Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2, Part 48

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 48
USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 48
USA > Pennsylvania > Clearfield County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 48
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 48

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During his boyhood and youth, John C. Fer- guson, of this review, assisted in the cultivation and improvement of the old homestead in Fergu- son township (which afterward, in 1865. he pur- chased), and in connection with its operation he engaged in Inmbering until October, 1864. He then enlisted in the 57th P. V. I., which was part of the Army of the Potomac, and was in six hotly contested battles, viz. : Petersburg, Hatch- er's Run, Weldon R. R., battle in rear of Peters- burg, but was never wounded nor taken prisoner.

John 6. Ferguson

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

At the time of the surrender of Gen. Lee to Gen. Grant he was stationed ten miles from Lynch- burg, Va., whence he returned to Harrisburg, Penn., and on the 6th of July, 1865, was paid off, mustered out and honorably discharged.

Returning to his home, Mr. Ferguson re- sumed farming and lumbering, which he contin- ued to follow until 1885, when he left the farm and removed to Kerrmoor, where he built a com- modious brick residence, and has since lived re- tired. He still owns the old farm, however, but has sold the coal underlying it, though he still owns other coal lands near the village where he is now living; he also owns three houses in the place, which he rents. Financially he has been very successful, and is now numbered among the prosperous and well-to-do citizens of the commu- nity, and for a time was a stockholder in the Clear- field National Bank.

Mr. Ferguson was united in marriage July 17, 1859, with Miss Ann Price, daughter of William Price, of Pike township, and they be- came the parents of four children, as follows: Edward W., a hardware merchant and tinner of Kerrmoor; Abby, who died in 1865, at the age of four years; Harry F., who is in partnership with his brother, doing business under the firm name of Ferguson Brothers; and John R., who was born February 22, 1868, and died January II, 1874. The wife and mother was called to her final rest on the 17th of August, 1896, since which time Mr. Ferguson has made his home

with one of his sons. He was reared in the Se- ceder Church, which he joined at the age of eighteen; but after his marriage he and his wife became members of the United Presbyterian Church, with which he has since affiliated. Aft- er he removed to Kerrmoor he assisted in building the Presbyterian church at that place, and he is one of its most active and prominent members. His life is exemplary in all respects, and he has ever supported those interests which are calculated to uplift and benefit humanity. while his own high moral worth is deserving of the highest commendation. Politically he is a Re- publican.

Edward W. Ferguson, the elder of our sub- ject's two surviving sons, was married in 1889 to Eunice Swan, daughter of Henry Swan, of An- sonville, and by her had two children: Raymon (deceased) and Edith L. The mother of these died in 1892, and in February, 1896, Edward inarried Bertha Hile, of Lumber City, Penn., daughter of J. T. Hile, an early settler of that locality.

Harry F. Ferguson, the other surviving son, was married in 1892 to Ruth McGaughey, of 52

Clearfield, daughter of John McGaughey, and they had two children: David (deceased) and John Herman.

P ETER GEARHART, a prominent dairyman and agriculturist of Lawrence township, Clearfield county, is a young man whose enter- prise and ability have been demonstrated suc- cessfully in the management of his fine farm near Curwensville. It contains 130 acres, and when it came into his possession in 1878 was partially improved; but he has added greatly to its value, building a comfortable and tasteful residence and a good barn. 50 x64 feet.

Mr. Gearhart is of German descent, and his ancestors were early settlers in Pennsylvania. John Gearhart, great-grandfather of our subject, emigrated from Germany. about the middle -of the seventeenth century, and settled at Buckler Run, Penn. He married a Miss Gray, and to this union were born ten children: Nanly,

Jacob S., John, Adam, Christ, Lias, Peter, Eve Betsey, Susan Nancy and Catherine. Grand- father Jacob S. Gearhart, who was born in Pennsylvania, became one of the pioneers of De- catur township, Clearfield county, clearing a farm where he made his home until his death, which occurred in 1865; his wife. Mary (Flegal), died in 1885. Of their eleven children we have the following record: John L. died in Decatur township in 1893; Valentine died there in 1890; Susan (Mrs. Funk) died in 1892; Christina (Mrs. Martin Flegal) in 1885: Mary (Mrs. David Flegal) resides in Decatur township; Da- vid S. is mentioned more fully below; Cor- nelius and Jacob S. are both residents of De- catur township; Asbury lives in Morris township, Clearfield county; Rachel, who married Edwin Good, of Boggs township. Clearfield county, died in 1895.

