Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1, Part 37

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 37
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 37
USA > Pennsylvania > Clarion County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 37
USA > Pennsylvania > Clearfield County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 37

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Dr. William S. Harter was married in Mill- heim to Mrs. Sarah (Detrich) Messinger, widow of David Messinger, who died shortly after his marriage, leaving no children. Mrs. Harter was

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a native of Mifflinburg, but her parents died there during her childhood, and she was reared by Frederick Gutelius. She possessed much artistic skill combined with business ability, and at the time of her last marriage was conducting a millinery store. Both parents were Methodists, and the father was one of the foremost workers in the Church, giving his time and thought as well as money. He died April 30, 1877. from an illness contracted during a visit to the Centennial Exposition. His widow survived him until December 29, 1893, when she passed away, and was laid to rest beside him in the cemetery at Millheim. Their children were William C., who died in childhood ; Lydia J., who died in 1893, unmarried ; Anna C., who married William S. Musser, and died in Millheim; Willis H. B., who died in infancy ; John F., our subject ; Robert . H., engineer of a school at Chicago, Ill .; and" Emma C., now Mrs. W. H. Miller, of Millheim.

Dr. J. F. Harter's literary education was acquired in the schools of his native town, and his professional studies may be said to have been begun while a boy in his father's office. How- ever, he did not determine upon dentistry as a life work without testing other occupations. For some time he clerked for Daniel Gross, a mer- chant at Lock Haven, and later he took a course in telegraphy at Oberlin, Ohio, and worked as an operator in the Western Union office at Belle- fonte. On definitely deciding to adopt his pres- ·ent calling, he completed his preparation with Dr. A. J. Orndorf, a successful practitioner at Pine Grove Mills, Penn. He then established himself in business at Millheim, and continued afterward, with the exception of three years as county recorder, to which office he was elected in 1887, until his removal to State College in the fall of 1896.

His political work and influence are worthy of more than a passing reference as he is one of the valued advisers of the Republican party in Cen- tre county. His popularity as a man is not lim- ited by partisan ties, and he has warm friends among those of opposite political faith. In 1893 he was defeated for the office of sheriff by only 260 votes, while the other on his ticket had an adverse majority of 800 or more. He has held numerous local offices, serving upon the city conn- cil and the school board of Millheim, and in all his public work his ability, discretion and fidelity have been fully proven. Always thoroughly awake to the best interests of his town, he has been active in various movements of a non-par- tisan sort. He is secretary of the Millheim Building & Loan Association, and a leading worker in the Methodist Episcopal Church, con-

tributing liberally and serving at present as trustee, steward and superintendent of the Sun- day-school. In 1874 he joined the Millheim Cornet Band, of which he became leader four years later, and under his able direction the organization has become known throughout cen- tral Pennsylvania for its excellence, having gained valuable prizes at various contests in competition with bands from much larger cities. Fraternally, he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Millheim. He has been successful financially as well as in other lines. He owns two residences at Millheim, and his home is among the pleasantest in the place.

Dr. Harter was married September 17, 1878, in Pine Grove, Penn., to Miss Charlotte Meek, daughter of F. E. and Eliza (Glenn) Meek, and they have two children, Sadie B. and Jessie M., both at home. In November, 1896, the Doctor and his family removed to State College, where he is building a fine home, and where he expects to remain to educate his children.

C LEMENT H. GRAMLY, one of the pros- perous young farmers of Brush Valley, Cen- tre county, and one of its excellent citizens, is a descendant of that grand old pioneer family of Gramlys or Gramleys, who for nearly a century have been prominent and active in the growth and development of "the garden spot of Centre county." The family, which is a numerous one. has given to the county many of its best citizens. and in Brush Valley the name of Gramly is al- most synonymous with good citizenship.

Our subject was born November 14, 1862, on the farm where he now lives, it being the old homestead of his parents, Samuel and Sarah (Smull) Gramly, and in the schools of the neighborhood began his education, which was mostly obtained in the Harter district, though completed in Rebersburg, where his brother. Prof. C. L. Gramly (now county superintend- ent of schools), was then teaching. He was reared in much the usual manner of farmer boys, early becoming familiar with the duties of an ag- riculturist, and continued to remain upon the home farm with the exception of a short time spent as a farm hand in the employ of Jacob Krape, of Nittany Valley. On July 20, 1884, in Rebersburg. Mr. Gramly was married to Miss Elizabeth Krape, who was born in Clintondale, Penn., January 3, 1866, and is a daughter of Michael and Hannah (Bierly) Krape. They have one son, Samuel C., born December 5, 1885.

