Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2, Part 78

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 78
USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 78
USA > Pennsylvania > Clearfield County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 78
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 78

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Mr. Lippart gives his unfaltering support to the Republican party, in the success of which he takes great interest. He is a prominent member of Lorimer Post, No. 179, G. A. R., of Clear- field, of which he served as commander, and in all the relations of life he has been as true and faithful as when following the " stars and stripes" on Southern battle fields.

John Lippart was about nine years of age when he accompanied the family to Clearfield W TINFIELD S. BELL, who is classed among the enterprising and progressive agricult- county, and here he acquired the principal part of his education, attending the Clover Hill school. i urists of Greenwood township, belongs to one of

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the most honored pioneer families of Clearfield county. At the place where he still lives our sub- ject was born November 11, 1853, a son of David and Margarie (Hoover) Bell. The paternal grandfather was Greenwood Bell, who was also reared there, and the great-grandfather was Ar- thur Bell, for whom Bell township was named.

In his youth David Bell learned carding in Clarion county, Penn., and in Clearfield county erected the first machine for that purpose in this portion of the State. From his father's large estate he received a tract of land, on which he erected his woolen-mill and also a gristmill, which he operated in connection with farming. In 1865 he platted the town of Bellville upon his land, and erected thereon a hotel, store building, blacksmith and cabinet shops, besides a number of residences. There he continued to engage in mercantile pursuits throughout the remainder of his life, and also did an extensive lumber busi- ness. Progressive and public-spirited, he gave his support to all worthy enterprises for the good of the community, and was widely and favorably known. As a pronounced Republican, he took quite an active interest in political affairs, but would never allow his name to be used for any office that would take him away from home. For a number of years, however, he served as justice of the peace, and during that time performed many marriage ceremonies. He enjoyed the con- fidence and esteem of all who knew him, and was recognized as one of the most influential and valued citizens of the community.

To the parents of our subject were born four children: Mary E., who became the wife of F. I. Thompson, but is now deceased; Martha J., who died at the age of eleven; Winfield Scott; and Thomas J., now a resident of Bellville. The mother died in 1860. She was a daughter of Joseph Hoover, an honored pioneer farmer and great hunter, of Clearfield county. For his sec- ond wife, Mr. Bell wedded Miss Clementine Hoover, a niece of his first wife and a daughter of Luther Hoover, an agriculturist. By this union there were three children: Harry G., Ber- ton and David F. The father died in 1875; his widow has since become the wife of Jesse Kester.

The educational advantages of Winfield S. Bell were such as the country schools afforded, and his business training was received upon the home farin and in the lumber woods, where he early learned industrious habits. Until his mar- riage he remained with his father, working in the store or assisting in his other business enter- prises. After marriage he located in Bellville, and for a time engaged in farming and lumber- ing, and later conducted a store, dealt in stock

and was interested in other speculations. He now gives his principal attention to agricultural pursuits and milling, having erected a good mill at Bellville, in 1896, which he has since success- fully operated. From his father's estate he re- ceived seventy acres in Bellville, to which he has added seventeen acres. He has cleared forty- five acres, which he has improved with excellent buildings, including a two-story residence, where he is now living. He also has another highly- improved farm, and from both places has removed the stumps.

In 1874, Mr. Bell was married to Miss Mi- nerva Arthurs, a daughter of James Arthurs, one of the early settlers of Clearfield county, coming from Clarion county, Penn., and is now residing in Bellville, at the age of sixty-eight. For many years he was actively engaged in farming. hotel keeping and lumbering, and in politics he is a strong Republican. In his family are seven chil- dren: Perry, Minerva, Clark, Nannie, Mintie, Naomi and Maud. Both parents are still living. Seven children have been born to our subject and his estimable wife, namely: Frances M., who died at the age of five years; and Minnie, Beulah. Maud, Stanley, James and Daisy B., all at home. Mrs. Bell is a consistent member of the Methodist Church. In his political affilia- tions, Mr. Bell was formerly a Democrat, but is now an ardent Prohibitionist. His pleasant, genial manners have gained him a host of warm personal friends, and he enjoys the high regard of all with whoin he has come in contact, either in business or social life. About two years ago, by the donation of a fine lot of ground in the vil- lage of Bell's Landing, and also a liberal dona- tion of lumber, Mr. Bell induced the Zion Bap- tist Church Denomination to build a fine church. In all, our subject donated toward this worthy object about two hundred dollars.

