Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1, Part 78

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 78
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 78
USA > Pennsylvania > Clarion County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 78
USA > Pennsylvania > Clearfield County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 78

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The father of this family followed blacksmith- ing in Penn Hall and Spring Mills. In 1847 he located in George's Valley, and during the Civil war he served in the Union army nearly three years. He followed blacksmithing until the day before his death, which was occasioned by heart disease and occurred February 11, 1871. He be- longed to the Lutheran Church, and in politics was a Whig and Republican. His wife has been a member of the Reformed Church since the age of .eighteen years. For five years after her hus- band's death she lived in George's Valley, and has since made her home among her children.

James C. Condo, whose name introduces this sketch, began his education under the direction of Frederick Jamison, and after completing his elementary studies in the district schools became a student in Penn Hall Academy. He remained at home until 1862, when his father and half- brother went to the army, and he started out in life for himself, although only eleven years of age. He worked as an errand and stable boy around a hotel in Penn Hall, and in the winter of 1863-64 was employed by George Dale, near Lemont. While thus engaged a horse fell on the lad's left leg, breaking the bone in two places, and he was disabled for almost a year in conse- quence. When he had recovered he began learning the blacksmith's trade in his father's shop, but before he had completed his appren- ticeship his father died. He then went to Haines township, Centre county, and entered the employ of Squire Hosterman, who also died a few months later. Mr. Condo afterward went to Woodward, where he worked a few months for Mr. Miller, and then entered the employ of Daniel Geary, of Penn township. Subsequently

he purchased his employer's shop, and for ten years engaged in blacksmithing there. He was very energetic, and the excellent quality of his work secured him a liberal patronage. When the old Condo homestead was for sale he pur- chased that property, thus providing a home for his mother and the younger children of the family. In March, 1879, he purchased the prop- erty of J. B. Fisher, of Penn Hall, and has since retained his residence and smithy there.

In November, 1875, in Aaronsburg, Mr. Condo married Miss Jennie Wolf, of Penn town- ship, daughter of William and Catharine (Kramer) Wolf, and a native of Miles township, Centre county. Five children bless their union: Carrie M., Clara L., Ella V., Charles F. and Sarah C., and the family circle yet remains unbroken. Mr. Condo votes with the Democratic party on State and National elections, but at local elections, where no issue is involved, he pays no regard to party ties. He has served as clerk of his town- ship several terms. Socially, he belongs to the Masonic fraternity of Centre Hall, and in religious faith he is identified with the Reformed Church. His life has been successful, and he may well be proud of his achievements, for his prosperity is the just reward of his own labors.

W. HARTER, a substantial and valued cit- izen of Rebersburg, Centre county. is a na- tive of the county, having been born in Gregg township, April 5, 1855, and is a worthy repre- sentative of an honored pioneer family of the county, which is of German origin. His great- grandfather, Andrew Harter, who lived one mile south of Aaronsburg, was a farmer by occupation and a large landowner. In religious belief he was a Lutheran and in politics he was a Democrat. His death occurred in 1844. while his wife, who bore the maiden name of Julia Moyer, died-a few years previously, and both were interred in the Aaronsburg cemetery. In their family were John. Jacob, Mrs. Julia Moyer. George, Andrew and William, all now deceased.

John Harter, the grandfather of our subject, was born on a farm south of Aaronsburg, and in that village was educated. He married Barbara Musser, a daughter of Philip Musser, a farmer living near the cemetery at Millheim, Contre county, and they became the parents of six cial- dren; Sarah, Katie and Mollie, who all died when young; Annie, who died of diphtheria, at the age of twenty years; Mrs. Rebecca McCool, who Is living at Spring Mills, Centre county: and Sam- uel, the father of our subject. For twenty-one years the grandfather operated a rented farm be-

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longing to James Duncan, but the last eleven years of his life were passed upon a farm of 133 acres near Spring Mills, which he purchased and greatly improved. He was entirely a self-made man, whose success was due to his own unaided exertions, and overwork hastened his death, which occurred in 1855. Politically he was iden- tified with the Democratic party, and in religious belief he was an active member of the Penn's Creek Lutheran Church, in which he was an officeholder. His faithful wife survived him only about six years.

