Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2, Part 26

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 26
USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 26
USA > Pennsylvania > Clearfield County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 26
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 26

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D AVID COPELIN. Few men can show a record for as great loyalty to their coun- try as is contained in the life review of Mr. Cope- lin. He is a veteran of two wars, and all through the years of peace he has discharged his duties of citizenship with the same fidelity to duty that he manifested on the field of battle as a defender of the Stars and Stripes.

Mr. Copelin was born in Wooster, Ohio, April 21, 1826, and is a son of Richard and Nancy (Fairfield) Copelin. The father was born and reared in Pennsylvania, and at an early day removed to Wooster, where he followed the ina- son's trade. Some years later he returned to Huntingdon county, Penn., and his death oc- curred in Tyrone, Penn., in 1863; his wife died in Centre county, in 1857. They reared a fam- ily as follows: Willis enlisted in the Mexican war at Lewistown, Penn., served for two years, and afterward went to California, joining a regi- ment of that State, and again serving two years. He died in Illinois. David is the second in the family. Caroline died in Blair county, Penn. John resides in the West. Charley enlisted at 1

Tyrone, Penn., in Company B, troth P. V. I ..

and served until the close of the Civil war, being twice wounded. He now resides in California. Hugh, who makes his home in Tyrone, Penn., was a member of the 6th Regiment of Regulars. Isaiah enlisted in the Iroth P. V. I., and is now a resident of Philipsburg, Penn. George. who was a member of the 6th Regulars, resides in California. Mrs. Electa Post is living in Texas. Mrs. Elizabeth Rennard resides in Altoona, Penn. Mrs. Catherine Gunter (a widow) is liv- ing in Philipsburg. Richard resides in Williams- port, Pennsylvania.

Mr. Copelin, the subject of this sketch, was reared in Huntingdon county, upon a farm, and continued to assist in the cultivation of the fields until 1846, when he joined a regiment raised for the Mexican war. He served two years, and participated in the battles of Chepultapec and Mexico City under Gen. Shields. When the war was ended, he returned to the North, and in 1858 located in Decatur township, Clearfield county, where he purchased a tract of timber land. He has made farming his life work, and is now the owner of a valuable place of seventy- six acres under a high state of cultivation and. well-improved with excellent buildings. He also owns property in Philipsburg.

Throughout his business career he has de- voted his energies to agricultural pursuits, but during the period of the Civil war, he put aside all personal considerations, and at Warren Works, Huntingdon county, in September, 1861, joined Company K, 110th P. V. I. He then came to Decatur township as a recruiting officer, and enrolled forty-eight men in that township, and in Rush township, Centre county. He joined his regiment at Camp Crossman, and was mustered into the United States service at Har- risburg with the rank of second lieutenant. The regiment was assigned to the Army of the Poto- mac, and ordered to Hancock, where Mr. Cope- lin was asked to take control. He was promoted to first lieutenant in 1862, and had command of the company most of the time. He participated in the battles of Winchester, Fredericksburg. where he was wounded, Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. On account of illness he was then sent to Baltimore, and was in the hospital five weeks, after which he rejoined his regiment at Washington Springs, where he was given com- mand of company K. At Kellogg's Ford, he was again taken ill, and sent to Washington, D. C. At Georgetown, he was honorably dis- charged in January, 1864, and thus was ended. his military career, which was characterized by valor and unquestioned loyalty.

Mr. Copelin was married in Huntingdon.

TV. YOU

David It Gobelin

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county to Miss Eliza Jane Spanogle, who was born in that county, a daughter of John Spano- gle, who died in the West. Mr. and Mrs. Cope- lin have eight children: Marmaduke, who is married and resides in Philipsburg; Perry, who is married and makes his home in Decatur town- ship; Mrs. Electa Leman, of Philipsburg (her children (triplets) are all living); Charles, who is married and resides in Belsena Mills, Clearfield county; Myra; George (married), agent for the Pennsylvania railroad at McCartney, Penn. ; Mrs. Fannie Walters, who died in Decatur in 1893; and Willis, who died at the age of thirteen years.

Mr. Copelin is a stanch supporter of the Re- publican party, and has served as supervisor and overseer of the poor. He is a member of John W. Geary Post, No. 90, G. A. R .. of Philips- burg, of the Veteran League, and of the Scotch Legion.

