Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2, Part 46

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 46
USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 46
USA > Pennsylvania > Clearfield County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 46
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 46

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fidelity, but he has never been an office seeker. He occupies a prominent place among the farin- ers of the community, and is one who owes his success in life to his own efforts. When he pur- chased his farm the country was so dense that it was hardly penetrated by the sunlight. but he has cleared and improved it, and is to-day enjoying the fruits of his former toil.

A S. HOLDEN, an agriculturist, has been identified with the interests of Bloom town- ship for more than a third of a century, having located therein in 1861. Through the years which have since passed he has ever borne his part in the promotion of those enterprises calcu- lated to prove of public good, and has given his support to educational, moral and social interests.

Mr. Holden was born, in 1826. in Clinton county, Penn. William and Ellen Johnson, Holden, his parents, were natives of England. At the age of eighteen the father came to Amer- ica, locating first at Lock Haven, Penn. (then

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called Big Island). He was married there and afterward removed to Farrandsville. A few years later he located near Driftwood, Elk county, where he conducted a hotel for twelve years, when he sold his property, and, in 1846, bought a farm in Pike township, Clearfield county, of Ross McClure. A few years were passed there and he next bought a farm near Curwensville, where he died in 1863, his wife surviving until 1875. They reared a family of eight children, namely: A. S. ; Johnson. of Pike township; Will- iam, who served for two years in the Civil war, and died in Pike township in 1863; John, of the same township; Alex, of Coalport, Clearfield county; Catherine, of Pike township: Margaret { deceased); and Sarah, who died in Pike township.

A. S. Holden lived first in Clinton county, L AWRENCE FLOOD, one of the leading and representative citizens of Covington town- ship, Clearfield county, is a native of Ireland. born April 4, 1830, a son of Murta and Bridget ( Russel) Flood, who spent their entire lives in that country, the former dying in 1837, the latter in 1849. The father, whose birth occurred in County Wicklow, followed farming. In the family were three children: Andy died at the age of five years; Catharine, who grew to woman- hood, also died in Ireland; and Lawrence. then located in Pike township, Clearfield county, and followed farming. In 1848 he was married there to Susan Bloom, a native of that township, a daughter of James and Mary (Passmore) Bloom. Her parents were born in Clearfield county, and were among the early settlers of Pike township, where both died. Mr. and Mrs. Holden began their domestic life in Jordan township, on a farm which was heavily timbered. He continued the improvement of that place until 1871, when he sold and bought 125 acres of timber land, Our subject was seven years of age at the time of his father's death, and he continued to reside in his native land until his mother was i also called to her final rest. In 1850 he took passage on a vessel bound for the New World, and on reaching Castle Garden, New York, pro- ceeded at once to Philadelphia, thence to French- ville, Clearfield county, where he worked in the lumber woods as a jobber, and also rafted the lumber down the river. In 1851 he purchased. of Levi Lutz, fifty acres of land, which he cleared. improved and cultivated for four years, and then sold to William A. Wallace, of Clearfield. His next purchase consisted of 400 acres at the mouth of Sandy creek, for which he paid $2,000; and removed thereon in 1855. His residence being destroyed by fire. he erected a public house, for which he obtained a license, and successfully conducted saine for a number of years. Subse- 1 quently be bought, of Arnold Schnares. one hun- dred acres at Central Point. Covington township. and has made his home thereon since 1872. By persistent labor he has transformed the land into one of the best farms of the locality, and to-day energetically performing the arduous task of clearing and cultivating the place. He possesses great industry and enterprise, and his business life has been one of unusual activity. In Bloomn he conducted the hotel known as the "Forest House," established the post office which was called Forest, and was the postmaster for more than ten years. He now owns a valuable farm property, all of which he has cleared, and from its cultivation he derives a good income. To the marriage of our subject and his wife were born ; fourteen children, namely: Mary Ellen, now Mrs. Orcutt, of Grampian; William, who is married and resides in Curwensville; Mrs. Julia Ann Fletcher, who died in Union township: James, who is married and resides in Minnesota: Sophia, wife of Henry Weaver, of Clearfield: Edward, of Chi- cago; Harriet, wife of Shafer Du Bois; Robert, who is married and resides in Bell's Gap, Penn. ; Curtin, who is married and is living in Clearfield county; Harry, who resides on a farm; Frances, of Pennville; Frank, of Curwensville; Grant, who is living in this State; and Abram Holden. The mother of this family died in 1876, and Mr. | it stands as a monument to the thrift and indus- try of the owner.

