Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2, Part 65

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 65
USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 65
USA > Pennsylvania > Clearfield County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 65
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 65

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Brady township, who resided near Salem, and died in February, 1897. (10) Reuben B. married Annie Cleaver, of Pike township. Clear- field county, but died shortly afterward upon his father's farm in Brady township. He left a widow and one child, Reuben. (11) Mary Louisa mar- ried Adam Foust, of Jefferson county, and they now live near Redfern, in Brady township. Clear- field county. Their children are Edith and Annie.

Amos Bonsall, our subject, was born in Perry county, August 31, 1822, and in his infancy he was brought to the farm in Brady township, where he grew to manhood amid scenes of fron- tier life. On January 25, 1849. he was united in marriage with Miss Catharine Kuntz, who was born in Bavaria, Germany, November 25. 1824.

and in 1830 was brought to America by her par- ents, Jacob aud Catharine Kuntz, who became prosperous agriculturists of Brady township. The young couple began their domestic life at Coal Hill, where Mr. Bonsall purchased fifty acres of land, upon which he made many im- provements, but in 1855 he sold and bought 161 acres, known as the Kuntz homestead, where his wife had spent her childhood days.

Ten children graced the union of Mr. and Mrs. Bonsall, as follows: (1) Jacob L .. born in Brady township, in 1849, obtained his education in the public schools, and on reaching manhood married Louisa Couch, of Jefferson county. They lived on the old homestead until his wife's death in 1879. Four years later he married Maggie Peoples, of Clarion county, Penn .. and they now reside on his farm in Lumber City. Clearfield county. (2) Maria died in infancy. (3) Susanna, born in 1853, became the wife of Isaac Pifer, of Henderson township. Jefferson county, where she died in 1886, leaving a hus- band and five children-Jacob K .; Lydia E .: Luther J. : David; and Wilson D., who died in childhood. (4) Sarah M., born in 1855, married Christian Haag. of Brady township, who is now engaged in the undertaking business in Trout- ville. They have five children: Amos, Orpheus. Morris W .. Lavina and Hulda. (5) Mary C .. born in 1857, married Jonas Pifer, of Jefferson county, and they live on a farm in Brady town- ship, Clearfield county. Their seven children are-Amos, Philip I .. Agnes C., Walter. Cyrus W., Clara and Harvey Raymond. (6) Lavina. born in 1859. is the wife of George H. Weber. formerly of Brady township, who now owns and operates a fine farm near Alexandria, in Hun- tingdon county, Penn. They have four children. Otto L .. Nora. Mand and Ada. (7) Benjamin F .. born in (862. and (8) Martin L., in 1861.

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

both died in infancy. (9) Andrew J., born in 1865, is operating the old homestead farm. He married Louisa Weber, of Brady township, and has three children-Harry W., Amos C. and Susie J. (10) Lizzie, born in 1869, is the wife of William Schoch, who lives on his fathers farm in Brady township.

Politically, Mr. Bonsall is a strong Jacksonian Democrat. does all in his power to insure the success of his party, and has held the offices of constable one term and school director for the same length of time. With the English Lu- theran Church he and his wife and children all hold membership. Their home is noted for its generous hospitality, and in this regard they have no equals in the county. Mr. Bonsall is sympa- thetic and liberal, extending a helping hand to the poor and needy, and always ready to aid those less fortunate than himself.

J TOHN S. JOHNSON, who occupies a promi- nent place among the farmers of Clearfield county, was born on August 21, 1839, in Greenwood township, where he still resides.

James Johnson, the father of our subject. was born in Centre county, July 10. 1806, and was six years of age when brought 'by his par- ents to Clearfield county. During his boyhood ! he attended the district schools for three months i during the winter season, but his education was principally obtained by studying nights under the direction of his father. Until he had attained his majority he gave his father the benefit of his labors, and then he and his brother Elah purchased 150 acres of land on Bell's run, where they erected a sawmill in 1832 -- 3. and later a dwelling house. Subsequently they bought 163 acres additional, which they improved and prepared for farming purposes, remaining in partnership for eleven years. On dividing the property, James John- son took the first purchase, which he continned to improve and cultivate in connection with lumbering. and met with excellent success in his undertakings. Subsequently he bought another fifty-acre tract, and (again) 300 acres from Gov- ernor Bigler, and in 1866 he erected a woolen- factory and sawmill on Bell's run, which he suc .. cessfully operated for some time in addition to his other labors. At the end of four years the woolen-mill was destroyed by fire, but within ten months another was erected and set in operation. In 1861 he also built a fine brick residence, where he continued to make his home until called to the world beyond.

