Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3, Part 101

Author: J.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1898
Publisher: Chicago : J. H. Beers
Number of Pages: 1332

USA > Pennsylvania > Clearfield County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 101
USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 101
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 101
USA > Pennsylvania > Clarion County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 101

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).

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHIICAL RECORD.

severance have enabled him to overcome the difficulties found in his path. and to-day he is efficiently filling an honorable and important position.

J TOHN R. LOWRY, justice of the peace; real estate and insurance; collections a specialty ; "Weber Block," Punxsutawney, Jefferson county, Pennsylvania.

D AVID HEFREN has for several years been actively identified with the lumber and agri- cultural interests of Farmington township, Clar- ion county. His life has been one of honest and earnest endeavor, and due success has not been denied him. The Hefren family was founded in Clarion county by his father, Ferry Hefren, a na- tive of Ireland, who, when a young man, crossed the Atlantic and rook up his residence here, pur- chasing a tract of wild wood land near what is now known as Crown, in Farmington township, and after marrying Magdalene Walley, he lo- cated upon that place, making his home in a log house he had erected. In connection with im- proving and cultivating his land, he also engaged in boat building on the Clarion river. He died upon that place in 1863, and his faithful wife, who had shared with him all the hardships and trials of frontier life, passed away in 1895.

The subject of this sketch is one of their fam- ily of children, the others being as follows: (1) Mary, born on the old homestead in Farmington township, wedded James McAldy, of Beaver coun- ty, Penn., who was killed some years later in a sawmill in Clarion county. Their children were James; Charles; and Mrs. Lizzie Coffee, of Roch- ester, N. Y. (2) Catharine married Thomas McCloskey, of Forest county, Penn., and died on a farm in Farmington township, Clarion county, in 1896, leaving seven children, namely: B. F., Mary, Rosie, James, Charles, Alice and Leo. (3) Peter married Bridget Dalson, of Clarion county, and located at Gravel Lick, on the Clarion river, where he followed boat building and lumbering for some years; moving to Elk county, Penn., he has since engaged in lumibering and farming, and is at present serving as county auditor. His children are: Clara, Wayne, Ida, Charles, Alice, Robert (who died in childhood), Mary and Leroy, all at home. (4) Margaret is the widow of G. W. Sharrow, of Clarion county, who died some years ago at his home at Blakes Landing on the Clarion river. Her children are: A. J., Ella, W. C., Rose, Charles, Stephen, Gertrude and Frank. (5) Rosie married John Joyce, of

Buffalo, N. Y., where she died some years ago, leaving one son -- John, who still resides in that city. She was three times married, her second husband being a Mr. Vacey, of Buffalo, by whom she had one son, Charles. Her third husband was a Mr. Lyme, of Buffalo. (6) Stephen and (7) James both died in childhood.

Upon the old homestead in Farmington township, where all the other children were born, David Hefren began his earthly existence January 17, 1839, and in the common schools of the neighborhood he acquired his education. In 1860 he and his brother-in-law, James McAlay, built a boat, which they stocked with provisions, cows and a team and wagon, and started down the Ohio river to Parkersburg, W. Va., where they resided for three years while engaged in steamboating on the Ohio, and wagon mak- ing. Buying a portable sawmill, our subject shipped the same to the old homestead in Clarion county, and engaged in the manufacture of lum- ber in partnership with Mr. McAlay until the latter was killed in 1865. Mr. Hefren then moved the mill near Scotch Hill, but two years later it was destroyed by fire. Having pur- chased a stationary mill in 1869, he contracted with J. G. Brandon to saw the timber on a large tract of land between Cooksburg and North Pine Grove, where he continued operations until 1871, when he purchased 268 acres of Mr. Brandon. Some of his land he has cleared and improved, converting it into a fine farm, on which he erected a large barn in 1874 and a commodious residence ten years later.

In 1864 Mr. Hefren was married to Miss Sarah A. Woolf, of Meigs county, Ohio, a daugh- ter of George and Sarah Woolf, prosperous agri- culturists of that State. They began their do- mestic life upon the old homestead in Farmington township, and all of their thirteen children have been born in Clarion county: (1) James E., born in 1865, married Annie Kempf, of Scotch Hill, by whom he has two children-Harry and Sarah. He resides upon a part of his father's present farm. (2) Peter A., born in August, 1866, is still at home. (3) Mattie, born in June, 1868, died at the age of two years. (4) A giri born December 10, 1869, died unnamed. (5) Cath- arine, born in May, 1871, is now the wife of Syl- vester Wilkinson, of Clarion county, by whom she has two sons-Thomas D. and J. Merrill. They now live at her father's mill in Farmington. (6) Sarah, born in March, 1873, was educated in the Clarion Normal School, and has for seven years successfully engaged in teaching in Forest and Clarion counties. She is a very bright young lady, and is at present living with her father.

