Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2, Part 41

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 41
USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 41
USA > Pennsylvania > Clearfield County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 41
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 41

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ma Rush, of Janesville, Penn. (6) Clarence V. . children. Nancy, now Mrs. Daniel Snoke, of is an exceptionally bright business man, educated in the village schools, and is active in administer- ing his father's estate. Having been a clerk in the store for some years, he became familiar with all the details of the business, and since the death of his father he and his sister, Miss Ella, have conducted it with marked success.

The Alleman family were pioneers of Dauphin county, Penn., and later became identified with Franklin county, where Mrs. Catherine Alle- man, our subject's inother, died in 1892, at the advanced age of ninety-three. They were of French descent, and came into Germany as the Alamaniac tribe; and with the Goths laid war to that part of the German Empire lying along the Rhine, since when no trace can be found for a period of time. Then our subject's great- great-grandfather, John Christian Alleman, came to America with two brothers (Hiram and Fred- eric) from Hamburg on the ship "Leathley," cominanded by Capt. John Sickley, and took the oath of allegiance to the then government, on September 19, 1753. He settled in what was then Swatava township, Lancaster county, Pennsylvania.

Henry Allen, grandfather, was born in Berks county, Penn., and settled in what is now Lower Swatava township, where he became a prominent farmer. He was a member of the Lutheran Church, and helped to build the first Lutheran Church at Middletown, Dauphin Co., Penn. His wife was Miss Julia Long, of South Annville township, Lebanon county, Penn. He died in the year 1829, and was buried on the Boop farm. His family consisted of eight sons and two daughters, some of whom settled in Ohio, two (Henry and Christian) in Franklin county, Henry being the father of Henry Alleman, of Allemanville, Clearfield county, Henry Alleman died January 13, 1861, and was buried at Pleas- ant Hall.

At the time that Mr. Alleman settled at the present homestead his brother David also located there, and built the first house in the projected village. For some time he followed the mill- wright's trade in partnership with our subject, but later removed to Virginia where he died. The eldest brother, John, went to California in 1849, during the excitement over the discovery of gold. and engaged in stock raising, by which he accumulated a fortune. He died there in 1888, and as he was not married Mr. Henry Alleman went to California and took charge of his estate. dividing it among the surviving broth- ers and sisters. Of thesc: Elizabeth. widow of Jefferson McNeel, of Franklin county, had two

Steelton, Dauphin county, has hve children. Peter, who lives on a part of the old homestead in Franklin county, is married and has eiglit children. Benjamin, who occupied a portion of the Franklin county home, is married and has three children. Etta, Mrs. McKee, of Franklin county, has nine children. Another sister, Cath- erine (now deceased), married a Mr. Strike, of Franklin county, and on his death some years ago went to Kansas, where she died soon after- ward. Her remains were brought back to Frank- lin county and buried besidc those of her hus- band. They had no children.

The Allemans came of a strong and hardy race of people, and the Henry Alleman of our sketch was a man of exceptionally good health until a few years before his death. His appear- ance was engaging, and his face shone with be- nevolence. He understood and was a great lover of music, and was never happier than when lead- ing his Sunday-school in songs of praise to the Creator he loved and served so well. His death was caused by apoplexy, and he was buried in the Allemanville Cemetery beside his wife, to await the last roll call when among Clearfield's grandest and best sons will be the name of Henry Alleman.

J C. SMITH. This gentleman is entitled to distinction as one of the inost progressive and enterprising business men of Clearfield coun- ty, and has for sixteen years been identified with the interests of West Moshannon, successfully conducting a general store at that place. A man of broad capabilities, he carries forward to suc- sessful completion whatever he undertakes. He is now the oldest merchant in West Moshannon, where he established business in ISSI, and in 1886 erected his present two-story frame build- ing, 22 x 35 feet with an addition 16 x 22 feet. This he has stocked with a full and complete line of general merchandise, and by his fair and honorable dealing has secured a liberal share of the public patronage.

Mr. Smith is a native of Clearfield county, born in Becaria township, in February, 1857, a son of Amassa and Susan (Spangle) Smith. The father was born in the same township, in 1826. his parents being Amassa and Sidney 'Davis) Smith, who were born in Pennsylvania of English ancestry. The grandfather became one of the honored pioneers of Becaria township, where he opened up a farin in the midst of the forest, and there died in 1871; his wife passed away in the same township, in May, 1881. In their family

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

were six children: Ammassa, the father of our subject; John, a resident of Tipton, Penn. ; Mrs. Sidney Ann Cree, of Becaria township; Mrs. Sarah Wright, of Glen Hope, Clearfield county; and Abram and Isaac (twins), who reside in Becaria township.

