No. 
 194, F. *.v A M., at Selins Grove; Perseverance 
 Chapter No. 21, R. A. M., and Pilgrim Com- 
 mandery No. 11, K. T., at Harrisburg; Harris- 
 burg Consistory, 32nd degree, S. P. R. S. ; and 
 the Lu Lu Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. , at Phila- 
 
 bia. 
 
 In 18S3 Mr. Schoch was married to Miss 
 Emma C. Schnure, daughter of George Schnure 
 [see sketch of Mr. Schnure]. They have three 
 children to bless their union: Silas Howard and 
 Marion Schnure, two bright boys; and Agnes 
 Selin, the daughter, named for her great-grand- 
 mother — the daughter of Maj. Anthony Selin, 
 the founder of Selins Grove. 
 
 GEORGE WASHINGTON WAGENSEL- 
 LER, A. M., editor of the Middleburgh Post, 
 is an enterprising and talented young man, whose 
 abilities have found a congenial field for expres- 
 sion in journalistic work. He was born near 
 S«lins Grove, Penn., April 27, 1868, and his 
 bnvhood was spent upon his father's farm, much 
 of his time being given to wholesome outdoor 
 work. When he was fifteen years old his father 
 became the manager of the G*angers' store at 
 Selins Grove, and for several years George clerked 
 there during the summer months, while attending 
 the public schools in winter. In March, 1887, 
 he entered Missionary Institute, now Susque- 
 
 hanna University, at Selins Grove, having secured 
 the necessary funds for his tuition and books 
 through the diligent and careful saving of many 
 small sums. On June 6, 1889, he was gradu- 
 ated, and during the following summer he became 
 the principal of the public schools of Cowan, 
 Union county, where he taught with marked 
 success for one year, graduating five students 
 on May 15, 1S90. In September of the same 
 year he matriculated as a student at Bucknell 
 University at Lewisburg, Penn., entering the 
 junior class. His summer vacations were devoted 
 to canvassing, by which he earned enough money 
 to pay the expense of his entire course, and on 
 June 22. 1892, he was graduated from the classi- 
 cal course with the degree of A. B. Three years 
 later he was granted the degree of A. M. from 
 his Alma Mater. 
 
 During the summer of 1892 the Pennsylvania 
 National Guard was called out to quell the riot 
 at Homestead, Penn., and Mr. Wagenseller went 
 with the Lewisburg company, spending eighteen 
 days'on duty. In August, 1892, he accepted the 
 position of Professor of English and the Sciences 
 in the Coatesville Academy, but in the following 
 January, having learned that his salary was in 
 jeopardy, he resigned. In April, 1893, he began 
 work as Principal of the Teachers' Normal 
 School at Kerrmoor, Clearfield county, Penn., 
 the course being completed in June. During the 
 following summer he was offered three positions 
 within ten days, viz. : the presidency of Palatinate 
 College at Myerstown, Penn. ; the assistant prin- 
 cipalship of the public schools at Clearfield, 
 Penn., and the principalship of the Bloomfield 
 Academy at New Bloomfield, Perry Co., Penn. 
 He accepted the latter, and held the position 
 until the spring of 1894, when he resigned to 
 engage in his present calling. On March 17, 
 1894, in partnership with A. E. Cooper, he pur- 
 chased from Thomas H. Harter the Middleburgh 
 Post, with the entire printing plant. On De- 
 cember 12, 1894, the partnership was dissolved, 
 and Mr. Wagenseller became the sole proprietor 
 and the editor. 
 
 The history of the Post goes back to some 
 time in the forties, when a German Whig paper 
 was established at Naw Berlin, called the Union 
 Demokrat. For many years it was published by 
 Christian Moeser. In 1850 it was bought by Is- 
 rael Gutelius, and in the spring of 1853 it was 
 moved to Selins Grove. In 1861 it was changed 
 from a German to an English paper, and the 
 name changed to the Post. Until the latter part 
 of 1866 it remained at Selins Grove, and prier 
 to New Year, 1867, it was bought by Hon. Jere- 
 miah Crouse, and moved to Middleburgh, and he 
 
JZUo. TfrTfa 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1073 
 
 continued its publication until December i, 1882, 
 when Thomas H. Harter bought it, and retained 
 it until the subject of this sketch secured it as 
 above stated. On February 3, 1898, the entire 
 plant was moved into a large building built es- 
 pecially for the purpose, near the center of town. 
 It is a strong Republican organ, free to expose 
 wrong-doing in public life at all times, and it 
 now has the largest circulation within the coun- 
 ty, of any newspaper whatever. By his industry 
 and vigilance he has greatly extended the influ- 
 ence of the paper, and he has added to the print- 
 ing plant from time to time such modern devices 
 as are required in an up-to-date office. 
 
 The ancestry of Mr. Wagenseller can be 
 traced back to Christopher Wagenseil, who with 
 his wife, Anna Christina, came from Germany 
 prior to 1734. [For the lineal descendants see 
 sketch of Dr. B. F. Wagenseller.] William 
 Jeremiah Wagenseller, the father of our subject, 
 was born in Snyder county, Penn., March 23, 
 1839, and died August 3, 1895, m tne borough 
 of Selins Grove, at the age of fifty-six years, 
 four months and ten days. Early in life he 
 went to live with Henry and Catherine Bickhart. 
 His education was obtained in the public schools 
 of his district and in the school of life. On No- 
 vember 5, 1861, he was married to Miss Rebec- 
 ca Forry, the daughter of John and Esther For- 
 ry, of Penn township. The ceremony was con- 
 ducted by Rev. C. Z. Weiser. Less than a year 
 transpired when the call for able-bodied men 
 came, and on October 28, 1862, he enlisted and 
 was made corporal of Company F, 172nd P. V. 
 I. His term of enlistment expired January 28, 
 1863. He again enlisted, this time on Septem- 
 ber 5, 1S64, and was assigned to Company D, 
 208th P. V. I. On October 5, 1864, at Bermu- 
 da Hundred he was handed his commission as 
 sergeant of his company. He participated in 
 the fierce fighting at Fort Steadman, and in the 
 capture of Petersburg, Va. On June 1, 1865, 
 at the close of the war, he was discharged, and 
 • he, with thousands of others, threw off the sol- 
 dier's uniform and returned to the life of a civil- 
 ian. He was prominently connected with the 
 Grange movement, and for several years was 
 master of the local organization, and he also 
 was the presiding officer of the Snyder County 
 Pomona Grange. In 18S3, the Grangers opened 
 a co-operative store, and Mr. Wagenseller was 
 chosen general manager, and held the position 
 until November, 1890, when he voluntarily re- 
 tired to private life. 
 
 There were ten children born to William J. 
 •and Rebecca Wagenseller, viz. : Kate Alice, born 
 February 22, 1862; Mary Louisa, born May 17, 
 
 68* 
 
 1864, died August 25, 1865; John Franklin, born 
 August 1, 1866; George W., the subject of this 
 sketch; an infant son, born April 28, 1870, died 
 May 5, 1870; Ida May, born May 15, 1871; 
 Amon Sylvester, born November 11, 1873, mar- 
 ried Jeneatte Smith August 8, 1897, and to them 
 was born a son, Bruce Sylvester, February 23, 
 1898; Anna Celesta, born June 10, 1876, died 
 February 17, 1882; Charles Henry, born Decem- 
 ber 9, 1877, died July 24, 1878; and an infant 
 son, who was born September 30, 1881, and died 
 the same day. 
 
 On October 22, 1896, George Washington 
 Wagenseller, our subject, was married to Miss 
 Miriam Orwig, daughter of Dr. John W. and 
 Margaret (Zellers) Orwig, of Middleburg. Mrs. 
 Wagenseller was born June 18, 1875, in Middle- 
 burg, and she can trace her ancestry back to 
 Gottfried Orwig, who, with his wife came to 
 America in 1743, and settled in Berks county, 
 Penn. He was born, it is supposed, in Bruns- 
 wick, Germany, August 24, 1 719, and qualified at 
 the port of Philadelphia, October 2, 1741, ar- 
 riving from Rotterdam in the ship " St. An- 
 drew, "Charles Stedman, master. His age is giv- 
 en as twenty-two, which corresponds to the tomb- 
 stone record at Orwigsburg, Penn. He went to 
 Germany, and brought his wife, Clara, over in 
 1843. She was born January 26, 1716, and died 
 January 5, 1788, aged seventy-two years, less 
 three weeks. Gotfried and Clara had six chil- 
 dren, viz.: Catharine, born December 4, 1748; 
 Peter, born at Maiden Creek, Berks Co., Penn., 
 July 8, 1750, married Hannah Webb, and died 
 at Orwigsburg about 1807; Maria, born Decem- 
 ber 19, 1751; Henry, born at Maiden Creek, 
 December6, 1753, married Elizabeth Haring (no 
 children), was a private in the Revolutionary war, 
 in Col. William Thompson's Riflemen, died De- 
 cember 18, 1836; Elizabeth, born October 8, 
 1756; George, youngest child, born at Maiden 
 Creek, March 11, 1758, was in the Revolution- 
 ary war and took part in the battles of Long 
 Island, White Plains, and Brandywine. He had 
 joined the rifle company of Capt. James Olds, 
 in July, 1776. His last services were rendered 
 at Fort Jenkins in 1778. He was married to 
 Mary Magdalene Gilbert, who was born August 
 10, 1758, by whom he had twelve children. He 
 died at Mifflinburg, Penn., March 2, 1841. Got- 
 fried and his wife, the parents of these children, 
 settled in 1743 at Maiden Creek, near Reading, 
 Penn., on lands purchased from the Iroquois In- 
 dians, but afterward removed to Sculp Hill, 
 near Orwigsburg, in Schuylkill county. During 
 the Revolutionary war a company of old men 
 was organized (Germans), eighty in all. Their 
 
1074 
 
 ruMMEMORATIYE BIOGRAPHICAL RKCORD. 
 
 captain was nearly one hundred years old, and 
 in a history of Pennsylvania the names of this 
 company are given, and Gotfried is among 
 them. 
 
 George Orwig, the youngest son of Gotfried. 
 is the great-great-grandfather of Mrs. Wagensell- 
 er. Maria Magdalene, the daughter of Conrad 
 Gilbert, was born August 10, 1758, and died 
 January 30, 1841. About 1812, George Orwig 
 moved to near Mifflinburg, Union county. Both 
 are buried there. They had twelve children, as 
 follows: George, born January 17, 1780, died 
 near Bellevue, Ohio, February I, 1852; John, 
 born July 21, 1781, died near Bellevue, Ohio, 
 September 25, 1844; Jacob, born April 18,1783, 
 died at New Berlin, Penn., January 23, 1 
 Abraham, born February 26, 1787, died at Or- 
 wig's Mill, Union Co., Penn., December 16, 
 1852; Isaac, born February 27, 1785, died near 
 Orwigsburg; Henry, born June 27, 1789, died in 
 Mifflinburg, married (no children;; Mary Sarah, 
 born August 27, 1 791 , died October 9, 1792; 
 Maria Magdalen, born December 5, 1793, mar- 
 ried Ephraim Hackman, died at Adamsburg, 
 Penn.; Rebecca, born February 1, 1796, married 
 Thomas Crotzer, died at Mifflinburg; Samuel, 
 born April 6, 1798, married Mary Meyer, died at 
 Mifflinburg, September 7, 1872; William, born 
 March 22, 1800, died on his farm in Lewis town- 
 ship, Union county, February 26, 18S9; and Han- 
 nah, born July 1, 1802, never married, died at 
 Mifflinburg, October, 1882. 
 
 John Orwig, the second son of George and 
 Maria Magdalene (Gilbert) Orwig, is the great- 
 grandfather of Mrs. Wagenseller. He was a 
 merchant at Mifflinburg, and in 1820 was the 
 postmaster at that place. In 1826 we learn that 
 he was still there. Later he moved to Ohio, 
 and died on September 25, 1844. He had five 
 sons: Joseph, the eldest, is the grandfather of 
 the wife of our subject; John; Daniel; Samuel; 
 and Henry; and two daughters, Susan, married 
 Daniel Auble, now resides in Akron, Ohio; and 
 another daughter, whose name is not now at 
 hand. Of these children, Joseph was born No- 
 vember 21, 1801, married to Anna B. Keller, 
 December 24, 1829, and died August 2, 1S79. 
 Anna B. (Keller) Orwig was born June 17, 18 10, 
 and died July 4, 1S74. To this union were born 
 twelve children: Sarah E., born Decembers, 
 J I, married February 26, 1856, to William 
 ■r, and died January t8, 1881, in Kan 
 (William Calpel murdered by the Missou- 
 
 nans May [9, 1-- Samuel P., born May 18, 
 1834. married December 9, 1856, to Mary Tran- 
 Amanda L., born February married 
 
 June 6, 1858, to M. O. Eilert, and died March 
 
 27, 1S85; Andrew J., born October 24, 1836, 
 married March 18, 1861, to Sarah Browers, and 
 died May 16, 1S80; Lucina A., born April 15, 
 1838, married December 1, 1857, to Aaron 
 Weary, and died February 25, 1870. Martha 
 J., born December 29, 1839, married March 24, 
 1864, to William A. Orr, and died March 25, 
 1890; William P., born March 13, 1841, mar- 
 ried October 10, 1866, in San Francisco, to 
 Emma Dean, and died about 1896. Malinda D., 
 born October 2, 1844, married March 7, 1867, 
 to John Yeatter, and died June 4, 1890. John 
 W., born February 22, 1S43, married June 4, 
 1868, to Margaret Zellers, daughter of Samuel 
 Zellers and a Miss Stout. Mary M., born May 
 15, 1846, married October 10, 1869, Andrew 
 Hudgason, and died December 1, 1885. Joseph 
 C. , born February 13, 1849, is married, and re- 
 sides at Herndon, Penn.; and Susanna M., born 
 February 28, 1852, died February 21, 1874. 
 
 John W. ami Margaret (Zellersi Orwig had 
 three children: (1) Lillie Susanna, born January 
 11, 1869, married to Harry Harter, now resides 
 at Northumberland, and they have two children: 
 Wilmer and De Briceon; (2) Miriam, born June 
 18, 1875, married October 22, 1896, to the sub- 
 ject of this sketch, and (3) an infant daughl 
 born Februarv 23, 1883, and died February 26, 
 1883. 
 
 On his mother's side our subject's ancestry is 
 ii more hard)' than on the paternal side. 
 Coming from Germany during the Colonial 
 period, they settled in Berks county. Mr. Wag- 
 enseller's grandmother was a Zerbe. Her ances- 
 tors came overland from Schoharie. N, Y. , to 
 Tulpehocken, Berks county, in the Weiser Col- 
 ony in 1723-27. They were a prominent fam- 
 ily. John Forry, the grandfather of our subject, 
 was married October 28, 1 S 3 2 , to Esther Zerbe, 
 in Berks county, by Rev. Thomas Leinbach. 
 They resided in Berks county until 1839 or 1840, 
 when they moved to near Richfield in Snyder 
 county, where they resided several years, and 
 then moved to Penn township, Snyder county. 
 They reared a family of sixteen children: I 
 ward, born August 23, 1833, married December 
 [ 8, 1859, to Sarah Ann Jodon, now resides at 
 Freeburg. Penn, ; John, born September 28, 
 1834, now resides at Elkhart, Ind. ; Levi, born 
 May 29, 1836; Amanda, born September 29, 
 1837, married Lieut. William H. Gemberling, 
 and resides at Selins Grove; Jonathan, born No- 
 i>er 22. [838, married Deborah Grissinger, 
 now resides at Milton, Penn.; Rebecca, born 
 20, 1840, married November 5. 1861 
 William J, Wagenseller (the father of our sub- 
 1 now. a widow, resides at Selins Gr< 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1075 
 
 William, born March n, 1842; Alfred, a cripple, 
 born July 20, 1843, died August 19, 1879; El- 
 mira, born October 29, 1844, married (first) to 
 Matthias U. App (now deceased), and (second) to 
 David Reed, and now resides at Adamsville, 
 Cass Co., Mich.; Lydia, born September 19, 
 1S46, married to Norman Fisher, now resides 
 near Selins Grove; Mary Ann, born October 21, 
 1848, married March 9, 1875, to Jacob Martin. 
 now resides at Goshen, Ind. ; Elizabeth, born Sep- 
 tember 9, 1850, married November 3, 1S67, to W. 
 N. Fisher, now resides near Selins Grove; Samuel 
 Boyer, born August 25, 1852, unmarried, resides 
 south of Selins Grove; a son, born January 12, 
 
 1854, died in infancy; Calvin, born February 28, 
 
 1855, married October 29, 1874, to Alice Daub- 
 ert, and now resides at Kantz, Snyder Co. , Penn. ; 
 and Catherine, born November 25, 1857, mar- 
 ried to Frank Duck, now resides at Kantz, Sny- 
 der Co., Pennsylvania. 
 
 John Forry [Forrer], our subject's grand- 
 father, was born in Berks county, March 25, 
 1805, was a wool carder, and died January 2, 
 1865, at Selins Grove, Penn. His wife, Esther 
 (Zerbe) Forry, was born in Berks county, No- 
 vember 20, 18 14, and died at Selins Grove, Au- 
 gust 27, 1874, a ged 59 years, 9 months and 7 
 days. 
 
 George Washington Wagenseller is one of 
 the rising young men of central Pennsylvania, a 
 clear thinker, a forcible writer, and a congenial 
 fellow. Public-spirited and progressive, he 
 forged his way to the front with that zeal and 
 ardor that can result only in triumph. A mem- 
 ber of the Masonic fraternity, a local historian, 
 an ardent Republican, these are additional nom- 
 enclatures that disclose his taste. At present he 
 is compiling a history of the ' ' Wagenseller Fam- 
 ily in America." He resides in the borough of 
 Middleburgh, at the county seat of Snyder coun- 
 ty, Pennsylvania. 
 
 LEVI FISHER, of Selins Grove. "Our fore- 
 / fathers," writes a well-known author, "still 
 
 live among us in the record of their lives as well 
 as in their acts, which live also. Whoever has 
 left behind him a record of a noble life has be- 
 queathed to posterity an enduring source of 
 good." Among the many histories in this vol- 
 ume from which readers can gain inspiring ideals, 
 none are more suggestive and helpful than those 
 which tell of individual effort and sacrifice dur- 
 ing the long struggle for the preservation of the 
 Union, and the following brief account of one 
 of our brave defenders is deserving of the appre- 
 ciative reception which it will receive from every 
 
 true American. Entering the army while in the 
 first flush of manhood, Mr. Fisher came back 
 permanently crippled; yet notwithstanding his 
 disabilities he has maintained a useful and hon- 
 orable position in life, serving with marked 
 ability in various offices of public trust. 
 
 Mr. Fisher was born January 19, 1843, in 
 Penn township, Snyder county, and is of an old 
 Pennsylvania family. His paternal grandfather, 
 George Fisher, was a native of this State, born 
 probably in Lehigh county, and his death oc- 
 curred before our subject's remembrance. He 
 married a Miss Campbell, and reared a family of 
 six children, viz. : Samuel, our subject's father; 
 George, now a resident of Shamokin Dam, Penn. ; 
 Adam, who resides in Northumberland county, 
 with a son ; Isaac, who died in Selins Grove ; 
 Henry, who died in Elkhart county, Ind., and 
 Elizabeth, who married John Winkleman, and 
 removed to Indiana. After the death of our 
 subject's grandfather, the grandmother married 
 George Gemberling, by whom she had one son, 
 Sephares, now a resident of Penn township, 
 Snyder county. 
 
 Samuel Fisher, the father of our subject, was 
 born in Lehigh county, in 1809, but came to 
 Snyder county before his marriage to engage in 
 business as a contractor and builder. He died 
 in 1879, but his wife, Anna Fetter, who was 
 born October 23, 1815, in Jackson township, 
 Snyder county, is still living at the old 
 homestead in Penn township. They had seven 
 children: Elizabeth (Mrs. William Remer), Will- 
 iam H. (who married Miss Sarah Lytle, and re- 
 sides in Goshen, Ind.), Levi (our subject), Bar- 
 bara E. (deceased, who never married), Zacha- 
 riah Taylor (who married Miss Grace Eyer, and 
 resides in Wisconsin), Ada (Mrs. H. A. Rearick, 
 of Sunbury, Penn.), and Samuel A. (who lives 
 at the old homestead). 
 
 Mr. Fisher has always made his home in his 
 native county, and in his youth received such 
 education as the public schools of the day afforded. 
 On January 25, 1864, during the Civil war, he 
 enlisted in Company F, 184th P. V. I., and soon 
 afterward went to the front, his regiment being 
 assigned to the Army of the Potomac, Hancock's 
 Corps. His first important battle was the en- 
 gagement in the Wilderness, and then followed 
 the battles of Spottsylvania and Cold Harbor. 
 He took part in the famous charge at the latter 
 place, and fell in front of the Rebel works, hav- 
 ing received three wounds in a few minutes. His 
 right leg was so mangled above the knee that it 
 was subsequently amputated, but before it re- 
 ceived any attention Mr. Fisher lay for four days 
 and nights among the dead and dying, without a 
 
1076 
 
 00 VXhWf \RA TI VE BIO GRA I'lIJi A L RECORD. 
 
 particle of food and with no shelter from the 
 elements. A heavy rain fell, and the bodies of 
 the living and the dead were partially immersed 
 in water as they lay upon the field unattended. 
 When assistance came Mr. Fisher, with others, 
 was taken by sea to an island in New York har- 
 bor, and, a fever having already set in, he lay in 
 a hospital there for some time. On September 
 3, 1864, he arrived at his old home, but on the 
 3rd of December following he went to Philadel- 
 phia to receive treatment. After spending sev- 
 eral months in various soldiers' hospitals, he was 
 sent, in April, 1865, to Chester Hospital, where 
 there were at the time fifteen hundred soldiers 
 with but one leg each. The man in charge of 
 the place fed these disabled heroes of the war on 
 mush and molasses for two weeks after Mr. Fish- 
 er's arrival, and then the patients rebelled and 
 petitioned the higher authorities for better fare, 
 which they immediately received. 
 
 A pension was granted Mr. Fisher soon after 
 the close of the war, and this was afterward in- 
 creased to $45 per month. He has not been able 
 to follow any particular occupation, but his abil- 
 ity and fidelity have been called into use at vari- 
 ous times by his fellow citizens, who elected him 
 jury commissioner in 1881 for a term of three 
 years, and county treasurer in 1S91 for a similar 
 term. He has been a member of the school 
 board of Selins Grove for three years, and has 
 served five years as city tax collector. He is a 
 stanch Republican in politics, and takes an act- 
 ive part in religious work as a member of the 
 Reformed Church. He is a member of Capt. C. 
 S. Davis Post No. 148, G. A. R. 
 
 In 1870 Mr. Fisher was married to Miss Alice 
 Amelia Huffman, a native of Monroe township, 
 Snyder county, born August 22, [850, They 
 have one son, Charles, now a fireman on the 
 Pennsylvania railway, who married Miss Maud 
 Jarrett, and has a daughter, Myra Alice. 
 
 HON. SAMUEL A WETZEL, president of 
 the Beavertown Mutual Fire Insurance 
 Company, and ex-Associate Judge of Snyder 
 county, is one of the leading citizens of his lo- 
 cality. He is noted for that most uncommon 
 
 ility, sound common sense, his advice be- 
 ing sought on various matters both in politics 
 and business. The Wetzel family has been 
 identified with this State for several genera- 
 tions, and our subject's grandfather, Philip Wet- 
 zel, came to this section from one of the lower 
 
 inties at a very early day, and spent his re- 
 maining years here and in Middleburg, following 
 the carpenter's trade. He had four sons: John, 
 
 Levi, Daniel and Samuel; and three daughters: 
 Nancy, Mary, and Sally, who is now the widow 
 of John Smelker, of Mifflin county. 
 
 John Wetzel, our subject's father, was the 
 eldest child of his parents, and was born Febru- 
 ary 10, 1 8 1 5. He learned the carpenter's trade 
 with his father, being set to work at a very early 
 age, and receiving but very little education. In 
 1839 he married Lydia Aigler, who was born 
 April 12, 1822, in Beaver township, Union 
 county, Penn., the daughter of Jacob and Esther 
 (Klose) Aigler. After his marriage he engaged 
 in business for himself, doing contract work and 
 building many houses and barns. During the 
 winter seasons he would work at the cabinet 
 maker's trade, as furniture was manufactured in 
 those days in small shops, and being a good 
 mechanic his services were always in demand. 
 He was a small man, but, although he could never 
 be called robust, he did much hard work in his 
 life, and left a comfortable competence as a re- 
 sult of his labors. During 1864 he removed to 
 St. Joseph county, Mich., and remained a few 
 months, but with the exception of this time he 
 made his home throughout his married life in 
 Beavertown, upon the same lot now occupied 
 by our subject. In early years he was a stanch 
 Whig in politics, and later was an equally ear- 
 nest supporter of the Republican party; but al- 
 though he was a regular voter he never seemed 
 especially desirous of public office. He was a 
 justice of the peace for a number of years, but 
 finally declined to serve longer. He died at the 
 age of seventy-six years, and was buried in Union 
 cemetery of Beavertown; his widow, a most 
 estimable lady, still resides at the old home. 
 Our subject was the eldest of nine children; 
 Amelia, who married Isaac Boush. died in Bea- 
 vertown leaving one son, James C, now an ex- 
 pert telegrapher at Pittsburg, Penn.; Jacob is 
 shoemaker at Beavertown; John P., is a farmer 
 in Beaver township, Snyder county; Ellen 
 married Robert Beaver, of Beavertown: Will- 
 iam A. is a resident 'of the same place; Ade- 
 line married Jacob H. Bingaman, of Beaver- 
 town; Charles L. , also a resident of Beavertown, 
 is a justice of the peace and county surveyor; 
 James D., also of Beavertown, is a carpenter by 
 occupation. 
 
 Mr. Wetzel was born March 14, 1840, in 
 Beavertown. and attended school near the old 
 home, his first teacher being Solomon Engle, 
 formerly a justice of the peace. His opportun- 
 ities were decidedly inferior to those afforded in 
 the schools of to-day, and his active mind was not 
 satisfied by the limited course afforded. After 
 leaving school he prepared himself for teaching 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1077 
 
 by private study, and after his marriage he taught 
 for two terms at twenty-two dollars per month. 
 The scanty returns of this occupation discouraged 
 him, and he engaged in the carpenter's trade; he 
 also clerked two years for Moses Specht in Beav- 
 ertown, and for ten years worked in his foundry 
 and machine shop, where plows, corn shellers, 
 threshing machines, and implements of various 
 kinds were manufactured. In 1864 he enlisted in 
 Company I, 184th P. Y. I., which was attached to 
 the Second Army Corps. He remained with the 
 regiment until January, 1865, when he was taken 
 ill and sent to the hospital at City Point, Va. 
 He saw some severe fighting around Petersburg 
 previous to his illness, and on returning to his 
 regiment in February, 1865, he joined in the 
 operations around Richmond, being at Appo- 
 mattox at the time of Lee's surrender. Then 
 came the Grand Review at Washington, after 
 which he was discharged and returned to Beaver- 
 town. 
 
 In politics he is a Republican, and he has 
 served as township auditor and as county auditor 
 for one term. In 1867 he was elected justice of 
 the peace, and he served in that office until 1883, 
 when he resigned because of his election as As- 
 sociate Judge of Snyder county. He served in 
 this important position for two terms, and since 
 his retirement his knowledge of law and his sound 
 judgment have been called into play at different 
 times, as he has often been asked to act as admin- 
 istrator, executor, guardian and arbitrator. He 
 owns several lots in Beavertow r n and a small 
 farm in the same township, and has an interest 
 in various business enterprises, being one of the 
 founders of the Beavertown Mutual Fire Insur- 
 ance Company, incorporated in 1879, of which 
 he has been the president ever since its organiza- 
 tion. The old homestead, which has now been in 
 the family for more than sixty years, has been 
 remodeled by him, and he has also erected a fine 
 office building on the place. 
 
 In 1863 he was married in Beavertown to 
 Miss Emma Smith, a daughter of Adam and 
 Mary (Specht) Smith. They have had eight 
 children, of whom five are living: (1) Mary L. 
 married James M. Kline, of Beavertown, and has 
 two children, Libbie and Emma. (2) Jane A. 
 married S. L. Freed, of Beavertown, and has 
 one son, Edwin R. (3) Palmer E. died at 
 twenty-two years of age, at the beginning of 
 what seemed a promising career. (4) Libbie A. 
 married William M. Specht, of Beavertown. 
 (5) Miss Gertrude E. is at home. 16) Charles 
 S. and (7) John A. were twins; the former died 
 at the age of eight years, and the latter is now 
 at home. (S) Katie E. died at the age of three 
 
 years. Mr. Wetzel is prominent in Church 
 work, and he and his wife both belong to the 
 Reformed Church at Beavertown, in which he 
 has held office as deacon, and is now serving as 
 treasurer. He is a member of W. H. Byers 
 Post No. 612, G. A. R., at Adamsburg, and was 
 once an active Mason, and an Odd Fellow dur- 
 ing the existence of that order in Beavertown. 
 On July 22, 1897, President McKinley, in recog- 
 nition of his worth as a citizen and his firm ad- 
 herence to Republican principles, appointed him 
 postmaster at Beavertown. 
 
 JOHN H. WILLIS, of Selins Grove, is one 
 of the most popular citizens of Snyder 
 county, twenty-four years of faithful service in 
 the public schools of that section having won the 
 full confidence of the people. At present he 
 holds the office of register and recorder of Sny- 
 der county, and his ability, his excellent educa- 
 tion and his unswerving fidelity to duty command 
 the respect of all parties. He was born June 23, 
 1S51, at Wilmington, Del., and after pursuing a 
 liberal course of study, he began teaching, which 
 he abandoned only after nearly a quarter of a 
 century of successful work. For two years he 
 remained free from regular business cares, but 
 in 1897 he was nominated on the Republican 
 ticket for the office which he now holds. A 
 nomination by the Republicans is equivalent to 
 an election in Snyder county, and Mr. Willis well 
 deserved the honor because of years of faithful 
 and effective work for the party. 
 
 In 1882 Mr. Willis married Miss Lucy Huff- 
 man, a native of Juniata count}-, Penn., born 
 October 15, 1S53, and six children have blessed 
 the union: Alice Carey, Angeline, Nevin, Katie, 
 George W. and Ira. Socially, Mr. Willis and 
 his wife are prominent, and he .is a member of 
 the Reformed Church, and of several fraternal 
 associations, including the Patriotic Order Sons 
 of America and the Masonic fraternitv. 
 
 J 
 
 C. SCHOCH, prothonotary of Snyder coun- 
 ty, is a man who is held in high esteem by 
 his fellow-citizens, his sterling qualities of 
 character making him entirely worthy of confi- 
 dence. He has an honorable war record, and 
 his reputation as a successful agriculturist shows 
 that in the " piping times of peace" he has used 
 his energies to good account. He belongs to a 
 well-known pioneer family, his great-grandfather, 
 Matthew Schoch, having settled at an early date 
 at the site of the present village of Kreamer, 
 Snyder county. Matthew Schoch was born De- 
 
Ifi7- 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 cember 16, 1738, at Muhlhausen, Germany, and 
 came to America in 1752, his labor for a term 
 ■ t years after his arrival going to pay for his 
 passage. Landing at Philadelphia, he remained 
 in that vicinity while fulfilled the terms of his 
 contract, and then he located in Northampton 
 county, Penn. , near Tulpehocken. Later he ac- 
 companied Conrad Weizer, the noted Indian 
 agent, to this section, and purchased a large tract 
 of land where Kreamer now stands. He died 
 in 1812 leaving eleven children, among whom 
 was a son Jacob, our subject's grandfather, who 
 followed the blacksmith's trade fora time in early 
 manhood, and in 1822 built the first house in 
 Kreamer, where he spent his remaining years as 
 a farmer and hotel keeper. He married a 
 Quaker lady named Hendricks, and had thirteen 
 children, of whom the following lived to adult 
 age: George, Michael, Jacob, Samuel, David, 
 John A., Benjamin, Catherine, Elizabeth, Mar- 
 garet and Angeline. 
 
 John A. Schoch, our subject's father, was 
 born at the old homestead near Kreamer, Janu- 
 ary 5, 1808. He was married in 1830 to Miss 
 Lydia Houtz, and for six years they made their 
 home at the old stone hotel. In 1836 he sold 
 the place and bought a farm near Middleburg 
 where he resided until his death in 1S63. Thor- 
 oughly progressive in his ideas, he did much to 
 advance the best interests of his locality; early 
 in the forties he donated land upon which to 
 build the first public school house in Snyder 
 county, and his zeal for the cause of educa- 
 tion never slackened; throrghout his life he 
 sought to elevate the standard of the local 
 schools by securing the best teachers at good 
 wages. His estimable wife, who was born at 
 Selins Grove, October 17, 1812, is now residing 
 in that city. She is a lady of high character 
 and unusual mental ability, and in 1846 she or- 
 ganized the first Sabbath-school ever established 
 m that county. Of their children, the eldest, 
 F. J. , is a retired merchant at Selins Grove; Eliza- 
 beth is the wife of John M. Smith, of Nebraska; 
 David A. resides at Orangeville, 111. ; Katie mar- 
 ried Jerry Crouse, of Middleburg; John Calvin, 
 our subject, is mentioned more fully below, A 
 Z, is a merchant at Bloomsburg, Penn.; Silas 
 H. died at the age of twenty-two; Ira C. is a 
 resident of Selins Grove; Celestia died in infancy; 
 H. Harvey resides at Selins Grove; George H., 
 deceased, was the eleventh in order of birth ; Ada, 
 widow of Dr. S. A. Kempfer, resides at Selins 
 Grove. 
 
 The subject of our sketch first saw the light 
 October 15, 1842, in Franklin township, Snj 
 county, and was reared upon a farm. His edu- 
 
 cation was begun in the district schools near his 
 home, and he afterward attended the academies 
 at New Berlin and Selins Grove. In 1862 he 
 enlisted for nine months in Company F, 131st 
 P. V. I., and went to the seat of war, where he 
 took part in a number of important engagements, 
 including the battles of Antietam and Chancel- 
 lorsville. He was discharged at the end of nine 
 months and twenty-one days of service, and, re- 
 turning home, he resumed the work of farming. 
 In 1864 he took charge of the homestead, which 
 he continued to operate until 1892, doing general 
 agricultural work. At present he is the owner of 
 the homestead farm, superintending the cultiva- 
 tion of it himself. In November, 1892, he was 
 elected to the office of prothonotary, and since 
 February 1. 1893, he has held that position, 
 having been re-elected in 1895. He is a stanch 
 Republican, one of the chief advisers of the party 
 in his locality, and as an official his ability and 
 fidelity have won praise from all classes, irre- 
 spective of political affiliations. 
 
 On December 1, 1864, he married Miss Mar- 
 garet Hassinger, a native of Snyder count}, bom 
 October 12, 1842. Three children have blessed 
 this union: (1) Clyde A. married Alfred Klose, 
 of Beaver township, Snyder county, and they 
 have one son, Harry Jacob. (2) Anna L. mar- 
 ried Charles Swing, and had one child, Annie L. , 
 who died in 1896. (3) Naomi M. married J. E. 
 Stahlnecker, of Middleburg. 
 
 CHARLES HOWER, of Selins Grove, is now 
 the senior member of the Bar of Snyder 
 county, and his long and successful legal career 
 has gained for him a reputation extending far 
 beyond local bounds. He is frequently retained 
 in important cases in various parts of the State, 
 but in most cases of note in his own county he 
 has taken part on one side or the other. For 
 many years he was also solicitor for the Sunbury 
 & Lewistown Railroad Company under the man- 
 agement of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. 
 Mr. Hower is of German descent remotely, and 
 was born February 18, 1832, on the old Hower 
 homestead, called Howerton, in Allen township, 
 Northampton county, Penn. This place has 
 now been in the possession of the family for 
 more than a hundred and fifty years, a recent 
 owner being George Hower, an uncle of our sub- 
 ject, who died several years ago at the age of 
 eighty-seven years. Frederick Hower, our sub- 
 ject's great-grandfather, a native of Baden, Ger- 
 many, came to America with his parents when 
 only eight years of age. His son, John Nicho- 
 las, the grandfather of our subject, and Eliza- 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1079 
 
 beth Dreisbach always resided at the old home- 
 stead in Northampton county. Jacob Hower, 
 our subject's father, who was born at the same 
 place April i, 1793, and Miss Mary Morden, 
 daughter of George Morden, a Quaker, who 
 came from England at an early age with his 
 parents, and resided at Belvidere, New Jersey. 
 Jacob Hower died May 9, 1864, and his wife De- 
 cember 27, 1865, the remains of both being in- 
 terred at Mifflintown, Juniata county. 
 
 The early education of our subject was ob- 
 tained in the common school near his home, and 
 at the McEwensville Academy, Northumberland 
 county. When not engaged in study he devoted 
 his time to farm work, assisting his father as his 
 years and strength permitted, thus developing a 
 fine physique which has enabled him to pass 
 through the arduous toil of professional life with 
 ease. At nineteen he left home to seek his for- 
 tune, and for three years he taught school, first 
 in Delaware and Chillisquaque townships, North- 
 umberland county, and then in Liberty township, 
 Montour county, in order to secure the means to 
 study law, for which both inclination and talent 
 fitted him. In 1851 he began his preparation in 
 the office of William C. Lawson, Esq., a promi- 
 nent attorney at Milton, and later he pursued a 
 course in the Easton Law School under Judge 
 Green, now a judge in the Supreme Court of 
 Pennsylvania, and Judge McCartney, another 
 noted jurist. In November, 1854, he was ad- 
 mitted to the Bar of Northumberland county, 
 Hon. George E. Miller, Hon. Joseph Casey and 
 Henry Donnel, Esq., constituting the examining 
 committee. April 3, 1855, after Snyder county 
 was organized, he located at Selins Grove, where 
 he has ever since been engaged in active practice. 
 In 1858 he was elected district attorney of Snyder 
 county by an unusually large majority, and this 
 office he filled acceptably for three years. His 
 professional work has always held the first place 
 with him, and he has repeatedly refused to enter 
 upon a political career. In 1882 when the Re- 
 publicans of his county instructed their delegates 
 to the State Convention to support him for the 
 nomination for judge of the Supreme Court, he 
 declined to allow his name to be brought before the 
 convention. This position is usually considered 
 one of the greatest honors that can fall to a 
 practitioner, and had he desired the place he 
 would have had a strong following, Colonel David 
 Taggart, the senatorial delegate, and a goodly 
 number of other delegates outside of his county 
 favoring his nomination. Among the celebrated 
 cases in which Mr. Hower has been engaged was 
 the trial of Israel Erb, Emanuel Ettinger, and 
 Urich and Jonathan Moyer, for the murder of an 
 
 elderly couple named John and Gretchen Kintz- 
 ler. The victims lived in Adams township, Sny- 
 der county, and the crime was committed on the 
 night of December 8, 1877, their dwelling being 
 afterward burned and the bodies consumed in the 
 flames. Suspicion fell upon the four men men- 
 tioned, all of whom resided within four miles of 
 the Kintzler homestead. The county commis- 
 sioners decided to investigate the matter and 
 asked Mr. Hower to act as counsel, which he 
 agreed to do on condition that he could first as- 
 sure himself that the suspected parties were 
 guilty. His careful inquiries convinced him that 
 they were, and he accordingly advised their arrest 
 and assisted in the prosecution. All were con- 
 victed of murder in the first degree. Ettinger 
 afterward committed suicide in jail; the two 
 Moyers, who confessed their guilt after convic- 
 tion, were executed; and the sentence of Israel 
 Erb was commuted by the Pennsylvania Board 
 of Pardons to imprisonment for life in the peni- 
 tentiary. These were the first and only persons 
 ever convicted of murder in the county. 
 
 Mr. Hower enlisted in October, 1862, in the 
 i72dP. V. I. with the rank of first lieutenant, 
 and served as a quartermaster for some time. 
 In 1 864 he became a member of the board of en- 
 rollment of the Fourteenth District of Pennsyl- 
 vania. 
 
 On December 26, 1854, Mr. Hower was 
 united in marriage with Miss Amanda Nicholas, 
 of Northumberland county, who passed to the 
 unseen life October 14, 1858, her mortal re- 
 mains being laid to rest in the Lutheran Ceme- 
 tary at Selins Grove. Mr. Hower formed a sec- 
 ond matrimonial union on September 1, 1859, 
 with Miss Rebecca Shriner, daughter of Daniel 
 Shriner, of Mifflinburg, Union county, who, in 
 his declining years, made his home with our 
 subject; he died June 1, 1886, at the age of 
 ninety-three years. One of the early recollec- 
 tions of this venerable man was the sight of the 
 famous Dr. Joseph Priestley, who arrived in 
 Northumberland county from England about 
 1793, the year of Mr. Shriner's birth, and died in 
 1804. Mr. Hower has two children, both by his 
 first marriage. Mary Alice, born October 2, 
 1855, married Wm. Field Shay, Esq., of Wat- 
 sontown, Pennsylvania, and Asher Morden, 
 born September 17, 1857, married and resides 
 at Selins Grove. 
 
 WH. RIEGEL, treasurer of Snyder coun- 
 ty, is a man whose sterling qualities of 
 character are widely recognized. In business life 
 
1 18 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 he has shown the enterprise and sound judgment 
 which the world is always inclined to admire, and 
 as a citizen he is progressive and public-spirited, 
 taking a leading part in the various movements 
 that tend to promote the welfare of the commu- 
 nity. 
 
 Mr. Kit born May 21, i S 57. in West 
 
 Beaver township, Snyder county, and has been 
 a lifelong resident of the county. John Riegel, 
 the grandfather of our subject, was a native of 
 Pennsylvania, and became a successful farmer of 
 Franklin township. Snyder county, where he 
 died at an advanced age. He married Miss Cath- 
 erine Bingaman, and their son Peter, our sub- 
 ject's father, was born October 27, 1S24, at 
 Beaver Furnace, but is now residing near Middle 
 Creek, Snyder county, upon a farm. In early 
 years he learned the chair maker's trade, but 
 thirty-five years past he has been engaged in 
 agricultural work. In politics he is a stanch Re- 
 publican, and while he does not take an active 
 part in public life he is a man of influence in his 
 locality. His estimable wife, whose maiden 
 name was Matilda Middleswarth, was born in 
 1827, at Beavertown, Snyder county, a daughter 
 of Hon. Xer Middleswarth, who was at one time 
 a leading politician of this section, serving one 
 term in Congress and thirteen terms as a mem- 
 ber of the State Legislature. Of the ten children 
 born to Peter and Matilda Riegel, the first tin 
 Ephraim, Angeline and Jane, died in their youth. 
 Amanda married A. A. Ulsh, of Middlecreek, 
 Snyder county; W. H., our subject, is mentioned 
 mure fully below; P. F. is a fire insurance agent 
 at Beaver Springs, Snyder count}'; Harriet mar- 
 ried J. F. Yetter, of Decatur, Mifflin county. 
 Penn. ; Jacob W. resides near Lewistown, Penn. ; 
 John M. is a resident of Middlecreek, Spring 
 township; and Howard resides at Middlecreek. 
 Spring township, Snyder county. 
 
 The boyhood of our subject was spent in 
 Beaver township, Snyder county (now Spring 
 township), where he received a district-school 
 education, and learned the brick layer's trade. 
 For some time he followed farming, but in 1 SS3 
 he located at Adamsburg, and has since been act- 
 ively engaged in his trade, although he still ; 
 some attention to agricultural pursuits. On N - 
 vember 3, 1896, he was elected county treasurer, 
 and on the first Monday in January, 1897, he 
 assumed the duties of the office. On April 1, 
 1897, he removed his family to Middleburg, and 
 he is already thoroughly identified with the best 
 interests of the place — business, social and re- 
 ligious. 
 
 On December 31, 1S76, he married Miss Mary 
 A. Maurer, of Beaver township, Snyder countv, 
 
 and one daughter, Elsie, brightens their home. 
 Mr. Riegel is a member of the Reformed Church 
 and of the Patriotic Order Sons of America. 
 
 EDWARD BASSLER (deceased; was one 
 of Snyder county's most successful busi- 
 ness men. having been engaged for nearly 
 half a century in mercantile pursuits at Selins 
 Grove and Freeburg. In social, political and 
 religious activities he was no less prominent, 
 and although he had lived in retirement for 
 some years previous to his death, the news of 
 his final departure from earthly scenes on No- 
 vember 23, 1895, caused profound grief among 
 a wide circle of acquaintances. 
 
 Mr. Bassler was born January 19, 18 16, at 
 Selins Grove, the son of John Bassler, an old- 
 time tavern keeper, and his wife, Catherine 
 Weiser, who was a descendant of the famous 
 pioneer, Conrad Weiser. This worthy couple had 
 eight children: (1) Lucy, married (first) Samuel 
 Hackenburg, (second) a Mr. Walter, and (third) 
 a Mr. Newman. She died in Wabash, Ind.. in 
 1894, aged eighty-eight years. (2] Maria, widow 
 of George Gundrum, lives in Philadelphia, and is 
 now nearly ninety years old. (3) John W (de- 
 ceased) was formerly a partner of our subject in 
 Selins Grove, but later he became a merchant at 
 Sunbury, Penn. 14) Edward, our subject, is 
 mentioned more fully farther on. (5) Sarah, 
 who was a physician, married Henry App, and 
 died near Bristol, Ind. (6) Simon J. joined the 
 regular army in the West, and all trace of him 
 has been lost. 
 
 Our subject had but meager educational op- 
 portunities, and at an early age began to learn 
 the stone mason's trade. He followed this for 
 some time, and during the construction of the 
 canal he was employed on the stone work. When 
 that great water-way was completed he began 
 his mercantile career, having saved about $1,000 
 by close economy. The canal added new lil 
 business at Selins Grove, and of this he took ad- 
 vantage. In partnership with his brother John, 
 he opened a small general store about 1S41, the 
 venture proving a success from the start, although 
 
 r capital was limited, our subject furnish 
 the major portion. Their location was after- 
 ward changed, and at one time they conducted a 
 business opposite the site of the First Lutheran 
 Church. 
 
 On December 27, 184b, Mr. Bassler was 
 married to Miss Catherine A. Boyer, of Fi 
 burg, Rev. J. G Erlenmeyer officiating, and this 
 union proved a most fortunate one. As Mr 
 
&& 
 
 et^j 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1081 
 
 Bassler was in business in Selins Grove at the 
 time of his marriage, he continued to reside there 
 until the ague seized his wife, when a new home 
 was made in Freeburg. This was intended to 
 be temporary, but became permanent, as Mrs. 
 Bassler's health was much better in Freeburg, 
 and in 1850 our subject engaged in mercantile 
 business there in partnership with his father-in- 
 law. Later he was appointed postmaster, and 
 served creditably for several years. In 1885 he 
 retired from active business, and his son, J. C. 
 W. Bassler, succeeded him, with Milton Strayer 
 as a partner. This ended a continuous career in 
 the mercantile business of forty-six years, eleven 
 years in his native town and thirty-five years in 
 Freeburg. He had built one of the best houses 
 in the county in connection with his business 
 establishment, and after his retirement he con- 
 tinued to look after his extensive financial in- 
 terests and other matters. On March 8, 1881, 
 he became a director in the First National Bank 
 at Selins Grove, which position he held until his 
 death, and he was for many years a trustee of 
 Freeburg Academy. His estate was valued at 
 more than $126,000, and in all his years of busi- 
 ness he kept absolutely free from litigation. In 
 later years he loaned money extensively, and 
 many a poor man retained his home through his 
 leniency. He was a stanch Democrat, and, 
 while he never let politics interfere with busi- 
 ness, he took keen interest in the success of his . 
 party. In 1880 he was Snyder county's choice 
 for Congress, but at the convention he withdrew 
 in favor of R. Milton Speer, of Huntingdon 
 county. For many years he was an active mem- 
 ber of the I. O. O. F., having joined the lodge 
 in Selins Grove. On May 2, 1833, he was 
 received into membership in the Reformed Church 
 at Selins Grove, being baptized by Rev. Daniel 
 Weiser. 
 
 Mr. Bassler was noted for his sociability, and 
 he was a congenial companion. Always a lover 
 of music, he found great pleasure in having his 
 children sing and play, and no place seemed as 
 attractive to him as his home. His favorite 
 hymns were " There is a Reaper whose Name is 
 Death," and "Nearer, My God, to Thee," and 
 the latter was sung at his funeral at his request. 
 The text for his funeral sermon was also selected 
 by him from Revelations, xiv, 13: "And I heard 
 a voice from Heaven saying unto me, write, 
 Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from 
 henceforth; yea, saith the Spirit, that they may 
 rest from their labors; and their works do follow 
 them." He suffered much for three years before 
 his death, and expressed at times a desire 
 to depart and be at rest. To his faithful 
 
 wife, who survives him, he often expressed his 
 gratitude for her continual devotion to him. 
 
 Their family consisted of two sons: (1) Ed- 
 ward B. died February 22, 1S92, and was buried 
 at Freeburg. He left four children — William 
 L. married Miss Emma J. Arnold, has one daugh- 
 ter, Katharine A., who was born August 24, 1897, 
 and resides in Freeburg; Katy F. (a twin of 
 William) died in Philadelphia, unmarried. She 
 was a most popular young lady, beloved by all 
 who knew her. Blanch A. married Milton H. 
 Gasser, of Cleveland, Ohio, and has two sons — 
 Raymond, born September 25, 1894, and Milton 
 Leonard, born December 3, 1897. Charles W. 
 is a resident of Cleveland, Ohio. (2) J. C. 
 W., of Freeburg, Penn. (single), is one of the 
 substantial citizens of that town, and lives with 
 his mother. 
 
 Mrs. Bassler is a lady of refinement and 
 culture, possessing marked social gifts, and her 
 home bespeaks her artistic tastes by scrupulous 
 neatness and order. She was born at Freeburg, 
 November 19, 1827, and is a member of a well- 
 known family, her grandfather, Philip Boyer, 
 having been a prominent resident in his day. 
 He was born July 3, 1746, and died at Freeburg, 
 March 24, 1832. He was twice married, his sec- 
 ond wife, Catherine Paul (widow of Henry Paul), 
 being Mrs. Bassler's grandmother. This estimable 
 lady was born January 29, 1762, and died January 
 8, 1 S3 5, her remains being interred beside those 
 of her husband at Freeburg. Isaac Boyer, Mrs. 
 Bassler's father, was born June 27, 1805, came 
 to Freeburg with his parents in boyhood, and, 
 after attending the subscription schools of that 
 time, he learned the tanner's trade. At one time 
 he owned the old " Boyer Tannery," which had 
 been purchased by his father in 18 15, but later 
 he sold this property and engaged in mercantile 
 business near by, in partnership with Andrew 
 Roush. Afterward the firm removed to what is 
 known as Bassler's Corner, in Freeburg, where 
 Mr. Bassler built a store room and residence. 
 After a time he became the sole owner of the 
 business, and continued for several years, and his 
 next partner was his son-in-law, Edward Bassler, 
 the firm continuing until the death of Mr. Boyer, 
 on October 10, 1870. He was a tall, stately 
 man, over six feet in height, but, although ap- 
 parently healthy, he died very suddenly while 
 going across the street for water, at seven o'clock 
 in the evening. While he was notably success- 
 ful in business he was a generous man, contrib- 
 uting liberally to every worthy cause. He was 
 especially active in religious work as a member 
 of the Lutheran Church at Freeburg, in which he 
 served for years as elder and trustee. In politics 
 
l.iso 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 he was a stanch Republican. In 1824 he was 
 married in Freeburg to Miss Barbara Strayer, 
 who was born August 3, 1799, near Kantz, in 
 what is now Snyder county, but was then North- 
 umberland. She was a daughter of Matthias 
 Strayer and his first wife, who was a Weiand, 
 and was the youngest of eight children. Through- 
 out her life she was noted for her kindly nature, 
 and in her domestic affairs she was a model of 
 exactness and neatness. Among her generous 
 gifts to the Lutheran Church of Freeburg maybe 
 mentioned the pipe-organ and a complete com- 
 munion set. On the last Christmas that she 
 spent on earth she purchased one hundred and 
 twenty baskets for the infant class in the Sab- 
 bath-school, and these happy children visited her 
 home to express their thanks. She looked out 
 from the window of her chamber with tearful 
 eyes upon them as they held their beautiful gifts 
 in their hands, and sang for her one of their sweet 
 hymns. Her death occurred on January 2 1 , 
 1882, and she was buried beside her husband in 
 the Lutheran cemetery at Freeburg. Isaac and 
 Barbara Strayer had four children: Mrs. Bassler; 
 Mary A., born December 7, 1829, died July 20, 
 1833; Araminda, who died December 31, 1839, 
 aged seven years, seven months and eleven days; 
 and Emma J., widow of John Weist, now a resi- 
 dent of Freeburg, where she is highly respected 
 for her mental gifts and amiable character. 
 
 FJ. WAGENSELLER, M. D. The family 
 of which this successful physician of Selins 
 Grove is a representative has furnished many 
 able workers to the medical profession, and he 
 displays in full measure the qualities which that 
 noble but arduous calling demands. 
 
 Dr. Wagenseller was born October 8, 1 
 at Selins Grove, where he received his literary 
 education, attending first the public schools, and 
 later the Susquehanna University, from which he 
 was graduated in 1 S 7 5 . He then took a course in 
 medicine in the University of Pennsylvania, re- 
 ceiving the degree of M. D. in 1878, and on 
 returning home he immediately engaged in prac- 
 tice. His success has been most gratifying, a 
 large and lucrative practice rewarding his de- 
 votion to his work. Not only does he command 
 the confidence of the "laity," but he standswvll 
 among his professional brethren, and is a promi- 
 nent member of the Snyder County Medical 
 Society, and at present is serving as its president. 
 His business absorbs his time, and while he 
 strong Republican in principle he has never given 
 especial attention to political movements. lit 
 has been a member of the town council continu- 
 
 ously since 1883, always being re-elected with 
 good majorities; is now acting as president of 
 that body. 
 
 In December, 1879, Dr. Wagenseller was 
 married to Miss Mary L. Keely, a native of Selins 
 Grove, born February 8, 1857, and two children 
 — Harry and Florence — bless the union. The 
 Doctor and his wife belong to the Lutheran 
 Church at Selins Grove, and take a sympathetic 
 interest in all lines of moral and religious ad- 
 vancement. 
 
 The Wagenseller family is of German origin, 
 the head of the American branch, John Wagen- 
 seller, born in 1737, having crossed the ocean 
 when a young man and settled in Montgomery 
 county, Penn. He was still "heart whole and 
 fancy free " it seems, as he was married after his 
 arrival to a Miss Margaret Hornetter. His death 
 occurred September 29, 1799, at Goshenhoppen, 
 Montgomery county, Penn. He had eight chil- 
 dren, among whom was a son Peter, our sub- 
 ject's great-grandfather, who was born in Sep- 
 tember, 1774, in Montgomery county, and died 
 June 14, 1835, at Columbus, Ohio, leaving a 
 widow. He was married to Susan Longacre, 
 also a native of Montgomery county. His widow 
 died at Pekin, 111., April 29, 1862. Her father, 
 Jacob Longacre, who married a Miss De Franc, 
 was born in Germany in 1756, and died in Ches- 
 ter county, Penn., in 1807. Peter and Susan 
 Wagenseller had ten children, all born in Mont- 
 gomery county: Jacob, our subject's grandfather; 
 John, born December 17, 1802, died in Ohio in 
 January, 1845; Catherine, born in November, 
 1804, died in Ohio in 1838; Hannah, born April 
 25, 1807, died October8, [855; Benjamin, born 
 in November, 1809, died at Pekin, 111., in March, 
 1844; Joshua, born July 5, 1813, died at the 
 same place about 1883; Peter, born July 16, 
 181 5, deceased; William F., born November 13, 
 1 8 1 7, died August 10, 1876; Susan, born in May. 
 1820, deceased; and Henry, born in April. 1826, 
 deceased. 
 
 Dr. Jacob Wagenseller was born January 22. 
 1801, and died at Selins Grove, April 27, 1847. 
 He was a man of much intelligence, a graduate 
 of the University of Pennsylvania, and held a 
 prominent place in his day and generation. He 
 married Mar) Kichter, whose father, Peter Rich- 
 ter, was one of the leading citizens of Selins 
 Grove. The children of this union were: Peter 
 Kichter, father of our subject; Sarah married J. 
 B. Evans, of Chester county; Mar} married 
 Rev. Franklin Gearhart, of Williamsport; Cath- 
 arine died at an early age; Benjamin F. , a phy- 
 sician at Selins Grove; Lydia Catherine, who 
 died in 1858, was the wife of William Holman, 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1083 
 
 of Chester Springs, Penn. ; John J., who resides 
 at Bloomsburg, married (first) Miss Mary Willier, 
 now deceased, and (second) Miss Clara Hughes. 
 Dr. Peter Richter Wagenseller was born 
 at Selins Grove, December 8, 1829, and died Au- 
 gust 18, 1873. In his youth he attended the pub- 
 lic schools in the vicinity of his home, and 
 proved himself a thorough student, thoughtful 
 and earnest. At the age of sixteen he entered 
 the preparatory department of the Pennsylvania 
 College, at Gettysburg, and was graduated in 
 1852. During his college career he began the 
 study of medicine under the wise and able guidance 
 of Dr. Henry Huber, and on graduating at the col- 
 lege entered the medical department of Pennsyl- 
 vania College at Philadelphia, receiving the de- 
 gree of M. D., in 1853. He practiced at Selins 
 Grove, and soon became one of the best known 
 of the skillful physicians of the county. He 
 was progressive in his ideas, and kept apace with 
 all the improvements of modern science. On 
 July 19, 1854, he wedded Catherine Chritzman, 
 daughter of George and Mary (Ulnch) Chritz- 
 man, of Gettysburg. This union was blessed 
 with children as follows: Franklin J. , our subject; 
 George C. , who married Miss Lydia Schoch, 
 and is now in the drug business at Selins Grove; 
 Alberta, who married Dr. B. F. Emerick, of Car- 
 lisle, Penn.; and Annie E., who married J. Al- 
 fred Strohm, of Newville, Penn. The father of 
 this family was prominent in public affairs; in 
 1864 he was examining surgeon of the enrollment 
 board of the 14th District of Pennsylvania; after- 
 ward became examining physician on pensions. 
 He took a deep interest in educational matters, 
 serving as school director and also as director of 
 the Susquehanna College; at the last named in- 
 stitution he was lecturer of physiology and hy- 
 giene. At different times he was a member of 
 the town council, and was also chief burgess of 
 the borough. In his religious belief he was 
 a member of and an officer in the Lutheran 
 Church. He faithfully discharged his duties in 
 every walk of life, and his early death at the age 
 of forty-three, seemed to cut short a career that 
 would have been of inestimable good to the com- 
 munity. 
 
 DOMER G. SMITH, M. D., of Freeburg, who 
 occupies a leading position among the rep- 
 resentatives of the medical fraternity in Snyder 
 county, is descended from one of the oldest and 
 most highly respected families of Penn's Valley, 
 Centre county. His father, Joseph Smith, was 
 born in what is now Penn township, that county, 
 April 8, 1826, a son of Francis and Anna M. 
 
 (Kuhns) Smith. The former was born in Dau- 
 phin county, Penn., October 3, 1801, and was a 
 son of Francis Smith, a native of Ireland and of 
 Scotch-Irish lineage. He was a cooper by trade, 
 and in the early part of the 19th century removed 
 to Penn's Valley, settling near Millheim. He died 
 when more than seventy years of age, and was 
 buried at Aaronsburg. During the last ten years 
 of his life he was not able to walk, being crip- 
 pled by rheumatism. His wife, Ellen Smith, 
 was a native of Scotland. They had six chil- 
 dren: Robert, who died near Millheim, was a 
 mason by trade and served as justice of the 
 peace and county commissioner for some years; 
 Joseph, who died near Millheim, was a cooper; 
 Francis was the grandfather of our subject; Han- 
 nah became the wife of John Straub, and died in 
 Millheim; William, a wagon maker, died at War- 
 riors Mark, Huntingdon county; John, a mason, 
 died near Millheim. He was a Democrat in pol- 
 itics, and represented his party in the State Leg- 
 islature. 
 
 Francis Smith, grandfather of our subject, 
 accompanied his parents from Dauphin county to 
 Middle Creek, Snyder county, and afterward 
 went with them to Buffalo Valley. Subsequently 
 he came to Penn's Valley, where he married 
 Anna Kuhns, who was born July 11, 1802. Hav- 
 ing learned the mason's trade, he followed that 
 pursuit until losing his eyesight. He died at the 
 age of eighty years, having been blind for eight- 
 een years previously. His wife died at the age 
 of eighty-five, and both were buried in Heck- 
 man's cemetery. In politics he was a stanch 
 Democrat. His children were John, a black- 
 smith, who died at Smithtown; Joseph; Ellen, 
 wife of John Mayer, of Penn township, Centre 
 county; William, a wagon maker and farmer, 
 who died on the old homestead in Penn town- 
 ship; Mary, wife of E. E. Smith, of Penn town- 
 ship; Robert J., a blacksmith, who died in Gregg 
 township, Centre county; and Jacob, a mer- 
 chant, who died in Potter township, Centre 
 county. 
 
 Joseph Smith, father of our subject, was 
 reared in what is now Penn township, and when 
 his services were not needed on the home farm 
 he worked at other pursuits through the neigh- 
 borhood. When seventeen years of age, he began 
 learning the wagonmaker's trade under Jacob 
 Hennish, of Brush Valley, serving a two-years' ap- 
 prenticeship. He received no wages, but was per- 
 mitted to work for two weeks in the harvest fields 
 in order to earn his clothes, and if he extended 
 this time he had to give half of his earnings — 
 twenty-five cents per day — to his master. On 
 completing his apprenticeship he worked for one 
 
1084 
 
 i OMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 month for his uncle. William Smith, at Warrior's 
 Mark, Penn., and in the fall of i S46 was induced 
 to move to Condotown, by Jacob Condo, who 
 built him a shop at that place. He formed a 
 partnership with that gentleman, and in connec- 
 tion with work at his trade engaged in wagon- 
 making for ten years. At the expiration of that 
 period Jacob Condo withdrew and was succeeded 
 by Jonas Condo, who managed the blacksmith 
 shop. With the exception of three years spent 
 on a rented farm in Brush Valley, Joseph Smith 
 has resided continuously at Penn Hall. For 
 about forty years he has also followed the under- 
 taking business, beginning that trade when each 
 undertaker manufactured his own coffins. 
 
 On September 27, 1848, Joseph Smith was 
 married in Centre county to Wilhelmena Schmelt- 
 zer. who was born in Union county. July 11, 1 - 
 a daughter of Jacob and Hettie (Eyster) Schmelt- 
 zer. When she was five years old her parents 
 removed to Brush Valley. Centre county, and she 
 was reared by her grandfather, Conrad Schmelt- 
 zer. Mr. and Mrs. Smith became the parents of 
 the following: Margaret A., wife of John H. 
 Hazel, of Chicago, 111.; Sylvester, who died in 
 infancy; Ezra F., of Dakota, 111., for some years 
 a teacher, but now a carpenter; Eliza, wife of 
 James Grenable, of Altoona, Penn.; George, a 
 hardware merchant of Dakota, 111. ; and Domer 
 G. The father of this family is a stanch Demo- 
 crat, and has served as assessor, overseer and tax 
 collector in Gregg township, Centre county. He 
 and his wife are prominent members of the Lu- 
 theran Church, in which he has served as deacon 
 and elder, and at one time he was an Odd Fellow. 
 
 Dr. Smith, whose name begins this sketch, 
 was born near Madisonburg, Centre county, Au- 
 
 t 12, 1S66. He obtained his education in 
 Penn Hall and Spring Mills Academies, entering 
 the latter institution at the age of thirteen. He 
 displayed superior mental capacity, and was al- 
 ways in advance of his class. At the age of 
 eighteen he was qualified to teach school, and 
 was thus employed in Gregg township, walking 
 four miles every morning and evening to the 
 school. In 1885-6 he taught the Texas school 
 in Millheim, Penn., and during this time began 
 reading medicine, and continued the study of the 
 higher branches, reciting Latin and physics every 
 
 urday to Prof. Hosterman. In the spring of 
 
 7 he passed a highly creditable examination 
 before the medical examining board of Centre 
 county, and spent the summer in study in the 
 office of Dr. F. H. Van Valzah, of Spring Mills, 
 Penn., and in the fall of 1887 entered the Jeffer- 
 son Medical College of Philadelphia, where he 
 was graduated in the class of 1 890. In the sprint.' 
 
 of that year Dr. Smith came to Freeburg, and 
 soon won a standing not only equal to that of the 
 old practitioners, but ofttimes surpassing them. 
 He is the close student of medical works, and 
 keeps thoroughly abreast with the times in all 
 the improvements of his profession. He now 
 has a large and lucrative patronage, and still 
 greater successes undoubtedly await him in the 
 future. 
 
 On February 11. 1891, Dr. Smith was united 
 in marriage to Miss Emma Heckman, of Potter 
 township, Centre county, daughter of William 
 and Nancy 1 Rupp) Heckman. He is a member 
 f the Odd Fellows Society at Freeburg, the 
 Snyder County Medical Society, and the North- 
 umberland County Medical Society. He is exam- 
 ining surgeon at Freeburg for United States pen- 
 sions, and in 1894, when only twenty-eight years 
 of age, he was the Democratic candidate of the 
 1 8th Pennsylvania District for Congress, an honor 
 which came to him entirely unsolicited. He be- 
 longs to the Lutheran Church, his wife to the 
 Reformed Church, and they are recognized lead- 
 ers in society circles. He is a very public-spir- 
 ited and progressive citizen, supporting all meas- 
 ures calculated to benefit the community. He is in 
 reality the instigator and founder of the telephone 
 enterprise in this county, and it was only through 
 his unyielding efforts that this enterprise came to 
 the county, and a company was formed of which 
 he is a very active member. A man of fine 
 nature and well disciplined faculties, he is justly 
 deserving of the unqualified confidence which is 
 given him. 
 
 JOHN HUMMEL (deceased), late a merchant 
 and prominent business man at Hummel's 
 Wharf, in Snyder county, was one of the \ er\ 
 successful men of his time and locality 
 
 Born December 16, 18 17, in Monroe town- 
 ship, Snyder Co., Penn., he was the son of Ben- 
 jamin and Catherine (Hilbish) Hummel. The 
 father, an agriculturist and hotel keeper, was a 
 was a son of John Hummel, a soldier in the Rev- 
 olutionary war. Our subject was the eldest of four 
 children, the others being; Amelia, Harry, and 
 Mary Ann ^married a Mr. Biddlespach), all 
 now deceased. The father of these died in 1865, 
 and the mother in the following year. John 
 Hummel a brother of Benjamin, was a soldier in 
 the war of 1812, serving as a captain. Benjamin 
 Hummel in his religious views was a Lutheran; 
 in politics he was first a Whit.', then a Republic- 
 an. While he had little education in his young 
 life, he later acquired by reading, much informa- 
 tion and was well-informed on the leading ques- 
 
/^^^^^^/^ 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1085 
 
 tions of the day. He became a man of means, 
 owning at the time of his death several farms. 
 
 John Hummel, the son, on reaching man- 
 hood was married to Miss Hannah Diebert, who 
 was born in 1821, at Pottsville, Penn., a daugh- 
 terof John and Christena (Dewalt) Diebert. To 
 the marriage of John Hummel and wife were born 
 ten children: Benjamin F. died in 1865, at the 
 age of twenty years; Emma A. (Mrs. Casper), of 
 Selins Grove; Catherine A.; Anna C. (Mrs. H. 
 U. Kistner); George S. ; John D. ; Stephen D. ; 
 Edwin M.,now serving in the State Senate; Irvin 
 D. ; and Harry W. , of Northumberland county; 
 all are deceased excepting Emma A., Anna C, 
 Edwin M. and Harry \V. The father of these 
 along in the early fifties established Hummel's 
 Wharf on the river above Selins Grove, where he 
 was largely engaged in various business enter- 
 prises. He had a general store there, handled 
 grain, lumber and coal, also operated a sawmill. 
 He was a business man of rare judgment and 
 capacity, and was very successful, amassing a for- 
 tune; was worth probably $100,000 at the time of 
 his death. He served as State Fish Commissioner, 
 and built the fishway at Columbia, Penn. He 
 was very fond of hunting and fishing. He was 
 an extensive dealer in cattle, hogs and sheep. 
 He was liberal of his means to worthy objects. 
 
 Mrs. Anna C. (Hummel) Kistner was born 
 December 12, 1848, and on September 5, 1871, 
 was married to Harry U. Kistner, a sketch of 
 whom appears elsewhere in this volume. At her 
 father's request, she returned to her home and 
 cared for him during the two years of invalidism 
 that preceded his death. Her devotion and lov- 
 ing kindness soothed his last sufferings, and proved 
 the daughter to have fulfilled a woman's mission 
 and been indeed a ministering angel. 
 
 MO. FISHER. The Fisher family has 
 owned the principal portion of the Isle of 
 Que since Colonial times, and the successful 
 young agriculturist whose history is here outlined 
 is of the fourth generation in direct descent from 
 the original purchaser of the homestead. The 
 first of the name to come to America crossed the 
 ocean from Germany about 17 10, and located 
 first in New York State, spending a few years at 
 a point on the Hudson river, and settling at Scho- 
 harie in 1 7 1 3. In 1723 he came to Pennsylvania 
 and established his home in Berks county, where 
 many of his descendants now reside, and from 
 which point others have scattered to various por- 
 tions of the United States. Previous to the 
 Revolutionary war, John Adam Fisher, our sub- 
 ject's great-grandfather, came with his wife Eliz- 
 
 abeth, to whom he was married April 26, 1768, 
 and located on the lower end of the Isle of Que. 
 The Indians were still troublesome, and the mem- 
 bers of the family often found it necessary to flee 
 to places of safety during outbreaks. 
 
 Christian Fisher, the grandfather of our sub- 
 ject, was born June 21, 1771 , and always resided 
 at the old homestead, following farming as an 
 occupation. He was a Lutheran in religious 
 faith. He died when over seventy years of age, 
 and his remains were interred in the old Lutheran 
 cemetery at Selins Grove. His first wife died 
 leaving no children. His second wife, Hannah 
 Snyder, daughter of Casper Snyder, was a mem- 
 ber of one of the oldest families of this section. 
 After her death he married her sister Elizabeth. 
 By both these marriages he had children, his sec- 
 ond wife being the mother of a son, Michael, our 
 subject's father, who was born at the old home 
 September 6, 181 3, and passed his life there. 
 Michael Fisher died April 16, 1867, and was bur- 
 ied in Union cemetery at Selins Grove. He was 
 married to Miss Sarah Hoot, a native of Beaver- 
 town, Snyder Co., Penn. Our subject is the 
 younger of two children, and the elder, S. Tura, 
 is now the wife of Charles E. Ehrhart, an at- 
 torney in Hanover, York Co., Penn. Their 
 mother still resides at the homestead, and is 
 highly honored by all who know her. She is a 
 devout member of the old Lutheran Church, to 
 which her husband also belonged. 
 
 M. O. Fisher first saw the light on August 
 14, 1866, at the homestead on the Isle of Que, 
 which he now owns, his widowed mother residing 
 with him. He was reared as a farmer boy, and 
 bis education was begun in what was known as 
 the Narrows School. After attending the district 
 school for some time he pursued higher branches 
 of study in the public schools of Selins Grove. 
 Since leaving school he has taken complete man- 
 agement of the homestead, and is considered one 
 of the ablest agriculturists in his vicinity. Al- 
 though very popular socially, he is not married. 
 In politics he is a stanch Republican, as all the 
 members of the family have been since the organi- 
 zation of that party. 
 
 CiG>L. PHILIP HILLBISH. Although he has 
 _Ji now passed his eighth decade, the subject 
 of this sketch, an honored resident 'of Selins 
 Grove, has strength and vigor which many a 
 younger man might envy. With undiminished 
 eyesight he can enjoy all the advantages that 
 leisure affords to a man of literary and artistic 
 taste, while his remarkable memory preserves for 
 
lu-0 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 him all the stored-up knowledge that his keen 
 observation has gained in past years. 
 
 He comes of German ancestry, the name, 
 which was originally Hallowbush, being now 
 spelled Hillbish, Hillibish, Hallerbush, and in 
 various other ways. He is of the sixth genera- 
 tion of the family in the United States, tracing 
 his descent from Christian Hallowbush, who was 
 born in 1 7 1 8 in the Palatinate, Germany, and 
 came to America in 1724, accompanied by his 
 brother Peter and his widowed mother. They 
 landed at Philadelphia, and located in Salford 
 township, Montgomery county, Penn. Peter, 
 who was born in 1709, died in 176S, leaving five 
 children: Catherine, Johst, Magdelene, Mar- 
 garet and Anna Maria. Christian died in Mont- 
 
 iery county in 1778, and his wife died in tin- 
 same year. They had four children: Magde- 
 lena, Henry, Adam and Peter. Adam Hillbish, 
 our subject's great-grandfather, was born in 
 1736, and died in 1S24. He had six children: 
 John Peter, who died at the age of four years; 
 Pi ter, Henry, Philipina, Dorotha and John. 
 Peter Hillbish, the grandfather of our subject, 
 was born February 2, 1763, and died May 21, 
 [834. He married Susanna Schnall, who bore 
 him eleven children: John Henry, who died in 
 childhood; John, Henry, Polly, Catherine. Peter, 
 Susanna, Elizabeth, Jacob, Sarah and Daniel. 
 
 John Hillbish, our subject's father, was born 
 February 9, 1789. in Frederick township, Mont- 
 
 nery county, and was reared as a farmer boy. 
 1 lis educational opportunities were much inferiorto 
 those of the present day, and he had but one month 
 of instruction in English. He was unusually gifted, 
 however, and became noted for his ability as a 
 mathematician, being ahle to calculate rapidly 
 and accurately by mental process. The greater 
 part of his life was spent in Freeburg, Snyder 
 county, where he engaged in milling, tanning 
 and farming, and also conducted a hotel and 
 store. In all these lines he was successful, his 
 business capacity being extraordinary, and he 
 amassed a handsome fortune for that day. In 
 his tannery he instructed many men who 
 
 afterward became successful in that business. 
 Among them was Abraham Schoch, of New Ber- 
 lin, whose descendants have been largely en- 
 
 ed in the tanning business. John Hillbish 
 was the first postmaster at Freeburg, and although 
 his brothers were of another political faith 
 stood finfi and true to Democratic principles. 
 He was prominent also in religious work as a 
 member of the Reformed Church. He was mar- 
 ried April 27, 1813, to Miss Salome Gross, a na- 
 tive of Snyder county, born September 4, 1793. 
 He died at Freeburg, September 9, 1S40, a 
 
 fifty-one years and seven months, and his wife 
 survived him over twenty years. Her last days 
 were spent with our subject at McKees Half 
 Falls, where she died June 19, 1862. She was 
 a member of an old Snyder county family, and 
 the daughter of Henry and Phcebe (Havice) 
 Gross. Our subject was one of seven children, 
 as follows: (1) John A., born January 1, 1S14, 
 died March 8, 1850, at Liverpool, Perry Co., 
 Penn. (2) Philip is mentioned more fully below. 
 (3) Phcebe, born January 16, 18 18, married 
 John Reifsnyder, and died in Perry county, Feb- 
 ruary 19, 1845. (4) Mary A., born May 28, 
 1820, married John Swineford, and died in Chi- 
 cago, 111. (5) Daniel J., born September 23, 
 1824, now deceased, was for many years a lead- 
 ing physician at Rebersburg, Penn. (6) Calvin 
 G., born August 24, 1830, died at the age of 
 thirty-one, at our subject's home. He was a 
 talented man, and achieved distinction as a phy- 
 sician and surgeon. His first preceptor was his 
 brother Daniel, and he graduated in medicine in 
 March, 1856, from Dartmouth College. In No- 
 vember, 1856, he was appointed a surgeon in the 
 United States army as the result of a compet- 
 itive examination, and was ordered to California, 
 where he remained three years, meanwhile con- 
 tracting a disease from which he died. In 
 March, 1861, he was surgeon of the garrison at 
 Fort Pickens, and on its reinforcement he was 
 ordered to Governor's Island; but the hand of 
 death was already upon him, and he started for 
 his old home at Freeburg, but stopped to see his 
 brother Philip at McKees Half Falls; he lived only 
 six days, dying August 6, 1861, and his remains 
 were taken to Freeburg, and interred at the side 
 of his parents. (-) Sally, born December 6, 
 1S33, is the wife of George Merrill, of Abilene, 
 Kansas. 
 
 Col. Hillbish first saw the light November 1 1, 
 181 5, at the old homestead in Freeburg. He 
 was educated in the subscription schools of that 
 day, one of his first teachers being Jessie Teats. 
 Ashe learned rapidly, he secured the personal at- 
 tention of his teachers and pursued his studies 
 faster than the majority of his fellow student- 
 In 1828 he was one of a class of three to bt 
 the study of geography under George Weirick as 
 instructor. The other members of the class, 
 which was the first in this branch ever organized 
 in Snyder county, were George C. Moyer and 
 Elias R. Menges. Later Col. Hillbish took up 
 the study of surveying in company with his 
 teacher, Jessie Teats, who knew but little more 
 about it than he, and progressed until he was 
 able to follow that business. He also spent one 
 term at Lafayette College, at Easton, Penn. F 1 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1087 
 
 some time he did bookkeeping for his father, and 
 then went into mercantile business at Liverpool, 
 Penn., with his brother-in-law, John Reifsnyder. 
 While there he was married, in 1839, to Miss 
 Barbara E. Speck, a native of Perry county, and 
 in 1844 he settled in McKee's Half Falls, 
 where he continued his mercantile business and 
 also surveying and conveyancing. In the spring 
 of 1868 he removed to his present residence at 
 Selins Grove, and until 1893 was engaged in 
 surveying, conveyancing and road viewing. He 
 owns 160 acres of land in Chapman township, 
 Snyder county, and a hotel property and four 
 residences at McKees Half Falls. His home at 
 Selins Grove, with its extensive grounds, cost 
 twenty thousand dollars, and since taking pos- 
 session he has improved it in many ways. The 
 view of the Susquehanna is a most charming 
 one, several miles of wood and water being com- 
 manded from the windows of his residence. 
 
 In 1 85 1 Death entered his home, taking 
 away his beloved wife, Mrs. Barbara Hillbish, 
 who was buried at McKees Half Falls. On 
 January 10, 1854, he formed a second matrimo- 
 nial union, with Miss Margaret E. Thompson, 
 who was born January 20, 1834, the daughter of 
 Samuel and Sarah (Bachman) Thompson, well- 
 known residents of New Buffalo, Penn., where 
 she was educated in the local schools. By his 
 first wife, Col. Hillbish had six children: Benja- 
 min F. , born in February, 1840, died in Sep- 
 tember of the same year; Sarah M., born April 
 6, 1 84 1, married William C. Thompson, and 
 died January 22, 1889; Frederick S., born July 
 6, 1843, is a physician at Fremont, Ohio; Will- 
 iam P., born August 10, 1845, is an attorney at 
 Sunbury, Penn.; Thomas J., born July 9, 1849, 
 became a successful physician, and died May 20, 
 1 88 1, at Green Springs, Ohio, while en route 
 home from Detroit, Mich.; Barbara E., born 
 September 6, 1851, lived only twelve days. By 
 the second marriage there were seven children: 
 Charles E., born 6, 1855, died in infancy; James 
 H., born March 8, 1857, died at the age of five 
 years; Philip, Jr., born February 19, 1859, died 
 August 5, 1893, at Selins Grove; Margaret E., 
 born November 22, i860, married N. N. Lech- 
 ner, who was for thirty years in charge of the 
 collection department of Aultman, Miller & Co., 
 at Akron, Ohio, where he died in 1896; Cordelia 
 E., born December 18, 1863, is the wife of J. J. 
 Given, of Charlottesville, Va. ; Samuel F. , born 
 August 18, 1866, resides at Selins Grove; and 
 another son died in infancy, unnamed. 
 
 The Colonel's extensive business relations 
 have given him a wide acquaintance, and he is 
 extremely popular among all classes. He has 
 
 always been an ardent Democrat, and was a can- 
 didate for the Legislature from Juniata, Snyder 
 and Union counties, being defeated by a bare 
 plurality. For more than thirty years he has 
 been identified with the Masonic fraternity, and 
 for seven years he was an officer in the home 
 militia, serving first as adjutant, and later as 
 colonel. At one time he was a member of the 
 Reformed Church, but for some years he has 
 been connected with the Methodist Church, to 
 which his wife also belongs, and he has held va- 
 rious offices in that society. 
 
 JIT F. KANAWEL, M. D., a successful physician 
 J of Centerville, Snyder county, enjoys a very 
 large practice, which extends over a wide 
 range of territory. His life so far is a striking 
 illustration of what a young man can do, not- 
 withstanding limited opportunities, when he has 
 ability united with energy and high purpose. 
 
 The Doctor is of German ancestry on the 
 paternal side, his grandfather, John Kanawel, 
 having been the first to cross the ocean. John 
 Kanawel (2), our subject's father, was born and 
 reared in Reading, Penn., but at the age of 
 twenty-one removed with his parents to Juniata 
 county, Penn., where he met and married Miss 
 Barbara Woods. Her father, Joseph Woods, who 
 was of Scotch-Irish descent, was a prominent 
 citizen and a devout member of the Presbyterian 
 Church. John Kanawel accumulated a fair com- 
 petence, and became quite influential in his com- 
 munity. Although not a politician, he took great 
 interest in public affairs, and at one time was 
 elected on the Democratic ticket as county com- 
 missioner of Juniata county. He belonged to 
 the Masonic order, and was prominent in religious 
 work as a member of the Presbyterian Church. 
 His death occurred when he was aged seventy- 
 four years, and his wife passed away at the age 
 of fifty-two, their remains being intered at Mc- 
 Alisterville, Penn. They had eight children: 
 Elizabeth, now Mrs. Jacob Booth, of Lima, 
 Ohio; Margaret, Mrs. William Davis, of Ord, 
 Neb. ; J. F., our subject; William, who served as 
 a soldier in the Civil war, and was wounded at 
 the battle of Gettysburg, his death occurring 
 some years later from the effects of his injuries; 
 George D., a contractor at Lima, Ohio; Joseph 
 C, a resident of Allen county, Ohio; Henry, 
 now residing in Iowa; and Luther, a resident of 
 Philadelphia. 
 
 Dr. Kanawel was born in Juniata county, 
 February 4, 1S45, and was reared as a farmer 
 boy, enduring the hardships incident to that early 
 time. He began his education at the Mount Pleas- 
 
1088 
 
 COXMKUoUATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 ant school house in Fayette township, Juniata 
 county, and although the methods and appa- 
 ratus were crude he made the best of his oppor- 
 tunities. His father, who was a man of much 
 intelligence, insisted upon a regular attendance 
 at school, when other parents of that time were 
 only too apt to keep their sons out owing to 
 the pressure of farm work. Our subject pur- 
 sued his studies at McAlisterville Academy 
 after completing the course offered in the local 
 schools, and then taught for four terms when he 
 entered Tuscarora Academy in Academia, Penn. , 
 for further study. From his youth he had been 
 desirous of entering the medical profession, and 
 his first preceptor was Dr. A. J. Fisher, of Mc- 
 Alisterville. In 1866 he entered the Univer- 
 sity of Pennsylvania, and although his course 
 - interrupted by the lack of funds, he gradu- 
 ated from the medical department of that insti- 
 tution in 1871. He found himself $750 in debt, 
 a somewhat discouraging position considering 
 the slow returns of the first years of professional 
 life, but he engaged in practice at Centerville 
 where he speedily won success. Going there a 
 stranger where many others had failed, he entered 
 into competition with several old practitioners. 
 It was a German section where the language of 
 the Fatherland was almost exclusively spoken, but 
 the Doctor has surmounted every difficulty. His 
 close attention to his professional work has not 
 prevented him from making some excellent in- 
 vestments. He helped to organize the Farmers' 
 Bank at Mifflinburg, and the First National Bank 
 it Middleburg, and is a stockholder in each insti- 
 tution. He- owns in one tract 136 acres of land 
 in Centre township, one tract near town con- 
 taining thirteen acres, and also has a fine property 
 in Centerville upon which he has built a busi- 
 ness block, his office being situated there. His 
 
 lion on financial matters is held in the highest 
 esteem, as is usually the case with men who have 
 won large wealth through their own efforts. At 
 various times he has had students in his office, 
 and all are now successful practitioners. He is 
 a member of the Sunbury Board of Pension Ex- 
 aminers, and of the Snyder County Medical Soci- 
 ety, and a permanent member of the State 
 Medical Si iciety. 
 
 has a fine home in Centerville, built by 
 himself. On October 12, 1870, he married Miss 
 Elmira J. Showers, a daughter of George Show- 
 ers, one of Centerville's leading citizens. She 
 passed to the unseen life November 21, 1 
 her mortal remains being buried in the Center- 
 ville cemetery. Socially the Doctor is very 
 
 ular; he is a firm friend to any one whom he 
 lVkes, no test of devotion seeming too gr 
 
 For many years he has been an active member 
 of the Lutheran Church, serving fifteen years as 
 deacon previous to his resignation in 1X96. 
 Politically he is a steadfast Democrat, but he is 
 not an office seeker, and beyond casting his vote 
 regularly takes no active share in partisan work. 
 
 HM. NIPPLE, M. D. A well-known writer, 
 Samuel Smiles, in his work on "Charac- 
 ter,'' has said truly that "the authentic picture 
 of a human being's life and experience ought to 
 possess an interest greatly beyond that which is 
 fictitious, inasmuch as it has the charm of reali- 
 ty.' In the following modest record of success- 
 ful attainment there is much to inspire as well 
 as to interest, for, beginning his career without 
 sufficient funds to gratify his love of scientific 
 study, the subject of this sketch, now a promi- 
 nent physician of Selins Grove, has made his 
 own way to a high rank in the medical profes- 
 sion. 
 
 Dr. Nipple was born June 18, 1838, in New 
 Buffalo, Perry Co., Penn., where his grandfather, 
 Frederick Nipple, a native of Lebanon county. 
 Penn., settled at an early date. This worthy 
 pioneer followed agricultural pursuits, and at the 
 advanced age of seventy-five was killed in a rail- 
 road accident. Four children survived him: 
 John, Henry, Narcisse, and Matilda. 
 
 The late Henry Nipple (father of our subject) 
 was born December 15, 180S, in Perry county, 
 and passed his life there, his death occun 
 June 8. 1890. By occupation he was first a 
 blacksmith, and later a farmer, and he took much 
 interest in a quiet way in various local movements, 
 especially those of a religious nature, being a 
 member of the Presbyterian Church. In poli- 
 tics he was a Democrat. His wife, whose maiden 
 name was May Orner, was born in Perry county. 
 July 3, 1 8 10, and died March 4, 1880. Her fa- 
 ther, Martin Orner, a son of an early settler, was 
 a lifelong resident of Perry county, and reared 
 a large family of children, among whom were 
 Joel, Rebecca and May Mrs. Nipple 1 ). The Doc- 
 tor was one of eight children born to his parent- 
 Miss Rebecca resides at the old homestead near 
 Millerstown, in Perry county; H. M. is men- 
 tioned more fully farther on; Frederick is a 
 farmer of Perry county; John O. is r physician 
 in Snyder county; Calvin resides at Patterson, 
 Juniata county; Alfred enlisted from Perry coun- 
 ty in the L'nion army during the Civil war, and 
 met a soldier's death in the service; D. Clark is 
 a physician in Newton Hamilton, Mifflin Co., 
 Penn.; and Miss Mary A. Nipple resides at the 
 old homestead. 
 
jQ^stytyA Jipc/Za 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1US& 
 
 Dr. Nipple's youth was spent in Perry coun- 
 ty, and he made the best use of such educational 
 opportunities as the local schools afforded. He 
 attended the Normal Institute in that county, 
 for a time, and then, being thrown upon his 
 own resources, he began teaching school. He 
 did not give up his cherished hope of securing 
 a medical education, and, after six years of work 
 in the school-room, he was able to take a course 
 at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, where 
 he was graduated in 1862. His first location 
 was at Andersonville, Perry county, but later he 
 removed to Fremont, Snyder county, and re- 
 mained thirteen years in successful practice. 
 Twelve years were then spent at Freeburg, where 
 he also gained an excellent practice, but, the 
 fact that Selins Grove offered better educational 
 privileges for his children, led the Doctor to 
 locate there in 1887. The Doctor himself has 
 never lost his keen love of study, every new ad- 
 vance in his own profession arousing his special 
 interest, and in 1891 he took a post-graduate 
 course in the medical department of Jefferson 
 College. In 1892 the honorary degree of A. M. 
 was conferred on him by the Pennysivania Col- 
 lege. Aside from his practice he is extensively 
 engaged in other lines of work, owning several 
 farms and carrying on a large lumber business, 
 cutting and logging in the mountains. He also 
 owns and operates a canning factory. Politic- 
 ally, he is a Republican, and he belongs to vari- 
 ous fraternal orders, including the F. & A. M., 
 and the I. O. O. F., which he joined at the age 
 of twenty-one. 
 
 On September 13, 1866, Dr. Nipple was mar- 
 ried to Miss Emma Viola, daughter of Jacob and 
 Rebecca Schnee, of Fremont, Snyder county. 
 Mrs. Nipple was born February 7, 1847, near 
 Fremont. They had three sons and one daugh- 
 ter: Charles \Y. , born June 8, 1868, died June 
 10, 1868. Lizzie J., born March 6, 1870, died 
 March 21, 1870. H. Newton, the older of the 
 two sons living, was born at Fremont, Penn., 
 July 6, 1 87 1. After finishing his academic course 
 at the Freeburg Academy, he entered the Senior 
 class of the Selins Grove High School, from which 
 he was graduated in 1 888. He was the first male 
 public-school graduate in Snyder county. In 1891 
 he was graduated from Susquehanna University. 
 Desiring to continue his studies, he entered 
 Pennsylvania College, at Gettysburg, Penn., and 
 received his degree with the class of 1S93. He 
 now began to read medicine with his father, and 
 entered Jefferson Medical College in 1884, where 
 he graduated in 1898. William B. was born in 
 Freeburg, Penn., May 25, 1875. After spending 
 some time at the Freeburg Academy, he entered 
 
 69* 
 
 Selins Grove High School, where he was grad- 
 uated in 1S92, and he was graduated from Sus- 
 quehanna University in 1897, receiving the de- 
 gree of A. B. 
 
 JOSEPH MIDDLESWARTH, a prominent 
 resident of Beaver township, Snyder county, 
 has been for many years identified with the 
 agricultural interests of that locality, and at pres- 
 ent is living in retirement at Beavertown. 
 
 He was born in Beaver township April 4, 
 1838, the son of Judge A. J. Middleswarth, and 
 grandson, of Hon. Ner Middleswarth, his family 
 being one of the oldest and most influential in 
 this section. Although he was given the best ed- 
 ucational advantages to be found in the locality, 
 and attended the schools of Beavertown for some 
 years, his opportunities were decidedly inferior 
 to those enjoyed by the boys of to-day under 
 similar circumstances. Reared upon a farm, he 
 acquired in youth a thorough knowledge of agri- 
 cultural work, and has always followed that oc- 
 cupation. At the age of twenty-one he left home 
 and spent a summer working as a farm hand for 
 Conrad Rearick. In the fall of the same year, 
 1859, he married his first wife, Miss Sarah Kern, 
 daughter of Henry Kern, and during the next four 
 years he was employed upon the farm of his fa- 
 ther-in-law. He then rented a farm in Beaver 
 township from his father, and remained there 
 eighteen years, but later moved to a place of his 
 own in the same township. This is a valuable 
 farm, containing one hundred and twenty-five 
 acres of good land, and after residing there some 
 years Mr. Middleswarth turned the active man- 
 agement over to other hands, and, building a 
 comfortable home in Beavertown, he settled 
 there in the fall of 1889 to enjoy a well-deserved 
 period of leisure. 
 
 During the Civil war, when it became neces- 
 sary to enlist more men for the safety of the 
 Commonwealth, Mr. Middleswarth enlisted June 
 16, 1863, in Capt. Anthony C. Simpson's Com- 
 pany I, 30th Regiment, Pennsylvania Militia, and 
 served until July 26, of the same year. On 
 March 4, 1865, he again enlisted, this time be- 
 coming a member of Company D, 74th P. V. I., 
 under Capt. Lewis Miller, and was discharged 
 at Clarksburg, W. Va., August 29, 1865. He 
 has always taken keen interest in local affairs, and 
 is a stanch Republican in politics. While he is 
 not an office seeker, he has served as overseer of 
 the poor and school director. In religious work 
 he is also prominent, and he is a trustee of the 
 Lutheran Church at Beavertown, of which he 
 and his wife are both members. At one time he 
 
mini 
 
 UMRMORATIYE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fel- 
 lows. As a citizen he is highly esteemed, his 
 honesty and good nature winning the regard of 
 all who know him. 
 
 Mr. Middleswarth has been twice married. 
 His first wife died in March, 1864, her remains 
 being interred at Beavertown, and on May 21, 
 1868, he married Miss Amelia Bingaman, who 
 was born September 7, 1841, the daughter of 
 Frederick and Mary (Smith) Bingaman, of Beav- 
 ertown. She was the eldest of a family of ten 
 children — four girls and six boys — and was edu- 
 cated in the common schools of her native place. 
 A genial disposition, combined with fine mental 
 qualities, makes her a most excellent helpmeet. 
 Mr. Middleswarth has had four children. Two 
 wire by the first marriage, viz.: Lawrence II . 
 a miner residing in Beaver township, Snyder 
 county, and Sally, now Mrs. Charles Sampsel, 
 of Centerville, Penn. ; and by the second union 
 there were also two, namely. Anna L. , wife of 
 William Moyer, of Beaver township, and Miss 
 Alice J., at home. 
 
 The Middleswarth family has been prominent 
 in this section from the earliest times, our sub- 
 ject grandparents, John and Martha Mid- 
 dleswarth, having come from New Jersey in 
 1792 to locate in the woods near the present site 
 of Beavertown, then a portion of Northumber- 
 land county. The log house in which they first 
 
 le their home has disappeared and the mod- 
 ern structure that has replaced it is now occupied 
 by a descendant. The pioneers came through 
 almost unbroken forests, cutting their roads as 
 they traveled, and crossing rivers without bridges. 
 As they cleared a homestead they experienced 
 the hardships of primitive existence, but they also 
 had an opportunity to enjoy a phase of life which 
 has now passed away forever. An Indian trail 
 ran by their door, and at a spring near by friendly 
 members of that race dressed their game while 
 on their hunting trips. Our subject's grandfa- 
 ther, Hon. Ner Middleswarth, was but a boy of 
 ten years when he accompanied his parents to 
 this section, and growing to manhood amid the 
 wholesome surroundings of a pioneer home he 
 developed an unusually strong constitution which 
 served him well in the arduous duties of later 
 years. His educational opportunities were of 
 the scantiest, but by some means he managed to 
 
 ure a good knowledge of books as well as of 
 men and of affairs. When he was thirty-two 
 years old, the war of 18 12 with Great Britian 
 commenci d. 
 
 James Madison was President of the United 
 States, and Simon Snyder was Governor of 
 Pennsylvania. He raised a company, became 
 
 captain, and was attached to the 8th Pennsyl- 
 vania Rifles. In 1814, he continued in the'serv- 
 ice and raised another company, became cap- 
 tain, marched to Marcus Hook, where they were 
 stationed awaiting orders to face the enemy. 
 This action proved that he was a true patriot 
 ready if need be to be offered on the altar of his 
 country, in order to perpetuate the liberties 
 which our Revolutionary fathers had transmitted 
 to them. In 181 5 after the close of the war he 
 was elected to the Legislature of Pennsylvania, 
 filling the unexpired term of Dr. Jacob Wagen- 
 seller, who died after serving two years. In 
 [851 he was the Whig nominee for Canal Com- 
 missioner of P' ' 1 nia, and received t 
 hundred and eighty-seven more votes in Union 
 county than Gen. Irvin, the nominee for Govern- 
 or. This flattering vote was an evidence of his 
 popularity among the people who had known 
 him from infancy. The Pennsylvania Canal 
 was built in [828 when he was a member of 
 Legislature, and was a measure of public improve- 
 ment which he assisted in having established. 
 The Canal Commissioners were at that time 
 state officers, and were elected by the votes of 
 the whole Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, but 
 this office has since been abolished. The large vote 
 polled for Mr. Middleswarth for Canal Commis- 
 sioner induced his part)' in 1852 to nominate 
 him for State Treasurer. His name was often 
 mentioned as a suitable person to be elected e 
 ernor, and he could have secured the nomination 
 had he desired it. 
 
 In the year of 1853 he was elected a member 
 of the Thirty-third Congress of the United Stal 
 serving with acceptance the term of two years. 
 After the formation of Snyder county in 1855 he 
 was elected a county auditor with Francis A 
 Boyer, Sr. , and Henry W, Snyder, a son of 
 Governor Snyder, popular and leading men of the 
 county, serving a full term of five years. In all 
 he was a public servant for a period of twenty- 
 seven years, and if we add to this the time he 
 served in the war it will be about thirty years, 
 the period allotted to one generation of man. 
 He was executor, administrator and guardian for 
 many estates in his locality, which required much 
 of his time, besides being frequently consulted in 
 matters of public and private business. His was 
 a busy life from infancy to youth, from youth to 
 manhood, from manhood to old age. He was a 
 fluent speaker in the German and English lan- 
 guages. His appearance and manner would at- 
 tract the attention of those not personally ac- 
 quainted with him, and he would impress a 
 stranger as being more than an ordinary man. 
 During his Congressional term he was elected an 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1091 
 
 honorary member of a number of literary soci- 
 eties in connection with different colleges and 
 academies in Pennsylvania. He would always 
 acknowledge these honors in neatly and properly 
 worded replies, and he would also forward 
 useful public documents as contributions to their 
 libraries. The library in the Freeburg Academy 
 contains some books which he presented with his 
 name written therein. He had an extensive cor- 
 respondence with his patrons when he was a mem- 
 ber of Congress, and among the letters preserved 
 by the family are some from Gov. Porter, Gov. 
 Curtin, Gov. Miller, of Wisconsin, Judge Walls, 
 Gov. Pollock, Judge Shindel, Dr. Hottenstein, 
 Samuel Pawling and many others too numerous 
 to mention. He married Miss Christiana Swarts- 
 line, by whom he had twelve children: John, 
 Mary, Moses, Abner, Aaron J. and Abraham 
 K. (twins), Merib, Jacob, Martha, Sarah and 
 Matilda. All of these attained honorable posi- 
 tions in life, and Aaron and Abraham were espe- 
 cially active in military and political affairs. 
 
 Hon. Aaron J. Middleswarth, our subject's 
 father, was born January 22, 181 5, in Beaver 
 township, Snyder county, and was reared upon a 
 farm, receiving the ordinary educational priv- 
 ileges of the time. Throughout his life he was 
 interested in agriculture, being the owner of three 
 farms in West Beaver and Beaver townships, and 
 he also had property in Beavertown, where he 
 spent his last years in retirement. In politics 
 he was a Republican, and his extensive acquaint- 
 ance in the county made him a strong candidate 
 for any office. For some years in early life he- 
 served as constable, and later he filled most 
 creditably the office of associate judge of Snyder 
 county. His military service was in connection 
 with the State militia, in which he held rank 
 successively as major, lieutenant, colonel and 
 brigadier general. He died September 9, 1891, 
 and was buried in the cemetery at Beavertown. 
 His first wife, Miss Sally Feese, a daughter of 
 Jacob Feese, was born October 10, 181 1, and 
 died October 19, 1844, her remains being interred 
 at Adamsburg. He then married her sister, Mrs. 
 Eliza (Feese) Dreese, widow of Henry Dreese, 
 and she passed to the unseen world April 5, 1853. 
 His third wife, Harriet Eichenger, survived him, 
 her death occurring in the fall of 1895. There 
 were no children by the last marriage, but his 
 first wife bore him five sons and three daughters, 
 as follows: Isaac, born September 22, 1833, now 
 a resident of Iantha, Mo. ; William, born De- 
 cember 8, 1834, a resident of Cass county, Mo. ; 
 John, born January 1, 1830, now residing in 
 Wilmot, Penn. ; Mary A., born in February, 
 1836, now Mrs. Philip Dreese, of Kantz, Penn.; 
 
 Joseph, our subject; Jacob, born September 23, 
 1839, now residing in Missouri; Elizabeth, born 
 December 7, 1840, now Mrs. Joseph McClellan, 
 of Centre county; Martha, born March 3, 1842, 
 now Mrs. Henry Rearick, of Holden, Mo. By 
 the second union there were five children: Irvin, 
 who died in childhood; Sarah, born December 
 25, 1S47, now Mrs. William Dreese, of Beaver 
 township, Snyder county; Abraham, born Feb- 
 ruary 27, 1850, who died in Beavertown in 1876, 
 aged twenty-six years; the twins, Lizzie and 
 Elmira J., born April 31, 1851, of whom the 
 former died in childhood; the latter is now the 
 wife of George Snyder, of McClure, Pennsylvania. 
 
 J 
 
 OHN P. RICHTER. The Richter family has 
 been prominent in Snyder county since pio- 
 ' neer times, and the subject of this biography 
 is one of its worthiest representatives in this 
 generation. Like most of his ancestors, he has 
 always followed agricultural pursuits, and he 
 owns a beautiful farm adjoining the borough of 
 Selins Grove overlooking the Susquehanna river, 
 Penn's creek and the Pennsylvania canal, the 
 three sheets of water being parallel with each 
 other at that point, and giving a most charming 
 view. 
 
 The first of the name of whom we have au- 
 thentic account is Christian Richter, grandfather 
 of John Peter Richter, who settled at an early 
 date in what is now the southern portion of Sny- 
 der county. His birthplace is not known, and we 
 have but few details as to his life. He married 
 Julia Ann Johnston, of Middletown, Pennsylva- 
 nia, who was still living in 1802. They had 
 seven children, Peter, John, Godfrey, Frederick, 
 Henry, and two daughters whose names cannot 
 now be recalled. Peter Richter, the father of 
 the subject of this sketch, was born in 1780 and 
 died May 25, 1846. He started in life without 
 capital other than a strong will and an indomit- 
 able resolution to succeed, and became one of 
 the most prosperous business men of what was 
 then Union county. He was a merchant, miller, 
 farmer, and bank director in what was the old 
 Northumberland bank, a man of wide and ex- 
 tended influence, and left his family what in 
 those days was a large estate. He was a kind 
 father; no one in need appealed to him for as- 
 sistance in vain. Peter Richter married Eliza- 
 beth Holstein, a daughter of George Holstein 
 and Mary Weiser, his wife. The Weiser family 
 is one of the eldest and most noted in the early 
 history of Pennsylvania, the second of the family 
 in this country being Conrad Weiser, the noted 
 Indian interpreter, respected, trusted and es- 
 
1092 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOORAl'UICAL IiECOIiD. 
 
 teemed alike by the Indians and early settlers. 
 Our subject is a great -grandson of Captain Con- 
 rad Weiser, who fought in the American Revolu- 
 tion, and who was in turn a grandson of the ( 
 rad Weiser who so ably served Pennsylvania in 
 the Provincial times, that his position was one of 
 an official and historical character, and there is 
 no exaggeration in saying that he was regarded as 
 the official interpreter of Pennsylvania; it is said 
 that William Penn and Conrad Weiser were two 
 men, at least, of whom the Indians thought and 
 spoke well. 
 
 To Peter and Elizabeth Richter were born 
 
 it children, viz.: Harriet intermarried with 
 Dr. H. P. Hottenstein, of Selins Grovi , Louisa 
 intermarried with Ur. A. S. Cummings. of Sun- 
 bury, Penn.; Hannah died in infancy; William 
 Henry died at the age of nineteen, while a mem- 
 ber of the Senior class of the University ol Lew- 
 isburg; John Peter, our subject; Anna R, married 
 to Calvin B. North, a banker of Selins Grove; 
 Elizabeth died in infancy, and Martha E., married 
 to A. Stanley Ulrich, attorney at law, Leba- 
 non. Pennsylvania. 
 
