Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2, Part 18

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 18
USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 18
USA > Pennsylvania > Clearfield County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 18
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 18

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Our subject was educated in Wilkesbarre, completing his education in Wyoming Seminary. He then engaged in lumbering in his native county, and in 1854 he went to Penfield as agent for Reading. Fisher & Co., lumber dealers of Williamsport, in whose employ he remained over twenty years. He settled in the dense forest and opened up a farm, clearing more than three hundred acres, which he still owns and has brought to a high state of cultivation. He has been indefatigable in the advancement of the in- terests of the town, and erected the "Penfield Hotel," besides many of the residences and other buildings in the place. There has been a post office called Penfield since 1832, and in 1856 Mr. Woodward was placed in charge; but in 1857 it was transferred to Tyler, its name being changed to that of its new location. Later it was re- established at Penfield, and Mr. Woodward was appointed postmaster a second time, in 1872. A number of other public offices have been held by him, and he was county auditor for one term, beginning in 1862. In his political affiliations he is a Democrat, and he has been one of the prominent advisers of the party in his locality.

In 1849 Mr. Woodward was inarried in Lu- zerne county to Miss Abigail Watrous, a daugh- ter of Jonathan B. and Matilda (Moore) Watrons, pioneer settlers of Wayne county, Penn. Six children were born of this union: George, now a widower, residing in Penfield; William, mar- ried and living at the farin; Mahlon, who died at an early age; Meribah, who died unmarried; Alice (Mrs. Comstock), residing in New York City; and Friend, deceased. As a pioneer set- tler, Mr. Woodward was active in establishing. and encouraging religions movements, and he ; has assisted in building various churches at Pen- field. Hiram Woodward and John Du Bois were | really the parties who made the establishment of mills at Williamsport a possible success. They cleared Bennett branch of the Sinnamahoning, and drove the first logs down the creek, and they : were arrested fourteen times in one day in order to try and prevent them running logs down the stream. Cables were frequently stretched across the water to wreck the ark on the raft. Had not Mr. Woodward and Mr. Du Bois made a success of the driving of logs on the west branch of the , for two months, after which, by forced marches

Susquehanna, the mills for the cutting of lumber at Williamsport would have been abandoned, and the immense quantities of pine in this region would have been rafted to Port Deposit, at the mouth of the Susquehanna, and there cut up.

L S. HAY, Eso., of Du Bois, Clearfield county, enjoys the distinction of being en- rolled among the members of that gallant band of Pennsylvania volunteers who went to the defense of the national capital at the outbreak of the Civil war, and were mobbed while passing through the streets of Baltimore. This incident, unpleasant though it was at the time, is now associated only with an honorable pride. In fact, even the assailants have "smoked the pipe of peace," the citizens of Baltimore lately show- ing their appreciation of the heroism of the com- pany by inviting its surviving members to take a trip to Washington, during which no effort was spared to celebrate appropriately the return of peace.

Squire Hay traces his descent from a Scotch- man of the same name who came to America in the seventeenth century and settled in New Jer- sey, where many of his descendants reside. The Squire's grandfather, Charles Hay, a hatter by trade, passed his life there. Lemar Hay, the father of our subject, was born and reared in New Jersey, and in early manhood learned the bricklayer's trade, his work in that line leading him into a profitable business as a contractor. He resided for some years at Pottsville, Penn., where his wife, Mary A. (Bretz), a native of this State, died in 1852, aged thirty-eight years, her remains being interred there. He then removed to Kansas, and continued his business until his death, which occurred in 1885, when he was aged seventy-nine years. In religious faith he was a Quaker, and his character and life won the esteem of all who knew him.

Squire Hay was born November 24, 1838, at Pottsville, and was educated in the common schools of that town. At the age of fifteen he left his studies and began an apprenticeship as a bricklayer and plasterer under his father. At . nineteen he entered into business on his own ac- count, and continued successfully until the war broke out, when he promptly mustered with his company, the Pottsville National-Light-Infantry, which formed a portion of the famous band of 530 men who arrived at Washington April IS. 1861. Mr. Hay was mustered into the U. S. service as first sergeant, Company D. 25th Rea- iment, P. V. I., and was on guard duty in that city

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

670

to Martinsburg, Va., he was attached to the coin- mand of Gen. Patterson until after the first battle of Bull Run, and as by that time the sanguine hopes of a speedy ending of hostilities had passed away, he helped to organize Company A, 96th Regiment, P. V. I., in which he was enrolled July 25, 1861, as first lieutenant. On the mus- ter-in of Company A, 96th P. V. I., he became its captain, and was assigned to picket duty at Washington, and during the winter of 1861, near Fairfax Seminary, Va., and later took part in all important battles of the Peninsular campaign, in which his corps, the 6th, was engaged, including the engagement at Second Bull Run, South Mountain, Antietam and Fredericksburg. At . the last named he contracted rheumatism, which caused an honorable discharge to be granted him December 25, 1862.

