Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2, Part 68

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 68
USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 68
USA > Pennsylvania > Clearfield County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 68
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 68

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Presbyterian Church, in which they were reared.

In 1861, Mr. Davison married Miss Ellen J. Hunter. who was born November 15. 1841, in Scotland, and in 1848 was brought to the United States by her parents, Robert and Sophia (Swan- son) Hunter. also natives of Scotland. On land- ing, the family, which numbered twelve persons, came by canal and on foot to Clearfield county, where the father purchased land and developed a farm, on which he spent his remaining days, dying in 1882 at the age of seventy. His wife, who survived him, passed away in 1893 at the age of eighty-one. Prominent Scotch Presby- terians, both were widely and favorably known throughout the community. Mrs. Hunter spent her declining years with her daughter, Mrs. Davi- son. Her father, Andrew Swanson, died in Scotland, after which his family crossed the At-

lantic and located in Canada. Mr. and Mrs. Hunter had three children: John H., a farmer of Jordan township, Clearfield county: Ellen, wife of our subject; and Sophia, who died un- married.

Six children graced the union of Mr. and Mrs. Davison: Sophia, now a resident of Denver, Colo .; Mrs. Emaline Pierce; Elizabeth; Walter, who was accidentally killed September 21, 1888; and two who died in infancy.

J JOHN M. ROSS, a well-to-do and prosperous farmer of Bell township, Clearfield county, is one of those men who throughly understand the business which they are pursuing, and are pro- gressing toward a state of ample competence. He is the architect of his own fortune, having started in life with but little capital beyond his own industry and laudable ambition to rise in the world.

Mr. Ross was born in Boalsburg. Centre Co., Penn., August 17, 1831, a son of John and Anna (Barnhart) Ross, the former of Irish and the lat- ter of German descent. The father was a native of New Jersey, and in early life learned the shoe- maker's trade, which he principally followed throughout his business career. As a young man he went to Centre county, where he was married, and about 1833 took up his residence in Clearfield county, near McGee's Mills. In the spring he followed piloting on the river for many years, the rest of his time being devoted to his trade. He died in 1872, and two years later his wife was called to her final rest. She was a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and belonged to an honored pioneer family of Centre county. Her brothers and sis- ters were as follows: Jacob, Philip, John, Henry, Katie, Mary and Sophia, all now deceased, and the father of our subject was one of five children. the others being: William, of Clarion county, Penn .; Henry, Delilah and Rachel.

Mr. Ross, the subject of this review, is the sixth in the order of birth in a family of ten chil- dren, namely: Philip; Susanna, wife of I. Gar- rison; Elizabeth: Sarah, wife of Major Wise: Delilah, wife of J. Savage; John M .: Jacob. de- ceased; Henry; Mary S., wife of J. M. Rose: and William, now a resident of Oklahoma. In the public schools near his childhood home John M. acquired his literary education, and under his father's direction learned the shoemaker's trade. which he followed for many years, and has also done considerable rafting and lumbering. In 1855 he went to the West, where he spent one season; and then returned to Clearfield county,

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working at his trade in New Washington until his marriage in i859, when he located upon his present farm in Bell township, and in connection with its operation still engaged in lumbering and shoemaking for some time.

In 1859 Mr. Ross was married to Miss Nancy J. Mahaffey, of Centre county, a daughter of James Mahaffey, who came to Clearfield county, with his father in 1828, making the first settle- ment at the present site of Burnside, but later located in Centre county, where he died. By this marriage our subject had eight children: Elizabeth, now the wife of J. M. Weaver: James H. ; William M .; Robert F .; John E. ; Sarah K., wife of H. Wetzel; Orin B .; and Nancy J. The wife and mother, who held membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church, died in 1873. In 1876, Mr. Ross was again married, the lady of his choice being Miss Rachel. daughter of Will- iain Smith, a molder, of Howard, Centre county, where he and his wife are still living. Seven children grace the second union: Mary (wife of J. Brady), Susanna (wife of Samuel Gaylord), Karl, Della, Mathew, Ralph and Walter. The mother died October 11, 1890. a devout member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Although Mr. Ross takes an active interest in public affairs, he has never aspired, and is un- wavering in his support of Democratic princi- ples. He has, however, filled minor township offices, in which he has rendered effective service, and is a supporter of all worthy enterprises cal- culated to prove of benefit to the community, with whose interests he has long been identified.

