Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2, Part 6

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 6
USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 6
USA > Pennsylvania > Clearfield County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 6
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 6

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who is now the wife of James McDowell, of An- sonville, Clearfield county, while his widow has become the wife of Alexander Murray, of Girard township. (6) Benjamin completes the family.

On August 26, 1852, Benjamin Spackman married Mary Jane Flanigan, a native of Ireland, and they became the parents of eleven children, namely: (1) John W. was married in 1876 to Amanda Turner, of Port Matilda, Centre Co., Penn., who died in 1882; they had three children -Alta, Clifford and Benjamin J. He was mar- ried again, in 1891, this time to Katie Glass, of Altoona, Penn., and by this marriage he has two children. They make their home in West Clear- field, where he is engaged in the insurance busi- ness. (2) Laura died at the age of two years. (3) James died in 1879. (4) Benjamin Franklin died in 1887. (5) Williamn C. was married De- cember 14, 1887, to Kate Moses, of Karthaus, Clearfield county, by whom he has four children. He is engaged in mercantile pursuits in Berwins- dale, Clearfield county. (6) Alta was married June 25, 1890, to George Dale, a farmer of Graham township, Clearfield county, and they have two children. (7) Blanche is at home with her father. (8) Alfred and (9) Mary died in in- fancy. (10) Charles and (II) Bertha are both at home. Mrs. Spackman was called from earth March 24, 1889.

For ten years after his marriage Mr. Spack- man engaged in milling in Grahamton, Clear- field county, and then in connection with T. H. Forcey purchased a grist and saw mill in Morris township, same county, where he resided for eight years. Returning to Grahamton, he con- ducted the mill there for three years, and then purchased his present farm of ninety acres in Graham township, to the cultivation and im- provement of which he has since devoted his time and attention with most satisfactory results. He is an able and skillful farmer, whose success is certainly well deserved. Mr. Spackman is of Quaker descent, but in religious belief he and the entire family are Methodists. Politically, he has been identified with the Republican party since its organization, and has always taken an active interest in public affairs, supporting every movement that has for its object the welfare of the community. For two terms he filled the office of school director.

P HILIP SWOPE is a leading representative of the agricultural and industrial interests of Brady township, Clearfield county, and be- longs to one of the old and honored families of the community. His parents, Philip and Eliza-

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beth (Youghes) Swope, were both natives of Ger- many, and on crossing the Atlantic in 1821 they located in Brady township, where the father worked with Mr. Corb on the pike between Clear- field and Luthersburg. Subsequently, however, he removed to Ohio, where he spent eleven years, and then returned to Clearfield county, purchas- ing one hundred acres of land southeast of Luthersburg in Brady township. He at once commenced to clear and improve the place, building at first a round-log house and barn, but in 1860 he replaced the log house with a commo- dious frame residence, where he and his worthy wife spent the remainder of their lives, the former dying at the age of eighty-nine years, eleven months, and the latter when eighty-four years old. Their well-spent lives gained for them the' respect and esteem of all with whom they came in contact.

Of their ten children, the eldest died in in- fancy. (2) Henry, a native of Ohio, married Jane Brisbin, of Brady township; he owned a farm in Bloom township, Clearfield county, but died in 1874, near Troutville, where he was farming for Carlisle & Moore: he left a widow but no children. (3) Katie is now the wife of George Passmore, by whom she has several chil- dren, and they reside near Bell's Landing, in Clearfield county, where he follows blacksmith- ing. (4) Philip is next in order of birth. (5) Louisa married William Wingert, of Brady town- ship, who is engaged in farming and lumbering two miles east of Luthersburg, and they have four children-John; Emma: Ellis, who married a Miss Hartzfeld, and now resides in Brady town- . ship; and Louie, at home. (6) Margaret is the wife of Jacob Hileburn, who owns and operates a farm three miles west of Luthersburg, and they have three children -- David. May and Blanche (now Mrs. Milton Aurand, living near Luthers- burg). (7) Malinda is the wife of Philip Arnold, a farmer of Brady township, and they have a large family of children. (8) David, a native of Brady township, married Maggie Wingert, of the . same township, and lives on the old homestead, which he now owns. (9) Samuel, who resides on his farm in Brady township, married Eva Youghes, of Indiana county. Penn .. and has two childen-Paul and Gertrude. (10) Christian has spent his entire life in Brady township, where he is engaged in agricultural pursuits. He married Charlotte Wingert, of the same township, and has six children -- Alice, George, Elmer, Jessie, William, and one whose name is not given.

