Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2, Part 51

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 51
USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 51
USA > Pennsylvania > Clearfield County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 51
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 51

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).

Mrs. Eberts was born in Centre county, in 1855. and is a daughter of James and Mary . Ralf) Morley, both natives of England. Her parents came to this country in early life and were mar- ried in Centre county, where her father followed the occupation of farming. He died in 1893.

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but his wife is still living on the old homestead farm in Julian, Penn. Their family consisted of one son and nine daughters, of whom the follow- ing named are yet living: Hannah, Mrs. Mary Hoover, Mrs. Sallie De Swope, Susan, Mrs. Ma- tilda Mason and Phobe. Mr. and Mrs. Eberts have two children: Minnie, born in May, 1883; and Willis, born June 26, 1893. Mr. Eberts and his wife are consistent members of the Methodist Church, and in politics he is a Democrat.

J JOHN B. DILLEN. A study of the history of Clearfield county shows that the Dillen family has been prominent in its public affairs since early pioneer days, and our subject is now re- garded as one of the leaders in the industrial in- terests of Becaria township.

Henry Dillen (grandfather of our subject), a native of Ireland, came to America in the early part of the century, locating at Mt. Pleasant, Clearfield county. He purchased a large tract of land near Utahville, built a log house and made other improvements. He carried flour and other household supplies from Tyrone on horse- back, traveling through the dense forests. After sowing his wheat, deer would often tramp it out, and wild game of all kinds was plentiful. His first home was subsequently replaced by a more commodious and substantial residence, and there he and his wife spent their remaining days. As there were no schools in the township, the chil- dren were provided with very limited educational privileges, but finally a little log school house was erected on the hill on the Fry farm, and there the father of our subject pursued his studies for a few months. He was born in Ireland. and came with his parents to America when three years of age. After his marriage he resided upon a part of his father's first purchase, and there engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death. He had one brother-George-and two sisters ---- Abbie and Betsy.

Mr. Dillen, whose name introduces this sketch, was born August 16, 1826, and was one of a family of four children. Upon the old homestead he grew to manhood, and by walking a distance of three miles through the forests to the school house, he obtained a limited education, as he was only able to attend school about three months during the year. He continued to en- gage in the ardnous task of assisting in the culti- vation and improvement of the home farm until his marriage, in March, 1853, to Miss Mary A. Davis, of Becaria township, who became his wife. She was a daughter of Miles and Mary .1. Davis, of Cambria county, Pennsylvania.

After his marriage, Mr. Dillen rented the Philip Davis farm for two years, and then moved to what is known as the Thomas Fleck farm, re- maining there one year, but in 1857 he bought of Henry Heverly fifty-two acres of cleared land, upon which a log house had been built, but no barn. The same year he erected a large bank barn, and made other useful improvements, and in 1860 built his present large two-story frame house, which is now surrounded by substantial outbuildings and well-tilled fields, which testify to his thrift and industry. In 1866, as a partner of Samuel McFarlain, he bought 485 acres of timber land from Thomas Weston, of Tyrone, Penn., and commenced logging on Turner run, which occupation he successfully followed for a number of years. The property was then di- vided, our subject taking the one-half which adjoins his home farm, and he still devotes his attention to farming and lumbering.

Mr. Dillen has been called upon to mourn the loss of his worthy wife, who had shared with him all the hardships of their early married life. She died May 24, 1885, leaving three children as fol- lows: (1) George H., born January 20, 1854, received a good common-school education, and grew to manhood on the home farm, on a part of which he still resides, having purchased the same of his father, and now has fifty-six acres, thirty-five of which are under a good state of cultivation and improved with neat buildings. (2) Susan, born November 9, 1856, passed her childhood and youth under the parental roof, and secured her education in the public schools of Becaria township. In 1869 she was united.in marriage with William P. McNaul, of Curwens- ville, and they now make their home in Coalport where he follows the butchering business. She owns a good farm given her by her father, which adjoins the old homestead. By her marriage she has become the mother of three children -- Robert B. and John L. (twins), and Oscar. (3) John W., born November 15, 1865, attended the local schools in the winter, while the sum- mer season he spent in assisting in the labors of the farm. He now looks after his father's busi- ness interests, and also operates a tract of land given him by his father, thirty-six acres in all being under cultivation. In 1894, Mr. Dillen was again married, his second union being with Miss Ida Remas, of Glen Hope, by whom he has one child, Hazel Marie, born May 12, 1895.

