Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2, Part 72

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 72
USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 72
USA > Pennsylvania > Clearfield County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 72
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 72

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Mr. Jose was born in Dexter, Penobscot Co .. Me., August 15. 1845. a son of Richard and Catherine C. (Crockett) Jose, who spent their entire lives in the Pine Tree State, the father dying in ISSS at the age of eighty-three, and the mother in 1890 at the same age. The paternal grandfather came from England at an early day. locating in Maine, where he engaged in farming and reared a family of five sons, namely: Will- iam, Oliver. Nathaniel. Moses and Richard, of whom some became sea-faring men and two were masters of vessels. Of the mother's family but little is known except that she had a brother, Albert C. Crockett. Eight children were born to the parents of our subject: Frank A., a resi- dent of Missouri: Emma M., deceased wife of S. Parkman: Susan. deceased: Louisa F .: George W. : Ann C., who died at the age of sixteen years; Ella, wife of C. Silly, of Monmouth. Mass. : and A. C .. a farmer of Kansas. The mother was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and by occupation the father was a farmer and lumberman.

George W. Jose obtained his education in the schools near his boyhood home. and in 1863 left the parental roof to begin the battle of life for himself, being employed at lumbering in his na- tive State for about a year. He then went to Minnesota, where he followed the same vocation

for two years, and at the end of that time con- cluded to pay a visit to his parents and old home. "Accordingly, in the fall of 1866 he returned to Maine, spending most of his hard-earned wages in that way. Later, we find Mr. Jose in Clear- field county, Penn., with his bills all paid but with no capital. He soon, however, found em- ployment in the lumber woods, and as he thor- oughly understood the business in every depart- ment, was industrious and reliable, he was soon given the management of the men and business of his employer at an increased salary. Not be- ing afraid of work, he assisted those under him, thus gaining their esteem and securing their best services. During the first five years of his resi- dence here Mr. Jose had the superintendence of all branches of the lumber business-managing the camp and men in the woods, sliding logs to the water, manufacturing square timber, driving logs and rafting to market. In driving logs he suffered more from exposure and hardships, as he would often have to sleep on the bank of the river twenty or thirty nights in succession in all kinds of weather.

Having no extravagant habits, Mr. Jose was able to save some money, and at the end of five years he embarked in the lumber business on his own account, often taking a partner on large con- tracts. He purchased land from which he lum- bered the timber, also bought the timber from other lands, and met with excellent success in his undertakings. He is still the owner of several tracts of land, including two very valuable pieces of property, and, together with a partner, has several other tracts. He also has one tract in Cambria county, Penn. Energy, perseverance and indus- try have been the essential points in his remark- ble success, and, although he began life in Clear- field county with no capital, he is to-day numbered among its most substantial and prosperous cit- izens.

In 1878, Mr. Jose was united in marriage with Miss Nannie J. Mahaffey (daughter of Rob- ert Mahaffey), an intelligent and cultured lady. and they became the parents of four children: Melvina, who died at the age of eight years; Alice and Inez, at home; and Elsie, who died at the age of twenty-two months. After his mar- riage. Mr. Jose located at Mahaffey, Clearfield county, where he continued to reside until ISSt, since which time he has made his home in La- jose. There he purchased a farm, across which the Pennsylvania & Northwestern railroad was built in 1886, running near his house, and as there was a demand for a hotel he erected the " Hotel La Jose." now so popular with the traveling public. He also furnished the ties used

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

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in the construction of the road from Irvona to Mahaffey, and was instrumental in getting the name of the post office changed from Newburg to Lajose. Later the Pennsylvania Company built another branch to their road, running to the de- pot in Lajose, and the Beech Creek road was also built across the farm, making it a central point for commercial men and other travelers. The hotel, which is first-class in all its appoint- ments, hasdone a thriving business and met with a well-deserved success. From 1890 until 1894, Mr. Jose was also engaged in general merchan- dising in the village. where he still owns the store building and five houses which he rents, besides twelve rented houses in Spangler. He has made many valuable and useful improvements upon his farm, and is accounted one of the most suc- cessful and enterprising farmers of Chest town- ship. Stock raising claims his attention to a con- siderable extent. having upon his place a fine grade of cattle and horses, but his favorite is the "noble steed," and among his fine horses is a trotting stallion. " Richard J." (record 2:173), of great value.

