Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1, Part 81

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 81
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 81
USA > Pennsylvania > Clarion County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 81
USA > Pennsylvania > Clearfield County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 81

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Mrs. Hess is one of a family of ten children, in order of birth as follows: Eliza, deceased wife of Henry Rearick, a farmer, by whom she hadsix chil- dren; Harry, a retired fariner of Union county, who first married Hettie Agler, by whom he had eleven children, and by his second marriage, with Symira Baker, had one child: Catherine, wife of Jacob Walter,a farmer of Michigan: Am- elia, deceased wife of George Ott: Philip, who died in childhood; Mary, widow of Reuben Ag- ler, of Beavertown, Penn .; Barbara, deceased wife of William Engle, also deceased; Sarah. wife of our subject; Lucinda, wife of Samuel Bowen, of Snyder county; and Robert, who mar- ried Elnira Nearhoof, and died upon his farm in Michigan.

In 1895, Mrs. Hess met with a sovere acci- dent, slipping on the ice in front of her home; she has since had to use crutches, but the doctor thinks she will fully recover; otherwise both she and her husband enjoy excellent health. They are worthy and devoted members of the Method-

390

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ist Episcopal Church, and have the respect and esteem of all who know them. Politically, Mr. Hess is a firm supporter of the Democratic party, and advocates the free coinage of silver. His business career and his private life are alike above reproach, and his history is that of a man who has faithfully performed all duties and been ever true to the trust reposed in him.

H ENRY A. SNYDER. Similar to a founda- tion stone which holds its place under an important structure, the subject of this sketch occupies an immovable position among the solid and reliable business men of Eagleville, Centre county, where he is a successful dealer in drugs, stationery and tobacco. He was born in Beaver county, Penn., November 28, 1833, and comes of good old Revolutionary stock, his paterna! great-grandfather having served in that struggle. His grandparents, John and Elizabeth (Kaup) Snyder, were natives of Snyder county, this State, as were also his parents, Wilhelm and Mar- garet (Marshall) Snyder, but it was then a part of Northumberland county. While a resident of the same county, the maternal grandfather, John Marshall, was drowned in the Susquehanna river when on his way to market; his wife departed this life in Liberty township, Centre county.

The parents of our subject spent the last years of their life in Eagleville, the father dying January 18, 1895, aged eighty-six years, and the mother in 1866. Both held membership in the Baptist Church, and in politics he was a strong Republican, on which ticket he was elected to several offices of honor and trust. By occupa- tion he was a sawyer.

Henry A. Snyder is the second in order of birth in the family of seven children, the others being as follows: Mary, wife of Richard Berry- hill, a coach maker and merchant of Beach Creek, Centre county; Sarah E., a resident of Eagleville; Margaret, wife of Roland Smith, a farmer of the State of Washington; William H., who will be more fully spoken of farther on; Thomas A., who is engaged in clerking in State College, Centre county; and Lydia E., deceased wife of Daniel W. Glossner, a carpenter of Eagleville. There were also two other children who died in infancy.

Until he was twenty-two years of age, Mr. Snyder, the subject of this review, still made his home with his parents, and in the meantime at- tended school and assisted in the labors of the farm. At the age of nineteen he began teaching. which profession he successfully followed for three years, and then began his business career

as a clerk in a mercantile establishment in Beach Creek, where he remained for seven years. He then served as agent for the Bald Eagle Valley railroad at that place and Eagleville for six years, after which he engaged in clerking and working in the lumber woods until 1889, when he estab- lisned his present business in Eagleville, where he has made his home since 1866. For some time he was the only telegraph operator between Lock Haven and Bellefonte, Penn., serving in that capacity before the railroad was constructed. The business interests of his village are well rep- resented by him, and he deserves a leading place among the progressive and prominent merchants of Centre county.

