Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3, Part 108

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 108
USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 108
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 108
USA > Pennsylvania > Clarion County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 108

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHIICAL RECORD.

at the home of our subject, August 12, 1874, being laid to rest in the Rimersburg cemetery.

In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Beaver were the following children: Elizabeth, who married Allen Dunn, but both are now deceased; Mary, deceased wife of Henry Acker, also deceased; John G., deceased, who built more furnaces than any other man in the State, and for many years managed the old Curtin furnace in Centre coun- ty; Anna, Rachel and Eva, who all died when young; Anthony, deceased; Susan, deceased wife of Charles Bobb, a retired carpenter, residing in Martinsburg, Penn .; Henry, a traveling salesman of Allegheny, Penn .; Catherine, widow of Robert Patterson, of Freeport, Penn .; Lavina, wife of our subject; and Sarah A., deceased wife of Jo- seph Boyles, of Parker, Pennsylvania.

As a Democrat, Mr. Walker has always taken an active interest in political affairs, and for ten years he most creditably and satisfactorily served as burgess of Rimersburg, declining a re-election. He also carried the mail for seventeen years, and has now served as express agent for the past ten years. Since 1856, he has been a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge at Rimersburg, and both he and his wife are faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he is now serving as steward. Time rests lightly upon this worthy couple, who are still quite active for peo- ple of their years. Mr. Walker is now one of the oldest surviving pioneers of Rimersburg, and with the growth and development of the place he has been prominently identified. Success is not measured by the heights which one may chance to occupy, but by the distance between the starting point and the altitude he has reached; therefore Mr. Walker has gained a most brilliant success-a just reward of meritorious, honorable effort, which commands the respect and admira- tion of all.

F RED KOHLER, a well-known agriculturist of Brady township, post office Troutville, Clearfield County, Pennsylvania.

'ENRY L. HARTZFELD, a prominent farm- er and lumberman, has throughout life been identified with the interests of Brady township, Clearfield county, where he was born in 1847, a son of Henry and Catharine Hartzfeld. The father, who was a native of Gerinany, in 1843 became a resident of Brady township, where he purchased a tract of fifty acres of wild land two miles south of Luthersburg. There he began life in true pioneer style in a round-log cabin,

and at once commenced to clear and improve his place. He also erected a barn of round logs, but as time passed and his financial resources were increased he replaced these buildings with a com- fortable two-story frame residence and a substan- tial bank barn of large dimensions. There he continued to follow agricultural pursuits until his death.

Of their five children, George, the eldest, was born in the Fatherland, and was about a year old when the family crossed the ocean and took up their residence in Brady township, Clearfield county, where he grew to manhood on the old homestead, attending school for about three months during the winter season. After his mar- riage to Miss Mary Smith, of Jefferson county, he located on the home farm, where he still re- sides. They have four children: Lizzie, now the wife of Joshua Sugart, a carpenter of Troutville, Penn. ; and William, Flora and Lula, all at home. (2) Eliza A., born in Brady township, married Amos Brooks, of Pottstown, Schuylkill Co., Penn., and they reside on his farm, one and one-half miles south of Luthersburg. Their children are: William C., Mary, George, Einma and Sarah. (3) Henry L. is next in order of birth. (4) Charles was reared on the old homestead, and after reaching man's estate married Miss Mary Marshall, of Bloom township, Clearfield county. He then purchased 120 acres of land in Brady township, adjoining our subject's farm, and trans- formed the place into a highly-cultivated tract, erecting thereon good buildings and making many other valuable improvements. After living there for fourteen years he sold and bought a farin on Chestnut Ridge, one mile from Curwensville, where he now resides. He has one daughter, Edith. (5) Jacob, born in Brady township, wed- ded Miss Annie Korb, of that township. and is now successfully engaged in the oil business in Cattaraugus county, N. Y., where he owns many productive oil wells and has become quite wealthy. He has one son, Walter.

