Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2, Part 15

Author: J.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1898
Publisher: Chicago : J. H. Beers
Number of Pages: 1266

USA > Pennsylvania > Clarion County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 15
USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 15
USA > Pennsylvania > Clearfield County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 15
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 15

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Dr. Buzard is a prominent Democrat, has twice served as a delegate to the State conven- tions of his party, once from Washington county and once from Clearfield county, and on the [Ith of May, 1893, was made postmaster of Florence, which position he acceptably filled for three years. In 1894 he was also strongly urged to accept the nomination for assemblyman, but refused to become the candidate. He and Mrs. Buzard are members of the Presbyterian Church.

He has not only gained his desire for a good edu- cation, but now holds a diploma from the State Department of Education, which entitles him to teach anywhere in Pennsylvania: also has a diploma from the State Pharmaceutical Examin- ing Board, which enables him to conduct a drug store, and his diploma front the medical depart- ment of the Western University of Pittsburg establishes his ability to practice medicine.

G EORGE GALE DEWITT, one of the lead- ing agriculturists and lumbermen of Becaria township, Clearfield county, has descended from patriotic stock, while he himself was born on "Independence Day, "in 1831, in Brooklyn town- ship, Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania.

Moses Dewitt, his grandfather, of Revolu- tionary fame, was one of the three men who sur- vived the Wayne county massacre. A resident of New Jersey, he married Margaret Wilson. A son, Aaron Dewitt, was a native of Sussex county, N. J., born June 24, 1794. He, too, was a patriot, entering the army in the war of 1812 at the age of nineteen years. He married Hannah Ammerman, of Sussex county, N. J., and five of their seven children were born in that State. They then moved to Susquehanna county, Penn., buying a farm near Brooklyn, on which they continued to live until called to the other world. The father's death occurred in 1864, when he was seventy-seven years of age, and the mother passed away some years previous at the age of sixty-five. Their children were as fol- lows: (1) Maria accompanied her parents to Penn- sylvania, later married Aaron Fridenburg, of New Jersey, and they made their home on a farm on the Delaware river, six miles below Port Jervis, N. Y. They had seven children-Moses B., now a resi- dent of St. Paul, Minn. : George, who is married, and resides in Orange county, N. Y .; Henry, a resident of the same county; Charles, a farmer of that county; James A., a teacher in the public schools of Orange county; Theodore, of Orange county, and Catherine, who is married, and lives in that county. (2) Jacob B. married Angeline Churchill, of Port Deposit, N. Y., and they located at Honesdale, Wayne Co., Penn., where he followed contracting and building, and also served as superintendent of the poor farm for a number of years. He has one son, Aaron, still a resident of Honesdale. (3) A. A. married Sarah Brown, of Susquehanna county, Penn., and they removed to near Berwinsdale, in Clear- field county, where he followed farming until his death in April, 1887. He left a widow and large

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family of children, who are now living in differ- ent parts of the county. (4) Isaac M. married Lucy Spencer, of Susquehanna, and they located upon a farm in Wyoming county, Penn. Dur- ing the Civil war he enlisted, and served until its close, being wounded in the hand. Returning home he lived on his farm until his death, and there his widow and seven children still reside. (5) Catherine became the wife of Eli F. Roberts, a Methodist Episcopal minister, and both are now deceased. They had two children-Shep- ard, a merchant and traveling salesman, who married Sarah Jones, of Susquehanna county, and resides in Meshoppen, Penn. ; and Mary, who wedded Charles Gay, of Meshoppen, and died leaving two sons. (6) Amos T., born in Sus- quehanna county, married Louisa Howard, of that county, and resided on the old homestead until after his father's death, when he removed to Broome county, N. Y., where he followed farming. For some time he served as commis- sioner of that county, holding the office at the time of his death in 1893. He left a widow and three sons-William, who is married and lives in Rhode Island; Charles, who is married, and is conducting a livery stable in Binghampton, N. Y. ; and Morris T., who is married; and is engaged in the manufacture of tobacco in Binghampton. (7) George Gale is our subject, of whom further mention is made.

