Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2, Part 94

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 94
USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 94
USA > Pennsylvania > Clearfield County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 94
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2 > Part 94

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For three years after his marriage, Mr. Hen- derson followed blacksmithing on his father's farm, and then purchased one hundred acres of timber land adjoining that place. Having erected a log house, he began the development of a farm, and in 1849 built a log barn and blacksmith shop. He followed his trade, and purchasing an exten- sive tract of land adjoining his first purchase, also engaged in lumbering for a number of years, making square timber, which he would raft down the river and ship to the Eastern markets .. While thus engaged he also embarked in mer- chandising, and that pursuit he followed through- out the remainder of his life. He discontinued blacksmithing some twenty years before his death. He was a man of great energy, and his well-directed efforts brought to him a handsome competence.

Mr. and Mrs. Henderson were parents of eleven children: (1) Samuel, born June 18, 1847, was reared on the home farm, and after attending the common schools was a student in the Curwensville Normal School, also in the Leonard High School at Clearfield, where he was graduated. Subsequently he engaged in teaching in Clearfield. In 1870 he married Jen- nie Whiteside, of Ramey, and died three months later. He is survived by his widow and one daughter, Katie, who is living with her mother. (2) John, born July 30, 1849, married Amanda Kephart, of Decatur township, and purchased the James Henderson farm, whereon he now re- sides. He has three children -- Mrs. Hilda Holl- man; Mrs. Roby Hollman; and Lena, who is liv- ing with her sister. (3) Jane, born September 22, 1851, is the widow of Michael Stone .. of Woodward township, who was killed while log- ging near his home. He left four children -- John, Thomas, Bessie and Grover Cleveland. His widow has since married James Stone, of Entriken, Huntingdon Co., Penn. (4) Thomas J., born January 30, 1854, traveled extensively in the West when a young man, and married Emma Bell, of Council Bluffs, Iowa. He then removed to San Francisco. Cal., and two years later lo- cated in Elena, Shasta Co., Cal., where he fol- lows farming. He has five children: Janet, Horace, Ethel, Berenice, and an infant unnamed. (5) Hugh, born May 5, 1856, moved to Wiscon-

in the lumber woods, after which he went to Port- land, Ore., and later to San Francisco. He there married Emma Scott, of Wheatland, Cal., but resides in San Francisco. He has four chil- dren -- Elmer, Edgar, Maud and Columbus. He is superintendent of the Water and Fire Proof Paint Co., and proprietor of a wood and coal yard; he is a member of the board of education of the city. (6) Martha, born January 5, 1862, is the widow of Alfred Anderson, of Jefferson county, Penn., who died in October, 1896. in Barnesboro, Cambria Co., Penn., where he fol- lowed the hotel and livery business. The four children-Lida. Byron, Boice and Esther -- are still with their mother. (7) Daniel died in in- fancy. (8) Elmer, born January 4, 1864. is liv- ing on the old homestead, which he has man- aged since his father's death, also taking care of his mother. (9) Alphens, born March 17, 1866. assumed the management of the mercantile inter- ests on his father's death, and continued the same until about two years ago. At this writing he is discharging the duties of a township officer. He married Katie Richards, of Woodward township, and they have two children living -- Mand and

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Ira. (10) Annie, born May 10, 1869, was mar- ried in 1886 to Wilbur Dunlap, of Woodward township, who is now weighmaster for the Mo- shannon Coal Co. They have four children- Elvin, Florence, Ernest and Roy. (11) Mary I., born June 16, 1873, is living with her mother. In 1892 they went to California, stopping at Chi- cago, en route, to view the World's Fair build- ings, then being erected. They proceeded on their way by the Denver and Rio Grande railroad to Ogden, Utah, and from there went to San Francisco. They visited Oakland, Sacramento, Alameda and other points of interest in the State, and while there the daughter entered a school of dress-making, where she learned the art of cut- ting and fitting. After seven months on the Pacific slope they returned home.

In politics Mr. Henderson was always a Dem- ocrat, and for eleven years served as postmaster at Jeffries. He was also township auditor and supervisor for a number of years, and held other local offices. He held membership in the Pres- byterian Church, to which his widow and one daughter also belong. He was a friend of edu- cation, served on the school board, and took an active interest in all measures pertaining to the general welfare. His death occurred July 27, 1892, when he had reached the seventy-third milestone on life's journey, and throughout the community he was deeply mourned, for he was a progressive citizen, a faithful friend and a kind husband and father.

