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

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

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Mr. Hauck belongs to a well-known family of this section. Daniel Hauck, his father, was born in 1795, in Dauphin county, Penn., and after his marriage to Miss Catherine Herring, located near Howard Furnace, Centre county, on a farm on Bald Eagle Mountain, owned by Judge McKin- ney. He remained there six years, and in 1838 he removed to Hecla Furnace, in the same county, where he conducted a farmi for Davis Mckinney for three years. In 1841 he bought one hundred and seventy acres of land in McCalmont town- ship, Jefferson county, and moved his family there, the place beirg partly improved. with about twenty acres cleared. For the next six years he continued the work of improvement. and then he spent four years on a farm near Brook- ville, but about 1851 he returned to the McCal- mont farm, and resided there until his death in 1872. His wife passed away two years before. Of their ten children, the eldest. Joseph, was born in Union county. and. after removing to Jeffer- son county, was married to Miss Mercy A. Tin- dle, of that county, and locatei npon a farm in Bell township. Jefferson county. He died in ISSI leaving nine children, and his widow now resides in Punxsutawney. Isaac. who was born in C'mon county. was married, in 1842, to Miss Neal, and has since died in Centre county. (3 William, also a native of Union county, was mar- ried in Jefferson county to Miss Catherine Himes. of Reynoldsville. He was a miller by trade. and resided in Du Bois for some years previous to his death, which occurred in 1891. His widow Uriah, and family still reside in Du Bois. 4 who was born in Union county, was married in Jefferson county to Miss Katie Mundoed. of Ger- many, and purchased a farm in Bell township. Clearfield county, where he remained until his wife's death. He now lives with a son-in-law in Clearfield county. (5 Andrew, also born in

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Union county, married Miss Sarah Grube, of

Chickahominy river and took part in the battle Centre county, and settled upon his farm in Bell . of Fair Oaks, where they lost one hundred and township, Jefferson county, where he died in 1888 and his wife in 1886. They had six chil- dren-Mrs. David Rhodes, of McCalmont town- ship, Jefferson county; Henry, of Henderson township, in the same county; Joseph, who lives in Iowa; George, a resident of Bell township, Jef- ferson county ; Irwin, of Brockwayville, Penn., and Philip, a resident of Big Run borough. (6) Daniel, who was. born in Monroe township, Cen- tre county, went to Jefferson county with the fainily, and after his marriage to Miss Margaret Bigley. of Reynoldsville. settled in Perry town- ship, where he died in 1890. His wife died some years before. Of their three children the eldest, Miss Nancy Jane, resides with her brother; Will- iam is married and lives in Du Bois; Joseph was accidentally shot and killed at Reynoldsville when sixteen years old. (7) Robert. a native of Cen- tre county, accompanied his parents to Jefferson county, but in early manhood went to Kittan- ning, Armstrong county, Penn., where he mar- ried, and made his home until his death in 1893. He left four children. (8) Catherine was born in Centre county, and after the removal to Jef- ferson county was married there to Daniel Coder, of Brookville. They went to Ohio and after- ward to Denton county, Iowa, where Mr. Coder died, but she is still living there. (9) Jane, who was born in Centre county, married Joseph Shesley, of Reynoldsville, and they have a large family.

Thomas M. Hauck was born June 30, 1827, near Howard Furnace, and in 1841 accompanied the family to the new home 'in Jefferson county, where he grew to manhood. In 1855 he married Miss Sarah J. Gray, daughter of James L. and Mahilla Gray, who owned a valuable farming property in Bell township, Jefferson county. After his marriage Mr. Hauck bought a farm in the same township from Daniel Graffus, and made his home there until 1889. his attention being given to agriculture and lumbering. In 1862 he enlisted at Punxsutawney in Company F, 105th P. V. I., and was mustered in at Pittsburg. On going to Washington the regiment was sent to Colarama Heights to do picket duty, and after six months was transferred by boat to Fortress Mon- roe where they were organized as a part of Mc- Clellan's forces. They marched to Yorktown and took part in the siege, driving out the enemy in May, 1863, and pursuing them to Williams- burg. where they had built entrenchments. A fierce battle was fought there with heavy loss on both sides, but the victory was won by the Union Army. Mr. Hanck's regiment then crossed the