In the following year Mr. Hay was employed .as a clerk at the St. Nicholas colliery, and two years later was promoted to the post of resident manager. The company changed its name to the Girard Mutual Coal Co., and consolidated with the Philadelphia Coal Co., and is now known as the Lehigh Coal Co .; but Mr .. Hay was retained through these changes, until em- ployed, in 1879, by the Sandy Lick Coal & Coke Co., of Harrisburg, among the largest shippers of bituminous coal in those days, for whom he located their first mine in 1874. In 1880 he moved to Du Bois, and in 1886 resigned as man- ager, and then engaged in lumbering until 1889. His ability and his high character soon won the confidence of the citizens, and since 1888 he has held his present office of justice of the peace. He has also demonstrated his fidelity to the pub- lic welfare as a member of the school board and as town clerk.

On October 4, 1862, Squire Hay was mar- ried in Pottsville to Miss Orelana Bartlett. daughter of Charles and Mary Bartlett, highly respected residents of that town. Mrs. Hay was born there, and was the second in a family of seven children who lived to maturity. Twelve children have blessed this union:

James L. Sommerville acquired his primary Mary, who , education in Glasgow, Scotland, and after coin- died in infancy: Frank, a wholesale liquor dealer . ing to America with his father continued his

. of Reading. Penn .: Charles, a druggist at Du- ' studies in the Bellefonte Academy and at Lock Bois; Edith (Mrs. H. A. Vosburg), of the same town; William I., a wholesale liquor dealer of Du Bois; Lemar S., now a student in the Pitts- burg College of Pharmacy: George B., Stacey M., Margaret B. and Alva J., who are at home; Joseph 1 .. and Lena died in infancy.

Squire Hay is a member of the Protestant Episcopal Church, and is also prominently iden- tified with the Grand Army of the Republic; with the Royal Arcanum; with Shenandoah City

Lodge, No. 591. I. O. O. F., and with Ashland Lodge, No. 294, F. & A. M., of which he is past master. Politically he is a Republican.

T TAMES L. SOMMERVILLE. In past ages

the history of a country was the record of wars and conquests; to-day it is the record of commercial activity, and those whose names are foremost in its annals are the leaders in busi- ness circles. The conquests now made are those of mind over matter, not of man over man; and the victor is he who can successfully establish, control and operate extensive commercial inter- ests. Mr. Sommerville is unquestionably one of the strongest and most influential men whose lives have become an essential part of the history of Clearfield county. Tireless energy, keen per- ception, honesty of purpose, genius for devising and executing the right thing at the right time, joined to everyday common sense guided by re- sistless will power, are the chief characteristics of the man. Connected with the coal-mining in- terests of Clearfield county, the place that he occupies in business circles is in the front rank.

Mr. Sommerville was born in Scotland, August 16, 1837, a son of John S. and Elizabeth (Laing) Sommerville. His father came to America in 1846, and in Centre county embarked in the coal business, opening the Snow Shoe mines, which he extensively operated, under contract with the Bellefonte & Snow Shoe R. R. Co. He also conducted a store at Snow Shoe for a number of years; but during his later life he devoted his en- tire energies to the coal industry, associating with him his son, James L., under the firm name of John S. Sommerville & Son. He died in 1880. His wife died in Scotland, our subject being the only one to come with the father to America. John Sommerville was a stanch Whig in early life, and afterward a Republican; he was a leading member of the Presbyterian Church and served as elder for some time.

Haven. He then took a course in engineering in Philadelphia. His specialty was civil engi- neering, becoming very proficient in that line, and for many years was thus employed. He was assistant engineer on the Snow Shoe railroad, and the first engineer from 1865 until 1875, since which time he has devoted his attention to his coal-mining interests. He also operated a tan- nery at Unionville, and afterward at the Snow Shoe intersection. In ISSo he removed to his

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

present home in Winburne, and leased nine hun- dred acres of coal lands, which he has since been operating, his mines yielding from eight to ten hundred tons per day-about three hundred thousand tons annually. A railroad has been built to the mines, and every facility has been secured for mining and shipping the products. His honorable dealing and his fairness to his men have won their loyalty, and no local strike has ever occurred among them. He also con- ducts a general merchandise store in Winburne, and has been a most prominent factor in the up- building of that town.