SAAC D. REITER, a well-known enterpris- ing business man of Karthaus, Clearfield county, is one of the successful general mer- chants of the place, where he is also extensively engaged in the manufacture of shingles. He has been an important factor in promoting the indus- trial and commercial interests of the community, and in advancing his own prosperity has mate- rially aided in the upbuilding and welfare of the village. I

In Covington township, Clearfield county, Mr. Reiter was born June 4, 1852, and in its country schools obtained his education. His grandfather, Michael Reiter, a native of Ger- many, was an honored pioneer of this section of the State, first locating in Centre county and later in Clearfield county, but his death occurred in the former. John M. Reiter, the father of our subject, was born in Karthaus township, in 1822. and has mostly made his home in Clear- field county. He bought a tract of wild land in Covington township, which he has developed into a fine farm, whereon he still lives at the age of seventy-five years. Throughout his entire business career he followed lumbering and farm- ing, and is still quite active-able to manage the affairs of his farm. In politics he is a stalwart Democrat, and in religious belief both he and his wife are Methodists.

In Clearfield county, John M. Reiter was married to Miss Nancy, daughter of William and Rosanna (Shank) Bridgens, who were of Scotch- Irish descent, and were numbered among the earliest pioneers of Karthaus and Covington townships, where the father opened up a farm in

the wilderness. He died in 1873, aged eighty years; his wife passed away in Hardin county, Iowa, December 18, 1896, when aged eighty- three years. To Mr. and Mrs. Reiter were born eleven children, of whom Mary L., Rosanna, Ellen and Elizabeth, all died of diphtheria, their ages being from three to twelve years; the others are: Mrs. Angeline Maurer; Isaac D .; William F. ; Sarah A., wife of E. Pinder; Samuel (mar- ried); Robert; and Jesse, who is still with his father.

During his boyhood and youth, Isaac D. Reiter early became familiar with farming and lumbering upon the old homestead, and continued under the parental roof until twen- ty-four years of age. On starting out in life for himself, he worked as a day laborer, and later engaged in contracting in lumber, which he would take down the river to market. He also owns and operates a shingle mill, and in 1895 he purchased the general store of Mr. Heckendorn, in Karthaus, which he has since successfully conducted. He owns his residence property in that village, and also a good farm in Covington township .. but has never made his home thereon. In 1884, he wedded Miss Mary E. Etzweiler, of Clearfield, a daughter of David F. Etzweiler (of whom further mention will presently be made), and one child has blessed this union, Carrie, born February 12, 1886.

In politics our subject is a strong Democrat, seeing in the principles of that party the true ad- ministration of a free government, "of the peo- ple, by the people, and for the people." He takes an active and commendable interest in public affairs, and has served as auditor of his township. Socially he belongs to the Odd Fellows Society. His wife is a member of the Episcopal Church. They are surrounded by many friends and acquaintances who esteem them highly for their sterling worth and many excellent traits of character.

David F. Etzweiler was born February 15, 1824, near Harrisburg, Penn., a son of George and Mary (Felmilee) Etzweiler. At an early day he located in Clearfield, Clearfield county, where he engaged in merchandising for several years. In 1871, under Senator Wallace, he served as clerk in the Senate; from 1863 to 1869 he was prothonotary of Clearfield county; later he invested in a plantation in the South, where lie resided some ten years. Returning to Clear- field he made that place his home. In Harris- burg, Dauphin county, he married Miss Anna Amelia Pool (daugliter of Samuel and Catherine (Houser) Pool), born June 26, 1826, died Febru- ary 27, 1881, in Buckingham county, Va., and

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

children as follows were born to them: Bigler, Catherine, Mary E., Leonard and Carrie. David F. Etzweiler died January 2, 1898, in Clearfield, Pennsylvania.

C HAT C. HOWE. Jesse Howe, grandfather of our subject, a native of New York State, was an early settler in Philipsburg, Penn., where he engaged in lumbering, and he died there in 1865. His son Robert, our subject's father, was born in New York State in 1824, but was reared in Centre county, Penn., and became a promi- nent lumberman and millwright there. . He was married at Philipsburg to Miss Julia Phil- lips, a native of Decatur township, Clearfield county. Her parents, William and Eleanor (Jones) Phillips, were born in England, and on coming to this country they settled upon a tract of forest land near Philipsburg, which became in time a valuable farm. Many members of this family reside in Clearfield county. Mr. and Mrs. Howe had six children: Electa (Mrs. Leavy), of Allport, Clearfield county; Lawrence, who is married and resides in Blair county, Penn. ; Elea- nor (Mrs. Dr. Emigh), of Philipsburg; Linda (Mrs. Harris), of Irvona, Clearfield county: Chat C., our subject; and Ira, who lives in Philipsburg. The father died in Philipsburg, November 21, 1876; his widow still resides there.

