Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1, Part 79

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 79
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 79
USA > Pennsylvania > Clarion County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 79
USA > Pennsylvania > Clearfield County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 79

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Prompted by a spirit of patriotism, Mr. Beck enlisted during the Civil war in the 22nd Penn- sylvania Cavalry, and on the expiration of his term of service re-enlisted in the 98th P. V. I. When hostilities had ceased he returned home with an honorable war record, and has since de- voted his time and attention to agricultural pur- suits. His fine farm of 160 acres is under a high state of cultivation and improved with excellent buildings, which stand as monuments to his thrift and industry. Since 1874 he has been a valued and prominent member of the Grange, is a Luth- eran in religious belief, and in politics supports the men and measures of the Republican party. He is a leading and active member of society, honored and respected by the entire community, who look upon him as one of their most wide- awake farmers and model citizens. .

F RANK T. WALLACE. To a student of human nature there is nothing of greater interest than to examine into the life of a self- made man, and to analyze the principles by which he has been governed, the methods he has pursued, to know what means he has employed for advancement, and to study the plans which have given him prominence, enabling him to pass on the highway of life many who have had a more advantageous start. Our subject has worked his own way upward from a humble be- ginning until to-day he is at the head of one of the important industries of Central City, Boggs township, Centre county-proprietor of a large brick manufactory.

Mr. Wallace was born at Toluca, Mexico, May 31, 1836, and is a son of Louis and Maria (Carmonia) Wallace, natives of Spain and To- luca, respectively. In the latter place they met and married, and there spent their remaining days, the father dying in 1846, at the age of forty-five years. He was a drover and weaver by occupation, and both were devout members of the Catholic Church. In their family were four children: Rosa, Philip, Donaciano and Frank T. The paternal grandparents of our subject were both natives of Spain, while the maternal grand- parents were born in Mexico of Spanish extrac- tion.

At the age of thirteen years Frank T. Wallace started out to fight life's battles alone. He came to the United States, and from 1848 until 1850 engaged in farming at Penn's Valley, Penn. He then served an apprenticeship to the brick-mak- ing business in the same place, and at the end of two years went to the western part of the State, where he was thus employed some three years.

Returning to Centre county, he located at Belle- fonte, where he contracted in the manufacture of brick until 1861, in which year he laid aside per- sonal interests and enlisted for three years in Com- pany F, Second Penn. Cav., under Capt. P. B. Wilson, of Bellefonte. The regiment was organ- ized at Harrisburg, Penn., and sent to Washing- ton, D. C., where our subject remained until honorably discharged December 25, 1863. He re-enlisted, however, in the same company and regiment, and remained in the service until hos- tilities had ceased. He was wounded in the head and face, which caused confinement in the hospital for two weeks, and the loss of his left eye. On August 16, 1864, at Deep Bottom, he was taken prisoner, and was incarcerated in Libby prison until September, when he was sent to Salisbury, N. C. Three times he made his escape, once by digging a tunnel seventy feet long, but was twice recaptured. Finally, on February 11, 1865, he succeeded in gaining his freedom, and reported at headquarters at Knox- ville, Tenn., where he received _transportation home and was given a thirty-five days' furlough, but was soon afterward discharged.

At Bellefonte, Penn., February 2. 1858, by Rev. James Linn, a Presbyterian clergyman, Mr. Wallace was married to Miss Lucy C. Clyde, who was born at Boalsburg, Centre county, March 29, .1838, and thirteen children were born to them: William F., Tyrone, a railroad man : Robert B., Frank and Louis, all of Central City; Mary, wife of William C. Pletcher, of Chartiers, Penn .; Margaret, wife of Edward Williams, of Hagerstown, Md .; Cora J. and Clare, deceased; Ethel, wife of Cornelius Blair, of Lock Haven, Penn. ; and Harry R., Anna Belle, James G. and Winfield B., all at home.

On his return from the war. Mr. Wallace resumed the manufacture of brick at Willow Bank Bellefonte, but soon afterward established his present plant at Central City, where he is doing a large and prosperous business. He is sagacious and far-sighted, but upright and hon- orable in all his dealings, and has gained the con- fidence and esteem of all with whom he comes in contact, either in business or in a social way. In politics he is a pronounced Republican, while fra- ternally he is connected with the Grand Army of the Republic, the Veteran Legion, and the Union ex-Prisoners of War. An earnest Christian, he is a worthy member of the Presbyterian Church. In all the relations of life, whether public or pri- vate, he has been true to every trust reposed in him, and his loyalty to his adopted country has been manifested in days of peace as well as when following the old flag on Southern battle fields.

