Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2, Part 89

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 89
USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 89
USA > Pennsylvania > Clearfield County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 89
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 89

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To the parents of our subject were born four sons and eight daughters: Mary, who died when young; Sarah, now the wife of Levi David, of Decatur township: Mrs. Elizabeth Britton, of

the same township; Martin V., a Union soldier, who enlisted in a Clearfield company in 1863, and was killed in front of Petersburg, March 25, 1864; Isabel, who married Thomas Holt, of Graham township, Clearfield county, and died in Wallaceton; G. W., of this sketch; Einma, who became the wife of R. H. Walk, and died in Al- legheny county, Penn., in 1895; Addie, wife of S. F. Randolph; Isaiah, twin brother of Addie, and a resident of Decatur township; Mrs. Amanda Henderson, who makes her home in Clearfield county; Mrs. Jennie Albert, a resident of Pitts- burg, Penn .; and Levi, who died in infancy.

Mr. Kephart, whose name introduces this sketch, never left the parental roof, and is now the owner of the old homestead. In the neigh- boring school he pursued his studies, and under his father's able instructions became familiar with the duties that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. In Boggs township, in 1863, he married Miss Matilda Flegal, a native of Morris township, Clearfield county, and a daughter of David and Catharine (Funk) Flegal. The father was born in Maryland, whence when a young man he re- moved to Centre county, Penn., where he was married, at an early day taking up his residence upon a farm in Morris township, Clearfield coun- ty. where his death occurred. The mother was called to her final rest while living in Boggs township. Seven sons and six daughters have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Kephart, as follows: Mrs. Emina C. Turner, of Decatur township; Cora D., wife of George Mease, of Boggs town- ship; Mrs. Cocia F. Kline, of Belsena Mills, Clearfield county; Harry W., married and living in Decatur township: Cyrus Baker, married and living in Decatur township; Rosa M., wife of Charles Bush, of Decatur township; Nora E., wife of William Phillips, of the same township; Foster A. ; Kervy Omer; Antonia Gann; and Ken- neth Kenelm.

Since the organization of the Republican party, Mr. Kephart has been one of its earnest advocates, and on that ticket was elected tax collector, which position he efficiently filled for three years. In 1888 he made application for a post office at Kephart, and on its establishment he was appointed the first postmaster, serving during President Harrison's administration. He takes a deep and commendable interest in public affairs, and has done much to advance the moral and material welfare of his community. With his wife and children he holds membership in the United Brethren Church, is a liberal contributor to all benevolent and charitable work, and justly ranks among the valued and representative citi- zens of Decatur township.

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

OHN McDOWEL, who is probably one of the most prominent and leading agriculturists of Graham township, Clearfield county, is the owner of 325 acres of land, 120 of which lie has cleared and placed under a high state of cultiva- tion. The well-tilled fields and neat and sub- stantial buildings testify to his thrift, enterprise and good management.

A native son of Clearfield county, Mr. Mc- Dowel was born in Bradford township, in 1842, his parents being David and Maria (Smeal) Mc- Dowel, whose births also occurred in that town- ship. The maternal grandfather, George Smeal, was one of its very earliest pioneers, and took a prominent part in its development and progress. His last years were passed upon his farm in Brad- ford township. After their marriage, the' par- ents of our subject located upon a farni in Brad- ford township, where the father followed farming and also engaged in lumbering until 1846, when he came to Graham township, where he bought and improved a farm of 106 acres, which at the time of his purchase was still in its primitive con- dition. He was an adherent of Democratic prin- ciples, and held a number of minor offices in his township to the satisfaction of all concerned. His death occurred in Graham township in 1870, add his wife passed away at the same place in 1895. In their family were six children: Mrs. Elizabeth Rinehart, a resident of Graham town- ship; Mrs. Sarah Lytle, of the same township; Mrs. Eliza Blish, of Centre county, Penn .; Mrs. Kate Powell, of Graham township; Mrs. Della Williams, of Port Matilda, Centre county; and John.

In the family our subject is the second in or- der of birth, and was four years of age when he accompanied his parents to Graham township, where he was reared upon the home farm. His literary training was secured in the Fairview dis- trict school. After starting out in life for him- self he was engaged in lumbering exclusively for ten years, and then turned his attention to the operation of the home farm, of which he is now the owner. It comprises one hundred acres, and forms a part of his present valuable possessions. He is a skillful and thorough farmer, meeting with a well-deserved success in his chosen calling.

