Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2, Part 22

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 22
USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 22
USA > Pennsylvania > Clearfield County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 22
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 22

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They reared a family of eight children, of whom our subject is the fifth in order of birth. William, the eldest, married in Lancaster county, and going to Clearfield county, in 1839, settled upon the Reed farm. He died in West Clear- field in 1882. James, after the removal to Clear- field county, was married to Miss Rebecca Ogden, and located in Lawrence township, where his wife died in +868, his own death following thir- teen years later. Andrew married in Lancaster county, and made his home in Columbia. He was a railroad man, and was killed by an acci- dent at Pittsburg in 1844. David married Miss Deborah Spackman, and resided upon a farın in Lawrence township, Clearfield county, which he traded for one in Pike township, where he died in 1887. His widow now resides in Olanta, Pike township, Clearfield county. Samuel is married, and resides in Lawrence township. Martha, who died in Clearfield, in February, 1888, married Hon. Aaron C. Tate, a prominent citizen, at one time prothonotary of Clearfield county, and who also served as a member of the State Assembly. He died suddenly in 1876 in the prime of life, while attending a funeral at the cemetery at Curwensville. Catherine (Mrs. Ham- ilton Reed), died in Lawrence township, Clear- field county, in 1859.

Clark Brown was born in Colerain township, Lancaster county, January 6, 1822, and conse- quently was but seventeen years old when he came to this section, where many changes have taken place under his eyes. He was educated in the schools of his native county, also in the acad- emy at Clearfield. and in early manhood engaged in agriculture. In 1846 he and his brother Sam- uel purchased 140 acres of timber land, upon which Mr. Brown settled in the following year, undergoing the usual experiences of a pioneer farmer before the estate was cleared and im-

William Brown, grandfather of our subject, was born there of Scotch-Irish ancestry, and passed his entire life in the same locality. An- drew Brown, the father of our subject, was also a native of that county, and was married there ; proved. On November 12, 1850, he was mar-

Clark Pour

Nancy

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

689

ried in Lawrence township, Clearfield county, to Miss Eliza Dougherty, a native of the township, and a daughter of John and Mary (Hamilton) Dougherty, who came from Ircland, and after passing a few years in Delawarc and Centre coun- ties located, in 1830, "in the woods" of Law- rence township, and passed their remaining years in farming. Mrs. Brown died May 14, 1873, and in 1875 our subject formed a second matri- monial union, this time with Mrs. Nancy Gayler, who was born in New Jersey, the daughter of John and Margery (Dougherty) Mclaughlin, both natives of Ireland; they located in New Jer- sey on their arrival in America, but in 1832 moved to Clearfield, where their last days were spent.

No children were born of the second mar- riage, but the first was blessed with six sons and five daughters: (1) Emma married Walter Read, of Lawrence township, but removed to McKean county, Penn., and has had ten chil- dren, of whom seven are living: Clark, William C., Paul, Frederick, Gussie, Ida and Fanny. (2) Albert died at the age of eighteen months. (3) Lewis C. married Anna Read, and lives at West Clearfield; their children are-Phoebe, Fred, Ruth, Amanda, and Mary. (4) A. I. married (first) a Miss Chaplin, who died leaving no chil- dren; for his second wife he wedded Miss Jennie Giles, and they had the following children- Paul Clair, Clark, and James. (5) John mar- ried Miss Minnie Livingstone, and has had one child-Mabel. (6) Ida is a clerk in a store at Clearfield. (7) Anna and (8) Amanda are at home. (9) Paul resides at Elkins, W. Va .; (10) Harry is a tailor in Clearfield; (11) Mary (Mrs. J. Murray) lives at Clearfield. Mrs. Brown is a inember of the Catholic Church of Clearfield.

Mr. Brown followed agricultural pursuits for many years, and although now retired from active business he owns 140 acres of land, eighty of which arc cleared and improved, there being upon the place a good barn and a substantial and pleasant residence. In 1888 Mr. Brown took charge of the "Mansion House" at Clear- field, which he conducted for tlirce and a half years. He has always been active in local affairs and in political work, and has been many times chosen on the Democratic ticket to offices of trust and responsibility. In 1868 he was elected county anditor, and in 1873 was elected county commissioner, to which office he was re- elccted in 1875: in 1884 he was again elected to that position, making twelve years in all that he has served as a county.official. He is the first commissioner to hold a second term in that county, and the only one to hold the office a

third term. He has held all the offices in Law- rence township except those of justice of the peace, and constable, and for years has been a member of the school board. Such lasting pop- ularity among those who know him best is an un- mistakable evidence of sterling worth of char- acter.

