Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1, Part 51

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 51
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 51
USA > Pennsylvania > Clarion County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 51
USA > Pennsylvania > Clearfield County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 51

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Frederick Weaver, the father of our subject, was born in Haines township, in 1803, and being the youngest of seven sons, according to the old saying, "should be a doctor." Strange enough, he naturally possessed a talent for the medical profession, and from youth was called " Doc- tor." Although he never studied medicine, he used to bleed many people when the custom was in vogue, and manufactured and dealt in medi- cine, selling throughout the township. He was . reared to farm labor, but when quite young learned stocking weaving at New Berlin, Penn .. and later engaged in general weaving, manufact- uring carpets, bed spreads, cloth, etc.

In Haines township Frederick Weaver was married to Catharine Mark, who was born there in 1798, a daughter of Rudolph and Margaret (Walterbarger) Mark, in whose family were eight children-four sons and four daughters. Her father was a farmer by occupation. To Mr. and Mrs. Weaver were born the following chil- dren: William, a farmer of Gregg township, Centre county; Mary, who became the wife of Jesse Wert, and 'died in Aaronsburg, Centre county; Israel, the subject of this sketch; Aaron D., a resident of Aaronsburg; and Frank J. The mother of these children died in 1876, and the father afterward wedded Mrs. Elizabeth Krull (née Lutenbach), who is still living in Haines township.

Frederick Weaver and wife began housekeep- ing in Haines township, where he had erected a small dwelling upon a couple of acres of land, and there followed his trade of weaving until the spring of 1834, wlien he removed to a farm he had purchased one mile east of Aaronsburg, compris- ing sixty acres. This he cultivated in connection with weaving, and added to the original tract until he had 128 acres of excellent land. Al- though his father's estate was quite large, it had to be divided among so many children that each received only a small amount. According to the provisions of the will, the next to the youngest son received the farm, and was to pay each of the fourteen children $coo, at intervals of two years each, beginning with the oldest, so that it was thirty years before Frederick received his $200. He therefore had to start out in life with uo capital, and the success which he achieved was due to his own unaided efforts. He died

upon his farm near Aaronsburg, in January, 1885. and was laid to rest in the cemetery of that place. His political support was given the Dem- ocratic party until the formation of the Repub- lican party, when he joined its ranks. Religious- ly, both he and the mother of our subject were consistent members of the Lutheran Church, and they were highly respected citizens of the community.

Israel Weaver was born in Haines township, March 28, 1831, and in the subscription schools acquired a limited education, his first teacher be- ing James Polly. As soon as old enough to handle a plow he began to assist in the labors of the farm, which he continued until seventeen years of age, when he entered the shop of his cousin, John Weaver, in Haines township, and learned carpet and coverlet weaving. On attain- ing his majority he formed a partnership with his father in that business, which he continued until his marriage.

In August, 1853, Mr. Weaver married Miss Luzetta, daughter of Solomon Confer, a farmer by occupation, and they began their domestic life in an old log house upon his present farm, a tract of sixty-five acres, for which he went in debt. Upon the place stood a sawmill which he has since conducted in connection with the labors of the farm, and has made many valuable and useful improvements upon his land, including the erection of a fine residence, which cost $3,000.

Mr. and Mrs. Weaver have no children of their own, but have given homes to several, in- cluding Lucetta, now the wife of B. F. Edmunds, who was taken when a child and reared in their home, as was also her mother, Agnes, and made her home with them from three years of age. At the present time they have a boy, Weaver Edmunds, now eleven years of age. They have not only given homes to the children, but treated them as if they were their own, providing them with excellent advantages. Kind hearted and generous almost to a fault. no couple in Haines township are held in higher regard or have more friends. They are earnest, devoted Christians, faithful members of the Lutheran Church, with which he has been officially connected for years. Like his father, Mr. Weaver was originally a Democrat. but now gives his unwavering support to the men and measures of the Republican party.

N ATHANIEL BEERLY, who for eighteen years past has held the office of justice of the peace in and for Boggs township, Centre county, is a typical American, and has record as

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a soldier and a successful business man, who as a public-spirited citizen commands admiration and esteem. He possesses rare talent for music also, and this gift has been devoted to the public service in the leadership of the Milesburg band, which under his able direction won the first prize in the famous tournament at Hecla Park, August 30, 1894, as the best band in central Pennsyl- vania.