Hollen was married in Penn township to Miss Susan Dunworth, a native of that township, who bore hiin thirteen children: seven (four daughters and three sons) are living. The daughters are: Mrs. Bellinan Spencer. Mrs. T. Malen, Mrs.

Alonzo Spencer and Mrs. Edgar Leech. The sons living are Harry D., Ira D. and John D.

Our subject is one of the prominent members and active workers in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is now serving as trustee and treas- urer. He takes a deep interest in political affairs. votes with the Republican party, and has served as a member of the school board. He aided in organizing Bloom township, and has been a wit- ness, not only of the many changes which have occurred since that time, but has also borne his part in the work of development and improve- ment, and is numbered among the valued and progressive citizens of Clearfield county.

In 1853 Mr. Flood married Miss Margaret Miller, of Covington township, who was born in Canton Aargau, Switzerland, a daughter of Exavia and Magdaline (Millbaugh) Miller, of that

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country. She came to America, becoming a resident of Frenchville in 1853, and has faithful- ly shared with her husband all the hardships and trials incident to frontier life.

Nine children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Flood, as follows: (1) Mary wedded John Schnares, a farmer of Covington township, and had nine children, of whom four are still living. (2) Catherine is the wife of Miles S. Conoway, a farmer of Covington township, by whom she has nine children. (3) Murta is superintendent of the Minnow Mill, in Girard township, Clear- field county, and also owns a house and lot in Covington township; he married Libbie Coffman, of Karthaus township, in the same county, and has seven children. (4) Lawrence F. married Annie Shultz, of Covington, by whom he has one child, and they live on the farm with our subject. (5) Claudius, who assists in the operation of the home farm, married Alice Reiter, and has one child. (6) John B. died December 15, 1868, at the age of three years. (7) Mary E. is the wife of Joseph Smith, who owns the old Schnares homestead, and is conducting a livery stable in Karthaus; they have three children. (8) Malinda is at home. (9) An infant that died at its birth.

Politically, Mr. Flood has always given his allegiance to the Democracy, and has been called upon to serve in official positions, being auditor of his township six years, district treasurer nine- teen years, and supervisor one term. He has ever taken a prominent and active part in the affairs of the township, and is numbered among its valued and honored citizens. In religious be- lief he is a Catholic, of which Church his wife and family are also communicants.

H' ERBERT A. MOORE, who was the pop- ular inayor of Du Bois for three years, from 1894 to 1897. is one of the successful attorneys of Clearfield county. He has engaged in the practice of the law in Du Bois since 1891, and is now junior member of the well-known law firm of Cole & Moore, which partnership was formed in November, 1896.

A native of Clearfield county, Mr. Moore was born in Luthersburg, January 22, 1869, and is a son of Reuben H. and Henrietta Moore. His boyhood and youth were principally spent in his native town, and in her public schools he ob- tained his elementary education. After leaving the public schools, he served a short apprentice- ship in the newspaper office of the Du Bois Er- press, afterward entering the Chamberlain Insti- tute of New York, graduating from the classical

course in 1889. Returning to Du Bois, he did local work on the Du Bois Express and Daily Courier, edited the local news for a short space of time, and then entered upon the study of the law in the office of his present partner, A. L. Cole, Esq., and was also a private student with Hon. William P. Jenks. On his admission to the Bar of Clearfield county in 1891, he opened an office in Du Bois, and he and his partner now have the largest practice of any lawyers in the city. Mr. Cole, the senior member of the firm, who located in Du Bois in 1891, is an able coun- sellor and trial lawyer, and stands in the front ranks of the legal profession in central Pennsyl- vania.

Mr. Moore was married in August, 1892, in Beverly, Ohio, to Miss Eva Louise Brown, a native of that State, and they have one son and one daughter: Willard Brown and Ruth Hen- rietta. Mrs. Moore, who is prominent in musical circles. holds the degree of B. M. from Earlham College, Richmond, Ind., where she was grad- uated from a four-years' course in piano in 1892. She is also a fine violinist, a pupil of Bernard Listemann, one of the foremost instruc- tors of violin in this country. She is much inter- ested in vocal music, and was, until her household cares and responsibilities caused her resignation, leader of the Ladies' Treble Clef, and the choir of the First Presbyterian Church. The family reside in a good residence situated on East Wash- ington avenue hill, where, surrounded by beauti- ful vines and trees, with a superb landscape view for miles around, in an atmosphere of music and books, is one of the happiest and most hospitable of homes, built up out of the earnings of the head of the household who holds the distinction, largely, of "paddling his own canoe."

