Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3, Part 106

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 106
USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 106
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 106
USA > Pennsylvania > Clarion County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 106

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).

---

1625

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHIICAL RECORD.

accompanied by Daniel Turner, a surveyor, with whose assistance he took up large tracts of vacant land. Here he extensively engaged in lumbering and farming, and was a conspicuous factor in the development of that region. He married Margaret Ramsey.

James Gallaher, father of our subject, was born in Huntingdon county, Penn., May 27, 1801, and came with his parents to Clearfield county in 1806. In this frontier region he was reared, and in the schools of the neighborhood was educated; but his privileges in that direction were limited to two terms of three months each. The experiences of business life, however, brought him a good practical education. He married Sallie Lee, of an honored pioneer fam- ily of Centre county, a daughter of Jacob Lee, a farmer, and a record of their children. will be found in the biography of James Gallaher, Jr., on page 736, this volume.

The mother of this family died in 1858, and in 1860 James Gallaher wedded Mrs. Mary L. (Horton) Kelly, who was born in Athens county, Ohio, May 13, 1836, a daughter of Isaac C. and Rose (Fonston) Horton. When she was five years of age her parents removed to New York, where she was reared and educated. Her father was a native of New York State; her grandfather, Thomas Horton, was a native of England, and served with the patriot army in the Revolution- ary war. Isaac Horton removed in 1837 to Tioga county, Penn., where he followed farming until his death in January, IS60; his wife died in September, 1884, aged eighty years: both were consistent members of the Baptist Church. Their children were: Mrs. Abigail Wilcox; Mrs. Sarah A. Kilburn; Mary L .; William, a druggist; Mrs. Susan E. Hutton; Mrs. Jane Dodge; and Mrs. Rose Tomb.

The mother of our subject was married, first (in 1848), to James Kelly, of New York, and soon afterward removed to Clearfield county, where Mr. Kelly engaged in the lumber business. He was the first to drive logs on Chest creek and the river, also conducted a general mercantile store and carried on farming, meeting with ex- cellent success in his labor. He died June 26, 1857. In their family were three children: William, who died in the State of Washington in IS90; James H., a prominent attorney of Clearfield; and Harry, who died in California in 1890. After the death of Mr. Kelly his widow married James Gallaher, and of this union there were six children: John F. ; Rose, wife of Will- iam Carlisle; J. Lincoln, who died at the age of sixteen years; Virginia, a trained hospital nurse; George, a merchant of Fairport, Ohio; and

Mary, who died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Gal- laher were members of the Missionary Baptist Church. . The former carried on an extensive and prosperous lumber business, owned large tracts of timber land and a number of improved farms, and was also an enterprising and success- ful general merchant. He conducted those vari- ous business enterprises until about ten years prior to his death, which occurred in 1880. He spent the last decade of his life on the home- stead farm. He was a public-spirited man, who did much to promote the substantial improve- ment of the community, and to the poor and needy was a generous friend. Strongly opposed to slavery, he became an Abolitionist, and joined the Republican party on its organization. Friends strongly urged him to accept the candidacy for both the House of Representatives and State Senate, but he declined all political honors. He died respected by all, and to his family left a valuable estate as a result of his industrious life. His widow still lives on the old homestead.

John F. Gallaher was born February II, 1861, in what is now Bell township, Clearfield county, and was reared under the careful direc- tion of his parents, who instilled into his mind lessons of industry and honor. In early life he became his father's assistant in business, and has always been interested in farming and lum- bering. When he married he established a home near his parents. He followed lumbering until about two years ago, when he abandoned that to give his entire attention to the farming interests of his mother, and to the management of the estate. As a progressive and public-spir- ited citizen he keeps well informed on public issues, and votes with the Republican party. He has filled a number of offices in New Washing- ton, and is now serving his second term as jus- tice of the peace, his incumbency in that office to cover a period of ten years.

Mr. Gallaher was married, in ISS9, to Cora Mahaffy, daughter of William and Mary M. (Es- treker) Mahaffy. Her maternal grandparents were natives of Germany, and located in Clearfield county at an early day. Her father was a rep- resentative of a pioneer family of this locality. and was an important factor in its growth and development. After his marriage he located in New Washington, where he followed lumbering. being one of the chief promoters of the lumber industry in Burnside township. His political support was given the Democracy, and he filled some offices of honor and trust in the commun- ity, serving as constable for a number of years, and in other official positions. He died in Feb- ruary, 1890; his widow is still living in New

1626

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Washington. They were parents of seven chil- dren: Frank E., who is engaged in the harness business, and lives with his mother; Cora; John B., a farmer, harness maker and mail agent; Thomas R .; Harry, who died in childhood; Kate Rose; and Robert D. Five children have graced the union of Mr. and Mrs. Gallaher, of whom four are now living, namely: James K., born December 23, 1889; Frank, born September 22, 1891; Rose, born February 13, 1893; and Eva M., born February 26, 1895.

