Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3, Part 17

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 17
USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 17
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 17
USA > Pennsylvania > Clarion County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 17

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In 1866 he married Miss Mary E. Marsh, of Perrysville, and made his home at Big Run, where he followed the saddler's trade for about six years. Since that time he has been employed by different parties as a log scaler and timber esti- mater, his keen and accurate judgment making him an invaluable aid in such work. Honesty and uprightness have marked his career, and he holds the entire confidence of his employers and of the community at large. In 1880 he was elected justice of the peace, and so well has he performed the duties of the office that he has been re-elected each succeeding terin, and now holds four commissions, the last being signed by Governor Hastings. His popularity is not lim- ited to the Republican party, of which he is a stanch supporter, and he has held various other offices, serving as school director, burgess, and borough councilman.

Mr. Blose owns an attractive home in Big Run, his house, which was built in 1868, having been enlarged and improved since. His wife and

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family are identified with the M. E. Church, and no worthy cause lacks his sympathy and support. ot his seven children, the first, Orin H., born June 20, 1867, died April 10, 1868. (2) Carrie B., born June 5, 1869, was educated in Big Run, and married C. P. Hilliard, of Clearfield county, who has since bought a home in Big Run, where he engaged in business. They have two children : Nelly M. and Ivan, both at home. (3) Law- rence M., born June 19, 1871, is single, and re- sides at home, being employed in the Big Run tannery. (4) Luella M., born June 19, 1871, died June 29, 1891, deeply mourned by all who had known the bright promise of her girlhood. (5) R. Walter, born September 15, 1873, is single, and works in the Wise & Hall lumber mill. Mary Alice, born June 2, 1875, and Laota MI., born June 13, 1878, are both at home.

R ICHARD M. MATSON. Prominent among the energetic, far-seeing and successful busi- ness men of central Pennsylvania is the subject of this sketch. His life history most happily illus- trates what may be attained by faithful and contin- ued effort in carrying out an honest purpose. In- tegrity, activity and energy have been the crown- ing points of his success, and his connection with various business enterprises and industries has been a decided advantage to this section of the State. promoting its material welfare in no un- certain manner.

The lumber firm of Heidrick, Matson & Co. was organized in August, 1894, for the purpose of purchasing and operating the Litch lands, sit- uated in Jefferson county, Penn., the firm pay- ing therefor the sum of $135,000. Extensive improvements were at once made in the mill and stream, which were both made to conform to the most improved methods of lumbering. A Our subject is a native of Brookville, Jeffer- son county (which is still his home), born in 1845. the only child of Uriah and Minerva (Rey- nolds) Matson, the former also a native of Brook- ville, and the latter of Armstrong county, Penn. The family was one of the first to be established in Jefferson county, where the grandfather of our subject, John Matson, located in 1804. His birth occurred in Ireland, and he was ten years of age when he took up his residence here. With the business and commercial interests of the railroad connecting the mill and yards with the main line of the A. V. Ry. was built at an ex- pense of $12,000. The mill was equipped throughout with all the modern machinery. and is to-day one of the best plants in western Penn- sylvania, having a capacity of 100,000 feet. In addition to the above, the firm in the winter of 1895 entered into a contract with Truman, Hen- derson & Co., owners of a large tract of lumber in Polk township. Jefferson county, to saw and deliver on the tracks of the A. V. Ry. at Brook- county the family have since been prominently ; ville all the lumber on their lands, estimated at identified. In Brookville, Uriah Matson spent : his entire life, engaged in general merchandising, and lumbering, and was one of its most valued and useful citizens. He died in 1895. respected by all who knew him.

When our subject was two years old (in 1847) he lost his mother, and afterward lived with his grandfather on the old Matson homestead until the age of fifteen. He was afforded good educa- tional privileges, completing the course in the schools of Brookville, and afterward attending the Beaver Acadeiny for one year. He was reared on a farmi, and at an early age entered

his father's store as a clerk, and thus secured practical business training, which has been of great advantage to him in later years. Having devoted some time to the study of law, he was admitted to the Bar in 1866, and engaged in practice, in connection with his mercantile pur- suits, until 1884. In that year he purchased an interest in a lumber plant in Forest county, Penn., and spent the following four years and a half in the forests of that county, after which he returned to Brookville to take charge of his father's business, and has since engaged in nier- cliandising and lumbering in that place. Prom- inent among the business enterprises of Mr. Mat- son is the Falls Creek Brick Yard, and the lum- ber operations of Heidrick, Matson & Co. The former, located at Falls Creek, Penn., was estab- lished in 1891 under the firm name of R. M. Matson, Sons & Co. This plant has a capacity of 40,000 brick per day, in the manufacture of which employment is given to about thirty men. Besides the manufacture of building brick, they make drain tile, water table, window caps, hoilow building brick, and various other useful articles.