Fraternally. Mr. Jose is a member of Noble Grand Lodge No. 406, F. & A. M., of Curwens- ville: politically he is an uncompromising Demo- crat. but he cares nothing for public office, pre- ferring to give his undivided attention to his ex- tensive business interests. He to-day enjoys the reward of his painstaking and conscientious work. By his energy. perseverance and fine business ability he has been enabled to secure an ample fortune. Systematic and methodical, his sagac- ity, keen discrimination and sound judgment have made him one of the prosperous citizens of Robert Mahaffey's mother, who bore the maiden name of Nancy Bennett, was a daughter of John Bennett, who was of Scotch descent Clearfield county. On the maternal side, Mrs. Jose traces her ancestry back to William Ma- haffey, who came from Ireland to America dur- ! and was reared in Pennsylvania. He located in ing Colonial days. and took up his residence in Lycoming county, where he improved a large 1 farin, known as the Level Corner farm, and be- came an extensive general agriculturist and fruit raiser. Before the days of canals he owned and ran a fleet of keel-bottom boats, and was widely and favorably known throughout his community. None of his family came to Clearfield county with the exception of Mrs. Mahaffey and a grand- son, Dr. Bennett, of Mahaffey. Lycoming county, Penn., where he reared his family, consisting of the following: John, Rob- ert. Moses, William. James and Mrs. Elizabeth Tallman. In 1837 he came on foot to Clearfield county, and purchased a tract of land on the Susquehanna river, in what is now Burnside township, where with his axe he cleared a spot on which to erect a rude log cabin. His wife died in the spring of 1328, and in the following fall he brought his five sons to the lonely cabin in the . forest, which he believed to be the best place for them to secure a start in life. He continued the improvement of his land, and subsequently built a better residence. In isto he was again married in Lycoming county, his second union being with a Miss Talbott. by whom he had two daughters: Elizabeth and Hannab. In :833, with

his wife and daughters, he removed to Lycoming county; but after the death of his wife, in 1849, he returned to Clearfield county, making his home with his son John in Cherry Tree until his death in August, 1859. Thus ended the event- ful life of one of Clearfield county's most hon- ored pioneers. He came here on account of its lumber interests, and was among the first to en- gage in that business, making and taking down the river the first raft of square timber from the county. He also built the first dam on the Up- per Susquehanna, and owned and operated a saw- mill, manufacturing lumber quite extensively for that early day.

Robert Mahaffey, the father of Mrs. Jose, was fourteen years old when brought by his father to Clearfield county, and he early became familiar with the hardships and privations of pioneer life, as well as the arduous task of developing a farin from the unbroken wilderness. He was about nineteen years of age when his father returned to Lycoming county, leaving him to make his own way. He engaged in lumbering, and also rented a sawmill, which he operated for himself and others. At the end of six years he went west, but returned to Clearfield county the same year, and bought land near the present site of Mahaffey, where he erected a sawmill, which is still in operation. For many years he was en- gaged in merchandising at three different places, and in 1886 platted the town of Mahaffey, which now contains about three hundred houses and has four railroads. His first sale was the site for a tannery, and soon afterward he began to sell lots for residence purposes.

On attaining to man's estate. Robert Mahaffey wedded Miss Mary McGee. daughter of Rev. James McGee. an honored pioneer of Clearfield county, who, in 1826. located at the present site of McGees Mills, where he erected the first grist- mill in that portion of the county. He also brodit a sawmill. and engaged in lumbering. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Ma- haSey : William, James and Mary. The mother,

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

married Miss Maria Heberling. He then pur- chased a farm in Schuylkill county, where he continued to reside for a number of years, and then sold and bought a partially-improved place in Brady township, Clearfield county, upon which he erected a good house and barn and made many other valuable improvements, clear- ing almost the entire place. In 1861, however, he bought 115 acres in Sandy township, one inile north of Stanley, where our subject now resides. After clearing twenty-five or thirty acres, he re- turned to the old homestead in Sandy township. His death occurred in Sandy township, January 18, 1887. His worthy wife had previously passed away while residing at our subject's pres- ent home.

