USA > Pennsylvania > Book of biographies; This volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of the Seventeenth congressional district, Pennsylvania > Part 53
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Dr. Purman was united in marriage with Anna E. Scheaffle, who also comes of a prom- inent family of physicians, her father being Dr. C. W. Sheaffle of Lewisburg, Pa. Her great-grandfather, a native of Germany, was a celebrated physician and chemist of his day. and came to the United States with his son, the grandfather of Mrs. Purman. Her broth- ers are physicians and pharmacists in their respective localities, as follows: Wilson W. of Philadelphia; Ernest of Murphy, Cal .; and Clarence C. of San Francisco, Cal. Her sis- ters are as follows: Sarah, the wife of John Packer Haas, whose biography appears else- where in this work; Laura, wife of William Sutton of Philadelphia, Pa .; and Nellie of Washington, D. C.
In politics our subject is a stanch Repub- lican. Socially he is a member and past grand of the I. O. O. F. Lodge No. 196; a member
of the Knights of Malta; and Patriotic Order Sons of America.
Dr. Purman has kept in step with the won- derful advance made by his profession during late years. He may be said to be wedded to his profession, and as he is, by nature as well as by education, eminently qualified for his the most benevolent of all professions, he com- mands and enjoys the respect and confidence of his many patrons.
ILLIAM H. DEETER, justice of the peace in Coal township, was born in Hegins township, Schuylkill County, Pa., December 13, 1861, and is a son of Peter and Phoebe (Boyer) Deeter and a grandson of Andrew Deeter.
Andrew Deeter was of German parentage and lived the greater part of his life in Schuyl- kill County, Pa., where he followed the occu- pation of a farmer. Later in life he removed to Lykens, Dauphin County, where he died.
Peter Deeter, our subject's father, first saw the light of day in Hegins township, Schuyl- kill County, Pa. He received the ordinary education of a farmer's boy, and, like his father, when grown to manhood followed that occupation for a livelihood. He was among the first to respond to his country's call for troops in 1861, and enlisted in the 76th Reg., Pa. Vol. Inf. After his discharge from the service he re-enlisted in Company K, 76th Regiment, as a corporal and served three years and ten months, taking an active part in many engagements and in one battle was wounded in the shoulder. He received an honorable discharge, returned home and again turned his attention to farming for a short time, after which he found employment about the public works in Schuylkill County until 1870, when he located permanently in
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SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.
Shamokin, and has since been engaged in the transfer business, general teaming, etc. Politically Mr. Deeter is an earnest Republi- can and is always gratified at the success of his party.
William H. Deeter, the subject of this per- sonal history, received a common school edit- cation in Shamokin, after which he was given a finishing course in the high schools of Dan- phin County. While a boy he spent his hours not employed at school at the breaker as a slate-picker. Having completed his educa- tion he returned to Shamokin and taught school for about one year; then he went into the mercantile business in Shamokin and con- tinued at that for about two years when he disposed of his stock at a good profit and began clerking in another store, following this occupation for about two months. In 1890 he was elected justice of the peace for Coal township by a large majority. He at once established an office and was so fair and honorable in his legal dealings with the people that he was re-elected at the close of his first term by a still greater majority. Mr. Deeter's record stands clear and clean, he hav- ing made an honorable and upright judge.
Our subject's mother was born September 27, 1838, and is a daughter of Daniel Boyer, a native of Orwigsburg, who removed late in life to Hegins township, Schuylkill County, where he passed the remainder of his days, respected and honored by his pioneer neigh- bors. Cinderella J. was the only daughter of Peter and Phoebe Deeter; she died at the age of five years and twenty-nine days.
April 26, 1894, our subject was joined in the holy bonds of matrimony with Mary Sophronia Taylor, a charming and accom- plished lady; both are well and favorably known and have numerous friends in all parts of the county. Politically our subject is a
Republican, never fails to take an active in- terest in political matters in his township, and has served a number of times as a member of the election board.
ATTON A. PENSYL, Esq., of the borough of Snydertown, Pa., was born in Danville, Pa., July 2, 1853. He is a son of George and Mary A. (Vastine) Pensyl, and grandson of John Pensyl, Sr., of Shamokin township.