Mr. Gramly brought his bride to the hoine farm, which he operated for his father for two

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years, but in 1886 purchased the stock and nec- essary machinery and rented the farm, which he still successfully cultivates. He is one of the few Republicans in Brush Valley, and comes of a family whose members are practically the nu- cleus of that party in Miles township. On more than one occasion he has served as delegate to the county conventions from the township, and takes an active and commendable interest in po- litical affairs. He is one of the leading and pop- ular citizens of the community, and those who have known him from boyhood are numbered among his stanchest friends. With the Lutheran Church he and his estimable wife hold member- ship, and at present he is serving as secretary of the Sabbath-school.

M AJOR LORENZO LORAIN, who passed away at Baltimore, Md., March 6, 1882, while yet in the prime of manhood, was one of the brightest, strongest and most gifted sons Centre county ever had. Soldier, teacher, scientist, civil engineer-a brilliant success in each field of endeavor. His wonderful ability and remarkable qualities were justly recognized, and he was held in the highest regard by all with whom he came in contact in the various walks of life. Many men of world-wide fame possessed fewer of the qualities that command success and those in less degree than he.

Our subject was born in Philipsburg, Penn., August 5, 1831, a son of Dr. Henry Tilden and Maria (Taylor) Lorain, the former of whom was born December 15, 1799, in Kent county, Md., the latter in Clearfield county. Penn. Dr Henry Lorain was a son of John and Martha Lorain, who were born in Maryland. Thomas Lorain, the father of John was born in England, and on March 24, 1759, received letters of marque from the Captain-general of Jamaica, Henry Moore, Esq., to command the ship, " Viper," to prey upon the French. He served with distinction, and on leaving the sea settled in Kent county, Md., about 1771. He had three children: John, Jr., Eliza and Thomas. The first named took quite a prominent part in public affairs, and served as postmaster of Philipsburg, at an early day in its history. His son, the Doctor, was a skilled surgeon and physician of Clearfield county, whose practice extended over a wide stretch of country.

The early education of Major Lorain was rather limited, but was enough to develop the bent of his mind, and to lay the foundation for the mathematical and mechanical ability he evinced in later years. Unexpectedly and unsolic-

ited by him, he was offered the cadetship from his district, and concluded to give up civil engin- eering, which he was then studying, and accept the same. Accordingly, in June, 1852, he en- tered the fourth class at West Point, and gradu- ated with honor in 1856. He was then commis- sioned second lieutenant in the Third Artillery, and was constantly on duty at distant frontier posts until the beginning of the Civil war. In one of the earliest engagements of that terrible struggle, that of Blackburn's Ford, on July 18, 1861, he was severely wounded, and for eight months was un- able to do even the lightest duty. He then ac- cepted the position of assistant to Prof. Ken- drick in the chemical department at West Point. entering upon his duties March 23, 1862.

During his convalescence, Major Lorain was ·married February 18, 1862, to Miss Fannie -Moseley McDonald, a native of Washington, D. C., and a daughter of William J. McDonald, who for forty-five years was attached to the office of the Secretary of the Senate, during fifteen years of which time he was chief clerk of the United States Senate. Four children were born to them: Henry McDonald, a prominent mining engineer of Philipsburg; Fannie B., who died in infancy: Mertie M., wife of Lieut. E. A. Anderson, of the United States Navy; and W. J., who died in childhood.

In May, 1862, Major Lorain's wounds be- came worse, but he continued to hold his posi- tion at West Point, for which he was well fitted; and with tireless energy devoted day and night to his work. He was offered several important volunteer commands, but knew it was unwise to accept until his physical condition was improved. While at West Point he received the brevets of captain and major, the former for gallant and meritorious service at the battle of Blackburn's Ford, Va. Although his wounds prevented active service in the fields, for nine years he did faithful service in the chemical department at the military school. He afterward commanded Fort Jefferson, Florida, and subsequently was stationed at Charleston, South Carolina.

For one year he held the professorship of physics and mechanics at the Lehigh University. at Bethlehem, Penn., but his love for the army forced him to resign. He also refused other im- portant professorships in different colleges. Sub- sequently he served at Fort Hamilton, New York Harbor, but, owing to ill health in his family. he asked to be relieved, and accepted the detail to the Artillery School at Fort Monroe, Virginia. which post had been repeatedly offered him, but which, owing to the dislike captains of artillery had for such duty, he had always previously de-

EL Lorain

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

clined. Here he was again in his element, and in many ways promoted the interests of the school, making it far more efficient. His advice was often sought and freely given in the various departments, and he was instrumental in enlarg- ing its facilities. When compelled to leave the school his loss was severely felt. During his service there he recognized the fact that im- proved telescopic sights were necessary for the large guns, and devised a sight which bears the name of "Lorain." He also introduced firing by electricity at the School.