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

H IRAM DURST, one of the leading stock- dealers of Gregg township, Centre county, was born July 10, 1842, at his father's home, a mile west of Earlytown, in Potter township, a son of George L .. and Catharine (Moyer) Durst. He began his education in the Fairfield school, and during his early boyhood accompanied his parents on their removal from his birthplace to another farm in Potter township, whereon he was reared to manhood; he then continued his educa- tion in the Plumb Grove school. He has always been a stanch advocate of good schools, and has done all in his power to promote educational interests. On the home farm he was trained to habits of industry and economy, and his father, who was one of the leading agriculturists, taught him excellent farming methods. He remained at home until his marriage.

On January 1, 1864, in Hartley township, Union Co., Penn., Mr. Durst wedded Miss Amelia Schnure, a native of that county, and a daughter of Christian and Lydia (Kiester) Schnure. After a short married life the wife died and was buried at Centre Hall. Not long after his mar- riage, Mr. Durst and his brother Philip began the operation of the old homestead farm, and in 1868 the farm which he now owns and operates, com- prising 103 acres, was set off from the remainder of his father's large property. This tract was entirely unimproved save for new buildings which had just been completed, and were ready for his occupancy. He was again married, December 26, 1867, in Potter township, Centre county, the lady of his choice being Miss Sarah Bible, who was born in Potter township about 1842, and is a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Bitner) Bible. During her infancy her parents removed to Nittany Valley, where she obtained her educa- tion. She was one of a family of three daugh- ter and one son, and was the eldest to reach adult age. When a young lady she was sent to a select school at Potters Mills, and afterward secured a certificate, but her health would not permit her to engage in teaching. Her father followed farming throughout his life, and died at the age of eighty-four years. His wife passed away at the age of seventy-six, and both were buried in Centre Hall cemetery.

Mr. and Mrs. Durst are the parents of the following children: (1) William B., born No- vember 5, 1869, died October 20, 1887 (he was a bright young man, and received good educa- tional privileges); (2) Katie E., born April 11, 1874, has engaged in teaching from the age of eighteen years; (3) Anna Lizzie, born June 4. 1880, is attending school in Spring Mills.

tion to his farm, and has placed his land under a high state of cultivation, its neat and thrifty ap- pearance well indicating his careful supervision. He is also extensively engaged in raising stock, and has some fine thorough-bred Shorthorn cat- tle, as well as a good grade of hogs. His life has been one of industry and activity, and his resolute purpose and tireless energy are the important factors in his success. As a citizen he is true to all the duties that devolve upon him. His polit- ical support is given the Democratic party; in religious belief his wife is identified with the Re- formed Church.

J TOHN J. MUSSER. The representatives of the farming interests of Centre county ac- knowledge this gentleman as one of the most progressive and energetic agriculturists of Spring township. He is a man of more than ordinary business capacity, intelligent and well-informed. and has identified himself with all enterprises which have for their object the advancement of the community.

Our subject was born in Brush Valley, Penn .. March 31, 1829, a son of John and Susan (Fied- ler) Musser, who were natives of Penn's Valley, Centre county. The latter was a daughter of Jacob Fiedler, a farmer by occupation, who was born in Pennsylvania of German lineage. The paternal grandfather of our subject, Philip Mus- ser, was a farmer of Penn's Valley. In his fam- ily were ninie children: Philip (now deceased ), who married, and reared a family; David, who died on the old homestead in Centre county: Catharine, wife of Michael Musser: Barbara, wife of John Harter: Sarah, wife of George Schwartz; Pollie, who married George Elgin, and died in Stephenson county, Ill. ; Elizabeth, who married John Housman, and died in Ohio; Mary, de- ceased; and John, the father of our subject.

The last named was reared upon a farm at Spring Mills, Centre county, and followed the carpenter's trade until 1830, when he located upon his maternal grandfather's farm, a mile above Coburn, Centre county, and engaged in its operation. He was born in 1794, and departed this life at the age of eighty-seven years and six months. Ten children constituted his family. namely: Philip, now a resident of Stephenson county, Ill .; Catharine, wife of Jo Keller, of lowa: Mollie, wife of George Breen, of Lena, Ill. ; Rebecca, wife of W. Kerlin; John J., of this review; Mrs. Susan Wetzel, of Spring township, Centre county; Sammel, who was quartermaster in the 148th P. V. I. during the Rebellion, and

Mr. Durst now gives his entire time and atten- bis now a resident of Scranton, Penn. ; Michael,

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

who was a member of Anderson's Cavalry in the same war, and is now living in Aaronsburg, Centre county; Israel, who belonged to Company D, 148th P. V. I., and died in the service; and Mary, wife of William Schuch, a Lutheran minister.

