USA > Pennsylvania > Clarion County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 77
USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 77
USA > Pennsylvania > Clearfield County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 77
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 77
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In 1866 Mr. Reiter was married to Miss Ernestina, daughter of Charles Muth, a substan- tial agriculturist of Jefferson county, and to them have been born seven children: C. D., who is now successfully engaged in teaching in Wilkes Barre, Penn .; and S. O., F. P., Clara M., Aaron M .. Emma R. and George J .. all at home. The family is one of prominence in the community. and holds membership in the Reformed Church.
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Politically, Mr. Reiter adheres to the principles of the Democratic party, and he has filled the office of school director in his district. He is a self-made man in the fullest sense of that oft- misused term, his prosperity being due to his industry and integrity. His life is a living illus- tration of what ability, energy and force of char- acter can accomplish, and it is to such men that the community owes its prosperity, its rapid progress and its advancement
B F. HARLEY; a representative and leading farmer of Union township, Clearfield coun- ty, is a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1850, in Limestone township, Clarion county, and is a son of B. F. and Elizabeth (Lines) Harley.
The father of our subject was born in Fal- kirk, Scotland, in IS10, a son of James Harley, who spent his entire life in that country. On at- taining his majority, the father set out for Amer- ica, sailing from Glasgow in 1831, and arriving at Castle Garden, New York, after a voyage of eight weeks. Proceeding to the West, he en- gaged in steamboating on the Mississippi river for some time, and also worked at the molder's trade in New Orleans, making the cornice for the Custom house in the "Crescent City." In 1840 he located in Clarion county, Penn., where he erected a foundry and woolen-factory, which he operated for a number of years, and then re- moved to Strattonville, where for a year he worked at the molder's trade. On coming to Clearfield county, in 1857, he obtained employ- ment in the foundry of David Litz, and continued to work at his trade until 1868. In the mean- time, however, he had located upon a farm in Union township, in 1862, taking up his resi- dence at the present home of our subject, and there his death occurred in 1888.
In Clearfield county B. F. Harley, Sr., was married to Miss Elizabeth Lines, a native of Brady township, and a daughter of Joseph L. Lines, one of the honored pioneers of the county. They became the parents of children as follows: Elizabeth, wife of E. H. Wriggle, of Sabula, Penn .; James A., a resident of Iowa; J. L., of Nebraska; Mrs. Catharine Karns, of Lawrence township, Clearfield county; Mrs. Dean, of Hus- ton township, same county; and B. F., of this sketch. The mother departed this life in Cla- rion county.
At the age of nine years our subject accom- panied his parents to Union township, Clearfield county, and has there since made his home, own-' ing a fine farin of 150 acres under a high state of cultivation, and improved with substantial farm
buildings, which stand as a monument to the thrift and enterprise of the owner. In 1871, in Potter township, Centre Co., Penn., he was mar- ried to Miss Mary J. Heckendorn, a native of that county, and a daughter of John and Martha (Cooper)Heckendorn, who were early pioneers of this section of the State, but in 1872 removed to Webster county, Mo., where both died. Three children bless the union of Mr. and Mrs. Harley: Grace Ella, Mabel Irene and Charles Colby.
Mr. Harley is a Republican, and has served his fellow citizens in a number of local official positions, including that of secretary of the school board, which he filled for five years. Socially he is a member of Clearfield Lodge, No. 314, F. & A. M., and a charter member of Rockton Lodge, No. 331, K. P. He is a valued member of the community, and a worthy representative of an honored and respected family of Union township, with whose interests he has now been prominently identified for over a third of a century.
D H. WARING, a representative and leading farmer of Morris township, is a fair speci- men of the sturdy agriculturists who have so largely assisted in the development of Clearfield county, and who are drawing from the soil the important elements of their future fortune. In connection with general farming he is also suc- cessfully engaged in lumbering, and is recognized as one of the most enterprising, energetic and in- dustrious men of the community.
On the old homestead in Morris township Mr. Waring was born September 1, 1850, a son of Samuel and Susan (Shimel) Waring, who were early pioneers of the township. In the district schools of the neighborhood he began his literary education, but supplemented the knowledge there acquired by a course in the Pine Grove Academy. At the age of eighteen he left the school room, and began his business career as a farmer and lumberman. After his marriage he purchased one hundred acres of partially-improved land. known as the Joseph Rothrock farm, and at once began its further development and cultivation. It is supplied with all the conveniences and ac- cessories which go to make up a inodel farm of the nineteenth century, and stands as a mnonu- ment to the thrift and enterprise of its owner.
