Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3, Part 104

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 104
USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 104
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 104
USA > Pennsylvania > Clarion County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 104

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).

...

1615

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

residence at the age of twenty. A very pro- gressive, industrious man, he became the owner of valuable property in and around that city. He died there December 16, 1892, respected and es- teemed by all who knew him. His estimable wife still (at this writing) survives him, and is in the enjoyment of good health.

Children, as follows, were born to this worthy couple: The eldest two are now deceased; those living are Kate, the wife of Joseph Conrad, of Jefferson county; Minnie, wife of Louis Knarr, of Clearfield county, Penn .; Lizzie, wife of Hy. Heilbron, of DuBois, Penn .; Caroline, wife of James G. Brennan, of Punxsutawney; Etta, wife of Harry Walters, of the same city; John C., of this sketch; and Daniel, a resident of Washing- ton county, Pennsylvania.

After completing his education in the schools of Punxsutawney, John C. Fackiner engaged in agricultural pursuits upon one of the two farms owned by his father, near that place. Subse- quently he learned the carpenter's trade, at which he worked some nine years, and then embarked in the furniture and undertaking business at his present location. He carries a neat and well- selected stock of everything found in his line, and by his courteous treatment of customers and fair dealing he built up an excellent trade. One of his leading characteristics in business affairs is his fine sense of order and complete system, and the habit of giving careful attention to details, without which, success in any undertaking is never an assured fact. In 1884 he was married to Miss Mattie Redding. daughter of William Redding, of Lindsey, Jefferson county, and they now have one son, Paul. Mrs. Fackiner is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Mr. Fackiner of the German Reformed Church. Socially, he belongs to the Order of American Mechanics; politically, he is conservative, pre- ferring not to be bound by party ties.

G 4 S. HAMM, dealer in general merchandise, in the town of Knox, Clarion County, Penn- sylvania.

J AMES S. ST. CLAIR. Young men in the past have often been deterred from devoting themselves to a business life because of the .„wide-spread impression that such a life yields no opportunities for the display of genius. The time, however, has gone by when, other things being equal, the business man must take a sec- ondary place to the lawyer, the doctor. the min- ister or the editor. In fact. as a rule, let the business man be eqaully equipped, and you will

find him to-day in every community exerting a wider influence and wielding a larger power than a man of equal capacity treading other walks of life. The "men of affairs " have come to be in a large degree the men upon whom the country leans. The subject of this sketch is pre-emi- nently a "man of affairs," and has long been prominently identified with the interests of Punx- sutawney (his native city), Jefferson county.

Mr. St. Clair was born in 1843, a son of James and Margaret (Mitchell) St. Clair, who were natives of Indiana county, Penn., whence they came to Punxsutawney at an early day. The father arrived in 1831, and became the first tailor in the place, following his trade here for some years. He was quite prominent in public affairs, served as sheriff of Jefferson county, and also as associate judge. Prior to his entrance into public life he engaged in the grist and saw mill business. He died in April, 1891, respected by all who knew him, and his estimable wife closed her eyes in death just three weeks later. They were the parents of nine children, seven of whom are yet living, namely: R. M., of Den- ver, Colo .; Martha, wife of G. S. Campbell; Margaret, wife of W. R. Depp; Mary E., widow of A. J. Monks; James S .; John, an attorney of Punxsutawney; and Clara, wife of A. J. Scott, an attorney of Brookville, Pennsylvania.

Mr. St. Clair, of this review, owing to ill health in his boyhood received but limited edu- cational privileges, but as opportunity offered pursued his studies in Punxsutawney. For a year he served an apprenticeship at the jeweler's trade, but followed that pursuit only two years, later turning his attention to the hotel business, which he conducted for nine years. His ener- gies were then directed toward the lumber busi- ness, with which he was connected some five years. His fellow citizens then manifested their appreciation of his sterling worth and fidelity to duty by calling him to public office, and for the past six years he has acceptably served as treas- urer and tax collector of Punxsutawney.

In 1864 Mr. St. Clair was married to Miss Anna B. Grafins, of Punxsutawney, and they have five children, namely: Frank G .; Sallie M., wife of C. N. Neale, of Punxsutawney; Mar- tha J .; R. Walter; and Richard Arthur. The parents are members of the Cumberland Presby- terian Church, and Mr. St. Clair belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. His political support is given the Republican party. and he stanchly advocates its principles. Every trust confided to his care is faithfully performed, and his high personal worth commends him to the confidence and esteem of all.

