Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1, Part 42

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 42
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 42
USA > Pennsylvania > Clarion County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 42
USA > Pennsylvania > Clearfield County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 42

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

W H. BLOOM is a leading and influential member of the agricultural community of Ferguson township, Centre county. The im- provements upon his place reflect great credit upon him; the buildings are of a handsome and substantial character; and the surroundings of his residence are extremely beautiful. He is an able financier and a substantial citizen, always mak- ing the most of his opportunities, and in his chosen vocation has met with a well-deserved success.

Mr. Bloom was born August 7, 1850, and is a son of William and Sarah (Lesch) Bloom. The father, who was of German descent, was a native of Berks county, Penn., and came to Centre county from Union county, Penn., whither he had moved. His family constituted six children: Jemima, who married Daniel Heckman, and died in October, 1870, leaving three children; Amelia, wife of John Frantz, a farmer of Centre county; Adam G., a dairyman and farmer of Lock Haven, Clinton Co., Penn., who married Ellen Runkle and has two children; W. H., of this sketch; Peter F., who died in 1863, during boy- hood; Clara A., wife of William Smith, a farmer living near Pine Grove Mills, Centre county, by whom she has eight children.

Our subject is indebted to the free schools of White Hall, Penn., for his educational privileges. He early became familiar with agricultural pur- suits, and chose farming as his life work, now owning and operating a valuable tract of 150 acres four miles from State College, Centre coun- ty. The land is under a high state of cultiva- tion, and yields bountiful harvests in return for the care and labor expended upon it. On De- cember 24, 1867, Mr. Bloom was married to Miss Sarah E. Carter, a native of Centre Furnace, Penn., whose mother was from Centre county, Penn. Her father, who was also a native of Centre county, enlisted in 1862 in the 148th P. V. I., in Capt. Foster's company, and laid down his life on the altar of his country at the battle of Chancellorsville. He also had two brothers in the Union service, both of whom

were wounded-William losing a leg, and Jacob Lee being wounded in the hip. Her family is of German and English extraction. She has two brothers, Frederick K. and Joseph Carter, and one sister, Henrietta (wife of James Mowery).

Eleven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Bloom, in order of birth as follows: Will- iam A., who died in infancy; Emma V., wife of Oscar Heckman, a farmer of Penn Hall, Centre county; Anna M., who was born May 15, 1872, is the wife of Elmer. E. Royer, of Pine Grove Mills, Centre county, by whom she has a son, William H .; Henry C., at home; Frankie, who was born September 23, 1875, and died in in- fancy; Oliver P., born October 27, 1878; Bessie R., born July 10, 1880; Lizzie M., born May 5, 1882; Grover Cleveland, who was born May 9. 1884, and died April 3, 1886; E. Orvis, born January 17, 1890; and Margaret C., born No- vember 4, 1891.

In politics, Mr. Bloom is a straight and stanch adherent to the principles formulated in the plat- forms of the Democratic party, and exercises his elective franchises in support of the can- didates offered by that organization. Religiously he is a member of the Reformed Church, and socially is a member of the Grange. A genial, whole-souled American citizen, he is a leading and representative man of Ferguson township, and merits and receives the warmest confidence and esteem of his fellow-citizens.

W ILLIAM H. STOVER, a prominent citi- zen of Aaronsburg, Centre county, now retired from active business cares, is one of the men who make old age seem the better portion of life. His fine presence and dignified manners would attract attention anywhere; while, to those who have the pleasure of his personal acquaint- ance, his well-stored mind and conversational powers are a source of perpetual pleasure.

Mr. Stover is a native of Aaronsburg, having been born January 1, 1825, in the house in which the greater part of his life has been spent. His father. Jacob E. Stover, was born at Williams- port, Md., on the Potomac river, and, losing his parents while yet a boy, began his business career at a great disadvantage. He learned the tanner's trade in Maryland, and as a young man settled in Haines township, Centre county, where numerous relatives had already located. There he built a tannery which he conducted for many years, and being an excellent workman enjoyed a large trade. He was industrious, but a lack of the distinctive qualities of the financier prevented him from acquiring more than a moderate com-

200

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

: petence. Politically he was a Whig, steadfast in -principle and a regular voter, and in religion he was a_Lutheran.

