Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2, Part 88

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 88
USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 88
USA > Pennsylvania > Clearfield County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 88
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 88

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph G. Russell had a family of seven children: (1 ) Jesse U., born June 11, IS51, was married to Jennic M. Joseph, of Ohio. December 25, 1884. and removed to Newcastle, Penn .. where he has since followed the trade of a machinist. (2, William C. is our subject. 3) Hiram C., born March 3. 1856, married Flora E. Joseph, of Ohio. September 24. 1882, and resides in Alliance. Ohio, where he follows the tombstone business: he has two children-Fannie M .. born July 26. 1834; and John Joseph. (4,

Joseph L., born October 29, 1857, was married January 13. 1881, to Mary A. Welty, of Ohio, by whom he has one child living-Ethel H., born July 3. 1886; he is extensively engaged in the grocery business in Alliance, Ohio. (5, Mary E., born July 23. 1859, was married June 9, 1879, to George N. Abbott, of Randolph, N. Y., who is now a grocer in Alliance, Ohio; they have two children-John R., born in Jamestown, N. Y., April 28, 1880; and Samuel G., born in Alliance. Ohio, May 30, 1885. (6) Myrtle A .. born Sep- tember 24, 1861, was married February 17. 1883, to James B. Keckley, of Ohio, who was a molder by trade; they had one son, Clyde U. Keckley, born July 1, 1886; Mr. Keckley died, and his widow afterward married J. M. Shaffer. of Alliance, Ohio, a conductor on the Lehigh Valley railroad. (7) John E .. born February 12, 1864, married Miss Cora Leo, of Alliance, Ohio, where he engaged in general merchandis- ing; they have two children.

William C. Russell was born in Brady town- ship, Clearfield county, May 24, 1853, and ob- tained his education in the common schools there. At the age of sixteen he started with a team and wagon for Elizabeth City. N. C., leaving Gram- pian on the 12th of April. and drove to Balti- more, Md., where he loaded his horses and wagon on a steamboat, and thus journeyed to Norfolk, Va., whence he drove across the Dis- mal Swamp to his destination. For eighteen months he remained in Elizabeth City, employed in a sawmill, and then returned to Cameron county. Penn., where he spent a year, working in the lumber woods for Samuel Kick. He then returned to Clearfield county, and has since been prominently identified with its lumber interests. On February 1, 1897. he commenced in the hotel business at Grampian as proprietor of " Hotel Aberdeen ," in which he continued unti. July 1, 1896, when he purchased the grocery business of Dr. Currier. of Grampian, and is now also engaged in mercantile business.

On October 29, 1874. Squire William C. Russell inarried Miss Eliza M. Wall. of Penn township. Clearfield county. daughter of William and Sarah Wall. of Grampian Hills. and they have three children: Thomas W .. born Novem- ber 9. 1878; Charles G., born january 25. 1880: and Harry J .. born February 26. 1831.

Our subject is one of the stanch advocates of Republican principles in Grampian, and has served as constable of Penn township for two terms. He has also held the offices of town councilman. burgess and school director. and is now serving his second terin as justice of the peace of Granipian. His wife is a member of

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the Friends Church, and both are highly es- teemed people, having many warm friends in the community.

G EORGE W. LINGLE. Many of the worthy citizens of Clearfield county served their country during the dark days of the Rebellion, making a record honorable and glorious. One of these " brave boys in blue " is now a leading farmer of Goshen township. He was born in Centre county, Penn., October 1, 1840, a son of Thomas and Eliza (Morrison) Lingle, also na- tives of this State and of German lineage.

When a young man Thomas Lingle was em- ployed as a farm hand, but after his marriage, which was celebrated in Centre county, he en- gaged in ore mining, following that occupation for many years. Later in life he took up farm- ing, operating land in Centre and Clearfield counties. His death occurred in the former about 1857; his wife died in Clearfield county, in 1881. In religious belief he was a Methodist, while she was a Presbyterian, while his political support was given the Whig party, and he took an active interest in public affairs. Six children constituted their family, namely: Thomas, also a veteran of the Civil war, and a prominent farmer of this county; James, who served in the same struggle, and died at the age of twenty- eight years, several years after returning horne; Sampson B., who lost his right arni in the serv- ice in 1862; George W., of this review; Pris- cilla, who died unmarried at the age of thirty years; and Elijah, a resident of Clearfield county.