Amassa Smith, Jr., the father of our subject, has spent his entire life in Becaria township, where he has followed the occupation of farming since reaching man's estate. He has been called upon to mourn the death of his wife, who died in that township in 1889. They were the parents of six children, namely: Benjamin Franklin, a resident of Becaria township; Amassa, who resides at home, and is engaged in lumbering; J. C., of this sketch; Mrs. Anna Owen and Mar- tha, who live with their father; and Samuel, who lives in Irvona, Becaria township.

In much the usual manner of farmer lads, J. C. Smith spent the days of his boyhood and youth, assisting in the labors of the farm and at- tending the district schools. He also learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed until about nine years ago, since which time, however, he has given his exclusive attention to his commer- cial interests in West Moshannon. In 1881, in Becaria township, he married Miss Martha Hersh, who was born in that township, a daughter of John and Martha (Wilson) Hersh, natives of Lancaster and Huntingdon counties, Penn., re- spectively. In the latter county they were wedded, and in 1848 they came to Becaria town- ship, Clearfield county, where Mr. Hersh rented land for a few years, and then purchased a timber tract, which he cleared and developed into a good farm. He and his wife still live in that township. They have seven daughters, who are still living, as follows: Mrs. Louise Mechling, of West Virginia; Mrs. Catharine Semple, of Glen Hope, Clearfield county; Mrs. Anna Mc- Murray, of Ramey, Clearfield county; Mrs. Mar- tha Smith: Mrs. Emma Bartlebaugh, of Coalport, Becaria township; Mrs. Fannie Moore, of Madera, Clearfield county; and Ella, at home. Two chil- dren were born to Mr. and Mrs. Smith, but only one is now living. Blair N.

In his political views, Mr. Smith strongly ad- heres to the principles of Democracy. He is one of the active and progressive men of the county, and takes great interests in all matters calculated to enhance its value or benefit his fellow man.

A SAPH KIRK, a leading agriculturist of Penn township, Clearfield county, is a worthy representative of one of the honored pioneer families of that locality: His father. Jason Kirk,

was the first of the family to locate there, but a short time afterward the grandfather, Thomas Kirk, also took up his residence near Clearfield. He and his wife, Hannah. Kirk, died there and were laid to rest in the old cemetery in South Clearfield.

By trade Jason Kirk was a stone mason, but made farming his principal occupation through- out life. He was born in York county, Penn .. September 28, 1779, and died April 22, 1868. In the fall of 1811 he came to Clearfield county, locating on the Susquehanna river at or near Lumber City, where he purchased one hundred acres of partially-improved land. Upon the place was a very rude log cabin, the roof having no nails but held on by weights. He at once began the further development and improvement of his land, and experienced all the hardships and trials incident to frontier life. To obtain flour or meal he had to go down the river to Ogden's Mill, at the mouth of Clearfield creek-a distance of about twenty miles. He married Miss Mary Spencer, of Centre county, Penn., a daughter of John and Susan Spencer, of Virginia, who, on coming to Centre county, took up their residence upon a farm in Half Moon township. Mrs. Mary (Spencer) Kirk died April 11, 1827.

Twelve children were born to the parents of our subject, namely: (1) Susan, born June 16, 1806, died December 11, 1806. (2) David, born September 7. 1808, died March 4, 1873, never married, and followed the carpenter's trade and worked on the home farm until his death. (3) John, born July 18, 1810; no record of death. (4) Thomas, born October 15, 1812, died March 16, 1886, followed the trade of a millwright throughout life. (5) Asaph, born February 10, 1814, is our subject. (6) Jason, Jr., born Feb- ruary 1, 1816, died November 27, 1880, engaged in milling in Centre county for a number of years, and later followed farming in Clearfield county until his death. (7) Isaac, born April 20. 1817, died March 18, 1873, lived on the home- stead, and followed farming all his life. (8) Hannah, born October 4, 1818, died June 11, 1850, became the wife of William Cleaver, of Centre county, Penu .. and resided in Lumber City for a number of years; after his wife's death he removed to a farin near Grampian, and died a number of years later. (9) Mary, born January 31, 1820, is the widow of James Spencer, who was a lumberman and farmer of Lumber City, and they had six children. (10) Samuel. born April 28, 1822, died December 16, 1883. comes next, and a sketch of him will be found else- where. (11) Eliza, born January 24, 1824. mar- ried John Russell, of York county, Penn., who

