Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3, Part 43

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 43
USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 43
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 43
USA > Pennsylvania > Clarion County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 43

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A MOS A. GOSS is one of the representative business men and prominent agriculturists of Winslow township. Jefferson county. He be- longs to a well-known New England family of Scotch origin, his paternal great-grandfather having come from the land of the hills and heather and founded the family in America. The grandparents, Nathan and Dorothy (Grant) Goss, were both natives of New Hampshire, where the fornier engaged in farming and blacksmithing

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throughout life. Of their thirteen children, all grew to maturity, and six of the sons became stone masons, and one a machinist.

William L. Goss, the father of our subject, was born November 1, 1828, in the old Granite State, and there learned the stone-mason's trade, but on coming to Brookville, Jefferson Co., Penn., in 1846, he turned his attention to the. lumber business. In 1889 he returned to New Hampshire, locating eight miles from the city of Concord, where he is extensively engaged in farming and the dairy business. He is a stal- wart Republican in politics, and is one of the leading and influential men of his community, holding a high place in the regard of his fellow- citizens. In 1850 he wedded Miss Rosina Bart- lett, the ceremony being performed by Rev. Charles Cumins, a Presbyterian minister of Brookville, Penn., and to them were born three children: Salina, now the wife of John McClane, who is engaged in the harness business in Brook- ville; Amos A., of this review; and Luella, who is the widow of R. N. Hutchinson, and now re- sides with her father-in-law in New Hampshire. The mother was born in Jefferson county, July 10, 1820, a daughter of Israel and Nancy (Mason) Bartlett, natives of Connecticut and Pennsyl- vania, respectively. Her father died when she was but four years of age, leaving three children, and the mother later became the wife of William Long, a noted hunter, by whom she had four sons.

The birth of Amos A. Goss occurred Febru- ary 3, 1853, at Bell's Mills, Jefferson county, and he remained with his parents until attaining the age of eighteen. Two years previous, however, he began serving an apprenticeship to the carpen- ter's trade with Coleman Oloughlin, a contractor, who was to have paid him $300 for his three years' service, but owing to a disagreement Mr. Goss left at the end of two years and nine months, and received only $150. For fourteen years he continued to successfully engage in carpentering and bridge building, and then lo- cated in Winslow township, Jefferson county, where he owns a valuable farni of 145 acres, watered by Sandy Lick creek, and crossed by the Allegheny Valley and Rochester & Falls Creek railroads. For four years he worked in the mines, under Frank Morrison. He purchased his present farm in May, 1886, and since that time has given a part of his attention to agri- cultural pursuits with most satisfactory results.

On September 24, 1883, Mr. Goss was miar- ried by Rev. William Philson, a Presbyterian minister, to Miss Martha J. Hutchison, who was born in Winslow township, April 28, 1858, a

daughter of Thomas Hutchison, a prominent citizen of that township. Ten children graced their union, namely: William T., Mary M., Harry L., Rosina R., Frederick, Charles O., Luella, Dorothy, and Anna and Martha (twins). The last named died at the age of four months, but the others are still with their parents.

In his political affiliations Mr. Goss is a Re- publican, and, fraternally, he is connected with the Odd Fellows lodge and the Knights of the Maccabees, both of Falls Creek, Jefferson coun- ty. In religious belief he is a Presbyterian. His success in life has been the result of honest, per- sistent effort in the line of honorable and manly dealing. His aims have always been to attain to the best, and he has carried forward to success- ful completion whatever he has undertaken. His life has marked a steady growth, and now he is in possession of an ample competence. .

S AMUEL B. FERMAN, one of the leading agriculturists and lumbermen, of Snyder township, was born April 23, 1854, upon the farm where he still lives, and is a worthy repre- sentative of one of the prominent early families of Jefferson county.

The birth of his father, Alonzo Ferman, oc- curred November 27, 1818, in Franklin county, N. Y., where he was reared by strangers, as his father, who was of stanch New England stock. died when he was an infant. By his foster parents he was liberally educated, and when he became well established in this State, he sent for them, and in caring for them in their declining years returned in part their kindness to him. Coming to Jefferson county, Penn., in 1839, Alonzo Ferman was for some time in the employ of a lumber firm, whose mill he later purchased, together with a tract of 600 acres of land. Sub- sequently he became the owner of other tracts, and at his death, which occurred November 7, 1895, he left 700 acres of valuable land. At one time he had 1,000 acres in Elk county, Penn., which he later sold, and after the mines were opened near his home, he conducted a store for three years. He was an enterprising, progressive business man, upright and honorable in all his dealings, and his success was but the just reward of his own industry. perseverance and good man- agement. He cleared and improved many acres of his land, continued to successfully engage in the manufacture of lumber throughout life, sold the coal underlying his land, and also dealt quite extensively in real estate at Crenshaw. His straightforward career won for him the confidence and esteem of all with whom he came in contact.