I OSEPH DAVIS, a representative farmer of Clearfield county, is located in Penn town- ship, where he is maintaining his place among the farmers around him, engaging in gen- eral farming. He has a farm of 147 acres, which he purchased of Jonathan Wall, and substantial buildings have been erected. He is also inter- ested in lumbering.

A son of Joseph and Rebecca (Moore) Davis, our subject was born June 9, 1836, and was reared on the old home farm. The father, a native of Tyrone, Blair Co., Penn., came to Clearfield county at an early day, and purchased 150 acres, which he cleared of the heavy growth of timber,

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

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and transformed it into a farm, erecting all the buildings thereon. He married Miss Moore, who shared with him all the hardships of pioneer life, and died in 1871. The father departed this life at the age of seventy-eight. To this worthy couple were born ten children, as follows: (1) Lydia became the wife of Garison Johnson, of Penn township, and reared a family; they re- moved to Grant county, Ind., where Mr. John- son followed farming. (2) Rachel, who is now about seventy years of age, makes her home with our subject and her brother Elisha. (3) Esther married Jonathan Wall, of Penn township, and resided in Grampian until her death in 1866; her husband still survives her. Their four children are-Mrs. Walker, of Penn township; Adaline, wife of Erastus Hepburn, a resident of Gram- pian; Joseph D., who married and moved to the West; and Eliza H., wife of Perry Arthurs, a resident of Belleville, Penn. (4) John went West when in manhood, married and settled in Iowa; no children. (5) Eliza married Thomas Cleaver, of Penn township, and they died leav- ing three children-Frank; James; and a daugh- ter, now deceased. (6) James grew to manhood on the old homestead, and subsequently removed to Indiana, where he was married and reared a family. (7) Mc. died in 1895, leaving a widow and one son. (8) Hannah married Thomas Wall, of Penn township, and they lived on the E. Davis farm until her death, in 1860; her husband was killed by a team at his mill in 1892. They had three children -- James: Elisha Milton, deceased; and Sarah Ellen, wife of Clark Norris. (9) Elisha married Katherine Hoover, where they now reside on his farm; their children are as follows: William, who married Miss Rishel, and resides near Troutville, Penn .; Ella, wife of George Rishel, of Troutville; Elias Curtin, mar- ried Edith Wagner, and resides near Ramey, Penn .: Lydia, wife of Brack Albert, who lives near Wallaceton, in Clearfield county; Myrtle, wife of Reuben Kester, of Penn township; Na- than, married to Mamie Currier, of Grampian; Pearl and Clare, at home. * (to) Abraham en- listed August 25, 1862, in the Union army, dur- ing the Civil war, and served as a private in a P. V. I. Regiment, under Capt. Mccullough. He was stricken with typhoid fever, and died in 1862 in Columbia hospital at the age of twenty-two.

In 1862, Joseph Davis married Miss Elizabeth Wall, of Penn township, and they became the parents of five children: () James Truman re- sides near Grainpian, and follows lumbering; he married Jennie Kester, of Penn township, and they have three children-Alice Elizabeth, Joseph Lewis and Beulah. all at home. (2) Sarah Ann

is the wife of Wilmot Wall, a farmer of Penn township, and they have three children --- Joseph E., Lena and Eva M. (3) Mary Alice married Fred Smith, a resident of Grampian, and they have four children -- Lizzie, Howard, Lulla and Clair; she died in 1897. (4) Cora is the wife of Bruce Kendal, a farmer of Penn township, by whom she has three children -- Lester, Earnest and Rayinond. (5) Eva, twin sister of Cora. married Clyde Kendal, and lives at her home, near her parents. In his political affiliations, Mr. Davis is a Republican, but has never cared for official distinction, preferring to give his ex- clusive attention to his business interests. He and his family are members of the Society of Friends.

TOHN W. LEONARD. Among the citizens of mark in Jordan township, Clearfield coun- ty, no one is more worthy of consideration than he whose name here appears. He is a pro- gressive and energetic farmer, and is a worthy representative of one of the oldest and most hon- ored pioneer families of the county, who have borne an important part in its upbuilding and development. His grandfather, Joseph Leonard, a native of the North of Ireland, on emigrating to America first located in Pennsylvania. near Philadelphia, but later came to Clearfield coun- ty, where he improved a farm and spent his re- maining days. In his family were five children: Jacob, the father of our subject; Robert. who was accidentally killed when in the prime of life; Margaret, Nancy and Mary A., Margaret being the first female white child born in the county.