The education of our subject was such as the common schools afforded, and much of his early life was devoted to ore mining. After the death of his father he took charge of the affairs, pro- viding for his widowed mother until his enlist- mient in May, 1861, for a term of three years. He enlisted in Clearfield county, in Company C, Fifth Pennsylvania Reserves, and was assigned to the Army of the Potomac, being with that com- inand in all its important battles, of which he considers the battle of Gettysburg the most se- vere. On May 8, 1864. during the battle of the Wilderness, he received a gunshot wound through the right arm, which shattered the bone. He was first sent to the field hospital, and then transferred to several different hospitals. While thus disabled his time expired, and he returned to Harrisburg, Penn, where he was honorably dis- charged. On his return home he worked as a common laborer for a time, helping to build a raft on the river, and working at anything he could find. He was mostly employed, however, in the

lumber woods until about 1871. when he purchased his present farm of ninety acres, then in Girard township, but now in Goshen township. At that time it was only slightly improved, but he now has forty acres under a good state of cultivation, set out two good orchards, and has erected a commodious two-story frame residence and sub- stantial barns and outbuildings. The farm is pleasantly situated twelve miles northeast of Clearfield.

In 1868 Mr. Lingle was married to Miss El- len Kiler, who was born in Clearfield county, and died here March 5, 1885. Her father, Abram Kiler, belonged to the well-known pioneer family of that name. In 1889, Mr. Lingle was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Mary E. (Harrier) Graham, widow of Aaron Graham, by whom she had three children. Her father, John Harrier, was of German descent, and was an early settler in this section of Penn- sylvania. By the second marriage two children have come: John F. R., born April 1, 1890; and George H. T., born December 16, 1893.

Since casting his first Presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln, Mr. Lingle has been an ardent Republican. For six years he served as auditor of Girard township, three years as overseer of the poor, and has filled other minor offices of honor and trust. In all the relations of life he has faithfully discharged every duty devolving upon him, and is a valued and worthy member of society.

S H. STILES. In time to come this volume will acquire added value as a repository of records whose historical significance will then be fully appreciated; but readers will doubtless pe- ruse with special interest the stories of gallant service in that great struggle which settled once for all that this nation is, in truth, "one and in- divisible." It has often been said that the let- ters sent home during the war by the soldiers of all grades would make, if published. a better history of the war than has yet been given, and the suggestive views of the conflict in the indi- vidual experiences contained in this book cer- tainly give new color to many a historic scene.

The subject of this memoir was but a lad of sixteen when he offered his services to the gov- ernment, enlisting August 17, 1862, in a P. V. I. regiment, under Capt. Hopen and Col. Krouder, but he bore a man's part in the years that fol- lowed before peace was restored. His company made a short stay at Harrisburg, in Camp Cur- tin, and then went by way of Washington, D. C .. to Stone Switch, Va., where they joined the

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main body of the regiment. Mr. Stiles had his "baptism of fire " at the battle of Fredericks- burg, and his next important engagement was at Chancellorsville, where he served in the artillery as a volunteer at the request of Gen. Sickles. Then followed the battle of Gettysburg, where he was struck in the left side during the second day by a minie ball, which lodged in a Bible given him by his mother. At the same time he was wounded by a shot which entered above the right eye, cutting the nerve and destroying the sight. The shot still remains back of the eye. For some people this experience would have been enough, but Mr. Stiles, when taken to a Phila- delphia hospital and assigned to the Invalid Corps as unfit for field duty, ran away, and in October, 1863, rejoined his regiment at City Point. He remained with the main army, serving as post- guard, and on March 5, 1864, took part in the battle of the Wilderness. He was at Spottsyl- vania also, where he participated in the famous charge made by Gen. Hancock, and later he joined in the engagement at North Anna river and Cold Harbor, after which he crossed the James river to City Point. From that place, on June 18, 1864, the great charge on Petersburg was made. The engagement at Hatcher's Run followed, and soon afterward, on July 26, 1864, Mr. Stiles was taken ill with a fever and sent to Washington. On his recovery he returned to his regiment, in December, 1864, and again joined in the siege of Petersburg. He was pres- ent at the fearful early-morning charge, and was driven back by the Rebels before the break of day. Petersburg finally fell, however, and Mr. Stiles' regiment marched to Gaines' Run and en- gaged in a fight with Ewell's force, capturing a large part of his army and wagon train. From there he went to Clover Hill or Appomatox. where Lee's surrender ended the fearful struggle. Then caine the triumphal march to Alexandria and the grand review at Washington, the final discharge at Harrisburg following on June 5. 1865. As will be seen below. the two elder brothers of our subject also enlisted in the serv- ice of the government, and one met a soldier's death.

