USA > Pennsylvania > Clearfield County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 34
USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 34
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 34
USA > Pennsylvania > Clarion County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 34
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Our subject is descended from good old pio- neer stock, his ancestors having come to the county during its early settlement. They were intelligent, enterprising and energetic people, who left their impress upon the moral and religious development of the community, and also bore an important part in the development and prosper- ity of this section of the State. Like these grand good people, our subject has ever taken an active interest in Church work, and with his family. holds membership in the Zion Methodist Episco- pal Church. He has done much to advance the moral, educational and material welfare of his township, and is always numbered among its valued citizens. His father was an Old-line Whig and he is a stanch Republican, on which ticket he has been elected to the office of school director, supervisor and overseer of the poor of Porter township.
W ILLIAM J. SMITH, a wealthy lumber- man and farmer of Perry township, Jef- ferson county, is one of the honored veterans of the Civil war, whose devotion to his country was tested not only by service on the field of battle but in the still more deadly dangers of Southern prison dens.
This gallant soldier, a son of Jacob and Cath- arine (Boas) Smith, honored pioneers of the coun- ty, was born in May, 1840. The father was a
native of Germany, and as a young man came to this country. After his marriage, which was cel- ebrated in New Orleans, La., he came to Jeffer- son county, and subsequently his father and mother, William and Margaret Smith, also crossed the Atlantic, spending their last days in Young township, Jefferson county. In 1835 Jacob Smith purchased 112 acres of wild land, on which he erected a log house, and at once commenced to clear and improve his land. Later he bought 230 acres, and extensively engaged in lumbering for a great many years. His death resulted from a fall, in 1877, and his wife, who long survived him, passed away in 1895, at the advanced age of ninety-four years. To this worthy couple were born ten children, as follows: (1) Jacob, born in Cincinnati, Ohio, died in Jefferson coun- ty, Penn., at the age of eighteen years. (2) Katie, born on the old homestead in Jefferson county, is the wife of Adam Weber, a native of Germany, and resides in Pittsburg. They have five children. (3) Christopher, born in Young township, Jefferson county, married a Mrs. Smith, and removed to Pittsburg, where he died some years ago. His wife died later, leaving three children who reside in Indiana county, Penn .. namely-William G., Lydia and Jacob. (4) Louisa is the wife of Taladin Hoeh, a farmer of Bell township, Jefferson county, and they have four children-William, Katie, Lizzie and Annie. (5) Philip, a farmer of Indiana county, married Bertha Elbel, of Jefferson county, and has six children-William H., Gustus, Charles, Emma, Jefferson and Amos. (6) George, a farmer of Young township, Jefferson county, married Minnie Smith, of Indiana county, and to them have been born the following children - Cassie, Olive, George, Philip, Edward, Annie, Thompson, Nel- son, Aaron and Lyman (twins), William, Samuel, Effie, Minnie, Lizzie and Amie, all living except the last named. (7) Adam, residing on the old homestead, married Mary Kesler, of Jefferson county, who died in 1875, leaving three children -Sadie, Ephraim and Adam L. Later he mar- ried her sister, Sallie Kesler, by whom he had nine children-Irwin, Norman, Mary, Joseph. Lloyd, Fannie, Mattie, Clara and Harry. The last named is now deceased. (8) Samuel and (9) Mary are twins. The former, now a resident of Punxsutawney, married Mary Trusell, and has three children-Harry, Annie and Mintie. Mary became the wife of Christ Akerman, of Pittsburg, where her death occurred.
Our subject grew to manhood on the old homestead, learning the shoemaker's trade dur- ing his youth. Feeling his country needed his services during the Civil war, he enlisted in July,
-
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1861, in Company I, 62d P. V. I., under Capt. Means, of Brookville, and was sworn into the State service at Pittsburg. and into the United States service at Washington, D. C., where the regiment was assigned to the Army of the Poto- mac under General Mcclellan. His first en. gagement was at Hanover Court House, where both arinies met with a heavy loss, and this en- gagement was followed by the battles of Chan- cellorsville, Gaines Mill, Malvern Hill, the seven- days' battle of the Wilderness, and Burnsides' campaign. At Chancellorsville the Rebels were repulsed and many prisoners were captured. Mr. Smith later took part in the battle of Fredericks- burg, and was on duty until the battle of Gettys- burg. where he was taken prisoner, and incarcerat- ed in Libby at Richmond, Va., for some time, after which he was confined at Belle Isle for three months. He was then paroled and taken to the exchange camp at Annapolis, Md., where he re- mained two months to recuperate his health. Rejoining his regiment near Petersburg, he was in that campaign of 1864, and was always found at his post of duty, and in the hottest of the fight, until honorably discharged at Pittsburg after three years and thirteen days of faithful and arduous service.
