Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2, Part 74

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 74
USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 74
USA > Pennsylvania > Clearfield County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 74
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 74

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The Wiley brothers were both reared and educated to the principles of Republicanism, and have always cast their ballots for the candidates of that party. They have acceptably filled some township offices, and all duties, whether public or private, are discharged with the utmost fidelity and promptness, which has won for them the commendation of the entire community. They are people of high consideration in social circles, and have the confidence and respect of all with whom they come in contact.

A N. WALKER, one of the substantial and progressive farmers of Penn township, Clearfield county, was born in North Mahoning, Indiana Co., Penn., in 1842, a son of Peter and Phoebe (Wilhelm) Walker, who were long resi- dents of that community.

The father removed from New Jersey to Indi- ana county, and, purchasing a tract of land near Covode, cleared and improved a farm, which he made his home until his death, in May, 1890. His wife, a native of Germany, came to America at the age of twelve years, and died in Indiana county, in February, 1891. She often assisted ; her husband in the fields, and was to him a worthy helpmeet. They had five children besides

son, all at home. (4) Jacob married Katie Haag, of Jefferson county, Penn., and resides on a farm near Marion Centre; they have seven chil- dren-John, Dora, Cleveland, Eva, Vada, Paul, and an infant unnamed, all living at home. (5) Clark married Katie McDivvett, of Jefferson county, and resides on a farin near Covode.

A. N. Walker, of this review, lived with his father on the family homestead until 1869, when he married Rebecca Wall, of Penn township, Clearfield county, a daughter of Jonathan and Ester (Davis) Wall, of Grampian. Her father was a pioneer settler of that locality. and reared a family of four children. Mr. and Mrs. Walker have seven children: Harry, the eldest, married Eliza Queen, of West Virginia, and is now at Goodyear's Mill, in Potter county, Penn .; they have two children-Arthur and Earl. Annie is the wife of Allen Dale, of Pike township, who now resides near Rockton, in Union township. Clearfield county; their children are-Inez and Morris, aged respectively three, and one year. Elva, Cora, Joseph and Malvin, aged respectively twenty-two, twenty, seventeen and fourteen years, are at home. Lydia, eleven years of age, is a student in the school for the deaf in Scranton.

Mr. Walker offered his services to the govern- ment as a defender of the Union, in 1864, as a member of Company C. 206th regiment, Penn- sylvania Volunteers, and was mustered in at Pittsburg, whence he went to City Point, and then to the front. Near Akens Landing he was engaged with others in building a fort on the James river for three months, and from there was taken to Fort Harrison. In the spring of 1 865 he marched to Richmond, under the command of Col. Hugh Brady, and thence to Lynchburg, but afterward returned to Richmond, where he was stationed at the time of Lee's surrender. In June, 1865, he was mustered out, and returned to Indiana county, Penn. In politics, he is a Republican, and has held the office of school di- rector. His wife belongs to the Friends Church. He takes quite an active interest in educational affairs, and lends an active support to all measures calculated to prove of public benefit.

our subject: (1) Lydia became the wife of Charles Spindler, of Jefferson county, Penn., who removed with his family to Clarion county, where he now follows farming near New Bethle- J OHN PENTZ, a well-known citizen and prominent agriculturist, of Penn township, comes of a family that has long been actively identified with the interests of Clearfield county. and taken a prominent part in the upbuilding and development of this region. He was born burg, a son of John and Elizabeth (Knox) Pentz. hem. They have two children-Jacob, who is married, and resides on the home farm, and An- nie, at home. (2) George (unmarried) is a har- ness maker in Indiana county. (3) Christe Ann is the wife of R. C. Hoover, a farmer residing , July 11, 1841, in Brady township, near Lnthers- near Covode, Indiana county, and they have five children-Cora, Clark, Emmet, Jennie and Wil- | The father was a native of York county, Penn ..

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and removed to Luthersburg, Clearfield county, in 1836, becoming one of its honored pioneers. He purchased a farm in the inidst of the forest, cleared the land and transformed the same into a valuable farm.

