Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2, Part 50

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 50
USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 50
USA > Pennsylvania > Clearfield County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 50
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 50

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Mr. Minns has been quite successful in this

ville, Westmoreland Co., Penn. His education undertaking, thoroughly understanding the busi; | was received in a log schoolhouse, under the in- ness in every detail.

Eleven children grace the union of our sub- ject and his wife: (1) Bessie, born in England, November 3. 1867, married Oscar Long, and now resides in Caledonia, Elk Co., Penn., where he is engaged in lumbering; they have four children - Rebecca, Hais, Mamie and Edward. (2) Sarah, born in England, June 16, 1868, is the wife of William Guntrum, a tanner of Du Bois, and they have three children-Alice, Ettie and Katie. (3) Catharine, born in Philipsburg, Centre. Co., Penn., June 12, 1871, married Edward Trude, of Du Bois, who is now working for our subject at the tunnel, having charge of the camp: they have three children - George. Guy and Stella. (4) George, born in Renovo, Penn., August 4, 1873, assists his father in the operation of the home farm. '5) John T., born in Butler county, Penn., July 6, 1875, married Miss Florence Gilbert, of Sandy township, Clearfield county, and now re- sides near his father's homestead; they have one son, Elwood. (6) William, born in Butler county, November 23, 1877, is at home. (7) Robert, born November 30, 1879, (8) Alice, January 2, IS82, (9) Abbie, May 6, 1884. (10) Henry, January 10, 1886, and ( 11) Martha, November 4, 1888, are all natives of Clearfield county and are still at home.

Mr. and Mrs. Minns both hold membership in the Episcopal Church of Du Bois, and in social circles stand deservedly high, having the confi- dence and esteem of all who know them. In politics our subject is independent, supporting the man whom he considers best qualified to fill the office, regardless of party ties. He is one of the self-made men of the county, whose brave struggle with every adversity has brought him a competence without the sacrifice of principle.

L M. TRUXAL. Though this side of the broad Atlantic may be termed the .. New World," it yet remained tor the portion of that mighty land known as the Republic of the I'nited States of America to present to the eyes of the .. Old World " a spectacle before which she stood in ; country for subsistence. The enemy was first awe-a mighty nation rising as one man to avenge an insult to the starry banner that means so much to every citizen of that glorious Repub- lie. Engraved on memory's tablets is the name of every gallant lad who " wore the blue, " and in our country's history the names of that noble army are " writ all over in letters of gold."

L. M. Truxal, whose name opens this brief review, was born October 13. 1847, in Murrays-

struction of Mr. McKallip, and (later) of Mr. Jacobs. The schools in those days were taught on the herculean plan, the teachers being firm believers in the old adage, "no lickin', no larnin'." and both of Mr. Truxal's instructors were adepts in aiding the inental growth of their charges by means of the hickory. Our subject was an apt . scholar, and invariably stood at the head of his class; on leaving the home school he took a full course at the Murraysville Academy, under the able tuition of Prof. A. J. Murray. His educa- tion was considered completed when he had reached the mature age of twelve years, and he went to Sardis, Westmoreland county, and for the next two years worked on a farm.

In 1861, the war cloud that had so long hrung on the horizon spread over the country, and in the spring the storm burst and Sumter fell. Though only fourteen years of age, Mr. Truxal, on September 23, 1861, enlisted in Company A. 101st P. V. I., and until August 12, 1865, shared the fortunes of that regiment. This regiment was with -the Army of the Potomac, under Mc- Clellan, in the Peninsular campaign against Rich- mond in 1862, and participated in the siege of Yorktown, battles of Williamsburg, Fair Oaks, White Oak Swamps, and the Seven Days battles, which ended on Malvern Hill, their brigade being the rear guard of the Potomac army: thence they moved on to Harrison's Landing, on the James river. Later the army was ordered to abandon the Peninsula, and they marched to Fortress Monroe; after a brief sojourn there, they were ordered to Suffolk, Va., and had frequent skir- mishes with the enemy on the Blackwater, be- tween there and Petersburg. Subsequently they received orders to march some thirty-six miles to the Showan river, which they reached soon after passing through Gatesville, N. C., but were com- pelled to wade nearly a mile through water, waist deep. Here vessels were in waiting, and in due time tlie regiment landed in New Berne, N. C. After about twenty-four hours of a breathing spell, orders were given to start on a fifteen-days' march without rations, depending entirely on the encountered at Kingston, and, after a spirited fight of two hours, was routed. At White Hall a similar fight took place, but lasted only a short time. Next, on the Wilmington & Richmond R. R .. just below Raleigh, where a bridge crosses the Neuse river, a skirmish of short duration oc- curred, but they succeeded in burning the bridge and cutting off communication, but were com- pelled to retreat under cover of night, reaching