from sixty to seventy million feet. This neces- sitated the building of fourteen miles of railroad. which the firm immediately set about to accom- plish, said road being built and equipped in the summer of 1896 at a cost of over $100.000. Since the organization of the firm they have made several smaller purchases of timber, and now have enough lumber in sight to keep their mill in operation for several years.

In 1866 Mr. Matson was married to Miss Elsie, daughter of John Busby, and they have three sous who are in business: Criah J .. of Falls Creek. Penn., is manager of the brick

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works there owned by R. M. Matson, Sons & Co .; George R., of Brookville, is manager of the store of R. M. Matson & Co .; Norman D. is a builder, contractor and plumber of Brookville.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Matson hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a Democrat, but has not devoted much time to political affairs, although he has creditably filled a number of official positions of honor and trust. He is one of the most honorable business men to be found in Jefferson county. His integrity stands as an unquestioned fact in his history- endowed by nature with a sound judgment and an accurate, discriminating mind, he has not feared that laborious attention to business so necessary to achieve success, and this essential quality has ever been guided by a sense of moral right which would tolerate the employment only of the means that would bear the most rigid ex- amination, by a fairness of intention that has neither sought nor required disguise.

H ENRY ALEXANDER STOKE is yet young in years, but in the prosperous and enter- prising town of Reynoldsville, Jefferson county, where he has lived for nearly a quarter of a cen- tury, he has won distinction in business life and has been honored with the highest political office within the gift of his fellow townsmen. His suc- cess is his own achievement. Entering a drug store as salesman at the age of fifteen years, he thoroughly learned the business, and had passed his majority by only two years when the oppor- tunity of becoming a proprietor presented itself. Alert to his own future, and quick to grasp op- portunities, the young man became a druggist. For fifteen years he has been a merchant at Rey- noldsville, and with each year he has grown in ability and influence in the commercial interests of the town. His election as mayor of Reynolds- ville, in the spring of 1897, was a tribute to the esteem in which he is held, and to his business and administrative methods.

Mr. Stoke was born June 2, 1859, near Kit- tanning. Armstrong Co., Penn., a son of George W. and Joanna (Sullivan) Stoke, a grandson of Jacob and Elizabeth (Hetrick) Stoke, and a great-grandson of John Stoke, who was a drum- mer boy in the war of 1812, and who moved from Centre county to French Creek, Crawford county, where he died. Jacob Stoke, who was a farmer, removed in 1837 from Crawford county to Arin- strong county, where he and his wife lived to a good old age. Their children were as follows: Simon P., of Punxsutawney, Penn. ; George W., father of our subject; Daniel A., a farmer and

hotel keeper in Nebraska; Christiana (widow of Gilbert Austin), now living near Pittsburg, Penn. ; Catherine, wife of Joseph McAnny, a liveryman of McDonald, Penn .; Wilmenna, wife of John Wallace, a stationary engineer, living near Pitts- burg, Penn .; and Margaret, who died in infancy.

George W. Stoke, father of our subject, was born in Crawford county, February 22, 1834. was married in 1857, in Armstrong county, to Joanna Sullivan, a native of New York, whose father, John Sullivan, emigrated from Ireland to America in 1825, and now lives at Tylersburg, Penn. His wife died a year ago at Punxsutaw ney. Their children were as follows: Mar- garet, wife of H. Weaver, a wheelwright of Ty- lersburg; Joanna, mother of our subject; Mary A., who married Samuel Swires, and both are now deceased; Julia, wife of M. B. Mard, ticket and freight agent for the B. & O. Railroad Co., at West Newton, Penn. ; John, who was killed in an ore mine; Timothy, a miner of Reynoldsville; James (deceased); and Ellen, wife of Edward Bolger, a miner of Helvetia, Pennsylvania.

