Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2, Part 39

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 39
USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 39
USA > Pennsylvania > Clearfield County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 39
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 39

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

J OHN DALE. M. D., was born October 16. 1865, in Bradford township, Clearfield coun- ty, where his parents, Edinund and Eliza J. (Hunter) Dale, still reside.

Upon that place the Doctor was reared in much the usual manner of farmer boys, and after attending the local schools for some time. he entered the Millersville State Normal School, of Lancaster county, Penn .. from which he grad- uated with the class of 1888. For one year he successfully engaged in teaching in that county. and then followed the same profession for one year in Clearfield county. He later spent six months in clerking in his brother's store at Ma- dera. Clearfield county, and in the winter of 1889-90 was bookkeeper for a railroad company in Tennessee. In September, 891, he accepted a government position in Washington, D. C .. which he held for four years. In the meantime. however, he entered the medical department of Columbian University, from which he graduated in April, 1895, and in the following June passed

772

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

the Pennsylvania State medical examination. On the Ist of November he opened an office in Falls Creek, from which place he removed to Morris- dale Mines, Penn., June 1, 1897, where he is now at the head of a large and constantly in- creasing practice, to which his ability and skill justly entitle him.

The Doctor not only stands high in profes- sional circles, but is recognized as one of the representative and leading men of the county, taking an active and commendable interest in public affairs.

S C. WATTS. "The art preservative of all arts " finds a fitting home in the office of the Clearfield Monitor, its enterprising and progress- ive editor, whose biography we now present, having secured an unusually fine equipment for his work. A 5-horse power engine furnishes the power for the plant, and the telephone connec- tion, the rapid presses, the complete assortment of type, the special facilities for binding, and a type-setting machine (the only one in Clearfield · county), display the purpose of the owner to keep in advance of all competitors. Everything is on the ground floor, and five assistants are regularly employed.

The Monitor was founded by Mr. Watts in September, 1892, at Curwensville, Penn., but was transferred to Clearfield, January 1, 1894, and it has never faltered in the advocacy of the principles of the Prohibition party. It is a popu- lar home paper, unequaled in the county for the volume and excellence of its correspondence. and its policy has always been to vigorously exclude from its columns anything of a questionable na- ture. Those journalists who claim that the pub- lic demand for news of that sort compels them to supply it, may take note of the fact that the Monitor has steadily increased its circulation from the first. Three times it has been enlarged.

The Monitor is a recognized factor in the prosperity of the town, and in the work of the Prohibition party in this section; but its able editor also finds time to aid both in other ways. He is a member of the State Executive Commit- tee of his party, and since 1886 has been chair- man of the County Committee. As a citizen he has always been active in non-political move- ments, and he is a leading worker in the Metho- dist Episcopal Church, and in the executive com- mittee of the County Sunday-school Association.

We cannot close the sketch of one so well known without reference to his ancestry and early career. He was born November 11, 1857, in Ferguson township, Clearfield county, where |

his father, Martin Watts, a native of Lancaster county, Penn., located as a young man, clearing and improving a farm in the midst of the forest. Martin Watts became a leading citizen of his lo- cality, and inarried a daughter of Dr. John P. Hoyt, a prominent pioneer physician and a busi- ness man of Clearfield county, and at one time associate judge of the county.

Our subject was reared upon the farm, and acquired habits of industry in his youth through his labors at home and in the woods. After completing the course offered in the public schools. he attended the academy at Lumber City, Penn., to pursue higher branches. His school days ended, he engaged in the lumber business in partnership with his brother, J. P. Watts, and continued several years before giving it up to un- dertake the wider work in which he has met such marked success.

H M. PARDONNER, car inspector for the Pennsylvania railroad, is one of the promi- nent and influential citizens of Osceola Mills. Clearfield county, and an honored veteran of the Civil war. . He was born May 19, 1844, in Cass- ville, Huntingdon Co., Penn., and is a son of George and Rachel (Fink) Pardonner. The fa- ther, who was a native of Germany, came to the New World when a young man, and was mar- ried in Huntingdon county, this State, where he engaged in wagon making until his death in 1875. The mother departed this life in June, 186S.

In the family were six sons and one daughter, in order of birth as follows: Jonathan E., now a resident of Missouri, enlisted in Huntingdon, in Company B. 110th P. V. I., during the Civil war. but in 1862 was transferred to the 6th Regu- lar Cavalry. H. M., of this sketch, is the sec- ond. Benjamin enlisted in the 46th P. V. I., . with which he served three months, and is now a resident of Chicago, Ill. Mary Catharine is the wife of a Mr. King, and is a resident of New Jersey. Daniel, who was in the regular army, died in New York, in 1897. Charley now makes his home in Chicago. Walter is living in In- diana.

