Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1, Part 58

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 58
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 58
USA > Pennsylvania > Clarion County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 58
USA > Pennsylvania > Clearfield County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 58

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The subject of this sketch had but meager educational privileges, and attended the old-time subscription schools for a few weeks in winter each year. Reared as a farmer boy, he always followed that occupation, and, after working for his father several years in early manhood. he bought the old farm in Miles township. Centre county. In May, 1846, he was married in Miles township, to Miss Phoebe A. Royer, who was born in that township, February 19, 1825. the daughter of Col. Henry and Polly (Gross) Royer. Col. Henry Royer came from Berks county, and at one time owned much of the land around Re- bersburg, as well as a large tract of mountain land. In 1877, Mr. Brungart removed to Re- bersburg, where he built the present substantial brick residence. He had two children: Elmira E., born February 6, 1847. died February 15. 1850; and Jasper R., born June 17, 1851, of whom special mention will presently be made. Daniel Brungart died April 8. 1897, and is buried in the cemetery at Rebersburg.

Politically, Mr. Brungart was a Democrat, and he held several minor offices in his township. but was never a politician. He was a leading member of the Reformed Church, as is his widow. and he was at one time an elder therein. He owns an excellent farm containing over 165 acres, and two valuable lots in Rebersburg. While he never posed as a philanthropist, he contributed to almost every worthy movement seeking aid. and he and his estimable wife were noted for their kindness of heart.

JASPER R. BRUNGART, the only living child of our subject, received his education in the schools of the township, after which he followed teach- ing some five years. In is;9 he entered mer- cantile business in Rebersburg, buying out J. Spiglemyer, and continued same for five years. at the end of which time he commenced farm- ing, which vocation he followed up to isgo, when he built his pleasant home at Rebersburg, where he has since lived retired. In December. 1804. he graduated from the Chautauqua University at Syracuse, N. Y., and is at present taking a read- ing course from that institution.

On October 3. 1876, Jasper R. Brungart was married in Union county, Penn .. to Mary E. Long, who was born June 28, 1850. a daughter

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of Ephraim and Margaret (Slear) Long, highly respectable farming people. Her father was a native of Berks county, Penn., born April 8, 1814, and died January 13, 1856, a son of Lud- wig and Hannah Long, natives of Pennsylvania. Ephraim Long was twice married, first time to Sarah Snook, by whom he had two children- Esther and Isaac-who lived to maturity. For his second wife, Ephraim was married, May 12, 1848, to Margaret Slear, and three children were born to them, two of whom died in infancy, and Mary E. (Mrs. Brungart). Mr. and Mrs. Eph- raim Long are both deceased, he having passed away January 13, 1856, and she on July 27, 1863.

Mr. and Mrs. Jasper R. Brungart are active members of the Reformed Church. In politics he is a Democrat, and has filled various township . and school offices.

P HILIP W. BARNHART (deceased), late justice of the peace, and an honored resi- dent of Boggs township, Centre county. Prom- inent among the pioneers of Centre county who have witnessed most of the marvelous develop- ment of this section of the State, and who, by honest toil and industry, have succeeded in ac- ·quiring a competency, is the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch. He was born just one mile from his late home, April 13, 1813, a son of Judge Henry and Isabella (Holt) Barn- hart, who were also born in Pennsylvania, and married in Centre county. For many years the Barnhart family have made their home in the ·county, and five generations now lie buried in the Eagle Cemetery, Boggs township.

Judge Henry Barnhart was quite prominent and influential in public affairs; in 1832 was elected a member of the Legislature from Cen- tre county, serving two terms, and was also as- sociate judge for ten years. He was a stanch supporter of Democratic principles, and during the war of 1812 was commissioned a colonel in the militia. He was an extensive lumber mer- chant, and one of the leading business men of the ·county, as well as one of its representative and most public-spirited citizens. Although not a member of any religious organization, he regu- larly attended the services of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in all the relations of life was upright and honorable. He died in 1874, at the age of eighty-seven years. His parents, Philip and Elizabeth (Antis) Barnhart, were na- tives of Montgomery county, Pennsylvania.