Our subject was one of a family of seven children, the others being as follows: (1) George, a farmer by occupation, married Polly Ziegler, of Brady township, Clearfield county, and had a family of six children, five of whom are still liv- ing. (2) Andrew, who resides on a farm near Luthersburg, is an ex-sheriff of Clearfield county. He married Margaret Norton, of Middletown, Penn., and has four children. After the death of his first wife he wedded Margaret Brockbank, of Union township, Clearfield county. (3) Henry, an agriculturist of Union township, married Elizabeth Holopeter, of the same township, and has a large family of chil- dren. (4) Maria became the wife of Lorenzo D. Eels, a farmer of Maine, where she died leaving a family. (5) Frederick died at the age of nineteen years. (6) Elizabeth is the wife of Walter Parker, who is engaged in the mercantile pursuits in Nebraska, and they have five chil- dren.

Like most farmer boys on the frontier, John Pentz spent his early life; and he holds a prominent place among the old lumbermen who first engaged in the business of rafting down the Susquehanna. He has watched with interest almost the entire growth and development of this section of the State, and has been an im- portant factor in promoting its prosperity. He purchased a farm in Union township, Clearfield county, which he improved and made his home for eight years. and on disposing of that tract bought the Joseph Davis farm in Penn town- ship, where he resided until 1893. He was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Jane Hollo- peter, who died in August, 1892. They reared a family of five children, namely: (1) William, who resides on the old homestead in Penn township, married Hannah Clever, of the same township, and has six children. (2) Mary Ada, died Angust 18, 1878. (3) Elizabeth, a resi- dent of Mahaffey, Clearfield county, is the wife of Christopher Uble, a native of Germany, and they have one child. (4) Frederick M., who lives on a part of the old home farm, married Arminta Kester, of Penn township, and has two children. (5) Annie lives on the old homestead. Mr. Pentz was again married October 24. 1893. his second union being with Mrs. Sarah McDon- ald, of Grampian, widow of Allen McDonald.

In his political views, Mr. Pentz is a Demno- crat, and he has taken a leading and influential 1

part in public affairs. He has been honored by his fellow-citizens with several offices within their gift, chief among which are those of justice of the peace in Penn township, in which he served five years, constable for seven years, school director and overseer of the poor, and in all these posi- tions gained credit both for himself and his con- stituents. He is classed by all who know him as one of the public-spirited and representative men of this township, and inerits and receives the warmest confidence and esteem of the entire community. His estimable wife is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Grampian.

R OBERT GRAHAM, one of the brave men who gave the first years of their manhood to the long struggle for the defense of the Union, is a leading agriculturist of Bradford township, Clear- field county. His family has been identified with that locality since pioneer days, and his grandfather, Robert Graham, a native of Ireland, settled there in 1802, and spent his remaining years upon a farm which he redeemed from the wilderness.

James Graham, our subject's father, was born in that township in 1812, and was married there to Deborah Mayhew, also a native of that local- ity. Both are now deceased. They had nine children, all of whom reside in this State: Parlee and James live in Girard township, Clearfield county; Alexander, Isaac, Joseph and Robert are residents of Bradford township; Sophia Mrs. Kreiss) lives in Girard township, Clearfield coun- ty; Martha (Mrs. McLaughlin), in Potter county; and Elmira (Mrs. Taylor), in Goshen township, Clearfield county.

Mr. Graham, our subject, was born in 18.40. and his education was obtained in the schools of Bradford township. In 1861 he enlisted in Com- pany K, 84th P. V. I., for three years, and was mustered in at Harrisburg. His regiment was assigned to the Army of the Potomac, and saw much active service. Among the important en- gagements in which Mr. Grahamn took part were the battles of Winchester, Bull Run (second). Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Fairfax C. H., Port Republic, Gettysburg, Petersburg and

the Wilderness. He re-enlisted in 1864, this time in the 57th P. V. I., and served until the close of the war, receiving his discharge from further duty July 7. 1865. at Harrisburg. He was a prisoner in Libby prison seventeen days. Returning to his native place, he engaged in farming, and has ever since continued that busi- ness. His farm of seventy-two acres near Shaw-

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

mut shows excellent management, and has good buildings and other improvements. -

In 1869 Mr. Graham was united in marriage in Bradford township with Miss Matilda Cowder, a native of the locality and the daughter of John and Sarah (Kidder) Cowder, both deceased. The children of this union are John, Carrie (Mrs. Bloom, of Curwensville), Roy, Laura, Henry, Lizzie, Irena and Fred.

Mr. Graham takes great interest in all that concerns the public welfare, and naturally pays much attention in a quiet way to political ques- tions, his support being given the Republican party. As might be supposed from his war re- cord, he is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, belonging to Latimer Post at Clear- field.

