Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1, Part 33

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 33
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 33
USA > Pennsylvania > Clarion County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 33
USA > Pennsylvania > Clearfield County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 33

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Thomas Forster was the Revolutionary soldier of the family-a sincere patriot and lover of liberty, he was early in the field for the independ- ence of the American Colonies. In 1776 he is the first found in the record as Major of the Fourth Battalion of the Northumberland County Associators, of which Phillip Cole and Thomas Sutherland, another ancestor of some of the present Forster family, was the lieutenant-colonel. This battalion was sent to Reading, but anxious to be at the front, Major Forster became a lieu- tenant in Capt. John Clark's company of Col. Potter's regiment. This company was detained in Reading until it was too late to reach the scene of actual hostility in time to take part in the en- gagements at Trenton and Princeton, but par- ticipated actively in several subsequent skirmishes, in which a number of casualties occurred, and in which the members of the company won honor- able distinction.

Returning to the quiet life of a farmer after his patriotic military service, Thomas Forster, on the death in 1783 of the oldest son, inherited, together with his third of the real estate, the homestead of the family, where he lived a prom- inent and highly respected citizen of the Val- ley until his death in the month of November, 1810. His body also lies in the Lewis burying ground.

In religious faith and belief the Forsters were strict Scotch-Irish Presbyterians, and were early members of the Buffalo Cross Roads Presby- terian Church, founded in 1773, and the parent congregation of that denomination within the bounds of the present county of Union. Accord- ing to Linn's Annals, the pews of the Buffalo church were just rated and rented in 1791, and among the pew holders of that year were Thomas Forster and his brothers, Andrew and Robert.

The marriage of Thomas Forster and Jane Young was blessed with six children-three sons

and three daughters. The sons were John, William and Thomas; the daughters, Margaret, Elizabeth and Jane. It is only William, how- ever, the second son of the family, who demands our attention on this occasion.

He was born in 1784 at the home of his father in Buffalo Valley. The means then pro- vided in that newly settled locality for education were not great, and it is probable that in youth but few opportunities were afforded him for book learning. But he is still held in pleasant remem- brance as an intelligent and upright man, of sterling integrity in business affairs, possessed of a genial, cheerful disposition, the head of a household noted for its hospitality, a devoted husband and father, and an excellent citizen. In the second war with Great Britain (in 1812), like his father, he found it a duty to enter the mili- tary service in defence of the right of his coun- try .. With his older brother, John, and his cousin, William, son of Robert Forster, he be- came a member of a company of Pennsylvania Militia, commanded by Capt. John Donaldson. The company was attached to a regiment com- manded by Col. Snyder that marched to Mead- ville, thence to Erie, and then to Buffalo, N. Y., remaining in service about three months.

He was first married to Esther Young, who was born in Dauphin county, and their children were William and Esther (twins); the latter mar- ried Neill McCay, of Fredericksburg, Ohio, where they celebrated their golden wedding in 1892. Mr. McCay died soon afterward: his widow still lives in Ohio, and by the favor of a kind Provi- dence was able to come from her distant home on December 28, 1897, to be present to mingle her congratulations with other friends at the fiftieth anniversary of her twin brother's mar- riage.

The mother of William and Esther Forster died, and the father married Rachel McCay. The children of this second marriage were: Christena. who became the wife of Mark Halfpenny, and reared a family; he died in 1889, and she in 1877. He was an extensive manufacturer of woolen goods at Lewisburg, Penn., and his chil- dren still own considerable property there. Mar- garet, who became the wife of Dr. Seabold, had four children, and died in 1879. Robert M. mar- ried Delilah Smith. In 1862 he enlisted in the Union army, and was killed in the battle of Get- tysburg; he left three sons; his widow died De- cember 28, 1895. Thomas died at the age of seventeen; and Catherine married William Wit- mer, a lumber merchant of Philadelphia. Will- iam Forster died at his home in Hartley township, Union county. March 26, 1853. at the age of

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seventy years, and found interment in the same burial ground where his father and grandfather lie.

