Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2, Part 44

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 44
USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 44
USA > Pennsylvania > Clearfield County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 44
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 44

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Dr. Hennigh was reared in Canoe township, Indiana Co., Penn., to farm life, and obtained his education in part at the public schools, in part at Covode Academy. Covode, Penn. He afterward engaged in teaching in Indiana. Jeffer- son and Centre counties; but desiring to enter the medical profession he began his studies in the Baltimore (Maryland) Medical College in 1887, and was graduated with the class of 1891. He at once located at Sykesville, Jefferson county. where he engaged in practice until 1893, since which time he has been ministering to the needs of suffering humanity in Troutville. He has a broad and accurate knowledge of the science of medicine, and his practical experience has made him a skilled physician, well deserving of the liberal patronage which he receives.

The Doctor was married in Centre county in 1884. to Miss Nora B. Cox, a native of Jackson- ville, and a daughter of John and Catherine (Zeigler) Cox, the former of whom was born in Centre county, in 1828, and died in 1869, while the latter passed away in 1896. Our subject and his wife have two children, Belle and John. The Doctor is a member of Mingle Lodge, No. 753. I. O. O. F., and of Sykesville Lodge, No. 185. K. of P .: is also a member of the Jefferson County Medical Society. He has contributed articles on surgery to the "Medical Brief," of St. Louis. In politics Dr. Hennigh is a Demo- crat, and is now serving as a member of the school board of Troutville. In religion he is a Protestant, and belongs to the German Reformed Church of Troutville, Pennsylvania.

W TILLIAM P. HARPSTER, justice of the peace of Houtzdale, Clearfield county, was one of the brave defenders of the Union dur- ing the Civil war, and in days of peace has also

George J. Henningh, mit

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

manifested his loyalty to his country by faithfully discharging every duty of citizenship. He is a native of Centre county, Penn., born in 1840, and is a son of John and Leah (Sellers) Harpster. The father, who was a son of Samuel Harpster, was born December 26, 1812, in Pennsylvania, and at an early day took up his residence in Stormstown, Centre county, where he engaged in carpentering throughout his active life. He now makes his home with his eldest daughter, near Port Matilda; his wife died in that county in 1888.

Our subject is the third in order of birth in the family of twelve children, the others being as follows: Mary Ann, who died at the age of six- teen years; Mrs. Elizabeth Woodring, a resident of Centre county; Daniel B., who enlisted, in Centre county, in September, 1861, in Company E. 45th P. V. I., and died at Salisbury, N. C., in 1864; Joseph S., who enlisted, in Centre county, in 1862, in Company G, 148th P. V. I., with which he served until the close of the war, and now resides near Port Matilda; Isaiah P., who died in 1873; Mrs. Nancy J. Woodring, of Centre county: Mrs. Sarah C. Weaver, of Cambria county, Penn .; Mrs. Fannie Williams, of Centre county; Lucetta, who died in Centre county, in 1874: John, who died when young; and Mrs. Dora Williams, of Centre county.

Mr. Harpster, of this review, spent his boy- hood and youth under the parental roof, and received his education in the schools of the neighborhood. On President Lincoln's first call for troops he laid aside personal interests, and, in Stormstown, Centre county, enlisted, April 18, 1861, in Company H, 7th P. V. I., for three months. He was sworn into the United States service at Harrisburg, and on the expiration of his term was there mustered out. In August, 1862, he re-enlisted, becoming a member of Company C, 148th P. V. I., which was a part of the Army of the Potomac. During his three-years' service he participated in many skirmishes and impor- tant engagements, including the battles of Chan- cellorsville, Gettysburg, Wilderness, Spottsyl- vania, Cold Harbor and Petersburg, and also took part in the grand review at Washington, D. C. He was honorably discharged in Harris- burg, June 1, 1865, and returned home. In 1867, he removed to Philipsburg, Centre county, where he engaged in carpentering and teaching until 1876, which year witnessed his arrival in Houtzdale. During his twenty-years' residence at this place he has also followed those occupa- tions with good success. In Philipsburg he was married, in 1864, to Miss Mary Goldman, who was born in Spring Mills, Centre county, a daugh-

ter of George and Amelia (Triester) Goldman, residents of Philipsburg. Two children grace this union -- Ida and Nellie.

