Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2, Part 8

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 8
USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 8
USA > Pennsylvania > Clearfield County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 8
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 8

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A LEXANDER READ, SR., who for many years has followed farining in Lawrence township. Clearfield county, is a representative of one of the honored pioneer families of the county that from the beginning of the century have been identified with its interests. The several mem- bers of the family have been industrious, useful and. respected citizens. Mr. Read has witnessed al- most the entire growth and development of the county, liaving been born in Lawrence township, August 22, 1813.

Thomas Read, the father of our subject, was born in Centre county, Penn., a son of Alexander Read, with whom he came to Clearfield county in 1802, locating in Lawrence township, on Read's Ridge. From a tract of wild land he developed a good farm, locating on what is now the James Spackman place, where he built one of the first brick residences in the county, and made many other extensive and valuable improvements. There he resided until his death in 1851. In politics he was a Democrat. He married Mary Jordan, who passed from earth in 1830, after which he wedded Margaret Fer- guson, who died in Ferguson township. In Thomas Read's family by his first wife, were five sons and two daughters: (1) Jordan mar- ried Sarah Spackman, and located on the farm which is now the home of our subject, and his last days were spent on the farm where he lived his entire married life; (2) Alexander is the next younger; (3) Isabella became the wife. of William Spackman, and died in Lawrence township; (4) Josiah is married and resides in Lawrence township; (5) Jemima makes her home with the subject of this sketch; (6) Thomas is living in the West; (7) William P. is married and resides in Lawrence township.

In the usual manner of farmer lads of that period Alexander Read, our subject, was reared and educated. He early became familiar with all the duties of farm life, and also with the lumber business. He owned a sawmill on the river, which he operated from 1842 until ISS2, and then turned his attention to farming. In 1880 he purchased a good farm of eighty acres, which he still owns, and the same is now highly culti- vated and yields a good return for the labor that is bestowed upon it. In politics, he is a Demo- crat. He belongs to the Presbyterian Church at Pine Grove, and is always deeply interested in everything pertaining to the welfare of the com- munity, and to the promotion of its educational and moral interests. Having witnessed almost the entire growth and development of the county, he well deserves mention among its. pioneers.

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

W H. WYNN, the senior member of the Wallaceton Fire Brick Company, at Wal- laceton, Clearfield county, is a representative self-made business man and a typical American, his ability, energy and tact in commercial and industrial life being combined with unselfish de- votion to his country in war and peace.

Mr. Wynn was born March 19, 1843, in Westmoreland county, Penn., and his ancestors were pioneer settlers in this State. His grand- father, Jonathan Wynn, a Pennsylvanian by birth, was of Irish descent and by occupation a farmer and distiller. His son, James R. Wynn, our subject's father, was a native of this State, and followed agriculture for many years. He entered the army in 1861, was captured by the Confederates, and endured for some time the' horrors of Andersonville prison. When finally paroled and sent to Annapolis, he was taken sick and died there in the hospital. . His wife, Mary A. Bitner, a lady of Gerinan descent, survived him and died in 1886, at the age of seventy-two. They were members of the Lutheran Church.

Their twelve children are living, and ho d honorable positions in society. They are: Jona- than, who resides in Westmoreland county, Penn .; George, a farmer; Elizabeth, who married Mr. Austraw; W. H., our subject; Alexander, a tele- graph lineman in Westmoreland county; Louisa, Mrs. Snodgrass; John P., a member of the Wal- laceton Fire Brick Company, and manager of the brick business at Lock Haven, Penn. ; James R., of Westmoreland; Emily, Mrs. France; Rob- ert, a resident of Wallaceton; Samuel, a partner in the Wallaceton Fire Brick Company; and Sarah, Mrs. McHale, of Westmoreland.

Mr. Wynn was reared upon a farm, and had common-school advantages only. He remained at home until he was twenty-one. His first em- ployment was in a brick yard, where he worked for some time. In 1863 he enlisted in the State militia, and volunteered to go to Ohio when Gen. Morgan was raiding in that State, and was there when Morgan was captured. In 1864 he enlisted in the 211th P. V. I., as a volunteer. and served with the Army of the Potomac, taking part in a number of battles. He was not wounded or captured, and on receiving an honorable dis- charge at Alexandria. Va., he returned home in safety. For some time he was employed as a farm hand, and then he found work in a brick yard again. Later he spent two years in the ser- vice of the Pennsylvania railroad as a brakeman.

