Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3, Part 18

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 18
USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 18
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 18
USA > Pennsylvania > Clarion County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 18

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).

Mr. Deible was born in this State. in 1846, while his parents, Jacob and Emeline (Peters) Deible, were natives of Germany, where they were reared and married, crossing the Atlantic to the New World in 1845. They located in Penn- sylvania, where the father followed the occupa- tion of farming up to his death, which occurred in 1883. The mother departed this life in 1894.

Our subject had only the advantages of a common-school education in his youth, and was reared upon the home farm until the age of fif- teen years, when he began learning the wagon- maker's trade, at which he served a three-years' apprenticeship. After mastering the business, he worked as a journeyman for three years. and then embarked in business on his own account at Ridgway, Penn., where he remained for two years. Coming to Reynoldsville on the expira- tion of that time, he worked at his trade for others, for two years, and then established a business at his present shop, in partnership with his brother, H. C. Deible. From the beginning their trade has steadily increased until they are now doing an extensive business. They are numbered among the representative business men of Jefferson county, standing high morally, socially and financially. In 1875 our subject was married to Arvilla Field, of McKean county, Penn. Four children were born to their union. but one is now deceased. Those living are: Warren, Cornie and Roscoe. In religious belief the father of these is a Lutheran, and in poli- tics he is a stalwart Democrat, strongly opposing inonopolies. He has never aspired to official honors, but his fellow citizens have called upon him to serve in a number of local positions, which he filled in a most efficient manner. As an energetic, upright, conscientious business inan

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and a gentleman of attractive social qualities, he stands high in the estimation of the entire community.

W ILLIAM KELSO, one of the prominent business men of Brookfield, Jefferson county, is a typical American in his successful management of varied enterprises. He was born in Clover township, Jefferson Co . Penn., October 31, 1847, the son of John and Eliza (Thompson) Kelso. The father, who was a na- tive of Jefferson county, passed his life in farm- ing and lumbering. . He was a quiet, unassuming citizen, and, aside from holding some local offices, his time was given to his own affairs. His death occurred in Noveinber, 1860. His widow, who was born in Washington county. : Penn., is still living at the advanced age of sev- enty-nine years, and making her home with our subject.

William Kelso had the usual district-school advantages in youth, supplemented by an attend- ance at Rev. John Todd's select school. He was reared on a farm, and in fact forty-three · years of his life. were spent thereon. During this :time-he was extensively engaged in lumbering. He owns three fine farms in Jefferson county, and is still extensively engaged in lumbering; the-firin of Dickey, Moore & Kelso. of which he is a member, owning a valuable lumber plant in Elk and Jefferson counties. In 1890 Mr. Kelso moved to Brookville, and was engaged in the grocery business nearly three years, when he sold out: In September, 1895, he engaged in the furniture and undertaking business, which he is at present successfully conducting. He is a progressive citizen, and thoroughly alive to the interests of the cominunity in which he lives. He is a stockholder in the National Bank of Brookville. For thirteen years he was school- director in his district, and has held all the town- ship offices in his township. In 1871 he was mar- ried to Mary Andrews, a daughter of Hugh and Mary J. (Dickey) Andrews, prominent citizens of Jefferson county, and natives of that locality. Five children have blessed this union, of whom, the eldest two-Mary Adelaide and Elizabeth Blanche --- died at the age of seven and eight years, re- spectively. The survivors are: May, Anna- belle and Jennie, who are at home with their parents. Mr. and Mrs. Kelso and their daugh- ters are members of the United Presbyterian Church. In politics Mr. Kelso is rather conser- vative. giving his time to his business affairs. Mrs. Kelso's mother, Mrs. Mary Jane ( Andrews) Millen, is now enjoying a hospitable home with Mr. and Mrs. Kelso,

D AVID HAINEY ESTES. All that is most valuable in life is obtained through personal

effort. Labor is the key which unlocks the store houses of success, of fame and of renown, and those who have attained greatest distinction have been toilers in their respective vocations. Mr. Estes has led a busy life, and all that he has achieved has come to him as the reward of his diligence and enterprise. He is now the senior member of the well-known firm of Estes & Long, general merchants of Sykesville.

