Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1, Part 30

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 30
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 30
USA > Pennsylvania > Clarion County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 30
USA > Pennsylvania > Clearfield County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 30

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The Doctor is a man of culture, his reading extending beyond professional literature, in which he keeps well posted. During his residence in Philadelphia, he was pleasantly associated with some eminent practitioners; but the restful- ness and peace of a life in the country appealed to him strongly, causing him to seek a home there. Politically he is a Democrat, and he takes great interest in the success of his party.

H ON. HENRY MEYER. The history or gen- ealogy of a family, whose members are scattered over an area extending beyond the limits of the counties embraced in this work, must necessarily be fragmentary and incomplete. The further division and sub-division of the material by the respective county lines, as contemplated, and by township lines, increases the difficulties in the way of a satisfactory presentation. This task has, however, fallen to the capable hands of Hon. Henry Meyer. a prominent and highly re-

spected resident of Miles township, Centre coun- ty, and as he has just completed, after sever : years of tedious labor, the manuscript of a secor. edition of his "Genealogy of the Meyer Family. he is peculiarly qualified to furnish the desired it. formation. At the request of the publishers he has prepared the following scholarly and accurate sketch.

The Meyers are a numerous family, and are largely represented in most of the States west- ward from Pennsylvania to California. There are many more members of this tribe beyond the limits of the counties embraced in this work- subject, which, if treated fully, would be quite ex. tensive; a simple record of names alone would fill many times the space allotted for this sketch. there being in number more than five thousand. and we will therefore state merely a few facts 11; reference to the early Meyer settlement in this country, and trace the lineage of such descend- ants of the Meyer who immigrated from the old country, as were citizens at one time or other of the counties of Centre, Clinton, Union and Sny- der, Penn., thus forming in a manner a connect- ing link between the many individual sketches of those members of the family.

A brief reference to the name itself it is thought would be proper since it is written in so many different ways. It is German, and like so many other family names of that and other lan- guages, it has undergone changes in its transla- tion into English and its transmission from gen- eration to generation. It is spelled in at least eleven different ways, viz. : Meyer, Mayer, Myer. Meyers, Myers, Moyer, Moyers, Mire, Meier. Meire, and Maire. In German it is written Alleyer which anglicised becomes Meyer.

The records show that a large number of Meyer immigrants came from the old country from 1725 to 1776, and no doubt quite a number before that period and since. It is not assumeo that they were all of kin. In all parts of Hollan .. and Germany the name is as frequently met wx .. as the name Smith in this country.

Henry Meyer, the ancestor of the branch t which this article isdevoted, came from the Pal ..: inate, Prussia, and settled permanently at the head or spring of a small stream which he the named " Mühlbach, " situated in the southeastet: part of the present limits of Lebanon county Penn. He was accompanied by his wife, and th couple then had one or two children. Ther earthly possessions, consisting of some clothing. several pewter-plates, an axe, a German hymt: book and Bible, and several other indispensib. articles, they carried in bundles, and began house keeping under the friendly protection afforded by

Henry Meyer

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

the spreading branches of a large white oak tree close to the spring just mentioned. The family arrived at the place at about four o'clock in the afternoon of a certain day in the mouth of Au- gust. The woman sat on the ground and wept; the father took his axe and began to clear the ground. The country then was a vast wilderness in which wild animals and Indians were abun- dant. The family had neighbors, but they were few and far between, and all equally poor. It is said two brothers of Mr. Meyer accompanied him to this country, one of whom also settled in Penn- sylvania, and the other moved to South Carolina. The date of the arrival of the Meyer immigrants in the new country is only approximately known, but it appears to have been about the year 1719.

Henry Meyer, who emigrated from Germany, had nine children that grew to maturity and were married, viz .: JOHN died December 11, 1786, aged sixty-seven years, and lies buried in the Muhlbach Cemetery, Lebanon county, Penn. He was married, and his descendants, of whom there are many, reside principally in the eastern section of this State. No further reference to his family will be made in this sketch.

. HENRY, born in May, 1730, died November 17, 1812; married Catherine Ruth, born May 30, 1837, died May 3, 1801, and both are buried in Muhlbach Cemetery. The descendants of this couple reside in the eastern part of this State principally, and some in the Western States.

JACOB, born at Muhlbach, Heidelberg town- ship, Lebanon Co. (then Lancaster county). Penn., in 1732, moved in 1768 to a locality about half a mile west of the present site of Freeburg, Snyder Co., Penn., then called Straubstown; died when aged about seventy-five years, and lies buried in the old graveyard near Freeburg. He married Susan Ream. The de- scendants of this couple are a multitude. A number of them are found in Centre and Clinton counties of this State, but the majority of them are settled in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and other Western States.

