Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1, Part 63

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 63
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 63
USA > Pennsylvania > Clarion County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 63
USA > Pennsylvania > Clearfield County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 63

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Mr. Daley, the subject proper of this review, lost his mother when he was only two years of age, but remained at home with his father until the latter's death, and assisted in the cultivation of the old homestead; also attended school. He · continued on the farm until -1861, when, the Civil war having broken out, he enlisted in Com- pany A, 45th P. V. I., under Capt. John I. Cur- tin, who afterward became a general. On Jan- uary 1, 1863, he re-enlisted, and remained at the front until July 18, 1865, when the war hav- ing ended, he was mustered out. Three times he was wounded, receiving a flesh wound in the nose at the battle of South Mountain; on June 3, at Cold Harbor, he was wounded in the left side, and was obliged to remain in the hospital until September 28, when he rejoined his regi- ment; two days later he was shot in the right hip, where the ounce ball still remains. At the time of his discharge he was serving with the rank of sergeant. He participated in twenty- eight battles, including the engagements at South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Vicksburg, Crab Orchard, the siege of Knoxville, Blue Springs, the battle of the Wilderness and others. On his return from the war Mr. Daley resumed farming, and has cleared one hundred acres of his land, transforming it into rich and fertile fields, which yield to him a handsome income. His methods are progressive, his labors con- ducted with system, and his careful manage- ment and enterprise have brought to him success.

On Christmas Day of 1867 Mr. Daley was married to Miss Mary J. Haines, who was born in Liberty township, Centre county, February 18, 1849, a daughter of John and Rachel (Baker) the latter of Centre county. The father came to Centre county at an early day, and made it his home until his enlistment in the Union army. He died in Andersonville prison in 1864, at the age of forty-six years, thus' giving his life in defense of his country. His widow, who was born June 12, 1826, is still living in Liberty

township. Their children are: Mrs. Daley; Emeline, wife of Joseph Bechdel, of Liberty township; Kline S., who is living with his mother on the old homestead; Annie M., who died in 1895; William, who served as deputy sheriff in. Kansas, and is now a school teacher of Liberty township, Centre county; Lea M., a school teacher and seamstress; and Fannie, wife of John Boone, a lumberman of Howard, Penn. The. paternal grandparents of Mrs. Daley were John and Jane. (Packer) Haines, natives of Centre county, where they spent their entire lives. The maternal grandparents, Jacob and Mary (Boon) Baker, were also natives of the same county, and the former was a carpenter by trade.

The children of .Mr. and Mrs. Daley were: Jeremiah, who was employed as clerk in the Record and Pension division of the War Depart- ment, was killed in the Ford Theatre disaster in Washington, D. C., June 9, 1893, at the age of twenty-four years and ten months; Charles C. is at home; Robert C. is now auditor of Curtin township; William H. died of typhoid fever in Washington, D. C., in 1889; Mary B. is the wife of William A. Everley, a lumberman of Curtin township; James died in his parents home; Franklin, Anna L. and Sarah M. are still under the parental roof; and Nellie died in infancy.

Mr. Daley has been honored with a number of local offices, and in 1889 received an appoint- ment to a clerical position in the office of the Secretary of the Interior Department, where he remained four years, four months and four days. He then returned to his farm, which he is now successfully operating. He is a valued member of the Odd Fellows Society of Howard, also of the Grand Army Post at Milesburg, Penn., and belonged to the Union Veterans Union in Wash- ington. In religious faith he is a member of the River Brethren Church. He takes quite an active interest in political affairs, giving his sup- port to the Republican party, and is a man whom to know is to esteem and honor.

J JOSEPH ROSS KESSINGER is one of the enterprising merchants of Hublersburg, Cen- tre county, and his activity in business has as to himself. Gifts of money may be used in beautifying or adorning a town, but the real bene- factors of a corporate community are those who promote its business interests, for prosperity de- pends upon the exchange of commodities, where- by men are employed, and thus secure the means of establishing homes and caring for their fam-

Haines, the former a native of New York, and ' been of material benefit to the village as well

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ilies. Mr. Kessinger is a wide-awake, enterpris- ing business man, and well deserves mention among the representative citizens of Centre county.