Mr. Snyder was married at Beach Creek, in May, 1862, to Miss Susan E. Linn, who was born at that place in 1840, a daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (James) Linn, residents of Clinton county, Penn., where the former died, but where the latter is still living. He was a farmer by oc- cupation, a Democrat in politics, and a consist- ent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which Mrs. Linn also belongs. Four children blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Snyder, namely: Cora B., at home; Maud E., wife of Charles Foster, a railroad mail agent residing in State College; Harry B., a bookkeeper for a lumber firm in New York City; and Mabel G., at home. An enterprising, wide-awake, business man, Mr. Snyder endeavors to keep abreast with the times, is well posted on current events and issues, and gives his support to worthy enter- prises which have for their object the welfare of the community. £ Socially he is a prominent member of the Odd Fellows Lodge and the Grand Army Post, No. 302, both of Eagleville, while politically he is an ardent supporter of Republican principles.

William H. Snyder. the brother of our sub- ject, was born in Snyder county, February 2. 1843, and remained at home until 1860, when he began work for G. W. Leuffer, chief engineer for the Pennsylvania railroad, with whom he re- mained until 1881, when that gentlenian retired. Mr. Snyder then served as division engineer with the Beach Creek railroad for three years, and for a year and a half engaged in contracting on the Clearfield & Mahoning railroad. At different times he has also been with other railroad com- panies. During the battle of Gettysburg he was engaged in surveying a railroad to be constructed to that place for the purpose of carrying amimu- nition and troops, and was obliged to work night and day. On January 1, 1882, he was married, in Eagleville, to Miss Laura E. Spray, and they have three children: William B., Helen V. and

391

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

John M. Like his brother, he is an ardent sup- porter of the Republican party; socially he is a member of the Order of Elks and of the F. & A. M.

E ZEKIEL. CONFAIR, a prominent lumber dealer and agriculturist residing on the Can- ada road, in Boggs township, Centre county, is a man of marked influence in that locality. He is connected either by descent or marriage with a number of well-known families of this section, and is himself a native of Howard township, Centre county, having been born there June 30, 1839.

On the paternal side the first ancestor to set- tle in this locality was his grandfather, Philip Confair, a native of Germany who came at an early day with his wife, Elizabeth, who was born in Ireland, passing their last years in Centre county. Their son, Philip, Jr., was born there, and became by occupation an agriculturist in Howard township, engaging also quite extensively in tar burning. He was active in local affairs as a Democrat, and was a leading member of the Disciple Church, as was also his wife, Margaret Wants, a native of Centre county, and a daugh- ter of John and Margaret Wants. She died De- cember 30, 1888, aged seventy-four, and on De- cember 2, 1890, at the advanced age of ninety years, he followed her to the unseen world. To this estimable couple fourteen children were born: Samuel (deceasd), who married and had one child; Mary (deceased), who married George B. Lucas, of Howard township, Centre county; Michael, a farmer in Howard township; Philip, a farmer in Curtin township, Centre county; Henry, a farmer and lumberman in Clearfield county; Philinda, widow of Henry Handless, and a resident of Clearfield county: Ezekiel, our subject; Margaret, who died when fifteen months old; Lavina (deceased), formerly the wife of John Mann, of Clinton county; Emeline (de- ceased), who married Henry Antis, of Centre county; Franklin, a farmer in Howard township, Centre county; Nicholas, now .residing at the old homestead; and Elizabeth, wife of William Unguard, of Watsontown, Northumberland conn- ty, Pennsylvania.

Ezekiel Confair's early life was spent at the old homestead, and the public schools of the lo- cality furnished the foundation of a good practi- cal education. On December 8, 1859, he was united in marriage with Miss Charity A. Packer, and soon after established his home npon a rented farm in the same township, belonging to Hiram Baker. Three years later he rented a

farm in that township from Gov. Packer, and after four years there he moved to Boggs town- ship, where, after occupying and renting prop- erty for five years, he purchased (in 1873) his present estate, a fine farm of 158 acres. In July, 1865, he was drafted, but paid $300 to the government for a substitute. Socially, he is a leading member of the Grange at Milesburg, and in religious faith, since the age of thirteen he has been connected with the U. B. Church, with which his wife united when sixteen years old. In his political affiliations he is a Democrat.