Mr. Harpster has always taken quite an active interest in political affairs, casting his ballot with the Republican party, and in 1889 was appointed postmaster at Houtzdale, which office he accept- ably filled until 1894. Recognizing his worth and ability, his fellow citizens have elected him to other official positions of honor and trust, which he has also capably filled. He has been a member of the school board and city council, is now serving as auditor, and in 1895 was ap- pointed justice of the peace, to which office he was elected the following year, and is still filling. Fraternally he holds membership with Lieut. William H. Kinkead Post, No. 293, G. A. R., of which he is adjutant. Throughout his entire life he has been identified with the interests of Centre and Clearfield counties, has-witnessed much of their development, and is a worthy representative of one of the pioneer families. His life has been such as to gain him a wide circle of friends and acquaintances, who esteem him highly for his sterling worth and many excellent traits-of char- acter.

L EWIS C. DYER. Among the prominent and progressive young business men of Clear- field county is the subject of this review. who is now the efficient and trusted superintendent of the Osceola Tannery, and is also the popular county treasurer. He was born in Hollidays- burg, Blair Co., Penn., September 10, 1866, a son of Willis N. and Caroline (Lovette) Dyer. both of whom were born at Cape Elizabeth, Maine, near the city of Portland. The latter is a daughter of John Lovette. in whose family were Frank, Edward, Simon, Daniel, Joseph. Ellen and Amelia, all living in Portland, Maine. The father of our subject was one of a family of eight children, the others being John W .: Charles: Emerson, who died in California, leaving a wife and two children; Evaline, Sarah, Mary and William, who are all single and reside on the old homestead near Portland.

In 1861, Willis N. Dyer came to Pennsylva nia, first locating in Somerset county, where he entered the employ of Coolbroth & Hastings, in the coopering business, which he continued to follow at various places until 1880. He did an extensive business, and while located at Holli- daysburg, until 1869, he had branch establish- ments in Lumber City, Glen Hope. Luthersburg. Du Bois and Turkey Hill. In 1871 he took up his residence in Clearfield, and three years later

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

removed to Curwensville, still carrying on the same line of business until 1880, when he em- barked in lumbering on Clearfield creek for Col. Ed Irwin. In 1882 he began looking after the timber interests of John B. Alley & Co., and is still in their employ.

The early educational privileges of our sub- ject were such as the common schools afforded. He attended the schools of Clearfield until 1873, when he entered the old academy at that place for one term. During the winters of 1880 and 1881 he pursued his studies in the public schools of Curwensville, and after working the following summer in a tannery, he, in October of the lat- ter year, entered Gray's Commercial College of Maine, remaining there until July, 1882. when he returned to his home in Curwensville. On the 31st of the following August, he accepted a position with the John B. Alley Tanning Co., of Osceola, at $1.25, and in November, 1883, his wages were increased to $1.50. On January I, 1886, he was made inside foreman at $50 per month, and as the company appreciated his efforts in their behalf he was given his present respon- sible position on the Ist of July, 1892, making him superintendant of their entire business. He has increased the capacity of the tannery from sixty-two to two hundred and twenty hides daily, and under his able management the company is now doing a profitable business. He has the confidence of his employers, as well as the friendship and esteem of all under him.

In 1888, Mr. Dyer was united in marriage with Miss Lizzie Kerns, a daughter of Henry and Mary A. Kerns, of Curwensville, whither her father removed from Dauphin county. Penn. By trade he is a blacksmith. One child was born to Mr. and Mrs. Dyer: Frank A., who died in September, 1896.