In Bradford township, in 1871, Mr. McDowel wedded Miss Rebecca Wooldrige, a native . of that township, and a daughter of William Woold- rige (now deceased), who was an early settler of Bradford township. Mr. McDowel was again married, this time in Williamsport, Penn., in 1889, to Miss Alice A. Shimel, who was born in Boggs township, Clearfield county, a daughter of George Shimel, who is still a resident of that

township. One child has been born to them, Florence A. By his first marriage our subject also had one child, now deceased. In politics Mr. McDowel has always been a stalwart Dem- ocrat, and is one of the representative and influ- ential citizens of Graham township, taking an active interest in its welfare and progress.

D ANIEL W. KEPHART, a well-known lum- berman and farmer of Bradford township, Clearfield county, where he has made his home since 1861, is a native of the county, having been born in 1844. in Decatur township. His paternal grandfather, George Kephart, was a native of Huntingdon county, and there hisdeath occurred.

Daniel Kephart, Sr., the father of our sub- ject, was born in Port Matilda, Penn., but grew to manhood in Huntingdon county, and in early life took up his residence in Decatur township. Clearfield county, where he opened up a farm. There he wedded Sarah Kephart, who died in that township, in 1852. Nine children were born to them: George A., who died in Decatur town- ship in 1896; Elias, who died in the same town- ship, in 1890; David, a resident of Nebraska; Benjamin, of Blue Ball, Penn .; Samuel, of Decatur township; Joshua, of West Clearfield; Edward, of Bradford township: and Daniel W., of this sketch. The father was again married in Bradford township (whither he had moved in 1861), Miss Katie Harrier becoming his wife. Her father, Samuel Harrier, was one of the earliest settlers of that township, where he died, and where she was born. By the second marriage seven children were born, namely: Ferdinand and James, who are both married, and are resi- dents of Bradford township; Theodore, who makes his home in the Keystone State; Cyrus, of Brad- ford township; William, who died in that town- ship; Mrs. Mary English, of Bradford township: and Alfred, who lives on the home farm. The father departed this life in Bradford township, in ISSO. He was one of the representative farmers and valued citizens of the community.

In the common schools of Decatur township, our subject secured his education, and was trained to habits of industry and economy upon the home farm. He was about eighteen years of age on coming to Bradford township, where in 1866 he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Harrier, a native of that township, and a daughter of Samuel and -- (Phillips) Harrier, who were born in Pennsylvania and were honored pioneers of Clearfield county. Both parents died in Brad- ford township. Ten children blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Kephart: Nathaniel (who died i

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

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in February, 1896, at the age of twenty-eight years), Justus, Alice, Henry, Mary, Esther, Corda, George, John and Ferdinand.

After his marriage, Mr. Kephart located in the midst of the forest, in Bradford township, where he has developed a fine farm, and also engaged in lumbering with good results. The fam- ily to which he belongs has for many years been actively identified with the progress and advance- ment made by Centre county, and to our subject is due the credit of converting a wild, unculti- vated tract into a rich and productive farm. In politics he is a Democrat, and he is one of the most public-spirited and enterprising citizens of the community. He and his wife are consistent members of the United Brethren Church, are charitable and benevolent, the poor and needy always finding in them a friend.

J TAMES MAGUIRE. This highly respected gentleman is one of the successful lumber- men and farmers of Graham township, Clearfield county, and was also one of the brave " boys in blue " during the dark days of the Re- bellion. His father, Mark Maguire, was a native of Huntingdon county, Penn., his birth occur- ring in Diamond Valley, and was a son of Mich- ael Maguire. In 1855 the former came to Gra- ham township, Clearfield county, where he pur- chased one hundred acres of land, known as the Kyler farm, and at once commenced to clear and improve the same. Subsequently he rented a farm in Bald Eagle Valley, Centre Co., Penn., for a time, and then emigrated to Ohio, where about six years were passed, after which he re- turned to Huntingdon county. Later he again took up his residence in Centre county, where his death occurred.

Mark Maguire wedded Miss Rebecca Mul- hollan, who died while the family were living in Ohio. To them were born children as follows: Scott is married, and has four children; Ruth is the wife of Charles Gage, of Half Moon Valley, Cen- tre county, and they have five children: Mich- ael, a farmer of Munson. Cooper township. Clearfield county, married a Miss Rothrock, and has six children; Paul, who is engaged in team- ing for the mining company at Morrisdale mines, Clearfield county, married Miss Myers, and has six children; John, twin brother of Paul, mar- ried Miss Taylor, and is a resident of Chester Hill, Clearfield county; Mark is single, and makes his home with his step-mother in Centre county; Sarah is the wife of George Hoover, a farmer of Centre county, and has several children; Rachel

is also with her step-mother; and James com- pletes the family.