Philip Swope is a native of Ohio, born in 1843 (his parents at that time living in that State), whence at an early age he accompanied

them on their return to Clearfield county, where he grew to manhood, receiving a common-school education. On attaining his majority he returned to Ohio, where he worked for some time, and on again coming to Brady township, he was married to Miss Hannah, daughter of George and Sarah Horn, honored pioneers of Clearfield county, who came here from Centre county, Penn., in 1835, and developed a good farm in Brady town- ship, where the mother died in 1885 and the father in 1886. In their family of eleven chil- dren. Mrs. Swope is the third in the order of birth. After his marriage our subject purchased seventy acres of partially-improved land, known as the Jackson Horn farm, where in 1879 he built a large barn, and in 1882 a substantial and com- fortable residence. Having added many useful improvements, he has made the place one of the most valuable and desirable farms of Brady town- ship. Four children came to brighten the home: (1) Fannie, born in 1868, died the following year. (2) Maggie, born August 12. 1869, mar- ried Perry Aurand, of Brady township, by whom she has two children-Fay and Ray Bryan; they now reside on his farm near Luthersburg. (3) Ida, born in 1871, is the wife of G. W. Shaffer. of Brady township, who now operates his father's farm. (4) Ora, born in 1873. married Samuel Barnacle, of Brady township, and they now live in Caledonia, Elk Co., Penn., where he works for a lumberman.

Mr. Swope gives his political support to the Democratic party, and has held the office of school director for one terin, but has never de- sired political honors. With the Methodist Epis- copal .Church of Luthersburg, he and his wife hold membership, and they stand deservedly high in social circles. Upright, honest and industri- ous, he ranks among the foremost citizens of the county, and he does all in his power to promote the cause of the Church, and to advance all inter- ests calculated to uplift and ennoble humanity. His own life is worthy of emulation, and all who know him retain for him the highest regard.

H ON. CHARLES D. AMES is one of the dis- tinguished citizens of Clearfield county, and his ability, personal worth and popularity have gained for him distinctive preferment at the hands of his fellow townsmen. He was born in Cooper township, then a part of Morris town- ship, Clearfield county, July 26, 1869. a son of Andrew J. and Mary ( Deviney) Amnes, respected people of Clearfield county. The father was a son of Nathaniel Ames, who was of English descent, and belonged to the prominent New

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England family of that name mentioned in his- tory.

Andrew J. Ames was born in Dover, Maine, in 1834, and came to Clearfield county at the age of sixteen years with Charles and Dudley Blanchard, who owned large tracts of land, and were among the first lumbermen of the county. Mr. Ames worked at the lumber business as . an employee, afterward became a jobber for Blanchard Brothers, and had a large force of men. He did the most extensive logging busi- ness in the county, cutting millions of feet of lumber annually until his industry had assumed. enormous proportions. At length he retired from that industry, and is now engaged in the real- estate business. He owns a plat of land below Winburne, and has there founded a town called Ames. His own residence is in Kylertown, and he is quietly enjoying the fruits of his former toil. He has two children: Zella, wife of Sam- uel Northamer, a farmer; and Charles D. The mother is a consistent member of the Presbyte- rian Church. The great-grandfather, Elijah Ames, was a native of Bath, Maine, and his wife, a daughter of Zebediah Thomas, was born in Kennebec, Maine.

Charles Dudley Ames was reared in Kyler- town, and at the age of fifteen entered the Edin- boro State Normal School. On completing his education he returned home and engaged in the insurance business. In 1887 he entered the University of Lebanon, Ohio, with the intention of studying law; but after one term he became a traveling salesman, and subsequently engaged as special agent with an insurance company of Lon- don, England. His work in that line was very successful. After a time he entered the news- paper office of the Clearfield Raftsman's Journal. He has long taken an active interest in political affairs, and is a recognized leader of the Repub- lican party in this section of the State. In 1890 he was elected secretary of the County Repub- lican Committee for two years, the present State Senator. M. L. McQuown, being then chairman. The executive ability, keen discernment and ca- pable inanagement of these gentlemen won for the party its first success in Clearfield county. In 1892, in connection with his father, Mr. Amnes purchased a drug store in Kylertown, and took a course of study in the National School of Pharmacy in Chicago, since which time he has continued in this line of business.

