Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1, Part 85

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 85
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 85
USA > Pennsylvania > Clarion County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 85
USA > Pennsylvania > Clearfield County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 85

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Mr. Temple is a native of Petersburg, Hunt- ingdon Co., Penn .. born December 25, 1842, and a son of James and Margaret (Long) Tem- ple, natives of Chester and Centre counties, Penn., respectively. For a number of years the father served as a patent-right agent. In I855 he removed to Bellefonte, where his home was at the time of the accident in which he lost his life: in 1874, while returning from Philadelphia. he was in a wreck on the Pennsylvania railroad in which he was killed, at the age of fifty-seven years. His wife, the mother of our subject, was born in 1822, and was the first white child born in Snow Shoe, where her parents. John and Margaret Long, had located at a very early day, and were the owners of much of the present site of that village. Our subject is the eldest of five

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children, the others being: Mary J. ,wife of Robert Thompson, a railroad engineer residing in Bellefonte; John R., also a railroad engineer, making his home in Florence, S. C .; Ellen, deceased; and Sallie, wife of William Reasoner, a watchman on the Pennsylvania railroad, living in Bellefonte.

At the age of fifteen years William H. Temple became connected with the railroad service, as brakeman on the Bellefonte & Snow Shoe rail- road, and coupled the first cars to an engine at Bellefonte, or in fact, in Centre county, the cars and engine being built at Philadelphia, Penn., and sent to Bellefonte on canal boats. After serving for a time as brakeman, he was promoted to conductor, was later made fireman, and since June 13, 1863, he has been a locomotive engin- eer. On June 11, 1878, he was in a terrible wreck on the Snow Shoe railroad, his engine with four cars going through a trestle seventy- two feet high. He had three of the ribs in his right side broken, but on the Sth of the following -July he was able to again take charge of his en- gine. He is a most cautious and careful engin- eer, knowing that in his hands are entrusted many lives and much property, and his service has ever proved satisfactory to the company by whom he is employed. Mr. Temple has had many narrow escapes in railroad accidents; at one time his engine jumped the track, went down an embankment and turned over. At another time his engine ran off an open switch and turned over, he jumping and sustaining a broken shoul- der. At still another time, on the main track near Bellefonte, his engine collided with the day express. He has been a member of the Brother- hood of Locomotive Engineers some twenty years.

In 1864 Mr. Temple enlisted in Company B, 210th P. V. I., under Capt. John Nye, and par- ticipated in a number of hotly contested battles. While in front of Richmond, March 31, 1865, he was wounded in the left leg, which caused his confinement in Columbian Hospital at Washing- ton, D. C., for six months. He had served as color guard, a most perilous position,. but was always found at his post of duty. On June 14, 1865, he was honorably discharged and re- turn'ed home.

Mr. Temple was married in Snow Shoe, May 10, 1871, to Mrs. Victoria Lucas, and they have six children, all at home, namely: John S., born March 17, 1873, died of typhoid fever December 12, 1897; Elizabeth Bella, born May 8, 1874; married October 29, 1897, to Leo J. Hopton; Harry, born November 27, 1876; Edward W., born January 6, 1880; Mary L., born October 6,

1881; and Charles R., born December 30, 1886. The older sons now conduct a livery stable at Snow Shoe, of which Harry is manager. and also runs a bus line between that place and Clarence.

Mrs. Temple was born September 2, 1847, in Schuylkill county, Penn., a daughter of James and Mary L. (Hirsch) Walker, who were natives of Tamaqua, in the same county, and at an early day came to Centre county, where the father died. The mother, who is still living, now makes her home in Brisbin, Clearfield Co., Penn. She is a daughter of Nicholas and Margaret (Smith) Hirsch, who came to America from France in 1826, and located at Tamaqua, where her father followed huxtering. The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Temple, John and Hester (Wenchum) Walker, were natives of England, and also crossed the Atlantic in 1826, locating at Tama- qua, where the grandfather was a coal operator until his death. Mrs. Temple is the eldest in a family of nine children, who in order of birth were as follows: Henrietta, wife of Jerry Nolan, a railroad engineer of Bellefonte; Emma, wife of Jacob Rapp, who is also an engineer residing at that place; Edward, a merchant of Brisbin, Penn. ; Martha, wife of Robert Forsyth, a coal mine prospector living in Houtsdale, Penn .; George, who is engaged in clerking in Brisbin; Daniel, a merchant tailor of Trenton, N. J .; Seneca, a railroad fireman living in Bellefonte; and John, a merchant tailor of Trenton, New Jersey.

