Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2, Part 17

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 17
USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 17
USA > Pennsylvania > Clearfield County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 17
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 17

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creek, where he continued to follow lumbering for four years. Subsequently for a year and a half he engaged in jobbing for John Ardell at Beaver Mill, and in 1868 came to Morris town- ship, Clearfield county, where for two years he was in the employ of G. W. Merrell. In connec- tion with John Ardell he then purchased 1, 800 acres of land, and commenced the manufacture of sawed lumber, but later sold to C. W. Holt and went to Indiana. After four years in the employ of Hopkins & Irwin, he located on Black Moshannon, and jobbed for G. B. Merrell for three years. Returning to Pine Creek, he fol- lowed lumbering three years for J. B. Fowler, of Jersey Shore. He has met with a well-mer- ited success in his chosen calling, and to-day ranks among the most substantial and prosper- ous lumbermen of Clearfield county.

Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Long, but Seymour L. died at the age of three months; Kennett Ardell, a railroad man residing in Williamsport, Penn., married Nellie Levi, and has three children-Josephine, aged six years; Mary Evaline, aged three years; and Eleanor E., an infant. . Our subject is a prominent and active member of the Republican party. His business interests have been conducted along the old and well-tried methods that ever insure success, and he has taken a leading part in the development of the lumber interests which have proved an es- sential factor in promoting the material welfare of this community. Mrs. Long is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Allport.

Thomas W. Long was reared and educated in Centre county, and on leaving home went to New Berlin, Penn., where he learned the black- smith's trade, at which he worked for only one year. Returning to his birthplace he served an apprenticeship to the cabinet maker's trade, which he followed for four years, and was then employed in the woods on Pine creek for two years. The following year was passed in lum- bering on the Moshannon, after which he joined his brother in the show business, and remained with him for eight years, visiting all of the prin- cipal towns and cities in the West and South. While at Memphis, Tenn., in the spring of 1861, they discontinued the business, and our W J. SMATHERS, M. D., is the pioneer physician and surgeon of Du Bois, where he has made his home since the 5th of June, 1873, and during the time that has since elapsed he has seen the rise and progress of the " Moun- tain City," the metropolis of Clearfield county. On locating here not more than twenty-six fam- ilies constituted the entire population, which to- day numbers over ten thousand. It was a ham- subject came north to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he joined an Ohio regiment for service in the Civil war. He was first ordered to Beverly, W. Va., was in the battle of Garrett's Ford, and for one month was stationed at Philippi. While on picket duty at Cheat Mountain, he was taken prisoner by the Rebels, and for three months and a half was confined in Libby prison. He was then transferred to Tuscaloosa, Ala., and was let in the midst of the forest, inhabited by a few sturdy pioneers, and the country round was a perfect wilderness. There was neither hotel, post office nor trains, the Allegheny Valley rail- road was not completed until 1874, and no pas- senger trains were running until the fall of that year. The place was then known as Rumbarger. the nearest post office, Jefferson Line, was four miles distant, and the roads that had been laid out through this region were very poor. Grad- ually a thriving city has unfolded and developed later confined at Salisbury, N. C., for three months, after which he was paroled and sent to Newbern, that State, where he joined General Burnsides' command. He was then sent to New York, and on to Columbus, Ohio, where he was honorably discharged in October, 1862. Return- ing to Pennsylvania, Mr. Long located in Jersey Shore, and in December, 1862, again engaged in lumbering on Pine creek. Ill the following March he was married to Miss Mary Lainhardt, and at once took his bride to Mill Run on Pine | from logs, stumps. mud and swamps, almost in-

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numerable, lofty pines and the solemn sough of the forest, while miles of pavement have been laid, and churches, schools and homes have sprung up everywhere. As the country developed, Dr. Smathers grew into a large practice, and used to ride away up the creek a score of miles or so, back into the log camps. For a long time he had no competition. Finally other physicians located here, but all of them have the profound- est respect for the pioneer who preceded them.