During the early days of the Civil war, in August, 1861, George W. Stoke enlisted in Com- pany D, 103d P. V. I., having helped to recruit the company. He was mustered into service, September 25, 1861, and reached the front with the regiment, in March. 1862, serving under Gen. McClellan during the Peninsular campaign. He was promoted from the ranks to a lieutenancy. April 10, 1862, after the battle of Fair Oaks, taking command of a brigade, and on his return to the regiment. in November, 1863. he was made captain of Company B. He re-enlisted as a veteran, and with the regiment was captured at Plymouth, N. C., April 20, 1864, and was con- fined successively at Andersonville (Ga.), Charles- ton (S. C.), and Columbia (S. C.) prisons. He escaped twice, but, first time, was recaptured the fourth night when seventy-five miles away. The second time he escaped by bribing the guard, giving him a gold watch, valued at $roo, to al- low six prisoners to go through the dead line. Three of these, setting out for Sherman's army. were re-captured; Capt. Stoke and two others reached the Santee river, found a small boat chained to a tree, released it, and, after eleven days and nights, reached Santee Island. Two days later they were picked up by some soldiers froni a Union gunboat, doing blockade duty near Georgetown, S. C. Reaching home Capt. Stoke rejoined his regiment at Roanoke Island, N. C .. thirty days later, and afterward served as its ad- jutant to the close of the war. He was mustered out in July, 1865, having served about four years. nine months of which time he was prisoner of

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war. Capt. Stoke participated in every battle and skirmish in which the regiment was engaged, the list including (during the year 1862) the siege of Yorktown, Va., May 1; battle of Williams- burg, Va., May 5: Fair Oaks, Va., May 31 ;. Chickahominy Swamps, Va., June 26; White Oak Swamps, June 26; Railroad Bridge, Va., June 29: Long Bridge, June 30; Jones Point, June 30; Charles City Cross Roads, July 1; Ham- son Point, Va., July 2; Kingston, N. C., De- cember 14; White Hall. December 16; Golds- boro, N. C., December 17. Also the three-days' siege and capture of Plymouth, N. C., April 20, 1864; besides skirmishes at Blackwater, Va., October 3, October 31, and December 2, 1861; Southwest Creek, N. C., July 7, 1863; and Foster Mills, N. C., July 27, 1863. Capt. Stoke is now engaged in the oil business in Reynoldsville. To Capt. and Mrs. Stoke have been born the following children: William J. (deceased); Henry Alexander, the subject of this sketch; John, a decorator at Reynoldsville; George W., Jr., now with the Bell Clothing store at Reynoldsville; and Maggie and Julia, en- gaged in the telephone exchange at Reynoldsville.

Henry Alexander Stoke, the subject of this sketch, came with his parents from Brookville to Reynoldsville in 1874, and in the same year en- tered the drug store of Himes & Aberg to learn

the business. He remained with that firm and its successors, Himes & Flynn, and P. F. Flynn, until 1880. Mr. Stoke was then twenty-one years of age, and he accepted a good position in a drug store at Salamanca, N. Y. Two years later he returned to Reynoldsville, and he and F. A. Mc- Connell bought the Flynn drug store. Three years later Mr. Stoke purchased his partner's in- terest, and, in 1889, removed his stock to the Degnan & McDonald Block. In 1892 he began the erection of the three-story brick building which he now occupies, and in 1893 moved into the new building. That in brief is the outline of Mr. Stoke's business career. He does an ex- tensive business, and besides drugs carries a large and well-selected stock of stationery, bicycles and other lines. Mr. Stoke is . fully alive to the demands of modern trade, and is thoroughly pro- gressive in his business methods.

In July, 1890, our subject was married to Miss Flora E. Jackson, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. L. A. Jackson, then of Boston, Mass., but now living in Allegheny, Penn. Mr. and Mrs. Stoke have two children: Gertrude and Flor- ence. Mr. Stoke is a member of the F. &. A. M., the Sons of Veterans, Knights of the Macca- bees, and Sr. O. C. A. M. In politics he is a Republican, and in the spring of 1897 was

elected mayor of Reynoldsville. He is yet young in years, but has attained valued experience in business and public affairs which might well honor and crown the career of a mature life.

J OHN SMITH, whose busy and useful life well entitles him to a place among the representa -

tive men of Jefferson county, was born in Devonshire, England. January 16, 1845. The advantages of his youth were limited, but enter- prise and energy ever carved the way to success, and by the possession of these qualities Mr. Smith has attained marked distinction in the busi- ness world of his adopted county.

Thomas and Jane (Pierce) Smith, his parents, spent their entire lives in their native England. The father was a railroad contractor, and held membership in the Episcopal Church. He died in 1859, and his wife passed away in 189: at an advanced age. Their children were: James (de- ceased); Mrs. Martha Bush, whose husband is engaged in gardening near London; Grace, who is married; Elizabeth (deceased); Richard. who is railroad supervisor at Reynoldsville, Penn .. and opened the Old Soldier mine in Winslow township, Jefferson county.