Politically Mr. Temple is a firm adherent of the Republican party, and an active supporter of its principles, while socially he has been for twenty-seven years a member of the I. O. O. F. at Bellefonte, and has filled many offices therein. Religiously he belongs to the Presbyterian Church. of which he has been a trustee for the past four years. He is a broad-minded, enterprising citi- zen, winning the confidence of all with whom he comes in contact, and has the happy faculty of easily making and retaining friends. The first husband of Mrs. Temple was Samuel Lucas, who was a conductor on the Snow Shoe railroad, and died June 10, 1869. By that marriage she had one son, James S., born May 24, 1868, and who now resides with Mr. Temple.

T E. ROYER, one of the most extensive land owners of Miles township, Centre county, is a veteran soldier whose gallant service in the war of the Rebellion won him lasting honor. Born September 17, 1840, he was in the full flush of manhood when, on August 25, 1862, he offered himself in his country's cause as a pri- vate in Company A, 148th P. V. I., which was

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recruited at Rebersburg. His first battle was at Chancellorsville, and he took part in the engage- ments at Mine Run, Gettysburg, Bristol Station, Auburn Mills, and all others of his regiment until, during the fierce charge made by the 148th at Spottsylvania Court House, he was disabled for such work as the members of that famous regi- ment were usually assigned to. The thumb and third finger of his right hand were shot away. but as soon as his wounds were healed Mr. Royer joined the Convalescent Corps, 51st Company, and remained on duty until mustered out with the rank of corporal August 25, 1865, when he returned to Brush Valley.

The Royer family were among the early set- tlers of Berks county, Penn., but have long been identified with Brush Valley, Christopher Royer, our subject's grandfather, having settled there in 1807. He was born June 19, 1768, and died October 16, 1849. The mill north of Rockville was built by him, and he owned a large tract of land in that vicinity. In addition to his farm work he carried on a distillery. His children were Daniel, Henry, Amos, Jefferson, Joel, Cath- arine, Elizabeth, Sarah and Barbara.

Henry Royer, our subject's father, was born in Snyder county (then Union county), near Mid- dleburg, and was next to the youngest of the sons. He was a boy in his "teens" when his father came to Brush Valley, and his schooling was such as the times afforded, but his good sense and judgment made up in a large measure for lack of training. He was married in Brush Val- ley, when a young man, to Susan Wolfe, daugh- ter of George Wolfe, and a native of Haines township, Centre county. He then located near Rockville on one of his father's farms, and fol- lowed agriculture during his active life, acquiring a fair competence, although he only lived to the age of forty-one years. He died in Sugar Val- ley, and his wife, who passed away before him at the age of thirty-eight, died in Brush Valley, both being buried at Rebersburg. He was a Whig, later a Republican, and was a stanch sup- porter of the principles of the party. In relig- ious work he was active as a member of the Re- formed Church, and he always showed hearty sympathy with any worthy improvement.

He had nine children, namely: Joseph, who died at Howard, Centre county, was a prominent merchant and grain dealer; T. E. is mentioned more fully below; Frank, a lumberinan, resides at Loganton, Penn; Henry G. is a resident of Johnstown, Penn. G. Scott, of Easton, is a rail -. road conductor: Annie married David Guswite, of Greene township, Clinton Co., Penn .; Abigail married Thomas Brungart, of Sugar Valley;

Rachel is now Mrs. Andrew Ocker, of Madison- burg, and Isabella married J. D. Johnston, of Easton.

T. E. Royer was born September 17, 1840, the family then living near Rebersburg. Hisfirst school was at Tylersville, where his parents lived for awhile, and a Mr. Divens was his first teacher. Great improvement in educational facilities has been made since that time, and no one can be more heartily in favor of this progress than Mr. Royer. He certainly deserves credit for his effective use of his opportunities, his studies be- ing pursued until he was himself qualified to teach. After he had completed the course offered in the country schools, he studied higher branches at Rebersburg under Prof. Magee and Samuel Gramley, and when a young man he taught school in Sugar Valley, but the occupation did not agree with him and he decided to find other employment. As he was but a child when his father died, he made his home with Col. Henry Royer, near Rebersburg, and there became fa- miliar with farm work, and he also learned the carpenter's trade under Jacob Frederick, of Aaronsburg.

