Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1, Part 106

Author: J.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1898
Publisher: Chicago : J. H. Beers
Number of Pages: 1358

USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 106
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 106
USA > Pennsylvania > Clarion County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 106
USA > Pennsylvania > Clearfield County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 106

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

B ENJAMIN ROUSH, of Madisonburg, Centre county, is one of those wholesome, gen- erous, sociable individuals to whom old age brings a strength of spirit and breadth of view which make youth, however beautiful and charming, seem crude and incomplete. Born July 19, 1820, in Washington township, Snyder (now Union) county, he has spent his entire life in the section to which this volume is devoted.

Frederick Roush, his father, was born in Sny- der county, and made his home there until 1832, when with his wife, Dorothy Nogle, and their lit- tle family, he moved to Brush Valley, Centre county. He was a shoemaker by trade, and, after living for a time in a rented house in an- other part of Miles township, he settled in Mad- isonburg, where he continued his business until a few years before his death, which occurred when he was sixty-two years old; his wife lived to be ninety-three years old, and both are buried at Madisonburg. The father was a man of in- Huence among his associates, and was elected on the Democratic ticket to various township offices. Although a hard worker, he never accumulated much, his earnings sufficing only to give the fam- ily a comfortable living. He was a good-sized man, and enjoyed excellent health previous to his last illness. , In religious faith he and his wife were Lutherans, and for many years he held office in the Church, as deacon and elder. Their children were: (1) Catherine, now Mrs. Abra- ham Snyder, of Nittany Valley; (2) Benjamin, our subject: (3) Daniel, of Madisonburg; (4) Mary, who married John Smith, and died at Reedsville, Penn .; (5) Louisa (Mrs. Noah Mus- ser), who died in Half Moon Valley; (6) Eliza- beth, widow of John Rachua, of Gregg township, Centre county; (7) Susannah, widow of Israel Vonada, of the same township; and (8) Henry, who died in Stephenson county, Illinois.

Benjamin Roush spent his early years in the vicinity of Freeburg. Snyder county, and received such educational advantages as the schools of that locality then afforded. Under his father's instructions he became familiar with the details of the shoemaker's trade, which he fol- low, di until he was about twenty-five years old. saving from his wages $600. On March 13. 1840. he was married in Gregg township, Centre county. to Miss Margaret Hoy, the only child of Joli and Margaret Hoy. As his wife and her parents desired the family life to continue nul- broken, Mr. Roush gave up his trade and be- came .. farmer on the Hoy homestead, remaining there may 18So, when he moved to Madisonburg. He purchased a large stone house opposite the " Miller Hotel," and made his home there until

after the death of his wife, which occurred May 30. 1889. She was a lady of fine Christian character, a devout member of the Reformed Church, and her death was deeply mourned by all who knew her. Five children survive her: John H. is a farmer in Gregg township, Centre county; Sarah J. married A. H. Vonada, of Miles township, Centre county; Mary A. married D. D. Royer, of the same township; Jeremiah L., a minister of the Reformed Church, resides in Pennsburg, Montgomery Co., Penn .; Emma J. married Jacob Deitrich, of Miles township, Centre county, and for some years Mr. Roush has lived at their pleasant home near Madisonburg. His sons and daughters have without exception taken honorable positions in life, and make a family of whom any parent would be proud. Few, if any, fathers in this section have con- tributed so liberally to start their children in life as has Mr. Roush, no less than $7,000 having been given to each as the time came to leave the home nest. Each has received a farm, and he has thus disposed of the five which he for- merly owned. He believes that help should be given to the children while they are young and can benefit by it: and certainly the results jus- tify the theory. Fortunately he still has plenty to keep "the wolf from the door." as he is yet rated among the wealthy men of the county.

Mr. Roush has been an industrious worker and shrewd manager, and well deserves his suc- cess in life. His time has been given mainly to the care of the estates, but for three and one- half years he conducted a mercantile business in Madisonburg, having been obliged at one time to secure certain bail money for which he was liable by buying a stock of goods. Politically, he is a steadfast Democrat, and his fellow citizens have called him to the service of the community at different times as supervisor and school director. He has always been a cheerful giver to religious movements, and especially to the Reformed Church, in which he is at present a trustee. H was one of the building committee of two at the time the society built their church edince at Madisonburg, and he gave liberally of both time and money to insure the success of the under- taking.

J JOHN A. CONFER, undertaker and furniture dealer, is one of the leading and successful business men of Milesburg. Centre county He is a native of Pennsylvania, having been bowl September 30. 1850, 1 Porter township. Clinton county, and is a son of Solomon Confer, who was born in Snidertown, Centre county, In No- vember, 1838. The father is also an undertaker.

