Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2, Part 66

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 66
USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 66
USA > Pennsylvania > Clearfield County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 66
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 66

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D ANIEL BEAM, a leading and influential farmer and early settler of Cooper township. Clearfield county. is a native of Pennsylvania, hav- ing been born in Dauphin county, June 12, 1822. He is a son of Henry and Nancy (Richards; Beam, who were born, reared and married in the latter county.

The family, which is of German origin, was

! founded in Pennsylvania. About 1826 the father : of our subject removed to Centre county. where in the midst of an almost unbroken wilderness he made his home until 1833; which year wit- nessed his arrival in Clearfield county. He lo- cated in what was then Morris township (now Cooper), and first purchased 100 acres of land, to which he later added a like amount. and still later a fifty-acre tract. Of this, he cleared and improved 130 acres, making it one of the most desirable farms in the locality. He made a specialty of wheat, which he would carry over the mountains and market at Milesburg. Centre county. In his family were twelve children: John, deceased; Jacob, a resident of Kylertown; Henry and Samuel, deceased; Daniel. of this sketch: Mike, of Nebraska; George, who died in Missouri; Jesse, a merchant of Kylertown; Polly, wife of G. Williams; Catherine, wife of J. Hoover; Margaret, wife of S. Hoover; and Eliza- beth, widow of P. Miller. The parents who were universally held in high regard. were mem- bers of the United Brethren Church, and in poli- tics the father was a Democrat.

The boyhood and youth of Daniel Beam was mainly passed in the neighborhood where he still makes his home, and in its public schools he ac- quired his education. He remained with his father until he had attained his majority, and then started ont in life for himself, first operating rented land. For five years after his marriage, in 1845, he was thus employed. and then, in part- nership with his brother, engaged in farming until 1861, when he located on his present farm which he had previously purchased, the same year erect- ing a good residence, and the following year building a large barn. Ninety-five of the 175 acres he has cleared and brought under a high state of cultivation, and to its further improve- ment and development he devotes his entire time and attention; in former years, however. he also followed lumbering and rafting.

In 1845 Mr. Beam was married to Miss Su- sanna Cooper, a daughter of David and .Polly (Cox) Cooper, who were born, reared and mar- ried in Virginia, and were the very first settlers to locate in what is now Cooper township. where the father died about 1844. In his family were nine children: Ann. Elizabeth, Purnina. Jemima. Keziah, Mary, Susanna, and two sons who died in childhood. Five children came to bless the union of Mr. and Mrs. Beam. as follows: Nathan, a farmer by occupation; Mrs. Addie Williams: McClain, a farmer: Lidda, wife of C. Beightol; and Mrs. Esther, Marcus. The wife and mother, who was a devout Methodist. departed this life in 1885.

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Mr. „Beam is an active and prominent mem- ber of the United Brethren Church, of which he is serving as trustee. Although he usually votes with the Democratic party. he endeavors to sup- port the man whom he thinks best qualified to fill the office, regardless of his politics. He is one of the representative farmers of the commu- nity, honored and respected by all for his sterling worth, generous hospitality and unbounded lib- erality.

J JOHN SHIVELY. Many of the best class of Clearfield county have come from over the sea, particularly from the Empire of Ger- many. They have transported into the New World the industry, thrift and economy of their native land, and have been important factors in the upbuilding and development of this section. Of this class of honest, hardworking, alien-born citizens there is none who occupies a more prom- inent place than Mr. Shively, who now makes his home in Decatur township.

Our subject was born in 1836, in Wurtem- burg, Germany, where his parents, Gottlieb and Margaret (Shively) Shively, spent their entire lives." He remained in his native land until he had attained his sixteenth year, when he took passage on a sailing vessel at Havre, France, and after a tedious voyage of sixty days landed in New York. whence he proceeded at once to Phil- adelphia. He next went to Montgomery county, this State, and in 1854 first came to Decatur township, Clearfield county, where for many years he engaged in lumbering. While thus employed the Civil war broke ont, and he then laid aside personal interests in order to aid his adopted country in preserving the Union. At Bellefonte. Penn., he enlisted in June, 1861, for three years, in Company E, Fifth Pennsylvania Reserves, and was mustered into the United States service at Harrisburg, the regiment becoming a part of the Army of the Potomac. He partici- pated in many hotly-contested engagements, in- cluding the battles of Mechanicsville, Gaines- ville, Charles City Cross Roads, Malvern Hill, Bull Run, South Mountain. Antietam, Fredericks- burg. Chancellorsville. Gettysburg, Mine Run, Wilderness, Po River, Spottsylvania, North Ann River. Sheldon Lane. Cold Harbor. the first and second battles of Deep Bottom. Hatcher's Run, Fort Steadman, and the capture of Petersburg. On December 2. 1862, Mr. Shively veteranized, becoming a member of Battery C in the regular army, and served for some time after hostilities had ceased, being honorably discharged at Fort- ress Monroe, in December, 1865, after four years

