Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1, Part 95

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 95
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 95
USA > Pennsylvania > Clarion County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 95
USA > Pennsylvania > Clearfield County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 95

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service as a compliment from the members of the Bar, and $150 in pure gold."

The children of this marriage are: Wallace, Wilson and Elizabeth. Mrs. Mary M. Gephart, the mother of our subject, was the granddaugh- ter of George Swartz (I), who built one of the first sawmills on Elk creek in Penn township. He was a leading member of the Evangelical Church, and of his eleven children, George was the father of Mrs. Gephart. The latter's death occurred on December 14, 1874. "She was a quiet, unpretentious, good woman, with a heart overflowing with kindness and sympathy toward every one, and with a hand always ready to as- sist and comfort in every time of distress. As a neighbor none could be better, and the families who lived near her all bear testimony to the ex- ceeding loveliness of her character. Her nature was all womanly, tender, charitable, forbearing and sympathetic. She won the love and the es- teem of all with whom she was thrown in con- tact. It was her own family, however, where her worth was best known and appreciated, and there will her loss be most grievously felt. It was her hand that managed, her eye that saw, her heart that felt for each member of that little cir- cle. The father, the son and the daughter all drew their comfort from her. For them the fires were bright, the room cheerful, the table invitingly spread. For them there was peace and quietness and domesticity in every depart- ment, and no happier family ever assembled around the hearthstone. She was the wife and mother in the fullest sense of those significant and tender words, and in her intercourse with her family she was careful to order her walk and con- versation in accordance with the injunction of the law of her God and Master. She had been a member of the M. E. Church from her child- hood."

G EORGE REIBER is prominently identified with the agricultural interests of Potter township, Centre county. He has achieved suc- cess by his own unaided exertions, and is. in fact, a self-made man, starting out in life with nothing but youth in his favor, and his endow- ments of fine health, a vigorous muscle and a clear, cool brain. After all, a man possessing these need fear nothing: with a determination to succeed, success is his almost from the start, al- though it may be that years of patient waiting and hard toil are necessary before his endeavors are crowned with the full measure of success.

At Sinking Springs, Berks Co., Penn., Mr. Reiber was born February 15, 1830, a son of

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Jacob and Mary (Flisher) Reiber, who, with their four children, came to Centre county, in 1836, locating near Tusseyville. They drove the en- tire distance from Butler, Penn., whither they had removed from Berks county; but being dis- satisfied with the locality, they came to Centre county, where the father first rented land and worked at his trade of blacksmithing. Later he bought a farm of Potter Brothers, with whom he had deposited $1,000, which amount was ap- plied on his place just before the failure of that well-known firm. There he continued to reside until his death, which occurred when he was over sixty years old. His wife was about the same age when she, too, was called to her final rest, and they now sleep side by side in the Tus- seyville cemetery. They were earnest and con- sistent members of the Lutheran Church, in which the father had held office, and in politics he was a Democrat. Their family consisted of four children: Elizabeth, now Mrs. Adam Stemm, of Berrien county, Mich .; George; John, a tin- ner of St. Jo., Mich .; and William, a retired physician of Berrien Springs, in the same State ..

Until the free schools were established the educational privileges of our subject were limited, but in the common schools he obtained a fair literary training, his first teacher being James Powley. At the age of thirteen, however, he laid aside his text books and learned the black- smith's trade in his father's shop, where he contin- ued to work until the age of twenty-four years. He was then married in Potter township to Miss Esther Mayer, a native of that township, and a daughter of Jacob and Julia A. (Trion) Mayer. By trade her father was a tanver, and for many years followed that business near Colyer. Mr. and Mrs. Reiber have a son, William, born in Potter township, Decemhbr 25, 1854. He was educated in the district schools, and has always remained at home. Being very handy with all sorts of tools, he does all kinds of repairing of watches, clocks and jewelry, and in 1896 he built an excellent home and workshop near Colyer. In 1879 he was married in Potter township, to Miss Mary E., daughter of Conrad Decker, and they have three children -- William A., Clara and Blanche-all at home.

After his marriage, Mr. Reiber, the subject of this sketch, rented a house near his father-in- law's tannery, where he worked for some time, and later owned an interest in the business, which he continued to follow for about sixteen years, when he sold out to Mr. Mayer. In 1874 he bought from the Peter McMinn estate his present farmi of 112 acres, at $60 per acre, but the buildings were all poor, and those now standing

on the place have been erected by our subject. His first real estate consisted of a half interest in the Red Mill property in Potter township. In 1894 he also purchased the old Slack homestead of 100 acres.