Mr. Musser, whose name introduces this sketch, secured a good education in the public schools of Centre county, attending school where now is located the city of Bellefonte. In 1857 he was joined in wedlock with Miss Nancy Jane Baird, a native of this section of the State, who died at the age of forty-two years. Three chil- dren were born to them: Frank W., who mar- ried Minnie Rhinesmith (now deceased), by whom he had one child-John Baird; Eva, wife of Dr. Kirk, by whom she has three children-Harold, Norman and Lois; and Carrie, wife of Daniel Rhinesmith, of Clearfield, Penn., by whom she has two children-Mary and Nannie. For his second wife, Mr. Musser wedded Sarah J. Miller, and they have one daughter, Katie S., living at home.

Mr. Musser never left the parental roof, but as soon as he had obtained sufficient capital pur- chased most of the old homestead farm in Spring township, where he still resides, having 103 acres of valuable and productive land near the city of Bellefonte. Its neat and thrifty appearance plainly shows its careful supervision, and the cultivated taste and ample means of the owner. On casting his first Presidential vote, Mr. Musser supported Henry Clay, and continued to affiliate with the Whig party until its dissolution, since which time he has been an ardent Republican. He is a Presbyterian in religious belief, and a member of the Grange. Public-spirited and en- terprising, he aids all worthy enterprises tending to promote the welfare of the community, and is assuredly deserving of a place among the promi- nent citizens of Spring township.

J OHN K. HOSTERMAN. A problem which has perplexed every soul conscious of its re- sponsibilities on the earthly plane is the find- ing of a right aim in life, a work to which one may safely and with entire contentment devote one's energies; and it is not strange that amid the disappointing and annoying complications of modern life there are those who regard the sim- ple routine of a farmer's calling as furnishing, for them at least, a satisfactory answer. Like Count Tolstoi, they hold that whatever may be said of the value of the work of the poet, the lawyer, the physician, they can at least be absolutely sure that in raising grain and fruits to feed the |

hungry they are meeting, and meeting wisely, a vital need of humanity. It is doubtless for the best that each should choose his work according to his inclinations, but it is quite in accordance with reason that we should find among our agri- cultural communities some of the best types of manhood and womanhood, whose lives and speech and manners reveal, in their straightforward ad- hesion to first principles, a grasp of realities which is not always found in more artificial modes of life.

The many friends of Mr. and Mrs. John K. Hosterman, of Miles township, Centre county, will be gratified to find in this brief history a per- manent record of their useful life. Mr. Hoster- man is a member of a pioneer family of Miles township, Centre county, where he was born De- cember 26, 1826. His father, George Hoster- man, a native of Haines township, was a tanner by trade, and at the time of his death, which oc- curred when he was aged thirty-three years, he was residing at Millheim. His wife, Catherine Kramer, was born in Berks county, Penn., and was brought to Miles township, Centre county, by her father, Daniel Kramer, who at one time resided in Kramerville. Our subject was the eldest of four children; Sarah died in childhood before her father's death; Amanda married Sam- uel Wolfe, and died at Tylersville; William, once a merchant at Madisonburg and Rebersburg, died at St. Louis. The mother married a sec- ond husband, Henry Smull, of Brush Valley; she died in Rockville when more than seventy-five years of age, and was buried in Rebersburg. By her second marriage she was the mother of six children.

Mr. Hosterman was but a boy of eight years when his father died, and soon after this event he went to Brush Valley to live with relatives, spending a short time at the home of John Kram- er, and then going to an uncle, David Wolfe, near Wolfs Store. He attended the schools of his time, which were decidedly inferior to those of the present day, and was reared as a farmer boy, his work being chietly clearing land. After several years with Mr. Wolfe he began to learn the tanner's trade under Jeremiah Haines, but the work did not agree with him, and he returned to the farm.