1616

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

J OSEPH F. WIEST is the genial and popu- lar proprietor of the "St. Petersburg Ho- tel, " of St. Petersburg, which is one of the best hostelries of its size in Clarion county. There the traveler finds all the comforts and conveniences of the modern hotel. The rooms are well furnished and are neat and clean, and the table is supplied with the best that the market affords. The landlord reminds one of a Southern judge dispensing hospitality to his friends and guests, and his hotel has therefore. become a favorite resort with the traveling public. There is a good bar attached to the office, and in every particular the place is first-class.

Mr. Wiest was born July 27, 1865, in Knox township, Clarion county, and is a son of Martin Wiest, who was born, reared and educated in Baden, Germany. After coming to this country he was married in Pittsburg, Penn., to Mrs. Catherine (Bergman) Fleckenstein, and the only child born of this union is our subject. The fa- ther followed agricultural pursuits, and was a sup- porter of the Democratic party. He died in the prime of life in Knox township.

Joseph F. Wiest passed the days of his boy- hood and youth in his native county, and in its schools acquired his literary education. For three years after starting out in life for himself he worked in the lumber woods, and subse- quently was for the same length of tiine in the street railway service in Pittsburg. Returning to Clarion county, he has since successfully engaged in the hotel business.

At the age of twenty-five, Mr. Wiest married Miss Lena Frantzwinger, a native of Butler county, Penn., who was reared and educated in Clarion county, and to them have been born three children: Ed M., May and James M. Joseph Frantzwinger, the father of Mrs. Wiest, was a soldier in the French army.

Mr. Wiest is one of the prominent and in- fluential members of the Democratic party in his community, and was one of the five can- didates brought prominently before the conven- tion in 1897 for the office of sheriff. Only one received a larger number of votes. He is a public-spirited, enterprising citizen, and is de- servedly popular with all who know him.

L EVI HEIDRICK, president of the Brook- ville Railway Company, and senior member of the well-known lumber firm of Heidrick, Wat- son & Co., of Brookville, is one of the substantial business men of Jefferson county.

A native of Pennsylvania, Mr. Heidrick is of German blood, and in his successful career he |

has displayed the enterprise, sagacity and con- servetism which are so largely characteristic of German-American citizens. John Adam and Henrietta (Sode) Heidrick, his parent.swere born, reared and married in the Fatherland, and at the time of their emigration to America had six children, our subject, who was born in 1847, be- ing the second of their large family to be of American birth. The father, who was a quiet, industrious man, not in the least ambitious for public life, was for many years a contractor for the Brady's Bend ' Iron Company, at Brady's Bend, Penn. He made three trips to his native land, and on the last one, in 1865, he remained there, his death occurring about two years later. His wife passed away in 1857 at Brady's Bend.

The common schools near his father's home afforded the subject of this sketch his only op- portunity for an education, and of these he could not take full advantage, as he began clerking in a mercantile establishment when he was only ten years old. During the Civil war he served one year in Company K, 6th H. A. On his re- turn he engaged in the oil and coal business at Oil City, for a year, and then returned to Brady's Bend. Until 1880 he was engaged in mercantile business in Butler and Clearfield counties, with the exception of three years at Brady's Bend: but leaving this business he became interested in lumbering at Du Bois, where he had conducted a store since 1880. In 1894 he moved to Brook- ville.

The lumber firm of Heidrick, Matson & Co. was organized in August, 1894, for the purpose of purchasing and operating the Litch lands, situated in Jefferson county, Penn., the firm paying therefor the sum of $135,000. Exten- sive improvements were at once made in the mill and stream, which were both made to conform to the most improved methods of lumbering. A railroad, connecting the mill and yards with the main line of the Allegheny Valley railroad, was built at an expense to the firm of $12.000. The mill was equipped throughout with modern ma- chinery, and is to-day the best plant in western Pennsylvania, having a capacity of one hundred thousand feet. In addition to the above. the firm in the winter of 1895 entered into a con- tract with Truman, Henderson & Co., owners of a large tract of lumber in Polk township, Jef- ferson county, to saw and deliver to the tracks of the Allegheny Valley railroad, at Brookville, all the lumber on their lands, estimated at from sixty million to seventy million feet. This ne- cessitated the building of fourteen miles of rail- road, which the firin immediately set about to accomplish, the road being built and equipped

---

Jouph & Wrest

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

1617

in the summer of 1896 at a cost of over one hun- dred thousand dollars. Since the organization~ of the firm they have made several smaller pur- chases of timber, and now have enough lumber in sight to keep their mill in operation for sev- eral years.