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

New Berne inside the fifteen days named. Dur- ing the absence of the regiment the enemy made a demonstration at New Berne, but the Union soldiers immediately crossed the Neuse river and marched toward Little Washington, on the Tar river, where the force at that point was hemmed in. The enemy was met at Swift Creek, and routed after an hour's contest. In due time the troops landed at Little Washington and relieved the men stationed there. Returning to New Berne, they were ordered to Plymouth, N. C., from which place the company of our subject was sent to Roanoke Island, where Mr. Truxal was appointed Military Postmaster, which posi- tion he held until the close of hostilities. While on Roanoke Island, in the winter of 1863, a heavy draft vessel, which did not dare leave the channel any great distance, came in from New Berne and cast anchor some two miles from shore, in the Albermarle Sound. Twenty barrels of powder were to be taken to this vessel, and the sea was running so high that no one present cared to undertake the dangerous task. Mr. Truxal, however, who was a very good sailor with a small vessel on those waters, volunteered, and took the vessel alone. He was driven ashore about a mile above, where a negro, who turned out to be a good sailor and possessed of plenty of grit, came to his assistance, and-the powder was de- livered in safety. Meantime, his company had returned to Plymouth, where the entire force was captured, after four days' fighting, and taken to Andersonville prison. During the battle Mr. Truxal applied to Col. Wardrop, commander, for leave of absence to join his regiment, and. when refused, signified his intention of going on the first vessel, if opportunity offered, and the adju- tant-general, Capt. Needham, threatened him with immediate arrest unless our subject would give him a solemn promise not to make the at- tempt. During the three and one-half hours he participated in the battle of Fair Oaks. Mr. Truxal was wounded in the right leg. midway be- tween the knee and the foot, and his canteen pierced by a minie ball; but he remained on the field until the close of the battle. He was sin- gularly fortunate in all other engagements, escap- ing only by a hair's breadth, for example --- a minie ball passed through his cap, grazing the top of his head; another ball cut a piece out of his gun-stock, and holes through his clothing were cut by bails on three other occasions. This is a remarkable soldier-record for one of his years, and his interest in military matters has never di- minished. In 1871. while a resident of Apollo, Armstrong Co., Penn., he raised a company known as the Templeton Zouaves, Penn. N. G.,

which he commanded for five years. For the past seventeen years he has been a resident of Du Bois, and during all that time has been in the employ of the late John Du Bois, and his nephew and successor, John E. Du Bois, as cashier and general bookkeeper.

On March 23, 1871, our subject was married to Eva T. Kelly, of Apollo, Armstrong Co., Penn., and seven children have been born to them, viz .: Florence (Mrs. Isaac Rich, living in Du Bois), Mary, Alice, Albert, Ralph, Nellie and Bessie.

Mr. Truxal has taken an active part in poli- tics, casting his ballot in support of the Repub- lican party. He has represented the county in State conventions, and in 1888 was a member of the Pennsylvania Electoral College. His . interest in politics is wholly disinterested, as he in no way could be regarded as an office seeker. At the Woodside Centennial held at Luthers- burg, some years ago, he was the efficient and popular president of the day, and made the ad- dress on that occasion. In his social relations he is one of the enthusiastic members of the Grand Army of the Republic, and for the year ending June 3. 1897, was chief mustering officer of the Pennsylvania Department. He is also an honorary member of the famous . Buck- tail Regiment." It is in his army record that Mr. Truxal takes much pride, and in his meeting with the old comrades of those stirring times he finds his greatest pleasures. Genial, cour- teous in manner. he finds a ready welcome where- ever he goes, and his integrity and manliness win the respect and esteem of all with whom he comes in contact. Progressive and public- spirited, he stands to-day as loyal to home and country as on that day, when, in response to the Nation's call for aid, he enrolled his name on the deathless page with those heroes who proved "To fight in freedom's cause is something gained. and nothing lost to fall."