During his childhood and youth Henry L. Hartzfeld, our subject, was provided with but limited advantages for securing an education, and in early manhood began learning the car- penter's trade. Previous to his marriage, how- ever, he bought seventy-five acres of land of Jacob Hunmel, located about four miles south- east of Luthersburg. Only about three acres had been cleared, and a small frame house, but no barn, had been erected. Through his own energy, perseverance and good management he has converted the wild land into a highly pro- ductive farin. In 1874 he built a large bank I barn, and in 1890 a fine two-story frame resi-

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

dence. He has removed the stumps from a large portion of the place, and to-day has one of the most desirable farms in Brady township. 1

In 1875 Mr. Hartzfeld was united in inar- riage with Miss Clara Weaver, of Brady town- ship, and they have become the parents of eight children, as follows: Mary C., born in 1876, is now the wife of Ellis A. I. Wingert, of Brady township, who resides on his farm about two miles southeast of Luthersburg, on the old Erie turnpike, between that place and Curwensville. They have one son, Chester E. The other chil- dren of the Hartzfeld family are still at hoine, and are named Lydia R., Milton H., Franklin T., Alice N., Gertrude, Jessie Irene and Homer E. Mr. Hartzfeld affiliates with the Democratic party, and has held the office of school director for three years. Both he and his wife are active and prominent members of the German Reformed Church of Luthersburg, to which two of their daughters also belong, and although living four miles from the village- they attend service reg- ularly. For a number of years Mr. Hartzfeld has served as elder and director in the Church, has taken an important part in its work. and been one of its most liberal contributors, giving freely of his means to all benevolent, charitable or Church work. He has also taken an active interest in the Sunday-school, and well deserves the high regard in which he is universally held.

M ICHAEL' TOOMEY, one of the self-made men of Clarion county, whose early home was on the other side of the Atlantic, commenced life without other capital than his strong hands and resolute will, and has attained to a fine posi- tion, socially and financially, among his fellow citizens. He is now successfully engaged in mer- chandising at North Pine Grove. He is a native of Ireland, where his parents, Daniel and Catha- rine (Highland) Toomey, spent their entire lives. Our subject was the first of the three children to come to America, arriving in New York in April, 1849, but in 1851, the others, Dennis and Mary, also crossed the Atlantic and took up their resi- dence in Pittsburg. For many years the brother served as fireman, and for some time was fore- man in the round house of the Pittsburg & Cleve- land R. R. Company. He died in Allegheny, in 1887, and the sister passed away the same year.

On landing in this country, Michael Toomey came with his friend, James Dugan, to Brady's Bend, Penn., and for one winter was engaged in digging ore for the furnaces of Clarion county. Later he was connected with the Alney furnace

in Armstrong county, and, in 1850, located in Strattonville, where he worked on a mill for James Guthrie for a short time, after which he was similarly employed at Coleman Run. In 1853 he purchased 120 acres of the O'Donald property, which he transformed into a good farm. He was married, in June, 1855, to Miss Winifred McDonald, of Jefferson county, who was a native of county Kilkenny, Ireland, and died in 1881. After his marriage Mr. Toomey located upon his farm, on which he erected good and substantial build- ings, and made many other improvements which added to its value and attractive appearance. After the death of his wife, he remained on the farm for several years, his sister keeping house for him.

In 1885, Mr. Toomey sold some of his prop- erty and removed to Allegheny, where he in- vested in a house and lot, and there lived retired for three years. Renting his place, he returned to Clarion county in 1888, and has since success- fully conducted a large general store in North Pine Grove, carrying only the best goods and re- ceiving from the public a liberal patronage. At one time he was also extensively interested in the lumber business, and is to-day the owner of a large amount of real estate in North Pine Grove.

In 1891, Mr. Toomey was again married, this time to Miss Lizzie Kastner, of Clarion county, a daughter of Martin and Margaret Kastner, hon- ored pioneers of the county. One child graces this union-Daniel F., born in North Pine Grove, in June, 1895. After his marriage Mr. Toomey built a fine residence in that village, which con- tinues to be his home. Both he and his wife hold membershipin the Catholic Church at Crown, and he is identified with the Democratic party. At the present time he is serving as school di- rector.

In his native land Mr. Toomey had obtained a good education, which has been of great value to him throughout his active business life, ena- bling him to engage in various enterprises. He has carried forward to successful completion whatever he has undertaken, and is to-day one of the most prosperous and successful business men of his community. Charitable and benevo- lent, he has given liberally of his means toward the support of churches, schools and other wor- thy objects, and has thus materially advanced the public welfare.

W H. REARDON, of Shippenville, Clarion county, has for twenty years been ac- tively identified with the oil interests of this sec-

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

tion of the State. Thoroughness and persisten- cy have characterized his entire business career, and have been supplemented by careful attention to details and honorable, straightforward effort, that has gained him a most excellent and envia- ble reputation.

