Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1, Part 96

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 96
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 96
USA > Pennsylvania > Clarion County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 96
USA > Pennsylvania > Clearfield County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 96

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The parents of these were devout members of the Society of Friends. Isaac Thomas re- ceived a good practical education in youth, at- tending the Westtown Quaker school and, later, the schools in Westchester and in Kennett Square. On completing his course of study he sought the necessary experience and training for business life, and for a time clerked in a hard- ware store. In early manhood he engaged in the glass business with Jacob V. Thomas, and con- tinued about two years. During the Civil war Mr. Thomas proved his patriotism by being one of the first to go to the defense of the Union. He enlisted in Company H. 2d P. V. I., and at the end of his term of three months he re- enlisted in the famous 49th P. V. I., and took part in the battle of Falling Waters. In his political sympathies he is a Republican, and he is a member of the Society of Friends. Frater- nally he is connected with the I. O. O. F. En- campment at Bellefonte.

In October, 1872, our subject and Miss Maria J. Reed, a native of Huntingdon county, Penn., were united in marriage, and to this union eight children were born. Lidie is at home: Thomazine died at an early age, of diphtheria; Debbie also passed away in childhood; and the others-Will, Isaac, Joseph, Arthur and Lulu-still remain to brighten the home.

P ROF. GEORGE C. BUTZ, M. S., assistant professor of Horticulture at Pennsylvania State College, and horticulturist at the Experi- ment Station, is a young man of marked ability, already known as an expert in his branch of science. The trend of his genius may be attrib- uted to hereditary influences, as his father, the late Paul Butz, a native of Basel, Switzerland, was distinguished for his skill as a florist and horticulturist as well as for fine artistic taste in landscape gardening.

Paul Butz was born April 25, 1821, and came to America at the age of thirty, locating at New Castle, Penn., where his death occurred April 5, 1894. The extensive nurseries which he established there are still conducted by his sons. His trade in trees of all kinds, and in other departments of the nursery business, was very large, bulbs and plants from the garden be- ing sent to all parts of the United States and Canada. Many wealthy men of refined taste availed themselves of his practical advice in the arrangement of their grounds, the estate of Gov. Tod, at Youngstown, Ohio, being one among those which were beautified according to his designs. The Professor's mother, whose maiden name was

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Margaret Wiegand, was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, November 11, 1831, and at the age of ten crossed the Atlantic with her parents, who set- tied at Allegheny, Penn. Her father, a cabinet maker by trade, was killed by accident soon after his arrival; her mother died in 1883 at the advanced age of eighty-three. Mrs. Butz is still living at the old home in New Castle. Of four- teen children, two died in infancy; the others are: William Tell, who succeeded his father in business, and with another brother now conducts the Croton Gardens at New Castle; John M., a trusted employee of the Pennsylvania Railroad Co., stationed at Lawrence Junction, Ashtabula division; Caroline, who is at home; Emma and Mary A. (twins), both at home, the former being a successful teacher in the schools there; Frank P., now associated with his brother William in the nursery business; George C., the subject of this sketch; Maggie E., a graduate of New Castle High School, at present teaching in the primary department of the public schools of that town; Effie, a graduate of Edinburg Normal School, and a teacher in the New Castle schools; Albert E., who was graduated from Curry University at Pittsburg, and is now employed in that city as a mechanical draughtsman; Rosa S., a high school graduate, now stenographer for the Mercantile Bank at Pittsburg; and Harry E., a student at Western University, Allegheny.

Prof. George C. Butz was born February I, 1863, and was reared at the old home in New Castle, preparing for college, in the high school there. In 1880 he entered the sophomore class at State College, taking the general scientific course, and graduating in 1883. In 1884-85 he taught in the Preparatory Department, pursuing at the same time a post-graduate course in bot- any and zoology, and he then started upon an extensive tour for the purpose of studying the flora of the United States. A year was spent in Southern California, and during this time he did some excellent work in landscape gardening, with which he had been familiar from boyhood, laying out one estate of 1600 acres, and making artistic use of flowers, ornamental trees and shrubs, fruit trees, olives and other means of adornment, natural and artifical. On his return to Pennsylvania, in July, 1887, he accepted the position of horticulturist at the Experiment Sta- tion. In 1894 he was appointed assistant pro- fessor of horticulture in the Pennsylvania State College. In 1888 his Alma Mater conferred upon him the well-merited degree of Master of Science.

