Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3, Part 12

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 12
USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 12
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 12
USA > Pennsylvania > Clarion County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 12

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J ACOB KUNTZ, Eso., supervisor of McCal- mont, Jefferson county, is one of the most popular men in that locality, and when he consents to lend his name to the Democratic ticket his election is a foregone conclusion. He is the owner of two fine farms, both of which are now rented to other parties, and he has also been for many years successfully engaged in lumber- ing.

Squire Kuntz was born October 15, 1835, in Brady township, Clearfield county, where his parents, Jacob and Catherine (Yockey) Kuntz, natives of Germany, settled on coming from the -Fatherland in 1829. His father was engaged in agriculture for some time and then built the Eastbrand gristmill; but after operating it four years he sold out and went into mercantile busi- ness at Troutville. He was a Deinocrat in poli- tics, and he and his wife were both devout mem- bers of the Lutheran Church. His last years were spent in retirement, his death occurring April 28, 1892, at the age of ninety-four, and his remains were interred in the Union cemetery in Brady township, Clearfield county, beside those of his wife, who passed from life May 27, 1891, aged ninety years. Of the early generations of his family but little is known as he was but a boy when his father died. Our subject's maternal grandfather. Casper Yockey, came to America in 1837, and died here two years later. To Jacob and Catherine (Yockey) Kuntz nine children were born, viz: Frederick, who was drowned in Sandy Lick at the age of twenty-eight ; Catherine, wife of Amos Bonsel, a farmer at the old home- stead in Clearfield county; Elizabeth, wife of Henry Grube, a farmer in Bell township, Jeffer- son county: Sarah, who married Daniel Rishel, a farmer; Lewis, who died in infancy; Jacob, our subject: Susannah, wife of Rev. A. C. Limberg, pastor of the Reformed Church, at Butler, Penn. ; Caroline, widow of George Weber, of Trontville, and Samuel, a resident of Troutville, now serving as a justice of the peace.

As a farmer's son the Squire gained full knowledge of agricultural work in boyhood. He was thirteen years old when his father began to build his mill, and for two years he helped to haul materials, driving a yoke of oxen. After !

the completion of the mill he was employed there for four years, but when it was disposed of he began working for other people, the two years following being spent in the lumber woods. He then engaged in teaming, and continued four years, when he was married to Miss Susannah Grube. and settled down to farming. He pur- chased a fifty-acre tract of woodland in Clear- field county, paying $600, but a year later fire destroyed his household goods. On August 7, .A. D. 1862, he sold, the title to that for $200. He next bought 104 acres in McCalmont township, Jefferson county, his present homestead, of which all but three acres was at that time in the primi- tive state. The price was $1,200, and he bor- rowed the first payment of $400, paying six per cent. interest. He paid $100 of this on October 1. By cutting the timber from this tract he inet his obligations without difficulty, paying $350 the next June, 1863, $350 on June 1, 1864. Pos- sessing such energy and sagacity, it is not strange that Squire Kuntz should have soon gained a place among the substantial citizens of his locality.

The same admirable qualities are most useful in a public official, and notwithstanding his own indifference to political honors he has held every office in his township except that of overseer of the poor. During his first year in office he held three positions, serving as constable, collector, and assessor. He was anditor for six years, and has three times been elected justice of the peace. His first terin of five years began in 1869, and on being re-elected in 1874. he declined to serve. In 1875 he was again chosen, and held the office four years and eleven months. He is now serv- ing his third term as supervisor. For many years he has been identified with the Lutheran Church, in which he has for twelve years, at different times, been an elder.

J B. MEANS, a well-known merchant of Ford- ham, has been an important factor in busi- ness circles of Jefferson county, where his popularity is well deserved, as in him are em- braced the characteristics of an unbending in- tegrity, unabated energy and industry that never flags. He is public spirited, and thoroughly in- terested in whatever tends to promote the moral, intellectual and material welfare of the com- munity.

Edward Means, his father, was born in Snow Shoe. Centre Co., Penn .. in 1810, but when only nine years of age was brought to Jefferson county by his parents, John and Elizabeth Means, natives of Ireland, who came to America at an early day. They located in the village of

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Winte-ville, where their sons purchased 200 Irs of land lying in Perry township, Jefferson ounty, and built a hewed-log house. The place was soon cleared and transformed into good firms. In the family were ten children, namely: June, Edward, John, Thomas, Foster, Joseph, Jackson, Eliza, Margaret and Caroline.

