Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1, Part 80

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 80
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 80
USA > Pennsylvania > Clarion County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 80
USA > Pennsylvania > Clearfield County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 80

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John Glenn (the grandfather of our subject), who was of Irish descent, was for many years a successful agriculturist near Pine Grove Mills, Centre county, born in Ferguson township, in the same county, January 14, 1800; he died in that township January 30, 1867, at the age of sixty-seven years. His wife, Hannah (Bailey). was a native of Ferguson township, born March 21, 1801, was married February 18, 1823, and died April 14, 1895, aged ninety-four years. Their children were: David, born December 6, ; practice, as he at once located at State College, 1823, died May 10, 1862, in hospital at Paducah, Ky., from wounds received at the battle of Pitts- ; large share of the practice at the College falls to

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

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him, while the people of the village and the sur- rounding country place full confidence in his skill. He is an able preceptor, and of five students of whom he has taken in charge, all are now in successful practice. Dr. Glenn married Miss Mary Henderson (daughter of Robert Henderson), a native of Clearfield county, born in 1862, and six children have blessed their union: Olin, Harold, Bessie, Grover, Willie and Anna.

In politics the Doctor is a Democrat, and he is actively interested in the various social, relig- ious and philanthropical movements of his local- ity. He is a member of the M. E. Church, the P. O. S. of A., the I. O. O. F. and is also con- nected with the National State and Local Medi- cal Societies of the Eclectic School of Medicine. He takes a great interest in educational affairs and has been a member of the school board for the past two years.

H ENRY MARK. In these days of change and restlessness it is unusual to find a fam- ily occupying the same farm for a century, but the subject of this sketch, a prosperous agriculturist of Gregg township, Centre county, enjoys this distinction, as he resides upon an estate which was first opened in the primeval forest by his grandfather, and has ever since been held by de- scendants.

The family is of Swiss origin, and the first of the American line was Killian Mark, who crossed the ocean in 1735, and settled in what is now Lebanon county, Penn., then a part of Lan- caster county. He had a large family, and his eldest child, Conrad, was the first to locate within the present borders of Centre county, but the panic which resulted in the "Great Runaway" in 1778 caused him to leave and make his home else- where, and none of his descendants are to be found in the county. Another son, Jacob, came about 1800 to Centre county, where he passed the rest of his days, and where many of his descend- ants now live. Rudolph. another son, located permanently in Haines township, Centre county. where he reared a large family of daughters, of whom one married a Mr. Weaver and left a nu- merous family.

The progenitor of the Centre county branch of the Mark family was another son of Killian Mark, David, our subject's grandfather, who was born in Lebanon county (then Lancaster), in 1766, and was married there to Miss Gertrude Kupp. He removed to Centre county in isoo. settling in Gregg township upon the present homestead, which he cleared and improved. At one time he owned more than 230 acres, but later

he sold all but 108 acres, and finally reduced his holdings to seventy-five acres. He was a large man, active both mentally and physically, and had remarkable ability as a mechanic, which was, however, never developed by training. He engaged in different trades and seemed equally successful in all, though he probably did more work in blacksmithing and shoemaking than in any other lines. After removing to his new home he espoused the doctrines of the Democratic party, which he continued to hold during the rest of his life. He was an active member of the Evangelical Church at Millheim, founded in 1806, and was one of the first four members of the class connected with the society. He died April 14, 1844, and was buried in Heckman Cemetery beside his wife, who passed away in 1826. They had ten children, of whom our sub- ject's father was the youngest: George and Eliza- beth did not survive their childhood; John died in Snyder county; Elizabeth (2) married Philip Swartz, and died in Snyder county; David, Jr., died in Sugar Valley in 1874; Catherine married George Heckman, and died in Gregg township. Centre county; Rebecca (Mrs. Henry Jacoby) died in Clinton county; Mary married (first) John Kern, and (second) Michael Gephart. and died in Millheim; and Lydia (Mrs. Jacob Hen- ney) died at Cedarville, Illinois.