In the family were three children: (1) Lucy, born in 1843, became the wife of John Shaffer, of Brady township, who died on his farm near Du Bois, leaving a widow and six children- Annie M., now Mrs. Reisinger, of Sandy town- ship; Mary, wife of Josiah Reisinger, died in 1895 in Du Bois; Ella, who lives in that city; Samuel, who died at the age of twenty-one years; John, who is employed in Du Bois; and Amanda, now Mrs. Philip Clark, who lives in Du Bois. (2) Simon is second in order of birth. (3) E. F., born in Schuylkill county, in 1847, accompanied his parents on their removal to Brady township, Clearfield county, where he grew to manhood. After his marriage to Lavina Wayne, of that township, he located on the old homestead, where he continued to live until 1895, when he removed to Du Bois. He is now numbered among the prosperous and influential business men of that place, where he has purchased prop- erty and is engaged in the grocery business. He has two children-J. A., who is married to Lydia Davis, and lives in Du Bois; and Ella, who is now serving as cashier in Wayne & Weber's store, Du Bois.

Simon Hand was born March 17, 1845, in Schuylkill county, but was reared in Brady town- ship, Clearfield county, where during his youth he assisted his father in the arduous task of clear- ing and developing a new farm during the sum- mer months, while through the winter he pur- sued his studies in the district schools of the neighborhood. Later he devoted considerable attention to lumbering. Previous to his mar- riage he purchased of his father the farm on which he now resides and has there continued to make his home ever since. Through his untiring efforts it has become one of the best cultivated tracts in Sandy township, and plainly indicates to the passerby the enterprising and progressive spirit of the owner.

In 1875 Mr. Hand married Miss Katie Rada- ker, a daughter of Charles and Nancy Radaker, prosperous agriculturists of Brady township, and they now have five children: John F., born February 6, 1876, is at home. Charles E., born January 24, 1879, attended the public schools of Brady township and Du Bois, and later gradu- ated at Du Bois Business College; he is now bookkeeper for the lumber firm of Radaker, Hand & Co., in Indiana county, Penn. W. S., born June 1, 1880, William Grover, on October II, 1884, and Ollie Mabel, on November 18, 1886, are still with their parents. Mr. Hand has al- ways been identified with the Democracy. and takes quite an active interest in political affairs, doing all in his power to advance his party's in- terests. He is recognized as one of the most public-spirited and progressive citizens of his community, and cheerfully gives his support to those enterprises calculated to advance the gen- eral welfare. Both he and his wife are active and prominent members of the Methodist Epis- copal Church of Sykesville.

R ODNEY CHARLES, a reliable and ener- getic agriculturist of Bloom township, Clear- field county, where he has made his home for the past fourteen years, was born in 1843. in Carroll county, N. H., and belongs to a family that was founded in Maine at a very early day in the his- tory of this country. In the Pine Tree State his grandfather was born, and spent his active busi- ness career in lumbering and farming. Both he and his wife died there.

The parents of our subject, Russell and Ma- linda (Ames) Charles, were both natives of Maine, the former born in Oxford county, when Portland was their nearest trading point. By occupation he was a farmer, carrying on operations in New Hampshire, where both he and his wife died. In their family were twelve children-nine sons and three daughters-of whom the eldest was born before leaving Maine. A brief record of them is as follows: (1) Peter, a resident of Oxford county, Maine, married Sarah Chandler, and has several children. (2) Dean, who married and had four children, was a farmer by occupation. and died in Maine in ISS6. (3) Solomon came to Pennsylvania in 1858, and engaged in the shook business in Cambria county, where he died in 1895. He married Julia Jack, by whom he had four children, and after her death wedded Sarah James, by whom he had ten children. (4) Stephen, who resides on the old homestead in New Hampshire, has never married. (5) Ben- jamin, who married Lydia Charles, and had

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

three children, engaged in farming throughout life, and died in Oxford county, Maine. (6)

was one of the pioneers of Clearfield county, and at an early day engaged in lumbering. At one Bliss; also an agriculturist. was married and had " time he walked from Marietta to Coalport. a two children, who reside in New Hampshire. (7) Henry, a resident of Maine. enlisted at the first call for troops to put down the Rebellion, and served throughout the entire war as a member of

a Maine regiment. (8) Rodney is the subject of , its ranks and held a number of offices. He died this sketch. (9) Russell married Iza Gordon, and lived in New Hampshire. (10) Laura mar- ried B. S. Eastman, and died in Wisconsin. ( II) Mary died on the old homestead in Maine. (12) Hannah married Moses Eastman, and reared a family of three children, who are living in the Pine Tree State.

