Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2, Part 49

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 49
USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 49
USA > Pennsylvania > Clearfield County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 49
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 49

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Mr. Irwin holds a high place in the esteem

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of his acquaintances, and while he is not an office seeker, he is influential in local affairs. Coming from Old-line Whig stock, he has al- ways been a stanch Republican, and at times he has done effective work for the party. His fam- ily has been identified with the Presbyterian Church, at Clearfield, from the early days, his father having held the office of elder for more than forty years, and Mr. Irwin, with his wife and daughter, now takes an active part in the various lines of effort carried on by the society.

A BRAM MATHEWS, whose name is in- separably connected with the agricultural and industrial interests of Clearfield county, has long been nuinbered among the valued and rep- resentative citizens of Becaria township. One of his leading characteristics in business affairs is his fine sense of order and complete system, and the habit of giving careful attention to details, without which success in any undertaking is never an assured fact.

Mr. Mathews is a son of Samuel and Katherine (Andrews) Mathews. His father was born in Allegheny county, Penn., in 1798, and after reaching manhood was employed at the furnaces in that locality until his marriage, when he re- moved to Glasgow, Cambria Co., Penn., and purchased one hundred acres of wild land, which he at once began to clear and convert into a good | in Becaria township, about one and one-half farm. The school house is located about 100 feet from the place where he built his first house, : which was of logs, afterward replaced by a com- fortable two-story frame residence, a barn being also erected, and many valuable and useful im- provements made on the place. It became one of the best cultivated farms in the county: and is a very desirable place for anyone.

Our subject is one of a family of eleven chil- dren, the others being as follows: (1) Hannah, born at Allegheny Furnace, married John Linder, and lived at Utahville, Clearfield county, where she died, leaving a large family. (2) Maria became the wife of Neal Gregory, and spent her last days in Michigan; she also had several chil- dren. (3) Samuel, born on the old homestead in Cambria county, married Annie Faggert, of that county, and resided on a farm near Glen Carmel, Cambria county, until his death. (4) John and his younger brothers and sisters were all born on the homestead at Glasgow; he mar- ried Miss Peterson, and until his death lived on a farm near the same place, where his widow and children still reside. (5) Daniel married Miss Wilson, of Bradford township, Clearfield county, and still resides on the old homestead in Glas-

gow. After the death of his first wife, he wedded a Miss Peterson, who is still living. He has reared a family. (6) Jacob married Lizzie Gala, by whom she has several children, and they live on a farm near Utahville, Clearfield county, (7) Edward married Miss Herdman, of Clearfield county, and with his wife and children lives in Utahville. (8) Eliza Jane became the wife of Daniel Glass, of Cambria, and they lived on a farm near the old homestead until her death, a few years ago. (9) Catharine wedded Abram Newling, of Becaria township. Clearfield county, and lived on his farm there until her death, a few years ago. Her husband and most of her chil- dren are scattered throughout different parts of the West, but her daughter Mary now lives in Philadelphia. (10) Sarah A. is the widow of Thomas Fleck, and with her children still resides in Utahville.

Abram . Mathews, our subject, was born in 1821 on the home farm at Glasgow, on which he worked until attaining his majority, during which time he was only able to attend school for about three months in an old log school house near that place. In 1842 he was married to Miss Hannah Jane Cowan, whose home was near Hegarty's Cross Roads, Clearfield county. and for three years they resided on the Glasgow farm, near Utahville. He, tlien purchased of Josiah Smith 252 acres of timber and coal land miles fromn Coalport, where he built a log shanty, and at once commenced clearing and improving his land. During this time, which was from spring till fall, he built the house, and made a place to sleep on (having no bed at this time), made of spruce and poles, to keep the wolves . from devouring him. He says: " They came around the log hut many a night, and howled so that I could not sleep, and bear and other wild animals were very numerous. Many a time have I taken the dogs out in the wheat field and driven the deer off the wheat, for they destroyed a very large percentage of the grain. I have also trapped different kinds of animals, such as bear, wolves and wildcats, also wild turkeys in various ways. Deer have even come into my barn-yard, and fed with the cattle, and once I captured two fawns for which a party offered me a team of oxen, and I accepted his offer." As time advanced Mr. Mathews erected a good two- story house, a large barn, seventy-two feet long. cleared one hundred acres, and transformed the place into one of the most desirable farins of Becaria township.