H ARRY F. MATSON. Among the young and enterprising business men of Brookville, Jefferson county, his place of birth, there is prob- ably none more energetic than this gentleman. Born June 19, 1873, he is a son of the late H. and Eliza (Smith) Matson, the former of whom was also a native of Brookville, the latter of Clarion county, Pennsylvania.

As a representative citizen of Jefferson coun- ty, the memory of the father of our subject will go down in history, and be ever held in respect. For many years he was one of the most promi- nent merchants, not only of his native town, but of the entire county. In 1851 he married Miss Eliza Smith, and four children blessed their union, Harry F., the subject proper of this sketch, being the only survivor. In 1895, after many years of energetic and faithful business, the father passed away, the mother dying in the same year. In religious faith they were Presbyterians, and in his political preferences Mr. Matson was a Re- publican.

Harry F. Matson, whose name introduces these lines, attended in his boyhood the Brook- ville public schools, acquiring a good practical education, such as would fit him for the respon- sible duties of life. Entering his father's place of business, he soon became a proficient and capa- ble young business man, and at the early age of twenty-two years. on the death of his father. he assumed the entire responsibility of the concern, in which he is ably assisted by his estimable wife. Like his father before him. he is a representative merchant of his day, and it is no flattery to say of him that, ages being equal, there is not a more thoroughly practical, all-around business man in Jefferson county.

On June 11. 1895. Mr. Matson was united in marriage with Miss Anna May Spare, who was born March 24, 1872. at Brookville, Penn., and educated at Bellevue Academy. Presbyterians Mr. Mignot was joined in wedlock with Miss Mary Mulson, a daughter of Peter and Catharine the parents of ten children, namely: Lucy, wife · by birth and heritage, they are liberal supporters of the Church of that denomination in Brookville, ' Peirrot; Mulson, of France, and they became while in his political associations Mr. Matson is

a stanch advocate of the principles laid down in the platform of the Republican party. He is one of the most popular and highly respected young men of Brookville, and no doubt a brilliant future lies before him.

F RANCIS MIGNOT, of Covington township, Clearfield county, was for many years actively engaged in general farming, and met with such excellent success in his chosen calling, that he is now enabled to spend his declining years in ease and retirement, enjoying the com- forts and many of the luxuries of life. He was born in France, in 1821, and in 1832 accom- panied his parents, H. and Frances (Charbonet) Mignot, to the United States, arriving in Belle- fonte, Centre Co., Penn., July 4, of that year. From that city the parents came to Frenchville, Clearfield county, where the father purchased sixty acres of land in the midst of the forest, which he transformed into a good farm. He continued to follow agricultural pursuits in Cov- ington township throughout the remainder of his life.

Our subject is one of a family of eight chil- dren, the others being as follows: Charles mar- ried Caroline A. Leconta, by whom he had two children, and they lived at Deer Creek, Clear- field county. Elizabeth married Francis Barto, a farmer of Covington township, by whom she had eight children. John, an agriculturist of the same township. married Miss Ferissa -. and has nine children. Augustus, a farmer of Girard township, married Catherine Gormont, and has eight children. Florentine, a farmer of Kansas, married Margaret Cayot, and has sev- eral children. Emil, a farmer of Covington township, married Malinda Picard, who died in 1866, leaving four children, and he afterward wedded Maggie Martin, of Centre county, by whom he has seven children. Boniface, who died at the age of seventeen.

For five years after his immigration to Amer- ica. Francis Mignot lived in Howard, Centre county, and in May, 1837, removed to Karthaus. Clearfield county, where he worked at the fur- nace for the Coke & Iron Company some three years. Since that time he has made his home in Covington township, where he purchased 150 acres of wild land, which he immediately com- menced to clear and improve, transforming the same into a highly-cultivated tract.