George Mark, the father of our subject, was born at the homestead August 17, 1810, and passed through the usual experience of the sons of pioneer farmers with limited means, his early education being confined to the subscription schools of that day. He was fond of sports, especially fishing, and was a robust man, his health being excellent until a few years prior to his death, which occurred December 17, ISSO, at the homestead where his entire life was spent. Among other improvements which he made upon the estate was a commodius barn, built in 1847. A man of domestic tastes, the old home was al- ways dear to him and being the youngest son he remained in charge of it during his father's de- clining years, and after the latter's death he set- tled the claims of the other heirs in order to re- tain it. He was an earnest and thoughtful student of the Bible, and while not a member of any Church he helped liberally in religious work and contributed to the building of the churches in his neighborhood. His convictions were formed through his own investigations, but while he held them firmly he never argued, not caring either to convert or condemn any one who dif- fered from him in the belief.

On February 17, 1838, Mr. Mark was mar- ried in Gregg township, Centre county, to Miss

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Margaret Rager, a daughter of Simon Rager. She was born in Dauphin county, Penn., Sep- tember 11, 1806, and came to Centre county with a brother. In stature she was small, but she possessed much artistic taste and sound judgment, and having been in business as a mil- liner and dressmaker at Philadelphia and Har- risburg, previous to her removal to this section, she continued those occupations at Aaronsburg until her marriage. She died October 21, 1851, leaving one son, our subject, and her remains now rest in Heckman Cemetery. She was a devout and consistent member of the Evangelical Church. The father was married a second time, this wife being Miss Mary Keen; they had no children. She survived her husband about two years, her death taking place at Millheim in August, 1882.

The subject of our sketch was born May 13, 1840, and has always had his home at the old farm, to which as the sole heir he succeeded at his father's death. During boyhood he attended the neighboring schools regularly in winter, his first teacher being Dr. William Stemm. Study was a pleasure to him, mathematics being espe- cially easy, and his progress was rapid in all lines. He never cared to teach, and remained at home, gradually assuming the management of the place.

On January 15, 1863, he was married in Aaronsburg to Miss Amanda Heckman, who was born in Gregg township, Centre county, April 20, 1842. Her father, Frederick Heckman, was a son of Peter Heckman, who settled in that township in 1797, and her mother was Elizabeth Miller, the daughter of Christopher Miller, who served in the Revolutionary army for seven years. Mrs. Mark was the eleventh child and youngest daughter in a family of thirteen chil- dren, and as a young girl used to assist her par- ents in the outdoor work of their farm, as was then customary. She was given good educational advantages for that time and locality, as she at- tended the schools of Penn Hall after complet- ing the course offered in the schools of the Heck- man district. Ten children blessed this union: (1) George F. W. and (2) Margaret E. (twins), born September 21, 1863, the former being now the principal of the public schools at North East, Penn. He married, and has one child-F. Wood- ward. Margaret E. married William Fiedler, and resides in Gregg township, Centre county. (3) A son born March 14, 1865, died in infancy, unnanted. (4) Ida M., born April 6, 1866, mar- ried Harry W. Weaver, of Gregg township. (5) William H., born January 4, 1871, married Miss Vianna Styers, in February, 1895, and resides in

Coburn, Penn. (6) Sarah E., born May 4, 1872, died May 28, 1880. (7) Harvey H., born Janu- ary 10, 1874, is now a farmer at the homestead. (8) Andrew F., born April 26, 1880, (9) Albert C., April 1, 1882, and (10) Loeda, November 26, 1888, are at home.

Mr. Mark and his wife are prominent mem- bers of the United Evangelical Church, and he has held every office in the society. At present he is class leader and assistant superin- tendent of the Sunday-school. As a citizen he stands high in the esteem of the community. He is a man of progressive ideas, his farm, which contains 145 acres of good land, showing excel- lent management. All of the buildings, except the barn, were built by him. In business trans- actions he is honest and upright, and his com- fortable fortune is not tainted by the memory of any unscrupulous act. He has always been fond of reading, the information thus gained covering a wide range, and including the varied issues of the day.

G EORGE W. GLACE, one of the representa- tive farmers and self-made men of Potter township, Centre county, began life for himself at an early age without means, and by the exer- cise of his resolute will and persevering industry has succeeded in obtaining a comfortable com- petency. His straightforward inethods of doing business, and his value as a member of the com- munity, have gained him a wide circle of friends and acquaintances, who have watched his career with interest, and are not slow to acknowledge that he is deserving of all the good that has fallen to him.

