Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2, Part 60

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 60
USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 60
USA > Pennsylvania > Clearfield County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 60
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 60

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The family is of Irish origin, but Williamn Murray, the father of our subject, was born in this State, in Huntingdon county, and moved to Clearfield county in early manhood. There he married Miss Belinda Mains, a native of Ver- mont, and a daughter of Nehemiah Mains, who was a prominent farmer of this section, and passed his last days here. William Murray cleared a farm in the wilderness in Clearfield county, but was not successful in gaining a live- lihood by it, and spent his time at various kinds of labor as occasion offered, doing some hunting also, the forests in this section being still full of game. In politics he was a Whig, and in religion a Presbyterian, his wife being a member of the United Brethren Church. He died in 1853, but Mrs. Murray lived to an advanced age. passing away in 1882. They had six children: Margaret, who married A. Hoover, a farmer; Miles, who was accidentally killed in Wisconsin, leaving a widow and six children: Phoebe, who married Henry Bumbarger, a farmer: Mary, the wife of John Shimel. a farmer: John A., our subject: and George W .. deceased.

Mr. Murray, our subject, was born August 19, 1834. the family residence being then in Karthaus township. Clearfield county. His schooling was limited, and he was compelled to undertake the work of bread-winning at an early

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

age, as he was only fourteen when his father died, and the widowed mother looked to hiin for help in the support of the family. He did any work that his hands found to do, and spent sev- ; eral years in a sawmill. Later he began to work in the woods at lumbering, and after a time un- dertook that business on his own account, buy- ing lands and hiring help in clearing and working up the lumber. In this way he obtained a start in the world of business, and he has steadily pro- gressed until he is now one of the substantial citizens of his locality.

In 1860 Mr. Murray married Miss Sarah J. Kyler, a lady of fine mental gifts, who was born in Bradford township, Clearfield county, April 26, 1843. Her father, Joseph Kyler, a pioneer farmer of that locality, was of German de- scent. Her mother, whose maiden name was Hannah Hommaker, died in Clearfield county. and Mr. Kyler married a second wife. In 1863 he sold his farm and moved to Nebraska, and later went to Oregon, where he died after a resi- dence of two years.

Mr. Murray and his wife went to housekeep- ing on a tract of land which he purchased in Bradford township. It was partially improved with a log house and a clearing of about twenty acres, and by energetic and skillful management he succeeded in paying for it. In 1864 he en- tered the army, joined the 57th P. V. I., Second Corps, Third Brigade. He served until the close of the war, taking part in a number of en- gagements, including those of the Weldon raid, in North Carolina. and the battles at Hatcher's Run and Petersburg. receiving. only"one; slight wound. He was at the latter place at the time of Lee's surrender. On July 7, 1865, he re- turned home, having been mustered out of the United States service at Washington, D. C., and from the State service at Harrisburg. He re- suined his interrupted labors upon his farm, which he sold in the fall of 1866 in order to go to Nebraska; but being dissatisfied with the out- look there he came back in the same year and bought one hundred acres in. Goshen township. This he has cleared and improved, and he has added one hondred acres more, having now a fine. estate- with 140 acres under cultivation. His first house, with all its contents, was de- stroyed by fire, but he built a commodious two- story residence to replace it, and his large barn and other farin buildings are substantial and con- venient structures. At another point on the farm he has a second residence, a two-story frame building with barn. He has given close attention to his farin, and his fine orchards and well-kept fields show his care. At the same

tinie he has been extensively engaged in lumber- ing in the winter season. He owns several tracts of timber land, one of 900 acres and one of 300, and lately he purchased a 330-acre tract in Goshen township, with a sawmill, which he is now operating. In all respects he has a pleas- ant home.

Of eleven children seven are now living, four having died in childhood: Elmer E. is a farmer, blacksmith and miller at Shawsville; Lillie mar- ried James Stewart, of Clearfield; James I. con- ducts a hotel at Cataract; Mabel is the wife of Ashley Wilson, a farmer in Bradford township, Clearfield county; Grace married Silas Munn, a lumberman; Fannie and Lois are at home. Mr. Murray is a Presbyterian in religious faith, but there is no Church of that denomination near his home. He does not seek political honors, but is a Republican in principle, and has at times held various township offices. He is of medium size. and dignified in his deportment, yet very pleasant and agreeable to all who approach him. His financial success has been won by his continuous and well-directed effort, in which his estimable wife has been an active helper. Fortunately both are now able to enjoy together the reward of their well-spent years.