1627

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

of John Rouguex, a farmer of Covington town- ship, by whom she has thirteen children; Eliza -- beth, wife of Francis Voichet, also a farmer of Covington township, by whom she has three children; Katharine, wife of Lerdon Rolley, of West Virginia, by whom she has ten children; Caroline, who married (first) John Picard, a farm- er of Covington township, and had one child, and after his death wedded James Frelin, of the same township, by whom she has three children; Mary, wife of F. L. Coudriet, of Covington town- ship, by whom she has four children; Adda, wife of Jule Jennett, of the same township, by whom she has eight children; Nomie, wife of Joseph Higgins, of Bitumen, Clinton Co., Penn., by whom she has two children; Rosie, wife of Charles Wright, of Salamanca, N. Y., by whom she has one child; Ellen, who died when two years old; and N. F., who married Jane Rougeux, and lives on the old homestead in Covington township.

Mr. Mignot gives his political support to the Republican party, for whose interests he has al- ways worked, and has served as school director in his district. A worthy and prominent citizen, he has taken a lively interest in the progress and development of the county, giving his encourage- ment and substantial support to various institu- tions calculated to build up the community and for the best good of the people. In religious faith he is a devout Catholic, as is also his family.

E LLIS I. HALL, who is engaged in the tor- pedo business in Knox, Clarion county, was born October 17, 1840, in Lawrence township, Clearfield county, and is a worthy representative of one of the honored and highly respected fam- ilies of this section of the State.

His paternal grandparents, James Hall and wife ( who was a Miller) were natives of Ireland, who, on coming to America, first located in Mifflin county. Penn. At an early day, however, they took up their residence in Bald Eagle Valley, Centre county, where both died. For some time the grand- father successfully followed teaching. His chil- dren were John, father of our subject; Samuel, who died in Mckeesport, Penn. ; James, who died in Columbiana county, Ohio; Miller, who con- ducted a hotel in Milesburg, Centre county, where his death occurred; Benjamin, who lived for some time in Clearfield county, and later in St. Marys, Elk Co., Penn. ; Alexander, who went to California in 1849, and died there; Eliza, who married David Haney, and removed to Jef- ferson county. Penn., where her death occurred:

Mary, who wedded Peter Hoover, and died in Clearfield county; Jane, who married first a Mr. McCoy, and later a Mr. Van Volen, and died in Centre county; and Margaret, who married Abra- ham Estes, and died in Jefferson county.

John Hall was born in 1800, in Mifflin coun- ty, where he was reared, and during his youth he learned the shoemaker's trade in Philipsburg. Penn., after which he removed to Lawrence township, Clearfield county. He was married to Miss Nancy Passmore, a native of that county, and a daughter of Abraham and Susanna (Pierce) Passmore, who were born in Maryland, and died in Lawrence township, Clearfield county. By trade her father was a blacksmith. She also de- parted this life in Lawrence township, and later Mr. Hall was again married in Knox county, Ohio, his second union being with Mrs. Nancy (Horn) Conoway, who now resides in Colorado. The father's death occurred in Cedar county, Iowa, September 8, 1876. He was a lumber- man by occupation, for many years served as justice of the peace, and had the confidence and respect of all who knew him.

Our subject is next to the youngest of the eight children born of the first union, the others being as follows: Margaret, deceased wife of George Bowersox; George H., a prominent busi- ness man of Clearfield county; Julia Ann, wife of Levi Dressler, of Union township, Clearfield county; Elizabeth, who married William Null, and died in Jefferson county; Mary, wife of John Ross, of Clearfield county; Rebecca, widow of Henry Sulsbaugh, and a resident of Pennsylvania; and Caroline, wife of Eli Passmore, of Green- wood township, Clearfield county.

Ellis I. Hall, of this review, spent the days of his boyhood and youth in Lawrence township, Clearfield county, and obtained his education in its public schools. In early life he devoted his tinie principally to lumbering, being engaged in the manufacture of square timber. Laying aside personal interests he enlisted at Curwensville, May 15. 1861, in Company K, First Pennsylva- nia Rifles, or "The Bucktails," commanded by Col. Ed Irvin. He was mustered into the United States service at Camp Pierpont, was as- signed to the Army of the Potomac, and partici- pated in all of the battles of his regiment until honorably discharged at Harrisburg, in June, 1864, when he returned home.