Mr. and Mrs. Confair have had thirteen chil- dren, whose names with dates of birth are as fol- lows: John R., August 20, 1860, died September 12, same year; Martha J., May 4, 1862, married Robert B. Lucas, a farmer and lumberman of Boggs township, Centre county; William H., December 26, 1863, died September 12, 1864; Ira, January 1, 1365, is engaged in the lumber business in Boggs township; George W., July 22, 1866, is a fariner in the same locality; James T., October 13, 1868, is a farmer in Curtin township, Centre county; Jerome A., August 21, 1871, is engaged in lumbering in Curtin town- ship; Jessie P., December 12, 1873, is at home; a daughter, April 11, 1875, died unnamed; Emma L., June 4, 1876, married John Watson, a farmer of Boggs township, Centre county; Irvin M. L., September 17, 1877, Nancy E., June 15, 1879, and Edward N., January 9, 1882, are at home.

Mrs. Confair was born in Howard township, Centre county, a daughter of Jesse P. Packer, a native of Germany. The first ancestor of the Packer family of whom we have record was Aaron Packer, Mrs. Confair's great-grandfather, who inarried Mary Phipps, a native of the Province of Maine, and a sister of Sir William Phipps, who figured prominently in the history of Massachu- setts, and was Governor of that State in the lat- ter part of the seventeenth century. He followed the sea for some time, and was knighted by King James on account of his search for sunken treas- ure. Having gone to London and obtained an audience of the King, he told him of vast wealth lying beneath certain waters. The King listened attentively, and approving the plan outlined for the recovery of the prize, he appointed Sir Will- iam Phipps captain of the " Rose Algier, " a vessel carrying eighteen guns and ninety-five men. Thus equipped, Sir William sailed from England on his quest. The estate of the Phipps family in Eng- land is now in litigation, and Mrs. Confair, as one of the heirs, is entitled to a large fortune. Jesse Packer, Mrs. Confair's grandfather, was a native of Germany, and his wife, Catherine Will-

392

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

iams, was born in Ireland. Jesse Packer was a leading man of his day in this section, and fol- lowed the calling of civil engineer.

Jesse P. Packer, the father of Mrs. Confair, was born in Chester county, Penn., and was there married to Sarah Swisher, who was born in the Fatherland and accompanied her parents, Joseph and Elizabeth (Linnes) Swisher, to this country, where they remained, their last days being spent in Centre county. Jesse P. Packer became prominent among the agriculturists of Howard township, Centre county, where he died September 9, 1874, at the age of seventy-five. His wife passed away December 2, 1884, aged seventy-seven years. Ten children were born to them, their names and dates of birth being as fol- lows: Michael, July, 1823, Joseph, November 25, 1826, a farmer, Nancy, August II, 1828, wife of James P. Haines, a lumberman, and John, August 16, 1831, a farmer by occupation, all re- side in Howard township, Centre county; Cath- erine, August 29, 1834, married James Packer, of Curtin township; Rowland, June 27, 1837, was drowned at the age of fourteen; Charity A., August 16, 1840, married Mr. Confair; Jane, July 30, 1843, resides at Howard, and Susan T., August 8, 1846, married Ira Packer, a farmer in McLeod county, Minnesota.

M ICHAEL M. FISHBURN. Among the progressive and industrious farmers of Ben- ner township, Centre county, the subject of this sketch occupies a prominent and honorable posi- tion. A son of Jacob and Mary Ann (Moyer) Fishburn, he was born in Dauphin county, Penn., in 1827, and in 1832 was brought to Centre county, with whose interests he has since been identified. He is the second in order of birth in a family of five children, the others being Henry J., Jacob, Anna M. and William H.