TOHN ROOP. The thriving little village of Munson has its full quota of energetic, per-

severing business men, among whom is the subject of this sketch. In 1888 he located here, and has since been actively identified with its business and commercial interests, for a time being a member of the firm of J. P. & C. L. Roop, general merchants.

Our subject was born in 1851, near the city of Bellefonte, in Centre county, Penn., a son of John and Rachel (Ralph) Roop. The birth of the father occurred in 1806, in Dauphin county, Penn., but at an early day he was taken to Centre county by his parents, Jacob and Sarah (Stroyer) Roop, who located at Roopsburg. The grandfather owned all the land now comprised within that village, and there worked at his trade of a gunsmith for some time. His death occurred in Indiana. John Roop, the father, was reared to manhood in Roopsburg, where he continued to follow agricultural pursuits throughout life. He died upon his farm in 1879, and, in 1887, his wife came to Munson, Clearfield county, where she passed away in 1893. They were the parents of nine children, namely: Thomas resides in Bir- mingham, Huntingdon Co., Penn .; Mrs. Susan Terry lives in Indiana; Mrs. Mary Roan died near Roopsburg, in 1867; Jacob, who enlisted in Centre county, in 1862, in Company B, 148th P. V. I., was killed in the battle of the Wilder- ness, May 10, 1863, and was buried on the battle field; Margaret is the wife of William Tay- lor, of Birmingham, Penn .; Joseph died when young; John is next in order of the children; D. W. has made his home in Munson since 1883, and was in the mercantile business for a time; and Jeremiah died in infancy.

The boyhood and vonth of our subject was passed upon the home farm in Centre county, near Roopsburg, and in the local schools he ac- quired his education. In Half Moon Valley he learned the blacksmith's trade, at which he con- tinued to work until coming to Munson in 1888.

In 1879, in Half Moon Valley, Centre county, he was united in marriage with Miss Fannie Ellenberger, a native of that place and a daughter of Samuel and Jane ( Ross) Ellenberger, who still reside in Half Moon Valley. Two children bless

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

their union, Terry and Elva. The father of these is one of the reliable and esteemned citizens of Munson, and is looked up to as one of its most influential men. His adherence to the dictates of honor in all his business transactions, his spot- less private life, and his public-spiritedness in all matters for the benefit of the community, have elevated him to a high pinnacle in the minds of his fellow citizens. In politics he is a Republican, a strong believer in the progressive principles of that party, and seeking in it a perpetuation of the principles of free government. Socially, he is a member of Half Moon Lodge, No. 845, 1. O. O. F., of Stormstown, Centre county.

TOSEPH TROXEL is a wide-awake, enter- prising merchant of Sinoke Run, Clearfield county, whose diligence and systematic man- agement of his business interests have brought to him a well-merited success. He is a representa- tive of one of the old families of Pennsylvania, and in Becaria township is numbered among the ; most valued citizens.

His parents are Abram J. and Nancy (Glass) Troxel, the former of whom was born in Altoona, Blair Co., Penn., in 1805, and was a fariner by occupation. In 1828 he married Miss Glass, and removed to White township, Cambria Co .. Penn., where he purchased and cleared a farin of fifty-six acres, making all the improvements thereon. He died March 9. 1848. Of his fam- ily Joseph was the eldest; and a brief record of the others is here given: (2) Ady died at the age of twenty-one years. (3) Mary is the wife of John Burns, of Osceola, Penn., who is employed as engineer in one of the mills at Eureka Mines; they have two daughters and one son living. the latter being Harry Burns, who has served on the police force of Osceola for a number of years. (4) Alexander married Matilda Gates, of Cambria county, Penn., by whom he had ten children. His home is a farmi adjoining the old family resi- dence. During the Civil war he enlisted in the three-months service, and afterward joined the ttoth P. V. I .. participating in all the battles of his regiment until honorably discharged at the close of the war. He was a valiant soldier, and is a respected citizen. 15; Caroline is the wife of George Koon, by whom she has six living children, their home being on a farm adjoining the Troxel place, in Cambria county. Mr. Koon served throughout the war in the 96th P. V. I .. and participated in all the engagements of his regiment. (6) George W. married Becky Gates. and resides on a farm 'adjoining the home of Alexander Troxel, in Cambria county, his family

numbering ten children. During the Civil war he enlisted at the three-months' call, and after- ward re-enlisted in the 110th P. V. I. He par- ticipated in the battles of Winchester, Gettys- burg, and many other important engagements, and was one of the daring men of his company. At Gettysburg he was seriously wounded, and still carries the Rebel lead. (7) Abraham, the youngest of the Troxel family, enlisted at the age of sixteen in the 84th P. V. I., and died of fever after the battle of Antietam.