 Mr. Richter was born March 15, 1835, at the 
 old home on the Isle of Que, Selins Grove, but 
 when he was seven years old his parents moved 
 to an adjoining estate; his education was begun 
 in the subscription schools of that day, but the 
 major portion of his time was spent in farm and 
 other work, as was the custom of that time; the 
 methods and lack of machinery then made all 
 work far inure laborious than similar work is to- 
 day. When yet a young man he took charge of 
 his farm (inherited from his father;, adjoining 
 e, and has uninterruptedly resided 
 there since On March 11, t s 5 ' , , he married 
 Miss Mary Catharine Derr, a native of Mucks 
 county, Penn., and a daughter of John and Han- 
 nah (Fine; Derr. In 1S57 Mr. Richter erected 
 the pleasant and handsome home which he now 
 occupies, and in 1 87 1 he put up a fine large barn. 
 The estate comprises [20 acres, and is one of the 
 
 len farms of the county, reflecting the care 
 and successful management that Mr. Richter has 
 always given to his affairs and business. His rirst 
 wife died September 28, [886, and is buried at 
 
 us Grove, where t< >r so many years she was 
 held in higl teem, and was an active and 
 
 a member of the Evangelical Luth< 
 Church. She left three children: Laura E., now 
 Mrs. Ira C. Schoch, ol Selins Grove; William II.. 
 of Benvenue; and Harriet, married to Samuel J. 
 ling, attorney at law, Selins Grove. Hi . 
 Rii htei a S( cond matrimonial uiik >ii with 
 
 Mrs. S.uah (Boyer) Miller, widow .it William 
 Miller. She was born at Salem. Snyder county, 
 
 November 12, 1837, one of the three children of 
 >amuel and Susan (Snyder 1 Boyer, and enjoyed 
 the ordinary educational opportunities of the 
 time. There are no children by this union, but 
 by her first marriage she had four children as 
 follows: Susan A . now Mrs. Henry A. Ott, of 
 Penn township, Snyder county; Mar)' M., now 
 Mrs. Charles W. Herman, of Wyoming, Penn.; 
 Sarah A., who died in infancy, and William 
 Henry, who is now connected with the Philadel- 
 phia Record. 
 
 While Mr. Richter is disposed to lean toward 
 the Democratic party on political issues, he is not 
 a strong partisan, and votes for the better man 
 on all occasions, official place and power have no 
 charms for him, and he has never been a candi- 
 date of any party. He was at one time an Odd 
 Fellow, and he has always been interested in the 
 various social movements of his locality. He is 
 a member and now an elder of the Second Lu- 
 theran Church, the lot for which Church was 
 presented by his father, Peter Richter, mam 
 years ago. 
 
 JOHN HOUTZ is a cigar manufacturer of 
 Freeburg, Snyder county, and a leader in the 
 business circles of the town. The qualii 
 tions essential to a successful business man are 
 his, and by the conduct of his enterprises he has 
 not only gained for himself a handsome compe- 
 tence, but has proved an important factor in pro- 
 moting the material prosperity and progress of 
 the community. 
 
 Mr. Houtz is descended from one of the old 
 and honored families of Snyder county. His 
 grandfather, Christian Houtz, located in what is 
 now Monroe township, at an early day, remov- 
 
 Erom Lebanon county, l'enn. He was born 
 in Hummelstown, Penn., March 19, 1775, a son 
 of Henry Houtz. He was a man of no little 
 means, and in Monroe township purchased a large 
 tract of land, comprising what are now some of 
 the finest farms of the county. He also owned 
 considerable timber land on the present site of 
 Shamokin, which became very valuable foi 
 anthracite coal deposits. About 1828 lie re- 
 moved to Washington township, Snyder county, 
 where he died August 3, [852, and was buried in 
 the Weiser cemetery at Selins 1 He be- 
 
 longed to the Reformed Church, and was one of. 
 its liberal support 
 
 On August i", I hristian Houtz was 
 
 married to Anna Elizabeth Zeller, who was born 
 in Monroe township, in 1786, and dud Septem- 
 ber 28, 1822, Their children were as follows: 
 mi |ul) i'', [803, was a minister in. 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1093 
 
 the Reformed Church, and a highly educated 
 man. He died December 28, 1832. (2) Chris- 
 tian, born July 16, 1805, was a convert to the 
 Mormon faith, and died in Salt Lake City, Utah, 
 in November, 1S50. (3) Daniel, born April 15, 
 1807, died at Alexandria, Penn. He was a suc- 
 cessful physician, owned valuable coal lands near 
 Houtzdale, which was named in his honor, and 
 left afine estate. (4) Henry, born September 27, 
 1809, was a physician of Freeburg, and died 
 March 11, 1865. (5) Jacob, born March 31, 
 181 1, died October 15, 1812. (6) Mrs. Lydia 
 Schoch, born October 17, 181 2, is living in Selins 
 Grove. (7) Jacob, born October 12, 1814, was 
 a woolen manufacturer, at an early day joined 
 the Mormons at Nauvoo, 111., and later went to 
 Salt Lake City, where he died in January, 1896. 
 (8) Catherine, born September 18, 18 16, became 
 the wife of Francis Boyer, of Pennsylvania, and 
 after his death joined the Mormons in Utah, 
 where she died in 1895. (9) Emanuel is the 
 next of the family. (10) Elizabeth, born Octo- 
 ber 10, 1820, married Dr. Joseph Eyster, and 
 died in Sunbury, Penn., in 1896. The second 
 wife of Christian Houtz was Catherine Zeller, a 
 sister of his first wife. They were married May 
 10, 1825, and her death occurred on September 
 2, following. 
 
 Emanuel Houtz (father of our subject) was 
 born June 20, 1818, in what is now Monroe town- 
 ship, Snyder county. He attended the schools 
 of the neighborhood, and remained at home with 
 his parents throughout his youth. He was mar- 
 ried in Middleburg, February 6, 1840, to Susan 
 Moyer, who was born in Washington township, 
 June 1 8, 1820, a daughter of John and Hester 
 (Burkholder) Moyer. She was their ninth child 
 and fourth daughter. Her grandfather, Christo- 
 pher Moyer, was the founder of the family in the 
 United States. Her father settled near Free- 
 burg, in 1 801, and died there July 17, 1842. His 
 family numbered ten children, namely: Henry, 
 George, John, Jacob, Mary, Catherine, Michael, 
 Elizabeth, Susanna, and Philip. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Emanuel Houtz began their 
 domestic life on his father's farm, which came 
 into his possession by the terms of the will. In 
 1842 he removed to some property belonging to 
 the Moyer family, and, with the exception of the 
 years from 1863 until 1866, which were passed 
 in Mercer county, Penn., he spent his entire 
 married life in Washington township. He fol- 
 lowed farming for many years, and on locating 
 in Freeburg embarked in merchandising in part- 
 nership with his brother Henry, whose interest 
 he afterward purchased. He also engaged in 
 manufacturing brick, and made the brick used in 
 
 the construction of the Freeburg Academy in 
 1853. He also established the cigar business 
 now conducted by our subject. He died April 
 2 9. 1 895, and was buried in Evergreen cemetery, 
 at Freeburg. He was a member of the German 
 Reformed Church, was one of its most liberal 
 contributors, and was generous to a fault. He 
 was a warm advocate of the public schools, of 
 temperance, and of all the movements calculated 
 to advance the best interests of the community. 
 In politics he was a Republican. His widow 
 still survives him, is a most highly esteemed 
 lady, and a member of the Reformed Church. 
 
 To Mr. and Mrs. Emanuel Houtz were born 
 the following children: Elizabeth, wife of Jacob 
 Miller, of Philadelphia; Malinda C, widow of 
 Gustavus Erlenmeyer, of Freeburg; William H., 
 of Lewistown, Penn. ; Sarah, wife of William C. 
 Bratton, of Lewistown; Mary A., of Freeburg, 
 who has pursued her musical education under the 
 direction of Anthony Rubenstein, a nephew of 
 the celebrated Master of music, under whom he 
 received his training; Alice, wife of Milton 
 Strayer, of Freeburg; Rena, twin sister of A'ice, 
 and wife of Dr. L. A. Shirk, of Tour City, Penn. ; 
 and John, our subject. 
 
 John Houtz was born in Freeburg, August 
 21, 1858, and began his education in its public 
 schools under Luther Erlenmeyer. As a boy he 
 followed various pursuits in order to assist his 
 parents. He worked at off-bearing brick, receiv- 
 ing twenty cents per thousand, and in this way 
 carried brick used in the construction of the Lu- 
 theran Reformed Church edifice and in the house 
 in which he now lives. When in his teens he 
 attended the Freeburg Academy for a short time, 
 but his own educational advantages were not 
 equal to those of other members of the family. 
 At the age of nineteen he began working at the 
 cigarmaker's trade for his father, serving a two- 
 years' apprenticeship. In 1878 he embarked in 
 business on his own account as his father's suc- 
 cessor, and from a meagre beginning he has built 
 up an extensive business, the largest of the kind 
 in Snyder county. From an annual output of 
 two hundred thousand the sales now amount to 
 nearly one million cigars. The growth of the 
 business has been steady and substantial, good 
 goods, just prices and honorable dealings secur- 
 ing an excellent trade. He possesses excellent 
 business sagacity and mechanical skill in his call- 
 ing, and these, combined with close attention to 
 his business, have brought him a desirable and 
 richly-merited success. From fifteen to twenty 
 hands are employed in the factory. In addition 
 to this enterprise Mr. Houtz owns some fine 
 farming lands, conducts a livery stable in Free- 
 
10H4 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 burg, and has several valuable residence proper- 
 ties in the town. 
 
 On June 8, 1882, in Northumberland county, 
 Mr. Houtz was married to Miss Mary A Strob, 
 a native of Selins Grove, and a daughter of An- 
 drew J. Stroh. They now have one child, Will- 
 iam W, who was born December 8, 1S83. Mr. 
 Houtz is a stanch advocate of Republican princi- 
 
 , has served as election judge, township 
 auditor, and is now a member of the board of 
 auditors. He belongs to the Independent Order 
 of Odd Fellows, at Freeburg, and he and his 
 wife are members of the Reformed Church, in 
 which he is now serving as deacon. He is in- 
 terested in all that tends to the improvement of 
 his native village, and lends his active co-opera- 
 tion to all movements for the public good. 
 
 /*> VV. WEAVER, the popular proprietor 1 
 \J the "Central Hotel " at Freeburg, was born 
 at what is known as The Loop, in Potter town- 
 ship, Centre Co., Penn., March 19, 1854, a son 
 of Henry and Eliza (Wasser) Weaver. By ti 
 the father was a miller, but after his removal to 
 Middleburg, in 1S56, he engaged in the drug 
 business for e i tr h t years, and later conducted a 
 hotel in Winfield, Onion Co., Penn. From there- 
 he came to Centerville, Snyder county, where 
 ith occurred in January, [868, and where 
 his remains were interred. His political sup- 
 port was ever given the Democratic party. He 
 was twice married, having by the first wife two 
 
 writers — one who lives in Iowa, and another 
 who died in California. 
 
 In February, 1871, the mother of our subject 
 was married to Matthias Schnee, and afterward 
 came to Freeburg, where, in 1873, they opened 
 the hotel which Mr. Weaver now conducts. Mrs. 
 Schnee. who was a member of the Lutheran 
 Church and a most estimable lady, died in Free- 
 burg, April 12, 1896, at the age of seventy-six 
 years and twenty-three days, and was laid to rest 
 in Evergreen cemetery of that place. 
 
 During his boyhood Mr. Weaver accompanied 
 his parents on their various removals, and at- 
 tended the common schools of the places where 
 they made their home, his primary education be- 
 ing obtained in the schools of Middleburg and 
 continued at the Freeburg Academy. When but 
 ioy he was initiated into public business, with 
 which he has since been actively identified. 
 
 On May II, 1875, in Freeburg, Mr. Weaver 
 was married to Miss Barbara E. Schnee, a 
 daughter of his step-father, and they have be- 
 come the parents of six children, all at home, 
 
 namely: Mary E. (a graduate of Freeburg Acad- 
 emy, who is engaged in teaching), Charles M., 
 Frank H., Susie E., Bessie E. and Frederick A. 
 Soon after his marriage, Mr. Weaver em- 
 barked in the hotel business at Mt. Pleasant Mills, 
 where he remained for four years, and then re- 
 turned to Freeburg, conducting a general store 
 here for thirteen years. In 1 894 he opened what 
 is now known as the "Central Hotel," which is 
 the leading hostelry in the town. He is an ex- 
 cellent landlord, quiet and unassuming, always 
 looking after every detail that adds to the pi- 
 ure and comfort of his guests He and his fam- 
 ily stand high in society, where intelligence and 
 true worth are accepted as the passports. With 
 the Lutheran Church both he and his wife and 
 eldest two children hold membership, and, so- 
 cially, he is connected with Odd Fellows Lodge 
 No. 197, at Selins Grove. His sympathies are 
 generally with the Democratic party, but at local 
 elections he considers the fitness of the man 
 the office rather than the party to which he be- 
 longs. » 
 
 JG. SNYDER. One of the most attractive 
 homes in the little city of Beavertown, Sny- 
 der county, is that owned by the subje' 
 this biography, who after many years of success- 
 ful work as an agriculturist has returned to enjoy 
 his well-earned competence. He is counted 
 among the best citizens of that locality, his 
 ability and high character, no less than his 
 wealth, giving him much intluence. 
 
 Mr. Snyder was born September 3, 1840, at 
 Freeburg, Snyder county, the son of George and 
 grandson of Gaugler Snyder, who was an early 
 resident of Union township, Snyder county. 
 George Snyder was born in Chapman township. 
 Union county (now Union township, Snyder 
 county*, July 28, 1816, and as he was left 
 fatherless in childhood was reared by his 
 mother's brother, Jacob Reigle, a farmer in 
 the same locality. His youth was spent 
 in farm work, and his education was acquired 
 in the subscription schools of that day, 
 the instruction being mainly in German. He 
 learned the blacksmith's trade under Benjamin 
 Apple, of Freeburg, where he engaged in busi- 
 ness on his own account and remained until 
 1 844. He then removed to Chapman township, 
 below McKees Falls, and continued in business 
 about twenty years, retiring in [864, He was a 
 small man but was most industrious, and he 
 secured a fine competence through his own 
 efforts. Politically, he was a Democrat, but be- 
 yond voting regularly he took no active part in 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1095 
 
 partisan work. In religious faith he was a 
 Lutheran, and for man}' years he served as treas- 
 urer of the Church. His wife, Elizabeth Gaug- 
 ler, to whom he was married in Freeburg, was 
 born in January, 1817, in what was then Chap- 
 man township, Union county, the daughter of 
 John Gaugler, and she is still living at the old 
 homestead. Our subject's father died August 7, 
 1896, and his remains were interred in the 
 Evangelical Lutheran churchyard in Chapman 
 township. Of two children, the elder, Susanna, 
 is now the wife of G. \Y. Lyter, of Chapman 
 township. 
 
 Our subject, who was the younger of the two 
 children, was but a boy when his parents moved 
 to Chapman township, and he was educated 
 there in the public schools, his studies being often 
 interrupted by the necessity for assisting his fa- 
 ther. He learned the blacksmith's trade, and 
 after attaining his majority he worked for some 
 time at one hundred dollars per year and board. 
 In November, 1862, he was married in Chapman 
 township to Miss Sarah Rine, who was born in 
 McKees Falls, the daughter of John M. and 
 Mary (Schnee) Rine. For a year and a half 
 after his marriage, Mr. Snyder remained in Chap- 
 man township, and was employed by his father in 
 a blacksmith shop, but in the spring of 1864, he 
 removed to Beaver township, Snyder county, 
 and took charge of a farm owned by his father- 
 in-law, which he rented until 1872. In partner- 
 ship with his father, he purchased, in the fall of 
 1870, another farm in the same township, to 
 which he removed in the spring of 1872. There 
 he remained until 1891, when he settled at Beaver- 
 town, having purchased the Moses Specht home, 
 one of the most pleasantly situated residences in 
 the village. He rents his farm, and is now quite 
 free from business cares, but for seventeen years 
 he was treasurer of the Beavertown Mutual Fire 
 Insurance Company, having held the position 
 until 1897. He is a Democrat in politics, and, 
 although he is not especially active in political 
 affairs, he has given much attention to educa- 
 tional matters, and at one time was school di- 
 rector in Beaver township. 
 
 Mr. Snyder and his wife have had five chil- 
 dren: George W., who married Miss Susan 
 Hassinger, and resides in Beavertown; John E., 
 who died at the age of twenty-four years; Miss 
 Anna J., who resides at home; Henry E., 
 who died when about eighteen years old, and 
 one that died in infancy. The family is identi- 
 fied with the Lutheran Church, of which Mrs. 
 Snyder is a member, and our subject was at one 
 time a member of the Independent Order of 
 Odd Fellows. 
 
 ISAAC DREESE is a leading representative of 
 the industrial interests of McClure, Snyder 
 
 county, and ranks among the prominent and en- 
 terprising business men, whose well-directed efforts 
 not only bring them a good substantial return, 
 but also promote the material welfare of the 
 community. He is now engaged in the manu- 
 facture of lumber and staves, and his business is 
 managed with ability and method. 
 
 Mr. Dreese was born in Decatur township, 
 Mifflin Co., Penn., December 28, 1845. His 
 grandfather, John Dreese, was born in Northum- 
 berland, now Snyder, county, and was of German 
 descent. He made farming his life work, and 
 owned several large tracts of land constituting a 
 number of fine farms, on which were good resi- 
 dences and other excellent improvements. He 
 married Martha Middleworth, a sister of Hon. N. 
 Middleworth, of Beaver township, Snyder connty. 
 
 John Dreese, the father of our subject, re- 
 ceived a good education in English and German, 
 and followed farming on the old homestead up to 
 the time of his marriage, when he removed to 
 Mifflin county, purchasing a farm of 500 acres in 
 Decatur township. About one-half of this land 
 was under cultivation. He placed the remainder 
 under the plow, and made many excellent im- 
 provements upon the place, extensively engaging 
 in farming and stock raising there. He was mar- 
 ried in what was then Union county, but is now 
 Snyder county, to Anna Wagner, who was born 
 near McClure, and they became the parents of 
 thirteen children, namely: Jacob W., of Kansas; 
 Maria, wife of J. D. Ulsh; Rebecca, deceased 
 wife of Solomon Romig; Isaac; Catherine, wife of 
 D. B. Hassinger, of West Beaver township, Sny- 
 der county; John H., who is living on the old 
 homestead in Decatur township; Mary A., wife of 
 George Boardman, of Shamokin; Reuben, of 
 Kansas; Clara, widow of George Lambert, of 
 Sunbury; James H., deceased; Sarah, wife of 
 William Martin, of Decatur township, Mifflin 
 county; Joseph, of Newport, Perry Co., Penn.; 
 and William H., of Kansas. The father of this 
 family was a Republican in his political belief. He 
 held membership in the Lutheran Church, served 
 as one of its elders, and promoted the educational 
 interests of his neighborhood by serving as school 
 director. He died on his farm in 1877, and his 
 widow departed this life in McClure in 1887. 
 
 Isaac Dreese supplemented his early educa- 
 tional privileges received in Decatur township, 
 Mifflin county, by study in Freeburg Academy 
 and afterward engaged in teaching school in his 
 native township and in Snyder county for five 
 terms. He also assisted his father in the devel- 
 opment of the home farm until he had attained 
 
1090 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 his majority, when he removed to West Beaver 
 township, Snyder county, and purchased a farm 
 of eighty-one acres, which he successfully oper- 
 ated for nineteen years. He erected thereon a 
 house and barn, planted an orchard, and made 
 other substantial improvements. To stock raising 
 he gave considerable attention, and kept on hand 
 a high grade of horses, cattle and hogs. In i 
 he removed to McClure, where he purchased a 
 stave factory of Squire Howell, which he has 
 since successfully conducted. He also owns a 
 stave-mill in Huntingdon county, Penn., one in 
 Wesl Beaver township, Snyder county, also a 
 half interest in another in Juniata county, in 
 partnership with his son-in-law, R. E. Stinely. 
 He furnishes employment to twenty-five or thirty 
 men, shipping each year more than thirty car 
 loads. This is one of the important indust 
 of the county, and Mr. Dreese has acquired 
 thereby a handsome competence as a result of 
 his well-directed efforts. He has also erected twi i 
 fine residences in Mc< lure, each costing more 
 than $1,500, and has otherwise improved the 
 town. He also erected a double house in Lewis- 
 town, Mifflin county, valued at $1,500. 
 
 Mi. Dreese was married in Decatur township. 
 Mifflin county, December 22, 1868, to Jane Ann 
 Burkholder, who was born in DeWitt count}'. 
 111., February 11, 1848. She was educated in 
 Decatur township, and for five winters taught in 
 the public schools there, and conducted a select 
 school for six summers. She is a daughter of 
 Henry and Jane (Allen) Burkholder. Her father 
 was born in Mifflin county, was a hatter by trade, 
 and died in Illinois in 1850. His widow is still 
 living with Mrs. Dreese, at the age of eighty-seven 
 years. She was the mother of seven children, 
 two of whom are living Matilda E., wife of 
 Rupert Church, of Wisconsin; and Mrs. Dreese. 
 Our subject and his wife were both engaged in 
 teaching the winter they were married and the 
 following winter, and have four children: Minnie 
 E.. born April 24, 1870, wife of K. E. Stimely, a 
 teacher and assessor of McClure. by whom she 
 has two children; Ira H., born November S, 
 1N72. who married Carrie E. Bubb, and is a rail- 
 road man of Lewistown; Mertie M., born August 
 10, 1881, and Lester A., born April 21, 1885, 
 living at home. 
 
 Mr. Dreese is a prominent and influential 
 member of the Lutheran Church, in which he has 
 served as deacon and elder. He has also long 
 been an active worker and teacher in the Sunday- 
 school, and has served as its superintendent. A 
 stanch advocate of Republican principles, he was 
 elected on that ticket school director and assessor. 
 In the performance of every duty, whether of a 
 
 public or private nature, he is true to the trust 
 reposed in him. The wife of our subject, Jane 
 A. Dreese, has been actively engaged in Sunday- 
 school work for about twenty-five years, serving 
 as teacher, and teaching the primary class in 
 Christ's Evangelical Lutheran Church, of Mc- 
 • Inn , for about ten years. 
 
 D NORMAN APP. Few homes in this sec- 
 tion show as many evidences of refinement 
 and culture as does that of the subject of this 
 sketch, a well-known agriculturist of Monroe 
 township, Snyder county, and the visitor within 
 its hospitable walls is impressed with the happy 
 blending of the enjoyments of rural life with the 
 delights of broad intellectual activity 
 
 The App family is of German extraction, and 
 has been identified with Pennsylvania for several 
 generations. The progenitor of the Snyder 
 count) branch was Matthias App, who came 
 from Northampton county at an early date, 
 about 1790, and engaged in farming, merchan- 
 dising and distilling with such success that he be- 
 came one of the wealthy men of the locality, now 
 Snyder- county. He was twice married, and 
 reared a family of nine children, four sons and 
 five daughters. His sons were: (1) Frederick, 
 (2) Matthias. (3) Leonard, and (4) John; and 
 his daughters were: Polly, Catherine, Eliza- 
 beth, Regina and Susan. Soon after the war of 
 [812, Mr. App purchased a tract of land opposite 
 to Minn y, on the west side of the Susquehanna 
 river, known as Black Hole Valley, and settled 
 thereon five of his children: (i) Frederick and 
 four of his daughters. Some of their descendants 
 -till reside in the same locality, mainly the Apps, 
 the Grosses, the Heilmans, and the Bucks. 1 2 1 
 Matthias, Jr., settled in the West over a half a 
 century ago, residing for the most part in Illiti 
 where his death occurred, though he also spent 
 some time in California. (31 Leonard settled on 
 part of the original farm of his father, near Selins 
 Grove, where he engaged in farming and milling. 
 This land is owned and occupied by some of his 
 sons — namely: Jeremiah and Solomon. The 
 portion of his son Simon P., deceased, is occu- 
 pied by the sons of the latter — G. Nelson and 
 uel. Of the sons of Leonard App, Jeremiah 
 and Solomon both gave their services to their 
 country during the Civil war, being members of 
 Company G, 147th P. V. I., the latter as a cor- 
 poral and the former as a private. Another son, 
 Jacob App, served in the Mexican war, bringing 
 home with him from that struggle a young Mex- 
 ican whom he educated; he (Jacob) became a 
 candidate for the Legislature, he failed of elec- 
 
A 71 
 
 crmitu^ 
 
 ^f^ 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1097 
 
 tion, after which he went to California during the 
 gold excitement, and there died. By industry, 
 economy and frugality Leonard App accumulated 
 considerable property, and became one of the 
 wealthy men of the community. He was a mem- 
 ber of the Lutheran Church of Selins Grove, and 
 took an active part in the organization of the 
 Second Lutheran Church, now called the Trinity 
 Lutheran Church, and served as a member of 
 the building committee. To its upbuilding he 
 contributed freely of his means, and he labored 
 faithfully, especially in family visitation and 
 prayer meetings. 
 
 The descendants of the daughters of Matthias 
 App are: the Grosses and Bucks, of Black Hole 
 Valley and Muncy; the Ulshes, Kistners and 
 Rev. P. Born, D. D., of Selins Grove, who was 
 for over thirty years professor of the Classical 
 and Theological departments of the Missionary 
 Institute, now known as Susquehanna University, 
 of Selins Grove; and the Kleckners, of Crawford 
 county, Pennsylvania. 
 
 (4) John, the remaining son of Matthias App, 
 was the eldest son of the second wife, who in 
 her maidenhood was Elizabeth Buck. He was 
 born September 22, 1793, and was a man of 
 vigorous mind, of sound judgment, of profound 
 and abiding convictions, and, when convinced he 
 was right, of determined, unyielding and perse- 
 vering purpose. Possessed of more than an 
 ordinary degree of liberality, he was always 
 among the first to advocate every reform move- 
 ment that promised good to the community. 
 When yet a boy, he took a deep interest in his 
 father's business affairs, attending faithfully to 
 all the duties assigned him. During his youth 
 he exhibited the qualities that distinguished him 
 in after life. At the breaking out of the war of 
 18 1 2, in accordance with his ideas of duty to 
 his country, he wished to enlist, but his father 
 refused to allow it because he was under age. 
 He quietly submitted to parental authority, but 
 a few months later, when the recruiting officer 
 came around, John announced his intention of 
 enlisting, and upon his father again objecting, 
 he said: "To-day, father, I am of age, and now 
 I shall enlist," which he accordingly did, joining 
 the company of which Jacob Hummel was cap- 
 tain. When the company arrived at Marcus 
 Hook, it was found that the army was deficient 
 in supplies, and the government called for vol- 
 unteers who were able and willing to furnish 
 teams to haul supplies for the army. Among 
 others John App responded to the call, and going 
 home his father helped to furnish him a team 
 with which he might assist in supplying the 
 needs of the army. 
 
 In 18 17 John App was married to Catherine 
 Gross, of Adamsburg, and became the father of 
 nine children, who are mentioned later. Some 
 time before his death, his father purchased 
 several lots in Selins Grove on which he 
 erected a substantial and commodious brick 
 building for his future residence. When com- 
 pleted he put his farm in charge of his son 
 John. The father died in 1828, and after his 
 death, in 1836, John moved to town and occu- 
 pied the house erected by his father, and here 
 cared for his widowed mother until her death. 
 John App pursued the business of farming un- 
 til his death in 1876. Part of the time he 
 operated two farms — the original one, in con- 
 nection with the distilling of liquor for a number 
 of years, the distillery having been established 
 by his father, and a second farm, which he pur- 
 chased adjoining Selins Grove on the west. 
 
 Whiskey was then a universal beverage, nearly 
 everybody used it, even the clergy not being ex- 
 empt from the habit. The result of its use was 
 continual evil, especially in the harvest field, 
 where the workmen often became intoxicated 
 and were found lying in the fence corners; they 
 would engage in personal brawls, and it was 
 sometimes difficult to prevent a general fight. 
 Seeing these sad results, and dreading the idea of 
 having drunkards as his companions and asso- 
 ciates, as well as fearing its degrading influence 
 on his own nature, John App determined to effect 
 a reformation, and in consequence became the 
 first temperance reformer in the community. 
 His still was at once abandoned. The use of 
 whiskey was banished from his premises, and was 
 to be used no more in his harvest field. He 
 made known his determination throughout the 
 neighborhood, saying that hereafter his harvests 
 must be reaped without the use of whiskey, but 
 adding that he would pay ten cents extra wages 
 to all who would work without its use. This 
 aroused a general opposition. His former hands 
 declared they would not work for him. Even 
 his pastor discouraged him, but he declared that 
 rather than give whiskey again, he would go forty 
 miles to find hands. The courage with which he 
 maintained his position aroused the admiration 
 of the more thoughtful, and the inherent noble- 
 ness in their characters "rose in majesty to meet 
 his own" in his bold stand for higher morality. 
 Some ten days before harvest Rev. Daniel Wei- 
 ser, living in Selins Grove, came to Mr. App on a 
 special mission of encouragement, assuring him 
 that should the crisis come he would be ready to 
 hang the preacher's mantle behind the entry- 
 door, and assist in the harvesting of the wheat 
 crop. By this time the news had spread to the 
 
- 
 
 ■ nMSlEMDUATlVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 adjoining counties, and words of encouragement 
 came from Sunbury, Lewisburg, Mifflinburg and 
 New Berlin, but not a whisper came from the 
 towns of his own county — Middleburg, Freeburg, 
 and Richfield — their citizens believed in free 
 whiskey for all. 
 
 It will not be out of place to preserve the 
 names of a few of his friends above referred to — 
 George A. and Henry W. Snyder, sons of (. 
 Snyder, Charles Rhodes, Judge Jordan, of Sun- 
 bury, and attorneys Lashell and Merrill, of New 
 Berlin. Mr. Merrill came in person with others, 
 
 urged him to abide firm in his purpose, as- 
 suring him they could act their part as well as 
 Rev. Daniel Weiser. It was now proclaimed 
 that on a certain Monday morning the harvest- 
 ing of the App wheat would be commenced, and 
 a general invitation was extended, saying that 
 work would be given to all, and that ten cents a 
 day extra would be given to all who would work 
 without the use whiskey. The eventful Monday 
 morning came. At four o'clock in the morning 
 i voice called at the outside of Mr. App's win- 
 dow wishing to know whether work could be had, 
 and if it were true that ten cents a day extra 
 would be given for doing without whiskey. 
 "Yes, it is true, " was the reply. "Well, we 
 will work for you for the extra ten cents, and do 
 without whiskey, " then adding, "But we have 
 brought our wives and daughters with us. ( in 
 they also have work 5 " "They shall haw- 
 work," was the reply, "and an extra cup of 
 coffee or milk, and five meals a day." By this 
 time the whole community seemed to be pour- 
 
 into John App's to see how the no-whiskey- 
 in-the-harvest-field would succeed. Others came 
 from the hills across the river from Selins Grove. 
 Soon there were more applicants for work than 
 could be accommodate! By eight o'clock fully 
 fifty persons had eaten their breakfast. Of 
 these fourteen cradlers, with two rakers and 
 binders to each crad' a number with the 
 
 sickle were employed. These were formed into 
 two companies, and set to work in separate fields. 
 and the rest were dismissed. The harvesting 
 progressed rapidly and harmoniously, and 
 soon brought to a close. No-whiskey-in-the 
 harvest-field had triumphed, and a new era for 
 temperance reform was inaugurated! !t was ad- 
 mitted that John App was the first victor in the 
 local war against " King i 
 
 < 'wing to the absen M-hools, Mr App 
 
 failed to enjoy the advantages ol an education, 
 but by his "wn efforts and perseverance, after 
 reaching manhood, he became a good rea 
 learned to write and acquired the elements of 
 practical arithmetic, thus enabling him to keep 
 
 his own accounts and manage his own business. 
 Ni iw that his children were growing up, he keenly 
 felt the necessity of giving them a school educa- 
 tion. There was no school in all the surrounding 
 community, but Mr. App determined to have a 
 school. Me put up a building on his own prem- 
 ises and fitted it out as a school room, and em- 
 ployed a teacher, making himself responsible for 
 the payment of his salary, thus becoming the 
 •Father of English Schools" in this section. 
 He invited his neighbors to send their children 
 to his school free of charge. As the children all 
 spoke German at home, and few, if any of them, 
 understood English, and as the teacher did not 
 understand German, the pupils must be taught 
 English, hence the rule was laid down that no 
 German should be spoken in the school room. 
 How to speak English without knowing it was 
 up-hill work, but, by dint of persevering effort, the 
 pupils gradually learned to read and speak the 
 English language. This was the first scl 
 building in this part of the country, and the 
 identical building is still standing on the corner 
 north of the beautiful farm mansion, and is I 
 in a good state of preservation by Mr. App's 
 grandson, D. Norman App, the present owner of 
 the farm. This was the beginning of English 
 schools and the use of the English language by 
 the young people. 
 
 Prior to i S 4 3 , preaching in the Lutheran 
 Church at Selins Grove had been in German. 
 For some time, however, the need of regular 
 
 lish service was felt to be a necessity. The 
 young people were fast becoming English, and 
 they must be provided with English preachim 
 be lost to the Church. The subject was agitated, 
 and mainly through the influence of William 
 dangler, John App and a few others, the con- 
 sent of the pastor, Father Shindel, was obtained 
 to procure an assistant pastor to devote himself 
 to the English interests of the congregation. 
 Through the efforts of Rev. Dr. Reynolds, a 
 member of the Pennsylvania Synod, and a pro- 
 fessor of Pennsylvania College, Gettysburg. 
 Penn., a young man. Rev. H. Ziegler, who had 
 just been licensed by the West Pennsylvania 
 
 d at Aaronsburg, was secured to accept I 
 position. This was in the fall of 1S43. The 
 only promise of support came from John App, 
 and u was in these words: " We cannot prom- 
 ise you any regular salary for the present, but I 
 will give you house room and board gratis." 
 This was accepted, and Mr. Ziegler entered upon 
 his work as assistant pastor. It was not long 
 before German was entirely abandoned in the 
 services of the congregation and English took its 
 place. Mr. App lived to see abundant fruit- 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1099 
 
 his efforts to introduce English preaching. (Of 
 the two Lutheran Churches at Selins Grove the 
 English preaching referred to was introduced at 
 that time in the new or Second Lutheran 
 Church (now Trinity) only.) 
 
 In the summer of 1857, Rev. H. Ziegler was 
 engaged as an agent of Dr. B. Kurtz to assist 
 Rev. P. Williard to canvass Perry county to se- 
 cure funds for the location of the contemplated 
 Missionary Institute (now Susquehanna Univer- 
 sity). After the canvass was completed in Perry 
 county, Rev. Ziegler laid a proposition before the 
 council of the Second Lutheran Church of Selins 
 Grove (now Trinity Lutheran Church) to make 
 an effort to compete with Perry county and other 
 places for the location of the Institute. The 
 council called a meeting to consider the proposi- 
 tion, but after a brief discussion they were on 
 the point of deciding that it would be useless to 
 make an effort. John App now arose and ad- 
 dressed the meeting about as follows: "Don't 
 be too hasty, brethren. Let us at least make an 
 effort. I will give $1,500 to start a subscrip- 
 tion." Thus encouraged the council decided 
 that an effort should be made. Dr. B. Kurtz 
 and Rev. H. Ziegler were invited to address the 
 citizens of Selins Grove on the subject, and a 
 day was appointed for that purpose. After the 
 addresses a committee was appointed to canvass 
 the town and vicinity for subscriptions. The 
 result was that, in about ten days, $22,000 were 
 secured. A committee of the board of mana- 
 gers of the contemplated Institute was now 
 sent to Selins Grove to decide on its location. 
 In view of the liberal subscription, it was 
 agreed that Selins Grove held out the strong- 
 est inducement for its location. There was, 
 however, one serious objection to its loca- 
 tion here. A pool of stagnant water in the 
 southwest end of the town was a constant 
 breeder of malaria in the fall of the year. 
 This would make Selins Grove an unhealthy 
 location for the Institute. A proposition was 
 made to drain this pool. The right of way 
 to make the drain was secured from the land 
 holders. Mr. App now said to William Gangler, 
 one of the owners of the lots through which the 
 drain had to pass: " Now go ahead. Have the 
 work done, and draw on me for the pay." The 
 draining was soon accomplished, and the objec- 
 tion to the location of the Institute was removed. 
 It was now to be located at Selins Grove. Mr. 
 App thus secured its location by two liberal and 
 opportune acts — the subscription of $1,500, and 
 the making himself responsible for the payment 
 of the cost of draining the stagnant pool. It 
 must be said that whilst Dr. B. Kurtz was the 
 
 founder and father of the Missionary Institute, 
 John App was the instrument under God of its 
 location at Selins Grove. His interest in the 
 Institute did not cease with its location, but he 
 continued to labor in its behalf, contributing 
 liberally toward the endowment of the theo- 
 logical department, and also toward the erec- 
 tion of five students' houses; indeed when- 
 ever the Institute was in need of funds for re- 
 pairs, etc., John App was always found ready 
 and willing to come to its relief, and it never had 
 a warmer or truer friend. From the time cf its 
 founding until his death he served on the Board 
 of Directors. After eighty-three years passed 
 in "the glory of a life well spent" the soul of 
 John App passed fearlessly on 
 
 " Before that sapphire colored throne 
 And Him that sits thereon." 
 
 As has been already stated, there were nine 
 children born to John and Catherine (Gross) App. 
 These were: (1) Matthias married Harriet, a 
 daughter of George Snyder, and a granddaugh- 
 ter of Gov. Snyder, and settled near Austin, Cass 
 county, Mo., where he became an extensive land 
 holder, and one of the most progressive farmers 
 of the county. He is highly respected in the 
 community, and his influence is always in favor of 
 every reform movement. His family consists of 
 three sons and three daughters — John, Harry, 
 George, Emily, Ellen and Kitty. (2) Eliza mar- 
 ried Rev. H. Ziegler, who was professor of the- 
 ology and superintendent of the Missionary Insti- 
 tute until ill-health compelled him to resign. 
 Their children were — Louisa, wife of Rev. J. B. 
 Shoup; Henrietta, wife of Rev. G. W. Reese; 
 Lorena, wife of Rev. G. W. Fortney; Hattie; 
 Herman, a lawyer in Iowa; John, a Luth- 
 eran minister at Louisville, Kentucky; and Ida, 
 deceased in infancy. (3) Hiram engaged in 
 farming until 1896, when he sold his farm and 
 moved to Selins Grove, into the old App home- 
 stead erected by his grandfather in 18 16, as 
 stated above. He, too, assisted in permanently 
 establishing the Missionary Institute by liberal 
 contributions of money, time and labor; and, 
 after the death of his father, was elected a mem- 
 ber of the board of directors, for a number of 
 years serving as president of the board. He 
 married Caroline Hall, and has eight living chil- 
 dren, four sons and four daughters — John Hall, 
 for a number of years principal of the public 
 schools of Shippensburg, Penn.; Charles Frank- 
 lin; Lawrence Tazwell; Grant Ellsworth; Mary 
 Ellen; Lottie Mabel; Cora Jennie; and Bertie Caro- 
 line. (4) Anna A., married Harry Witmer, and 
 lives in Decatur, 111. ; her children are — Edward, 
 Howard, Alberta, Cora, and Frank. (5) Mary 
 
1100 
 
 ( 0MMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 Ann, deceased. (6) Simon P., deceased. 
 Catherine (better known as Kate), deceased, 
 married M. W. Reynolds, of Port Deposit, Md., 
 new of Baltimore, that State, and their children 
 were — May. Winfield Scott, Louis, Harold, 
 and Maud. (8) George, deceased at the age of 
 twenty-two years. 
 
 (9) Isaac App, though not the youngest in 
 the family of John App, is mentioned last 
 cause of his closer connection with the line we 
 trace. He was born October 21, 1S24, and dii d 
 April 1 1, 1872. He was one of the leading ag- 
 riculturists of Snyder county, and was highly re- 
 spected among his fellow citizens for his sterling 
 
 lities of character. In politics he was a 
 Democrat until the formation of the Republican 
 party, to which he became a stanch and true ad- 
 herent the remainder of his life. In his religious 
 belief he clung to the faith of his fathers, con- 
 scientiously following the guidance of him who 
 sang "Ein' feste Burg ist unser Gott." Public- 
 spirited and progressive, he contributed largely 
 to the founding of the Missionary Institute. Not 
 having a public school in his section of the town- 
 ship, he advocated the building of one, for which 
 purpose he donated a rich, level plot of ground 
 from the center of his farm, a short distance 
 south of his home, along the public road to Selins 
 Grove, and through his practical efforts a public 
 school was secured for the people of his neigh- 
 borhood. He used his influence to secure com- 
 petent teachers, thus continuing the efforts in 
 ilf of education begun by his father. 
 
 On December 5, 1848, Isaac App was mar- 
 ried to Mary, daughter of Jonathan and Eliza- 
 beth (Koppenhaffer) Holt/man. natives of Dau- 
 phin county. The founder of the Holtzman 
 family in this country was Hon. Hans (John 
 George) Holtzman, who in the seventeenth cen- 
 tury came from Wurtemberg, Germany, and 
 landed at Castle Garden, thence going to Phila- 
 delphia, where he earned enough money to go 
 back to Germany and bring over with him his 
 wife and family. He landed at Philadelphia, 
 and soon came to Berks county and bought a 
 (arm. He had one son, Henreich Adolph, who 
 inherited the property, and was married, and lived 
 in Tulpehocken township, Berks county. Penn. 
 Henreich Adolph Holtzman had a son Go 
 Michael, who after the death of his parents 
 sold the property, was married to a Miss Lebo, 
 also of Berks county, after which he moved 
 to Lykens Valley, where he bought a tract of 
 land of 410 acres in Washington township. 
 They had children as follows: Peter, John, 
 Jonathan, Michael, Jacob, Marie, Salile and 
 Elizabeth. Of this family, the third son, 
 
 Jonathan Holtzman, was married to Eliza- 
 beth Koppenhaffer, and their children were: 
 Mary, wife of Isaac App, mentioned more fully 
 below; Elizabeth, wife of William Stroup, and 
 her children are— Mary, Newton, Charles, Nor- 
 man, Emma, Harry and Katie; Jonathan, de- 
 ceased; Edward, deceased; and David K., who 
 married a Miss Mattis, by whom he had one son, 
 Charles, and one daughter, Emma (now de- 
 ceased). Later David K. married a MissNeagly, 
 of Lykens Valley, and had a daughter, OtilleaC. . 
 now one of the finest musicians in Dauphin 
 county. 
 
 Mary (Holtzman) App was born September 
 25, 1825, and died February C, 18S7. She was 
 the mother of four children: (1) Francis, who 
 engaged in teaching school for several terms, and 
 is now an agriculturist residing near Berrysburg, 
 Penn. He married Sarah Miller, and their chil- 
 dren are George '/.., Harry and Frank. (2) John 
 G., a graduate of Shippensburg Normal School, 
 is a teacher at Lewisburg, Penn.; he man 
 Alice Weiser, of McKees Half Falls, and their 
 children are — Carleton Smith Gillfilen and 
 Charles Weiser. (3) D. Norman; and (4) Henry, 
 who was a graduate of the law department of the 
 University of Michigan, died September 3, 1897. 
 
 D. Norman App was born April 28, 1853, at 
 the homestead where he now resides. His work 
 in school was unusually thorough, and he was 
 far advanced for his years. A retentive memory 
 and close application, coupled with a natural 
 thirst for knowledge, made up in his case for 
 many years of school work, as the death of his 
 father just at the time he wished to enter upon a 
 collegiate course necessitated complete alt 
 tions of his plans The fall before he 
 sixteen he began teaching school, and taught in 
 all five terms. His summers were devoted to as- 
 sisting in the cultivation of the home farm, and 
 at an early age he was familiar with the best 
 methods of agricultural work. After the father's 
 death the oldest two boys managed the farm un- 
 til 1S76, when the estate published a notice of a 
 sale of personal property, and the farm came 
 under the management of I). Norman App. On 
 November 22, 1882, D. Norman App, Francis S. 
 App and Henry J. App became the purchasers. 
 and later 1). Norman bought the interests of the 
 other two brothers. This farm is a well-tilled 
 tract of 228 acres, improved with modern build- 
 ings, and all the accessories that prove the owner 
 a progressive farmer of the nineteenth century. 
 It is one of the largest and finest tracts of land 
 in the county, and is in the highest state of cul- 
 tivation. It has been in the possession of the 
 immediate ancestors of the present owner, a rep- 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1101 
 
 resentative of the fourth generation, for more 
 than a century. The Patent from the Common- 
 wealth was granted by Thomas Mifflin, Govern- 
 or, to Simon Snyder, later Gov. Snyder, on Au- 
 gust 27, 1790; on September 10, 1790, he sold 
 the undivided third interest to Anthony Selin. 
 On November iS, 1790, Simon Snyder and An- 
 thony Selin and Catherine, his wife, conveyed 
 this same tract of land, containing then 253 
 acres, to Matthias App. On August 5, 1S1S, 
 Matthias App and his wife, Elizabeth, granted 
 the same to his son, John App, and he by his 
 deeds, dated June 24, 1857, and March 6, 1S71, 
 conveyed to Isaac App this tract. After his 
 death it descended to his four children, and by 
 purchasing their share D. Norman App has be- 
 come the sole owner. This farm lies about two 
 miles north of Selins Grove, within easy reach of 
 the Selins Grove and Sunbury markets. Mr. 
 App has met with remarkable success in raising 
 blooded stock, for which purpose he is equipped 
 with one of the finest and largest bank barns in 
 this section of the State, being 100 feet in 
 length. Nowhere in the county can as large a 
 number of fine blooded horses and cattle be 
 found together, as can always be seen on this 
 yard. Recently he sold several lots of horses to 
 European buyers; he is and always has been a 
 great admirer of the Percheron draft horse. He 
 raises registered Red Polled cattle and Poland 
 China hogs. The success of his practical ideas 
 has placed him in the front rank as an up-to- 
 date farmer and manager. 
 
 On February 8, 1882, D. Norman App was 
 united in marriage with Miss Mary Elizabeth, a 
 daughter of John Conrad and Catherine (Dunkel) 
 Dunkel, the latter of whom passed to her final 
 rest February 22, 1893. Of their six children, 
 five survive: Mary E. , Mrs. App; Charles E. 
 died at the age of eighteen; William and James 
 M. reside in Buffalo township, Union county; 
 Martin L. resides in East Buffalo township; and 
 Katy S. is at home. 
 
 Mrs. App is well educated, and possesses rare 
 tact and judgment, making her a most admirable 
 helpmate to her husband in the management of 
 their extensive estate, as well as in the ordering 
 of their beautiful home. The success of Mr. App 
 is due, in no small degree, to the energy, the 
 careful attention to detail and the hearty co-op- 
 eration of his wife, always exhibited by her in all 
 the important moves and business undertakings 
 of his life. Their union has been happily blessed 
 with three children: Isaac Dunkel, Mary Edna, 
 and Robert Lincoln. 
 
 Mr. App takes an intelligent interest in all 
 the questions of the day, and is a firm believer 
 
 in the principles and policy of the Republican 
 party; though not in any sense an office-seeker, 
 he is serving his third term as township auditor. 
 Both he and his wife are members of the Trinity 
 Lutheran Church at Selins Grove. It is seldom 
 a community is so fortunate as to possess a fam- 
 ily where each succeeding generation so faithfully 
 carries out and enlarges upon the work of pro- 
 gression begun by the preceding one. Of the 
 App family this is undoubtedly true. Civiliza- 
 tion owes much to such families. Matthias, 
 John and Isaac left behind them monuments 
 more outlasting than beaten brass or chiseled 
 marble, and the present scion of this truly noble 
 house, D. Norman App, is so ordering his life 
 that he may be not unworthy of his sires. 
 
 GHARLES A. SAUER. Among the substan- 
 1 tial and enterprising farmers of Snyder 
 county, whose names are scattered through the 
 pages of this volume, none is more worthy of 
 mention than the gentleman whose name opens 
 this article. His entire life has been passed in 
 Middle Creek township, where he was born June 
 8, 1862, a son of Adam and Susanna (Yerger) 
 Sauer. Upon the same farm where our subject 
 now lives, his grandfather, John Sauer, made his 
 home for a number of years. He met his death 
 by falling from a chestnut tree when his son Adam 
 was about eighteen years of age. His other 
 children were all younger, and were as follows; 
 Jacob, now a resident of Fremont, Neb. ; Sarah, 
 who married John Dauberman, and died in Kratz- 
 erville, Penn. ; Polly, wife of William Birch, of 
 Indiana; Mrs. Jonathan Heimbach, of Union 
 county, Penn.; Henry, who makes his home near 
 New Berlin, Penn. ; and Joseph, of Limestone 
 township, Union county. 
 
 On the old homestead in Middle Creek town- 
 ship Adam Sauer was born, and his limited educa- 
 tion was obtained in the schools of that locality. 
 In early life he learned the carpenter's trade, and 
 became quite an extensive contractor and builder, 
 erecting many of the best houses and barns in his 
 section, and having many apprentices under him. 
 He was married to Elizabeth Swartzlander, who 
 died leaving three children: Mary, now the wife 
 of John Mittman, of Dodge county, Neb. ; Henry, 
 of Kreamer, Penn.; and Isaac F., a farmer of 
 Middle Creek township, Snyder county. For his 
 second wife, Mr. Sauer married Miss Susanna 
 Yerger, and our subject was the only child born 
 to this union that reached adult age. Through- 
 out life the father continued to reside on the old 
 homestead, which his sons operated for him, 
 while he worked at his trade, and he met with 
 
II". 
 
 ( OMMEMORATIVE IJIOGRAPIIK AI. RECORD. 
 
 excellent success in his undertakings, accumulat- 
 ing considerable property At his father's death 
 the entire responsibility of supporting the family 
 fell to him, but he was equal to the emergency, 
 and was a splendid example of a self-made man. 
 His career was such as to win the commendation 
 of all .vho know him, and as an honorable citi- 
 zen, he well deserved the high regard in which he 
 was held. Although he never took a very active 
 interest in politics, he regularly cast his ballot 
 in support of the Democratic party. He was a 
 thful member of the Lutheran Church, and 
 was liberal in support of all Church or benev- 
 olent work. His death occurred in 1889, when 
 111 his seventy-second year. 
 
 In 1 he Sauer school our subject began his 
 literary training with Charles Schnure for his 
 first teacher, and li ntire educa- 
 
 tion in the country schools with the exception of 
 one term spent at Freeburg Academy under Major 
 Dill He never left the old home farm, which 
 became his property after his father's death, ami 
 he is now the owner of fifty-eight acres of rich 
 arable land, which he has greatly improved 
 since it has come into his possession. 
 
 When twenty-two years of age, Mr. Sauer 
 was married to Miss Lizzie C. Bilger, a native of 
 Middle Creek township, and a daughter of Hen- 
 luckei Bilger. They now have four chil- 
 dren, whose names and dates of birth are as fol- 
 lows: Minnie S.. March 7. [887; William A., 
 March 25, [889; Mary E., July is, 1890; and 
 Bertha M.. February S, 1893. 
 
 Both Mr. and Mrs. Sauer are connected with 
 the Lutheran Church, while in politics Mr. Sauer 
 
 lentified with the Democratic party. For a ' 
 time he served as deacon of the Church, and is 
 now secretary of the Sunday-school. He is one i 
 of the most progressive and public-spirited citi- 
 zens of his township, gives his support to all 
 worthy enterprises for the good of the commu- 
 nity, and is an efficient member of the school 
 board. 
 
 FREDERICK C. MOYER, deceased, was a 
 representative citizen of Snyder county, and 
 for more than half a century conducted an ex- 
 tensive mercantile business at Freeburg. He was 
 
 identified with various important interests in his 
 locality, many of which were far-reaching in 
 their influence, and, as the founder of Freeburg 
 Musical College, he created a lasting monument 
 to his memory. He belonged to a well-known 
 family, and was of the fourth generation from | 
 Christopher Moyer, the first of the name to set- 
 tle in the United States. His grandfather, 
 Christopher Moyer, resided near Campbellstown, 
 
 Penn., and his father, Christopher Mover (2), 
 was born in that vicinity in 1776, and about 1800 
 removed to the neighborhood of Freeburg to 
 make his permanent home, his death occurring 
 there June II, 1840. He married Bettie How- 
 erter, who was born October 20, 1777, and died 
 November 20, 1862. 
 
 Frederick C. Mover was the eldest of a fam- 
 ily of nine children — four sons and five daughters 
 — and was born February 17, 1S10, near Free- 
 burg at the old homestead where his early years 
 were spent. In April, 1832, he engaged in mer- 
 cantile business in Freeburg, and nine years later 
 his youngest brother, George C. Moyer, became 
 his partner under the firm name of G. & F. C. 
 Moyer, which existed about fifty years. In early 
 manhood Mr. Moyer married Miss Mary A 
 r, who was born in Penn township, Snyder 
 county, May 11. 1810, the eldest child of John 
 and Elizabeth (Spotts) Boyer, and she proved to 
 be a true helpmate, her assistance and encour- 
 agement being of great value to him throughout 
 his life. In 1^38 he located on the northv. 
 corner of South and Market streets, at FreeburL;. 
 and there he continued to reside until his death. 
 
 i hirty-eight years he conducted a hotel th< 
 but in 1S70 he remodeled the place, adding a 
 third story, and thus secured an admirable loca- 
 tion for the Musical College. For many years 
 he was the director of this institution, which 
 speedily won a well-deserved popularity, and is 
 now successfully managed by his son, Henry B. 
 Moyer, whose sketch appears below. He was 
 also extensively engaged in farming, and his pro- 
 gressive ideas were shown in the ditching of low- 
 lands, the use of lime, and the changing of the 
 course of creeks whenever necessary to straighten 
 them or to secure other desirable ends, and in 
 these and similar measures his neighbors after- 
 ward followed his example to some extent. When 
 the first bank was established at Lewisburg he 
 was one of its directors, and he was a trustee of 
 the Mifflinburg Academy during 1S44, 1S45 and 
 1S46, while it was a State institution. In politics 
 he was a Republican of the strongest kind, and 
 at one time he remarked that he did not see how 
 any Mover could be a Democrat. His high char- 
 acter and his well-known ability caused him to be 
 chosen to various official positions, and from 
 1847 to 1850 he was auditor of Union county, 
 while later he served for three years as one of the 
 auditors of Snyder county. For twelve years 
 was postmaster of Freeburg, under the adminis- 
 trations of Harrison, Taylor, and Lincoln. He 
 was a man of marked intelligence and great en- 
 ergy, possessing decided convictions, and his 
 opinions were held in respect by all who knew 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1103 
 
 him. In religious work he was active as a mem- 
 ber of the Reformed Church at Freeburg, in 
 which he served as trustee for thirty-four years 
 and for a long period conducted the congrega- 
 tional singing. 
 
 On July 30, 1 89 1, this estimable citizen 
 passed to his final rest, his death causing sincere 
 mourning throughout the community in which he 
 had so long resided. His beloved wife survived 
 him but a few years, her death occurring Decem- 
 ber 28, 1896. They left a large family of chil- 
 dren, all of whom were given excellent advan- 
 tages. A lifelong acquaintance thus writes: 
 "He (Mr. Moyer) could look with justifiable 
 pride and satisfaction upon a numerous train of 
 descendants, not one of whom would cause a 
 fond parent's cheek to crimson with shame." 
 His eldest son, William, born September 27, 
 1834, resides in Freeburg, and his biography is 
 given below; Philip B., born November 13, 1835, 
 is a resident of Freeburg; Caroline, now Mrs. S. 
 G. Hilbish, lives in the vicinity of Freeburg; 
 Sarah E., widow of Dr. J. C. Schaeffer, resides in 
 Arizona; Daniel B., born May 5, 1841, died July 
 7, 1874. He was formerly a teacher, and editor of 
 the Freeburg Courier, he held a prominent place 
 in the community, being especially active in the 
 work of the Republican party, serving one year 
 as chairman of the county committee, and in 1 872 
 representing Snyder county on the State Central 
 Committee; John C, the next in order of birth, 
 died at the age of eighteen; Henry B., born July 
 24, 1846, succeeded his father as director of the 
 Musical College; Lydia, now Mrs. Henry Brown, 
 and Mary J., Mrs. F. E. Hilbish, both reside in 
 Freeburg. 
 
 WILLIAM MOYER, of Freeburg, is one of 
 the well-known citizens cf Snyder coun- 
 ty, and has held many positions of trust and re- 
 sponsibility, in which he has acquitted himself 
 with honor. In business life he has been emi- 
 nently successful, while his long and faithful serv- 
 ice in public office has gained for him the esteem 
 and confidence of all classes of people. 
 
 He was born at Freeburg September 27, 
 1834, the son of Frederick C. and Mary A. (Boyer) 
 Moyer, sketch of whom appears above. His edu- 
 cation was begun in the schools of his native town, 
 his first teacher being William Gardner. While at- 
 tending school he assisted his father in the store, 
 hotel and farm until he reached the age of fourteen, 
 when, having passed through the course offered 
 at the home schools, he was given better oppor- 
 tunities at Berrysburg Classical Institute, A. C. 
 Fisher's select school at Selins Grove, Tuscarora 
 Academy, Berrysburg Seminary, and Freeburg 
 
 Academy, where Jacob S. Whitman was princi- 
 pal during the last term of our subject's attend- 
 ance. Being an apt scholar Mr. Moyer made 
 good use of his time, and at the age of twenty 
 was prepared to teach. Mathematics was always 
 his favorite study, and this led him to acquire a 
 knowledge of surveying, under the tuition of 
 Henry Motz. In 1852 he learned the art of mar- 
 ble cutting in Philadelphia, and at a later 
 date he made this knowledge useful in an estab- 
 lishment at Freeburg, which he still conducts. 
 From 1854 to 1858 he taught in the public schools 
 of Freeburg, and in the latter year, having al- 
 ready gained recognition as a competent surveyor, 
 he was elected county surveyor for a term of 
 three years. Since his retirement from this posi- 
 tion he has continued to follow the same line of 
 work independently, and has had a large and lu- 
 crative business. He owns an excellent farm 
 near Freeburg, and as if these varied interests 
 were not enough to occupy his time he has also 
 done some notable work as a teacher of vocal 
 music, having conducted classes in Bedford, 
 Dauphin, Juniata, Northumberland, Union and 
 Centre counties, and in every district of his own 
 county. After the organization of the Freeburg 
 Musical College he has had charge of the vocal 
 department there until the death of his father, 
 and has conducted the annual conventions, his 
 efficient work being a potent factor in the success 
 of that well-known institution. In 1895 ne es- 
 tablished the Freeburg Opera House, where 
 these annual conventions are held, and which 
 supplies a much desired place for similar enter- 
 tainments throughout the year. His interest in 
 music is not surprising, as his family from his 
 great-grandfather, Christopher Moyer, down to 
 the youngest descendant, has shown especial 
 gifts in this art. 
 
 Mr. Moyer has been identified with the Re- 
 publican party from its birth, and his first Presi- 
 dential vote was cast for John C. Fremont. 
 While he is not exactly a politician, his earnest 
 and effective work is of more value to the party 
 than the services of many who claim reward for 
 their "influence." In 1863 he was elected coun- 
 ty superintendent of schools for Snyder county, 
 and served until 1872, and in 18S1 he was chosen 
 for a fourth term. In 1875 he became a justice 
 of the peace, and this office he now (1897) holds, 
 this being his fifth term. In 1864 he was com- 
 missioned as a notary public by Gov. Curtin, and 
 he has filled many positions such as assignee, 
 guardian, executor and administrator. No wor- 
 thy cause fails to command Mr. Moyer's sympa- 
 thy, and whenever possible he gives his active 
 aid. He is a member of the Reformed Church, 
 
1104 
 
 i OMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL liKCORD. 
 
 in which he has held probably every office except 
 that of preacher, and since May. [855, he has 
 served as superintendent of the Lutheran and 
 Reformed Sunday-school, making forty-three 
 
 rs in that position. He has represented the 
 school in many Sabbath-school conventions in 
 his county, presiding at its first and twenty-eighth 
 annual sessions, and has been chosen as a dele- 
 gate from his county to State conventions at 
 Philadelphia, Lancaster, Williamsport, Johns- 
 
 n, Sunbury, Carlisle and Harrisburg. In 
 recognition of his merits and services, the hon- 
 orary degree of Master of Arts was conferred 
 upon Mr. Mover in June, 1879, by Franklin and 
 hall Coll' 
 
 As a practical friend to temperance, Mr. 
 Mover sets an excellent example, as he neither 
 smokes, chews nor drinks, and the same is true 
 of all his brothers. He has a pleasant home 
 and an attractive family. On December 18, 
 i860, he married Miss Sarah C. Hilbish, who 
 was born March 2, 1837, at Liverpool, Penn., 
 the daughter of John A. and Amelia (Fisher) 
 Hilbish. Seven children have blessed this union, 
 of whom five are living: (l) Frederick C. , born 
 September 24, 1861, is a graduate of Franklin 
 and Marshall College, and has a high reputation 
 as a musician, being now the organist of the 
 First Reformed Church at Reading, Penn., and 
 a successful teacher of music; he married Miss 
 Katie Reeser, and has had three children — Leroy 
 K., deceased, John W. and Myron K. (2) Mary 
 A., born February 9, 1 S63, married Jefferson S. 
 Pawling, of West Milton, Penn. (3) Ida J., 
 born July 18, 1865, married Charles F. Sessinger. 
 and died in Philadelphia March 21, 1893, leaving 
 three sons — Lawrence F. , William R. and Ber- 
 nadotte. (4) Sarah E., born October 25, 1866, 
 died in infancy, (5) Bertha B., born November 
 8, 1S70. married William J. McNutt, of Phila- 
 delphia, and has one child -Marion. (6 Will- 
 iam G., born August 20, 1875, is a printer in 
 Philadelphia. (7) Myron A., born April 23, 
 1878, is a marble cutter in Freeburg. 
 
 PROF. HENRY B. MOYER, the director of 
 the Freeburg Musical ( has won an 
 
 enviable reputation by his able administration ol 
 that well-known institution. Possessing rare dis- 
 cernment as a musical artist, he is also gifted with 
 practical abilities "I a high order, making him 
 emphatically the right man for the place. 
 
 The College, located at Freeburg, Snyder 
 county, on the Sunbury and Lewistown railroad, 
 is beautifully situated in one of the most charm- 
 ing valleys in the State, pure air, romantic Si 
 
 cry and the stimulating influences of a refined 
 society combining to render it an ideal spot. 
 The building is a commodious structure, three 
 stories high with a frontage of one hundred and 
 twenty-six feet, and is well furnished throughout, 
 everything that could suggest comfort for stu- 
 dents being supplied. On the first floor is a 
 library, reception room, practice rooms, dining 
 and dwelling rooms. The second floor contains 
 rooms for study and practice and the sleeping 
 apartments, all being well arranged and perfectly 
 ventilated. On the third floor is the music hall, 
 which has a seating capacity of 800, and is used 
 not only (or the annual conventions and for vocal 
 classes, but forms the general instruction room. 
 The whole building seems admirably adapted to 
 its purpose, new facilities being added from time 
 to time in accordance with the most advanced 
 ideas, yet the charges are very low as the man- 
 agement desired to bring its opportunities within 
 the reach of all. The teachers are specialists in 
 their respective departments, and all branches of 
 the art receive faithful interpretation. None but 
 the best methods are employed, and as a rule the 
 instruction is given individually. A visit to the 
 school affords a pleasant experience, the students 
 ranging from beginners, who are just learning to 
 read music at sight, to the advanced workers in 
 harmony and composition, and many teachers, 
 pianists, organists, and choristers have received 
 a thorough training there. 
 
 Prof. Moyer is a member of a prominent 
 family of this section, whose history is given else- 
 where in this volume. He is of the fifth gener- 
 ation from the original settler in this country, 
 and was born at Freeburg, July 24, 1846, 
 the son of Frederick C. and Mary Ann (Boyer) 
 Mi >> er. His boyhood was spent principally upon 
 a farm, but after attending the public schools 
 and the academy of his native town he went to 
 Harrisburg, Penn., to take a course in Bryant & 
 Stratton's Business College, where he was gradu- 
 ated. He taught in the public schools for sev- 
 eral terms with marked success, and in 1S70 en- 
 gaged in mercantile business as a member of the 
 firm ol G. & F. C. Moyer at Freeburg. In 1887 
 he became the sole proprietor of the establish- 
 ment, and he continued the business until the 
 spring of [895. In 1877. upon the death of his 
 brother, Daniel B. Mover, he purchased the lat- 
 ter'* half-interest in the Freeburg Courier, and 
 until April 1, 1896, was one of the editors and 
 publishers of that sheet, and on December 1, 1897, 
 assumed full control. for many years he as- 
 sisted his father in the directorship of the Mu- 
 ical College, his sagacity and foresight bi 
 potent factors in the building up of the institution. 
 
r 
 
 J 
 
 cfA^y 73. frlOy-iS^. 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1105 
 
 On the death of his father, in July, 1891, the 
 college became his sole property, and he assumed 
 the post of director. By his energy, liberality 
 and wise management he has imbued the school 
 with a more advanced spirit and greatly enlarged 
 its influence, so that it now ranks among the 
 leading institutions of the kind in the country. 
 Since giving up his mercantile business in 1S95, 
 his entire time has been devoted to the interests 
 of the college. 
 
 In politics Prof. Mover has always been an 
 ardent Republican, and during Harrison's ad- 
 ministration he held the appointment of post- 
 master at Freeburg. He is one of the most 
 zealous and liberal members of the Reformed 
 Church at Freeburg, having taught in the Sun- 
 day-school and served as deacon for many years. 
 His knowledge of men and affairs has been 
 broadened by extensive travel, and he has taken 
 a stand on the side of progress whenever any 
 beneficial movement has been started in his 
 community. 
 
 On April 5, 1S75, he was married to Miss 
 Lizzie Mertz, daughter of Peter P. Mertz, of 
 Freeburg. Two children have blessed this union: 
 Nevin Clark, who was born August 17, 1878, and 
 died November 22, 1881, and Miss Ada Vera, 
 born January 17, 1883. now an accomplished 
 musician, being especially noted as a pianist. 
 
 Mrs. Moyer is a lady of self-culture and refine- 
 ment, and presides over her hospitable home with 
 dignity, and contributes largely by her congenial- 
 ity and force of character to the advancement of 
 the interests of her husband. She is a lover of 
 flowers and plants, not only for the adornment 
 of her home, but also for the sanctuary. She is 
 a great worker for the cause of missions and in 
 the Endeavor movement, and often sacrifices her 
 time and pleasure to encourage others to work 
 for the same cause; is benevolent and at all 
 times ready to aid the sick and needy. Her 
 mother was a daughter of Henry Hilbish, a sol- 
 dier in the war of 18 12. The occupation of her 
 father was that of a farmer, and in his later years 
 he retired. His keen perception and good judg- 
 ment fit him as a man of affairs. He held the 
 office of county commissioner from 1865 to 1868. 
 During his term the present court house was 
 built. He also held various township offices. In 
 politics he was a firm believer in the principles of 
 the Republican party, and he was also a devoted 
 member of the Reformed Church. 
 
 |*VEORGE B. M. ARNOLD. This genial and 
 \£i popular gentleman fills most acceptably the 
 combined positions of ticket agent, telegraph 
 
 operator, and freight and express agent, for the 
 Pennsylvania Railroad Company at Adamsburg, 
 Snyder county. His practical ability, his unfail- 
 ing tact, and his thorough reliability make him 
 a valued employee of the company, in whose 
 service he has spent his entire business career. 
 Mr. Arnold was born June 26, 1862, at Mid- 
 dleburg, Snyder county, and is a son of John H., 
 and grandson of George B. Arnold, a native of 
 England, who came to this country in early man- 
 hood and located at New Bloomfield, Penn. 
 John H. Arnold, our subject's father, was born 
 and reared at the latter place, where he read law 
 and was admitted to the Bar. He then settled 
 at Middleburgh, Penn., where he married Barbara 
 E. Moatz, a daughter of George Moatz, a well- 
 known citizen. He continued to practice at 
 Middleburgh until the fall of 1891, and took a 
 prominent part both in professional life and in 
 the local Republican organization, serving one 
 term as district attorney of Snyder county. He 
 was also an active worker in the Masonic frater- 
 nities at Selins Grove. At present he is em- 
 ployed in Cleveland, Ohio, in the office of the 
 Erie City Iron Works. Our subject was one of 
 three children, the others being: J. Herschel 
 is now a clerk in Valparaiso, Ind.; and Maude 
 is the wife of H. L. Hebebrand, of Cleveland, 
 Ohio. 
 
 Our subject's educational opportunities were 
 not of the best, being limited to the public schools 
 of Middleburgh, with three terms at the Free- 
 burg Academy, but his active mind has enabled 
 him to enrich these limitations and acquire a 
 wide range of information upon various subjects. 
 In December, 1883, he entered the office of the 
 Pennsylvania Railroad Company at Middleburgh, 
 and on March 5, 1SS5, he became day operator 
 at Selins Grove, where he remained five years. 
 From March 27, 1891, to July, 1892, he was 
 stationed at McClure as agent, operator and ex- 
 press agent, and since that time he has held his 
 present position at Adamsburg. He is a member 
 of the International Association of Ticket Agents. 
 On March 17, 1896, Mr. Arnold was married 
 to Miss Gertrude M. Gross, and they have one 
 son, Thomson G.,born January (2, 1897. Mrs. 
 Arnold is a lady of unusual ability, and for five 
 years previous to her marriage she clerked in the 
 store of a brother-in-law, N. E. Schlagel, of 
 Juniata county. She was born in Union county, 
 the daughter of Wilson and Mary Gross, but 
 removed to Juniata county with her parents when 
 she was about eight years old. Mr. Arnold and his 
 wife are both members of the Lutheran Church, 
 and are prominent in the best social circles of 
 their locality. He is identified with the Masonic 
 
 70. 
 
1106 
 
 OOMMBMORA TIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RBt oliD. 
 
 Fraternity, being a member of La Fayette Lodge, 
 No. 194, F. & A. M., at Selins Grove; Lewis- 
 town Commandery No. 26, K. T., at Lewistown; 
 Consistory, 33d degree, at Harrisburg, and the 
 Mystic Shrine, at Philadelphia. He is the young- 
 est 32d-degree Mason in Snyder county, where 
 there are but two others of that rank. Politic- 
 ally, he is a Republican, but he has m 
 sought or held office. 
 
 JAMES AURAND, a well-known cabinet 
 maker of Beaver Springs. Snyder county, re- 
 sides near that town on a fine homestead of 
 ninety-live acres, which has been eained by his 
 industry and judicious economy. Aside from his 
 many excellent qualities as a man and a citizen, 
 Mr. Aurand has a claim upon the esteem of 
 the public through his record as a soldier in 
 the Civil war. He enlisted on February 27, 
 1 S64, as a private in Company I, 49th P. V. I . 
 and after lying 111 camp at Brandy Station until 
 May 4th, the regiment moved forward to take 
 part in the battle of the Wilderness. On Maj 
 5th Mr. Aurand was wounded, and for thin 
 days he lay upon the field among the dead and 
 dying. He was then taken to Alexandria, Va., 
 for treatment, and remained there until dis- 
 charged on surgeon's certificate, on June 5, [865, 
 lus wound being so painful and so seriousth.tt 
 he was granted a pension before leaving the 
 hospital. 
 
 The Aurand family is of German origin; our 
 subject's grandfather, John Aurand. who was 
 formerly a successful farmer near Troxelville, was 
 the first to leave the Patherland. He had ten 
 children, eight sons and two daughters. Daniel 
 Aurand, the father of our subject, was born Jan- 
 uary 25, [814, at the old homestead near Troxel- 
 ville, and at an early age learned the wagon- 
 maker's trade. He also became a skillful carpen- 
 ten, and in his time built over forty barns. He 
 married Miss Mary Lepley, daughter of Adam 
 Lepley, 1 successful agriculturist of Beavertown- 
 ship, Snyder county. Although Daniel Aurand 
 started in life without capital, he secured a com- 
 fortable home, and his affairs were in a most 
 promising state, when, in 1851, he decided to go 
 to Adams county, Ohio, with his family. Not 
 long after his arrival there he was taken sick, and 
 in order to return to Pennsylvania he made a 
 wagon in which the family made the long jour- 
 ney, three weeks being spent on the road. The 
 proceeds of the sale of his property in Ohio were 
 never forwarded to him by the so-called friends 
 who had the matter in charge, ami on his return 
 to his old home he had to begin life over again. 
 
 By hard work he succeeded in securing another 
 home, and his remaining years were spent at 
 Troxelville. He was highly respected, and held 
 an influential place in local affairs, being elected 
 to various offices on the Republican ticket. He 
 and his wife are members of the Evangelical 
 Church, and he died in that faith at the advanced 
 age of eighty years. His wife passed away at 
 the age of seventy-eight, and their remains now 
 rest in the cemetery at Troxelville. Their chil- 
 dren were: Mary, who married Simon Benfer, 
 and died at Troxelville; Elevina, now Mrs. W. 
 D. Woodling, of Adamsburg; Henry, a resident 
 of Port Ann, Snyder county; James, our subj 
 and Miss Eliza, a resident of Franklin township, 
 Snyder county. 
 
 Mr. Aurand's birth occurred March 4, 1S43, 
 in what is now Spring township, Snyder county, 
 and his education was obtained in the Musser 
 Valley school-house, John Durn being his first 
 teacher. He learned the carpenter's trade ui 
 his father's directions, and thus gained a knowl- 
 edge of cabinet-making;, to which he has devoted 
 the greater portion of his time. He later took up 
 the business of undertaking, and on Noveml 
 13th he finished the first coflin that he ever ma 
 Since that time he has done much business in 
 that line, and, in fact, all of his enterprises si 
 to have resulted satisfactorily. 
 
 On June 5, 1 868, Mr. Aurand was married m 
 Adams township, Snyder county, to Miss Sarah 
 A. Kline, by whom he has had two children: 
 Austin S., who died at the age of six years, and 
 Irvie D. 1)., who is now at home. Mr. Aurand 
 and his wife are both members of the United 
 Evangelical Church, and he takes great interest 
 in the work of that society, having held the office 
 of steward for some time. At present he is class 
 leader. In politics he is a Republican, and lias 
 served as school director and tax collector. As 
 might be supposed from his army record, he is 
 actively interested in the Grand Army of the 
 Republic, and he was a charter member of Post 
 No. 312, at Adamsburg. Although most quiet and 
 unassuming in manner, his influence is felt as a 
 power for good in the various progressive mo> 
 ments in his community. 
 
 His homestead has. been acquired by slow and 
 gradual process, his first purchase being fourteen 
 acres of his father's farm, where he built his first 
 house. He has since added a few acres at a time 
 until he now owns ninety-five, all in excellent 
 
 lition. Mrs Aurand, who has been a most 
 
 excellent helpmeet, was born July 19, 1845, in 
 Adams township, where her father, Daniel H. 
 Klme. was for many years a prominent resident. 
 He is a native of Troxelville, born November 15, 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOORAPUICAL RECORD. 
 
 1 107 
 
 1 8 1 2, and since 1880 has made his home with 
 our subject. He is a man of much intelligence, 
 a stanch Republican, and has always held the 
 esteem of his fellow citizens. His wife, Mary 
 Stambach, who was born in Beaver township, 
 Snyder county, died in 1875, and was buried at 
 Troxelville. Of their large family five children 
 lived to maturity: Josiah, who died in Spring 
 township in 1896; James, a resident of Troxel- 
 ville; Sarah A., now Mrs. Aurand; Daniel P., a 
 Methodist minister at Surprise, Neb. ; and How- 
 ard, who died in Adams township, Snyder county, 
 at the age of twenty-six years. 
 
 FRANKLIN J. SCHOCH. This well-known 
 capitalist has for many years been a leading 
 business man of Selins Grove, and, under the 
 firm name of Schoch Bros., he has built up one 
 of the largest mercantile concerns in the locality. 
 Although he has now retired from that line of 
 enterprise he still holds large real-estate and 
 other interests at Selins Grove and elsewhere, 
 and his leisure and wealth enable him to lend a 
 helping hand to such progressive movements as 
 command his approval. Mr. Schoch was born 
 October 3, 1831, the son of John A. and Lydia 
 (Houtz) Schoch, and was reared at the old fam- 
 ily homestead in Middle Creek township, Snyder 
 county. [For ancestral history of the Schoch 
 family see sketch of Ira C. Schoch.] He attended 
 the subscription schools of that day, the rough 
 log building with its rude seats and bare walls 
 being fairly symbolical of the old-fashioned meth- 
 ods of instruction then in vogue. It is a note- 
 worthy fact that his parents took an important 
 part later in bringing about the adoption of the 
 present admirable system, as they donated the 
 land upon which the first public-school building 
 in Snyder county was erected. His mother was the 
 organizer of the first country Sunday-school held 
 in the county. Under the influence of such parents 
 the youth acquired a practical education not- 
 withstanding the lack of suitable privileges, and 
 at an early age he became a clerk in a store. 
 There he familiarlized himself with all the de- 
 tails of mercantile life, and in 1853 he engaged 
 in a similar business on his own account at Se- 
 lins Grove, meeting, as has been noted, with 
 remarkable success. He also became interested 
 in milling, and continued both lines until 1884, 
 when, having accumulated a large fortune, he re- 
 tired. 
 
 In politics our subject is a strong Republican, 
 but has never taken an active share in partisan 
 work, his influence being exerted in a quiet way. 
 In religious faith he is a Lutheran, and like all 
 
 his family he has always been ready to support 
 any worthy cause. He is identified with vari- 
 ous social movements, and for years has been a 
 member of the Masonic Order, Lafayette Lodge, 
 No. 194, of Selins Grove. 
 
 On April 3, 1854, Mr. Schoch was married 
 to Miss Susan Catherine Leisenring, who was 
 born November 1, 1834, at Sunbury, Penn., 
 where her father, Gideon Leisenring, owned a 
 large amount of property. Later Mr. Leisen- 
 ring removed to West Virginia, where he died in 
 1882, at an advanced age, his birth having oc- 
 curred March 29, 1802. His wife, Louisa Shin- 
 del, to whom he was married June 17, 1828, 
 was born October 21, 18 1 1, and died March 27, 
 1S53. Mr. and Mrs. Schoch have had five 
 children, of whom three are living: (1) Lydia 
 Louisa married George Wagenseller, and has two 
 sons — Franklin S. and George Jacob. (2) Anna 
 Maude married Rev. H. N. Follmer, a Lutheran 
 minister, now located at Pittsburg, and they have 
 three children — Ethel, Franklin and William 
 Harold. (3) Miss Eva Kathryn Schoch gradu- 
 ated from the classical course in Susquehanna 
 University and from the New England Conserva- 
 tory of Music, and is now a popular member of 
 the best social circles of Selins Grove. 
 
 WILLIAM F. HOWELL. In former years 
 biography dealt more largely with those 
 who had attained distinction in military or po- 
 litical circles, in the sciences, letters or in pro- 
 fessional life, but it is the lives of those who are 
 prominent in the affairs of business that contain 
 lessons most practical for the majority of man- 
 kind. When a man by resolute purpose, honor- 
 able dealing and energy works his way steadily 
 upward, acquiring a comfortable competence and 
 winning the respect of friends and neighbors, his 
 career is a source of incentive and inspiration to 
 those with whom he is associated. Such is the 
 life of Mr. Howell, a prominent lumber dealer of 
 McClure. 
 
 Our subject was born in the town which is 
 now his home, May 22, i860, and is a represent- 
 ative of one of the honored old families of cen- 
 tral Pennsylvania. His grandfather, Samuel 
 Howell, was born in Center township, Snyder 
 county, received a common-school education, 
 and throughout his life followed farming. He 
 also took great delight in hunting, especially in a 
 bear chase, and in addition to his rifle carried a 
 tomahawk. He was a well-known and highly 
 respected citizen, and died at the home of his 
 son Jacob in McClure. His wife passed away in 
 Snyder county. In politics he was an Old-line 
 

 COMillCMnHA TIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 Whig, and afterward a stanch Republican. In 
 his family were two children: Jacob H. and John 
 C. , the latter now deceased. 
 
 Jacob H. Howell was educated principally in 
 tin i . He followed the lumber 
 
 business during the greater part of his life, war, 
 also a millwright, and owned and operati 
 sawmill in West Beaver township. The mill 
 was propelled bj watei power, and he contii 
 business there for twenty-live years. Although 
 he retire! from ai live business cares in [893, he 
 is still living at thi mill, and is one of the popu- 
 lar and infl citizens of the community. 
 Hi was married in West Beaver township to 
 Sophia Wagner, a native of that township. 
 a daughtei ner, a fanner of the 
 
 1 hood. He hold 1 hip in the 
 
 Reform* 1 h, and his life has b 
 
 by 1 1 ty. In politics I 
 
 a Ri 11, and ! > liool dire 
 
 and His business affaii 
 
 inaged with industry, and h 
 ti 1 him tency. His 
 
 nee and good 
 will of all, and his 
 
 inanity are many. In h ly were ten chil- 
 
 dren: Willia m F. rid John, who r 
 
 in M William A. Ulsh, of 
 
 Snydertovv n; Clara, wil ! 
 
 d in 
 infai: 
 
 al privileges of William 
 F. i I h as the 
 
 Normal 
 D. S. B ncipal. 
 
 by working in the saw- 
 mill with In 
 
 which he spent a • 
 in the employ ol the Lewistown 
 
 I thus earned he 
 
 his way throngh college. He taught 
 '■ree terms in M with an 
 
 rollment "I seventy-six pupil 
 
 iful in that work. I le foil ■ 
 tei for foin nd then engaged in 
 
 contracting and buildii li in 
 
 1 tow nship, Mifflin count} 
 
 ' I 1 ire In 1 88 
 nill ii Mi Clure, which he 
 ducted for four years and then sold out, pur- 
 chasing a lumber mill in We er township. 
 which hi I ted for foui He is now 
 successfully engaged in the lumber business in 
 Mc< alingin mining timber, ties, bark and 
 luml i 1 which he receives is 
 quite extensive, [n November, 1882, Mr. Howell 
 
 was united in marriage in McClure to Miss Liz- 
 zie L. Manback, a native of West Beaver town- 
 ship, and a daughter of Lewis W. Manback. a 
 retired farmer of McClure. They now h 
 three children: Hopie W. , Sudie V. and Eva N. 
 In 1889 Mr. Howell was elected justice of the 
 peace on the Republican ticket for a five-years 
 . and in 1894 was re-elected, so prompt and 
 faithfully had he discharged the duties of the 
 office. He is a member of the United Evangeli- 
 cal Church of McClure, was class leader 
 eight years, has been an active worker in the 
 Sunday-school, and is a member of the Christian 
 Society, of which he has served as 
 secretary and chairman of the prayer n 
 ittei He belongs to the Odd i 
 [ Md 1 charter men 
 
 the Sons ol Veterans, Camp No. • Mc- 
 
 Clure Publii :kes 
 
 :ep interest in everythii t he- 
 
 welfare of the community, and gives his sup; 
 to all measures for the public good. In 1 
 he is honorable, in public service prompt, and 
 con> in the Church faithful 
 
 reliable. 
 
 FREDERICK M. MONTELIUS, a n 
 mer of West Perry township, 
 nty, was born in Northumberland county, 
 Penn., Sep*. His ancestral his- 
 
 t ( 1 ry 
 
 His grandfather, Frederick M. Montelius, 
 I when onlj 
 ped by the Hessians, who brought 
 him to this country and sold him as a slave in 
 Philadelphia. He was obliged to work until 
 nty-one 5 ling his free- 
 
 He v. d in a store, and his 
 
 ifterward started, him in business in Phila- 
 mained for some time, when 
 here-moved to Reamstown, Lancaster Co., Penn. 
 
 ntinued in I 1 cantile busin 
 
 until Ins death. He was married in Philadel- 
 phia to Eli; abeth 1 1 1 native of l 
 
 als.i passed away in Lancaster 
 county. In politics he was a Whig, and, in 
 ligious faith, a Lutheran. The children 
 
 dparents were: Charles, William. John, 
 !. M lp us, Fanny, Sally, Elizabeth, and two 
 who died in childhood. 
 
 Peter Montelius. father of our subject, 
 educated both in English and German, 
 thn mghout thi I of life d in 
 
 hing, following thai profession in Lancasl 
 Union and Northumberland counties. He also 
 served as organist in various Lutheran Churches. 
 He was a surveyor, and he also was serving 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 \ 109 
 
 justice of the peace in Jackson township, North- 
 umberland county, at the time of his death, which 
 occurred in 1858. His political support was given 
 the Whig party, and in the Lutheran Church he 
 long held membership. In Lancaster county he 
 was united in marriage with Miss Margaret Stit- 
 zer, a native of Reading, Penn., and a daughter 
 of David Stitzer, a Revolutionary soldier, of 
 English descent. Her death occurred in Green- 
 brier, Northumberland count)-. They were the 
 parents of twelve children: Elizabeth, deceased 
 wife of John Snyder; Mar}-, deceased wife of 
 George Snyder; Timothy, deceased, was a sol- 
 dier in the Civil war; Sarah, deceased wife of 
 Daniel Fetter; Rachel, wife of Nathan Erdman; 
 Jane, deceased wife of John Shafer; Fannie, wife 
 of B. Eister; Charlotte, wife of Solomon Snyder; 
 Harriet, wife of Samuel Keifer; Amy, wife of 
 Michael Heppner; Maria, wife of Edward Starr; 
 and Frederick M. 
 
 Frederick M. Montelius learned the shoe- 
 maker's trade in his youth, and followed that 
 business for himself both in Greenbrier and other 
 places, also surveying, remaining in Northumber- 
 land county until 1875, after which he engaged in 
 shoemaking in Richfield for five years. On the 
 expiration of that period he abandoned his trade 
 and purchased a farm in West Perry township, 
 which he operates with success. 
 
 In 1862, at Greenbrier, Mr. Montelius was 
 drafted for service in the Union arm) - , and was 
 mustered in at Carlisle as a member of Co. K, 
 1 7 -<L P. V. I., under Capt. Hoffman and Col. 
 Charles Kleckner. He was then stationed at 
 Yorktown, Va. , where he was engaged in doing 
 guard duty. He remained in the service for ten 
 months, and, in July, 1863, returned to his home, 
 but the following year he enlisted at Harrisburg 
 as a member of the Third Heavy Artillery, which 
 was attached to the iSSth P. V. I., with which 
 he served until the close of the war, being sta- 
 tioned at Fort Harrison, Virginia, 
 
 In 1870, at Hickory Corner, Mr. Montelius 
 was married to Miss Sarah Hain, who was born 
 in Little Mahoning, Northumberland county, a 
 daughter of David Hain, a farmer of that county. 
 Seven children came to bless their union: Ira, Ir- 
 win (who died at the age of eighteen years), David 
 (who died in childhood), Rebecca, Frances, Sadie, 
 and John. The parents attend the Lutheran 
 and German Reformed Churches, and Mr. Mon- 
 telius served as elder and deacon in the Lutheran 
 Church. He was supervisor of his township. So- 
 cially, he is connected with the Masonic lodge 
 of Shamokin, and with the Odd Fellows Society 
 at Greenbrier. He is a very genial, pleasant 
 man, whom to know is to respect and honor. 
 
 His enterprise and well-directed efforts have 
 brought him success in business, and he is now 
 the possessor of a comfortable competence which 
 enables him to live retired, enjoying the fruits of 
 his former toil 
 
 J'OHN H. WISE, a representative farmer of 
 Union township, Snyder county, was born in 
 Northumberland county, Penn., June 8, 1843, 
 and is a son of George F. and Maria A. (Horner) 
 Wise, natives of Montgomery county, Penn. The 
 father was born in 1799, learned the stone ma- 
 son's trade, and removed from his native county 
 to Stone Valley, near Georgetown, Penn. He 
 afterward lived successively in Northumberland 
 county, on Hall's Island, and in Snyder county, 
 and in 1872 died in Snyder county. His wife 
 passed away about eight years previous, and 
 both were buried in Whitmer cemetery. In pol- 
 itics Mr. Wise was a Democrat, and his Church 
 relations were with the Evangelical Association. 
 
 Their children were as follows: Ephraim, who 
 died in Snyder county; Susanna, who married 
 George Campbell, and died in Union township, 
 Snyder county; Henry, who died in Chapman 
 township; Mar}-, who died in Montgomery coun- 
 ty, at the age of eight years; Gabriel, a farmer 
 of Union township, Snyder county; John H.; 
 and Caroline, wife of Henry Boyer, of Juniata 
 county, Pennsylvania. 
 
 John H. Wise, in his early boyhood, pursued 
 
 his studies in a little school house 16x18 feet, 
 
 t 
 
 which stood on the Daniel Whitmer farm, but 
 his educational privileges were very limited. His 
 father was a laborer, and at the age of ten years 
 John H. started out in life for himself, since 
 which time he has been dependent entirely on 
 his own efforts. He worked at the carpenter's 
 trade, under William Thursby, until that gentle- 
 man went to the army, when he gave up the 
 business. In October, 1862, he also went to the 
 front as a substitute, joining Company A, 172nd 
 P. V. I., under Capt. Solomon Bowerman. Pre- 
 vious to this time, as a member of Company D, 
 1 8th Regiment, Pennsylvania Home Guards, he 
 was in active service for fourteen days, going as 
 far south as Hagerstown, Md., when with his 
 regiment he was stationed mostly at Yorktown, 
 and after nine months and four days' service he 
 was discharged. 
 
 For some years thereafter Mr. Wise followed 
 any honest employment that would yield him a 
 living. He aided in the excavation of the canal 
 at Port Trevorton, was employed by the Reading 
 Railroad Company until February, 1859, and 
 then secured a situation with the Pennsylvania 
 
1110 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 Canal Company, with which he continued for 
 over sixteen years. After being with that com- 
 pany for about a year he was promoted to the 
 position of sub-foreman, and it was with much 
 reluctance that the company accepted his r< 
 nation fifteen years later. On January 17, 1864, 
 our subject was married, in Liverpool, Finn., 
 to Malinda G. Whitmer, who was born in Union 
 township, Snyder county, November 5, 1847, a 
 daughter of Isaac and Catharine (Gaugher Whit- 
 mer. Mr. Wise and his wife began their domes- 
 tic life in his parents' home, but after a short 
 time he rented a small house and later bought it 
 for $200. This was the first real estate he ever 
 owned. On selling that property he rented a 
 small place of Judge Whitmer, and made it his 
 home until April, 1873, when hi the oc- 
 
 cupant of his present farm. He continued there 
 as a renter until 1SS5, when he purchased the 
 place. He is now successfully carrying on agri- 
 cultural pursuits, and is the possessor of a com- 
 fortable home, owing to his osvn industry, good 
 management and perseverance. 
 
 To Mr. and Mrs Wi been born eleven 
 
 children: Estella May, who died October 28, 
 [865; Minnie E., who was born September 9, 
 
 7, and is the wife of Alonzo Stevenson, of 
 Harrisburg; Sally L. , who was born June l8, 
 
 o, and is the wife of William W. Arnold, of 
 Port Trevorton; Mary C, who was born Octo- 
 ber 24, 1872, and is the wife of Perry Rothermel, 
 of Port Trevorton, by whom she has one child, 
 Blanche; Carrie E., who wasborn June 16, [874, 
 and died February 25, 1876; Charlie, who was 
 
 a March 9, 1879, and died January 11, [882; 
 James A., who was born May 14, [881; Francis 
 I born October 6, 1884; Harvey E.. born Jan- 
 uary 9, 1887; and Robert, bom February 11, 
 
 Mr. Wise supported the Democracy until 
 12, since which time he has been a Republican. 
 lb served as supervisor in 1888, 1889, and 1890, 
 and was again elected to that office in the sprint,' 
 of 1897. He and his wife have been members 
 of the Evangelical Association since 1859, and 
 are very prominent in Church work. He has 
 served as exhorter, and is assistant superinti 
 ent of the Sunday-school, and has done as much 
 as any one man in the community for the wel- 
 fare of the Church. He also belongs to John C. 
 Arnold Post No. 407, G. A. R. He is a \< w 
 strong temperance man. and though addicted to 
 the use of intoxicants in early life, w hen he be- 
 came converted? at the age of fifteen years, he 
 
 -wore all such, and is recognized as one of 
 the strongest temperance workers in his section 
 of the county. 
 
 P 
 
 ETER S. BOBB, one of the best known 
 and most enterprising agriculturists of Bea- 
 ver township, Snyder county, was born Septem- 
 ber 25, 1850, in that township when it formed a 
 part of Union county. 
 
 Peter Bobb, his grandfather, was born in 
 what was then Northumberland county, but now 
 is a part of Snyder county. He was a well-to- 
 do farmer and owned a tract of land which he 
 greatly improved, making his home thereon un- 
 til his death. His remains were interred in the 
 Hassinger cemetery. He was married in Beaver 
 township to Willimina Hassinger, a native of the 
 township, and they became parents of the fol- 
 lowing children: Daniel and John, both decea 
 David, of Illinois; Jacob and Samuel, who live 
 in Michigan; Katie, deceased; Elizabeth, wife of 
 Abram K. Middleworth, of McClure, Penn.; 
 Amenias, deceased wife of Amos Aigler, and 
 Sarah, widow of Jacob Middleworth. The 
 father of this family was a stanch Whig, and a 
 consistent member of the Lutheran Church, 
 contributing liberally to its support. 
 
 Reuben Bobb, father of our subject, was 
 born in Beaver township in 1S21, was educated 
 in the German language, and was reared on his 
 father's farm. In his younger days he worked at 
 the carpenter's trade, but after his marriage set- 
 tled on the old homestead of 1 1 1 acres, on which 
 he erected a fine frame residence, good barn and 
 other necessary outbuildings. There he contin- 
 ued until 1875, when he removed to his home in 
 the northern part of the township, having erected 
 there the only brick residence in the township 
 outside of Beavertown. There he is enjoying 
 the fruits of his former toil, in company with his 
 wife, who has shared with him life's joys and 
 sorrows for over half a century. 
 
 On May 25, 1841), in Middleburg, Reuben 
 
 ib was married in Snyder county, to Lucinda 
 Engle, the wadding being solemnized by Rev. J. 
 F. Sheudel. She was born in Franklin town- 
 ship, Snyder county, in 1824, a daughter of 
 Solomon and Catherine (Hendricks) Engle. Her 
 father was one of the best-known citizens of the 
 township, a successful school teacher who filled 
 the offices of surveyor and justice of the peace. 
 Mr. Bobb gives his political support to the Re- 
 publican party, and is a consistent member of the 
 Lutheran Church. His family numbers three 
 children: Elvina, wife of J. W. Specht, a mer- 
 chant of Beaver Spring; Peter S. ; and Man 1 
 wife of Kermer Walters, a merchant of Mifflin- 
 burg. 
 
 Peter S. Bobb, whose name opens this review, 
 began his education in the Bobb school house in 
 Beaver township, under the direction of William 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1111 
 
 Savage. His school privileges were limited to 
 three months' attendance in the winter season, 
 for his services were needed on the home from 
 the time of planting in the early spring until after 
 the crops were harvested in the autumn. In 
 1875, ne purchased a farm in the northern part 
 of Beaver township, and also operates the old 
 homestead. He now has a very valuable prop- 
 erty, the well-tilled fields and neat appearance of 
 the place indicating his careful supervision. His 
 business affairs are conducted with industry and 
 energy, and as the result of his well-directed 
 efforts he has become the possessor of a comfort- 
 able competence. 
 
 In June, 1865, in Beaver township, now 
 Spring township, Snyder county, Mr. Bobb was 
 married to Matilda Gross, a daughter of the late 
 Jacob Gross, a farmer of Beaver township. Their 
 home is blessed by the presence of two children: 
 Charles W. and Melvin E., who assist their father 
 in the work of the farm. The family attend the 
 Lutheran Church, and Mr. Bobb is serving as its 
 trustee. In politics he is a Republican, and does 
 all in his power to promote the growth and insure 
 the success of his party. He is deeply interested 
 in the cause of education, and, during his ten 
 years' service as a school director, has done much 
 for the improvement of the schools in his neigh- 
 borhood. 
 
 fENRY J. HEISER, a lumber manufactur 
 i and proprietor of the Valley View Fi 
 
 irer, 
 JflL and proprietor of the Valley View Fruit 
 Farm, is a man to whom success has come as 
 the reward of enterprising labor. He was born 
 in Snyder county, August 30, 1851, and supple- 
 mented his early education, acquired in the com- 
 mon schools, by one term's study in the high 
 school of Selins Grove. At the age of sixteen he 
 left his grandfather's home, where his childhood 
 days were passed, and went to Selins Grove, 
 where he learned the carpenter's trade, under 
 the direction of C. B. Miller. For three years 
 he worked as an apprentice, after which he was 
 employed by William Haines at Salem in a plan- 
 ing-mill for two years On the expiration of 
 that period he removed to Sunbury, where he 
 spent a short time, after which he worked at his 
 trade in Port Trevorton for one year. 
 
 Mr. Heisercame to his present home in Perry 
 township, Snyder county, in 1874, where he pur- 
 chased eleven acres of land, on which stood an 
 old sawmill. He afterward erected an excellent 
 sawmill, equipped with the latest improved ma- 
 chinery, also built a cider-mill, and made many 
 excellent improvements upon the place. In 1884 
 he established the Glen Albion Apiary, and is 
 
 now extensively engaged in bee culture. He 
 sells born comb and extracted honey, and also 
 manufactures bee-hives and fixtures. This 
 branch of his business, which has proved quite 
 profitable, is now in charge of his son, Arthur. 
 In 1889 he began raising fruit, and now has on 
 the Valley View Fruit Farm particularly fine 
 varieties of strawberries, raspberries, blackberries 
 and currants. He has set out an extensive or- 
 chard of plums and cherries, the first orchard of 
 these fruits planted in the county exclusively for 
 tire market. These always find a ready sale on 
 the market, and add not a little to his income. 
 
 On January 15, 1874, in Port Trevorton, Mr. 
 Heiser was married to Frances I. Beachell, a na- 
 tive of Washington township, Snyder county, 
 and a daughter of A. J. Beachell, a miller of 
 Perry township. They now have seven children: 
 Robert Arthur, who was educated at Selins 
 Grove and at New Berlin, and Dennis Elvin are 
 living; Bertha Cora, Stella Esther, Eva May, 
 Howard Earle and Nevin Melvin are all now de- 
 ceased. Mrs. Heiser was educated in the public 
 schools of the county, and in the Freeburg 
 Academy under Prof. D. S. Boyer and Major 
 Dill. She is a lady of culture and refinement, 
 and presides with gracious hospitality over her 
 pleasant home. 
 
 Mr. Heiser is a Democrat, active in support 
 of his party, and, in 1890, he was elected county 
 commissioner. He has served as assessor of 
 Perry township, as school director, and as tax 
 collector for three years. He, his wife and 
 sons are members of the Lutheran Church, and 
 he belongs to LaFayette Lodge No. 194, F. & 
 A. M. 
 
 w 
 
 \ANIEL GOOD. The splendid farm owned 
 by this gentleman at Kratzerville, in Jack- 
 son township, Snyder county, is a standing mon- 
 ument to his industry, perseverance and good 
 management. He comes under the category of 
 self-made men, and is now numbered among 
 the successful agriculturists of the community. 
 
 Mr. Good was born May 13, 1844, in Monroe 
 township, Snyder county, when it was still a 
 part of Union county, and remained under the 
 parental roof until he had attained his major- 
 ity, aiding his father in the work of the farm 
 and attending the district schools. On leaving 
 home he began milling in Kelly township, Union 
 county, for David Wagner, with whom he re- 
 mained two years, receiving $80 for the first 
 year, and $20 per month for the second. He 
 then worked in the Benfer mill, in Snyder 
 county for the same length of time, after which 
 
Ill: 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 he returned to the Buffalo mills in Kelly town- 
 ship, Union county. During the two years hi 
 spent there he received $25 per month, but at 
 the end ol that time was again employed in the 
 Benfer mills for two years, and continued to fol- 
 low milling for sixteen years Sine* [880, how- 
 ever, he has ■> ral farming upon his 
 present place, which he purchased for $2,800. 
 
 John and Hannah (Wagner) Good, the par- 
 ents of our subject, were natives of Snyder 
 county, as were also the paternal grandparents, 
 George and Elizabeth Good, whose remains were 
 laid to rest in the cemetery at Salem. The 
 father, who was a farmer and blacksmith by 
 trade and occupation, and a • consid- 
 
 erable prominence in his community, held 
 several township offices. He died in Monroe 
 township, Snyder county, November 7, 1868, 
 aged sixty-one years, six months and eighteen 
 days, and the mother passed away in th 
 township, June 23, 1886, aged seventy-six years, 
 month and thirteen days, both being buried 
 at Kratzerville. They were consistent members 
 of the Reformed Church, and in politics, Mr. 
 Good was a stalwart Republi 
 
 To this worth)- couple were born the fol 
 ing children: Hiram, now a retired farmer of 
 Penn town-hip, Snyder count)-; Mary A., wile of 
 Henry Castetter, a farmer of Tama count)-, 
 low a; William, an agriculturist of Oriental, 
 manda, wife of Sowara Seecrist, a 
 (armei of Northumberland count) , Penn. ; Frank- 
 lin, a retired fa 1 Selins Grove, Snyder 
 county; Daniel, the subject of tins sketch; Sa- 
 villa, wife of Daniel Smith, oi M wnship, 
 who 1- engaged in wmill and threshing 
 busii id Alfred, a farmer of Monroe town- 
 ship. 
 
 On June 1, 1871, in Lewisburg, Penn., \ 
 iel Good was married to Miss Satira Crevelling, 
 who was born at Lightstreet, ( olumbia Co., 
 Penn. , i ■ l, 1S49, a daughti 1 
 
 and Matilda (Evans) Cr 1 natives 
 
 Columbia count)-. The mother, who was born 
 in January, [825, still resides at the old home- 
 
 id in West Buffalo township, Union I 
 
 in., but tlie father, a farmer by occupation, 
 died in that count)-, March 26, [894, at the 
 
 ty-four years. Politically he was a Re- 
 publican, and, religiously, a member of the 
 Methodist Episcopal Church, to which his wife 
 also belongs. His parents, Alexander 
 
 ecca 1 Man 1 1 revelling, died in Columbia 
 county. 
 
 Mrs. Good is the fourth in order of birth in 
 a family of eleven children, namely; Rebecca 
 A . deceased wife of Pierce White, a retired 
 
 farmer living in Union count)-; Samantha C, 
 wife of William Mathers, a farmer of the same 
 county; William P., an agriculturist of Decatur 
 count), Iowa; Oscar C, a farmer of Lycoming 
 
 rity, Penn. ; Clara P., wife of Reedy Wolfe, a 
 
 farmer of Union county; John W. and Charles, 
 
 I in infancy; Miss Agnes M.. a resident 
 
 of Wilkes Barre, Penn. in G., a saddler 
 
 of Bloomsburg, Penn. ; and Arthur, deceased. 
 
 The following children have been bor 
 Mr. and Mrs. Good: Regina, wife of Henry 
 
 rick, of Markelsville, Perry county; Cyrus, 
 who died in infancy; and Gertrude, Clara, Ira 
 P. , E. Wilson and Matilda A., at borne 
 parents are active and prominent members 
 the Reformed Church, in which Mr. Good : 
 merly served as deacon, and is now elder. Po- 
 litically, he is identified with the Republican 
 party. The family 1- nd favorably known, 
 
 and has mam warm triends throughout tl. 
 munity. 
 
 Y0S1 1 1. WAGNER, Esi . a 1 ■; 
 tired agriculturist residing in Kratzerville, 
 Snyder count)-, is one of the leading citizens of 
 his locality, and for more than thirty-five years has 
 held the office of justice of the peace. He 
 man of marked intelli ig well ac- 
 
 quainted with the English and German Ian 
 and possessing a good store of information on 
 general topics, and his gonial disposition makes 
 friends for him wl he is known. 
 
 id old Pennsylvania stock, his 
 great-grandparents, Jacob Schoch) 
 
 Wagner, having resided in Perks count)-. His 
 grandparents, Yost and Veronica Berga) W 
 ner, were both born in Perks count)-, but re- 
 :i earl) life to Snyder county, then 
 Northumberland count)-, where they made their 
 permanent h The-)- lived to an advan 
 
 1 ssing away about 1S40, and the remains 
 
 William 
 
 Waj ' s father, was born in what 
 
 is now Snyder county, and became a successful 
 
 of that locality. He was . stent 
 
 memb 1 I the Lutheran Church, and in politics 
 
 first a \\ hig, and lati 1 a Republican, Ins in- 
 fluence being d in a quiet way. He died 
 in Monroe township, Snj aty, in [874 
 the ity-four, and his estimable w 
 whose maiden name was Christiana B lied 
 in 1877, sixty-nine, both being buried in 
 the cemetery at Selii She was a nat 
 of Snyder count), her parents. Michael and 
 Susan (Utt) Beaver, whose remains rest in the 
 cemeten : [ins Grove, Inning come fi 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1113 
 
 Lehigh county at an early date. William Wag- 
 ner and his wife had a large family of children, 
 as follows: Lucy A., who died at the age of 
 eighteen; Emanuel, a farmer of Licking county, 
 Ohio; Yost H., our subject; John M., a farmer 
 near Keokuk, Iowa; Esther, wife of H. Bay, a 
 farmer in Brown county, Kans. ; Veronica S., 
 widow of H. J. Ritter, of Middleburg, Penn. ; 
 Mary, widow of Samuel Heiser, of Keokuk 
 county, Iowa; Lida, who married Daniel Gross, 
 a farmer in Lycoming county, Penn. ; Jacob, 
 who died in Delaware, at the age of forty-four, 
 and William H., a retired farmer, at St. Joseph, 
 Michigan. 
 
