USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 36
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 36
USA > Pennsylvania > Clarion County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 36
USA > Pennsylvania > Clearfield County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 36
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proven himself to be, and our citizens without re- gard to political belief, religious opinion, color, class, creed or condition will be glad to have an opportunity of continuing him in the position he now holds. It is to the interest of the town, to the interest of every tax payer that they do so."
On 11th of October, 1876, Mr. Keichline was married to Miss S. L. Wagner, of Central City, Boggs township, who was then 22 years of age, a daughter of John Wagner and Susan (Hahn), and their son John M. is a graduate of the Belle- fonte High School; he was two years at the Penn- sylvania State College, where he was initiated into the Sigma Chi Fraternity, and is now read- ing law in the office with his father; the daughter, Daisey, is attending the Bellefonte High School; the son Edward and other daughter, Annie, are. going to school.
In politics our subject is a Democrat. He is a member of Centre Lodge No. 153, I. O. O. F., a member of the Encampment No. 72. I. O. O. F., of Bellefonte, Penn., a member of K. G. E., Bellefonte Castle No. 357.
J OHN D. McGIRK, M. D., of Philipsburg, Centre county, is an able and successful physician whose many years of unremitting ap- plication to his professional work have given him a place in the front rank among the practitioners of his section. He is a native of Philipsburg, born October 21, 1834, and the family name is asso- ciated with some of the important events of pio- neer times in that locality.
Steven McGirk (his paternal grandfather), a native of County Tyrone, Ireland, was a Roman Catholic in faith, and during the troubles be- tween the Protestants and the Romanists he was forced to leave his home to avoid persecution. For some time he remained in hiding, but find- ing an opportunity to make his escape to Amer- ica he crossed the ocean with his family and made his home in Shippensburg, Penn., where he spent many years as a successful stock dealer. He died September 30. 1804. His wife, born July, 1757, died December 18, 1831, at Philips- burg. They had five children: (1) Isabel mar- ried James Test, a tanner at Philipsburg, where both died; their children were-Steven, Char- lotte, Margaret, James, Jessie, Annie and Israel. (2) Nancy married Major Davis, of the United States army, who served on Gen. Jackson's staff during the war of 1812; later he was sent to Fort Hawkins, Ala., and his wife died there. (3) Jane (deceased) never married. (4) James is mentioned more fully below. (5) Rachel mar- ried John B. Meek, and both died at their home
in Pine Grove, Centre county; they had the fol- lowing children-Wesley, Marvin, Fletcher, Hattie, Lottie, and Franklin.
James McGirk, our subject's father, was born in Ireland, and when a child accompanied his parents to the New World. Previous to his marriage he spent some time in the South with his brother-in-law, Major Davis, but in early manhood he settled in Philipsburg where he en- gaged in business as a farmer, miller and hotel keeper. He was a man of unusual mental abil- ity, and having read medicine to some extent, he was often called upon to use his skill and knowl- edge for the relief of suffering humanity. He never attended medical college, and did not at- tempt to build up a regular practice; but being many times the only physician at hand, he ac- cepted the responsibility, often taking long journeys at the call of some afflicted family. These timely services endeared his name to the pioneers throughout that region. He was mar- ried in Philipsburg to Miss Eleanor Ashman, daughter of Col. Ashman, of Huntingdon county. Penn., an officer in the Revolutionary army. Of their two children. our subject was the younger. Henrietta (the elder) was born at Philipsburg, April 15. 1831, and after pursuing the course of study offered in the local schools was sent to Chambersburg, Penn., to complete her educa- tion. She was married November 19, 1846, to Hon. C. R. Foster, M. D., who was born in Cape May county, N. J., June 30, 1822. He studied medicine in Jefferson College, Philadel- phia, and after his graduation in the spring of 1844 located at Philipsburg, where he acquired a large practice, extending over a wide range of country. He became interested in the lumber business also, but ten years prior to his death in 1867 he retired from active business and pro- fessional cares. He was prominent in public affairs. a member of the M. E. Church, and a leader in the Democratic organization, serving two terms in the State Legislature. Dr. and Mrs. Foster had one daughter, Helen Louise. who married George A. Ziegler, of Huntingdon county, and died leaving two children. Helen and Henrietta, who reside with their widowed grandmother in her elegant and hospitable home.
Dr. McGirk laid the basis of his education in the schools of his native town and in the acad- emy at Williamsport, Penn., but for the most part his education has been gained by private study. Medical science early attracted his attention, and he practiced with marked success for some years before entering medical college; but in the spring of 1871 he completed the regular professional course at the University of Pennsylvania, ob-
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taining the degree of M. D. Returning to his old home he resumed his work with renewed zeal, and has since remained in active practice.
