USA > Pennsylvania > Clarion County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 73
USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 73
USA > Pennsylvania > Clearfield County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 73
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 73
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Anthony Hile, the father of our subject, was born in Northumberland connty, Penn., and in 1835 came with his parents to Clearfield county, where he grew to manhood, and yet resides on the old homestead, having purchased the place after his father's death. He has followed the occupations of farming and lumbering with good success, but of late years has given his exclusive attention to the former pursuit, the neat and thrifty appearance of his farm testifying to his skill and ability. In his political views he is a Democrat, and has filled a number of township offices to the satisfaction of all concerned. He is a popular man, and a consistent member of the Baptist Church.
As a companion and helpmeet on life's jour- ney, Anthony Hile chose Miss Emily Bloom, a daughter of James Blooin, and a granddanghter of William Bloom, who came from Germany to America in Colonial days, locating in New Jer- sey, where he enlisted in the Continental army, serving for six years, and was one of Gen. Wash- ington's body guard. After peace was restored. in 1795, he came to Centre county, Penn., and in 1802 took up his residence in Clearfield county, near the river, in what is now Pike town- ship. In his family were seven sons and three daughters, from whom are sprung the numerons representatives of the Bloom family in central Pennsylvania. Mrs. Hile was called to her final rest in 1893 .. By her marriage she had eleven children, namely: James, a lumberman and jus- tice of the peace of Lumber City; David W., a farmer, who was a ( wiem soldier during the Civil war; John N., of this sketch; Mrs. Martha Guppy: Eli, a farmer: Mrs. Fannie McDivitt; Addie, wife of J. Hips; Lewis B., an agricultur-
ist; William, a mechanic; Mary, wife of A. Rus- sell; and Mrs. Amanda Rorabau. With the ex- ception of Fanny and Mary, all are still living.
John N. Hile was born in Penn township, Clearfield county, April 12, 1844, and upon the home farm he was reared to liabits of industry and economy, while his education was obtained in the common schools of the neighborhood. He remained with his parents until his marriage, in 1870, to Miss Eliza E. Wise, a lady of intelli- gence and culture, and a daughter of William and Jane (Caldwell) Wise. Her paternal grand- father, Conrad Wise, was of German descent. and was an early settler of Centre county, Penn .. whence he came to Clearfield county when his son William was about eight years old. Here the latter grew to manhood, and was married to Jane Caldwell, daughter of Mathew and Mary : Caldwell. In their family were ten children- four sons and six daughters, namely: D. A., a farmer: Mrs. Susan Cupples, of Lumber City; Mrs. Mary A. Curry (deceased); Mrs. Lavinah J. Ferguson (deceased); Mrs. Margaret E. Bloom, of Olanta; George W. (deceased); Mrs. Eliza E. Hile, wife of our subject; Mrs. Almirah H. Hoover, of Mahaffey; a son who died in infancy: and W'm. L., a progressive farmer of near New Millport, Penn. Two sons bless the union of our subject and his wife: Clark V., a dentist engaged in practice at Conshohocken, Penn .; and Lemoyne J., who is still in school.
After his marriage, Mr. Hile purchased the farm on which he still resides-a valuable tract of 118 acres, fifty of which are cleared and now under a high state of cultivation. The old house has also been replaced by a comfortable two- story frame residence; and a large barn and other outbuildings have been erected, making it a most desirable farm, pleasantly located one mile west of Kerrmoor. It is underlaid with a good grade of coal. Mr. Hile was reared a Democrat, but of late years has affiliated with the Prohibition party. He has been elected to a number of township offices of honor and trust, the duties of which he faithfully discharged. In religious be- lief he and his wife are Methodists, and he is now serving as trustee of the Church.
H ENRY OWENS, one of the substantial and enterprising agriculturistsof Ferguson town- ship, Clearfield county, is a native of that coun- ty. belonging to one of its worthy pioneer fait- ilies, which has been prominently identified with its farming interests for many years. His father. Thomas Owens, was a son of Peter Owens, wh". was of Welsh descent, and the founder of the
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family in Clearfield county. Some of its mein- bers have left the Keystone State and now reside in Kentucky and Indiana.
Thomas Owens, the father, was here born and reared to agricultural pursuits. In connec- tion with farming he engaged in lumbering throughout life. Purchasing a tract of raw land on which our subject now resides, he transformed the same into a valuable farm, and converted the timber into lumber. He also owned other tracts which he cleared, and placed one hundred acres under a high state of cultivation, erecting thereon good and substantial buildings which are still in use. His death occurred in July, 1859. With the United Brethren Church he held membership, and in politics he was identified with the Demo- cratic party. A popular and highly respected citizen, he was called upon to fill many town- ship offices, but would never accept anything higher.
