Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2, Part 56

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 56
USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 56
USA > Pennsylvania > Clearfield County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 56
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 56

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In 1866 he was interested in the manufacture of boots and shoes and in the grocery business at Cherry Tree. Penn., to which town he platted an addition in 1892, and has sold many of the

Vincent Journ Margareb &. Joukin

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

lots. His homestead is supplied with all modern conveniences, an elegant two-story residence has been erected, and also two large barns and the necessary outbuilding. making it one of the model farms of the locality. The place at first comprised only thirty acres, to which he added one hundred acres, and upon a portion of this he platted the addition to Cherry Tree, which lies

in Cambria, Clearfield and Indiana counties. He is a shrewd, far-sighted business man, upright and honorable in all his dealings, and the success that he has achieved is assuredly well deserved.

In 1879, Mr. Tonkin was united in marriage with Miss Margaret J. Hughes, a lady of intelli- gence and culture, and a daughter of Robert and Ellen (Douglass) Hughes, who spent their entire lives in Cambria county, the former dying in No- vember, 1885, and the latter in 1857. The mother was of Scotch-Irish descent, a danghter of William Douglass, a farmer by occupation. The Hughes family was originally from Wales. By trade, Robert Hughes was a tanner, and in 1854 built the first tannery in Cherry Tree, In- diana county, but he also engaged in school teaching and the manufacture of shoes, and was interested to a considerable extent in lumbering. He was one of the most progressive, and ener- getic citizens of his community, a Republican in politics, and for a number of years efficiently served as justice of the peace. Of his five chil- dren, Ann. John, Thomas and William all died when young. so that Mrs. Tonkin is the only one now living. Her parents were both members of the Presbyterian Church, to which she and her eldest daughter also belong. In the Tonkin fam- ily are six children: Robert D., Vivian S .. Maxie E., Vincent O., Allie D. and Afton W., all at home. Their mother was for many years a teacher in the public schools of lowa.

The Republican party has ever found in Mr. Tonkin an ardent supporter. though he has never cared for official distinction, preferring to devote his undivided attention to his family and his business interests. Ile is one of the most suc- cessful farmers and lumbermen in Clearfield county, and is now living practically retired. en- joying the fruits of his former labor in his beau- tiful home which is situated in a hickory grove overlooking the river and the town of Cherry Tree. There he is surrounded by a happy famn- ily, and inany warm friends and acquaintances.

J' ESSE LINES has been identified with Clear- field county for almost seventy years, and has contributed to its material progress and prosperity to an extent equaled by but few of his

contemporaries. The difference between the past and the present can scarcely be realized. even by those who have been active participants in the development of the county. The present generation can have no conception of what was required by the early settlers in transforming the wilderness into the well settled and highly cul- tivated section which we to-day see.

Joseph Lines, the father of our subject, was born in 1795, in Chester county, Penn., but was reared in Nittany Valley, Centre county, where his father lived for a number of years, dying there when Joseph was about seventeen years of age. He had four sons, of whom William, the eldest, died while serving under Commodore Perry in the war of 1812. Joseph was the sec- ond in order of birth. Isaac grew to manhood in Nittany Valley, where he was married, but later made his home in Brady township, Clear- field county, dying there in 1866. His widow and children then returned to Centre county. Samuel, a native of Chester county, was also reared in Nittany Valley, where he continued to live throughout life. He married, and had sev- eral children, who reside in Centre county.

As early as 1827 Joseph Lines brought his family to Brady township, Clearfield county. locating within a mile of Luthersburg, where he purchased 150 acres of timber land and developed a farm. He first built a log house and barn, but these were afterward replaced by more modern frame structures, and all the improvements upon the place were of a substantial character. There he died in March, 1870. at the age of seventy- five years, and his wife, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Peoples, passed away two years later. Their children were as follows: (1) Katie, born in Centre county, was reared in Brady township, Clearfield county, and married Mathias Hollopeter. of that township. He owned a fine farm upon the old pike between Luthers- burg and Rockton. where they reared their family of twelve children, eight of whom are living, are married. and reside in Clearfield county. (2) Jesse is the second in order of birth. 13) Na- thaniel, born in Centre county, in 1819, grew to manhood upon the home farm in Brady town- ship, Clearfield county. and now lives on a farm in Union township. He married Miss Margaret Nelson, and has four children-Lizzie, James M .. Joseph N., and Mathias. (4) Elizabeth. born in 1821. in Centre county, became the wife of Benjamin Harley, who was engaged in the foundry business in Clarion county, Penn., where she died May 4. 1854 (had buried three chil- dren before her death-Mary Agnus, born in February. 1854, died in 1862: Margaret Rachel