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erected a tannery in Grampain, which he oper- ated a number of years; on selling ont he made his home in Lumber City ten or twelve years, and then removed to .Cleveland, Ohio, where he died in February, 1892; his widow is still living in that city; they had a family of nine children, of whom Kirk is now superintendent of the Lake Shore railroad between Cleveland and Chicago, and two sons are in the railroad office in Kala- mazoo, Mich. (12) Joseph, born July 13, 1826, is yet living; he married Louisa Terpe, of Ger- many, and resided on a farm near Lamber City for a number of. years, after which he removed to Du Bois, Penn., and later to Buffalo, N. Y .; eight or nine of his children are all living, and his sons are engaged in the printing business in Buffalo.

Our subject early became familiar with agri- . cultural pursuits upon the home farm, where he remained until his marriage with Miss Eliza Wall, of Penn township, Clearfield county, a daughter of Jonathan and Jane Wall. He began his domestic life upon a tract of 151 acres given him by his father, known as the John Kirk farm, of which he has cleared seventy-five or eighty acres. The log cabin into which he moved was replaced in 1861 by a substantial and commodious two- story residence, and a large barn was erected in 1877. Many other valuable and useful improve- ments have been added to the place. making it one of the most desirable in the locality.

Five children graced the union of Mr. Kirk and his estimable wife, namely: (1) Mary, born May 10, 1836, is the wife of Julius Terpe, a native of Germany, who is now engaged in the grocery business in Du Bois. Of their twelve children, the following are living-William. who married Jennie Butts, of Brady township, Clear- field county; Joseph, a resident of Brady town- ship, who married Julia Mead; James, who mnar- ried Miss Rymer, of Du Bois: George. of Brady township, who married Miss Snyder, of Salem. Penn .; Jennie, who married John Hilldinger. of Du Bois, and resides in Mckeesport, where he is manager for the Armour Meat House: Nora, who married Edward Fair, of Du Bois, chief engineer of the B. R. & T. railroad, and has two children; Ella, wife of John Heller, master mechanic of the Du Bois Machine Shops, by whom she has two children; and Blanche and Alice, who are still with their parents. (2) Jonathan, born May 21, 1839, married Martha Norris, of Pike township, Clearfield county, and resided with his father on the old homestead until his death, August 24, 1892. His wife had died in 1885, leaving three children -Mary, who died in 1892: Vinnie, wife of William T. Thorp, who operates the Kirk farm

for our subject; and Corliss, who is now seven- teen years of age and lives with his grandfather. (3) Jason, born October 7, 1840, died March 21, 1884, married Miss Elizabeth Edwards, of Stark county, Ohio, who is now living in Brook- lyn, N. Y. He followed the miller's trade until his death. (4) Lewis, born December 19, 1844. is a miller, of Alliance, Ohio; he married Hannah M. Spencer, daughter of Joseph Spencer, of Penn township, Clearfield county, and they have had six children. (5) Jane, born November 9, 1846. married William Hoover, of Greenwood town- ship, and four children blessed their union. Mr. Kirk has been called upon to mourn the loss of his wife who died July 18, 1890, after a happy married life of over sixty years,. and was laid to rest in the Friends cemetery at Grampian.

Politically, Mr. Kirk is identified with the Republican party, and has served his fellow citi- zens in the offices of school director and super- visor one term. A man of strong religious faith and strict integrity, he is a prominent member of the Society of Friends, and his honorable upright life has gained for him the confidence and esteem of all who know him.

J AMES IRVIN GOODLANDER. The jour- nalistic profession demands talents so varied that success confers an indisputable title of distinction in intellectual circles. As editor of the Clearfield Republican, Mr. Goodlander had an excellent opportunity to demonstrate his abil- ities, and his success met the expectations of the many friends who watched his career.

Mfr. Goodlander was born in Luthersburg, Clearfield county, April 7, 1861, the third son and fifth child of Daniel and Leah (Draucker) Goodlander, highly respected residents of that place. As his father was a merchant and farmer, there was always plenty of work to be done, and while attending school in winter Mr. Goodlander assisted in summer at the store and farin, incidentally gaining lessons of value in practical affairs.