In 1868 Mr. Royer married Miss Emma Haines, a native of Brush Valley, and a daugh- ter of Jeremiah and Susan (Brungart) Haines. Two children bless this union: Susan M., now the wife of John Long, of Red Oak, Iowa; and Harry H., at home. Mr. Royer has a comfort- able home, and believes in taking what pleasure life may afford, but his present prosperity was not gained without hard work and shrewd man- agement. After his marriage he located in the east end of Brush Valley on his father-in-law's farm. Later he removed to Sugar Valley, and rented a farm for three years, and then returned to Brush Valley. The first land he ever owned was eighteen acres at his present home, and by subsequent additions he has acquired about forty- eight acres, of which has been made a fine prop- erty. At two different times Mr. Royer has been engaged in mercantile business in Rebersburg, four and one-half years in all, and he formerly worked a little at his trade. He has been very successful in business. He has 563 acres of land in Brush Valley, and is one of the largest land owners in his township. He owns a home in Rebersburg, also several acres of land there, and has a partnership interest in over 235 acres of timber land. While he does no manual labor, the oversight of his property requires much time and attention.

Previous to his enlistment, Mr. Royer's syn- pathies were with the Democrats owing to the influence of those around him, as he lived in a

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Democratic community; but after his first fight as a soldier, he became a Republican, and has ever since been a steadfast adherent of that party. He is influential in local affairs, and has been school director and supervisor, although he lives in a strong Democratic locality and is no office seeker. He is noted for his sound judg- ment and common sense, strongly resembling his father in these respects as he does in outward appearance. He and his wife are prominent members of the Lutheran Church, in which he is an elder. He is a liberal contributor to that cause, as well as to any other which seems to him worthy. At the organization of W. W. Bierly Post, G. A. R., at Millheim, he was a charter member, and has been commander of that post. He also belongs to the I. O. O. F. Lodge No. 1031, at Rebersburg.

D AVID RHINESMITH is an active and ener- getic farmer of Benner township, Centre county, the owner of a good farm of sixty-two acres. By the manner in which he carries on his business, he evidences that he thoroughly understands the vocation in which he is engaged, and that success is attending his efforts toward acquiring a competency. Neatness and order prevail upon his place, which is managed, with regard to its cultivation, in a manner that reflects great credit upon the owner.

Mr. Rhinesmith was born in Perry county, Penn., in 1832, and is one of the twelve children born to John and Elizabeth (Earnest) Rhine- smith, the others being Mary A., John. Henry, Samuel, Maria, George, Eliza, and four who died in infancy. In the county of his nativity our subject was reared and educated, but in 1856 he left home, and has since been a resident of Centre county, where he has always followed farming. He was united in marriage with Mary Jane Mothersbaugh, who was also one of a fam- ily of twelve children. In politics her father was a Republican. and in religious belief a Uni- versalist, while her mother was a member of the Presbyterian Church. Five children grace the union of our subject and his wife, namely: Dan- iel M., Elizabeth E., Iris V., Minnie H. and William S.

In politics Mr. Rhinesmith affiliates with the Republican party, deeming that organization the most progressive and best suited to the genius of the American people. Fraternally he is a mem- ber of the Grange, and in religious faith he holds membership in the Reformed Church. He is a worthy representative of an old and honored

Pennsylvania-Dutch family, and as a citizen has the esteem and respect of all with whom he comes in contact.

YACOB KERSTETER, one of the best known agriculturists of -Penn township, Centre county, might almost be said to have estab- lished a standard of success in his calling through his successful management of his large farm. Although he has lately retired from active work and made his home in the pleasant little town of Coburn, he has by no means lost the prestige which his shrewd application of the principles of modern science to the business of farming won for him.

Mr. Kersteter is a native of Penn township, born May 2, 1838, and was the second son and child of John and Anna (Musser) Kersteter. As a boy he obtained an education in the subscrip- tion schools of the neighborhood, but after the age of fourteen he attended but little. Realizing to the full the value of a thorough prepara- tion for life's duties, he gives his hearty endorse- ment to the later improvements in our educa- tional system. At fourteen he began to learn the millwright's trade under Thomas Strayhorn, of Hartleton, Union Co., Penn., serving an ap- prenticeship of three summers, and receiving dur- ing the first year only $5 per month. The first mill that he worked upon was the one known as the Pine Creek inill. After becoming a full- fledged workman, he followed the business four- teen years, most of the time as a master mill- wright, and was employed at various points in Centre county and the region adjacent.

