Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1, Part 76

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 76
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 76
USA > Pennsylvania > Clarion County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 76
USA > Pennsylvania > Clearfield County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 76

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business movements which have brought benefit to the locality. Quiet and unassuming, a super- ficial observer might not at first realize the power of his personality, but these qualities cover a re- serve force which give irresistible influence to his words.

Mr. Arney's ancestors were probably German, but no definite record exists on the subject. The name as first known in America was spelled Erney, and our subject's grandfather, John Erney, was a blacksmith in Berks county, Penn., and owned a body of land in Upper Tulpelocken township, which is still known as Arney's tract. He died there about 1824, leaving three sons and three daughters, who received little benefit from his possessions.

Jacob Arney, the father of our subject, was born at the old home in 1808, and was left at an early age to make his own way in the world with but scanty preparation in the way of education. The subscription schools of his day and locality were too expensive for any but the wealthy, and at that they were none of the best. In the spring of 1824, while still in his "teens," he accom- panied his brother George to Centre county, and sought for any employment that his years would permit him to undertake. His first work was grub- bing a tract of land near Centre Hill, his pay be- ing the privilege of taking off the first three crops, and later he grubbed another farm for a certain amount per acre. He managed to buy a farm of 112 acres in Gregg township, Centre county, and August 8, 1838, he married Miss Rachel Meyers, a member of a well-known fam- ily whose history appears elsewhere. She was born in Benner township, Centre county, August 9, 1818, a daughter of Adam and Sarah Meyers, and owing to the poverty of her parents was reared from the age of fourteen by Adam Bartges, who resided near Penn Hall, Pennsylvania.

The young couple began housekeeping on their farm, the rude log buildings with thatched roofs furnishing a truer home than many a palace wall has enclosed. In 1853 Jacob Arney bought 175 acres of land in Potter township. Centre county, near the Gregg township line and lying on the Brush Valley road. There he resided until 1867, when he removed to a farm adjoining Centre Hall on the east and on the Brush Valley road. The buildings were poor, but he replaced them with modern structures, including a fine brick residence.

Jacob Arney was of medium height and square-shouldered, but had no superfluous flesh. Industry was a notable trait, but he had also the business sagacity to turn his efforts to good ac- count financially, and while neighboring farmers

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accepted such returns for their crops as they could get from local traders, he found good markets by sending his produce away. At one time he was engaged in mercantile business at Centre Hill as a member of the firm of Arney & Ross. Strictly honest in his dealings, he won success while re- taining the entire respect of his associates. His investments were mainly in real estate, and he owned about 400 acres of farming land, with considerable town property. Politically he up- held Democratic doctrines at all times, and he held various offices, including those of supervisor, school director and assistant assessor. He was very domestic in his habits, seldom leaving home except on business or to visit a relative, and he regularly attended the Reformed Church, in which he and his wife were leading members. For many years he served the society as deacon, and at the time of his death was an elder. He died from old age at the home near Centre Hall on February 19, 1886, and the faithful partner of his joys and sorrows did not long survive him, her death. occurring April 18, 1891. The remains of both now rest in the cemetery at Centre Hall.

Our subject was the eldest of eleven children. The second son, Benjamin H., occupies the old homestead at Centre Hall; Sarah A. married Henry Dasher, of Kalamazoo, Mich. ; William J., a Presbyterian minister, resides at Port Alleghany, Penn .; Rebecca S. married Moses Richard, of Centre Hall; Lydia is the wife of C. C. Peck, of Rosette, Lincoln Co., Kans .; Mary married James Herring, of Altoona, Penn. ; George F. is a physician at Altoona; Laura A. married John T. Lee, of Centre Hall; Charles M. is a resident of the same town; and Elizabeth is the wife of John Mullen, of Renova, Pennsylvania.

We will now return to the subject proper of this memoir, who was born at the Gregg town- ship homestead February 10, 1839. His educa- tion was begun at the Musser school house in the same locality, which was afterward marked off as the "Independent District." and "Old John Price " was his first teacher. As the eldest son, Mr. Arney found many home duties, his work there often interfering with his attendance at school. From ten to fourteen years of age he was kept at home during the winters to assist in his father's ,clover mill, four of his best school years being thus lost. When twenty years old he attended a select school in his native town- ship taught by H. Y. Stitzer, and later he studied for a short time at Pine Grove Academy, and in this way he prepared himself for teaching. His first term as teacher was spent at Chapel school house in Haines township, Centre county, in the winter of 1859-60, and he taught the next three

winters successfully, two in Potter township and one in Centre Hall.