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

858

died when seventeen months old, and Roxan died when in infancy), leaving six children James, Joseph, Frank, Elizabeth, Jane and Cath- erine, all of whom are married. (5) Sarah, born in 1822, in Centre county, died when young. (6) Mary, born in the same county, in 1825, wedded William Bradley, of Clearfield county, who died some years ago, and she now lives in the city of Clearfield. (7) Jane, born in 1827, is the widow : of Daniel Stewart, of Clearfield, who died a few years ago. leaving a family of children, all of whom are married-Ashly, a farmer of Bradford, Penn. : Samuel, a leading physician of Clearfield; John, a merchant of Clearfield; and Bishop, also a resident of that place. (8) William, born in Brady township, Clearfield county, May 23, 1829, married a Miss Bloom, of Pike township, the same county, where he owns a good farm and has reared a large family. (9) Rachel, born in 1831, is the wife of Henry Whitehead, one of the sub- 1 stantial business men and highly respected citi- zens of Union township, Clearfield county, and they have three children-Mary Ellen, Sarah Elizabeth, who died in the spring of 1893, and Joseph Lee. (10) Joseph, born September 25, 1833, married Miss Sarah Matilda Kirk, who ' died June 22, 1870, leaving two children-Jesse and Lucilla. Her surviving husband married her sister. Margaret Ellen, July 3, 1871. and had six children, four living and two dead. The mothers of these were daughters of Thomas Kirk, of Brady township. Joseph Lines followed lum- bering the greater part of his life. He died in 1896, leaving a wife and family. ((1) Thomas, born in April, 1835, resided near the old home- stead, where he died in 1892, leaving a wife, who was forinerly Miss Jane Nolder, of Brady town- ship, and seven children- Leroy, Chancy, Mc- Clellan. Cleveland, and three danghters -Blanch, Millie and Zella, all of whom are living. The boys, Leroy and Chancy, died some years ago. (12) Elias, born June 11, 1836, has spent his entire life upon the old homestead. He married Margaret Bogle, of Brady township, who died in 1880, leaving four children Lizzie, Willie, Mary and Ida (had, before her death, buried one -- Tillie,. Lizzie and Mary have died since her death. Ida is married to Harvey McGanghy, of Brady township, and William is married and lives in Clearfield. Her surviving husband was married to a Miss Pifer, in 1884, and is now liv- ing on his father's old homestead.

Jesse Lines was born March 21. 1817, in Nittany Valley, Centre county, and was abont eleven years of age when he accompanied his parents to their new home in Brady township. Clearfield county. His education was limited to

four months' attendance at a school conducted where the Luthersburg cemetery is now located, and taught by Benjamin Hall, of Centre county. In 1840 he was married to Miss Lavina Horn, of Brady township, a daughter of David and Mary Horn, and they located near their present home, where our subject purchased 175 acres of land which was covered with a heavy growth of tim- ber. He built a hewed-log barn and commenced clearing the place. Acre after acre was trans- formed into productive fields until the entire tract was under a high state of cultivation, and in 1861 he erected a large frame barn and also im- proved his residence. In 1872 he removed . to the mill property which he had purchased some years previous of David Welty. It com- prised fifty acres of timber land, upon which he : erected a dwelling house, barn and sawmill, and although now eighty years of age he is still en- gaged in the manufacture of lumber, personally ' looking after every detail of the business, and doing his own filing and other labors connected with the mill. He has ever been a progressive. energetic business man, and has met with a well deserved success in his undertakings. In 1869 he purchased another tract of wood land of Mr. Ashenfelter, consisting of 123 acres between his mill and Salem. In 1886 he purchased a tract of wood land from R. H. Moore, consisting of fifty acres, which joins the Ashenfelter property. formerly purchased by him, which makes a total of 173 acres.

