Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1, Part 111

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 111
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 111
USA > Pennsylvania > Clarion County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 111
USA > Pennsylvania > Clearfield County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 111

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H ON. JOHN P. GEPHART, Among the honored citizens of Bellefonte, Centre county, is the subject of this brief biography. whose able service in various positions of public trust is too well known to need comment Fear- less in his advocacy of the right as he sees it, he has won the confidence of all classes, but he has

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

539

never hesitated to make enemies for the sake of a good cause, and his record speaks for itself of his devotion to the interests of his constituents.

Mr. Gephart was born at Bellefonte, January 9, 1827, and his family, which is of Dutch origin, has been identified with this State for several generations. His grandfather, John P. Gep- hart, a native of Bucks county, married a Miss Gephart, who, though of the same name, and born in the same county, was no relation. Some years after their marriage they moved, in 1809, to Union county, Penn., locating in Buffalo Val- ley, two miles west of Lewisburg. During the Black Hawk war our subject's grandmother patriotically furnished entertainment to the sol- diers en route. She died in 1812, and the grand- father, who was a farmer and distiller by occu- pation, passed away in 1816. They had several children, among whom was a son, Michael Gep- hart, born September 30, 1803, in Bucks coun- ty, Penn. He accompanied his parents to Union county; but in 1826 he located in Centre county, in what is now Penn township, then a part of Haines township. He owned a fine farm near Millheim, and was more than ordinarily success- ful. His wife, Elizabeth Emmert, who was born January 29, 1803, in Lebanon county, Penn., died at the homestead near Millheim, May 7, 1852; he survived her many years, his death oc- curring August 26, 1873. Only two of their children lived to mature age, and of these, the younger, Jacob, died in the fall of 1892.

The subscription schools of Millheim, fur- nished rudely with slab benches with smooth side up, and offering a no less primitive curriculum, furnished our subject an elementary education, to which observation and private study had added largely. From the age of fourteen until he was thirty-one he worked upon the home farm, and then for seven years he was engaged in mer- cantile business at Millheim. His popularity had in the meantime led to his entrance into the polit- ical arena, and in 1863 he was elected clerk and register and recorder of the Orphans' Court. After serving two terms he entered the law office of Orvis & Alexander as clerk, and remained there until his election, May 30, 1870, to the office of justice of the peace for the South and West wards of Bellefonte. In 1875 he was re- elected on the Democratic ticket, this time for the North ward, with a majority of forty-eight. overcoming the usual Republican majority of ninety. In 1878 he became chairman of the Democratic County Committee, and in the same year he was elected to the State Legislature, his re-election in 1880 marking the people's apprecia- tion of his efforts. While in that body he held

positions on several important committees, in- cluding those on Appropriations and Schools, and he was active in securing the defeat of the Pillsbury Bill.

Mr. Gephart owns the old farm in Penn township, comprising about 400 acres. As ad- ministrator he was under heavy bonds for the settlement of the estate, but he and his brother never divided it, sharing its proceeds in peace. On August 1, 1847, Mr. Gephart was united in matrimony with Miss May M. Swartz, who was born at Millheim, September IS, 1829. Three children blessed this union: (1) Sarah E., born June 14, 1851, married L. T. Munson, and has one son, named for our subject. (2) J. Wesley, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere. (3) May. born November 21, 1856, married J. W. Dix. of Dayton, Ohio. The mother of this family died December 14, 1874, and Mr. Gephart for his second wife married Miss Sarah E. Corshells, of Loganton, Clinton county, Pennsylvania.

0 W. McENTIRE, M. D., of Howard, Centre county, where he-is also engaged in the drug business, has descended on his mother's side from one of the first families to settle within the territory now comprising Centre county.

Dr. McEntire is a son of Lawrence B. McEn- tire (now and for inany years past a merchant and postmaster, and a respected citizen of Fill- more, Centre county) and Martha ( Houser) Mc- Entire. The McEntires were originally from Ireland, and the Housers from Germany The

first of the latter family to come to America was the great-great-grandfather of our subject. He caine as a redemptioner, and was obliged to work an entire year for one of his more fortu- nate countrymen in order to pay his passage. Jacob Houser, son of this emigrant, came in 1788 from Dauphin county, Penn., to Spring Creek, now the site of Houserville, having the year previously bought a large tract of land of Josiah Matlack, Known as the Isaac Catherell Survey. December 5. 1774. He was prosperous and became a wealthy farmer. Of his eight children, Martin was the father of Mrs. Lawrence McEntire.

