Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1, Part 75

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 75
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 75
USA > Pennsylvania > Clarion County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 75
USA > Pennsylvania > Clearfield County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 75

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John Mattern, who was the great-grandson of the emigrant, Peter (1), and the son of George (2) and Catherine (Hiskel). was born on the old farm of his father in Franklin township, Hunt- ingdon county, March 26, 1794. In 1828 he lo- cated in Centre county, and eight years before, in November, 1820, was married to Mary, daugh- ter of John Gray and Catherine (Hartsook), of Patton township. The Hartsook and Gray fam- ilies were the first settlers of the township, com- ing from Frederick county, Md., to what was known as the Half Moon country. Mr. Mattern purchased from his father-in-law a tract of 300 acres of land lying one mile south of the present village of Matternville, where he made his home for nearly fifty years, dying there September 30, 1877, in the eighty-fourth year of his age. He was a good citizen, a kind neighbor, and a suc- cessful farmer. His good wife, whose birth oc- curred August 12, 1800, passed away at the old homestead, June 7, 1888, in her eighty-eighth year; she was an affectionate wife and mother, and her many deeds of kindness will long be re- membered and cherished by her many friends. Both led exemplary lives, and were devout Chris- tian people. Their remains rest in the Gray graveyard in the western part of Patton town- ship. The children of this couple were: Cath- erine married Martin Shaunk, and is now a resi- dent of Huntingdon county, Penn. ; Samuel is a resident of Half Moon township; Elizabeth is the wife of Joseph Kreider; John B. died July 7, 1896, in his sixty-sixth year; George; Jacob G. ; David and Miles. It is worthy of note that not one of the six sons mentioned has ever used to- bacco in any form; all have followed agricultural pursuits chiefly, and have dwelt in the same neighborhood from boyhood. They are capable business men and the most successful of farmers; at one time they possessed an aggregate of 2.013 acres of land, which was the result of years of toil, economy and judicious management. They are all upright and honorable men, and are among the best of Centre county's citizens. All adhiere to the religious faith of their forefathers-that of the M. E. Church-and all are Republicans in politics.

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

GEORGE MATTERN was born December II, 1832, and when about twenty-two years of age went to live with his older brother, Samuel, with whom he remained some two years and a half. On February 3, 1859, he was married and located on his present farm of nearly 400 acres. His wife was Lydia, daughter of David Shivery and Ellen (Moore) Shivery, pioneers of that part of Centre county, born in July, 1831. The children of George Mattern and wife were: Mary E., David B., John H. (deceased), Clara B. (de- ceased), and George S. Mr. Mattern has been afflicted with rheumatism for many years, since 1881 has not been able to walk at all, and for nine years past has been confined to his bed.

JACOB G. MATTERN was born on the home- stead farm February 5, 1835. He worked on the farm during the summer, and in the winters attended the neighborhood school at Stony Point. Subsequently it was his privilege to attend for a short time the old seminary at Warrior's Mark, in Huntingdon county, under the principalship of Ebenezer Smith. Later he was engaged in school teaching, having been examined for the profession by a Mr. Gibson, the first to hold the position of county superintendent of schools of Centre county. In 1863, in connection with his brother, John B., he purchased the old Gray foundry at Matternville, and in 1867, in addition to carrying on the foundry business, they built a store-house and engaged in merchandising, This building was destroyed by fire, was immediately rebuilt, but again burned in 1873; the building was replaced and occupied until the death of John B., in 1896, Jacob having withdrawn, however, from the partnership, in 1879. Since the latter year Mr. Mattern has given his entire attention to farming. In 1867 he was married to Eleanor Wasson, daughter of John and Mary (Jack) Was- son, of College township. They have had no children of their own, but have reared several; one, named Gertrude, an adopted daughter, whom they took at the age of three years, mar- ried W. H. Smull, of Rebersburg, and died Sep- tember 1, 1889, leaving one child, Jacob Henry; they reared another by the name of Ruth, and one, Eleanor H., is still living; they are also now caring for Albert S., whom they took from the Childrens' Home. Mr. Mattern is genial and whole-souled, being one of those jovial, sunny- dispositioned men, who will greet you with a word of good cheer, his face wearing a kindly expres- sion and smile for all.

