Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1, Part 26

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 26
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 26
USA > Pennsylvania > Clarion County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 26
USA > Pennsylvania > Clearfield County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 26

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the leading dealer in his line in Centre county. His genial nature and well-informed mind gained him warm friends, and his shop became a meet- ing place for the discussion of the live topics of the day.

As his prosperity became established, he had time to take an active part in political affairs, and, first as school director and later as overseer of the poor, he did efficient service. In 1892 he was elected on the Democratic ticket to the State Legislature, where he succeeded in getting some valuable measures passed. He was a mem- ber of the committee on Mining and Agriculture. At that time there were only seventy Democrats in the House. In 1894 he was again a candidate, but his party was slaughtered everywhere that year, and he went down with the rest. In 1896, he was again the choice of the Democrats of his county, and, although the party was divided, he was elected by a majority of 105, while Major Mckinley carried the county by 400 votes. Mr. Schofield is now serving on a number of import- ant committees, among them being those of City Appropriations, Manufactories and Election Laws. No progressive movement in his locality fails to receive Mr. Schofield's appreciation and support, and his friends and admirers are by no means limited to any party or class. He is act- ive in fraternal society work as a member of the I. O. O. F. and the K. G. E.

The wife of Mr. Schofield, formerly Miss Ellen Fleck, is a native of Philipsburg, Centre county, Penn., born in 1856. Their children are: Mary (who married George Parker, and has two children-Ferguson and Jennie), Edward. Elizabeth and Nancy, the son Edward being in the grocery business at Bellefonte.

W HARRISON WALKER, EsQ., junior member of the law firm of "Fortney & Walker," Bellefonte, Centre county, was born near Salona, Clinton Co., Penn., August 30. 1874, and is the youngest son of Samuel E. Walker, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere.

Born and reared on a farm, his early educa- tion was received in the township schools. At the age of fifteen he was admitted to Class '94 of the Susquehanna Uriversity at Selin's Grove. Snyder Co., Penn., but was only in attendance at that institution for several terms. Then he went to Lock Haven and entered the Central State Normal School and pursued special studie- for preparation for the legal profession. While at the latter institution he read law during hi- vacation, in the offices of T. M. Stevenson, Esq .. of Lock Haven.

James Schofield

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

In the fall of 1894 Mr. Walker entered the Dickinson School of Law, at Carlisle, Penn., and also registered as a law student in the law offices of ex-Judge W. F. Sadler, of the same city, which gentleman manifested a great inter- est in Mr. Walker and his work. After two years of faithful study in the law department, to- gether with the office work entrusted to him by his preceptor, Judge Sadler, he was graduated from the Dickinson School of Law, June 8, 1896, receiving the degree of LL. B., ranking very high in his class.

Mr. Walker was a member of the Clionian Literary Society, and also of the Henry Clay Debating Club, of the Susquehanna University; of the Shakespeare Literary Society, of the Cen- tral State Normal School; and of the Dickinson Law Society and Moot Court Club, of the Dick- inson School of Law, also of the Dickinson Col- lege Orchestra & Glee Club. He was the editor and business manager of " The Shakespearean," a paper published at Lock Haven, by the Shakes- peare Society in 1893. He is also a member of the Dickinson Chapter of the Delta Chi Legal Fraternity, an organization exclusively for law students and lawyers.

Politically, Mr. Walker is a Democrat. He took an active part in the campaign of 1896, and was considered one of the best young speakers in the field. He is. a member of the Bellefonte Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and also of the Bellefonte Lodge of the Knights of the Golden Eagle.

As a student in the law school, he was re- markably faithful to his duties-a painstaking and conscientious worker-and he commanded the esteem and confidence of both faculty and students. He is a gentleman of good moral character, of the highest probity, studious and energetic. He was admitted to the Cumberland County Bar at Carlisle, Penn .: at the age of twenty-one, and to the Centre County Bar at Bellefonte, Penn., on the 20th day of July, 1896. On August !, 1896, he joined in partnership, for the practice of his profession, with David F. Fortney, Esq., one of the leading members of the Bar, as well as one of the greatest educa- tional leaders in the State, under the firm name of " Fortney & Walker."