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On August 9, 1848, Mr. Ferman was married to Miss Susanna Bundy. a daughter of John I. Bundy, who at an early day came to Jefferson county from Clearfield county, Penn .. and im- proved a large farm, which he conducted for many years, but spent his last days in Minnesota. His children were Louisa, Loisa, Susanna, Lucius, Hannah and Rebecca. Eight children blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Ferman, of whom six are still living, and with one exception all are married and have homes of their own. Albert J., in partnership with our subject, carries on the work inaugurated by their father; Eliza M. resides at the old homestead; Samuel B. is next in order of birth; Mrs. Clara C. Horton is now deceased; Mrs. Josephine Dailey is living in Fredonia, N. Y .; Nellie is Mrs. Iddings, a mer- chant of Crenshaw, Penn. ; Allie died August 6, 1880, at the age of sixteen years; and Mrs. Zada V. McNeill completes the family. The mother, who departed this life April 19, 1896, was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which her family also belong.

After pursuing his studies for some time in the common schools, Samuel B. Ferman entered the Clarion Seminary, where he completed his education. His business training was obtained upon the home farm, and for several years prior to his father's death he and his brother joined him in business. The sons are now administra- tors of the estate, which is still undivided, and are successfully engaged in farming and lumber- ing. For three years our subject also conducted the store which his father established, and he is recognized as one of the most proficient, energetic and reliable business men of Snyder township. In his political principles he is an unswerving Republican, devoted to the best interests of the party, and has acceptably filled a number of local positions, including that of auditor for twelve years. In 1876, Mr. Ferman married, the lady of his choice being Miss Maggie Mclaughlin, who who was born in Philadelphia, July 25, 1854, a daughter of John and Catherine (Ferguson) Mc- Laughlin, who were natives of County Donegal, Ireland, but were married in the Quaker City. Her father had located there in 1846, and on October 21, 1855, took up his residence in Jeffer- son county, settling on his present farm in 1868. For four long years he faithfully served his adopted country in the Civil war as a member of the 105th P. V. I., first, and later of the United States Veteran Corps, commanded by Gen. Han- cock. He is an earnest member of the Presby- terian Church, to which his wife, who passed away on May 29, 1886, also belonged.

To our subject and his wife were born six

children: Alonzo B., born January 2, 1878; John W., February 7, 1880; Alice L., November 17, 1882; James H., June 24, 1884; Charles W., August 9, 1890; and Esther B., May 3, 1892. All are still living with the exception of Charles, who was killed by the cars March 26, 1895. The parents are prominent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in social circles hold an enviable position.

G EORGE M. NOERR, a member of the well- known firm of Noerr Bros., leading lumber- men of McCalmont township, Jefferson county, belongs to a prominent family which is mentioned elsewhere in this volume. He is of German an- cestry, and in his career has shown the character- istic industry and ability of that thrifty race.

George and Barbara (Hoffman) Noerr, his parents, were natives of Germany, but first met in Pittsburg, Penn., where they were married. In 1853 they settled in the woods in McCalmont township, Jefferson county, where, notwithstand- ing their humble beginning, they speedily gained a handsome competence, the father engaging in lumbering and agriculture. They now own a large amount of property including 1,000 acres of land. Since 1885 they have made their home in Punxsutawney, and are enjoying in retirement the fruits of their past years of toil. They had nine children, viz .: Rosa (Mrs. Henry Wingerd), of Marchand, Penn .; George M., our subject ; Eliza (Mrs. James K. North), of Punxsutawney. Penn .; John, of Noerr Bros .; Sophia, wife of Henry Smith, a farmer near Trade City, Penn. ; Frederick and Mary, who died of diphtheria; William, of Noerr Bros. ; and Emma (Mrs. Frank St. Clair), of Punxsutawney.

George Noerr was born in Punxsutawney, Jefferson county, in 1853, and passed his youth mainly in farm work. At twenty-four he left the parental roof and settled upon a farm adjoining those of his two brothers, where he still resides. It is a handsome estate, well kept in every.re- spect, and his tasteful residence shows constant care in its fresh and neat appearance. In poli- tics he is a Democrat, and while not an office seeker he is influential in local affairs. He and his wife are prominent in social circles, and he belongs to the U. B. Church, and to the Junior Mechanics, at Panic.

On March 7, 1878, Mr. Noerr was married in Perry township, Jefferson county, by Rev. J. E. Lyda, a Presbyterian ininister, to Miss Ada Mc- Dowell, who was born October 30, 1855, about four miles from Leipsic, Putnam Co., Ohio. Their home is brightened by nine children,

John Choose

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

namely: Frank B., Laura L., Edith O., Anna B., Lloyd P., Walter M., Barbara F., Eddie E. and Ira L.

