Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1, Part 62

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 62
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 62
USA > Pennsylvania > Clarion County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 62
USA > Pennsylvania > Clearfield County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 62

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In his political views Mr. Weaver is a Demo- crat, and has served his fellow citizens in the capacity of overseer of the poor. He is a genial, jovial gentleman, always cheerful, and therefore an excellent companion. He has endeavored to live peaceably with all men, having never had but two lawsuits, both of which he won. Straight- forward and honorable in all things. he enjoys the confidence and respect of his fellow citizens in a high degree. For many years he and his estimable wife have been active members of the Reformed Church of Rebersburg, to which they have been liberal contributors, and Mr. Weaver served on the building committee at the time of the erection of the house of worship. They have celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary,. and during the many years that have come and gone since they started out on life's journey together they have shared with each other its joys and sor- rows, and faithfully born their part of its trials, so that now in their declining years they can look back over a useful and well-spent life with no re- grets.

W ILLIAM WALKER. But few men live beyond their eighth decade, and fewer still attain that age with faculties unimpaired and a memory that records vividly the events of the past. The gentleman whose name opens this sketch, a highly respected citizen of Rebersburg. Centre county, enjoys this distinction, and he and his estimable wife, now seventy-six years of age, are spending the fifty-eighth year of wedded life, free from the ills which too often accompany advanced age.

Mr. Walker is a worthy representative of a prominent pioneer family, and was born in Brush Valley, Centre county, March 24, 1816, the son of John Walker, who died in 1858, at the age of eighty-six, and his wife, Mary M. (Gramley), who lived past the limit of three score and ten, dying in 1852. John Walker was a native of North- ampton county, Penn., and came to this section about 1790, as a young man, finding employ- ment at driving a team for the furnaces of Nit- tany Valley. He was the first of the family to come to Centre county, but later his brother Philip settled there and became prominent as a pioneer, Walker township being named in his honor.

John Walker's marriage took place in Brush Valley, where his wife's father, Francis Gramley, was a leading citizen. Soon after this event Mr. Walker returned to his old home, and spent a short time before settling permanently in Centre county. He chose agriculture as an occupa- tion, and his first farm, in Brush Valley, is now, after the lapse of more than a century, still in the possession of the family, Thomas W. Walker, a son of our subject, owning and occu- pying it at present. John Walker also became the owner of a farm in Sugar Valley, and his in- dustry and systematic and judicious management of his property gained him a substantial fortune. He was a heavy-set man, and our subject re- sembles him greatly in build. His interest in public affairs, national and local, was keen, and his regard for the Democratic party was second only to that which he felt for his Church, the Lutheran. He and his wife were both devout followers of that faith, and he held office in the Church for many years. Their remains were laid to rest in the cemetery at Rebersburg.

Our subject was the youngest in a family of six children, and is the only survivor. Catherine (Mrs. Jacob Snyder) died in Clinton county in her ninety-fourth year; John, a farmer, died in Ilh- nois; Daniel, who died in Miles township at the age of eighty-two, was one of the wealthy farm- ers of his time: Rebecca married George Neff. and died in Sugar Valley, Clinton county; and Mary

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Mr. Walker.

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married Benjamin Wheland, and lived to be more than eighty years of age, her death occur- ring in Illinois.

Mr. Walker, of this review, was educated ac- cording to the customs of the early day, attend- ing school for a few weeks in the winter season in a small log house that stood on one corner of his father's farm. Threshing was then a winter occupation, and it was his duty to guide the horses as they tramped out the grain on the barn floor. Only when this annual task was completed could he secure an opportunity for study at school. His life was that of the typical pioneer farmer, with home-spun clothes, plain but abundant food, and plenty of work. He devel- oped into a stout, healthy youth, and at sixteen could work beside any hired man, and " keep up " without difficulty. His liking for system in his work was early shown, and even when a boy his furrows when plowing were always straight. His father was not active in farm work, and the elder sons left home as they reached manhood, and thus much responsibilty fell to our subject, who at sixteen had practically assumed the manage- ment. In 1849 he bought the place, which con- tained about 165 acres. He was unusually suc- cessful financially, and at one time owned three large farms, one of 140 acres, being in Stephen- son county, Ill. At present he owns 172 acres near Rebersburg, and several town lots aside from that upon which his handsome residence stands. This he bought in 1872 at a cost of $3,000, the lot covering five acres, and since that date he has resided there.