After his return home Mr. Smith, in Decem- ber, 1864, was married to Miss Annie E. Engel- bach, of Jefferson county, a daughter of Rev. John F. and Margaret Engelbach. Her father was a native of Germany, and after coming to this country labored in the ministry of the Re- formed Church until called to the world beyond. Mr. Smith began his domestic life upon a farm in Young township, Jefferson county, but at the end of three years sold out and purchased the George Reding farm. Later he bought the old homestead where he lived for five years, and then leased his coal and sold the farm to his brother Ada'in. He next purchased the Crawford Gour- ley farin in Perry township. to which he removed in 1882, and has since made his home there. He has erected a large two-story frame house, sub- stantial barns and outbuildings, and has made many useful improvements which add to its val- uable and attractive appearance, making it one of the most desirable country places as well as one of the happiest homes in the township.
Eight children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Smith, namely: George, born in July, 1865, died at the age of five years; Frank, born in Sep- tember, 1867, died of scarlet fever in 1870; Em- ma, born in April. 1870, died in August, 1877; Amanda, born in October, 1872, died in Septem- ber, 1877; Laura, born in March, 1875, died in
pursued his studies in the public schools until 1894, then attended the Clarion Collegiate Insti- tute at Rimersburg for two terms, and for the last three terms has been a student in the Indi- ana Normal. He is a very bright young man. and always stands at the head of his classes. Annie L., the youngest of the family. was born February 25, 1883, at the present home of the family, and attended the select schools at Spran- kle Mills and at Worthville.
Our subject always gives his political support to the Democratic party, and has held the office of school director six years in Young township and four years in Perry township. Both he and his wife are prominent and active members of St. John's Reformed Church in Perry township, and are people whose sterling worth and many excellencies of character commend them to the confidence and high regard of the entire com- munity. . In days of peace as well as on Southern battlefields Mr. Smith has manifested his loyalty by his support of all worthy enterprises for the public good.
T HOMAS B. ADAMS, one of the most prom- inent and influential farmers of Porter town- ship, has spent almost his. entire life in Jefferson county. his birth occurring in 1840. in Porter township, where his parents, Richard and Mar- tha (Kennedy) Adams. located at an early day.
Thomas Adams, Sr .. the grandfather, was a native of Huntingdon county, Penn .. whence he removed to Indiana county, and in 1839 took up his residence in Porter township. Jefferson coun- ty, where he purchased property from James Hamilton and developed a farm. He was twice married, having two children by his first wife, one, a daughter, Mary Ann. now the wife of Hugh McDivit, a farmer of Porter township. Their children are: Rebecca, wife of Charles Kelsey; Catharine, wife of Clark Walker, of Jef- ferson county; Richard, who is married and lives in Indiana county; M. B., who is married and resides in Porter township; Mattie, wife of J. C. Mathews, of Armstrong county, Penn .; E. A .; and Thomas M .. who is married and lives in Elk county, Penn. Thomas Adams, Sr .. by a sec- ond marriage, had other children, two of whom are now living, viz .: T. T. Adams, of Porter, Penn .. and R. B. Adams, who lives in Minne- sota; both are well-to-do farmers.
The father of our subject was born in 1819, in Indiana county, where he grew to manhood and was married in 1839. Soon afterward he came to Jefferson county, locating upon a part of i October, 1877; Clark M., born in February. 1878, ! his father's first purchase in Porter township.
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known to-day as the old Adams home. He transformed the wild land into a good farm, erected a hewed-log house and round-log barn, but in later years made more substantial and modern improvements. There he died in Octo- ber, 1890, at the age of seventy-one years, and his wife passed away in July, 1893. They were widely known and highly respected.