Mr. Estes was born August 12, 1846, in Henderson township. Jefferson county. a son of Abraham and Margaret (Hall) Estes, the formier a native of Binghamton, N. Y., and the latter of Centre county, Penn. The paternal grandparents, Philip and Damnie (Vosburg ) Estes, were natives of Luzerne county, Penn .. and he was a carpenter by trade. His death occurred in Sycamore county. Ill., and his wife died in Minnesota. James Hall, the maternal grand- father of our subject, was born in Ireland, and removing to this country located in Milesburg. Centre Co., Penn., where he spent his remaining days. The parents of our subject were married in Clearfield county, Penn, in 1844, and soon afterward came . to Jefferson county, Iccating in Henderson township, where the father carried on farming and lumbering. He also engaged in carpentering in early life. He held membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church, his wife in the Baptist Church. His death occurred Janu- ary 21, 1868, when he had reached the age of forty-seven years, and his wife died July 31. 1871, at the age of fifty, their remains being in- terred in Union cemetery, near Troutville, Clear- field county. Their children are David H .: Matilda, wife of Eli Frantz, a farmer of Clear- field county; Hanna E., wife of J. L. Long. justice of the peace and dealer in agricultural implements in Sykesville: William J., a farmer of Minnesota; Samuel C., who is farming on the old homestead in Henderson township, Jefferson county; Amos E., who died at the age of one year; and Henry, who died in infancy.

David Hainey Estes resided with his parents during his minority, and during the summer months worked on his father's farm, while in the winter season he was employed at rafting and in the lumber woods. When he had attained his majority he began operating the home farm on shares for his mother, and thus continued un- til her death in 1871. The farm was then sold and he purchased fifty-two acres of the tract. con- tinuing its cultivation through the summer until 1876, and working in the lumber woods der.ng I the winter. In that year his first wife died, and

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he left the farm, giving his entire attention to lumbering and teamning during the succeeding ten years. In 1892 he purchased his present prop- erty of the Shaffer heirs, and has since been en- gaged in general merchandising in Sykesville in connection with S. B. Long. He carries a well selected stock of goods and has a liberal patron- age, which he has secured through his honorable dealing and earnest effort.

On September 15, 1867, in Winslow town- ship, Mr. Estes was married to Miss Susannah Zufall, who was born in Fayette county, Penn., November 27, 1844, a daughter of Elijah and Rebecca (Shaffer) Zufall, natives of the saine county. Mrs. Estes died October 28, 1876, and was buried in Union cemetery near Troutville, Clearfield county. Her children were Lucinda E., who was born May 27, 1868, and died in 1869; Sinetta R., who was born October 2, 1869, and is with her father: Anna, who was born January 21, 1871, and is now the wife of A. C. May, a furniture dealer of Seattle, Wash., by whom she has two sons, Arthur and Lee, and one daughter; Hannah M., twin sister of Anna, and wife of Charles Doncett, a me- chanic. of Seattle, Wash .; Mary, who was born June 25, 1873. and is the wife of George Nash, an engineer in the paper mill of John- sonburg, Penn., by whom she has one child- Norman M .; and Amos R., who was born September 13, 1876, and is now employed in the paper mill in Johnsonburg. He married Luella Wooster. Our subject was again married. April 28, 1892, this time to Miss Nannie Moore, and their only son-David M .- died in infancy. Mrs. Estes was a native of Huntingdon county, Penn .. and died April 17, 1893, at the age of twenty-seven years, and was buried in the cem- etery at Sykesville, Penn. Mr. Estes is a mem- ber of Mingle Lodge No. 753, I. O. O. F., of Troutville, Penn., a charter member and trustee of the Knights of Pythias Lodge of Sykesville, and the Patriotic Order Sons of America, also of Sykesville. In politics he is a Republican, and his Church membership is with the German Reformed. He is a man of sterling worth, true to all life's duties.

J AMES A. HOON, the popular station agent, telegraph operator and express messenger for the Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburg Rail- road at Sykesville, Jefferson county, is a native of Pennsylvania, his birth occurring at American Furnace, Armstrong county, November 18, 1848.

William and Britta (Freer) Hoon, his parents, were natives of Dauphin and Butler counties,