In 1848, Mr. Hosterman was married in Brush Valley to Miss Margaret Brungart, daugh- ter of George Brungart. She bore one child, but it died in infancy, and she passed to the un- seen life in less than a year. Later Mr. Hoster- man married his present wife, Susanna Gramley, who was born May 15, 1828, in Rebersburg, daughter of Philip and Barbara (Poorman) Gram-

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ley. Eleven children were born of this union . Olevia, February 1, 1850, is now Mrs. Uriah Spangler, of Harvey, Kans. ; William A., February 23. 1853, died Angust 29, 1859; George W., February 22, 1855, took the degreee of D. D. S., and is now practicing dentistry at Centre Hall; Emma J., February 3, 1858, married Washing- ton Shaffer, of Brush Valley; Annie V., April 17, 1860, died October 28, 1864; Mary A., July 27,

1862, died November 4, 1864; Edwin G., May 9, 1865, is a farmer of Brush Valley; Ida M., April 14, 1867, died March 25, 1870; Ella A., May 12, 1868, is now Mrs. Wallace Kreider, of Brush Valley; Lizzie V., March 22, 1871, is at home; and Thomas C., April 4, 1873, is a den- tist at Rebersburg. Mr. Hosterman has educat- ed his sons well, and is in favor of better schools for all. From 1852 until 1886 he rented a farm from his uncle, David Wolfe, which he bought at the latter's death. He lived on the place un- til April, 1893, when he purchased his present comfortable home at Wolfs Store, and removed there. Even at his advanced age he can often be seen at work on his farm, the habits of in- dustry, strengthened by more than sixty years of active work at his business, being difficult to lay aside.

Mr. Hosterman is well known, and by his courteous manners has made many friends. His methods of doing business have always been such as to secure for him a reputation for the strictest integrity. He is a Democrat in politics, but while taking keen interest in the success of his party he is not a politician. He has served as judge of elections, and for twenty-one years was overseer of the poor. He belongs to the Reformed Church, while his estimable wife is a Lutheran in faith. Both are descended from prominent and highly respected families of Centre county, and both do credit to their an- cestry. Kind-hearted and hospitable, their home is a most pleasant place, and the serene influence of their lives has done good which cannot be measured by earthly standard.

J TOHN M. HARNISH is one of the enterpris- ing and prominent business men of Boggs township, Centre county, located at Snow Shoe Junction, where he is successfully engaged in general farming, merchandising and in the millwright business, and is also serving as post- master. He was born December 31, 1831, in Bald Eagle Valley, in the same township, and has since been actively identified with its interests, and is recognized as one of the progressive and representative citizens of the community.

Martin Harnish (father of our subject), whose birth occurred in Maryland, was a molder by trade, following the same during his younger years, but later in life engaging in agricultural pursuits. In Centre county he was united in marriage with Catherine Parson, a native of that county, and to them were born twelve children, namely: Antis, a resident of Lock Haven, Clin- ton Co., Penn .; Andrew, of Illinois; Margery, deceased; John M., of this sketch; Julia A., wife of George T. Michaels, of Lock Haven; Jacob, of Snow Shoe township, Centre county; Will- iam, of the same county; Allen, who was killed in the Civil war in the seven days' fight at Rich- mond; Catherine, wife of J. C. Showers, of Bellefonte, Penn .; and three that died in infancy. The father died April 6, 1855, at the age of fifty- four years, the mother in November, 1872, at the age of sixty-two years. Both were consist- ent members of the Methodist Church, and in politics he was a Whig.

Our subject obtained his education in the public schools of his native county, and at the age of fifteen years began to earn his own liveli- hood by working at odd jobs. Five years later he entered upon an apprenticeship to a mill- wright, a trade he soon mastered. He continued under the parental roof until he had attained his twenty-fifth year. On April 7, 1859, he married Miss Elizabeth A. Gowar, and they have become he parents of eighteen children-nine sons and nine daughters-as follows: Clara E., wife of Joseph Iddings, a farmer of Boggs township; Catherine, wife of William U. Becker, transfer agent on the railroad at Harrisburg, Penn .; John T., a carpenter of Cincinnati, Ohio; Milton and Minnie (twins), now deceased; James G., who died in 1886; Martha A., Martin, Elizabeth. Silas E. and Minerva, all at home; Rosalie, de- ceased; Mira B., Marcella and Charles B., at home; the others died in infancy.