On October 15, 1864, Mr. Arney was mar- ried in George's Valley, Gregg township, to Miss Sarah J. Sweetwood, a native of Potter town- ship, Centre county, born March 12, 1836. Her father, the late John Sweetwood, was born in Berks county, Penn., September 10, 1800, and became a leading farmer of Potter township, where he died July 19, 1887. He married Miss Elizabeth Alexander, a native of the same town- ship, born January 1, 1809, a daughter of James Alexander. She died May 30, 1841, when Mrs. Arney. who was her youngest daughter and fifth child, was but five years old, and as time passed the little girl assumed the duties of the household to the detriment of her education. After his marriage Mr. Arney located upon a rented farm in Potter township with the intention of follow- ing teaching in addition to his agricultural work, but the plan proved impracticable. After three years as a tenant on the land of strangers, he in 1867 rented his father's farm in~Potter township. where he remained until the spring of 1889. He then removed to his present farm adjoining Cen- tre Hall on the west, formerly known as the Christian Hoffer farm. He bought the portion improved by the homestead buildings, and has 135 acres of excellent land, making one of the best farms in the vicinity. His original purchase consisted of 171 acres, of which a portion was held in partnership, and was sold after a time, going to make the Centre Hall picnic grounds and an addition to the town, known as " Hoffer street," and containing a number of building lots. His only son, Isaac M. Arney, now takes much of the responsibility of the farm work.

Mr. Arney is an influential supporter of the Democratic party, but is too intelligent and, we may add, too honest to sacrifice his own convic- tions as to the issues at stake to mere partisan prejudice, and at local elections he votes for the " best man." He has held office in his school district, and his best efforts have been given to educational advancement, his own privations in that regard having emphasized the value of good schools, open to all. Socially, he is a member of the Masonic lodge at C'entre Hall, and he and his wife are both members of the Reformed Church, in which he has held the office of deacon.

J JOHN W. EBY, proprietor of a feed and coal business at Zion, Centre county, is an energetic, progressive man who has achieved success through his own undertakings.

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

John Eby, paternal grandfather of our subject, married May Greybill, a native of Lebanon coun- ty, and children as follows were born to them: Samuel (father of our subject); Michael, Henry, Moses and Elizabeth (all four residents of Wood- ward, Centre county) and Mary (Mrs. Yearick). The maternal grandparents of our subject were George and Mary (Finley) Vonada, the former a native of Centre county, the latter of Union coun- ty, Penn. . Their children are David and John, who are residents of Hublersburg: Jacob, of Mackeyville, Clinton Co., Penn .; Eve, who is living with her sister, Mrs. Samuel Eby; and Amelia, wife of John A. Swartz, of Hublersburg.

Samuel Eby, father of our subject, was born July 22, 1824, in Lebanon county, Penn., and being the eldest in his father's family remained at home assisting in their support, during a few winter months attending the cominon schools. In politics he was a Democrat, and he was a member of the National Guard. In December, 1866, he married Mary Vonada, who was born February 10, 1830, a daughter of George and Mary (Hinley) Vonada, the former of whom was a farmer, a Democrat in politics, and a Lu- theran in religious faith. In March, 1868, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Eby settled on a farm in Walker township, where he died October 6, 1882, and he was buried in Zion cemetery; his widow has since made her home in Zion.

John W. Eby, whose name introduces this sketch, was their only child. He was reared on the homestead farm, and acquired his education in the public schools. On July 17, 1887, he married Miss Jennie Sharer, a daughter of David Sharer, a prosperous farmer of Spring township, Centre county, born in Lancaster county, Penn., and who married Jemima Foster, a daughter of Joseph Foster, a successful farmer of Union county, where Mrs. Sharer was born. Both came to Centre county in childhood, and were married there. David Sharer, Samuel Sharer and Jennie Sharer (both deceased) belonged to a fanı- ily of which the following are also members: Mrs. Elizabeth Mallory and Henry, who are liv- ing in the West; Mrs. H. J. Garbrick, of Zion; and Elmira, wife of George Gingrich, of Centre Hall. In the Foster family were Mrs. Belle Jor- dan: Mrs. J. Hirsch, of Forest Hill, Union conn- ty, Penn. : Mrs. Nelson Biddle, of Union county; and Andrew and Thomas, both of whom served in the Civil war, the last named losing his life in battle.