David S. Gearhart, our subject's father, was born in Decatur township. January 2, 1816, and passed his life there, engaging in farming and lumbering. He was married in Pike township. Clearfield county, in 1840, to Miss Ann Eliza Fullerton, daughter of John and Marjory (Cald- well) Fullerton, pioneer settlers of that town- ship, both of whom passed to their eternal rest many years ago. Our subject's parents were prominent among the residents of Decatur town- ship. The father died there in 1863. but the mother's last days were spent in Woodward township, Clearfield county, where she departed this life July 14. 1879. They had eight children. namely: Levi, a resident of Huntingdon coun- ty, Penn .: George W., who lives in California;

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

818

Mary Jane, William B., and Margaret, who died in Decatur township in 1863; Adaline, who died January 13, 1867; Peter, our subject; and James M., who lives in Clearfield borough.

Mr. Gearhart was born February 25, 1857, at the old homestead in Decatur township, and spent the first sixteen years of his life there. Then followed some years in Pike and Lawrence townships, agriculture occupying his attention as ! he took upon himself the responsibilities of inan- hood. On April 25, 1878, he was married in Pike township to Miss Mary S. Carr, who was born in that locality December 25, 1859. Her parents, Benjamin and Lizzie (Williams) Carr, were both born in Clearfield county, and her mother died in Pike township May 20, 1888. The father enlisted, in 186r. in the Union army, and served throughout the war. He was cap- tured by the enemy, and was lost at Annapolis, Md., during the exchange of prisoners. Mr. and Mrs. Gearhart have had seven children, as fol- lows: Walter S .; Effie Pearl; Edna, who died at the age of three years; Register, who lived only one year; Oden D. ; Lloyd and Levi.

In his political views, Mr. Gearhart is a Democrat. Local affairs receive from him the attention which every good citizen should give, and as a member of the school board he has done effective service in the cause of education. He is affiliated with the Grange, and with his wife is a member of the, Centre Methodist Episcopal Church.

Mrs. Peter Gearbart's grandfather, Acel Carr, was one of the pioneers of Lawrence township, and by his wife, Catherine (Carr), he had a fam- . ily of five children -- four sons and one daughter viz. : Benjamin, William and Alexander, who all three died in the army during the Civil war; Richard, who was badly wounded in the army, but survived and is now a resident of Ashland, Ky. ; and Jane ' Mrs. James Mccullough), of West Clearfield. The maternal grandfather, Edward Williams, married Elizabeth Smeal, and were among the pioneers of Bradford township, Clearfield county. They had a family of thirteen children-seven sons and six daughters: Ellis, Isaiah, Wilson, Johnson, Luther, Sylvester, John, Catherine, Elizabeth, Margaret, Mary, Henrietta. and Martha, all living except Henrietta, Eliza- beth, and John. .

J OSEPH R. MCMURRAY. No adequate memorial of Mr. McMurray can be written until the useful enterprises with which he was connected have completed their full measure

of good in the world and until his personal infin- ence and example shall have ceased their fruitage in the lives of those who were about him when he was yet an actor in the busy places of the world; yet there is munich concerning him that can with profit be set down here as an illustration of what can be done if a inan with a clear brain and willing hands sets himself seriously to the labors and responsibilities of life.