Mr. Moore is one of the leading Republicans of the community, and his fellow citizens, recog- nizing his worth and ability, have called him to fill the highest municipal office. He is the youngest Mayor ever elected in Du Bois. During his three-years' occupancy of that important posi- tion the interests of the city were greatly ad- vanced. The Police department received a thorough cleansing immediately after his ascend- ency to power; good officials were substituted for those who had been guilty of gross neglect of duty, and never in the history of the city were the public peace and morals so efficiently pro- tected. His administration was marked by fear- lessness and straight-forwardness in the path of duty.

Fraternally, lie is a member of Garfield Lodge, No. 559, F. & A. M., of Du Bois, of which . he was worshipful master in 1896, and also be-

yours Truly. xeamoore

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

longs to Clearfield Chapter, No. 228, R. A. M., and Moshannon Commandery, No. 74, K. T., of Philipsburg, Penn. He is also prominent in the work of the First Presbyterian Church, where he is found conducting one of the most successful Sabbath-schools in this section of the State.

R EUBEN H. MOORE, president of the De- posit National Bank of Du Bois, is one of the pioneer business inen of Clearfield county, having been engaged in active business as mer- chant and financier for a full half a century, and during all of this time controlling large business interests.

Mr. Moore was born in Bald Eagle Valley, Centre Co., Penn., March 7, 1831, and was the only son of Robert Wilson and Esther (Guthrie) Moore. His father was born in Half Moon Valley, Centre Co., Penn., May 7, 1806, and died at Luthersburg February 27, 1888, at the age of eighty-one years. His mother was born in Chester county, Penn., August 2, 1802, and died in Luthersburg April 28, 1864. Their children, all now living, are: Reuben H., and Cecilia Irvin, widow of David Irvin, of Luthers- burg, Penn .; Ann Eliza, wife of Daniel E. Bru- baker, Rockton, Penn .; Lucretia M., widow of Lewis B. Carlisle, Luthersburg, Penn .; . and Lorena, wife of Dr. Israel Cleaver, Reading, Pennsylvania.

The history of the father and son in this case is so clo , i .. torwoven as to be inseparable. In 1833, with his parents and sister Cecilia, our subject came from Centre county to Curwens- ville, and they were extremely poor. The father, however, obtained work, and after one year they went to the John Irvin mill, a short distance froin the town, of which he assumed charge for three years, and was able to get something ahead. Then they moved to Brady Mills. on Anderson creek, below Rockton, afterward known as Moore's Mills, and now as the Seyler Mills, where the head of the family again took charge of the mill, afterward purchasing the same; and having learned by a hard experience how to earn money. he had also learned how to save it, and from this time on he never knew what it was to owe any man. He made it a rule never to spend money until he had made it. It was here, too, that our subject entered upon his busi- ness career in a general store which he conducted for his father.

In the year 1850 Reuben H. Moore went to Luthersburg, erected a buikling which still stands next to the store building now occupied as a gen- eral store by Daniel Goodlander, and fitted it for

a store and dwelling. In a short time afterward he built what is now known as the Goodlander store, on the corner, and moved his general store into it. This building soon became too small for his rapidly-growing business, and in 1859 he built the fine large store building across the street, and a residence on the opposite side from the same. The former building still stands, and looks little the worse of the wear of years, while the latter was burned by the fire which destroyed the best part of the town in the fall of 1889. Be- sides his mercantile interests, he was engaged in lumbering on the Susquehanna river, and he tells many a tale of accompanying his rafts of lumber and shingles down the river to Middletown, lying along the beach at nights, suffering hardships innumerable, and " footing it " home from Mari- etta. Luthersburg was, at this time, one of the most flourishing points in this section of the State, and continued so in a large measure up to 1876, when Reynoldsville and, later, Du Bois. with their railroad facilities, gradually drew her trade and business men away from her, leaving her helpless. Very many business and profes- sional men. have been furnished other portions of the State by this old-time village, among them a congressman, representatives in the State Legis- lature, and several attorneys, physicians, and bank presidents, and a large number of successful business men.

The father, Robert Wilson Moore, came to Luthersburg in 1854, having disposed of his mills, and purchased the old tavern on the corner. which he conducted until 1865, when he sold it and retired. Afterward he had charge of the Luthersburg post office for a number of years for his son-in-law, but was not again engaged in active business. His large financial interests, to the time of his death. were left entirely in the hands of his son. through whose ability as a financier he was able to accumulate a large estate. He was a man of sterling character, and his word was always as good as gold. Although the tavern business he conducted was vastly dif- ferent from that of the present day, yet he always regretted the fact that he had ever engaged in the business, and was pleased to say that it was not profitable to him.