In 1864, Mr. Charles, the subject of this sketch, came from his New Hampshire home to Cambria county, Penn., where he enlisted in the 209th P. V. I. Going to the front, he partici- pated in the battle of Petersburg. and continued to follow Lee until his surrender at Appomattox. When hostilities had ceased he returned to Cam- bria county, where he engaged in the shook busi- ness until 1878. and has since given his time and attention to agricultural pursuits, making his home upon his present farm in Bloom township, Clearfield county, for fourteen years. In that township he married Miss Samantha Anderson, in 1875, and they have four children, all at home, namely: Perley, Horace, Laura and Edna. The wife and mother. who was a faithful mem- ber of the Presbyterian Church, departed this life in 1892p and her death was mourned not only by her immediate family, but by many friends as well. In politics, Mr. Charles is active in the ranks'of the Democratic party, and has served two terms as treasurer, and also as school di- rector of Bloom township. He is a respected arid 'valued citizen of the community, and his many virtues and pleasant ways have gained him a host of warm friends.

J D. SPANGLE is a successful operator in coal, of Clearfield county, residing at Coal- port. He is unquestionably one of the busi- ness inen whose lives have become an essential part of the history of that town. Keen percep- tion, unflagging industry, honorable dealing, and a genius for devising and executing the right thing at the right time. joined to every-day com- inon sense, are his chief characteristics, and have . brought to him success.

Mr. Spangle was born January 21. 1846, a son of Samuel and Julia A. (Phillips) Spangle. the former of whom was born June 2, 1802, in the Blockhouse settlement. York county. He

distance of 250 miles, over a week being required to accomplish the journey. In politics he was a Whig until the organization of the Republican party, when he became a prominent worker in July 5. 1885, at the age of eighty-three years, one month and three days: Julia A., his wife, passed away July 16, 1880.

J. D. Spangle was reared on the homestead farm, assisting in the arduous duties of clearing and developing the land, while in the winter months he attended the common schools. at which time the pupils had only three months of school in a year. At the age of fifteen he began making square timber and cutting logs, which were rafted down Clearfield creek and the river to Eastern markets. His life has ever been a

busy and useful one. After his marriage he fol- lowed farming for a few years in Cambria county and in Becaria township, and purchased thirty acres of timber land from his father in 1874. In the following year he erected a fine, two-story residence there. built a large barn and made other improvements. In the summer. in .con- nection with the cultivation of his land. he worked at the mason's trade. In 18St he divided a part of his land into town lots in Coal- port, and when the Bell's Gap railroad was con- pleted to that point the first car-load of coal was shipped from his mines from Coalport over the line by the Greensburg Coal Co., to which he had leased his coal lands. receiving a royalty of five cents per ton on the product. In 188; he opened a harness store in Coalport. and success- fully carried on that business until. on account of the close confinement, he sold to Joseph Hul !. of Tyrone. About that time the Greensburg Coa! Co. gave up their lease, and Mr. Spangle has since successfully operated the mines for home trade.

On June 13. rspo. Mr. Spangle was married to Mary A. Heveriy. of Utahville, who was born January 9. 1852. a daughter of Henry and Mary Heverly. Her father was a forgeman in early life. but afterward followed farming near Utah- ville. and was numbered among the highly re- spected citizens of Becaria township, of which township he was a pioneer. Mr. and Mrs. Spangle have had nine children: John. born in 1871. and Mary, born in 1873. died in infancy; Anna L .. born in 1874. died of diphtheria in 1881: Samuel H .. bora in 1876. is now a student under Prof. Frampton: Lillie May, born in is7. died in infancy : M. Taison, born in 18;9. is at-

طير.

Jacob & Sprangle

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

tending school in Coalport: Ralph L., born in 1883, Jacob Roy, in 1885, and Esther L., in 1889,-ate all in school.

