Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1, Part 44

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 44
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 44
USA > Pennsylvania > Clarion County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 44
USA > Pennsylvania > Clearfield County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 44

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J. S. Dauberman, our subject, began his edu- cation in the Egg Hill school under the guidance of William Toner, who belonged to a family that furnished a number of teachers to that school. M ILLER STEWART, M. D., of Forest Home. Centre county, has been one of the most important factors in promoting the devel- opment of the great lumber interests of this see- He received good advantages for the time, and on the home farm received ample training in the labors required in the cultivation of the field. He was also a natural mechanic, and without in- i tion of Pennsylvania, and belongs to that class

m. Stuvant

Millecum Stewart

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHIICAL RECORD.

of typical American citizens whose business careers not only advance their individual pros- perity, but add to the public welfare also. There is much in his life that should serve as an inspi- ration and encouragement to others, for his career is that of a self-made man-one who has been the architect of his own fortunes and has builded wisely and well.

Dr. Stewart was born at Penn Manor, Hunt- ingdon Co., Penn., October 1, 1819, a son of Robert and Margaret (Miller) Stewart, natives of Scotland and Ireland, respectively. The pater- nal grandparents always remained in the former country. They were representatives of the old Stewart family, famous in Scottish history. Both the maternal grandparents were centenarians at the time of death. The parents of the Doctor met and married in Huntingdon county, where the father purchased from the agent of William Penn 300 acres of land, paying for it seven pounds and three shillings. There he remained until his death in 1820, and was extensively en- gaged in farming. The mother died on the old homestead in 1886, at the age of eighty-seven years, she having, after the death of Mr. Stewart, married Elisha Green. Their children were: John, who died at the age of seventy-seven. years; James, who died aged eighty-two years; David, who died aged seventeen years; William, who died at the age of seventy-six; Margaret, who married Benjamin Burns, and died at the home of our subject, at the age of seventy- three; and Miller, the subject of this review.

At the age of eighteen years Dr. Stewart started out in life for himself as a clerk to the prothonotary of Huntingdon. In 1839 he se- cured a clerkship in the collector's office at Hol- lidaysburg, and in the fall of 1841 entered the Allegheny Literary College, where he pursued his studies for a year. He then went to Hunt- ingdon, and in 1842 began reading medicine under the direction of Dr. William Swope, at Huntingdon, after which he took a course in Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, where he was graduated in the spring of 1845. Re- turning to Huntingdon county, Dr. Stewart en- gaged in practice there until 1849, then spent one year in traveling in the West, and in 1851 established a home at Fairmont, Marion Co., Va., where he practiced until January, 1854. At that time he came to Snow Shoe township. Centre county, and became interested in the de- velopment of the lumber business, in connection with his brother William, the business relation between them existing until the latter's death in 1886. Subsequently the Doctor increased his operations, conducting an extensive enterprise in

that line until 1889, when, his labors having brought to him an ample fortune, he retired to private life. In 1879, while working in a saw- mill, he had four of the fingers of his right hand cut off by a buzz-saw, after which he learned to use his left hand in writing.

On September 29, 1853, Dr. Stewart wedded Miss Patsy E. Shaw, a native of George Creek, Allegany Co., Md., born in February, 1833. Her parents, Major William and Patsy (Burns) Shaw, were natives of Maryland, and their parents of England, whence at an early day they came to America, locating in Maryland. Major Shaw's children were: William and James, both de- ceased; John, a farmer of Iowa; Andrew, who is living on the old homestead in Maryland; Mrs. Stewart; Margaret, wife of Samuel Rees, a farmer and cattle dealer of West Virginia; Henry C., a farmer of West Virginia; and Benjamin, a physician, now deceased.

The children of Dr. and Mrs. Stewart are William, who is engaged in the canning of salm- on. in Seattle, Wash .; Walter S., a physician of Wilkesbarre, Penn .; David, who is living with his parents; Mary E., wife of J. B. Miller, a phy- sician of Westernport, Md .; De Laune G., a dentist; Margaret Ann, who is living with her brother Walter; and Robert F., of Seattle, Washington.