MICHAEL, who lies buried at Schaefferstown. Penn., died about the year 1794. He was twice married; his second wife was Catharine Becker, by whom he had two children, daughters. His descendants are in the eastern part of Pennsyl- vania and in Illinois.

CHRISTOPHER. the youngest son, was born in Mulhbach, and died near Campbelltown, Penn., August 2, 1801, aged sixty-seven years. He married Anna Maria, daughter of Alexander Schaeffer, the founder of Schaefferstown, Penn. She was born February 19, 1744; died Jannary 1. 1823, and both are buried in the Reformed

Cemetery at Campbelltown, Penn. He moved to the village last named when still single, and became the owner of a large tract of land, part of which is still owned by his descend- ants. The couple had nine children, most of whom moved into Snyder and Centre counties, and will be named at the proper places in this sketch. . Of the four daughters of the Meyer who came from Germany and settled at Muhl- bach but little is known. One was married to Alexander Schaeffer, one to Jacob Tillman, one to John Christopher Aahlschmidt, and one to Lou- dermilk. Tradition says one or two moved to South Carolina.

The rest of this sketch will be devoted to the descendants of the two sons, Jacob and Christo- pher, above named, many of whom are residing in Centre, Clinton and Snyder counties, this State. In order to avoid confusion in repre- senting successive generations it is necessary to employ some system to distinguish them; there are various schemes of the kind made use of by genealogists, and for this sketch the following is adopted:

The children of a family are numbered, be- ginning with the eldest, by Roman or Arabic numerals, the different styles or forms of which will denote different successive generations. The children of Jacob and Christopher (sons of the Meyer who came from Germany) will be designated by Roman numerals, thus: I, II, etc. ; their grandchildren, by Roman numerals with parentheses, thus: (I), (II), etc .; their great- grandchildren, by Arabic numerals, thus, 1, 2. etc. ; next generation by Arabic numerals within parentheses, thus: (1), (2), etc. Henry (Henry, Henry, Jacob, Henry), reads as follows: Henry Meyer, son of Henry Meyer, son of Henry Meyer, son of Jacob Meyer, son of Henry Meyer (who came from Germany).

JACOB MEYER was the third son of Henry Meyer, who came from Germany, and as already stated he moved from Muhlbach to Straubstown (now Freeburg), Penn., about the year 1768. purchasing a large tract of land near that town: he devoted his time to farming and to keeping a tavern. He and his wife Susan had eight chil- dren, six sons and two daughters.

I. Catharine (Jacob, Henry) was married to John Meyer, not of kin. The couple were among the first settlers of Brush Valley (1792) near what is now Wolfs Store, in Miles town- ship, Centre Co., Penn., but moved to Kentucky about the year 1797. Their descendants live in the South and West.

II. Barbara (Jacob, Henry) was married to Michael Motz. The couple lived on a farm at

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

East End, Penn's Valley, in Haines township, and both are buried at St. Paul's Church, near their old homestead. Left issue.

III. Philip (Jacob, Henry), born at Muhl- bach, moved his family from Straubstown to a farm about a mile east of Wolfs Store. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. His wife, Anna Margaret, was a daughter of Andrew Morr, one of the first settlers in the neighborhood of Freeburg (then Straubstown), Penn. Philip died April 27, 1831, aged seventy-five years, five months, thirteen days; his wife, born August 20, 1759, died March 12, 1829; buried side by side in the Union Cemetery, Rebersburg, Penn .; they had eleven children-seven sons and four daughters. Their later descendants are legion, and are nearly all residents of Ohio.

IV. John Jacob (Jacob, Henry), born at Mühlbach, died in November, 1815; lies buried in Pine Creek Cemetery, about two miles west of Jersey Shore, within a short distance of his home- stead farm. He was married to Julia, daughter of Andrew Morr, named above. Their descend- ants are found principally in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania.

V. John George (Jacob, Henry) owned his father's homestead farin near Freeburg, Penn .; died about the year 1810; lies buried in the old cemetery near Freeburg; was twice mar- ried, first, to Elizabeth, daughter of John Buch- tel; second, to Mary Brosius. His ten children were widely scattered in later years.

