Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2, Part 80

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 80
USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 80
USA > Pennsylvania > Clearfield County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 80
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 80

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George Bowersox, father of our subject, was born at Aaronsburg, Centre county, April 11, Squire Bowersox, whose name introduces this sketch, was born October 11, 1848, his parents being then residents of Bradford township, Clear- field county, and his elementary education was ! obtained in the schools of Bigler and Woodland, he later attending the Normal schools of Clear- field county. After the removal to Union town- ship, in 1866, he continued his studies, and in 1823, a son of Jacob and Margaret (Buell) Bow- ersox, the former of whom was born in Union county, Penn., the latter in England. The fa- ther, who was a lifelong farmer, came to Centre county when a single man, and was there mar- ried; he died on his farin in 1860, his wife in 1847. They had a family of four children: Polly (Mrs. Boyer) died in Brush Valley, Centre : 1869 began teaching in Huston (now Sandy)

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

township, Clearfield county, in the Pine Grove school house, which stood in the midst of a for- est. He taught there five terms, in the mean- time succeeding in having a clearing made around the building. Later he taught school in Sandy township, and in 1876 took charge of a school in Horton township, Elk county, Penn., and then spent some time in Union township, Clearfield county. In 1879 he engaged in mercantile busi- ness in Sabula, Penn., dealing extensively in shingles, and continuing until 1889, when he lo- cated at Du Bois, purchased a sawmill in part- nership with Mr. Pifer, and began his present business of manufacturing lumber. He has never lost his interest in educational matters, and has served four years as a member of the local board, while at one time he was superintendent of the schools of his township, performing the duties of his office with energy and fidelity. He is active in local affairs and in fraternal society work, being a leading member of Cicerone Lodge No. 897, I. O. O. F., at Brockwayville, and of Gar- field Lodge No. 559, F. & A. M., at Du Bois.

On December 9, 1890, Squire Bowersox was married in Brockwayville to Miss Esther Brock- way, a native of Brockport, Elk Co., Penn., and a member of a prominent family of that county. Her grandparents, Chauncey and Rhoda (Nich- ols) Brockway, were born, reared and married in New York State, and in 1816 settled in Elk coun- ty, where they cleared a farm. Her grandfather was a successful lumberman and farmer and a leading citizen, holding the office of justice of the peace for many years. He became the founder of Brockport, later removing to Kankakee county. Ill., where he located upon a farm, and died thereon in December, 1886, at the age of ninty- three. His wife breathed her last in February, 1885, at the same place.

Capt. N. M. Brockway, the father of Mrs. Bowersox, was born in Elk county, January 28, 1829, and is a prosperous lumberman. at present residing in Jefferson county. His title of " cap- tain " was earned by service in the State Militia froin 1863 to 1865. His wife, Catherine (Tay- lor), was also a native of Elk county, born May 29, 1826. They had five children: Wilmer, who was born in 1849, and died in Kansas in September, 1879; Esther (Mrs. Bowersox); Myra (now Mrs. John McGovern, of Elk county); and Wakefield and Winfield (twins), of whom the former resides at Falls Creek, Elk county, while the latter is a farmer in Kansas. Mrs. Bowersox is possessed of fine mental gifts, and her home life is enriched by the intellectual sympathy and companionship which is only possible where hus- band and wife can keep pace with each other in

thought. Her childhood was spent at the Elk county home of her parents, but at the age of fourteen she went to Manteno, Ill. Later she pursued a course in the normal school at Val- paraiso, Ind., and, although delayed by absence during 1886, was graduated in 1887. She taught one year near Manteno, Ill., and then returned to Pennsylvania, and continued her work success- fully at Brockwayville and Brockport until mar- riage called her to other duties. In all she has taught twenty years-five in Pennsylvania and fifteen in Illinois.

J TAMES D. WALL is a prominent representa- tive of the industrial interests of Clearfield county, being engaged in the lumber business in Penn township. The development of this en- terprise has been to the county one of its most prolific sources of income; it is a potent factor in the business life of this section of the State, and its development has largely advanced the general prosperity. Mr. Wall is one of the lead- ing lumbermen of Penn township, and is a wide- awake, reliable business man, whose success is the result of persistent effort and honorable dealing.