In January, 1840, Mr. Walker was married, in Miles township, to Miss Polly Smull, who was born near Rebersburg in 1821, the daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Royer) Smull. The chil- dren of this union were Amanda (now Mrs. Peter Kessler, of Rebersburg); Ira J., a farmer of Ste- phenson county, Ill., married Maria, daughter of Simon Peck; Jestie M., who died at the age of forty-four years, unmarried; Wilson T., residing near Dacotah, Ill., married Kate Zimmerman; Thomas W., of Miles township, living on a farm which has been in the Walker family over one hundred years, married Annie, daughter of Sam- uel and Elizabeth Loose, of Rebersburg, Penn .; Emma (now Mrs. A. F. Vonada, of Coburn); Mary M. (now Mrs. J. F. Garthoff, of Coburn). Mr. Walker is justly proud of his children, and has given nearly $5,000 to give them a start in life. The mother departed this life in May, 1897, aged seventy-six years.

Mr. Walker has always been prominent in local affairs, and has held various township offi- ces. He is a Democrat, and votes regularly,

having missed but one election since 1837. He and his wife are leading members of the Lutheran Church, in which he has served as deacon, elder and trustee. He is a liberal giver to the cause, and donated $400 when the church was built at Rebersburg.

G EORGE DURST is now retired from the active labors of life, and occupies a com- fortable home in Centre Hall, Centre county. His has been a long and busy career, with little time for idleness along the thoroughfare of life, where he has left his mark, and may truly feel that he has not lived in vain. He is a native of Centre county, born January 3, 1832, in Potter township, where for many years he was exten- sively and successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits.

George Durst, Sr., father of our subject, was born in Lebanon county, Penn., October 12, 1801, whence when a boy he was brought to Centre county by his parents, Peter and Barbara (Peters) Durst, also natives of Lebanon county. They located in Potter township, one mile west of Earlystown, where Peter Durst followed farming throughout his active business life, own- ing at one time three good farms. He lived to be quite old, and was buried at Tusseyville by the side of his wife, Both were devout members of the Lutheran Church. In their family were the following children: Peter, who died in Cen- tre Hall; John, who died in Mercer county, Penn .; George; Daniel, who died in Potter town- ship; William, who died in Kansas; Maria, who married Daniel Musser, and died in Freeport, Ill .; Sarah, who married John Smith, and died in Union county, Penn. : Elizabeth, who married George Smehl, and died in Clearfield county, Penn .; and Catharine, who married John Neff, and died in Centre Hall.

When a boy, George Durst, Sr., began learning the wagon maker's trade, but, not liking it, turned his attention to farming, in which he met with excellent success. After his marriage he located upon a place his father owned in Pot- ter township, and later purchased a farm one mile west of Earlystown, where our subject was born. There he continued to live until the spring of 1848, when he removed to a farm in Potter township, near the Gregg township line, having purchased the same of Col. Andrew Gregg. There he made his home during the re- mainder of his active business career, and going to Centre Hall lived retired for several years. Trading his town property for country land, he lived upon the place for a short time, but again

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returned to Centre Hall, where his death occurred March 8, 1882. He was buried at that place, as was also his wife, who died while visiting her son Hiram in Gregg township, June 25, 1878. She was a member of the Reformed Church, while Mr. Durst held membership in the Lutheran Church. In politics he was always a Democrat, but cared nothing for official distinction. He was a robust man, of powerful build, and being industrious, energetic and progressive, met with remarkable success in his undertakings, owning at one time five excellent farms. When his chil- dren started out in life for themselves he also assisted them very materially.

In Harris township, Centre county, George Durst, Sr. was married to Catharine Meyers, who was born in Campbelltown, Penn., January 16, 1804, and in 1823 came to Centre county with her parents, Henry and Elizabeth (Hurst) Meyers. They located near Boalsburg, where her father purchased a large tract of land. He was born in 1767, and died April 19, 1844. He was a representative of the third generation of this numerous family in the United States, his father being Christopher Meyers. The grand- father came from Germany and located perma- manently near the source of Mill creek, in what is now Lancaster county, Penn. Mrs. Meyers was born in 1779, and died May 22. 1859. She was the mother of six children: Philip, Jacob, Catharine (the mother of our subject), Henry, Joseph and Mary.