Dr. Smathers was born March 28, 1851, near Greenville, in Clarion Co., Penn., and is of Eng- lish, German and Scotch-Irish extraction. . His paternal great-great-grandfather came to this country from England, and located in Luzerne county, Penn., about the year 1750, where he mar- ried a German lady. While serving in the Revolu- tionary war he had one of his hands shot off by an Indian. The grandparents, Christian and Susan- nah (Hariger) Smathers, spent their entire lives in Clarion county, this State. In that county, the father of our subject, John Smathers, was born January 4, 1828, and grew to manhood there. He was married in Jefferson county, Penn., January 31, 1850, to Miss Ann Jones, born March 9, 1829. In 1852 they took up their resi- dence in the latter county, where the father fol- lowed the occupations of farming and stock deal- ing, buying stock extensively all over the county, where he was widely and favorably known. There his death occurred August 25, 1895; the mother still resides on the old homestead. In their family were five sons: Wilson Jones, the subject of this review; M. F., a farmer of Jeffer- son county: W. S., a merchant of Worthville, Jefferson county; J. C., a farmer of North Point, Indiana Co., Penn .; and Charles E., who lives on the old homestead in Jefferson county with his mother.

Dr. Smathers spent his boyhood days upon his father's farm, and in the public schools of Jefferson county acquired his elementary educa- tion, later being a student for three years and as half in the Union Academy, Dayton, Penn. During the winter of 1870-71, he engaged in teaching at Fairview, Jefferson county, and in the following spring began the study of medicine under Dr. R. B. Brown, at that time an eminent practitioner in Summerville. Jefferson county, In the fall of 1871 he entered Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, and was graduated with the class March 12, 1873, immediately thereafter locating in Du Bois, where he has since success- fully engaged in practice. He is a great student in his profession, pays close attention to its inter- ests in every particular, and is a very close ob- server of the code of medical ethics. It has

always been his ambition to stand at the head, even back in his school days, and in this regard his hopes have been realized as he is today one of the most prominent and skillful physicians in Clearfield county.

On July 22, 1875, at Smicksburg, Indiana Co., Penn., Dr. Smathers was united in mar- riage with Miss Maggie C. Fulton, who was born in that county, February 16, 1851, a daughter of Samuel M. and Frances L. (Simms) Fulton, natives of Centre county, Penn., and Wheeling, W. Va., respectively. They were early settlers of Indiana county, where the father died April 26, 1896, at the age of eighty-one years, and where the mother still makes her home. For two years during the Civil war he served as a member of the 78th P. V. I. Dr. W. N. Simms, the maternal grandfather of Mrs. Smathers, born April 27, 1798, was a pioneer physician of Smicksburg, and of the surrounding country for a radius of twenty miles, and there he spent his remaining days, dying March 9, 1872. Eleven children blessed the union of the Doctor and his estimable wife, six of whom are deceased, the others being: Francis. C., Margaretta, John Marion Simms, Bessie Fulton and Dorothy Ruth. Of these, Francis C., who was born March 23, 1878, is the first and the only native male grad- uate of the high school in Du Bois, and is also the first native male graduate of Du Bois Busi- iness College. Dr. Smathers, together with other leading physicians, organized the Du Bois Academy of Medicine in September, 1894, of which he has since acceptably served as president. On the organization of the board of health in 1893, he was made president of that body, and held the position until resigning in June, 1896, in order to become a member of the school board, of which he is now president. On the 11th day of August, 1897, the first Board of Pension Ex- amining Surgeons at Du Bois, Clearfield Co., Penn., was established, and Dr. Smathers was appointed as one of the examining surgeons, and at the organization of the board he was made its treasurer. He is not only the oldest physician in DuBois, but also one of the most able practi- tioners in the county. and his opinion has great weight when called in consultation. He is an honored member of the State Medical Society; also of the Heptasophs, of which society he is examiner. He is one of the projectors of the Citizens Mutual Building & Loan Association. organized in 1889, for which he wrote the by- laws, and has since been one of the directors. His political support is ever given thie men and measures of the Republican party. Mrs. Smathers is a Methodist, and the Doctor is a

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liberal supporter of that organization. He has always been active in all enterprises which were for the good of the people and the upbuilding of his town, with whose interests his name is inseparably connected. Physically, he is a splendid specimen of manhood, and his sturdy physique betrays his Teutonic origin. The pa- ternal grandmother of Mrs. Smathers was a Mat- tern, a relative of the Matterus and Grays of Half Moon Valley, Centre Co. Pennsylvania.