Joseph Troxel, the subject of this review, was reared on his father's farm, and in 1850 married Hannah M. Heverly, of Becaria township, Clear- field county. They began their domestic life on the farm where Mr. Troxel's brother George is now living, and there remained for about two years. In 1859 they removed to Becaria town- ship, where our subject purchased 100 acres of timber land, which he transformed into a rich and productive tract. It is now one of the most desirable farms of the locality, and is improved with a substantial two-story- frame residence, barns and other necessary outbuildings. Mr. Troxel superintends the management of this place, and at the same time conducts his store in Smoke Run, where he carries a large and well- selected stock of general merchandise, and re- ceives from the public a liberal patronage.

His business efforts were interrupted, how- ever, in 1864, by his enlistment in the Union army on the 14th of September. He served under Capt. Welkerson, in the Heavy Artillery. and went to Fortress Monroe, where, after spending about five days, he was taken ill with bilious fever and diarrhea. He was then sent to the Port Hospital, where he remained four- teen days. After recruiting he was detailed as hospital cook and took full charge of the cuisine. having from eighty to one hundred men to cook for. An accident caused serious injury to him while thus employed. he receiving a rupture in the left groin, and he was too weak, not having gained strength, and to add to his weakness the heat was too strong for his eyes, one of which was entirely destroyed, and the other was badly injured. Mr. Troxel cooked the first meal for Jefferson Davis after he was imprisoned at Fort- ress Monroe. The Confederate President refused to partake of the food furnished, but was glad enongh to accept the second offered. After an honorable discharge, Mr. Troxel returned to his home, and has since been identified with the business interests of Becaria township.

Our subject and his wife have reared a fam- ily who do credit to them, for they are now re- spected members of society: (1) Henry A., the

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

eldest, is engaged in the lumber business in Dunlo, Cambria county. He married Sadie Hartman, of Decatur township. Clearfield coun- ty, and has a family of ten children. (2) Mary is the wife of Rule Root, of Smoke Run, a fariner and butcher of Becaria township, and one of the enterprising business nien. They have four children, all living. (3) Catherine is the wife of Martin Nole, a resident of Becaria town- ship. (4) Alexander married Lizzie Stephens, of Cambria county, by whom he has six children, and now resides on his father's farin in Becaria township. His children are: Hannah, Ferdi- nand, Giles, Joseph, Mary Alice and Blair, all at home. (5) Abrahamn, who is a conductor on the supply train of the Pennsylvania Railroad Com- pany, married Keziah Tipton, of Becaria township, and resides in Allegheny, Penn. They have one child. (6) Ella, twin sister of Abraham, is the wife of William M. Curry, who formerly fol- lowed farming and carpentering, but is now en- gaged in the butchering business in Smoke Run. They have four children -- Hannah E., Rule E., Abram R. and Joseph T.

Mr. Troxel has long been an intelligent and active worker in the ranks of the Republican party, but has never been an aspirant for office. In 1856 he and his wife became members of the United Brethren Church, but afterward joined the Methodist Episcopal Church in Utahville. Subsequently, however, they returned to the Church of their first choice, and with four of their children are now connected with that society in Utahville.

M ILO E. PARK, M. D., located in West- over, is one of the most successful phy- sicians and surgeons of Clearfield county. The talent and culture of this gentleman have gained for him an honorable position in the medical profession, and he enjoys an extensive practice.

by but a small vote. He was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Ludwick, of Westmoreland county, a daughter of a prominent farmer, and they became the parents of nine children, name- ly: Robert B., a teacher by profession; Will- iam C., a physician; Harry L., an undertaker; Milo E., of this review; James A., who died in childhood; Delnora, wife of Dr. J. Kelley; Han- nah A., who died at the age of twenty-one; Kelly O., a physician; and Mary E., wife of J. B. McKee, a merchant of Westover.