In the early part of 1879 he entered the pre- paratory department of Pennsylvania College, at Gettysburg. Penn., but returned home in the fall and remained until the following spring, when at the earnest solicitation of his uncle, the late G. B. Goodlander, then editor and proprietor of the Clearfield Republican. he went to Clearfield to test his powers in the field of journalism. He began at the bottom, and after mastering the mechanical portions of the work. was assigned to the local department. Soon afterward he was promoted to the post of associate editor, and in

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July, 1891, was inade an equal partner in the business, this arrangement continuing until his uncle's death in January, 1897.

Mr. Goodlander was married, in 1885, to Miss Edith Rheem Mccullough, eldest daughter of the late . William M. Mccullough, Esq. Of the two children of this union -- M. Arline and D. Audrey -- the latter died in infancy. Socially, Mr. Goodlander is - prominent, and he is a lead- ing member in several secret societies, being a .past officer in nearly all of them.

He has held the office of District Deputy Grand Chancellor of the Knights of Pythias in his district for several years, and at the present is District Deputy Grand Master of the Odd Fel- lows of his county, showing that the members of these Orders have confidence in his ability. He has had the honor of representing the lodge of K. of P. in his place in the Grand Lodge, and the council of O. U. A. M. have sent him-twice as its representative in the State Council. There are few young men in Clearfield county who en- joy as large an acquaintance as Mr. Goodlander throughout the county. He was elected borough auditor some five years ago, which is the only office he ever held or ever sought. Being an ardent Democrat, he is also liberal in his political views, believing that the good of the country de- mands the very best men, no matter which-party they represent.

Possessing fine mental gifts, Mr. Goodlander has assimilated the best thoughts of the time, and extensive travel has added its culture and breadth of view, as he has visited almost every State in the Union, visited Canada several times, and has attended every Exposition in this coul- try, of any importance, beginning with the Cen- tennial in Philadelphia, in 1876, and ending with the Mid-Winter Fair in San Francisco, in 1893-94.

G EORGE W. DILLEN, a representative agriculturist of Becaria township, has for almost two-thirds of a century been identified with the interests of Clearfield county. He has, therefore, witnessed the greater part of its growth and development; has seen the forests give way before the woodman's axe. while the cleared land has been transformed into product- ive farms; has noted the progress of civilization in the introduction of schools, churches and business enterprises; and in the work of advance- ment has ever borne his part. It is, therefore, due him and the Dillen family that honorable mention be made of them in this volume.

Born July 5. 1833, our subject is a son of 50

George and Eliza (Hoover) Dillen. His grand- parents, Henry and Mary Dillen, natives of Ire- land, emigrated to America in 1804, taking pas- -sage .on a :sailing vessel, which during a storm was blown out of its course, its masts were lost, and it was so badly disabled that it was at the mercy of the waves drifting hither and thither at their will. So it went for three months, and in the meantime the supply of food became ex- hausted, and lots were cast as to who should be killed to satisfy the hunger of the passengers; but on the following morning land was sighted, and all were soon safely landed in New York harbor. The family from New York went to Philadelphia for a time, thence to Philipsburg, where a Mr. Philips had located lands. They became the first settlers at Mt. Pleasant, in Be- caria township. The grandfather purchased 260 acres, erected a log house and barn, and trans- formed the land into richly cultivated fields. His cabin home was afterward replaced with a modern two-story residence. George Dillen, the father of our subject, was three years of age when the family came to America. He was born, in 1800, in County Derry, Ireland, was :reared to manhood on the old homestead, and took an active part in its development and im- provement. Succeeding to its ownership, he continued to make it his home until his death. When twenty-three years of age he married Miss Eliza Hoover, who was born in 1805, and both lived happy lives. He died November 24, 1882, his widow surviving him one year and four months, they dying at the ages of eighty-five and eighty-one years respectively.

Their family numbered four sons and two daughters: (1) Henry J. Dillen, born April 14, 1823, died at the age of about twenty-five years. (2) Rebecca Dillen, born December 25, 1824, married Daniel Crowell, of Decatur township, Clearfield county; they resided on different farms for a number of years, conducted a hotel in Utahville for a few years, and then removed to the John Dillen farm, where Mr. Crowell died. They had six children-Eliza A., wife of James Spangle, of Rosebud; Mary, who is now Mrs. Stagart, of Rosebud, and has a family: Jane. wife of A. W. Poet, also of Rosebud; George. who is married and lives in Coalport: and Betsy. wife of Isaac Ricketts, of Utahville, by whom she has six children living. (3) John B. Dillen, born August 16, 1826, was reared on the old. home- stead, wedded Mary Davis, of Cambria county, and purchased a part of the Henry Everly farm, in Becaria township, where he now resides. He has three children-George H. , at home: Susanna, wife of William McNaul, of Coalport. by whom

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she has three sons; and John A., at home. (4) Jesse E. Dillen, a sketch of whom appears else- where in this work. (5) Mary A. Dillen, born February 25, 1830, was accidentally killed at school.