Our subject was born July 15, 1855, on the old family homestead, his parents being Thomas and Hannah (Davis) Wall. The father was born on the same farm, and was a son of Jonathan and Jane (Thomas) Wall. The grandfather was born in York county, Penn., was married in Chester county, and removing to Clearfield county, in the year 1820, located on the old Boone farm in Penn township, where he lived two years, then moved to another tract of land and cleared up a farm and reared his family, of whom: (1) Sarah (the eldest), married William Wall, of Penn township, and located on a farm there; they had eight children. (2) Isaiah mar- lied Miss Widemire, of Penn township, where he followed farming and reared a family of five children, all now deceased with the exception of one son, who resided on the old homestead. (3) Sidney became the wife of Reuben Wall, who resided on a farm two miles south of Grampian. and they had two children. (4) Eliza became the wife of Asaph Kirk, a pioneer settler of Penn township, where he follows farming; they had five children, three of whom are living. (5) Jonathan married Ester Davis, of Penn town- ship, and resides in Grampian; they have four children, all residents of Penn township.

Thomas Wall, father of our subject, was married in 1854 to Hannah Davis, and removed to the homestead farm in Penn township. Mrs.

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Wall died in 1860, leaving three children, and in 1862 the father married Eliza Nicholson, of Bell township, Clearfield county. In 1863 he removed to Grampian, where he engaged in the lumber business and in merchandising for six years. He then removed to Bell Run, and pur- chased the sawmill property of Irwin & Welch, known as the Dr. Hoyt tract, in Penn township. In May, 1894, when engaged in loading shingles on a wagon, the blowing of a whistle frightened his team which ran away, and the wagon passed over his body; he lived but a short time.

The children of Thomas Wall's first marriage were: James D., Elisha M. and Sarah E. The second son went to California in 1885, and after a two-years' residence there was accidentally shot and killed while out hunting; Sarah E. became the wife of Clark Morris, a farmer of Pike town- ship, Clearfield county, and they have a family of ten children. The children born to Thomas Wall by his second marriage are as follows: (1) Mary E. is the wife of E. A. Spencer, a farmer of Penn township, and they have three children. (2) Annie married William McGovern, and died in 1871; Mr. McGovern is now living in Gram- pian. (3) Leona B. is the wife of James Dona- hue, formerly of Indiana county, Penn .. but now residing on the old Wall homestead at Bell Run; they have three living children. (4) Blanche died at the age of thirteen years. (5) Charles and (6) Maud are both at home with their mother.

James D. Wall spent the first eight years of his life on the home farm, where his birth oc- curred, and then accompanied his father to Grampian and later to Bell Run. His educa- tional privileges were those afforded by the com- mon schools, and his business training was re- ceived under the direction of his father. In 1881 he took a trip through the West, and went to Colorado with the intention of engaging in mining there. He spent three years in the West, after which he returned to Pennsylvania and has since been engaged in lumbering in Clearfield county. After his father's death he assumed the management of the business, and in connection with the manufacture of lumber in Penn township is associated with Isaac Norris in the ownership of a large lumber mill in Grampian. He is a progressive business man, having the brain to devise and the will to direct extensive operations. His success has been worthily achieved, and he is now nunibered among the prominent lumbermen of this section of the State.

Mr. Wall married Miss Clara Miller, daughter of Col. and Louisa Miller, of Grampian. Her father was killed in a runaway June 30, 1896.

Mr. Wall is a Republican, is one of the active workers of his party, and has held the offices of school director and auditor. He belongs to the Friends Church, while his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and both are held in the highest esteem by their many friends.

J M. WEAVER, one of the most progressive and enterprising agriculturists of Burnside township, Clearfield county, is a native of Stephenson county, Ill., born December 18, 1857. His grandfather, John Weaver. Sr., was a native of Pennsylvania, and of German de- scent. In his family were ten children, namely: Samuel, Sarah, Esther, James, Ruth, Eliza, Peter, Amanda, Mary C. and John, who became prominent and highly respected citizens in the communities where they made their homes.

John Weaver. Jr., the father of our subject, was born in Union county, Penn., February 27. 1825, and died on the old homestead, in Burn- side township, Clearfield county, April 26, 1895. He was a man of more than ordinary ability, was shrewd and far-sighted, and did an extensive lum- bering business in connection with farming. Charitable and benevolent, he was widely and favorably known, and was ever ready to do an act of kindness. Although an invalid for many years, he died suddenly, and his death was deeply mourned by many warm friends and ac- quaintances.