In Clearfield, in the fall of 1861, Mr. Ma- guire, of this review, laid aside all personal in- terests and enlisted in Company K, 84th P. V. I., and was mustered in at Harrisburg, Penn., whence they were ordered to Hancock, where they received their arms. Crossing the Potomac river to Bath, an engagement was brought on with Gen. Jackson, and they were driven back to Hancock. After two or three skirmishes they pro- ceeded to Martinsburg, and later again met Jackson at Winchester, where the Union forces were vic- torious. During the following spring they par- ticipated in the engagements at Fredricksburg and Port Republic, being defeated at the latter place by Jackson. After the defeat at Fredericks- burg they retreated across the Shenandoah river. Mr. Maguire took part in all the battles in which his regiment participated, and on the expiration of his term of service was honorably discharged in the fall of 1864, and returned home.

Mr. Maguire married Miss Emily, daughter of Jacob and Catherine Wilhelm, of Graham town- ship, and three children bless their union: John, a plasterer, of Oregon, married a lady of that State, who is now deceased, leaving one child: J. Irwin and Mary are still with their parents. The mother and daughter are earnest and consistent members of the Methodist Church. Mr. Maguire takes a prominent part in the work of the Re- publican party, which he always supports by his ballot, and for two terms has held the office of supervisor of his township. He is one of the representative and influential men of the com- munity, whose genial, courteous manner and other pleasant social qualities, attract to him all with whom he comes in contact in the various relations of life.

TACOB BURGE, who was for several years actively engaged in general farming in Brad- ford and Lawrence townships, Clearfield county, is now retired from labor and occupies a comfortable home in West Clearfield. He was born November 29, 1844, in Clinton county, Penn., where he was educated in the com- mon schools. His parents, William and Lida (Montgomery) Burge, were also natives of Penn- sylvania, the fornier of English and the latter of Irish origin. Four of their nine children died in childhood, and the others are as follows: Will- iam; Samuel: Jacob: Elizabeth, wife of Samuel Huling; and Samuel, a resident of Clearfield. The mother died in 1851, and six years later the

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

father came to Clearfield county, and made his home with a son in Graham township, until his death in 1859. By occupation he was a farmer and lumberman, and in politics was an Old-line Whig.

Mr. Burge, of this review, accompanied his father to Clearfield county, and remained with him until his death. He was then employed as a farm hand until 1861, when he enlisted in the First Pennsylvania Artillery for three years, and was assigned to the Army of the Potomac. At the end of his term he re-enlisted, and remained in the service until Lee surrendered at Appomat- tox, after which he returned north, to Harrisburg, where he was honorably discharged. Although he participated in many hotly-contested engage- ments, he was never wounded nor taken prisoner, but was always found at his post of duty. valiantly fighting for the preservation of the Union. On his return to Clearfield county, he engaged in lumbering until 1870, when he married and lo- cated upon a rented farm. In 1880 he was able to purchase a small tract, which he later sold, and then removed to his father-in-law's farm, but subsequently bought another place in Lawrence township, where he made his home until his re- moval to West Clearfield, in 1885. However, he still owns a good farm in Bradford township, which is operated by others on shares.

In 1870 Mr. Burge was married to Miss Mary E. Whinery, a lady of intelligence and culture, daughter of Joseph and Lavina (Graham) Whin- ery, who were both natives of Pennsylvania, the former born in Centre county, and the latter in Bradford township, Clearfield county. By trade the father was a blacksmith, and continued to follow that occupation during the greater part of his life. In 1840 he purchased a farm, which he cultivated until buying the John Graham farm, where he made his home until his death, in 1855. His wife passed away, March 8, 1891. He held to the Presbyterian faith, while she was a con- sistent member of the Methodist Church. In their family were six children, of whom Mrs. Burge is the only one now living: the others were: Isaac, who was born in May, 1842, and died in September, 1855; Ferdinand; John F., who died the day after his brother, Isaac, in September, 1855: Nancy J., who died unmarried, in 1884; and Lucinda, who died in March, 1870.