The biography of this gentleman is of unusual interest. He was born September 28, 1843, in Clinton county, and is a descendant of one of the most prominent pioneer families. The name was originally written Bierhley, later Bierly, and this form is still adhered to by other branches of the family; but our subject's father, Peter Beerly, chose to adopt the new spelling, which has been continued by his children. The first ancestor, of whom there is-authentic record, was Melchoir Bierly, our subject's great-great-grandfather, who came from Bavaria, Prussia, in Colonial times with his wife and two sons-Nicholas, who set- tled in Ohio and was never married, and Anthony, our subject's great-grandfather. Melchoir Bierly located in what is now Snyder county, on the banks of the Mohantango creek, but during the great " Runaway " caused by the Indian troubles of 1778 he left that locality and went to Lancas- ter county, where he remained. His wife brought from the old country a beautifully ornamented bottle, which is now a cherished relic in the family of a great-grandson, Melchoir Bierly, of Rebersburg.

Anthony Bierly, our subject's great-grandfa- ther, was a man of note in his day, possessing an unusually keen intellect and forceful character. He was versed in the ancient science of Astrology, and practiced it for a time at Guy. In 1791, probably in the spring, he came to Brush Valley and settled with his family upon a tract of 300 acres, which was leased from Col. Samuel Miles. Mr. Bierly and his son Nicholas, our subject's grandfather, had come to the place in the fall previous to clear a portion of it and plant grain for the next summer's harvest. About half an acre had already been cleared by Mr. Strawbridge, who had also built a hut there, and when Mr. Bierly first came, there were a few huts standing in the woods through other parts of the Valley. Mr. Bierly's house was situated about half-way between the present homes of Peter S. and An- thony Bierly. There are upon the place several apple trees which were brought from the old home, and one now measures thirteen and one- half feet in circumference. During the Revolu- tionary war Anthony Bierly while living on the Mohantango served in the militia, but it is not

known what engagements he took part in. On one or two occasions, he with other parties fol- lowed Indians who had murdered white families. When he brought his family to Centre county he came through Brush Valley Narrows, over the road which Col. Samuel Miles had opened but a short time before, and it is said that Mr. Bierly was the first man, who traveled over it in a ve- hicle. He took an active part in the develop- ment and improvement of his locality, and was especially interested in the village of Rebersburg, which was established upon his tract of land. He

died in 1825 at the age of eighty-two, and he and his wife, whose maiden name was Warner, were both buried in the Lutheran Reformed Cemetery at. Rebersburg. Neither has a tombstone with an inscription. Their children, none of whom are now living, were: Nicholas, our subject's grandfather; John; Anthony, Jr .: Margaret, who married John Philips; Mary, wife of Michael Kehl; Sarah, who married (first) Henry Gren- inger, and (second) George Lesh; Anna, wife of Philip Glantz; Barbara, wife of Frederick Wom- eldorf; Rosina, who married Christian Gramley; Elizabeth, wife of Peter Berry; Eva, wife of Michael Ketner, and Catherine, who never mar- ried.

Anthony Bierly, Jr., made his home upon a portion of the original tract, and died there July 18, 1857, aged sixty-nine years, ten months and ten days. He married Maria Kratzer, and had the following children: Melchoir; John; William: Susan, who married Joseph Miller; Rachel, wife of Rev. George Young, a minister of the Evan- gelical Church, who died many years ago; George; Samuel; and Joseph.

John Bierly, second son of Anthony Bierly, Sr., was born February 8, 1779, in Northumber- land county, Penn., and was about twelve years of age when he came to Brush Valley. His mother used to tell him how she secreted him in a sugar trough in the wood when he was a few months old, while the rest of the family fled on account of an attack upon the settlement by the Indians. The savages did not discover him, and he was found uninjured on the return of the fam- ily when the danger had passed. He married Miss Catherine Berry, of Lancaster, and lived near Rebersburg for forty-five years, but later re- moved to Sugar Valley, where he died in 1870 at the age of ninety-one. Most of his children set- tled in Sugar Valley. Hon. Willis R. Bierly, his grandson and a son of Peter S. Bierly, was a member of the State Legislature from Lycoming county.

