Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3, Part 30

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 30
USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 30
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 30
USA > Pennsylvania > Clarion County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 30

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Our subject, on leaving the public school at the age of nineteen, began his business career as a clerk. He spent four years in the employ of William Patton, in a general store at Limestone, and during this time studied in the academy one term. He then left the parental roof, and going to Carrollton, N. Y., spent one year in the office of the N. Y. & L. E. R. R. Co. Entering the employ of Sampson Company, he clerked for two years in their general store at Larabee,

Penn., and in the spring of 1885 went to Beech -Tree, Jefferson county, in their interests, remain- ing three years. Desiring a course in a business college, he spent one term in studying at Brad- ford, Penn., and his next employment was in the post office there as mail and registry clerk. In August, 1889, he became connected with the Ma- honing Supply Co., and after clerking for a short time in their store at Adrian, was appointed in November, 1889, to his present position.

Mr. Nichols is popular socially, and is a mem- ber of the K. of P., at Big Run; the Blue Lodge No. 666, F. & A. M., of Punxsutawney; the Chapter, at Brookville, and Commandery No. 666, K. T., at Ridgway. He belongs to the Cumberland Presbyterian Church at Eleanor, and is a ready supporter of any progressive move- ment in the community. In politics he is an in- dependent voter.

On September 19, 1891, at Punxsutawney. he was married to Miss Margaret L. North. Their only child. Mary C., born January 22, 1894. died July 23, 1896. Mrs. Nichols, who was born July 12, 1865, is a member of a well- known family which is mentioned frequently in this volume. Her paternal grandparents, John and Elizabeth (Pogue) North, came from the North of Ireland, and located first at Philadel- phia, but later removed to Indiana county, Penn., where they spent their last years upon a farm. Their son, Daniel, Mrs. Nichols' father, was born July 11 , 1827, in North Mahoning township, In- diana county, and in 1847 married Miss Cather- ine Bell, daughter of James W. and Hannah (Gordon) Bell. who in 1833 settled in Jefferson county, in what was then a wilderness, their nearest neighbors being two miles away. They remained there throughout their lives, and the place is now owned and occupied by their son, James W. Bell. The Bell family is descended from Robert Bell, of Ireland, who was one of the first settlers in Indiana county, Penn. His son, Mrs. Nichols' great-grandfather. was mar- ried in the old country, and he and his wife. Elizabeth, made their home in Perry township. Jefferson county, at an early day. The Gordon family was also of Irish origin, and Alexander and Catherine (Pounds) Gordon, the grand- parents of Mrs. Nichols, were pioneers of Indi- ana county. The late Daniel North, who died July 22, 1891, at the homestead in McCalmont township. Jefferson county, was a man of wealth and prominence, and, like all of the name, was a generous promoter of every worthy cause. His widow, who still occupies the old home, is also mindful of the apostolic injunction, "to do good and to distribute." and her name is a synonym

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for kindness. This estimable couple had a large family of children, as follows: Mary E., widow of W. C. Smith, of Punxsutawney; John S., a farmer in McCalinont township; Anna R., de- ceased; Emma H., Mrs. W. R. Johnson, of Armstrong county, Penn .; William, deceased; Martha J., Mrs. A. J. McCreight, of Punxsutaw ney; Joanna R., wife of Dr. J. B. Neale, of Reynoldsville; J. Curtin, a farmer in McCalmont township; Margaret L., Mrs. Nichols; Minnie C., Mrs. W. S. Colderman, of Kane, Penn., and Daniel O., of Eleanor, Jefferson county.

P F. BOWSER is accounted one of the sub- stantial agriculturists and lumbermen of Jef- ferson county, and is the owner of one of the fin- est farms in Gaskill township. He was born in 1836 in Bedford county, Penn., a son of Chris- toplier and Susanna (Fluke) Bowser. His father was born in York county, Penn., but was married in Bedford county, and in 1837 removed with his family to Armstrong county. Upon the farm which he purchased in Franklin township he made his home until 1854, when he removed to Gaskill township, Jefferson county, and bought the Evan Jones homestead of 150 acres, continuing his res- idence thereon until his death in September, 1869. His wife died in 1877.

