Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1, Part 89

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 89
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 89
USA > Pennsylvania > Clarion County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 89
USA > Pennsylvania > Clearfield County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 89

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Politically, Mr. Walker is independent, vot- ing for the man whom he considers best quali- fied to fill the position. Formerly he was a Re- publican, twice being the nominee of that party for the Legislature, but was defeated owing to the county having a large Democratic majority. He is an intelligent, enterprising man, well informed on the leading questions and issues of the day, and is fully abreast with the times in every par- ticular. His success in life is due entirely to in- dustry, perseverance and good management, and he holds a high place in the esteem of his fellow- citizens.

D ANIEL ROUSH, a well-known and honored citizen of Madisonburg, is the oldest shoe- maker actively engaged at his trade in Brush Valley, Centre county. He was born February I, 1824, at Freeburg, in what was then Union county, but is now Snyder county, Penn., and is a son of Frederick and Dorothy (Nagal) Roush. His education was such as the district schools of the locality afforded. At the early age of ten years he began learning the shoemaker's trade with his father, and after he had attained his six- teenth year gave his entire time and attention to that business.

During his boyhood, Mr. Roush accompanied his parents to Miles township, where he continued to work with his father until twenty-one years of age, and then established a shop of his own in Madisonburg, where he has since successfully carried on business, with the exception of two months spent in Bellefonte. He owns an excel- lent home in Madisonburg, and also twelve acres near the village, for which he paid $125 per acre, and twenty-seven acres of mountain land. He has made his own way in the world, having

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started out in life for himself empty-handed, but by industry, perseverance and economy has se- cured a comfortable competence, which is assur- edly justly merited.

In May, 1845, in Madisonburg, Mr. Roush wedded Miss Mary Wise, a native of Brush Val- ley, and a daughter of Frederick Wise, a black- smith by trade, and to them were born three children: Anna and Louisa, who died when young; and Elizabeth, now the widow of Jacob Keller, of Bellefonte. The mother of these died and was buried in Madisonburg, and in that vil- lage, August 16, 1864, Mr. Roush was again married, this second union being with Miss Ma- linda Bickle, who was born in Madisonburg, May 31, 1836, a daughter of Simon and Hannah Bickle. With the Reformed Church they hold membership, and enjoy the confidence and high regard of all who know thein. During his leisure hours, Mr. Roush has done much reading, and is therefore well informed on leading questions and issues of the day as well as on general topics of interest. He has always given his political sup- port to the men and measures of the Democratic party, and for two years served as overseer of the poor.

CHAMUEL ERTEL. The history of this gen- 2

tleman, who is one of the leading farmers of Gregg township, Centre county, is a forcible illustration of the exercise of perseverance and resolution under the pressure of financial difficulties as well as amid the sunshine of pros- perity. His ample possessions comprise 460 acres, and his homestead with its appurtenances forms one of the most attractive features of the landscape.

Mr. Ertel was born December 27, 1837, near Penn Hall, in the township which is still his home, and comes of a family that has long been identified with the interests of Centre county, his grandfather being a resident of Brush Valley at an early day, where he engaged in farming There the father, Philip Ertel, was born in No- vember, 1796, and at Aaronsburg he learned the tanner's trade, which he followed for many years in Gregg township in connection with his farm- ing operations. His tannery was located on his farm, and there he did an extensive business. He was a strong and robust man who started out in life . empty-handed; but by perseverance and industry became one of the substantial citizens of the community, where he was widely and favor- ably known. His political support was also given the men and measures of the Democratic party, and in religious belief he was a Lutheran.

Philip Ertel was joined in wedlock with Cath- arine Bartges, who was born in November, 1799, a daughter of William Bartges. Six children blessed their union: David, who died in Green Briar, Penn township, Centre county; Daniel, a resident of Marshall county, Iowa; Elizabeth, wife of A. G. Burrell, of Gregg township; Sam- uel, of this sketch; Adam, of Gregg township; and Caroline, wife of George Gentzel, of the same township. The mother was called to her final rest in 1846, and the father in June, 1875. His remains were interred in Green Grove ceme- tery, while the mother was buried in the Heck- man cemetery.

