Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2, Part 92

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 92
USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 92
USA > Pennsylvania > Clearfield County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 92
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 92

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Mr. and Mrs. Semple have two children: John David, born May 10, 1872, was educated in the common schools, and remained at home un- til his marriage, September 11, 1892, to Ida A. Esch, of Cambria county, Penn., daughter of Adam Esch, a well-to-do farmer. She was edu- cated in the Ebensburg Normal School, and is a highly accomplished lady. They now reside on a farm adjoining his father's place. Frank Lind- sey. the second son, was born April 23, 1874. and died December 9, 1883. Mr. and Mrs. Sem- ple and their son are members of the United Brethren Church. Since attaining his majority he has been a stanch Republican, and has taken an active part in promoting educational interests, serving for many years as school director.

W ILLIAM J. BEATTY, a popular livery- man of La Jose, Clearfield county, is a native of the Keystone State, born in Indiana county, March 3. 1869. On the paternal side he is of Irish origin. his ancestors having come from Ireland during Colonial days, and taking up their residence in Pennsylvania, where most of their descendants still live. The grandfather of our subject having died when quite young, but little of the family history is known.

Robert M. Beatty, the father, was born and reared in Indiana county, where he was united in marriage with Miss Caroline Hazlette, also a native of that county. Most of the Beatty fam- ily were tillers of the soul, and he also followed the occupation of farming in connection with work at the carpenter's trade. He died July 26. 1889, leaving his widow with six children, namely: William J., of this review; Sarah E., wife of

M. Carson: Malinda J .: Mary B .: Christopher B. ; and Frank, who is still with his mother. The parents both held membership in the Presbyte- rian Church.

Since the death of her first husband the mother has become the wife of S. Dennison, and is now living at Blairsville, Indiana county. She is a daughter of David and Virginia (George) Hazlette. Her father. a native of Butler county, Penn., removed at an early day to Indiana coun- ty, where he developed a farm, on which he made his home throughout the remainder of his life. In connection with agricultural pursuits, he also engaged in carpentering. While attend- ing to a contract he suddenly died of heart fail- ure, but his wife yet survives at the advanced age of ninety years, and resides with some of her children in Taylorsville, Indiana county.

The educational privileges of our subject were such as the common schools of his native county afforded. At the early age of twelve years he left home and began the struggle of life for him- self. being employed as a farm hand for ten years, during a part of which time he was able to attend school during the winter term. For the follow- ing three years he drove a stage from Cherry Tree to Mahaffey, Penn., and while thus em- ployed saved $1,000. On coming to La Jose in 1892. he bought the livery business of G. W. Jose, and has since successfully carried on that enterprise, having one of the best feed, livery and sale stables in this section of the county, a favorite with all commercial men and other trav- elers. He keeps on hand a fine line of vehicles and a good grade of horses. In this connection he also handles car-load lots of feed-oats, corn and mill feed-which he sells at retail.

On July 10, 1895, Mr. Beatty wedded Miss Millie McMurray, a refined young lady. daughter of Milton and Mary (Weaver, McMurray. of Clearfield county, both now deceased. They were residents of Burnside, and belonged to prominent families of this section. In their fam- ily were but two children-Millie, and James. who is now living with his sister. One child graces the union of our subject and his wife: Mary Caroline, born June 4. 1896.

Fraternally, Mr. Beatty affiliates with Clear- field Lodge No. 314, F. & A. M .. and also Cherry Tree Lodge No. 417. I. O. O. F., while politically he is identified with the Republican party, and takes a deep interest in all public af- fairs. He has acceptably filled some local offi- ces, being a member of the city council, and in 1895 was appointed constable of Newburg bor- ough to fill a vacancy, to which office he was elected in 1896. He is one of the most wide-

W. Beatty -

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

awake and enterprising young business men of La Jose. and the success that he has achieved has been due entirely to his own unaided efforts, as he has been the architect of his own fortunes.

J OHN A. VANSICE, a successful agriculturist and lumberman of Union township, Clear- field county, where he has made his home for the past twelve years, has one of the most desirable farms in the community. He has worked untiringly, and his labors have been well rewarded. Prior to coming to Union township he was a resident of Du Bois, same county.