The children born to this worthy couple were as follows: (1) Henry, a native of Bedford county, married Elizabeth Swigart, of Armstrong county, and resided in Indiana county until his death some years ago. (2) William, born in Bedford county, married Maggie Campbell, of Armstrong county, and died some years ago, leaving a wife and children. (3) John, also born in Bedford county, died in Armstrong county in early manhood. (4) David, born in Bedford county, married Mary Myers, of Armstrong county, and for many years was a leading farmer of Gaskill township, Jefferson county. He died in 1895, leaving a wife and children, who still re- side on the farm. (5) P. F., our subject, is again referred to farther on. (6) Christina, born in Armstrong county, is the wife of Robert Beaty, of Clearfield county. (7) Jacob, born in Arm- strong county, married Martha Rhodes, and with their family they reside on a farm in Gaskill town- ship. (8) Elizabeth, born in Armstrong county, became the wife of James Roland, of Indiana county, and died some years ago in Jefferson county, leaving a daughter, Ida, now Mrs. Veit. of Bell township, Clearfield county.

P. F. Bowser, during his early boyhood, went with his parents to Armstrong county, where he acquired a conunon-school education, and with

them came to Jefferson county at the age of eighteen years. In 1857 he was married, and for two years thereafter lived on his father's farm. He followed lumbering for some time, and, in 1871, purchased the John Ellis farm, comprising 164 acres in Gaskill township. He erected there a fine residence and bank barn, cleared his land, placed it under a high state of cultivation and added to it all the accessories and conveniences of a model farm of the nineteenth century, so that now he is the owner of one of the most val- uable and desirable places in this section of the county. Its neat and thrifty appearance well indicates his careful supervision.

The marriage ceremony, performed in 1857, united the destinies of Mr. Bowser and Miss Har- riet E. Brooks, daughter of Calvin and Chloe Brooks, of Gaskill township, Jefferson county. Seven children have been born to them: William, born in November, 1860, died in April, 1864; Henry C., born in August, 1862, died in Septem- ber, 1894; Margaret A., born in August, 1864, married J. L. Condron, a farmer residing near Punxsutawney, and they have three children- Theda B. and Thera G. (twins) and Leo; Chloe, born in November, 1866, is the wife of Miles Davis, of Mahaffey, Penn., by whom she has two sons -- Peter Clair and J. W .; George T., born in February, 1869, and Peter A., born in July, 1871, are at home; Mary E., born in August, 1875, died in April. 1879.

In politics our subject is a Democrat, and has held the office of supervisor for about eight years. He was also school director for a number of years, has been township officer and is now serving as assessor. He and his wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He is looked upon as one of the leading citizens of the com- munity, and in his business career he has achieved success, being now the owner of considerable valuable real estate.

S AMUEL BRUNBAUGH, a brave soldier of our Civil war, and a prominent farmer of Porter township. Jefferson county, has, through- out almost his entire life, been identified with the agricultural interests of this section of the State.

His birth occurred in Huntingdon county, Penn .. in 1837. but when only three years old he was brought to Jefferson county by his par- ents, John and Margaret (Scott) Brunbaugh, also natives of Huntingdon county, the former born in 1800. the latter in 1801. They made their home on a farm near Hollidaysburg until 1840, when they removed to Venango county, l'enn. : but a year later, while making a business trip to

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the East, the father died at Coal Hill, near Lu- thersburg. The mother then brought her chil- dren to Porter township, Jefferson county, where she purchased 150 acres of timber land, which her sons cleared and transformed into an excel- lent farm. In the family were twelve children, namely: Robert, who is married, and lives in Venango county; Sarah, who became the wife of Robert MacIntyre; Frederick, who was for three years a Union soldier during the Civil war, and now makes his home with his family in Arm- strong county; Rosanna, wife of Joseph Karnage, of Iowa; Hetty, wife of David Hillman, of Blair county, Penn .; Eli, who is married and lives in Ohio; Mary, wife of Daniel Doverspike, of Brook- ville; James, who is married and lives in Rey- noldsville, Penn .; William, who is married and resides in Clearfield county: Margaret, who be- came the wife of Charles Kewen, and died some years ago; Jacob, who died at the age of eighteen; and Elizabeth, wife of Ralph Rinehart, now a resident of Missouri.