William, son of William and Esther Forster, was born in Buffalo Valley (now Union county), Penn., March 22, 1819. He was reared on a farm, and had the usual school privileges of the day and locality. Among his early teachers were Miss Ruth Campbell and a Mr. Hanna, a Quaker. This was at Mifflinburg. He remained at home until 1848, then came to Centre county, locating on the Centre Furnace lands (now Dr. Christ's farm). In the spring of 1856 he moved to his present home in the upper part of Penn's Valley where he owns a beautiful farm, and upon which he built the house he now occu- pies. His farm comprises one hundred acres. Formerly a part of the town site of State Col- lege belonged to the farm. Mr. Foster is one of the substantial citizens of State College, and by good management and industry has accumulated a competency. As were all his ancestors, he is a Democrat in his political views. The Forsters, ·too, were Presbyterians for generations, and our subject adheres to the same faith. He is now the only man in the community who was there when the Pennsylvania State College building was erected, making him the oldest pioneer of the locality left.

In 1847 Mr. Foster was married, in Union county, to Maria Corl, who was born in the Buf- falo Valley, Union Co., Penn., in 1827, a daugh- ter of Joseph and Elizabeth Wyley Corl. To this happy union have come children as follows: Elizabeth, who in 1872 married William Ever- hart; they went to Chicago on their wedding trip, and she died there. Charles H., a trusted United States Mail Agent employed since 1885 on the main line of the Pennsylvania railroad between New York and Pittsburg. James is a chemist in Alabama. Mary A. lives with her parents. John is a chemist in Alabama. The sons are all graduates of Pennsylvania State College.

Joseph Corl, the father of Mrs. Foster, came from Chester county, Penn., to the Buffalo Valley, and his ancestors were originally from Germany. Her mother, Elizabeth Wyler, came from Lan- caster county, Penn., and her ancestors from Ireland.

P ROF. CEPHAS L. GRAMLEY. It is a pleasure to note that many of our most suc- cessful citizens are natives of this section, and have here developed the talents which their ma- ture years have devoted to well- chosen activities. Prof. Gramley, the able and culturedsuperintend- ent of the schools of Centre county, is a typ-

cal example, and the story of his earnest pursuit of a worthy ambition cannot fail to convey a helpful lesson.

Prof. Gramley was born September 17, 1852, at Rebersburg, Centre county, where he now resides, and is of Pennsylvania- Dutch stock. The earliest records of the family place their home in southeastern Pennsylvania, but the Pro- fessor's grandfather, Philip Gramley, was prob- ably born in the central part of the State. He located in Centre county in early inanhood, and with the exception of a comparatively brief resi- dence in Clinton county, he made his home there, gaining by his ability and energy a prominent place among the pioneers of his locality. Samuel Gramley, the Professor's father was born in Rebersburg, March 4, 1827, and is still a resi- dent of that town, where he has always enjoyed the respect and esteem of the people. He at- tended the district schools there for a time in his youth. and completed his course of study at Mifflinburg Academy, afterward entering into business as a teacher, surveyor and farmer. As county commissioner, and justice of the peace for many years, he demonstrated his capacity for public affairs, while his popularity is shown by his election to these positions in the face of an ad- verse partisan majority. In religious faith he is a Lutheran. His wile, who was Miss Sarah J. Smull, and who was also a native of Rebersburg. was born March 15. 1832. and passed from earth May 14, 1880. The children of this marriage now living are: Prof. Cephas L., our subject: Titus M. is in the creamery business at Spring Mills; Clement H. is a farmer at the old home- stead in Miles township, Centre county; Naomi J. is the wife of Charles Heckman, of Clinton county, Penn .; and Ada E. is the wife of W. T. Hubler, and resides at the old homestead.

Our subject had the benefit of life upon a farm during his boyhood. When his intellectual ad- vancement demanded better opportunities than were to be obtained in the local schools, he spent two terms at Clinton Seminary; but with the ardor of the genuine student he determined to secure further advantages. By teaching for a time he provided himself with the funds where- with to carry him through two years at Susque- hanna University, at Selins Grove, Penn. After this he again engaged in teaching, and for seven- teen years he taught in the Grammar School at Rebersburg. Since 1875 he has been more or less engaged in Normal School and institute work during the summer up to the time of his appointment to the county superintendency of schools in 1892. This work he helped to carry on at Milesburg in 1875-'76 and '77. and there-

6. L. Grandey.

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

after at Rebersburg. He has had as high as seventy young men and women at a time whom he was preparing to follow the profession of teaching. He served out the unexpired term of his predecessor, and in 1893 was elected to the same office, and re-elected in 1896. He is a most efficient and able superintendent of the county's schools.