In his parents' home John Smith spent the days of his boyhood and youth, but when twenty- three years of age determined to seek a home in America. Taking passage on the vessel .. Nes- torian," he landed at Quebec after twelve days' sailing, and by train made his way to London, Canada. In that locality he worked for a year and a half on a farm, hauling wood during the winter. He then went to Fayette county. Penn .. where he became connected with railroad con- struction. After a year he was niade foreman of a crew of men employed in building the Balti- more & Ohio railroad from Connellsville to Cuni- berland. Pennsylvania.

In the fall of 1870, while residing in Fayette county, Mr. Smith was united in marriage with Abigail H. Linderman, and they had four chil- dren, but Lena G., the second in order of birth, is the only one now living. The others were: Sarah J. died at the age of four and one-half years; Eddie died at the age of twenty months: and Edna passed away when sixteen months old. Mrs. Smith was born in Fayette county, January 27. 1857, a daughter of Jacob and Martha ( Hall) Linderman. Her paternal grandparents, Henry and Elizabeth (Eddlesburger) Linderman. were natives of Germany, and located in Somerset county, Penn., at an early day. Her maternal grandparents, Joseph and Polly ( Mathews) Hall. were natives of England, and became residents

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

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of Westmoreland county. Penn., during the period of its early development.

Mrs. Smith's parents resided for many years in Fayette county, where the father was exten- sively engaged in farming. He was a native of Somerset county, and died in 1895, at the age of eighty-one. His wife was born in Westmore- land county, and died April 6, 1893. Both were members of the Disciple Church, and in politics Mr. Linderman was a Republican. This worthy couple were laid to rest in Glade ceme- tery, in Fayette county. Their children were Catherine, wife of John Nicklor, a tailor of Ken- ton, Ohio; Lavina, wife of Herman Hefner, a farmer of Kenton, Ohio; Susanna, deceased wife of Henry Hall, of Fayette county, Penn. ; Mary, wife of John M. May, foreman on the railroad in Fayette county; Aaron, who was killed at the battle of Gettysburg; Garret, a miner and farmer of Rathmel; Elsie, wife of Perry Klink, a farmer of Fayette county; David (deceased); and Mrs. Smith.

After the completion of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad, Mr. Smith was appointed section foreman, and for two years served in that capac- ity, after which he removed to Elizabeth, Penn .. and was employed as foreman on the construc- tion of the Pennsylvania Central & Virginia rail- road for a year and a half. He then went to Brookville, as foreman of a track crew. but after a short time removed to Reynoldsville, Penn., where he remained for several years. When the railroad was being constructed in that locality he was appointed foreman of a division at Falls Creek, where he remained until the workmen went out on a strike. He afterward engaged in digging coal in the old Diamond mine, for six months, and then again secured a position as foreman on the railroad at Summit Tunnel. He was next employed for five years as foreman at Weedville, Penn., and then returned to Rey- noldsville, where he remained as foreman for a year in the employ of Powers, Brown & Co. He superintended the construction of the extension of the Reynoldsville & Falls Creek railroad, laid the track and built about two miles of the tram- way roads for the John E. Wilson Lumber Com- pany. He next took charge of the repairs of the railroad tracks and bridges, and when the com- pany sold out two years later, he embarked in his present business as a general merchant of Rath- mel. He is also engaged in farming, and his well-managed business interests bring to him a good return. In the fall of 1892 he was ap- pointed postmaster, and served for four years.

Mr. Smith gives his political support to the Re- publican party, has served as constable for one

terin, also as school director one term. Both he and his wife hold membership in the Presbyterian Church. The career of Mr. Smith is one which indicates the measure of success that may be at- tained through persevering and well-directed efforts. Taking advantage of every opportunity for advancement, he has steadily worked his way upward, and his success in life has been worthily achieved. On February 15, 1898, he was elected justice of the peace.

T HOMAS KEYS, who was one of the brave defenders of the Union during the Civil war, is now a prominent citizen of Brockway- ville, Jefferson county, where he is acceptably serving as justice of the peace. A native of Jef- ferson county, he was born September 1, 1846, in Washington township, and his education was obtained in the typical log school house of his boyhood days.

