Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3, Part 13

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 13
USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 13
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 13
USA > Pennsylvania > Clarion County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 13

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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business man straightforward, and his fellow townsmen hold him in high esteem. -

In 1857 Mr. Bonnett married Miss Elizabeth Gibbs, of Clarion county, Penn., and seven chil- dren have blessed their union: Mary Elizabeth; Rebecca Jane (deceased); Harriet A., wife of W. J. Shaffer, of Brookville; Anna Elmina, the wife of Louis N. Kline, of Montana; John C., a ma- chinist and electrician; Olive Clementine; and William H., a druggist. Mr. and Mrs. Bonnett attend the Presbyterian Church. Politically our subject has been identified with the Democratic party heretofore, but at the present time he looks above all party movements.

P HILIP D. WOLFE, a prominent lumberinan of Bell township, Jefferson county, is a na- tive of Schuylkill county, Penn., born in Decem- ber, 1836, a son of John A. and Catharine (Boyer) Wolfe, who were born, reared and mar- ried there, but during the childhood of our sub- ject removed to Beaver county, this State, where the father followed farming. In 1844. however, he went to North Mahoning township, Indiana county, where he purchased a farm and made his home until called to his final rest at the age of eighty-five. After surviving him for a number of years, his wife also died on the old homestead in Indiana county, in 1884, at the advanced age of ninety-five.

In the family of John A. and Catharine Wolfe were four children, all born in Schuylkill county. Those other than Philip D. are: (1) Henry ac- companied his parentson their removal to Indiana county, but after reaching man's estate drifted westward, since which time nothing has been heard of him. (2) Catharine grew to woman- hood in . Beaver county, where she married Christopher C. Smith, a native of Germany, and they also removed to Indiana county, where she died some years ago. He was a leader of a regimental band during the Civil war, and has been dead for some years. Their several children still reside in Indiana county. (3) Eve married Henry Friar, of Beaver county, by whom she has several children, and they also make their home in Indiana county.

position as engineer in a sawmill, with which business he has since been connected. In 1860 he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Weaver, of Jefferson county, a daughter of George and Margaret Weaver, well-to-do farming people of Young township. They became the parents of two sons: (1) Thornton C., born in Indiana county, in 1861, received a good com- mon-school education, and as he grew to man- hood followed his father's profession, being em- ployed as engineer in different mills. He married Emma Spindler, of Bell township, a daughter of Charles A. and Eve Spindler, and then located on his father-in-law's property. Subsequently he bought what is known as the John Grube property, where he now resides. His children are- Annie, John, Charles S ... Elizabeth and Gilbert, all at home. (2) John H., the youngest son, was born in Indiana county, in 1863, and died in Young township, Jefferson county, at the age of seventeen.

After his marriage, Philip D. Wolfe was en- gineer in the sawmill of Colonel Brady in Indiana county until enlisting in Company D, 78th P. V. I., under Capt. Swartz, and was sworn into the United States service at Greensburg, West- moreland Co., Penn., where the regiment was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland. under General Thomas. After participating in the battle of Nashville, Tenn., he was held as a guard at that city until after the surrender of Lee, and was honorably discharged in that place in Sep- tember. 1865. his regiment being among the last to be mustered ont. Returning to his home, Mr. Wolfe purchased a sawmill in Young township. Jefferson county, where he engaged in the manu- facture of sawed Inmber until 1872, when he sold out to C. A. Spenley, and built a steam mill at Harmony. After operating that for four years he built a planing-mill at Punxsutawney, where he remained for three years, and on disposing of that property in 1885. bought a tract of land on the south fork of Elk run, where he erected a steam sawmill, and has since successfully engaged in the manufacture of Inmber. He has made good use of his opportunities, has prospered from year to year, has conducted all business matters carefully and successfully, and in all his acts dis- plays an aptitude for successful management.