Chat C. Howe, our subject, was born in Phil- ipsburg, Centre Co., Penn., June 1, 1860, came to Clearfield county in 1868, and was reared in Kylertown and Morris township. He was en- gaged in the lumber business for a time, and then spent ten years in clerical work at Kylertown. In 1892 he was appointed to the office of com- missioner's clerk, and in November, 1895, he re- ceived the appointment as first steward of the County Home, which incumbency he is filling , ing retired in the town of Clearfield, resting in with ability and efficiency. On July 1, 1885, he was married in Kylertown to Miss Alice Stewart, who was born in that place in 1868, the daughter of James L. Stewart (now deceased). Four children were born of this union: Elva E., Grover S. (who died in infancy), Orvis V. and Ruth Rea.

Politically, Mr. Howe is a Democrat, and in addition to the offices already mentioned he has held those of district treasurer, auditor and school director in Cooper township, Clearfield county. He is a member of the Episcopal Church, while his wife adheres to the Presbyterian faith. On December 31, 1896, Mr. Howe, in company with George E. Owens, purchased the Clearfield Re- publican (Democratic). the oldest paper in Clear- field county (established in 1827).

M ILES WRIGLEY. Among the citizens of Mahaffey who keep the wheels of trade in active motion, and by promoting commercial in- terests add to the prosperity and general welfare of the community, is Mr. Wrigley, the leading hardware merchant of Clearfield county. The age has long since passed when it was thought that the professional man was possessed of a higher order of business ability than he who de- votes his energies to trade. The successful rep- resentatives of commercial activity must possess certain qualifications, among which are mental alertness, keen discernment, executive ability and unfaltering energy. It is these characteristics which have won for Mr. Wrigley the conspicuous position he now occupies in business circles.

He was born in the town of Clearfield, Sep- tember 17, 1858, a son of Robert and Mary (Stewart) Wrigley, who were reared and married in Clearfield county. The father was a son of Robert Wrigley, Sr., who was born and married in England. He obtained a fine education and was especially noted for his penmanship, so that county officials often found it to their advantage to secure his assistance in their work. He lo- cated in Clearfield county at an early day, fol- lowed the occupation of farming, and here reared his family of seven children: namely: James, Kay, Robert, Sarah, Phoebe, Nancy and Rebecca.

Robert Wrigley, father of our subject, is one of the self-made man of Clearfield, who followed farming and lumbering from an early age. After his marriage he located on a tract of raw land one mile and a quarter from Clearfield, where he improved a valuable farm. He was a most ex- tensive fruit producer in the county, and was suc- cessful in the cultivation of all other cereals. Throughout his active business career he also fol- lowed lumbering to some extent, but is now liv- the enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil. He lost his wife January 17, 1872. Both were long members of the Presbyterian Church, and Robert Wrigley is a stanch Republican, who has acceptably served in a number of township offices. including that of tax collector. His children are John; Allen; Miles; Alice, wife of E. A. Hoover, of Clearfield: Annie, wife of R. Kennard; Mary, wife of George M. Dimeling, ex-county treasurer; Curtis, an agriculturist; and James, who operates the old homestead.

Reared on the farm and educated in the coun- try schools, Miles Wrigley, at the age of eighteen years, turned his attention to the tinner's trade, at which he served a three-years' apprenticeship. Through another three years he continued with his first employer as a journeyman, and in 1886

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established a small tin shop and hardware store of his own in Mahaffey. Close application to business, honorable dealing and courteous treat- ment of his patrons soon secured him an increased patronage, and from time to time, to meet the growing demands of his trade, he has enlarged his stock until he has the most completely equipped and extensive hardware store in the county. In addition to all kinds of shelf and heavy hardware he carries a full line of paints, oils, etc., and takes contracts for plumbing, iron and tin work. He also deals in agricultural im- plements, and has a wagon and carriage reposi- tory, and his trade extends to all sections of the county. His store occupies a large three-story brick block on the most conspicuous corner in Mahaffey, and in addition he has a large ware- house, both buildings being among his real-estate holdings.