Major Lorain was always an active man, fond of fields sport, and excelled in gunning and fish- ing. Up to the last two years of his life he took a prominent part in all such sports. his pleasant, social manner making him a valued addition to parties organized for that enjoyment. He par- ticularly delighted in sailing parties, and was remarkably skillful in his management of sail boats. At last he was compelled to give up these pleasures on account of his health, and on' the 6th of March, 1882, he departed this life. His death was widely and deeply mourned for .. he had the happy faculty of making friends of all with whom he came in contact. Throughout his career of continued and far-reaching useful- ness, his duties were performed with the greatest care, and his personal honor and integrity were without blemish. His memory will ever be a sacred inheritance to his children; it will be cher- ished by a multitude of friends.

William J. McDonald, the father of Mrs. Lo- rain, was born in September, 1813, and on reach- ing man's estate he married Ann B. Holt, who was born in March, 1813, and died on the Ist of June, 1878. His death occurred June 5, 1878. In their family were four children: Fannie Mose- ley, widow of Major Lorain; Eugenia, wife of Col. William Sinclair, of the United States Army; William J., who is connected with the Pension bureau at Washington, D. C .; and H. Bowyer, clerk of the Senate at Washington.

John G. McDonald, the paternal grandfather of Mrs. Lorain, was of Scotch parentage. He became attached to Congress on. its removal from Philadelphia to Washington, and also served as chief clerk of the Senate for many years. In 1814, when the British troops fired the capitol, he and a negro saved all the archives of the Senate. His death occurred in that city, with whose interests he had been prominently con- nected for so many years. The maternal grand- parents, John E. and Clara (Mosely) Holt, were natives of Williamsburg and Norfolk, Va .. re- spectively. For a quarter of a century the grandfather served as mayor of the latter place, 12

which position he was filling at the time of Gen. La Fayette's visit to this city, and his daughter, Mrs. McDonald, served as flower girl during the services.

HENRY MCDONALD LORAIN, the only surviv- ing son of Major Lorain, was born in West Point, N. Y., June 26, 1863, where he remained until 1870. At the age of eighteen he entered the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, with the view of taking a four-years' course of civil en- gineering, but at the end of three years was com- pelled to leave school on account of ill health. During the winter of 1885-86 he attended Bry- ant & Stratton Business College, at Baltimore. Md. Coming to Philipsburg in April, 1886, he entered the service of Holt & Chipman as mining engineer, and has since been with the company. although it has several times changed hands, be- ing now known as the Coaldale Mining Co. He first studied to be a civil engineer, but gave it up as he preferred mining engineering, in which he has been very successful.

On June 6, 1894, Mr. Lorain was united in marriage with Miss Maud Holt, a daughter of William and Mary (Foresman) Holt, and one son, Sinclair, was born to them June 23, 1895. Mrs. H. McD. Lorain died February 10, 1897. and is buried in the Philipsburg Cemetery. The family is one of prominence, holding a high po- sition in social circles. Mr. Lorain votes with the Republican party, and in business as well as social circles stands deservedly high.

D' UNLOP, HARRIS, STEWART, PAXTON genealogies, and other families with whom inter-married, and explanatory remarks of their contemporaries, indicating their enterprise and character as citizens of the County and State.

DUNLOP.

The Dunlop family were Scotch-Irish Presbyte- rians residing in " Dunlop Parish," Ayrshire, Scot- land, during the period in the reign of Charles II (1660-1685) when he attempted to enforce Episcopacy upon the Scottish nation, in conse- quence of which persecution they abandoned their estates and sought a new home in the County Donegal. North of Ireland (which had then become a refuge for Presbyterians and Covenanters who adhered to the "Westminster Confession of Faith" adopted by the Scottish people in 1643, and ratified by the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in 1647).

From recent correspondence with the Rev. W. E. Lattimer, of English Dungannon, Ireland.