M RS. ELIZABETH C. MULLEN has for many years resided in Pike township, and deserves mention among the esteemed pioneer settlers of Clearfield county. She was born in Brady township, in August. 1830, a daughter of Jonathan Ogden, whose father, Matthew Ogden, came to this county at a very early day, making the journey up the Susquehanna river in a canoe. Jonathan Ogden was born in Clearfield county, in 1800, and throughout his life followed the oc- cupation of farming. He married Elizabeth Leonard, daughter of Abram Leonard, who was prominently identified with the pioneer interests of the county. Mr. Ogden was accidentally killed October 5, 1835. His children were: Rachel, Leonard, Mathew and Elizabeth C. .

Elizabeth C. Ogden spent her girlhood days in her parents' home, and obtained her education in the public schools. In 1853 she gave her hand in marriage to Hugh W. Mullen, who was one of the leading and influential farmers of Pike

township. His parents were Patrick and Martha (Finley) Mullen, the latter a native of Erie coun- ty, Penn. The father was born in Ireland, and when nine years of age accompanied his parents to America, the family locating in Centre county, where the grandfather of Hugh Mullen died, and where Patrick Mullen was reared. In Erie county the latter was married. and he made his home there until after the birth of his children. In 1830 he came to Clearfield county, purchased a small tract of land, erected a home thereon, and continued to improve his property until his death, which occurred in 1856. He was a shoe- maker by trade, and followed that pursuit throughout his life. Patrick and Martha Mullen were the parents of eight children, nainely: Mrs. Jane Baker; Fianna, wife of B. Colwell: Eme- line, wife of William A .- Read; Mrs. Mary A. Fullerton; Margaret. wife of William Welch; Hugh: James, a carpenter by trade; and Mrs. Caroline Leach.

In the year after his marriage, Hugh W. Mul- len purchased what was known as the Huey Hall farm, and afterward added to that property until he owned 140 acres of good land, seventy-five of which are under a high state of cultivation. He improved the place with commodious and sub- stantial buildings, and his farm, pleasantly situa- ted two miles east of Curwensville, is known as one of the best in the township. It is still oc- cupied by his children.

Mr. and Mrs. Mullen had a family of seven children: Homer, who is living in South Da- kota; Ida, wife of Harry McCormick: Owen. who died at the age of five years: Eva. wife of Joe Read, of Goshen township. Clearfield coun- ty; Ellis, in British Columbia: Rissie: and Edith, deceased wife of S. S. Fulton. of Sacramento, Cal. Mr. Mullen gave his political support to the Democratic party, and took a deep and com- mendable interest in all matters pertaining to the public welfare, yet never sought public office. He was a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and his upright life won for him the respect of all who knew him. He passed away May 11, 1890, deeply mourned throughout the community. Mrs. Mullen holds membership in the Presbyterian Church. During the greater part of the time since her husband's death she has resided with a brother in Riverside. Cal .. spending five years on the Pacific slope.

J OSEPH OWENS, of Lawrence township. Clearfield county, is one of the most pro- gressive and public-spirited citizens of that section, and has done much to promote its set-

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHIICAL RECORD.

tlement and development. Through his enter- prise many fertile tracts of land have been cleared and made ready for the plow, and thus, while making his own way to an honest competence, he has worked to the lasting benefit of the com- munity.

