Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2, Part 58

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 58
USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 58
USA > Pennsylvania > Clearfield County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 58
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 58

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.

skirmish line up to the time of Lee's surrender at Appomattox, from which place they marched to Petersburg, and thence to Richmond and Fred- ericksburg. They were thien stationed at Arling- ton Heights until the grand review at Washing- ton, D. C., in which they participated. Mr. Hebel had re-enlisted November 10, 1863, for three years or during the war, but as hostilities had ceased he was honorably discharged from the United States service at Harrisburg, July 3, 1865. He had taken part in over fifty impor- tant engagements, and ever proved a faithful and fearless soldier.

Mr. Hebel returned to his old home in Perry county; but December 13, 1865, he came to Clearfield county, where he learned the carpen- ter's trade under the direction of Ezra Ale, of Clearfield. He continued to work in that city until his marriage to Miss Charlotte Diem, of Brady township, Clearfield county, a daughter of Henry and Louisa Diem, natives of Germany. After his marriage Mr. Hebel located in Luthers- burg, where he purchased a lot of G. B. Good- lander, and erected thereon a two-story dwelling, but later traded the place for a farm in Brady township. A few years later, however, he re- turned to Luthersburg, and again resumed car- penter work, which he has since successfully fol- lowed. In 1889 he purchased the property of Dr. George Wilson, and still makes his home there.

home: Clara E. and Olive May (twins) were born April S. IS81, but the latter died in infancy, while the former lived to the age of sixteen. dy- ing in 1897: Lillie G., born September 2, 1883. Fannie C., June 17, 1885. and Warren M., De- cember 4. 1889, are all at home and attending school. The parents both hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are people of the highest respectability. Mr. Hebel re- ceived the endorsement of the citizens of Li- thersburg for postmaster, was recommended by Congressman Hon. W. C. Arnold, and received the appointment October S. 1897, in which posi- tion he is now serving his country. He freely

offered his services to his country during her hour of peril, and in days of peace has also proved a patriotic and loyal citizen, doing all within his power to advance the interests of his town and county or to promote the general welfare.

E ALLIS W. EVANS, an energetic farmer, and a successful contractor and builder, of Gra- hamn township, Clearfield county, was born in 1842, on the old homestead in the same town- ship, his parents being Moses C. and Rebecca (Smeal) Evans.

The father of our subject was born in Chester county, Penn., in 1794, a son of Jonathan and Priscilla (Coats) Evans, with whom he removed to Mill Hall, Centre county, at an early day. There he followed tanning for some time, and then located in the woods near Curwensville. Clearfield county, where he cleared and improved a good farm. The mother was a native of Brad- ford township, Clearfield county, where. her father had made a settlement at a very early day. The parents began housekeeping in Pike town- ship, where three children were born, and then removed to a 109-acre tract in Graham township. which Mr. Evans purchased, cleared, improved and cultivated. Here the family circle was in- creased by the birth of four other children, mak- ing seven. namely: Henry, who resides on a Mr. and Mrs. Hebel have become the parents of eleven children, namely: Mary L., born May 16. 1868, died at the age of twenty years; George F., born November 19, 1869, died from diphtheria at the age of nine; Minne R., born July 24. 1872, died from the same disease at the age of seven: A. M., born October 25, 1874, re- : ceived a good common-school education, is still with his parents, and is at present assistant post- master: William F., born March 5, 1877, died in infancy; Annie L., born September 17, 1879, farm adjoining the old homestead in Graham township: Mary, wife of Jonathan Emigh, a farin- er of Morris township, Clearfield county: J. C .. who wedded Mary J. Heise, of Lancaster county, Penn., and after living for a time in Graham township, removed to Illinois, but returned to Cooper township, Clearfield county. where with his wife and nine children he is now living: Cath- arine. wife of James Myer. of Goshen township. Clearfield county. by whom she has one child: and Josiah M., who married Elizabeth Parker. was educated in the common schools, and is at . of Philipsburg, Penn .. and with his wife and

eleven children reside in Ramey, Clearfield county.

Ellis W. Evans, the subject of this sketch, completes the family. He was reared and edu- cated in Graham township, and was there mar- ried to Miss Sarah A., daughter of George W. Hisel, of Lancaster county. Penn .. and to them were born children as follows: Rebecca: Mary. who died at the age of five years; M. L. C., who died at the age of three years; Josiah M. ; Henry H. : George W. : William W .: B. Ella; Grover C. : Ellis W. : F. C., and Aussie Pearl.