On November 20, 1856, he was married to Miss Mary F. Hand, a native of Cape May coun- ty, N. J., born May 11, 1837. They have had three children: Loretta, who died at the age of seven years; Annie, at home; and Charles E., born September 17, 1869, now in practice with his father; his literary education was secured at. Dickinson College, Carlisle, Penn., and then, en- tering the University of Pennsylvania, he pur- sued the medical course, graduating in 1895. Studious, progressive, and endowed with fine na- tive abilities, he is a young man of whom the community expects much. Dr. McGirk and family are members of the M. E. Church. So-
cially he is affiliated with the F. & A. M., in which fraternity he in his younger days took an active interest. In politics he invariably votes the Democratic ticket. Besides his elegant and comfortable residence, the Doctor owns a fine block in Philipsburg; for several years he kept a popular drug store in the city.
Mrs. McGirk is a descendant of a well-known family of English origin. The first ancestor of whom we have any record was John Hand, who was born in 1611, at Stanstead, near Maidstone, in the County of Kent, England. Coming to America, he settled first in Massachusetts in the vicinity of Lynn. In 1634 he moved to Con- necticut, to South Hampton in 1644, and to East Hampton in 1648, his death occurring at the last named place in 1660. He married Miss Stamborough, and had seven sons and one daughter. Shamgar Hand. the first son, mar- ried, and had five sons and two daughters. Zel- ophephad Hand, the next in line of descent, ınar- ried, and had four sons and three daughters. Nathaniel, the first son married, had three sons and three daughters, his eldest son. Jeremiah, being Mrs. McGirk's grandfather. He was born in 1763 and died in 1815. He married Deborah Hand, his cousin, and had four sons and one danghter, as follows: Joseph, Jeremialı, Jesse, Aaron and Deborah. Aaron Hand, Mrs. Mc- Girk's father, was born May 30, 1786, and died May 31, 1852. He and his wife, Eliza ( Foster), had four children: Aaron S., Elizabeth, Deb- orah and Mary (Mrs. McGirk).
G S. FRANK, M. D., of Millheim, one of the leading physicians of Penn's Valley, has gained by force of merit an enviable rank in his profession, and this success is more notable when one considers the lugh average of ability and at-
tainment which is found in the fraternity in this section. In giving an account of the life of Dr. Frank it will be well to review the history of the family, and see the sturdy, progressive stock from which he has descended.
Christopher Frank, his great-great-grand- father. came from Germany to America at an early period. Philip Frank, the great-grand- father, was for some time a resident of Hagers- town, Md., but in 1795 came to Centre county, and located near Aaronsburg, upon a farm now owned by Jacob Reed, the first farm to the north of the pike on the west side of the town. He was in comfortable circumstances, and being a man of intellect and enterprise was highly re- spected by all. In political faith he was a Dem- ocrat. His wife, Catherine Harper, was a sister 'of Adam Harper, who in 1802, became one of the first associate judges of Centre county. This worthy couple were among the early members of the Lutheran Church at Aaronsburg, where both were buried, the wife dying in 1831, and the husband in 1832. Their children were George, who is mentioned more fully below; Philip and John, who died at Aaronsburg; Eve, who mar- ried Judge John Shaeffer, and died in Miles township, Centre county; Elizabeth, who died in Lebanon county, Penn., unmarried; and Cath- erine, who married a Mr. Shade, and died in the West.
Geotge Frank, the grandfather of our sub- ject, was born near Hagerstown, Md., in 1779. and from the age of sixteen made his home in this section, engaging in farming as an occupa- tion. He was of ordinary height and compactly built, and a most industrious worker, although he never accumulated much. His schooling was limited, but he possessed much native intelli- gence. He always took an interest in public affairs, and in politics was a Democrat. He was married in Aaronsburg, to Christina Kramer, who was born in Jonestown. Lebanon Co .. Penn., in 1780, the danghter of Andrew and Margaret ( Haine) Kramer. Her father died in Lebanon county, and her mother removed to Haines township, Centre county, where the young people first met. For some time after his mar- riage onr subject's grandfather lived at Aarons- burg, but in 1809 he leased a tract of land in Sugar Valley, where he remained until 1814. He then removed to Brush Valley, and later re- turned to Aaronsburg, where he died in 1837. his interment taking place there. His widow survived him many years, passing away in 1863. at the home of her son Samuel (father of onr subject) in Kebersburg, where her remains now rest.