Upon the home farm in Jefferson county Sam- uel Brunbaugh grew to manhood, aiding in the work of the farm during the suinmer months and attending the common school through the winter season. While peacefully pursuing the vocation of a farmer, the dark cloud of war, which had for some time lowered over our beloved country, broke upon our people. Patriotic men from all walks of life thronged to the front in response to the call of the general government to defend our national life. Fired by the spirit of patriotism, Mr. Brunbaugh enlisted, in August, 1862, in Company D, 78tl P. V. I., under Capt. Forbes, . ship, as well as one of its honored and valued and was sworn into the United States service at citizens. New Bethlehem, Clarion Co., Penn. From Camp Curtin, Harrisburg, the regiment proceeded on Nashville, Tenn., where it was placed in the Army of the Cumberland under Gen. Rosecrans, W ILLIAM E. JOHNSON, one of the pros- perous and substantial citizens of Jeffer- son county, is now living retired at his beautiful home in Punxsutawney. Genuine success is not likely to be the result of mere chance or fortune, but is something to be labored for and sought out with consecutive effort. Ours is a utilitarian age, and the life of every successful man bears its lessons, and as told in contemporary narration, perhaps, is productive of the greatest good. Mfr. Mr. Johnson's life demonstrates what may be accomplished through energy, careful manage- Inent, keen foresight and the utilization of the powers with which nature has endowed one, and the opportunities with which the times surround one. and the Erst engagement in which it took part was at Stone River, Murfreesboro, Tenn., where the Rebels were defeated, but with a heavy loss to both sides. Later they participated in the battle of Kenesaw Mountain, Ga., where the Union forces were again victorious. . This was . followed by the battle of Chattanooga and en- gagements almost every day until reaching At- lanta, Ga. They were then ordered back to Chattanooga, where they remained until fall, when they marched to Nashville, Tenn., and went into winter quarters. Here the regiment was recruited, and later took an active part in all the battles of the Army of the Cumberland until the war was over, including the hard-fought battle of Nashville, where the loss was very heavy on both sides. After Lee's surrender Mr. Brun-

baugh was honorably discharged at that place and returned to his home in Jefferson county.

In 186; Mfr. Brunbaugh was married to Miss Jane McDonald, of Porter township, and pur- chased the old homestead where they have since made their home. Two sons have been born to them: Bert, born upon their present farm in 1867, received his literary education at Dayton, Armstrong county, and later attended the Col- lege of Dentistry in Baltimore, Md., from which he graduated with the degree of D. D. S. He is now successfully engaged in the practice of his chosen profession in Brockwayville, Jefferson county. He married Miss Ellen Ernest, of Punx- sutawney. Homer, the younger son, was born in 1873, and married Miss Annie Strouse, of Jef- ferson county, by whom he has one daughter, Ruth H. He lives on the old homestead with his father, looking after the farming interests in the summer and teaching school in the winter.

Politically Samuel Brunbaugh is a Democrat, and has filled the office of school director one term, but has never cared for political distinction. Earnest, consistent Christian people, he and his wife are active members of the Methodist Epis- copal Church of Milton. Armstrong county. They have taken great pleasure in educating their sons, who are bright, and are highly respected by all who know them. Mr. Brunbaugh since the war has had his right leg broken and crushed in a threshing machine: but. though permanently crippled. he has always actively engaged in gen- eral farming, and is accounted one of the most skillful and thorough agriculturists of his town-

Mr. Johnson was born in Elk county, Penn .. November 6, 1826, a son of Thew and Sarah (Coleman) Johnson. The birth of the father oc-

William & Johnson Ahigal & Johnson

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

curred in Yorkshire, England, in 1795, but when only eight years of age he came to this country" with his parents. Thew Johnson, Sr., and wife, were also natives of England, but spent their last days in Pennsylvania. The father of our subject grew to manhood in Elk county, where he spent his active business life in farming and lumbering. He was a quiet. unassuming citizen, whose at- tention was chiefly devoted to his own affairs. His death occurred in 1867, and his wife, who was a native of Pennsylvania, died in May, 1889, when nearing the ninetieth aniversary of her birth. As his parents were poor, William E. Johnson was provided with very meagre advan- tages for securing an education, being only able to attend school on rainy days when he could not work. Early in life he was employed at farming and in the woods lumbering. * He re- mained under the parental roof, assisting in the support of the family until he reached the age of twenty-five, when he embarked in life for him- self empty-handed. He was then married, and continued to follow farming and lumbering until in 1867, when he established a general store in Elk county, which he successfully conducted un- til 1885. For sixteen years of that period he served as postmaster of Benezett. In 1886 he removed to Punxsutawney, where he engaged in general merchandising, doing both a wholesale and retail business until July, 1896, when he re- tired from business life. He met with excellent success in his undertakings, and is now the owner of some valuable property in Punxsutawney, in- cluding his own residence, a beautiful brick struc- ture of modern architecture and up-to-date in all of its appointments.