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

und engaged in that business for twelve years at ( monville, Penn., but since 1883 has made his home in Milesburg. At Aaronsburg, Centre county, Solomon Confer was united in marriage with Miss Mary J. Shields, a native of Clinton county, Penn., who died March 17, 1889, at the age of sixty-one years. Six children were born ot this union, but with the exception of our sub- ject all died in infancy. The parents were both consistent member of the Evangelical Church, and in politics the father is a Republican.

Mr. Confer, of this review, remained at home with his parents until his marriage, but began his business career at the age of fourteen, working for the first four years at the carpenter's trade with his father. He then engaged in clerking for the Washington Iron Co., of Clinton county, for two years, and subsequently helped to re- build a tannery at Lock Haven, Penn,, where he remained one year. He then returned to Lamar, Clinton county, but a few months later removed to Millheim, Centre county, where he engaged in farming for one year. During the winter he clerked in a store, and the following spring went to Hublersburg, Penn., where he worked in the mines for six months, at the end of which time he came to Milesburg, doing the carpenter work for the McCoy & Linn Iron Foundry for one year. In 1885 he embarked in the furniture business at Milesburg, in connection with his father, who was the undertaker, but on September 11, 1894, he purchased the latter's interest, and has since been alone. He began business on a small scale, but as his patronage steadily increased, he en- larged his facilities, and is now at the head of an extensive trade. In 1895 he removed from his old stand to a handsome new store building.

On March 18, 1879, Mr. Confer was joined in wedlock with Miss Eva E. Clark, a daughter of Josiah and Naomi ( Mann) Clark, and to them were born five children, all yet at home, namely: Mary J., Sarah E., Solomon, Clark and Marian. The mother of these died April 30. 1892, at the age of thirty-six years. Mr. Confer was again married, March 21, 1893, the lady of his choice being Miss Ida M. Loveland, by whom he has one son, Wilbur F. Mrs. Confer was born July 11, 1861, in Clinton county, Penn., and is the only child of Wilbur F. and Hannah (Watson) Loveland, also natives of Clinton county, where the father is now living retired. In early lite he engaged in the axe business. The mother died in 1865, at the age of thirty-six years, and he later married Josephine Custard, who bore him two sons, Harry and Reuben. Both parents of Mrs. Confer were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Politically, our subject adheres to the princi- ples of the Republican party, takes an active part in its work, and for the past eight years has served as chairman of the central committee. For four terms he has filled the office of overseer of the poor, and has also been auditor and school director in his township. Fraternally; he is con- nected with the Odd Fellows Society of Miles- burg, No. 410. He is a straightforward, reliable business man, and in his work is ably assisted by his wife, who is also a practical embalmer, hav- ing attended the Oriental School of Embalming, and becoming quite proficient in that art. Both are well known throughout the community, and have many warm friends.

'SAAC MILLER, a well-known and highly es- teemed citizen of Bellefonte, is a native son of Centre county, born in Spring township, August 23, 1839. His parents, Robert V. and Elizabeth (Lytle) Miller, were natives of Chester and Centre counties, Penn., respectively. the former born in 1795, and the latter in 1807. In Chester county, the paternal grandfather, Reuben Miller, who was of English descent, spent their entire life, while the maternal grandfather was born in Centre county, but passed his last days in Clearfield county.

Robert V. Miller was a nephew of the Valen- tines of Bellefonte, in which place he made his home for some time, working in the iron mills until 1833, when he removed to a farm four miles east of the city, and operated the same un- til 1858. In that year he became a resident of Pleasant Gap, where his death occurred in 1863; his wife departed this life in 1869. For five years before his death he was totally blind. He was a loyal, patriotic citizen, devoted to the in- terests of his country, and always supported the party whose principles he thought would best advance its interests, being at different times an Abolitionist, Know-Nothing and Republican. 1 conscientious, earnest Christian, he was a faith- ful member of the Society of Friends, and a just. upright man in all things.

In Spring township Isaac Miller grew to man- hood, assisting his father in the work of the farm and learning to " read, write and cipher " in the district schools of the neighborhood. He re- maned upon the home farm until his marriage, January 17, 1865. 10 Miss Catherine Pennington. who was born m Penn's Valley, Mas 2. 1841 Four children have been born to this union! Elizabeth L. wife of ld P. Moore, of Tyrone. Penn .. by whom she has one child Catherine P .: Isaac P., who is clerking ma diy-goods

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

house in Philadelphia; Annie, who was born in 1869, and died in 1871; and Mordecai, at home. The wife and mother has served as toll-gate keeper since October, 1891.