In November, 1861, Mr. Kersteter was mar- ried in Aaronsburg, by Rev. Mr. Welker, to Miss Harriet Fiedler, who was born in Penn township, Centre county, August 3, 1840, the daughter of Henry and Susan (Stover) Fiedler. Some years after his marriage Mr. Kersteter turned his at- tention to agriculture, settling upon the farm called the "old Jacob Fiedler farm," which he still owns. In 1882 he built a comfortable home in Coburn, and March 20, 1894, he took up his residence there, turning over the active work of his estate to other hands. He owns 265 acres of land aside from his place in Coburn, and is one of the substantial citizens of the locality.

In political affiliations, Mr. Kersteter has al- ways been a Democrat, and his advice carries much weight in the local councils of the party. He has served ably in various township offices, such as assessor, auditor, supervisor, overseer of the poor, school director and tax collector. He is also a member of the Grange, and he and his

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

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wife are both actively interested in the work of the Lutheran Church, to which they are liberal contributors. They have one son, James W., born August 1, 1864, who is now engaged in ag- riculture. He married Miss Annie Alexander, of Penn township, Centre county, a daughter of Christ Alexander, and they have three children- Bertha, Marion and Alfred.

A P. ZERBY, a wide-awake and progressive farmer of Penn township, Centre county, is descended from . one of its earliest families. His paternal grandfather, Philip Zerby, located in what is now Penn township, Centre county, about the beginning of the present century. He was born in Blue Mountain Hollow, Schuylkill Co., Penn., a son of Jonathan Zerby, and in- the county of his nativity married Barbara Lin- gle. A short time afterward they made what was then a long and tedious journey to Centre coun- ty, and located upon a farm between Millheim and Coburn, in Penn township, where they made their home a few years, and then removed to Gregg township. By trade Philip Zerby was a linen weaver, but principally supported his family by day labor. He was an honest, hard-working man, and a stanch supporter of the Democratic party. His death occurred in Gregg township, when he was fifty-five years of age.

To Philip and Barbara (Lingle) Zerby, were born the following children: John, born Sep- tember 27, 1804, was blind for some years prior to his death, which occurred in Snow Shoe, Centre county; Johan Philip, born March 27, 1806, died near Pottsville, Penn., while seeking treatment for threatened blindness; David, born November I, 1807, was blind for thirty-five years, and died in Gregg township; Jacob, born November 10, 1 809, died near the Loop, in Potter township, Centre county, after being blind for nearly twenty-five years; Adam, the father of our subject, was next in order of birth; Michael, born May 7, 1814, died in Stephenson county, Ill. ; Henry, born Octo- ber 23, 1815, died in the same county; Catherine, born October 27, 1817, and died in 1896, mar- ried Abram Hoover, also now deceased; and An- drew, born March 1, 1821, is living in the same township. The mother of these children died March 9, 1821, and was laid to rest in Gregg township. For his second wife, Philip Zerby wedded Hannah Sunday, a native of George's Val- ley, and a daughter of Adam and Hannah Eliza- beth (Minich) Sunday. Eight children blessed this union: Elizabeth, born May 16, 1822, mar- ried Charles Ripka, and died in Gregg township;

Mary, born April 26, 1824, married Henry Gar- ver, and died in Potter township, Centre county; Susannah and Sarah (twins) were born August 26, 1826 (Susannah is now the widow of George Wirt, late of Penn township, and Sarah is the widow of Peter Auman, late of Gregg township); Joseph, born November 4, 1830, died in Gregg township; William is a resident of that town- ship; Hannah is the wife of Peter Confer, of Millheim; and Amelia died at the age of twenty- one years.

The birth of Adam Zerby occurred in Gregg township, August 19, 1811, and as his parents were in limited circumstances he was given no educational advantages. When a young man he learned the weaver's trade, which he followed in connection with farming, and also operated a sawmill for many years. In 1847 he removed to Penn township, on Penn creek, where he pur- chased eighty acres of land, going in debt for the same, but fortunately his sons were of much as- sistance to him, and he soon had a comfortable home. Upon that farm his death occurred when he was nearly seventy years of age. He was a quiet, unassuming man, six feet. three inches in height, who enjoyed excellent health up to the time of his last illness. His remains were in- terred in Paradise cemetery by the side of the mother of our subject, who died at the age of fifty-seven years. He was a firm supporter of Democratic principles, but cared nothing for pub- lic office, and was a faithful member of the Evan- gelical Church.