Mr. Glace was born September 3, 1850, in Snyder county, Penn., a son of Abel and Eliza- beth (Michael) Glace. farming people of that county. When three years of age the father died, leaving to the care of the mother the fol- lowing children: John W .. now a resident of Cataract, Clearfield Co., Penn .; Rebecca J. : Samuel, of Oriental. Juniata Co., Penn. : George W. ; and Sarah, wife of Charles Stroup, of Cou- dersport, Penn. The father's death occurred at Mahantango, this State. Later the mother wedded William Kane, by whom she had one daughter, Mary, wife of Charles Baumgartner. of Clearfield county. Mrs. Kane departed this life in that county at the age of seventy-one years.

The limited education which our subject re- ceived was obtained in the public schools of Snyder county, but at the age of eleven years he left the farm and began earning his own livelihood by driving a mule team on the tow-path. When

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

sixteen he left his native county, being then able to do a man's work, and obtained employment in the lumber woods of Clearfield and adjoining counties. For fifteen years he continued to fol- low the lumber business, during which time he worked in all its various branches. On attaining his majority he married Miss Anna Confer, who was born in Pottersdale, Clearfield county, in 1855, and was a daughter of John Confer, a farmer by occupation. They went to housekeeping in the place of her birth, where they made their home while he was at work in the woods. In 1884 he erected a hotel at Cataract, Clearfield county, known as the " Cataract House," which was the first hotel in the town, and which he successfully conducted until the spring of 1896, when he came to Potter township. Here he purchased the John Sankey farm, a tract of seventy-five acres, which he is now operating with skill and ability.

Mr. Glace has been called upon to mouin the loss of his faithful wife, who died December 29, 1895, and was laid to rest in Oak Hill cemetery in. Clearfield county. Eight children were born to them, namely: Tacy E., now the wife of James Good, of Clearfield county; and John M., Maude M., Lulu B., George W., Alice P., Bessie J. and Ceylon W., all with their father. Mr. Glace has encountered many obstacles all through the highway of life, but has overcome them and steadily pushed his way forward until he now has a comfortable home and fine farm. Politically he is a Democrat, and while a resident of Clearfield county served his fellow citizens in the capacity of supervisor and tax collector.

H' ENRY HEATON. The entire life of this gentleman has been spent in Boggs township, Centre county, and his name is inseparably con- nected with the agricultural and commercial in- terests of this region. His thorough American spirit and his great energy have enabled him to mount from a lowly position to one of affluence. One of his leading characteristics in business af- fairs is his fine sense of order and complete system, and the habit of giving careful attention to details, without which success in any under- taking is never an assured fact.

Mr. Heaton was born September 1, 1830, one mile northwest of his present home in Boggs township, a son of Michael and Mary (Walker) Heaton. The father was also a native of Boggs township, born March 10, 1800, in Bald Eagle Valley, while the mother's birth occurred in Mif- flin county, Penn., July 7, 1808. Their mar- riage was celebrated in the latter county, but

they began their domestic life in Boggs township, where they continued to make their home until called from this life, the father dying March 7, 1877, and the mother in February, 1892. By occupation he was a farmer and contractor in lumber, and he efficiently served as supervisor of Boggs township. Both were faithful members of the Baptist Church, with which they united March 24, 1850, and in politics he was first a Democrat, but after the war joined the ranks of the Republican party.

The paternal grandparents of our subject, Enoch and Eve (Fetzer) Heaton, were natives of England and Germany respectively. At the age of seven years the former accompanied his parents to the New World, becoming a resident of Bucks county, Penn., where he remained until 1798, when he came to Spring township, Centre county, but later removed to Boggs township. There he passed his remaining days. By occu- pation he was a hunter and laborer. The ma- ternal grandparents were also of foreign birth. They were Jacob and Margaret (McElwaine) Walker, the former born in Germany, and the latter in Scotland. At an early day they removed from Bucks county to Centre county, Penn., where the grandfather engaged in agricultural pursuits.

Henry Heaton is the second in order of birth in the family of thirteen children-six sons and seven daughters-of whom are mentioned: Jane C., widow of M. G. Williams, and a resident of Liberty township, Centre county; Henry; An- drew, deceased; Mary, who wedded James W. Harrison, of England, but both are now de- ceased; Michael, a farmer of Boggs township; John, deceased; James, a farmer of Milesburg. Penn .; Mrs. Sarah M. Poorman, of Centre county; David W., a farmer of Huston township, in the same county: Hannah, wife of F. Robb, an agriculturist of Liberty township: Isabella, wife of William Robb, a merchant of Curtin township, Centre county; and Matilda, who died when quite young.