T HOMAS W. GRANT, whose record as a Union soldier is one of which he may be justly proud, is now a valued and honored citi- zen of Karthaus township, Clearfield county. He was born March 19, 1827, in Blairsville, Indiana Co., Penn., and is a son of George and Sarah (Collins) Grant, the latter the daughter of John Collins, who on coming to this country from Ire- land located in Perry county, Penn., where his death occurred. The father of our subject was a native of Scotland, and emigrated to the United States prior to the war of 1812, in which he par- ticipated, and he was wounded at the battle of Lundy's Lane. On the close of the war he lo- cated in Perry county, where he contracted for building acqueducts on the canal, and also worked at the inason's trade until 1838. He then removed to Indiana county, where he bought a home and followed his trade until 1847, when he came to Clearfield county, but two years later he returned to Indiana county and there died. After his death his wife lived with their dangh- ter. Mrs. Sunderland, until she too passed away.

Our subject is one of a family of children, the others being as follows: Mary wedded Daniel Blake, a merchant tailor of Burnside township, Clearfield county, by whom she had several chil- dren. and both she and her husband are now de- ceased; Louisa is the wife of John Sunderland, of Gage county, Neb., and they have a large family; Azariah, who enlisted in the Union service in 1861, lost his arm at Hilton Head, and was killed in a collision at the mouth of Acquia creek; Annie died at the age of twenty-four years; and John, born July 26, 1844, makes his home in Covington township, Clearfield county.

Thomas WV. Grant accompanied his father on his removal from Indiana county to Clearfield county in 1847, and also returned with him to Indiana county in 1849. There he continued to reside until 1855, when he went to Centre coun- ty and engaged in the lumber trade until July 28, 1861, when he volunteered as a member of Com- pany E, First Pennsylvania Cavalry. He went into camp at Pierpont, Va., and the first engagement in which he took part was the battle of Gaines- ville, in the spring of 1862. Later he was in the battle of Falmouth-in fact participated in all in which his regiment was engaged. From Will- iamsburg he was sent to Cliffburn Barracks, later to Lincoln Hospital, in Washington, D. C., from there to City Point, Petersburg and Deep Bot- tom. On July 13, 1864, he was taken prisoner and incarcerated in Libby prison for two months, when he escaped by digging his way out, but was re-captured by Mosby's guerillas on the Rappa- hannock river, and was taken to Belle Isle, Rich- mond, Va. Eight of the eleven captured died. and the other three, including our subject. were taken to the hospital. He was paroled February 15. 1864, in Richmond, and sent to Annapolis, where he received a furlough and returned home. At City Point he again reported for duty, and re- mained with his regiment until honorably dis- charged in Philadelphia, September 15, 1865. He was a brave and fearless soldier, always found at his post of duty, and deserves an hon- ored place among the " boys in blue" as well as among the representative citizens of Clearfield county.

Since his return home, Mr. Grant has en- gaged in all kinds of general labor. In 1856 he was united in marriage with Miss Margaret J. De- Long, and they now reside in Karthans township, Clearfield county. Children as follows blessed their union, namely : Sarah Jane, born No- vember 13. 1856. died May 19, 1872: George W. born July 28. 1858, married Laura Burns, and lives in Sandy township, Clearfield county John Thomas and Daniel D. (twins) were born

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

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April 27, 1860; Nancy I., born January 26, 1861, was married in 1883 to Neil McKinzie, and re- moved to Victoria, British Columbia; Jacob B., born October 23, 1864; and Joseph W., born August 4, 1871, is teaching in the grammar school of Karthaus.

Politically, Mr. Grant is a stalwart Republic- an, and is now serving as supervisor of his town- ship. Both he and his estimable wife enjoy the friendship and acquaintance of a large number of the best people of Karthaus township and vicinity, and are held in the highest regard by all · who know them.

OEL CONWAY, of Huston township, is one of the leading agriculturists of Clearfield county, and his fine estate near Penfield is one of the largest tracts in the township, owned and cultivated by one man. He was born in Cameron county, Penn., in 18:47, and was four years old when he was taken to Clearfield county. The locality at time was very different from what it is at present, and his awakening intelligence took note of many scenes and incidents which the children of to-day can scarcely imagine.