Mr. Waring married Miss Sarah C. Hicks, of Decatur township, Clearfield county, and they have eight children, whose names and dates of birth are as follows: Millie, January 15, 1877: Lizzie, April 16, 1878; Susan, February 5, ISSO: Eliza, November 11, 1881: Margery. October 27, 1884; Alfred C., August 4, 1886; Thomas
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
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H., August 16, 1888: and Emma Pearl, Septem- ber 13, 1891. At the age of seventeen years Millie began teaching, and is now teaching her fourth term, while Lizzie is also following that profession.
The Democratic party always finds in Mr. Waring an earnest advocate, and he has been called upon to serve in several official positions of honor and trust, being school director, auditor, assessor and collector. He has also been dis- trict treasurer four terms, and on November 3, 1896, was elected county commissioner of Clear- field county, being the only Democrat elected in the county, which fact plainly indicates his pop- ularity and the confidence and trust his fellow citizens repose in him. He is a worthy repre- sentative of one of the honored pioneer families of this section, is widely and favorably known, and has a host of warm personal friends through- out the community. With the Methodist Epis- copal Church of Morrisdale Mines his wife holds membership.
L EVI SPICHER, an influential member of the agricultural community of Union town- ship, Clearfield county, has since 1880 resided upon his present farm, which he has cleared, im- proved and cultivated until it is now one of the most desirable places in the community. The fields are well tilled, the buildings of a substantial character, the whole place indicating the thrift and enterprise of the owner. Mr. Spicher is a native of Indiana county, Penn., and since com- ing to Clearfield county has, in connection with his agricultural pursuits, successfully engaged in lumbering.
The paternal grandfather of our subject was born in Germany, and on crossing the Atlantic to this country located in Somerset county, Penn., where he spent the remainder of his life. In that county was born Samuel Spicher, the father of our subject, who later in life made his home upon a farm in Indiana county. He was united in marriage with Mary Magdalene Burkey, a native of Armstrong county, this State, and they became the parents of children, as follows: Peter, who resides on the old homestead in In- diana county, married a Miss Decker, and has seven children; John, also a farmer, married Miss Gardner, and has four children: Daniel, a . farmer of Indiana county, married Miss Gardner, by whom he had five children, and after her death wedded Miss O'Harrow, of Indiana county, by whom he has four children; George, who en- gaged in the manufacture of lumber in Indiana county, married Miss Elizabeth Brink, by whom
he had ten children, but is now deceased; Samuel, an agriculturist of Indiana county, married Miss Annie Wire, and has six children; Mattie married George Rairigh, a farmer, and they became the parents of several children, but both are now de- ceased; Elizabeth married William Gardner, a farmer, and to them were born three children, of whom one is now living; Caroline married James Dunlap, an agriculturist, and they have nine children; Barbara was drowned when four years of age; and Levi completes the family.
Levi Spicher was reared in much the usual manner of farmer boys, early becoming familiar with the duties that fall to the lot of the agri- culturist. His present farm, which he purchased of John Brubaker, comprises fifty acres of valu- able land, which he has cleared with his own hands and placed under a high state of cultiva- tion. He has been ably assisted in his work, however, by his excellent wife, who has indeed proved a worthy helpmate. In 1885 he had the misfortune to lose his right hand in a separator while threshing, but has now become very pro- ficient in the use of the other, and is able to do almost any kind of work about his place.
Mr. Spicher married Miss Mary A. Brillheart, a daughter of Jacob Brillheart, of Indiana coun- ty, and to them were born eight children, as fol- lows: W. A., who married Miss Annie Smith, and assists his father in the operation of the farm; Almina Florence, who married Joseph Himmel, and they live on a farm on Anderson creek; Charlie B. (aged eighteen). J. C., Glenn I., Elsie, John and Carrie are all at home. The family is widely and favorably known throughout the com- munity, and the parents and two of the children are faithful members of the German Brethren Church. Mr. Spicher uses his right of franchise in support of Republican principles, and has held the offices of inspector of elections, supervisor and school director for three terms. He is one of the representative men of the community, whose sterling worth is widely recognized.
J OSEPH H. BARGER, one of the practical and progressive farmers of Bradford town- ship, Clearfield county, and sergeant of Company K. 84th P. V. I., having been promoted to that rank in 1864. was born in Bradford town- ship, Clearfield county, in 1844.