At the same time, Mr. Ames has been very active and prominent in politics. When only sixteen years of age he stood at the polling place with the poll-book. watching the voters to see that no illegal ballots were cast. Since attain-

ing his majority he has been a member of the lo- cal Republican committee, and in 1894 received the nomination of his party for the legislature, and was the first Republican ever elected to the office from Clearfield county. He served in the session of 1895-6, and was a candidate for re- nomination; but the active part which he had taken in the legislature to advance the interests of the working men led to the corporations com- bining their strength against him, and he was ac- cordingly defeated. He introduced into the House a bill providing a State board of arbitra- tion and mediation. This was recognized by all fair-minded men as a conservative measure and a peaceful solution of labor difficulties; but it aroused the bitter antagonism of those who would sacrifice individual rights to corporations. He was appointed by the speaker one of the com- mittee of five to attend the International Cotton Exposition held at Atlanta, Ga., an honor which indicates his high standing in the State. Hewas active in the support of the apportionment meas- ure as against Senator Quay, who was a candi- date for State chairman and the opponent of Col. Gilkinson. Mr. Ames canvassed the State in fa- vor of the latter, and did most effective service in his interests. He entertains broad and com- prehensive views of the needs of the people, and his loyalty and fidelity to public trust is ques- tioned by none.

In 1890, Mr. Ames married Miss Jessie C. Chappell, the accomplished daughter of Rev. George and Mary (Brown) Chappell, the latter a daughter of Dr. Thomas Brown, a distinguished physician of London, England. The father was also born in England, and was educated for the ministry in Hanover. He engaged in lecturing to some extent in that country, and in 1853 came to America, locating in Brooklyn. He was married in New York, and as a minister of the Baptist Church engaged in preaching in Brook- lyn, New York City and Peekskill. After a time he united with the Presbyterian Church, and ac- cepted a pastorate in Johnstown, Penn. On ac- count of failing health he was obliged to leave the ministry, and after locating at Tyrone, Penn .. spent one year in Florida, where his health was considerably improved. Subsequently he engaged in preaching for a few years, but is now living re- tired in Kylertown. His wife died in 1883. His children are: Jessie C. ; Lewis B., a photographer; George B., who is now serving as cashier in a railroad service; Millie; and Maud C.

Mr. and Mrs. Ames have three interesting children: Mary C., Jessie L. and Oliver Russell The parents are members of the Presbyterian ! Church, of which he is trustee. He is a charter

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member of the American Mechanics, of which he was trustee three years, during which time the society erected a fine hall in Kylertown. He is also State Inspector for the Board of Public Charities. A man of superior ability in busi- ness, of unquestioned integrity in private life, and of unswerving loyalty in his public career, Mr. Ames is one of the most esteemed and prominent citizens of Clearfield county.

H ENRY H. BAUGHMAN, of Woodward township, Clearfield county, is a represent- ative of one of the early families of this section of the State. His paternal grandparents, natives of Germany, located in the Bald Eagle Valley on coming to America, and in 1797 secured a claim of government land whereon improvements were made and fields developed. This farm was lo- cated about two miles from the Bald Eagle furnace.

The grandparents reared a family of seven children-six sons and one daughter. Jacob Baughman, the eldest, and the father of our sub- ject, was born in 1799, and on his father's farm was reared to manhood. In 1822 he married Catherine Womer, who was born in October, 1794. Her people also located in Bald Eagle Valley about the time the Baughmans took up their residence there. During the spring follow- ing their marriage Jacob Baughman came to Clearfield county, and purchased 113 acres of timber land in Decatur township, near Philips- burg. He built there a log cabin and stable, and after clearing away the trees transformed the land into richly-cultivated fields. There he spent his remaining days, his death occurring in 1854. His wife passed away November 12, 1854, at the age of sixty years.

They reared a family, of whom we give the following record: (1) Andy, the eldest, born in Decatur township, in 1823, married Annie Law- ford, by whom she had seven children. She died in 1896, having for some years survived her husband. (2) John, born in 1826, married Eliza Kathcart, and died in Knox township, Clearfield county, many years ago; his wife passed away some years before him; their three daughters and one son reside on the homestead in Knox township. (3) Anna Maria became the wife of Joseph Lawford, of Woodward township, who died in 1895. leaving a widow and four chil- dren, namely: Mrs. Mary Bush, of Altoona, Penn .; Mrs. Hannah Phillips; Sarah, wife of John Newton (a few months after marriage he was accidentally shot while repairing Will- iam Goss' house, and she died a few inonths

later of a broken heart); and Thomas, who mar- ried Miss Chase, and lives on the Lawford home- stead. (4) Susanna is the wife of John Reamy, of Decatur township, by whom she has three children-Theodore; George; and Mrs. Annie Kline, of Decatur township. (5) Elizabeth is the wife of Isaac Crowell, a fariner of Mercer county, Penn., and has four children -- Allen, Henry, Lucinda and Ashley.