VI. Henry (Jacob. Henry), born near Muhl- bach, October 15, 1764, died May 17, 1820; was twice married, first to Mary, daughter of Jacob Steese, of Penn township, now part of Snyder county, Penn .; second, to Margaret, daughter of Hon. Adam Harper, of Penn's Valley, who was formerly one of the associate judges of Centre county. Husband and both wives lie buried in the Union Cemetery, Rebersburg. Mr. Meyer moved into Brush Valley (nearly all of which is included within the limits of Miles township), Centre county, on a farm near Wolfs Store in 1797 or 1798, and devoted much of his time to farming from that time until his decease, though his trade was that of a millwright. He bnilt many gristmills and sawmills in central Pennsyl- vania, now within the limits of Union, Snyder, Mifflin, Juniata, Centre and Lycoming counties. He served as justice of the peace for many years; he was commissioned, February 28, 1794, major of the First Battalion Third Northumberland Brigade; January 4, 1802, lieutenant colonel of 131st Regiment, Militia, First Brigade, Tenth Division, counties of Mifflin, Huntingdon and Centre. When but sixteen years old he belonged

to some organization recruited for protection against the Indians. He was widely known, and had a host of friends. There were eleven children, ten of whom reached maturity-from the first wife, three; from the second, seven. Since all of these became residents of either Centre or Clinton county, as well as most of their descend- ants, a brief record of this family will here be inade: (I) Infant. (II) Henry (Henry, Jacob, Henry), born near Straubstown (Freeburg). Penn., September 2, 1795, died at his home. three miles east of Rebersburg. December 28, ISSI; lies buried in the Union Cemetery in the town just named; married to Hannah, daughter of Nicholas Bierly; she was born May 26, 1800: died December 16, 1893; lies buried in the Evangelical Cemetery, same town. He was but two or three years old when his father moved into Brush Valley, and remained a citizen of the place all his lifetime, engaging in buisiness as a millwright and farmer. Issue nine: 1. Mary, born January 30, 1824. married (first) Rev. George Weirich, and (second) John F. Price, now also deceased. Resides in Green township. Clinton county, Penn. 2. Matilda, born January 9, 1826; died February 4, 1853; buried at St. Paul Church, Penn's Valley; was married to S. G. Mingle. 3. David, born September 15, 1827: married to Fyetta, daughter of Anthony Bierly: owns his father's homestead farm near Wolfs Store, Brush Valley. 4. Catharine, born Feb- ruary 8, 1829; married to Samuel G. Mingle; husband now deceased; family res des in Lock Haven, Penn. 5. Daniel, born February 24, 1831, married Matilda, daughter of Peter Smull; reside at Dakota, Ill. 6. Samuel B., born Feb- ruary 12, 1833, married to Maggie E. Moore; he is a millwright by trade; resides near Milesburg, Centre county. 7. Judith, born March 20, 1835. married to Joseph C. Bierly; resides on a farm near Centre Mills in Miles township, Centre county. 8. Henry (subject of this sketch). 9. Selena, born October 28, 1844, died June 27. 1845.

Henry Meyer, our subject. was born neat Rebersburg, Penn., December 8, 1840, and mar- ried Martha J., daughter of Thomas J. Taylor. and a native of Rock Forge, Benner township. Centre county, born April 25. 1850. They have resided at Rebersburg (Miles township), Penn .. from 1872 until now (1897). Mr. Meyer was brought up on his father's farm, doing such work as usually falls to the lot of farmer boys, and din- ing the winter season attended, two or three months in a term, the common schools of the neighborhood. He left home in the spring of 1860 to learn the millwright trade with John

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Todd, who then resided at Potters Mills, Penn., and his spare moments were devoted to reading, and the study of mathematics and other branches which had a bearing on mechanical pursuits. He enlisted at Rebersburg, Penn., August 19, 1862, with almost a hundred young men of the same place (Brush Valley), in the army . for "three years or during the war." Became, a few days after enlistment, a member of Company A, 148th Regiment, P. V. I., at Camp Curtin, Harrisburg, Penn., the regiment being placed under the com- mand of Gen. (then Col.) James A. Beaver, and joined afterward with the Second Army Corps, Army of the Potomac. He went through the usual disciplinary stages of the volunteer soldier, and had his first practical experience in warfare in the battle of Chancellorsville, Va., Ma;, 1863; then followed Gettysburg, Auburn Mills, Mine Run, the Wilderness, and Laurel Hill, besides several skirmishes of less importance. He was slightly hurt at Chancellorsville, but more seri- ously at Laurel Hill, May 10, 1864, by a ininie ball passing through the left hand near the wrist, necessitating amputation of the left hand, which operation was performed at Campbell Hospital, Washington, D. C., May 17, 1864. On receiving his discharge, September 12, 1864. he returned home, entered the Rebersburg Select School for a few weeks, taught school the winter following,' and continued teaching a number of terms. In 1866 he attended the Union Seminary, New Ber- lin, Penn., for a term, and in the fall of 1868, entered the Keystone State Normal School at Kutztown, Penn., gradnating therefrom with first honors of the class in the spring following. He then continued his work as an educator, and as- sisted Prof. Reuben M. Magee, county superin- tendent of common schools of Centre county, in the Centre County Normal School a number of terms. In May, 1875, he was elected county superintendent of common schools of Centre county, for a term of three years, and was re- elected without opposition in May, 1878; was elected in the fall of 1882 a member of the House of Representatives of the Legislature of Pennsyl- avnia, and is at present serving a second term as a justice of the peace, having been elected the first time February r8, 1890.

