Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1, Part 110

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 110
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 110
USA > Pennsylvania > Clarion County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 110
USA > Pennsylvania > Clearfield County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 110

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Mr. Steele is a clear-headed, intelligent man, with sound common-sense views of life and its duties; he is active in well-doing, sober, indus- trious and of good business habits; in fact, pos- sessing in an eminent degree all the qualifications that go to make up a good citizen and honorable man. In politics he sides with the Republican party, and for three years was an efficient school director.

J JOHN C. WAGNER is extensively engaged in farming in Centre county, and makes his home in Central City. He is a representa- tive of one of the pioneer families of the locality, and is one of the native sons of the county wherein he now resides. He was born in Belle- fonte, June 10, 1857, a son of John M. and Su- sanna (Hahn) Wagner, natives of Lebanon county and Centre county, Penn., respectively. Their family numbered ten children: William, who operates a gristmill in Boggs township, for- merly owned by the father; Franklin, deceased; Mary, wife of Frank B. Weaver, of State College, Penn .; Sarah, wife of John M. Keichline, of Bellefonte; Jennie, wife of Peter Keichline, of Bellefonte; John C .; Alice, wife of James Weaver, a farmer of Boggs township; Carrie, wife of Louis Wallace, of Boggs township; Annie, deceased wife of James Williams, of Bellefonte; and Ella, who is living with her mother at the family home- stead. The father of this family was prominently connected with the business interests of Centre county, and largely promoted its commercial ac- tivity. From 1867 until 1869 he was engaged in merchandising in Milesburg, and throughout the greater part of his life owned and operated a farm. In 1875 he erected a gristmill in Central City, which he conducted until 1884, when he was joined in the business by his son, John C., under the firm name of John M. Wagner & Son. This connection continued until the father's death, which occurred May 3. 1892, when he had reached the age of sixty-nine years. He achieved a handsome competency through his own labors. His religious views were greatly in accord with the doctrine of the German Reformed Church, but he held liberal ideas. In politics he was a stanch Republican. His wife, who was born in 1824, is still living on the old homestead. She is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and a most estimable lady.

John C. Wagner spent the first seven years of his life in the city of his nativity, and in the fall of 1864 accompanied his parents on their re- moval from Bellefonte to the farm in Boggs town- ship. He was there reared to manhood, and in

the public schools of the neighborhood acquired his education. He continued at home until he was twenty-seven years of age, at which time he joined his father in the gristmill business, being connected with that enterprise for eight years, when his father died, and he sold his interest in the mill. He then removed to his farm, which is a valuable and richly cultivated tract of land that he has placed under a high state of cultiva- tion. Among the excellent improvements upon it is a two-story brick residence, built in a modern style of architecture and tastefully and comfort- ably furnished.

On October 8, 1884, Mr. Wagner was married to Miss Ella De Long, and they have an interesting family of three children: Mabel E., John M. and Mira E. They have a wide circle of warm friends who esteem them highly for their sterling worth. Mr. Wagner exercises his right of franchise in support of the Republican party, and was ap- pointed and served as township supervisor one term. He is a member of the Royal Arcanum, of Bellefonte. His life record is that of a straight- forward business man, true to the duties of home and country, and of public and of private life.

J A. DIETRICH. The subject of this sketch occupies a prominent position among the en- terprising farmers and successful stock-raisers of Miles township, Centre county, where he owns a fine farm of 102 acres, known as the old Grimm homestead, which he purchased in the spring of 1889, and has made many valuable and useful improvements thereon. Having commenced life with small means, his financial position is ample evidence of the manner in which he has em- ployed his time, and the good judgment of which he is the fortunate possessor. He has one of the best appointed homesteads in the township, and on account of his strict integrity and high char- acter is numbered among its most valuable citizens.

Mr. Dietrich was born near Hublersburg. in Nittany Valley, Centre county, September 29. 1856, and is of Swiss extraction, his grandfather. Martin Dietrich, being a native of Switzerland He was an energetic, industrious man, who suc- ceeded in securing a small home m Haies town- ship, Centre county, near the mountains north of Aaronsburg, and there engaged in general farming and fruit growing, by which he made a comfortable living for himself and wife They had two children John, the father of our sub- ject; and Annie, who married a Mr. Ennow, and died in Tioga county, Pennsylvania.

Being a naturally bright boy, John Dietrich.