M B. CONAWAY. Prominent in the history of Clearfield county are the representative business men and enterprising farmers, and among them is the subject of this personal his- tory. Besides being engaged in general farming, he has successfully followed lumbering for many years in Covington township, where he still makes his home. His entire life has been passed in the same county, his birth occurring in Brad- ford township, where he passed the days of his boyhood and youth.

On the paternal side our subject's grandfather was of Irish birth, while the grandmother was born in Germany. For seven years the former was a faithful soldier in the Continental army. during the Revolutionary war, and also served in the war of 1812. On coming to Clearfield county, he located in the woods at Three Runs, below Karthaus, and there reared his four sons. Charlie, John, George and Enoch, who, as well as their parents, are now deceased. In the city of Clearfield. George Conaway, the father of our subject, married Catherine Forcey, and removed to what is known as the Forcey farm in Brad- ford township, where he reared his family. His first purchase, which consisted of one hundred acres, he sold, and then bought 1 32 acres of coal land at Three Runs, and there spent the last fif-

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teen years of his life. His wife also died upon that place.

On reaching manhood, Mr. Conaway, of this. review, was united in marriage with Miss Eliza- beth Brunson, of New York, a daughter of Isaac and Margaret (Burge) Brunson, and they began their domestic life upon the McDowell farm, comprising 122 acres of good land in Bradford township. After residing npon that place for five years, Mr. Conaway sold and removed to Covington township, where he purchased 347 acres of wild land, which he has cleared and converted into an excellent farm, that is still his home.

The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Conaway: Margaret. who was drowned in Big Basin, at the age of seventeen years; Alex- ander, who resides on the homestead farm, wed- ded Mary E. Nearhood, and has six children; Anderson, who owns and operates what is known as the Shultz farm, married Gertrude Nearhood. and has one child; Katherine was the wife of Peter Sinith, and resided on the old homestead until her death in 1874. when she left one daugh- ter; Mary Ellen wedded Joseph Valimont, by whom she had three children, two still living, and she died on a farm in 1882; Miles, a farmer of Covington township, married Catherine Flood, and has nine children; Nancy is the wife of Henry Mowry, by whom she has six children, and they live on a farm in Covington township adjoining her father's; Henrietta is the wife of Joseph Kill- burn, by whom she has six children, and they live on a farm near the old homestead; and Will- iam McClelland and M. B. are still at home with their father. The wife and mother was called to her final rest November 7. 1894, and her death was widely and deeply mourned. She was an indulgent mother and an affectionate wife, who proved a faithful helpmeet to her husband.

In politics Mr. Conaway is an uncompromis- ing Republican, and for many years took an act- ive part in political affairs, doing all in his power to promote the interests of his party. His son Miles has now taken his place in that work. Our subject has served as supervisor and constable of his township. and in the discharge of every duty, whether public or private. has been true to the trust reposed in him. He is a faithful and active member of the Presbyterian Church, to which one of his sons also belongs.

A LONZO WHITE. Among the brave men who devoted the opening years of their manhood to the defense of our country from the internal foes who sought her dismemberment,

was the subject of this biography. now a promi- nent resident of Ramey borough, Clearfield coun- ty. He comes of good New England stock, his ancestors being residents of Vermont in early days. His grandparents, Charles and Jemima White, removed from that State, about 1827. to Chemung county. N. Y., where they spent their later years.