The foregoing sketch being only a brief record of the principal events in the biography of Mr. Meyer, it is deemed desirable in justice to himself that a few facts be mentioned which will give a better view of his every-day life. character and disposition. His progress as a pupil in the district school was seriously ham- pered from the very beginning until a youth of sixteen by the difficulties encountered by all

pupils whose mother tongue is different from the language of the books which they study in school. His parents were Pennsylvania-German; all his neighbors then spoke the diale ct of those people; the sermons then were nearly all German, as were also many of the periodicals, and much of the correspondence between people was in that language. Under such circumstances the pro- gress of pupils was slow and wearisome; they listlessly repeated the words of their reading lessons, committed definitions in grammar and geography, but the exercises were as unintelligi- ble to them as so much Hebrew would have b-en. Gradually Mr. Meyer overcame these ob- stacles, the printed page began to disclose ideas, and a taste for reading was rapidly acquired. He subscribed for English periodicals, bought and borrowed histories, biographies, books of travel and explorations, and eagerly read, during the few spare moments which work on the farm al- lowed, everything that came within his reach. His books were his cherished friends. He has ever been loyal to the Pennsylvania-German race, and has little respect for those shallow- pated dudes who would ignore their ancestry. He is aware that before many years the dialect which these people brought from the old coun- try will be superseded by the English language. but the noble qualities which they brought with them, and which mike for the moral and mate- rial improvement of a community and the stabil- ity of a State, are still the heritage of their de- scendants. Of late years he has taken a special interest in the early history and traditions of these people who were the early settlers of his native Valley, and has prepared a historicalsketch of the same, with biographical sketches of almost a hundred of the old settlers. He has been prom- inently connected with nearly all enterprises of his time which had for their object the improve- ment of his town and neighborhood. He has ever taken a prominent part in the work of his Church and Sunday-school. While officially connected with the common schools either as teacher or county superintendent, he labored faithfully in the discharge of his duties, and his labors were crowned in these positions with a commendable degree of success. Politically he is a Democrat, but of quite liberal views. In his de dlings he has ever been strictly honest in his intercourse with those around him, courteous and obliging; to the poor he has been charitable beyond his means. He is unostentations and re- served in his manner. and despises shims and the bluisterer. Physically he is six feet tall, but not heavy set; blue eyes; temperate in habits.

Mrs. Meyer, as stated above, is a daughter of

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Thomas J. Taylor, of Unionville, Centre Co., Penn. Her great-grandfather, Thomas Taylor, was a native of Chester county, Penn., or at least resided in that section in his younger days. He was married to Sarah Bebberly, whose parents resided on the ground fought over by the British and the American troops during the battle of the Brandywine, September 11, 1777. This young lady (his future wife) was then not quite sixteen years old, and was an eye-witness of the battle. She used to relate many stirring incidents of the fierce contest, and among other facts stated that as she and others roamed over the battlefield they observed that the waters of the Brandywine were dyed red from the blood of men and horses killed along its banks. After their marriage the couple moved, in 1800, to Half- moon Valley, Centre Co., Penn., where they settled permanently and raised a numerous fam- ily. The old lady died .in 1849, aged eighty- seven years, nine months, twenty-five days. Her husband had preceded her to the, grave many years. Among their children was a son, George, born in Chester county, November 20, 1798; died at Unionville, Centre county, Sep- tember 6, 1887. For many years he kept the tollgate at the foot of Nittany mountain on the pike leading from Lewistown to Bellefonte.

Later he became proprietor of a hotel at Unionville, just named. He was married to Mary Kyser Dunlap, daughter of Daniel Dunlap; she was born in Lancaster county, December 12, 1796; died at Unionville, Centre county, July 21, 1875; both lie buried in the Friends Cemetery near Unionville. The couple had only two children-Curtin and Thomas J. The latter (the father of Mrs. Meyer) was born at Bellefonte, Penn., August 2, 1822; he was married to Sarah, daughter of Jacob Homan, of Penn's Valley, Centre county; she was born March 19, 1818, died February 22, 1859, and lies buried in the old cemetery at Milesburg, Centre Co., Penn. Mrs. Meyer while still single taught in the public schools of Centre county, a number of terms, and was quite successful as a teacher.