Mr. Johnson comes of an old and honored family of this section of the State, his grand- father, Samuel Johnson, who was born in York county, Penn., in 1781, having emigrated to Centre county at the age of seventeen. As his father had died when he was very young he was James Johnson was married, in 1835. to Miss Sarah, daughter of John Stewart, and they be- came the parents of nine children: William P .: John S. ; David H. ; Mathew W. ; James A. ; Fran- cis D. : Hannah E. : Eliza, who died in February, 1848; and Elizabeth. The father owned a Bible which was printed in 1749 and belonged to his grandfather, who gave it to his father in 1795. The parents of our subject were both faithful members of the Society of Friends, and in poli- tics the father was a stalwart Democrat, but never cared for office. He died in 1884 at the age of eighty; his wife is still living at the age of eighty. Both enjoyed the respect and esteem of all who knew them. obliged to make his own way in the world un- aided, and learned the cabinet maker's trade, at which he worked in Half Moon Valley until 1812. He was married, in 1804, to Miss Han- nah Fisher, and eight years later they came to Clearfield county, where he purchased a tract of 150 acres of land at Grampian Hills. After building a house of round logs, he began clearing and improving his land, and devoted the re- mainder of his life to agricultural pursuits. He was a great woodsman, taking great delight in hunting all kinds of game, which was quite plen- tiful in those early days. In 1824 his little cabin home was replaced with a large and commodious residence. For many years he served as justice Mr. Johnsor, the subject of this review, early became familiar with the work of the farm and with the labor in the lumber woods. During his early manhood he remained at home assisting in the sawmill and woolen-factory, and after his marriage operated his father's farm for eight years. He then received 145 acres from his father's estate, of which only forty acres had been of the peace, and, being one of the best read men in the county, he always took an active in- terest in educational matters. In 1851 he ac- companied his son Garrison to the State of In- diania, where he died in 1863, at the age of eighty-two years. His family comprised the fol- lowing children: James; Elah: William F. ; Garrison, who died in 1861; Elizabeth and Thir- , cleared and a small house erected thereon, but zah, who became residents of Illinois: Mrs. now seventy-five acres have been placed under the plow, while excellent buildings make it one · of the most desirable homesteads in Greenwood Nancy Daily, a resident of Dubois, Penn. ; Han- nah, who died in 1824; and John.

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

township. He has sold his interest in the fac- tory and mill, but still engages in lumbering to some extent in connection with his agricultural pursuits.

In 1872 Mr. Johnson was united in marriage with Miss Laura E. McCracken, a lady of intelli- gence and culture, a daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth McCracken, honored pioneers who re- sided in Ferguson township, Clearfield county. By occupation the father was a farmer and lum- berman in early life, but later engaged in hotel keeping in Lumber City, where he died in 1861. His wife survived hin many years, passing away in 1889. She was a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church; in politics he was a Dem- ocrat. Of their five children two died in infancy : those living are: Ellen, wife of our subject: Blake, a merchant of Mahaffey, and Ketura, wife of A. Johnson.

Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have had eleven chil- dren, all still living, with the exception of one : who died in infancy. They are Gertrude. who received an excellent education at the State Nor- mal, and has successfully engaged in teaching since 1892; Dora, at home; Sarah, who is also being educated for a teacher; Bessie, at home; ! and Garrison, Hannah, Roxy, Jessie, Bernice and Gladys, all attending school. Mr. Johnson was reared in the Friends Society, to whose teaching he still adheres, while in politics he has always been a supporter of Democratic principles. Pub- lic-spirited and enterprising. he has contributed much toward the development and progress of his township and county, and is justly numbered among the most valued citizens of the community.

D ANIEL S. MITCHELL is one of the native sons of Clearfield county, who for many long years has been identified with its farming in- terests. He now resides in Bradford township. but was born in Lawrence township, November 16, 1837, a son of James and Hester (Spacknian) Mitchell. The father was a native of Ireland, and a son of John and Isabella (Allent Mitchell, natives of the same country, whence they mi- grated to Philipsburg, Penn. The grandfather worked in a screw factory until 1830, when he purchased a tract of wild timber land in Law- rence township, developing therefrom .a good farm, on which he made his home until his death, in 1849.