In 1864 Dr. Stewart erected his present handsome and commodious residence. He is heavily interested in Pennsylvania Railroad stock, but aside from looking after his investments has no active business interests. In politics he is a stalwart Republican. The spirit of self-help is the source of all genuine worth in the individual, and it is this that has brought to him prosperity.

W TILLIAM STEWART, late of Snow Shoe, Centre county, was a brother of Dr. Miller Stewart, who is now a resident of that lo- cality, and a son of Robert and Margaret (Miller) Stewart, whose lives were passed in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania.

William Stewart was born at the Stewart homestead in Huntingdon county. December 1. 1811. He received only a limited education, and began his business career as a clerk in a general store at Huntingdon in the employ of Thomas Reed. From this store of Mr. Reed, young Stewart went into the office of the pro- thonotary of Huntingdon county, in the same county. He - was a good penman, became a quick and accurate clerical man. and after the election of Governor David R. Porter to the guber- I natorial chair was chosen by that gentleman as

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his private secretary, which took him to Harris- burg, Penn. After years of service in this capac- ity he went to Nanticoke, this State, as business manager of the Governor's affairs. In 1849 he came to Snow Shoe in search of health, his con- stitution having been somewhat impaired by pre- vious confinement at close office work. Here he bought a large tract of timber land in connec- tion with John S. Miller, who sold out to Robert · Dorsey, and it is said built the firststeam sawmill in Centre county. These gentlemen carried on an extensive business in the sawing of lumber and in the shipment of square timber. Until the completion of the Snow Shoe and Bellefonte railroad they rafted their logs and sawed lumber to market via the Moshannon creek and Sus- quehanna river. In January, 1854. the interest of Mr. Dorsey was purchased by Dr. Miller Stewart, and since that time up to the death of William, the Stewart brothers conducted a most extensive and successful lumbering business, and accumulated a large fortune. They usually | rafted from one to one and one-half mill- ion feet of lumber annually. William's death occurred at his home in Snow Shoe, May 5, 1886. He was quite a philanthropist, giving liberally of his wealth where he thought it would do good and relieve distress. He was most kind and charitable, and died as he lived, uni- versally respected and esteemed. The older Stewarts were formerly Democratic in their polit- ical affiliations, but with the beginning of the Civil war they became Republicans, and William was no exception. He never married.

A LBERT C. MINGLE, the well-known re- tail boot and shoe dealer of Bellefonte, Centre county, is a representative of the best type of American citizenship, his public spirit be- ing no less noticeable than is his ability and en- terprise in business lines.

The history of the Mingle family is one in- teresting in many respects. It dates back into another century, and is closely connected with the development of the country from that time to the present day. They were among the first to settle in Pennsylvania, and, at the time of their coming here, the State was still under the English rule. This was in 1732 when the first of the Mingle family settled in Berks county. In 1802, the great-grandfather of A. C. Mingle, the subject of our sketch, located in Union county. His son David, who was still quite young, ac- companied by a brother, joined the army during the war of 1812, David becoming a member of Capt. Henry Miller's company, stationed at Mar-

cus Hook. At the close of the war he learned the art of shoemaking, and later married a Miss Grove, of Union county, a member of the fain- ily noted for their prowess in battling with the In- dians. About the year 1823 he settled in Mifflin- burg, but later moved to Haines township, Centre county, where he lived until 1854. He then went to Stephenson county, Ill., remaining there to the time of his death, in 1872. He had twelve children, and was twice married, his first wife dying in Centre county. The children of the first wife were: Henry A., the father of our subject; Samuel, a boot and shoe maker, who died some years ago at Lock Haven, Penn., and .Susan Motz, who died at Woodward, Penn., De- cember 11, 1897.