In 1867, Mr. Wynn was married in West- moreland county to Miss Margaret G. Ross, a lady of intelligence and a member of a good Scotcli family. Her father, Daniel Ross, was a soldier

in the British army in early manhood, and after serving three years he came to Pennsylvania and gained a livelihood as a mine boss. (He also served one year in the Civil war). In 1873, he went to Clearfield county in that capacity, and later he and Mr. Wynn established a store at Woodland, which his sons now conduct. He also owned stock in the Woodland Brick Yard. He was inarried in Pennsylvania to Miss Margaret McLain, whose parents came to this country from Ireland. Mr. Ross died in Woodland in February, 1892.

Mr. and Mrs. Wynn have had eleven chil- dren: Mary B., married Alexander Paterson, of Clearfield; Margaret died at the age of eight- een; Cora married Mr. France; Daniel R. is a stockholder in the Wallaceton Fire Brick Com- pany; John is at school; Arthur died at the age of ten; Lewis A., Ethel, Jessie (and a twin that died in infancy) and Vera are at home.

For a few years after his marriage, M. Wynn made his home in Westmoreland county, but in 1870 he went to Woodland to work in the erec- t. 1 of the Woodland Fire Brick Works. Later he. became a stockholder in the enterprise, and worked there nineteen years, the last four as fore- man. The business was sold in 1889, and he and two brothers mentioned above bought the

Wallaceton Fire Brick factory. Since that time they have taken another member into the firm, Alexander Patterson, an attorney, who is famil- iar with the business. They are all workers and are making a decided success, having doubled the capacity of the works since coming into pos- session of it. Mr. Wynn has the general over- sight of the plant, and is admirably fitted for the work of managing the force. The firm manu- factures high-grade fire brick, with an output of 14,000 per day, and when running full time em- ploy seventy-five hands. The mines from which their clay is shipped are owned by them, and they find their market at all iron works. The property is a valuable one, and, besides his stock in that, Mr. Wynn owns a fourth interest in the store at Woodland. The firm owns 250 acres of land, and the mineral rights under two other farms.

Mr. Wynn has a comfortable residence in Wallaceton. He and his wife are leading mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is steward and trustee. He is naturally of a quiet disposition, and does not care for official honors; but he takes an intelligent and generous interest in all public improvements. He is a Re- publican, and has filled several minor offices, in- cluding that of school trustee, and at present he is treasurer of the borough of Wallaceton.

W. HWyom.

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

C W. REDFERN, editor of the Du Bois Ex- press, Du Bois, Clearfield county, was born in Lincolnshire, England, April 3, 1865. He studied at the public schools and privately under Prof. E. G. Williams, of Westminster, in English branches, and under Rev. John Burrell, B. D., of Durham University, in mathematics. He completed an apprenticeship of four years as teacher under the Misterton School Board on July 4, 1883, qualifying as an assistant master under the British Education Department. He served one year in the national school at Cowes, and one year in the national school at Sandown, Isle of Wight. For over three years he was first assistant in Dr. Barnardo's Copperfield Road schools, London, which employed twenty-five teachers, and had an average attendance of over one thousand pupils. During these years he studied at Toynbee Hall and the London Poly- technic, and did journalistic work. On July 10, 1886, he qualified at the Royal Military Asylum, Chelsea, as an army schoolmaster. In August, 1888, he came to the United States to visit his parents, who had preceded him in 1872. He graduated from the Rochester (N. Y.) Business University in March, 1889.

On April 22, 1889, Mr. Redfern was married at St. Andrew's Church, Rochester, N. Y., to Miss Elizabeth Mary Dormer, of Waltham Abbey, England. Three children have blessed this union: Frances Ethel Dormer, born Feb- ruary 2, 1890, died December 25, 1890; George Henry, born June 5, 1892, and Arthur Dormer, born January 17, 1894. After serving as circu- lation manager and city reporter of the Du Bois Express for about six months, Mr. Redfern was promoted to the editorial chair in the summer of 1893. He is a versatile writer, and the Express is wide-awake, trenchant and vigorous.

The Du Bois Express was established Oc- tober 12, 1883, by Hoag, Wilson & Co., as an independent local paper. On January 1, 1887, the firm changed, S. B. Hoag retiring; H. C. Wilson, Frank McMichael, John P. Wilson and C. A. Read formed the new firm known as the Express Publishing Company. This firm was succeeded by H. C. Wilson and F. McMichael. In 1892 Cal. McMichael purchased the interest of H. C. Wilson, and for nearly a year the paper was published by McMichael Brothers. On. June 13, 1892, the Evening Express was started, and since that time the office has been publishing a daily and a weekly edition. In the latter part of 1892 David Reams, a wealthy lumberman of Brady township, purchased the interest of Cal. McMichael, and up to June 10, 1896, the office was conducted under the firm name of McMichael

