USA > Pennsylvania > Clarion County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 86
USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 86
USA > Pennsylvania > Clearfield County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 86
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 86
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In 1866, in Philipsburg, Centre county, Mr. Reams was united in marriage with Miss Rachel Dale, who was born in Morris township, Clear- field county, a daughter of David and Mary A. (Hunter) Dale, natives of England and Clearfield county, respectively. They were early pioneers of Morris township, where they spent the last years of their lives. Seven children bless the union of our subject and his wife, namely: Mary, now the wife of James Motherbough, of Brisbin, Clearfield county; Cordelia, wife of Henry Custard, of Smoke Run, in the same county; Vinnie; Samuel; Allen; Luther; and William E., who was killed in the mines when twenty-four years of age.
Mr. Reams is unswerving in his support of the Republican party, and has been elected to the office of overseer of the poor. Socially he holds membership in Joseph McLaren Post, No. 553, G. A. R., of Osceola Mills. He is a worthy representative of one of the most prominent pio- neer families of this section of the State, and has watched with interest its growth and develop- ment, in which he has borne an important part. Within his remembrance the towns of Osceola Mills and Philipsburg have been established and become flourishing places. He is one of the leading and influential men of his community. one who keeps fully abreast with the times in every particular, and by the faithful performance of life's duties has well earned the respect that is accorded him.
A J. GOSS, who follows farming and lum- bering in Woodward township, Clearfield county, is a representative of one of the old families of this section of the State.
Abraham Goss, grandfather of our subject, was born in Philadelphia, and, with his father and six brothers, entered the Colonial army in the war of the Revolution. As he was the youngest, he enlisted as a fifer, and so served until independ-
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ence was attained. After the war no trace of his father and brother could be found, they prob- ably having been killed in battle, and Abram Goss removed with his mother to Bellefonte, Penn., where he made a claim, but sold that property after two years. About that time he met and married Emma Hiser, and came to Clearfield county, purchasing what is now known as the old Goss farm, comprising 200 acres of timber land near Osceola. Clearing away the trees he developed the land into richly-cultivated fields, and there reared his family of seven sons and five daughters, namely: George, Jacob, John, Abram, Issac, David, Joseph, Polly, Eliz- abeth, Sallie, Margaret and Susanna .. The grandfather having purchased an additional 400 acres of land, developed two farms, which he gave to his sons, Joseph and David. His wife died on the old homestead, and he was a second time married, surviving his second wife four years. His death occurred at the home of his son Joseph.
John Goss, father of our subject. was born near Osceola, and reared to manhood on the homestead farm. He married Rachel Smith, and afterward purchased one hundred acres of timber land about two miles from his father's home. There he built a log house, but after three months returned to the homestead, which he operated some six years. His father aided him to clear and pay for the farm, and then he returned to his own place, purchasing an addition of fifty acres of land of Hardman Phillips, and also bought another tract of fifty acres. Still later he purchared 120 acres of his brother George, and held eighty acres of unclaimed land adjoining, making in all a farm of 400 acres. In 1852, in connection with our subject, he bought 200 acres of timber land of Hardman Phillips, and erected a sawmill on Beaver run, to the oper- ation of which he gave his attention. In 1854 the sawmill was sold to John L. Cutter, and John Goss erected a new residence on his farm, where he lived with his son-in-law, Daniel Kline, until he sold that property to William Kraus, of Philadelphia. He then removed to Woodward township, and bought 200 acres of partially-im- proved land where he made his home until his death; his wife also died there. They had three children: (1) William married Caroline Westbrook. of Huntingdon county, Penn., and resided on his farin in Woodward township until about 1890, when he removed to Hastings, Penn. Since 1896 he has engaged in lumbering in Somerset county, Penn. He has nine children-Mrs. Sophia McHenry, Frank, Elmer, Mrs. Louisa Stott, Harry, Mrs. Martha
Chase, Isabel, Jackson and Elizabeth Alice. (2) Sophia A. Goss married Daniel Kline, son of Dr. Kline, of Osceola. They reside on his farm in Woodward township, and have children- John, who married Miss Hollaman; Catharine, wife of George Newson, of Morris township, Clearfield county; Mary, now Mrs. Bush, of Boggs township; Daniel, who married a Miss Kline, and lives in Glen Richey; Benjamin and Annie, at home.