Henry A., the father of Albert C. Mingle. was born at Mifflinburg in the year 1818, and, when he was but two or three years old, his fa- ther moved to Centre county. At the age of fourteen years Henry worked with his father at the trade of shoemaking, going, as was the cus- tom at that time, from house to house, making and repairing shoes for the farmers and their families. When about twenty-one years old he settled in Aaronsburg, bought a home, and there lived until the year 1891, when he died. He fol- lowed his trade as a shoemaker until 1865 when he engaged in mercantile business for a number of years. While still quite young, he was for five years.captain of the Patriotic Riflemen; was jus- tice of the peace for eighteen years; held nearly all of the township offices during different periods of his life, and after retiring from the mercantile business, was elected county commissioner, which office he creditably filled for three years. He . was a man who had the respect and confidence of all who knew him, and throughout his entire life was a consistent member of the Reformed Church.

He was married to Miss Eve Bower, who still survives him. Her family, who are of Swiss origin, settled in Lebanon county at an early date, and from that point the grandfather of Mrs Mingle moved to Penn's Valley, Centre county. and became one of the first settlers of the Va !. ley where numerous of his descendants still live.

Henry A. Mingle raised five children: Will- iam B., who since 1873 has been cashier of the Penn's Valley Banking Company at Centre Hall. Dr. D. H., a practicing physician at Maxwell. Iowa; Thomas J., who is in the employ of the Singer Sewing Machine Co., at Minneapolis, Minn. ; Albert C., the subject of our sketch, and Edward G., who lives with his mother at the old homestead.

Albert C. Mingle was born at Aaronsburg.

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Penn., September 26, 1854. He received a thorough education in the public schools and the Aaronsburg Academy. At the age of eighteen years he was apprenticed to the printer's trade on the Millheim Journal, which at that time was published in both English and German, thus giving him an excellent training in the' two languages. After serving his time at the case, he abandoned the trade of printing and accepted a position in the mercantile establishment of William Wolf, at Centre Hall, Penn., where he remained for five years. Being desirous of em- barking in business for himself, he moved to Bellefonte, and opened his present establishment. Strict attention to business and honest dealings have placed him among the foremost of the busi- ness men in Bellefonte. His success in life, however, has not been achieved without hard- work, but with an untiring energy, and a practi- cal knowledge of what is essential in his respect- ive calling, he has built up for himself a busi- ness and a name of which he can well feel proud.

In 1882 he was married to Miss Maggie Hof- fer, of Centre Hall, Penn., and his home is now graced by a charming wife and two bright daugh- ters, Helen and Roxie. While never aspiring to public office, he was several years ago elected mayor of the Republican city of Bellefonte, on the Democratic ticket, and at the present time is a member of the Bellefonte school board. So- cially he is also prominent, being a Mason, Royal Arch Mason, and a Knight Templar, also a mem- ber of the I. O. O. F. In all of these Societies he is a past officer, and has represented them all in the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania.

A NDREW HARTER, the able and efficient postmaster at Coburn, Centre county, and president of the Millheim & Coburn Pike Com- pany, is a man whose exemplary life and upright dealings with his fellowmen have won for him that priceless treasure-a good name. Prosper- ous also in a material sense, he stands among the leading business men of his section, while his generous interest in the progress of the com- munity has been demonstrated in many ways.

Mr. Harter was born in Penn township, Centre county, March 7, 1839, and is the third in direct and consecutive order to bear the sanie name. Andrew Harter, his grandfather, was a farmer in Haines township, Centre county: An- drew Harter, our subject's father, was born there July 31, 1802, and was educated in the German schools of that day and locality.

On arriving at manhood's estate the latter re-

ceived from his father, who had but little means beyond his modest home, about $150 worth of goods, and with this outfit he set up a home of his own, taking unto himself a wife, Catherine Moyer, who was born in 1808 in Lebanon county, Penn. Her father, George Moyer, a farmer, settled in Haines township, Centre county, when she was but a child, and his remaining days were spent there. Our subject's father first rented a farm in his native township with a brother-in- law, Henry Moyer, but later removed to Penn township, Centre county, and rented land from James Duncan. He was an energetic man and capable of much work, being six feet, one and one-half inches in height, and very wiry and mus- cular, and each year saw an improvement in his financial condition. In time he purchased the farm in the same township, which is now owned by our subject, but he never became very wealthy. He could never refuse a favor, and his generosity was often imposed upon. He and his estimable wife were both members of the Luth- eran Church, and in politics he adhered to the Democratic faith, taking much interest in party work, and serving in various township offices. He died suddenly at the age of fifty-nine, and his wife passed away when sixty-four years old, the remains of both being interred at Aaronsburg.

