Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1, Part 59

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 59
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 59
USA > Pennsylvania > Clarion County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 59
USA > Pennsylvania > Clearfield County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 59

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served as district surveyor in Munich, and also occupied the position of instructor in surveying in the government schools of that city, where his death occurred. The mother, who belonged to a noble family of Germany, is still living in Munich.

Our subject was provided with excellent edu- cational privileges, being educated in one of the gymnasiums for which Munich is justly famed. and continuing his studies in that institution until he had attained his eighteenth year. In the summer of 1873 he left his native land to seek his fortune in the United States, sailing from Bremen on the 11th of July, and arriving in New York City two weeks later. His destination was Millheim, Centre Co., Penn., where his uncle, Adolph Miller (Bumiller), was living, and here he entered the printing office of George W. Foote, editor of the Centre Berichter, which paper was established at Aaronsburg, Centre county. in 1827.

During the winter of 1873-74, Mr. Bumiller conducted an evening school, where the German language was taught, being well equipped for this task by his previous scholastic training in Germany, where he had acquired a thorough mastery of his mother tongue. This instruction was all given in addition to his duties in the printing office. The years 1874 and 1875 were spent in Bellefonte in the office of the Republican, where he gained a good practical knowledge of the art of printing, and on his return to Millheim, in the latter part of 1876, became German editor of the Berichter, which at that time was pub- lished half in English and half in German. In 1880 the paper became entirely English, and the name was changed to the Millheim Journal, at which time Mr. Bumiller became half owner and associate editor. Three years later he purchased the paper, of which he has since been editor and proprietor, and under the able management the circulation has been greatly increased, and the plant newly equipped with the latest improved machinery, run by steam power.

In Millheim, Mr. Bumiller was married April 4, 1876, to Miss Ella, the eldest daughter of Squire B. O. Deininger, one of Millheim's lead- ing citizens, and they have two children: Ida A. and Frances C.

Politically, Mr. Bumiller gives his unwaver- ing support to the Democratic party, and has served as councilman and school director. In October, 1894, he was also appointed notary public by Gov. Pattison, and during the Centen- nial celebration of Millheim was a member of the committee to which was mainly due its grand success. He affiliates with the Odd Fellows

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Lodge of Millheim, and is a prominent and con- sistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, now serving as secretary of its Sunday- school. He ranks among the leading journalists of the county, and as a citizen also holds an en- viable position.

W J. CARLIN, one of the representative business men and prominent citizens of Brush Valley, Centre county, and a leading mer- chant of Rebersburg, was born February 23, 1850, at Potters Mills, in Potter township, Cen- tre county.

George Carlin (father of our subject), who was weaver by trade, was employed in the woolen- factory at that place. He was a native of the North of Ireland, whence when quite young he came to the United States with his parents, who located in Philadelphia, where both died. They possessed but limited means. and the father dying when the children were yet small, much responsibility rested upon George, who was the eldest. The others were James, a railroad en- gineer, who served in the Confederate army as colonel of an Alabama regiment, and died at Carthage, Mo. ; William, also a railroad engineer. running on the Pennsylvania Central between Harrisburg and Philadelphia, who was a skilled mechanic and constructed an engine from the metal contained in a gold dollar; and Jane, who became the wife of John Hoyt, and died in Reeds- ville, Penn. John Hoyt was bookkeeper for Will- iam Mann, Jr., & Co., axe makers. He was killed by the cars while crossing the tracks at the axe factory, in 1872.

In Philadelphia George Carlin learned to weave carpets, blankets, cassimeres, etc., and when a young man came to Potters Mills, Cen- tre county, in order to obtain work at his trade. There he married Miss Catherine Toner, also a native of Ireland, who came to America with her parents, Thomas Toner and Catherine his wife. As the Potter Mills had closed down, Mr. Carlin removed to Mifflin county. Penn., in 1850, and obtained employment in Mann's axe factory as a temperer, which position he held tintil 1869, when he returned to Centre county, and pur- chased a home in Sprucetown, where his death occurred in 1875. when he was aged 68 years. He was a large and powerful man, weigh- ing about 200 pounds, and his death was caused by a third stroke of paralysis. His . wife was called to her final home in 1884, and was laid by his side in Sprucetown cemetery. He was an intelligent, well . educated man and fine penman, and during his early life engaged in

teaching in Chester county, Penn. Politically he affiliated with the Democratic party.