The mother of our subject, who bore the maiden name of Miss Margaret G. McGee, was born in Clearfield county, in 1827, a daughter of James and Mary (Burnhart) McGee, and is a lady of more than ordinary intelligence. Her pater- nal grandfather, John McGee, was an Irish patriot, who aided the Colonies in their struggle for inde- pendence, serving for seven years in the Conti- nental army. When the war ended he located in Pennsylvania, where he married, and reared a large family, from whom sprang the McGees now so numerous throughout the country. He was a local preacher in the Methodist Protestant Church, of which his wife was also a faithful member. In their family were six children: John, who located in Virginia; Thomas, a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church; James, the father of Mrs. Weaver; Mrs. Mary Burnhart; Mrs. Elizabeth Goodfellow, and Mrs. Margaret Gapin.

James McGee wedded Miss Mary Burnhart, a daughter of Philip Burnhart, who was also a resident of Pennsylvania, and for seven years a soldier of the Revolutionary war. He reared a

large and highly-respected family. Eight chil-

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

dren blessed the union of James McGee and wife, as follows: John, Thomas, Philip, Elizabeth, Mary, Margaret G., James and Henry, all of whom grew to manhood and womanhood, and held responsible positions in life. To the parents of our subject were born five children: Ruth, who died in childhood; James M., of this sketch; Dow, who died at the age of five years; Sadie, wife of William Stephenson, a prominent farmer of Burnside township; and John H., who is still on the old homestead with his widowed mother.

Mr. Weaver, whose name introduces this sketch, received a good practical education in the schools of New Washington, and was reared to habits of industry upon the farm. As his father was in poor health, and traveled much of the time, our subject assumed the management of the farm when only about twelve years of age. He remained at home until his marriage, in 1881, to Miss Anna E. Ross, a refined and well-edu- cated young lady. Seven children grace their union, all living at home: Margaret M., Nanny M., John R., Mary J., Sarah R., and James H. (born April 4, 1895), and Elizabeth (born Feb- ruary 6, 1897).

Mrs. Weaver was born in Bell township, Clearfield county, October 13, 1861, a daughter of John M. and Nancy J. (Mahaffey) Ross. Her grandfather, John Ross, was a pioneer of Centre county, coming to Clearfield county at an early day, and here, spending the remainder of his life. He owned a farm which he conducted, but gave most of his attention to the shoemaker's trade. In his family were the following children: Philip, who is now living at the Soldiers' Home; Mrs. Susanna Garrison; Sarah, wife of D. W. Wise; Elizabeth, who is unmarried; John M., the father of Mrs. Weaver; William, who resides in the West; Jacob, deceased; and Delilah, now Mrs. Savage. The mother of Mrs. Weaver, who was a faithful member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church, died in 1874, but the father is still living, at the age of sixty years. They were the parents of the following children: Elizabeth, James, William, Howard, Frank, Edwin, Orrin, Sadie and Nancy.

For three years after his marriage, Mr. Weaver operated rented land, and then purchased a 100- acre tract in Burnside township, upon which he is still living. About ninety-four acres have been cleared and placed under a high state of cultiva- tion, a commodious residence and substantial ontbuildings have been erected, and the neat and thrifty appearance of the place denotes the super- vision of a careful and painstaking owner. It is pleasantly located one mile and a half southwest of New Washington. During his younger years

Mr. Weaver devoted considerable attention to lumbering in the winter season, but now gives his time exclusively to farming and stock raising, keeping upon his place only the best and most profitable grades of stock, including a nice herd of Jersey cattle. He is interested in the manu- facture of butter, for which he always receives the highest market price. In carrying on his work he uses the latest and most improved machinery, and in fact his progressive spirit, energy and perseverance have made him the model farmer of Burnside township. With the Pentecostal Church he and his wife hold mem- bership, and in social circles they occupy a most enviable position, having the respect and esteem of all who know them.

J AMES B. WOODS, who resides in Brady township, Clearfield county, is a successful agriculturist and lumberman, who, in the prosecution of the enterprises that have claimed his attention, has ever manifested a strong desire to carry forward to the highest perfection attain- able anything that he undertakes. This has formed one of the important elements in the suc- cess that has crowned his efforts.