In politics, Mr. Reiber is a strong Democrat, which party his son also supports. In religious belief he is a Lutheran, has been a liberal con- tributor to the Church, and has served as deacon, and in other official positions. By hard work and unrelenting toil he has accumulated a very comfortable competence, and his success is all the more creditable, knowing that he has been handicapped by the lack of a good education. His reputation for integrity, fair and honorable dealing and justice in all things has gained him the confidence and good will of all who know him. His faithful wife died in January, 1887, and was laid to rest in the Tusseyville cemetery.

B ENJAMIN F. BECK. The fine farm be- longing to our subject in Walker township, Centre county, is conspicuous for the manner in which it has been improved and cultivated, and is evidently the homestead of one of the most en- terprising men of the community. The build- ings are of a neat and substantial character, the fields are well tilled, and in fact the whole place betokens the thrift and energy of a progressive farmer. He was born October 20, 1841, in Walker township, only a few rods from his pres- ent residence, which is pleasantly situated in Snydertown, and his parents, Henry and Ann Eliza (Furst) Beck, were also natives of Centre county. His paternal grandfather, John Beck, was born in Northampton county, Penn., but shortly after his marriage with Miss Snyder, came to Centre county, where his descendants still live.

To the parents of our subject were born six children-three sons and three daughters-name- ly: (1) Lydia married Adam Decker, a promi- nent farnier of Walker township, living near Snydertown, and they reared a family of nine children, some of whom are now married and have families of their own; she departed this life in 1890, and was buried in the Hublersburg ceme- tery. (2) Benjamin F. is the next in order of birth. (3) Amanda J. is the wife of Frederick Schenck, a farmer of Bald Eagle Valley, Centre county, and they have two children. (4) Char- lotte E. is the wife of William Decker, a leading farmer of Walker township, residing near Hub- lersburg, and they have two children -- a son and daughter. (5) Martin L., a wealthy farmer, making his home near Snydertown, Walkertown-

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ship, married Agnes A. Beck, daughter of Joseph Beck, of Shelby county, Ill. (6) William H., a blacksmith by trade, married Clara Singer, daughter of Conrad Singer, of Centre county, and they have one daughter.

In the common schools of his native county, Mr. Beck, the subject proper of this sketch, ob- tained his education, and he remained upon the home farm, assisting in its care and cultivation until his marriage to Miss Henrietta Eggers, a daughter of Louis Gustavus Eggers, who was born in Germany, whence when a lad of ten years he came to the New World. He became a Lutheran minister, his first charge being the church at Snydertown, Centre county, and he died in 1883, at Palmyra, this State, in the cem- etery of which place he was laid to rest. Mrs. Beck, an excellent lady, was born May 25, 1840. By her marriage to our subject she has three children: Lydia J., born October 29, 1870; Emma J., born February 23, 1876; and Louis H., born April 12, 1878. The family is an in- telligent and cultured one, and the young ladies are beautiful and accomplished, holding a prom- inent position in the social circles of the com- munity.

Coming of an old Democratic family, Mr. Beck has always given his allegiance to that party, believing that through it can be secured the best form of government. With his family he holds membership in the Lutheran Church. As a man he is looked upon by the community as one whom they can trust, "who breaks no promise, serves no private end; who gains no office, but who has lost no friend."

SRAEL CORL, a stalwart and sturdy repre- sentative of the noble yeomanry who make up the agricultural population of Centre county, is a resident of Ferguson township. He is a native of the county, born in Haines township, in 1835, a son of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Vo- nada) Corl, who were natives of Chester and Centre counties, Penn., respectively. From Chester county, the father removed to Union county, and when still a young man came to Cen- tre county. For twenty years he followed the blacksmith's trade, but the remainder of his life was passed in farming.