In Jefferson county Edward Means was reared to manhood and married Miss Sarah Hopkins. lle then located at what is now the village of Fordham at the terminus of the Pennsylvania & Northwestern railroad on Mahoning creek, and here cleared and developed a farm, following lambering in connection with agricultural pur- suits. For a number of years he also engaged in merchandising, but his last days were spent in re- tirement upon his farm, where he died January 2, 1889. His wife, who had shared his early hardships and privations, died in 1853.

To them were born nine children, as follows: (1) W. A., born in 1837, studied medicine, and located in Big Run, where he engaged in practice for a few years. He next spent a number of years in Luthersburg, and on selling out removed to DuBois, where he enjoyed a large and lucra- tive practice for the remainder of his life, dying in 1890. He left a wife and family. (2) Jane, born in 1838, is the widow of M. A. Morris, of Punxsutawney, who died in 1882. (3) Thomas. born in 1840, was a soldier of the Civil war, en- listing in the 105th P. V. I., and participating in all the battles in which his regiment was engaged until taken ill after the battle of Fredericksburg. Va. He died in hospital, and was buried in the National cemetery at Washington, D. C., his death occurring in 1862, when he was in his twenty-second year. (4) Edward T., born in April, 1842, grew to manhood in Perry township, Jefferson county, where he was educated in the common schools. He enlisted in the Eleventh Pennsylvania Reserves and served for three years, during which time he was twice wounded, first in the leg at the battle of Antietam, and later in the face while bearing the colors of his regiment at South Mountain. After his return home he married Abbie Elliot, and resided in Whitesville, Penn., until his death in 1872. His wife sur- vived him only a few years. He was attending the Waynesburg College in Greene county, Penn .. when stricken with his last illness, but was brought home, where his death occurred. He left two children-(a) M. Rush, born in Septem- ber. 1864, began his education in the common schools of Whitesville, and subsequently gradu- ated from the Dayton Soldiers' Orphan School. of Pennsylvania, the Indiana State Normal, and the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy. He is

now successfully engaged in the drug business in Punxsutawney. In 1894 he married Elizabeth Mckelvy, of that city, a daughter of P. H. Mc- Kelvy. (b) Isa, is now the wife of William Ake, of Jamestown, N. Y. (5) Sarah A .. born in May, 1844, married W. E. Simpson, of Perry township, and located on his farm near here, where she died in 18-, leaving a husband and four children -- James C., who is married and re- sides in Galesburg, Ill .; Etta J .. who is married and resides in Davenport, Iowa: Wade M., who is married and also resides in Galesburg: and Frank C., who still resides in Perry township. (6) Silas M., born in December. 1846, grew to manhood on the old homestead, obtained his early education in the select schools of Whites- ville, and later graduated at the Iron City Col- lege of Pittsburg. He successfully followed teaching in the public schools for a number of years, and was also one of the brave boys in bluc in the Civil war, enlisting in 1864, and serving until hostilities ceased. After the close of the war he obtained a position as bookkeeper for a Chicago firm, but at the end of six months en- listed in the United States Navy. While in the service he was taken ill, and died at Vera Cruz at the age of twenty years. (7) Mary L., born in December, 1848, married T. J. Morris. of Jefferson county, and located on his farm in Young township, where she died some years ago, leaving a husband and three children-John. who is married and resides in Punxsutawney: Carrie, wife of Lesley Kuisel, of Kane, Elk Co., Penn. ; and Mintie, who married, and died some years ago. (8) Charlotte, born April 29. 1851. (9) George T., born in May, 1853, received a good common-school education, and successfully en- gaged in teaching in Jefferson county, Minn .. and in other western States for a number of years. He now resides in Michigan.

After the death of his first wife Edward Means was again married, this time in January, 1855, his union being with Miss Rachel Elliot. of In- diana county, Penn., and of the five children born to them our subject is the youngest. (1) Martha. born in November, 1855. died March 3. 1857. (2) Jessie C., born in December, 1857. died in infancy. (3) Laura, born in December. 1859, was drowned in Mahoning creek in May, 1863. (4) Enoch, born in August, 1861, attended the public schools and later the Covode Academy, after which he engaged in teaching for two terins. He commenced the study of medicine under Dr. A. P. Cox, of Big Run, but died of consumption October 13, 1880. at the early age of nineteen years. (5) J. B. Means, our subject, is referred to in what follows:

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

being the place his father first purchased on com- ing to Jefferson county. After pursuing his stud- ies for some time in the common schools he at- tended the Covode Academy of Indiana county, and then engaged in teaching in the public schools for three years. In 1890, in company with W. E. Simpson, he embarked in merchandising in Whitesville, where he remained for some time. On selling out he platted somne of the old home- stead, has erected thereon fifteen houses, which he has sold to other parties, and also built a store, where he has since successfully engaged in gen- eral merchandising. He has thus become the founder of the village of Fordhamn, and as a pub- lic-spirited, enterprising citizen he has done much to promote the material interests of the commu- nity and advance the general welfare. In 1881 he was united in marriage with Miss Mary E. Crebs, a daughter of Rev. W. E. Crebs, of Cum- berland Valley, and they now have four children, whose names and dates of birth are as follows: Homer B., in August, 1882; Edward B., in Sep- teinber, 1884; Bessie I., in August, 1891, and Alta G., in May, 1896. The parents are both consistent members of the Cumberland Presby- terian Church.

Mr. Means springs from old Whig stock, and is himself a stalwart Republican. For twelve years he has most efficiently served as school di- : rector. He possesses many of the admirable characteristics of his ancestors, who were typic- al pioneer settlers, sturdy, energetic and pro- gressive, and he is everywhere acknowledged to be one of the most reliable, upright and honora- ble business men of Jefferson county. He gives liberally of his means toward the support of ; him; his wife passed away January 17, 1878. churches and schools, and is certainly entitled to be numbered among the valued and highly re- spected citizens of the community.

COL. CHARLES MCLAIN (deceased), one of the honored veterans of the Civil war, and a prominent citizen of Jefferson county, was born in Indiana county. Penn., in 1831, a son of Joseph and Emily (Alford) Mclain. In the dis- trict schools he acquired his education, afterward learning the trade of harness making and sad- dlery, which business he prosperously followed for some years. He established a harness shop in Brookville, and had secured a liberal patron- age, when the Civil war broke out, but he laid aside all business cares to respond to the call of his country for aid.

In 1861 our subject enlisted, for the nine

months' service, in Company B, 135th P. V. I.,

Mr. Means was born December 21, 1863, and has spent his life inostly at his present home, it , of which he was made first lieutenant. On the expiration of that term he enlisted for six months, and on July 23, 1863, he became captain of Com- pany B, Independent Battalion. At the end of the half year . the war was still raging, and he once more went to the front, this time as captain of Company B, 211th P. V. 1. He served throughout the campaign of that year, and won the praise of his superior officers, and the love and respect of those whom he commanded. He was a brave and valiant soldier, leading his men to victory, and at the siege of Petersburg. April 2, 1865. he gave his life in defense of the Union. Only the day before, he had been promoted to the rank of lieutenant-colonel. When the news of his death reached Brookville, a meeting of the citizens was held, in which resolutions were passed. expressing deep-felt sorrow over the mel- ancholy event, as well as condolence and sym- pathy for the family. A committee of soldiers was also appointed to take charge of the remains, also to make arrangements for the funeral, and on April 30, he was laid to rest in Brookville cemetery, with all the honors of a soldier's burial.

On September 7, 1853, Col. Charles McLain was married to MISS MARY HARRIS, daughter of Thomas and Ellen (Whittaker) Harris. Her father was born in Lancashire, England, and, coming to America, he, in 1842, located in Phil- adelphia, where for seven years he resided. He- then came to Brookville, and there spent his declining years on a farm. He was a plasterer by .trade, an occupation he followed in both England and Philadelphia, but later on account of failing health he took up agricultural pursuits. . He died in 1888, respected by all who knew

In religious belief they were Episcopalians. The marriage of Col. and Mrs. McLain was blessed with three children, the eldest of whom, Ellen H., is now deceased; Anna is engaged in the dressmaking and millinery business in Brookville. and Charles G. is a civil and mining engineer, but failing health has lately caused him to retire to farm life. Mrs. Col. MIcLain is one of the leading ladies of Brookville, being a valued addi- tion to all society functions.

R OBERT O. MOORHEAD, a well-known and popular dentist of Brockwayville, was born March 11. 1852. in Elk county, Penn., a son of Robert W. and Olive (Brockway) Moor- head. On the paternal side he belongs to an old and honored pioneer family of this State, it being founded here by five brothers of Scotch-

Charles tham

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

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Irish descent, who left their old home in the North of Ireland and located in Indiana county, Penn., becoming its first permanent settlers.