Mr. Woods was born February 22, 1858, on the old homestead in Brady township, a son of James A. and Hannah (Horn) Woods. At an early day the father came to Luthersburg and purchased a tract of land one mile east of that place, near where the pottery now stands. Clear- ing the tract, he made many improvements upon the place, and there continued to make his home until his death, about thirty years ago. There his widow and six children continued to reside for two years, when the place was sold, as most of the children had married and gone to homes of their own. Some years later the mother be- came the wife of Philip Swope, of Brady town- ship, where she is still living.

Besides our subject, the other members of the family were as follows: (1) Candes A. died in early womanhood. (2) William P., who now resides on our subject's farm in Brady township, married Flora Whipple, of Lock Haven, Penn .. and has three children-Lewis, Erna and Will- iam. (3) Mary wedded John Neely, of Luthers- burg, and they now live on a farm in Union town- ship, Clearfield county; their children are: Will- iam, Norman, Olive, Jessie and Ida, all at home with their parents. (4) George died in Brady township at the age of twenty-two. (5) Sarah is the wife of John Eckelbarger, formerly of Clarion county, Penn., who now operates a farin adjoining our subject's place; they have six chil-

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

dren -- Philip, Nellie, Mary, Dorcas, Lonie, and one whose name is not given.

Mr. Woods, whose name introduces this sketch, was but seven years of age at the time of his father's death, and he remained with his mother until reaching manhood. He began his business career by working in a sawmill and in the lumber woods, continuing those occupations until his marriage, in 1882, to Miss Rue Cald- well, of Brady township. She is a daughter of Jefferson and Sarah Caldwell, of Salem, Brady township. For two years after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Woods resided in Salem, where he purchased a house and lot, but in 1885 he re- moved to the Jesse Lyons farm in Brady town- ship, where he still resides. Four years later he purchased an adjoining tract of 166 acres, known as the George Horn farm, and, in connection with the cultivation and development of both `places, he also operated the Swope farm for three years. On his own place he has removed the stumps and placed the land under a high · state of cultivation, and also cleared fifty acres for Mr. Lines. In business affairs he is ener- getic, prompt and notably reliable, and tireless energy and honesty of purpose have brought to him a well-merited success.

Mr. and Mrs. Woods are the parents of seven children, all at home, namely: Zella Rue, born at Salem February 28, 1883; Chester Caldwell, born August 25, 1885; Jesse Blake, September 6, 1887; Phyllis Fern, September 13, 1889; Hazel Leona, August 9, 1892; Garnet Marie, August 27, 1894; . and Ruth. The mother is a faithful member of the Presbyterian Church, and both she and Mr. Woods occupy an enviable po- sition in social circles. In his political affilia- tions he is a Democrat, and he takes quite an active and prominent part in the work of his party. Asone of the leading and influential men of his community, his advice is often sought even by those much older than himself, and his up- right, straightforward course has won for him the respect and confidence of all who know him.

S: AMUEL C. STEWART, M. D. Among the native-born physicians of Clearfield county stands prominent this gentleman, who, though yet in the prime of life, has won for himself a reputation second to none in the county as a skillful physician and surgeon.

The Doctor belongs to one of the early fam- ilies of the county, and is of Irish descent, his grandfather, John Stewart, having been born in Ireland, where he grew to manhood and married. In 1819 he came to America, and, purchasing

land in the woods in Bradford township. Clear- field county, he made a permanent settlement, following agriculture and lunibering pursuits the remainder of his life, and dying there in 1879 at the good old age of eighty-eight years. His wife passed away several years previously at the age of seventy-seven years. This pioneer couple reared a family of five sons and two daughters, of whom we have mention of four, viz. : Robert, residing in Clearfield county; John H., living on the old farm in Bradford township; Mrs. Wesley Shiny, of Bradford township; and Daniel, the father of our subject.

Daniel Stewart was born in 1822, in Bradford township, Clearfield county, where he passed his early life. He married Jane Lyons, and they became the parents of five children-four sons and one daughter: J. A., a farmer, resides in Bradford; J. C. resides in West Clearfield borough; B. M. lives in Clearfield; May E., who married Martin Wilson, died in Bradford town- ship in 1883; and Samuel C. is the subject proper of these lines. Daniel Stewart was a farmer and lumberman in Bradford for many years. In later life he took up his residence in Clearfield, where his death occurred in 1890, and where his widow is now living. Politically he was an ardent Democrat.

