Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1, Part 77

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 77
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 77
USA > Pennsylvania > Clarion County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 77
USA > Pennsylvania > Clearfield County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 77

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In his political views Mr. Gramly is a pro- nounced Republican, although he was a Demo- crat until Lincoln's first term. In 1870 he was chosen county commissioner of Centre county, and served nearly three years; in 1869 he was elected justice of the peace, which office he has lield for fifteen years, despite the fact that his township is the most strongly Democratic of any in the county. Early in life he united with the Lutheran Church, for forty years was secretary of the society, and at present he is an elder. He has always been active in the Sunday-school, in which he held the office of superintendent thirty- four years.

W ILLIAM PEALER. Pen's Valley can justly lay claim to the title of the " Gar- den Spot of Centre county;"which is indeed freely accorded her by any one who has viewed the

charining scenery dotted with beautiful homes and productive farms. With the same consist- ency that locality can claim among her merchants some of the best business men in the county, and to substantiate this claim, we introduce a bio- graphical sketch of a man who, beginning his business career as a poor though honest and am- bitious youth, has won for himself full right to this classification.

William Pealer, of Spring Mills, was born near Hublersburg, Penn., April 24, 1844, the son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Dunkle) Pealer. His father was a native of Northampton county, Penn., and being the son of poor parents, his schooling was very limited-what instruction he had being all in German. At the age of eighteen he went to Nittany Valley, and worked as a farm hand, having never learned a trade. He was married in early manhood, in Centre county, his wife being a native of Walker township, and daughter of Henry Dunkle, a farmer by occupa- tion, and one of the leading citizens of that lo- cality. They lived for some time on rented property, but after a few years Mr. Pealer was able to purchase a home and a few acres of land, with a sawmill, which he carried on in connec- tion with his little farm. In 1856 he sold this place and bought a tract of eighty acres of land in its primitive condition with not even a log cabin on it. This he cleared and improved, erecting a dwelling house and other buildings, and he lived there until after the death of his wife, when for a few years he resided in Lock Haven. His wife died at the age of fifty-six, but he was in his seventy-third year when he was called from earth. They now sleep in Snydertown cemetery. Both were devout Christians, Mr. Pealer being a Luth- eran and his wife belonging to the Reformed Church. He was always prominent in religious work, and held various offices in the Church. In politics he was a Democrat, but while he had great regard for his party he was no office seeker. He served as school director in his township. however, his interest in education making him an earnest supporter of the schools. He was a hard-working man, and although he started poor, and lived an honest life, he gained a compe- tence. Our subject is the second in the family of three children-Henry the eldest, is a car- penter and contractor at Rockford, Ill. ; Mary, the youngest of the trio, is now the widow of Dennis Barner, of Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

The subject of this sketch first attended school at the "Stone School House " near Hublersburg, his first teacher being Allen Bartholomew; later he pursued his studies at the Snydertown school. but in those times the sessions lasted only a few

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months each year, and the instruction was greatly inferior to that in schools of similar grades at this day. He worked at home while attending school; but when he was twelve years old the removal of the family to the new farm in the woods brought · extra work and seemingly ended his chances for study. His desire for a better education was not to be thwarted, for he worked at lumbering in the woods for some time, and with the hard- earned money thus gained he paid his expenses at more advanced schools.

His fellow workmen used to laugh at him for spending his earnings on schooling, and often suggested that a horse and buggy would do him more good. But the clever boy knew better, and kept steadily to his purpose. He attended a select school at Jacksonville, and later the academy at Pine Grove, preparing himself for teaching, which he followed successfully at War- rior's Mark, Huntingdon county, Penn., one term; Milesburg, Penn., one term; and Eagleville, Penn., two terms, having charge of the grammar school in the latter place. While the occupation was congenial, it had its disadvantages, and he began to look out for a profession that furnished employment twelve months in the year, and where better wages and greater chances for ad- vancement could be found. On September 22, 1868, he entered the general store of Jared B. Fisher, at Penn Hall, Penn., as a clerk, and re- mained three and one-half years. He then took a similar position with R. H. Duncan, at Spring Mills (a general merchant), but soon after re- turned to his former employer at increased wages, taking a more responsible position, that of book- keeper and general superintendent of the entire business. This position he held ten years, when he resigned in order to go into business for him- self. Having by his courteous treatment and obliging manner won a host of friends, he speed- ily attracted a large and profitable trade. In 1882, he associated himself with J. D. Long, un- der the firm name of Pealer & Long, and carried on a general mercantile business at Spring Mills, but after one year the partnership was dissolved. In 1884 he began business at his présent stand (then a rented building), and has ever since con- ducted one of the largest and leading mercantile houses of Penn's Valley, his stock being extensive and well-selected. His thorough knowledge of his business, his close attention to detail, his sound judgment in planning and energy in execu- tion have gained him an enviable reputation in financial circles, and his advice is frequently sought in important movements. Honest in every way, there is no transaction of his in which the slightest tinge of dishonesty or unfairness can