Their son, David White, our subject's father. was born in Vermont in 1807, and had not yet attained his majority when the family removed to New York State. There he purchased, in the town of Erin, Chemung county, a tract of land, which he cleared and improved for a homestead. His parents were cared for in their last days by him, and his own death occurred there March 18. 1862. He was married, in 1839. to Miss Rachel Vanauken, who still makes her home at the old farm. At present she is visiting our subject at Ramey, and although eighty years of age, is well preserved physically, and retains to a remarkable degree her mental vigor. Of the five children of David and Rachel White: (1) Sylvester, born at the old homestead in 1841, married Miss Ma- lonia Bogert, of Chemung county, N. Y., and shortly afterward located at Philipsburg, Penn., where he followed contracting and building for a number of years, accumulating considerable prop- erty. Later he sold out and returned to New York, and now resides in Elmira. He has two children-Nora, now Mrs. Rathborn, of Elmira. and Walter. (2) Alonzo, our subject, will be more fully mentioned below. (3) Mary, born December 21, 1845, married Ira Vandusen, for- merly of Chemung county. N. Y. , and now a res- ident of Oklahoma, where he is employed as su- perintendent of pumps on a railroad: they have one son, Alva, who is employed by the same company and works under his father's direction, and a daughter, May, who is at home. (4) Al- exander L., born August 13, 1848, a photogra- pher of Wayland, N. Y., married, but has no children. (5) Miss Nancy A., born May 3. 1851. resides at the homestead; she is a successful teacher in the public schools of that locality.

Alonzo White was born September 11, 1843. and grew to manhood at the home farm, his edu- cation being acquired in the local schools. In 1862 he enlisted at Elmira in Company 1. 14ist N. Y. V. I., and was sent to Washington, where his regiment remained for about four months. as a part of the force required to defend the city from threatened invasion. They then took part in the campaign in Virginia, and from their station on the peninsula were sent to assist in the siege of Suffolk, and later in the pursuit of Wise, whom they followed to Bottom's Bridge.

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

within a few miles of Richmond. After that ex- ploit they joined the Army of the Potomac, near Gettysburg, just at the close of the battle there. From this point they went south again, going down the Rapidan to the Rappahannock, where they remained until fall. Their next move was to Chattanooga, Tenn., and, in connection with Mr. White is highly esteemed in his locality for his excellent qualities. He is a Republican, politically, but he has never joined in the scram- ble for office, and in religious affiliation he is a Presbyterian, his wife being also a member of that Church. They have reared a family of four that campaign, they found serious work awaiting them at Wauhachie Valley, Mission Ridge and Knoxville, the siege of the last named place end- ing with the retreat of the Rebels and the capture and occupation of the city. The regiment was then assigned to Sherman's forces for the famous : children: (1) Harry M., born September 13. march to the sea, and during much of the time was detailed to bring up the rear as a train guard; but they finally joined the main body of the troops at Goldsboro, N. C. During these opera- tions, Mr. White was taken ill, and spent some time in hospitals at Bridgeport, Ala., and the Cumberland field hospital .at Nashville, Tenn. On rejoining his comrades, he participated in the ! march from North Carolina to Richmond, at the close of the war, and was reviewed at the latter city by Rebel generals as well as those of the Union army. Then came the triumphal pageant. the Grand Review, at Washington, and the final discharge on June 28, 1865. 1869, in Centre county, received a common- school education, and is now in the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, at Altoona, Penn. In 1892 he married Miss Myrtle Metzgar, of that city, and they have two children-Anna E. and Charles M., both at home. (2) John K .. born September 8, 1873, is now studying chem- istry at Bissell Station, Penn., with the view of pursuing that science as an occupation. He is not married. (3) David H., born August 20, 1876, was educated in the public schools of Clearfield, and is now engaged in agriculture. He is single, and makes his home with his parents, as does also the youngest son, (4) Ralph Guy, born September 18, 1883.

Mr. White did not long remain at his early home near Elmira, for in the fall of 1865 he came to Clearfield county, Penn., and engaged in lumbering near Philipsburg. In 1868 he mar- ried Mrs. Andrew Miller (n& Henderson), and about the same time bought a lot in Osceola and built the .. Montour House," which he conducted five years. It was destroyed in the great fire of May, 18;4, which burned the entire town, and a second hotel built in the same town burned down just as it was nearing completion. These mis- haps naturally discouraged Mr. White, and he resumed his former occupation of lumbering, re- moving to Himes Mills, where he spent seven years. He purchased a mill property from J. B. McAnally, of Clearfield, and began manufactur- ing lumber; but in the following year his mill caught from a burning forest, and everything was destroyed, including the tramroad and other im- provements, and a large amount of sawed lum- ber. After this Mr. White was employed by the Moshannon Land & Lumber Co. to take charge . of a part of the building of their railroad, called the Moshannon extension, and remained with them one year. In ISSi he entered the service of Berwin, White & Co., as weighmaster, and after three years moved to the Goss farm in De- catur township, Clearfield county, to work for Himes & Co. Since leaving that employment he has been weighmaster for Berwin. White & Co ..

first at Eureka mine, No. 3. and then for seven years at the drain colliery, and, since 1891, at Eureka mine, No. 7, in Ramey borough. Pre- vious to his removal to Ramey, he lived for some time at the Kephart farm, and followed agricult- ure in addition to his other work.