Mr. and Mrs. Meyer have five children liv- ing, whose names with dates of birth are as fol- lows: (1) Hannah Jane, January 11, 1872. (2) Henry T., October 3, 1882. (3) Mary M., An- gust 14, 1885. (4) Sarah E., September 1, 1887. (5) Robert T., August 14, 1889.

(III). Jacob (Henry, Jacob, Henry), born near Straubstown (now Freeburg), Penn., April 30, 1797, died near his father's old homestead August 19, 1873, and lies buried in the Union Cemetery. Rebersburg, Penn. He was never married.

(IV). Benjamin (Henry, Jacob, Henry). youngest son of first wife, was born in Brush Valley, died in April, 1824, no definite dates found; he was married to Mary B., daughter of Melchoir Poorman. Lies buried in the Union Cemetery at Rebersburg, Penn. His widow married Benjamin Beck, and is now also de- ceased. They had one child, Mary, who moved to Illinois.

(V). William (Henry, Jacob, Henry) was the eldest son of second wife, and was born in Brush Valley, July 30, 1804; died March 15. 1824, and lies buried in the Union Cemetery at Rebersburg, Penn .; was not married.

(VI). John (Henry, Jacob, Henry), born in Brush Valley, June 30, 1806, died at his home near Wolfs Store, Penn., March 14, 1892, and lies buried near his father and brothers Benjamin and William in Union Cemetery. Rebersburg, Penn. He was twice married, first to Mary Catharine, daughter of Daniel Poorman, a near neighbor of the Meyer family; second to Susan Confer. He was a cabinet-maker and undertaker by trade, and conducted his business at or near his father's old homestead all his life. He never enjoyed any educational privileges beyond those afforded by the country subscription schools of that period, and these even could not be attended regularly by pupils because the constant demand for assistance on the farms kept children out of school; yet by assiduous reading his mind was well stored with useful knowledge on many sub- jects. He was a stiff Democrat, and used to take great interest in politics in his younger days. but was never an office-seeker himself. He was quite enthusiastic in military matters, and held various grades in the service, at different periods. the last and highest being that of major.

With his first wife he had seven children. with his second, one child: 1. Sarah, born February 18, 1840, married Daniel S. Miller; re- sides at Kantz, Snyder county, Penn. 2. Abi- gail, born April 17, 1841, married Daniel T Harter; resides at the old homestead, Brush Valley, near Wolfs Store, Penn. 3. Thomas P., born August 29, 1842, married Lucetta. daughter of John and Priscilla Bierly. He is a dentist by profession, and resides in Lock Haven. Clinton county, Penn. 4. Oliver P., born Nu- veniber 17. 1845. died June 23, 1858. 6. E. ward H, born July 3, 1847. married Maggy Richards. He went West when quite a yours man, and makes his residence in Cedar Rapids. Iowa; an extended sketch of him would there fore be contrary to the scope of this work. Margaret J., born April 23. 1849. diedl Augus' 23, same year. 8. Ellen, born May 25, 1855

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

married F. H. Custard, Williamsport, Pennsyl- vania.

(VII). Reuben (Henry, Jacob, Henry), born November 15, 1808, died January 8, 1891, and is buried in the Union Cemetery, Rebersburg. Penn. He owned part of his father's farm. His wife was Mary, daughter of George. and Sallie Corman, and they had the following children: 1. William C., born June 17, 1844; single. En- listed August, 1862, at Rebersburg, Penn., be- came a member of Company A, 148th Regiment, P. V. I., which organization became subsequently a part of the Second Army Corps, Army of the Potomac. He was killed in an engagement at Deep Bottom, Va., August 14, 1864, by a shell which passed through his breast. He was a brave soldier. 2. Joanna, born June 21, 1847, married J. B. Kreamer; Centre Hall, Penn. 3. Jerome A., born February 18, 1849, married Clara J., daughter of John Wolf. He owns his father's old homestead, and follows the occupa- tion of farming. 4. Henry Amazon, born May 29, 1851, married Mary Theressa Snook; lives at Booneville, Clinton county, Penn. 5. G. Cal- vin, born January 12, 1853, married Lillie Mason; he lives in Pueblo, Colo. 6. Daniel T., born April 18, 1858, married Lizzie E. Snyder; lives at Renovo, Penn. 7. Sarah, born December 29, 1862, married Dr. J. W. Bright; lives at Rebersburg, Pennsylvania.

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1, Part 30

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