Mr. Owens was born in Bradford township, Clearfield county, in 1821, and is of pioneer stock. His grandfather, John Owens, was born, reared and married in York county, Penn., and moved to Clearfield county with his family in 1802, settling in the woods one mile from Clear- field, and clearing a farm. He and his wife both lived to the advanced age of ninety-three years. They had eight children, none of whom are now living: Mary (Mrs. Dixon) died in Iowa; Eliza- beth (Mrs. Letz), in Clearfield county; Elizabeth (Mrs. Wadsworth), in Lawrence township, Clear- field county; Anna (Mrs. Lounsbury), in Brad- ford township, Clearfield county; Keziah (Mrs. Young, in Lawrence township; Peter, in, Fergu- son township. Clearfield county; John is men- tioned more fully below; and Robert died in Lawrence township.

John Owens, our subject's father, was born in York county, Penn., in 1797, and was five years old when he accompanied his parents to their fut- ure home. He married a native of Clearfield county, Miss Mary Burge, whose father, Joseph Burge, was a well-known pioneer. John Owens followed agriculture as an occupation until his death, and he and his wife were highly respected by all who knew them. Of their large family of children, our subject was the eldest; Rachel (de- ceased) married Mr. Kline; Robert died at the age of eight years: John married, and his death occurred in Kittanning, Penn ;; Peter died in Lawrence township. Clearfield county; Sarah (Mrs. Whelny, died in Elk county, Penn. ; Ella (Mrs. Barger, died in Chester Hill borough; Mar- tin resides in Lawrence township: Rebecca ( Mrs. Shaffner died in Lawrence township.

Mr. Owens, our subject, has always had his home in Clearfield county. He was educated in the common schools, and in early manhood he engaged in agriculture, which he has since fol- lowed continuously. In 1842 he purchased one hundred acres of land . in the woods, " which he cleared and added to until he now owns a fine estate of two hundred and seventy acres. He has cleared and developed a number of farins for sale, and has at times owned large quantities of land. In 1843 he was married, in Lawrence township, to Miss Martha Jane Wallace, a na- tive of Perry county, Penn., and the daughter of William and Sarah Fowler) Wallace, well- : known residents of Brady township, Clearfield

county. Mr. Wallace died at the age of sixty- six, but his wife lived beyond the ordinary limit of life, dying when eighty-eight. Mr. and Mrs. Owens have had seven children, four of whom are now living: Sarah Jane (Mrs. Korp resides in Bloom township, Clearfield county; M. J. is married to Margaret L. Read, and lives in Law- rence township: Mary (Mrs. Flegal) resides in Goshen township, Clearfield county; Amos re- sides at the homestead. Of the deceased chil- dren, William was married to Susannah Beau- mont; his death occurred January 5, 1892.

In politics, Mr. Owens is a Democrat. He is widely known, and, wherever known, is held in high esteem. He has held every office in the township, including that of assessor, and was treasurer for seven years. The family attend the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is a leading member.

T HOMAS McPHERSON, a well-known resi- dent of Lawrence township, Clearfield county, shows the characteristics of the typical American in his loyal interest in all that relates to the public good, and his energetic and success- ful business career. He comes of a good old pioneer stock. His grandfather, Thomas Mc- Pherson, was born in this State, and resided in Centre county, where John McPherson, our sub- ject's father, was born and reared. As a young man he went to Curwensville, Clearfield county, and learned the tanner's trade, which he followed later at Luthersburg and Clearfield. He was married in Clearfield to Miss Margaret Bloom, a native of Pike township, Clearfield county. Her father, Benjamin Bloom, Sr., was a pioneer farmer of that locality, and he and his wife, Sally (McClure) passed their later years at the home which their industry had established amid the trials of frontier life, Mrs. Margaret Mc- Pherson died in 1852, and our subject's father was subsequently married, in Clearfield. to Mrs. Sarah Jordan Carey, a widow.