Alexander Keys, his father, whose birth oc- curred in County Derry, Ireland, in 1800, came to America at the age of twenty-one and first lo- cated in Montgomery county, Penn., where he married. Removing to Jefferson county. in 1843, he secured a tract of wild land, which he transformed into a fine farm, where he spent his remaining days, dying in 1877. He was an ear- nest, consistent Christian, a faithful member of the United Presbyterian Church, to which his wife, who died in 1872, also belonged. They had six children, namely: John; William; Mrs. Susan Smith; Henry, who died in 1863; Alexan- der, a resident of Iowa; and Thomas, of this. sketch.

Although not seventeen years of age Thomas Keys resolved to aid his country in her efforts to preserve the Union, and, in 1863, joined Com- pany B, Second Battalion of Pennsylvania Vol- unteers, under Major Herman Kretz. The regi- ment was assigned to the Army of the Potomac, and after being mustered in at Pittsburg was sent to Patterson creek, West Virginia, where it did guard duty for seven months, and it was then ordered to Wheeling. Receiving his discharge, Mr. Keys returned to Pittsburg, where he re- enlisted, becoming a member of Company G, 193d P. V. I., also a part of the Army of the Potomac. At Back river he again did guard duty at a railroad bridge, and at Wilmington, Del., re-enlisted in Capt. W. R. Jones' Company, 97th P. V. I., which was sent to Havre de Grace, Md., where our subject remained for three months. Going to Baltimore at the end of that time, he clerked in Brig. Gen. Lockwood's office

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until June, 1865, when he returned home with an honorable war record. -

At the time of his enlistment Mr. Keys was attending the Iron City College, Pittsburg, and un receiving his discharge, he resumed his studies at that place, but on account of ill health was soon forced to leave school. He then assisted in the work of the home farm, and also rafted on the river in the spring of the year until 1868, when lie: went to Iowa. After a year spent in that State, he secured employment at Salt Lake City on the construction of a railroad, but the follow- ing fall again went to Iowa. Returning to Penn- sylvania in 1870, he was married and located upon the old homestead, where he engaged in farining for four years, and then conducted a boarding house at Pancoast until 1878, when he purchased a half interest in the home farm. In 1882, however, he retired from agricultural pur- suits, selling his interest in the place to a brother, and for five years engaged as manager of the Beech Tree store. Subsequently he had charge of a store at Dagus mines for the same length of time. and then entered the employ of the Toby Store & Supply Company, with which he has since continued, at first being located at Cart- wright, but since 1891 at Brockwayville.

In 1870, Mr. Keys was married to Miss Sarah Patton, who belongs to an honored and promi- nent family of Jefferson county. Her father, James Patton, was a native of Ireland, but at an early day crossed the Atlantic and took up his residence here, becoming one of the prosperous agriculturists of Beech Woods, where his death occurred in 1896. He had long survived his wife, who had passed away in 1876. They were earnest members of the Presbyterian Church, and were the parents of nine children: John, Sarah, Mary, Esther, Martha, Maggie, Ray, Robert and Burnetta. Mr. and Mrs. Keys have four chil- dren: Susannah E .; Elizabeth J., a stenog- rapher for Clark, Kizer & Kipp, at Cortez; Harry, a clerk for the Northwest Mining & Exchange Company, at Brockwayville, and Harold.

In 1893 Thomas Keys was appointed to fill a vacancy as justice of the peace, was again ap- pointed to fill a similar position in May of the following year, and in 1895 he was elected to that office for a period of five years. He is now ably discharging the duties of that position, and in public as well as private life is true to every trust reposed in him. In politics he is a pro- nounced Republican, and in his social relations is a member of Cicerone Lodge No. 897, I. O. O. F., of Brockwayville, Penn., in which he is serving as secretary, and is also a Knight Templar Mason, belonging to Blue Lodge, Elk No. 379,

Elk Chapter No. 230, and Knapp Commandery No. 40, of Ridgway. His wife holds member- ship in the Presbyterian Church. They are widely and favorably known throughout the coun- ty, and their circle of friends is only limited by their circle of acquaintances.

J JACOB DEIBLE. The subject of this biog- raphy, one of the honored sons of Pennsyl- vania, and a most distinguished resident of Reynoldsville, is pre-eminently a self-made man. He began life with a definite purpose in view, worked faithfully, honestly, and with a will for its accomplishment, and is now at the head of a prosperous and paying business, being the senior member of the firm of Deible Brothers, extensive dealers in carriages and other vehicles, in Reynoldsville.

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3, Part 17

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