Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2, Part 27

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 27
USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 27
USA > Pennsylvania > Clearfield County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 27
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 27

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H. A. Daly was reared in Penn township, and early became his father's assistant in the work of farming and lumbering. For some years he was engaged in rafting lumber on the west branch of the Susquehanna river, and in 1883 came to Du Bois, where he has since engaged in the real- estate business. In connection with his brother, L. V., he built the Daly block on Long avenue, and in partnership with his brother, J. J., he in 1884 purchased the "Gordon Hotel," which was destroyed by fire June 18, 1888. In part- nership with his brother, J. J., he owns a large amount of land in Sandy township, ad- jacent to Du Bois, and will soon be included in that borough. In 1888 he bought the " Ex- change Hotel," which was also burned the same year, and at that time he lost a livery barn and three residences in the fire which destroyed inuch of the city. This would have utterly dis- couraged inany a less resolute man, but with characteristic energy Mr. Daly has continued his business, and prosperity has attended liis well- directed and presevering efforts. He owned a block on Long avenue, which was destroyed by fire January 12, 1897, but with characteristic energy he rebuilt. He has some valuable prop- erty in the town, and has been one of the most

important factors in the substantial development of Du Bois.

Mr. Daly was married in Penn township, in 1876, to Margaret Cooney, a native of Ireland, and they had one son. Sheridan J., who is now studying law in the office of W. C. Pentz, of Du- Bois. The mother died in Grampian in 1880, and Mr. Daly was married in Du Bois, in 1888, to Johanna McMahon, a native of Pennsylvania, and a daughter of Michael McMahon, who at an early day located in Du Bois, where he spent his remaining years. This marriage was blessed with four children: Faber H., Regina J., Mary A. and Edgar J. In politics Mr. Daly was a Democrat, and for five years-from 1885 until 1891-served as street commissioner. He at present holds the responsible position of water commissioner, and has full control of the Du- Bois borough water department. When twenty- one years of age he was elected a member of the school board of Penn township. He and his wife are members of St. Catherine's Catholic Church, and he takes an active interest in all that pertains to the welfare of the community.

D H. KORNMAN, of Allemanville, Clearfield county, is a well-known contractor and builder, of whose skill many notable examples are to be seen at various points in that region. Thoroughly reliable in all things, the quality of his work is a convincing test of his own personal worth, and the same admirable trait is shown in his conscientious discharge of the duties of dif- ferent positions of trust and responsibility to which he has been chosen in business and polit- ical life.

Mr. Kornman is of German descent, though remotely, his grandfather, Andrew Kornman, hav- ing been born in America of German parentage. His father, Jacob Kornman, was born near Aarons- burg, Centre county, on a farm where he was reared to manhood. He then went to Centre Hall, in the same county, and was married there to Miss Jane Coats, who became our subject's mother. A few years later he moved to Spring Mills and then to Millheim, where he conducted a sawmill for some time. His first wife died there, and he forined a second union, this time with Miss Jane Snavley, of Centre county, after- ward removing to Allemanville, Clearfield coun- ty. In 1876 he sold his property there and re- turned to Spring Mills, where he died in 1886.

His second wife, who survives him, has no children, but there were eight children by the first marriage, all of whom were born in Centre county, our subject being. the third in order of

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birth: (1) Maria married a Mr. Wagoner, of school in Gulich township for the winter, and in the spring he began work on his own account as a contractor and builder, in the same locality. extending in all directions to the neighboring townships. Lewistown, Penn., and died a number of years ago leaving a husband and several children. (2) Sarah married Jacob Gilbert, of Centre county, . In this he won a substantial success, his business and at present resides at Millheim; they have a family of children; (4) Eliza married John Mes- senger, of Centre county, and after residing for some time near Centre Hall moved to a farm near Joliet, Ill .; later they bought a farm near Lincoln, Neb., and made their permanent home there. (5) Hester married Jacob Frier, of Co- burn, Centre county, and has thirteen children. (6) William moved to Clearfield county in 1870, and imarried Miss Minerva Conrad, of Gulich township; they reside in Alleman, and have three children-Eliza, Mary and Florence. (7) Mary married Matthias Weagley, and resides near Spring Mills: they have two children. (8) Mag- gie married (first) Henry Sinkabin, and they re- sided in Gulich township, Clearfield county, at No. 1 Mills, where he died in 1878, leaving two children-Mary and William. After his death, Mrs. Sinkabin returned to Centre county, where she again married, and she now lives at Penn's Cave, Pennsylvania.

