Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1, Part 118

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 118
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 118
USA > Pennsylvania > Clarion County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 118
USA > Pennsylvania > Clearfield County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 118

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Adly and Ada, at home. (14) Lovenia, widow of our subject. (15) William, a farmer of Penn township; married Electa McNeal, and has three children -Grace, Francis and James. (16) Ord, who resides on the old Norris homestead, mar- ried Ella Way, of Curwensville, and has one child-Truman W.

In 1876, at Saguache, Colo., Mr. and Mrs. Wall were married, and they continued to make their home in that State for two years. There our subject purchased 320 acres of land, which he sold on his return to Pennsylvania. He then took up his residence upon the old William Wall homestead in Penn township, and subsequently bought the Hartshorn farm adjoining, making a valuable place. Besides farming he al-o en- gaged in lumbering and dealt in real estate in Grampian. While still a young man he was called from this life, dying of pneumonia in 1891, and his decease was felt throughout the entire community. Politically, he was a Republican, and religiously was a member of the Society of Friends. He was upright and honorable in all things, and by nature liberal and public-spirited, maintaining an interest in the people around him, and contributing to all worthy enterprises for the good of the community. No man is more worthy of representation in a work of this kind. and there is none whose name is held in more grateful remembrance.

Mr. and Mrs. Wall became the parents of seven children, all of whom were born in Penn- sylvania with the exception of the eldest whose birth occurred in Colorado. Their names and dates of birth are as follows: Sarah, 1877; Clark, 1878 (now deceased); Ord A., 1880; Liz- zie M., 1881; Alice, 1883; Ella C., 1886; and Truman J., 1890. After her husband's death Mrs. Wall continued the management of his business, looking after every detail of the work on the farm, and also his lumber interests. At the same time she also gave considerable attention to the education and interests of her children, and to-day stands at the head among women for her business qualifications. Retiring and womanly in her demeanor, and a kind and loving inother, she has the love and respect of all who know her. In religious belief she is a Methodist, as is also her eldest daughter, Sarah.

T HOMAS S. NORRIS, whose earthly career was ended on the 16th of April. 1889, was one of the leading and enterprising farmers of Fer- guson township, Clearfield county. He was born March 24, 1837, in the same county, a sou of John and Priscilla (Bloom) Norris. His maternal

grandfather was Isaac Bloom. In a family of sixteen children, ten sons and six daughters, our subject was the eldest, and he was the first son to pass away.

Thomas S. Norris started out in life for him- self in limited circumstances, but being indus- trious, energetic and persevering, he accumu- lated a handsome property, and in his la- bors he was ably assisted by his estimable wife. In 1858 he had inarried Miss Mary J. Askey, who was born in Clearfield county, January 12, 1840, and is the daughter of Ellis and Annie (Woodle) Askey. On the paternal side she is of Irish descent. For many years her father was a pilot on the river, and lost his life by drowning. At an early day he had purchased land, and im- proved a good farm on Chestnut Ridge, Clear- field county, where he spent his time when not on the river. He and his wife held membership in the United Brethren Church, and were re- spected by all who knew them. In their family were the following children: Mary J., widow of our subject; Eliza, wife of M. Read; Rachel, wife of J. Wright; Miles, who started for California, and has never been heard from since; Stewart, a farmer by occupation; Mitchell, a resident of Montana; Martha, wife of G. Amey; Monroe, a farmer; and Lavinia, deceased.

Previous to his marriage, our subject re- mained upon the home farm, and in connection with farming also engaged in lumbering. He continued the latter occupation, taking his wife to camp, where she cooked for the lumberinen, and in this way they secured a start in life. In 1873 they were able to purchase the farm in Fer- guson township, upon which Mrs. Norris still re- sides. The buildings then standing were remod- eled, the land was cleared and improved, and later a more commodious and substantial res- idence was erected, together with barns and other ontbuildings, making it one of the most desirable farms in the township. Of good busi- ness ability and sound judgment, Mr. Norris steadily worked his way npward, overcoming all obstacles, so that he was able at his death to leave his family in comfortable circumstances. Ten children were born to this marriage: Nora. wife of J. Sohl, a resident of Montana; Perry, who is engaged in the tea basiness; Armina, wife of A. Earhart; Laura, wife of O. Ferguson; Wade, who is operating the homestead farin; Grant, a teacher by profession: Ella, wife of G. De Haas; and B'ake, May and Minnie, all at home. In 1875 the father of these united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he was ever afterward a faithful member, while, socially, he affiliated with the Masonic Order, and on his

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

death the Masons had charge of the funeral serv- ices, laying his body away in the cemetery at Curwensville. As a man he held the honor and esteem of all classes of people, and as a husband and father he was a model worthy of all imita- tion. Unassuming in his manner, sincere in his friendship, and steadfast and unswerving in his loyalty to the right, he well deserved the high regard in which he was universally held. As a . Republican he took an active interest in all pub- lic affairs, and filled many inportant township offices, including those of treasurer and assessor. Mrs. Norris proved a faithful helpmeet to her husband, sharing with him in all the joys and sorrows, adversity and prosperity of life, and since his death she has displayed excellent busi- ness ability in the management of the farm. As had he, she has the love and respect of all who know her.