Mr. Sommerville was reared in the Presby- terian faith, and his family attend the Church of that denomination, in which he has for years been an elder. In politics he is a stanch Repub- lican, deeply interested in the success of his party, but has never sought or desired office, preferring to devote his energies to his business, which has not only brought to him rich returns, but has been of material benefit to the com- munity.

Mr. Sommerville was married in 1860 to Miss Jane M. Harris, of Bellefonte, and their children are as follows: Bond V., assistant engineer of the Fort Wayne railroad; John S., engineer for the coal mines at Winburne: James H., who died in October. 1896; Allen O., manager of the coal mines; Robert, manager of the store; Donald L., assistant engineer of the Beach Creek railroad; Bessie and Mary H.

Mrs. Sommerville is a daughter of James D. Harris, an honored pioneer of Centre county. He was a civil engineer, aiding in constructing the canals in central Pennsylvania, and took a prominent part in engineering works. History gives an account of the Harris family back to an early date. During the reign of Charles II, in 1689, Edward Harris, being driven froin Scot- land, settled in County Donegal, Ireland, and his large landed estates in the former country were thus lost. He married Flora Douglas, and they had three sons: Edward, Robert and James. John, son of James, emigrated to America in 1752, and located in Pennsylvania, where he es- tablished the branch of the family to which Mrs. Sommerville belongs. John Harris was a mem- ber of the Provincial council, which met at Car- penter's Hall, June 28, 1776, and of a subsequent convention July 15, 1776, when he was appointed lieutenant of the county. He served as a mem- ber of the General Assembly from 1778 until 1781, and was one of the commissioners who niet at New Haven, Conn., in November, 1777, for the purpose of regulating the price of con- modities. Although a slave owner, he voted for

the act whereby slavery should be gradually abolished in Pennsylvania. He owned 375 acres of land, on which, in 1790, he laid out the town of Mifflin, reserving a portion of the ground for public uses. There he died, in 1794, and his re- mains were interred in the Presbyterian cemetery. He married his cousin. Jane Harris, and they had six children.

One of this number, James Harris, married .Ann Dunlop, and removed to Centre county, where he became an influential and distinguished citizen. His wife was a daughter of Col. James Dunlop, an officer of the French and Indian war, and a colonel in the war of the Revolution. James Harris was a civil engineer, and in 1785 was appointed deputy surveyor of Cumberland county, and in 1789 was made surveyor of Mifflin county. In 1787 he laid out a road from Frankstown to Conowa river. In 1795 he removed to Centre county, and in connection with his father-in-law laid out the town of Bellefonte. He represented Mifflin county in the State Senate, and was sen- ator from Centre county from 1780 to 1788. In connection with his father-in-law he gave lands in trust for the support of public schools, and in 1805 they incorporated Bellefonte Academy, which was then transferred to the trustees. Mr. Harris was a man of fine literary attainments, possessed a large library, and was deeply inter- ested in the cause of education. His wife was also a lady of superior intelligence. The chil- dren of Mr. and Mrs. Harris were: Jane. wife of Rev. J. Linn, a Presbyterian minister: John H., a physician, and consul to Venice: Eliza, wife of Dr. Dobbins; James D., a celebrated civil engineer; William, county treasurer and State senator; Joseph, who built the iron works at Howard; and Andrew, a civil engineer.

The children of James D. Harris and his wife were: James, who died at the age of twenty- one years. Thomazine, wife of Dr. G. L. Pot- ter: Nancy D., wife of Rev. J. H. Orbison; Mrs. Sommerville; Eliza D., wife of W. P. Humes; and Louisa, wife of Judge A. Hoy.

James L. Sommerville acquired his primary education in Glasgow. Scotland, and after com- ing to America with his father, continued his studies in the Bellefonte Academy and in Lock Haven. He then took a course in engineering in Philadelphia.

C C. HINDMAN, M. D. Fortunate is he whose ancestry is honorable and disting- uished, and happy is he if his line of life is in harmony therewith.

