USA > Pennsylvania > A history of the Juniata Valley and its people, Volume I > Part 45
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47
(I) Peter H. Snyder, paternal grandfather of Anson Weiser Sny- der, was born in Northumberland county, where his family had lived for generations. He was a farmer and large land owner, and he was one of the prominent men of his day and section. In politics he was an old line Whig, was active in the interests of his party and served in many of the local offices. He married Susan Shipman, like himself of an old Northumberland county family. They both died on his farm. They had twelve children among whom was John S., of whom further.
(II) John S., son of Peter H. and Susan (Shipman) Snyder, was born February 14, 1820, in Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, died in Michigan in 1901. He was educated in the common schools of the county, and on reaching adult age began farming on land leased from his father. Later he bought one hundred and forty acres in Point township, near the town of Northumberland, and there remained until after the death of his first wife when he sold his farm and went to Michigan. He was a Whig as long as that party was in existence, afterward affiliating with the Republicans, but never aspired to office, He was a member of the Presbyterian church. He married (first) Margaret Weiser, born in Northumberland county about 1814, daughter of Philip and Margaret (Conrad) Weiser, also of old and long estab- lished families in Northumberland county. Philip Weiser was a farmer and an extensive land owner, and was able to give each of his children a farm and money. He held many local offices and was an influential man. Both he and his wife were members of the Lutheran church. Margaret (Weiser) Snyder died in March, 1856, in Point township, Northumberland county. During her life she was a devoted adherent of the Lutheran church. Children by first marriage: I. Anson Weiser, of whom further. 2. Lester William, died aged twenty-six, while cashier of Sunbury Bank. 3. John Calvin, a physician and surgeon in
464
HISTORY OF THE JUNIATA VALLEY
Bowling Green, Ohio. 4. Martin Luther, twin of above, an attorney at Sunbury, Pennsylvania. 5. Susan Margaret, died aged three. Mr. Snyder married (second ) Catherine Gemberling, of Selins Grove, Penn- sylvania, and by her had three children: Simon P., Phillipa, Hudson, died aged three years.
(III) Anson Weiser, son of John S. and Margaret (Weiser) Snyder, was born in Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, November 6, 1848. He was given his preparatory education in the common schools, after which he was sent to the Bloomsburg Normal, and finishing there en- tered the Selins Grove Theological Seminary. Leaving school he taught for two years in winter and farmed in summer in Northumberland county. He moved to Mifflin county, purchased a farm and worked and lived on it for fourteen years. During this time he taught school for six terms near Burnham, which was near his farm. At the end of four- teen years he moved to Sunbury and for two years engaged in the real estate and insurance business. At the end of that time he disposed of his possessions and moved to Downs, Kansas, where he followed the real estate and insurance business successfully until the spring of 1907, when, because of the delicate health of his wife, he again disposed of his business and returned to Pennsylvania, locating in Lewistown. He entered into a partnership with G. T. Cooper under the firm name of Snyder & Cooper, which continues to the present time (1913). They deal in lands in all sections and represent a round dozen fire insurance companies, as well as three life insurance companies: The Union Cen- tral Life, the Providence Life, Philadelphia, and the Standard Life, of Pittsburgh. He was connected with the Farmers' and Merchants' Bank of Downs, Kansas, as a director and stockholder. He is a Republican and has held many local offices under that party. He is a member of the Presbyterian church.