His parents, Isaac and Margaret (Herman, Barger, were natives of Union county, Penn .. and locating in Bradford township at an early day the father opened up a farm, which he con- tinued to cultivate until his death.
The subject of this sketch was reared in his
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native township, and is indebted to its district schools for his educational privileges. In 1861 he entered the Unfon army, enlisting in Bradford as a member of Company K, 84th P. V. I., for three years. The regiment was mustered in at Harrisburg, and attached to the Army of the Potomac. In 1864, when the term of his first enlistment expired, he veteranized, and continued at the front till the close of the war; in that year he was promoted to sergeant. With his com- mand he participated in the following battles: Winchester, Port Republic, Cedar Mountain, Locust Grove, Bull Run (second), Chancetlors- ville, Spottsylvania C. H., Gettysburg, Mine Run, Fredericksburg, Wilderness, Cold Harbor, Siege of Petersburg, Poplar Spring Church, and Hatcher's Run (first and second). At the battle of Chancellorsville he was taken prisoner, and was confined in Libby Prison, Richmond. At the battle of Cold Harbor he received a gunshot wound, and was confined in Mcclellan hospital, at Philadelphia. He participated in the grand review in Washington, D. C., and was honora- bly discharged at Harrisburg, June 29, 1865.
At the close of the war, Mr. Barger returned home, and on September 25, 1865, was married in Bradford to Miss Hannah E. Taylor, a native of that place, and a daughter of William S. and Catharine (Kyler) Taylor, natives of Pennsyl- vania, and early settlers of Bradford. To this union have been born four children: Winfield Scott and William H., who are married and re- side in Woodland; Grant, who is married and re- sides in Lawrence township; and Mrs. Margaret Livergood, of Woodland. Mr. Barger is a mem- ber of Lamar Post, No. 179, G. A. R. In pol -. itics he is a stalwart Republican, and is now serving as constable and tax collector. He was also census enumerator in 1890, but the greater part of his time and attention are given to his farming interests. In all life's relations he has been true and upright, inanifesting the same loy- alty to duty that characterized his career when
on Southern battle fields he followed the old flag | engages in carpentering in West Clearfield. Penn., to victory.
A ARON C. FLEGAL is a prominent repre- sentative young farmer of Graham town- ship, Clearfield county, and belongs to a family that has long been identified with the agricult- ural interests of central Pennsylvania.
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David Flegal, grandfather of our subject, was a native of Centre township and became an early settler of Morris township, Clearfield county, where he purchased one hundred acres of wild lad, which he converted into a fine farm, and thereon reared his family of fourteen !
children, namely: (1) Valentine, a resident of Boggs township, Clearfield county, has a family of eight children. (2) Martin, a farmer of Blue Ball, Clearfield county, has a family of three children. (3) David, who was for many years a farmer of Morris township, but now lives in Philipsburg, Centre Co., Penn., reared a family of eight children. (4) John died when about four years old. (5) Jacob, a resident of Muskingum county, Ohio, reared a family of eight children. (6) Vincent, also a resident of Muskingum county, Ohio, reared a family of five children. (7) Hetty, wife of Peter Gear- hart, of the same place, had no children. (8) Nancy, wife of Jeremiah Smeal, a farmer of Blue Ball, Clearfield county, reared a family of seven children. (9) Lydia, wife of Miles Pelton, a farmer of Morris township, Clearfield county, reared a family of ten children. (10) Rachael. wife of James Cathcart, a farmer living near New Millport, Clearfield county, reared a family of five children. (11) Ellen, wife of Samuel Smeal, a farmer of Graham township, Clearfield county, reared a family of eleven children. (12) Ma- tilda, wife of Washington Kephart, a farmer of Decatur township. Clearfield county, reared a family of thirteen children. (13) Mary, wife of William Rothruck, a farmer of Morris township, Clearfield county, but now a resident of Philips- burg. Centre Co., Penn., raised a family of seven children. (14) Samuel, the father of our sub- ject, who was born on the homestead in Morris township, and after starting out in life for him- self purchased 107 acres of timber land in Graham township, which he immediately commenced to clear and improve. He continued to reside thereon until his death, which occurred January 23, 1889, being run over by a coal train near his own home. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Sarah A. Smeal, survived him six years, dying January 23, 1895.