The father of our subject was born in 1825, in Bradford county, this State, where he was also reared and educated and engaged in farming until his removal to Steuben county, N. Y., where he also followed agricultural pursuits for a num- ber of years. During the dark days of the Re- bellion he enlisted in Tioga county, Penn., in Company L. Second Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry, and served until hostilities had ceased. He also had eight brothers who were in the serv- ice, one of whom died of starvation in Anderson- ville prison, and another of army fever, but the others survived that terrible struggle. In 1872 the father of our subject located at Sabula, Clear- field county, and engaged in work on the tunnel of the Low Grade Alleghany Valley railroad, but two years later went to Du Bois, where he fol- lowed lumbering until 1881. In that year he purchased the farm of Mr. Fletcher, in Union township, on which he made his home until his death, in 1892. In Bradford county, Penn., he had married Lucy Layton, who was born there in 1830. She passed away in 1893.

This worthy couple had the following chil- dren: (1) Kate, born in Bradford county in 1846, died in New York in 1868. (2) James. born in Bradford county in 1848, came with the family to Clearfield county in 1870. Enlisting in the regular army at Buffalo, N. Y., he entered the cavalry school at Fortress Monroe for one year, and there died of typhoid fever. (3) John A. is next in order of birth. . (4) William G., also a native of Bradford county, grew to nian- hood upon the farm in Union township, Clear- field county, and married Miss Annie Brooks, of Big Run, Jefferson Co., Penn. Later. he re- moved to Du Bois, where he engaged in lumber- ing until I888, was subsequently a brakeman in the railroad service, and at the present time is serving as conductor. He has five children. (5) Philip also accompanied his parents on their removal to Clearfield county, where he grew to manhood, and was employed in the lumber woods

for some time, but is now engaged in the oil business in Virginia. (6) Thomas, the youngest, resides upon the old homestead farm, and, in connection with its cultivation, engages in lum- bering.

John A. Vansice was a young man on taking up his residence in Union township, where he lias since been engaged in lumbering and farin- ing. In 1887 he was married to Miss Maggie Stever, of Indiana county, Penn. They are faithful members of the Methodist Church, and hold a high position in the social circles of the community. Politically Mr. Vansice affiliates. with the Democratic party, of whose principles he is a strong and earnest advocate, and does all within his power for the success of the party. Of enterprises tending to benefit the people of his community, morally, socially and financially, he has been an earnest and cheerful supporter, and he enjoys the respect and confidence of all who know him.

W H. GRAY, who since 1878 has resided in Du Bois, and is now the efficient and popular city treasurer, was born in Sullivan county, N. Y., in 1849. a son of W. E. and Ellen (Falkner) Gray. His father was born in Sullivan county, in 1806, and the mother was a native of Orange county, N. Y. In 1873 they removed to Du Bois, where W. E. Gray engaged in the real-estate business until his death in 1894; in the Empire State he had followed lumbering. His wife passed away in 1891. They had two children: W. H., and Isabella, wife of David Baroman, of Du Bois.

The subject of this review was reared in the county of his nativity, and is indebted to its pub- lic-school system for his education. He engaged in farming in Sullivan county until 1878, when he came to Du Bois and secured a situation in the lumber yard of John Du Bois. He was after- ward employed as clerk in a store owned by that gentleman, for seven years, and then embarked in the butchering business, conducting a meat market at No. 102 South Brady street, as a inem- ber of the firm of Gray & Lord. He successfully carried on that enterprise until 1896, when he sold out. He is now interested in agricultural pursuits, owning some valuable farm land, and since 1896 has also acceptably and promptly dis- charged the duties of city treasurer of Du Bois.

Mr. Gray was married. in 1873, to Amelia Johnson, a native of Sullivan county, N. Y., and a daughter of Rev. Hiram and Martha (Gregory) Johnson, who were pioneers of that county. Mrs. Gray died in 1876, leaving two children: Leslie

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

and Minnie. In Du Bois, Mr. Gray was again married, his second union being with Charlotte Buzzard, a native of Clarion county, Penn., where her father, Thomas Buzzard, located in pioneer days; the wedding ceremony was per- formed by Rev. Platt. This union has been blessed with five children-one son and four daughters-namely: Florence, Maud, Nellie, Grace and John. Mr. Gray is unwavering in his support of Republicanism, and in 1887 was elected on that ticket a member of the city coun- cil, where he served three years, and in 1896 was elected city treasurer. He is a faithful officer, and the trusts committed to his care are ever promptly executed. Socially, he is a charter member of Garfield Lodge No. 559, F. & A. M., and served as worshipful master in 1895. He also belongs to the O. U. A. M. His political, business and private life are all above reproach, and those who know him entertain for him the highest regard.

