Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3, Part 35

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 35
USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 35
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 35
USA > Pennsylvania > Clarion County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 35

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His family is of Scotch origin, James Wachob, his grandfather, having crossed the ocean at an early day to make his home in Pennsylvania, lo- cating first in the Tuscarora Valley and later in Jefferson county, which was then a frontier re- gion. John Wachob, our subject's father, was born in Perry township, Jefferson county, in 1813, and after his marriage to Miss Elizabeth Hallo- well, settled in McCalmont township, where he purchased 140 acres of woodland and cleared it for a homestead. He died there in 1877, and his wife survived him twenty years, being fatally burned on May 1, 1897, as the result of an acci- dent which set her clothing afire. They had a large family of children, of whom our subject was the eldest. (2) Edward, born in February, 1842, in McCalmont township, died at the age of five years. (3) Sarah, .born April 24, 1844, was edu- cated in the common schools near the homestead, and became the wife of A. J. Sheesly, a farmer of Jefferson county. After remaining there some years they moved in 1883 to a farm near Bur- lingame, Kansas, where they now reside. They have had ten children-John P. Kerney; George; Thomas, who was killed in a railroad accident; Norman; the twins, Gilbert and Frank, of whom 1 the latter died in childhood; Ella; Joseph, and William. (4) George, born August 11, 1846, is a blacksmith by trade, and, after some years of residence in Big Run, moved to his present home at Wichita, Kansas. He married Miss Elizabeth Depp, of Jefferson county, and has had four chil- dren-Charles, Mattie. Allie and . Maggie. (5) Eliza, born January 13, 1849. married John Varner, of Jefferson county, and they now reside near Richardsville. They have had nine children: Clara, John, Nannie, Susannah, Jeddo, Horace

G., Dwight, Karl, and Clementine. (6) Peter, born March 3, 1850, learned the blacksmith's trade in Clearfield with Amos Kennard, and lo- cated in Mount Vernon, Jefferson Co., Ill. He married Miss Colorado Clark, of that locality and has five children. (7) John, born December 2, 1852, attended the common school near the homestead during boyhood, and then took a full course in Mount Union College, in Ohio. On graduating he entered the Methodist ministry, and is now (1897) the pastor of a Church at Los Angeles, California.

He .married Miss Ada Dailey, and has five children-Carl, now sixteen years old; May, four- teen years; Wallace, seven years, Paul, six years; and Charley, three years of age. (8) Julia A., born September 9, 1855, married John G. North, a farmer in McCalmont township, Jefferson county, who died in April, 1897. His wife sur- vived him with ten children-Joseph, who mar- ried Miss Agnes Wolf, of Jefferson county, and now resides in McCalmont township; Adda L., Naomi E., Margery, Sarah, Christina, Walter, John W .. Beatrice, and Jane, all at home. (9) William D., born August 26, 1857, has always resided at the old homestead. He married Miss Susannah Jones, of Walston, Jefferson county, and has had six children-Sarah, Lizzie, Martha, Annie, Nanie. who are all at home, and Emma, who died in childhood. (10) Charles, born May 2, 1862, died at the age of three years.

James W. Wachob was born April 25, 1840, and grew to manhood at the old farm. In 1861 he enlisted in Company A, 105th P. V. I., under Capt. Hastings, of Punxsutawney, the regiment being organized at Pittsburg and then sent to Washington, D. C. From there they went to Alexandria, Va., to help in building Fort Lyons, and early in 1862, while at Camp Jenni- son, Mr. Wachob was taken ill with typhoid fever and sent to a field hospital. On his re- covery in the fall of the same year he rejoined his comrades, and after having one engagement with the enemy in Occoquan, Va., they went by boat to Fortress Monroe, landing March 17, 1 862, and soon afterward they went to Yorktown. where they had another battle. Following this they had frequent skirmishes until May 4th, when they pursued the Rebels to Williamsburg and " won a victory in a battle there. Their next en- gagement was at Fair Oaks on May 31st and June ist, 1862, half the members of the regiment being killed or wounded. On June 29th came the battle of Savage Station, and on the next dor ; they took part in the struggle at Charles City Cross Roads, while on July ist they were at Malvern Hill. From that point they narched to

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

one of the best homesteads in Henderson town- ship. A two-story frame residence, a bank barn, and other buildings have been erected, and the greater part of the land has been cleared and brought under cultivation.

