Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3, Part 102

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 102
USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 102
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 102
USA > Pennsylvania > Clarion County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 102

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

1605

N W. SHUGERT, physician, Tidioute, Pennsylvania, is widely and favorably known throughout the State.

H ENRY HARRIGER. The Harriger family have been identified with the development of this Commonwealth for more then a century and a quarter. He whose name introduces this sketch, a farmer of Clarion county, is of the third generation who tilled the soil and assisted in the State's onward march to her present high ex- cellency.

There lie buried in the Churchville cemetery Michael Harriger, the grandfather of Henry Har- riger, and by his side his wife, who was Elizabeth Smathers, both natives of Luzerne county, Penn .. where they lived as early as 1771. Mich- ael Harriger, a son of this pioneer couple, and the father of Henry Harriger, was born in Luzerne county, June 19, 1806, and in 1811 came with his parents to what is now Clarion county, where they located on a farm in Monroe township, upon which their grandson (under consideration) now resides. On September 23, 1830, in Clarion county, Michael Harriger married Elizabeth Wiser, the ceremony being performed by Rev. Core, and their children were: Jacob, born Sep- tember 27, 1831, died April 21, 1833; John, born January 24, 1833, is a farmer near Kalamazoo, Mich .; Mary. born December 24, 1834, mar- ried Jacob Hetrick, a farmer near Kalamazoo, and died in 1863; Henry is our subject; Philip, born March 25, I'S39. is a wagon maker residing in Du Bois, Penn. ; Washington, born April 17, IS41, was a member of Captain McLain's Com- pany, 83d P. V. I., in the Civil war, and was killed in battle in 1863; Daniel, born December 13, 1844, is a blacksmith at Greenville, Penn .; James L., born January 9, 1847, is a farmer near White Cloud, Mich. ; and Alexander, born March 29, 1850, died August 21, 1851. The father of these children died September 8, 1892; the inother passed away September 12, 1857; and both are buried in Licking cemetery, in Clarion county. The father was identified with the Bap- fist Church and the mother with the Presbyterian. They were good and pious Christians who moved along through life in the even tenor of their way, doing good deeds here and there, and mak- ing the world better for their exemplary lives. Her place of nativity was in Mifflin county, where she was born June 30, 1809, a daughter of Jacob and Mary (Meyers) Wiser, who were born east of the Alleghany Mountains, located in Piney town- ship. Clarion county, in 1827, and in 1836 settled in Monroc township, where they passed the rest of

their lives. He died in 1837, when he was aged fifty-four years. His widow survived until 1854. when she passed away at the age of seventy years. Both are buried at Churchville.

Henry Harriger was born January 17, 1837, on the homestead where he has practically re- sided for sixty years. At the age of twenty-two years he went to work on a farm for John Trainor, remaining four years. In 1862, when our Union was threatened and Civil war was upon us, fired with patriotism and love of country, young Har- riger enlisted in Company H, 155th P. V. I. He was with the Army of the Potomac, and shared the fate of his command from Antietam to Appomattox, participating in the numerous skirmishes and battles in which his company was engaged. Among them were Antietam, Fred- ericksburg, Chancellorsville, Hatcher's Run, and the Wilderness. During the battle of Gettysburg he was confined in the hospital at Fairfax, Va., where he was ill for six weeks. He received an honorable discharge from the service in June, 1865, then returned to the home farm of his parents, and in the fall following resumed agri- cultural pursuits. Following farming through a long life, Mr. Harriger is not without that ripe ex- perience and knowledge of that avocation that one acquires in years of practical work. He has a beautiful farm of 200 acres, on which he is building a new two-story frame house, which will make him- self and wife a cozy home where they may pass the evening of life with the comforts their indus- try and frugality have won for them. They are upright Christian people, members of the Pres- byterian Church, and enjoy the respect of the en- tire community.

Before her marriage to Henry Harriger, which occurred at the church parsonage in Monroe township, on December 26, 1865, being solemn- ized by Rev. Joseph Matier, a Presbyterian min- ister, Mrs. Harriger was Sarah Myers. The children born to this couple are: Jennie M., born October 30, 1866, married James Campbell, a farmer of Piney township, Clarion county; she has two children-Vera, born August 25, 1885. and Lillie May, born September 15, 1896; P. Emery was born August 14, 1868; Bertin C., June 24, 1871; J. Earl, September 19, 1876; and James McC. B., September 21, 1887.