Samuel Ertel began his education in the Cross Roads school under the instruction of John Mayer, and for several years built the fires in the school house for the different teachers for $1.50 per winter He saved the wages thus earned until he had $9, with which sum he purchased his first watch-a long-cherished possession. Upon the home farm he was reared to manhood, and continued under the parental roof until his marriage, in Aaronsburg, May 1, 1859, to Miss Mary A. Minich, the ceremony being performed by Rev. Joseph Welker. She was born in Penn township, November 16, 1835, a daughter of Daniel and Lydia (ncc Kuhns) Minich, and re- ceived very limited school privileges, her parents being poor. From the age of fifteen years until her marriage she was employed as a domestic. By her marriage she has become the mother of two children: Amanda C., born December 25, 1859, is the wife of John W. Gobble, of George's Valley, Centre county; and Ida C., born Sep- tember 19, 1868, is the wife of Seward C. Beck- er, of Altoona, Pennsylvania.

Mr. Ertel took his bride to the home farm in Gregg township, which he operated until ISSI, and then removed to his present place, known as the "Hettinger farin," in George's Valley, Gregg township, which he had purchased the year previous. During the twenty-two years he lived upon his father's farm he had often worked along into the night, and, saving his money, was able to bny his own farin without going into debt for any of the amount. It comprises 125 acres of excellent land, which he has transformed into richly cultivated fields, and in addition to this he owns other tracts, aggregating 460 acres, all the result of his untiring labor, energy and good management. In securing his comfortable for- tune he has been ably assisted by his excellent wife, who has indeed been a true mate to him, and they now expect to spend their declining years in ease and retirement and enjoy the fruits of their former toil. They are active and con-

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

sistent members of the Lutheran Church, in which he has served as both deacon and elder for a number of years. Fraternally he affiliates with the Grange, No. 158, at Spring Mills, and in politics is an ardent Democrat.

L W. WALKER is one of the most reliable and skillful carpenters of Ferguson township, Centre county .. He is a native of the county, born December 26, 1853, and there he attended school during his boyhood and youth, acquiring an excellent education which well fits him for the practical duties of life. Learning the carpenter's trade, he has since followed that vocation with good success.

Andrew Walker, father of our subject, was of Irish descent, his grandfather coming from the Emerald Isle to the New World. In early life he followed the blacksmith's trade, but subse- quently turned his attention to farming, engaging in the same. He married Katharine Stine, a lady of German origin, who is still living at the home near Fairbrook, Centre county. In their family were seven children, namely: Mary, wife of Joseph Hettinger, a farmer of Boalsburg, Centre county, by whom she has three children; M. E., wife of Henry Myers, a farmer of Virginia, Clarion county, by whom she has seven children; A. S., a resident of Stormstown, Centre county, who married a Miss Battus, who died in 1892, leaving six children; I. G., who married Catharine Smith; L. W., of this review; Miles W., ex- sheriff of Centre county, and a resident of Belle- fonte, who married Katie Powers, and has five children; and C. C., who is living with his mother in Ferguson township.

As a stanch adherent of the Democratic party, L. W. Walker takes an active interest in political affairs. He is an intelligent, industrious and upright citizen, whose sterling worth is rec- ognized by his many friends and acquaintances. In religious belief he is a Methodist.

W ILLIAM LOVE is the owner of one of the beautiful homes and fine farms of Benner township, Centre county. He is num- bered among the native sons of the Emerald Isle, his birth having occurred in County Donegal, Ire- land, September 11, 1825. His parents, John and Margaret (Fleming) Love, were also natives of that country, and were Presbyterians in relig- ious faith. The father died in his eighty-second year, the mother in the eighty-third year of her age.

During his boyhood, about the year 1835,

William Love came to America, finally settling in Centre county, Penn., in 1850, and for forty- six years has resided continuously within its bor- ders, one of the leading representatives of its agricultural interests. He now owns forty-four acres of highly-improved land, and also 240 acres of mountain land, besides a house and three acres in Spring township. His business affairs are managed with great energy, directed by sound judgment, and in the conduct of his agricultural interests he has gained a comfortable competence. His home is one of the fine resi- dences of Benner township, and. its tasty sur- roundings make it one of the most attractive and desirable country seats in this part of Pennsyl- vania.

Mr. Love was married to Sarah Daily, and children as follows were born to them: Margaret, Catherine, Mary J., Thomas, William, John and David. The mother of these died in 1864, and June 10, 1866, Mr. Love married Mrs. John K. Rankin, widow of a Union soldier who died in the Civil war. She is a daughter -of Abram and Sarah (Campbell) Myers, and was born in 1835, in Bed- ford county, Penn., whence she came to Centre county during her childhood. By the second marriage Mr. Love has no children. The family is held in high esteem in the county, and the sev- eral members of the household have many warm friends. In his political views, Mr. Love is a Republican, and stanchly advocates the princi- ples of that party, while by his ballot he sup- ports its men and measures. Public-spirited and progressive, he is deeply interested in all that pertains to the advancement of the community. and withholds his support from no worthy enter- prise. In his dealings his integrity is beyond question, and the sterling worth of his character has won him high regard.