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Fourteen children were born of this union, of whom eleven lived to adult age. Ten were liv- ing at the time of their father's death. Jacob, a miller by trade, died in Sugar Valley at the age of ninety; David, a millwright, died in Pickaway county, Ohio; John, a carpenter, died in Miles township, Centre county; George, a farmer, is living in Mercer county Ohio, at the age of eighty- nine years; Michael, a farmer and carpenter, died in Mercer county, Ohio, aged seventy-four; Samuel is mentioned below: Mary (Mrs. Solo- mon Confer) died at Millheim; Sally (Mrs. An- drew Stover) died in Haines township, Centre county; Elizabeth (twin to Sally) married John Hetzler, and died in Illincis; Catherine (de- ceased) never married; and Eve (Mrs. Jacob Minich) died in Aaronsburg.
Samuel Frank, our subject's father, was born April 25, 1821, in Miles township, Centre county, one and one-half miles south of Rebersburg, near the mountain, in a one-story cabin built .of logs. When he was four years old his parents moved to Aaronsburg, where he attended the subscription schools of the day, his first teacher being Andrew Ebraght, who taught his classes in his own home. As his parents were very poor, the young student, who lived near the school, made the fires to pay for his tuition dur- ing the winter. One of his later teachers, Mr. Kerr, would hire his brightest and most advanced pupils to teach the primary class, and this work falling to Samuel Frank, he was enabled to se- cure free tuition for some time. The death of his father caused the separation of the family, and February 5, 1838, he left Aaronsburg to go to Rebersburg. He had nothing in the world but the few belongings he carried upon his per- son, and on arriving at Rebersburg he was bound out by the overseer of the poor, John Moyer, to learn the tailor's trade under Daniel Winters. Four years, two months and twenty days were spent in this service without a cent of pay or a day's schooling, his clothing only, and that of the poorest sort, being given him. During the last year he ran a shop at Wolfs Store for Mr. Winters, and at the end of his term he contin- ued business there on his own account.
On February 28, 1843, Samuel Frank was married in Miles township, Centre county, to Miss Sarah Brungart, a native of that locality, born April 22, 1825, the daughter of a well-to- do farmer, George Brungart, and his wife, Sarah (Kahl). This marriage was a most fortunate one, Mr. Frank gaining an excellent wife who helped him in every way. He remained at Wolfs Store until 1854, and in the meantime was for three years in partnership with Thomas
Wolfe in a general mercantile business. Wish- ing to try a farmer's life, Mr. Frank then spent four years upon a farm at Spring Bank, in the same township, but in 1858 he sold out and re- moved to Rebersburg, where he purchased a gen- eral store from William Hosterman. He con- tinued this business successfully for some time, Dr. J. H. Hilbish being his partner for two years, but in 1865 he sold his store and residence and bought a mill property and a small farm in the same township. Two years later he sold them and, returning to Rebersburg, purchased a resi- dence which he still owns and a store adjoining, and also a small farm in the vicinity. He was engaged in mercantile business until 1879, when he sold out to Gramley Brothers, and for some years he has lived a retired life, although still enjoying excellent health. All things considered. -his career is a remarkable one. Could he have had a thorough education in his youth, so that his intellectual abilities would have had free scope, his life might have been spent in other lines, but he could have won no stronger, truer friends and admirers than he now has among the people of Centre county.
Any political position in the gift of his circle : of acquaintances was his: he was associate judge of Centre county for five years (1877-1881); county auditor three years (1871-1874); and he held almost every township office, including that of justice of the peace; in which he served five years. In 1843, at the age of twenty-two, he was chosen overseer of the poor. For a quar- ter of a century he was regarded as one of the most influential Democrats of Miles township. and he was ho less active in other movements of his time. In 1841 he and his wife united with the Lutheran Church in Rebersburg, and he has been among its chief supporters, holding every office except that of preacher, and contributing liberally, especially to the building of the new church. As a recreation he has always been fond of hunting, and he has tramped hundreds of miles over the mountains in search of game.
On September 1, 1886, his faithful helpmeet passed from earth, and her mortal remains lie buried at Rebersburg. Since her death he has made his home with his son James. Four chil- dren survive: James P., a farmer near Rebers- burg; Luther B., a clerk in the same town: George S., our subject; and Paulina, now Mrs. R. D. Bierly, of Rebersburg.