Our subject is the fifth in order of birth in a family of seven children, a brief record of the others being: John T. was a member of Com- pany A, 46th P. V. I., during the Rebellion, but after serving eighteen months was discharged in 1863, on account of disability; he later became ticket agent for the Pennsylvania Railroad Com- pany at Spruce Creek, Hollidaysburg and Indi- ana, Penn., respectively, and died at Yeagertown, Mifflin Co., Penn., in 1869; Sarah died at Pot- ters Bank, Penn .; Mary died in infancy; Maria died at Potters Bank, at the age of twenty-eight years. George died at the same place; and Jane died at the age of nineteen.

W. J. Carlin was an infant when taken by his parents to Mifflin county, and in the public schools of Reedsville he obtained his primary ed- ucation, which was supplemented by a course in the Lewistown Academy, where he paid his own tuition, earning the money as an employee in Mann's axe factory. After the return of his par- ents to Centre county, he attended the schools of Potters Mills for a time, his teacher being George Peters. He then began teaching in Ty- lersville, and successfully followed that profes- sion for six years. In Boalsburg, Centre coun- ty. he married Miss Emma Leitzell, a daughter of Aaron and Alvina (Hackman) Leitzell. Mr. Carlin's first experience in the mercantile busi- ness was as a clerk in a store in Reedsville when small but a boy, and later he held a similar position. in the store of W. J. Thompson & Brother at Pot- ters Mills, while for a time he served as bookkeeper for J. S. Shipman, a wholesale grocer of Titus- ville, Penn., with whom he remained through the year 1872 until the spring of 1873. Pre- viously, however, he had also served as clerk in the establishment of R. H. Duncan at Spring Mills. On leaving Mr. Shipman he came to Re- bersburg, where for a time he taught school, and was also agent for various sewing machines. In August, 1893, he purchased the general store of L. B. Frank, which he has since successfully conducted, now having the leading mercantile establishment in the place.

In politics Mr. Carlin is a stanch Democrat, and is a leader and counsellor of his party in his locality. taking a keen interest in its success. For three years he ably served as constable of Miles township, and since 1882 hasserved as jus- tice of the peace. He is a prominent member of the Odd Fellows Society, No. 1031, of Rebers- burg, which he represented in the grand lodge at Pittsburg, in May, 1896, and both himself and wife are active members of the Lutheran Church.

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while he has also served as secretary of the Sab- bath-school for ten years. They have a comfort- able home in Rebersburg, whose latch-string is always out, and their many friends are always sure to receive a hearty welcome. A man of known reliability, Mr. Carlin has often been called upon to act as administrator of estates, and as agent in settling other business transac- tions, the duties of which he has always promptly and faithfully discharged. In connection with his mercantile pursuits and official duties, he also acts as agent for W. B. Rankin, of Bellefonte. who represents various insurance companies. He isa careful, methodical business man, whose suc- cess is due entirely to his own perseverance, en- terprise and good management. "Squire Car- lin," as he is familiarly known, is one of Rebers- burg's best citizens, and stands high in the esteem of all who know him.

T EMPEST SLINGER, a well-known hotel keeper at Philipsburg, Centre county, fur- nishes in his career an admirable example of British pluck and enterprise. He was born in England, December 23, 1847, and is a descend- ant of an old Yorkshire family.

His paternal grandfather, for whom he was named, was a native of Slaidburn, in that county, and followed agricultural pursuits there all his life, his death occurring in 1847 when he was aged seventy-five years. He married a Miss Wilkinson, and reared a family of eight or nine children, all of whom lived to a good old age. Nicholas Slinger, our subject's father, was born in Yorkshire in 1816, and after a busy life as a farmer is now enjoying his declining years in well- earned leisure. His wife, Jane Seed, also a na- tive of Yorkshire, was born in 1820, and is still living, the fifty-sixth anniversary of their mar- riage being celebrated in November, 1896. She is of a long-lived family, her father, Thomas Seed, having attained the age of eighty-four. Our subject was one of a family of eleven chil- dren: (1) William died at seven years of age: (2) Ann died at twenty-six; (3) Jane is the widow of Henry Slater, of England; (4) Tempest is the subject of this sketch; (5) John Thomas, who is married, is superintendent for T. Barnes, of Philipsburg; (6) Elizabeth Alice is the wife of Major Nutter, of the English ariny; (7) Mary Ellen is the wife of William H. Heath; (8) Emma G. is not married: (9) Margaret, who married Robert Hindle, lives in the old country; (10) George N. is an attorney at law in England; (11) Nancy died at the age of two years.