Our subject was born in Clinton county, March 18, 1834, and is a son of Adam and Eliza- beth (Hunsicker) Kessinger. The father was born in Lancaster county, Penn., and was mar- ried there to Miss Hunsicker, a native of Switzer- land, who came to America when about fifteen years of age. About 1828 they removed to Cen- tre county, and Mr. Kessinger built the Lamar furnace for the firm of Kurtz & Irvin. He finally located in Mill Hall, Clinton county, where his death occurred in 1858. Just thirty-six years be- fore, to the day and hour, he was married, and by that union were born ten children: (1) De- Witt Clinton wedded Miss Mary Ann Fetterhaff, and has six children. He served through the Civil war, and now receives a pension in com- pensation for injuries sustained. His trade is that of an iron molder, and he lives in Lock Haven, Penn. (2) Thomas M. also served in the Civil war; he was an iron molder, but is now re- tired; he is married, and resides in Mill Hall. (3) Joseph R. is the next in order of birth. (4) Francis M., who is married and has a family of six children, served throughout the Civil war, and is now a traveling salesman for the house of Strickler & Co., of Mifflinburg, Penn. (5) Fan- nie R. is the widow of George Roffe, of Mill Hall, Penn., and has a family of eight children. (6) Mary P. is the wife of George Bowers, an axe- maker of Mill Hall, where they live with their family. (7) Jacob G. was killed in the battle of Cold Harbor during the war of the Rebellion. Three of the children died in infancy.

Under the parental roof Mr. Kessinger, the subject of this review, spent the days of his boy- hood, and is indebted to the common schools for his educational privileges. Like his father he learned the foundry business, becoming a profi- cient workman in that line. His life has been a busy and useful one, and from humble surround- ings he has steadily worked his way upward to a position of affluence, overcoming the difficulties and obstacles in his path by resolute and honora- ble purpose. He is now engaged in merchandis- ing in Hublersburg, and his enviable reputation as a straightforward business man insures him a liberal patronage.

On May 22, 1857, Mr. Kessinger married Miss Julia, daughter of Peter Heller, a promi- nent citizen, who served for more than thirty years as justice of the peace of Walker township, Centre county. They have eight children: (1) William E., who was born October 30, 1858,

and is an iron molder by trade, wedded Mary Tucker, and has eight children; (2) Thomas L., born October 6, 1862, is also an iron molder by trade, but is now assisting his father in the store; (3) Laura B. is the wife of James H. Rathmell, a bookkeeper residing in Germantown, near Philadelphia, Penn .; (4) Harvey A., born May 27, 1866, married Minnie M. Decker, by whom he has a daughter, and now resides in Pit- cairn, Penn., where he follows the machinist's trade; (5) George C., an iron molder, married Gertrude Struble, and has two children; (6) Sarah J. is the wife of Joseph Emerick, a farmer of Walker township, Centre county, by whom she has two children; (7) Maud A., born in July, 1878, and (8) Arthur D., born in August, 1883, are still at home.

In his political views Mr. Kessinger is a Re- publican. Both he and his wife hold member- ship in the Methodist Church, and are people of sterling worth. He is a self-made man, indus- trious and intelligent, his sterling worth gaining him the confidence of all, while his genial man- ner has made him a popular citizen.

J B. REAM, one of the most intelligent and highly esteemed citizens of Penn's Cave, was born in Gregg township, November 28, 1829. His father, Michael Ream, was a native of Penn township, and a son of Abraham Ream, who came to Centre county at a very early day, and made one of the first settlements in Haines town- ship. There in the midst of the forest he devel- oped a farm, but subsequently removed to Penn township, where he opened up another farm, up- on which his last days were spent. He was twice married, and had quite a large family of children. By the second union there were three sons: George, David and Michael.

The last named learned the weaver's trade, which he followed for some time. Afterward he purchased a farm on the Brush Valley road in Gregg township, and gave his attention to agri- cultural pursuits. He passed away in November, 1884, at the age of eighty years, and was buried in Green Grove cemetery. His first wife was Lydia Musser, daughter of Philip Musser, and their children were: George; John Bangaman: Rebecca, wife of Daniel Homan, of Penn's Cave; Lydia, wife of Jacob Henn, of Des Moines, Iowa; Hannah, wife of A. P. Lose, of Centre Hall; and George Philip, married to Lucy Houts, and liv- ing at Green Grove. The mother of these died about 1843, and was buried in Union cemetery. The father afterward married Catharine Mark. and their children were: Susan, wife of Samuel

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Long, of Penn's Cave; Samuel, married to Sarah Musser, and living at Madisonburg, Penn .; and Michael, married to Canses Weaver, and living at Millheim, Penn. The father was a successful farmer, and left his family in comfortable cir- cumstances. He not only cultivated his land, but during the winter season also engaged in .weav- ing. In politics he was a Democrat. In his early life he adhered to the faith of the Reformed Church, but afterward became a member of the Evangelical Church, and took a very active part . in its work, also served in many official positions connected therein.