On attaining to man's estate, Thomas Owens wedded Emaline Hile, a daughter of Henry Hile, who at an early day came to Clearfield county from Northumberland county, Penn., and be- came one of the pioneers of this section. Relig- iously he was a Primitive Baptist. In his family were thirteen children: James, Daniel, Philip, Anthony. Henry, John, Amos, Lorenzo, Abbie, Mary A .. Emaline, Mary E. and Elizabeth. Nine children blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Owens: Robert; Clara, wife of D. R. Reed; Henry: Lucy, wife of J. H. Ferguson; E. E. : Alfred. deceased: Perry; L. L. ; and Nora, wife of P. Bradley. .
Upon the farm where he yet resides Henry Owens was born March 15, 1847. and was reared to agricultural pursuits, while his literary train- ing was obtained in the country schools of the neighborhood. He worked for three years for others, but has always made his present farm his home, buying it after his marriage of a brother- in-law, who was then the owner. Of the 196 acres, 100 have been placed under the plow and improved with good buildings. The land is un- derlaid with a fine quality of mineral products, including coal and fire clay.
In I'70. Mfr. Owens was married to Miss Elizabeth Moore, who was born February 18, 1847. a daughter of Joseph Moore, of Scotch- Irish descent, who was a farmer by occupation and an early settler of Clearfield county, where Mrs. Owens was reared. Three children grace this union: Norman H., Harry M. and Clark. all at home. Mfr. and Mrs. Owens are faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are widely and favorably known throughout the community. Formerly Mr. Owens was a Demo- ; age. Nine children blessed the union of this
crat in politics; but for the past ten years has been identified with the Prohibition party, and although he does not aspire to official distinction he has creditably filled a number of local posi- tions. He is one of the representative and prominent farmers of Ferguson township, and justly deserves the high regard in which he is universally held.
J TOSEPH G. GOSS. This gentleman is ac- credited with the ownership of one of the best farms in Decatur township, Clearfield county, and is also numbered among the promi- nent and representative citizens of the commu- nity.
Mr. Goss was born March 3. 1852. on the place where he still resides, which at that time was owned by his parents, David and Sarah (Gearhart) Goss. The family has long been iden- tified with this section, and in the same town- ship the birth of the father occurred in 1815. His parents, Abram and Elizabeth ( Erminheiser) Goss, natives of Germany, located there at a very early day, when Indians were numerous, and nearly all the land was still in its primitive con- dition. The grandfather opened up a farm in the midst of the forest, near Osceola Mills, where his wife died. He was.twice married in Clearfield, his second union being with a Mrs. Shively, who died upon the second farin which he developed: he passed away on a farm near that of our sub- ject. In his family were the following children: John. George. Jacob, Isaac, Abram. Joseph. David, Polly, Betsy, Peggy, Sally and Susan, all now deceased. The father of these children aided the Colonies during the Revolutionary war, and at one time rode Gen. Washington's horse.
Amid the wild scenes of frontier life, David Goss was reared to manhood, and in Decatur township. February 2, 1836, he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Gearhart, a native of Half Moon Valley, Centre Co., Penn., and a daughter of John and Lydia (Shivery) Gearhart. Her father, who was also born in Pennsylvania. came to Decatur township at an early day. and made his home there until called to his final rest in 1871; his wife died in 188t, when nearly ninety years of age. In 1836 Mr. Goss located upon the farin now owned by our subject. at first purchasing 125 acres of timber land, to which he added from time to time until he had 333 acres. He cleared and improved a portion of his land. and thereon made his home until called to his final rest December 6. 1884. His faithful wife still survives him, and is now eighty-three years of
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.
worthy couple, namely: Levi, a resident of De- catur township: William L., of Boggs township, Clearfield county; John, of Penn township, the same county; Abraham. of Boggs township; Edward, of Glen Hope, Clearfield county: Mrs. Lydia Jane Young, of Curwensville, Clearfield county; Joseph G. of this sketch; Mrs. Sarah Blake, of Maine: and David, of West Virginia.