In 1878 Prof. Gramley was married to Miss Joanna Weaver, a lady of good qualities, who was born in August, 1852, at Wolfs Store, Centre county. They have had two children: Gertrude, born in 1880, died in 1895, and Almah, born in 1882, is at home. The parents are identified with the Lutheran Church, the Professor having been the chorister in both the Church and the Sabbath-school since 1875. He is a charter member of Rebersburg Lodge No. 1031, I. O. O. F., organized in February, 1892, and he was the first Noble Grand, and first to fill all the. chairs. In 1893 he represented his lodge at the General Lodge held at Reading. Penn. Prof. Gramley is also a practical surveyor and does work at times, as a recreation and relief, to his father, who works in this line. In politics he is a Republican. He has given many evidences of deep and generous sympathy with the welfare and progress of the community.

A F. KREAMER, who is classed among the successful farmers of Penn township, Cen- tre county, is well worthy to be ranked among the individuals who have distinguished themselves as useful and enterprising citizens. He was born in the same township, January 6, 1847, and was but a child when brought by his parents, Jona- than and Susannah (Strohm) Kreamer, to the farm which he now occupies, and which at one time was owned by his great-grandfather, Daniel Kreamer, who was the first of the family to come to Centre county. In his family were three chil- dren: Daniel, John and Mrs. Saloma Keen.

Daniel Kreamer, Jr., the grandfather of our subject, was a farmer by occupation, as was also his father before him. He married a Miss Neese, by whom he had eight children-seven sons and one daughter-namely: Jacob who died in Kan- sas; John, who became an Evangelical minister, and died in the same State; William, an auction- eer and farmer, who died in Iowa; Jonathan, the father of our subject: Elias, a resident of Union county, Penn. ; Daniel, once a minister, now liv- ing in Illinois; Henry, a painter in the same State; and Betsey, who married William Guitilus, and died in Mifflinburg, Penn. In 1876 the sons

were all together, at which time their combined weight was over two thousand pounds.

Jonathan Kreamer was born in Miles town- ship, Centre county, in 1821, and was reared to farm life. When a young man he married Su- sannah Strohm, a native of Lebanon county, Penn., and a daughter of Jonathan Strohm, who brought his family to Potter township, Centre county, when Mrs. Kreamer was but a small child. After their marriage the parents remained upon his father's farm until 1848, when they re- moved to the place now owned and occupied by our subject, having purchased it at the sale of his grandfather's estate. In 1868 the father re- moved to Millheim, where he conducted what is now known as the " National Hotel " for a time, and died in that village in 1883. Like the other members of the family he was very large, being six feet, oneinch in height, and weighing at one time 365 pounds. He was an enterprising, energetic man, succeeding in accumulating a comfortable prop- erty: he was a Democrat in politics, and held a number of township offices to the satisfaction of all concerned. His religious views were those held by the Evangelical Church, of which he was a faithful member. His wife, who still survives him, makes her home with her daughter, Mary. at State College. In their family were six chil- dren: A. F., the subject of this review; Mary. wife of Ab Miller, of State College; Sarah A., wife of Pierce Musser, of Millheim; Emma, wife of A. A. Frank, of the same place; John, express messenger for the Adams Express Company at Harrisburg, Penn., and Cora, wife of Greely Bowman, of St. Louis.

During his boyhood, A. F. Kreamer attended the Liberty school during the winter months, his first teacher being Thomas Strayhorn. He re- mained upon the home farm until the removal of the family to Millheim in 1868, where he as- sisted his father in the hotel business for four years. On October 10, 1872, he was united in marriage with Miss Jestie Keen, who was born in Penn township, February 28, 1847; a daugh- ter of Jacob and Mary (Dininger) Keen, farming people. Two children were born of this union: Nora F. died in infancy; and N. F., born Octo- ber 12, 1874, was married in November, 1893. to Miss Jennie, a daughter of Jacob Breon. of Gregg township, and they have one child -Helen, born April 11, 1895.

Mr. and Mrs. Kreamer began housekeeping upon the farm where they are now living. but later removed to Haines township, where he rented land for fifteen years. On April 1, 1892, they returned to the old family homestead, which he had purchased in January. 1891. It com-

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prises seventy-one acres of highly improved land, on which six generations have made their home, the grandchild of our subject, who with its par- ents resides thereon, being of the sixth genera- tion. Mr. Kreamer has always been identified with the Democratic party, and although no office-seeker, has filled a number of local positions. Socially, he affiliates with the Grange, and relig- iously, both himself and wife are connected with the Evangelical Church, in which he has served as class leader. He is honest, industrious, and thoroughly honorable in all the walks of life, and enjoys the esteem and respect of the community to a large extent.

