Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3, Part 42

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 42
USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 42
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 42
USA > Pennsylvania > Clarion County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 42

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Returning home, Capt. Kelso resumed agri- cultural pursuits upon his present fine farm, which : is conveniently located one mile east of Summer-

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ville, and is a valuable tract, 100 acres of which is highly cultivated and improved with excellent buildings. Since the organization of the party he has been an ardent Republican, takes an act- ive and commendable interest in public affairs, and is now acceptably serving his second term as justice of the peace, being first elected in 1889. Fraternally he is an honored member of the Grand Army of the Republic and the Veteran Union, while religiously he and his wife are both identified with the Seceder or United Presbyte- rian Church. His genial manner and his pleasant address have won him friends throughout the en- tire community, and he justly merits the high esteem in which he is uniformly held.

D AVID ALFRED STAHL, of Sykesville, who is engaged in general farming and lum- bering, was born in Indiana county, Penn., Au- gust 7, 1851, a son of William M. and Rachel (Fiaught) Stahl. His parental grandparents were natives of Germany, and died in Indiana county, this State, where for many years the grandfather had followed farming. In Germany the maternal grandparents were also born, and at an early day established a home in Indiana county, where Mr. Fiaught devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits.

The father of our subject was born in 1837, the mother in 1840, and their home is still in In- diana county, where he is engaged in farming and carpentering. Their children are: David Alfred, of this review; Mary, who died at the age of fifteen; William C., a carpenter of California; Levi, a farmer and carpenter of Montour, Penn. ; John, who follows carpentering in California; Edward and Furman, who are engaged in the same pursuit in the Golden State; and Emma, wife of Alexander Reeves, of Indiana county, Pennsylvania.

David Alfred Stahl, whose name introduces this sketch, resided with his parents until fifteen years of age, and then started out in life for him- self, working in the lumber woods and on farms of the neighborhood. He was thus employed until 1873, when he made his way to the Pacific slope, locating in Sacramento county, Cal., where he spent the next eight years of his life, working as a farm hand. In 1881 he returned to Pennsylvania, and after visiting his parents for two weeks came to Jefferson county, where he engaged in lumbering until the spring of 1882. He then returned to California, but in the suc- ceeding autumn again came to Jefferson county, and has since resided upon his present farm. In

his political views he is a Republican, but he has never sought office, preferring to give his entire attention to his business interests.

On April 6, 1882, at Brookville, Penn., Mr. Stahl was married to Miss Christiana Shaffer, the ceremony being performed by Rev. T. Hen- derson. Her father, Henry Shaffer, a general farmer of Sykesville, was born in Fayette county, February 19, 1837. His parents were Peter and Susan (Shaffer) Shaffer, who, though of the same name, were of different families. The for- mer was born in Somerset county, the latter in Westmoreland county, and both died in Fayette county. Mr. Shaffer died in 1847, at the age of fifty-five, his wife in 1877, aged eighty years. Their children were Beckie, deceased wife of Elijah Zu- fall, also deceased; John, who died on the old homestead; Elizabeth, deceased wife of Joseph WVimer; Samuel, who is living on the old home- stead in Fayette county; Peter, who also makes his home there; John, a shipper, of Henderson township, Jefferson county; Henry, father of Mrs. Stahl; Leonard, a farmer of Fayette county; . Susan, wife of Rev. Simon Fulken, of Fayette county ; Mary, twin sister of Susan, who married Isaac Miller, and after his death became the wife of Jeremiah Stoffer, a farmer of Fayette county; and Flora, deceased wife of George Meyer, of Fayette county.

Henry Shaffer was married in 1863 to Bar- bara Smith, and they became the parents of the following named: Christiana; Susan, who died in infancy; William, who is engaged in business with Mr. Stahl; Jacob, of Minnesota: and James and Laura, who are living with Mrs. Stahl. The mother of this family was born at Big Run, Jef- ferson county, and died in the fall of 1879, at the age of thirty-three years. Her parents were Jacob and Christiana (Philippi) Smith, of Penn- sylvania. Mr. Shaffer resided with his parents until eighteen years of age, and then .went to Henry county, Ill .. where he was employed at farm labor for fouryears. He afterward returned to Jefferson county, and purchased two tracts of land of 118 acres each, paying $3 per acre for the same. The greater portion of Sykesville is built upon his farm. In politics he is a Democrat. is a member of the German Reformed Church, and is a prominent citizen of the community.

