Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3, Part 27

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 27
USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 27
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 27
USA > Pennsylvania > Clarion County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 27

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R OBERT BUCHANAN STEWART. There are many reasons why a history of Jef- ferson county would not be complete without the life history of this gentleman. He is one of its extensive farmers, one of its worthy sons, and a man who in all the relations of life is true to every duty and to those principles which form the basis of all morality and honorable dealing.

Born in Brush Valley, Indiana Co., Penn., July 16, 1835, Mr. Stewart is a son of Samuel and Elizabeth (McFarland) Stewart, natives of Pennsylvania. The paternal grandparents were born in Ireland, and located in Penn- sylvania, east of the mountains, in pioneer days. John McFarland, the maternal grand- father, was also born in Ireland, and became one of the early settlers of Indiana county. Samuel Stewart followed farming in his younger days, also operated a tannery and a distillery. He died in Indiana county, in January, 1882, at the age of eighty-three years. He was three times mar- ried. He wedded Jane Wilson, and their chil- dren were-Joseph, who entered the Union army, and has never been heard from since; James, who died in the State of Indiana; and Matthew, who was a Southern soldier, and has not been heard from since the war. For his second wife Mr. Stewart chose Elizabeth McFarland, who died in 1867. at the age of sixty-seven years, and was buried in Brush Valley township. Her chil- dren were: Robert Buchanan; Miriam, widow of Nelson Lomison, of Johnstown, Penn. ; Nathaniel W., a farmer of Indiana county; William M., a a farmer of the same county; and Samuel M., of Knoxdale, Penn. For his third wife Samuel Stewart chose Margaret Virtue, and they had one son, John, who was killed by falling on a saw in a sawmill, at the age of twenty-one years.

Robert Buchanan Stewart, the subject of this review, was reared on his father's farm until nine- teen years of age. Later he purchased a farm of 150 acres in Centre township, Indiana county, for $1,490. He borrowed $100 to make the first

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payment, and in 186; he sold the property for $3,480. He then purchased a half interest in a tannery, in Homer City, for $2, 300, becoming a partner of Peter Johnson. This did not prove profitable, and he suspended business after three years, selling his interest in the same for $500 in 1892. On abandoning tlie tannery, he turned his attention to the lumber business, and for six years continued his partnership with Mr. Johnson. They purchased a mill, and in 1868 dissolved partnership, each taking one sawmill as his share of the business. Almost continu- ously since Mr. Stewart has operated a sawmill in Jefferson, Clearfield or in Armstrong counties, and has made this a profitable source of income. Since 1874 he has resided upon his present farm, comprising 580 acres, of which 350 acres are cleared and under a high state of cultivation. . In 1885 he raised 1,000 bushels of wheat, besides other grain. He has operated as many as five sawmills at one time, and during the financial panic of 1873 he carried on two sawmills in Knox township. On the breaking out of the Civil war Mr. Stewart enlisted, in April, 1861, in Company H, 12th Pennsylvania Reserves. His company and regiment joined the Army of the Potcmac, and took part in all the general engagements up to the time of its muster-out of the service by reason of the expiration of its term of service, June 1, 1864. Our subject was wounded in the arın.

On November 22, 1864, Mr. Stewart was married to Miss Sarah J. Johnson, daughter of Peter Johnson. She died July 3, 1871, and was buried in Homer City, Penn. Their child is Orlando, a farmer of Knox township, Jefferson county, who married Flora Bell, and has six children. For his second wife Mr. Stewart chose Miss Dillie L. Sebring, the wedding taking place at Bellview, February 5. 1878. She was born in Indiana county and was reared at Greenville. Her parents are William and Sarah (Fyock) Sebring, who were married in Mechanicsburg, Penn., in April, 1851. The father was a car- penter, but during his last days lived retired. He died in Greenville, Penn., at the age of eighty- three years, and his wife is now living with Mrs. Stewart. She was born in Somerset county, Penn., November 14, 1825, and is a daughter of David and Mary (Hoffman) Fyock, who died in Indiana county. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Sebring are: Albert, a farmer and carpenter of Knox township; Mary, wife of Albert Knabb, a stave manufacturer of Pittsburg, Penn., who also manufactures barrels in Warren, Penn. ; Ellis, who resides upon a part of our subject's farin; and Mrs. Stewart.