 'Squire Wagner was born December 26, 1828, 
 in Beaver township, Snyder county, and, until 
 he reached the age of twenty-four, resided with 
 his parents, much of his time being given to 
 farm work. His education was obtained in the 
 common schools, which he attended four months 
 each winter. When he was eighteen years old 
 he began teaching, and continued for seven con- 
 secutive terms at different places in Snyder 
 count}'. In 1866 he bought one of his father's 
 farms near Kratzerville, consisting of sixty-four 
 acres, but in 1881 he left the farm and moved to 
 his present home in Kratzerville, which he had 
 purchased some time before, still retaining the 
 farm, however. He is successful as a farmer, 
 being an able manager, and his shrewd judgment 
 has often been called into service by his neigh- 
 bors in business matters and the settlement of 
 disputed questions. Since 1862 he has served as 
 justice of the peace, and is the oldest justice in 
 the county; for eleven years he held the office of 
 school director. In politics he is a steadfast 
 Republican, and has taken an active part in local 
 politics, having been delegate to county conven- 
 tions and serving on the county committee for a 
 number of years. Before the war he was greatly 
 interested in military affairs, having served three 
 years as a private and five as first lieutenant in a 
 company in the State militia. 
 
 In the fall of 1852 Mr. Wagner was married 
 to his first wife, Miss Susan Hahn, by whom he 
 had four children: (1) John O., a physician at 
 Adamsburg, Penn., who married Miss Ella Gross, 
 and has one son, Otto. (2) Laura, who died at 
 the age of two years. (3) Ellen, who died at 
 the age of five; and (4) Clara S., who married 
 Emerson Lilly, and has had three children — 
 Susan, Edna and Ralph. Mrs. Susan Wagner 
 died in October, 1S66, and later the 'Squire 
 married a second wife, Miss Elizabeth Ritter, 
 daughter of a well-known farmer of Snyder 
 county, John Ritter, and his wife, Elizabeth 
 Bohrn, who were the parents of ten children. 
 
 On the death of his second wife, in 1887, the 
 'Squire married her sister, Miss Mary Ritter. In 
 religious faith he is a member of the Lutheran 
 Church, having been confirmed at the age of 
 eighteen years, and at present he is treasurer and 
 has been deacon and elder. 
 
 EVER MILLNER, an enterprising and 
 X*L popular merchant of Kantz, is one of the 
 most successful general merchants of Snyder 
 county, and his career is an exemplification of 
 the fact that success depends upon individual ef- 
 fort, upon perseverance and -wise management. 
 He was born in Russia, near the German border, 
 June 9, 1862. His father was a merchant, and 
 reared a family of four sons. Our subject and 
 his brother Herman are the only ones now liv- 
 ing in the United States, the latter a merchant 
 of Pocahontas, Virginia. 
 
 Meyer Millner received very limited school 
 privileges, and at the age of fourteen started out 
 in life for himself, since which time he has been 
 entirely dependent upon his own resources. At 
 the age of eighteen he determined to try his for- 
 tune in America, thinking to benefit his financial 
 condition in this land of open opportunity. He 
 sailed from Hamburg, and in August, 1 88 1 , 
 reached New York, whence he made his way to 
 Baltimore, Md., where he had friends and rela- 
 tives living. He could not then speak a word of 
 English. Friends helped him, and, with a pack 
 of goods on his back, he started as a peddler in 
 in Snyder county, and also in Centre county 
 followed that business for three years. His la- 
 bors were successful, and he built up a very good 
 trade in this way, accumulating thereby a hand- 
 some competence. In 1884 he formed a part- 
 nership with Daniel S. Miller, and the firm of 
 Millner & Miller purchased the general store of 
 Philip Snee at Kantz, the stock being valued at 
 about $1,000. About a year and half later Mr. 
 Millner became sole proprietor, and has since car- 
 ried on the business alone. In 1887 he built his 
 excellent store room, and has added greatly to 
 his stock, which includes a good line of men's 
 clothing and furnishing goods, and everything 
 found in a first-class general store. He undoubt- 
 edly has one of the best appointed stores in his 
 line in the State, and well merits the liberal 
 patronage which is accorded him. 
 
 On September 15, 18S7, in Philadelphia, Mr. 
 Millner was married to Miss Babette Dryfosse, 
 a native of Germany, who for some time prior 
 to her marriage lived in Toledo, Ohio. They 
 have two children: Minnie R. and I. Sigmund. 
 Mr. Millner is a stalwart Democrat in principle, 
 
1114 
 
 commemoua tive biographical record. 
 
 but at local elections, where no issue is involved, 
 frequently supports the men whom he thinks best 
 qualified for the office regardless of party affilia- 
 tions. He was appointed postmaster of Kant;? by 
 President Cleveland, and served as such during 
 both his administrations, resigning the office at the 
 close of the second administration. He and his 
 wife belong to the Jewish Synagogue in William- 
 sport, Penn., and are people of sterling worth 
 who have the warm regard of many friends. In 
 K ant/ they have a pleasant home, which is noted 
 fur its hospitality 
 
 In addition to his mercantile interests in 
 Kantz, Mr. Millner is a buyer and shipper of 
 produce, and his business in that line amounts 
 to thousands of dollars annually. With a capi- 
 tal of $25 he rami- to the United States, and has 
 steadily worked his way upward to a foremost 
 place among Snyder county's successful business 
 men. His methods arc strictly honorable, and 
 the liberal patronage he receives attests the con- 
 fidence reposed in him by the public. He is now 
 a director of the First National Hank of Middle- 
 burg, Pennsylvania. 
 
 GEORGE C. KUSTER, a prominent repre- 
 sentative of the agricultural interests of 
 Penn township, Snyder county, was born on 
 March 31, 1846, on the farm where he still con- 
 tinues to reside. His father. Daniel Kuster, was 
 also a native of Penn township, a son of Paul 
 Kuster, who came from the southern part of the 
 Mate to Snyder county at an early day. In his 
 family were five children: Susannah, Catherine, 
 Elizabeth, Mrs. Ritter, Henry and Daniel. 
 
 Daniel Kuster was reared on a farm, and for 
 1 short time in early life followed the tanner's 
 trade, but devoted most of his time t<> agricult- 
 ural pursuits, in which he met with excellent suc- 
 cess. At Muncy, Penn., he was united in mar- 
 riage with Miss Elizabeth Turner, whose father 
 was also a farmer, and they began their dom< 
 life upon the old Kuster hi id, where he 
 
 ami his brother Henry engaged in farming in 
 partnership until [853, when the former sold 
 and purchased a place in Limestone township, 
 Union Co., Penn. After a residenceof one -. 
 however, he returned to I'' mi township. Snyder 
 county, and bought from Jacob Miller a farm of 
 144 acres, which is now the home of our subject. 
 At this place he continued to make his home un- 
 til called to his final nst, at the age of sixty-six. 
 Ill- wife died at the age of sixty-two. and there- 
 mains of both were interred in Salem cemetery. 
 They wen- earnest members of the Lutheran 
 Church, and were highly respected in the com- 
 
 munity where they so long made their home. 
 In politics the father was a Whig until President 
 Buchanan's administration, when he began giv- 
 ing his support to the Democratic party. 
 
 Our subject is the eldest in the family of five 
 children, and the only one now living. The 
 others were as follows: Susanna and Catherine 
 1 twins), the former of whom married Daniel S. 
 Miller, and died at Kant/, Penn., and the latter 
 married '/.. M. Duck, and died in Perry county, 
 Penn. ; Ellen, who died at the age of eleven 
 years; and Jeremiah, who died at the age of 
 sixteen. 
 
 George C. Kuster began his education in a 
 school near Pawling Station, taught by Miss 
 Mary Kitter, and after attending the common 
 schools for some time, was for one term a stu- 
 dent in the Freeburg Academy. He heartily en- 
 dorses the improved school system of to-day, 
 and does all in his power to promote the cause 
 of education. As a farmer boy he was reared to 
 habits of industry and thrift, was " put in the 
 harness young and was kept there. " being of 
 great assistance to his father in the work of the 
 farm. Until twenty-six years of age he remained 
 at home, receiving only his board and clothes in 
 compensation for his labors. 
 
 In October, 1872, in Snyder county. Mr. 
 Kuster was married to Miss Sarah Hendricks, a 
 native of Washington township. Snyder county, 
 and a daughter of George Hendricks. Her ed- 
 ucation was also obtained in the public schools. 
 I ive children graced this union, namely: Will- 
 iam S. . who died in infancy; and Mar] C, The- 
 odore F. , Jennie M. and George D., all at home. 
 
 After his marriage, Mr. Kuster still continued 
 to reside on the old homestead as he was the 
 only son, and cultivated the place for one-third 
 the products. This he continued until after the 
 
 ill of his mother, when he received one-half, 
 his father lived with him. After the latter 
 died, he bought the farm in the fall of 1886, has 
 made many excellent improvements upon the 
 place, and the well-tilled fields yield bountiful 
 harvests in return for the care and labor he be- 
 st iws upon them. 
 
 At Mate and National elections, Mr. Kuster 
 always supports the Democratic party, but at 
 local elei tions, where no issue is involved, he is 
 not strictly partisan. In religious belief both he 
 and his wife are Lutherans, and labor earnestl} 
 
 the good of the community and the better- 
 ment of their fellow men. Mr. Kuster was a 
 charter member of the Grange, with which he 
 continued to be connected during its existence, 
 and was also a charter member of the branch 
 the Farmers Alliance formed at Selins Grove. 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1115 
 
 Through his untiring efforts he has secured a 
 comfortable property, but has lost not a little 
 by aiding supposed friends. He is an honest, 
 hard working man, a good and kind neighbor, 
 and a citizen of whom the community may be 
 justly proud. The family originally spelled the 
 name Koster. 
 
 F> P. FESSLER, a thrifty and successful agri- 
 culturist of Centre township, Snyder county, 
 owns an attractive homestead near Middleswarth 
 P. O., as a reward of his industry and economy. 
 He is not only a diligent worker, but he has the 
 faculty for management by which he obtains the 
 best results from his labors. As a citizen he is 
 highly respected, his honesty and fair dealing in 
 all his affairs being a notable characteristic. 
 
 Mr. Fessler is a native of Snyder county, 
 born March 18, 1853, in West Beaver township. 
 His parents, David and Anna Elizabeth Fessler, 
 removed to Centre township when he was about 
 six years old, and he was reared there, receiving 
 his education in the public schools, with his 
 brother Reuben as his first teacher. The im- 
 provements which have been brought about in 
 our school system meet with his approval, as he 
 believes that no pains should be spared in the 
 education of the youth of America. During his 
 early years he gained a thorough knowledge of 
 farm work, and the greater part of his life has 
 been spent in that pursuit. When he was about 
 twenty years old he began to learn the black- 
 smith's trade at what is now Cowan, Union coun- 
 ty, but, finding the occupation uncongenial, he 
 gave it up after three months and returned home, 
 where he assisted for some time in the manage- 
 ment of his mother's interests. Later he decided 
 to try the saddler's trade, but a short apprentice- 
 ship at Centerville satisfied him and he resumed 
 his farm work. Six years were spent in Ohio 
 and Illinois, then returning to this State he was 
 employed for a time as a general laborer. 
 
 On July 27, 1884, our subject was married to 
 Miss Lavina Benfer, who was born in Limestone 
 township, Union county, June 4, 1862, the daugh- 
 ter of Enos and Sarah (Mauser) Benfer. The 
 first two years of his married life were spent upon 
 a rented farm and for one year he worked in a 
 tannery at Centerville, but in the fall of 1885 he 
 purchased his present farm from Frederick Her- 
 man. It contains one hundred and four and a 
 half acres and is considered an excellent piece of 
 property. Mr. Fessler's business has occupied 
 his attention too closely for him to give much 
 time to local affairs, but he is a stanch Democrat 
 in politics and votes regularly. 
 
 Mr. Fessler and his wife have a large and 
 interesting family, nine children brightening their 
 home at the present time, viz.: Sally, Lettie, 
 Anna E., Harry, Lena, Reed, Ralph, Reuben 
 and Edna. 
 
 D*R. JOHN SCHOCH, a well-known dentist of 
 _' Hummels Wharf, Snyder county, is one of 
 the leading citizens of that locality and a worthy 
 representative of a family which has long been 
 prominent in this section of the State. 
 
 He was born January 9, 1839, in Middle Creek 
 township, Snyder county, where his father, Jacob 
 Schoch, was a prosperous agriculturist. Jacob 
 Schoch was a native of Berks county, Penn., and 
 was born in 1801, the son of Jacob Schoch (r). 
 After coming to Snyder county our subject's 
 father engaged successfully in various lines of 
 business, and acquired a handsome property for 
 that time, including two farms and a gristmill. 
 He was equally noted for two qualities which are 
 not always found together — enterprise and hon- 
 esty — and was a consistent member of the Lu- 
 eran Church. He took an intelligent interest in 
 public affairs, and strongly opposed slavery and 
 disunion. His death occurred in 1853, and his 
 wife, Catherine Miller, who was born in Middle 
 Creek township, in 1804, died in 1879. They 
 reared a large family of children, of whom the 
 eldest, William, removed to Illinois, and died at 
 the age of sixty. Matilda married Henry J. 
 Boyer, and now resides in Chicago. Henry is a 
 resident of Selins Grove. Of George J. and Eliz- 
 abeth (twins), the former is engaged in agricult- 
 ure in Snyder county, and the latter is the wife of 
 John S. Miller, of Moran, Allen Co. , Kans. ; Maria, 
 now the wife of Dr. B. F. Wagenseller, of Selins 
 Grove, and Susan, deceased, who married Henry 
 Willi, were also twins. John, our subject, is the 
 next in order of birth, and the youngest died in 
 infancy, unnamed. 
 
 Dr. Schoch spent his early years upon a 
 farm, his education being begun in the district 
 schools near his old home. He also attended 
 the academy at Freeburg for a time, and at the 
 age of fourteen he became a clerk in a store. A 
 few years later he went west, where he traveled 
 for two years, and on his return he located at 
 Selins Grove and began the study of dentistry. 
 He answered Gov. Curtin's emergency call for 
 aid in 1863, and became a member of Company 
 I, 30th Regiment, under Capt. A. C. Simpson; 
 the regiment was stationed at Carlisle, Penn., 
 and our subject served in all about six weeks, 
 when he was honorably discharged. 
 
 After he returned to Selins Grove from the 
 
1116 
 
 UMEMORA riVK BIOGRAPHICAL hh< ORD. 
 
 West, he remained there, practicing his pr. 
 sion successfully, until after his marriage, in 
 1866, to Miss Mary A. Brobst, who was born and 
 reared on the farm which they now occupy. It 
 is a beautiful estate, and their home is a model 
 of comfort and order Four children have blessed 
 their union: Carrie K.. a young lady of fine 
 abilities, who is a graduate of Susquehanna Uni- 
 versity; Norah Irene, who is a graduate in music 
 at 11 An, Md., is proficient in the art. 
 
 has taught music five years; May and Martha, 
 attractive girls. The family are identified with 
 the Lutheran Church, the Doctor and his wife 
 being prominent members, and he is a stanch 
 supporter of the principles and policy of the Re- 
 publican part\ 
 
 Mrs. Schoch was born March 2, 1S46. and 
 1 an excellent education in the Ladies' 
 
 linary at Selins Grove. Sh her de- 
 
 scent from Philip Brobst, who came from ( 
 many in 1732, and landed .it Philadelphia. 
 Somi of the earlier families spelled then 
 
 -st. lie had John, win. located near 
 
 New Berlin, where he lived to a good old age, 
 following farmin 1 occupation. Hew 
 
 in the Revolutionary war, and Mrs. 
 a hatchet he carried all during his 
 i I m, John Jao >b, the grandfather 
 of Mrs. Schoch, was born at Albany, Berks ( 
 
 n., in 1 735, ami I rmer 
 
 in Dry Valley, S ounty, but his death oc- 
 
 curred at the hi 
 
 the a ixty years; he served through the war 
 
 of iSij. He mam . ho died 
 
 on the same farm a ! lore his own 
 
 rhey had ten children: Li thewife 
 
 iel Ritter, of Si unty; Daniel. Mrs. 
 
 Schoch's father; ; rho went west, a 
 
 in Illinois; John, w I n, Ohio, 
 
 and died there in h, who married 
 
 (first 1 Mi. Shafl John App, and 
 
 Selins G 
 Samuel Werline, ol Shamokin, Penn.; Liza, who 
 married Daniel Fredei md died in Snyder 
 
 county; Mary, deceased, formerly the wif 
 John Gift, "t Pedee, Green county, Wis.; Fan- 
 
 wifi of Daniel Ulrich, . .( Selins Grove; and 
 tharine Miller, wife oi Jonas Millei 
 
 1 I 111.I Brobst was bi >rn in 1 81 7, and pi 
 his life at the homestead, its culth ation occupv 
 much of his time. In religious faith hew 
 Lutheran, and when the "New ("lunch" was 
 formed he) identified himself with that branch. 
 He was prominent in local affairs and took an 
 interest in military matters, serving for some time 
 in the State militia. In 1838 he was elei 
 second lieutenant of the Union Greene, attached 
 
 to the Union Independent Battalion of Volun- 
 teers of the Militia of the Commonwealth of 
 Pennsylvania in the First Brigade of the Eighth 
 Division, composed of the Militia of Northumber- 
 land, Union, Columbia, Luzerne, Susquehanna 
 and Wayne counties. On his election being duly 
 certified, Lieut. Brobst was commissioned, and 
 I with credit until his retirement, in 1S4J 
 II died in 1847, at the age of forty years and 
 n months, and his wife, Elizabeth Lepley, 
 who was born in Dry Valley in 1808, died in 
 1870. Of their two children, Mrs. Schoch is the 
 survivor, their son having diet! when but 
 two in. >nths old. 
 
 JOHN D. BOGAR, who resides at Port Tre- 
 vorton, is one ..f th minent busi- 
 
 ness men ..f Snyder county. His intei 
 are extensive and ad 5 to the commercial 
 
 vity of this section, thus advancing the gen- 
 eral prosperity while adding to his individual suc- 
 las justly won the somewhat hack- 
 neyed yet expressive title of a self-made man 
 with no capital to aid him he started out in life, 
 and : 1 lilv worked his way upward, wini 
 
 wealth and honor by his successfully man 
 business interests, his untirii; and his 
 
 olute purpi ■ 
 
 Mr. Bogar was bom in Liverpool, Pi 
 Februai \ His father, Jeremiah 1'.. 
 
 was born in Freeburg, Penn., December [I 
 and was f Danii B ^ar, whose birth oc- 
 
 curred in Sunbury, Penn., in February. 1; 
 while the great-grandfather, also named Dai 
 died in I :itv-thi\ 1 
 
 The family is of Swiss origin, and was found. . I 
 in America by ti 
 
 tied in North Carolina, the second in Phil; 
 phia, and the third near Sunbury, Penn. The 
 
 named was the father of Daniel 1 
 previously in I. The great-grandfather of 
 
 our was a potter icconist, am! 
 
 came possessed of considerable wealth. His 
 wile. Savilla Bogar, died in 1826, and he after- 
 ward married again, but his children were all by 
 tiie first marriage, and were as follows: I'm 
 who died in New Perlin, Penn.. w! 
 he had followed merchandising; Paul, deceased, 
 who was a mercb 1 ntreville, Penn.; 
 
 Jacob, deceased, a merchant of Lewisburg; John, 
 a merchant who died in Freeport, 111., at the age 
 of eightv-ilin Samuel, who died at the age 
 
 ..f twehc years. 
 
 Daniel Bogar, grandfather of our subject, 
 reared and educated in Sunbury, and received his 
 business training under the direction of his fa- 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1117 
 
 ther, who manufactured crockery and shipped it 
 to market by way of the Susquehanna river, the 
 boat used being propelled by several men with 
 poles. His father gave him a start in mercan- 
 tile business at Freeburg, and he was married 
 there to Mary Wolf, who was born in Snyder 
 county in 1806, a daughter of Peter Wolf, a 
 miller by trade. In March, 1830, Daniel Bogar 
 sold his business in Freeburg and went to Liver- 
 pool, where he conducted a hotel and store for 
 some years. In 1856 he removed to Port Tre- 
 vorton, and was the first toll-keeper on the Port 
 Trevorton bridge, which had been built for the 
 transportation of coal across the river by the Tre- 
 vorton Coal & Railway Company. He died May 
 11, 1866, and his wife passed away in May, 1862. 
 In politics he was first a Whig, and afterward a 
 Republican. On one occasion without his knowl- 
 edge, his friends made him the nominee for coun- 
 ty sheriff, and, although he made no canvass, he 
 came within a few votes of election. He be- 
 longed to the United Brethren Church and was 
 active in its work, was a man of kindly, genial 
 nature, fond of fishing and of fun, yet at all 
 times lived an honorable and upright life. 
 
 The following is the record of his family: 
 Jacob P., the first to locate at Port Trevorton, 
 was a merchant and telegraph operator, and died 
 in August, 1S77, aged fifty-two. Sarah A. is the 
 widow of Christian Deitrich, of Lykens, Penn. 
 William H., who was an engineer at a large coal 
 breaker in Lykens, died at the age of fifty-eight 
 years. James, a railroad agent at Herndon, 
 Penn., was killed at Selins Grove Junction while 
 boarding a train. Lizzie is the wife of P. H. 
 Lamey, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. 
 
 Jeremiah Bogar, born in December, 1830, 
 the second of this family, is the father of our 
 subject. During his infancy his parents removed 
 to Liverpool, Penn., where he attended school. 
 At the age of fifteen he was employed on the 
 canal as a driver. Later he and his brother, 
 Jacob, became owners of the canal boat "Robert 
 Lesher," and, when his brother Jacob met with 
 an accident, he operated the boat alone, and fol- 
 lowed that business until 1855, when he joined a 
 party en route for California. They left New 
 York, July 5, crossed the Isthmus of Panama, 
 and at length reached San Francisco, but while 
 in the West Mr. Bogar suffered a severe illness, 
 and in February, 1856, started for home by way 
 of the Nicaraugua route, reaching his destination 
 in March. 
 
 Jeremiah Bogar was married, in 1S52, in 
 Liverpool to Flora Meek, who was born there 
 August 15, 1835, a daughter of Daniel and Susan 
 (Rhoads) Meek. After his return from Califor- 
 
 nia, he boated on the canal for a season, and, in 
 the fall of 1856, in connection with his brother, 
 Jacob, he bought out David Postlewaite, a mer- 
 chant of Port Trevorton, conducting that store 
 for some time, and also running a canal boat. 
 In 1862 Jeremiah Bogar built the first sawmill 
 at Port Trevorton, conducting the same until 
 1876, when our subject took possession. He 
 also built a planing-mill and sash-factory, which 
 he sold, and, in connection with a partner, he 
 bought 1,200 acres of land, which he afterward 
 sold at a good profit. For several years he was 
 in the insurance business, and is now a jobber in 
 powder, dynamite and other explosives. He 
 served as postmaster during the war, and during 
 the "emergency period," organized a company 
 at Port Trevorton, of which he was elected cap- 
 tain. When it was time to start for the front, 
 however, some of the men refused to go. A sim- 
 ilar condition of affairs existed at Selins Grove 
 with a company organized by Col. A. C. Simp- 
 son, and the two companies united, Mr. Bogar 
 being elected first lieutenant. With the 1 8th P. 
 V. I , they went to the front, and there he served 
 as quartermaster until the time of his discharge. 
 In politics he and all of his sons are stanch Re- 
 publicans. He belongs to the United Evangel- 
 ical Church, has been Sunday-school superin- 
 tendent, and class leader, which relations to the 
 Church he at this time sustains. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Jeremiah Bogar had eleven 
 children: John D. ; Jacob P., of Herndon, 
 Penn.; Charles, who died at the age of fifteen 
 years and six months; Clara E., wife of H. E. 
 Austin, who died in Washington, D. C. , at the 
 age of thirty-two; George, who was drowned at 
 the age of two and a half years; James H. and 
 Isaac M., both of Port Trevorton; Mar)', wife 
 of Samuel Smith, of Mazeppa, Penn. ; Joseph 
 E. , a physician of Herndon, Penn.; Christian 
 D., of Port Trevorton; and Victor E., who is 
 attending school at New Berlin. 
 
 John D. Bogar, whose name begins this arti- 
 cle, was a child of only two years when he came 
 with his grandfather, Daniel Bogar, to Port 
 Trevorton, living with him for some years. He 
 attended the district schools here, afterward 
 pursued his studies in Freeburg Academy, and 
 completed his education in what is now Sus- 
 quehanna University, at Selins Grove. An acci- 
 dent caused him to abandon his plan of becom- 
 ing a bookkeeper, and he took up the life and 
 fire insurance business, which he followed for 
 some time. In his youth he had worked to a 
 considerable extent in his father's sawmill, and 
 gained a practical experience in that line of 
 operations. Before reaching his teens he also 
 
1118 
 
 ' OMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL llFJORD. 
 
 carried the mail between Port Trevorton and 
 Herndon for three years, for $3 per month. On 
 December 5, 1876, he purchased ln> fatl 
 sawmill at Port Trevorton, and has since success- 
 fully carried on business along that line. He 
 rebuilt the mill entirely in 1895, making the 
 plans himself and personally superintending its 
 construction. His lumber operations bave be- 
 come extensive and profitable, and he is one of 
 the recognized leaders in that industry in Sny- 
 der county. The marketing of his prod 
 caused him to become an extensive patron "I 
 the ferry, running between Port Trevorton and 
 Herndon, and he finally purchased a half inter- 
 est in the same, at ono greatly improving it. 
 Alter a time he built a steamboat, and h 
 now sole proprietor of the business, while at the 
 present time he is inti 1 in both the Port 
 
 Trevorton and Union ferri ing the sole 
 
 owner of the Port Trevorton & Herndon ferry, 
 and owner of one-fourth ol the " Union ferry," 
 both doing bush n Herndon and Port 
 
 Trevorton. 
 
 In [881 Mr. Bogar purchased a saw and 
 stave null, and began the manufacture of nail keg 
 heads and »l In March. 1889, the plant 
 
 was removed to Herndon, where be has exten 
 interests. He opened lumber and coal yards at 
 that place, and in June. [889, when other lum- 
 bermen suffered heavy losses, his foresighl and 
 precaution practically fortified him against all 
 loss, and the big demand for timberthat immedi- 
 ately followed found him ready to meet it. In 
 buill a line flouring-mill at Herndon, with 
 a capacity of 1 1 5 barrels daily, and, in the con- 
 duct of this enterprise has a partner, F. A. ISing- 
 aman, the firm of Bogai & Bingaman being con- 
 nected in the operation of several successful enter- 
 prises in both Port Trevorton and 1 lerndon. Mr. 
 Bogar organized and is treasurer of the II 1 
 Manufacturing Company, which is doing a pros- 
 perous business in the manufacture of sash, doors 
 and blinds, and furn mployment to thirty 
 
 men. He also aided in the organization of the 
 A. S. Speece Powder Company, of Speeceville, 
 Penn., with which he was connected until Di 
 cember, 1896, 
 
 On Octobet s6, 1873, Mr. Bogar wedded 
 Miss Mary Moyer, who was born in Chapman 
 township, Snyder county, April ;, [855, a daugh- 
 ter of Philip and Susan 1 Kant/ Moyer. Their 
 children are: Daisy K., wife o| | <,, s nXl | 
 lit Trevorton, by whom she has one child, 
 Mary Catherine; Jerry D. graduated from the 
 Shamokin Business College on May 24, [895, 
 and is now a member and vice-president of the 
 Herndon Manufacturing Company, and superin- 
 
 tendent of his father's sawmill; Thomas II . 
 Harvey S., who is attending school at New Ber- 
 lin, Penn., and Susan F. at home. 
 
 In politics Mr. Bogar is a stanch Republican, 
 an esteemed counsellor of his party, and he has 
 served as delegate to the State Conventions, and 
 as chairman of the County Central Committee. 
 He is also trustee of the Central Pennsylvania 
 College of New Berlin, and is a member of La- 
 Fayette Lodge No. 194. F. & A. M., of Selins 
 Grove. He served as district president of the 
 tic Order Sons of America, aided in insti- 
 tuting many lodges through central Pennsylvania, 
 and was a charter member of the lodge at Port 
 lie is a member and trustee of the 
 1 Hive United Evangelical Church, and is a mem- 
 ber of the building committee, and aided in the 
 supervision of the erection of the house of wor- 
 ship. He is now superintendent of the Sunday- 
 school, and is a very charitable and benevolent 
 man, who contributes liberally to all measures cal- 
 culated for the public good. In manner he is very 
 genial, easily approachable, and at all times a 
 
 tleman in the truest and best sense of the 
 
 term. His success in business is remarkable, 
 
 i has been achieved along the lines of un- 
 
 ;ing industry, earnest purpose and honorable 
 
 it. There are five men in his employ who 
 have been with him for twenty-two years, con- 
 vincing proof of his popularity as an employer. 
 His name is a synonym for integrity in business, 
 and there is no citizen that Snyder county could 
 so illy afford to lose than John U. Bogar. 
 
 "(>I1\ P. KANTZ is a retired fanner living at 
 his pleasant home in Monroe township, Sny- 
 der county. It has often been remarked that 
 those lives that are the most successful are usu- 
 ally the least eventful; this seems to have been 
 the case with our subject; his life has been one 
 of usefulness and helpfulness to those about him, 
 but it has not been filled with any strange or 
 thrilling incidi 
 
 Mr. Kantz was born November 22, 1821, in 
 Penn township, Snyder county, a son of Philip 
 Kant/. The maternal grandfather Snyder was 
 a well-to-do farinei I Snyder county. The fa- 
 ther, a native of Lebanon county, Penn., came 
 to Snyder county when a lad of ten years, and 
 became one of the leading carpenters and cabinet 
 makers of his community in an early day, manu- 
 facturing many coffins, for which he never charged 
 more than $6, as he did not believe in costly 
 funerals or in charging exorbitant prices. His 
 later years were spent in farming. He passed 
 away in 1856, at the age of sixty-three years, 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1119 
 
 nine months and thirteen days, respected by all 
 who knew him. 
 
 John P. Kantz is the youngest of the family 
 of five children: (i) Betsy is the widow of Sam- 
 uel Knights, a brick maker by trade. (2) Jacob, 
 who was by trade a carpenter, removed to Indi- 
 ana, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits 
 until his death. (3) Phoebe became the wife of 
 George Hendricks, of Nittany Valley, Centre 
 Co., Penn., but is now deceased. (4) John re- 
 moved to Ohio when thirty years of age, and 
 there engaged in milling until his death, which 
 occurred a few years since. 
 
 For two years, from 1840 until 1S42, Mr. 
 Kantz served an apprenticeship to the chair 
 maker's trade and painting, which he success- 
 fully followed for twenty-one years, or until 1863. 
 During that period he saved some money, which 
 he invested in his present farm in Monroe town- 
 ship, Snyder county, and for many years gave 
 his attention to agriculture, but he is now living 
 retired, enjoying a well-earned rest. His com- 
 fortable dwelling is tastefully furnished with arti- 
 cles of his own manufacture. In September, 
 1864, he enlisted in the Union army, and par- 
 ticipated in the battles of Fort Steadman and 
 Petersburg, besides several minor engagements. 
 When hostilities ceased he was honorably dis- 
 charged, June 1, 1865, and returned home. 
 
 On February 26, 1850, Mr. Kantz was mar- 
 ried to Miss Anna E. Bechell, who was born in 
 December, 1827, a daughter of Andrew Bechell, 
 a miller living near Selins Grove, in Snyder coun- 
 ty. They became the parents of six children, as 
 follows: (1) Marion, born June 27, 1851, was 
 educated in the Missionary Institute at Selins 
 Grove, and also took a course in penmanship in 
 Philadelphia. For several years he has now held 
 a responsible position with Dunn & Bradstreet, 
 of New York, and is held in high in high esteem 
 by the firm. He married Miss Ellen Evans, but 
 has no children. (2) Ann E. and (3) Virgil (twins), 
 both died at a boutthe age of 1 year, 1 month and 
 18 days. (4) Robert A., born July 13, 1858, 
 and was principally educated in the Missionary 
 Institute, of Selins Grove, but completed his 
 literary studies in the University of Ann Arbor, 
 Mich. Since 1885 he has been in the employ of 
 the War Department at Washington, D. C. He 
 married Miss Laura Hughes, daughter of a prom- 
 inent farmer of Snyder county, Penn., and they 
 have one son, Robert Hughes, born in June, 
 1886. (5) and (6) twins, born September 6, 1S60, 
 died in infancy. 
 
 Mr. Kantz has been called upon to mourn the 
 death of his estimable wife, who departed this 
 life April 6, 1887, and she was laid to rest in the 
 
 cemetery at Selins Grove. He is an ardent Dem- 
 ocrat in politics, and a Lutheran in religious be- 
 lief. Upright and honorable, he deserves and 
 has the respect of all who know him. 
 
 HIRAM ULRICH, a leading citizen of Penn 
 township, Snyder county, is descended 
 
 from one of the oldest and most prominent pio- 
 neer families in the vicinity of Selins Grove, it 
 being founded there several years prior to the 
 Revolutionary war by John George Ulrich, the 
 great-grandfather of our subject. 
 
 John George Ulrich was a native of Ger- 
 many, but came to this region from Tulpehock- 
 en, Berks Co., Penn. He secured a tract of 
 land, which was still in its primitive condition, 
 the country round about was still all wild and un- 
 settled, and Indians were frequent visitors at his 
 pioneer home. He had sufficient prudence and 
 foresight to extend a friendly welcome to them, 
 and later this proved of great value to him and his 
 family. On one occasion an attack was expected 
 from a large body of hostile Indians, and Mr. 
 Ulrich was advised by some of the Redmen to 
 leave with his family, but, not desiring to aban- 
 don his crops to them, he sent his family to a 
 place of safety and remained on his farm. The 
 enemy came, committed their depredations, but 
 did not disturb Mr. Ulrich in the least. His 
 farm near Selins Grove has never passed out of 
 the family, and in early days the spring thereon 
 was frequently visited by the Indians, there being 
 a path from Middle Creek to Buffalo Valley past 
 it. He took up ninety acres of government land 
 upon which to erect a Lutheran church, which 
 was afterward called " Rows Church." At his 
 death Mr. Ulrich was buried in Rows Church 
 cemetery in Penn township, Snyder county. He 
 had but two children: John George; and Cath- 
 erine, who married Jacob Bickle, a Revolution- 
 ary soldier, but had no children. 
 
 John George Ulrich, our subject's grand- 
 father, continued to live on the old homestead, 
 and throughout his life carried on the occupa- 
 tions of farming, distilling and tanning. When 
 the first Lutheran church was built in Selins 
 Grove he pledged all his land for its payment, 
 and gave material assistance in its erection. He 
 married Catharine Laudenslager, by whom he 
 had the following children: John George, Ben- 
 jamin, Samuel, John, Daniel, Jonathan K., 
 Molly, wife of Adam Good, and Elizabeth, wife 
 of Peter Berkstresser. All died in Snyder coun- 
 ty, and, with their parents, were buried in the 
 old Lutheran cemetery at Selins Grove, with the 
 
1120 
 
 CO VMBMOBA TIYE BIOGRAPHICAL UE'ORD. 
 
 exception of Samuel, who was laid to rest at 
 Kratzerville, the same county. 
 
 At the old ancestral home near Selins Grove, 
 Jonathan K. L'lrich, father of our subject, spent 
 his early life. At New Berlin he learned the 
 tanner's trade, which he followed for almost half 
 a century. Alter living in Selins Grove for a 
 number of years he purchased th 
 where he spent some time, bul I ins last 
 
 days in the village, dying thei 13. Hewas 
 
 married in that place Hariett B 
 
 who was born there, a daughtei 
 Frederick 1 ;ei She died January 
 
 consistent members of the 
 I ,uth ran < I ■ he was alw 
 
 talwart Democrat. To this worthy couple 
 
 were born the following children: Alfred, who 
 
 1 ly manhood ; I [iram ; Thi who 
 
 i in child! I; F B., a wn- 
 
 ship, Snyder county painter of Selins 
 
 ve; I' \ \ is a resident of the same place, 
 
 and died January 31, [898; C. P., an attorm 
 
 ! Asher Ho 1 
 of Penn township. 
 
 At Selins G Hiram l'lrich was 
 
 h 7, 1 - known as the 
 
 pper Box school of that place he obta 
 education. Until eighteen yeai 
 
 ther in iieiy, and then began a thi 
 
 lip in the tannery oi I ' 
 ins Grove, receiving noth 
 but his board and clothes in c 
 his services. After he had 1 
 the busii ' into partnership with his 
 
 >r, and togethei 
 tions until a d their place in 1 
 
 • 2,000 to ibject. 
 
 1 removed to the home farm, where he and 
 his brother Daniel operated the old I 
 which had I but he i 
 
 n up that bi illy living 
 
 I. In 1 irta- 
 
 1 iidence upon his place, and has also 
 le man_\' oth id valuab 
 
 nients. 
 
 On November 14, 1861, in 1 township, 
 
 I nion Co., Penn., Mr. l'lrich was ' to 
 
 Miss R. E. Thompson, who 
 Mifflinburg, Penn., tigh- 
 
 ter of Benjamin and Rachel (Reninger) Thomp- 
 , farming people of Buffalo Valley. Her fa- 
 ther died at the age of sixty-eight, her mother at 
 the age of seventy-two, and both were interred 
 in Lewis cemetery, Limestone township, Un 
 
 ntv. In religious belief they were Metl 
 Mrs. Ulrich is the third child and second daugh- 
 
 ter in a family of eight children, two sons and 
 liters, and obtained her education first in 
 Pontms school, Buffalo township. Union county, 
 and later in the Mifflinburg Academy. To 
 subject and his wife were born two children: 
 Robert T., a promising young man. who 
 studying medicine at the University of Pennsyl- 
 vania in Philadelphia, and died at the age of 
 twenty-one; and Rachel H . now the wife of 
 Rev, I line, I. Stonecypher, a Lutheran minister 
 of Hartleton, Union county. 
 
 Mr. l'lrich gives his political support to the 
 nil measures of the Democratic party, and 
 ved his fellow ctizens in the ca- 
 ol director. Through his own 
 rts he has acquired a comfortable ci 
 pete, 1 is everywhere regarded as 
 
 nt the most honorable and upright business 
 - locality. He and his estimable 
 wife are both prominent and active members 
 the First Lutheran Church of Selins Grove, of 
 which he trustee, and thev enjoy the re- 
 
 spect and esteem of a large circle of friends and 
 acquaint 
 
 r\,ANIEL S. BOYER, a leading 1 
 
 D 
 
 xJ Freeburg, Snyder county, is now serving his 
 justice of the peace, and at its 
 ration will h nt forty consecutr 
 
 m th insible office. His name will, h 
 
 nost widely with his 
 an demy being larg 
 
 I to his energy, wisdom and 
 fi >r it 
 
 to an excellent family. 
 
 his ancestors were early settlers in Mont- 
 
 nty, Penn. An uncle, Gen. Philip 
 
 Bo) 1 in the war of 1S12 as captain 
 
 ipany, was sheriff of that county at one time, 
 
 father of Hon. P>. M. B ' lerly 
 
 President fudge of the Montgomery County 
 
 1 wo ti mi- a member of C01 
 Another uncle, Isaac Boyer, ha graphical 
 
 ind another uncle, I rancis \ 
 1. Sr., died at Freeburg in 1 876, aged eighty- 
 Philip Boyer, Sr., the grandfather 
 -pent his earls' years in Mont- 
 nty, but later removed to Freeburg, 
 when- he .lit d Di ci mber 24, (832, aged eighty- 
 six ■ [ohi Boyer, our subject's father, a 
 native of Montgomerj county, married Miss 
 Elizabeth Spot/, daughter of Matthias Spotz, of 
 Selins Grove, made his home at Freeburg, his 
 death occurring there January 23, 1S37. Daniel 
 S. Boyer is the young >1 I afamilyof three sons 
 four daughters. His eldest brother, Henry 
 
DAHIEL S. BOYER 
 

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1121 
 
 ]., a resident of Chicago, 111., is the father of 
 Allen Boyer, one of the noted stenographers of 
 the West. The other brother, William S., is a 
 prosperous agriculturist residing at Gratz, Penn., 
 and was at one time a justice of the peace. The 
 eldest daughter, Mary Arin, married F. C. Moyer, 
 of Freeburg, and died in December, 1897, aged 
 eighty-four years. Polly married Dr. H. C. 
 Beshler, a prominent physician of Berrysburg, 
 Penn., and died in 1895, aged eighty-one years. 
 Sarah, widow of Simon P. Lark, resides at 
 Berrysburg, Dauphin county, and her only son, 
 H. L. Lark, was a member of the Dauphin County 
 Bar, but later engaged in a banking and real- 
 estate business at Peabody, Kans., returning to 
 Millersburg, Penn., in 1894, where he is prac- 
 ticing law. (He married Loyetta, a daughter of 
 Col. John P. Tressler, founder of the Lutheran Or- 
 phans' Home at Loysville, Perry county, Penn). 
 His only son, Charles Tressler Lark, graduated 
 with honors at Gettysburg (Penn.) College in June, 
 1898, and his only daughter, Mabel Lark, gradu- 
 ated with honors at Mechanicsburg Irving Female 
 College in June, 1897, and will complete a post- 
 graduate course at Bryn Marth in June, 1899. 
 
 Daniel S. Boyer was born July 9, 1827, at 
 Freeburg, and as he was but a child when his 
 father died, he was reared under the sole guid- 
 ance of his mother, a devout Christian, whose 
 gentle influence he gratefully recalls. He first 
 attended the subscription schools of Freeburg, 
 taught by Burge, Burr, Montelius, Naille, and 
 others, and then pursued the higher branches in 
 the Classical Institute, at Berrysburg, Dauphin 
 county, under the instruction of A. B. Sprout. 
 At the age of sixteen he began to teach in his 
 native town, and so successful was he in this 
 work that he continued without interruption for 
 ten terms. In 1857 he was elected county su- 
 perintendent of public schools for three years, 
 and during his term of office he conducted many 
 institutes in his county, and delivered numerous 
 addresses on educational topics. His high rep- 
 utation as an instructor led to his appointment as 
 assistant teacher of the Freeburg Academy, and 
 in 1861, on the retirement of Mr. Millet, he was 
 elected principal. This position he held for ten 
 years, and during that time the institution reached 
 the high-water mark of prosperity and influence. 
 He owns a large portion of the stock of the 
 academy, and for twenty years was the president 
 and secretary of the company which had it in 
 charge. In 1867 he built a town hall, 36x60 
 feet, and two stories in height. The upper 
 floors were used as lodge rooms by the I. O. O. 
 F. and the P. O. S. A., while the ground floor 
 had an audience room with a seating capacity of 
 
 71* 
 
 five hundred, and was fitted up with a large stage 
 and elegant furnishings, including an expensive 
 curtain. This comfortable and convenient hall 
 was appreciated by the people of the town, and 
 the academy used it constantly for literary enter- 
 tainments until it was destroyed, on June 14, 
 1894, by lightning. 
 
 Agricultural pursuits have occupied much of 
 Mr. Boyer's time, and he is thoroughly familiar 
 with the practical details of farm work, his intel- 
 ligence and love of progress being no less evi- 
 dent in this than in other lines of effort. For 
 five years he was secretary of the Snyder Coun- 
 ty Agricultural Society, and for eight years was 
 president of the Union Agricultural Association. 
 He is a stockholder of the Agricultural Society of 
 Gratz, and for five successive years delivered the 
 annual address at the fairs held by that associa- 
 tion in Dauphin county, his speeches containing 
 valuable information on the subject of agricul- 
 ture. His sound judgment and wide knowledge 
 of men and affairs are always at the service of his 
 friends and acquaintances who often call upon 
 him for advice. He is still a diligent student, 
 his reading covering an extensive range, and he 
 is well-known as a writer for the local press, 
 having furnished items for four newspapers in 
 Snyder county for many years. Other articles 
 on various topics have been prepared by him 
 from time to time, and among them we may 
 mention a series on the life of ex-Gov. Snyder. 
 As a speaker he is pleasing and effective, and in 
 May, 1S85, he was chosen to deliver the histor- 
 ical address at the unveiling of the monu- 
 ment to Governor Snyder at Selins Grove. 
 He also delivered the address at the reunion 
 of the descendants of the Hon. Mr. Mid- 
 dlesworth at Beavertown, in the year 1894. 
 In 1886 he was appointed to serve the unexpired 
 term of W. H. Dill, deceased, as county super- 
 intendent of the schools of Snyder county, and 
 he delivered a eulogy on the deceased at the 
 State Teachers Association at Allentown, in July, 
 1886. Politically, Mr. Boyer is a Democrat, 
 and in 1874 he was a delegate to the State 
 Convention at Pittsburg, his vote being cast for 
 Judge Woodward. In 1875 he was appointed 
 bank assessor for Snyder and Centre counties by 
 Auditor-General Temple, and when Hon. Isaac 
 Slenker held the office of auditor-general Mr. 
 Boyer served as clerk of the department of mil- 
 itary claims. His long and faithful service as 
 justice of the peace has already been referred 
 to, and it is safe to say that no man in his com- 
 munity is held in higher esteem than Mr. Boyer. 
 For many years he has been a member of the 
 Lutheran Church at Freeburg, in which he has 
 
L122 
 
 COMMEMORA TIVE BIOGRAPIIKM. RECORD. 
 
 held office as deacon, elder and secretary, and 
 for forty-two consecutive years he has been su- 
 perintendent of the Sunday-school. All phases 
 of religious work command his sympathy, and 
 he is well versed in general Church literature, 
 especially in the history of the Lutheran Church. 
 In 1852 he was married to Miss Leah J. Snj 
 der, of Berrysburg, but of their five children all 
 died in infancy. They delight in entertaining 
 visitors in their hospitable home, and children, as 
 well as friends of mature years, find a warm wel- 
 come within their doors. 
 
 J P. YODER, ai tn ami progressive 
 
 farmer, and a leading and influential citizen 
 of Middle Creek township, is a representa- 
 tive of one of the oldest families of Sir- 
 county, four generations of the family having re- 
 sided upon the farm where he still lives. The 
 founder here was John Joder, who came from Mont- 
 nery county, Penn., over a centur) ago and 
 took up his residence upon this place, where his 
 death occurred. 
 
 Among his children was Samuel Yoder, our 
 ject's father, who was born on the old horn. 
 stead July 8, 1807, and was reared as a fanner 
 boy, receiving such an education as the country 
 schools of his day afforded, On February 10, 
 1, he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah 
 Hilbish, who was born in Washington township, 
 Snyder county, April 28, 1S0X, a daughter of 
 Peter and Susannah (Schell) Hilbish. Their en- 
 life was spent at the Voder home- 
 stead, which the father successfully operated. 
 He was an officer in the Reformed Church, with 
 which he and his wife were connected, and, being 
 a great student of the Bible, was well posted on 
 the Scriptures. He was a man of more than or- 
 dinary intelligence, and was widelj and favorably 
 known. His death occurred October 23, 1 S S 5 , 
 his wife's January 14, 1SX7, and both were laid 
 to rest in the Zeiber cemetery. 
 
 In the family of this worthy couple were the 
 following children: Emanuel, born April 11. 
 1830, is one of the substantial and reliable men 
 of Middle Creek township, but for the past six- 
 ars he has been a cripple, the result of 
 eral accidents. He is an elder in the Re- 
 formed Church, and in politics i- 1 Ri publican. 
 J. P., of This sketch, is next in order of birth 
 Samuel II.. who served as associate judge, died 
 in 1895 ii Globe Mills, Penn. Marj A. wedded 
 Geor^i- K. Fagley, the present sheriff ol North- 
 umberland county, and died September 3, 18 
 
 In the common -ehools of Snyder count}-. 
 J. 1' Yoder acquired his primarj education, 
 
 which was supplemented by a short course in the 
 Freeburg Academy. He was reared in much the 
 usual manner of farmer boys, and has become a 
 thorough and systematic agriculturist. On Christ- 
 mas Day. 1 860. he was married to Miss Margaret 
 A. Oldt, who was born March 17, 1847, in Dry 
 Valley, Penn., and is the only child of Daniel 
 and Sarah (Benfer) Oldt. They located on the 
 old homestead, and four children came to brighten 
 the household by their presence, namely: Sarah 
 E. is now Mrs. C. A. Moyer, of Spring Mills, 
 Center Co., Penn., and has one child, Blanche. 
 Allen A. was educated in the schools of Selins 
 Grove and Lock Haven, Penn. Later he suc- 
 cessfully engaged in teaching in Snyder county 
 for five years, then became a medical student in 
 Philadelphia. He completed his course in medi- 
 cine in the Medico-Chirurgical College, Phila- 
 delphia, devoting four years there in study, and 
 was graduated with honors {summa cum laude). 
 He was elected class treasurer in his Senior ye tr 
 by a very large majority. Recently he has been 
 elected on the Medico-Chirurgical Hospital staff 
 as resident physician. He contemplates to seek 
 more medical lore abroad in one of the medical 
 centers in Europe. S. Luther is a farmer resid- 
 ing at home. D. Norton is also under the pa- 
 rental roof. The family occupy a prominent 
 place in the social circles of the neighborhood 
 and have many warm friends. 
 
 Mr. Yoder is now the owner of 240 acres of 
 rich and arable land, which he has placed under 
 a high state of cultivation, and is recognized as 
 one of the most substantial and enterprising 
 farmers of Middle Creek township. He regu- 
 larly supports the Republican party by his ballot, 
 and has efficiently served as assessor and school 
 director, holding the latter office at the present 
 time. With the Reformed Church he is officially 
 connected, having been a deacon for sixteen 
 years, and his estimable wife is a faithful mem- 
 ber of the same congregation. Although a plain, 
 unassuming gentleman, he readily wins the con- 
 fidence of all with whom he comes in contact, 
 and has a host of friends who appreciate his 
 sterling worth. He is a great friend of the cause 
 of education, and in all things keeps fully abreast 
 with the times. 
 
 EUBEN B. FESSLER, whose death oc- 
 curred on February 5, 1898, after a sick- 
 ness of only two days, was a military veteran 
 and a well-known business man. then living in 
 retirement at Centerville. Snyder county, his 
 wealth enabling him to fill his leisure with the 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1123 
 
 pursuits most congenial to a man of intellectual 
 gifts. 
 
 The Fessler family has been identified with 
 Snyder county for many years, our subject's 
 grandfather having resided in Penn township at 
 the time of his death which occurred early in the 
 present century. David Fessler, our subject's 
 father, was born in Penn township, March 28, 
 1809, and, as his father died not long afteward, 
 he was taken into the home of John Rager, a 
 farmer in what is now West Beaver township, 
 Snyder county. He attended the subscription 
 schools of the locality at irregular intervals, but, 
 as the strangers among whom he lived took no 
 interest in his education, he spent but three 
 months all told in school. At an early age he 
 was apprenticed to a Mr. Rearick, a chair maker, 
 and after learning the trade he followed it in 
 connection with farming. He secured a small 
 farm, buying it acre by acre at different times, 
 but in 1858 he removed to Center township 
 where he had bought the Spayd farm, and there 
 he spent his remaining years, his death occurring 
 May 9, 1872. He was a man of medium height 
 and weight, very quiet and unpretentious in 
 manner, but he did much hard work in his life 
 and gained a comfortable competence. At the 
 time of his death he owned two farms, compris- 
 ing 220 acres, and had some money besides, all 
 this having been gained by shrewd management, 
 as he never speculated. In early life he was a 
 Whig, but in 1856 he joined the Democratic 
 party. While he was no office seeker he served 
 several terms as constable in West Beaver town- 
 ship. For many years he was a deacon in the 
 Lutheran Church, to which his wife also be- 
 longed. On November 22, 1832, he was mar- 
 ried in Beaver township to Miss Elizabeth Keller, 
 a native of that locality, born February 11, 181 5, 
 the daughter of Abraham Keller. She died April 
 25, 1889, and the remains of both now rest in 
 the cemetery at Centerville. They had the fol- 
 lowing children: Catherine M. , born December 
 28, 1833, married Frederick Price, of Stephen- 
 son county. 111. ; Louisa, born September 9, 1835, 
 died January 3, 1837; Reuben B., our subject, 
 is mentioned more fully farther on; William H. ; 
 born February 13, 1839, is a farmer in Center 
 township; Amanda J., born in May, 1841, died 
 in 1843 from scalds received through falling into 
 a bucket of boiling water; Wilson H., born Jan- 
 uary 25, 1843, died in Center township, and was 
 buried in Centerville; Ann E., born July 19, 
 1846, married Walter Seivel, and died in Illinois; 
 Alfred, born February 3, 1849, resides in Sum- 
 mit county, Ohio; Mollie E. (a twin of Alfred) 
 married F. J. Boyer, of Centerville; Harriet, 
 
 born April 24, 1851, married Levi Young, of 
 Center township; Frank P., born March 13, 1853; 
 Uriah H. (a twin of Frank) is a tanner at Cen- 
 terville. 
 
 Reuben B. Fessler was born August 3, 1837, 
 at the old home in West Beaver township, where 
 he attended the subscription schools during boy- 
 hood. He was a very bright student, and so 
 readily acquired a knowledge of reading that 
 before he ever attended school he could read 
 German. At sixteen he began teaching, and 
 continued that occupation until be was twenty- 
 one, when he entered Union Seminary at New 
 Berlin. He did not graduate from this institu- 
 tion, but took an irregular course, studying there 
 in 1857 and 1859. As he was the eldest son he 
 found much to do at home, and while still a boy 
 began to work at chair-making with his father. 
 His natural gifts as a mechanic ennbled him to 
 learn any trade with facility, and even late in life 
 he often passed spare moments in making articles 
 of various kinds. In 1859 he became a clerk for 
 John Walls & Co., of Lewisburg, with whom he 
 remained until August, 1862, when he enlisted 
 at Lewisburg in Company E, 142nd P. V. I. 
 Their first battle was at Fredericksburg, and 
 he remained with the regiment through all 
 their engagements until detailed for special 
 duty at the corps headquarters. On June 
 1, 1863, after the battle of Chancellors- 
 ville, he was commissioned sergeant. The regi- 
 ment contained only three men from Snyder 
 county, the others being Henry Stuck and John 
 S. Bellinger, and our subject was the only one 
 of the three to survive the battle of Fredericks- 
 burg. On May 29, 1S65, he was discharged with 
 his regiment, and after his return home he clerked 
 for some time at Lewisburg, Buffalo Cross Roads 
 and Ashland, Penn. Later he operated a saw- 
 mill for his father, and in 1869 he went to Cowan, 
 Union county, and clerked for three years. At 
 the death of his father in 1872 he was made 
 executor under the will, and for some time he 
 remained at home. He then clerked for a time 
 in Lewisburg for George K. Swope, and after- 
 ward spent three years in Mifflinburg clerking for 
 William Young & Son. In May, 1877, he took 
 a trip to the West, spending some time in Kansas 
 and other States, and in the spring of 1878, after 
 his return to Pennsylvania, he engaged in a 
 general mercantile business at Adamsburg in 
 partnership with James Specht. On disposing 
 of his interest in this store he bought the Beaver 
 Springs Tannery, and continued the business 
 successfully notwithstanding the fact that he be- 
 gan without any knowledge of the trade. After 
 four years he traded the property for a farm in 
 
1124 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RE( ORD. 
 
 
 Minnesota, and since 18S4 he has done no active 
 work. He then made his home at Centerville, 
 having determined to take the world easy during 
 his remaining years. While he was not ex- 
 travagant, 1 verythiDg he bought was of the best, 
 as he believed that that plan proved economical 
 in the long run. Fishing and hunting were his 
 ta\ orite diversions, and in them he had few equals 
 in the county and no superiors. He was a scien- 
 tific angler, studying the habits of fish carefully, 
 and his outfit was the best that money could buy. 
 Alter 1893 he became an expert rider on the 
 
 ■ le. In reading, also, he took much pleasure, 
 and his excellent memory enabled him to become 
 well informed on general topics. With all his 
 other aptitudes Mr. Fessler can claim proficiency 
 as a housekeeper, for, as he never married, he 
 performed domestic work with the skill of an 
 adept. 
 
 While he was a stanch Democrat, he never 
 sought or held political office. At one timi he 
 was an active mi of the Masonic order at 
 
 Lewisburg, having joined in 1873, and he be- 
 longed to the Patriotic Order Sons of America 
 at Centerville during the existence of that lodge. 
 In manner he was quite unassuming, but he was 
 deservedly popular wherever known. 
 
 F. ARNOLD, a prominent citizen of Free- 
 burg, and a traveling salesman of more than 
 twenty-five years' experience, was born at his 
 present home in Washington township, Snyder 
 county, May 29, [841. The Arnold family in 
 this county is descended from George Arnold, 
 the paternal grandfather of our subject, a mill- 
 wright by trade, who left his home in Lancaster 
 county and took up his residence near McKees 
 Half Falls. He married Miss Mary E. Strayi r, 
 and their remains are now interred in Grubbs 
 
 irch cemetery, the grandfather departing tins 
 life at the age oi sixty-four, Ins wife .it th 
 eighty-five ["heir children were: Henry, Geo' 
 [ohn, Elizabeth and Catharine, whose remains 
 lie buried in Grubbs Church cemetery; S 
 
 ijamin and Martha, who died in Michigan; 
 and Mary, who died and was buried in Northum- 
 1 mnty, Pennsj \\ una. 
 
 Henry Am ild, the fathei of our subji 1 1 . ■■• as 
 born in what is now Chapman township, Snyder 
 county, September 19, 1800, and learned the 
 millwright's trade under his father. His school 
 privileges were very meagre, but he was a man 
 of naturally strong intellect, and fitted himself 
 for school teaching. He was especially profi- 
 cient rman teacher, having thoroughly 
 mastered that language. Alter working in his 
 
 father's distillery for some time, he later pur- 
 chased a farm, upon which he spent his remain- 
 ing days, his death occurring at the age of sev- 
 enty-eight years and twenty-eight days. He 
 married Anna Brugger, who was born in Switz- 
 erland in [802, and in 1817 came to the United 
 States with her parents, John Rudolph Bru§ 
 and wife. They were sixty-three days upon the 
 ocean, and the voyage was a stormy one. Their 
 son Casper died at sea, and was buried in the 
 water. The other children of the family were 
 Mrs. Arnold, Gabriel, Rudolph, Casper, Mary, 
 Maria and Jacob. The last named was born in 
 the United States. The family located in Stone 
 Valley., near Georgetown, Penn., where the fa- 
 ther was prominently connected with Church 
 work, serving as leader of the choir for many 
 years. He and his wife afterward removed t 1 
 the southwestern portion of Snyder county, then 
 a part of Union county, where they spent the 
 remainder of their days, the former dying at the 
 age of eighty-four, and the latter at the age of 
 ninety. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Arnold, the parents of our sub- 
 ject, had a family of nine children: Matilda, of 
 Shamokin, widow of George Foltz; Caroline, 
 wife of Isaac L. Bliem, of Philadelphia; Louisa, 
 wife of William Hockenbraucht, who died August 
 18, 1892; [ohn R.. who died of scarlet fever at 
 the age of six years; Henry, who was drowned 
 at the age of tsvo and a half years; Anna, wife of 
 B. E. Adams, of Shamokin; B. F. ; George W. . 
 assistant steward in the Bethany Orphans Home 
 at Womelsdorf, Penn.; and Emma J., who re- 
 sides in Clyde, Ohio. The father of this fa 
 ily did not acquire wealth, but accumulated a 
 comfortable competence, and was very liberal. 
 A devout Church member, he took an active 
 part in Church work, and was a man highly re- 
 spected by all. 
 
 B. F. Arnold spent his boyhood days at the 
 place of his birth, and pursued his education in 
 the schools of the neighborhood. Being the 
 eldest son. he was early called upon to assist in 
 the labors of the home farm. At the age of eight- 
 een he left the parental roof and went to North- 
 umberland county, where he was engaged 
 driver of a huckster wagon by Major A. lams, 
 selling the products at Pottsville and Minersville. 
 His father received his earnings until he was 
 twenty-one years ol age. Realizing the advan- 
 tages of a good education he determined to fur- 
 ther lit himself for a business career by more ex- 
 tended study, and for two terms attended the 
 Freeburg Academy, walking five miles to and 
 from thesi ho il each day. He thus fitted himself 
 for teaching, an i for two terms had charge of the 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1125 
 
 Reichenbach school. He then went to Locust 
 Gap, Penn., where for a year and a half he was 
 engaged in business as a dealer in stone in con- 
 nection with B. E. Adams For a short time 
 thereafter he was in the same business alone in 
 Shamokin. 
 
 On March 23, 1865, Mr. Arnold wedded Miss 
 Mary A. Keeler, who was born May 20, 1S42, a 
 daughter of Jonas and Eliza (Moyer) Keeler. 
 Soon after this Mr. Arnold embarked in the 
 huckster's business in connection with his father- 
 in-law, whose interest he purchased after two 
 years, continuing alone for four years. On April 
 1, 1 87 1, he entered the employ of John S. 
 Lentz, a wholesale liquor dealer of Philadelphia 
 as traveling salesman, and continued in his em- 
 ploy until February 25, 1888, when on the death 
 of Mr. Lentz he severed his connection with that 
 house and entered the employ of F. P. Dilley, 
 also a wholesale liquor dealer of Philadelphia. 
 During his twenty-six years' experience as a trav- 
 eling salesman he has been employed by only 
 two firms, a fact which well indicates his fidelity 
 to duty and his success in his chosen vocation. 
 By his good management, enterprise and energy 
 he has accumulated a comfortable competence, 
 and is the owner of the old Arnold homestead. 
 He now travels over Snyder, Union, Centre, 
 Juniata, Perry, Mifflin, Dauphin, Lebanon, 
 Berks, Schuylkill, Northumberland, Lycoming 
 and Columbia and Sullivan counties, but he 
 formerly traveled in the East. He is a man of 
 very pleasant, genial manner and good business 
 ability, and these two qualities make him very 
 successful as a salesman. 
 
 During the Civil war Mr. Arnold was three 
 times drafted, but on the first occasion was ex- 
 empt by reason of his service as a school teacher. 
 The second time he employed a substitute, and 
 the third time the war ended, thus obviating the 
 necessity of his going to the front. In politics 
 he is a stanch Democrat, and in 1878 was the 
 choice of his party for the office of sheriff, but 
 the Democracy was then in the minority. He 
 and his wife are members of the Reformed 
 Church, and for eight years he served as deacon, 
 while at the present time he is treasurer of the 
 Church. He is a charter member and trustee of 
 Freeburg Lodge No. 611, I. O. O. F., has been 
 identified with the order since 1865, and was dis- 
 trict deputy of Snyder county for two years; he 
 has also been a trustee of Freeburg Academy 
 since 1876. Mr. and Mrs. Arnold became the 
 parents of three children: Henry K. , who died at 
 the age of sixteen; Jonas F., who died at the 
 age of eleven, and Emma J., wife of W. L. 
 Bassler, of Freeburg. Mr. and Mrs. Arnold and 
 
 their daughter occupy an enviable position in so- 
 cial circles, and are highly esteemed for their 
 sterling worth. 
 
 TLLIAM H. EWING, one of the best 
 known and most successful agriculturists 
 of Spring township, Snyder county, was born 
 March 19, 1843, m Tyrone township, Perry Co. , 
 Penn., and belongs to a family of English origin, 
 which was early founded in the lower counties of 
 the State by his great-grandfather. His descend- 
 ants later removed to what was then Cumber- 
 land county, but is now Perry county. 
 
 Jesse Ewing, father of our subject, was also 
 a native of Tyrone township, Perry county, at- 
 tended the common schools, and followed farm- 
 ing until sixteen years of age, when he was united 
 in marriage to Miss Catharine Kiner, then only 
 seventeen years old. With his father-in-law, 
 George Kiner, of Tyrone township, he began 
 learning molding and brick making, which he fol- 
 lowed in connection with the operation of a small 
 tract of land until his death, which occurred in 
 1855, when he was aged thirty-five years. In 
 early life he was a strong Whig in politics, and 
 later became a leading member of the Know 
 Nothing party in Perry county, where he served 
 as assessor of his township. 
 
 Our subject is the second in order of birth in 
 a family of three children, the others being 
 Sarah J., who was born when her mother was 
 only eighteen years of age, and became the wife 
 of L. Page, of Tuscarora Valley Juniata Co., 
 Penn.; and Mary, wife of William Bailie, of Lib- 
 erty Valley, Perry county. After the death of 
 her first husband, Mrs. Ewing became the wife 
 of Frederick Peck, a native of Perry county, and 
 a farmer by occupation, and two children were 
 born of this union: Emma, wife of' William 
 Shull, of Ickesburg, Perry county; and Caroline, 
 wife of John Ewing, of Madison township, the 
 same county. The death of the mother oc- 
 curred in Madison township, and she was laid to 
 rest by the side of her first 
 township cemetery. 
 
 As his father died when 
 years old, William H. Ewing was early thrown 
 upon his own resources, and has since made his 
 way in the world unaided. He had the oppor- 
 tunity of attending school only through the 
 winter season, and in his early boyhood began 
 work as a farm laborer in his native township, 
 receiving the meagre wages of $7 per month. He 
 was thus employed until the outbreak of the Re- 
 bellion in 1 86 1, and in September of that year 
 went to Harrisburg for the purpose of enlisting. 
 
 husband in Tyrone 
 he was only fifteen 
 
1126 
 
 ■• MELIORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 He gave his age as much older than he really 
 was, and accordingly was accepted, being mus- 
 tered into service as a member of Company B, 
 47th P. V. I., which was under the command of 
 Capt. H. D. Woodruff and Colonel Good, and 
 was assigned to the Ninth Corps. Army of the 
 >mac. He participated in the battles of 
 Loonsville, Gainesville, Culpeper, Drainsville, 
 I redericksburg, and several smaller engage- 
 ments, but at Key West, Fla., received a sun- 
 stroke, which confined him to the hospital at that 
 place for ten months. He was finally dischai 
 at Key West in December, [862, and returned to 
 his native count} . but was unable to perform anj 
 manual labor. He found employment in looking 
 after stock for his board and clothes until strong 
 enough to do other work, but, wishing to a. 
 enter the army, he re-enlisted in 1864, at Mi 
 town, Juniata Co., Perm., in Company I). 207th 
 P. V. I., under Capt, I. Deagon and Colonel 
 Albright. He was again mustered in at Harris- 
 bur^, and served for eleven months, when hostil- 
 ities having ceased, he was honorably discharged. 
 Returning to his home, Mr. Ewing found employ- 
 ment in a tannery for a short time, and then en- 
 ed in hoop making in his native county until 
 [867, when he came to Snyder county and lo- 
 cated near Adamsburg, where he also followed 
 hoop making for two years. He was next em- 
 it carpenter work for the same length of 
 time, and for the following two years was in a 
 sawmill. In the meantime Mr. Ewing married 
 and located on a farm in Beaver township, which 
 he operated on the shares for four years, during 
 which period he saved a little money, but with 
 the hope of securing a fortune quicker, he re- 
 solved to go west. In 1875 w 'th his little family 
 he went to Kansas, where he took up a hoi 
 stead of one hundred and sixty acres, but, during 
 the two years spent there, he received no returns 
 for his hard labor. Accordingly, in the 
 spring of 1878, he returned to Snyder 
 county, poorer than when he started, landing 
 in Lewistown with only thirty-five dollars in 
 money, the clothes they wore, and a little bed- 
 ding. Here he began life anew, operating his 
 father-in-law's farm for a year and a half, and 
 then purchased his present place in Spring town- 
 ship, comprising ninety-six acres, purchased of 
 Samuel Aurand. Fortune at last smiled upon his 
 efforts, and he became one of the most success- 
 ful agriculturists of the community. He has 
 made many excellent and valuable improvements 
 upon his farm, including the erection of a fine 
 residence and good barn, costing about $2,500. 
 Ih was one of the first in his section to make a 
 specialty of the raising of peaches, and this in- 
 
 dustry proved quite profitable. In 1894 he laid 
 aside all business cares, and is now living retired, 
 enjoying the fruits of his former toil. 
 
 On January 3, 1867, at Middleburg, Rev. J. 
 P. Shindel performed a wedding ceremony which 
 united the destinies of Mr. Ewing and Miss El- 
 mira A. Middleswarth, who was born in what was 
 then Beaver township, but is now Spring town- 
 ship. Snyder county, a daughter of Abner Mid- 
 dleswarth, and a granddaughter of Hon. Ner 
 Middleswarth. Nine children blessed this union: 
 Jesse, a farmer of Spring township, who married 
 Annie Arbagost, and has two children; Theo- 
 dore, who married Kate Mitchell, of Middle 
 Creek, by whom he has one child, and lives on 
 the old homestead; Francis, a farmer of West 
 Beaver township, Snyder county, who is married 
 to Annie Snook, and has one child; Jane, wife of 
 Henry Keeley, of West Beaver township; Etta, 
 at home; Carrie, wife of Robert Kearn, of Beaver 
 township; and Charles, George and Ira, all at 
 home. 
 
 As an ardent Republican, Mr. Ewing has 
 taken quite an active and prominent part in local 
 politics, has served as constable of his township 
 three years, supervisor one term, and overseer of 
 the poor. He is a member and faithful Sunday- 
 <>1 attendant in the Lutheran Church, and is 
 an honored member of William H. Boyer Post 
 No. 612. (.. A. K. His residence in Sir. 
 county, covering almost thirty years, has num- 
 bered him among its valued citizens who have 
 been devoted to the public welfare. He has 
 manifested the same loyalty in days of peace as 
 in days of war, and all who know him have for 
 him the highest regard. 
 
 SIMON YF.AGERwas for many years actively 
 , identitit d with the agricultural interes; 
 Mifflin count}'. Penn., and enjoyed more than 
 nary success, but is now living retired in 
 Middle Creek, Spring township, Snyder Co., 
 
 11., surrounded by all the comforts and many 
 of the luxuries of life, all of which were secured 
 through his own unaided efforts. 
 
 Mr. Yeager was born in Derry township. 
 Mifflin count}-, February II, 1S42. was educated 
 in the common schools, and at the early age of 
 eleven years began working for his board and 
 clothes. As a laborer he continued to work 
 until the outbreak of the Civil war, when his 
 mother, fearing he would enlist in the army, sent 
 him to Bellevue, < >hio. where he had living an 
 uncle, a Mr. Ilickes. After working on a farm 
 tlni, foi about three months he found an oppor- 
 tunitv to enlist, and in 1S62 became a member 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1127 
 
 of Company H, 107th O. V. I., under Colonel 
 Meyers and Capt. A. Vignos. For three years 
 he was in the service with the Army of the 
 Potomac, and participated in many important 
 engagements, including the battles of Chan- 
 cellorsville, May 2, 3 and 4, 1862; Gettysburg, 
 July 1, 2 and 3, 1863; Hagerstown, July 7, 1863, 
 Fort Wagner, S. C, September 7, 1863; ami 
 John Island, S. C, February 9, 10 and 1 1, 1864. 
 With his regiment, Mr. Yeager went to Jackson- 
 ville, Fla., and while on a raid was captured by 
 the Rebels and sent to Andersonville prison, 
 where he was confined for three months and a 
 half, suffering untold agonies. He endured all 
 the hardships incident to Southern prison life, 
 was almost starved to death, and when finally 
 released at the close of the war was so ill that he 
 was obliged to remain, for three weeks, in the 
 hospital at Columbus, Ohio. 
 
 Returning to his uncle's farm near Bellevue, 
 Mr. Yeager was employed there for three months, 
 and then returned to Pennsylvania. For about 
 twenty years he worked as a laborer near Lewis- 
 town, Mifflin county, sixteen years of which time 
 was spent in the employ of the North American 
 Tanning Company. He was later with the Penn- 
 sylvania railroad for a few months, after which 
 he purchased a farm of 100 acres in Decatur 
 township, Mifflin county, which he successfully 
 operated until 1889, when he came to Middle 
 Creek, Spring township, Snyder county, and 
 bought his present place of seventy acres, where 
 he is now practically living retired, enjoying a 
 well-earned rest, free from all the cares and re- 
 sponsibilities of business life. 
 
 On December 27, 1866, in Lewistown, Mr. 
 Yeager was united in marriage to Miss Hannah 
 C. Baer, a native of Granville township, Mif- 
 flin county, and a daughter of John Baer, a farm- 
 er of that township, who was of German and 
 English descent. To them were born two chil- 
 dren: Mary J., now the wife of J. M. Baker, a 
 lawyer of Beaver Springs, Perm. ; and George A., 
 a farmer of Spring township, who married Malin- 
 daj. Snook and has one child. The wife and 
 mother was called to her final rest in November, 
 1889, while residing in Decatur township, Mifflin 
 county. Since 1877 Mr. Yeager has been a mem- 
 ber of the Evangelical Church, and socially he be- 
 longs to the Grand Army Post and the Odd Fel- 
 lows Lodge of Adamsburg. He is a stalwart Re- 
 publican in politics, and has served his fellow cit- 
 izens in the capacity of supervisor of Decatur 
 township, Mifflin county. He was a brave de- 
 fender of the Union during the dark days of the 
 Civil war, and is equally loyal to his country's in- 
 terests in days of peace. 
 
 ¥ 
 
 |FALENTINE WALTER, one of the most 
 
 prominent residents of Center township, 
 Snyder county, has been engaged in various lines 
 of business and been equally successful as a mer- 
 chant, agriculturist, and lumber manufacturer. 
 At present he devotes his attention to the two in- 
 dustries last named, conducting two farms and 
 two mills near Centerville. It is a noteworthy 
 fact that his wealth has not been gained by undue 
 economy, as he has enjoyed the luxury of help- 
 ing others, and has given his family every com- 
 fort and privilege. Mr. Walter was born Feb- 
 ruary 14, 1834, in Union township, Union 
 county, and is a descendant of the well-known 
 German pioneer, Jacob Walter, whose descend- 
 ants are now numerous in this section. Our 
 subject's parents, David H., and Catherine (Phil- 
 lips) Walter, removed during his boyhood to the 
 vicinity of Salem Church, in what is now Frank- 
 lin township, and after four years they moved to 
 the neighborhood of Middleburg, where he first 
 attended school with David Swenck as his 
 teacher. His father valued education very 
 highly, and always insisted upon his children at- 
 tending school, and our subject, being exception- 
 ally clever, was prepared at an early age to 
 teach. His first school was in Center township, 
 and for three years he taught in country schools 
 during the winter terms for seventeen dollars per 
 month, boarding himself, and for the next two 
 years he taught for twenty dollars per month. 
 From seventeen to twenty-two years of age his 
 time was thus employed during the winter seasons, 
 and in summer he would assist his father upon 
 the farm. He also attended Freeburg Academy 
 for two quarters. After he was twenty-one years 
 of age his father paid him wages for his farm 
 work, and he remained at home until the age of 
 twenty-four. On February 22, 1858, he married 
 Miss Susanna Schaffer, who was born in Lime- 
 stone township. Union county, in 1832, the 
 daughter of Jacob and Susanna (Frock) Shaffer. 
 He then located upon his father's farm in Lime- 
 stone township, Union county, which he rented 
 for several years, but in 1867 he removed to Cen- 
 terville where for four years he followed agricul- 
 tural pursuits. He then went into mercantile 
 business, and spent twelve years, at times with 
 partners, and some times alone. In 1882, he re- 
 tired from this line of business with a handsome 
 competence. He owns two farms near Center- 
 ville as stated, containing in all 250 acres of 
 farm land, sixty-eight acres of woodland, and 
 eighty-eight acres of mountain land. His saw 
 mill and planing mill at Centerville are both 
 operated by steam and he does a large business in 
 I lumber. 
 
L128 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGIiAPM' .1 /. RECORD. 
 
 In 1892 he remodeled his residence in Cen- 
 terville, making it one of the most attrai I 
 homes in the town. He has four children: Se- 
 villa, who married C. M. Showers, of Center- 
 ville; Ella, wife of Dr. R. I). Kothwell, of New 
 Berlin; Alice, now Mrs. J. J. Rowland, of Shen- 
 andoah, Penn. : and Sadie, now Mrs. J. D. Ureese, 
 of Chillisquaque, Penn. Mr. Walter has reason 
 to be proud of his daughters, and he has given 
 them unusual educational advantages. In fact, 
 he has always shown himself to be a friend 
 to every improvement in schools, and has 
 done much to encourage better methods in 
 his locaity, having served three terms as school 
 director. His sound judgment in business mat- 
 ters causes his advice to besought on many ques- 
 tions, and his generosity is also called upon at 
 times. He has lost in the neighborhood of twenty 
 thousand dollars through payments on forfeited 
 bail, but he never felt indignant over such losses, 
 however, being thankful that he could meet his 
 obligations. In politics he is a Republican, and, 
 although he has never sought office, he has been 
 elected to a number of positions, serving sixteen 
 years as overseer of the poor, and two terms as 
 triennial assessor, in addition to his work in the 
 interests of the poor. At one time he wa 
 member of the I. O. O. F., and he and his wile 
 are prominent workers in the Lutheran Church, 
 in which he has held the office of trustee. 
 
 l)OBERT LESHER, a prominent agricult- 
 X\. urist of Monroe township, Snyder county, 
 came of a family early established in Northum- 
 berland county, Pennsylvania. 
 
 George Lesher, his father, a native of Berks 
 county, came, when a boy, with his parents to 
 Northumberland. His ancestors, who were orig- 
 inally from France, came to this country prior to 
 the Revolutionary war. George Lesher was 
 married to Catherine Robbins, and each attained 
 the age of seventy-three years. To them were 
 born nine children — rive sons and fourdaughters, 
 namely: Robert, the subject of this sketch; 
 Daniel (deceased); Ann, of Lock Haven, widow 
 of Jacob Ulp; Mary, of Northumberland, widow 
 of John Barnhart; George, of New Buffalo; Will- 
 iam (deceased); Sarah, who married John Ham- 
 mer (both deceased); John (deceased): and 
 Charles, a prominent farmer, of Northumber- 
 land county. 
 
 Robert Lesher was born October 19. 1 S 1 7 . in 
 Northumberland county, two miles west of the 
 borough of Northumberland, and began his edu- 
 cation in a subscription school, which he at- 
 tended for several years, but completed his lit- 
 
 erary course in a public school. Until he had 
 attained his majority, he remained upon the 
 home farm, where he spent his winter evenings 
 profitably reading books, which he borrowed 
 from the library of J. C. Horton, Esq., and 
 others. A fondness for reading was early culti- 
 vated, and has ever clung to him. At the age of 
 twenty-one he began working in a Northum- 
 berland boat-yard, and after working there sev- 
 eral years, he left for New York to complete his 
 trade. Being a man of great executive ability 
 and tact, he soon became foreman of a yard 
 in that city. Remaining here sufficiently long 
 to thoroughly acquaint himself with the man- 
 uent of a yard, he returned to Northum- 
 tnd and launched into business for himself. 
 Alter successfully operating a yard in this 
 town for several years, giving employment to 
 upwards of seventy-five men, he started a branch 
 yard in New Buffalo, carrying on the work for a 
 period of twenty-three years. During this time 
 he amassed considerable money, but seeing that 
 in the near future the canal boat would give way 
 to the railroad car, he disposed of his yards 
 purchased a tract of land in Monroe township, 
 Snyder county, on Blue Hill, a short distance 
 from Northumberland. Returning to the occu- 
 pation in which he had first been schooled, he 
 became one of the most prosperous agriculturists 
 of the county, purchasing land until he now owns 
 four adjacent (arms. Having a fondness for read- 
 ing makes him a theoretical farmer, as well as a 
 practical one. 
 
 In 1 844 Robert Lesher was married to Hannah 
 Wells, who bore himthreesons — Robert, George 
 and Marks. The wife and mother died July 24, 
 1852. Hannah Wells was a daughter of John 
 Wells, who was one of the first councilmen of 
 Northumberland borough. Her mother's maiden 
 name was Rebecca Lloyd. A year later Robert 
 I., sher was united in marriage with Sarah 
 Vandling, who was born June 30, [833. 
 Mrs. Lesher is a daughter of John Vandling, 
 who was a noted school teacher of Central 
 Pennsylvania a half-century ago. He died in 
 the year [876 at the age of seventy-five years. 
 
 ! His grandfather, John Vandling, a native of 
 Germany, came to America when a young man. 
 Her mother, whose maiden name was Susan 
 Douty, was a daughter of John Douty, a promi- 
 nent farmer of the Reystone State. 
 
 The second union of our subject was blessed 
 with fourteen children — six sons and eight daugh- 
 
 ; ters — as follows: William, Hannah M., Jai 
 1>., Emma, ^arah T.. Anna U, (deceased), 
 Susan V., Charles, John V., Ellis V , Margaret 
 
 i C, David C. (deceased), Lizzie Y. and Helen G. 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1129 
 
 The members of this family all grew to maturity; 
 Anna U. died at the age of twenty-six years, 
 and David C. at the age of twenty-one years. 
 
 As an ardent Democrat, Mr. Lesher takes an 
 active part in political affairs, and was twice his 
 party's candidate for the State Legislature. For 
 fifteen years he served as school director, and 
 was ever faithful to the duties entrusted to him. 
 He gives his earnest support to any and all 
 measures calculated to promote the general wel- 
 fare of the community. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Lesher are consistent members 
 of the Presbyterian Church, and their straight- 
 forward course in life has gained for them the 
 respect and confidence of all who know them. 
 
 MMON M. AURAND. Of small avail 
 L would be all the gifts of the good fairies 
 if the perception of their best use and purpose 
 were lacking, and in the successful career of this 
 talented young editor we see the value of the 
 practical, definite ambition that is based upon a 
 keen insight as to one's own proper line of 
 work. Mr. Aurand was born near Adamsburg 
 (Beaver Springs P. O.), Snyder county, Septem- 
 ber 3, 1870, and is therefore about twenty-seven 
 years of age. He is a son of Samuel F. and 
 Ellen E. (Stumpff) Aurand, who were both of 
 Pennsylvania-Dutch descent. His father's par- 
 ents, Isaac Aurand and wife, are still living, but 
 his mother's parents, John R. Stumpff and wife, 
 died within a few weeks of each other, in the 
 spring of 1881. Young Aurand received only 
 a common-school education, and in 1887, at the 
 age of sixteen years, he commenced the publica- 
 tion of the Adamsburg Herald, in a small-sized 
 form. This paper rapidly grew in size, circula- 
 tion and influence, until now it has the largest 
 circulation of any weekly paper in Snyder, 
 Mifflin or Juniata counties, over two thousand 
 copies being issued every week. In 1893 he 
 started the American Business Journal, and in 
 1896 the American Monthly Herald, both of 
 which papers have been very successful, the 
 former having a circulation of 25,000 copies and 
 the latter 20,000 copies per month, extending 
 all over the United States. In 1894 he erected 
 the present substantial Herald building, opposite 
 the P. R. R. depot, Adamsburg, wherein is lo- 
 cated one of the most modern and best-equipped 
 newspaper plants in Central Pennsylvania. Mr. 
 Aurand is quite a well-known factor in politics, 
 having been elected a delegate from Snyder 
 county to the Republican National Convention 
 at St. Louis, in 1896, and he also served as sec- 
 retary of the county committee for several terms. 
 
 In 1897 he was appointed postmaster at Beaver 
 Springs. 
 
 In 1889 Mr. Aurand was married to Miss 
 Jennie M. Helfrich, daughter of Lewis Helfrich, 
 and one son, Ammon Monroe, Jr., has blessed 
 the union. Such is the short history of a re- 
 markably successful young man, who started in 
 life a poor boy, and has energetically worked his 
 way up to an influential position, and brief as is 
 the account, it conveys a helpful suggestion to 
 every youth who would win a worthy place in 
 life. 
 
 DANIEL S. MILLER. "The hand of the 
 __' diligent maketh rich." So said the wisest 
 of men, and his observation is as true to-day as of 
 old. In the career of this quiet, yet energetic 
 and able citizen, now a leading resident of Kantz, 
 Snyder county, there is much to be learned of 
 practical worldly wisdom, his success in life hav- 
 ing come as a reward of well-directed effort. 
 
 Mr. Miller was born February 7, 1837, in 
 Washington township, Snyder county, the son of 
 John, and the grandson of Frederick Miller, who 
 settled in Penn township at a very early date. 
 This well-known pioneer was married three 
 times, and by his first wife had the following chil- 
 dren: John, Betsy, Polly and Kate. John Mil- 
 ler, our subject's father, was born and reared at 
 the old homestead in Penn township, and when 
 not engaged in agricultural work his time was 
 spent in learning the miller's trade. He was 
 married in Penn township to Miss Christy Ann 
 Snyder, a native of Philadelphia and the daugh- 
 ter of Adam and Catherine (Beisch) Snyder. 
 After his marriage John Miller engaged in the 
 milling business on Middle creek in Penn town- 
 ship, in partnership with George A. Snyder. 
 Later he took charge of a mill property in Wash- 
 ington township, which had been purchased by 
 his father, and included sixty -two acres of farming 
 land, and, as an old log house stood upon the 
 farm, John Miller removed there with his family. 
 After his father's death he bought the place and 
 improved it very much, building a good brick 
 house which is still standing. He was a 
 large man, of powerful build, and was a most 
 industrious worker, acquiring a handsome fortune, 
 at the time of his death owning two good farms. 
 In early life he was a Whig, and later a Repub- 
 lican, and he and his wife were both consistent 
 members of the Lutheran Church. He died at 
 the age of seventy-seven years and six months, 
 and his wife lived to be more than seventy-five 
 years old, their remains being interred at Salem 
 Church in Penn township. They had five chil- 
 
1130 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOQRAPI1ICAL RECORD. 
 
 dren: Edward, a farmer near Kreamer, Perm.; 
 George P., a miller, residing in Washington 
 township, who was drafted in the Union army 
 during the Civil war, but was rejected; Lewis, a 
 farmer in Franklin township, Snyder county, who 
 served during the war as captain of Company 1 . 
 [31st P. V.. I.; Daniel S., our subject; Samuel, 
 win 1 died in Washington township at the age of 
 thirty-seven years; and Frederick, a farmer in 
 Penn township. 
 
 The Snyder family, of which our subject's 
 ther was a member, was well known in Phila- 
 phia, where Adam Snyder, our subject's grand- 
 father, owned a grocery store. While visiting 
 New ( 'rleans on a business trip he was taken ill 
 with yellow fever and died, and was buried 
 there. He left a widow and three children; 
 George, a farmer, who died in Salem, Snyder 
 county; Christy Ann, our subject's mother; and 
 1I1 Ann. who married Charles Chamberlain, a 
 carpenter of Selins Grove, and died in Phila- 
 delphia while undergoing an operation. Mrs. 
 Snyder married a second husband, a Mr. Miller. 
 at Pricetown, Berks Co., Penn., and there v 
 several children by this union. Later she mar- 
 i a third husband, also named Miller, but 
 then i no children by this marriage. She 
 died in Middle Creek township, Snyder county, 
 aged eighty years. 
 
 Mi Miller's youth was spent at the old home 
 in Washington township, his educational ad- 
 vantages being limited to the schools of that 
 locality. At the age of nineteen he began to 
 learn the bricklayer's trade, which he followed 
 some time. On October 7, 1861, he enlisted at 
 Huntington, Penn., in Companj II, 51st P. V. 
 I., and went to the seat of war. He saw some 
 hard lighting, their first battle being at R 
 Island, and on September i", 1862, at Antietam, 
 he was wounded in the left hand by a ball, thirty- 
 two pieces of bone being afterward taken out. 
 He has never entirely recovered from this wound, 
 his hand being crippled, but afti 1 
 time 111 hospitals at different pi nainly in 
 the Patent 1 Mill e Hospital in Washington, he re- 
 joined his regiment at Knoxville, Tenn., in the 
 fall oi [863. He remained in active service un- 
 til November 16, 1864, when, his ter I enlist- 
 ment having expired, he returned h ■. \lter- 
 
 rd he was instrumental in raising a company, 
 and could have gone with them as second lieu- 
 tenant, but he sum his place to another. 
 In 1 he 'i 1 81 ij he was empl >yed by the 
 Northern * entral Railway Company as .1 rna itei 
 bricklayer and placed m charge ol the construc- 
 tion of buildings along their line between Sun- 
 bury and Erie, Penn. While on this work he 
 
 was under the direction of men who later gained 
 high positions, such as Mr. Roberts, deceased, 
 formerly president of the Pennsylvania Railway 
 Company, and Mr. Thompson, who is now the 
 head of that great company. Altogether. Mr. 
 Miller spent more than seven years in railroad 
 work, being employed lor a time on the Lehigh 
 Valley railway. He built a number of shops, and 
 and helped to build depots at Pittsburg, Alliance, 
 Ohio, Canton, Ohio, Fort Wayne, Ind., and 
 elsewhere. In 1S70 he and his brother Lewis 
 
 lit a farm at Kantz, Penn., and later Mr. 
 Miller purchased the brother's interest and now 
 owns thi entire farm. He also has a tract of 
 land in Wasington township and a fine property in 
 Kantz. In the fall of 1888 he built there a 
 handsome brick residence, doing the bricklaying 
 with his own hands. For nearly two years he 
 was engaged in the mercantile business at Kantz, 
 in partnership with Meyer Millner. He stands 
 high in business circles, and is noted for his ex- 
 clusive devotion to his own affairs, and for his 
 strict honesty in all his dealings with others. 
 
 In May, 1S70, he married his first wife, Su- 
 sanna Kister, who was born in Penn township, 
 Snyder county, the daughter of Daniel Kister. a 
 leading citizen of that locality. The two chil- 
 li of this unicn died in infancy, and in Octo- 
 ber. [884, Mrs. Miller breathed her last, her 
 remains being laid to rest in Salem cemetery. On 
 November I. [886, Mr. Miller married his sec- 
 ond wife. Miss Sarah Meyer, who was born in 
 Miles township, Centre county, and was reared 
 in Brush Valley, near Rebersburg, Centre coun- 
 t\, where her parents, John and Catherine 
 Poorman Meyer, were prominent residents. Mr. 
 Miller is a Lutheran in religious faith, and his 
 
 is a member of the Reformed Church. He 
 also belongs 10 the Union Veteran League, and 
 he formerly was a member ol the Masonic fra- 
 ternity and of the 1. A R. at Selins Grove. In 
 politics he is Republican, but on public questions, 
 in all others, he does his own thinking, and 
 at times supports good men outside of his party. 
 
 RTHUR B. SPECHT, ol Beavertown, is 
 one -I our most enterprising and successful 
 citizens, and is extensively engaged in mercantile 
 business and in manufacturing, his foundry and 
 machine shop at Beavertown being among the 
 largest in this section. His family has been 
 prominently identified with the development of 
 the locality, and his forceful and energetic char- 
 acter is an inheritance from a sturdy pioneer 
 
 try. 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1131 
 
 Adam Specht, the grandfather of our subject, 
 came to New Berlin, in 1 79 1 , when he was a 
 boy of seven, and was reared to manhood there. 
 He married Catherine Smith, a daughter of Peter 
 Smith, and settled at Beavertown where at that 
 time there were but a few houses. For many 
 years he carried on a pottery business in the 
 town. During the war of 18 12, he served as a 
 corporal in Capt. Henry Miller's company, and 
 on November 10, 18 14, he was at Marcus Hook, 
 with the regiment commanded by Lieutenant- 
 Colonel George Weirick. His death occurred 
 November 6, 1872, at the age of eighty-eight 
 years, and his wife passed away April 20, 1870, 
 aged eighty-two, their remains being interred in 
 the Beavertown cemetery. 
 
 The late Moses Specht, our subject's father, 
 who was one of the leading men of his locality in 
 his day, was born in Beavertown March 4, 1818, 
 and died November 2, 1895, having lived to see 
 his native village grow to an important railroad 
 town. He was practically a self-educated man, 
 as he only attended a subscription school for 
 three terms of three months each, and his teach- 
 ers were but illy qualified to instruct him, even in 
 the elementary lessons in reading, writing and 
 arithmetic, to which his course was limited. 
 Through private study he gained a fair educa- 
 tion, becoming especially skilled as an accountant. 
 Early in life he learned thegunsmith's trade, and 
 for some time he followed it successfully. In 
 1845 ne built a hotel at Beavertown, which he 
 conducted many years, enlarging it as his con- 
 stantly increasing business demanded. In 1847 
 he engaged in mercantile business, and in time 
 he had one of the largest stores in the county, 
 his trade extending over a wide territory. The 
 steam tannery, which is now the leading concern 
 at Beavertown, owed its establishment mainly to 
 his foresight and energy. He was one of the 
 principal promoters of the Sunbury & Lewistown 
 railroad, serving as a director during the con- 
 structive period. He secured subscriptions for 
 the enterprise to the amount of $30,000, and 
 then collected and paid the entire sum into the 
 treasury, and he also obtained the gratuitous 
 right of way for eighteen miles of the road, with 
 unincumbered titles to the lands for the location 
 of stations at McClure, Adamsburg, Beavertown, 
 Paxtcnville, Middleburg and Kreamer, devoting 
 a whole summer to the work without compensa- 
 tion. In 1879 he took a contract for two miles 
 of the hardest grading on the section then being 
 constructed, and did the work at a cost of $11,-' 
 000, putting fifty-eight thousand loads of dirt 
 into one "filling." In addition to all these en- 
 terprises, he built a number of houses on con- 
 
 tract. In 1850 he built the Lutheran and Re- 
 formed Church at Beavertown, the first church 
 edifices in the place, and in 1880 he built the 
 large brick school house there, the directors 
 adopting many improvements in the original plan 
 in accordance with his suggestions. For many 
 years he held the position of express agent at 
 Beavertown, and he was also engaged in the 
 foundry business, and in lumbering, operating a 
 sawmill near his town. Throughout his career 
 he seems to have followed the Biblical in- 
 junction, " Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, 
 do it with all thy might," his industry and sound 
 judgment being apparently equal to any task. 
 As may be supposed, he was frequently called to 
 serve the community in official positions, and 
 when barely twenty-one years old he was elected 
 constable of old Beaver township, which then 
 consisted of the present townships of Beaver, 
 West Beaver, Spring and Adams. In 1845 he 
 was elected justice of the peace, but he resigned 
 before the expiration of his term. For one term 
 he served as county auditor, and for more than 
 forty years he was one of the auditors of his 
 township, his close scrutiny of the accounts at 
 each annual settlement permitting no suspicious 
 items to pass unchallenged. In 1S61, Gov. 
 Curtin appointed him to fill the office of sheriff 
 of Snyder county in the place of Frederick 
 Bause, deceased, and, at the expiration of the 
 term in the fall of 1862, he was elected to the 
 same position, his service proving most satis- 
 factory to the people. His kindly heart led him 
 to use every effort to save the property of those 
 against whom he held executions, yet he never 
 faltered in the performance of any necessary offi- 
 cial act. In 1840 he was appointed postmaster 
 at Beavertown, a position which he held almost 
 continuously for more than forty years, serving 
 under every administration except one, during 
 that time. 
 
 The funeral of this honored citizen was at- 
 tended by a large concourse of people, many of 
 whom came from a distance to pay their last 
 tribute of respect. Although he had reached the 
 advanced age of seventy-eight, and had for some 
 time been living in retirement, his sudden death 
 as the result of an apopleptic stroke caused a 
 shock to the community where he had so long 
 been a familiar figure. One who knew him 
 well has said, " We have always found him 
 a courteous and affable friend, a safe and ju- 
 dicious counsellor, who ever had a word of kindly 
 advice in season," and few men have been more 
 deeply missed and mourned than is Moses Specht. 
 His beloved wife, Rachel Bingaman, passed to 
 the unseen world June 28, 1S94. Of their three 
 
1132 
 
 ' 'OMMEMORA TIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 children, Arthur B. and Miss Louisa reside at 
 Beavertown. and Horace is now deceased. 
 
 Arthur B. Specht, the subject proper of this 
 sketch, was burn September [9, at [845, at the 
 old home in Beavertown, where he was educa: 
 in the subscripts Is of the day, attending 
 
 only in the winter months. At an early age he 
 began to show remarkable ability as a im 
 being competent to take charge of the stal 
 engine in his father's sawmill when he was but 
 twelve years old. He ran this engine for about 
 ten years, and while still a mere boy he construct- 
 ed a similar machine. When the sawmill was 
 closed, in 1 s 6 3 , he began to 1 lerk in his father's 
 ami also worked in the foundry, learning 
 every detail of the business. In 1865 he beca 
 his father's partner in the foundry, and in 1 
 he went into business for himself in that line. 
 He built a large machine shop and foundry, 
 equipped with modern machinery, and costing 
 about $3,000, the plant being second to none in 
 the county. For fifteen years past he has con- 
 ducted a general store at Beavertown, and his 
 handsome business building cost him in the 
 neighborhood of $1,200. In 1865, he married 
 Miss Amanda Moyer, who has proved herself an 
 admirable helpmeet in financial affairs, as 
 successfully conduits a milliner} 1 in 
 
 connection with the store. They have an 
 elegant home, the finest in tin town, which cost 
 about $3,000 to build, and Mr. Specht also 
 owns another dwelling house which he rents. 
 He is thoroughly progressive in his ii 1 has 
 
 his own opinions upon the questions of the day. 
 In politics he is a strong Republican, as was his 
 father before him, and he firmly believes in the 
 necessity for maintaining a sound currency. His 
 manners are genial and unassuming, ami he 
 makes friends wherever he is known In religious 
 faith he is a Lutheran, and has been a member of 
 the Church for some years During the Civil 
 war he served as a soldier for two months, enlist- 
 ing in (862, in an independent company for 
 State duty at Camp Curtin, Harrisburg, and I' 
 Washington. Of his two sons, 1 Lester E., 
 who is employed in the Beavertown offices ol the 
 Pennsylvania railroad, married Miss Lillie 
 Gagle, daughter ol Wallace Gagle, of Clinton 
 county, and they have two children — Earl and 
 k. {2) William, who resides at the home- 
 stead, married Mi^ Libbie Wetzel, daughter of 
 (udge S, A Wetzel, - n. 
 
 Mrs. Specht was born and reared at Paxton- 
 ville, and her father, the late Henry Moyer, was 
 one of the leading farmers and stork dealers of 
 Snyder county. His birth occurred in Musser 
 Valley, at the present site of Troxelville, his 
 
 father, John Mover, having been an extensive 
 stock dealer in that locality in the early d 
 Henrv Moyi 1 grew to manhood upon a farm and 
 became familiar with all branches of his future 
 business, which he followed until a tew years 
 previous to his death, in 1S87. He owned 280 
 acres of land in Franklin township, upon which 
 he made many improvements, building commo- 
 dious barns and two handsome dwelling hou 
 He was an excellent citizen, a member of the 
 Reformed Church, and was held in high esteem 
 by all who knew him. His remains now rest in 
 ird, in Franklin township. 
 His wife, whose maiden name was Sarah Blett, 
 is still living [897), in her seventy-fifth year, and 
 makes her home in Beaver township, Snyder 
 county. She is a native of Musser Valley, and 
 her father, Michael Blett, was a prominent farmer 
 near Troxelville. Henry and Sarah Moyer had 
 the following children: Katie, who died at an 
 earlv age; Lydia, wife of Calvin C. «Derr, of 
 Franklin township. Snyder county; Aman 
 Mrs. Specht; Sarah, wife of Walter Shcck, of Bel- 
 lona, N. Y. ; Samuel, who married Miss Ida Bow- 
 ersox, and now resides upon a farm in Franklin 
 township; Alice, wife of Jacob Treed, of Beaver- 
 town; Adda, wife of Paul Riddley, of Mount 
 Carmel, Penn. ; and William, a fanner in Beaver 
 township, Snyder county, who married Miss 
 Annie Middleswarth, daughter of Joseph, and 
 granddaughter of Hon. Ner Middleswarth. 
 
 JM. BAKER, of Beaver Springs, who is now 
 serving his second term as District Attorney 
 for Snyder county, enjoys the distinction of 
 having been elected to that office with a greater 
 majority than any other person ever elected t 1 
 office in Snyder county. He is a native of Snyder 
 count}-, however, having first seen the light No- 
 vember 30, [861, in West Beaver township, but 
 his youth was spent elsewhere and it was as a 
 comparative stranger that, in 1891, he began to 
 practice his profession in the place of his na- 
 tivity 
 
 II comes of an excellent family, and on the 
 rnal side is oi English descent. His father, 
 Walter Baker, was born in Snyder county, and 
 learned the trade of carpentering and cabinet- 
 making near Middle Creek with David Oker. 
 He followed these lines of business for some time, 
 and although he began life without capital, he is 
 now comfortably situated, owning a fine farm in 
 Decatur township, Mifflin Co., Penn. In 1872 
 he removed to Dormantown, Penn., where he 
 now resides. He has always taken an interest 
 in local affairs wherever he has resided, and has 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1133 
 
 several times been elected to office on the Repub- 
 lican ticket. In religious work he is prominent 
 as a member of the Lutheran Church, serving in 
 various offices, and for years he has been, super- 
 intendent of the Sunday-school. His wife, Sa- 
 loma McClean, who was born in Snyder county, 
 is of Scotch-Irish ancestry. Our subject is the 
 eldest of nine children; William M. is a physi- 
 cian at Lewistown, Penn.; Mary died in child- 
 hood; Adda C. married E. S. Aurand, of Lewis- 
 town; Ira R. is a teacher in Dormantown; Miss 
 Lizzie is also a teacher; Samuel S. teaches in the 
 schools of Dormantown; Elsie and Kirby are at 
 home. 
 
 Mr. Baker began his education in the schools 
 of Bannerville, Penn., with W. Y. H. Moyer as 
 his first teacher. As his parents left Snyder 
 county when he was but a boy, he attended for sev- 
 eral years in the public schools at Dormanown, 
 and so readily did he learn that, at seventeen, he 
 was licensed to preach. He secured a school in 
 West Beaver township, Snyder county, at twenty 
 dollars per month, and while teaching he devoted 
 his evenings and, in fact, all his spare time to 
 study. Previous to 1877 he had spent much of 
 his time upon a farm, but afterward he worked at 
 the carpenter's trade with his father, and although 
 his occupation was not congenial he spent several 
 summers in that way after he had begun teaching, 
 his object being to secure means to attend school. 
 In 1882 he completed a course in telegraphy in 
 the normal school at Ada, Ohio, but not liking 
 the business he never followed it. In 1884 he 
 entered the scientific course at Ada, Ohio, and 
 was graduated from that department in July, 
 1886, as a civil engineer. He then returned to 
 Pennsylvania and became a partner with his 
 father in the stave business at Dormantown, and 
 afterward returned to his Alma Mater to study 
 law. Having learned the theory he took up the 
 study of legal practice in the office of Andrew 
 Reed, of Lewistown, and in 1890 was admitted 
 to the Bar. For a short time he remained with 
 his preceptor, but in March, 1891, he located 
 at Beaver Springs, where he has met with un- 
 usual success, his practice extending throughout 
 out this section. In 1894 he was elected District 
 Attorney, and since January, 1895, he has held 
 that office, being re-elected without opposition 
 in 1897. His abilities are recognized by all par- 
 ties, his duties being most ably discharged. 
 
 Mr. Baker married Miss Mary J. Yeager, 
 daughter of Simon D. and Hannah (Bear) Yea- 
 ger, well-known residents of Lewistown. Two 
 children were born of this union: Beulah E , 
 who died in infancy, and Walter C. , born Feb- 
 ruary 16, 1890, now an interesting boy. Mr. 
 
 and Mrs. Baker are prominent in social life, and 
 she is an active member of the Methodist Church. 
 Their home is a very pleasant one, having lately 
 been remodeled, and in addition to this property 
 Mr. Baker also owns three small tracts of land 
 near town. Politically Mr. Baker is a stanch 
 Republican, and socially he is a member of the 
 Patriotic Order Sons of America, No. 98, at 
 Beavertown, and of the Knights of the Golden 
 Eagle at Beaver Springs. He was a charter 
 member of the latter society, and has passed 
 through all the chairs; also a member of the Sons 
 of Veterans of McClure, his father having served 
 as a volunteer in the Rebellion. 
 
