Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3, Part 31

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 31
USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 31
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 31
USA > Pennsylvania > Clarion County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 31

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The McDonald family is of English origin, Mrs. Clark's paternal grandfather, Andrew Mc- Donald. coming from the old country in 1834, accompanied by his wife, Mary Hayden, a native of Ireland, and their son, John. He settled upon a tract of farming land near Dushore, Penn., and was killed by a falling tree while clearing the place. His wife attained the advanced age of eighty-seven, and the remains of both now rest in the cemetery at Dushore. Their only child, John McDonald, was born in England in 1830, and, coming to the new home in Pennsylvania at the age of four, was reared to manhood and engaged first in farming and later in mining .. He is a Roman Catholic in religious belief, and in political faith he is a sound Democrat. He was married in Sullivan county to Miss Julia Sheri- dan, who was born in Connecticut in 1837, the daughter of John and Catherine (Farrell) Sheri- dan, of Ireland, who came to this country early in life and died in Wilkesbarre, Penn. Mr. and

Mrs. McDonald, who now reside at Bernice, Sullivan county, have reared a large family of children: Andrew is a molder at Towanda, Penn .; Catherine married Frank Farrell, of Dushore, a manufacturer of temperance drinks; Mary, who was born September 24, 1858, married Daniel H. Clark, our subject's brother; Julia E., who was born August 18, 1863, is the wife of our sub- ject; Prudence married John Daly, a hotel keeper at Bernice; Clara is a bookkeeper for the firm of Clark, Kizer & Kipp: Janey married Thomas Fitzgerald, a telegraph operator at Bernice; and Mildred, Florence and Lawrence are still at home.

OHN W. CONSER. Among the prominent business men of Reynoldsville, who have

iliade their own way in the world, no one is more worthy of consideration than the gentleman whose name begins this sketch. He is num- bered among the native sons of Jefferson county, where his birth occurred in 1862.

Capt. J. C. Conser, his father, was also born in Pennsylvania, and in early life learned the car- penter's trade, which he continued to follow un- til the dark days of the Rebellion, when feeling that his country needed his services he enlisted in Company A, 105th P. V. I. He was a brave and fearless soldier, always found at his post of duty until in the engagement at Boyton plank roads he lost his life. His estimable wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary E. Sprague, died in 1875.

After the death of his mother, John W. Con- ser was thrown upon his own resources, and has since been dependent entirely upon his own labors for support. His educational privileges were necessarily limited. Being industrious and am- bitious he has made the most of his opportunities, and now in connection with Mr. Thomas Green is one of the owners and proprietors of the " Im- perial Hotel," which has just been completed at Reynoldsville. In 1889 they forined a partner- ship and took charge of ' Hotel Belnap " at the same place, which they profitably conducted for five years. They then purchased property and erected their present house, which is one of the most complete in all its appointments to be found in the community. No town of its size in cen- tral Pennsylvania has a more inviting or attract- ive house than the . Imperial," which contains twenty-eight sleeping rooms, comfortable parlors. as well as bath and other necessary rooms. Everything is done for the convenience and com- fort of the guests, and the proprietors being pop- ular, pleasant gentlemen, the hotel lias become a favorite with the traveling public.

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In 1888, Mr. Conser led to the marriage altar Miss Barbara Shaffer, of Clearfield county, Penn., who is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He belongs to the Sons of Veterans and the Benevolent and Patriotic Order of. Elks, and his political support is ever given the men and measures of the Republican party.

J ACOB B. FISCUS. Prominent among the representative citizens and respected and in- fluential inen of Rose township, Jefferson county, is found the subject of this biographical notice, who is living upon his valuable farm of 283 acres. It is well-improved with excellent buildings, and highly cultivated, and shows con- clusively that the owner has not mistaken his calling in adopting agriculture. In connection with the operation of his land, he. is also suc- cessfully engaged in lumbering.

· Our subject was born in 1837, in Clarion county, Penn., while his parents, John and Es- ther (Craight) Fiscus, were both natives of West- moreland county, this State, but during their youth became residents of Clarion county, where the father followed the quiet, nnassuming life of a farmer until his death in 1891. The mother had departed this life previously, dying in 1886. Both were held in the highest regard by all who had the pleasure of their acquaintance. Jacob B. Fiscus was given very limited advantages for securing an education in his boyhood, and when his services were not needed on the farm had to walk two miles to the district school. He con- tinued to assist his father in the cultivation and improvement of the home place until he had at- tained his majority, when he started out to make his own way in the world, and has since turned his attention to farming and lumbering, with results that could not fail to be satisfactory.