The Wassons were early settlers of Harris township. John Wasson, a carpenter by trade, came from Chester county, Penn., and settled in Boalsburg, in 1810. He married a daughter of

Michael Jack, in 1814. In 1825 he removed fromn Boalsburg to near where Lemont now is, where, in IS57, his death occurred; his wife died at the same place eight years later. They had seven children, of whom Mrs. Mattern was one, her birth occurring in April, 1834. Michael Jack came from Lancaster county, Penn., to the vicinity of Boalsburg about 1789, where he pur- chased land of Reuben Haines. He was a sol- dier of the Revolution.

DAVID MATTERN was born March 6, 1838, and lived on the old home farm until not quite twenty-one years of age, when he went to live with his eldest brother, Samuel, with whom he remained some five years. He then returned home, and there remained until married, which event occurred April 16, 1867, his wife being Mary Way, daughter of John and Mary (Moore) Way: both the Moore and Way families were early settlers of that locality. After his mar- riage he located on his present farm. Two chil- dren, Anna B. (married) and Mary M., were born to this union. The mother of these died December 30, 1869, and on October 10, 1872, Mr. Mattern married Anna Leitzell, a daughter of Samuel Leitzell, and their children are: Emma, Benera W., Miles F., Ozula and Sarah E. Mr. and Mrs. Mattern are members of the Gray's M. E. Church, in which the former is a class leader, and has been for a number of years. Mr. Mattern is one of the industrious and sub- stantial men of his township.

MILES MATTERN was born in 1841, in the house in which he now resides. He, too, at- tended the old Stony Point school house, his first teacher being the present Squire Samuel T. Gray, of Patton township. With little excep- tion he has resided continuously where he now lives, engaged chiefly in agricultural pursuits. In 1867 he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Leitzell, a daughter of Samuel and Mar- garet Leitzell, who were married here in Centre county in 1832. The Leitzells were from Ger- many, Mrs. Mattern being one of the third gen- eration in this country. She was born in Centre county in 1843. Her father came here from Snyder county, Penn. Mr. and Mrs. Mattern have no children of their own, but have fur- nished a home for and reared several, namely: Eva Leitzell, now married; John Clapper, Frank L. Cole, and Sadie Cross, the latter of whoni, a girl of ten years, is now with them.

C URTIN P. STONEROD, the well-known and efficient passenger and freight agent of the Pennsylvania railroad at Milesburg, Centre coun-

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ty, was born March 25, 1841, at Birmingham, Huntingdon Co., Penn. His father, John M. Stonerod, is a native of Mifflin county, Penn., born in 1823, and is now serving his second term as postmaster of Birmingham. He has held a number of local offices in his community, being constable for a number of years and justice of the peace for about seventeen years. He is a son of John and Mary Stonerod, whose births occurred at Lewistown, Mifflin county, where both died. By occupation the grandfather was a farmer, while the father of our subject worked at the carpenter's trade until 1885. The for- mer served as sheriff of his county.

At Birmingham, July 19, 1840, John M. Stonerod was married to Rachel Parker, who was born at Stone Valley, Huntingdon county, July 13, 1820, and died January 14, 1890, at Birmingham, after an illness of three days. She was attacked suddenly with "la grippe, " fol- lowed by pneumonia, which caused her death. Besides her husband she left the following chil- dren to mourn her death: Curtin P., of this sketch; Mrs. Martha Strouble, of Dudley, Hunt- ingdon county; Theodore and Fielding, of Pitts- burg, Penn .; Mrs. Cecelia Parker, of Sharps- burg, Allegheny Co., Penn .; Mrs. Elizabeth Sprangle, of Fostoria, Blair Co., Penn .; and David K., of Altoona, Penn., all prominent and highly respected in the localities where they make their homes. Another child, Wesley, died at the age of four years. There are also thirty grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. In 1831 the mother joined the Methodist Episcopal Church, but later in life joined the Presbyterian Church, being a member in good standing of the same at the time of her death. The father has also been a consistent member of the Presbyte- rian Church since 1861, and in politics is a pro- nounced Democrat.

The subject of this memoir remained under the parental roof until June, 1858, when he left home and assisted in the construction of three tressels for the Bellefonte & Snow Shoe railroad, which were six hundred feet long and seventy feet high. For two years he then served as brakeman on the railroad, but in 1861, the Civil war having broken out, he enlisted, on the first call for troops, in Company H, as drummer, and Regiment, P. V. I. The officers of the company were Capt. Mitchell, First-Lieut. James A. Beav- er, and Second-Lient. Charles Hale. At the end of his three-montlis' service, our subject returned home and re-enlisted, September 17, 1861, this time in Company G, 51st P. V. I., Ninth Army Corps, under Capt. A. B. Snyder, First-Lient. W. H. Blair, and Second-Lieut. P. A. Gaulin,