Mr. McMurray was born December 25, 1839, in Burnside township, Clearfield county, and spent his boyhood days upon a farm. Being a natural student he acquired a good common- school education and a practical business knowl- edge in his father's store at New Washington, which was established when he was fourteen years old. There he was first employed as a : clerk, and on attaining his majority he bought the business. Subsequently he admitted Samuel Mitchell, of Clearfield, to a partnership, but later he again became sole owner, successfully con- ducting the store up to his death, which occurred January 2, 1888. For twenty-eight years he was also interested in the lumber business, and dealt considerably in real estate. Prosperity crowned his efforts, and he left to his family a handsome property, including his store and lands. Going to Camden, N. J., to be treated for deaf- ness, he died there of apoplexy. It is but just and merited praise to say of him that as a busi- ness man he ranked among the ablest; as a citi- zen he was honorable, prompt and true to every engagement; as a man he held the honor and esteein of all classes of people of all creeds and political proclivities; as a husband and father he was worthy of all imitation; umassuming in his manner and sincere in his friendship, steadfast and unswerving in his loyalty to right. From boyhood he was a leading and active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and Sabbath- school, and for some time served as superintend- ent of the infant department. Socially he be- longed to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. and politically he was first a Democrat and later a Prohibitionist.

Russell McMurray, the father of our subject, was born and reared in Lycoming county. Penn .. where he married Miss Sarah Adams. In 1830 he came to Clearfield county, where he purchased land and improved a farm, but later sold and en- gaged in merchandising in New Washington, be- coming one of the pioneer business men of that place. He continued in the store, even after selling it to his son. He died March 21, 1886, at the age of eighty-two years, and his wife in [8;9 at the age of seventy-six. Both were prom- inent members of the M. E. Church. In their

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

family were four children, namely: Rachel E., Mary B., Matilda and Joseph.

Our subject was united in marriage with Miss Mary M. Mahaffey, and they became the parents of nine children, seven of whom are living: Jessie, now the wife of George Gallaher, of Ohio: Adelle. at home: Russell, who is his mother's main as- sistant in the store; Nelle, Mary F., Josephine, and Walter (now nine years of age), all at home; two died in youth. The mother and children are all consistent members of the Methodist Episco- pal Church, and the family is one of prominence in the community. Of this family, Adelle grad- uated from the musical departinent of Dickinson Seminary in 1895, and is now teaching innsic; and Nelle is a student in the same school, class of 1899. After her husband's death. Mrs. Mc- Murray took charge of his business affairs, and has displayed excellent ability in the inanage- ment of the store and other business interests.

Mrs. McMurray was born April 1. 1846, a daughter of Thomas and Margaret (Mitchell) Mahaffey, honored pioneers of Clearfield county. William Mahaffey, the grandfather, was a farmer of Lycoming county, Penn., where he reared his family, but spent his declining days in Clearfield county with his children. His sons, Thomas and John, came here at a very early day, locating in Burnside township when most of the land was still in a primitive condition. They successfully engaged in farming and lumbering for a number of years. Subsequently. Thomas Mahaffey bought land and improved a farm near New Washington, to which place he later removed. He was mar- ried twice: first time to Margaret Mitchell, in 1833: second time to Harriet Woodford. in 1856, and to this union there were four children: Thomas C. Mahaffey, who resides in Lonisiana; twins-Florence, who died in March. 1885 (a very happy death, and Howard, who resides with his mother in New Washington. and Ed- ward, who is in Alaska seeking his fortune, and is still single. Grandmother Mahaffey was born in 1787 and died about 1832 in Lycoming county. Mrs. McMurray's maternal grandmother (Betsy Stear) was born in Centre county, Penn., where she married David Mitchell: later they removed to Clearfield connty, where they both died.