Nicholas Bierly, the grandfather of our sub- ject, located upon the original tract, and passed his

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life there, dying July 25, 1848, at the age of sev- enty-three years. His wife Lucy was a daughter of John Buchtel, who came to Centre county about the same time as the Bierlys. She died March 26, 1851, aged seventy-three years, and both were laid to rest in the Lutheran Reformed cein- etery at Rebersburg. They had ten children, whose names with dates of birth are as follows: Nicholas, February 12, 1799, died in Sugar Val- ley, aged seventy-eight; Hannah, May 26, 1800, married Henry Meyer; Michael, November 25, 1801; John, September 25, 1803; - , December 6, 1805, moved to Ohio; Anthony, August 26, 1807; Reuben, March 8, 1809, moved to Missouri; Pe- ter, April 13, 1814, is mentioned more fully be- low; Simeon, March 25. 1817: George, July 17, 1819, settled in Ohio.

Peter Beerly, our subject's father, was a wagonmaker in Clinton county until 1847, when he moved to Boggs township, Centre county. and continued that business throughout his remaining years. He was a man of influence, and in his last years was a Republican in politics. His death occurred December 7, 1868. His wife, Sarah Karstetter, daughter of Rudolph and Margaret Karstetter, was born June 26, 1814, and died March 30, 1887. They were married February 19, 1837, and had eight children, whose names with dates of birth are here given: Rob- ert, December 2, 1837, is a wheelwright and manufacturer at Central City, and a leading citi- zen, of whom a biography appears elsewhere: Rebecca, April 2, 1839, widow of David Wat- son, resides in Boggs township, Centre county; Messulan, September 14. 1841, enlisted in the army during the Civil war, and died a soldier's death February 8, 1863: Nathaniel, September 28, 1843, is the subject proper of this sketch; Tartulious, June 20, 1846; Agnes, September 24, 1849, married Byron Teller, a pumpmaker in Boggs township, Centre county; Newton, Sep- tember 29, 1852, died March 4. 1853; and Lem- uel, May 30, 1858, who is also a musician.

Squire Beerly began his business career in his father's wagon shop, but at the age of nineteen he enlisted in Company B. 148th P. V. I., under Col. James F. Weaver. He spent three years in the service, and was detailed as member of a brass band. He fortunately escaped all wounds, although he took part in many hotly contested battles, including those of the Wilderness. Spottsylvania, Gettysburg and Petersburg. Not until peace was restored did he return home. He worked with his father for three years, and after the death of the latter continued the business in partnership with Robert Beerly, the brother mentioned above, until 1891. They were also

engaged for some time in cider making. In 1894 Squire Beerly became interested in mercantile business at Central City with Louis F. Wetzler .. his present partner, and has since conducted it successfully.

On June 1, 1874, Squire Beerly was united in marriage with Miss Ellen Heaton, but no chil- dren blessed their union. Mrs. Beerly was born February 12, 1853, a daughter of Andrew and Liddie (Poorman) Heaton. Politically the Squire is a Republican, with a decided leaning toward free silver; and in religion he favors the doctrines of the Presbyterian Church. Socially he belongs to the Grange, the G. A. R. and the Veteran League, and at times held various township offices, having been a justice of the peace since 1879.

As director of the Milesburg band Mr. Beerly has achieved a success in which every one in the community feels personal pride. On the occa- sion of the band tournament referred to above. the citizens of Milesburg sought to give expres- sion to the popular feeling by giving an ovation to the hero of the hour, Squire Beerly. The borough council took appropriate action, and an elegant banquet was prepared by the ladies of the town at Bogg's Hall. The affair was a surprise to the Squire, who, on his arrival at Central City from Bellefonte, was met by the constable and given to understand that he was wanted in Miles- burg to answer to a serious charge. Much be- wildered, but willing as a loyal citizen to submit to the authority of the law, he entered one of the carriages in waiting and soon found himself the chief figure in a triumphal procession headed by the Milesburg band. the chief burgess and the members of the borough council. On arriving at the banquet hall in Milesburg the assemblage was called to order by the clerk of the council. and various speeches were made during the even- ing, the Squire being presented with a beautiful gold-mounted ebony baton, which he modestly received with a few well-chosen words.

D R. F. K. WHITE was born November 24. 1866, in Mechanicstown, Frederick county. Md., and is a descendant of a well-known family of that State. His grandfather, John White, who was of Irish stock, owned and cultivated a fine estate in Carroll county, Md. The Doctor's ft- ther, William White. M. D., was born in that State in 1824, at Taneytown, and, after graduat- ing from the medical department of the Univer- sity of Maryland, located at Mechanicstown. where he followed his profession with signal sie cess until his death in 1885. He served for sale

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time as a member of the Legislature of the State. His wife, Emily J. Cover, who was a German by descent, was born in Ladiesburg, Md., in 1835, and died in 1880. They had seven children: John and Thomas died in childhood; William P. resides in Baltimore, Md .; Minnie E. at Thur- mont (formerly Mechanicstown); F. K., our sub- ject, was the fifth in order of birth; May E. re- sides in Philipsburg; Howard, a graduate in den- tistry, is practicing his profession at Cuero, Texas.

