Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2, Part 32

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 32
USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 32
USA > Pennsylvania > Clearfield County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 32
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 32

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J AMES GALLAHER, JR., who died on the . farming until his death, which occurred in Janu-

ary, 1860. His wife long survived him, dying in September, 1884, at the ripe old age of eighty vears. Both were consistent members of the Baptist Church. In their family were seven chil- dren, namely: Mrs. Abigail Wilcox, who is still living; Mrs. Sarah A. Kilburn; Mary L. (now Mrs. Gallaher); William, a druggist; Susan E .. wife of Joseph Hutton; Mrs. Jane Dodge; and Rose, wife of M. Tomb.

Miss Mary L. Horton first gave her hand in marriage to James Kelly, a native of New York,

James Gallaher

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

and in 1848 they located in Burnside township, Clearfield Co., Penn., where the year previous he had invested in land. Here he successfully engaged in lumbering, and was the first man to drive logs on Chest creek and the river, which undertaking his friends thought to be an impos- sibility; but he succeeded, and the driving became popular. He also engaged in farming, also con- ducting a general store, and he met with a well- deserved success in all his enterprises. His po- litical support was given the Republican party. He died June 26, 1857, leaving three children, . namely: William, who died in the State of Washington in 1890; James H., a leading attor- ney of Clearfield; and Harry, who died in Cali- fornia in 1890. By her second marriage, Mrs. Gallaher became the mother of six children: John, a prominent citizen of Burnside township, who is now serving as justice of the peace; Rose, wife of William Carlisle; J. Lincoln, who died at the age of sixteen years; Virginia, a trained nurse now employed in a Homeopathic hospital; George, who is engaged in merchandising in Fairport, Ohio; and May, who died in infancy. Mrs. Gallaher still resides on the homestead farm in a comfortable two-story residence which over- looks the village of New Washington. She is a faithful member of the Missionary Baptist Church, and is surrounded by many warm friends and ac- quaintances who recognize her sterling worth and many excellent traits of character.

On attaining his majority, Mr. Gallaher sup- ported the Democratic party, but later became a strong Abolitionist, and in 1856, on the organi- zation of the Republican party to prevent the further extension of slavery, he joined its ranks. Although often solicited to accept office, includ- ing that of representative, he always steadily re- fused, preferring to give his entire time and at- tention to his family and business interests. In religious belief he was a Methodist. His benev- olence was unostentatious and genuine, and there was nothing in the story of his life to show that he ever for a moment sought to compass a given end for the purpose of exalting himself. He championed measures and aided men, and ac- cepted as his reward that thrill of delight which always accompanies victories . achieved. En- dowed by nature with a sound judgment and an accurate, discriminating mind, he feared not that laborious attention to the details of business so necessary to achieve success. This essential quality was ever guided by a sense of moral right which would tolerate the employment of only those means that would bear the most rigid examina- tion by a fairness of intention that neither sought nor required disguise. Throughout his career of

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continued and far-reaching usefulness, his duties were performed with great care, and during a long life his personal honor and integrity were without blemish.

ENRY MUMPER, a prominent agricultur- ist and lumberman of Gulich township, Clearfield county, is a representative of the best class of American citizenship, his patriotism be- ing proved by his service at Antietam, Freder- icksburg and Chancellorsville in the dark days of the Civil war.

Mr. Mumper is a native of Pennsylvania, born September 4, 1839, in Toboyne township. Perry county. His family became identified with that locality at an early day. Henry Mumper, Sr., his father, was born there in 1812. and has there made his home throughout his life time, following agricultural pursuits, first upon a farm of his own in Toboyne township, which he purchased soon after his marriage, and later upon rented farms belonging to Thomas Adams and others. At present he is living in retire- ment with a daughter, Mrs. Bowserman, of the same county. having attained the advanced age of eighty-four years. He married Miss Elizabeth Rheeder, of Perry county. They had nine chil- dren: (1) William, born in 1837, was educated in the common schools of Perry county, and, be- ing reared to farming, followed that occupation there until his death in 1864. He left a widow. formerly Miss Sarah Stahl. of Cumberland coun- ty, and one child. (2) Henry, our subject, is mentioned more fully below. (3) Arnold was born and reared at the old homestead, and was engaged in farming in the same county for many years, his death occurring in 1887. His first wife, a Miss Coyeck, died leaving children. and his second wife, a Miss Kesler, of Perry county, survives him. They had no children. (4) Margaret E., who died in 1864 of smallpox. was not married. (5) Jeremiah died at the age of eighteen from the same disease soon after his sister. (6) Sarah A. married Samuel Allison. of Lancaster, Penn., who located in Perry coun- ty, but later removed to Iowa, where he is en- ployed in running an engine. They have several children. (7) Matilda married Conrad Schwartz. formerly of Perry county, and now a farmer at Berlin, Iowa. They have children, among whom are - Luella. Francis, and Lizzie. (S) Boyd grew to manhood in Perry county, and in 1890 went to Clearfield county to engage in business as a barber. In 1893 he moved to Mahaffey. where he is now employed in a hotel. He inar-