Thomas B. Adams is the oldest in their fani- ily of twelve children, all born in Porter town- ship. (2) E. C. is now Mrs. D. C. McGregor, who resides in Porter township, and has seven children. (3) E. A., a resident of Punxsu- tawney, Jefferson county, married Emeline Skin- ner, and has seven children. (4) M. J. married R. C. Skinner, of Indiana county, where they reside with their seven children. (5) Rev. J. K. was educated in Allegheny county, Penn., and in 1873 was ordained a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, being now located at Big Run. He married Sadie Hawthorne, but has no children. (6) J. Q., a farmer of Porter town- ship, wedded Mary E. Young, of Perry township, Jefferson county, and has two children. (7) Mary A. is the wife of William Chambers, of Indiana county, and the mother of several chil- dren. (8) Lavina is now Mrs. William T. Mil- ler, of Porter township, and has three children. (9) Margaret is the wife of James D. Blose, of Perry township, and has seven children. (10) R. T. graduated, first at the Edinboro Normal School and afterward at Allegheny College, Meadville. Crawford Co,, Penn., where he re- ceived the degree of A. M. He is now principal of the high school at Waynesboro, Penn. He married Minnie Waldon, and has one daughter. (II) Minerva and (12) William are twins. The former is the wife of H. H. Miller, of Porter township, by whom she has five children. The latter married Florence Graffins, and lives in Punxsutawney; they have one child.
Upon the old homestead Thonias B. Adams grew to manhood, obtaining his education in the public schools of the locality. On attaining his majority, in 1861, he enlisted in the Union army, becoming a member of Company B, , Sth P. V. I., under Capt. Hillbury. He enlisted and was mustered in at Kittanning, Penn., whence he was ordered to Louisville, Ky., becoming a member of the Army of the Cumberland, under Generals Buell and Rosecrans. His first engagement was at Green River, and on August 9, 1862, one of his limbs was injured in a railroad accident. He was taken to a hospital at Nashville, Tenn., where he was subsequently discharged on account of physical disability. In December, 1862, he returned home, but the following June he re-
enlisted in Company B, Second Battalion, under Capt. C. B. McLain. He was then with the Army of the Potomac, under Gen. Meade, for seven months, after which he was again dis- charged. While in Nebraska, in August, 1864, he enlisted in Company A, First Nebraska Regi- ment, and was sent to Fort Kearney to subdue the Indians, who were very troublesome along the border of Kansas and Nebraska, killing ranchmen and committing other depredations. In October, 1864, Mr. Adams participated in an engagement against the Indians at Smith's Ranch. in Nebraska, and the following month was again mustered out of service.
Mr. Adams spent the winter in Nebraska teaching school, and then went to Helena, Mont., on a prospecting trip, remaining there until Oc- tober, 1866, when he proceeded to Salt Lake City. After a short time spent in that place he went to Los Angeles, Cal., next to San Fran- cisco, and in 1867 returned to his Pennsylvania home by way of the Isthinus of Panama and New York. In that-year he married Miss S. J. How- ard, of Jefferson county, a daughter of William and Emily Howard, prosperous agriculturists of Porter township. They began their domestic life upon a part of his father's old homestead in Porter township, which Mr. Adams purchased, and followed farming in the summer and teach- ing school in the winter. In 1874 he removed to Brookville, where for three years he served as commissioners' clerk. On resigning he returned to Porter township and purchased the William Howard homestead, where he has since resided. He has become the owner of other valuable farming property, including the Van Horn place. He has met with fair success in his chosen call- ing, and is now accounted one of the most sub- stantial and reliable business men of the com- munity.
To Mr. and Mrs. Thomas B. Adams have been born nine children: (1) Emma E., born in Porter township, in 1868, was educated in the common schools, and is now the wife of George A. Park, of Jefferson county, who operates a portion of her father's farm. They have five children-Thomas F., Charles, Ernest. Elva and Harry. (2) Cynthia E., born in January, 1870, is at home. (3) Mary C., born in December, 1871, is the wife of David Doak, of Porter town- ship, by whom she has four children-Sadie A .. Lizzie, Maggie, and William. (4) James W .. born in October, 1873, is at home. (5) Charles H., born in January, 1876, in Brookville. is now attending the Dayton Academy. (6) Vinie M., born in October, 1877, (7) Maggie J., born in September, 1879, (8) Julia I., born August 12.
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1883, and Belva M., born in August, 1890, are all at home.
Reared as an Old-line Whig, our subject be- came a Republican on the organization of that party, and has ever taken an active and promi- nent part in local politics. He has been called upon to serve in a number of official positions of honor and trust, being commissioners' clerk three years, auditor's clerk ten years, justice of the peace from 1883 up to the present time, and county auditor for a term of three years. He was elected to the last, in 1896, and is still creditably filling that office. He is a man of sterling worth, upright, honest and reliable, and as a neighbor and citizen none are held in higher regard or are more deserving the confidence of their fellowmen. In all the relations of life he has been found true and faithful to every trust reposed in him, and has capably discharged all official duties. He and his wife are conscientious and earnest members of Zion Methodist Episcopal Church; he has held the position of class-leader for twenty years, and those of recording steward and Sunday-school superintendent about half the time since 1877. He is at this date class-leader, Sunday-chool superintendent, recording steward and trustee of said Church, and in social circles his family occupies a prominent place.