C C. SHUEY, a wide-awake business man of Bellefonte, Centre county, is not only a pru- dent and successful manager of his own interests, but a loyal and active sympathizer in the general advancement of the community. He was born February 1, 1857, on a farm in the southwest- ern part of Centry county, and is a descendant of a German family long resident in this State.

Peter Shuey, grandfather of our subject, was a native of Schuylkill county, but in manhood made his honie at Centre Furnace, Centre coun- ty, where he was employed at the furnace. He died there at the age of seventy-two, and his wife, whose maiden name was Etters, passed away in her sixty-sixth year. This estimable couple reared a large family of children: (1) Ben-

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jamin, who died recently at his hoine in Iowa; (2) Barbara, widow of Jeremiah Mayes, of Fill- more, Buffalo Run Valley; (3) John, a resident of Dalton, Muskegon Co., Mich .; (4) Jonathan, who lives near State College, Centre county; (5) Jacob, our subject's father; (6) Lavina, widow of John Wasson, residing near Lemont; and (7) Catharine, who married Cornelius Houtz, and re- sides at Lemont.

Jacob Shuey, who is an industrious and suc- cessful agriculturist, was born in Harris town- ship, Centre county, September 6, 1830. He was married there in 1852 to Miss Sarah Srohim, a native of Haines township, Centre county, born November 4, 1830. She, too, is of German de- scent, and her father, who resided in Penn's Valley, died when she was a child, leaving three sons and two daughters, viz .: Charles, now in Iowa; Elizabeth (Mrs. Robert Ray), now de- ceased; John, who resides near Zion, Centre county; Sarah (Mrs. Shuey); and Christ, a resi- dent of Grace Hill, Washington Co., Iowa. For some time after his marriage Jacob Shuey lived near Centre Furnace, and later he located upon a farm at Buffalo Run, but for thirty-four years past he has made his home in the Nittany Valley. He is a leading member of the Evan- gelical Church, and is highly esteemed among his associates. Of his seven children four died at an early age. The others are: (1) Ellen (Mrs. William Johnstonbrough), of Marion town- ship, Centre county, in the Nittany Valley; (2) Peter, night watchman for the Berwin-White Coal Mining Co., at Anita, Jefferson county, Penn .; and (3) C. C., the subject of this sketch.

M. E. Church. Mr. Shuey is much interested in reform work, and is an ardent temperance man, voting the Prohibition ticket. Fraternally he is a member of the order of Heptasophs.

J ACOB M. NEIDIG, one of the prosperous agriculturists of Penn's Valley, is the owner of a fine farm of 140 acres in Haines township, Centre county, near the village of Woodward.

Solomon Neidigh, great-grandfather of our subject, came from Berks county, and purchased the place, which was then in Haines township, Northumberland county. The deed in the pos- session of our subject is dated April 30, 1791. and the property has been in the family ever since. Solomon Neidigh was born August 17, 1744, died January 28, 1797, and was buried on the estate. Marie Elizabeth, his wife, was born March 2, 1745, and died September 7. 1821. They had several children, among whom was a son John Neidigh (our subject's grandfather), born September 9, 1776, in Berks county, Penn., and died March 4, 1838, who came into the ownership of the farm by will, and being a pro- gressive man, and well supplied with the means to improve it, built the present substantial brick residence, between 1815 and 1820. The barn dates back to 1834. Catherine, his wife, was born August 8, 1780, and died December 25, 1841. The remains of both were interred upon the farm. Of their thirteen children- nine daughters and four sons-one son died in infancy, the others being as follows: Catharine; Solo- mon, born June 8, 1801; John, born July 20, 1802; daughter, born May 3, 1804; daughter, born July 7, 1805; daughter, born August 16, 1806; daughter, born December 16, 1807; David (third son, and father of our subject) is men- tioned farther on; Ellen, Sophie, Annie and Leah ; and a son, born March 25, 1820.