David Sharer, the father of Mrs. Eby, died December 9, 1894, and the mother on November 11, 1896. Both were buried in Zion cemetery. They had a family of four children: (1) Foster,

now a resident of Spring township, Union coun- ty, married Pearly Stover, and has two children -David M. and Minnie. (2) Mary is the wife of Elmer Swartz, a farmer residing near Pleasant Gap, Centre county, by whom she had six chil- dren-Della M., Edith, Gertrude, Harry, Blaine and Roy. (3) Zada B. is the wife of William T. Royer, of Bellefonte, Penn., a printer, and they have five children-Pearl, Lena, Carl. Grace and Paul.

Mr. and Mrs. Eby became the parents of four children, two of whom died in infancy; the others are: William C. (born December 25, 1887) and Mary Edna (born February 1, 1891).

Mr. Eby was engaged in farming for a num- ber of years, successfully following that pursuit until 1896, when he came to Zion and established his present business, dealing in meal, feed and coal. He receives from the public a liberal pat- ronage, which he weil merits, for his energy, per- severance and honorable dealing justly entitle him to the success which he may achieve. He also owns two farms, one in Walker township, Centre county, comprising 120 acres of well-im- proved land, the other, of 130 acres, being sit- uated near Centre Hall, in Potter township. It is a splendid property, and he also has valuable real estate in Zion. He is a most progressive

and energetic man, and ranks among the leading business citizens of the community. In politics he is a Democrat. Socially, he belongs to the Grange, and to the Knights of the Golden Circle. Mrs. Eby is a member of the Lutheran Church. All who know them esteem them highly for their sterling worth, and they have surrounded thein- selves with many friends.

N ATHANIEL BOWERSOX. The history of this gentleman, now a prosperous agricult- urist of Miles township, Centre county, shows what may be accomplished by a man of intelli- gence, pluck and perseverance, especially when : he has the assistance of an equally clever and in- dustrious wife. Mr. Bowersox was born August 25. 1835. in Centre township, Snyder Co., Penn., a son of Frederick and Hannah ( Long) Bowersox, both of whom lived and died at their farm in that locality.

As the eldest of a family of eleven children -- seven sons and four daughters-Mr. Bowersox was plentifully supplied with work during his boyhood, his educational opportunities being sadly interfered with by his home duties. He attended the first free school opened in his native township, and by making the most of his time managed to lay the foundation for a fair practical

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education, which, under the circumstances, re- flects great credit upon him. He remained at home until 1850, when he went to Centre county to work as a farm hand. his wages being sent home during his minority. Though the amount thus obtained was small, it was a great help to his parents, and Mr. Bowersox cheerfully saved his earnings in order to send it. He worked at this employment ten years, five in Harris town- ship, Centre county, near Boalsburg, and during this time had but two employers.

On December 20, 1860, Mr. Bowersox was married, in Centre county, to Miss Catherine J. Peck, a native of Upper Sweet Arrow township, Dauphin Co., Penn., born September 6, 1843. Her parents, Simon and Mary (Singer) Peck, came to Centre county in 1845, locating near Wolfs store, where her father followed farming and also worked as a carpenter and mechanic. Mrs. Bowersox was the fifth child and third daughter in a family of six boys and five girls, and her education was that afforded by the local schools. When but fifteen years old she went to work as a domestic, receiving fifty cents per week at one place where there were nine cows to milk. At the time she met her future husband both were employed near Boalsburg, at the home of Joseph Mayer. In the eyes of many persons the outlook would have been discouraging, but they were strong in their mutual affection and the conscious- ness of health. Mr. Bowersox had saved about $200, but it was out on interest, and for two years he worked for his father at fifty cents per day, in the meantime learning the cooper's trade.