Mr. and Mrs. Burge have two children: Wayne and Grace, both at home. The parents hold membership in the United Brethren Church, while the daughter is a member of the Presby- terian Church. Socially Mr. Burge affiliates with the I. O. O. F. and the G. A. R., and in poli- tics is an uncompromising Republican, doing all

in his power to promote the interests of his "party. He is recognized as an honest man and good citizen, the encourager of religious and edu- cational institutions.

H ENRY M. JORDAN. The natural advan- tages of this section attracted at an early day a superior class of settlers. thrifty, indus- trious, progressive and law-abiding, whose in- fluence gave prominent direction to the develop- inent of the locality. Among the worthy pio- neers of Bigler township, Clearfield county, the Jordan family held a prominent place, and the results of the labor and self-denial of those past generations is manifest in the comfortable home and fertile, well-arranged farms which they left to their descendants.

The late John M. Jordan, the father of the gentleman whose name appears above, was a na- tive of Clearfield county, born in 1821. He was a man of unusual business ability, and his fore- sight enabled him to make good use of the op- portunities existing in his day for the establish- ment of the family fortunes upon a sound basis. In 1850 he married Miss Jane Hegarty, a mem- ber of a well-known family. The first ten or twelve years of his married life were spent upon a farm near Ansonville, but he afterward re- moved to Pott's Run and then to Wheatland, where he purchased from Henry Hegarty, Sr., a farm of 180 acres, known as the Cross farm. He then purchased of Henry Hegarty, Jr., a part (or 120 acres) of the old homestead of his wife (our subject's mother), making in all 300 acres, which he improved, building a fine two-story frame dwelling house and a well-planned barn, 58 x 60 feet. He was a successful agriculturist, and was also engaged extensively in lumbering.

Our subject was one of a family of five chil- dren: The eldest, Theresa, born March 22, 1852, received a common-school education, and became the wife of Martin H. Bloom, a farmer of Knox township, Clearfield county. She died some years ago, leaving two children-Annie. who married a Mr. Root, of Knox township, and has one son; and John, who is not married and resides with his father. (2) Alexander B., born November 10, 1854, was married in 1892 to Miss Jennie Bell, daughter of Greenwood Bell. of Bell township, Clearfield county. For some years he resided at the old homestead, and also had charge of a farm belonging to Mrs. Joseph Mccullough, but in 1896 he bought the George Glasgow farm in Cambria county, where he now resides. He has two children-John M .. named for his grandfather; and Julia, both of whom are

Henry M. Jordan

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

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at home. (3) Maggie, who was born Septem- ber 30, 1856, at the old home near Ansonville, died at the age of two years. (4) Anna M., born April 21, 1862, married Lafius Imler, of Bedford county, Penn., who afterward built a fine hotel at Ramey, Penn., and now resides there. They have had four children, two of whom, Aaron and Bessie, are living; Daisy died in infancy, and John M., when four years old.

Henry M. Jordan was born March 13, 1859, his parents being then at the old home near Pott's Run. His district-school training was fol- lowed by one term in the Patton graded schools, and in the Lancaster Normal School at Millers- ville. In 1889 he married Miss Mollie J. Stom- baugh, daughter of Joseph Stombaugh, a promi- nent agriculturist of Bedford county, Penn., re- siding near Lovely. After his marriage Mr. Jordan bought, of Henry Croyle, a half-acre of land with a house thereon; in IS89 he purchased of James R. C. Fink four and one-half acres, making five acres in all. The house above men- tioned he repaired, making it 28 feet square, and he also built a stable 30 x 40 feet. He has now as fine a residence as is to be found in Beulah City, Bigler township, where the property is located on the road leading from Ramey to Muddy Run, and about half a mile from his other farm, whereon A. W. Polliard, a practical farmer, of Clarion county. has lived ever since 1894. It is a fine estate, comprising some excellent farming ; lands and containing valuable coal deposits.

In November, 1896, Mr. Jordan's home was bereft of the loving wife, who passed to the bet- ter world, leaving one son, Roy, now (1898) seven years old. Mr. Jordan attends the Pres- byterian Church at Beulah City, his mother, a devout and consistent believer, having taught him that faith from his youth. In politics he is a stanch Democrat, as was his father before him, and his influence in local affairs is recognized as an important factor.