J. B. Ream began his education in a school that stood on the site of Union cemetery, in Gregg township, and his first teacher was George Consort. His school privileges were somewhat limited, but practical experience, observation and extensive reading in later years have made him a well-informed man, and he is not only familiar with current events but also has quite a wide knowledge of classical literature. During his boyhood he spent considerable time at the home of his grandfather Musser in Penn Hall. His time was largely devoted to farm work, and he had little leisure for enjoyment.

When twenty-one years of age, Mr. Ream married Miss Susan Rishel, who was born in No- vember, 1829, on the farm where our subject now resides, a daughter of Jonathan and Eliza- beth (Phone) Rishel. They began their domestic life in George's Valley, Gregg township, where the lady's father owned a farm and there lived until 1851, when they removed to a farm owned by Mr. Ream's father in Gregg township. In 1856 he purchased the farm which he yet owns in · Brush Valley, and there continued to reside until 1883, when he took up his residence in Penn's Cave. He now owns 175 acres of valuable land upon which are two sets of substantial farm buildings. His life has been a busy and useful one. A heavy indebtedness rested upon him after the purchase of his farm, but he worked early and late, and in course of time this was not only paid off but a comfortable competence was secured to keep him and his family through his declining years.

Mr. and Mrs. Ream had ten children, as follows: (1) Lucetta, born September 12, 1850, married William Losie, January 9, 1873, and they had three daughters; but in March, 1892. the husband and father and the three children all died of diphtheria within the space of sixteen days. (2) Susan Alice, born August 14, IS53, married Emanuel White, of Axemann, Centre county, August 24, 1871, and they have three sons and two daughters. (3) George W., of |

Penn's Cave, born April 24, 1855. married Anna Shrackangost, August 24, 1879, and they have three sons and one daughter. (4) Sarah Emma, born February 25, 1857, died May 6, 1857. (5) Mary L., born May 22, 1853, married Isaiah Prossman, of Penn's Cave, August 19, 1869, and they had four sons and two daughters. (6) John Benjamin, born September 17, 1860, died Janu- ary 26, 1866. (7) Magdalene Catherine, born April 4, 1863, married Israel Spade, of Madison- burg, Centre county, May 19, 1889, and they have one son and one daughter. (8) Noah, of Penn's Cave, born October 4, 1865, married Maggie Weaver, October 27, 1885, and they have three daughters. (9) Julia Caroline, born

November 18, 1867, married Samuel Frederick, of Farmers Mills, May 24, 1885, and they have one son and one daughter. (10) Hannah Mar- tha, born April 1, 1870, died March 14, 1892; she also was a victim of that terrible diphtheria, having caught the disease while attending the sick ones at her sister's (Mrs. Losie) home, and dying in about one week from the time she was attacked.

In his political adherency, Mr. Ream is a Democrat, and he has served as overseer, super- visor and school director, in all of which offices he has discharged his duties with a promptness and fidelity that has won him high commenda- tion. He holds membership in the Reformed Church, and his wife belongs to the Lutheran denomination. He is now serving as elder in Union Church, and is one of its most active and influential workers. Socially, he belongs to the Grange. His high personal character, his prob- ity and his fidelity to duty have won him the un- qualified regard of all with whom he has been brought in contact.

U TRIAH D. OSMAN, who is now practically living retired upon his farm in Potter town- ship, Centre county, was born September 22, 1831, near Millersburg, Dauphin Co., Penn .. a son of John and Elizabeth (Flisher) Osman. The grandfather. Andrew Osman, was a farmer of Dauphin coun y, where his death occurred. The family was originally from Ireland, but was founded in this country at a very early date in its history.

In the fall of 1837. John Osman, with his family, removed to The Loop, in Potter town- ship, Centre county, making the journey in four-horse wagons, via Lewistown and over Seven mountain. They stopped with the ma- ternal grandmother while the father was look- ing up a location, and decided to make their

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home in Potter township. By trade the father was a weaver, at which he worked to some ex- tent after coming to Centre county. After the death of his wife February 12, 1875, he resided with our subject in Centre Hall, and there passed away December 28, of the same year. Their remains were interred in the Centre Hall ceme- tery. They were faithful members of the Evan- gelical Church, and highly respected by all who knew them for their sterling worth. In politics the father was a Democrat.

