Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1, Part 31

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 31
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 31
USA > Pennsylvania > Clarion County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 31
USA > Pennsylvania > Clearfield County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 31

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(VIII). Judith (Henry, Jacob, Henry), born February 27, 1811, married Philip Walker; she resides at Clintondale, Clinton county, Penn .; husband deceased.

(IX). Susan (Henry, Jacob, Henry), born August 15, 1813, died November 23, 1883; mar- ried Griffin Rote, also deceased, and both lie buried in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Salona, Clinton Co., Pennsylvania.

(X). Jonathan (Henry, Jacob, Henry), phy- sician, born in Miles township, Centre county, June 14, 1816; married Elizabeth, danghter of Melchoir Poorman. Dr. Meyer established him- .elf at Loganton, Clinton Co., Penn., where for many years he enjoyed a large and lucrative practice. He died September 15, 1880, and lies buried at Loganton.

(XI). Abigail (Henry, Jacob, Henry), born March 10, 1819. died December 5, 1849; lies buried in the Union Cemetery, Rebersburg, Penn. She was not married.

VII. Michael (Jacob, Henry), seventh child, was born near Mulhbach, March 20, 1765; died at Uniontown, Ohio, August 5, 1843; was mar- ned to Agnes, daughter of John Buchtel. The family moved from Straubstown (Freeburg) to Brush Valley, on a small farm near Rebersburg, 10

in 1805; thence to Stark county, Ohio, in 1814. Most of his descendants are living in Summit and Stark counties, Ohio, and none remain in Centre (now Snyder county), this State.

VIII. Christopher (Jacob, Henry) was the youngest son of Jacob Meyer, and was born prob- ably after the family moved from Muhlbach to Straubstown (Freeburg). He died when aged about twenty years, and lies buried at Freeburg, Penn. No date could be found; he was not married. This Christopher must not be confounded with the one mentioned below, of whom he was a nephew. It is almost impossible to prevent con- fusion when the same name belonging to persons of different families occurs so frequently.

CHRISTOPHER MEYER, the youngest son of the Meyer who came from Germany and settled at Mühlbach, was born at his father's old home- stead near the post village just named, located in the southeastern part of Lebanon county, but then belonging to Lancaster county. While still single, he migrated to the neighborhood of Camp- bellstown, same county, where he and his brother Michael purchased a large tract of land, about. the year 1769. He later became sole owner of this tract, cleared it, with the aid of his sons, and lived there until his death, which occurred August 2, 1801, when he was aged sixty-seven years. He was joined in matrimony with Anna Maria, daughter of Alexander Schaeffer, the founder of Schaefferstown. Several of these facts are stated at the beginning of this sketch, and are repeated here simply to designate clearly the position of Christopher, in the relationship. His children, of whom there were nine, nearly all became set- tlers of Centre county, and of the section which is now Snyder county. They left such a numer- ous train of descendants in the counties named that the briefest record possible would far exceed the limits assigned for this sketch.

I. Catharine (Christopher, Henry) married Philip Fishburn, Penn .; no dates.

II. Henry (Christopher, Henry), born near Campbelltown, Penn., in 1767, died April 19, IS44; married Elizabeth Hurst; family moved from Campbelltown into Centre county, near Boalsburg, in 1823. Six children-four sons and two daughters: (I) Philip (Henry, Christopher, Henry), born Angust 24. 1800, married Rachel. daughter of William Early, Esq. ; lived on a farm near Boalsburg, Penn. ; died November 26, 1863. (II) Anna Mary (Henry, Christopher, Henry). born near Campbelltown, February 11, 1799. died December 25. 1880; married John Keller: lived at Boalsburg, Penn. (III) Jacob ( Henry, Christopher, Henry), born February 2, 1802. died on the 30th day of September, 1882;