Robert W. Moorhead was born September 23, 1822, in Kittanning, spent his younger years in hard work, mainly in farming, and started out in life for himself about 1839 as a lumberman in the employ of the elder Dr. Bennett. Later he worked in a sawmill and subsequently entered the service of Chauncy Brockway, his future father-in-law. Being a man of great strength, industrious and obliging, he commanded higher wages than his fellow-workers, but met with mis- fortune while rafting, having one leg injured so badly that it had to be amputated. After his marriage in 1850, Robert W. Moorhead opened a store in Richardsville in connection with his brother, but at the end of two years came to Brockwayville, where he erected a- commodious building, which he used both for a residence and store. As a dry-goods inerchant he did an exten- sive business, his trade extending for miles around, and he was soon forced to enlarge his store room. During the early part of the Civil war he pur- chased the "Clements House" of Brookville, which his wife conducted while he continued to carry on the store at Brockwayville, but the task proved too much for her, breaking down her health, and he finally sold the place, after which she made a visit to her parents, who were then living near Chicago. For nine years prosperity crowned the efforts of Mr. Moorhead. but in the · early 'zos his health also failed, and he went to Colorado to recuperate, remaining there six months. Finding the climate unfavorableon his return home, he again went to Colorado, where he resided for four years. From 1879, however, until his death, September 8, 1887, he lived in Pennsylvania. He was reared in the Presbyte- rian faith, while his wife, who died in June. 1879. was reared a Baptist, but soon after her marriage united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which Mr. Moorhead and his daughter later became connected. They had two sons and one daughter-Robert O. and J. W., both residents of Brockwayville; and Annie O., wife of Mr. Car- rier, a leading lumberman of Carrier.

After completing his education in the schools of Brockwayville, Robert O Moorhead, of this review, assisted his father in the store for a time and also established a small newspaper-the pio- neer journal of the place. In 1872 he became part owner of the store and on selling out em- barked in the drug business, which he conducted while serving a four-years' term as postmaster, being appointed to that, position in 1880. He later engaged in the grocery trade for a number

of years, but in the fall of 1887 entered a medi- cal college of Philadelphia, where he pursued a course of lectures for one term. For the fol- lowing two years he was a student in a dental college, where he graduated in 1890, and has since successfully engaged in the practice of his chosen profession in Brockwayville. He is also interested in the Bell Telephone Exchange, and is serving as secretary of the school board. Fra- ternally he is a member of Cicero Oil Lodge No. 897, I. O. O. F .; Charity Lodge No. 488, K. P .; Industry Castle; and Knights of the Gold- en Eagle. His ambition has been to acquit him- self of life's duties honorably before all men, to improve his capabilities and opportunities, and to become of use in the world, and it is this spirit mainly that has made him one of the rep- resentative and prominent citizens of Jefferson county. In the Methodist Episcopal Church he and his estimable wife hold membership.

In 1872 Mr. Moorhead had married Miss Elizabeth Kearney, who was born in Ireland, in November, 1852, and came to America during her girlhood. She has three brothers living in Jefferson county and one sister in Philadelphia, but her parents died on the Emerald Isle. Four children grace the union of Mr. and Mrs. Moor- head: Lucian A., at home: William J., a grad- uate of a dental college, who is now practicing in Camden, N. J .; Robert W., who is attending school at Andover, Mass .; and Omar O .. a student in the home schools.

E L. GATHERS, an honored veteran of the Civil war, whose devotion was tested on many a Southern battlefield, is now a leading cit- izen of Corsica.

This gallant soldier was born in Clarion coun- ty, Penn , September 15, 1835. a son of Henry and Mary ( Mitchell) Gathers, who were natives of Venango and Centre counties, Penn .. respect- ively. They were married in Clarion ' county, where they reared a family of five children. namely: Rhoda J., wife of R. Matier: E. L., our subject; Mary A., wife of J. Matier: Felista, who died unmarried; and Ross, a resident of the city of Clarion. For many years the father en- gage d'in milling, but later turned his attention to tarmning: he died on the old homestead in 1809. his widow in 1877. In religious faith they were Baptists. After completing his education in the common schools. E. L. Gathers remained upon the home farm until 1864, when he enlisted for three years, or during the war. in the 155th P. V. I. With the Army of the Potomac he saw some