Mrs. Barnhart, the mother of our subject, 'was a consistent member of the Methodist Epis-

copal Church, and died in that faith in 1877, at the age of eighty-six years. She was a daughter of Col. John and Sarah (Milligan) Holt, who were born in England, but came to Pennsylvania at an early day, locating first in Cumberland county (now a part of Dauphin county). In 1779 they removed to Bald Eagle Valley, Centre county, locating on a farm, where Mrs. Barnhart was born July 4. 1790, and there her death also occurred. She was descended from Thomas Holt, a brother of Lord Chancellor Holt, who became a resident of Carlisle, Penn., at an early period in its history. The records of the Holt family were destroyed by the burning of the court house of Cumberland county.

On May 17, 1809, was celebrated the mar- riage of the parents of our subject, and to them were born twelve children, five of whom died in infancy; the others are as follows: Julia is the deceased wife of John Curtin, a resident of Bellefonte, Penn .; Philip W. is the subject of this review; Sarah married Thomas R. Sellers, but both are now deceased; Henry, who married Mary Joslin, deceased; Nancy married D. Kim- port, but both are now deceased; Mary is the wife of Irvin Davis, of Hollidaysburg, Penn .; and Katherine is the wife of James M. Kimport, of West Virginia.

In the common schools of Centre county Philip W. Barnhart acquired a fair education, and for two terms engaged in teaching, receiving a salary of $18 per month, and boarding himself. He began his business career as a farmer and lumberman, following the former occupation during the summer months, and working in the lumber woods during the winter season. He re- mained at home until his marriage, at the age of twenty-seven, when he located upon a rented farm, which he operated for four years. He then purchased a small portion of his late farm, the boundaries of which he extended from time to time, until at the time of his death he had a valuable place of 230 acres.

On September 17, 1840, Mr. Barnhart wed- ded Miss Rebecca Leathers, and they became the parents of ten children-four sons and six daughters-namely: Mary I. is the deceased wife of Samuel H. Orris, a decorator, of Miles- burg. Centre county; Lucy is at home; Warren is deceased: Joseph is a resident of Renovo. Clinton county, Penn .; Amanda is at home; Julia is the deceased wife of H. H. Harshburger, of Bellefonte, Penn., Laura is the wife of J. C. Weaver, a merchant of Bellefonte; Harry lives in Punxsutawney. Penn. : Alice is the wife of H. G. Herd, of Farnsville, Penn .; and James K. is bookkeeper in the First National Bank of Belle-

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

fonte. The family holds a high position in social and intellectual circles, and is one of prom- inence in the community where they are so widely known.

'Squire Barnhart departed this life November . 4, 1896. For the long period of forty years he most acceptably served as justice of the peace, and in 1895 was again elected by every vote cast in Boggs township, but declined to further accept the office. For three years he also served as county commissioner. Politically, he was iden- tified with the Democratic party, in religious be- lief was a Methodist, and socially he was a mem- ber of the Grange of Pennsylvania. In manner he was pleasant and genial, in disposition kindly, and the high regard in which he was universally held was well deserved.

M ARTIN LUTHER RISHEL. About the year 1800 there came to Centre county, as a pioneer settler, Henry Rishel, a young man of German descent and probably of German birth. He settled in Green Grove, near the present site of Penn Hall, Gregg township (then Haines township), purchasing 130 acres of land where he and his wife Maria Hull, made their home until about 1824, when they moved to a farm of 100 acres in the same township, near Farmers Mills. Henry Rishel was fairly educated, and was suc- cessful as an agriculturist and prominent as a citizen. He died July 25, 1847, of apoplexy, and his remains were interred in the Union cemetery near Farmers Mills.

His son, Col. John Rishel, the father of the gentleman whose name opens this sketch, was born near Penn Hall, December 26, 1808, and attended the schools of that place until the age of sixteen, when the family removed to the present homestead near Farmers Mills. His education was good for the time, and his excel- lent judgment and practical knowledge of affairs gave him much influence in the community. His title was gained by long service as colonel of a Regiment in the Pennsylvania National Guard. He was a heavy-set man, weighing . about 200 pounds, and had a full round face. Like his fa- ther, he followed farming as an occupation, occupying the homestead until his death, which occurred June 8, 1878. He never ac- cumulated a fortune, but he added sixty-one acres to the original one hundred, and built an elegant residence which is still used by his heirs. His liberality and public spirit were shown in many ways, and for years he was a leading worker in the Evangelical Lutheran Church at Farmers Mills, holding all the various offices at different

times. In 1872 he was sent by the Central Penn- sylvania Conference as a delegate to the Luth- eran Synod at Fort Wayne, Ind. When the building of St. John's Church near his home was proposed, he gave the movement his hearty sup- port, donating all the ground necessary, and many other Churches were assisted by him. In local politics his influence was marked, and throughout his career he was one of the chief supporters of the Democratic party in his sec- tion, holding numerous offices. He served as county commissioner for two terms, from 1849to 1855, and was justice of the peace in Gregg town- ship from 1845 to 1865, and again from 1867 to 1878-a total of thirty-one years and one month, his death interrupting his service. At the time of his decease he also held the office of jury com- missioner.