There his first wife died, leaving three chil- dren, namely: (0) Eliza A. is the wife of Isaiah

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Gates, living near Glen Conel, in Cambria

Mr. Goodyear was born in Germany, in 1833, county, and they have the following children - a son of Jacob and Lizzie Goodyear, natives of Kate, inarried to Joseph Esch; Abram, married | the same country. The mother died in the to Miss Swanger, of Coalport; and Sally and Fatherland, and the father afterward came to Samuel, both at home. (2) John married Miss Lancaster county. Penn., with three sons. In 1845 he removed to Butler county. and pur- : chased land whereon he engaged in farming until Rickets, and they have children as follows- Charles, a graduate in shorthand as a profession ; Ira, a school teacher by profession; and Lottie : his death in 1847. His children were: Jacob, and Jennie, both still at home. John and fam- who resided in Pittsburg, and died November 14, ily reside on his father's old homestead in Be- ' 1897; John, of this sketch; and William, who died in Pittsburg, in 1890. caria township, where his birth occurred. (3) Sarah Ann, born on the same place, attended the common schools of the neighborhood, and is now the wife of George Herdman, who is en- gaged in farming in Becaria township, near Utahville. They have two children-Charles and Minnie.

In 1877, for his second wife, Mr. Mathews married Eliza Younkin, of Cambria county, who also died on the farm in Becaria township about seven years after their marriage. Besides his agricultural pursuits, Mr. Mathews was also inter- ested in lumbering, having erected a steam saw- mill below his farm, where he was extensively engaged in the manufacture of lumber for a num- ber of years. In 1891 he purchased six lots south of Coalport and erected a comfortable res- idence on the banks of Clearfield creek, where he still resides. He has not altogether laid aside business cares, as in 1896 he purchased the Walters gristmill on Beaver dam, in Cambria county, where he is doing a large and profitable business in the manufacture of flour and feed. Possessing a remarkably good constitution, he has performed much hard labor in the course of his life, and his success may be attributed to his industry, perseverance, economy and excellent management. In politics he is an ardent Re- publican, and has usually refused office. though he served as supervisor for one term. He is a Protestant, having been reared in the Methodist Episcopal faith, and gives liberally of his means to Church and educational work. Honest and upright in all the relations of life, he has gained the confidence and respect of all with whom he has come in contact. and has hosts of warm friends throughout the community.

J JOHN GOODYEAR, of Du Bois, has long been identified with this section of Pennsyl- vania. and has contributed largely to its ma- terial progress and prosperity. His life has been conducted along the lines of earnest labor. and he has at length reaped the generous benefits which are the just recompense of indomitable in- dustry, spotless integrity and great enterprise.

During his early boyhood John Goodyear caine to America with his family, and was reared in Butler county from the age of ten. His edu- cation was acquired in the public schools, and he afterward served an apprenticeship at the shoe- maker's trade, which he followed for eighteen years. He pursued that vocation in Du Bois. and in Brockwayville after he had established his store. He first came, in 1866, to where Du- Bois is now located, where John Rumbarger, his father-in-law, owned a farm. He erected a build- ing on what is now Main street, established a con- fectionery store, and also worked at his trade for fifteen months. On the expiration of that period he went to Brockwayville, where he embarked in general merchandising, continuing the business for some years. In 1877 he returned to Rum- barger, and afterward changed to Du Bois, where a town had sprung up in his absence. He erected a store where the " Windsor House " now stands, there carrying on general merchan- dising for five years. In 1888 the building was destroyed by fire, and he erected another store on Long avenue, which was also destroyed by fire. At that time he occupied it as a furniture store, having continuously been connected with that line of commercial activity since 1884. He carries a well-selected stock, and his enterprise and progressiveness, combined with unquestion- able business methods. have secured to him an excellent trade.

Mr. Goodyear was married at Shippensville, Clarion Co., Penn .. December 9, 1855, and they took up housekeeping at Maple Furnace, Butler Co .. Penn. The lady of his choice was Miss Lizzie Rumbarger, a native of Centre county, Penn., and a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Leathers) Rumbarger, also natives of Pennsyl- vania. Her father was the founder of Du Bois, in the year 1865 purchasing 400 acres of timber land, known as the Heverling farm. This he cleared, and engaged in lumbering, making his home on that place until called to his final rest, in 1890. Mrs. Goodyear's mother died in 1844. Mr. and Mrs. Goodyear became the parents of two children-William H .. and Ida B., wife of

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

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C. A. Clough, a resident of Dubuque, Iowa. Mr. Goodyear takes more than a passing interest in the political situation of the country, and votes with the Republican party. He belongs to the Grand Army Post. No. 232, was one of its or- ganizers, and has held official preferment therein. He holds membership in the Methodist Episco- pal Church, was instrumental in erecting the house of worship, and is the champion of every movement calculated to advance the interests of Du Bois. He is an old soldier, having enlisted in the service in August, 1862, at Martinsburg, Butler Co., Penn., 137th Regiment Pennsyl- vania Volunteers, Co. G, and serving nine months, or to the close of his term of enlistment.