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(7) John, born in May, 1875, received a common- school education, and resides at home. (S) Anna, born March 20, 1877, completed her education in the Clarion Normal, and is teaching in the public schools of Clarion county, also making her home with her father. (9) Veronica, born in March, 1879; (10) William, on April 17, 1881; (II) Law- rence, in May, 1883, died May 9, 1898, from in- juries received in a fall nine months before; (12) Harry, April 3, 1885, died January 27, 1892; and (13) Duane, April 22, 1888, live at home. The wife and mother, who was a most estimable lady, and a devout member of the Catholic Church, was called to her final rest April 24, 1897. Mr. Hefren and his children are also communicants of the same Church.

Politically, Mr. Hefren isan ardent Democrat, has served as school director, and in i884 was elected county commissioner, a position he filled with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of his constituents for three years. He is one of the most popular and influential citizens of his community, and well deserves the high regard in which he is held. Although he started out in life for himself a poor boy, he has by industry, perseverance and good management accumulated a comfortable competence, being to-day one of the most successful Humbermen on the Clarion river.

F M. DENNISTON is one of the most ener- getic and progressive business men of Beaver township, Clarion county, and as a dealer in tor- pedoes and other explosives he is doing a suc- cessful and prosperous business. He is also in- terested in the oil business, and has carried on operations at Knox since March, 1876, coming here from Grove City, Mercer Co., Penn. He is a native of that county, born in Leesburg, Spring- field township, February 26, 1845, and was there reared and educated. He worked at the car- penter's trade previous to coming to Knox; but has since devoted his energies to his present busi- ness, being the oldest dealer in torpedoes in this section of the State.

ing early life he was variously employed, con- ducting the first saw and grist mill run by water power in his locality, and he was also interested in an iron furnace and in mercantile pursuits un- til the outbreak of the Civil war. He then turned his attention to farming, and still resides on the old homestead at the age of eighty-two, honored and respected by all who know him. His estimable wife departed this life March 4, 1892.

Our subject is the eldest of their five sons. W. C., who operated the home farm in Mercer county, died in April, 1889. A. F. is a resident of Parkersburg. W. Va., and is engaged in the hardware business for the American Supply Com- pany. C. W. lives on the old homestead in Mercer county. Edward was engaged in the tor- pedo business for the Ohio & Indiana Torpedo Company, and was killed at Cygnet, Wood Co., Ohio, in February, 1897.

In 1880, in Clarion county, F. M. Denniston was married to Miss Anna M. Schmader, who was born in Knox township, that county, a daugh- ter of Simon and Anna (Gates) Schmader,. na- tives of Germany, who were married in St. Mary's, Elk Co., Penn. In 1832 they took up their resi- dence in Knox township, Clarion county, where the father opened up a farm and is still living at the age of eighty-three. In Elk county he had worked in an iron furnace. His wife died March 9, 1893. To them were born seventeen children, of whom the following are still living: Eli, a res- ident of Knox township; Mrs. Mary Shively, who died in Massillon, Ohio, in April, 1888; Jacob and Mrs. Lizzie Weber, who still live in Massil- lon, Ohio; Joseph, of Leeper, Farmington town- ship, Clarion county; Samuel and John, farmers of Knox township; Mrs. Reynolds, of Beaver Falls, Penn .; Mrs. Denniston; Henry, of Farm- ington township; Sebastian, of Clarion county; Mrs. Maggie Fidler, of Rimersburg, Clarion coun- ty: Anna Maria, of Irvin, Penn .; and Simnon, who resides on the old homestead in Knox town- ship. By a former marriage the mother had one daughter, Mrs. John Snyder, of Knox, who be- longs to one of the earliest families of Clarion county. Mr. and Mrs. Denniston have three children: Carrie J., Edward A. and Francis M.