Mrs. Harriger is a native of Clarion county, born in Pirey township, April 13, 1845, a daugh- ter of Jacob and Sarah (Best) Myers. Jacob Myers was born in Clarion county, March 2. 1820, and died April 6, 1886. Sarah Best was born May 6, 1824, and died in 1863. Their marriage occurred May 16, 1844, and the chil- dren born to thein were as follows: Sarah, the

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

oldest; John, born September 21, 1846, is a resi- dent of Forest county, Penn. ; Henry, born April 3, 1848, died in 1854; Valentine, born January 12, 1850, is a farmer of Sligo, Penn .; Evaline, born January 11, 1853, died in 1855; Minnie C., born December 6, 1856, married Benjamin King, an oil driller residing in Butler county, Penn .; twins, born October 5, 1860, died in infancy; and Morgan, born September 18, 1862, died March 5, 1864. Jacob Myers' second wife was Susan Wiger, who was born in Mifflin county, Penn., in 1820, a daughter of Jacob Wiser, who came from Mifflin county to Clarion county in 1827. He was a weaver by trade. The parents of Jacob Myers were John and Elizabeth Myers, - who were from east of the Alleghanies.

A M. BRENNEMAN, a successful contractor and builder in Shippenville, Clarion county, as well as one of the representative citizens of the place, was born on June 8, 1838, in West- moreland county, Pennsylvania.

Jacob Brenneman, his father, was a native of the same county, and of German descent, while his mother, who bore the name of Christina Ann Gibony, was born in America, of Irish ancestry. Throughout his business career the father en- gaged in merchandising, and was also interested in the oil business. He was an ardent Republican in politics, and was a well-known and prominent citizen of his community. He died at the ripe old age of eighty-four, and his estimable wife was sixty-five years of age when she was. called to her final rest. In their family were fifteen children, eight sons and seven daughters, of whom five are still living. One son, Fulton, was a member of an Illinois regiment during the Civil war, and was killed at the battle of Vicks- burg.

A. M. Brenneman spent the first sixteen years of his life in Westmoreland county, where he at- tended school and then came to Clarion county. During his early manhood he was variously eni- ployed in the oil regions, also engaged in con- tracting and building, and was also a pilot on the Allegheny river for many years. He was resid- ing in Clarion county at the outbreak of the Civil war, and, feeling that his country needed his services, he enlisted April 28, 1861, in Company H, Sth Regiment, P. R. V. C. With his regi- ment he participated in the seven-days' fight on the Peninsula, was in the engagement at Gaines

. Hill, Charles City Cross Roads, Malvern Hill, Mechanicsville, and the second battle of Bull Run, where, on the last day of the fight, he was severely wounded. For some time he remained i

in hospital, but was finally discharged as corporal, in February, IS63. Returning to his home, he remained there until 1876, when he took up his residence in Shippenville, where he has since successfully engaged in contracting and building. He is accorded an honorable position among the enterprising and reliable men of the place.

On July 28, 1865, in Venango county, Penn., Mr. Brenneman was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Jane Hoy, a native of that county, who died October 21, 1877. Of the five chil- hren born -to them three are still living, namely: Eva, now the wife of A. P. Black, of Bradner, Ohio; Laura, wife of J. Ehler, of Shippenville; and Anna, at home.

As a Republican Mr. Brenneman has ever taken an active interest in political affairs, and has been elected to a number of official positions of honor and trust. The cause of education has ever found in him a stanch supporter, and as a member of the school board he has done much to advance its interests. His own children were provided with excellent opportunities in that line, being educated in the Clarion Normal. He is an honored member of the Amos Kiser Post No. 475, G. A. R., of Shippenville, and is now serv- ing as quartermaster. His patriotism and loyalty to his country has never been questioned, for during the hours of the Rebellion he was one of the brave boys in blue that fought so gallantly to preserve the Union, and in days of peace he has also faithfully discharged every duty of citizen- ship. In September, 1897, he was appointed postmaster of Shippenville.

B C. YOUNGMAN, Superintendent of Public Schools, Clearfield, Clearfield County, Penn- sylvania.

B' ENJAMIN SMITH is a prominent repre- sentative of the business interests of St. Petersburg, where he now carries on operations as a general merchant and oil producer. He is one of the most energetic, far-sighted and enter- prising citizens of the place, and these character- istics have been the crowning points in his suc- cess. His connection with various business en- terprises and industries has been of decided advantage to Clarion county. promoting its ma- terial welfare in no uncertain manner.