In his political affiliations Mr. Dillen is a Democrat. but has never aspired to office, though he served as supervisor one term. As a Presby- terian he has always taken an active and promi- lent part in Church work, and gives his earnest

I. Brillen

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support to all worthy objects for the good of the community. Genial and hospitable in manner, his house is always opened for the reception of the many friends of the family. On the maternal as well as the paternal side he belongs to one of the old and honored pioneer families of Clear- field county, his grandfather Hoover having located here at a very early day. While out hunting he shot and killed a deer a short dis- tance from his home, but as the forest was so dense he lost his way and instead of going to- ward the house he dragged the deer about two miles in the opposite direction. Finally, becom- ing tired, he lay down by the side of his burden with his dog keeping faithful watch over him. When his family realized that he must be lost, they, with the neighbors, searched the woods and at length found him with his head pillowed upon the deer, but frozen to death. A short time afterward his wife died very suddenly near the same place, while crossing the creek in a boat.

D AVID McINTOSH, who holds the respon- sible position of general superintendent of all the timber and farming land belonging to John E. Du Bois, is a native of Nova Scotia, born in Colchester, in August, 1843, a son of John and Elizabeth (Kennedy) McIntosh. In his native province he grew to manhood, attending the com- inon schools and working on his father's farm and in the lumbor woods.

In 1871 Mr. McIntosh came to Pennsylvania, first locating in Williamsport, where he followed teaming for John Du Bois until the fall, when he came to Anderson creek, Clearfield county. After two years spent in teaming in the logging camps he returned to Williamsport, where he worked in Mr. Du Bois' mill for a year, and ou again com- ing to Clearfield county he located in Sandy township, where Mr. Du Bois was engaged in lumbering. He served as general foreman in the woods for that gentleman until the latter's death in 1887, and on John E. Du Bois succeeding to the property he was still retained in the capacity of general superintendent of all. the woods and farming lands. Faithfulness, thoroughness and perseverance are among his marked characteris- tics, and his services have been justly appreci- ated by Mr. Du Bois, as his constant promotion plainly indicates. He has a thorough and com- prehensive knowledge of both lumbering and farming, which he has successfully put to prac- tical nse in the interest of his employer. who has for him the highest regard. Mr. Melntosh also has the respect and confidence of those working under him, and wherever known is highly es-

teemed for his genuine worth and many sterling traits of character.

In 1874 Mr. McIntosh was married to Miss Rosie McGee, of Jefferson county, Penn., a daughter of William and Rachel McGee, pros- > perons farming people. They began their do- mestic life in Rumbarger (now Du Bois), where. besides his own pleasant residence, he owns a block of tenement houses. They now have four children, all born in Du Bois, namely: Lizzie J., born in 1875, is at home; Robert, born in 1877. is now attending the business college in Du Bois; Warren D., born in 1879, and John Du Bois, born in 1891, are both at home. In political faith Mr. McIntosh is a Republican, while in re- ligious belief he is a Presbyterian. being one of the first members of that Church in Du Bois, to which his wife also belongs. . He is a liberal sup- porter of the Church, as well as of all objects cal- culated to benefit his fellowmen, and gave a large amount to the erection of the stone church. Genial and social by nature, he has made many friends since coming to Clearfield county, and a friendship once formed is never broken through any fault of his.

D W. SMITH, a representative and leading citizen of Clearfield county, is now success- fully engaged in the drug business in West Moshannon, and has also acceptably served as postmaster of the place since 1892. He is a wide-awake, progressive business man, who has made his own way in the world unaided. and for the success that he achieved he assuredly deserves much credit.

A native of Pennsylvania, Mr. Smith was born in Pike county, in 1844, a son of Daniel and Dorothea (Davis) Smith. The birth of the father also occurred in this State, and here he died in 1844, leaving five children, namely: Loomis B., who enlisted in Wyoming county, Penn .: in Hart- ranft's regiment, and since his return from the war has made his home in that county; Denmark, who enlisted, in 186r, in the 5th Pennsylvania Reserves, and died in the service: Davis Clay, who was in the nine-months' service, and is now a resident of Falls Creek. Jefferson Co .. Penn. : D. W., twin brother of Davis C. : and Mary, who lied in Bradford county, Penn. The mother of these children is now the wife of a Mr. Pratt. of Wyoming county, by whom she has one son. Emmons.