Samuel Conway, our subject's father, was a native of Cameron county, born in 1802, and his parents died during his boyhood. He had a brother, Charles, and a sister, Nancy, both now deceased. He learned the blacksmith's trade, and for some years traveled about, working as he found opportunity. In 1840 he was married in Cameron county to Miss Susannah Shafer, a native of the county, and a lady who was well fitted to become the helpmeet of a pioneer. After a residence of about eleven years in their native county, at Driftwood, they moved to Hus- ton township, Clearfield county, and April 15, 1851, Mr. Conway purchased from Reynolds Bros. 234 acres of partially cleared and im- proved land. At that time there were only two other settlers in the township. Mr. Conway settled upon his new estate, giving to its cultiva- tion much of his time, although he still'continued to follow his trade. He took a keen interest in public questions of his time. and in political be- lief was a Democrat. He died at the old home farm in 1885; Mrs. Conway is still living, her usefulness culminating in an honored old age.

She belongs to old Pennsylvania stock, and her parents, John and Elizabeth (Bartholomew) Shafer, were born in Clinton county, the mother at the county seat, Lock Haven. They were among the early settlers at Sterling, Penn., clearing a farm there for their permanent home.

Both passed from earth in 1872, the father on the 8th of September, and the mother in Octo- ber. They had ten children, as follows: Mar- garet (Mrs. Bearfield), who died in Cameron coun- ty; Catherine (Mrs. Bartholomew), who moved to Wisconsin; Mary (Mrs. Richey), of Cameron county; Eliza (Mrs. Bearfield), who went to Wis- consin; Susannah (Mrs. Conway); Savilla (Mrs. Rudolph); Rachel (Mrs. Spangler), of Cameron county; Mrs. Smith, of Sterling Run; Frederic, who lives at the old homestead; and Bartholo- mew, who went to the West. Samuel Conway and wife also had ten children, namely: Mary Ann (Mrs. Alexander Burky), of Penfield, Clear- field county; Delilah (Mrs. Joseph Burky), of Elk county, Penn. ; Joel, our subject; Absalom, a resi- dent of Elk county; Elizabeth (Mrs. Kilmer), of Sandy township, Clearfield county; Nancy (Mrs. Dodd), formerly of Huston township, who died September 29, 1876; Edward, who died in 1862; Amos, deceased; Oliver, who died in 1858; and Ebenezer, deceased.

Joel Conway was reared upon the old farm in Huston township, and attended the schools near his home. Ever since assuming manhood's. responsibilities and cares he has been engaged in agriculture, and he now owns 237 acres of land, 175 of which are cleared and improved. The farm shows able management, and the buildings are good, the residence, which was built in 1868. being among the most substantial in the locality. In 1892 Mr. Conway married Miss Etta Kirk, a native of Brady township, Clearfield county. Her father, John Kirk, was born in Centre county, Penn., and her mother, whose maiden naine was Amelia Way, was a native of Curwensville. They located in Huston township in 1831, where the mother died in March, 1884; the father is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Conway have one son, Samuel, born February 22, 1897. Politically Mr. Conway is a Democrat.

B EV. R. G. ROSENBAUM, the former pastor of St. Paul's Lutheran Church at Du Bois, Clearfield county, was born in Smith county, Va., in 1854.

John and Matilda (Mahood) Rosenbaum, his parents, were natives of Tazewell county, Va. The father for a tinte followed farming in Smyth county, Va., also was a farmer for a number of years in the State of Missouri, but now is a res- ident of Marion; Va. The mother died in Taze- well county.

Rev. Rosenbaum passed the days of his boy- hood and youth in the county of his nativity, and in private schools received his primary education,

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

which was supplemented by a three-years' course at the Rural Retreat Academy in Wythe county, Va. Subsequently he taught a number of terms of public school, then in a seminary for one year, and in 1879 entered Roanoke College, at Salem, Va., where he graduated with the class of 1882. On leaving that institution he became a student in the Southern Theological Seminary, at the same place, and was there graduated in 1885. In the same year he entered upon his pastoral work in Preston county, W. Va., but throughout the greater part of his ministry he has been located in Pennsylvania, his second charge being at Donegal, Westmoreland county, where he re- mained three years. He was next at Cochran's Mills, Armstrong county, for four years, and since 1892 until recently he was the pastor of St. Paul's Church at DuBois.

This is an English Evangelical Lutheran Church, and was established in February, 1881, the first minister being Rev. R. H. Kline. For about a year services were held in Scanlen's Hall, and then a commodious brick church was erected at an approximate cost of $8,000. It was dedi- cated in 1882. Rev. Kline was succeeded by Rev. I. K. Wismer, who remained in charge until Rev. Rosenbaum became pastor in 1892. The parsonage was built in 1891 at a cost of $2,000, and is a good substantial frame structure. On its organization, the Church had a membership of only about twenty-five, but under the pastorate of Rev. Rosenbaum it constantly gained until it now numbers two hundred and six members.