D. H. Kornman was born February 23, 1849, at the old home near Centre Hall. He was a bright, clever youth, and his limited educational advantages were far from satisfactory, but as cir- cumstances compelled him to enter the ranks of the bread winners, he learned the carpenter's trade, serving an apprenticeship of three years with Michael Nofsker, of Spring Mills, who after- ward employed him for two years. Mr. Korn- man then assisted his father and James Kemley in building the Presbyterian Church at Janesville, Penn., and on the completion of that work re- turned to Centre county, and later found em- ployment at Inmbering in Union county, on White Deer creek, near Buffalo Valley, Union county. In the following spring he re-entered Mr. Nofsker's employ, remaining until fall, when he determined to secure a better education. That winter was spent in study in the schools at Spring Mills, and the summer saw him enrolled as a student in a summer school at Penn Hall. Thus prepared, he entered a classical school there, and passed a winter in the study of the higher branches. In 1872 he returned to the home of his father, who was then married a sec- ond time, and resided in Clearfield county. . In the spring of 1873. Mr. Kornman spent a few months in working at his trade in Lloydsville, Penn .. for Mr. Myers, of Hollidaysburg, but in July he resumed his studies, entering the county normal at Centre Hall. Returning to Clearfield county in the fall, he took charge of the Ginter

In 1878 Mr. Kornman married Miss Libbie Alleman, of Allemanville, and soon afterward bought a two-acre lot at that place, where he built a fine residence and made other improve- ments. Six children brighten his home-Ray- mond, Katharine, Ivan, Rosa, Egbert and Idella. Mr. Kornman and his wife are Lutherans in re- ligious faith, and three of their children are also members of the Church. The confidence which Mr. Kornman's high character inspires is shown in many ways. Three years ago he was chosen to administer the estate of Henry North, of Cam- bria county, Penn., and that duty was discharged most satisfactorily to all concerned. His father- in-law, the late Henry Alleman, stated some time previous to his death that he desired his es- tate to be administered by Mr. Kornman and a son of the deceased. Clare Alleman. At his death the heirs repeated the request, all realizing that the "extensive business interests would be ably managed, and a just and impartial division made of the proceeds of the estate. In public . life this confidence has been frequently displayed with like results, Mr. Kornman filling creditably a number of local offices. He served as school director one term by appointment and one by election, as supervisor one term, overseer of the poor one term, and for the last eight years he has been serving as assessor, having been once appointed and afterward kept in office by suc- cessive elections.

In politics Mr. Kornman was formerly a Democrat, but of late years has affiliated with the Republican party. Socially, he has been a member of the I. O. O. F., of Allemanville, No. 900, since the night of its institution, March II. 1875. and has served as secretary continuously for the past eighteen years; has also been repre- sentative to Grand Lodge sessions at York, Lan- caster. Reading, and Philadelphia, and Orphan- | age at Sunbury.

L EWIS T. BEERS is an honored veteran of the Civil war. and a valued citizen in times of peace, his loyalty to the best interests of the country never being called in question. At the early age of eighteen years he entered the Union army, and on many a Southern battle field displayed a courage equal to that of the gray- haired veterans.

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Mr. Beers is a son of John and Sophia (Sow- ders) Beers. His father was born on the Bush farm on Little Clearfield creek, near Forest Bridge, in 1807, a son of Robert Beers, who located in Boggs township at an early day. After his marriage, John Beers located on the turnpike between the Blue Ball and Clearfield creek, where he cleared forty acres of land and developed a good farm. In 1849 he located on the Thomas' Mullen farm in Becaria township, purchasing 150 acres of partially improved land. Of this he cleared about seventy acres and erected a fine residence and other buildings, but in 1869 sold out and removed to Grinnell, Iowa, where he purchased a farm, whereon he lived un- til his death in 1880. His wife died in 1894. They had ten children: (1) George S., born in Boggs township, in 1837, married a Miss Buck, of Clearfield, and with their six children now re- sides in Chicago. (2) John, born in Boggs town- ship, in 1839, enlisted September 19, 1861, in Company B, 53d P. V. I., and was in all the battles of his regiment. (3) William, born in Boggs township, in 1841, entered the Union army with the 111th P. V. I., was with Sherman on the march to the sea, and at the close of the war was honorably discharged. He married Mollie Oschall, of Cambria county, Penn., and with his bride went to Iowa, and later to Wis- consin, where he took up a government claim and followed farming sixteen years. He then sold and returned to Cambria county, purchasing a farm in White township, where he still makes his home. He has four children. (4) Lewis T. is the next of the family. (5) Catherine, born in 1846, went to the West with her parents, and is now a resident of Kansas. (6) Herman, born in Boggs township in 1848, went with the family to Iowa, where he married and reared a family. He bought a farm, whereon he yet resides. (7) Alfred, born in Boggs township, in 1850, is a resident of Iowa. (8) Ellen, born in 1853, went West with her parents, and married Mr. Simpson, of Chicago, but both are now deceased. (9) Philena, born in Becaria township, in 1855, married Mr. Fords, of Iowa, who died leaving a widow and one child now living in that State. (10) Thomas, born in Becaria township, in 1858, is now a resident of Chicago.