Reuben H. Moore was united in marriage, in 1851, with Maria Wilson, of Half Moon Val- ley, Penn., a daughter of Thomas Wilson; she died on June 22, 1855, leaving but her husband to survive her. In 1856 he was married to Hen- rietta, daughter of Daniel Barrett, and a sister of the late Hon. G. R. Barrett. Their children living are: Esther, now in Denver, Colo. ; Ella. now the wife of Rev. A. B. Phillips, of Sharon,

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Penn. ; Cecilia, the wife of Dr. Senes E. Hayes,

ton; S. H., of this review; Einina Jane, who of Tyler, Penn. ; James H., still at home; Her- became the wife of J. L. Kirk, and died in bert A., Esq., an attorney in Du Bois; and William Fisher and Alice Bigler also at home.

In 1888 Mr. Moore became president of the Du Bois Deposit Bank, which position he held until 1895, when the Du Bois Deposit Bank was merged into the Deposit National Bank of Du Bois, incorporated under the national bank- ing laws, and he continues as president of that institution. Until 1888 he resided in Luthers- burg, when he came to Du Bois, and besides looking after his real-estate and banking interests, conducted a large dry-goods and notions store. In 1894, however, becoming tired of the pent-up life of a larger town, having spent the greater part of his life in the country, he disposed of his store, and took up his residence on his farm of two hundred acres, five miles from Du Bois and a inile from Luthersburg, where, with his wife, two sons and a daughter, surrounded by every comfort, and what he enjoys most, " green fields and running brooks," and plenty of fresh air, he is enjoying life and drives to Du Bois several times a week to look after his interests there.

Mr. Moore's life has been a well-rounded and eventful one. He is a man of keen insight in financial and business affairs, and has gained an honorable reputation as a straightforward busi- ness man. In his business career of over fifty years he has always tempered justice with mercy, never imposing upon his debtors but always erring on the side of leniency. As a banker he is known as the safe, conservative head of an excellent institution.

S H. BEER, who is creditably serving as jus- tice of the peace of Union township, Clear- field county, is one of the most popular and enterprising citizens of Rockton. He was born near Gettysburg, in Indiana Co .. Penn., Angust 3. 1.860, but since 1875 has made his home in Union township, and has taken a commendable interest in the welfare of the community.

The Beer family was early established in Armstrong county, Penn., where Jacob Beer, the grandfather of our subject, spent his entire life. There the father, Peter Beer, was born in 1830, and remained there after he had attained his majority, when he took up his residence in Indiana county. At Georgeville, in the latter county, he married Caroline Brilhart. and to them were born seven children, as follows: Mrs. Elizabeth Hollowpeter, of Union township, Clearfield county; Jacob H:, who is married and is the minister of the Dunkard Church at Rock-

Clearfield, in the spring of 1885: Sarah Ann, wife of Adam Korb, of Union township; Alice A., wife of Philip Smith, of Jefferson county, Penn .; and J. C., who married Sarah Brubaker. and resides on the home farm. The wife of the last named was for eleven terms one of the prominent and successful teachers of Clearfield county.

By trade the father was a carpenter. and also served as a minister of the Dunkard or Brethren church. On coming to Clearfield county in 1875, hc located on a farm of sixty-four acres near the village of Rockton, which was only par- tially improved, and to its further development and cultivation he devoted the remainder of his life, dying upon that place in 1893. He organ- ized the Dunkard Church in Rockton, of which he was elder in charge for some years, and was a man well known and beloved throughout the entire community. His estimable wife still sur- vives him and resides upon the farm.

The first fifteen years of his life, S. H. Beer passed in the county of his nativity, and in its public schools began his education, which was completed at Troutville Academy. After. leav- ing the school room he engaged in cooking in the woods for about twelve years, after which he came to Rockton, where for the past five years he has been successfully engaged in the operation of a coal mine. It contains a good vein of coal three feet in thickness.

In 1883, in Luthersburg, Clearfield county, Mr. Beer was married to Miss Lizzie Place, who was born in Huston township, the same county, of which her parents. John and Harriet (Dixon) Place, were early settlers, but are now residents of Sandy township. Our subject and his wife have three children -- Chloe Mabel, Elva Maud and Percy. The father of these gives his political support to the men and measures of the Repub- lican party, has served as a member of the school board, and in 1895 was elected justice of the peace, which office he is now filling to the satisfaction of all concerned. Fraternally he be- longs to the Patriotic Sons of America. being a member of Lodge No. 460, and also of Rockton Lodge No. 330, K. P. He is one of the most progressive and public-spirited citizens of Rock- ton, giving his support to all enterprises which have for their object the good of the community.