SIDNEY FULLER. The world instinctively pays deference to the man whose success has been worthily achieved, who has acquired a high reputation in his chosen calling, and whose social prominence is not less the result of an irre- proachable life than of recognized natural gifts. It is pleasing indeed to write the biography of a man of this character, such as Mr. Fuller is known to be. He is an extensive real-estate dealer of Du Bois, and has for over half a cen- tury been identified with the lumber interests of this region.

Mr. Fuller was born in Cortland county, N. Y., April 24. 1820, and comes of a family that was early founded in the New World, and has since been prominently identified with its history. In the year 1620 three brothers by the name of Fuller, sailed from their home in Eng- land, and established the family in America. The grandfather of our subject, Michael Fuller, was a native of New York, and aided the Colo- nies in their struggle for independence. He wed- ded Mary Ann Servis, who was born in Pennsyl- vania of Holland ancestry, and during the Revo- lution. while a resident, of Schoharie county, N. Y., was captured by the Indians. Her sister, who was taken at the same time, was killed by the Redmen, but she managed to escape. It was seven years from the time of her capture be- fore she was restored to her husband, and in the meantime her family had removed to Canada: but she remained to find her husband. They then located in Cortland county, N. Y., where the grandfather engaged in farming, and the country was so sparsely settled at that tinie that he had to go a distance of eighty miles to obtain seed potatoes. Previous to locating in that coun- ty, he had worked at the gunsmith's trade in Philadelphia, and made the first dies for Ameri- can money. He died in Cortland county, N. Y ..

in 1832, when eighty-two years of age; his wife passed away in 1838, aged ninety-six years. Henry Servis, a brother-in-law of our subject's grandfather Fuller, fought on the side of the Colonists in the Revolutionary war, while a brother of Henry Servis was fighting on the side of the British-brother against brother.

The parents of our subject, David and Jane (Smith) Fuller, who were both natives of the Empire State, spent their last days in Pennsyl- vania, both dying in Venango county, the former in 1868, and the latter in 1874. By occupation the father was a lumberman, and met with ex- cellent success in his undertakings. In the fam- ily were the following children: David, a resi- dent of Jefferson county, Penn .; George, of Venango county; Sidney. of this review; Caroline. who died in Venango county; Mrs. Jane Carr and Mrs. Knapp, both of whom make their home in Jefferson county; Mrs. Mary Bullock and Ann, residents of Venango county; and two other daughters who are deceased.

The boyhood and youth of Sidney Fuller were passed in his native county, and in its common schools he acquired his education. For a few years he engaged in farming and also lumbering at Olean, N. Y., but has resided in this section of Pennsylvania since 1850." He is the owner of considerable real estate in Du Bois, also has large property interests in Pittsburg, as well as four residences in Falls Creek. Besides his extensive lumber interests in Du Bois, he has a shingle mill, and sawmill, twenty-four residences and the "Fuller Opera House." On locating here only one house stood on the present site of the flourishing borough of Du Bois, whose inhabi- tants now number ten thousand, and with its growth and development he has since been act- ively identified, few men having done more to promote its interests.

Since 1840 Mr. Fuller has been connected with the lumber business, beginning operations with Judge Chamberlain, in Olean, N. Y., and continuing business there until 1850, when he came to Jefferson county, Penn. He purchased the Findlay Mill property, where employment was furnished to from forty to fifty men, and in 1852 sent ninety rafts down the creek and river to Cincinnati, Ohio. He is still the owner of that mill, which he has successfully operated from the beginning. In 1850 he also began op- erating in lumber in the vicinity of Du Bois and was in partnership with Mr. Du Bois, in the real- estate and lumber business from 1873 until Isso. Of that gentleman he purchased over 2, 000 acres of land near the present site of the city, and also 356 acres near Falls Creek, from which he cut

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

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the timber. He owns one good sawmill in Du- Bois, and in 1877 erected two large planing- mills, one of which was burned in 1890; but he still operates the other. His name is a synonym for honorable business dealing, and the success that he has achieved is but the just reward of his indefatigable energy, enterprise, sound judgment and good executive ability. Possessing a well- balanced mind, he has been able to carry for- ward to successful completion varied and exten- sive business enterprises, and to-day is numbered among the wealthiest and most influential citi- zens of Du Bois.