The home of our subject and his wife has been blessed with six children: William H., Edith, Glenn, Alda, Mahlon, and Raymond-all yet un- der the parental roof. Mr. and Mrs. Stahl have a wide circle of friends in Jefferson county, with whom their home is a favorite resort. They are well known throughout this locality. and their genuine worth has gained them warm esteem.

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

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E ADWIN HULL McKEE. Among the self- made men of Jefferson county-men who have accumulated their property through their own thrift -may be reckoned the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch. He is now engaged in general farming in Winslow township, and is meeting with a fair degree of success in his chosen calling.

At Mary Ann Furnace, Clarion Co., Penn .; Mr. McKee was born June 19, 1851, a son of David and Matilda (Chambers) McKee. The birth of the father occurred in Centre county, Penn., in ISog, but his parents, William and Elizabeth McKee, were natives of Ireland and Scotland, respectively, and were married in Cen- tre county, Penn. William McKee died in 1812, leaving a widow and six children, all of whom are now deceased. In 1835, the father of our subject located in Clarion county, and in 1839 married Matilda J. Chambers, who was born in 18-, and is a daughter of William Chambers. After a trip to California, David Mckee pur- chased a farm of 137 acres in Jefferson county, in 1855 located near Punxsutawney, and there made his home until called to his final rest in 1890, his remains being interred in the Punx- sutawney cemetery. He was an active and prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which he was officially connected, and was a supporter of the Republican party. His estimable wife, who is still living, now re- sides with her son, D. Oscar, in Hemmetsville, California.

In the family of this worthy couple were the following children: William G., who was a mem- ber of Company A, 105th P. V. I., and was killed during the Civil war; James M., a farmer in Indiana county, Penn .; Maggie A., who mar- ried James Anthony, but both are now deceased; Frances P., wife of Thomas McCreight, a farmer of Winslow township, Jefferson county; Thomas B., an agriculturist of the same township; Ed- win Hull, of this sketch; D. Oscar, a hardware merchant of Hemmetsville, Cal .; and Clara, who is with her mother.

During his boyhood and youth Edwin McKee assisted in the work of the home farm and at- tended school, and until he attained his majority he remained with his parents, though for five years he was engaged in making square timber. At the age of twenty-two he rented a farm in Bell township, Jefferson county, where he resided for three years, and then purchased his present farin of seventy-three acres in Winslow town- ship, at $20 per acre. He is a painstaking and thrifty farmer, and his success is certainly well deserved. On February 7, 1872, in Jefferson į

county, he was married by Squire Miller to Miss Sarah C. Brown, and they have become the parents of the following children: Edwin H., Jr., born Oc- tober 31, 1872, is at home; Clara J., born August 18, 1874, is the wife of Sandy Cammeron, of Johns- burg, Penn., by whom she has one child, Earl; and Julia M., born August 10, 1876, Smith M., born January 14, 1878, James Calvin, born Oc- tober 9, 1879, Maud Viola, born January 7, 1882, Harry B., born January 18, 1884, Norman E., born July 5, 1886, Lillie A., born June 13, 1888, George W., born May 3, 1891, Verna May, born June 2, 1893, and Arthur L., born December 22, 1894, all at home.

Mrs. McKee, the mother of this family, was born near Punxsutawney, in Jefferson county, January 31, 1854, a daughter of Thomas J. and Margaret (Hartless) Brown, natives of Allegheny county. Penn., where their marriage was cele- brated. They were among the first settlers of McCalmont township, Jefferson Co., Penn., set- tling here in 1838, on the present site of Panic, where the father followed farming and lumbering; he purchased 180 acres in the wilderness at $1.50 an acre, where he remained until his death. He was born February 9, 1803, and died September 13, 1868; and his wife was born February 25, 1813, and died May 15, 1865. They were ear- nest members of the United Brethren Church, and highly respected throughout the community, and they now sleep side by side on a part of the old homestead at Panic. In politics Mr. Brown was a Republican. In their family were the

following children: Moses, born October 7, 1830. died February 7, 1852; Mary, born April 25, 1832, died in 1849; Job, a retired farmer of Indiana county, Penn .; Daniel, born September 21, 1836, near Logan's Ferry, Allegheny Co., Penn., is now a farmer of McCalmont township. Jefferson county; Margaret, born September 30. !838, died May 7, 1849; William, born Septem- ber 12, 1840, died December 12, 1841; Barbara A., born September 8, 1841, is the wife of Frank Ellenbarger, who lives near Coolspring, in Jef- ferson county; Thomas J., born September 10. 1843, lives on a portion of the old homestead now included in the village of Panic; Susana, born January -, 1846, died February 4, 1846; Emily, born March 3, 1847, is the wife of Jacob Dickey, who operates a part of the old farm in McCalmont township; George, born June 10, 1849, is a farmer in Jefferson county; Jacob Resler, born December 5. 1851, is a resident of Battle Hollow, McCalmont township; and Sarah C., born January 31, 1854, is the wife of our subject. The father of these children was mar- ried a second time, his choice, being Miss Cath-