He married (first) December 29, 1874, Sophia M. Kearns, born in Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, daughter of Philip S. and Rhoda (Cope- land) Kearns. She died May 21, 1909. They had no children. He married (second) June 21, 1911, Laura Elizabeth (Sigler) Thompson, widow of Orris Brown Thompson, and daughter of Joseph and Fannie (Sterrett) Sigler. There are no children to this union. Mrs. Snyder, the present wife, was born February 28, 1859, in Mifflin county. As a girl she assisted her father in his store and her early training stood her
A.M. Bryder
465
HISTORY OF THE JUNIATA VALLEY
in good stead later in life. On December 30, 1890, she married Orris Brown Thompson, born in Mifflin county, son of Ira B. Thompson, an old settler and prominent citizen of that section. Orris B. Thompson was an insurance agent and a notary public. In 1898 he was appointed postmaster of Coalport, a position he held until his death in 1901. The United States government, recognizing Mrs. Thompson's ability, ap- pointed her to the position, which she held with great credit to herself and satisfaction to the postoffice authorities until her marriage to Mr. Snyder. She had one son by Mr. Thompson, Robert Brown Thompson, born August 14, 1894, who is an electrical engineer in Lewistown. Mrs. Snyder is a descendant of Colonel Timothy Green, made famous by his brilliant war record. She is a member at large of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Conrad Weiser, great-grandfather of Anson Weiser Snyder, on the maternal side, a soldier of the revolution, came into the possession of the beautiful Isle of Que through a superstition of an Indian chief. The story runs something like this, and is a true one, too. The Indians not only believe in dreams, but that all dreams should be fulfilled. Mr. Weiser was the owner of a valuable gun, a very desirable piece of prop- erty in the early days of that country. A neighboring Indian chief very much desired the gun, and related to Mr. Weiser a dream he had had, that the former made the latter a present of the gun. The Chief was distressed at the fact of the dream, for he did not know how it could be fulfilled without depriving Mr. Weiser of his gun. Mr. Weiser at once perceived that it would not be wise to refuse to make the gift in accord- ance with the dream, and reluctantly in his own thoughts gave up the gun, proposing, however, to contrive some plan whereby he might get even with the wily chief. He, too, in his most wakeful thoughts had a dream. He dreamed that the same Indian chief had made him a present of the beautiful Isle of Que. With great apparent reluctance he told the chief he had had a dream, which concerned the chief, but he did not understand how it ever could be fulfilled. He finally related the dream, and the chief deeded to Mr. Weiser the beautiful island, which became one of the most valuable properties in that part of the state.
(The Sigler Line).
The Sigler family has for generations been among the most prom- inent in that section of the state of Pennsylvania. Of fine old German
466
HISTORY OF THE JUNIATA VALLEY
stock they married and intermarried with the descendants of the Eng- lish, Irish and Scotch immigrants to America, and in them is embodied the best qualities of the four nationalities, forming the true American.
(I) George Sigler, a native of Germany, settled in New Jersey upon coming to this country, from where he removed to what is now Decatur township, Pennsylvania, where he took up a large tract of land which he farmed during the remainder of his life. Mr. Sigler died at an ad- vanced age and was buried on the homestead. Children : John, Henry, Adam, Samuel, Jacob, George, Elizabeth. An interesting story is told of his youngest son, George.
In the year that George (2) Sigler was thirteen years of age ( 1775) there was a report that Indians had invaded the Kishacoquillas Valley. George, the father, said that he would go over to Bell's and inquire what truth there was in the rumor. Bell was a neighbor living a mile away. But George, the son, begged that his father allow him to go in- stead, and permission was granted; when about half way, near a small spring on the north side of the present road, Indians sprang out of the bushes and the lad ran for home. He was overtaken and struck over the head with a club, the blow knocking him down. He was then obliged to go with his captors, five Indians and a Frenchman, but later were joined by another party of five Indians and a white man, the second party having a white girl captive with them. They were later joined by other Indians, and all made their way north to Canada. He was closely watched, and beyond being tied too tightly, was not harmed. On arriving in Canada he was painted black and compelled to "run the gauntlet." He came out of his ordeal very well, having a few scars and bruises, but doing some damage to his tormentors as he ran the course. His successful "running the gauntlet" so pleased a chief that he ex- changed a white girl for him. After being held a captive one year and a day he was released July 14, 1776, and with another captive whose father had been murdered by the Indians, young Sigler made his way back to Pennsylvania, coming down the Susquehanna river to North- umberland. There he met one of his father's neighbors, Caleb Parshal, who was there to purchase a load of groceries and salt. He then parted with his comrade and came home with Parshal, arriving after night. Parshal went to the Sigler home and told the mother he had seen George, and that he would soon be home. He then called him in and a joyful
467
HISTORY OF THE JUNIATA VALLEY
reunion followed. After a talk with his mother, the others of the family were awakened, and together they spent the night listening to the adven- tures of the boy they had given up as lost. Later he married Elizabeth Bunn, of New Jersey ; both died and were buried on the farm.
(II) John, son of George Sigler, was a farmer and died on his farm at the age of eighty-six. He accompanied his parents from New Jersey to Decatur township. He married Jane Osborn, and they lie side by side in the family cemetery on the farm. Children: Elizabeth, Nancy, Sarah, Eleanor, Catherine; Samuel, of whom further; Jacob, Mary.
(III) Samuel, son of John and Jane (Osborn) Sigler, was a farmer and lived all his life on the farm, and died there May 7, 1859. He married Elizabeth, widow of Henry Ort. One child, Joseph, of whom further.