To this worthy couple were born eleven chil- dren, namely: Amanda, wife of William Au- man, of Spring Mills, Centre county; Mary A., widow of David Rhue, of Wallace Run, Penn .; Uriah D .; Jeremiah, a resident of Iowa; Israel, who was a member of the 210th P. V. I. during the Rebellion, and is now living in Millhall, Penn .; Hiram, who was also a Union soldier, and is now a resident of Altoona, Penn. ; James, who belonged to Company D, 148th P. V. I., and is now a resident of Michigan; Daniel, who belonged to the same company as James, and was killed at the battle of Chancellorsville; Catharine, widow of Lewis Muselman, of Centre Hall; John, of Lamar, Penn .; and Canada, who died at the age of nine years.

The first school which Uriah D. Osman at- tended was held in what was known as the Sink school house at The Loop; but his educational advantages were very meagre, for at the tender age of eight years he began to earn his own living. Aft- erliving for six weeks with James Powley, a farmer, he began learning the tailor's trade under Henry Holtzman, of Centre Hall, and during his appren- ticeship received only his board and clothes. When he had mastered the trade, his employer left Centre Hall, and Mr. Osman assumed charge of the business at the same stand. For over twenty years he was the leading tailor of the place, and only laid aside his trade when com- pelled to do so by ill health, removing to his present farm in February, 1871. It comprises sixty acres, which he purchased for $6,000, and to its cultivation and improvements devoted his time and attention for many years .with most gratifying results.

Mr. Osman married Dorothy Stover, who lived near Centre Hall, and to them were born three children: William F., now a resident of Worth county, Mo .; Clara A., wife of Horace Zerley, of Salt Lake City, Utah; and John A., a bricklayer of Bellefonte, Centre county. For his second wife he wedded Catharine Royer, of Potter township, by whom he had one son, Thomas M., a teacher, of Mercur, Utah. In his political views, Mr. Osman is a Democrat, but is

not radical, reserving his right to support the best men regardless of party affiliations. He is a man of more than ordinary intelligence, whose educa- tion has been almost wholly self-acquired, and through his own untiring labor he has secured a comfortable competency, which enables him to spend his declining years in ease and retirement from active labor. He is a member of the Lu- theran Church, in which he has filled various offices, and he has the respect and esteem of all who know him.

R EMMA JORDAN. One of the pleasantest homes in the beautiful little city of Aarons- burg, Centre county, is the Jordan homestead, now the property of the lady whose name opens this sketch, and whose admirable qualities of mind and heart have endeared her to a large circle of friends and acquaintances. Miss Jordan's ancestors settled in Lancaster, Penn., many years ago. Her great-grandfather was Elias Jordan, of Lancaster; his wife Ince Bruner) was a native of Holland. To them were born, Oc- tober 31, 1761, twin sons (the only sons), Casper and Martin.

Casper Jordan, grandfather of Miss R. Emma Jordan, was born in Lancaster county, Penn., October 31, 1761, and died in 1826, at the age of sixty-five years. In 1820 he removed with his family to Union county, Penn., to pass his re- maining years, and he and his wife, Mary (nee Bender, the daughter of a highly respected mer- chant of Lancaster city), who died in 1851. aged ninety-two years, are buried at Mifflinburg. They had six sons-Isaac, David, John, Henry, Adam and Joseph- and four daughters-Elizabeth, Marie, Susan and Sarah. Of this family, Isaac, who was twenty-five years older than his brother Joseph, moved to Ohio, and died at the age of eighty-two years; David went south; John was killed while tearing down a building at Mifflin- burg, Penn .; Henry and Adam moved with their families to Clyde and Bellevue, Ohio, respectively; Joseph moved to Centre county; Elizabeth was twice married, (first) to a Mr. Lowry, (second) to a Mr. Moore, and died in Lewisburg; Marie mar- ried a Mr. Parmer, and moved to Toledo, Ohio; Susan died in infancy; Sarah was twice married, (first) to a Mr. Goode, (second) to a Mr. Maver, and died at the age of ninety-three at Fayette, Fulton Co., Ohio.

Joseph Jordan, the youngest son in the above mentioned family, and the father of Miss Emma Jordan, was born at New Holland, Lancaster Co., Penn., November 17, 1804, and being still a youth when the family came to Union county,

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Joseph Jordan

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

he spent some years there with his father. At twenty-three years of age he went to Gregg town -. ship, Centre county, and purchased a farm; a year later he was married in Rebersburg to Miss Elizabeth Bair, a native of Brush Valley, born September 23, 1806, a daughter of Squire George Bair, who for years held the office of justice of the peace, and was one of the leading citizens of the Valley.