In 1888, Mr. Wrigley married Ida Byers, who was reared and educated by her grandfather, Robert Mahaffey. She was born December 28. 1870, and is a daughter of John and Mary (Ma- haffey) Byers. Mr. and Mrs. Wrigley have two interesting children: Robert, born May 12, 1892; and Helen, born October 9, 1896. Mrs. Wrig- ley is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and to Church and benevolent institutions Mr. Wrigley is a liberal contributor. He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and gives an intelligent support to the Republican party, but his attention is directed chiefly to his business interests, in which he has met with signal success.

E LIHU DIXON. Few men have been more earnestly engaged in the work of developing the natural resources of this favored region than the subject of this sketch, a well-known citizen of Clearfield county, residing near Du Bois.

Mr. Dixon was born in 1843. in Warsaw township, Jefferson Co., Penn., and is of pioneer stock, his grandparents having located in the county at an early date. Our subject's father was born and reared there, and in early man- hood married Miss Jane Reed, sister of John Reed, of Fallscreek, Penn., their home being es- tablished in Warsaw township, Clearfield Co., Penn., and opened up a farm, but later he re- turned to Jefferson county, where he and his wife breathed their last. Of their numerous family of children, the eldest, Calvin, served three years in the army, was a good soldier and is a strong Republican; John and Washington re- side in Du Bois: Hiram and Nancy are deceased;

Mrs. Beck lives in Washington township; and Mevin moved to West Virginia.

The subject of our sketch was in early man- hood engaged in business as a farmer and lum- bernian. In 1869 he was married to Miss Emily Wayne, whose parents, William and Ann Wayne. were natives of England, coming to this country and locating first in Philadelphia, thence moving to Sandy township, Clearfield county, and settling in the woods when there was but one house where the thriving town of Du Bois is now situ- ated. Mr. Wayne cleared and improved a homestead where Mr. and Mrs. Dixon now re- side. Their home was brightened by two chil- dren: Clarence and Rosa.

In 1882 Mr. Dixon opened a coal mine which keeps from three to six men employed. and his enterprise and judment, as shown in this and other ventures, are favorably commented upon in business circles. As a citizen he is pub .. lic-spirited, taking an interest in all measures which promise benefit to the locality.

S M. THOMPSON. . The thriving little city of Du Bois numbers among its most beau- tiful residences some which demonstrate the skill and taste of the well-known contractor and builder whose biography is given here. Mr. Thompson ranks among the leaders in his pro- fession in that locality, but he is not content with even that field for he has lately erected a factory in which he finishes all sorts of wood work required in building, making a specialty of stair rails, mantels, doors and window frames.

Mr. Thompson is a native of Elk county. Penn., born August 16, 1861. Reuben Thomp- son his father, was born in Centre county. Sep- tember 16, 1818, but was reared in Elk county, where his father, Robert Thompson, one of the early settlers, spent a long life. Reuben Thomp- son, was married in Elk county to Miss Margaret Mcintosh, a native of Ireland. and a few years later, in 1863, removed to Winslow township. Jef- ferson Co .. Penn., where he settled upon a partly- improved farm. In 1884 he went to Du Bois to reside, and he died there in 1891. His widow still makes her home in Du Bois. Of their four children: Mary C. died at the old home in Jef- ferson county; Lizzie resides in Du Bois: and Robert died in Elk county at an early age.

S. M. Thompson was educated in the schools of Jefferson county, where his youth was spent. On removing to Du Bois, in 1885, he learned the carpenter's trade and became engaged in contracting and building, in which he speedily

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

won success. Among the residences built by him are those of Robert Jones, on Weber ave- nue; John James and John Holmes, on South avenue; and others of note. His mill, which was built by him in 1891, is a model of con- venience. In 1889 he was married in Du Bois to Miss Martha Clydesdale, a native of Scotland. Her parents, James and Martha (Crawford) Clydesdale, came to this country some years ago, locating in Arnot, Penn., where Mr. Clydes- dale died. His widow now resides in Du Bois. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson have two attractive children: Reuben and Hazel. As a citizen Mr. Thompson is thoroughly progressive, and can be relied upon to forward any beneficial project.

W L. ANTES. Germany has sent to this section many thrifty, industrious, law- abiding people, who have been most helpful fac- tors in the work of clearing and cultivating the fertile acres, and among the earliest of these peaceful invaders were Philip Antes and his wife Susan Antes, the grandparents of the subject of this sketch. They came to Pennsylvania at an early date, locating first in Centre county, near Curtin Furnace, where Mr. Antes conducted a gristmill for many years. In 1825 he moved to Clearfield county and followed farming in what is now Boynton, and his death occurred in Law- rence township about 1830; his wife died in 1827. Of their children none are now living: Frederick died in Centre county, Penn. ; John in Lawrence township, Clearfield county; Henry in Harris- burg: Philip is mentioned more fully below; Susan, the wife of John Patton, Jr., of Curwens- ville, died at that place; Mary (Mrs. Isaiah Good- fellow) died in Lawrence township, Clearfield county; and Elizabeth, Mrs. Moses Boggs.