& Reams. On that date the plant was incorpor- ated under the laws of Pennsylvania as The Ex- press Printing and Publishing Company, capital- ized at $10,000 in 100 shares of $100 each. The incorporators and stockholders were: Frank Mc- Michael, president; David Reams, treasurer; C. W. Redfern, editor and secretary; Wm. Rade- maekers, superintendent, and Joseph A. Terpe. The stock remains as originally issued. The plant is a very complete one. It includes four presses and a folder run by an electric motor: over 300 fonts of type, stereotyping outfit, a rul- ing machine and a fully-equipped bindery. Its work has a good reputation throughout the cen- tral portion of the State. The average daily cir- culation of the Evening Express, for 1897, ex- ceeded 1600 copies, and the Weekly Express has over 3,200 prepaid subscribers on its list.

J OHN H. STEWART, of Bradford township, Clearfield county, has spent his entire life upon the farm which is now his home. It was his birthplace, his playground in boyhood, and has been the scene of his labors in manhood. He was born April 17, 1835, and is a son of John and Jane (Campbell) Stewart.

The father was born in Ireland, was reared and married in the land of his birth, and in 1819 left his native country for the New World. When the voyage of several weeks was ended, he made his way to Clearfield county, and about 1821 purchased a tract of land in Bradford township, where he opened up a farm and established a comfortable home. His last years were spent in retirement from active business life, and, with the comforts which his former labors had pro- cured, he lived at his pleasant home at Clearfield until called to the land beyond. He died on the farm, his wife passing away in Clearfield. He was a Democrat in politics, and was a man well known and highly respected. Mr. and Mrs. Stewart reared a family of seven children, namely: Archibald, who died in 1855, and was buried in Stewart cemetery; Daniel, whose death occurred in Clearfield county; James, who died in Kyler- town, Penn., in 1895; Robert, who is married and makes his home in Girard township, Clear- field county; Eliza Jane, wife of W. H. Shiny, of Bradford township; John H., of this review, and Mary, wife of Robert Wrigley, deceased January 16, 1872.

The childhood days of our subject were quietly passed, his time being devoted to play and work in the usual manner of farmer lads. His education was obtained in the district schools, and he received ample training at farm labor.

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

He assisted in clearing the old homestead, and is now the owner of that property, comprising 210 acres of well-improved land, to which have been added all the accessories and conveniences of a model farin of the nineteenth century. In 1861, in Bradford township, he married Miss Anna Waring Dale, also a native of that town- ship, and a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Waring) Dale. Her parents were natives of England, and came to Centre county at an early day; both are now deceased. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Stewart are: Elizabeth, George (who is married and resides in Bradford town- ship), Carrie, Roxy, Edmund C., and Olive.

Mr. Stewart and his wife are Methodists in religious belief, and hold membership in the Dale Church. His political support is given the Democracy, and for eleven years he served as district treasurer of his township. His prudent business methods, resolute purpose and reliable sagacity have all combined to make him one of the leading agriculturists of Clearfield county.

C APT. MATTHEW OGDEN, an honored vet- eran of the Civil war, and a representative of one of the oldest families of Clearfield county, is now successfully carrying on agricultural pur- suits in Lawrence township. He was born Sep- tember 27, 1827, where Clearfield borough is now located, and traces his ancestry back to Daniel Ogden, a native of New Jersey, who came with his son Matthew to this county, and put up the first mill within its borders. Here he spent his remaining days. .

Matthew Ogden, the grandfather of our sub- ject, was also born in New Jersey, and on com- ing to the county located on the present site of Clearfield borough, where he purchased land and engaged in farming. He erected a mill on Chin- clelamoose creek, and later, one at the mouth of Clearfield creek. His death occurred in Law- rence township in 1844. He wedded Betsy Bloom, who was born at Shamokin, Penn., and they reared a family of six sons and eight daugh- ters, as follows: Jonathan, who became a farmer of Brady township, Clearfield county, and there ; died; William, an agriculturist, who died in Law- rence township in 1879: Abraham, formerly a farmer of Lawrence township, now deceased; Daniel and Matthew, also deceased; David, who died in Lawrence township; Mrs. Massie Han- ; cock, who died in Nebraska: Mrs. Mary Irvin. also deceased; Mrs. Elizabeth Rowles, of West Clearfield; Mrs. Ellen Tate, a resident of the same place; Nancy, who is living in Lawrence township; Mrs. Rebecca Brown, deceased; Mrs.

Susannah Snyder, who is living in Pike township, this county, and Mrs. Hannah McMullen, of Nebraska.