and six months of arduous and faithful service. His discharge papers certify to his bravery and meritorious conduct.

Mr. Shively returned to his home in Decatur township, where he continued to reside until 1882, when he purchased an improved farm of 220 acres in Centre county, which he successfully operated until 1892. In that year he again took up his residence in Decatur township, Clearfield county, where he now has charge of the stables of a livery and coal company, but still owns a good farm in Taylor township, Centre county. For twenty-four years he engaged in lumbering. being a part of the time in the employ of Mr. Steiner, and assisted in clearing the present site of Philipsburg, Centre county. In I Decatur township he was married. in 1868. to Miss Charlotte Ewings, a native of Centre county. where her father, William Ewings, located at an early day. Five children were born to this union: Nora; Harvey, who died at the age of three years; Edward; Bertha; and Alice, who died at the age of two months.

Mr. Shively uses his right of franchise in sup- port of Democratic principles, and does all in his power to promote the interests of the land of his adoption. He merits and receives the high re- gard of the entire community. His war record is one of which he may be justly proud, and from private he was promoted to duty sergeant of his regiment in the regular army. He is now an honored member of James McClaren Post. No. 553. G. A. R., of Osceola Mills, and also belongs to Osceola Lodge, No. 747, I. O. O. F., of the same place.

J TOSEPH WASHBURN, a prominent agricult- nrist of Huston township, Clearfield county, is one of the early comers to that section. having been brought there by his parents in 1841. as a boy of eleven years. Many changes have taken place since that time, and it is to him and others of like energy. ability and public spirit that those changes are due.

Mr. Washburn comes of the best American stock. His grandfather. Solomon Washburn. was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. He lived and died in Massachusetts, and his son. Josiah, our subject's father, was born there, and in his turn served his country in the war of 1812. In early manhood he went to New York State. and was married there to his first wife, Miss Fox. by whom he had five children: Jeremiah was a dentist, settled in Chicago. Ill .; Ethren died in Brookville. Penn .: Lewis died in Michigan: Julian married and went west ; and Eunice Maria

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

died some years ago in New York State. Josiah Washburn, was married, a second time, in New York State to Mrs. Nancy Steward Shoemaker, a native of Yates county, N. Y. She was the widow of Godfrey Shoemaker, and a daughter of Charles Steward, a Revolutionary soldier, who also served in the earlier wars and was present at Braddock's defeat.

Our subject's father was a millwright by trade, but after his removal to Huston township. Clear- field county, he purchased sixty-six acres of land in the wilderness and prepared it for cultivation. He made his home there, and combined agricult- ure with the business of building mills in various places in the county. All of the discomforts of pioneer life were experienced before civilization brought its conveniences, and for some time the nearest market was at Luthersburg. Mr. Wash- burn was well known and highly respected throughout the county. He held the office of justice of the peace for twenty years, and was a leading worker in local affairs, his influence being given to the Republican party. His death oc- curred in 1876, and his widow followed him eight years later. They had six children, of whom our subject is the eldest; Charles E., who resides in Sandy township, served in the Civil war: Joseph was drafted into the army; Jane and Philinda died at an early age; Josiah was lost in the woods when he was four years old, and his body was not found until after seven days had elapsed. C. E. Washburn held several offices of trust in Sandy and Huston townships, among thein being that of supervisor, four years, during which time he proved himself to be a model road maker.