Mrs. White had two sons by her first husband. who was killed on a railroad, where he was em- ployed: (1) William E. Miller, born September 10, 1863, is now a conductor on a freight train on the middle division of the Pennsylvania rail- road, and resides at Altoona. He married Miss Jessie McCully, of Houtzdale, Penn., and has two children. (2) Jacob H., born May 3, 1866. resides in West Newton, Penn., and is employed as baggage master on the Baltimore & Ohio rail- road, between that point and Pittsburg. He married Miss Mamie Mattern, of Decatur town- ship, Clearfield county, but has no children.

Mrs. White was born in Centre county. No- vember 22, 1843, the daughter of James and Mary Henderson. Her ancestors, on the pater- nal side, came from Ireland at an early day, and settled in Morris county, N. J. Her parents came to this State after their marriage, and lo- cated at Julian, Centre county, where the father died, in 1865. and the mother, in 1875. Mrs. White was next to the youngest in a large family of children: (1) Agnes, is now Mrs. Steele. of Forest county, Penn. (2) Eleazer served as a soldier in the Civil war, and died in Centre county, in 1882, leaving several children. (3) William E., a farmer of Clarion county. Penn .. is married, and has three children. (4. David, a farmer and Inmberman, of Jefferson county.

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Penn., is married, and has eight children. (5)

John, a merchant and lumberman, at Millstone, Elk Co., Penn., is married, and has eight chil- dren. (6) Margaret (now Mrs. Miller) has two daughters, both married, and living in Altoona. (7) James S., a lumberman, at Reynolds, Penn., is married, but lias no family. (8) Rachel mar- ried John Spotts, who was killed at the battle of Spottsylvania, leaving two sons. (9) Mary mar- ried James Dilman, a veteran of the Civil war, now living in retirement at Reynoldsville, Penn., and they have three sons, of whom the eldest, John, is proprietor of the " Belknap House," at Reynoldsville. (10) Mrs. White came next. (11) Peter D. married Miss Mary Robley, of Hunting- don county, Penn., and afterward served as a soldier in the Civil war. He died at Hagerstown, Md., while on his way home, his widow surviving him with one daughter. Luella, now Mrs. John Irwin, of Harrisburg. Pennsylvania.

P GALLAGHER. A brilliant example of a self-made American citizen, and a grand exemplification of the progress that an ambitious foreigner can make in this country of unbounded opportunities, is shown in the case of Mr. Gallagher, a leading citizen of Osceola Mills, Clearfield county. His singular success is due to his own energy, and the high ideal which his lofty and laudable ambition placed before him. Success in any walk of life is an indication of earnest endeavor and persevering effort -- char- acteristics that he possesses in an eminent de- gree.

Mr. Gallagher is a native of Ireland, born in 1834. in County Donegal, where his parents, Edward and Mary (O'Donnell) Gallagher, spent their entire lives, the former dying in 1892, at the extreme old age of one hundred years, and the latter in 1840. In their family were six children, as follows: Mrs. Catharine Kennedy died in Ireland. Barney came to Clearfield county, Penn., in 1845, and engaged in lumber- ing and teaming from Tyrone and Millsburg, this State; he enlisted in the Union army during the Rebellion, and died in the service. Our subject is the next in order of birth. Hugh, a puddler by trade, also became a resident of Pennsylvania, and was killed by the cars near Allentown, this State. Mrs. Mary Gallagher is still a resident of County Donegal, Ireland, and Edward lives on the old homestead in that county.