Until the age of fourteen Dr. White remained at home, then attended Pennsylvania College, Gettysburg. He prepared for his profession at the Baltimore Dental College, graduating March 5, 1885, and since 1887 he has been established at Philipsburg.

R OBERT JONES HEPBURN, whose indus- try and prudent management in business affairs, and many excellent qualities as a citizen, long ago gained for him the esteein of the people of Bellefonte, Centre county, is a native of Ly- coming county, Penn., born September 7, 1822. He is of pioneer stock, his grandfather, John Hepburn, an Irishman by birth, having settled in Lycoming county when that region was as yet but sparsely populated. Samuel Hepburn, the father of our subject, was born there, and spent a long life as a farmer near Jersey Shore, where he was numbered among the leading adherents of the M. E. Church, and took an active inter- est in politics as a Democrat. He lived to the age of ninety-one years, three months and one day, and his wife, Mary Crawford, who was born in Pennsylvania of Scotch-Irish parentage, also attained a good old age, passing away in her eighty-seventh year. Nine children of this es- timable couple lived to maturity, viz .: ( 1) Will- iam, who after two years of gallant service in the Union army died a soldier's death at Suffolk, Va .; (2) R. J., our subject; (3) Margaret (de- ceased), formerly the wife of Ira Martin, of New York State; (4) Mary (Mrs. John Gheent), of Jer- sey Shore; (5) Martha (deceased), who married Warren Clark, of Limestone Valley; (6) Nancy, now the second wife of Warren Clark; (7) Jane, who married Robert Davidson, of Jersey Shore; (8) Charles, who resides at Lovel Corners, near Jersey Shore; and (9) John, a resident of Linden, Lycoming county.

As a farmer's son, Mr. Hepburn had an op- portunity to acquire industrious habits in youth. At eighteen he began to learn the carpenter's trade, and after working at it several years he moved from Lycoming county to Centre county,

locating at Bellefonte, where since 1844 he has been employed by the-Valentine Iron Co., in the fashioning of the wood work required in their business. He is an expert in this line, and for years has done the work of three men. On De- cember 3, 1846, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary E. Wonsley, who was born March 28, 1828, in Monongalia county, W. Va. (then part of the Old Dominion), and came to Bellefonte with her foster parents when she was about eighteen years old. After nearly half a century of wedded life she passed away January 26, 1895.

Ten children blessed this union. The first two, the younger of whom was born May 4, 1848, died in infancy. (3) J. W., born July 20, 1851, is a carpenter near Bellefonte; he was married February 4, 1875, to Miss, Betty. Fall; they have no children. (4) Thompson, born Sep- tember 29, 1855, was married in. September, 1877, to Miss Mary E. Walker; he died May 10, 1 886, leaving one daughter, Maude. (5) Ira M., born May 15, 1858, died August 21, 1860. (6) Charles E., born May 4, 1861, died October 17, 1864. (7) Alpheus, born April 12, 1864, a car- penter by trade, married Miss Jennie Cushing, a native of Ohio, born July 4, 1863. (8) Sanford S., born March 12, 1867, died February. 24, 1872. (9) Carmina, born June 2, 1870, married Robert Fry, a painter. (10) Samuel E., born November 23, 1872, married Miss Emma J. Bridge, who was born near Bellefonte in January, 1867, and they have two children-Mary E. and Pearl C .; he was formerly in the grocery business but is now a carpenter.

Mr. Hepburn has been for many years a mem- ber of the M. E. Church, and all his children have followed this worthy example. In his political views he is a Democrat.

SAMUEL BURRELL. When one reaches the age of three-score and ten there can be no more keener satisfaction than that given by a review of a life of usefulness, spent in contented labor in one's appointed sphere, and marked by the approval of one's own conscience and the re- spect and affection of those with whom one's lot has been cast. To an agricultural worker living "close to Nature's heart." such a retrospect must show long years of peaceful routine toil. and assuredly this is the case with the subject of this sketch, who in a hale and hearty old age is now living in retirement at Penn Hall, Centre county.

