USA > Pennsylvania > Clarion County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 53
USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 53
USA > Pennsylvania > Clearfield County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 53
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 53
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S. E. Emerick, the subject of this sketch. was born in Covington township. Clearfield county, July 9. 1857, and was reared in his par- ents' home. His elementary education was ac- quired in Karthaus, supplemented by a one-term's study in Milesburg, Centre county: and one term in Curwensville. Penn. He afterward en- gaged in teaching school in Cooper township. Clearfield county, and then embarked in farming. His career has been a busy and useful one, and his energies have been devoted to various pur- suits which have been capably managed. and have brought to him rich returns. He is now engaged in the lumbering business, also deals in coal, and is the secretary and treasurer of the Mt. Carmel Coal & Mining Co. In 1890 he erected in Karthaus a two-story fraine business block, 24 x 60 feet. and has since engaged in merchandising. He carries a carefully-selected stock of goods, and from the public receives a liberal patronage.
In Pine Glen. Centre county, in 1889. Mr. Emerick was married to Miss Mary M. Mulhol- lan, who was born in that place. a daughter of
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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Rudolph and Caroline (Swimmer Mulhollan, the former a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter of Germany; they were early settlers of Pine Glen. The father died in 1885, the mother on February 22, 1897. In his political views. Mr. Emerick is a Republican, and is deeply in- terested in the success of his party. He belongs to Karthans Lodge, No. 925, I. O. O. F., has passed all the chairs and has been representative to the grand lodge. He is a charter inember of the Golden Eagles. He has been the architect of his own fortune, and enterprise, sound judg- ment and sagacity are the building materials which he has used in the construction of his prosperity.
W FRANK PLYMPTON. The Plympton family has been identified with the town of West Clearfield, Clearfield county, since its foundation, and the addition was named Plymp- tonville in honor of Job Plympton, who es- tablished his machine shops there in 1872. He was born and reared in New York State, and after learning the machinist's. trade he moved to Huntingdon county, Penn., and there built shops at Water Street and Spruce Creek. Since his . removal of the business to West Clearfield it was. in 1893, interrupted by a fire which destroyed the buildings. The present shops were erected in 1895. Before coming to Pennsylvania Mr. Plympton was married at Milton, Penn., to Miss Agnes Owens, who died in Clearfield in 1892. They had eleven children: Sarah (Mrs. Mc- Ilvaine), of Huntingdon county; John, deceased; Elijah, a resident of Clearfield county: Maggie (Mrs. Snell), of Clearfield: Agnes (Mrs. McIl- vaine), of Clearfield: Lizzie (Mrs. Brown). of Clearfield: Einma (Mrs. Gearhart), of Clearfield: Edwin, deceased: W. Frank: and Lewis and Clara, both deceased.
W. Frank Plympton, now one of the leading business men of his locality. was born in Hunt- ingdon county in 1857, and has been associated with his father's business since 1875. He learned the machinist's trade in all its details, and has gradually assumed the management of the shops, relieving his father, who now lives in retirement at Clearfield. The business is an extensive one. employing from six to eight men on an average. and comprises the manufacture of plows, cutting boxes. cultivators, rollers, and all kinds of cast- ings and novelties. Mr. Plympton was married in Clearfield. in 1883, to Miss Mertie Reams, who was born in Lawrence township, Clearfield county, danghter of William Reams. an early settier of the county. Two children were born
of this nnion, Nettie Ethel and Emma Jane. Mr. Plympton takes an interest in all public ques- tions. and is ready to encourage progress in all lines. In politics he is a Democrat.
J OHN C. BARCLAY, justice of the peace at West Clearfield, Clearfield county. is one of
the prominent residents of that town, and has held his present office since 1883, when the borough was organized. He has been chosen at various times to other responsible posts, and the able discharge of his duties has fully justined the confidence of his friends. In business circles he is active, also as a dealer in real estate. buying and selling lands, and renting houses, and as the representative of well-known fire, life, and acci- dent insurance companies.