H. M. Pardonner was reared and educated in Huntingdon county, and, being a close student of the events of the times, watched the gather- ing of the dark cloud of war which threatened to bring destruction upon the Union. He mani- fested his loyalty by enlisting at Huntingdon, in August. 1862, in Company H, 125th P. V. I., for nine months' service. The regiment was mus- tered in at Harrisburg, and assigned to the 12th Army Corps, a part of the Army of the Potomac.

recife

778

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

With that command our subject participated in the battles of Antietam and Chancellorsville, ; shown on Southern battle-fields when he followed and then re-enlisted for six months, this time becoming a member of Company A, 22d Penn- sylvania Cavalry, with which he took part in many skirmishes. On February 5, 1864, he en- listed in Company K, 22d Pennsylvania Cavalry, R EV. M. J. DESMOND, pastor of the Im- maculate Conception Church at Osceola Mills, was born in Meriden, Conn., in 1866, a son of Michael and Mary (Killigan) Desmond. The father died in Portland, Conn .. in ISS6, but the mother still makes her home in that State. Father Desmond obtained his primary education in the public schools, and in 1882 entered a Catholic college in Montreal, Canada, in Sep- tember of the following year becoming a student in St. Bonaventure College in Allegany. N. Y. He was ordained to the priesthood at Erie, Penn., on the 20th of July, 1890, and for a few . months served as assistant to Rev. Wienker, in : Brookville, after which both were transferred to Punxsutawney, Jefferson county. for three years or during the war, the division being commanded by Gen. Averill. Mr. Par- donner was in the battle of Snicker's Gap, Va .. and was with Sheridan in all the engagements in the Shenandoah Valley. The war having ended, he was honorably discharged at Harrisburg, Oc- tober 30, 1865. Returning to Huntingdon coun- ty, he there made his home until his removal to Osceola Mills in 1867. He was first in the em- ploy of the Moshannon Land & Lumber Co .. . and then became connected with the Pennsylva- nia railroad, accepting his present responsible : position as car inspector, January 14, 1882. He has faithfully served the interests of his em- ployers, and is everywhere recognized as a busi- ness man of more than ordinary ability and sound judgment.

Mr. Pardonner was married at Osceola Mills, November 18, 1868, to Miss Marietta Goss, who was born in Decatur township, Clearfield county, a daughter of Abram and Catharine (Gearhart) Goss, honored pioneers of that township. Mrs. Pardonner's father died in Osceola Mills, Sep- tember 16, 1891, aged eighty-one years, and his death was widely and deeply mourned. Mrs. Goss is still living, now (1898) eighty-three years old. They had ten children-six sons and four daughters-in the order of birth as follows: An- namaria. Rachel, Harry, Loyd, Jolin, Cyrenus, Abram, Marietta, Allen and Idella, all yet living except John and Cyrenus; John died in Duluth, Minn., where he was engaged in the lumber busi- ness, etc., and Cyrenus died when a child. The eldest three sons were all serving in the Civil war at the same time, and were all honorably discharged at the close of hostilities. Mrs. Par- donner's grandfather Goss was a soldier in the Revolutionary war.

In politics, our subject is a stanch Demo- crat, and is one of the most public-spirited and progressive citizens of Osceola Mills, whose in- terests he does all in his power to promote. He is a prominent member of Osceola Lodge. No. 202. A. O. U. W., Osceola Lodge. Knights of Malta: and Private Joseph McLaren Post. No. 553. G. A. R .. of which he is the popular commander, being elected in December. 1 895. The post was named for Joseph Mclaren. who was killed in the first battle of Winchester. Mr. Pardonner discharges every duty of citizen-

ship with the same loyalty and fidelity that was the old flag to victory, and has the confidence, re- spect and esteem of the entire community.

In November. 1890, Father Desmond was given charge of the Catholic Church in Coalport, Clearfield county, and during the six years he re- sided there also had charge of the congregation at Janesville, and Morganland, Clearfield county, and Lloydsville, Cambria county. On assuming his duties at Coalport, he found the Church in debt; but he soon cleared this and erected a parsonage. Since coming to Osceola Mills, in April, 1896, he has expended $2,000 in beauti- fying and refurnishing the Church. and has de- voted himself to the welfare of the congregation. which has constantly increased under his pastor- ate. By the laity it is hard to comprehend the mental struggle and the spirit of unselfish devo- tion that must animate the man who gives up all that he has, and all that he hopes to be. to the service in the great vineyard of life. seeking re- ward only in that realm " where neither icoth nor rust doth corrupt. and where thieves do not break through and steal." Father Desmond has consecrated his life solely to the work of the Master, and not only has the love and respect of the people of his parish, but is honored and esteenied by all who know him.