D. W. Smith was reared in Wyoming county, where, in 1861. he enlisted in Company B. 524 P. V. I., for three years, and was mustered into the United States service at Harrisburg. but was

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

taken ill and discharged in December of the same year. On his recovery he re-enlisted. in August, 1862. for nine-months' service, this time becom- ing a member of Company B, 132d P. V. I., which formed a part of the Army of the Potomac. After being mustered in at Harrisburg, the regi- ment went to the front and participated in a number of important engagements, including the battles of Antietam and Chancellorsville. Mr. Smith was discharged in May, 1863, on the ex- piration of his term, but during the following August he joined Company M, 9th Pennsylvania Cavalry, which was assigned to the Army of the West. After the battle of Chickamauga the regi- ment went with Sherman on his celebrated march to the sea. and at Durham Station, N. C., our subject was honorably discharged in June, 1865, as the war liad ended and his services were no longer needed. His bravery and fearlessness were manifested on many a Southern battle field, and he returned home with a war record of which he may be justly proud. On leaving the service Mr. Smith located in Jordan township, Clearfield county, where he engaged in lumbering for some time. but in 1870 he purchased a farm in Gulich township and turned his attention to agricultural pursuits until coming to West Moshannon in 1881. Here he embarked in the drug business, which he has since conducted with good success, re- ceiving a liberal share of the public patronage.

In Jordan township, in 1867, Mr. Smith was inarried to Miss Margaret Thompson, who was born in that township, a daughter of John and Rebecca .Lord) Thompson, early pioneers of Clearfield county, where they both died. In 18;6. Mrs. Smith was also called to her final rest. leaving three children, namely: John B., who is married and is residing in Pittsburg, Penn .: Dorothea, wite of J. H. Izenburg, of Wilkinsburg, Penn. ; and Ben. Mr. Smith was again married, in June, 1883, this time to Miss Nancy E. Gill. a native of Centre county, Penn .. by whom he has one son, Frank.

Mr. Smith casts his ballot in support of the men and measures of the Republican party, has always taken quite an active part in political af- fairs, and in 1886 was the candidate of his party for the legislature. Although he made a strong canvass, he was defeated as the Republicans were in the minority in his district. Socially. he is a member of Lient. William H. Kinkaid Post, No. 293. G. A. R., and of the Royal Arcanum. Philip-burg. The success of his life is due to no inherited fortune, nor to any happy succession of advantageous circunstances, but to his own sturdy will, steady application, tireless industry and sterling integrity.

S IDNEY W. FOX. The familiar strains of " Marching Through Georgia " call to mind, with most people, the idea of the bright side of a soldier's life and a sense of glorious triumph in a worthy cause; but the brave boys who risked their lives in Sherman's campaign have definite remembrance of hardships which were none the less painful because borne without complaint. Occasionally at Grand Army rennions one hears half humorous accounts of sufferings and priva- tions that seem incredible, for the American sol- dier, like all brave men, is inclined to make light of his trials. Our histories, based largely upon official records and limited for the most part to the description of battles, fail to give the details which made up the ordinary life of the private soldier.

In this memoir of Mr. S. W. Fox, a well- known lumberinan and agriculturist of Gulich township, Clearfield county, a valuable contribu- tion is made to the history of a time in which we, as a people, can never cease to feel the deepest interest. Entering the army in the spring of 1864, Mr. Fox was in time to participate in some of the decisive movements which brought the long struggle to an end. As a boy of seventeen he offered his services for " three years or the war, " joining Company K, 111th P. V. I., and after being sworn in at Holidaysburg, went to Bridgeport, Ala., by way of Washington and Alexandria, to enter Sherman's forces. On May 3, 1864, the start was made through the heart of the Confederacy, and for months there was continnous skirmishing varied by pitched battles at Resaca, on the turnpike leading to Atlanta, at Peach Tree Creek and other places. When the army reached Atlanta, three days of rest were given the exhausted troops before the attack was made. When a call was made for volunteers from each company for the first desperate charge ' upon the city, Mr. Fox was among those who advanced. and he was one of the first to enter the city, where a large portion of Hood's army was taken captive before the torch was applied to the deserted buildings. Before starting again each soldlier was given ten days' rations, and as it was thirty-seven days before they reached Savannah the troops were in sad condition, many having subsisted for three days on roasted acorns. Barefooted, ragged, half starved and wholly wearied with their long march, there was but little chance for them to realize the glorious na- ture of the work that they had done. Two weeks were allowed for rest and recuperation. and then they took up the march again and fought the Rebels through to Raleigh, N. C .. where they captured Johnston's entire force.