On November 22, 1832, he married Miss Rachel Reynolds, by whom he had three chil- dren: Henry, born August 9, 1833, died April 9, 1835, and twins, born February 28, 1836, of whom, the elder, a son, never breathed, and the younger, Sarah Ann, died February 22, 1894. The mother passed away March 14, 1841, and on January 10, 1842, Col. Rishel married Miss Catherine Homan, who died February 18, 1897, of pneumonia, at the age of eighty years, nine months and nineteen days, while living with her son, our subject, at the old homestead. There were four children by this union: Mary Eliz- abeth, born November 13, 1842, died November 12, 1881; Samuel, born April 18, 1846. died April 25, 1850; Martin, who is mentioned more fully below; and Rosetta, born November 27. 1853, who married E. F. Smith, a professor of music at Dakota, Illinois.

Martin Luther Rishel was born at the old homestead January 3, 1850, and was reared to farm life, his education being limited to an attend- ance at the schools of the neighborhood for about two months and a half each year. He began his schooling at the age of four, with Wesley Plotner as his first teacher, and did not discon- tinue entirely until he reached the age of twenty- one. After attaining his majority he conducted the farm two years in partnership with his father. receiving one-fourth of the value of the products sold, and furnishing nothing. Later he rented the place on shares, and he afterward managed it on the same plan by an arrangement with the other heirs. [Since this was written, the afore- said homestead has been sold through proceed- ings of conrt, and about 112 acres of the original homestead are now owned and occupied by M. L. Rishel and family. }

On January 12, 1871, Mr. Rishel was mar-

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ried to Catherine Houtz, daughter of Edward and Catherine A. Houtz, and this union has been blessed with five children: John E., Carrie E., William F., Elizabeth J., and Rosa I., who are all at home. His family also includes his wife's mother, who is quite infirm, and was eighty-four years of age December 17, 1897. Edward Houtz died April 7, 1884, at the age of seventy- seven years and one month.

Since his father's death Mr. Rishel has taken his place in local affairs, assisting with the same liberal spirit in all progressive movements. He is active in the support of the same Church, and during his twenty-five years of membership has held all the various offices therein, including those of deacon and elder. He differs from his father only in outward appearance, being six feet, one inch in height, and very slender. As a worker in the Democratic party, he has cer- tainly fallen heir to his father's influence, and he has filled numerous township offices with char- acteristic ability and faithfulness. As school di- rector he has sought to improve the usefulness of the local schools ... In the spring of 1879 he was elected justice of the peace, to succeed his father, and has served ever since, even occupying the same room formerly used by his father as a court room, making forty-eight years that the duties of that office have been discharged by one family in one room. Mr. Rishel is fond of reading. keep- ing well-informd on the issues of the day, and his sterling qualities of character have won the respect of all who know him.

AVID FORCEY, the well-known and popu- lar proprietor of a leading drug store at Philipsburg, Centre Co., Penn., is a man whose sound judgment and ready tact have won him success in many lines of business, and who holds a high and enviable position among the progress- ive citizens of the county.

Mr. Forcey is a native of this section, having been born in Clearfield county, November 20, 1837, one of the family of seventeen children born to Mathew and Margret (Murry) Forcey. His youth was spent mainly at his birthplace and in Huntingdon county, Penn. On leaving school he engaged in mercantile pursuits at Green Tree, Huntingdon Co., Penn. While there he was married, in 1861, to Miss Mary A. Myton, a native of Huntingdon county, Penn., and in 1862 they moved from Green Tree to Clearfield county, where he was engaged in mer- cantile and lumbering pursuits for about eighteen years. Mr. Forcey is the father of two sons: Mathew J. and William W.