Mr. Slinger attended the schools of his native

place until he reached the age of fifteen, and he was early trained to practical work upon his fa- ther's farm, where dairying was an especial feat- ure. His active and aspiring mind was not sat- isfied with the outlook for business, and he deter- mined to seek a more promising field for his ef- forts. On January 1, 1884, he landed at Phila- delphia, and in the course of a prospecting tour he visited Philipsburg, but after four months he went to Cuba and became interested in the man- agement of a sugar plantation, remaining four months. He then returned to Philipsburg, where for a time he was engaged at a coal mine as weigh boss, but later devoted his attention to the hotel business with a diligence that has won him success. In April, 1893, he took unto himself a life partner, Miss Elizabeth Ann Goshorn, a resi- dent of Philipsburg. They are prominent mem- bers of the Episcopal Church. Mr. Slinger has always shown an active interest in local progress. and in the political problems of his adopted coun- try, voting the Democratic ticket.

L S. BRICKER is a representative of the mercantile interests of Boalsburg. Centre county, and in his life there is an exemplification of what can be accomplished through diligence and earnest application, guided by sound judg- ment. He is now conducting one of the best groceries and general provision stores in the place, and by courteous treatment of his customers and fair dealing has built up a good trade, receiving a liberal share of the public patronage.

The Bricker family has long been identified with the interests of Centre county. Joseph Bricker, the grandfather of our subject, came from Lebanon county, Penn., and was a carpen- ter of Millheim at an early day in its history. There his death occurred in 1855. In his family were the following children: Henry inow de- ceased), who was a blacksmith at Salona, Penn. : John C., the father of our subject: William. a farmer; Samuel, a tailor and merchant: Joseph, a farmer-all of Fremont, Ind .; Mrs. Louisa Hoffnagle and Mrs. Elizabeth Lingle, also of Fremont, Ind. ; Mrs. Rebecca Miller, of Mill- heim, Penn .; Mrs. Malinda Best. of Kansas; and Catherine, wife of John McGill, of Lock Haven, Pennsylvania.

John C. Bricker, father of our subject, was born in Millheim, August 18. 1827, where he obtained a meagre education in its public schools, and at an early age served an apprenticeship to the shoemaker's trade. About 1840 he estab- lished a shop in Boalsburg which he conducted a number of years, when he moved to Pine Grove

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Mills, Penn., and in 1860 bought a farm two miles west of Boalsburg, where he lived till 1874, when he removed into Boalsburg, and died there in 1877. He married Rosanna Condo, who still lives in Boalsburg, and by her he had six children, two of whom died in infancy, the others being as follows: Emma, now the wife of B. B. Cramer, an inn keeper of Punxsutawney, Penn .; Mitchell, a coachsmith, living in Lewis- town, Penn., who married Sarah Hassinger; Laird, also a coachsmith, who married Clara Wirtz, and died of typhoid fever February 9, 1880; and L. S., the subject of this review.

Our subject was born May 12, 1859, at Pine Grove Mills, Ferguson township, Centre county. While at the Branch school in College township he obtained his primary education, his first teacher being John Bathurst. As he was eighteen years of age when his father died, he immedi- ately took up the shoemaker's trade under Rob- ert Gunsollus, of Boalsburg, and continued to follow the same in that place for eleven years. In 1889 he was appointed postmaster at Boals- burg, which position he satisfactorily filled for four years and a half, when he was removed for political reasons, and he left the office as he had entered it with the confidence and respect of all, and has the satisfaction of knowing that his office was one of five fourth-class offices in Cen- tre county, graded as "excellent." Since 1893 he has successfully conducted his present store.

Mr. Bricker was united in marriage with Miss Laura E. Stover, a native of Unionville, Centre county, and the ninth in order of birth in the family of twelve children born to William and Sophia (Richard) Stover, the former a native of Hartslog Valley, Huntingdon Co., Penn., the latter born at "Rattlesnake Inn," on the sum- mit of the Alleghany Mountains. For a time Mrs. Bricker was a student in Eden Seminary (since dissolved), but completed her literary edu- cation in the Boalsburg Academy, after which she successfully engaged in teaching school in the village of Unionville and Union township, Cen- tre county. By her marriage she has become the mother of three children: Maud, who was born February 9, 1881, and died November 3, 1883; John W., born November 27, 1883: and Howard, born October 22, 1888.