Until he was twenty-four years of age Mr. Heaton, the subject proper of this sketch, re- mained upon the home farin, assisting in its cul- tivation, and acquiring a limited education in the schools of the neighborhood. For three years he then worked in the lumber woods, and for the following year was employed upon a farm, dur- ing which time he saved enough money to pay his tuition at Bellefoute Academy for one year. On leaving school he then traveled for a short time. On May 24, 1861, he was married to Miss Sarah E. Shroyer, who was born in Spring town- ship, Centre county, March 10, 1833. a daughter

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of Adam and Catherine (Rarrick) Shroyer, the former a native of Penn's Valley, Penn., and the latter of New Berlin, Union Co., Penn., where their marriage was celebrated. From New Ber- lin they removed to Milesburg, where they spent their remaining days, the father dying April 9, 1851, and the mother on February 22, 1880. He followed the occupation of farming through- out life. In their family were the following chil- dren: Mary, wife of Jacob Schope, of Miles- burg: Sarah E., wife of our subject; Emanuel, who died in 1894; William and James, who both died in the army; George, deceased; Adam A., a railroad man, of Milesburg; and Ellen, wife of John Schwartz, a farmer of Boggs township. Six children grace the union of Mr. and Mrs. Heaton, namely: Mary C., who died when small; Alice M., wife of O. J. Stover, a hotel man of Eagle- ville, Centre county; Lucy B., wife of George N. Neff, an agriculturist of Centre county, J. Frank and George S., who are still on the home farm; and Lida J., wife of John R. Eckley, of Jackson- ville, Pennsylvania.

Mrs. Sarah E. Heaton never was a stout or robust woman, but has always been possessed of good courage, and in her younger days must have had no small amount of muscular strength, as the following incident in her life will serve to prove. When she and her husband first settled on their farm, deer and other wild animals were plentiful in the mountains, and one day a large dog chased a fine deer down to near the old stable. Mrs. Heaton seeing the animals ap- proaching, ran down in the direction they were coming, by which time the dog had caught the deer, and she then leaped over the fence, suc- ceeded in getting hold of the deer and keeping its head under the fence stake for some consid- erable time until her aunt reluctantly brought her a knife, with which she (Mrs. Heaton) cut the animal's throat. The two ladies then suc- ceeded in dragging the deer into the field, and Mr. Heaton returning home shortly after, he dressed the venison. This was truly a heroic act on the part of Mrs. Heaton, one that elicited much comment at that time, and is to this day the subject of no little mirth.

quia Creek, Manassas Gap, Spottsylvania, Deep- Bottom, Rapidan, Fredericksburg, fourteen days battle of the Wilderness, Gettysburg. South Gravely Run and Peach Orchard. On March 31, 1865, just nine days before the surrender of Gen. Lee, he was wounded by a minie ball in the left arm, which the surgeons said would have to be amputated; but the head physician would not allow this as he was ill at the time with ty- phoid fever. From the 5th of April until the 3Ist of September he was confined in Douglas Hospital at Washington, D. C. On October 1, 1865, Mr. Heaton returned home and began teach- ing while his arm was still in a sling, following that profession for two terms. Owing to ill health he resigned, and for four years worked at the carpenter's trade, but on the expiration of that period he resumed farming, which he has since continued with most gratifying results. He also conducts a general store at his place on the Marsh creek road, in Boggs township, and is a most reliable and wide-awake business man.

Mr. Heaton uniformly votes the Democratic ticket, and is a stanch advocate of free silver. Being an influential, public-spirited citizen, he· takes a prominent part in public affairs, and has most acceptably served as overseer of the poor and supervisor of his township. Socially, he is connected with the Grange, the I. O. O. F .. and the G. A. R., while both himself and wife have been consistent members of the Baptist Church for over forty years. At the present time (winter of 1897-8), he is engaged in erecting a Baptist church building, which is approaching comple- tion, and will cost altogether about $1,200. On March 24, 1850, he was immersed by Rev. D. W. Hunter, which faithful minister labored for six years at Milesburg, where he began his first charge. The first candidates he led into the Bap- tismal waters was Mr. Heaton's sister, Jane C. Williams, and his (Mr. Heaton's) paternal grand- mother, who was in her seventieth year at the time; that was in December, 1849, then on March 24, following year, Mr. Heaton's father and hint- self were immersed. In IS89 Rev. D. W. Hunter again came to Milesburg and baptized two of Mr. Heaton's daughters (now Mrs. Neff and Mrs. Eckley, respectively), from which time on Mr. Hunter advised them to build a house of worship, and Mr. Heaton then generously commenced the good work (as above related), which has been slowly but steadily progressing as his means would permit, and when completed it is his in- tention to grant the deed of the church building to the Centre Association.