Philip Fishburn, the grandfather of Michael M., was a native of Pennsylvania. He served in the Revolutionary war, was a farmer of Dauphin county, where his death occurred about the year 1840. His son Jacob, our subject's father, was born in Dauphin county, and at his death, in 1889, had a farm of some 197 acres of land in Centre county. On coming to the latter coun- ty in 1832, he settled near where Michael M. now resides. He was a man of honor and in- tegrity and a good citizen: a member of the Lu- theran Church, and, in politics, first a Whig, then a Democrat. His wife died in 1883. Michael M. Fishburn had but meagre educa- tional advantages. He remained with his father until twenty-seven years of age, then went with

an uncle, Felix Burkholder, who resided in Penn's Valley, with whom he learned the trade of a miller, remaining one and a half years, and re- ceiving for his services sixty-five dollars. He then returned home, and in connection with his brother worked the home farm for two years. He next moved to Jacksonville, in Walker town- ship, and for three years rented a farm there and followed agriculture as an occupation. After the expiration of this time he went to College township, and for twelve years resided on a farm of 125 acres which he rented of Major Reynolds. and during that period he bought eighteen acres of the farm on which he now resides, since which he has added to it forty acres, making fifty-eight acres in all.

In 1857, Mr. Fishburn was married to Cath- erine Rossman, who was born in Potter town- ship, Penn's Valley, March 11, 1833, a daughter of Jonathan R. and Rebecca (Fie) Rossman, the former of whom, born in 1815, died in 1866, and the latter, born in 1810, died in 1882, the par- ents of eleven children, namely: Catherine, Elizabeth, Sarah, May, Susan, Henry, John, Margaret, Michael, Calvin, and one that died in infancy. Our subject and his wife have had no children. He has been a lifelong Democrat, and takes an interest in political affairs. He is a member of the German Reformed Church, and his upright moral character and sterling worth have won him the confidence and high regard of all who know him.

OWARD M. STUART. Among the lead- ing and influential agriculturists of Huston township, Centre county, who thoroughly under- stand their business, and pursue the avocation of their lives in a methodical and workmanlike manner, is the subject of this biography, whose farm is in the Bald Eagle Valley on the Bald Eagle plank road. He was born September 13, 1854, in that same township, one mile from his present home, and continued under the parental roof until after the death of his parents, when he assumed charge of the farm, and has since suc- cessfully engaged in agricultural pursuits.

John W. Stuart, father of our subject, was a native of Blair county, Penn., and a son of Will- iam and Hannah Stuart, who spent their entire lives in that county. On reaching manhood he married Patience Williams, who was born in Centre county, a daughter of George and Han- nah Williams. Her parents were also natives of Centre county, and lived upon the present farm of our subject, which has been in the Williams family for years. By occupation John W. Stuart

MICHAEL M. FISHBURN.

393

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

was a farmer and carpenter, but was principally engaged in the latter pursuit. On coming to Centre county in 1846 he located in Huston township, and for five years engaged in merchan- dising. Here his death occurred October 3, 1893, when he was aged eighty-five years, six months and four days, and his wife passed away September 1, 1894, at the age of eighty-three years, three months and six days. They were both earnest and consistent members of the Baptist Church, and in politics he was a Repub- lican. Of their four children, John died when young, and Alice and Junietta died in infancy, our subject, therefore, being the only one living.

On October 12, 1874, Howard M. Stuart, our subject, was married to Miss Elizabeth J. Mc- Donald, and they have seven children, whose names and dates of births are as follows: Annie P., January 25, 1876; Alda B., February 20, 1879; Allie J., October 8, 1881 ; Hannah, June 19, 1884; Bardens, June 19, 1889; John W., August 1, 1893; and Harry, August 6, 1895. All are still with their parents, though Annie P. is now the wife of J. R. Williams, a school teacher, by whom she has one son, Theodore, born Septem- ber 1, 1894.