A. J. Goss was reared on the old family homestead, and for some years was associated with his father in business. When the latter began the operation of a sawmill he assumed the management of the farm, where he remained un- til purchasing 125 acres of land in Woodward township. He has since cleared about fifty acres, and has made excellent improvements upon the place, transforming it into one of the desirable farms of the county. The fields are well tilled, and everything is neat and thrifty in appearance, indicating his careful supervision. In 1848 he married Miss Sarah Mays, of Hunt- ingdon county, Penn., born in 1828, a daughter of Thomas and Jane (Gardner) Mays. Her pa- ternal ancestry came from England and Ger- many. Her father died in Tyrone, Penn., in 1867, and her mother passed away there in No- vember, 1890, in her ninety-eighth year. They had eight children, of whom four are living: William, in Osceola; Mrs. Mary Henderson, in Tyrone, who has two sons, one a railroad en- gineer in Colorado, and the other of Tyrone; and Mrs. Eliza Dugan, who is now a widow living in Blair county, Penn. She has a family of eight children.
Mr. and Mrs. Goss became the parents of three sons and two daughters: (1) John Wesley, born January 24, 1856, was educated in the common schools, and has always made his home on his father's farm. He married Nancy Herd- man, of Centre county, who died in February, 1895. He has an adopted son, Allen. (2)
Thomas, born October 30, 1858, married Annie Mains, of Bradford, and resides on a portion of the old homestead. They have three children- Howard, Bertha May and Raymond. (3) Will- iam, born June 18, 1863, married Clara Hamp- ton, of Woodward township, and is living on the homestead with his wife and four children- Charles W .. Milton, Sarah and Leonard. (4) Roby, born May 1. 1866, is at home. (5) Eliza- beth A., born June 14, 1869, is the wife of Joseph Bailey, of Philadelphia. He is a gradu- ate of the Normal High School, followed teach- ing for about nine years before his marriage. and is now a teacher in the Brisbin High School.
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Mr. and Mrs. Bailey have three children-Ida May, Laura Bertha and Sarah E
Mr. Goss is a member of the Church of God, and has reared his family in that faith. He ex- ercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Republican party, and is a citizen of worth, giving a hearty support to all measures calculated to prove of public benefit, while at the same time he successfully carries on his business interests.
J OSEPH. UREN, the owner of a fine farm near Sabula, Clearfield county, is one of our representative self-made men. Coming to Anierica from England in 1867 as a lad of seven- teen, with no capital and but limited education, he worked in different localities in Canada and the United States, as opportunity offered, until he secured a foothold in business life, and is now numbered among the substantial citizens of his locality.
James and Elizabeth (Oats) Uren, parents of our subject, were born, reared and married in Cornwall, England, where the father died when our subject was but a small boy. The mother passed from earth in 1892, in Durham, England. They had eight children, all of whom were born in Cornwall: (1) James was married in England to Miss Jemima Jennings, and continued to re- side there for some time; about ten years ago he came to Sabula, and, finding business prospects favorable, sent for his wife and family; they now live in Schuylkill county, Penn. (2) Thomas was married in England, and later came to America, but returned after a few years, and was killed at Durham by a fall of coal in a coal mine. His widow and family reside in England. (3) John came to this country about fourteen years ago, accompanied by his wife, formerly a Miss Milburn; they have eight children, and now re- side upon a farm adjoining that of our subject. (4) Joseph is mentioned more fully below. (5) Elizabeth married James Botton, then of Corn- wall, and now a miner in Durham, England; they have six children. 16) Susan Jane was married in England to William Moyle, and they afterward came to America; one year they spent in Schuylkill county. Penn., and then located at Silverton, Colo., where Mr. Moyle operates a silver mine; they have one child-Minnie. (7) Mary married John Wilson, a miner in Durham, England, and they have four living children. (8) Martha married William Baker, of Durham, and has three children.
