Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1, Part 87

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 87
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 87
USA > Pennsylvania > Clarion County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 87
USA > Pennsylvania > Clearfield County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 87

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Until 1881, Daniel F. Poorman remained under the parental roof, from the time of his marriage operating the old homestead farm on shares, and then purchasing his present farm. Upon his place he has a valuable stone quarry, which he began to operate in 1888. He is a wide- awake, progressive business man, straight-for- ward and honorable in all dealings, and gained the confidence and esteem of all with whom he comes in contact. In manner he is pleasant and genial, easily winning friends, and has the happy faculty of retaining them. He is a stalwart Democrat in politics, but cares nothing for the honors or emoluments of public office, preferring to give his undivided attention to his business in- terests, in which he is meeting with good success. He is a public-spirited citizen, and all worthy enterprises find in him a friend and supporter. On January 21, 1872, he married Miss Nettie Walker, and to them have been born five chil- dren: Willis N., a farmer of Boggs township; Eva M., at home; Toner, who was scalded to death at the age of two years; Claude, at home; and one who died in infancy.

Jacob and Margerie (Lucas) Walker, the par- ents of Mrs. Poorinan, were natives of Mifflin and Centre counties, Penn., respectively. They were married in the latter county, where the father died September 8, 1884, at the age of seventy-five years; the mother, who was born March 4, 1818, still resides on the old homestead in Boggs township. Both were earnest mem- I bers of the United Brethren Church, and in pol-

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itics he was a Republican. Throughout life he followed general farming. Nine children were born of their union, namely: Matilda, wife of Philip Resides, a farmer of Boggs township; William and David, who both laid down their lives on the altar of their country during the Civil war; Maria, deceased wife of David Snider, of Northumberland county, Penn .; Jane, de- ceased wife of William Confer; Milligan, who is residing on the family homestead in Boggs town- ship; Rankin, deceased; Nettie, the honored wife of our subject; and Mary B., wife of Cyrus Lu- cas, of Boggs township. William and David Taylor enlisted in Company A, 149th Pennsyl- vania Volunteers, in the spring of 1861, and William was corporal of the company. In the the spring of 1862 he was shot while on picket duty, being the first man that was killed from Centre county. His remains were sent home and buried in the cemetery at Milesburg. David fought in all the battles except the last one, be- ing taken sick and sent to Lincoln Hospital, where he died, and he was buried at the same place.

William Lucas, the maternal grandfather of Mrs. Poorman, died at Snow Shoe, Centre county. The grandmother's name was Maryan Johnson.

E ALIAS MILLER .. To grow old gracefully, to keep the youthful spirit, and adding the ripening and enriching. influences of years of ex- perience and useful effort, is a rare distinction. Although now "eighty-three years young, " the honored pioneer whose name opens this biogra- phy shows few traces of the flight of time, weak- ened eyesight being the only serious sign of im- paired vigor. This is the more remarkable be- cause his life has been more than ordinarily filled with hardships and labors, as the following in- teresting account will show.

Mr. Miller was born June 10, 1814, in Moore township, Northampton county, Penn., on Blue Mountain. His father, David Miller, was a na- tive of the same county, born October 3, 1786, and as a boy was bound out to a hotel keeper near Bethlehem, Penn. When he came of age he learned the tailor's trade, which he followed for some years. He married Miss Barbara Reich- ner, who was born in Moore township, North- ampton county, May 26, 1791, and as his chil- dren grew to mature age he determined to seek a home where land could be procured more easily and a better start secured for them. In 1832 ne moved to Boalsburg, Centre county, a one-horse and a two-horse wagon serving to bring the fam-

ily and the household goods. He continued his trade while looking about for the desired opening into agricultural work, his lack of capital making the search a difficult one. Finally he rented a farm near Rock Springs, Centre county, and five years later took another near Pennsyl- vania Furnace. He prospered, and after a time purchased 100 acres of timbered land in the "Barrens," and building a log house started in true pioneer fashion to clear a farm. As old age came on he sold this tract and bought twenty- five acres from a farm then owned by our sub- ject, and putting up a good log house and stable he and his estimable wife lived there some years. Elias Miller, however, removed to Miles town- ship, and wishing to have his parents near him. purchased a small but comfortable home near Madisonburg, in which they passed their remain- ing years, the father's death occurring May 18, 1866, and the mother's on February 8, 1875. Their remains were first laid to rest in the Lu- theran cemetery, but later Elias Miller had them. transferred to the German Reformed Cemetery, both parents having been devout followers of that faith.

