Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1, Part 64

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 64
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 64
USA > Pennsylvania > Clarion County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 64
USA > Pennsylvania > Clearfield County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 64

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

306

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

especially proficient in music, in which she gave lessons. During the last years of her parents' lives she gave them the most devoted and watchful care, ministering to their every need, and bright- ening their hours of pain or weariness with her filial love. Her kindliness of heart has found a wide field of expression in generous assistance to different charities, and she has done much for the Reformed Church, of which she is a consistent member. Always active in its various lines of work, she was especially helpful at the time of the building of the new church edifice, being one of the leaders in the Ladies Aid Society, which work had been effective and successful, after a career of six years succeeding in raising funds to the amount of $1,093. Neither is she lacking in practical business ability, her manage- ment of her father's estate, as executrix under the will, showing rare tact, discretion and firm- ness of character.

E FETTEROLF, a well-known and highly respected citizen of Spring Mills, Centre county, is now enjoying, in well-earned ease, the reward of previous years of toil. He is a native of this section, having been born October 3, 1830, at Troxelville, in what is now Snyder county. His family has been identified with that locality since the time of his grandfather, who was a pioneer settler. The grandmother, Mrs. Catherine Fetterolf, attained the age of ninety- nine years, and was held in high esteem by later generations in the community which she had seen arise upon the spot where stood the forests that her contemporaries cleared away.

Peter Fetterolf, our subject's father, was born there in 1801, and always made his home in the same locality, farming being his occupa- tion until, having acquired a comfortable fortune, he retired to Troxelville to pass his declining years, purchasing a lot and building a residence. He was six feet, one inch in height, bony and muscular, and in his day was a powerful man. Quiet and unobtrusive in manner, he never sought public office or official position, but his neighbors were not blind to his abilities, and he was called upon to fill the office of supervisor. He took much interest in politics, first as a Whig, and later as a Republican, and was promi- nent in religious work, he and his wife being leading members of the Lutheran Church. Mrs. Fetterolf, whose maiden name was Sally Swartz, was also a native of Snyder county, born in 1802. Both lived to the age of seventy-five years, the father dying in 1876 and the mother in the year following. Their children were: Henry, a

farmer in Kansas; Susan (Mrs. John Hendricks). of Snyder county; Polly, who married George Karn, and died soon afterward; Hannah S., who married George Huffman, and died in Sioux City. Iowa; Catherine (Mrs. Jacob Bingerman), who died in Snyder county; E., the subject of this sketch; Philip, who died in Snyder county, leav- ing a family; Daniel, who died (unmarried) in Snyder county; and Elizabeth (Mrs. Frederick Schrayder), of Selinsgrove.

As the son of a busy farmer, Mr. Fetterolf's education was subordinate to the demands of the farm work, which during his boyhood was unre- lieved by labor-saving machinery, and often oc- cupied a large part of the winter season as well as the summer. The schools were not of the best, either, the community where he then lived retaining the old-fashioned subscription schools, until after his time, notwithstanding the efforts of his father and a few other progressive citizens to secure the modern system. A remarkably retentive memory, which enables him to recall certain events that happened when he was but two years old, has given Mr. Fetterolf a wide range of information, and his intelligent views of men and things reveal an active mind which would have made effective use of a thorough education.

In the fall of 1848 Mr. Fetterolf began an apprenticeship to the blacksmith's trade with John Kessler, seven miles from Selinsgrove, receiving at the end of two years' work the sum of $25.00. In 1850 he went to Potter township. Centre county, and worked " The Loop" as a journeyman blacksmith, and 'later he was simi- larly employed at Milroy, Troxelville and Laurel- ton, where he finally engaged in business on his own account. After a year and a half there he moved, in 1853, to Spring Mills, and rented a shop, which he conducted for some time. Two years he then spent in Nittany Valley, Benner township. Centre county, but he returned to Spring Mills later, and after continuing his trade a short time, he decided to give it up and engage in agriculture. The change was made in 1856. Mr. Fetterolf renting a farm in Gregg township, Centre county, from William Allison. As pros- perity smiled upon his efforts, he purchased some adjoining land, which he cultivated, while still occupying the other farm as a tenant. In 1886 he sold his property, and, relieved from business, removed to Spring Mills, where he bought a sub- stantial brick residence.