Our subject was born February 13, 1859, upon the home farm in Armstrong county, where he was reared to habits of industry. His primary education, which was obtained in the public schools, was supplemented by a course of study at Elderton, and he later graduated at Atwood. At the age of twenty he began reading medicine under the direction of his father and Dr. J. A. Kelley, and two years later entered the medical department of the Western Reserve College at Cleveland, Ohio, from which he graduated with the class of 1884. Previous to this, however, he had successfully engaged in teaching. He now opened an office in Utahville, Clearfield county, where he remained for two years, and the following year was located at Kelly Station. Armstrong county; but since the fall of 1887 he has successfully engaged in practice in Westover. His skill and ability were soon widely recognized, and he rapidly acquired a large and distinctive patronage, which he now enjoys.

In the fall of 1884 Dr. Park married Miss Emma E. Rishel, a cultured lady, and the daughter of Peter K. and Maggie ( Miller) Rishel, natives of Montour and Lycoming counties, Penn., respectively. The paternal grandfather, H. H. Rishel, who was born in Pennsylvania of German ancestry, was a tanner by trade, while Joseph Miller, the maternal grandfather, was a farmer by occupation. Peter Rishel now finds a pleasant home with the Doctor and his wife in Westover, where he still follows his trade of blacksmithing. In religious belief he is a Method- ist. Five children constituted his family, name- ly: Charles, Henry, Emma E., John George and William.

Dr. James K. Park, the father of our subject, was a native of Westmoreland county, Penn., where he was reared upon a farm and obtained a good literary education, which enabled him to successfully engage in teaching for some time. Subsequently he studied medicine, becoming a To the union of Dr. Park and his estimable wife have come two children: Odessa. born December 14, 1885; and Claude L., who died at the age of two years. As a Democrat the Doc- tor takes an active part in political affairs, and skilled physician, and for thirty-five years he en- joyed a lucrative practice. From the county of his nativity he removed to Armstrong county, Penn., where he owned and operated a farin in connection with his professional duties. His . has twice efficiently served as burgess of West- death occurred in 1889. A popular and distin- over. As a physician he has the honor of being a peer of any in Clearfield county, is a close and thorough student, a man of deep re- search, a reader of the "Medical Brief " and of guished citizen, he was twice the Democratic candidate for the legislature, but as his district . wasstrongly Republican, he was defeated, though

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

the "Medical Herald " of Ohio. His investigations into the science of medicine, and his skillful ap- plication of the knowledge he has thereby ob- tained, have won for him a place in the foremost ranks of the medical fraternity.

J P. BURCHFIELD, M. D .. a well-known physician and surgeon of Clearfield, Clear- field county, has for many years held a place among the leaders of his profession in this region.

The ancestors of our subject were early set- tlers in Pennsylvania, and his grandfather, James Burchfield, was a leading pioneer in his day, in Juniata county. William Burchfield, the Doc- tor's father, was born in Juniata county, but spent the greater part of his life in Huntingdon 'county, where for some time he was the mana- ger of the Pennsylvania Furnace Co. He owned two farms, and in his later years he settled upon one, located in Ferguson township, Centre county, where his death occurred in 1872. His first wife, Susan (Petriken), born in Paris, France, was brought at an early age to Pennsylvania by her relatives, who settled in Huntingdon county, which was then but thinly settled. She was married there and after a few years of wedded life died in 1835, leaving three children: Mrs. Bridge, of Clearfield; J. P., our subject; and William Ellis, a resident of Philipsburg, Penn. For his second wife the father was married in Centre county to Mrs. Coverly, widow of Dr. Coverly, and daughter of Col. Johnson. She died in Centre county in 1858, and the only child of this marriage, George W., died at the age of seventeen.

Dr. Burchfield was born in 1834, and after a few years passed in Huntingdon county, his home was made in Centre county. For some time he attended school at Shade Gap, Penn., but on the organization of Pine Grove Academy, in 1853, by William Burchfield (his father), William Murray and Thomas Patton, our subject entered that institution, and remained until 1855 when he went to Jefferson College. Cannonsburg, Penn., and took an advanced standing in the Sophomore class in the college there. After graduating in 1857 he taught during the winter terin at Pine 1

studies temporarily, and in 1861 enlisted, in Centre county, in Company H, 7th P. V. I., for three months. He served until his discharge in July, 1861, and then went home, and in October of that year he resumed his studies at Ann Arbor, where he received his diploma in 1862. He be- gan the practice of his profession at Philipsburg, Penn., but three months later, when a call was made for assistant-surgeons in the army, he offered his services. Going to Philadelphia, he took the prescribed examination before the State board, and was appointed assistant-surgeon of the 53d P. V. I., by Gov. Curtin. He joined the regiment at Harrison's Landing, Va., and April 12, 1863, he was promoted to the post of surgeon of the 83d P. V. I., which he held until the close of the war, receiving his discharge June 28, 1865. After a short stay at home, he resumed his professional work, locating in October, 1865, in Clearfield, where he has met with great success in his chosen specialty of surgery.