C R. SPANGLE, a worthy representative of one of the prominent pioneer families of Clearfield county, is a leading business man of Becaria township, where he is successfully oper- ating as a lumberman, farmer and coal dealer. His entire life has been passed in the community where he still resides, his birth occurring January 16, 1856, on the old homestead of his parents, Samuel and Julia (Philips) Spangle, near Coal- port. The family has always taken an active and prominent part in public affairs, and been an important factor in the upbuilding and develop- ment of the county.

Our subject grew to manhood on the home farm, early becoming familiar with agricultural pursuits, but his literary training was much more limited, as he never attended school more than six months altogether. At an early age he began work in the woods, making timber and cutting logs, and in the spring of the year, he conducted his father's large sugar cainp, often making from five to six hundred pounds of pure maple sugar each year. After his marriage he continued on the old homestead, looking after his father's in- terests until 1890, when he removed to a farm of his own, adjoining the home place. This he had purchased the year previous, and erected thereon a fine two-story residence and substantial and convenient outbuildings. . Upon his property he has opened up coal mines, whose products he sells in Coalport and throughout Becaria town- ship, and he is still interested in farming and lum- bering.

In 1884, Mr. Spangle wes married to Miss Mary Smead, daughter of Alphis and Katie Smead, well-to-do farming people of Burnside township, Clearfield county. Five children have blessed this union, whose names and dates of birth are as follows: Susan, September 21, 1886; Minnie L., July 28, 1888: Katie H., March 21, 1890; Charles R., January 12, 1893; and Julia M., March 12, 1895. All are still at home with the exception of Minnie L., who departed this life in November, 1889.

Mrs. Spangle is also a member of an honored

pioneer family, which was early founded in Burn- side township, but was originally established in New York, whence her ancestors later removed to Lycoming county, Penn. In 1837 her paternal grandfather located on the turnpike in Burnside township, between Reading and Washington, about five miles from the latter place. There he cleared a farm and erected good buildings, and in the winter engaged in lumbering. He was twice married, and reared a large family. Of the three sons born of the second marriage, one was Alphis Smead, the father of Mrs. Span- gle. For a number of years he remained on the old homestead and then removed to his father's farm near Patchinsville, but in 1883 went to Coalport, where he followed contracting and building for ten years, and since that time has made his home in Akron, Ohio. In his family are ten children, namely: Mary, wife of our sub- ject, who was born in 1867; Mrs. Agnes Est- right, of Akron, Ohio; Julia T., wife of Henry George, of Lilly, Cambria Co., Penn .; Matilda L., wife of William Richard. of Akron, Ohio; and Harry. Florence, Alphis, George, Otis and Charles, who are still with their parents.

In his political affiliations, Mr. Spangle is a Republican, but he has never cared for the hon- ors or emoluments of public office. Religiously he and his estimable wife are both consistent members of the United Brethren Church, and contribute liberally to all Church or Educational work, or in fact anything whose object is to pro- mote the welfare of the community.

JOSEPH RIPLEY, a well-known blacksmith of Sabula, is one of the honored veterans of the Civil war, whose devotion to his country was tested on many a Southern battle field. In his veins flows the blood of patriotic ancestors, his paternal grandfather, a native of France, coming to this country with Gen. LaFayette and serving in the Revolutionary war. John Ripley, the father of our subject, was born and reared in New Jersey, where he wedded Miss Mary Obrien, and subsequently removed to Effort, Monroe Co., Penn., where he purchased sixty-five acres of wild land, which he developed into a good farm. There he died in 1859, leaving a widow and seven children, of whom our subject was the eldest. His four brothers -- George, John, Sanı- uel and Patrick -- also offered their services to their country during the dark days of the Rebel- lion, and now fill soldiers' graves.

Joseph Ripley, the subject of this review, was born in Morris county, N. J., in 1828. He mar- ried Miss Mary Ardine, of White Haven. Penn.,

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

667

where they made their home for a number of years. After their removal to Scranton, Penn., the wife died of consumption, and the children of diphtheria, with the exception of one daughter, who is now Mrs. Urias Washburn, of Scranton. She has a family of six children. After the death of his wife, Mr. Ripley went to New York City, and worked in the navy yard at Brooklyn until the outbreak of the Civil war in 1861. Hardly had the echoes of Fort Sumter's guns died away when he enlisted in Company D, 17th New York City Regiment, under Capt. William G. Fisher and Col. Gore, of New York: His first engage- ment was at Falling Waters, whence the regi- ment proceeded to Martinsburg and Harper's Ferry, and later took part in the battle of Bull Run. The Union forces retreated to Fairfax Court House, whence they marched to South Mountain, and in the engagement brought on at that place Stonewall Jackson .was killed.