The children of our subject and his present wife are: Maud C. (wife of Samuel G. Lowery, a carpenter of Clarion county, Penn., by whom she has one child), Blanche R., I. Norris, M. Truby, Inez A. and Rheba M. The family is one of prominence in the community, its mem- bers moving in the best circles of society. They attend the United Brethren Church of Knoxdale, of which our subject has served as steward for the past ten years. He has held a number of township offices, discharging his duties with marked fidelity and'ability, and his political sup- port is given the Republican party. He is a public-spirited and progressive citizen who with- holds his support from no enterprise calculated to prove of public benefit. His business interests have been so capably managed that, entirely through his own efforts, he has accumulated a handsome competence that now enables him to practically lay aside all business cares, save the management of his real-estate interests.

A LEXANDER D. DEEMER, of Brookville, Jefferson county, is a self-made man. He started in business with no capital save his abil- ity, but fortune has smiled upon him, and it is pleasing to note that his success has not caused him to forget the path by which he came, or to cease to sympathize with those with whom life has dealt less kindly. ·

Mr. Deemer is a native of Pennsylvania, born December 24, 1848, in Jefferson county, a son of William and Mary (Sheasley) Deemer. both natives of Westmoreland county, Penn. The father, who was a man of quiet, unassuming dis- position, followed agricultural pursuits through- out his life, dying in 1886; his wife passed away in 1858. Jonathan Deemer, grandfather of our subject, was a pioneer farmer, coming from Westmoreland county, Penn., to Jefferson coun- ty in 1783. He married Barbara Pifer, a Penn- sylvanian by birth, and five children were born to them: Peter, John, William, Alexander and Hannah (widow of George Rhoades, formerly of Kansas, where she now lives). Alexander D. Deemer's maternal grandfather, also a native of Pennsylvania, had children as follows: Joseph, David, Simon, Jackson, John, Catherine and Sarah. all of whom are yet living except John. who died in the Civil war.

The subject of this sketch, in his youth. shared the disadvantages as well as the advan- tages of country life, receiving only a district school education. Remaining at the home farm until the age of seventeen, he was then appren- ticed to a blacksmith, with whom he spent three

A. D. Deemer

8 & Deemer

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

years learning the trade. On completing his term of service he began the business on his own" account, at Emerickville, Jefferson county, where he conducted the business for about fifteen years. He then engaged in the bark and lumber busi- ness, with which he has ever since been promi- nently identified; he has also been for some time extensively engaged in mercantile pursuits, own- ing a large and well-stocked establishment at Brookville, Jefferson county; he also, in company with S. V. Shick, has a general store at Rey- noldsville, in addition to a grocery store. He is a member of the Brookville Furniture Co., whose factory he operates, it having been leased to him for a term of years. On May 7, 1871, he was married to Miss Sarah J. Bussert, daughter of Henry and Catherine (Snyder) Bussert, well- known citizens of Jefferson county, and their union has been blessed with five children: Mabel is the wife of B. M. Moore, bookkeeper at the furniture factory; Nora E. is the wife of Lawyer John M. White, burgess of the borough; and Franklin C., Lawrence V. and Amer M. are at home.

Mrs. Deemer's parents were born in Schuyl- kill county, Penn., the father in 1827, the mother in 1825. They had two children: Catherine (Mrs. Benninger, of Emerickville, Penn.); and Sarah J. (Mrs. Deemer). Samuel Bussert, the grandfather, a native of Schuylkill county, was four times married, first to a Miss Wetzel, and in an early day they became pioneers of Jefferson county. They had four children: Lucy, Eliza, Catherine, and Henry (Mrs. Deemer's father ). By the second marriage there were no children; by the third there were Harriet, Samuel, Charles, John, Elias-and Amanda; and by the fourth mar- riage there were born three sons: Emanuel, Si- mon and George. Frederick Snyder, the maternal grandfather of Mrs. Deemer, was also a native . of Pennsylvania. He had a family of seven children, namely: Benjamin, Israel, Peter, Sam- uel, Catherine (Mrs. Deemer's inother), Susan and Harriet.

. Mr. and Mrs. Alexander D. Deemer are prom- inent members of the M. E. Church, in which Mr. Deemer holds the office of steward. He is identified with the following fraternal orders: The F. & A. M., P. O. S. of A., and the 1. O. O. F., in which latter organization he is a past grand. While his attention has been given closely to his business interests, it has always been his aim to use his capital in a manner to furnish employment for those who depend for their livelihood upon their own labor. He is thoroughly progressive in his ideas, and is deeply interested in all that concerns the public wel-

fare. For twenty years he has affiliated with the Prohibition party, and although no "official bee in his bonnet " has ever disturbed him, he is justly regarded as one of the strongest advocates of the principles of that organization in his locality.