To our subject and wife were born seven children: (1) David H., born in 1840, lives on his father's original homestead. He married Eliza J. Dresler, of Union township, Clearfield county, and had seven children-John, who is married and lives with his father: Della, now Mrs. Wood Kelly, of Brady township; Ezra, who died in childhood: William; Dolly, who died when young; and May and Edith, both at home. (2) Joseph, born September 8, 1842, married Malinda Nelson. of Union township, and moved to Nemaha county, Kans. , where he follows farm- ing and has reared seven children -- Jesse. How- ard, Neute, and Frank, Eva, Mabel, and the baby, a girl. (3) Mary J., born October 2, 1844. died in July, 1859. (4) Horatio, born Novem- ber 18, 1846, died April 1 ;. 1805. (5) HARVEY M., born April 30, 1849, married Fannie Cald- well, of Du Bois, and lives with his father. Only one of his eight children is now living --- Sarah Lavina. (6) Rachel A., born October 28, 1854. is the wife of Newton Goodlander, of Luthers- burg, by whom she had seven children, four still living: Edna, Mande, Lavina, and Joseph. (7) Margaret E., born November 15, 1858, is the

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

wife of Q. E. Dresler, an agriculturist of Union : C., and was honorably discharged in Harrisburg township, Clearfield county, and they had eight" in June. 1865.

children-Jesse A., Levi L., Lavina A .. Julia L., Cyrus A., Fairy E .. and two-Mable K., and Lottie C .- died in infancy.

In his political affiliations, our subject has been a pronounced Democrat, and he has faith- fully filled the offices of supervisor, auditor, school director and assessor a number of times to the entire satisfaction of all concerned. Both he and his wife are devout members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are honored and highly esteemed citizens of the community where they have so long made their home.

J A. GILMAN, an honored veteran of the Civil war, and now residing in Woodland, Clearfield county, was born in Franklin county, Penn., March 6, 1845, a son of John Taylor and Cath- erine (Cramer) Gilman. The father was a na- tive of Guilford, N. H .. was a veteran of the war of 1812, serving in the 11th N. H. Infantry, and afterward removed to Mobile, Ala., where he fol- lowed his trade of blacksmithing. Subsequently he returned to Chambersburg, Penn .. later went to Harvard, Centre county, and afterward, in 1853, removed to Morris township, Clearfield county. After working at his trade there for a time he went to Philipsburg, and in 1874 took up his residence in Woodland, where he died in 1876; his wife died in Decatur township, Clearfield county, in 1866. They had a family of three ! children: Mrs. Hannah Elizabeth Arisman, of Philipsburg: Mrs. Susan Catherine Klare, of Wallaceton, whose husband served three years in the roth P. V. I. : and J. A .. of this review.

Mr. Gilman, our subject, was reared in Clear- field county, and educated in Morris township and in Philipsburg. In the latter place he learned his trade of shoemaking. which he followed there. in Kylertown and in Woodland. His labors were interrupted, however. by his service in the Civil war. for in 1861 he enlisted at Philipsburg as a member of Company D), Fifth Pennsylvania Re- serve Infantry, for three years. He was mustered in at Harrisburg, joined the Army of the Poto- inac. and participated in the battles of Mechan- icsville, Gaines Hill. Charles City Cross Roads, Malvern Hill, the second battle of Bull Run, Get- tysburg. the seven-days' battle of the Wilderness, and Spottsylvania Court House. He re-enlisted December 28. 1864. in the same company and regiment, which, however, was attached to the 19ist P. V. I. When the war was over he par-

Mr. Gilman at once returned home, and in the same year married Miss Margaret Ellen C'arns. who was born in Lawrence township, Clearfield county, a daughter of Simon and Constance ( Mc- Mullen) Carns, pioneer settlers of Lawrence township, where the mother is still living: the father is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Gilman have five children: Harry, who is married and resides in Philadelphia; Mrs. Minnie McQuillen, of Wood- land: John, who is married, and resides in Wood- land; Loy and Verna.

Mr. Gilman now follows his trade of shoe- making in Woodland, and is an active, enterpris- ing business man, who, by his well- directed efforts, has won for himself a fair measure of success. He votes with the Prohibition party, and is ever act- ively interested in all measures calculated to ad- vance the educational, moral or material welfare of the community. He belongs to John W. Geary Post, No. 90, G. A. R .: to the Golden Eagle, and to the Patriotic Order of Sons of . America.

J P. FARWELL is connected with the busi- ness interests of Grampian as a carpenter. and with the municipal affairs of the city as justice of the peace. He takes a deep and com- mendable interest in all matters pertaining to the public welfare, lends an active support to many enterprises, and his well-spent life well entitles . him to representation in this volume.