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ried Miss Sue Allison, of Perry county, but they have no children. (9) Katie married Martin Bowserman, a farmer in Horse Valley, Perry county, and they have one child.

Henry Mumper learned. the details of agri- cultural work at the home farm where he re- mained until his enlistment in August, 1862, in the Union ariny. He joined Company K, 133rd P. V. I., and after being sworn in at Harrisburg, was taken to Washington, and then marched across the Potomac to Fairfax Seminary, where : they remained under instruction. Serious busi -.. ness awaited thein at the front, and they soon received orders to march back to Washington, proceeded to Antietam, and there they became a part of McClellan's forces and helped to drive the Rebels beyond the Rappahannock. The next engagement was at Fredericksburg, where they met the enemy-in the center of the town and ; drove them out of their first breastwork. At the second they were less successful, and after fighting all day they fell back at night into the ' town. They remained there the next day; and, . during the following night, retreated across the river. Mr. Mumper's company, which was in the Irish brigade, lost many of its members, killed or wounded, only thirty-five able-bodied men being left to join in the retreat. They went into winter quarters at Stoneinan's Station, but joined in Burnside's muddy march above Freder- icksburg, during their stay there. In the spring they were assigned to the forces under . Fighting Joe Hooker," and participated in the battle of Chancellorsville, returning afterward to winter quarters. Mr. Mumper's term of service expir- ing in May, 1863, he returned to Harrisburg, and, receiving an honorable discharge, went back to his home in Perry county. On August 28, 1866, he was married near New Germantown, Penn., to Miss Jemima Stump, and coming to Centre county settled near Powelton. There he followed lumbering a few years, then, removing to Dunbar, Clearfield county, he worked one year in a sawmill. He made a number of changes of location before he finally settled at his present home near Ramey, some years being spent at Osceola and Brisbin, where he bought a lot and built a house, but sold soon afterward to buy an- other lot upon which to build. He occupied this place for one year, and then spent three years in Houtzdale and three in West Moshannon and Webster. Since then he bas resided in or near Ramey. For two years he was engaged in the grocery business, and later he conducted a drug store and a meat market. In 1893 he pur- chased some land from George W. McCalley and built his present handsome residence, a two-story

frame house, fitted up with all the modern im- provements.

Mr. Mumper is prominent in business cir- cles and in local affairs. His ardent belief in the legal suppression of intemperance has led him to identify himself in late years with the Prohibition party, and he is regarded as a leader in the organization in his locality. He has held various offices, having served as supervisor two terms, school director two years, street commis- sioner one terin, and at present he is assessor of Ramey borough, having been elected for a term of three years. He is an active member of the Lutheran Church, but his wife is a Presbyterian in faith. To Mr. and Mrs. Mumper have been born two children: (1) Charles W., born May 23, 1868, received a common-school education, remaining at home until his marriage, in January, 1894, to Miss Georgianna Callon, of Rainey. They resided in that town until March. 1896, when they moved to their present home in Van- dalia, Audrain county, Mo. They have a daugh- ter-Laura, at this writing one year old. (2) Annie E., born October 10, 1871, at Dunbar, Penn., was educated in the public schools, and, on February 26, 1895, married George C. Evans, of Ramey, a carpenter by trade, who is now working with his father in contracting and build- ing. Mr. and Mrs. Evans reside at the com- modious Mumper homestead, and they have one son-Charles M., born in 1896.