Jacob E. Stover was married in Aaronsburg, to Catherine, daughter of Jacob Hubler, one of the - first settlers in the township. Mr. Stover -died at the age of sixty-seven, but his wife lived to be nearly eighty years old before she, too, -passed away. The remains of both were interred at Aaronsburg. Their children were seven in -number, and three sons did active service in the Civil war. Samuel H. died at Boalsburg, Penn. Isaac died in Aaronsburg. Catherine married Christian Kaup, and died in Milesburg. George H., who was quartermaster of the 179th P. V. I., was a resident of Morgan county, Mo., and died in 1897. William H. is mentioned more fully below. Michael, who held the rank of lieutenant in the 179th P. V. I., died in Morgan county, Mo. John H., an attorney, was active in raising the 179th Regiment, and served gal- lantly through the war as its colonel. When the. struggle was ended he removed to Morgan coun- ty, Mo., where he died. At one time he repre- . sented that district in Congress.

Although the subject of this sketch displayed from an early age a particularly retentive memory, andwould have profited by a good education, his op- opportunities were limited to those of the usual dis- trict school privileges. As his father owned a farm as well as a tannery, there was always work in one place or the other to keep his boys from mischief. Mr. Stover remained at home until he attained his majority, and shortly after was married in Aaronsburg to Miss Sarah S. Ettinger, a native of Haines township, Centre county, and a daugh- ter of Emanuel and Elizabeth (Bike) Ettinger. The young couple went to housekeeping in the house where Mr. Stover was born. Four chil- dren were born of this union: Edward W. died at the age of six years; Emma married Cyrus G. Bright, of Aaronsburg; Luther E. is a tanner at Aaronsburg; and Charles H. is a baker at Mifflin- town, Penn. Mr. Stover engaged in business as a tanner, purchasing his father's old establish- ment, which had been sold to George Royer. After following the business successfully from 1847 to 1876, he retired, leaving the manage- ment to his son Luther E., who has proven an able successor. With a comfortable home and with leisure for reading and other intellectual pursuits, Mr. Stover has passed a quiet life since giving up business. The family circle was in- vaded by the hand of death July 15, 1892, when the beloved wife and mother passed to the unseen life, and her mortal remains now rest in the Aaronsburg cenietery,

Taking keen interest in all forms of progress. Mr. Stover has been an active member of the Lutheran Church for many years, holding nu- merous offices, including those of deacon and elder, and at different periods, amounting in all to thirty-five years, he has been superintendent of the Sunday-school. He has strong convic- tions and the courage to express them, neither money nor friendship having power to make him acquiesce in anything which he does not approve. In early life he was a Whig, and later he became a Republican, but although his support could al- ways be relied upon, he has not cared to run for office. In fact he declined various offers of a place on the party ticket, even as a candidate for the legislature.

M UGH MCALLISTER BEAVER, named for his maternal grandfather, Hon. Hugh Nel- son McAllister, was born at Bellefonte, Penn., March 29, 1873. He was the third son of Gen. James Addams and Mary McAllister Beaver, and spent his entire life prior to entrance to College (with the exception of short periods while his father occupied the executive office of Pennsyl- vania) in his native town.

His preparatory education was pursued at Bellefonte and Harrisburg Academies, at which he was prepared for entrance to the Freshman Class of the Pennsylvania State College, in 1891. He graduated in the General Science course in 1895.

His ancestors of the fourth preceding genera- tion were all born in Pennsylvania, and all of the male members of his immediate ancestry of that generation served in the Revolutionary war, ex- cept Benjamin Elliott, who was a member of the Convention which framed for Pennsylvania the Constitution of 1776. On his father's side his ancestry was English, German (Palatine) and French (Huguenot), and on his mother's side, English and Scotch-Irish. The distinguishing characteristics of this varied ancestry combined to produce a personality which, in early boyhood. was characterized by earnestness, intensity, vivacity, courage and perseverance. These characteristics increased and developed with his growth, and found full play in his short, active life.

He developed very early a strong taste for military pursuits, and was, for several years. captain of a boys' company called the " Belle- fonte Guards." It was difficult to communicate his own earnestness in this play service to his company, however, and his own views in regard to such service changed with his years. His

Hugh Ma. Bear.