The Barclay family originated in Scotland. where James Barclay, our subject's father, was born in 1803. He came to Pennsylvania in 1830, and settled upon a farm in Indiana coun- ty, where, later, he was elected justice of the peace, and engaged also in teaching in the public schools. He was married there, in 1834, to Miss Margaret Thompson, a native of that coun- ty. born in 1818, the daughter of Thomas Thompson, a soldier of the war of 1812. The Thompson family is one of the oldest in Indiana county. James Barclay and his wife always made their home in Indiana county, and he died August 2. 1871, at the old farm, which is still oc- cupied by his widow. They had twelve chil- dren: Thomas, who lives in Indiana county; Janet (Mrs. Bowers), of Jefferson county. Penn. ; Hannah (Mrs. Bell), of Jefferson county; Rachel (Mrs. Brickell . of Alton. Kans. ; James Newton, who died at the age of two years: Archibald. who resides in Indiana county; William W., of Big Run. Jefferson county; John C., our subject: Minnie ( Mrs. Leach , of Alton, Kans. : Ruth . Mrs. Adams. of Cozad. Neb .: George H .. of Jeffer- son county; and Evaline, who died in girlhood.
John C. Barclay, our subject, was born June 5. 1850, in North Mahoning township. Indiana county, where his youth was spent upon the farm He was educated in the schools of that locality, and then began teaching. following that useful calling successfully in Indiana. Jefferson, and Mifflin counties for some years, and in 1876 he moved to Clearfield county. to teach in Newburg borough, and later was employed in the graded schools of Clearfield and West Clearfield. having made his home in the latter place since ISS1. He was married in Clearfield. December 27. 1881, to Miss Florence C. Hetrick, a native of Punxsutawney. Penn .. and they have had four
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children: Olive, deceased, Lillian, Byron, and John C., Jr.
In politics Squire Barclay is a Democrat, and his influence in the local organization is marked, and he has been secretary of the county commit- tee. As justice of the peace he has given entire satisfaction; at present he is also secretary of the town council, and he has been a burgess and a member of the school board. He belongs to several fraternal orders: the Knights of the Golden Eagle, Lodge No. 319: the I. O. O. F., Laurel Lodge, No. 672. at Punxsutawney; the F. & A. M., Clearfield Lodge, No. 314, and the R. A. No. 797.
G W. BROWN. Eso., a wide-awake, pro- gressive business man of Sabula, is the . fidelity and promptness, thus- winning the com- senior member of the well-known firm of Brown & Shannon, who carry a full and complete line of general merchandise, and by their fair and honorable dealing secure a liberal shareof the public patronage. Our subject began business here, about 1885, as a member of the firm of Charles Brown & Son, and continued operation for some time. Subsequently for three years he was out of business, but December 8, 1895. he joined his present partner, and has built up a good trade. On May 5, 1896, their store was destroyed by fire, but the following year they erected their substantial two-story frame build- ing. 24x60 feet. where they have since con- tinued.
Mr. Brown was born in Union township. In- diana Co .. Penn., in 1857, a son of Charles and Mary ( Goss) Brown, who were married in that . county, where the father worked at the carpen- ter's trade for a number of years. He was a native of Armstrong county. Penn .. and in 1858 , came to Clearfield county, locating in Huston township, where he opened up a farm in the midst of the forest, and engaged in agricultural pursuits and lumbering. He and his wife are Joseph Wriglesworth, the father of our sub- ject, was a native of Bloom township, Clearfield county, born on what was known as the "old Billy Wriglesworth farm," and removed to the present home of our subject in 1854. It had now prominent residents of Sandy township. where he still follows the occupation of farming. They are the parents of three sons: G. W .. of this sketch: S. J .. a farmer of Union township. Clearfield county, and W. H., an agriculturist of : been partly improved by the Collonsworths, and the same township.
In the schools of Union and Huston town- ships G. W. Brown obtained a fair education. which was supplemented by one term's attendance : England, who was brought to America when a at the State Nornal School of Edivboro, Penn. He child, and who died in 1872. Grandfather Will- iam for " Billie ") Wriglesworth was killed with a tree in 1847. then turued his attention to farming and himbering, which he continued to follow until embarking in his present business. He possesses more than ordinary business ability, and has met with a
well-deserved success in his undertakings. In
Union township, in 1876, he was united in mar- riage with Miss Florence I .. daughter of Levi Dressler, a pioneer of that township. She died in 1878, leaving two children: Hattie \. and Minnie J. Mr. Brown was married in the same county in 1880, his second union being with Miss Jennie E. Osborn, who was born in Washington township, Jefferson Co., Penn., a daughter of Samuel Osborn, an early settler of that locality. One child graces this union, Charles L.
Politically, Mr. Brown is an ardent supporter of the men and measures of the Republican party, and takes quite an active interest in pub- lic affairs. Since 1890 he has acceptably served as justice of the peace, and he discharges every duty, whether public or private, with the utmost mnendation and high regard of all who know himh. Fraternally, he is a member of the Patriotic Order Sons of America, being a charter member of Camp No. 416, of Sabula, Penn., and filling two terms as D. P., and having eight camps to his credit; and also holds membership in Mingle Lodge. No. 753. I. O. O. F., of Troutville, hav- ing joined in 1878, while the above lodge was in Luthersburg.