James Mitchell came to Lawrence township when a young man, and was married there to Miss Spackinan, a native of the township. and a daughter of Daniel Spackman, of Chester county, Penn., who in pioneer days opened up a farm in

Lawrence township. Mr. Mitchell began his domestic life in Bradford township, and trans- formed a tract of wild timber land into rich and fertile fields. He also engaged in the lumber business. Both he and his wife died in Bradford township. They had four children: Daniel S. ; Robert, who resides in Indiana; Jennie, who is living with her elder brother, and Mrs. Minta Cross, of Lawrence township.

Daniel S. Mitchell was reared on a farm, and acquired his education in the district schools. He was always engaged in farming and lumber- ing, and for a time followed the sawmill business, at what was known as Mitchell Station, the place being named in his honor. On March 19, 1882. he came to his present home in Bradford town- ship, and now has a well-developed property. with highly cultivated fields, and substantial in- provements in the way of buildings. He is in- dustrious and energetic, yet in the midst of his active business cares has found time to faithfully discharge his duties of citizenship. In politics he is a Republican, and he served as a member of the school board for one term.

Mr. Mitchell was married in Lawrence town- ship, in 1871, to Miss Hattie Read, who was born in Lawrence, a daughter of John J. Read, who for many years was a resident of Lawrence town- ship, and there died. Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell have nine children: Jessie, Lelia, Wilmer J., Ashton, Clifton, Robert, Ethel, Clair and Fred. .

M ILES READ, a leading agriculturist of Lawrence township. Clearfield county, is a member of a well-known pioneer family of that section, his grandfather, Alexander Read, a Rev- olutionary soldier and a man of marked ability. having located on the Mitchell farm, in Lawrence township , in 1802. He and his wife, Jemima (Alexander), were both natives of Cecil county, MId., and had settled at an early day in Penn's Valley, Centre Co .. Penn .. whence they moved to their new home in Clearfield county in 1803. They reared a large family of children, among whom were Alexander and Thomas, who died in Clearfield county; John Ross, our subject's fa- ther; James and Sarah (Mrs. Dunlap). who died in Clearfield county; Rachel ( Mrs. Alexander B. Reed), who died in Clearheld borough.

John Ross Read was born in Cecil county, Md., in 1789, but the greater part of his life was spent in Lawrence township, Clearfield county. He married Miss Mary Reed, a nativeof Pennsylva- nia, whose father was a Revolutionary soldier and a pioneer settler of Pike township, Clearfieldl county. J. R. Read purchased, in 1815. the farm now oc-

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cupied by our subject, which then comprised one hundred acres of timbered land. This he cleared and cultivated, making it his perma- ! nent home. He died there June 30, 1858, and his wife passed away on the same farm Decem- ber 6, 1873. They had seven children, of whom our subject was the youngest; William A. died in Coalport, Clearfield county, in 1890; Eliza died in 1878; Martha died June 30, 1840; Jemima (Mrs. Robert Porter) resides in Pike township, Clearfield county: Louisa died in Clarion county. Penn., August 18, 1896; and Jane ( Mrs. Caldwell) died April 6, 1871.

Miles Read was born June 24, 1830, on hispres- ent farm. his early home being in a log cabin. The schools of the neighborhood afforded him an ed- ucation, and he has followed farming and lum- bering there from early manhood. Since the old homestead came into his possession he has done much to improve it, and of the 120 acres which it now contains he keeps 105 under culti- vation.

On January 15, 1856, Mr. Read was mar- ried in Milesburg, Centre Co., Penn., to Miss Ellen Blair, a native of that county, where her parents, Samuel and Margaret (Eaken) Blair (both now deceased), had settled at an early day. Six children blessed this union: J. Blair is mar- ried and resides at the homestead: Elma (Mrs. Bradshaw) lives in Washington, D. C .; Willard L., an attorney at law, is married and lives in Seattle, Wash. : Jennie (Mrs. W. E. Tate) re- : sides at Glyndon, Minn .; Louisa is at home: : Glasgow died in Indiana, in 1895, while at college. The mother of these died January 15. 1897, and is buried in Pine Tree Cemetery, in Lawrence township.

Mr. Read is interested in all public questions. and in politics is an adherent of the Democratic party. He is a prominent member of the Pres- byterian Church at Clearfield. and holds the office of elder.