Jacob Leonard was also a native of Clearfield county, where he spent his entire life, dying in 1850 at the age of forty-six years. He was a lumberman and farmer by occupation, and was a leading and active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, serving as class leader for somne time. His political support was always given the men and measures of the Democratic party. but he cared nothing for official distinc- tion. He married Miss Margaret, daughter of William and Mary Williams, who were of Welsh descent and honored pioneers of Centre county, Penn., where the father engaged in farming and coopering. Subsequently he became a promi- nent farmier and land owner of Clearfield county, was one of the most highly respected men of his community and a leading member of the Baptist Church. His children were as follows: David. Margaret, Jessie, Edmond, John, Catherine, Sophia, Tabitha, William, Mary and Elizabeth. | Mrs. Leonard, who was a Methodist in religious

John W Lenard Edith S. Leonardo

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

belief, long survived her husband, dying in 1878. She was the mother of four children: Elizabeth, wife of G. I. Miles; Mary E., wife of A. W. Young; Robert, who died in 1892; and John W., of this sketch.

When our subject was only three years old his father died, and the mother took her children to the home of her father; but his death occurred soon afterward, and Mr. Leonard went to live with an untle in Jordan township, where he was reared to agricultural pursuits and remained until his marriage, obtaining a fair education in the country schools.

In February, 1885, Mr. Leonard married Miss Edith Swan, a lady of culture, who belongs to one of the oldest and most prominent families of Jordan township. her children being of the fifth generation that have here made their homes, and where they now reside Henry Swan, the father, was born in Blair county, Penn., March 9. 1818, and in 1821 was brought to Clearfield county by his parents, John Swan and wife, the former of .whom was a native of New York. The son be- came a prominent merchant and lumber dealer of Ansonville, was a Republican in politics, and a Baptist in religious belief, to which Church his family also belonged. His wife, Mrs. Lucinda Swan, passed away in 1884, and he departed this life February 24. 1895. They were the parents of the following children: John, a lumberman; Phebe, wife of J. W. Straw; Benjamin, a book- keeper; Sarah, wife of P. Wagoner; Edith, wife of our subject; Harvey A. and Harriet M. (twins). the former of whom is a justice of the peace and postmaster at Coalport, and the latter is the wife of B. Clark; W. R .. a farmer; and Wayland, deceased.

For a few years after his marriage, Mr. Leonard lived on the Swan homestead, but in 1891 be purchased his present valuable farm of 140 acres of improved and highly productive land, which adjoins the town of Ansonville. He has remodeled his residence and barn, making the place one of the most desirable in the locality. In 1892 he went to West Virginia to look after the large landed interests of Hon. I. D. Came- ron in Clay and Nicholas counties, and spent the most of four years in surveying, making esti- mates of lumber, etc .. during which time his farm here was operated by hired help. Although he has ever taken an active part in political affairs, as a stanch Republican. he has never cared for the honors or emoluments of public office, pre- ferring to give his ui.divided attention to his ex- tensive business interests. He is emphatically a man of enterprise, positive character, indomita- ble energy, strict integrity and liberal views, and |

is thoroughly identified in feeling with the growth and prosperity of his native county.

Mr. Leonard was born in Becaria township, Clearfield county, February 22, 1846, and his wife, whose birth occurred July 13, 1855, was the first child born in the village of Ansonville, and she remained at the old home there until her mar- riage. Both are faithful members of the Baptist Church, and are people of prominence in the community, holding a high place in social circles. Their home has been blessed by the presence of four children, whose names and dates of birth are as follows: Alvin W., March 4, 1886; Helen L .. February 11, 1889; Margaret L., September 4, 1891; and Mary E., November 30, 1893.

J MANESFIELD READ, a thorough and sci- entific farmer, of Lawrence township, Clear- field county. was there born in 1853, a son of Alexander and Isabella (Clyde) Read. The father's birth occurred in the same township, in 1827, while the grandfather, James Read, was a native of Pennsylvania, and came to Clearfield county at an early day, where he followed farm- ing. Here he wedded Margaret Arden, and in Lawrence township they made their home until called to the world beyond. They reared a fam- ily of three sons and one daughter, namely: Thompson, a resident of Goshen township, Clearfield county; Alexander A., father of our subject: Matthew, who died in Lawrence town- ship; and Mrs. Ellen Rheems, of Iowa.