C. C. Shuey remained at his father's farm until the age of twenty, his education being ac- quired in the country schools. He learned the carpenter's trade near Lemont, and for about six years followed that calling in summer, spending the winter seasons in logging. Deciding upon a mercantile career, he became a clerk for C. U. David Neidig, the father of our subject, was born in 1809, and died April 1, 1863. He was one of the leading men of that locality in his day. a shrewd and successful manager, and although his early education was limited, he acquired practi- cal knowledge upon a wide range of subjects. He settled his father's estate, and while farming was his principal occupation he engaged in lumbering and other enterprises, conducting a sawmill for many years. While he gave due attention, as a private citizen, to political questions, attending elections regularly, he never sought office or joined in partisan work beyond the deposit of a Democratic ticket in the ballot box at every law- ful opportunity. He was a captain in the militia, Hoffer & Co., and remained with them three years. With this practical experience he felt justified in venturing into the business arena on his own account, and January 12, 1886, he opened a grocery store in partnership with Mr. Erhard. The partnership lasted three and one-half years, when Mr. Shuey purchased Mr. Erhard's inter- est, and he has since conducted the business alone, enjoying a fine trade. On November 29, 1883, he married Miss Mary Herkimer, who died soon afterward, and on September 7, 1886, he wedded Miss Rebecca Mulholland, a native of Bellefonte. They have four interesting children: Bernice, Rachel, Anna and Sarah. Mr. and Mrs. Shuey are prominently identified with the | and was a leading worker in religious affairs, con-

fach Ir , Neidig

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tributing liberally to St. Paul's Church (Reform- ed), of which he was a member. His wife, Bar- bara, was a daughter of Jacob Moyer, a well- known citizen of Snyder county. . She was born in 1814, and passed away in 1886, her remains being laid to rest beside those of her husband in St. Paul's Cemetery. She was a devout Chris- tian, of the Lutheran faith. There was a large family of children, of whom six lived to adult age, our subject (sketch of whom follows) being eldest; (2) Mary Ann, born January 13, 1841, married Michael Hess, of Haines township. (3) Susan, born March 22, 1842 (now Mrs. Samuel Kramer), also resides in that locality. (4) John, born February 11, 1845, sold his share in the farm to his brother Daniel, and being a single man lives most of the time with his sisters. (5) Daniel M., born July 6, 1847, married Lydia Ellen Krumer- ine, and has two children-one son and one daughter; he is now a retired farmer, and lives at State College. (6) Augustus David, born May 5, 1853, is a farmer in Wisconsin.

Jacob M. Neidig (our subject) was born March 30, 1839, and was reared at the old homestead, his educational advantages being confined to an attendance at the subscription schools of that day. His first school was in the home of his father, and his first teacher was a Mr. Hoy. In those times labor-saving machinery had not been introduced to any great extent, and wheat was threshed during the winter season by the tramp- ing of horses. As may be supposed, there was plenty of work for our subject to do, and when the "chores" on the farm failed the sawmill could be relied upon to keep him employed, es- pecially in the spring of the year. However irksome this continuous round of work may have been at the time, the habits of industry and knowledge of detail thus gained were of great service to him in after life, and the old home- stead, with its carefully-kept buildings, shows the good results of his labors. He has not only repaired the old structures, but has added new ones from time to time. The farm contains 140 acres of excellent land, and Mr. Neidig also owns some mountain lands. Lumbering has en- gaged his attention at times, and his success in his undertakings has given him a high reputation among the progressive business men and farmers of Penn's Valley.

On May 30, 1880, Mr. Neidig was married in Aaronsburg to Miss Catherine Rishel, a native of Gregg township, Centre county, and the elder of the two daughters born to David and Mary M. Rishel. Mr. Neidig and his wife are leading members of the Lutheran Church, in which he has held the offices of deacon and elder. Lib- 28

eral in his donations to every worthy cause, quiet and peaceable in his mode of life, Mr. Neidig is one of the best of citizens. He is steadfast sup- porter of the doctrines of the Democratic party, and votes regularly, but has never entered the political arena for any office whatever.