On the old homestead in Boggs township, Lewis T. Bcers was born in August, 1844. At the age of six he accompanied his parents to Be- caria township, and worked on the farm during the summer while in the winter he attended the public schools. His patriotism prompted hisen- listment in the Civil war in 1861, and he joined Company D, 53rd P. V. I., under General McClel-

lan. With John S. McKernan in command, the company went to Harrisburg, was mustered into service and assigned to J. R. Brooks' regiment in Fourth Brigade, First Division, Second Ariny Corps. The marclied to Manassas, drove the enemy from Alexandria, and by boat went to the mouth of the York river, where they were em- ployed in building corduroy roads. After causing the Rebels to evacuate Yorktown they marched to Williamsport and on to Fair Oaks, where the regiment participated in its first pitched battle. In 1862 they relieved the Pennsylvania Reserves at Gainesville, and the next morning after burn- ing their camp formed in line of battle a mile away, the Second Corps being held to cover the line of retreat. By a heavy fire they drove the enemy back and that night retreated to Peach Orchard. where the next day they succeeded in checking Lee's advance. The next night they retreated to White Oak Swamp, burning the bridge after them. and from there joined the main army at Malvern Hill, where they defeated Lee's forces. The Union loss was twenty-four thousand and the Confederates still greater. The Northern troops then marched to Harrison's Landing, and to the relief of Pope.

Mr. Beers was at that tinie lying wounded in the hospital, but in the spring of 1863 he rejoined his command, crossed the Rappanhanock and participated in the battle of Chancellorsville, where Hooker was repulsed with heavy loss. 'They then marched to Snicker's Gap. in the Shenandoah Valley, to meet Lee, and left that at place on the Ist of July, marching sixty miles in one day and night, and reaching Get- tysburg at nine o'clock in the morning. In the second day of the battle there, Mr. Beers was wounded in the left leg and lay on the field for two days and nights. In the field hos- pital his wounds were dressed, after which he was sent to a hospital in Philadelphia. On recover- ing in the spring of 1864, he joined the army then under Grant at Culpeper, and participated in the battle of the Wilderness followed by the engagement at Spottsylvania. That night a part of the Second and Fifth Corps and the Third Corps marched into the center of Lee's army and took a prominent part in the victory there. Mr. Beers was again severely wounded in the left arm and from Fredericksburg was sent to Little York Hospital and afterward to Pitts- burg, where he remained in the hospital un- til fall, when he joined Grant's army at Peters- burg. He participated in the battle of Hatch- er's Run and the engagements until Lee's sur- render. On the last day of the battle he was wounded in the right hip and remained in the

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regimental hospital, but was out in time to par- ticipate in the grand review in Washington, and . was discharged at Harrisburg, June. 30, 1865.

After his return home, Mr. Beers followed lumbering on Clearfield creek, jobbing for Isaac Gates. In 1874 he married Elizabeth Mays, daughter of Jonathan and Julia Mays, of Anson- ville. He then purchased a tract of land of War- ren Bell and erected a house, but later sold and removed to Westover, where he bought a shingle mill and manufactured shingles one year. In May, 1881, he purchased lots in Rose Bud, erected four houses and has since been a resident of that place. In politics he is a Republican, and has served as a member of the board of election a number of terms. The children born to this couple are as follows: Ida, born in Ansonville, in 1875, and educated in Rose Bud, is at home. John W., born in Ansonville, in 1876, is now in Fort Russell. Wyom. Emma .E., born in Gazzam, in 1878, is the wife of Milan Brink, of Irvona, and is living in Worcester, having one son, Myrvine. Mollie, born in Ansonville, June 5. 1881, is attending the high school of Blaine City. Thomas and Richard, (twins) died in infancy in 1887. George H., born in Rose Bud, January 24, 1890, is attending school.

