Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3, Part 4

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 4
USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 4
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 4
USA > Pennsylvania > Clarion County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 4

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discharged because of disability. He returned home in January. 1863, and, in February, was married to Miss Mary E. Kerr, of Big Run, who died in 1890. In 1891 he married his second wife, Elizabeth M. Henry, of Lock Haven. He has continued to reside in Big Run. In 1865 he built a cabinet factory and planing-mill there. Politically he is a Republican; he has served two terms as town councilman, one as assessor, and two or three as school director. He and his wife, in their religious belief, are both Protest- ants, being identified with the M. E. Church. By his first wife he had seven children-G. W., who married Miss Kelly and resides at Big Run; one whose nanie is not given, also of Big Run; Henrietta, now Mrs. Clark Brooks, of the same town; Laurence, who married Miss Ida Wheeler. of Indiana, Penn., and now a resident of Philips- burg, Penn .; Lucinda (Mrs. Joseph Williams, of Punxsutawney), Charles W., who is not married, resides at home; and Miss Nettie, who lives with her sister, Mrs. Williams. By this second marriage there is one daughter. Dudu Phœbe.

(8) George, born in 1847, at Pine Creek Furnace, in Armstrong county, Penn., is the only member of the family born outside of Cam- bria county. He married Miss Naomi Cupler, of Jefferson county, and, after residing for a time at Big Run, he settled at the old home in Hen- derson township, where he manages his father's mill. He has eight children - Clara, William. Lynn, Katie, Hassie, James, Minnie L. and Terry.

David L. Smeyres, the subject proper of this sketch, was born April 15, 1839, at the Cambria county homestead, and, accompanying his par- ents to Jefferson county, grew to manhood there. He received a common-school education. In 1863 he was married to Miss Maria Cupler, of Cambria county, Penn., daughter of Adam and Elizabeth Cupler, who later removed to Clearfield county, where her father died in August, 1866. After his marriage Mr. Smeyres settled in Big Run, purchased real estate and erected a fine resi- dence. This he afterward sold, and in 1866 he bonght sixty acres, a part of which is in Big Run borough, where he built a large two-story house and a bank barn and made many other improvements, his homestead being one of the best in the vicinity. He also owns a number of good houses in the same borough, which he rents. and has other property, including a tract of land in Indiana county.

The war record of our subject deserves espe- cial mention, although he was fortunately spared some of the sufferings which befell two of his brothers. In 1864 he enlisted in Company B. 206th P. V. I., under Captain Neal, of Perrys-

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ville, but, before going to the seat of war, was taken with typhoid fever at Camp Copeland; on the Monongahela river. On recovering he came home on a furlough, but later returned to Pitts- burg, and from there was sent to Virginia in General Ord's division of the Army of the James to take part in the campaign under Grant. For about five months his regiment was on picket duty at the Chapman farm, and had daily skir- mishes with the " Johnnies." Later they built Fort Brady while under a heavy fire from the enemy, some of the brave workers being killed each day. On April 3, 1865. orders came to march upon the Rebel forts about Richmond, where the Union forces were met by the mayor, who surrendered the city, and Mr. Smeyres' regi- ment was probably the first to plant their flag in the fallen capital of the Confederacy. They re- mained there on guard duty for six weeks, and. then marched 147 iniles up the James river to Lynchburg to relieve General Horner, but soon marched back again to resume guard duty at Richmond. On being mustered out of the Uni- ted States service, the men returned to Pittsburg to receive their final discharge.

In politics Mr. Smeyres has always been a Republican. He has held numerous local offices, serving eight years as councilman. While he is not identified with any Church, he was reared in the Protestant faith, and takes a generous interest in religious advancement. His wife and family belong to the Christian Church at Big Run. To the marriage of Mr. Smeyres and his wife have come eight children, two of whom are married; (1) Cynthia, born June 15, 1864, died August 6, 1872. (2) B. Clarence, born March 29, 1869, married Miss Clara Gray, of Henderson town- ship, Jefferson county, and resides upon a por- tion of the old homestead at Big Run. They have three children-Nora, Ralph and Terry Emerson. (3) John L., born December 14, 1870, inarried Miss Annie Hillburn, of Bell town- ship, Jefferson county, and also occupies a part : of the old homestead, where he has built a com- fortable and tasteful residence. He is now em- ployed by the Rochester Coal & Iron Company at Big Run. He has three children-Byer L .. Beatrice L. and Lala B. (4) James Henry, born January 10, 1875, was educated in the schools of Big Run. and, being still unmarried, resides at home. (5) Edgar B., born September 22, 1876, is unmarried. He attended the local schools, and is now employed by the Rark Glycerine Company, at Bradford, Penn. (6) Terry C .. born June 17, 1878, died August 26, 1879. (7) Miss Ella May. born March 23, 1881, and (8) Marion D., born February 24, 1883. are at home.