be found. A handsome fortune has rewarded his efforts. He owns eighty-two acres of excellent farming land in Gregg township, and also the old homestead of his parents in Nittany Valley, as well as his store building at Spring Mills, and his pleasant residence in the same place. He owns stock in and is a director of the Millheim Tele- phone Company, the Lewisburg & Tyrone rail- way, and in a Building and Loan Association; he also loans money on security. As a further safe- guard against disaster he carries $5, 000 life insur- ance, paid up.

Mr. Pealer was married in Aaronsburg, in 1872, to Miss Jane E. Leitzel, a native of Gregg township, Centre county, and daughter of Philip Leitzel, a well-known citizen. They have no children. In local affairs, Mr. Pealer is a loyal friend to progress. He is a devout member of the Lutheran Church, contributing liberally, and he has held various offices in the Church and Sabbath-school. As a stanch Democrat Mr. Pealer has always been active in the interests of his party, but he is not a politician. He has filled creditably such township offices as auditor and assessor, and has served as school director in his district. Owing to popularity he was ap- pointed to fill the unexpired term of a former Re- publican postmaster at Spring Mills, and this service under a Republican administration was followed by an appointment as a Democrat to the same position during Cleveland's first term. On May 20, 1893, he was again appointed, and is now serving with characteristic ability and faith- fulness.

G EORGE H. LEYMAN needs no special in- troduction to the readers of this volume. No man in Centre county has been more promi- nently identified with the agricultural and polit- ical history of the community, or has taken a more active part in its upbuilding and progress. He is one of the extensive and energetic farmers of the county, his own place being pleasantly lo- cated in Boggs township.

A native of Centre county, Mr. Leyman was born June 22, 1843, at Mt. Eagle, Howard town- ship, and the birth of his father, John Leyman, occurred in the same county in I811. For many years the latter engaged in cabinet-making and carpentering in Mt. Eagle, and also extensively followed contracting, framing the Bald Eagle Navigation Company's canal. He took quite a prominent part in public affairs, served in several township offices, and was an ardent Democrat in politics. At Salona, Clinton Co., Penn., he was united in marriage with Miss Nancy McGee, born

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in Ireland in 1813, a daughter of Thomas and Ellen (Kilpatrick) McGee, who were also born in that country, whence, in 1822, they came to the New World, locating in Ohio, where the father's death occurred. Later the mother removed to Clinton county, Penn., where she married George Hastings, and in 1854 she died there. The paternal grandparents of our subject, Michael and Rachel (Neal) Leyman, were natives of Phil- adelphia and Buffalo Valley, Union Co., Penn., respectively. As early as 1806 they became res- idents of Centre county, where they spent their remaining days. The grandfather was a cabinet maker by occupation, and as a Revolutionary soldier he valiantly fought with a small squad at the battle of Brandywine.

Our subject is the third in order of birth in the family of ten sons and one daughter, the others being Robert, now deceased; Franklin, who is engaged in the oil business at Titusville, Penn .; Henry, who died in infancy; Michael M., of Mckeesport, Penn. ; Mary, wife of Forest Dean, of Lebanon, Penn .; Thomas, who died in 1890; William, a merchant of Bradford City, Penn .; James B., an engineer of Austin, Penn .; and John, who is in the oil business in Indiana. The mother died in October, 1887, a faithful member of the Methodist Church; the father passed away February 19, 1891.

Since the early age of eight years, George H. Leyman has been dependent upon his own re- sources, and for six years after starting out on his business career engaged in teaming on the canal. He then purchased a boat, the "Isaac Buffington," which he ran until 1861, when the flood broke the canal. He then went to the oil regions in Warren, Venango, Crawford and other counties, Pennsylvania, returning to Centre county from Bradford county, in IS80. He then purchased his present beautiful homestead of 170 acres, to the cultivation and improvement of which he has since devoted his time and atten- tion. He also owns three other good farms in Centre county, and is a most skillful and thor- ough agriculturist.