C HARLES H. LEWIS, a prominent agricult- urist of Ferguson township, Clearfield coun- ty, has risen from a humble position in life to one of affluence, and the success that he has achieved has mainly been due to his own efforts. However. on starting out for himself he found a few true friends and advisors whom he still holds in grateful remembrance. among these being William Irvin, John Patton and W. W. Bell, of Clearfield county, and Sampson Short, of Elk county, Penn. He considers William Irvin one of the true men of Clearfield county.

On August 4. 1822, Mr. Lewis was born in

Charles H6 Lewis

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

what was then Lycoming county, Penn., but is now Clearfield county, and is a son of Thomas and Cynthia (Ellis) Lewis, His paternal grand- father, Lewis Lewis, was a native of Wales, and was educated in England, becoming an expert civil engineer. With one of William Penn's colonies he crossed the Atlantic, and in the em- ploy of that gentleman surveyed many of the lower counties of Pennsylvania, and finally came to Centre county, where he spent his last years. At Carlisle, Penn., he married Miss Jane Dill, a lady of Irish descent, who long survived him, dying at the extreme old age of 108 years. In their family were eight children, the eldest of whom was only sixteen at the time of his death. They were as follows: Jacob, Henry, Thomas, Guy, Mrs. Sallie Passmore, Caleb, Lewis and David.

Thomas Lewis, the father of our subject, was reared and married in Centre county, and . after two or three moves finally located in Sinnama- honing, Elk Co., Penn., when the place_ only contained about three families, and much of the land was still in its primitive condition, while Indians and wild beasts roamed the woods. There he secured 290 acres, which he converted into a good farm. After the death of his wife, and his children had attained to mature years, he gave the homestead to one son. While on a visit to his daughter in Karthaus, Clearfield coun- ty, his death occurred. In early years he had piloted on the river, but later gave most of his time and attention to the cultivation and im- provement of his farm. Both he and his wife were faithful members of the Baptist Church. In their family were the following children: Ellis and Lewis L., both now deceased; George W., a resident of Elk county, Penn .; Reuben, de- ceased; Mrs. Jane Michaels; Charles H., the sub- ject of this review; Margaret, wife of D. Fox; and Jacob, a resident of Indiana.

The educational privileges of our subject were limited, but his training at farm work was not meagre, as at an early age he became familiar with the arduous task of clearing and developing wild land. At the age of eighteen he began learning the blacksmith's trade, and after serving a three-years' apprenticeship he worked as a jour- neyman at different places, being employed in Centre county for a year and a half. For the first two months he received $6 per month and board, and then his wages were increased to $10. Subsequently he was employed in an axe-factory, and later worked at his trade in Sinnamahoning for three years. Going to Lock Haven, Penn., he rafted on the river for a coal company for a year, receiving seventy-five cents per day. After

his marriage he went to Centreville, Elk county. and opened a shop which he conducted for two years, after which he spent eight years in Cale- donia, Penn. Purchasing one hundred acres of land in Clearfield county, he located thereon two years later, moving into a cabin already standing, and he at once commenced the improvement and cultivation of his place, to which he later added sixty acres. There he continued to make his home for twenty years, during which time he en- gaged in both farming and blacksmithing. He is now the owner of nearly 600 acres of valuable land, including that farm. In 1878 he removed to his present homestead, which is partially cleared and improved with a commodious two- story frame residence, a large barn and substan- tial outbuildings, which stand as monuments to his thrift and enterprise. He has converted into lumber much of the timber upon his place, and in his business undertakings has met with a well- deserved success, which is due to his own enter- prise, perseverance, industry and excellent man- agement.

Mr. Lewis has been twice married. his first union being with Miss Margaret Easton, a native of Scotland, and a daughter of Robert Easton, a miner by occupation. Of the children born to them, one died when young, the others reaching years of maturity, as follows: Easton: Agnes. wife of N. Davis, a farmer; Robert; Thomas: Sarah, wife of M. J. Raney; Caroline. wife of W. Herd; Reuben; Catherine, wife of H. Owens; and John. The wife and mother, who was a consistent member of the German Baptist Church, died in 1880. In March, IS91, Mr. Lewis married Miss Susanna Sloppy, who was born and reared in Clearfield county, and is a daughter of Christopher Sloppy (now deceased). who was a native of Germany and a carpenter by trade. One child graces this union: Mary E., born April 4, 1893.

With the Gerinan Baptist Church Mr. Lewis holds membership, while his wife belongs to the Lutheran Church. Originally he was a Whig in politics, and then became a Republican, but at local elections he votes independent of party ties, supporting the man whom he considers best qualified to fill the office. He is a public- spirited, enterprising citizen. and enjoys the confidence and high regard of all with whom he comes in contact in either business or social life.