seventy-one nien. They were next sent to Sav- age Station, nine miles below Richmond, and after three weeks of guard duty marched onward to join in the seven-days' fight on the . Penin- sula." Their first engagement there was at Charles City Cross Road, and fromn that point they followed the Rebels to Malvern Hill, where another desperate battle was fought. ' During the seven days of bloodshed the Union forces lost fifteen thousand men and the Rebels over twenty thousand. When Mr. Hauck and his comrades reached Harrison's Landing he was taken sick and sent to Point Lookout hospital, where he re- mained four months, and on December 24. 1862, was discharged as permanently disabled. Return- ing home, he recovered, and in August. 1864, he re-enlisted at Punxsutawney as à veteran for one year or during the war, joining Company B, 206th P. V. I., under Capt. Neal. Going to Pittsburg he was mustered in at Camp Reynolds and sent to City Point, Va., by way of Baltimore, being assigned to the forces under General Butler. Their time was mainly occupied in picket duty and the building of forts at various places, and when Richmond fell that regiment was the first to enter the city, and go on guard. They re- mained until June, 1865, when orders came to march to Lynchburg to attack Mosby's guerrillas, who were making trouble there. After driving thein out the regiment returned to Richmond and on June 6, 1865, they were discharged. They returned to Baltimore by water, and from there proceeded by rail to Pittsburg where they were mustered out, and on July 4. 1865. Mr. Hauck arrived at home. He resumed his busi- ness, continuing it successfully for many years, but in 1889 he sold his property in Bell township and bought real estate in Big Run, where he has since resided. Politically he is a Republican with Prohibition tendencies. He and his wife are prominent members of the Lutheran Church in Bell township, and their sympathies are with every worthy cause.

Seven children have brightened their home: ( 1) James, born in February, 1855. died at the age of sixteen. (2) Daniel M., born in August, 1856, is single, and resides at Sugar Hill. Jeffer- son county, where he owns real estate. (3) Henry L., born August 29, 1868. is single, and lives at Medix Ran, Elk county. Penn. (4) Joseph C., born in May, 1861, is also unmarried. and resides in Oakland county. Mich. 5. Mar- tha E .. born in October, 1863. married Joseph Hannah. of Jefferson county, and resided in Du- Bois, where she died March 3. 1884. She left

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one son, William L., who, since his mother's death, has made his home with his grandparents. (6) May E., born in April, 1866, married Thomas J. Newcom, of Philadelphia, whose father was killed at Fredericksburg during the Civil war. After marriage they moved to Reynoldsville, where they now reside, and they have one son, Thomas N. (7) Emma S., born in January, 1868, was educated in Bell township, Jefferson county, and married Jacob Henry, of Armstrong county. Pennsylvania. They now reside in Gas- kill township. Jefferson county, and have six children-Nancy J., Joseph N., Lottie, Mabel, Cyrus, and one whose nanie is not given.

TAMES C. KING, M. D., is engaged in the practice of medicine in Reynoldsville. With- in the past few decades there has been a most marked advancement in the science of medicine, and with the improvement which is continually carried forward, Dr. King has kept apace. With a comprehensive and accurate un- derstanding of the principles and methods of the medical science he has achieved excellent snc- cess as a practitioner, and his marked ability ranks him high in his chosen calling.

The Doctor was born March 17. 1841. in Clarion county, Penn. Jacob King, his father, was born in Centre county, this State, but dur- ing his youth removed to Clarion county, where he later married Sarah A. Corbett. Early in life he learned the miller's trade, but followed it for only a short time, giving the greater part of his attention to the quiet but honorable pursuit of farming. All who know him respect him for his sterling worth. In 1892 he laid aside business cares and removed to Reynoldsville, where he and his estimable wife are now living retired at the age of eighty-four and eighty years, respect- ively.

Dr. King received his primary education in the district schools of his native county, and re- mamed on the home farm until fifteen years of age, when he entered the academy in Dayton, Armstrong Co., Penn., where he pursued his studies for about three years. On the comple- tion of his literary education he took up the study of medicine in the office and under the direction of Dr. R. B. Brown, of Smumerville. Jefferson county, and later entered the medical department of the University of New York City, where he was graduated in 186 ;. He at once began practice, establishing an office at Rockdale Mills, Penn., but after eighteen months came to Reynoldsville, and soon demonstrated his right to a place among the leading physicians of the

county. He has prospered from the beginning, and enjoys a liberal and lucrative practice. He belongs to both the County and State Medical Societies.

