Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1, Part 71

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 71
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 71
USA > Pennsylvania > Clarion County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 71
USA > Pennsylvania > Clearfield County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 71

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Mr. Decker is much respected as a man of sound principles. He takes great interest in local affairs, and as a progressive farmer is a member of the Grange. In politics he is a Dem- ocrat, but while he is ever ready to assist in party work he has never sought reward in official position.

PRVIN M. HARVEY. This gentleman occu- pies no unimportant position among the lead- ing farmers of Boggs township. He was born in Huntingdon county, Penn., February 1. 1851. a son of Henry L. Harvey, whose birth occurred September 2, 1824, in Clinton county, this State. At the age of seventeen years the father went to Huntingdon county, where he operated a foundry and machine shop until the spring of 1865. when he came to Centre county, and here engaged in farming until 1890. He now makes his home at Altoona, Penn. He is a son of Isaac and Catharine Harvey, who were born in Berks county, Penn., but at an early day became residents of Centre county, Pennsylvania

Attaining to man's estate, Henry L. Harvey was united in marriage with Miss Isabella Irvin. who was born at Jersey Shore, Penn .. a daugh- ter of William and Mary Irvin, natives of Ire- land, who on coming to the United States for 1- ted in Lycoming county, this State. Our sub- ject is the eldest of the four children Born of this union, the others being Anderson I . now of Olean, N. Y .; Ellery B .. of William-port. Penn. : and William, who died in infancy The

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

mother died in Huntingdon county, May 21, 1857, at the age of twenty-seven years, and afterward the father wedded Miss Lizzie Gardner, who was born in Blair county, Penn .; and died in 1888 at the age of fifty-five years. Six children graced the second marriage: George C. and Martha B., both of Altoona, Penn .; Cora, wife of Frank Strunk, of Bellefonte, Centre county: Walter C., deceased; John H., of Toledo, Ohio; and Charles I., deceased.

At the age of twenty-five years, Irvin M. Harvey left home and began life on his own ac- count. For two years he operated rented land in Clinton county, and at the end of that time removed to Centre county, where he also engaged in agricultural pursuits. After renting for three years, he purchased his present valuable farm of 140 acres in Boggs township, to the cultivation and improvement of which he has since devoted his time and attention with inost gratifying re- sults.

On February 24. 1876, Mr. Harvey was mar- ried to Miss Julia C. Curtin, and to them have been born four sons and three daughters, namely: Joseph W., Rebecca A., Oscar C., Katie, Isa- bella, Harry and John F., all at home. Mrs. Harvey was born October 9, 1853. in Boggs : township. at what is now known as Curtin, and is a daughter of Austin and Rebecca (Bathurst) Curtin, also natives of that county, the mother born July 16, 1817. The father, who was born August 26. 1801, was interested in the noted : Curtin Iron Works, at Curtin, but his later days were spent upon the homestead farm where his widow now resides. He died July 21, 1871.

Mr. Harvey gives his political support to the Democratic party, but has never aspired to office. Socially, he holds membership with the Grange, and religiously is a faithful member of the Church of Christ. He holds a prominent place among the intelligent farmers of the community, and his integrity, manliness and true Christian char- acter have won the respect of all.

R EUBEN T. COMLY, a thorough and skill- ful farmer and business man of more than ordinary capacity, is a representative of the agri- cultural and commercial interests of Union town- ship, Centre county, his home being on Dick's Rnn road. He was born in Centerville, Elk Co., Penn., March 26, 1850, but he has long made his home within the borders of Centre county, where he is both widely and favorably known.