NESSUN

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

we have obtained a copy of the record of the Presbytery of Conway, County Donegal, ordain- ing JOHN DUNLOP (I)", a minister. From tradition we learn he was the father of WILLIAM DUNLOP (II), who sat as a Ruling Elder in the Presbytery of Tyrone, Ireland, in 1712, and at an advanced age emigrated to this country with his family-a wife and four children-prior to the year 1730, first locating at Donegal, now Lancaster county, in this State (near the farm of that name now owned by the Camerons), and in the neighbor- hood of which were residents by name: Harris, Boggs, Lowry, Johnston and other well-known Scotch-Irish families, largely intermarried, and who later sought homes in other parts of the State. William Dunlop (II) we find as early as 1730 petitioned the Court of Lancaster county to recommend him to the Governor for appoint -. ment as an Indian trader. He moved from Donegal to a farm adjoining the town of Shippens- burg, where he died (his granddaughter, Elizabeth Simpson, said at the age of 115). A deed dated January 15, 1752, and of record in Carlisle, from Margaret, William and Ephraim Dunlop to their brother, James Dunlop, conveying the farm above mentioned, recites: "it being partly in consider- ation that he forever maintain their Mother De- borah Dunlop, wife of William Dunlop, who died intestate."

JAMES DUNLOP (III) soon after married Jane Boggs, daughter of Andrew Boggs and sister of Col. John and Capt. Alexander Boggs, of the Revolution, and provided his mother a home until her death some years later. His sister Margaret, having married, moved to one of the Southern States. William was the commander of a vessel, and also the Indian trader mentioned in Pennsylvania Archives, and Ephraim moved to Tennessee, where he purchased a large plan- tation. and where he died leaving a large estate. James pursued the practice of law in Cumberland county, and was also engaged in the manufacture of iron at what was then known as the ' Dunlop Furnaces" in Path Valley, now Franklin county, until about the time that Congress passed the Act authorizing a battalion for immediate serv- ice to be raised in Cumberland county (Jan. 4, 1776), when he abandoned all pursuits and de- voted his energies to raising and equipping of the regiment which was afterward known as the " 6th. Pennsylvania of the Continental line, " and was on the 10th day of January, 1776, commis- sioned its major. The history of this regiment will be found in Pennsylvania Archives under that name, and further details of its service in notes

of the 2nd Pennsylvania, Col. St. Clair, in Gen. Anthony Wayne's command. On the 25th of October, 1776, Major Dunlop was promoted to lieutenant-colonel of the 10th Pennsylvania. He participated in all the numerous engagements of that year with the British under Gen. Burgoyne at "Three Rivers", "Isle Aux Noix", "Isle La Motte", "Ticonderoga", Crown Point", etc., "in which the battalion suffered severely in killed and wounded, and their exposure in the swamps without proper food or clothing, as expressed by Col. Dunlop, "rendered their condition pitiable," and is so reported by Gen. Wayne to the Com- mittee of Safety in Pennsylvania Archives, Vol. x, page 79. On the 23rd day of January, 1777, Col. Dunlop resigned his command [see letter in Vol. I, Pennsylvania Archives, page 694] because seniority in rank was not recognized. Col. Dun- lop's epaulets, sword and his discharge papers, together with the Continental money in which he was paid for his services enclosed therein, are preserved by his descendants in Bellefonte. On the 2nd of October, 1779, he was appointed lieutenant of Cumberland county, and on the 28th of October, 1784, was commissioned a Justice of :the Common Pleas in Cumberland county. Dur- ing all these years the family tradition recounts many hardships endured by himself and family. many narrow escapes and thrilling adventures; fleeing to the forts to avoid capture by the In- dians; destruction and burning of their property, himself twice a captive; devices of escape from them, etc. Col. Dunlop's wife Jane (nee Boggs) was a lady of fine education, quick perception, reliant, prompt to act in an emergency, and pro- tected herself and small children by flight on horseback through forest pathways to places of refuge from pursuing Indians on more than one occasion. In the quiet routine of family life her loving disposition and motherly care, as well as her neat and methodical management of the household appointments, were an example for all, and her advice and sympathy sought by many, other than her family relations.

She was a daughter of ANDREW BOGGS (I) who located on the Susquehanna at Logan's Ferry in 1730 (now Bainbridge). He had 200 acres of land adjoining the Ferry, and died there in 1765. Andrew Boggs' wife was a Miss Pat- ton, sister of James who married Mary Allison. (Mr. Patton died in 1746, and his wife the year following without issue). COLONEL JOHN BOGGS (II), son of Andrew Boggs and Miss Patton, was an officer of the Revolution and a prominent man in Cumberland county, paymaster of militia. sheriff of the county from 1780 to 1783, and Jus- tice of the Common Pleas of Franklin county in

*All the Roman numerals refer to the generations from the first known ancestor, and not to the number of children.