In 1892 Prof. Butz was married to Miss Enuna Robinson, a native of Centre county- born at Hecla Furnace, February 18, 1866. 30

They have two children, Gerald R. and Charles A. The Professor and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church, in which he is an elder. As a citizen he takes generous interest in all the movements of the time, and in political faith is a Democrat. The town of State College was organized into a borough August 29, 1896, at which time our subject was elected a member of the council and president of the same. In the spring of 1897 he was re-elected to that position, although the town is strongly Republican.

E ADWARD L. POWERS, of Bellefonte, is the proprietor of the oldest boot and shoe store in Centre county. It was established twen- ty-six years ago by his father, the late John Powers, in the days when every shop was a little factory, and although the conditions of the trade have changed greatly the business has been adapted to them.

John Powers, whose death occurred May 30, 1896, was born in Kilkenny, Ireland. An ex- ceptionally bright and able man, well-informed through his constant reading of the best litera- ture of the day, he was extremely popular among all classes, and was twice elected mayor of Belle- fonte, on the Democratic ticket. His energy and "nerve" in business brought him to the front in his line of work also, and he shipped his boots and shoes to all parts of the country, in- cluding California. Socially, he was a member of the I. O. O. F. After coming to this coun- try he met and married Miss Nancy Kearns, a Roman Catholic lady of Irish parentage, but born probably in America. Of their four chil- dren, the subject of this sketch was the first in order of birth. (2) Kate, the wife of ex-sheriff Walker, resides in Lamb street, Bellefonte; (3) Mary (deceased), married William Brockville, and (4) John served an apprenticeship of three years in the jewelry business, but concluded to follow the ancestral occupation, and is now the mana- ger of a shoe store at Lebanon, Pennsylvania.

E. L. Powers, our subject, is a native of Bellefonte, born June 18, 1857, and has been a resident of the place all his life. His education was begun in the parochial schools, continued in the public schools and Bellefonte Academy, and he entered upon his business career with a goodly fund of practical knowledge, being especially ex- pert as a bookkeeper. In 1875 he became a partner in his father's business, having previously spent three years on the bench, learning the de- tails of the work. In 1886 he purchased his fa- ther's interest, and has since conducted the es- tablishment alone. Genial and polished in man-

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ner, he is successful in dealing with the public, while his judicious yet enterprising management, has kept the business in a satisfactory state.

In 1884 Mr. Powers wedded Miss Lizzie Key- ser, who was born in New York State in 1857, and passed her early life there. Two daughters, Ada and Pearl, brighten their home. The suc- ful prosecution of his business has demanded close attention, but Mr. Powers finds time to per- form the duties which good citizenship requires, and takes much interest in political questions as an ardent believer in Democratic doctrines. He is a member of the Knights of the Golden Eagle.

D ANIEL IRVIN JOHNSON, one of the most thorough and skillful farmers of Ferguson township, is a native of Centre county, born July 19, 1838, in Walker township. His parents, Jonathan C. and Sarah (Coldron) Johnson, were natives of Union and Northumberland counties, Penn., respectively, the former being of Scotch and the latter of German lineage. It was some time in the "twenties" when they came to Centre county, where they first took up their residence upon the Curtin farm, about a mile be- low Bellefonte, where they continued to make their home some ten years. Finally they re- moved to Walker township, where they spent the remainder of their lives. The paternal grandfather of our subject, Christopher Johnson, held a captain's commission in the Continental army under Gen. Washington, during the Revo- lutionary war, and in the early days was very friendly with the Indians, often feeding them.

Our subject is the youngest in a family of nine children, in order of birth as follows: (1) Josiah married, and reared a family, but his wife is now deceased; he has met with a terrible mis- fortune in the loss of his sight, being blind for the past ten years; he now lives in Walker town- ship with his son Claude. (2) William E., a carpenter of Des Moines, Iowa, is married and has reared a family. (3) Maria wedded Levi Dixon, but both are now deceased; they had two daughters. (4) Jonathan C. is living with his family in Lock Haven, Penn., where he is en- gaged in carpentering. (5) Peter C. is married. and is engaged in the coal business in Milton, this State. (6) Sarah J. died when young. (7) Joel H., whose wife has been helpless from paralysis for the past five years, has a family of nine children. (8) Emily is the widow of Ain- brose McMullen, and the mother of three chil- dren. (9) Daniel I. is our subject.