His parents were James and Pamella (Shade. Farwell, the former of whom was born in Clinton county, Penn., in 1801, and was a son of Lemuel Farwell, a native of Scotland, who, during his boyhood. became a resident of Clinton county. He wedded Mary McCloskey, a native of that county. James Farwell, on leaving the old homestead there, removed to the Bell farm and located on the river between C'urwensville and Lumber City. He purchased 144 acres of land. seventy-five of which were under cultivation and improved with some buildings. He followed lumbering thronghout his entire life, and for twenty-five years before his death also engaged in farming. He died at the home of his son. L. M. Farwell, at Glen Union, Clinton county, iu 1884: his wife died on the old homestead near Lumber City, Clearfield county, in 1876.

This worthy couple had a numerous family of children, of most of whom we have the following record: (1, Frances A., the eldest, is the wife of John Hall, a son of Jesse Hall; they reside on a ticirated in the grand review in Washington, D. . farm in Clinton county, and have had four chil-

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dren. (2) Mary became the wife of E. H. Richie, of Clinton county; they resided for a time at Highner's Run, and in 1852 caine to Clearfield county, traveling by canal boat from Lock Haven to Bellefonte, and thence across the mountains with wagons to the Bell farm, in Clearfield county. Mrs. Richie died the same year. (3) Sebastian S. was educated in the common schools of Clinton county, studied medicine and practiced in Lumber City until his death in 1856. (4) L. M. married Nancy Burney, of Clinton county, who died in 1860. and he later wedded Matilda King; he resided on a farm near Glen Union, Clinton county; by his first marriage he had a family of seven children. (5) Elizabeth J. mar- ried William Baird, of Clinton county, and re- moved to Illinois, where they reared a family of children, all living in the West; Mr. Baird died in Knox county, Ill. (6) Noah M. married Har- riet Adleman, in 1858, and lived in Lumber City for ten years; he then removed to the old home- stead near that place and died in 1876; his wife still survives him. They had eight children, four now living in Clearfield county, the eldest being the wife of John Porter, who resides on a farm near Curwensville; the second. Luella, is the wife of George Mattern, of Decatur township, Clearfield county, and has one child: Frances is the wife of Ernest Orcutt, who is engaged in the livery business in Clearfield county: William Mc- Lellan follows lumbering. (7) Abel H. married Annie Wycoff. of Clearfield county, and resided in Lumber City until his death, which occurred in 1874 while he was teaching school in Dunbar; his wife died in 1856. (8) Nathan C. married Lydia Adleman. of Clearfield, and resides on a farm near Curwensville; they had seven children. (9) Matilda is the wife of Milton McClure, a son of T. R. McClure: they resided on a farm near Cnrwensville. but Mrs. Matilda McClure died in her early married life. (10) Clara, who com- pletes this family, died at the age of twenty-one years.

J. P. Farwell, the subject of this review, came to Clearfield county when eighteen years of age, and followed farming and lumbering until 1856. He then married Miss Nora M. O Neil. of Cur- wensville, daughter of Martin ()'Neil. of Potts- ville. Penn., who came to this country from Ire- ; sides. land in 1833. and died in Pottsville in 1846 His wife died in Towanda. Penn., in 18;8. After his marriage, Mr. Farwell and his wife removed to Oakland, on the road leading from Ourwens- ville to Lumber City, and there resided for six years. They then went to Lumber City, where they remained for eighteen years, since which time they have been residents of Grampian. Mr.

Farwell purchased a lot and built a fine residence in 1883. He has always followed carpentering. and on all sides may be seen evidences of his handiwork, for his thoroughi understanding of the business and honorable dealing have enabled him to secure a liberal share of the public pat- ronage.

Mr. and Mrs. Farwell have four children: (1) A. D., who is engaged in the lumber business in Grampian, wedded Mary King, of Lock Haven. Penn., daughter of Mrs. Matilda King, who be- came the wife of L. M. Farwell. Mr. and Mrs. A. D. Farwell have a family of seven children. all living. (2) Charles E., who was educated in the academy of Lumber City, died in 1879, at the age of eighteen years, while teaching his first term of school. (3) Cora F. is the wife of W. W. Spencer (son of Abram and Sarah Spencer. of Grampian Hills), who follows carpentering and cabinet making in Grampian; they have a family of six children, all living. (4) Roland, who is engaged in dealing in horses, married Miss Zella Doughman, and resides in Grampian; they have three sons and one daughter .. all living.

Mr. Farwell exercises his right of franchise ; in support of the Republican party, and for six- teen years has held the office of justice of the : peace, discharging his duties with promptness . and fidelity. He was school director for three terins, collector in 1892, supervisor of Pike town- ship for one year, street commissioner of Gram- pian for one term, and assessor of Lumber City for two terms. He is also notary public. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which his wife and son also hold membership, and his upright career has been characterized by fidelity to duty in both public and private life.