Dr. McEntire, as is his mother, is a native of Houserville, having been born there in 1850 he grew to manhood he clerked in his father's store at Fillmore, receiving his early education in the schools of the neighborhood Later he was prepared for college at Penn Hall Academy. and at Centre Hall, then, late in the "seven- ties, " entered Pennsylvania State College, where he pursued his studies for a year and a half.

540

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

After this he went to Washington, D. C., and studied medicine in the office, and under the di- rection, of Thomas B. Hood, M. D. He at- tended lectures in the medical department of Howard University, in that city, and was gradu- ated in 1884. After his graduation he returned to Fillmore, Penn., and there began the practice of medicine, remaining at that point one year. From there he went to Mill Hall, and followed his profession for several years, thence going to Philadelphia, where in 1891 he was graduated from Jefferson Medical College. While attend- ing lectures at this institution, he also was a student at the Pennsylvania School of Anatomy. Returning to Centre county, he located in prac- tice at Howard, where he has since remained. He is a member of the Clinton and Centre County Medical Society; also of West Branch Medical Society. Socially, he is a member of the Knights of the Golden Eagle; P. O. S. of A .; and of the Junior Order American Mechanics. In politics he is a Democrat. The Doctor is well equipped for a successful career, and is already in the midst of a busy practice.

In 1886 Dr. McEntire was married to Miss Fannie A. Sellars, daughter of Agnew and Cath- erine (Kephart) Sellars, highly respected farmers of the vicinity of Fillmore. To this marriage was born, in 1887, a daughter named Josephine Catherine.

OHN GHANER. Among the worthy citi- zens that Germany has furnished to the New World is numbered this gentleman. The best justification for our Republican form of gov- ernment lies in the fact that it gives to all equal opportunities that the people of other lands may come here and seek to establish comfortable homes and secure success through honorable deal- ing, unhampered by the repressing influences of caste or class, being allowed to exercise to the full their business abilities and their energies. This Mr. Ghaner has done, and as a result he has acquired a comfortable competence which classes him among the substantial citizens of the com- munity in which he makes his home.

John Ghaner was born January 24. 1827. in Wurtemberg, Germany, and spent the days of his boyhood and youth in that land. He was one of a family of four children, the others being Magdalene, who died in Germany; Regina and Jacob. Mr. Ghaner, of this review, was drafted for service in the German army in 1848, and for four years his life was that of a soldier. When a young man of twenty-five he resolved to seek a home in America with its better opportunities,

more liberal advantages and livelier competition. He took up his residence in Centre county, Penn., where he has since made his home, and for a number of years thereafter followed the stone mason's trade, which he had learned in the land of his nativity. He was very industri- ous and energetic, and his close application, per- severance and economy- at length enabled him to acquire the capital with which he purchased his present farm. He now gives his attention to agricultural pursuits, and has a well-developed place, the highly-cultivated fields yielding to him a golden tribute in return for the care and labor he bestows upon them.

In the year 1853, Mr. Ghaner was united in marriage with Miss Magdalene Behrer, who died in 1863. On July 21, 1864, he wedded Susan Sny- der, daughter of Peter Snyder, of Penn's Valley. Of the seven children by the first union and four by the second, we have record as follows: Jacob is a shoemaker residing in Scotia, Centre county; Wilson married Ella Meese, and is engaged in working with ore in Scotia; Mary, is the wife of Reuben Cronemiller, a machinist of Scotia; Dora; Susan; William; David married in Michigan. and makes his home there. Mr. Ghaner is a member of the United Brethren Church, and of the Grange. His political support is given the Democracy, but he has neither sought nor de- sired public office, preferring to give his attention to his business interests. Honorable in all his dealings, in business transactions his word is as good as his bond.

P ETER SMITH, who for upward of twenty years has been a resident of near Centre Hill, Potter township, Centre county, is one of the substantial agriculturists of this section.

Born December 27. 1837, in Northumberland county, Penn., Mr. Smith is the son of Dr. Charles and Rebecca (Trion) Smith, born, the former in August, 1811, in Lycoming county, Penn., and the latter in Northumberland county, the daughter of Dr. Frederick Trion. Dr. Charles Smith was one of the early physicians of Potter township, his practice extending as far as Wood- ward in Penn's Valley. He began life a poor boy, and the success he achieved was due to his own efforts. At one time he followed his pro- fession at Penn Hall and also in Suyder county Later he removed to Nittany Valley, where he still resides at an advanced age, making his home in Lamar township. His wife passed away in 1882, aged sixty-four years. She was a good woman, and she and her husband were ever held in high esteem. To their marriage were born

541

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

four children, the subject of this sketch being the eldest.