With seven opponents already in the field, Mr. Dyer commenced the canvass of Clearfield county for the office of county treasurer in Feb- ruary, 1896. The primaries were held June 27, and when the convention opened on the 30th, he had the support of nineteen and a half delegates. He was nominated on the seventh ballot by a vote of sixty- four to thirty-eight and a half. Making a thorough canvass, he was triumphantly elected treasurer in one of the strongest Demo- cratic counties in the State, and his opponent was one of the most influential mien that the 1 party could place in the field. Mr. Dyer's elec- tion testifies to his popularity, and to the confi- dence and trust his fellow citizens place in himn. Genial and pleasant in manner, he is a great favorite among his many friends. His wife holds membership in the Presbyterian Church, and he i

was reared in that faith, his father being an elder in the Church of that denomination in Cur- wensville for a number of years.

S J. WATERWORTH, M. D., located in Clearfield, Clearfield county, in August, 1894, after spending some time at Walston, Jef- ferson county, as assistant surgeon for the Pitts- burg Iron and Coal Co. He is a native of Bal- timore, Md., a son of the late James Murray Waterworth, who was born in that city in 1835, and passed his life there in business as a mer- chant, a manufacturer of sheet iron, and a com- mission dealer. He was married in 1868 to Miss Catherine Lee, a native of Baltimore, who died in 1880, and they had two children: S. J. (our subject), and James Murray, who died at the age of nine years. The father passed away in 1890; the widowed mother now resides with her surviving son.

Dr. Waterworth was born in 1869, and his youth was spent in his native city, where he at- tended the public schools; and later pursued a course of private study. In 1890 he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons, and on graduating, in 1893, he at once began his pro- fessional work in Jefferson county. Since moving to Clearfield he has been engaged in gen- eral practice, and has built up an extensive bus- iness. The Doctor is not married.

G EORGE W. WARREN owns and operates a farm of 105 acres in Decatur township, Clearfield county, which he purchased of G. F. Goss in 1885. and which was improved by that gentleman's father, Jesse Goss. To its further development and cultivation our subject has since devoted his time and attention with results which cannot fail to prove satisfactory. The place is supplied with good and substantial buildings, and. in fact, all the accessories.

A native of Clearfield county, Mr. Warren was born in 1849, in Boggs township, his parents being Nathaniel A. and Catharine (Shimel) War- ren. The birth of the father occurred in 1820, near U'nadilia, in the State of New York, where he was reared and educated. In 1839 he came to Clearfield connty and located on Laurel run, in Boggs township, where he erected a sawmill. operated by water power, and also opened np a farm. In connection with farming and milling, he also carried on blacksmithing with little or no success. His death occurred in 1885 in Boggs township. His estimable wife, who still survives him, makes her home near Wallaceton, in that

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

township. Of the eleven children born to them, we are still living. The children are as follows: Sarah Ann, who died at the age of eleven years; Margaret Ellen, who died when one year of age; George W., of this review: John Henry, who is married and living in Stoneville, Boggs town- hip: Mary, wife of John Lender, of Curwens- ville, Clearfield county; Phida Jane, wife of Isaac Koss, of Huntingdon county, Penn. ; Laura Ann, wife of Milton Owens, of Lawrence township, Clearfield county; Daniel, a resident of Boggs township; one whose name is not given, who is married and is living in Curwensville; Ella, wife of Charley Waple, of Salem, Boggs township; and one whose name is not given. stroved by the manufacture of cotton and ready- inade clothing. He was married in Armstrong county, Penn .. to Miss Elizabeth McGaughey, a native of that county, and he made his home in Jefferson county for many years, but spent his last days in Clearfield county. his death occur- ring at New Millport on January 13, 1880. His wife had passed away September 23, 1855. They had the follwing children: Reuben died in Armstrong county. May 27, 1858: Sarah, Mrs. McCleland, died in Jefferson county, March 29, 1859; Miss Maggie Lewis; Dr. John J. settled in the West; Mary married the late Dr. W. A. Means, of DuBois, Penn., who died in Septem- ber, 1891, and her own death occurred Novem- ber 28, 1895: James E. is more fully mentioned spent upon the home farm, he assisting his father : below; M. R. is a blacksinith, and a resident of New Millport, Penn .; and Mrs. C. R. Dotts, a prominent teacher, lives in Potter county, Penn- sylvania.