In 1866 Mr. Leyman was married to Miss Annie Graham, who died in 1867, at the age of twenty-four years, leaving one daughter. Lena, now the wife of John Carson, of Johnsonburg, Penn. On July 4, 1869, in Cattaraugus county. N. Y., Mr. Leyman was married to Miss Amer- ica Meacham, who was born June 27. 1847, at Ellicottville, N. Y., and of the six children born of this union but one survives: Daniel H., born December 25, 1889; Lola and Emily M. are both deceased, and the others died in infancy. Mrs. Leyman is the daughter of Daniel and Em-

ily (Bowan) Meacham, natives of Cattaraugus county, N. Y., where the father, who was a gen- eral farmer and dairyman, was accidentally killed by a threshing machine in 1876. His widow, who still resides on the old homestead farm in New York State, was born March 30, 1825, and is the mother of ten children, as follows: Louisa, wife of C. Greene, of New York; Recinna, wife of H. Hopkins, of the same State; America; Lewis D., of New York; Janet, wife of D. Milks, of New York; Josia A., wife of L. Jones, of the same State; Altha, wife of F. Chamberlain, of New York; and three that died in infancy.

Politically, Mr. Leyman is a stanch supporter of Democratic principles, and for the past fifteen years has been the popular chairman of the cen- tral committee of his party, in whose success he takes a deep and commendable interest. He is a prominent and influential citizen, cheerfully giving his support to those enterprises tending to public development, and with hardly an ex- ception he has been connected with every inter- est that has promoted general welfare. His. name is a synonym for honorable business deal- ing, and he is always mentioned as one of the invaluable citizens of Centre county.

J OHN GOWLAND, of the Gowland Manu- facturing Company at Philipsburg, Centre county, is one of the leading foundrymen as well as an active and influential political worker .. He is a native of England, as are many of our prominent citizens; but as he was but two years old when he crossed the ocean the claims of the mother country are but light. Certainly there exists no more loyal American than he, as is proved by his gallant service in the Union cause during the Civil war.

Mr. Gowland was born at Middlesborough, Yorkshire, Eng., May 30, 1847, and is a grand- son of William Gowland, a railroad contractor. who constructed the first railway in England, the line extending from Darlington to Stockton, and lost his life through an explosion in 1837. Mat- thew Gowland, our subject's father, was born May 12, 1825, at Darlington, in the County of Durham, England, and became a machinist by occupation. He married Miss Jane Dawson, a native of Stockton, Yorkshire, Eng., born Sep- tember 1. 1821. They came to America in 1849, and located first at South Boston. Mass., whence, on February 8, 1850, they came to Will- iamsport, Peun., from there to Philipsburg to reside, Matthew Gorland establishing a foundry and machine shop there, and carrying on busi- ness successfully until his death, which occnr-

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red July 10, 1889. He was a leading mem- ber of the Episcopal Church, and in his political views was a Republican. Mrs. Jane Gowland is still living and, notwithstanding her advanced age, is in excellent health. Of five children; our subject is the eldest. (2) Jane Anne, wife of Thornton G. Dunkle, resides in Ninth street, Philipsburg, Penn .; (3) Francis D., born at Williamsport, April 28, 1855, is foreman in the Gowland Manufacturing Company's shop; (4) George A., born May 29, 1860, died September 9, 1885; (5) Fred, born December 18, 1861, is engaged in the plumbing and steam-fitting busi- ness at Philipsburg.

John Gowland attended the schools of Will- iamsport during boyhood, and learned the ma- chinist's trade there. As a youth of seventeen he shouldered a musket during the dark ages of the Civil war, enlisting February 8, 1864. in Company G, 8th P. V. C., which was consoli- dated at Lynchburg, Va., June 24, 1865, with Company M, 16th P. V. C., and mustered out of service at Richmond, August 11, 1865. Mr. Gowland saw some hard fighting, taking part in the battle of the Wilderness and in the final campaign which ended with Lee's surrender. For a time after his return he worked at his trade in the West Branch Iron Works at Will- iamsport, and February 8, 1869, he went to Philipsburg to go into business with his father. Since the latter's death the foundry and machine shop have been conducted under the present firm name.