George G. Dewitt passed his youth on the homestead farm aiding in the work of the fields during the summer months, and attending the public schools of the neighborhood during the winter season. At the age of fourteen he went to the lumber woods of Lycoming county, Penn., where he remained one winter, and then re- turned home to aid in harvest field during the summer. For some time he continued lum- bering and rafting down Pine creek and the Sus- quehanna to Port Deposit, and also rafted some on the Delaware river. In 1850 he came to Clearfield county, making shingles for Alexander Irwin, on Laurel run, and later worked for Isaac Schofield. in the Green woods. Subsequently he was employed by the Laybords in Union and Brady townships, Clearfield county, and then re- turned to Pine Creek, where he worked in a mill for one year. On February 18, 1854. he was married to Miss Rachel, daughter of William and Hannah Bloom, who lived near Curwensville, in Clearfield county, and they began their domestic life in Jordan township, where Mr. Dewitt en- gaged in the manufacture of shingles until 1856, when he removed to . Chest township, and fol- lowed the same occupation there for one year. Coming to Becaria township, in 1857, he here

rented land for six years, and then purchased a tract of timber land of T. W. Johnson at $3.50 per acre (the timber being reserved, but he after- ward bought the timber), and at once began to clear and improve the place. In 1863 he erected a commodious frame residence, built his present large barn in 1887, and to-day his farm is one of the most highly cultivated and improved in Be- caria township. During the winter months he still follows lumbering and logging with good success. He is one of the oldest and best pilots on the Susquehanna and its tributaries; he ran a raft through the mountains in the night, and he has run a raft out of Moshannon creek by moon- light, two of the greatest feats ever performed in this country. Since 1850 he has taken over one hundred rafts from Clearfield to Lock Haven, Marietta and Columbia, Pennsylvania.

To the union of this couple eleven children have been born. namely: (1) Hannah M., born March 8, 1856, in Chest township, received a common-school education, and married Robert Shoff, of Bigler township, Clearfield county, who now resides on his farm near Madera. They have a family of children. (2) William B., born March 28, 1858, married Mary Lawhead, of Law- rence township, Clearfield county, and they re- side near Pittsburg, Penn. They have three children-Dorsey, Lizzie and Byron. (3) Amos T., born April 4, 1860, was drowned at Glen Hope, April 28, 1878, at the age of eighteen. (4) Nannie F., born March 20, 1862, married Jacob Baker, of Missouri, where his death oc- curred, and she is still living in Kansas City. (5) George D., born December 1, 1864, married Lina McAlister, of Jordan township, Clearfield county, who died leaving two children-John and Mary. He has since wedded Mamie Rowles, and now resides on a part of his father's home- stead. By his second marriage he has one son, William. (6) Lewis Z., born November 5, 1866. is at present employed in the oil fields of Virginia. (7) \V. A., born September 11, 1869, married Ella Holton, of Irvona, Penn., and resides in West Virginia. (8) Mary May, born May 24. 1871, is the wife of Mr. Hardin, a barber of St. Louis, Mo. (9) Edmund, born April 2, 1874. resides in the oil fields of West Virginia. (10) Katie, born November 16, 1875, died January 3, 1876. (11) Samantha, born March 26, 1879, died in infancy. In his political views the father of these is a Jacksonian Democrat, but has never cared for official positions, though he has served as overseer of the poor two terms, school director two terms and constable three years. He is a Protestant, and although not a member of any religious organization, gives liberally of his

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means to the support of all denominations, as well as to all worthy objects for the good of the community.

J CURRIER, M. D., of Grampian, Clearfield county. Among the medical practitioners of this section of the State, the subject of this sketch holds a prominent place, not only in his profession, but also as a leading enterprising citizen.

Jonathan Currier, grandfather of our subject, was born in England, whence when a young man he came to this country, settling on a farm in Cecil county, Md., where he passed the rest of his life. He married Miss Nancy Craig, of Maryland, and to them were born children as follows: Jonathan, James, William, Jeremiah, Richard, Mary, Grezzile and Nancy.

Robert Laughlin, Dr. Currier's maternal grandfather, was a native of Ireland, coming to America when a young man and settling near Baltimore Md. By occupation he was a sea captain, all his life sailing the Atlantic. He married Miss E. Mahan, and children as fol- lows were born to them: Mathew, and Margaret (mother of our subject).

Jonathan Currier, the father of the subject proper of this sketch, was born in Cecil county, Md., March 3, 1798, and became a life-time farmer. On the death of his father he pur- chased the interests of the other heirs in the old homestead, and that was always his home, his death occurring there .September 5, 1863. On July 24, 1828, he married Margaret Laughlin, who was born in Maryland,. in 1810, and children as follows blessed their union: (1) Henrietta mar- ried William Mahan (deceased), of Maryland; they had no children. (2) Rosanna, a twin sis- ter of Henrietta, died aged sixteen. (3) William W. (M. D.) moved to Fairmount, Mo., when he was married, and practiced medicine until his death in 1860. (4) Mathew M. (deceased) was a farmer in Maryland; he married Addie Knight, of Maryland, by whom he had five chil- dren; lie died in 1865. (5) Granville T., born in 1838, married Mary A. Moore, of Maryland, and they reside in Baltimore, Md. (6) Oliver W., born 1841, married Almeda Ryan, of Maryland, and moved to Seattle, Wash., where he is a con- tractor and builder. (7) Victor C., born in 1844, inarried, and is a resident of Custer conn- ty, N. Dak., where he served one term as sheriff, being elected on the Democrat ticket in a coun- ty strongly Republican. (8) Joseph L., born in 1846, married a Miss Benson, and they reside in Allegheny, Penn., where he is engaged in the