Mr. Bricker is a recognized leaders in the ranks of the Republican party in his community, and for ten years served as chairman of the township committee, while in 1896 he was a candidate on that ticket for the office of treas- urer of Centre county. His honorable business methods and his upright life have gained him pres- tige in the community where he has long made

his home, and his genial manner enables him to make friends easily, and when once a friendship is gained it is always his.

G OTTLIEB HAAG, a well-known resident of Bellefonte, Centre county, is one of the prosperous German-born citizens of that thriving town, and his success is the more notable from the fact that at the time of his landing in New York, when a young man of twenty-five years, he had only two dollars in his pocket.

Mr. Haag was born in Wittenberg, Mehrstet- ten, Germany, June 14, 1829, the son of George Haag, and grandson of George Haag, Sr. The father was a native of the same place, born in 1804, and was a carpenter by trade. He mar- ried Catherine Mantz, who was born in Hunder- sengen in 1805. Both were devout members of the Lutheran Church. The father died at sey- enty years of age, and the mother lived to be fifty-six. Of their ten children, the subject of this sketch is the eldest. George is a lockmaker in Switzerland. Magdalene married Mr. Ruse. and resides in Germany. Ludwig was killed by an accident in Germany. Margaret married John Scheidenberger, a miller at Warrensburg, Mo. Philip resides at Williamsport, Penn. Christina met her death by accident at the age of seven years. Elizabeth, widow of John Reutter, re- sides at the old home. The youngest child died at an early age.

Gottlieb Haag learned the carpenter's trade in his native land, and in 1854 he came to America in search of better opportunities for ad- vancement in life. Naturally he had to spend some time in prospecting for a suitable field for his labors, and he worked at West Hoboken. N. J., and Union Hill, N. J., before locating in Schuylkill county, Penn, where he remained twelve years. He then passed a number of years at Cressona and Pottsville, and several years at Williamsport, when . he established himself in business at Pleasant Gap, Centre county, build- ing a hotel and distillery there, the latter being put into operation June 24. 1874, for the whole- sale whiskey trade. In addition to this distillery. he owns, at that place, a gristmill and ten acres of land. Mr. Haag is an adept in the hotel business, having been engaged in it some thirty years altogether, at Pottsville, Pleasant Gap and Bellefonte. For nine years past he has been a resident of Bellefonte, where he bought two valuable lots, upon which he erected two double houses and a commodious stable, with other first-class improvements. He also is the owner of the "Hotel Haag " property at Bellefonte.

-. AF

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

He adheres to the religion of his parents, being a member of the Lutheran Church, and, in his political views, he is a Democrat of the Free- silver type.

On November 13, 1854, Mr. Haag married Miss Catherine Treyz, a native of Germany, born September 7, 1828, about fifteen. miles from his early home. They have had no chil- dren of their own, but have reared two boys, who are now like sons to them: John C. Mul- finger, who was born February 3, 1859, was taken into our subject's home at the age of six years, and at present has charge of the hotel and distillery at Pleasant Gap. He married Miss Kate Mundreich, and has had eight chil- dren: Kate, Maggie, John, Gertrude, Gottlieb, David (deceased), Edward and Frederick. Harry Haag, who was formally given the name of his adopted parents, is in charge of the stable de- partment of the "Hotel Haag" at Bellefonte, under Daniel C. Keller, who keeps the hostelry. He married Miss Maggie Noll, and has four chil- dren: Mabel, Ralph, Gottlieb and Philip.

D ANIEL FLISHER, one of the old and hon- ored residents of Potter township, Centre county, was born June 12, 1811, in Lower Pax- ton, Hanover township, Dauphin Co., Penn., a son of Daniel and Catharine (Keller) Flisher. He is the fourth in order of birth in their family of seven children-three sons and four daugh- ters-the others being as follows: Elizabeth, who married John Osman, and died in Centre Hall, Centre county; Michael, who died in Stone Valley, Huntingdon Co., Penn .; Polly, who mar- ried Daniel From, and died in Nebraska; Susan, who married Dr. James Powley, and died at East Liverpool, Ohio; John, who died in Car- rollton, Ohio; and Katy, widow of John Gentzle, of Penn township, Centre county.