On December 23. 1869, Mr. Gowland was married at Fairport, Monroe Co., N. Y., to Miss Alice A. La Ransieur, a native of Clyde. N. Y., born January 12, 1850. They have two chil- dren: (1) Matthew Francis, born December 4. 1870, a machinist in his father's shop, married Miss Bessie Ratcliffe, and has two children- John and Alice M .; (2) Alice Jane, born Febru- ary 24, 1878, is at home. Mrs. Gowland is a Presbyterian in religious faith, but our subject is an Episcopalian. He is a Republican in poli- tics, and his advice is esteemed in the party coun- cils. On May 15, 1884, he was appointed to the office of postmaster at Philipsburg, by Presi- den't Arthur, and served until June 30, 1888. For one year he held the office of burgess of the city, and since that has been a member of the city council. He is also president of the board of health of Philipsburg. Five years ago he be- came identified with the Ancient and Illustrious Order of the Knights of Malta of the Continent of America, with headquarters at Glasgow, Scot- land. At present he is Deputy Grand Com- mander, and he was a delegate to the Supreme

Grand Commandery which convened at Brook- lyn, N. Y., on the 13th, 14th and 15th of Octo- ber, 1896. He is also a member of the G. A. R., John W. Gerry Post No. 90, of Philipsburg, and served as quartermaster two years, and also as commander of the Post two years. In the Knights of Malta he is at present Grand Generalissimo of the order in Pennsylvania, and was one of the supreme representatives of the order to Boston in October, 1897.

H P. SANKEY. It would be difficult to find in Potter township a man who has more friends than thisgentleman, who has spent his entire life here, and has so lived as to win the high regard of all. In an old log-house, which was weatherboarded and painted red, and which stood on his present farm, he was born June 19, 1834. Different branches of the family claimed descent from French, English and Scotch ances- try, and probably there flows in the veins of the progeny the blood of all these races. Thomas Sankey, the great-grandfather of our subject, was the first to locate on the farm which the lat- ter now owns. He died in 1797, and his will, which is dated August 17, 1794, and was recorded at Lewistown, Penn., is now in the possession of H. P. Sankey.

Jeremiah Sankey (grandfather of our sub- ject), and his brother Thomas, purchased the old family homestead, on which their father had located, buying the same in 1802 from the exec- utors of the estate of Gen. James Potter. The grandfather started out in life a poor man, but after a few years purchased his brother's interest in the farm, and later became an extensive and successful agriculturist. He married Margaret Neil, and they now rest in Centre Hill cemetery, the grandfather dying when about sixty years of age.

James Sankey, the eldest son of the family, was born in Potter township. Centre county, in 1798. He was married in his native township to Rebecca Pennington, who was born in Potter township, in 1802, a danghter of Henry and Margaret Pennington. They began their do- mestic life in the Nittany Valley, near Salona, where James Sankey and his father purchased a farm. About six years later he removed to Pot- ter township to occupy the old homestead, which was left vacant by his father's death, and there he remained until he, too, was called to the home beyond. June 10, 1868. His wife died December 20, 1887, and they were buried in Sprucetown cemetery. In politics he was a Democrat until the organization of the Know-

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Nothing party. When the Republican party sprang into existence he joined its ranks and con- tinued as one of its supporters through his re- maining days. During the war he was a loyal and stanch Unionist. For several years prior to his death he was an invalid. In religious belief he was a Methodist, took a very active part in the local work of that denomination, and held a number of official positions in the Church.

The children of James Sankey were as fo - lows: M- A., who died in childhood; an infant daught‹ who died unnamed; Sarah C., who married Adam Stahl, and died at Potters Mills; Rebecca, who became the wife of John Wolf, and died in Potter township; Nancy J., deceased; James W., who served in Company G, 49th P. V. I., and is now in Humbolt county, Iowa; H. P., of this review; Jeremiah A., who served in Company I, 148th P. V. I., and died at City Point, Penn .; Robert A., who served for three : months in an emergency company during the Civil war, and is now an attorney of Wichita, Kans .; Isaac P., who died at the age of nineteen years; Mary M., wife of Leonard Rhone, of Pot- ter township; and John E., who died in infancy.

a daughter of Jacob and Sarah (Kerstetter) Rhone. On April 1, 1866, they moved to their their present home, and the following children have come to bless their union: Edith M., a graduate of Lutherville Seminary; James A., who operates the home farm: Mabel S., a teacher; and Marcellus A., a -student in the Lock Haven Normal School. The family occupy a high po- sition in social circles, and one of the charms of their home is its free-hearted hospitality.