J OHN WRIGLESWORTH is a representative farmer and lumberman of Penn township. Clearfield county. His fine farm of sixty acres is conspicuous for the manner in which it has been improved and cultivated, and is evi- dently the homestead of one of the most enter- prising men of the community. The neat and substantial two-story dwelling is surrounded by good barns and other outbuildings, and every- thing about the place denotes the progressive spirit of the owner. It is the old family home- stead, upon which he was born April S. 1859. and there he has spent his entire life.
to its further development and cultivation he devoted his time and attention until his death in 1861. He married Mary Ann Oats, a native of
Our subject is one of five children, the others being as follows: 't Sarah, the eldest, is the
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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
wife of Melick Spencer, of Penn township, who resided on the Spencer farm until 1894, when he removed to Du Bois, and has since worked in a tannery. Their eight children-Harry (who was married August 11, 1897, to Ollie Whitmer, of Du Bois,, Joseph, Firman, Ivan, Fred, Verne, Birt, and Lecta-are all at home. (2) Catharine died on the old homestead at the age of twenty- seven. (3) Mary wedded Amos Bonsal, of Brady township, Clearfield county, who now resides in Penn township on his farm known as the old Jesse Spencer farm. They have two children- Homer, aged twelve, and Effie, aged ten. (4) Joseph, who is at present in Michigan, was born on the old homestead, and married Mirtie Hoover, of Grampian, Penn. For a time he resided in Du Bois, where he conducted a dairy for a year or two, and then located near the homestead. In his family are five children -- Howard, Ernest, Alice, Hettie and Clanio -- all at home.
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In ISSo John Wriglesworth was married to Miss Lydia Spencer. daughter of Andrew and Eliza Spencer, of Penn township, and they be- ! gan their domestic life upon the farm where they still reside. After the father's death the children operated the farm, and our subject never left the parental roof, devoting most of his time to the cultivation and improvement of the place. Six children came to brighten the home-William, born in 1882: Myrtle, in 1884; Clair, in 1887: Charlie, in 1890: Harvey, in 1892: and one that died in infancy. Mr. Wriglesworth uses his . right of franchise in support of the inen and measures of the Republican party, has taken quite an active part in all local affairs, and gives his earnest support to all measures calculated to advance the moral, educational and material in- terests of the community. He has always sup- ported the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which his wife is a member in good standing.
J OHN SMITH, a prominent lumber dealer of West Clearfield. Clearfield county, is one of the substantial self-inade men of his section, his successful business career giving evidence of marked ability and well-directed energy. He was born October 26, 1827. in Bradford town- ship. Clearfield county, and has seen and partic- ipated in the marvelous progress which has re- deemed this section from its, primitive condition. and established thriving towns and fertile farms where within his memory stood an unbroken wil- dertiess.
family of nine children, among whom was the late George B. Smith, our subject's father. Of the others, David and Daniel died in Venango county, Penn .; Peter in Cincinnati, Ohio; John in Venango county, Penn .; William is supposed to have been inurdered in Blair county; James died near Cincinnati; Katie married Henry Cep- hart, who was murdered at Sandy Ridge, Penn .: another sister married George Cephart, and died in the same county. George B. Smith was born in Penn's Valley in 1799, and on reaching man- hood went to Clearfield county, settling upon a tract of forest land. He was a blacksmith by trade, also following agriculture. He died in Girard township, Clearfield county, August 5, 1880. His wife, Mrs. Minerva Graham Smith. to whom he was married in Bradford township in 1821, died July 28, 1897, aged _eighty-seven years. She was born in Bradford township. the daughter of Robert Grahain and his wife, natives of Pennsylvania and early settlers in that town- ship, where both died many years ago. Her father. a farmer by occupation, wes accidentally killed. She was one of a family of eight chil- dren. the others being as follows: John died in Bradford township in 1854: William, a farmer. also died in Bradford township; Isaac died in Clearfield: James (deceased) was a farmer in Bradford township; Polly (deceased) was Mrs. Buck, of Bradford township: Anna ( Mrs. Grif- fius) died in the same township; and Hettie (Mrs. Lozier) also died there.