(IV) Joseph, son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Ort) Sigler, was born March 2, 1828, at the Sigler homestead in Decatur township, died April 28, 1893. He attended the public schools that had recently been in- augurated through the foresight of Thomas Jefferson. He remained at home with his parents until he began farming for himself on his father's land. He was a successful farmer and prominent in all mat- ters pertaining to the welfare of his section. On October 21, 1852, he married Frances Jane, born November 9, 1825, daughter of Timothy and Margaret (McManigal) Sterrett; she died March 7, 1899. Chil- dren: 1. Anna Mary, married F. M. Fisher, of Lewistown. 2. Mar- garet Woods, married John Aitken, of Milroy, Pennsylvania. 3. Fannie Emma, married J. S. Reigle, of Red Cloud, Nebraska. 4. Laura Eliza- beth, married (first) Orris Brown Thompson, (second) Anson Weiser Snyder (see Snyder III). 5. Sarah Elmira, married W. G. Sigler, of the firm of Sigler & Company, of Paintersville, Pennsylvania. 6. David, died in infancy. 7. Samuel Sterrett.
Among the earliest settlers of Carroll township, Perry
SMILEY county, Pennsylvania, was George Smiley, ensign of Col- onel Frederick Watt's company in 1777. He came to Carroll township in 1755 and on February 3rd of that year had war- ranted to him two hundred and twelve acres, and William Smiley war- ranted two hundred and forty-one acres on the same day. The Smileys took up other tracts and were long the largest land owners in the town-
468
HISTORY OF THE JUNIATA VALLEY
ship and prominent in its early history. The name was written both Smyley and Smiley.
(I) Ensign George Smiley was of Scotch-Irish descent and lived prior to 1755 in York county, Pennsylvania. He came to Perry county in 1755 and accumulated a large estate. He married and had issue : Frederick, David, George; James, of whom further; Elizabeth, Jane, Margaret, Mary and Sarah. Jane married George Barnett and died in March, 1877, at the extreme age of ninety-three years.
(II) James, son of Ensign George Smiley, was born in Perry county, Pennsylvania, and in later life owned the farm first taken up by his father. He was a prosperous farmer and spent his life in Perry county, where he owned hundreds of acres of land. He and his wife Martha both died in Perry county. Children: I. Margaret, married Wilson Smiley, both deceased. 2. George, a merchant and farmer, owning the homestead, died in Perry county. 3. John, of whom further. 4. Twin of John, died in infancy. 5. Saral., married (first) John McCord, (second ) George Lease.
(III) John, son of James and Martha Smiley, was born in Perry county, Pennsylvania, in 1825, died September 19, 1896. He was a well-to-do farmer, owning a good farm of over one hundred and fifty acres. He was a Republican in politics and held several local offices. Both he and his wife were members of the Presbyterian church. He married Sarah Eliza McBride, born 1843, died September 30, 1910, daughter of Matthew (2) and Mary (McGee) McBride and grand- daughter of Matthew (1) McBride, a blacksmith, who warranted land in Center township, Perry county, about 1780, and on January 9, 1786, purchased one hundred and fifty acres additional. Upon this farm he erected a blacksmith shop, distillery and a tilt hammer, there manufac- turing sickles. He had sons: John, William, Samuel, Joseph, Matthew (2), Meredith and James. Matthew (2) and Meredith settled upon the old homestead; the latter enlisted in the Union army and was killed at the battle of Fredericksburg. Matthew (2) died a young man, leav- ing a widow and three children, who afterward lived at New Bloomfield. Children: 1. Sarah Eliza, of previous mention, married John Smiley. 2. John. a retired carpenter of Bellingham, Washington. 3. Samuel, a retired farmer of New Bloomfield. Children of John and Sarah E. (McBride) Smiley: 1. Martha Alice, married John L. Garman and re-
HISTORY OF THE JUNIATA VALLEY 469
sides in Landisburg, Pennsylvania. 2. Mary V., married George Miller and resides in Shirleysburg, Pennsylvania. 3. James Meredith, of whom further. 4. Howard Miles (q. v.). 5. Sarah E., married N. J. Briner and resides in Perry county, Pennsylvania. 6. Anna B., graduate of Cumberland Valley State Normal School and now a teacher in Pitts- burgh.