His father, John T. Comly, now a saddler. | harness and shoemaker of Unionville, Centre

county, was born in Adams county, Penn., No- vember 16, 1822, and is a son of Jesse and Naomi (Howell) Comly, who were born and married in Adams county, where they remained until 1836. when they came to Centre county. They located near Bellefonte, where the grandfather engaged in tanning and farming. He died in October, 1853, at the age of seventy-nine years, and his wife passed away December 24, 1865, at the age of seventy-seven years and six months. In their family were the following children: Jacob, a retired tanner of Centre county; Joseph, de- ceased; Benjamin, who is also living retired in Centre county; Jesse, who died shortly after his return home from the war: Eleanor. widow of Jerry M. Hench, of Perry county, Penn. : and John T., father of our subject. The paternal great-grandfather was of English birth, while his wife was born in Scotland. On coming to America they located in Centre county, where they spent their remaining days. The maternal great-grandparents of our subject, who were natives of Scotland, located- in Union county, Pennsylvania.

On March 5, 1848, John T. Comly was mar- ried to Catherine Green, who was born in Elk county, Penn., February 13. 1830, and is a daughter of John and Mary (Thompson) Green, natives of Centre county, but who met and were married in Elk county, where they spent their remaining days on a farm. Her father was born October 12, 1799, and died October 24, 1883: her mother was born August 9, 1809, and died September 1, 1889. In their family, Catherine T., the mother of our subject. is the eldest; the others are as follows: Rebecca, born July S. 1831, married J. Nolf, and since his death has become the wife of W. Rudolph, of Elk county; Mary, born November 2, 1832, died July 14. 1833; James R., born July 12, 1835, is living in Elk county: Reuben T., born March 12, 1838. died March 26, 1840: Elizabeth, born August 18, 1841, married Louis Zimmerman, and after his death wedded J. L. Bonaham, of Olean, N. Y. ; and John C., born August 6, 1847, is a farmer of Elk county.

John Green, the maternal grandfather of our subject, was twice married, his first wife being Ann Kyler, who was born September 15, 1802. and died July 31, 1827. To them were born two daughters: Elizabeth, born March 29, 1820. died August 8, 1826: and Eliza A., born July 10. 1827, died January 27, 1861. John Green was the son of James and Elizabeth (Fisher) Green, natives of Centre county, where her death oc- curred, but he died in Elk county. The maternal grandmother of our subject was a daughter of

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Robert and Catherine (Wantz) Thompson, also natives of Centre county, but the former died in Clearfield county, and the latter in Elk county, Pennsylvania.

John T. Comly continued to engage in the sad- dlery business in Elk county until September, 1864, when he came to Centre county, locating first at Nittany Valley, where he followed farm- ing for three years, but since that time he has successfully carried on the saddlery business and shoemaking at Unionville. He is a valued and highly respected citizen of the community, and a Republican in politics. In his family are two children, our subject being the elder; William H., born May 25, 1854, is a resident of Union- ville. He was married July 3, 1879, to Mary A. McCune, and they have two children: Raymond and Boyd.

Reuben T. Comly remained with his parents until he had attained his majority, during which time he attended school and served an appren- ticeship to the saddlery business with his father. He then taught school on Dick's run, in Union township, Centre county, for one term, and for the same length of time had charge of a school at Unionville. The following Christmas (De- cember 25, 1871), he was married to Miss Amanda Davidson, and they have four children, all at home, namely: John A., born September 5, 1872; Ella E., born September 20, 1874; Olive B., born January 26, 1878; and T. Ell- wood, born February 28, 1887.

Mrs. Comly was born in Half Moon, Centre county, March 30, 1848, and is a daughter of Alexander and Sarah (Hicks) Davidson, whose births occurred at the same place. There her parents were married and remained for fifteen years, when they removed to Union township, where the mother died in 1851. at the age of forty years, and the father in April, 1884, at the age of seventy-seven. He engaged in the manu- facture of charcoal, was a Republican in politics, and with his wife held membership in the Mes- siah Church. In their family were seven chil- dren: Martha, born January 3, 1832, is the wife of W. Irwin, a farmer of Union township; Mary, born in 1834, died in 1836; Hannah; born in September, 1839, is the widow of Harris Way, of Union township; Eliza, born January 11, 18-, is the wife of William Taylor, of Centre county; Joseph H. and Janies are both prominent farin- ers of the same county; Amanda is next in order of birth; and one died in infancy. The father of this family was a second time married, Mrs. Mary (Walker) Watson becoming his wife. She was the widow of Green Watson, by whom she had four children: Lemuel; Roxanna; Miriam,

