Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3, Part 107

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 107
USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 107
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 107
USA > Pennsylvania > Clarion County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 107

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 BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

whose name introduces this sketch; H. F. and D. P., both living in Knox township; William, who was drowned in Lawrence township in 1848; Su- sannah, who married James McCully, and after his death wedded James Sanders, of Mahaffey, Clearfield county; Mrs. Louisa Dunlop, of Knox township; and Mrs. Mary E. Swatsworth, of Lawrence township.

In the schools near his childhood home, Jo- seph H. Rowles received his literary training, and in 1856 located upon his present farm, com- prising fitty acres, which at that time was cov- ered with a heavy growth of timber. He cleared the land, and has transformed the place into one of the most highly cultivated tracts in the local- ity. In 1864, in Lawrence township, he enlisted in Company B, 100th P. V. I., for one year or during the war, and was assigned to the Army of the James. He participated in the battle of Fort Steadman, and was in front of Petersburg at the time of its surrender. Hostilities having ceased, he was honorably discharged at Harrisburg. July 28, 1865, and returned home.

In Lawrence township, in 1861, Mr. Rowles was united in marriage with Miss Ruth Hickok, who was born in that township, a daughter of Abel and Margery (Bloom) Hickok, the former a native of New York, and the latter of Pike town- ship, Clearfield county. As a single man the father had come to the county, where he married Miss Bloom. His death occurred in Knox town- ship, in January, 1884, and his wife died the fol- lowing April. They' were the parents of eight children: John, a resident of Pike township; Mrs. Rowles; Henry, of Glen Richey, Clearfield county; James, of Knox township; Mrs. Mary Dunlop, of Pike township; Martha, wife of Rob- ert Rowles, of the same township; Samuel, of Knox township; and Aaron, who died in 1864. To Mr. and Mrs. Rowles were born twelve chil- dren, as follows: (1) Melissa died when young. (2) C. L. V., of Lawrence township, married Keturah Bauman, and has four children-Ethel, Mary, Melva and Elsie. (3) William Lorenzo of Knox township, married Melissa Dunlop, and has five sons-Warren, Clem, Wayne, John and Clint. (4) Mrs. Roxy Dunlop died in Knox township, in 1892, leaving one child, Olive. (5) Almond died at the age of three years. (6) Harmon died at the age of two years. (7) James is a teacher in Clearfield county. (8) Susannah is the wife of Benjamin Barnett, of Knox township. (9) Aaron, (10) Harriet, (11) Lewis and (12) Josephine complete the family.

Mr. Rowles is an earnest supporter of the men and measures of the Democratic party, and is

now serving as justice of the peace, which office he will, on the expiration of his present term, Chave creditably filled for a quarter of a century. He holds membership in Lorimer Post, G. A. R. His industry in the pursuit of his own business, his spotless private life, and the character of the services he has rendered in his official capacity, have elevated him to the highest estimation in the community where he has always made his home, and where he is so widely and favorably known.

S NAMUEL S. BARNETT, a farmer and black- smith, has met with a well-deserved success in his callings, and his fine, well-ordered farm, which is pleasantly situated in Farmington town- ship, Clarion county, with its carefully cultured fields, its neat buildings and all their surround- ings, denote the skillful management, industry and well-directed labors of the owner.

Henry Barnett, the father of our subject, was born in 1807, in Doylestown, Bucks Co., Penn., and in that county he was reared, and married to Catharine Hetrick. In 1830 he re- moved to Knox township, Clarion county, where he developed a small farm and continued to make it his home for some years, but later took up his residence in Farmington township, two miles east of Tylersburg, where he purchased 105 acres of wild land and erected thereon a log house. He at once commenced to clear and improve the place, and also worked at his trade of blacksmithing. His death occurred in 1846, but his wife long survived him, dying in 1881.

Of their children four were born in Bucks county, and the others after the migration of the family to Clarion county: (1) Betsy is now the wife of Daniel Smith, of Beaver township, Clarion county. (2) Seneca married Sarah Mc- Donald, and lived in Jefferson county, Penn., until killed in a coal bank. He left a large fan- ily of children, namely-Daniel married a daugh- ter of John Chase, a pioneer lumberman of Clearfield county, Penn., and they make their home in Knox township, that county, where he is engaged in lumbering; Anna M. inarried Rus- sel Van Horn, of Armstrong county, Penn., and died some years ago leaving a large family; Eli- jah, a farmer of Porter township, Jefferson coun- ty, married Maggie Kelsey, of that township, and now has several children; Thomas, also an agriculturist of Jefferson county, married Marga- ret Neil, of Porter township, and has ten chil- dren; Catharine married Alexander Welshon, of Jefferson county, and with their family they now live near Luthersburg, in Clearfield coun-