Mr. Stiles is a native of Centre county, hav- ing been born in Half Moon Valley, September 9. 1845. His father. Thomas Stiles, was born in 1812, in Philadelphia, where he grew to man- hood, receiving a fine classical education, and at the age of twenty-two he went to Becaria town- ship. Clearfield county, where he engaged in teaching. He was successful in this work, and continued it for many years in Clearfield. Cam- bria, Blair and Centre counties. In 1834 he

married Miss Annie Hollen, of Blair county, and they resided there and in Centre county until their removal to Janesville, Clearfield county, where he taught for some time. Later he lo- cated in Cambria county, where he died in 1878. Mrs. Stiles survives him.

The eldest of their seven children, Thomas T., was born in Blair county, in 1839, and re- ceived a common-school education in his youth. He married Miss Mary Hollen, of Blair county. In 1861 he enlisted from that county in a P. V. I. regiment, and July 3, 1863, was wounded at the battle of Gettysburg. Later he was wounded in an engagement on the James river, but on re- covering rejoined his regiment and took part in the siege of Petersburg, where he was shot by a sharp-shooter, his death occurring at City Point three days later. His wife survived him several years, and two daughters are still living: Ellen (Mrs. Fister), of Clearfield county; and Laura (Mrs. Cole), of Cambria county. (2) Anna M., born in Blair county, in 1841, accompanied her parents to Cambria county, and married (first) Perry Krist, then a farmer of the same county. He afterward moved to a farm in Gulich town- ship, Clearfield county, where he died in 1879. His widow subsequently married Samuel Stuffer, and now resides in Ramey, Penn., where the three children of her first marriage-Joseph, Edward and Julia-also make their home. (3) William, born in 1843, in Blair county, remained with his parents during their various changes of residence, and the war breaking out in his early manhood he enlisted from Cambria coun- ty, in 1862, in Company H. 110th P. V. I. He participated in some severe battles- Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg. Culpeper, and the fierce struggle in the Wilder- ness, where he was wounded. On recovering he rejoined his regiment again, and was in the fight in the swamp in front of Richmond, the siege of Petersburg, the battle of Hatcher's Run. and returned to Petersburg in time to see the capitulation. His next engagement was at Gaines Run, and he was at Clover Hill, or Appomattox, when Lee surrendered. The regiment then went to Alexandria, and after the grand review at Washington returned to Harrisburg, where it was mustered out on June 5, 1865. He came home, afterward married Miss Jane Dixon, of Wallaceton, Penn., and he now resides in Tyrone. Penn., where he is engaged in the lumber busi- ness. He has three sons-Arthur, Thomas and Grant, all at home. (4) S. H., our subject. will be mentioned more fully farther on. (5) Mary A., born in Blair county in 1848, was married. after the removal of the family to Cambria coun-

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ty, to William L. David, formerly of Philadel- phia, and now a resident of Ramey, where he holds the office of postmaster. They have two sons-Edward and Thomas-and four daughters -Katharine, Mary Jane, and two whose names are not given. (6) G. W., born in Cambria county, Penn., in 1850, now resides in Gulich township, Clearfield county, and is engaged in lumbering for the firm of Lee & McGaughey. He married Miss Mary Hampton, of Becaria township, Clearfield county, and has five chil- dren-Emma, Rosy, Pearl, Horton, and Mary (now Mrs. Haley, of Janesville). (7) Edward, born in Cambria county in 185-, is a farmer in Gulich township, Clearfield county. He married Miss Lizzie Miller, of Burnside township, same county. and has one son, Dominic, now a stu- dent taking a commercial course. He has unusual gifts as a public speaker, and took part in the last campaign, being the youngest on the force of local campaigners.

The subject of our sketch was five years old when his parents settled in Cambria county, and his youth was spent there, the common schools near his home affording him an education. In 1872 he was married to Miss Nancy Smith, a daughter of J. W. Smith, of Cambria county. In the following year he located in Janesville. Clearfield county, where he at once became prominent in business and political affairs. In 1874 he was elected constable; later he served two terms as township auditor, and two as school director. For ten years he was justice of the peace, and out of 230 cases he sent but two to the Clearfield courts; all but one of the civil suits brought before him were settled in his of- fice. He is a stanch Republican, an effective worker, and for twenty-three years has been a member of the vigilance committee of his party.