Mr. Reardon was born February 26, 1843, at Jefferson Furnace, Clarion county, and is a son of John and Mary Ann (McDowell) Reardon. The birth of the father occurred in the same county, in 1821, while his parents, Patrick and Ruth (Williams) Reardon, were natives of Penn- sylvania and Virginia, respectively. At an early day the grandparents of our subject migrated to Clarion county, where the grandfather worked in the iron furnaces for some time, but later he entered the ministry of the Baptist Church and devoted the remainder of his life to preaching the Gospel. His death occurred in Venango county, Penn., in 1873, but the grandmother departed this life while a resident of Elk town- ship, Clarion county.

John Reardon, our subject's father, grew to manhood in Clarion county, where he worked in the furnaces until 1852. In that year he went to California, became owner of mines at- Iowa City, that State, and in 1856 was killed by a. premature explosion. « His wife whom he had married in 1842, remained in Shippenville, where her death occurred in 1876. Our sub- ject is the eldest of their seven children, the others being as follows: Robert enlisted in 1862, at Shippenville, in the 103rd P. V. I., and, on the expiration of his three-years' term, re- enlisted in the same company and regiment. Be- ing taken prisoner by the Rebels, he was confined in prisons at Andersonville and Florence for eight months and ten days, during which time he en- dured all the hardships and privations of South- ern prison life. He now resides in Rimersburg, Clarion county. J. M. lives in Beaver City, the same county. Mrs. Ruth Hubbard makes her home in West Virginia. Louise died when young, in Elk township, Clarion county. Bur- ton went to South America in the interest of an oil .company. Mrs. Mary McElhatton lives in Beaver township, Clarion county.

In his native county W. H. Reardon spent the days of his boyhood and youth, and at Ship- penville enlisted for six months in Company G, Second Battalion, being sworn into the United States service at Camp Howe, Pittsburg. He was on detached duty on the Baltimore & Ohio railroad, being stationed in West Virginia, nine- teen miles from Cumberland. He was honorably discharged at Pittsburg, June 21, 1864, but on the 20th of the following July, he joined Capt.

Tanner's independent company for one hundred days, and was stationed at Cap Reynolds, Pitts- burg, excepting when making one trip Into West Virginia. On being finally discharged December 10, 1864, he returned to his home in Shippen- ville.

In 1868 Mr. Reardon became interested in the oil business on Oil creek, and two years later re- moved to Tidioute, where he also operated in oil until his return to Shippenville in 1874. Here he conducted a flouring-mill for two years, but since that time has devoted his attention almost exclusively to the oil business, owning a number of valuable wells in partnership with ex-Con- gressman Kribbs.

In June, 1865, Mr. Reardon was married in Clarion county to Miss Amanda Elizabeth Baker, a native of the county, and a daughter of Thomas and Frances (Zellers) Baker, who were also born in Pennsylvania, and were married in Elk town- ship, Clarion county. Her paternal grandfather was a native of Switzerland, and was an early settler of Clarion county. Thomas Baker was a miller by trade, and in connection with Richard Richardson built a mill in 1859. In January, 1864, he removed to Shippenville, where his death occurred in 1886, and his wife survived him only about three months. Of their family, seven are still living, namely: J. \V. (a resident of Lucinda, Penn.), Mrs. Reardon, Mrs. Maggie Kahle (of Oil City, Penn.), Lott G. (owner of the mill in Elk township, Clarion county), Joe (who makes his home in Shippenville), Frances E. (of Clarion) and Mary (wife of J. M. Slick, of Clarion). Mr. and Mrs. Reardon have two children: Thomas B. (who is married and lives in Groveton, Allegheny Co., Penn.), and Frances (wife of L. D. Wagner, of Shippenville).

Fraternally, Mr. Reardon is a member of Amos Kiser Post No. 475, G. A. R., and Mount- ain Lodge No. 114, A. O. U. W., of Shippen- ville. He has ever taken an active interest in public affairs, and has been one of the most ca- pable and faithful members of the borough coun- cil. The measures he advocated always met with warm and cordial support, and he did much to advance the welfare of the place. As a busi- ness man he is notably reliable, has made the most of his opportunities through life, and has accumulated a handsome property.

W C. DAVIS, county commissioner of Clear- field county, is one of the most enterpris- ing and public-spirited citizens of Houtzdale, with whose commercial interests he has been identi- fied since 1881, but has made his home in the

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village since the year previous. He first em- barked in general merchandising, which he suc- cessfully followed until 1891, when, in partner- ship with B. W. Hess, he began the wholesale liquor business, in which he has since engaged.