In 1858 Mr. Fiscus was married to Miss Susanna Aaron, a daughter of James C. Aaron, of Clarion county. Of the twelve children born to them nine are still living, namely: Rose El- len, wife of Demetrius Reinsel: Bernard James married Maggie Singer: Frank C. married Anna Aaron: Anna married William Shick; Katie; Gertie; John W. married Frances Greenewalt; Andrew P. married Jeunie Smith: and George. The parents and children are communicants of the Roman Catholic Church, and are widely and favorably known. Mr. Fiscus always affiliates with the Democratic party, is a strong advocate of the free coinage of silver, and has capably served in a number of school offices. He is a man who stands high in the community, for his , and then came to Jefferson county, locating near

fair dealing and sterling worth have gained him the confidence of all with whom he has come in contact.

W ILLIAM SHERMAN YODER. When

one is thrown upon his own resources at a tender age and worked his way steadily upward to success, it is the evidence of the possession of energy, enterprise and resolute purpose. Such qualities have marked the business career of Mr. Yoder, who has been the architect of his own fortune, and has builded wisely and well. He was born in Upper Mahantango township, Schuyl- kill county, Penn., October 16, 1837, and comes of a family of long identification with American history.

Abraham Yoder, the great-grandfather, a na- tive of New Jersey, removed to Berks county, Penn., where he spent the remainder of his life as a farmer. The grandparents, Peter and Cath- erine (Trout) Yoder, removed from Berks to Schuylkill county. In the latter county at an early day Simon Sherman, a native of Wurtem- burg, Germany, established a home. He was the father of Simon Sherman, Jr., of Berks county, who married a Miss Lidick. The Yoder and Sherman families were united through the marriage of Solomon Yoder and Elizabeth Sher- man, natives of Berks and Schuylkill counties, respectively. In the latter county they were married, and the father there carried on farming. He died in February, 1880, at the age of eighty years, and his wife passed away in 1873. at the age of seventy-two years. They were members of the Reformed Church, and in politics Mr. Yoder was a Democrat. The children of this worthy couple were: Isaac, who died at the age of seventy-one in Shamokin, Penn .; Solomon, who is living retired in Knoxdale, Penn. : Benne- well, who died in Schuylkill county; George, a farmer of that county: Christina, wife of Edward Sherman, a veteran of the Civil war, now of Clarion county, Penn. : Samuel, who died in Red Bank township, Clarion county; Amos, who is : living in Red Bank township, Armstrong Co., Penn .: William S., the subject of this sketch; John B., a miner of Higgins township, Schuyl- kill county, and David, who died on the old homestead in Schuylkill county.

William Sherman Yoder assisted in the du- ties of the home farm until he had attained his majority, and during this time served a two- years' apprenticeship to the miller's trade, re- ceiving $75 for his labor. He afterward worked for eight months in a mill in Schuylkill county,

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Emerickville, where he wasemployed in the lum- ber woods for two years. He then spent one" year in the milling business in Rockdale, after which he engaged in farming and milling for one year at Trout Run. He next rented a farm in Knox township, which he operated in connection with the lumber business for six years, when he rented a mill in Oliver township, Jefferson coun- ty. Nine months later he left that and rented a mill in Perrysville, which he operated for three years, when it was destroyed by fire at a loss of $1,500. He afterward operated a rented mill in Maysville, Penn., for seven years, and on the Ist of April, 1880, moved to his present farm, which he had purchased in 1878. He here owns 172 acres of valuable land, which is now highly cultivated, and yields to him a good return. On May 30, 1860, when there was but little- land cleared in his locality (only ten acres of his own land were cleared), our subject's house and barn were destroyed by a hurricane. After the storm was over this ten acres were literally covered with tree-tops and entire trees blown a distance of thirty rods. Two of his children were in the fields; the baby, then but one month old, was found covered with debris, but was unhurt, save a cut to one eye, which soon healed and left a small scar only.