Our subject was born in 1830, the home of his parents then being near Olean, N. Y. For a short time before going to Clearfield county the i family lived in Ridgway, Elk county. There was much to be done upon a pioneer's farm, and Mr. Washburn established habits of industry while assisting in the work at home during boy- hood. Later he became interested in agriculture on his own account, and is now exclusively en- gaged in it, but for twenty-five years he also operated a sawmill and dealt extensively in lum- ber. In 1850 he was married in Huston town- ship to Miss Catherine Ann Smeltzer, a native of Centre county. Penn. Her parents, Jacob and Esther (Clyster) Smeltzer, were born in that county. and were both of German ancestry. They moved to Elk county in 1852. and settled first in Fox township, where they cleared a farm in the woods. Mr. Smeltzer died in the West. but his wife passed her last years in Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Washburn have had five children. namely: Esther ( Mrs. Wyncoop), of Sandy town-

ship: Daniel R., a resident of the same town- ship: Elizabeth (Mrs. Dunlop), who died in 1895: Amanda C. (Mrs. A. W. Dunlop), a resident of Sandy township; and Ada, who died at the age of two years. Daniel R. was elected township auditor on the Republican ticket; after serving three years as such he was elected constable. and is now serving his second term of office.

In local affairs, Mr. Washburn has always been a progressive and influential worker. He is a leading member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Sabula, and in his political affiliations he is a Democrat.

TOSEPH GILLILAND has for a number of years done a successful and lucrative business along the lines of general merchandising and milling in Potterdale. Clearfield county, and as the result of his untiring labors, his ambition. his energy and well-directed efforts, he is to-day the possessor of a handsome competence and a good home. where he spends his leisure hours. enjoying the society of his family and friends in the midst of all the comforts that go to make life worth living.

The Gilliland family was founded in America prior to the Revolutionary war, by Scotch-Irish emigrants, and in 1800 Joseph Gilliland, the grandfather of our subject, took up his residence in Centre county. coming from Chester county, Penn. He was among the very first settlers of Penn's Valley, where he purchased land of the Potter family. who had obtained a large tract from the government and sold the same in small amounts. To the cultivation and improvement of his farmi he devoted his attention for the re- mainder of his life.

John Gilliland. the father of our subject, was born in 1806. and. being a cripple, was conse- quently given good educational advantages. as he was unable to assist in the work of the farm. His principal teacher was Timothy Ladd. also a cripple. At the age of eighteen Mr. Gilliland commenced teaching. which profession he suc- cessfully followed for eighteen years, and then, in connection with a partner, bought the mercantile interest of the Penn Valley Trading Company. The business proved very profitable until the panic of 1857, which cansed the failure of the firm, and he moved to Clearfield county, making his home upon a farmi until his death. in USS8. He was a very intelligent. moral, upright man. who stood high in the estimation of his fellow citizens, and took a prominent part in public affairs, always voting with the Democratic party. He held some of the most important of the town-

Ed. J. Gilliland

Joseph Gilliland

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ship offices, but cared nothing for political dis- tinction. In religious belief both he and his wife were Presbyterians, and took quite an active part in Church work.

John Gilliland was married to Miss Lydia Smith, who was born in 1808, in Centre county, and died in 1889. Six children blessed their union: Hannah; Joseph; William S., a promi- nent physician of Karthaus; Edward I., a fariner and merchant: Mary; and Robert C., who re- sides in Snow Shoe, Centre county.

The maternal grandparents of our subject were William and Hannah (Little) Smith. The great-grandfather, William Smith, Sr., was an officer in a Pennsylvania regiment in the war of the Revolution, and after its close located upon a farm in Lancaster county, this State, where, in connection with its operations, he also opera- ted a mill. He was quite a popular man of the community, served as justice of the peace, which was an important office at that time, being the same as county judge, and was also county coro- ner. William Smith, Jr., being well educated, engaged in teaching when a young man, and in 1784 commenced merchandising at Warriors Mark, Huntingdon Co., Penn., where he con- ducted his store until coming to Centre county, in 1808. He located at what was known as Smithfield, now a part of the city of Bellefonte, and there followed mercantile pursuits for a num- ber of years, but later he again taught school. His death occurred at Boalsburg, Centre county.

Joseph Gilliland, of this review, was born January 6, 1841, in Centre county, and received a good common-school education. He accom- panied his parents on their removal to Clearfield county, and remained with them until his mar- riage in May. 1866, Miss Adeline Yothers becom- ing his wife. Her parents, Joseph and Elizabeth (Reiter) Yothers, were honored pioneers of Kart- haus township, Clearfield county, where her fa- ther developed a good farm from raw land, and also engaged in milling. His death occurred in 1872. He and his wife were members of the Lutheran Church, and the parents of eleven children-Mrs. Maria Corley; Mrs. Isabel Pat- terson, of Illinois: John; Henry; Daniel, deceased; Mrs. Sophia Heckendorn; Reuben, a resident of Kansas: Adeline; Christian, deceased: Joseph; and Mrs. Mary Heichel. Mrs. Gilliland de- parted this life December 30, 1878, and left two daughters-Lydia E., at home; and Clara B., wife of J. Haney, of Pottersdale, Pennsylvania.