David Miller was a man of small build. In. early life he enjoyed excellent health, but he be- came crippled in the left leg through a crooked- ness caused by white swelling. This disadvan- tage did not prevent him from working and try- ing to realize his hopes of a competence for him- self and his family. Of eleven children only two are now living. (1) Charles was drowned in Huntingdon county; (2) Elias is the subject proper of this sketch; (3) Thomas was drowned in Lehigh county, while employed as a lock tender on the canal between Mauch Chunk and Easton; (4) Hettie married (first) Samuel Bloom, who died in Ferguson township, Centre county, and (second) she wedded Henry Garner; (5) Julia A. married William Davis, and died in Ferguson township, Centre county; (6) Gideon died young; (7) Mary Ann, widow of Daniel Diebler, lives in Shamokin, Penn .; (7) Reuben, (8) Sarah, and two others died in childhood.

The schools of the early days in this section afforded but meagre opportunities for an ambi- tious boy, and Mr. Miller's help was needed at home too much to admit of any extended course of study. He was a willing worker, strong for his age, and has chopped many hundreds of cords of wood. At thirteen he was hired out with the understanding that he should have two months' schooling each year; but this bargain was not observed, as his employer kept him at work all the time: He was eighteen at the time of the removal to Centre county, and he remained at

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home working for his parents until he was twenty- three years old lacking three months. In the meantime he had made numerous journeys on foot to Northampton county, 175 miles each way, to visit an early friend, Miss Cecelia Marsh, daughter of John and Polly (Deemer) Marsh, who lived upon a farm in Moore township near' Mr. Miller's birthplace. The young lady was about his own age, and a native of the same township, born September 24, 1814. In the fall of 1836 Mr. Miller started on foot to claim his bride. His clothes were poor, and he had in his pocket less than $2.50, half of which had been secured by working at fifty cents per day at husk- ing corn, and the rest had been saved, a few cents at a time, from chance earnings.

There was a young man in Northampton county who wished to go to Centre county with the young couple and board with them while working in the woods for Mr. Miller, and through an advance of $20, to be repaid in board, Mr. Miller was greatly assisted at this critical period in his fortunes. After his marriage Mr. Miller walked back to his home to make arrangements for bringing his bride, and early in December, 1836, he returned for her with a covered wagon. A heavy snow fell, and the roads becoming almost impassable with drifts, the trip, which should have been made in nine days, occupied six weeks. For a part of the way the wagon was transformed into a sled, and when the snow melted, the wheels, which had been strapped to the load, were again put in place, and thus the journey was finished. By this time Mr. Miller's funds were exhausted, but youth, health, and a definite purpose in life seemed a guarantee of success, and so they proved. He rented a small house in Ferguson township, Centre county, and began chopping wood in .. The Barrens " for the Penn- sylvania Furnace, managing to save a portion of his earnings. He built a small house on land owned by the company, and later leased a tract of timber land from them for twelve years. In eleven years he cleared 300 acres, the company putting up buildings for him. Before the lease expired he bought 115 acres of land, incurring a debt of nearly $4,000. This was the first home of his own, and six years were spent there. Dur- ing that time he bought 209 acres from the com- pany, and cleared nearly 100 acres of it, building a plain but good house. In 1855 he bought the "Old Musser farm" of 130 acres in Brush Val- ley, and in the following spring settled there, re- maining eight years, when he went to Madison- burg and bought the hotel where he now resides. It cost him $3,000, and lie has made many im- provements from time to time. For several years

he rented the hotel, but for the greater part of the time he has conducted it himself. He bought other property in the town, upon which he erected new buildings, and now owns two places there and fifty acres of mountain land. At one time he owned three farms in Brush Valley, but this land has either been sold or given to his sons.

In looking back over the years in which his present handsome competence has been gained, Mr. Miller can have the supreme satisfaction of knowing that all has been accomplished without taking advantage of any man. Never penurious, never extravagant, generous whenever a worthy cause appealed to his sympathies, his life has been one to emulate and admire. His integrity is so well established that in his more active days, when making large purchases of land, men of capital have come to him and offered to loan him whatever he might need. The shrewdest and most conservative money lenders have thus shown their confidence in him.