R R. CANFIELD, a well-known furniture manufacturer of West Clearfield, Clear- field county, is one of the shrewd business men, who were identified with the growth of that borough when its future was less promising to the general view than it is to-day. Thor- oughly imbued with the public spirit which marks the typical American, Mr. Canfield displays an active interest in all that pertains to the pros- perity of his locality, and is regarded as one of our most progressive citizens.

The ancestors of our subject were early set- tlers in Dutchess county, N. Y., where his grand- father, Jacob Canfield, and father, D. W. Can- field, were both born, the latter on May 1, 1820. They followed agricultural pursuits exclusively, and D. W. Canfield removed in early manhood to a tract of wild land in Orange county, N. Y., which the cleared and transformed into a fine farm, where he still resides. He and his wife, whose maiden name was Blondine Lawrence, reared three sons, of whom our subject is the eldest, Albert is in the stone business in New York, and C. H. resides in Ulster county, New York.

Mr. Canfield was born at the farm in Orange county, N. Y., in October, 1851, and enjoyed the usual advantages of a country boy, attending the neighboring school and acquiring habits of industry at home. In 1868 he started out to make his way in the world, and coming to Clear- field he worked for a time at the carpenter's trade, also doing some work on contract. He then bought a building on Railroad street, now

occupied by a grocery, and engaged in the furni- tute business, and in 1889 he built his present factory in West Clearfield where he has conducted his business since 1891, employing from four to eight men. He has also been engaged in the real-estate business, and in the loaning of money. In 1872 he married in Clearfield, Mary A. Burch- field, a native of the town and a daughter of the late Joseph Burchfield, a prominent con- tractor and builder, who settled in Clearfield at an early period; his widow, Mrs. Nancy (Wright) Burchfield, still resides there. Mrs. Canfield died in 1877, leaving one daughter, Alice. In 1888 our subject formed a second matrimonial union, this time with Miss Barbara A. Arnistead, a na- tive of Lancaster, Penn. Mr. Canfield takes great interest in public affairs, and is an ardent supporter of the principles of the Republican party.

P HILIP DUSH, who is engaged in lumbering and farming in Brady township, is a native of Clearfield county, having been born on his present homestead in 1851. His parents, John and Barbara (Tarce) Dush, were both born in Germany, and on coming to this country became residents of Brady township, Clearfield county. locating along the Luthersburg pike between Cur- wensville and Luthersburg, where they lived for one year. The father then bought eighty-five acres of woodland from Mr. England, of Phila- delphia, erected a log house and barn, and at once began the development of his land. He had only cleared a small portion of the tract when he passed from earth, leaving a widow and six children.

The family consisted of the following named: (1) Mary, born in Germany, came with her par- ents to the New World, and on reaching woman- hood married Martin Harder, of Clearfield, who died some years ago, leaving one son, John, who is now married and living in Du Bois, where his mother also resides. (2) Katie is the wife of William F. Clark, a carpenter and lumberman of Du Bois, by whom she has one child, Esther. (3) Hattie, born on the old homestead in Brady township, is the wife of John Sheiser, a farmer of Union township, Clearfield county, and they have five children. (4) George, an agriculturist of Penn township, Clearfield county, married Sadie Smith, and they have five children. (5) Daniel, also a farmer of Penn township, married Maggie Smith, and has one son and three daugh- ters.

Mr. Dush, of this review, through his boy- hood and youth assisted in the cultivation of the

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

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home farm, and at the age of sixteen, on the death of his father, took charge of the place, which continues to be his home. He has cleared most of it, and has added to it all the accessor- ies and conveniences of a model farm of the nine- teenth century. In 1862 a good two-story frame residence was erected, and a substantial barn and other outbuildings have also been built. The educational advantages provided our subject were very meager, he being able to attend school for only about four months during his entire life. He married a Miss Hollopeter, of Union town- ship, Clearfield county, a daughter of Samuel and Susan Hollopeter, the former a substantial farmer of that township. Two children bless this union: Hattie May and Annie.

In all his business dealings, Mr. Dush is straightforward and honorable, never taking un- due advantages of any one, and has gained there- by not only a comfortable competence, but has also secured the high regard of those with whom he has been brought in contact. With the Lutheran Church both he and his wife hold mem- bership, and in his political views is a stalwart Democrat.