T HOMAS GREEN, senior member of the firm of Green & Consor, the gentlemanly proprietors of the "Imperial Hotel," of Rey- noldsville, Penn.,, was born at that place in 1859, his parents being Harrison and Mary (Spencer) Green, also natives of Pennsylvania, where they spent their entire lives. During his youth the father had learned the blacksmith's trade, which he followed for some time, and was an indus- trious, highly respected man. His wife died in 1887, and he passed away two years later.

Mr. Green, whose name introduces this sketch, obtained a limited education in the public schools of Reynoldsville. At the age of eighteen years he was thrown upon his own resources for a live- lihood, and has since engaged in various kinds of labor by which he might make an honest dollar. In 1889, in partnership with Mr. Consor, he took charge of " Hotel Belnap " in Reynoldsville, and in this venture they met with good success, con- ducting the house until 1894, when they removed to their present location, which is one of the best sites for a hotel in the village. Here they erected the " Imperial Hotel." a well-appointed house, convenient and comfortable, containing twenty-eight sleeping rooms, commodious par- lors, baths and all modern improvements. It was opened to the public on the Ist of January, 1897, and is securing a good class of patronage, as its proprietors attend carefully to the needs of their guests.

In September, 1888, Mr. Green was married to Miss Mary Shannon, of Reynoldsville, and they now have four children: Frances, Florence, Pauline and John. The mother is a sincere and earnest member of the Catholic Church. In politics, Mr. Green is identified with the Repub- lican party, while socially he holds membership in the Benevolent and Patriotic Order of Elks. A courteous, genial gentleman, he has made inany friends, and holds an enviable place in the busi- ness and social circles of the community, where he has always found a pleasant home.

E DWARD C. BURNS, proprietor of a well- known livery business in Reynoldsville, Jef- ferson county, was born, September 18, 1859, in Ridgway, Elk Co., Penn., a son of John Charles and Sarah L. (Schultze) Burns. The father is a

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native of Maine, whence, when about seventeen years of age, he came to this State, where he ob- tained employment in the woods, and was a lum- ber dealer and contractor until 1871, in which year he came to Reynoldsville, and engaged in the hotel business. This he continued in until 1892, when he had the misfortune to lose his wife, since which time he has lived in retirement.

Edward C. Burns obtained his education in the common schools, which he would attend dur- ing the winter, while through the summer months he was employed as a stage driver. He contin- ued to assist his father in various ways until nine- teen years of age, when he left the parental roof and started out in life for himself. For two years, however, he gave his earnings to his par -. ents, who had a large family and were in rather limited circumstances. After attaining his ma- jority Mr. Burns was engaged in lumbering for four years, and then leased a stone quarry and also a coal mine, which he operated. Besides delivering the stone and coal, he engaged in gen- eral teaming, and, in 1891, embarked in the liv- ery business at Reynoldsville, which he has since successfully conducted, having a large and well- equipped stable.

In 1881, Mr. Burns was married to Miss Cora Kennedy, of Sharon, Mercer Co., Penn., and they have four children, named respectively: Bert Stanley, Charles Edward, Frank Alvin and Hallie Naylor. Mrs. Burns is a consistent mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Socially Mr. Burns affiliates with the Senior O. U. A. M. and with the K: of P., in which latter he has served as past chancellor, and has represented the order in the grand lodge. Politically. he is a recognized leader in the ranks of the Republican party in his community, for two terms he served as chairman of the county central committee, and has done much to advance the interests of his party. He has satisfactorily filled a number of local offices, and, in 1896, he was the can- didate of his party for the office of sheriff of Jefferson county. At the election held on the 3d of November of that year it was shown that he received the flattering majority of over 2,000 votes, thus indicating his personal popularity and the confidence and trust his fellow-citizens repose in him. He is a typical self-made inan, a genial, courteous gentleman, a pleasant and entertaining companion, and has many stanch and admiring friends among all classes of men.