In 1884, at Salem, Va .. our subject was mar- ried to Miss Alice Crawford, and to them have been born five children: Leonia, John, Mary, Paul and Laura. Rev. Rosenbaum has most faithfully performed his work in the ministry for a period of thirteen years, during which time his conscientious labors for the Master have met with their reward in the satisfaction which he feels in contemplating the fact that he has done what he could to fulfill the Master's will.

H H. VROMAN, yard master at Osceola Mills for the Pennsylvania railroad, was born in Bradford county, Penn., in 1843, a son of Barney and Dorinda ( Palmer) Vroman. The father was born in Pennsylvania of German an- cestry, and when a young man became a resident of Bradford county, where he married, his wife being a native of that county. . By occupation he was a farmer. In 1876 the parents removed to Missouri, where the father died ten years later; the mother is still a resident of that State.

Our subject is the third in order of birth in a

family of ten children, the others being as follows: Horace, who enlisted in the Union army at Brad- ford, and died in front of Richmond, Va. ; Peter, who also served during the Civil war, and is now a resident of Sullivan county, Penn. ; James, who makes his home in Bradford, Penn .; Stephen, who also enlisted in Bradford county, and is a resident of Sullivan county; Nathaniel, who be- came a member of a Pennsylvania regiment, and was numbered among the missing; Edgar, Ezra and Henry, who are all living in Missouri; and Polly, also of that State. The family was one of the most patriotic and loyal to be found in Bradford county, and, besides the five sons who gallantly went to the aid of their country during her hour of need, the father also served in a Pennsylvania regiment until discharged on ac- count of disability. ,

H. H. Vronian passed his early life in the usual manner of farmer boys, and in the public schools of Bradford county he acquired his edu- cation. There he enlisted in 1861, in Company K, Fiftieth P. V., I. for three years or until the close of the war. and was mustered into the United States service at Harrisburg. With the Army of the Potomac, he took part in the en- gagements at Hilton Head and Buford Island, S. C., and was then under Pope at the battles of Bull Run, Chantilly, Antietam and South Mountain under McClellan, and Fredericksburg under Burnside. His regiment then went to Kentucky, and subsequently participated in the sieges of Vicksburg and Jackson, Miss., after which they returned to Kentucky and took part in the siege of Knoxville. Returning to Virginia, our subject was with Grant's army during the three-days' battle of the Wilderness, and in all the other engagements up to the battle of Peters- burg, at which place he was honorably dis- charged in September, 1864, as his term of serv- ice had expired. He continued to make his home in Bradford county, until coming to Osce- ola Mills in 1870, since which time he has been in the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad Com- pany, serving for some time as brakeman and conductor, but since 1SSo he has held his pres- ent position as yard master. He is one of the trusted and faithful employees of the road, and has the confidence and esteem of all who know him.

At Osceola Mills, in 1876, Mr. Vroman was married to Miss Sarah Wheat, a native of Che- mung county, N. Y. Her parents, George W. and Martha (Streyer) Wheat, were also born in New York State, and on first coming to Penn- sylvania located in Philipsburg, whence they re- moved to Bradford county, where both dicd, the

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

former in 1889, the latter in 1893. To Mr. and Mrs. Vroman have been born five children namely: Frederick B. ; George W., who died in IS84; Gertrude, now the wife of John W. Mc- McMullin, of Osceola Mills: Delphene; and Charles A. Mr. Vroman now makes his home in Rush township, Centre county, and has ac- ceptably served as a member of the school board in that township. He gives his unswerving sup- port to the men and measures of the Republican party, and takes quite an active interest in polit- ical affairs. With the Grand Army of the Re- public he holds membership, and for two years served as commander of his Post. His strict integrity and sterling worth have gained for him the high regard of all with whom he has come in contact, and he has a host of warm friends in and around Osceola Mills.

M ICHAEL BRANIFF, an active and enter- prising farmer and lumberman of Becaria township, Clearfield county, was born November 17, 1837, in Blair county, Penn., and in 1850 was brought to Becaria township by his parents, Philip and Catharine (Jordan) Braniff.

Michael Braniff, grandfather of our subject, was of Irish parentage. At an early day he lo- cated on a farm in Cambria county, near Wil- more, where he died when the father of our sub- ject was quite small. The latter was born in that county in May, 1811, and there he grew to manhood. For some years he was employed at the Bald Eagle Furnace, during which time he purchased a tract of land on Clearfield creek at Becaria Mills, where he located on coming to Clearfield county. For a number of years he followed rafting, but later in life gave his entire attention to agricultural pursuits, having trans- formed his wild land into productive fields, and improved the place with good buildings. There he died in 1872, his wife in 1869.