Mr. Spangle has always been a stanch Re- publican. He served for four years as school director of Becaria township: was elected the first chief burgess after the incorporation of Coal- port borough, and served his term until the first Monday of March, 1884, when James Haines was sworn in as burgess by the retiring burgess, J. D. Spangle. He served two terms as coun- cilman, was three years school director by elec- tion and one year by appointment. In 1895 he was elected constable for three years, but by some mistake of former years could only serve one year, but was re-elected in 1896 for three years, and has been elected for a second terin, so that he is now holding that office. He and his wife, also their children, are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1882 he was one of the trustees who erected the fine church in Coalport, and was one of the most liberal con- tributors to that enterprise. He is deeply inter- ested in all that pertains to the welfare of the community, and does everything in his power to advance its moral. educational, social and mate- rial welfare. The first borough election in Coal- port was held October 20, 1883. on which occa- sion J. D .. Spangle was elected burgess. The first councilmen were T. M. Lambert, J. S. Gift, C. B. Elliott. Robert Kline. Joseph Hull and S. M. Spangle; high constable, M. J. Cald- well. The first school directors were elected in February, 1884: they were J. M. Beers. Joseph Hull, J. D. Spangle, James Haines, J. M. El- liott and S. M. Spangle. J. D. Spangle is the present commonwealth constable, and tax col- lector of Coalport borough.

Henry Heverly, of Utahville. Clearfield coun- ty, the father of Mrs. Spangle. departed this life January 23, 1883. aged seventy-six years, ten months and twenty-nine days. He settled in Clearfield county over forty-two years ago, lo- cating his home in Becaria township, about one mile west of Utahville, where he and his estina- ble wife lived until death separated them, his wife passing away in 1880. On August 27, 1829. he married Mary Trayster, and to this honored couple were born fourteen children. "Father " Heverly, as he was familiarly called, was a consistent member of the M. E. Church for about forty-eight years. He and his pious wife were the early pioneers of Methodisin in Clear- field county. There being no church in the neighborhood for a number of years after their arrival. the Methodist society frequently held their meetings at " Father " Heverly's. where all

received a hearty welcome and never were turned away hungry. His remains were followed to their last resting place by a large number of relatives and friends.

Of the fourteen children born to "Father " Heverly and his wife seven were boys and seven girls, and all but six are living and filling honor- able places in life. At his death he had fifty- three grandchildren and sixteen great-grand- children.

"Oh. how we miss him. Everything looks strange. His chair, his stool.

His desk, his bed.

Farewell, dear father, we're parted,

But not for long. Our faith is strong:

We'll meet the father by and by in Heaven, dear father."

Rev. J. C. Young, of Coalport. the officiating minister, took for his text: "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes, and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, for the former things are passed away."

W ILSON KEPHART, who is worthy of more than a mere mention in a work of this character, is one of the representative and prominent farmers of Decatur township, Clear- field county. where his entire life has been passed. He was born in 1843. on the farm which is still his home, a son of Jonathan and Mary (Wilson) Kephart.

The birth of Jonathan Kephart occurred in Berks county, Penn., November 5, 1797. In 1815. he accompanied his father, Adam Kephart (who was also a native of Pennsylvania), to Clearfield county. Here the latter died. The former continued to make his home in Decatur township, where for some time he worked for Hardman Phillips. but after his marriage pur- chased a tract of one hundred acres of timber land from Josiah Smith, of Clearfield, and opened up a farm.

Jonathan Kephart was twice married. his first union being with Miss Bessie Goss, a native of Clearfield county, and to them were born six children, one of whom is still living. Abram. a resident of Woodward township, Clearfield coun- tỷ.

After the death of his first wife, the father wedded Mary Wilson, and they became the par- ents of six children, namely: James, who makes his home in Decatur township: Wilson, of this sketch: Mrs. Jane Ann Fulton, of Decatur town- ship; Mrs. Delilah Klinger, of the same town- slup; and Henrietta and Martha, who make their home with our subject.

Upon the home farm. Wilson Kephart early became familiar with agricultural pursuits, and is

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

now numbered among the most successful and skillful farmers of Decatur township, where he owns the old homestead comprising 150 acres. ~

J OHN N. HILE holds a leading place among the energetic and progressive agriculturists of Ferguson township, Clearfield county. On both the paternal and maternal sides he comes of good old pioneer stock, his ancestors having lo- cated here at a very early day in the history of the county, and been prominently identified with the development and prosperity of this region. His grandfather, Henry Hile, a native of Germany, took up his residence in Clearfield county on coming to America when a young man, and here married a lady of Irish birth. Purchas- ing a farm near Lumber City, he there engaged in lumbering and farming pursuits until called from this life.

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2, Part 72

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