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erine Smith, who died in 1890 and is buried in Punxsutawney.

As a pronounced Republican, Edwin Hull Mc- Kee takes an active interest in political affairs, and acceptably served as register of his town- ship for two years, and as constable from 1891 to 1894, but he has declined to accept other official positions .. He is an intelligent and pub- lic-spirited citizen, who occupies a remarkably high position in the estimation of the people of the community, and is known far and wide as one of the leading representative men of Wins- low township.

TOHN S. MOORE, a prominent marble and granite dealer of Brookville, Jefferson county, has the happy faculty of combining virtues of energy and pluck with excellent judgment, which have brought great success to his efforts and labors. A native of Pennsylvania, he was born in Indiana county in 1849, a son of Abra- ham and Phoebe (Sutton) Moore.

Abraham Moore was born in Philadelphia, whence when a young man he moved to Indiana county with his father, Abraham Moore, Sr., where they engaged in farming. That honored calling Abraham, Jr., made his life work, but he spent his later years in retirement, though he still owned and looked after his farm. He passed away in 1878; his wife, who was also a native of Pennsylvania, died in 1890. He was a quiet, unassuming man, of excellent business ability, and succeeded in accumulating a comfortable competence.

John S. Moore, our subject, pursued his stud- ies in the public schools of Indiana county, and spent the first seven years of his life upon a farm, at the end of which time his parents removed to the town of Indiana, where he grew to manhood. In 1868 he accepted a clerkship in the store of Moore & Lafferty, of Jacksonville, Penn., where he remained for one year, and in the spring of 1869 went to Terre Haute, Ind. There he suc- cessfully engaged in the marble and granite busi- ness until 1871, when he sold out and returned to Indiana, Pern. In January, 1872, he located in Brookville and established his present busi- ness, in which he has prospered, and to-day ranks among the leading dealers in marble and granite in western Pennsylvania. From a small beginning he has steadily built up the business until it has assumed extensive proportions.

In 1871 Mr. Moore was married to Miss Frances H. Stall. who was born in Indianapolis, Ind., a daughter of Andrew Aiken Stall, a native of Maryland. One son and one daughter graced

this union, the son dying in infancy. The daugh- ter, Elizabeth S., graduated at Wilson College, Chambersburg, Penn., in the class of '95. On October 1, 1897, she entered the medical depart- ment of Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Md., where she is preparing herself for the prac- tice of medicine by taking the full four-years' course. Prior to this she took a six-months' course at Cornell University, Ithaca, New York.

Mr. and Mrs. Moore are consistent and faith- ful members of the Presbyterian Church, in which Mr. Moore is serving as an elder. Fraternally he is connected with the I. O. O. F., of which he is a past grand, and has served, by both ap- pointment and election, as district deputy grand master, and has been treasurer of the local lodge for several years; he is also identified with the Knights of Pythias, and is past chancellor of the lodge at Brookville. In politics he is a stanch supporter of the Republican party, and, while not an aspirant for official distinction, he has faithfully served his fellow citizens in the capacity of school director and as a member of the town council. He is true to every trust reposed in him, whether public or private, and no man in Brookville is held in higher regard.

J TOHN E. SMITH. Among the prosperous and progressive agriculturists of Perry town- ship, Jefferson county, the subject of this sketch takes front rank. He has spent his entire life in the county, where the family was founded at an early day by his grandfather, Henry Smith, a native of Germany, who purchased land in Young township and transformed the wild land into a productive farm, which was afterward di- vided among his three children. Jacob, the old- est, lived and died on a portion of that place. Louisa, the only daughter, married Henry Win- gert, and also died on the old homestead.

