Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1, Part 97

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 97
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 97
USA > Pennsylvania > Clarion County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 97
USA > Pennsylvania > Clearfield County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1 > Part 97

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D AVID NEESE, a prosperous and highly re- spected agriculturist of Penn township, Centre county, residing. near Penn Hall, is a de- scendant of a prominent pioneer family, one of

the few which still retain in their own possession the lands entered by their ancestors over one hundred years ago. The first of the line to settle in Centre county was William Neese, the great- grandfather of our subject. He came from Ger- many before the Revolutionary war, and after a short residence in Snyder county located per- manently in Penn township. His son Peter, our subject's grandfather, served in Washington's forces during that struggle, although at the time he was but a boy in years. He married Chris- tina Hess, and had ten children, among whom was a son, David, the father of our subject.

David Neese, Sr., was born at the Neese homestead about 1799, and became a successful farmer and influential citizen. By his marriage with Miss Susan Kerstetter, a member of another pioneer family, he had twelve children: Eliza- beth, William, David, John (deceased), Jacob, Samuel, Benjamin (deceased), Harriet, Sarah, Rebecca, Emanuel, and Daniel, who died in childhood.

David Neese, our subject, was born March 28, 1828, in Penn township, Centre county, and was seven years old when his parents acquired the old homestead, a portion of which he now owns. The schools of that time and locality were not suited to the mental development of a clever boy, and he deserved much better oppor- tunities, but he did not even have a chance to improve fully those that he had, as in his time the lack of machinery made farm work last longer than now. When the harvest was finished at the homestead, which was a large estate, the fa- ther would permit his boys to work for other farmers and earn money for their own use, although the wages were very small. The trap- ping of foxes furnished another source of revenue for the boys, and Mr. Neese has caught a goodly number. His outdoor life made him a strong, robust youth, capable of much labor, and until the age of twenty-seven he assisted his father and lived at home.

Then came his marriage to Miss Amelia Gentzel, who was born about 1841, on Penn creek, in Penn township, Centre county. the cer- emony being performed at Aaronsburg. She was a daughter of Henry and Caroline (Eppley) Gentzel, and was the eldest in a family of seven children-five sons and two daughters. At the time of his marriage Mr. Neese was practically without money, and for five years he worked as a farm hand at fifty cents a day. During this time his devoted wife, who has always been a most efficient helpmeet, often assisted him in the field. earning twenty-five cents a day, or in rak- ing and binding, in which she could do as much

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as any man, she would receive a man's wages, fifty cents per day. With such a spirit animat- ing both, they were bound to succeed. When they began farming on their own account they were obliged to rent, settling first on the old "Smith farm" west of Millheim, then on a farm in Penn township, and later upon land in the Nit- tany Valley.

In 1879 Mr. Neese came into possession of an unimproved portion of the old homestead, there being no buildings whatever. He put up suitable and convenient buildings and made other improve- ments of a substantial kind, and has since made his home there. The place contains nearly 125 acres of choice land, and under his careful manage- ment it ranks among the best farms in the locality. Mr. and Mrs. Neese deserve great credit for their successful struggle in their early years. Mrs. Neese has been a constant helper indoors and out, and her husband acknowledges with manly pride the value of her efforts. With all her work she is to-day a well preserved woman, and her kindly heart has won the esteem of a large circle of friends. The children of this worthy couple are Clara C. (Mrs. John Witmer), who resides near Pine Grove, Penn .; Sevilla (Mrs. Washing- ton Tharp), of Virginia; James H., of Nittany Valley; Ellen C. and Minnie S., who are at home; and Nettie A., who married Percival Tharp, a school teacher, who also conducts the home farm at present, as Mr. Neese has retired from the active management.

Although he is no office seeker, Mr. Neese is influential in the local Democratic organization, and has served as supervisor. He has always been actively interested in the progress of the community, and he and his wife are leading mem- bers of the Evangelical Church.

G EORGE W. KELLEY, proprietor of an ex- cellent farm of 300 acres in Worth town- ship, Centre county, is numbered among the most substantial and enterprising agriculturists of the community. He located at his present place in 1853, and from the uncultivated soil has built up a valuable homestead, which will remain as a monument to his industry and energy for generations to come. He has been particularly wise in his investments, and possesses excellent business capacity, making the most of his oppor- tunities, and all through the changes of a busy life, and while laboring for his own interest, has in nowise set aside the interests and well-being of the community around him.