Mr. Jordan made his home upon his Gregg township farm for some time, and two of his children were born there: Maria J., the widow of Dr. E. J. Deshler, of Aaronsburg; and Eliza- beth, widow of Rev. D. O. Shoemaker, and now residing at Lock Haven with a daughter, the wife of T. M. Stevenson, Esq.

Mr. Jordan was an excellent judge of lands, and found it profitable to buy farms, which he would improve and dispose of at an advance, and in this way it came about that the family residence was changed about a number of times. He removed from Gregg township to Sugar Val- ley, and one son, George B., now a merchant of Chicago, was born there; he is married to Miss Henrietta J. Leitzell. The next home was in Nittany Valley, and there a son was born, Will- iam F., who is a farmer at North Liberty, Adams county, Ohio; he married Miss Eliza J. Flisher. Later the family removed to Tusseyville, Potter township, Centre county, where two children were born: R. Emma, the subject proper of this sketch, and James I., who died at the age of thirteen.

The various deals in real estate made by Mr. Jordan brought him a profit (except his last pur- chase of two farms just previous to the deprecia- tion of land values), proving him to be all in all a successful man, and he was considered unusually shrewd and "long-headed." In 1859 he settled in Aaronsburg, where he died September 6, 1893. His estimable wife (lovely in person and charac- ter) had passed to the unseen life January 8, 1889, and the remains of both now rest side by side in the Reformed Church cemetery at Aarons- burg. They had passed together over sixty years of married life in unbroken harmony and affection. Both were devout and consistent mem- bers of the Reformed Church (in which Mr. Jor- dan has been an elder over fifty years), to which he was one of the most liberal contributors, and his advice in Church affairs was much valued. Being extremely fond of reading, especially works on theology, he was well-informed, and on sev- eral occasions while attending the Church Synod he spoke with much effectiveness, and displayed such thorough knowledge as to attract consider- able attention. He took much pleasure in travel.

also, and in his early days made extensive jour- neys, visiting points of interest in the United States.

Although Mr. Jordan was a firm believer in the doctrines of the Democratic party, and at times held township offices, he was never a poli- tician as that word is usually understood. "He was honorable in all his dealings with his fellow- men, and his word was as good as his bond." One notable feature of his character was his pro- gressive, liberal view of life and affairs; he was always advancing, keeping fully abreast of the times, and showing keen appreciation of new in- ventions. His home, which his abundant means enabled him to supply with every comfort, bore evidence of the trait mentioned in its convenient arrangements and appliances. His children have done credit to the pious home training of their youth, and all are occupying honorable stations in life. Martin, the twin brother of Mr. Jordan's father (Casper Jordan), passed all his life in the city of Lancaster, Penn. His wife (nee Hoof- nagle), who at the time of her death had been a widow fifty years, requested that her body should be buried in the grave of "her Mar- tin," and their remains lie in the Reformed Cemetery at Lancaster, Penn. They had an only son, Casper, who was on his way, on the ocean, to some foreign country, when the ship. he was on sank in a storm, and he was drowned at the age of twenty-four years. His sisters married, and had large families, of whom the fol- lowing named are now the only survivors: Mrs. James H. Cochran, of Broad street, Philadelphia; Mrs. Dr. Barton, of the same locality; Harry J. Wentz, also living in Philadelphia: Miss Hattie Wentz and Mrs. Dr. Longenecker, both of Lan- caster county, Penn., and George M. Frame, a dentist in New York City.

The grandchildren, now living, of Joseph Jor- dan are: J. Jordan Deshler. M. D., of Glidden, Iowa: Edwin Jordan, Esq., of Chicago; Howard C. Jordan, of Nebraska: Emma K., wife of Rev. J. F. Kerlin, of Williamsport, Penn .; Margaret, wife of T. M. Stevenson, Esq., of Lock Haven: Dr. D. E. Shoemaker, of Washingtonville, Penn. : H. P. Shoemaker, of Watsontown, Penn .; and Miss Grace Jordan, of North Liberty, Ohio.

Miss R. Emma Jordan was born January 11. 1842. Her health was not sufficiently strong during girlhood to permit her to gratify her wish for a collegiate education, but after completing a course in the common schools she attended the academy at Aaronsburg, and her fine mental powers have assimilated through reading and ob- servation an unusual amount of information. She is highly accomplished, and was at one time

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1, Part 63

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