(IV) Dr. James Meredith Smiley, son of John and Sarah Eliza (McBride) Smiley, was born in Perry county, Pennsylvania, February 20, 1867. He was educated at Bloomfield Academy and Cumberland Valley State Normal School, whence he was graduated, class of 1891. He taught school for several years. He then decided on medicine as a profession, and entered Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia, re- maining three and a half years, when a serious illness prevented his graduation. After his recovery he went south and there entered the medical department of the University of the South at Sewanee, Tennes- see (now located at Nashville), whence he was graduated M. D., class of 1900. He began the practise of his profession in Nashville, Tennessee, remaining one year, then returning north and locating in Yeagertown, Pennsylvania, practising alone until October, 1906, whe he formed a partnership with his brother, Dr. Howard M. Smiley, which still con- tinues. Dr. Smiley is a member of the Perry County Medical Society, and is well established as a skillful, honorable physician. He is a mem- ber of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Newport, Perry county, Pennsylvania, and is an Independent in politics. He married, April 21, 1904, Anna Johnston, born in Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, daughter of Dr. Richard M. Johnston.
(IV) Dr. Howard Miles Smiley, son of John (q. v.), and
SMILEY Sarah Eliza (McBride) Smiley, was born at Shermans Dale, Perry county, February 22, 1869. He was educated in the public school, Bloomfield Academy, Cumberland Valley State Normal, whence he was graduated, class of 1893, and spent one year at Pennsylvania State College. He then entered Jefferson Medical Col- lege at Philadelphia, whence he was graduated M. D., class of 1897. He began the practise of his profession at Landisburg, Pennsylvania, remaining six years, then located in Cincinnati, Ohio, remaining there about three years. He then returned to Pennsylvania, locating in Hunt-
470
HISTORY OF THE JUNIATA VALLEY
ingdon for one year, then in 1906 formed a partnership with his brother, Dr. James M. Smiley, and located in Yeagertown, Pennsylvania, where he is now located in successful general practise. Dr. Smiley is a member of the Perry County Medical Society and a most capable and trustworthy physician. He is a Republican in politics.
He married, September 20, 1906, Mary C., born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, daughter of Michael Z. Kegerreis. Children: Sarah, died aged one year ; Robert, born May 29, 1908; John, May 23, 1910; Walter, November 9, 1912.
The American ancestor of the Wertz family of Lewis-
WERTZ town, Pennsylvania, was Peter Wertz, born in Germany, who, when a young man came to the United States, set- tling on a tract of land in Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, now owned by the Juniata Sand Company. He cultivated this farm for several years, and finally discovered upon it a valuable bank or mine or white sand, the first ever found in the country. He did not work the mine himself, but leased it, and finally sold it to the Juniata Sand Company. He then moved to Lewistown, where he lived a quiet, retired life, until his death, about 1870, at the age of seventy-seven years. Both he and his wife were members of the Lutheran church. Children: I. William, died in Mifflin county. 2. Joseph A., of whom further. 3. Sarah, married Henry Martin, both deceased. 4. Peter, a confectioner, now living in Reedsville, Pennsylvania, retired. 5. Silas, now living retired at Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. 6. Matilda, died in girlhood. Peter Wertz mar- ried a second wife, who died without issue.
(II) Joseph A., son of Peter Wertz, the emigrant, was born in Juni- ata county, Pennsylvania, in 1829, died in Lewistown, Pennsylvania, in May, 1905. He grew up a farmer, and spent his earlier life in Juniata county, but later moved to Mifflin county, where he purchased a farm in Granville township, which he later sold. He then became proprietor of the old "Juniata House," near the canal locks, which he ran for about three years. He then moved to Phillipsburg, Pennsylvania, where he en- gaged in the butcher business for five years. He then returned to Lewis- town and there engaged in the same business for three years. He was a well-known Democrat, and served as associate judge of Mifflin county two terms, and was in office at the time of his death, being the only asso-
471
HISTORY OF THE JUNIATA VALLEY
ciate judge in the county to be honored by a second term. Both he and his wife were members of the Lutheran church. He married Mary Elizabeth Johnson, of Center county, daughter of - Johnson, a team- ster and furnace worker, who lived to be very old. Mrs. Wertz was born in Mifflin county, February 22, 1836, and still survives her husband, active and in good health, despite her years. Children: I. Clara E., married (first) Laird Bricker ; married (second) William Harmon, and resides in Philadelphia. 2. Daniel Jackson, killed while at his post of duty as engineer on the Pennsylvania railroad. 3. Matilda, married J. P. Hale and resides in Youngstown, Ohio. 4. Mac, of whom further.