Harrison's Landing, on the James river, and, crossing the Peninsula to Yorktown, they took boat for Alexandria and from there went to Manassas Junction. On August 27, 1862, they had a battle at Briston Station, and then fol- lowed the second engagement at Bull Run, on Mr. Wachob has always been identified with the Republican party, and he takes an active part in various local movements, chiefly those of a non-political nature. He possesses more than ordinary intellectual ability, and is prominent socially as a member of J. W. Jenks Lodge No. 534, F. and A. M .; at Punxsutawney; the Order of American Mechanics Lodge No. 362, at Big Run; the Order of Maccabees of the World, and the Union Veteran Legion at Punxsutawney. In religious faith he and his wife are Methodists, being active members of the Church at Big Run. They have a bright and interesting family of children, but their first child, Mary, who was born August 12, 1866, died at the age of fifteen. (2) U. S. G., born November 25, 1868, married Miss Caroline Reiter, of Henderson township, and now resides on a part of his father's farm. They have two children-Mary E. and Orin, both at home. (3) John W., born July 31, 1870, married Miss Mabel Craft, of Jefferson county. After his marriage he bought property near his old home, and has since resided upon it. He has one child, Rosa. (4) James I., born October 17, 1873, (5) Mark, born March 11, 1876, and Frank D., born October 3, 1878, are at home with their parents. August 29th and 30th, and the battle of Chantilly on September Ist. On the latter date they fell back to Alexandria, where they remained a short time, then marched to Poolsville, Md., crossing the Potomac near Ball's Bluff, by way of Leas- burg to Fredericksburg. They arrived at Fred- ericksburg in time to have a hand in the bloody battle of December 12th and 13th, and then fell back across the Rappahannock and marched under Burnside's command to winter quarters near Falmouth, where theyremained until spring. On May 3, 1863, in the battle of Chancellors- ville, Mr. Wachob was wounded in the right thigh, necessitating a long stay in hospital. He returned home on a furlough, but reported for duty in July, 1863, and was in the engagements at Auburn Mills, Va., on October 13, Kelly's Ford, October 27, and at Locust Grove on No- vember 27. Mr. Wachob's term of service then expired, but he re-enlisted for three years more. In January, 1864, another furlough was granted, and during his stay at home he was married to Miss Sarah C. Palmer, of Jefferson county, a daughter of Isaac and Mary Palmer. On Feb- ruary 9, 1864, he rejoined his regiment at Brandy Station, Va., and remained in camp until early in May, when they marched to the scene of the battle of the Wilderness, which occurred on May 5th, 6th and 7th. From that time there was almost continual skirmishes, marked by the more severe struggles at Spottsylvania Court House on May 11th and 12th, North Anna on May 23rd and 24th, and Cold Harbor, June 3rd. 4th and 5th. On June 15th they joined the forces at Petersburg, where they remained until April 2. 1865, the severest fighting occurring July 28th. at Deep Bottom, on August 15th and 16th, and on October 27th, at Hatcher's Run. Shortly after leaving the vicinity of Petersburg they met the enemy at Sailor's Creek, on April 6, 1865, and at Farmville, on April 7th, and marching on to Appomattox Court House they were present at Lee's surrender. They then marched to Wash- ington to take part in the Grand Review, and on July 19, 1865, Lieutenant Wachob was dis- charged. On his return he and his wife made their home on a portion of his father's farm and remained six years, when he bought one hundred and thirty acres of partly improved land known as the old Irley farm, and this place has now Dr. Hamilton's primary education was ob- been transformed under his management into . tained in the schools near his boyhood home.

S YLVESTER S. HAMILTON, M. D .. a prominent physician and surgeon of Punxsu- tawney and one of its representative citizens, was born August 12. 1852, in Indiana county, Penn., of which county his parents, James A. and Isa- bel (Sutton) Hamilton, were also natives. Early in life the father learned the tanner's trade which he followed for about twenty years, but in 1861 he em- barked in merchandising in Indiana county, where he also did an extensive business as a dealer in horses, buying and shipping in large numbers. In 1867 he moved to Big Run, Jefferson county, where he was engaged in mercantile pursuits and lumbering until his retirement in 1893. He died in April, 1897, at the age of seventy-three years. Squire Hamilton, as he was familiarly known, was justice of the peace for over twenty-five years, and, until laying aside business cares, he was numbered among the leading and prominent busi- ness men of the county. His wife passed away in 1883.

A.S. Sfamilyow M. D.

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHIICAL RECORD.