J OHN B. FERGUSON. This gentleman, who is known to the people of Clearfield county as one of the most progressive and energetic agriculturists of Penu township, is well-deserving of prominent mention in the pages of this work.

John Ferguson, Sr., grandfather of the above subject. came to this country from Ireland in ; 1753 with an only brother. Together they en- listed in the Revolutionary army, and were en- gaged in guarding the frontier against Indian raids. During one of these raids the brother was taken prisoner. and was not heard from afterwards, After doing service for his country,

1 the grandfather rejoined his family in Cumber- | land county. Penn., moving from there in 1803, and traveling by way of Lock Haven, where they tarried for a short time, sending two sons to locate a home farther up the Susquehanna river. Finding a suitable place, they began improving it the same year. the family arriving in the sum- mer of 1804, at which time the country was vet infested with roving bands of Indians and danger- ous animals-panthers, wolves, bears, and plenty of wild game, two panthers being killed in the immediate vicinity. There being no roads, they had to carry their supplies from Lock Haven, a distance of 120 miles; by a canoe poled up the Susquehanna river. It is evident that they had to endure many privations.

The family of John Ferguson, Sr., consisted of twelve children, of whom the following sons grew to manhood: David, ~ John, James and William. Of these, David, the father of this subject, was by profession a civil engineer, and located nearly all the lands in Clearfield county, as well as considerable in adjoining counties. He was county surveyor of Clearfield county. nearly continuously during his life; was elected to and served two terms in the Legislature of the. Commonwealth, and also served in many minor offices during his life, such as county commis- sioner, justice of the peace twenty years, school teacher, school director, besides holding several other township offices. After leaving the old home he settled on the farm now owned by Anthony Hile, in Lumber City; from there he moved, in 1838, upon a farm of 160 acres on the south side of the river, near where his brother John was already located, and assisted in de- veloping that section of the country. The town- ship was named in honor of him and his brother John.

David Ferguson was married to Rachel Mc- Kee. of York county, Penn., who died in 1853 aged fifty-four years: he died in 1865 aged sev- enty-nine years. Their family consisted of (1) Sarah, who died in Harrisburg ( while her father was serving in the Legislature), aged eleven years. (2) Alexander, who resides on the old homestead was married to Amanda Straw. now deceased; his family consisted of Murray E., a farmer living near by; Oscar, in Califorma; Alice located in Oregon: Newton, an engineer in Colo- rado, and Jennie, living near by. (3) Mary Jane. of Ferguson township, married Framptou McCracken, a soldier of the Civil war, who died in (890. and left no family. (4) David L ... who during the war of the Rebellion was attending College, left his studies to assist in raising a com- pany of cavalry which was mustered into the

JB Ferguson

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

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2nd Pennsylvania Cavalry, he being commissioned a lieutenant, and serving during the entire Re- bellion. Leaving home, he married Eliza Fer- guson, and entered into the lumber and mercan- tile business in Lumber City, where he continued for twelve years, during which time he was inter- ested in the cause of education, and through his efforts the Lumber City Academy was founded. Having his store burned, and meeting with other reverses, he closed out his business and moved to Humboldt county, Cal., where he pre-empted 160 acres of redwood timber land: entering in with a company. he took charge of a trading post on an Indian reservation in Hoopa Valley, Cal .. where, in 1895, having contracted pneu- monia while crossing a snow-capped mountain, the disease terminated his existence. His family consisted of the following: Maud. who died in California, aged twenty-four; Frank now in busi- ness in Eureka, Cal. ; and Chester, who lives with his mother at Bayside, Cal. (5) James H., now residing on his farm in Ferguson township, is a veteran of the Civil war, having enlisted in 1861. in Company I, 84th Reg. P. V. I., and served his country throughout the struggle, and took part in nearly all the engagements in which his regiment participated; once taken prisoner, and was incarcerated for a time in Libby Prison. After returning home, he married Lucy Owens, of Ferguson township, and they have one son- Ralph. at home. (6) Sarah Eliza married Ed- ward Mills, of Oil City. Penn., and they resided there until his death, which was caused by an ex- plosion in an oil well, after which his widow re- turned to her old home in Ferguson township, where she resided until her death. January 16, 1898. (7) John B. completes the family.