We will now return to the subject proper of this sketch. - Dr. Frank was born October 22, 1859, in Rebersburg, where he received an ele- mentary education in the district schools, Hon. Henry Meyer being his first teacher. Later he
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attended the normal schools of the locality and, with private instruction in science and the lan- guages, he prepared for teaching. At eighteen he took charge of a school, and after three years as a successful teacher in his native township he began the study of medicine with Dr. Daniel J. Hilbish, a noted practitioner of Rebersburg. His preliminary reading finished, he took a course in the Jefferson Medical College, graduat- ing in 1883. His first professional work was at Spring Mills, but after a short time he located at Rebersburg, where he remained until 1886. He then settled permanently in Millheim, and now enjoys a large and constantly increasing practice, the territory covered being probably as large as that of any practitioner in the county and not excepting the oldest. He keeps well informed on the various lines of professional progress and is identified with leading medical associations, being a member of the Centre County Medical Society; Pennsylvania Medical Society; West Branch Medical Society; and the American Med- ical Association.
In 1885, the Doctor was married in Rebers- burg to Miss Melissa G. Miller, daughter of J. A. and Mary (Esterline) Miller, and they have an elegant home at Millheim, a model of conven- ience and comfort. Agreeable in manners and in conversation, he easily gains friends, whom his sterling qualities of character bind firmly to him. As a progressive citizen he manifests a keen interest in all local affairs, serving on the village council and the school board. At present he is coroner of Centre county; but while he is an enthusiastic supporter of the Democratic party, he does not aim at political distinction. He is a charter member of the Knights of the Golden Eagle at Millheim, aud he and his accomplished wife are leading members of the Lutheran Church, to which they contribute liberally, not only in money but in time and in strength, the Doctor being an elder in the Church and super- intendent of the Sunday-school.
J AMES T. STUART was born December 9, 1837, near Linden Hall, Harris township, Centre county, the second in the family of seven children born to David A. and Martha (Johnson) Stuart.
There he began his education in the school house at Rock Hill, his teacher being Matthew Woods, later a practicing physician of Clearfield, Penn. Subsequently our subject attended school in Clearfield county, and at the age of seventeen completed his literary education in Boalsburg Academy. On beginning his business career he
served as a clerk for George W. Johnson & Co., of Huntingdon county, Penn., for three years, and during the following four years engaged in teaching schoolin Centre county, at $1 per day. On his return from the war he again entered the mercantile establishment of Mr. Johnson in Peters- burg, Huntingdon county, where he remained some four years, and later, in partnership with William D. Keller, engaged in the manufacture of woolen goods in Houserville, College township, Centre county. At the end of three year, how- ever, he returned to Boalsburg, where he em- barked in mercantile pursuits, and also served as postmaster from 1873 until 1882. On removing to State College in the latter year he, in con- nection with his brother, John W., conducted a general store for three years, but since 1885 has been engaged in his present business in Boals- burg. His home and hotel is a beautiful stone structure, erected in 1819 by Col. James John- son, and here everything is done for the conven- ience and comfort of his guests.
On June 16, 1875, Mr. Stuart was wedded to Miss E. E. Hunter, a daughter of Dr. Reuben Hunter, who died in 1864 while serving as sur- geon of the 54th P. V. I. Four children bless this union, whose names and dates of birth are as follows: William, August 3, 1876; George J .. July 23, 1880; David A., October 1, 1882; and Rueben R., October 8, 1884.
Hardly had the echoes of Fort Sumter's guns died away when Mr. Stuart offered his service to the general government to assist in putting down the Rebellion, enlisting April 20, 1861, in the 7th P. V. I., for three months. He was discharged July 20, 1861, but on the 31st of the following August was made sergeant in Company G, 49th P. V. I., under Capt. John Bool; was promoted to second lieutenant March 16, 1862; and to first lieutenant December 1, of the same year. On January 12, 1863, he was transferred to the field and staff roll as adjutant; promoted to captain of Company G, February 25, 1864; commissioned brevet major of the United States Volunteers, April 6, 1865; promoted to major of the 49th P. V. I., in June, 1865; and to lieutenant-colonel July 14, 1865. His war record is one of which he may be justly proud, for he entered the serv- ice as a private, and for meritorious and gallant conduct on the field of battle steadily arose to the rank of lieutenant-colonel.