The birth of Samuel Harter, the father of our subject, occurred September 14, 1832, two miles and one-half west of Millheim, and in the free school near Hickman's cemetery he began his education, which he completed in the Beaver Dam school at Penn's Creek, to which he had to walk a distance of two miles. At the age of twenty-one. he was united in marriage with Miss Lydia Ann Grove, a daughter of William and Catharine (Hasterman) Grove, who lived upon the farm where Mr. Harter now makes his home. Five children were born of this union, namely: John W., of this review; Alice, deceased wife of Philip Auman, who lives near Spring Mills; Jared Howard, a farmer, who married Louise Breon, and died of typhoid fever in 1886; Ezra, who married Minnie. Coldron, and lives upon a farm near his father; and Annie R., wife of Calvin Finkle. also a farmer living near Mr. Harter. For about fifteen years, or until his father's death, Samuel Harter rented the old home farm, and a year later purchased it at $50 per acre. Subse- quently he bought 186 acres, upon which he now resides, and in addition also owns some timber- land. He is an active supporter of the Demo- cratic party, and has been called upon to fill sev- eral official positions of honor and trust, including those of overseer of the poor, supervisor and school director. A sincere and earnest Christian, he is a prominent member of the Cross Church in Gray's Valley.

The district schools of Gregg township fur- nished our subject his educational privileges, and his first teacher was F. F. Jamison. He began his business career by clerking in the general store of Shook Brothers, at Farmers Mills, for $96 per year and board, and there he remained for over a year and then spent a short time on his father's farm, after which he was employed for a year and a half in the general store of T. I. Ilgen, of Logan Mills, Clinton Co., Penn. Re- turning to Fiedler, Center county, he engaged in clerking for the same length of time for Fiedler & Runkle, and after a short time spent at home he accepted a position in the general store of

Whitmer & Co., at Spring Mills. Subsequently he made a trip to the West, visiting portions of Ohio, Illinois, Iowa and Michigan, and shortly after his return home, in the fall of 1883, came to Rebersburg, where he entered the employ of C. C. Loose as clerk. In February, 1886, he purchased the stock of his employer, and con- ducted the store alone until February, 1888, when Mr. Loose bought back a half interest. Owing to ill health Mr. Harter was compelled to give up merchandising, and in 1889 disposed of his interest in the store, since which time he has principally devoted his attention to the lumber and stock business. On April 1, 1891, he had his store room and residence destroyed by fire, but the same year he erected one of the best homes in Rebersburg, and the year following completed the best business block in Brush Val- ley, which is also located in Rebersburg. He is an enterprising, wide-awake business man of known reliability, and his success is but the just reward of his untiring labor. On April 15, 1897, he again engaged in mercantile business in Re- bersburg, under the firm name of Harter, Mor- ris & Co.

On June 7, 1887, Mr. Harter was married to Miss Ida A. Wolfe, a daughter of John and Sarah (Kreamer) Wolfe, and they now have one child, -Ethel W., born July 29, 1895. The parents are both consistent members of the Lutheran Church, in which he is serving as deacon and as- sistant superintendent of the Sabbath-school. He is a charter member of Rebersburg Lodge No. 1031, I. O. O. F., and is an earnest advo- cate of Democratic principles, on which ticket he was elected supervisor. Like his ancestors, he is held in the highest regard by all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance, and as one of the highly respected and useful citizens of the coun- ty, we take pleasure in presenting this record of his life to our readers, knowing that it will be re- ceived with interest by his many friends.

C SUMNER MUSSER, M. D., of Aarons- burg, Centre county, is one of the leading physicians of Penn's Valley, and in the thorough- ness of his preparation for the profession far out- ranks the practitioners usually found in a small town. To an extended course of study in differ- erent institutions in this country there has been added the advantage of observation in the hospit - als of Europe, thus developing native talents which had already shown themselves in an early choice of this arduous profession.

Dr. Musser was born at Millheim, Centre county, November 19, 1856, and is a descendant

seer.

درة - الكيان المشئللك ٨٨

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

of one of the pioneer families of Pennsylvania, his ancestors having come from Germany during the Colonial period to settle in Linn township, Northampton county. The first of this branch of the family to locate in Penn's Valley were Philip Musser (the great-grandfather of our sub- ject) and a brother, Sebastian, to whom numer- ous descendants trace their lineage. According to the best authority, in the year 1789 Philip Musser located upon a farm in Gregg township, Centre county, where he remained until his death, July 19, 1804. He left eight children- five daughters and three sous-the names of the latter being: Philip, Jr., David and John.