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

lived at Linden Hall, Penn. ; lies buried at Boals- burg; was not married. (IV) Catharine (Henry, Christopher, Henry), born January 16, 1804, died June 25, 1878; married to Daniel Durst; Centre Hall, Penn. . (V) Henry (Henry, Chris- topher, Henry), born September 30, 1810, died October 5, 1888; married Catharine Hoffer; both dead and are buried at Boalsburg. They lived on a farm near the village, and reared a family of eight children, one of whom, Prof. Philip H. Meyer, was one of the candidates nominated in the fall of 1896, on the Democratic ticket, for county commissioner of Centre county. (VI) Joseph (Henry, Christopher, Henry), born June 12, 1818, died October 10, 1868; married Beckie, daughter of George and Sallie Corman, of Miles township, Centre county; no issue.

III. John (Christopher, Henry), born near Campbelltown, Penn., October 26, 1769, died at his home near Freeburg, Penn., July 17, 1842; married Esther Burkholder, and moved to Straubstown (now Freeburg), Penn., in 1801. On account of his giant stature, he was familiarly known as " big John Meyer." His descendants are quite numerous; most of them still reside in Snyder county, and several in Centre county.

IV. Michael (Christopher, Henry), born near Campbelltown, Penn., August 2, 1771, died at his home at Spring Bank, Brush Valley, Cen- tre Co., Penn., April 1, 1842, and lies buried at Rebersburg; was married to Elizabeth Derstine, who was buried at Boalsburg. The family moved into the Valley in the spring of 1834; Mr. Meyer was a giant in stature and strength, and was a farmer by occupation. There were eight children-five sons and three daughters:

(I). Henry (Michael, Christopher, Henry), born near Campbelltown, Penn., November 14, 1796, died January 3, 1873; married Eleanor, daughter of Henry Meyer, and granddaughter of John Meyer, who was married to Catharine Schaeffer, of Schaefferstown. The couple were second cousins. They remained in Lebanon county, and were farmers by occupation.

(II). Anna Mary (Michael, Christopher, Henry), born near Campbelltown, Penn., May 5, 1802, died January 28, 1882; buried at Shilo Church, near Bellefonte. Centre county; was married to Jacob Fishburn, a farmer, and lived near Bellefonte.

(III). Michael (Michael, Christopher, Henry), born near Campbelltown, Penn., February 10, 1804; died June 24, 1875; buried at Hummels- town, Penn; married Sarah Fox. He remained near the old homestead all his life.

(IV). George (Michael, Christopher, Henry), born near Campbelltown, Penn., March 1, 1806,

died at his home near State College, Centre county, February 15, 1889, married Anna Fox, and left a number of descendants. He was a miller by trade, and also followed farming in his later years.

(V). Elizabeth (Michael, Christopher, Henry), born December 26, 1807, died July 26, 1893; married Felix Burkholder. This family lived near Centre Hill, Centre county.

(VI). Samuel (Michael, Christopher, Henry), born January 9, 1810, died at his home near Hiawatha, Kans., December 28, 1894; married Elizabeth Behler, and left many descendants.

(VII). Catharine (Michael, Christopher, Hen- ry), born May 13, 1816, died February 11, 1846; married to Daniel Dubbs; lived at Rebersburg, Penn .; both are buried in Union Cemetery of that place; no issue.

(VIII). Solomon (Michael, Christopher, Hen- ry), born February 26, 1819, died in Potter township, Penn's Valley, July 19, 1872; married twice, first to Margaret Spicker, second to Em- eline M. Embich. He was a school teacher and a noted instructor of vocal music. Not many of his descendants remain in Centre county.

V. Jacob (Christopher, Henry), born near Campbelltown, Penn., March 25, 1774, died September 25, 1853; married Anna Sheller, who was born December 25, 1775; died March 25, 1850, and both were buried in the old Heckman Cemetery, near Penn Hall, Centre county. The family moved from Lebanon county, in March, 1826, upon a farm near the village just named. There were eight children-three sons and five daughters:

(I). Elizabeth (Jacob, Christopher, Henry), born near Campbelltown, Penn., February 26, 1801; died at Centre Hall, Penn., in 1868, mar- ried to Henry Whitmer; they left issue, and Mrs. William Wolf, Centre Hall, is one of the daugh- ters.