lumber business. (9) Mary O., born in 1848, mar- ried (first) Taylor Hines, of Port Deposit, Md., by whom she had two children, and after his death she wedded William W. Winchester, of the same place; they moved to Chester county, Penn., where he died in 1895. (10) Jonathan is our subject. (11) Theodore W., born in 1854, married, and resides in Cecil county, Md., where he follows the profession of teacher; he has held the chairs of mathematics and elocution in Tomb Industrial School of Port Deposit, Maryland.

J. Currier, whose name introduces this sketch, was born October 28, 1851, near Port Deposit, Cecil Co., Md., and received his elementary ed- ucation at the public schools of his native place. For some nine years from the time he was eighteen years old he followed the sawmill business, being an expert in setting up and oper- ating machinery in that line. For some time he filled the position of head sawyer for Erastus Luther, of Luthersburg, during part of which period he read medicine with Dr. J. M. Lydie, of Troutville, Penn., and when twenty-seven years old he left the sawmill business in order to devote all his time to the study of medicine, spending one year in Dr. Lydie's office .- He then entered. Columbus Medical College, at Columbus, Ohio, at the end of a year there taking a course at the Kentucky School of Medicine in Louisville, Ky., where he was graduated in 1881 with the degree of M. D.

About the time of Dr. Currier's graduation, the Pennsylvania Legislature passed an act mak- ing it necessary for a graduate of any medical school outside of Pennsylvania to be endorsed by a medical school within that State before he could practice his profession within its borders. The high grade of work done by Dr. Currier is witnessed by the fact that the University of Penn- sylvania endorsed him, and in 1881 he settled in Grampian, where he has built up an enviable practice and accumulated a fine property. He is a typical self-made man in the true sense of the word, as a perusal of this sketch will show, and when he commenced in Grampian he had noth- ing to start his medical career on except his med- icine case and a pony, which latter was not even paid for. From the date of his advent in the town of his adoption, he has been forging ahead both as a business man and as a physician, and to-day he owns his handsome brick residence, be- sides three which he rents; also a thriving drug store which he opened in 1891. In company with S. T. Hepburn, the Doctor put improved machinery into the flouring-mill at Grampian, and later sold the mill to Wood brothers, who now operate it.

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Dr. J. Currier has been twice married, first time, in 1873, to Miss Mary E. Yoas, of Brady township, Clearfield county, and children as fol- lows were born to them: (1) Margaret M., who. attended college at Chambersburg, Penn., in 1892, and was a teacher of music prior to her marriage with Nathan T. Davis, a teacher and bookkeeper at Gampian. (2) Victor V., a mem- ber of the class of '98 at the Lock Haven Nor- mal School. (3) Henrietta L., who is a teacher. (4) Elma M., who is at home. The mother of these died in February, 1891, and was buried in Luthersburg cemetery. In 1892 the Doctor, for his second wife, wedded Miss Addie Johns- ton, of Curry Run, Clearfield county, a daughter of William and Eliza (Butterbaugh) Johnston, and three children were born to them, namely: Kathleen, Chloe and William J.

Dr. Currier is the present county coroner, the first Republican ever elected to that office in the county-an honor totally unsought or un- asked by him, his friends having urged him to ac- cept the nomination. He was president of the Clearfield County Medical Society in 1896 and 1897, and delegate to the State Medical Society, which body met at Bedford Springs in 1887. In 1892 he was a delegate to the Republican State Convention held at Harrisburg. He was the first burgess of Grampian (then known as Pennsville), having been elected to that office February 16, 1886, and was re-elected in 1895. He takes a great interest in education, and since 1882 has been almost continuously a member of the school board, from 1883 to 1886 serving as secretary of the board. Socially, the Doctor is affiliated with the F. & A. M., with the I. O. O. F. No. 821, and of the Royal Arcanum No. 1379, all of Curwensville. In religious faith he is a member of no Church, though at the present tinie he is president of the board of trustees of the M. E. Church at Grampian.

