Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3, Part 15

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 15
USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 15
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 15
USA > Pennsylvania > Clarion County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 15

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).

Edward Norton, Sr., spent his boyhood. and youth in Ulster and Sullivan counties, N. Y .. obtaining his education in the latter. In 1836 he removed to Neversink, N. Y., where he learned the tanner's trade, which he followed at that place until 1861. In 1862 he went to Washington, D. C., and engaged in driving team for the government. hanling wood to the army at Beltsville and Laurel, Prince George Co .. Md. He then took up his residence in Tioga county, Penn., where he engaged in the tanning business for O. B. Lowell & Co., in the village of Tioga. He remamed at that place for twenty- six years. While there he entered the employ

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of H. E. Lapham & Co., and then the Elk Tan- ning Co. In 1892 he came to Falls Creek in the employ of the Elk Tanning Co., and has since been superintendent of the tanning department. having charge of one hundred men. His thor- ough understanding of the business, combined with his executive force, well fits him for this po- sition.

In 1860, in Tioga county, Penn., he was united in marriage with Miss Emma Mccullough. a native of Steuben county, N. Y., a daughter of Thomas Mccullough, now deceased. Their children were as follows: Charles, who is super- intendent of the Sterling Run Tannery, Cameron Co., Penn .; Edward, who is married and resides at Falls Creek, where he is serving as assistant superintendent of a tannery; Edith, wife of James Ward, of Clarendon, Penn. : Lydia, and Jennie at home. Mr. Norton is a member of the Knights of the Maccabees, belongs to Falls Creek Tent No. 211. His political support is given the Republican party, but he does not de- sire or seek office, preferring to give his attention to his business interests. He is one of the most proficient tanners in the State, and is well known in the line of his trade. His business methods are above question, and he is held in the highest esteem by all with whom he has been brought in contact.

W ALTER RICHARDS, the courteous and popular postmaster at Brookville, Jeffer- son county, has always lived from early boy- hood among the people of that vicinity, and he 1 has demonstrated his fitness for any position of trust and responsibility to which he inay be called. A few men of that character live in al- most every community, as reserve forces of na- ture. Their lives flow silently or unobtrusively. . yet swift in the qualities of mental force and adaptability, and when the Kaleidoscope of life brings them to the front the new relationships are easily and naturally filled.

Mr. Richards was born November 22, 1861, near Summerville, Penn., the son of Washing- ton and Margaret (Mitchell) Richards. The father is a native of eastern Pennsylvania and has spent most of his active life in agricultural pursuits. He is now engaged in farming one miłe fromn

Brookville. His wife, Margaret (mother of our subject), who was born in 1844, died in 1877. Walter Richards attended the schools at Brookville and vicinity, and early in life became associated with the lumber trade there. filling a position in general office work. He was married, February 3, 1885. to Miss

Anna Faulk, a native of Northville, Jefferson county. To Mr. and Mrs. Richards two children have been born: Bertha I. and Harvey E. In politics Mr. Richards is a Democrat. On July 1, 1894, he was appointed postmaster at Brookville for a term of four years. In that capacity he has proved to be the right man in the right place, for he has filled the office very acceptably to the public, prompt in his attend- ance to every duty, and courteous to all whom his public position 'requires him to meet. More than that. he has acquired in the public mind the character of a business man of integrity and ability, and in those prime essentials he has now the confidence of his fellow men. In a business sense a character of this kind possesses intrinsic value, and in the sense of a broad humanity it is alike honorable and praiseworthy. It has been largely by virtue of correct habits and by appli- cation to business that Mr. Richards is now so esteemed.

S AMUEL M. MOORE, a prominent lumber- man of Brookville, Jefferson county, is a representative of the best class of American citi- zenship. He was born on Christmas day, 1842, in Clover township, Jefferson county, and grew to manhood there in the healthful atmosphere of farm life. His father, John Moore, was a native of Ireland, who came to America when a young man and located permanently on the farm where our subject was born. He had no disposition to engage in public affairs, but devoted his time to his own business. His death occurred in 1874, and his estimable wife, who was Rachel McGary, a native of Westmoreland county, Penn., passed away in 1891.