(II). Jacob (Jacob, Christopher, Henry), born near Campbelltown, Penn., August 5. 1802, died April 14, 1867; buried at Penn Hall, Penn .: single.

(III). Nancy (Jacob, Christopher, Henry). born near Campbelltown, Penn., September 14, 1804. died September 23. 1886; lies buried near Cedar Springs, Clinton county, Penn. ; married Samuel Kryder.

(IV). Catharine (Jacob, Christopher, Henry), born January 1, 1806; died at her home near Penn Hall, Penn., March 3, 1894: single.

(V). Mary (Jacob, Christopher, Henry), born December 7, 1807; married Jacob Fisher, of Illinois.

(VI). Susan (Jacob, Christopher, Henry).

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

born November 30, 1808, died August 13, 1873, at her home near Penn Hall, Penn .; single.

(VII). Christopher (Jacob, Christopher, Henry), born in October, 1812, died June 2, 1873, married Mary Ann Glass; owned and culti- vated a farm near Penn Hall, Penn. ; no issue.

(VIII). John (Jacob, Christopher, Henry), born September 14, 1814, married Eleanor Smith; live on a farm near Penn Hall, Penn .; issue two sons: (1) Jacob S., born April 13, 1854, married Susan C. Bitner, and lives on a farm near Penn Hall, Penn .; they have four children as follows-John F., born March 1I, 1875, is a teacher and a graduate from Franklin and Marshall College. [A more extended sketch will be found among those of Penn township. ] Harry, born May 17, 1877; Eleanor Blanche, born September 26, 1879; Catharine S., born January 22, 1890. (2) John F., born December 12, 1856, died December 16, 1863.

VI. Christopher (Christopher, Henry), born near Campbelltown, Penn., January 21,, 1776, died at Freeburg, Penn., June 11, 1840. He married Betty Howerter, and settled at Free- burg (then Straubstown), in the year 1800. There were ten children, nearly all of whom set- tled in Freeburg and vicinity. They and their descendants have been in the past, and are still in the present, prominent citizens of that local- ity, and, no doubt, will be properly represented in that part of this work allotted to Snyder county.

VII. Christina (Christopher, Henry), born near Campbelltown, Penn., married Samuel Carper, and moved to Bedford county, this State.

VIII. George (Christopher, Henry), the youngest son, was born near Campelltown, Penn., March 25, 1782. He came into Penn's Valley in 1827, locating on Pine creek, south of Aaronsburg, where he purchased a farm and a mill-site on which a gristmill was erected. He was married to Catharine, daughter of his first cousin, John Jacob Meyer, of Jersey Shore, Penn. He died January 1, 1854, and his wife, who was born December 2, 1788, died March 13, 1858. Both are buried in the Reformed Ceme- tery at Aaronsburg, Penn. There were seven children-five sons and two daughters:

(I). George (George Christopher, Henry). born January 13, 1806, near Campbelltown, Penn., married Lydia Harter. He was a miller by trade, and resided in Penn's Valley. Left issue.

(II). John (George, Christopher, Henry), born December 30, 1806, died at his home at Aaronsburg, Penn., January 28, 1878; lies buried in the Reformned Cemetery there. He married

Mary Klose, who was born April 23, 1810; died at their home, which was then on a farm near Rebersburg, Penn., May 26, 1865, and was in- terred in the Union Cemetery of the town last mentioned. He was a miller by trade, but de- voted his later years to farming. There were seven children, of whom but one, Joseph K., is now a resident of Miles township, Centre county, and his sketch is inserted.

(III). Catharine (George, Christopher, Henry), born January 22, 1808, died October 3, 1872; married Andrew Harter, Penn's Valley. They lived a short distance west of the present village of Coburn, Penn's Valley; left issue.