Upon the home farm Alexander A. Read passed the days of his boyhood and youth, and on attaining to man's estate was married in Clear- field to Isabella Clyde, who was born in Clear- field borough, a daughter of Samuel and Nancy ( Hartshorn) Clyde. The father was a native of Ireland, and, being a blacksmith by trade, erected the first shop of that kind in Clearfield. There he married Nancy Hartshorn, a native of Cur- wensville, and a daughter of Benjamin Harts- horn, an honored pioneer of Clearfield county. Mr. Clyde later opened up a farm at the mouth of Wolf run, where he also erected a sawmill. and engaged in lumbering and farming for many years. Both himself and wife are now deceased. After their marriage, the parents of our subject located upon a farm in what was then Goshen but now Lawrence township, which the father successfully operated, but they are now living in West Clearfield. Of the eight children born to them, three are now deceased: Amos, Elmer and Carrie. Those living are: Mrs. Margaret Owens, of Lawrence township; J. Manesfield, of this sketch; S. C., engaged in farming in Law-

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rence township; Anna B., at home; Rachel, a practical nurse, who graduated from a school in Philadelphia, and is now in Japan; and Archie, who is married and living on the old home farm.

Mr. Read, whose name introduces this sketch, pursued his literary studies in the schools of Law- rence township, and early became familiar with the labors of the farm. In 1880 he located upon his present place-a fine tract of 148 acres, ninety of which have been cleared and placed under a high state of cultivation. Besides gen- eral farming, he has also engaged in lumbering with good success, and is now numbered among the most substantial and capable business men of Lawrence township. On April 8, 1880, in that township, he married Miss M. M. Richel, who was born there, a daughter of Nathaniel and Isabella (Daniel) Richel, the former a native of Brady township, Clearfield county, and the lat- ter of Lawrence township. Both are now de- ceased. To our subject and his estimable wife were born five children, namely: Margaret Lowery; William A .; one who died in infancy; Ida B .; and Russell H., also deceased.

Mr. Read is an ardent supporter of the Dem- ocratic party, and is at present an efficient mem- ber of the school board. He holds membership in the American Mechanics Society, and Mt. Joy Grange. He is a worthy representative of one of the pioneer families of the county, and his sterling worth and strict integrity have gained him the confidence and respect of all with whom he has come in contact in either business or so- cial life.

M F. WALLACE, who owns seventy-five acres of the most valuable land in Law- rence township, and has distinguished himself as one of its most active and enterprising citizens, came, in 1843, to his present farm, which at that time was covered with a dense growth of timber. He has given close attention to the improve- ment of his land, the soil of which he has brought to a high state of cultivation. He is a native of Clearfield county, born in Brady town- ship, in 1827, and is a son of William and Sarah B. (Fowler) Wallace.

William Wallace, the father of our subject, was born in Perry county, Penn., in 1796, a son of William and Martha ( Brown) Wallace. The grandfather was also a native of Pennsylvania, of Scotch descent, and a soldier of the Revolu- tionary war. At an early day, he located in Perry county, where he followed his trade of blacksmithing until his death. In that county the father of our subject was reared, and there

married Miss Fowler, who was born in Juniata county, this State. In 1826 they came to Clear- field county, first locating in the woods of Brady township, near Luthersburg, at which place Mr. Wallace engaged in blacksmithing, but in 1841 they removed to Lawrence township, and two years later took up their residence upon the farin now owned and occupied by our subject. Besides his farming operations, the father gave considerable attention to hunting, and he held a number of township offices. He died on that farm in 1863; his widow also passed away at the old home, in 1882. In their family were five children: Martha J., wife of Joseph Owens, of Lawrence township; M. F., of this sketch; Mrs. Tabitha Robinson, who died in Bradford town- ship in 1870; John W., who is married, and is living in Lawrence township; and Melinda, who married Ephraim Shirey, and died-in Lawrence township in 1893.

The first fourteen years of his life our subject passed in Brady township, where he attended school, and then came to Lawrence township. . where he has since resided. During his entire business career he has engaged in farming and lumbering, and the neat and thrifty appearance of the old homestead farm indicates the super- vision of a careful, painstaking owner. In Juni- ata county, Penn., in 1855. he married Miss Sarah S. Patten, a native of that county, and a daughter of Robert and Jane (Castle) Patten, who were both born in that county, and there spent their entire lives, the mother dying in 1847. and the father in 1875. Mrs. Wallace is the eldest of their four children, the others being as follows: Thomas M., who served in the army during the Civil war, having enlisted in Com- pany C., Ninth Indiana, and died in 1864. James A. enlisted in Centre county, Penn., in 1861, in Company C, 49th P. V. I., for three years ; he was killed at Renovo, Penn. . Jan. 1, 1869, in a railroad collision, having been a brakeman for several years. Mrs. Nancy J. Shaffner is living at West Clearfield. Mr. and Mrs. Wallace have no children of their own, but have reared five: C. H. Halsey, now residing in Centre county, Penn .; Louie Owens, now of Michigan: Court- land B. Graham, now of Jersey Shore, Penn. : Millie Halsey, who died at the home of our sub- ject in 1891; and D. Guy Halsey, who is still with his foster parents.