Philip D. received a fair common-school edu- cation, and remained on the old home in Indiana Reared as a Whig. Mr. Wolfe joined the ranks of the Republican party on attaining his majority, and has since been one of its earnest advocates. For five years he held the office of justice of the peace in Young township, and was also constable there for one year. In religions belief he and his wife are Baptists, and in social county until sixteen yearsof age, when he left the parental roof and for some time was employed in iron works in Armstrong and Clarion counties, Penn. Later he entered the service of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, as fireman on the Huntingdon & Broadtop railroad, where he remained for two years, and then accepted a | circles they occupy an enviable position. He

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possesses to a full measure all the sterling qual- ities for which his Colonial ancestors were noted, and his honesty and integrity are never doubted. At all times and under all circumstances he has been found a loyal and patriotic citizen, and justly deserves the high regard in which he is uniformly held.

TOSEPH D. ORR (deceased) was for many years a leading and influential citizen of Jef- ferson county. Only those lives are worthy of record that have been potential factors in the public progress in promoting the general welfare or advancing the educational or moral interests of the community. Mr. Orr was ever faithful to his duties of citizenship, and by the successful conduct of his business interests not only pro- moted his individual success, but also advanced the general prosperity. He was born February 5, 1837, in Philadelphia, and died March 27, 1894. In his life span of fifty-seven years he ac- complished much, and left behind an honorable record well worthy of perpetuation.

He was a son of William and Martha (Dunn) Orr, natives of County Derry, Ireland, who, on coming to America in 1837, took up their resi- dence in Philadelphia. Shortly after the birth of their son, Joseph D., they removed to Clarion county, Penn., and in 1839 came to Jefferson county, before the town of Corsica was laid out. The father secured a tract of land, and in the midst of the wilderness developed a farm. upon which he remained until his death, when he was aged eighty-two years. His wife survived him until March 26, 1897, passing away at the age of eighty-three. For fifty-two years they were faithful members of the Presbyterian Church. Their children were Joseph D., William J .. John H .. Matilda M. and Nancy J. (both deceased), Thomas F .. Albert S., and George B. McClellan. Of these, William J. was a soldier of the Civil war. and the exposure and hardships brought on a fever from which he died in hospital at Balti- more.

;

Joseph D. Orr was reared to the honest pur- suits of a farm, and, when about eighteen years of age, began working in the. lumber woods. Four years later (in 1860) he began contracting on a large tract of land for the firm of Hall & Darrah, with which he continued for three and one-half years. He then purchased timber lands, and from that time until his death engaged in the lumber business on his own account. In his ef- forts he was successful, and after some years pur- chased a farm and carried on agricultural pur- snits in connection with lumbering. He also con-

ducted a planing-mill and extended his operations as a lumber manufacturer until his business had assumed extensive proportions. At the time of his death he was connected with a firm owning large tracts of land in Elk county. He possessed excellent business ability, keen sagacity, great energy and sound judgment, and by the exercise of these qualities accumulated a large estate, which he divided among his wife and children before his death.

On the eve of the contract above mentioned, December 27, 1860, Mr. Orr was married to MISS MARY J. GASTON, and took his wife directly . to his lumber camp, and the first meal she cooked was for sixteen lumbermen. She is a representative of an honored pioneer family of : Jefferson county, and a daughter of Robert and Eliza (Manners) Gaston. Her father was a na- tive of Westmoreland county, and with his par- ents came to Jefferson county at an early day. Entering a tract of land he developed therefrom an excellent farm, and won success in his under- takings. There he remained until his later years, but he now makes his home with one of his daughters. His first wife died in 1855. Both were consistent members of the Presbyter- ian Church. They had a family of three chil- dren: James M., who died in childhood; Mary J. (now Mrs. Orr); and John C., a farmer of Kansas. By his second marriage, this time with Mrs. Mary Davis, Mr. Gaston had four children: William R. (deceased); Robert M., a farmer of the State of Washington; Mrs. Emma Ingraham; : and Mrs. Laura Brady, with whom the father resides.

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph D. Orr had a family of eight children, namely: William R., who died at the age of eight years; Lizzie M., wife of Adam J. Elder: Ferdinand W., who died at the age of six years: Matilda M., who died at the age of nine months: Bertha J .. wife of H. T. Baker; Elva S., who died at the age of five inonths; Maggie J., who died at the age of twenty years; and Nannie O., at home. An adopted son, Joseph R., now a lad of eight summers, has lived with Mrs. Orr since he was five weeks old.