(IV). Henry (George, Christopher, Henry), born near Campbelltown, Penn., July 27, 1809, died south of Aaronsburg. Penn., at his home, April 15, 1877. He married Elizabeth Stover, and had two children, of which, one is still liv- ing, Mrs. Harriet Ard.

(V). Mary (George, Christopher, Henry), born January 20, 1814, married Andrew Stover. They reside in the eastern part of Penn's Valley, and have a number of children.

(VI). Philip (George, Christopher, Henry), born March 24, 1819, died June 25, 1876; mar- ried (first) Magdalena Stover, and (second) Mary Stover, who is still living. This family resided on Pine creek, south of Aaronsburg, Penn. ; there were thirteen children.

(VII). Jacob G. (George, Christopher, Henry), born near Campbelltown, Penn., Octo- ber 16, 1824, was twice married. His first wife was Henrietta C. Furst, and after her decease he wedded Lydia A. Dutweiler, nec Strohm. The family reside at Aaronsburg. Penn., in Haines township; his sons, William T. and J. Calvin, re- side in Bellefonte. Jacob G. Meyer died sud- denly November 6, 1897.

IX. Mary (Christopher, Henry), born near Campbelltown, Penn., died in Dauphin county, Penn., was married to John A. Carper. The writer failed to secure any definite information in reference to this family. There were five chil- dren, one of whom, the late John Carper, of Linden Hall, Centre county, Penn., was very well known in the county.

T HOMAS STOVER, a venerable resident of Miles township, Centre county, universally esteemed among his acquaintances for his kindli- ness of heart and unwavering integrity, is at more than four-score years still hale and hearty. He is a native of Centre county, having been born near Aaronsburg, September 15, 1815, and his ances-

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

tors were among the pioneer settlers. of Penn's Valley.

Adam Stover, his great-grandfather, came from Berks county at an early period with four sons, all well grown. named John, Jacob, Fred- erick and Adamn. John Stover, the grandfather of our subject, was a buckskin dresser, and was exempt from service in the Revolutionary war on the ground that his labor was essential for the production of clothing and other articles of ne- cessity. He was married in Penn's Valley to a Miss Wolfe, by whom he had the following chil- dren, all of whom died in Haines township, Centre county: George had two sons, John and Jacob; John reared a large family; Henry is men- tioned more fully below; Thomas had one son and three daughters; Jacob left a family; Eve married a Mr. Bright, and Catherine married Adam Harper.

Henry Stover, our subject's father, was born and reared in Haines township, Centre county, and was married there to Margaret Guiswite, a lady of more than ordinary ability and culture, and a successful teacher. Her father. Henry Guiswite, was a pioneer educator. Henry Stover settled upon a farm near Aaronsburg, obtained from his father, and passed his life there. He was of medium height and slight build. His education was but limited, as his father never per- mitted his children to attend any but the Ger- man schools, and even left a provision in his will disinheriting any 'child who should break this rule. Henry Stover made a comfortable living for his family, but never accumulated much, his death at the early age of forty-seven years cut- ting off the chance to reap the full reward of his previous toil. He was a Whig in politics, a Lutheran in religion, and was respected by all who knew him. His wife, who attained the age of eighty-eight years, adhered to the Reformed Church. They had nine children: Charlotte (Mrs. Adam Stover) died in Brush Valley Nar- rows; James died in Rebersburg; Carolina (Mrs. Jacob Dinges) died in Ohio; Thomas was the fourth in order of birth; Leah (Mrs. William Shaffer) died at Madisonburg; Malinda (Mrs. Absolom Confair) died at Aaronsburg; Sebilla (Mrs. William Burd) and Levi also died at Aaronsburg; Elias is now a resident of Rebers- burg: Jacob only lived to the age of three and one-half years.