In 1851 Mr. Johnson was married to Miss Ann Murray, of Elk county, who died in 1856, ,

leaving one son, William S., now a resident of . Punxsutawney. Two years later the father was again married, this time to Miss Abigail S. Wins- low, a daughter of Carpenter and Beulah (Keen) Winslow, natives of Maine, born in 1793 and 1796, respectively, who were there married and removed later to Elk county, Penn., where they passed their remaining days. Carpenter Wins- low was also the naine of the grandfather of Mrs. Johnson. He was from the State of Maine, a ship-carpenter by occupation, and a direct de- scendant of the Winslows that came over in the Mayflower. Her maternal grandfather, also a Maine man, married Silania Wordsworth, who was a native of Maine and a direct descendant of the family of Wordsworths who landed in the "Mayflower.'

To the marriage of our subject and wife have been born two daughters: Ella E., now the wife

of William Zierden, of Johnsonburg, Elk county ; and Emma P., the wife of Thaddeus C. Zeitler, a merchant of Punxsutawney. The mother is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and, like her husband, is the center of a large circle of friends and acquaintances, who appreciate their sterling worth. In his political views Mr. Johnson is a pronounced Republican.

P ETER S. JUSTICE, who was content to go through the war as a " high " private, doing his duty nobly and unflinchingly on the field of battle or in the camp, is to-day one of the lead- ing and highly respected farmers of Porter town- ship, Jefferson county. He is descended from good old pioneer stock, his grandmother belong- ing to the Brady family which was well repre- sented in the Revolutionary war. She was also a first cousin of Capt. Samuel Brady, of Indian fame. The parents of our subject were William and Jane (Work) Justice. The father, who was born in 1812, in North Mahoning township, In- diana Co., Penn., followed farming throughout life, and died in 1886, surviving his wife two years. In the family were two children, and the daughter, Emma, died in October, 1864, at the age of twenty-two.

Peter S. Justice, of this review, was born in May, 1837, in Indiana county, and grew to man- hood upon the home farm in North Mahoning township, acquiring his education by attending the common schools of the locality during the winter months. During the Civil war, prompted by a spirit of patriotism, he enlisted, in August, 1861, in Company A, 61st P. V. I., under Capt. Jacob Kreps, of Indiana county, was mustered into the State service at Pittsburg, and into the United States service at Harrisburg, whence he was sent to Washington, D. C., where his regi- ment was equipped. From there they proceeded to Alexandria, were later stationed at Camp Ad- vance, and by transports were sent to Fortress Monroe in March, 1862. They reached Will- iamsburg too late for the engagement, and then advanced up the Peninsula to Bottoms Bridge and to Seven Pines. Va. They reached Fair Oaks March 30, and on the following morning were attacked by the enemy, the battle raging furiously for two hours, resulting in a heavy loss on both sides. Among a number of officers that were killed was Col. Rippey, of the 6ist P. V. I. The troops next marched to Malvern Hill, where a battle was fought July 1. 1862, which resulted in a very heavy loss in officers and men, and in the following September occurred the battle of Antietam, where the Rebels were defeated aud

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driven back across the Potomac. After two weeks spent in camp the Union forces marched to Fredericksburg Heights, where an engagement was brought on in November, and they then went into winter quarters, remaining until February, 1863, when Mr. Justice's regiment, with others, stormed Mary's Heights, losing three officers and seventy-four men from the regiment. In July they participated in the battle of Gettysburg, where the losses on both sides numbered up in the thousands. Here Pickett made his famous charge, which was repulsed by the Union sol- diers. This battle is one of the most famous in the history of the world. On the 16th of Sep- tember the 61st P. V. I. marched to the Rapi- dan, in Virginia, where they were held in reserve under Gen. Warren, when Lee was trying to flank the 'Union army. Later they marched to Centreville to head off that general's troops, and participated in the battle at Rappahannock Sta- tion, after which they marched to Brandy Sta- tion. Going into winter quarters they remained there until May, 1864, and on the morning of the 5th of that month met the enemy in the bat- tle of the Wilderness, which lasted seven days. On the 12th a minie ball pierced Mr. Justice's right hand, disabling him for life. He was taken to Fredericksburg Hospital, later to Washington Arsenal Hospital, and then to the hospital at the corner of Broad and Cherry streets, Philadel- phia, being in all for about six months. He was then transferred to Harrisburg, where he was honorably discharged, his wounds unfitting him for further service.