Upon the old home in Ferguson township our subject was raised, and continued under the parental roof until the outbreak of the Rebellion. when, feeling his country needed his services, he enlisted in the summer of 1861, and assisted in raising a company of 1To men in Lumber City and vicinity, of which he was commissioned first lieutenant. The company rendezvonsed at Camp Crossman. near Huntingdon, Penn., from there moved to Camp Curtin, Harrisburg. Penn., where it was assigned a place in the 84th P. V. I .. and in December, 1861. was marched into West Virginia, and was in active service from that time until one year later, going into winter quarters at Fredericksburg. Va., the company . being then reduced to less than fifty men. The subject of this sketch participated in all the en- gagements the regiment was in, and was in al- most constant command of the company, the captain being in delicate health, and resigning in

the summer of 1862. The regiment had many skirmishes and battles with Jackson's army, and its colonel was killed at the battle of Winchester. In the latter part of the summer, owing to ex- posure and other causes, Lieut. Ferguson was stricken down with typhoid fever, and was con- fined in Columbia College Hospital for twelve weeks, where he hung between life and death for many days, having the constant attendance of three surgeons. After becoming somewhat im- proved in health, he rejoined his regiment at Fredericksburg, and, being unable to stand camp life any longer. was honorably discharged from the service.

In order to describe some of the hardships of a soldier life, the following instance is related: On January 3. 1862, the regiment. being pressed by Jackson's army, had to effect a crossing over the Potomac river in the night. The river being frozen over (all but one ripple, and this under the guns of the Rebels from the heights in the regiment's rear). the troop had to be transported with difficulty across in one small scow, holding seventy-five men. Lieut. Ferguson's company acting all this time as rear guard, and protecting the ferry. The colonel. seeing the danger of this company being captured, ordered it to ford the river, which was done very reluctantly. the lieutenant taking the lead; but in the darkness of the night he lost his bearings, plunged into deep water. but through desperate efforts suc- ceeded in gaining the shore almost perished. the Rebel shells encouraging them greatly all this time in their efforts.

After returning home from the army. he en- gaged for a few years in the merchandising busi- ness in Lumber City, but. finding his health fail- ing in so confining a business. he left the store . and purchased his grandfather's farin, bordering on the Susquehanna river, moving there in 1870. where he still resides.

In January, 18;0, he was married to Adranna Kirk, daughter of Samnel Kirk, of Lumber City. Their family consists of Byron . C., Alice Josephine, David V., Florence B., John M .. Anna Grace, and Samuel Kirk, all at home. Byron C. is a born genius, having designed and erected a wire cable suspension foot bridge across the Susquehanna river at his home, twenty feet above the water, doing the entire work in its construction, making and twisting the cables, and doing the entire structure work. His inventive genins does not stop with this structure. for he has other projects in view.

Politically, Mr. Ferguson is a Prohibitionist. but formerly was a Republican: his father was a Democrat in early life, but united with the Re-

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publican party at its organization, voting with it the remainder of his days. The family is one of prominence in the community, holding a high place in social as well as business circles. With the United Presbyterian Church they hold mem- bership, our subject being a ruling elder therein, and interested in all worthy enterprises in the community.

John, second son of John Ferguson, Sr., im- proved a farm in Ferguson township, subse- quently moving therefrom to Lumber City, where he entered into mercantile business. Later : on in life he moved to Lock Haven, continuing in the same business, and there resided until his decease in 1874. His surviving children are: Mary Hannah. Deborah, John C. and Elizabeth. James Ferguson, third son of John Ferguson, Sr., resided on the old home near Lumber City until his death, taking care of his aged parents while they lived. He held many responsible positions in life, serving one term as sheriff of the county. He was the father of three sons and seven daughters: James and William, sur- viving sons, reside in Penn township; the five surviving daughters being-Sarah Jane, Mar- garet, Isabelle, Emina, and Eliza, who is now residing in California.

William Ferguson, the youngest son of John Ferguson, Sr., settled on a farm adjoining the old home where he lived for some time. He sold the same and moved West, remaining there many years: but having a desire to end his days in Clearfield county, he came back and settled ! on a farm at Susquehanna Bridge, where he died in 1889. He left children surviving: George M., who served as register and recorder of the county for six years; Mary, in the West, and Sallie, living at the old home at Susquehanna Bridge.

The daughters of John Ferguson, Sr., were: Polly, Betsey, Margaret and Jane. The last named married William Reed, who has two sons living in Ferguson township-David R. and James R. : Betsey, married Joseph Wiley, and reared a large family, generally living in what is known as the Wiley settlement. they having con- verted it from a wilderness to a beautiful farm- ing settlement.

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2, Part 65

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