R H. JORDAN. This gentleman is familiarly known as one of the most energetic, pro- gressive farmers of Union township, Clearfield county, where his entire life has been passed, he having been born there. He has been eminently successful as a tiller of the soil, and being a man of good judgment is usually wise in his invest- ments.

David and Barbara (I.aborde) Jordan, parents of our subject, made their home in Curwensville, where the father worked at the miller's trade until his death. In 1851 his widow married George Doney, who came from Juniata county, Penn., to Clearfield county, in 1844, and took up his residence upon the farin in Union town- ship, where our subject now resides. Two chil- dren were born of the second union, namely: John, who died in infancy; and Josiah, who died at the age of ten years. The mother has also passed away, but Mr. Doney is still living at the ripe old age of seventy-seven years, honored and respected by all who know him.

Upon the Doney farm in Union township, Mr. Jordan was reared to manhood, and obtained his education in the schools of the neighborhood. In the same township, in 1877, he married Miss Elizabeth Welty, a native of Brady township, Clearfield county, and a daughter of David Welty, an early pioneer of Union township, where he still resides. Three children grace the

union of Mr. and Mrs. Jordan, all still at home, who, in order of birth, are as follows: David Edmund; Mary Irene; and Albert F. Both parents are earnest and consistent members of the Lutheran Church, with which the mother has been connected for about twenty-five years. Politically, Mr. Jordan is a strong supporter of the Democratic party, and has always taken an active and prominent part in public affairs.

BENJAMIN H. JURY is a well-known ma- chine agent residing in Du Bois, where he is also successfully engaged in the baggage-trans- fer business. Thoroughness and persistency have characterized his entire business career, and although he has met with reverses, he has, by careful attention to details and by honorable, straightforward effort, overcome all obstacles in his path to success, and has gained a most excel- lent and enviable reputation as a business man.

Adam Jury, our subject's father, was born in 1807. in Dauphin county, Penn., whence, in early boyhood, he was brought to Girard town- ship, Clearfield county, by the grandfather, Abra- ham Jury, who located near Gallows Harbor, where he purchased what is known to-day as the Peter Bosugmire property, and there continued to reside until after the death of his wife. He then made his home with the father of our sub- ject until he, too, was called to his final rest. In his family were four sons and four daughters. namely: Adam; Benjamin; Unis; John; Eliza- beth, who became the wife of William Woold- ridge, of Bradford township, Clearfield county; Rebecca, wife of John Newcome, a farmer of Girard township, Clearfield county; Mary, wife of George Wise, now a resident of Kansas; and Susan, who married Barnard McGovern, of Girard township, and resided on a farm near Gallows Harbor during the remainder of their lives.

Adam Jury married Miss Elizabeth Wetzel. of Dauphin county, and they lived in Girard township, Clearfield county, where she died in 1851, leaving eight children: Evaline, now Mrs. John Curley. of Philadelphia; Mary, who mar- ried Noah Benford, of Snyder county, Penn .. and they now live in Stephenson county, Ill. ; Barbara E., who wedded George Davidson, of Clearfield county, and they also reside in Stephenson county, Ill .; Albert, who was drowned in early manhood while crossing the river at Deer Creek, Clearfield county; Elmyra, who died in early life; Lorenzo, who died of spotted fever in 1863, while rafting at Lock Haven, Penn .; Sarah J., who married Abram

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Hoover, of Clearfield county, and resided at Bald Hill, where she died, leaving two children- Irbam, who is now married and lives in West Clearfield, and Grave, who is married and lives in the West; and Katie, now Mrs. R. E. Shaw, of Clearfield.

After the death of his first wife, Adam Jury married Mrs. Sarah A. Carr, nec Hoops, a sister of Dr. G. F. Hoops, of Philipsburg, Centre Co., Penn. He continued to reside on the old home- stead in Girard township until 1864, when he en- listed in the Union army. In the service he was taken prisoner, being confined for a time in Lib- by prison and later in Salisbury prison, where he died from starvation. He was well known and highly respected, and his death was mourned by many friends as well as his immediate family.