In the usual manner of farmer boys, Daniel I. Johnson was reared and educated. During

the Civil war he was drafted, but was exempt as he was the only support of his father. For the past seven years he has resided upon his present farm, a valuable tract of 323 acres in Ferguson township, a mile and a half west of State Col- lege. After renting for about three years he pur- chased the place in 1892. It evinces, both in its culture and in the good and substantial build- ings erected upon it, the diligence and thrift of the owner, and prosperity seems to await upon his steps. Being endowed with a remarkable amount of energetic spirit and good business tact. he has since coming here succeeded in achieving a fair amount of success. In 1865 he married Miss Catharine Rebecca Brumgard, and to them have been born six children, all sons, and the family circle yet remains unbroken by the hand of death. They are as follows: Austin L., a resident of Axemann, Centre county, mar- ried a Miss Steele, and has four children; Cyrus M.,. a farmer of Ferguson township, wedded Marian Miller, and has two children; William E., of Ferguson township, wedded Mary Wilson, and has two children; and Joseph N., Olin A. and Emery C. are still at home.

Mr. Johnson is highly esteemed in the com- munity as an honorable, upright and trustworthy man, true to every trust reposed in him whether public or private. He uses his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Demo- cratic party, socially is connected with the Grange, and in religious belief is a Lutheran. He is a man of much force of character, strong individu- ality, and his pleasant, social manner has won' for him a host of warm friends, whom he delights to entertain at his beautiful home.

H ENRY F. KESSINGER is one of the most energetic, enterprising and prosperous citi- zens of Liberty township, Centre county. Not on the plains of affluence did he start out on life's journey, but in the valley of limited cir- cumstances with the rough and rugged path of hard undertaking before him. He started on the ascent, worked his way steadily upward, climb- ing higher and higher until he stands on the mountain top of prosperity.

Mr. Kessinger was born at Queen's Run, Clin- ton county, Penn., May 3. 1856, a son of Jeffer- son and Fannie (Nestlerod) Kessinger, who were natives of Salona, Clinton county, and in that county their deaths occurred, the former being killed in a sawmill May 24. 1856, when our sub- ject was only three weeks old, and the latter dying in 1857, at the age of twenty-eight years. In their family were three children: William F.,

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a farmer and stone mason of Salona, Clinton county; Amanda, who died when quite young, of whooping cough; and Henry F., of this review. The paternal grandparents, Hunsecker Kessinger and wife, were pioneers of Clinton county, where they spent the remainder of their lives. Daniel and Margaret (Frey) Nestlerod, the maternal grandparents, were natives of Centre and Lan- caster counties, Penn., respectively. Grandfather Nestlerod died in Clinton county; his wife passed away on the farm where our subject now resides.

After the death of his father, Henry F. Kes- singer was taken to the home of his maternal grandmother, with whom he resided until her death in 1882. During this time he worked for her until two years prior to her death, when he operated the farm on shares, and there continued to reside until 1883, when the place was sold, and he purchased his present valuable farm, which at that time was rented. Being a natural mechanic, he then turned his attention to the carpenter's and stone mason's trade, which he successfully followed for four years, although he had never served an apprenticeship to either. On the expiration of that period he removed to his farm, two years later erecting his handsome brick residence, and he has made many other valuable and useful improvements. In connec- tion with general farming he has also engaged in the baling and shipping of hay and straw, sell- ing sixty-four car loads during the past season; he also operates a steam cider press.

On January 1, 1874, in Clinton county, Mr. Kessinger was married to Miss Annie Nestlerod, who was born in Centre county in 1860, a daughter of Daniel and Frances (Schwartz) Nestlerod. To this worthy couple have been born five children: William F., who assists his father in his business; Maggie, wife of Charles Ruppert, who is also connected with onr subject in business in Liberty township; Hugh C., at home; Frank, who died May 15, 1896; and Sadie E., at home. They also have an adopted son, Henry Kessinger, at this writing a lad of fourteen years, who has found a pleasant home with them since he was six months old. He is an industrious, energetic boy, and prefers to be called by the name of his foster parents.

