Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2, Part 36

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 36
USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 36
USA > Pennsylvania > Clearfield County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 36
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 36

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In 1890, Mr. Curley was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died on the 22nd of February. They were parents of seven chil- dren: W. I., who is serving as justice of the peace in Clearfield; Laura, wife of Abram Hum- inel, of Bigler; Minnie, wife of Charles Foster;

El Gray 6. 8. Спад.

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

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Leonard, who died in Clearfield county; Roy, who was killed on the railroad in 1893; James, who is married and resides in Bigler; and Virgie, at home. Mr. Curley has witnessed almost the entire development of his county, and is num- bered among its honored pioneers. Almost sixty years have passed since he located here, and in the work of progress and advancement he has ever borne his part. His well-spent life and his many excellent qualities have gained him high regard.

W ILLIAM A. PORTER. Among the suc- cessful business men of Clearfield county, the subject of this sketch, a well-known resident of Clearfield borough, holds a prominent place. As a lumber dealer his operations are extensive, and he is one of four men who purchased 19,000 acres of land in West Virginia, of which all but 300 acres have since been sold. He still owns valu- able timber lands in that State, and in partner- ship with his brother owns 500 acres in Clear- field county.

The family is of Irish origin, and were natives of County Tyrone, Ireland, where the paternal grandfather of our subject passed his entire life, and died there leaving a widow and six children, who came a few years later to Clearfield county, Penn., where the mother died. William, the eldest son, was the first to embark for America. He was then a young man, unmarried, and on his arrival in Clearfield county engaged in the lumber business, becoming one of the substantial men of his locality, and a director in the County National Bank. His death occurred August 12, 1895. The others are: Jane, now Mrs. Rals- ton, a widow residing at Clearfield borough; Eliza, the widow of the late Andrew Livingston. of Bradford township. Clearfield county; Robert, our subject's father; John, who is not married and lives in Clearfield, and Sarah, who also re- sides at Clearfield.

Robert Porter, father of our subject, was born in 1812, and left his old home in Ireland at the age of eighteen years. On coming to Clearfield county he settled in Lawrence township, and en- gaged in lumbering and rafting on the Susque- hanna river. He was married there July 21, 1844. to Miss Jemima Read, a native of the township and daughter of John Read, who was born in eastern Pennsylvania and moved to that locality at an early date, crossing the mountains on horseback. Mr. and Mrs. Porter are both living. and of their eleven children nine reached adult age: Elizabeth married Ross McPherson, who is engaged in the milling business in Clear-

field: Emma married Alexander Holden, of Coal- port, Clearfield county; William A. is mentioned below; Miles is a fariner at the old home in Pike township, Clearfield county; Frank is a lawyer in Kansas City, Mo .; James went to Kansas, and is engaged in farming; Florence is at home; John died at the age of twenty-four; and Helen is at home.

William A. Porter was born March 5, 1851, in Lawrence township. Clearfield county, and was reared there upon his father's farm, which he helped to clear. He was educated in the schools of the neighborhood, and taught five terms in Clearfield county. As a young man he engaged in the lumber business, which he has since fol- lowed continuously. In 1895 he reinoved to Clearfield, and in September of that year was elected a director of the County National Bank. He was married in Sandy township, Clearfield county, in 1883, to Miss Lizzie Liddell, a native of Brady township and daughter of Andrew Lid- dell, who came to Clearfield county from Ireland in the early days. Seven children were born of this union: Robert, Mary, Ruth, Marguerite, Elizabeth, William, and Sarah.

Mr. Porter is a Presbyterian in religious faith, and on political questions is a Democrat. He is a member of the F. & A. M., Curwensville Lodge No. 480, of the R. A. M., Clearfield Chapter No. 228, and of Moshannon Command- ery, at Philipsburg, Penn. He takes an active interest in all movements which promise to as- sist in the development of the county.

G EORGE F. KORB. Honored and respected by all, there is no man in Clearfield county more deserving of success than Mr. Korb, whose career has been marked by an honorable, straight- forward business policy which commands the confidence of all. He possesses untiring energy, is quick of perception, forms his plans readily and is determined in their execution: and his close application to business and excellent inan- agement have brought to him the high degree of prosperity which he to-day enjoys.