The Forcey family is of German and Irish lineage, and has been represented in this section since the latter part of the eighteenth century, Thomas Forcey, the grandfather of our subject, having about the year 1790 come from Delaware to settle upon a farm in Clearfield county. He lived to the patriarchal age of ninety-nine years, and consequently the greater part of his life was spent in Clearfield county. He married Eliza- beth Arnola, and had five children: Jane, Cath- erine, Tamar, Nancy and Mathew.

J TAMES IRWIN KUNES, a member of the firm of S. H. & J. I. Kunes, is one of the leading and enterprising business men of Eagleville, Centre county, where he is successfully engaged in general merchandising and in the lumber trade. His success has come to him not as a result of propitious circumstances, but as a reward for far- sighted dealing, executive ability and discrimina- tion. With a laudable ambition he has grasped eagerly every opportunity for raising himself to the level of the high standard he has set up, and his resolute purpose and commendable diligence have secured for him the goal of his hopes.

Mr. Kunes was born June 17, 1839, in the village which is still his home, and is a son of Daniel and Mary (Bechdel) Kunes, the former a native of Eagleville and the latter of Liberty township, Centre county. During his early life the father engaged in farming, later conducting a hotel in Eagleville for many years, but spent his last days in retirement there, where his death occurred. His wife died near Beach Creek, Centre county, in 1847, at the age of thirty-six years. Both were earnest members of the Chris- tian Church; in politics he was first a Whig, later a Republican.

To the parents of our subject were born the following children: David, who died in infancy; Samuel H .; Joseph B., who died in 1894; Ma- hala, deceased wife of William Clark, a farmer of Marsh Creek. Penn. ; James Irwin; Daniel B., a brief sketch of whom follows; Fannie P., wife of Mills Linn, a farmer of Clinton county, Penn. After the mother's death the father wedded Elizabeth Potts, of Millhein, Centre county, who is still residing in Eagleville.

The paternal grandparents of our subject, Daniel and Hannah (Roerbanck) Kunes, were natives of Pennsylvania and among the founders of Eagleville, while the great-grandfather, who also bore the name of Daniel and was a Revolu- tionary soldier, made his home in Centre county, and died at Eagleville. David and Susan (Hell-

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man) Beckdell, the maternal grandparents, made their home on Marsh creek, Centre county, where the grandfather engaged in farming and the dis- tillery business.

At the age of sixteen, James I. Kunes began life for himself by working on the farm of his brother, Samuel H., with whom he remained some four years, and for the following six years engaged in boating on the canal. Subsequently he conducted the " Kunes Hotel" for three years, and then purchased a farm, which he operated at intervals some five years. In 1873, in part- nership with his brother, Daniel B .. he engaged in merchandising in Eagleville for three years, at the end of which time he became sole owner, but since 1894 he and his brother, Samuel H., have conducted a general store at that place, and have built up an extensive and lucrative business. In connection with his mercantile pursuits, our subject is also interested in lumber- ing and farming, in which he has met with a well-deserved success.

On October 14, 1867, in Eagleville, Mr. Kunes was married to Miss Margaret E. Graham. and to them was born one daughter, who died when only nineteen days old. Eight years ago Mr. and Mrs. James I. Kunes adopted a bright two-year-old boy, Charles Graham, a nephew. He is a smart little lad, learning very fast, and a source of much gladness and pleasure to his adopted parents. Their residence, which is the finest in Eagleville, is a two-story-and-a-half brick building, and their hospitality reigns su- preme; there their many friends are always sure to find a hearty welcome. As will have been seen, the family has long been prominently identi- fied with the business interests of Eagleville and vicinity, and the name of Kunes deserves an honored place in a work of this character. Our subject uses his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Republican party; is a public-spirited, progressive man, giving his influence and support to all worthy enterprises for the benefit of the community; and is a faith- ful and consistent member of the Christian Church.

Daniel B. Kunes, brother of our subject, was born in Liberty township, Centre county, Feb- ruary 11, 1841, and on the 28th of March, 1869, was married to Miss Mary D. Mapes, by whom he has three children: Lloyd B., bookkeeper for the Berwick Stove Company (limited), of Ber- wick, Penn .; Josephine at home; and one that died in infancy. For the past sixteen years Mr. Kunes has acceptably served as justice of the peace in Eagleville, and he is one of its most highly respected and valued citizens.