The faithful helpmeet of his early struggles passed from earth April 9; 1886, and her remains were interred in the Reformed Church Cemetery. Mr. Miller subsequently married Miss Amanda Grimes, a native of Miles township, Centre county, and a daughter of Anthony Grimes. There were three children by the first marriage: Harvey and Benjamin F., farmers of Brush Val- ley, now residing in Madisonburg, and Gideon, who died November 3, 1863. One daughter by the second marriage, Ancenetta, born April 5, 1887, is at home. Mr. Miller is a stanch Demo- crat, as was his father before him, but he has never been an office seeker. He takes an active interest in religious movements, and for many years has been a leading member of the Reformed Church.

T HOMAS E. VONADA, whose entire life has been passed in Centre county, now makes his home in Haines township, one-half mile northeast of Woodward. The first of the family in this country came here a long time ago, and at first settled under a large hemlock tree in what is now Haines township, later by hard labor clearing land, and raising stock. The old fan- ily was a very good-natured class of people, hon- est and honorable in all their dealings, and pros- pered well.

Henry Vonada, father of our subject, was born near that place, and acquired his education in the Vonada school. At an early age, how- ever, he left school, and began work upon the home farm, operating that place for several years. On starting out in life for himself he had 270

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acres, to which he added from time to time until at his death, in 1887, he had about 660 acres of land, which he left to his children. He was an industrious, energetic man, devoting his entire time and attention to the cultivation and im- provement of his farm, whereon he erected a comfortable residence and substantial outbuild- ings. Politically he was an earnest Democrat, and religiously was a consistent member of the Reformed Church, to which his wife also be- longed.

In 1852 Henry Vonada wedded Miss Mary Rishel, and they became the parents of five chil- dren, namely: Louisa C., born in 1853, is the wife of E .. J. Vonada, living near Coburn, Cen- tre county; F. Pierce, born in 1855, is an engin- eer of Coburn: Andrew J., born in 1857, married Maggie Rote, and is proprietor of a planing-mill . in Coburn; Thomas E. is next in order of birth; and Susan, born in 1862, is the wife of Emanuel; Eungard, a farmer of Penn's Cave, Centre county.

Thomas E. Vonada, our subject, was born on the old homestead in Haines township, Septem- ber 1, 1859, and during his boyhood he attended the Vonada school, while later he was a student in the schools of Woodward until twenty-one years of age. He operated the home farm on shares for about five years, and then worked at general labor near Woodward for a few years, after which be purchased seven acres of land on which he still resides, and some timber land.

On November 23, 1891, Mr. Vonada married Miss Almeda, the youngest daughter of Philip and Mary (Undergobler) Vonada, and they have two children: Florence May, born June 14, 1892; and Tammie R., born March 18, 1895. Mr. Vonada takes an active interest in the success of the Democratic party, which he always supports by his ballot, and is recognized as one of the representative and influential citizens of the com- munity, with whose interests he has ever been prominently identified.

J ACOB M. KEPLER. There are few men more worthy of representation in a work of this kind than the subject of this biography, who is passing the later years of his life on a comfortable homestead in Ferguson township, Centre county, the land of which he commenced operating in 1892. His has been a long and busy career, rich with experience, and in which he has established himself in the esteem and con- fidence of all who know him.

Mr. Kepler was born in Ferguson township, March 9, 1833, a son of Jacob and Katharine

(Musser) Kepler, both of whom were natives of Centre county, and of German extraction. In their family were five children, who in order of birth were as follows: (1) Mrs. E. K. Shadman, of Conneaut, Ohio, who is still living, and who raised a large family. (2) George M., a resident of Corry, Penn., is married and has two chil- dren-one son and one daughter. (3) Jacob M., subject of this sketch. (4) John M., of Shippensville, Clarion Co., Penn., who died in the summer of 1897, was married and reared a family; his wife is also dead. (5) Mary became the wife of Corthlow, of Clarion county, but died several years ago.