Our subject's educational advantages were limited, the schools of the locality being inferior, and only to be reached by a long walk. He re- mained at home until the age of twenty-one. when he went into the timber and lumber busi- ness, in which he has ever since been success- fully engaged. He was married, in 1869, to his first wife, Eliza Summerville, of Jefferson county, who died in 1881, leaving two children: Bertha, wife of John Elliott, of Forest county, Penn .; and Oscar. For his second wife, Mr. Moore married Clara Hindman, who resided near Brook- ville. Two children have blessed this union- Evan and Earl-both of whom are at home. Mr. and Mrs. Moore are leading members of the Presbyterian Church, and Mr. Moore belongs also to the I. O. O. F. and the K. of P'. In poli- tics he is a Republican, and cherishes an abiding faith in the principles of the party. He has never

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aspired to office, and his support of men and measures is none the less influential for being disinterested. In 1862, when the cause of free- dom hung in the balance, Mr. Moore donned the blue. enlisting in Company B. 135th P. V. I., and was in active service for one year, escaping capture or wounds during his term. At the time of his discharge he was a non-commissioned officer.

J JOHN STARTZELL, a well-known business man of Brookville, Jefferson county, and an honored veteran of the Civil war, is a man whose unfaltering devotion to duty both in war and peace has won and retained the confidence of all who know him. As a boy of nineteen he answered the call "to arms" in defense- of the old flag, enlisting in Company G, 150th P. V. I. He spent nearly four years in active service, tak- . ing part, except when disabled, in all the battles in which his company was engaged. He received his "baptism of fire" at Charles City Cross Roads, where he suffered the double misfortune of capture and a gunshot wound in the face. After nineteen days in Libby prison he was pa- roled and sent to the hospital, and a few months later was exchanged. At the battle of the Wil- derness he received another gunshot wound, this time in the right ankle, disabling him for further duty in the field, but, notwithstanding these se- vere experiences, he re-enlisted at the expiration of his first term of two years, and was trans- ferred to Washington, D. C., as sergeant of Company B. 24th Veteran Reserves. He re- mained there until the close of the war, and while arresting a cavalryman for some offense he was shot by him in the left knee.

This gallant soldier is a native of Jefferson county, having first seen the light in Ringgold township, in 1842. His parents, Jacob and Catherine ( Weary) Startzell, were born and reared in Northumberland county, and settled in Jefferson county in 1840. The mother passed to the unseen life in 1852. but the father, who was 1897. at the advanced age of ninety years and four months. As a farmer's son, Mr. Startzell was trained in his youth to industrious habits. but his educational advantages were limited. At : the age of eighteen he engaged in lumbering, but this occupation was interrupted a year later by his enlistment in the army. On his being mus- tered out of service, he returned to his native county, and has since made his home at Brook- ville. He engaged in the milling business, which he has continued from that time, adding to it as

time passed a mercantile enterprise and an ex- tensive lumber business. In 1867 he was united in marriage with Catherine Burkett, daughter of Peter Burkett, a respected citizen of Armstrong county, Penn. Of the seven children of this union four are living: Emma J., the wife of R. M. Hastings, of Charleroi, Penn .; Flora V., who is at honie; Maggie M., the wife of R. W. More- head, of Richardsville, Penn .; and Fred, who lives in Brookville. Thomas M., one of the sons of our subject, was accidentally killed on August 20, 1897, at Buffalo, N. Y. The press in speak- ing of the occurrence said:

Thomas Startzell, the young man who was killed last night by coming in contact with a live wire while at work for the Buffalo Traction Company, was one of the best-known ball players in Buffalo. Last year he was signed by Mana- ger Rowe for the Buffalo Baseball Club, and pitched several winning games, but on account of the large number of pitch- ers on the pay roll he was released about the middle of the sea- son, and at once signed with Geneseo, and made a wonderful record with Manager Wadsworth's club. When Startzell first came to Buffalo from Brookville, Penn., which by the way is the home of Pitcher Whitehill, late of the Syracuse team, he was signed by Manager J. E. Mulroy, of the Oak- dale team of the City League. He participated in almost every ganie played by that crack amateur team two years ago, and was chiefly responsible for the winning of the pen- nant that yearby the Oakdales. His work was noticed by Man- ager Franklin, and on that account he was signed for the Buffalo Eastern League Club.

Our subject is a prominent member of the M. E. Church, holding the office of trustee. He also belongs to the A. O. U. W. and the G.A. R. He is an ardent champion of Republican princi- cles, but is by no means a politician in the mod- ern sense of the word. He has served three terms as councilman, and has been treasurer and school director in his borough, giving to his duties in these positions the same ability and energy which has characterized his conduct in other fields of effort.