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

the father, secured a good practical education even though the schools of his time were poor, and in later years participated in many local de- bates, in. which he took great enjoyment. As the little farm of his father did not furnish enough work for two, he left home at the age of thirteen years, and worked for others, giving his wages to his parents until he had attained his majority. Learning the plasterer's trade, he worked at it for some time in Big Sugar and Nittany Valleys. In the latter place he was married to Miss Sarah A. Dunkle, who was born on the old Dunkle homestead near Hublersburg, and was a daughter of a well-to-do farmer, from whom she inherited some property. By working at his trade, Mr. Dietrich was able to add to this until at the time of his death they had 144 acres of good land, now owned by their two sons, Lewis C, and Henry M. The father was an adherent of Democratic principles, and a member of the Reformed Church, to which his wife also be- longed. After a lingering illness he died in the fall of 1887, and she passed away in 1891, both when over sixty-seven years of age, and their re- mains were interred in the Hublersburg cemetery. In the Dietrich family were eight children, as follows: Lewis C., a farmer in Nittany Valley; Elizabeth, wife of William Fulton, of the same place; John, a plasterer and painter of Belle- fonte, Centre county; Sarah A., who married John White, and died near Hecla, Penn. ; Henry M., who is living on the old homestead; J. A. and D. A. (twins), the former being our subject, and the latter the railroad agent at Hublersburg; and B. F., of Bellefonte.

J. A. Dietrich began his education in the old ** Eight Square school house" under the instruc- tion of Martha Gordon, and later pursued his studies with William Mallory, William Decker and Jasper Wolfe as teachers. Upon the home farm he was reared until sixteen years of age, when he began working for others, giving his parents his wages with the exception of what was needed for his clothes. He was employed by farmers in Brush Valley until nineteen years of age, when he began working in the woods for Ocker & Royer, and continued to follow the lum- ber business for over four years.

In Madisonburg, Mr. Dietrich was married in July, 1882, to Miss Emma J. Roush, who was born in Gregg township, Centre county, in May, 1859, and is the youngest child of Benjamin and Margaret (Hoy) Roush. Mr. and Mrs. Dietrich have two children, Alma M. and Mary E. The parents began their domestic life upon her fa- ther's farm, where they remained until their re- moval to their present place in the spring of

1889. They are members in good standing of the Reformed Church, in which he is serving as deacon, of the Sunday-school of which he for several years was secretary. They are greatly esteemed in their community as representing the best type of its moral and social element. Po- litically, Mr. Dietrich is a Democrat; has served as overseer in the west precinct of Miles town- ship, and is at present a director of the Madison- burg schools. Socially, he affiliates with the Grange, and was at one time a member of the Knights of the Golden Eagle.

F FLEMING POORMAN. a leading and ener- getic agriculturist of Boggs township, Cen- tre county, was born February 14, 1858, on the farm where he now resides, a son of John and Catherine (Fetzer) Poorman, who were also na- tives of Centre county, where they spent their entire lives.

In their family were nine children, as fol- lows: Maria, deceased wife of Jacob Yarnal, a farmer in Centre county; Jane, wife of Morgan M. Lucas, a farmer of the same county: Mary, wife of Stanley Watson, an agriculturist of Boggs township; William, of Central City, Penn. ; Daniel F., a prominent farmer of Boggs town- ship; John E., a merchant of Boggs township; Arminta, wife of Joseph Williams, an engineer of Williamsport, Penn. ; Alice, wife of William Fetzer, a farmer of Boggs township; and Flem- ing, of this review. The father was a farmer by occupation, socially a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in religious belief a Lu- theran, while politically he supported the Demo- cratic party, as did his father before him. The latter was a son of John and Elizabeth B. (Harper) Poorman, who were born at Brush Valley, Cen- tre county, where they were engaged in farming. The maternal grandparents of our subject, Mi- chael and Mary (Homler) Fetzer, were natives of Germany, and New Jersey respectively. At an early day they took up their residence in Centre county, where they both died.

In the public schools Fleming Poorman ac- quired a good, practical education and at the age of fifteen years began his business career in the woods of Centre county, peeling bark during one season. In the following year he worked as a farmi hand, and then went to Bellefonte, where he served a two-years' apprenticeship as engineer at the pump station of the reservoir- For the following six months he ran an engine in Blair county, Pen., after which he removed to Ber- wick, Penn., where he learned the puddling trade, at which he was employed some seven

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

years. Returning to the old homestead farm, he rented the same until 1895, when he purchased it, and to its cultivation gives his time and at- tention.