On the old family homestead, Henry H. Baughman was born and reared, assisting in the work of the farm from an early age. After the father's death the place was occupied by three of the family until 1858, when our subject pur- chased the interest of the other heirs, and also bought fifty acres of the Philips lands. This property he rented for a number of years to Mr. Kephart, and in 1887 sold the same to Good & Brisbin, of Osceola, who operated the coal inter- ests upon the place. In 1845, Mr. Baughman had purchased 193 acres of heavily-timbered land in Woodward township, and extensively engaged in lumbering. He rafted the square timber down- the river for a number of years, after which he sold the timber and turned his attention to agri- cultural pursuits, which he has since followed. He has more than one hundred acres of land, and in 1850 erected a log cabin, which he made. his home until 1886, when he replaced it with a handsome two-story frame residence. In 1869 he built a fine, large barn, and has at different times erected three barns, one on the Baughman farm in Decatur township, and two on the old homestead, nowoccupied by his sons, Jeffries and Stacy.

In 1846 Mr. Baughman was married to Miss Rachel Goss, of Decatur township. She proved to him a faithful companion and helpmeet, and. ably assisted in the development of their home until 1864, when she departed this life at the age of thirty-seven years. They were parents of eleven children: (1) Jane, born in December, 1846, became the wife of Asbury Chase, and died at their home in Boggs township, Clearfield county, in 1874, at the age of twenty-eight years, leaving a daughter, Jane, who resides in Clearfield with her paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. John Chase. (2) Joseph, born in 1848, died at the age of three months. (3) Jeffries, born in 1851, married Emma Kline, of Wood- ward township, and resides on a part of his father's homestead; he has seven children, namely: William; Clara B .; Rachel, wife of Limerick Phillips; Joseph; Jane; Guy and Be- vella. (4) James, born August 18, 1853, mar- ried Tabitha Phillips, and lived on the homestead until his death, which occurred March 23, 1878.

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He had one son, James. (5) Tabitha, born August 11, 1855, married Irwin Alexander, of Unionville, Centre Co., Penn., and has one child living, Bertha. (6) Matilda, born March 17, 1857, is the wife of Thomas Lambert, of Coal- port, by whom she has two children, Maud and Roy. (7) Eleanora, born August 29, 1858, died February 15, 1861. (8) Theophilus, born in August, 1860, died at the age of seventeen years. (9) Stacy, born December 30, 1862, mar- ried Annie Mills, of Houtzdale, and resides on a part of his father's farm in Woodward township; he has six children-May, Clark, Albert, Tabitha, Warren, and an infant unnamed. (10) and (11) Two children of the family died in infancy. After the death of his first wife, Henry H. Baughman married Mrs. Eliza Phillips, widow of Daniel Phillips, and a daughter of Samuel and Susanna Turner, of Bradford township, Clearfield county, who located there at an early day

In politics, Mr. Baughman is a stalwart Democrat, and has been honored with several offices. He served for fifteen years as school director, has been overseer of the poor and assessor, and was twice elected justice of the peace, but did not qualify. He adheres to the Protestant faith, while his wife is a member of the United Brethren Church. He has witnessed the greater part of the development of the county, has seen the forests replaced with excel- lent farms and substantial homes, and has ever borne his part in the work of progress and devel- opment.

A DAM BRETH, justice of the peace, is one of the most enterprising and public-spirited citizens of New Washington. He was born Feb- ruary 10, 1833, in Centre county, Penn., and is a son of Henry and Mary C. (Martin) Breth, na- tives of Germany, where they married.