Mr. Korb was born February 28, 1845, in Brady township, Clearfield county. a son of Adam and Rebecca (Shafer) Korb. The father, who was a native of Germany, a son of George Korb. on attaining his majority came to the United States with his father, they taking up their residence in Brady township, Clearfield county. Penn., where the grandfather opened up a good farm, and there spent his remaining days. In that township the father was married to Re- becca Shafer, who was born in DuBois, Clear-

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field county, where her parents, George and Catherine Shafer, natives of Centre county, Penn., were early settlers. Her father built and carried on the " Rumburger House," and died at Du Bois, in 1849; his wife passed away at the same place. For some time Adam Korb en- gaged in agricultural pursuits in Jefferson county, Penn., whence he removed to a farm in Brady township, for years lived at Helvetia, and one year was passed near Luthersburg. In 1860 he . came to Bloom township, where two years later he purchased a timbered tract, and erected a log cabin thereon, making that farm his home until his death, August 28, 1883; his widow passed away on the old homestead in Bloom township, June 15, 1897, aged eighty years, one month, and three days. In their family were the follow- ing children: Barbara, living at Ridgway, Elk Co., Penn .; George, on the old homestead; Jacob, of Brady township; David, in Indiana; Tobias, of Bloom township; Adam, of Union township; Daniel, of Kerrmoor, Clearfield county; and Samuel, of DuBois.

In Brady township George F. Korb was reared and educated, and since attaining to man's estate he has devoted his time and atten- tion to farming and lumbering, carrying on the latter occupation at Falls Creek for some time. From 1864 until 1874 he was making square timber and delivering to Pittsburg people, when the failure of Robert Osburn came and our sub- ject lost over $7,000. Nothing daunted, he made a new start in business, and at once (in 1874) took charge of the old homestead. He is now the owner of fifty-eight acres of arable land, besides three town lots, VanTassel Addition to Du Bois, and one in Du Bois. His wife owns two lots, Van Tassel Addition to DuBois, and 118 acres of timber-land. In 1882 he erected a good steam sawmill on Witmer run, and engaged in the manufacture of lumber until July 2, 1896, when his plant with over eight hundred thousand feet of lumber was destroyed by fire. With characteristic energy he at once set about to re- pair the loss, and within seventy days was ready to resume operation. This branch of his busi- ness has proved a profitable one, and to-day he is numbered among the substantial citizens of Bloom township.

In 1871. in Jefferson county, Penn., Mr. Korb was united in marriage with Christiana Wingert, a native of that county, and a daughter of Henry and Louisa (Smith) Wingert, who were born in Germany and spent their last days upon a farm in Jefferson county. Ten children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Korb, six of whom are still living, namely: Eli Martin, Isaac Milton, Mar-

garet Charlotte, George Edward, Jesse Leven and Amos Sylvester. Etta May died October 31. 1893, at the age of nineteen years, nine months: Della Amanda died November 24, IS93, at the age of sixteen years, nine months, nineteen days (the cause of death of these two daughters was diph- theria); William Franklin died at the age of eleven months, eighteen days; and Emanuel Peter died at the age of eight months, ten days. The father of these gives his political support to the Democratic party, and has ever taken a commendable interest in public affairs. He served as judge of election for three years; was a member of the school board seven years: then was appointed school director. In ISSo he was appointed to collect the county and State tax, and for the past nine years has served as tax collector of his township. He is prompt and faithful in the discharge of every duty, whether public or private, has proved a most popular official, and as a business man and citizen his life has been above reproach. In religious faith he holds membership in the German Lutheran Church.

U S. N. CROUSE, one of the representative and prominent citizens of DuBois, is now serving as storekeeper for the Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburg railroad.

Born July 25, 1846, in Chambersburg, he is a son of Valentine and Maria (Shaffer) Crouse, natives of Germany and Chambersburg, Penn., respectively. In 1828, when a child of four years, the father was brought to the United States, locating first at Baltimore, Md. As soon as old enough he began learning the tailor's trade in Chambersburg, Penn., which occupation he followed until 1855, when he embarked in merchandising, carrying on that business for two years. In 1858 he took charge of a hotel in Huntingdon, Penn .. which he successfully con- ducted until his enlistment in the Union army in August, 1862, for nine months, becoming a mem- ber of Company H, 125th P. V. I. He partici- pated in the battles of South Mountain and An- tietam, was twice wounded, and on the close of his term was honorably discharged in June. 1863. Returning to Huntingdon, he remained there un- til the following September, when he removed to Clinton county, taking charge of a hotel in Re- . novo, where his death occurred in February. 1881. He was a member of Bucktail Post .No. 142, G. A. R., which our subject had the honor of naming. The mother departed this life on the 29th of April, 1879. The other children of the family are James, a resident of Anderson.