Upon the old homestead Joseph Goss passed the days of his boyhood and youth, and in the district schools of the neighborhood secured his education. Since old enough to handle a plow he has turned his attention to agricultural pur- suits, and has become one of the most energetic and progressive farmers of Decatur township. In Tyrone, Penn .. in 1873. Mr. Goss was mar- ried to Miss Mary Ann Phillips, who was born in Decatur township, Clearfield county, and is a daughter of Richard and Susan (Rook) Phillips, the former a native of England, the latter of Clearfield county. In Decatur township her father opened up a farm, and died there in 1879. To Mr. Goss and his estimable wife have been born eight children. namely: Edith. Fannie, Harvey, Irving, Rella, Creighton, Harry and Carrie.
The political support of our subject is always given the men and measures of the Republican party, and he has ever taken an active interest in public affairs. giving his encouragement to all enterprises tending to advance the welfare of his township or county. He is a worthy repre- sentative of one of the honored pioneer families of this section. and justly deserves the high re- gard in which he is universally held.
J JAMES H. MINDS. The title of . generals of finance " has been aptly bestowed upon those men who, marshalling the peaceful hosts of industry, conquer new realms of com- inerce and widen the breach of business activity. Of this class the subject of this sketch is a nota- ble representative. his financial operations as- saming a breadth and scope which indicate the determination, persistence, sound judgment and power of combination which distinguishes the born leader of men. Coming to Clearfield county twenty-three years ago in very moderate circumstances, he has made his way to the front rank in business affairs, and this success is made . still more emphatic by the broad and generous interest that he shows in all that concerns good citizenship.
The late James Minds, father of our subject, was born at Kilkenny. Ireland, whence he came t ) America at an early age. and grew to man- '
hood in Schuylkill county. Penn. He married Miss Anna Millard, who was of English and Ger- man lineage, and a descendant of an old Penn- sylvania family. Her grandfather, who was born in this country, was wounded in the Revolution- ary war. Her father, Benjamin Millard, was a soldier in the war of ISI2, and was wounded while in service. James Minds located at Potts- ville, Penn., after his marriage, and for a num- ber of years held a position as foreman of a mine in that vicinity. In 1877 he and his wife went to West Moshannon, and their last years were spent in the home of our subject, the father passing away in 1884, and the mother ten years later at an advanced age.
Of their eleven children, six are living: (1) Mary Ann married John Haley, of Schuylkill county. who died leaving a family of nine chil- dren. (2) Charles Alexander married Miss Cath- arine Klinequiney, and after some years of resi- dence in Schuylkill county, moved to Clearfield county in 1883. locating at West Moshannon: at present he resides upon a farm near Ramey, and in addition to the management of the place fol- lows the carpenter's trade. He has six children. (3) Rebecca Ellen married Mr. Howells. of Schuylkill county. (4) Elizabeth died in infancy. (5) Elizabeth, the second of that name, mar- ried Michael McGinnis, of Schuylkill county, and died leaving one son, who now resides with his father. (6) Margaret married Clifford Rich, of Schuylkill county, who is engaged in railroad business. She died leaving five sons. () James H., the subject of our sketch. is men- tioned more fully below. (8) Michael died at the age of three years. (9) Bridget, who has never married. resides in Philadelphia. 10) Catherine died at an early age. (11) Sarah Jane married Thomas Davis, formerly of Schuylkill county, but now residing near Ramey upon a farm. They have had seven children, all of whom are living at home.
James H. Minds was born August 10, 1846, in Schuylkill county. about seven miles west of Pottsville, and was reared at the old homestead in the manner common to the country youths of that time, his educational opportunities being limited to four months' schooling in winter. The outbreak of the war found him too young to take np arms for the Union cause, but in the " dark days " of 1863. when Lee's army invaded the State, and the Confederates seemed destined to succeed. he enlisted in Company 1, 27th P. V. I. After being sworn in at Camp Curtin, they were stationed at Wrightsville to guard the Columbia bridge, where a fierce struggle took place to pre- vent Gordon from crossing the Susquehanna.
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The Federal army burned the bridge finally, and guarded the fords so thoroughly that Lee's forces took another course, proceeding through Little York to Gettysburg, there to meet a defeat which practically settled the fate of the nation. After this decisive battle, Mr. Mind's regiment was taken on a forced march to Hancock, Md., and on returning to Harrisburg was mustered out of the service.
In 1866 Mr. Minds joined a company of business men who went to Nicaragua with ma- chinery for mining and crushing gold-bearing quartz; but after reaching Central America, his partners were taken seriously ill, and the enter- prise was abandoned. The machinery, which was worth about $4,000, was a total loss. Mr. Minds spent seven months in Nicaragua, and then, returning home, he entered the employ of Dutter & Roebuck, as superintendent of their mines.