He was subsequently a student in the Covode Academy. When a young man he engaged in~ teaching during the winter term, and continued to devote his attention to his studies during the summer, attending school, in 1869, at Lebanon, Ohio. He completed his literary course, how- ever, in the university at Scio, that State. In 1875 he took up the study of medicine, Dr. Will- iam Altman, now deceased, being his preceptor_ Later, he attended lectures at the Jefferson Med- ical College, Philadelphia. He was finally grad- uated from the Columbus (Ohio) Medical Col- lege in 1878. Forming a partnership with his old preceptor, Dr. Altman, he at once began practice, and for the past twenty years has been located in Punxsutawney. where he also conducts a prosperous drug business. Unusually success- ful, he has gained quite a reputation as a skilled practitioner, and occupies an enviable position in the ranks of the medical fraternity.

In 1876 Dr. Hamilton was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Eleanor, daughter of Ralston Mitchell, of Jefferson county, and to them was born a daughter, Cecil Beatrice. The wife and mother departed this life July 24, 1890, and on February 11, 1892, the Doctor was again mar- ried, his second union being with Miss Sarah J. Gourley, a daughter of Robert Gourley, a proin- inent farmer of Jefferson county.

While he has never courted political honors, Dr. Hamilton is an active worker in the interests of the Republican party, doing all in his power to insure its success. His many Republican friends have urged him to become a candidate for the General Assembly from Jefferson county. He is a prominent member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and Knights of Pythias lodges of Punxsutawney. He is a member of the Jeff- erson County Medical Society, of which he has served as president ; a nicinber of the State Med- ical Association; a member of the American Medical Association; and also a member of the National Association of Railway Surgeons. Ear- nest Christians, the Doctor and his wife are active and consistent members of the Cumberland Pres- byterian Church, in which he has served -as elder for the past fifteen years. As a physician and as a true citizen, he is held in high esteem by all with whom he comes in contact, and during his residence in Punxsutawney he has made many warm friends.

A DAM H. REITZ, who follows general iner- chandising at Ohl. Beaver township, Jef- ferson county, was born at the old Brocions

homestead, in Beaver township. Jefferson coun- ty, April 28, 1866.

A son of Peter R. and Catherine (Brocious) Reitz, he is on both sides descended from Ger- man ancestry. The first of the family in Ainer- ica was his · great-great-grandfather, who pur- chased 1,000 acres of land in Northumberland county, Penn., and divided it among his four sons. Michael Reitz, the great-grandfather, was born in Lancaster county, Penn., but removed to Northumberland county, where he spent his remaining days. He married Catherine Snoke, and their son John became the grandfather of our subject. He was born in Northumberland county, and there met and married Margaret Smith, a native of the same county. In 1833 he brought his family to Jefferson county, and fol- lowed farming until his death in. 1881, at the age of eighty-two years. His wife died in 1880, at the age of eighty-two years and nine months. Their children are: Isaac, a farmer of Oliver township; Mollie, widow of George Barkhouse, a farmer of Pinecreek township, Jefferson county; Michael, who is living retired at Sandy Valley; Saloma, widow of John Reinhart, of Oliver town- ship, Jefferson county; Harry (deceased); Peter R .; Mary, wife of Henry Emerick, who operates a sawmill.

The maternal great-grandfather of Mr. Reitz was Jacob Brocious, who came from Germany to America at an early day. His son Peter was a native of Centre county, Penn., and married Lair Delph, of Northumberland county.

On October 1, 1857, in Beaver township. Jefferson county, Peter Reitz was married to Catherine Brocious, and to the union were born the following children: Sarah J., wife of Levi Phyler, of Beaver township; Cornelius, a carpen- ter of the same township; Elizabeth E., wife of Frank Blyler: Albert F., a stone mason; Adam H .. of this review; John, a carpenter of Knox- dale, Penn .; Emanuel L., a stone mason; Cath- erine A., of Brookville. Penn .; and Emma S., Rebecca and Charles W., at home. The father of this family during the Civil war was drafted, September 4. 1864, and served for nine months and fifteen days under Capt. Pierce. He and his wife are members of the Lutheran Church, and | in politics he is a Democrat. In early life he followed carpentering, but was forced to abandon this pursuit on account of his sufferings from rheumatism occasioned by hardships in the war. He is a man of sterling character, and now follows general farming.