In his political views Mr. Mahaffey was a Democrat, and being one of the most popular men of the community he was elected to many township offices, serving as justice of the peace for a number of years. He was a member of the Methodist Protestant Church, to which his wite also belonged, and of which her father David Mitchell) was a minister; he resided on a farm in Clearfield county, where his death occurred, and

his remains were interred at Mt. Zion Church. Mr. Mahaffey passed away in March. 1889, at the age of eighty years, long surviving his wife, who died in 1854. They had nine children: Elizabeth, wife of M. J. Cummings: Willian, Robert and Nancy, all deceased; David. a planter of Louisiana; John, deceased: Mrs. Mary M. McMurray; Martha, deceased, and Mrs. Sarah Barrett.

F B. IRWIN. Our readers will take more than ordinary interest in the biography of this well-known citizen of Clearfield. whose in- telligent and energetic efforts, in gathering ma- terials for this volume, have added many pages of pleasing and instructive historical matter. He was born and reared in Clearfield county. and his long association with its prominent business men fitted him admirably for the task, and. in fact, the traditions of his own family would sup- ply data for a reasonably full account of the progress which has developed this section from i a wilderness into a civilized community.

Henry Irwin, grandfather of our subject. was one of the first three settlers in the vicinity of Clearfield, the others being Matthew Ogden and Abram Hess. Henry Irwin came from Ireland, in 1783, with his wife Margaret and one child. and located first in Lewistown, Penn., but in 1786 removed to the site of the present city of Clearfield. At that time the locality was still covered with dense forests, and the Indians were plentiful, one settlement having their camps on Moose creek, opposite Clearfield. Wild animals of all kinds were numerous-bears, panthers and wolves, being nnpleasantly close neighbors; while deer. elk and moose furnished an abundant sup- ply of game. The rivers were well stocked with fresh-water salmon, shad, and other nice nish. and the small streams literally swarmed with brook tront, so the newcomers found Nature in a generous mood. As they cleared their land they began to raise wheat and other crops, but for a number of years their only way of making flour was by hollowing ont a sort of mortar in a rock, and therein pounding the grains of wheat with a pestle. The nearest trading point was Lewis- town, one hundred miles away, and any supplies brought from there had to be carrie.l on horse- back through the woods by way of an ladian trail. The entire section was known as the Lew- istown district, and the county fines were not run for some years after . Grandfather Irwin" ias he was called located at Clearfield. In isos he seenred a claim farther down the river, abont three and one-half miles from Clearfieldl. on what

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

is known as the Karthaus road, and this place he cleared and improved for a permanent home, a house and barn being built of hewed logs. As his family grew up, all joined in the work of im- proving the estate, and later the sons purchased land in the same locality, paying from a dollar to a dollar and a quarter an acre, and made homes for themselves. Grandfather Irwin and his wife lived to an advanced age, and were held in high esteem in the community which they had helped to establish.

Nine children were reared by this worthy couple, and all attained honorable places in life: (1) John, who was born in Ireland, grew to manhood in Clearfield county, where he con- ducted a sawmill and an extensive farm until his death. He married Miss Phoebe White (also now deceased), and they left a large family of children, some of whom are still living: (2) Henry, who resided upon the old homestead during his life, married Miss Mary Ogden, and had children as follows-(a) Jane married Capt. James Childs, of Tioga county, who earned his title by gallant service in the Union army during the Civil war, and they now reside in Tioga county; (b) Laura married John Sankey, of Goshen township, Clearfield county; (c) Katie is the wife of Robert Flegal, of the same township; (d) Matthew died in early manhood; (e) Margery married William Seaman, of Tioga county, and died soine years ago; (f) Miss Cornelia resides at the old homestead; (g) Samuel H. was killed by a falling tree in early manhood, while he was engaged in lumbering; (h) Richard married Miss Mary McCune, of Centre county, and they now occupy the old homestead; (i) Almyra married Newtown Fulton, of Lawrence township, Clear- field county, and died a few years ago, leaving four children, Blaine, Ella, Roy, and Myra, who are all at home. (3) William married a Miss Williams, and moved to Ohio, where he died some years ago, leaving a family. (4) Joseph (deceas: d) was a farmier at Read Ridges. in Lawrence township, Clearfield county. He mar- ried Miss Martha Tate, and had a large family, of whom the following are living -- (a) Albina (Mrs. William Mapes), of Lawrence township, Clearfield county; (b) James, who resides in Michigan; (c) Jane (Mrs. Thomas Read), of lowa; and (d) Martha J. (Mrs. Walter Shirey). of West Clearfield. (5) Mary, eklest daughter of Henry and Margaret Irwin, married Richard Shaw, of Clearfield, and died in 1875. (6) Mar- garet married a Mr. Mead, of Lawrence town- ship. Clearfield county, and died some years ago leaving a family, as follows-(a) Jane (Mrs. Matthew Tate), of Goshen township, Clearfield