In October, 1880, Mr. Gilliland was again married, his second umion being with Miss Lu- cetta B. Lucas, of Snow Shoe, Penn .. a native of Centre county, and the ninth in order of birth

in a family of ten children. Her father, John Lucas, was an early settler of Centre county. and a veteran of the war of 1812, having served his country on board of Commodore Perry's fleet. and in that memorable engagement on Lake Erie, September 10, 1813, he was wounded. On his return home he was ever after called "Perry John " to distinguish hiin from the many other Johns among his kindred; he died Septem- ber 27, 1858, aged sixty-nine years, leaving, as an heirloom to his family, the medal that a grateful Congress voted the survivors of Perry's victory. on which is engraved the laconic dispatch of Per- ry, "We have met the enemy and they are ours." Five of the six sons of " Perry John " served in the war for the Union, viz., Nelson, McCal- mont, Isaac, Thomas and Jesse. Nelson was killed at second Bull Run; McCalmont died in camp at Langley, Va .; Thomas died of disease contracted in the service after having been dis- charged; Isaac and Jesse are still living. The only other living member of this noted family besides Mrs. Gilliland, is Martha, wife of Rev. Thomas Cameron, of Philipsburg, Pennsylvania.

" Perry John" Lucas was an enterprising. prosperous man, who was quite successful in his farming operations. and acquired a large interest in coal mines, but at his death his heirs were cheated out of most of the property.

For three years after his first marriage. Joseph Gilliland operated rented land, and then engaged in hotel keeping at Salt Lick, Clearfield county, for two years. On selling out there in 1873. he removed to Three Runs, where he secured a po- sition with J. W. Potter in his store and mill. and continued to work for him until May. 1877. when, in connection with a partner, he purchased his employer's store and rented the mill. In 1882 he bought his partner's interest and contin- ued the business alone until September. 1883, when his brother became a member of the firm. Selling out in 1888, he removed to Salt Lick, so that he might care for his mother, and after her death, which occurred the following year, he and his brother bought the entire property, including the store, stock of goods, mill, and 194 acres of land, which they to-day own. Our subject is one of the most energetic and progressive busi- ness inen of the county, and his success is well merited. In 1877 he was appointed postmaster of Three Runs, which position he continued to fill until April, 1881, when he resigned; but on his return to that place the following year, he was re-appointed, and still acceptably fills the of- hice. In connection with his other property he also owns sixty acres of land which is under cut- tivation, and upon which is found a good grade

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of coal and fire clay. His life has been one of industry and perseverance, and the systematic and honorable business methods that he has fol- lowed have won him the support and confidence of many. In politics he has always been a Dem- ocrat, has served in a uunber of township offices. and for one term of three years was auditor of Clearfield county. His wife is a member of the Methodist Church.

E DWARD I. GILLILAND is classed among the enterprising citizens of Karthaus town- ship, Clearfield county. He does not confine his energies to one line of operation, but is a successful farmer, merchant and lumberman at Potterdale. His prosperity has been attained along the line of well-tried maxims of honesty. perseverance and diligence, and to his own efforts is due the position he has achieved in business circles.

Mr. Gilliland was born in Centre. Hill, Centre county, June 9, 1845. the fourth child and third son of John and Lydia (Smith) Gilliland. His grandfather. Joseph Gilliland, was descended from Scotch-Irish ancestors who cante to America prior to the war of the Revolution, About 1800 he removed from Chester county, Penn., to Centre county, and was one of the first pioneers of Penn's Valley. He purchased his land from the Potters. who had secured it by grants given them by the government. Here Joseph Gilliland opened up a farin, reared his family, and became a well-known citizen of the community.