Peter Smith was but a child when his parents located in Potter township. He recalls that the first school he attended was held in an old build- ing which stood near Colyer, and his first teacher was Squire Hahn. When a child his health was poor, which prevented him from getting full benefit of the opportunities presented. He re- mained at home until in his twenty-ninth year, when he was married at Aaronsburg to Miss Julia Neese, born in Haines township, a daughter of Jacob Neese. He then located on his father's farm in Lamar township, Clinton county, where he remained until moving to Potter township, Centre county, March 2, 1876, where he has since resided and carried on agricultural pursuits on a farm that his father had owned many years. Our subject is fond of good horses, and has given considerable attention to this class of stock. He has owned some fine animals, and is a most ex- cellent judge of a horse. He is an enterprising and public-spirited citizen. To his marriage one son, Calvin F., was born, who is now a physician at Howard, Penn. The parents have given a home to two boys, one of whom lived with them ten years and the other eighteen. In their re- ligious belief the father is of the Evangelical and the mother of the Lutheran persuasion. In pol- itics he is a Democrat, but is in sympathy with the Prohibition party. Socially he is a mem- ber of the Grange. Mr. Smith has met with suc- cess in life. He is an exemplary citizen, and a prosperous farmer.

H M. SWARTZ, a prosperous and honored citizen and well-known agriculturist of Penn township, Centre county, was born June 7, 1837, in that township, near Millheim. He is a wor- thy representative of one of its pioneer families, his grandfather, George Swartz, having located in Penn township in the latter part of the eight- eenth century, and built the first sawmill on Elk creek, which was erected on the site of the pres- ent mill of our subject. He also followed farm- ing in connection with its operation. He reared a large family, and died in Millheim.

George Swartz, Jr., the father of our subject, was born on the family homestead in Penn town- ship, about 1798, and during his boyhood and youth aided his father in the work of the farm and mill. He also erected a clover mill, where the farmers hanled their clover to be hulled, and he often threshed 1600 bushels in one season. After his marriage he made his home at various places in Penn and Gregg townships. Brush Val-

ley, and on the old homestead farm where he lived for several years, but finally built the pres- ent residence of our subject, where he died at the ripe old age of eighty-one years. His faith- ful wife passed away at the age of seventy-six, and they now sleep side by side in the Millheim cemetery. He was an ardent supporter of the Democratic party, and a member of the Evan- gelical Association.

To this worthy couple were born eleven chil- dren, namely: Michael, a resident of Stephen- son county, Ill .; John, who is also living in that State; Philip, who died in Penn township; Cath- arine, widow of Joseph Luse, of Michigan: George, who died in Punxsutawney, Penn. ; Molly. who married Philip Gephart, and died in Belle- fonte, Centre county; Daniel, who died in Lew- isburg, Penn .; Mary, who died in childhood: Samuel, a resident of Potter township, Centre county; David, who died in infancy; and H. M .. of this sketch.

Our subject obtained his early education in the schools of Millheim, and was for two terms a student in the Aaronsburg Academy. He was reared to farm work, but being of a mechanical turn of mind, he at the age of eighteen began learning the carpenter's trade under Joseph Luse. and also became a skilled millwright. On Sep- tember 7, 1862, in Aaronsburg, Mr. Swartz was married to Miss Susan Frank, who was born in Haines township, Centre county. February 11. 1840, and is the second daughter and third child in the family of eight children whose parents are Michael and Annie (Homan) Frank. Fivechildren graced their union: Sarah A., who married H. O. Bower, and died in Penn township. in 1805. Ella, wife of N. H. Fiedler, of Brush Valley. Centre county: Maggie, wife of Ammon Snook. of Penn township; W. H., residing at home, who married Lizzie M. Bierly, daughter of Joseph Bierly. of Madisonburg, Penn .. and has one child-Carrie; and Katy, wife of Luther Seyler. of Nittany Valley, Centre county.

After his marriage, Mr. Swartz located upon a rented farm near Millheim, but remained there only a short time, and then removed to what is known as Weavers Mills, above Millhenn, where he made his home for eight years. Since 1872 he has occupied his present residence. at first purchasing twenty acres of land, but now owns a valuable tract of seventy-two acres, which is un- der a high state of cultivation. He operated the old saw null standing; thereon until the great flood of ISSo, when it was destroyed, but with charac- teristic energy he soon replaced it, and the new mill has been equipped with the latest improved machinery.