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Ind. ; Mary, wife of William Youtz, of Renovo, Penn .; and William B., of Warren, Pennsyl- vania.

Our subject is a worthy representative of a very patriotic and loyal family. Besides his father and himself, who were in the Union serv- ice during the dark days of the Rebellion, he had several maternal uncles, who took part in the struggle. Jacob Shaffer enlisted in Franklin county in the 126th P. V. I., and lost his life at the battle of Fredericksburg. In April, 1861, soon after the firing upon Fort Sumter. John Shaffer enlisted in the 13th P. V. I., for three months; later he re-enlisted in the 102nd P. V. 1., for three years, under Col. Rowley, and on the expiration of that term, he again re-enlisted in the same regiment, serving until hostilities had ceased. He was -honorably discharged in, Sep- teinber, 1865 .. Although he participated in all of the important battles of the Army of the Po- tomac, he was never wounded. George was in a Confederate brigade, and for a time was sta- tioned at Fort Gibson, Miss. William Shaffer was in the Confederate service, and did duty in West Virginia with Jack Moseby.

In Huntingdon county, our subject was reared and educated. In 1863 he went to Philadelphia, where he engaged in the drug business until he enlisted June 17, 1864, as hospital steward on the United States steamer . James Adger," serving under Thomas H. Patterson. He re- mained in the navy, the vessel on which he sailed cruising along the Atlantic coast, the Gulf of Mexico and the West Indies, and also serving as flag ship off Charleston, for a time. On ac- count of disability he was honorably discharged May 13, 1865, and returned home.

In Renovo, Clinton Co., Penn., Mr. Crouse learned the machinist's trade, which he success- fully followed for twenty years in the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, a part of the time being foreman of the lathe shop. He then conducted a skating rink at Washington, D. C., for a time, was later with the Camden & Atlantic railroad with headquarters at Camden, N. J., and then he located at Rochester. N. Y., becoming general store keeper at that place for the railroad company with which he is still con- nected. On coming to Du Bois, he first served as general foreman until July 1. 1893, when he became interested in other business, but on Feb- rary 1, 1897, he accepted his present position.

In 1870, at Renovo, he was married to Miss Lavina E. Kendig. a native of Franklin county, Penn., who died in July, 187 ;. In August, 1879, he was again married, his second union being with Miss Ella J. Stouffer, who was born in

. Shippensburg, Franklin county, a daughter of Jacob Stouffer, an early settler of Renovo. Po- litically, Mr. Crouse is an ardent Republican, and he is now serving his third term as a member of the school board of Du Bois. During his in- cumbency the Third ward school building was erected, and also an addition made to the Fourth ward building. He has always taken an active and prominent part in civic societies, was one of the organizers of the Grand Army Post of Re- novo, and served as its first adjutant. He holds membership in Garfield Lodge, No. 559, F. & A. M .. of Du Bois; and Elk Chapter, No. 230, R. A. M., and Knapp Cominandery. No. 40, K. T., both of Ridgway. He also belongs to Moulthrop Camp, No. 142, Sons of Veterans, of Du Bois, and he was a charter member of Camp No. SS, P. O. S. of A., of Renovo, Penn., which was organized February 22, 1868 .. In 1873 and 1874 he served as State inaster of forms and ceremonies of the last named order, was de- feated for the position of State president the fol- lowing year, and in 1883 he was nominated for State secretary, running against H. Stager, who had filled the office for seventeen years. He was defeated by only twenty-seven out of the three hundred and fifty votes cast. With his wife, Mr. Crouse is a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and has ever taken an active part in Church and Sunday-school work, teaching a class of from eight to thirty-eight since 1890, and serving since January 1, 1891, as assist- ant superintendent of the Sunday-school. He is a public-spirited and enterprising citizen, giving his liberal support to all worthy objects for the good of the community.

H A. VOSBURG is one of the leading and energetic citizens of Du Bois, where he has successfully engaged in general merchandising since 1892, and the business interests of the city are well represented by him.