M ILES S. SPENCER, an honored and highly respected citizen of Penn township. has throughout life been identified with the agri- culture and lumber interests of Clearfield county. A son of Joseph and Lydia (Moore) Spencer, he was born November 13, 1824, on the old Spen- cer homestead in Penn township, and was there reared amidst the scenes of pioneer life. In the work of transforming the wild forests into good homes and farms, he has borne an important part, and the present generation owes a debt of gratitude which can never be repaid to the early settlers for the wonderful work they accom- plished. On reaching manhood, Mr. Spencer 42

gave his time and attention to farming and lum- bering, and purchased a tract of one hundred acres of farm land, which he cleared and im- proved, In 1848 he and his father erected a good residence, which, in 1889, he greatly en- larged and remodeled.

Mr. Spencer married Lucy Griest, of York county, Penn., and they became the parents of nine children-eight sons and one daughter- as follows: (1) Amos M. grew to manhood on the home farm, and in 1878 went to Kansas, where he followed agricultural pursuits for a few years. At the age of twenty-nine he was drowned in the Neosho river. (2) Espy married Flora Hoover, a daughter of William and Mary Hoover, of Lawrence township, Clearfield county, and re- sides on a farm in that township; he also owns property in West Clearfield. In his family are six children-Lucy Ava, Ada, Lewis, Alta, Lafie, John Karl, at home with their parents. (3) James Irwin married Jennie Hoover, also a daughter of William Hoover, and they reside upon a part of the old homestead, having pur- chased thirty acres of his father. In connection with farming he is also engaged in lumbering. He was born on the old homestead in 1858, and by his marriage has five children, the eldest now twelve years of age; they are: Maud. Lois, William Guy, Howard Irwin and Ethel. (4) Charles L., born in 1861, was reared on the home farm, and in 1889 was married to Amelia Guiher, of Penn township, a daughter of John and Mary Guiher. He resides at Hepburnia. Penn township, and follows jobbing and teaming. In his family are four sons-Amos Lester, aged six years; Harrison W. ; Orvis M. and John -and one daughter-Mary Lucinda. (5) Ed- win A., born in 1864, was married in 1892 to Mary King, of Ashland, Ky .; he later purchased a place in Penn township. Clearfield county, but in 1895 removed to Ironton, Ohio, where he en- gaged in the picture business. He has two chil- dren-Roy Allen, born in 1893; and Veary Hazel, born in 1895.

(6) Perry J. Spencer, born July 25. 1866, was reared in much the usual manner of farmer lads, and at the age of nineteen started out in life for himself, working for others for two or three years. During the following three years he was employed in his father's sawmill in Penn township, and in 1890 bought the mill property. He has since successfully engaged in the manu- facture of lumber, buying of Mr. Davis forty acres of timber land belonging to the Hoover es- tate, and converting the trees into lumber. He is one of the most active, reliable and enterpris- ing business nien of Penn township, and as a

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

citizen takes a leading and prominent part in all local affairs.

(7) William Grant Spencer, born November 9, 1868, remained under the parental roof until he had attained his majority, and was then en- gaged in logging in the lumber woods for one year. In 1890 he went to Hepburnia, and be- came engineer in his brother's mill. He has since extensively engaged in buying and selling lumber, and by his straightforward, honorable dealing has met with a well-deserved success in his undertakings. (8) Frank V., born in Au- gust, 1871, spent his boyhood and youth on the farm, and since reaching man's estate has worked in his brother's mill and in the woods. (9) Clara, the only daughter, died in infancy. The inother of these children was called to her final. rest in 1875, and her reinains were interred in the Friends cemetery in Penn township.

In 1881, Mr. Spencer was again married, his second union being with Miss Lydia Hunter, of Jordan township, Clearfield county, a daughter of John and Eliza Hunter, natives of Scotland. Two children graced this union: Leslie, born August 15, 1882; and Minnie, who died in child- hood. The mother of these passed away in 1887, and in 1891 Mr. Spencer married Miss Caroline Hollingsworth, of Glen Hope, Becaria township, Clearfield county, by whom he has three children: Bidwell, born in 1892; Herbert S., born in 1893; and Edith Angelina, born in 1897.

Originally, Mr. Spencer was an Old-line Whig in politics, but on the organization of the Republican party in 1856 he voted for Fremont, and remained in the ranks of that party until 1880, when he voted for Neal Dow, since which time he has been identified with the Prohibition- ists. Religiously he favors the Friends Church, of which his wife Lucy was a faithful member. His sons, with one exception, support the Re- publican party, and Perry and William have al- ways taken an active part in political affairs in the township. The latter was chairman of the Vigilance committee for three years, and while serving in that capacity did effective service in the interests of his party. The family is one of prominence in the community, holding a high position in business and social circles.