Philip Antes, our subject's father, was born in Centre county in 1800, and accompanied his parents to Clearfield county in 1825, locating permanently in Lawrence township. He was married there in the following year to Miss Mary Coldwell, a daughter of Hugh and Jane Cold- well, early settlers in that locality, the former of whom was born in Lancaster county, Penn. After their marriage our subject's parents settled upon a tract of unimproved land, of which by in- dustry and perseverance they made in time a productive farm, and there the father followed agriculture and lumbering throughout his life. His wife passed from earth in 1872, and his death occurred a year later. They had eight children, of whom five are now living, namely : Susan. Mrs. Allen Mitchell, of Clearfield; W. L., our subject; J. A., a farmer of Lawrence

township; M. G., also of Lawrence township; and Elizabeth (Mrs. McPherson), of the same township.

W. L. Antes was born May 24, 1833, in Lawrence township, and was educated in the schools of that township. Engaging in the lum- ber business in early manhood, he followed it until his enlistment in August, 1862, in Company E, 149th P. V. I., the famous " Bucktail Regi- ment," at Clearfield, "for three years or dur- ing the war," and was mustered into service at Harrisburg. The regiment formed a part of the Army of the Potomac, and Mr. Antes saw some severe fighting, notably at Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. In the latter engagement he was wounded with a gunshot, which confined him for some time in hospital at Gettysburg, Harrisburg and Little York. In 1864 he received an hon- orable discharge at Washington, D. C., and re- turned. home. Since that time he has been extensively engaged in lumbering and farming, and for some time he was also interested in the manufacture of pumps. He was married, in 1872, to Miss Anna Bailey, of Lawrence township, a daughter of Solomon M. Bailey and his wife, Mary Ann (Shaw), who were prominent among the early residents of the township. This happy union terminated all too soon in the death of Mrs. Antes in 1874.

By his hearty sympathy with progressive movements in the locality where his life has been spent, Mr. Antes sustains well the reputation for public spirit and patriotism which his record as a soldier established. In politics he is a Repub- lican, and he is a leading member of the Centre Methodist Episcopal Church.

H A. DALY, who is engaged in the real-estate business in Du Bois, is a man of marked in- dividuality, of high personal character and of strong business qualifications. His life record will bear the most rigid examination, for his ca- reer has been characterized by a fairness of in- tention that has neither sought nor required dis- guise. The prominent part which he has taken in the upbuilding and development of Du Bois makes him one of its most honored citizens.

A native of Penn township, Clearfield county. born in 1854, Mr. Daly is a son of Patrick and Nancy (Johnson) Daly. His father was born in County Armagh, Ireland, and when twenty-four years of age sailed from Belfast for the New World, where he arrived after a voyage of six weeks. Making his way to Grampian, Clear- field county, he located in the midst of the for- ests and followed farming and lumbering. He

H. L, antes

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

owned and operated a sawmill there, and in his business dealings met with success. He was married in Penn township to Nancy Jolinson, a native of that township, and a daughter of Sam- uel and Nancy (Fisher) Johnson, who were na- tives of York county, Penn., and of Quaker stock, and she could readily trace her ancestry back as relatives of William Penn, the founder of Philadelphia. At an early day they located in Clearfield county, where the mother died; the father spent his last days in Iowa. After his marriage, Patrick Daly devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits, and was the owner of 800 acres of land, which he ultimately sold to a coal company, and then took up his residence in Du Bois. For twenty years he served as school director, and was also tax collector. He died in Du Bois in 1887 at the age of eighty-four; his wife passed away in 1893, aged seventy-seven years.

Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Daly were the parents of ten children: Mrs. Margaret Ann Casey, of Du Bois; Frank, who died in 1856; J. J., of Du Bois; John, who died in Penn township in 1866; Lawrence, of Du Bois; Mrs. Elizabeth Burgoon, who died in Brookville, in 1886; H. A .; William F., of Du Bois; Mrs. Mary Sullivan, who died in Washington, D. C., in 1890; and Anna, who died in Penn township, at the age of five years.

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2, Part 26

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