John Pensyl, Sr., the paternal grandfather of our subject, was a native of Shamokin township, but died in Rush township. He was a follower of agricultural pursuits; he was united in marriage with a Miss Kaseman, and six children blessed their union: John, Jr., a retired shoemaker and farmer, who now lives in Rush township; George, our subject's fath- er; Daniel, who now lives in Danville, Pa .: Hannah, who died in Philadelphia and was the wife of John Hiney; Barbara, who mar- ried Henry Hill, and lived in Shamokin town- ship, died recently; and Catherine, who married Joseph Matter, a blacksmith, now re- tired, who lives in Scranton, Pa. After the death of his first wife John married a Miss Willett, and to them were born four children: William, a tanner and farmer, who now lives at Elysburg, Pa .; Samuel, who died in 1897 and was a retired farmer living in Rush town- ship; Adam, a farmer, who now resides in Rush township; and Francis, who is a mer- chant, miller, postmaster and farmer at Pensyl, Pa.
George Pensyl, our subject's father, was born and grew to manhood in Shamokin township, but later lived in Danville ten years. He was a carpenter and boss-heater. He moved to Shamokin township about 1856 and bought a farm, upon which he lived until his
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BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES.
cieath, July 7, 1880. He married Ann Vastine of Rush township, who died in 1850; three children resulted from their union: Thomas V., a blacksmith, who responded to our country's call in the Civil War and died in 1870,-he was married to Malinda Read; Helen M., who married John I. Miller, a tin- ner at Mount Carmel, Pa., and they have three children, William, Emma, and Olive; and Ellis, chief engineer in the Philadelphia Inquirer office.
Our subject's father, after the death of his first wife, married her cousin, Mary A. Vas- tine, of Rush township, who died October 27, 1871. They were the parents of three chil- dren: Hatton A., our subject; Clara H., who married G. A. Startzel, now living at Mount Carmel, Pa., and has one son, Frank; and William H., who deals in books, stationery, wall paper, paint, etc., at Mount Carmel, Pa., who married Mary Morey, and they have one child, Hazel. Mrs. Pensyl, our subject's moth- er, was a school teacher and followed her chosen profession for several years. She found her greatest pleasure in becoming acquainted with the great minds of our country through the books they have written, and consequently was well informed upon all the subjects of the time in which she lived. Mr. Pensyl was quite active in politics and supported the Repub- lican party, in which he firmly believed. Al- though very well known in the county he nev- er aspired to an official position.
Hatton A. Pensyl, our subject, was edu- cated in the common schools, but feeling the need of further advancement he attended the academy at Elysburg, Pa., for about three years, during which time he lived at home. At the age of twenty-one he engaged in mercan- tile trade at Snydertown, Pa., with William and Francis Pensyl, and owned a half interest in the business. They were together for about
five years and then sold out. He then en- gaged in similar business in Berwick, Pa., for one year, and also at Milton one year. On June 23, 1881, our subject became connected with one of the old families at Snydertown, Pa., by marrying Lillie Farrow, a daughter of William and Isabella (Wilkinson) Farrow, the former being the genial proprietor of one of the hotels of Snydertown. Mr. Farrow is now eighty-five years old. Mr. and Mrs. Pensyl have no children. After his marriage our sub- ject located at Millheim, Pa., and had a store for two years, also owned and operated a store at Sunbury five years, and then engaged in business as a dry goods merchant for three years at Mount Carmel, Pa .; he then sold out and moved to Snydertown, Pa., where he bought the store property, which he remod -; eled and improved. In 1898 he built a large double house next to it, which he now rents. He was elected justice of the peace in the spring of 1895. He is also a real estate dealer and makes a specialty of collections and the settling of estates. Politically he is a stanch Republican, but not an office seeker. Mrs. Pensyl is a member of the Methodist Church. Our subject belongs to a number of societies. He has lived to realize the success of all his undertakings, which is the result of his own well-directed efforts and industry, and now enjoys the fruit of his labors.
ILLIAM F. FORRY, junior mem- ber of the firm of I. W. Forry & Son, was born in Womelsdorf, Pa., January 9, 1865. He is the son of Frank Forry and grandson of George Forry, who was a native of Lebanon County, Pa., where he followed agricultural pursuits for many years, and died.
Frank Forry, father of our subject, was
JAMES E. SMITH.
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SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.
born in Lebanon County, Pa., and was reared on his father's farm, receiving a common school education. He went to Sheridan when quite a young man and learned the milling business, which he followed until 1865. Sub- sequently he started in the knitting business for himself.
Mr. Forry was the proud possessor of the first circular knitting machine ever brought into the state of Pennsylvania. This machine immediately was a source of wonder to the inhabitants of Womelsdorf, where Mr. Forry resided, and it was a pleasure to its owner, who exhibited it with delight and enjoyed showing the skill and rapidity with which he turned out hosiery from it. Many circular machines are now in use and it is impossible for hand-work to compete with them in point of economy and beauty of workmanship.