For many years Mr. and Mrs. Orr were num- bered among the leading members of Pisgah Presbyterian Church, with which Mrs. Orr is still connected. Mr. Orr first became a member of the Church when nineteen years of age, and his entire life was in harmony with his profession. His last illness was attended with much suffering. but he bore it all with Christian patience and fortitude. He was a man of the highest respect- ability, and those who were most intimately as- sociated with him speak in unqualified terms of

0/71

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his sterling integrity, his honor in business, and his fidelity to all duties of public and private inte. He was faithful to his Church, to hiscoun- try and his friends, and in his home he was a most exemplary husband and father. His death oc- casioned the deepest regret throughout the com- munity, and Jefferson county thereby lost one of its most valued citizens. Mrs. Orr is an estima- ble: lady, of many sterling qualities, and has a large circle of friends in the community.

T HOMAS C. ANDERSON, to whose able management and genial manner the "Hotel Anderson," at Big Run, Jefferson county, owes its popularity, was born in Armstrong county, Penn., August 15, 1836, and both of his parents were natives of this State. The father, David Anderson, was a farmer in early life, but iater engaged in coal mining. His death occurred in Arinstrong county, in 1848, and his estimable wife, whose maiden name was Rebecca Kerr. preceded him by about two years, breathing her last in 1846.

The death of his parents left our subject to make his own way in life from an early age, and his educational opportunities were but meagre. For three years he made his home with an uncle and worked in a coal mine, and at sixteen he began to work in the pine woods of Jefferson : county, where he was residing at the outbreak of the Civil war. Mr. Anderson was among the first to respond to the call for defenders of the old flag, and he continued in the service until peace was declared. He went to the front as a member of Company 1, 62nd P. V. I., and dur- ing his three years of active service with this . regiment received two wounds, neither of which proved serious. At the end of his term he re- enlisted, his regiment being consolidated with the 155th Pennsylvania Zouaves. Among the im- portant engagements in which he had a part was the last struggle at Appomattox, where his com- : pany was sent out on the skirmish line.

At the close of the war he returned to Big Run, where he has ever since resided with the exception of eleven years in Clearfield county. fil 1892 he engaged in the hotel business, and finding the occupation congenial he has con- tinued it with growing success. During the sum- nier of 1896 he erected his present handsome and commodious hostelry, which contains fourteen rooms, all large and airy, and it is fitted up with all modern conveniences. The home-like atmos- phere no less than the new and elegant appoint- ments make it an attractive spot to a traveler,

and this fact the public has not been slow to ap- preciate.

Mr. Anderson was married, in 1855, to Miss Hannah Jane Kerr, of Big Run, an excellent helpmeet, who is prominent in philanthropic work as a member of the M. E. Church. Ten children have blessed their union: Joseph M .. a resident of Big Run : David H., of Du Bois, Penn. : Thomas R., of Big Run; Elmira J., wife of Peter Gallagher; Alfred P. (deceased); Anna (deceased); Alonzo G., who is in the hotel business with his fa- ther; Bertha (deceased): Maria, wife of Peter Somes; and Miss Katie E. Anderson, who is at home. Politically Mr. Anderson is a Democrat, and he has always taken keen interest in public questions, but although he has at times held local office he has never aspired to be a professional politician.

J. "OHN R. TRIMBLE. Longfellow wrote. " We judge ourselves by what we feel capa- ble of doing, while others judge us by what we have already done." If this golden sentence of the New England poet were universally ap- plied, many a man who is now looking down with haughty stare upon the noble toilers of land and sea, sneering at the cut of a neighbor's coat or the humbleness of his dwelling. would be volun- tarily doing penance in sackcloth and ashes, at the end of which he would handle a spade, or, with pen in hand, burn the midnight oil in his study. in the endeavor to widen the bounds of liberty or to accelerate the material and spiritual progress of his race. A bright example of one of the world's workers is the man whose name introduces this review, now the pioneer merchant of Hazen, Jefferson county.

Mr. Trimble was born August 13, 1836. in Armstrong county, Penn., a son of William and Elvira (Reddick) Trimble, the latter a daughter of an old pioneer minister of the Presbyterian Church of Armstrong county, who was of English descent. Arthur Trimble, the paternal grandfa- ther of our subject, was of Scotch-Irish origin. and a farmer by occupation. In 1804, during the Indian wars in Pennsylvania, he held a com- niission in the Pennsylvania militia. He wasacci- dentally killed by a falling tree while cutting a road from Saltsburg to Greensburg. In religious belief he was a Presbyterian, to which Church the par- ents of our subject also belonged. William Trim- ble was a native of Westmoreland county, Penn .. where his father had located in an early day. and. in 1865. the son came to Jefferson county to su- perintend a tannery, but later assisted our sub- ject in the store. Removing to Blairsville, Penn. .