In Driftwood, Cameron Co., Penn., Mr. Vos- burg was born in 1864, a son of George R. and Ophelia J. (Robinsom Vosburg, who were born, reared and educated in New York State, whence they removed to Driftwood at an early day. There the father engaged in lunbering for a time, and for ten years served as express agent, freight agent for the Pennsylvania Railroad Co., also was proprietor of a large general store, and was postmaster at that place. In 1866 he became superintendent of the business of John Du Bois, at Williamsport, Penn., where he remained until 1878, when he came to Du Bois, still serving as general superintendent for that gentleman, with

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whom he has now been connected for over thirty- one years. He is one of the honored and highly respected citizens of the community. His wife departed this life at Portland, Ore., in 1894. In the family of this worthy couple were six children, namely: George R., now a resident of Kansas; J. L., a farmer and surveyor living near Oregon City, Ore .; E. Fred, inanager of the Vosburg Drug Co., of Du Bois; H. A., of this sketch: Maud, wife of Rev. Van Water, an Epis- copal minister of Portland, Ore .; and Ralph, who died in Du Bois in 188S.

Our subject's early educational privileges were such as the common schools of Williamsport afforded, and his business training was received in the store of John Du Bois, at Du Bois, whose service he entered in 1879, tying up the packages for fourteen clerks. There he remained until 1883, when he went to Philadelphia, being in the employ of a lumber firm at that place for two years. He then located at Winterburn, Clear- field county, where. as a member of the firm of Vosburg Brothers & Co., he purchased the gen- eral store of Mr. Blanchard, conducting the same until coming to Du Bois in 1892. Business is now carried on under the firm style of H. A .- Vosburg & Co., and the store on Du Bois avenue is stocked with a good grade of general merchan- dise. From the public they receive a liberal patronage, and in business circles have won an enviable position by their straightforward, hon- orable course.

In Du Bois, in 1887, Mr. Vosburg was mar- ried to Miss Edith M. Hay, a native of Schuylkill county. Penn., and a daughter of Lamar S. Hay, justice of the peace at Du Bois. Three children bless this union: Florence, Harry A. and Emily Maud. In religious belief Mr. Vosburg is an Episcopalian. and in politics he is a stalwart Republican. On first locating in Du Bois the place was known as Rumbarger, and contained but three or four stores. With its commercial activity he has been prominently identified. and gives an earnest support to all measures calcu- lated to upbuild or advance the general welfare of the cominunity. Always courteous and genial in manner, he has gained many warm friends, ;

and well deserves the high regard in which he is . enable him to take a comprehensive and accur- held.

G C. JENKINS, M. D. The space between what a man is and his ideal is his opportu- nity.and he who realizes this truth and takes ad- vantage of it is he who wins success. Dr. Jenkins is to-day numbered among the leading physicians and surgeons of Clearfield county. and

it is his utilization of opportunity, advantages and the ability with which nature endowed him. that has enabled him to gain his high standing in professional ranks.

Dr. Jenkins was born in Hanover, York Co., Penn., August 13, 1853, a son of Samuel and Anna C. (Crist) Jenkins. The grandfather, James Jenkins, was of Scotch-Irish descent, and in the old country the name was originallyspelled Junkin. Samuel Jenkins was reared in Pennsylvania. and in early manhood engaged in merchandising in York county. Subsequently he removed to Frederick, Md., where he followed the same pur- suit. and on coming to Clearfield county, in 1867, he engaged in merchandising. Here he purchased timber lands, operated a sawmill and rafted his lumber down the river to market. He also conducted a store, and managed his busi- ness interests with success. His death occurred in 1882: his wife survived him until 1895. His political support was given the Democratic party. and he filled a number of township offices. including that of justice of the peace, in which he served for several years. Both he and his wife were consistent members of the Presbyte- rian Church. Three children came to bless this union, two of whom died in infancy.

Our subject, who is the only survivor of the family, came to Clearfield county when eight years of age, and was reared on his father's farm. He began his education in the public school, but at the age of ten years went to Pittsburg, Penn., where he pursued his studies for three years. He then went to Baltimore, where he also at- tended school. Later, he was a student in Co- lumbia Academy and the State Normal School, of Millersville, Penn., and thus with a broad general education he was well fitted to enter upon a line of special study, which hedid at the age of twenty years, in the office of Dr. Crouch, of Curwensville. In 1874 he matriculated in the Medical University of Pennsylvania, at Phila- delphia. where he pursued a thorough four-years' course, and was graduated in 1878. Immedi- ately afterward he returned to his home in Cur- wensville, where he has since engaged in prac- tice. His strong mentality and sound judgment i ate view of the science of medicine and its pos- sibilities, and in the prosecution of his profession he has met with most enviable success.