Our subject is one of a family of seven chil- dren, the others being as follows; Jerome, who married Maggie Kellock, of Philipsburg. Centre Co., Penn. ; Mahlon, a farmer of Graham town- ship, married Lizzie Wymer, and has two chil- dren; Joanna is the wife of T. M. McKelvy, a farmer of Bradford township, Clearfield county. by whom she has five children; Lucetta is the wife of Israel Rhue, a laborer of Graham town- ship, by whom she has one child; Irena is the wife of Daniel Sinith, a miner of Morris town- ship, by whom she has seven children: and Elvena, wife of W. B. McGuire, a teamster of Allport, Clearfield county, by whom she has three children.
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Mr. Flegal, of this sketch, was born in 1858, upon the old homestead in Graham township, where he still resides, and was educated in the schools of the neighborhood. He has a com- fortable residence, flanked with a good barn and the various other outbuildings required by the progressive agriculturist. As a tiller of the soil he is thorough and skillful, and has been uni- formly fortunate in his investments. He mar- ried Miss Maggie Phillips, of Decatur township, Clearfield county, who is one of the thirteen chil-, dren born to D. H. and Nancy (Shimmel) Phillips, farming people of that township. Our subject and his wife have a son, Harry Kester, at this writing some eighteen months old. The parents are both earnest members of the United Brethren Church, and are classed among the representative citizens of the community. Mr. Flegal has always given his unwavering support to the Democratic party, and for the past five years has faithfully discharged the duties of jus- tice of the peace, proving a most popular official. His upright life and integrity have gained for him the confidence and esteem of his neighbors, and the friendship of all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance.
P JERRY ARTHURS. who is well-known throughout Clearfield county, where he has spent his entire life, is now one of the progress- ive and successful farmers of Greenwood town- ship, his residence being in the village of Bell's Landing. He was born July 29, 1852, in Lum- ber City, was educated in the common schools of the county, and was reared to the pursuits of farming and lunibering.
A son of James and Elizabeth (Hile) Arthurs, our subject is descended from two prominent early families of this section of the State. His paternal grandfather, John Arthurs, was a resi- dent of Clarion county, and the maternal grand- father, Henry Hile, carne. in 1840, from North- umberland county to Clearfield county, where his death occurred many years ago; his widow sub- sequently moved to Missouri. James Arthurs was born and reared in Clarion county, and in early life followed the carpenter's trade, but later turned his attention to farming and lumbering. For one year he conducted a hotel in Lumber City. In the spring of 1868 he removed to Grampian Hills, where he had purchased a farm of Joseph Spencer, and in 1883 he came to Bell's Landing, where he has since resided, now living retired from active labor at the age of seventy- two, while his wife, who still survives, is now seventy. Politically, he 'is an ardent Republic-
an, taking an active interest in all public affairs, and he has acceptably filled a number of local offices, including that of burgess of Lumber City. Mrs. Arthurs has for forty years been a faithful member of the Methodist Church. They had a family of seven children, namely: Perry; Clark W .; Minerva, wife of W. S. Bell; Joanna, wife of Eli Miller; Arminta, wife of J. T. Shanafelt; Naomi, wife of A. B. Wissinger; and Maud B., who died in August, 1877, at the age of six years.
Until he was twenty-seven years of age, Perry Arthurs remained under the parental roof. Throughout his active business career his princi- pal occupations have been lumbering and farm- ing. In the fall of 1877 he purchased a one- half interest in a two-hundred-acre tract of tini- ber land, and operated on it (together) until Oc- tober, 1878, when he purchased the other half interest, and assumed full control. He operated on the same until the spring of 1881, when he sold the entire tract of land to John R. Burgoon; also operated rented land for two years, until the fall of 1881, when he removed to Bell's Land- ing, purchased two lots, and erected a pleasant residence. He also bought a tract of timber-land near the village, on which he has since engaged in lumbering, and has also developed a farm from game land, having eighty acres, thirty-five of which are now cleared, and under a high state of cultivation. A good orchard has also been set out, and many other improvements made to the place. Besides this property he owns twenty- seven acres of coal and mineral lands, and his comfortable residence in Bells Landing. In Oc- tober, 1879, he was married to Miss Hannah E. WVall, who was born at Grampian Hills, Clear- field county, July 10, 1860, and is a daughter of Jonathan and Esther (Davis) Wall. Jonathan Wall, Sr .; the paternal grandfather, was a native of York county, Penn., and at a very early day came to Clearfield county, penetrating the wilder- ness, where he opened up and improved a farm, becoming a successful farmer.