Mrs. Mumper is of patriotic stock, her father, William Stump, having been a soldier in the war of 1812, and a number of her near rela- tives serving in other wars. Her grandfather Stump, who was born in Maryland, died in Perry county, Penn. William Stump, her father, was born and reared in York county, Penn., and his death occurred in Perry county in 1861. Her mother, Catherine Stump, died in Franklin county, Penn., in 1881. Mrs. Mnmper was one of a numerous family of children. One brother, David M., now a resident of Illinois, was a sol- dier in the Mexican war, and he also served over three years in the Civil war, as the captain of a company from Avon, Ill. He married and has one child living. Henry Stump, another brother, enlisted in the Union army from Westmoreland county. Penn., and was probably killed in the Battle of the Wilderness as he was never heard from afterward. Michael Stump, a resident of Newville, Penn., served one year as a soldier in the Civil war. He married and has four chil- dren. Jessie M. Stump married and has three children. Simon Stump married Miss McChire, who died some years ago at Chambersburg, Penn., and soon afterward he disappeared, and

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

nothing has ever been learned of his movements. . worked in Johnson's woolen-mnill. Her daughters Barbara Stump married Henry Stevens, of Perry are still residents of that township, where their husbands are successfully engaged in farming. The mother was an earnest Christian, a faithful member of the United Presbyterian Church, and was beloved by all who knew her. She was called to her final rest in 1889. county, and moved to Kansas City where Mr. Stevens died, and she has since remarried, her husband being a farmer in Kansas. She has no children. John Stump enlisted in the Union service from Perry county, and spent one year at the front. On his return home he married Miss : Elizabeth Graham, and settled in Perry county where he died in 1878. His wife and three children survive him.

B LAKE W. MCCRACKEN, a leading mer- chant and justice of the peace of Mahaffey, is one of the self-made men of Clearfield county, who by the exercise of his resolute will and per- severing industry has gained a prominent place in the business world.

Mr. McCracken was born December 29, 1857, . in Lumber City, but at the age of eight years was taken to Greenwood township, where he grew to manhood and obtained his primary edu- cation in the public schools. After attaining his majority he attended a commercial college at : Williamsport, Penn., paying his own tuition and graduating from that institution in the class of 1886. James McCracken, Sr., was born in mid- ocean in the ship that brought his parents from the Emerald Isle to the United States; his sixth son, Daniel McCracken, the grandfather of our subject, located in Ferguson township, Clearfield (o., Penn., where he reared a family of seven children, namely: Greenwood, John, James, Samnel, Ross, Thomas (father of our subject), . and Ellen (wife of Joseph Wilt). Thomas Mc- Cracken spent his entire life in Clearfield county, and after his marriage lived on a farm in Fergu- son township for a time, but later removed to Lamber City, where he served as postmaster for a number of years, and subsequently engaged in merchandising in partnership with Benjamin Hartshorn. He also engaged in the lumber busi- ness. In that city his death occurred in 1862. The mother of our subject, who bore the maiden Hame of Elizabeth Henry, was a daughter of Thomas and Margaret (Moore Henry, both na- Lives of Ireland, and prominent pioneers of Clear- feld county. By her husband's early death, Mis. Mccracken was left with three small chil- dren to support. namely: Laura E., now the wite of John S. Johnson; Blake W .. of this sketch: and Keturah, wife of J. Ace Johnson, a brother of her sister's husband. With the hope of keeping her little family together the mother removed to Greenwood township, where she

Blake W. McCracken grew up under his mother's watchful care. She made a noble ef- fort to keep her family together, and succeeded as none but a good mother could. As soon as large enough our subject began work in the woolen-mill, attending school a part of the time through the winter season, and as time advanced his steady application to his work secured him the confidence of his employers, who intrusted him with the sale of their goods and the purchase of wool and other supplies. In that capacity he traveled through the country, and subsequently when the mill was sold he becanie interested in the business, remaining one of the stockholders until 1888. After his marriage, in 1887, Mr. McCracken came to Mahaffey, where he built: residence and has since made his home. Foi about a year he was employed in the tannery, later clerked for a time, and in 1889 began busi- ness for himself with a small stock of groceries. The following year he erected a store building, where he carried on business until the winter of 1893-4, when, in partnership with another gen- tleman, he built the large double store which he now occupies. Together they engaged in general merchandising for a time, but Mr. McCracken is now sole owner. He occupies one store room while he rents the other for the post office, and also rents the other story for residence purposes. His success has come as the just reward of earn- est labor and good management. and is certainly well deserved. His wife was Miss Annie I. Rich- ards, who was born in 1866, and is a daughter of Christian R. and Mary (Miller) Richards, both of German descent. When a young man Mr. Richards left the Fatherland to come to America, and has now for many years been in the employ of the Reading railroad, with headquarters in Philadelphia. His first wife died in 1872. leav- ing two children: Annie, wife of our subject: and John W., a resident of Connecticut. By his second marriage, Mr. Richards has two children: Ida and William. In religious belief be is a Methodist, as was also his first wife. AAher the death of her mother. Mrs. McCracken was reared by strangers. She has proved a faithtal help- meet to her husband, encouraging hun in his la- bors and aiding him in every possible way. Four children have come to brighten their home: Thomas R., born October 27. 188 ;: Ivan 11 ..