Mr. Evans resides upon a part of the old homestead, which he has improved with good

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and substantial buildings, and in fact the whole place testifies to his industry, careful manage-" ment, enterprise and sound judgment. He has always been a stalwart Democrat in politics, has served for two terms as constable, and is at pres- ent supervisor of his township. He is very popu- lar throughout the community, and those who have known him from childhood are numbered among his stanchest friends. In the Methodist Episcopal Church he and his wife, with three of their children, hold membership.

SAMUEL LEWIS KESTER is one of the sub- stantial citizens of Penn township, Clear- field county, whose sterling worth, irreproachable integrity and business activity make him a valued factor in the community. He follows farming and carpentering, and since the age of seven years has resided in Clearfield county. A native of Columbia county, Penn., he was born No- vember 2, 1841, a son of Isaac and Mary (Winer) Kester, the former of whom was born in Colum- bia county, October 13, 1813, and was a son of Samuel Kester, a native of the same county. Isaac Kester was reared to and followed the oc- cupation of farming, and in 1848 removed with his wife and five children to Clearfield county, Penn., purchasing 150 acres of partially improved land near Lumber City. There he erected a house, and made other substantial improvements dur- ing his residence, which covered a number of years. He then sold that property, and pur- chased what is now known as the David Young farm. of one hundred acres, whereon he passed the rest of his days, dying October 19, 1884; his wife was called from earth July 5, 1896.

Isaac and Mary Kester had a family of eleven children- nine sons and two daughters-namely: (1) Ellis, the eldest, wedded Mary J. Young, of Ferguson township, and resides on the Thomas Clever farm in Bloom township, Clearfield county; they have one son and two daughters- (a) Albert married Maud, daughter of Wilson Tate. of Curwensville, Penn., and they have two daughters, Myrtle and Martha; (b) Ida is the wife of George T. Underwood, a resident of Gram- pian, and they have one child, Russell; and (c) Emma, who is unmarried. (2) Our subject comes (3) Jesse wedded Mary E. . Smith, of next.

Bell's Landing, who died leaving four children- (a) Clarence, who is married, and has two chil- dren: (b) John unmarried, and living at home; (c) Thomas, who married Lizzie Newcomer, and resides at Bell's Landing; and (d) Harry, unmar- ried, and living at home. For his second wife. Jesse Kester married Clementine Bell, widow of

David Bell, and they had one child that died in infancy. (4) William is a carpenter by trade. and resides with his brother John, at Bell's Land- ing. (5) Frank married Elizabeth Kester, ot Columbia county, Penn., and follows lumbering in Greenwood township, Clearfield county; they have a family of nine children-Minta i wife of Fred Pentz, a farmer of Penn township, by whom she has two children, Allen and Jennie Pentz), Jason, Wallace, Susie, Truman, Mary, Delilah, Rosie and Grier. (6) Susan is the wife of John Parker, a farmer of Columbia county. and they have a family of ten children-Sylvanus T. (who married Miss Laura Haycock, of Ben- ton, Penn.), I. Clark, Elias, Allen, Perry E., Ira P., Lewis W., Mary Araminta, Ellis H., and John Lundy. (7) Amos married Katie Johnson, of Mahaffey, Penn., and resides in Greenwood township, Clearfield county, with their two chil- dren-Jesse and Orvis. (8) Ella is the wife of Dan McCracken, a farmer of Penn township, and they have children-Frank and Bessie. (9) Isaac, who resides near Curwensville, Penn., married Lydia Bloom, of Pike township, Clear- field county, by whom he has five sons-Bruce, Vincent, Lynn, Ross and Ellis. (10) John P., of Bell's Landing, follows the carpenter's trade. He wedded Mary Jordan, of Lumber City, and they have five children-Edna, Albert. Charles, Margaret and Alice. (11) James, a photographer of Brockwayville. Penn., married Blanche Lu- ther, of Troutville, Penn., and has one son- Luther.

When a child of seven years, S. L. Kester accompanied his parents to Clearfield county. and spent his boyhood on the homestead farm near Lumber City. In 1860 he began learning the carpenter's trade under the direction of A. C. Moore, with whom he worked for three years. On October 20, 1865. he was married in Penn township to Miss Alice Wall, daughter of Reuben and Sidney Wall, of Penn township. Her grand-

father, David Wall, removed to Clearfield coun- ty from Centre county, Penn., in 1812. and pur- chased a large tract of land in Penn township. now known as the Lewis Kester farm. He cleared and improved that place, erected a log cabin in the midst of the forest, and there reared his family of nine children: (1) William Wall, the eldest son, married Sarah, daughter of Jona- than Wall, of P'enn township, and they had a family of nine children: Jane, Elizabeth, Sid- ney, Lydia A., Amos. Lavina, Albert, Truman and Melinda. (2) Jane became the wife of Charles Underwood. and has three children- David. Reuben and Annie, all married. (3. James married Sarah Moore, and resided in