Penn., respectively, and were married in the latter county. The father, who was in early life a coke burner and later a farmer by occupation, was born in 1819, and died in October, 1891, in Clearfield county, Penn. The mother also de- parted this life there in December, 1889, at the age of seventy-three years, and both were laid to rest in the Du Bois cemetery. William Hoon was the son of Henry Hoon, who was the son of Anthony Hoon, an emigrant of Swiss ancestry, who settled near the Susquehanna river above Harrisburg, Penn. Henry Hoon was born in 1760, was a member of the State militia, and at the age of seventeen years participated in the battle of the Brandywine. He lived for many years at Lewistown, on the West branch of the Susquehanna river. In 1818 he moved from that place to the farm where a son Anthony now resides, where he died in December, 1836, aged a little short of seventy-seven years. He was twice married, and by the first wife had two chil- dren: John, and a daughter who became Mrs. Turk. To his marriage with Frances Sargent, there were children: Henry, Samuel, James, William, Frances and Anthony. The mother was born in Ireland, and during the Irish uprising in 1790, her father was warned to either unite with the Irish or leave Ireland within eight days. Tradition says that the daughter Frances was then about thirteen years of age. Her father, it is said, accepted the latter proposition, and emi- grated to the United States and to the vicinity of Harrisburg, Penn. It is said that the vessel in which they sailed was overhauled by a British war-vessel, and the eldest brother of Frances was pressed into the King's service.

James A. Hoon, of this review, is the seventh in order of birth in a family of nine children, the others being as follows: William J., a resident of Du Bois, Penn. ; Hannah, widow of Joseph Butler, of Reynoldsville, Penn .: Thomas E. Brady, a track boss living at Moss Grove, Penn. ; Abram H., a miner of Reynoldsville. Penn. ; Frank, freight agent for the New York. Lake Erie & Western railroad at Jamestown, N. Y. ; Fannie, wife of Jacob Truby, now proprietor of "Hotel Penn. " of Reading, Penn. : Charlotte A., a resident of Reading: and Mary J., of the same place, who is the widow of Joseph Lewis, a lumberman.

During his youth Mr. Hoon attended the log school houses near his childhood home, and at the age of sixteen began his business ca- reer as an employee in the Brady's Bend Iron Works. He continued to follow that occupation and farming until twenty-eight years of age, in the meantime making his home with his parents.

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His first connection with railroading was in the office of the Allegheny Valley railroad at Cat- f their religious views both he and his estimable wife are Presbyterians.

fish, Penn., where he remained for three months and then spent a similar period in the telegraph office at St. Petersburg, Clarion county. As an employee of the Atlantic & Pacific Company, he was stationed at Elk City until 1881, as operator for the Western Union Telegraph Co., and at Knox with the Western Union Telegraph Co., until September, 1883 then went with the Pitts- burg & Western railroad at Edinsburg, since changed to Knox. With the same company he was at Kane for five years, and after a year spent in merchandising at Big Run, Jefferson county, he entered the service of the Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburg R. R., working as an extra from Decem- ber 6, 1889, until 1891. After serving as agent for that company at Ellmont, Penn., for four years, he was at Curwensville, Clearfield county, for nine months, and was then transferred to Sykes- ville, where he has now had charge of the office for four years.

On July 5, 1877, Mr. Hoon was married in Elk City, Clarion Co., Penn., to Miss Rebecca J. Thompson, the ceremony being performed by Rev. J. S. Elder, of Clarion. They now have one son, Malcom J., born October 30, 1883. Mrs. Hoon was born September 24, 1855, in Hartford county, Md., of which State her par- ents, William and Mary A. (Miller) Thompson, were also natives. There they remained until their removal to Jefferson county, Penn., in 1857, when they becaine residents of Knox town- ship, where the father is still engaged in farming and lumbering. He was born in 1834, and his wife in 1835. They are both faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and highly esteemed citizens of Knox township. Politically the father is a Democrat. To this couple have been born eleven children, namely: Jacob M., an agriculturist of Knox township; Elizabeth, who married Irvin Sheck, but both are now de- ceased: Rebecca J., wife of our subject; Nannie,

Penn. ; Mary M., wife of Elmer Stewart, a lui- berman of Brookville, Jefferson county; D. R., superintendent of a lumber company in Califor- nia; Schofield, a carpenter of DuBois, Penn .; Kittie and Ada, both deceased; and Philip and Blanche, at home.

Our subject is a self-made man in the fullest sense of that oft-misused term, his prosperity in life being due to his own industry and integrity. His life is a living illustration of what ability, en- ergy and force of character can accomplish, and it is to such men that the community owes its prosperity, its rapid progress and its advancement.

In his political views he is a Democrat, and in

L ON PANTALL, cashier of the First National Bank of Punxsutawney, Jefferson county. is one of the enterprising, popular and successful of the younger business men of that town.