Dr. Hindman is a representative of promi-

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

nent old Pennsylvania families. Born June 20, 1854, in Corsica, Jefferson Co., Penn., he is a son of Crawford and Mary Jane (Kennedy) Hind- man. The father was born in Clarion county, Penn., May 12, 1820, and the grandfather, John Hindman, also a native of Pennsylvania, be- came one of the pioneer settlers of that county. He was a farmer and millwright, and continued his residence in Clarion county until called to the home beyond. The mother of our subject was born in Jefferson county, and her parents, Rev. William and Mary (McClure) Kennedy, were likewise natives of this State. The former was a Presbyterian divine, and became one of the pioneer ministers of Jefferson county, labor- ing earnestly there for the moral welfare of its people. He was a man of high literary attain- ments, a proficient Greek and Latin scholar, and his life work was unusually successful. He was well known throughout the entire State, and had the respect of all. His death occurred in Jeffer- son county.

Crawford Hindman was reared in Clarion county, and after his marriage removed to Cor- sica, Jefferson county, where he engaged in busi- ness as a contractor and builder. The capital he acquired through his labors was invested in real estate, and he became the owner of several farms, on one of which, located near Corsica, he and his wife still reside. He has greatly im- proved the place, and has there a comfortable home in which to spend his declining years. He is numbered among the pioneers of the county, and has been an active factor in its development. In his family were eight children, as follows: Rowena, who married J. H. Monks, of Corsica, by whom she has three children -- Laura, Lizzie and Myrtle; Albert M., a carpenter of Dubois, who married Jennie Fleming, of Clarion county, by whom he has two children-Blanche and Frank J .; W. W., a merchant of New Bethle- hem, Penn., who married Effie McNutt, of Clar- ion county; C. C., our subject; and Robert T., Konneely R., Anna E. and Ella Agnes, all four at home, managing and caring for the farm.

Dr. Hindman spent his boyhood days in Cor- sica, and received his literary education in its public schools, and in the Corsica Academy, after which, in 1873. he entered Jefferson Medical College, to prepare for the practice of medicine as a life work. He was graduated in the class of '76, and spent the two succeeding years in prac- tice in Scotch Hill and Cooksburg, Clarion county. In 1878 he established an office in Cor- sica, where he practiced until 1883, at which time he located in Dubois. He was a member of the Clarion County Medical Society. His prac-

tice in Dubois is general, and his patrons include many of the best people of the town and surrounding country. On his removal to this place he erected a building, which he oc- cupied until 1891, in which year it was de- stroyed by fire; but with characteristic energy he rebuilt it, and is now comfortably situated, hav- ing all the improvements and accessories which contribute to success in his chosen calling. In addition to his property here he also owns timber lands, and other real-estate interests in Washing- ton. In Corsica, Penn., in 1879, he was united in marriage with Miss Florence Taylor, a native of that place, and a daughter of John and Han- nah (Mitchell) Taylor, who were born in Penn- sylvania and became pioneers of Jefferson county. Her father died ina Brookville, in February, 1881, and his wife departed this life in DuBois, in 1885. The Doctor and his wife have three children: Mary J., Anna B. and Charles C.

Dr. Hindman gives his political support to the Democracy, and for several years he has been an efficient member of the school board. He be- longs to DuBois Lodge, No. 951, I. O. O. F., and to DuBois Lodge, No. 199, Ancient Order of United Workmen. He is also a member of Du- Bois City Lodge, No. 191, I. O. H. ( Independ- ent Order of Heptasophs). He is medical exam- iner for the several lodges as well as several of the old-line insurance companies. His wife holds membership in the Baptist Church. His deep interest in his profession has led to a close study of the science of medicine, and he is thor- oughly informed concerning the calling which he chose as a life work. His extensive patronage indicates his ability and his personal popularity.

0 L. SCHOONOVER, a capitalist and exten- sive real-estate owner, of Clearfield county, with residence at Kylertown, is a native of New York State, his birth having occurred in Tioga county, November 12, 1840. His parents, l'eter and Lorana (Luse) Schoonover, were natives of New York and the Lake George region, respect- ively. The paternal grandfather, Benjamin Schoonover, was a native of New Jersey, and of Holland-Dutch descent. The parents of our subject had a family of six children: Bryant: Mrs. Frances French, of Virginia; O. L., of this sketch; Mrs. Delia Everst, of Wisconsin; Nicholas, who is engaged with the Brown Manu- facturing Company, of Philipsburg, Penn .; and Mrs. Emma Mulson, who died in September. 1895.