Mr. Kelley was born October 10, 1830, in Leb- anon county, Penn., where the birth of his par-

ents, John and Elizabeth (Felty) Kelley, also oc- curred. In 1835 they came to Centre county, where the father engaged in blacksmithing throughout his business career. He was an ar- dent Democrat in politics, and in religious belief was a Lutheran, dying in that faith in 1893, at the ripe old age of seventy-eight years. He was three times married, his first wife being the mother of our subject; she died in 1842. To them were born six children: Mary. deceased wife of Martin Houser, of Bellefonte, Penn .; John, a retired tanner, of Greenville, Ohio; an- other daughter, the deceased wife of Samuel Burkes, also deceased; George; Jeremiah T., a farmer of Centre county; and Samuel, who died when young. For his second wife John Kelley wedded Sarah Hutton, who died one year after their marriage, and he then married

Wirts, who died in 1871. Two sons were born of this union: William D., who is employed in the car shops of Altoona, Penn. ; and one (name ..: not given) who was killed in the army.

During the first fourteen years of his life George W. Kelley lived upon the home farm, and then served an apprenticeship to the carpenter's trade, which he followed until twenty years of age. Not liking that employment he then se- cured a position on a farm, working for one man for four years and a half, after which he pur- chased one hundred acres of his present farm, at that time still in its primitive condition. From time to time, as his resources would permit, he added to the original tract until he had 500 acres but has given two of his sons one hundred acres each.

On January 20, 1853, Mr. Kelley wedded Miss Lida Frantz, who was born in Bald Eagle Valley, Centre county, November 15, 1833. a daughter of Daniel and Mary (Woodring) Frantz. Eight children-five sons and three daughters- have been born to them: Samuel, born Novem- ber 17, 1853, was drowned while logging in Clearfield county, in March, 1879; Mary, born August 16, 1856, is the wife of Alfred Dodge, a lumberman of Worth township, Centre county; Benjamin, born January 20, 1861, is a farmer in the same township; Peter, born Soptember 17, 1862, is an agriculturist of Worth township: Sar- ah J., born October 1, 1864, is the wife of Thomas Merriman, a farmer of Taylor township, Centre county; John, born August 30, 1869, is a farmer of Worth township, and Eveline V., born February 15, 1872, and Robert, born De- cember 23, 1877, are still with their parents.

Daniel Frantz, the father of Mrs. Kelley, was born in Berks county, Penn., September 13. 1805, and was a son of Jacob and Christiana

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

(Walk) Frantz, who were born, reared and mar- ried in Berks county, but later became residents of Worth township, then called Half Moon town- ship, Centre county. The mother of Mrs. Kelley was born January 3, 1810, in Dauphin county, Penn., where her parents, Samuel and Maria E. Woodring, were also born. When thirteen years of age she walked from there to Centre county, and her parents came a few months later. Here her father followed farming, but had pre- viously been engaged in the milling business.

To Daniel Frantz and his wife were born twelve children, namely. Nancy, now the widow of S. Cowher, a farmer of Centre county; Sam- uel, deceased; Lida, wife of our subject; Chris- tiana, widow of John Thomas, of Centre county; Jacob, an honored veteran of the Civil war, who operates the old homestead farm in Worth town- ship; Abraham, who was also a Union soldier, and is now a farmer of Blair county, Penn .; Peter, who died at Philadelphia from the effects of wounds received in the service of his country; Hannah, who died when young; David, a farmer of Pine Grove, Penn .; John, a farmer of Bald Eagle; Rachel, wife of Martin Funk, who was disabled while a member of the Union army, and is now a resident of Port Matilda, Centre county; and Belle, who has been twice married (her first husband was George Brindle, who was killed in a logging camp, and she afterward wed- ded William Shay, a coal miner and farmer of Blair county).' The mother of these children departed this life May 13, 1886, and the father passed away November 26, 1895, at the advanced age of ninety years.

In August, 1864, Mr. Kelley was drafted for service in the Union army, and became a mem- ber of Company I, 102nd P. V. I., First Brigade, Sixth Army Corps. He participated in a num- ber of battles and skirmishes, including the en- gagements of Winchester and Petersburg. Po- litically, he adheres to the Democratic party, and by his fellow citizens has been elected school di- rector, overseer of the poor, tax collector and constable, the duties of which he discharged in a prompt and most efficient manner. He is an in- telligent, keen-sighted man, of good financial ability, and his upright and honorable course commands the respect and confidence of all with whom he comes in contact either in business or social life.