In his political affiliations, Mr. Wallace en- tirely coincides with the doctrines and platforms of the Democratic party, and in the exercise of his elective franchise supports the candidates of that organization. He has most faithfully dis- charged the duties of township treasurer and

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overseer of the poor, to which offices he was elected, and is one of the leading representative citizens of his portion of the county.

J W. YOUNG, of Ferguson township, is well entitled to be considered, not only one of the progressive farmers of Clearfield county, but one of its respected and honored citizens, and a man of more than ordinary ability. He is a na- tive of Centre county, Penn., born March 24, 1848, and was reared and educated in Clearfield county.

Albert Young, father of our subject, was born in Snyder county, Penn., and at an early day went to Centre county, where he was employed in the iron works of Curtin & Co. There he wedded Miss Mary Wagoner, and continued to reside until 1852, when he brought his family to Clearfield county, where he rented a farm for two years, and then purchased a tract of land, of which twelve acres had been cleared and a small house erected thereon. Devoting his attention to agricultural pursuits, he there spent his re- maining days, dying in 1881, at the age of seventy-two years. Politically, he was a Dem- ocrat; in religious faith he was a consistent mem- ber of the Baptist Church. Grandfather Young came from Holland, and served in the war of 1812.

Adam Wagoner, the maternal grandfather of our subject, was born in Germany, of a prom- inent family, and was a miller by trade. At an eariy day he became a resident of Centre county, Penn., where he owned a good mill. In re- ligious belief he was a Lutheran. His family in- cluded the following children: Nancy; Cath- erine; Sarah; Leah; Mary, the mother of our subject; Mrs. Eliza Williams; Margaret; Jane; and John, a farmer, who is still living in Centre county. Three of the number yet survive.

To Albert Young and wife were born eight children, of whom two died when quite young; the others are William; Sarah, wife of J. T. Straw; Mrs. Mary Kester; Margaret, wife of R. McCracken; J. W., of this sketch; and Mrs. Sophia McMurrah. The mother is still living at the age of eighty-six years, and finds a pleasant home with our subject, For many years she has been a faithful member of the Zion Baptist Church, and she enjoys the love and esteem of all who know her.

J. W. Young was reared to agricultural pur- suits, and during early life assisted his father in paying for the old homestead farm in Ferguson township, on which he still resides. Since his father's death he has purchased the interests of

the other heirs, has added to the land, but has also sold some, and still has eighty-one acres, improved with substantial and commodious build- ings and a fine orchard, as well as many other conveniences and comforts which add to its value and neat appearance. About sixty-five acres have been cleared and cultivated, and the whole tract is underlaid with coal and fire clay. For the past five years he has successfully operated coal mines upon his place, and in this way added not a little to his income. He married Miss Mary McCracken, a most estimable lady, a daughter of Greenwood McCracken, who was one of the first settlers in this section of the State, where he followed the occupation of farm- ing. His political support was given the Democracy, and religiously he and his family were members of the Lutheran Church. He had nine children, namely: James; Rebecca, wife of A. Bloom; John, a resident of Oregon; Thomas, a farmer; Lizzie; Alfred, a farmer; Mrs. Sarah Hunter; Mary, the honored wife of our subject; and Theophilus.

To Mr. and Mrs. Young were born thirteen chil- dren, as follows: Elizabeth, who married Charles Strong, and died at the birth of her only child, Cecil Strong, who is now living with our subject; Eliza, at home; George, married to Bertha Wither- ite, daughter of Shannon Witherite, of Fergu- son township; Minta, who married John Lang, and has one child, James; and Albert, Mollie, Sarah, William, Earla, Dove, Leslie, Ruth and Imo, all at home. The parents and seven of the children are earnest members of the Baptist Church, and the family altogether is one of prominence in the community. Reared a Democrat, Mr. Young has always adhered to the principles of that party, and has taken quite an active and promi- nent part in public affairs, filling a number of important township offices, including those of judge of the election board and treasurer two terms. He possesses in an eminent degree all the qualifications that go to make up a good citizen and an honorable man.

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2, Part 78

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