In the public schools Israel Corl acquired a fair education, and upon the home farm became familiar with the duties that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. In March, 1860, he was united in marriage with Miss Harriet McBath, a daugh- ter of William and Lucinda (Coble) McBath, of Centre county. Of the ten children who were

born of this union the first died in infancy; Will- iam R. died at the age of nine months; George E., a resident of Struble Station, Centre coun- ty, married Anna Lytle, and has four children; Elizabeth is the wife of Scott Meese, of State College, Centre county; John C., a resident of State College, married Emma Corn; Elmer S. is married, and lives in Ferguson township; Ben- jamin F. wedded Mary Yarnell, a daughter of H. B. Yarnell; and Susie V .. Charles W., Mabel E. and Annie are still at home.

On the death of his father, Mr. Corl came into possession of his present farm, but he has made his home thereon since 1861. It is a tract of thirty-eight acres of rich and arable land, which he has placed under a high state of cultiva- tion, and improved with a comfortable residence and neat and substantial outbuildings. It is con- veniently located within a mile of State College. Mr. Corl is a charter member of Washington Grange No. 157, and holds membership in the Reformed Church. He takes quite an active in- terest in political affairs, voting with and sup- porting the principles of the Democratic party, although not desirous of surrendering the quiet of home life for the perplexities and turmoil of political office. He is also an advocate of free silver, and is ranked as a man of ability and en- terprise, on account of which he holds a good position among the people of Ferguson town- ship.

S MITCHELL BECHDEL, a retired farmer residing in Eagleville, Centre county, is worthy of the highest respect, and enjoys the es- teem of the entire community, in which he la- bors to bring about every enterprise that is cal- culated to elevate mankind and advance the welfare of the county. Here he has always made his home, having been born in Liberty township, December 7, 1849, and he is a worthy representative of one of its honored pioneer families.

John and Sarah E. (De Long) Bechdel. par- ents of our subject, were also natives of Liberty township, Centre county, the former born Sep- tember 6, 1806, the latter on July 17, 1814, and there they continued to make their home until called to the world beyond. The father died in 1870 at the age of sixty-four years, while the mother was seventy-three years of age at the time of her death. By occupation he was a farmer, and he was called upon to serve in sev- eral local offices, including those of tax collector and supervisor. He used his right of franchise in support of the Republican party, and faithfully

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performed every duty of citizenship. In the Disciple Church he and his estimable wife held membership, and by all who knew them were held in the highest regard for their sterling worth and many excellent traits of character. On Oc- tober 23, 1836, they were married, and their union was blessed with children as follows: David, born August 12, 1837, died on the 28th of the same month; Susannah H., born August 25, 1838, is the wife of Joseph Wagner, a lum- berman, of Eagleville; Frances S., born July 17, 1840, is the wife of William Kunes, of Eagle- ville; Margaret J., born December 2, 1841, is the wife of Samuel Spangler, of the same place; Sarah E., born May 1, 1843, is the wife of Dan- iel Kunes, a farmer of Liberty township; Mary A., born November 21, 1844, is the deceased wife of Joseph Pletcher, a lumberman of Eagle- ville; Lydia E., born April 1, 1846, died July 13, 1851; John A., born February 21, 1848, died in 1889; and S. Mitchell, our subject, completes the family.

In 1871, in connection with his brother John, Mr. Bechdel, the subject proper of this sketch, purchased the interests of the other heirs in the old homestead farm, which they operated to- gether until John's death, when our subject came to Eagleville, and has since made his home with his brother-in-law, Joseph Pletcher. He is one of the honored and valued citizens of the com- munity, with whose interests he has ever been actively identified.

John Bechdel married Miss Susan H. Wag- ner, and they became the parents of ten children: John I., now a resident of Du Bois, Penn. ; David M., who occupies a position as cook in Eagle- ville; Sarah F., who died at the age of nine years; Franklin M., who died in infancy; Mary B., at home; Almeda, wife of Silas Weaver, a cigarmaker of Du Bois; James, a cook, who re- sides at home; Harvey, of Eagleville, who mar- ried Annie Canar; George, at home; and Joseph, who died at the age of nine years.

E ALIAS E. SMITH, who materially assists in maintaining the reputation of Centre county as a first-class farming region, is carrying on his chosen occupation in Penn township. On Feb- ruary 22, 1848, he was born in Limestone town- ship. Clarion Co., Penn., a son of Joseph W. and Mary (Armagast) Smith, who were natives of Union county, Penn., but were married in Clarion county. The birth of the father occurred in 1821, and when a young man he went to the latter county, where he followed his trade of shoemaking until 1861, when he removed to

Stephenson county, Ill. There he operated rented land for ten years, and then migrated to Butler county, Neb., Where he " homesteaded " 160 acres of raw land, on which he died at the age of fifty-two years; his wife died at the age of forty-six, and both were buried in Nebraska. He took quite an active interest in politics, al- ways supporting the principles of the Democratic party by his ballot, and was called upon to fill a number of township offices.