William Ogden, the father of our subject, was born in Clearfield county in 1805, and on reaching manhood followed agricultural pursuits near what is now Mt. Joy, developing a farm in the midst of the timber. In this county he was united in marriage with Miss Ellen Selfridge, a native of Mifflin county, Penn. He departed this life in 1880, and she died sometime later. Seven sons and three daughters were born to them, namely: Matthew, of this review; Mrs. Maria Jane McCullom, of Armstrong county, Penn .; Zenas L., a farmer of Lawrence town- ship: Zachariah, an agriculturist of the same township; G. W .. now a resident of Lawrence township, who enlisted in Company K, 84th P. V. I., and served in the Union army for nearly two years; Rachel, wife of J. B Shaw, of Law- rence township; William, now a resident of Iowa, who was a member of the same company and regiment as his brother G. W .: John, who was a member of Company C. Io1st P. V. I., and died at Tennallytown, D. C .; Henry, who is living in Lawrence township: and Mrs. Sarah Ann Bonsall, who died in Brady township.

Capt. Ogden was reared and educated in Lawrence township, and as a life work took up the occupation which his ancestors had followed for generations, that of farming and lumbering. In 1847 he purchased a wooded tract of 150 acres, which he at once began to clear and im- prove; he now has 110 acres under a high state of cultivation, and has erected thereon good and substantial farm buildings, making the place one of the most desirable in the locality. During his country's hour of peril he valiantly came to her defense, enlisting in his native county, in 1861, and raising Company K, 84th P. V. I., of which he was commissioned captain on the 13th of September. The company was sworn into service at Camp Curtin, and assigned to the Army of the Potomac, with which it took part in the battle of Winchester. For thirteen months Capt. Ogden remained in the service, and was then discharged at Waterloo, W. Va., on ac- count of disability, after which he returned home.

In Clearfield county, in 1849, Capt. Ogden was married to Miss Margaret Jane Shaw, a na- tive of Clearfield county, and a daughter of John Shaw, who belonged to one of its pioneer fam- ilies. Ten children blessed this union. six of whom are still living, namely: R. H. and J. B., both farmers of Lawrence township: Robert Lee. at home; Howard L .; Mrs. Virginia Der- rick, of West Clearfield; and Mrs. Flora Blanche

623

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Spence, of Goshen township, Clearfield coun- ty. In politics, the Captain adheres to the principles of the Democratic party, and he is a member of Lorimer Post, G. A. R., of Clear- field. He is uniformly the encourager of the en- terprises calculated to advance the interests of his township, and is a worthy representative of one of the most prominent pioneer families of the county.

G AINER P. BLOOM has spent his entire life in Clearfield county, and is a representative of the first family that located in the county. The family through many long years has been identified with its development and progress, and the subject of this review has also been an im- portant factor in the work of advancement, while at the same time he is a prominent representative of the agricultural interests .. He was born in Pike township, in 1834, his parents being James and Mary (Passmore) Bloom, natives of Centre county, Penn. The grandfather, Williamn Bloom, and his wife were born in New Jersey, and on coming to Pennsylvania located at the old fort in Centre county, whence they afterward removed to Pike township, Clearfield county. residing near the mouth of the river in 1801. Mr. Bloom de- veloped a farm, and largely aided in opening up this region to civilization. In his family were seven sons: Isaac, William, James, John, Peter, Abram and Benjamin, and the daughters were Mrs. Anna Price. who died in Clearfield county; Betsy, wife of Richard Rowles, of Lawrence township; and Mrs. Ogden, who died in Law- rence township.

James Bloom was reared and educated in Pike township, and in 1853 removed to Bloom township, where he purchased the " Rodden Ho- tel," on the pike, conducting the same for some time. He was also toll-gate keeper and manager of the Susquehanna & Waterford turnpike, now called the Cream Hill turnpike. Subsequently he sold the hotel and removed to the Cook prop- erty, where he conducted a hotel. Both he and his wife died in Pike township. ' Their family numbered the following: William. Abraham and Lewis, all of whom are living in Pike township: Gainer P., of this sketch; Emily, wife of Anthony Hiles, who died in Lumber City in 1894: Mrs. Elizabeth Stanley, of Michigan: Mrs. A. S. Hol- den, of Bloom township, now deceased; Mrs. Linas, of the same township; Mrs. John B. Dun- lap, of Knox township; and Mrs. Martha Averill, of Du Bois.