In 1869 the Doctor was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth A. Coleman, of Clarion county, and by this union have been born eight children, namely: Dr. Harry B., who is engaged in the practice of medicine in Reynoldsville: Dr. R. De Vere, a dentist of Reynoldsville: Charles L .; Katie M. ; Frank; J. Craig; and two deceased. The parents are members of the Baptist Church, and Dr. King is serving as one of its trustees. In politics he is a conservative Democrat, voting with that party on questions of national impor- tance, but casting his ballot independent of party ties at the elections where no issue is involved.

W TILLIAM TULLY VAN WOERT, who is now living retired in Sykesville, Jefferson county, has had an eventful and interesting life. A frontiersman on the prairies of the Northwest, a soldier of the Civil war, and an Indian fighter on the Plains, his various experiences if written out in detail would prove a story more thrilling than that of the novelist. He is now living quietly at a pleasant home in Sykesville, resting in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil.

Mr. Van Woert was born June 3. 1838, in Rotterdam, N. Y., a son of Dr. Abraham and Lucena ( Ransom) Van Woert, who were also natives of the State of New York. It is believed that this family is the same that furnished the distinguished officers to the Colonial service in the war of the Revolution. The paternal grand- parents of our subject were Jacob and Jemima (Scoutman) Van Woert, who spent their entire lives in Saratoga connty, N. Y., where also lived William and Seania Ransom, the maternal grand- parents of our subject.

The parents of William Tully Van Woert also resided for many years in Saratoga county. where the father successfully practiced medicine. He was a man of superior intellect and endow- ments and strong mental force, who possessed considerable poetical talent and was also a his- torian of note. In his early life he was a mem- ber of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. but later he left that order and became a mein- ber of the Baptist Church. He died in 1848. at the age of thirty-four years, and his widow passed away in 1856 at the age of forty-five. They were buried at Clifton Park. Saratoga Co., N. Y. They had four children: William T .: Caroline, who became the wife of Henry Miller. of Brooklyn. . N. Y .. and died in Troy, that State. in 1874;

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John, who died at the age of fourteen years; and Miss Lucena, of Troy, New York.

William T. Van Woert's father died when the son was but ten years of age. The son re- mained with his mother until eighteen, then started west with the intention of living with an uncle in Milwaukee, Wis., but after two weeks spent at that place he resumed his travels, going to Wabasha county, Minn. His experience in the West was in many respects a very interesting and exciting one. That section of the country was then very wild. Settlements were few, the land was still in its primitive condition, Indians were numerous in that portion of the State, and wild game, including buffalo and deer, was fre- quently seen. Young Van Woert was only about nineteen years of age when he went to Minnesota, and there he followed farming, hunting and trap- ping. After working for a time on the farm of his uncle in Wabasha county, he went to Hen- derson, which had just been laid out, the trees

In 1880 Mr. Van Woert took up his residence in Mifflin county, Penn., since which time he being so thick that it was almost impossible to 'has lived successively in Philipsburg, Indiana see from one house to another. There were also county, Big Run and Sykesville. In politics he about 1, 000 Sioux Indians camped near the place, : is.a Republican, but has never sought or desired political honors. He is a very popular and highly esteemed citizen, and has a large circle of friends in his locality.

but many people were moving in from the East, and our subject had plenty of work, taking an important part in the development of the new town. While he was located there the first In- dian massacre in the State occurred, the settlers at Spirit Lake being killed by the Indians under the leadership of Inkpaduta. In 1858 Mr. Van- Woert drove a mule team to the mouth of Red . Lake river, and on his return was employed by : Major Brown, the Indian agent, to go to the agency sixty miles above Fort Ridgely, on the Minnesota river, to help make brick and build houses for the Indians, and also a government : warehouse there. In 1859 he made preparations to go to Pikes Peak, and proceeded to Leaven- worth, Kans., but finding no wagon to haul his 1 supplies to the Peak, he. proceeded by boat to St. Louis, thence he returned to Henderson, Minu .. and engaged in hauling goods from there to the Indian agency.