William Smith, our subject's father, was also born in Germany, and when a boy crossed the Atlantic with his parents and took up his resi- dence in Young township, Jefferson county. He married Miss Annie Prillheart, and began house- keeping on a part of the old homestead, where he died in 1896, at the age of seventy-seven. His first wife, and the mother of our subject, was called to her final rest in 1852, leaving five chil- dren: (1) Catharine is the wife of Frederick Hurlebus, of Cleveland, Ohio, and has three children-Annie, Ida and William. (2) Samuel, a farmer of Oliver township, Jefferson county, married Jane Straithoof, and both she and her child died some years ago. Later he wedded . Becky McCracken, of Perry township, and they

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

have reared a family. (3) William K., of Young township, is inarried. and has two children- Esther, and one not given. (4) Mary is the wife of George Hartzfeld, of Brady township, Clear- field Co., Penn., and has a family of children.

(5) John E. Smith, who completes the fam- ily, was born in 1852, on the old homestead in Young township, where he grew to manhood, re- ceiving a good common-school education. In early life he learned the mason's trade, which he followed for about fourteen years, but after his marriage in 1872 he moved to his farm in Young township, where the town of Walston nowstands. After a residence there of about three years he sold to the Walston Coal Company and bought the old Emhoof farm in Perry township, where he still resides. Subsequently he purchased the Smith farm in Ringgold township, - Jefferson county, and the old David Barnett place in Young township, near Punxsutawney. A thorough and skillful farmer and a man of more than ordinary business ability, he has met with a well deserved success in his undertakings, and through his own industry, perseverance and good management has accumulated a large amount of valuable real estate.

In 1881 Mr. Smith was married to Miss Ella Barnet, of Jefferson county, and they have be- come the parents of ten children, namely: Joseph M., Horace A., Fannie M., Laura M., Anna D., Frederick L., Emily L., Elias, Marion L. and Arthur E. Both Mr. and Mrs. Smith are earnest members of St. John's Reformed Church of Perry township, and contribute liberally of their means to its support. They also give freely to all char- itable and religious enterprises, and are num- bered among the valued and highly respected citizens of their community. In his political af- filiations, Mr. Smith is a Democrat.

A NDREW JACOBS is a lumberman and farm- er of Gaskill township, Jefferson county, who ranks among its best citizens by reason of his devotion to every duty of both public and private life. His name is synonymous with hon- orable business dealing, and the success that has come to him is the just reward of his own labors.

Mr. Jacobs is a son of Perry and Lizzie (Whitman) Jacobs. His father was born in eastern Pennsylvania, whence he removed to Arinstrong county, where he followed the foundry business at McCray's Furnace. His wife died in 1852, and soon afterward he went to California, since which time no news has been received of him. In the family were three children: Mina,

born in Armstrong county, was educated in the common school and also received a musical edu- cation. She became the wife of Foster Corbitt, of Clarion county, Penn., who is now engaged in merchandising in Jefferson county. They have four children: Guy, a jeweler of Allegheny; Mary, May, and Lawson, all at home. Clara, the second daughter, was born and reared in Armstrong county, and became the wife of Irwin Swavly, of Lock Haven, Clinton Co., Penn., who engaged in merchandising there for a time, but is now a dealer in musical instruments in Bellefonte, Penn. His wife died leaving three children.

Andrew Jacobs, the only son, was born in Armstrong county, in 1852, and after his moth- er's death was bound out to Samuel Irwin, of that county, with whom he remained until fifteen years of age. He then went to Reynoldsville, where he began work in the lumber woods. fol- lowing that pursuit until his marriage. In 1877 he wedded Miss Minerva Smith, a daughter of William and Polly Smith, well-to-do farming people of Oliver township, Jefferson county. To Mr. and Mrs. Jacobs have been born three chil- dren. Rhoda B., born July 7, 1878, is receiving a liberal musical education, and has made splen- did advancement in that art. William Perry, born March 4, 1880, possesses superior mechan- ical genius. Bertha May, born March 9. 1884. completes the family.

At the time of his marriage Mr. Jacobs located on the farm of Elias Bowers, his wife's uncle, where he has since been engaged in lumbering and agricultural pursuits. He is a successful business man, who throughout his entire life has been dependent upon his own exertions for a liveli- hood. Energy and perseverance formed the key to his advancement, and have brought to him a comfortable competence. In politics he is a stanch Republican, and has been honored with all the local offices of his township, including those of supervisor, collector, auditor and school director. Both he and his wife belong to the Presbyterian Church, and have the warin regard of many friends.