 ISAAC R. ULSH, an honored and highly-es- 
 teemed citizen of Adamsburg, Penn., was 
 born on August 10, 1828, in what is now West 
 Beaver township, Snyder county, but which at 
 that time was a part of Union county. His 
 father, Andrew Ulsh, a large, well-proportioned 
 man of powerful build, was born in Pfout's Val- 
 ley, Perry Co., Penn., in 1785, a son of Henry 
 Ulsh, and, when a young man, came to Snyder 
 county to visit his sister Catharine, wife of Rev. 
 Conrad Walker, one of the pioneer ministers of 
 that county. Here he became acquainted with 
 Miss Barbara Ritter, who afterward became his 
 wife. Her father, John Ritter, gave to each of 
 his children a farm, which was considered a big 
 donation in those days, and, being a thorough 
 and skillful farner, Andrew Ulsh received a good 
 start in life, eventually becoming well-to-do. 
 Much of his property he divided among his chil- 
 dren previous to his death, leaving them in com- 
 fortable circumstances. He died April 9, 1864, 
 and his remains were interred in Black Oak 
 Ridge cemetery. His wife, who was born in 
 Lehigh county, Penn., in 1788, and came to 
 Snyder county with her father in 1795, passed 
 away at the age of forty years. Both were con- 
 sistent members of the Lutheran Church, and 
 had the respect of all who knew them. In his 
 political affiliations the father was first a Whig 
 and later a Republican. 
 
 Our subject is the youngest of the children 
 born to this worthy couple, the others being as 
 follows: John, who died in Snyder county; Anna, 
 who is the widow of John Orwig, of Bellevue, 
 Ohio, and is still living at the age of eighty-seven; 
 Henry, who died in McClure, Penn. ; Catharine, 
 a deaf mute, who died in Adamsburg; Andrew, 
 a resident of Spring township, Snyder county; 
 Joseph, who died in Michigan; Elizabeth, now 
 seventy-five years old, who is the widow of 
 
1184 
 
 CO.VMEMORA TIVE BIOGRAPHICAL HKioiiD. 
 
 Charles Raley. of Wyandot county, Ohio; and 
 hia. wife of Joseph Stumpff, of Indiana. 
 As a farmer boy Isaac K. Ulsh was reared in 
 the township of his nativity, and at an early age 
 he began to aid in the labors of the held and 
 meadow. His educational privileges were quite 
 good for those days, he having attended the 
 schools 'it Derry township, Mifflin county, Penn., 
 as his father believed in providing his children 
 with the best advantages along that line. He wis 
 married Novembei 29, 1849, to Miss Christiana 
 Troxel, who was born in Adams township, Sny- 
 der county, September 21, 1828, and was a 
 daughter of John and Susan (Moyer) Troxel. 
 The) began their domestic life upon a farm in 
 Wesl Beaver township, Snyder county, to the 
 cultivation and improvement of which Mr. Ulsh 
 devoted his energies until 1SS1, when he re- 
 moved tn Adamsburg, where he has since' found 
 a pleasant home. Mrs. Christiana Ulsh died 
 May 2, 1SS0, and was laid to rest in the Brick 
 (him h cemetery. She was the mother of t' 
 children: J. Howard, now a leading druggist of 
 Selins ('.rove; Sarah J., who died at the agi 
 live years; and William A.T. , a farmei "t Spring 
 township. For his second wife Mr. Ulsh chose 
 Miss Catharine L. Spigelmyer, "I Hartleton, 
 Union Co., Penn., a daughter of Daniel Spigel- 
 myer. 
 
 On attaining his majority Mr. Ulsh allied 
 himself with the Whig party, and since its disso- 
 lution has been a stalwart Republican. He has 
 been honored with official positions, being school 
 director lor some time, and was elected justice 
 "I the peace, but resigned after serving one year. 
 An earnest, consistent Christian gentleman, he 
 has for main- years been an active member "t 
 the Lutheran Church, in which he has served as 
 deacon and elder. An object of respect by young 
 and old, he is everywhere greeted with affect i' n 
 and esteem, and in bis declining years enjoys the 
 reward of a well-spent life, in which he has ex- 
 erted himself to do good to those around him. 
 His sons are also numbered among the leading 
 and prominent men of the county 
 
 fj LFRED SMITH. In these days tin idea 
 seems to prevail that the road to wealth 
 must be sought in speculative lines, where speedy 
 returns, if any, may be hoped for, and it is both 
 instructive and pleasant to turn to the story of the 
 man who through steady, safe, industrious work 
 and careful, economical management has won a 
 competence. The subject of this biography, who 
 is now a substantial citizen of Beavertown, began 
 his business career as a day laborer on the Middle 
 
 Creek Valley railway, but his ability and fidelity 
 
 "inmended him to his employers that he was 
 promoted to positions of responsibility, and foi 
 nearly a quarter of a century he has been in 
 charge of Section No. 11. A shrewd, conserva- 
 tive investment of his earnings has brought a 
 good return, his real-estate holdings being especi- 
 ally valuable. 
 
 Mr. Smith is of Scotch descent on the paternal 
 
 at-grandfather, Adam Smith, having 
 
 been the first of the family to cross the Atlantic 
 
 \merica. An old Bible, which bears dat< 
 [765, is now a treasured heirloom in our subject's 
 home. Adam Smith (2), the father of our sub- 
 ject, was horn December 10. 1786, and early in 
 the present century settled near Troxelville, 
 Snyder county; his wife, Sally, was born De- 
 cember 31, 1788, and they reared a large family 
 of children, whose names and dates of birth are 
 as follows: John D., born September 9, 1806, 
 was a farmer in Adams township, Snyder county; 
 Peter, February 1, 1 808, is mentioned more fully 
 below; Henry, November 23, 18 10, was a n 
 chant and fanner at Adamsburg, Snyder county; 
 Adam, Jr.. April 14, 1813, was a farmer near 
 
 vertown; Michael, May 21, [ 81 8, died at an 
 e; Sarah, April 12. 1820. married John 
 Bicket, and removed to Three Rivers, Mich.. 
 Daniel, October 28, 1824, was a farmer by occu- 
 pation, and his death occurred at Burnhain, 
 Mifflin county; George, September 21, 1826, was 
 a farmer, and died near Troxelville; Isaac, June 
 21, 1828, is a wholesale merchant in Philadel- 
 phia; Delilah, October 5, 1830, married Robert 
 I -ter, and died at State College, Pennsylvania. 
 
 Peter Smith, our subject's father, was 
 reared mar Troxelville, on the old home- 
 
 I where he first saw the light. He ret eived 
 his education in the subscription schools of the 
 day, and learned the hatter's trade at Mifflin- 
 This business he followed at Adamsburg 
 as long as it was profitable, but the advent ol 
 manufacturing hats finally destroyed his busim 
 Hi tin 'ii boughl eighty acres of land, and for a 
 time followed agriculture, but his last days were 
 spent in the town of Adamsburg, his death occur- 
 ring in 1863. He was a highly respected citizen, 
 in 1 was first a Whig and later a Ri - 
 
 publican. For some time he held office as con- 
 stable and tax collector. In religious faith he 
 was a Lutheran. His wife, Hannah Hassinger, 
 was born in what is now Spring township. Sny- 
 der counts, where her father, Jeremiah Hassing- 
 er, was a prominent citizen. Three children 
 were born of this union: Wilson, January 2,0, 
 1839. died in childhood; Alfred, our subject, 
 was the second in order of birth; Milton F. . Sep- 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1135 
 
 tember 22, 1851, resides in Adamsburg. The 
 mother afterward married a second husband, 
 Abraham Dreese, and her death occurred July 2, 
 1894, her remains being interred at Adamsburg. 
 
 Alfred Smith was born June 8, 1842, at 
 Adamsburg, and received his education there, his 
 first teacher being a Mr. Jamison. The schools 
 of his day were of the subscription order and 
 much inferior to those of the present, and his 
 attendance was restricted to a few months in 
 each winter. At sixteen he began clerking 
 in the store of his uncle, Daniel Smith, at Adams- 
 burg. and later he was employed in the same ca- 
 pacity by Irvin and Isaac Smith at Selins Grove, 
 Joseph Raudenbush, of White Springs, B. L. 
 Raudenbush, of Adamsburg, and Reuben Keller, 
 of the same place. In 1862 he was drafted as a 
 soldier, but as he was the main support of his par- 
 ents and his father was at the time very ill, he 
 paid his commutation and remained at home. In 
 September, 1867, he began working as a laborer 
 on the Middle Creek Valley railway, now called 
 the Sunbury & Lewistown railroad, which was 
 then being graded, and after working for a time 
 on the grade between Adamsburg and Beaver- 
 town he was put in charge of a gang of men. 
 When the work of grading was completed, he 
 was put in charge of some men at Lewistown. 
 The road was finished in October, 1871, but he 
 continued in the employ of the company as a 
 section hand, and in 1874 was given charge of 
 Section No. 11 (then Section No. 10). This posi- 
 tion he has held ever since except for a short 
 period from January, 1875, to J u b'- I 8/6, when 
 the road was lying idle. His honesty and integ- 
 rity have never been questioned, and no better 
 citizen is to be found. He is no office seeker, 
 but is a steadfast supporter of the principles of 
 the Republican party. 
 
 On June 18, 1865, he was married to Miss 
 Mary A. Freed, who was born January 1 1, 1847, 
 the daughter of Jacob and Susan (Ritzman) 
 Freed, well-known residents of Beavertown. 
 She was the fourth child and second daughter in 
 a family of eleven children, seven sons and four 
 daughters, and her youth was spent in Beaver- 
 town. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are both members 
 of the Lutheran Church, in which he has held the 
 office of trustee since 1891. At one time he was 
 a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- 
 lows, and at present he belongs to the Patriotic 
 Order Sons of America, at Adamsburg. 
 
 WH. GORDON, the well-known section 
 boss on Section No. 14, of the Sunbury & 
 Lewistown railroad, belongs to one of the old 
 
 and highly respected families of Snyder county, 
 it being founded hereby Willis Gordon, a farmer. 
 Among his children was John, the grandfather of 
 our subject, who married Rebecca Haas and died 
 in earl}' life, leaving only one child, Gideon Gor- 
 don, our subject's father. The last named was 
 born September 16, 1835, in Perry township, 
 Snyder count}-, where he was reared until six- 
 teen years of age, obtaining his education in the 
 country schools of the neighborhood. He then 
 learned the carpenter's trade under James Miller, 
 for whom he continued to work as a journeyman 
 for some time. In 1858 he married Miss Sarah 
 Krouse, who was born in Penn township, Snyder 
 county, July 4, 1830, a daughter of Henry and 
 Susan (Walter) Krouse, and four children blessed 
 their union, namely: W. H, of this sketch; 
 Adam, a resident of Selins Grove, Penn. ; Clara, 
 wife of Frank Row, of the same place; and 
 George, of Kreamer, Snyder county. After his 
 marriage Gideon Gordon located with his em- 
 ployer in Penn township, but later removed to 
 Kelly township, Union count}', where he followed 
 farming for a time. Subsequently he returned to 
 Penn township, Snyder county, and later lived 
 at different times in Middle Creek, Washington 
 and Penn townships until the spring of 1886, 
 when he located in Kreamer, where he still re- 
 sides. He is a stanch Democrat in politics, is a 
 well-to-do and highly respected citizen, and at 
 one time was a member of the Independent Or- 
 der of Odd Fellows. His estimable wife is a 
 Lutheran in religious faith. 
 
 W. H. Gordon was born in Penn township, 
 January 6, 1859, and at Kantz began his educa- 
 tion under the direction of Miss Elizabeth Mitt- 
 man. He continued to attend the country schools 
 until laying aside his text books. When quite 
 small he was taken by his parents to Kreamer, 
 and after a short time removed with them to 
 Washington township, Snyder county, remaining 
 under the parental roof until the summer of 1879, 
 which he spent in Cass county, Mich. He re- 
 turned to Pennsylvania in November, and on the 
 10th of the following December did his firstwork 
 on the section as an extra man. On March 4, 
 1880, he was hired as a regular hand by the 
 S. & L. railroad, and continued as such until 
 August 31, 1 88 1, when he began work in the 
 iron mines in Washington township, Snyder 
 county. During the summers of 1884 and 1885 
 Mr. Gordon worked with the carpenter gang on 
 the Sunbury & Lewistown railroad, and on Oc- 
 tober 13th of the latter year, entered the store of 
 J. A. Smith, of Kreamer, where he was employed 
 as clerk until May 4. 1887. when he began as 
 laborer for the mason gang on the railroad. On 
 

 ' 'OMMEMORA Tl VE BIOGBAPHH At. UK' 'OBD. 
 
 April 9, (888, he was given work on the wall, 
 doing such jobs at masonry as his experience 
 permitted, and he continued to follow that occu- 
 pation until January 24, 1S92, when he was tem- 
 porarily in charge of the section gang at Kreamer. 
 On January- 27, [893, he was made boss of S 
 tion No. 14. and is now satisfactorily filling that 
 responsible and lucrative position. 
 
 On February 22. [894, Mr. Gordon was mar- 
 ried to Miss Lillie Smith, who was born in Mid- 
 dleburg, Penn., November 27. 1 861, a daughter 
 of Judge J. A. and Malinda (Walter) Smith. She 
 served as postmaster under both of the adminis- 
 trations of Grover Cleveland. To Mr. and Mrs. 
 Gordon have been born two children: Guy \\\, 
 born September 16, [895; and Mary Izora, born 
 Ma\ </, 1897. Mr. Gordon uses his right of fran- 
 chise in support "( the Democratic party, and 
 has served his fellow citizens in the capacitv 
 tax collector of his township. His wife is a con- 
 sistent memberof the United Evangelical Church, 
 and he at one time was connected with the In- 
 dependent Order of Odd Fellows. They have 
 the best home in Kreamer, which he erected in 
 
 ;, and there their many friends are always 
 of a hearty welcome. Mr. Gordon is steady- 
 going, trustworthy and strictly reliable, and no 
 better type of a thrifty, self-made American citi- 
 zen can be found in Snyder county. 
 
 G 
 
 EORGF FISHER deceased), late a citizen 
 oi Selins Grove, Snyder county. 
 
 e th.it when thy summons 1 omes to join 
 I'Im inn aravan that mi 
 
 I - l that I) i. h shall take 
 
 His chamber in the silent halls of death — 
 Thou go, nut like tin- quarry slave at night, 
 
 ed tn his dungeon, but I ami sunt' 
 
 11 unfaltering trust, approach thy grave 
 Like one who wraps the drapery of his much 
 down tn pleasant dreams. 
 
 — Thanatopsis. 
 
 The venerable subject of this sketch, who 
 passed to the invisible world on February 6, 18S0, 
 was a man whose life and character gave evi- 
 dence of a quiet hut firm belief in the homely 
 virtues of honesty, industry, trustworthiness, and 
 all these qualities which when displayed by hu- 
 manity have greater influence for good than any- 
 spoken words convey. Unassuming in disposi- 
 tion and manner. Mr. Fisher never sought prom- 
 inence but his devotion to the duties of his ap- 
 pointed sphere wiin the esteem and confidence of 
 all who knew him, and made his career more 
 truly honorable than that of many who ha 
 made- themselves nous in the eyes of the 
 
 wi irld. 
 
 Mr. Fisher was born in [802, at 
 
 Ferry, Snyder county, and, having grown to 
 manhood there upon a farm, he followed agricult- 
 ural pursuits until having retired from active 
 business he made his home at Selins Grove where 
 his last days were spent. He was a member of 
 a well-known family, and his grandfather, John 
 Adam Fisher, who came from Germany, was an 
 early settler on the Tulpehocken. and afterward 
 located at what is now known as Fisher's Ferry, on 
 the Isle of Oue, Pennsylvania. He had ten chil- 
 dren — nine boys and one girl; and among them 
 were John, born in 1773; Benjamin, born May 5. 
 1775, and Christian, our subject's father, who 
 resided throughout his life upon the Isle of Que 
 and operated a farm which is still owned by his 
 descendants. 
 
 For his first wife George Fisher married Re- 
 becca Gemberling, by whom he had eight chil- 
 dren, four of whom died in infancy, and four are 
 yet living. Those living to mature years are: 
 Hannah E. married George Herman; Eleanora 
 R. married Frank Walter; Caroline married 
 W. Gemberling; and Calvin L. married Zilla 
 Miller, and died when twenty-four years 
 old; all were farmers. On June 13, 1S50, Mr. 
 Fisher married Miss Susan Snyder, by whom he 
 had eight children: n Newton S., born April 
 30, 1851, is in the meat business at Selins Grove. 
 2\ William A., burn February 9, 1853, married 
 Mi>s Margaret Gemberling, and has six children — 
 Susan, Willie, George, Sephoras, Olla and Nel- 
 son. (3) Miss Joanna, born October 31, 1854, 
 is at home. (4) Lydia M., born November 6, 
 [857, died December 10, [86l. (5) George P., 
 born June 9, i860, married Ettie Seigfried, and 
 has two children — Lillian E. and Helen G. (6) 
 Clara Estella, born July 14, [862, married John 
 Thompson, and lives in Selins Grove. Their 
 children are — Mary S. and John W. (7) Charles 
 Grant, born September 15, 1864. died August 10, 
 Mary Alice, born April 29, 1866, was 
 married on June 28, 1892, to Rev. Robert F. 
 Fetteroff, now located at Millersburg, Dauphin 
 county. They have three children — Homer F., 
 Bessie M. and Lulu Esther. The father of this 
 family followed farming as an occupation, though 
 in his younger days he had been extensively en- 
 d in milling. He was prominent in the Re- 
 publican party, and had served his fellow-citizens 
 as assessor. Religiously he was a member of 
 the Lutheran Church, in which he was an officer. 
 Honest in all his dealings, progressive and lib- 
 eral, and ever the helping friend to the poor and 
 
 ly. 
 
 Mrs. Susan Fisher, the widow of George 
 Fisher, was born in Northumberland county, 
 April 4, 1826, and is a lady of more than ordi- 
 
GEORGE FISHER 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1137 
 
 in New Jersey, 
 at her death, 
 who married 
 i2| Elizabeth, 
 
 nary mental ability. Her father, Peter Snyder, 
 a prominent agriculturist of Northumberland 
 county, Penn. , was either born in this country or 
 came here when a child, and was seventv-seven 
 years of age when he died. Her mother, whose 
 maiden name was Johanna Shipman, was born 
 and was about seventy years old 
 Their children were: (I) Marie, 
 
 M. Sober, of Irish Valley, Penn. 
 
 who died when sixteen years old. 
 (3) Katie, who died at four. (4) An infant un- 
 named. (.5) Jemima, who (first) married a Mr. 
 Bergstresser, and is now the wife of James Grif- 
 feth. (6) Sarah Jane, who (first) married a Mr. 
 Speece, and is now the widow of William Thomp- 
 son. (7) John S. married for his first wife, Miss 
 Weiser, by whom he had children — Anson 
 Lester (deceased), John C. and Luther twins), 
 and Susan (deceased), (John C. is a physician at 
 Bowling Green, Ohio). For his second wife, he 
 married Kate Gemberling, and they have had 
 three children: Hudson (deceased!, Simon, and 
 Philip. (8) Peter (a twin of John), who married 
 a Miss Wolverton. (9) Anthony, a resident of 
 Fayette, Ohio. (10) Susan, Mrs. George Fisher. 
 (ii) William, who lives in Northumberland 
 county, and (12) Lydia, who resides in Nebraska. 
 
 JOHN S. RINE is a representative of the fourth 
 generation of the family of that name that for 
 one hundred and thirty years has been prom- 
 inent in what is now Chapman township, Snyder 
 county. His ancestry can be traced back to 
 Henry Rine, who was born in Germany, about 
 1747, and in 1768, having crossed the Atlantic 
 to America, located near McKees Half Falls in 
 Chapman township. He built his cabin in the 
 primitive forest, and there developed a farm. 
 Throughout the remainder of his life he lived in 
 that locality. He died about 18 17, and was 
 buried in a private cemetery near "Pine's 
 homestead in Chapman township." He had one 
 son and five daughters — John; Mrs. Wyant Ney- 
 man; Mrs. Frederick Meiser; Mrs. Linbert; Mrs. 
 Shetterly; and Mrs. Coleman. 
 
 John Rine, the grandfather of our subject, 
 was born and reared in McKees Half Falls. He 
 married Elizabeth Motz, and their children were 
 George, a farmer and distiller, who died in Perry 
 uship; Henry, a farmer, who died in Fre- 
 mont, Penn.; John M. , father of our subject; 
 Polly, deceased wife of Henry Fisher; and Mrs. 
 Philip Roush, who is living near Elkhart, Ind. 
 The mother of this family was buried in a 
 ite cemetery, and John Rine afterward mar- 
 
 72* 
 
 ried a Miss Walter, by whom he had the follow- 
 ing children: Jacob, of McAlisterville, Penn.; 
 Benjamin, who is living near Lewisburg, Penn. ; 
 Barbara, who first married Samuel Young, and 
 is now Mrs. Gumby, of Indiana; Sallie, wife of 
 Samuel Motz, of Akron, Ohio; Christiana, wife 
 of William Boyer, of Gratztown, Penn. The 
 grandfather lived to be over sixty years of age, 
 and made farming his life work. He was a 
 Democrat in politics, and was long an elder in 
 the Lutheran Church, in which he held member- 
 ship for many years. He died January 29, 1842, 
 and was buried in the family burying ground. 
 
 John M. Rine, father of our subject, was born 
 January 15, 181 1, and his educational privileges 
 were limited to a few months' attendance at the 
 district school in the winter. He was reared on 
 the farm, and from the age of eleven years fol- 
 lowed the plow. On June 12, 1834, he wedded 
 Mary A. Schnee, who was born in Perry town- 
 ship, Snyder county, a daughter of Philip Schnee. 
 He built a house on the old Rine homestead, and 
 for fifteen years followed the tanner's trade. His 
 business interests have ever been prosecuted with 
 energy, and in consequence have been crowned 
 with success. In connection with his tanning, 
 operations he also carried on farming, and, in 
 partnership with Daniel Leese, embarked in 
 merchandising. Not long afterward he bought 
 out his partner, and conducted a successful busi- 
 ness until 1S77. He purchased of his father's 
 estate the land on which he now lives, and has 
 since become the owner of valuable property. 
 He also operated two canal boats on the Penn- 
 sylvania canal, and, though now eighty-six years 
 of age, he yet superintends his extensive business 
 interests. In politics he has always been a stanch 
 Democrat, and has served as auditor, but has 
 never been an office-seeker. He belongs to the 
 Lutheran Church, in which he has served as elder, 
 deacon and trustee, and has contributed very lib- 
 erally to its support. His life has been a very 
 honorable and upright one, and, through the long 
 years of his earth's pilgrimage, he has main- 
 tained a character that has won for him the high 
 regard of all. He has been very devoted to his 
 family, and in 18S3 he erected a suitable monu- 
 ment to mark the last resting place of his ances- 
 tors. John M. Rine, by his first wife, had ten 
 children, namely: Elizabeth, wife of J. C. Frank- 
 lin, of Fremont, Xeb. ; Henry S., of Cass coun- 
 ty, Mich. ; Sarah, wife of J. G. Snyder, of Beaver- 
 town, Penn. ; Catharine, wife of Adam Wentzel, 
 of Landisburg, Perry Co., Penn.; John S. ; Lydia, 
 wife of Charles Coleman, of Gratztown, Penn.; 
 Philip) S., of Fremont, Neb.; Susan, wife of Ad- 
 dison Watts, of B Ind.; George S., of Snv- 
 
113- 
 
 OOMMBMORA TIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 der county; Benjamin S. , a merchant of Juniata 
 count}-. The mother of this family died Febru- 
 ary iS, [865, and was buried in Chapman town- 
 ship. The father was again married, February 
 20, 1868, his second union being with Mrs. Kliz- 
 abeth Klingler, who was born November 26, 
 1X20, and died November 13, 1881. On O 
 ber 15. 18S2, Mr. Kine married Mrs. We1 
 widow of Abram Wetzel. She was born in Ly- 
 kens Valley, Penn., December 9, 1825, and is 
 still living. 
 
 [ohn S. Kine, whose name introduces this 
 review, is one of Snyder county's most substan- 
 tial merchants, and a wide-awake, liberal and 
 public-spirited man, whose value in a community 
 is almost inestimable. His life thus far has I 
 spent in McKees Half Falls, where he was born 
 November 10, 1847. He attended school but for 
 about two months each year, as his services were 
 needed by his father, and he worked at farming, 
 tanning and merchandising. His father belit 
 in giving his children a practical business train 
 thus fitting them for life's responsible duties, 
 and under his wise guidance Mr. Kine learned to 
 successfully control business affairs. On account 
 of his small stature he worked in the store m 
 than his other brothers, and continued as a clerk 
 in his father's establishment until April, 1877, 
 when he bought out the business and became a 
 merchant on his own account. He remained at 
 the old stand until 1885, in which year he pur- 
 chased the store of Philip Hilbish, of Mel- 
 Half Falls, conducting operations there until in 
 [887, when he erected his present commodious 
 and substantial store room ami ware house. 
 This is three stories in height, and is one of the 
 finest business blocks in the city. In 1889 he 
 erected four residences, which he now rents, and 
 in 1893 he built his present palatial home, one 
 of the finest in Snyder county, supplied with all 
 modern conveniences, such as are si Idom seen 
 in a country town. His store is stocked with an 
 excellent line of goods, and he commands a \ 
 liberal share of the public patronage. In addi- 
 tion to Ins extensive mercantile interests, Mr. 
 Kine deals in coal, cross ties and lumber, and Ins 
 trade in the latter commodity has l> 
 
 ive and lucrative He also carries on farm- 
 ing o'n a large scale, and operate- several canal 
 boat- 
 
 In February, 1874, Mr. Hue was married to 
 Miss Helena Bingaman, a native of Northumber- 
 land county. Penn, and a daughter of Jacob 
 Bingaman. She was a most estimable lady and 
 
 1 the Lutheran Church. 
 Shi died October 2 1 , 1896, and was laid to rest 
 in Hall's Church ry. Mr. Rine has seven 
 
 children: William B.. who is of the sixth gen- 
 eration of the family residing at McKees Half 
 Falls; George B. : Albert B. ; Mary B. ; Laura A . 
 John M.;and Ella R. On December 29, 1897, 
 Mr. Kine was again married, his choice being 
 Miss Maggie H, Bowman, of New Buffalo. Perry 
 county. Penn. Mr. Kine takes no active part 
 in politics, save in an attempt to secure the best 
 men for office, regardless of party affiliations. 
 He has served as tax collector and as school di- 
 rector, and is a warm friend of the cause of ed- 
 ucation, doing all in his power to promote the 
 interests of the schools in his locality. He has 
 served for fifteen years as deacon of the Lutheran 
 Church, and is one of the most liberal contrib- 
 utors to and active members of the Church at this 
 point. He was once a member of the Patriotic 
 Order Sons of America. In all the relation 
 life his course has been such as commend hie 
 the public confidence and support His busi- 
 ness methods are above question, and his opinions 
 are usually considered of authority on mattei 
 finance. He is a most kind and indulgent fal 
 and a faithful friend, is very prominent in trade 
 circles, and his acquaintance is by no means 
 local. 
 
 SAM I Ilia (LLINGER. an honored vi I 
 of the Civil war, who is now living retired 111 
 Kreamer, Snyder county, was for many years one 
 of the trusted employees of the Lewiston & Sun- 
 bury railroad, being section boss of Section No. 
 14. He is an excellent example of a self-made 
 man, having started out in life for himself a poor 
 but industrious boy, and has risen to the high- 
 c si type of citizenship, and accumulated a com- 
 fortable amount of this world's goods. Thai 
 twenty years he was retained as foreman on S 
 
 No. 14 by one of the world's greatest and 
 most systematic railroad companies, plainl) testi- 
 fies to his capability and the reliance placed in 
 him. 
 
 Mr. Bollinger was born in Washington town- 
 ship, Snyder county, February 4. [842, a son of 
 Henr\ and ( atharine (Duck) Bollinger, The 
 mother was also a native of Snyder county, and 
 a daughter of Joseph Duck. Throughout his life 
 ry Bollinger worked as a common laborer, 
 and became the owner of a small tract of land in 
 Middle Creek township, Snyder county, where 
 he died at the age of seventy-six. In politics he 
 was a Ri publican. His wife is living at the ripe 
 old age ol eighty-two They were the parents 
 of eleven children, of whom eight reached years 
 of maturity, namely: John, who was killed in 
 _the Civil war; Jacob, a resident of Middle ("reek 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1189 
 
 township; William, of Northumberland county, 
 Penn. ; Henry; Harrison, of Northumberland 
 county; Millard F., of Kreamer, Penn.; Mary, 
 who became the wife of Ezra Roush, and died in 
 Washington township, Snyder county; and Cath- 
 arine, wife of Daniel Nogle, of New York State. 
 
 The educational opportunities of our subject 
 were such as the primitive schools of his section 
 afforded during his boyhood, and were not of the 
 best. He was but a small child when his par- 
 ents removed to Middle Creek township, Snyder 
 county, and when about sixteen he went to 
 Northumberland county, where he worked for 
 different farmers until enlisting in the Union serv- 
 ice, in August, 1862. He became a member of 
 Company C, 136th P. V. I., and was wounded 
 in his first engagement, at Fredericksburg, De- 
 cember 13, 1862. He was taken to the hospital 
 near Washington, D. C. , and after his recovery 
 was sent home, reaching his father-in-law's place 
 in Northumberland county, where his wife was 
 staying, July 4, 1863. He was married in that 
 county June 22, 1862, to Miss Martha A. Farley, 
 who was born there June 21, 1836, and is a 
 daughter of William and Deborah (Wolverton) 
 Farley. She was reared on a farm and educated 
 in the public schools. 
 
 After his return from the army, Mr. Bolling- 
 er began housekeeping in Montour county, 
 Penn., where he was employed at driving a team 
 and other light work, as the wound in his right 
 leg was still troublesome. For several years he 
 continued to make his home in that county, and 
 then came to what is now Kreamer, Snyder coun- 
 ty, where in 1S72 he secured work as a section 
 hand on the Sunbury & Lewistown railroad. A 
 few months later he was promoted to foreman, 
 and continued to hold that position until January, 
 1893, when he resigned and has since lived re- 
 tired. He erected his excellent home in Kream- 
 er, where he and his wife are spending their de- 
 clining years in ease and quiet, surrounded by 
 many friends and acquaintances who have for 
 them the highest regard. Five children were 
 born to Mr. and Mrs. Bollinger, namely: Mary 
 E. and Catharine R. . who died in infancy; Agnes 
 D., now the wife of John Mitchell, of Renovo, 
 Penn. ; William H., who died in Kreamer at the 
 age of twenty-four years; and Minerva C. , who 
 died in infancy. The parents are earnest and 
 faithful members of the Evangelical Church, and 
 Mr. Bollinger is now serving as trustee and ex- 
 horter. Politically he is identified with the Re- 
 publican party, and fraternally affiliates with 
 Captain Rine Post No. 365, G. A. R. , of Middle- 
 burg. He is now serving as treasurer of the 
 Middle Creek township school board. A man 
 
 whose word is considered as good as his bond, 
 and whose integrity is neverquestioned, he stands 
 deservedly high in the esteem of his fellow 
 citizens. 
 
 FA. BINGAMAN, who has attained to a 
 proud position in commercial circles, is the 
 architect of his own fortunes, and he has builded 
 wisely and well. His life illustrates in no uncer- 
 tain manner what can be accomplished through 
 determined and honorable purpose, and without 
 the aid of wealth or influential friends at the out- 
 set of one's business career. His course com- 
 mends him to the confidence and respect of all, 
 and he is a highly esteemed and valued citizen of 
 Port Trevorton. 
 
 Mr. Bingaman was born in Georgetown, 
 Penn , October 9, 1857, and is a son of Jacob 
 and Angeline (Heintzelman) Bingaman. His 
 father usually followed farming, but was a natural 
 mechanic and worked at the carpenter's trade to 
 some extent. He was born in Northumberland 
 county. Penn., and died in Georgetown during 
 the early childhood of our subject. His wife was 
 born near Klingerstown, Penn., and was a second 
 time married, becoming the wife of Samuel Len- 
 hart, of Georgetown, with whom she removed to 
 Ohio, but afterward returned to Pennsylvania. 
 She is now the wife of Henry Houseworth, of 
 Buchanan, Mich. By her first marriage her chil- 
 dren were: Helena, who married John S. Rine, 
 and died at McKees Half Falls; F. A.; and K. 
 P., of Port Trevorton. By her second marriage 
 she had one son, William T. S. , now of Harris- 
 burg, Pennsylvania. 
 
 F. A. Bingaman, after his father's death, 
 went to live with his uncle, Alexander Binga- 
 man, and subsequently made his home with his 
 paternal grandmother. He received but common- 
 school privileges, and when fourteen years of age 
 his guardian bound him out to a farmer near 
 Berrysburg, but as he could not endure the abuse 
 of his employer, he after six months ran away. 
 Many difficulties and hardships beset his path in 
 his boyhood, but with persevering energy he 
 made the best of his opportunities. Later he 
 accompanied his widowed mother to Shamokin, 
 where he worked in the coal mines until the mine 
 was shut down, after which he drove a delivery 
 wagon for a short time. He then returned with 
 his mother to Northumberland county, and at 
 Hickory Corners followed any honest employ- 
 ment that he could get, whereby to aid in the 
 support in the family, being employed as a host- 
 ler at Selins Grove, afterward working on the 
 canal and at general labor at McKees Half Falls, 
 
1140 
 
 COMMEMORA TIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 and in the coal mines at Shamokin, where he and 
 his brother kept bachelor's hall for a few months. 
 About 1879 he began clerking lor J. S. Rim 
 McKees Half Fall.-, and during much of the time 
 for seven years was in the employ of that gentle- 
 man. In the meantime, however, he invested in 
 a canal boat, which he operated for several years. 
 In the summer of 1893 he became associ. 
 with J. D. Bogar in several business operations. 
 The) do a milling business, deal in grain. 1' 
 and feed, have a mill at Herndon with a capacity 
 of 1 1 5 barrels of Hour per day, own an implen 
 store in Port Trevorton, and operate two fei 
 across the Susquehanna river. Thus Mr. Binga- 
 man has steadily increased his field of operations 
 until he now has a very extensive business and is 
 ranked among the foremost representatives of 
 commercial interests in his section of the county, 
 In [880 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. 
 Bingaman and Miss Lizzie Zell, a native of Lan- 
 caster county, Penn. They were married in 
 Uniontown, Dauphin Co., Penn., and their home 
 is now blessed by three interesting children: 
 Clara; Emma H. and Annie V. The parents are 
 members of the Lvangelical Lutheran Church, in 
 which Mr. Bingaman has served as trustee, and 
 as secretary of the Sunday-school. He was also 
 elected Sunday-school superintendent, but de- 
 clined to fill that position. He exercises his right 
 of franchise in support of the Democracy, and has 
 served as township auditor but prefers to devote 
 his time and energies to his business, in which 
 he has met with signal success. The obsta 
 in his path he has overcome by determined pur- 
 pose, and has resolutely worked his way to the 
 front ranks among the prominent business men 
 of the county. 
 
 HU. KISTNER, the successful traveling 
 salesman through eleven States for the 
 Bonney Vise & Tool Works of Philadelphia 
 descended fi iylvania family. B 
 
 ust 7, 1 842, mar 1 lughesville, I. 
 Co., Penn., Mr. Kistnei thi t Benjamin 
 
 and Mai Kistner, the former of whom 
 
 was a nati\ 1 ty, 1" >rn in 1 
 
 the latter, of L) ■ irn in 1 - 
 
 'I he fathei v n a lumberman 
 
 ble busii 
 and ability. He made held 
 
 the 1 unity in wl 
 
 • 
 To this >rn the I 
 
 chili 
 
 excepting the first and last named. In his re- 
 is views the father of these was a Lutheran; 
 politically he was identified with the Republican 
 part) . 
 
 H. U. Kistner was taught early in life to be 
 industrious. At the age of thirteen years he 
 drove a team for his father in his lumber opera- 
 tions. He attended the public schools and also 
 subscription schools of his locality, and when 
 nteen began teaching, which he continued 
 for six consecutive terms, at intervals attending 
 college at Selins Grove. In 1862 he entered the 
 United States sen ice, enlisting in Company I, 
 1 3th Regiment State Militia, under command of 
 (apt. George Webb, as an emergency man; 
 however, the command served only a short time. 
 Again, in 1863, on Gen. Lee's army invading 
 Pennsylvania, he became a member of Companv 
 E, 37th Regiment of emergency men, called out 
 by the Governor. In the spring of 1864. he 
 studied telegraphy for one term at Muncy, Penn.. 
 and in the following fall went to Iowa, where he 
 taught school one term. He then entered the 
 employ of the Chicago & North Western Rail- 
 road Co. as operator. After remaining in their 
 employ some time he went to Boone. Iowa. 
 where he became the first operator and ticket 
 agent at that point, remaining with the railroad 
 company some three years, then, at his father's 
 request, he resigned his position and returned to 
 Selins Grove, Penn., where, in company with 
 his father, he opened a general store. The two 
 carried on the business for five years, when the 
 son purchased the father's interest, and for six 
 years continued the business alone. Owme, to 
 poor health he sold out and moved to Borden- 
 town, X. J., and there went into the machine 
 and foundry business, among other things manu- 
 facturing engines. After following this line of 
 business for a time, he made a change and manu- 
 factured "novelties." Later he sold out and 
 became a salesman for a New York firm one 
 when he made a change, entering the em- 
 ploy of the firm with which he is now connected. 
 II' is a genial and man, possessing the 
 
 requisites of the successful salesman he is. lb 
 is also of an inventive turn, and has taken 
 out several 1 mong them a saw -• t, har- 
 
 hitching snap and a combination I 
 
 rent I !'■ >Iit- 
 
 ically he is blican, and 1 
 
 I with th .m Chui 
 
 September 5, 1871, h> 1 lo 
 
 Annie l ' I lumn itei I [ohn Hummel, 
 
 • 
 ssed this uni 
 
 . . John 1 ). . 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1141 
 
 Christine H. and Benjamin H. G. After a resi- 
 dence of fourteen years at Bordentovvn, N. J., 
 the parents returned to Selins Grove. 
 
 GEORGE S. RINE belongs to a family of 
 long and honorable identification with the 
 interests of Snyder county, and is a worthy rep- 
 resentative of the name. He occupies to-day a 
 leading place in mercantile circles, and is a re- 
 spected representative of the trade interests of 
 McKees Half Falls. 
 
 Mr. Rine was born at that place, May 9, 
 1S54, and is a son of John M. and Polly (Schnee) 
 Rine. He attended the Rohrer school, and ac- 
 quired there the greater part of his education. 
 In early life he was initiated into the labors of 
 the farm, and remained at home continuously un- 
 til twenty-two years of age, when he took a trip 
 through the West, visiting in Michigan, Ne- 
 braska and other States. He sought there a lo- 
 cation, but his father insisted on his returning to 
 Pennsylvania, and he acceded to this request. 
 For several years thereafter he operated the home 
 farm, and in 1885 he embarked in merchandis- 
 ing at his father's old place of business. There 
 he carried on operations until 1895, when he 
 erected his present large business block, 45 x 52 
 feet. He is a merchant of whom any community 
 might be proud. Progressive and enterprising 
 he fully meets the public demand by carrying first- 
 class goods, and his honorable dealing and court- 
 eous treatment have secured to him a liberal 
 patronage. He is a man of considerable busi- 
 ness ability, who has not limited his dealings to 
 one line of trade, and he now owns and operates 
 two canal boats and also operates four others. 
 He carries on farming, and in all branches of his 
 business displays an energy and sagacity that has 
 brought to him success. 
 
 On October 9, 1886, Mr. Rine was married to 
 Miss Hattie Musser, a daughter of John and Mary 
 (Gaman) Musser. They have four children: 
 Gertrude M., Minnie A., Sarah C. and Samuel 
 M., and the family circle yet remains unbroken. 
 They hold an enviable position in society, and 
 their pleasant home is noted for its hospitality. 
 In politics Mr. Rine is a Democrat, but, like 
 others of the family, is more widely known in 
 connection with his business interests than for 
 any active part he takes in political affairs. He 
 is, however, serving as township auditor in the 
 seventh -year of his incumbency. He and his 
 wife are members of the Lutheran Church, in 
 which he is now filling the office of trustee, and 
 of the Sunday-school he has served as superin- 
 tendent. 
 
 JACOB A. AIGLER, of Beavertown, Snyder 
 county, is one of the most successful edu- 
 cators of this section, and is also prominent 
 in public affairs, being a leading worker in the 
 local Republican organization. Possessing an 
 active and intelligent mind, well-stored with in- 
 formation, he naturally wields much influence in 
 his community, while his genial manner attracts 
 the friendship of all classes. 
 
 He was born at Beavertown, May 13, 1861, 
 and belongs to an old pioneer family of that lo- 
 cality. His great-grandfather, Jacob Aigler, was 
 a native of Germany, but came to Pennsylvania 
 in early manhood and settled in Berks county, 
 where he spent his remaining years in agriculture. 
 Jacob Aigler, our subject's grandfather, was born 
 and reared in Berks count)-, but on reaching man- 
 hood removed to what is now Beaver township, 
 Snyder county (then a portion of Northumber- 
 land county), and purchased a large tract of land, 
 which he improved for a homestead. He owned 
 another extensive estate in the Tuscarora Valley, 
 in Juniata county, and was widely known as a 
 successful and enterprising citizen. In politics 
 he was a stanch Old-line Whig, and he and his 
 wife were both consistent members of the Lu- 
 theran Church. This estimable lady, whose 
 maiden name was Esther Klose, was a native of 
 the township where he made his permanent 
 home. They had fourteen children, three of 
 whom died in infancy. The others were: Amos, 
 deceased, formerly a resident of Bellevue, Ohio; 
 Joel, deceased; Reuben, our subject's father; 
 Lydia, wife of J. P. Wetzel; Jacob, a resident 
 of Bellevue, Ohio; Hattie, wife of Henry Eisen- 
 hower; Sarah, wife of Henry Wagner, of St. 
 Joseph county, Mich. ; Abner, a resident of 
 Beavertown; Matilda, wife of William Kline, of 
 St. Joseph county, Mich. ; Mary, wife of Frank 
 Stettler, of the same locality, and Sophia, who 
 married Isaac Boush. 
 
 Reuben Aigler, the father of our subject, was 
 born at the old homestead, December 14, 18 18, 
 and received a good education for that time in 
 the subscription schools of the vicinity, learning 
 to read and write both in English and in German. 
 Choosing agriculture as an occupation, he re- 
 mained at the homestead, for many years 
 working the place on shares for his father. In 
 i860 he bought sixty acres, which he operated 
 about fourteen years, making many improvements 
 and building a barn and a handsome frame resi- 
 dence. In the meantime he built an attractive 
 and comfortable dwelling house at Beavertown, 
 and in 1874 he retired from active business and 
 settled there to spend his last years, his death 
 occurring October 10, 1893. In his early life he 
 
114:? 
 
 ( OMMBMORATIVE BlOURAPlll'M. RECORD. 
 
 was a stanch Whig, but when the Republican 
 party was organized, he became identified with 
 it, and always remained a firm supporter of its 
 doctrines. He was an uncompromising foe to 
 slavery, and during the Civil war served ten 
 months as a soldier in Company G, 172nd P. V. 
 I., under Captain Smith. In 1845 he was mar- 
 ried in Beaver township to Miss Mary Eisen- 
 hower, who was born January 17, 1827, in Wash- 
 ington township, Snyder county, then Union 
 county, and whose father, Abraham Eisenhower, 
 was a well-known farmer of Franklin township. 
 She survives him, and is still an honored member 
 of the Lutheran church at Beavertown, in which 
 he was for mans years a deacon and elder. Il«' 
 never seemed anxious for public office, but took 
 keen interest in all movements that promised to 
 benefit the community, and gave special attention 
 to educational affairs, serving for some time as a 
 school director. Our subject was the youn 
 of four children. Calvin, the eldest, died at an 
 early age. Jerome F. is mentioned more fully 
 below. Ellen |. married Frank Beaver, of Bea- 
 \ ertown. 
 
 His parents being fully aware of the advan- 
 tage of an education. Mr. Aigler was given the 
 best opportunities that tin- neighborhood affoi. 
 being allowed to attend school in the sumrrn 
 w<|| as in winter. After some years of study in 
 the public schools of Beavertown, he entered the 
 academy ;;t Freeburg, where Ik- spent several 
 terms under the able instruction of Prof. 1) S. 
 Boyer and Major Dill. When twenty-one j 
 old he took charge of the Bobb school in Beaver 
 township, where- he taught successfully for five 
 terms, and later he taught ten years in Beaver- 
 town and one year in Spring township. Snyder 
 count}-. He also conducted a summer school 
 l"i boys and sfirls in Beavertown, and his ability 
 as an instructor and disciplinarian are wi 
 recognized, His judgment is sought in various 
 important interests, and he is a stockholder and 
 director in the Beavertown Opera House Com- 
 pany, As a in' 1 the Republican County 
 1 mittei , he lias done much to forward the 
 work of his party, and he also be! the 
 Republican Club of I town, in which he has 
 held the office of president. For six years he 
 served as assessor of Snyder county. He owns 
 a pleasant home at Beavertown. built by himself, 
 and he and his wife are prominent in the best 
 social circles of the city. He was married June 
 4, 1885, to Miss Mary ('. Greenhoe, a native of 
 Spring township, Snyder county, and a daughter 
 of Reuben Greenhoe, a prosperous farmer of 
 Beaver township. They have one daughter, 
 Jennie E., another child having died in infancy. 
 
 Mrs. Aigler is an active and efficient worker in 
 the Sunday-school, and our subject takes deep 
 interest in the various activities of the Lutheran 
 Church at Beavertown, of which he is also a 
 member. Fraternally. Mr. Aigler belongs to the 
 P. O. S. of A., and is now the district president 
 for Snyder county. 
 
 Jeromic l-\, our subject's brother, was born 
 April 29, 1847, and has always resided at the old 
 homestead, his education having been obtained 
 in the local schools. He assisted his father in 
 tin farm work until 1874. when he took charge 
 of the place on shares, but in 1894 he pur- 
 chased it, and has since been conducting it on his 
 own account. He has made many improvements, 
 and is regarded as an able and successful man- 
 ager. As a citizen he stands high in the esteem 
 of the community, and for five years he has 
 served as an elder in the Lutheran Church at 
 Beavertown. He is an ardent Republican, and 
 while he is not an office seeker he was at one 
 time assistant assessor of his township. On De- 
 cember 7, 1875, he was married in Beaver town- 
 ship to Miss Lucy Boush, a native of that town- 
 ship, and a daughter of David Boush. Her 
 hiither, Dr. C. W. Boush, is a successful physi- 
 cian at McClure, Pennsylvania. 
 
 NJ. LIVINGST< )X. dealer in Furniture of all 
 kinds; repairing neatly done; Undertaking 
 in all its branches — Selins Grove, Snyder County, 
 Pennsylvania. 
 
 OEORGE M. SHINDEL, of Middleburg, is 
 one of the most popular men in Snyder 
 county, as is shown by his long continued service 
 in some of the chief offices in the gift of the peo- 
 ple of that locality. 
 
 He belongs to a good old German family 
 which lias been identified with Pennsylvania from 
 The first ancestor of whom we 
 have .1 definite account was Conrad Shindel, who 
 was in mi in Gemmelsbach, Germany, in 16; 
 llis -mi, John Conrad Shindel. the next in the 
 line of descent, was married mi fanuary 2, 1710, 
 ■ emmelsbach, to Susannah Trexler, of Airte- 
 bach, Germany, who was baptized October 18, 
 5. They made their home at Airtebach, and 
 n February 2S, 1732, a son, John Peter Slim- 
 del, was born tn them there. II 1 Marie 
 M. Gebhart, and in 1751, emigrated to Pennsyl- 
 vania, locating at Lebanon, where he died May 
 29, [784. John Peter Shindel (2), cur subject's 
 1 indfather, was horn at Lebanon October 
 3, 1787, and on June 4, 1S12. removed to Sun- 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1143 
 
 bury, Perm., where he passed his remaining 
 years, his death occurring October 26, 1853. He 
 married Susannah McCulloch, and had a son, 
 John Peter Shindel (3), our subject's grandfather, 
 who was born July 25, 1S10, at Lebanon, and 
 preached for many years in Lutheran Churches 
 in Union and Snyder counties, dying March 16, 
 1888, at Middleburg; he was twice married, first, 
 to Miss Mary Sophia Young, and, second, to Miss 
 Sallie Gobin. By the first union he had five chil- 
 dren: John Y., our subject's father; Maria L., 
 wife of John P. Cronmiller, deceased; and Eliza- 
 beth B., who married T. J. Smith, an attorney 
 of Middleburg, now deceased, and two who died 
 young. By the second marriage there were two 
 children: Miss Martha E. and Edward G. 
 
 Dr. John Y. Shindel, the father of our sub- 
 ject, first saw the light at Sunbury, June 26, 1834, 
 and in early manhood entered the medical pro- 
 fession, which he has followed with marked suc- 
 cess. During the Civil war he served ably as a 
 surgeon in the Union army. He began his prac- 
 tice at Bannerville, Penn., but later settled at Mid- 
 dleburg, where he built up a large and lucrative 
 practice and also conducted a drug store for 
 many years. His wife, whose maiden name was 
 Ada M. Moatz, was born in that town July 24, 
 1839, and is still living. They had two children, 
 of whom our subject was the elder. The other, 
 Mary Sophia, died when about eight months old. 
 
 Mr. Shindel entered upon his mortal career 
 on February 4, 1S59, at Middleburg, and was 
 educated there, his public-school course being 
 supplemented by instruction under private tutors. 
 At the age of fifteen he began to assist his father 
 in the drug store, and five years were spent in 
 that occupation. Later he was employed as a 
 clerk in the county offices, and so well did his 
 work commend him to the public that in 1891 he 
 was elected register and recorder of the county. 
 This office he held for two terms and in Febru- 
 ary, 1897, as his second term drew to a close, he 
 was nominated for prothonotary, a most unusual 
 honor, as ordinarily two consecutive terms are 
 all that can be conceded to any one man in the 
 county, but he was, nevertheless, elected No- 
 vember 2, 1897, for three years by a majority of 
 1,070 against one of the most popular Democrats 
 in the county. 
 
 On January 16, 1879, Mr. Shindel married 
 Miss Alice S. Isenhart, who was born February 4, 
 1 86 1 , the daughter of Daniel Isenhart, now a 
 well-known resident of Shamokin, Pennsylvania, 
 and at one time, from 1876 to 1879, the sheriff 
 of Snyder county. To this union has been born 
 one son: William H., born October 17, 1879, 
 now a student at Susquehanna University at 
 
 Selins Grove. Mr. Shindel is a member of the 
 Odd Fellows, and the Patriotic Order Sons of 
 America. 
 
 HURLEY ROMIG, whose efficiency and pop- 
 ularity well fit him for the discharge of his 
 
 duties as agent on the Sunbury & Lewistown 
 Branch of the Pennsylvania railroad at McClure, 
 was born in Beaver Springs, Snyder county, No- 
 vember 5, 1873. He is a representative of one 
 of Pennsylvania's early families. His grand- 
 father, Samuel Romig, was born in Union coun- 
 ty, now Snyder county, and throughout his life 
 followed the occupation of farming in Beaver 
 Springs, where he died in 1SS1. He was twice 
 married, his second wife being the grandmother 
 of our subject. 
 
 Ephraim Romig, the father, was born in 
 Beaver Springs, obtained his education in the 
 public schools, and throughout his life has fol- 
 lowed the art of photography, conducting a 
 gallery in his native town. He has a wide ac- 
 quaintance there, and his many excellencies of 
 character commend him to the confidence and 
 good will of all. He married Susan Adda 
 Schroyer, who was born in West Beaver town- 
 ship, Snyder county, a daughter of Henry 
 Schroyer, a harness maker of Middleburg, that 
 county. They are members of the Lutheran 
 Church, and in his political faith the father is a 
 Democrat. They now have two children: Hurley, 
 and Clymer, now assistant postmaster at Beaver 
 Springs. 
 
 Hurley Romig attended the public schools of 
 his native town, and at the age of fifteen years 
 entered the printing office of the Weekly Herald at 
 Beaver Springs in the capacity of "devil." For 
 three years he was there employed, and then took 
 up the study of telegraphy in the railroad office at 
 that point. When he had thoroughly mastered 
 the business he was given the position of night 
 operator at Selins Grove, serving for six months, 
 after which he was day operator for three years. 
 On the expiration of that period he was appointed 
 station agent and telegraph operator at McClure, 
 in 1895, and has since creditably and faithfully 
 filled that position, winning the approval of the 
 railroad company and the commendation of the 
 traveling public. In connection with his duties 
 he is serving as agent for the Adams Express 
 Company. 
 
 On March 7, 1895, in McClure, Mr. Romig 
 was united in marriage to Miss Tessie P. Baker, 
 a native of McClure. They have a very pleasant 
 home which Mr. Romig purchased at a cost of 
 more than $1,000, and to which he has added 
 
1111 
 
 VMEifORA TIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 many excellent impr ts. He is a member 
 
 of the Lutheran Church, secretary of the Sunday- 
 school, and an earnest w< rker in the cause of 
 Christianity. His political supp the 
 
 Democracy. With unqm I fidelity he sei 
 
 the interests of the < by which he is em- 
 
 ploy* in all the relations of life he is true 
 
 and faithful to the trust reposed in him. 
 
 ER B. MIDDLESWARTH, a leading citi- 
 X^l :en ol McClure, Snyder county, is one of 
 the county's successful business 
 
 titled with mercantile and manufacturing inter- 
 ests in his locality. He is also prominent in 
 political affairs and has held various offices, in- 
 cluding that of sheriff of Snyder county, and at 
 present he is serving as postmaster at McClure. 
 
 Mr. Middleswarth's military record com- 
 mends him to every true American, as he en- 
 listed in the Union army when a young man of 
 twenty, and took part in t the noted bat- 
 
 tles of the Civil war. Mr. Middleswarth 
 member of a well-known family of this section. 
 ■ md was born January 28, 1 S44. in West Heaver 
 township. Snyder county, where he attended 
 school in his early years. His education was 
 completed at Adamsburg, and he taught school 
 for two terms, but afterward he engaged in farm- 
 in:; with his father at the homestead. On August 
 -7- 1864, In- enlisted, at Adamsburg, in d 
 pany I. 148th 1". V. I., under Col. J. H. Stover 
 and ( apt. L. C. Edmunds, and was mustered 
 into service at Harrisburg in the following month, 
 the regiment being I to the Army of the 
 
 Potomac. He held the rank of corporal, and 
 among the engagements in which he participated 
 we may mention those at Hatcher's Run and 
 Boyden Flank Road in 1864, Fort Steadman, the 
 final struggle at Petersburg, and the operations 
 around Richmond, ending with the surrender of 
 W'lnl. a 1 1'- tersburg he was taken ill, and 
 for about a month he lay in a hospital at City 
 
 it. Va. He was present at the Grand I 
 view at Washington, and at its close was trans- 
 ferred to Harrisburg. where he was mustered out. 
 On returning borne he again took up the work of 
 farming, and in 1 X66 he and his brother Isaac 
 want mto partnership in the man t of the 
 
 homestead. A few years later the estate was 
 divided, and Squire Middleswarth conducted his 
 share alone for some time. In the meantime he 
 was active in local affairs a 
 
 1 [873 to [879 he held the office of county 
 auditor. From 1 S 7 , j he served as jus- 
 
 tice of the peace, performing one marriage cere- 
 mony during that term. In 1884 he was elected 
 
 iff, receiving a handsome majority over his 
 opponent. After serving tht rs with credit 
 
 la retired and located at McClure, where he en- 
 n the real-estate business, building several 
 dwelling houses at a cost of more than five thou- 
 sand dollars. In 1 894 he formed a partnership 
 with H. C. Ulsh in a general mercantile busi- 
 ness, which they have since conducted success- 
 fully. The Squire is the founder of the Water 
 i\ it McClure, of which he 1- 11 »w the 
 secretary. He is also secretary of the Cemetery 
 ■ciation of the same city, which office he has 
 held nine years. Notwithstanding his extensivi 
 business interests, he has not lost his liking for 
 political work or his influence in public affairs, 
 and in June, 1897, ' le was appointed postmaster 
 at McClure. 
 
 In religious faith Mr. Middleswarth is a Lu- 
 theran, and for many years he has been an elder 
 in the Church. Since 1872 he has served almost 
 constantly as superintendent of the Sunday- 
 school, and established and organized the first 
 Sunday-school teachers' meeting ever held in 
 McClure He is also prominent in the Christian 
 Endeavor Society, of which he was twice chi 
 president. He takes great interest in the G. A 
 R.. and has been Second Commander of Capt. 
 M. Smith l'i st No. 355, and Commander of 
 Capt. Ryan Post No. 364, at Middleburg. In 
 1896 he was made secretary of the Juniata Val- 
 ley Veterans Association, at the meeting held in 
 Hunringdon county, and in 1897 he was instru- 
 mental in making the Encampment at McClure 
 a grand success, and he was elected vice-presi- 
 dent of said association for 1898. 
 
 On August 30, 1864, our subject was married, 
 at Middleburg, to his rirst wile. Amelia Drei 
 daughter of Abraham Dreese, a prominent farmer 
 ol Beaver township, Snyder county. She died 
 February 11, 1S92, leaving one child, Laura S . 
 now the wife .III iward A. Ulsh, a stave manu- 
 facturer of ( county, On July 7. 18 
 Mr. Middleswarth married Miss Maggie I P( 
 ters. a native of Armagh township. Mifflin coun- 
 ty, .tw,] a daughter of Isaac Peters, a well-known 
 ulturist of that locality. The family is prom- 
 inent socially, and Mr. Middleswarth can always 
 be relied upon to assist in any progressive move- 
 ment in his locality. 
 
 His ability, energy and public spirit may be 
 said to lie family traits, as the Middlesu arths 
 have been noted for the qualities that go to the 
 making of good citizens, and have led in social, 
 political, and business life, in this section, from 
 an early date. They are of Scotch-Irish descent. 
 John Middleswarth. our subject's great-grand- 
 father, came from New Jersey m 1792 with his 
 
JYqA/$. VU^&^C&e^^T^fc 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1145 
 
 wife, Martha, and several children, locating near 
 Beavertown, where he purchased a large tract of 
 land. He built a log house in the midst of the 
 forest, and made his home there, being one of 
 the first permanent residents of that vicinity. 
 His remains now rest in the cemetery at Adams- 
 burg. Hon. Ner Middleswarth, the grandfather 
 of our subject, was born in New Jersey, and was 
 about ten years old when he accompanied his 
 parents to this State. He was reared as a pio- 
 neer farmer's boy, amid rough yet wholesome 
 surroundings, and in all his life had but three 
 months' schooling. Possessing an unusually act- 
 ive and acute mind and much force of character, 
 he managed to acquire an excellent education 
 and spoke both English and German fluently. As 
 he owned a large amount of land he followed 
 agriculture throughout his life, but he was also 
 interested in mercantile business at Port Ann and 
 Beaver Furnace, and owned and operated a dis- 
 tillery and a gristmill. He was the founder of the 
 Beaver furnace, and continued for many years to 
 be the principal stockholder in the enterprise. 
 In 1812 he enlisted as the captain of a company 
 which he had raised, and went into service 
 against the British with the 8th Pennsylvania 
 Rifles under Col. Irwin. In 18 14 he raised an- 
 other company, which was attached to a regiment 
 commanded by Col. Uhl in Gen. Cadwalader's 
 division, and was stationed at Marcus Hook. 
 His long and honorable career as a legislator be- 
 gan in 181 5 when he was elected on the Whig 
 ticket to represent his locality at Harrisburg. 
 He served thirteen terms, and twice was chosen 
 Speaker of the Lower House. In 1848 he was 
 elected to the State Senate, and later he became 
 the choice of his district as a member of the 
 XXXIIIrd Congress, in which he served with 
 ability and fidelity. For five years he was asso- 
 ciate judge of Snyder county, and at one time 
 he was a candidate for the office of canal com- 
 missioner, being defeated on purely partisan 
 grounds. He was well known among the lead- 
 ing politicians of his day, and was certainly one 
 of the foremost citizens of this section. During 
 the Anti-Mason agitation he took a prominent 
 part against the society, and, in fact, his influence 
 was a strong factor in every movement that arose 
 while he was in public life. His wife, Christiana 
 Swartzline, was born in central Pennsylvania, 
 of German ancestry. They had twelve children: 
 John (deceased), Moses (deceased), Abner (de- 
 ceased), Abraham K. and Aaron J. (twins), 
 Jacob, Merib, Mary, Martha, Eliza, Sarah and 
 Matilda. The father died at Beavertown on 
 June 2, 1865, and the mother passed away in 
 1862. 
 
 Capt. Abraham Kelley Middleswarth, our sub- 
 ject's father, was born January 22, 181 5, in what 
 is now Beaver township, Snyder county, and is 
 at present living in retirement at McClure, Penn. 
 He was educated in the country schools near his 
 home, acquiring a good knowledge of the English 
 branches. He has made farming his occupation, 
 having remained at the homestead until 1838, 
 when he located in West Beaver township and 
 began to work on his own account. He was very 
 successful, and at one time possessed more than 
 800 acres of land in four farms, upon which he built 
 several dwelling houses and barns and made other 
 substantial improvements. Much of his attention 
 was given to stock raising, and he was always 
 fond of horses. Since 1866 he has left his busi- 
 ness to younger hands, and an honored old age, 
 quiet, peaceful and blessed with affection, crowns 
 a worthy life. iHe has held in a high degree the 
 esteem of his fellow-citizens, and has served with 
 credit in several offices, including those of school 
 director, township assessor and county commis- 
 sioner. Politically, he was a Whig in early life, 
 but, like all the members of his family, he be- 
 came identified with the Republican party on its 
 organization, and he has ever since been a stead- 
 fast supporter of its doctrines. For many years 
 he has been a leading member of the Lutheran 
 Church, in which he has held various offices and 
 at one time was an elder. At present he does 
 not belong to any fraternal order, but he was 
 formerly a member of the I. O. O. F. 
 
 On January 16, 1836, Capt. Middleswarth was 
 married, in Beaver township, Snyder county, to 
 Miss Elizabeth Bubb, a native of that township, 
 born in 18 17. Her parents, Peter and Wilhel- 
 mina (Hassinger) Bubb, were well-known resi- 
 dents of that locality; her father, who was of 
 German descent, was a prosperous farmer. Five 
 children have blessed this union: Delilah, wife 
 of John Felker, of McClure; Isaac, who is en- 
 gaged in the sawmill business in the same town; 
 Ner B., our subject; Elvina, wife of George Ben- 
 fer, of McClure; and Sarah Clementine Shindle. 
 who married William M. Bratton, also of McClure. 
 
 BANIEL OTT. There is particular satis- 
 ' faction in reverting to the life history of the 
 honored and venerable gentleman whose name 
 initiates this review, as he was for many years 
 prominently identified with the agricultural and 
 political interests of Snyder county. He has 
 not only made the best use of his opportunities, 
 but has thoroughly enjoyed life, and now in his 
 declining years has laid aside all business cares 
 
1 1 16 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 and devotes considerable time to traveling, in 
 which he has ever taken great delight. 
 
 In Pcnn township, where he still makes his 
 home, Mr. Ott was born May i~ , 1820, a son of 
 Daniel and Esther (Hummell) Ott, the former a 
 native of Chester county, Penn. George Ott, 
 the paternal grandfather, was the progenitor of 
 the family in this locality, and took up 400 acres 
 of wild land in Snyder county, building his log 
 cabin near Penn's creek. He lived to about 
 
 ity years of age, and at his death was buried 
 by tht- side of his wife in Selins Grove cemetery. 
 They had two sons and four daughters, of whom 
 Frederick died in Lycoming count)' at the age of 
 
 ity He never used glasses, as his eyesight 
 was unimpaired at the time of his death. The 
 daughters all married, and all died in Snyder 
 
 ity except one, who passed away in Summit 
 inty, Ohio. Daniel Ott, Sr, \» as about seven 
 years old when brought by his parents to what 
 is now Snyder county, was reared as a farmer 
 and on reaching manhood married Esther 
 Hummell, daughter of Jacob Hummell, a farmer 
 * I Monroe township, Snyder county. They lo- 
 cated on the old Ott homestead, where thi 
 tinned to live for many years, and where 
 mother died in [831. The father's death oc- 
 1 Selins Grove, when in his sixty-eighth 
 1 vas laid by the side of his wife in 
 
 the cemetery of that place. In connection with 
 his farm work, for several years he conducted 
 the Ott Tavern, with the sign of the "Black 
 first established in [820, and was 
 one of the best known hostelries in tl 'ion, 
 
 it being the favorite stopping place for teamsters 
 in those early days. In early life 
 the father was a Whig in politics and later a Ri 
 publican; in his Church relations, he was a Lu- 
 theran. 
 
 To Daniel and Esther Hummell) Ott were 
 horn the following children: fat ob, who died in 
 Sell t e, who died in Elkhart a 
 
 ty, Ind.; Samuel, who died in Penn township. 
 Snyder if this sketch; Willi 
 
 who died when young; Lydia. wife of Jack Gaug- 
 ler, of Selii ind Henry, who died in 
 
 December, 1897. After the death ol his first 
 wife, Mi. Ott married her sister, Mrs Elizabeth 
 (Hummell 1 Hettrich, and by her had one daugh- 
 
 Elizabeth, now the wife oi I 
 ■i I lei 1 ien, Mich I >j hei former m 1 Mrs. 
 
 < >tl had six children. She survived hei 
 husband, and was buried in Selins Grove. 
 
 During his boyhood Daniel Ott, [r., lived 
 
 e distance from Selins Grove, where the 
 
 rest scln onducted, and therefore his 
 
 nal privileges were limited. Although 
 
 he never attended school but one month, he has 
 become a well-informed man, gaining that excel- 
 lent knowledge which only travel and close ob- 
 servation can bring. He has been called upon 
 to settle up estates and perform other business 
 which requires education, and by his own meth- 
 ods and rules most satisfactorily discharged those 
 duties. Not until after he had attained his ma- 
 jority was he able to speak a word of English. 
 
 At the age of nineteen Mr. Ott began learn- 
 ing the shoemaker's trade under the direction of 
 Rich Lloyd, of Selins Grove, and during his two- 
 years' apprenticeship received not a cent of pay, 
 and furnished his own clothes. He then began 
 the battle of life for himself, and for seven years 
 worked as a " tramp " shoemaker, walking first 
 to Indianapolis, Ind. When he started out he 
 was a green German boy with no education, and 
 ignorant of the ways of the world, his only fac- 
 ulty seemed his ability to defend himself, and, 
 although small in stature, was often victorious in 
 hand-to-hand contests with boys much larger 
 than himself. After traveling over a large por- 
 tion of Illinois, Indiana and Michigan, he returned 
 ti ' Selins Grove. 
 
 In May, [848, Mr. Ott was married to Miss 
 Elizabeth Long, who was born near Selins 
 Grove, December 20, 1824, a daughter of Ben- 
 jamin and Elizabeth (Fetten Long, farming peo- 
 ple. Her paternal grandfather was Jacob Long, 
 who came to this region from Berks counts, 
 Penn. Mrs. Ott was the oldest daughter and 
 \ second child in a family of six children, three 
 sons and three daughters. By her marriage she 
 became the mother of six children — Esther L., 
 now Mrs. Franklin Good, of Selins Grove; Mary 
 C, wife of Peter Long, of that place; Adda, wife 
 of Luther Landis, a miller of Goldburg, York 
 Co , Penn.; Gertie I., wife of Frank Mater, of 
 
 ins Grove; and two sons, who died in infancy. 
 
 During his early business career, in addition 
 to work at his trade, Mr. Ott would take any 
 
 iloyment by which he could earn an honest 
 dollar, and at his mai 'I saved over $500, 
 
 but had spent three times that amount for whole- 
 some pleasures. Locating at Selins Grove, he 
 served as constable foi three years, having juris- 
 diction over the whole county, and, on the expi- 
 term, n m ived to his present farm 
 on Penn's creek, m Penn township, locating here 
 in 1853. His place comprise ! thirty-three acres 
 of the home farm, which he had purchased of his 
 father, but was improved with no buildings. He 
 erected a pleasant dwelling, good barns and out- 
 buildings, and continued the cultivation and im- 
 provement of his land until 1S71, since which 
 time he has practically lived retired As his 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1147 
 
 financial resources increased he extended the 
 boundaries of his farm until it now com- 
 prises 125 acres of rich and arable land. 
 Throughout his entire life he has continued to 
 indulge his love of travel and hunting, and has 
 visited every count}' in Pennsylvania, much of 
 New York, and all of Ohio. He has also trav- 
 eled extensively over Indiana, Illinois, along 
 Cedar river, in Iowa, and over Missouri, Kansas, 
 Colorado, Indian Territory aixl Texas. In the 
 last named State he hunted buffalo and other big 
 game, and has at his home the mounted head of 
 an immense buffalo which he killed there. Mr. 
 Ott has also visited many of the Eastern and 
 Southern States, including Kentucky, West Vir- 
 ginia, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware and New 
 Jersey, and witnessed the grand review at Wash- 
 ington, D. C. , in 1865. In connection with his 
 farming operations, Mr. Ott was for some years 
 interested in buying and selling horses and cattle, 
 bringing several droves of the former from the 
 west at an early day. Although still well pre- 
 served, he does not engage in any active labor, 
 but enjoys life to the utmost, and, possessing a 
 retentive memory and being a good conversa- 
 tionalist, he can relate many interesting events 
 which have occurred in the course of his travels. 
 He usually gives his support to the men and 
 measures of the Republican party, but is not 
 strictly partisan at local elections, and has cred- 
 itably filled a number of township offices, being 
 assessor for six years, and overseer of the poor 
 five years. He and his wife are both prominent 
 and active members of the Lutheran Church, in 
 which he has served in a number of official 
 positions, and is now elder. His is indeed a 
 happy old age, and he well deserves the success 
 and pleasure that he has gained, for his life has 
 ever been such as to win the commendation of all 
 who know him. 
 
 JO. WAGNER, M. D. "All lives that are 
 in the best sense worth the living," says a 
 well-known writer, "are so by virtue of be- 
 ing true to their own polarity. There is un- 
 doubtedly a certain line of life, a certain definite, 
 however dimly defined, path predestined for each, 
 and that achievement which we are accustomed 
 to call success is simply the result of the vision 
 that sees, and the energy that follows this hidden 
 but divine leading." In the success attending 
 the efforts of this well-known physician and sur- 
 geon, who for years has been a leading practi- 
 tioner at Beaver Springs, Snyder county, we see 
 an illustration of this truth. So strong was his 
 desire to follow the direction of his special gifts, 
 
 that he turned from the offer of a certain com- 
 petence as a farmer, and making his own way 
 through college entered his chosen profession. 
 
 Dr. Wagner was born June 9, 1855, in Jack- 
 son township, Snyder county, near Kratzerville, 
 where his father, Y. H. Wagner, still resides. 
 His mother, whose maiden name was Susanna 
 Hahn, was a daughter of that well-known pio- 
 neer, Capt. John Hahn. The Doctor attended 
 school in Kratzerville, and although his oppor- 
 tunities were inferior to those of the present day, 
 he made such good use of them that before he 
 was sixteen he was prepared to teach, his first 
 school being in the Brouse school house in his 
 native township. He was always devoted to his 
 studies, and more than once his excess in appli- 
 cation to his books caused illness. After teach- 
 ing for a short time he pursued his studies in 
 Professor Noetling's select school at Selins 
 Grove, and thus prepared for better work as a 
 teacher. He then secured a school at Kratzer- 
 ville, and while there began to read medicine 
 with Dr. P. Hermann, as from childhood he 
 had a desire to enter the medical profession. 
 His father did not sympathize with this ambi- 
 tion, as he desired our subject, being the only son, 
 to take the farm, and consequently the young 
 man had to make his own living while carrying 
 out his plans; hence, before entering medical 
 college, he taught for several terms near Middle- 
 burg, in West Beaver township, as well as at 
 Evendale, in an independent school district. In 
 the fall of 1877 he entered the College of Physi- 
 cians and Surgeons at Baltimore, Md., and after 
 one term was obliged to resume the work of 
 teaching in order to replenish his pocketbook. 
 By close economy he managed to save enough in 
 one year of teaching to take him through an- 
 other term at college, and on March 3, 1880, he 
 received his degree of M. D., having completed 
 a full course. It happened that his preceptor 
 was ill with pneumonia at the time, and during 
 March, April and May, 1880, our subject took 
 charge of his practice at Kratzerville. On Au- 
 gust 2, 1880, he located at Adamsburg, and be- 
 ing an entire stranger, failure was freely pre- 
 dicted for him, but he succeeded from the start, 
 notwithstanding the fact that the most difficult 
 cases in the locality were given him. including 
 chronic ailments pronounced hopeless by others. 
 Success in these brought him new patients, and 
 at the present time he enjoys an extensive and 
 lucrative practice which is solely due to his own 
 skill and ability. He allows nothing to take his 
 attention from his work, and in addition to his 
 practice he has, since 1889, been interested in 
 the drug business. He formerly carried on 
 
1148 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL ■■ 
 
 dentistry, but at present does nothing in that 
 line except to extract teeth. 
 
 He married Miss Mary E. Gross, of Be. 
 town, a daughter of Christian and M nfer) 
 
 Gross, and one child. Otto G.. born November 
 22. 1889, brightens their home. The Doctor 
 owns a pleasant residence in Heaver Springs, 
 built by himself, and he also owns an excellent 
 farm of fifty acres in the same vicinity. Dr. 
 Wagner and his wil riinent members 
 
 of the Reformed Church, and he is a charter 
 member of Beaver Springs Castle No. 423, K. 
 G. E., in which he is past chief and is now serv- 
 ing the fourth term as M. of R. As might 
 supposed, he is identified with the various pro- 
 fessional organizations, and he belongs to Sir 
 County Medical Society, in which he is now, and 
 has been for a number of years, secretary and 
 treasurer, succeeding J. V. Shindel. He is also 
 a permanent member of the State Medical So- 
 ciety. He takes keen interest in public questions, 
 and is a stanch supporter of the Republican 
 party, but has never sought political honors. 
 
 H 
 
 ENRY MOYER, an agriculturist, was born 
 AM October 28, 1827, in Penn township, Sny- 
 der county, on the farm where he now resides. 
 His father, William Mover, was born on the 
 same farm, November 15, 1801, and was a son 
 of John Mover, who was born in Berks county, 
 
 11., May 27, 1 7 7 1 . The great-grandfather of 
 our subject was a native of Germany, and be- 
 came the founder of the family in America, lb 
 was liberally educated in his native land, and in 
 this country became a successful teacher. He 
 died in Berks county. 
 
 John Mover, the grandfather, was a farmer 
 
 shoemaker, and located at the present hi 
 of our subject when the land was in its primitive 
 condition. The mighty denizens of the forest 
 fell before the stroki of Ins sturdy axe, and acre 
 after acre was thus cleared and made ready for 
 cultivation. Turkeys, deer and other wild game 
 furnished the table with meat, and the experi- 
 ences of the family were those that usually fall 
 to the lot of the pioneer. The grandfatherthere 
 continued to make his home until his death, £ 
 tember 17, 1865. He married Anna Margaret 
 Miller, who was born in Pennsylvania, April 17, 
 1 77 1, and came to Snyder county with her 
 parents, Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Miller. Mr. 
 and Mrs. Moyer were married in [794, and had 
 four children: Samuel, who died in Penn town- 
 ship; Elizabeth, wife of John Gemberling, of 
 Selins Grove; Catharine, wife of John Gember- 
 ling, a relative of the husband ol Elizabeth, and 
 
 in Penn t twnship, and William, father of 
 our subject. The parents of this family were 
 members of the Lutheran Church; the grand- 
 father of our subject was over ninety-four years 
 of age at time of his death. His wife died Janu- 
 ary 5, 1847. 
 
 William 'Mover was reared on the old h 
 farm, and was married March 21, 1825, to Mar- 
 
 I Fisher, who was born at Fisher's Ferry, 
 Deci ml t r 24, 1803, a daughter of Christian and 
 Hannah Fisher. Their children are: Henry; 
 Lydia, who was born October 10, 1830, and died 
 August 3, 1850; and Susannah, who was born 
 October 8, 1833, and died September 8, 1 S63, 
 the wife of Robert W. Kern. The father of I 
 
 1 gunsmith, and followed that trade 
 until returning to the old homestead to assu 
 tlie management of the farm. He was a leading 
 
 nber of the Lutheran Church, and in politics 
 was a Whig until the organization of the Repub- 
 lican party, when he joined its ranks. He died 
 [anuary 4, 1867, and his wife passed away 1 
 cember 26, 1888. 
 
 Henry Mover, of this review, bewail his edu- 
 cation in Salem, under the direction of Joseph 
 Weigle. For two terms he engaged in teaching: 
 in Penn township, and when a young man 
 secured a clerkship in the store of Davis & 
 Schnure, at Selins Grove. He now owns a val- 
 j uable farm, and gives his attention to agricultural 
 pursuits In 1S96 he remodeled his barn, and 
 has upon the place an excellent set of buildings. 
 A fine peach orchard and many other kinds of 
 fruit add to the value of the place, and few men 
 are better informed on horticulture than he. 
 
 On March 27, i860, Mr. Mover was married 
 to Miss Mary D. Degel, who was born at Lahn, 
 Bavaria, Vpril 11, 1838, a. daughter of John 
 George and Barbara (Schubert} Moyer. 
 came to the United States in 1853, reach 
 New York after a voyage of eight weeks. 
 
 11 this country one brother, John F., resid- 
 ing at Northumberland, Penn. The children 
 our subject and his wife are as follows: John 
 1".. born August 3, i860, now a farmer of Juni- 
 ata county, Penn.; David W. , born March 10, 
 operating his father's farm; Charles A., 
 born March 23, 1864, a merchant of Spi 
 Mills, Centre Co., Penn.; Mary A., born April 
 17, 1866, widow of Dr. G. P. Miller, living with 
 her father; Anna M., born April 20, 1867, wife 
 ol Prof. J. I. Woodruff; Sarah J., born Septem- 
 ber 23, (868, wife of Dr. J. W. Seip, of Erie, 
 Penn.; Clara P.. who was born December 13. 
 1870. and died November 24, 1889; Cora \ . , 
 who was born l ier 21. 1873, and is the 
 
 wife of Charles Gable, of Selins Grove; an infant 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1149 
 
 daughter, who was born January 7, 1876, and 
 died April 21, 1876; Delia A., who was born 
 September 23, 1879, and lives in Erie, Penn. ; 
 and Verna E., who was born August 2, 1881. 
 
 Mr. Mover is a zealous advocate of Repub- 
 lican principles, has served in various township 
 offices, was township clerk for a number of years, 
 and is now auditor of Penn township. He dis- 
 charges his duties with marked fidelity, being 
 ever true and faithful to the trust reposed in him. 
 He is one of the leading members of Salem 
 Church, was trustee for a number of years, and 
 is now trustee and a member of the building 
 committee, having in charge the erection of a 
 new house of worship in Salem. He was also 
 superintendent of the Sunday-school for some 
 time. His life, honorable and upright at all 
 times, commends him to the confidence and re- 
 spect of all, and he is one of the leading citizens 
 of Penn township. 
 
 EUBEN DREESE. Few citizens of this 
 AX section enjoy to as high a degree the esteem 
 and confidence of the people as does this well- 
 known agriculturist of Spring township, Snyder 
 county. He enjoys the distinction of being the 
 third Democrat ever elected to the office of sher- 
 iff in Snyder county, and he has held other po- 
 sitions of public trust, including that of county 
 treasurer, the only Democrat ever elected treas- 
 urer. 
 
 The Dreese family in Snyder county is de- 
 scended from three brothers, Jacob, Peter and 
 John, who came from Berks county, Penn., at 
 an early day. John, who was known as "Big 
 John," became very wealthy, and bequeathed a 
 tract of land to the Lutheran and Reformed 
 Churches, his bequest causing much litigation in 
 later years. Peter married, and left numerous 
 descendants. Jacob, our subject's father, was 
 born December 15, [7S6, and during boyhood 
 was bound out to a Mr. Fetterolf, with whom 
 he learned the blacksmith's trade. This busi- 
 ness he followed for many years at Adamsburg, 
 where he also owned and operated a farm, which 
 is now owned by our subject. His brother, 
 " Big John," left him considerable property, and 
 his own industry and ability enabled him to ac- 
 quire a handsome competence. He owned large 
 tracts of land, but, as he died before the war, it 
 did not bring as high a price in the settlement of 
 the estate as it would have done later. He was 
 a stanch Whig in politics, and in religious faith 
 was a Lutheran, being an active member of the 
 Church and holding office at various times. He 
 died October 1, 1854, as the result of an accident. 
 
 He was walking on the sidewalk in Adamsburg 
 when he was run over by a colt whose driver 
 was using no bridle. When his injuries were 
 examined it was found that his neck was broken. 
 His wife, Catherine Smith, who was born De- 
 cember 6, 1788, died September 7, 1863, and 
 both. were buried at Adamsburg. Notwithstand- 
 ing their advanced years they preserved their 
 health remarkably, and Mrs. Dreese was known 
 far and wide as a nurse, being always found 
 ready to administer to the needs of the sick and 
 helpless. No matter what the disease or ail- 
 ment, she remained without hesitation at the 
 bedside of the sufferer as long as her assistance 
 was needed, and her kind heart was shown in 
 many other ways, baskets of food and articles of 
 clothing being often sent from her home to the 
 poor. She was a daughter of Johan Adam 
 Smith, of Troxelville, who was at one time a 
 very wealthy land owner, but in later life met 
 with financial reverses. Our subject was the 
 youngest in a family of nine children: Christi- 
 ana, who married, first, Samuel Aurand, and, 
 second, John Felker, died in Spring township, 
 Snyder county; Henry died near Adamsburg; 
 Abraham, a farmer and blacksmith, died in 
 Spring township; Mary married Philip Benfer, 
 and died in Kratzville; Elizabeth married Adam 
 Specht, and died in Adamsburg; Isaac died in 
 Michigan; Amelia married Michael Beaver, and 
 now resides in Beavertown; Leah is the widow 
 of John Fike, of Juniata county, Penn. Al- 
 though the father was of but medium height, 
 most of his sons were tall, being nearly six feet. 
 Several of them followed the blacksmith's trade, 
 having learned it in their father's shop in Ad- 
 amsburg, where four fires were kept burning con- 
 tinuously. 
 
 Squire Dreese was born October 17, 1830, 
 at Adamsburg, and was educated there in the 
 subscription schools of that date; the free 
 schools being founded in time for him to attend 
 only one winter. The school apparatus as well 
 as the methods of instruction were quite primi- 
 tive, and he learned to write on paper made 
 near Adamsburg, an old-fashioned quill pen be- 
 ing used. At eighteen years of age he left home, 
 and going to Milroy, Penn., he learned the 
 blacksmith's trade, receiving thirty dollars in 
 cash for his two-years' work as an apprentice. 
 Two weeks were allowed him in harvest time, 
 however, in which he could earn money at hay 
 making to supplement his scanty wages. After 
 completing his apprenticeship he worked for a 
 time at Reedsville, Penn.. at very low wages, 
 and then returned to Adamsburg and established 
 a shop of his own where the creamery now 
 
1150 
 
 ( OMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 stands. ( )n March II, 1 852, tic was marri< 
 New Berlin to his first wife, Mis> Matilda Saltz- 
 man, who was born October 1st, 1831, the 
 daughter of William and Catherine Saltzman. 
 After his marriage Mr. Dreese engaged in farm- 
 ing but retained the tools and other equipment 
 of his blacksmith shop in order to do his own 
 work. He now owns two valuable farms adjoin- 
 ing Beaver Springs, and has sold off several town 
 lots in Adamsburg. For some years past he has 
 lived a semi-retired life, but he still ovei >i es his 
 farm in a general way. In 1881 he built an ele- 
 gant brick residence, and other substantial 
 improvements have made his homestead <>ne of 
 the best in the locality. In 1893 he laid out a 
 cemetery on one of his farms, which now belongs 
 to the Adamsburg Cemetery Association. 
 
 His lust wife died July 27. 1869, and was 
 buried at Adamsburg, and en January 30, 1870, 
 In' l"i medasecond matrimonial union, with Mrs. 
 Kate (Steininger Harbin, the widow of Hem\ 
 
 rbin. She' was born March 3, 1838, n< <• 
 Middleburg, and was the daughter of John and 
 Sarah Aurand Steininger. She had two chil- 
 dren by her first marriage — Sarah C, now de- 
 
 sed, and Phebe L. Mr. Dreese had five 
 children by his first marriage: (1) Allen, hern 
 fanuary 1, 1853, died when ten days old. 
 Milton, born January 1 . 1854, died Sept. 8, 1875, 
 while a student in the college at Kutztown, 
 Penn. ; he lacked but thirteen weeks of complet- 
 ing his course there, and intended to enter the 
 medical profession. (3) Lucy M., born June 6, 
 1856, died April 15, 1S59. 14) Albright, born 
 October 1, 1857, is a farmer in Spring township; 
 he married Anna Creenhoe, ami has had three 
 children — Homer, deceased; Catherine' M. and 
 Myron G. 5) James D. , born February 
 i860, is also a farmer in Spring township. 
 married Laura Stroup, by whom he had 
 children, Mary and Carrie, and after her death 
 wadded Emma Baker. By his second marriage 
 Mr. Dreese has one son, Henry J., born May 
 30, 1877, w ' 10 now resides at home. 
 
 In business circles Mr. Dreese's sound j 
 
 it is h.ld in high esteem, and he is a direi toi 
 in the Beavertown Mutual Fire Insurance Com- 
 pany. He holds stock in the First National 
 Bank of Middleburg, and is interested in a num- 
 ber of financial enterprises. His political cm 
 is a notable one. He has been a Democrat sin< e 
 •■ Know-Nothing" times, and from his youth has 
 taken an active part in public affairs. He was 
 supervisor in Beaver township for one term and 
 in Spring township foi two terms. He has given 
 especial attention to educational matters, serv- 
 ing several times as school director. In 1S78 he 
 
 1?. 
 
 He 
 
 two 
 
 was elected county treasurer, and served three 
 is, and in 1887 he was elected to the office of 
 sheriff, defeating Daniel Bolender, a very popu- 
 lar Republican. During his term of service Mr. 
 1 >reese resided for three years in Middleburg. It 
 had been a custom with his predecessors in office 
 to remove the accounts at the expiration of their 
 terms, but Mr. Dreese left his records of receipts 
 in the office for the inspection of hisconstituents, 
 an innovation which was highly appreciated by 
 the people. This scrupulous honesty is doubt- 
 less a factor in his popularity, and it is closely re- 
 lated to another admirable trait, that of absolute 
 fidelity to his friends. He is a liberal supporter 
 of religious movements, and is an active member 
 of the Lutheran Church, serving on the building 
 mittee when the new edifice was built at 
 Adamsburg. For more than thirtv years he has 
 held office in the Church eitheras deacon, el 
 or trustee, his service being interrupted only by 
 his residence in Middleburg. Sociallv, he is a 
 member of the Knights of the Golden Eagle. 
 
 JC. MOYER, Esq. Among the early settlers 
 in Berks county, Penn., were the ancestors 
 
 of the Meyer or Mover family, who came 
 from German}- during the Colonial period to 
 make homes for themselves in the forests of the 
 New World. They secured a large tract of land, 
 and, with true German thrift and industry, trans- 
 formed the wilderness into productive farm lands. 
 As the locality became more thickly settled, their 
 descendants found their opportunities for acquir- 
 ing property somewhat restricted, and, moved 
 by the same spirit which had caused their fore- 
 fathers to leave the Fatherland, they followed 
 the advancing line of settlement and became pio- 
 neers in other regions. 
 
 The first of the family to settle in what is 
 now Snyder county was Jacob Meyer, the grand- 
 father of the well-known citizen whose name ap- 
 pears above, and the old gristmill known as Mey- 
 er's mill, located in Mussel's Valley, three miles 
 east of Troxelville, was built by him soon after 
 his arrival. He purchased an extensive trai I 
 land, and in addition to his milling interests and 
 the care of his homestead, he conducted a tan- 
 nery for many years. Nor was he indifferent to 
 public affairs, for he gave freely of his time and 
 thought to the various local movements which 
 
 Ited in the establishment of political, relig- 
 ious and educational institutions in the new set- 
 tlement, and at times he served as a township 
 al. He died about 1853. His wife, Chris- 
 tina, bore him sixteen children, among whom 
 was a son, John, our subject's father, who was 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1151 
 
 born February 10, 1802, and became one of the 
 leading residents of that locality. During early 
 manhood John Meyer was engaged for nine years 
 in hauling merchandise between Philadelphia 
 and Musser's Valley, railroads being thea un- 
 known. Later he became interested in the 
 tanning business and had a large trade 
 throughout central Pennsylvania, but in 1875 
 he sold out to a son, J. J. S. Moyer, now 
 a resident of Salem, Oregon, and the last ten 
 years of his life were spent in well-earned leisure. 
 He was a Democrat in politics, and for years was 
 a leading member of the Lutheran Church, in 
 which he held office. His public spirit was shown 
 in many ways, his desire to see local affairs prop- 
 erly administered leading him to sacrifice his pri- 
 vate interests at times in order to accept office, 
 and his services as school director and supervisor 
 extend over many years. He died suddenly on 
 June 19, 1885, leaving a fine estate. He mar- 
 ried Miss Catherine Bingman, who was born June 
 25, 1808, in Berks county and was reared in the 
 family of a Mr. Udree. She died after a linger- 
 ing illness, and the remains of both now rest in 
 the Union cemetery in Musser's Valley. They 
 had eleven children, of whom our subject was the 
 youngest: (1) Gudilla, born August 20, 1S30, 
 married Isaac Krebs, and died in Adams town- 
 ship, Snyder county. (2) Amelia married Henry 
 Wagner, and died in Adams township. (3) John, 
 born February 23, 1834, died in Beavertown. 
 (4) Henrietta, born December 17, 1835, married 
 Nathan Fetterolf, and died in Troxelville. (5) 
 Susanna, born December 10, 1837, married Jo- 
 siah Kline and died in Adams township. (6) 
 Miss Neoriah, born November 2, 1839, is still 
 living. (7) John J. died in childhood. (8) 
 Catherine, born April 24, 1844, is the widow of 
 Josiah Kline. (9) Yost H., born February 28, 
 1846, is a farmer in Adams township. (10) John 
 J., born April 28, 1848, is a contractor residing 
 in Salem, Oregon. 
 
 J. G. Moyer began his education in a school 
 house which formerly occupied a site about a 
 half mile east of Troxelville. He afterward at- 
 tended Union Seminary at New Berlin, and on 
 leaving school he taught for a few months, and, 
 in 1868, he entered upon his business career as a 
 clerk for Capt. G. H. Hassenplug, in Musser's 
 Valley, at $7.00 per month. He remained there 
 nearly three years, and then, forming a partner- 
 ship with Mr. Swartz, he carried on a general 
 store business at Troxelville. In 1873 he pur- 
 chased his partner's interest, and his business in- 
 creased so rapidly that in 1875 he built a hand- 
 some two-and-a-half-story brick block, which 
 he still owns. In 1878 he retired from mer- 
 
 cantile life to engage in the lumber business in 
 partnership with William B. Baum, of New Ber- 
 lin. They manufactured railroad ties, and lum- 
 ber of all kinds, and have an extensive trade 
 throughout New York, Pennsylvania, New Jer- 
 sey, and Connecticut, one day's shipment reach- 
 ing as high as forty-seven thousand feet. They 
 own large tracts of timber land in Snyder and 
 Mifflin counties, and at one time had sawmills at 
 different points on the Sunbury and Lewistown 
 railroad. In 1887 Mr. Moyer began to conduct 
 the business for himself, and in 1892 he began 
 the manufacture of staves and heads, in which busi- 
 ness he is now the leader in Snyder county, and 
 in June, 1897, he took an order for one hundred 
 car-loads of these and similar goods. As a busi- 
 ness man, Mr. Moyer is shrewd and farsighted, 
 and he has already acquired a handsome fortune. 
 He employs a large number of workmen, and his 
 various enterprises distribute large sums of 
 money. He owns an excellent farm in Adams 
 township, Snyder county, and since the spring of 
 1886 he has resided in Adamsburg, where he has 
 a handsome home. He has an interesting fam- 
 ily, to which he is devoted. On May 3, 1873, he 
 was married at Troxelville, by Rev. W. R. 
 Wieand, to Miss Maggie J. Swartz, daughter of 
 Elias R. and Christina (Bingman) Swartz, and 
 granddaughter of Daniel Swartz, a pioneer farm- 
 er of Snyder county. Another relative was 
 Squire George Swartz, who was a well-known 
 justice of the peace in the early days. Mr. and 
 Mrs. Moyer have had three children: Miss 
 Perie Pruelle, born October 18, 1874, a graduate 
 of Mechanicsburg College, and who now lives at 
 home. Miss Victoria May, born April 12, 1876, 
 at home; and Franklin Guy, born January 13, 
 1878, who died June 15, 1S81. Socially, Mr. 
 Moyer is a member of the K. G. E. at Beaver 
 Springs, and he and his wife are both identified 
 with St. Luke's Church (Evangelical Lutheran) 
 at Troxelville, and, in 1880, when the new edifice 
 was built, he was secretary and treasurer of the 
 building committee, and secured many large 
 contributions for the work. He finds time also 
 for the duties of citizenship, and has held sev- 
 eral offices including that of township auditor. 
 On March 30, 1880, he was commissioned justice 
 of the peace, and his ability and impartiality so 
 commended him to the people that he was re- 
 elected at the end of the term. 
 
 J 
 
 OHN S. SMITH, a substantial and highly 
 esteemed citizen of Snyder county, is the 
 owner of two valuable farms, and although 
 he is now living in retirement at Beavertown, he 
 
115-2 
 
 COMMEMORA TIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 was for many years an active and successful 
 
 iculturist. At the age of seventy-seven yi 
 he can look back over an interesting period of 
 our history, and his vigorous mind and attentive 
 memory make his conversation most instructive 
 and entertaining. His family has been identi- 
 fied with Snyder county since pioneer time, his 
 idfather, Adam Smith, having from 
 
 one of the lower counties of Pennsylvania at a 
 very earlv day to settle near Troxelville, where 
 he acquired a lai ol land. He died there 
 
 several children, among whom were three 
 sons — Adam, George and Daniel — and three 
 
 i- therine, who married Jai 
 
 Drees< ; Millie, who married Daniel Grimm; and 
 Bevy, who married John Smith. 
 
 George Smith, our subject's father, was born 
 Snyder county in 1789, and always resided at 
 the old homestead. He died in May. [822, from 
 the effects of a kick in the stomach from a horse. 
 The injury was not at first considered dangerous, 
 but death resulted in a few days. He was buried 
 in Musser Valley Cemetery. He was a tall man, 
 an excellent farmer, and his fine qualities of 
 character caused him to be greatly respected 
 among his associates. His wife, Elizabeth 
 Steininger, who was born in what is now Adams 
 township, Snyder county, in [800, was a daugh- 
 ter of Dabolt Steininger, a well-known pioneer. 
 Our subject was the only child of this marri 
 The widow afterward married Daniel Klose, by 
 whom she had the following children : Leah, 
 Lizzie, Sarah, the twins, Amelia and Daniel the 
 latter a Lutheran preacher in Arizona', Mari- 
 etta, George, James, Jerry and Alfred. Early 
 in 1850 Daniel Klose and his family removed to 
 the vicinity of Three Rivers, Mich., where he 
 owned a large tract of land and carried on agri- 
 cultural operations until his death. Mrs. Klose 
 I there at an advanced agi 
 Mr. Smith was born March 6, [821, at the 
 old home near Troxelville. He was left father- 
 at the early age of fourteen months, but 
 fortunately his mother's second husband sup- 
 plied his loss, proving to be a kindly and judi- 
 1 and friend. As the schoi >ls 1 -I that 
 were of an infi rt, and the work at 
 
 Men interfered with his attendance. Mr. 
 th's education has been almost wholly 
 
 I Often he spent less than a month in 
 >■ during his 
 
 made him an 
 better school privili 
 ■ ration. Farm work was then doni 
 
 plenty to do at 
 iitil [84 
 
 1 irk 
 
 yard at Lewistown, his father promising him $150 
 if he would assist him until he was twenty-one. 
 In [843 Mr. Smith married Miss Martha Middles- 
 warth, who was born September 11, [823, the 
 daughter of Hon. Ner Middleswarth, one of the 
 most distinguished citizens of Clinton county. 
 For one year alter his marriage, Mr. Smith took 
 charge of the homestead for one-third of the 
 crop, his stepfather visiting Illinois, in the 
 iitime. In the spring of 1845, ^' r - Smith 
 located near Beavertown on a farm belonging to 
 his father-in-law, where he spent two years, and 
 he then removed to Musser's Valley, and for fif- 
 teen years had charge of another of his father- 
 in-law's estates. He then purchased a farm 
 below Beavertown, and after residing there ten 
 years he turned the active work of management 
 to younger hands, and removed to Beavertown 
 where he purchased property in an unfinished 
 condition, and made himself a comfortable 
 home. 
 
 Although Mr. Smith takes much interest in 
 local improvement, his influence has been exerted 
 in quiet ways. Politically he was formerly a 
 Whig and is now a Republican, and while a 
 stanch supporter <>t his party he has never shown 
 a disposition to seek official honors. He was at 
 one time a member of the Independent Order of 
 Odd Fellows, and for many years has been a 
 prominent worker in the Lutheran Church, serv- 
 ing continuously as elder. He has six children, 
 all of whom occupy honorable and useful posi- 
 tions in life: A. M., is a well-known physician 
 of Beaver Springs; George, is a hotel keeper at 
 the same place; Ner and John D. reside in 
 Newton, Kans. ; Adda married A. H. Bowersox, 
 of Beavertown; and Rebecca is the wife of George 
 Thomas, of Lewistown, Pennsylvania. 
 
 AUGUSTUS SPRINGMAN, one of the 
 wealthiest land owners of Washington 
 township, Snyder county, is of German birth and 
 his career furnishes an apt illustration of the en- 
 ergy, industry and foresight which characterize 
 his race. His early life was spent in the hard 
 0] ol i" iverty, and [1 presenl 
 
 shai ; I as his memory holds of g 1 and 
 
 ill fortun 
 
 Mr. Springman v 1 March 4. 1827, near 
 
 |oseph and 1 1 
 (Krouse) Springman. The mother die his 
 
 childhood, leaving t« | stus, 
 
 and two daughters, Annie and Maria. His fa- 
 ther married a second time, and by thi 
 
 In 1840 the father died, and, as the : 
 
^\ 
 
 <• \<' a '/',/<■ . 
 
 ^/ /iC'J7/& n 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1153 
 
 left in limited circumstances, young Augustus 
 found himself practically without a home. For 
 two years he hired out to watch sheep, receiving 
 the sum of two dollars per year in cash for his 
 services, and later he was hired by farmers at 
 the rate of eight dollars per year. After a time 
 he secured a position as a waiter in the house- 
 hold of Herr Herman Humbold, a wealthy resi- 
 dent of Frederickseck, Prussia, who lived in grand 
 style (the suit of clothes which Mr. Springman 
 wore while in his service cost five hundred dol- 
 lars). In 185 i the ambitious youth went to Ber- 
 lin to seek employment, and after a long and dis- 
 couraging effort was obliged to take a place in a 
 soap factory at four dollars per month. Although 
 his employer was very wealthy, our subject often 
 went hungry as the help was compelled to live 
 upon what was left after the family had eaten, 
 and it is not strange that he should decide to 
 leave the situation and endeavor to find another. 
 This plan proved a failure as he was arrested 
 by the police and locked up, and on his release 
 he started to walk to his old home, a distance of 
 two hundred miles. Before he reached his desti- 
 nation he endured many hardships, being so nearly 
 famished at times that he was glad to gather up 
 and eat things that the farmers had thrown away as 
 useless. But this sad period was not his first ex- 
 perience, as, previous to going to Berlin, he had 
 been in such straits that during the hard times 
 of 1 848 he had bought the sweepings from a grist- 
 mill floor and baked it into bread rather than 
 starve. His thoughts must have turned to Amer- 
 ica as a land of better opportunities many times 
 during his years of suffering and scantily rewarded 
 toil, and in February, 1853, he took passage 
 from Bremen to Baltimore, Md. , being the first 
 emigrant from his native place. He had re- 
 ceived from his brother the sum of fifty-five dol- 
 lars as his share of his father's estate, and out of 
 this he paid forty-five dollars for his fare and 
 necessary outfit. Surely no one ever started 
 more blindly upon so long a journey as he did, 
 not knowing a word of English, and had no idea 
 of any special place to settle or work to attempt, 
 but he had youth and health in his favor, and his 
 habits of industry and temperance promised well 
 for him. On landing in Baltimore in the last of 
 March, 1853, after a long and stormy voyage, he 
 found himself with but $2.51 in his pocket, and 
 while wandering about the city trying to decide 
 what to do, he threw up his cane which he had 
 brought from the Fatherland, and in accordance 
 with an old German custom, looked to see the 
 direction that the head might take as an indica- 
 tion of his future course. Fortunately a kind- 
 hearted German saw him, and was prompted to 
 73* 
 
 ask him where he desired to go. Mr. Springman 
 replied that he did not know the name of the 
 place. His new friend mentioned several cities, 
 and on hearing the name of Harrisburg, our sub- 
 ject decided that he would go there, and was 
 shown the way to the depot. Laying all his 
 money on the window sill before the ticket agent, 
 he stated that he wished to go to Harrisburg, but 
 as the agent did not understand him the said new 
 friend stepped forward and repeated his request 
 in English. The agent pushed the money back 
 saying that there was not enough to pay for a 
 ticket to Harrisburg, and the friend at once 
 made up the required amount and gave it to Mr. 
 Springman, who has never since seen or heard of 
 him. When Mr. Springman arrived at Harris- 
 burg he had one cent, and as he had had nothing 
 to eat since the previous day he was in a serious 
 predicament. Finding a man who could talk 
 German, he learned the way to a German hotel, but 
 he met with a discouraging reception as the propri- 
 etor ordered him out of the house when he began 
 to explain his circumstances. However, he se- 
 cured some breakfast and a room by depositing 
 his watch and some of his clothing, and then he 
 started out in search of work. For a time he was 
 unsuccessful, and his misfortunes seemed to reach 
 a desperate stage when a fire destroyed most of 
 his clothing, but at last a change came as if fate 
 had wearied of persecutingso persistent and cour- 
 ageous a soul. He was employed to unload a 
 raft of lumber, for which he was to receive six- 
 teen dollars, it being considered a two-weeks' 
 task. By working almost all day and almost all 
 night he managed to finish the work in three 
 days, and the same man then gave him another 
 raft to unload for seventeen dollars. His work 
 was entirely satisfactory, and after this he had no 
 difficulty in obtaining all he could do, so that 
 within two weeks after going to Harrisburg he 
 had fifty dollars in cash over and above his ex- 
 penses and the cost of replacing his clothes. 
 Later he worked his passage on a boat to the 
 Red Bank furnace near Danville, Penn., where 
 he secured steady employment. His fellow- 
 laborers, who were Irish, did every thing in 
 their power to make his stay disagreeable and to 
 bring about his discharge, but he kept quietly 
 on with his tasks, paying as little attention as 
 possible to annoyances. Finally some of the 
 workmen became so abusive that he was com- 
 pelled to give them a sound beating, and not 
 long afterward he was warned that a plot had 
 been made against his life. His reputation for 
 strength and bravery being well-established, his 
 assailants did not dare to attack him single- 
 handed, and they came upon him four to one. 
 
1 1 54 
 
 VORATIVE BIOORAPSICAL Ith'ORD. 
 
 He was prepared, however, and used a pieo 
 crowbar to such good puri toneol the cow- 
 
 ardly antagonists was badly hurt and the others 
 fled in fear. Mr. Springman decided that he could 
 no longer remain with his unfriendly companii 
 and asked his employer, a Mr. Wood, for a 
 
 timendation, but when the state of affairs be- 
 came known he was made a boss, and his n 
 active enemies were severely reprimanded Tv. 
 and a half years at this place enabled him to 
 seven hundred dollars, and he then went to Dan- 
 ville, Penn., where he obtained similar emploj 
 ment. He next engaged in peddling, in which 
 was at first unsuccessful, losing ali his money, 
 but with his usual persistence he kept on and in 
 tune he made up for his losses. During tins 
 id he took a course in Freeburg Academy 
 under the instruction of Prof. D. S. Boyer, 
 
 rning certain business forms and calculations, 
 and acquiring the ability to read and write 
 English. 
 