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

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The war was ended, and making their way to . chant at Janesville, married Miss Ellie Kough, and Washington by way of Richmond, they joined in the grand review. Two weeks later Mr. Fox left the capital for Pittsburg, where he received his final discharge.

Mr. Fox is of " Down East Yankee " stock, being a native of Oxford county, Maine, where he was born September 1. 1846. Several gen- erations of the family had resided at Oxford, Andrew G. Fox. the grandfather of our subject, dying there at a ripe old age. Andrew G. Fox, our subject's father, was born in 1803. and re- mained in Oxford county until 1856, engaging in : business in early manhood as a merchant and lumberman. He was married, in 1829, to Miss Ruth Stacy, and all but one of their seven chil- dren were born there. On leaving the old home he sold out all his interests and moved to Chest Springs, Cambria Co .. Penn. and one year later located at Tyrone, Blair county, and spent one year in mercantile business. He then went to Smith Mills, Clearfield county, and commenced the manufacture of staves and hoops, and pur- chasing forest land engaging in taking out square timber to raft down the river to the Eastern markets. He also logged extensively, losing and making money by turns, and carried on mercan- tile business also. continuing this after his retire- ment from lumbering. Later he sold part of his Clearfield county property and purchased a farm near Bellewood. in the Tuckahoe Valley, Blair Co., Penn .. but he only lived there one year, returning then to Clearfield county and settling upon a 634-acre tract of partly-improved land in Gulich township. After two years there, he decided to return to his native State, and pur- chasing a farm near Porter, Maine, he removed there with his wife and four children. only to be burned out two years later. everything being lost. He came back to Clearfield county, and after one year at McCanley's Mill. near Houtz- dale, he retired to his farm in Gulich township. where he passed his remaining days, his death occurring July 15. 1894; his faithful wife had passed away in 1873. Of their children: (1) Mary E., born in 1839, came to Clearfickl county in early womanhood. and married the late William A. Nevling, a farmer residing near Janesville. Mr. Nevling and his brother-in-law. J. Boynton. for some time carried on some of the largest bunbering operations in Clearfield county, and they were extensively interested in milling and in mercantile enterprises. Mr. Nev- ling continued the latter line of business in con- nection with his farm management until his death. February 10, 1882. His wife survives him with ten children: ca Elsworth,a limberman and mer-

has four children; (b) Ira, now residing at the Nevling homestead, married Miss Flora Hender- son, and has five living children; (c) Albert, a blacksmith at Glen Campbell, married Miss Ella Rush, but has no family; (d) Emory, who resides at LaJose, Penn .. married, and has two children; (e) Stacy married Miss Cora Shoff, and made his home at Amesville, where he was killed in the mines, his wife surviving him with one son; (f) William, who is now married, resides in Becaria, Penn., with Josiah Lamborn; (g) A. I. was killed at Amnesville with his brother Stacy: (h) Fran- cena married Joseph Clumson, of Spangler. Penn., and has two children; (i) Luella mar- ried David Sheets, proprietor of the .Flynn House " at Janesville, and has two children; (j) Miss Edith resides at the homestead. (2) Jor- dan S. was married, after the removal of the family from Maine, to Miss Rebecca Stanley. of Gulich township, Clearfield county, and settled at Janesville. A few years later he removed to the Fox homestead, where he spent two years, and then returned to Janesville. buying a lot and building the house now occupied by Mr. Pri- deaux. He has since built a home in Ramey. where he now resides. He has had nine children : (a. Sidney W., who lives in Becaria, Penn .. married and has two children; (b) Adda married Edward Miller, of Madera. Penn., and has had several children: (c) Lucy married Robert Croyle, of Ramey, and has one son; id) Ida, now Mrs. Krough, of Ramey, has no children; (e) Susan, Mrs. Copenhaffer, of Ramey, has one child; (f; Este was killed at Du Bois, Penn., on the railroad, when twenty years old: (g) Clifford, (h) Cecil, and :i) Homer are at home. (3) Vry- lena accompanied her parents to this State, and was married in Clearfield county to the late Dr. George M. Bush, a native of Massachusetts. He practiced medicine in different parts of the coun- try, and at the time of his death was living in Indiana. His remains were brought back and interred in the family cemetery on the farm. .His widow now resides in Chicago, and their only child. a daughter, lives in Pittsburg. (4) Sid- ney W. is mentioned more fully below. (5) Fred Fry, who is single, makes his home in Ramey. 16 Harry B., a farmer at the Fox homestead, near Janesville, is not married. (7) Cora, the only member of the family not born in Maine, is a native of Janesville. She married William Snodgrass, of Pittsburg. a workman in the Car- negie steel works, but has no family.