John Gilliland, father of our subject, was born in 1806, and reared on the family home- stead, secured the greater part of his education under the direction of Timothy Ladd, and when eighteen years of age began teaching school, which profession he followed some eighteen years. He then turned his attention to merchandising. and in connection with a partner purchased the store of the Penn Valley Trading Co., continuing business until the financial panic of 1857, when he lost all he had. He then removed to Clearfield county, where he died. in 1888, at the age of eighty-two years. He was a prominent sup- porter of the Democratic party, and held a number of township offices. Both he and his wife were Presbyterians. He married Lydia Smith, who was born in 1808, and died in '1889. Her parents were William and Hannah ( Lytle) Smith, the former of whom was a son of Will- iain Smith, Sr., who served as an officer in the Revolutionary war. He afterward located ou a farm in Lancaster county, Penn., and operated a mill. He was a prominent and popular citi-

zen, and served as justice of the peace for a munber of years. William Smith, the maternal grandfather of our subject, engaged in teaching in early life, and afterward followed merchandis- ing in Huntingdon county, Penn. About 1808 he removed to Smithfield (which in that year was incorporated into the borough of Bellefonte), Centre county, where he again followed mer- chandising and subsequently taught school. He died in Boalsburg. John and Lydia (Smith) Gilliland had six children: Hannah: Joseph, a partner of his brother: William S .. a physician of Karthaus; Edward I .; Mary; and Robert C .. of Snow Shoe, Centre county.

Edward I. Gilliland attended the common schools until fourteen years of age, but his edu- cational privileges were very meagre. After his parents' removal to Clearfield county he aided in the cultivation of the home farm. When fifteen years of age he began working in the lumber woods during the winter, and was thus employed for many years. In 1864, in response to an ad- vertisement, he secured employment on the " Monticello," a ship sailing from New London, Conn., engaged in the whale fisheries, and char- tered to take the Hall Arctic expedition to the northern regions. For eighteen months he was . on that vessel, and then returned home. follow- ing lumbering through the succeeding winter. In the spring he shipped on the first steamer ever en- gaged in the American whale-fishing trade, and went to Hudson and Repulse bays, returning late in the autumn of the same year. In the following summer he resumed farming, and in the winter engaged in lumbering. In 1870 he began clerk- ing in the store, and for twelve years he was en- gaged in farming and lumbering, the farm prop- erty which he operated being still in his posses- sion. Later our subject came to Potterdale. where he entered into partnership with his brother Joseph in mercantile and milling business, under the firm name of Joseph Gilliland & Brother. They have one of the best general stores in this section of the county, and their sales amount to about $15.000 annually. As luuber mer- chants and farmers they are also successful, and their honorable dealing and careful management have brought to them a merited competence.

In 1870 Mr. Gilliland was united in marriage with Miss Hannah C. Hertlein -- born in Clear- field county, October 12, 1850, died at Karthans, Penn., September 19, 1897 -- a danghter of ( ;. Lorenz Hertlein, who came from the Kingdom of Wurtemberg to America about 1830, purchas- ing a tract of raw land in Karthans township. Clearfield county, whereon he made his home until his death, in 1889. He was a leading Dem-

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ocrat, filled many township offices, and was a i member of the Lutheran Church. Mr. and Mrs. Gilliland have a family of nine children: Rosa M. (wife of F. G. Evans, a farmer), John L. (a book- i keeper), Frank, William E .. Bertram P., Estella M .. Laura, Ralph and Bernice. Mr. Gilliland was reared in the faith of the Democratic party, and he has ever since affiliated with it. His wife was a member of the Lutheran Church, and both are people of the highest respectability. [The accompanying portrait of Mr. Gilliland was taken June 8, 1895, while attending the Centennial of Bellefonte. Centre county. ]

H ENRY E. KYLER. Prominent among the successful farmers of Clearfield county may be named the subject of this historical notice. whose homestead lies in Goshen township, and who, by his enterprise and energy in the direc- tion of his chosen industry. has given to his work a significance and beauty of which few deemed it capable. He was born in Girard township, Clearfield county, August S. 1839, was reared to agricultural pursuits, and educated in the country schools.

Henry and Mary (Humel) Kyler, parents of : our subject, were also natives of Clearfield coun- ty. where they were married. The paternal grandfather. George Kyler, who was born in Pennsylvania of German ancestry, located in that county at a very early day. passing his remaining days. The father assisted in the operation of the home farin, and after his marriage began the development of a tract of wild land in Girard township, where he continued to live throughout life. During .his active business career he en- gaged in lumbering to some extent, making and handling square timbers and rafting them down the river. In politics he was a Democrat, in highly respected citizens of Goshen township.

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2, Part 66

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