In 1871 our subject was married to Miss Mary Queen, a daughter of John Queen, of Queenstown, Penn., and nine children have blessed their union: Kittie, Charles, Em- met, Mamie, John, Laura, Frank, Ruth and Bessie. In his religious views Mr. Heidrick in- clines to the Lutheran faith, in which he was reared, but the family attend the Presbyterian Church, Mrs. Heidrick and several of the chil- dren being members thereof. Mr. Heidrick is identified with the A. O. U. W., the I. O. O. F., the K. of P., and the G. A. R. He is a stanch Republican in politics, and while never a seeker after official honors, he has been chosen at various times to local offices, and has been es- pecially prominent in educational matters.

D AVID E. CONRAD, merchant, Houtzdale, Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, is well and favorably known in the county.

REV. JACOB I. HUMBERT. To be proud of descent from honorable lineage is fitting, but the responsibility entailed is a heavy one. No spot or blemish must appear on that line, and to keep the high standard maintained by worthy ancestors necessitates a careful and conscientious development of the higher moral and spiritual nature that is man's heritage.

Jacob Humbert, the paternal grandfather of the reverend gentleman whose name appears at the opening of this review, was of German de- scent, and passed his life amid the peaceful scenes of his farm. He was the father of five children, namely: Isaiah, a resident of Iowa: Mrs. Phebe Evans; Daniel and Jacob, deceased; and Abraham.

Abraham Humbert was born in Fayette county, Penn., and became one of the leading educators of the vicinity, following the profession of teacher for over thirty years. He married Mary A. Moser, who departed this life in 1895. She was a faithful and consistent member of the Presbyterian Church, to which her husband also belongs. In their family were the following children: Albertus, now a resident of Union- town, Penn .; Mrs. Mary Deyarman; Jacob I .; S. M., a music teacher, who died in 1894; T. A .. at present attending college; and Edward B., now 102

operating the home farm. The father of this family is still living at the age of sixty-nine years; his strictly temperate life has left its impress on body and soul, and made him a living example well worthy of emulation.

Jacob I. Humbert was born in Fayette coun- ty, Penn., October 1, 1859, and passed his early years on the home farm, acquiring his elementary education in the district school near by. Later he studied in the State Normal College of Penn- sylvania, and at the University of Wooster, Ohio. The early teachings of a Christian mother were not forgotten, and as he approached man- hood he determined to follow the Master's com- mand to "Preach the Gospel to every creature." Accordingly, he entered the Western Theological Seminary of Allegheny, Penn., and in 1893 was graduated from that institution. During his stu- dent days he had preached to a limited extent, and on leaving school took his first regular charge, Mt. Tabor Presbyterian Church at Sigel, with which he has since been connected. His earnest purpose and untiring vigilance have crowned his labors with success, and the congre- gation now numbers 140 members. Besides this he has also been the pastor of Mill Creek Church, Clarion county. Unceasing in his efforts for the advancement of the Church and the cause of Christianity, he has extended words of cheer to many a poor wandering soul, and turned their hearts. A man of broad humanitarian princi- ples, of enlightened charity and brotherly love, he is well fitted for his work in the Master's vine- yard.

On June 8, 1893, Rev. Jacob I. Humbert was united in marriage with Miss Mary S. Mestrezat, who was born in Fayette county, Penn., October 3, 1869, a daughter of John and Barbara C. (Neal) Mestrezat, of French descent. Mr. and Mrs. Mestrezat are earnest workers in the Pres- byterian Church. Besides Mrs. Humbert, their living children are: Fred; Aline A., wife of Dr. Atkinson, of Connellsville, Penn .; and Ray. The happy home of Rev. and Mrs. Humbert has been blessed with three children: Katherine A. and Mary A. (twins), born July 15, 1894; and Martha P., born July 6, 1896.

A WV. SMILEY, oil buyer, with residence in the town of Foxburg, Clarion County, Pennsylvania.