wife of a Mr. Marshall, of Clearfield county, Penn .; and Green, who was killed by a falling log. By his second wife, Mr. Davidson had three children: Michael. a butcher of Philipsburg, Penn .; Grant, a farmer of Centre county; and Ida, wife of William Brower, a farmer of Union town- ship.

After his marriage, Mr. Comly purchased his present farm in Union township, and has made his home there since 1871. Besides general farming he is successfully engaged in dealing in agricultural implements, and he is a straightfor- ward, reliable business man of unquestioned in- tegrity. Fraternally he holds membership with Blooming Lodge No. 639. I. O. O. F., of Union- ville, the Encampment of Bellefonte, No. 72, and with the Grange. He is a pronounced Republican in politics, and in 1893 was the can- didate of that party for county treasurer, but was unable to overconie the strong Democratic majority. He is public-spirited and progressive, and no man takes a deeper interest in the pros- perity of the county, whose interests he has largely promoted.

D B. GEARY, a prominent resident of Penn township, Centre county, is a man whose genuine worth has won for him the esteem of his acquaintances, while his industry and judicious management have brought a material reward in a handsome competence. Born in Penn township, March 23. 1839, he has always made his home there, being engaged until recent years in the blacksmith's trade, and also following agricult- ural pursuits to some extent.

His grandfather, Valentine Geary, and father, Reuben Geary, came to Centre county from Berks county, Penn., when the latter was a child. the family residing in Gregg township for some time after their removal. Valentine Geary was a tailor by trade, and was remarkably healthy, liv- ing to almost ninety years of age without a trace of disease, except for the illness which resulted in his death. His last days were spent in Boals- burg, where his remains were interred. He was twice married, his second wife, Rebecca, accom- panying him to Centre county. His children were : John, who died in Woodward : Reuben, our subject's father: William, who died in Gregg township: Washington, now residing in Iowa; Daniel L., a resident of Millbeim: Valentine, Jr., who was killed in Gregg township by a fall- ing tree; Lucinda, widow of John Runkle, of Peun Hall; Matilda, widow of John Schitz, of Sugar Valley; Polly (Mrs. Michael Lamy), of

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Millheim; Lydia, who lives in Iowa; Rebecca (Mrs. William Stuart), residing near Bellefonte; and Mary, who married John Painter, and died in Pleasant Gap, Centre county.

Reuben Geary was a son of his father's first wife. His training in youth was similar to that of most country boys in his day, and he devel- oped into a robust man, six feet in height, with energy and ability, fully equal to the task of gaining a livelihood, which, owing to the straight- ened circumstances of his parents, was laid upon him at an early age. As a young man he was married in Penn township, Centre county, to Miss Catherine Musser, a daughter of Philip Mus- ser, a well-known citizen of Gregg township, residing near Penn Hall. For some time after his marriage Reuben Geary worked as a farm hand, but in 1849 he bought a small farm in Penn township, where he spent his remaining years. He was between fifty and sixty years old at the time of his death, and his wife, who was older than he, passed away a few years before, the remains of both being buried at Millheim. He was a steadfast Democrat, and with his wife belonged to the Reformed Church. They had eight children, of whom the first two-Samuel, a resident of Union county, Penn., and Mary, widow of Andrew Stover, of Coburn-were twins. D. B. is mentioned more fully below. Philip died at the age of nineteen. Sarah, widow of Michael Rishel, resides in Brush Valley. Cath- erine died young. Harriet married (first) William Braucht, and (second) Jonathan Dinges, of Penn township. Diana married Simon Wolf, and died in Sugar Valley.