201

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

father, knowing his tendency in that direction, and thinking that he had an opportunity of secur- ing an appointment to West Point for him, wrote to him upon the subject, advising him to deter- mine the matter for himself, and give his answer. His characteristic reply indicated the change which his views had undergone upon the subject. Although then only in his seventeenth year, he replied, after careful consideration, that "life was too real and too earnest to be spent in keep- ing Indians on their reservations or playing the dude at a swell fort," the latter part of the re- mark having been doubtless induced by what he had seen a year or two before at the " Hygeia Hotel " at Fort Monroe.

A signal illustration of his intensity of pur- pose and determination was exhibited in his last year in college. During a snow blockade which prevented the running of trains and all inter- course between the State College and his home, twelve miles away, by the ordinary means of conveyance, he walked the entire distance, most of the way on the tops of the fences. He was naturally much exhausted by the journey, and as a result had a serious affection of the eyes, which prevented his carrying on his studies. - He was fortunate, however, in having several young lady friends who had graduated at college and who were familiar with the subjects then engaging his attention. Three or four of them were willing to give him an hour each day and, availing himself of their invitation, he took up the studies of the senior year with them and, by having them read to and discuss the subjects with him, was enabled to keep up with his studies and to graduate with his class.

During his college course he was a member of the Beta Theta Pi Fraternity, and was largely instrumental in securing the fine Chapter House which is occupied by that Fraternity at the Penn- sylvania State College. In this, as in every- thing which he undertook, he manifested the most determined zeal and activity. One of his fellows in the Fraternity has said in regard to it: " His marked business ability well fitted him for the work. He consulted on plans, supervised the work, negotiated the finances and, in fact, gave himself so completely to the task that he was familiar with the smallest details. His time and money were freely offered. When the fire swept away the beautiful structure, in a few months after it had been occupied, no disconso- late cry went up from him. His first message was: . We must prepare to rebuild at once:' and it was done. He immediately took hold of the rebuilding, and we now have a house better than the one destroyed. Hugh lived long enough

to see the work finished and the Chapter at home once more."

During his senior year in college a call from the Young Men's Christian Association of Penn- sylvania, to become its College secretary, in the place of his older brother who had been called to the service of the International Committee at New York, came to him. His plans had been carefully thought out and, to some extent, laid, but the call was carefully considered. The re- sult was a contest between inclination and duty, which finally resulted in his acceptance of the call, and a complete dedication of his life to the highest welfare of the young men of this country or elsewhere, wherever God, in his providence, might call him. To this work he gave two years, diverging at different times to take the Bible work at College Conferences at Lake Geneva, Wis., Knoxville, Tenn., and Northfield, Mass. · To this work he gave the best that was in him, and in it achieved marked and marvelous results. In the spring of 1897, he received a call to be- come the secretary of the Inter-Collegiate Young Men's Christian Association of New York City, which was then regarded as one of the vital points in College work for young men throughout the world. He accepted the invitation, and was to have begun his work on the Ist of September of that year, under auspices which seemed to promise immediate and far-reaching results.

His last public work was at the College Con- ference of young women at Northfield, which was held in July, 1897. He was selected as the teacher of the Bible Training Class and, al- though even more boyish in appearance than in years, as was said by one of the members of his class " old and young sat at his feet and delighted to learn from him." Many of the hundreds of letters which were received by the family after his death were from members of this class, and testified to the remarkable power which h: ex- ercised not only in his public teaching, but in his private interviews with its members. One of these letters, from a distinguished medical missionary, contains this tribute: " When we saw him, so young and so attractive, we felt the dangers of his position. He was such a good comrade, and so absolutely without self-consciousness or affecta- tion. He was enthusiastically earnest, and filled with the Holy Spirit. His marvelous influence seemed due but little to his attractive personality. To that winsomeness was added an intangible something which warded off all foolish sentiment- ality, and drew the girls to him, because of the Christ in him. We sometimes wondered how the man in him was not spoiled, when nearly the whole Conference sat at his feet. It is clearer

202

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

now-like his Lord he was not to be touched, because not yet (but oh, so soon to be !) ascended to his Father. What we felt and dimly under- stood was the radiant likeness which now in His Presence satisfied his loving heart."