B ENJAMIN B. KRAMER, the genial and popular proprietor of the "Hotel Waver- ly," Punxsutawney, Jefferson county, was born

1618

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

in Centre county, Penn., March 7, 1842, and is a son of Jonathan B. and Catherine C. (Taylor) Kramer. The father was also a native of this State, born in Schuylkill county, and .when a young man removed to Centre county. In early life he learned the blacksmith's trade, which he followed for many years, but his last days were spent in retirement, enjoying a well-earned rest. He was a prominent member of the State Militia, in which he held the rank of colonel, and was also called upon to fill a number of local posi- tions of honor and trust in his township. He died, respected by all, in 1883, at the age of seventy-eight years, and his estimable wife, who was a native of Centre county, closed her eyes in death in 1894, at the venerable age of eighty- two years and one month.

Our subject had the advantages of only a district-school education in his youth, and at the age of fifteen left the school room and started out in life for himself as a farm hand, working in that capacity for a few years. He next engaged in lumbering for about three years, and on the expiration of that time accepted a clerkship in a mercantile establishment in Bellefonte, Centre county, where he faithfully served for four years without losing a single day. Subsequently he engaged in mercantile pursuits on his own ac- count in Centre county for about fourteen years, during which time he acceptably served as post- master of Lemont. Later he carried on the butcher and livery business in Philipsburg, Cen- tre county, for four years, and while residing there was appointed storekeeper and gauger un- der President Cleveland's first administration; but after holding the position for a year and a half he resigned and removed to Houtzdale, Clearfield Co., Penn. Here he took charge of the " Arlington Hotel," which he conducted for two years, and then sold out preparatory to com- ing to Punxsutawney, where he purchased the "City Hotel," and carried on same for two years and seven months. Mr. Kramer next went to Canton, Penn., where he conducted the "Can- ton House " for about a year. Returning to Punxsutawney, he erected the " Waverly." which is one of the leading hostelries in Jeffer- son county. It is conveniently arranged, well furnished, heated with natural gas, supplied with electric bells, baths, and, in fact, everything found in a first-class hotel of the present day, and is beyond doubt one of the best equipped in the county. Under the able management of Mr. Kramer it has become a favorite resort with the traveling public. In connection with the hotel he has a large and commodious livery sta- ble, well stocked,

On February 12, 1873, Mr. Kramer was mar- ried to Miss Emma C. Bricker, a daughter of John C. Bricker, of Centre county, and they have one son, Claude C., living in Punxsutawney. Mrs. Kramer is an earnest member of the Lu- theran Church. Socially, Mr. Kramer is con- nected with the Knights of the Golden Eagle, the American Mechanics, and the Knights of Pythias, in which he is serving as past chancellor. At present he is independent in politics, and cares nothing for the honors or emoluments of public office. Mr. Kramer became Governor Hastings' first client, the Governor at that time being a young man just starting out on his professional career as a lawyer. Our subject has become one of the leading and influential citizens of Punxsu- tawney, his pleasant, courteous manners attract- ing to him many warm friends.

M C. SHAFFNER is the well-known and popular constable of West Clearfield, Clear- field County, Pennsylvania.

J TOSEPH BATESON, JR., a well-known and popular merchant of Rathmel, Jefferson county, was born January 23, 1861, in Clif- ton, Mich., on or near Lake Superior, and is a son of Joseph and Mary (Dickson) Bateson, natives of England, who came to America in 1847.

The father was born July 16, 1828, a son of Joshua and Sarah (Watson) Bateson, of Cumber- land, England, where the former followed mining throughout his active business life. He died in 1849, at the age of seventy years, and his wife passed away in 1855, at the age of sixty-seven. In their family were the following children: William, who died in Wisconsin; Mary; Joshua, who died in England; Joseph, the father of our subject; Nancy, widow of Mr. Mosher; John, who died in England; Mary, deceased wife of Thomas White, of England; Thomas, also a resident of that country; and Mathew, who makes his home in Ohio. Mrs. Mary Bateson (the mother of our subject), whose birth occurred May 20, 1826, is a daughter of Isaac and Sarah (Stewartson) Dickson, who also spent their entire lives in Cum- berland, England, where the father engaged in weaving. To them were born seven children, namely: Robert, who died in England; Eliza- beth, also deceased; Mary; Ann, still a resident of England; Sarah, who married Robert Lee, and died in England in 1896; Isaac, of England; and Hannah, who died in England.