Later Mr. Ripley's command returned to New York City, where he re-enlisted in the same regiment; but many of the Irishmen in the com- mand refused to longer remain in the service, and during the exciting time in that city over the draft the 17th assumed control there until re- lieved by Gen. Neil of the Army of the Potomac. Going to Tennessee, the regiment participated in the battle of Nashville; was in the engagements at Huntsville, Ala., Athens and Decatur, where the Union forces burned the bridge, and there the 17th New York Regiment was assigned to Gen. Sherman's army. Having learned the blacksmith's trade under his father, Mr. Ripley was detailed for that work; but he was also en- gaged in active fighting, taking part in the bat- tles of Lookout Mountain, Bowling Green and Chattanooga, at the last named place fighting in the fog for two hours. The Union troops then fell back to Dalton, and later proceeded to Rome, Georgia.

During his four years and six months of ar- duous service, Mr. Ripley was six times wounded, first at Harper's Ferry in 1861, and the ball which pierced his leg at that time he still carries. At Decatur, Ala., he was cut in the head with a saber, and captured, but managed to escape and return to his regiment. With Sherman's com- mand he took part in the battles of Buzzard Roost, Marietta, Peachtree Creek, Resaca, Tun- nel Hill, and Kenesaw Mountain, and for twenty- four days was in the siege of Atlanta. At the battle of Jonesboro, he was severely wounded, and had to be taken to the field hospital. After six months of intense suffering he was transferred to Jeffersonville Hospital, where he remained until after Lee's surrender, when he was honor-

ably discharged and returned to his New York home.

Subsequently Mr. Ripley removed to Scran- ton, Penn., where he worked for some time, and then engaged in blacksmithing at Pennfield for three years. At the end of that period he came to Sabula, where he has since made his home. In May, 1889, at the time of the Johnstown flood, the waters of Sandy creek arose and the dain at Du Bois broke, sweeping away the residence and entire property of our subject; but he managed to carry his wife out of danger. In 1878 he had married Miss Eliza Duwere, a native of Tippe- rary, Ireland, who is now sixty years of age. They reside at a pleasant home which he owns. in Sabula, and he still continues to work at his trade. He not only bears an honorable record for brave service in the cause of freedom and union, but in the paths of peace he has also won an enviable reputation through the sterling quali- ties which go to the making of a good citizen.

A USTIN CURRY, one of the active, promi- nent and enterprising citizens of Chest township, Clearfield county, has throughout his business career been extensively engaged in farm- ing and lumbering-two of the most important industries of the region where his entire life has been passed. Near his present home he was born August 18, 1836, a son of James and Eliz- abeth (McKehen) Curry, worthy pioneers of Clearfield county.

James Curry, Sr., the father of our subject, married Rebecca Saliard, of Centre county, where they made their home for a number of years, and where she died, leaving seven children, who be- came prominent citizens of the communities where they made their homes. They were as follows: William Scott, who died in 1880 ; John, who died in 1875; Edward, who died in 1894; Rachel, who is still living at the age of eighty-one; James, who died in 1887; Mrs. Eliza Rorabau, also deceased; and Armstrong, who died in 1894. At the time of their mother's death they were all small, and in 1823 were brought to Clearfield county by their father, ac- companied by a house-keeper. He located on Morgan's land, where he improved a farin. but afterward took up his residence on Chest creek, in Chest township, on the farm where our sub- ject now resides. Here the father engaged in farming and lumbering nntil called to his final rest October 26, 1848. When a young man he secured his first start in the business world by cutting cord-wood for a colliery and iron furnace in Centre county, and by industry, perseverance

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and good management became quite well-to-do. He was a prominent and active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church from boyhood, and was an ardent Democrat in politics. For a number of years he served as justice of the peace, and also efficiently filled other public positions of honor and trust. As one of the pioneers of Clear- field county he early became interested in the lumber business, and on rafting his first lumber to market he sold it at Middletown for two and one-half cents per foot. His brothers, Richard and Robert Curry, also came to Clearfield county at an early day, locating in Knox township.