J JONAS STINE, SR., is one of the representa- tive agriculturists of Patton township, Cen- tre county, whose residence is near the little village of Buffalo Run, and the home with its

surroundings denotes the supervision of an intel- ligent farmer and capable business man, who at the same time has proved a useful member of society, and one deserving of the esteem and con- fidence of the people around him.

Mr. Stine was born in Lancaster county, Penn., June 18, 1818, and is a son of Jonas and Elizabeth (Gray) Stine, both also natives of the Keystone State. They died in Centre county, Penn., the father in August, 1862, and were laid to rest in Gray's cemetery. Our subject is the sixth in order of birth in their family of seven children, the others being as follows: John a cabinet-maker by trade, married Rachel Leary, and died in 1876. Hannah married Jesse Whippo, by whom she had eight chil- dren, and several years after his death she wedded John Hicks, who died in 1890. Leah, a resident of Bald Eagle Valley, Centre county, is the widow of Michael Myers, who died in 1887. Cath- arine married Joel Lauder, had eight children, and died in 1885. Samuel H. is a farmer in Patton township. Elizabeth died in girlhood. The family is of German origin.

In the public schools of Patton township, Mr. Stine, the subject of this sketch, obtained a limited education. - On March 12, 1841, he was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Myers, daughter of William Myers, of Patton township, and to them were born fourteen children, as fol- lows: (1) Amanda married a Mr. Sweitzer, and they had three children-Eva, wife of Frank Harris, of Patton township; Alice, wife of Miles Taylor, of the same township; and Susan, wife of George Kline, of Virginia; after the death of her first husband, Amanda married David Kline. of Huston township, Centre county; she receives a pension of $12 per month. (2) William, who is employed in a paper-mill in Johnsonburg, Elk Co., Penn., married Amelia Quigley, of Centre county, and to them were born six children, four of whom are still living. (3) Mary is the wife of David R. Thomas, a farmer of Patton township, by whom she has eight children. (4) George, who is employed in the Scotia mines of Centre county, married Mary McDivitt, and has six children; they make their home in Patton town- ship. (5) John was married, but his wife died February 18, 1896, leaving a twelve-year-old daughter. (6) Jonas, who is clerking in a store in Tyrone, Penn., married Annie Huffman, of Clearfield county, and has two children. (7) Catharine is the wife of William Sellers, a farmer of Patton township, by whom she has four chil- dren. (8) Susan is the wife of Harry Gates, a horse dealer of Elmira, N. Y., by whom she has three children. (9) Emma is the wife of Arthur

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Thomas, of Matternville, Centre county, by whom she has a daughter twelve years of age. (10) Sarah is the wife of John Hoy, a merchant and also postmaster, express and ticket agent for the Bellefonte Central Railroad Company; they have four children. The other four children of our subject died in childhood.

Mr. Stine is a stanch supporter of the men and measures of the Democratic party, and for years has served as chairman of the township central committee. Both himself and wife are sincere and earnest Christians, holding member- ship in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and by a blameless life set a most excellent example be- fore the rising generation.

J OHN P. CONDO, ex-sheriff of Centre county, has made his way to popular favor by gen- uine worth and merit, his personal character inspiring and retaining the confidence and esteem of all who come within his influence. He is a born leader of men, and especially qualified for public life, to which inclination and ability both point as a suitable sphere. He has a good edu- cation, which with his refinement attract to him the best class of people, while his geniality makes all sorts and all conditions of men at ease in his presence.

Our subject was born at Spring Mills, Centre county, August 11, 1855, and his parents, Daniel and Sarah (Lutz) Condo, were both natives of Penn's Valley, the father born February 11, 1821, and the mother in 1835. Daniel Condo followed the blacksmith's trade during his life, and he was one of the nation's gallant defenders in the Civil war, serving three years with marked courage and devotion. He died February 11, 1871, and the widowed mother now resides with her daugh- ter Sarah. Of their numerous family seven children live to maturity, our subject being the youngest. The others are: (1) Cyrus, who had been a resident of California since 1875, and died in May, 1897; (2) James C., now living at Penn Hall; (3) Harriet, the wife of Amos Koch, a farmer of Ferguson township, Centre county; (4) Lot C., a blacksmith at Potters Mills; (5) Jonathan, a merchant at State College; and (6) Mary, who married James Rouch, a blacksmith of Penn township.

