USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 46
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 46
USA > Pennsylvania > Clarion County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 46
USA > Pennsylvania > Clearfield County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 46
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Mr. Weaver (our subject) attended the dis- trict schools of his neighborhood during his youth, his first teacher being Mrs. John DeLong at Wolfs Store. The value of, indeed the neces- sity for, better educational facilities for the peo- ple became impressed upon his mind at an early period, and the present free-school system finds in him a warm friend. He did but little work away from home, and practically lived there until his enlistment at Rebersburg, August 22, 1862, in Company A, 148th P. V. I. The company went via Lewistown to Harrisburg, where the members were instructed in the duties of a soldier and equipped for service. Mr. Weaver's first battle was the memorable struggle at Chancellorsville, and he took part in all the engagements of his regiment until after the fight at Deep Bottom, where he was wounded by an exploding shell. He lost three months in consequence, spending most of the time in hospital at Philadelphia, with a thirty-days' furlough home. After rejoining his regiment at Falmouth, he served until the close of the war. His record was a most cred- itable one, and at his discharge in July, 1865, he held the rank of sergeant. On his return from the front he spent a short time at home, and in 1866 he began farming on his own account, rent- ing the farm where he was born. In 1867 he married Miss Mary C. Kreider, born May 31, 1842. in Penn township, Centre county, a daugh- ter of Philip Kreider, a prominent farmer and merchant. He was born in Lebanon county, Penn., in 1803, and died in January, 1842. In December, 1828, he married Leah Bowman, who was born in Cornwall township, Lebanon county, January 3, 1803, and died April 4. 1856. Eight children were born to them: Melinda Ann, widow of George W. Stover, of Penn township; William S., who died in 1855, aged twenty-three; Rozanna, who died in infancy: John Philip, who died leaving a family in Miles township; George,
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deceased in infancy; Reuben H., who died young; J. B. Kreider, M. D., practicing medicine in Bu- cyrus, Ohio; and Mary C. (Mrs. Weaver). The father was fairly well-educated for his day and op- portunities, and was reared as a farmn boy by an uncle, John Boumberger, he being a mere lad when his father died. As he grew to maturity he proved a good business man, and for several years he carried on a store, also kept a hotel in Lebanon. In addition to this he learned the carpenter's trade, and worked at same for a time. In 1835 he located at Centre Hall, and four years later moved to Penn township, where he died. In religious faith he was a member of the Re- formed Church, and in politics he was a Demo- crat.
Daniel B. Weaver had only his own savings to depend upon, and as has been said he rented a place from his father in order to make his start in business. One year he spent there, and he then rented from John Moyer a farm near Penn Hall. His next removal was to a farm of his own in Gregg township, Centre county, com- prising eighty acres. For this he went heavily in debt; but through hard work and good man- agement he prospered, and each year saw the obligation decreased. He finally traded the place for his present property at Wolfs Store. There was a sawmill and a gristmill on this lat- ter estate, and a residence which Mr. Weaver occupied for some time; but later he purchased more land and built a new home. He now owns about 100 acres of land, improved with the buildings mentioned, and still conducts the mill- ing business successfully.
Mr. Weaver and his wife are leading mem- bers of the Reformed Church, and for several years he held the office of deacon. They have had ten children, viz .: Elmer K., who died at the age of three years; Edwin T., deceased; Clayton D., a miller, at home; Rosa E., who died in childhood; Ammon P., a successful teacher; Calvin J., a miller; Orlando W., Ma- linda A. and Susan G., who are at home, and one that died in infancy. Of these, Edwin T. was a highly respected young farmer of Brush Val- ley, but he was cut off in the prime of his useful- ness, dying April 25, 1897, from injuries received in a run-away, his team getting frightened when they were hauling a drill; he left a widow, Ida M. (Walker) Weaver, and two children: Mi- riam Grace and Edwin Theodore.
Our subject has had his times of discourage- ment and loss like most business men, but per- severing and well-directed effort has carried him through. He bears a most enviable reputation for integrity in his dealings: Politically he is a
Democrat, and wherever he has resided he has taken an active and influential part in local affairs, serving as school director and supervisor in Gregg township, and as supervisor in Miles township.