A MOS KLINE, a prosperous farmer and lum- berman of Sandy township, is a worthy re- presentative of one of the honored pioneer families of Clearfield county, with whose interest they have been prominently identified. At a very early day his grandparents, Solomon and Rachel Kline, left their home in Indiana county, Penn., and became residents of Lawrence township, Clearfield county, where the grandfather pur- chased 310 acres of land, which he afterward divided as follows: To his son Mitchell he gave 200 acres; to his son Martin 50 acres; to his son Alexander 50 acres, and to his grandson Solomon he gave 10 acres. He and his wife occupied what is now known as the Mt. Joy Ridge farm until called to their final rest, about the year 1856.

In the family of this worthy couple were nine children-four sons and five daughters-all of whom are now deceased with the exception of Mrs. Mason: (1) Mitchell, the eldest, was born in Lawrence township, Clearfield county, where he resided for a number of years. He died near Rockton, in Union township, Clearfield county. His wife died in 1896, leaving a large family. (2) Martin wedded a Miss Owens, and they both died upon their farin in Lawrence township. leaving a family of children. (3) George, born

in Lawrence township, married a daughter of Daniel Ogden, of the saine township, and both died some years ago leaving two children. (4) Alexander, the father of our subject, was the youngest son. The daughters were Mrs. John Wilson, Mrs. Betsey Mason, Mrs. Rachel Barger, Mrs. John Stone and Mrs. Henry Croswell.

Alexander Kline was born near Clearfield, in Lawrence township, and inarried Miss Elizabeth Burns, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Burns, well-to-do farming people of Union township, Clearfield county. They began their domestic life in Lawrence township, where they remained until their children reached years of maturity, and then removed to Du Bois. There the father's death occurred; the mother is still liv- ing, and is now making her home in Kansas. Five children were born to this honored couple, namely: (1) Amos, our subject; (2) Lavina Lane, born in 1853, married William Chambers, now a resident of Penfield, Penn., and they have three children -- Edward, Alice and Elmer. (3) Mary E., born in Lawrence township, in August, 1855, is now the wife of Bowman Ames, of Maine, and they make their home in Blanchard. that State. (4) Delila, born in 1858, married De Walt Hess, of Boggs township, Clearfield county, where their four children still reside. (5) Clara, born in 1863, married a Mr. Price, and lives in Kan- sas City.

Amos Kline was born March 1. 1851, in Union township, Clearfield county, but during his infancy he was taken by his parents to Law- rence township, where he grew to manhood, only receiving about four months' schooling. At the early age of fourteen years he left home to begin the battle of life for himself, and was first employed in clearing land for his uncle, Ellis Burns, in Union township. Later he worked for Jacob Burns in Brady township, Clearfield county, and subsequently spent three and one-half years in the employ of Elijah Burns, in Huston town- ship, same county.

On March 26, 1870, Mr. Kline married Miss Ellen Wilson, of Clarion county, Penn., where her parents, Thomas H. and Nancy Wilson, were prosperous agriculturists. They began their mar- ried life near Sabula, in Huston township, where for twelve years Mr. Kline operated his uncle Elijah Burns' farm on shares. In 1879 he com- menced jobbing for John Du Bois in the woods on Sandy creek and Coal run, and since the death of that gentleman has continued with his successor, John E. Du Bois. He still continues his agricultural pursuits, however, and in 1882 bought sixty-six acres of John Du Bois. After clearing about forty acres, he erected thereon a

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

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good two-story frame residence and a large barn in 1884, and made other valuable improvements amounting in all to about $8,000. He removed the stumps from much of the land, and placed it under a high state of cultivation. In 1892 he purchased of W. Burns sixty-one acres adjoining his homestead, and has made many improve- ments upon that place, including the building of a good barn. This place is now occupied by his son Samuel. Mr. Kline has also invested largely in city property, in 1883 buying eleven lots in Du- Bois, some of which he has since sold. In 1884 he also erected two good houses there for rent- ing, and in 1892 bought of Sidney Fuller twelve lots in the town of Falls Creek. He also pur- chased, in 1890, sixty-five acres of coal and tim- ber land in Elk county, Penn., and in 1893 twenty-nine acres of land adjoining his farm on the east of John E. Du Bois. Having erected good buildings and mnade other necessary im- provements, his son Harvey there made his home until the death of his wife in 1895. As a mem- ber of the Du Bois syndicate, Mr. Kline in 1896' bought a twelfth interest in thirty-one lots in the eity of Buffalo, N. Y. He is a progressive, far- sighted business man, whose successful struggle with adverse circumstances in early life shows what can be done by industry and economy, and he assuredly deserves the reward that has crowned his efforts.