The subject of this sketch has laid . a good foundation for legal knowledge, and his industry, ambition and perseverance, with his ability, jus- tify us in the prediction of a brilliant future for him. He is a clear, eloquent and forcible speaker. Upon entering his professional life at the Centre County Bar we find in the columns of one of the leading papers published in the

county, the following: " W. Harrison Walker, Esq., the junior member of the law firm of Fort- ney & Walker, has spent years in faithful study and preparation for the practice of the law. He comes to the Bar more thoroughly prepared than any young man who has been admitted in recent years.'

E DWIN J. BURD, M. D., is one of the most eminent and skillful physicians of Centre. county, and is now located in Snow Shoe, where he has built up a large and lucrative practice. In a comparison of the relative value to mankind of the various professions and pursuits, it is widely recognized that none is so important as the med- ical profession. From the cradle to the grave human destiny is largely in the hands of the phy- sician. Although our subject is one of the younger members of this honored profession, he has already won an enviable reputation.

Dr. Burd was born, May 5, 1866, in Rebers- burg, Miles township, Centre county, a son of John R. and Susanna (Gephart) Burd. natives of Northumberland and Union counties, Penn., re- spectively. The father's birth occurred in Au- gust, 1819, and in 1826 he was brought by his parents, John and Eleanor (Reynolds) Burd, to Centre county, and is still an honored resident of Rebersburg, where he is engaged in the saddlery business. The grandparents, who were natives of Ireland, first located in Northumberland coun- ty, where the grandmother died at the advanced age of ninety-two years, and the grandfather was killed while at work in the lumber woods.

The mother of our subject was born in Jan- uary, 1819, and was a daughter of Michael and Hannah Gephart, the former a native of Union county, Penn., and the latter of Ireland. In 1821 they came to Centre county, where they spent their remaining days. The great-grand- father Gephart was of German birth. Mrs. Burd was called to her final rest, June 19, 1892. She was the mother of six children: Emma, wife of John Beck, a cabinet-maker, of Duncannon, Penn .; Ella, who is with her father; Angie, wife of James Tharp, a conductor on the Lehigh Val- ley railroad, and residing.in Easton, Penn. ; Mary, wife of Horace Breisch, who is also a conductor for that company and a resident of Easton; Win- field S., a dentist of Bellewood, Blair Co., Penn. ; and Edwin J., of this sketch.

At the age of thirteen years, Dr. Burd began the battle of life for himself, at first working in a brick yard, where he was employed for four years during the summer months, while in the winter he attended school. In 1883 he began

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

the study of medicine under the direction of Dr. J. W. Bright, with whom he remained two years, and in the winter of 1885-86 he attended a course of lectures at the University of Maryland, in Baltimore. On his return home he resumed work in the brick yard, where he remained until the following winter, when he went to Bellefonte. In that city he secured a position in the drug store of Dr. M. A. Kirk, but two months later it was destroyed by fire. He next engaged in clerk- ing in Easton for two months, and during the following six months filled a similar position in the store of Cyrus Jacoby, at South Bethlehem, at the end of which time he was taken ill with typhoid fever and was compelled to return home.

In the summer of 1888, Dr. Burd resumed the study of medicine, and in October of that year entered Jefferson Medical College, Phila- delphia, where he graduated April 3, 1889. He at once opened an office at Rebersburg, but two years later came to Snow Shoe, where his skill and ability were soon recognized. Besides his large general practice he is also serving as sur- geon for the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, which important position he has filled since com- ing to Snow Shoe. His political support is ever given the men and measures of the Republican party, and in religious belief he is à Lutheran.

On July 28, 1888, Dr. Burd was married, in Rebersburg, to Miss Katherine S. Stover, who was born in Aaronsburg. Centre county, August 12, 1870. She is the youngest of the three chil- dren born to Thaddeus and Mary (Geuseweite) Stover, who are still residents of Rebersburg, where the father is engaged in farming. The sisters of Mrs. Burd are Carrie, wife of Henry Detwiler, professor of the public schools of Re- bersburg; and Lula, at home.

J W. BRIGHT, M. D., of Rebersburg, Centre county, is a physician whose professional at- tainments place him in the front rank among the practitioners of this section. European travel and study in the most noted centers of clinical work have supplemented the thorough prepara- tion of our own schools, while natural talent has enabled him to improve to the utmost these ad- vantages and the no less valuable training gained in years of practice. His success is the more creditable from having been gained by his own efforts in the face of financial difficulties in early life.