Edward Denniston, father of our subject, was born in Leesburg, Mercer county, in ISI5, a son of Alexander Denniston, whose wife was a na- As a Democrat, Mr. Denniston takes quite an active part in political affairs, and has served for three terms as burgess of Knox, and three terms as a member of the city council, being the pres- ent chairman of that body. He is a recognized leader in public affairs, and his public and private lite are alike above reproach, for his career has ever been one characterized by the utmost fidel- tive of Scotland. She was of Scotch-Irish de- scent. The grandfather became a pioneer of Mercer county, where he made his home for many years. He died in Dubuque, Iowa, and his wife passed away at the same place, while on a visit to his grave. In the county of his na- tivity, Edward Denniston was reared to man- hood and married Miss Mary Jane Coulter. Dur- 1 ity to duty. Fraternally he is connected with 101

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the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Knights of the Maccabees at Knox. In the pros- ecution of his business there has been manifest one of the most sterling traits of his character- his desire to carry forward to the highest perfec- tion attainable anything that he undertakes. This has marked his social and business career, and has been one of the most important factors in his sucesss.

G EORGE B. WOODS, M. D. Among the younger men who were born in Clarion county, none are more worthy of a place in the annals of the section where his life has been passed, than he whose name opens this review.

Born of parents and grandparents who have figured in the history of central Pennsylvania, Dr. Woods, himself, while yet comparatively . a young man, is occupying a most creditable po- sition in his profession, in society and as a citi- zen of Curllsville, and of the county. George and Sarah (Shell) Woods, his paternal grand- parents, were natives of Centre county and Read- ing, Penn., respectively. Both are buried in Squirrel Hill cemetery, in Clarion county. The grandfather was occupied as a collier. His fa- ther was a native of Ireland, but came to Penn- sylvania in its early settlement.

Dr. Woods' parents were born in Hunting- don county, Penn., met and were married at Leatherwood, Clarion county, in 1862. The children who came to bless their union were: George B., our subject; and Laura May, who at this writing is teaching in the public schools of New Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

George B. Woods was born August 5, 1863, at Leatherwood, Penn., where he was reared on a farm. He remained on the farm until at the age of nineteen, when he engaged in teach- ing in the public schools of his own district, during vacations attending the Clarion Collegiate Institute at Rimersburg. When twenty-two years of age he began the study of medicine under the direction of Dr. A. M. Moaney, of Leatherwood. Some six months or more later he began attending lectures at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Baltimore, Md., re- maining two years. In 1887 he was graduated from that institution with honors, being granted a gold medal, the third memorial prize, and located in the practiceat Leatherwood, where he remained two and one-lialf years, then went to Curllsville. where he has since remained successfully en- gaged in active practice. He is an enterprising and progressive citizen, and is up with the times in all that he undertakes. He is identified with

the Lutheran Church. Politically he is a Dem- ocrat, and while not an aspirant for office, he has filled several of the minor local offices, as school director and auditor, deeming it a duty as a citi- zen to yield to the expressed desire of his fellow townsmen. Socially, he is a member of the Knights of the Maccabees.

On August 25, 1887. at Squirrel Hill, Penn., Dr. Woods was married to Miss Ada M. Arma- gast, and the union has been blessed with chil- dren as follows: Eugene V. and Beatrice, both at home. The mother is a native of Clarion county, born at Squirrel Hill, November 9, 1868, a daughter of Thomas and Susannah (Hepler) Armagast, both natives of Clarion county, the former born in 1824 and the latter in 1825, and they are now residents of Squirrel Hill. The father by trade is a blacksmith, though he is now living retired. He has been a lifelong meinber of the Reformed Church. In politics he is a Repub- lican. Their children are: Mary married Frank Doverspike, a farmer of Kansas; Martha married J. D. Laughlin, a lumber manufacturer of Pit- cairn, Penn .; Agnes is the widow of J. A. Rick- ard, who was a farmer of Smithland, Penn .; Elsa is the wife of A. F. M. Mohney, who is a physician of Rimersburg; Alice is the wife of Theodore Krotzer, who is an oil operator of Greece City, Penn. ; Clarissa is the wife of P. M. Fox, of Curllsville; Elizabeth is the wife of Dr. C. S. Mohney, of Callensburg; William M. is by occupation a blacksmith of Rimersburg; Nettie is the wife of J. B. Slaugenhaupt, who is a farmer of Piollett, Penn .; and Harry S. is a blacksmith, of Pitcairn, Pennsylvania.

E ADWARD PLYLER, a representative and prominent citizen of Toby township, is one of the men of Clarion county who have worked their own way from humble beginnings to lead- ership in commerce, the great productive in- dustries, agricultural pursuits and the manage- inent of financial affairs. He is a man of. pro- gressive ideas and industrious habits, and the success that he has achieved is certainly well deserved.