 While passing through Juniata county on one 
 of his business trips, Augustus Springman became 
 acquainted with Miss Josephine Burd, of that 
 countv. who was born July 2, 1S42. the daugh- 
 ter of [oseph and Margaret (McCoj Burd, and. 
 on March 15, i860, they were united in marriage. 
 She was the granddaughter of James Burd, who 
 resided near Mifflin, Juniata county. Jan 
 
 a son of Col. Janus Burd, who was 
 the third son of Edward Burd, a gentleman who 
 lived on his estate of Ormiston, mar Edinburgh, 
 Scotland, by his wife, fean Haliburton, daughter 
 ol George Haliburton, the Lord Provost of Edin- 
 burgh. Col. Burd was born at Ormiston in 1726, 
 and came to this country lout,' antecedent to the 
 Revolutionary war, and was for many years in 
 the military service of the province of Pennsyl- 
 vania, being one of its most noted milit 
 during the French and Indian war, an 
 manded the Second Battalion, Pennsylvania 
 Regiment of Provincial troops. He compi 
 the building oi Fori Augusta at Shamokin now 
 Sunbury, Northumberland Co. , Penn., in 1;- 
 [757; he was with the Forbes expedition, and 
 -was in command at Fort Pitt and participated 111 
 the construction of other forts, building of roads 
 and other important matters of that time. II< 
 was married in Philadelphia, in 1 74S. to Sarah 
 Shippen, daughter of Edward Shippen, and sister 
 of Chief Justice Edward Shippen, ami had ten 
 children: Sarah married Judge Jaspei 
 of Lancaster; Edward married Elizabeth Ship- 
 pen, of Philadelphia; Jean married George Pat- 
 terson, of Juniata county; Mary Shippen married 
 Peter Grubb, "I I 1 Margarel married 
 
 I ib Hubley, of Lancaster; James married 
 
 Elizabeth Baker; Joseph married (first) Kitty 
 Cochran, and (second 1 Harriet Bailey. The 
 others died young and unmarried. James, after 
 his marriage to Elizabeth Baker, removed to 
 |uniata count}', Pennsylvania. His family con- 
 1 ol Edward, Joseph and Allen. Joseph, 
 grandson of Col. James Burd, married Margaret 
 McCoy, and had five children: Edward died 
 when seventeen years of age; Elizabeth inter- 
 in. n it'd with l>r Sol. Page, of Kansas; Josephine 
 married Augustus Springman; Dr. J. Patterson 
 Burd, of Philadelphia, married Elizabeth Bord I e} 
 Twiggs Shippen, daughter of Edward Shippen, 
 oi Philadelphia; and Joseph S. Burd, of Sun- 
 bury, married Eleanor Frank. 
 
 Mrs. Springman brought her husband a tine 
 fortune-, which he has managed with . lity, 
 
 increasing it largely. He located at Freeburg, 
 where he purchased a home and engaged in the 
 real-estate business, and also dealt in horses and 
 
 tie. In 1865 he bought the Mengas faun, 
 where he resided one year. In [866 he bought 
 the G 1 m, and built a tine residence in Free- 
 
 burg. The years 1871 and 1872 were spent at 
 Sunbury, Penn., in conducting a flour and I 
 store and gristmill. On disposing of his inten 
 there he returned to Freeburg and purchased the 
 farm on which he now resides. At present he 
 owns more than 820 acres of farming land, rep- 
 nting an outlay of about $50,000, and he 
 also has three pieces of property at Freeburg and 
 a business block at Selins Grove. At four differ- 
 ent times he has laid out additions to Freeburg, 
 and his influence has been a helpful factor in the 
 development of the town. On May 2, 1886, he 
 laid out Evergreen cemetery at that place on his 
 own land. Although uniformly successful in his 
 undertakings he has lost money at times, and a 
 few years ago, having guaranteed the right ol 
 
 . for a proposed railway through his part ol 
 the county, he was obliged to pay out $8,000, as 
 some of the other guarantors had become in- 
 solvent and could not meet their pledges. In 
 politics he is a stanch Democrat, and he has 
 been a Congressional delegate, and has repre- 
 sented Sn) der county as a conferee in the district 
 convention. For four years he was overseer of 
 the poor, and he has served several times as ju 
 of elections. He and his estimable wife united 
 many years ago with the Lutheran Church at 
 Freeburg, to which he has contributed liberally, 
 not only in money but in time, serving at present 
 
 trustee. 
 
 Notwithstanding his early hardships. Mr. 
 
 Springman is well preserved and enji irous 
 
 1th He has made good use of his means 
 
 since fortune smiled upon him. as he is not 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1155 
 
 a believer in unnecessary self-denials. He has 
 traveled extensively, and in 1867 he and his 
 wife visited his native land, spending some time 
 at his old home. They were cordially greeted 
 by his friends and ielatives, who came from all 
 directions to see him. While on their railway 
 trips they traveled first class, as became wealthy 
 Americans citizens, and on one occasion, when 
 going from Bremen to Berlin, they occupied a 
 compartment with a haughty German general, 
 who was so rude as to stare at Mr. Springman 
 through his eye-glass. This act was finally re- 
 sented in an effective way by Mr. Springman, 
 who got out his field-glass, and surveyed the gen- 
 eral through it. The officer became furiously 
 angry, but Mr. Springman was in no way discon- 
 certed as he felt that an American citizen was 
 quite as good as any German general. He re- 
 turned to his adopted country more proud than 
 ever of our institutions and ideals. 
 
 On July 7, 1892, Mrs. Springman passed to 
 the unseen life at the age of fifty years and five 
 days. Her remains were interred in Evergreen 
 Cemetery, where a beautiful and costly monu- 
 ment bears lasting witness of the love and devo- 
 tion of her husband. Of their five children, all 
 are well settled in life, each occupying a hand- 
 some property belonging to our subject, who is 
 a most generous and affectionate parent. Mar- 
 garet, born November 20, 1861, married John 
 Strayer, of Washington township, Snyder coun- 
 ty, and they have one child, Blanche. (2) Lau- 
 ra, born May 4, 1864, married Robert Pack- 
 nicke, of Washington township, and they have 
 two children — Josephine and Frances. (3) Ida, 
 born August 24, 1866, married John Kessler, of 
 Selins Grove, and they have three children — 
 Charles A., Carrie E., and Leon S. (4) Irene, 
 born February 21, 1868, married William Gem- 
 berling, of Selins Grove, and they have three 
 children — Clarence, Burd, and Marie. (5) Jos- 
 eph B., born September 18, 1873, is now a 
 farmer in Washington township. He married 
 Laura J. Diehl, and has two children — Josephine 
 and Ralph A. 
 
 WILLIAM DREESE, county commissioner 
 for Snyder county, is a well-known agri- 
 culturist and stock raiser residing near Beaver- 
 town, and his popularity among his fellow-citi- 
 zens is due to their recognition of his sterling 
 qualities of character. He bears an honorable 
 military record also, having entered the Union 
 army as a mere boy of seventeen, and he may 
 justly be regarded as a representative American. 
 He was born December 25, 1846, in Beaver 
 
 township, Snyder county (now Spring township), 
 and is a grandson of that noted pioneer, Jacob 
 Dreese, who came from Berks county, Penn., to 
 Snyder county, at an early day, accompanied by 
 two brothers, Peter and John. Peter married, 
 and left a large family. John, who was known 
 as "Big John," became the owner of a large 
 tract of land, and a bequest to the Lutheran and 
 Reformed Churches caused much litigation after 
 his death. Jacob Dreese was born in 1786, and 
 during boyhood was bound out to a Mr. Fetterolf, 
 with whom he learned the blacksmith trade, 
 which he followed for many years at Adamsburg, 
 his shop containing four forges. He also owned 
 and operated a farm, and was considered a 
 wealthy man for that time. In politics he was a 
 Whig and he belonged to the Lutheran Church, 
 in which he held various offices and was a promi- 
 nent worker. While walking on a sidewalk at 
 Adamsburg, he was injured by a run-away colt 
 whose rider was using no bridle, and died October 
 1, 1854. His wife, Catherine Smith, who was 
 born December 6, 1788, and died September 7, 
 1863, was greatly beloved for her kindness to the 
 sick and to the poor, many a helpless sufferer 
 having been nursed back to health by her. Her 
 father, Johan Adam Smith, of Troxelville, Penn , 
 was at one time the owner of a large amount of 
 land, but he met with reverses in later life. Nine 
 children were born to Jacob and Catherine 
 Dreese: Christiana, who married, first, Samuel 
 Aurand, and, second, John Felker, died in 
 Snyder county; Henry died near Adamsburg; 
 Abraham, a farmer and blacksmith, died in Sny- 
 der county; Mary, Mrs. Benfer, now deceased; 
 Elizabeth, Mrs. Adam Specht, died in Adams- 
 burg; Isaac is mentioned more fully below; 
 Amelia married Michael Beaver, and now resides 
 in Beavertown; Leah, widow of John Fike, re- 
 sides in Juniata county; and Reuben is a promi- 
 nent agriculturist of Spring township, Snyder 
 county. 
 
 Isaac Dreese, our subject's father, was born 
 in 1 817, in what is now Spring township, Snyder 
 county, then a part of Union county, and was 
 reared upon a farm. In early manhood he mar- 
 ried Miss Mary Beaver, a native of Beaver town- 
 ship, Snyder county, which was named after her 
 father, Jacob Beaver, one of the most extensive 
 land owners of this section in his day. Three 
 children were born of this marriage, of whom 
 our subject is now the only survivor, the others, 
 Irvin and Amanda, having died in childhood. 
 The mother died in 1848, and about 1851 the 
 father moved to Michigan, and located upon a 
 farm in Osceola county, where he made his home 
 until his death in 1S83. In 1862 he was married 
 
1156 
 
 ( <0M VEMOBA TlYE BIOQBAPBIt 'AL RECORD. 
 
 to Miss Elizabeth Trowbridge, a native of Michi- 
 gan, by whom he had one son, Nelson, who is 
 now a farmer in Osceola county, Mich. Isaac 
 Dreese was an excellent citizen, a member of the 
 Lutheran Church, and a firm believer in prep- 
 ress. His allegiance was given to the Republican 
 party in the early days of that organization, and 
 he spent three years in a Michigan regiment 
 during the Civil war, taking part in the famous 
 campaign under Sherman from "Atlanta to the 
 sea." When only a year and a half old our sub- 
 ject was bereft of a mother's love, and as he was 
 but five years old when his father went West, he 
 missed the fostering care of both parents. He 
 was reared by his grandfather, Jacob Beaver, 
 with whom he remained until twenty-one, his 
 education being obtained in the common schools 
 of Beaver township. As he could attend only in 
 winter, his opportunities for learning were mea- 
 gre, but it was mainly by his diligent use of his 
 span- moments that he managed to secure a p 
 practical knowledge of the English brandies. At 
 the age of seventeen he enlisted at Middleburg 
 as a private in Company B, 184th P. V. I., un- 
 der 1 ■! Storer and (apt. Abner Brown, his regi- 
 ment being attached to the First Brigade, Second 
 Divisii a, oi ih ; Second Army Corps. He spent 
 ten months in the service, and took part in sev- 
 eral battles, including the engagements at Peters- 
 burg and Hatcher's Run. After his return he con- 
 tinued to assist his grandfather until 1S07. when 
 he went to Michigan, when he was employed at 
 farm labor for two years. He then came back 
 t" his native county, and in Reaver township 
 rented a farm belon^niL; to Aaron Middleswarth, 
 and after fifteen years at that place he removed 
 to the Isle of One. near Selins Grove, where (or 
 seven years he conducted a farm for F. J. Schoch. 
 In 1895 he took possession of his present ho: 
 stead of eighty-three acres, which has cost him 
 over four thousand dollars, including impn 
 ments. It is a tine estate, well adapted to stock 
 raising and § farming, ami Mr. l>reese has 
 
 also made a decided sue I horticulture, as a 
 
 specialty. 
 
 In April, icX-o, Mr. Dreese wa - married in 
 tver township to Miss Sarah Middleswarth, a 
 daughter 1 >l and a granddaugh 
 
 Xer Middlesv nth, wh • was one of the leading 
 men of this - day. 1 -lev en 
 
 havi d this union, of whom two, Laura J. 
 
 ; [., die i in childhood, and I in 
 
 infancy urn tilers are Lester, a 
 
 fanner near Selins ( 1 Kate, wile of J. R. 
 
 Foster; Annie. Sarah; William; John; 
 
 and Frank. The family is identified with the 
 Lutheran Church, in which Mr. Dreese is a 
 
 prominent worker, and has held the office of 
 deacon. He also belongs to the P. O. S. of A. of 
 Beavertown. In politics he is a stanch Repub- 
 lican, and in 1896 he was elected county com- 
 missioner by the largest majority given to any 
 one on the ticket. His able and faithful service 
 in this position has won the admiration of all 
 classes in the community, irrespective of party, 
 and his name is frequently mentioned in connec- 
 tion with other official posts of even wider re- 
 sponsibility. 
 
 JESSE SHAMBACH. On a beautiful farm 
 near Middleburg, Snyder county, this ven- 
 erable gentleman, now more than seventy 
 years of age, is passing the afternoon of life sur- 
 rounded by a loving family and a host of friends. 
 His estimable wife, with whom he has spent 
 fifty-five years of wedded happiness, has also 
 passed the allotted three-score years and ten, 
 but she still takes delight in her accustomed act- 
 ivities in the home. Their kindliness and g 
 erositv have made them beloved throughout the 
 community, and their house has been a center of 
 generous hospitality during all the years of their 
 united lives. 
 
 Mr. Shambach was born August 30, 1822. in 
 Center town-hip. Snyder county, and is of Ger- 
 man descent, his great-grandfather, George 
 shambach, having come to America at an early 
 day. George Shambach (2), our subject's grand- 
 father, settled in what is now Snyder county in 
 pioneer times and engaged in farming. His fam- 
 ily consisted of six children. Christian Shambach, 
 our subject's father, being the youngest son. 
 Christian Shambach was born in Montgomery 
 county, but was married in Snyder county to his 
 first wife, Miss Mary Walter, the daughter ol 
 David Walter, a Revolutionary soldier, who is 
 now buried in Salem cemetery in Snyder county, 
 being the "iiK one of the heroes of the war ol 
 independence to be interred there. After his 
 inarriage Christian Shambach settled upon a farm 
 and in 1 onnection with his agricultural work he 
 followed the wagon maker's trade. He was a 
 robust man, possessing great vitality, and did 
 much hard work in his day. After he was sev- 
 enty-six years old he made two wagons as an ex- 
 ample to younger workers. His first wife died 
 in [837 and was buried in Middleburg, and he 
 rward married Mrs. Elizabeth (B htel I!il- 
 widow of Isaac Bilger. They were inem- 
 of the Reformed Church, and Mr. Sham- 
 bach took a prominent part in local affair-. 
 in earl) life a Whig and later on a Republican. 
 He died at the age ol eighty-eight year.- and thi 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1157 
 
 months, and was buried at Middleburg. By his 
 first wife he had the following children: Daniel, 
 who lives in the State of Indiana; David and 
 George, residents of Paxtonville, Penn.; Mary, 
 widow of Aaron Snyder, of Indiana; Jesse, our 
 subject; Isaac, who resides in Indiana; Jacob, a 
 resident of Perrysville, Ohio; Elizabeth, now 
 Mrs. Benjamin Loos, of Center township; John, 
 a resident of Adamsburg; William, now residing 
 in Franklin township; Lydia, widow of Reuben 
 Fisher, of Port Trevorton, Penn. ; and Henry, 
 who died at Louisville, Ky. , while serving as a 
 soldier in the Union army. By the second mar- 
 riage there were four children: Harriet, now 
 Mrs. Philip Amig, of Washington township; 
 Aaron, who died at the age of thirty years; 
 Sevilla, now Mrs. Derr, of Northumberland 
 county, Penn. ; and Sarah, who died in child- 
 hood. This family is probably unequaled for 
 longevity, thirteen children being still living, and 
 the average age of eleven of them is seventy-two 
 years. 
 
 Mr. Shambach obtained his early education 
 in the subscription schools near his home, his 
 first teacher being Henry Smith. Two months 
 in each winter were considered a liberal allow- 
 ance for study in those days, and the schools 
 were decidedly inferior to those of to-day. He 
 last attended the school of Salem Church, the 
 building having now disappeared. During boy- 
 hood he learned the wagon maker's trade with 
 his father and assisted in the farm work, remain- 
 ing at home until his marriage on September 1 1, 
 1842, to Miss Sophia Fry. She was born in 
 Center township, in 1825, the daughter of John 
 and Wilhelmina (Walter) Fry, and their marriage 
 occurred at New Berlin. They made their home 
 for a year upon a farm belonging to Mr. Fry. 
 Mr. Shambach then bought a small farm of 
 thirty-seven acres, to which he afterward added 
 fifty acres and then sixty-four acres, and with 
 later additions it now comprises about 335 acres. 
 Since 1857 he has occupied his present comfort- 
 able residence. As a farmer he is considered 
 one of the most successful in his locality, and he 
 has been quite extensively engaged in horse 
 raising, some excellent specimens of horse flesh 
 having come from his farm. He is a good judge 
 of horses, and in his dealings with others has al- 
 ways been strictly honest, never misrepresenting 
 any animal that was offered for sale, even when 
 the sums involved amounted to five or six thou- 
 sand dollars. His integrity has never been ques- 
 tioned; his word on any matter is taken as con- 
 clusive. Like all of his family, he is vigorous, 
 physically and mentally, and as he himself en- 
 joys life he desires that all around him should do 
 
 so. The weary traveler has always found a 
 kindly welcome at his home, it being Mr. Sham- 
 bach's invariable rule to entertain strangers with 
 cheerful hospitality. He and his wife have had 
 a numerous family, as follows: Franklin, a 
 blacksmith, died in Indiana; Nathan is a black- 
 smith at Port Trevorton, Penn. ; Phares was 
 formerly a blacksmith, but is now a farmer in 
 Center township; Lavina married Jackson Bailey, 
 of Center township; Joshua, a minister in the 
 Evangelical Church, is stationed at Mazeppa, 
 Penn.; Amandus is a blacksmith at Middleburg; 
 Ellen married Isaiah Walter, of Centerville; 
 Miss Wilhelmina resides in Altoona; Abbie mar- 
 ried Jonathan Bingaman, and died in Center 
 township; Elmer is a farmer in Center township; 
 Willis resides in Union count)', and Emma died 
 at the age of twelve years. 
 
 Politically, Mr. Shambach was first a Whig, 
 and, later, a Republican. He has never been 
 anxious for public office, but has served as school 
 director and tax collector. He and his wife are 
 both members of the United Evangelical Church, 
 and for twenty-five years he served as sexton. 
 He has also been class leader for many years 
 and at present is a trustee. He takes much in- 
 terest in religious affairs, giving substantial con- 
 tributions to various worthy movements under 
 the auspices of the Church. 
 
 QOTTLOB SCHRAY. Many of the most en- 
 terprising and prosperous farmers of Snyder 
 county have come from the land beyond the sea, 
 and especially is this true of the many who have 
 left their homes in the German Empire and 
 sought a new abode in this land of freedom. 
 Among these quite a prominent figure is Mr. 
 Schray, who owns and operates a valuable farm 
 in Union township. He was born in Wurtem- 
 berg, Germany, December 11. 1839, a son of 
 Jacob and Louisa Schray. The father, who was 
 a contractor, died leaving a widow and ten chil- 
 dren, six sons and four daughters, in very limit- 
 ed circumstances, and, as the mother was unable 
 to provide for their support, the family was soon 
 scattered. 
 
 Joseph, an elder brother of our subject, had 
 previously come to the United States, and he 
 asked to have some ctf the boys come to the New 
 World. Accordingly, Gottlob, with his sister 
 Carolina, started for America, leaving Havre, 
 France, on the "Humboldt," which was fifty- 
 eight days in reaching the harbor of New York. 
 In that city the sister remained and is still living, 
 being now the widow John Ernst. Our subject, 
 who could not speak a word of English, went at 
 

 1158 
 
 COMMEMORA T1VE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 once to Reading, Penn., where his brother ov< 
 a twenty-ai yard, in which Gottlob 
 
 cruelly compelled to work as hard as any sla 
 
 He had been led to believe that life here 
 nearly all pleasure, but during his four-years' stay 
 with his brother he was (ore • rk early and 
 
 late, receiving no v i clothes, and those 
 
 which his excellent mother had given him v 
 worn to rags in that time. He was not aw 
 
 of I ted. but was several 
 
 times advised to leave his brother by those who 
 took an interest in him, and finally decided to do 
 so. Making II bundle of his clothi 
 
 he threw them out of the wind 
 and jun If. Mr. 
 
 work with a tanner, Michael Miller, al Strauss- 
 town, eight mill ig, and with him 
 i fifteen years, at tirst receiving $60 
 the business, the sec- 
 was advanced by the death oi one oi 
 the employees to a position where $30 per mouth 
 
 ud this amount 
 him. it being "1 oney than he had 
 
 heard of." idy, industrious and economical, 
 
 he had saved, on leaving hi 500, 
 
 ami with this he secured a start in life. Later 
 he worked for Benjamin Parvin for eight years in 
 his tannery four mil' Reading, and here 
 
 also accumulated considerab orked al- 
 
 ■l daj and night. Mr. Parvin was old, 
 his sons were in the ind an arrange- 
 
 t was made with our subject, wherein 
 was to receive a certain amount oi the pi 
 which caused him to work the harder. 
 
 In the meantime about [863, Mr. Schray 
 had married. Mi ca Strauss becoming his 
 
 wife. She was born at Strausstown, Perks 1 
 Penn., and was a daughter of William Strauss. 
 in whose honor the village was named. She 
 died at that place, leaving two children: Jan 
 now a raiiroad engineer living at Little K 
 Ark.; and Sally, wife of Jami I , of 
 
 l nship, Snyder county. In [873 Mr, 
 
 Schray came to Snyder county, and purcha 
 his pre- 1 in Chapman township, ol |ohn 
 
 Bittner, and here ha home. The 
 
 destroyed by 
 fire, and he erected his present comfortable res- 
 idence; while on July (6, 1895, his barn was 
 struck by lightning, and in ^he following year was 
 replaced by the excellent one now seen upon his 
 place. On coming here he brought with him 
 $6,000 in cash tied in his handkerchief, but this 
 did not represent his entire capital as he had 
 lived frugally and industriously, and had saved 
 considerable. Although he was entirely unfa- 
 miliar with the occupation of farming, and many 
 
 predicted failure, his tact, skill and observation 
 assisted him, and he soon prospered in his new 
 undertake 
 
 In March, 1S70, Mr. Schray was agaim mar- 
 ried, his second union being with Miss Eliza! 
 Bittner, a native of Germany, and a daughter of 
 fohn Bittner, who, oncoming to America first lo- 
 catedin Philadelphia, later removed to Bern town- 
 Irks county, and finally to Union town- 
 ship, Snyder county. He and his wife, who 
 maiden name of Anna M. Kilmer, both 
 died 11 Union township and were buried in Keiser 
 
 1 1' ry. Mrs. Schray, who was one of their 
 children, was born August 18, 1835, was 
 their only daughter, and was fourteen j 
 
 when they crossed the Atlantic. By her 
 marriage' she' became the mother of four chil- 
 dren: Lizzie, who was burned to death at the 
 time the house was destroyed by tire; Katy, n 
 the wife- of Amman Seechrist, of Verdilla, Penn. ; 
 and Charles W. and Lizzie, both at home 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Schray are both earnest mem- 
 
 oi tin- Reformed Church, in which he has 
 
 held office for nine consecutive years. He is an 
 
 ellent example of a self-made man. and is to- 
 day one of the representative and prominent 
 farmers of Union township. His knowledg 
 
 lish is self-acquired, as he n tl tided 
 
 school aftei coming to this country, but, being 
 naturally intelligent and a j;reat reader, lit 
 kept well posted on the topics of the day, and is 
 a close observer of men and events. He 
 man of keen foresight, sound judgment and rare 
 business ability, has never been ill a day in his 
 life, and possesses that tireless energy that is sure 
 to win success. Of unquestioned integrity and 
 honor, he has gained the confidence and res; 
 of all with whom he has come in contact, and no 
 man in Snyder count) is more deserving the high 
 
 trd m which he is held, or the success that 
 he has achieved, than Gottlob Schray. 
 
 Fll. and JOHN H. SUFFEL are substan- 
 tial and progressive I. 1 >l Chap: 
 township, who represent a family that has for 
 nearly one hundred years 1 ntified with 
 this locality. The grandfather, fohn Suffel, a 
 
 ited in Ghapman town- 
 ship in pioneer days, followed farming and h 
 
 ed his family of six children, namely: fohn, 
 who died in Chapman township at the age of 
 fifty-six years; Peter, deceased; Jacob; Molly, 
 wife of Abel Ibrrold; Elizabeth; and Cathai 
 wife of John 1 .1 
 
 ib Suffel • 11 mi the old family hi 
 
 1 in 1810, and in early life worked on the 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1159 
 
 Pennsylvania canal, which lies along the farm. 
 When a young man he married Catharine Her- 
 rold, who was born in Chapman township in 
 1 8 1 7, a representative of a prominent pioneer 
 family of the county. They became the parents 
 of the following named: F. H., born December 
 26, 184O; John H., born November 15, 1842; 
 Sarah, wife of Jerome Mover, of Chapman town- 
 ship; Louisa, who lives with her widowed mother 
 on the old homestead; Mary, wife of J. R. Moyer, 
 of Chapman township; and James. The father 
 of this family was a Democrat, and was a mem- 
 ber of the Lutheran Church. He made farming 
 his life work, became the owner of the old home- 
 stead by purchasing the interests of the other 
 heirs, and at his death left a comfortable compe- 
 tence to his family. His widow is still living at 
 the old place. 
 
 F. H. Suffel is now part owner of the farm. 
 His educational privileges were limited to the 
 four-months' term of the country schools. He 
 possesses much mechanical skill, and, although he 
 has never served an apprenticeship, can duplicate 
 almost anything in carpenter work. He married 
 Miss Catharine Burris, a native of Perry county, 
 Perm., and their children are: Carrie, wife of 
 Charles Lehman, of Millersburg, Penn. ; Lizzie, 
 wife of Edward Dunkelberger, of Shamokin, 
 Penn.; Sallie, Edith, Bessie and Jacob P., at 
 home. Mr. Suffel is a Democrat in politics, and 
 contributes liberally to the support of the United 
 Brethren Church, of which his wife is a member. 
 His business interests are well managed, and 
 success has in consequence attended his efforts. 
 From early manhood he operated canal boats, 
 and in this way he has formed an extensive ac- 
 quaintance from the sea shore to the northern 
 terminus of the canal on either branch of the Sus- 
 quehanna. He is now associated with his brother 
 in the ownership and operation of the home farm, 
 and is a man of sterling worth, of unquestioned 
 probity in business and of high standing in social 
 circles. 
 
 John H. Suffel, who conned his lessons while 
 sitting on slab benches in the country school 
 house, was early trained to habits of industry 
 and economy, and, like his brother, is numbered 
 among the substantial farmers of the community. 
 In 1872 they erected what was at one time the 
 finest country home in Snyder county, and both 
 have resided therein since. They purchased of 
 the other heirs their interests in the old home- 
 stead, and now have a valuable farm property of 
 seventy-eight acres, which is under a high state 
 of cultivation, and improved with all the acces- 
 sories and conveniences of a model farm of the 
 nineteenth century. John H. Suffel was united 
 
 in marriage to Miss Barbara Moyer, a native of 
 Chapman township, and a daughter of Benjamin 
 Moyer. Having no children of their own, they 
 adopted a son, David Roush, who lived with 
 them between the ages of six and twenty-two 
 years. Mr. Suffel impressed him with the ad- 
 vantage and necessity of having a good educa- 
 tion, and provided him with more than average 
 privileges in that direction. John H. Suffel, like 
 his brother, is a stanch advocate of the Democracy, 
 but is not an office-seeker. He commands the 
 respect of all by an upright life, and stands high 
 in the community in which he has always made 
 his home. 
 
 E 
 
 "\NOS KLINGLER. Among the leading and 
 
 representative agriculturists of Snyder coun- 
 ty, stalwart and sturdy tillers of the soil, there is 
 none who stands a more prominent figure than 
 the gentleman whose name begins this article. 
 His home, which is in Penn township, is a pleas- 
 ant and substantial one, and is known far and 
 wide for the open hospitality and geniality of its 
 inmates. 
 
 Mr. Klingler made his appearance on the 
 stage of life December 12, 1829, in Penn town- 
 ship, at the home of his parents, Benjamin and 
 Barbara (Benfer) Klingler. The father was born 
 in what was then Northumberland county, Penn., 
 but is now Jackson township, Snyder county, a 
 son of Peter and Elizabeth (Hawk) Klingler, who 
 came from the lower counties of the State to this 
 region, where the grandfather followed the occu- 
 pation of farming until called from this life. 
 The father of our subject grew to manhood in 
 his native county, and was married there to Miss 
 Benfer, who was also born in Jackson township, 
 the daughter of a farmer. They continued to 
 reside there for a number of years, but spent 
 their last days in Penn township, the father dy- 
 ing at the age of fifty, the mother at the age of 
 seventy, and both were buried at Kratzerville. 
 
 Enos Klingler is one of a family of eight chil- 
 dren, four sons and four daughters, and was 
 reared in much the usual manner of farmer boys. 
 He attended the subscription schools, to which 
 his father was a liberal contributor, and during 
 his youth learned the carpenter's trade under the 
 direction of Daniel Oldt and John Moyer. When 
 about twenty-seven years of age he was united in 
 marriage to Miss Elizabeth Oldt, a daughter of 
 David Oldt, and for one year they made their 
 home with his widowed mother. Mr. Klingler 
 continued to work at his trade, and soon after his 
 marriage purchased a farm in Jackson township, 
 and with his brother bought from his father's 
 
1160 
 
 : ' VEMORA Tl VE BIOGRA 1'IIK A I. UECORD. 
 
 place a small tract in Penn township, becoming 
 the owner of this before he had attained his ma- 
 jority. On March 28, 1892, he removed to his 
 present farm in Penn township, which was known 
 as the Isaac Luck farm, and is now the owner of 
 nearly 550 acres of rich and arable lands divided 
 into four farms and improved with good and sub- 
 stantial buildings. He is one of the most pros- 
 perous, enterprising and reliable farmers of Sny- 
 der county, and the success that he has achieved 
 is due almost entirely to his own efforts and those 
 of his estimable wife. 
 
 To this worthy couple have been born th< 
 lowing children: B. F., now a farmer of Penn 
 township; David, an agriculturist of La Grange 
 county. Ind. ; John, a farmer of Union county, 
 Perm. ; Charles, Samuel and William, all at 
 home; Barbara, widow of John Miller, of Elk- 
 hart, Ind.; Mary E., wife of I!. F. Klingler, of 
 Elkhart; Emma, who died at that place; Hattie, 
 now Mrs. William Maurer. of Dry Valley, Union 
 Co., Penn.; Catharine, wife of Newton Stettler, 
 of Penn township, Snyder county; Sarah J., wife 
 of Jacob Benfer, of Kramer, Snyder county; and 
 Agnes C. and Anna M., both at home. The 
 family is one of which the parents take a just 
 pride, and they are now all filling honorable po- 
 sitions in life. Although a Democrat in politics, 
 Mr. Klingler is not strictly partisan, but selects 
 the best man in many instances, regardless of 
 party affiliations. Before he had attained his 
 majority he was chosen a member of the grand 
 jury, an honor rarely conferred upon a minor. 
 1 1 cast his first vote at Selins Grove. He is a 
 leading member of the Reformed contingent at 
 Salem Church, with which he has been officially 
 connected for many years, and is at present 
 treasurer and a member of the building commit- 
 tor the new house of worship. As a citizen 
 he is one which any community might be proud 
 t possess; honest, upright and honorable in all 
 his dealings, he has won the respect and esteem 
 of all who know him. 
 
 J' MIX A. MOVER. It is ever of interest to 
 note the methods that have been followed 
 
 by the successful business man, to analyze 
 his character, and see what are the elements that 
 have enabled him to pass others on the highway 
 of life, and soon reach the goal of prosperity. 
 
 li a history contains incentives and lessons of 
 value, setting forth an example that others may 
 follow. A like history is that of Mr. Moyer. one 
 of the leading farmers of Chapman township. 
 
 He was born in Freeburg, Penn., January [6, 
 1823, a son of Philip Moyer, who was born in 
 
 the same place, January 1, 1S00. The latter was 
 reared there, and in his youth learned the hat- 
 trade. In the fall of 1828 he located near 
 Liverpool, Penn., where he began conducting a 
 tavern, and later to Dry Sawmill, about three 
 miles above Liverpool. In 1831 he removed to 
 the canal, a mile and a quarter above McKees 
 Half Falls, where he conducted the "Seven stars 
 I Lvern " (or a number of years, after which he 
 made his home on a small tract of land in Chap- 
 man township, which he had previously pur- 
 chased, and which continued to be his place of 
 residence until his death in 1856. His first wife 
 was Barbara Bickle, who died in 1831. and their 
 children were Luzetta, who was twice married, 
 and died in Chapman township; John A. ; Will- 
 iam, who died in Fremont, Penn.; Edward, who 
 died in Springfield, Ohio; and Absalom, of Chap- 
 man township. Philip Moyer married Julia A. 
 Bickle, a sister of his first wife, and they have 
 two children, who died in early life. His third 
 wife bore the maiden name of Susan Kantz, and 
 their children are Mrs. Sarah Tilton, widow, of 
 Chicago, 111.; Jerome, of Union township, Sny- 
 der county; Amelia, who married John Cole, and 
 died in Port Trevorton; William, who died in 
 Chapman township; and Mary, wife of John D. 
 Bogar, of Port Trevorton. 
 
 John A. Moyer. whose name introduces this 
 review, was a small child when his parents went 
 to Liverpool. He attended school at the Dry 
 Sawmill, where instruction was given in the 
 •'three R's, " but advanced little beyond that. 
 At the age of eighteen he began learning the sad- 
 dler's trade under the direction of Isaac Neyman, 
 of New Berlin, serving a two-and-a-half-years' 
 apprenticeship, during which time all the money 
 he had was what he could earn by two weeks' 
 work in the harvest field, that length of time be- 
 _;iven him by his employer. When his term 
 was ended, he followed his trade in the winter 
 and worked on the canal in summer. He was 
 married December 19, 1850, to Miss Louisa 
 r. who was born January 13, 1831. He 
 then located in Port Trevorton, where he lived 
 for five years, during which time he was part 
 owner of the boat, " Maria O. Sayrs." His present 
 farm he purchased of his father, and since 1800 
 he has not followed boating with the exception 
 of the season of 1867. When working on the 
 canal he owned four mules that he drove for 
 more than twenty years. These mules made 
 fourteen trips from Lock Haven to Philadelphia, 
 a distance of 540 miles, in one summer. Mr. 
 Moyer cared for the faithful beasts until they 
 died, and only a few hours before the last one 
 was killed refused a good price for it. To farm- 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1161 
 
 ing he has given the greater part of his time and 
 attention for many years, and his systematic and 
 energetic labors in the way of plowing, planting 
 and harvesting have brought to him a comfort- 
 able competence. Entirely through his own 
 efforts he has accumulated a capital that now 
 largely enables him to live retired. 
 
 To Mr. and Mrs. Moyer were born ten chil- 
 dren, but only three reached adult age. Edward 
 W. , who was 1 born September 5, 1854, married 
 Saloma V. Reichenbach, and is a farmer of Chap- 
 man township; Mar}' E., born June 22, 1858, is 
 the wife of George F. Wolfe, of the same town- 
 ship; Barbara A., born May 20, 1861, is the wife 
 of Franklin Zerbe, of Chapman township. The 
 mother of this family died in February, 1870. 
 Mr. Moyer was again married, in 1875, his sec- 
 ond union being with Catherine, a daughter of 
 George and Polly (Shaffer) Steffe, born May 30, 
 1841, in Washington township, Snyder county. 
 The children of the second marriage are Mary 
 L. , wife of Leonard Ulsh, of Shamokin, Penn. ; 
 Alba, wife of John Stroub, of Herndon, Penn. ; 
 Dolly A., wife of Levi Carlin, of Chapman town- 
 ship; and Philip, who died at the age of twelve 
 years. In his political adherency Mr. Moyer is 
 a stanch Democrat, supporting each Presidential 
 candidate of the party since casting his first vote 
 for James K. Polk. He has several times served 
 as school director. He is a member of the Odd 
 Fellows Society, and both he and his wife be- 
 long to the Reformed Church, in which he is 
 now serving as elder. By extensive reading and 
 observation he has become a well informed man, 
 and possessing an excellent memory is enabled 
 to draw on his knowledge to enrich his conver- 
 sation. All who know him esteem him for his 
 sterling worth, and commend him for his well- 
 spent life and successful business career. 
 
 A. HUMMEL, of Kratzerville, Snyder coun- 
 ^k ty, a well-known druggist and manufacturer 
 of carbonated beverages, is one of the successful 
 business men of his section, and owns valuable 
 propertyindifferent places, including the "Central 
 Hotel " at New Berlin. He comes of an excellent 
 ancestry, and on the paternal side is descended 
 from a pioneer, who came up the Susquehanna 
 river soon after the Revolutionary war and settled 
 in Monroe township, Snyder county. His family, 
 which consisted of six sons and three daughters, 
 accompanied him, and their descendants are now 
 numerous. Among the sons was Frederick A. 
 Hummel, our subject's great-grandfather, who 
 was born in Berks county, Penn., and died in 
 Monroe township, Snyder county. Samuel Hum- 
 
 mel, the grandfather of our subject, was born at 
 the new home in Monroe township, Snyder coun- 
 ty, and became a farmer by occupation. His 
 death occurred in Union township, Union coun- 
 ty, at the age of sixty-six, and his remains were 
 interred at Kratzerville. His wife, Catherine 
 Slough, was a native of Union county. They had 
 the following children: Elizabeth, who married 
 Barney Weaver, both now deceased; Miss Lida, 
 who resides with her brother Jonathan; Isaac, 
 our subject's father; William, who was accident- 
 ally shot and killed while hunting; Miss Sarah, 
 now residing with her brother Jonathan; Jon- 
 athan, a well-known citizen of Union township, 
 Union county; and Frank, a farmer near Free- 
 port, Illinois. 
 
 Isaac Hummel, the father of our subject, was 
 born January 21, 1822, at the old homestead in 
 Union township, Union county, and followed farm- 
 ing until 1889, when he retired. Although he 
 was at one time quite well-to-do, he has met 
 with reverses, and now makes his home with our 
 subject. In politics he is a stanch Republican, 
 and he has always taken a keen interest in the 
 questions of the day. On June 1, 1847, he mar- 
 ried Miss Martha J. Pope, who was born October 
 25, 1820, in Greenwood townshi'p, Columbia 
 county, Penn., and is still living. She is a mem- 
 ber of the Evangelical Church, but our subject's 
 father is a Lutheran in religious faith. Of the 
 six children of this worthy couple, our subject is 
 the only survivor. Jackson died at the age of 
 six years; William at the age of ten; Simon at 
 the age of six; and the twins, who died in in- 
 fancy, were not named. 
 
 Thomas Pope, the great-grandfather of our 
 subject on the maternal side, was born in Mas- 
 sachusetts, and married Miss Mary Willhelm, a 
 native of Maryland, and a daughter of William 
 Willhelm, who came from Germany. Their son 
 Fredrick, who was named in honor of the 
 Prussian king, became a farmer in Northampton 
 county, Penn., but his last years were spent in 
 retirement, his death occurring at the age of 
 eighty-seven. He married Miss Elizabeth A. 
 Vallerchamp, who died at the age of eighty-two. 
 Their children were Simon, a pattern maker at 
 Williamsport, Penn.; Martha J. , our subject's 
 mother; Watson, who died when nine years old; 
 Fredrick, who died at the age of twenty-three; 
 W., who died at ten years; Azima, a farmer in 
 Kansas; Nelson, a farmer in Missouri; Jackson, 
 who is connected with a machine shop at Millers- 
 burg, Penn. ;and Sarah A., who died in girlhood. 
 The Vallerchamp family is of French origin, and 
 our subject's great-great-grandfather in this line, 
 who died in the city of Paris, was a nobleman of 
 
L162 
 
 COMMEMORA TIVB BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 rank and influence in the court of the King. 
 Simon Peter Vallerchamp, our subject's gn 
 
 ndfather, came to America with LaFayette 
 during the Revolutionary war, and was twice shot 
 while serving in the cause of freedom. At Phil- 
 adelphia he met and married Miss Jennie Perton, 
 and their son, our sub i indfather, resided at 
 
 Philadelphia where he owned a handson 
 with a large park. 
 
 A. A. Hummel first saw tin; light November 
 zj , i S 5 1 , in Greenwood township, Columbia 
 
 nty, Penn., and his boyhood was spent u] 
 
 i in. Although hr now possesses an e\' 
 ally fine physique, he pa- se\ eral < 
 
 in early life, and bul for the skillful 
 and untiring care of hismothei lie could not have 
 sun ived \\ hen hi old, In- fell 
 
 from a hay wagon which pa er him. cut- 
 
 tin- his head. He had only partially rerov 
 from this injury, being nof langer.when 
 
 his parents took him out riding in order to give 
 him the stimulus of fresh air and new scenes. 
 their return home his lather left the carriage to 
 pen up some rattle, when the horses ran awaj 
 The mother was holding the hoy in her arms and 
 both were thrown out, the latter being picked 
 up for dead, as the' stitches in his pre\ 
 wound had all bursted. whili i injuries \ 
 
 received. 1 1 mothei mils up 
 
 again, and for nine day- I ghts kept him in 
 her arms, tending him so devotedly that hr 
 finally recovered. He a- local sch 
 
 until he reached the age ol n. when he 
 
 entered Central Pennsylvania College and took a 
 three-years' Ho then taught for one 
 
 winter at Chestnut Ridge, Snydei county, and 
 in the following spring became a student at 
 Pennsylvania College in Now Berlin. At the 
 
 his first term there (in [une, 1872) 
 returned home, i hree years was 1 onfined 
 
 to his bed with cerebro-spina! meningitis, a dis- 
 ease from which few evei completely recover. 
 During his convalescence he attended lectures un- 
 der I n . Larisi m, 1 il Bucknel 1 e, hut his ill 
 health prevented him from taking a full con; 
 He is a mechanical genius, being able to make 
 almost anything, and h ne interested in 
 watch repairing which he continued i 
 time as a regular business I le maki - 1 C 
 cabinets, and has manufactured many keys and 
 similar articles. While at Bucknell I illege he 
 1 "1 kej - t' 1 the institution 
 to replace some which had been lost. In [880 
 he opened his present din- store with the 
 thought that he could at least he sure of one 
 
 1 1 usti imer, hin his health at the 
 
 time was very poor, and he has made 
 
 - of the business from the start, while car- 
 rying on his other branches of work. In pol- 
 itics Mr. Hummel is a Republican, but he is not 
 an office seeker. He belongs to the Baptist 
 Church, and is in sympathy with any movement 
 that promises to benefit the community. 
 
 On March 4, 1S73, he married Miss Alice 
 Trutt, and their home is brightened by nine 
 children: Josephine. Jessie I., Jennie E., Clara 
 M.. Elmer A., Lama A., Sadie E., Oliver \\\, 
 and ( land. Mrs. Hummel was born October 
 -3' '855, at Kratzerville, the daughter of Dan- 
 iel R., and granddaughter of Peter and Polly 
 Reii hie} 1 Trutt. Her father, who was born in 
 Union county, was a carpenter for main years, 
 but is now living in retirement on a farm in 
 ■ ii township, Union county. His wile, Eliza- 
 beth Krat/er. who died at Kratzerville in M 
 
 13, at the age of fifty-seven, was born at that 
 town, and was a daughter of Daniel and Magda- 
 Fertig) Krat/er. The mortal remains of all 
 now repose in the family burial plot at Kratzer- 
 ville. Mrs. Hummel was the eldest of a family 
 of nine children, the others being Amanda, wife 
 of Noah Leitzel, a clerk at Northumberland. 
 Penn.; Ada. wife of George Meacley, a railway 
 
 man at Winheld, Penn. ; Joan, who married 
 Elmer Heizer. a clerk in a drug store at Bethle- 
 hem, Penn.; Oliver D., a dentist m Philadelphia; 
 Miss ( lara, who resides with her father at the 
 farm; Mary, wife of Charles Herald, ol fackson 
 township, Snyder county; Irene, who married 
 Lewis Solomons, a machinist at Williamsp 
 Penn. : and Miss Jennie, who is at home with her 
 fath 
 
 II. SNYDER. If the honor of being 
 representative farmer of Middle 
 ■k township, Snyder county, could consist- 
 ently be given to any one man, it surely would 
 fall to our subject, whose career as an agricult- 
 urist would furnish ample e\ idence of his deserv- 
 it, coming as he did to the township, buying 
 id gi ling heavily in d 
 where bet. ire him others had failed. 
 By Ins excellent management and industry, he 
 reversed the order of thme.s, and succeeded in 
 the fullest sense of the word. He is a man of 
 li natural intellectual ability, but had very lim- 
 ited opportunities for obtaining an education. His 
 knowledge has mostly been acquired in the school 
 (perience, and he has become a man of un- 
 usual business foresight and tact, a- his career 
 will show 
 
 Mr. Snydei was born in Dauphin county, 
 Penn., May 9, 1S42, and is a son of George and 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1163 
 
 Sally Snyder, who later removed to a place near 
 Herndon.in Northumberland county, Penn., where 
 the father died at the age of eighty-two, and the 
 mother at eighty-six. By occupation the former 
 was an agriculturist. Of their seven children, our 
 subject is the second son and third child. All 
 his brothers are farmers, and either live in Dau- 
 phin or Northumberland counties. In the coun- 
 try schools Mr. Snyder's meager education was 
 obtained, but at the age of seventeen his hear- 
 ing began to fail, and has since been defective, 
 this affliction greatly handicapping him in his 
 school training. On February 6, 1870, he was 
 joined in wedlock with Miss Elizabeth Snyder, 
 who was born in Northumberland county, in 
 February, 1848, the daughter of Gottfried and 
 Anna Snyder. They have become the parents of 
 three children: Ida, now the wife of George 
 Aurand, of Middle Creek township, Snyder coun- 
 ty; and James and Daniel, both at home. 
 
 After his marriage, Mr. Snyder located on a 
 farm in Northumberland county, which his father 
 owned, and operated the same for ten years, but 
 in 1880 came to Middle Creek township, Snyder 
 county. He purchased his present fine farm in 
 April, 1896, but had to go heavily in debt for it. 
 The place comprises 270 acres of land, and was 
 known as the old Hubler farm. Being a shrewd 
 and systematic business man, he has met with 
 excellent success in his undertakings, and is now 
 the largest land owner of any resident farmer in 
 Middle Creek township. He stands high as a 
 citizen, and ranks second to none as a progress- 
 ive and skillful agriculturist. Honest, straight- 
 forward and reliable in all things, he has gained 
 the confidence and respect of all with whom he 
 has come in contact, either in business or social 
 life. Politically, he is a Democrat, and relig- 
 iously is a member of the Reformed Church, 
 while his wife affiliates with the Lutheran Church. 
 
 GEORGE F. MILLER, whose honorable iden- 
 I tification with the business interests of Wash- 
 ington township, Snyder county, has made him 
 one of its leading and influential citizens, was 
 born September 3, 1832, and is the second son 
 and child, who lived to adult age, of John and 
 Christy Ann (Snyder) Miller. He pursued his 
 studies in the log school house which stood on 
 the bank of the creek not far from the home- 
 stead, the school being canducted on the sub- 
 scription plan. At the age of fourteen his school 
 days were over, and he entered his father's saw- 
 mill, learning the trade. He afterward worked 
 for Joseph Kleckner, of New Berlin, receiving 
 $21 for three months' service. In the spring of 
 
 1849 he returned to his father's mill in Washing- 
 ton township, where he remained for several con- 
 secutive years, after which he went to the West, 
 traveling through Ohio and Indiana for a few 
 weeks. Returning then to Pennsylvania, he be- 
 came a student in the academy at Freeburg un- 
 der Professors Whitman and McFarland, and 
 later was employed in a mill about one mile from 
 Adamsburg. 
 
 On February 18, 1857, was solemnized the 
 marriage of Mr. Miller and Miss Isabella Dreese, 
 who was born at Adamsburg, December 12, 1837, 
 a daughter of Henry and Polly (Amig) Dreese, 
 the former a native of Adamsburg, and the latter 
 of Juniata county, Penn. The paternal and ma- 
 ternal grandfathers were Jacob Dreese and Philip 
 Amig, respectively. Mrs. Miller was the eldest 
 of a family of six children, the others being Philip, 
 of Penn township, Snyder county; Harrison, of 
 Missouri; Banks and Jacob, who are living in 
 Adamsburg; and Mary, wife of William Rlose, of 
 Adamsburg. The father of this family was a 
 farmer, and owned a substantial home. He 
 ranked high as a citizen, and all who knew him 
 esteemed him for his sterling worth. 
 
 After his marriage Mr. Miller resided near 
 Adamsburg until the spring of 1858, when he re- 
 turned to Washington township, living in the old 
 brick house on his father's farm and working in 
 the mill. In 1880 he purchased of his father his 
 present home; he has remodeled all of the build- 
 ings, and has a nice brick residence and other ex- 
 cellent improvements upon the place. He con- 
 tinued in the milling business until 1882, when 
 he retired to private life with a comfortable com- 
 petence which was acquired through his honest 
 toil. The home of Mr and Mrs. Miller was 
 blessed with six children: Christina, who died 
 at the age of three years; Daniel W., who died 
 at the age of twelve years; Adda L., who married 
 William Roush, and died in Washington town- 
 ship, Snyder county; Mellie, wife of B. F. Har- 
 lev, of Freeburg; John H., who is clerking in 
 Freeburg; and Charles H., a bright and scholarly 
 young man, who engaged in teaching when only 
 sixteen years of age. 
 
 In October. 1862. Mr. Miller was drafted for 
 service in the Union army, and was assigned to 
 Company I, 172nd P. V. I. He was sworn into 
 the service at Harrisburg, but afterward was 
 taken ill, and on account of his sickness was dis- 
 charged. In politics he has always been a stanch 
 Republican, and has been called upon to fill a 
 number of public offices of honor and trust. He 
 served as overseer of the poor in Washington 
 township, and in 1865 was elected county treas- 
 urer, acceptably filling that office for two years. 
 
in; i 
 
 UORATIVE BIOGltAPIIICAL RECORD. 
 
 He and his wife hold membership with the Luth- 
 eran Church in Freeburg, in which Mr Miller 
 ed as trustee and is now elder. II has always 
 taken a very active part in Church work, contrib- 
 utes liberally to its support, and tly advo- 
 cates all measures for the benefit of humanity. 
 
 SAMUEL BRUNNER, a substantial citizen of 
 _) Center township, Snyder county, is a pros- 
 it rous a ■ iculturist whose success is the result of 
 his own hard work and jud sjement. 
 
 He holds in a marked degree the esteem of his 
 associates, his strict integrity and his unassuming 
 manners winning the good will of all. During 
 the Civil war he served sixteen months as a sol- 
 dier, having been drafted as a member of Com- 
 pany K, 105th P. V. I., and at the battle of the 
 Wilderness he w I in the left leg so se- 
 
 riously that he still suffers excruciating pain at 
 times. 
 
 He was born March 15, 1S32, in the town- 
 ship where he now resides, and was the young- 
 est son and ninth child in a family of ten 
 boys and five girls) who were born to John and 
 Polly Bfunner. His father was 1 German by 
 ent, but wasa native of Berks county, Penn., 
 and for many years he lived n die, 
 
 where he engaged in fan I in the cooper's 
 
 trade. In early years he affiliated with the Whig 
 
 : v, but later he became a Republican. I [is 
 death occurred at 1 1 1 I seventy, and his es- 
 
 timable wife, who was bom in Center township, 
 Snyder county, lived to be more than eighty 
 
 is old. Our subject received only a country 
 school education and had but a poor start in 
 business life, as his parents found their means 
 limited to enable them to provide for their 
 is family. He learned the details ol 
 farming and of the cooper's trade with his father, 
 and on reaching manhood was employed for 
 some time away from home. When in his 
 twenty-third year, he Miss Ama 
 
 Boyer, daughter of Elias B i ! located in 
 
 Musser's Valley, where he worked i laborer. 
 
 Later he returned home, as In I Lther wi 
 
 him to take charge of the farm under an arran 
 
 nt which would enable him to purchase the 
 place from the other heirs when the father should 
 iy. Some years later he sold the prop- 
 erty and bought another farm in the vvn- 
 ship, where his family resid is trip to 
 Three Rivers, Mich., on business. On coming 
 back to Pennsylvania he purchased his present 
 farm (in 1867) from Rev. Jacob Farnsworth. 
 The buildings were poor, but Mr. Brunner lias 
 since erected a new residence and remodelled the 
 
 barn, while other improvements add to the at- 
 tractiveness of the place, which contains 115 
 acres of good land. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs Brunner have had a large fam- 
 ily, several oi their children having died in in- 
 fancy. Of the survivors, Phoebe is now the wife 
 
 Franklin Bubb, of Bradford, Penn. ; Elias re- 
 sides in Centerville; John settled in Nebraska; 
 Jane married John Kreamer, of Middle Creek 
 township, Snyder county; Alice married Elmer 
 Zechman, 1 if Middleburg, Penn. ; Catherine resides 
 al Centerville; Sadie married Allen Bowersox, of 
 
 nter township; Adam resides in Nebraska; 
 Henry is a physician at Trevorton, Penn. ; Will- 
 iam settled m Michigan; Peter lives in Nebraska; 
 and Miss Susan is at home. As an intelligent 
 citizen Mr. Brunner takes keen interest in all the 
 questions of the day. In politics he is a stanch 
 Republican, and his loyalty does not depend in 
 the least upon a hope of official place or power, 
 being based upon principle. His influent 
 given in a quiet but effective way to any progress- 
 iva- movement, and he is especially friendly to 
 tlu cause of education, as he believes it to be 
 for the best interests of this republic that its cit- 
 
 ns should have the most thorough training for 
 duties of citizenship While he is not a mem- 
 bi 1 of any Church, he is a sincere follower of the 
 moral precepts of the lowly Nazarene, and his re- 
 ligion is practiced seven days in the week. 
 
 AUGUSTUS STROUB has for more than 
 half a century resided in Chapman town- 
 ship, Snyder county, and his name is identi- 
 with the best interests by reason of his 
 active co-operation in all affairs that he believes 
 calculated to piove of public benefit. His own 
 record is unblemished, and the probity of his 
 business life is an example well worthy of emu- 
 lation. 
 
 Mr. Stroub was born in Chapman township, 
 August 28, [844, and is a son of Jonathan and 
 Catharine 1 Hendricks) Stroub. He attended the 
 schools oi the neighborhood, and early became 
 familiar with the labors of the farm. At the age 
 oi sixteen he began working as a farm hand for 
 ave his earnings to his father through 
 the two succeeding years. He was determined 
 and faithful in his duties, and his services were 
 therefor. 111 demand. After his marriage 
 
 lif rented land of his father-in-law, subsequently 
 lived near McKees Half Falls, and continued to 
 rent land at different places until March, 1873, 
 when he removed to his present farm, which he 
 had purchased in the fall of 1872. It comprised 
 seventy-five acres, on which was a log house, but 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1165 
 
 in 1880 that building was replaced by his present 
 substantial and comfortable residence. He has 
 given farming his undivided attention, and the 
 neat and thrifty appearance of his place well in- 
 dicates the careful supervision of the owner. 
 
 At the age of twenty-two, Mr. Stroub was 
 united in marriage to Miss Sallie A. Sechrist, a 
 native of Chapman township, and a daughter of 
 John and Annie (Fisher) Sechrist. To them 
 have been born the following children — John 
 A., who attended school in Freeburg until his 
 sixteenth year, after which he engaged in teach- 
 ing, is now a merchant of Herndon, and married 
 Alba Moyer, by whom he has one child, Maxwell; 
 William H. is now a clerk in Mt. Carmel, Penn. ; 
 Foster, Gertrude and Annie C. are all at home. 
 
 Mr. Stroub gives his political support to the 
 Democratic party, and has served as assessor, 
 school director and judge of elections. He and 
 his wife are members of the Lutheran Church, of 
 which he was treasurer for many years and is now 
 secretary. He was formerly superintendent of the 
 Sunday-school, and at the present time is serving 
 as one of its teachers. He is faithful and true to 
 all the duties of public and private life, and his 
 career is one which reflects honor upon the fam- 
 ily to which he belongs. 
 
 It W. ENGLE. Among the energetic, pro- 
 ./H|t gressive and representative business men of 
 Snyder county is numbered this gentleman, who 
 is the only male descendant of Solomon Engle, 
 who was one of the most conspicuous figures in 
 this section of the State during the first half of 
 the 19th century. He was a school teacher, and 
 became very widely known. He also served as 
 justice of the peace, and his fidelity to duty in 
 every relation of life won him the high regard of 
 all with whom he came in contact. 
 
 William C. Engle, father of our subiect, was 
 reared in Beavertown, and in his early manhood 
 traveled over the country as a peddler, carrying 
 his stock in a wagon. He afterward learned the 
 molder's trade in Specht's foundry in Beaver- 
 town, and followed that pursuit until failing 
 health caused him to abandon it. He was twice 
 married. He married Barbara Eisenhower, and 
 they had one child, now deceased. After the 
 death of his first wife he wedded Rebecca, daugh- 
 ter of Jacob Klose, and they had three children, 
 but our subject is the only one now living, James 
 and John having both died in childhood. The 
 father was a Whig in early life, but afterward 
 became a Republican. He died at the early age 
 of thirty-two years, but his widow still survives, 
 
 at the age of seventy, and makes her home with 
 her son. 
 
 A. W. Engle was educated in the district 
 school at Beavertown, Isaac Rothrock being his 
 first teacher. Great improvement has been 
 made in the schools since that time, and 
 no one is more heartily in favor of this than he. 
 At the age of sixteen he was apprenticed to 
 Simon Benfer, a carpenter, working for thirty- 
 five cents per day, and often putting in sixteen 
 hours. When he had thoroughly mastered the 
 business he began contracting and building on his 
 own account. In February, 1891, he purchased 
 a portable sawmill and complete outfit, and has 
 since engaged in business along that line. He 
 now has a well-equipped sawmill, in 1895 put in 
 operation a planing-mill, and in 1896 added a 
 chopping-mill. He erected a substantial and 
 commodious building in Beavertown, and is now 
 doing an extensive and successful business. He 
 owns 500 acres of mountain land, forty-seven 
 acres of farming land and seven lots in Beaver- 
 town, and also erected a very pleasant home 
 there Mr. Engle was united in marriage to 
 Miss Lizzie A. Shambach, a daughter of John and 
 Catherine (Aurand) Shambach. They now have 
 three children — John W. , Charles A. and Mary, 
 all of whom are living. The mother of this 
 family is a member of the Reformed Church, 
 and a most estimable lady. Mr. Engle gives his 
 political support to the Republican party, is a 
 stanch advocate of its principles, and has served 
 for four years as supervisor. He takes a com- 
 mendable interest in everything pertaining to the 
 county's welfare, and is rated high among its 
 business men, whose honorable methods com- 
 mend them to the confidence of all. 
 
 JS. YEARICK, a well-known resident of 
 Kratzerville, Snyder county, is extensively 
 engaged in the manufacture of flour, oper- 
 ating a mill in Jackson township, Snyder county. 
 For some years he was identified with the mer- 
 cantile interests of Kratzerville and he has a high 
 standing in business circles in his locality. 
 
 He is of German descent on the paternal side, 
 the first of the family to come to America being 
 his great-grandfather, who was a sailor by occu- 
 pation, and who spent his last days at Mifflin- 
 burg, Penn. Henry Yearick, our subject's grand- 
 father, married and passed his life in Union 
 county. The late Samuel R. Yearick, the father 
 of our subject, was born at Mifflinburg, but spent 
 the greater part of his active life at Kratzerville, 
 where he was regarded as a leader in business 
 
1166 
 
 ( OMME VORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 affairs and in political movements, b lint- 
 
 is the rirst post: 
 [851 to 1 8< ii i he was - cantile pur- 
 
 suits, but his later yi nt in retirement, 
 
 his curring July 14. »e of 
 
 sixty-four years, eight months and ten d 
 His wife, whose maiden name w rine 
 
 Sas vas born in 1829, in M wn- 
 
 ship, Snyder county, the daughter 1 I 
 saman, who came from Lehigh county, Penn., 
 when a young man, to make his permanent li 
 in Snyder county, where he died at the advanced 
 of eighty-three years. Our subject was the 
 eldest of a family of four children, the others 
 being Emma, who married Amos I human, a 
 
 tore at Elkhart, Ind. ; Alice, wifi 
 M. K. Hassinger, .1 farmei in Snyder county; 
 and Laura, who married William Knouse, a work- 
 
 1 in a mill at Sunbury, Pennsylvan 
 
 Mr. Yearick was born at Kratzerville August 
 ■, and was educated there He remained 
 at home until he reached the age ol tw< 1 j 
 helping his father in the store in the meantime. 
 On leaving h e he engaged in mercantile b 
 
 - on his own account, continuing until [am 
 «s, 1896, when Ins establishment was destn 
 by fire, causing a lossof $2,400. Two years prior 
 t • > this calamity he had taken charg ;rist- 
 
 mill m Jai kson township, and he has evei - 
 
 rated it successfully As a good citizen he 
 takes an intelligent interest in public affairs, ami 
 for eight years past he has served as school 
 In politics he is a Republican, and 
 fraternally he is a member of the I. 0. O. F. of 
 Selins Grove, and Lafayette Lodge N F. & 
 
 A. M.,at the same city. lb' the 
 
 United Evangelical Church, and his sympatl 
 
 alwa) 3 readily enlisted in favor ol any worthy 
 ise. 
 
 On March in, [870, he was married at Krat- 
 
 ille to Miss 1 bur 1. 1 I li nfer, and four children 
 have blessed the union. | 1 1 Henry, who is em- 
 ployed in the mill, married Miss K 
 and resides at- Kratzerville. (2) Samuel II. mar- 
 ried Miss Mollie Harman, and has one child, 
 Marion K. (3) Howard, wh ployed in the 
 
 mill, and (4) Miss Maggie B. , both reside at home. 
 Mrs. Yearick was born in Union count}', but her 
 parents, Philip and Magdalena (Dreese) Benfer, 
 removed later to Snyder county, where tl 
 
 niied. her father conducting the null now 
 
 subject. To Philip Benfer and 
 
 his wife eight children were born: Isaac, a farmer 
 
 in Monroe township, Snyder county; Abraham, a 
 
 policeman at Warsaw, Ind. ; Mary, wifeof Robert 
 
 -e, a farmer in Snyder county; Miss Cath- 
 erine; Amelia, wife of Henry Wetzel, a farmer of 
 
 Snj t\ ; Harriet, Mr-. Yearick; Elizabeth, 
 
 wife of Harris Price, a farmer in Northumber- 
 land county; and Sarah, who married J. H. Fer- 
 a farmer in Kans 
 
 SAMUEL KNOUSE, of Center town 
 Mi inty, is one of the substantial citi- 
 
 zen icality, ami his homestead of tl 
 
 hundred acres near Middles warth gives evidence 
 of business-like management. While hehas made 
 his own way in the world, he has not been un- 
 duly avaricious, having enjoyed life as he w 
 
 g, balancing his occasional lossi - by his uni- 
 form gains. Fair in his methods at all times he 
 has never intentionally harmed any one, and as 
 a neighbor and citizen he is held in the highest 
 esteem. 
 
 Mr. Knouse was born March 17, 1S41, in 
 Penn township, Snyder county. David Kim 
 bis father, was a native of Jackson township, 
 Snyder county, and lived there during the great- 
 ortion of his life, purchasing the old home- 
 rid engaging in farming as an occupati 
 lb- had a poor start in early years, and for a time 
 he followed the shoemaker's trade, but later he 
 confined his work in this line to 1 his own 
 
 family shod. He married Miss Sally Maurer, 
 daughter of Jacob Maurer, and before settling at 
 his old home he resided for one year in \\ 
 Beaver township, Snyder count}-. His death oc- 
 curred when he was aged seventy-four \> 
 
 nd the remains of both him and his wife were 
 interred at Kratzerville. In religious faith I> 
 Knouse was a Lutheran, and in his later years 
 he was a supporter of the principles of the Re- 
 publican party on the political issues of tl: 
 I lut subject was i.ne of eight children, the others 
 being Polly, Hannah. Susan, Jacob, Sal 
 I'eter, and David. 
 
 As the son of a busy farmer Mr. Knousi 
 but limited opportunities for schooling, the work 
 in his early days continuing 'far into the winter 
 season on account of a lack of machinery. The 
 ils, too, were inferior to those of the pres- 
 ent, and his disadvantages in this respect have 
 made him a hearty advocate of a better system, 
 first independent employment was in a saw- 
 mill, and by careful economy he saved enough 
 money to engage in lumbering on his own 
 
 nt, his operations being begun in Mont 
 county. When he was in his twenty-third 3 
 he married Miss Mary Brouse, a native of Jack- 
 son township. Snyder county, and a daughter of 
 lb iiiv Brouse, a well-known citizen. Mr. Knouse 
 then located 111 Northumberland county upon a 
 rented farm, and in addition to his agricultural 
 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1167 
 
 work he engaged in hauling timber from the 
 woods to the railroad on contract. His experi- 
 ence in lumbering covers nearly ever}' branch of 
 the business, his last venture being in Snyder 
 count}'. During his residence in Montour coun- 
 ty he purchased a farm, but in 1877 he bought 
 his present homestead, which was previous!} 
 known as the old "Matter farm." At three dif- 
 ferent times he has added to his original pur- 
 chase until it has reached its present handsome 
 proportions, and his improvements are of a lib- 
 eral and substantial sort. On October 2, 1896, 
 his house was destroyed by fire, but a new one 
 was completed in the following year. 
 
 In private life Mr. Knouse is most exemplary, 
 and his family find in him a kind and indulgent 
 father. He and his wife have reared six chil- 
 dren: Sarah, now Mrs. George Krebs, of Ad- 
 ams township, Snyder county; Emnla, widow of 
 William Swartz; Wilson, a railroad brakeman, 
 residing in Northumberland count}', Penn. ; 
 Alice, who married Thomas Voneida, of Union 
 county; Miss Lizzie and Miss Ida, who are now 
 at home. Politically, Mr. Knouse is a steadfast 
 Republican, but he has never been an office 
 seeker, the only position he has held being that 
 of school director. He and his wife are both 
 members of the Reformed Church, and at one 
 time he served as elder in that society. His fam- 
 ily stands well socially, and he is identified with 
 all the movements that tend to promote the best 
 interests of his neighborhood. 
 
 PjHARES HERMAN. Among the well-to-do 
 and successful farmers of Snyder county, 
 who have accumulated a competency through 
 their own exertions and economy, and who are 
 carrying on the business of farming in a manner 
 which draws forth praise from every one, is the 
 subject of this biographical notice, who resides 
 in Penn township, and who is now a popular 
 member of the board of county commissioners. 
 In the township where he still continues to 
 live, Mr. Herman was born January 19, 1840, a 
 son of Frederick and Mary (Kratzeri Herman, 
 both natives of Snyder county, the former born 
 in Penn township, and the later near Kratzer- 
 ville. In early life the father learned the weav- 
 er's trade, at which he continued to work in con- 
 nection with farming, and, although he began his 
 business career in very limited circumstances, he 
 secured a good home and comfortable living. 
 He died at the age of seventy-five, his wife when 
 over sixty, and both were laid to rest at Kratzer- 
 ville. To this worthy couple came the following 
 children: Simon, now a resident of New Berlin, 
 
 Penn. ; Jacob, who died in Penn township, Sny- 
 der county, in the fall of 1896; George, a car- 
 penter and farmer of Mifflin county, Penn.; 
 Philip, of Kratzerville; Frank, of Michigan; Fred- 
 erick, who was married and is now deceased; 
 Phares; John, a resident of Michigan; Peter, 
 who was married and is now deceased; Mary A , 
 the wife of Harrison Row, of Penn township; 
 and Harriet, wife of George Brouse, of Jackson 
 township, Snyder county. The parents were 
 both consistent members of the Lutheran Church, 
 and in politics the father was a Democrat. 
 
 Mr. Herman pursued his studies in the Herman 
 school, but his privilegesalong that line were very 
 meagre, as he never attended school more than 
 a year during his life. As the family was large, 
 and his services were not needed at home, he 
 began to earn his own livelihood at a very early 
 age, at first receiving only $4 per month. When 
 only thirteen he was able to cradle grain, and 
 could do a man's work. At sixteen he began 
 learning the mason's trade under Elias Ritter, of 
 Jackson township, Snyder county, who gave him 
 fifty cents per day for his year's work. The sec- 
 ond year of his apprenticeship was under another 
 tutor, who paid him $1 per day, and at the end 
 of that time they formed a partnership and con- 
 tinued operations together for some time. 
 
 On March 11, i860, Mr. Herman was mar- 
 ried in New Berlin to Miss Margaret Klingler, 
 who was born in Penn township, Snyder county, 
 February 8, 1844, and is the second child and 
 daughter in the family of four children of Sam- 
 uel and Susanna (Fetter) Klingler. She had 
 one brother and two sisters. Mr. and Mrs. Her- 
 man have become the parents of six children, 
 namely: Harrison F. , now a resident of Wyan- 
 dot county, Ohio; Mary, who wedded I. F. Lau- 
 denslager, arid died February 12, 1895, leaving 
 one child, Florence; Percival A., a railroad tele- 
 graph operator of Sunbury, Penn. ; Jane, who 
 died in childhood; Milton P., who is attending 
 Selins Grove College, and resides at home; and 
 Anna S., at home. Borrowing money to go to 
 housekeeping, Mr. Herman located in Jackson 
 township, Snyder county, after his marriage, but 
 during the war was drafted and became a mem- 
 ber of Company F, 172nd P. V. I., under Cap- 
 tain Harrison. The day after the regiment was 
 organized at Middleburg, they proceeded to 
 Harrisburg, where they were equipped for serv- 
 ice and sent to Washington, D. C. , and subse- 
 quently to Fortress Monroe. On being mustered 
 out Mr. Herman returned to his home in August, 
 1862, and for a time worked at his trade. Later 
 he purchased ten acres of land in Jackson town- 
 ship, on which he erected good buildings and 
 
1168 
 
 GOUMEMORA TIVE l;ln,,HM'llliAL RECORD. 
 
 
 continued to live until 1874, when he sold and 
 purchased of Henry Ott eighteen acres of his 
 present farm in Penn township. The buildings 
 were all poor and the house was of logs, but it 
 continued to be the home of the family until his 
 present comfortable residence was erected in 
 1882. The last work Mr. Herman did at his 
 trade was when he laid the wall for his house. 
 His substantial barn was built in [894. His 
 farm nov rises forty-two acres of valuable 
 
 land under a high state of cultivation and well 
 improved, and besides his own residence there is 
 another house upon the place, which he rents. In 
 connection with general farming he has exten- 
 
 |y engaged in the manufacture of lime since 
 locating here, and this business has proved a 
 profitable source of income. 
 
 Mr. Herman's sympathies are with the Dem- 
 ocratic party, but he often votes for the man 
 whom he regards as best qualified to fill the of- 
 fice, no matter to which party he belongs. In 
 the fall of 1893 he was elected county commis- 
 sioner, and so acceptable were his services that 
 in 1896 he was re-elected. He is often called 
 Honest Phares Herman, a title of which he may 
 be justly proud, and which he has well earned, 
 as his life has ever been one of the strictest in- 
 tegrity. In religious belief he is a Lutheran, 
 while his estimable wife holds membership in 
 the Reformed Church. Their sterling worth 
 and many excellencies of character have won for 
 them a host of warm friends and acquaintances. 
 
 E r W. TOOL. M. D. Man's success is not 
 4 measured by the heights to which he has 
 
 climbed, but by the depth from which he has 
 risen. No man in Snyder count)' is more de- 
 . ing of praise and commendation for an hon- 
 orable and useful life than Dr. Tool, who from 
 very humble surroundings has risen to a proud 
 place among the medical fraternity <>f this sect 
 of the State. He has also won distinctive horn 
 in statescraft, and in all life's relations has gained 
 the esteem and good will of those with whom he 
 has been brought in contact. 
 
 Dr. Tool was bom on Staten Island, Jun< 
 1 S 3 1 , a son of William and Margaret (Lee) Tool. 
 His father was born in Ireland, and was a son of 
 Edward Tool, win 1 brought his family to Amei 
 and died in this country when more than eighty 
 years of age. William Tool married Miss Lee, 
 a native of New Jersey, and supported his family 
 by day's labor. They had four children: E. 
 W. , Daniel, an expert mechanic and build- 
 ing inspector of New York; Mary, wife of Philip 
 Smith, of New York; and William, of Sunbury, 
 
 Penn. Both the parents of this family died 111 
 1863 of cerebro-spinal meningitis. They left their 
 children destitute of all means of support, and 
 for a time they were cared for by the authorities. 
 Dr. Tool was afterward bound out to a dairy 
 farmer, doing chores and other such work as his 
 strength would permit, being then but twelve 
 years of age. Later he went to the home of his 
 uncle in Wilkes Barre, Penn., and was set to 
 work at picking slate in the quarry. He was 
 afterward made a mule driver in the mines, and 
 a year later began working at the molder's trade, 
 which he followed for twoyears and eight months. 
 When fifteen years of age he could put up twelve 
 car wheels pi r day. His wages all went to his 
 uncle, from whom he received very harsh and 
 unkind treatment. On one occasion when his 
 cousins had trampled a field of grain he felt that 
 he would come in for a share of the punishment, 
 although he was innocent of the wrong, and this 
 caused him to run away from home. Night was 
 approaching, and he had no possessions save the 
 scanty clothing on his back. That night he si 
 in a trough, from which the canal mules were 
 fed, and in the morning he applied for a position 
 as driver of a passing canal boat, and was ac- 
 cepted. He followed that business through the 
 season of 1866, and in the following winter car- 
 ried mail across the river bridge between Port 
 Trevorton and Herndon. In 1867 he engaged in 
 boating on the Juniata canal for Abraham Fav- 
 inger, of Newport, and in the winter worked on 
 a farm for his board. He often had to rise at 
 two o'clock in the morning to go to Selins 
 Grove, worked until late at night, and had but 
 two poor meals per day. He was employed as a 
 farm hand until 1868, when the Reading Rail- 
 way Company purchased the Port Trevorton 
 bridge, and he was appointed collector of tolls, in 
 addition to which he carried the mail across the 
 bridge, receiving for this service his board and 
 clothing. 
 
 In April, 1869, Dr. Tool entered the emplo} 
 oi Hon. W. < ', Herold, with whom he remained 
 for some time, working at various labors. Sub 
 quently he was captain on the canal boat, " Gi n- 
 eral Washington," which plied the West Branch 
 canal, and later was captain on the boat "B. B. 
 \I 1 it in. His next service was in a sawmill, and 
 he mastered every detail of that business, from 
 tiring the engine to filing the saws. His lab 
 there were ended, however, when, in the fall of 
 1874, the mill was destroyed by fire. Seeking 
 other employment, he took charge of the coal 
 office in Porl I 1 - <ton belonging to Mr. Herold, 
 but, though twenty-three years of age, he could 
 n t figure the cost of the coal, for his education 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 11G9 
 
 had ended at the age of twelve years. Thus 
 realizing the necessity of further school privi- 
 leges, he entered the Missionary Institute at 
 Selins Grove, and later attended Prof. Noetling's 
 Normal School at that place, pursuing his studies 
 through the winter season. He thus prepared 
 for teaching, and later taught the Scholl school, 
 in Union township, Snyder county. He worked 
 on the canal in summer and continued teaching 
 in the winter season, being for five years em- 
 ployed in the Narrows school. At Port Trevor- 
 ton, his last school, he was employed at an ad- 
 vance of $5 per month over the former teachers. 
 In his educational work he was very successful, 
 and did much for the schools with which he was 
 connected. Dr. Tool took up the study of med- 
 icine under Dr. J. W. Sheets, of Selins Grove, 
 and while reading there acted as hostler and 
 general utility man for his board. In the fall of 
 1879 ne entered the College of Physicians and 
 Surgeons of Baltimore, practicing the strictest 
 economy in order to continue his education 
 there. He had Dr. M. L. Focht, of Lewisburg, 
 as a room mate, and each alternate week he did 
 the cooking and sweeping, the two men studying, 
 cooking and sleeping in one room. He was 
 graduated in 1881, and at once began practice in 
 Freeburg, where he has met with most creditable 
 success, winning a large and lucrative patronage. 
 He has a broad and comprehensive knowledge of 
 the science of medicine, and his skill has won 
 him enviable renown. 
 
 In May, 1882, Dr. Tcol married Miss Jennie 
 Mertz, of Freeburg, daughter of P. P. Mertz, ex- 
 county commissioner of Snyder county. They 
 have two children: Clarence E. and Susan E. 
 Their home is noted for its hospitality, and in 
 social circles they hold an enviable position. 
 Dr. Tool is a charter member of the Patriotic 
 Order Sons of America, of Freeburg. He was 
 reared in the Catholic faith by his parents, but 
 became a Protestant, and is now a member of the 
 Reformed Church, as is one of his brothers. He 
 belongs to the Odd Fellows Society, and in poli- 
 tics is a stanch Republican, taking a deep and 
 commendable interest in the success of his party, 
 for which he has labored assiduously. He is now 
 school director of his district, was county com- 
 missioner one term, chairman of the county cen- 
 tral committee in 1886, iSSS and 1889, and in 
 the latter year was appointed examining surgeon 
 on the Sunbury pension board, but resigned on 
 his election to the Pennsylvania House of Repre- 
 sentatives in 1890, which office he held for two 
 terms, and was one of the most acceptable mem- 
 bers that Snyder county has ever sent to the Leg- 
 islature. He has also served as vice-president of 
 74 * 
 
 Freeburg Academy. That he is a man of strong 
 character is shown by his splendid accomplish- 
 ments; that he is a man of true worth is attested 
 by his large circle of friends. The history of 
 Snyder county bears the impress of his strong in- 
 dividuality, and his life is well worthy of emula- 
 tion by those who know him. 
 
 M M. SHAMBAUGH*. a well-known citi- 
 jMl, zen of Middleburg, Snyder county, is a self- 
 made man whose career will be of interest to all 
 who appreciate the sterling qualities of industry, 
 energy and foresight. He was born April 18, 
 1858, in Center township, Snyder county, the son 
 of Jesse and Sophia (Fry) Shambaugh,* who 
 now reside upon the old homestead near Middle- 
 burg. The family is of German origin, and the 
 first to come to this country was our subject's 
 great-great-grandfather, George Shambaugh.* 
 George Shambaugh (2)*, the great-grandfather 
 of our subject, became a pioneer farmer of the 
 section now known as Snyder county, and his 
 descendants are numerous in that locality. His 
 youngest son, Christian Shambaugh*, our sub- 
 ject's grandfather, married, first, Miss Mary Wal- 
 ter, daughter of David Walter, a Revolutionary 
 soldier, and, second, Mrs. Elizabeth (Bechtel) 
 Bilger. By the first union- he had twelve chil- 
 dren, among whom was our subject's father, and 
 by the second he had four, and of this large f?m- 
 ily thirteen are now living. 
 
 Farm work during Mr. Shambaugh 's* boy- 
 hccd was not made light by the use of machinery, 
 as it is at this day, and the threshing season ex- 
 tended far into the winter. He greatly desired 
 an education, but as a dutiful son he remained at 
 home, giving his assistance cheerfully to his par- 
 ents. In the fall of 1873, he began to learn the 
 blacksmith's trade at Middleburg, receiving $50 
 for two years, with a vacation of four weeks in each 
 year during harvest in which to earn a little extra 
 money. After completing his apprenticeship he 
 returned to the farm for a year, and then went 
 to Indiana, where he was employed for some 
 time by a railroad company at a point a few 
 miles south of Fort Wayne. While there he 
 met with misfortune, the first finger on his right 
 hand being crushed. This was in 1875, and soon 
 afterward he came back home to engage in hauling 
 grain and lumber to Mifflinburg for his father. 
 Later he worked for two years as a farm hand, 
 and by close economy throughout all these years 
 of toil he managed to save enough money to buy 
 a farm near Middleburg, paying $1,500 for it. 
 On April 15, 1878, he was married in Middle- 
 
 * Name is more frequently spelled Shambach. 
 
117i» 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOORAPIIl'AL RECORD. 
 
 
 burg to Miss Ada Smith, a native of that place, 
 and a daughter of Harry and Amelia (Stahl- 
 necker) Smith. After his marriage Mr. Sham- 
 baugh* located upon his farm, but he sold it sub- 
 
 lentlyat a small advance and built his present 
 elegant residence in Middleburg. In 1882 he w;ts 
 employed in driving a team and firing a sawmill 
 at Shamokin, but in the latter part of the year he 
 returned to Middleburg, and the following winter 
 was spent in hauling logs in the vicinity of Beav- 
 ertown. In [883 he worked for eight months on 
 
 Lewisburg & Sunbury railroad. During the 
 erection of the Snyder county jail, in [886, he 
 was employed around the building as a black- 
 smith, and in 1887 he opened a shop in Middle- 
 burg, where he has since continued his trade 
 with the exception of two years spent in Clinton 
 inty. He now has a good business, keeping 
 two hands at work most of the time, and lately 
 he lias built an addition to his shop. 
 
 He takes much interest in public questions, 
 and is active in municipal affairs, having served 
 as a member of the city council and as tax col- 
 lector. 
 
 H. HEKBSTER, senior member of the 
 fit mercantile firm of Herbster & Felker, oi 
 McClure, was born near Lewistown, in Mifflin 
 county, December 9, 1867. His grandfather, 
 Daniel Herbster, spent his entire life in central 
 Pennsylvania, and was a farmer by occupation. 
 His father, Jeremiah Herbster, was born in Union 
 county, now Snyder count}', and acquired a good 
 education. He lost his father when only seven 
 years of age, and has made his own way in the 
 world since that time. Beginning life as a farm 
 hand, he followed that pursuit until he had at- 
 tained his majority. He spent several years on 
 a farm in Union county, and afterward came to 
 Snydei county, purchasing a farm of eighty-seven 
 a< res near Adamsburg, where he still resides. 
 He has made many excellent improvements upon 
 the place, and in connection with the cultivation 
 of his land is engaged in stock raising. In his 
 business dealings he is methodical and honorable, 
 and is a worthy representative of the agricultural 
 interests of the county. He gives his political 
 support to the Democracy, and in his religious 
 faith is a Lutheran. In Snyder county he mar- 
 ried Barbara A Oldt, a native of that county, 
 whose death occurred in 1890. He has since 
 married Mrs. Thompson and is still living on the 
 home farm. 
 
 Mr. Herbster is the father of thirteen chil- 
 dren, all born <>1 the first union, namely: Sarah, 
 wife of David Middleswarth, a merchant of Trox- 
 
 elville, Penn. ; John, of Yeagertown, Penn. ; 
 George, a merchant of Cleveland, Ohio; W. H.; 
 Lydia A., wife of William Snook, of Mifflin 
 county; Charles, deceased; Lizzie, wife of Ammon 
 Beaver, of Beavertovvn, Penn.; Jacob C, a 
 teacher of Snyder county; Cora, at home; James, 
 of Snyder county; Alvin and Herbert, at home; 
 and Mary, who died in infancy. 
 
 To the schools of Adamsburg and Middleburg, 
 Penn., W. H. Herbster is indebted for his educa- 
 tional privileges. At an early age he started 
 out in life for himself and has since been depend- 
 ent upon his own resources, so that the success 
 that he has achieved is the just reward of his 
 labors. He worked as a farm hand for five 
 years through the summer months for a salary ol 
 $10 per month, and in the winter attended 
 school. He afterward engaged in teaching for 
 several terms in Snyder county, and entered 
 upon his mercantile experience as a clerk in the 
 store in Middle Creek. For two years he was 
 employed by A. A. Ulsh, and then entered his 
 brother George's store in Lewistown, where he 
 continued until 1885, when he came to McClure 
 and purchased an interest in the store of F. P. 
 Decker. That partnership continued for two 
 years, when Mr. Decker sold out to William 
 Felker, and the firm of Herbster & Felker has 
 since conducted a large and profitable business. 
 They carry a well selected stock, and receivi 
 from the public a liberal patronage. 
 
 On January 9, 1896, Mr. Herbster was mar- 
 ried near Middle Creek, Snyder county, to An- 
 netta Knepp, who was born in Selins Grove, a 
 daughter of Edward Knepp, a carpenter for the 
 Pennsylvania Railroad Company at Lewistown. 
 Mr. Herbster was reared in the faith of the Dem- 
 ocratic party, but his mature judgment endorsed 
 Republican principles, and he is a stanch advo- 
 cate of that political organization. His business 
 record is most commendable, for from an early 
 age he has steadily worked his way upward, 
 achieving success by perseverance, industry and 
 honorable dealing. 
 
 Bl F. HARLEY. The motto "merit alw.i\- 
 V commands its reward" is well exemplified 
 
 in the career of the subject of this sketch, who is 
 now a prosperous and leading merchant of Free- 
 burg, Penn. Since an early age he has made 
 his own way in the world, and for many years 
 not only provided for his own maintenance but 
 also aided in the support of the family. Mr. 
 Harley was born in Delaware township, Juniata 
 county, Penn., June 12, 1863, a son of Philip 
 and Debbie (Anderson) Harley. The father is 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1171 
 
 still living in that county, but the mother is now 
 deceased. In their family were seven children, 
 three sons and four daughters. Our subject ac- 
 quired his education in the public school near his 
 boyhood home, and continued to reside in his 
 native township until 1890, assisting his parents, 
 who were in limited circumstances and needed 
 his help. 
 
 At East Salem, Penn., Mr. Harley obtained 
 his first ideas of mercantile business as a clerk in 
 the store of C. G. Winey, where he received $9 
 per month. By close attention he soon learned 
 the best business methods, and being economical 
 was able to save a part of his wages. After a 
 few years spent with his brother, W. E. Harley, 
 at McAlisterville, Penn., he began business for 
 himself in a general store, which he sold on his 
 removal to Adamsburg, Snyder county. There 
 he became a member of the firm of Harley, Ba- 
 shor & Co., which continued business under that 
 style for three years, when it became Harley & 
 Bashor.but the partnership was finally dissolved. 
 For a short interval Mr. Harley was interested in 
 no business, but in November, 1896, came to 
 Freeburg, where he purchased the general mer- 
 cantile establishment of Milton Strayer. He at 
 once increased the stock, and became the leading 
 merchant of the place. 
 
 On October 16, 1894, Mr. Harley was united 
 in marriage to Miss Mellie Miller, of Washington 
 township, Snyder county, a daughter of George 
 and Isabella (Dreese) Miller. She is descended 
 from one of the oldest and most highly respected 
 pioneer families of Snyder county. Although 
 not a politician, Mr. Harley is a stanch member 
 of the Republican party, and was at one time 
 also an active member of the Knights of the 
 Golden Eagle. He is a rising young merchant, 
 and one whose present position — that of the lead- 
 ing business man of his town — has been secured 
 by his own effort. While but a recent arrival in 
 Freeburg, he has already gained the confidence 
 of the people and secured a liberal share of the 
 public patronage by his fair and honorable deal- 
 ings. 
 
 EV. W. H. HILBISH, pastor of Christ 
 Evangelical Church of McClure, was born 
 near Shamokin, Northumberland Co., Penn., 
 October 28, 1867, and is a son of Benjamin and 
 Mary A. Hilbish. His paternal grandfather, 
 Daniel Hilbish, was born in Northampton coun- 
 ty, Penn., March 24, 181 8, and followed the 
 occupations of farming and wagon-making in pur- 
 suit of fortune. His last days were spent in re- 
 tirement in Shamokin, where he died February 
 
 8, 1885. His wife, who bore the maiden name 
 of Elizabeth Bahnee, and was a native of North- 
 umberland county, died in Shamokin, January 8, 
 1897, at the age of eighty-two years. They 
 were the parents of five children: Catharine, 
 Mary, Benjamin, Hannah and Sarah. Mr. Hil- 
 bish was a member of the Reformed Church, and 
 was a worthy man, who had the respect of all 
 with whom he came in contact. 
 
 The father of our subject was born and edu- 
 cated in Northumberland county, where he 
 learned the stone mason's trade. He is now a 
 contractor and builder, and has made his home 
 in Shamokin since 1873, being a representative 
 of its leading industrial interests. He was mar- 
 ried there, and became the father of two chil- 
 dren: W. H., and Benjamin F., who is now a 
 minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church on 
 Long Island. He was educated in Dixon Semi- 
 nary, and also in a theological seminary in New 
 Jersey. The father holds membership in the 
 Lutheran Church, is a liberal contributor to its 
 support, is a very charitable and benevolent man, 
 whose many excellencies of character have gained 
 him the high regard of all. 
 
 Rev. W. H. Hilbish obtained his primary 
 education in Shamokin, and, after his graduation 
 from the grammar schools, entered the office of 
 the Shamokin Times, where he learned the print- 
 er's trade. In 1886 he matriculated in the Sus- 
 quehanna University of Selins Grove, where he 
 was graduated in 1889. He pursued this course 
 preparatory to the study of theology, and entered 
 the Theological College at Selins Grove, where 
 he was graduated in 1892. Being ordained as a 
 minister of the Lutheran Church, his first pastor- 
 ate, covering one year^ was at Lariatsville, Ly- 
 coming Co., Penn., and on the expiration of that 
 period he went to Roaring Springs, Blair county, 
 where he remained for a year and a half. Since 
 1895 he has ministered to the spiritual needs of 
 Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church of McClure, 
 St. Samuel Church in Decatur, Mifflin county, 
 and St. Paul's Church in West Beaver township, 
 Snyder county, also in Troxelville. Under his 
 able supervision the work of these Churches has 
 been carried forward very successfully, and he 
 has established Christian Endeavor Societies in 
 McClure and Troxelville. He is a man of schol- 
 arly attainments, a clear reasoner and an able 
 speaker, and as preacher and pastor is quite pop- 
 ular with his people. 
 
 On Christmas Day, 1890, Mr. Hilbish was 
 married, in Selins Grove, to Sarah Elizabeth 
 Lutz, the ceremony being performed by the 
 Rev. Jacob Yutzy. She is a daughter of Will- 
 iam J. and Jane (Sears) Lutz, whose family 
 
117: 
 
 COM.VK.UOli.i TI YE nioGUAPIIl' 'AL RECORD. 
 
 numbered five children, but Mrs. Hilbish and 
 r D., who is attending school, are the only 
 survivors. Mrs. Hilbish has proved to her hus- 
 band a very able helpmeet in his work, and is 
 greatly beloved by the congreation. Two chil- 
 dren grace their union — Harr) Paul, born Decem- 
 ber 25, 1S91; and William Bruce, born Novem- 
 ber 16, 1895. Mr. Hilbish is a member of Mc- 
 1 lure Lodge No. 770, I. O. O. P., in which he 
 is now serving as noble grand, and is also a 
 member of the Patriotic Order Sons of America. 
 His political support is usually given the Prohi- 
 bition party. He is a man of kindly nature and 
 broad humanitarian principles, generous and 
 kindly, and by example, as well as by precept, 
 indicates to others the way of life. 
 
 BP. STROUB, merchant, farmer and post- 
 m aster ol Pallas, is one of the most pro- 
 gressive, public-spirited and valued citizens of 
 Washington township, Snyder count}'. He was 
 born in that township, September _-, 1852. a 
 son of Jonathan and Catharine 1 Hendricks) 
 Stroub. His father was born in what is now 
 Union township, and then- still resides. He was 
 twice married, and by the first union had three 
 children: Augustus, a farmer of Chapman town- 
 ship, Snyder county ; B. P.: and Alice, wife of 
 Jul ward Hackenburg, of Center township, Sny- 
 
 county. The mother of this family died, and 
 was buried in Grubbs Church cemetery. For 
 his second wife Mr. Stroub chose Barbara Stef- 
 fen, and by this union three children were born: 
 Agnes, wife of Edgar Reish, of Port Trevorton; 
 Saloma, wife of Milton Shaffer, of Chapman 
 township, Snyder county; 4 md Francis, at home. 
 
 B. P. Stroub was only six years of age at the 
 time of his mother's death. During his early 
 childhood his father removed to Chapman town- 
 ship, where he was reared to manhood. He 
 pursued his education in the Houtz school house, 
 and later prepared fi 1 teaching in the Freeburg 
 Academy under Maj. Dill, a prominent educator 
 of this section of the State. After studying there 
 !< r two terms he tai I for sonic 1 
 
 •r two terms teacher of the Reichtnbach 
 school in Washingti n township, and one term of 
 the Houtz school, in which he began bis own 
 education. At the age of twenty-two he was 
 married, and where he entered 
 
 his father-in-lav a clerk. In 1 
 
 when Mr. 1 I art was elected sheriff, Mr. 
 
 Sii ub and 1 n ival Reichenbach bought out the 
 and under the firm name of Stroub & 
 K< irhenbach continued business until 1879. In 
 that year our subject became sole proprietor, and 
 
 has since conducted one of the best country stores 
 in Snyder county; he has a large and well-as- 
 sorted stock, and his fair dealing and earnest de- 
 sire to please his customers has secured to him a 
 liberal patronage. He is also extensively en- 
 gaged in farming, and superintends the operation 
 of 170 acres of land; in 1879 he was com- 
 missioned postmaster of Pallas, and has held that 
 office continuously since through the various ad- 
 ministrations. 
 
 Mr. Stroub was united in marriage to Miss 
 Clara Eisenhart, a native of Pallas, and a daugh- 
 ter of Daniel Eisenhart, ex-sheriff of Sn\ 
 county, now a resident of Shamokin. They have 
 five children: Harvey, a farmer; Walter D., 
 Jennie S., Grover C. and Sarah E. ; and lost 
 their two oldest, Laura, who died at the age of 
 seventeen years, and William V., who died at 
 the age of four years. Mr. Stroub has greatly 
 remodeled his home, and now has one of the 
 good residences in Washington township. His 
 family is very popular in this section of Snyder 
 county, occupying an enviable position in social 
 circles. 
 
 In politics Mr. Stroub is a Democrat, and, 
 though not an active politician, is deeply inter- 
 ested in the growth and success of his party. He 
 belongs to the Lutheran Church, has served as 
 deacon, and is now trustee. His wife is a mem- 
 ber of the Reformed Church. He is a substan- 
 tial citizen, who has been the architect of his 
 own fortune. The persevering pursuit of an 
 honorable purpose has brought to him a merited 
 success, and his straightforward business meth- 
 ods have commended him to the confidence and 
 
 rd of all. 
 
 JOHN TROXELL (deceased) was for many- 
 years one of the leading citizens of Snyder 
 county, and left the impress of his strong 
 individuality upon its public life, his name being 
 ineffaceably traced upon its records. He was 
 born in what is now Beavertown, Snyder (then 
 Union) county, in 1800, and was a son of John 
 Troxell, a farmer. His school privileges were 
 rather limited, and he began life for himself at a 
 very earlj age, working as a farm hand until his 
 marriage. He then rented land near Be. 
 Springs, and for several years also operated a 
 
 mill. He then purchased 3C0 acres of land, 
 on which Troxelville now stands. He had no 
 
 ey, but he airanged to pay for the place on 
 the installment plan, and for years struggled and 
 
 red hard to clear off the indebtedness- At 
 length he had it free frcm all incumbrance. He 
 
 ted a gi ence and barn, placed the 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1178 
 
 land under a high state of cultivation, and, in 
 course of time, made it one of the most valuable 
 farms of the neighborhood. He possessed most 
 excellent business and executive ability, discrim- 
 ination and sound judgment, and by his well-di- 
 rected efforts became one of the wealthiest farm- 
 ers and most highly respected citizens in his sec- 
 tion of Snyder county. 
 
 It was on his land that the town of Troxel- 
 ville was laid out. The town was named in his 
 honor, and he built the first house there, while 
 his son-in-law, W. B. Bann, conducted the first 
 store and was the first postmaster. It lies under 
 the shadow of Jack Mountain, and has become 
 a very thrifty and enterprising place. It stands 
 as a monument to the memory of its founder, 
 who in 1852 retired from farming and built for 
 himself a fine frame dwelling there, where he re- 
 sided for sixteen years, enjoying the fruits of his 
 former toil. He passed away in 1868, and was 
 buried in Troxelville cemetery. 
 
 In public affairs Mr. Troxell took a deep in- 
 terest, and did all in his power to advance the 
 welfare and prosperity of the community with 
 which he was connected. He was a candidate 
 for county commissioner of Union count}' on the 
 Democratic ticket, and ran far ahead of his party, 
 but lost the election by fifty votes. He belonged 
 to the Reformed Church, served as its deacon 
 and was secretary of the Sunday-school. A val- 
 ued citizen, the entire community mourned his 
 death, and he is yet remembered by those who 
 were his friends in life. 
 
 Mr. Troxell was married in Beaver township 
 to Susan Moyer, a native of that township, and 
 a daughter of John Moyer, a distiller and farmer. 
 Eleven children were born to them: Elizabeth, 
 wife of J. P. Smith, of Middleburg; Sarah J., wife 
 of William Baum, of New Berlin, Union county; 
 S. Delilah; Isaac N., a merchant of Philadelphia; 
 Christina A., deceased wife of Isaac Ulsh; Sam- 
 uel and John M. , both deceased; Catherine, de- 
 ceased wife of Absalom Snyder; Mary and 
 Robert, who died in childhood; and one who died 
 in infancy. The mother of this family departed 
 this life in 1849, and Mr. Troxell afterward 
 married Lydia Keller, widow of Joseph Wedman, 
 of Berks county, Pennsylvania. 
 
 S. Delilah Troxell, who resides in the home 
 at Troxelville, was born in Beaver township, 
 January 5, 1844, and her early education, ac- 
 quired in the common schools, was supplemented 
 by study in Middlesburg, and in Union Seminary 
 at New Berlin. She taught school for nine 
 years in Snyder county, and for years was a 
 teacher in the German schools in Strausstown, 
 Berks county. She was extremely successful in 
 
 that work, and her superior ability enabled her 
 to command excellent wages. 
 
 On account of her father's illness she aban- 
 doned teaching, and spent two years at the 
 bedside of her father, attending to his wants, 
 and carefully ministering to him until his 
 eyes were closed in death. She has since acted 
 as her brother's housekeeper. She devotes much 
 of her time to Church and charitable work, is a 
 consistent member of the Lutheran Church, was 
 for twenty-five years a teacher in the German 
 Sunday-school in Troxelville, and for twelve 
 years has been president of the Woman's Home 
 and Foreign Missionary Society. 
 
 CHARLES W. BOUSH, M. D., a successful 
 and prominent physician and surgeon of Mc- 
 Clure, is a native of Snyder county, born in Bea- 
 vertown on May 4, 1868. His grandfather, John 
 Boush, was born on the River Rhine, in Ger- 
 many, and when a young man crossed the At- 
 lantic to make his home in the land of the free. 
 He took up his residence in what was then known 
 as Union county, Penn., but is now Beavertown, 
 Snyder county, where he successfully engaged in 
 teaching school for many years, being one of the 
 first German teachers in the locality. He also 
 did some manual work, but devoted the greater 
 part of his time and attention to his profession. 
 In politics he was an Old-line Whig, and in re- 
 ligious belief was a Lutheran. He was married 
 in Union county to a Miss Jones, who was of 
 Welsh descent, and they became the parents 
 of ten children: Isabella, deceased; Sophia, 
 widow of John Arbogast, who was killed on the 
 Pennsylvania railroad; Libby, a widow; Mrs. 
 Shoneis; Mary; Amelia; David F. ; Elizabeth; and 
 two who died in childhood. The grandfather 
 died in Snyder county in 1853, and his wife 
 passed away in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. 
 
 David F. Boush, the Doctor's father, received 
 only a German education, and became quite a 
 good German writer. He has made farming his 
 life work, and now owns a fine farm of 120 acres 
 in Beavertown, improved with good buildings, a 
 fine apple orchard, and all modern conveniences 
 and accessories. Since 1891, however, he has 
 laid aside all business cares, and is now living re- 
 tired. During the dark days of the Rebellion he 
 was a private in Company I, 184th P. V. I., un- 
 der Capt. L. C. Edmonds, and served for one 
 year and nine months, during which time he par- 
 ticipated in a number of battles, but was never 
 wounded. He was a brave and fearless soldier, 
 always found at his post of duty, and is now suf- 
 fering from a stroke of paralysis brought on by 
 
1174 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPUK AI. RECORD. 
 
 his exposure in the war. He is a deacon and 
 active member of the Lutheran Church, is a 
 strong Republican in politics, and is widely and 
 favorably known throughout Snyder county. 
 
 In Beavertown David F. Boush was married 
 to Miss Lycetta Kern, a native of that place, a 
 daughter of an agriculturist of Beaver township, 
 Snyder county. Twelve children were born to 
 this worthy couple: Isaac, a resident of Beaver- 
 town; Adamanda; Lucy, wife of Jerome Aigler, 
 of Beaver township; Ellen, wife of Marks Huff- 
 nagle, of Union county; Rachel, widow of Amos 
 Snook, of McClure; Albert and Vinarva, both 
 deceased; David Lincoln, who died in childhood; 
 Clarissa and Alice, at home; Charles W. , of this 
 sketch; and Elmer, a traveling salesman of New 
 York. The parents still reside on the old home- 
 stead in Beavertown. 
 
 Dr. Boush acquired his literary education in 
 the district schools of Beavertown, and later 
 taught the high school of that place for one year. 
 During his boyhood and youth he assisted in the 
 work of the home farm, and on leaving the pa- 
 rental roof worked as a farm hand in Union 
 county for one year. For three years he read 
 medicine under the directi"ii of Dr. W. M. Baker, 
 of Beavertown, and, having saved a little money, 
 and by the help of friends, in the fall of i Syo he 
 entered Jefferson Medical College, in Philadi I 
 phia, where he spent two terms. Later he took 
 a course of lectures at the Medical University of 
 
 timore, where he graduated in March, i S93, 
 and the same year passed the State board exami- 
 nation at the Pittsburg Western Pennsylvania 
 College. In June, 1893, he opened an office in 
 McClure, and soon succeeded in building up a 
 large and lucrative practice. 
 
 In the fall of the same year, in that place, 
 Dr. Boush was married to Miss Lizzie M Smith, 
 a native of McClure, and a daughter of Henry 
 X. Smith, a well-known blacksmith of McClure, 
 who is of German descent. To them wen born 
 two children: James E., and Carrie, now de- 
 ceased. 
 
 The Doctor takes quite an active interest in 
 civic societies, is a member of McClure Lodge 
 No. 770, I. O. O. F. ; is a charter member of tin- 
 Sons of Veterans, Camp No. 65, of which he 
 was captain two years; and belongs to Camp \ 
 98. P. O. S. of A. ; and Eden Conclave. Im- 
 proved Order of Heptasophs, No. 60. He is 
 also a prominent and influential member of the 
 ler County Medical Society, and is deputy 
 inspector for the State Board of Health. Polit- 
 ically, he is identified with the Republican party, 
 is a member of the standing committee, and is 
 secretary of the school board. In the Lutheran 
 
 Church he holds membership, and is an active 
 worker in both Church and Sunday-school. The 
 Doctor and his wife have a beautiful home in 
 McClune, and there hospitality reigns supreme, 
 their many friends always being sure of a hearty 
 welcome. As a physician and surgeon, the Doc- 
 tor is a man of deep research and careful investi- 
 gation, and his skill and ability has won him a 
 liberal support. Prominence in his profession 
 comes through merit alone, and the position 
 which Dr. Boush has attained attests his su- 
 periority. 
 
 BEUBEN J. SMITH, a retired farmer living 
 in Bannerville, Snyder county, was born 
 near Adamsburg, Snyder Co., Penn., January 
 27- 1S35. 
 