Born in that vicinity in 1863, Mr. Pantall is a member of a well-known family; his grandpar- ents, James and Elizabeth (Reece) Pantall, na- tives of England, have been highly esteemed residents there for many years. His father, Theophilus Pantall, is a prominent lumberman and real-estate dealer, and ranks among the lead- ing business inen of Jefferson county. Our sub- ject is one of a family of five children of The- ophilus Pantall and his wife, whose inaiden name was Margaret Work, and who is still living at the old home near Punxsutawney.

A careful education prepared Lon Pantall to take advantage of good opportunities at the entrance of his business career. After attending the local schools until the age of seventeen he entered the National Normal University at Leb- anon, Ohio. where he was graduated three years later. In the fall of 1883 he became a student in the Iron City Business College at Pittsburg, and notwithstanding some delay caused by an attack of typhoid fever, he completed his course . in February, 1884. Returning to Punxsutawney, he engaged in a wholesale and retail grocery business, as a partner in the firm of North, Miller & Pantall, but a year later he withdrew to take a position as cashier in the Mahoning Bank. July 1, 1890, he accepted a similar place in the Citizens Bank at Punxsutawney, which he held from July 5 of that year to November 1, 1895, when he was chosen to his present position. He is an able and conservative financier and is a stanch advocate of sound money. So far lie has wife of William Coin, a carpenter of DuBois, : shown no inclination for public life, but as a citizen he has taken an influential share in the local work of the Republican party.

On August 8, 1887, Mr. Pantall was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Rosenberger, daughter of Isaac S. Rosenberger, a well-known resident of Punxsutawney. Mrs. Pantall is prom- inent socially, and is a member of the C. P. Church; our subject is identified with a num- ber of organizations -- the K. of P., the Hepta- sophs, an insurance order, the Knights of the Golden Eagle, being a charter member of the local lodge, in which he has passed through the chairs, and of the I. O. O. F. In the local en-

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campinent of the last named society he is a past grand and past patriarch, and he also belongs to the Grand Lodge.

L ASELLE R. ERDICE, a leading and repre- sentative citizen, and the efficient deputy postmaster, of Brookville, was born in that city in 1848, a son of William and Fannie D. (King) Erdice. The father was a native of Ireland, and when ten years of age emigrated with his parents to America, locating at Erie, Penn. In this State he grew to manhood, and engaged in car- penter work and contracting throughout life. About 1847 he located in Brookville, where he spent his remaining days, dying on September 3, 1877. His estimable wife, who was born at Kinsinan, Ohio, is still living at Brookville, at the advanced age of eighty-one years.

The primary education of our subject was received in the common schools of Brookville, and he subsequently attended an academy and subscription schools, where he completed his literary training. He then worked for a number of years with his father at the carpenter's trade.

In 1888, Mr. Erdice was married to Miss Mary T. Verbeke, a native of Brookville, daugh- ter of Adolphus Verbeke, who was born in Bel- gium. Two children grace this union, namely: Rosalie E. and Mercedes. Mrs. Erdice is a de- vout member of the Roman Catholic Church, but our subject has always been identified with the Presbyterian Church. At all times his polit- ical support is unswervingly given the Demo- cratic party. and in 1865 he was appointed by President Cleveland as postmaster of Brookville. which position he acceptably filled for four years

Born and reared on his father's farm, Will- and four months. When the present incumbent, . iam M. Stear, at the age of seventeen. entered

Mr. Richard, was appointed, Mr. Erdice was made deputy, and still retains his connection

upon a four-years' apprenticeship to the black- sinith's trade under his brother, John C., and for with the office. He is prompt and faithful in . his services during that time he received two the discharge of every duty, whether public or private, and his career has been such as to win but four days during the entire period, and on the confidence and esteem of all with whom he has come in contact.

W ILLIAM M. STEAR, postmaster of Ring- gold. and proprietor of the "Stear House," is one of the most widely known citi- zens of Jefferson county. Life has been to him a season of earnest labor. but as the result of his energy and perseverance he has accumulated a comfortable competence, while his sterling worth has gained him the highest regard of all with whom he has been brought in contact.