Mr. Plyler was born October 10, 1832, in Schuylkill county, Penn., and his parents, Michael and Maria (Burkett) Plyler, were natives of the same county. The paternal grandfather, on em- igrating froni Germany, located there at an early day and continued to make it his home; by occu- pation he was a fariner. He and his brother. Peter Plyler, both served as privates in the Rev- olutionary war. When past the age of eighty- five he died, and was buried near Pottsville,

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

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Penn. The maternal grandparents of our sub- ject were also natives of the Fatherland, and were early settlers of Schuylkill county, where they spent their remaining days.

It was in 1837 that the parents of our sub- ject came to Clarion county and located above Millville, where they made their home for ten years. From there they removed to Jefferson county, where the father followed farming until failing health caused his retirement from active labor. He died in the faith of the Lutheran Church in 1844, at a ripe old age, and was laid to rest near the church of that denomination in Beaver township, Jefferson county. The mother, however, was a Methodist in religious belief, and when she died in November, 1867, at the age of seventy, her remains were interred at Mt. Zion church, Jefferson county. Both were earnest Christian people, and had the respect and confi- dence of all who knew them.

Edward Plyler is next to the youngest in the family, composed of the following children: Daniel, a retired farmer living in Tylersburg, Penn .; Solomon, who died December 9, 1895, and was buried at Cool Springs, Jefferson county; Simon, a stonemason of Clinton county .; Betsy, who married Henry Wonderling, but both are now deceased; Eli,a retired farmer of Jefferson county; Catherine, who has been married three times, first to Peter Spangler, later to Israel Bierly, and third to George Heckner, deceased (she resided with her son near Punxsutawney, Penn., until her death in 1897); Philip, a retired farmer of Jefferson county; and Joseph, a resi- dent of Port Barnett. Jefferson county. At the age of ten years Mr. Plyler, whose name intro- duces this sketch, began to earn his own living by driving cattle, and was later employed in the lumber woods until his marriage at the age of eighteen. On August 9, 1850, in Heathville, Jefferson county, he wedded Miss Margaret Zerby, Charles Jaycocks, Esq., performing the ceremony. Three children were born to them, but two are now deceased: Mary, who died in childhood; and" Thomas, who died in Wisconsin. Sarah. the only one living, is now the widow of Eli McCall, and is a resident of Toby township, Clarion county. She has four children: Margaret, the wife of J. C. Stitt, of Allegheny county, Penn .: Clinton W., of Allegheny county. Penn. ; Edward P., who lives with his mother, and is engaged in farming in Toby township; and Mary B., who resides with our subject.

Mrs. Plyler was born in Union county, Penn .. June 7, 1830, and is a daughter of John and Mary (Shaffer) Zerby, who resided in Union county until 1836, when they removed to Centre. In

1 842 they took up their residence in Shippenville, Clarion county, where her father operated a mill. In 1861 he removed to Armstrong county, where his death occurred in December, 1868, when sixty-four years of age. His wife died on April II, 1871, and was laid by his side in the cemetery at Slate Lick, Armstrong county. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, while he was a Lutheran in religious belief. Their children were: Susan, now the widow of John Meyers, of Iowa, who was a soldier of the Civil war, and lost his arm at Vicksburg; Daniel, who was a member of the 78th P. V. I., and was shot through the head at Stone River, Tenn .; Mar- garet, wife of our subject; Henry J., who was a member of the 62nd P. V. I., but was never wounded during his entire service; Mary, wife of Joseph Freece, a carriage manufacturer of Erie. Penn .; and Sarah, wife of Martin Wyant, who was also a Union soldier, and is now an engineer residing in Erie. Michael Zerby, the paternal grandfather of Mrs. Plyler, was a native of Ger- many, and on coming to the New World became an extensive land owner in Union county, Penn., where he engaged in farming until his death at the age of sixty years. During the Revolution he served as a private. The maternal grand- parents were Daniel and Sarah Alice Shaffer, of Union county, who died in Pine Grove, Centre county, Penn. : the former was also a private in the Continental army during the struggle for American independence, and died at the age of ninety from disease contracted in the service.

For three years after his marriage Mr. Plyler was employed in the flouring-mill of his brother-in-law in Jefferson county, and then erated a mill on shares for one year at Heathville. Subsequently he conducted a mill at Troy for the same length of time, and then go- ing to Cedar county, Iowa, he operated mills in Lathrope and Cartwright for two years, return- ing to Brookville, Penn., in the fall of 1860. The following spring he took charge of a mill in Prescottville, Jefferson county, and later he con- ducted another mill in Geistown in the same county, until he joined the boys in blue to aid in the preservation of the Union. It was on August 15, 1862, that Mr. Plyler enlisted in Company I. 148th P. V. I. Capt. John M. McGuire, first commanded the company, and later Capt. Silas Martin, while John A. McGuire served as first lieutenant. Our subject partic- ipated in the battles of Fredericksburg. Chancel- . lorsville and Gettysburg, and at the last named on July 2, 1863, his left arm was pierced by a rifle ball. From the wheat field, where he re- ceived the injury, he was taken to the second di-

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vision field hospital, where his left arm was am- putated. After being confined in several differ- ent hospitals, he was finally discharged at West Philadelphia, October 23, 1863, and returned to his home in Heathville. Other members of the Plyler family who lent their services to the gov- ernment during the Rebellion were: Joseph, William, Zach, David, Simon and his son, Eli, and Lewis Rodes.