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ty; Maggie is the wife of Daniel Kelsey, of the State of Washington, and has a family of children; John, Marcella, George and Emma, are yet unmarried, and still reside in Porter township, Jefferson county. (3) Henry,a resi- dent of Knox township, Clarion county, mar- ried Betsy Nicely, of Washington, the same county, and has a family of seven children. (4) John died in childhood. (5) Joseph married Lizzie Bennett, of Farmington township, Clarion county, and both died some years ago, leaving four children-Daniel, Jane, Joseph and Lizzie. (6) Aaron married Louisa Lukehart, of Clarion county, and they died leaving two children- . David and Susanna. (7) Margaret died unmar- ried some years ago. (8) Catharine is the de- deased wife of Gotlieb Braith, of Clarion coun- ty. (9) William married Maggie Wild, of Beaver township, Clarion county, and they removed to Ohio, where she died some years ago. (10) An- thony died unmarried- many years ago.

Samuel S. Barnett, who completes the fam- ily, was born in Knox township. Clarion county, in August, 1832, grew to manhood on the old homestead in Farmington township, and received his education in the common schools. In 1851 he was married to Miss Sarah Nicely, of Wash- ington township, Clarion county, a daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth Nicely, who came to Clar- ion county from Bedford county, Penn .. where she was born in 1 833.

Mr. and Mrs. Barnett began their domestic life in Clarion county, but later removed to For- est county, where he engaged in blacksmithing until his removal to Porter township, Jefferson county. After working at his trade for five years at that place, he in 1863 returned to the old homestead in Clarion county, but three years later removed to Washington township, where he made his home and engaged in blacksmithing for twenty years. In 1883 he purchased the Por- ter Haskell farm in Farmington township, which at that time was but slightly improved. He has cleared the greater portion of the tract, in 1888 built a large and substantial barn, and has made many other excellent improvements. In connec- tion with farming he still works at his trade, and receives a liberal share of the public patronage. His tastes lying in the direction of mechanics. he soon mastered blacksmithing in all its depart- ments during his boyhood, although he never served a regular apprenticeship, and he also be- came an accomplished wagon and sled manu- facturer through his own unaided efforts.

Mr. and Mrs. Barnett have become the par- ents of eleven children: (1) James B., born in 1854, died in childhood.'

(2) John W., born in

1856, in Forest county, died when a young man. (3) Elmira, born in Jefferson county in 1860, died when a young lady. (4) George H., born in Clarion county, in 1858, died in childhood. (5) Albert B., born in 1862, is single and is em- ployed in Kane, Penn. (6) Joseph, born in 1864, in Clarion county, was a very bright young man, who was killed by a falling tree while en- gaged in lumbering near his parents' home. (7) Frank, born in Clarion county, is at home. (8) Lavina J., born in 1867, in Clarion county, is now the wife of Joseph Hall, a farmer of Farm- ington township, and has six children-George, Miner, Ruth, Alda, one whose name is not given, and Sarah. (9) Elizabeth M., born in 1871, in Clarion county, married Samuel Boyd, of the same county, and they now live in Forest county. They had three children-Clarence, Lila, and Sarah C., but the last two were burned to death. (10) Solomon, born in 1874, and (II) Samuel P., born in 1876, are both with their parents.

In the use of his elective franchise Mr. Bar- nett usually supports the Republican party, but is not strictly partisan, and has never aspired to official honors. His parents were members of the Lutheran Church, but he and his wife are now connected with the United Brethren Church, and do all in their power to promote the moral welfare of the community. His support is al- ways given to every interest that is calculated to elevate humanity, and his own life has been one of unbending integrity and honorable pur- pose. He has justly won the proud American title of a self-made man, for he entered upon his business career without capital, and by persever- ance, energy and straightforward dealing has achieved success.

TOHN MOORE, one of the progressive agri- culturists of Farmington township. post office Leeper, Clarion County, Pennsylvania.

L EWIS FETTERS, a trusted employee of the Berwin-White Coal Company, in charge of their blacksmith shops at Chesterfield mines in Bigler township, Clearfield county, is a veteran of the Civil war, having shown his patriotism by enlisting in January, 1864, as a boy of fifteen. and serving gallantly during the remaining months of that fierce struggle. He is a native of Blair county, Penn., having been born at Bell's Fur- nace. July 22, 1848.