C HARLES A. THORP is a prominent and successful agriculturist, and the farm which is now his home is also his birthplace. It is lo- cated near Lewisville, in Greenwood township, and there he was born June 29, 1844. His par- ents were William T. and Christiana (Bear) Thorp, the former of whom was a son of Ed- ward Thorp, who spent his entire life in Otsego county, N. Y., and followed the occupation of farming.

The father of our subject was born in Otsego county, and about 1831 removed to Lycoming county, Penn., where for a number of years he engaged in school teaching. He was married there, and in 1836 came to Clearfield county, purchasing one hundred acres of land in Green- wood township. Engaging in lumbering, he pur- chased a sawmill, and for a number of years did an extensive business in that line. As his land was cleared he transformed it into fields, and when he had succeeded in developing a good farm he abandoned the lumber trade. For a number of winters after his arrival he also taught school, and when his financial resources had in- creased sufficiently he purchased another 100- acre tract of land. About this time Lewis Smith platted the village of Lewisville, built one or two houses, and sold some lots. Mr. Thorp then purchased the entire tract, on which is now a lit- tle hamlet, containing two stores, a post office and a few residences. Of this original one hun- dred acres Mr. Thorp placed seventy acres under a high state of cultivation, and erected comino- dious and substantial buildings thereon. He also opened a store in his home, and sold goods for a number of years. He was a man of great en- ergy and enterprise, and carried to successful completion whatever he undertook. In politics

he was a Democrat, and was a member of the board appointed to examine school teachers; but political office had but little attraction for him. He died in 1872. His wife passed away in 1867.

Charles A. Thorp, being an only child, in- herited the estate at his parents' death, and has spent his entire life on the family homestead. The country schools afforded him his educational privileges, and his business training was received under the direction of his father, whom he assist- ed in the work of farm, and in the lumber woods. Since attaining his majority he has followed the latter pursuit, and for thirty-five years piloted lumber rafts down the river. He has devoted his entire attention to farming, however, of re- cent years, and is one of the wide-awake and progressive agriculturists of Clearfield county. His place is neat and thrifty in appearance, and the well-tilled fields and many excellent improve- ments indicate the careful supervision of the owner. On June 6, 1865, Mr. Thorp married Hannah Johnson, a native of Clearfield county.

James Johnson, father of Mrs. Thorp, was a son Samuel Johnson, who came from Centre county to Clearfield county in 1812, and was identified with its early development. He fol- lowed farming and lumbering, operated a saw- mill and from the wilderness developed a good farm. He supported the Democracy, and for a number of years, dating from 1841, served as justice of the peace. James Johnson was born and reared in Clearfield county, and in his boy- hood became familiar with farming and lumber- ing. He built the first woolen-mills of the coun- ty, and operated the same for many years, after which they were conducted by John Johnson, his son, until a few years since, when the factory was sold to an Englishman, who is now carrying on the business. He died in 1887: his widow is still living on the old home place. He was a stanch Democrat in his political belief, and both he and his wife were members of the Hicksite branch of the Friends Church. Their children were: William, John, David, Asa, Frank, Han- nah, and Elizabeth, wife of W. W. Rowles.

Mr. and Mrs. Thorp became the parents of ten children, one of whom died in infancy; the others are: Mrs. Ida Mitchell; William T., a farmer: John S., a practicing physician; Walter. who has taught school, but is now studying at Grove City College; Rance, a teacher, at Patch- insville, Clearfield county, Penn .: Charles L., who is attending school; Lulu, Hoyt and Frank, at home. Mr. Thorp has followed in the political foot- steps of liis father, and has exercised his right of franchise in the support of the inen and measures of the Democratic party. He has never been a

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

politician in the sense of office seeking, but has held some minor offices, and is now serving as- justice of the peace. His wife is a member of the M. E. Church. Widely and favorably known in this community, they have many friends, and are highly esteemed by all.

A LEXANDER RALSTON. Quite a num- ber of leading and prominent citizens of Clearfield county are of alien birth, and have transported to this land of fertility and plenty the thrifty habits of their native country. Among these there is none better known or more widely respected than the gentleman whose name ap- pears at the beginning of this sketch. He is one of the most energetic farmers of Cooper town- ship, with whose interests lie has long been iden- tified.