In August, 1856, at the home of Rev. Isaac Steely, a German Reformed minister, occurred the marriage of Mr. Yoder and Miss Sarah Haupt, who was born in Northumberland coun- ty, Penn., September 20, 1835, a daughter of John and Catherine ( Maury) Haupt, of the same county. Her father followed farming, blacksmith- ing and the stonemason's trade. He belonged to the Lutheran Church, and in politics was a Democrat before the war. He died in 1873, at the age of sixty-six, and his wife passed away in February, 1893, aged seventy-eight years. Their children are: Mrs. Yoder; Mary, who became the wife of Washington Shmink, and after his death married John Bonner, a farmer and black- smith of Northumberland county; Catherine, of Philadelphia; Benjamin, proprietor of a meat- market in Shamokin, Penn. ; Anna, wife of Jared Howwater, a mechanic of Shamokin; Philip, a miner of Northumberland county: John, who is living on the old homestead in that county; and William, a miner of Shamokin. Conrad Haupt, the great-grandfather of Mrs. Yoder, was a native of Germany, and on coming to America located in Northumberland county. The paternal grand- ' parents were Henry Haupt and his wife, nec Derk, of Northumberland county, and the inater- nal grandparents were Philip and Sally (Hun- berger) Maury, also of Northumberland county.

To Mr. and Mrs. William Sherman Yoder have been born the following named children: Charles D., of Cooksburg, Penn .; Catherine E., wife of David Steel, a salesman in a store in Washington township, Jefferson county, by whom she has two children-Bessie and Joshua: John B., of Shelton, Wash., a lumberman, who married Florence - -, and has one child, Joshua E. : Henry, a grocer of DuBois, Penn., who married Cora Geist, and has five children-Parentha, Samuel, Floyd, Albert and John; Joshua, a lum- berman of Shelton, Wash .; Sarah R., wife of Albert Sebring, a carpenter of Knox township, Jefferson county, by whom she has five children- Clayton, William, Loan, Charles E. and Robert E .; Amelia M., wife of Joseph Thompson, a farmer of Knox township, by whom she has two children-Wallace and Florence F .; Mary and Anna, at home; Edward, of DuBois; Isaac and Samuel W., at home; and three who died in infancy.

Our subject is a member of the United Breth -. ren Church, served as class-leader, and was a local clergyman for many years. He was a fluent and forcible speaker, but in 1892 met with an accident which caused him to abandon preaching. He is entirely a self-made man, financially and otherwise. The extent of his schooling was four months in all at different times in German sub- scription schools. He learned the English lan- guage after coming to Jefferson county, and all that he has accomplished in life is due to his well-directed efforts. Highly esteemed by a large circle of friends, he well deserves representation in this volume.

H ENRY H. KENNEDY, for three years an enterprising and prosperous young inerchant of Brookville, Jefferson county, and now agent for The Mutual Life Insurance Company, has al- ready earned a high place in the esteem of his fellow citizens by his able discharge of duty, both in private and in local affairs. He was born in .Clarion county, June S, 1863, the son of George H. and Nancy J. (Rogers) Kennedy, of whom a biography will be found elsewhere.

Henry H. Kennedy came to Brookville with his parents when but four years of age, and his education was acquired in the Brookville schools. At the age of sixteen he left school, and worked in the woods at lumbering for a year. Wearying of this employment, he entered his father's store. and remained with him until September. 1893. when he engaged in the gentleman's furnishing goods business on his own account, which he

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conducted some three years, till his appointment to his present position.

Mr. Kennedy was married, October 3, 1889, to Miss Mary A. McKnight, daughter of Dr. W. J. McKnight, one of Brookville's well-known citizens, and three children have blessed this union. The eldest, Bonnie Agnes, died when but two months and four days old; the others, Penelope and Jean, still gladden the home of their parents. Mr. Kennedy and his wife are prominent members of the Presbyterian Church, and he also belongs to the I. O. O. F., the Ar- tisans, and the Heptasophs. Politically he is a stanch Republican; he has never been a seeker after political honors, but when called upon has served the community in various offices, includ- ing that of councilman. He has represented his party as delegate in several conventions, and, while serving as grand juryman, was chosen fore- man of that body. Business cares and public interests have not prevented Mr. Kennedy from gratifying his fine taste in literature, and he keeps well informed on the topics which attract the attention of the intelligent people of to-day. He has written a number of short poems that prove his natural ability in a literary direction. In 1893 the Jeffersonian Democrat published the following:

BABY MCKEE TO MISS RUTH. Ah, Miss Ruth, but my life is alter'd now; I have done penance for contemning love, Whose high, imperious thoughts, have punished me With bitter fasts, with penitential groans, With nightly tears, and daily heart-sore sighs; For in revenge of my contempt of love Love has chased sleep from my enthralled eyes, And made them watchers of my own sad heart. O gentle Miss Ruth, love's a mighty lord, And hath so humbled me, as I confess, There is neither woe to his correction, Nor joy so sweet as is in his service found. Now no discourse except it be of love; Now can I break my fast, dine, sup, and sleep l'pon the very naked name of love.