P J. ANTHONY. The heavily timbered lands of Jefferson county have furnished a tempt- ing field for the lumberman's axe as the eastern

forests were gradually cleared away, and the soil. when once prepared for cultivation, has been equally profitable to the shrewd and thrifty ag- riculturist. Among the first to appreciate the advantage of the locality was Levi Anthony. the well-known pioneer of Henderson township, who settled there with his family, and after passing through all the hardships incident to frontier life secured a comfortable home. He and his esti- inable wife did much to develop the social life of the locality, and he was largely instrumental in organizing the 'affairs of the township. Their children, reared under the influence of such pro- gressive and public-spirited parents, have always shown the same admirable characteristics, and their son, P. J. Anthony, of Big Run, whose biography we now present, is among the leading citizens of the township.

Jacob Anthony, our subject's grandfather, spent his early years in the city of Philadelphia. but afterward located on a farm in Indiana coun- ty, Penn. Of his three sons, William, David and Levi, the first two remained in Indiana coun- ty, where both married and left at death families to continue the name.

Levi Anthony, the father of our subject, was born in Indiana county August 15, 1798, and on arriving at manhood married Miss Mary Miller. of the same county. For a time he continued to reside at the old homestead, which he had helped to clear, but in 1840 he sold out his interests and removed to Henderson township. Jefferson coun- ty, where he purchased eight hundred acres of timber land four miles east of the present vil- lage of Big Run. There he built a log house and barn, and otherwise improved the place for a permanent honte. For many years the clearing of the forest occupied the greater part of his time, and during this time he made and rafted square timber to Pittsburg and other western points. His wife died in 1854, and he survived her only seven years, passing away in 1861. They had twelve children, nine of whom were born in Indiana county: (1) Jacob, born No- vember 8, 1822, came to Jefferson county with his parents, and after his marriage to Miss Lu- zetta Enterline, of that county, made his home on the east branch of the Mahoning river, where he and one of his brothers had established a saw- mill. He continued in the same business all his life, and in 1896 he died there leaving a widow and ten children, Alpheus, Dawling. Elmer. and Abner are all married; Austin is single; Elmira (Mrs. Albert Smith), of Punxsutawney: Havilla ( Mrs. Ketter) resides in DuBois; Retta married Mr. Matthias, of Jefferson county; Annis married Mr. Beams; and Joannah is single. (2) Robert.

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born March 20, 1824, is a resident of Frostburg, Jefferson county. He married Miss Elizabeth Calhoun, of Armstrong county, and has several children. (3) Margaret, born January 31, 1826, married (first) Charles Clepper. of Clearfield, who died while serving in the Union army during the Civil war. She afterward married John Foltz, of Jefferson county, and lived on a part of her father's homestead until her death, which occurred in 1890 By her first marriage she had three daughters, Mary, Lydia and Sarah. (4) Mary, born January 24, 1828, married James Knox, of Indiana county, and resided there until her death, some years ago. She left no family. (5) Elizabeth, born March 20, 1830, married William Bowers, of Jefferson county, and resided on a farm in Gaskill township until her death. She had four children, Mary, Henrietta, Jane and William, all of whom are married. (6) Nancy J., born March 3, 1832, married John Furlong, of Armstrong county, Penn., and they now reside on a farm in Kansas. They have several children. (7) Henry, born July 16, 1834, married Miss Crookshanks, and moved to Kansas about twenty-five years ago. He died there leaving five children-Harry, Elsie, Annie, John and Sarah, all of whom reside in Kansas. (8) P. J., our subject, is mentioned more fully farther on. (9) Levi, born January 11, 1839, died at the age of five years. (10) James D. was born May 3, 1840, after the removal to Jeff- erson county, and was reared there. He served one year in the Union army during the Civil war, a member of Company F, 105th P. V. I. He married Miss Maggie McKee, of the same county, and located in Bell township, Clearfield county, where he bought 500 acres of timber land, and engaged in lumbering. He died in 1883, his wife surviving him with one daughter, Lillie, who re- sides in Brookville. (11) W. H., born June 17, 1844, in Jefferson county, enlisted, in 1861, in Company F, 105th P. V. I., under Captain Kirk. of Clearfield, and it is supposed that he was killed in the battle of the Wilderness, though no definite information was ever obtained. (12) Ruth Eve- line, born September 14. 1846, in Jefferson county, married Henry Socksman, of Armstrong county, and they now reside on a farm near Luthersburg, Penn. They have several children.