Mr. Poorman was married April 27, 1882, to Miss Ida Lucas, by whom he has five children: Maud, Malcolm, Charles, Clyde and Linn. Mrs. Poorman was born at Snow Shoe, Centre county, January 28, 1863, a daughter of William and Lynn (Askey) Lucas, who are also natives of that county. They now reside at Chester Hill, where the father is engaged in merchandising. He served as captain during the Civil war, and in politics is an ardent Republican. His wife holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and both are highly respected and valued citizens of the community where they make their home. His parents were David and Elizabeth (Green) Lucas, of Centre county, and her parents were David and Elizabeth (Whiteman) Askey, of Clearfield county, Penn. Mrs. Poorman is the eldest in the family of seven children, the others being Laura, now the wife of James Stott, of Philipsburg, Penn .; Harry, attending Westches- ter College; Effie, residing at Williamsport, Penn. ; John, an express messenger on the Beach Creek railroad; and Gertrude and Cameron D., who are still with their parents.

Fraternally, Mr. Poorman is a member of the Grange at Milesburg, in politics is an earnest Democrat, and in religious faith attends the serv- ices of the Big Church. He is meeting with a well-deserved success in his chosen calling, and his fine, well-ordered farm, with its carefully cult- ured fields, its neat buildings and all their sur- roundings, denote the skillful management, in- dustry and well-directed labors of the owner. He is eminently worthy the trust and high regard in which he is held by his fellow-citizens.

E ADWARD M. KERLIN is one of the prom- inent and reliable young men of Benner township, Centre county, The business interests of the community are well represented by himn, and whether in public or private life he is always a courteous, genial gentleman, well deserving the high regard in which he is held. His occupation is that of a miller, and he now has charge of the Roopsburg Mills, which he is managing with skill and ability.

Mr. Kerlin was born in the county which is still his home, October 31, 1864, and is a son of Daniel K. and Catharine (Poorman) Kerlin, the former a native of Berks county, Penn., and the latter also a Pennsylvanian by birth. The father, who was of Welsh descent, was a miller by

trade, and at one time operated a foundry in Bellefonte, Centre county; he died in Roopsburg. To them were born six children, of whom he was the youngest, the others being as follows: Anna C., now the wife of Mitchell Baker, of Norwalk, Warren Co., Iowa, by whom she has one child: Jacob W., deceased; Mary V., wife of John Archie, of Roland, Centre county; Alice A., wife of Thomas P. Cowdrick, of Bellefonte, by whom she has a son, Morris; and one who died in childhood.

The elementary education of Edward M. Ker- lin, which was obtained in the free schools of Bellefonte, was supplemented by a course in the Bellefonte Academy, where he completed his lit- erary training. He is a prepossessing young man, upright and honorable in all his dealings. and has the confidence and esteem of all with whom he has come in contact either in business or social life. Since attaining his majority he has given his allegiance to the Democratic party. and in religious belief is a Lutheran.

J AMES E. MUSSER. Among the prominent and progressive young nien, who regard Cen- tre county as their home, and are turning their attention to agricultural pursuits, is James E. Musser, of Ferguson township. Although young in years, still, having excellent business abilities, he has already placed himself in a posi- tion to be regarded as a successful and scientific farmer. He has been chiefly interested in the cattle and sheep business, in which line success has been his portion. His political support is ever given to the Republican party, and in re- ligious belief he is a Lutheran.

Mr. Musser was born April 27, 1868, and is a son of William and Eliza A. (Ruble) Musser, the latter a daughter of Peter Ruble, of Tusseyville, Penn. The family is of German origin. To the , parents of our subject were born eight children. as follows: Mazella, who died in infancy; Flora A., wife of J. H. Ross, a merchant of Linden Hall, Centre county, by whom she has six chil- dren; Alvin C. (bookkeeper for Booker & Elder. of Altoona), who married Ettie Hartzell, and has two children: Anna M .. a milliner of Pine Grove Mills, Centre Co .; James E .. of this sketch, Ella M., who died in childhood; J. William, a farmer, who removed to Illinois in the spring of 1896: and Alka E , a resident of Pine Grove Mills. About is40 the parents came to Centre county, where their marriage was celebrated, and for many years the father owned and operated the farm where a part of the family yet reside. During the Civil war he was drafted, but was

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

never called into service. The family has long been identified with the interests of Centre coun- ty, and is widely and favorably known.