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ise which life in Cornwall held out to him. At seventeen, as has been said, he left his native land, sailing for Halifax, Nova Scotia. For six months he worked at the "Oldham gold dig- gings " in that province, and then went to Lun- enburg to open up a gold field for an English company. After a short time he sailed for Portland, Maine, and from there went to the copper regions of Lake Superior, and worked in the Calumet mines for a year. A voyage to Canada was then taken, four months be- ing spent in the silver mines near Thunder Bay, and on leaving that locality he sailed for Detroit, and thence proceeded by rail to New York .. Later he went up the Hudson to Pough- keepsie, and for two months was in the employ of the city, afterward working for a short time in a stone quarry at Troy, going from that place to Massachusetts, where he did not remain long, however. His next employment was as a miner in the railroad tunnel at Cazenovia, N. Y., where he spent ten months, and then, after a brief stay in New York City, he came to Clearfield county, "Hickory Kingdom " (New Sabula), to work on the Allegheny railroad. This occupied him from 1873 to 1876, and in the meantime he entered upon a partnership which had the happy effect of ending his wanderings and establishing him in a fixed home. On January 6, 1874, he married Miss Lucinda Burns, a daughter of Elijah and Lavinia Burns, respected pioneers of Sandy township, Clearfield county, and during the first year of his wedded life he resided at the Burns homestead. He then purchased one hundred acres of land near Sabula, from John Du Bois, and to this he has since added twenty-three acres, making an excellent farm, all the land be- ing kept in a high state of cultivation. His first residence being burned in 1877, he replaced it
by a fine modern house with the latest improve- ments. His barn, a model structure, 60 x 42 feet, also burned. He has now a new structure 50 x 60, and altogether the estate compares well with any in the vicinity. Since 1876 Mr. Uren has been engaged in lumbering on Sandy and Narrow creeks, taking logging contracts from John Du Bois until the latter's death, and then from his nephew, John E. Du Bois, his connec- tion with these shrewd business men through so long a period showing his trustworthiness.
Mr. and Mrs. Uren have one daughter, Mar- tha, who received a common-school education, and in IS91 was married to F. M. Shrauger, of Meadville, l'enn. They reside with Mr. Uren, and Mr. Shrauger is engaged in business as a .
Joseph Uren was born February 3, 1850, and carpenter. Their three children-Carrie, born even in boyhood was dissatisfied with the prom- . June 4, 1892; Norman H., born February 16,
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Joseph Uren
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1894, and Joseph F., born July 17, 1896-make the home merry. The family is prominently identified with the M. E. Church of Sabula, Mr. Uren, his wife, daughter and son-in-law be- ing active members of same; in fact Mr. Uren was one of the leaders in securing a new church edifice, and took the contract for its erection. Later, as one of the trustees, he was instrument- al in the building of the fine parsonage, and he has always given freely of his time and ineans to advance the interests of the society. He is no less'active as a worker in the Democratic organ- ization in his township, and he has been super- visor two terms, overseer of the poor one term, and is now serving his third term as school director.
N H. MAINES, a leading and influential farmer of Bradford township, Clearfield county, was born in that township in 1830, a son of Seth and Nancy (Forcey) Maines. The birth of the father occurred in Centre county, Penn., in 1812. His parents, Nehemiah and Phebe (Bunnell) Maines, were natives of Maine, whence at an early day they migrated to Centre county, later taking up their residence in Bradford town- ship, Clearfield county, where they died. In their family were the following children: Melinda, who became the wife of William Murray. and died in Graham township, Clearfield county; Mrs. Esther Williams, who died in Venango county, Penn .; Seth, the father of our subject; Daniel, a great hunter, who lived and died in Bradford township; and John and Henry, who also died in Bradford township.
Seth Maines was a child when brought by his parents to Clearfield county, and in Bradford township he was reared, educated and married. In the midst of the forest there he developed a good farm, upon which he made his home until his death in 1859. His wife died in Karthaus township, Clearfield county, in 1881. Five children blessed their union: Arnold, who died in Bradford township in 1848; N. H., the subject of this sketch; Seth, who also died in Bradford township in 1848; Jane, wife of D. DeHaas, of Elk county, Penn .; and 1). B., who removed to Virginia, and there died in 1892.
In the usual manner of fariner lads, N. H. Maines spent the days of his boyhood and youth, attending the common schools of Bradford town- ship, and assisting his father in the arduous task of clearing and developing a farm. In 1851 he purchased his present place, which was then a heavily-wooded tract of 160 acres; but his un- tiring labors have transformed it into one of the veyer.
highly-cultivated tracts of the township. In connection with agricultural pursuits he success- fully engaged in lumbering and jobbing for twenty years.