Philip Musser, Jr., the grandfather of our subject, was the eldest child, and, like his fa- ther, became a tiller of the soil, locating in Gregg township, Centre county, two miles east of Spring Mills, where he died in 1834. He was twice married, the first time to a Miss Kreamer, daughter of Daniel Kreamer, the founder of the old family of that name in Penn's Valley. She bore three children, one son, Samuel, and two daughters. His second wife, to whom he was married in November, 1827, was Mrs. Catherine Stover, a widow, daughter of Joseph Reichard, who had settled near Millheim. Among the children of this union were Philip T., who is mentioned below; and Rachel, who married John Lord, and died November 6, 1863, without issue.

Dr. Philip T. Musser, our subject's father, was the eldest son of his parents, and as he was only six years old when his father died, he, dur- ing his boyhood, made his home with his half- brother, Samuel. Reared upon a farm, his early education was limited to the subscription schools of the day, and it was not until 1847 that he began to attend school at Mifflinburg, where he spent two years. Having been thrown upon his own resources, he had a hard battle to fight, but he made his way manfully to the goal of his ambi- tion. His acute and active intellect enabled him to secure a good elementary education, notwithstanding his disadvantages, and then, under an excellent preceptor, Dr. Robert Van- Valzah, of Millheim, he in 1850 began to qualify himself for the laborious and exacting duties of the medical profession, and in 1853 he was grad- uated from Jefferson Medical College, at Phila- delphia. Until 1861 he practiced with his pre- ceptor, and in 1866 he located in Aaronsburg, where he built up an extensive practice, which continued until his death, December 31, 1889. While he stood high in his profession, he was no less prominent as a citizen. An ardent Abolition- ist, he became a steadfast supporter of the Re-

publican party, but he never sought political office for himself. During the war his influence was felt upon the loyal side, and it was not through a lack of patriotism that he did not go to the front in person, but although he volun- teered his services as a surgeon, and was com- missioned by Gov. Curtin, he was finally rejected on account of his frail physique.

On November 30, 1854, Dr. Philip T. Musser was married, in Millheim, to Miss Mary J. Mum- bauer, who was born in Penn township, Centre county, January 2, 1832, the only child of Peter and Mary (Krumrine) Mumbauer, who both died at Aaronsburg and were buried there. Her fa- ther came from Bucks county, Penn., to this sec- tion in early life, and became an extensive farmer and a representative citizen. Mrs. Musser is still living at the family residence at Aaronsburg, a comfortable home, and is one of the most highly respected residents of that place. Three children also survive, to whom were given every educa- tional advantage which could be obtained, the fa- ther thinking no sacrifice-too great which would secure for them the opportunities which he had vainly desired for himself. His efforts in their behalf were not wasted, and all occupy honorable and useful positions in society. The eldest. Ella, was graduated from the female seminary at Lew- isburg, Penn .; she married Rev. A. J. Irey, a Baptist minister of Warren, Penn. The young- est of the trio, Harvey, is a graduate of Franklin and Marshall College, and of the law department of Michigan University; he is now a practic- ing attorney at Akron, Ohio.

Dr. Musser was the second child and first son of his parents. His education was begun in Mill- heim, one of his early teachers being Israel Mus- ser. When a lad of ten he accompanied the family to Aaronsburg, where he grew to man- hood, and the rudimentary education received in the common schools of that town was supple- mented with a course in the Aaronsburg Academy, an excellent institution. He also attended Penn Hall Academy, also a popular school. In the fall of 1873, he attended Dickinson Seminary, at Williamsport, Penn., for two years, and in the fall of 1875 he entered Franklin and Marshall College, at Lancaster, Penn., and was graduated in 1878. In the fall of the same year he began his professional studies in the Jefferson Medical College, at Philadelphia, and in 1880 received his degree of M. D. from that school. Under the firm name of P. T. Musser & Son he began his practice with his father at Aaronsburg, and their partnership Jasted until the latter's death. In 1882 our subject took a post-graduate course at Jefferson Medical College, and in 1884 availed

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himself of the opportunity for further study in advanced lines at the Philadelphia Polyclinic. As will be inferred, Dr. Musser is an untiring student of his chosen science. In May, 1885, he sailed from New York on the Red Star liner " Westerland," and on landing at Antwerp he proceeded to Vienna, where he spent a year in the "Vienna General Hospital " and the Poly- clinic. Before his return to the United States he visited, as a tourist, other parts of Europe, in- cluding England, seeing the leading cities and most noted scenery. The voyage home was taken on the 'Germanic," of the White Star line.