 Jacob Smith, father of our subject, was born 
 and reared in the southern part of the state, and 
 learned the weaver's trade, which he followed 
 through the winter months, while in the summer 
 he engaged in farming. Removing to central 
 Pennsylvania, he located in what is now Spring 
 township, Snyder county, where he purchased a 
 farm, on which he made his home for a number 
 of years. He afterward bought a farm of 1 30 
 acres in \\\st Beaver township, which he im- 
 proved with a fine bank barn and buildings, con- 
 tinuing his residence there for a number of years, 
 when he sold the property to his sons and re- 
 moved to Bannerville, where he died in 1 
 His wife bore the maiden name of Sophia 
 Brocher, and was also a native of southern Penn- 
 sylvania. Her death occurred in Beavertown, 
 this State. In his political belief, Jacob Smith 
 was a Republican. He belonged to the Re- 
 formed Church, took an active part in its work 
 and lived in harmony with its professions. In 
 the family were ten children: Sarah, deceased 
 wife of Elias Steminger; Joseph, deceased; Amel- 
 ia, who died in childhood; Sophia, deceased wife 
 of Peter Knepp; Rebecca, widow of Daniel 
 Snook, of Mifflin county; Reuben J. ; Lyddie, 
 wife of James W. Price, of Illinois: Mary, widow 
 of J. H. L'lsh; Amanda, wife of William Smith, 
 of Lewistown, Penn.: and Catherine E., de- 
 ceased wife of P. H. Knepp 
 
 Reuben [ Smith was educated in the com- 
 mon schools of West Beaver township, Snyder 
 county, and followed the occupation of farming 
 from earl\- boyhood. He never left the old home- 
 stead until he put aside business cares. When his 
 father retired he purchased ninety acres of that 
 farm and operated it until [892, placing the land 
 under a high state (if cultivation, which brought 
 to him a handsome return for his labors. He 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1175 
 
 planted a good orchard, erected a fine residence 
 and other substantial buildings, and in connec- 
 tion with general farming successfully followed 
 stock raising. Prosperity attended his efforts, 
 and his energy and enterprise were crowned with 
 a high degree of success. In 1892 he rented his 
 farm and came to Bannerville, where he pur- 
 chased a very pleasant home and has since lived 
 retired, enjoying the comforts of life in company 
 with his estimable wife, who has been to him a 
 faithful companion and helpmeet on life's journey 
 for thirty-seven years. 
 
 Mrs. Smith, who bore the maiden name of 
 Mary J. Hassinger, was born in West Beaver 
 township, and is a daughter of Daniel Hassinger, 
 who was a well-known farmer of that locality. 
 Mr. and Mrs. Smith were married in West 
 Beaver township August 30, i860. Having no 
 children of their own, they are now rearing a 
 grandniece, Minnie Sophia Steeley, in whose ed- 
 ucation, happiness and welfare they take a deep 
 interest. 
 
 During the Civil war, Mr. Smith manifested 
 his loyalty to the Union by enlisting, in the fall 
 of 1862, as a member of Company G, 172nd P. 
 V. I., under Capt. M. Smith and Col. Klickner. 
 He did service with the Fourth Heavy Artillery, 
 and for nine months was in the Army of the 
 Potomac. He was always loyal and faithful, 
 ready to lay down his life if need be for his coun- 
 try, and was honorably discharged at Harrisburg. 
 He is an ardent Republican, has served as school 
 director, assistant assessor and tax collector, and 
 his duties are performed with marked fidelity and 
 promptness. He and his wife are members of 
 the Lutheran Church, in which he has served as 
 trustee. He was formerly a teacher in the Sun- 
 day-school, and is now a member of the Bible 
 class. He has a genial smile, which indicates his 
 kindly nature, and he is well known for his un- 
 bending integrity. To every duty he manifests the 
 same fidelity that characterized his career when 
 on Southern battle fields he followed the old flag 
 to victory. 
 
 PETER CARMAN, an enterprising and suc- 
 cessful general merchant now engaged in 
 business in his native town of Mt. Pleasant 
 Mills, Snyder countv, was born October 12, 
 1830. 
 
 The Garman family is of German descent, 
 and was founded in America at an early day. 
 The first representative of the name in the county 
 was Henry Garman, grandfather of our subject, 
 who was born in Lancaster county, Penn., and 
 when a young man removed to Mt. Pleasant 
 Mills, then a part of Union county. He pur- 
 
 chased a farm of more than 300 acres, and in 
 connection with the cultivation of his land exten- 
 sively and successfully engaged in stock raising 
 until his death, which occurred in Perry town- 
 ship, Snyder county, in 1847. He was twice 
 married, his second union being with Miss Barg- 
 stressen, who became the mother of Peter P. 
 Garman, the father of our subject. 
 
 Peter P. Garman was born near Mt. Pleasant 
 Mills, and was educated in German. He fol- 
 lowed farming and blacksmithing, and became 
 an expert workman at that place. He also made 
 many excellent improvements upon his farm, 
 which comprised ninety-six acres. In 1851 he 
 established a store, which he conducted up to 
 the time of his death in 1869. He was married 
 in Perry township to Catherine Minium, who was 
 born in Schuylkill county, Penn., a daughter of 
 Nicholas Minium, who followed the tailor's 
 trade in Perry township, Snyder county. Mrs. 
 Garman died in 1891. In the family were seven 
 children: Jonas, a merchant in Dauphin county; 
 Peter; Catherine, wife of David Karstler, of 
 Middleburg; Sophia, wife of Eli Minuig, of Bris- 
 tol, Ind. ; Sarah, wife of Thomas Meiser, of Roy- 
 alton, Mich.; Elizabeth, deceased wife of Henry 
 Meiser, who has also passed away; and William, 
 deceased. 
 
 Peter Garman, the subject of this review, 
 began his education in the public schools of 
 Perry township, and continued it in Freeburg 
 Academy. He learned the blacksmith's trade 
 with his father, and spent the first twenty-two 
 years of his life under the parental roof. In 1850 
 he went to Watsonville, Ohio, and spent three 
 years working at his trade in different parts of 
 that State, also remained for a short time in 
 Michigan. In 1853 he returned home, and after 
 clerking in his father's store for three years, was 
 made a partner, a business connection that was 
 continued for seven years, when he became a 
 traveling salesman for the firm of Thomas Else & 
 Co., of Philadelphia, manufacturers and whole- 
 sale dealers in boots, shoes and rubbers. For 
 twelve years he was connected with that house, 
 traveling over the greater part of Pennsylvania, 
 and wherever he went his pleasant manner and 
 honorable dealing won him the respect of those 
 with whom he came in contact. His next vent- 
 ure was in the hotel business in Middleburg, in 
 connection with David Karstler; but after two 
 years he sold out to his partner, and came to 
 Mt. Pleasant Mills, where he has since engaged 
 in general merchandising. His stock is large and 
 well selected, and his store is the favorite trading 
 point with a large number of the people in the 
 town and surrounding country. 
 
1176 
 
 COMMEMORA TIVB BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 
 Mr. Garman was married in Perry township, 
 in 1S55, to Sarah Sturb, a daughter of Benjamin 
 Sturb, <>f Perry township. They had two chil- 
 dren: Jefferson, a shoe dealer of Aberdeen, 
 Wash. , and William D., an operator in Mill City, 
 Ore. The mother of this family dying in 1 
 Mr. Garman wedded Mary Landis, a native of 
 Perry township. Snyder county, a daughter of 
 I b 1 mdis, who makes his home with Mrs. 
 Garman. Our subject is a stanch Republican 
 and sound-money man, arjd has served as over- 
 seer of the poor. He belongs to St. John's Luth- 
 eran Church, has served as teacher, superintend- 
 ent and treasurer of the Sunday-school, and is a 
 member of the Epworth League. He belongs 
 to Freeburg Lodge No. 611, I. O. O. F., in 
 which he has tilled all the offices, and his life 
 exemplifies the benevolent and worthy princi- 
 ples that underlie that society. He is a success- 
 ful, honorable business man, a progressive, en- 
 terprising citizen, and a kind-hearted gentleman 
 of exemplary habits and character, enjoying the 
 
 1 ct of all who know him. 
 
 ISAAC SPOTTS, county commissioner of Sny- 
 der county, and a practical and progressive 
 fanner of Perry township, was born in Lower 
 Mahoning township, Northumberland Co., Penn., 
 August 18, 1S40. His lather, John Spotts, was 
 a native of the same locality, and his grandfather 
 was a blacksmith of Northumberland county. <>! 
 
 rman descent. J"hn Spotts was educated in 
 German, and learned the cooper's trade, which 
 he followed during the greater part of his life. 
 He also farmed in Lower Mahoning township un- 
 til his retirement from active business life, his 
 last days being spent in Georgetown, where he 
 died in February, 1896. He married Lyddie 
 Hepner, daughter of Henry Hepner, and she is 
 still living at Georgetown, at the age of eighty- 
 two Mr. Spotts was a member of the 
 German Reformed Church, a Republican in poli- 
 tics, and served as supervisor of his township. 
 
 In the family of this worthy couple were 
 bt children: Samuel, of Perry township. 
 Snyder count} - ; Isaac; Eliza, wife of Edward 
 Engel, of Northumberland county; Elias, of 
 Uniontown, Penn.; Joel, of Illinois; Sop! 
 wife of John Yager, of Lower Mahoning town- 
 ship. Northumberland county; Benjamin, of Illi- 
 nois; and Frank, of Fremont, Snyder county. 
 
 Isaac Spotts attended the subscription schools 
 in the winter months, but his educational privi- 
 leges were quite limited. At the age of eight 
 V trs he began working on his father's farm, 
 was thus employed until fifteen years of age. 
 
 when he began working for neighboring farmers 
 at $100 per year. After three years spent in that 
 way he commenced learning the tanner's trade 
 under Isaac Motter, "t Uniontown, under whose 
 direction he worked for three years. He then 
 responded to the country's call for troops, enlist- 
 ing September 16, 1861, in the three-years' serv- 
 ice, as a member of Company B, 9th Pennsyl- 
 vania Cavalry, under Capt. E. G. Savage. He 
 enlisted at Harrisburg, and was in the Western 
 Army under Kilpatrick. The troops were en- 
 1 in pursuit of Morgan, and he remained in 
 the service for a year and a half, when on ac- 
 count of disability he was discharged. He was 
 in the hospital at Louisviile, Ky. , for one week, 
 and in Richmond, Va. , for a short time. 
 
 Returning to his home in Lower Mahoning 
 township, Northumberland county, Mr. Spotts 
 operated a farm on shares for three years, after 
 which he was employed on the North Central 
 Branch of the railroad as brakeman, flagman 
 and fireman for some years. He was then pro- 
 moted to the position of engineer on the Balti- 
 more & Potomac railroad in 1873, and after sev- 
 enteen months' service resigned and returned to 
 Georgetown, Penn.. where he was elected consta- 
 ble. In the spring of 1877 he removed to Chap- 
 man township, Snyder county, where he followed 
 farming and also spent one year as proprietor of 
 a hotel. In 1881 he came to his present farm, 
 comprising forty-eight acres of good land. He 
 has erected a good dwelling and made other im- 
 provements to the value of $2,000, and is now 
 engaged in fruit growing and stock raising. He 
 is a man of much energy and enterprise, and his 
 keen discrimination in business affairs has brought 
 to him success. 
 
 Mr. Spotts was married in Northumberland 
 county, in 1864, to Kate Phillips, a native of that 
 county, and a daughter of Jacob Phillips, a 
 farmer. They had two children: George, a trav- 
 eling salesman of Somerset county, Penn. ; and 
 one who died in infancy. The mother of this 
 family died January 6, 1875. For his second 
 wife Mr. Spotts chose Kate Heikes, who was 
 b irn in Perry township, Snyder county, a daugh- 
 ter of William Heikes, deceased. They have no 
 children of their own, but are rearing an adopted 
 son, Fred Servy. 
 
 Mr. Spotts is a stalwart advocate of Repub- 
 lican principles, and has done much for the suc- 
 cess of his party. In 1893 he was a candidate 
 for county commissioner, but met defeat at the 
 primary by four votes. In November, 1896, 
 however, he was elected to that office by a ma- 
 jority of over 1, too, receiving the second highest 
 vote on the ticket, a fact which plainly indicates 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1177 
 
 his personal popularity and the confidence re- 
 posed in him. In 1888 he was supervisor of his 
 township. He belongs to the Lutheran Church, 
 in which he is serving as deacon, and he is 
 prominent in civic societies, holding member- 
 ship in La Fayette Lodge No. 194, F. & A. M., 
 of Selins Grove; the old Odd Fellows Society; 
 and Post No. 316, G. A. R. He is a progressive, 
 enterprising and patriotic citizen, who manifests 
 in the discharge of his duties the same fidelity 
 which characterized his career as a soldier on 
 Southern battlefields. 
 
 BENJAMIN F. THOMPSON, a retired farmer 
 ) and highly respected citizen of Lock Haven, 
 Clinton county, is the oldest living represent- 
 ative of an honored pioneer family of Nittany 
 Valley. He was born July 31, 1 821, on the old 
 Thompson homestead near Mackeyville, Clinton 
 county, and is a son of Moses Thompson, whose 
 birth occurred in October, 1787, in Buffalo town- 
 ship, Union Co., Penn., on the pike one mile 
 east of Mifflinburg. 
 
 The grandparents, Benjamin and Nellie (Rob- 
 inson) Thompson, were pioneers of Buffalo Val- 
 ley, and were the parents of nine children, as 
 follows: John, a farmer, who died in Canton, 
 Ohio; Moses, father of our subject; Samuel, a 
 Methodist minister, who died on the old home- 
 stead in Buffalo Valley; James, who died unmar- 
 ried in the same Valley; Benjamin, who owned 
 and operated the old home farm in Buffalo Val- 
 ley; Abigail, who married Philip Pontius, and 
 died in Buffalo township, Union county: Cath- 
 arine, who married Daniel Lemmon, and lived 
 for years in New Berlin, but died in Williams- 
 port, Penn. ; Sally, who married Frederick Pon- 
 tius, and died in the West; and Rachel, who first 
 wedded John Van Buskirk, and after his death 
 married Jacob Mauck, and died in New Berlin. 
 
 On his father's farm in Buffalo Valley, near 
 Mifflinburg, Moses Thompson was reared and re- 
 mained until his marriage, acquiring his educa- 
 tion in the schools of the neighborhood. He did 
 most of the weaving for the family, as he had 
 learned the trade in early life. In 1812, in Buf- 
 falo Valley, he married Miss Hannah Betts, who 
 was born in East Buffalo, June 21, 1792, a 
 
 daughter of Solomon and (Dunkle) Betts, 
 
 in whose family were seven children: William, 
 Solomon, Jr., Catharine, Magdalena, Susan, 
 Rachel and Leah. Mr. Betts was also a pioneer 
 of BuffaloValley. 
 
 After his marriage, Moses Thompson lived 
 on one of his father's farms in Buffalo Valley, 
 where two of his children, Eliza and William 
 
 were born, but in 1S16, with his little family, he 
 started by wagon for what is now Lamar town- 
 ship, Clinton county, where his father had pur- 
 chased about five hundred acres of land by the 
 big spring, near Mackeyville. Their route from 
 Union county was through Penn's Valley Nar- 
 rows and Brush Valley, and across Nittany Val- 
 ley. A story-and-a-half log house was their 
 home until 1838, when a large brick house was 
 erected, which is still standing and is now occu- 
 pied by the owner, James H. Porter. Only sev- 
 en acres of the land had been cleared, every- 
 thing was still in its primitive condition, and 
 wild animals roamed through the forests. At 
 one time a pack of a dozen wolves entered Mr. 
 Thompson's barnyard and destroyed most of his 
 sheep. He successfully engaged in farming 
 upon that place until life's labors were ended, May 
 27, 1847, and he was laid to rest in Cedar Hill 
 cemetery. His wife survived him many years, 
 dying February 17, 1886, when past the age of 
 ninety-three, and now sleeps by his side. She 
 was still well preserved, and retained her men- 
 tal faculties to a remarkable degree. Mr. Thomp- 
 son, who was a portly, well-built man, very pow- 
 erful, died of apoplexy. He was unwavering in his 
 support of the Whig party, but aside from regu- 
 larly casting his ballot for its men and measures, 
 he took no active part in political affairs. In re- 
 ligious belief he and his wife were Methodists, 
 and they enjoyed the esteem and friendship of 
 all who knew them. In the family of this 
 worthy couple were the following children: Eliza, 
 who never married, and died in Mackeyville, 
 Clinton county, at the age of seventy-nine; Will- 
 iam, a retired farmer, who also died in Mackey- 
 ville; Solomon, who engaged in farming in Porter 
 township, Clinton county, where his death oc- 
 curred in the fall of 1S96; Benjamin F., of this 
 review; James T., who is living retired in Salona; 
 Moses R. , a farmer, who died in Porter town- 
 ship; and Sarah E., who died at the age of six- 
 teen years. The old homestead near Mackey- 
 ville remained in the family until the fall of 1854, 
 and the buildings which they erected thereon are 
 still standing. 
 
 In the old-time school house, with its slab 
 benches and seats all around the wall, Benjamin 
 F. Thompson began his education under the in- 
 struction of John Brady, and he learned to write 
 with a quill pen. He early became familiar with 
 the arduous task of clearing and developing a 
 new farm, and until thirty-three years of age he 
 remained upon the home farm, assisting his 
 brothers in paying off the mortgage on the same 
 after he attained his majority. On May 31, 
 1852, in Mackeyville, he married Miss Joanna 
 
1178 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 Kling, who was born in Lacock township, Lan- 
 caster county, Penn., September 15, 183 1, a 
 daughter of John and Margaret Shafer) Kling, 
 in whose family were eight children: Adam, 
 who died near Beavertown, in Snyder county, 
 Penn. ; Maria, who married John Rockey, and 
 died near Zion, in Centre county; Moses, who 
 died in Buffalo Valley, Kelly township. Union 
 county; Elias, who is still living in that town- 
 ship; Rezalza, who married Samuel Royer, and 
 died in Lock Haven; Margaret, who wedded 
 William Moyer, and died in Northumberland 
 
 Mty. Penn.; Joanna, the wife of our subject; 
 and Diana, wife of Benjamin Graff, who lives 
 near Iberia, in Miller county, Missouri. 
 
 John Kling, Mrs. Thompson's father, was 
 born in Lacock township, Lancaster county, in 
 1794, and was the fourth in order of birth in the 
 family of John and Annie (Bear) Kling, the 
 others being Joel, who died in Nittany Valley, 
 Clinton county; Rebecca, who married William 
 Moore, and died in Kelly township, Union coun- 
 ty; Nancy, who died in Perry county, Penn.; 
 Isaac, who died in Upper Lacock township, Lan- 
 caster county; David, who died in Chester coun- 
 ty, Penn.; Martin, who died in Indiana; Peter, 
 who died in Perry county, Penn.; Hannah, widow 
 of Peter Lckert, and a resident of Lancaster 
 county; and Jacob, who died in Lacock township, 
 Lancaster county. In the spring ol [833, John 
 Kling, Jr., with his family, removed to Kelly 
 township, Union county, but as Mrs. Thompson 
 was ill at the time she remained with her pa- 
 ternal grandparents in her native count}', being 
 reared by them until seventeen years of age. 
 Her father spent his remaining days at his new 
 home, dying there at the age of seventy-two 
 Her mother departed this lilt- in 1s.j4.at the age 
 of forty-seven, and Mr. Kling later married Maria 
 Kling. He and his wives were all buried in the 
 cemetery at Lewisburg, In politics, In- was a 
 Republican, and in religious belief, a Lutheran, 
 
 ing as a deacon in his Church. 
 
 For three years after his marriage, Mr. 
 Thompson rented tli I 1: n on which he \ a ; Norn, 
 and in the spring of 1855 removed to what is n \ 
 known as the Brookside farm in Lamar township, 
 Clinton county, which he purchased from Hudson 
 Williams. There he continued to engage in 
 agricultural pursuits until the spring of 1874, 
 when he went to Lewisburg, and after three 
 years there passed, he returned to the farm, but 
 in 1S82 he laid aside business cares, and has 
 since occupied a pleasant home on [ones street, 
 Lock Haven, wherehe is surrounded by all the 
 comforts and many of the luxuries of life. In 
 the fall of 1881 he purchased seventy-tive and 
 
 
 one-half acres in Allison township, Clinton 
 county, which is operated by a tenant. The 
 success that he has achieved in life is due entire- 
 ly to his own unaided efforts, good management 
 and strict integrity. He has been officially con- 
 nected with the Methodist Church, of which he 
 and his wife are earnest and consistent members, 
 and their pleasant, genial manners and kindly 
 dispositions have gained for them a host of warm 
 friends. Originally, Mr. Thompson was a Whig 
 in politics, and is now a stalwart Republican, but 
 has never cared for office, at one time refusing to 
 serve after being elected justice of the peace. ■ 
 
 PETER MEITZLER. It is astonishing to 
 witness the success of young men who have 
 emigrated to America without capital, and, from 
 a position of comparative obscurity, worked their 
 way upward to a position of prominence. The 
 readiness with which they adapt themselves to 
 circumstances, and take advantages of opportu- 
 nities offered, brings to them success and wins 
 them a place among the leading business men ol 
 the community in which they reside. Prominent 
 among this class is Mr Meitzler, who is the pop- 
 ular and genial proprietor of the "Riverside 
 Hotel " at Lock Haven, Clinton county. 
 
 Mr. Meitzler was born in Germany, Septem- 
 ber 11, 1 83 1 , a son of Jacob and Elizabeth 
 (Lowald) Meitzler, who spent their entire lives 
 in the Fatherland, where the father served a 
 revenue collector for many years. Until thir- 
 teen years of age our subject attended the public 
 schools of his native land, and then crossed the 
 Atlantic to Charleston, S. C. , where his brothers 
 and sisters were living, and where he made his 
 home until the outbreak of the Civil war. In 
 the meantime he was bound out to learn the ma- 
 chinist's trade, and after mastering the business 
 he went as second engineer on the steamer " Isa- 
 bel," continuing to follow the sea until 1857. 
 Returning to Charleston, he engaged in clerking 
 for a time, then went to Columbia, S. C. , from 
 there to Savannah, Ga. .and later returned to 
 Charleston, where he purchased the "Globe Ho- 
 tel,'' on Queen street, and conducted the same 
 until called into the service. When the war was 
 
 1 he ram. to Williamsport, Penn., where he 
 was eng iged in various business enterprises, and 
 finally conducted a hotel at that place. In 1872, 
 when the local option law was passed in Penn- 
 sylvania, lie came to Lock Haven, and opened 
 the •• Railroad House.'' and has since conducted 
 several hotels there. The "Riverside Hotel," 
 of which he is now proprietor, is one of the best 
 and most complete hotels in the city, it being 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1179 
 
 supplied with all modern conveniences. It can 
 easily accommodate 200 guests, the cuisine is ex- 
 ceptionally fine, and the place has become a pop- 
 ular resort with the traveling public. 
 
 In 1863 Mr. Meitzler was united in marriage 
 to Miss Eva Herr, of Lycoming county, Penn. 
 They affiliate with the Lutheran Church, are 
 widely and favorably known, and have many 
 friends in their adopted city. In his polit- 
 ical views Mr. Meitzler is a Democrat, opposed 
 to all monopolies, but has never been a politician 
 in the sense of office seeking. The success of 
 his life is due to no inherited fortune, or to any 
 happy succession of advantageous circumstances, 
 but to his own sturdy will, steady application, 
 tireless industry and sterling integrity. 
 
 A 
 
 vama. 
 
 L. 
 
 of 
 
 CLINTON, machinist in the town 
 Renovo, Clinton County, Pennsyl- 
 
 JAMES E. ROBBINS. The law of cause and 
 effect holds good throughout the business as 
 well as the material world, and certain causes 
 will invariably bring certain results. The quali- 
 ties which produce a success in business circles 
 are the same — enterprise, good management, un- 
 flagging industry and sound judgment. These 
 are marked elements in the character of Mr. 
 Robbins, who to-day stands as one of the lead- 
 ing lumbermen of Noyes township, Clinton 
 county. 
 
 Mr. Robbins is a native of that county, born 
 October 10, 1857, in Colebrook township, and is 
 a representative of a family of Scotch-Irish origin 
 which was founded in New England at an early 
 day. His grandfather, Thomas Robbins, was a 
 native of New Jersey, and when a young man re- 
 moved to Fisher Creek township, Columbia, Co., 
 Penn., where he continued to follow agricultural 
 pursuits throughout the remainder of his life. 
 Politically he is a Democrat. 
 
 Isaac Robbins, the grandfather of our sub- 
 ject, was born in Fishing Creek township, Co- 
 lumbia county, was reared on the home farm, 
 and attended the subscription schools of that lo- 
 cality. In the early '40s he removed with his fam- 
 ily to Sugar Valley, Clinton county, where he 
 purchased 280 acres of land, sixty of which had 
 been placed under cultivation, and to its further 
 improvement and to lumbering he devoted his 
 remaining years. He died in 1893, an d was 
 buried near the Zion Methodist Episcopal Church, 
 in Green township, in which he was a very 
 prominent and active member, being one of its 
 
 founders and liberal supporters. He always ad- 
 hered to the principles of the Democracy, and 
 took a deep interest in the success of his party. 
 He was three times married, his first wife being 
 Miss Walsh, whom he married in Columbia 
 county, and to them were born four children: 
 George, a farmer of that county; JohnW., father 
 of our subject; Catharine, wife of E. Felter, of 
 Emporium, Penn. ; and one son who died in in- 
 fancy. His wife dying in Columbia county, Mr. 
 Robbins was again married, his second union 
 being with a Miss Condor, of the same county, 
 by whom he had five children: James K. P., of 
 Williamsport, Penn.; Jesse, of Jersey Shore; 
 Emanuel, also of Jersey Shore; and a son and a 
 daughter who died in infancy. The mother of 
 these children passed from earth in Sugar Valley, 
 and was buried in Zion cemetery. For his third 
 wife, Mr. Robbins wedded Mrs. Misener, who is 
 still living in Jersey Shore. 
 
 The birth of John W. Robbins occurred in 
 Fishing Creek, Columbia county, April 19, 1828, 
 and the public schools of Sugar Valley afforded 
 him his educational privileges. He worked on 
 the farm with his father during the summer 
 months, and was employed in the lumber woods 
 during the winter season until he attained his 
 majority, when he started out in life for himself 
 as a farmer, and he also worked for a while at 
 the carpenter's trade. Going to Queen's Run, 
 west of Lock Haven, he conducted a boarding 
 house for some time, and also followed lumber- 
 ing, after which he engaged in the former busi- 
 ness at Lock Haven, and was employed in the 
 construction of the railroad to that place, doing 
 blasting. He saw the first train brought to that 
 city. In i860 he removed to Westport, where 
 he engaged in lumbering with Col. Noyes, and 
 also ran rafts down the west branch of the Sus- 
 quehanna to Marietta and Columbia. Subse- 
 quently he bought a farm of 166 acres in Noyes 
 township, Clinton county, on which he made 
 many valuable improvements; was also owner 
 and proprietor of the "Westport Hotel" for 
 nineteen years, and at the same time followed 
 lumbering. Although he has always been a hard- 
 working man, he is still quite active and well 
 preserved for one of his years, and now makes 
 his home in Westport. As a Democrat he has 
 been elected supervisor and overseer of the poor 
 in his township, and has always faithfully per- 
 formed every duty that devolved upon him, 
 whether public or private. No man in Clinton 
 county is held in higher regard, or is more de- 
 serving the respect and confidence reposed in 
 him. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church 
 and of Renovo Lodge No. 595. I. O. O. F. 
 
11 Ml 
 
 i (iSIMF.MOUATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL l!F.<ORD. 
 
 On April 24, 1 s 5 5 , at Logan's Mills, Sugar 
 Valley, John W. Robbins was married to Miss 
 Elizabeth Herman, a native of that Valley, and 
 a daughter of Michael Herman, a carpenter and 
 farmer of Logan township, Clinton county. 
 Three children were born of this union, namely: 
 James E., the subject of this review; Thomas M., 
 ter, butcher and merchant of Westport, 
 who married Vera Kepler, and has two children — 
 Elizabeth and [ames E., Jr.; and one child who 
 died in infancy. Thewifeand mother was called 
 to her final rest in September, (886, and was 
 buried in Westport. The father was again mar- 
 
 . in [888, his second union being with Mary 
 Campbell, a native of Hyner. Chapman township, 
 Clinton county, and widow of Robert Myers. 
 Three children grace the second marriage: Floar, 
 Elizabeth and John. 
 
 Tin subjei t of this sketch received an ex- 
 
 ut literary education, first attending the 
 public schools of Westport, later the Allegheny 
 College for two terms, and in 1880 graduated at 
 the Central State Normal School at Lock Ha- 
 ven, after which he entered the law department 
 of the University of Ann Arbor, Mich., where, 
 on his graduation in [882, he was granted the 
 degree of Bachelor of Law, and was admitted 
 to practice before the courts of Michigan. 
 Returning to Westport in that year, he bought 
 2.200 acres of timber land, and engaged in lum- 
 bering fur three years, when, in partnership with 
 William C. K. Xoyes, he purchased 1 1,000 ai 
 and together they engaged in the manufacture of 
 lumber for the same length of time.' In 1888 
 our subject erected a sawmill in Chapman town- 
 ship, Clinton county, at the cost of $4,500, 
 which he still successfully operates. He is the 
 owner of 1 1,000 acres of timber land besides 
 the old homestead farm in Sugar Valley, and 
 600 acres of land in the Red River Valley, 
 Polk county, Minn., which he purchased in 
 [883. He is one oi the most energetic, pro- 
 
 ;ive and reliable businessmen in the coun- 
 ty, always upright and honorable in all his 
 dealings, and in consequence he commands the 
 confidence and respect of all who know him. 
 On August 9, 1883, Mr. Robbins was mar- 
 : ai Mill Hall, Clinton county, to Miss Mar- 
 garet McMicken, who was born at that place, a 
 daughter of Joseph and Susan iSterretti McMick- 
 en. Her father, who is deceased, was for many 
 years one of the prominent physicians and highly 
 esteemed citizens of Mill Hall. Mrs. Robbins 
 began her education in the schools of that place, 
 and in l aed from the Central State 
 
 Normal School, after which she successfully 
 engaged in teaching for several terms in Clin- 
 
 I Cameron counties. She was a most 
 estimable lady, a leading member of the Pres- 
 byterian Church, a teacher in its Sunday-school, 
 and was one of the first to make an effort to 
 secure the erection of a house of worship in 
 Westport. She died March 31, 1896, mourned 
 by a large circle of friends and acquaintances 
 who appreciated her sterling worth. Mr. Rob- 
 bins is also a prominent member of that Church, 
 has taught in the Sunday-school, served as a 
 steward, and was a member of the building com- 
 mittee. Fraternally, he is connected with Re- 
 el Lodge No. 495, F. & A. M. ; the Inde- 
 pendent Order of Odd Fellows; and the Patriotic 
 Order Sons of America. Although he has never 
 been an office-seeker, he has served as school 
 director for nine years, also as clerk of his town- 
 ship, and has ever faithfully performed every duty 
 of citizenship. His industrial interests have 
 made him an integral factor in the business life 
 of his community, his sterling worth has gained 
 1 1 him prominence in social circles, and he is 
 uniformly esteemed by old and young, rich and 
 I 1 1 
 
 HENRY C. WOLFE. On September t8, 
 1727, there arrived at Philadelphia, the 
 good ship "William and Sarah," bearing a large 
 number of Germans from the Palatinate. Among 
 these voyagers were Hans Bernard Wolf and 
 Hans Jerrick Wolf, or in plain English, John 
 Bernard and John George Wolf. The latter is 
 presumed to have been a son of the former. At 
 that time the Valley of the Tulpehocken, in 
 northern Berks county, was largely settled by 
 Palatines who had come overland from Scho- 
 harie. N. Y., where their land titles had been 
 invalidated by the New York authorities. To 
 this Valley the Wolfs also made their way, and 
 becoming members of the little colony accumu- 
 
 1 property with characteristic German thrift 
 and enterprise. In 1748 John Bernard Wolf 
 died leaving an estate, his wife. Eve, and son, 
 John George, being made his executors. The 
 latter had several children among whom was 
 a son, George Wendell, the Union county pio- 
 neer, who was born on the Tulpehocken March 
 16, 1740. In 1758 he was bound out to one 
 Jacob Miller to learn the art of cordwaining, and 
 he afterward carried on his business successfully, 
 
 ing a handsome competence. Nor was he 
 lacking in patriotism, as he served in the Revo- 
 lutionary army, enrolling himself in 1776 as a 
 private in Capt. Michael Furrer's Company, 
 Colonel Patton's Regiment, Berks County Mili- 
 tia. On March 12, 1766, he was married to Ann 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 11S1 
 
 Elizabeth Reid, by whom he had eight chil- 
 dren: (i) Michael, born August 2, 1767, died 
 in 1847. His wife, Catherine Smith, of Lew- 
 isburg, passed away in 1858. They had twelve 
 children, among whom were three sons — George, 
 who died in 1882, aged eighty-three years; Abra- 
 ham, who died in 1878, at the age of seventy- 
 seven; and Michael, born August 6, 1809, who 
 married Margaret Engelman, and removed to 
 Ohio. (2) Magdalena, born December 6, 176S, 
 married a Mr. Noll before her father's removal 
 to Union county, and died at her home in Berks 
 county. (3) Peter, born in 1 77 1 , died in Buffalo 
 Valley in 185 1. He married a Miss Reid, and had 
 three sons — Peter, Leonard, and Daniel, the lat- 
 ter going to Ohio. (4) Jacob, born May 29, 1773, 
 died in 18 14. His wife, Catherine, who survived 
 him, was a daughter of John Bashore, who was 
 killed by the Indians in Buffalo Valley in 1778. 
 She was born June 12, 1772, and married to Jacob 
 Wolf, March 6, 1796. Their children were: 
 Catherine, Elizabeth, Jacob, John, Samuel, and 
 Jonathan. (5) John, born July 17, 1777, mar- 
 ried and moved to Ohio at an early day. (6) 
 Christian, born in April, 1779, was for some 
 time engaged in business at Lewisburg as a hat- 
 ter, but in 1807 located at Fayette, Seneca Co., 
 N. Y., where he died in 1833. In later years 
 he entered the ministry and was a prominent sup- 
 porter of Rev. Jacob Albright, the founder of the 
 denomination known as the "Evangelical Asso- 
 ciation," which is also known as the German 
 Methodist Church. Christian Wolfe married 
 Barbara Books, of Buffalo Valley, but their de- 
 scendants are not numerous. (7) Leonard, born 
 May 2, 1782, married and settled in Ohio. (8) 
 Andrew, born May 3, 1784, died in Buffalo Val- 
 ley, January 21, 1 87 1 . His wife, Anna, who 
 died in the same year, was a daughter of Martin 
 Dreisbach, and sister of Rev. John Dreisbach, a 
 colleague of Rev. Jacob Albright, mentioned 
 above. All of this family were active and influ- 
 ential workers in the Evangelical Association; 
 and of the children of Andrew and Anna Wolfe, 
 two sons, Aaron and Simon, were ministers, and 
 two daughters married clergymen, Reverends 
 Benjamin Hess and Henry Rohland, respect- 
 ively. 
 
 As has been said, George Wendell Wolfe was 
 a prosperous man, but as old age drew nigh, he 
 saw that the opportunities for his descendants 
 were rapidly lessening as the region where he 
 had settled became more closely populated. De- 
 siring to remove to a newer section where better 
 provision could be made for them, he disposed of 
 his Berks county property, and, in 1793, pur- 
 chased from Abraham Mensch about one thou- 
 
 sand acres of choice land on Turtle creek, in 
 Union county, a few miles south of Lewisburg. 
 He himself removed to this estate in 1796, and 
 his death occurred there March 12, 1826, his 
 wife following him March 7, 1829. The remains 
 of both were interred in Dreisbach cemetery. 
 
 The late Jonathan Wolfe, son of Jacob Wolfe, 
 mentioned above, and his wife, Catherine 
 Bashore, was born in East Buffalo township, 
 Union county, August 2, 1812, and was one of a 
 family of six children left fatherless at an early 
 age. His mother afterward married Jacob Reedy, 
 and lived at the old farm on the creek which be- 
 came his property in later years, and was a favor- 
 ite home. Times were hard, and at the age of 
 thirteen he hired out to Mishalls Lincoln, near 
 Mifflinburg, for twenty-eight dollars a year, or 
 fifty cents a week. Soon afterward John Hoy 
 offered him $5.50 a month, and as Lincoln would 
 not raise his wages the offer was accepted. He 
 remained with Mr. Hoy a year, and for a few 
 months attended a school taught by James Aiken. 
 Through the latter's voluntary recommendation 
 he was offered a situation, in 1827, as a clerk in 
 Joseph Hutchinson's store, where he worked 
 about two years, but being ambitious to see 
 more of the world he determined to go to Phila- 
 delphia. He knew no one there, but having 
 heard of the " Bull's Head Tavern," he inquired 
 for it on his arrival, found it, asked for work, and 
 was employed there until he secured a position 
 as clerk and bookkeeper with Solomon Alter, a 
 prominent Philadelphia merchant. He advanced 
 rapidly with Mr. Alter, soon had his entire con- 
 fidence, and largely administered his business. 
 In May, 1833, he formed a partnership with his 
 brother, Samuel, under the firm name of S. & 
 J. Wolfe, and engaged in mercantile business in 
 Lewisburg. After a time Mr. Alter requested 
 him to return to Philadelphia and manage his 
 affairs, and for three years Mr. Wolfe attended 
 to both lines of enterprise. Later he became in- 
 terested in milling, in which he met with his ac- 
 customed success, and for years he ranked among 
 the wealthiest men of the county, his credit be- 
 ing practically unlimited. It would be difficult 
 to mention all the enterprises throughout the 
 Valley to which he lent a helping hand, sustain- 
 ing them by money and influence until prosperity 
 was assured. 
 
 He was a man of fine sensibilities, and, not- 
 withstanding his lack of suitable educational 
 privileges in youth, and the pressing cares of 
 business life, he became well-informed, showing 
 unusual familiarity with the best literature. 
 History and the works of the great poets were 
 his especial favorites, and he could quote exten- 
 
1182 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 sively from Shakespeare and the Bible. For the 
 light literature of the day he cared nothing, and 
 it was only when he sat down with some acquaint- 
 ance whose intelligence invited serious conversa- 
 tion that his abilities, his learning, his ready and 
 apt choice of language, and the charm of his 
 manner were realized. He was married March 
 29, 1837, to Miss Elizabeth Troxell, granddaughter 
 of George Troxell, one of the first residents of 
 Lewisburg, and the first to die after the town 
 was laid out, his death occurring in 1790. He 
 lived on the corner of Second and St. < atherine 
 streets, and the house is now one of the few re- 
 maining landmarks of the olden time. Mrs. 
 Elizabeth Wolfe died May 6, 1876, but Mr. 
 Wolfe survived until February 26, 1X90, when 
 he passed away in his seventy-eighth year. Five 
 children are still living: Edwin C. ; Mary A11- 
 
 ta, wife of Hon. S. 1). Bates; Henry C, 
 whose name appears at the opening of this mem- 
 oir Leon B. ; and Charles J. 
 
 Henry C. Wolfe, son of Jonathan Wolfe and 
 Elizabeth Troxell, was born October 9, 1843. 
 He grew up amidst the busy scenes of his father's 
 lift;, and obtained an accurate knowledge of busi- 
 ness affairs. After completing his literary stud- 
 ies at the Randolph Academy and at Lewisburg 
 University, now known as Bucknell College, he 
 took a business 1 ourse at Eastman's College, at 
 Poughkeepsie, N. V. Returning home in 1862, 
 
 clerked in his father's drug store for some 
 years. In 1S72 he became a member of the 
 flourishing firm of W. D. Himmelreich & Co., 
 the firm name being then P. Billmyer <.V Co. 
 Here, although a comparatively young man, he 
 has assisted in operating the most extensive saw- 
 mill and lumber business in Lewisburg. He was 
 married in 1869 to Miss Sarah Alice Billmyer, a 
 native of Lewisburg. They have one son. Philip, 
 who married a granddaughter of fudge Walls. 
 
 While Mr. Wolfe is a most competent busi- 
 ness man, he is much more than that — his public 
 spirit being shown in Ins active support of pro 
 gressive movements in his locality. In politics 
 he is a Democrat. 
 
 JroHN C. DUNKEL, a wealthy retired agri- 
 culturist residing near Lewisburg, is the owner 
 
 of several fine tracts of farming land in Union 
 county, one of which has been in the possession 
 of his family since 1 8 1 1 . 
 
 Conrad Dunkel, the grandfather of our sub- 
 ject, in the year named left his early home in 
 Berks county, Penn. , to settle in what is now 
 Buffalo township, Union count}-, where he cleared 
 and improved a farm. He was a natural 
 
 chanic, turning his hand effectively to anv kind 
 of work, and as opportunity came to him he fol- 
 lowed different trades, especially that of carpen- 
 ter. His wife, Susanna Kaufman, to whom he 
 was married in 1793, accompanied him to the 
 new home. She died in 1842, at the age of six- 
 ty-eight, and his own death occurred in Lewis- 
 burg three years later. Their remains were first 
 interred in the Lutheran churchyard at Lewis- 
 burg, but have since been transferred to thefam- 
 ilv lot in Dreisbach cemetery in Buffalo tow nship, 
 They had five children: John, who was born in 
 1795, died in East Buffalo township, Uni 
 
 inty; George, born in 1800, developed ex- 
 traordinary strength in boyhood, but died at the 
 age of fourteen from pneumonia, resulting from 
 a cold caught while fishing; Michael is mentioned 
 more fully farther on; Maria, born in 1S09, mar- 
 ried George Belman, and died in Northumber- 
 land county; and George, born in 1818, died in 
 1820. 
 
 Michael Dunkel, our subject's father, was 
 born in Maiden Creek township, Berks county. 
 January 30, 1 803. and, coming to Union county 
 in boyhood, always made his home at the farm 
 in Buffalo township. He was slightly crippled 
 in his right arm, as a result of falling from a mill 
 door in childhood, at the old home in Berks 
 county, and was somewhat hampered in his choice 
 of occupations. Twice he began to learn a trade, 
 but gave up the idea. For a short time he worked 
 in a woolen-factory in Berks county, and later 
 spent two years as a clerk in Lewisburg, but 
 finally settled down to farming, in which he suc- 
 ceeded in gaining a handsome competence. His 
 methods were slow and sure, speculation being 
 quite foreign to his disposition and habits. The 
 old farm came to him by will, but certain obliga- 
 tions to the other heirs had to be met before he 
 obtained the sole ownership. 
 
 He was fond of visiting and very hospitable, 
 and his wonderful memory made him a most en- 
 tertaining companion. In boyhood he had re- 
 ceived fair educational advantages, which he had 
 supplemented by reading upon various subjects, 
 especially the history of our own and other lands. 
 Politically, he was first a Whig, and then a Re- 
 publican, but while voting regularly, he was not 
 an office-seeker. In religious work he was active, 
 being a devout member of the Dreisbach Church, 
 to which he gave liberally of money and til 
 holding various official positions. Although he 
 had not a particularly powerful physique, his 
 constitution was good, and he lived to be nearly 
 ninety years old, and in spite of ten months' suf- 
 fering from a fall, he retained full possession of 
 his mental faculties to the last. His death oc- 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 L183 
 
 curred December 17, 1S93, and his remains now 
 rest in Dreisbach cemetery. His wife, Eliz- 
 abeth Stitzer, to whom he was married February 
 16, 1826, was born April 27, 1805, and died 
 March 6, 1877. Her parents, John and Dorothea 
 (Dunkleberger) Stitzer, kept a hotel at Mifflin- 
 burg, where they reared a family of eight chil- 
 dren, and Mrs. Dunkel was next to the youngest 
 of their three daughters. 
 
 Eleven children were born to Michael and 
 Elizabeth Dunkel, five of whom are yet living: 
 Mary, born February 28, 1827, married Peter 
 Rangier, of Lewisburg; Samuel, born February 
 10, 1829, died March 16, 1829; Carolina, born 
 January 17, 1830, married Levi Gemberling, and 
 died in Kelly township, Union county; John C. 
 is mentioned more fully below; Elizabeth, born 
 May 2, 1835, is the widow of John Ryder, for- 
 merly a hotel keeper at Vicksburg, Penn. ; Su- 
 sannah, born June 5, 1837, died July 27, 1839; 
 Conrad, born May 15, 1838, died May 16, 1838; 
 George, born May 15, 1838, died June 19, 1838; 
 Susanna, born September 6, 1839, is now Mrs. 
 Adam M. Grove, of Kelly township; Catherine, 
 born February 19, 1842, married Isaac F. 
 Brown, of Buffalo township; James M. , born 
 April 16, 1845, was killed June 3, 1863, at the 
 battle of Cold Harbor. He had made repeated 
 efforts to get into the army, offering himself as a 
 recruit in every company that went from Lewis- 
 bur;;, but was rejected. When finally accept- 
 ed he proved himself a good soldier, and fell while 
 fighting bravely. 
 
 The subject of our sketch was born June 26, 
 1832, at the old homestead, and was educated 
 mainly in that district, attending first the Mc- 
 Clure school house on Turtle creek. He studied 
 a short time at Mifflinburg Academy, and had an 
 excellent chance to obtain an education, but he 
 did not especially care for study and his father 
 permitted him to stay at home, where he delight- 
 ed in being around the horses. With his natural 
 inclination for farm life and his thorough prac- 
 tical training in its details, it is not strange that 
 Mr. Dunkel should have become one of the lead- 
 ing agriculturists of his county. 
 
 On January 3, 1856, Mr. Dunkel took unto 
 himself a helpmeet, Miss Catherine Dunkel, who 
 was born October 9, 1833, the youngest daugh- 
 ter of John S. and Leah (Dreisbach) Dunkel, of 
 Buffalo township. Union county, who reared to 
 adult age a family of eight children, three sons 
 and five daughters. After his marriage, Mr. 
 Dunkel continued to reside at the homestead 
 until 1887, when he removed to his present lot 
 of five acres in East Buffalo township, near Sa- 
 lem church. He still owns ninety-eight acres of 
 
 the old homestead, and another tract of twenty- 
 five acres in the same township, besides 140 
 acres in East Buffalo township, making altogether 
 more than 300 acres. At one time he owned 
 property in Kansas, and he has made several 
 trips to the West. For eighteen years he was 
 identified with the Grange, but since his retire- 
 ment from active business he has given his atten- 
 tion to other lines of thought. He reads a great 
 deal, and is fond of good company, in which his 
 own conversational powers make him thoroughly 
 at home. 
 
 On February 21, 1893, Mrs. Dunkel passed 
 to the unseen world. Of their six children, five 
 survive: Mary E. married D. N. App, of Selins 
 Grove, Penn. ; Charles E. died at the age of 
 eighteen; William and James M. reside in Buffalo 
 township, Union county; Martin L. lives on the 
 140-acre farm previously referred to, in East Buf- 
 falo township; and Miss Katie S. Dunkel is at 
 home. 
 
 Mr. Dunkel believes firmly in the principles 
 of the Republican party, but in local affairs votes 
 for the best man, whatever ticket he may be on. 
 He has served for some time as school director 
 in East Buffalo township, and held several town- 
 ship offices at his former home. He united with 
 the Evangelical Church in his youth, and for 
 thirty-one years was a trustee in Salem Church. 
 While living in Buffalo township he was for a 
 time a deacon in Dreisbach Church. 
 
 f/ILLIAM LINCOLN MERTZ, auditor of 
 Union county, is one of our most pro- 
 gressive and successful agriculturists, and has 
 been for some years a leading live-stock breeder, 
 having upon his extensive farm some fine speci- 
 mens of Belgium horses, Registered trotting 
 horses, Registered Holstein-Friesian cattle, and 
 Registered English Berkshire hogs. At the re- 
 cent fair at Lewisburg and Milton, he received 
 the first prize on all stock exhibited, except one 
 cow, and serious doubt was cast upon that de- 
 cision by circumstances. His business interests 
 do not prevent Mr. Mertz from giving effective 
 thought to public affairs, and the public, recog- 
 nizing his ability, has chosen him on occasions 
 to various posts of duty, where he has served 
 faithfully and well. 
 
 Mr. Mertz was born in East Buffalo town- 
 ship, Union county, July 2, i860, the son of 
 Henry and Lydia (Aurand) Mertz, who were 
 both natives of Union county, and lifelong resi- 
 dents there. His paternal grandfather, Jacob 
 Mertz, coming in an early day from Berks coun- 
 ty, Penn. , located in Union county. The later 
 
1184 
 
 - OMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 years of himself and wife were passed upon a 
 (arm in East Buffalo township, Union county. 
 He was a farmer, and also engaged in distilling. 
 He died April 5, 1 S 59, aged seventy-eight years. 
 The maternal grandfather, Abraham, and wife 
 died in that township, their remains being 
 interred at Lewisburg. All four grandparents 
 passed away before our subject's birth; and his 
 parents attained a good old age, the father 
 breathing his last November 26, 1889, when in 
 the seventy-fourth year of his age, and the 
 mother surviving until 1896, both being laid to 
 rest in the Lewisburg cemetery. They were de- 
 vout members of the Evangelical Church, and 
 the father, who was a farmer by occupation, was 
 a steadfast Republican in his political views. 
 
 Of their large family of children, our subject 
 was the youngest. The others were: MaryC, 
 born January 4, 1838. died unmarried. Susanna, 
 born October 17, 1839, is now the wife of Cyrus 
 Fetter, of East Buffalo township, L'nion county. 
 Nirah Jane, born March iS, 1 841, married Chris- 
 tian Leader, but is now deceased. Elizabeth, 
 born April 18, 1842, and John, born March 4, 
 1S43, both died in childhood. Lucinda, born 
 April 13, 1844, married C. W. Chappell, a lum- 
 berman and merchant in Cambria county, Penn., 
 and has had nine children. Abraham, of East Buf- 
 falo township, born October 13, 184^), married 
 Lizzie Dolby, and has had rive children. Cath- 
 erine, born May 26, 1851, married Franklin 
 Kessler, of East Buffalo township, and has had 
 seven children. Jacob, who resides in the same 
 township, was born May 8, 1853. married Sallie 
 Walker, and has one child. Etta A., born No- 
 vembei 8, 1854, is the wife of John Richard, of 
 Sullivan county, Penn. Lydia is the deceased 
 wife of M. K. Gearhart, a wealthy retired resi- 
 dent of l'nion township, Union county. 
 
 Our subject gave early evidence of mental 
 ability in his eagerness for an education, and his 
 effective use of every available opportunity for 
 advancement in his studies. The local schools 
 soon proved insufficient for his needs, and in 
 1878 he spent six months in study in the Univer- 
 sity at New Berlin. Later he studied for three 
 terms at the Lewisburg Academy, teaching in 
 vacations, and thus earning money for the prose- 
 cution of his plans. An uncle, Abraham Aurand, 
 was desirous of having some member of the fam- 
 ily enter the ministry, and noting our subject's 
 love of study, determined to educate him for that 
 calling. Mr. Mertz. who was then about nine- 
 
 irdly begun to profit by this kindi 
 when the uncle died. The latter had tried to 
 arrange for the future, and, when dying, he 
 called tin young student to his bedside and told 
 
 him that he could continue his studies as he was 
 to be the administrator of the estate and was 
 provided for. This arrangement failed, however, 
 owing to the fact that Mr. Mertz had not attained 
 his majority, so that he was obliged to depend 
 mainly upon himself for the necessary fund- 
 any further study. 
 
 Mr. Mertz taught school for two terms in East 
 Buffalo township, Union county, and then, find- 
 ing the occupation uncongenial, he clerked for 
 ten months for G. K. Swope, in a general store 
 at Lewisburg. Being strongly urged to resume 
 the work of teaching, he did si 1 for one term, hut 
 he turned a deaf ear to all entreaties to continue, 
 and, returning home, he conducted the farm. 
 He was married August 15, 1882, to Miss Han- 
 nah B. Kunkel, and took his bride to the old 
 home, but after four years he decided to give up 
 farming and the next three years were spent in 
 operating a threshing machine, which he pur- 
 chased in partnership with a brother-in-law, J. 
 M. Kunkel. He then moved to Nnrthumberland 
 county, Penn., and conducted John E. Morgan's 
 farm for three years, after which he moved to a 
 farm in White Deer township. Union county, and 
 remained four years. In the spring of 1897 he 
 located in Kelly township, Union county, contin- 
 uing there the raising of fine live stock, together 
 with general fanning. 
 
 As a citizen, Mr. Mertz is deservedly popular, 
 and he can always be relied upon to help forward 
 any movement that promises advantage to his 
 community. He is a member of the Reformed 
 Church at Lewisburg; and also belongs to the 
 White Deer Grange, at New Columbia, White 
 Deer Alliance No. 400, of White Deer, and the 
 Royal Arcanum, No. 948, at Lewisburg. In the 
 local Republicanorganization he isactiveandintlu- 
 ential, and in November, 1S96, he was elected to 
 the office of count)- auditor. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Mertz have an interesting fam- 
 ily of four children: Olive G., born May 13. [883; 
 Charles E., [uly 15. 1886; Mary L., September 
 15. 1892; and Lester L., March 1. 1S96. Mrs. 
 Mertz was born in East Buffalo township. Union 
 county, July 31, [862, the daughter of George 
 and Mar) (Moyer Kunkel, who were natives of 
 Dry Valley, and passed their lives in Union 
 county. The father was a farmer by occupation. 
 and a steadfast Republican in political faith, and 
 both parents belonged to tin Reformed Church, 
 their lives giving proof of their devotion to its 
 teachings. Mr. Kunkel died October 20, 1894, 
 
 i seventy-three, and his wife did not long 
 survive him, her death occurring June 6. 1 1 
 
 Mrs. Mertz was the youngest of six children: 
 (i) Diana, married Edward Young, a farmer ol 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1185 
 
 Snyder county, Penn., and died leaving three 
 children. (2) Michael died at thirteen years of 
 a S e - (3) Joseph, now a retired resident of 
 Lindville, Penn., married Emma Gundy, and 
 has one child. (4) John M., of Lindville, is still 
 engaged in the threshing business. He married 
 Mary Walter, and has one child. (5) George, a 
 farmer in East Buffalo township, Union county, 
 married Ella Burge, and has two children. 
 
 \MW W. WOLFE, a prominent resident of 
 V JL Lewisburg, is a representative of one of 
 the pioneer families of Buffalo Valley, his great- 
 grandfather, George Wendell Wolfe, having 
 located there more than a century ago. 
 
 The family originated in Germany, and their 
 history is traced to the time of the arrival of 
 the ship "William and Sarah," at Philadelphia, 
 September 18, 1727, with a large company of 
 emigrants from the Palatinate. On this vessel 
 was Hans Bernard Wolf and Hans Jerrick Wolf, 
 or in plain English were John Bernard and 
 John George Wolf. The latter is presumed to 
 have been a son of the former. The valley of 
 the Tulpehocken in northern Berks county was 
 at that time settled by Palatines who came 
 overland from Schoharie, N. Y. , where their 
 land titles had been invalidated by the New 
 York authorities. The Wolfs pushed their way 
 also to Tulpehocken, and settled among these 
 unfortunates. John Bernard Wolf died in 1748. 
 His executors were his wife and his son, John 
 George. The latter had among other children a 
 son George Wendell, born on the Tulpehocken, 
 March 16, 1740, who in 1758 was bound out to 
 Jacob Miller to learn the art of cordwaining. On 
 March 12, 1766, he married Ann Elizabeth Reid. 
 He was very prosperous in business, and accum- 
 ulated a considerable estate. He served with 
 credit in the war of the Revolution, entering as 
 a private in Capt. Michael Furrer's Company, 
 Colonel Patton's Regiment, Berks County Militia, 
 on August 27, 1776. [See Pennsylvania Archives, 
 Vol. XIV, P. 249.] In 1793, when advanced in 
 years, he disposed of his property in Berks 
 county and purchased from Abraham Mensch 
 about 1,000 acres of fine land in Buffalo Val- 
 ley, in order to locate his children to better 
 advantage then was possible in his old home, and 
 himself removed thither in 1796. The estate was 
 situated on Turtle creek a few miles southwest 
 of Lewisburg. George Wendell Wolf died there 
 March 12, 1826, and his wife. Ann Elizabeth, on 
 March 7, 1829, both being interred in the Dreis- 
 bach cemetery. Their family consisted of the 
 
 following children: (1) Michael, born August 2, 
 75* 
 
 1767, died in 1847. He married Catherine 
 Smith, of Lewisburg, who died in 1858. They 
 had twelve children, among whom were three 
 sons — George, who died in 1882, aged eighty- 
 three years; Abraham, our subject's father; 
 Michael, born August 6, 1809, who married Mar- 
 garet Engelman and removed to Ohio. (2) Mag- 
 dalena, born December 6, 176S, married a Mr. 
 Noll before her father's removal to Buffalo Val- 
 ley, and died at her home in Berks county. (3) 
 Peter, born in 1 77 1 , married a Miss Reid, and 
 settled in Buffalo Valley, where he died in 185 1. 
 He had sons, Peter, Leonard, and Daniel, who 
 went to Ohio. (4) Jacob, born May 29, 1773, 
 married Catharine, a daughter of John Bashore, 
 who was killed by the Indians in Buffalo Valley 
 in 1778. Jacob died in 1814, leaving a widow 
 and children, viz. : Catharine, Elizabeth, Jacob, 
 John, Samuel and Jonathan. (5) John, born 
 July 17, 1777, married and removed to Ohio at 
 an early day. (6) Christian, born in April, 1779, 
 married Barbara Books, of Buffalo Valley. In 
 early life he was a hatter, and lived at Lewis- 
 burg, but in 1807 he removed to Fayette, Seneca 
 Co., N. Y., where he died in 1833, leaving but 
 few descendants. He was a minister and a prom- 
 inent supporter of the Rev. Jacob Albright, the 
 founder of the denomination known as the Evan- 
 gelical Association, which is also known as the 
 German Methodist Church. (7) Leonard, born 
 May 2, 1782, married and removed to Ohio at 
 an early day. (8) Andrew, born May 3, 1784, 
 married Anna Dreisbach, a daughter of Martin 
 Dreisbach, and settled in Buffalo Valley, where 
 he died January 21, 1871, his wife passing 
 
 The family were promi- 
 Evangelical Association, 
 of Rev. John Dreisbach, 
 a colleague of the founder of the Church (Rev. 
 Jacob Albright, 1 796-1 808). Two sons, Aaron 
 and Simon, were ordained clergymen, and two 
 daughters were ministers' wives, Revs. Benjamin 
 Hess and Rohland. respectively. 
 
 Abraham Wolfe, the father of our subject, 
 was born in 1800, and died in 1878, and was 
 reared in Union county. He became extensively 
 engaged in agriculture, and was also successful 
 in general business, accumulating a fine fortune 
 for that day. In 1859 he returned to Lewisburg 
 to spend his declining years, and his death oc- 
 curred there. Politically, he was a Democrat, 
 and for many years he was a leading member of 
 the Evangelical Church. His first wife. Miss 
 Herbst, died from typhoid fever in the second 
 week after their marriage, and he formed a sec- 
 ond union, this time with Miss Elizabeth Hoff- 
 man, who was born near Mifflinburg, December 
 
 away the same year, 
 nent members of the 
 Mrs. Wolf was a sister 
 
1186 
 
 COMMIPHORA TIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 24, 1818, and died October 4, 1850. They had 
 
 three children, of whom our subject was the 
 youngest. Joanna E. married W. P. Thomas, 
 of Levvisburg; and Hiram M. resides at the old 
 homestead, a part of the original purchase. 
 
 W. W. Wolfe was born in East Buffalo town- 
 ship. Union county, July 15, 1849, and was 
 reared at Lewisburg, attending the public schools 
 and the academy, now Bucknell College. Sev- 
 eral years of early manhood were spent in gen- 
 eral mercantile business, but he disposed of this 
 ti ■ engage in the grain and coal business, in which 
 he has continued. He also represents in Lewis- 
 burg and vicinity several leading insurance com- 
 panies. 
 
 In 1S7S Mr. Wolfe was married to Miss M.ir\ 
 M ('.aunt, a native of Centre county, born July 
 17, 1850, whose father, Richard Gaunt, was of 
 English birth. No children have blessed this 
 union. 
 
 MRS EMILY A. KEISER, East Buffalo 
 township, Union county, post office Lewis- 
 burg, Pennsylvania. 
 
 I 
 
 SAAC Bi.llK. Among the first actual set- 
 
 X tiers along Turtle creek in Union county were 
 John and Catherine Hubler, the grandparents of 
 the venerable gentleman whose history forms the 
 subject of this biography. He and his brother 
 came from Northampton county and settled in 
 the lower end of Penn's Valley, Centre county, 
 where the}- lived a number of years. John, find- 
 ing the timber too heavy to clear, sold his tract 
 and removed to Turtle Creek, Union county. 
 They settled in 1793 upon the farm which has 
 ever since been known as the Hubler homestead, 
 being now occupied by the fourth generation in 
 direct descent. John Hubler was a large man, 
 
 iw-boned" and vigorous, and after transform- 
 ing his Pennsylvania property from the primitive 
 state into a habitable farm, he sought new lands 
 to conquer, making several trips to Ohio, and 
 purchasing a large tract in Stark county, which 
 his sons afterward developed. He died in 1845, 
 aged eighty-two years, and his wife, who was 
 four years younger than he, survived him only 
 ten days. She was a member ol the Lutheran 
 Church, but he inclined to the Dunkard faith. 
 The family burial lot in Dreisbach cemetery con- 
 tains their mortal remains, with those of many 
 of their descendants. They had five sons — Abra- 
 ham, John. Jacob, 1 1 < - 1 1 1 \ and Adam— all of whom 
 
 cept Henry died in Stark county, Ohio. Of 
 tlu-ir four daughters, Mi-. Metz and Mrs, Focht 
 
 also died in Ohio. The others, .-sails, who mar- 
 ried John Heimbach, of West Buffalo township, 
 Union county, and Eve, Mrs. Peter Wolfe, both 
 died in Union county. 
 
 Henry Hubler, our subject's father, was born 
 at the old homestead in January or February, 
 1 80 1. The nearest school was at Dreisbach 
 Church, three miles away, and the instruction, 
 which was entirely in German, was by no means 
 equal to that given in the average country school 
 of to-day, so that he had but meagre opportuni- 
 ties for learning. He always made his home at 
 the old farm, the other boys taking the lands in 
 Ohio, and he was considered one of the substan- 
 tial agriculturists of the township. Robust and 
 strong, he did much hard work in his day, but 
 he was not one to introduce innovations in the 
 way of scientific methods of management, being 
 decidedly in favor of following the accepted cus- 
 toms. He kept well within the line of progress, 
 however, building a new barn in 1847 ar >d a com- 
 fortable brick residence in 1850. In 1857 he 
 divided the homestead farm, which was a la 
 one, and on the east half built a brick house ami 
 large bank barn, of which the subject of this 
 sketch is the owner. He was a man of domestic 
 tastes, seldom leaving home to visit even with 
 relatives. Politically he was first a Whig, and 
 later a Democrat. 
 
 In earlv manhood Henry Hubler was married 
 near New Berlin, Penn., to Miss Rebecca Heim- 
 bach, a native of what is now Snyder county, 
 who died in 1877, his own death occurring in 
 [874. Five children blessed their union: Abra- 
 ham, now a resident of New Berlin; Isaac, our 
 subject; Jeremiah, who died some years ago at 
 New Berlin; John, who lives on the west end of 
 the old homestead; and Thomas, who died in in- 
 fancy. 
 
 Isaac Hubler's youth was passed at the old 
 homestead on Turtle creek, where he was born 
 October 1, 1826. The country was becoming 
 more thickly settled and, a school having been 
 built about a mile east of the farm, he attended 
 there, his first teacher being Jonathan Shout 
 Later he studied for three months at Mifflinburg 
 under the well-known educator, Aaron Fisher, 
 but at twenty-one his school days ended. In 
 watching the advancing methods of our modern 
 schools, with their wide range of studies and 
 their humane, yet effective modes of maintaining 
 discipline, he rejoices over the improvement, 
 realizing its value by contrast with the past. He 
 remained at home until twenty-six. when he was 
 married, at Mifflinburg, to Miss Susanna Faust, 
 a native of Northumberland county, Penn., born 
 March 14, 1828. Her father, David Faust, was 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1187 
 
 twice married, first to Miss Theresa Snyder, Mrs. 
 Hubler's mother, by whom he had three sons and 
 two daughters. By his second wife, Mary 
 Whear, he had one son, William H. The fam- 
 ily resided at Mifflinburg, and Mr. Faust and 
 both his wives died there. 
 
 Mr. Hubler and his bride began housekeeping 
 at Lewisburg, he being then engaged in business 
 as a drover, buying his cattle in the West and 
 and selling them in Buffalo Valley. After two 
 years he removed to Mifflinburg, where they 
 lived seven years, Mr. Hubler spending three 
 years and a half in mercantile business. As his 
 health was affected disagreeably he gave up this 
 business, and, in i860, he again engaged in cattle 
 dealing, continuing about a year. In the spring of 
 1 86 1 he rented a farm in East Buffalo township, 
 and after five years there he located on one of his 
 father's farms on Turtle creek in the same town- 
 ship. At first he rented it, but a year previous 
 to his father's death he bought it for a home- 
 stead. As advancing years made physical effort 
 less pleasant than of yore, he has given the act- 
 ive work of the place into the hands of his eldest 
 son, and, since 1884, he has been entirely free 
 from business cares. In 1894 he removed to 
 another residence near Salem Church in the 
 same township. His farm contains ninety acres 
 of excellent land, and he owns twenty-five acres 
 of timberland, and two dwelling houses besides 
 the homestead. 
 
 Of eight children: Thomas J., the eldest, mar- 
 ried Emma Himmelreich; issue, one daughter, 
 Cora V. John H. died in infancy. Margaret A. 
 married Emanuel Hoffman, of Mifflinburg, Penn. ; 
 issue, one daughter, Vesta H., and one son, Paul 
 H. James E. married Clara M. Rangier, who 
 died in January, 1897; issue, one daughter, Eva 
 May. William B. died in infancy. Ada M. mar- 
 ried Prof. William C. Mauser, of Bloomsburg, 
 Penn.; issue, Helen B., and Marian E. Sallie 
 E. married William E. Benner, of Vicksburg; 
 issue, Mary S. Mazie A. is at home. 
 
 Mr. Hubler and his wife are prominent mem- 
 bers of the Lutheran Church, in which he held 
 the office of elder for twelve years. He was at 
 one time an active worker in the Farmers Alli- 
 ance, and his influence has always been felt in 
 local politics. While sympathizing in the main 
 with Democratic principles, he is not a strict 
 partisan, and his friends and admirers are to be 
 found in all classes. He held the office of over- 
 seer of the poor for six years while living in a Re- 
 publican stronghold, and in Mifflinburg he served 
 one year as a member of the city council. In 
 1858 he was elected brigadier-general by the 
 Second Brigade, Eighth Division of Pennsyl- 
 
 vania Militia, his commission being signed by 
 Gov. Packer, but the breaking out of the Civil 
 war caused a re-organization of the force. 
 
 JACOB HEFFNER. No country has afford- 
 ed greater opportunities to the poor man 
 than our own; it is indeed the poor man's 
 country. Here an industrious, frugal man has a 
 chance to accumulate wealth. Many fail to do 
 so, but the best of our population lay by some 
 of their earnings, and soon find themselves in 
 possession of a handsome property. Among 
 them is the gentleman whose name introduces 
 this article, and now, after many years of faith- 
 ful toil, he has laid aside business cares and is 
 enjoying a well-earned rest at the home of his 
 son. Jonathan, in Alvira. He is the second old- 
 est man in Gregg township, Union county, and 
 is ripe in honors as well as years. 
 
 Mr. Heffner was born April 10, 181 3, in 
 Berks county, Penn., of which his parents, 
 George and Mollie (Wentz) Heffner, were also 
 natives. The father, a farmer by occupation, 
 was a stalwart Democrat in politics, and both he 
 and his wife were earnest members of the Lu- 
 theran Church. The paternal grandfather of our 
 subject, Abraham Heffner, spent his entire life 
 in Berks county, and the maternal grandmother 
 died when our subject was but nine days old. 
 
 Until he had attained his majority, Mr. Heff- 
 ner remained under the parental roof, and re- 
 ceived his education in the district schools of the 
 neighborhood. Until nineteen years of age he 
 gave his father the benefit of his services upon 
 the home farm, and then began serving a two- 
 years' apprenticeship at the carpenter's trade, 
 during which time he was allowed only twelve 
 davs each year during the hay-making and har- 
 vesting season, in which to earn some money for 
 his own use. On leaving home he lived with a 
 brother-in-law, JohnSherrer, in Berks county, for 
 two years and a half, during which time he worked 
 at his trade for seventy-five cents per day. 
 
 In the fall of 1836, the fall in which he was 
 married, he bought a house and lot in Greenwich 
 township, Berks county, paying for it $400, into 
 which he moved April 1, 1837, and lived there 
 until April I, 1 841. He then started with two 
 teams for Lycoming county, arriving there on 
 the 4th of that month. He rented a house for 
 one year at Somerset, in Brady township. In 
 1840 he had bought twenty acres of timber land. 
 During the summer of 1841 he cleared a piece of 
 ground, and raised his own bread. In the winter 
 of 1841-42 he built a shanty on his own place, 
 moving into it on April 1, 1842. That summer 
 
11-- 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 he built a house. In 1846 he added to his twenty 
 acres fifty-seven acres from the same tract, all 
 woodland, which he purchased. In 1847 he 
 built a barn, doing all of the work himself except 
 the framing of it and raising the building. He 
 also did all of the work on the house. He worked 
 this farm until i860. He next lived for seven 
 years in Washington township, the same count}', 
 but at the end of that time returned to Brady 
 township, and then, in 1877, came to Alvira, 
 Gregg township, Union county. Upon the death 
 of his wife, however, he returned to Lycoming 
 county, and made his heme with his daughter 
 Sarah for five years, but since that time has lived 
 with his son in Alvira. 
 
 On October 20, 1836,111 Berks county, Mr. 
 Heffner was married to Miss Sarah Sherrer, who 
 was born in that county, March 11, 1S1X, and 
 departed this life October 24, 1882, beloved by 
 all who knew her. Her parents, Michael and 
 Catherine (N'eece) Sherrer, spent their entire 
 lives in Berks county, where her father followed 
 the occupation of fanning. In their family were 
 six children, namely: John; Daniel; Polly, who 
 married Abraham Spoon; Elizabeth, who became 
 the wife of Jonathan Ueitrick; Catherine, who 
 married John Deitrick, a cousin of her sister's 
 husband; and Sarah, the wife of our subject, who 
 was laid to rest in the Messiah Church cemetery 
 in Gregg township, Union county. 
 
 To Mr. and Mrs. Heffner were born the fol- 
 lowing children; (1) Catherine is the wife of 
 Harrison Bower, a farmer of Lycoming county, 
 and has two children — Lloyd and Laura. (2) 
 Diana is the wife of John Wert, of Illinois, and 
 has one child, Lula. (3) Susan is the widow of 
 Samuel McLeas, and makes her home in Will- 
 iamsport, Penn. She has four children — Emma, 
 Katie, William and Warden. 4 Mary A., of 
 Stlins Grove, Penn., is the widow of William 
 Gardner, and the mother of three children — Kosa, 
 Oden and Minnie. (5) Hettie A., twin sister of 
 Mary A., wedded Eli Moller, but both are now 
 deceased. They had three children Anna. Irvin 
 and Jennie. (6) Jonathan, a farmer of Alvira, 
 married Eliza Wertz, and has four children — 
 Sarah E., William H., John W. and Arthur A. 
 (7) Savilla is the wifeoi A. A. Witmer, oi Alvira, 
 and has three children — Howard. Edith and Aus- 
 tin. (8) Elizabeth is the deceased wife of Fred- 
 erick Binger, oi Maryland. (9) William, also a 
 resident of Maryland, wedded May Linthicum, 
 and has four children. (10) ob is a carpenter 
 of South Williamsport, Lycoming county. 
 Sarah is the wife of David Bangest, of Rinktown, 
 Schuylkill Co., Penn., and has seven children — 
 Amandus, Anna, Cora, Oscar, Edith, Mary and 
 
 Bessie. (12) George is a carpenter in Pittsburg. 
 i an. (13 Charles, who is also a carpenter of 
 that city, married Barbara Clark, and has one 
 son, Oden. Our subject now has thirty-two 
 grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren. 
 
 Since casting his first Presidential vote for 
 Martin Van Buren Mr. Heffner has been a pro- 
 nounced Democrat in politics, but has never 
 cared for official distinction, although he served 
 as supervisor in Lycoming county. At the age 
 of eighteen he joined the German Reformed 
 Church, of which he has since been a consistent 
 member, and as elder, deacon and trustee took 
 an active part in its work until failing health 
 caused his retirement. Although he has reached 
 the age of eighty-five, his eye-sight is good and 
 his hand steady, and, being a great reader, he is 
 one of the best informed men of Gregg township, 
 taking an active interest in the leading questions 
 and issues of the day. The success that he has 
 achieved in life is due entirely to his own efforts, 
 and by his industry, perseverance and good man- 
 agement he accumulated a comfortable compe- 
 tence, which now enables him to lay aside busi- 
 ness cares. In 1847 he was one of several who 
 bought an acre of ground and assisted in building 
 the Messiah Church. He was one of the first 
 deacons of that Church, and served as an elder in 
 the same for sixteen years, as a trustee six years 
 and as treasurer over twenty years. 
 
 E 
 
 MANTEL WOLFE, a veteran of the Civil 
 
 war, and one of the leading citizens of East 
 Buffalo township, Union county, is the owner of 
 an excellent farm which has been brought to a 
 high state of cultivation under his judicious man- 
 agement. 
 
 Mr. Wolfe is a member of a well-known fam- 
 ily which is mentioned frequently in this volume, 
 and his parents, Leonard and Mary (Treasl 
 Wolfe, were highly respected residents of East 
 Buffalo township. His birth occurred there Feb- 
 ruary 15, 1837, and his schooling was of the 
 primitive sort, being confined to the irregular 
 sessions in his district. It was not possible for 
 him to take full advantage even of these privi- 
 
 3, as his help was needed on the farm in 
 winter as well as in summer, the old fashioned 
 method of threshing giving him many days of 
 work of which the modern farmer's boy knows 
 nothing. The wholesome country life gavecom- 
 plete development to his strength, and in early 
 manhood he was noted for his fine physique, his 
 tall and well-proportioned frame, six feet in 
 
 ;ht, carrying his 225 pounds with ease. His 
 
 nation for courage and muscular power would 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 11 V.I 
 
 have kept him almost constantly engaged in 
 fights with the " bullies " of the neighborhood if 
 he had not been of a peaceable disposition. As 
 it was, one desired to wrestle with him would 
 usually be obliged to provoke him bv some in- 
 solent words or acts before Mr. Wolfe would 
 join in a "friendly tussle," which invariably 
 ended in the discomfiture of his opponent. He 
 was still at home when the Civil war broke out, 
 and in August, 1862, he enlisted in Company 
 E, • 142nd P. V. I., under Capt. J. Merrill Linn. 
 His first battle came on December 13, 1862, at 
 Fredericksburg, and soon afterward he was de- 
 tailed as a teamster, a position which required 
 not only a thorough knowledge of driving, but an 
 ability to act with prompt and self-reliant energy 
 in unforeseen emergencies. He remained in the 
 service until the close of the war, and on receiv- 
 ing an honorable discharge returned home to as- 
 sist his father on the farm. On March 31, 1872, 
 he married his first wife, Miss Kate Glase, daugh- 
 ter of Samuel Glase, of Buffalo township, Union 
 county, but continued to reside at the home- 
 stead. His present farm near Cowan was pur- 
 chased, in 1875, from David Heiser, and since 
 1876 he has made his home there, many improve- 
 ments having been made during the time. The 
 residence has been remodeled and a commodious 
 barn erected. In 1876 Mrs. Kate Wolfe died, 
 her remains being laid to their final rest in the 
 cemetery at Lewisburg. The two sons of this 
 union, Charles and John, now relieve their fa- 
 ther of the active work of the farm, and are 
 ranked among the most promising young men of 
 the locality. In 1877 Mr. W'olfe married his 
 present wife, Miss Fannie Young, a native of 
 Buffalo township, who is now one of the active 
 members of the Lutheran Church at Cowan. 
 Since the war Mr. Wolfe's health has not been 
 as robust as before, and about five years ago he 
 relinquished the plowing and other manual labor. 
 His past industry and frugality have won him a 
 comfortable competence, several thousand dol- 
 lars being laid aside for a "rainy day." He is 
 kind hearted, and his quiet, unassuming manners 
 show the reserve force in a character which has 
 won the respect of all who know him. Politic- 
 ally he is a stanch Republican, but he has never 
 been a candidate for office, all invitations to take 
 a place on the ticket having been declined. 
 
 fOHN WOLFE, a veteran of the Civil war, 
 living retired in Lewisburg, is now enjoying 
 a comfortable competence which he accu- 
 mulated by his own perseverance and industry. 
 He is a representative of one of the old and hon- 
 
 ored families of Union county, where he was born 
 November 2, 1823. His paternal grandparents 
 were Peter and Elizabeth Wolfe, who made 
 their home in this locality at a very early day in 
 its history. 
 
 Leonard Wolfe, the father, whose birth oc- 
 curred in East Buffalo township, Union county, 
 February 8, 1797, there grew to manhood and 
 was married January 21, 1821, to Anna M. Tros- 
 ter, who was born in New Berlin, Penn., August 
 10, 1 80 1, and was a daughter of Martin and 
 Catharine Troster. For some time her parents 
 resided at Supplee's Mill, in East Buffalo town- 
 ship, but later removed to Ohio, where they 
 spent their remaining days. The mother of our 
 subject died July 1, 1862, and the father, who 
 was a farmer by occupation, departed this life at 
 the home of his daughter, Elizabeth, February 
 12, 1875. Both were laid to rest in the ceme- 
 tery at Lewisburg. 
 
 In the family were nine children, namely: 
 Elizabeth, born June 14, 1 821, married John 
 Brown, and died in East Buffalo township; John 
 is next in order of birth; Daniel, born February 
 8, 1826, died in Kansas; Mary A., born March 
 17, 1828, wedded Simon Gundy, and died in 
 Watsontown, Penn.; Catherine, born June 13, 
 1830, died March 4, 1837; Samuel, born June 
 27, 1832, died March 18, 1837; Martin, born 
 August 2, 1834, died February 28, 1837; Eman- 
 uel, born February 15, 1837, is a resident of 
 Union county; and Magdalena, born August 5, 
 1839, is the widow of William Wolfe, and is liv- 
 ing near Washingtonville, Pennsylvania. 
 
 John Wolfe spent the first twelve years of 
 his life upon the farm where his birth occurred, 
 and then accompanied his parents on their re- 
 moval to another farm in East Buffalo township, 
 but after a few years there passed, the father 
 purchased the former place, where our subject 
 remained until several years after his marriage. 
 As he was the eldest son, and his services were 
 needed at home, his school training was neces- 
 sarily very limited. 
 
 On March 14, 1S51, Mr. Wolfe was married 
 to Miss Leah E. Gundy, who was born in East 
 Buffalo township, September 14, 1831, and is the 
 oldest child of Capt. Jacob and Tachel (Zent- 
 meyer) Gundy. At her birthplace she was reared 
 and married, and her knowledge of a hickory 
 broom or a milk pail was much more thorough 
 than that of geography, as there were only two 
 books of that kind in the school which she at- 
 tended to a limited extent. Of the five children 
 born to Mr. and Mrs. Wolfe, Jacob is now a 
 resident of Lewisburg; Nathaniel and William 
 died in infancy; John G. died at the age of five 
 
1190 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 years; and Rachel is the wife of Ferdinand Lin- 
 dig, of Lewisburg. 
 
 For five years after his marriage Mr. Wolfe 
 continued to reside upon his father's farm, and 
 the- following year was passed upon another farm 
 in East Buffalo township, but since that time he 
 has occupied his present residence at Five Points 
 in Lewisburg. On March 4, 1865, he enlisted 
 in Company I, 92d P. V. I., under Capt. Hess, 
 and served until the close of the war, being for a 
 part of the time confined by illness in the hos- 
 pital at Columbus, Ohio. On his return to 
 Lewisburg he followed teaming and farming until 
 1894, when he laid aside business cares. He 
 has never fully recovered from a stroke of par- 
 alysis; but now, in his declining days, he is sur- 
 rounded by all of the comforts and many of the 
 luxuries of life, which have been obtained by his 
 former years of toil. He has always affiliated 
 with the Republican part)-, and with the Lutheran 
 1 inirch he and his estimable wife both hold 
 membership. 
 
 J\< (Hi LOWER was for many years one of 
 the most active, energetic and progressive 
 farmers of Gregg township, Union county, 
 but is now practically living retired, enjoying the 
 prosperity which he seemed by his early labors. 
 He was born April 12, 1816, in Washington 
 township, Lycoming county, Penn., and through- 
 out his entire life he has been prominently iden- 
 tified with the growth and development of this 
 section of the State. He well remembers when 
 it was almost an unbroken wilderness, infested 
 by wild animals, and, 111 common with other 
 pioneers, he shared the hardships and trials inci- 
 dent to frontier life. 
 
 Henry and Elizabeth (Wertzler) Bower were 
 both natives ol Berks county, Penn., but became 
 acquainted and were married in White Deer 
 township, Union county, then a part of Lycom- 
 ing county. Both died in Lycoming county, the 
 father in 186G, at the age of eighty-two \ears, 
 six months and six days, the mother in February, 
 1836, at the age of sixty-three, and wen luried 
 at Brick Church, Clinton township, and St 
 Church, Brady township, respectively. They 
 were consistent members of the Lutheran Church, 
 and in politics the father was a Democi. 
 occupation he was a farmer. In their family 
 were the following children: Jonathan, who was 
 killed by the cars at Montgomery, Penn.; Abra- 
 ham, also deceased; Mary A., widow of Aaron 
 Wetzell, and a resident of Gregg township, I 1 
 
 nty; Jacob, of this sketch; Sarah, widow of 
 Peter Swart/, a farmer of Dakota; Elizabeth, 
 
 deceased wife of John Huntington, a resident of 
 New Mexico; and Lydia, who died unmarried. 
 The father and several of his brothers participated 
 in the war ofi8i2. They were the sons of John 
 and Elizabeth (Bohn) Bower, who were born in 
 Berks county and died in Lycoming county. The 
 maternal grandfather of our subject, Jacob 
 Wertzler, passed away at Reading, Pennsylvania. 
 
 Jacob Bower resided with his parents until 
 the age of twenty-one, and during this tune 
 worked upon his father's farm in Washington 
 township, Lycoming county, and attended the 
 subscription schools for three months each win- 
 ter. He then went to Blackhole, the same 
 township, where he was employed by his brother- 
 in-law, Peter Swartz, in a distillery, for twelve 
 years, at $10 per month, which was considered 
 good wages at that time. With that gentleman 
 he went to Clearfield county, Penn., in [846, 
 and there engaged in the manufacture of square 
 timber, and floated the same down the river dur- 
 ing the next decade. While in that county they 
 purchased a sawmill, which they successfully op- 
 erated for eleven years, but at the end of that 
 time Mr. Bower removed to Rush township, 
 Centre county, Penn., where he resided until his 
 removal to his present homestead in Gregg town- 
 ship, Union county, in 1866. 
 
 In Morris township, Clearfield county, Mr. 
 Bower was married to Miss Elizabeth Haas, who 
 was born in Moreland township, Lycoming coun- 
 ty, October 26, 1824, a daughter of John and 
 Mary (Baker) Haas, who spent almost then 
 tire lives in Northumberland county, Penn., 
 where the father died in 1828, alter which Mrs. 
 Bower lived with Peter Swartz. She was the 
 youngest of four children, the others beinj; Wash- 
 ington and. Daniel, who died in the \\ 
 Charles, also deceased. Her paternal grand- 
 father, Peter Haas, also died in Northumberland 
 county. Six children blessed the union of Mr. 
 and Mis power, namely: 
 July 30, 1 85 1, in Danville 
 Maggie Gulich, and has 
 Emma, Miriam, Elizabeth 
 
 John H., born 
 Penn., married 
 four children — 
 and Charles. 1 J 1 
 
 Abraham S. , born Octobei 6, 1853, is a 
 fanner of Gregg township, Union county. 
 He married Hannah Gn ss, by whom he had two 
 children — Retta and Elizabeth, both now 
 ceased. (3) Lydia E., bom in Centre county, 
 May 3, 1855, is the wile of J. S. Hoiiser, who 
 operates the old Power homestead, where our 
 subject now resides, 1 t harles W. , born Feb- 
 ruary 5, 1857, is a lumberman of Allenwood, 
 Union county. He married Tilla Kolbe, and has 
 two children — Francis E. and Georgi M 
 Mary M., born January 16, 1859, is the wife of 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1191 
 
 William Houser, a carpenter of Gregg township, 
 who is a brother of J. S. Houser, mentioned 
 above. They have one son — Franklin B. (6) 
 Benjamin F., born August 23, 1863, is engaged 
 in farming near Milton, Penn. He married Mrs. 
 Elizabeth (Huff) Marsh, widow of Jacob Marsh, 
 by whom she had three children — Florence N., 
 who is still with her mother; and Kate and Will- 
 iam, deceased. By her marriage to Mr. Bower 
 she has four children — Mary, Jacob, Willard and 
 Homer. 
 
 Mr. Bower is the oldest member of the Grange 
 in Union county, being a charter member of 
 Spring Garden Grange No. 32. His first Presi- 
 dential vote was cast for John Buchanan, but he 
 is independent in politics, always supporting the 
 man whom he considers best qualified to fill the 
 office, regardless of party ties. He is a faithful 
 member of the Baptist Church, and has served 
 as collector of the congregation to which he has 
 belonged for the past twenty years. Ever a hard- 
 working, industrious man, he accumulated con- 
 siderable property, and his success was entirely 
 due to his own well-directed efforts. He enjoys 
 the respect and confidence of his fellow-men in 
 the highest degree, and has made many warm 
 friends since coming to Union county. 
 
 LEVI CROMLEY. An old-time settler in 
 this region would find little to remind him 
 
 of former days if he could come back again. 
 Dense forests have given way to well-tilled farms, 
 busy cities with their factories, schools and 
 churches would meet his wondering gaze, and 
 even the familiar turnpike roads of his day, which 
 probably seemed to him then the limit of prog- 
 ress, has been almost superseded for the purpose 
 of traffic by the iron rails that uphold the rail- 
 road locomotive. The good old inns, at which 
 the weary traveler along the "pike" could find 
 rest and refreshment, have fallen into decay or 
 have been changed out of all resemblance to the 
 places that he once knew, and we can imagine 
 the, delight of finding here and there a landmark 
 like the old hotel at Lewisburg, which has been 
 used as a hostelry for so many years. 
 
 The old turnpike once ran by its hospitable 
 doors, but at present it faces on the east the 
 Reading railroad on Market street. Its proprie- 
 tor, Levi Cromley, who was born in Miles town- 
 ship, Centre county, Penn., September 12, 1 8 1 7, 
 has himself seen many changes in this section, 
 and can give many interesting reminiscences of 
 old times. His grandfather, Francis Cromley, a 
 German by birth, was one of the pioneers of 
 Brush Valley, and with his wife, who was Miss 
 
 Springer, from England, passed his last years 
 there. 
 
 Their son Jacob, our subject's father, became 
 a leading business man of Centre county, owning 
 and operating a sawmill and carding machine, 
 and conducting his large farm. He married Mol- 
 lie Kline, daughter of Jacob Kline, who was also 
 a pioneer of Centre county. They first united 
 with the German Reformed Church, but later 
 became Methodists, in which faith they died, the 
 wife at the age of eighty, the husband at eighty- 
 three. They had ten children: John, who died 
 in boyhood; Jacob, now a resident of Wayne 
 Station, Clinton Co., Penn. ; Catherine, deceased; 
 George, who lives in East Buffalo township, 
 Union county; Levi, our subject; Sarah, who 
 married Samuel Snyder, of Centre county; Har- 
 riet, a resident of Woodward, Penn. ; Mary, who 
 lives near Rebersburg, Centre county; Beckie, 
 deceased; and Philip, who died at the age of 
 seventy-five. 
 
 Levi Cromley spent his early life in Brush 
 Valley, but at twenty-eight, having thoroughly 
 learned the tailor's trade, he started out to see 
 what fortune had in store for him. After one 
 year in Richland, Ohio, he returned to his na- 
 tive State and located in New Berlin, Union 
 county, where he followed his trade about thirty 
 years. He then engaged in the hotel business, 
 and after some experiments purchased his pres- 
 ent hotel, of which he took possession March 
 27, i860. 
 
 Mr. Cromley was married, in New Berlin, to 
 Miss Mary Beauford, and eight children have 
 brightened his home; (1) Sarah married H. 
 Cornelius, of Lewisburg, and has two children — 
 Minnie and Maurice. (2) Jacob died at the age 
 of seventeen. (3) Rebecca was twice married; 
 by her first union she had one son, Robert; her 
 second husband was John Fleesman. (4) Will- 
 iam, the proprietor of a tin shop at Lewisburg, 
 married Miss Alta McPherson, and has four chil- 
 dren — Roy, Laird, Lee, and John. (5) Anna 
 married a Mr. Lewis, and has four children — 
 Nellie, May, George, and Florence. (6) Thomas, 
 born in 1867, died in 1880. (7) Charles, born 
 in 1865, resides in Lewisburg. He married Miss 
 Weingardner, and has three children — Elizabeth, 
 Levi, and one whose name is not given. (8) J. 
 Newton, born January 21, 1871, is now one of 
 the most popular and influential young men of 
 the city of Lewisburg, and has already achieved 
 a degree of prominence in political circles, which 
 speaks well for his future, being at present a 
 member of the Republican Central Committee. 
 He was educated in the public schools of Lewis- 
 burg, and at an early age assumed the manage- 
 
1192 
 
 ( 0MUBM0BAT1VB BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 ment of the hotel, relieving his father of the 
 cares which advancing years made a burden. 
 He is an active member of the order of Knights 
 of the Golden Eagle, in which he has passed all 
 the chairs, and he is now the assistant chief of 
 the Lewisburg Fire Company. His wife, for- 
 merl) Miss Martha M< Kaney, is a native of 
 Columbia county, Penn., born September 16, 
 1873, and they have two children — Warren and 
 Marguerite. 
 
 MARTIN I). WOLFE. It is now more 
 than a hundred years since the family to 
 which this well-known citizen belongs became 
 identified with Union county, and its various 
 members have won for the name an enviable dis- 
 tinction by their intelligence and worth. This 
 high reputation is in no wise diminished in this 
 generation, and our subject, who is counted 
 among the leading agriculturists of two town- 
 ships, displays in a marked degree the admirable 
 characteristics which the name suggests. An ex- 
 tended account of the earlier generations is given 
 elsewhere, much of the information being ob- 
 tained from records and papers which have been 
 preserved by our subject. As the youngest son 
 in his branch of the family the duty devolved 
 upon him, in accordance with an old family cus- 
 tom, to hold these treasures for transmission to 
 future generations. The data in his possession 
 having been so fully given it will suffice here to 
 indicate the line of descent from John Bernard 
 Wolf, the founder of the family in America, 
 through John George W'olf to George Wendell 
 Wolfe-, our subject's grandfather. 
 
 Andrew Wolfe, the youngest son of George 
 Wendell and Elizabeth Reid) Wolfe, and the 
 father of our subject, was born in Kerks county, 
 Penn., May 3, 1784, and was twelve years old 
 when his parents came to this section. His edu- 
 cational privileges were few, but a naturally clever 
 mind enabled him to acquire a goodly store of in- 
 
 I lation. His training in arithmetic had been 
 
 entirely mental, but he could work problems with 
 ease and accuracy by this method. He wis 
 especially well versed in the Scriptures, and in 
 his younger days was a minister in the Evan- 
 gelical Church, in which he afterward continued 
 to be an active member. He was a large man, 
 five feet, eleven inches in height, and weighed 
 about 200 pounds, and enjoyed excellent health. 
 Fear was unknown to him, and he never hesitated 
 to venture out at any time of night to find out the 
 cause of a disturbance. Genial and fond of com- 
 pany, Ins home was a pleasant place to visit, his 
 ample means permitting him to extend a gen- 
 
 erous hospitality. His extensive reading included 
 all questions of importance in politics and gov- 
 ernment, and he took keen interest in national 
 issues, first as a Democrat, and later as a Re- 
 publican, joining that party on its organization. 
 At one time he held the office of supervisor in 
 his township. 
 
 On June 5, 1809, Andrew Wolfe was married to 
 Mi-- Anna Eve Dreisbach, who was born |une2o, 
 1792. the daughter of Martin and Sophia (Bucks) 
 Dreisbach, early settlers in Buffalo township, 
 I nion county. Previous to his marriage he had 
 followed the hatter's trade, but he afterward lo- 
 cated in Buffalo township on a farm bought at a 
 sheriff's sale, it being then a part of Northumber- 
 land county. He died January 21, 1871, and 
 his wife followed him on June 3, of the same 
 year, the remains of both being buried in Dreis- 
 bach cemetery. 
 
 They reared a large family of children, each 
 ■ I whom received a fair share of their father's 
 wealth as they left the parental roof for homes 
 of their own: (1) Elizabeth, born August 30, 
 [8lO, was married May 7, 1829, to Jacob Ritter, 
 and died in Buffalo township, January 14, 1846, 
 her interment taking place in Dreisbach ceme- 
 tery. (2) Anna, born September II, 181 1, was 
 married in Union county, March 4, 1845, to 
 Rev. Benjamin Hess, an Evangelical minister. 
 They removed to Stephenson county, 111., where 
 she died March 4, 1861. (3) Rebecca, born 
 March 20, 181 3, was married January 28, 1845, 
 to the late Elias Orwig. She now resides in 
 Hartleton, Penn. 14 Simon, born February 22, 
 1S15, followed farming until he was twenty-five, 
 when he entered the ministry of the Evangelical 
 Church. After thirty years of service he became 
 a clergyman in the Reformed Church, and he 
 in that faith December 23, 1890, at Mc- 
 ( onnellsburg Penn. (5) Martin, born November 
 4, 1 8 16, died October 11, 1820. (6) Leah, born 
 August 2 1, 1 8 1 8, was married February 11, 1844, 
 to Henry Kohland, an Evangelical minister, now 
 deceased. She resides at Freeport, 111. 1 7) 
 Aaron, born August 5, 1820, was at one time a 
 minister in Union county. Later he moved to 
 St phenson county. 111., and engaged in farming, 
 and now is a banker in P'reeport, 111. He was 
 married December 10, 1844, to Miss Mary A. 
 Sankey. (8) Andrew Wolf, Jr., born July 28, 
 [822, moved to Freeport, 111., was a farmer, and 
 died there, May 2, 1868; his wife was Sarah 
 Herb. (9) Sarah, born September 10, 1824, 
 was married F'ebruary 13, 1845, to Abram Eyer, 
 and died at New Berlin, Penn., in 1876. (10) 
 Mary, born October 4, 1826, married Isaac Eyer, 
 Jr., and died in Lewisburg, Penn., November 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1193 
 
 6, 1888. (1 1) George Jackson, born October 22, 
 1828, is a dealer in implements at Lewisburg. 
 (12) Susannah, born March 25, 1831, died Octo- 
 ber 3, 1842. 
 
 Martin D. Wolfe, the thirteenth of this large 
 family of children, was born March 10, 1833, 
 and attended, during his boyhood, the schools 
 near his home, his first term being at Buffalo 
 Cross Roads school house. No more earnest 
 friend of better education for the masses can be 
 found to-day than he, as his own limited oppor- 
 tunities have made him sympathize with all youths 
 who desire to obtain knowledge. He and his 
 brother, George Jackson, remained at home 
 longer than the others on the understanding that 
 they were to have the refusal in purchase of the 
 farm. When he was eighteen, Mr. Wolfe 
 began to operate the place for one-half of the 
 proceeds, and continued this plan either with his 
 brother or father until the death of the latter, 
 when our subject became the sole owner. 
 
 On January 8, 1878, he was married in East 
 Buffalo township to Mrs. Ada Koonse, nee Fred- 
 erick, widow of Henry A. Koonse, and daughter 
 of Jacob and Elizabeth (Dunkle) Frederick. 
 Her parents, who were married September 15, 
 1842, were both natives of East Buffalo town- 
 ship. Her father was born January 9, 1822, the 
 son of Philip and Christiana (Brown) Frederick, 
 and became a prominent citizen, engaging in 
 business as a farmer and cattle dealer. He was 
 a Republican politically, and he and his wife 
 united many years ago with the Evangelical 
 Association. He died January 27, 1880, and his 
 remains lie buried in the Dreisbach cemetery. 
 His wife, a daughter of John and Leah (Dreis- 
 bach) Dunkle, was born November 15, 1820, 
 and since 1881 has made her home with our sub- 
 ject. She has two daughters, of whom Mrs. 
 Wolfe is the younger. Susanna, born December 
 4, 1843, is the wife of Henry G. Swartz, of Phil- 
 adelphia. 
 
 Mrs. Wolfe was born September 17, 1845, 
 and after attending the district schools of her na- 
 tive township for a time, completed her educa- 
 tion at a female seminary in Philadelphia. Her 
 intelligent conversation and kindly manners made 
 her a most agreeable companion. By her first 
 marriage she had two children: Charles, born 
 November 23, 1869, now an attorney at Youngs- 
 town, Ohio; and Mary, born October 13, 1874, 
 who possesses rare talent and skill as an artist, 
 and is now an instructor in an art school in Phil- 
 adelphia. Three children have blessed our sub- 
 ject's marriage: Anna Eve, who lived only twen- 
 ty-two months; Emma, who died May 1, 1896, 
 aged fourteen years, seven months and twenty- 
 
 seven days; and Andrew (the third), born No- 
 vember 9, 1885, who is at home. 
 
 After Mr. Wolfe's marriage he resided one 
 year at Lochiel P. O., Union county, and then 
 settled upon the old homestead in Buffalo town- 
 ship. In the spring of 1890 he moved to his 
 present farm, the old Frederick homestead in 
 East Buffalo township, on the pike, two miles 
 and a half west of Lewisburg, where he has an 
 elegant residence. These are both fine estates, 
 and under his able management rank among the 
 best in the county. He stands high in the com- 
 munity, and wields much influence in a quiet way. 
 Politically, he is a stanch Republican, having 
 given his support to the party since his first vote, 
 which was cast for John C. Fremont, for Presi- 
 dent. 
 
 m BRAHAM MERTZ, one of the most thor- 
 ^3L ough and skillful agriculturists of East Buf- 
 falo township, is a worthy representative of one 
 of the honored pioneer families of Union county, 
 where his grandfather, Jacob Mertz, located at an 
 early day, coming here from Berks county, Penn. 
 He engaged in farming and also in distilling, when 
 that business was very common in Union county. 
 He died April 5, 1859, at the ripe old age of 
 seventy-eight years, and his remains were in- 
 terred in the old portion of the Lewisburg cem- 
 etery. 
 
 Jacob Mertz was twice married, but all of his 
 children were born of the first union, and were as 
 follows: John, who died in Lewisburg; Henry, 
 the father of. our subject; Peter, who migrated 
 to Kansas; Barbara and Susan, who died unmar- 
 ried; Mary, who became the wife of Henry 
 Hawes, and died in Lewisburg; Catharine, who 
 married Peter Aurand, and died at the same 
 place; Elizabeth, who married David Smith, and 
 died in East Buffalo township; Mrs. Peggie Van- 
 dergrift, who died in Milton, Penn. ; and Mrs. 
 Sarah Fetter, a resident of Illinois. 
 
 Henry Mertz spent his entire life upon the 
 old homestead at Mertz Cross Roads, on the 
 Furnace Road, in Union county, dying there just 
 one month previous to his seventy-fourth birth- 
 day, in November, 1889. He was a tall, well- 
 built and powerful man, possessing much more 
 strength than any of his sons, and was a farmer 
 by occupation. An enterprising, industrious man 
 and good citizen, he had the respect and esteem 
 of all who knew him. 
 
 In 1837, Henry Mertz was united in marriage 
 with Miss Lydia, a daughter of Abraham Aurand, 
 who also belonged to one of the old and honored 
 families of Union county. Her death occurred 
 
1194 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 February 5, 1896, and she was laid by the 
 side of her husband in the Lewisburg cem- 
 etery. In their family were the following 
 children: Mary C, born January 4, 1838, died 
 unmarried; Susanna, born October 17, 1839, is 
 now the wife of Cyrus Fetter, of East Buffalo 
 township, Union county; Sarah Jane, born March 
 18, 1 84 1, married Christian Leader, but is now 
 deceased; Elizabeth, born April 18, 1842, and 
 John, born March 4, 1843, both died in child- 
 hood; Lucinda, born April 13, 1844, is the wife 
 of C. W. Chappell, of Cambria county, Penn. ; 
 Abraham is next in order of birth; Catharine, 
 born May 26, 185 1, is the wife of Franklin k 
 ler, of East Buffalo township; Jacob, born May 8, 
 1853, makes his home in Turtleville, Penn.; lata 
 A., born November S, 1854, is the wife of John 
 Richard, of Sullivan county, Penn.; Lydia E., 
 born October 8, 1857, is the deceased wife of 
 <.. M. Gearhart; and William L., born July 2, 
 
 ', is a resident of White Deer township; 
 Union county. The parents were both faithful 
 members of the Evangelical Church, while the 
 father was a stanch Republican in politics, and 
 acceptably filled some minor offices. 
 
 Upon the old homestead in East Buffalo 
 township, along the Furnace road, Abraham 
 Mertz was born October 13, 184O, was there 
 reared in the usual manner of farmer boys, and 
 in the schools of the neighborhood secured his 
 education. Maria Thompson beinj; among his first 
 teachers. During his youth he worked many 
 summers for farmers of that locality, as the fam- 
 ily was large, and his services were not nei 
 at home, but the winter months he. spent under 
 the parental roof. 
 
 On October 16, 1S77, Mr. Mertz was married 
 to Miss Lizzie Dolby, a native of Northumber- 
 land county, Penn., and a daughter of Christian 
 Dolby, Five children ha\ e been born to them: 
 William C.,born May 9. 1878, died December 
 
 1890; and Lottie M. , born November 12, 
 [881, Charles M., born December 16. 1883, 
 Emma E., born October 2, 1886, and Blanche J., 
 born April 12, 1 892, are all at home. For the first 
 six years after his marriage, Mi. Mertz lived on 
 Ins father's farm, and then removed to Dry 
 Valley, where he rented land foi three years. 
 I oi the following two vears he resided in V 
 Buffalo township, near Foresl Hill, but since the 
 -pun- of 1888 has lived on the Baron Mi 
 farm, one of the finest in central Pennsylvania. 
 Although he is operating r< nted land, he owj 
 home and small farm in East Buffalo township, 
 and is acknowledged to be one of the best and 
 most progn irmers of the community, as 
 
 his long retention as manager of his present 
 
 farm would indicate. Upright and honorable in 
 all the relations of life, no man has ever doubted 
 "Abe" Mertz' word, and he is held in the high- 
 est regard by all who know him. In his political 
 affiliations he is a Republican, and, religiously, 
 he and his estimable wife are members of the 
 Evangelical Church. 
 
 JOSEPH ZIEBER, one of the most industri- 
 | ous and thrifty farmers of Limestone town- 
 ship, Union county, is a native of the 
 county, born November 9, i860, in what is now 
 Beaver township, then Adams. His paternal 
 great-grandfather, Daniel Zieber, was a native 
 of Germany, and with his brother crossed the 
 Atlantic to America, but they became separated 
 soon after landing, Daniel coming to Pennsyl- 
 vania. All trace of the brother has been lost. 
 Daniel Zieber, the father of our subject, was 
 born on a farm in Middle Creek township, Sny- 
 der Co., Penn., in June. [8ll, a son of Daniel 
 Zieber, who died at Smith Grove, that county. 
 For a time after his marriage the former rented 
 land in Snyder county, but later purchased a 
 farm there, and, in connection with agricultural 
 pursuit, also engaged in the distillery business 
 and in stock-raising. A hard-working, energetic 
 man, he labored night and day for many years, 
 engaging in threshing or at anything at which he 
 could make an honest dollar, and, although he 
 started out in life in limited circumstances, he 
 became quite prosperous, owning over 450 
 acres of valuable land. He was a stanch Re- 
 publican in politics, and a consistent member ol 
 the Reformed Church. He died in April, 1895, 
 at the age of eighty-three years, ten months and 
 seven days, and was laid to rest in the cemetery 
 at Troxelville. 
 
 The father was twice married, his first wife 
 beinj; a Miss Gemberling, by whom he had the 
 following children: Samuel, now a resident of 
 Michigan; Hannah, widow .if Jacob Nearhood, 
 of Troxelville, Penn.; Mary, wife of John Getz, 
 of Adamsburg, Penn. ; Elizabeth, who married 
 iley, and died in Hillsdale, Indiana 
 Co, Penn.; and Catharine, widow of Joseph 
 Gotschall, ol Mifflinburg. In Snyder county, 
 Mr Zieber was again married, his second union 
 being with Miss Elizabeth Weller, a native of 
 that county, and a daughter of Jacob Weller. 
 -till resides on the old homestead farm in 
 Snyder county, at the a^' niy-eight years, 
 
 is the mother of nine children: Sophia, and 
 John, both residents of Snyder county; Daniel, 
 of Mifflin county, Penn.; Jacob, who operates 
 the old home farm; Alvina, who died in infancy; 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1195 
 
 Susan, now the wife of Henry Hassinger, of 
 Bennerville, Penn. ; Wilson, of Pawnee Rock, 
 Kans. ; Joseph and Frederick L. , of Snyder 
 county. 
 