Mr. Fetterolf was married in Union county. in the fall of 1850, to Miss Rachel Wyand. daughter of George Wyand, a prosperous farmer. She was a native of Snyder county, born July

307

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

27, 1829. After nearly half a century of wedded life, she passed away February 11, 1896, lamented by all who had come within her sphere of helpful influence. Her remains were interred in the cemetery at Spring Mills. Seven children blessed this union: Edward, who died in infancy; Mary E., now Mrs. George Crawford, of .Spring Mills; Sarah M. (Mrs. Philip Meyer), of Boals- burg; Elizabeth (Mrs. J. K. Bittner), of Gregg township, Centre township; Birdie (Mrs. C. A. Krape), of Spring Mills; R. F., a Lutheran min- ister, stationed at Millersburg, Dauphin Co., Penn .; and Priscilla E., who died at the age of eleven years. Mr. Fetterolf has reason to be proud of his children, and he has given them the best educational opportunities which his means enabled him to secure, his own experience teach- ing hiin the value of such privileges.

Upright in character, and honest in dealings, Mr. Fetterolf has won the respect of his asso- ciates wherever he has gone. Since 1850 he has been an active member of the Lutheran Church, and has been almost continuously in office. For eight consecutive years he served as elder, and for eight years he was superintendent of the Sunday-school, to which, in his younger days, he devoted much of his time and attention. His political allegiance was first given to the Whig party, but in the readjustment which followed the discussion of the slavery question, he became a Republican, and has ever since supported the principles of that organization.

J JEREMIAH E. WALKER. Among the pio- neer families of Centre county none holds a higher place in the esteem of the public than does the Walker family, which was established in Brush Valley about a century ago, our subject's grandfather, John Walker, having gone there from Northampton county, Penn., as a young man, settling permanently, and marrying Miss Mary M. Gramley, a member of another well- known family.

Their son Daniel, the father of our subject, was born in Brush Valley, July 9, 1807, and was reared to manhood at the old farm. He married Hannah Erhard, a native of Brush Valley, born October 9, 1807, a daughter of Michael and Anna Mary (Wildeson) Erhard, well-known resi- dents of Miles township, Centre county. Six children were born of this union: Samuel, an ex-teacher now residing in Salona, Penn. ; Jere- miah E., our subject ; Jonathan, of Brush Valley; Harriet, who married Samuel Brungart, and died in Miles township; Mary, who married Ruben Snook, and died in Nittany Valley; and Sarah,

now Mrs. James Carman, of Rebersburg, Penn- sylvania.

Daniel Walker was by occupation an agricult- urist, and passed his active life upon the first farm he ever owned. Although of small stature he was an industrious man, and was successful for his day. At- the time of his death he owned over 500 acres of land in Brush Valley, 200 acres in Nittany Valley, and other tracts elsewhere. In politics he was a steadfast Democrat, but no office seeker. He took much interest in relig- ious work as an active member of the Lutheran Church; his wife was identified with the Re- formed Church. She died May 26, 1884, and his death occurred May 27, 1887, the remains of both being buried in the cemetery of Rebers- burg.

J. E. Walker was born at the old home in Brush Valley, July 18, 1837, and his education was acquired at the Brungart school house, his opportunities being decidedly inferior to those of the present time. His father owned a sawmill and gristmill in connection with his large farm, and was able to find plenty of work for his boys. The consciousness of the value of a good educa- tion has made Mr. Walker an advocate of a more liberal school system than was common in his youth. On February 5, 1860, he was married in Brush Valley to Miss Anna Brungart, a native of Clinton county, Penn., born December 16, 1838, daughter of John and Mary (Barner) Brun- gart. Her father was a blacksmith and farmer and a well-known citizen. Mrs. Walker was the tenth child and seventh daughter in a family of twelve children-three sons and nine daughters, and her educational opportunities were limited to the schools of that locality.

Mr. Walker established his home in his na- tive township, at Walker's Mills, and conducted the gristmill for his father, having learned that business in Mill Hall when about seventeen years old. He spent twenty-five years as a miller in Miles township, operating only two dif- ferent mills, and yet he has made thousands of barrels of flour and sawed thousands of feet of lumber. Hard work and careful management have gained him a comfortable competence. while he is highly respected among his associates for his honesty and uprightness. Failing health compelled him to give up milling for agricultural work, and a few years later, in the spring of 1890, he removed to Rebersburg. He still owns a farm of fifty-eight acres in Miles township. which he oversees.