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Mr. Swartz casts his ballot in support of the men and measures of the Democratic party, and has held some offices, including that of school di- rector. A man of the strictest integrity and honor, his word is considered as good as his bond, and he receives the respect and confidence of the entire community. For over a century the Swartz family has been identified with the mill- ing interests of Penn township, and is justly en- titled to mention among the valued and repre- sentative citizens of Centre county.

W H. SMITH, an industrious and thorough farmer, who has a pleasant home in Penn township, Centre county, was born in that town- ship October 17, 1840, a son of Capt. Henry and Annie (Behl) Smith.

The father of our subject was also a native of Centre county, and the youngest in a family of nine children-five sons and four daughters. During his youth he learned the blacksmith's trade, but as his strength was not sufficient to stand such arduous labor he abandoned the busi- ness and turned his attention to agricultural pur- suits. He owned and operated a small farm, in addition also working by the day in order to sup- port his family. His title of "Captain " was ob- tained by serving as such in a militia company. At the polls he always cast his ballot in support of the Democratic party, in the success of which he took a deep interest, and creditably filled the position of constable and other township offices. In early life he was a Lutheran, but later joined the Evangelical Church. He died at the age of eighty years, and his wife passed away when about in her seventieth year.

Mr. Smith, whose name introduces this sketch, was reared upon the home farm until twenty years of age, attending the public schools of the neighborhood, and becoming familiar with the duties that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. On leaving the parental roof he began learning the carpenter's trade under the direction of Henry Bartley, a brother-in-law, but after one summer took up shoemaking as he did not like the former occupation. He served a two-years' apprentice- ship with a certain party, and was to have re- ceived $40 and some tools, but was given only a few clothes. For almost a year he worked at his trade in Sugar Valley, after which he returned to Penn township, and at his father's home carried on shoemaking for a time, supporting his father for the rent of the farm. Often he would work all day in the fields, while he would spend the night in work at the bench in order toget along. At the age

of twenty-three years, he was married in Aarons- burg, Centre county, to Miss Rebecca Frank, a daughter of Michael and Annie (Homan) Frank. and to them were born three children: Annie, now the wife of David Stover, of Potter town- ship, Centre county; William E., a resident of Millheim; and Herbert, at home. After his mar- riage, Mr. Smith continued to live upon his fa- ther's farm for a time, and then removed to Smith- town, where he rented a farm for five years, which he operated in connection with work at his trade. In the spring of 1880 he removed to his present place, known as the old Swartz home- stead, which he rented for three years and then purchased. It is a good farm of sixty-six acres. which yields a golden tribute in return for the care and labor expended upon it, and is one of the most desirable places in the locality.

Politically Mr. Smith follows in the footsteps of his father, always voting the Democratic ticket. and has served his fellow citizens as overseer of the poor, supervisor and school director. He and his wife are earnest members of the United Evan- gelical Church, of which he has been treasurer for the past ten years. A man of unquestioned integrity, he has never intentionally defrauded any one, and has the confidence and esteem of all who come in contact with him in the various walks of life. His success is but the just reward of his own industry and good management, as on starting out in life for himself his capital consisted of naught save a pair of willing hands and a determination to succeed.

OHN H. REESER, a well-known merchant of Snow Shoe, Centre county, where he suc- cessfully conducts a butcher shop, bakery and grocery, also interested to some extent in farm- ing and mining, is a native of the county, born in Haines township, June 2, 1842.

Henry Reeser, father of our subject, was also born in Pennsylvania, and was reared in an Irish family, as his parents died when he was quite young, and when a boy he came to Centre coun- ty, where he died in 1884, at the age of seventy - four years He married Rebecca Musser, who departed this life in 18;8, aged fifty years. They became the parents of seven children, namely : Jacob, who was wounded at the battle of the Wilderness, after which he was taken prisoner and died in a Rebel prison; John H., of this re- view, who was also drafted, but his father hired a substitute for him; Elizabeth, deceased; George M., who is engaged in the butchering business in Mahaffey, Clearfield Co., Penn., Susan, wife of

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Daniel Heckler, a farmer of Benner township. Centre county; Emeline, wife of Wilson S. Scholl, a carpenter of Bellefonte; and William, a farmer of Ohio.