Two, or at the most three, months' attend- ance in the year at the subscription schools of the time was supposed to be sufficient for the mental needs of a boy when our subject was seeking an education, and this, with a short attendance at Dr. Stamm's school, save what he received in later years at public schools, was all the instruc- tion he ever had. He remained at home, assist- ing in the work of the farm until he was seven- teen, when he began to learn the blacksmith's trade in Millheim with Samuel Wiser. He worked three years for his board and clothes, acquiring a thorough knowledge of the business, which he then followed a short time as a journeyman. He owned three and one-half acres of land near Coburn, and in 1860 he began business for him- self in a shop there, boarding at a house near by. In 1864 he was married in Penn township, Centre county, to Miss Julia Zerby, a native of Gregg township, and a daughter of Adam and Susan (Snavely) Zerby.

For two years after his marriage Mr. Geary

rented Feidler's house, later a dwelling house belonging to Samuel Krape, and then built his present home. His farm is small, but has been well improved by him with suitable buildings, in addition to which he owns fifty-six acres of tim- ber land in the same township, and in 1877 he bought four and one-half acres of farm land. When he began housekeeping his mother gave him an old bed, and this was the only help that he received from his parents until his father's estate was divided. He has been very successful, and notwithstanding some losses through going bail for certain parties, he has a fair share of this world's goods. Lung trouble interfered with his business for about eight years, but except for that he followed his trade continuously until 1891, when he was disabled for hard manual labor by a fall of twelve feet into a well which he was digging, a rope breaking while he was being lowered. In politics he is a Democrat. and he holds an influential place in the local organiza- tion. For many years he has served as con- stable of his township.

Mr. Geary's first wife, who was a devout and consistent member of the Evangelical Church, died in October, 1894, her burial taking place at Paradise Church. His present wife, formerly Miss Susan C. Wise, is a daughter of the late John Wise, formerly a well-known resident of Penn township, Centre county. John Wise was married to Cathryne Stover, of Hainestownship, daughter of Valentine Stover, one of the early settlers of that township. Mr. Wise built (1839) the shop in which Daniel Geary commenced work in 1860. Mr. Wise died April 11, 1869, in Shelby county, Ill., after an illness of eleven days, of pleurisy and finally dropsy of the heart, at the age of fifty-seven years, seven months and twenty-one days. There is a peculiar providence connected with the above case. Mr. Wise started for Shelby county, Ill., about the middle of March, in company with hisdaughter-in-law, and after being with his son (in said county) a few weeks, he took sick and died there. His son brought the corpse back (in compliance with his father's request before he died) to his, bereaved family in Haines township, Centre county, from which place. on the 16th of April, his last remains were followed to the tomb, at Aaronsburg, by a large concourse of sympathizing and weeping relatives, friends and neighbors, to pay their last tribute of respect. Cathryne Wise, his wife, died January 25. 188 ;. aged seventy-four years, eleven months and twenty-three days, and was buried in the ceme- tery of the Reformed Church at Aaronsburg. She died in the triumph of the true Christian faith.

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

AMES H. HOLMES, one of the representa- tive and prominent citizens of State College, is numbered among the self-made men of Centre county, his accumulations being the re- sult of his own industry, obtained by self-denial, economy and the exercise of a naturally good judgment, in regard to both agricultural pursuits and business matters. This county has ever been the field of his operations and the center of his interests and hopes.

Mr. Holmes traces his ancestry to James Holmes, a wealthy Scotch-Irish gentleman, a copy of whose will is now in our subject's posses- sion. His son Robert was the father of Jonathan Holmes, the grandfather of the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch. The last named was born in the city of Belfast, Ireland, Septem- ber 25. 1760, and on coming to the New World located in Mifflinburg, Union Co., Penn., where he conducted an inn until his death. He mar- ried Jennet Laird, who was born March 24, 1764. and they became the parents of five chil- dren, whose names and dates of birth are as fol- lows: Rachel, February 19, 1788: Jennet, Octo- ber 25, 1789; Elizabeth, April 26, 1792: Mary, August 9, 1794; and Robert, November 9, 1799.