Jonathan Wall., Jr., was reared in Clearfield county, where he followed the occupation of farmning until 1861. when he sold out, and en- gaged in merchandising at Grampian, also serv- ing as postmaster of that place for about four years. There he still makes his home, but has now retired from active business life, having reached the age of seventy-three years. In po- litical sentiment he is a Republican, and in re- ligious faith he is a member of the Hicksite Friends Church, to which the mother of Mrs. Arthurs also belonged. She died in 1866, and two years later the father was again married, this time to Mrs. Mary J. Newpher (widow of John
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Newpher), who also died, passing away August 31, 1897. By his first union he had five chil- dren: Rebecca, now the wife of A. N. Walker; Adeline, wife of E. W. Haburn; Joseph D .; Hannah E., wife of our subject; and N. T., who died in infancy. There is one son by the second marriage, Frank H.
Mr. and Mrs. Arthurs had four interesting children, namely: Inez, Irvin, Bessie (who died in infancy), and Grace Irene. The parents and eldest daughter and son hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and the family oc- cupies an enviable position in social circles. Mr. Arthurs is a strong adherent of Republican prin- ciples, and on that ticket has been elected to many minor offices, during President Harrison's administration efficiently serving as postmaster at Bell's Landing. He is one of the representative and prominent citizens of the community, having the high regard of all with whom he has come in contact in either business or social life.
J OHN LIPPART. Among the sturdy and en- ergetic farmers of Lawrence township, Clearfield county, who .thoroughly under- stand the vocation which they follow, and con- sequently are enabled to carry on that calling with profit to themselves, is the subject of this notice. He was born in Lancaster county, Penn., in 1846, and is a son of Jacob and Mary M. (Deller) Lippart, natives of Germany, where they were married. In 1842 they crossed the Atlantic to the United States, first becoming res- idents of Lancaster county, Penn., later removing to Elk county, Penn., and in 1854 coming to Lawrence township, Clearfield county, where the father first operated rented land, and then purchased a tract of timber land and opened up a farm. In that township he died in 1862; his wife passed away, at Philipsburg, Centre county, in 1888. One of their sons died when the fam- ily were crossing the ocean, and the other men- bers of the family are as follows: George is a resident of Lawrence township. Mrs. Cathar- ine Moore died in Clearfield. John is next in order of birth. Nicholas enlisted in Lawrence township, in 1864, in Company K, 157th P. V. I., for one year or until the close of the war, and died in North Carolina in 1865. Mrs. Mary Hasson died in Clearfield in ISSo. Mrs. Caro: line Erf is a resident of Philipsburg, Penn. Two of the children died in infancy.
Although quite young he enlisted October 25, 1861, in Company F. 2nd Penn. Cav. for three years, being mustered into the United States service at Harrisburg, and assigned to the Army of the Potomac. He participated in many im- portant battles, including the following: Gettys- burg, Antietam, Winchester, Hagerstown, Wil- derness, Mine Run, Deep Bottom and Bull Run, most of the time being under Gen. Sheridan. In December, 1863, he veteranized in the same company and regiment for three years or until the close of the war. He experienced all the trials and hardships of army life, was disabled by falling off a horse, and for three months was held a prisoner, being confined in Libby Prison nineteen and a half days of that time before his exchange. He took part in the grand review at Washington, D. C., where he was honorably dis- charged June 23, 1865, after almost four years of arduous service.
Returning to his home in Clearfield county, Mr. Lippart resumed agricultural pursuits, and cleared and improved twenty-eight acres in Law- rence township. There, in 1868, he married Miss Sophia Jane Hess, a native of Boggs township, Clearfield county, and a daughter of George and Mary (Litz) Hess, who were also born in Pennsyl- vania, and became early settlers of Boggs town- ship, where they still reside. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Lippart: (1) George R., a resident of West Clearfield, mar- ried Lillie Robins, and has three children-Frank. Mary and William. (2) Mrs. Mary Cupp is liv- ing at Clearfield. (3) Mrs. Anna Jane Nepkin, of Clearfield, has three children-Willie, John and Grace. (4) Frank, an agriculturist, wedded Anna Schrole, and has two children-Charley and Alice. (5) Ed. is the next in order of birth. (6) Mrs. Barbara Ogden is living in Curwensville. (7) Joseph completes the family. The mother of these died in 1884, and in 1896 Mr. Lippart married Miss Emma Boyle, a daughter of George and Clara Jane (Baker) Boyle, and one son, James E., has been born to them.
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