On his return to Centre county he entered. the employ of J. K. Hosterman, of Miles town- ship, and later learned the carpenter's trade with his father-in-law. During the winter season he usually worked at hewing timber, and by dint of close economy he managed to purchase, in the fall of 1864, a tract of land containing fifty-two acres, at a cost of $975, from John F. Beck. It was in a most unpromising condition, "all stones and brush," but he and his wife both went to work with a will to clear it up. The first year he raised only nine bushels of wheat, and his stock consisted of one cow, a few chickens and a "three-legged horse." During the day, Mr. Bowersox would work for neighboring farmers, and on returning home he would continue his la- bors there far into the night, and in time, by the unremitting efforts of his wife and himself, the farm was cleared and the debt incurred at its purchase was paid off. It was five years before they had a carpet in their house, but they now have a fine competence, and have improved the place with modern buildings and surrounded

themselves with the comforts which were denied them in their early wedded life. At different times, Mr. Bowersox has added to the original purchase until he now owns 130 acres, including some timber land. In addition to his other work he has operated a tread-power machine, and one horse. "Barney." has " tramped it" since 186S.

Mr. Bowersox realizes the helpfulness of his estimable wife, and takes manly pride in acknowl- edging its value. She is a woman of intellect, fond of reading, and is no less noted for her kindly heart. Their home is a hospitable one, and their family is one of which any parent might be proud. They have had children as fol- lows: Mary A., now Mrs. Harvey Bierly, of Re- serve, Kans., who has one son-Clyde E. : Emma E., who married Charles Bressler, of Brush Val- ley, and has five children; Cora V. and Katie N. (twins), who died in infancy; Ida V., now Mrs. WV. E. Bair, of Rebersburg; Floyd F., a black- smith at Spring Mills; Allen E. and William S .. farmers at Reserve, Kans .; Clement M., of Nit- tany Junction; and Tammie E., an intelligent young lady, now at home.

Mr. and Mrs. Bowersox are members of the Evangelical Association at Wolfs Store, and he has held various offices, serving as trustee, stew- ard, class-leader and treasurer. The latter office he has held continuously since the church was built. He is a Democrat, but takes a broad and liberal view of public questions, and in local affairs votes for the "best man." Official posi- tion has no charm for him, but his keen interest in educational progress has been shown by his service as school director in District No. 3.

S SAMUEL GRAMLY will have a lasting place in the history of this region as one of the pioneer educators of Brush Valley. Although he has made a success of other and more lucrative lines of effort, his influence has perhaps been most helpfully and directly brought to bear upon the community through his long service in early years as a teacher in the country schools of that time. Kind-hearted, genial, wise with the ripe experience of his well-spent life, he is for many a chosen adviser in perplexity and trouble.

The early history of the Gramly family has been made the subject of careful research. but it is found impossible to trace it farther back than the time of Francis Gramly, the grandfather of the gentleman whose name opens this sketch About the middle of the last century a number of people bearing the name of Gramly came to America from Germany, and it is supposed thit Francis Granly was among them, that he set-

Samuel Gramly

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tled in Pennsylvania and married here. It is certain that he came into Brush Valley in 1793, from Northampton county, Penn., with his wife, Margaret (Spangler), and from them all of the name in Brush Valley are descended. Francis Gramly carried with him a sack full of hard money when he rode into Brush Valley on horseback, and he became the owner of an im- mense tract of land in that " Garden of Centre County," where he operated a sawmill while clearing and improving the property. Several of his sons, all of whom remained at home, received at his death valuable estates. He died in the early "thirties," aged about seventy years, and he and his wife, who attained the age of eighty-six, were buried at Rebersburg. They were Lutherans in religion. Their children were: Adam, a maker of windmills; John, who lived in Brush Valley; Christian and George, who were farmers on the old tract; Francis, Jr., who lived in Sugar Valley, Clinton county; Philip, who is mentioned more fully below; Daniel, who met his death in boyhood while carrying break- fast to his father and brothers working in the clearing in the woods; Jacob, a machinist and operator of a gristmill, fulling-mill and carding- machine in Brush Valley; Margaret (Mrs. John Walker), of Brush Valley, and Susanna, the wife of William Krape, of Gregg township. All are now deceased.