Daniel Fetters, father of our subject, was born in Blair county, in 1802, and at one time ! owned a farm at the site of the present city of

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Altoona. That locality not seeming as promis- ing in the early days as some others, Daniel Fet- ters removed to Tyrone to engage in teaming. For a number of years he hauled goods from Pittsburg to Tyrone, but on the completion of the canal as far as Water street, Huntingdon Co., Penn., he began teaming from that point to Tyrone. When the Pennsylvania railroad was finished, early in the 'sos, he found his old occu- pation gone, and then became a watchman for the same company, attending engines and doing similar work for five or six years. He then moved to Howard, Centre county, and spent two years working round the forge of the Lyons Com- pany. From there he moved to State College, where he remained two years, and then went to Washington Furnace, and finally to Milesburg, where he made his home until his death in Au- gust, 1881. He enlisted in the army . in 1862, joining the 45th P. V. I., under Capt. Curtin, of Centre county, and took part in all the engage- ments of his regiment- as long as his health per- mitted; he was discharged for disability and re- turned to Milesburg.

Daniel Fetters was married in his native county to Miss Jane Aikens, who died in 1857, leaving a family of six children, all of whom were born in Blair county: (1) Catherine married Jacob Mcclellan, now deceased, formerly of Centre county, and she still resides upon the farm which he owned and operated at Green- wood Furnace, Huntingdon Co., Penn. They had four children. (2) Rachel married John Hemin, a miner at Brisbin, and has three chil- dren living. (3) Mary married John I. Gingher, a skilled iron-worker employed in the rolling mills at Milesburg. They have five children- Harry L., who is married and lives in Millesburg; William, who is single; Anna, who is married and resides in Centre county; and Francis and Maria, both at home. (4) Sarah married William Mil- ler, of Milesburg, but has no children. (5) Sam- uel is engaged in teaming in Bellefonte. He married Miss Tenie Emil, of that city, and has children-William, Mary, Bessie, Lewis, and Maggie.

The subject of our sketch left the old home in Blair county during his boyhood, accompany- ing his father in his search for another location. At the age of thirteen he was employed in the rolling inills at Milesburg, and in 1861 he began to learn the blacksmith's trade with Henry Everly. of Boiling Springs, Centre county. After one year he returned to Milesburg, and again entered the rolling mills, where he remained about a year and a half. He then worked for a short time at Hollidaysburgtand at Allegheny Furnace,

Penn., continuing his trade at the latter place with P. M. Smith. The "dark days" of the war, when results seemed trembling in the balance, inspired him with the determination to go to the front, not- withstanding his youth, and he enlisted at Holli- daysburg, in Company G, 12th Pennsylvania Cav- alry. A short stay at Camp Curtin followed, and then he went by way of Carlisle, Penn., to Alex- andria, where he remained five weeks. Their next stopping place was at Harper's Ferry, where he was mounted, and he finally joined his regi- ment at Bolivar . Heights, Va. He was engaged in a number of skirmishes and several battles be- fore Lee's surrender ended the long war. Early in 1865 he was taken ill and sent to a field hos- pital at Winchester, and later to a hospital in Baltimore, Md., where he spent three weeks. On May 15, 1865, he was discharged in that city, and returned home.

Wishing to see something of the West before settling down, he went to Illinois, and worked until January, 1866; but this experience was suf- ficient, and he came back to his native State to stay. Locating in Clearfield county, he worked two years as a driver for Houtz & Read, at Bris- bin, one year in Morrisdale, and three years for Thomas Henderson, in a blacksmith shop. His wife in her maidenhood was Miss Margaret E. Phillips, daughter of Solomon and Susanna Phillips, of Woodward township, Clearfield coun- ty. He made his home near Brisbin, remaining until 1874, when he bought a house and lot in Parsonville, Penn. Nineteen years he spent there, but in 1892 he sold the place and moved to Chesterfield, in order to take charge of the shops of Mine No. 19, under James Gatehouse, as contractor. He is a man who inspires confi- dence, and is highly esteemed by all who know him.

Mr. and Mrs. Fetters have seven children: (1) Rachel, born in 1870, is the wife of George Higgins, a miner at McCartney, and their five children-Albert, Mand, Lewis, Margaret and Joseph-are all living. (2) Susanna, born March 4, 1876, married John Slonie, a railroad em- ployee, residing at Belsena, and they have one son, Grant S. (3) Sarah, born in 1872; (4) Mary, born in 1877, (5) Charlie, born in 1883, (6) Samuel born in 1887, and (7) John Irwin. born in 1891, are at home. Politically, Mr. Fet- ters is a Republican, and, while never a seeker after office, he at one time held the post of con- stable in Decatur township, Clearfield county.