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

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he died there in May, 1894, at the advanced age of eighty-nine years. His wife had previously passed to the world beyond, dying in 1884. They had only two children: John R., of this review; and Mrs. Elizabeth France, who resided in Westmoreland county, and died in 1893.

After pursuing his studies for some time in the common schools, John R. Trimble attended the academny at Freeport, and was thus ably fitted for the responsible duties of a business life. With his father he learned the tanner's trade and also becaine familiar with agricultural pursuits, but throughout the greater part of his career he has devoted his time and attention to merchandising. On coming to Hazen in 1861, he opened a store in partnership with A. B. Hosick, to whom, in the fall of 1862, he sold his interest, but the following year again embarked in business, this time with T. M. Vasbinder. With different part- ners he continued operations until 1873, when his store was burned to the ground, causing a heavy loss as it was not insured, but with his characteristic energy he was again ready for business twenty-eight days later. He carries a full and complete stock of general merchandise, does an extensive business with the farmers of the surrounding country by exchanging goods for produce of all kinds. His straightforward course and honorable dealing have won for him the confidence and high regard of all with whom he : has come in contact. For some time he engaged in the sawmill business, bought and sold lumber, shingles, etc., but now he devotes his time prin- cipally to mercantile pursuits, for which he seems especially fitted.

As a Republican, Mr. Trimble has taken quite an active interest in political affairs; he has served as school director, auditor, justice of the peace for the long period of twenty years, and postmaster of Hazen for a number of years. In all the relations of life he has been found true and faithful to every trust reposed in him, has ' proved a most capable official, and has been prominently identified with the progress and de- velopment of his adopted county. He and his estimable wife hold membership with the Pres- byterian Church.

Returning to Westmoreland county in 1862, Mr. Trimble was united in marriage with Miss Catherine Graham, who was born in that county in 1838, and is a daughter of Joseph and Deborah (Blackburn) Graham, prominent citizens and honored pioneers of Westmoreland county. In early life the father was a teamster, but later followed farming. His children were: John, Jo- seph, Robert, Abram, Sarah J., Maria and Cath- erine. To Mr. and Mrs. Trimble were born two

children-Bertha, who died in 1888, at the age of twenty-three years; and Harvey, a commner- cial traveler. who is married and has two children.

B H. WHITEHILL., EsQ., who has effi- ciently served as justice of the peace since 1892, is a well-known citizen of Falls Creek, Washington township. A native of Pennsylva- nia, he was born in Limestone township, Clarion county, in 1855, a son of Barton and Mary (Alli- son) Whitehill.

The father was born in 1819, in Centre county, Penn., of which the grandfather, John Whitehill, was an honored pioneer, but at an early day removed to Clarion county, where his death occurred. In the latter county, Barton Whitehill was reared and educated in much the usual manner of farmer boys at that period, and there continued to make his home until called to his final rest in 1887. His estimable wife, how- ever, is still living on the old homestead in Lime- stone township. In their family were the fol- lowing named children: R. C., who is a resident of Millcreek township, Clarion county; B. H., of this sketch; W. A., of Limestone township, Clarion county; George B., editor of the Clarion Jacksonian, and a resident of Clarion, Penn .: Mrs. S. J. Stewart, of Brookville, Penn .; Mary A., who is with her mother; Mrs. M. A. McIn- tosh, of Elk county, Penn .; and one, now deceased, whose name is not given.

After attending the public schools of Clarion for some time, B. H. Whitehill pursued his studies in the Corsica Academy, where he com- pleted his literary education. Coming to Jeffer- son county, in 1877, he began lumbering in Knox township, and later removed to Elder township, embarking in general merchandising in Howe, where he remained until his removal to Falls Creek in 1890. There he erected a substantial two-story building, in which he engaged in the same business for two years; but since being elected justice of the peace he has given his attention chiefly to the duties of that office.