RANK B. STOVER. The life of this well- known citizen of Bellefonte, Centre county, has been marked by unusual enterprise and en- ergy, and the success which has attended his efforts is but their due reward. Although he is a native of Union county, where he was born, December 7, 1836, his family has been identified with Centre county for three generations. His paternal grandfather, Jacob E. Stover, was born at Williamsport, Md., on the Potomac river, and, losing his parents while yet a boy, began his business career at great disadvantages. He learned the tanner's trade in Maryland, and when a young man settled in Haines township, Centre county, where numerous relatives had already located. There he built a tannery, which he con- ducted for many years. He had the following children: Samuel H., Isaac, William H., George Hubler, Michael, John H., and Catherine, who married a Mr. Kaup. Three of the sons served with distinction in the Union army during the Civil war. George Hubler Stover, who died in the year 1897, gained the rank of major; Michael was connected with the quartermaster's department, while John H. became a colonel, and after the war he was a resident of Mor- gan county, Mo., and represented that district in Congress.

Samuel H. Stover, our subject's father, was born at Aaronsburg, Penn., in 1812. He was married in Centre county to a lady of Dutch descent, by name Catherine Dingers, whose father was a farmer in Lebanon county, Penn., where she was born in 1813. For about three years after their marriage they made their home in Hartleton, Union county. They then returned to Centre county, and located at Boalsburg, Har- ris township, for three years, after which they made their home in Bayleyville until 1865, at which time they again moved to Boalsburg, and lived there some eighteen years, or until their death in 1883, the father dying in March, the mother in May. They were Lutherans in relig- ious faith, and the father was a stanch adherent of the Republican party. Of their thirteen chil- dren eight lived to maturity: (1) Matilda mar- ried Jonathan Musser, and resides in Altoona, Blair county: (2) Frank B. is mentioned more fully below; (3) Johanna married George Kaup,

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of Centre county; (4) Catherine is the wife of Jonathan Hess, of the same county; (5) Mary G. married Dr. J. K. Krider, and now lives in Ohio; (6) Ellen is the wife of Henry Gingrich, of Cen- tre county; (7) Sadie and (8) Nannie, who are not married, reside in Bellefonte.

As the only son of his parents, Mr. Stover found his help much in demand upon the farm during his early years, but he was given good educational advantages, supplementing his course in the district school by an attendance at Pine Grove Academy and Central Academy in Juniata county, Penn. After leaving school he worked for some time upon the farm and in his father's hotel at Rock Springs, and then entered business life on his own account as a clerk in a dry-goods store, where one of his transactions was the sale of six yards of calico to a lady for a dress. Later he clerked in a hardware store in Bellefonte, and in 1881 he engaged in the meat business, which he has ever since followed, enjoying a large cus- tom. As a business man he holds a high place, and he also exerts much influence in local af- fairs and in the Republican organization. He belongs to the Royal Arcanum, and is a leading member of the Lutheran Church, and, in fact, is interested as a good citizen in all the varied movements of his locality.

In 1861 Mr. Stover was united in marriage with Miss Mary M. Musser, a native of Pine Grove Mills, Centre county, born in 1838, daugh- ter of William and Catherine Musser, the former of whom died in 1870, the latter in 1885. Mr. and Mrs. Stover have four children-two sons, Samuel and Alvin H., in business with their fa- ther, and both living in Bellefonte, and two daughters, Lula C., at home, and Lottie E., who was married September 15, 1896, to H. E. Stover, and now resides in Hagerstown, Md. Samuel, the elder son, was born at Rock Springs, Centre county, in January, 1863. Alvin H., the younger son, was born in April, 1865, at Locust Grove, Centre county, and was married in August, 1887, to Miss Ida Rishell, daughter of John Rishell, Centre county, and they have three children: Frank R., Helen S. and Harold M.

G' EORGE B. SIMLER, JR., who is success- fully engaged in the express business, holds a leading place among the enterprising and prominent men of Philipsburg, Centre county, materially aiding in the development and prog- ress of the municipality. There he was born December 13, 1857, a son of George B. and Amanda (Carpenter) Simler, well known and and highly respected citizens of Philipsburg.

Until twenty-two years of age our subject worked for his father at the express business, and then purchased of him a horse and wagon and began operations on his own account. From 1878 until 1880 he served as baggage agent at Philipsburg for the Pennsylvania Railroad Com- pany. At present he uses two double teams in his business, and so successful has he been that he is now the owner of several pieces of real es- tate, besides his own good residence property. In 1879 he was married to Miss Henrietta Lewis, and they have eight children, whose names and dates of birth are as follows: Amanda C., March 20, 1880; Arthur C., September 8, 1881; Hester J., September 9, 1883; John L., April 2, 1885; Mary L., January 14, 1887; George L., Novem- ber 27, 1892; Donald, August 21, 1894; and Margaret, November 3, 1896.

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1, Part 89

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