For some time after his marriage, Mr. Miller was interested in the coal business, later owned and operated a threshing machine, and ran a delivery wagon for the Valentine store, Belle- fonte. He then became a puddler in an iron furnace, where he is still employed. In 1865, during the Civil war, he was drafted for service, but hostilities had ceased before his com- pany was called upon for duty. He is an ardent Republican in politics, and a worthy member of the Society of Friends. Enjoying the esteeni, confidence and respect of the whole community, Mr. Miller may well be classed among the pron- inent and representative citizens of Centre coun- ty. He is a man of the strictest integrity and honor, and assuredly merits the high regard in which he is universally held.

D AVID FIEDLER. The subject of this sketch is one of the prominent and repre- sentative farmers of Penn township, Centre county, and has made his home upon his present fine farm of sixty acres for more than forty years. The fields are well tilled, the farm buildings neat and substantial, and, in fact, the whole place presents an air of thrift and prosperity, which is always seen about the place of an industrious and thorough agriculturist.

A native of Centre county, Mr. Fiedler was born in Haines township, August 28, 1826, a son of David and Catharine (Neese) Fiedler. The father, who was a son of Jacob Fiedler, died when our subject, his only child, was but six years of age, after which he and his mother went to live with her father, Peter Neese, who ! was a farmer of Penn township, located on Penn creek. There he was reared in the usual man- ner of farmer boys, and acquired his early educa- tion in the subscription schools, his first teacher being Henry Raughhauser. He completed his literary course in the " Heckman School," but his advantages along that line were meagre. In 1855 he married Miss Mary J. Wise, who was born in Haines township, February 23. 1837. a daughter of John and Catharine (Stover) Wise. One daughter blessed their union: Susan C .. now the wife of Emanuel Neese, of Gregg town- ship, Centre county.

Previous to his marriage, Mr. Fiedler had worked for some time upon his present farm. then owned by his aunts, Elizabeth and Chris- tina Neese, and after his marriage he began his

domestic life there. After the death of his aunts he purchased the farm, for which he had to go greatly in debt, but by industry. persever- ance and economy he soon paid off the indebt- edness.

Politically, Mr. Fiedler is an ardent Demo. crat, and served his fellow citizens in the capac- ity of inspector of elections, overseer of the poor. supervisor and school director, the duties of which offices he discharged in a prompt and effi- cient manner. A man of unquestioned integrity and honor, he has lived peacefully with his neighbors, having never been involved in a law- suit, and is held in the high regard by all who know him. He and his estimable wife are ear- nest and sincere Christians, faithful members of the Lutheran Church.

N H. YEARICK, a prominent general mer- chant, and postmaster of Jacksonville, was born in Marion township. Centre county, August 25, 1850, and is a worthy representative of a family that has long been identified with the ag- ricultural and commercial interests of the county. His father, Henry Yearick, was born in Gregg township, Centre county, January 10, 1822, a son of John and Sarah Saloma (Rishel) Yearick, natives of the same county, where they spent their entire lives, the former dying in 1876, aged sixty-seven years, and the latter in 1 882, aged sev- enty-seven. In their family werethe following chil- dren: Mary, who wedded John Zupler, but both are now deceased; Rebecca, who married Jacob Royer, and both are deceased; William, a minis- ter of the Reformed Church, who was crippled through rheumatism, and died at the age of sixty- three years; Elizabeth, who became the wife of Elias Hoy, but both are now deceased; Henry. the father of our subject: Sarah, who married Samuel Phillips, and located in Ohio, where her death occurred; John. a retired farmer of Nittany Valley. Clinton Co., Penn. : Sammel please !. who was a local preacher of the Evangelical Church, but spent his last days in retirement upon a farm; Adam, a farmer of Walker town- ship. Centre county ; Catherine, widow of George S. Hoy, of Centre county ; and Jahan, deconseil wife of John Spav. also deceased. The paternal grandparents of the se children, Adam al. ( Will- imam Yearrick, were natives of Dutydin com. but were among the mist settlers of Comer county, where they made their home upon a time during the realandler of their lives The nướng nal grandfather. Men Richel, a navent Comer county, became one of the early princess of Un- ton county, Penn, where he spentsted then

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sively in land, but spent his last days in Clear- field county.