The early life of George W. Warren was in its cultivation, and attending the district schools of the neighborhood. On starting out in life for himself he engaged in lumbering in the employ of Hoover, Hughes & Co., and for twenty-one years did all kinds of mill work in sawmills at Philipsburg, Brisbin, Curwensville and Snow Shoe, Penn. On discontinuing that he purchased his present farm in 1885, and has since given a part of his time and attention to agricultural pursuits. On December 27. 1876. in Morris township, Clearfield county, he was married to Miss Eliza J. Shimel, a native of that township, and a daughter of William and Cath- arine Shimel, who were early pioneers of Morris township, where both died. Mr. Shimel long sur- vived his wife, dying at the age of seventy-seven years. Mr. and Mrs. Warren now have eight chil- dren: Charles F., Grace, Harry Alfred, William, Gertrude, Lillie, Bertha and Gussie Edna. In his political affiliations, Mr. Warren is a Re- publican, but takes very little interest in public affairs, being content to remain a common citizen of Decatur township.

J JAMES E. LEWIS is a prominent agriculturist of Lawrence township, Clearfield county, re- siding near O'Shanter, Although a new comer. comparatively, he holds an influential position in - the community, and has become identified with its best interests.

He belongs to an okl Pennsylvania family. He was born in 1843, in Jefferson county. David Lewis, his father, a native of Indiana county. Penn., was born in 1804, the son of John Lewis. David Lewis grew to manhood in that county. He became a teacher and taught public school. also the singing schools which were so popular in the early days. He was a fuller by trade, which he followed until the business was de- , litical views, our subject is a Republican, and he

James E. Lewis was reared and educated in Jefferson county, and at an early age he began to follow his present occupation of farming. In August, 1864. he enlisted in his native county in Company: B, 206th P. V. I., for one year, and was sworn into the service of the United States at Camp Reynolds. His regiment was assigned to the Army of the James and stationed at Bermuda Hundred and Spring Hill, and later it was sent to the vicinity of Fort Harrison, where they re- mained until April 3, 1865. His was the first organized regiment to enter the city of Rich- inond. In May the men were transferred to Lynchburg, Va., returning after a time to Rich- mond, where Mr. Lewis received an honorable dis- charge. The company was " paid off" at Camp Reynolds, and arrived home ( Perrysville) July 4, 1865. On resuming the life of a civilian, Mr. Lewis spent some time in Minnesota, Iowa and Kansas, and, in 1871, he came to Clearfield county and located at New Millport, following the carpenter's trade, until in 1880, when he pur- chased his present home, containing 130 acres in a good state of cultivation. On October 14. 1880, he was married iu Pike township, Clear- field county. to Miss Nancy Elizabeth Snyder, a native of the township and the daughter of Abram Snyder, a well-known agriculturist, who was born in Mifflin county. Penn., and went to Clearfield county in early manhood, and was married there to Miss Susan Jane Ogden. He died July 10, 1894. but Mrs. Snyder is still living at their old home in Pike township. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis have had five children, namely: Cash A., Carl K., Cyrus J .. an infant who died December 15. 1891, and Milo Grant. In his po-

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

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has always taken great interest in a quiet way in all public questions. He and his wife are leading members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

ERDINAND A. MIGNOT (deceased) was in his day one of the leading business men of Girard township, Clearfield county. He was widely known and honored, and in his death the community, whose interests he so much advanced by his enterprise, has lost a valued citizen. His integrity of character, unbounded benevo- lence, and never-failing courtesy, made him be- loved by all who had his acquaintance.