Mr. Durst, the subject proper of this review, is the fourth in order of birth in a family of eight children, the others being as follows: Joseph is a retired farmer living near Mifflinsburg, Penn. Cyrus is a retired farmer living near Boals- burg, Centre county; Priscilla married Henry Dale, and died in Ferguson township, Centre county; Elizabeth makes her home in Centre Hall; John H., who was a member of the 148th P. V. I. during the Civil war, was wounded at the battle of Gettysburg, and died at the hospital in Harrisburg, Penn; Philip is an agriculturist of Potter township, and Hiram is a farmer of Gregg township, Centre county.

Our subject began his education at the Fair- field school house in Potter township under the direction of Uriah Slack, but as his services were needed on the home farm hiseducation was limited. At the age of sixteen he accompanied his parents to Gregg township, where he assisted in the development and cultivation of his father's extensive farm, comprising over 400 acres, and continued under the parental roof until his mar- riage, giving his parents the benefit of his serv- ices even after he had attained his majority.

In Juniata county, Penn., February 8, 1859, Mr. Durst wedded Miss Sabina Shellenberger, who was born in Fayette township, that county, July 26, 1828, a daughter of John and Catharine (Kiester) Shellenberger, the former also a native of Fayette township, and the latter of Buffalo Valley, Union Co., Penn. By occupation the father was a tanner and farmer. Mrs. Durst was the second in order of birth in a family of nine children-four sons and five daughters- and obtained a fair education for her time. By her marriage she has become the mother of two children: William H., born April 9, 1861, is a farmer of Potter township; and Adda J., born in April, 1863, is the wife of A. P. Krape, of Cen- tre Hall.

Mr. Durst began housekeeping upon a part of his father's large farm, which had been sold to his brother, Joseph, who, at that time, was desirous of selling out. The house was an old log structure, which served as a dwelling until 1887, when our subject built as good a residence as is to be found in Potter township. In 1886 he removed to a small house, which he had pur- chased, near his farm, while his son-in-law operated the home place; but in 1889 he returned to the farm. In the spring of 1894, however, he came to Centre Hall, where he is now enjoying a well-earned rest, free from the cares and respon- sibliities of business life. However, he still owns a farm of 125 acres in Potter township, and nine acres adjoining Centre Hall. Although he has ever been a hard-working man, he is still well- preserved. Politically, he is a supporter of Dem- ocratic principles; in religious faith he is a mem- ber of the Reformed Church. He takes a genu- ine interest in the enterprises set on foot for the progress and welfare of his adopted county, and takes high rank among the leading and repre- sentative citizens of the community.

J TACOB S. MEYER, a leading citizen and farmer of Penn township, Centre county. is a representative of one of the oldest and most highly respected families of central Pennsylvania.

The first of the family to cross the Atlantic to America is supposed to have borne the name of Henry Meyer, who was a native of Palatinate, Prussia, and arrived here some time between the years 1721 and 1725. The spelling of the name has often been changed, and the Mayers and Moyers of Centre county belong to the same family of which our subject is a member. His father has always spelled the name Moyer, which practice had its origin in rather a peculiar way. While at school, a copy was written by liis

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299

teacher, in which the name was spelled Moyer, and the pupils told that such was correct. Im- pressed with the knowledge of their teacher, they have retained the spelling until recent years, when the error was rectified, and the proper spelling adopted by quite a number, including our subject. An extensive genelaogy of the Meyer family has been compiled by Hon. Henry Meyer, of Rebersburg, Centre county-a volume which reflects credit upon the author, as it has required years of research and much travel to complete.

On coming to the New World, Henry Meyer located in the southeastern part of Lebanon (then Lancaster county), Penn., near the beau- tiful spring which forms the source of Mill brook. In his family were four sons and one or two daughters, but nothing is known of the latter. John lived upon the old farm in Lebanon county, where he died December 11, 1786. Jacob left Lebanon county in 1768, and with his family located in that part of Penn township, Centre county, which is now Snyder county, where he died, and he now lies buried in Freeburg, Penn. Christopher was the great-grandfather of our subject. Michael never married.