W ILLIAM A. NELSON, justice of the peace of Goshen township, Clearfield county, and a representative of its agricultural interests, was born in Potter county, Peng., April 27, 18 36, a

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

son of John and Elizabeth (Vannatti) Nelson, quently he was paroled, and served until the the former born in Dauphin county, Penn., and . close of the war, being at Appomattox at the the latter in Potter county. The paternal grand- time of Lee's surrender. Receiving an honorable discharge, he started northward, and on July 7. 1865. reached home. father. David Nelson, was a native of Ireland, and during his infancy was lelt an orphan. When three years of age he was brought to America by relatives, and was reared in Pennsylvania. Dnr- ing the greater part of his life he followed cooper- ing. After his marriage he served as a soldier in the war of 1812-13. Soon after his discharge he removed to the wilderness of Potter county, subsequently became a resident of Clinton county, and died in Cameron county at the age of eighty- three. Of his family of eleven children-John, Catherine, William, Seth, Joseph, Henry, Mary Ann, Elizabeth, James, Nancy and David-all married and reared families.

In 1866, Mr. Nelson married Miss Sarah Cath- erinan, an intelligent lady of good family, whose father, Solomon Catherman, was a native of Montour county, Penn., and was of Dutch de- scent. Nine children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Nelson: Elmer E., Francis A. , Charles P., Mary and Elizabeth (twins), Elry A., William ¡ L .. , Grace and Arthur. The last named died at the age of two years; Elizabeth is the wife of David Withrow. At the time of his marriage, Mr. Nelson located on a farm which he had pre- viously purchased, and which he now began to clear and improve. He did some logging in the winter, and in the spring floated the logs down the river, his land being situated on the west

John Nelson, the father of our subject, was married in Potter county, and in 1847 came to Clearfield county, where he located 150 acres of wild timber land, and developed a farm. He ! branch of the Susquehanna. Much of his farm also followed hunting and coopering, having has been transformed into rich and fertile fields, · and these surround a substantial residence and good outbuildings, the whole indicating the thrift and energy of the owner. learned the latter trade under the direction of his father. He also engaged in logging in the winter season, and his life was a busy. useful and straightforward one. He died March 10, 1878, Mr. Nelson finds time from his private busi- ness cares to faithfully discharge the duties of citizenship, and since 1893, has creditably filled the office of justice of the peace. He and his family belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he is serving as class leader, and he is a member of the Patrons of Husbandry. He affiliates with the Republican party, and is a de- cided Prohibitionist in theory and practice. and the community mourned the loss of one of its respected citizens. . His political support was given the Democracy, and he served as justice of the peace for a number of years. His wife died in 1883. They attended the Methodist Church, but did not hold membership therein. They had tive children: Mary, wife of Jacob Graham, of Iowa: W. A., of this review; Hezekiah, of Min- nesota; Aurilla J., wife of R. Smith, of Iowa; and John W., who resides on the old home- stead.

William A. Nelson came to Clearfield county with his parents when a lad of eleven years, and was reared here in the midst of its forests. He assisted his father in the arduous task of develop- ing a farm, and also worked at Inmibering the district schools he is indebted for his educa- tional privileges. He remained under the pa- rental roof until about the time he attained his majority, and in 1860 he purchased a tract of land and began farming on his own account; but the following year he felt that all personal con- siderations must be put aside, and that his duty was to his country, then engaged in civil war. He enlisted in the 84th Pennsylvania Infantry, which was afterward consolidated with the 5;th Pennsylvania Regiment, and consigned to the Army of the Potomac. Ile served for four years, participating in many important battles. At the battle of Chancellor-ville, in 1863. he was taken prisoner and confined in Libby Prison. Subse-

W ASHINGTON HESS, a representative farmer and lumberman of Greenwood township, has spent his entire life in Clearfield county, having been born in Boggs township. March 5, 1854. He is a worthy member of one of the leading pioneer families, his great-grand- father, Abram Hess, a native of Germany. being que of the earliest settlers of Boggs township. The grandfather of our subject was Abram Hess.