Mr. Burrell is a native of George's Valley, Centre county, born March 22, 1827. His fa- ther, John Burrell, a native of Shamokin, Penn.,

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born April 20, 1798, was married in early man- hood at Sunbury, Penn., to Miss Rachel McKin- ney, daughter of Abraham Mckinney. They came to George's Valley soon after this event, accompanied by Samuel Burrell, an uncle of our subject. For some time both brothers followed the mason's trade, which they had previously learned, and, in company with George Ilgen, they purchased a tract of timbered land on Egg Hill, where John Burrell cleared a farm and built a home for himself. Samuel finally settled in Nittany Valley, and, giving up his trade, fol- lowed farming exclusively until his death.

John Burrell continued his trade for many years, the work of his farm being left to others while he was thus employed. He often had a large force of men at work for him, and he was himself a most industrious man. Although not remarkably tall, he was known as "Big John Burrell, " because of his great muscular power, his feats of lifting at "raisings " being extraor- dinary. Despite his hard work he never accumu- lated much, but at the time of his death he had a comfortable home and 175 acres of land, prac- tically clear of indebtedness. For some years previous to his death he had devoted his atten- tion to farming. He was much given to driving a fractious team, and was considered an excellent horseman; but on December 19, 1856, while re- turning from a trip to Bellefonte with a load of mill feed, he stopped at Spring Mills and loos- ened his horses, intending to lead them to the mill, but a short distance away. They took fright at something, and made a spring which broke the bridle bit, so that he was thrown under their hoofs and so injured that he died the fol- lowing day at 10 A. M. His remains were in- terred in the cemetery in George's Valley. He was a man of prominence in the locality, and a leading member of the Lutheran Church, hold- ing various offices and contributing liberally to the work of the society. Politically he was a Whig, but his abolition principles led him to en- ter the Republican party on its organization, and at the election just prior to his death he voted for Fremont.

Our subject was the eldest child of John and Rachel Burrell. Of the other children by this marriage: (2) John went to Illinois, and during the Civil war enlisted from that State, and was wounded. He returned home, but later rejoined the army, and in May, 1864, he met a soldier's death. (3) Mary A. married Jacob Breon, of Altoona, Penn. (4) A. Gregg is a farmer in Gregg township, Centre county. (5) David, who served in the Civil war in the 148th P. V. I., is a mason at Centre Hall. (6) Rebecca (Mrs.

James Yeakley) resides at Cleveland, Ohio. (7) William H. H. enlisted in the 148th P. V. I., and was killed at Gettysburg. The mother of this family died in 1844, and was buried in Heck- man Cemetery, and for his second wife the father married Mrs. Polly (Gill) Dunkle, widow of Jacob Dunkle. She died in 1889. The children of this union were: Thomas, who died in infancy, and Eliza, now Mrs. Benjamin Smith, of Belle- fonte.

The free-school system had not been inaugu- rated when the subject of this sketch was a boy, and he attended only the subscription schools of the day, a Mr. Kannedy being his first teacher. As the eldest son he was obliged to assist in the farm work from an early age, and owing to his father's frequent absences, while working at his trade, much responsibility devolved upon him. In those days farm labor was not lightened by machinery, and there was plenty to do the year round. Before Mr. Burrell attained his majority he learned the mason's trade, working first under his father's direction, and completing his appren- ticeship with "Big John Emerick. When he came of age he began working at his trade on his own account. In November, 1848, he was mar- ried in George's Valley to Miss Lydia Hettinger. who was born in Haines township, Centre county. in August, 1829, a daughter of Isaac and Mary (Bartges) Hettinger. For the first year after his marriage Mr. Burrell lived at the home of his fa- ther-in-law, farming, and working at his trade. He then rented a farm in Haines township, and at the end of seven years had saved $250, and acquired also a lot of farming implements, mostly of a cheap grade, purchased second hand at sales in the neighborhood, and stocked the farm. At this time he bought the farm which he had been renting, and having but a small proportion of the purchase price, he went in debt to secure the place. Industry. thrift, and shrewd management enabled him to pay the obligation, and in the spring of 1881 he bought another farm, the " Old David Musser farm", in Gregg township, Centre county, contracting a debt of $7,000, which h. also paid off in due time. He has retained both estates, and is now possessed of a fine compe- tence. In the spring of 1891 he removed to Pen Hall, where he owns a comfortable home; bu :. although he is supposed to have retired from active business, he may be found almost any day work- ing as busily as if his livelihood depended upon his efforts, his industrious habits not losing their force with advancing years.

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1, Part 51

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