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

born May 31, 1890; Blake D., born September 4, 1891; and Nellie A., born April 4, 1893.

As a popular and influential citizen and a stalwart Democrat, Mr. McCracken has been called upon to serve in a number of official posi- tions of honor and trust, having filled almost all of the offices in his borough. He was the first assessor of Mahaffey; was appointed by the court to fill a vacancy as tax collector; also served as meinber of the council, and is now justice of the peace. He takes considerable interest in civic societies, and holds membership in the Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pyth- ias, and Knights of the Golden Eagle.

J AMES ANDERSON, a leading blacksmith and farmer of Union township, Clearfield county, is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Germantown, Perry county, in . 1832, and is one of the ten children born to William Anderson. The grandfather, James Anderson, was a native of Ireland, and on coming to America made his home in Perry county, Penn., where he reared his family.

In the county of his nativity our subject learned the blacksmith's trade, and on leaving that place he went to Westmoreland county, this State, where one year was passed. Coming to Clearfield county, in 1853, he worked at his trade in Luthersburg, where, in 1857, he mar- ried Miss Abigail . Caldwell. Two years later he removed to Curwensville, where his wife died in 1861, leaving two children: Mary, wife of Rob- ert Addleman, who with their children live on a farm above Curwensville; and Edith, deceased wife of Frank Dranker, of Curwensville, by whom she had five children.

For a year after his wife's death, Mr. Ander- son continued to reside in Curwensville, and then removed to Lumber City, Penn., where he worked at his trade until 1864, when he enlisted in Company F, 93rd P. V. I. Until the end of April the command was stationed in front of Petersburg, where they engaged in battle with Lee's army, and then followed that general to Appomattox, where he afterward surrendered. They next marched to Birchville Station, and on to Danville after the capture of Jeff Davis. The regiment then did guard duty on the Raleigh railroad to Danville until May 24, 1865, and from there was sent to Richmond; but three days later it was ordered to Washington, D. C., and the men were finally discharged at Harrisburg, Penn., July 2, 1865.

After his return home, Mr. Anderson was un- able to resume work until September, on account

of illness, and then went to the oil regions in Venango county, Penn., where he remained un- til the following spring, when he returned to Curwensville. He was married at that place in 1869, his second union being with Martha Lytle. of Clearfield county, whose father came to the county from Penn's Valley, Centre county. She is one of a family of eight children. all of whom are still living either in Pennsylvania or in the West. Two of her sisters married sons of Sheriff Reed, of Clearfield county, and reinoved to Nebraska. John makes his home in Glen Richey, Clearfield county; James lives at Rock- ton; and Mrs. Arnold Bloom and Mrs. Irvin Thompson live in Curwensville. By his second marriage Mr. Anderson has no children, but has an adopted daughter, Alice McFadden, whom he and his wife reared. At the age of eighteen she married Melvin Bailey, and now resides on the old Bailey homestead in Union township, Clear- field county.

After his second marriage, Mr. Anderson again removed to the oil regions of this State, where he remained for two years and then re- moved to Clearfield county, locating on Ander- son creek, where he engaged in blacksmithing for Philip Blanchard. Later he went to Sabula, where he worked for Mr. McFadden for a year and a half, and then took up his residence in New Jersey. In June, 1895, however, he came to Rockton, Clearfield county, where he pur- chased his present farm of seventy acres on An- derson creek, and has made many valuable and useful improvements thereon. He is an influ- ential citizen, one who takes an earnest interest in public affairs, and by his honest and efficient discharge of every duty devolving upon him has gained the respect and confidence of his fellow- men. He is a firm Democrat in his political views, and has served his fellow citizens as school director. With the Lutheran Church of Rockton his wife and daughter Alice hold mem- . bership.