Augustus Leconte, maternal grandfather of our subject, purchased 800 acres of land from Mr. Keating, in Paris, France, and in 1832 came to the United States to take possession of his property. On his arrival in New York, he came at once to Girard township, his land being lo- cated in both Girard and Covington townships, and engaged in merchandising in Girard town- ship. Later he removed to the farm on Deer creek, where he erected a residence, also a grist- mill, and continued to successfully engage in lumbering, milling and merchandising up to his death, which occurred June 24. 1873. For two years his widow continued the business, and then removed to the city of Clearfield,. where she purchased a home.

Mr. Leconte married Miss Caroline Sharon, of Normandy, France, whose parents were farm- ing people of that province. Of the three chil- dren born of their union, Mrs. Mignot, the mother of our subject, was the eldest. Eugenia was married, in 1861, to Edmund Beausiegneur, by whom she had three children, and they made their home with her parents. Fannie is the wife of C. A. Wood, of Altoona, Blair Co., Penn., by whom she had three children, two still living. Mr. and Mrs. Wood took up their residence in Harrisburg, Penn., where he engaged in rail- roading, later moving to Philadelphia, and from there to Altoona, Penn., where they still reside.

The birth of Charles Mignot, the father of our subject, occurred in Santerre April 12, 1818, and on coming to this country he first located in Centre county, Penn., where he worked in the Curtin Iron Works until 1835, at which time he came to Karthaus, Clearfield county. After working for five years at the furnace for Peter Karthaus, he located on a farm in Covington township, and for seven years was in the employ of Mr. Leconte, his father-in-law. By trade he was a blacksinith. On the 8th of January, 1850, ! sylvania during the Colonial period, its members Charles Mignot was married to Caroline A. Le- I becoming devoted and loyal citizens of the land I ACOB MOOSE, the well-known mail con- tractor of Brady township, Clearfield county, was one of the brave men who devoted the opening years of their manhood to the defense of the country from the internal foe who sought her dismemberment. The Moose family is of German origin, and was founded in eastern Penn-

conte, and to them were born two sons, Ferdi- nand A. and Ernest.

Ferdinand A. Mignot was born upon the old home farm in Girard township, November 12. 1850, and began his education in the common schools of the neighborhood. At the age of fif- teen he entered St. Vincent's College, in West- inoreland county, Penn., where he remained for a year and a half, later taking a course in sur- veying at St. Francis College, in Cambria coun- ty, this State, where he was graduated. After his return home he made a trip to Europe, re- maining there three months, leaving Paris just two days before the breaking out of the Franco- Prussian war. In the following year he was ap- pointed deputy sheriff under Mr. Pie, which office he creditably filled for one term. He made his home with his grandparents until 1875, when in May of that year he became connected with his brother in the mercantile and lumber business, which they successfully conducted until his death.

Mr. Mignot was married June 30, 1887, to Miss Annie Briel, of Covington township, Clear- field county, and they became the parents of two children: Amelia, who is now seven years old. and Ferdinand C., who was born August 13, 1893. They continued to reside on the old Le- conte homestead on Deer creek until the death of Mr. Mignot, which occurred January 8, 1894, and his widow has since removed to Frenchville. where with her children she still resides. She is a most estimable lady, whose friends are many throughout the community. Her parents, John and Margaret (McGonigal) Briel, made their home in Mulsonburg, where her father followed blacksmithing.

Politically Mr. Mignot was a Democrat. He held the office of treasurer of Girard township for seventeen years, and was elected justice of the peace in 1892. He took an active interest in the schools and all local affairs, and gave lib- erally of his means toward the support of all worthy enterprises which were for the benefit of the community. In religious faith he was a con- sistent Catholic, and was one of the strong sup- porters of the Church.