To George B. and Minerva Smith were born eight sons and six daughters: Sons-(1) John. our subject. (2: William was killed at the age of four years by falling off a horse. (3) David re- sides in Poweshiek county, Iowa. . (4) Daniel, twin brother of David, enlisted in Clearfield, in 1861. in the 84th Pennsylvania Infantry, and was killed March 23, 1862, in the battle of Winches- ter, his remains being interred there. (5) Robert is a farmer in Iowa. (6. Isaac, now a farmer. merchant, and lumberman in Girard township. Clearfield county, enlisted in Harrisburg in the 62nd Pennsylvania Infantry, and served two years, when he was wounded at Fredericksburg. but later returned to his regiment and served his full term. (7) Henry enlisted from Clearfield county in Company C. 5th Pennsylvania Re- serves, and was killed in 1862, at Charles City Cross Roads. (S) Garrett lives in Poweshiek county. lowa. Daughters-(D) Sarah died in childhood. (2) Mary married Edward Wool- ridge, a farmer of near Rochester, Minn. (3) Amelia married a Mr. McCorkle, a farmer in
His grandfather Smith, who was a pioneer . Lawrence township, Clearfield county. (4) Han- farmer of Penn's Valley. Centre county, reared a nah (Mrs. Nelson lives in Minnesota. 5)
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Louise (Mrs. Shope) lives in Girard township, Clearfield county, (6) and Mrs. Sophia Cather- man, who lives in Poweshiek county, Iowa.
The early life of our subject was spent upon the old farm in Bradford township, and his first employment was that of pilot on the Susque- hanna river. This he followed continuously some fifty years, enduring many hardships. In 1849 he began lumbering, and has sent inany rafts down the river. having made as many as seventeen trips in one season on the river. He has also been engaged in farming, and now owns one thousand acres of land in Clearfield county, two hundred of which are under cultivation. He also has an interest in five hundred acres of coal land in that county, and has been an extensive and successful speculator. As the reward of his years of effort he is now worth about $50,000.
In 1853 Mr. Smith was married in Venango county, Penn., to Miss Mary Stranford, a native of Ireland, whose father, John Stranford (now deceased), came to Pennsylvania from the Emer- ald Isle during her childhood. Ten children were born of this union: The first died in in- fancy; (2) Sadie married Fred Rollins, and has two children-John and Alfred; (3) A. C., a farmer in Girard township, married Alice Wool- heater, and has six children living; (4) Mary married Zenas Shaw, a farmer in Goshen town- ship, and has seven children: (5) Grant resides in New Jersey; (6) Jennie (Mrs. Gunsaulus), has two children-Bessie and Clarence; (7) Will- iam Henry died at two years of age; three died in infancy. The mother of this family breathed her last January 27, 1887, at West Clearfield, and October 2, 1889, Mr. Smith was wedded at Clearfield to Miss Josephine Siler, a native of Washington county, Md., by whom he has had two children: Laura Louise and Hartswick.
Mr. Smith has always taken an active interest in politics, first as a Whig, later as a Republican, and has served as treasurer of West Clearfield borough.
H OWARD M. FRY, a leading and energetic farmer and business man of Burnside town- ship, is a native son of Clearfield county, having been born in Westover, December 15, 1857. His paternal grandfather, Daniel Fry, was born in Lancaster county, Penn., and became one of the pioneer settlers of Clearfield county, to whom the present prosperous condition of this section is largely due. At an early day he located in Can- bria county, where he followed farming for a few years, and on coming to Clearfield county first operated a sawmill at Carrolltown. Later he
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purchased the land on which Westover is now located, and there erected a sawmill and success- fully engaged in lumbering for a time. On sell- ing out, he purchased a farin on which he spent his remaining days; his wife, who was Miss Sarah Priestly, had died some time previous. They became the parents of five children: J. P., a prominent citizen of Clearfield county; John S., the father of our subject; Mrs. Jane McCulley ;. Mrs. Elizabeth Westover; and Mrs. Mary A. Hewitt.
John S. Fry spent his boyhood and youth in Cambria and Clearfield counties, and as soon as old enough took up the occupations of lumbering and farming, which he successfully followed throughout his business career. Early in life he formed a partnership with his brother in the lum- ber business, and they continued in that connec- tion for many years. In 1870 they opened a general store, which they continued for some time in connection with their other business. After his marriage John S. Fry purchased the farm on which our subject now resides, and made many valuable and useful improvements upon the place, including a commodious two-story residence and excellent outbuildings, which stand as monuments to his thrift and industry. There his death occurred in June, ISS1. He was held in the highest regard by all who knew him. and was a faithful member of the Baptist Church, to which the mother of our subject also belonged. John S. Fry married Miss Julia A. Myers, whose father was a native of Pennsylvania and of Ger- man descent. At one time he was a stage driver from Pittsburg to Philadelphia, living near Hol- lidaysburg, and also did teaming for Elizabeth Furnace. In that part of the State he was mar- ried, and he later came to Clearfield county. where he developed a farm in the midst of the forest. In religious belief he was a Lutheran.