Our subject's father is now senior member of the firm of I. W. Forry & Son, who own and operate a large knitting factory at Sha- mokin, Coal township, the management of which business is entrusted to William F. Forry, our subject. Mr. Forry has a branch factory at Myerstown, Lebanon County, hav- ing been located there for the past thirteen years. He is a scientific man and devotes much of his time to the improvement of knit- ting machinery.
William F. Forry, our subject, received the rudiments of an education in the public schools of Womelsdorf. At an early age he learned the knitting business with his father, which he thoroughly mastered when quite young. He now has a thorough knowledge of his vocation and is familiar with all the par- ticular features of the business and daily puts them into use. At the age of twenty-one years he became a member of the firm of I. W. Forry & Son, and at the present time has the management of the business at Shamokin.
This factory, running on full time, employs 150 hands, and is engaged in manufacturing half-hose, women's, children's and infants' hosiery, besides many specialties. The yearly output of this factory is about 100,000 dozen, which is sold to jobbers in the different states. The factory has an excellent reputation for the fine quality of the yarn used and for the ex- cellence of its goods. It is an interesting sight to visit this factory, see the busy workers, hear the click, click, of the machines, and witness the rapidity with which articles are made.
December 24, 1889, our subject was united in marriage with Amelia Adams, daughter of Richard Adams of Bern township, Berks County, Pa., and unto Mr. and Mrs. Forry were born the following children: John and Frank, twins, born on the anniversary of the birth of the Father of our Country, February 22, 1893; and Richard, the youngest, born August 8, 1896.
Mr. Forry displays marked ability in the management of this industry, and it is fair to predict a life of usefulness and prosperity for him.
AMES E. SMITH. The thriving town of Berwick is well represented by a thorough-going, wide-awake and ener- getic class of business men, among whom J. E. Smith is prominent. He has served two years as president of the borough council. He is senior member of the widely-known firm of Smith Bros., dealers in general merchant- dise, and is a member of the firm of Lilley & Smith, shirt manufacturers. Our subject was born in Morris County, N. J., August 22. 1859, and is a son of Isaac S. Smith, a retired merchant of Stephensburg, N. J.
The great-grandparents of our subject, on both the paternal and maternal sides, were of
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BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES.
Scotch-Irish origin and were born in the North of Ireland. The paternal great-grand- father, Isaac Smith, came to this country and located near Blairstown, N. J., where he fol- lowed farming. He married Miss Wintermute of Sussex County, N. J., and they reared the following children: John; Charles; Enoch; Isaac; Henry; Joshua; Nathan S .; and Sar- ah A. (Cook).
John Smith, the grandfather of our subject, resided near the old homestead all his lifetime, was a farmer and was prosperous and promi- nent. He was united in marriage with Kath- arine Kinney of "New Jersey, and to them were born the following children: Isaac S., the father of the subject of this biographical sketch; Margaret; Katharine; Sarah; and Rachel. Religiously. John Smith was a Pres- byterian. Isaac S. Smith, in October, 1857, married Ann Elizabeth Beatty, eldest daugh- ter of James and Sarah A. (Fritts) Beatty of Pleasant Grove, N. J. To them were born: James E .; Florence; Willard; Mary F., de- ceased; Bertha; and Katharine.
James E. Smith has been engaged in the mercantile business ever since he attained his majority. In 1887 he moved to Berwick, and in March of that year he and his brother, Wil- lard Smith, embarked in the mercantile busi- ness, succeeding Freas Brothers. In 1889 they moved their store to the corner of Front and Market streets, where they occupy a large and commodious store-room. They enlarged their already extensive stock, and now carry a complete line of dry goods, groceries, crock- ery, and all the other articles suited to the wants of every household that go to make up a general store. The store is one of the largest of its kind in Columbia County, and such has been the character of the proprietors, their dealings being always honorable and upright, and their manners genial and affable, they
have secured a large trade. In 1896 the Ber- wick Manufacturing Company was established with our subject and Mr. Lilley as proprietors. They have erected a large two-story building, 30 by 90 ft,, with an engine room 15 by 20 ft., on the corner of North and Pine streets. They employ seventy hands, who are con- stantly kept busy in the making of men's shirts and ladies' shirt-waists. Mr. Smith has purchased the W. B. Freas residence, which is a very handsome house, and makes it his home. He also possesses other houses and is the owner of a large tenement house on Rail- road street.