M ON. FRANK G. HARRIS, of Clearfield, Clearfield county, a leading member of the legal fraternity in that section, is one of the men who have made their way in life through their own efforts, and the story of his early years gives an illustration of his characteristic energy and enterprise. On the paternal side he is of Scotch ancestry, while his mother was a descendant of an old pioneer family of this State.

John Harris, father of our subject, was born in 1810 in Glasgow, Scotland, was educated there, and at the age of thirty came to Pennsyl- vania, locating in Clearfield county, where he was employed in the Karthaus coal and iron

mines. He was married in Bradford township. Clearfield county, August 2, 1842, to Miss Eleanor Graham, a native of Centre county, Penn., where her parents were born, reared and married. Her father was Francis Graham, and her mother (for- merly Miss Jane Boggs) was a daughter of Judge James Boggs, who sat on the Bench of Centre county for many years. For some time after his marriage Mr. Graham followed farming in his native county, and then removed to Clearfield county and cleared a farm in Bradford township, where he and his wife spent their remaining days. They reared a family of ten children: James B. (deceased); Eleanor (Mrs. Harris); Elizabeth, who resides at the " Mansion House," in Clear- field; Cambridge, who died at Tyrone, Penn .; Margaret (Mrs. Mossap), who died in Clearfield; Jane (Mrs. Forcey), who died in Frostburg, Md. : John (deceased), formerly a resident of Bradford township; Francis, who died at Frostburg, Md .; Hetty, deceased wife of Clark Patchin, of Glen Hope, Penn .; and Curtin M., who died in Mary-

land. To John and Eleanor (Graham) Harris were born three sons, viz .: Joseph, who died at Glen Hope, April 14, 1870; Frank G., our sub- ject; and Robert Bruce, now in the oil business in Greene county, Penn., who has been an ex- tensive traveler, and spent some time in the region of the Caspian Sea in the employ of an English syndicate, and later went to the Red Sea, prospecting for oil. The mother of these died at Polk Furnace, Clarion Co., Penn., in 1849, and in 1851 the father was married at Brookville to Miss Eliza Scott, who survived him a few years, dying at that place. He continued in the min- ing business until his death, which occurred at Brookville, Penn., in 1855.

Frank G. Harris was born in Karthaus township, Clearfield Co., Penn., November 6, 1845, and has always lived in that county, in which he has seen may changes. When but four years of age he went to live with an uncle, Clark Patchin, a pioneer lumberman and merchant, who married our subject's Aunt Hetty Graham, and who still resides in Philadelphia, and lived with this uncle until after he reached his major- ity. At the age of twelve he took up the battle of life in earnest, engaging in lumbering and rafting on the river, continuing in this employ- ment until the age of twenty-five. In the mean- time he made good use of all educational oppor- tunities, and in 1870 he entered Dickinson Sem- inary, Williamsport, Penn., where he was grad- uated in 1873. He then entered the Sophomore class of Lafayette College at Easton, Penn., and on graduating in 1876 returned home and taught in the Grammar school at Clearfield for five years. During this time he read law with Murray & Gordon, of Clearfield; on January 14, 1879, was admitted to the Bar, and soon afterward began to practice law. in which he has met with success. .He is a notary public, and gives some attention to real-estate and insurance business. On April 15, 1879, at Lock Haven, Penn., Mr. Harris mar- ried Miss Elizabeth F. Baird, a native of Clinton county, and the daughter of the late Benjamin H. Baird, a well-known farmer of that county. Mr. Baird was born there in 1812, the son of a pioneer farmer, and died in 1891. His wife whose maiden name was Frances A. Hartman, is still living at the old homestead. Mr. and Mrs Harris have had three children, but death has claimed them all.