(III) Mac, youngest child of Joseph A. and Mary Elizabeth (John- son) Wertz, was born in Reedsville, Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, Octo- ber 25, 1862. He was educated in the Lewistown public schools, and while yet a boy, ran a stationary engine for the Logan Iron Company. At the age of eighteen years he entered the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad as brakeman, but after eight months' service secured a position with the same company as fireman. He fired for three years, then was advanced to the right side of the cab. He has now been an engineer for twenty-three years, and for the past three years has run in the passenger train service between Lewistown-Sunbury and Milroy. He is a Demo- crat in politics, and has served as councilman from the first ward. He is a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, the Improved Order of Red Men and both he and his wife are members of the Luth- eran church. He married, July 12, 1883, Katherine Leukhardt, born in Lewistown, September 16, 1864, and now living in the house in which she was born. She is a daughter of Gottlieb and Mary (Hoch-Ammon) Leukhardt, both born in Germany. Child of Mac and Katherine (Leukhardt ) Wertz: Frank L., born in April, 1886, educated in the public school, graduate of Lewistown high school, class of 1904. He worked as clerk in the Pennsylvania railroad office until 1912, and is now a student at Philadelphia Dental College.
Gottlieb Leukhardt came to the United States when a young man, here married a first wife and (second) Mary (Hoch) Ammon. She married in her native land, and with her husband, came to the United States in 1853, the voyage consuming fifty-three days. She was left a widow soon after with a son, Frank Ammon, now a farmer, of Oliver township, Mifflin county. She married (second) Gottlieb Leukhardt,
472
HISTORY OF THE JUNIATA VALLEY
then widower without children. They settled in Lewistown, where their five children were born, four dying in infancy. He died November 23, 1899, aged eighty-six years ; she died September 9, 1898.
McCOY The McCoys, of Scotch descent, came early to the Province of Pennsylvania, where they are recorded in colonial and revolutionary annals. There were several different branches of this family, and there is endless toil awaiting he who shall be brave enough to undertake the task of tracing to the American ances- tor of any particular McCoy. In "A list of Bartoe men, hired in the service of ye Province of Pennsyl's 1757-8," is found the name of Fran- cis McCoy, and the time of "entryance in the service." May 27th. This is undoubtedly Francis, father of Captain McCoy, and grandfather of Francis, the father of Charles Stuart, the latter born in 1814. Nothing further can be learned of this first Francis McCoy.
(II) Captain Gilbert McCoy enlisted in the revolutionary army Feb- ruary 14, 1776, and rose to the rank of captain (see Pennsylvania Archives v series). After the war he settled in Perry county and left numerous descendants.
(III) Francis, son of Captain Gilbert McCoy, was the first of the name to settle in Lewistown, Pennsylvania. He became a wealthy grain merchant, owning there large warehouses along the canal. which were standing until carried away by the flood of 1889. Were Wayne street to be extended it would touch the site of these old warehouses. He also owned a great deal of land and many canal boats, in which he shipped grain to Philadelphia and Baltimore. After his death his business was continued for some time by his son. He married Martha Stuart, of English descent. Children: Nancy Jane, married Finley Ellis and died in Lewistown; Charles Stuart, of whom further; Joseph, died in in- fancy ; Francis, died in infancy ; Mary, married Rev. Samuel Kepler, and died in Lewistown; Martha, died in youthful womanhood.
(IV) Charles Stuart, eldest son and second child of Francis and Martha (Stuart) McCoy, was born in Lewistown, Pennsylvania, in 1814. died in 1887. He received a good education, and early in life was in- ducted into the grain business by his father. After the death of the lat- ter he continued the business for several years, then closed it out, and until a short time before his death, was connected with the Russell
473
HISTORY OF THE JUNIATA VALLEY
Bank. He was a man of generous impulse, giving freely from his abundance to the needy poor. He was a Republican in politics, but never accepted public office. At the first call for troops at the outbreak of the war between the states, he enlisted and served his full term of three months. Mr. McCoy was an attendant and his wife was a member of the Presbyterian church, and faithful until death.
He married Sarah Coverley. She died in 1874. Children: I. Harry H. C., died in Pittsburgh, chief clerk and auditor of the firm, Conway & Tourley. 2. Mary Ellis resides in Lewistown. 3. Anna Coverley, de- ceased, married Jermen J. Parker; child, Charles McCoy, resides in Philadelphia. 4. Martha, died in infancy. 5. Francis, married Bertha Collins, and died in the state of Wyoming, a grain merchant ; children : Charles Collins and Mary Ella. 6. Ella, married Harry Hirshland, and resides in Lewistown. 7. Sarah, resides in Lewistown. The daughters of Mary E. and Sarah live in the old McCoy homestead at No. 14 South Main street, built of brick and erected by their grandfather McCoy. This is one of the oldest houses in the borough. Francis and Martha McCoy were both active Presbyterians, and she was the organizer, and for a time superintendent, of the first Sunday school, which was held in her home.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.