O. L. Schoonover was a child of five years , when he first come to Pennsylvania. After a

C . L. Schoonover . Ocharriver

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

time the parents returned to New York, but later again came with their family to this State and established a home in Lycoming county. Our subject acquired his education in the common schools of both States, and when eighteen years of age started out in life for himself, since which time he has been dependent entirely upon his own resources. He was employed at various kinds of labor, doing anything that would yield him an honest living, and with the money he thus secured he helped to pay off some debts which his father had contracted in days before our subject was born.

After jobbing in timber for some time, Mr. Schoonover purchased a tract of land with cap- ital acquired through his own industry and economy, and has since engaged in lumbering on his own account. He floated a hundred rafts of lumber down the river to market, and with the proceeds of his sales he purchased a very exten- sive tract covered with a heavy growth of timber and underlaid with coal. Having erected a saw- mill, he has since been extensively engaged in the manufacture of lumber. He leased the coal right, and receives a royalty on the output. In this section of the county he owns many houses in all the towns, and is also owner of the town site of Munson, and has capital otherwise judi- ciously invested. In his lumber mills he employs a large force of men.

It is not difficult to determine what manner of man is Mr. Schoonover. In this republican country where merit must win, wealth may secure a start but cannot achieve success in an enterprise where brains and an executive ability are required. Mr. Schoonover did not have even wealth to aid him in the beginning, but placed his trust in the more reliable qualities of enter- prise, steady application and unfaltering persever- ance. Thus he has steadily worked his way up- ward, and is to-day the possessor of valuable property which stands as a monument to his in- dustry. In early life, he gave his political sup- port to the Republican party; but during the past twenty-five years he has largely supported the Democratic party, and believes strongly in the free coinage of silver, and in binietalism.

W F. DALEY, a prominent and influential citizen of Du Bois, has, since 1893, ca- pably served as postmaster. His appointment to the position marked a period of many im- portant changes in the mail service. On assum- ing the responsibility of that important office, Mr. Daley determined that Du Bois should have mail service in keeping with the advancement

and improvements of that prosperous young city. Among the most notable improvements was the moving of the office to a more central location and more commodious room, and furnishing it with a splendid new outfit of the latest f.ttings, in- cluding the improved keyless lock boxes, and also the establishment of the free-delivery serv- ice, which required great effort and untiring en- ergy on the part of the postmaster.

To accomplish this Mr. Daley made a trip to Washington, D. C., and laid the matter person- ally before the officials, who, after hearing his request, assured him that, upon the official num- bering and naming of the streets, the free-delivery service would be granted. Mr. Daley, pleased with his success, immediately returned home, prepared an ordinance naming the streets and requiring the property owners to number their buildings, and appeared before the Honorable Town Council and asked for its adoption, where- upon that honorable body unanimously adopted said ordinance known as " 73," and by resolution appointed Mr. Daley to allot numbers and see to the enforcement of the ordinance.

Mr. Daley immediately took up the task. and in less than sixty days; when Special Postoffice Inspector D. C. Owings came to inspect the work, he declared it to be the best numbered city in western Pennsylvania, and upon his favor- able report the Honorable Postmaster General notified Mr. Daley that the service was granted. to take effect the Ist day of April, 1896. He then prepared for the organization of the office, under the civil service, the appointments of which were as follows: L. J. Bing, chief clerk: Miss Annie Daley, general delivery and distributing clerk; Fred A. Casey, mailing and distributing clerk; James P. Housten, Joseph S. Bantz, J. M. Smiley, Harley G. Boring and William M. Tre- zise, mail carriers. In the selection of this or- ganization Mr. Daley made no mistake, as the proficient inanner in which they performed their duties has been highly pleasing to the patrons of the office, and has given Mr. Daley just reason to feel proud of his appointments.

Mr. Daley is a native son of Clearfield coun- ty, and was born in Penn township. September 21, 1856. His father, Patrick Daley, was born in County Armagh, Ireland. September 29. 1803. He came to America when a young man, making a tedious voyage of sixty-three days, and took up his residence in Penn township. Clearfield conn- ty, where in 1837 he married Miss Ann Johnston. Her parents, Samuel and Hannah Fisher Johns- ton, were natives of York and Centre counties, respectively, aud were honored among the pio- neers of Penn township. Mr. John-ton was born

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2, Part 18

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