S DEWITT BAILEY, M. D. Among the sturdy pioneer farmers of Clearfield county who transformed the primitive wilderness into productive fields, Daniel Bailey, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was an honored lead- er. Of Quaker faith, and possessing the strength

of character which is so notable a trait in the descendants of a Scotch-Irish ancestry, he was a man to command respect and esteem. He was born in Lycoming county, Penn., and on moving to Clearfield county settled in Pike township and cleared a farm of 300 acres, where he and his wife Jane (Passmore) passed their later years in well .earned comfort. He died in the autumn of 1876, his wife passing away in 1878. Their twelve children were: (1) Isaac, who died in Pike township; (2) Lewis (deceased); (3) Abra- ham, our subject's father; (4) Calvin, a farmer near Portland, Oregon; (5) Harrison (deceased), who attended college at Cornell, Iowa, after he was forty-five years old, and is now a minister at Boulder, Colo .; (6) Joseph, of Pike township, Clearfield county; (7) Levi, who died in Scott county, Iowa; (8) (record not given); (9) New- ton, who enlisted from Clearfield county in the famous " Bucktail " regiment, and died from an accident received while on furlough; (10) Ann (Mrs. Anspach), of Ida, Ida Co., Iowa; (11) Ruth (deceased); and (12) Maria (deceased).

Abraham Bailey was born in Pike township in 1820, and has always been engaged in agri- culture. At one time he went to Scott county, Iowa, and bought land which he improved and sold. In 1845 he married Miss Nancy L. Cald- well, a native of Lawrence township, and the daughter of Alexander Caldwell, who was born in Pennsylvania, and became one of the leading pioneers of Clearfield county, holding the office of sheriff, and representing his locality in the State Legislature. Mr. and Mrs. Abraham Bailey are still living at the old homestead. They had a family of six children: (1) Hannah E., who attended the County Normal School at Cur- wensville, and is now the wife of William Law- head; they reside on the old Alexander Caldwell farm in Lawrence township. (2) Elizabeth, who was a student at Cornell College, Mt. Ver- non, Iowa, became a teacher, and in 1884 was killed in Pike township, Clearfield county, by a falling tree. (3) Frances Ella, who married Hervey Laughery, and died in 1878. (4) Mar- garet Jane, who married Albert Y. Straw, a lum- berinan of Kerrmoor, Clearfield county, and has two sons and four daughters; Mr. Straw is an active member of the Democratic party, and is now a teacher in the public schools of the county. (5) S. DeWitt Bailey is our subject. (6) Lewis Ellsworth, who was a student in the University of Pennsylvania in 1883-85, afterward taught school, is now married, and resides on the farm in Pike township.

S. De Witt Bailey, whose name opens this sketch, was born at the old family homestead in

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHIICAL RECORD.

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Pike township, Clearfield county, June 3, 1856. He was educated in part at the schools of that neigh- borhood, in part at the County Normal School, Curwensville, Penn., and then taught for eight years in Clearfield county. During this titne he took a course of reading in medical science, and in 1881 entered Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia, from which institution he was graduated in `1884. He has ever since been en- gaged in practice at Clearfield, and is now one of the leading members of the profession in that vicinity. On June 5, 1889, he was united in matrimony with one of Clearfield's attractive daughters, Miss Mary Jane Shaw, who was born March 28, 1864, a daughter of A. B. Shaw, son of a well-known pioneer. She finished her edu- cation at the Female College, Bordentown, N. J., completing the Junior year. 1

Dr. Bailey took a post-graduate course at Jefferson College, which included the science of gynecology, and he also gave special attention to the study of the eye, as an oculist. He is a sub- scriber to the " Medical Bulletin," the "College Clinical Record," and " Medical Examiner." He is examining physician for the Prudential Life Insurance Co., of Newark, N. Y .; the Union Central Life Insurance Co., of Cincinnati, Ohio; the North Western Co., of Milwaukee, Wis .; the Nederland Co., and the Fidelity Life Associa- tion. Politically he is a Republican, and as a representative citizen he takes an active interest in local affairs. Socially he is a member of Clearfield Lodge, No. 305, K. of P.

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2, Part 15

Author: J.H. Beers & Co Publication date: 1898 Publisher: Chicago : J. H. Beers Number of Pages: 1266

Author: J.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1898
Publisher: Chicago : J. H. Beers
Number of Pages: 1266