As a boy Mr. Stover attended a German school at what has always been known as " Wolfe's School;" but work was considered more important than study, and he could not even profit fully by the limited advantages offered by his German teacher. His mother, however,

came to his rescue with home instruction, and as he possessed an excellent memory the foundation of a practical education was laid. Considering the good use which he made of his meagre op- portunities one must regret that such a bright mind could not have enjoyed better facilities in youth. He chose the plasterer's trade as an oc- cupation, and served an apprenticeship under William Shaffer, and so great was his mechanical skill that later he " picked up " for himself the trades of brick laying and stone masonry. Until 1840 he remained in his native township .. and then he went west, via Pittsburg, traveling on the Ohio from that point to Cairo, and then by the Mississippi river to northern Illinois, his destination being Stephenson county. At that time there were but few houses in Freeport, the county seat. Mr. Stover remained in Illinois about thirty years, working as a brick layer, plasterer, and stone mason, and engaged also in agriculture. He owned an excellent farm in ·Lancaster township, Stephenson county. and much other valuable real estate. In October, 1848, he was married near Freeport to Miss Susan Newcomer, a native of Northumberland county, Penn., born March 30, 1828. Her par- ents, Philip and Elizabeth (Lantz) Newcomer. went to Illinois, in 1844, and later moved to Iowa, where they passed their remaining years. Mr. Stover found his health declining after a time, and being threatened with consumption he returned to Pennsylvania in 1868, locating in the eastern end of Bush Valley. There he conducted a shingle and saw mill for many years, cutting excellent white pine, and he is now known as a pioneer of that industry in the locality. His present home at or in Livonia has been cleared by him from its primitive burden of trees and stone piles, and its comfortable and commodious buildings were all built by him. He has a goodly competence despite the fact that his dislike of contention has at times made him the victim of unscrupulous people. Free from gnile himself. he has never found it easy to believe evil of others, while he has such a contempt for wrang- ling that he has more than once submitted to imposition rather than undertake to do battle for his rights. It is said that some of the most valuable land in Freeport. Ill., rightfully belongs to him, but he has practically been robbed.of it.

In early years Mr. Stover was a Whig, and later he became a stanch Republican. His first vote was cast for Gov. Ritner as governor of Pennsylvania. Not being disposed to be active in politics, he has held few offices, but his inter- est in better education has led him to serve at times as school director. His estimable wife is

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

149

one of the leading members of the Reformed Church, but he is not formally identified with any denomination, although he contributes liber- ally to religious work as occasion arises. He helped to organize the first Sunday-school at Li- vonia P. O., and can always be relied upon to give effective aid to any progressive. movement.

Mr. and Mrs. Stover have one daughter. Asenath, born February 16, 1859. in Lancaster township, Stephenson county, Ill. She was married June 19, 1881, to J. H. DeLong, and has had four children, as follows: Thomas S., born April 28, 1882, died when two years and ten months old from bleeding at the nose; Au- brey C., born November 19, 1883; and Arctura, born July 6, 1886, are at home; and Susan L., born December 1, 1888, died March 23, 1890.

John H. DeLong is the third son of John and Lucretia ( Jayne ) DeLong, who were among the first settlers in Livonia. He is a teacher by pro- fession. Although not a graduate, he has taken several terms at Cornell University, and Ship- pensburg State Normal School. He holds a State teachers' certificate, and has taught in all (at this writing) twenty-four terms in Centre, Clinton and Lyconing counties, fourteen being at his home in Livonia, where he is also postmaster, having held the position since the establishment of the office.

W ILLIAM IRWIN. Longfellow wrote: "We judge ourselves by what we feel capable of doing, while others judge us by what we have already done." If this golden sentence of the New England poet were universally ap- plied, many a man who is now looking down with haughty stare upon the noble toilers of land and sea, sneering at the cut of a neighbor's coat. or the humbleness of his dwelling, would be vol- untarily doing penance in sackcloth and ashes, at the end of which he would handle a spade, or, with pen in hand, burn the midnight oil in his study in the endeavor to widen the bounds of liberty or to accelerate the material and spiritual progress of his race. A bright example of one of the world's workers is the man whose name introduces this review, for by earnest labor and perseverance he has won a high degree of suc- cess.