B ICHARD M. HUNT, one of the most prom- inent and influential citizens of Houtzdale. Clearfield county, is now serving his second term

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as burgess, being elected first in 1891, and again in 1894, for a term of three years. On January 11, 1872, a petition was presented to the legisla- ture for the incorporation of the town, which was granted March 20, and the first officers elected were P. J. Mccullough, burgess; W. C. Langsford, clerk; John Malee, chief of police; and W. H. Patterson, attorney; while the coun- cil consisted of T. J. Fries, Andrew Gleason, George Schwenck, Michael McMahon, Thomas Dolan and George L. Wilson. Our subject suc- ceeded John Argyle as burgess, who in turn suc- ceeded Capt. Joseph Delehunt. the present post- master of Houtzdale. The manner in which the various public interests of the town are being managed and adjusted gives ample evidence of the efficiency and good judgment of its present head.

Mr. Hunt was born in Philadelphia, June 10, 1858, a son of Richard M. and Adelaide Louise (Du Bosque) Hunt, who were also natives of this State, the latter born in Philadelphia, where they spent their entire married life. The father, who was a carpet merchant, died in that city in 1859, leaving three children. Later Mrs. Hunt became the wife of John Lemon, who died in Philadelphia in 1892. By the second union there were also three children, namely: Adelaide, now the wife of Alfred Taylor, of Chicago, Ill ..; Mrs. Bessie Huston, of the same city: and Charles, a physician and surgeon of Milwaukee, Wis. The mother's death occurred in Philadelphia, in 1876.

In the city of his birth our subject was reared and educated, and there continued to make his home until 1879, which year witnessed his ar- rival in Houtzdale, where he has since resided. For a few months he was in the employ of Barn- hurst, Good & Co., at Beaver Run, and from May, 1880, until 1883, he was with Robert H. Powell & Co., after which he was in the service of the Kittanning Coal Co .. at the Franklin col- liery. However, during eleven of the seventeen years: he has passed at. Hontzdale, he has been in the employ of the Berwin-White Coal Co., en- tering their service as weighmaster in 1885. These have all been clerical positions, and in the discharge of his duties he has given the ntmost satisfaction to his employers, whose confidence he has never betrayed.

In Hontzdale, in May, 1885. Mr. Hunt was married to Miss Nellie Chaplin, a native of' Can- ada, and a daughter of Daniel Chaphn and Mar- grete (Flynn) Chaplin, the former of whom was also born in that country, whence he came to Ramey, Clearfield county, and spent his re- maining days, dying there: Mrs. Chaplin is still living at Ramey. To our subject and his wife

have been born five children: Helen, Marguer- ite, Edward, Louise and Charles Quay. Since casting his first vote, Mr. Hunt has been a pro- nounced Republican in politics, and has always taken an active and prominent part in public af- fairs, giving his support to all worthy enterprises which have for their object the upbuilding or ad- vancement of the community. He is prompt and faithful in the discharge of every duty, whether public or private, and is therefore num- bered among the valued and honored citizens of the cominunity, whose interests he always en- deavors to promote.

H EZEKIAH SMEAL is a prominent repre- sontative of one of the honored and highly respected pioneer families of Clearfield county. in the development and progress of which its members have borne an important part. The grandfather of our subject, Benjamin Smeal, was reared in Bradford township, where he spent the remainder of his life. In the saine township. Samuel Smeal, the father of our subject, was born, reared and educated, and in Morris town- ship, the same county, married Ellen Flegal. They located in the midst of the forest in Gra- ham township, where he opened up an excellent farm, and reared their family of thirteen children (eleven of whom are still living), namely: Mrs. Matilda Shoemaker, a widow residing in Graham township; Hezekiah; Josiah, also of Graham township; Mrs. Nilie Jane Smith, of Morris town- ship; Lela Adda, who died when young; Mrs. Jennie Williams, of Boggs township. Clearfield county; Grant and Samuel, residents of Graham township: Harry, at home; Mrs. Eva Lilly Ward, of Clearfield; Mrs. Cora Williams, of Bigler. Penn .; Rosy Viola, who died in infancy; and I. H., who resides in Graham township. The father of this family has taken quite an active part in public affairs and has served as tax col- lector iu his township.

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2, Part 46

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