Isaac Hess, the father, opened up a farm in Boggs township in the midst of the forest, and there engaged in farming and humbering for many years. About 1870 he went to the West. and his whereabonts is now unknown. In poli- tics he was a Democrat. He married Miss Mary Haney, who is still living at the ripe old age of eighty-four. In their family were tourteen chil- dren, namely: Mrs. Catherine Wiser, who died in May, 1896; Jacob, deceased: Mrs. Emily Askey: George, deceased; Abram, a farmer by occupation; Elmyra, yet unmarried. Jane, wife

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

of J. Butler; Alvin and Latimer, both farmers; Washington, of this sketch: Isabella, deceased; Mrs. Matilda Raferty; and John and Mary, de- ceased.

Since fifteen years of age. Washington Hess has been dependent on his own resources for a livelihood. and has principally followed the oc- cupations of lumbering and farming. For a number of years he worked in the woods for ' others, but has now been engaged in jobbing for twenty years, and for fifteen years of that time has been with Leavy & Mitchell. As a pilot, he has handled some lumber for himself, and has taken many rafts down the river to market. On April 29, 1875, he married Miss Maggie Miles, and located in Lewisville, Clearfield county, where he still owns property; but in 1889, he bought the farm on which he now resides. This he operates in connection with his lumber busi- ness, and in both enterprises has met with a well- deserved success. Reared a Democrat, he has ever given his allegiance to that party, and has faithfully served his fellow citizens in some town- ship offices, though he cares little for official dis- tinction. Socially, he affiliates with the Knights the I. O. O. F. As a citizen, he is true and faithful to every trust reposed in him, and enjoys the confidence and esteem of all with whom he comes in contact in either business or private life.

of the Golden Eagle, and is also a member of | served a fonr-years' apprenticeship to the milling

Mrs. Hess, a most estimable lady, was born March 3. 1860, and reared in Clearfield county. a daughter of George W. and Jane (Thompson Miles. The father is now deceased, but the mother still survives at the age of fifty-nine years. Nine children grace the union of our subject and his wife, their names and dates of birth being as follows: Bert, August 12. 1876; Lois, July 25. 1878: Ida. October 5. 1880: Blanche, February 20, 1883; Eliza. September ;. 1885: Cort, March 1. 1888: Relie, August 10, 1800: Ollie, July 19. 1802, and Ord. July 9. 1804. Of these, Bert is attending school: Lois is the wife of 1. Lines. and has a son, Otis, born December 20, 1896; the rest are at home.

J W. EBERTS is numbered among the enter- prisms and prominent citizens of .Boggs township, Clearfieldl county, and has been prominently identified with the business interests of that locality as a miller, merchant and farmer.

Mr. Eberts is one of the native sons of Penn- sylvania, his birth having occurred in Centre county, June 30. 1837. His parents, William and Nancy Wagoner) Eberts, were also natives

of Centre county, and were married there. The family is of German origin, and the first of the name to come to America was Capt. Eberts, who won his title on the sea. He accumulated a large estate, and died without children, so that his property should have descended to the branch of the family of which our subject is a represen- tative, but it was secured by other relatives. William Eberts was reared in his native State, and after his marriage located in Centre county, where he died about 1859. His widow is now living on the old homestead, at the advanced age of more than seventy years. Mr. Eberts was a prominent farmer and a respected citizen. He gave his political support to the Democracy, and both he and his wife were consistent mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They had ten children, of whom the following reached mature years: James A., born January 30. 1841; Dorsey G., born March 1, 1845, died jan- uary 23, 1863; J. W., born June 30, 1857; and General F., born January 23, 1863.

Mr. Eberts, the subject of this review, re- mained with his widowed mother on the farm until he attained his majority, after which he business. On May 18, 1881, he was united in marriage with Miss Susan Morley, of Centre county. He had previously purchased the mill which he vet owns, also one hundred acres of land, and on his marriage located on the farm where he has since made his home. This place is located on the Morgan river, six miles south of Clearfield, and the Morgan River mill, by which name his property is known, received from the public a good patronage. He also conducts a grocery store, and handles phosphates and all supplies needed by farmers. He buys grain raised in the neighborhood, and also ships from the West, securing the greater part of his corn from beyond the mountains. He keeps on hand a good supply of four, meal and feed of all kinds, and his mill, which is a two-story frame structure operated by water power, is supplied with all modern improvements in the way of machinery, the patent roller process being used. Mr Eberts thoroughly understands the milling business, and is well qualified to meet the wants of the people in this direction. Honorable and gentlemanly in his deportment. he is esteemed alike in business and social circles.

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2, Part 50

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