A MMON CLYMER JOHNS, a leading farmer and coal operator of Oliver township, Jefa ferson county, is a native of the county, born in Beaver township, February 25, 1866. His fa- ther, Joseph Johns, a retired farmer of Punxsu- tawney, was born about two miles from Lebanon, Penn., March 19, 1831, a son of Samuel and Magdalena (Neil) Johns, who were natives of Ireland and of Lebanon county, Penn., respect- ively.
The grandfather of our subject carne to Amer- ica with his parents in 1801. and for many years resided in Lebanon county. He served as a sol- dier in the Colonial army during the war of the Revolution. About 1821 he removed to Youngs- town. Penn., and thence came to Jefferson coun- ty, locating in Clover township, where he fol- lowed farming for a number of years. He held a number of local offices, and was regarded as one of the leading citizens of the community. In politics he was a Republican, and in religious belief was a Lutheran. He died in May, ISSo, at the age of eighty-three years, and was buried in St. John's Churchyard. in Rose township. His wife died in Angust, 1879, at the age of eighty-four. Their children were: Jacob, a re- i
tired farmer of Brookville, Penn. ; Isaiah, a farm- er and lumberman of Knox township, Jefferson county; Samuel and Cyrus, deceased; Lida, widow of Benjamin Thomas, of Beaver township, Jefferson county; Elizabeth, widow of Michael Brocious, of Beaver township; Isaac, a farmer of Ohio; Joseph, father of our subject; Mary, wife of Jacob Lehman, who is living on the old homestead in Jefferson county; Moses, a retired farmer of Brookville; Henry, an agriculturist liv- ing near Bellevue; Eli, a twin brother of Henry, and living in the same neighborhood: Lelia, de- ceased wife of John Burns; and John, who fol- lows farming near Bellevue, Jefferson county. Samuel Johns, the father of this family, was ex- tensively engaged in farming, and at one time owned 700 acres of land in Jefferson county, val- ued at $50,000. When he was a lad his father offered him a deed to 100 acres of land, which is now comprised within the limits of Pittsburg, if he would move to that place with him, but not wishing to go among strangers, he declined the offer. His mother had died when he was seven years old, so that he was not reared with the family.
Joseph Johns, father of our subject, was reared on the family homestead, and when twen- ty-two years of age removed to Beaver township, where he remained until 1870. He then located in Oliver township, on the farm now occupied by our subject, and in 1875 opened a coal mine, which he continued to operate in connection with his agricultural pursuits until October, 1893, since which time he has lived a retired life in Punxsutawney. During the war he was drafted for service, but on examination at Waterford, Penn., was rejected. In politics he is a Demo- crat. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he contributes to its sup- port. On March 24, 1853. in Beaver township, Jefferson county, he wedded Miss Mary A. Hoch, who was born in that township January 17, 1836. a daughter of Daniel and Mary ( Brocious) Hoch, who were natives of Schuylkill county, Penn .. and came to Jefferson county in 1835. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Johns became the parents of the following named: Elmira I., wife of John B. Smith, a farmer of McCalmont township. Jeffer- son county: Need B., a merchant of Panic, Penn .; John C., who married Anna Finch, and follows farming in Ohio; George F. M., of Punx- sutawney, who married Maggie Hopkins, and is a brakeman on the railroad: Minerva A., widow of Dr. Curtin A. Thursh. and now general agent of a book firin; Ammon Clymer: Joseph P .. who mar- ried Bertha Hoy, and is engaged in lumbering in Cortez, Penn. ; Edith J., wife of Carl Jordan, a
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farmer of Oliver township; Ina M., at home; Mary C. and Salina M., who died in childhood.