Our subject is the eldest of six children, the others being as follows: Harvey J., now a teacher of Weatherford., Tex. ; Elmer E., a truck farmer of Corpus Christi. Tex. ; William H., a school teacher, who died in Kentucky: John D .. who is employed in the brass works near Pitts- burg, Penn. : and Ella M., wife of B. W. Lewis. of Miss., a Methodist Episcopal minister. The mother of these children died July 25, 18;6, and in 1877 the father married a Miss McEwen. by whom he had two children: Flora M .. now attending the Lock Haven Normal; and James S., with his mother at Westover. Mrs. Fry is a member of the Baptist Church.
Upon the farm where hestill resides, Howard M. Fry was reared to habits of industry, early becoming familiar with the duties that fall to the
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHIICAL RECORD.
lot of the agriculturist, while in the district schools of the neighborhood he obtained his lit- erary training. At an early age he began Inm- bering, which he successfully followed until 1894. His father's estate has never been divided, as he left no will, and our subject lives upon the old homestead. Although he gives most of his atten- tion to his farming interests, he in 1888 en- barked in general merchandising with a party, and is still connected with that business.
Mr. Fry was married, in 1879, to Miss Sarah C. McKee, a daughter of Joseph R. and Susanna (WVestover) Mckee, of Westover, where Mr. McKee has for many years successfully conducted a general store, and is one of the honored citi- zens. Both parents hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church. In their family are nine children, namely: Samantha E., Will- iam H., Sarah C., Lydia A., Abba F .. Edwin
S., Joseph B., Harvey W .. Everet E. Five . teacher; Burton, who married Melva Miller, and
children bless the union of our subject and his wife: Olive M., Grier R., Venna, Clyde H. and Quay E. The parents and eldest three children are members of the Baptist Church, and the family is one of prominence in the community, holding a high place in social circles. Socially. Mr. Fry affiliates with the Royal Arcanum. popular and representative citizen of his town- ship, he has been called upon to fill many local offices, including that of judge of elections, and is now serving his ninth year as assessor of Burn- side township. He is prompt and faithful in the discharge of every duty, whether public or pri- vate. and his career has won the commendation of all who know him.
F RANKLIN E. HEWITT, a leading con- tractor and builder of Penfield, Clearfield county. has been an important factor in the growth and development of that pleasant village. many of its buildings having been erected by him. He is a member of one of the most prominent pioneer families of this region. and his grandpar- ents, Ebenezer and Sarah . Bliss, flewitt, were the first settlers in what is now Huston township, Clearfield county. He is a son of Squire J. B. Hewitt, who is a highly-respected resident of the same township, and his wife, Arrilla Brown, now deceased.
Our subject was born August 27, 1837, in Toby township, Elk Co .. Penn., but his carly life was spent maialy at the old home in Huston township, where he became familiar with the de- tails of agricultural work, His summers were spent in this employment, and his winter- in lumbering until he reached the age of twenty-
three, when he went to Penfield to learn the carpenter's trade. The place contained but few inhabitants at that time, presenting a decided contrast to its present proportions, and Mr. Hewitt found useful and profitable business as a contractor and builder during his thirty-six years of residence there. He is also engaged in farm- ing upon a tract of forty acres in Huston town- ship.
In 1858 Mr. Hewitt was married in Huston township to Miss Mary J. Apker, who was born in Lycoming county. Penn., the daughter of John S. and Jane (Clendening) Apker. Her parents were both natives of New Jersey, but came to Huston township, Clearfield county, in 1857, the father engaging in the lumber business. On his retirement from active work they located at Trout Run, where their last days were spent. Mr. and Mrs. Hewitt have three children:" John, a music resides in Penfield; and Mabel, Mrs. Johnson.
Mr. Hewitt takes a hearty interest in all that concerns the public welfare, especially in the po- litical issues of the day. He is a Republican in party affiliations, in religion he is a Methodist. he being an active member of the Church at Pen- field, of which he is a trustee. His wife is a Presbyterian, but at the present time is not iden- tified with any Church.
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