As a loyal and . public-spirited citizen, Mr. Harris is active in local affairs. He gives his in- fluence to the Republican party; in ISSo and 188t he served as chairman of the county com- mittee, and was for several years a member of the Clearfield town council. On November 3,

Frank G. Harris,

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

1896, he was elected one of the Representatives of the Legislature from Clearfield county, being the second Republican ever elected to that body from the county. As a member of the Legisla- ture Mr. Harris has served upon important com- mittees, such as Judiciary, General Insurance, also as chairman of the committee on Fish and Game, and has taken an active part in the debates on the floor of the House. Mr. and Mrs. Harris are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is a trustee. Socially, he affiliates with the I. O. O. F., Glen Hope Lodge No. 669; with the F. & A. M., Clearfield Lodge No. 314, the R. A. M., Clearfield Chapter No. 228; Moshannon Commandery No. 74, at Philips- burg, Penn., and Zem Zem Temple at Erie, Pennsylvania.

E' ALIAS L. SMILEY (deceased), who in his lifetime was one of the representative farm- ers and lumbermen of Brady township, Clearfield county, left the impress of his individuality upon the community. His life was marked by fidelity to duty, honesty of purpose, and energy in busi- ness, and all who knew him entertained for him high regard.

Mr. Smiley was born October 29, 1840, on the old homestead in Brady township, where his widow now resides, and was a son of Robert M. and Sarah (Mason) Smiley, with whom he re- mained until their deaths. He grew to manhood upon the farm, receiving but limited educational advantages, and at length he took entire charge of the place, which he conducted in a most profitable manner, continuing to make it his home until called to his final rest October 15, 1880. He took pride in keeping abreast with the progressive spirit of the age, and his farm showed many evidences of the careful supervision of the owner.

In 1865 Mr. Smiley married Miss Anna M. Beightol, of Brady township, a daughter of John and Julia Beightol, formerly of Centre county, Penn., who came to Clearfield county at an early day, and here purchased land and developed a farm. They reared a family of fourteen children. Mr. and Mrs. Smiley became the parents of eight children, who now occupy honorable positions in life: (1) Amos, the eldest, was born September 10, 1866, and died August 23, 1875. (2) Corilla J., born January 14, 1868, is now the wife of James Rinsel, bookkeeper for Sidney Fuller, of DuBois, where they reside; they have one daughter-Alice May. (3) Julia A., born April 11, 1869, is the wife of John Pentz, of Du- Bois, by whom she has three children-Nellie 37

A., Charles E. and Joseph. (4) Joseph, born August 13, 1871, began his education in the common schools of Brady township, later at- tended the Lock Haven Normal for one term. and then pursued his studies in the Iron City College of Pittsburg, where he graduated. The year following he was in the employ of the lum- ber firm of Radaker, Hand & Co., of Indiana county, Penn., and then became connected with Perry Draucker, of DuBois, with whom he re- mained until his marriage, Angust 13, 1896, to Miss Mary Draucker, his employer's daughter: they now reside in Clearfield, where heis engaged in the hotel business. (5) Sarah A., born June 15, 1873, attended the Lock Haven Normal for one year, is a graduate, and was for one term a student in the normal of Mercer county, Penn. : she is now successfully engaged in teaching in the graded schools of DuBois. (6) Carrie M., born December 24, 1874, is a most accomplished young lady. For a number of terms she at- tended the Grove City Musical College, and is at present clerking for Mervin Shaffer, of DuBois. (7) Harry B., born September 17, 1876, con- tinued to conduct the home farm after his father's death, until 1896, when he went to Hamilton, Iowa, where he is now visiting relatives. (8) Elias B., born February 1, 1881, is pursuing his stud- ies in the local schools and assisting his mother in the management of the home farm.

Politically Mr. Smiley supported the princi- ples of the Democratic party, in religious belief he was a Protestant, while his wife held mem- bership in the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was recognized as one of the most valued and highly respected citizens of his community, and was a liberal supporter of free-school system, both he and his wife taking great pride in the education of their children.

M TARTIN H. LUTHER, now the oldest resi- dent of Brady township, Clearfield county, is a man whose abilities and character have won and retained the respect and esteem of all classes in his community. He was born January 31, 1814, at McPherson's Mill, on Montgomery creek, two miles above Clearfield, and his entire life has been spent in this section, where he is numbered among the most successful agricult- urists.