Mr. Stiles has a pleasant home near Smith- mill, and since 1893 has been successfully en- gaged in mercantile business there. He is active in local affairs of a non-political nature, and while not a member of any religious society is inclined to the Methodist Episcopal Church. of which his wife is a valued member. They have six children: Eva, born in May. 1878. now at- tending school at Janesville: Minnie. born in 1882: Betsy, born in 18 -: William H., born in ISS4: Joseph, born in 1892; and Andrew. born in 1894, all of whom are at home.

Z EXOS TURNER. Among the sturdy. en- ergetic and successful farmers of Boggs town- ship, Clearfield county, who thoroughly under- stand the vocation which they follow, and are

consequently enabled to carry on their calling with profit to themselves, is the subject of this sketch. He was born September 8, 1841, in Clearfield county, on a farm near his present home, and was educated by his father, Capt. George Turner, who gained his title while serv- ing in the State militia.

Our subject is one of the family of twelve children born to George and Sarah (Williains) Turner, namely: John H., of Boggs township; Jane, widow of L. M. Lumadue; Priscilla, who married L. Stone, but both are now deceased; William J., of Chester Hill, Penn .; Edward, a farmer of Boggs township; Silas, who died leav- ing two children; Zenos; George, an agriculturist; Lewis, operating the old homestead; Mary A., who wedded Thomas B. Woodside; and two who died when young. The parents were both na- tives of Pennsylvania, of Dutch descent. the fa- ther born May 15, 1802, and the mother on Sep- tember 23, 1809. They both died in 1888. in the faith of the United Brethren Church, he on May 5, and she on November 2.

In Clearfield county, Capt. Turner was reared, and on reaching manhood he engaged in milling and farming, owning a good sawmill and a large amount of land. He was a prominent and in- fluential man, looked up to by all who knew him, and was continuously called upon to fill some public position of honor and trust in the town- ship. He was numbered among the pioneers of the county, erecting the first frame residence within its borders, which house is still standing. though now unoccupied. Active in all Church work. for over twenty years he served as super- intendent of the Sabbath-school connected with Salem Church, which he attended, and to which he was a liberal contributor. He also gave large sums to other Churches as well as the missionary cause.

Almost the entire life of our subject has been passed in Boggs township. and at the age of twenty-two he commenced developing and im- proving the farm of 200 acres given him by his father. Half of the place is now under a high state of cultivation, improved with a good two- story frame residence, two large barns, substan- tial outbuildings. and a fine orchard. making it one of the model farms of the community. In 1893 he embarked in merchandising at Clearhe !!. but at the end of two years he sold out. and now gives his attention exclusively to his farming in- terests.

In 1863. Mr. Turner married Miss Ruth C. Barger, who was born in Bradford township. Clearfield county. September 7. 1940, and died August 3, 1847. She was a consistent meinber

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of the United Brethren Church, in the work of which her father, George Barger, took a leading part. He was of Dutch descent, and at an early day located in Clearfield county, where he was numbered aniong its most prominent citizens. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Turner: Maud, wife of George Bears, a farmer, of Cam- bria county, Penn .; George, who is married and is living on the homestead farm; Ormes, also a resident of Cambria county; and Paul B., a mer- chant of Clearfield. On December 10, 1891. Mr. Turner wedded Miss Mary E. Walters, who was born in Northumberland county. Penn., April 14, 1845, a daughter of Thomas Walters, who died in that county.

Politically, Mr. Turner is identified with the Republican party, has served in several township offices, including that of tax collector, which he filled satisfactorily for nine years. He is num- bered among the public-spirited men of the county, no one being more interested in its de- velopment and progress, and he holds a high place in the regard of his fellow-citizens.

D W. MICHAEL. Success in any walk of life is an indication of earnest endeavor and persevering effort. In analyzing the record of this gentleman we note that a resolute purpose, coupled with an unflagging industry, have been the essential points in his career and have brought to him a well-merited competence. The spirit of self-help is the source of all genuine worth in the individual, and is the means of bringing to man success when he has no advantages of wealth or influence to aid him.

Our subject, who is one of the most esteemed citizens of Clearfield county, was born in Chest township, May 11, 1856. Grandfather Joseph Michael was a native of Lancaster county, Penn., born of German lineage. while his wife was of Irish descent. He removed with his family to Lycoming county, thence to Centre county, and later to Clearfield county, where he arrived in 1825. His life was devoted to agricultural pur- suits.