J B. McFADDEN, one of the oldest and lead- ing journalists of Clearfield county, is now editor and proprietor of the Leader-Courier, of Osceola Mills, which was established in 1872. as the Reveille, by Brisbin Brothers, and was under their management until 1876. It was then conducted under the firm name of Reveille Publishing Company, of which our subject was manager until 1880, when it was discontinued. In 1888 he established the Leader, and, purchas- ing the Courier three years later. he gave the paper the name of the Leader-Courier, which it

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

still retains. It is a well-edited sheet, filled with general and local. news, and under the able man- agement of Mr. McFadden is on a paying basis, having a large circulation as well as a large ad- vertising list. In connection with the publica- tion of his paper, he also does all kinds of job work, and has one of the best-equipped offices in the county.

On the 11th of June, 1850, Mr. McFadden was born in Bedford, Bedford Co., Penn., and is a son of T. W. B. McFadden, whose birth oc- curred in Cumberland (now Franklin) county, this State, while the grandfather, Peter McFad- den, was a native of County Donegal, Ireland, and was of Scotch descent. The father was reared in Shippensburg, Cumberland county, but at an early day located in Bedford county, where he engaged in the practice of law, having been admitted to the Bar in Fulton county, in April. . 1854. He successfully followed his chosen pro- fession in Bedford, Fulton, Blair, Huntingdon and Somerset counties, Penn., and in 1854 was elected county superintendent of schools in Bed- ford county, but was compelled to resign on ac- count of ill health. In Schellburg, that county, in 1849, he was married to Miss Charlotte Reed, a native of that place and a daughter of Michael Reed, an early pioneer of Bedford county, where he died in his eighty-fourth year. In that county Mr. and Mrs. McFadden began their domestic life, and there he engaged in the practice of law until his death, which occurred in Schellburg, in 1859. She is still living at White Sulphur Springs, Bedford county, and is now the widow of Abram May. To the parents of our sub- ject were born four children, namely: J. B .; O. E., a resident of White Sulphur Springs; Julia, wife of Rev. Dr. McDaniel, of Springdale, Allegheny Co., Penn. ; and Peter, who is with his inother in Bedford county.

In the public schools of Bedford, J. B. Mc- Fadden began his education, and was, later, a student in the Allegheny Male and Female Semi- nary in Rainsburg, Bedford county. Going to Chambersburg in 1868. he began learning the art of printing in the Franklin Depository office with McClure & Stoner. and remained there four years. He next went to Pittsburg, where he was in the office of Stevenson & Foster, a large book house, until coming to Osceola Mills in February. 1876, since which time he has been principally con- nected with the paper of which he is now editor.

On August 23, 1883, in Osceola Mills, Mr. McFadden was married to Miss Lavina McCully, who was born in Gulich township, Clearfield county, and is a daughter of Matthew and Sarah

(Byer) McCully, pioneers of the county, and now residing at Osceola Mills. Four children grace this union: Sarah Charlotte, Edith Lina, Car- oline and Lavina Pauline.

Since casting his first vote, Mr. McFadden had always been a stalwart Democrat in politics until 1896, when he gave his allegiance to the party which supported the gold standard. For fifteen years he has acceptably served as auditor of Osceola Mills, and has also held the office of town clerk. Religiously, he is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and, socially, is connected with Osceola Lodge, No. 202, A. O. U. W .; with Umbria Castle, No. 235, Golden Eagle; and with the Knights of Malta. He was one of the promoters of the Umbria Cemetery Association, of which he is still a stockholder and director. He is one of the most public-spirited and enter- prising citizens of Osceola Mills, giving his sup- port to all worthy undertakings, which have for their object the general welfare of the community or the betterment of mankind. Wherever he is found he is a social, affable, genial gentleman, whose friends are legion. and all honor and esteeni him for his many virtues and genuine worth.

G EORGE M. DIMELING, ex-treasurer of Clearfield county, is a young man whose able and energetic management of public duties and private business affairs has established for him an enviable reputation, and his present popu- larity points to a future in which his abilities may be given still wider recognition.

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2, Part 32

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