Henry Yearick, the father of our subject, was for many years actively engaged in agricultural pursuits and merchandising, but is now enjoying a well-earned rest at his pleasant home in Jack- sonville, where he has lived retired since 1886. Being very fond of reading, much of his time is devoted to that enjoyment. In I845, he was united in marriage with Miss Catherine Leinbach, who was born in Northumberland county, Penn., in October, 1826, and is a daughter of Samuel and Polly ( Foreinger) Leinbach, natives of Berks and Lehigh counties, Penn., respectively. In 1850 Mr. and Mrs. Yearick removed to Marion township, Centre county, where for several years they made their home upon a farmn. They are faithful members of the Reformed Church, and are held in the highest esteem and respect by all who have the pleasure of their acquaintance.

To Henry Yearick and wife were born chil- dren as follows: Samuel Alfred, a carpenter of Superior, Neb .; Sarah, wife of J. J. Hoy, a farmer of Marion township, Centre county; N. H., of this review; Mary, twin sister of our sub- ject, and the wife of Hugh S. Shaffer, who is serving as postmaster of Madisonburg, Centre county; Laura, wife of James S. Martin, a farmer of Jacksonville; Cicero, a dentist of Detroit, Mich .; Ida, wife of J. W. Holmes, who operates a steam thresher and also engages in carpenter- ing in Jacksonville; Charles E. and John W., both farmers of Marion township; and Tillie E., wife of Edwin Peck, a merchant of Walker town- ship, Centre county.

The boyhood and youth of our subject were passed in attending the district schools and assist- ing in the labors of the home farm until nineteen years of age, when he began clerking for his fa- ther in a general mercantile store at Zion, Cen- tre county, where he remained for two years. They then formed a partnership in Bellefonte, and in 1876 they established a business at Jack- sonville, under the firmn name of H. Yearick & Son. This connection continued until 1886. when they sold out to W. W. D. Yearick & Brother, but two years later our subject re-pur- chased the store, becoming sole owner, and has since successfully conducted the same. He car- ries a large and well-selected stock of general merchandise, and docs an annual business of $7,000. For some time he also traveled on the road, and now, in connection with his mercantile pursuits, engages in farming. In Jannary, 1872, in Zion, Centre county, he was married to Miss Jennie E. Rockey, a native of Mifflinburg, Union county, Peun., born May 2, 1851, and they have

six children, whose names and dates of birth are as follows: John H., May 12, 1874; Charles N., December 31, 1876; Earl W., February IS, ISSO; Alta A., January 24, 1889; Arthur F., March 7. 1891; and Nevin A., July 10, 1896. All are at home with their parents with the exception of John H., who is engaged in farming in Marion township.

John L. and Amelia (Katherman) Rockey, the parents of Mrs. Yearick, were natives of Mifflinburg, Penn., where the father was exten- sively engaged in farming until IS51, when he removed to Zion, Centre county. There he died January 7, 1881, at the age of sixty-one years; the mother still resides at that place with her son, John P. She was born June 3, 1820, a daughter of Frederick and Christine (Stitzer) Katherman, who were natives of Union county. Penn., where they died at an early age. The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Yearick. George and Elizabeth (Loher) Rockey, were also natives of Union county, where the grandfather exten- sively engaged in milling and became quite wealthy. John L. Rockey was twice married. his first wife in her maidenhood being Miss Mary A. Rule, of Union county, and to them was born a daughter, Mary A., the deceased wife of Sam- uel Himmelright, a lumber merchant of Lewis- burg, Penn. - By his second union Mr. Rockey had seven children, namely: Sarah K., who died at the age of six years; Jane E., the wife of our subject; George H., an agriculturist of Zion: Re- becca A., the wife of Christian Dicker, also a farm- er of Zion; John P., a farmier of the same place: and Williani, a farmer of Boalsburg, Centrecoun- ty. The parents of these children were consistent members of the Lutheran Church, and in politics the father was a Democrat. He was a self-made man in the truest sense of the terin, but by in- dustry and good managenient became quite wealthy.

Mr. Yearick uses his right of franchise in sup- port of Democratic principles, and takes a deep and commendable interest in public affairs, giv- ing his aid to all worthy enterprises which will advance the welfare of the community. He is one of the leading and influential citizens of Marion township, and enjoys the confidence and high regard of all with whom he comes in con- tact. In religions faith he holds membership with the Reformed Church.

JOHN LEECH COLE, the present postmas- ter of Zion, and a leading and energetic farmer of Walker township, Centre county, was born October 25. 1863. in Belleville, Mifflin

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Co., Penn., a son of Edward T., and Margaret E. (Leech) Cole, who have made their home in Centre county since the spring of 1868, and are now living retired upon a farm near Zion. The father's birth occurred May 5, 1832, in Mifflin county, where his parents, who were of English descent, were also born, but died in Huntingdon county. His great-grandfather died in the war of 1812. The mother of our subject is a native of Huntingdon county, born July 17, 1836.