Col. (in 1864 commissioned Brig. and Maj. - Gen.) John F. Hartranft. The last named was after- ward governor of Pennsylvania, but is now de- ceased. From drummer Mr. Stonerod was ap- pointed sergeant-major, of his regiment, after- ward was made second lieutenant and finally com- missioned captain of his company. On the field of battle he was brave and fearless, always found at his post of duty, and won the confidence of those under him as well as the respect and es- teem of his fellow officers. He was twice wounded. the first time at the battle of Antie- tam, September 17, 1863, when making a charge on Antietam Bridge, known as Burnside Bridge. This was only a deep flesh wound in the left side, the shot cutting off his sword belt. Concluding it was not a healthy place to stop, among shot and shell, he went on over the bridge in the charge with the regiment. On August 19, 1864. at the Weldon railroad, in front of Petersburg. Va., he was wounded in the right thigli, which has shortened the limb two and one-half inches. and for seventy-one days he was confined in the Alexander Hospital. After almost four years of arduous and faithful service, he was mustered out January 1, 1865, but was unable to work for a year after his return home. He participated in every battle fought by the 5Ist Pennsylvania Regiment up to August 19, 1864, at which time he was wounded and carried off the field. The following battles are engraved on the 51st Regi- ment Battle Flags#: Roanoke Island. Newbern, Camden, Second Bull Run, Chantilly, South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Vicksburg. Jackson, Campbell Station, Siege of Knoxville. Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, Peters- burg (Weldon Railroad, he was wounded in this battle), Ream Station and Hatcher's Run. He was under fire, and skirmishing, almost daily from the time Gen. Grant crossed the Potomac. until wounded in August, 1864.

Mr. Stonerod then went into the oil regions of Venango county, Penn., where he remained one year, and later was appointed agent at Snow Shoe for the Bellefonte & Snow Shoe railroad. which position he filled for the long period of fourteen years. The road was then sold to the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, and August 1. 1881. he was appointed agent to hiis present po- sition at Milesburg. His long retention in the service of one company plainly indicates his fidelity to duty and the confidence and trust they repose in him.

On November 25. 1867, Mr. Stonerod was

"These battle flags (threes are in charge of the State archives at the State Capitol at Harrisburg. Penn, in class cases, two ( these Pages are riddled with bullets (a cannon ball passing through the lleld of one of them, leaving them in ribbons and rage, so much so that they can never be unfurled again.

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married to Miss Annie E. Dickson, and they now have five children: Boyd H., a telegraph oper- ator of Bradford county, Penn .; Sarah B., at home: Stella M. and Gertrude, milliners, of New York; and Jane D., at home. Mrs. Stonerod was born at Bellefonte, August 9, 1844, and is a daughter of Samuel and Sarah (Lucas) Dickson, who were of Scotch-Irish extraction. The fa- ther was born in Lancaster county, Penn., but the mother was a native of Centre county, and and both died at Bellefonte, the former in 1846, and the latter in 1859, at the age of fifty-two years. By occupation the father was a black- smith. In their family were the following chil- dren: Philip, deceased; Silas, a blacksmith and farmer of Snow Shoe, Centre county; Catherine, wife of R. Mulholland, of Nebraska; Martha, wife of Joseph Clark, of Du Bois, Penn. ; Samuel, an undertaker of Snow Shoe; Sarah, deceased; Hezekiah, of Philipsburg, Penn .; Amelia, widow of Levi Boes, of Driftwood, Penn .; Clarissa, wife of George Quigley, a farmer of Driftwood; and Annie E., wife of our subject.

Mr. Stonerod never fails to cast. his ballot for the principles of the Republican party, and takes a prominent part in public affairs, supporting all enterprises calculated to benefit the community. Socially, he holds membership in the Grand Army of the Republic and the Union Veteran League. For fourteen years he was chairman of the Republican Town Committee.

T HOMAS M. WEAVER is an enterprising and progressive agriculturist who follows his chosen calling in Spring township, Centre county. He belongs to that class of citizens whose devotion to public and private duty makes them valued factors in any community. He was born November 5, 1848, in Centre county, the younger child of M. P. and Ellen (McClellan) Weaver. Their first child, Ann, born in 1846, died at the age of ten years and seven months.