They had ten children: Polly, who died in infancy; Catherine (Mrs. Philip Shook), of Gregg township, Centre county; Sarah (Mrs. Henry Behm), of Haines township, Centre county; John M., of Coburn; Julia A. (Mrs. Henry Stemm), of Illinois; Margaret (Mrs. Jacob Sanders), of Penn township, Centre county; Andrew, our subject; Harriet (Mrs. Daniel Geutzel), of Gregg town- ship; George M., of Potter township, Centre county; and Jacob M., of Coburn.

The schools in which our subject received his education were not of the best, and he felt deeply the need of wider opportunities. But his parents needed his help on the farm, for although not the oldest he was much depended upon, so he virtu- ally sacrificed his future in order to assist at home. When his father died, Mr. Harter and a brother-in-law, Mr. Shook, were appointed ad- ministrators. The business affairs were in a much more complicated state than they probably would have been had the sad event been antici- pated, and in order to meet certain urgent obliga- tions against the homestead, Mr. Harter rented it, and by hard work and good management se- cured the money in time. Later lie and his brother George bought the place, which contains 156 acres, and conducted it in partnership until the brother sold his interest, purchasing a farm adjoining. Since that time Andrew Harter has

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been the sole owner. He has a comfortable com- petence gained by methods which enable him to look any man in the face with no fear of any ac- cusation of dishonesty. In April, 1893, he re- moved with his family to Coburn, where he owns a good home, one of the finest in the place.

In April, 1863, Mr. Harter was married, in Haines township, Centre county, to Miss Cath- erine Kleckner, who was born February 9, 1843, in Hartley township, Union Co., Penn. She was the second child and daughter in the family of seven children born to Joseph and Sally (Boop) Kleckner. Her father died during her girlhood, and at the time of her marriage she was em- ployed as a domestic. Three children have been born of this marriage: (1) George A., a physi- cian of Maytown, Lancaster Co., Penn., and a graduate of Susquehanna University and Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia; he married Libbie Gaugler, of Selins Grove, Snyder county, a daugh- ter of Jackson Gaugler, a railroad contractor, and they have three children-Charles Andrew, Marie Catherine and Helen G. (2) Andrew J., a music dealer and accomplished musician at Al -. toona, Penn., of the First Lutheran Church of which city he is organist; he received his musical education in part at the New England Conserva- tory of Music, Boston, Mass., where he studied two years; on December 4, 1890, he married Miss Sallie B. Shirk, who was born in Potter township January 8, 1867, a daughter of Joseph and Agnes (Shires) Shirk, farming people; Mrs. Harter died December 10, 1896, leaving two chil- dren-May Kathleen, born May 1, 1892, and James Andrew, born August 17, 1894. (3) James E. is a professor of music at Coburn; he also was a student at the New England Conservatory of Music at Boston; he married Jennie Hosterman February 12, 1891; he is at present engaged in the mercantile business, at Coburn, Penn. ; pres- ent tax collector of Penn township; and has been officer and organist in the Lutheran Church since 1890. Mr. Harter has given his sons much more favorable opportunities for education than he himself enjoyed, and they have proven themselves worthy of their advantages. All occupy honora- ble positions in their respective communities, and are active in Church affairs and in all progressive movements of the day.