In Jordan township, Clearfield county, James Curry was again married, his second union being with Miss Elizabeth McKehen, who belonged to one of the honored pioneer families of that county. Samuel McKehen, her father, was of. Irish descent, and was reared near Carlisle, Penn., whence he came to Clearfield county at a very early day. In the midst of the wilderness he improved a farm, and became one of the prominent and representative citizens of the community. By his second niarriage Mr. Curry had four children, two of whom died in child- hood. Those living are Evaline, wife of William Anderson; and Austin, of this sketch. The mother, who was a consistent member of the Methodist Church, departed this life in 1878.

Upon the farm where he still resides, Austin Curry was reared to agricultural pursuits, while his literary training was secured in the public schools near his home. As soon as large enough he commenced lumbering, making square timbers and spars for market and piloting them down the river, which occupation claimed considerable of his attention until within the last few years. In 1861 he married and located where he now lives. Of the one hundred acres that comprised the farm, only thirty had been cleared, and buildings then standing were cheap structures; but these have been replaced by a commodious two-story frame residence, as well as substantial outbuild- ings, and now sixty acres are under a high state of cultivation. The place is pleasantly situated on the creek, opposite Five Points. He is also the owner of two other improved farms, and the entire property stands as a monument to his thrift and industry. While engaged in the lumber business, he was the senior member of the firm of Curry & Shook, which purchased large tracts of wooded land, from which they cut the timber, and in this undertaking as well as in farming he has met with excellent success.

In 1861 Mr. Curry was married to Miss Har- riet Fishel, a lady of intelligence and culture, and a daughter of Frederick Fishel, who was of

German descent, and was reared in Lancaster county, Penn. In early life he removed to Cam- bria county, where he was married, and subse- quently took up his residence in Clearfield coun- ty, developing a farm in Chest township, where he died March 19, 1863, at the age of fifty-eight years. In connection with farming he also en- gaged in lumbering from his lands. His wife, who was a member of the United Brethren Church, departed this life October 10, 1891, at the age of seventy-six. They were the parents of nine children: Sarah, who first married A. Pierce, and after his death wedded Joseph Shook; Catherine, wife of I. Woods; Daniel; George; John; James; Harriet, wife of our subject; Jane, wife of H. Pierce; and Roschsa, wife of W. Kitchen.

Of the ten children born of the union of Mr. and Mrs. - Curry, two died in childhood; the others are Cortes; Ross, a merchant at Five Points; Blair, who is engaged in railroading; Gurna and Austin, at home; Orrie, wife of Dr. Hurd; and Bird and Lilly E., who are success- fully engaged in teaching. The mother is a faithful member of the Evangelical Church, of which Mr. Curry is a liberal supporter, although not connected with any religious denomination. He has also acted as trustee of the Church, and was a member of the building committee. Po- litically he follows in the footsteps of his father, always voting the Democratic ticket, and has taken an active and commendable interest in public affairs. He has been elected to almost all of the township offices, and is now efficiently serving as district treasurer. He is held in the highest respect and esteem in the community where his long and useful life has been passed, and his circle of friends is only equalled by his circle of acquaintances. .

TIRAM WOODWARD, to whose foresight and energy the village of Penfield, Clear- field county, may be said to owe its rapid growth, is one of the representative citizens of his sec- tion. As a lumberman, agriculturist and general business man, he is widely known, while his in- fluence is no less felt in political affairs.

Mr. Woodward was born in Luzerne county, Penn., May 2, 1827. His father, Daniel Wood- ward, a native of Utica, N. Y., and for many years engaged in the lumber business in Luzerne county, Penn., died in Wilkesbarre, Penn., in 1884, at the age of eighty-four years. His wife. who was born in New Jersey, and whose inaiden name was Nancy Eiek, had died, in 1876, in Lu- zerne county. Of their eleven children, nine

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Hiram Woodward

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

lived to adult age, namely: Mary (Mrs. Trout) died in Williamsport, Penn .; Sarah (Mrs. Rob- erts) is a resident of Penfield, Clearfield county; Susan is deceased; Mrs. Campbell is deceased; Mrs. Francis Sutton lives in Wilkesbarre, Penn .; Hiram is our subject; William D. resides in Pen- field, Clearfield county; Denison died in Luzerne county; and George is deceased.

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2, Part 17

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