Mr. Stear was born February 18, 1849. in

Porter township, Jefferson county, a son of Fred- erick and Mary A. (Stitler) Stear, both of whom were natives of Northumberland county. The paternal grandfather, John Stear, was born in Sinking Valley, in the same county, and was of Scotch and German extraction. He followed merchandising and farming, and died at Snicks- burg, Penn. The maternal grandfather. Peter Stitler, was born at Sinking Valley, was an ag- riculturist, and also died in Smicksburg. The parents of our subject were married in Indiana county, and made their home there until 1836, when they removed to Porter township, Jeffer- son county, where the father carried on farming. He walked back to Northumberland county dur- ing the harvest season in pioneer days. He cut the first tree at Smicksburg, Penn., and was prominently identified with pioneer interests. He and his wife were members of the Lutheran Church, and in politics he was a Republican until after the war, when he became a Democrat. He died December 10, 1889, at the age of seventy- seven years, and his wife died in September, 1892, at the age of seventy-eight. Their chil- dren were: Susan, wife of William Moser, a farmer of Perry township, Jefferson county; Da- vid, who is living on the old homestead in Por- ter township; Peter, a farmer of East Mahoning township, Indiana county; Catherine and Eliza- beth, both deceased; John C., who operates a gristmill at North Point, Indiana county; Will- iam M. ; and Sarah M., deceased wife of James Brown, a farmer of Perrysville. Peter, John and William M. were associated in the carriage- manufacturing business until four years ago, when the first two retired.

suits of clothes valued at about $15. He lost the expiration of the four years he opened a shop at North Point, Indiana county, which he carried on for two years. He then reinoved to Perrys- ville, Jefferson county, where he conducted a smithy for four years, and on the ist of April, 18;7, he removed to Ringgold. Here he en- gaged in blacksmithing and in the manufacture of carriages for eight years, after which he pur- chased a farm and turned his attention to agri- cultural pursuits. He also secured the govern- ment contract to make daily trips with a stage between Punxsutawney and New Maysville, and was thus engaged for four years. He is now following blacksmithing at Walston for the Bell,

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

1192

Lewis & Yates' Mining Co., and until August 7, 1897, he was proprietor of the "Stear House," which on that date was, with its contents, de- stroyed by fire. After the fire he removed his family to Punxsutawney. He is a man of much energy and force of character, and in his busi- ness dealings has met with good success.

Mr. Stear was married, May 26, 1871, at North Point, Indiana county, to Miss Hulda J. London, who was born in Bell township, Jeffer- son county, October 22, 1853. She is a daugh- ter of Isaac and Eleanor (Origan) London, na- tives of Luzerne and Armstrong counties, re- spectively. Removing to Jefferson county, they settled in Perry township, but both died in Bell township, the father passing away in August. 1892, at the age of seventy-four, the mother in 1865, at the age of fifty-one. He was a school teacher in his earlier days. Mr. London devoted his life to farming and lumbering. He joined the Baptist Church when eighteen years of age, and was ever afterward a consistent member. Mrs. London was a daughter of John and Elizabeth B. (Porter) Origan, who came from Ireland and took up their residences in Perry township, Jef- ferson county, Penn., whence they removed to Putneyville, Armstrong county, where they spent their remaining days. Mr. Origan was a soldier in the war of 1812. The children of Mr. and Mrs. London were Sarah, deceased wife of Will- iam Rittenhouse, a farmer of Indiana county; Isaac M., deceased; Mary, deceased wife of Josiah Deemer, a farmer of Bell township, Jefferson county; Rodie Ann, deceased; John C., a lumber- : man of Forest county, Penn. ; Mrs. Stear; Isaac T., who has departed this life; Nathan A., a farmer living on the old homestead in Bell town- ship; and Elizabeth E., wife of Ward Wood, a farmer and stone mason of Punxsutawney.

The children of Mr. and Mrs. William M. Stear are: Albert C., born September 30, 1873. was for several years engaged in railroading for the Pennsylvania Co., but is now a successful photographer; Wilbert and Gilbert (twins), who were born July 7, 1875, and died in infancy: Daisy L., who was born May 13, 1877, was, on January 19. 1898, married to William C. Fack- iner, an enterprising young baker of Punxsutaw ney; Pearl C., born August 8, 1879: Charles, who was born October 11. 1881, and died on the 2nd of November, of that year; Homer, who was born February 4, and died February 20, 1883; Fred- erick W., born May 29, 1887; and Zane B., who was born January 25, 1894, and died on the 16th of June, following. The father of these has given his political support to the Democracy, and was appointed postmaster of Ringgold Novem-

ber 1, 1893, for a four-years' term. He has also served as assessor for three years, and supervisor and judge of elections. He belongs to the Junior Mechanics of Ringgold, and since 1874 has been a member of the Grange of Perry township. He holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is an active, earnest, Christian worker, who does all in his power to uplift liu- manity. His has been an honorable and useful life, and has won to him the high regard of all with whom he has been brought in contact.

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3, Part 18

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