Mr. Smith was born in Seneca county, N. Y .. February 8, 1845. and is a son of Edna and Mar- garet (Stiner) Smith, the former a native of Sen- eca county, and the latter of Germany. The father is also of German descent, and is still liv-

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ing on the old home farm in his native county, at the age of eighty years. His estimable wife is also living. Nine children constitute their fam- ily, namely: Eliza, Benjamin, Edna, Charles, Samuel, Sydney, James, William, and Clara. The parents are active and influential members of the Presbyterian Church, in which the father has served as an officer, and they have always done all in their power for the betterment of mankind. He is a farmer by occupation, a Re- publican in politics, and has served as tax col- lector.

In the county of his nativity, Benjamin Smith acquired a fair education, and on laying aside his text books worked for some time in woolen and knitting factories. Later he was employed at gas fitting and in the dray and trans- fer business, and on coming to the oil fields of Pennsylvania at the age of twenty, he found a position on the Shaffer farm at Oil Creek. Sub- sequently he worked for some time in Titusville, after which he was employed in the lumber woods for one season, and then returned to Waterloo, N. Y., where he worked on a farm for three years. He was next en- gaged in pumping in the oil fields near Rouse- ville, Penn., and from there came to St. Peters- burg. For a quarter of a century he has now been interested in"the oil business, and has bought and sold wells in the Bradford fields and also at Grass Flats where he still owns property. He has three good wells in Richland township, Clarion county, one of which is on the Fulmer farm, and from these he derives a good income. After locating in St. Petersburg, he also engaged in the hardware business until 1888, when he sold out and embarked in merchandising. From the beginning his trade has constantly increased until it has reached extensive proportions, and the liberal patronage so freely accorded him is merited by the fine grade of goods which he carries, and by his courteous treatment of customers.

At the age of twenty Mr. Smith was married in Seneca county, N. Y., to Miss Sarah Cro- baugh, a native of that county, and a daughter of George Crobaugh, of Pennsylvania. They have three children: Herbert, who is employed in the oil fields below Pittsburg: Mabel, and Olga. The family occupy an elegant residence which Mr. Smith purchased of Charles Vensel. He is a Republican, takes an active interest in political affairs, and does all in his power to insure the success of his party. Socially, he is a member of the Knights of the Maccabees, and the Royal Arcanum of St. Petersburg. He takes a deep interest in everything pertaining to the public

welfare of the town, and as one of its leading business men and prominent citizens, he is justly entitled to honorable mention in a work of this character.

B W. PHILLIPS, M. D., of Leeper, is one of the most able representatives of the medical profession in Clarion county. In this county he has spent his entire life, his birth occurring in Porter township, August 18, 1855, and he be- longs to one of its honored old families. His grandparents were Jacob and Elizabeth Phillips, who, in 1820, left their home in Bucks county. Penn., and came to Clarion county. The grand- father purchased 300 acres of wild land in Porter township, from which he developed a good farm, and upon that place he made his home until called to his final rest in 1867. His estimable wife died in 1895, at the advanced age of ninety- eight years.

In their family were nine children, namely; Harvey; Michael, who was a Union soldier in the Civil war, and died from wounds received in bat- tle; Jacob, who resides on the old homestead in Porter township; Hannah, wife of Rev. John Soliday, of Forest county; Delila, wife of Daniel Soliday, of Pittsburg; Maria, who was killed by a tree falling on her; Nancy, who was born in Porter township, where she still resides; Caroline wife of James P. Divins, justice of the peace of Porter township; and G. V., father of our subject.

G. V. Phillips was born in Porter township, Clarion county, in 1832, and there grew to man- hood. He purchased 100 acres of land adjoin- ing the old homestead, and converted the wild tract into a desirable farm. In 1873 he replaced his first home by a commodious and pleasant two-story residence, and also made other valu- able improvements upon the place, He retired from farming, however, in 1881, and has since successfully engaged in the grocery and meat business in the city of Clarion.

G. V. Phillips was married to Miss Cath- arine Henry, and they became the parents of four sons: (1) F. P., born in 1853, in Porter township, began his education in the public schools of the neighborhood, and later pursued his studies at Reedsburg, Clarion county. He married Miss Maggie Slater, of Clarion county, and is engaged in business with his father. He has four children, namely-Katie, Edna, Bessie, and John. (2) Dr. B. W., our subject, is next in order of birth. (3) H. S., born in 1857, re- ceived a common-school education, and married Maggie Shanafelt, of Porter township, by whom

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

he has one son, Earl. They reside on his farm in Porter township. (4) L. M., born in 1860, still resides on the old homestead in Porter town- ship. He married Pearl Fulton, of Clarion county, and has four children-George Karl, Nellie, Fred, and James B.