Mr. Kessinger is a prominent member of the Republican party, and takes a deep and com- mendable interest in public affairs, always sup- porting those measures which tend to benefit the community. He has grown wealthy, prosperous and an honored citizen by the exercise of integ- rity, industry and intelligence. Although at the time of his marriage his capital consisted of but $5, through honorable business methods, he has

succeeded in accumulating a handsome fortune, to-day being worth between $20, 000 and $30, 000. He is a courteous, pleasant gentleman, widely and favorably known throughout the community, and well deserves the high regard in which he is universally held.

W 'ILLIAM GROVE, JR., is one of the reli- able and progressive farmers and repre- sentative men of Benner township, Centre county. Through his earnest, persistent labors his fine farm of 125 acres is in a high state of cult- ure and improved with excellent buildings, which stand as monuments to his thrift and enterprise.

A native of Centre county, Mr. Grove was born in Gregg township, July 28, 1840, a son of John and Louisa (Klinesmith) Grove. The family has long been identified with the interests of this section of the State. The maternal grandfather of our subject was killed and scalped by the Indians, in the Penn's Valley massacre of 1776 .. The father was born in Middleburg, Sny- der Co., Penn., of German lineage, and on com- ing to Centre county located in Harris township, where he followed farming throughout life.

In 1861 our subject wedded Miss Sarah Neese, a daughter of David and Sarah (Kerstetter) Neese, who are also of German descent. Her grandfather took up his residence in Penn's Val- ley in 1780. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Grove, as follows: Emanuel H., who is married, and is living in College township, Centre county; Alice R., wife of Jacob Mayer, of Spring township, Centre county; Susan, wife of David Shearer, of Jefferson county, Penn .: Will- iam H., who is married and living in Penn town- ship, Centre county, on his grandfather's old homestead; John F .; Emma V., wife of Warren Minnimire, of Bellefonte, Penn. ; and Anna H .. at home.

In his political affiliation. Mr. Grove is an in- flexible adherent to the doctrines and principles of the Democratic party, but has no aspirations for popular preferment. He is a public-spirited, enterprising man, and takes an active interest in everything which seems to promise benefit to the community. He enjoys the esteem and confi- dence of his neighbors, is a consistent member of the Lutheran Church, and, fraternally, is con- nected with the Grange.

A DAM H. VONADA, a prosperous agricult- urist of Brush Valley, residing near Madi- sonburg, Centre county, is an industrious, pro- gressive citizen, whose success has been won by

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methods which have gained him the sincere re- spect of his community.

The Vonada family is too well known in this section to need an introduction to our readers. The first of this branch of the family to leave the ancestral home in Germany was Philip Von- ada, our subject's great-grandfather, who settled in Union county at an early day. Henry Von- ada, the grandfather of our subject, was born in Berks county, Penn., and accompanied his par- ents to Union county, where he grew to man- hood. He was married in Centre county to Miss Catherine Wallerbyer, a native of Lebanon county, Penn., and settled in Penn's Valley, Cen- tre county, in the woods, with not even a log cabin to shelter them at first, their household goods being unloaded beneath a large tree. These truly primitive arrangements did not last long, however, and in due time the place was cleared and transformed into an excellent farm. These worthy pioneers reared a family of six children: John, David, Philip, Henry, Adam and Cathe- rine, none of whom are now living except Adam, the father of our subject. John died in Illinois; Catherine, who married John Hoss, died in Cen- tre county.

Adam Vonada, now a highly esteemed resi- dent of Zion, Centre county, was born in Haines township, that county, February 17, 1819, and in early manhood learned the tailor's trade, which he followed until his marriage in 1844 to Miss Lucy Rabenolt. He then engaged in farm- ing, in which he was unusually successful, ac- quiring a goodly competence. He was a man of note in his community, and has always been a stanch Democrat. With advancing years, the strain of his former labors has told upon his frame, rendering him quite feeble, but his estima- ble wife still enjoys good health, and is well pre- served for one of her years. Their children were: Mary C., wife of Emanuel Garlrick, a farmer of Centre county; the twins, Adam H., our subject, and Benjamin F., a farmer near Jacksonville, Penn .; Harvey D., a farmer near Hublersburg, Penn. : Philip, an attorney, now deceased; and William, a farmer of Walker township, Centre county.