R L. BUZARD is a worthy representative of that class of men who, having started on their varions careers without capital save health of inind and body and a strong will, have made their own way in life to a competence. To-day. for years a successful agriculturist, died June 12. . among the prominent business inen of Jefferson county stands Mr. Buzard. who is extensively in- . terested in the lumber industry, and is also en- gaged in stock-raising.

He was born in Clarion county January 22. 1842, and spent the days of his boyhood and : youth working on his father's farm and in the woods. Soon after attaining his majority he be- gan jobbing for himself, and as he prospered in this, he later, in company with Judge Theo. S. Wilson, bought and operated a large timber tract, in which he was very successful. He was

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

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afterward associated with Elias Ritts, P. Gra- ham and Judge James Campbell in lumbering, under the firm name of Buzard, Ritts & Co.

He bought the Alexander timber tract in 1885, and moved his family to Brockwayville in 1887, where he has built a handsome residence, pleas- antly situated on the main thoroughfare, and sup- plied with all the modern conveniences. It is tastefully furnished, and is surrounded by beauti- ful and well-kept grounds.

Mr. Buzard was one of the projectors of the Brockwayville band, and he is still a manager and stockholder. His prosperity cannot be attributed to a combination of lucky circumstances, but has arisen from energy, enterprise, integrity and in- tellectual effort well directed. His business has been conducted on the strictest principles of hon- esty, and he is a worthy representative of that type of American character; that progressive spirit, which promotes public good in advancing individual prosperity.

REV. HARRY GRANT TEAGARDEN, de- voting his life to the ministry, is now pastor of the Oliveburg, Anita, Eleanor and Zion Churches, of the Cumberland Presbyterian de- nomination. He is a man of strong intellectual endowments, earnest and purposeful, and his suc- cess in his chosen calling ranks him among the leading representatives of the ministry of his Church.

Rev. Teagarden was born April 25, 1863. in Clarksville, Penn., a son of John C. and Rachel C. (Young) Teagarden. The father was born in Clarksville, and in his younger life followed car- pentering, while he also gave some attention to merchandising. From the age of seventeen until his death he was an elder in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and in his political views was a stanch Republican. He died April 18, 1879, at the age of forty-six years, and was buried at Clarksville. His father, Reuben Tea- garden, was long a lumberinan of that place. The mother was born in September, 1841, and is now residing in Clarksville. She holds member- ship in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and is a most estimable lady. Her parents were Stuffel and Rachel (Boyd) Young, of Washington county, Penn., who about 1830 removed to Clarksville, where they conducted the "Young Hotel."

The Teagarden family springs from Protestant Prussian stock, and the Prussian spelling of the name was Tigirten. The ancestry can be traced back to Abrahamı Teagarden, who was born in Prussia, and went to England, where he served

as an officer in the English army. While there he won the heart of Lady May Parker, and after their marriage they came to America, in 1767, settling on Redston creek, in Fayette county, Penn. The Teagardens, however, made a set- tlement in or near Philadelphia in 1744. Abra- ham Teagarden was the father of David, whose son, Thomas Teagarden, of Clarksville, Greene Co., Penn., was the great-grandfather of our sub- ject. The grandfather was Reuben Teagarden.

The subject of this review was reared in his native city, where he remained until eighteen years of age, when he became a student in the Cumberland Presbyterian College, at Waynes- burg, Penn. There he pursued his studies until 1891, in order to fit himself for the ministry, and during that time taught six terms of school, one in Clarksville, two in Green Grove. two in Cas- tile, and one at Rice's Landing. After his gradu- ation, in 1891, he came to Oliveburg and took charge of the Olive and Zion Churches. In No- vember of that year he organized the Eleanor Church in a school house at Eleanor, and on the Ioth of May, 1892, he organized the Anita Church, with a membership of one hundred. In 1896 he held a very successful meeting, having one hundred and fifty-five converts. The value of the Anita property is $2,000, that of the Eleanor church $3,000, and both are now being enlarged. He does excellent pastoral work, and is inuch be- loved by his people. He is also a man of superior oratorical ability, and his addresses are fluent, logical and finished in literary style.