At that time he had $85, and his wife had also saved about that much from the money he had sent her during his service, but it did not take long to use their small capital, and they were finally reduced to $4 with which he began life anew. After six months passed at Heathville, he re- moved to Red Bank township, Clarion county, where he operated the McKilps & Humphrey mill for two years, and for the same length of time conducted a mill in Toby township: After operating the Snyder mill at Cherry Run for six months, lie purchased a farm in Licking town- ship, Clarion county, which he sold two years later for $4,000, making $1,000 on the specula- tion. He then purchased his present farm in Toby township for $4,000, but two years later sold it for $6,750. The following two years were spent in Callensburg, and for three years he made his home on a small place at the Camp Grounds, after which he purchased his present fine farm. He has met with a well-deserved success in its cultivation, and to-day has one of the most desirable places in the community.

For the past seventeen years he has been a member of the Ancient Order of United Work- men at Callensburg, and also belongs to the Grand Army Post at Sligo. His political sup- port is always given the men and measures of the Republican party, and he has been called upon to serve in the offices of constable and supervisor. His estiniable wife is connected with the Method- ist Episcopal Church. She presides with gra- cious dignity over their elegant home, and there hospitality reigns supreme, the many friends of the family always being sure of a hearty welcome within its doors. Its inmates are intelligent and refined people, who take a deep and commend- able interest in everything calculated to advance the moral, educational or material interests of the community.

P J. THOMPSON. The subject of this re- view is one whose history touches the pio- neer epoch in the annals of Clarion county, and whose days are an integral part of that dissoluble chain which links the early, formative period

with that of latter-day progress and prosperity. He was born here September 18, 1821, and throughout his entire life has been identified with the growth and development of this re- gion.

Caleb Thompson, our subject's father, was of Scotch extraction, and was one of the early set- tlers of Huntingdon county, Penn., while his mother, who bore the maiden name of Mary Ad- lerman, was born in Pennsylvania, of German ancestry. In 1821 they came to Clarion county, where they spent . their remaining years, the fa- ther dying at the age of sixty, and the mother at the age of seventy-one. Caleb Thompson was twice married, and by the first union had two children, John and Ruth, now deceased. The following children graced the second marriage: William, Andrew, Caleb, James, David, Jeffer- son, Abram, P. J., of this sketch, Ruth, Mary, Rachel, Margaret, and Nancy.

On the old home farm P. J. Thompson was early taught lessons of industry and honesty, and in the district schools of the neighborhood ac- quired his literary education. He aided in the arduous task of clearing and developing the wild land, chopping down the trees and grubbing up the stumps before crops could be planted. In 1848 he located upon his present farm in Elk township,.which now comprises seventy-six acres of valuable land, which he has placed under a high state of cultivation and improved with good and substantial buildings, which stand as monu- ments to his thrift and industry.

In 1845 Mr. Thompson was united in marriage with Miss Mary Keiser, a daughter of George Keiser, one of the first settlers of Clarion county. She is a most estimable woman, and has proved to her husband a true helpmeet, aiding and en- couraging him in every possible way. They have now traveled life's journey together for over fifty- two years, sharing its joys and its sorrows, its adversity and prosperity, and have gained the confidence and respect of all who know them. They are the parents of eleven children, namely: Clarence, Edwin, Wesley, Elmer, Burton, Sarah. Alice, Kate, Frances, Elizabeth and Flora. The family is one of prominence. all of the children occupying honorable positions in so- ciety. For many years the parents have been earnest and faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which three of their daugh- ters also belong. Politically, Mr. Thompson is a pronounced Republican. The part which he has taken in the development of the county has impressed his name indelibly upon its records. and he well deserves mention among the honored pioneers.

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3, Part 101

Author: J.H. Beers & Co Publication date: 1898 Publisher: Chicago : J. H. Beers Number of Pages: 1332

Author: J.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1898
Publisher: Chicago : J. H. Beers
Number of Pages: 1332