On January 20, 1868, James H. Minds mar- ried Miss Julia A. Doorley, of Tremont, Schuyl- kill county, and located at Windy Harbor. He conducted the mines there for two and one-half years, and then went to Mahanoy City, where he managed a colliery some four years. In Sep- tember, 1874, he moved to Clearfield county and opened up what is known as the Kendrick shaft, near Houtzdale. Later he opened, for the same company, the Beaver Run colliery, in that local- ity. In 1882 he opened the mine known as Webster No. 2, in which he purchased an inter- est. This he continued to operate until 1885, when he sold his share and bought 200 acres of coal and farm land, and began operating it on his own account. .Since then he has leased 400 acres of coal land front Samuel Hagerty, and de- veloped it in partnership with Mr. Matz, of Potts- ville, and Mr. Scott, of Philadelphia, under the firm name of the Beulah Coal Co. They have an immense trade, and, with the exception of Berwin, White & Co., are probably the heaviest shippers in that district. The Webster No. 2 is one of the largest mines, loading and shipping one thousand tons daily.
and his wife being leading members of that so- ciety. Mrs. Minds is a native of Kings County, Ireland, whence she was brought to this country in childhood by her parents, at the same time coming a brother, Thomas Doorley, who now re- sides in Tower City, Penn. He has a large fam- ily of children.
The home life of our subject is brightened by an unusually clever group of sons and daughters, in whose education he has taken great pride: (1) Mary, born in Schuylkill county, December I, 1869, died in February, 1870. (2) John H., born April 9, 1871, in the same county, was mainly reared in Clearfield county, where he at- tended the public schools until 1889. He then took a full course of four years in Dickinson Sem- inary, at Williamsport, and on graduation entered Pennsylvania University in Philadelphia, where he was graduated in 1895. At present he is pur- suing a course at the Wharton Law School in the University of Pennsylvania, with a view of enter- ing the legal profession, for which his talents seem admirably adapted. He is an excellent scholar, and has borne off high honors in the va- rious classes with which he has been connected. (3) Elizabeth, born December 3, 1872, in Schuy !- kill county. studied in the district schools of Clearfield county until 1889. when she entered Dickinson Seminary. She was graduated in 1893, taking the highest honors, including the prize of $400 offered by the college for scholar- ship. Since then she has attended the Woman's College at Baltimore, graduating at the end of three years in a course which usually occupies four years. She is now teaching at Beulah City, and resides with her parents. (4) Ida Mary. born in Schuylkill county. May 2, 1874, pursued a course in music at Dickinson Seminary. She married Charles B. Jones, formerly of Philips- burg, Penn., and now of Altoona, where he is interested in a planing-mill. They have one daughter, Ethel Loretta Jones. (5) Eliza, born in Clearfield county, January 2, 1876, attended the high school in Woodward township for three years, and for four years past has been teaching in the schools near her home. (6) William R., born in Clearfield county, May 2, 1878. was edu- cated in the public schools of McCanley, and is now managing his father's mercantile business with marked ability and success. (7, Blanche. born December 16, 1879, completed her studies in the high school of McCanley and Madera, and is now teaching in the grammar school of the latter place. (8) Maud, born September 12. 1880, is now a student in Prof. Anderson's high
Aside from these interests, Mr. Minds is ex- tensively interested in agriculture and mercantile pursuits, his store at Beulah City carrying a large general stock. He was also one of the chief promoters of the place, which is a promising town. His home near Ramey is one of the finest in Bigler township, an elegant and commodious dwelling house, two stories in height, surrounded with ample and handsomely arranged grounds, displaying the good taste of the owner. The family is prominent, socially, and is identified ' school at Madera. (9) James Hebner, born July with the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Minds
15. 1882, (10) George W., born january 13,
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1884, (11) Chester A., born September 12, 1886, and (12) Ethel, born April 20, 1890, are all at home.
Mr. Minds' interest in education is not con- fined to his own family, and as school director he has done and is doing much for the schools of his locality. He is a stanch Republican in poli- tics, and wields much influence in a quiet way, but has never aspired to official honors.
D ANIEL W. AND GEORGE W. WILEY, of Greenwood township, are worthy represent- atives of an honored pioneer family that has long. been identified with the development and pros- perity of Clearfield county, aiding in the arduous task of clearing and improving the wild timber land and opening up this region to civilization.