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Brady township, Clearfield county, but both are now deceased; they had six children -- Jeremiah," Andrew. David. Harvey, George and Mary Ann. (4) Reuben (the father of Mrs. Kester) married Sidney Wall, and lived in Penn township until his death in February, 1892; his wife died in 1885; they had two children-Alice (Mrs. S. L. Kester), and Miles. a resident of Curwensville, Penn. (5) Levi died of typhoid fever after reaching manhood. (6) Margaret grew to wo- manhood on the old homestead, and is now de- ceased. (7) Sarah became the wife of Samuel Young, of Bell township, Clearfield county, who resided there until his death: he left a widow and one child, David Young, now of Greenwood township. (8) John married Sarah Elinger, of Brady township, where they both died. leaving a family of four children-Mrs. Jane Gardner, of Brady township, who has four children: Mrs. Mary Counsil; Curtis. of Wall's Mill. who was married. had six children, and lost his wife in 1894: and Mrs. Elizabeth Crowell. who died leaving one son. 19 Jefferson married, and re- moved to Pittsburg, Penn. Mrs. Kester's mother was one of seven children-Isaiah. Sarah, Sid- ney, Eliza, Jonathan. Thomas and Elijah, all residents of Penn township.

S. L. Kester, whose naine introduces this sketch, has lived on the old Wall homestead for twenty-eight years, locating there in 1868. Eight children were born to him and his wife: (1) Reuben P. wedded Mary Kirk, of Penn town- ship, who died in 1892. leaving a daughter. Vin- nie, who lives with her grandparents. Reuben P. afterward married Myrtie Davis, of Penn township, and is now living on the old home- stead with his father. He has been a successful teacher in the public schools for eleven terms. (2) Howard, born in 1868. died September 9. 1877. (3) Jennie married Truman Davis. a son of Joseph Davis. and they now reside at Gram- pian. Penn., where Mr. Davis is engaged in the lumber business: their three children are-Alice. Joseph and Beulah. (4) Beulah, born in 1874. died September 6, 187 ;. (5)Adda. born August 25, 1775, died September 20. 1877. (6) Minnie .A., born December 9, 1878, (7) Siddie. born June 10. 1880, and (8) Seymour, born June 23. 1884, are at home with their parents.

Mr. Kester was reared by his parents in the faith of the Friends Church, and he and his family now hold membership therein. In poli- tics he was formerly a Republican, but now supports the Prohibition party. He held the offices of school director and overseer of the poor, but has never been an aspirant for official honors. His life has been a busy and useful

one, devoted to both farming and carpentering. and he is one of the most industrious and ener- getic citizens of Penn township, whose career commends him to the confidence and good will of all.

S AMUEL G. KUNTZ. of Troutville, Clear- field county, deserves more than a passing notice, his ability, enterprise, and high character having won him an influential place in the com- munity. Like many of the leading citizens of the county. he is of German blood.

The late Jacob Kuntz, father of our subject, was born in Bavaria, Germany, and was married in the Fatherland to Fraulein Catherine Yockey. Some years were spent in their native country, and three children were born there: but, desiring for themselves and their family the wider oppor- tunities for advancement to be found in the United States, they left the old home on May 5. 1830, and soon afterward sailed from Havre. Their long and tedious voyage ended July 19. 1830, at New York harbor. and they came at once to Union county, Penn .. attracted by the fertile lands which were then being rapidly settled. On November 30, they took possession of a wooded tract near Troutville, where they made their permanent home, clearing and improving it for a farin. Mr. Kuntz was a inan of more than ordinary business acumen, and his various enter- prises prospered. In 1850 he built a gristmill which he conducted profitably, and he was also interested in lumbering to some extent. In 1856 he engaged in general mercantile business at Troutville. following it for a number of years with great success. He was prominent in local politics also, and in 1861 was elected county commissioner, taking the office in January, 1862. and serving until 1865. His wife died in 1890. at the age of ninety years, after sixty-nine years of happy wedded life: he passed away not long after. dying on April 26, 1892, at the age of ninety- four years. three months and seven days. They had eight children: Frederick, who was drowned near Reynoldsville, Penn., in 1850: Mrs. Bonsall. of Brady township. Clearfield county: Mrs. Eliz- abeth Grube, of Bell township, Jefferson county; Mrs. Rishel. of Troutville: Jacob, who resides in McCalmont township. Jefferson county: Susan- nah |Mrs. Limberg . of Butler county. Penn. : Caroline now Mrs. Caroline Weber). of Trout- ville, and Samuel G., our subject.