Robert Holmes, the father of our subject, was born in Union county, and there acquired his education. He worked at his trade as a millwright until forty years of age, when he pur- chased 150 acres of land near Bellefonte, which he sold a year later: then bought 167 acres in Marion township, Centre county, removing to the same in 1835, when it was still unimproved. He at once began its development and cultiva- tion, and added to the tract until. at his death, September 16, 1874. he had 300 acres of valu- able land. He was a Democrat in politics, and an elder in the Lick Run Presbyterian Church of Jacksonville, of which he was a consistent and devoted member.

On November 5. 1822, Robert Holmes was married to Mary Snyder, who was born August S. 1803. Nine children blessed their union, whose names and dates of birth are as follows: Sarah Jane. January 20, 1824: Caroline, December S. 1825: William Laird, July 20, 1827; James, Oc- tober IS. 1831; Robert, November 11, 1833; Mary Amanda, March 24, 1836; Harriet Eliza- beth, November 4, 1838: John, August 4. 1840; and Margaretta, August 31, 1844. The mother of these children passed away on the 16th of April. 1893, the father on the 16th of Septem- ber. 1874.

The birth of our subject occurred in Belle- fonte, and in the schools of Marion township, Centre county, he acquired his early education.

his first teacher being Samuel Kline, who is still living in Howard. His opportunities, however, for securing an education were poor, and at the age of sixteen he laid aside his text books to as- sist his father in the labors of the farin, which he continued until he was twenty-one, when he rented a farm for a year.

On January 2, 1854, Mr. Holmes wedded Miss Emily McKibben, and to them were born twelve children, namely: William J., born No- vember 3, 1856, died in infancy: Robert E., born May 4, 1859, is a practicing physician of Spruce Creek: Mrs. Mary A. Deal, born January 7. 1864. is living in State College: Olivia R., born Sep- tember 18, 1865, is deceased; Clayton I., born January 18, 1866, is a dry-goods clerk: J. Laird, born February 17, 1868, is a school teacher of State College: Hamill, born September 5, 1870, is a carpenter of that place; and James H., born February 28, 1873. Emily Augusta, born Decem- ber 25. 1875, and Jennie Mabel, born November 9, 1878. are all at home; and Mandella, born March 10, 1881, died in infancy.

Mr. Holmes continued to reside in Marion township until his enlistment in the Union army during the Civil war. October 3. 1861, in Com- pany G, 51st P. V. I., and served as corporal under Capt. Snyder in the battles of Roanoke, Newberne and Camden. He was wounded at the last named, and was taken to the hospital in Georgetown, D. C., where he was honorably dis- charged November 8, 1862.

In 1865 Mr. Holmes purchased 135 acres of land in Ferguson township, Centre county, on which he continued to make his home until ISSs. when he removed to State College, where for four years he engaged in merchandising, but is now living retired. He is the owner of consider- able property, including the Hohnes Block, a beautiful three-story business block on College avenue, erected in 1896. His business dealings have ever been characterized by a straightfor- ward, honorable policy, which has won the con- fidence of all. For forty-five years he has been a faithful member of the Presbyterian Church, and was a member of the Grange and Good Templars at Centre Furnace for several years. He also holds membership in the Grand AArmy Post No. 57, of Lemont, and his political sup- port is given the Republican party; but he has neither time nor inclination for public office, pre- ferring to devote his energies to his business in- terests, which being well conducted along honor- able lines have brought to him a comfortable competence.