In March, 1863, Dr. Burchfield was married, in Mifflin county, Penn., to Miss Eva Maria Nourse, who was born in Pennsylvania, the daughter of Rev. James Nourse and his wife, who was a Miss Harvey, natives of Maryland; both are now deceased. Her father was a Presby- terian minister at Milroy, Penn., and was well and widely known for his devoted labors, and as the author of various religious works. In 1864 Mrs. Burchfield died, leaving one son, James Nourse Burchfield, who is at present in the car shops at Roanoke, Va. In 1867 Dr. Burchfield was married, in Clearfield, to Miss Emily Jane Alexander, a native of that town, and the daugh- ter of James and Phoebe (Burchfield) Alexander. Her grandfather, William Alexander, was prom- inent in Clearfield county in the early days, and held the office of sheriff of Centre county, Penn. His death occurred at Clearfield. James Alex- ander, who was born in Mifflin county, Penn., was a saddler by occupation. He died at the residence of Dr. Burchfield, and Mrs. Alexander passed away at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Gertrude Spackman (now deceased), wife of Dr. R. V. Spackman, of Luthersburg. Clearfield Co., Penn., now of DuBois, Penn. Four chil- dren were born of this second marriage: Phoebe

Grove Mills, Centre county, and then began the : Anna; William A., who died at the age of six- study of medicine with Dr. Smith. In 1858 he went to Elmira. N. Y., to continue his studies : with Dr. T. H. Squires, and while there he taught language and mathematics three hours a day. Returning home in 1859, he remained but a short time, and then entered the medical de- partment of the University of Michigan. On the . breaking out of the Civil war he abandoned his teen; Chauncey P., who died when fourteen years old; and Katie Bridge. In 1881 the Angel of Death again visited the Doctor's home, taking away the mother of this family, and in 1882 he formed a third matrimonial union, Miss Edith Belle Wilkison, of Clearfield, becoming his wife. She is a native of Centre county, Penn., and a de- scendant of one of the oldest families of the

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

locality. Her father, Joseph Wilkison, resides at Kerrmoor, Penn. The children of this union, Lillie May, Gertrude, Frederick Myron, and John Patton, are all living.

In religious faith the Doctor is a Presbyterian, and he is an active worker in many lines of ef- fort. Politically he is a Democrat, and in 18So and 1881 he served as chairman of the county committee. He was a delegate to the State Con- vention which nominated Gov. Pattison the first time, and was made a member of the State Cen- tral Committee for that campaign. He is inter- ested in fraternal society work, being a member of the Order of the Knights of the Golden Eagle; also of the F. & A. M., Clearfield Lodge No. 314, of Clearfield Chapter No. 228, and of the Com- mandery at Philipsburg. He also belongs to the G: A. R. Larimer Post, No. 179, has held the rank of surgeon and commander, and was medical director of the Department of Pennsylvania, G. A. R., one year. As a member of the State and County Medical Societies, he has been a leading worker, having held every important office in the latter, and he is medical examiner of students com- mencing the preparatory course for admission to the profession. He is president of the Board of Health of Clearfield, and surgeon at Clearfield for the Rochester & Pittsburg R. R. He is also secretary of the board of pension examiners of Clearfield county, and secretary of the Clearfield Board of Trade.

R OBERT M. SHOFF. The Shoff family of Clearfield county is numerously represented in Bigler and Becaria townships, its members oc- cupying positions of honor and usefulness in their respective communities. The founder of this branch of the family was Christopher Shoff, the grandfather of the well-known citizen whose name introduces this memoir.

A native of Germany, Christopher Shoff came to this country, and after spending some time in Clinton county, Penn., settled in Bigler town- ship, Clearfield county, on what is now known as the Thomas Lord farm. He and his wife, Elizabeth Sides, reared a family of eleven chil- dren, of whom our subject's father, Samuel Shoff, was the sixth in order of birth: (1) Abram died at Mill Hall, Clinton Co., Penn. (2) Christopher, who was born at Mill Hall, married Miss Lydia Packer. of Clinton county, and made his home in Becaria township, Clearfield county, buying land "in the woods," and clearing it for a farm. They had ten children-George, Martha Ann, Abranı, Samuel, Christopher, John, Hannah, Frederick, Aaron and Lydia Ellen. (3) Elizabeth married

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2, Part 22

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