By the first marriage there were nine chil- dren, of whom our subject was the second in order of birth, the others being: (1) Louisa married Henry Snyder, and died in Clearfield in 1880. (3) Benjamin Bloom enlisted at Clear- field in 1862, in Capt. Mccullough's company, and was killed at the battle of Gettysburg. 4) James L., who married Miss Antes, enlisted in 1861 in the Clearfield Cadets, and served three years. He lost his life in 1894 through an acci- dental injury. (5) Reuben resides in Patton, Cambria Co .. Penn. (6) William R., ex-sheriff of Clearfield county, resides in Clearfield. (7)

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

John P. lives in Burt county, Neb., near Te- kamah. (8) Miles and (9) Clark did not live to adult age. There was one child by the second marriage, Marilla (Mrs. Lorinier), of Clearfield. Our subject's father was a prominent citizen and a leader of the local Democratic party. and he served two terms as treasurer of Clearfield county. He died in 1864; his second wife passed away in July, 1893.

Mr. McPherson, our subject, was born in 1336, at Clearfield, and his boyhood was spent at the home of his grandfather, Benjamin Bloom, in Pike township, where he acquired his educa- tion in the local schools. At the age of twenty- one he engaged in farming, lumbering and milling on Montgomery creek, and constructed there the first circular-saw mill in the county. In 1869 he purchased his present farm near Clearfield, a 100-acre tract, then covered with timber. He has sixty acres cleared and under good cultiva- tion. The property is underlaid with coal and fire clay, and is a valuable estate. He was mar- ried in 1865, in Lawrence township, to Miss Eliza Addleman, a native of Centre county, Penn., where her parents, Andrew and Margaret (Gates) Addleman, were also born. They moved to Lawrence township, Clearfield county, in 1850, and settled at Centre, but their last years were spent in Virginia. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. McPherson, namely: Mar- garet (Mrs. Geulich), of Lawrence township, Clearfield county; Ida May, who lives at the Dansville (N. Y.) Sanitarium; Powell and Belle, who are at hoine; Emma who died at the age of five years; Harry who died when eight months old: Paul, who died in infancy: and Elsie, who was called from earth at the age of thirteen.

Mr. McPherson has always been prompt to encourage local progress, and his fellow citizens have marked their appreciation of this fact by choosing him to fill the office of supervisor twice, and for a number of years he was called upon to serve as school director. In politics he is a Dem- ocrat.

S M. BAILEY is an honored veteran of the Civil war, and a worthy representative of one of the pioneer families of Clearfield county. His identification with the interests of the com- munity in which he lives covers a period of al- most sixty years, throughout which he has dis- charged his duties with the same loyalty that he manifested when on Southern battle-fields he fol- lowed the .. stars and stripes " to victory.

Mr. Bailey makes his house in Union town- ship, on the farm where he was born in 1838. :

He is a son of Caleb and Jemima Bailey, the former of whom, also a native of Clearfield county, was a son of Daniel Bailey, who was born in Pennsylvania, and became one of the pio- neer settlers of Pike township, Clearfield county, where he followed farming for many years and spent his last days. Caleb Bailey was reared to farm life, and at an early day carried the mail between Bellefonte and Franklin, Penn., two weeks being required to make the trip. After his marriage he purchased one hundred acres of timber land, and began the arduous task of de- veloping a new farmi. As the years passed by his labor was visible in well-tilled fields and good improvements. His wife died on that farin in 1875, after which he moved to Du Bois. where he passed away in 1885, at the ripe old age of eighty-eight years. They had a family of six children, as follows: Mrs. Elizabeth Sineal. who is now living in Pike township; Henry, who re- sides in Union township: Moses, who died in Pike township in 1881; John, a resident of Du Bois; Mrs. Melinda Courtney, who died in Du Bois, and S. M.