S IDES C. SHOFF, an intelligent and pro- gressive agriculturist and lumberman of Becaria township, Clearfield county, was born February 23, 1844, on the farm which is still his home. His grandfather removed to Clearfield county from Lancaster county, Penn., and lo- cated on Clearfield creek, near the present town of Madera. Later he removed to Hegarty's Cross Roads, purchased 110 acres of lieavily timbered land, and built a log house and barn. On the farm which he there cleared hie reared his family of eleven children as follows:

Penn., whence he accompanied his father to Lan- caster county, and afterward to Clearfield county. He married a Miss Packer, of Clinton county, purchased land and developed a farm near Ames- ville, making his home there until his death. He left a family of nine children. (2) Betsy Shoff became the wife of Abraham Keagy, who oper- ated his farm in Bigler township, Clearfield county, until his death; his wife survived him some years, and died in Glen Hope, leaving a family of fourteen children. (3) Martha Shoff was married to Benjamin Wright, of Becaria township, where they lived on a farm until his death; his widow afterward went to Glen Hope, and died at the home of her daughter, Elizabeth A. Wright; she had six children. (4) Abram Shoff died, after attaining his majority, at the home of his father. (5) Samuel Shoff, born in Clinton county, came with his father to Clearfield county, and married Jane Hegarty; he resided near Madera, on the Shoff farm, now occupied by his son Robert; he and his wife are both de- ceased; they had a family of ten children. (6) Susan Shoff, born in Clinton county, married John McCord, of Stoneville, Clearfield county, who purchased a large tract of land near Ber- winsdale; there he developed an extensive farm and erected substantial buildings, making his home on that place until his death some years ago. (7) John Shoff, father of our subject, is the next in order of birth, and will be fully spoken of farther on. (8) Abram Shoff died when a young man. (9) Sallie Shoff married Joseph Hegarty, and resided on his farm near Berwinsdale; both died some years ago. (10) Fannie Shoff became the wife of Joseph Smith, a farmer residing near Hegarty's Cross Roads, in Becaria township; they died a number of years ago, leaving five children - Josiah, Monroe, Abram, Levi and John M. (11) Frederick Shoff, born in Clinton county, married Wilhelmina Gin- ter. of Janesville, Clearfield county, and resided near Hegarty's Cross Roads; he had a family of seven children-(a) Elizabetli, is the wife of Sol- onion Byers, of Huntingdon county, Penn., and has four children. (b) Mary Martha is the widow of Henry Witherow, who was the owner of a farm near Ansonville, in Jordan township, Clearfield county; he died leaving two children: Lynn, who is married and lives on the Witherow homestead; and a daughter, who died a few years ago; Mrs. Witherow has since married John Johnson, of Ansonville, and has one son by that union. (c) Henrietta married Thomas Mullen, of Utaliville, who follows farming in Becaria town- ship; they have five children. (d) Christopher,

(1) Christopher was born in Clinton county, . who follows farming in Jordan township, is married

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

and has nine children. (e) Delilah is the wife of Frank Dunlap, of Knox township, Clearfield f became the wife of Stewart Cowan, of Tyrone. county, and with their son Frederick they now reside on part of the old homestead near Hegar- ty's Cross Roads. (f) Hannah married Archer Witherow, of Ansonville, and with their four children they reside near Hegarty's Cross Roads. (g) Sadie is married, and lives in New York. (12) Andrew Shoff, the youngest member of the grandfather's family, was born in Clinton county, but was reared near Hegarty's Cross Roads. He married Sarah Ginter, of Gulich township, and in the home neighborhood purchased land and developed a farm. He and his wife died some years ago, leaving seven children - (a) Anna Amanda became the wife of David Smith, who enlisted in the Union army, and died during the Civil war, leaving two children: Warden, of Becaria township, who is married and has four children; and Lewis, a farmer residing near Utahville, who married a Miss Turner; Mrs. Smith afterward became the wife of John Davis, and now lives on a farm near Hegarty's Cross Roads. (b) David born on the homestead, died in the army during the Civil war. (c) Rebecca is the wife of Jacob Copenhoffer, and with their children they reside near Hegarty's Cross Roads. (d) Martin, who lives near Janesville, Clearfield county, married Rose Dunlap, and has four chil- dren. (e) Wilhelmina is the wife of A. Davis, a farmer of Becaria township, by whom she has one son, Samuel. (f) Susie, now Mrs. Echard, is living on a part of the old homestead in Beca- ria township. (g) Abram, who also lives on a part of the old homestead, married Susan Everly, of Blair City, Penn., and has one child living.

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2, Part 89

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