In the family of this worthy couple were the following children: (1) Mary A., born in Blair ; outbuildings, which stand as monuments to his

county in 1836, came with her parents to Clear- field county, and later married John Shay, of Becaria township. They located in Utahville, where he followed lumbering. As a soldier in the Union army during the Civil war, he partici- pated in all the battles of his reginient, and was promoted from private to first lieutenant. They have a large family. (2) John, born in 1840. in Blair county, grew to manhood on the home farm in Clearfield county, and in early life worked in the woods. After his marriage to Mary Bair, of Glen Hope, he removed to the oil fields of Ve- mango county. Peun., where he remained until

1884, since which time he has lived on a farm near Atchison, Kans. He has five children- Nancy, Martin, Alice, Maggie and Edgar. (3) Ellen is now Mrs. John Dillon, of Becaria town- : ship. (4) Martha, born in 1846, in Blair coun- ty, grew to womanhood in Clearfield county, where she was educated in the common schools. She is now keeping house for her brothers in Ve- nango county. (5) Catharine, born in Blair county in 1848, attended the common schools of Clearfield county during the winter; she married A. K. Lewis, of Venango county, where he is engaged in the oil business, as superintendent for the Bradford Oil Co. (6) William, born in Be- caria township, Clearfield county, remained on the home farm until 1865, when he and his brother John went to the oil fields of Venango county, where he is still located. (5) Ambrose, born in Becaria township. accompanied his broth- ers to Venango county, where he is still engaged as a driller. In 1896 he was sent by the com- pany to Kansas to prospect in the oil fields there. (S) Henry, born in Becaria township, went to Venango county, where he married, and later removed to New York, where he is now engaged in drilling for oil. He has one child.

During his boyhood and youth, Michael Bran- iff, our subject, assisted in the labors of the farm, and was allowed to attend school about three months during the winter season when the farm work was not heavy. On January 1. 1862, he married Miss Elizabeth, daughter of George and Sarah Bratton, of Becaria township, after which event, and same year, he purchased fifty acres of land of Groom Lightner & Co., one mile north of Irvona. He at once began to clear the heav- ily-timbered tract, and erected a hewed-log house and round-log barn. He rafted lumber down the creek and river to Marietta and Columbia, and is still interested in that business. He has con- verted his land into a most desirable farin, in 1 SS7 erected thereon a fine two-story residence, and, the year following, a good barn and other thrift and industry.

To Mr. and Mrs. Braniff have been born twelve children, as follows: (1) James, born in 1863, learned the barber's trade, and was con- ducting a shop in Irvona at the time of his death, in Angust, 1889. (2) John, born in 1865. as- sisted in the work of the farm until Angust, 1879. when he was killed on Clearfield creek by a log rolling on him. (3) Sarah C., born in 186 ;. married J. G. Hopkins, of Becaria township, and they lived on a farm near Utahville, where he died in 1895, leaving a widow and two children- Dale, born in 1892, died in January, 1896: and

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Horace M., born in June, 1894, now living with our subject, as does also Mrs. Hopkins. (4) Philip G., born in 1869, went to Virginia in 1891, and engaged in lumbering. In 1894 he married Hattie Munson, of West Virginia, and with their little daughter, Beatrice, they live in Davis, W. Va. (5) William H., born in 1872, was reared on the home farm, and attended the district schools of the neighborhood through the winter season. In 1892 he went to Virginia, where he engaged in lumbering, but is at present employed in the oil fields of Sisterville, W. Va. (6) Frank M., born March 12, 1874, was educated in the home schools, and is still at home, but has worked to some extent in the lumber woods of West Virginia. (7) Mary J., born in 1876, is now the wife of L. G. Hollingshead, of Altoona, Penn. (8) Martha L., born in 1879, died Octo- ber IS, 1896. (9) Harvey A., born April 19. 1881, assists in the operations of the home farm. (10) Amanda, born in 1883. (11) Hattie R., born in 1886, and (12) Stella A., born in 1889, are all at horne.

Mr. Braniff uses his right of franchise in sup- port of the men and measures of the Democratic party. In religious faith he is a member of the Catholic Church, while his wife is a Protestant. They have many warm friends throughout the community, and have the confidence and respect of all who know them.

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 2, Part 94

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