Dr. Musser's progressive spirit is recognized among his professional brethren, and he is a wel- come member of various societies-the Centre County Medical Society; the Pennsylvania Med- ical Society; the West Branch Medical Society; the Northwestern Medical Society of Philadel- phia; the American Medical Association; and the American Academy of Medicine. He was a mem- ber of the Ninth International Medical Congress, which convened in Washington in 1887, and of the Pan-American Medical Congress in 1893. He also belongs to the American Academy of Social and Political Science, the headquarters of which are at Philadelphia, and at present he is one of the consulting staff of the Philipsburg Hospital, a State Institution at Philipsburg, Penn., and now U. S. Examining Surgeon for Pensions at Bellefonte, Penn. Socially he is a member of the Masonic Lodge at Centre Hall, of the Com- mandery at Bellefonte, and of the well-known college fraternity, Phi Kappa Psi. So far he has not donned the Hymeneal yoke.

The Doctor is no politician, but he takes keen interest in the success of the Republican princi- ples, and has represented his township at conven- tions and in the central committee of his county, while his advice is sought and heeded in every emergency.

J ACOB WAGNER. Among the reliable and energetic and successful agriculturists of Pot- ter township, Centre county, is the 'gentle- man whose name introduces this sketch. He was born in the same township, April 30, 1837. a son of Jabob Wagner, Sr., whose birth oc- curred near Sunbury, Penn., August 17, 1803.

On coming to Centre county the family first located in Penn township, where its members operated rented land, as they were in rather lini- ited circunstances, but by perseverance and dili- gence they became quite well-to-do. For some time the grandfather, John Wagner, and his son

Jacob engaged in farming together in Potter township, but later the former removed to Har- ris township, where he died at an advanced age. There also occurred the death of his wife, who bore the maiden name of Catharine Kunsman, and both were buried at Boalsburg. They were faithful members of the Reformed Church, and in poli- tics the grandfather was a stalwart Democrat. In their family were four children; Henry, a minister of the Reformed Church, who died in Lebanon county, Penn .; Jacob; Elizabeth, who married Frederick Krumrine, and died in Fergu- son township, Centre county; and John, of Belle- fonte.

The early advantages of Jacob Wagner, Sr., were very meagre, and his education was of a practical kind and almost wholly self-acquired. On accompanying his parents to Centre county, he was still single, and in Penn's Valley he was married, January 23, 1834, to Miss Anna Hoster- man, who was born in Haines township, Centre county, June 17, 1808, a daughter of John Hos- terman, a farmer by occupation. _ They had five children, namely: Mary E., born December 29, 1834, died February 23, 1835; John H., born December 31, 1835, died July 10, 1890, was a farmer of Potter township, where his family still reside; Jacob is next in order of birth; Catha- rine A., born February 18, 1840, married Samuel Slack, and died in Potter township, September 20, 1865; and Sarah C., born January 14, 1843, is the wife of David Geiss, of Centre Hall, Cen- tre county.

Soon after his marriage (about 1835 or 1836) the father came to Potter township, where he en- gaged in farming with his father for some time, and then purchased the entire farm, to which he sub- sequently added the James Love farm of seventy- five acres, making in all a valuable tract of over 260 acres. Although he went heavily in debt for the amount, he was a very industrious, ener- getic man, and soon had his farm cleared from all incumbrance. Upon that place he contin- ued to reside until 1859. when he removed to the farm now owned and operated by our subject. and repaired and remodeled all the buildings. There his wife died October 5. 1866, and was buried in Tusseyville. He afterward married Mrs. Henry Bittner, whose maiden name was Rachel Bingerman, and who died February 29. 1888, and was also buried in Tusseyville. In the same house where our subject now resides the father died very suddenly May 31. 1886. He was an upright, honorable man, free from all ostentation or hypocrisy, and held the office of deacon in the Reformed Church, to which both parents belonged. His political support was

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ever given the Democratic party, and at one time he efficiently served as supervisor of his town- ship.