In Bradford township, in 1853, Mr. Maines was married to Miss Mary A. Hitchings, a native of that township, of which her parents, William and Betsy (Jones) Hitchings, were early pioneers, and there died. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Maines, as follows: Gilbert L., a resi- dent of Graham township, Clearfield county; D. M., of Morrisdale Mines, same county; B. F., of Bradford township; Martha, wife of Clark Hoobler, of Graham township; and J. W., of Bradford township.
Politically, Mr. Maines affiliates with the Democratic party, and is the supporter of all movements which have for their object the up- building and advancement of the community. He is a worthy representative of one of the honored pioneer families of Bradford township, and has borne an important part in its progress and development.
A LEXANDER FERGUSON, a well-known agriculturist of Ferguson township, Clear- field county, is a worthy representative of one of the distinguished and prominent pioneer families of the county, being one of the first five families to make a permanent settlement. The township of Ferguson was named in their honor, and in the progress and development of this region they have borne an important part, aiding all worthy enterprises which would advance the interests of the community.
Here our subject was born March 30, 1831, a son of David and Rachel (McKee) Ferguson. The paternal grandfather, john Ferguson, was reared near Lock Haven, Penn., where he mar- ried Sarah Hanna, and at a very early day he left Clinton county for Clearfield county, being the fifth family to locate there. He settled a little below the present site of Lumber City, took up land and improved a farm in tha midst of the wilderness, making it his home during the re- mainder of his life. It was then occupied by his son James, who died there at the age of sixty- eight, and was then sold to another son who is now deceased. At the present time it is owned and operated by a third son-J. B. Ferguson.
Upon the old homestead, David Ferguson, the father of our subject, grew to manhood. Studying civil engineering, he became a proficient surveyor, which occupation he followed through- out life, and for some time served as county sur- After his marriage, in 1826, he located
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on a farm, which he improved, and which is now known as the Hile farm. A prominent and in- fluential citizen, he ably represented his district in the Legislature in 1836 and 1837, also served as justice of the peace twenty years, and filled many other important offices in his township to the satisfaction of all concerned. He was well and favorably known, and did much for the moral and physical development of the community. He was a recognized leader in the Democratic party in his locality, and took an active interest in all public affairs. In 1839 he sold his first farm, and purchased a tract of 187 acres of raw land, which he improved, and upon which our subject still resides. In 1863 he departed this life at the age of seventy-seven years; his wife died in 1852. She belonged to a prominent family of Cumberland county, Penn., whose members were principally farmers by occupation. The parents of our subject were faithful members of the United Presbyterian Church.
To this worthy couple were born seven chil- dren, as follows: Sarah, who died in childhood; Alexander, the subject of this sketch; John, a prominent resident of Clearfield county; Jane, now Mrs. McCracken; David L .; James H. ; and Sarah E., wife of Dr. Guernsey. The three brothers of our subject were faithful soldiers in the Union army, and James H. received a slight wound, was taken prisoner, and for six months was incarcerated in the loathsome Rebel prisons. All are now leading citizens of Clearfield county.
Being the eldest child. Alexander Ferguson remained at home, assisting in clearing, improv- ing and cultivating the home farm, and his edu- cation was acquired in the country schools of the neighborhood. While his brothers were in the service of their country he remained at home to care for his father and the farm, but a short time before the close of the war he was drafted; hos- tilities ceased, however, before he was mustered in. With one of his brothers he purchased the old homestead, and later bought his brother's in- terest. As soon as he was large enough he be- gan lumbering, which occupation he followed for many years, and also piloted on the river, but in later years he has given his attention principally to his farmning operations. Coal mines have been opened upon his farm, and he is also interested in that business. He is a wide-awake, progress- ive man, whose success has come as the legiti- mate reward of well-directed labor and perse- verance.