Mrs. Holmes was born July 22, 1839, a daughter of Joseph and Mary (Smith) Mckibben,

JAMES H. HOLMES

MRS. JAMES H. HOLMES

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

who were the parents of seven children, viz .: Mary J., Sarah G., William S., John (deceased in infancy), Margaret J., Nancy S. and Emily (Mrs. Holmes). Joseph Mckibben (Mrs. Hol- mes' father) was among the earliest settlers of Clinton, Pennsylvania.

J ACOB AND JOHN H. BEHRER. There are numerous fine farms in Centre county which will compare favorably with any others in the State as regards production, and also as to the improvements which have been made upon them. Many of these places are owned by men comparatively young in years, but who have succeeded in an eminent degree in making their places the most desirable in the locality. As representatives of this class of agri- culturists we take pleasure in presenting the naines of the subjects of this notice, who have a fine farm of 160 acres in Patton township, near IVaddle.

Jacob and John H. were both born at Buf- alo Run, Centre county, the former on Septein- ber 16, 1864, the latter on May 9, 1872. They are sons of Jacob and Mary (Augenstine) Behrer, in whose family were thirteen children, the others being: Mary, wife of C. B. McCormick, a farmer living near State College, Centre county, by whom she has one son; Regina, wife of Elmer Rumbarger, a farmer of Stormstown, Centre county, by whom she has six children; Elizabeth E., wife of John Wirtz, a farmer of Houserville, Centre county, by whom she has two children; Lena, wife of Richard Palmer, who is operating a woolen-factory at Oak Hall Station, Centre county, and by whom she had one child; Amanda, who is living with her mother near Buffalo Run, Centre county; Hannah, who is keeping house for our subjects: Kate; Sallie: Anna; David, who married Eva, daughter of John Ward, of Storins- town. by whom he has one child che has now leased a farm near Tyrone, Sinking Valley, and operates the same); and Charles, at home. The father of these children died October 17. 1891, and was laid to rest in the Pine. Hill Cemetery; the mother is still living. They were both sin- cere and earnest Christians, faithful members of the Methodist Church, with which their family is also connected, while in politics the father sup- ported the Democratic party, and the sons also give it their allegiance.

The family is widely and favorably known throughout Centre county, and its members hold a high position in social circles, where intelli- gence and true worth are received as the pass- ports into good society.

TONATHAN O. DEININGER. It is given to but few to attain eminence in political life, but the strength of the nation lies not in its political leaders but in the citizens who in the business walks of life faithfully discharge the duties that devolve upon them. The proud title of a self-made nran is within the reach of each individual who has the will to dare and to do, who will bravely face all obstacles and conquer them by determined purpose and honorable effort. Such a man is he whose name introduces this re- view, and his life is in many respects well worthy of emulation.

Mr. Deininger was born in Womelsdorf, Berks Co., Penn., April 17, 1830, a son of August E. and Johanna (Obenland) Deininger. natives of Germany. His grandfather. Christian Deininger. was a man of education, and, as was customary in the Lutheran Church in those days, served as a school teacher, and as that was a salaried posi- tion he earned his living in that way. August E. Deininger was born in 1797, and in ISIS caine to America to try his fortune. He was married in Pennsylvania, and for a time supported his family at the weaver's trade, but subsequently followed stone cutting and the marble business. In the winter of 1843 he started with his wife and children for Millheim, and between Young- manstown (now Mifflinburg) and New Berlin the sled in which they journeyed stuck in the snow. and they were thereby delayed for a day. The father purchased property in Millheim, where he followed the business of marble cutting during his active life. He died at the age of seventy- seven, and his wife passed away in 1861, both being interred in Millheim cemetery. He was a stanch Democrat in politics, but never sought office. He held membership in the Evan- gelical Church, and was a member of its board of trustees. Five of his children died in infancy. and those who reached mature years were: Anna Maria. widow of Jacob Keen, of Millheim: C. F .. a minister of the Evangelical Church, who died in York, Penn .: Jonathan O .: B. O., a printer and marble dealer, who died in Millheim. and August O .. of Hughesville, Pennsylvania.

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1, Part 71

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