Col. Stuart participated in the following en- gagements: Williamsburg, May 5, 1862; Har- net's Hill; Golding's Farin: Savage Station; Mal- vern Hill; Antietam; Fredericksburg, December 13, 1862; Chancellorsville: Gettysburg; Kappa- hannock Station; Mine Run; Wilderness; Spott-
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sylvania Court House; Winchester; Cedar Creek; Petersburg. April 2, 1865; Little Sailor's Creek, April 6, 1865; and, on the 9th of the same month, Appomattox Court House, where Lee surren- dered to Grant, and the war was practically over. Col. Stuart was wounded at Rappahannock, No- vember 7, 1863, and in the shoulder at Spott- sylvania, May 10, 1864. After his return home he contemplated joining the regular army, and wrote to Gen. W. S. Hancock for a letter of rec- ommendation, which he still has in his possession, and which reads as follows:
CANONDOLET, Mo., August 6, 1866.
Lieut .- Col. James T. Stuart, late of the 49th P. V. I., is known to me to have been a faithful officer; he served under my command during the Peninsula and Antietam cam- paigns. He has been severely wounded in action, and was promoted to the lieutenant-colonelcy of his regiment for gallant and meritorious services. I have no hesitation in recommending him for a commision in the regular army of the United States.
(Signed) WINFIELD S. HANCOCK, Major-General U. S. A.
In December, 1864, our subject was detailed to headquarters of the 6th Army Corps, as com- mander of a battalion of sharpshooters, with the rank of captain. Subsequently he was re- quested by Gen. Edwards to take a position on his.staff as brigade inspector, which he accepted and filled until discharged, Gen. Wheaton re- lieving him from his former position.
Col. Stuart is now an honored and prominent member of the Grand Army Post No. 95, and the Union Veteran Legion, both of Bellefonte. Since casting his first Presidential vote for Abra- ham Lincoln, he has been a stalwart Republican in politics, and in 1866 was the candidate of his party for State representative. He acceptably served as county auditor from 1879 until 1882, and has filled various township offices to the satisfaction of all concerned.
J JOHN F. HARTER, D. D. S., a prominent dentist of State College, Centre county, is a representative citizen whose influence is felt no less in public life than in his professional sphere. He was born in Millheim, January 5. 1857, and is a member of a family that has held a leading place in that city since the time of his grandfather, John Harter, who came there as a young man.
John Harter was a native of Lebanon town- ship, Dauphin Co., Penn., born November 16, 1792, and became a prosperous carriage and wagon maker, employing a number of men, and his business was one of the most important in Millheim in his day. In religious faith he was a Lutheran, and in politics a Democrat, and while his attention was chiefly given to business mat-
ters, he took part, in a quiet way, in the varied movements of the time and locality. He was more then ninety years old at the time of his death, which took place at the home of his son, Dr. W. S. Harter, our subject's father.
On August 30, 1813, he married Miss Mollie Shreffler, who was born November 29, 1794. and died February 15, 1861, both being buried at Millheim. They had twelve children, whose names with dates of birth are as follows: Julia A., July 21, 1814, married Henry Royer, and died at Millheim, June 7, 1896; Elizabeth, May 22, 1816, married Michael Cooney, and died in Akron, Ohio; Sarah, August 16, 1818, is the widow of John Purman, of Loganton, Penn., and the mother of Hon. William J. Purman. once a member of Congress from Florida; Will- iam S., June 9, 1820, is mentioned more fully below; John, December 18. 1822, died in Mif- flinburg, Penn .; Margaret, December 12, 1824, is now Mrs. R. B. Hartman, of Millheim; Dan- iel, December 10, 1826, died November 29, 1829; Henry, September 23, 1828, resides in Joliet, Ill. ; Hannah M., November 5. 1830, died in Millheim, unmarried; David, March 6, 1832, died January 30, 1833; Amelia, August 7, 1835, married J. D. Foote, and died in Millheim; and Mary M., December 24, 1837, is the wife of -John West, of Chicago, Illinois.
Dr. William S. Harter, the father of our subject, was born in Millheim and grew to man- hood there. He learned the painters' trade in his father's shop, and having great me- chanical ability he became familiar also in an incidental way with all the details of carriage and wagon making. He had extraordinary abil- ity as an artist, though lacking entirely a suit- able opportunity to develop his powers. His work with a pen was unusually fine, and one cannot but regret that his talent remained un- utilized. He was well advanced toward middle age when he began the study of dentistry with Dr. Swartz, a successful practitioner, with whom he later went into partnership. After a time Dr. Harter established an independent practice. continuing in all over twenty years. White he made much money and lived in comfortable style, he never became wealthy. As a citizen he was highly respected, and he held a prominent place in the Republican organization in his sec- tion. For some years previons to his death he was government gauger and store keeper in the Eighteenth District of Pennsylvania.
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