In early life Adam Zerby married Susanna Suavely, by whom he had the following children: Henry, a resident of Haines township, Centre county; A. P., subject of this review; Reuben, who died in Penn township; David L., teller in the Millheim Bank; Sarah, widow of F. F. Jami- son, of Gregg township; and Julia A., who mar- ried Daniel Geary, and died in Penn township. After the death of his first wife, Adam Zerby wedded Mrs. Catherine Confer, nec Heckman, widow of Joseph Confer. She is still living in Stephenson county, Illinois.

A. P. Zerby was born April 21, 1845, and was an infant when brought by his parents to the farm which he now owns, and where he has since resided. His first literary training was under the instruction of John Strayhorn, and his entire education was obtained in the district schools, which were much inferior to those of the present day. He strongly endorses the changes that have since been made in educational institutions, and has served as an efficient member of the school board in his district. At the age of eight- een he left the schoolroom, and worked for some

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time in a mill and in the lumber woods, being thus employed until twenty-seven years of age.

In February, 1872, in Haines township, Cen- tre county, Mr. Zerby was married to Miss Eliza- beth Daup, the oldest of the seven children born to Joseph and Catherine (Decker) Daup, the former a blacksmith by trade. Five children have been born of this union: Susan O., at home; Joseph A., who died at the age of five years; William D. and Emory P., school teachers, re- siding at home; and Nina A., also at home.

After his marriage Mr. Zerby began house- keeping upon the old home farm, comprising sixty-five acres of rich and arable land, where he still resides, and which he has under high culture. For nearly a half of a century it has been his home, and after the death of his father he bought it at a public sale. Although he went in debt for much of the amount, it is now free. In con- nection with his farming operations, he also operates a sawmill, which he has equipped with modern machinery. No man in Penn township is more industrious, energetic and enterprising, and all that he now possesses has been obtained through his own unaided exertions. He has always supported the men and measures of the Democratic party, and has been called upon to serve in several official positions, including those of auditor, overseer of the poor, judge of elec- tion, school director and assessor. With the United Evangelical Church Mr. and Mrs. Zerby hold membership, and they enjoy a prominent position among the best and most highly re- spected citizens of the community.

J OHN WETZEL occupies a position in the front rank among the leading agriculturists of Spring township, Centre county, where he owns and operates a good farm of sixty acres, which he has placed under a high state of culti- vation and improved with excellent buildings. For many years he has made his home in Centre county, but was born in Snyder county, Penn., January 2, 1827, a son of Henry and Elizabeth (Ertly) Wetzel. His grandfather, Henry Wet- zel. at an early day removed from Lebanon county to what is now Snyder county, and there died at a ripe old age. By trade he was a weaver, but throughout the greater part of his life followed the occupation of farming. He served as a soldier during the " whiskey rebellion." In

his family were four children: Jacob, Mrs. Wag- ner, Henry, and one that died in infancy.

The father of our subject was also a native of Snyder county, and there passed away at the age of eighty-three years, while his wife, who was

born in the same county, died at the age of sev- enty-seven. He was a mechanic, engaged in the manufacture of gun barrels and grain sickles, and he was a consistent member of the Reformed Church. In his family were the following chil- dren who grew to manhood and womanhood: Aaron, who makes his home in Delaware; John, subject of this sketch; Frank, a resident of Sil- verton, Colo .; Henry, of Snyder county; Samuel, of Missouri; Miles, of Steelton, Penn .; and Sarah, wife of Boyer Kartz, of Snyder county, Pennsylvania.

In the public schools of the county of his na- tivity John Wetzel secured a good education, and on leaving the school room learned the carpen- ter's trade with Jacob Gildron, of Turburtville, Northumberland county, At the age of twenty- two he came to Bellefonte, and has since made his home in Centre county with the exception of about four years and one-half. In 1852 he re- moved to Snow Shoe, where the following three years were passed, and then emigrated to Cedar- ville, Stephenson Co., Ill .; in the fall of 1859, however, he returned to Centre county. Until 1876 he was a resident of Bellefonte, where he followed contracting and building, but in that year removed to his present farm in Spring town- ship.

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1, Part 85

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