Mr. Bailey, of this review, was reared in Union township, and attended the district schools, where he acquired a fair English education to fit him for life's practical duties. He followed lum- bering for some time, rafting on the river. and through the greater part of his active business career has carried on agricultural pursuits. He . is now the owner of the old homestead, compris- ing 160 acres of rich land, and the neat and thrifty appearance of the place indicates his care- ful supervision. He engages in general farming. and his capable management and characteristic thrift have brought to him success. He was mar- ried in Curwensville, in 1863, to Miss Margaret Jane Howell, who was born in Wayne county, Penn., a daughter of John and Elizabeth ( Dun- lap) Howell, the former a native of Wayne county. and the latter of Clearfield county. The father was a shoemaker, and for some years followed that pursuit in Curwensville. His' death oc- curred in Hornellsville, Penn., in 1877; his wife died in Curwensville in 1861. Mr. and Mrs. Bailey are the parents of four living children: Lillie, wife of John Kennard, of Clearfield. Penn .; Woodward, who is living in Du Bois, Penn. ; L. Romain, who is married and resides on a farm. and Mrs. Dolly Whitmarsh. of Du Bois. They lost two children: Dave, who died in 1879, and Orinsby, who died in 1885.

Mr. Bailey moved to Du Bois in ISS4, but after some years returned to his farm .. During the war he responded to the President's call for troops, enlisting in 1861, for three-years' service.

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

joining Company K, 84th P. V. I., was mustered in at Harrisburg, Penn., and was with the Army of the Potomac under Gen. Shields. He partic-" ipated in the battles of Winchester and Fort Re- public, and, on being taken ill, was sent to the hospital in Alexandria, Va. There, on account of physical disability, he was honorably dis- charged in 1863. He is now a member of Easton Post, No. 229. G. A. R., of Du Bois, and finds great pleasure in meeting with his old army com- rades. His political support is given the Repub- lican party, and he stanchly advocates its princi- ples. He has served as a member of the school board, and assisted in organizing the school dis- trict. He also belongs to the Methodist Episco- pal Church, and enjoys the confidence and re- spect of his fellow townsmen and all with whom he has been brought in contact.

0 TIS W. WHITE. Among those agricultur- ists of Clearfield county whose places mani- fest to the casual observer the energy and ability of each owner in his chosen calling, is the sub- ject of this personal history. He has one of the most desirable farms in Burnside township, sixty acres being cleared and improved with a comforta- ble two-story residence and substantial barns and outbuildings. In connection with general farming he also raises the stock needed on his farm, and was successfully engaged in lumbering until within the last few years, commencing that occupation when a lad of fifteen.

In Cumberland county, Penn., near Harris- burg, Mr. White was born November 24, 1841, and when an infant was brought to Clearfield county, where he was reared amidst rural scenes and educated in the country schools. His father. Asa White. was a native of Massachu- setts, born September 7, 1795, but when young was taken to New York State, where he grew to manhood. He was a self-educated, as well as a self-made. man. paying his own way through both the public schools and medical college, where he graduated. He began the practice of his chosen profession in Cumber- land county, Penn., where he married Miss Har- riet J. Orr, whose birth occurred in Maryland, November 22, 1804. About 1842 they came to Clearfield county. locating first on Chest creek above Mahaffey, where the Doctor engaged in practice until 1845, when he came to Burnside township and rented a mill and residence prop- erty. In connection with his practice he con- ducted the mill and also engaged in farining, and at the end of a year purchased a tract of 162 acres of partially improved land-the farm on

which our subject now resides. To its further development and cultivation he devoted his time. and erected a large house on the river, which was headquarters for the lumbermen in early days. At first his farm was principally operated by hired help, while he gave his attention to his profession, riding many miles in visiting his patients. He was very successful in curing, but not in collecting from, those whom he doctored. As he advanced in years he gradually retired from his arduous professional duties, and enjoyed the comforts which his labors had secured. Through his own exertions he rose to a position of promi- nence and affluence, and by careful and extensive reading became one of the best informed men of the community. He was widely and favorably known, was a Republican in politics, and he and his wife were both leading and active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which he belonged for about sixty years. Her death occurred in August, 1885, and he passed away the following year, respected by all.