As Sidney W. Fox, the subject of our sketch. was but a boy when he came to this State, he spent some years in assisting his father in the

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836

lumber business. His military service inter- rupted that work, and after his return from the .. front he engaged in business on his own account, logging and sawing lumber for a number of years. He purchased the old homestead, but after living there one year moved to his present home at Janesville, where he has since resided, with the exception of a short time previous to 1891, which was spent in Ramey while Mr. Fox worked for D. K. Ramey on the mill. Mr. Fox was mar- ried, in 1866, to Miss Emily J. Smith, daughter of Samuel and Deborah Smith, of Gulich town- ship, Clearfield county. Seven children have blessed their union, of whom six are living: (1) Hada, born January 12, 1868, married Clarence Robinson, formerly of Janesville, but now resid- ing in Virginia. where he is engaged in the saw- mill business. They have three children-Thane, May, and Clyde. (2) Bertha, born May 15, 1869, received an education in the public schools of Janesville, and was married in 1887 to Thomas Croyle, who operates a sawmill at Ramey. They have three daughters-Villa, Leah, and Mada- line. (3) William E., born January I, 1873, is a young man of fine qualities, but ill health has kept him at home: he has suffered greatly, but at present is improving. (4) George W., born Au- gust 27. 1878, was educated in the schools of Janesville, and is one of the promising young men of his locality. (5) Emma L., born Feb- ruary 27, 1880, also attended the schools of Janesville, and now assists her mother in the home cares. (6) Roy M., born February 13, 1883, is a student in the higher grades in the Janesville schools. (7) Della, born October 24, 1875, died September 18. 1876.

As a patriotic citizen Mr. Fox takes keen in- terest in all questions of national importance. His political allegiance has been given to the Re- publican party from early manhood, and he ex- pects to continue to support its principles as long as he lives. Although he is not a member of any Church. he inclines to the Methodist faith .. and his life and character show high moral principle.

E J. CAMPBELL is a well-known lumberman of Brady township. Clearfield county, who during the Civil war manifested his loyalty to the government by enlisting in the country's service, and valiantly following the old flag until the over- throw of the Confederacy. He was born in Bradford county, Penn .. September 28, 1846, a son of J. J. and Maria : Chandler) Campbell. The father was born December 11, 1804, in New Jersey, whence at an early day he removed to Bradford county, where he married and made his

home for a number of years. Subsequently he went to Michigan, locating near Grand Rapids, where he remained about six months, during which time his wife died. He continued to fol- low lumbering in Bradford and Clearfield coun- ties, Penn., until he, too, was called from earth April 17, 1884. His last years were spent at the home of our subject, near Luthersburg.

In the family were nine children, as follows: (1) William, also a Union soldier, and was wounded in battle, is now engaged in farming near Athens, in Bradford county. He married Sarah Murphy, of Rome, Penn., and has two sons living. (2) Irene, who still resides in Brad- ford county, is the widow of John Heavner, of that county, who died some years ago, leaving three children. (3) Lovena died in Michigan at the age of seventeen. (4) Orlando, like the other members of the family. was born in Bradford county, and married Martha Wilson, of Elk county, Penn. He was killed at the battle of Gettysburg, July 2, 1863; he. left a widow and one child. (5) Emma is the wife of Frank Dex- ter, formerly of Oswego, N. Y., and with their family they now live in Michigan. (6) Fernando D. became a member of the noted " Bucktail Regiment," from Clearfield county, and when the war was ended returned to Bradford county, where he married, and is now engaged in lum- bering. (7) Lewis joined a Michigan regiment, and served throughout the entire struggle, but died shortly after his return hoine. (8) Sarah (while the family were living in Michigan) mar- ried Oscar Weeks, of Maine, in which State they are now living; they have a family of chil- dren. (9) E. J. completes the family.

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2, Part 51

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