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

hard service, his first engagement being the bat- tle of the Wilderness, which was followed by " be expected with his impaired health, and is rec- many other important battles and skirmishes. ognized as a valued citizen of the community. At Hatcher's Run a bullet passed through his right thigh, splintering the bone, and another striking his right knee, glanced to the left thigh, shattering the bone so badly that amputation was necessary. The ball lodged in the hip, where it H ANTHONY BONNETT. America is in- debted to Germany for some of her most competent workmen, and the subject of this sketch, whose handicraft shows a rare union of artistic taste and mechanical skill, is deserving of. especial mention in a volume which aims to re- cord the names of the leaders in various lines of effort, Coming from the Fatherland as a boy of seventeen, and compelled from the first to rely upon his own exertions for a livelihood, Mr. Bon- nett was engaged in various undertakings before he obtained a foothold in the business of manu- facturing guns and violins, in which he has achieved so marked a success. yet remains, and can be felt from the surface. The right limb healed nicely, but the left had to be amputated within six inches of the body while he was in the field hospital, February 6, 1865. Later he was taken to City Point, and shortly afterward to Baltimore, and at Pittsburg, in May, 1865. he was honorably discharged and paid off. After returning home it was some time before he was able to perform any work, and is still obliged to use crutches. He receives a pension of $45 per month, but he maintains that he is justly en- titled to one of $72 for total disability, as besides the loss of his limb he contracted several diseases from which he has never recovered, and at the battle of Petersburg his hearing was impaired.

In 1859 our subject married Miss Catherine Flack, whose father was employed for some years in an iron furnace in Clarion county. Of the four children born to them, two died in infancy; those still living are: Henry H., a resident of Clarion; and Samuel R., a farmer by occupation. The wife and mother, who was a devout Meth- odist, passed away March 25, 1869, and on May IS, 1871, Mr. Gathers was again married, this time to Mrs. Sarah Carson, a most estiinable lady, the widow of James Carson, whom she married in June, 1865, soon after his return from the army. He died January 18, 1870, leaving one son, H. C. Carson, who has been reared and educated by Mr. Gathers, and is still at home. Mrs. Gathers' ancestors came from various coun- tries-Ireland, Wales and Germany-but her parents, Andrew and Anna (McElhaney: English. were American-born citizens, natives of Law- rence county, Penn., and honored pioneers of the central portion of the State. Her father, an agriculturist by occupation, died in Venango county, May 14, 1891. He was a. Methodist. Her mother passed from earth in April. 1846. Their four children still survive, namely: Mrs. Delilah M. Confer: Samuel F .. a resident of Michigan: Sarah, wife of our subject: and John A., of Clearfield county, Penn. In 1847 the fa- ther was married to Elizabeth Crawford.

Besides other property, Mr. and Mrs. Gathers have a comfortable home in the town of Corsica. and a few acres which he cultivates. They are prominent members of the Baptist Church, and are held in the highest esteem and respect by all

who know them. He enjoys life as well as could

He was born in Charlottenburg, Nassau, Ger- many, in 1835, and his parents, Henry Charles Bonnett and Elizabeth (Priester), were also na- tives of that country. The father died there, but the mother came to Pennsylvania to pass her declining years, her death occurring in 1873. Mr. Bonnett attended school in his native land until he reached the age of fourteen, when he se- cured employment in the lead, silver and copper mines near his home. Three years later he crossed the ocean, being seven weeks in crossing in the sailship " Chesapeake," and on his arrival in this country he located at Pike Furnace, Clar- ion Co., Penn., engaging in the mining of iron ore. He remained in this vicinity about three years, and then went to Clarion, Penn .. where he learned the gunsmith's trade. After working at that business for a time he moved to Catfish, on the Allegheny river, and remained one year. Some lands north of Brookville attracted his at- tention, and he spent a year in clearing land, but returned then to Pike Furnace. In 1860 he moved to the vicinity of Reynoldsville, Penn., and in 1864 he went to Brookville, where he fol- lowed his trade and also learned the art of pho- tography. The year 1868 found him in Clarion county, pursuing the two occupations. and from 1879 to 1882 he was engaged in agriculture. On leaving the farmn' he established himself in his 1. present business in Brookville. Some time ago he made a study of violin construction, and he has made some of the best instruments in use in this section. In fact, Mr. Bonnett is a genius in his way, and his artistic ability is manifested in all that he undertakes, some specimens of his ornamental penmanship being especially note- worthy. As a citizen he is progressive. as a

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3, Part 12

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