In Jefferson county, in 1878, Mr. Whitehill was married to Miss Amanda M. Barber, a native of Knox township, Jefferson county, where her parents, Jefferson S. and Rachel (Matthews) Barber, located at an early day. and there her mother still resides, but her father died in Clarion county. Four children grace the union of our subject and his wife: Arthur B., Perl J., Eva M .. and R. Claire. The father of these uses his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Democratic party, and is a

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prominent member of Falls Creek Lodge No. 95 ;. I. O. O. F., in which he has passed all the chairs, and which he has represented in the grand lodge. He has made an untarnished record and unspotted reputation as a business man. In all places and under all circumstances, he is loyal to truth, honor and right, justly valu- ing his own self-respect as infinitely more prefer- able than wealth, fame and position.

J 'ACOB A. WALTER, M. D., whose ability in the line of his profession ranks him with the leading physicians of Punxsutawney and Jef- ferson county, was born near York, Penn., in 1860. His parents, John and Rebecca (Stump) Walter, were also natives of Pennsylvania, and the father is still living at his childhood's home. His life has been a quiet and uneventful one, de- voted to agricultural pursuits. Mrs. Walter passed away in 1891.

The Doctor pursued his education in the schools of his native town, and afterward en- gaged in teaching with excellent success through eight consecutive years. In 1882 he took up the study of medicine under the direction of Dr. O. C. Brickley, of York, Penn., and through the three succeeding years his time was given to the study of medicine and to teaching school. He then entered the Hahnemann Medical College, where he was graduated in the class of 1887, after which he spent nine months in the office of Dr. \V. Vanvleet. On the expiration of that period he came to Punxsutawney, but after practicing for six months went to New York, where he pur- sued a post-graduate course. He also took a special course in the treatment of diseases of the eye, ear, throat and nose, and has ever been a close student of his chosen profession, making continued advancement along the lines of prog- ress. In September. 1889, he returned to Punxsutawney, where he has since successfully engaged in practice, retaining the large patron- age, which indicates his skill and the confidence reposed in him by the public.

In 1892, Dr. Walter was married to Miss Florence Condron, of Smicksburg, Penn., and they have an interesting daughter, Eleaner Dally. The Doctor and his wife are members of the Eng- glish Lutheran Church, and socially he is connect- ed with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. also the Knights of the Maccabees. He takes no active part in politics, but his sympathies are with the Prohibition party. He belongs to the Home- opathic Medical Society of Central Pennsylvania, also to the State Homeopathic Medical Society, and in his chosen calling is meeting with that

success which results from earnest effort, close application and a thorough and comprehensive understanding of the science.

G EORGE W. RICHARDS, of Brookville, Jefferson county, has an enviable reputation in that community both as a citizen and as a busi- ness man. In the hour of the country's peril from rebellion he was among the first to offer himself in her defense, and although a wound sent himn from the front 'to join the home guard, he took up arms again as opportunity arose.

He is a Pennsylvanian by birth, as were both his parents. His father, David Richards, was born probably in Centre county, but spent his life mainly in Lycoming and Jefferson counties, his energies being devoted to the quiet and use- ful calling of agriculture. He died in 1878, fol- lowed some years later by his estimable wife. Christina Pfetzler, a native of Lycoming county.

George W. Richards was born April 27. 1837, in Lycoming county, and as his parents needed his help at home his attendance at the schools of the neighborhood, inferior as they were, was quite limited. He remained under the parental roof until the age of twenty-one, when he went to Brookville and spent one season as a teamster. He then transferred his field of operations to the North Fork, where he was hauling lumber when the war broke out. He enlisted in Company I, 62d P. V. I., and was in active service twenty- two months, taking part in all of the engage- ments in which his company joined during that time. At Malvern Hill he received a gun-shot wound in the right leg, being hit with a spent ball, which caused varicose veins, for which, sonie six months afterward, he was discharged. Lo- cating at Brookville he engaged in shingle manu- facturing, and in 1864 he again entered the mili- tary service, joining in the Morgan Raid. Since that time he has been continuously engaged in contracting and lumbering, with the exception of three or four years spent in mercantile pursuits. He has a comfortable home at Brookville, his buildings being both substantial and tasteful.

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3, Part 13

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