quainted, and were married. The families were "among the first settlers of this region, and have been important factors in promoting its pros- perity. The paternal grandfather, George Fye, a native of Germany, was for many years a prom- inent farmer of Brady township, Clearfield coun- ty, and died in Winslow township, Jefferson county, but was buried in the former county. On coming to Jefferson county the father of our subject located near Brookville, his being the fourth family to locate there. The others were the Fassbinder, Barnett and Butler families. In 1818 he purchased 160 acres of wild land in Winslow township for $2.50 per acre, and at once began to clear and improve his place, which he continued to make his home throughout life. He was the first man to run lumber down the Red Bank and Sandy Lick creeks, but before he could take his rafts down the latter he had to clear away the old logs which had fallen thick. across the stream. A progressive. industrious man, he became widely and favorably known throughout the county. He was born April 14, 1793, and died in 1850, while his wife was born January 11, 1802, and passed away in the fall of 1872. They were buried on the old Hoover farm in Brady township, Clearfield county.

Samuel Fye is the eighth in order of birth in the family of nine children, the others being as follows: Sally (deceased), born April 21, 1822, married Daniel Sharp, now a retired farmer of Winslow township; George (deceased), born March 15, 1824; Susan, born March 2. 1826, is the wife of De Witt White. a dairyinan of New York State; Mary, born January 2, 1829, died in April, 1894, married Ely Soliday, who was killed by a falling tree; John, born November 11, 1830, died in 1867; Priscilla, born May 21, 1833, died unmarried at the age of twenty-two: James, born May 21, 1835, is a retired carpenter living in Du Bois, Penn .; and Joshua, born March 9, 1840, is a fariner of Winslow township. Jefferson county. Our subject remained with his parents until twenty-four years of age, during which time he attended school but three months. On leav- ing home he purchased his present farm of 106 acres at $6 an acre, paying for the same in eight

S NAMUEL FYE. Among the honored pioneers and prominent citizens of Winslow township, Jefferson county, this gentleman is especially worthy of notice in a work of this kind. Being . possessed of a rare amount of energy, he has proved a most valued member of the community, . years. It was then all wild, unimproved land, and has borne his part in the developinent and progress of this section. In common with the other early settlers, he also shared in the priva- tions and hardships of pioneer life.

but by persevering industry lie has transformed the tract into a highly productive and valuable farm, equipped with all the buildings and acces- sories found upon the model farm of the nine- teenth century.

Mr. Fye was born July 24., 1837, in the township which is still his home, a son of George On February 20, 1860, in Winslow township, Mr. Fye was married to Miss Jane Vasbinder. who was born in Warsaw township. Jefferson and Betsy (Dixon) Fye, natives of Centre coun- ty. Penn., who came with their respective parents to . Jefferson county, where they became ac- : county, and died June 15, 1868, leaving three

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children: Amanda, now the wife of William Slee, a miner of Winslow township, by whom- she has four children; Burdett: and Samuel I., who married Margaret Riddle, and has two chil- dren. The husband and father was again mar- ried, this time in 1873, his second union being with Miss Emily Hannah, a native of Jefferson county, and a daughter of Robert and Sarah (Newcomb) Hannah. Her mother died February 21, 1878, aged fifty-six years, and was buried in Prospect cemetery, but her father, who was born in 1813, is still living in Winslow township. In early life he followed farming, but is now living retired, enjoying the fruits of his former toil. To the second inarriage of our subject and his wife were born ten children, namely: Mary, now the wife of Michael Conner, a machinist, by whom she has three children : John W .. Rusia M., James A., Leathy E., Lawrence L., Charles A. and Jesse E. R., all at home: Frances E., who died January 13, 1894; and Floyd A., at home.

In connection with farming Samuel Fye also followed lumbering until 1894. and on starting out in life for himself, engaged in chopping wood at $6 per acre. He has become, however, one of the well-to-do and substantial citizens of Wins- low township. He votes the straight Republican ticket, and has served his fellow-citizens in the capacity of school director two terms and super- visor three terms. In religious belief he is a Baptist, and at all times is willing to labor and make sacrifices, both for the good of his Church and the community at large. Being a great reader, he is well posted on all of the leading questions and topics of the day, and is a man of broad general information.