Mr. and Mrs. Walker have had six children, of whom five are living, and make a family of which any parent might be proud. Jane married

308

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Newton Brungart, of Sugar Valley; Emma C. died in childhood; Emma resides in Bellefonte; and Lewis E., Elizabeth M. and Meta O. are at home. Mr. Walker and his wife are Lutherans in faith, and have always been in sympathy with the various progressive movements in their vicin- ity. As a steadfast believer in Democratic prin- ciples, Mr. Walker takes keen interest in his party, but he has neither sought nor held office.

J 'OSEPH W. FOLMAR, a skillful farmer, and the present efficient supervisor of Boggs town- ship, Centre county, residing in Bald Eagle Valley, was born March 8, 1839, at Milesburg, Centre county, and within the borders of that county has always made his home. His father, John Folmar, was a native of Prussia, and was a son of Joseph W. Folmar. . The former was a soldier under Napoleon, and on coming to the New World located at Bellefonte, Penn., where he married Cresintha Windelin, who was born in Switzerland, and came to America with her parents, Joseph and Ocello Windelin, also na- tives of that country. They located at Clear- field, Penn., where her mother's death occurred, but her father died in Centre county,

John Folmar and his wife began their domes- tic life in Milesburg, where they remained until 1851; when they went to Clearfield county, Penn. There both died, the father on June 20, 1888, at the age of seventy-eight years, and the mother on January 10, 1888, at the age of sev- enty-seven years. Both held membership in the Catholic Church. In early life the father fol- lowed the trade of blacksmithing, but later en- gaged in farming and lumbering. In his family were the following children: Joseph W., sub- ject of this sketch; Jacob and John Z., of Clearfield county; Andrew C., of Peale, Penn .; Francis, a farmer of Clearfield county; James, a carpenter and wheelwright of Peale City, Penn. ; William, a farmer of Clearfield, Penn .; and Mary M., de- ceased wife of F. D. Volmont.

At the age of four years, Mr. Folmar, the subject of this review, entered the schools of Milesburg, which he attended until he had at- tained his twelfth year, and then went to Clear- field county, where he was variously employed until 1861, mostly in the lumber woods He then became a member of Company C, 5th Pennsylvania Reserves, under Col. Simmons. While cutting wood on duty at Camp Pierpont, through an accident of some kind he cut himself with an axe in the right foot, and later was wounded at Bethesda Church, Virginia, in the left hip. He participated in many important en-

gagements including the battles of Antietam and Gettysburg, also the seven-days' fight at Rich- mond, and in 1864 was honorably discharged at Harrisburg. On being mustered out, he engaged in lumbering for nine years, and then returned to the old home farm, which he operated until 1889, when he came to Centre county, and has since lived on his present farm. He is a stal- wart Democrat in politics, and in 1895 was elected on that ticket to the office of supervisor of Boggs township, which he is now so capably filling. He holds membership in the Catholic Church, and with the Grand Army of the Re- public.

Mr. Folmar has been twice married, his first union being with Miss Catherine Piffer, whom he wedded in 1876, and to them were born two children: Mary C., deceased; and Catherine, deceased wife of John Hill. The mother of these died in October, 1882, at the age of thirty- seven years, and November 8, 1886, Mr. Folmar was united in marriage with Mrs. Mary A. Rolley, who was born in Paris, France. November 19, 1826, and is a daughter of Peter and Jeanne C. (Henry) Fontenoy, who came from that country to the New World in 1824, locating at French- ville, Clearfield Co., Penn., where the father died April 28, 1871, at the age of seventy-two years, and the mother on May 31, 1853, at the age of fifty-seven years. In their family were three children: John, who died March 17, 1894: Mary A., wife of our subject; and Josephine, wife of Frank Jennie, of East Farmington, Wis. The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Folmar were Peter and Jeanne C. Fontenoy, who never left France, their native land, while the maternal grandparents were Louis P. and Mary Henry, also natives of that country, where the last named died; the grandfather's death occurred at Frenchville, Pennsylvania.