Mr. and Mrs. Kline have four children, namely: (1) Samuel S. born in Brady township, Clearfield county, October 13, 1872, was reared upon the home farm, and received his early education in the common schools, but later supplemented this by two ternis' attendance at the County Normal, at Mahaffey. He resides with his parents. (2) Harvey T., born June 6, 1875, in Huston town- ship, also grew to manhood on the homestead in Sandy township, receiving a good common-school education. In 1894 he married Miss Katie Dwyer, of Sabula, daughter of Terry Dwyer, of that place. They resided upon the farm adjoin- ing his father's, until her death in December, 1895. Their two children, Harvey S. and Mary E., now reside with their paternal grandparents. (3) Amos G., born May 17, 1878, is at home. (4) Lottie, born October 5, 1884, is still attend- ing school.

Mr. Kline is independent in politics, but takes quite an active part in the political affairs of his county, and has served his fellow citizens as supervisor four terms, and school director three terms, holding the latter office at the present time. He is an honored and prominent member of the Masonic Order, having taken the degree of the Mystic Shrine, and its noble principles 1

have been exemplified in his life. He is a men- ber of the Elks of Du Bois, also of the Grange Lodge of Sandy township. Esteemed and re- spected by all, there is no man in Clearfield county who occupies a more enviable position in business circles, not only on account of the won- derful success that he has achieved, but also on account of the lionorable, straightforward policy he has ever followed.

W ILLIAM A. HOOVER, of Bradford town- ship, Clearfield county, whose farin near Woodland is one of the best in that vicinity, is a descendant of a well-known family of agricult- urists.

Jacob Hoover, his grandfather, was a native of Pennsylvania and became an early settler in Bradford township, Clearfield county, where his death occurred. His son William, our subject's father, was born there in 1SII and spent his life there. He was married in Girard township, Clearfield county, to Miss Elizabeth Murray, who was born in that township. Her. parents, John and Mary (Ewing) Murray, were both na- tives of this State and early settlers in Clearfield county, where their deaths occurred. After his marriage our subject's father purchased a par- tially improved farm in Bradford township, where he made his permanent home. He was one of the leading citizens of his locality, a prominent Republican, and at various times was called upon to serve in township offices. He died in 1885, but Mrs. Hoover is still living at the old home- stead at the age of eighty-two. They had eleven children, namely: Mary Jane, Mrs. Woolridge, of Woodland; Aaron, who died at home; Mrs. Shirey. of Philipsburg: A. M., of Bradford township; Mar- garet, Mrs. Wilson, of Bradford township; Will- iam A., our subject; Zachariah, of the same township; Elizabeth, who died at home: Barbara Ellen, who died at an early age; and John and Sarah, who both died in infancy.

Our subject was born in 1845, at the old homestead, and was educated in the schools of his native township. He has always been en- gaged in agriculture and now owns the old home, which has been greatly improved under his judicious management. The place contains 160 acres, and is devoted to general farming. Mr. Hoover was married in Decatur township to Miss Mary Boughman, a native of that township. Her parents, Andrew and Ann (Lofford) Bough- man, now deceased, settled there in early times. Seven children have blessed this union- -- Wavia Zell, Victor M., William Lloyd, Andrew Clifford. Edgar Noon, Sarah Erma; John Clayton, who

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died at the age of two years; and Vera Natalia. The father of these is a firm friend of progress, and is always ready to encourage any movement for local improvement. In politics he is a Re- publican, and he is a prominent member of the United Brethren Church, holding the office of trustee.

D ANIEL WALTZ. Oar German-American citizens whose conservatism is tempered by an unquenchable love of liberty, gave effective support to the government during the Civil war, and many a naine denoting Teutonic blood be- came distinguished for gallant service in the field. The subject of this sketch, who was born Novem- ber 22, 1839, in Wurtemberg, Germany, and came to America at the age of thirteen years, proved his lovalty to his adopted country by devoting several years of his early manhood in her de- fense.

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2, Part 27

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