Returning to his old home in Indiana county, Mr. Justice resumed the occupation of farming, which he still continued. Being unable to use his right hand he could not follow the plasterer's trade, which he had previously learned. In March, 1868, he was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary L. Lockhart, of Indiana county, a daugh- . ter of Samuel K. and Hannah Lockhart, well-to- do farming people of that county. They began their domestic life in East Mahoning township, Indiana county, where they remained for eleven years, and then spent the following eight years in North Mahoning county, near Georgeville, but in the spring of 1887 removed to the Shafer farin in Porter township, Jefferson county, where they still continue to reside. To this marriage eight children have been born, namely: Emma, born in 1864 in Indiana county, and Annie, in 1870, are both at home. William H., born in Septen- ber, 1872, a well-educated young man residing at home, is a contractor in painting and paper- ' hanging. Samuel K. L., born in February, 1874, received a good common-school education,

and is a painter by profession, but is now engaged in farming with his father. Stella M., born in June, 1876, was educated in the common schools and is at home. Jennie S., born in September, 1878, is the wife of M. O. Skinner, a stone ma- son of Du Bois, Penn. Frank C., born in July, 1880, and Beatrice S., born in February, 1883, are at home with their parents; the former is a painter by trade.

Mr. and Mrs. Justice hold membership in the Glade Run Presbyterian Church, and their lives have ever been in harmony with its teachings. In politics Mr. Justice is an ardent and zealous Republican, and has served as school director one term. He has ever been found in the fore- most ranks of citizens who are devoted to their country's best interests and to the welfare of their fellowmen. He was a brave and fearless soldier and is a loyal and patriotic citizen. With the Veteran Legion and the Patriotic Sons of Amer- ica, of Porter, he now holds membership.

R ICHARD JAMES CLARK, one of the lead- ing lumber dealers of this section of the. State, is a member of the well-known firm of Clark, Kizer & Kipp, whose lumber mills at Cor- tez, Jefferson county, are models of equipment. They do an extensive business, employing from 150 to 200 men, turning out 80,000 feet of lum- ber per day. About eight miles of railroad con- nect their plant with the P. & N. W. R. R. The firm was organized in December, 1893, when they purchased 64,000 acres of timber land in Jefferson county, in McCalmont and Oliver town- ships, at a cost of $200,000. The first mill built by them burned down July 20, 1894, three weeks after it was put in operation, causing a loss of $15,000; but they rebuilt it and resumed work in November of the same year. The mill is under the able management of R. J. Clark, the subject of this sketch; a brother, D. H. Clark, attends to the outside work; G. W. Kipp manages the office; and E. F. Kizer has charge of the firm's business at Towanda, Pennsylvania.

Our subject is of Irish parents. His father, Luke Clark, came from the Einerald Isle in early manhood, and became a successful agriculturist in Rockland township, Sullivan Co., N. Y. He was a man of quiet disposition, but his excellent qualities gave him great influence in his commu- nity. He was married three times. His first wife, Ellen King. departed this life November 2, 1858, at the age of thirty years, and in 1859 he was married in New York City to Miss Julia Keough, a native of Ireland, and a devout Cath- olic. She died in September. 1869, aged forty

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years, and was buried at Liberty, Sullivan Co., N. Y., where her husband's remains also repose, - his death having occurred September 10, 1894, at the age of seventy. His third wife, formerly Mrs. Catherine Ragen, survives him and occupies the old homestead. There were two children by the first union: John, who died in infancy; and Daniel H., who is mentioned above. Two children were born of the second marriage: Richard J., our subject; and Matthew J., who is employed by the company as a contractor. Of the five children of the third union, Delia, Mich- ael and Elizabeth are living at the old home; Franklin is in the employ of the company; and Lawrence is still at home.

Richard J. Clark was born July 23, 1861, in Sullivan county, N. Y., and was reared there as a farmer boy. At eighteen he came to this State, and for thirteen years followed lumbering in Sullivan county as a contractor for different par- ties. From 1888 to 1893 he was in mercantile business at Lopez, Penn., in partnership with his brother Daniel H., under the firm name of Clark Bros., and since leaving that place they have been interested in the lumber business at Cortez. He is not identified with any Church, but inclines toward the Catholic faith, of which his parents were devout followers. He belongs to the Masonic order, and is a Knight Templar. In politics he is a stanch Democrat, as are all his family, but he has never taken an active in- terest in the details of party work. On Novem- ber 29, 1882, he was married at Dushore, Penn., to Miss Julia E. McDonald, and five children, Julia, May, John, Agnes and Leo, brighten their home.

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3, Part 30

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