Mrs. Stuart was born in Huston township, Centre county, August 12, 1859, and is a daugh- ter of Alexander and Sarah (Records) McDonald. also natives of Centre county, the former born in 1831, and the latter in 1829, in Huston town- ship, where they still reside. The father was a member of the Union army during the Civil war, and was wounded in battle. Throughout his business career he has followed farming and lum- bering. His parents John and Elizabeth (Irvin) McDonald, were natives of Clearfield county, Penn., but spent their last days upon a farm in Centre county. The maternal grandfather of Mrs. Stuart was William Records. To Alexan- der and Sarah McDonald were born eight chil- dren, namely: Joseph, now a farmer of Clear- field county; Abner, a farmer of Huston town- ship, Centre county; Elizabeth J., the honored wife of our subject; Alexander, a railroad.engin- eer residing at Blairville, Westmoreland Co., Penn .; Emma, at home; Mary, wife of a Mr. Lane, a farmer of Iowa; Nora, wife of Calvin Hall, a carpenter of Clearfield county; and one who died in infancy.

Mr. Stuart exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Repub- lican party, and has served his fellow citizens in the capacity of supervisor and overseer of the poor as well as school director. He was first appointed to fill an unexpired term as overseer, and so acceptably did he discharge the duties of

that office that he has twice been re-elected, and is the present incumbent. He holds member- ship in the Grange of Unionville, Penn., and both himself and wife are members of the Bap- tist Church. They are representative and valued citizens of the community in which their entire lives have been passed, and none are held in higher regard.

W ALTER O'BRYAN is one of the most active and energetic agriculturists of Col- lege township, Centre county. His grandfather, Daniel O'Bryan, a native of Ireland, came to the United States when in his "teens," and kept an inn-a sort of half-way house-at Pine Grove, between Bellefonte and Huntingdon, Penn. There he died in 1880, at a ripe old age. In his family were three children: Nancy, who be- came the wife of Walter Graham, a stage owner, and died in Bellefonte in 1883; James, the father of our subject; and Martha, wife of William Butz, of California.

James O'Bryan was born at Pine Grove in 1814. He received very ordinary educational advantages, but became a well-informed man. and engaged in teaching in early life. In 1840 he opened a hotel in Pine Grove, where he died in 1868, of typhoid fever. In 1838 he married Miss Sarah Wingard, and they became the parents of eight children: Mrs. Mary Wingart, who for some time lived in Michigan, but is now a resi- dent of Huntingdon, Penn .; George, who was born in 1838, and is engaged in merchandising in Adrian, Mich .; Daniel, who was born in : 840, and died during his service in the Union army; Walter, the subject of this review; James, who was born in 1844, and is a cabinetmaker of Bellefonte; Sarah, who was born in 1846, and died in Pine Grove in 1887; Joseph, who was born in 1848, and is a contractor of Detroit; and Nancy, who was born in IS;1, and is now Mrs. Glasgow, living near Anderson, Mifflin Co .. Pennsylvania.

The early home of our subject was near Yel- low Springs, Blair Co., Penn., where he died May 29, 1842. In the schools of Pine Grove lie received a very meagre education, his first teacher being Mrs. Margaret Patton, and at the age of fifteen he began learning the miller's trade, which he followed for eight years in Pennsylvania Fur- nace. Subsequently he worked at lumbering in Clearfield county, this State, for two years, and then started on a prospecting tour through the Northwest, returning home April 14, 1867.

On October 4, of the same year, Mr. O'Bryan was united in marriage with Miss Char-

394

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

lotte Lytle, a daughter of Piercel and Lydia (Johnsonbaugh) Lytle, who resided near Pine Grove. Three children graced this union: James Piercel, born May 1, 1869, is at home; Gertrude, born July 21, 1873, is the wife of Homer Decker, a farmer living near Bellefonte; 'and George, born September 29, 1878, is a stu- dent at the State College. After his marriage, Mr. O'Bryan purchased his present farm in Col- lege township of ninety-five acres, pleasantly situated on Whitehall road one-half mile south of State College. He has converted the place into one of the best farms of the locality, placing the fields under a high state of cultivation and making many excellent improvements.