(6) George W. Dillen, the youngest in the family, spent his boyhood on his father's farm, where he assisted in the development of the fields. His educational privileges were limited to a short attendance at the public schools during the winter. He afterward engaged in the manu- facture of square lumber, which he rafted down the river and transported to the Eastern inarkets. He was married January 31, 1856. to Miss Cath- erine Youngkin, of Cambria county, an estimable lady, whose devotion to her family and friends won her the respect of all. She died November 10, 1872, leaving to her husband the care of their children: (1) Susan E., the eldest, born May 4, 1857, is the wife of Joseph Feister, a travel- ing salesman residing in Coalport, and they have one child-Willie. (2) Mary A., born Novemn- ber 23, 1858, is the wife of James J. Gill, who owns and operates a farm near Utahville; they had six children-Edward, who died in infancy; and Emma, Frederick, Walter, George and Arthur, all at home. (3) David H., born De- cember 23, 1860, inarried Annis, daughter of Lionel Weld, of Utahville, where he was for- merly engaged in general merchandising; he now deals in agricultural implements, and is constable of Becaria township; they have three children- George B., Emma and Lewis. (4) Rebecca Jane, born April 27, 1863, is the wife of Benja- min Oschell, of Rosebud, who is employed by the Irvona Coal & Coke Co .; they have five chil- dren-McClelland, Mary Effie, Susan E., Esther, and Oneida. (5) John A., born September 11, 1865, followed railroading for a number of years in Pennsylvania, and afterward in West Virginia; he married a Miss Moore, of Rosebud, and then located in Virginia, where he followed lumbering. (6) George Samuel, born July 16, 1868, fol- : lowed railroading for a number of years, and then engaged in coal mining until his death; he was crushed by a car in the mines, and died at the age of twenty-six. (7) William Daniel, born August 13, 1870, married a Miss Wicker, of Al- toona, and is now telegraph operator in Bower, Penn. ; they have one child-Valah. (8) Cath- erine E., the youngest in the family, died in in- fancy.

In 1885, Mr. Dillen was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Catherine Mann, of Gulich, Clearfield county. She was born De- cember 25, 1843, in Greenesville county, Va., a daughter of Joshua and Elizabeth Barnes, of that

State. Her father died in 1844. and Mrs. Dillen lived with her mother until 1860, when she mar- ried Paylon Maitland. They resided in Greenes- ville county until 1861, when her husband en- listed under Gen. Fields, and was killed while on picket duty at Culpeper Court House. His wife was then serving as a nurse in the Hospital Medical College at Richmond, and followed the Southern army as a field nurse until the close of the war. She then accepted a position as house- keeper, and in September, 1865, married Edward C. Mann, a native of Maine, who served in the Union army. After their marriage, he worked in the lumber woods in Clearfield county until 1867, when he removed to St. Augusta, Cam- bria Co., Penn., where he followed logging. In 1870 he bought a lot at that place, erected a house, and made it his home for about fourteen years. He then removed to Lloydville, Penn., and in 1876 went to Texas, where his death oc- curred about five years later. During their resi- dence in the "Lone Star State, " Mr. and Mrs. Mann made a trip to Mexico. After her hus- band's death she returned to Allensville, Penn., and for a year acted as housekeeper for Mr. Fry. She then went to Virginia, where she remained one year, when with her mother she returned to Clearfield, and purchased a house and two lots in Allemans, where she remained three years. On November 9, 1885, she married Mr. Dillen, and came as his wife to their home in Becaria town- ship. Her mother lived with her until her death in 1892.

Mr. Dillen comes of a family long identified with the Democratic party, and he, too, is an advocate of its principles. He was elected and served as return judge, but has never been an office seeker. In the faith of the Presbyterian Church he was reared, but is not a member. His wife belongs to the Catholic Church, and both are widely and favorably known in this locality.

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2, Part 41

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