Gainer P. Bloom is indebted to the schools of Pike township for his educational privileges. At

the age of nineteen he went to Bloom township, and throughout his youth and since attaining his majority he has followed farming. He also conducted a hotel for one year. In :883 his wife purchased forty acres of land, and they have developed therefrom a rich farm. In 1855, in Pike township, he was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Leech, daughter of George and M. (Caldwell) Leech, prominent pioneer people of Pike township. Her father served as sheriff of the county for some time, and both he and his wife are now deceased. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Bloom were three sons and five daugh- ters, namely: Mrs. Bertha Potter, of Titusville; Ella: Emma, who died in 1881 : Mrs. Lucy John- son, of Bloom township; Lucretia, who died in Blooin township; Alfred, who is married and re- sides in Elk county, Penn. ; Gainer, of Bloom township; and Howard, who resides in Elk county.

Mr. Bloom gives his political support to the Democracy, and has served as justice of the peace, constable and town supervisor. His pub- lic duties have ever been discharged with prompt- ness and fidelity, and the obligations of private life have ever been as faithfully met.

M T. VOGLE, D. D. S., the oldest practic- ing dentist in the borough of Du Bois, Clearfield county, is one of the progressive citi- zens of that locality, his influence being a factor in various movements which have brought bene- ficial results to that thriving community.

Our subject was born June 11, 1848, at Greensburg, Westmoreland Co., Penn., of Ger- man parentage. His father, Philip Augustus Vogle, came to America in early manhood, and engaged in the tanning business. Being of an inventive turn of mind, he developed a new pro- . cess of tanning, and the work of placing this upon the market took him to Mexico. Canada, and all parts of the United States. Later he settled at Greensburg, where he followed the business un- til his death in 1856. His wife, Mary Ann Win- sheimer, also a native of Gerinany, died in Greens- burg. in September, 1892. They reared a family i of five children :. Philip Augustus, a tanner of Greene county, Penn .: M. T., our subject: John 1 .. a printer by trade, who died in Greensburg in 1873: Frank, editor and part owner of the Westmoreland Democrat ; and Mary Elizabeth, now Mrs. E. D. Strickler, of East End. Pitts- burg.

Dr. Vogle spent his boyhood in his native town, and at the age of sixteen began to learn the blacksmith's trade. In 1870 he went to

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Clearfield county, and for five winters worked as a journeyman in New Washington borough. In 1880 he entered Pennsylvania Dental College at Philadelphia, and in February, 1882, received his degree. In July of that year he located at DuBois, where his skill soon secured appreciative recognition. He was one of the sufferers of the fire of 1888, but now has a pleasant home, where he and his amiable wife dispense hospitality to a large circle of friends. Their marriage occurred in October, 1884, in New Washington borough, Clearfield county, the birthplace of Mrs. Vogle, who was formerly Miss Lizzie Neiman. Her fa- ther, Reuben Neiman, a native of Pennsylvania, was one of the early settlers of the borough, where he breathed his last in 1876. His widow, Mrs. Rachel (McMurray) Neiman, who was born in Clearfield county, now resides with our sub- ject. Dr. and Mrs. Vogle have had three chil- dren: Reuben Neiman; John Hastings, who died in infancy; and Mary Lucile.

Politically, the Doctor is a Democrat. In social life he is prominent, being identified with the Acron Club; the United Workmen; Noble Lodge, No. 480, F. & A. M., at Curwensville; Elk Chapter, No. 230, R. A. M., at Ridgway; Knapp Commandery, No. 40, K. T., at the same place; and Zem-Zem Temple, A. A. O. of M. S., at Erie, Penn. Heis a contributor to the " Den- tal Cosmas," of Philadelphia; the "Items of In- terest," New York; the "Ohio Dental Journal," of Toledo; the " Dental Office and Laboratory," of Philadelphia; and the " Dental Brief," of Phil- adelphia.

H TON. J. W. POTTER, M. D., of Clearfield, is one of the best-known citizens of Clear- field county, and has been active in various lines of enterprise-professional, business, and polit- ical-meeting with some degree of success in each. Versatile talents are not always condu- cive to happy results; but when, as in this case, their possessor has a well-balanced judgment, each added capacity becomes an advantage.

Dr. Potter is of Scotch-Irish descent on the paternal side, his grandfather, James Potter, hav- ing come from County Tyrone, Ireland, to settle in Pennsylvania, his hoine, after a few years spent in Chester and Centre counties, being es- tablished in Clarion county, where he became a large land owner and farmer, and also kept an old-fashioned inn on the old turnpike, midway between Clarion and Strattonville. He and his good wife, who was a Miss McFadden, reared eight children: Henry, John, Robert, James, Margaret, Nancy, Eve and Catherine.

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2, Part 8

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