In his political views Mr. O'Bryan isa Demo- crat but takes no active part in politics aside from voting. Socially he was formerly a member of the Knights of Pythias lodge at Bellefonte, and now holds membership in Oak Hall Grange No. 169; in religious belief he is a worthy mem- ber of the Presbyterian Church. He has con- formed his conduct to the old maxim that honesty is the best policy, and to-day no one is held in higher esteem in College township than Walter O'Bryan.

S OLOMON D. TICE, one of the self-made men and leading farmers of Howard town- ship, Centre county, commenced life with a cash capital of ten cents. He now represents a very valuable property, all of which he has accumu- lated through his own perseverance and indus- try, guided by sound judgment and resistless will power.

where they spent their remaining days. The maternal grandparents of our subject, Rev. Chris- tian and Mary (Long) Dohner, were natives of Lebanon county, but at an early date emigrated to Ohio, where the grandfather served as a min- ister of the River Brethren Church.

Eight children were born to the parents of our subject: Jonah, a railroad contractor resid- ing in Ohio; Noah (deceased); Mary, deceased wife of Samuel Crider, a farmer of Lebanon county; Solomon D., the subject of this sketch; Levi (deceased); Elizabeth, wife of Rev. Martin Heisey, a farmer and minister of the Dunkard Brethren Church of Lebanon county; and Eli and Aaron, both deceased.

Solomon D. Tice early became familiar with agricultural pursuits upon the home farm, and in the public schools of the neighborhood ac- quired his education. On attaining his majority he started out in the world for himself. and has since been dependent upon his own resources. Although he had no capital, he was the possessor of a good name, and began his farming opera- tions on rented land in Lebanon county, which he stocked and cultivated for five years. For the same length of time he also lived upon a farm in Clinton county, after which he came to How- ard and worked in a gristmill for a year. He then removed to his present farm in Howard township; but at the end of four years returned to the village, where for five years he served as pike manager of the Bald Eagle, Nittany. Brush & Penn's Valley Pike Road Co. Since that time, however, he has made his home upon his present farm, which is under a high state of cultivation and well-improved with good buildings. For the past twelve years he has also served as pike manager. which position he has faithfully and capably filled.

In Miami county, Ohio, Mr. Tice was born October 9, 1848, a son of George and Susannah (Dohner) Tice, who were natives of Lebanon county, Penn., but were married in Miami coun- On December 1. 1870, Mr. Tice was married to Miss Emma B. Long, and to them have been born six children: Elizabeth W. and Cyrus M. (an engineer), at home; William A., who mar- ried Maggie M. Fisher, a farmer of Howard town- ship, Centre county; Ira E., who is attending the Central State Normal School at Lock Haven; Ellery W., at home; and Florence, who died in childhood. ty, Ohio, where they continued to make their home throughout the remainder of their lives. During his younger years the father followed the carpenter's trade, but later gave his attention to farming. Both were members of the River Brethren in Christ Church, and in politics he was identified with the Republican party, on which ticket he was elected to several township offices of honor and trust. He died July 12. Mrs. Tice was born in Nittany Valley, Clin- ton Co., Penn., October 31. 1853, and is daughter of Conrad and Hannah (Kaufman) Long, natives of Lancaster and Centre counties, Penn., respectively. They were married in Cen- tre county, where the father died March IS. 1896. He was born August 23, 1822, in his 1887, at the age of eighty-five years, and the mother of our subject died in 1854, at the age of forty-two. After her death he had wedded Sarah Myers, and when she, too, was called away he married Mary Musselman. His parents, George and Elizabeth Tice, were natives of Switzerland, and on coming to the United States ; younger days followed boating, and later became located upon a farm in Lebanon county, Penn., an extensive grain dealer, farmer and miller, but

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1, Part 81

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