county; (b) Mary E., widow of John I. Leonard, of Goshen township: (c) Richard, who died in early inanhood; (d) William, who died in 1889, unmarried; and (e) Henry I., who married Miss Lydia Alexander; of Milesburg, Centre county, and now resides upon a farm in Lawrence town- ship, Clearfield county. (7) Jane Ann married John Spackman, of Girard township. Clearfield county, and both are now deceased. (8) Nancy married a Mr. Swan, of Ansonville, Clearfield county, and both died some years ago, leaving a family, of whom one daughter survives, Mary A., now Mrs. John Dale, of Lawrence township, Clearfield. (9) Jaines, our subject's father, was. the youngest.

James Irwin was born in 1808, and reared to manhood at the old homestead in Lawrence township. He married Miss Eliza-Jane Jacobs, of Centre county, a woman of much force of character and mental ability, who was one of the first school teachers in Clearfield county. When she was a child her mother died, and she was reared by her grandfather, Mr. Mccullough. After his marriage, James Irwin located at the old farm, and for a number of years he and his brother Henry resided there together, being en- gaged in clearing the timber from the original tract. Finally, having cleared sufficient land for two large farms, they divided the property equally, Henry remaining on the older portion, where he and his sons put up new buildings. James Irwin settled upon the newly-cleared tract, which he improved for a homestead; in 1871, he sold the homestead to his son, our sub- ject, and moved to Clearfield, where he purchased a home, dying there in 1887. During his later years he was extensively engaged in lumbering in Girard township, Clearfield county, he and Thomas Fulton having purchased a large tract of tiinber land on the Susquehanna river, where they erected a sawmill. After Mr. Fulton's death, in 1854, Mr. Irwin bought his interest, and continued the business alone, manufacturing lumber and square timber, the latter being rafted down the river to the markets of Harris- burg and Marietta.

Our subject's mother died in 1866, a large family surviving her: (1) Alexander, who was born in Lawrence township, Clearfield county, in 1832, was educated in the common schools of that locality, and now resides in Duncanville, Blair county, Penn. He married (first) Miss Lizzie Leonard, of Goshen township, Clearfield county, who died in 1861, and (second) Miss Adaline Williamson, of Duncanville. By the first marriage he had three children-(a) Curtin. a resident of Altoona, Penn .; (b) Edward, who