In 1861 Mr. Van Woert enlisted in the First Minnesota Regiment, which did gallant service in the Civil war. He continued with that com- . mand for twenty-three months, participating in the battles from first Bull Run to Antietam, and in the latter a bullet pierced his trousers near the left knee. On being mustered out he returned to Minnesota and engaged as cook to the Tenth Regiment, which. under command of Lieut. James Gorman, was engaged in fighting the Indians on the frontier. The following year he enlisted in Company 1. 10th M. V. I., in which he served for more than a year, then returned to

his Minnesota home. In 1866 he joined a wagon train, en. route for Montana, and, after many hardships and trials, at length reached Helena. In that then wild western district he engaged in mining, and also acted as recorder at Pioneer Gulch. After a few years he sold his interest there and returned to Henderson, Minn., but finding that many of his old friends had moved away, he started on foot to Duluth, and from that place proceeded to Buffalo, N. Y., thence to Manassas, Va., to New York, and Hartford. Conn. He worked in Troy, N. Y., for a short time, then returned to the West, and after living in Cedar Falls, lowa, for a short period, engaged | with a surveying party that surveyed a large tract of land along the Red River of the North. When this was accomplished he made a trip to north- ern Michigan, and secured a soldier's homestead. but after a short time sold out.

T ATILLIAM F. BEYER, M. D. The Beyer family in Pennsylvania is descended from Abram Beyer, who came to America from Hol- land in 1736. He was originally from Silesia. Austria, from whence the family were driven by religious persecution, going to Holland with some followers of Casper Schwenckfeld, who entered the Reformation with Martin Luther and were known as Schwenckfelders.

Our subject, a resident of Punxsutawney, Jefferson county, one of the leading physicians of this section, was born in 1851 in Indiana county, Penn., where Samuel Beyer, his father. who is also a native of Pennsylvania. settled about 1850, and, after working for a time at the carpenter's trade, located upon a farm. Samuel Bever followed agricultural pursuits until 1888 when he retired from active business, and is now living in Punxsutawney, in the enjoyment of ex- cellent health, at the age of seventy-three years. His wife, who was Caroline Feltwell, a native of Clearfield county, passed to the unseen life in 1869, leaving the memory of a character in which rare womanliness was exemplified. Dr. Bever received his elementary education in the district schools near his early home, and subse- quently took an academic course at Dayton, Armstrong Co., Penn., where he was prepared

WHBeyer M.D.

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for college. Lack of means, however, prevented him from carrying out his plans in that direction, and he began the study of medicine with Dr. C. McEwen, as preceptor. In 1879 he completed the course in Jefferson Medical College, Phila- delphia, and at once located at Punxsutawney, where he soon established an extensive practice. He has been the local surgeon for the P. & N. W. R. R. ever since its construction. He is still an ardent student of the science of healing,. keeping well abreast of the advance of modern thought. In 1892 he took a post-graduate course upon the treatment of the eye. His progressive spirit is recognized among his pro- fessional brethren, who are best able to appre- ciate zeal. He is a prominent member of the Jefferson County Medical Society, of which he has been president, and of the Pennsylvania State Medical Society; and of the American Medical Association. He has served as delegate from the first named organization. He is a past grand in the I. O. O. F., with which he has been identified for twenty-four years, and he has twice held the office of district deputy. Politically his sympathies have always been with the Republic- an. party, and, while he is not an office seeker, he makes his influence felt on the side of protec- tion and honest money. Notwithstanding his arduous professional labors, and the attention given to local affairs, the Doctor is prominent also in business circles. He is president of the Electric Light & Power Co., and of the Citizens Bank of Punxsutawney. He is president of the Board of Health of Punxsutawney. He was one of the organizers of Punxsutawney Water Com- pany, and has been a director in the same ever since its organization.

In 1880 Dr. Beyer was united in marriage with Miss Maggie A. Mitchell, of Punxsutawney, . and their home is brightened by three children: Samuel Meigs, Mary Elanor and Margaret Vir- ginia. The Doctor and his wife are Methodists in faith, he being a trustee in the Church.

D AVID L. SMEYRES, a wealthy and influ- ential resident of the borough of Big Run, Jefferson county, is prominently identified with the agricultural and lumbering interests of that locality, and is also a leader in the various pro- gressive movements which mark the development of the community. As a citizen he is highly es- teemed, and by his gallant service as a soldier during the Civil war, he did credit to an ancestry which was distinguished in Colonial days for courage and patriotism.

His grandfather, Philip Smeyres, served in

the Continental army in the war of the Revolu- tion, and also in the war of 1812. With such blood in his veins it is not strange that our sub- ject should have been found among the defenders of the Union in the days of the Rebellion; three other brothers also fought for the old flag, one of theni being severely wounded, and two having suffered the horrors of imprisonment, confined in Libby prison, Richmond. Virginia.