On April 21, 1845, John Bronel was married to Miss Mary A. Fontenoy, and to them were born children as follows: Frank, of Osceloa, Penn. ; Augusta, of Gettysburg; Leopold, of Plano, Ill .; Jennie, deceased wife of James Derr, of Belle- fonte: Sidonie, who makes her home at West- field, N. Y. ; Pauline and Justin, at home; Mary, wife of P. Hayes, of Spangler, Cambria county; and Minnie, of Philadelphia. Mr. and Mrs. Bronel removed to her present home in 1864, but six months later he was killed by a train at the Milesburg cross road in Bald Eagle Valley. He had formerly resided at Frenchville, and was a lumber merchant by occupation. In 1869, Mrs. Brouel married John Rolley, who died in 1882, at the age of forty-six years. He was a general farmer and lumberman. Two children

309

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

blessed their union: Flora, wife of Emil Lioret, of Michigan; and Odilla, wife of A. M. Mott, of Bellefonte, Penn. Both Mr. and Mrs. Folmar are widely and favorably known, and have many friends throughout the community where they reside.

G EORGE B. HAINES, a prosperous agricult- urist residing in Rebersburg, Centre county, is one of the progressive men who, taking a broad and liberal view of life and its opportun- ities, avoid the dull routine into which too many dwellers in the rural neighborhoods fall. - Fond of reading, he keeps well informed on the issues of the day, while the advantages of scientific knowledge are seen in his successful management of his estate.

His family is of English origin, and for at least three generations his ancestors have been tanners by occupation. His great-grandfather, John Haines, was the first to come to America. The grandfather, John Haines, Jr., was in early manhood a resident of York county, Penn., but came to this section about 1816, locating at Aaronsburg, Centre county, where he followed his trade until his death.

Jeremiah Haines, our subject's father, was born in Aaronsburg, about 1820, and was one of five children-two sons and three daughters- who lived to adult age. He was quite young when his father died, leaving but little means, and his early education was extremely limit- ed, a fact which, in view of his later success in lines requiring accurate knowledge of a kind not commonly possessed, indicates unusual men- tal power. He learned the tanner's trade near Woodward, and with a cash capital of $100 started a tannery in the eastern end of Brush Valley, where he remained until 1855, when he removed to Rebersburg and bought out a tannery owned by Henry Flickinger, and in connection with this business he followed farming on a small · scale, as his purchase included sixteen acres of land. He was a shrewd financier, and as a busi- ness man was of more than ordinary ability. At the time of his death he owned 550 acres of land, which has been kept in the family. His extensive business required a knowledge of cer- tain legal points, upon which he posted himself by reading. He was justice of the peace for twenty years, and was looked upon as a man of excellent judgment. His reading covered a wide range, and his library contained many valuable works on theology, in which he was well versed. For many years he held the office of elder and deacon in the Lutheran Church, and he always contributed toward the work of that organiza-

tion. In politics he was a Democrat, but he did not seek official honors.

Jeremiah Haines was twice married, first time to Susan Brungart, daughter of George and Salome (Kahl) Brungart, and two children were born to this union: Emma, now Mrs. Thomas E. Royer, of Miles township; and George B., our subject. The mother died in 1862, and the father married a second wife, Mrs. Sarah Heckman, née Oswalt, widow of George Heckman. She was also taken from him by death, but left no children. Squire Haines was a man of ordinary build, but above the average height, and his health was uniformly good. His death occurred quite suddenly in April, 1893, his remains being buried in Rebersburg. He was fond of his home and was of a peaceful disposi- tion, conceding to every man the right to an opinion, and if it happened to differ from his, he made no effort to change it by argument. Many of the noted men of Centre county were his per- sonal friends, and a visit to Rebersburg by such men was also marked by a visit to "Squire" Haines.

The subject of this sketch was born August 6, 1849, six iniles east of Rebersburg, and first attended school in that town with Samuel Gram- ley as his teacher. As soon as he was old enough he began to learn the tanner's trade under his father, work of various kinds being assigned him. but his education was fair for his time, although it was obtained in the common schools of Miles township, and in the Rebersburg Normal School, which was then in existence, he was licensed to teach, but never taught. Helived at home with his parents until the time of his marriage, but never entirely completed the trade of a tanner, although he was sufficiently familiar with it to perform work in almost any department.

In December, 1870, Mr. Haines was married in Miles township to Miss Emma J. Burkert, a native of Miles township, born August 10. 1852, a daughter of Jacob Burkert who is mentioned more fully below. Mrs. Haines is a lady of fine intellectual ability, and had a license as a teacher, although she never entered the profession. After his marriage, Mr. Haines located on his father's farm in Brush Valley, and followed agriculture for eighteen years; in the spring of ISS he re- moved to Rebersburg, where he now occupies the old Burkert homestead, which he greatly im- proved, remodeling the house and erecting a new barn and other buildings. After the death of his father, he and his brother-in-law were ap- pointed executors to the estate. In addition to his pleasant home in Rebersburg he has 200 acres of farming land.