EORGE R. STOVER, the efficient agent of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. and also of the Adams Express Company, at Coburn, Centre county, has descended from one of the pioneer families of the county.

As early as 1775 Jacob Stover and a son,, Adam, settled in what is now Haines township, originally a part of Potter township, Centre county. Michael Stover, the great-grandfather of our subject, was a native of Bucks county, Penn., of German parents. He was a farmer by occupation and owned a fine body of land in Penn's Valley, on which he passed much of his days. Late in life he went into Sugar Valley, now a part of Clinton county, where he made his home with his. son David, who cared for him in his declining years. His death occurred in 1855, and his remains rest in Union Cemetery, Logan township, Clinton county. In Penn's Valley he married Margaret Miller, who was a native of Lebanon county, Penn. Their children were eight in number, namely: Adam (deceased); Jacob (deceased); Jonathan, living a retired life at Booneville; David, grandfather of our subject; Elizabeth, now Mrs. William Bethlehem; Cath- erine, now Mrs. Samuel Esteiline, of Logan township; Christina, unmarried; and Lydia, widow of John Sellers, of Sugar Valley; the mother of these died in September, 1873, at the old homestead. and was buried in the Booneville cemetery. David Stover was born December 8, 1808, in Penn's Valley, and was reared on his father's farm. He received a fair education in German, and when a man grown, in connection with his brother Jacob, bought a farm of 160 acres in Sugar Valley known as the Bickle place, lo- cated in Logan township. This farm the two brothers operated jointly for twenty-five years, during all of which time not a cross word passed between them. They improved the place great- ly, erecting a neat dwelling house, a barn, etc.

In 1872 David retired, and for fifteen years there- after so lived, of which period four years were passed in the village of Booneville in a comfort- able house which he had purchased for himself and wife. He died March 31, 1887, and was buried in the Booneville cemetery. He was a pious man, a good Christian, being a member of the Evangelical Association for some twelve years. He was a class leader; he also served as teacher and superintendent of the Sunday-school. In politics he was a Democrat, and he held the office of overseer of the poor of his township. He was a man well and extensively known, was held in high esteem, and was greatly respected for his exemplary Christian life. His wife, Eliza- beth (Hahn), whom he married in 1844, was born in Logan (now Green) township. May 3, 1822, and the children born to this union were: John M .; and Mary E., the wife of J. L. Boone, a merchant of Loganton, Penn. The mother of these was the daughter of John and Sarah (Schrack) Hahn, the former of German and the latter of Scotch-Irish descent. - She is still living, making her home with her son.

John M. Stover is a native of Sugar Valley. born on the Stover homestead, in Logan town- · ship, Clinton county, April 17, 1845. He was raised on that farm, and has been occupied through life as a farmer and stock raiser. He received his education in the public schools of his neighborhood, and at the Normal School in Rebersburg. When a young man he taught school for nine months in Rebersburg, in Clinton and Centre counties, and during the summer worked on the home farm. In 1872, on the re- tirement of his father from active work, he took charge of the farm on which he soon made many improvements. He was industrious, ener- getic and ambitious, and has met with that suc- cess his efforts have merited. He has been a careful manager, and has advantageonsly handled his stock, and farmed systematically. In poli- tics he is a Democrat; he is a member of the Lutheran Church, and is a teacher in the Sab- bath-school; socially he is identified with Sugar Valley Lodge No. 429, I. O. O. F., at Loganton.

On October 16, 1865, at Lock Haven, Mr. Stover was married to Louisa Kleckner, who was born in Sugar Valley, March 6, 1844, a daughter of Robert and Catherine (Brumgart) Kleckner. and a granddaughter of Anthony Kleckner, now deceased, who was the first settler of Sugar Val- ley. The children born to the marriage of John M. Stover and his wife are: Calvin C. died at the age of seven years; George R. is the subject of this sketch; Lizzie S. is the wife of Clement M. Mark, agent at Pine Station on the Pennsyl-

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

vania railroad, and has two children-John C. and Mary L .; Lula K., Edna E. and Mary Es- tella, all are unmarried and at home.