John Bright, great-grandfather of our subject, was born in Pennsylvania of pioneer stock, his family having been among the early settlers in the eastern counties of that State, and after

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spending the greater part of his life there as a farmer, he came to Centre county to spend his last days. This was in the latter part of the eighteenth century, and he was then too old to work. His son George, our subject's grandfather, who was born, probably, in Lehigh county, was married in Centre county, about 1788, to Eve, daughter of John and Barbara (Wolf) Stover. George Bright, who possessed much mechanical ability, located at Aaronsburg, and having learned the hatter's trade in the East before the removal of the family, he followed that business, and was also interested in farming. He and his wife reared a large family. all of whom are dead ex- cept George, Jr .: (1) David, who never married, was a hatter at Aaronsburg; (2) Sophia married Adam Guiswite, a farmer of near Aaronsburg; (3) Margaret never married, and her death oc- curred at the old homestead; (4) Catherine was the wife of Samuel Shafer, a farmer, who lived at Madisonburg; (5) John, who married Martha Hill, was a brick maker and tanner at. Aarons- burg; (6) George, a carpenter and cabinet maker. married Sarah Bower, and is living in retirement at Aaronsburg at the age of eighty-five years; (7) Michael, who married Elizabeth Robinson, was a slave-holder before the war, in which he par- ticipated on the Confederate side, and his death occurred in Memphis, Tenn., in 1893.

Another member of this family was Samuel Bright, our subject's father, who was born, about 1818, at Aaronsburg, near the present site of the Lutheran cemetery. He was educated in that town, attending both the common schools and the academy, and then learned the carpenter's trade under the instruction of his brother George. He was of ordinary stature, was active and sup- ple, and possessed decided genius in his line. As a citizen he was well known. He was the drum- major of an organization in Aaronsburg, and was a consistent, if not an active, member of the Lu- theran Church.

In politics, he was first a Whig. later a Re- publican, but he had no taste for the life, of a poli- tician, and he followed the business of carpen- tering and cabinet making until his death; he died at the early age of thirty-eight, from the effects of being over-heated, and he was buried at Aaronsburg. His wife, Eve Weaver, a daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth (Keplinger) Weaver, wa- born and reared in Haines township, Centre county. Six children blessed their union: {1 Mary E. (Mrs. Thomas Miller), of Winfield. Kans. ; (2) Anna (Mrs. John Walton), of North Bend, Penn .; (3) Jennie (Mrs. Huston Hunter . of Mill Hall, Penn .; (4) James W., professor of English Language in Johns Hopkins University.

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Baltimore, Md .; (5) John W., our subject, and (6) Margaret, who died in infancy. After the father's death the mother formed a second union, this time with Levi Conser, and now resides at Logantown, Penn. By this marriage there are three children: Harry N., Ph. D., now princi- pal of the high school at Sunbury, Penn .; Thomas C., M. D., practicing medicine at Sun- bury; and Minnie M., now Mrs. James Stoman, of Loganton, Penn.

Dr. Bright was born November 17, 1854, in a house which stood upon land now inclosed within the Lutheran cemetery at Aaronsburg. During his boyhood he was taken by his mother to Loganton, where he attended school under the tutorship of Rev. W. H. Gotwald. Later he pursued a course in the normal school at Millers- ville, and taught successfully for a time in Dauphin county, Penn. Being entirely dependent upon his own resources for his education, his ambition found many hindrances but " where there's a will there's a way," and his was not the sort of a na- ture to be easily daunted. As he could save funds, he would pursue his studies, and thus in time he entered Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia, and was graduated in 1880. In the fall of the same year he located at Rebers- burg, where Dr. Hilbish, a successful physician, then well advanced in years, welcomed Dr. Bright as his successor. A young physician could scarcely find a better opening than this, and Dr. Bright succeeded from the first, his ability, skill and devotion to his chosen work winning and retaining confidence. Each year saw his prac- tice increasing; but so far from being content with the attainments which had won his success, Dr. Bright showed the true scientific spirit by determining upon still further study under the best guidance obtainable. In the fall of 1888 he went to Europe, and remained until the spring of 1890, attending lectures under several eminent teachers, notably those of Leipsic and Vienna. On his return he resumed his practice at Rebers- burg, and has since continued it with growing popularity.