On June 29, 1887, in Waynesburg. Penn .. Rev. James R. Morris, of the Cumberland Pres- byterian Church, performed a marriage ceremony which united the destinies of Rev. Teagarden and Miss Nettie Z. Burson. She was born in Clarksville, Penn., November 8, 1866. Her pa- ternal grandparents, Edward and Maria (Stew- art) Burson, were natives of Massachusetts, and died in Clarksville. Her maternal grandparents, David and Mary (Hewett) Rose, were natives of Greene county, Penn., and also died in Clarks- ville. The parents of Mrs. Teagarden, William S. and Rebecca J. (Rose) Burson, were both natives of that place, and still make their home there. The father is a blacksmith by trade, and is now extensively engaged in farming. He has served as justice of the peace, and is a prominent and well-to-do citizen. He was born September 25, 1846, and his wife was born December 29, 1845. She is an active member of the Cumber- land Presbyterian Church, and he contributes to its support. In politics he is an ardent Demo- crat. In their family are three children: Nettie Z., wife of our subject; Cora A., wife of Harvey

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C. Hope, a jeweler, of Harrisville, Ohio: and John R., who is studying for the ministry in the Cumberland Presbyterian College, in Waynes- burg, Pennsylvania.

Rev. Teagarden is a prominent Mason, be- longing to the Blue Lodge at Punxsutawney, the Chapter at Brookville, and the Commandery at Ridgway, Penn. He also belongs to the Odd Fellows Society, the underlying principles of these benevolent orders being in accord with his own life work.

E AZRA NEFF is serving as justice of the peace in Reynoldsville, Jefferson county, a position he has filled at different times for many years with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. He is thoroughly impartial in meting ont justice, his opinions being unbiased by either fear or favor, and his fidelity to the trust reposed in him is above question. He is regarded as one of the leading and most highly esteemed citizens in Reynoldsville.

Mr. Neff was born March 7, 1843, in Indi- ana county, Penn., a son of Jonathan and Mary Jane (Farnsworth) Neff. His father was born in Indiana county, in 1814, and has spent his en- tire life within a radius of five miles of his birth- płace. He has lived as a quiet, unassuming but loval citizen, devoting his energies to farming. His wife was born in 1818, in Bald Eagle Valley. Penn., and they are still living at the ages of eighty-three and seventy-nine years respectively.

Our subject obtained his education in the public schools of Indiana county, but his privi- leges were exceedingly limited, owing to the fact that his assistance was needed on the farm. He continued to aid in the cultivation of the fields until the progress of the war seemed to make it imperative that he go forth in defense of his country. Accordingly, in 1863. he enlisted in Company A, Second Battalion P. V. 1 .. from which he was honorably discharged in Febru- ary, 1864. Re-enlisting July 11, 1864. he was appointed quartermaster sergeant, was discharged November 11, 1864: re-enlisted March, 1. 1865. and was elected first sergeant of Company B. 74th P. V. I. : and was finally discharged, at the close of the war, June 29, 1805, and returned to his home in Indiana county. He was in active service through the entire time, but fortunately escaped wounds and capture. On April 11. 1805, two days after the surrender of Lee, he lost his voice, and it has never been fully restored. Un- til the spring of 1800 he followed farming, after which he engaged in railroading until June. IS;o. He then went to Dayton, Penn., where

he engaged in the livery business and also fol- lowed the same pursuit in Marion Centre until the fall of 1872. In November of that year he came to Reynoldsville, and conducted a livery until May. 1873. when he sold out to become constable, in which position he served a four- years' terin, resigning March 17, 1877, to assume the duties of justice of the peace, in which ca- pacity he served for ten consecutive years; also in connection therewith he acted as pension agent, which line of work he still continues in, being a registered pension attorney. Next he embarked in the grocery trade, and served as notary public for four years. In the spring of 1892 he was again elected as justice of the peace, which position he has since acceptably filled, being re-elected in the spring of 1897. In connection with his other interests he has for many years been engaged in the real-estate business.

On September 10, 1865. our subject was mar- ried to Mary Neale, of Indiana county, who died in 1881, and three children were born to this union, namely: a daughter that died before her mother's death: a daughter that died after her mother's death: and a son. Thomas N., who is successfully engaged in school teaching. In 1883. Mr. Neff. for his second wife, married Mrs. Lika (Gibson) Pearsoll, who lived only eight months and five days after their marriage. On May 5. 1885, Mr. Neff married Mrs. Louise M. (Seitz) Leroy, a native of Germany. They are mem- bers of the Presbyterian Church. Socially Mr. Neff is identified with the Knights of the Golden Eagle, with the American Mechanics and the Junior branch of that order: also with the Im- proved Order of Red Men, and with the Grand Army of the Republic. In politics he has been a stanch Republican since casting his first Presi- dential vote on the battle-field. in 1864, for Abraham Lincoln. Squire Neff, as he is usually called, is one of the most highly respected citi- zens of Jefferson county, and no one is more de- serving the public confidence and estcem than he.