In Jefferson county, March 19 1857, was cele- brated the marriage of Mr. Fuller and Miss Mary J. Taylor, a native of Clarion county, Penn., and a daughter of John and Hannah (Mitchell) Tay- lor. Her father was born in 1813, in New Jer- sey, and was a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Lewis) Taylor, natives of England, who at an early day emigrated to the United States and lo- cated in Philadelphia, whence they removed to New Jersey, and later became residents of Clar- ion county. In 1829 John Taylor went to Clar- ion county, where he was numbered among the honored pioneers, and there opened up a farm; but he spent the last years of his life in Jefferson county. There he passed away in 1879: his wife died in Du Bois, in 1886. Four children consti- tuted their family: Mrs. Fuller; J. P .. a resi- dent of Falls Creek: John A., of Oregon; and Mrs. C. C. Hindman, of Du Bois.

Mr. Fuller takes a deep interest in political affairs, but votes independently, perferring to support the man whom he thinks best quali- fied to fill the office, regardless of party ties. He has seen the full and complete development of Du Bois, is always mentioned as one of its valuable and honored citizens, and on the rolls of its most prominent pioneers his name should be found among the foremost.

E LLSWORTH KRITZER, now serving as justice of the peace, is a well-known tinner of Brady township, Clearfield county, where the family was founded when this region was an al- most unbroken wilderness, their nearest neigh- bors being three iniles distant, and their nearest milling point being in Centre county. They con- tributed to its material progress and prosperity to a great extent, and deserve an honored place on the rolls of its prominent pioneers.

Joseph Kritzer, our subject's father. was born May 14, 1830, in Clinton county, Penn., whence in 1833 he was brought by his parents to Brady township, Clearfield county, they locating on

Laurel Ridge, three miles north of Luthersburg. Four or five years later they removed to Centre county, but again came to Clearfield county at the end of about three years, and took up their residence on the Peter Seyler farm, now owned by R. J. Brockbank. Subsequently the family removed to West Liberty, and from there to the Horn mill, in the fall of 1865. There the grand- father died in 1874, leaving a wife and seven children: (1) Rebecca, the eldest, married a Mr. Keister, of Bradford township, Clearfield county, who died some years ago, leaving three children. Mrs. Keister later became the wife of T. J. Booth, and makes her home in Du Bois. By her second marriage she has four children. (2) Joseph, of whom we will speak later on, comes next. (3) Mary Dimeling. of Wilcox, Elk Co., Penn. (4) Elizabeth Diller, of Al- bion, Marshall Co., Iowa. (5) Lucinda Waite, of Osceola, St. Clair Co., Mo. (6) B. F. Kritzer, of Enterprise, Indiana Co., Penn. (7) William B. (the youngest), of Du Bois, Clear- field Co., Pennsylvania.

Joseph Kritzer married Miss Rhoda Porter, of Clarysville (now Eckerts Mine), Allegany Co .. Md., where they became acquainted while he was fighting for the Union during the Civil war. He had enlisted in Company K. 149th P. V. I., was detailed for hospital duty, and served through the entire struggle. At one time he was taken prisoner. but escaped through the efforts of a Confederate soldier. to whom he had previ- ously shown a kindness. After being discharged in the fall of 1865, he brought his wife and little son to Brady township, Clearfield county, where Mrs. Kritzer died the following year, leaving only one child. Ellsworth, of this review. The father was again married, his second union being with Miss Annie Baney. of Brush Valley, Centre county, and for four years they made their home in Du Bois; but at the end of that time removed to Colyer. Centre county, where he died April 19, 1895. His widow and seven children still reside in that county.