F RED S. DUNHAM, editor and proprietor of the Weekly Hornet, published at Howard, Centre county, was born at Lock Haven, Penn .. November 7, 1862, a son of David S. and Mary A. (Blake) Dunham, natives of Indiana county, Penn., and Portland, Maine, respectively. The mother died in Beach Creek, Clinton Co .. this State. in November, 1876, but the father is still living.
Our subject remained at home until after the death of his mother, and then began working in a pottery at Howard in order to pay off the in- debtedness on a home which his mother had started to build. Out of the fifty cents per day which he received for his services, he drew out only twenty cents, letting the remainder go on the debt. Besides himself he also supported his father and sister, the former being an invalid at that time. At the end of two years he left the pottery, and entered the rolling mills of B. Lauth, in Howard, where he remained for four years, a part of the time serving as watchman.
Mr. Dunham next became fireman in a sash factory in Addison, Steuben Co., N. Y., where he remained for one year, and on the expiration of that time returned to Howard. For three years he was employed at painting and other odd jobs, and then went to Altoona, Penn., where he ran an engine in the planing-mill of John Cline for a year, when it was destroyed by fire. Re- turning to Howard, he worked in a sawmill for twelve months, and next began learning the printer's trade in the office of the Bellefonte Re- publican, where he was employed for two years. For the following six years he was with the Bellefonte Gasette, but in 1894 he came to How - ard, and established the Weekly Hornet, which he has since conducted with good success, having a circulation of about sixteen hundred copies. He also does job printing, and the work turned ont is first-class in every particular. Being pos- sessed of an energetic spirit, good executive abil- ity, and excellent judgment, he has met with a well-deserved success in this undertaking.
On August 1, 1883, Mr. Dunham was married to Miss Clara K. Neff, and to them were born two children: William N., who died at the age of six years, and Alverda M., who died at the age of eight. Mr. Dunham is an ardent supporter of the principles of the Republican party ; socially.
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he is a member of the Patriotic Sons of America. and the Independent Order of Heptasophs, both of Bellefonte. Religiously, he holds member- ship in the Evangelical Church. He is a self- made man, whose advancement has come through his own efforts, and who by industry and honest toil has won a place among the representative business men of Howard.
B F. MILLER, a highly-respected resident. of Madisonburg, was for many years a prominent agriculturist in Miles township, Cen- tre county, and has but recently taken posses- sion of his pleasant home in town. As a native of Centre county, he has seen no reason to quar- rel with the fate which cast his lot in so desira- ble a spot, and throughout his life he has re- sided there, and in a quiet but effective way has' taken a helpful part in the progressive move- ments of the locality. He was born February 28, 1844, in Ferguson township, the son of Elias and Cecelia (Marsh) Miller, of whom a biogra- phy appears elsewhere. His first schooling was obtained at the Glade school in his native town- ship, and his first teacher, a Mr. Thompson, was of the kind whose ideas of discipline begin and . end with a "sound whipping." This was a dis- couraging introduction to the path of knowledge and it speaks well for Mr. Miller's innate ability that he continued to make the best of the mea- ger opportunities offered by the country schools, laying a foundation upon which his subsequent reading has been carried on with excellent re- sults, making the greater cause for regret that so able an intellect did not have better opportu- nity for early development. Like all intelligent men whose early aspirations were cramped by similar circumstances, Mr. Miller is an earnest advocate of better schools for the rising genera- tion, thinking money spent for good teachers and suitable buildings well invested. He was but a boy - not yet in his .teens"-when his par- ents removed to a farm in the vicinity of Madison- burg. Work was, of course, plenty, and Mr. Miller acquired familiarity with the details of farmi management at an early age. After some years his parents removed to Madisonburg and Mr. Miller with his brother Harvey conducted the farm.
In 1867 Mr. Miller was married in Brush Val- ley, Centre county, to Miss Hannah C. Schmelt- zer, who was born near Madisonburg. April 18. 1847. Her parents, John and Rebecca (Shaffer) Schmeltzer, moved to Illinois during her child- hood, but the father dying there not long after- ward the family returned to Miles township.
After his marriage Mr. Miller continued to reside at the old home until March 17, 1896, when he removed to Madisonburg, where he owns a home. His farm consists of 145 acres with 100 acres cleared, and the elder of Mr. Miller's two sons, John E., who was born July 27, 1868, now has charge of it. The other son, Kline A., born Oc- tober 4, 1877, has fine musical ability and is now a student in Warren, Ohio. A third child, Will- iam D., a promising boy, died at the age of ten years. Mr. Miller met with a sad accident when about three years old. He was playing with his brother Harvey (a year and a half older), and a stone was thrown which injured his left eye, causing its loss, and ever since a few weeks after the accident there has been intense pain also.