Upon his return home, after his service in this Conference, he seemed unusually tired, but made no complaint. In a few days there devel- oped an attack of appendicitis-of which, as was afterward learned, he had unheeded premoni- tions-which ran its course so rapidly that not- withstanding the most distinguished medical and surgical advice and assistance a fatal termination seemed inevitable, and so proved. The earthly life of Hugh Beaver, so consecrated to high aims and holy purposes-so full of loving service and so rich with promise -- ended on the 2nd day of August, 1897.

At the same hour as the funeral services at his home, memorial services were held at the general Christian Conference at Northfield, Mass., at which Mr. D. L. Moody spoke very feelingly, and alluded to the fact that he had urged young Beaver to accept the chair of the English Bible at the boys' school at Mt. Hermon, for which he regarded him as especially qualified.

An earnest effort is now being made to erect a Y. M. C. A. building at Lincoln University for the use of its students, to be known as the Hugh McAllister Beaver Memorial, so that the memory of this devoted young man may be perpetuated along lines of service to which his short life was so unreservedly given.

W B. HENDERSON, M. D., physician and surgeon in the borough of Philips- burg, Centre county, Pennsylvania.

J AMES H. RANKIN, whose death occurred in July, 1893, at Bellefonte, Centre county, where he had passed a life beyond man's al- lotted years, and where he had been an honora- ble member of the Bar for fifty years, repre- sented one of the first families to locate in the place.

John Rankin, the father of James H., was born in Franklin county, Penn., May 1, 1779, and became one of the early settlers in Penn's Valley, Centre county. His father was born in Ireland. Before John's removal to the village of Bellefonte he was an elder in Mr. Stuart's Church, and after his location there he connected himself with the Presbyterian Church. He opened a store in Bellefonte in 1810. He was sheriff of Centre county in 1812; prothonotary

in 1818; and a justice of the peace, 1840-44. On June 7, 1804, he married Isabella Dundas, who was born on the ocean en route from Scot- land, and their children were: Mary, who mar- ried Alfred Armstrong; Isabella, who married John Irvin; Jane, who married George S. Arm- strong; Ellis, who married James Gilliland; William D .; Dr. John C .; James H., our sub- ject; J. Duncan; and L. Calvin. The father of these died April 22, 1848.

James H. Rankin was born in the old Mc- Allister home, on the corner of Allegheny street and Cherry alley, Bellefonte, March 3, 1819. His early education was acquired in the public schools and at the academy at Bellefonte; later he was graduated from Jefferson College, Can- nonsburg, Penn. Returning to Bellefonte, he as a law student in the office of William Potter dis- played an unusual talent, which had its reward in a brilliant examination for the admission to the Centre County Bar, which he passed in Jan- uary, 1840. The Bar of Centre County at that time was reputed. one of the best in the State. In 1850 he was elected district attorney over Robert G. Durham, Whig; in 1853 and 1856 he was re-elected, defeating Edmund Blanchard and William P. Wilson. On October 13, 1861, Mir. Rankin was mustered into the service as first lieutenant of Company H, 56th P. V. I., and went to the front in defense of the Union; sick- ness, however, necessitated his return home in the following spring, ard he resigned on March 27, 1862. At the close of the war he was ap- pointed to one of the leading positions in the In- ternal Revenue Department, which he filled with integrity. After the expiration of his term of office he resumed the practice of the law, which with a general insurance business he kept up un- til the last few days of his life. "As a citizen none could have been better than he, as a hus- band and father he was faithful and honored. As a friend we can offer no more expressive eu- logism than to say that the death of no other man will cause more profound regret. in the hearts of all classes of people in our town. His life, always simple and unassuming, was that of an honorable man. His character beyond re- proach and his spirit fraternal and God-like to . fault. He had no enemies because all who knew him were friends."

Mr. Rankin was a charter member of Gross Post No. 95, G. A. R. He married Miss Barbara Firey. who was born on her father's (Robert Furey) farm near Pleasant Gap, and their chal- dren are: Alice, who married R. A. Kinsloc. editor of a paper at Philipsburg, Penn .; Hon John I., of Washington, D. C .; Jennie, the wife

203

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

of Gov. D. H. Hastings; Miss Bella, at home; and Edward, the operator of the Western Union Telegraph at Bellefonte. The parents of Mrs. Rankin were natives of Centre county, Penn., where the greater part of their lives were passed, and where they died, the father on May 19, 1846. Robert Furey was the son of John and Barbara (Lebo) Furey, early residents of Centre county, and here died, the former in February, 1826, and the latter on March 5, 1850, aged eighty- eight years. The other children of this couple were: William, Jeremiah and Nancy.