Reared to manhood on the family homestead, Ammon Clymer Johns, when a young man of nineteen, went to Huron county, Ohio, where he worked in a stone quarry and at farming for a year. He then returned home, and on attaining his majority removed to Cowlitz county, Wash., where he followed lumbering for two years. He afterward conducted the " Calamy Hotel, " located on the Columbia river, in Cowlitz county, for a year, and subsequently followed surveying in California and Oregon. He afterward took up two claims, of 160 acres each, in Cowlitz county, but has now disposed of these. In November, 1891, he returned to Jefferson county, Penn .. and purchased of his father his present home- stead, comprising 117 acres of land, mostly under
cultivation. In 1885 he opened a mine, which he is now successfully operating, his farm being underlaid with an excellent quality of coal. He has been offered $6,000 for his place, but refused to sell at that price. He is a very industrious, energetic man, and his industry, perseverance and good management have brought to him suc- cess. He was married October 3, 1889, at Van- couver, Wash., to Miss Frances Paul, who was born in Klinger, Northumberland Co., Penn., June 14, 1871, a daughter of Gabriel R. and Amelie (Weist) Paul, who were also natives of that county, whence they removed in April, 1878, to Cowlitz county, Wash. The father followed blacksmithing until 1891, but is now extensively engaged in farming. His political support is given the Republican party. He was born in April, 1852, his wife in February, 1855, and both are still living. The members of their family are: Frances P .; Jacob and Gabriel, both now de- ceased; Savilla, wife of George Gray, a inerchant of Freeport. Wash. ; and Timothy, deceased. The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Johns was Jacob Paul, a native of Northumberland county, who followed farming and blacksmithing. He married a Miss Hanna, who was born in Ger- many. The maternal grandparents were John and Lucy ( Bisel) Weise, of Northumberland . has also successfully engaged in dealing in horses, county, where the former died and the latter is still living.
Mr. and Mrs. Ammon Clymer Johns have an interesting family of three children: Edna M .. born August 6, 1890; Myrtle G., born November 26, 1892; and Bessie A., born January 1. 1894. The parents have a very pleasant home in Oliver township, and its hospitality is proverbial. Their friends throughout the community are many, and Mr. Johns is alike prominent in social and busi- ness circles. Obstacles have been laid in his path
to success, but he has steadily worked his way upward, and is now one of the substantial citi- zens of the cominunity.
D ANIEL WISE, of the firm of Wise Broth- proprietors of "Hotel Sykes," in Sykesville, is a native of Jefferson county, his birth occurring in Henderson township, January 19, 1866. His parents, Adam and Mary (Con- rath) Wise, were both born in Germany, whence the father came to the United States in 1837. with his parents, Adam and Barbara Wise, who located in Henderson township, Jefferson Co., Penn., and there spent their remaining days. Their remains were interred in Union cemetery, Clearfield county.
The parents of our subject are still residents of Henderson township, where the father is suc- cessfully engaged in farming. He was born in 1834, his wife in 1840. Both hold membership in the German Reformed Church, and in politics he is a stanch Democrat. Their children are: Louisa, now the wife of A. J. Haag, a school teacher of Clearfield county; Daniel, of this re- view; Henry, who is in partnership with our sub- ject; Katie, twin sister of Henry, now residing in Clearfield, Penn. ; Mary, who makes her home in Reynoldsville, Penn .; Louis, at home: Sallie, who is with our subject; and Elizabeth, Milton and Susannah, still at home.
Until he had attained his majority Daniel Wise remained under the parental roof, assisting in the work of the farm and pursuing his studies in the local schools. On leaving home he en- gaged in teaming for three years, and then em- barked in merchandising, in connection with F. C. Bonnett, at Sykesville, but at the end of three years and a half sold his interest in the business. He and his brother, Henry C., have since con- ducted the .. Hotel Sykes " with remarkable suc- | cess, and under their able management it has be- come a great favorite with the traveling public. Our subject, since reaching the age of twenty-one,
doing an extensive and profitable business along that line. In politics he favors no political party, preferring to use his right of franchise in support of the men whom he thinks best qualified to fill the offices. He is a self-made man, having made all he possesses by his own industry. diligence and economy, and is entitled to high praise for his commendable activity.
In Brookville, Jefferson county, June 2, 1892, Mr. Wise was married to Miss Bertha Bonnett, a native of Henderson township, and they now
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have an interesting son, Frederick W. They hold a high position in the social circles of the community, and have hosts of warm friends.
J JAMES W. WACHOB, a well-known lumber- man and agriculturist of Henderson town- ship, Jefferson county, has an honorable record as a citizen and business man, and' also distin- guished himself by his gallant service as a soldier during the Civil war. Enlisting as a private in 1861, at the age of twenty-one, he was made a corporal in 1863, a fourth sergeant in 1864, or- derly sergeant in November, 1864, and was com- missioned second lieutenant January 1, 1865, and first lieutenant June 3, 1865. Through all the years of the war he shrank from no duty or hardship, and except when in hospital because of wounds he missed none of the engagements of his regiment.
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