On coming to the New World, the parents of

O r

1 --

1619

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

our subject first located in Canada, where they remained only a short time, and then spent seven" years on Lake Superior, Mich. Subsequently they lived in Bradford county, Penn., but since 1883 they have made their home in Rathmel, where Mr. Bateson followed mining until 1889, but is now living retired, enjoying a well-earned rest. He is an ardent Republican in politics, and both himself and wife are consistent mem- bers of the Presbyterian Church, and are widely and favorably known throughout the community. In their family were seven children: Sarah, now the widow of James Johnson, of Du Bois, Penn. ; Mary, wife of R. W. Holmes, a farmer of . Canada; Joseph, of this sketch; Elizabeth, wife of John Kennedy, also an agriculturist of Can- ada; Hannah, at home; and Margaret, deceased.

Mr. Bateson, whose name introduces this sketch, accompanied his parents on their re- movals until finally locating in Rathmel, and re- mained with them until his marriage, April 15, 1896, to Mrs. Isabella (Beveridge) Brodhead, the widow of Edgar Brodhead. Mr. and Mrs. Bateson have a pleasant home in Rathmel, where they have lived since their marriage, and are surrounded by many warm friends, who are sure to find a hearty welcome at their hospitable home.

Until the age of fifteen, our subject attended school, and then began life for himself by work- ing in the coal mines with his father, continuing that employment until 1886, when he secured a position as clerk in the general store of John Smith at Rathmel. On December 7, 1895, he embarked in his present business, buying out A. A. Swab, and renting the two-story building which he now occupies. It is stocked with a complete line of general merchandise, and by fair and honorable dealing and courteous treat- ment of customers, he has built up a large and constantly increasing trade. In politics he is a Republican; socially he belongs to the Knights of Pythias and Patriotic Order Sons of America, both of Rathmel, and the Odd Fellows lodge of Reynoldsville, Jefferson county. In religious be- lief he is a Presbyterian.

D R. J. HAINES, of Brisbin, is not only one of the leading physicians and surgeons of this section of Clearfield county, but has also successfully engaged in the drug business for a quarter of a century. In 1854 he began the practice of his chosen profession, being the first physician and also the first druggist in Brisbin. He has gained quite a reputation as a skilled

practitioner, and therefore enjoys a large and lucrative patronage.

The Doctor was born in New Cumberland, Cumberland Co., Penn., October 27, 1831, a son of Samuel and Margaret (Brady) Haines, natives of York county, this State, who early be- came residents of Cumberland county, but in 1849 removed to Decatur township, Clearfield county, where the mother died two years later. The father afterward made his home for a time in Glen Hope, same county, returning eventually to York county, where he spent his remaining days. Dr. Haines is one of their family of eight chil- dren-five sons and three daughters-the others being: Jacob, who during the Civil war enlisted in Centre county, Penn .. in the navy, and died in the service; James, now a resident of Coal- port. Clearfield county; Samuel, who enlisted in Clearfield county in 1861, in the 45th P. V. I., and died in Salisbury, N. C .; Isaiah, who was also one of the "boys in blue," and is now a resident of Glen Hope; Mary, who became the wife of John Hudson, and died in Philipsburg, Penn .; Elizabeth, who died in Clearfield, and Mrs. Adaline Dixon, who died in Emporium, Pennsylvania.

Dr. Haines accompanied the family on their removal to Clearfield county, and for two years was employed in the sawmill of Christ Harnish, in Decatur township; then removed to Boggs township, where he remained until 1853, when he purchased sixty-five acres of land in Wood- ward township, Clearfield county. This tract he still owns, and he has cleared away the tim- ber and transformed it into one of the most de- sirable farms in the locality. In 1850, at Stone- ville, Boggs township, he was united in marriage with Miss Esther Ann Ralston, who was born near Manayunk, Penn., a daughter of Thomas and Sarah (Fox) Ralston, natives of Ireland and Maryland, respectively. They were early pio- neer settlers of Boggs township, Clearfield coun- ty, where the mother died, but the father passed away in Huntingdon county, Penn., at the ad- vanced age of ninety years. To the Doctor and his estimable wife have been born children as follows: Alfred, a resident of Jersey Shore. Penn .; William, of Decatur township, Clearfield county; Edward, of Woodward township: Mrs. Sarah Phillips, of Woodland, Clearfield county; Joel, of Wallaceton, in the same county; Thomas, who resides on a farm in Decatur township; Lewis, who is living at Bells Landing, Clearfield county, and Benjamin and Jeremiah, who are still with their parents.

Dr. Haines is the owner of a good farin of fifty acres in Decatur township, and also a hotel

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3, Part 104

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