W T. HUBLER. Among the young men of Centre county who have selected agri- culture as their vocation in life, and judging from their present indications are bound to succeed in their chosen calling, is the subject of this bio- graphical notice, who is a resident of Miles town- ship, where he has thirty-five acres of excellent farming land. He was born in that township, July 17, 1869, a son of George M. and Margaret E. (Stover) Hubler. John George Hubler, the paternal grandfather, who was the founder of the family in Miles township, was born in 1785, and died August 2, 1857, at his home near Rock- ville, in Brush Valley, where he was one of the earliest settlers. He was twice married. his first wife being Miss Anna B. Musser, by whom he had three children: George M .; J. P., who died in Miles township, in 1894: and Sadie E., wife of Aaron Bartges, of Loganton, Pennsylvania.

George M. Hubler was born in Haines town- ship, Centre county, along Pine creek, at what is known as Myer's Mill, which his father then owned, but subsequently they removed to near Rockville, Miles township. He assisted his fa- ther to some extent in the mill, but mainly gave his attention to agricultural pursuits. In 1865, he was married. in Brush Valley, to Miss Mar- garet E. Stover, who was born in Rebersburg. December 17, 1845, a daughter of Elias and Harriet (Hipple) Stover. Her father, a son of Henry and Margaret (Guiswite) Stover, was born April 14, 1820, in Haines township, where he was reared, and in 1845 came to Brush Valley. making his home in Rebersburg, where he worked at his trade of carpentering, and still lives at that place. His wife, whose birth occurred in Mid- dleburg. Penn., December 4, 1822, was the daughter of Frederick and Elizabeth (Leib) Hip- ple. Her father, a carpenter by trade, died when she was quite young, and she was reared by a half sister. Her death occurred May 27, 1895. To Mr. and Mrs. Stover were born three chil- dren: Margaret E., the mother of our subject; William F., a tinner of Pittsburg. Penn., born June 28. 1850; and Sarah J., who was born April 17, 1855, and is now the wife of H. G. Krape. of Rebersburg.

After his marriage, George M. Hubler located upon the home farm, and cared for his parents until they were called to their final rest, when he inherited the place, which he cleared from debt. He always turned his attention to agri-

cultural pursuits, in which he was quite successful. leaving at the time of his death 100 acres of good farming land and 250 acres of timber land, and being fond of hunting, found his chief recreation in that sport. He was rather stout in appear- ance, and in height was five feet, ten inches. His political support was always given the Dem- ocratic party, and though never an office seeker, was chosen by his fellow citizens to serve as su- pervisor, tax-collector and constable. In early life he was a member of the Reformed Church, later becoming a Lutheran, and always contrib- uted liberally to all Church or religious work. His death occurred August 5, 1896, having sur- vived his wife for about a year, as she passed away September 1, 1895. and both were laid to rest in the Union Cemetery of Rebersburg. They were the parents of three children: Frank A .. a farmer of Miles township: W. T .. of this sketch; and Anna H., wife of T. J. Ocker, of Rebersburg. The parents were people of prom- inence in the community, and justly deserved the high regard in which they were universally held.

Like most farmer lads, W. T. Hubler spent the days of his boyhood and youth, aiding in the labors of the farm "and attending the local schools. On first starting to school in Rebers- burg his teacher was Libbie Royer. He contin- ued with his parents until April. 1893, when he located upon his present farm at Rockville. Miles township, which he now has under a high state of cultivation, and the neat and thrifty ap- pearance of the place testifies to his industry and enterprise.

On October 19, 1891, in Rockville, Mr. Hub- ler was married by Rev. Rearick, a Lutheran minister, to Miss Ada E. Gramley, who was born near that place. November 19, 1869, and is the youngest child of Samuel and Sarah J. (Small) Gramley. Two children came of this union: Har- ry G., born June 15. 1893, and Samuel L. The parents are both members of the Lutheran Church. and in his political views Mr. Hubler is an ar- dent Democrat. They hold an enviable position in the social circles of the community, and their friends throughout the county are many.