In County Tyrone, Ireland, Mr. Ralston was born August 15, 1837, a son of William and Mary (Cunningham) Ralston, who were also natives of that county where they were married, but some of their children were born in Scotland. Their family consisted of the following named: Annie, who became the wife of M. R. Denning, and died in Manistee, Mich .; Alexander; Eliza J., wife of L. Denning; Mrs. Matilda Boyd; Mrs. Maggie Mason, deceased; and Robert, a lumber- man of Manistee, Mich. The father continued to engage in farming in Ireland until 1856, when he came to the United States, and took up his residence in Kylertown, Clearfield Co., Penn., where his death occurred in 1875. His wife passed away in 1894. Both were earnest mem- bers of the Scotch-Presbyterian Church, and ' home: Orpha, wife of M. G. Johnson: and Sarah, highly esteemed by all who knew them. Her brother, Robert H. Cunningham, emigrated to America about 1845, and first located in Phila- delphia, whence he removed to Pittsburg, Penn., and later made his home in Cairo, Ill., where he engaged in the wholesale dry-goods business.

As soon as old enough, Alexander Ralston en- tered the schools of his native land, but at the age of fifteen years he came to the United States, where he attended night school to some extent. On landing at New York, he proceeded to Phil- adelphia, where he served a four-years' appren- ticeship to the marble-cutter's trade; but as the business disagreed with his health, he discon- tinued it, and in 1851 came to Clearfield county. For some time he was employed by others in the woods, getting out timber, and later began jobbing along that line on his own account, pre- paring the lumber and rafting it down the river to market. Along with a partner, he purchased a piece of land, from which they cut thirteen rafts,

and then sold for more than they had paid for it, the venture thus proving a profitable invest- ment. Finally he purchased the farm on which he still resides, it being a tract of ninety acres of valuable land two and one-half iniles north of Kylertown, in Cooper township. The well- tilled fields, the commodious two-story frame residence, barns and out-buildings stand as mon- uments to his thrift and industry, and show that he thoroughly understands his business. In connection with his farming operations, he has also engaged in the sale of farm machinery, and dealt largely in stock, carrying on this business for about twenty years; but he now gives his at- tention mainly to his agricultural pursuits. His cattle and other stock were mostly sold to miners.

In 1865 Mr. Ralston married Miss Eliza J. Hoover, who belongs to a well-known pioneer family of this section of the State, her grand- father, John Hoover, having removed from Union to Centre county at a very early day. George Hoover, the father of Mrs. Ralston, was born in Union county, October 2, ISII, but was reared in Centre county, and in 1829 came to Clear- field county. He married Elizabeth Kyler, a daughter of Leonard Kyler, also an early settler of the county, and both died in Cooper township. They were members of the Presbyterian Church. and the parents of nine children: Jackson: Alex- ander; Eliza J., honored wife of our subject; Jeremiah; Isaiah; Thomas; Martha. wife of A. Lutz; Sarah, wife of P. Muntz; and Cordelia, wife of William Curley. Of the ten children born to Mr. and Mrs. Ralston, four died when . young. those who still survive are: John, at . Grant, George and Charles, at home. Reared in the Presbyterian Church, the parents have always adhered to that doctrine, and are sincere and earnest Christians. Politically, Mr. Ralston has always been identified with the Republican party.

L EVI GOSS, an industrious, wide-awake and progressive agriculturist of Decatur township. Clearfield county, has here spent his entire life. and in the work of progress and development has borne an important part. He was born in Decatur township, in 1837, a son of David and Sarah (Gearhart) Goss, was reared to habits of industry and thrift upon the home farm. and ob- tained his literary training in the public schools of the locality. On starting out in life for him- self he chose the vocation of farming, in which he has met with a fair degree of success, and now owns a half interest in the old homestead.

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

comprising 125 acres of valuable land. In con- nection with his farming operations he has also engaged in lumbering, and thus added not a lit- tle to his income.

Abram and Elizabeth (Erminheiser) Goss, the paternal grandparents of our subject, were natives of Germany, whence early in life they emigrated to the United States, becoming pio- neer settlers of Decatur township, Clearfield county, locating here when the country was all wild and unimproved, and when In- dians still roamed through the forests. Upon the farm where they first took up their residence the grandmother died, and in Clearfield the grandfather wedded a Mrs. Shively. Their deaths occurred upon another farm which the husband had later developed. He was a Revo- lutionary hero, and a man honored and respected by all who knew him. His children were as fol- lows: John; Jacob; George; Isaac; Abram; David; Mrs. Mary Hopkins, of Blair county, Penn .; Mrs. Betsy Kephart, who was born and died in Decatur township, Clearfield county; Mrs. Peggy Carson, who died in Woodward township, in the same county; Mrs. Susan Beams, of Woodward township; and Mrs. Sarah Kep- hart, who died in Shueyville, Iowa.