Maj. Luther comes of German ancestry. His paternal grandfather, Elisha Luther, crossed the ocean at an early day, and after a short resi- dence in Massachusetts came to Bradford county, Penn., remaining a few years and later moving i to Ohio, where he died at the remarkable age of

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107 years. Of the five children by his first wife, Cynthia, the eldest was (I) Lebbeus, our subject's father, who is mentioned more fully below. (II) Enoch married and located at Towanda, Penn., and numerous descendants are to be found in that vicinity. (III) Roswell was born in Bradford county, and when his father went to Ohio came to Clearfield county, and lived with our subject's father until marriage. He then purchased a tract of woodland near Luthersburg, now known as the Sheriff Pentz farm, which he cleared for a homestead. After many years he sold it to Adam Rishel, purchasing an improved estate ad- joining our subject's farm, in which to spend his declining years, his death occurring October 8, 1869. His first wife, who in her maidenhood was Miss Mary Hoover, of Centre, Clearfield county, had died some years previous, leaving two children-Enoch (now deceased) married and reared a family, and Maria is now the wife of Manns Curr. of Clarion county. (IV) Elfert ac- companied his father to Ohio, where he married. later settling in Missouri. His children have located in different parts of the West. (V) Sarahfina, the only daughter of Elisha Luther, was married in Bradford county to Mr. Parchial. They moved to Michigan where she died, leaving no family.

.Lebbeus Luther, the father of our, subject, was but two years old when he came from Mass- achusetts to this State, and his youth was spent in Bradford county. On attaining his majority he located in Clearfield county, and after his marriage to Miss Elizabeth Hoover he made his home at McPherson's Mill, later settling at the site of Luthersburg, where he purchased 140 acres of timber land. In the same year (1820) he built a large hewed-log house for a hotel, and also in the same year he took a contract for con- structing five miles of pike road, on the Water- ford pike which passed through his land. He had cleared one hundred acres, and about this time he disposed of one half of it to Jacob Flick, who sold a number of lots. Mr. Luther, how- ever, sold the greater portion of the land for the growing town, and it was named for him as the most prominent man in the locality. In 1847 he disposed of all his interests there, and moved to Ridgway, Penn., where for many years he fol- lowed lumbering and acted as postmaster. His death occurred in 1870, his wife surviving him until 1883.

Our subject was the eldest of ten children, the others being: (2) Mary Ann, who was born at Centre, Penn., on the Jacob Hoover farm, married George Horanı, of Jefferson county, where they made their home for some years; later they

moved to Luthersburg, where she died leaving three children. Of these, James, married, is located at Ridgway; Clementine married (first) James Iddings, now deceased, and (second) Will- iam Woodward, who resides near Penfield, Penn. : and Sarahfina died young. (3) Lavina, a native of Lawrence township, Clearfield county, grew to womanhood in Brady township, and married Pierce T. Brooks, of Ridgway, who was largely interested in lumbering and in mercantile busi- ness. They have three children: Viola, who married John Baird, a wholesale druggist of Philadelphia, has no children; Eliza, who is not married; and Clara, who married the son of a Doc- tor (name not known). (4) Jane, born February 26, 1826. at Luthersburg, at the old homestead, married P. W. Barrett, and lived in Luthers- burg a number of years, then they moved to Ridgway, where Mr. Barrett followed the mer- cantile business some years, and was also elected to office, continuing in public life until his death June 25, 1870. His wife survived him with six children: Curtis, now the editor of the DuBois Courier, is married and has a family; Enoch, who is in the mercantile business at Cannon, Penn .. is married and has one daughter; Laura (Mrs. Wm. Cody) lives in Ridgway; Agnes, the widow of Mr. King. of Ridgway, now resides in Phila- delphia; Annie married Mr. Wilbur, a lawyer in Warren, Penn .; Jack is married and resides at Carman, Penn. (5) David S., born January 10, 1824, in Luthersburg, died in 1897; married Miss Mary Ann Postlethwait, of Brady township. After marriage they moved to Ridgway, where he en- gaged in contracting and building, the court house and jail at that place being among the structures erected by him. They had six children-Eliza- beth married John Eyster, of Erie, Penn., who was engaged in railroading, but was drowned in a storm on the lake while on a pleasure trip; they had no children; his widow now resides with her father in Ridgway. Lebbeus, who is married and resides in Ridgway, is a contractor and builder. Calvin, who was killed in a railroad accident in Ridgway, was not married. Ida married William McCauley, who follows the livery business at Ridgway; they have two children, Edward, who is single, is a bookkeeper in the Ridgway Bank; Caroline married M. S. Kline, cashier of the Ridgway Bank, and has three children. (6) Eliza (Mrs. Patterson, of Idaho), comes next. (7) J. Calvin, who was born at Luthersburg, No- vember 15, 1834, went to Ridgway with his par- ents, and married a Miss Cobb, of New York. After marriage he remained in Ridgway a num- ber of years, and then moved to McKean county, Penn., where he is engaged in the manufacture

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of shingles. He has no family. Three chil- dien of Lebbeus and Elizabeth Luther died when young.