At the farmstead home Thomas M. Weaver was reared to manhood, and as soon as old enough began assisting his father in the cultiva- tion of the fields. His preliminary education was acquired in the district schools, which he at- tended until sixteen years of age. He then pur- sued a course in Dickinson Seminary, and after- ward engaged in teaching school for three years with excellent success. He is a man of broad general information; and extensive reading has made him thoroughly well informed on all cur- rent questions.

Mr. Weaver has been twice married, his first union being with Esther Ellen Eckenroth (daughter 1

of John and Elizabeth (Shatzer) Eckenroth), who died leaving four children: Walter L., Michael M., Thomas M. and Nancy E. Mr. Weaver was. afterward again married, his second union being with Miss Rebecca M. Runkle, daughter of Will- iam and Mary (Treaster) Runkle. By this union have been born two children: Lizzie A. and Nerr D.

With the exception of the time spent in teaching, Mr. Weaver has always followed agri- cultural pursuits, and he thoroughly understands every branch of the business. His management is capable, and his keen sagacity and sound judg- ment enable him to so control his affairs as to win a comfortable competence. He owns in his home farm 115 acres of rich and fertile land, and in addition has 120 acres of mountain land. The former constitutes one of the desirable farm prop- erties in Centre county. It is improved with a fine dwelling, commodious and substantial, while well-built barns and outbuildings afford ample shelter for grain and stock. All the accessories of a model farm of the nineteenth century are here seen, and the neat appearance of the place indicates the careful supervision of the owner. Mr. Weaver gives his support to the Republican party, and stanchly advocates its principles as set forth in the platforms framed at its national con- ventions. In religious belief he is a Methodist, and his life is in harmony with his professions. He is a man of culture and intelligence and a worthy citizen, manifesting a commendable inter- est in all that pertains to the welfare of the com- munity.

W ILLIAM H. MILLER resides in Spring township, Centre county, and comes of a family whose history has been long and honora- bly interwoven with that of Pennsylvania. His paternal grandfather, a tanner by trade. removed from Berks county to Centre county. and for many years was a well-known citizen here. The father of our subject. Henry Miller, was born in 1817, and died in 1881. at the age of sixty-four. He married Miss Catherine Meiss, and they had a family of five children, the subject of this sketch being the eldest: the second child died in infancy, and the others are Sarah J., John .1. and Anna E.

No event of special importance occurred der- ing the boyhood and youth of our subject, who was reared on the home farm and early became familiar with its duties. He assisted in the labors of the fields through the summer months, and in the winter season attended the public schools, where he acquired a good practical ling-

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lish education that has been supplemented by reading, experience and observation. He mar- ried Miss Mary Ann Hoy, a daughter of John and Susan (Hoy) Hoy. Her father, who was born in 1804, departed this life in 1864 at the age of sixty years, and his wife, whose birth oc- curred in ISII, was called to the home beyond in 1858. By trade he was a miller, and followed that occupation for many years. In early man- hood he came to Centre county, and resided in Jacksonville, Walker township. To Mr. and Mrs. Miller were born four children, only two of whom are now living: Sarah E., the eldest, is the wife of Charles H. Garis, and has four chil- dren; Catherine E. is the wife of Charles E. Wetzel, to whom were born twin girls, one of whom died in infancy; Margaret M. sustained in- juries in a railroad accident which resulted in her death when twenty-three years of age. She was on her way to Belletonte to receive instructions preparatory to entering the Church and taking the communion, when struck by a passenger train. For three days she suffered most intensely, but bore her pain with heroic fortitude. At length death came to her release, and on Novem- ber 15, 1893, her young life was ended. The fourth child of the family was a son, who through- out his short life was a cripple. He passed away in his fifteenth year, and the loss of these chil- dren has proved the greatest affliction that has ever come to the parents, but they live in the certainty of a happy reunion beyond the grave.

Farming has been the life work of Mr. Miller, and his affairs are ably conducted, so that suc- cess has come to him in return for his diligence, close application and perseverance. He exercises his right of franchise in support of the Republic- an party, but has neither sought nor desired po- litical preferment. He and his wife are members of the Reformed Church, and are most consist- ent Christian people, ever ready to defend the weak against the strong and aid the needy or dis- tressed.

F RANCIS M. ALEXANDER is one of the most prominent and influential citizens of Huston township, Centre county, residing on the Bald Eagle Valley road. He is the owner of much valuable property, which has been accumul- lated by his own thrift and industry, guided by sound judgment. His tastes have always in- clined him to agricultural pursuits, and he is recognized as one of the most progressive, skill- ful and energetic farmers of the community.