After the death of his mother, Ellsworth Kritzer lived with his paternal grandparents until sixteen years of age, when he began serving a three-years' apprenticeship to the tinner's trade with G. W. Barton, of Reynoldsville. When he had mastered the business he worked for J. H. Edinger, of Luthersburg, for a year and a half. and then, after spending a short time in New Bethlehem, Clarion Co., Penn., again entered the employ of Mr. Edinger. with whom he still remains. The educational privileges afforded our subject were those of the common schools of Redferu. He enjoys the destinction of being of

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an inventive turn of mind, and being able to set , iously he holds membership in the Presbyterian up, operate and repair any agricultural imple- Church of Clearfield. He is a member of the Golden Eagles, of Glen Richey, and is a valued citizen of the community. ment brought to him for that purpose, He is- equally at home on any kind of machinery.

Mr. Kritzer was married, in 1883, to Miss Annie Lyons, of Harrisburg, Penn., a daughter of J. T. and Sarah Lyons, of Brady township. Clearfield county. They have become the par- ents of six children, whose names and dates of birth are as follows: H. K., September 10, 1883; Ray, July 31, 1885; Ruth, April 14, 1887; Blanche, April 21, 1889; Nellie, September 30, 1892; and John, November 13, 1894. All are still with their parents except Blanche, who died October 17, 1890. Mr. Kritzer is a prominent

G EORGE T. MINNS, one of the representa- tive business men of Sandy township, Clear- field county, has shown in his successful career that he has the ability to wisely plan his affairs , and execute them with energy, a combination which, when possessed by mien in any walk of life, never fails to effect noble results. A son of Thomas and Catherine (Miller) Minns, he is a native of England, where his father died in 1860, . representative of the Democratic party in , leaving a widow and seven children. The mother afterward married John Longrads, who also died in that country. In 1882 she joined her chil- dren, who had come to the New World and

Luthersburg, and in 1895 was elected justice of the peace, having a majority over the other two . candidates. Religiously, he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church in , were theu living in Du Bois, Penn. John is good standing, and take an active part in all Church work.

W ILLIAM A. SPACKMAN, a representative farmer and progressive citizen of Lawrence township, Clearfield county, was born there in 1851, a son of William and Isabella ( Read) Spack- man, both of whom are uow deceased, the former dying in 1895, and the latter in April, 1887. Since two years of age he has resided upon his present farm, which was a part of the old Read farm, belonging to his maternal grandfather, and was given to the mother of our subject. It com- prises a valuable tract of one hundred acres, well improved and placed under a high state of culti- vation. The father continued to operate this place until called from this life.

The boyhood and youth of our subject were passed in the usual manner of farmer lads, he at- tending the common schools and assisting in the labors of the fields during the summer months. He early became familiar with farming in all its various departments, and is now numbered among the most skillful agriculturists in Lawrence town- ship. In iss9. in Knox township, this county, he married Miss Anna Baker, a native of that township, and a daughter of Conrad and Adaline (Hunter) Baker, the former born in Germany, and the latter in Lancaster county, Penn. They became early settlers of Knox township, where they still reside, and where Mr. Baker is num- bered among the prominent farmers. Four children have been born to our subject and his estimable wife- Conrad, Harry, Ada and Guy.

In his political views Mr. Spackman coincides with the principles of the Democracy, and relig-

married and still living at that place, where he now has charge of the cemetery; Catharine is Mrs. Plant, of Du Bois; Mary is the wife of William Ledger, who followed mining at Du- Bois; Margaret married William Hilston, and lives in Falls Creek, Penn. ; and Abigail married Joseph Pringle, of Du Bois, and died in 1895. leaving a husband and seven children, who still reside at that place.

Before leaving his native land, Mr. Minns was married, in 1866, to Miss Alice Hunter, of the County of Durham, a daughter of Johu and Sarah Hunter. In 1869, with his wife and two small children, he crossed the Atlantic, and at first located in Renovo, Penn., where he worked in the mines until 1879, when he came to Du- Bois and purchased seventy-four acres of land of John Du Bois. In connection with its improve- ment and cultivation he has also operated in coal. The tract is pleasantly located in Sandy township, about two miles north of Du Bois. and upon the place he erected a comfortable two-story residence in 1881, also has built a good barn and made many other useful and valuable improvements, which add not a little to its attractive appearance. The stumps have been removed from about forty acres, and the land placed under a high state of cultivation. Leasing coal land of A. C. Hopkins, he is now operating two mines, and supplying the tanneries at Du Bois and Falls Creek. In November, 1896. he also took a contract to construct a water tunnel for John E. Du Bois through Juniata summit, to connect with the city system of Du Bois, a distance of 1,542 feet, and the work has reached completion. This will furnish the place with a good supply of mountain water.

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2, Part 49

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