In the usual manner of farmer lads John H. Reeser was reared and educated, and remained under the parental roof until twenty-five years of age, when he rented the old homestead farm, which he operated for two years. Subsequently he removed to Spring township, Centre county, where he made his home until coming to Snow Shoe, in 1895, at which time he purchased his present business from his brother. He is one of the most progressive, wide-awake and enterpris- ing business men of the place, and has already succeeded in building up an excellent trade which is constantly increasing. His political support is ever given the men and measures of the Repub- lican party.

On February 4, 1867, in Bellefonte, Mr. Reeser was married to Miss Anna M. Musser, and to them have been born four children: Andrew M., Minnie K., Harry A. and Bessie K. Mrs. Reeser was born in Spring township, Centre county, May 12, 1842, a daughter of Andrew and Rachel (Hoobler) Musser, both of whom were natives of Penn's Valley, in the same county. In 1842 they removed to a farm in Spring township, where they spent their remaining days, the fa- ther dying in 1869, at the age of fifty-three years, and the mother in 1874, at the age of sixty-five. They were earnest members of the Lutheran Church, and in politics the father was a Repub- lican. Ten children have graced the union of Mr. and Mrs. Musser, namely: Noll, who died in Centre county, in 1890; William and Michael, deceased in childhood; Samuel, agent for agri- cultural implements in Kansas City, Mo .; Rosetta. living with our subject; John, in the agricultural implement business in Colfax, Iowa; Anna M., wife of our subject: Phoebe, wife of Landis Gerberick, who is now living retired in Lebanon, Penn .; Ellen, wife of Silas Manspeak- er, a railroad engineer of Saxton, Penn .: and James G., a seed agent at Fillmore, Pennsyl- vania.

Jacob and Elizabeth (Hagenberger) Musser, the paternal grandparents of Mrs. Reeser, were the maternal grandparents of our subject. Both were natives of Pennsylvania, the latter born in Centre county, where the grandfather located at an carly day and there engaged in farming throughout life. His father, a native of Germany, came to America when a young man, and be- came a land owner in Pennsylvania. The ma- ternal grandparents of Mrs. Reeser were John and Christian (Johnsonbaugh) Hoobler, the former

a native of Germany, and the latter of Centre county. The grandfather emigrated to the United States in early life, making his home in Centre county, but returned to Germany to ob- tain a fortune left him. Atter securing it he again started for the New World, and it is sup- posed he was murdered on the vessel as nothing has since been heard of him.

M RS. MARTHA P. ODENKIRK, widow of George Odenkirk, is one of the highly re- spected and honored citizens of Centre Hall. She was born in 1830, in Mifflin county, Penn., one mile east of Milroy, and is a daughter of Leonard and Elizabeth (Allison) Lingle, who came to Potter township, Centre county, when Mrs. Odenkirk was but a child, and located near Centre Hall. In early life the father was a miller, but later turned his attention to farming, and became the owner of a comfortable home and two valuable farms .- His wife, a native of Mifflin county, was a faithful member of the Presbyterian Church. They now sleep side by side in the cemetery at Centre Hill.

Mrs. Odenkirk is the youngest and the only one now living in a family of ten children, of whom the others are as follows: William, who died unmarried in Mifflin county; Mary, who was also single, and died in Potter township, Centre coun- ty; James, who died in Centre Hall; John, who died in Potter township; Eliza, who died unmar- ried in Potter township; Matilda and Jane, who were also single at the time of their deaths, which occurred in Potter township: Sally, who married John Shannon, and died in the same township: and Thomas, who married Elizabeth Sinclair. and died in Potter township, leaving four chil- dren.

Upon the home farm, Mrs. Odenkirk was reared, and in the district schools of the neigh- borhood obtained a good, practical education. She remained under the parental roof until her marriage, which was celebrated in Potter town- ship, April 7. 1863. Mr. Odenkirk was also a native of Mifflin county, born Jannary 25, 1805. and in Armagh township. that county, he was married March 22, 1832, to Nancy Porter, a na- tive of Mifflin county. They had five children. namely: Mary J., born December 31, 1832. died September 15, 1842, Elizabeth, born No- vember 16, 1835, died October 6, 1842; Nancy. born March 14. 1837, is now Mrs. William Ben- ner, of Potter township; John H., born July 6, 1830, in connection with farming was proprietor of the " Old Fort Hotel" in Potter township for

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1, Part 111

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