Samuel C. Stewart, whose name introduces these lines, was born in 1856, in Bradford town- ship, Clearfield county. He received his pri- mary education at Curwensville, later attending school at Millersville, Penn., and taught in Clear- field and Lancaster counties for four years. In 1878 he entered Jefferson Medical College, Phil- adelphia, from which institution he was gradu- ated with the class of '81. In the year of his graduation he located at Clearfield, where he has since been engaged in the active duties of his pro- fession, and he has gained an enviable reputa- tion throughout the county. His practice is a general one, but he has made a specialty of dis- eases of the eye, ear, nose and throat, and of surgery. He is prominent and popular among his brother physicians, and is ex-vice-president of the State Medical Society, and secretary and treasurer of the Clearfield County Medical Soci- ety. Socially he is connected with Clearfield Lodge No. 314, F. & A. M., and is a Knight Templar.

In 1884 Dr. Stewart was married, in Clear- field, to Miss Blanche Flegal, a native of that place, whose father, Lever Flegal, resides in Lawrence township. Two children have blessed this union: Samuel C. and Lever F. In political sentiment the Doctor is a Democrat, and he takes quite an interest in the affairs of his neighbor-

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

hood. For three successive terms-1891-92-93, he served as burgess of Clearfield borough, and all the street paving was done during his admin- istration. He is physician for the Pennsylvania R. R., having been appointed to fill the place of Dr. Hartwick, deceased; for the last seven years he has served as physician for the Burch Creek R. R .; and also for the County Home.

J ESSE LINES, one of the leading and repre- sentative business men of Brady township, Clearfield county, has since reaching manhood been actively identified with the industrial inter- ests of this locality, devoting his time and atten- tion principally to the occupations of farming and lumbering. He belongs to one of the old and honored families of this section of the State.

Joseph Lines, father of our subject, and a na- tive of Centre county, Penn., came to Brady township, Clearfield county, in an early day, and was here married to Matilda Kirk. He then lo- cated upon his father's old homestead near the Brady pottery, but subsequently bought what was known as the Read farm, in Taylortown, on the Erie & Sunbury pike, where he made his home until his death in 1896. He was one of the largest lumber jobbers in his section of the county, and for a number of years carried on operations along Anderson creek. Later at dif- ferent times he was connected with John, Abel and John E. Du Bois, doing business with the last named for about ten years previous to his death. He was a fair type of the hardy pioneer who has done so much for the development and prosperity of this region, and he ever gave his support to all measures calculated to advance the general welfare. 'Active, energetic and enter- prising, he accumulated considerable property, and was numbered among the influential and prominent citizens of his community. In 1861 he enlisted in the Fifth P. V. I., belonging to Company E, commanded by Capt. Loraine, of Clearfield, and took part in all the battles in which his regiment was engaged, including Bull Run, Antietain. Lookout Mountain, and the seven-days' fight in the Wilderness. He was a Lutheran in belief, but a member of no Church, and always affiliated with the Democratic party, on whose ticket he was elected to a number of local offices.

The mother of our subject died when he was only about a year old, leaving two children. the other being Lucella, who was born on the old homestead near Luthersburg in 1866, and after attending the local schools for some time com- pleted her education in the Young Ladies Semi-

nary, of Hagerstown, Md. In 1894 she became the wife of Harry Nolder, of Brady township, who now resides in Luthersburg, and they have one child, Elizabeth. After the death of his first wife, Joseph Lines married her sister, Miss Ellen Eliza Kirk, and of the six children born to this union four are still living: Joseph A., the eldest, grew to manhood on the home farm, at- tending the common schools of the neighborhood during the winter months until IS94, when he entered the Lock Haven Normal, where he pur- sued his studies for a number of terms. He is a bright young man, and intends fitting himself for the ministry; but he is at present engaged in teaching at Coal Hill, Brady township. Pearl. Fern and Ruth are still with their mother, and are attending school.

Until his marriage Jesse Lines remained under the parental roof, acquiring a good, practical education in the common schools. At an early age he began assisting his father in business, keeping his books and acting as general foreman until the latter's death, when he assumed charge of affairs. He has displayed remarkable busi- ness ability, is energetic and industrious, and in the winter of 1896-97 put in nearly five million feet of lumber at the King dam, on the Luthers- burg branch of Sandy creek. He also looks after the farming interests of his father, but gives the greater part of his attention to logging on Sandy creek for John E. Du Bois.

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2, Part 80

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