D ANIEL BREWER, one of the brave " boys

in blue " during the dark days of the Rebel- lion, is now a highly respected and honored citi- zen of Perry township, with whose business in- terests he has long been identified. His entire life has been passed in this section of the State, where his parents took up their residence during its pioneer epoch, becoming important factors in its development and prosperity. They were Peter and Letitia (Work) Brewer.

Peter Brewer was born in Northumberland county, Penn., in 1790, during early manhood located near Richmond, on the Indiana and Jeff- erson county line, and after his marriage removed to East Mahoning township, Indiana county, where he took up a tract of government land and improved a farm. In connection with agricult- ural pursuits, he also followed surveying for a number of years. Upon the old homestead both he and his wife died, the former at the age of sixty-two, and the latter at the age of seventy- eight years. In their family were the following children: Mary, who was born on the home farm in Indiana county, married Nathaniel Dougherty, and died some years ago; Sarah died when a young lady; John died in early manhood; James died at the age of twenty-five; Daniel is next in order of birth; Margaret died on the old homestead in early womanhood; Elizabeth is the wife of Robert Stewart, a farmer living near Plumville in Indiana county, by whom she has two children: Christina A. is the wife of Thomas Wadden. also a farmer living near Plumville: and Samuel is married and has three children. He is a carpenter by trade, and for a number of years worked for John Du Bois, in Dubois, Penn. Later he made his home in Ridgway, Penn., but now lives in Centerville, N. Y., between Buffalo and Rochester.

Daniel Brewer, of this sketch, was born Sep- tember 28, 1826. on the old homestead in In- diana county, where he grew to manhood. re- ceiving his education in the common schools of the neighborhood. He remained on the home farm with his parents until 1857, but five years previous he had married Miss Annie M. Robin- son, of Jefferson county, a daughter of Thomas Robinson. On leaving the parental roof he went to Perrysville, where he was a partner of William Lamson in the foundry and gristmill. the firm being Lamson & Brewer. until his enlist- ment in the Union army. In August, 1861, he joined Company A, to5th P. V. I., which was assigned to the Army of the Potomac under Gen- eral McCellan, and his first engagement was at Savage Station in June. 1862. This was followed by the battle of Williamsburg and the Richmond

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campaign, where he contracted the swamp fever, and for a time was confined at the hospital at Harrison's Landing. Rejoining his regiment he assisted in guarding the bridge near Manassas Junction, where an engagement was brought on with Lee's army, and the Union troops were driven back to Savage Station. Later followed the second battle of Bull Run, where half of Company A were killed or wounded, the re- mainder marching back to their old camp at Centerville, near Alexandria. On the retreat General Kearney was killed. The troops next marched to Camp Smith, where Mr. Brewer was elected second lieutenant of his company, and later proceeded to Poolsville, Md., to stop the advance of Stewart's cavalry. Here our subject was taken ill with ague which unfitted him for duty for some time, but finally he was able to rejoin the army at Leesburg, where they reinained three weeks. They were next stationed near Warring- ton, and from there went to Fredericksburg, where a battle was fought, which lasted three days, with a heavy loss to both sides. After reaching camp Mr. Brewer was stricken with sciatic rheumatism, and was later discharged at Fredericksburg on account of disability. On his

return to Perrysville, he resumed his business in connection with Mr. Lamson in the foundry until 1864, when he and George Blose bought out that gentleman and continued operations for four years. Our subject then sold his interest and purchased a wagon shop, and, subsequently, a planing-mill, which he has since successfully con- ducted. Having prospered in his undertaking he is now the owner of considerable real estate in Perrysville, and is accounted one of its represent- ative and prominent business men.