On leaving his native county, in 1870, Mr. Hall went to Venango county, Penn., where he became interested in the oil business, drilling for oil. In 1873 he located in St. Petersburg, Clarion county, removed to Beaver township four years later, and in 1890 took up his resi- i

1628

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

dence in the village of Knox, where he is still liv- ing. In 1885 he had established business there as a dealer in and manufacturer of torpedoes, nitro-glycerine and other explosives, and also con- ducts a similar store in Oil City. He soon suc- ceeded in building up a good trade, and now has his business on a good paying basis, being one of the most successful business men in his line in this section of the State.

In Centre county, Penn., Mr. Hall was united in marriage with Miss Martha Miller, a native of that county, who died in Clearfield county, and the only child born to the union is also deceased. Mr. Hall was again married, in 1871, in Venango county, this time to Miss Eliza Rose, also a native of Centre county. Six children have been born to them: Orville, who is married, and lives in Oil City, Penn .; Frampton B .; George E .; Rhoda B .; one who died in infancy; and John Arthur.

Politically, Mr. Hall is a stalwart supporter of the Democracy, and, socially, is a member of George H. Covode Post, G. A. R., of Knox; Ed- inburg Lodge No. 550, F. & A. M .; Edinburg Chapter No. 259, R. A. M .; Talbut Command- ery No. 43, K. T .; Syria Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S .; the Independent Order of Odd Fellows; and the Knights of Pythias. He is one of the prominent and influential citizens of Knox, and wherever known is held in high regard.

SAMUEL SPANOGLE is a representative cit- izen of Graham township, Clearfield county, and an honored veteran of the Civil war, who on many battle fields demonstrated his loyalty to the Union cause. He has long been a resident of the township in which he now makes his home, and his many excellencies of character have gained for him a place in the foremost ranks of the best citizens of the community.

Mr. Spanogle was born in Huntingdon coun- ty, Penn., in 1842, a son of Leonard and Alice (Dale) Spanogle, who were also natives of that county. The father followed farming there until his death, after which his widow married Samuel Spitler, of Huntingdon county, and came to Gra- ham township, Clearfield county, in 1855. They settled on the farm where our subject now re- sides, and the mother is at present a resident of Allport, Penn. Mr. Spitler died in Iowa, in 1883. By the first marriage there were two children: Andrew, who is living in Munson, Clearfield county; and Samuel, of this sketch. The only child of the second marriage is now deceased.

Samuel Spanogle spent the first nine years of his life in the county of his nativity, and then

came to Graham township, Clearfield county, where his education was largely obtained. He early became familiar with the pursuits of farm- ing and lumbering, and these industries have largely claimed his attention throughout his life. He is now one of the most progressive and sub- stantial farmers of Graham township, and is the owner of a rich and desirable tract of land of one hundred acres, all under a high state of cul- tivation. It is improved with good buildings and all the accessories of a model farm of the nine- teenth century, and the neat and thrifty appear- ance of the place well indicates the careful super- vision of the owner. His realty possessions also comprise two houses and lots in Allport.

On September 21, 1861, Mr. Spanogle offered his services to the government for three years, enlisting in Company G, 84th P. V. I. He was mustered in at Harrisburg, and joined the Army of the Potomac. He valiantly responded to every call of duty, and displayed his valor on many hotly-contested battle fields, including Winchester, Bath, Strasburg, Mt. Jackson, Ber- ryville, Front Royal (1), Fredericksburg, and Front Royal (2). In the Shenandoah Valley he was taken ill, and had to be sent to Mt. Pleasant (Va. ) hospital. At Cedar Mountain he rejoined his regiment, and participated in the battle of Culpeper. Being again taken sick, he was sent to Fairfax Seminary hospital, where on account of his disabilities he was honorably discharged in November, 1862, after which he returned to Clearfield county. In Morris township, he was married in 1865, to Miss Emily Merrell, a native of that township, and a daughter of Samuel and Hannah (Taylor) Merrell, pioneer settlers there. Mr. and Mrs. Spanogle have a family of six chil- dren: Mrs. Carrie Forcey, of Bigler; George. who is married and resides in Bridgeport, Clear- field county; John, who makes his home in Bridgeport; Robie (Mrs. P. Conley), a teacher of Atlantic City; William and Olive.

Mr. Spanogle gives his political support to the Republican party, and does all in his power to pro- mote its growth and insure its success. He has served as a member of the school board, and is deeply interested in the cause of education and in all measures calculated to promote the best interests of the community. His duties of private life are discharged with the same fidelity that he manifested in his country's hour of peril.