On January 5, 1881, the Doctor was united in marriage with Miss Alice J. Herr, a native of Lancaster county. Penn., and a daughter of Benjamin Herr. of Columbia. Lancaster county. Her father is still living at that place, where for many years he has carried on general merchan-

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lising. In his religious belief he is a Lutheran, and in political faith a Democrat. He has seven children, namely: Frank, Alice, William, Car- rie, Mary, Lucy and Charles. The Doctor and his wife have three children: B. Herr, born in October. 1881; Anna C., born January 9, 1883; and Joseph L., born January 24, 1889. So- cially the Doctor is a member of the I. O. O. F. Politically he exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Demo- cratic party, has served as a member of the board of health, and belongs to the Clearfield County Medical Society.

C HRISTOPHER C. MERRELL was born in the town of Clearfield in 1834, and is a worthy representative of one of the honored pio- neer families of the county: His name is insep- arably connected with its history, for in the work of development he has ever borne his part, and has done all in his power to aid in its progress. His father, Samuel Merrell, was born and reared in New Jersey, and learned there the trade of carpentering. When a young man he came to Clearfield county, where he followed his trade, and in connection with Isaac Sothers erected the old academy. He was married in Philipsburg, Penn., to Hannah Taylor, a native of Centre county, but he made his home in Clearfield county. In 1844 he took up his residence in Morris township, where he engaged in the saw- mill business and purchased 400 acres of timber land. which forms the present site of Munson. Our subject cut the first tree on this tract. The father died in 1884, and the mother departed this life in Munson in 1885.

This worthy couple were the parents of the following named: William, who served as jus- tice of the peace, and died in Kylertown in 1892; Joseph, who enlisted in the 2d Pennsylvania Cavalry. and died of smallpox in Washington, D. C., in 1864: Christopher C., of this sketch; Henry, who enlisted in Company C, Pennsyl- vania Reserves, and who died in Philadelphia in 1864: John, who died in Munson, in 1886; Sam- uel R .. who died in Philipsburg: Mrs. Estavilla Mays. of Tioga county, Penn .; Mrs. Sarah Swartz. of Morris township; Emily, wife of Sam- uel Spanogle, of Graham township, Clearfield county; and Clara, wife of A. Spanogle, of Morris township.

Christopher C. Merrell spent the first ten years of his life in the place of his birth, and then removed with his father to Morris township, where he aided in the arduous task of developing

a new farm. Throughout his entire life he has carried on agricultural pursuits, and is to-day the owner of a nice house and lot. He has made excellent improveinents upon the place, and these stand as monuments to his thrift and enter- prise. His life has been one of industry and honest toil, and the success that he has achieved 'is the merited reward of his own labors. In 1858 he was married in Philipsburg, Centre county, to Miss Julia White, a native of that county, where her parents, John and -

(Shunel) White, located at an early day; they are both now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Merrell had a family of eleven children: Lawrence, who is married and resides in Jefferson county; Frank, who is married and makes his home in Cambria county; Henry; Stanley; Roy; Mrs. Ida Dixon, of Becaria township; Mrs. Elizabeth Kitchen, of Jefferson county; Mary, who is engaged in teach- ing school; Mrs. Ethel Horton, of Munson; Susan, who is engaged in teaching; and Stella, a teacher at Hawk Run.

In his political adherency, Mr. Merrell is a Democrat, is a member of the school board, has always taken an active interest in education, and gives a loyal support to all measures calculated to promote the public good. He is the oldest pioneer of Munson, his identification with its in- terests being long and honorable. His sterling worth has gained for him the esteem of all with whom he has been brought in contact, and he is both widely and favorably known in Clearfield county.

W ILLIAM R. CAMERON, who for the past six years has been the assistant superin- tendent of the Berwin-White Coal Mining Com- pany, is one of the reliable young business men of Houtzdale, where he has made his home since 1874. He was born in 1864, in Fall Brook, Ti- oga Co., Penn., a son of Peter and Christina (Pollock) Cameron. After attending the public schools of Houtzdale for some tune, he was for one year a student in the Wellsboro schools. and for the same length of time pursued his studies in the Indiana State Normal. He then bezan his business career with his father in the engin- eer's office. and for two years served as assistant engineer, after which he accepted his present re- sponsible position. and has secured the confi- (lence of the company, as his duties are always promptly and efficiently performed.

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2, Part 36

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