The Smeyres family is of German origin. The head of the branch under consideration set- tled in Maryland at an early day, where, in 1749. Philip Smeyres, our subject's grandfather. was born; he was also there reared and married. Late in life he moved to Cambria county, Penn., to pass his remaining years. Daniel Smeyres, our subject's father, was born in 1806, in Mary- land, and, coming to Pennsylvania with his parents during boyhood, was reared in Cambria county. In 1827 he married Miss Annie Berin- ger, a native of the locality and a daughter of John Beringer, whose wife was formerly a Miss Lefler. In 1849 Daniel Smeyres located at Bells Mills, Jefferson county, and some years later moved to Big Run, where he purchased real- estate which he improved for a homestead, build- ing a house and barn and otherwise developing the place. Afterwards he bought a tract of tim- ber land on Big run, where, with two sons, Ben- jamin and George, as partners, he erected a saw- mill, run by water power, and for a number of years carried on the manufacture of lumber on an extensive scale for that day. He died at his home at Big Run, at the advanced age of eighty- two years, and the worthy wife, who had shared all the hardships of his early life, passed away in 1874, aged sixty-eight years. They had eight children, all but one of whom were born in Cam- bria county, Penn .: (r) John, born in 1829. married Miss Maggie Rinehart, of Jefferson coun- ty, and bought and settled up a farm in Bell town- ship, in the saine county, where he died in 1896. His wife died about twenty years ago, leaving four children-Scott, Benjamin, Renben and Emeline (now Mrs. Stagerts, of Jefferson county).

(2) William, born in 1831, married Miss Caro- line Rapine, of Indiana county, Penn .. and after residing there for some time removed to Big Run. where he is now engaged in the shoe business. They have four children-Alphie, George, Etta and Haseltine.

(3) Philip, born in 1833. married (first, Miss Rinehart, of Jefferson county, and made his home in Bell township until her death. She left one daughter, Amanda now Mrs. Christ Rupert). with whom the bereaved husband removed to Big Run. When the Civil war broke out he en-

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

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listed in Company B, 206th P. V. I., and served in the Army of the James under Gen. Grant, participating in all the battles of his regiment. After he returned he followed lumbering at Big Run until his death. His second wife, Amelia Rhodes, with four children-Curtin, Viola, Jane and Alice-survives him.

(4) Benjamin, born 1835, was married in 1861 to Miss Cynthia Cupler, of Jefferson county, and, in August of the same year, enlisted in Com- pany A, 62nd P. V. I., with Col. Black, of Pitts- burg, and was assigned to the Army of the Poto- mac, under McClellan. During the seven-days' · fight at Malvern Hill he was wounded in the right leg, and lay for eight days on the battle- field. He was then captured by the enemy and taken to Libby prison, where he remained two months. His wound was neglected during all that time, and when exchanged he was nearly dead. He came home where careful nursing re- stored his health; but nothing daunted by his previous experience, he re-enlisted in Company B, 206th P. V. I., and remained in the service until mustered out in July, 1865. Later he en- gaged in the lumber business with his father, continuing until his death. His first wife died soon after his return from the army, and left no children; but by his second wife, Eliza Crissman, who survived hin several years, he had four children-David B., John D., Margaret E., and Andrew P.

(5) Lucinda J., born in 1837, married Balger Stiver, of Union county, Penn., and they now reside in Shellsburg, Iowa, where Mr. Stiver owns real estate. They have children-Webster. Emalin, John, James, Maude, and Lura.

(6) David L., our subject, is mentioned at length farther on.

(7) DANIEL. J., born in March, 1843, enlisted, in 1861, in Company A, 105th P. V. I., with Capt. John Hastings, of Punxsutawney, and served in the Army of the Potomac under Mc- Clellan. They encamped on Lee's farm at i Franklin Hill. Va., and were there for a month , before they were uniformed and equipped. Their first engagement was a skirmish near Alexandria. Va., in April. 1862. Later they went by boat from Alexandria to Fortress Monroe and engaged the Rebels at Williamsburg, and again at Savage Station. They fought all through the seven- days' campaign near Charles City Cross Roads, and Mr. Smeyres was captured there and taken by way of Fort Darling to Libby prison. There he remained until September 25, 1862, having an attack of typhoid fever in the meantime; and on being finally paroled and released from the loathsome place. he, on reaching Baltimore, was

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

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