BONIFACE RICHTER, M. D., now prac- tically living retired in Beaver township. was for many years one of the leading and most successful physicians of Clarion county. As a

1629

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

young man he came to America, and with no capital he started out in a strange land to over- corne the difficulties and obstacles in the path to prosperity. His youthful dreams have been realized, and in their happy fulfillment he sees the fitting reward of his earnest toil.

Dr. Richter was born in Baden, Germany, on November 30, 1820, a son of George and Liz- zetta Richter, who were representatives of a prominent old family of that country, and there spent their entire lives, the father dying at the age of seventy-five, and the mother when eighty- four years of age. For many years he held the responsible and honorable position of forest in- spector under the German government. Both parents were Lutherans and reared their children in that faith. The family numbered the follow- ing children: Antone, an architect in the employ of the German government; Nancy; Frederick, a resident of Geneva, Switzerland; Frank, of New York; Boniface; Paulina, a teacher of music in Yeddo, Japan; and August, a confectioner, who died in New York.

Dr. Richter acquired an excellent education in his native tongue, and in 1848 joined the Ger- man army in the war against Denmark, in which he served for two years. In the Fatherland he also studied medicine, and, on crossing the Atlantic in 1850, located in New York, where he engaged in practice for nine months. Later, he lived in Cincinnati, Ohio, and in May, 1852, he removed to Pittsburg, Penn., and from there he went to Red Bank, Jefferson county, this State, where he spent three years. On coming to Clarion county, he opened an office in Monroe, where his skill and ability soon won recognition, and gained for him a large and lucrative practice. During the Civil war he was commissioned sur- geon of the 98th P. V. I., in which capacity he served for four months. For fifty-two years he was actively engaged in practice, and met with excellent success, but he has now laid aside the arduous duties which fall to the lot of the physi- cian and surgeon,

In 1854, in Clarion county, Dr. Richter was married to Miss Mary, daughter of John Ash- baugh, and to them were born nine children, namely: Frederick and Antone, both residents of . Beaver township, Clarion county; Etta; Louisa (of Cincinnati, Ohio), Pauline (wife of A. Hood, of Cleveland, Ohio), Emma (of Cincinnati), Han- nah, August, and Artilla.

In religious belief the Doctor is a Lutheran, and, in politics, a stanch Republican. He is a man of broad and liberal views, always well posted on current questions and issues, and is justly ranked among Clarion county's honorable

and valued citizens. He has never regretted his emigration to America, for here he has met with success and made many warm friends.

TOSEPH H. ROWLES. The subject of this personal history is an agriculturist of Law- rence township, Clearfield county, and is well esteemed as a man of industry and enter- prise, besides being a worthy citizen and having to his credit an unblemished war record. He was born in Lawrence township, in March, 1834, and comes of a family that has long been identi- fied with the history of the county.

John Rowles, his paternal grandfather, was a native of Pennsylvania, born of German lineage. In 1812, he came to Clearfield county, locating in Curwensville when that now thriving borough contained but three houses, and there worked at his trade of blacksmithing throughout life. He married a Miss Whippo, who died in Lawrence township in 1862, and they became the parents of the following children: Price and Thomas, who both died in Lawrence township; George, who died in 1865; William, deceased; John; who died in Lawrence township, in 1866; Andrew and Richard, who also died in Lawrence township; Jesse, who died in infancy; Harmon, the father of our subject; Taylor, who died in Lawrence township, near West Clearfield, in 1888; Max- well, who died in the same township, in July, IS94; Titus, whose death occurred in Lawrence township; Susannah, who married John Gill, of Centre county, Penn., where her death occurred; Grizey, who first wedded Andrew Kline, of Law- rence township, and after his death married Ebenezer King, and both died on the same day in 1856, in Lawrence township.

Harmon Rowles was eight years of age when brought by his parents to the county, and in the schools of Lawrence township he acquired his education. He was married in what is now Pike township, to Susannah Henry, a native of Ire- land, and a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Mc- Bride) Henry, who were also born in that coun- try, coming to America in IS10. Her parents first located in what is now Pike township, Clear- field county, but later became residents of Fergu- son township, where their deaths occurred. Mr. Rowles took his bride to a new farm in Lawrence county, which he at once began to clear and cul- tivate, and there spent his remaining days, dying July 2, 1892. His wife had passed away in April, 1875. In politics he was a Jeffersonian Democrat. Their family consisted of five sons and four daughters, namely: P. A., a resident of Knox township, Clearfield county; Joseph H.,

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 106

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