A native of Centre county, our subject was born in Union township, July 21, 1843, a son of

Joseph and Ellen (Blair) Alexander, who were also born in that township, and there the father died in the fall of 1876. aged sixty-three years, soon after his return from the Centennial Expo- sition at Philadelphia. He was a son of Joseph Alexander. Throughout life he engaged in farm- ing and the manufacture of charcoal, and also aided in the construction of the Bald Eagle Val- ley railroad, which passes through our subject's farm. In politics he was a Democrat, and in religious belief a Methodist. to which Church his wife also belonged. She passed away while on a visit to our subject, July 14, 1894, at the age of seventy-six years. She was the mother of five children: Francis M .; Nancy J., wife of Wilbur T. Twitmeyer, a hardware merchant of Bellefonte, Penn .; Katie, wife of John Stover, a farmer of Centre county; Julia, wife of Sam- uel Emerick, a farmer of the same county; and Joseph B., also an agriculturist of Centre county.

Francis M. Alexander pursued his studies in the schools of his native county, and remained upon the home farm until thirty years of age. For some time he was then employed at various occupations, including teaming and lumbering. until the spring of 1873, when he located upon his present farm, a tract of 133 acres, which he rented for one year and then purchased. So successful has he been in his business ventures that he has added to his property from time to time, until he is now the owner of about one thousand acres of valuable and productive land in Centre county, being one of its most exten- sive land owners.

In 1868, Mr. Alexander married Miss Hannah Idding, and five children were born to them: Ella, now residing in Union township, Centre county; Mary, wife of Walter Tallhelin, railroad agent at Julian, Centre county; Reuben, a farmer of the sanie county; and two that died in infancy. On April 7, 1890, Mr. Alexander was again mar- ried, this time to Miss Josephine Richards, and they have three children: Kyle, born June 26, 1892; Gladys Elmira, born February 14, 1395; and Carey, born August 12, 1896.

Mrs. Alexander was born July 28, 1857, in Huston township, Centre county, was provided with excellent educational advantages, and for sixteen years successfully engaged in teaching, for one term each having charge of schools in Cass and Audubon counties, Iowa. She attended the Centre County Normal School at Centre Hall, and is a lady of cultured and refined tastes, widely and favorably known. Reuben W. and Elmira (Harrison) Richards, her parents, were natives of Centre county, where the father en- gaged in general farming until he died, April 11,

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1892, at the age of sixty-two years. He was a son of George and Tamar Richards, who spent their entire lives in the same county. The mother of Mrs. Alexander, who is still a resident of Hus- ton township, was born December 20, 1836, a daughter of Thomas and Ruth (Furey) Harrison, who spent their entire lives in Centre county, and were buried at Bellefonte. Mrs. Richards, like her husband, is an earnest member of the United Brethren Church; in politics he was a stalwart Democrat. The seven children born of their union are as follows: Josephine is the wife of our subject; Nettie is the wife of Robert Radkey, of Mckeesport, Penn .; Zilla died at the age of five years; Julia is the wife of W. B. Parsons, of Unionville, Penn .; Roland is a farmer of Centre county; Morgan is on the old homestead with his mother; and Milton B. is a fireman on the Beach Creek railroad, residing at Clearfield, Pennsylvania.

Being a strong temperance man, Mr. Alexan- der is an adherent to the principles of the Prohi- bition party, but cares nothing for the honors or emoluments of public office. Socially he is con- nected with the Grange at Unionville. He is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is trustee; she of the Bap- tist Church, and they are true and sincere Chris- tian people. They give a large portion of their time and liberally from their means to aid in the religious and moral elevation of the community. A generous hospitality is shown at his comfort- able home, and few men are more genial in social circles, or have a more happy faculty of making every one feel at their ease.

J OHN J. ARNEY, of Centre Hall, Centre county, is an agriculturist of the progressive type, and his intelligence and enterprise make him a leader in local affairs. One instance of his foresight can be found in his work in founding a branch of the Patrons of Husbandry in his vicini- ty. He had read of the usefulness of the order, and desiring to secure its benefits for his com- munity he agitated the question of organization so effectively that soon afterward, February 12, 1873, Progress Grange No. 96 was organized at Centre Hall. He was chosen to the post of master, his peculiar fitness for the place being no less a factor in the choice than the recognition of his efforts in behalf of the society. His inter- est in the order has never flagged, and nothing that lie could do to add to its usefulness or pres- tige has been left undone. In other lines of effort he has been equally energetic, and he has been prominent in various religious, social and

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1, Part 75

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