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

went west in early manhood and died there; and (c) Blanche, who died in childhood. There were six children by the second union-(a) Annie, who married Theodore Crowel, formerly of New York, now of Kane, Penn .; (b). William, who is married and resides in Altoona: (c) Lloyd, who died in childhood; (d) Arthur, who is single and resides with his parents; (e) May and (f) Freddie, who died in childhood. (2) Sophie, who was born in Lawrence township, in 1834, married Alexander Livingston, a farmer of Bradford, Clearfield county, and died in 1886, leaving three children: (a) William, who is married and lives in Mahaffey, Penn. ; (b) Miss Mabel, who resides with her father in the town of Clearfield; and (c) Minnie, wife of Jack Brown, of the same city. (3) Mary J., born in 1836, married Brison Taylor, of Milesburg. Penn., and resided in Goshen township, Clearfield county, until her death in 1888. Of her seven children, (a) Ralph is mar- ried and resides in Kylertown, Penn. ; (b) Viola, died in childhood: (c) Claude died in early man- hood in Washington territory; (d) Lloyd is mar- ried and resides in Pittsburg, Penn .; (e) Arthur (a twin of Lloyd) is inarried and has located in West Virginia; (f) Lillie is the wife of Edward Flegal, of Du Bois, Penn .; and (g) Edith married Johnson Flegal, of McGee's Mills, Penn. (4) Margaret A., born in 1838, married William R. Dickinson, a native of Ohio, who went to Cali- fornia in 1849, during the gold excitement, and remained there some time meeting with success in his search for the precious metal. Later he came to Pennsylvania and made his home at Glen Hope, on Clearfield creek, where he was engaged in lumbering for a number of years; he died at Osceola Mills in 1897. His widow now resides in Osceola, and of their six children, the eldest, (a) Julia, married Kirby Sugart, of the same city; (b) Helen died in 1896, in early womanhood; (c) William is married and resides in Coalport: (d) Mary, (e) Annie, and (f) Beren- ice, all reside with their mother. (5) F. B., our subject, is mentioned more fully farther on. (6) Helen E. was born in Lawrence, Clearfield Co., Penn .. in 1844, attended the Birmingham Semi- nary, a Presbyterian institution, in Blair county, Penn. She married Charles Dickinson, one of the old "' 49ers", and one of the successful gold miners in the early days of the California "gold fever." They reside in Osceola, Clearfield Co., Penn., where Mr. Dickinson is engaged in busi- ness. They have no family. (7) Henrietta Irwin died when a young lady of twenty-three summers. (8) Emina, born at the homestead in Clearfield, was a graduate at the Young La- dies Seminary, Birminghamn. She married John

Copenhafer, of Ramey, Clearfield county, where they now reside. They have four children- Courtland, Gertrude, Charles, and Minnie. (9) Lewis H. was born in 1852, at the old home in Lawrence township, where he was reared to man- hood. He married Miss Jane Byers, daughter of John Byers, one of the Clearfield county's exten- sive lumbermen. They now reside at Smoke Run, Clearfield county; have no family. (10) Bertha, born on the homestead in 1856, was a student for several years in the Birmingham Seminary, where she graduated in music. When twenty-two years of age she contracted a heavy cold, from which she never recovered. dying in the prime of young womanhood. She was a young lady of great promise, and had many friends among her associates.

Mr. Irwin, our subject, was born in 1841, at the homestead in Lawrence township, Clearfield county, and during his youth he had the benefit of the wholesome surroundings and occupations incident to life upon a farm. He received a common-school education, and in 1860 engaged in the lumber business with his father at Bald Hill, where he remained about eleven years. In 1868 he married Miss Emma S. Rheem, who was born in Carlisle, Penn., in 1846, the young- est daughter of George and Lydia Rheem, aft- erward residents of Clearfield. Until the spring of 1871 Mr. Irwin resided at Bald Hill. but he then removed to the old homestead. which he had purchased. He made many improvements upon the place, especially in the buildings, and while residing there continued his lumber busi- ness, being entensively engaged in logging and rafting square timber to the Eastern markets. In the spring of 1891 he located at Clearfield. where he purchased a lot on Walnut street and built an attractive residence. He has two chil- dren, a son and a daughter. The former, Karl R., who was born at Bald Hill. May 20, 1869. completed the course of study offered in the common schools near the homestead. and in 1885 entered the commercial college at Scran- ton, Penn., where he was graduated in 1890. Soon afterward he learned the jeweler's trade with L. M. Wallace. of Ogden, Utah. and he is now engaged in business at Berwick. Penn. He is not married. Helen Irwin, the only daugh- ter, was born at Bald Hill. in 1870, and after attending the common schools for some time was sent to Creston, Iowa, where she took a course in music in Prof. Lighten's school, gradu- ating in 1893. She married Roland C. Wright, a business man of Clearfield. and they have two children, Frederick W. and Marion.

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2, Part 48

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