George R. Stover, the subject proper of this sketch, was born June 2, 1868, near Loganton, Clinton Co., Penn., the second child and son of John M. and Louisa (Kleckner) Stover. Up to the age of fifteen years he was on his father's farm, occupied as a general farmer's lad is. He attended the schools of the neighborhood. and on November 30, 1885, he went to Coburn to become a student of the duties in the office of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company under W. H. Kreamer, the agent of the company at that point. In this capacity he remained for about one year, then became a clerk and filled such po- sition two years. Next he worked on the P. & E. division of the same road as an extra man be- tween Harrisburg and Renovo. He worked as an extra man in the service till November, 1890, when he came to take charge of the office he first entered as a student five years previously, and where he has ever since been located. The sta- tion at Coburn is one of the most important, from a business standpoint, of any on the divi- sion, and in the handling of the great volume of business with dispatch, together with the manner in which the general affairs of the office have been conducted under the supervision of Mr .- Stover, have reflected credit to his capacity and business tact. He is an affable and accommo- dating official.

On November 13, 1889, our subject was mar- ried at Elmira, N. Y., to Miss Lillie M. Charles, of Mifflinburg, Penn., daughter of S. F. Charles (deceased). They have one child, George R., Jr., born June 13, 1891. Mrs. Stover is identi- fied with the Lutheran Church.

G EORGE M. BOAL is a representative of one of the oldest families of Penn's Valley, and his own honorable record has added new lustre to a name that has ever been synonymous with good citizenship.

James Boal, grandfather of our subject, was born in Ireland, March 17, 1764, and in that country married Elizabeth Welch, who was born February 17, 1766. They were married in 1787. and two children were born to them on the Emerald Isle, the elder being Margaret, who was born May 16, 1788, and died near Bellefonte, Penn., in April, 1841, unmarried. The second child, George Welch Boal, the father of our sub- ject, was born in County Londonderry, February 9, 1790. In the spring of that year. James Boal brought his family to America, and as he was in

limited circumstances the trip was made by the cheapest passage. The voyage of three months was a stormy one, during which the ship sprang a leak, and much of the cargo, including some of the goods belonging to the Boal family, was thrown overboard. The grandfather first made a loca- tion in eastern Pennsylvania, and in the latter part of the eighteenth century established a home in Penn's Valley. He was one of its pioneers and developed a farm from the wild land. He was a linen and carpet weaver by trade, and having brought his loom with him to the United States did considerable work in that line of industry as well as at farming. He and his wife were devout members of the Presbyterian Church. His death occurred June 22, 1836, and he was laid to rest in Centre Hill cemetery near his wife, who had died December 16, 1832.

The children born to this worthy couple in America were as follows: (1) Martha, born July 21, 1792, married Abraham Pastorius, and died in Venango county, Penn., April 4, 1853. (2) Jane, born April 16, 1795. died unmarried, near Bellefonte, August 15, 1861. (3) William, born June 22, 1801, removed to Iowa, and died August 10, 1880. (4) Elizabeth, born July 21, 1803, died in Penn's Valley, February 3. 1832. (5) James, born September 8, 1805, died near Belle- fonte, March 7, 1840. (6) Mary, born Novem- ber 12, 1807, married John Swords, and died near Bellefonte, July 26, 1841. (7) John C., born June 22, 1811, went south in 1836, and aft- er about a year all trace of him was lost.

George Welch Boal was but a child when his parents came to Penn's Valley. He was reared as a pioneer farmer boy, and was married Octo- ber 29, 1822, near Milton, Penn., to Miss Sarah Cummins Shannon, who was born in Lancaster county, Penn., June 20, 1796, a daughter of John and Martha (Caldwell) Shannon, who were of Scotch-Irish extraction, and were natives of Ire- land. The father was a farmer and an excellent citizen, living near Milton, where he located at an early day. His children were: John C., Ellen, Sarah C., Samuel, Martha J., Daniel, Anna Maria, James and Elizabeth M. At the time of his marriage George W. Boal located in George's Valley. Centre county, where he owned a small farm. In 1835 he removed to what is now Harris township, where he became the owner of a most excellent farm. He was a highly industrious man, and after following the plow all day would burn log heaps at night. By his unflagging energy he at length accumulated a handsome competence. He was a powerful man, compactly built, and well fitted for his pioneer experiences. During the later years of his life

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1, Part 33

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