Mr. Miller and his wife are prominent mem- bers of the Reformed Church, in which he has been deacon and elder, and is at present the treasurer. Sunday-school work has always claimed his active aid, and at the age of twenty years he became superintendent. He has held the office at intervals since, and now fills it. Po- litically he is a stanch Democrat, but although he is a regular voter, and has served in various township offices, he is not a politician in the modern sense of the word. He has taken an active part in local affairs, and in the Grange His sound judgment and integrity are valued among his associates, as has often been shown by his appointment to posts of responsibility such as the guardianship of children. He has often served as a juror, both grand and traverse, and in whatever capacity his abilities have been tested he has proven himself competent and faithful.
J TOHN W. CONLEY, an influential and popu- lar agriculturist of Potter township, Centre county, was born April 3, 1836, in Armagh township, Mifflin Co., Penn. His father, Rich- ard Conley, was a native of the same county, born September 2, 1809, just six weeks after his parents, John Conley and wife, had come to the United States from the North of Ireland. In their family were eleven children, two sons (Richard and Joseph H.) and nine daughters, of whom only one is now living : Catharine, wife of P. W. McDowell, of Mackeyville, Clinton Co., Penn. The grandfather died in Mifflin county, where he had followed his trade of coopering.
Richard Conley was early thrown upon his own resources for a livelihood, and when a boy learned the blacksmith's trade, but did not fol- low the same. In the county of his nativity he married Mrs. Hannah L. Bryson, who was born
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in Chester county, Penn., April 16, 1800, a daughter of William Cottle, who was a member of the Society of Friends. By her first marriage she had two children, who died in infancy, and three children were born of the second union : Bethsheba M., who married Robert Holmes and died in Benner township, Centre county ; John W., of this sketch ; and Mary J., wife of John Holmes, of Jacksonville, Pennsylvania.
After his marriage, Richard Conley rented a farm in Mifflin county for four years, after which he removed to Earlystown, Penn., where for the next decade he made his home, and then located on a farm on the Brush Valley road in Gregg township, Centre county, near the Potter town- ship line, which he operated until the spring of 1863. Upon that place the mother of our sub- ject died in August, 1860, and was buried in the Stone Church cemetery in Mifflin county. . After coming to Centre county she had united with the Presbyterian Church, although by birthright she was a Quaker, and was ever afterward a consistent member of that denomination.
In the spring of 1863 the father sold his stock and farm tools, and enlisted in the Emergency Regiment, of which he was appointed quarter- master. It was stationed in Somerset and Bed- ford counties, this State, to resist the Confederate invasion, and later was sent to Gettysburg, but arrived too late to participate in that battle. After doing guard duty at Harrisburg, the regi- ment was disbanded. In the fall of 1863, Mr. Conley was elected sheriff of Centre county, as- suming the duties of the office on the fourth Monday in November, and acceptably served for three years, during which time he made his home
in Bellefonte. There he wedded Miss Mary A. Irvin, by whom he had one child, Edith, who died in infancy. The wife and mother died in September, 1895. On his retirement from office, Mr. Conley removed to a farm in Benner town- ship, Centre county, which he hired a man to operate, and there made his home until called to his final rest September 2, 1881. His remains were interred in the cemetery of Jacksonville. He was a Mason, and for years was an elder in the Presbyterian Church. He was a fine speci- man of physical manhood, being six feet, one inch in height, and weighing 215 pounds. Al- though in youth his school training was limited. he acquired a good practical knowledge by read- ing and observation in later years.
When four years of age, John W. Conley ac- companied his parents to Earlystown, and can distinctly remember the journey. There he be- gan his education, which was all obtained in the district schools until he was twenty years of age,
after which he attended the Boalsburg Academy (then taught by Rev. Austin) for two years. Be- ing the only son, he rendered much assistance to his father in the labors of the farm, and thus early became familiar with the duties that fall to the lot of the agriculturist.