Adam H. Reitz, of this review, is a self-made man. who without educational or other advan-, tages to fit him for life's practical and responsible

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duties, has steadily worked his way upward by determined purpose, untiring energy and persever- ance. When twelve years of age he began work- ing as a farm hand, but his wages were given to his father until he had attained the age of eight- een. He then served a two-years' apprentice- ship to the stonemason's trade under his brother Albert F., and was then in partnership with him for seven years. They did contracting for bridge work, and carried on a successful business until 1892, when the partnership was dissolved, our subject having in the meantime embarked in gen- eral merchandising. He purchased his store December 23, 1890, and in 1894 built his present substantial store building. He carries a large and well-selected stock of general merchandise, and his courteous treatment of his customers, and his honorable business methods have gained him a liberal patronage.

On March 12, 1890, in Brookville; Adam H. Reitz was married to Miss Rebecca Haugh, who was born in Roseville, Jefferson county, Decem- ber 25, 1861, a daughter of Valentine and Maria (Shaffer) Haugh, the former of Northampton county, the latter of Jefferson county, Penn. Her father was a carpenter, and died on a farm in Beaver township, April 14, 1875, at the age of fifty-one years. He held membership in the Pres- byterian Church, and in politics was a Democrat. His wife was born April 27, 1843, and after the death of Mr. Haugh she married Jacob Shick, of Clarion county. By her first marriage she be- came the mother of the following named: Mrs. Reitz; Sherdon, an undertaker of Michigan; Solomon, a stage-driver of Montana; Charles S., who is connected with an oil refinery in Indiana. By her second marriage Mrs. Shick had four chil- dren: John, a school teacher; William: Jesse and Ollie O.

To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Reitz were born two children: Clyde E. and Anna B. L. The parents have a wide acquaintance in Jeffer- son county, and are highly esteemed by many friends. Mr. Reitz gives his political support to the Republican party, and in 1891 was appointed by President Harrison to the position of post- master of Ohl, in which capacity he is still credit- ably serving. He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is a citizen whose public-spirited and progressive interest in the wel- fare of the community has been of material benefit to his native town.

he has been engaged in agriculture and lumbering for many years.

The Zufall homestead is one of the oldest farms in that locality, having been settled at a very early day by our subject's parents. Samuel and Mary (Gardner) Zufall, who were born and reared in Fayette county, Penn., and came to Jefferson county soon after their marriage. Sam- uel Zufall bought 200 acres of the Gaskill lands, and, after building a log cabin with a stone chim- ney, he and his worthy wife began housekeeping in true pioneer style, having wolves, bears and panthers as near neighbors. The visits of the latter were not of a kind to be encouraged, as they carried away much stock and necessitated constant watchfulness by night as well as by day. As time passed, the industry of the young couple created a comfortable home, and other settlers coming added the pleasures of social life and brought wider business opportunities. A hewed- log house took the place of the rough cabin at the Zufall farm, and still later a plank house was built, and at this residence, in 1882, Samuel Zu- fall died. His wife, who had shared with him all the hardships of the early days, is still living. They had a numerous family of children, all of whom were born at the homestead. (1) Jacob, born January 1, 1839, in early manhood located on a farm in Henderson township, but a few years ago he sold out to the Bell, Louis & Yates Coal Co., and moved to Big Run, where he now conducts a feed store. He married Miss Annie M. Gray, of Armstrong county, Penn., and has had seven children-William, who is married and resides in Big Run; Samuel, who is married and resides in Henderson township; Ollie O., John and James, who are not married; Jane, now Mrs. Albert Neibergh, of Big Run, and Lavinia, Mrs. Jacob Weaver, who resides near Du Bois, Clearfield county. (2) Alexander Zufall mar- ried Miss Lizzie Hileburn, of Bell township, Jef- ferson county, where they now reside on his farm. They have eight children: Josiah, who is single and lives at home; David and John, both unmarried; Lydia, who married Jack Kuntz, formerly of Westmoreland county, Penn., now of Bell township, Jefferson county; Mary, who married Isaac Crossman. formerly of Armstrong county, and now of Jefferson county; Lottie, Mrs. Samuel Campbell; Miss Sarah A. and Miss Elvira, who are both at home. (3) Josiah mar- ried Miss Charlotte Piper, of Henderson town- ship, and now resides on a part of his father's old home. He has four children-David, Elory. Lawrence and Viola. (4) Catherine, born June 28, 1842, married Jacob G. Rudolph, and they

G EORGE I. ZUFALL, a veteran of the Civil war, holds a place among the leading citizens . of Henderson township, Jefferson county, where : have ever since resided on his farm, one mile