John P. Condo left home at the early age of nine years to do for himself, going to live with James G. Evans, a farmer, with whom he re- niained six years, receiving for his services his board and clothes. When fifteen years of age he began working out, on wages, for different farmers, being two years of this time with J. W.

Evans, son of his former employer. He worked in this line until he was twenty, when he returned home; however, he had during all the time assisted in the support of the family, there being three children younger than himself. On his re- turn home he went to a select school under Prof. Wolf. He next began clerking in a store at Logan Mills for Thomas L. Elgin, remaining so occupied for two years. Following this he went to Lock Haven, and there clerked in a general store for J. W. Bridges. In 1878 he became a traveling salesman for W. J. & I. Smith, grocers of Philadelphia, his territory being in central Pennsylvania. He remained with this firm until 1894, when he was elected sheriff of Centre county. He ably and very satisfactorily filled this office until the expiration of his term of office, January 1, 1897, and did not lose a pris- oner throughout his term.

Mr. Condo has taken an active part in poli- tics from early manhood, beginning when only twenty-three years of age. He was an advisor in party affairs, often being a delegate to con- ventions. In 1877 he was a delegate to the State Convention. For three years after his marriage he made his home in Clinton county, and while there was offered the nomination in that county for the office of register of wills and recorder of deeds, which he declined. His next place of res- idence was at Penn Hall, then at Spring Mills. where he resided until elected sheriff. Since retiring from the sheriffalty he has made his home at Millheim, where he is engaged in the mercan- tile business.

Mr. Condo's wife, formerly Miss Lucilla Mil- ler, who is referred to in the sketch of John S. Miller, of Sugar Valley, Clinton county, is a native of Clinton county, Penn., born September 21, 1861. Two children-Lizzie May and Harry K .- make the home merry. Mr. Condo is a member of the Evangelical Church; socially he is identified with the Masonic order, being a member of Old Fort Lodge No. 527 at Centre Hall, and of the Royal Arcanum at Bellefonte.

SAMUEL GARNER. The splendid farm owned by this gentleman in College town- ship, Centre county, is a standing monument to his industry, perseverance and good management. He comes under the category of "self-made" men, having been dependent upon his own re- sources from an early age, and has succeeded only by the exercise of his steady, plodding labor. At the present time, however, he is one of the prominent representatives of the agricultural in- terests of College township.

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Marks Garner, his paternal grandfather, died in Centre county, leaving four children: Daniel, who died when a young man; Joseph, a farmer, who died in 1881, in Crawford county, Penn., where his family are still living; Jacob, who was a farmer of Mercer county, this State, where he died in 1891, leaving a family; and Samuel. The last named, the father of our subject, was born and reared in York county, Penn., where he was married, about 1828, to Anna Sellers, also a native of that county. They became the parents of ten children, namely: William, a blacksmith by trade, who married Sarah Bloom, of near Pine Hall, Penn .; Elizabeth, wife of John Ludwig, who owns a factory in Ebensburg, Cambria Co., Penn .; Maria, who wedded Jacob Houts, and died in 1872; Daniel (deceased), who married Sarah Houtz, and lived near Branch, in College township, Centre county; Samuel, of this review; Susan, deceased wife of Henry Sampson, a miller, living near Humes Mills, Spring township, Centre county; Nancy, who married Henry Sampson after the death of her sister; Margaret, wife of George Williams, a plasterer of Lemont, Centre county; John, of State College, who married Sarah Stover, now deceased, and is in the employ of the college di- rectors; and Henrietta, wife of a Mr. Coughler, a carpenter in Kansas. In 1833, the father came to College township, Centre county, where for forty years he lived upon rented farms in the vicinity of Branch cemetery, and there died in 1873, just a week prior to his son Daniel's death. His wife departed this life at the same place in 1872.

The gentleman whose name introduces this sketch was born in Boalsburg, Harris township, Centre county, October 19, 1837, and attended school at Shingletown until about sixteen years of age, when he left the school room in order to aid his father in the work of the farm, remaining with him until twenty-four. He and his brother Daniel then undertook the management of the farm, taking care of their parents, and paying off an indebtedness of more than $1, 500. So suc- cessful were they that they concluded to purchase a tract of 140 acres near State College, at a cost of $9,800, or $70 per acre, but in less than a year the brother died. leaving our subject with the entire debt and accumulating interest to pay. He not only has discharged the same, but has made many valuable and useful improvements upon the place, including an excellent barn erected at a cost of $1,400, and deserves great credit for the success he has achieved, as both land and farm products have since greatly depreciated in value.