A native of Clearfield county, Mr. Davis was born in Ferguson township in 1850, a son of Thomas C. and Rebecca (Kooser) Davis. The fa- ther's birth occurred in Meadville, Crawford Co., Penn., in 1820, whence, in 1845, he came to Clearfield county, first locating upon rented land in Ferguson township. There he married Miss Kooser, a native of Somerset county, Penn., who came with her parents to Clearfield county at an early day. From the farm in Ferguson town- ship Mr. Davis removed to Lumber City, where he engaged in lumbering, and also took a con- tract for the construction of a portion of the Ty- rone and Luthersburg pike. His death occurred in Lumber City in 1859; his wife died in Ma- dera, Clearfield county, in 1892. To them were born four children: W. C., of this sketch; Mrs. Phebe Hegarty, of Madera; Mrs. Anna Cowher, of Patton, Cambria Co., Penn .; and Mrs. Laura Hindman, of Glen Hope, Clearfield county. The mother was again married, becoming the wife of Joseph Stewart, of Bigler township, Clearfield county, by whom she had two children: Joseph; and Leslie, who is engaged in the insurance busi- ness in Houtzdale.

At the age of twelve years Mr. Davis, of this review, accompanied his mother on her removal to Bigler township, where he completed his edu- cation in the public schools. On leaving the school room he turned his attention to lumbering and farming, which occupations he continued to follow in Bigler and Becaria townships, Clear- field county, until coming to Houtzdale in 1880. In 1873, in Gulich (now Bigler) township, he married Miss Hannah C. Hegarty, who was born in Clearfield county, a daughter of William and Jemima (Dunlop) Hegarty, the former a native of Ireland, but reared in Clearfield county, and the latter a native of Pike township, that county. Both died in Gulich township, the father in his eighty-fourth and the mother in her eighty-first year. Mr. and Mrs. Davis have five children: Pearl Thomas, June, Ursula, Ada and Tomena.

In his political views Mr. Davis is an ardent Republican. He takes a deep interest in public affairs, and since becoming a resident of Wood- ward township has been called upon to fill a number of local offices, being elected to his pres- ent position as county commissioner in Novem- ber, 1896. He has been a champion of every movement designed to promote the general wel- fare, a supporter of every enterprise for the pub-

lic good, and has materially aided in the ad- vancement of all social, industrial and educa- tional interests. He is a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Osceola Lodge No. 515, F. & A. M .; Clearfield Chapter No. 222, R. A. M .; and Philipsburg Command- ery No. 74, K. T.

J ONAS FLICK. The life of this gentleman is a striking example of what can be accom- plished by perseverance, industry and econ- omy if guided by sound judgment. In his efforts to secure a home and competence he has been ably seconded by a sensible wife, and to-day, as the result of their untiring labor, they own one of the most desirable farms in Toby township, Clarion county.

Mr. Flick was born September 10, 1834, in Madison township, Clarion county, a son of Charles and Catherine (Reecer) Flick, of North- hampton county, Penn., who migrated to Clar- ion county at an early day. Both died upon the home farm in Madison township, the mother February 14, 1853, aged sixty-two years, and the father September 28, 1887, at the age of eighty-four years, one month and fifteen days. They were buried in different cemeteries at Ri- mersburg. In the Reformed Church they held membership, while, politically, the father was identified with the Democratic party.

The subject of this sketch is the eldest of a family of nine children, the others being as fol- lows: Jacob, who was accidentally killed for a deer by a hunter; Elizabeth, deceased wife of James Logan, who was drowned; John, who died in childhood; David, a farmer of Rimersburg; Reuben, an agriculturist of Clarion county; Sarah, deceased; Jesse, a farmer of Toby township, Clarion county; and Caroline, wife of Jesse Stitt, a farmer of the same township. After the death of his first wife, the father wedded Mary J. Mortimer, a native of Madison township, Clarion county, where she still lives. Six children blessed this union, namely: John and Henry, both fariners of Clarion county; Hannah, wife of J. E. Summerville, of Rimersburg; Charles, who was killed on the railroad; and Alice and Anna, still with their mother.