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

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north of Big Run, in Henderson township. They have a large family of children: George I., who married Miss Lina Ludwic, and has his home in Henderson township; David and Josiah, both unmarried; Edward, who married Miss Clara Smeyers, of Henderson township, and now re- sides at Sugar Hill, Jefferson county; John, Jacob, Solomon, the twins William and Willis, and Mary, none of whom are married; and Lydia, who is now Mrs. Lynn Smeyers, of Henderson township, and has two children-Ora Grace and Hervon. (5) Mary A., born June 21, 1846, married William Foltz, a real-estate owner at Big Run, where they now reside. They have seven children: Jacob, who married Miss Maggie McLinsey, and resides in Big Run, has two chil- dren-Allen and Calantha; Mary, who married Andy Rhodes, and resides in Henderson township, has four children-George, Jacob, Catharine and Guy; Naomi, Charlotte and Worth are at home; John died in infancy; Christina died in child- hood. (6) Christina, born November 1, 1850, married George Pifer, of McCalmont township, Jefferson county, and died there. She had five children: Samuel, who married Miss Maud Lou- don. and lives at Big Run, has one child-Leroy; Thomas, who is single; Katherine, who married Solomon Shipler, a farmer of Henderson town- ship, and has two children -- Cleveland and Elmer; Bertha, who married John Shank; and John, who died in childhood. (7) Lydia, born February 14, 1853, married Philip Kuntz, then of Hender- son township, Jefferson county, but now resides on a farm in Brady township, Cal. They have had eleven children: Mary, who married Christ Webber, of Brady township, Clearfield county; and Henry, James, .Samuel, Wesley, Jacob, Reuben, Harvey, George, Vada and Alonzo, all are at home. (S) Sallie, born Au- gust 4, 1844, died at the age of seven years.

George I. Zufall was born July 19, 1840, and grew to manhood at the old homestead, his education being acquired at the local school, where he attended three months each winter, during boyhood. In 1864 he enlisted in Com- pany B, 206th P. V. I., under Col. Brady, and after a short stay at Camp Reynolds for drill and equipment, was sent to Baltimore, and from there he went by boat to City Point, Va. His regiment marched to Bermuda Hundred, where the men lay in the open field one night, then proceeded to Peach Orchard to join the forces under Gen. Grant. For a time they served on picket duty at Crow's Nest, and then, marching to Dutch Gap, they built Fort Brady, where they remained until in October, 1864, when they marched to winter quarters at Fort Harrison, in

front of Richmond, Their time was mainly spent in guard duty until the evacuation of Rich- mond by Lee's forces, in April, 1865, when they packed up their belongings and marched into the deserted city, picking up a number of prisoners on the way. The regiment, which was the first of the Union army to enter the city, encamped for the first night in Capital Square, and then took up their quarters at the Poor House, where they remained until June, 1865. They received their discharge papers at Lynchburg, Va., June 26, 1865, and, returning to Camp Reynolds, were mustered out of the service on July 3rd. On coming home Mr. Zufall resumed his work at the homestead, which he had purchased before his father's death. On May 17, 1867, he married Miss Sarah M. Rudolph, of Big Run, and, after keeping house for a time in the old house, he built for himself a small house on the place. In 1893 he built his present residence, 'a large two- story frame house containing all the modern im- provements. He has cleared a large portion of the farm, removing the stumps, and his fields are among the most fertile in the township. He is an intelligent and public-spirited man, and takes great interest in educational affairs, having served two terms as school director. He has always affiliated with the Republican party, and in his religious views he is a devout Methodist, he and his entire family being leading members of the congregation of Big Run. Of his five children, the first born, Samuel J., died in infancy. (2) John, born April 12, 1870, was educated in the local schools, and is now in charge of the work at the homestead. He married Miss Lavina Muth, daughter of Philip and Magdaline Muth, well-to-do agriculturists of the same township, and has one child, Orville Osberne. (3) Laura S., born De- cember 26, 1873, married O. L. Jack, of Arm- strong county, Penn., who located at Apollo, Penn., and spent one year in the iron works there, but has since been a resident of Jefferson county. At present he is connected with a saw- mill at Big Run. Three children were born to this union, Lester O., Paul and James. (4) Andrew P., born September 2, 1879, resides at the homestead. (5) Lony J., born December 18, 1886, died September 29, 1887.

U RIAH J. MATSON. In America labor is king, and the sovereignty that her liberty- loving people acknowledge is that of business. The men of influence in a community in this en- lightened age are its enterprising, progressive representatives of commerce, and to this class be- longs Mr. 'Matson, of Falls Creek, who is one of

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the proprietors of the largest brick plant in Jeffer- son county, and is a business man of more than ordinary ability.

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3, Part 35

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