Rev. Thomas Tracy became the first pastor of the Immaculate Conception Church at Osceola Mills, at which time it was but a mission, and on the 2d of September. 1867, a contract was made for the erection of a church to cost $600: but the expenses exceeded this amount by $28.50. On the rith of July. 1868, an addition was began, the second contract being given to John Loonds, who was to complete it for $450. Father Branigan became resident pastor February 21, 18og. and

--------

774

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

had charge of the congregation until transferred to Sharon, Penn., when he was succeeded by Father Henry, who was succeeded by Father Meagher, in November, 1874. The same year he erected the parsonage, at a cost of $2,000. In September, 1877, he was transferred to Houtz- dale, where he still has charge of the Catholic Church, and Rev. B. Lynch became pastor of the Immaculate Conception Church, and erected the present church building. In May, 1887, he was succeeded by Rev. Peter Brady, who died at Osceola Mills, December 26, 1895, and Father Desmond, of this review, assumed the duties of the pastorate. Under his charge the congrega- tion has grown until it now numbers one hundred and fifty families. When Father Branigan lo- cated here the parish included the congregations at Houtzdale, Philipsburg, Janesville and Mor- ganland, and as no railroad had yet been con- structed in this region, he traveled through his circuit on horseback.

R EV. M. A. MILLER, rector of St. Mary's Catholic Church, of Frenchville, Clearfield county, was born on the 10th of November, 1871, a son of Clemence and Lena (Richards) Miller. of Archbald, Lackawanna Co., Penn. The father died when our subject was quite young. Father Miller began his education in the public schools of his native place, and at the age of fifteen left home to enter St. Xavier Col- lege. on Sycamore street, Cincinnati. After pursuing his studies there for some years, he be- came a student in St. Bonaventure's Seminary, at Allegany, New York.

On the 24th of March, 1895, Father Miller was ordained to the priesthood. and at once en- tered upon his duties as an assistant of Father Shenaan, in Clearfield, but on the 18th of No- vember, of the same year, he was sent to Fry- burg, Clarion Co., Penn. He returned to Clear- field December 31, 1895, and since February 18, 1896. has had charge of St. Mary's Church, of Frenchville. He is a man of good address and winning manners, is a zealous, active and efficient worker for the Church, and is held in high esteem, not only by the people of his own congregation. but by the people at large. In politics he is broad and liberal in his views.

BENJAMIN F. CHASE. The legal frater- nity of this section has contained so many distinguished members, and gained such a high reputation for learning and ability, that the am- bition to enroll one's name upon the lists and

contest for place and honors is in itself a sign . : worth, and a generous interest is felt in all wh., succeed in the brave attempt. Among t ... younger members of the Bar who have established : an enviable reputation in their honorable and ... acting calling is the subject of this sketch, a well- known attorney of Clearfield.

Mr. Chase comes of good old . Yankee stock, his paternal grandfather. Benjamin Cliasc. having been born in Massachusetts, although lie came West about 1819, and after spending two years in Ohio, settled in New York State, where his remaining years were spent. Rev. John M. Chase, the father of our subject, was born in Cuyahoga county, Ohio, March 11, 1820. and in early manhood caine to Clearfield county, where he was married September 18, 1845. to Miss Tabitha Williams, a native of Centre county, born April 12, 1824. Her father, William Will- iams, was born in eastern Pennsylvania. but settled in Centre county in pioneer times. Our subject's father located in Woodward township. Clearfield county, and engaged in the lumber business, in which he built ap a large and profit- able trade. During the Civil war he enlisted from Clearfield county in the 149th P. V. I., was first commissioned first lieutenant. afterward was commissioned regimental quartermaster, but after nineteen months' service he was discharged for disability. caused by an attack of typhoid fever. In 1871 he entered the ministry of the Baptist Church, and after almost twenty years of devoted work in the cause of Christ he retired, and with the faithful helpmeet who for more than half a century has shared his joys and sorrows is now residing in Clearfield. Of their children nine lived to adult age, viz. : William A., an at- torney at Clearfield; Cornelia, wife of D. H. Barnett, of Knox township, Clearfield county; John M., Jr .. a resident of Clearfield; D. Austin. who died in 1888; Maggie, wife of C. E. Hoover. of Clearfield; Mary, who married Albert Kline. of the same city; Katherine, wife of W. W. . Moore. of Barnesboro, Cambria county: Joseph R .. a merchant in Clearfield: and Benjamin F., our subject, who was born in Clearfield county February 1. 1869, and has always made his home there. After completing a course in the common schools and in Leonard Graded School, Clearfield, Penn., and teaching school one year, he began the study of law with Gordon, Murray & Gordon, of Clearfield, and later entered the law department of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, where he was graduated in May. 1891, with the degree of LL. B., and was admitted to the Bar in Wash- tenaw county. Michigan. May 29. 1891, and the Supreme court of Michigan, June 1. 1891. He