F RANK P. RANKIN, a leading hardware mer- chant of Brookville, Jefferson county, is an industrious, progressivecitizen, one whose rapidly extending business is a well-deserved recompense for his efforts. Brookville has special reason to take pride in his success, as he is a native of the place.

Enoch Rankin. his father, was born in 1817, in Maine, and in carly manhood. in 1843, came from that State and settled in Brookville, Penn. where he engaged in the business of shoemaking.

Finank& Rankin

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Ile was a man of unassuming manners, but in his quiet way he was an earnest and effective champion of the Abolition movement. He died in 1863. His wife, to whom he was married in 1845, was Isabinda Arthurs, who was born in Brookville and belonged to one of the honored pioneer families of Jefferson county. Several years after the death of the husband, when our subject was ten years of age, the widow was again married, this time to James Corbett. After this marriage they moved to the country, re- maining two years. The mother passed away in 1887.

Frank P. Rankin was born November 22. 1856. He attended the Brookville schools until the age of ten when he went to the country with his mother and stepfather. At the age of thirteen he began working on a farm some four or five years, and attending school in the winter season. After this period he passed his time working at lumbering in the woods, working in sawmills and doing whatever he could find to do. In 1886 he engaged in the hardware and tin- ware business with his brother-in-law, whose interest he purchased at the end of the first year. For eight years he conducted the business alone, his industry and judicious management, com- bined with unfailing courtesy in his dealings with others, building up a profitable trade. His stock is the most complete of the kind in the borough. At present he owns a half interest, having taken in two partners under the firm name of Rankin. Kennedy & Co.

In June, 1881, Mr. Rankin was married to Miss Olive Wilson, daughter of Samuel Wilson, a respected resident of Brookville. Mr. and Mrs. Rankin are leading members of the M. E. Church, in which Mr. Rankin is a trustee. So- cially, he affiliates with the F. & A. M., Royal Arch, and was later elevated to the degree of Knight Templar; he is also a member of the 1. O. O. F., and altogether is active in fraternal work. Politically, he is a Republican, and though no office-seeker. he is at present faithfully serv- ing as member of the borough council of Brook- ville.

J OHN E. GRUBE, M. D. There is no pro- fession or line of business that calls for greater self-sacrifice or more devoted attention than the medical profession, and the successful physi- cian is he, who through love of his fellow-men gives his time and attention to the relief of human suffering. Dr. Grube is one of the ablest repre- sentatives of this noble calling, and until recently was successfully engaged in practice in Punxsu-

tawney, but is now a resident of Braddock, Pennsylvania.

He was born in 1866, in the Grube settle- ment near the city where he now makes his home, a son of Joseph and Amy (Cochran) Grube, also natives of Jefferson county. The paternal grandfather was born in Switzerland. but at an early day came to America with a brother, and took up his residence in Pennsyl- vania. Throughout his active business career the father has engaged in farming and luinber- ing in Jefferson county, and now at the age of sixty-two years enjoys almost perfect health, having very rarely been ill. His honorable, up- right life has gained for him the confidence and respect of all with whom he has come in contact. The mother was called to her final rest in 1881. In their family were three sons, all of whom fol- lowed the medical profession, namely: Dr. George W., who died in September, 1896: Dr. Joseph Miles, a practicing physican of Lindsey, Penn .; and Dr. John E., of this sketch.

The primary education of our subject was re- ceived in the public schools of Jefferson county, and he subsequently pursued for one term his studies at Belleview. Penn., then entered the Edenboro State. Normal of Pennsylvania, where he completed a course of study. After leaving school, he up to 1888 taught some, then began the study of medicine under his brother, George W. In 1891 he graduated at the Medico Chir- urgical College, Philadelphia, and at once asso- ciated himself in practice with his brother at Lindsey, which partnership continued for eight- een months. Our subject then established an office in Punxsutawney, and has already built up a large and lucrative practice, which his skill and ability justly merit.

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3, Part 15

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