On June 28, 1860, Mr. Ferguson was united in marriage with Miss Martha A. Straw, who was reared in Ferguson township. Her parents, Joseph and Nancy (Thompson) Straw, were hon-
ored pioneers of Clearfield county, and had their first home there under a tree until their primitive cabin could be erected, enduring all the hard- ships and privations of frontier life. Six chil- dren grace the union of our subject and his wife: Murray E., a farmer by occupation; David O .. a lumberman of Humboldt county, Cal. : Mary A., a resident of Modoc county, Cal., first wed- ded Edward I. Cathcart, who died leaving three children, and she is now the wife of a Mr. Wendt: James N., a resident of Denver, Colo .; Jennie B., a teacher; and Elva L., who died at the age of two years. They also have a grandson resid- ing with them-Alexander C. Ferguson.
In his political affiliations Mr. Ferguson is a Republican, and he has acceptably filled all the township offices, but has never aspired to higher positions. With the Presbyterian Church he and his wife hold membership, and they occupy an enviable position in the esteem and confidence of their fellow-citizens.
E ALIJAH McDOWELL is numbered among the representative agriculturists of Bradford township, Clearfield county, where he has for some years successfully engaged in general farm- ing. He is now the owner of 310 acres of val- uable land, which he has placed under a high state of cultivation, the well-tilled fields yielding to him a golden tribute, while the many improve- inents upon the place indicate his progressiveness. He has erected a comfortable residence and sub- stantial barns and outbuildings, and gives to every department of the farm work his careful super- vision.
Mr. McDowell is a native of Centre county. Penn., born in 1831. in Half Moon Valley town- ship, where lived his parents, Jonathan W. and Keziah (Merryman) McDowell. His father was born in Centre county in 1796, and was a son of John McDowell, a native of the North of Ire- land, and of Scotch ancestry. The latter came with his father to Centre county, Penn., and cast in his lot with the pioneer settlers of Stone Val- ley, where he spent his remaining days. Jona- than McDowell was married in Centre county. of which locality his wife was a native, and in 1833 removed to Pike township, Clearfield county, where he opened up a farm. He purchased of Porter Bailey a partially-improved tract of land. and inade it his home for some years, but his last days were spent on the farm of his son Elijah, where he died in 1878; his wife died in Pike township. in 1880.
Mr. and Mrs. McDowell reared a family of eight children, namely: Elizabeth, wife of M.
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L. C. Evans, died in Pike township; Samuel re- sides in Curwensville; Elijah is the third in the- family; Jane, who resides in Bell township, Clearfield county, married A. B. Tate, an early settler of the community; James and George are both residents of Clarion county, Penn. ; Charles makes his home in Pike township; and Martha is the wife of Milton Shiny, of Bradford township.
Elijah McDowell was reared in Pike town- ship from the age of two years, and is indebted to its public-school system for the educational privileges he enjoyed. Farming has been his life work. He was trained in that industry during his boyhood, and since attaining years of maturity he has followed the same pursuit. He came to Bradford township in 1859, purchasing his pres- ent farm, to which he removed his family. In 1854 he was married, in Centre county, to Miss Nancy Jane Marks, a native of that county, and a daughter of Jacob Marks, a pioneer settler, who died some years ago. Twelve children were born of this union, eleven of whom reached ma- ture years, as follows: Justus M., who resides in Bradford township; William M., who is mar- ried and lives in the same township; Westanna, wife of J. W. Gearhart, of Decatur township, Clearfield county; R. W., who is married and lives in Lajose, Clearfield county; James, who is married and makes his home in Ansonville, Penn. ; W. S., a resident of Newport, Penn. ; Ashley P., who is married and resides in Pike township; B. B., who died December 18, 1895; R. L., at home; Lloyd D., twin brother of R. L. ; and Blanche D.
Mr. McDowell exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Dem- ocratic party, and during his official connection with the school board has done effective service in the cause of education. He has long been a witness of the growth and development of this section of the State, and has ever borne his part in the work of progress. He did not have wealth to aid him in the beginning of his business ca- reer. His reliance has been placed in the more substantial qualities of untiring enterprise and commendable zeal, and, withal, his actions have been guided by an honesty of purpose that none have questioned.
TSAAC WILSON occupies a prominent position among the properous and representative agri- culturists of Bradford township, Clearfield coun- ty, where his entire life has been passed. Since 1813 the Wilson family has found a home within its borders, and has taken an active and leading part in promoting its interests. They shared with the other brave pioneers the hardships and
trials incident to frontier life in order to make homes for themselves and posterity, and in pro- moting their own welfare advanced the interests of the community.
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