The father, who was a farmer by occupation, died about 1818 in Upper Paxton, Lykens Val- ley, Dauphin county, whither he had removed during the infancy of our subject. He left a good farm of 160 acres, but a small debt of $900 rested upon it, and the times being hard had to be sold for $1,000, and afterward was sold for $90 per acre by the sheriff. His death was caused by falling from a hay mow, which in- jured him internally. He was a brave and loyal man, and had served as a soldier in the war of 1812. About 1823 the mother, with her children, came to Centre county, where her brother, Jacob Keller, had previously located. They came the entire distance in a covered wagon, and narrowly escaped being drowned while crossing the Sus-

quehanna river at Liverpool, Penn., after a freshet when the water was very high. The few dollars that the family possessed was invested in a small tract of land near Tusseyville. The mother died at the home of her daughter in Gregg township, Centre county, at the age of seventy-three years.

The privileges afforded our subject for se- curing an education were very poor. He had just begun the study of arithmetic when he was forced to lay aside his books and aid in the sup- port of the family. By experience and observa- tion, however, he has acquired a good practical knowledge. At the age of eleven years he was hired out by his mother, at first receiving only fifty cents per month, although he did all the plowing on the farm. When sixteen years of age he began learning the shoemaker's trade in Pot- ter township, under his brother, Michael, and after mastering the business worked at the same for about fifteen years in that locality.

Before he had attained his majority, Mr. Flisher was married near Spring Mills, Centre county, to Miss Polly Boone, who was born in Berks county, Penn., in 1812, and they became the parents of seven children, namely: William. who died at the age of twenty-three years; Jared, a resident of Jamestown, N. Y .; Eliza J., now Mrs. William Jordan, of Adams county, Ohio; Isaiah, a traveling salesmen of Philadelphia, Penn .; Catharine, at home: Uriah S., of Los Angeles, Cal .; and Ellen, who married Julian Fleming, and died in Centre Hall, Centre coun- ty. The wife and mother died in January, 1876, and was buried in Tusseyville cemetery. On April 10, 1879, in Centre Hall, Mr. Flisher was again married, this time to Miss Mary A. Shirk. a native of Potter township, and a daughter of Joseph and Eliza (Benner) Shirk. Before her marriage she successfully carried on dressmaking. She is a most excellent woman, and a member of the Presbyterian Church.

After his first marriage, Mr. Flisher lived for a short time with his widowed mother, and later rented a small house, which was so meagerly supplied with household goods that his young wife had not even a dough tray. For several years he gave his entire time and attention to his trade, and after embarking in farming also did odd jobs at shoemaking. The first property he owned consisted of forty acres of land in Pot- ter township, near Colliers, which he operated until 1844, when he sold the same and purchased eighty-five acres, known as the Flisher home farmi. Upon that place he continued to reside until 1879, when he removed to Centre Hall and bought his present comfortable home. He is

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the owner of two fine farms in Potter township, aggregating over two hundred acres, one of which, a tract of over one hundred acres, cost him $105 per acre; he also has 450 acres of tim- ber land.

Mr. Flisher has been a stanch Democrat in politics since casting his first Presidential vote for Andrew Jackson, and has never missed a Presidential election. His recollection of the issues of the various campaigns is remarkable, and, for his years, not one man in a thousand re- tains their mental faculties, or is as active in body as our subject. As a systematic farmer he was foremost among the best of Potter township, and still continues to manage his business inter- ests. He has held different township offices, and at the present time is serving as overseer in Cen- tre Hall. When a young man he was elected captain of a militia company, but being of a re- tiring nature he declined the honor. Reared by a Christian mother, religious influences have clung to him, and he has long been a faithful and active member of the Reformed Church, of which for years he has been elder, and has also served as deacon. The object of respect by young and old, Mr. Flisher is greeted with affec- tion and esteem, and in his declining years is en- joying the reward of a well-ordered life, and one in which he has exerted himself to do good to those around him.

D ANIEL DAUP, one of the most skillful and thorough farmers of Potter township, be- longs to an honored and highly respected family of Centre county. His father, Joseph Daup, a native of Wurtemburg, Germany, was born March 9, 1816, and is one of the eight children (six of whom grew to adult age) born to Xavier and Christina Daup. He is the only one of the fam- ily to come to the United States.

At the age of fifteen years, Joseph Daup be- gan learning the blacksmith trade, and later worked as a journeyman in various country shops and towns until he received letters from friends in America, telling him of the excellent opportu- nities here afforded poor young men. Saving his money until he had enough to pay his passage, he, in March, 1849, embarked on a schooner at Bremen for New York, which port he reached after a long and stormy voyage of sixty-five days, during which time the vessel was driven as far nortli as Greenland. For a short time he re- mained with acquaintances in New York City, and then went to New Jersey where his friends were living, but found it difficult to obtain work. He was first employed in Lewistown, Penn., on

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1, Part 59

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