four years they resided at the homestead where he engaged in agriculture and lumbering on his own account. He then sold out and removed to Indiana county, purchasing a farm near Covode, and remaining three years. On disposing of that place he returned to Jefferson county, and bought one hundred and thirty acres of timber land on the east branch of the Mahoning, where he continued his lumbering operations. About 1870 he purchased the Keppel farm on Stump creek, two miles east of Big Run, and he has ever since made his home there. He has cleared a large number of acres, taking out the stumps, and to-day has one of the well-cultivated farms of the township. In 1894 he built a fine two- story residence with all the modern improve- ments, and everything about the place suggests thrift and enterprise. Politically Mr. Anthony is a Republican, and he comes of the good Old- line Whig stock from which the anti-slavery element was so largely recruited. He has never been an office seeker, although he wields much influence in a quiet way, and the only position he ever held was that of school director, in which he served one term. As members of the M. E. Church at Big Run, he and his wife are actively interested in all forms of religious work.

Eight children have blessed their home, of whom four are living: (1) Amy A., born April 8, 1864, married T. J. London, formerly of Jeffer- son county, and now one of the enterprising business men of Bell township, Clearfield county, where he owns a farm and a tract of timber land. They have four children-Della, Mary, Orin and Ollie. (2) Camden, born January 15. 1866. is a leading dentist of Du Bois. He married Miss Mary Zufall, of Henderson township. Jefferson county, and has one child. Ethel R. (3) Joseph, born June 21, 1869, died in 1880 from diphtheria. (4) Albert, born October 26, 1871, was educated in the common schools near his home and in the Normal School of Clarion county, and was an exceptionally bright student. At present he is teaching with marked success in the public schools in Henderson township. He is not mar- ried. (5) John, born October 31, 1873, received a cominon-school education, and is now engaged in farming at the homestead with his father. He married Miss Edith Rugh, of the same township. and has one daughter, Verona E. (6) Eliza, born May 31, 1876, died of diphtheria April 6, 1880. (7) Sadie, born March 5. 18;9, and (3) Maggie, born February 24. 1882, were accidentally drowned on June 8, 1885, while bathing in Stump creek, near their father's home. with two of their young friends, Cora Rugh and Rosy

P. J. Anthony, the subject proper of this sketch was born September 24, 1836, at the old home in Indiana county, and was but a child when he was taken to Jefferson county, where he grew to manhood, his education being secured in the lo- cal schools, while he assisted his father as he could in farming and lumbering. On May 7, 1863 he married Miss Rachel Cochran, and for Rynen, the daughters of neighbors. All four

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were bright and attractive girls, beloved through- out the community, where the sad occurrence caused a profound shock. At their funeral, which took place a few days later in the cemetery at Big Run, an immense throng assembled in token .of sympathy with the bereaved parents, being probably the largest congregation of people that was ever drawn together in Jefferson county.

J AMES CRAIG, inside foreman of Eleanor Coal Mine, No. 2, at Eleanor, Jefferson county, is a man whose energy, ability and faithfulness to duty, have made him invaluable to his employers, and at the same time have given him a high standing in the community which he has chosen for a home. In fact, he possesses the admirable characteristics of the ** canny. Scot " in full measure, as well he may, having descended from a family which has for generations resided near Glasgow, Scotland. William Craig, our subject's father, who was born in 1831, in that locality, now resides there, at Springburn, where he follows the trade of machinist and locomotive builder. He and his wife, Jane (Kyle), who was born in 1833, are both devout members of the Presbyterian Church. Of their nine children our subject was the only one to come to America, the others re- maining near the old home. William is a ma- chinist; Andrew is a boiler maker; James, our subject, is the next in order of birth; Jessie married William Johnson, manager of a mine; Margaret is a dressmaker; Jane lives at home; Alexander is a machinist; Uphama is married, and Marian is at home.

James Craig was born February 1, 1859, at Bishopbriggs, near Glasgow, and at an early age began to gather a practical experience in worldly matters that has since been of service to him. : At thirteen he began working in a coal mine, and at fifteen entered a machine shop where he spent two and one-half years. He then resumed the work of mining, and continued thereat some years, his home being with his parents until he reached the age of nineteen. In June, 1881, he came to the United States, and for the first year was employed in a coal mine at Arnot, Ti- oga county, Penn. The next five years were spent in Elk county, Penn., in similar work, and then he went to the State of Washington, where he remained but a short time, returning to his former employment in Elk county. In 1891 he took a position with Bell, Lewis & Yates, as foreman of a mine at Du Bois, and after nine months was transferred to his present post at the Eleanor Mine, Nos. 1, 2 and 3, which the

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3, Part 27

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