A MOS S. STROUSE is a general farmer and luniberman of Winslow township, Jefferson

county. Throughout his business career he has been identified with these industries which are among the most important that are followed in the county and have contributed most largely to its progress and substantial improvement. He has also filled with credit and ability a number of

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

offices, and is regarded as one of the most popu- lar and valued citizens of the community.

Mr. Strouse was born December 7, 1853, in Winslow township. His father, Martin Strouse, a retired farmer of that township, was born May 18, 1829, in Westmoreland county, a son of Jonathan and Julia Ann (Cease) Strouse, the for- mer a native of Berks, and the latter of West- moreland counties. They became early settlers of Jefferson county, where the grandfather suc- cessfully carried on farming, and held a number of local offices. The family is of German origin, and the great-grandfather, Christian Strouse, a native of Germany, was the founder of the fam- ily in America. On October 21, 1852, Martin Strouse was married to Mary A. Philippi. He has followed farming and lumbering throughout the greater part of his life, and now, with a com- fortable competence, acquired through his own labors, is living retired. He served as assessor of Winslow township for about twelve years, and is a recognized leader of the Republican party. He belongs to the Lutheran Church.

Amos S. Strouse is the eldest of his father's family. Rosanna, the second, born February 2. 1856, is the wife of W. A. Sheasley, of Winslow township; Elizabeth, born February 9, 1859, is the wife of J. J. Piffer, a farmer of Henderson township; Mary S., born October 12, 1861, died June 8, 1862; Jonathan E., born April 25, 1863, has not been heard from for five years; John M., born August 26, 1867, is working in a tannery at Big Run; Iona, born April 17, 1872, is the wife of Adam Norris, a farmer and supervisor of Winslow township; and Ada C., born April 12, 1875, is at home.

Amos S. Strouse, of this review, remained with his parents until the age of twenty-three. He was early trained to habits of industry. As soon as he was old enough to handle an axe he engaged in chopping wood, and in driving the teams used in lumbering. His school privileges were limited to three months' attendance during the winter season. At the age of twenty-one he began to work in the lumber woods by the day.

Mr. Strouse was married, July 22, 1880, in Henderson township, Jefferson county, to Lydia Piffer, who was born in that township, June 9, 1859. Her parents. David and Elizabeth (Hess) Piffer, were natives of Westmoreland county. Her father came to Jefferson county with his parents, John and Charlotte (Fry) Piffer, who were pioneer settlers who located in the midst of the forest. The former was born on the ocean while his parents were en route for Amer- ica. The father of Mrs. Strouse was born in September, 1826, and is still living, but his wife

died in 1882, at the age of sixty-two years. His political support is given the Democracy, and he has held a number of local township offices. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Piffer are: John J., a farmer of Henderson township, Jefferson county; Isaac H., a farmer and lumberinan of Hender- son township; Charlotte A., wife of Josiah Zu- fall, an agriculturist of Henderson township; Jonas, a farmer and oil agent of Brady town- ship, Jefferson county; Sarah S., wife of Charles Sheffler, proprietor, of a meat-market of Rey- noldsville; Mrs. Strouse; David, a farmer of Henderson township; Mary E., wife of Gilbert Fye, a farmer of Winslow township; William T., who is operating the old homestead; and Eliza- beth and Mina, at home.

After his marriage Mr. Strouse removed to a small farm in Winslow township, which he pur- chased of Jonathan Deemer, and there remained until 1894, when he purchased his present farm of 137 acres for thirty-four dollars per acre. He had timber sawed and ready for shipment to the value of $2,300, when, on the 6th of October, 1896, it was destroyed by fire, which was the work of an incendiary. Mr. Strouse has fol- lowed the lumber business since attaining his majority, and has found it a profitable source of income. He is also a progressive agriculturist, whose methods of business are up to date, and who, by his careful management, has secured a liberal return for his labors. To his marriage with Miss Piffer there have been born seven chil- dren: Elizabeth M., David M., Mina C .. Clar- ence E., Glenna A. and Willis H., all at home, and Emory W., the fifth child, now deceased. Mr. Strouse has been honored with a number of official positions. In 1891 he was elected super- visor of Winslow township, and served four years. In 1894 he was appointed by the Jefferson coun- ty court to fill out an unexpired term of two years as tax collector of Winslow township. He is ever true to his duties of citizenship and to every trust reposed in him, whether of a public or pri- vate nature. He votes with the Republican party, and is a member of the Lutheran Church.

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3, Part 42

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