Dr. Phillips attended the local schools until fourteen years of age, and then secured a position in the store of M. Arnold, where he was em- ployed for some time. Subsequently he attend- ed the Reedsburg Academy, graduating from that institution in 1873, and then commenced the study of medicine in the office of Dr. J. A. Wick, in New Bethlehem, Clarion county, where he was a student for one year. In 1874-5, he attended the Jefferson Medical College, Philadel- phia, and in 1876 graduated at a medical college in Cleveland, Ohio.

The Doctor began the practice of his chosen profession in New Salem, Armstrong Co., Penn., where he remained until 1878, when he located in Lickingville, Clarion, county. In 1888 he came to Leeper, where he soon built up an ex- cellent practice. He also erected a building, in which he has since conducted one of the best drug stores in the place.

In 1879, Dr. Phillips was married to Miss Elizabeth Gilferd, of Clarion county, and to them were born three children: Katie E., who was born in January, +880, and died the same year; George V., born in May, 1882, and Frank P., born March 14, 1895. The parents both hold membership in the Lutheran Church, and the Doctor is a member of the Clarion County Medical Society. Dr. Phillips is descended from good old Whig stock, and is a pronounced Re- publican in politics. It is but just and merited praise to say that as a physician he ranks among the ablest in the county, as a citizen he is honor- able, prompt and true to every engagement, and as a friend he is a model worthy of all imitation.

H IRAM NEELY (deceased ), who was prom- inently identified with the agricultural in- terests and oil industry in Clarion county, was born May 20, 1820, in Richland township.

Mr, Neely was a son of Capt. Henry Neely, who was an officer in the war of iste, and had command of 200 men at the battle of Erie. By occupation he was a lumberman and farmer. In 1807 he came to Clarion county, and after resid- ing for a time in Edenburg, he removed to a farin in Richland township. He married Miss Barbara Fry, a native of Westmoreland county, and they became the parents of the following children: Paul; Polly, who married Samuel Moore; Sani-

uel; Jesse; Jacob; William; Isaac, who still re- sides on the old homestead; Hiram; Henry; Mrs. Fanny Sickworth, now eighty-four years of age; Mahala; and two who died when young. With the exception of Isaac and Fanny, all are now deceased. Capt. Neely departed this life at the age of eighty-eight, and his wife at the extreme old age of ninety-nine, being at that time the oldest woman in Clarion county. Both were faithful members of the Reformed Church, and in political sentiment the Captain was a Jack- sonian Democrat.

During his boyhood and youth, Hiram Neely attended the public schools near his home, and was early instructed in the labors of the farm, so that he became a thorough and systematic agri- culturist. At his death he was the owner of a valuable farm of ninety acres in Richland town- ship, Clarion county, which was improved with a comfortable residence and substantial outbuild- ings, and upon that place are four good oil wells, which added not a little to his income.

At the age of twenty-four Mr. Neely was united in marriage with Miss Judith Fink, a na- tive of Berks county, Penn., and a daughter of John and Mary (Delena) Fink, who became resi- dents of Richland township, Clarion county, in Į 820. Here the father died at the age of eighty- seven, and the mother at the age of ninety-seven. In their family were five children, namely: Jonas, Mrs. Fritz, Judith, Sophia, and Joel. To Mr. and Mrs. Neely were born the following children: Mrs. Ellen Billhouse; Mrs. Mary Whitling; Emma, widow of David Golley, of Lima, Ohio; Mrs. Amanda Mattern, of St. Petersburg, Penn .; Mrs. Barbara Ann Corbet: Mrs. Malinda Osgood, of Meadville, Penn .; and Oliver, a prominent oil producer of Richland township. The mother of these children departed this life in 1870, and in September, 1873, Mr. Neely wedded Miss Mary, daughter of Stephen and Sarah (Smith) Smith, of Mill Creek, the former a prominent citizen and early settler of Clarion county. Two chil- dren bless this union: Pearl, now a student of inusic at Greece City College: and a daughter who died in infancy. The family is one of prom- inence, the children all occupying honorable and useful positions in life.