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Joseph Wiley, their paternal grandfather, a native of Northumberland county. Penn., was one of the very earliest pioneers of Clearfield county, his being the third family to make a per- manent settlement here. At that time Indians were still quite numerous in this region, and many wild animals inhabited the forests. In the midst of the unbroken wilderness he developed a farm, built a dam across the river and erected what was later known as Hoyt's mill, where for some time he engaged in the manufacture of lumber. James Wiley, the father of our sub- jects, who was familiarly known as Uncle Jimmy by his many friends, was born at Hoyt's Mill, where he was reared until thirteen years of age, when his father sold the land and mill site to Dr. J. P. Hoyt, and removed to Ferguson township. Clearfield county, there spending his remaining days. Upon the latter farm James Wiley grew to manhood, and subsequently went to live with an uncle, Mr. Ferguson, there following farming during the summer months and lumbering through the winter season. With his uncle he built a sawmill on Little Clearfield creek, which they operated for some time. In 1846 Mr. Wiley was married to Miss Bertha E. Holly, and located on a farm which he improved and culti- vated, in connection with lumbering, until about 1859, when he bought the interest of the heirs in his father's homestead, and removed to that place. Subsequently he came to Greenwood township, where he purchased fifty acres of a Mr. Wagoner, belonging to the McCracken sur- vey. To this he later added 122 acres, which he purchased from Kirk and Spencer, making a good farin of 172 acres, but only about thirty acres had been cleared and a one and one-half story log house and log barn erected. He made more substantial improvements, including a com-
modious frame residence, a large barn and good outbuildings. Before his death he had placed eighty acres under cultivation, and had a good bearing orchard. He lumbered the timber froni his own land and also other tracts, continuing to engage in that business for many years with good success. He was reared a Democrat, which party he continued to support until after the election of James Buchanan, when he gave his allegiance to the Republican party and continued to fight under its banner until his death, which occurred June 8, 1896. Though he never as- pired to office, he filled some important township positions with credit to himself and constituents. Upright and honorable in all things, he was a faithful member of the Seceder Church from eighteen years of age, and in it the mother of our subjects also held membership. She died in 1876, and two years later Mr. Wiley married Miss Mary J. Colter, of Ohio, a sister of Rev. John Colter, a minister of the Seceder Church. She yet survives, and resides on the old home- stead with her son, Daniel W. By the first mar- riage there were children: Joseph, who died at the age of twenty-two; Sarah, wife of J. Ross: Daniel W. ; David, a farmer; William T., an ag- riculturist of Ferguson township: Elizabeth J. : and George W.
Daniel W. Wiley was born March 22. 1852, near Kerrmoor. Ferguson township, and with the exception of two years spent in the lumber woods and at work in a sawmill, he has always resided on the home farm. Until thirteen years of age he attended the country schools. but at that time laid aside his text books and entered upon the more responsible duties of business life, his first employment being in the woods. Of later years he has had the entire management of the home farmn, and, being a thorough and skillful agriculturist, has met with excellent success.
George W. Wiley was born May 1, 1863. on his grandfather's old farm in Ferguson town- ship, and was reared to agricultural pursuits. Wishing to obtain a better education than the country schools afforded, he bought his time from his father, and succeeded in borrowing enough money from his brothers to begin a more advanced course of study. For a time he at- tended Friendship School, under the superin- tendence of J. Werk, was later a student at the Excelsior in Mahaffey, and after attending the Normal at Lock Haven. returned to Excelsior. where he graduated. He then for nine terms successfully engaged in teaching, and in that way secured the money with which to pay back all that he had borrowed. He was quite popular as an educator, and through his own persistent
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efforts was ably fitted for that calling. In 1891, he was married to Miss Marjorie E. Woomer, a lady of intelligence and culture, and in 1894 they removed to a small tract of improved land which he had purchased, and on which they still make their home. He has since purchased more land, and is now giving considerable attention to farin- ing. Their home has been brightened by the presence of four children: Betliia E., James A., . (who died at the age of two years), Flossy and Raymond D. The mother of these is a daughter of Martin and Ellen (Ayres) Woomer, prominent farming people of Blair county, Penn., and con- sistent members of the Methodist Church. In their family are thirteen children, namely: Eliza- beth, Susan, Minnie, Joshua, Marjorie, Carrie, Kate, Nabednago, William, Jennie, Goldie, Mary and Rosie.
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