G W. GEARHART, of Clearfield county, has been actively identified with the business life of Clearfield borough for more than thirty- five years, and is now the owner of the oldest livery barn in that vicinity. It was built by Sam- uel Evans in 1853 as a stage barn, is a noted landmark, having at first been quite outside the limits of the city, which now surrounds it on all In 1865 Mr. Gearhart established a livery business there, and has since conducted it suc- cessfully. He had already spent thirty-four years in Clearfield, having gone there in 1862 to take employment in a carriage shop, which gave him an opportunity to acquaint himself with the ad- vantages of the growing city as a permanent lo- cation. In 1882 he engaged in the undertaking business as a member of the now well-known

G . M. Gearhart

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firm of Gearhart & Sharbaugh, who are among the leaders in that line in their locality.

Mr. Gearhart, in his enterprise and sound judgment, displays the qualities which charac- terized his pioneer ancestry. His grandfather, John Gearhart, a native of Maryland, and a sol- dier in the Revolutionary army, came to Penn- sylvania at an early day, and settled in what is now Decatur township, Clearfield county, clear- ing a farm near Osceola. Later he moved to Philipsburg, where his death occurred about 1840; his wife, whose maiden name was Mary Gray, died, at the home of their son Jacob, in Decatur township, about 1846. They had seven children, all now deceased: Jacob and John died in De- catur township; Peter died in Ohio; Elias was the fourth in order of birth; Adam is mentioned more fully below; Katie ( Mrs. Thompson) died in Armstrong county, Penn. ; Eve (Mrs. Gray) died in Jefferson county, this State.

Adam Gearhart, the father of our subject, was born in Centre county, Penn., in 1800, and mar- ried Susannah Hartsock, a native of the same county, and the daughter of Henry and Catherine Hartsock. Her father was born in Centre county, and her family was among the first to locate there. In 1831 Adam Gearhart moved to Clearfield county, and settled in the woods in Bradford township, where he cleared and improved a farm and made his permanent home. He died there in 1878, and his estimable wife followed him to the grave after a separation of four years. Of their seven children, Henry, the eldest, resides in Bradford township, Clearfield county; G. W. is the second in the order of birth: Jacob died in Bradford township, Clearfield county, March 10, 1884; Martha (Mrs. Snok) resides in Clearfield borough: Elizabeth resides in Philipsburg: Sarah, widow of Latimer Merrill, lives in Kane, Penn., and Rachel resides in Philipsburg, Pennsylvania.

The subject of our sketch was born in Half Moon township, Centre county, and was but a child when he was taken to the new home in Clearfield county, where he grew to manhood, his education being acquired in the schools near his father's farm, at which time there were only five public schools in the county. In 1859 he was married in Clearfield borough to Miss Ellen Merrill, a native of the county, whose parents, William and Mary ( Fetterman) Merrill, were born in this State, and were among the early settlers of Clearfield village, where they con- ducted a hotel. Both died in Clearfield bor- ongh.

Mr. and Mrs. Gearhart have had thirteen children, of whom nine are living, viz .: Mary Ida, of Montana, where she is principal of the

Glendale School; William, who is married. and lives in Du Bois, Penn. ; Maud, wife of William Bloomer, superintendent of a tannery at Clear- field: Angusta (Mrs. F. B. Row), of Clearfield; Clara (Mrs. Frank Thompson), of Clearfield; Glenora, George, Katie and Howard. The family attend the M. E. Church, of which Mr. Gearhart has been a trustee for many years.

G. W. Gearhart commenced his business ca- reer with no capital, except his own determined will and energy, and his success is the result of his own personal efforts and good management. His time and attention are devoted to business, leaving him but little occasion to participate in the political affairs of the county, nevertheless. as one of the substantial sons of the county, and a resident of Clearfield, he takes a deep interest in every movement looking to the progress of either. As an earnest member of the Clearfield Methodist Episcopal Church, he contributes both of his means and counsel to the support and maintenance of that society.

E ADWARD PIDGEON is an enterprising. en- ergetic business man of Houtzdale, who al- ways keeps abreast with the times, and has been rewarded with a comfortable competence. He has done much to promote the commercial activ- ity, advance the general welfare, and secure the material development of his section of Clearfield county, and therefore is worthy of honorable mention in this volume.

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2, Part 56

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