Martin H. Luther, our subject, at the age of six years moved to the new horne at Luthers- burg, where he grew to manhood, receiving a common-school education. When twenty-one years old he was married to Miss Sarah M. Bris- bin, who was born August 30, 1815, in Nittany Valley, Centre county, near Mill Hall. She was a daughter of Enos and Jane Brisbin, and a cousin of Gen. George M. Brisbin (of Osceola) and Gen. James Brisbin (deceased). After his marriage Major Luther bought fifty-one acres of woodland, the nucleus of his present homestead. He built a log house and barn, and proceeded to clear the place which he improved extensively as time went on, erecting a large bank barn in 1845, and a commodious dwelling house in 1857. He has added two adjoining tracts of thirty and fifty acres respectively, making more than 130 acres in all, and his able inanagement has kept the entire estate in a fine state of cultivation. Politically he is a Jacksonian Democrat, and since he cast his first vote for Van Buren, in 1836, he has steadfastly adhered to that party. He has held a number of township offices, and was county auditor for three years, his prominence in local affairs being the result of an active effort at all times for the advancement of the com- munity. In religious faith Mr. Luther inclines to the Baptist Church, in which he was reared, but his wife was a Presbyterian, and their daugh- ter belongs to the M. E. Church. The home was darkened in February, 1896, by the death of the loving companion of his life's journey.

Of their ten children, seven lived to adult age, and were given excellent educational ad- vantages: . (1) Erastus, born December 12, 1835, married Mary Ann Kirk, of Brady township, and now resides in Troutville, where he is engaged extensively in lumbering business and farming. He owns one of the best cultivated farms in Brady township, having fine buildings and every modern improvement. His family consists of four children-(a) Austin Kirk, who lives in Troutville, is married and has three children; (b) Harvey Leroy, who resides on his father's farm near Troutville, is married but has no children; (c) Blanche T., now Mrs. J. E. Kester, resides in Brockwayville, and has one child, Erastus Luther; (d) Lafayette is single, and lives at the homestead. (2) Lebbeus, born March 15, 1840, on the old homestead, married Miss Flora Prather, of Venango county, and resided in Mill Village, Erie Co., Penn., until his death, which occurred September 28, ISSo (he was an artist of note and

followed portrait painting as an occupation). His children are as follows-Lillie M. married E. C. Widemire, then of Grampian, Penn town- ship, and now of Davis, W. Va., where he op- erates a sawmill. They have children: (a) Lewis, a resident of Troutville, married Susan Yoast, of Brady township, and has one child-Bell; (b) Mazelia married Daniel Rishel, of Troutville, and has three children-Blake, Everett and Lewis; (c) Roy is single, and resides in West Virginia. (3) Clarence S., born August 8, 1848, is principal of the high school of Du Bois, and is known as a man of fine ability and educat on. He married Miss Rosanna Hayes, of Elk county, Penn., and has three children-Everett I., Grace and Jessie. (4) Winfield S. and (5) Herb rt (twins) were born at the homestead, January 24, 1851. The former attended the local schools until the age of sixteen, when he began teaching; later lie gradu- ated from the Eamborough State Normal School, and he is now principal of the Fourth Ward school in Du Bois. He married Miss Anna J. Bayh, of Troutville, and had six children-Thur- low P., Martin H., Austin, Viola, Alice and Ly- man. (5) Herbert T. received a common-school education, and now resides upon a part of the homestead. He married Miss Mary J. Hillman, of Luther burg, and four children graced their union-Leona C., James M., Hiram S. and S. Alfaretta, all at home with parents. (6) Elmyra V., April 2, 1854, married J. W. Gaghan, of Bellefonte, Centre Co., Penn. He afterward moved to Du Bois, where he conducted inarble works for a number of years; he died in 1896, leaving no children; his wife survives him. (7) Theresa E., born February 8, 1858, attended the Academy of Music of New York City, where she received a high musical education, and she has taught successfully for twenty years. In 1876 she married Jesse T. Spencer, of Penu township. Clearfield county. After marriage they resided in Grampian about fifteen years, and in 1891 moved to her father's homestead to take care of her mother, and they have since remained there. They have two children, Martin H. L., born July 30, 1883, and Viola C., born April 10, 1886; they are at present attending school at Luthers- burg, and reside at the homestead. ($) Enos B., (9) Elizabeth, and (10) Austin T., died young.

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1, Part 118

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