Our subject is one of the leaders of his com- munity and takes an active interest in the af- fairs of Berwick. He has served on the school board; has been a member of the town coun- cil six years, and is active in Christian work, having joined the church in childhood, of which his father is an elder (Pleasant Grove, N. J., Presbyterian); on removing to Penn- sylvania he transferred his membership, and is now serving as a ruling elder and trustee in the First Presbyterian Church of Berwick. He was united in the bonds of matrimony with Hattie Petty, a daughter of M. H. Petty, a prosperous farmer of Briarcreek township, who was born in Wilkesbarre, Pa. His father, William Petty, was born in Northampton County, Pa., and was a son of John Petty. who came from Connecticut to Northampton County, and was one of the pioneer farmers of that section. William Petty was a farmer and was extensively engaged in lumbering. In 1827 he moved to Luzerne County, Pa., where he purchased a large tract of land in Hanover township, and erected a grist-mill, which he operated in connection with farm- ing. He passed from this life in 1869, aged eighty-three years. His wife was Lydia Stroh, who was born in Berks County, Pa., and died
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SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.
in 1883, at the age of eighty-six years, leaving the following children: Peter; Levi; Amy; and Mathias H. Mathias H. Petty, the father of our subject's wife, was born November 25, 1832, and on December 28, 1854, he wedded Mary Pell, and left his father's home to estab- lish one of his own. He followed farming four- teen years in his native township and six years in Salem township; in 1876 he moved to Briarcreek township, Columbia County, where he has since been engaged in his chosen occu- pation. He owns one of the best farms in his section of the county and is recognized as a leader in the community. He is the fath- er of ten children, all of whom are well-to-do citizens in the various localities in which they reside. They were named as follows: Hattie, the wife of our subject; Amy; Samuel; Wil- liam; Charles. M .; Margaret; Mary; Louise; Edyth; and Emily.
Mr. and Mrs. Smith are the parents of three children, namely: Rose Lee, born in 1885; James Howard, born in 1887; and Arthur Mathias, born in 1893. Mr. Smith is a past master of Knapp Lodge, No. 462, F. & A. M .; a member of Berwick Lodge, No. 246, I. O. O. F .; Washington Camp, No. 105, P. O. S. of A .; and Royal Arcanum. His portrait is shown on a preceding page.
IMON HUBLER, a successful physi- cian of Elysburg, Pa., was born July 12, 1843, near Millheim, Center Coun- ty, Pa., and is a son of Jacob K. and Catherine (Frank) Hubler.
The paternal grandfather, George Hubler, was a miller and distiller, and married a Miss Kepler. They lived in Rebersburg, Pa., and reared four children: John; George; Jacob; and Maggie. The maternal grandfather, Phil- ip Frank, was a watchmaker who came from
the banks of the Potomac and located in New Berlin, Union County, where he married a Miss Shreffler. Mr. Frank's grandfather was killed by Indians. Of twelve daughters born to him four are now living, as follows: Jane; Harriet; Ann; and Polly C.
Jacob K. Hubler, the father of our subject, was born in Center County, Pa., at Millheim, and subsequently lived in Rebersburg, Pa., la- ter moving to Luzerne County, Pa. He mar- ried Catherine Frank of New Berlin, Pa., and located in Huntington Valley, living there thirty-five years, when he moved to Mill City, Wyoming County, Pa., and later to Pittston, Pa., where he died in 1896, his wife following him one year later. Mr. Hubler was a pros- perous man and was well known throughout the county. For several years he conducted a grist-mill in connection with the manufacture of woolen goods. At one time he manufac- tured toys and owned and operated for sev- eral years a general store. He was a member of the Methodist Church. Politically he was an active worker in the Republican party. Mr. and Mrs. Hubler were the parents of eight children, namely: Elizabeth, who married M. Benciter, and who lived in Muhlenberg, Pa .: Perry, who died in 1862 in Maryland; Alfred, a mill-man of New Albany. Pa., who married Harriet Sober; Simon, our subject; Charles, who died in 1867; Jennie, who married Wil- liam Walters, a real estate dealer of West Pittston, Pa .; Philip Frank, a physician of West Pittston, Pa., who graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1877, and mar- ried Minnie McClusky: Jesse Robert. who is engaged in the flour and planing-mill busi- ness in Mill City, Pa., who married Lizzie Keim.
Simon Hubler, the subject of this biog- raphy, received his early education in a com- mon school and later at Lowell's Academy.