In February, 1861, in Potter township, Mr. Conley was married to Miss Catharine Keller, who was born in that township, May 11, 1840, a daughter of John H. and Rachel (Alexander) Keller. Three children graced their union: William J., born in Gregg township, October 14, 1861, is a resident of Bellefonte, and by his marriage has one daughter, Nellie; Richard N., born January 8, 1864, died at the age of fifteen months; and James K., born January 1, 1868, is living in Freeport, Ill. Mr. Conley engaged in farming in Gregg township until 1870, when he removed to Centre Hall, and became connected with the foundry of that place, selling machinery in Virginia and Maryland. On July 9, 1872, he removed to his present place, a portion of the old Keller farm, and all of the improvements found thereon stand as monuments to his thrift and industry. His home being destroyed by fire in 1878, he erected his present commodious brick residence.
Although not strictly partisan, Mr. Conley by his ballot generally supports the Democratic party at State and National elections, but at other times votes for the man whom he consid- ers best qualified to fill the office. A jovial, gen- ial gentleman, he has made hosts of warm friends throughout the county, and he and his estimable wife hold an enviable position in social circles. Reared in the Presbyterian Church, he has always adhered to that faith, while she is a consistent member of the Reformed Church.
W ILLIAM I. HARTER, one of the most enterprising and prosperous business men of Eagleville. Centre county, and numbered among its liberal-minded and public-spirited cit- izens, has for some years been engaged in the manufacture and repair of furniture and wagons. in which he has achieved an enviable reputation One of his leading characteristics in business af fairs is his fine sense of order and complete sys- tem, and the habit of giving careful attention to the details, without which success in any under- taking is never an assured fact.
A native of Centre county, Mr. Harter was born in Marion township, June 15, 1853, and be- longs to a family that was early established withm its borders. His paternal grandfather, Jacob Harter, of Penn's Valley, removed to Nittany Val-
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ley in 1835, locating on the old Harter home- stead, where he followed farming for the rest of his life. He was of German descent.
Andrew Harter, the father of our subject, was a native of Penn's Valley, Centre county, born June 7, 1823, and on reaching manhood married Miss Eve Smith, who was born in Clinton county, Penn., January 2, 1823, a daughter of Peter Smith, who died on the old homestead in that county. His great-grandfather, who also bore the name of Peter Smith, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Harter, namely: John S., born May 8, 1846, for many years engaged in teach- ing, but now following the carpenter's trade in Clintondale, Penn .; Mary E., born April 8, 1848, is the wife of Daniel Gordon, a machinist of Spring township, Centre county; Susannah, born March 16, 1850, is the wife of Frank Buck, a farmer of Lycoming county, Penn .; William I. is next in order of birth; Jacob A., born Novem- ber 8, 1855, is a merchant of Centre county; Jennie R., born April 30, 1857, is the wife of George Fatzinger, a railroad man of Milton, Penn .; Sarah E., born November 23, 1859, is the wife of Calvin Woomer; and Emily, born April 2, 1862, is the wife of William Dale, a farmer of Centre county. The mother of these children died in June, 1862, on the old home- stead in Marion township, where the father still resides. He is a faithful member of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, and a Democrat in pol- itics.
For his second wife Andrew Harter wedded Mrs. Susan (Arbegust) Shears, widow of Jacob Shears, and to them were born the following children: Samuel, who is now living in the West; Laura, wife of Eli Brehen, a carpenter of Axe- mann, Centre county; Bell, wife of Larry Heil, an engineer of Centre county; Frank, who is in the bicycle business in Clinton county; Clement, a lumberman; Harry, a carpenter of Axemann; George, who is still on the homestead with his parents; and Cora and Bertha, also at home.
During the boyhood and youth of William I. Harter he attended the public schools, and aided his father in the labor of the farm until nineteen years of age, when he left home, and for a year a half worked as a farm hand. Going to Jack- sonville, Centre county, he began serving an ap- prenticeship to the wagon and coach maker's trade under Ira C. Johnson, who failed nine months later, and he then went to Mackeyville, Clinton Co., Penn., where he embarked in busi- ness on his own account. Wishing to learn the cabinet maker's trade, he disposed of his busi- ness and went to Brush Valley, where he served
a six-months' apprenticeship to that trade. He then resumed business at Mackeyville, where he remained for three years, and in 1882 came to Eagleville, where he built his present house and shop. He is a natural mechanic, always having been handy with tools, and the success that he has acheived in life is due entirely to his industry, perseverance and good management. Socially he affiliates with the I. O. O. F. Lodge at Eagle- ville; is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church; and is an uncompromising. Democrat in politics. On February 9, 1882, in Liberty township, Centre county, he was married to Miss Mary A. Bitner, and they have two in- teresting children: May C., born December 25, 1890; and Norris I., born February 13, 1893. Although so young, the son seems to have in- herited his father's taste for mechanics, and shows a marked talent for the use of tools.