775

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

began the practice of his profession in Clearfield county, September 28, 1891, and has continued with growing success. He is secretary of Clear- field Law Library Association and Clearfield County Law Association. Possessing good abil- ities, he has also the somewhat rare faculty of putting thein to effective use, and few practi- tioners of his age have as good a business as he.

In politics he supports Republican principles, and he is a member of the Baptist Church and of various fraternal orders, including Clearfield Lodge, No. 314, F. & A. M., Clearfield Chapter, ; No. 228, R. A. M., Moshannon Commandery, K. T., at Philipsburg, and Zem Zem Teinple, A. A. O. N. M. S., Erie, Penn. He is unmarried.

J AMES J. DALY. So many inen find it diffi- cult to make a compiete success of one busi- ness, that more than ordinary interest attaches to the few who are so amply endowed with sagacity and energy that they can profitably en- gage in various lines of effort. This distinction is enjoyed by the subject of this sketch, a lead- ing resident of Du Bois, Clearfield county, whose biography shows his rare versatility as a business man, in addition to other admirable qualities.

Mr. Daly is of Irish origin, and his father, the late Patrick Daly, came from County Armagh, Ireland, at the age of twenty-two, to found a home in this fertile and picturesque region. He bought a tract of timber land in Penn township, Clearfield county, near the present site of Gram- . tin, and since 1895 he has been operating the Ex-

pian, and clearing it secured a fine homestead. For many years he followed farming and lum- bering; but when old age drew on he gave up active work, and in 1883 he retired to Du Bois, where he died in 1887. After his arrival in Penn township he married Miss Ann Johnson, a native of the locality and a daughter of the well-known pioneers, Samuel and Hanna Johnson. She sur- vived hiin a few years, breathing her last at Du- Bois in December, 1894. They had the follow- ing children: Margaret. now Mrs. Casey, of Du Bois; Frances, who died at the.homestead at the age of thirteen; James J., our subject; John, who died at the old home when sixteen years old: L. V., of Du Bois; T. Elizabeth, who mar- ried John Burgoon, of Jefferson county, and. died at Brookville, November 14. 1886; Hugh A. and William F., both residents of Du Bois; Mary, : who married Jerry Sullivan, and died June 20, 1896, at Washington, D. C., while on her way home from Asheville, N. C. ; and Anna, who died in April, 1867.

Peun township, Clearfield county, May 17, 1844, and grew to manhood there, the local schools, with a term at St. Vincent's College in West- moreland county, Penn., furnishing him his edu- cational opportunities. His first business venture was made as a partner of his uncle, Elah John- son, in the purchase of a tract of timber land on Curry run. They built a sawmill and engaged in lumbering, continuing about five years. On selling out, Mr. Daly bought a farm adjoining the old homestead, and remained there until his removal to Du Bois in 1883. While culti- vating this place, he was also engaged in real- estate business, and since going to Du Bois he has followed it extensively. The town contained only one thousand inhabitants, and he has seen and taken part in the progress which has resulted in the handsome and thriving city of to-day. He purchased twenty-two acres of land in the First ward, where he makes his home, and proceeded to find use for his energies in real-estate busi- ness, cigar manufacturing, and the furniture in- dustry. He built a business block on Long avenue, and also became, with his brother. H. A. Daly, the owner of two hotels-the "Exchange " and the "Gordon." The fire of 1888 burned both these buildings, but in the same year was built the "Central House," on the site of the "Gordon." In 1892-93, our subject was en- gaged in the hotel business for about nine months, with his son, but he does not now give personal attention to it. He is, however, a member of the millinery and dry-goods firm of Daly & Mar-

celsior stone quarry at Grove Summit, Jefferson county, in partnership with I. B. Norris, of Cur- wensville.