To Dr. White and his wife were born ten children, six of whom died when quite young; the others are as follows: Elijah H. is now a resident of Salem, Ore .; Otis W. is the subject of this review; Julia M. is the widow of Dr. Bunn, who was buried at New Washington: and Mrs. Amelia J. Read is a resident of Renovo, Penn. They are all prominent citizens in the various communities where they reside.

In early life Otis W. White assisted in clear- ing and cultivating the home farm in Burnside township on which he still resides. In 1874 he married Miss Clara Young, of an honored pioneer family. a daughter of Henry and Catherine (Estriker) Young. The father, who is of German extraction, is an agriculturist, and is still living in Burnside township, where he has developed a fine farm from the wilderness. He and his wife hold membership in the Evangelical Church. In their family are the following children: Mary, the wife of J. Wagner; Catherine, the wife of P. McCloska; Maggie, the wife of I. Billings: Clara. the wife of our subject; Lydia, wife of C. Mann; John, a farmer of Burnside township: Jennie, wife of F. Fuiton; and Ella, wife of J. Bennett.

Mr. and Mrs. White have four children, whose names and dates of birth are as follows: Olive. 1875: Hattie, 1877; Dora, 1879: and Francis, 1888. Of these, Olive graduated in 1895 from the State Normal School at Lock Haven; and Hattie and Dora in 1896; they are all teachers in Clearfield and Centre counties. The family is one of prominence in the community. holding a high place in social circles. In his political tendencies, Mr. White is a Republican, but has

. .

Otis W White

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

never cared for the honors or emoluments of public office. He enjoys the esteem and con- fidence of all with whom he comes in contact, and to the fullest extent is honored by his fellow citizens for his sterling integrity, earnest truth- fulness and excellent intentions.

W ILLIAM WHITESIDE, a prosperous ag- riculturist of Bigler township, Clearfield county, owns a fine farm near Madera, a portion of a large tract of land purchased by his grand- father, John Whiteside, who came from County Derry, Ireland, in 1828, and located on Clear- field creek, near Muddy Run. His wife, Mar- garet Douglas, a native of Scotland, died in Ire- land, leaving five children-four sons and one daughter-whom he brought to this country. Several sons were already grown at the time of this emigration, and he purchased homes for them in Becaria township, Clearfield county, but he continued to reside at his original location. He remained faithful to the memory of the wife of his youth, and died in 1843 at an advanced age.

river (he was married in Clearfield county to a Miss McCully, of Gulich township, and two chil- dren were born there); (c) Isaac was killed in 1873 while logging on Muddy run (his wife, whose maiden name was Hannah Locket, died in 1871, leaving one daughter, Vida, now Mrs. Cornely. of Madera); (d) Samuel and (e) Agnes, who re- side in Madera, are not married; (f) Robert died at the age of thirty-five; (g) Mary married Jerry Hegarty, of Madera, and has six children; and (h) Boaz, a resident of Madera, married Miss Emma Cornelius, and has four children. (5) Rebecca, the only daughter of John and Mar- garet Whiteside, married the late William B. Alexander, of Mifflin county, then of Becaria township, Clearfield county. He bought a farm near Amesville after his marriage, and resided there until 1860, when he removed to the old Alexander homestead. Mrs. Alexander died in December, 187!, and his death occurred in 1874. They had the following children-Delilah, Mrs. David Hegarty; Joseph, now a member of the State Legislature from Clearfield county; Rosy, Mrs. Henry Miles; Rebecca, Mrs. Thomas Askey, of Gallitzin, Penn .; Jane, who died in early womanhood at the old home in Madera; Agnes, married to Edward Miles; Mary, who died when nineteen years old; William B., who died at the age of ten; and Miss Catherine, who is teaching in the high school in Lancaster county, Pennsyl- vania.

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2, Part 68

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