To the parents of our subject were born the following children: Catharine E., now the wife of Jacob Balliet, of Butler county, Neb .; Elias E., of this sketch; Jacob P., who died in child- hood; Rachel, wife of William Woods, of Seward county, Neb .; George W., John C. and D. J., all of Butler county, that State; Mary, living in Polk county. Neb .; Mrs. Margaret Ruth, of But- ler county; Daniel, a farmer in the West; Fred- erick, of Butler county; a daughter that died in infancy; and Sarah, wife of Edward Maize, of Butler county, Nebraska.

At the age of seven years our subject went to live with a neighboring farmer, where he re- mained for eight years, or until his parents re- moved to Stephenson county, Ill., when he ac- companied them. Up to this time he had at- tended school in Clarion county, and as he learned rapidly, acquired a fair education. In Illinois he began working by the month, receiv- ing for the first year $20 per month, and for the five subsequent years, $25 per month, In con- nection with general farming he operated a thresher for his employer, and later purchased an outfit and engaged in threshing on his own ac- count until the removal of the family to Ne- braska. After eleven months spent in that State he returned to Illinois, where he remained until the fall of 1873. Coming to Centre county, Penn., Mr. Smith visited the widow of his uncle, Jacob Smith, of Penn township, who had re- cently died, and as she had no children of her own, was persuaded to remain and look after her farm. Two years later she became quite help- less, and for alinost six years required constant attention. At her death our subject came into possession of the property.

In Penn township, Centre county, June 12. 1877, Mr. Smith was married to Miss Mary, a daughter of Francis and Anna ( Koons) Smith. and who is a native of that township. They now have a good farm of fifty acres in Penn township, and another tract of 120 acres in Gregg township, Centre county. She is a most estima- ble woman, and a sincere member of the United Evangelical Church. Mr. Smith manifests a keen interest in the success of the Democratic

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party with which he has always voted, and on completing his present term will have served for ten years as justice of the peace in his township. He is industrious, energetic and progressive in his nature, and is highly esteemed and respected by all who know him.

J OSEPH H. DAVIDSON. Among the in- fluential and wealthy citizens and progress- ive farmers of Union township, Centre county, the subject of this sketch occupies an honorable position. His beautiful farm of 140 acres, which he purchased in 1881, is located on the Bellefonte road, in Bald Eagle Valley, and is one of the most highly productive and desira- ble places in the locality.

Our subject was born at Buffalo Run, Centre county, June II, 1842, and is a son of Alexan- der and Sarah (Hicks) Davidson, also natives of Centre county, where they spent their entire lives, and the father engaged in farming. He died in March, 1873, at the age of seventy-six years, and the mother passed away in 1857. Both were worthy members of the Advent Church, and in politics he was a Republican. Eight children blessed their union: Martha, wife of W. Irwin, a farmer of Union township; Mary, who died in infancy; Hannah, widow of Harris Way, of Union township; Eliza, wife of William Taylor, of Centre county; Joseph H., of this review; James, a leading agriculturist of Centre county; Amanda, wife of Reuben T. Comly, of Union township; and one who died in infancy. After the death of his first wife, the father wedded Mrs. Mary (Walker) Watson, and to them were born three children: Michael, a butcher of Philipsburg, Penn .; Grant, a farmer of Centre county; and Ida, wife of William Brower, a farmer of Union township. The paternal grandfather of our subject, Joseph Davidson, throughout life engaged in farming in Centre county, where he died at a ripe old age.

Mr. Davidson, the subject of this sketch, re- mained upon the home farm until his father's second marriage, when at the age of sixteen years he started out in the world to seek his own livelihood. He had previously acquired a fair education in the public schools of the county, and became familiar with agricultural pursuits, under his father's able direction. On leaving home he worked on different farms during the summer months, while his winters were spent in attending school. Subsequently he operated rented land until 1881, when he purchased the interest of the other heirs in the old homestead, and has since resided there, giving his time and

attention to its cultivation and improvement with most gratifying results.