Amico &o Mignot

J. a. Mignot

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

of their adoption. The paternal grandfather of our subject aided the Colonies in achieving their independence in the Revolutionary war.

Eli S. Moose, the father of Jacob, was born in Germany, and on coming to the United States first located in Centre county, Penn. Here he married Miss Babshaba Low, of Livermore, Westmoreland Co., Penn., and in that county they continued to make their home for some time, the father operating a distillery. Most of his life, however, was devoted to farming in Indiana county, where he passed away in 1890, at the advanced age of ninety-six years. He was a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church, and his faithful wife, who is still living in Indiana county at the age of eighty-four years, is a Methodist in religious belief. This worthy couple had seven children, as follows: (1)

Elizabeth, like the others, was born in Indiana county, where she continued to reside after be- coming the wife of William Strout, of that county, who in 1862 enlisted in the Union army and died in the service, of fever, the following year, leaving a widow and five children. Mrs. Strout afterward married George Kramer, and they now make their home in Missouri. (2) James joined the boys in blue from Indiana county, becoming a member of the Heavy Ar- tillery, and is now living near Penn Run, Penn. He married Elizabeth Stake, of Indiana county, and has ten children. (3) Lucy married (first) Hugh Kelly, of Indiana county, and after his death she become the wife of Joseph Bailey, of Clearfield county. By her first husband she had six children: E. W., a resident of Luthers- burg, who married Della Lines, of that place, and has four children; Mary, wife of Scott Bailey, by whom she has two children; Edward, who is married and lives in West Clearfield; Samuel, who is married and lives in Curwensville; and John and Ollie, who are still with their mother in Curwensville. (4) Elias, of Indiana county, married Jennie Reynold, of Westmoreland coun- ty, Penn., and has eight children. (5) Mary is the wife of Edward Johnson, of Missouri, who is engaged as a railroad engineer and now resides near Omaha. Neb. They have six children. (6) John inarried Sarah Fetterman, and they re- sided in Indiana county until their deaths. They left five children.

The birth of Jacob Moose, who completes the family, occurred in Indiana county, in 1844. When ten years old he accompanied the family on their removal to Westmoreland county, where he became a driver on the Pennsylvania Ca- nal in the employ of William Pike, of that coun- ty, and remained in that business for seven years.

At the early age of seventeen he offered his serv- ices to his country and became a member of Company C, Fourth Pennsylvania Cavalry, under the command of Gens. Custer and Phil Sheridan. After being mustered in at Pittsburg the regiment started for the front, and at Sandy Hook took part in their first engagement, which was fol- lowed by the battle of Leesburg, Md. They were next in the raid at Point of Rock, on the Potomac, and the engagement at Snickers Gap, and later were with Sheridan at the battle of Winchester, White Springs on the Potomac, and Hillsboro, which was followed by the engage- ments at Yellow House on the Weldon Railroad and Poplar Spring Church. This ended the campaign of 1864, and the troops went into win- ter quarters. The first battle of the following spring was at Cedar Creek. Later the regiment was in the Apple Jack raid at Hillsboro, N. C. Returning to Petersburg, an engagement was brought on at Yellow House. which lasted two days, during which tinie Mr. Moose was never out of the saddle. At the battle of Hatcher's Run the Union forces captured 5,000 of Fitz- hugh Lee's cavalry. Losing his horse, Mr. Moose traveled 110 miles on foot, back to Camp Stoneman, where he was remounted and pro- ceeded to Winchester. The regiment then pro- ceeded to Reams Station, then followed Lee to Appomattox, fighting all the way, and after his surrender, in 1865, it was stationed at Malvern Heights until the review at Washington, D. C .. in which it participated. Returning to Lynch- burg, Va., the soldiers turned over their horses and equipments to the government, then pro- ceeded to Pittsburg, Penn., where, on July 1, 1865, Mr. Moose was honorably discharged.

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2, Part 44

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