Thirteen children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Brewer, but nine died in infancy. Those living are as follows: (1) Sylvester E., born in 1855, inarried Miss Amanda Jones, and with their five children reside in Reynoldsville, Penn. (2) T. B., born in Perry township, in 1861. makes his home in Perrysville, and is a partner of his father in the planing-mill business. He mar- ried Miss Annie Marsh, of Jefferson county. and has two sons-John and Edward. (3) Harry M., born in 1864, in Perrysville, where he still re- sides, married Miss Shields, and has two chil- dren-Ruth and Rellah. (4) King, born April 22, 1878, is at home with his parents. In early life our subject was an Old-line Whig, but es- poused the principles of the Republican party on its organization, and has since been one of its inost earnest advocates. For the long period of twenty-eight years he most efficiently served as justice of the peace, resigning in 1893 when

elected commissioner of Jefferson county, a po- : sition he filled to the entire satisfaction of all con- i cerned. In religious belief he and his wife are Cumberland Presbyterians, belonging to the Church in Perrysville, and are well worthy of 1 the high regard in which they are uniformly held. Their sterling worth and many excellen- cies of character are fully appreciated by their many friends.

F RANK J. BLACK. Among the young and energetic business men of Reynoldsville, Jefferson county, as well as those who have been successful and whose efforts through life thus far, through their own perseverance, have borne am- ple recompense, is the subject of this personal history. He is now successfully conducting the " Hotel McConnell," in Reynoldsville, and cheer- fully gives his aid to all interests which will in any way benefit the community.

Mr. Black was born in 1864 in Armstrong county, Penn .. a son of Thomas and Marcella (Dougherty) Black, also natives of Pennsylvania, who for the past twenty-five years have made their home in Reynoldsville. He is the eldest in their family of eight children, and was provided with only a limited common-school education. Since the early age of thirteen years he has been dependent on his own resources, and. being am- bitious and energetic, he has met with excellent success in his undertakings. He embarked in business for himself as a dealer in books, station- ery, cigars, etc., and continued along this line for ten years. However, for four years prior to disposing of his stock, he also engaged in the newspaper business, publishing the Reynoldsville Paper for more than seven years. Owing to an injury which disabled him from actively attend- ing to the business, he was compelled to sell out. and a year later he became interested in . Hotel Belnap," with which he was connected for two years. In 1891 he purchased the .. Hotel Mc- Connell," and has since satisfactorily conducted this popular hostelry, which is known as the "Commercial Men's Home." The building is steam-heated. lighted by gas. and in fact equipped with all modern appliances found in a first-class hotel of the present day.

In religious belief Mr. Black is a Roman Catholic: socially he is a member of the Benevo- lent and Protective Order of Elks. also of the Sons of Veterans, his father having belonged to the 156th Pennsylvania Volunteers during the Civil war. Our subject takes an active and prominent : part in political affairs, is a pronounced Deto- , crat, and at one time was proffered the nomina-

J. J. Black.

الساور حلحدوث

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tion for assemblyman by his party, but declined the honor. He is a wide-awake, enterprising young business man, standing high in commercial and social circles, and has been a prime mover in every public undertaking connected with Reynoldsville. He was one of the projectors of and a stockholder in the water works: is a stock- holder in the woolen-mills; also in the proposed silk-mills, and is one of the directors of the pro- posed street railway, the company having already been granted a charter and right of way. He is a director in the Reynoldsville Oil and Gas Co .; a shareholder in a plat of ground adjacent to the ; borough to be given to manufacturing industries as an inducement to bring them to Reynoldsville; also a stockholder and director in an independent telephone company. For fifteen years Mr. Black has been chief of the fire department of Reynoldsville. In fact, no worthy enterprise is ever undertaken in that place, that he does not become actively interested in, and he has there- fore been an important factor in promoting the material welfare of the community, and deserves an honored place among its valued and repre- sentative citizens.

JOSEPH KEYS. No State in the Union can boast of a more heroic band of pioneers than Pennsylvania. In their intelligence, capa- bility and genius they equalled the pioneers of New England, and in their daring and heroism were equal to the Missouri and California Argo- nauts. Their privations, hardships and earnest labors have resulted in establishing one of the foremost commonwealths in America.