Christopher Meyer owned a large tract of land near Campbelltown, Lebanon county, where he made his home, and there died August 2, 1810. His children were Henry, John, Mi- chael, Jacob, Christopher, George, Catharine, Christina and Mary. Of this family, Jacob Meyer was the grandfather of our subject. He was born March 25, 1774, and on reaching man- hood married Anna Sheller, who was born in Lancaster county, December 25, 1775, and was a daughter of Adam Sheller. Eight children graced their union, namely: Elizabeth, born February 26, 1801, married Henry Witmer, and died in Centre Hall, Penn., in 1868; Jacob, born August 5, 1802, died September 14, 1867, at Penn Hall; Nancy, born September 14, 1804, married Samuel Kryder, and died September 23, 1886; Catharine, born January 1, 1806, died in Penn township, Centre county, in March, 1894; Mary, born December 7, 1807, married Jacob Fisher, and died in Illinois; Susan, born November 30, 1808, died in Penn township, August 13, 1873; Christopher, born in October, 1812, was a farmer of Penn township, where he died June 2, 1873; and John, the father of our sub- ject, completes the family.

In March, 1828, the grandfather came to Penn township, locating on the pike west of Millheim, and became one of the most substan- tial farmers of Penn's Valley. On coming to the county he had practically laid aside active busi- ness cares, but purchased 270 acres of fine land

for the benefit of his children, whom he left in comfortable circumstances. His death occurred September 25, 1853. while his wife died March 25, 1850, and both were interred in the Heck- man cemetery. He was a man of fine physique, over six feet in height, of a most kindly dispo- sition, making no enemies, and always sacrificing himself to avoid a quarrel. He was a prominent member of the Penns Creek Church, Reformed and Lutheran, to which he was a liberal contributor, and was a stanch Democrat in politics.

The birth of John Meyer occurred in Annville township, Lebanon county, September 14, 1814, and he was therefore fourteen years of age at the time of his removal with his parents to Centre county. In school he learned very rapidly, and was soon able to read and write both English and German, whilst in mathematics he surpassed most of the scholars who were several years his senior. When a young man he clerked in the store of his brother-in-law, Mr. Witmer, at Aaronsburg, but, aside from this and several terms passed in teaching, bis life has been that of a farmer. He taught the Cross Road school, in Gregg township, Centre county, in 1842, when seventy-five pupils were enrolled, some studying German, the others English. Teachers were then required to pass an examination only in reading, writing, orthography and arithmetic, and never but once was he examined in geogra- phy. For four terms he engaged in teaching at $17 per month, out of which he had to board himself.

On June 16, 1853, in Penn township. John Meyer was united in marriage with Miss Eleanor Smith, who was born October 1. 1827, in what was then Gregg but is now Penn township. Her parents, Francis and Anna (Koons) Smith, were natives of Dauphin county, Penn. , but were mar- ried in Centre county, and had seven children: John, who died in Smithtown, Penn township; Joseph, who lives in Gregg township; Eleanor, mother of our subject; William, who died in Penn township; Mary, wife of Eli Smith, of Penn township; Robert, who died in Gregg town- ship; and Jacob, formerly a resident of Potter township, Centre county, now deceased. The father of this family died when over eighty years of age, while his wife had passed her eighty-fifth birthday. Both were members of the Evangelical Church, and politically he was a Democrat. By trade he was both a mason and cooper. To the parents of our subject were born but two chil- dren, the other being John F., who was born December 12, 1856, and died December 16, 1863.

After his marriage, John Meyer located on

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the farm where he has since resided, it being the homestead of his father, who left it to his three sons, John, Jacob and Christopher, while to his daughters he gave money. For many years John ·operated the place in partnership with Jacob, but on the latter's death purchased the entire amount, to which he has since added the farm of his fa- ther-in-law, making a valuable tract of 275 acres. His political support has always been given the Democracy, and he has been called upon to fill almost every township office, being assessor for three terms, school director, tax collector, over- seer of the poor, supervisor, auditor and clerk of election. On Octobor 23, 1880, he was elected elder of the Salem Reformed Church, of which he has been a prominent member for years, and he not only contributed liberally toward the erec- tion of the house of worship, but boarded the mechanics during its- construction at -- the lowest possible price. Previously to being made elder he served as deacon of the congregation. He is exceptionally well preserved for a man of his age, in full possession of his mental faculty, and as his tastes have always inclined him to reading and study, he is well informed on the current is- sues and questions of the day.