For four years Mr. Sankey has been unable to attend to the duties of the farm owing to ill health, resulting from hardships which he en- dured as a prisoner of war, but he gives to the farm his careful supervision, and its business in- terests are ably managed. In politics he is a Republican with Prohibition proclivities, and is well informed on the issues of the day. He has held various offices in Church and Sunday-school, and he and his family are prominent in Church work. Few men in Potter township are more widely known than Mr. Sankey. and he com- mands the highest respect of all. He is a man of the strictest integrity, benevolent and kindly, and his life has been ever upright and true.

The history of the Sankey family cannot fail to prove of interest to many of our readers, for its representatives have been connected with the history of Centre county for more than a century). J AMES C. CONDO, a blacksmith and wagon and carriage dealer, of Penn Hall. Centre coun- ty, is a representative of one of the old families of Penn's Valley. He was born in Gregg town- ship, Centre county, April 23, 1851. the second son and third child of Daniel and Sarah (Lutz) Condo. His grandfather, Daniel Condo. was a blacksmith by trade, but in the latter part of his life followed farming. He held membership in the Lutheran Church, and in politics was a stanch Whig. He died of typhoid fever in Penn Hall. His children were: Jacob, a blacksmith, of Illinois: Eunie, who died in Centre Hall; Daniel: Elias. who was killed in the army; John who died in California; Emanuel, who started to return from the gold fields, and was never heard from again: Joseph, who died in Penn Hall: Susan, wife of Philip Musser: Polly, deceased wife of Rev. Kreamer: Rebecca, wife of Daniel Swartz; Lydia, wife of George Musser, of Illinois; Sarah, widow of Christian Musser, of Ohio; and Mrs. Rosanna Bricker, of Boalsburg. Centre county. H. P. Sankey has likewise been a prominent res- ident of the community, and is looked upon as a leader in questions that concern the public wel- fare. He began his education in an old school house, long since destroyed, in Potters Mills, his first teacher being John Gilliland. After leaving the common schools he spent a year in study in Mount View Academy. at Potters Mills, after which he began teaching in Potter township, having charge of a four-months' school. Subse- quently he attended school in Williamsport, and- throughout his life he has added to his knowl- edge by extensive reading, carrying his researches far into the fields of literature. He is a man of scholarly tastes, of retentive memory, strong mentality and broad general information. He remained at home until his enlistment in the Union army, April 19, 1861. Hardly had the thunder of Fort Sumter's guns ceased ere he offered his service to his country, and throughout the war he was a valiant defender of the Nation's Daniel Condo, the father of our subject, was born in Gregg township. April 20, 1822. attended trade. He was married in September, 1843. to Rebecca Shreffrer, born November 17, 1820. They had two children: One died in infancy; and Jared F., born February 4. 1844. served in the Union army, and is now a blacksmith and honor. He met the enemy on one battlefield. was taken prisoner, and confined in Confederate ; the common schools and learned the blacksmith s military prisons for one year; his term of service as a soldier was fourteen months. Returning to his home, he was married, October 10, 1865, in Potter township, to Elizabeth E. Rhone, who was born in Potter township, October 12, 1841,

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weaver of Spring Mills. The mother died April 20, 1846, and the father on March 4, 1847, married Sarah Lutz, who was born in Haines township, Centre county, March 22, 1826, a daughter of Jacob and Catharine (Stover) Lutz. Mr. and Mrs. Condo became the parents of the following named children: Cyrus, of California, was born April 10, 1848; Harriet C., born January 2, 1850, is the wife of Amos Koch, of Ferguson township, Centre county; James C .; Susan M., born January 5, 1854, died in September, 1869; John P., born August 11, 1855, is ex-sheriff of Centre county; Lot, a blacksmith of Potters Mills, was born.September 10, 1857; Jonas was born January 6, 1860; Daniel H., born July 18, 1862, died October 6, 1869; Sarah R., born January 26, 1867, died October 29, 1869; Mary L., born January 19, 1869, is now the wife of J. W. Rouch, of Penn township; and Adeline, born in September, 1871, died in January, 1872.

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1, Part 77

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