harbor of New York after a voyage of six weeks and five days. Coming at once to Clearfield county, Penn., he found employment in the lum- ber woods, making square timber, and teaming. As soon as he had saved sufficient capital, he purchased a partially-improved farm near Wal- laceton, in Clearfield county, and still owns a valuable place of 125 acres in Boggs township, which he purchased in 1859 and operated for a number of years. In 1864, during the Civil war, Mr. Gallagher was drafted, and endeavored to send a substitute, going to Waterford, Penn., for the purpose of enlisting two substitutes, one for himself, and one for Mr. J. W. Haney. On arriving at Waterford there was much excite- ment there owing to a report of the shooting of a provost marshal. At that time many of the Clearfield county men were looked upon as Rebels, and from some cause the substitutes offered were rejected. Several weeks later our subject again went to Waterford for the same purpose, but was advised that it was too late to send substitutes, and that he, himself, would have to enlist. The condition of his business affairs was not such that he could well do this, so he declined to enlist, and stated that, as he was not naturalized, he really did not have to enlist or send a substitute, unless he desired to. After such conversation he was informed that he could enlist his substitutes into the service of the regu- . lar army, and to do so he would have to go to Erie, Penn., which he did, and there, after an attempt to be beaten out of $50, he finally en- listed two substitutes for himself and friend. This cost the two $1,000. From 1866 until 1868 Mr. Gallagher engaged in merchandising in Stone- ville, and for the following two years carried on the same business in Wallaceton. Until 1873. he was then engaged in mercantile pursuits in Houtzdale, but since that time has been a resi- dent of Osceola Mills, where for two years he successfully conducted a store, which in 1875 was destroyed by fire. Since 1882 he has en- gaged in the coal buisness, now operating the Wallace mine; has also leased the Mapleton mine. and is interested in the Donegal mine. He is also president of the Building and Loan Associa- tion, and is a business man of more than ordi- nary capacity.

In 1859, in Boggs township, Clearfield coun- ty. Mr. Gallagher was married to Miss Mary Ann Stone, a daughter of Alexander and Mary Ann (Kephart) Stone, the former a native of England and the latter of Clearfield county. Both par- ents are now deceased, and Mrs. Gallagher died

The first fourteen years of his life Mr. Gal- lagher, of this review, spent in his native land, and he then went to Liverpool, England, where i in 1863, Two children were born of this union: lie boarded a sailing vessel, which reached the | Edward, who died in 1861; and Alexander. a

D. Gallagher

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prominent physician of Denver, Colo. Mr. Gal-

ing, and was soon at the head of a large and lagher was again married in Boggs township, ; profitable business, which has steadily increased. this time, in 1870, to Miss Mary W. Cross, a na- He carries a large and well-selected stock of everything found in a first-class store of the kind, and this fact. together with his courteous treatment of customers, has gained for him a liberal patronage. tive of Centre county, Penn., and a daughter of Andrew and Jane B. (Wingate) Cross. Her father was born in Juniata county, her mother in Mifflin county, this State, whence they removed to Centre county, and in 1848 took up their resi- dence in Boggs township, Clearfield county, where the father opened up a farm. He died in :

Boggs township; his wife passed away in Centre county.

In his political affiliations, Mr. Gallagher is a pronounced Democrat, and in 1881 was on that ticket elected justice of the peace, which office he has since continuously filled with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of his constituents. He also served as judge of election for twenty years, and in all the various relations of life, whether public or private, has been true and faithful to every trust reposed in him. He is an honored and valued citizen of Osceola Mills, and has the respect and esteem of all with whom he comes in contact.

H UGH CAMPBELL. In the busy community located in the thriving borough of Osceola Mills, we find several energetic and thorough- going business men, who have attained success through their own tact, good judgment and per- severance. Among this number is the gentleman whose name introduces this biographical notice, and who, at the present time is the oldest drug- gist of the place.

Mr. Campbell is a native of Philadelphia, born in 1842, and is a son of Patrick and Jo- hanna (McNutt) Campbell. The father was born in the North of Ireland, and at an early day emigrated to the United States, taking up his residence in the city of Philadelphia, where he continued to make his residence until called from this life in 1848. The mother died in 1871.

In the Quaker City our subject grew to man- hood, and secured his education in its public schools. At the age of thirteen years he secured a position as clerk in a drug store, and has since : devoted his time and attention to that business. He is a graduate of the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, completing the course with the class of 1866, and for a number of years he success- fully engaged in the drug business in his native city. In 1883 he came to Osceola Mills, and succeeded to the business of Mr. Blandy, whose predecessor was Dr. Good, the first druggist in the place. In the year of his arrival Mr. Camp- bell erected his present commodions store build- 56

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2, Part 60

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