About 1820 they crossed the Atlantic, and became residents of Centre county, where the fa- ther followed the trades of shoe and wagon mak- ing, or worked at anything by which to make an honest dollar, sometimes being employed about the iron furnaces. Coming to Clearfield county in 1833, he purchased land in Burnside township, and improved a farm in the midst of the forest, where he made his home until 1844, when he rented a farm for two years in Bell township. He then bought another place, upon which he re- sided until called to his final rest, July 4, 1875. In connection with his agricultural pursuits, he engaged in lumbering as long as he was physic- ally able, and also rafted on the river. He ob-

tained a good education, and was well informed on all subjects. Politically he was an ardent Democrat, and by his fellow citizens he was called upon to fill a number of township offices of honor and trust. Both he and his wife were faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. She died in 1874. To this worthy couple were born nine children: Mary, wife of J. Wagner; Mrs. Margaret Laferty; Mrs. Elizabeth Brilhart; Mrs. Susan Emnigh; Samuel, a farmer by occupa- tion; Henry, who is now serving as justice of the peace in Mahaffey; Jacob A., a carpenter; Joseph H., a miller; and Adam, of this review.

The boyhood and youth of our subject were spent in assisting his father in the arduous labors incident to the clearing and improving of a new farm, and his educational advantages were there- fore limited to about two years attendance at the common schools; but, by extensive reading and observation in later years, he has become a well- informed man, being a lifelong student. Since 1857 he has mastered short hand and type-writ- ing, also civil engineering, and is very proficient in surveying and drafting, which has claimed his attention to a considerable extent. He is very progressive in his ideas, keeping fully abreast with the times, and he is a fluent conversational- ist of pleasing address. . Since 1890 he has taken great enjoyment in riding a bicycle.

The early life of Mr. Breth was passed amidst most primitive surroundings, and in infancy he was rocked to sleep in a sugar trough, which served the place of a cradle. At the age of sev- enteen he learned the blacksmith's trade, which he successfully followed until 1883, since which time he has acted as agent for the Clearfield & Cambria Coal & Coke Co. at New Washington. In 1859 he was first elected justice of the peace. and with the exception of two years has since accept- ably filled that position. during which time he has joined in matrimony innumerable couples, and tried many cases for the commonwealth and civil law. In 1863 he was drafted for service in the Union army, but paid a commutation of $300, as that was the right which every drafted man had, by act of Congress.

In 1854 Mr. Breth was united in marriage with Miss Margaret, daughter of Isaac and Han- nah (Fulton) Lee, honored pioneers of Clearfield county, where the father followed the occupation of farming. He was a native of Centre county, and died at the age of eighty years. Of the ten children born to Mr. and Mrs. Breth, all died in childhood with the exception of four: Letta, now the wife of H. Baker; James H., a farmer of Bell township, Clearfield county; Mrs. Jennie R. Thompson; and Isaac H., who died at the

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age of twenty-one. The wife and mother, who was a consistent member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church, died on the 28th of July, 1869.

In 1872 Mr. Breth was again married, his second union being with Miss R. G. Armor, a lady of intelligence and culture, and a daughter of J. Armor, of Westmoreland county, Penn. Both parents are now deceased. At the age of sixteen Mrs. Breth began teaching, which profes- sion she successfully followed for many years. By her marriage she became the mother of two children, but both died in infancy. She and her husband are both prominent and active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and occupy an enviable position in the esteem and confi- dence of their many friends and acquaintances. In his political affiliations, Mr. Breth is a pro- nounced Democrat, and socially is identified with the Masonic fraternity. He has served as notary public, and discharges every duty, whether public or private, with the utmost fidelity and promptness.

W ILLIAM WARING, an industrious and thrifty lumberman of Clearfield county, was born May 17, 1839. on the old homestead in Morris township, where he still resides, his par- ents being Samuel and Susan (Shimel) Waring.

The paternal grandfather, who was a native of England, emigrated to the United States, in 1821, and took up his residence in Decatur town- ship, Clearfield Co., Penn., on what is now known as the Showalter farm, and there spent his remaining days. The father of our subject was also born in England, and became one of the most practical and thorough farmers of Morris township, Clearfield county, where he pur- chased 120 acres of partially-improved land, which he soon converted into one of the most de- sirable farms of that locality. In connection with his farming operations, he also successfully engaged in school teaching and surveying. Of unswerving integrity and honor, he gained the respect and confidence of all who knew him, and made many warm friends. His death occurred on the old homestead in 1851, and there his widow continued to remain until a year prior to her death April 22, 1879. Eight children were born to them, the others being as follows: Cath- arine. wife of Newton G. Antes, of Philipsburg, Penn .; James, who died in infancy; George, a lumbernian of Penn township, Clearfield county; who married Alice Grey; John, who married Mil- lie Dougherty, and lives in Walterville, Oregon; Samuel, who married Margery Long, and is en- gaged in farming in the State of Washington;

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2, Part 6

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