W HARRISON PASSMORE, who is devot- ing his energies to blacksmithing in Luthersburg, belongs to one of the honored and

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highly respected families of Clearfield county. For many years his parents, George and Mary" A. Passmore, were well-known residents of the borough of Clearfield, where the father, who had learned his trade in Centre county, established one of the first blacksmith shops, and continued to carry on business till within a few years of his death. He was one of the earliest settlers of the county, locating here when it was almost an un- broken wilderness, and he took quite a prominent and active part in its growth and development.

Our subject is the eldest in a family of eight children, the others being as follows: (2) Elam, who grew to manhood upon his fatlier's farm in Lawrence township, Clearfield county, wedded Mary Short, of Clearfield, and then purchased a farm on Chestnut Ridge, Pike township, in the same county, where he still resides. They have six children-Hanson, Rosanna, Amos, Adam, Conrad and George. (3) Harvey married Mag- gie A. Hancock, and resided on the old home- stead for a number of years, then lived with his father in Clearfield until the latter's death, when he bought a farm in Lawrence township, where he is still living. He had four children-John, a promising young man, who was the main sup- port of his crippled father, but died in 1896; Lillie, now Mrs. James Ogden, of West Clear- field; and Alice and Louis, at home. (4) Jane is the wife of David Bressler, of Curwensville, Penn. (5) George, twin brother of Jane, is a re- sident of Bower, Clearfield county, where he fol- lows blacksmithing. He married Katie Swope, of Brady township, and has five children-Effie, now Mrs. Johnson, of Bower; Luther, who is married and lives in Clearfield; one whose name is not given; Elwood and Sherman. (6) Martha is the widow of Mr. McKnight, of Clearfield, who died a number of years ago, leaving three sons- Elmer, who was killed on the Pennsylvania rail- road near Clearfield in ISSo; Max, who was married in Du Bois, and now lives in Allegheny. Penn .; and George, who was married in Reyn- oldsville, where he resided for a number of years, but now follows the trade of cigar making in Pittsburg. He has five children. . (7) Edward, born in Lawrence township, learned the black- smith's trade, at which he is now employed in .Clearfield. He married Ida Smith, of that city. and has five children-Ira. Gussie, Wade, and three whose names are not given. (8) Fannie is the wife of a Mr. Caldwell, and lived for some time in Du Bois, but is now a resident of Oil City, Penn. They have a large family of chil- dren.

On attaining to man's estate Mr. Passmore, of this review, was united in marriage with Miss 103

Mary Fox, of Lycoming county, Penn., a daugh- ter of Mathias and Susan Fox, well-to-do farm- ing people, who came to Brady township, Clear- field county, from Lycoming county in 1836, and located near Troutville, where the father fol- lowed agricultural pursuits until his death. The mother survived him a few years, and died at the home of our subject. Mr. and Mrs. Passmore have become the parents of eight children: (1) Susanna, born in August, 1857, in Curwensville, married William Kelly, of Brady township, and they now live in Hastings, Penn., where he is engaged in the business of marble cutting. Their children are Rosie, now Mrs. Bolinger, of Hast- ings; Ida, who is married and lives in the same place; Edna, married; and Maud, Phillis, Harry, Queen, Taylor, and one whose name is not given, are all at home. (2) Harvey, born August 7, 1859, died when young. (3) Austin Irwin, born January 3, 1862, removed to Cali- fornia on reaching nianhood, and from there went to Salem, Ore., where he married Miss Mary Helkenson, of Chicago. He died in 1892, leaving a widow and one child, who now reside in Utah. (4) George B., born March 21, 1864, now follows the occupation of blacksmithing in Salem, Brady township, Clearfield county. He wedded Mary Bamitz, of the same township, and has four children-Rhoda, Seenes, Warren and Byron. (5) Lorena L., born in February, 1867, married John Bell, of New' Millport, and they now live on his farm in Greenwood township, Clearfield county. They have one child-Karl. (6) William, born in Luthersburg, September 24, 1869, learned the blacksmith's trade under his father's able direction, and in 1890 entered the employ of George Errich, of Penfield, with whom he remained one year. He then worked in the woods near Mahaffey for Mr. Labord, one winter, and for the following year was with Jones & Walker. In IS91 he took charge of his father's shop in Luthersburg, and still carries on business there, making his home with his par- ents. (7) Lila, born December 23, 1871, died at the age of six years. (S) James, born April 3, 1874, died at the age of two.