C HARLES G. O'DONNEL is a member of the firm of A. O'Donnel & Son, controllers of extensive lumber interests at Camp Run. Their close identification with industrial life of Jef- ferson county has inseparably connected their names with its history, for in the management of their own affairs they have not only secured per- sonal property. but have also added to the general welfare of the community.

Charles G. O'Donnel was born in New Beth- lehem. Clarion Co , Penn., December 16. 1863, and came to Jefferson county in 1867 with his father. Arthur O'Donnel. The family located on the present site of the town of O'Donnel. which was named in honor of the father, and which is now the site of one of his sawmills. The son remained at home until twenty years of age, and then went to Fullers Station

to take charge of his father's sawmill at that point, where he continued from 1884 until 1889. He was fitted for this work by a two-years' course in Union Business College, Pittsburg, at which institution he was graduated in 1884. In 1889 he came to Camp Run, and joined his father in the ownership and management of the mill at this place, which was erected in August, 1889. They employ fifteen men in the mill, which has a capacity of 40,000 feet of lumber per day, and have forty men in the lumber woods. They also own a half interest in 1, 300 acres of excel- lent timber land, the remaining portion being owned by the Andrews Company. On February 17, 1886, in Reynoldsville, Charles G. O'Donnel was united in marriage with Miss Mary Hice. who was born in Shannondale, Penn., Decem- ber 24, 1867. a daughter of Frederick and Katie (Wolfgang) Hice. Her father died before her birth, and was buried in Shannondale. Her mother died in 1877, and was buried near Coolspring. They were members of the Methodist Episco- pal and Presbyterian Churches, respectively. Their children were Barbara, deceased wife of John Hoffman, a farmer of Coolspring; and Mrs. O'Donnel. The latter was reared by her aunt. Mary Shaffer, with whom she remained until her marriage.

Mr. and Mrs. O'Donnel have seven children: Arthur, born December 24, 1886; Dicie Orrel. born May 19, 1888; Charles Boyd. August 20, 1889: Essa Elva and Effa Elma (twins), born February 16, 1891; Edgar W., born February 24, 1895; and Byran King, born April 2, 1896. The father of these is a member of the Patriotic Order Sons of America of Emerickville: the Order of United American Mechanics of Knoxdale; and the Knights of Pythias of Reynoldsville. In politics he is a Democrat. His business record is most commendable, for his methods are above question, and his keen sagacity. energy and enterprise enable him to carry forward his interests most successfully.

M ALVERN H. MORRIS is one of the prom- inent young men of Punxsutawney, proprie- tor of a well-known mercantile firm of the borough. The business interests of the city are well represented by him, and, whether in public or private life, he is always a courteous, genial gentleman, well deserving of the high regard in which he is held.

A native of Jefferson county, Mr. Morris was born near Punxsutawney. in 1863, and is a son of Joseph B. and Catherine 'Crisman, Morris,

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also natives of the same county, where the mother's death occurred in 1886. The father was born and reared upon the farm which he still" occupies, and throughout life has been identified with the farining, lumber and coal interests of this region. A sketch of his life appears else- where.

Malvern H. Morris is one of a family of five children who are still living, namely: Ida L., now the wife of J. Clayton North, of Punxsutaw ney; J. L., who was until recently connected with our subject in business; Clarence O., a prom- inent . attorney of Punxsutawney; and Lucy. Reared upon the old homestead farm, our sub- ject there remained until nineteen years of age, aiding his father in its cultivation and improve- ment, and acquiring his education in the public schools of the neighborhood. In the winter of 1881-82 he attended the National University at Lebanon, Ohio, securing a diploma from the business department of that institution; after- ward engaging in teaching and various other em- ployments until the fall of 1884, when, as a clerk, he entered a mercantile establishment in Pitts- burg, Penn. The knowledge of business affairs here obtained have been of much practical ben- efit to him in later years. Returning to Punxsu- tawney, he formed a co-partnership with his brother-in-law, Mr. North, they becoming deal- ers in clothing, gents' furnishing goods, etc., but at the end of three years he sold his interest and went to Portland, Oregon, where he remained for one year. He next engaged in business at Clayville, Penn., conducting his store until Jan- uary, 1896, when, in connection with his broth- er, he established his present business in Punxsu- tawney. He carries a complete and handsome stock of everything found in his line, and by fair and honorable dealing has succeeded in building up an excellent trade. Socially, Mr. Morris is a member of the Odd Fellow's Lodge of Lindsey, Jefferson county, and politically he is identified with the Republican party.

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3, Part 31

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