S AMUEL W. WAITE, a progressive, wide- awake business man of Rebersburg. Centre county, who has made his own way in the world from an early age, is a native of the county, his birth having occurred in Miles township July 4. 1852. His father, John F. Wate (as the name was originally spelled), was born January 18. 1825, in Huntingdon, Huntingdon county, Penn., a son of Samuel and Polly (Oswalt) Wate, also

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

natives of Huntingdon county. Samuel was one of five sons, whose father was a native of Ger- many, while his wife was a daughter of Adam Oswalt, who was of Scotch descent. The grand- father of our subject was a day laborer, driving a team for different furnaces in central Pennsyl- vania for many years. In early life he made his home in Clinton county, but later removed to Montour county, his death occurring in Danville, November 2, 1879. His wife survived him some years, and passed away in Milesburg, Centre county. Both were earnest members of the Lutheran Church, while in politics he was first a Whig and later a Republican.

John F. Wate was the eldest of the seven children of the family who grew to years of ma- turity, the others being as follows: Bartholomew, born April 23, 1830, is a resident of Danville, Penn. ; Samuel, born February 28, 1832, lives in Jersey Shore, Penn. ; Alexander, born November 13, 1834, lives in Danville, Penn .; William, born February 10, 1837, makes his home at Beach Creek, Penn .; Elizabeth, born March 30, 1839, is the wife of Josiah Miller, of Nittany Valley, Centre county; and John H. McGill, born June 18, 1842, is a resident of Danville. The educa- tional privileges of John F. Wate were limited to one year's attendance at the common schools, as his parents were quite poor, and at an early day he started out to fight life's battle. At the age of sixteen he began weaving carpets, coverlets, table cloths, etc.,' under John H. March, of Salona, Centre county, with whom he remained until 1849, when he removed to Kramerville, Brush Valley, where he has since been employed at his trade or general labor. On State or Na- tional questions he votes with the Democratic party, but at local elections is not bound by party ties. Since 1849 he has been a faithful member of the Evangelical Church, to which his wife also belongs.

On December 28, 1845, John F. Wate mar- ried Mary M. Gramly, who was born in Brush Valley, Centre county, August 6, 1825, a dangh- ter of Jacob and Mary M. (Kline) Gramly. They have now traveled life's journey together for over half a century, sharing its joys and sorrows, its adversity and prosperity, and in 1895 cele- brated their golden wedding. Ten children blessed their union, namely: Sarah E., born December 16, 1846, died at the age of eighteen; Elmeda F., born June 15. 1849, died when young; Sammel W. is next in order of birth; Harvey E., born December 30, 1853, died at the age of two years; Mary C., born September 24. 1856, is the wife of Charles L. Beck, of Brush Valley; Franklin, born January 4, 1859, is a res-

ident of Rebersburg; Emma T., born August 1, 1861, is the wife of William Breon, of Clinton county, Penn. ; Hester A., born November 24, 1863, died young; George B. Mc., born Decem- ber 17, 1866, is a resident of Brush Valley; and John W., born May 9, 1869, makes his home in Loganton, Pennsylvania.

The advantages afforded our subject for se- curing an education were very meagre, and at an early age he started out to earn his own liveli- hood, first working as a hostler for Dr. Hillbish, of Rebersburg, with whom he remained for four years. His first experience in mercantile pur- suits was in the employ of W. F. Bailey, of the same place, his wages being $3 per week. He accompanied his employer on his removal to Woodward, Centre county, and later to Gales- burg, Ill., where he remained for several years, but finally returned to Spring Mills, Penn., clerk- ing there for a time. Later he rented a farm near Sprucetown, Centre county, for a year. and for the following six years operated rented land in Gregg township, in the same county. Subsequently he lived for one year upon the farm of Abram Miller, at Pleasant Gap. In the spring of 1892 Mr. Waite purchased a lot in Rebers- burg, on which he erected a residence and store building, and the following spring began general merchandising, which he has since continued with excellent success, his courteous manner and fair dealing winning him a liberal share of public patronage.

On August 22. 1885. Mr. Waite married Miss Anna, daughter of G. W. Lonberger, a farmer of Pleasant Gap, and their wedding ceremony was performed at Spring Mills by Rev. Stam- baugh. Three children have been born to them: Annie M., who died in 1894; and Mary P. and Paul L., at home. Mrs. Waite is a consistent member of the United Evangelical Church. Mr. Waite uses his right of franchise in support of the principles of the Republican party. He de- serves no little credit for the success he has made in life, and is now one of the leading and promi- nent business men of the village, where during carly life he served as a stable boy and hostler. a fact that shows what can be accomplished by industry, perseverance and economy.

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1, Part 110

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