For a year after his marriage, Mr. Passmore resided in Curwensville, and then bought a farm near Luthersburg and a lot in that village, where he built a commodious two-story frame residence in ISS5. There he has successfully carried on blacksmithing up to the present time, and is ac- knowledged as one of the most straightforward and reliable business men of the place. In his undertakings he has prospered, and throughout the community he is regarded as one of the most highly respected citizens. He is quite a promi-

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nent leader in local politics, advocates the prin- ciples of Democracy, and has served as overseer of the poor. In religious belief both he and his estimable wife are Lutherans.

I SAAC W. WALKER, a harness maker and ex- press agent at Rimersburg, is one of the self- made men of Clarion county. In the respect that is accorded to men who have fought their own way to success through unfavorable environ- ments we find an unconscious recognition of the intrinsic worth of a character which can not only endure so rough a test, but gain new strength through the discipline. The following history sets forth briefly the steps by which our subject, now one of the substantial citizens of Rimers- burg, overcame the disadvantages of his early life.

Mr. Walker was born December 27, 1831. on Fifth street, in Pittsburg, Penn., a son of Sain- uel and Martha (Gott) Walker, who were born, reared and married in Allegheny county. The paternal grandfather, Isaac Walker, who was of Scotch extraction, spent his entire life in that county, where he worked at his trade of boiler making. He-departed this life at the extreme old age of one hundred and twelve years, and his wife died suddenly from a stroke of paralysis at the age of one hundred and ten.

Samuel Walker, our subject's father, was also a boiler maker by trade. For seven years he served in the regular army, during which time he took part in the Mexican war under Col. Black. During the Civil war he served a three- months' term under Captain Sirwell, of Kittan- ning, and later enlisted in Company B, 105th P. V. I., under Captain Craig, but after serving eighteen months he lost his hearing and was hon- orably discharged. On leaving the army he re- sided for three years with our subject, and then entered the Soldiers' Home at Pittsburg, where he died in 1866, at the age of seventy-five years. His remains were interred in the soldiers' bury- ing ground in that city. His wife died in 1870, aged sixty-eight years, while residing with her daughter Sallie, in Dayton, Ohio, and at that place she was laid to rest. She was a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church. Our sub- ject is the eldest in the family of four children, the others being Hannah, who died unmarried in Pittsburg: William, who died of cholera in that city, in 1853; and Eliza, wife of Samuel McGib- bins, a monument manufacturer of Paris, Illinois.

At the early age of nine years Isaac W. Walk- er began earning his own livelihood by running ! :

errands and making himself generally useful in a wholesale hardware house of Pittsburg, where he remained for three years. In 1845 he com- menced serving an apprenticeship to the harness maker's trade with R. H. Hartley, of Pittsburg, and the first year received only $20, the second $35, and the third $75, but during the last year made extra money by working at nights. He continued to work as a journeyman for the same firm in Pittsburg for one year, and when they established a branch house in Clarion, he re- moved to that place, remaining with them until the fall of 1853. He left the firm owing to a difficulty arising from politics. As his employer was a Republican, and he a Democrat, the for- mer tried to keep our subject from voting, but was not successful, and the $56, which was then due, Mr. Walker never received, Coming to Rimersburg, he became associated in the harness business with Christ Churchbarger, and as his partner died a year later, he purchased his inter- est of the heirs, and has since continued business alone with good success.

On December 30, 1852, in Clarion, by James Swiney, Esq. Mr. Walker was married to Miss Lavina Beaver, a cousin of General Beaver. They became the parents of three children: William, the eldest, died in 1892 from being poisoned at Homestead, Penn., and left a widow. who was formerly Miss Laura Uckler, and now resides in Bradford, Penn. Emma is the wife of Samuel Chambers, an extensive farmer and stock raiser of Missouri. Mary is the wife of Thomas Flocker, of Allegheny, Penn. They also had an adopted daughter, Lizzie, who died November 6. 1896.

Mrs. Walker was born in Blair county, Penn .. November 8, 1835, and is a daughter of Hon. Henry and Susanna (Graftus) Beaver. The fa- ther was born July 20, 1776. in Bedford county. Penn., a son of John and Anna (Uhl) Beaver. and as a life work he engaged in the undertak- ing business. He was one of the most promi- nent and distinguished citizens of his com- munity, and was often called into public life, serving as justice of the peace for the long period of thirty years; a representative to the State Legislature for two terms: and also a con- gressman for three terms. He proved a most popular and capable officer, and left office as he had entered it with the respect and confidence of all who knew him. His political support was given the Democracy, and both he and his wife were connected with the Reformed Church. He died at Martinsburg, Blair Co., Penn .. Sep- tember 8, 1842, and was buried at that place. She was born March 12, 1795, and passed away

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3, Part 107

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