To the parents were born ten children, in or- der of birth as follows: Lawrence S., born Sep- tember 8, 1855, married Eva Mahin, a native of Ohio, by whom he has one daughter; he is a mil- ler of Dayton, Ohio, where they make their home. William E., born October 31, 1857, married Emma West, by whom he has a daugh- ter, and is now living in Golden, Colo., where he is superintendent of an irrigating company. Anna I., born in 1859, is the wife of Azor C. Kountz, a carpenter of Dayton, Ohio. Leah A. died in childhood. John L. is the next in the order of birth. David S. is still with his parents. Hannah E., born in 1868, is at home. Samuel Sugart, born April 23, 1870, married Cora Robb, a daughter of Henry Robb, of Nittany, Centre county, by whom he has one child, and is a resi- dent of Walker township, where he is employed in the iron mines. Mary P. is the wife of Alfred Robb, a school teacher of Nittany. James Wil- son, an engineer living in Dayton, Ohio, was born November 7, 1875, and was therefore four days too young to cast his ballot for W. J. Bryan, whom he would have supported, being a Demo- crat in politics.

The education of John L. Cole was such as the common schools of Centre county afforded, and upon the home farm, under his father's able instruction, he became familiar with the duties of an agriculturist. On starting out in life for himself he decided to follow the vocation to which he had been reared, and has become a thorough and skillful farmer, energetic and progressive. He has always given his political support to the Democratic party, and in religious belief is a Lutheran. On November 1, 1887, he was mar- ried to Miss Ida B. Shaffer, daughter of John Shaffer, a farmer of Walker township, Centre county, and they have one son, Nevin E., born February 19, 1890. Mr. and Mrs. Cole are widely and favorably known throughout the com- munity, and have hosts of warm personal friends.

H ENRY J. LIMBERT, who is properly ranked as one of the self-made men of Centre con- ty, began his career at the foot of the ladder in

life, without other resources than his own indom- itable will and steady, plodding industry. From a humble position he has risen to that of one of the representative men of a more than ordinarily intelligent community. He was born August 10, 1834, four miles west of Mckees Falls, in what is now Snyder county, Penn., but was then Union county. His parents were John and Catherine (Wise) Limbert, the former a son of Peter Lim- bert, a farmer by occupation, and the latter a daughter of Frederick Wise, a carpenter.

When a young man John Limbert came to Centre county, and being a carpenter by trade aided in the construction of the " Miller Hotel " in Madisonburg. While thus employed he fell from the roof to the cellar, and it was thought he was killed, but he finally recovered. At that place he was married in 1833, and at once re- moved to Union county, where he worked at his trade until the early " fifties," when he returned to Madisonburg. There he followed carpenter- ing for a time and later worked at day labor. He died at the ripe old age of seventy-eight years; his wife passed away when over eighty- five years of age, and they now sleep side by side in the Madisonburg cemetery. Both were active and prominent members of the Reformed Church. with which he was officially connected, and his political support was ever given the Democracy.

Henry J. Limbert is the oldest in the family of seven children, the others being Rebecca, wife of Aaron Smull, of Rockville, Centre coun- ty; John, a hotel keeper of Dauphin county, Penn .: Frederick, a retired farmer of Aarons- burg, Centre county; Benjamin, a resident of Gregg township. Centre county; Catharine, wife of Jacob Frank, of Madisonburg: and Samuel, who makes his home in Lock Haven, Penn. The education of our subject was all acquired in Ger- man schools, and at the age of thirteen he was obliged to lay aside his books and earn his own livelihood. He obtained employment with a farmer near Mckees Falls, Snyder county, where he received only his board and clothes the first year, and, in addition, $36 the second, and $48 the third. Later he was with another man who gave him $60 per year, his time there being passed principally at work in the woods, Be- fore he had attained his eighteenth year he began learning the carpenter's trade with his father. with whom he came to Madisonburg, and when he had mastered the business began work with John B. Shaffer, serving as a journeyman nutil 1860. In connection with different partners he then engaged in business for himself until 18os. when he resolved to try his fortune alone, and was very successful in Ins undertaking until the

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1, Part 106

Author: J.H. Beers & Co Publication date: 1898 Publisher: Chicago : J. H. Beers Number of Pages: 1358

Author: J.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1898
Publisher: Chicago : J. H. Beers
Number of Pages: 1358