 Each winter during his boyhood Joseph Zie- 
 ber attended school for a few months, but his 
 studying was mostly done at home, where he 
 "burned much midnight oil." His father being 
 an excellent manager, he found plenty of work 
 for his boys to do, leaving little time for idleness. 
 At the age of twenty-two our subject left home, 
 going to Bellevue, Ohio, where he worked as a 
 farm hand for two years at $20 per month, but 
 at the end of that time he returned to Mifflinburg, 
 Penn., and engaged in farming with his brother- 
 in-law, Mr. Gotschall, for a time. Later he fol- 
 lowed teaming for almost a year, and subse- 
 quently was in the agency business, selling bug- 
 gies and patent rights. 
 
 At the age of twenty-five Mr. Zieber was mar- 
 ried to Miss Clara Rishel, a native of Mirflinburg 
 and a daughter of George Rishel. They now 
 have three children: Henry W., who is attending 
 school; and Frederick L. and George R., at 
 home. On March 11, 1890, the family removed 
 to their present home, where Mr. Zieber pur- 
 chased sixty-six acres of good farming land of 
 Len Klose, trading his town property for the 
 place. He has since successfully engaged in agri- 
 cultural pursuits, and is regarded as one of the 
 most thorough, skillful and reliable farmers of 
 Limestone township. Being a great reader, 
 he has become well posted on the leading ques- 
 tions of the day, and in politics he is an ardent 
 Republican. While a member of the Reformed 
 Church, he and his wife attend the Methodist 
 Church, to which she belongs, and in social 
 circles they occupy an enviable position. 
 
 JOSEPH DURST, one of the representative 
 and honored citizens of Union county, is now 
 living retired upon his farm in West Buffalo 
 township. A son of George and Catherine 
 (Moyer) Durst, he was born December 21, 1825, 
 on the old ancestral home near Centre Hall, in 
 Centre county, Penn. With the development 
 and prosperity of this section of the State, the 
 family has been long and prominently identified. 
 His mother was a descendant of the Moyer family, 
 which, with the Orwigs, Wolfs, and a number of 
 other families, emigrated from New York (at that 
 time known as New Amsterdam) to the eastern 
 part of Pennsylvania prior to the Revolutionary 
 war, and there many of their descendants still 
 live. The paternal great-grandfather of our sub- 
 
 ject was a native of Germany, and on crossing 
 the Atlantic to this country located in Lancaster 
 county, Penn. , where he reared his family. The 
 grandparents, Peter and Esther (Hurst) Durst, 
 were both natives of that county. 
 
 Mr. Durst, of this review, is the oldest in a 
 family of eight children, the others being as fol- 
 lows: (2) Cyrus, a farmer by occupation, lives 
 at Boalsburg, Centre county. (3) Priscilla be- 
 came the wife of Henry Dale, but both are now 
 deceased. (4) George is a farmer living at Cen- 
 tre Hall, Centre county. (5) Philip owns and 
 occupies a portion of the old homestead near 
 Centre Hall. (6) Hiram also owns a portion of 
 that farm, where he is now living. (7) John 
 Henry, a valiant soldier of the Union army, was 
 killed at the battle of Gettysburg. Two days 
 later our subject went to the battlefield and se- 
 cured his body, bringing it home and laying it to 
 rest in the Mirflinburg cemetery. (8) Elizabeth. 
 
 During his boyhood and youth, Joseph Durst 
 attended the common schools of Centre county, 
 and being a great reader, a man of studious hab- 
 its, and possessed of a bright intellect, he has 
 added to his limited education until he has be- 
 come one of the best informed men in West Buf- 
 falo township. He continued to live in Centre 
 county until 1867, when he sold his farm to his 
 brother George and came to Union county, pur- 
 chasing the farm near Mirflinburg on which he 
 still resides. From his father's estate he inher- 
 ited $4,000, and he has prospered in his business 
 undertakings he is now numbered among the 
 most substantial and wealthy citizens of the com- 
 munity. Of late years he has laid aside business 
 cares, and is now enjoying a well-earned rest. 
 At the age of thirty, Mr. Durst was united in 
 marriage with Miss Margaret Kleckner, a daugh- 
 ter of David Kleckner, of West Buffalo town- 
 ship, and they became the parents of two chil- 
 dren: (1) Sarah A., born February 1, 1857, is 
 now the wife of Cyrus Ruhl, a substantial farmer 
 of Lewis township, Union county, and they have 
 three beautiful children, named respectively — 
 Durst, Charles and Ernest. (2) J. H. Meade, 
 named for General Meade, the hero of Gettys- 
 burg, was born May 4. 1863, and died at the age 
 of two years. The wife and mother was called 
 to her final rest July 2, 1876, at the age of forty- 
 four years, one month and two days. On April 
 24, 1888, Mr. Durst was again married, his sec- 
 ond union being with Miss Mary, a daughter of 
 George and Susan (Caldron) Strunk, farming 
 people of Mifflin county, Penn. With Mr. and 
 Mrs. Durst resides her brother, Henry Strunk, 
 who has in his possession a tomahawk, which, if 
 it could speak, could without doubt tell of bloody 
 
1196 
 
 CO.VMhWORA TIVE BIOGRA I'll It A I. RE( ORD. 
 
 work done by it in the hands of its former sav- 
 age owner. 
 
 In his politics, Mr. Durst is a straight and 
 stanch adherent to the principles formulated in 
 the platforms of the Democratic party, and in the 
 exercise of his elective franchise almost invari- 
 ably supports the candidates offered by that or- 
 ganization. He is a leading and representative 
 in. in of West Buffalo township, and merits and 
 receives the warmest confidence and esteem of 
 his fellow-citizens. Religiously, both himself 
 and wife are consistent members of the Presby- 
 terian Church. 
 
 E 
 
 DWARD DOUGLASS LEBKICHER, a 
 highly respected resident of Lewisburg, 
 
 Union county, is in honored veteran of the Civil 
 war, having spent three years in active service in 
 the Sixth Pennsylvania Reserves. He enlisted 
 May 6, 1861, in Company B, as a private, but 
 was in charge of his company throughout the 
 spring of 1864, and until his discharge on June 
 11, of that year. Among the important battles 
 in which he participated were those of South 
 Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Cold Har- 
 bor, the second battle of Bull Run, and the 
 seven-days' fight at Richmond. Mr. Lebkicher 
 comes of patriotic stock, his grandfather Leb- 
 kicher having been a soldier in the Revolution- 
 ary army. He died al Mifflinburg, Pennsylvania. 
 
 John Lebkicher, the father of our subject, 
 was born in 1795, and, after his marriage to Miss 
 Mary Ludwig, settled in Union county, where he 
 followed various trades, including carpentering 
 and tanning. He was a Roman Catholic in re- 
 ligious faith, and in politics adhered to the Dem- 
 ocratic party. His death occurred in 1870, at 
 the age of seventy-four, and his estimable wife, 
 who was born in 1800, passed away at the age 
 of eighty- nine. Of their numerous family, the 
 following lived to adult age: John, who lives in 
 Snyder county; Joseph, who died in 1849, ; 'ged 
 twenty; Lavina, who died at twenty-one; Albert, 
 who is a resident of Reading, Penn.; Michael, of 
 Bellefonte; Lucia Ann, wife of Hanson Gussler; 
 Edward Douglass, our subject; and Lewis, who 
 is a resident of New Berlin, Union county. 
 
 Edward Douglass Lebkicher was born at New- 
 Berlin, December 9, 1837, and grew to manhood 
 there. He began to learn the blacksmith's trade, 
 but before his apprenticeship was completed the 
 war broke out and he promptly responded to the 
 call for men to defend the old Hag. On his re- 
 turn from the army he settled in Lewisburg, and 
 has since been employed as a blacksmith in the 
 Central foundry. Energetic, competent, faithful 
 
 to every duty, he commands the respect and con- 
 fidence of all who know him. In his political af- 
 filiations he is a Democrat, and he is prominently 
 identified with the G. A. R. and the I. O. O. F. 
 Mr. Lebkicher owns a pleasant home in Lew- 
 isburg, and has an interesting family. He was 
 married June 27, 1863, to Miss Anna M. Byers, 
 a native of Lewisburg, born May 6, [846, and 
 nine children have blessed their union: Charles 
 ]'>., who died in infancy; John, who lived only- 
 two years; Lewis, a resident of Lewisburg, who 
 married Miss Seachrist, and has one child. Ster- 
 ling; Joseph, a painter in Lewisburg; Harry, 
 Mary, Sallie and Elizabeth, who are at home; 
 and Frankie, who died in childhood. 
 
 PETER MILLER (deceased) was one of the 
 valued and honored citizens of Buffalo town- 
 ship, Union county, where his entire life was 
 passed. He was born December 9, 1S19, a son 
 of George and Sarah (Mertz) Miller, and upon 
 the home farm was reared to agricultural pur- 
 suits, but in early life he also learned the car- 
 penter's trade. 
 
 On January 11, 1844, Mr. Miller was mar- 
 ried to Miss Elizabeth Wise, whose birth also 
 occurred in Buffalo township, Decembers, 1820, 
 and for sixteen years they made their home with 
 her parents, Peter and Elizabeth (Voneida) 
 Wise, while he supported his wife by work at his 
 trade and also at farming. In Buffalo township 
 he then purchased the first home he ever owned, 
 and there continued to reside until 1 S74, when 
 he removed to Buffalo Roads, where he erected a 
 comfortable brick residence. Laying aside act- 
 ive labor, he practically lived retired, though he 
 still continued to oversee the work on his farm^. 
 
 For almost fifty-three years, Mr. and Mrs. 
 Miller traveled life's journey together, and their 
 home was brightened by the presence of four 
 children, namely: Sarah J., born April 4, 1845, 
 in now the wife of Lewis Hendricks, of Buffalo 
 township; Aaron, born March 13, 1S47, is an 
 agriculturist of the same township; Amanda E., 
 born April 12, 1S56, died June 9, 1S58; and Miles 
 A., born August 20, 1S59, is also a farmer. 
 
 Industrious, persevering and progressive, 
 from a humble beginning Mr. Miller worked his 
 way steadily upward until he became one of the 
 most substantial and prosperous citizens of Buf- 
 falo township, leaving to his children each an ex- 
 cellent farm, besides the comfortable home and 
 competence left his widow. He was a shrewd 
 business man, of sound judgment and good ex- 
 ecutive ability. For many years he served as 
 either a deacon or elder in the Lutheran Church, 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1197 
 
 of which he was a prominent and influential 
 member, and as a Republican he was called 
 upon to fill a number of minor offices of honor 
 and trust. He passed away June 20, 1896, and 
 his remains were interred in Union cemetery of 
 Buffalo township. His record was an honorable 
 one, and his memory will long be cherished by 
 the many who had the pleasure of his friendship, 
 for his sturdy worth, and for his countless acts 
 of benevolence and kindness. Mrs. Miller, who 
 still survives her husband, is held in high respect 
 as a good woman and a true Christian, she being 
 a worthy member of the Lutheran Church. 
 
 J I S. RAUDENBUSH (deceased). Rarely if 
 ever in the history of Buffalo Valley has a 
 larger assemblage of people been gathered at 
 the funeral of any private citizen than that which 
 met to pay the last tribute of respect to the late 
 J. S. Raudenbush, of Vicksburg. His sudden 
 death on July n, 1891, at the comparatively 
 early age of fifty-two years, caused sincere mourn- 
 ing throughout a wide range of acquaintances, to 
 whom his genial manners and upright character 
 had endeared him. While he had not lived to 
 the limit of the allotted term of man's life, he had 
 accomplished more in the business world than 
 most men have been able to achieve in a much 
 longer time. The following brief review of his 
 life will serve to show something of the force of 
 will, the fine judgment, the irresistible energy 
 which marked his career. 
 
 Mr. Raudenbush was born August 28, 1838, 
 at McKeesburg, Schuylkill Co., Penn., the son 
 of Daniel and Catherine Raudenbush. The fa- 
 ther was in prosperous circumstances, but death 
 came upon him without warning, and his fortune 
 was left in such a state that unscrupulous persons 
 could and did make away with most of it, a large 
 family of children being thus robbed of their 
 rightful inheritance. Mr. Raudenbush remained 
 in his native village, and at fifteen years of age 
 became a clerk in a store there, acquiring a knowl- 
 edge of mercantile business which afterward 
 proved of good service. His brother, Benjamin 
 Raudenbush, was then a merchant and hotel- 
 keeper at Adamsburg, Snyder county, and during a 
 brief visit there Mr. Raudenbush became so im- 
 pressed with the advantages of this section that 
 he decided to remain. About this time his brother 
 opened a small store at White Springs, Lime- 
 stone township, Union county, placing our sub- 
 ject in charge, and in this somewhat restricted 
 sphere Mr. Raudenbush showed his ability by 
 making an unqualified success. Thus encour- 
 aged, he determined to establish a business of 
 
 his own at what is now Vicksburg, and in the 
 summer of 1865 he built the second house at the 
 place, a store and dwelling combined, and re- 
 moved his stock from White Springs. The ven- 
 ture was not regarded favorably by the business 
 men of his acquaintance, but the event proved 
 his wisdom. Among the shrewd movements 
 which contributed to his success was the inaugu- 
 ration of regular trips in a railway car to the coal 
 region, where he disposed of farm produce, grain, 
 meat, live stock and other commodities, thus 
 building up a trade which brought thousands of 
 dollars into his locality to be distributed among 
 the farmers, for whose produce he thus secured a 
 market. His increasing business compelled fre- 
 quent enlargement of his building, and it was not 
 many years before he became known among the 
 wealthy men of the county. He was interested 
 in many important business ventures, including 
 the Farmers' Bank at Mifflinburg, of which he 
 was a vice-president. In 1872 he built the first 
 and for twenty years the only grain elevator at 
 Vicksburg. His advent in that locality was the 
 signal for progress and growth, and he suggested 
 the name of the town at a meeting called by him 
 in September, 1865, to consider the plans for 
 organization. He at once applied for a post 
 office at the place, and became the first postmas- 
 ter. His estate at his death was estimated at 
 $100,000. Although a stanch Republican in 
 politics, he never diverted his attention from his 
 business to enter public life, the only office he 
 ever held being that of school director. 
 
 Like many of our successful men the "tide 
 which bore him on to fortune" seems to have 
 set in at the time of his marriage to an intelligent 
 and sympathetic helpmeet. On June 1, 1865, 
 he was married to Miss Mary A. Rule, a native 
 of Lewis township, Union county, born June 28, 
 1 84 1. Her father, Jacob Rule, Sr., was a well- 
 known farmer of Lewis township. Her mother, 
 whose maiden name was Sally Stitzer, was a 
 daughter of David Stitzer, a blacksmith by trade, 
 who for many years kept a hotel in Mifflinburg. 
 Mrs. Raudenbush was the next to the youngest 
 in a family of ten children, six sons and four 
 daughters. She was reared as a farmer's daugh- 
 ter, attending the common schools of the town- 
 ship, but with the characteristic adaptibility of 
 American women has shown herself capable of 
 filling any position with success. In the fall of 
 1865 Mr. and Mrs. Raudenbush began house- 
 keeping at Vicksburg in the building which was 
 occupied by the store, but in 1886 they erected 
 the finest residence in the county outside of 
 Lewisburg. It is of brick, with hardwood finish 
 on the interior, and is supplied with every modern 
 
11'.- 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE IilOQRAPniCAI. RECORD. 
 
 convenience, including steam heat and hot and 
 cold water in the bath rooms. The widow still 
 occupiesthiselegant home. Of the three cnildren, 
 the eldest, Harry R., born May 3, 1866, is a 
 graduate of Duff's Business College, at Pittsburg, 
 and for some time past has managed his father's 
 mercantile business. He resides at Bluff City, 
 Va. Cora V., born February 2, 1S6S, wh<> was 
 educated at Lewisburg Institute and Dickinson 
 Seminary, at Williamsport, is at home; Benja- 
 min F., born July 15, 1877, is a student at the 
 Eastman Business College in Poughkeepsie, New 
 York. 
 
 Mr. Raudenbush and his wife united with the 
 Reformed Church early in their married life, and 
 while they wen/ members of the congregation at 
 Dreisbach Church, the funeral services were held 
 in the Mifflinburg Church, the Masonic society 
 of which Mr Raudenbush was a member taking 
 charge of the ceremonies. It was while en- 
 fed in his usual duties at the store on Mon- 
 day morning in July. 1891, that the first warn- 
 ing of approaching death came in the form of a 
 paralytic stroke, and after his removal to his 
 home near by, he never again left it, his death 
 occurring "ii the following Saturday. A brief 
 but impressive service was held at the home on 
 July 15, the day oi the funeral, in the presence 
 of an immense number of sorrowing neighbors 
 and friends, and a procession nearly a mile in 
 length followed the remains to Mifflinburg. 
 There his pastor, Rev. Kohler, delivered a 
 thoughtful and touching address from which we 
 ■ incite the following: "We are all mourners 
 here this morning. A life of exemplary business 
 service has unexpectedly closed. The affection- 
 ate husband, loving father, the helper and coun- 
 selor of us all, the true brother and warm friend, 
 the industrious, plodding business man, kind 
 neighbor and excellent citizen, has passed from 
 oui sight, but not from our love and memory. 
 We who are assembled here are not all who 
 share an interest in this untimely death. There 
 are not a few who are prevented from mingling 
 their tears with ours through engagements, others 
 whose health does not permit them to be with 
 us, tu pay the last tribute of respect which the 
 living ever pay to the virtues and memory of our 
 honored dead; and beyond us and above us, if 
 we could but penetrate with human eye the veil 
 that separates the spirit world from the natural, 
 there is still a greater congregation than here, 
 of angels and archangels, and all the com- 
 pany of heaven, who desire to look into the 
 mystery of human redemption and rejoice over 
 the triumphs of a redeemed soul. And at this 
 time when the gates of heaven are perchance a 
 
 little ajar, and the place where we stand, holy 
 ground, it does not become us to fret or mur- 
 mur or complain against an all-wise God, and an 
 all-loving Father for taking from our midst so 
 unexpectedly the soul of our beloved brother, 
 but rather let us reverently and obediently say, 
 ' The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away. 
 Blessed be His holy name. The Lord is right- 
 eous still. He doeth all things well.' ' 
 
 ? SCOTT HALFPENNY, secretary and 
 
 I It treasurer of the Lewisburg Woolen Com- 
 pany, of Lewisburg, Union county, and mana- 
 ger of their extensive plant, is an able and suc- 
 cessful business man, whose judgment has great 
 value among his associates. Like many of the 
 substantial citizens, he is of English descent, the 
 first ancestor to cross the ocean being his great- 
 grandfather, James Halfpenny, of Wales. 
 
 Mark Halfpenny, Jr., the father of our sub- 
 ject, was born September 24, 18 12, at Wash- 
 ington ville, Montour Co., Penn. , a son of Mark 
 Halfpenny, Sr. , a native of Montgomery county, 
 Penn., and his wife, Mary (Saylor) Halfpenny. 
 At the early age of ten years, Mark Halfpenny, 
 Jr., was apprenticed to Samuel Rogers, of 
 Miinev, Penn , to learn the business of woolen 
 manufacturing. In 1837 he and his brother, 
 James, under the firm name of J. & M. Half- 
 penny, commenced business at Millheim, Centre 
 county, and in 1841 they removed to Laurel Run, 
 near Laurelton, Union county, where they con- 
 tinued business until 1851, when they dissolved 
 partnership, and Mark Halfpenny built a woolen- 
 mill a few miles north of Laurelton, and carried 
 on business himself until 1866, when the factorv 
 was destroyed by fire; he then removed to Lew- 
 isburg, and established the Lewisburg Woo 
 Mills, which he conducted until 1870, when the 
 firm of M. Halfpenny & Sons was organized by 
 the admission of his two sons, W. F. and W. S. 
 Halfpenny, who continued business until 1874. 
 wlun the firm of M. Halfpenny & Co., consist- 
 ing of M. Halfpenny. W. A. Schreyer and W. S. 
 Halfpenny, was organized, and the business con- 
 tinued by them until 1878, when the mill was 
 burned. It was immediately rebuilt, and Frank 
 Halfpenny was admitted to the firm; in 1886 the 
 present organization of the Lewisburg Woolen 
 Company was incorporated, M. Halfpenny re- 
 taining a large interest, which is held by his heirs 
 at this time. After an honorable and successful 
 business career of over fifty years, Mr. Halfpenny 
 died June 23, 1889. He had married Christianna, 
 who was born in 1823, a daughter of William 
 and Rachel (McCoy) Foster, and she proved to 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1199 
 
 him a faithful helpmeet, an exemplar)' Christian 
 wife, whose death on June 2, 1877, was the first 
 break in the family circle. Their children, ten 
 in number, are: William Foster, who is now in 
 Tacoma, Wash.; W. Scott, our subject; Frank, 
 a clerk in the office of the county commissioners; 
 Mark, a merchant in Niles, Ohio; James and 
 Thomas Edwin, who are connected with the 
 mill; Katie Foster, unmarried; Robert Foster, 
 of Lewisburg; John, now with Whitmer & Sons, 
 of Philadelphia; and Neal McCoy, who is mar- 
 ried and resides in New York. 
 
 W. S. Halfpenny began his earthly career 
 January 10, 1847. The foundation of his educa- 
 tion was laid in Lewisburg, at the public schools 
 and the academy, but his course there was sup- 
 plemented by further study in the Tuscarora 
 Academy in Juniata county, and in Bryant & 
 Stratton's Business College, at Philadelphia. Thus 
 equipped for business, he entered his father's 
 employ as bookkeeper, later becoming a partner, 
 as stated above. 
 
 In 1872 Mr. Halfpenny was united in mar- 
 riage with Miss Mary M. Baker, a native of 
 Union county, born in 1851, and two children, 
 Mark and Ethel, have blessed the union. The 
 family has been identified with the Presbyterian 
 Church in the past, and Mr. Halfpenny inclines 
 to that faith. Politically, he is a Republican, 
 and he is a prominent member of the Masonic 
 fraternity. 
 
 SAMUEL RUSSELL GRAY. Pride in an 
 ,' honorable lineage is a trait which reveals 
 a fine discernment of the values on other than 
 the material plane, and the wish to have one's 
 own life and personality remembered in the years 
 to come is no less a mark of nobility of heart. 
 A due regard for our posterity may, indeed, con- 
 strain us not only to fill our appointed station 
 with fidelity, but to take effective measures to 
 preserve the record of our modest achievements 
 and of our standing among our fellow men, for 
 the instruction, the encouragement and the in- 
 spiration of those who will trace through us the 
 line which unites them with the past. To this 
 worthy work this book is dedicated, and interest- 
 ing as it will be to the present generation in its 
 presentation of the history of our leading citi- 
 zens, its records will increase in value as the 
 years roll by. 
 
 The subject of this sketch, a prominent resi- 
 dent of Kelly township, Union county, is de- 
 scended in both paternal and maternal lines from 
 ancestors who participated in the stirring events 
 which marked the release of this country from 
 
 English rule. Robert Gray, his grandfather, 
 came from England in Colonial times with his 
 wife, Mary Reese, and settled on a farm near 
 Jerseytown, Penn., but at the outbreak of the 
 Revolutionary war he joined Washington's army 
 and fought in the cause of freedom. His son, 
 Lieut. Samuel Gray, our subject's father, who 
 was born in Montour county, Penn., in 1792, 
 was a patriotic man, a Whig in political faith, 
 and served as an officer in our second war 
 with the mother country in 1812, being stationed 
 at Black Rock. He was a noted contractor, and 
 the canal between Watsontown and Duart, Penn. , 
 was constructed by him. He also engaged in 
 teaming; he met his death by accident, June 4, 
 1 83 1, while driving a six-horse team, through 
 falling under the wheels of the wagon, which 
 passed over his breast. His wife, Isabella Wat- 
 son, was born November 11, 1800, and passed 
 away September 5, 1863. She was a devout 
 adherent of the Presbyterian Church, as was her 
 husband during his life. Her parents, John L. 
 and Elizabeth (Mann) Watson, came from Dublin, 
 Ireland, at an early day, and located in Columbia 
 county, Penn., upon a farm. They, too, dis- 
 played a patriotic spirit during the Revolutionary 
 war, and John Watson was taken prisoner by 
 the British on account of his sentiments, and 
 chained to the floor. His heroic wife rescued 
 him, her devotion, no less than a regard for her 
 physical weakness, so touching the hearts of the 
 guards, that they did not interfere with her plans. 
 
 Lieut. Samuel Gray and his wife reared a 
 family of seven children, of whom our subject 
 was the youngest, and is now the only survivor. 
 The names of the others, with dates of birth and 
 death, are as follows: Joseph H., January 4, 18 iS, 
 in August, 1876; John G., December 12, 1820, 
 February 2, 1861; Catherine, October 22, 1822, 
 in 1856, married Samuel Gray, a distant relative, 
 also deceased; Robert, October 5, 1824, May 9, 
 1848; Mary Y., July 8, 1827. in March, 1880, 
 married William Kissner, deceased; and Phcebe, 
 March 28, 1829, in 1871, married Jesse Hill, now 
 a farmer in Montour county. 
 
 Samuel R. Gray was born in Lewis township, 
 Northumberland county, Penn., March 24, 1S31, 
 and remained at home until the age of twenty- 
 three. He received a common-school education, 
 and at early age began to show his business abil- 
 ity, a threshing machine, purchased when he was 
 eighteen, being the foundation of his prosperity. 
 With money saved from his earnings with the 
 machine, he purchased 130 acres of land in his 
 native township, and in 1854 established him- 
 self there as a farmer. He remained eleven 
 years, during which the Civil war broke out and 
 
1 21 " i 
 
 COMMEMORA TIYE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 he was drafted three times, first in 1862, then in 
 [863, and finally in 1865. Twice he paid $300 
 for a substitute, but on the third call he deter- 
 mined to respond in person; but while he was at 
 Harrisburg, on his way to the front, the news of 
 Lee's surrender made further help unnecessary. 
 
 On leaving his first farm he purchased anoth- 
 er in Lycoming county, Penn., which he sold in 
 1871. One year was spent at Turbutville before 
 again resuming business, and then, having decid- 
 ed upon a change, he purchased a foundry at 
 McEwensville, -Perm., which he operated suc- 
 cessfully for twenty-one years. Wishing to pass 
 his remaining days in the peaceful surroundings 
 of a royal neighborhood, he disposed of the foun- 
 dry, and again engaged in farming, purchasing a 
 farm in Buffalo township. Union county, where 
 he resided two years before removing to his 
 present farm near Mazeppa. 
 
 Mr. Gray enjoys excellent health despite a 
 permanent injury to his shoulder caused by be- 
 ing thrown when about nineteen years old by a 
 runaway horse. Successful as a business man, 
 he has always been an influential figure in local 
 affairs, and while residing in Northumberland 
 county he was often called upon to serve in 
 township offices. He is active in the Farmers 
 Alliance, being now a member of the society at 
 Kelly Cross Roads. 
 
 Mr. Gray has a pleasant home, and he and 
 his wife, formerly Miss Alma Long, are most 
 genial and hospitable in spirit. They are both 
 fond of literature, and are especially well versed 
 in the Scriptures. Mr. Gray is a member of the 
 Reformed Church, but his wife is an Episcopal- 
 ian. They have no children. By a previous 
 marriage, with Miss Rebecca J. Stiner, born Oc- 
 tober 20. 1833, died November 6, 1870. Mr. 
 Gray had eight children: John L. S. ; Elizabeth; 
 Harriet F. ; George P., an iron molder at Battle 
 Creek, Mich. ; Sarah E., widow of John Hopp, of 
 Lewisburg, Penn; Samuel R., a molder at Battle 
 Creek, Mich ; Rebecca J., wife of William Pep- 
 per, a farmer in Armstrong county, Penn. ; and 
 William H.. who, like his brother, resides in 
 I'.attK Creek, and is an iron molder by trade. 
 
 Mrs. Alma (Long) Gray was born in Muncy, 
 Lycoming Co., Penn., February 5, 1S38, the 
 daughter of George and Nancy (Doctor) Long. 
 Her paternal grandfather. Nicholas Long, en- 
 listed in the Revolutionary army when only six- 
 teen years old, and served throughout the strug- 
 gle. He was married three times. George 
 Long was born in Northumberland county, Penn., 
 in May, 1801, and died February 14, 1880. He 
 was by occupation a wagon maker. Mrs. Gray's 
 mother, who was born in Lycoming county, 
 
 January II, 1S11, and died in Muncy, March 6, 
 1862, was his first wife, and after her death he 
 married Mrs. Mary (Frye) Shirks, by whom he 
 had no issue. By the first marriage there were 
 nine children: Aaron, who died in infancy; 
 Emma, wife of Samuel Gortner, a carpenter of 
 Williamsport, Penn.; James D., who died in 
 
 2; Harris S., a carpenter at Mishewauke, 
 Ind. ; Alma (Mrs. Gray); Anna, wife of Amos 
 Burger, a blacksmith at Muncy, Penn.; Samuel 
 1> . who died in 1875; William, a shoemaker at 
 Mishewauke, Ind.; and Ella, wife of John P. 
 Kramer, a carpenter of Watsontown, Pennsyl- 
 vania. 
 
 On the maternal side Mrs. Gray is descended 
 from a prominent family of Lycoming county, 
 Penn., her grandparents, George and Eve Doc- 
 tor, having owned a farm of 300 acres at the 
 present site of East Muncy. Her grandfather 
 was an influential citizen of that locality, but for 
 six years previous to his death he was confined 
 to his bed through an injury sustained while try- 
 in;,' to extricate a sheep which had become fast- 
 ened in a fence. 
 
 FOLLMER FAMILY. For upwards of a 
 century and a half the Follmer family have 
 been identified with this Commonwealth, where 
 through the several generations its members 
 have been characterized as honest, conscientious 
 and truthful people, making good citizens. 
 
 The name was formerly Yollmer and is of 
 German origin, but when John Yollmer, the head 
 of the American branch, emigrated from the Fa- 
 therland, in 1737, coming to Philadelphia, Penn., 
 where his name was recorded Follmer by mis- 
 take, that spelling was thereafter adopted. In 
 1740, he settled in Berks county, Penn., where 
 he passed his remaining years. Michael Foll- 
 mer, a son of this worthy pioneer, moved with 
 his family, in 1778, to Limestone township, 
 Northumberland county, and encamped on his 
 arrival under a large wild cherry-tree, which is 
 still standing. Frederick, a son of Michael, lo- 
 cated in White Deer Yalley, in 1795, purchasing 
 300 acres of land, on which he built the mill 
 now occupied by A. S. Sypher. The mill con- 
 tained three run of stone, and was patronized by 
 the people for many miles around. He married 
 Miss Maria Barbara Geiger, by whom he had 
 three children: Susan, who married Joseph 
 Mackey, and had five sons and one daughter; 
 Daniel, who is mentioned more fully farther on, 
 and Rachel, who married James Donaldson, and 
 had one son and two daughters. Frederick 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1201 
 
 Follmer died April 7, 1812, and his wife July 6, 
 1803. 
 
 Of these three children, Daniel Follmer was 
 a man of good ability and high character. He 
 was the first man in his locality to refuse to fur- 
 nish whiskey to his harvesters. He was born 
 March 13, 1786. in Limestone township, North- 
 umberland county, and accompanied his father 
 to the White Deer Valley, in 1795. His educa- 
 tion was limited to the country schools of that 
 day, and during his youth his time was mainly 
 spent in assisting his father on the farm and in 
 the mill. He remained at home until his mar- 
 riage, in June, 1808, to Miss Margaret Reed, who 
 was born August 31, 17S9, in Lycoming county, 
 a daughter of James and Jeannette (Watt) Reed, 
 of Chester county,, both of Scotch descent. The 
 father of James Reed and the mother of Jean- 
 nette Watt were natives of Scotland. James 
 Reed was a soldier in the war of the Revolution, 
 and participated in the battle of the Brandywine. 
 He settled in Gregg township, in 1788. While 
 away from home, in the war, his wife carried 
 her son on horseback to the home of her father 
 in the same locality. 
 
 Daniel Follmer made his home upon a por- 
 tion of his father's homestead, building a man- 
 sion which is now occupied by his children. For 
 many years he was engaged in farming and mill- 
 ing, and at one time he was a contractor, and 
 built a number of bridges in this section. His 
 sterling qualities of mind and heart won the es- 
 teem of all who knew him, his dealings with all 
 with whom he came in contact being strictly hon- 
 orable. From his youth he was a member of 
 the Old-School Presbyterian Church, and he was 
 one of the founders of the Washington Presby- 
 terian Church, of Gregg township. In politics 
 he was a Whig before the war issues arose, but 
 he became a Republican on the organization of 
 that party. In 1825-26 he served as commis- 
 sioner of Lycoming county, to which Gregg town- 
 ship was then attached. About this time he was 
 appointed by Gov. Shultz justice of the peace, 
 and for many years he held that office, either by 
 appointment or election. Various local offices 
 were also filled creditably by him, and for six 
 years he was a school director, and at differ- 
 ent times held other township offices. His death 
 occurred March 30, 1875, i n tne ninetieth year of 
 his age; for thirty years previous he had lived in 
 retirement. 
 
 Daniel and Margaret Follmer had seven chil- 
 dren whose names with dates of birth are as fol- 
 lows: Maria B., May 10, 1810, married John 
 Foresman; Jane W. , May 8, 1813; Cynthia, De- 
 cember 29, 1 8 1 5 ; Elizabeth, August 2, 1818, 
 
 76 
 
 married Robert Caldwell; John R., December 24, 
 1 82 1; Daniel G., November 11, 1826; and Mar- 
 garet R., May 28, 1829, who died August 12, 
 1 88 1. The mother of these passed away Sep- 
 tember 6, 1853, in her sixty-fourth year. Two 
 unmarried sons and a widowed daughter reside 
 at the homestead. 
 
 John R. Follmer, the elder son, attended 
 school at the Hammond school house and a log 
 one by the mill in the locality of his birth, 
 and later in the Milton and Lewisburg Acade- 
 mies. He studied law with James F. Linn, in 
 Lewisburg. in 1843-45, an d, on being admitted 
 to the Bar, practiced for some time at Selins 
 Grove, but ill health compelled him to seek an 
 outdoor life. He is an ardent Republican, and 
 was formerly quite active in political affairs, hav- 
 ing been elected in 1S83 to the office of county 
 surveyor. 
 
 Daniel G. Follmer, the younger son, has 
 always made his home at the old farm, which is 
 now worked by other parties under the direction 
 of the owners. 
 
 OHN REEDY, one of the most progressive 
 and successful citizens of Kelly township, 
 Union county, has been for some years a 
 leading agriculturist there, and, since 1893, he 
 has engaged also in contracting and building, in 
 which his ability and enterprise have been con- 
 spicuously displayed. 
 
 Like many of our most prominent men he is 
 of old Pennsylvania stock, his ancestors settling 
 in Berks county at an early day, and his grand- 
 father Reed)- was a drummer in the Revolution- 
 ary army. That worthy pioneer married, and 
 reared a family of five children: Jonathan, who 
 was born in 1798; Emanuel, our subject's father; 
 Michael, who went to New York State in early 
 manhood, and has never been heard from; one 
 who married Godfrey Fogt, and died in Illinois, 
 where they settled late in life; and Lydia, de- 
 ceased, who married George Baker, now living 
 in retirement at Mazeppa, Union county. 
 
 Emanuel Reedy, our subject's father, was 
 born in Berks county, January 29, 18 10, and in 
 18 1 5 came to Union county with his parents, 
 who settled a quarter of a mile from Buffalo 
 Cross Roads, upon a pi ace no w known as the Rissell 
 farm. Emanuel Reedy was a miller until the age 
 of thirty-five, when he engaged in farming. 
 This business occupied his remaining years, al- 
 though for some time previous to his death, 
 which occurred April 18, 1884, he left the active 
 work of the estate to other hands. He was an up- 
 right man, straightforward in all his dealings, 
 
1202 
 
 OOMMl VORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 Ins word being "as good ind, although 
 
 his quiet disposition made him averse to public 
 life, he was chosen by his fellow citizens al 
 
 times to fill local offices. He took much in- 
 terest in pi problems, and <■ .inch 
 . porter of Republican principle 
 
 Hi- wife, Rachel Ingelman, was the ) 
 child of Solomon Ingelman, who was a native 
 of Berks county, Penn., but came to I □ 
 
 'its in pioneer times, and < i arm- 
 
 ing The) I fht children: David, decei 
 
 i in Stephenson county. 111.: S 
 formerly employed in the mint at Phil.. 
 phia, died at Sandusky, Ohio, where he spent 
 his last days in retirement. John, whose active 
 years were spent at the carpenter's tradi 
 Findlay, Ohio; Tobias, deceased, was a farmer 
 in St. Joseph county, Mich.; Bets} Elizabeth 
 married [acob Margh, a farmer of Kelly town- 
 Union county, and both died there; Nellie 
 married William Speice, a stonemason, and died 
 in White Deer township, Union countv; Mai 
 garet, widow ol Michael Wolf, is now living in 
 Sandusky county, Ohio, at the age of eighty- 
 four. Racli> subject's mother, was born 
 November 18, 1814, in White Deer township, 
 Union county, and was married there, by Rev 
 Mr. Onsbaugh, to Emanuel Reedy The chil- 
 dren of this union were. Samuel, who 
 when two and one-half j I; \im,i, will 
 M. I. Weaver, a tanner near Schuyler, Colfax 
 ( . Neb. ; [ohn, our subject; Levi, a well-known 
 cattle dealer at Buffalo (.'toss Roads, Union 
 county; and Hammond, a fanner on the old 
 Reedy homestead in Buffalo township. Union 
 county. 
 
 The subject of our sketch was born No-. 
 ber 8, 1*44. in Kelly township, Union county, 
 a mile and one-half west of Kelly's Cross Roads, 
 and until the age oi twenty-three remained 
 home, assisting Ins lather upon the farm and ai 
 quiring an education in the local schools as op- 
 portunity afforded. His first independent work 
 
 1 farmer was on a rented farm in Buffalo 
 t iwnship, Union county, and later he moved to 
 Kelly township and worked upon Judge Hoffa's 
 
 ite. thirteen years in all. In the fall of 1 
 he purchased his present farm of ninety-th 
 
 1 a half acres near Buffalo Cross Roads, at 
 $140. 1 5 per acre. The care of this estate occu- 
 pied his time exclusively for a time, but 111 1 
 
 m operating a sawmill at Hagerstown. 
 In 1K93 he gave up that bu to engagi 
 
 contracting and building, and ha 1 irried on 
 that business successfully, his contracts in the 
 fall of 1895 calling for 500,000 feet of lumber. 
 
 Politically, Mr. Reedy is a Republican, but 
 
 in prefers to exert his influence 111 a quiet way, 
 and has nevei aspired to public office. Such 
 men as he are not often overlooked, howi 
 and he h cted to represent his town- 
 
 ■ as supervisor, in which office he served with 
 characteristic ability and energy. In religious 
 faith he is a Presbyterian. 
 
 NICHOLAS C. LAHR, a well-known agri- 
 culturist oi East Buffalo township, Union 
 county, was born Oi I 1834, in Lower Ma- 
 
 hanoy township. Northumberland county, Penn., 
 a son of Paul and Mary M. (Bordner Lain, and 
 a grandson ol Paul Lahr. Sr., a native of Berks, 
 this State. The birth of the father occurred 
 near Georgetown, in Northumberland county, ami 
 in 1836 he removed to what is now Snyder coun- 
 ty, Penn.. but at the end of six years returned 
 to the former county, where he continued to make 
 his home until called from this life, at the au 
 fifty-eight. His wife bad passed away two years 
 previous, and they now sleep side by side in the 
 Lewisburg cemetery. He was a skilled mech. 
 and, in connection with farm work, also engi 
 j in the manufacture of plows, harrows and coffins 
 Although he started out in life a poor man. by 
 workmg early and late, lie secured a comfi 
 Mi- competence. He was a tine specimen of 
 physical manhood, weighing from 189 to 200 
 pounds, was an ardent Republican in politics, 
 and in religious belief was a Lutheran. 
 
 Our subject is the second in order of birth in 
 the family ot six children, the others being as fol- 
 lows: William, now a resident of Milton, Penn.; 
 Henry and Paul, both ol Kansas; Frank, who 
 died after reaching manhood; and Catharine, who 
 first married Levi Moll, m Pennsylvania, and 
 after his death wedded John Thomas She de- 
 parted this life in Kansas. 
 
 The early education of Nicholas C. Lahr was 
 such as the common schools afforded, and he 
 later attended the Lewisbur; my at inter- 
 
 vals for two years. At the age of eighteen he- 
 began learning the carpenter's trade under tin 
 direction of Jack McLaughlin, of Lewisburg, but 
 never completed In- apprenticeship. As a young 
 man, however, he became thoroughly familiar 
 with all departments of farm work, and through- 
 out life has principally followed that occupation, 
 meeting with a fair degree of success. 
 
 In the fall of 1861, in Lewisburg, Mr. Lahr 
 was married to Miss Susan Schrack, who was 
 born in October, 1S41, in East Buffalo township, 
 Union county, and is the oldest of the ten chil- 
 dren of John S. and Catharine 1 Dunkel i Schrack. 
 During his early life her father was a teamster. 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 L203 
 
 traveling between Philadelphia and Fruitstown, 
 Penn. , but later located in Union county, at one 
 time owning the elegant home and farm on which 
 our subject now resides. For three years after 
 his marriage Mr. Lahr operated a rented farm in 
 Northumberland county, and for twenty-three 
 years lived on the George Ard farm, in White 
 Deer township. Union county. He then removed 
 to his present farm, which he had previously 
 stocked, and now has one of the most desirable 
 places in East Buffalo township. It comprises 
 110 acres of excellent farming land, supplied 
 with good buildings and all the accessories found 
 upon a model farm of the nineteenth century. 
 In connection with general farming, he engaged 
 in the threshing business for fifteen years, doing 
 considerable work along that line in his neigh- 
 borhood. 
 
 To Mr. and Mrs. Lahr have been born the 
 following children: Catharine, now the wife of 
 James M. Pawling, of White Deer township; 
 Annie, wife of H. Everett, of Northumberland 
 county; Clara, at home; John, a resident of Cal- 
 ilornia; and Frank, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. 
 Religiously, the mother is connected with the Lu-i 
 theran Church, and, politically, Mr. Lahr affili- 
 ates with the Republican part)-. They have won 
 an assured position in the highest social circles 
 of the community, and have hosts of warm 
 friends. 
 
 JTOHN HUTCHISON CRISWELL (deceased). 
 ''The memory of the just is blessed," and 
 surely it is a beautiful thing to have so spent 
 the years of one's life as to win the affectionate 
 regard of an entire community. This reward 
 came in full measure to the late John H. Cris- 
 well and his estimable wife, who were known far 
 and near as "Uncle and Auntie " Criswell, and 
 while for those who knew them there can be no 
 need of words to strengthen the recollection of 
 their beneficent lives, their many friends will be 
 glad to see in this Record a permanent record 
 through which their influence may be impressed 
 upon still wider circles. 
 
 Mr. Criswell was born in Kelly township, 
 Union county, upon a farm adjoining the pres- 
 ent homestead, now occupied by his daughter, 
 Miss Mary A. Criswell, a lady of fine mental gifts 
 and unusual executive ability. His parents, 
 Joseph and Elizabeth (Hutchison) Criswell, set- 
 tled in Union county at an early day, and the 
 mother's death occurred at the present home. 
 They had seven children, whose names with 
 dates of birth are as follows: James, August 31, 
 1806; Thomas H., March 28, 1808; Hannah B. 
 
 (Mrs. John Huntington), March S, 1810; John 
 H., March 20, 181 2; Rachel, May 7, [814, did 
 not live to adult age; Mary A., June 20, [816, 
 and Elizabeth, August 29, 18 18, who is the only 
 survivor of his family, married William Spotts 
 (now deceased), and resides at Steelton, Pennsyl- 
 vania. 
 
 Reared as a son of a pioneer farmer, Mr. 
 Criswell had the most meagre opportunities for 
 an education, attending school only eleven days. 
 It is therefore worthy of especial note that he 
 managed by private study to acquire a fair edu- 
 cation, including a knowledge of bookkeeping. 
 He was interested in all the movements of his 
 time; in politics, he was a Republican, and 
 his influence in local affairs being marked, his 
 able service in various township offices demon- 
 strated his fidelity and public spirit. By occu- 
 pation he was a farmer and shoemaker, and his 
 industry and thrift gained for him a comfortable 
 competence. 
 
 On April 16, 1834, Mr. Criswell was united in 
 marriage with Miss Jane Mathers, a lady of rare 
 Christian character, and, like himself, a devout 
 member of the Presbyterian Church. She was 
 born June 24, 1S11, at Mazeppa, Union county, 
 and was called to her eternal reward September 
 4, 1884, at a ripe old age. Her father, James 
 Mathers, was a native of Berks county, Penn., 
 and his wife, Isabella Oliver, was born in Scot- 
 land. 
 
 John H. and Jane Criswell reared a large 
 family of children, of whom five are living. The 
 names with dates of birth are as follows: Joseph, 
 February 19, 1835. is a tailor at Chattanooga, 
 Tenn. ; James, April 16, 1837, died September 
 27, 1853; William, April 12, 1839, is a farmerin 
 White Deer township, Union county; Elizabeth, 
 September 24, 1841, married Daniel Kuhns, a 
 carpenter and farmer of Kelly township, Union 
 county; Mary A., July 15, 1843, '- s mentioned 
 more fully below; Isabella M., July 21, 1845, 
 died September 5, 1853; Rachel, April 21, 1848, 
 died August 26, 1853; Sarah M., October 10, 
 1852, died October it, 1853; Thomas O., Sep- 
 
 tember 
 
 [8 
 
 SJ- 
 
 is a farmer near Tavlorville, 
 
 Union county; and John, May 5, 1850, died 
 April 16, 1866. The surviving children all oc- 
 cupy positions of usefulness, and are held in high 
 esteem in their respective communities. 
 
 Miss Mary A. Criswell, as has been said, 
 resides at the old home, which is endeared by 
 the memories of her beloved parents, and from 
 which she has never been absent for more than 
 three weeks at a time. Her active and intelli- 
 gent mind takes deep inteiest in all that concerns 
 the progress of the locality. She is helpfully re- 
 
1 I'M 1 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL HE CORD. 
 
 lated to various religious and philanthropic move- 
 ments, and she has been a member of the Re- 
 formed Church since May 12, 1869. 
 
 FRANKLIN WILLIAM BERKENSTOCK, a 
 well-known citizen of Union county, is now 
 
 spending ins declining years in a pleasant home 
 near White Deer, his leisure being sweetened by 
 the remembrance of pasl years of toil. 
 
 His family has been identified with Pennsyl- 
 vania for more than a century. His great -grand- 
 parents on his father's side, of German origin, 
 crossed the Atlantic to find wider opportunities 
 in the New World. They located in Lehigh 
 county, where their son, Abraham, the grand- 
 father of our subject, was born and reared. He 
 married Miss Elizabeth Engleman, a native of 
 the same county, and made his permanent home 
 there upon a farm. Their son Jacob, our sub- 
 ject's father, married Elizabeth Walt man, a 
 native of that locality, a daughter of William 
 and Sarah Waltman. Both Jacob and his wife 
 were born in Lehigh county, but after passing 
 many years moved to Lycoming county, Penn., 
 to end their days upon a farm. 
 
 Jacob Berkenstock remained at his early 
 home until 1841, when he went to Lycoming 
 county for a few years, but finally he settled in 
 Northumberland county, Penn., where he died 
 in the spring of i S 7 5 , at the age of sixty-six, his 
 wife following him three years later, at sixty- 
 three years of age. He was a carpet weaver by 
 occupation, and at times carried on farming on 
 a small scale. In politics he was a Republican, 
 and he and his wile were both Lutherans in re- 
 ligious faith. Their children were: Mandus. 
 who died in Northumberland county, in 1871; 
 Lucinda, widow of Samuel Mingus, of Turbuts- 
 ville, Penn.; Eliza, who married Andrew Fink, 
 of Lehigh county, both now deceased; Julia, 
 wlm married Robert Mackey, and moved to Illi- 
 nois, where she died, all traces of her husband 
 being lost since ; Susannah, wife of Edward Dief- 
 fenderfer, now living in retirement in Lehigh 
 county; Franklin W.. our subject; David, a 
 farmer residing in White l>eer township; Edwin, 
 a fanner in Michigan; Elemanda, widow of Ed- 
 ward Dove, of Allentown, Penn. ; Tellera, who 
 married (ohn Yaker, ami dii ' in N01 liumber- 
 I ml county, where he now resides; Harrison, 
 win. died at Allrntown; Harmon, ol Norihum- 
 inty; Theresa, who married William 
 Strickland, a tanner of Sullivan county, Penn., 
 
 and died al W dS ntowii 
 
 Franklin W. Berkenstock was born July 6, 
 1829, in Socken township, Lehigh county, Penn., 
 
 and, as circumstances compelled him to enter 
 upon the work of bread-winning at an early age, 
 he left home at thirteen to learn the shoemaker's 
 trade with his brother-in-law, Andrew Fink. He 
 remained four years, and then accompanied his 
 parents to Lycoming count}', where he worked 
 three years at his trade for Joseph Wise, receiv- 
 
 ^40 for the first year, and afterward working 
 b\ the piece as he found it more profitable. Be- 
 ing thoroughly skilled in all branches of trade, 
 he decided to go into business for himself, in 
 Gregg township, Union county, where he con- 
 tinued until 1854. The " Western fever " at- 
 tacked him, and one year was spent in prospect- 
 ing for one of the much-talked-of locations in the 
 West, where fortunes were made in a marvel- 
 ously short time; but upon actual inspection he 
 discovered that they were not what his fancy 
 painted them, and he returned to Union count}-, 
 contented to remain. Locating in White Deer 
 township he resumed his trade, which he followed 
 until his retirement in 1875. 
 
 On December 31, 1858, Mr. Berkenstock 
 was married in that township by Rev. Mr. Flor- 
 enceworth, to Miss Jane Walter, a native of Sny- 
 der county, born November 21, 1836. Her par- 
 ents. William and Elizabeth (Wolfe) Walter, 
 were born, reared and married in Snyder county, 
 and in 1850 removed to a farm in White Deer 
 township, Union county, where the father died 
 in March, 1874. aged sixty-two, his last years be- 
 ing spent in retirement. He was well-to-do, and 
 was prominent in local affairs, holding office at 
 times. He was a Republican in politics, and he 
 and his wife, who survives him and resides at 
 Lewisburg, became identified many years ago 
 with the Evangelical Church. 
 
 Mrs. Berkenstock was the eldest of a family 
 of seven children, the others being: (2) Fietta 
 died at the age of fifteen. (3) Jonathan, a farmer 
 in Marshall county, Iowa, married Miss Marica 
 Mosby. (4) Joel is a retired farmer in White 
 Deer township, Union county. (5) Miss Judis 
 resides at Lewisburg with her mother. (6) Cath- 
 erine married Harvey Smith, a farmer near M1111- 
 cy Station. Penn. (7) Sarah married Rev. Peter 
 Raderbock, now of Western Springs, Illinois. 
 
 On abandoning the work-bench in 1875, Mr. 
 Berkenstock purchased the Walter homestead, 
 where he resided until his removal to White 
 Deer. After one year in that village he settled 
 at his present home in that vicinity, which com- 
 biner the advantages of farm life b) those af- 
 forded by the neighboring town. He is an ear- 
 nest supporter of Republican prim iples, and is in- 
 fluential in local politics, having been chosen to 
 ifficesol trust in his township in his more 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1205 
 
 active days. He belongs to the Grange at New 
 Columbia, and to the Evangelical Church, in 
 which he is a trustee. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Berkenstock have had five chil- 
 dren, of whom all but one are living: (i ) Emma, 
 born October 26, 1859, married A. M. Smith, a 
 farmer in California, and has three sons — Guy, 
 Joseph R. and Owen. (2) Clinton, born April i, 
 i860, a farmer, married Miss Minerva Ranck, 
 and has four children — Frankie A., Naomi, Leah, 
 and Lottie. (3; Elizabeth, born October 18, 
 1864, died in March, 1872. (4) William, born 
 May 3, 1870, is a fruit sprayer in California, and 
 was married there to a Miss Wagner. (5) Owen, 
 born April 10, 1881, resides with his parents 
 
 WALTER P. LILLEY, of Lewisburg, is 
 one of the rising young business men of 
 his locality. Like many of our best citizens he 
 is of old Berks county stock, being the fifth gen- 
 eration in descent from Peter Lilley, an old set- 
 tler. John and Sarah (Almond) Lilley, our sub- 
 ject's great-grandparents, were both natives of 
 Berks county, as was also his grandfather, John 
 Lilley, now an honored resident of Lewisburg, 
 and his grandmother (now deceased), whose 
 maiden name was Sarah Heckman. 
 
 The late Henry Lilley, the father of our sub- 
 ject, was born at Black Run, Union county, but 
 much of his life was spent at Lewisburg, where 
 he engaged in the business of shoemaking. He 
 was married thereto Miss Anna Lutz, a native of 
 the town, born in 1853, but he died not long after 
 this event, at the age of twenty-three. He was 
 a member of the Lutheran Church, and his up- 
 right character made for him many friends wher- 
 ever he was known. His widow married a second 
 husband, George Wealer, who is now engaged 
 in the manufacture of cigars, at Reading, Penn. 
 There were two sons by the first union: Walter 
 P., our subject; and Henry, who lived only 
 eighteen months. By the second marriage there 
 were also two children: Albert, now a cigar 
 manufacturer, in California; and Emma (de- 
 ceased). 
 
 Walter P. Lilley was born at Black Run, 
 Union county, November 5, 1867, and after the 
 death of his father, in 1871, was reared by his 
 grandfather, John Lilley, of Lewisburg, with 
 whom he remained until the age of sixteen, at- 
 tending school in the meantime. At sixteen he 
 went to Bellefonte, Penn., to enter the employ 
 of W. A. Lyon, and, after five years with him, 
 he spent two years with H. H. Schreyer, a 
 dealer in wall paper and similar commodities. 
 He returned to Lewisburg, and for one year was 
 
 engaged in the meat business there, with C. F. 
 Hodd, and since that time he has followed that 
 trade. He spent six months in Girard, Penn., 
 but sold his shop there to open another in Mont- 
 gomery, Penn. , where he remained the same 
 length of time. On disposing of that business 
 he went to Milton and worked for two vears for 
 G. W. Hurtz, a butcher there. He then estab- 
 lished his present market at Lewisburg, where 
 he has met with gratifying success. 
 
 On March 29, 1892, he was married, at Belle- 
 fonte, to Miss Minnie Olewine, a native of that 
 city, and a lady of rare social gifts. Her father, 
 the late Samuel Olewine, was born in Monroe 
 county, Penn., and at the time of his death, 
 which occurred October 10, 18S9. at the age of 
 sixty-one, was a wealthy retired farmer residing 
 at Bellefonte. His wife, MaryM. Stetzer, whom 
 he married at Aaronsburg, Penn., was born in 
 Northampton county, Penn., and died at Belle- 
 fonte, July 22, 1874. Her parents, David and 
 Elizabeth (Rockey) Stetzer, were of German 
 descent, and Mr. Stetzer, in his later years, con- 
 ducted a hotel at Laurelton, Union county. 
 Mrs. Lilley was the youngest in a family of five 
 children. Mary now resides with our subject; 
 John is in the hardware business, at Bellefonte, 
 with J. H. Harris; Catherine married John Kline, 
 an attorney at Bellefonte; and William is de- 
 ceased. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Lilley have a beautiful home at 
 Lewisburg, their commodious brick residence 
 being furnished throughout in a manner which 
 displays a cultured taste. One daughter, Helen, 
 born January 1, 1894, has blessed their union. 
 They are prominent socially, and are identi- 
 fied with the Lutheran Church, in which both 
 take an active interest. 
 
 J I LEXANDER EDELMAN, a leading and in- 
 L fluential member of the agricultural com- 
 munity of West Buffalo township, Union coun- 
 ty, has spent almost his entire life upon his pres- 
 ent farm, his parents, John and Mary A. (Zim- 
 merman) Edelman, locating there when he was 
 only two years old. He is a native of the coun- 
 ty, born April 8, 1849, and is one of the two 
 children born to his father's second marriage. 
 There were five children in the family who grew 
 to years of maturity, the others being John and 
 Cornelius, both farmers of Missouri; Eli, who 
 was an agriculturist of Union county, Penn., but 
 is now deceased; and Edwin, a miller living in 
 West Buffalo township. The father has been 
 called to his final rest, but the mother of our 
 subject is still living, now a resident of Bloom- 
 
[206 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL llE'ORD. 
 
 ington, Ind. Her parents lived and died in 
 Union county, Pennsylvania. 
 
 In the public schools of his native county 
 Alexander Edelman acquired a good practical 
 edui rid upon the home farm was early 
 
 trained to habits of industry, becoming a thor- 
 
 h and skillful agriculturist. He was mar- 
 ried in [874 tn Mi.-s Mary Harman, a daughter 
 of Samuel F. Harman, a tailor by trade, who 
 was employed in a gristmill, and toward the close 
 of his life turned his attention to farming. He 
 was tin Jacob and Sarah (Klingler) Har- 
 
 man. while the maternal grandparents of Mrs. 
 Edelman were Jacob and Sarah (Boot) Boyer, 
 the 1. iltrr a daughter of Charles Boot, a native 
 of Ireland. 
 
 Tn "nr subject and his wife have been born 
 five children, whose names and dates of birth are 
 as follows: Charles S. T., October 16, 1876; 
 Sarah F., Januarj 24, [879; Edwin S., Oct 
 
 Vngie, July 21, 1888, and Chauncy 
 F., December jo, [893. All are still at hi 
 with the cep ion of the eldest sun, who is now 
 living in New Yi>rk Si 
 
 Politically, Mr. Edelman has ever been iden- 
 tified with the Democratic party, and, religiously, 
 he is a consistent and faithful membei oi the Lu- 
 theran Church. He is a prosperous and sub- 
 stantial farmer, and is highly respected by all 
 who have the pi i his acquaintance. His 
 
 family i the brightest and most intelli- 
 
 gent in the community, and they occupy a most 
 delightful home, where happiness and good ch 
 
 nd supreme. 
 
 GALEN C. WHITMER, one of the most pop- 
 ular and enterprising young business men of 
 Hartley township, is a native of Union county, 
 born Novembei 26, 1859, and is a son of Philip 
 and Elizabeth (< Whitmer, being an onlj 
 
 child. The mother died March 28, [895, and 
 was laid to rest in the Hartleton cen 
 
 Philip Whitmer was one of a family of live 
 children. His twin sister became the wife ol S. 
 Haupt, and i\\<<\ June 29, 1889, leaving a 
 of nine children. Henrj is a coa! merchant ol 
 Philipsburg, l'enn. William is extensively en- 
 gaged in the manufacture and sale of luml 
 having a main office in Philadelphia, where lie 
 resides, and several branch offices in other cities 
 in Pennsylvania and also in West Virginia. Sarah 
 married Charles Hassenplug, and they li\i in 
 Mifflinburg, Penn., where she died at about the 
 age of thirty years. 
 
 it Whitmer, whose name introduces 
 
 this review, was educated in the common schools, 
 and during his youth learned the tinsmith's trade. 
 Of sterling qualities and undoubti .1 inti grity, he 
 bids fair to become one of the leading and influ- 
 ential men of his county. He possesses unusual 
 business sagacity and the true American spirit of 
 progressiveness, which are bound to win success 
 in any undertaking. He is a man of intrii 
 worth, esteemed in all the relations of life, 
 he has the high regard of all with whom he comes 
 in c6ntact. Politically, he is a supporter of the 
 Republican party, and, religiously, he is a con- 
 
 1 nt member of the Lutheran Church, to which 
 his ancestors belonged. 
 
 On September 29, (885, Mr. Whitmer was 
 united in marriag with Miss Lizzie Myers, a 
 daughter "I John Myers, a well-known farmer of 
 Union county, and a granddaughter of Isaac 
 Myers, a minister of the Dunkard Church. Four 
 children bless this union, whose names and dates 
 of birth are as follows: Grace, August 1-. 1 
 Helen. April 17. 1888; Candace, May 21. 1 
 and Anna, July 1 J, 1890. 
 
 J A. MORNINGSTAR, Esq., who has for 
 twentj \ '.us acceptably served as justice of 
 
 tin- pi .11 1 is one of the best known 
 most highly respected citizens as well as one of 
 the leading agriculturists 1 I Lewis township, Un- 
 ion county. His birth occurred in York county, 
 Penn., October 10, 1832, but since three years 
 Lge he has found a pleasant home in Union 
 county, and bi □ n lively identified with its best 
 interests. 
 
 His parent-. Petei and Barbara (Fox) M >rn- 
 ingstar. were both natives of Germany, where 
 their marriage was celebrated, and three chil- 
 dren were born to them previous to theii 1 migra- 
 tion to America. The iathei was born in Ham- 
 burg, and the mother near that city. On their ar- 
 rival in this country they located in York count}-, 
 Penn., where our subject and his younger brother 
 were born. In tlieii family were seven children, 
 follows: Michael is deceased; Peter, a Union sol- 
 dier during the Civil war, who was taken p 
 by the Rebels and incarcerated in Andersonvil 
 he being one of eighteen who survived the ill tn 
 
 1 thej 1 .id tie re, dii 1 1 years .1 
 
 Catharine, a resident of He la Park, Centre < 
 Penn., is the widow ol Samuel Wff, of that 
 count\ : Elizabeth is the wife ol |oel Boyer, a 
 farmer ol Linn county; Mary lives with our 
 subject, who isnexl in order of birth; GeorgeW., 
 the youngi quite a wealthy resident ol l 
 
 ifornia, where he owns 500 acres of valuable 
 land. 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1207 
 
 Although our subject's early educational priv- 
 ileges were limited to the opportunities afforded 
 by the common schools of his locality, he is by 
 nature studious, and his extensive reading has 
 covered a wide range of subjects, making him a 
 well-informed man. His business training was 
 received upon the home farm, and throughout 
 life he has devoted his time to agricultural pur- 
 suits. 
 
 On attaining to man's estate Mr. Morningstar 
 was united in marriage with Miss Lucien, daugh- 
 ter of A. Burris, a native of New York, and a 
 veteran of the war of i S 1 2 . Eight children 
 graced this union, who reached years of maturity, 
 as follows: Emma B. is the wife of |oiiu Wallace, 
 of Swengel, Penn., a pensioner of the Civil war; 
 Mary, born November 26, 1854, is the wife of 
 Isaac Strickler; Margaret, born February 26, 
 1856, married Isaac M. Royer, and lives in Rid^e- 
 burg, Penn.; Sarah A., born December 14, [857, 
 is the wife of James Miller, a coachmaker of 
 Mifflinburg, Penn.; Martha, born July 29, 1861, 
 wedded James Boyer, a farmer of West Buffalo 
 township, Union county, living near Mifflinburg; 
 George Woodward, born October 18, 1863, who 
 operates his father's farm, is married and has a 
 six-year-old daughter; Seymour H., born May 5, 
 1865, is a farmer in Lewis township. Union 
 county; and Andrew J., born April 18, 1867, \ 
 educated in the Williamsport Commercial Col- 
 lege, and is now a traveling salesman, residing in 
 Illinois. The mother of these children was called 
 to her final rest May 25, [868, aged thirty-four 
 years, and on the 13th of January, 1870, Mr. 
 Morningstar was again married, his second union 
 being with Mrs. Sarah J. Grove, ne'e Smith. By 
 her first husband, who died at the age of twenty- 
 four years, she had two children. 
 
 In his political affiliations Mr. Morningstar is 
 an ardent Democrat, and, religiously, is a mem- 
 ber of the Reformed Church, to which his family 
 also belong. He was appointed the first inspector 
 of Lewis township, in 1857, the township being 
 organized in that year, and he has also filled the 
 offices of school director three terms and treas- 
 urer of the school board for the same period. 
 H,e faithfully discharges every duty that devolves 
 upon him, whether public or private, and thus 
 wins the commendation of the entire community. 
 
 
 C CHARLES H. BERNHART. Few cities of 
 J) the size of Lewisburg. Union county, can 
 boast of as well-equipped livery stable as that 
 which the enterprising young business man, 
 whose name introduces this review, has recently 
 opened there. Possessing the finest outfits and 
 
 horses obtainable, the establishment has a metro- 
 politan air, and without doubt Lewisburg's resi- 
 dents will show their appreciation of the ven- 
 ture, and by liberal patronage make it a success. 
 
 Mr. Bernhart was born August 22. 1866, at 
 Ridgway, Penn., and has always made his home 
 in Pennsylvania. His paternal grandfather, John 
 Bernhart, was born in Reading, Penn., and 
 passed his life there. The late Isaac Bernhart, 
 the father of our subject, was a native of Mid- 
 dleburg township, Berks county, born March 3, 
 [833, and became a prominent business man, 
 engaging early in life in the lumber business, at 
 which he made money. On retiring from this 
 occupation he interested himself in banking and 
 similar enterprises to still further success. He 
 was a member of the Reformed Church, and 
 in politics was a stanch Democrat. He died 
 January 25, 1892, leaving a widow and two chil- 
 dren: Charles H., our subject; and Mary K. 
 Mrs. Bernhart, who was formerly Miss Margaret 
 Schunck, was born in Berks count} 1 , in 1838, and 
 now resides in Reading, where her ancestors have 
 been prominent for several generations. 
 
 Charles H. Bernhart was carefully educated 
 for business, attending college for two years and 
 a half, and later pursuing a course in a commer- 
 cial college at Poughkeepsie, N. Y. On leaving 
 school he entered the employ of the Atlantic 
 Railroad Company, at Philadelphia, for a time, 
 and then returned home to engage in mercantile 
 business, after which he again entered the serv- 
 ice of the railroad company. 
 
 In 1889, Mr. Bernhart was married to Miss 
 Lena Baker, of Lewisburg, and located in that 
 city, where he has built a nice residence. He • 
 entered upon the livery business in April, 1807, 
 having erected a commodious and well-planned 
 stable, and stocked it in an " up-to-date " style. 
 
 Mr. Bernhart is a man of fine physique and 
 elegant manners, and he and his accomplished 
 wife are leaders in social life. 
 
 KwlflLLIAM B. and GEORGE A SMITH 
 
 umL are numbered among the steady-going 
 and most reliable young men of Buffalo town- 
 ship, Union county, who have chosen agricultural 
 pursuits as their life work, and are meeting with 
 excellent success in their field of labor. Their 
 father, John B. Smith, now deceased, was born 
 in Hartley township, Union county, January 9, 
 1832, and was a son of George Smith, a farmer 
 by occupation, who reared a family of five sons 
 and several daughters. 
 
 The primitive country schools of this time 
 afforded John B. Smith his educational privileges, 
 
1 L'l IS 
 
 OOMMEMORA TIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 and, as his parents were in limited circumstances, 
 he began life for himself at an early age. Un 
 the direction of Mr. Hull, at Lewisburg, he 1" 
 learning the tanner's trade, but his health would 
 not permit bis following that occupation, so he 
 turned his attention to farming, in which he met 
 with a fair degree of succ< 
 
 In Buffalo township John B. Smith was mar- 
 ried to Miss Rebecca Kauffman, a daughter of 
 Jacob and Rachel (Reidy Kauffman. Five chil- 
 dren graced their union: Jacob K., now a resi- 
 dent of the West; and William ]>., Amelia E., 
 Matilda J and I L, who are still on the 
 
 old home farm. After his marriage, Mr, Smith 
 located on a small place in 1 iuffaL > township, and 
 ttention to buying and selling cattle. 
 1 oi a time he lived in Cowan and later near that 
 village, but, in 1870, he located on the old 
 Jacob Kauffman farm, which he purchased, as his 
 wife was one of the heirs. It comprises sixty- 
 seven acres of rich and arable land, and is im- 
 proved with good and substantial buildings 
 There the lather continued to make his home un- 
 til his death, which occurred on the iothof May, 
 1889, and upon the same place the mother de- 
 parted this life November 1, [891, both being 
 laid to rest in the cemetery at Mazeppa. They 
 were earnest and consistent members of the Re- 
 formed Church, and were held in the highest re- 
 gard by all who knew them. Although a regu- 
 lar voter and a stanch Republican in politics, Mr. 
 Smith cared nothiDg for the honors or emolu- 
 ments of public office, preferring to give his en- 
 tii' time and attention to his business interests 
 and his famih . 
 
 The old home farm is now successfully oper- 
 ated by the sons, who are numbered among 
 the most skillful and thorough agriculturists of 
 the community, and in social as well as business 
 circles stand deservedly high. The family is 
 one of prominence in the community, and at 
 their hospitable home their many friends are al- 
 ways sure of a hearty welcome. 
 
 ISAAC 1\ BROWN. The value of modern 
 _ scientific methods in agricultural work is ad- 
 mirably show in the well-kept farms of this sec- 
 tion, and the subject of this sketch, a leading 
 citizen of Buffalo Valley, is especially noted for 
 his progressive and systematic management. A 
 judicious conservatism governs his acceptance of I 
 and application of new theories, and he has had 
 remarkable success in all his attempts at ad- 
 vancement At present he has two farms under 
 cultivation in Union county, sixty-six acres in 
 Buffalo township, and 107 acres in East Buffalo 
 
 township, and both show the wisdom of his 
 plans. 
 
 Mr. Brown is a member of an old pie 
 family, his grandfather. John Brown, who was 
 born November 12, 1756, in Pine Grove town- 
 ship. Berks count}-, Perm., having settled in Un- 
 ion count)' in the spring of [804. He was ac- 
 panied by his wife and their children, and 
 his remaining years wi 1 nt at their new 
 
 home, near Smoketown, his death occurring De 
 cember [3, 1838. His remains were interred in 
 Dreisbach cem< tery. Jacob Brown, our subject's 
 father, was born in 170.9 at the old homestead in 
 Berks county, and, coming to this section in 
 childhood, was reared in Union county. He 
 married Miss Elizabeth Wolfe, a native of Past 
 Buffalo township, Union county, and a member 
 of an old and respected family. Some years 
 after his marriage, Jacob Brown removed to 
 Northumberland county, and located upon a 
 tract of 152 acres, near McEwensville, which he 
 then owned. Later he returned to East Buffalo 
 township, Union county, and, settling upon a 
 farm on Turtle creek, remained there until his 
 death, December 28, [870. His wife survived 
 him several years, and both were buried at Lew- 
 isburg. He was five feet eight inches in height, 
 and of average weight, and always followed 
 farming as an occupation. He belonged to the 
 Reformed Church, in which he held various 
 offices, and was influential in local politics, sup- 
 porting the Republican ticket and occasionally 
 accepting a place thereon for some township 
 office, although he was not by any means a 
 seeker after public positions. Of his children, 
 the eldest, John W., now a resident of I 
 Buffalo township, was a soldier in the 202nd P. 
 Y. I. during the Civil war; Samuel, a farmer in 
 the same township, served in Compan} E, 142nd 
 P. Y. I.; Peter was drowned, at tl >f eight- 
 
 een, while engaged in boating; William W. re- 
 sides in Lewisburg; Isaac F. is mentioned more 
 fully below; and Mary died in infancy. 
 
 Mr. Brown's birth occurred January 23, 1 S 3 7 , 
 while the family were living in Delaware town- 
 ship. Northumberland county, but since the age 
 of fifteen he has resided in Union county. His 
 early education was limited to the common 
 schools of the day, such as they were, but a nat- 
 urally acute mind has enabled him to supple- 
 ment these meagre advantages by observation 
 and reading. When the war broke out he was 
 still at home, and, like his two elder brothers, 
 he determined to offer his services to his country. 
 On August 21, 1S62, he enlisted, at Lewisburg, 
 in Company E, 142nd P. V. 1., and on Novem- 
 ber 1 of that year he was appointed corporal. 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1209 
 
 He participated in all the battles and skirmishes 
 of his regiment, including the engagements at 
 the Rappahannock, Fredericksburg, Chancellors- 
 ville, Gettysburg, two days, Mine Run, the Wil- 
 derness, Spottsylvania, North Anna, Petersburg, 
 Weldon Railroad and Hatcher's Run. He was 
 wounded in the left shoulder at Fredericksburg, 
 and spent four weeks in the Patent Office Hos- 
 pital, but during that time his regiment did no 
 fighting. On August 22, 1865, he was mustered 
 out with an excellent record, and, returning home, 
 again took up the work of the farm, assisting 
 his father. 
 
 On December 15, 1870, Mr. Brown was mar- 
 ried to Miss Catherine Dunkle, who was born 
 February 19, 1842, in Buffalo township, Union 
 county, the daughter of Michael and Elizabeth 
 Dunkle. This family is one of the oldest in that 
 locality, and the "Michael Dunkle farm," of 
 which our subject's present home is a portion, 
 was a fine estate. Mr. Brown had saved some 
 money, and had a good start toward a compe- 
 tence, and by shrewd management he has added 
 to his possessions until he now ranks among the 
 wealthiest farmers of the township. Beside his 
 two farms, he owns a good brick house, with five 
 acres of land, on the pike in East Buffalo town- 
 ship, two lots in the Shrines addition at Lewis- 
 burg, sixty-seven acres of timber land, and a half 
 interest in the Reish farm and mill in West Buf- 
 falo township. He is also a stockholder in the 
 Union County Agricultural Society. 
 
 As a citizen he has always been ready to en- 
 couarge any beneficial movement in his locality, 
 and he has taken keen interest in educational 
 matters, serving for about twenty years as school 
 director, and endeavoring by every means to 
 secure better privileges for the children of this 
 day than were vouchsafed to himself. In polit- 
 ical faith he is a Republican. He is a member of 
 the G. A. R. , Tucker Post No. 52, at Lewisburg, 
 and he and his wife both belong to the Reformed 
 Church, in which he was for many years a dea- 
 con, and is now an elder. 
 
 His only son, Michael J. Brown, born De- 
 cember 14, 1876, is a promising young man, who 
 is following closely in his father's footsteps, and 
 takes an active part in the management of the 
 farm. 
 
 PETER BINGAMAN. Like many other res- 
 idents within the bounds of Union county 
 who started out in life with naught but an abund- 
 ance of determination and indefatigable industry, 
 and who have succeeded through their own dili- 
 gence, energy and economy, we classify the gen- 
 
 tleman whose name opens this sketch. From 
 early boyhood he has made his own way in the 
 world, and is now the owner of a good farm of 
 ninety acres in Limestone township. 
 
 Mr. Bingaman was born November 4, 1817, 
 in Berks county, Penn. , a son of Christian and 
 Elizabeth Bingaman, who, in 1838, removed to 
 Union county, where the father worked as a la- 
 borer for the Berlin Furnace Company* support- 
 ing his family in this way. With savings from 
 his meagre wages after years of toil, he bought a 
 small home and piece of land in Beaver town- 
 ship, Snyder county, Penn., where he died at the 
 age of fifty-nine. His wife survived him many 
 years, reaching the advanced age of ninety-four. 
 
 Our subject was the fourth son and sixth 
 child in the family of eleven children, and was 
 twenty-one years of age at the time of the re- 
 moval of the family to Union county. His edu- 
 cational advantages were very limited, and as a 
 young man he was employed as a wood-chopper 
 for the Berlin Furnace Company. On October 
 10, 1839, he was married to Miss Catharine 
 Mertz, who was born in Hartley township, Union 
 county, August 21, 1821, a daughter of John 
 Mertz. They began housekeeping in that town- 
 ship, where he rented a small dwelling, which 
 for some time was very scantily furnished. His 
 health becoming impaired he was obliged to give 
 up wood-chopping, and for many years engaged 
 in farming on rented land, and by incessant toil 
 and the strictest economy, aided by his excellent 
 wife, he was at last able to save a few hundred 
 dollars, which, in the fall of 1875, he invested in 
 his present farm, buying the same from Vitalis 
 Walter. He continued to live in Hartley town- 
 ship until the following spring, when he took up 
 his residence upon his own farm. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Bingaman became the parents 
 of the following children: Catharine E., born 
 May 30, 1840, is now the wife of William Bart- 
 ley, of Centre county, Penn.; William H., born 
 December 6, 1841, was married and died in Hart- 
 ley township, Union county, leaving six sons; 
 John W., born September 4, 1843, is a farmer 
 of Limestone township, Union county; Margaret, 
 born September 22, 1845, is the wife of Harry 
 Walter, of Lewis township, Union county; Mary 
 J., born June 12, 1847, is at home; Calvin, born 
 May 2, 1850, is a resident of Michigan; Martin, 
 born July 21, 1852, lives in Lewis township, 
 Union county; Hannah, born September 21, 
 1854, died in infancy; Samuel, born May 12, 
 1857, makes his home in Limestone township; 
 and James J., born October 18, 1861, died in 
 childhood. Mrs. Bingaman, who was a consist- 
 ent member of the Lutheran Church, and a faith- 
 
[210 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 ful helpmeet to her husband, died December 10, 
 }, and was laid to rest in the cemetery at 
 Mirrlinburg. 
 
 Politically Mr. Bingaman uses his right of 
 franchise in support of th< ratic party, 
 
 but he has never been an office-seeker, his time 
 
 attention being wholly occupied by h 
 ness affairs. He, too, is a n 
 standing^ the Lutheran Church, and has won 
 for li i high place in the regard ami esteem 
 
 of his fellow-citizens, who appreciati rling 
 
 worth. 
 
 CHRISTIAN SCHNURE, an enterprising busi- 
 3 man of Vicksburg, Union county, has 
 met with gratifying success during his brief i 
 deuce in that city, and he is now a leading pro- 
 duce buyer, his goods being taken to the coal 
 regions for sale. Although a stranger when he 
 settled there in the spring his business 
 
 methods have won for him the confide:, 
 esteem of the large number of people with whi 
 he deals, and he is looked upon as one of the 
 substantial citizens of the town. 
 
 Christian Schnure, who is the third of his line 
 to bear that name, was born September 5, I 
 in Hartley township. Union county, and 
 German descent, his grandfather, Chrisii.ni 
 Schnure, having been the first of the famil) to 
 leave the Fatherland and make his home in 
 America. Christian Schnure, our subject's father, 
 was a native of Snyder count)-, and after fol- 
 lowing the weaver's trade for seine time set- 
 tled upon a farm in Hartley township, Union 
 county. He lived to the ripe old age of 
 eighty-two years, and left property valued at 
 more th 1 >i « 1, mosl "1 il being the result 
 
 of his own efforts, Politically, lu- was a Re- 
 publican, and for many yen- In- was a lead- 
 ing member of the I d Church. His v 
 
 I j dia Keister, who died in hei 
 
 1 'i 1 1. nil- j township, and a 
 daughter <>t John Keister. I i sons and five 
 daughters were born t" their union, cur sub 
 being the seventh child and third son. I 
 pan 1 their last at the old home in 
 
 II irtley township, and tl 'in 
 the 1 ry at " Whip ; I I 
 
 Mr. Schnun the first ten 
 
 life in his native, township, and his education was 
 
 -in in the White I louse, but his par- 
 
 ents then removed to Nittanj Valley, Centre 
 county, and remained thi rs, during which 
 
 the boy attended the winter sessions at Marion 
 District School. In 1858 the family returned to 
 Union county, where Mr. Schnure grew to man- 
 
 hood, securing a fair education in the country 
 schools and learning at home all the "ins and 
 outs " of farm work. For some time after com- 
 ing of age he worked on the railway, then in 
 /f construction near Spring Mills, but he 
 continued to reside at home. At thirty-three he 
 married Mis- Sarah Kuhl. who was born June 4, 
 [850, in Lewis township. Union county, the 
 
 ghter of ' mmI Hannah Kaufman Kuhl. 
 
 1"! ten years Mr. Schnure made his home 
 
 11, Snyder county, on a farm belonging to 
 his uncle, George Schnure, and then removed to 
 the Ruhl homestead, which he rented for two 
 years. The next five years were spent at Swen- 
 gel, but in [895 he purchased his present huck- 
 stering business at Vicksburg from Robert Gel- 
 linger. He owns a good home at Vicksburg, and 
 one at Millmont, and has also a lot in the villi 
 of Swengel, so it is evident that he is not only 
 energetic in carrying on his business, but can 
 make judicious investments of the proceeds. He 
 is very quiet and unassuming, attending strictly 
 to his own affairs, and this is doubtless one fac- 
 tor in his suo 
 
 II is a stanch Republican in political faith. 
 
 At one time he belonged to the 
 
 l'n ion League, 
 
 and his sympathies are with every movement 
 thai pn imises beneficial results to thecommunity. 
 His wife is an active member of the Lutheran 
 Church. Two promising boys, Henry and Clar- 
 ence C. , brighten their home. 
 
 SAMUEL ZIMMERMAN. No more highly 
 ) respected citizen can be found in Limestone 
 township, and probably no other man in Union 
 county has been longer in the employ of another 
 than our subject, he having worked for I). W. 
 nan for thirty-nine long years. His birth 
 occurred in Snyder county, Penn., February 16, 
 [849, but when a child he was brought to Union 
 ily by his parents, Jonas and Maria 'Faust) 
 Zimmerman, who located upon the farm now 
 owned and occupied by our subject. The grand- 
 father. I k Zimmerman, lived and died in 
 Wist Buffalo township, Union county, whither 
 
 county. 
 lather, who was a shoemaker by trade, 
 died when his son Samuel was quite small, !< 
 
 the mother with six little children and a 
 small farm of thirty-three acres, which was not 
 entin 1) paid lor In order to cleai the place of 
 debt, she sold a portion of her ' land, and in 
 early life she often did a man's work in the har- 
 field and at various other employments in 
 older to support her family. This estimable 
 . died at the age of seventy-two years, six 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1211 
 
 months and twenty-four days, upon the farm left 
 her by her husband, and her remains were 
 interred in the Mifflinburg cemetery. 
 
 The six children of the family were as fol- 
 lows: William, now a resident of Paxtonville, 
 Snyder Co., Penn.; James, of Hancock county, 
 Ohio; Sarah, wife of David Parker, of Lewis 
 township, Union county; Samuel, of this sketch; 
 George, of Hartley township, Union county; and 
 Mary, wife of Scott Moyer, of Mifflinburg. 
 
 For a time Samuel Zimmerman attended the 
 public schools of Union county, which were 
 much inferior to those of the present time, but 
 his educational advantages were limited as at an 
 earh r age he began earning; his own livelihood 
 in the employ of D. W. Pellman. He not only 
 supported his widowed mother during her de»- 
 clining years, but he has also helped other rela- 
 tions, and he is a most generous and considerate 
 man. From the other heirs he purchased the 
 old homestead, comprising sixteen acres, and 
 has remodeled the house and made other useful 
 improvements. He has also laid up some 
 money, and for the success he has achieved in 
 life he certainly deserves great credit, for it 
 is all due to his own untiring efforts. In man- 
 ner, he is quiet and unassuming, attending 
 strictly to his own affairs, and in politics he is a 
 stanch Democrat, but no politician in the sense 
 of office-seeking. 
 
 BANIEL HORNER, a prominent and suc- 
 cessful farmer and stock-raiser of Hartley 
 township, Union county, living near, the village 
 of Cohn, is a self-made man, who, by the exercise 
 of his resolute will and persevering industry, has 
 built up one of the most creditable homesteads 
 of the locality. His straightforward methods of 
 doing business, and his value as a member of the 
 community, have gained for him a wide circle of 
 friends and acquaintances, who have watched 
 his career with interest, and are not slow to ac- 
 knowledge that he is deserving of all the good 
 that has fallen to him. Although he began life 
 in limited circumstances, and commenced work 
 as a farm hand at $6 per month, he has acquired 
 considerable property. 
 
 In the township where he still resides, Mr. 
 Horner was born October 27, 1826. His parents 
 were natives of Berks county, Penn., and became 
 honored pioneers of Union county, where the 
 father followed the occupation of farming. In 
 order of birth, their six children were as follows: 
 Amos, who at an early day removed to Indiana, 
 where he engaged in agricultural pursuits until 
 his death; Samuel, a Union soldier of the Civil 
 
 war, who removed west in 1876; Isaac, who is 
 living in the West; David, who is married and 
 resides in the West; Daniel, of this sketch; and 
 John, who is also married and lives in the West. 
 
 The boyhood and youth of our subject were 
 spent upon a farm, while his education was re- 
 ceived in the common schools. In 1846 he pur- 
 chased his present farm, and to its cultivation 
 and improvement has since devoted his time and 
 attention. In politics he is an ardent Republican, 
 and in religious belief is a Lutheran. 
 
 In |une, 1850, Mr. Horner was married to 
 Miss Elizabeth March, daughter of John March, 
 and they became the parents of four children: 
 Margaret, now the wife of Samuel Church, a 
 farmer of Hartleton, Union county, by whom 
 she has three children; Elizabeth, wife of Joseph 
 Pursley, a prominent farmer of Hartley township, 
 Union county, by whom she has seven children; 
 Westie, who married William Libby, a lumber- 
 man, and has six children; and Alice, who died 
 at the age of eleven years. 
 
 BJ. WEIDENSAUL, a prominent business 
 man of Lewisburg, Union county, has re- 
 sided in the suburban district known as Smoke- 
 town since 1864. He was "born in Hartleton, 
 Union county, June 11, 1841, and his early life 
 was mainly spent at the "American House," an 
 old-time hostelry standing on the turnpike at the 
 end of the Lewisburg bridge. He remembers 
 distinctly the days when the chief means of 
 transportation was by wagons on the turnpike. 
 The hotel was conducted by Adam Weidensaul, 
 our subject's father, who was born in Reading, 
 Penn., but after some years of residence at Selins 
 Grove, Penn., removed to Union county, his last 
 days being spent in Hartleton. He was a Re- 
 publican in politics, and in religious faith was a 
 Lutheran. His death occurred at the age of 
 sixty-five, and his wife, Leah Woscar, who was 
 born in 1813, passed away in 1895. She was a 
 daughter of Elias Woscar, who came from Ger- 
 many and made his home at Broad Mountain, 
 Schuylkill county, in this State. To Adam and 
 Leah Weidensaul eleven children were born: 
 Elias, Henry. John, Mary, R. J., Emma, Wel- 
 lington, Hannah, Charles, Hayes and Ida. 
 
 R. J. Weidensaul learned in his youth the 
 business of coach painting and trimming, in 
 which he was engaged for many vears. About 
 twenty years ago he added to this a livery busi- 
 ness, in which he has been very successful. At 
 the age of twenty-three he was married to his 
 first wife, Miss Mary Wolfe, and began house- 
 keeping on the same lot in Smoketown that his 
 
121f 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL REC<>i;i>. 
 
 home is now on. Eight children were born to 
 this union: John is deceased; Aaron. ;i resident 
 of Lewisburg, married Miss Kate Hower, and 
 they have two children — William and Hilda: 
 Katie i- at • child died in infancy; 
 
 I in business with his father; Edith, 
 
 and ( hades are now at home. The mothi 
 this family has been called to the better world, 
 and Mr. Weidensaul has since formed a see 
 union, this time with Mrs. Eli abeth Dunklebar- 
 ger. I 'his, by whom he has had two chil- 
 
 li: Liza C. and Harry B. Mrs. Weidensaul 
 has a daughter. Carrie, by her first husband. 
 
 In his political views Mr. Weidensaul 
 Republi d in relij the 
 
 doctrines of the Evangelical Church. 
 
 AARON SMITH, a prosperous agriculti 
 of Buffalo township, Union county, counts 
 among his ancestors several of the pioneer set- 
 i il this section. 
 
 On the paternal side his great-great-grandfa- 
 ther, Adam Smith, who was employi d during the 
 Revolutionary period in hauling supplies for the 
 Colonial forces, settled at a very early period 
 upon a tract of land lying along " Furnace Road," 
 in what is now East Buffalo township, Union 
 county. His death occurred there, and his 
 mains now rest in the old cemetery at Dreisbach 
 church. He had four sons and two da 
 
 in removed to Be: vnship, Snyder coun- 
 
 tj and some of his descendants still reside near 
 Beavertown; George died in Union county; 
 Michael is mentioned fully farther on; John 
 
 died al Beavertown, Snyder county; and one 
 daughtei married Michael Maize, and the other 
 w edded Steffy Touchman. 
 
 Michael Smith, the great-grandfather of our 
 sub| ame the owner of two farms on the 
 
 Furnace Road, and spent a long life in agricult- 
 ural pursuits, dying in Union county, fuly 2, 
 [841. He was married (first) to a Miss Bower, 
 of Dry Valle} . second 1 to Mi .Susanna Bart| 
 of Mifflinburg, and third to Miss Sophia Bickle, 
 who h I Sickle, was killed by an In- 
 
 dian. He had three daughters: Mrs. [oseph 
 Nyhart, Mrs. John Wolfe, and Mrs. David Oldt, 
 whi I near New Berlin, and five sons: 
 
 Michael, who settled in Michigan; Daniel, who 
 went to Ohi imin, an early settler in Illi- 
 
 ; Jonathan, our sub; randfather; and 
 
 David, who died in Union county, [onathan 
 Smith was born in \j\>2. at the old homestead 
 on the Furnace Road, and'died in 1832, from tin 
 effects of a fall in a barn from the haylofl to the 
 floor. He was a soldier in the war of 1812. 
 
 In religious faith he was a Lutheran, and, al- 
 Igh lie died at an early age, he had already 
 attained an influential place among his busii 
 
 His farm of 160 acres was one of 
 the best in iwnship. lie was buried in 
 
 Dreisbach cemetery, and his wile, Khzabeth 
 Wolfe, who passed away many years later, at 
 the it > -two. was interred at White 
 
 Deer church. She was born in Last Buffalo 
 township, Union county, the daughter of |acob, 
 and granddaughter of George Wolfe, one of the 
 first settlers in Buffalo Valley. Her mother, 
 Catherine Basner, was a daughter of John Bas- 
 ner. who on county in 1 77+, near 
 
 the present siteoi New Columbia, and was killed 
 in 177S, on the Susquehanna river, by some In- 
 dians. To Jonathan and Elizabeth Smith eight 
 children were born, viz.: Aaron W., our sub- 
 ject's father; Simon, a resident of White Deer 
 township, Union county; Mary, widow of Elias 
 Noll, of Lewisburg; Michael, who was killed in 
 a stom quarry in White Deer township; Jona- 
 than, wli it an early age; Catherine, widow 
 of foseph Mover, of White Deer; John, who 
 died in boyhood; and Jacob W., now residing in 
 Lewisburg. 
 
 The late Aaron W. Smith spent his youth at 
 the old farm in East Buffalo township, where he 
 was born October 6, [816. He received a good 
 education for the time and taught school several 
 terms. On April 25, 1839, he was married in 
 the same township, by Rev. M. Anspach. to Miss 
 Esther Sterner, who was born in that locality, 
 Jul\- 29, [82 I, the daughter "I Nathaniel Sterner* 
 They began housekeeping in their native town- 
 ship, where Mr. Smith followed the tanner's 
 trade, but in the spring of 1 S4 J he bought a tan- 
 nery in White Deer township and removed thi 
 remaining until late in the " 50s, "when he gave 
 up the business to engage in farming upon some 
 land which he purchased in the same locality. 
 About [864 he removed to another farm in Lewis 
 township, to pass his declining years, and his 
 death occurred there on February 12, 1.S70, 
 from typhoid fever. Ten other members of the 
 family were suffering from the disease at the 
 time, and a son and daughter died of it. His 
 wife survived him, and married William Hoff- 
 man, but at her death, in July, 1S83, she was 
 buried beside her first husband in Ray's ceme- 
 tery, in Lewis township, Union county. Both 
 parents were Lutherans in faith, and the father 
 held various offices in the Church. Politically, 
 lie was a stanch Republican, but he never sought 
 e. although time he served as jury 
 
 missioner. Heleft a good estate, mainly ac- 
 1 umulated by his own industry, his start in life 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1213 
 
 having been a very modest one. Of eleven chil- 
 dren, the eldest, Sarah J. married (first) Jacob 
 Grove, and (second) A. J. Morningstar, and now 
 resides in Lewis township, Union county; Cath- 
 arine E. is the wife of J. Young, of St. Joseph 
 county, Mich.; Joanna died January 22. 1849; 
 Levi died June 17, 1848; Jonathan died April 23, 
 1870; Mary Lucinda died August 24, 1S50; 
 Aaron, our subject, was the seventh in order of 
 birth; Jerusha A., died February 17, 1870; Ur- 
 sula E. is the wife of Martin Harmon, of Nor- 
 folk, Va. ; Delilah A., married James Hacken- 
 burg, of Buffalo township; and Anna A. married 
 Wilson Holt, now residing near Centerville, 
 Michigan. 
 
 At the time of our subject's birth, September 
 10, 185 1, his parents were living in White Deer 
 township, and, as he was nearly thirteen years 
 old when they removed from the locality, his 
 education was mainly obtained there, the com- 
 mon schools of that day offering but a limited 
 course. He remained at home until after his fa- 
 ther's estate was adjusted, and then began work 
 on his own account, taking such employment as 
 he could find in sawmills and lumber camps, or 
 on neighboring farms. About 1879 he went to 
 Michigan and later to the vicinity of Osage, 
 Iowa, where he spent two years working as a 
 general laborer and farm hand. The following 
 winter was passed in Pennsylvania, and then, 
 after seven or eight months in Michigan, he re- 
 turned to his native county to make a permanent 
 home. 
 
 On December 28, 1880, Mr. Smith was mar- 
 ried, in Mifflinburg, to Miss Celestia A. Engel- 
 man, a native of White Deer township, born May 
 3, 1857. Her father, Joseph Engelman, was 
 born March 18, 1827, and died December 12, 
 1864, and her mother, whose maiden name was 
 Mary Stahl, was born December 20, 1834, and 
 died September 30, 1858. She was the only one 
 of their children to live to adult age, and, as she 
 was left an orphan at the age of seven, she made 
 her home with an uncle, Philip Stahl, who was 
 appointed her guardian. She received a com- 
 mon-school education, and was reared upon a 
 farm, where she gained practical knowledge of 
 her future duties as the helpmeet of an industri- 
 ous farmer. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. 
 Smith located temporarily in East Buffalo town- 
 ship, but in the fall of 188 1 they purchased their 
 present farm of seventy-two acres in Buffalo 
 township, to which they removed on January 10, 
 1882. In addition to this property, Mr. Smith 
 owns another farm of seventy-five acres in the 
 same township, and a house and shoemaker's 
 shop in Mazeppa. He is a hard worker, a good 
 
 manager, and his quiet, unassuming manner by 
 no means blinds his acquaintances to his worth 
 as a man and citizen. He is a prominent mem- 
 ber of the Lutheran Church, and takes much in- 
 terest in public affairs, giving his unwavering al- 
 legiance to the Republican party. 
 
 Three children have blessed his home, of 
 whom the eldest, Esther S., born July 17, 1883, 
 is living; Omer A., born October 26, 1887, and 
 Eva M., born June 19, 1891, died in infancy. 
 
 HENRY R. BAKER, a representative agri- 
 culturist of Buffalo township, Union coun- 
 ty, was born in the same township, January 13, 
 1849, on the old home place of his parents, Will- 
 iam and Susan (Kauffman) Baker. With Adam 
 Kling as teacher, he began his literary education 
 in the public schools of Cowan, and his training 
 at farm work was upon the old homestead, under 
 his father's able directions. For six years after 
 attaining his majority, he continued to work for 
 his farm, receiving $150 per year. 
 
 On December 9, 1875, in West Buffalo town- 
 ship, Union county, Mr. Baker was married to 
 Miss Sabilla Shoemaker, who was born Novem- 
 ber 7, 1852, in Buffalo township, but when a 
 child was taken by her parents, Levi and Martha 
 (Gebhart) Shoemaker, to West Buffalo town- 
 ship, where she was reared. She was the fourth 
 child and eldest daughter in a family of ten chil- 
 dren, of whom seven reached manhood and 
 womanhood. Her education was acquired in 
 the Kauffman School in West Buffalo township, 
 and her first teacher was Miss Josephine Thomp- 
 son. Her father still lives near Mifflinburg, but 
 her mother, who was a consistent member of the 
 Lutheran Church, died March 25, 1884, and was 
 buried in the Mifflinburg cemetery. Mr. and 
 Mrs. Baker have three children: Ada M.. born 
 September 20, 1876; Florence E. , born Decem- 
 ber 26, 1878; and Levi W., born February 10, 
 1884; all are at home. 
 
 On his marriage, Mr. Baker located on one 
 of his father's farms, which he rented for fifteen 
 years, but in the fall of 1890 he purchased the 
 Levi Miller farm in Buffalo township, and has 
 there resided since the following March. He 
 has made many valuable and useful improve- 
 ments upon the place, and has one of the finest 
 country homes in the county — an elegant brick 
 residence, neat and tastefully furnished. It 
 abounds in hospitality and good cheer, as the 
 family have many friends and acquaintances, 
 whom they delight to entertain. The parents 
 and daughters are members of the Reformed 
 Church, in which Mr. Baker has served as dea- 
 
lL'l I- 
 
 COM ME MOB A TIVE BIOQliAl'HKAI. UKVoUl). 
 
 and the young ladii tivelj interested 
 
 in the Christian Endeavor Society. While an 
 ardent supporter of the I >■ 
 
 subject is no politician in the sense ol i ek- 
 
 preferring to give his entire tin en- 
 ti"ii to his business intere 
 
 DAVID ROYER, proprietor of the 'I. 
 Hotel," at Lochiel, Union county, is a man 
 who ial temperament, sound judgment and 
 
 \\ ■ ll-proved integrity ha him thi 
 
 t( em and friendship of a ho intano 
 
 far and near. "Davy", as he is familiarly 
 known, keeps many business irons in the fire, 
 a farm and dealing extensively in live 
 stuck, in addition to managing his popular hos- 
 telry. 
 
 As a review of one's ancestr) gives the best 
 possible introduction to a | \ history, we 
 
 will begin our account of Mr Royer by mention- 
 ing the head of the family in this country, Se- 
 bastian Royer, who came from Switzerland in 
 171S. and located in what was then the Colon) 
 ol Pennsylvania, on the Schuylkill river, at .1 
 pi int which is still called I. Later 
 
 with two sons, [ohn and Vmos, moved to 
 Lancaster county, where he died in 1758. Ai 
 Royer, who died 1769, had five sons: Philip, 
 t In isti >i'li>. r. Peter, John and Daniel 1 hri 
 
 1 Royer, the great grandfather of our subject, 
 settled in Union county, and 
 John, Daniel, and Joel (our subject's grandfa- 
 ther), who was born April [3, 1770. and died 
 October 30, 1853, and was in his later years an 
 extensive land owner in Kelly township. Union 
 county. He was married to Miss Susanna Bren- 
 beiser, a native of Lancaster county, who 
 born June 30, 1779. and died March 30, 1871, ai 
 the age of ninety-two. They had twelve chil- 
 dren: Nancy, Isaac, Israel, Adam, Sarah, Eliz- 
 abeth, Anna, Rebecca. Susanna, foel, ( 
 and Mary R. 
 
 Israel Royer (our subject's lather) was 
 in Lancaster county, but came to Union county 
 in boyhood with his parents. His first wife, 
 therine Kitter, was a native "1 Bufl 
 
 nship, in the same county, and they 
 began housekeeping upon one of the farms 
 belonging to Joel Rover, where eleven chil- 
 dren were born to them: Susannah, now 
 Mrs. Daniel Rangier, of Buffalo township, 
 Union county: Mary A., who married | 
 Neese, and moved to Iowa; David, our subject; 
 Rebecca, who married Frank F. Troxel, and 
 died in Northumberland county; William, of Mc- 
 Ewensville, Penn. ; Samuel, of Bellevue, Ohio; 
 
 Joel, who was killed during the Civil war at Fort 
 serving in defense of the Union; 
 Ad. mi, ' Penn. ; Anna, decea 
 
 whi I many; Elizabeth, new Mrs. Charles 
 
 liman, of Iowa; and Catherine who died at 
 an early age. The mother of this family 
 when our subject was about fifteen years old, 
 and the father was married to Mrs. Catherine 
 Shively, widow of John Shively. There v 
 two sons by this union: John and Michael, both 
 living near Hartleton, Pennsylvania. 
 
 Alter the death of his first wife Israel K 
 
 1 1 111 Kelly township to Hast Buffalo 
 township, and later to Hartley township, in the 
 ■ county. Both his wives were Dunkards in 
 religious faith, and he inclined toward that 
 Church, contributing liberally to its work, and, 
 when he passed away at seventy years of a 
 his remains were laid to their final rest in the 
 Dunkard cemetery, three miles above Mifflinburg. 
 He was a man of average height and in his hab- 
 its was industrious, but while he accomplished 
 much work he never gained more than a moder- 
 ate competence. He had a comfortable home 
 and was considered well-to-do, and in local 
 affairs his opinions were listened to with gi 
 
 Politically, he was first a Whig, and, 
 later, a Republican, and he never neglected his 
 duty as a citizen <>n election day, voting regu- 
 larly according to his convictions. 
 
 1 >ut subject was born at the old honn 
 Kelly township, Union county, February [6, 1835. 
 and his schooling was that common to the time 
 locality. He keenly appreciates the differ- 
 in the schools of the present, and he en- 
 dorses every improvement by which the children 
 of this day tire given better opportunities. His 
 \ training at home prepared him for farm 
 work, but he had a poor start in life, his avail- 
 able funds on leaving home at twenty years ol 
 amounting to $2.50. He spent three years 
 working for Thomas Howard, a farmer in his 
 native township, at $i20per year, and contini 
 in the same line of work with other employi 
 until he was twenty-seven years old, saving nearly 
 $1,000. 
 
 About this time Mr. Royer was married, tit 
 Mifflinburg, to Miss Mary C. Heinley, daughter 
 of John Heinley, a prosperous farmer of Buffalo 
 township, Union county. He rented his father- 
 in-law's farm aud operated it for five years, then 
 conducted William Royer's farm in Limestone 
 township two years, returning afterward to the 
 lb inky homestead. After another year there 
 he bought ti farm of forty acres near Vicksburg, 
 going in deb) to the amount of $1,500. A year 
 he made an advantageous sale, and in tin 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1215 
 
 spring of 1868 bought the old ''Biehl Hotel" 
 property, lour miles from Lewisburg on the pike 
 between that place and Mifflinburg. There were 
 thirty-one acres in the place, and he has since 
 purchased fifteen acres from John C. Dunkle, 
 and fifty-five acres from Andrew Miller, making 
 a valuable farm. In addition to his hotel, he 
 owns two dwelling houses in the same vicinity. 
 This success reflects great credit upon him, be- 
 ginning as he did with no financial aid. In his 
 business dealings he asks only for what he con- 
 siders his own, and concedes the same right to 
 others. In the buying and selling of live stock 
 his trade extends over several counties, giving 
 him a large acquaintance, and wherever he is 
 known his word is as good as his bond. 
 
 One daughter. Miss Adda M. Royer, bright- 
 ened his home. His wife is a consistent member 
 o( the Lutheran Church, and the family has al- 
 ways been in sympathy with the social and phi- 
 lanthropical movements. Politically Mr. Royer 
 is a steadfast Republican, but he has been too 
 closely devoted to business to care for office, al- 
 though hs served one year as constable in East 
 Buffalo township. 
 
 JOSEPH SPANGLER, an agriculturist of en- 
 ergy and ability, who has made his own way 
 
 in the world unaided, is a resident of Buffalo 
 to vnship, Union county. 
 
 Horn in the same county, three miles from 
 New Berlin, in Limestone township, April 7, 
 1836, Mr. Spangler is a son of Daniel and Lydia 
 (Mees) Spangler. Upon the farm where our 
 subject's birth occurred, his father was born 
 January 14, 1804, his grandparents, George C. 
 and Anna Catharine (Blank) Spangler, being 
 pioneer settlers of Limestone township. In the 
 southern part of Pennsylvania the former was 
 born November 2, 1755, but died on the old 
 homestead in Limestone township, March 2, 
 1829, while his wife, who was born May 16, 
 1762, died July 7, 1S41. 
 