310

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Mr. Haines and his wife are leading members of the Lutheran Church, and he is a trustee of that society. Their children are a credit to them, all taking prominent places in social life: William B. is a farmer of Miles township. Charles M. (single) resides in Baltimore, Md. Elizabeth L. is at home. Melville C., a licensed teacher, lives at home. Of these, William B. was married in 1890 to Lida J. Oakes, and they have one son, Harry O., born in 1891. All the rest are single. Mr. Haines is a Democrat in politics, and, while not radical, is a stanch sup- porter of his party, and has held various offices in the township, his sound judgment and well- known public spirit making him a popular candi- date.

Jacob Burkert, the father of Mrs. Haines, was an excellent citizen, noted for his liberality and practical sagacity. He was a hatter by trade, and before coming to Brush Valley had lived in Berks county, Penn. Politically, he was a stead- fast Republican, and he took a prominent part in local affairs, serving ten years as justice of the peace of Miles township, Centre county. He and his wife, Elizabeth Smull, died in Rebers- burg, each being about seventy-two years old, and both sleep in the cemetery at that place. Mrs. Burkert was a devout member of the Re- formed Church. Mr. and Mrs. Burkert had the following children: Cyrus J., a minister of the United Brethren Church, is presiding elder of the Dayton (Ohio) district; George was a soldier in the Civil war with the Bellefonte Invincibles, and died in camp at Carlisle, Penn .; C. Milton, now of Germantown, Ohio, was formerly a rail- road conductor on the Vandalia route; John C., of Oskaloosa, Jefferson Co., Kans., is probate judge of his county; Edwin is a physician at Dayton, Ohio; Clayton resides at Valley Falls, Kans .; Charles died in childhood; Elizabeth died in infancy; Effinger died at the age of fifteen years, and Emma J. (now Mrs. Haines) completes the family.

C HARLES LUCAS is one of the most enter- prising, industrious and most highly respected farmers of Centre county, his home being at Wallace Run, Boggs township. He was born one mile from that place September 30, 1833, and is a representative of one of the honored pioneer families of the county.

Joseph and Mary (Mckibben) Lucas, grand- parents of our subject, were natives of Merlin, Penn., and came to Centre county at an early | day. His parents, Charles and Elizabeth (Shirk) Lucas, were natives of Centre county, spending

their entire lives in Bald Eagle Valley. The fa- ther was the first white man who located there, and crossed the Alleghany Mountains to what is now known as Snow Shoe, Centre county. He was a ship carpenter and a millwright, and went with Perry as ship carpenter during the war of 1812-15, serving with that commander when he won the famous naval victory. Mr. Lucas spent his last days at farming. In politics he was a Democrat, but never sought office. He died on Wallace run, in 1875, at the age of seventy-eight years, and his wife passed away in 1865, at the age of seventy-four. They had five children: James M., a farmer of Centre county; Rebecca, wife of Jacob Brower, of Minnesota; Charles; and Morgan, a farmer of Boggs township.

Charles Lucas, our subject, spent his boy- hood days in his parent's home, and attended the district schools. He afterward engaged in Jum- bering and in farming, and was connected with the nursery business for five years. At the age of twenty-seven he left the old homestead, was married and rented a farm in Union township, whereon he resided some eight years. He then purchased the old homestead, where he has since lived, giving his time and attention to agricultural pursuits. His life has been one of industry and honest toil, and his energy and perseverance are the factors which have brought to him his suc- cess. On November 30, 1858, he married Eliza Brower, who was born in Union township. Cen- tre county, February 4, 1840, a daughter of Will- iam and Hannah (Resides) Brower, also natives of Centre county, where they spent their entire lives. The father, who was a manufacturer of charcoal, died in 1869, at the age of seventy-two; the mother died in 1872, aged seventy-one years. They had children as follows: Mary A., A. Even- son and John, all deceased; Margaret, widow of James McClincy, of Centre county; Ellen, de- ceased wife of Benjamin Lucas; Elizabeth, widow of Hiram Talbert. of Union township; Jacob, of Minnesota; William, deceased; Nancy, wife of J. M. Lucas; Sarah, deceased wife of Thomas McClincy, of Oregon: Philip, afarmier of Centre county: Eliza; and Emeline, wife of Enoch Hugg, a merchant of Milesburg.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1, Part 64

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