Mr. Neely was six feet in height, weighed 185 pounds, and although seventy-seven years of age at the time of his death, he appeared like a man much younger. There is in old age a benedic- tion to all who come in contact with it, that gives out of its richest stores of learning and expe- rience, and grows stronger intellectually and spiritually as the years pass. Such was the life of Mr. Neely, an encouragement to his associates

Haram Nelz

1609

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

and an example well worthy of emulation by the young. He was a devout member of the Re- formed Church, to which his wife and daughter also belong, and he served either as deacon or elder for many years. His useful life was brought to a close May 13, 1898, and his death left a va- cancy in the community that will be difficult to fill.

P PROFESSOR W. L. GREENE, Superintend- ent of Public Schools, Du Bois, Clearfield County, Pennsylvania.

F I. MASTER, of Richland township, Clar- ion county, whose people he is serving as auditor, is one of the county's most active and thorough business men, whose career has almost without exception been given to the development of the oil interests of this section.

Born in Beaver township, Clarion county, in 1861, Mr. Master is the son of C. D. and Lydia (Connor) Master. The grandfather, Daniel Master, was a native of Berks Co., Penn., and ! married Christina Johnson, who was born in the same county. After their marriage, they came, in 1834, to Clarion county, settling in Beaver township. He was a farmer and cleared off land, and opened up a farm. His death occurred in 1887. and his wife passed away in 1863. Their children were: C. D .; Jonathan; Reuben: Sarah (Mrs. Cook, of Rimersburg); Mrs. James (de- ceased); Mrs. Dow (of the State of Indiana); and Mrs. Mohney (of Rimersburg).

C. D. Master (father of our subject) was born in Berks county, Penn., in 1831, but was reared in Beaver township as a farmer, assisting in clearing off and opening up a farm and in the developing of the country in general. He had learned the shoemaker's trade. and followed it to a certain extent. His wife was a native of the same county as her husband. They are now residents of Richland township, and are among the highly esteemed and respected citizens of the community in which they live. Their marriage was blessed with the following children: Emma (Mrs. Wray, of Jefferson county); Sarah (at home): F J. (our subject) ; Mrs. Delo: D. E. (a minister of the German Reformed Church : Agnes ( unmar- ried ;; Ed. (at home); Cora (at home); and Minerva (at home).

F. I. Master was reared in Beaver township. and at the early age of sixteen years began life for himself, engaging in building rigs for derricks for use in the oil fields. Next he was employed in oil pumping, and between these two occupa- tions he passed some fifteen or more years. From :

boyhood until the present he has given much time and attention to all lines incident to oil produc- ing. In 1891 he began operating for himself. In that year he drilled his first well. He has drilled some nine or more wells in this field, and has been quite successful. He has done much toward developing the oil interests of Clarion county, and is reckoned among the county's en- terprising and progressive citizens. In his polit- ical views he is a Democrat, and is now serving his township as auditor. He is a member of the K. O. T. M., of. Monroeville, and of the Royal Arcanum at St. Petersburg.

In 1886, in Richland township, Mr. Master was married to Miss Mary Knight, who was born in Richland township, a daughter of D. R. and Anna (Crum) Knight, estimable people of the township. His death occurred in June, 1892; his widow still survives him, and resides on a farm. To our subject and his wife have been born children as follows: Grace, Clarence, Edna, Olive and Marie.

H J. BOSTAPH, oil producer, Richland town- ship, post office address Alumrock, Clar- ion County, Pennsylvania.

S AMUEL PRESTON (deceased) was for many years one of the most honored and highly respected citizens of Washington town- ship. Jefferson county, where he was successfully engaged in farming and in harness making. He was a son of William and Betsy Preston, of Cort- land county, N. Y., where his birth occurred January 23. 1824, and in Niles, that State, he learned the saddler's trade. In his native State he acquired an excellent education, and on his removal to Frenchville, Clearfield Co., Penn., in 1851, he successfully engaged in teaching among the French settlers, following that profession for a number of years. He purchased real estate in Mulsonburg. Penn., where he built a shop and worked at his trade for some time, but in 1854 sold out and came to Warsaw township, Jefferson county. After conducting a hotel there for about a year. he bought the Johnson tannery. in partnership with John McKee, and operated the same in connection with work at his trade.

On selling ont in 1860, Mr. Preston removed to Rockdale mills, Washington township, Jeffer- son county, where he purchased property and carried on operations as a harness maker until enlisting, in 1861, in the Union army, becoming a member of Company H, 105th P. V. I. He par- ticipated in all the battles of his regiment until

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3, Part 102

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