The primary education of our subject was ob- tained in the common schools, and this he sup- plemented with an academic course in the Pine Grove Mills and Potters Mills schools. When a young man he successfully engaged in teaching during the winter seasons, while the summer months were spent in farm labor. In 1859 he. embarked in the hotel business at Philipsburg, Centre county, which he continued until 1871, when he went to Petroleum Center, Venango Co., Penn., where for some time he was success- fully engaged in the oil business. Removing to Tionesta, Penn., he associated himself with N. S. Foreman, of that place, in the lumber trade, and was also connected with the Salmon Creek Lumber and Mining Company, serving as their superintendent for seven years. In 1880, Mr. Kepler founded the Forest National Democrat, the first Democratic newspaper in Forest county, and continued in the capacity of editor and pro- prietor until 1892, when he suspended its opera- tion on account of ill health. Leaving Tionesta, he removed .to his large and fertile farm in Ferguson township, Centre county, where he has since been actively and successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits.

In 1863, Mr. Kepler was united in marriage with Mary Jane Hutton, and to them were born four children, two of whom are still living. namely: Nellie, wife of James D. Davis, a book- keeper of Tionesta, Forest Co., Penn., by whom she has one child; and John W., who was born August 26, 1873, a printer by trade, who is asso- ciated with his father in the agricultural business, and who was also associate editor of the Forest National Democrat for four years; he completed his education at Chamberlain Institute, at Ran- dolph, New York, and is still under the parental roof.

Mr. Kepler has never cared for official dis- tinction, but has always taken an active part in promoting the interests of the Democratic party, which he supports by his ballot, and has served

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as chairman of the County Democratic Central Committee. He has ever cheerfully given his support to those enterprises that tend to public development and, with hardly an exception, he has been connected with every interest that has promoted general welfare. His name is a syno- nym for honorable business dealing; he is always mentioned as one of the invaluable citizens of this section of the State, and on the rolls of Centre county's most honored men his name should be found among the foremost.

T W. HOSTERMAN, of Coburn, who has won a high reputation among the agricult- urists of Penn township, Centre county, for his able management of his fine farm, is still more widely known as a forceful and effective speaker upon religious topics. having been for years a local preacher of the Evangelical Church. Al- though he has not had the advantages of col- legiate training, a mind well stored through private study and the diligent use of such in- struction as fell to him in his youth, makes him more than ordinarily well informed.

Mr. Hosterman was born in Haines town- ship, Centre county, April 15, 1845, upon a farm which had originally belonged to his grand- father, Jacob Hosterman, a prosperous agri- culturist, who had two sons and three daughters. At his death he left the estate by will to his only surviving son, Thomas, then eighteen years old. Thomas Hosterman, our subject's father, ac- cepted at this early age the responsibilities thus devolving upon him, and conducted the farm throughout his active life. He was married in Haines township to Miss Hannah Yearick, and took his bride to the old home. Not long after- ward he provided for his mother's comfort by building a good house for her in the same yard, where she spent the remainder of her life, dying when between seventy and eighty years of age. In like manner he arranged in his own later years for the quiet which the old crave, building a new home on one end of the farm when he retired from active business. There he died at the age of sixty-three, his wife having passed away four years before, aged fifty-five.

Thomas Hosterman had only a district-school education, and for that he had to walk three miles daily; but he possessed a remarkable intel- lect, and as a public speaker on religion or poli- tics wielded wide influence in his day. As a debater he was unusually successful, and men who had enjoyed superior educational advantages feared to meet him in open discussion. An ar- dent Abolitionist, he turned from the Democratic

party to the Whig, and later to the Republican party. He was an active member of the Evan- gelical Church, in which he was an exhorter, and his estimable wife was also a devout adherent.

Their children were Brumille, who died in youth; Paulina, who married Samuel Moyer, and died in Haines township, Centre county; Eman- uel, who died at the age of fourteen; Amelia (Mrs. Jeremiah Vonada), who died at Wood- ward, Penn .; Thomas W., our subject; Charles W., a resident of Woodward; Clara, now Mrs. James Weaver, of Fiedler, Penn .; Lizzie (Mrs. William Wolf), of Fiedler; Hannah M., who died in early womanhood; and Anna (Mrs. Howard Musser), of Woodward.