Mrs. Harnish was born in Morgantown. W. Va., October 23, 1840, a daughter of James and Elizabeth (Boyd) Gowar, natives of Baltimore, Md., and Glamorganshire, Wales, respectively. They were married in Ellicott City, Md., where they remained for one year and then removed to West Virginia, locating at the iron works seven miles from Morgantown, where the mother died in July, 1841, at the age of thirty-four years. In 1845 the father removed to Bellefonte, Penn .. but six years later returned to Morgantown, where the following seven years were passed. He then went to Pittsburg, where his death occurred Oc- tober 23, 1869. By trade he was an iron worker. He was twice married, his second union being with Mrs. Phoebe McVicker, widow of Britton

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

McVicker. She had no children by either hus- band. The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Har- nish were James and Elizabeth (Tampelton) Go- war, who spent their entire lives in Glamorgan- shire, Wales, and the maternal grandparents were William and Elizabeth Boyd, natives of Ireland and Germany respectively. The last named died on her way to America.

During the dark days of the Rebellion, Mr. Harnish, in 1861, enlisted in Company F, 56th P. V. I. After serving for two years he re-en- listed, and remained in the service for three years and six months, or until hostilities had ceased, when he was honorably discharged. For gallant and faithful service he was promoted to the rank of captain, which position he was filling when discharged near Washington, D. C. The regi- ment was disbanded at Philadelphia. On July 1, 1863, at the battle of Gettysburg, he was shot through the right arm. On being mustered out, he went to Pittsburg, Penn., and for several months was in the employ of the Keystone Bridge Builders. He then entered the service of the Everson & Preston Iron Works, of the same city, but in 1868 came to his present home at Snow Shoe Junction, where he has since success- fully engaged in business. He is an enterpris- ing, intelligent, honest man, who started out in life poor, but has become one of the leading business men of Boggs township, prompt and re- liable in all his dealings, and has gained the con- fidence and esteem of those with whom he has come in contact. His political support is ever given the Republican party.

W S. GLENN, M. D., a leading physician at State College, Centre county, a gradu- ate of the Eclectic School of Medicine, is a rep- resentative of an old and highly respected pioneer family of that county, of which other members have achieved success in professional life. W. S. Glenn is the eldest son of Ephraim and Eliza- beth (Meek) Glenn.

burg Landing, on April 6, 1862, having served in the 21st Missouri regiment, commanded by Col. Moore. Mary C. married William McCauley; he was killed in the war, and his widow now re- sides at Huntingdon, Penn. ; Ephraim is deceased; Eliza is the wife of F. E. Meek, and resides at Altoona. Penn .: Nancy is 'the wife of M. F. Burket, of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa; Margaret is the wife of James McCormick, and resides at Dan- ville, Iowa; John W. died in 1835; Sarah is a resident of Altoona, Penn. ; Susannah J. married Robert Meek, and is a resident of Altoona, Penn. ; Henrietta is the wife of P. W. Burket, and lives at Stormstown, Penn .; and Thomas S., who served a short time in the Home Guard during the Civil war, died February 27, 1868.

Ephraim Glenn was born at Pine Grove Mills August 14, 1827, and spent his life in Centre county in agricultural pursuits, enjoying the es- teem of all who knew him. He was a thorough Christian, being a member of the Methodist Church all his life, never was known to utter an oath, every day he lived as though it was his last. He passed to the unseen life February 4, 1894. He married Elizabeth Meek, daughter of Rheuben Meek, a native of Centre county, born in 1835, who survives him. They had six children: (1) W. S., our subject: (2) George, who was grad- uated from Dickinson Seminary, then from Wes- leyan University at Middletown, Conn., and later took a year's course in the Boston School of Theology, is a successful minister of the M. E. Church, and is now located at Gettysburg. (3) D. Lee, is assistant master mechanic in the John- son Steel Works, at Lorain, Ohio. (4) Anna died at the age of twenty-five. (5) Thomas C. is a graduate of Pennsylvania State College and of the Eclectic Medical Institute at Cincinnati, Ohio, and is now practicing medicine at Rixford, Penn. (6) Rheuben is in the hardware business at State College.

Dr. W. S. Glenn was born April 4, 1858, and his youth was passed with his father on the farm. His father, desiring better educational facilities for him than the schools of the neigh- borhood could supply, had him pursue studies at Bellefonte Academy and at the different normal schools in the county. . After this our subject, for some time, was successfully engaged in teaching. He began to read medicine under the guidance of Dr. Kirk, of Bellefonte, and then took a full course in the Eclectic Medical Insti- tute at Cincinnati, graduating in 1883. No time was lost in the selection of a suitable place for where he has built up an extensive practice. A

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1, Part 79

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