Mr. Harter, himself, is a leading worker in the Lutheran denomination in his locality. While attending the Millheim Church, he held the office of deacon, and he is now an elder in the Coburn congregation. He has always been a liberal giver, and was the largest contributor toward the new church at Coburn. He is much interested in local affairs of every sort, and as a leading

stockholder in the Millheim & Coburn turnpike and as president of the company has been a factor in the success of that enterprise. He be- longs to the Grange, and is prominent in the councils of the Democratic party, having held numerous township offices, including those of auditor and supervisor. In September, 1893, he was appointed postmaster at Coburn, and has since discharged the duties of the place with characteristic fidelity. He has always been a leader in musical advancement, and to his un- tiring efforts are due many of the grand musical successes for which the community, in which he lives, is noted. His characteristic energy and determination have always made of him a leader and not a follower, and among his neighbors he has many friends and few enemies.

L. CARLISLE, M. D. It is not every professional man who finds in his own na- tive place, and among his old-time acquaint- ances, the best field for the efforts of mature years, and that Dr. Carlisle, a rising young phy- sician of Philipsburg, Centre county, should thus tempt fate, and win success under circumstances usually considered most trying, is evidence of more than ordinary ability and worth.

Dr. Carlisle was born December 28, 1862. and is a son of Samuel and Martha (Lorain) Car- lisle, who died when he was a child of less than three years. Samuel Carlisle was a native of this State, and came to Philipsburg from Cham- bersburg in early manhood to engage in mercan- tile business. The Doctor's mother, who was born in Centre county, was a granddaughter of Philipsburg's honored pioneer, John Lorain. and his wife Martha, both natives of Maryland! Thomas Lorain, great-grandfather of Mrs. Car- lisle, commanded the ship in which he came to America. and, locating in Maryland at an earis period in its history, took a leading part in th development of the place, in which he settle Dr. Henry Lorain, Mrs. Carlisle's father. " born in Maryland. but locating in Cleari county became one of the most prominent phy- cians of that section, his practice extending o. a wide range of territory. He married M. Maria Taylor, a native of the county.

Dr. Carlisle being left an orphan at sucht tender age, was taken in charge by his moth ;. brother, Major Lorenzo Lorain, one of the ab' and most noted sons of Centre county. A k. and well-balanced intellect and rare execut ability, combined with a genial nature which v. the lasting regard of all sorts and conditions men, gave him extraordinary influence. !!

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

In April, 1863, Mr. Harter was married, in Haines township, Centre county, to Miss Cath- erine Kleckner, who was born February 9, 1843, in Hartley township, Union Co., Penn. She was the second child and daughter in the family of seven children born to Joseph and Sally (Boop) Kleckner. Her father died during her girlhood, and at the time of her marriage she was em- ployed as a domestic. Three children have been born of this marriage: (1) George A., a physi- cian of Maytown, Lancaster Co., Penn., and a graduate of Susquehanna University and Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia; he married Libbie" Gaugler, of Selins Grove, Snyder county, a daugh- ter of Jackson Gaugler, a railroad contractor, and they have three children-Charles Andrew, Marie Catherine and Helen G. (2) Andrew J., a music dealer and accomplished musician at Al- toona, Penn., of the First Lutheran Church of which city he is organist; he received his musical education in part at the New England Conserva- tory of Music, Boston, Mass., where he studied two years; on December 4, 1890, he married Miss Sallie B. Shirk, who was born in Potter township January 8, 1867, a daughter of Joseph and Agnes (Shires) Shirk, farming people; Mrs. Harter died December 10, 1896, leaving two chil- dren-May Kathleen, born May 1, 1892, and James Andrew, born August 17, 1894. (3) James E. is a professor of music at Coburn; he also was a student at the New England Conservatory of Music at Boston; he married Jennie Hosterman February 12, 1891; he is at present engaged in the mercantile business, at Coburn, Penn .; pres- ent tax collector of Penn township; and has been officer and organist in the Lutheran Church since 1890. Mr. Harter has given his sons much more favorable opportunities for education than he himself enjoyed, and they have proven themselves worthy of their advantages. All occupy honora- ble positions in their respective communities, and are active in Church affairs and in all progressive movements of the day.

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1, Part 44

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