From a very early day the Keys family has been closely identified with the development and progress of Jefferson county, and one of its prom- inent and worthy representatives is the gentle- man whose name introduces this sketch. Here he has spent his entire life, his birth occurring in Washington township, November 14. 1827, and amid scenes of frontier life he was reared, begin- ning his education in an old log building with no' windows. Light was admitted through a hole cut out of the logs, or came from the large fire-place at one end of the shanty; the seats were of puncheons, and the school was conducted on the subscription plan. The grandparents of our subject. Joseph and Susan Keys, were natives of County Derry, Ireland, and were the parents of three children: Henry, Mathew and Elizabeth, who died unmarried in 1848. In 1818, with his family, Joseph Keys sailed for the United States, and first located in Centre county, Penn., where for a time he was employed in the Curtin fron 71

Works, but in 1823 he took up his residence in Jefferson county, becoming one of the first set- tlers of Beechwoods, Washington township. Se- curing a large tract of land, he at once began its improvement, and also engaged in the manufact- ure of maple sugar and syrup which he took to other counties and exchanged for such supplies as were needed by the family. The first wheat he raised he was forced to haul to Curwensville to have ground. His wife died in 1840, aged seventy-five years, and he, in 1849, at the age of eighty-two. Both were earnest members of the Presbyterian Church and honored pioneers of this region. After the father's death the sons divided the property, and there reared families of their own.

Henry Keys, the father of our subject, mar- ried Catherine Wilson. also a native of Ireland, where her father died. About 1826, her mother with the family emigrated to America, and also became prominent early settlers of Beechwoods. Besides Mrs. Keys there were two sons, Gal- breath and John, both of whom married and reared families. After his marriage Henry Keys remained upon his portion of the old homestead until 1848, and there our subject was born. being the second white child born in that settlement. At one time the father had to go fifteen miles to get his axe sharpened, and while on the way his dog discovered a bear sitting up against a tree. The bear being attracted by the barking of the dog did not notice Mr. Keys, who crept round the tree, and soon killed it with his axe. On leaving the old farm, Henry Keys removed to Warsaw township, Jefferson county, where he also im- proved a place, making it his home until 18,5. when he took up his residence in Brookville. There he died, in 1880, at the age of eighty-five years, and his wife, in 1891, at about the same age. Both were faithful members of the Baptist Church, of which he served as deacon for many years, and which he helped to organize, it being the first Church of that denomination in the country. He was a director and stockholder in the First National Bank of Brookville, and for a time successfully engaged in speculating in lands, leaving at his death a large estate, of which ont subject was administrator. Few men have left an example more to be desired than he, and his progressiveness, business ability, and the part he took in public affairs will long be felt in the com- munity.

Joseph Keys is the oldest in a family of twelve children, the others being as follows: Wil- son, who was wounded during his service in the Union army, and is now a farmer of Kansas: Mrs. Susan Suffold: Matthew, who laid down his

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life on the altar of his country during the Civil war; Mrs. Mary A. Shaw; Mrs. Eliza Raught; Mrs. Rebecca Casper; Henry, who was seriously wounded, and taken prisoner during his service in the Union army, but is still living; Catherine, who died unmarried; William J., who died in childhood; and John and Martha, twins, the former of whom died in childhood, and the lat- ter is now Mrs. Miller, of Virginia.

On attaining to man's estate Joseph Keys was united in marriage to Miss Margarie Patter- son, a daughter of John and Rebecca (Wilson) Patterson, who came from Ireland to the United States, and after spending a few years in New York located in Beech Woods. Jefferson county, in 1834. There the father improved a farm which he later sold, and removed to Pittsburg. where both he and his wife spent their remain- ing days. Their children were John, deceased; Mrs. Mary J. Quillian; Margarie; Thomas, who died in Jefferson county; Catherine, who died in Pittsburg; Galbreath, a Union soldier; and Rebecca. The children accompanied their par- ents to Pittsburg, but all are now deceased. - In that city was celebrated the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Keys, and they became the parents of five children: John R., who is now engaged in the lumber business in Alabama; Henry, who died at the age of eighteen years; Mathew; Frank M. ; and Elmer M. The wife and mother, who was a faithful member of the Baptist Church, passed to the world beyond May 24, 1895, and her death was widely and deeply mourned.