E J. DESHLER, M. D. (deceased). On Sep- tember 27, 1890, there passed away at his home in Aaronsburg, a well-beloved physician, whose many years of faithful toil in his profession made his name a.household word in that commu- nity. Nor had his influence and his efforts been confined to professional lines only, for in all the varied activities of our common life he had taken a helpful part as a loyal citizen, devoting his abilities to the cause of progress.

Dr. Deshler was born at Weaversville, North- ampton county, Penn., April 7, 1826, the son of Jacob Deshler, and the grandson of Peter Desh- ler. Jacob Deshler was a native of eastern Pennsylvania, as was his father before him, and several years of his early life were spent in Phil- adelphia. His educational advantages were bet- ter than those of the average youth of his time, and he became prominent as a civil engineer. For years he held the office of justice of the peace, which in that day was filled by appoint- ment and carried much honor with it. In his later years he moved from Northampton county. where he had an elegant home, and settled upon a fine farm near Milton, Penn., to spend the re- mainder of his life. Of his four children, our subject was the youngest; Mary M. married Dr. Edward Martin, and died at Weaversville, Northampton county; Joseph died in Northum- berland county, Penn. ; Elizabeth married George Stahl, and died in Northumberland county. Ja- cob Deshler and his wife were members of and active workers in the Reformed Church.

Dr. Deshler's early education was obtained in the schools of his native county, and he was a young man at the time of the removal to Milton. He attended Marshall College before its consol- idation with Franklin College, at Lancaster. Penn., and at one time thought of studying for the ministry, but concluded to enter the medi- cal profession. . His brother-in-law, Dr. Martin. was his first preceptor, and he also studied in the office of Dr. Charles Dougal, of Milton, before beginning his course in the Pennsylvania Medical College at Philadelphia, where he graduated in 1853. For a few months he located at Buffalo Cross Roads, Penn., and then moved to Turbut- ville, Penn., where he continued to practice until 1858, when he settled permanently in Aarons- burg.

As a practitioner he was very successful, keep- ing well abreast of the advance of modern science by his extensive reading. Unassuming in man- ner, he never indulged in self-praise, but his in- nate worth and thorough intellectual training were readily recognized among the best people. He possessed a knowledge of surveying, and at

Edwin J. Deshler

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one time was elected without any effort on liis part to the office of county surveyor. For five years he served as justice of the peace, having been chosen to that position without his solicita- tion. He was a stanch Democrat, an active member of the Masonic order, and at the time of his death was trustee about twenty years, of the Reformed Church, in which he had for years been a leading member. He joined the Church when a young man, and was among its foremost work- ers, donating toward it liberally both of time and money. He was a leader in the Sabbath-school up to within some fourteen years prior to his death, when owing to impaired health he was obliged to give way to younger people, although he never missed attending divine service, even to the last Sabbath before his death, he dying sud- denly of heart disease.

On September 22, 1853, the Doctor was mar- ried at Tusseyville, Centre county, to Miss Maria Jordan, a native of Spring Mills, Penn., born March 4, 1829. Four children blessed this union: Elizabeth died in infancy; J. Jordan is a physi- cian at Glidden, Iowa; M. Emma, who died at the age of twenty-two, was a highly accomplished young lady and a graduate of Bethlehem Mora- vian Female Seminary; and Ellanora died at the age of twelve years.

Mrs. Deshler still occupies the comfortable home which her lamented husband left her, and her fine social gifts and well-stored mind inake her a favorite .in the most cultured circles of Aaronsburg society. She is a member of the Reformed Church, as were also her parents and grandparents. Her parents, Joseph and Eliza- beth (Bair) Jordan, were highly esteemed resi- dents of Centre county, and she was the eldest of a family of six children, of whom five-two sons and three daughters-lived to adult age. She attended the country schools of her time in her girlhood, and later pursued her studies in the seminary at Jacksonville, Penn., while a con- tinued course of reading, guided by a fine liter- ary taste, has given her an unusually wide range of information upon current topics, making her a most interesting conversationalist. She has spent much of her time in travel, and has visited various cities in both the East and the West.

R A. BUMILLER, editor and proprietor of the Millheim Journal, is a well-known journalist of Centre county, and one of Millheim's foremost citizens. He was born January 1, 1855, in Munich, Bavaria, the only child of Francis and Creszentia (Von Kepple) Bumiller. The father was a well-educated man, of scholarly tastes, who

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1, Part 58

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