In February, 1861, Mr. Davidson wedded Miss Lucy A. Hoover, who was born February 5, 1844, on the farm where she now resides, and is a daughter of Joseph and Rebecca (Orvill) Hoover, who spent their entire lives in Centre county. Her parents were both consistent mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and her father gave his political support to the Re- publican party. He died in 1863, at the age of forty-five years, and his wife departed this life in ISSI, at the age of fifty-seven. In their family were the following children: Mary E., now of Altoona, Penn., widow of Col. John H. Stover, a lawyer by profession; Lucy A., wife of our sub- ject; Helen, wife of Rev. R. H. Colburn, a Meth- odist Episcopal minister of Williamsport, Penn .; Willis, a merchant of Altoona; Adeline, wife of Harris Stover, an attorney of Altoona; and Ar- nold P., manager of the Northern Pacific rail- road office at St. Paul, Minn. The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Davidson, John Hoover, was a large land owner of Centre county, where his death occurred.

Ten children graced the union of our subject and his estimable wife: James, a farmer of Centre county; Blanche, wife of William Flick, a farmer of Unionville, Penn .; Ella, who died when young; and Bertha L., Sarah R., Ina, Mary L., Willis P., Adeline A. and Helen C., with their parents. The children have all been provided with excellent educational advantages, several of them attending college, and the family is one of the most intellectual and prominent in the community. Socially, Mr. Davidson is a member of the Grange at Unionville, and po- litically is a Free-silver Democrat. He has most acceptably served as school director three years and road supervisor for two terms. His genial, social manner has gained him a host of friends, and his sterling worth and strict integrity com- mend him to the confidence and respect of all. He is one of the most energetic, enterprising and successful agriculturists of Union township, and has a high reputation in business circles as a man of sound judgment and excellent business qualifications.

TSAAC THOMAS. Prominent among the pros- perous and progressive residents of the charin- I ing city of Bellefonte, Centre county, is the sub- ject of this sketch. He is, moreover, a native of the place, having been born there April 17, 1837, and throughout his life has been identified with its interests.

William A. Thomas, his father, was the

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youngest son of the fourth Richard Thomas, hav- ing descended from Richard Thomas, of Whit- ford Garden, Flintshire, North Wales, who in 1661 purchased a grant or location of five thou- sand acres in Clinton Valley, came to America in William Penn's first migration, and came to the #present site of Philadelphia, with an only son, Richard, and died there in 1683. Richard, the son, being only eleven years of age, and the es- tate passing into trustees, the grant was never all located; however, one portion, some 600 acres, embraced a part of what is now the county seat-West Chester. The son returned to Wales, where he married Grace Atherton, an English maiden, and in a short time again came to Amer- ica and settled (in 1711) in the Great Valley on one of his places called Calamornshirk, in West Whiteland township, where he died in 1744. He left several children, and among them a son Richard, who married Phoebe Ashbridge, one of whose sons was Richard, the fourth in line. He was born in 1744, and married Thomazine Down- ing, of Downingtown; they were the parents of William A. The latter was born in Chester county in 1795. In 1817 he came to Centre county, and became identified with the several Valentine Brothers who were operating iron works here, having in 1815, in connection with Jacob Thomas, elder brother of William A., established the business here. Mr. Thomas remained act- ively connected with the iron industry of Belle- fonte and vicinity, and throughout his life, which closed December 4, 1866, "he was closely identified with the Mill Hall Iron Works, with the Howard Iron Works and with Willow Bank at Bellefonte. He was variously connected with the business interests of Centre county, actively concerned in advancing its material prosperity by public improvements-turnpikes, canals, rail- roads-and in the development of the bituminous coal region. As a business man, he had no su- perior in ability and enterprise in central Penn- sylvania, and has left the impress of his ability in the training he gave some of our most distin- guished business men."

In August, 1817, William A. Thomas was married to Elizabeth Miller, who was born in 1793, and died June 16, 1879, and their children were: Jacob V., who died in 1893, was a mer- chant and interested in the iron and glass indus- tries; William A. was captain of Company H, 49th P. V. I., in the Civil war, was engaged in the iron business, and lost his life by accident, falling into a mine in 1865; Isaac is our subject, and is mentioned more fully below; Thomazine died of typhoid fever when in her twenty-second year; Marion and Richard died young.

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1, Part 95

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