In August, 1892, the Doctor was married to Miss Sarah M. Meyer, a native of Rebersburg. and a daughter of Reuben and Mary (Cosman) Meyer, prominent citizens. Mrs. Bright is a member of the Reformed Church and a leader in social life, her talents making her an acquisition to any circle. She is especially accomplished in music, and taught the art previous to her mar- riage. Three interesting daughters-Mary E .. born February 11, 1894, and Florence and Lucile (twins), born December 28, 1896-brighten their home.

While not a politician, Dr. Bright takes great interest in the success of his party, the Repub- lican, and at various times when placed upon the ticket for a township office in opposition to his expressed wishes, he has acquiesced gracefully and given most acceptable service. His unusually thorough preparation for his profession gives him much influence within as well as without the charmed circle of the medical fraternity, and he is a valued member of the American Medical As- sociation, the State Medical Society, the West Branch Medical Society, and the Centre County Medical Society. He is a member of the Re- formed Church. Socially, he belongs to the Ma- sonic lodge at Centre Hall.

F RANCIS ALEXANDER (deceased) was a worthy representative of an honored pioneer family of Penn's Valley, which was founded in Centre county by his father, James Alexander, who located in what is now Potter township, in 1795. becoming a tenant of one of the Potter farins. a short distance east of the "Old Fort," where he and his family lived for many years. The grand-

father, Joseph Alexander, died in Potter township. in 1818, to which he had removed at a later date than his sons, James and Henry. After remain- ing for a short time in Penn's Valley, the latter removed to Venango county, Penn. To the grandparents of our subject, Josiah and Elizabeth Alexander, were born seven children: James. Mrs. Nancy Boozer, Mrs. Abigail Evans, Mrs. Nettie Palmer, Henry, Mrs. Jane Jackson and Mrs. Margaret McCalmont. The mother of this family departed this life in 1825.

James Alexander was a native of Cecil county. Md., and was a farmer by occupation. While he never accumulated any property, he reared an excellent family, and lived an upright, honorable life, respected by all who knew him. He was called to his final rest in July, 1830, and left six children, all born of his first marriage, namely: Josiah died in Potter township; Francis; Amcs died March 1, 1881, in Millheim, Centre county, where he had been a merchant for several years: James died in Potter township; Elizabeth mar- ried John Sweetwood, and died May 30, 1841. in Potter township; and Rachel, wife of J. H. Keller, died April 6, 1878. in Potter township.

The birth of Francis Alexander occurred in July, 1806, on the old Potter farm in Potter township, where his father had located on com- ing to the county. There he spent the days of his boyhood and youth, and obtained such an education as the schools of the locality afforded

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

In the same township he was married to Miss Letitia McElroy, a native of Huntingdon county, Penn., born in 1804, and a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Gardner) McElroy. Seven children blessed their union, as follows: Margaret, who died in infancy; John, who died in Potter town- ship at the age of thirty years; Emily, a resident of Centre Hall; James, who is also living in Cen- tre Hall; Isaac, who died in Potter township at the age of twenty-three; Mary, widow of John P. Ross, and a resident of Centre Hall; and Lucy, wife of Hon. W. A. Murray, of Boalsburg, Cen- tre county.

Mr. and Mrs. Alexander began housekeeping upon the farm where he was born, which he rented, but in 1847 removed to the first farm west of the "Old Fort," which he purchased of James and John Potter. There he made his home until his removal to Centre Hall, where he bought a pleasant residence and gave up active bus- iness life. He died in that village in February, 1874, and two years later his wife was laid by his side in the cemetery of Centre Hill, having died in April, 1876. Both were earnest, consci- entious Christians, faithful members of the Pres- byterian Church, and were held in the highest re- gard by all who knew them.

Mr. Alexander was a thorough and skillful farmer, whose success came as the just reward of honest labor, perseverance and enterprise, and at his death he left his family in comfortable circumstances. He gave liberally to the support of public enterprises, and in every way was a worthy citizen. 'Politically, he was a Democrat, and took an active interest in the success of his party, but had no inclination for public office, though he acceptably served as overseer of the poor, school director and supervisor in his town- ship.

R EUBEN H. MEEK. Among the sturdy Scotch who came from Edinburgh, Scot- land, to America before the Revolutionary war, was Rebert Meek and his family, who located in Maryland. From there six of his sons enlisted in the war of Independence, and three of them gave up their lives for their country. John and William were taken prisoners, and while their fate was never definitely known, it was generally supposed they were among the victims that were fed on lime bread. Jonathan Wales, their body servant, as he was called, watched the prison until he saw two boxes of unusual length carried out; then he was convinced they were dead, as the Meeks were remarkably tall, one being six feet seven inches, and the other six feet four

inches high. A third brother, Robert, was killed in battle.