David Michael, father of our subject, accom- panied the grandfather on his various removals, and he, too, became an agriculturist. He married Margaret Thurston, by whom he had four chil- dren: Cyrus, Henry, Orrin and Mrs. Mary Painter. After the death of his first wife he married Margaret Straw, daughter of Joseph Straw, an honored pioneer of Clearfield county. Four sons were born of the second marriage, namely: Joseph, Robert, John S. and D. W. The mother was a most estimable lady and a

consistent Christian woman, holding member- ship in the Baptist Church. She died in Feb- ruary, 1857, and Mr. Michael afterward wedded Mary Yingling, by whom he had two sons: Craw- ford and George. The father died in February. 1891, and the community thereby lost one of its most respected citizens. He was a member of the Baptist Church, and of the Masonic frater- nity. He transferred his political allegiance from the Democratic to the Republican party, and served throughout the war in a cavalry com- mand. He served as a private, refusing all pro- motion, was neither wounded nor captured, and his three sons, Henry, Cyrus and Orrin, were also with the "boys in blue" throughout the struggle, and all lived to return home, like their father, escaping all injury.

D. W. Michael was but nineteen months old when his mother died. He was reared by Mr. and Mrs. James Curry, with whom he re- mained until twenty-two years of age, assisting Mr. Curry in all the work of the farm and the lumber woods. For two years after his marriage he continued with his foster parents, and in 1878 he purchased the farm on which he now re- sides. He owns 125 acres of rich land under a high state of cultivation, and has made many substantial improvements on the place, includ- ing the planting of a fine orchard and the erec- tion of a two-story frame residence and a large barn. In addition to this property he owns four other improved farms, and has some vacant lands underlaid with coal. He has been extensively engaged in the lumber business, and for many years has owned and operated a sawmill. In 1887, in connection with a partner, he established a large general mercantile store in New Wash- ington, and in 1888, having erected a fine busi- ness block in Westover, he removed the store to that place, where under the firm name of Michael & Straw he enjoyed an extensive trade until 1889, when he sold out to his partner. He still owns twenty-five lots in Westover. In 1894, at Waukesha, Clearfield county, adjoining the farm he now lives on, he established his present mer- cantile business, of which he is the sole owner.

In 1876 Mr. Michael was married to Cathe- rine Wood, a cultured lady, whose parents, Wil- son and Christiana (Spotts) Wood, were pioneers of Centre county. They were married in that county, and afterward removed to Ferguson township, Clearfield county, where Mr. Woods is still living. Farming has been his life occupa- tion. His wife, a faithful member of the Bap- tist Church, died in 1888. Their children were: Margaret, now Mrs. Barrett; Catherine P. ; Jacob; Henry; and Mrs. Hester Raney. Mr. and Mrs.

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Michael have three children: Edward H., James C. and Edith, all of whom have been stu- dents of the State Normal, and are now success- ful teachers.

Mr. Michael is deeply interested in political affairs, supporting the Democratic party, and has held several public positions of honor and trust, including all the township offices. In 1886 he was mercantile appraiser of Clearfield county, and since 1885 has served as justice of the peace. discharging the duties of that office with promptness, impartiality and fidelity. Since reaching his majority, Squire Michael has been the leader of the Democratic party in his locality. He is a man of excellent business and executive ability, and in all life's relations has been true to the trust reposed in him.

G W. KEPHART, a prosperous and substan - tial farmer of Decatur township, Clearfield county, residing in the Newcastle settlement, was born in 1841, on the farm which is still his home. It is a valuable and productive tract of 144 acres under a high state of cultivation, and the com- fortable residence is flanked by good barns and the various other outbuildings required by the pro- gressive agriculturist. As a tiller of the soil he is thorough and skillful, and has been uniformly fortunate in his investments.

Andrew Kephart, father ofour subject, was also a native of Decatur township, born in 1817, and was a son of Henry and Catharine Kephart, who were born in Pennsylvania, of German ancestry, becoming pioneer settlers of Decatur township. Clearfield county. The grandfather opened up a farm northwest of Osceola Mills, where he con- tinued to make his home throughout the re- mainder of his life. Upon that place his wife died, and a few months later he was lost in the Alleghany Mountains. Andrew Kephart obtained his education in the schools of Decatur town- ship, where he was reared to manhood, and there purchased of Josiah W. Smith, of Clearfield, a a timber tract of 200 acres, which he converted into a fine farm. Upon that place he died in 1882, his faithful wife passing away in Novem- ber, of the same year. In Decatur township he had married Rachel Kephart, who was born in Danville, Penn., in 1809. He was well known throughout Clearfield county, took quite an active and prominent part in public affairs, and acceptably served as supervisor of his township.

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2, Part 88

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