Under the parental roof Jonas Flick grew to manhood, and in February, 1855, on the farm where he now resides, he was married to Miss Juliann Pollard. Rev. McCauley, a Seceder min- ister, performing the ceremony. The children born to thein are as follows: Edward and Ma- lissa, both deceased; Vianna, deceased wife of P. J. Mortimer, a farmer of Madison township;

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Charles, deceased; Calvin, who married Jennie Bowl, and is now employed in the oil fields at Coraopolis, Penn .; David, who married Bell Crick, now deceased, and is also at work in the oil fields of Coraopolis; Benjamin, at home with his father; Malinda, wife of David Stevens, a farmer of Madison township; and John, a farmer of Toby township, who married Blanch Hull.

Mrs. Flick is a native of Clarion county, born September 22, 1834, a daughter of Stephen and Rachel (Rhoads) Pollard, who were born in Cen- tre county and came to Clarion county at an ear- ly day. The father, who was a farmer by occupa- tion, died in 1882 at the age of seventy-two . years, and the mother passed away in 1867, aged sixty-two, their remains being interred in the Rimersburg and Churchville cemeteries, respect- ively. They were consistent and earnest mem- bers of the Reformed Church, and in politics the father was a stanch Democrat. The children born to them were as follows: Margaret, now the widow of William Culberson, and a resident of Toby township, Clarion county; Catherine, wife · of Alexander McGahey, a retired farmer living in Indiana, Penn .; Juliann, wife of our subject; Benjamin, who is engaged in the restaurant busi- ness in Oil City, Penn. ; Amos, a farmer of Toby township; and Sallie A., deceased.

Mr. Flick remained on his father's farm until twenty-three years of age, and then began to engage in agricultural pursuits on his own ac- count, operating different farms in Clarion coun- ty until he had saved enough to purchase a place of his own. It was in 1872 that he bought his present farm of 140 acres of rich and arable land in Toby township, and to its cultivation and im- provement he has since devoted his energies with results which can not fail to prove satisfac- tory. In his political affiliation he is a Demo- crat, and in his social relations he is an Odd Fel- low. Both he and his wife are consistent mem- bers of the German Reformed Church, and he has served as elder for the past two years. He has been very successful in his life's work, and is now numbered among Toby township's most prosperous citizens, and being endowed with many virtues and a genial, hospitable manner, he receives the respect and confidence of the en- tire community.

L EWIS ZEIGLER, whose hearty endorse- ment of all measures that pertain to the public welfare, numbers him among the valued citizens of Du Bois, was born in Brady township, Clearfield county, September 8, 1851, and is a son of James and Elizabeth (Weber) Zeigler.

His father was born in Centre county, in 1824, a son of Frederick and Catherine (Shugart) Zeig- ler, natives of Adams county, Penn. Their mar- riage was celebrated there October 21, 1821, and in pioneer days they located in Brady township, Clearfield county. The grandfather was its first collector, and was a man of prominence in the community. He was a great hunter, and for some years was the popular proprietor of a hotel in Troutville. He died July 7, 1888: his wife passed away in Brady township, in 1890. For sixty-five years he was a resident of this locality, and in addition to his other interests opened up a good farm near Luthersburg.

The father of our subject was only two years of age when the family located in Brady township. He was educated in the public schools, reared to agricultural pursuits and afterward opened up a fine farm. In politics, he was a stanch Repub- lican, and cast the only vote for that party in the Shinley school district at an early day. In Brady township he married Elizabeth Weber, who died in 1851, leaving one child, Lewis. In 1856 James Zeigler was united in marriage with Mary Coonrad, who was born in Berks county, Penn., but was reared in Jefferson county, where her fa- ther, William Coonrad, located at an early day. James Zeigler died in Brady township, July 18, 1872; his widow subsequently married Isaac Ca- ble, and is now living in Paradise. Jefferson county.

In his native township, Lewis Zeigler was reared, and through the summer months assisted in the labors of the farm, while in the winter season he pursued his education in the public schools. He afterward engaged in farming, and in 1874 took up his residence in Luthersburg, where he remained until removing to Du Bois, May 1, 1876. For the period of five years he was employed by John Du Bois, and in 1880 embarked in the grocery business, which he carried on until 1883. when he became a member of the firm of Spronkle, Zeigler & Co .. a connection that was continued until 1886. The partnership was then dissolved, after which Mr. Zeigler conducted the bottling works now owned by Hugh Mccullough. A year was thus passed. when he sold to J. A. Terpe, Jr., and in connec- tion with L. Anderson conducted a temperance restaurant until 1888, when he was elected tax collector; in the following year he was re- elected.

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3, Part 108

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