William Irwin, who now resides on the old family homestead in Marion township, Centre county, was born October 31, 1828. His grand- father, James Irwin, spent his entire life as a farmer in Ireland. His father, John Irwin, was also born on the Emerald Isle and, emigrating to America, was married in Union county, Penn.,

to Miss Mary McClelland, who was born near the city of Lancaster, in Lancaster county, Penn. They resided in Union county until ISoo, when they came to the farm which is now occupied by our subject, and the father continued its cultiva- tion until his death in 1844, when he was aged sixty-four years. The mother made her home there until 1857, when with her children, Mary A., John J. and William, she removed to Jack- sonville, Centre county, where she departed this life in 1858, at the age of seventy years. The father was a farmer by occupation, and was a man of prominence in the community, holding a number of township offices. He supported the Democratic party by his ballot, and in religious belief both he and his wife were Presbyterians.

Mr. and Mrs. Irwin had a family of six chil- dren: Samuel M., a former resident of Belle- fonte, who served as justice of the peace there, died while visiting at the old homestead; Sarah J. died at the age of eighteen years; Mary A. be- came the wife of R. Connelly, who served as sheriff of Centre county, and both are now de- ceased; John J. died at the age of thirty-seven years in Centre county; Louisa M., who died at the age of forty-five years, was the wife of J. P. Hughes, who served in the ariny during the Civil war, and died in Benner township, Centre county; and William completes the family.

Mr. Irwin, the subject proper of this sketch, remained with his parents until they were called to the home beyond, spending his boyhood days midst play and work. The district schools of the neighborhood afforded him his educational priv- ileges. In 1858 and 1859 he was engaged with William Allison in mercantile business at Jack- sonville, Centre county; but after two years he sold his interest in the store and purchased a small farm in Benner township, Centre county. It was his intention to remain there only a short time, but he continued to make it his home for fourteen years, and then returned to Marion township, where he bought a farm on which he lived some nine years. He then purchased the old homestead, and has since made it his place of residence. It is improved with a handsome two-story brick dwelling, with good barns and outbuildings, and all modern accessories and conveniences. The land is highly cultivated, and in addition to this property he owns another valuable farm, deriving from the two a handsome income.

On Christmas Day, of 1860, in Clinton county, Penn., Mr. Irwin was married to Miss Susan J. Allison, a native of Porter township, .Clinton county, born November 15, 1833. Her parents, David and Lucetta (Mckibben) Allison, were

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natives of Centre county, and died in Clinton county. The father was a farmer and a man of prominence in the community in which he made his home. His children were: William M., de- ceased; Archibald, of Spring Mills, Centre county; Susan J. (Mrs. William Irwin); James, a retired farmer of Adams county, Ohio; Eleanor L., wife of James T. Nixson, a farmer of Clinton county; Henry C., an agriculturist of the same county; Matilda L., deceased; and Joseph M., who is farming on the old family homestead.

To Mr. and Mrs. Irwin were born children as follows: Gertrude M., at home; D. Allison; William J., who died at the age of seventeen years; Eleanor L., teaching school, and living at home; Edith J .; Anna L .; Susan B., a school teacher, living at home, and Florence L., also at home. Of these, D. Allison (the only son) is now manager of the home farm, and is a young man of superior business and executive ability, carefully looking after the interests of the prop- erty, the labors of which he is conducting with success. As an ardent Republican, he stands well in his party, of which he is one of its advis- ers, and he is a delegate to county conventions. Edith J. was married April 7, 1897, to J. Will Mayes, a marble dealer, of Howard, Penn. Anna L. was married December 29, 1896, to Samuel L. Allen, of Pittsburg, Penn., where he is city inspector of public works. The mother of this family died September 25, 1893, deeply mourned by many relatives and friends, for her excellencies of character had made her a general favorite in the community.

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1, Part 31

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