After his marriage Mr. Keys remained upon the old homestead for two years, and then pur- chased his present farm-a valuable tract of 11 5 acres, of which he has placed seventy acres under cultivation. Besides the comfortable two-story frame residence he has erected, he has built good barns and outbuildings, set out an orchard and made many other useful improvements which add to its attractive appearance. The land was not only covered with a heavy growth of timber. including poplar, ash, etc., but he also had to cut a road to his place on locating there. Wolves often made the night hideous with their howling. and he would be compelled to frighten them away by discharging his gun in order to get sleep.

years have passed, however, the country has be- come thickly settled, all the comforts of civilized life have been introduced, and one by one the early settlers are fast passing away, leaving few to tell the story of their early experiences. Among these honored and prominent pioneers Mr. Keys stands pre-eminent, and during his long and useful career he has gained the respect and confidence of young and old, rich and poor.

his friends being numerous throughout the county. In religious faith he is connected with the Bap- tist Church, and in political sentiment is a Re- publican. Although he has faithfully served in a number of township offices, he has never cared for political honors.

G EORGE AMENT BLOSE, Ex-County Su- perintendent of the schools of Jefferson county, and a teacher for years in this section of Pennsylvania, is of Revolutionary lineage, and has descended from ancestors who came to the State a century and a half ago.

Daniel Blose is the name of the first of the family that the descendants have been able to trace. He came from Germany, and was living in Northampton county, Penn., September 13. 1778. the date of the birth of George Blose, the grandfather of George Ament Blose. Daniel was the father of six children: George, Michael, Barney, Mary (married to Joseph Walton), Dan- iel, and Ann (married to Isaac Shuster). George Blose was married to Sarah Walton about 1800, and to them were born ten children: Polly and William (died in infancy), Josiah (died in youth). John George, Boaz, Emily (married to George Schrock), Sarah (married to Thomas Sharp Mitchell), Daniel and Elizabeth (twins). Rachel Maria (the only one now living, is married to John Niel). Of these, Elizabeth married Charles Redding, moved to near Elizabeth. in what is now West Virginia, where she lived till her death.

George, Blose (grandfather of George Ament) had moved to Westmoreland county, and lo- cated about eight miles north of Greensburg. previous to the birth of his son, John George, father of the subject of this sketch, but in 1831 he moved to Perrysville, Jefferson county, and resided there till his death, August 31, 1849. His widow, who died in Jefferson county, July 10, 1860, was born in Northampton county, Penn., January 3, 1779. She descended from an old American family of Scotch origin. Boaz Walton, her father, was twice married, and had a numerous family: Obadiah and a brother, whose name is not recalled, and, perhaps, a sis- ter. were children of the first marriage; and Joseph, Sarah (married to George Blose). Mary (married to William Martz), Rachel (married to Peter Wagaman), Martha (married to Daniel Blose), Elizabeth (married to George Ament). Emily (marrried to Isaac Martz), and Samuel. were children by the second wife.

John George Blose, who in the latter part of his life was know as George Blose, Sr., was born

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in Westmoreland county, Penn., August 3, 1803. On April 20, 1826, he was married to Esther Ament. A few years after their marriage they moved from Westmoreland county to Arinstrong county, where they resided a number of years. In 1834 they came to Jefferson county, and were residing on their farm in Perry township, at the time of their deaths. He died very suddenly on January 19, 1877-and she passed away April 6, 1881. She was a woman of more than average intelligence and superior management, and con- tributed largely to the support of the family by her industry and frugality. For about nine years before her death she was an invalid. She was a consistent member of the Lutheran Church from her thirteenth year; and was a most estimable woman, pious and upright, and bore her long and trying affliction with great patience and Christian fortitude. To George and Esther Blose were born eight children: Josiah, who lives near the old homestead: Rachel Mary Dennison, who married Nathan Croasmun, and lives near Whitesville, Jefferson county; Esther Markle, who married James Madison Haddan, and lives in Clayville, Jefferson county; Jeremiah, who died April 20, 1858, of consumption, at about twenty-four years of age; Susannah Catharine, who married John Henry Weaver, lived in Whitesville a number of years, and then moved to Altoona, Penn., where her husband studied medicine and became a practicing physician, and where she died in May, 1895; Sarah Jane, who married David Miner Postlethwait, and resides near Perrysville, Jefferson connty; Darius, who resides in Clayville; and George Ament, the sub- ject of this sketch.

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3, Part 4

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