H: ARVEY D. VAN PELT (deceasd) was for many years one of the leading citizens of central Pennsylvania. He was prominently con- nected with the development of the industrial interests, and his industry and enterprise were important factors in the material welfare of the community in which he lives. Monuments of brass or stone are not needed to perpetuate his memory, for he is enshrined in the hearts of · many friends who witnessed his upright life and recognized his sterling worth.

Mr. Van Pelt was born in Tomkins county, : N. Y., in 1840, and during his youth lived the free open life of a farmer boy on the family homestead near Slaterville, N. Y. In the sum- mer months he followed the plow and aided in the harvest fields, while in the winter season he attended the public schools of the neighborhood. His parents were Lorenzo and Betsy (Rice) Van- Pelt, and he was the eldest of three children, the others being E. G., of Ithaca, N. Y., and Romelia, wife of R. G. H. Speed, of Slaterville Springs, N. Y. The father of this family followed farming in his early life, and was afterward a dealer in patent rights.

After mastering the rudimentary branches of learning in the common schools, Mr. Van Pelt pursued an academic course of study in Ithaca and Groton, N. Y., after which he took a com- mercial course in Cleveland, Ohio. He then went on a trip down the Mississippi river with the Government Engineer Corps, and soon after his return to the North removed to Centre Hall. He came to that town as a patent right salesman; but seeing that there was a favorable opening for the foundry business, he turned his attention to that industry, and for a time was employed as bookkeeper in a foundry. Subsequently he purchased an interest in the business, and became the leading partner in the firm of Van Pelt, Shoop & Co. Throughout his remaining days he was identified with that industry, and his capable management made it a profitable source of in-

come. His business ability, however, was by no means limited to one undertaking, for he suc- cessfully controlled a number of interests which resulted not only to his own material benefit, but proved of value to the community as well. He was associated with Gov. Beaver, Gen. Hast- ings, and Col. "Spangler in the founding and upbuilding of the town of Hastings, Cambria Co., Penn. In April, 1888, he went to the site of the village, which was then a wilderness, cut down the trees, blocked out the town, measured the streets and staked off the houses; in brief, he was the active manager and promoter of Hastings, which in two years attained a growth nearly as great as Centre Hall.

On February 21, 1878, in Centre Hall, Mr. Van Pelt was married to Miss Anna Spangler, daughter of ex-Sheriff Spangler. She was born in Adamsburg, Snyder Co., Penn., December 12, 1853, and completed her education with an aca- demical course. She is a cultured lady, presid- ing with grace over her hospitable home, and to her husband was a cherished companion and helpmeet. They had three children: John, born January 21, 1880; Helen R., born February 27, 1882, now attending Wilson College in Cham- bersburg, Penn .; and Bessie M., born in Septem- ber, 1888, died in September, 1889.

· In politics, Mr. Van Pelt was a Democrat who loyally supported his party, but never sought of- fice. In 1890 he went to Hastings to look after his business interests in that place, returning home in April. Three weeks later, on the 3d of May, he died, and a noble life was thus ended. While he made no profession of superiority to his fellowmen, all recognized him as a man of unquestioned integrity and irreproachable char- acter. He was upright in his dealings, courteous at all times, considerate of the feelings of those with whom he was associated, and ever a true gentleman in the highest and best sense of the term. All who knew him mourned his death, and the sympathy of the entire community was extended to his family. His wife and children still reside in the pleasant home which he left to thein in Centre Hall, and their circle of friends is extensive.

H ON. C. A. FAULKNER, associate judge of Centre county, is one of Philipsburg's lead- ing citizens. An able and successful business man, he is also a forceful worker in local affairs, and is an influential representative of the old- school Democracy.

Mr. Faulkner comes of good New England stock, and was born in New Hampshire, March 25. 1840. His father, W. A. Faulkner, a native of

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1, Part 42

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