David Goss, the father of our subject, was born in Decatur township, in 1815, was there reared, and married February 24, 1836, to Miss Sarah Gearhart, who was born in Half Moon Valley, Centre county, a daughter of John and Lydia (Shivery) Gearhart. Her parents likewise became prominent pioneers of Decatur township, where both died, the father in 1871 and the mother in 18St. The entire married life of the parents of our subject was passed upon the larm, in which he is now interested, and there his mother (now eighty-four years of age) still re- sides; his father departed this life December 6, 1884. Levi is the eldest of their nine children, the others being as follows: William, a resident of Boggs township. Clearfield county; John, of Penn township, in the same county; Abraham, of Boggs township: Edward, of Becaria township, Clearfield county; Joseph G., who resides on the old home farm, of which he owns the remaining half in Decatur township; David, of West Vir- ginia: Mrs. Lydia Jane Young, of Curwensville. Clearfield county; and Mrs. Sarah Blake, of Maine. March 26, 1890, Levi and Joseph G. Goss leased their coal underneath the old home- stead, to J. W. Cooke, of Philadelphia. Mr. Cooke built one mile of railroad to this mine, where he is still shipping coal. His son, H. T. Cooke, superintends the works.

Mr. Goss, of this review, was married in Blair

county, Penn., in 1869, to Miss Charlotte Shaw, who was born in Antes township, that county, a daughter of Thomas Shaw. Three children bless this' union: Calton D., Cressa M. and Dory B. In politics, Mr. Goss is a strong Re- publican, and has been called upon to serve in nearly all the township offices, being collector for the long period of fourteen years, and town- ship treasurer for eight years. It is needless to say that he faithfully discharges every duty which devolves upon him, whether public or private, and has thus proved a popular and capable offi- cial, as well as a most reliable and trustworthy citizen.

A NTON NEUBAUER, a prominent agricult- urist of Morris township, Clearfield county. is one of its most enterprising and energetic men, who has from a humble beginning in life accumu- lated a handsome property. He not only com- inenced without means, but was obliged to battle with the elements of a foreign soil and the cus- toms of a strange country, as he is of German birth and parentage.

Mr. Neubauer is a native of Prussia, and a son of John and Varonika (Onorick) Neubauer. In 1870 he enlisted in the Franco-Prussian war, and participated in the battles of Spegam du Bowier, Gravelot and Sedan. Being wounded in the leg, he was taken to the hospital where he was confined for nineteen weeks, and later con- tracted typhoid fever, from which he suffered some fourteen weeks. Soon after rejoining his regiment he was discharged, and returning to his home he worked on the farm until coming to the New World. In September, 1871, he landed in New York, and at once proceeded to Mauch Chunk, Penn., where he was employed for six months, after which he went to Lock Haven, Clinton Co., Penn. Subsequently he was em- ployed for five months in the oil regions of Ebens- burg, Cambria county, this State. and later worked in the lumber woods at Lowell Run. Coming to Morris township, Clearfield county. he secured employment in the woods for Leonard Kyler, and then worked for Mr. Moyer until his 'marriage.

In 1878 Mr. Neubauer wedded Miss Mary Moyer, and they have six children: Jennie the wife of August Johnson, of Allport. Clearfield county), Charlie, Effie, Harry, Perry and Henry: After his marriage, Mr. Nenbauer worked in the Ray's Mill for six months. and for the following twelve years engaged in lumbering. In i8Si he purchased 125 acres of timber land, which he cleared, making inany improvements thereon.

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

After residing on that place for six years, he bought 240 acres of land in Morris township, known as the old Allport property, and has since given his time and attention to clearing, cultivat- ing and improving his farm, which has become a valuable and productive tract. He has erected good and substantial buildings, and the whole appearance of the place indicates the thrift and enterprise of the owner.

Since becoming an American citizen, Mr. Neubauer has always cast his ballot with the Democratic party, and has taken an active and prominent part in local political affairs. For two years he served as overseer of the poor, and has also been school director for eight years. Religionsly he is a Catholic, while his wife holds membership in the Methodist Church. They are held in the highest esteem by all who know them, and have many friends throughout the commu- nity.

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2, Part 74

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