Our subject is the eldest of the three children born of the second union. (2) Pascaline began her education in the common schools of Girard township, but later attended the Soldiers' Or- phan School at Cassville, Penn. She married Thomas McGee, of Morristown, Penn., and they Inade their home in Philadelphia, where he died leaving three children-John, Grace and Thomas. Later she became the wife of Davis Middleton, of Clearfield county, and with their family they now reside in Oshanter, Penn. (3) Newton M. was also a student for a time in the Soldiers' Orphan School, at Cassville. He wedded Miss May, daughter of Henry Kyler, of Graham town- ship, Clearfield county, and has four children, all at home, namely: Willard, Alton. Ruby and one whose name is not given. After his mar- riage he located in Wallaceton, Clearfield coun- ty, where he engaged in merchandising for a number of years, but in 1896 sold out and en- tered the Law School of Baltimore, Md., where he graduated in June, 1897, and still resides.

of Morris township, a daughter of Samuel and Margaret Hoover. He then located at Allport, on the old Hoover farin, where his wife died in June, 1882. To them were born two daughters: Irene, who is now living with her maternal grand- mother in Philipsburg, Penn .; and Libbie, who died at the age of six months.

After the death of his wife, Mr. Jury reinoved to Clearfield, where he engaged in the livery busi- ness with George Gearhart until 1883, and then carried the mail from that city to Karthaus for two years, after which he embarked in the livery business in Du Bois, buying out John S. Harlow. In October, 1886, for his second wife he married Miss Mary C., daughter of David and Mary Lans- bery, highly respected residents of Lawrence township, Clearfield county. They have two children: Mary Ruby, born in Du Bois, in Au- gust, 1887; and Bessie L., born in January, 1889. After his marriage Mr. Jury purchased a home on Cottage Hill, Du Bois, where he continued to re- side until his property was destroyed by fire in the great conflagration of 1888. In the same year, however, he rebuilt, and continued in the livery business in that place until 1893, when ne sold out and started a transfer and machinery business, which has since proved quite profitable.

In the Presbyterian Church of Du Bois Mr. and Mrs. Jury hold membership, and politically he is identified with the Republican party. For six years he acceptably served as assessor in the Second ward, and whether in public or private life has faithfully performed every duty that has devolved upon him. Through his own resources and by his own energy and ability, he has suc- ceeded in his business undertakings, for on start - ing out in life for himself he was in limited cir- cumstances.

Mr. Jury, whose name introduces this sketch, was born on the old homestead in Girard town- B RYANT D. SCHOONOVER. Few men are more prominent or more widely known in Graham and surrounding townships, in Clearfield county, than this gentleman. He has been an important factor in business circles, and his pop- ularity is well deserved, as in him are embraced the characteristics of an unbending integrity, un- abated energy and industry that never flags. He is public-spirited and thoroughly interested in whatever tends to promote the moral, intellectual and material welfare of the community. ship, September 25. 1853. and was educated in the public schools of that locality. After his fa- ther's death he remained with his mother until she, too, passed away, in October, 1868, when he went to live with an uncle, William Woold- ridge, in Bradford township, Clearfield county, making his home with him until twenty years of age. He then, for a few years, engaged in hunt- ing, and in rafting timber on the Susquehanna river for Miller & Mitchell, and later followed farming for his uncle until 1874, when he went P. B. Schoonover, the father of our subject, was a native of Tioga county, N. Y., where his parents, Benjamin (a practicing physician, and Catherine (Clendening) Schoonover, had removed at an early day from New Jersey, and there died. to Macon county, Ill., and from there to Stephen- son county, where he remained two years. He next traveled in different parts of the West until 1877, when he returned to Clearfield county, and soon afterward married Miss Frances A. Hoover, | In their family were four children. On coming

B.D. Schoon

Lavinia Schoonover

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHIICAL RECORD.

to Clearfield county in 1852. P. B. Schoonover located on Alder run in Morris township, where he followed lumbering for a time, and subse- quently conducted a sawmill at the mouth of the Moshannon until his return to Tioga county, N. Y. He operated his father's farm for a number of years, but after the latter's death returned to Clearfield county, and made his home with our subject until he, too, passed away. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Lorain Luce, was also a native of Tioga county, N. Y., and ever proved a most devoted wife and helpmeet. She also died at the home of our subject, the mother of children as follows: Bryant D., of whom this sketch more particularly relates; Frances. wife of M. B. French, by whom she has three children (in 1865 they removed from their home in Gra- ham township, Clearfield county, to Virginia, where they still reside); Orin L., one of the wealthiest and largest lumber dealers of Cooper township, Clearfield county; Delia L., who mar- ried Harry Everest, and died in Wisconsin, leav- ing two children; Emma, who made her home with our subject, and died in Cooper township, Clearfield county; J. N., married to Helen Mer- rell, of Kylertown, and with their family they now make their home in Philipsburg. Penn., where he is engaged in the real-estate business.

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2, Part 92

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