S. G. Kuntz was born March 3. 1845. and was reared at the old homestead. receiving his education in the schools of the neighborhood. Since 1856 he has resided in Troutville, and it is

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safe to say that no public enterprise of moment has been projected without receiving from him practical and effective aid. In business he has been unusually successful. Milling has occupied much of his attention, and from 1868 to 1884 he conducted a general store. On disposing of this he engaged in lumbering, and now has a sawmill in active operation. He also has a feed mill and roller buckwheat mill in the borough, which com- mand a good business. In politics he is a Dem- ocrat, and his influence in local affairs is well recognized. In IS91 he was chosen to the office of justice of the peace for one year; in 1892 he was re-elected for the term of five years, and again re-elected, in 1897, for five years, the peo- ple thus indicating their approval of his able dis- charge of duty. Socially he is identified with the O. U. A. M.

In 1869 Mr. Kuntz was married to Miss Eliz- abeth Weaver, a native of Bell township, Jeffer- son county, and a daughter of the late George Weaver, who was formerly a prominent resident of that locality, but died in Troutville in 1876. Three children, Clara C., Susie E. and S. Emory, brighten our subject's home.

T HOMAS N. FULTON. The name of Sam- uel Fulton, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, holds a prominent place in the early history of , Clearfield county, as it was through his labors as surveyor that the sparsely settled wilderness . was set off by metes and bounds. He was born in Ireland May 1. 1782, and came to Pennsylvania in early manhood, lo- cating first in Huntingdon county, where he mar- ried Miss Margaret Gahagan. He moved to Clearfield county in 1806, and made his home in the woods of Lawrence township, clearing a farm there. His death occurred in 1861 ; his wife sur- vived him only ten years. They had nine chil- dren, namely: James, who died in 1873; Re- becca, born June 11. 1809. married Archibald Shaw, of Bradford township, Clearfield county, and died in 1894; Moses, our subject's father; Washington P., born August 26, 1814, died in Lawrence township March 8, 1893; Elizabeth (Mrs. Joseph Shaw, born August 24, 1819, died in Clearfield. February 8. 1892; Mary, born July 7. 1816. the wife of William Fullerton, of Law- rence township: Susannah (Mrs. Thompson Read), born December 19, 1826, now of Goshen township. Clearfield county: Thomas H .. who died in Clearfield county, in 1854, at the age of twenty-nine years: and Hannah (Mrs. Richard Shaw, Jr., born August 9, 1828, died in Clear- field in 1861.

Moses Fulton was born May 21, 1812, on the farm now owned by our subject, and grew to inanhood at his father's farm. He was married ! in Pike township, Clearfield county, May 21. IS39, to Miss Anna H. Caldwell, a native of that locality, and a daughter of Hon. Alexander and Margaret (Hartshorn) Caldwell. Her father was a Pennsylvanian by birtli, and identified himself with Clearfield county at an early period. open- ing up a farm in Pike township. and taking a leading part in public affairs. At one time he was sheriff of the county, and in 1854-56 he was a member of the Assembly. He and his wife both passed away in 1876 at their home in Pike township.

Moses Fulton followed agriculture as an occupation until death cut short his useful life on May 28, 1865; his widow still resides at the old farm. They reared a family of eight chil- dren, namely: Samuel A., who died in Kansas in 1893; Thomas N., our subject; Joseph B., who enlisted in Clearfield county in 1863, and died at City Point, Va .. in January, 1864; Martin T., a resident of Eureka, Cal .: Margaret C. (Mrs. Ford), who died in Kansas in 1893; Mary B., the wife of J. F. McGeorge, of Eureka, Cal. : Edgar R., of Marysville, Kans. ; and Elmer E., of At- lanta, Georgia,

T. N. Fulton was born July 3, 1842, at the old home in Lawrence township, and was edu- cated in the neighboring schools. He has fol- lowed agriculture as an occupation since early manhood, and now owns the homestead contain- ing 130 acres, of which 100 are under cultivation. He was married, in 1881, to Miss Elmira Irwin. a native of Lawrence township, and the descend- ant of two highly esteemed pioneer families. Her parents. Henry and Mary (Odgen) Irwin (both now deceased), were natives of Clearfield county. To Mr. and Mrs. Fulton were born four children, as follows: Blaine. Ella H., Koy I. and Myra. The mother passed from earth March 12, 1888. In his political affiliations, Mr. Fulton is a Republican. He is greatly interested in all forms of local progress, especially in educa- tional matters, to which he has given ettective assistance as a member of the school board.