Daniel Bitner, the father of Mrs. Harter, is a retired farmer of Liberty township, born at his present homestead September 7, 1822: His parents, John and Susan (Nestlerod) Bitner, were natives of Germany and Centre county, respect- ively, and were married in the latter place. George Bitner, the grandfather, on coming to America was accompanied by his two sons, John and Abraham, and they first located in Lancaster county; but on reaching his majority John came to Centre county, where he followed the trade of shoemaking, later engaging in farming. He was a member of the Mennonite Church, and a Dem- ocrat in politics. He was born in 1797 and died in 1851, while his wife passed away in 1835, at the age of fifty years. In their family were the following children: Christian, John. Nancy, Susan, Catherine, Barbara, Lida, Martha, Abra- ham, Susan, Daniel, Lavina. Daniel Bitner was married February 23, 1843, to Miss Mary Wen- sel, who was born in Prussia, Germany, Novem- ber 10, 1823, a daughter of Abraham and Cath- erine (Rhumsbutt) Wensel, who, on coming to America in 1829, located in Columbia county, Penn., but in 1839 came to Centre county, where both died, the former in 1846 and the lat- ter in 1867. Their family numbered seven chil- dren: Eliza, Margaret, Peter, Mary, Catherine. George and Elizabeth.
The following children graced the union of Mr. and Mrs. Bitner: Catherine, wife of William Scantlin, a farmer of Liberty township, Centre county; John I., a real estate and insurance agent, of Hagerstown, Md., who married Alice Newcomer: William N. (deceased), who married Mary Hesing, and after her death wedded Mary C. Lucas, now residing in Eagleville: J. Albert, a farmer of Liberty township, who married 1
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Carrie Gardner: Howard W. (deceased), who married Frances Johnson, now residing in Liberty township; Alice, the wife of our subject; Clara, wife of Thomas Bechdel, a farmer of Marsh Creek, Centre county, and Ida M., at home.
Mr. Bitner still resides upon the farm where his birth occurred, and to its cultivation and improvement devoted his attention throughout his active business career, but is now enjoying a well-earned rest. For twenty-five years he served as school director, and has also acceptably filled the offices of overseer of the poor, supervisor, collector and treasurer of his township. In politics he is a firm Democrat, and for forty-five years has been a consistent and earnest member of the Christian Church.
W H. STIVER, a thorough, energetic and prosperous farmer of Potter township, Centre county, is a native of the county, his birth occurring in Boalsburg. July 18, 1840. His great- grandfather, Michael Stiver, who was a Revolu- tionary hero, was the founder of the family in the county, and on his death was laid to rest in the Tusseyville cemetery. Among his children was Samuel Stiver, who was born July 3, 1769, and became a farmer by occupation, at one time owning the farm where our subject now resides.
On June 18, 1801, Samuel Stiver was married to Margaret Shimp, of Mifflin county, Penn., who was born March 15, 1784, and they became parents of the following children: Margaret, born January 15, 1802, married Henry Selick and died in Ferguson Valley, Mifflin county; Thomas J., born October 10, ISO2, was a farmer and died in Potter township; John S., born October 31, 1803, died, when a young man, in Mifflin county; Mary, born March 5, 1805, wedded John Farner, and died in Potter town- ship; Elizabeth, born December 22, 1806, mar- ried Daniel Shirk and died in Potter township; Jane, born August 9, 1808, married Frederick Leathers, and died in Bald Eagle Valley, Novem- ber 11, 1892; Samuel was born November 15. 1809: Michael, the father of our subject, is next in order of birth; David, born January 18, 1813, died in Bedford Springs, Penn .; Charlotte, born June 17, 1815, died when young; Catherine, born September 7, 1817. died unmarried; George W., born January 2, 1819, died in Potter township; Martha P., born July 29, 1820, married Henry Mower, and died in Bedford, Penn .; James P., born September 3, 1824, is single and lives near Pittsburg, Penn .; and Sarah A., born February 10, 1826, died when young. The father of these children died August 13, 1846, the mother August
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