On September 18, 1860, Mr. Garner was joined in wedlock to Miss Julia Aumerman, a daughter of John Aumerman, a farmer of Pleas- ant Gap, Centre county, and they have had a family of ten children, as follows: Anna, wife of . Fred Krumrine, living near State College; Ida M., wife of Samuel Sankey, a joiner of Philips- burg, Centre county; Blanche, who died of pneumonia, at the age of twenty; Ella, who died of the same disease at the age of twenty-four; Elizabeth, wife of William Rosler, a civil engin- eer, of Spiras Point, Md .; William, a graduate of the State College; John, a farmer living near State College. who married Margaret Wise; Net- tie, who is attending the State College; Mildred, at home; and Emma, who died in infancy.

For the past twenty-three years Mr. Garner has been a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he has been trustee for several years, and was a member of the build- ing committee at the time of the construction of the house of worship in State College, donating $200 toward the same and $100 toward the parsonage. He is very charitable and liberal, aiding in all worthy enterprises for the good of the community, and the poor and needy ever find in him a friend. His sterling worth is recognized by all with whom he comes in contact, and he is therefore held in the highest regard. Politically he is identified with the Democratic party.

J AUSTIN GRAMLY, the popular proprietor of the "Rebersburg Hotel" at Rebersburg, and a veterinary surgeon, is one of Brush Valley's well-known and highly respected citi- zens, and belongs to a family that have long been prominently identified with the interests of Centre county. His grandfather. John Gramly, was born December 22, 1783, a son of Francis and Barbara (Spangler) Gramly, and on reaching manhood married Catharine Royer, by whom he had ten children-eight sons and two daughters. The grandmother was a native of Snyder county, Penn., where their marriage was celebrated.

Joseph Gramly, the father of our subject, was born July 22, ISII. on the old homestead near Re- bersburg, where he was reared, and was educated in the schools of the neighborhood. On February 20, 1834, he married Miss Esther Schmeltzer, who was born in Kelley township, Union Co., Penn., July 21, 1815. the eldest of the eight children -- four sons and four daughters-of George and Catharine (Beckley) Gramly. Her paternal grandparents, Conrad and Hannah (Gin- ter) Gramly, natives of Germany, paid their pas- sage across the water by work after their arrival

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in the United States, it being customary at that time to hire out to the vessel owners, who would sell their services to the farmers or to any others that would buy them. Her grandfather passed · the later years of his life in Brush Valley, near Madisonburg. He became quite wealthy, his money being in gold and silver, which he kept in the cellar in a barrel supposed to have contained vinegar. Calling his children together, five in number, he. divided his capital among them. There were two sons, George and Jacob. The former, who was a farmer by occupation, lived to be over seventy years of age, and was twice married, but all of his children were of the first wife.

After his marriage, Joseph Gramly took his bride to the Gramly home, west of Re- bersburg, where he engaged in farming for several years. They became the parents of the following children: Margaret H., born April 5, 1835, married David Kahl, and died in Freeport, Ill., August 24, 1872; Benjamin F., born No- vember 14, 1836, lives in Kane county, Ill .; Catharine A., born July 7, 1838, died in infancy; Sylvester, born October 8, 1839, died in Miles township, Centre county, June 17, 1868; Mary L., born June 12, 1841, is the wife of Reuben Samuel, living near Rebersburg; James J., born January 23, 1843, is an ex-treasurer of Centre county, and makes his home in Rebersburg; Geste A., born March 14, 1845, married Simon Smul!, and after his death wedded Jesse Wirt, of Aarons- burg, Centre county; George S., born April 10, 1846, is a farmer of Nittany Valley ; Charles H., born September 20, 1847, is a Methodist minis- ter of Kansas; J. Austin is next in order of birth; Andrew J., born May 24, 1851, is an Evangeli- cal minister of Inland, Ohio; John C., born Feb- ruary 8, 1853, died in July 18, 1855; the next son died in infancy; William Byron, born March 12, 1855, died October 25, 1857: Emma J., born October 23, 1857, died April 20, 1877; and a son, born February 4, 1861, died in infancy.

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 1, Part 97

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