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

r786. . He moved to Centre county in 1795, and resided on the farm now owned by Henderson on Buffalo run, west of Bellefonte, and died in De- cember, 1796, agedsixty-four years. His wife, who died July 11, 1815, was Miss Elizabeth Johnston, daughter of Col. Johnston, who was of Scotch- Irish origin, and a colonel in the English army, who came to this country about 1700, and ob- tained from the government a large body of land partly (now) in Franklin county and in the State of Maryland adjoining, upon which he erected a large fine house, for those days, more like a fort than a dwelling, in old English style with wine cellars, etc. Col. Johnston's wife was a Mrs. Findlay (1), a widow with two sons, one of whom was the father of Gov. William Findlay (2), Mrs. Gov. Shunk and Jane Findlay, who died in Harrisburg in 1836, leaving a large number of grandchildren. The other son resided in Balti- more, where he and his wife both died leaving one child, Eliza Findlay (III), a little over two years old. The children of Col. Johnston and . wife (née Findlay) were all grown and married before the Revolution, except one who was not married until he was sixty-five; his sons were all in the American army, as were also his stepsons. His son, Dr. Robert Johnston, was a celebrated surgeon of the Revolution, and about 1750 Dr. Robert went to China with a cargo of ginseng; was there some years, and upon his return mar- ried Miss Nellie Pauline, to whom he had been engaged, bringing with him the silk for her wed- ding dress (samples of which are still preserved); they both died leaving no children. His son, Thomas Johnston, was also distinguished for his bravery on many occasions during the war, and his son, James Johnston, who had obtained the same . rank in the American army, was also known as Col. Johnston (and in the family, as a means of designation, " Uncle Jimmy"). After the war he went to England, and while there had a carpet woven with a blue ground, and the American Coat of Arms as a center piece, which was the first imported carpet in this country.

Col. Johnston, Sr., had four daughters, whose married names were: Beatty, Brown, Campbell and Boggs, one of whom was a widow, and she and " Uncle Jimmy" (Col., Jr.) occupied the home of their father and kept open house for all of the relations. "Uncle Jimmy " went to Baltimore upon the death of his half-brother, Findlay, and took home with him the child, Elizabeth Findlay, to whose education and train- ng he gave special attention. He was a mem- ber of the Legislature when. it met in Philadel- phia, and boarded with a Mrs. Parker, a widow with four children-one son and three daughters

-whose reverses in fortune, it is said, induced him at the age of sixty-five to marry the widow and take the flock home. The daughters were very handsome; one was the mother of Maj. Linton, great-grandmother of the beautiful Miss Chamberlain, who had such fame both here and in Europe. Col. Boggs was the first person buried in Bellefonte, on the hill now occupied by the residence of Daniel Rhoads, west end of Linn street, his remains afterward being removed to the new cemetery. His wife died July 11, 1815. Their children are as follows: Andrew Boggs Jr., (III), who was an attorney [see Bar list, Centre county], was born September I, 1773, was also in the iron business in Centre county with his cousin, John Dunlop; went west from Bellefonte, and married his cousin, Jane -Johnston; lived in Pittsburgh for a time, then on the Kiskiminitis, where he made salt; the great flood of 1832 destroyed his works, entailing a loss of $30,000. The Legislature voted him $15,000 damages, as it had partly been occa- sioned by the building of the Pennsylvania canal. He owned the farm on which Saltsburg is now built. He had eight children, and some years after the death of his wife, married Sarah Bid- dle, cousin of Nicholas Biddle, of National Bank fame; they had four children, and finally moved to Springfield, Ohio, where he and his wife both died. His descendants live in the West; one daughter married Simon Drum, of the regular army, who was killed at the taking of the City of Mexico (two of whose sons are now in the army): his (Andrew's) eldest son died unmarried, also two daughters, Jane and Rebecca. His second son was lost on the Isthmus of Darien in 1852. His daughter, Mary, married her cousin, John Miles; they died in Kentucky, leaving no de- scendants. Anna Bella, his eldest child, mar- ried Jacob Drum, and has two daughters living in Cleveland, Ohio. Elizabeth (2), daughter of Col. John and Elizabeth Johnston Boggs, was born in 1775, married James McLanahan before the family left Franklin county, and moved to Baltimore where they both died, leaving a num- ber of children: Craig McLanahan (4), eldest son, lived in Hollidaysburg. Robert (5) never married. William did live in St. Louis. Eliza Bell was married to Dr. Johnston Boggs. Dr. Johnston Boggs (3), son of Col. John and Elizabeth Johnston Boggs, was born June 7. 1776; married his cousin, Eliza Bell McLanahan (above mentioned); moved to Natchez and died there. Francis Boggs (4), son of Col. John and Elizabeth Johnston Boggs, was born February 25, 1778, and died when twelve years old. Ann (5), daughter of Col. John (3)

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1, Part 37

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