Upon the farm which is still his home, Jacob S. Meyer, the subject proper of this review, was born April 13, 1854, and in the country schools of the neighborhood he obtained his elementary education, his first teacher being Mary Stephen. After completing his literary course in the acad- emy at Penn Hall, he was licensed to teach, and for one.term had charge of the Murray school in Gregg township.

On December 20, 1874, in Aaronsburg, Mr. Meyer was married, by Rev. Cyrus H. Reiter, of the Reformed Church, to Miss Susan C. Bitner, who was born in Potter township, Centre county, September 7, 1854, and was the fourth in order of birth in the family of eight children of Jacob and Catharine (Catherinan) Bitner, farming peo- ple. The Catherman family was a remarkable one, Mrs. Bitner attending a re-union when the entire family of seventeen were all present, and this being after they had reached adult age. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Meyer: (1) John F., born March 11, 1875, is a very bright and promising young man, a graduate of Franklin and Marshall College, which he en- tered at the age of fifteen, in September, 1890. He graduated in June, 1894, having taken first honor of his class. He then turned his attention to the profession of teaching, and in September, 1894, was elected principal of the public schools of Alexandria, Huntingdon Co., Penn. In the fall of 1896 he resigned his position, being elected i

assistant principal of F. and M. Academy, where he taught one year, but resigned in June, 1897. Not being satisfied with the standard of his pro- fession, he entered Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Md., in September, 1897. (2) Harry N., born May 19, 1877, is a successful teacher with a bright future before him. Not being sat- isfied with what he received in the public schools at home, he entered the Millersville State Nor- mal, Lancaster county, Penn., in September, 1897, in order to fit himself for the profession of teaching. (3) Eleanor B., born September 26, 1879, has inherited a taste for music, possessing great natural talents for the art, which are stim- ulated to rapid development by the atmosphere of music prevading her father's home. (4) Cath- erine, born January 18, 1890, and (5) Helen G., born July 20, 1892, are also at home.

Being a fine vocalist, Mr. Meyer has engaged in teaching singing during the winter seasons. He is a warm supporter of the Democratic party, and has served as assessor five terms, supervisor and school director. In the Salem Reformed Church, in which he and his wife hold member- ship, he is at present secretary of the Consistory, and leader of the choir; is very active in all Church work, and in fact gives his earnest sup- port to all worthy objects which are for the ben- efit of the community. A great reader, he is well posted on all the questions of the day, and does all in his power to advance the educational interests of the township by elevating the stand- ard of its schools.

JOHN A. DALEY, an enterprising and pro- gressive agriculturist of Centre county, now living in Curtin township. was born in Spring township, April 19, 1842. His father, Jeremiah Daley, was a native of County Donegal, Ireland, whence he came to Centre county, in the sum- mer of 1830. His parents, John and Bridget (Mennan) Daley, also natives of County Done- gal, crossed the Atlantic in 1834, and the grand- father and father were employed in an iron in- dustry near Bellefonte. John A. Daley's grand- uncle, Jerry Mennan, was a member of the town council of Bellefonte that extended to Gen. La- Fayette an invitation to visit that town on his second trip to America as he passed through to Lake Erie from Philadelphia.

The father of our subject was engaged in iron working, for Valentine & Thomas, until 1852, when he located on the farm where John A. Daley now resides. It was then an unbroken wilderness, but he continued to improve it until his death in 1866, when he was sixty-six years

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old. He married Isabella Mungen, also a native of County Donegal, Ireland, as were her par- ents, Patrick and Isabella Mungen, who spent their entire lives there, the father following the occupation of shoemaking. Jeremiah Daley, after two years spent in America, sent for Miss Mungen, to whom he was betrothed in his native land, and who came to Centre county with his friend, John Love. They were married in Belle- fonte, and Mrs. Daley died in 1844, at the age of twenty-eight years. They had two children- Bridget M., deceased wife of William Lunnen; and John A.

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1, Part 62

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