Philip Gramly, our subject's father, was born in 1798 in the lower end of Brush Valley, and was reared as a pioneer farmer's boy, his work necessarily consisting largely of clearing. At eighteen he began to learn the blacksmith's trade in Haines township, Centre county, and later he opened a shop of his own in Rebersburg. About 1820 he was married in Brush Valley to Miss Barbara Poorman, a native of Lehigh county, Penn., born in February, ISoo. Her father, Daniel Poorman, a blacksmith, was an early set- tler in that Valley. Philip Gramly lived at Rebersburg until April, IS32, when he moved to a 200-acre tract of land which he had purchased in Sugar Valley, Green township, Clinton county. It was in its primitive condition, with not one stick cut, and there he built a log house for a residence and a shop for his work. He and his wife toiled energetically at the work of clearing and improving the land, and in five years' time had one hundred acres in cultivation; but Mrs. Gramly. so injured her health by her labors in burning off the brush that she never recovered. After five years there they returned to Brush Valley and occupied the Francis Gramly home- stead, about two miles from Rebersburg, and. later, Philip Gramly purchased the place, and 2.1

while cultivating it carried on also a blacksmith shop and sawmill. In his day axes and other edge tools had to be made by smiths, and he be- came an expert in that line. He was an indus- trious man, and gave his entire attention to his own affairs, taking no interest in politics farther than to vote the Democratic ticket regularly. He gave liberally to religious movements, however, and was a prominent member of the Lutheran Church. His success in his varied enterprises enabled him to accumulate a handsome compe- tence, and he left a large estate at his death, which occurred September 14, 1869. His first wife (our subject's mother) died in February, 1845. and the remains of both now rest at Re- bersburg. His second wife was Miss Phoebe Dubs, of New Berlin, Union county. There were eight children by the first union: Regina, who died at the age of sixteen; Catherine (Mrs. Henry Wolfe), who died at Wolfs Store, in Brush Valley; Samuel, our subject: Susannah, now Mrs. John K. Hosterman, of Brush Valley; Reuben, a resident of Rebersburg; Mary A., now Mrs. Reuben Kreamer, of Rebersburg; and Dan- iel Franklin and Francis Simon (twins), who died at the age of four years and thirteen years, respectively. By the second marriage there was one daughter, Barbara J., now Mrs. J. H. Cha- tam, of Wayne township, Clinton county.

Samuel Gramly's birth occurred March 4. 1827, and until he attained his majority his time was mainly spent in clearing land, that work being deemed of prime importance and schooling a secondary matter. He attended the local school for a few months one winter before he was ten years old, and learned rapidly, but his desire to continue was not often gratified later. He delighted in mathematics, solving ex- amples which none of his schoolmates could un- derstand. He excelled in penmanship also, and even now his writing is beautifully done. The changes which have brought educational privi- leges within reach of all in the present day meet with Mr. Gramly's entire approval, and he has done all in his power to further them. In the summer of 1848 he taught a subscription school. and then attended Mifflinburg Academy for eight - een weeks, preparing for better work in his chosen profession. His next school was in his home district, where many of his former mates were pupils. The first blackboard ever placed in a school in Miles township, Centre county, was secured through his efforts for the benefit of his scholars. In the spring of 1849 Mr. Gramly spent another term of ten weeks at the academy in Mifflinburg, and during the winter term of '849-50 he taught in the home school. From

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this time on he taught regularly till the spring of 1861, when he removed to a farm of his father's, and while cultivating that in summer continued his former work in winter till the spring of 1870. In the meantime he mastered surveying by private study, and when competent found plenty of work to do in that line. He bought the farm upon which he lived, and in 1875 purchased another home with a small piece of land in Rockville, Centre county, where he resided until 1892, when he removed to his present home in Rebers- burg. He still owns the two properties near that town, and is accounted one of the substantial men of the locality. For twenty-five years he has represented the Centre Hall Mutual Insur- ance Co. at that place.

On August 7, 1849, Mr. Gramly was married in Aaronsburg, to Miss Sarah J. Smull, a native of Miles township, Centre county, born March 15, 1832, and a daughter of Henry Smull. Seven children were born of this union, namely: Isa- bella and Tiras J. died in infancy; Prof. Cephas L. is mentioned elsewhere; Titus M. is in the creamery business at Spring Mills; Naomi J. married Charles Heckman, of Clinton county; Clement H. is a farmer at the old homestead in Miles township, Centre county; Ada E. married William T. Hubler, and resides at the old home- stead. Mr. Gramly has spent money liberally to educate his children, who have shown their ap- preciation by making good use of their opportuni- ties. The mother of this family died May 14, 1880, and was buried at Rebersburg. Mr. Gramly has since married a second wife, Mrs. Catherine A. Ocker, daughter of Daniel Spang- ler, of Union county, and widow of the late Will- iam Ocker, of Snyder county.

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1, Part 76

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