Upon his marriage, Mr. Heaton located upon his present farm in Boggs township, which was then in its primitive condition, but he at once be- gan its improvement and cultivation, which he continued until Angust, 1862, when he enlisted in Company F. 148th P. V. I., under Capt. Mar- tin Dolen and Gen. James A. Beaver. He was brave and fearless on the field of battle, and with his regiment participated in the following The hospitable home of Mr. and Mrs. Heaton engagements: Potomac, Chancellorsville, Ac- is ever open for the reception of their many

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

friends, and the family hold a high position in the social circles of the community, where they are so widely and favorably known.

W ILLIAM HESS. Among the substantial and enterprising business men of Philips- burg, whose names are scattered through the pages of this volume, none are more worthy of mention than the gentleman whose name intro- duces this biographical notice. He is one of the leading grocery merchants of that city. A native of Centre county, he was born in Haines town- ship, February 27, 1831, a son of Michael and Margaret (Musser) Hess, who spent their entire lives there. Only two children were born to them, the other being Harriet, now the widow of Jonathan Stover, a machinist by trade.

When our subject was only three months old his father died, and his mother afterward mar- ried the latter's brother, Samuel Hess. They became the parents of six children: Jonathan, a retired merchant of Williamsport, Penn. ; Lydia, widow of Samuel Stover; Sarah, deceased; Mary, wife of Frederick Bostorf, a retired farmer of Pine Grove, Centre county; and Samuel, de- ceased. The father of these children served as county commissioner of Centre county in 1851-2-3; he died in 1892, at the advanced age of ninety-three years. The mother died in 1855, at the age of fifty-seven.

Michael Hess, the paternal grandfather of our subject, was a native of Germany, and during the Revolutionary war came to the New World with Count Raushambau in 1786, and aided the Colonies in their struggle for independence. After peace had been declared he located in Snyder county, where he operated a flouring-mill and engaged in farming. He became quite wealthy, but later sold his property to an Eastern man, who paid him in Continental money, which in a short time was worthless. In this way he lost almost everything. Subsequently he came to Centre county, and purchased the farin on which our subject's birth occurred, and where he spent his remaining days. He married a Miss Crider.

Upon the home farm, William Hess remained until sixteen years of age, when he started out to seek hisown livelihood, first working in a tannery in Centre county for three and one-half years. During the following two years he was similarly employed in Lewisburg, Penn., and then worked in the lumber woods until 1873, when he returned to Philipsburg, and was employed in a tannery for two years. Subsequently he began contract- ing and dealing in lumber, which business he car- ried on until 1881, when he embarked in the

manufacture of brick. Four years later he es- tablished his present store, which he has since successfully conducted, receiving a liberal share of public patronage.

Mr. Hess was married in Snyder county, Penn., in March, 1854, to Miss Sarah Eisenhauer, and they became the parents of three children: Charles C., born January 26, 1856, married Kate Miller, by whom he has seven children; he is a gardener and florist of Philipsburg. W. Frank, born August 31, 1870, married Annie Swaggart, and has one son, William H .; Frank is now serv- ing as manager in his father's store, and is chair- man of the Democratic club of Philipsburg, and county auditor. Ida M., born May 19, 1861, is the wife of C. J. Rothrock; a carpenter of Phil- ipsburg, by whom she has a daughter, Ida M.

Mrs. Hess was born February 28, 1832, in what was then Union county, but is now Sny- der county, Penn., and is a daughter of Abra- ham and Eva (Bollander) Eisenhauer, natives of Berks and Union counties, Penn., respectively. The father became an extensive farmer of the latter county, where both spent their remaining days. They were faithful members of the Ger- man Reformed Church, and in politics he was a Whig. He died March 24, 1875, at the age of eighty-one years, and his wife passed away in September, 1840, at the age of forty-three. His father, Martin Eisenhauer, was born in this country, and was a soldier in the Continental army during the Revolutionary war. By trade he was a blacksmith, but spent his last years in retirement, dying at the ripe old age of eighty- one years.

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1, Part 80

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