The subject of this biography attended the local schools of his day, one of his first teachers holding the sessions in an upper room of his fa- ther's spring house. His schooling, such as it was, ended at eighteen, when he began to devote his attention seriously to farming on the old homestead. In September, 1866, when but nine- teen years old, he was married in his native township to Miss Rachel Vonada, who was born in the Nittany Valley, March 15, 1844, the daughter of Philip and Mary (Harback) Vonada. After this happy event Mr. Hosterman settled at the homestead to work for his father. Later he rented the place, and two years before his fa- ther's death he made arrangements to purchase it. When the estate was settled he became the sole owner, and continued to reside there until 1886, when he moved to his present residence in Coburn. A sad affliction befell him in that year, a chestnut burr destroying the sight of his right eye. The homestead, which contains I So acres, still receives his superintendence, but except for that he has now retired from active care. He has built two houses in Coburn, each of which has a store room on the lower floor. In May, 1889, he was appointed postmaster of the village. and reappointed in August, 1897. He is a stanch Republican, taking great interest in the success of the party, and is regarded as a leader in his section.

For more than forty years, Mr. Hosterman has been a member of the Evangelical Church, to which Mrs. Hosterinan also belongs, and his labors for the cause have been manifold, as local preacher. exhorter, class leader, trustee and steward and in the work of the Sunday-school.

Mr. and Mrs. Hosterman have reared a large and interesting family, of which any parent might be proud. There were sixteen in all, three of whom have been removed by death: Phoebe died at Coburn, Penn., May 2, 1897, at the age of thirty-three years; Ida married Thomas Motz, of

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Woodward, Penn .; Warren is a farmer in Haines township, Centre county; Annie M. married Clayton Bower, of the same township; Edith married N. B. Shaffer, of Zion, Centre county; Luther is a farmer of Haines township; Gertie married John Waite, of Rebersburg, Penn. ; Will- iam is a farmer of Haines township; Tome, Thomas A. and Nathan are at home; Hannah died in infancy; Lizzie, Mabel and Bertha are at home; and an infant son still-born in 1887.

J. THOMPSON, of Potters Mills, ranks among the most prominent business men of Centre county, with whose commercial and industrial interests he has been identified for many years. He is now the senior member of the well-known firm of Thompson & Smith, deal- ers in general merchandise at Potters Mills, car- rying a large and well-selected stock. In busi- ness circles he occupies a prominent place, and to-day is the oldest active merchant in Penn's Valley.

Mr. Thompson was born in Milroy, Penn., September 9, 1834, and is a son of William and Margaret (McFarlane) Thompson, both natives of Mifflin county, Penn., the former a son of Moses Thompson, and the latter a daughter of Col. James McFarlane. The father was a farmer by occupation, and was a man of considerable means. He was three times married, the mother of our subject being his second wife, and to them were born five children. Both parents died in Mifflin county, the father at the age of eighty- four years, and the mother at forty-seven. His family numbered nine children in all, of whom our subject was next to the youngest.

In Milroy, Mr. Thompson, of this review, was reared and obtained his elementary educa- tion at his boyhood home, and at the age of eighteen years was sent to Tuscarora Academy, where he pursued his studies one season, at the end of which time the school was destroyed by fire. The following winter he attended school at Perrysville, Penn., for one term, there complet- ing his literary education. In 1854 he came to Centre Furnace, Centre county, and secured a position as clerk in the company's store at that place, this being his first experience in the mer- cantile business. After five years in that employ he came to Potters Mills, where his father had purchased property, and in connection with his brother; James M., established his present busi- ness under the firmn name of W. J. Thompson & Brother. This partnership continued until the death of the latter during the " seventies." when our subject became sole owner. In 1877 the

store was destroyed by fire, but with his charac- teristic energy, Mr. Thompson at once resumed operations, erecting his present substantial brick block, where he has since successfully conducted business. In addition to his mercantile pursuits. he has also been extensively interested in the lumber business, and still owns considerable land, from which he has cut the timber.

Since the organization of the Republican party, Mr. Thompson has been one of its stanch- est supporters, and on that ticket was elected justice of the peace (in which office he served some fifteen years). although his party was greatly in the minority, which fact illustrates his popularity and the confidence and trust reposed in him by his fellow citizens. He acceptably served in that office for ten years. While not a member of any religious organization, he gives his support to the Presbyterian Church, to which he has ever been a liberal contributor.

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1, Part 87

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