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BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES.
Binghamton, N. Y. August 12, 1862, he en- listed in Company 1, 143rd Reg., Pa. Vol. Inf., under Capt. C. K. Hughes, the regiment be- ing commanded by Col. E. L. Dana. Mr. Ilubler's first battle was Chancellorsville, and he also fought in the battle of Gettysburg and in the first two days' fighting in the battle of the Wilderness. On May 7, 1864, he had the end of his left thumb shot off and he was obliged to enter the hospital. After recov- ering from his wound he joined the regiment at Petersburg and took part in the three days' conflict on the Weldon Railroad, and also fought in the first and second battles of Hatch's Run. His next move was to New York, whither he went by rail, and guarded prisoners at Hart's Island, remaining there until the close of the war. He was mustered out at Harrisburg as a lieutenant, having re- ceived his commission a short time before.
After being released from his military obli- gations our subject assisted his father for two years in the former's store, when they moved the establishment to New Albany, Pa. After one more year in the store Simon worked two years in his father's factory. At the end of that time he moved to Wyoming, Pa., where he conducted a saw-mill for a short time. He married, December 25, 1872, Julia Bird of Cunningham, Pa., a daughter of Hen- ry and Margaret (Davis) Bird. Mr. Bird was born at Bear Gap, Pa., and departed this life in 1884; his wife, who was born in Beaver, Pa., died in 1875. They were the parents of six children, as follows: Sarah; Jane C., de- ceased; Julia, the wife of our subject; Isaac, a commission merchant, who married Mary Dungau; Esther, who married Charles Brash; and H. A., a grain dealer at Mount Carroll, Pa., who married Florence Vought.
After the summer of 1876 Dr. Hubler at- tended the University of Pennsylvania and
was graduated in the spring of 1879, locating first at Herrick, Susquehanna County, Pa., remaining there five years, when he moved to Elysburg, where he has since resided. Dr. Hubler has a large and lucrative practice, be- ing very well known in the county of his pres- ent residence and in the adjoining counties. He is honored and respected by all, and has many warm friends. Politically he is an un- swerving Republican, and although he has never accepted any political office, he is a well- known figure in the township politics. He is a member of the Methodist Church. Dr. Hub- ler has one son, Harry Clark, who was born January 16, 1876. He is a bright young man, with a splendid future before him. He grad- uated from Dickinson College and is now at- tending the Dickinson Law School.
SAAC D. WEST, whose reputation as a surveyor, civil and mining engineer ex- tends throughout Central Pennsylvania, is one of the progressive and enterprising young business men of the town of Danville. He is a son of George W. and Catherine A. (Kase) West, and was born in Danville, Mon- tour County, Pa., September 25, 1865.
Thomas West, the great-grandfather of our subject, was of English-German descent, and was born in Schoharie County, N. Y., where he built a log house near the homestead of his father, and carried on farming for many years. He was a soldier of the Revolution- ary War, and was captured and held for a time by the British troops. However, he made his escape and immediately thereafter organized a foraging company of which he was captain and served throughout the re- mainder of the war, making an enviable rec- ord as a soldier. In 1808, or soon after, he and his family removed to Ararat, Susque-
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SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.
hanna County, Pa., where he took up a tract of land and resumed his occupation as a farmer, continuing until his death. His death occurred at the age of sixty years, his wife surviving him many years and dying at the age of eighty. Their union resulted in the following issue: Thomas; Hannah; Jones; Benjamin; William; Nathaniel; Per- melia; and Eunice.
William West, our subject's grandfather, was born in the vicinity of Schnectady, Scho- harie County, N. Y., where he followed the occupation of a blacksmith during his younger days. He moved to Susquehanna County, Pa., with his parents, where he cleared a farm and engaged in agricultural pursuits. He later moved to Masonville, Delaware County, N. Y., where he continued at the trade of a blacksmith until his death, aged seventy-five years. He married Eliza Rogers, whose fath- er, Robert Rogers, was for many years a sea captain, but although he loved the water he gave up his sea life in order that his family might receive the benefits to be derived from living on the land. He bought a farm in Delaware County, and followed the life of a farmer for some time, but at last built a large boat in which he and his family sailed down the river to Chesapeake Bay, where he re- sided the remainder of his life. Mr. and Mrs. West reared two sons-George Williston and Hobert Rogers. The death of Mrs. West oc- curred at the age of twenty-seven years, and her husband formed a second alliance with Hannah Demenstoy, by whom he had three sons: Milo, Filo, and Jabez.
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