G EORGE HECKENDORN. who has for several years been actively identified with the industrial and agricultural interests of Kar- thaus township, Clearfield county, is a native of Cumberland county, Penn., but was reared in Perry county, where he acquired his education in the common schools .. . His parents were Adam and Susan Fenical, Heckendorn. "Mis paternal

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grandfather, Christian Heckendorn, was a native of Germany, and on coming to America, when a young man, located in Pennsylvania. He was a , skillful millwright, and became quite prominent / and wealthy. He died in Perry county, and his wife, who survived him for some time, passed :

away at the advanced age of ninety-six years.

Adam Heckendorn, the father of our subject, was born in Berks county, Penn., and grew to manhood in Cumberland county, later becoming a resident of Perry county, where he owned a valuable farm on which he made most of the im- provements. Being a natural mechanic, he re- paired most of his machinery, and shod his own horses. He died in Perry county, as did also his wife, who survived him a few years. In early life he held membership with the Presby- terian Church, but, removing to a community where there was no organization of that denomi- nation, he joined the Lutheran Church, to which his wife had always belonged. Seven children were born to thein: Christian, Francis, John, William, David, George and Abraham. Only George and Abraham are now living, and our subject is the only one of the family who ever came to Clearfield county.

George Heckendorn remained with his par- ents until eighteen years of age, and in 1847 en- tered upon an apprenticeship to the blacksmith's trade, which he followed as a journeyman at Salt Lick, Karthaus township, after coming to Clear- field county in 1850. At the end of a year he rented a shop which he conducted until 1859, when he purchased fifty acres of partially-im- proved land, three miles east of the village of Karthaus. He has inade many valuable improve- ments upon the place, including good barns and outbuildings, and has remodeled and enlarged the house, converting it into a commodions and comfortable residence. He has had the mis- fortune to lose two barns by fire, one residence at Salt Lick, and his recent home was damaged by that destroyer. In connection with his home farm he also owns a one-third interest in 120 acres of improved land. and, also a timber tract. After buying his place he at once erected a black- smith shop, which he has since successfully con- ducted, while his farm has been principally operated by hired help. For about nine years he was also a partner of Dr. Gilliland in mer- chandising, but never gave his personal attention to the store.

In 1858 Mr. Heckendorn was married to Miss Sophia Yothers, who was born in Karthaus town- ship in 1836, a daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Rider) Yother .. Her father was a native of Ad- ams county, Penn., but at an early age he came

to Clearfield county, where he was married, and, being a miller by trade, he conducted the Kar- thaus mill for many years. Later he purchased a farm, on which he spent his remaining days, dying at the age of seventy-two years, and his wife passed away four years later. They were consistent members of the Lutheran Church, and the parents of eleven children: Maria, wife of J. Carley; John: Henry: Daniel; Mrs. Isabella Pat- terson; Sophia; Reuben; Adeline, wife of Joseph Gilliland; Christian, deceased; Joseph, and Mrs. Mary Heichel. Six of the family are still living.

Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Heckendorn, namely: Joseph A., a prominent merchant, mine owner, and coal operator: Sarah, deceased wife of Alvin A. Murray: Anna B., wife of Edward Read; Janetta E., wife of John Bu- chanan; William, who is an employe of the Penn- sylvania railroad, residing at Johnsonburg: and Bertha, at home. They have also reared a niece, Mabel E. (a daughter of William Heichel), who lias made her home with them since nine months old.

Mr. Heckendorn was reared in the Presbyte- rian Church, to which faith he still holds, while his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. At national elections, he supports the candidates of the Democratic party, to which his ancestors belonged, but at local elections votes for the man whom he considers best qualified to fill the office, regardless of party ties. A genial, courteous gentleman, he enjoys the confidence and respect of all with whom he comes in con- tact, in either public or private life.

A LEXANDER D. STEWART. Man's suc- cess is not measured by the height to which he has climbed, but by the distance between his starting point and the altitude that he has reached. The success of our subject seeins most marvelous, but has conie to him not as the re- sult of propitious circumstances, but as a reward for farsighted dealings, executive ability and dis- crimination. He is one of the most enterprising and prosperous business men of Houtzdale. and is the senior member of the well-known firm of Pidgeon & Stewart.

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2, Part 58

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