 Daniel Spangler had a twin brother, Jona- 
 than. The former, who was a man of average 
 size, devoted his entire life to agricultural pur- 
 suits, was a Democrat in politics, and a Lutheran 
 in religious belief. On January 31, 1826, he 
 was married to Lydia Mees, who was born Jan- 
 uary 26, 1807, and was a daughter of Michael 
 and Anna Barbara Mees. Mr. and Mrs. Spang- 
 ler became the parents of the following chil- 
 dren: Mary A., born April 27, 1827, married 
 Benjamin Hollabach, of Kelly township, Union 
 county; George C, born July 21, 1829, died in 
 Centerville, Penn., in September, 1893; Cath- 
 
 arine A. , born September 8, 1831, is the wife of 
 Samuel Gramley, oi Rebersburg, Penn.; Henri- 
 etta, born February 23, 1834, died September 
 5- '853; Joseph is next in order of birth; David, 
 born February 21, 1838, is in the planing-unll 
 business in Van Wert, Ohio; Michael, born July 
 26, 1840, is a resident of Van Wert county, 
 Ohio; John, born January 27, 1843, is a farmer 
 of Limestone township, Union Co., Penn.; Ed- 
 ward, born May 7, 1845, died in a hospital at 
 Alexandria, V'a., June 18, 1864, having been a 
 member of Company F, 145th P. V. I., First 
 Division, Second Army Corps, in the Union 
 
 ice; Willoughby, born January 3, 184S, died 
 Match 21, 1865; and Thomas L. , born July 5, 
 1850, is a farmer of Limestone township. The 
 father departed this life December 9, 1857, the. 
 mother on May 18, 1865, and both were buried 
 in the New Berlin Cemetery. 
 
 As his parents were in limited circumstances, 
 Joseph Spangler began work at an early age, and 
 his educational opportunities were therefore lim- 
 ited, but he is a warm friend of our public-school 
 system, justly appreciating the value of a good 
 education. He was married in Limestone town- 
 ship, December 2, 1858, to Miss Barbara Etman, 
 who was born in what is now Snyder county, 
 Penn., February 28, 1838, and is a daughter of 
 Henry and Sarah (Hendricks) Etman, who were 
 the parents of seven children, two sons and five 
 daughters, of whom she was the fifth in order of 
 birth, and the third daughter. Mr. Etman was 
 1 distiller, but never a drinker. As her parents 
 were poor, she lived among strangers from the 
 age of eight years, and thus was deprived of 
 school training. By her marriage she has be- 
 come the mother of five children, namely: Harry 
 \\\, born June 19, 1859, is a farmer of Lime- 
 stone township; Martin L., born March 2, 1861, 
 died in infancy; Newton E., born November 7, 
 1865, is a successful teacher; Anna M., born 
 February 9, 1868, died at the age of twenty-four; 
 and Thomas E., born July 7, 1872, is at home. 
 
 For a few years after his marriage Mr. Spang- 
 ler lived upon his father's farm, and then rented 
 elsewhere for two years, but in April, 1865, he 
 moved to his present farm in Buffalo township, 
 then belonging to Edward Wilson. After farm- 
 ing it on shares until 1875, he purchased the 
 place, comprising 116 acres, at $100 per acre, 
 but went heavily in debt, as he had only $3,000 
 to pay down. Soon afterward he sold six acres, 
 but still owns the rest, which he has placed under 
 a high state of cultivation. His life is a worthy 
 example of what may be accomplished by the 
 exercise of honesty, economy and industry. His 
 good and noble wife bore her share in the hard- 
 
1216 
 
 OOMMBMORA Tin-; BIOGRAPHICAL RBOORD. 
 
 ships of their early married life; for two years 
 and a half she was compelled to do her cooking 
 upon an old-fashioned tin-plate stove, and she 
 began housekeeping with only $55 worth of fur- 
 niture and other necessary articles. She patiently 
 endured all inconveniences, cheerfully bore her 
 part in the work, and ever proved a true and 
 faithful helpmeet to her husband. They have 
 reared a family of which they have just reason 
 reason to be proud, and all have the respect and 
 esteem of the entire community. The parents 
 are consistent members of the Lutheran Church, 
 and in politics Mr. Spangler is a Democrat. 
 
 JOSEPH CLINTON BAKER, of White Deer 
 township, Union county, is an enterprising,', 
 progressive citizen, who is not only success- 
 fully engaged in agriculture, but conducts also a 
 sawmill and an extensive threshing business, his 
 brother, John H. Baker, being a partner. The 
 Baker homestead, upon which both brothers re- 
 side, was settled about a century ago by John 
 Baker, the grandfather of our subject, who came 
 from Berks county, Penn., with his wife. Heddie, 
 to locate permanently. They reared a family of 
 ten children: Daniel, a farmer in Illinois; Abra- 
 ham, a farmer in White Deer township, Union 
 county; Amos, who owns and operates a part of 
 the original Baker farm; George, who resides 
 with his brother Abraham; Benjamin; Moses, a 
 farmer in White Deer township; Michael; John; 
 David; and Jacob. 
 
 The late Benjamin Baker was born at the 
 present homestead August 31, 1835, and passed 
 his life there, his death occurring January 
 9, 1897. He was a blacksmith by trade, but 
 owing to ill health retired from active work some 
 years prior to his death. While he was inter- 
 ested in the questions of his day, and was a 
 strong Democrat, he was averse to public life, 
 and gave his attention strictly to his private af- 
 fairs. In religious faith, he was a Lutheran. 
 His wife, whose maiden name was Harriet Engle, 
 was born in Clinton county, September 12, 1844, 
 and passed to her eternal rest June 20, [871. 
 They had three children, of whom our subject 
 was the youngest, the others being: Anna J., 
 wife of Percy Beaver, a farmer of Buffalo town- 
 ship, Union count}'; and John H., who is men- 
 tioned more fully farther on. 
 
 Joseph C. Baker was born July 9, 1870, and 
 has always ^ived at the homestead, the schools 
 of that locality affording him his early education. 
 Through practical work at home he was taught 
 the art of farm management, which he and his 
 brother gradually assumed as their father's 
 
 health failed. In 1893 a sawmill was built on the 
 place, has since been operated, and for four- 
 teen years past has been run a threshing ma- 
 chine each season. Business having occupied his 
 thoughts so extensively and profitably, J. C. 
 Baker has not taken an active part in local pol- 
 itics, but he is an earnest believer in Democratic 
 doctrines. He is interested in religious work as 
 as a member of the Reformed Church, and is in 
 sympathy with local progress in all lines. 
 
 <>n November 13, 1890, he was married to 
 Miss Sevilla ('. Brown, and four bright children 
 have blessed their union: Edith M., born Janu- 
 ary 13, 1892; George \\\, March 26. 1893; Dora 
 E., April 16, 1894; and Florence, November 28, 
 [896, making the fourth generation of the Baker 
 family to occupy the homestead. 
 
 \h- Sevilla Baker is also descended from an 
 old Pennsylvania family, her great-great-grand- 
 parents having come from Germany and located 
 m lierks county. Her great-grandfather was a 
 tanner in that county for many years, but his 
 son, George Brown, Mrs. Baker's grandfather, 
 was born and reared in Schuylkill county, where 
 he married Miss Sarah Bartley, a daughter of 
 Abraham Bartley, of that county, and who was 
 a native of Germany. Mrs. Baker's father, 
 George Bartley Brown, was born in Schuyl- 
 kill county, February 18, 1827, and is now 
 a prominent resident in White Deer township, 
 iii county. His second wife, Sarah F. Yost, 
 Mis. Baker's mother, was a daughter of Michael 
 and Catherine (Fulmer) Yost, of Bucks county, 
 Penn. She died April 12, 1883, at the age of 
 forty-eight, and of her seven children all but one 
 are now living: James M., born November 27, 
 1865, is a coachmaker at Montgomery, Penn.; 
 Paden S., born January 6, 1867, died October 
 30, 1884; Irene, born February 26, 1868. mar- 
 ried Alpheus Koch, a farmer in Lycoming county, 
 Penn.; Sevilla C, born March 1, 1870, is the wife 
 of our subject; George A., born April 6, 1871, is 
 a fanner in Buffalo township, Union county; 
 Miss Fva D., born February 27. 187S, resides 
 with her sister, Mrs. Koch; and Cyrus W . born 
 April 9, 1883, is at home. 
 
 John II. BAKER (son of Benjamin) was mar- 
 ried on September 25, 1890, to Miss Anna Maria 
 Catterman, and has two children: George B. , born 
 May 8, 1891; and Hazel M., born May 27. [894, 
 brighten their home. Mrs. John H. Baker was 
 born in Kelly township, Union county, May 8, 
 [871, and her parents, George and Margaret 
 (Young) Catterman, who were both natives of 
 Union county, are now residing upon a farm in 
 White Deei township. The father is a well- 
 known Democrat, and both parents are members 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1217 
 
 of the Lutheran Church. They have had six 
 children, of whom Mrs. J. H. Baker was the 
 youngest; Jacob L. is a resident of Buffalo town- 
 ship, Union county; Mary E. married William 
 Hughes, of Montgomery, Penn. ; Harris, a farmer, 
 resides with his parents; John W. is deceased; 
 and Minnie is the wife of John Kostoboder, a 
 clerk in a store at Montgomery, Pennsylvania. 
 
 M 
 
 ATHAN KNAUER is now retired from the 
 active labors of life, and occupies a com- 
 fortable home in the town of Swengel, Union 
 county. His has been a long and useful ca- 
 reer, with little time for idleness along the 
 thoroughfare of life, and by his straightforward, 
 honorable course he has won the high regard of 
 all who know him. 
 
 Mr. Knauer was born in Chester • county, 
 Penn., October 16, 1836, a son of Samuel and 
 Elizabeth (Munchauer) Knauer, who spent their 
 entire lives in that county, the former dying at 
 the age of seventy-three, and the latter at the 
 age of fifty-two years. Their remains were in- 
 terred in St. Peter's cemetery in Chester county. 
 They were the parents of ten children, namely: 
 Samuel, deceased; Susan, wife of John P. Church; 
 Elizabeth, wife of F. Painter, a farmer of Ches- 
 ter county; Isaiah, who married, and reared a 
 family in Chester county, where he still resides; 
 Mary, who became the wife of Jacob Airgood, a 
 carpenter and farmer of that county, and died in 
 1890; John, who is married and lives on the old 
 homestead in Chester county; Anna, wife of 
 Louis Dampman, a tailor of Montgomery coun- 
 ty, Penn. ; Sara, widow of Eben Sheeler, of 
 Chester county, who died while serving in the 
 Union army during the Civil war; Asenath, widow 
 of Josiah Keim, of Pottstown, Penn., who died 
 in 1893; and Nathan, of this sketch. 
 
 Our subject attended the common schools to 
 a limited extent, but is almost entirely self-edu- 
 cated. He early became familiar with the work 
 of the farm and the mill, his father being en- 
 gaged in both occupations. At the age of twenty 
 he came to Union county, and for forty-one years 
 was successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits 
 in Lewis township, but he has now retired from 
 the active management of his farm. 
 
 Mr. Knauer was married to Miss Harriet 
 Hilbish, who was born January 27, 1840, and 
 when ten years old came to Union county with 
 her parents, Jacob Hilbish and his wife. Her 
 father became a prominent farmer of Lewis town- 
 ship, but in 1871 removed to the West, first lo- 
 cating in Ohio, later in Indiana, and finally in 
 
 Missouri, where he died in August, 1S93. His 
 77* 
 
 wife, who was born February 25, 1S09, is still 
 living and retains her faculties to a wonderful 
 degree. She has traveled quite extensively 
 throughout the West. She is a descendant of one 
 of the three Revolutionary soldiers who captured 
 Major Andre, the spy, and delivered him to Gen. 
 Washington. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Knauer have eight children: 
 Maria B., wife of Joseph Heater, a farmer of 
 Ohio, by whom she has two children; John W. , 
 a telegraph operator, now stationed at Crestline, 
 Ohio; Margaret, a resident of Milton, Penn.; 
 Charles A., who married Miss Anna Hirsh, and 
 lives in Swengel, Penn.; Susan E., an estimable 
 young lady residing with her parents; George M., 
 a telegraph operator; Anna M., at home; and 
 William C. , who is attending school at Selins 
 Grove, Penn. The family is connected with the 
 Lutheran Church, and holds an enviable position 
 in the social circlesof thecommunity. Politically, 
 Mr. Knauer is identified with the Republican 
 party. 
 
 LEVI BEAVER, one of the intelligent and 
 / highly respected farmers of Buffalo town- 
 ship, Union county, was born in Monroe town- 
 ship, Snyder county, Penn., June 11, 1843. His 
 parents were George E. and Mary (Bower) 
 Beaver. The grandfather, George Beaver, Sr. , 
 removed from Berks to Snyder county, where he 
 spent his remaining days as a farmer and pump- 
 maker. His children were: Matthias, John, 
 George E., Nathan, Michael, Absalom, Elias, 
 Catharine, Anna, Lydia, Dena and Elizabeth. 
 
 George E. Beaver was born in Monroe town- 
 ship, Snyder county, was reared on a farm, and 
 in the fall of 1832 married Miss Bower, who was 
 born in Union township, Snyder county, March 
 19, 1814, a daughter of Henry and Catharine 
 (Wise) Bower. Her father was a farmer, and 
 his children were: Henry, William, Polly, Cath- 
 arine, Elizabeth, Dena, Mary and Sally. At the 
 time of this marriage. Mr. and Mrs. George E. 
 Beaver received from her father $100, with which 
 they purchased seven acres of land. They built 
 there a little home, which was scantily furnished, 
 and began their domestic life. The husband 
 worked as a laborer, and as the years passed 
 was able to add to the comforts of his home. 
 During his later years he suffered much from ill- 
 health, and resided with his children. His death 
 occurred in 1892, at the age of eighty-one, and 
 he was buried in the cemetery in Kratzerville, 
 Snyder county. In politics he was first a Whig, 
 and afterward a Republican. He belonged to 
 the Lutheran Church, of which his wife has been 
 
1218 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BWOHAl'UICAL BECOUli. 
 
 a faithful member since 1832. She is still living, 
 and makes her home with her sons, Levi and 
 s J. Her children are: William, who was 
 killed at a limekiln, in Union county, when sixty 
 years of age; Jacob, of Penn township, Snyder 
 county; Aaron, who died in infancy; Levi; Cath- 
 arine, wife of Absalom Beaver, of Union town- 
 ship, Union county; Elias J., of Buffalo town- 
 ship; and Lavina, who died at the age of eighteen 
 years. 
 
 Levi Beaver, of this review, is a self-made 
 man, who, since the age of nine years, has been 
 dependent upon his own resources. At the age 
 of ten he received twenty-five cents per day for 
 his service as a farm hand. He was energetic 
 and persevering, and if he had once worked for a 
 man he could always secure employment with 
 him again. At the age of eighteen he entered 
 the employ of Charles Bellman, of Buffalo town- 
 ship, but after a year returned to Union town- 
 ship, and was employed by various farmers. 
 
 On December 24, 1862, Mr. Beaver was mar- 
 ried to Miss Mary J. Swartzlander, who was born 
 in Penn township, Snyder county. December 31, 
 1842. Her parents, Daniel and Susanna (Oldt) 
 Swart/lander, had seven children, namely: John, 
 Mar)-, Elizabeth, Emanuel, Charles, Lydia and 
 Benjamin F. The father was a shoemaker by 
 trade, and when a young man worked in Brush 
 Valley, Centre county, hauling grain to that 
 point from Lewisburg. He died at the age of 
 seventy-five, and his wife, who passed away at 
 the age of seventy-seven, was buried by his side 
 in New Berlin cemetery. 
 
 After his marriage our subject located in 
 Limestone township, Union county, renting a 
 home there, and was employed in the mines. In 
 March, 1865, he enlisted in the 74th P. V. I., as 
 a member of Company D, and joined his com- 
 mand at Beverly, \V. Va. At the close of the 
 war he returned home, and for five years was 
 employed by Sheriff David Gross, in Union 
 township. He afterward worked at different 
 places until the spring of [879, when he rented a 
 farm in Dry Valley. In the spring of 1SS1, he 
 came to the Peter Voneida farm, near Cowan, 
 where he has since lived. In the spring of [896, 
 he purchased a small farm of twenty-seven acres 
 in Buffalo township. 
 
 The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Beaver has 
 been blessed with the following children: Anna 
 I. . wife of John Reedy, of Buffalo township; 
 I ranklin H.. a carpenter of Buffalo Roads; 
 Charles I., a farmer of West Buffalo township; 
 Jerome E., a farmer of New York: Daniel A. 
 and Bertha M., at home. The parents are mem- 
 bers of the Evangelical Church, and the family 
 
 is one of prominence in the community, its rep- 
 resentatives being leaders in the social circles in 
 which they move. Mr. Beaver gives his political 
 support to the Democracy, and is a member of 
 the Farmers Alliance. He makes the most and 
 best of life, is a loyal citizen and a good neigh- 
 bor, and has the respect of all who know him. 
 
 J 
 
 THEO. SMITH, druggist. New Berlin, 
 Limestone township, Union county, Penn- 
 sylvania. 
 
 THOMAS O. CRISWELL, a well-to-do ag- 
 riculturist of Kelly township. Union coun- 
 ty, now residing at Taylorville, is a member of a 
 family which has long been prominent in that lo- 
 cality, his grandparents, Joseph and Elizabeth 
 (Hutchison) Criswell, having been among the 
 leading pioneers. The late John Hutchison 
 Criswell, the father of our subject, was a man 
 who stood high in the esteem of the community, 
 and he and his wife, whose maiden name was 
 Jane Mathers, so endeared themselves to all by 
 their kindliness and sterling worth that they were 
 universally known as " Uncle and Auntie Cris- 
 well." The former was born March 20, 1S12, 
 and died April 17, 1894, while his wife's life ex- 
 tended from June 24, 181 1, to September 4, 
 1884, and both were mourned on their departure 
 as but few have been. 
 
 They had ten children, whose names, with 
 dates of birth, are as follows: Joseph, February 
 19. '835; James, April 16, 1837, deceased; Will- 
 iam, April 12, 1839; Elizabeth (Mrs. Daniel 
 Kuhns), September 24, 1841; Mary A., July 15, 
 [843; Isabella, July 21, 1845, deceased; Rachel, 
 April 21, 1848, deceased; John, May 5, 1850. 
 deceased; Sarah M., October 10, 1852, deceased; 
 and Thomas O., September 2, 1S53. 
 
 Thomas O. Criswell was born at the old Cris- 
 well homestead, and until the age of twenty-one 
 his life was passed there in the healthful work of 
 the farm, his education being acquired in the 
 neighboring schools. On arriving at his major- 
 ity he began working the farm on shares, but 
 after continuing this arrangement six years he 
 made a trip to the West, visiting Iowa, Wisconsin. 
 Kansas, Minnesota and Colorado. One year and 
 nine months were spent in sightseeing and pros- 
 pecting, his expenses being met by work on farms, 
 in elevators, ami, in fact, whatever he could find 
 to do. Naturally he found no place more at- 
 tractive than this favored section, and returning 
 home lie resumed work at the homestead for a 
 year, when he took another farm in the same 
 
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 1219 
 
 township, belonging to his father, and conducted 
 it until 1894. He then purchased his present 
 estate from John Reedy, and, having delegated 
 the active work of the place to other hands, he 
 is enjoying a well-deserved leisure. 
 
 He has a pleasant home and an interesting 
 family. On September 27, 1885, he was united 
 in marriage with Miss Lizzie Prutzman, and they 
 have four children: James Lee, born November 13, 
 1886; Clarence T., December 17, 1888; Jennie 
 E., January 27, 1891; and Harvey F., January 
 28, 1895. 
 
 Mrs. Criswell was born in Hartleton town- 
 ship, Union county, February 16, 1856, is a 
 daughter of the late Enoch G. Prutzman, who 
 died in Union county, in 1891, aged seventy- 
 one years. He was by occupation a shoemaker, 
 and he had been throughout his life a stanch 
 Democrat in political faith. He was a native of 
 Reading, Penn., as was his wife, Susanna Dil- 
 camcamp, who was born in January, 18 17, 
 and is now living in Mifflinburg, Penn. Both 
 united with the Reformed Church many years 
 ago and remained devout and consistent mem- 
 bers of the same. They had the following chil- 
 dren: Jacob, a farmer in California; Hiram, a 
 shoemaker at New Berlin, Penn.; George, a 
 blacksmith at Winfield, Penn.; Daniel, a farmer 
 in Kansas; Sarah, widow of Peter Guyer, of 
 Mifflinburg; Lizzie, Mrs. Criswell; Mary, who mar- 
 ried Joseph Raybuck, a farmer in Buffalo town- 
 ship, Union county; and Edward, who is also 
 engaged in agriculture in that township. 
 
 Thomas Criswell is a most agreeable com- 
 panion, having a genial nature and an active, 
 clever mind. As a good citizen he takes an in- 
 terest in the problems of the time, and, politic- 
 ally, he supports the doctrines of the Repub- 
 lican party. He and his wife are prominent 
 members of the Reformed Church. 
 
 R. ZELLER, retired, post office Mifflinburg, 
 Union County, Pennsylvania. 
 
 MRS. PRISCILLA E. AMMON, widow of 
 Elijah W. Amnion, is one of the most highly 
 respected ladies of Vicksburg. Union county. 
 She was born in West Hanover township, Dau- 
 phin county, Penn., February 26, 1828, and is 
 the tenth child and sixth daughter in the family 
 of eleven children, four sons and seven daugh- 
 ters, belonging to John and Christina (Killinger) 
 Early. The father, who was a farmer in early 
 life, served as justice of the peace many years, 
 and, although not wealthy, he was in comfortable 
 
 circumstances, able to provide his family with 
 many luxuries and pleasures which money only 
 can bring. He died at the age of eighty-two, and 
 his wife when eighty-eight, and both were buried 
 in West Hanover township, Dauphin countv. 
 He was a Lutheran in religious belief, while she 
 held membership in the Reformed Church, and 
 both were honored and esteemed citizens of the 
 community where they so long made their home. 
 
 In her native township Mrs. Amnion was 
 reared and educated, the school house she went 
 to being some distance from her home. With 
 the other children of the family, she was taught 
 lessons of obedience and respect to those older, 
 and was twelve years of age before she knew her 
 father's first name, having always heard him 
 called father, at home, and squire, by strangers. 
 On September 28, 1848, she gave her hand in 
 marriage to Elijah W. Amnion, their wedding 
 being celebrated in Reading, Pennsylvania. 
 
 Mr. Ammon was born in Robinson township, 
 Berks county, Penn., January 24, 1824, and was 
 a miller by trade, following that occupation in 
 Dauphin county at the time of his marriage. 
 During the eleven years that "he continued mill- 
 ing there, he purchased the property known as 
 Early's Mill, which he finally sold, and purchased 
 a hotel at Linglestown, Dauphin county, con- 
 ducting the same for several years. Later he 
 engaged in farming in West Hanover township, 
 that county, but in 1870 came to Vicksburg, 
 where he bought the " Great Western Hotel," 
 and carried on business until his death, which 
 occurred August 31, 1877. He was laid to rest 
 in the Dreisbach cemetery. He was an unswerv- 
 ing Republican in politics, and was widely and fa- 
 vorably known. 
 
 A woman of rare business ability, Mrs. Am- 
 mon successfully conducted the hotel for several 
 years after her husband's death, and then erected 
 her comfortable residence in Vicksburg, where 
 she has since lived. Having no children of their 
 own, she and her husband reared three others. 
 Agnes Baker, a niece of Mrs. Ammon, was born 
 in Dauphin county, June 7, 1 862, and from the age 
 of six years she has made her home with her 
 aunt. She is now the widow of Peter Guyer. 
 Edward A. Baker was taken to their home when 
 only twenty-two months old. He was born in 
 Dauphin county in September, 1864, the child of 
 Mrs. Amnion's youngest sister, Rebecca, who 
 had just died. Here he remained until 18S1, 
 when he went west, where he spent several years, 
 and, after returning to Pennsylvania on a visit, 
 went to Nicaragua. At Greytown, in that 
 country, he was accidentally killed by a falling 
 lighter, October 25, 1890, and was buried there. 
 
1220 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 
 
 Robert Patrick lived with Mr. and Mr?. Ammon 
 until seventeen years of age, learning the miller's 
 trade with the former. He now lives in Harris- 
 burg, Pennsylvania. 
 
 Since fifteen years of age Mrs. Ammon has 
 
 been aconsistent member of the Lutheran Church, 
 and her straightforward, womanly course and 
 many excellent traits of character have gained 
 for her the love and high. regard of all with whom 
 she has come in contact. Mrs. Guyer holds 
 membership in the Reformed Church. 
 
 10 
 Hi 
 
 'C 
 
 V 
 
 y 
 
 W 
 
 ^ 
 
 
 *M 
 
 *4r 
 
 -«*or* 
 
 Xr^ 
 
INDEX. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Adams, Rev. J. Q 581 
 
 Adams, William T 581 
 
 Africa Family 846 
 
 Aigler Family 1141 
 
 Aigler, Jacob' A 1141 
 
 Aigler, Jerome F 114L' 
 
 Albrecht, Andreas 788 
 
 Albright, Andrew 789 
 
 Albright Family 788 
 
 Albright, John H 789 
 
 Alexander, Hon. Cyrus T 445 
 
 Alexander, Miss Emily 1-4 
 
 Alexander Family 444 
 
 Alexander, Francis 123 
 
 Alexander, Francis M 364 
 
 Alexander, James 123 
 
 Alexander, J. W 446 
 
 Allbaugh Family 336 
 
 Alleman Family 1031 
 
 Alleman, Hon. Horace 1031 
 
 Alleman, Hon. Samuel 1030 
 
 Allen, William P 956 
 
 Allison, Edward 227 
 
 Allison Family 504 
 
 Allison, William, Esq 505 
 
 Allison, William M 504 
 
 Allport Family 138 
 
 Amnion, Capt. Beach C 991 
 
 Ammon, Elijah W 1219 
 
 Amnion, Mrs. Priscilla E 1219 
 
 Ammon, Samuel 991 
 
 Andrews Family 135 
 
 Andrews, W. W., M.I") 135 
 
 Anthony Family 727 
 
 Anthony, |ohn 1' 727 
 
 App, D. Norman 1096, L100 
 
 App Family 1096 
 
 App, John 1097 
 
 Ard Family 403 
 
 Ard, George 139 
 
 Ard, J. B 403 
 
 Ard, Joseph B., M. D 139 
 
 Ard, Wilson Potter, M. D 139 
 
 Armstrong, Andrew 807 
 
 Armstrong, Anthony 806 
 
 Armstrong Family 590 
 
 Armstrong, Mrs. Ida M 552 
 
 Armstrong, John 491 
 
 Armstrong, Lewis 551 
 
 Armstrong, Richard, M. D 590 
 
 Armstrong, Robert 491 
 
 Army, B. H 348 
 
 Arney Families 348, 365 
 
 Arney, Jacob 365 
 
 Arney, John J 365 
 
 Arnold, Augustus 1033 
 
 Arnold, B. F 1124 
 
 Arnold, George B 1105 
 
 Arnold, George B. M 1105 
 
 Arnold, Henry 1124 
 
 Arnold, Miss Kathryn A 1033 
 
 Atherton, David 486 
 
 Atherton Family 486 
 
 Atherton, George W., LL. D 32 
 
 Aurand, Amnion M 1129 
 
 Aurand Family 1106 
 
 Aurand, James 1106 
 
 Aviragnet, Jean F. E 920 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Backus, Dr. William H 1034 
 
 Bair, D. H 456 
 
 Bair. W. T 455 
 
 Bairfoot, Mrs. Flora O 479 
 
 Bairfoot, Sidney W 47- 
 
 Baker, Benjamin 1216 
 
 Baker Families 961,974, 113 
 
 Baker, Henry R 1213 
 
 Baker, Henry S 552 
 
 Baker, J. M 1132 
 
 Baker, Jacob 974 
 
 Baker, John H 1216 
 
 Baker, Joseph C 1216 
 
 Baker, J. Thompson. A. M 810 
 
 Baker, P. A .961 
 
 Baker, Samuel '.'41 
 
 Baker, William 996 
 
 Baker, William H 996 
 
 Baptist Church, First, of Lock 
 
 Haven 553 
 
 Barber, Mary ( Marr) 7:>K 
 
 Barker, Capt. Robert S 549 
 
 Barner, Christian 711 
 
 Barner Family 693 
 
 Barner, Henry 69 I 
 
 Barner, J. C 711 
 
 Barner, Jeremiah J 693 
 
 Barnes Families 323, 4 tO 
 
 Barnes, John 323 
 
 Barnes, Thomas 440 
 
 Barnhart, Judge Henry 277 
 
 Barnhart, "Philip W.... '-'77 
 
 Barr, Mrs. Carrie S 838 
 
 Barrows, Mrs. Elizabeth 565 
 
 Barrows, William \\" 565 
 
 Bartol, Elias 345 
 
 Bartol, William C, Ph. D 845 
 
 Bassier, Edward 1080 
 
 Bassler, Mrs. Catherine A L081 
 
 Batcheler, Jesse H 614 
 
 Batcheler, Kimball D 614 
 
 Beaber Family s: 'l 
 
 Beard, Augustus \V 966 
 
 Beard, John A 966 
 
 Beaver Family 1 
 
 Beaver, George E 1217 
 
 Beaver, Hugh McAllister 200 
 
 Beaver, Rev. Isaiah 1011 
 
 Beaver, Jacob 1 
 
 Beaver, Hon. James A 1 
 
 Beaver, Rev. John L 1011 
 
 Beaver, Levi 1217 
 
 Bechdel.John 461 
 
 Bechdel, S. Mitchell 461 
 
 Bechtel, Jacob 641 
 
 Bechtel, John 642 
 
 Beck, Benjamin F 460 
 
 Beck, Charles 584 
 
 Beck, Charles W 578 
 
 Beck Families 167, 578, 848 
 
 Beck, Henry... 460 
 
 Beck, Isaac 313 
 
 Beck, Isaiah 379 
 
 Beck, John G 578 
 
 Beck, Samuel L 848 
 
 Beck, William H 849 
 
 Becker, Amos 851 
 
 Beerly, Nathaniel 242 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Beerlv, Peter 244 
 
 Beerly, Robert 313 
 
 Behrer, Jacob 345 
 
 Behrer, "John H 345 
 
 Beirly, Charles 325 
 
 Bellefonte Academy 66 
 
 Bennage, David... .'. 903 
 
 Bennage Family 921 
 
 Bennage, Henry 921 
 
 Bennage, John O 926 
 
 Bennage, Samuel 926 
 
 Bennage, Simon 903 
 
 Benner, John 914 
 
 Benner, Solomon 914 
 
 Bennett, Mrs. Margaret B 9131 
 
 Bennett, Sylvanus 913' 
 
 Berkenstock Family 1204 
 
 Berkenstock, Franklin Wm 1204 
 
 Bernhart, Charles H 1207 
 
 Bernhart, Isaac 1207 
 
 Bersy, fohn 662 
 
 Berry, William K 662 
 
 Bickel, John 702 
 
 , T. N 782 
 
 Bickford, Charles F 755 
 
 Bickford Family 611 
 
 Bickford, (.lines A 611 
 
 Biehl, Gideon 868 
 
 Biehl, fames 867 
 
 Bierlv, Anthony, Jr 236 
 
 Bierly, Edwin S 238 
 
 Bierly Families 235,243,269 
 
 Bierly, Prof. H. E 237 
 
 Bierly, Joseph C '-'-. 
 
 Bierlv, Melchoir 326 
 
 Bierly, R. D 269 
 
 Bigony, Ephraim W 558 
 
 Binder, Edward L 629 
 
 Binder, Mrs. Luke 629 
 
 Binder, Luke 629 
 
 Bingaman, Christian 1209 
 
 Bingaman, F. A 1139 
 
 :nan, Peter 1209 
 
 Bitner, Abraham B 642 
 
 Bitner, Christian 663 
 
 Bitner Family 221 
 
 Bitner, Jacob A 663 
 
 Bitner, John 643 
 
 Blair Family 101 
 
 Blanchard, Hon. John 188 
 
 Blanche, Miss Mary 627 
 
 Blanche, Michael 627 
 
 Bliss, Rev. George Ripley, D. D., 
 
 LL. D 762 
 
 Bloom, W. H 199 
 
 Blyler, Absalom: 1004 
 
 Blyler, Samuel 1004 
 
 Boal Family 159 
 
 Boal, George M 159 
 
 Boal, George W 159 
 
 Bobb Family 1110 
 
 Bobb, Peter S 1110 
 
 Bogar, Charles A 970 
 
 Bogar Family 1116 
 
 Bogar, John D 1116 
 
 Bogar, William 970 
 
 Boggs, Andrew 178 
 
 Boggs, Col. John 178 
 
I 222 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Bollinger, Samuel 1138 
 
 Boob, Adam 314 
 
 R.B 314 
 
 .in] W 441 
 
 t, II. M 700 
 
 I 700 
 
 '.V„ M. D 1173 
 
 1173 
 
 , Calvin M 59 
 
 ns 817 
 
 1190 
 
 Co.) 60 
 
 11 '."J 
 
 ; David F 289 
 
 rsox 1 amily 289 
 
 Bowersox, John. 289 
 
 i uir 1 367 
 
 1053 
 
 iel S 1120 
 
 1120 
 
 Boyer, i leorge 1053 
 
 I '.'7" 
 
 Braucber, Miss Katie E '.'7" 
 
 Braucht.R. O 
 
 I -,\\ illiam 
 
 nily 
 
 Pi ter. 
 
 er,( I! 
 
 i I amily 
 
 ■ i, [ohn C 283 
 
 s 283 
 
 W 
 
 122 
 
 t,I. W..M.D 122 
 
 B 122 
 
 i 1116 
 
 Brooke, Capt. J. P 950 
 
 per N 476 
 
 47'"' 
 
 Brown, A. II 
 
 Abraham G 
 
 njamin F 619 
 
 istian 818 
 
 Brown, Elias 928 
 
 n Families 
 
 677, 590, -1-, 1208, 121] 
 
 . I rancis E 928 
 
 Brown, ( 7-:: 
 
 B 
 
 Brown, er) 704 
 
 limwn. Henry 328 
 
 I'.roun, Isaac' F 1208 
 
 619 
 
 Browi . 1208 
 
 704 
 
 , [ohn J 783 
 
 Pi 
 
 Brown, Mi 
 
 I 400 
 
 1 401 
 
 el 4i in 
 
 ird, I lenry A 425 
 
 : Martin 
 
 e. 679 
 
 679 
 
 1 art, Daniel 276 
 
 mily 276 
 
 rick, Sr 
 
 593 
 
 !< 276 
 
 Brungart, Samuel I - - 
 
 Brungart, Thomas F 188 
 
 Brungart, W, I 
 
 1164 
 
 784 
 
 ! , M. S.... 
 I 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Budinger, Thomas B 232 
 
 Bumiller, R.A 281 
 
 Burd, Edwin J., M. D 121 
 
 Burd Family 1154 
 
 Burket Family 
 
 Burkb Miinr 228 
 
 Burkholdi r, ieth. 228 
 
 Burkholder, F. M 228 
 
 Burkholder Family 228 
 
 Burkh ix. 228 
 
 Burkholder, Mrs. Mary E 229 
 
 Burns, Christian 
 
 Burns, Samuel 1025 
 
 Burns lames 27 
 
 Burnsiile, [udge Thomas 25 
 
 Burrell Family 246, 670 
 
 Burrell, Samuel 245 
 
 Burrell, William J 670 
 
 Burrey, J 984 
 
 Burrey, Simon 984 
 
 Bush, I (aniel Griffen 45 
 
 Bush, George T 44 
 
 But; Family 464 
 
 Butz, I i rge C, M. S 464 
 
 Caldwell, Hon. S. Woods 571 
 
 Camen I leanoi 776 
 
 Cameron Family 775 
 
 in, William 775 
 
 Carlin, i .•■■ rgi 282 
 
 Carlin. W. 1 282 
 
 Carlisle, II. I... M. D 212 
 
 Carlisle. Samuel 212 
 
 Carpenter Family 351 
 
 Carver, [ohn 531 
 
 Christ, Levi B 248 
 
 Christ, Theo. s„ M. D 248 
 
 imily ... 717 
 
 Christie, Thomas 717 
 
 Church, Frank P 1013 
 
 Church, John H 1014 
 
 Clark, Judge James W 567 
 
 r, Jesse 31o 
 
 Cleaver, William 316 
 
 Clemsi n, Amos E 520 
 
 Clemson, Frank H 520 
 
 n. Paschal L 990 
 
 is 
 
 Clinton, A. L 1179 
 
 Close, fohn 541 
 
 \V. II 511 
 
 i Family 
 
 Clouser, Rev. Wm. W 
 
 Coburn Family 4* 
 
 1 P IS 
 
 Cole, Edward T 518 
 
 Cole, fohn 1 17 
 
 Colyer, I laniel 4;"' 
 
 William 190 
 
 hn T 
 
 ben T .441 
 
 
 
 *7'_' 
 
 i: eS ( .474 
 
 i 1' 47'_' 
 
 i kit! 191 
 
 ir, Mrs. E zekii 
 
 Confair, PI [r 
 
 Family 
 
 \ 
 
 : A 
 
 514 
 
 219 
 
 |ol ii W 219 
 
 l. \ 10 I 
 
 1 B 1004 
 
 Mrs. Mary A 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Cook, W. H :<74 
 
 Family 183 
 
 Cooke, Robert, Sr 133 
 
 Walter L 134 
 
 nily I0711 
 
 hi L 1069 
 
 Corf, Benjamin 525 
 
 Cor] Family 169 
 
 Corl, Israel 461 
 
 Corl, Peter 168 
 
 Cornelius Family '.'77 
 
 Cornel: :-. JeSSe '.'77 
 
 njamin 608 
 
 Corson Family 572 
 
 1.. M. 1 ' 57l! 
 
 ( 'orss, 1 barles 584 
 
 Corss Family 584 
 
 nily :;:ll 
 
 Crawford Family 639 
 
 Crawford, 1 ieorge 
 
 Crawford, James A 587 
 
 Crawford, Judge James W 587 
 
 Crider Family 72 
 
 Crider, Fountain W 73 
 
 (.'rider. Ph lip B 7L» 
 
 Crider, William, Sr 7 - 2 
 
 ( 1 ider, Willi: Jr 7 - J 
 
 Criswell Family 77* 
 
 I riswi II, fohn H 1203 
 
 Criswell, oseph 1203 
 
 Criswell, Mrs. Mary A 1203 
 
 Crisw( II, Thomas Il'1* 
 
 1 1 iswell, William S 778 
 
 Crumley, Jacob 1191 
 
 Crumley, Levi 1 191 
 
 I -... 978 
 
 ;rove, Samuel 977 
 
 ( Towe, J. mes 709 
 
 Crust, lames 510 
 
 Crust, \\ I! 510 
 
 Curt in, Hon. Andrew G 15 
 
 Curtin, Hon. Harry K 83 
 
 Curtin, John ' 7'.' 
 
 Curtin, Roland 79 
 
 A 91 
 
 e, Austin W 91 
 
 an 
 
 Capt. Christian 90 
 
 Dale, Clement 
 
 1 136 
 
 Dale Families 89, 1 
 
 Henry 
 
 Dale, fared Y., M. D 138 
 
 Dale, John M 240 
 
 Dale, William... 240 
 
 ly 800 
 
 \ 
 
 Darrah, W. P 
 
 ■ man, fohn 208 
 
 Dauberman, 1. S 207 
 
 286 
 
 286 
 
 Davidson, Alexander 
 
 342 
 
 1 1 1 
 
 tin M41 
 
 H140 
 
 1042 
 
 • K., Sr 1040 
 
 lames K„ Ir 1048 
 
 270 
 
 840 
 
 r.M.J 270 
 
 DeHaas ler M 710 
 
 71(1 
 
 . I. II...' 406 ' 
 
INDEX. 
 
 1228 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Deininger Family 345 
 
 Deininger, Jonathan 345 
 
 Deitrich, David A 545 
 
 DeLong, John H 149 
 
 Denlinger, Prof. David 
 
 Denlinger Family 480 
 
 Denlinger, William H 480 
 
 Dennis, Charles Thomas 1006 
 
 Dennis Family 1006 
 
 Dennis, George 79] 
 
 Dennis, Mrs. Mary J 710 
 
 Dennis, William H 79] 
 
 Derr Family 809 
 
 Derr, Joseph Y 809 
 
 Derr, Mrs. Mary J 810, 
 
 Dershem, Jacob 797 
 
 Dershem, Jerome B 797 
 
 Deshler, E. J., M. D 280 
 
 Deshler Family 280 
 
 Deshler, Mrs. Maria J 281 
 
 Dewire, John 937 
 
 Dewire, Thomas 937 
 
 Dickey, Adam 679 
 
 Dickev Family 679 
 
 Dieffenderfer, Mrs. David D. . . . 867 
 
 Dieffenderfer, David D 366 
 
 Dietrich, J. A 534 
 
 Dietrich, John 534 
 
 Dimm Family 1029 
 
 Dimm, J. R.,'D. D 1029 
 
 Dorman, John 
 
 Dorman, Peter 634 
 
 Dornblaser Family 591 
 
 Dornblaser, Gideon 583 
 
 Dornblaser, John 591 
 
 Dornblaser, Lewis W 638 
 
 Dornblaser, Peter 63] 
 
 Dornblaser, Pierce M 630 
 
 Dornblaser, W. H 588 
 
 Dorworth, Charles E 26] 
 
 Dorworth, Dr. E. S 26] 
 
 Douty, Elmer E 735 
 
 Douty, Reuben 736 
 
 Downing Family 7b 
 
 Dreese Families 1149, 1155 
 
 Dreese, Isaac 1095 
 
 Dreese, John 1095 
 
 Dreese, Reuben 1149 
 
 Dreese, William 11">"> 
 
 Dreisbach Family 826 
 
 Dreisbach, Martin 827 
 
 Dreisbach, Solomon K 
 
 Dubbs, John G 198 
 
 Dundore. Nathan T 1046 
 
 Dunham, Fred S 218 
 
 Dunkel, Conrad 1182 
 
 Dunkel, John C 1182 
 
 Dunkel, "Michael 1182 
 
 Dunlap, James 624 
 
 Dunlop Family 177 
 
 Dunlop, James 178 
 
 Dunlop, John 178 
 
 Dunlop. William 17S 
 
 Dunn, Mrs. L. A 581 
 
 Dunn, Mrs. Elizabeth 577 
 
 Dunn, Washington, Esq 580 
 
 Dunn, Hon. William 576 
 
 Durst Family 1195 
 
 Durst, George 297 
 
 Durst, George, Sr 297 
 
 Durst, Hiram 381 
 
 Durst, Joseph 1 195 
 
 Durst, Phili] 407 
 
 Earon Family 613 
 
 Earon, John.'. 613 
 
 Eby Family . 367 
 
 PACK 
 
 Eby, John W 366 
 
 Eddy, Lyman T 500 
 
 Eddy, Thomas H 500 
 
 Edelman, Alex 1205 
 
 Eisenhauer Families 940, 948 
 
 Eisenhauer, Henry 940 
 
 Eisenhauer, Uriah A 948 
 
 Eisenhower, Daniel 
 
 Eisenhower, Samuel 7:L' 
 
 Elliot Family 573 
 
 Elliot, William F 57:1 
 
 Elliott, Prof. James W . r >79 
 
 Emigh, G. W., M. D 454 
 
 Emigh, Jonathan 454 
 
 Emory, Henry 1 7'_".i 
 
 Emory, Jacob F 730 
 
 Engle, A. W 1165 
 
 Engle, William C 1165 
 
 Engleman, Joseph 1208 
 
 Erdley, G. F 
 
 Erdley, Jacob, Jr 932 
 
 Ertel, Philip 430 
 
 Ertel, Samuel 430 
 
 Etters, David 547 
 
 Evans, Eliezer 138 
 
 Evans Family 138 
 
 William H 1125 
 
 Eyer, Daniel 789 
 
 Ever Family 739 
 
 , lohn W 714 
 
 Fabel, Peter 714 
 
 Fair, Rev. M. W 716 
 
 Mrs. Sarah A 716 
 
 Fairchild, Ambrose 
 
 Fairchild, Solomon 
 
 Fairlamb Family 
 
 Fairlamb, George A., M. D 85 
 
 Farley, Abraham 7 V I 
 
 Farley, Abraham W 781 
 
 Farwell, Absalom 692 
 
 Farwell, Lemuel 692 
 
 Faulkner, lion. C. A 208 
 
 Faulkner, W.A 203 
 
 Felmlee, Oscar F 7-14 
 
 Fessler, F. P 1115 
 
 Fessler Family 1123 
 
 Fessler, Reuben B 1122 
 
 1 etterolf, E 806 
 
 Fetterolf, Peter 306 
 
 Fiedler, David 516 
 
 Field, B. M 718 
 
 Fink, George G 136 
 
 Fink, George W 436 
 
 Fishburn, Michael M 392 
 
 Fisher Family 1085 
 
 Fisher, George .... 1136 
 
 Fisher, Prof. George E., Ph. B. . 1049 
 
 Fisher, Levi 1075 
 
 Fisher, M. 1085 
 
 Fisher, Samuel 1075 
 
 Fisher, Mrs. Susan 1136 
 
 Fleming Family 563 
 
 Flisher, Daniel 285 
 
 Flisher Family 285 
 
 Focht, Benjamin K 761 
 
 Folmar Family 308 
 
 Fulmar, foseph W 308 
 
 Follmer, Daniel 1201 
 
 Follmer, Daniel G 1201 
 
 Follmer Family 1200 
 
 Follmer, John R 1201 
 
 Foote, G.W 834 
 
 Forcey, David 279 
 
 Forcey Family 279 
 
 Forry [Forrer], John 1074 
 
 Fortney, David F 60 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Fortney, David, Sr 61 
 
 Fortney Family tin 
 
 Foster, Charles H 156 
 
 Foster Family 158 
 
 Foster. Robert McCay 9] 
 
 Foster, Capt. Robert M 91 
 
 I . William 153 
 
 Fowler Family 166 
 
 Fowler, lohn T 166 
 
 Fox, Thomas J 699 
 
 Frain Family 104 
 
 Frain, Isaac S 104 
 
 Frank Family 171 
 
 Frank, G. S., M. D 171 
 
 Frank, Samuel 172 
 
 Frantz, Daniel 470 
 
 Frantz Family 
 
 Frantz, Harvey E 83] 
 
 Frederick, Jacob 1198 
 
 Fredericks Family 550 
 
 Fredericks, Hon. James W . . . . 
 
 Fredericks, John 610 
 
 Fredericks, Newton W 610 
 
 Frick Family 907 
 
 Fnck, Henry 907 
 
 Frick, John 90? 
 
 Frit/ Family 69] 
 
 Fritz, Henry H 69] 
 
 Fry Family 263 
 
 Fry, Capt. William H 263 
 
 Fryberger, Charles Theo 448 
 
 Fryberger, John 448 
 
 Fullmer, Charles L., M. D 629 
 
 Furey, William P 487 
 
 F'urst, Judge Austin O 51 
 
 Furst Family 52 
 
 Furst, R. H 553 
 
 Furst, Samuel 716 
 
 Furst, William G 438 
 
 Furst, William 1 438 
 
 Gardner, Andrew J 256 
 
 Gardner, William R 255 
 
 Carman, Daniel 105 
 
 Carman Families 106,821,1175 
 
 Garman, George W 746 
 
 Garman, John F 746 
 
 Garman, Martin 272 
 
 Garman, Martin B '-72 
 
 Garman, Michael 321 
 
 Garman, Peter 1175 
 
 Garner Family 473 
 
 Garner, Samuel 472 
 
 Garthoff, |ohn F 435 
 
 Garthoff, John H 435 
 
 Geary, D. B 342 
 
 Geary, Reuben 343 
 
 Gebh'art, John George 92.9 
 
 Geddes Family 964 
 
 Gellinger, Henry 
 
 Gellinger, Robert 953 
 
 Gemberling, Augustus A 1019 
 
 Gemberling Family 949 
 
 Gemberling, Franklin 949 
 
 Gemberling, Samuel 1019 
 
 Gephart, A. J 126 
 
 ,Gephart Families 125, 539 
 
 Gephart, Jacob 125 
 
 Gephart, Hon. John P - 
 
 Gephart, J. Wesley 458 
 
 Gephart, M. C 126 
 
 Getgen, Samuel 1015 
 
 Getgen, Thomas M 1015 
 
 Getz, D. H 867 
 
 Getz Family 719 
 
 Getz, lohn N., Jr 71! 
 
 Getz, William 867 
 
1 22 1 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 r, John 540 
 
 Gilliland Family 43 
 
 Gilliland, ( 43 
 
 Gingery, John 
 
 - i v, Joseph 921 
 
 Ginter, David 918 
 
 .lily- 918 
 
 Ginter, William M 918 
 
 Family 
 
 Glace, George W 386 
 
 -.1, I rum W 71'.' 
 
 < ileason, LeRoy 718 
 
 Glenn, Ephraim :;-l 
 
 . W. S., M. I) 
 
 1 1 438 
 
 Glosner, Sampson 439 
 
 >i i I' amily 689 
 
 Glossi e 689 
 
 i Families 
 
 Glovi r, Hon. Horace P 
 
 Glover, lames 995 
 
 r, Oliver W. H.. M. D 994 
 
 Glover, Robert V >• 1 1 
 
 Good, Daniel Mil 
 
 1112 
 
 Goofl, George 680 
 
 Goodman Family 688 
 
 nan, \\ illiam K., M. I). . . . 688 
 
 Gordon, ('.id eon 1186 
 
 in, W. H 1185 
 
 iley, Rev. J. J 684 
 
 ib 742 
 
 Gottsi hall, fohn 742 
 
 Gow land I- amily 
 
 Gowland, John 872 
 
 has L 156 
 
 Gramley, T, M 152 
 
 at H 175 
 
 Gramly Family 868 
 
 Gramly, I. Austin 473 
 
 Gran: I; 478 
 
 Gramly, Philip 
 
 Gramly, Samuel 368 
 
 Gray Families 104, 129, 108 
 
 128 
 
 Gray, Mrs. Isaac 129 
 
 Gray, 1 ieut. Samuel 1199 
 
 uel R L199 
 
 Samuel T lot 
 
 Hon. William E 105 
 
 408 
 
 Green, G. I •orsey., 452 
 
 Family :; ll 
 
 Squire Joseph M 284 
 
 nuel M 
 
 I Ion. Andrew 19 
 
 Family 19 
 
 Gretzinger, William i 
 
 (.n. i. , D.C 
 
 Gricb Family 
 
 Grimm, I )aniel 
 
 Grimm, Hi nry 519 
 
 i, Reuben 
 
 \'lins 966 
 
 ( '.roil, Vndn w 
 
 i ilies 872,951,966 
 
 M. A., \1. I). . . -Ti' 
 
 fohn 945 
 
 er, Henry 
 
 ( lroo\ er, Nicholas 
 
 Gross, David 912 
 
 Gross, ( leorge 849 
 
 Gross, [a 912 
 
 
 
 Irew V 651 
 
 i irt 652 
 
 1 AG1 
 
 Group, John W 
 
 Group, Peter 672 
 
 Grove, A. I". 
 
 Grove, John 1012 
 
 Grove, William, |r 167 
 
 Grow, Alva S 
 
 in!/ I amily 956 
 
 ( iuiswite, John 451 
 
 Guiswite, Luther 15] 
 
 Gumiih • 295 
 
 Gummo, Edward 748 
 
 Gummo, Richard 
 
 Gummo, William. 668 
 
 illus Family 139 
 
 Gunsallus, |i ihn 138 
 
 i runsallus, Meese 139 
 
 lac, M. D 545 
 
 Gutelius, Charles H., M. D 887 
 
 Gutelius, Hon. D. F "4;: 
 
 843 
 
 Haag. i ieorgi 
 
 
 
 |i tin 
 
 ily 
 
 Haas, Rev. W.A 
 
 Hafer, Aaron W., D. D. S 
 
 . Harrison 
 
 Jacob 
 
 Hafer, Moses 
 
 nbuch, Mrs. Julia A 
 
 i inn h, Peter 
 
 oik 
 
 Hain. B 
 
 1 1 tines, fen miah 
 
 Haini 
 
 Hale, 1.1ms W., M. I) 
 
 1 [ale F amily 
 
 Hale, Lt.-Col. Harry S 
 
 
 
 Family 
 
 Halenbake, Giles W 
 
 
 
 Halfpenny, John L 
 
 Hail]., imy, Mark, Jr 
 
 Halfpenny, W. Scott 
 
 Hall, Hi nrj T 
 
 Hall, James 
 
 Hall, i 
 
 Hall, Joi,,, Glen 
 
 Hall, John Newlin 
 
 A..., 
 
 Robert 
 
 inder K 
 
 
 
 I [ami 1 ton, far es 
 
 ti 
 
 
 
 K 
 
 I [and Family 
 
 Harbi I K 
 
 Harbesi m, I homas t '.rant 
 
 is \" 
 
 Harley, II. F 
 
 
 
 , M. D ... 
 
 ii. [ohn M 
 
 1 larnisb, Martin 
 
 r Family 
 
 Harper, I. C 
 
 I larper, [i ihn 
 
 r, Simon. 
 
 Harris. B B 
 
 Harris, 
 
 Families 182,611,771 
 
 Harris, Jami 
 
 Harris, James i Union Co. i 
 
 284 
 284 
 684 
 1036 
 [036 
 127 
 813 
 813 
 427 
 812 
 811 
 442 
 
 442 
 78 
 
 7s 
 
 79 
 
 26 
 
 597 
 
 1019 
 1019 
 1198 
 [198 
 756 
 
 609 
 214 
 
 ■-'14 
 
 748 
 92 
 92 
 
 395 
 
 171 
 
 861 
 86] 
 1170 
 199 
 199 
 
 127 
 
 lnl 
 [01 
 
 769 
 182 
 
 -71 
 
 1-;: 
 771 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Harris, [ohn H., LL. D 
 
 Harris, John W 611 
 
 Harris, William S 7'_'5 
 
 Harrison, Francis C, M. D 775 
 
 Harrison, Mrs. J. C 775 
 
 Harshberger Family 168 
 
 II. 168 
 
 Harter, Andrew (Coburn) 211 
 
 Harter, Andrew I Marion 'I 
 
 Harter, Emanuel 502 
 
 Harter Families 211,2 
 
 Hartei I 
 
 234 
 
 Harter. John F., D. D. S 174 
 
 Harter, J. W 375 
 
 876 
 
 Harter, Thomas H [60 
 
 r, William 16] 
 
 1 220 
 
 Harter, Dr. William S 174 
 
 i; 
 
 Hartman, Simon 290 
 
 Hartswick, Christian 186 
 
 Hartswick, H. B 485 
 
 Harvey, I rank 7_'4 
 
 Harvey, George C 574 
 
 Harvey, Henry T 57 1 
 
 Harvey, Ira M 575 
 
 Harvey, Irwm M 
 
 I [assi nplug F amily -74 
 
 Hastings, ( ".o\ . Daniel H 
 
 Hastin 1 '■'■ 
 
 ii 
 
 Hause G 779 
 
 Peter 77'.' 
 
 d Alfred 
 
 ilies II 
 
 749 
 
 eph H 749 
 
 !., M. D 
 
 I ion. Thomas 
 
 !, Thomas R., M. D 108 
 
 William 
 
 es, Mrs. Martha 225 
 
 Haynes, Robert [as. (deceased). 224 
 
 | 225 
 
 >, William R 226 
 
 John P 606 
 
 I . Samuel L 
 
 
 
 i, Michael 
 
 Heat,.,,, Mrs, Sarah E 
 
 
 
 I >aniel K 
 
 B6I ' 
 
 an, fohn 
 
 in, Peter 
 
 , Family 1187 
 
 r, Jacob 1187 
 
 Heim I 164 
 
 Hemii I igene, M. D. . 
 
 Heimbach, Elias 
 
 Heimbach, S i 
 
 Heinley, David 927 
 
 Heinley, [acob 927 
 
 iry J 1111 
 
 ■ I 418 
 
 1 1, ml. rson 1 amilies 204, 186 
 
 Henderson, j 
 
 Henderson, Hon. John C 204 
 
 Milton | 418 
 
 W. B., MD 202 
 
 ich Family '-"-'■ : 
 
 llensvl Family 
 
 . Lot K„ M n 163 
 
 ... 245 
 
 I amily : >-'> ,; 
 
INDEX. 
 
 1225 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Herb, Joel H 556 
 
 Herbster, W. H 1170 
 
 Herman, Phares 1167 
 
 Herr, George, Sr 673 
 
 Hen, George B 706 
 
 Herr, George W 673 
 
 Herr, Joel A To.', 
 
 Hess Family 389 
 
 Hess, William 389 
 
 Hess, Mrs. William 389 
 
 Hilbish, Benjamin 1171 
 
 Hilbish, Rev. W. H 1171 
 
 Hillbish Family 1086 
 
 Hillbish, Col. Philip L085 
 
 Hillibish, Nicholas 512 
 
 Hillibish, William T 512 
 
 Himmelreich, William D 780 
 
 Hinkson, Mrs. B 271 
 
 Hinton Family 130 
 
 Hippie, George W 556 
 
 Hoch, A. S 938 
 
 Hoch, Samuel 938 
 
 Hoffa, Cyrus 261 
 
 Hoffa, John, Jr 261 
 
 Hoffman Family 952 
 
 nan, Hary N 952 
 
 Holmes Family 344 
 
 Holmes, James H 344 
 
 Holmes, Robert 344 
 
 Holt Families 87,277 
 
 Holt, Hon. John Harbison 85 
 
 Holt, Squire John 85 
 
 Holt, William 87 
 
 Holt. William F 87 
 
 Holier, Henry Clay 315 
 
 Holter, Jacob, Jr 315 
 
 Holtzman Family 1100 
 
 1 [oop Family 182 
 
 Hoop, Gibbony F., M. D 132 
 
 1 toovei Families 231,426 
 
 Hoover, George D 427 
 
 Hoover, Grant 426 
 
 Hoover, Harvey 426 
 
 Hoover, Jacob 428 
 
 Hoover, Samuel 231 
 
 Hoover, William E 428 
 
 Horner, Daniel 1211 
 
 Hosterman, F. O 477 
 
 I [i isterman, George 382 
 
 I [osterman, Squire Jacob 477 
 
 Hosterman, John K 382 
 
 Hosterman, Thomas 423 
 
 Hosterman, T. W 423 
 
 Hottenstein, Hon. Charles C. . . . 815 
 
 Houseworth, William Eugene... 1043 
 
 Houtz, Emanuel 1093 
 
 Houtz Families 1058, 1092 
 
 Houtz. fohn 1092 
 
 Howell Family 1107 
 
 Howell, William F 1107 
 
 Hower, Charles 1078 
 
 Hower, Hon. Jacob 815 
 
 Hower, John 816 
 
 Hoy, Judge Adam 39 
 
 Hoy, Hezekiab K 227 
 
 Hovt, A. V 94 
 
 Hubler, George M 537 
 
 Hubler, Henry 1186 
 
 Hubler, Isaac 1186 
 
 Hubler, John, Sr 950 
 
 Hubler, W. T 537 
 
 Hudson Family 507 
 
 Hudson, Robert 507 
 
 Huey Family 63 
 
 Huff, James 557 
 
 Huff, William 557 
 
 Hufferd Family 1014 
 
 « 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Hufferd, John 1014 
 
 Hughes Families 66, 254 
 
 Hughes, Rev. James P 66 
 
 Hulley, Prof. Lincoln, Ph. D. . . 
 
 Humes, Edward C 28 
 
 Humes, Hamilton 28 
 
 Humes, William P 28 
 
 Hummel, A. A 1161 
 
 Hummel Families 1026, 1161 
 
 Hummel, John L084 
 
 Hunter, Andrew 137 
 
 Hunter, Maj. Andrew 137 
 
 Hunter Family 137, 878 
 
 Hunter, Henry F s?s 
 
 Hunter. lames P 879 
 
 Hunter, John A., B. S. and M. E. 479 
 
 Huston, Hon. Charles 23 
 
 Hutton Family 215 
 
 Hyatt Family 768 
 
 Hyatt, Hon. John T 765 
 
 Hyatt, Hon. Pulaski F 763 
 
 Ickes Family 268 
 
 Iddings, Mrs. Mary 900 
 
 Irland, T. Edwin 945 
 
 Irvin, J. G 117 
 
 Irvin, John, Jr 117 
 
 Irvine, Robert H 757 
 
 Irwin, Daniel 118 
 
 Irwin, Daniel Pontius 312 
 
 Irwin Families 149, 417 
 
 Irwin, John 312 
 
 Irwin, Louis C 312 
 
 Irwin, William 149 
 
 Irwin, William Ellis 416 
 
 Irwin, William L 939 
 
 Irwin, William U., M. D 118 
 
 Isenberg Family 333 
 
 Jacobs Family 70 
 
 Jarrett, Hiram P 1035 
 
 tarrett, John 1035 
 
 Johnson, Daniel Irwin 466 
 
 Johnson, David 931 
 
 Johnson, David C 978 
 
 Johnson Family 647 
 
 Johnson, John 645 
 
 Johnson, Jonathan C 466 
 
 Johnson, Thew 645 
 
 Johnson, William M 646 
 
 Johnston, John T 112 
 
 Johnston, Mrs. Mary A 112 
 
 Jones, Alexander V 760 
 
 Jones, Benjamin 357 
 
 Jones, David 483 
 
 Jones Family 357 
 
 Jones, Jabez C. P 483 
 
 Jones, Thomas 917 
 
 Jones, William 917 
 
 Jordan Family 304 
 
 Jordan, Joseph 304 
 
 Jordan, R. Emma 304 
 
 Kanawel, J. F., M. D 1087 
 
 Kantz Family 1118 
 
 Kantz, John P 1118 
 
 Kaufman, D 648 
 
 Kaup, John 944 
 
 Kaup, Levi 944 
 
 Keefer Family 901 
 
 Reefer, Thomas W 901 
 
 Keen Family 356 
 
 Keen, Jacob 356 
 
 Keichline Family 169 
 
 Keichline, John M 169 
 
 Keichline, Peter 169 
 
 Keiser, Benjamin F 924 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Keiser, Mrs. Emily A 1186 
 
 Keiser Family 925 
 
 Keiser, Jacob 924 
 
 Keller, Daniel C 103 
 
 Keller, Col. Daniel S 56 
 
 Keller Families 56, 103, 251 
 
 i. Frederick W 757 
 
 Keller, Harry 57 
 
 Keller, James A 250 
 
 Keller, John H 251 
 
 Keller, Mrs. Martha E. R 57 
 
 Kelley, George W 470 
 
 Kelley, Harry P 256 
 
 Kelley, John 470 
 
 Kelley, Michael D 264 
 
 Kelley, Patrick 264 
 
 Kelly; David H 894 
 
 Kelly, John A 893 
 
 Kemmerer, John N 754 
 
 Kemmerer, Joseph 754 
 
 Kendig, Joseph R 674 
 
 Kepler, Jacob 422 
 
 Kepler, Jacob M 422 
 
 Kerlin, Edward M .^536 
 
 Kersteter, Jacob 412 
 
 Kersteter, John 450 
 
 Kersteter, Leonard, Jr 450 
 
 Kessinger, Henry F 466 
 
 Kessinger, Joseph Ross 301 
 
 Kessinger, Thomas L 302 
 
 Kessler, H. T 559 
 
 Kessler, Jacob 559 
 
 Keys Family 2:12 
 
 Kimpel, Adam 832 
 
 Kimpel Family 832 
 
 King Families 847, 1009 
 
 King, Isaac 1009 
 
 King, James, Jr 1009 
 
 Kinsloe, Frank G 567 
 
 Kinsloe, J. B. G 565 
 
 Kinsloe, William A 567 
 
 Kintner, Col. Jacob C 650 
 
 Kintner, Joseph J 650 
 
 Kissell, Andrew C 623 
 
 Kissell, Henry 623 
 
 Kister Family 418 
 
 Kistler Family 592 
 
 Kistler, Wilson 592 
 
 Kistner, Mrs. Annie C 1085 
 
 Kistner, H. U 1140 
 
 Kleckner, Miss Alice 924 
 
 Kleckner, Michael 923 
 
 Kleckner, Solomon 923 
 
 Kline, Daniel Z 216 
 
 Kline Families 216, 1027 
 
 Kline, George 99 
 
 Kline, Harrison 99 
 
 Kline, H. H 226 
 
 Kline, Reuben 1026 
 
 Klinefelter, Charles H 731 
 
 Klinefelter, Peter 732 
 
 Kling, John 1178 
 
 Klingler, Enos 1159 
 
 Knauer Family 1217 
 
 Knauer, Nathan 1217 
 
 Knight. John L 901 
 
 Knight, Samuel H 901 
 
 Knouse, David 1 166 
 
 Knouse, Samuel 1166 
 
 Kolp Family 911 
 
 Korman, Andrew 402 
 
 Korman, George 402 
 
 Krape,C. A... 498 
 
 Krape Family 498 
 
 Krape, George 198 
 
 Kreamer, A. F 157 
 
 Kreamer, Elias 840 
 
1 226 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 K reamer Families 215, 839 
 
 er, George W 252 
 
 er.H.W 215 
 
 mathan 157 
 
 Krean 252 
 
 William 241 
 
 Kreider, Philip 
 
 Kremer, Abraham 
 
 Kremer, John K 
 
 Conrad 568 
 
 Hon. William C 
 
 mi 
 
 Krouse. Reuben 1051 
 
 Krumrine, Adam H 191 
 
 Krumrine, F. W 498 
 
 Krumrine, John 191 
 
 Kunes, Daniel B 280 
 
 Kunes Family 279 
 
 lames I 279 
 
 Kiink. 1184 
 
 Kurtz, Charles R 7^> 
 
 ■ lerick 39 
 
 Kurtz, W. I 
 
 Kuster, Daniel 1114 
 
 . i ieorge C 11 M 
 
 t, Damien 71i» 
 
 Lachat Family 719 
 
 Lahr, Nicholas C 1202 
 
 Paul 1202 
 
 i 1039 
 
 .. William M 1039 
 
 i h, Christian 74:i 
 
 esse 74H 
 
 Lauck, Peter 526 
 
 Laurelton Lumber Co 
 
 Laurie, J. Malcolm 44M 
 
 Lauth, : 58 
 
 Lauth, Mrs. Elizabeth 59 
 
 lily 5 s 
 
 l.i ■.ithi rs, Mrs. Mary E 253 
 
 is, William Thomas 253 
 
 Lehkich.-r, Edward 1) 1 196 
 
 Lebkicl.er. |ohn 1196 
 
 I 1im-.1i in 741 
 
 . David. L022 
 
 [ohn J 1022 
 
 . Andrew Albright 786 
 
 b 781 
 
 Dr. William 788 
 
 I eiser, William, [r., M. I> 
 
 1085, 1128 
 
 Lesher, [oseph G 1035 
 
 bert 1128 
 
 Lew is Family , , 134 
 
 Leyman, George II 371 
 
 Leyman, John 87] 
 
 1 tmily 129 
 
 nily.. 819 
 
 Henry 
 
 d 819 
 
 1 illey, Walter P 1205 
 
 J 518 
 
 ' 1 in 518 
 
 ' tmily 766 
 
 768 
 768 
 Linden II. ill Lun 
 
 nes 153 
 
 - iuI 458 
 
 49, 183, 776 
 
 Rev. James, I). 1) 77 
 
 Linn, Tame! I 50 
 
 Linn, Hon 'ii 49 
 
 Linn, lames Merrill 77b' 
 
 77* 
 
 Livingston, N . J 1 14'_' 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Lock Haven Chorus 555 
 
 Lock Ha. tal 
 
 Lock Haven Library 
 
 ijamin 
 
 Long, Benjamin H 
 
 allies 134,324,934, 1200 
 
 Long, George 324 
 
 Long, Georgi W 331 
 
 331 
 
 Long, John 1) 324 
 
 Long, William H 184 
 
 Longaker Family 10 
 
 772 
 
 mis, Justin R., LL. D 772 
 
 -(•, Charles C 496 
 
 -■■. Samuel 496 
 
 Lorain Family 176 
 
 Lorain, Mrs. Fannie M 17f> 
 
 Lorain, Henrj McD 177 
 
 I.oram, Mai. Lorenzo 176 
 
 Love, William 4M 
 
 Loveland, Charles W 758 
 
 Loveland, Reuben 
 
 Loyd, Charles ."."1 
 
 bert N 501 
 
 Lucas, Charles -MO 
 
 Lucas Families 310,332, 
 
 Lucas, Ferdinand C 
 
 Lucas, John T 
 
 Lucas, Morgan M -V-!7 
 
 Lukens Family ! 
 
 Lukens, Tames A 165 
 
 Lumbara, Hon, [oseph A... II 
 
 Lut/. William M 
 
 Lynn Family loin 
 
 Lytle Family 
 
 e, Samuel F., M. D 
 
 McAllister Family 17 
 
 McAllister, Hon. Hugh N 16 
 
 rider 799 
 
 799 
 
 iiH sou 
 
 arthy, Rev. Francis P 
 
 imily 229 
 
 nes A 708 
 
 lloskey, Nathan 708 
 
 McClure Family 
 
 Mi ("lure, Finn. Harold M 792 
 
 McClure, [ohn 182 
 
 Mi i liarles S 560 
 
 Mc< ormii k I amiliea 757, 560 
 
 McCormick, Robert 562 
 
 Mi i rt W 
 
 Mi l oi mil . M 751 
 
 Mi Coj . All icandi i 161 
 
 McCoy Family 162 
 
 1 ty, Frank 196 
 
 inn 162 
 
 McCoy, I »r. |..hn M 196 
 
 177,893 
 
 Mi Dowell F amilii s 323, 616 
 
 McD rry W 
 
 McDowell, William 617 
 
 Mi 1 i-. I, 539 
 
 Mi 1 ntire, L. B 180 
 
 Mi I ■ \ . M. li 
 
 Mil arlane Family 
 
 McFarlane, l rank' 
 
 McFarlane, w illiam 
 
 Mm n 607 
 
 oik Family 17o 
 
 Mi i '.irk. [ames 170 
 
 Mel ii., M. D 170 
 
 McG id ">47 
 
 Mi < .'in'-, [oseph 1 ".17 
 
 McKinney, Andrew C 631 
 
 PAGE 
 
 McKinney Family 681 
 
 McKinney, Hon. j. Harris 585 
 
 McKinney, James Harris 
 
 McKinney, James H 
 
 McKini mel 112 
 
 McLanahan, Robert 195 
 
 id, Hugh 715 
 
 M< Malum, Patrick 
 
 ion. Mrs. Mary 550 
 
 McMeen, Mrs. Nancy J -1 
 
 McMeen, Dr. William -1 
 
 McMicken Family 1180 
 
 McMunagle, John 
 
 McNamara, James 696 
 
 Mallory, CO 
 
 Mallory, James 15 399 
 
 Mann Family 
 
 Mann, John 
 
 Mann, John Thomas 
 
 Mann. Robert (Clinton Co.) 620 
 
 Mann, e Co.) 328 
 
 Mann, William, Sr 620 
 
 Ir 621 
 
 Mark Family 
 
 Mark, Henry 
 
 Marr, Key. Phineas 15 X95 
 
 Marshal! Family 
 
 Martin, [oseph 
 
 Martin, Joseph, Sr 
 
 Matlack, George Smedley Z96 
 
 Matlack, Mrs. George S 
 
 Mattern, David 
 
 Mattern, George 
 
 Mattel G 
 
 Mattern, "John 
 
 Mattern, Miles 
 
 Mauck, David 
 
 Mauck Family 822 
 
 Mauck, Dr. John H B22 
 
 May, Dennis M 750 
 
 Mayer, Adam 
 
 Mayer, Hon. Charles A 
 
 Family 
 
 Mayer, Hon. William H 
 
 Mays Family 583 
 
 Herbert I) 265 
 
 M.ek. Hon. P. Gray 24 
 
 Meek, Reuben H... 124 
 
 i. Peter 117s 
 
 , lohn B88 
 
 Mench, ohn R - 
 
 Meiich, Melancthon B88 
 
 Mendenhall, Benjamin 1 
 
 braham 
 
 Mensch, Abraham, Sr 
 
 Mirrey. I Ion. [oseph W 578 
 
 Merrill, (".< n. Jesse 
 
 Merryman, Leonard 
 
 Merryman, Thomas 528 
 
 Mertz, Abraham 1198 
 
 Mertz Family 1198 
 
 Mertz, Henry 1183 
 
 William 1 1183 
 
 Meyei 140,29 
 
 Meyer, < ii irge J 
 
 n. Henry 140 
 
 Meyer, T. C ,.. 101 
 
 141 
 
 . Jacob S 
 
 
 
 Meyer, "William H 
 
 eswarth, Hon. Aaron I . .. 1091 
 
 Middleswarth, ibner 1045 
 
 Middleswarth, I 1am K 1 1 4 "> 
 
 Middleswarth Family 1090 
 
 Middleswarth, [oseph 
 
 Middleswarth, Hon. Ner....l044, 1145 
 
INDEX. 
 
 1227 
 
 Middleswarth, Ner B 
 
 Middleswarth, Robert 
 
 Miles, John Q 
 
 Miller, Abram V 
 
 Miller, B. F 
 
 Miller, Charles 
 
 .. Miller, Hon. Charles 
 
 Miller, Daniel 
 
 Miller, Daniel S 
 
 Miller, David 
 
 Miller, Elias (Union County). . . . 
 
 Miller, Elias (Centre County)... 
 
 Miller, Enoch 
 
 Miller, F. W 
 
 Miller Families 205, 
 
 ■ 798, 959, 997, 1012, 1059. 
 
 Miller, George, Jr 
 
 Miller, George D 
 
 Miller, George F 
 
 Miller, H. M 
 
 Miller, Isaac 
 
 -Miller, John F. 
 
 Miller, " 
 
 Miller, 
 
 Miller, 
 
 Miller, 
 
 Miller, 
 
 Miller, 
 Miller. 
 
 Miller, 
 
 Levi 
 
 Mrs. Maria 
 
 Michael 
 
 Moses 
 
 Moses \V 
 
 Miller, Peter 
 
 Miller, Mrs. Peter 
 
 Robert V 
 
 S. F 
 
 William 
 
 Miller, William H 
 
 Millner, Meyer 
 
 Mingle, Albert C 
 
 Mingle Family. . . 
 
 le, Henry ' 
 
 Mitchi 'i 
 
 Mit. 1 john. . . . 
 
 *'' , iOnn 
 
 .. ...ey, Edwin S 
 
 Mohn, George C, M. D. 
 
 Mohn, John 
 
 Moll, Charles A 
 
 Montelius Family 
 
 Montelius, Frederick M 
 Montgomery Family. . . . 
 Moore, Katherine V. . . . 
 
 Mm. re Family 
 
 Moore, H. A 
 
 Moore, John B 
 
 Moore, Joseph. 
 
 Morgan Family 
 
 Morgan, John E 
 
 Morlock, G. L 
 
 Morningstar F'amily. . . . 
 Morningstar, J. A., Esq. 
 
 Mortimer, Samuel 
 
 Mosebarger Farriily 
 
 Mothersbaugh, H. H., M 
 
 Motz Family 
 
 Motz, Jacob F 
 
 Motz, John 
 
 John C 
 
 John C. F 
 
 Mrs. Maranda A 
 
 , William R 
 
 Moyer Families 1148, 
 
 Moyer, Frederick C 
 
 Moyer, Henry 
 
 Moyer, Prof. Henry B 
 
 Moyer, J. G., Esq 
 
 Moyer, John A 
 
 Moyer, Joseph K 
 
 Moyer, Philip 
 
 Moyer, Robert J 
 
 Moyer, William 
 
 D. 
 
 Motz 
 Motz, 
 Motz, 
 
 Motz, 
 
 PAGE 
 
 . 1144 
 1044 
 
 . 443 
 . 238 
 . 219 
 . 4T5 
 
 . 10581 
 . 1001 
 . 1129 
 
 420 
 :•>;, 
 420 
 904 
 
 Him 
 
 1129 
 
 985 
 
 1059 
 
 1163 
 
 997 
 
 515 
 
 798 
 
 958 
 
 900 
 
 205 
 
 798 
 
 904 
 1196 
 1196 
 
 239 
 1012 
 
 47.-. 
 
 363 
 1113 
 
 210 
 
 210 
 
 210 
 
 241 
 21 
 
 241 
 
 74ii 
 
 820 
 
 820 
 1023 
 1108 
 1108 
 
 878 
 
 955 
 
 4<7 
 
 487 
 
 954 
 
 954 
 
 971 
 
 971 
 
 560 
 1206 
 1206 
 
 678 
 
 257 
 
 723 
 
 352 
 
 528 
 60 
 
 352 
 
 528 
 
 358 
 
 528 
 
 1150-r 
 1102 
 1148 
 1104 
 1150 
 1160 
 
 906 
 1160 
 
 iii.ui 
 1103 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Mulhollan, Mrs. Caroline 349 
 
 Mulhollan, David R 272 
 
 Mulhollan, lohn 271 
 
 Mulhollan, Nancy J 349 
 
 Mulhollan, Rudolph 349 
 
 Munro, Alexander 664 
 
 Munro, Archibald 664 
 
 Murphy, James 635 
 
 Murphy, Martin F 751 
 
 M usser, Adam 829 
 
 Musser, A. Clark 417 
 
 M usser, C. Sumner, M. D 376 
 
 Musser, D. | 529 
 
 Musser, Daniel A 336 
 
 Musser, Emanuel 258 
 
 Musser Families 258,336,522, 529 
 
 Musser, J. G 417 
 
 Musser, James E 536 
 
 Musser, Jeremiah 828 
 
 Musser, lohn 
 
 Musser, John J 381 
 
 Musser, Mrs. Lydia A 337 
 
 Musser, M. M. 
 
 Musser, Philip 529 
 
 Musser, Philip B 336 
 
 Musser, Dr. Philip T 377 
 
 Musser, Maj. William L 522 
 
 Musser, William S. ( Millheim). . 522 
 
 Musser, William S.(Sp"g Mills)., 198 
 
 Muthler, Frederick 735 
 
 Muthler, John 
 
 Muthler, Joseph 7:!7 
 
 Myers, David -Til 
 
 Myers, Christian 690 
 
 Myers, Christian, Sr 690 
 
 M vers Family 690 
 
 Myers, Isaac 990 
 
 Myers, John 989 
 
 Myers, loseph 494 
 
 Myers, 'Mrs. Valeria R 872 
 
 Myers, William J 4'.i4 
 
 Nearhoof Family 347 
 
 Neese, David (pioneer) 495 
 
 Neese, David 469 
 
 Neese Families 469, 494 
 
 Neese, William 494 
 
 Neff, Charles B 439 
 
 Neff Families 439,479 
 
 Neff, Lafavette 440 
 
 Neidig, David 432 
 
 Neidig Family 432 
 
 Neidig,. Jacob' M 432 
 
 Nesbit, David B 998 
 
 N'esbit, John 999 
 
 Nipple, H. M., M. D 1088 
 
 Nogel.A. T 988 
 
 Nogel, Jacob 988 
 
 Noll Families 513,960 
 
 Noll, George 513 
 
 Noll, George P 960 
 
 Noll, Mathias 1008- 
 
 Noll, Samuel L L008 
 
 North, Calvin B 1052 
 
 North Family I 
 
 North, Hon. James 75 
 
 Nowell, Charles H 
 
 Nowell, Joshua 667 
 
 Nowland, Andrew ... 722 
 
 Nowland, John 723 
 
 O'Brvan, James 
 
 O'Bryan, Walter 
 
 O'Dwyer, William 724 
 
 Odenkirk, George 543 
 
 Odenkirk, Mrs. "Martha P 543 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Orndorf Family 333 
 
 Orndorf, John J 133 
 
 Orner, Jacob 728 
 
 Orner, William H 728 
 
 Orvis, Ellis L 14 
 
 Orvis Family 8 
 
 Orvis, Hon. John H 8 
 
 Orwig, Emanuel 957 
 
 Orwig Families 856, 1073 
 
 Orwig, Mrs. Samantha 957 
 
 I >rwig, Samuel 856 
 
 t >rwig, Hon. Samuel H 
 
 Osman Family 303 
 
 Osman, Uriah D 103 
 
 Owens Family 862 
 
 Ott, Daniel 1145 
 
 Ott Family 1146 
 
 Owens, Capt. John A 862 
 
 Packer, Jesse P 
 
 Packer, Hon. William F 20 
 
 Parsons, Joseph 75E 
 
 Pawling, Charles W 933 
 
 Pawling Family 858, 1020 
 
 Pawling, James M 853 
 
 Pawling, Jefferson S 1021 
 
 Pawling, John Iu20 
 
 Pawling, Levi 1021 
 
 Pawling, Mrs. Lydia C..., 
 
 Pawling, Samuel B. .....'. 
 
 Paxton Family 193 
 
 Pealer, Daniel' 370 
 
 Pealer, William 370 
 
 Peck, Solomon 229 
 
 Pellman Family 841 
 
 Pennsylvania State College, The 
 
 Perkins Family 552 
 
 Perkins, Rev. Dr R. W 552 
 
 Perkins, Joseph 
 
 Persing, Amos V., M. D 922 
 
 Persing, Emanuel S 923 
 
 Peters, George L 428 - 
 
 Petrikin, Senator Henry 8 
 
 Pinogel Family 240 
 
 Plan, Alfonso." 508 
 
 Piatt Family 508 
 
 Piatt,. John G 508 
 
 Pletcher Family 350 
 
 Poorman, Daniel F 419 
 
 Poorman Families 535,738 
 
 Poorman, Fleming ■>'■'•'< 
 
 Poorman, John 419 
 
 Porter, A. D 752 
 
 Porter Family 658 
 
 Porter, James 658 
 
 Porter, Tames H 752 
 
 Porter, R. Williamson 658 
 
 Potter, A. W 1056 
 
 I'otter Family 109 
 
 l'otor, George L. Ill 
 
 Potter, Rev. Isaiah 1056 
 
 Potter, Gen. James 109 
 
 Potter, Judge James 110 
 
 Potter, lames 110 
 
 Potter, Thomas B„ M. D 63 
 
 Potti i, William M 63 
 
 Hon. William W 22 
 
 Potter, William W 110 
 
 Poulsen, Bertel 415 
 
 Poulsen Family 415 
 
 Pi iwers, Edward L 465 
 
 Powers, John 465 
 
 Pringle Familv 268 
 
 Pringle, Sylvester R 268 
 
 Prutzman, Enoch G 1219 
 
 Pursley, James 1000 
 
 Pursley, William 1000 
 
1228 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 • , I taniel, Esq 
 
 e, Mrs. Eliza 606 
 
 uly 589 
 
 
 
 . Harry L 
 
 ■b 
 
 
 
 1 570 
 
 I in. James W 
 
 s. Margaret A 601 
 
 1 612 
 
 R ibert C 
 
 
 
 ■ . William C. . . .• 612 
 
 Quinn Family VU 
 
 Ranck, Edward 
 
 Ranck Family 919, 1010 
 
 Kan. k. Harry P 
 
 Ranck, Levi.' 851 
 
 d 1 919 
 
 Ranck. Jonathan 905 
 
 i nnan L 1010 
 
 mily 994 
 
 I 
 
 Rankin Family I 11 " 
 
 I II 202 
 
 Rankin, oho 202 
 
 Rank:: A 1< M • 
 
 ii B 100 
 
 386 
 
 WilliamS - 
 
 b. I. S 1197 
 
 Raudenbush, Mrs. Mary A 1191 
 
 "II 
 
 erick 
 
 
 
 278 
 
 L'74 
 
 1 'J'.''' 
 
 .'74 
 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 983 
 
 1 lisE., M. S 98 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 ."._'7 
 
 
 
 267 
 
 
 
 - 
 
 William 267 
 
 mily 64 
 
 ! I 64 
 
 .. Wilbur F 64 
 
 ! 
 
 ; 1201 
 
 ily 942 
 
 Reedy, 1201 
 
 I nrv 
 
 
 
 >hn 
 
 4o'.i 
 
 ( .... 4''." 
 
 US 
 
 liam 119 
 
 rd, I >r. [acob 353 
 
 M 1016 
 
 1015 
 
 • - K 1015 
 
 1028 
 
 476 
 
 47t; 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Rhinesmith, David 412 
 
 Rboads, Judge Daniel 4o 
 
 Rhoads K 43 
 
 Kin .ads Family 40 
 
 41 
 
 ily U3 
 
 Rhone, (acob 115 
 
 Hod. Leonard U3 
 
 Michael H4 
 
 Rich, Charles H 
 
 Rich Famil) 
 
 Rich, Mrs. j. F 626 
 
 ! 1 ihD. 
 
 Rich, John, lr 626 
 
 Rich, Joho 1' 625 
 
 626 
 
 Rich, Stiles Edward 627 
 
 Rich, VV. Fli 626 
 
 Richard 
 
 Richter Family. I ' '1 
 
 Richter.John P 
 
 Ricker, Charles L 751 
 
 Ricker, Jacob 752 
 
 Ricker, Samuel L 75] 
 
 Family 314 
 
 Family 
 
 . W. H 1079 
 
 Rine Famil) H ; i7 
 
 Rine, George S 1 141 
 
 Rioe, [odd M 
 
 Rine, John S lF'i7 
 
 Rishel" Family 260 
 
 Rishel, Jacob P 721 
 
 Rishel, Col. |..hn 278 
 
 . Martin L 278 
 
 . William 260 
 
 11 721 
 
 Ritter Family 77-J 
 
 Rater, H. J.. 1047 
 
 Ritter, Hon. fames R 772 
 
 Ritter, John 1017 
 
 .! ion 
 
 1047 
 
 Rittman Family T>7."i 
 
 Rittman, Philip P 575 
 
 P 7":t 
 
 Ruacl :. 1) 722 
 
 708 
 
 imily 117'.i 
 
 I 1179 
 
 :\ 11711 
 
 :ion 135 
 
 irnet 720 
 
 imily 74o 
 
 265 
 
 too F 740 
 
 hn L 
 
 • y, Michael D 720 
 
 
 
 Rode i mily '.'7'_' 
 
 lartha I 
 
 ithew : 
 
 braim 1 14,'i 
 
 1 14:j 
 
 
 
 i, M. D 
 
 I ranklin M 
 
 Franklin M 
 
 . Orrio H.. M. D 781 
 
 amily 
 
 I 
 
 ■ ;. i i 
 
 Rote, D II 
 
 SimoD 4_'.'. 
 
 Rothei am H B2fi 
 
 Rothr , M. D... 
 Rothrock Family 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Rothrock, Dr. H. H 
 
 Rothrock, lames H 
 
 Rothrock, Dr. Roswell 
 
 nin ".14 
 
 aniel 4_".< 
 
 Roush, Frederick 
 
 Roush, John H 
 
 r, Aaron C 4: 17 
 
 Rover, D. D 
 
 r, David 1214 
 
 Koyer Families 411, 1214 
 
 Royer, Henry 411 
 
 Rover, Israel 1214 
 
 Royi ...„ 
 
 Royer, I. George 
 
 
 
 E 41o 
 
 Ruhl, David H 
 
 Ruhl Family 
 
 967 
 
 Ruhl, Samuel F 
 
 Ruhle. George I' 
 
 Russell, Allen D 
 
 Russell, Rev. Charles D 
 
 Russell Family 
 
 Rute, Benjamin 
 
 Rut. 
 
 Rutherford, S. W 
 
 5, Rev. James 7".4 
 
 Sampsel Family 1060 
 
 Sampsel, 1 lopnia.. . . , 1061 
 
 Sampsel, J. W., M. D 1 
 
 Sanders, Henry, Jr 
 
 
 
 Sanke) Fan 
 
 Sankey, B 
 
 Sauer. A .m ...1101 
 
 Sauer, diaries A. . . . 1 1 ' »1 
 
 Schmeltzer Family 
 
 Schmeltzer, George 
 
 Dure, Christian l-i 
 
 Mire Fan) 1210 
 
 Dure, Francis M 
 
 aure, G. W 
 
 Schnure, George, Esq 1 
 
 Schnure, 
 
 Dure, Howard I) 1032 
 
 Schoch, B.S 
 
 Schoch, Charles B71 
 
 SchbCh Families 984, 1067 
 
 Franklin J . llo7 
 
 Schoch, H. Harvey 1H71 
 
 loch, Ira C 1057 
 
 I. C 1077 
 
 Schoch, J.i. oh 1115 
 
 .ch, Jacob M I 
 
 Schoch, lames 
 
 Schoch, Dr. John 1115 
 
 och, John A I 
 
 I " ■ ■ 
 
 Schoch, Michael 
 
 OCh, Si III 
 
 Schotield, Hon. James 120 
 
 Schrack, David 
 
 
 
 Schrack, John G 
 
 1157 
 
 lily 681 
 
 
 
 arenk, Henry M 681 
 
 948 
 
 mily. 
 
 
 
 Sc. .it, Simon 
 
 bold, Charles 
 
INDEX. 
 
 1229 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Seebold, Mrs. Charles 
 
 Seebold Family 1024 
 
 Seebold, George E 1024 
 
 Seebold, John 1024 
 
 ild, Philip 837 
 
 Selin Family 1041 
 
 Shafer Family 546- 
 
 Shafer, Isaac 546 
 
 Shaffer, Adam 259 
 
 Shaffer, Adam, Jr 818 
 
 Shaffer, Daniel 816 
 
 Shaffer, George 
 
 Shaffer, Judge John 
 
 Shaffer, John... 259 
 
 Shaffer, Hon. John U 569 
 
 Shaffer, U. S 318 
 
 Shaffer, Willard O B16 
 
 Shambach Family 1156 
 
 Shambach, Jesse 1156 
 
 Shambaugh, A. M 1169 
 
 Shaw Family 615 
 
 Shaw, Robert A., Esq 615 
 
 Shaw, Robert M 615 
 
 Sheckler, Conrad 1*75 
 
 Scheckler, George H 975 
 
 Shell Family 526 
 
 Shell, Max 526 
 
 Shellenbarger Family 985 
 
 Shields, James 842 
 
 Shields, William 842 
 
 Shindel Family 1142 
 
 Shindel, George M 1 142 
 
 Shipton, John 980 
 
 Shipton, Thomas W 980 
 
 Shirk, Samuel 979 
 
 Shirk, Samuel B.. 979 
 
 Shivelv, Christi?- 992 
 
 Shively.Geo- 992 
 
 Shively ' 992 
 
 Shiv ' 257 
 
 257 
 
 667 
 
 1218 
 
 i amily 80 
 
 Shortlidge, Col. William 80 
 
 Showalter Family 358 
 
 Showalter, G. C 358 
 
 Showalter, John 
 
 Showalter, Josiah - 
 
 Showalter, Russel D 358 
 
 Showers, C. Morris 1050 ■ 
 
 Showers, George W 899 . 
 
 Showers, Samuel 899 
 
 Shuey, C. C 431 
 
 Shuey, Jacob 432 
 
 Shugert Family 192 
 
 Shugert, John Dunlop 193 
 
 Shugert, S. T 193 
 
 Shuler, L. W 661 
 
 Shultz, J. J 354 
 
 Simler, Charles 351 
 
 Simler Family 351 
 
 Simler, George B., Sr 350 
 
 Simler, George B., Jr 434 
 
 Simler, Jacob R 442 
 
 Singer, Conrad 500 
 
 Sineer, William J 500 
 
 Slear, Charles 1001 
 
 Slear Family 1007 
 
 Slear, George M 1007 
 
 Slear, Michael 1000 
 
 Slear, Nathan 1005 
 
 Slifer, Mrs. Charity V 774 
 
 Slifer, Hon. Eli 773 
 
 Slifer, William H 773 
 
 Slinger Family 283 
 
 Slinger, Tempest 283 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Smith, A. M., M. U 1048 
 
 Smith, Aaron 1212 
 
 Smith, Aaron W 1212 
 
 Smith, Adam 594 
 
 Smith, Alfred 1134 
 
 Smith, Charles, M. D 603 
 
 Smith, Daniel R 812 
 
 Smith, Domei G., M. D 1083 
 
 Smith, Elias E 
 
 Smith, Ezekiel 798 
 
 Smith Families.43,603, 1083, 1134, 1212 
 
 Smith, George 1152 
 
 Smith, George A 1207 
 
 Smith, Capt. Henry 542 
 
 Smith, J. Theo 1218 
 
 Smith, Jacob 1174 
 
 Smith, Jacob H 325 
 
 Smith, Mrs. Jacob H 
 
 Smith, James C 628 
 
 Smith, John 812 
 
 Smith, lohn B 1207 
 
 Smith, John S 1151 
 
 Smith, Joseph M 828 
 
 Smith, Joseph S 755 
 
 Smith, Joseph W. (Renovo) 696 
 
 Smith, loseph w. (Centre Co.).. 462 
 
 Smith, Dr. Peter 399 
 
 Smith, Peter 540 
 
 Smith, Peter B 594 
 
 Smith, Reuben I 1174 
 
 Smith, Robert..' 4-4 
 
 Smith, Robert S 656 
 
 Smith, Rev. S 859 
 
 Smith, S. W 
 
 Smith, Thomas 656 
 
 Smith, W. H 542 
 
 Smith, William F Ill 
 
 Smith, William B 1207 
 
 Smull Families 524, 669 
 
 Smull, George H 524 
 
 Smull, Reuben .V_'. r . 
 
 Smull, Thomas J 669 
 
 Snyder, Capt. Austin B 101 
 
 Snyder, Daniel 913 
 
 Snyder, Mrs. E 913 
 
 Snyder, Elias 758 
 
 Snyder Families 
 
 390,598, 75:', 1037, 1094, 1130 
 
 Snyder, Henry A 390 
 
 Snyder, I. A 1037 
 
 Snyder,}. G 1094 
 
 Snyder, John 599 
 
 Snyder, Miss Mary 102 
 
 Snyder, Prof. W. A 598 
 
 Snyder, W. H 1162 
 
 Sober, Coleman K 800 
 
 Sober, Isaac 800 
 
 Sohmer, Valentine 751 
 
 Solt Family 695 
 
 Solt, John 695 
 
 Spangler, Christopher 206 
 
 Spangler, Daniel 1215 
 
 Spangler Family 935 
 
 Spangler, J. B 495 
 
 Spangler, Jackson L 54 
 
 Spangler, Jacob 447 
 
 Spangler, John (Centre Co.) 447 
 
 Spangler, John (Union Co) 936 
 
 Spangler, Jonas 152 
 
 Spangler, Jonathan 206 
 
 Spangler, Joseph 1215 
 
 Spangler, W. W 223 
 
 Spangler, William W 152 
 
 Specht, Alfred 1054 
 
 Specht, Arthur B 1130 
 
 Specht Families 1054, 1131 
 
 Specht, Moses 1131 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Sperring, Henry 660 
 
 Sperring, WilliamF 660 
 
 Spigelmeyer, A 986 
 
 Spigelmeyer, Abraham 
 
 Spigelmyer, J j:s 
 
 Spigelmyer, Shem 478 
 
 Spotts Family 1176 
 
 Spotts, Isaac 1176 
 
 Spotts, Samuel 892 
 
 Spotts, William H 892 
 
 Springer Family 
 
 Springer, John..' 643 
 
 Springman, Augustus 1152 
 
 Stahl, Adam H7i; 
 
 Stahl, E. S 1062 
 
 Stahl Family 1062 
 
 Stahl, G. A.. 976 
 
 Stahl, facob K 815 
 
 Stahl, John 
 
 Stapleton, Rev. Amnion, A. M., 
 
 M.S 936 
 
 Stapleton, William, Jr 936 
 
 Steadman, H. C, M.'D 811 
 
 Steadman, Mrs. Julia B - 1 1 
 
 Steans Family 824 
 
 Steans, Dr. l.'C 825 
 
 Steans, Dr. Ralph 825 
 
 Steele, i \v ;,.:; 
 
 Steele, William W 533 
 
 Stetler Family ]o.v, 
 
 Stetler, J. F 1055 
 
 Stevenson, Alexander 602 
 
 Stevenson, Augustus N 640 
 
 Stevenson Family 652 
 
 Stevenson, Robert M 602 
 
 Stevenson, William H 652 
 
 Stewart Families 190,209 
 
 Stewart, Miller, M. D 208 
 
 Stewart, William 209 
 
 Stine Family 471 
 
 Stine, lonas, Sr 471 
 
 Stine, Samuel H 493 
 
 Stitzer, H. V 157 
 
 Stitzer, William 457 
 
 Stiver Family 222 
 
 Stiver, W. H" 222 
 
 Stockham Family 166 
 
 Stonerod, C. P 361 
 
 Stoughton, Augustus 993 
 
 Stoughton Family 993 
 
 Stoughton, Frank C 993 
 
 Stover, A.J 321 
 
 Stover, Adam 151 
 
 Stover, Andrew 321 
 
 Stover Families 150, 158 
 
 Stover, Frank B 433 
 
 Stover, George R 158 
 
 Stover, George W 481 
 
 Stover, Henrv 148 
 
 Stover, Jacob E 199 
 
 Stover, John A 317 
 
 Stover, John C 150 
 
 Stover, lohn M 158 
 
 Stover, Perry H 481 
 
 Stover, Samuel H 433 
 
 Stover, Thomas 147 
 
 Stover, William H 199 
 
 Strickler, D. H 1002 
 
 Strickler Family 1002 
 
 Strickler, Ulrich 1002 
 
 Strohecker Family 823 
 
 Strohecker, John..' 823 
 
 Strohecker, William 823 
 
 Strohm Family 213 
 
 Strohm, Michael 213 
 
 Stroub, Augustus 1164 
 
 Stroub, B. P 1172 
 
L230 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Strunl 
 
 Strunk, William 
 
 Stuart, David 
 
 Stuart I 
 
 Stuart, Howard M 392 
 
 Stuar; \'<-> 
 
 n W 266, 
 
 i . II 1158 
 
 Family 11".-' 
 
 1158 
 
 -ity 108£ 
 
 I r 541 
 
 541 
 
 lull 
 
 I *.' 
 
 - , I ; ' 
 
 r, Abraham . . 915 
 
 , 1 bury J.. 915 
 
 tin C L35 
 
 ilies 144,3 
 
 135 
 
 102 
 
 i T 
 
 Taylor, Thomas J 144 
 
 Temp 409 
 
 ., William 11 
 
 Thomas, Charles 
 
 5, < harles W 
 
 "J" 7 
 
 i oer D 982 
 
 I 
 
 wis 
 
 is, William A 163 
 
 is,Z.D 287 
 
 jamin F 1 177 
 
 Thompson I- amilies 98, 1 177 
 
 Thompson, [ames I 
 
 [., Jr., M- S. A.. 97 
 
 ; son, John R 726 
 
 : son, Moses 98 
 
 Thompson, W. J 4-4 
 
 Throm R 
 
 Throne, Michael 734 
 
 Tibbins Family 595 
 
 si ph E., \l. n 595 
 
 amily \394 
 
 D ,. . . . 394 
 
 Tipton, Absalom S 
 
 Tipton, Mrs. K. 1 
 
 Tipton, William 320 
 
 Tobias, Rev. D. S Jstk- 396 
 
 Tobias, William A ,.«Kfc 396 
 
 , JP^^ 115 
 
 Tool, E. W., M. D 1168 
 
 1172 
 
 Troxi : Delilah 1173 
 
 Trutt Family 1162 
 
 Edward T 55 
 
 Tuten Family 55 
 
 Twitmyer, 1 fenry N 268 
 
 V W 
 
 Ulrich Family 829, 1119 
 
 i, Hiram 1119 
 
 1133 
 
 1133 
 
 . Dr. Wm 312 
 
 B 511 
 
 I |ol nG Ml 
 
 Abraham S 71 
 
 Mini J 70 
 
 loud 72 
 
 I amily 69 
 
 70 
 
 ' 71 
 
 v 955 
 
 PAGE 
 
 
 
 Dyke, Mrs. Henry H .... 
 Van P< Ini a... 
 
 
 
 Van Valzah Family 33 
 
 Van V I. D 
 
 Van Valzah, Robert F., M. D.. 
 
 dam n 
 
 ■ H 
 
 Vonada, Henrj 121 
 
 Vonada, Tai ,; 44 
 
 4 - .'l 
 
 Voneida, Miss Esther 941 
 
 imily 941 
 
 Waddle Family 93 
 
 93 
 
 Bei . M. I i. 1064 
 
 .. 1 . I., M. D 1082 
 
 - 1064, 1078, 1082 
 
 W., A. M.. 1072 
 
 M, D 1067 
 
 i Petei U 1083 
 34,707,1112 
 
 707 
 
 r,J.O.,M. D 1147 
 
 ■r, Jacob 378 
 
 Sr 878 
 
 i r, [ohn 106 
 
 5r 106 
 
 Wagner, John C 
 
 ,ii M 272 
 
 usanna 278 
 
 Wagner, Vost H., Esq 1112 
 
 Waite, '. 
 
 manda 131 
 
 laniel 307 
 
 1 429 
 
 i 1- amily 410 
 
 ih E 
 
 ohn 296 
 
 mathan 131 
 
 Walker, L. W 431 
 
 i , Samuel E 595 
 
 Walker, W. Harrison, 1 sq 120 
 
 r, William 296 
 
 Wallace, Frank T 380 
 
 lb il m 1018 
 
 Walter, Allied 492 
 
 Waiter, David H 886 
 
 Walter Families 492, 881, 981, 1 127 
 
 
 
 Walter, Long in us 
 
 i (Limestone Tp 
 
 981 
 
 , Valentine 1127 
 
 1204 
 
 Walton, I Albi rt 512 
 
 Ward, I.E., D D. S 116 
 
 Ward, Joseph 116 
 
 Ward, Simon lltj 
 
 . Adam 811 
 
 , Henry C 311 
 
 
 
 Watei s, l iii'i | 11 
 
 n, [ohn ' 999 
 
 inley K 105 
 
 
 
 i. W illiam 999 
 
 Weaver, C. A 
 
 Weavi ... 217 
 rnilies.... 17,295 
 
 W i\u ( i, I I'd' nek 212 
 
 r, F. 1 496 
 
 Weaver, CM 
 
 H 295 
 
 Weaver, 11' nrj A 440 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Wea» 241 
 
 W eaver, lames C 168 
 
 ol. James F 95 
 
 bn 
 
 Weaver, Thomas M 
 
 Weber, Abraham 
 
 ■■W.I 
 
 Wil,' I 
 
 nsaul, R.J 1211 
 
 ler, Christian 
 
 Weidler, Houston 665 
 
 W eiser Family 1070 
 
 ., Jay G 1070 
 
 Wentzel, f. I., Esq 729 
 
 Werts, David R 677 
 
 Wist Family 745 
 
 745 
 
 I lijah 
 
 Weston, Orlando 406 
 
 L 
 
 Wetzel 1 amily 414 
 
 n (Centre County). . 414 
 
 Wetzel, [ohn (1 nion County). . . 1076 
 
 -u B ' Mn 
 
 1069 
 
 Wetzel, Hon. Samuel A lo7f> 
 
 U etze), Tobias 1! 510 
 
 Wheland Family -I' 
 
 White, Dr. F. K 244 
 
 White, Hugh 675 
 
 White. William 
 
 Whiteleather Family 
 
 Whiteleather, Henry 
 
 Wh.tman, Frederick 949 
 
 Whitmcr, Gale- '\ 1206 
 
 W;< kersham '■• 317 
 
 Williams,/ 118 
 
 Williams, A .... 322 
 
 Williams Fa 
 
 Williams. 11 •<*> 
 
 Wi l.i a ins, Jo. 
 
 Williams, John . 
 
 Williams, Joseph. . . . 
 
 Williams, i. Meyer 
 
 Williams, Mrs. Rebecca 130 
 
 Williams, Samuel H 9fi 
 
 Willis, John H 1077 
 
 Wilson, Edward 869 
 
 Wilson Family 
 
 a, 11. M., M. D 869 
 
 Wilson, Mrs. Margaret H 77 
 
 in, Col. Philip 15 7- 
 
 n, Thomas 988 
 
 Wilson, Thomas H., M. D 870 
 
 Wilson, William -71 
 
 Wilson, Col. William P 
 
 Wint'ei 1 964 
 
 Winters. Joseph D 
 
 Wirt, I 4-4 
 
 Wirt, Philip 708 
 
 Wirt, Solomon 4-1 
 
 w ise Family 
 
 Wise, [ohn II 
 
 Witherrite, John 
 
 Witherrite, Airs. Man 
 
 Wolf Family '. 291,686 
 
 Wolf, [ohn,. 
 
 Wolf, 'Michael, Jr 549 
 
 Wolf, 1 292 
 
 Wolf, Robert J 
 
 1 
 
 , Abraham 1185 
 
 Andrew 1192 
 
 inuel 1188 
 
 Wolfe I 1180, 1185 
 
 HenryC 1180 
 
 , fohn. 1189 
 

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