Capt. George Meek entered the service with his brothers. The father, Robert Meek, owned property in Cumberland county in 1761. The family of George Meek lived near Lewistown (now Mifflin county) in 1780, and he came into Centre county with James Harris on a surveying expedition in 1784. On the 21st of January. 1790, he took up a tract of land in Ferguson township, which is still owned by the Meeks. His children were: Mary, John, Robert, David. William, Sarah, Isabella and Jane.

William married Elizabeth Breckinridge. whose family had settled in Huntingdon county about three miles southeast of McConnellstown, on the road leading from Huntingdon to Bed- ford, and where the father, eldest sister and younger brother had been murdered by the In- dians. He settled on that part of his father's tract now known as the David G. Meek farm. and died in 1806, leaving his wife and four sons and a daughter born three months after the fath- er's death. The children were: John B., born June 5, 1797, died in Washington, D. C., No- vember 28, 1868; George W., born September 14, 1799, died May 27, 1877; Reuben H .; Will- iam J .; and Harriet Jane, who married James McCartney, and died in Bolivar, Penn., in 1881.

Reuben Heron, the third child of William and Elizabeth Breckinridge Meek, was born on the 6th of October, 1801, at his father's home in Ferguson township. His mother, a woman of wonderful energy and ability, coveted for her children a good education, and gave them the best she could; John and Reuben were sent to Lewistown to school, but she compelled her boys, each one, except George, who looked after the farm, to learn a trade. Reuben she apprenticed to a blacksmith. Some tinie after learning his trade he went to Philipsburg where he taught school, and studied with his brother John, who lived there. He began the study of medicine in the office of Dr. Lorraine; but was obliged finally to give up his cherished plan of becoming a physician, on account of his health, broken by sickness.

In 1832 he married Mary Ann Gray, youngest daughter of Peter Gray, one of the pioneers of Patton township, and settled on a part of the old Gray homestead, where he lived until his death. March 7, 1873.

Few men are endowed with a nature so af- fectionate and lovable, a mind so clear and bright. an exceptional memory, a personality pleasing and attractive, and so great a love of humor Fond of books, he was a careful and a constant

Steuben How Polako

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

reader, an excellent talker, and his sweet voice and genial presence linger yet in the memory of those who heard him sing at camp meetings, address an assembly, or relate a good story. As long as he lived he was genuinely kind to every one, and ever considerate of others. His home, ever a pleasant meeting place for his friends, was always open to the needy and distressed.

In politics he was an ardent Democrat, and loved his party; but his devotion to its principles were actuated by honest conviction. He never aspired to an office nor would he accept any.

Converted at the age of seventeen, he was a thorough and loyal and lifelong Methodist, es- pecially concerned about immortal things, hold- ing both God and man near his heart, and giving himself out in the interest of both. He was in- strumental in organizing the first Sabbath-school in Half Moon Valley, and was devoted to the work always.

On April 14th, five weeks after his death, his wife died, in the fifty-sixth year of her age. She was well known for her beauty in her younger days, and all through her life, hospitality, gentle- ness, unselfishness and devotion to duty distin- guished her character.

G EPHARTS of Penn township, Centre county. This honored family has for more than seventy years been prominently identified with the interests of the community, and the name is widely recognized as a synonym for good citizen- ship.

Michael. Gephart, grandfather of A. J. and M. C. Gephart, residents of Millheim, Centre county, was born near Philadelphia, and in 1826 came from Union county, Penn., to what is now the corporation of Millheim, locating on what is at present known as the Gephart homestead. His ancestors served in the Revolutionary war. He was a thorough and skillful farmer, a man of marked business tact, and a prominent citizen of the community. In Union county he was mar- ried, October 18. 1825, to Elizabeth Emmert, and they became the parents of the following chil- dren: J. Philip, who was born in January, 1827, and is now an ex-representative, residing in Bellefonte, Centre county; Michael, born No- vember 30, 1829; Jacob, born August 9, 1831; John, born November 27, 1833. died July 22. 1852; Daniel, born September 23, 1836; Cathar- ine, born February 3, 1839; and Elizabeth A .. born May 26, 1846. The mother of this family died May 7, 1852, the father in 1873.

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1, Part 26

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