As a boy, Mr. Wagner, the subject proper of this review, attended the Tusseysink school, and obtained only a district-school education, but he made the most of his opportunities, and has be- come a well-informed man. He early began to assist in the work of the farm, and continued to give his father the benefit of his labors until his marriage, November 18, 1858, to Miss Susan K. Geiss, who was born in Berks county, Penn., June 20, 1841, a daughter of David B. and Sarah (Kerlin) Geiss, farming people of Potter town- ship. Four children blessed their union: David G., born December 17, 1859, is a farmer of Will county, Ill .; Ida J., born July 11, 1861, is the wife of A. E. Kerlin, of Centre Hall, Penn .; William J., born March 16, 1864, is a minister of the Lutheran Church, residing in Cambria county, Penn. ; and Mary C., born April 4, 1866, is living in Illinois.

After his marriage Mr. Wagner located on the old homestead, which his father had vacated shortly before, and lived there until the spring of 1867, when the property was divided, and he took the northern end of the place. His wife died there November 2, 1868, and was buried in the Tusseyville cemetery. He then sold his farming implements and household goods, and spent one summer in Will county, Ill., after which he re- turned to Pennsylvania. Mr. Wagner was again married, August 4, 1870, this time to Miss Cath- arine A. Spangler, who was born in Potter town -. ship, Centre county, October 20, 1841, a daugh- ter of Jacob and Rebecca (Wagner) Spangler. Her first teacher was Jane Taylor, who conducted the Pine Grove school, where much of her edu- cation was obtained. To Mr. and Mrs. Wagner were born five children, namely: James B., born February 27, 1872, is engaged as a telegraph operator at Linden Hall, Penn .; John K., born March 3, 1874, died August 6, 1890; Susan B., born June 4, 1876, died August 13, 1890; E. Clayton, born November 21, 1879, and Samuel S., born January 31, 1885, are both at home.

During the winter following his second mar- riage Mr. Wagner lived in the old stone house on the old homestead farm, and then removed to the place where his first wife had died. There he con- tinned to reside until the spring of 1891, when he removed to his present farmu in Potter town- ship, which he is now successfully managing. His landed possessions aggregate 2;0 acres, di- vided into three farms. They are well-improved and under a high state of cultivation, being in keeping with the enterprise and progressive spirit

of the owner, who justly ranks among the best farmers of the community. For years he has been an elder and active worker in the Reformed Church, while his wife holds membership with the United Evangelical Church. Their hospit- able home is ever open for the entertainment of their many friends, and they receive the respect and esteem of all who have the pleasure of their acquaintance. Socially Mr. Wagner is a mem- ber of the Grange, while politically he is a Dem- ocrat, and has been elected school director in his township.

T SAIAH BECK. Among the influential mem- bers of the agricultural community of Centre county, and one of its most prosperous and prom- inent citizens, is the gentleman whose name here appears, and who is familiarly known as . Col. Beck." He is a well read, accomplished gentie- man, one who has made a close study of the leading questions and issues of the day, and is well informed on all topics of general interest.

Of German descent, Mr. Beck was born in Half Moon, Centre county, April 27, 1843, and is a son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Cryder) Beck. natives of Huntingdon county, Penn., their births having occurred near Warrior's Mark. About 1800 they came to Centre county, where both died, the father in 1883, the mother in the year following, and their remains were interred in the Lutheran cemetery of Half Moon township. In their family were seven children.

On December 24, 1865. Isaiah Beck was mar- ried to Miss Emeline, daughter of Jacob Musser. a prominent farmer of Harris township, Centre county, and seven children bless their union, as follows: (1) Harry E., born December 27. 1866. was educated in the schools of Lock Haven and Westchester, Penn., the State Normal. and is also a graduate of the Pittsburg Business College: he now holds the position of bookkeeper for a coal company at Osceola, Clearfield Co .. Penn., where he makes his home: he married Minnie Wood, of Coalport. and has two chii- dren. (2) Barbara E .. born September 12. 1808. became the wife of Harry Ebbs, and died June 12, 1895, leaving two children-Helen and Ma- bel. (3) Irene S., born March 18. 1871, is the wife of Wilton Dunlap, a Lutheran minister liv- ing in Indiana, by whom she has one sont. John C., born April 11, 1874, married Bessie Whippo, and has one son; they live at Osceola Mills, Clearfield county. (5) Anna E . born November 1, 1875. (6) Malan B., born Decem- ber 28, 1877, and (7) Clyde O., born May 20, 1880, are all still at home.

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1, Part 78

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