Our subject's mother was born in Lehigh county, Penn., March 21. 1824, the daughter of Solomon and Mary (Ocher) Rabenolt, and a grandaughter of Michael Rabenolt, a farmer in the same county. Both parents were natives of Lehigh county, and they removed to this section some years after their marriage, the mother dying in Union county, and the father in Centre county. They had eight children: Mrs. Vonada, Jona- than, William, David, Solomon, Sarah (who mar-

ried George Kaufman, a farmer of Centre county), Caroline and Christian. Of these but three are living-Mrs. Vonada, Caroline, widow of John Garthoff, residing in Coburn, Penn., and Christian, who lives in Kansas.

The subject of our sketch was born August 30, 1850, in the Nittany Valley, at Zion, and re- mained at the old home until he attained his ma- jority. He received a common-school education, and as the son of a busy farmer was plenti- fully supplied with work at all times, unless ill- ness excused him. On leaving home he found employment as a farm hand. On September 10, 1875, he was married in Rebersburg, Penn., to Miss Sarah J. Roush, a native of Gregg township, Centre county, born September 3, 1852, and a daughter of Benjamin Roush. The first year of his married life was spent upon his father's farm, and he then removed to a farm in Sugar Valley, belonging to hisfather-in-law, where he remained until the spring of 1882. The next six years were spent in Gregg township, Centre county, on a place which was formerly occupied by John Hoy, and in the spring of 1888 he settled upon his present farm near Madisonburg, then known as the old Smeltzer farm. He has made many improvements upon the estate, especially in the buildings, and in 1892 he erected a new barn of modern style.

Four children brighten his home: Anna M., Katy, Mabel M. and Ella. Another daughter, Ada, the fourth in order of birth, died in infancy. It is. a matter of great regret to Mr. Vonada that he did not have better educational opportunities, and he has always been a strong advocate of better schools. While residing in Sugar Valley he served for some time as a school director. Politically his sympathies are with the Democratic party, but he is not such a narrow partisan as to surrender his individual judgment. At present he holds the office of overseer of the poor. He and his wife are prominent members of the Reformed Church, in which he was deacon for nine years, and is now an elder. He is also a leading worker in the Grange, and was a charter member of Madison Castle No. 360, at Madisonburg.

P ETER CORL, one of the active and ener- getic farmers of Ferguson township, Centre county, is the subject of this personal narrative. Believing that . from labor, health, from health. contentment springs, " he has bent every energy toward perfecting his agricultural projects, and has proved himself eminently one of the best cit - izens of the community.

A native of Centre county, Mr. Corl was born

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February 16, 1839, in Haines township, a son of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Vonada) Corl. The father was born in Chester county, Penn., whence he removed to Union county, and later came to Centre county, where the mother was born. By trade he was a blacksmith, which occupation he followed for the first twenty years of his business career, and then he turned his attention to farm- ing. The family was founded in America during Colonial days, and ancestors of our subject served in the Revolution under Gen. Washing- ton. To Benjamin Corl and his wife were born eight children, namely: Catharine is the wife of Jacob L. Roup, a farmer of Ferguson township, by whom she has five children. Samuel, an ag- riculturist, wedded Maria Strouse, and has eight children. Benjamin first wedded Mary Neidigh, by whom he had five children, and after her death he married Catharine Roush. Israel, also a farmer by occupation, married Harriet McBath, and had ten children. Anna is the wife of Henry Bloom, of Ferguson township, by whom she has eight children. Peter is next in order of birth. Mary E. is the wife of Daniel Houser, living near Centre Hall, Centre county, and they have two children. William died in 1853, at the age of twenty-one years.

The educational privileges of Peter Corl were such as the free schools of Pine Hall afforded. He was married May 28, 1863, to Miss Barbara Reish, daughter of Jacob Reish, of Union county, Penn. Ten children-seven sons and three daughters-have been born to them, as follows: W. K., a farmer by occupation, who married Et- tie Garner; Jacob C., of Centre county, who married Elsie Kreps; Samuel I. and Peter M., at home; Maria, who married a Mr. Kreps, by whom she has one child; Daniel O .; Elizabeth E .; Al- vin K .; Cora M., and James M.

During the Civil war Mr. Corl manifested his loyalty by enlisting in the Union service; but as his parents objected he remained at home. He belongs to a good old Democratic family, and the principles of that party he also supports. He is an earnest Christian, holding membership with the Reformed Church, and is a charter member of the Grange in Centre county. He takes a genuine interest in the enterprises set on foot for the progress and welfare of his adopted county, and does all in his power to secure their advance- ment.

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1, Part 96

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