On January 16, 1866, Mr. Daly was married in Clarion, Penn., to Miss Mary A. Burgoon, a native of Clarion county. Her parents. I.eo and Catherine (Kuhn) Burgoon, were both born in this State, and after a long residence in Clarion county are now spending their declining years in Brookville, Penn. 1. Mr. and Mrs. Daly have a pleasant home and an interesting family of chil- dren. Their eldest son, Francis, died in Du- Bois, April 25. 1885. Of the others. Louis married Mary Kenan, and resides in Buffalo. N. Y. : Bernard also lives in that city; while John, Annie, Bernadette, Rose and Peter are with their parents. In politics Mr. Daly is a Democrat. and his popularity with all classes has made him successful as a candidate for different of- ficial positions, including those of justice of the peace in Penn township, mercantile appraisor of Clearfield county and assessor and tax collector

James J. Daly was born at the old farm in , in the city which he has chosen for his residence.

776

· COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHIICAL RECORD.

J A. MURRAY, M. D., a prominent physician of Clearfield, Clearfield county, is one of the leading authorities in this region on the dis- eases of women, and also on diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat; while his success as a gen- eral practitioner is recognized both in the pro- fession and by the general public.

As an ardent student of Medical Science, he keeps well abreast of the advance lines of thought, and his original investigations in special line, embodied in various papers read before the American Medical Association, the State Medical Society, or published in Medical journals, have attracted wide attention.

Dr. Murray is a native of Jefferson county, Penn., and a son of John P. Murray, who was born September 20, 1827, in Ireland. His grandfather, John Murray, was also a native of the Emerald Isle. John P. Murray came to America in 1847, and located at -McGee's Mills, Penn., where for a time he engaged in lumbering. Later he purchased a tract of land in Jefferson county, and continued in that industry, at the same time clearing up his land and adding thereto. He was a man of ability and a repre- sentative citizen of his day. On June 27, 1857, in Jefferson county, Penn., he was married to Eliza- beth Winslow, a daughter of Joseph and Chris- tina (Long) Winslow, pioneers of Jefferson coun- ty. Joseph Winslow was a native of New Eng- land, and a direct descendant of the English family of Winslows who came to America in the "Mayflower." To John P. Murray and his wife were born eight children, our subject being the eldest. The record of the others is as follows: Julia Maud, married G. A. Warrell, and died in Clearfield county in 1890; Caroline G., of Punx- sutawney, is the widow of Dr. Elliott C. Hunter, late of Clearfield county, Penn .; Mary married John Johnson, of McGee's Mills; G. Murray re- sides in Punxsutawney, Jefferson county: V. A. Murray, is a physician of Patton. Cambria Co., Penn .: R. G. Murray resides at . Punxsutawney, Penn., and has charge of the old farm in Jeffer- son county, Penn .; and Harold H. resides at Punxsutawney with the mother. The father of this family died December 9, 1886.

The public schools of Jefferson county and of New Washington, Clearfield county, furnished our subject his elementary education. For five . years he followed teaching in Indiana and Clear- field counties. He was then examined by a committee for a State permanent certificate, which was assigned him by E. E. Higbee, at that time State superintendent of public instruc- tion of the State of Pennsylvania. He then took up the drug business with Joseph M. Beyer,

of Punxsutawney, Penn., making a thorough study of the business. He now holds a State pharmaceutical certificate, and is a registered pharmacist. Our subject then studied medicine two years with Dr. W. F. Beyer, of Punxsu- tawney, Penn., and in the records of the Univer- sity of Maryland, at Baltimore, we find that our subject entered that institution in 1883, and was graduated from the medical department thereof in 1885. This course was supplemented with a post-graduate one at the Baltimore Polyclinic School.

Dr. Murray began the practice of medicine at Ansonville, Penn., and later moved to Mahaffey, where he remained until 1892. The records of Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia show that in 1892 Dr. Murray entered that institution, and remained there one year, giving special at- tention to the diseases of women, and graduat- ing in 1893. The records of Philadelphia Poly- clinic and Post-Graduate Medical School show that Dr. Murray did special work in that institu- tion on the eye, ear, nose and throat. Since 1892 he has been engaged in his profession in Clearfield ._ Penn. His natural adaptability to his chosen profession, together with his exten- sive preparation for his work, makes him truly a specialist on the diseases of women, while as an oculist he is equally proficient. The Doctor is United States pension examiner for this dis- trict. He is also a member of the order of Amer- ican Mechanics, and of the I. O. O. F., Ma- haffey Lodge No. 1023. He is president of the Clearfield County Medical Society, member of the State Medical Society and of the American Medical Association. The latter organization appointed him delegate to the Pan-American Medical Congress which met in the City of Mex- ico in November, 1896: and also to the Interna- tional Medical Congress which met in Moscow, Russia, in August, 1897. Politically the Doctor adheres to the principles of Democracy.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2, Part 39

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