Mrs. Noerr is descended from the McDowells of Crawford county, Penn., an old and respected family. Matthew and Jane (Jackson) McDowell, her paternal grandparents, moved from that county to Ohio in 1836, settling upon a farm in Putnam county. Their son, Matthew S., father of Mrs. Noerr, was born September 1, 1829, in Crawford county, Penn., grew to manhood in Ohio, and became a potter by trade. In 185 1 he married Miss Rachel F. Nash, a native of Putnam county, Ohio, born January 15, 1833, the daughter of William and Tilletha A. (Thrapp) Nash, leading residents of that section, where they owned a large farm. In 1861 Mrs. Noerr's parents re- moved to Crawford county, Penn., and in 1873 they came to Jefferson county, locating, first at Frostburg, and later, in 1881, at New Bethlehem, where they still reside. Mr. McDowell was a soldier in the Civil war, and while he was not wounded his health was permanently impaired in the service. In politics he is a Republican, and he and his wife are leading members of the Presbyterian Church. They had a numerous family of children, as follows: Jane, who mar- ried (first) David Weston, and (second) Isaac Smith, both now deceased; James W., deceased; Ada (Mrs. Noerr); Loreta, who died at the age of two years; Anna, who married Harry Mc- Gregor, of Leechburg, Penn .; Sarah E., wife of Clark Jordon, a farmer near Oliveburg, Penn .; Milford N., a dairy farmer in Ashtabula county, Ohio; Harmon S., who operates a coal sifter in a mine near New Bethlehem; Miss Mollie J., a grad- uate of the Normal School at Lock Haven, now teaching at Punxsutawney; and Olive, wife of John Schrecengost, of New Bethlehem, Penn- sylvania.

J OHN NOERR, a wealthy agriculturist and lumbermian of McCalmont township, Jeffer- son county, is a member of a family which stands high in that locality, thrift, enterprise, and public spirit being leading characteristics. He is of German descent in both paternal and maternal lines.

were poor, but energy and shrewd management met it's due reward, and a handsome fortune was gained. In 1872 George Noerr built a sawmill, now conducted by his sons, and at the present time he owns 1,000 acres of land, besides other property. He has always taken an interest in local affairs, holding several township offices, and is a steadfast supporter of the Democratic party. In religious faith he is a Lutheran. Since 1885 he and his estimable wife have been living in Punxsutawney, having transferred their active cares to younger hands. Rosa, now the widow of Henry Wingerd, formerly a merchant and farmer at Marchand, Penn .; George M., a part- ner in the firm of Noerr Bros .; Eliza, wife of James K. North; John, our subject; Sophia, who married Henry Smith, a farmer near Trade City, Penn .; Frederick, who died of diphtheria at the age of seventeen; Mary, who died of the same disease when fourteen years old; William, a part- ner in the firm; and Emma, wife of Frank St. Clair, a bookkeeper in Punxsutawney.

John Noerr was born September 30, 1859, at the homestead in McCalmont township, where he was reared to habits of industry. When he was about twenty-six years old his parents left the farm, and he and his two brothers have con- tinued to cultivate their respective portions which adjoin each other. For the first five years our subject operated the sawmill which he remodeled, and in 1890 his brothers, William and George, each purchased a one-third interest, and the firm of Noerr Bros. was organized. They have a tract of 1,000 acres of timber land. In 1897 the mill was burned down, causing a loss of $1, 500, but it has been replaced by a new plant with a capacity of 20,000 feet per day.

Mr. Noerr is one of the prominent Democrats of his locality. He has been school director three terms, and is now serving his second term as over- seer of the poor. Socially he and his wife are prominent. and he is an active member of Blue Lodge, F. & A. M., the Order of Elks, and the Junior Mechanics. He also belongs to the United Brethren Church, and every worthy movement re- ceives encouragement from him.

At Punxsutawney he was married to Miss Susan Zimmerman, and five children have blessed their home: Ella, born October 20, 1884; Clara, August 13, 1886; Carl, February 6, 1888; Lott, February 28, 1890, died in infancy; Clyde, Sep- tember 1. 1892; and Minnie, February 17, 1894.

George Noerr, his father, who was born in the Fatherland, in 1825, came to America as a young man, and while residing in Pittsburg met and married Miss Barbara Hoffman, also a native Mrs. Noerr, the mother of these, is a daugh- ter of Henry Zimmerman, a prosperous retired agriculturist of McCalmont township, who was born August 1, 1834, in Bavaria, Germany, a son of Germany, born in 1827. Not long after their marriage they moved to Jefferson county where land was then quite cheap, and, in 1853, began life in the woods in McCalmont township. They , of Henry and Barbara Zimmerman. The family 83

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came to America in 1848 and located in Jefferson county, where Mr. Zimmerman has since resided. He was inarried in Bell township, Jefferson coun- ty, to Miss Barbara Weaver, also a native of Ba- varia, born May 5, 1832, the daughter of George Weaver, a farmer. Of their five children, Miss Laura resides in Troutville; Susan is the wife of our subject; Henry is a farmer in Henderson township, Jefferson county; William operates the homestead; and David is a farmer near Trout- ville.

G EORGE NOERR. Among the most pros- perous and respected families of this section is that of this well-known citizen of Punxsutaw ney. He is of German birth and ancestry, the home of his people having been in Wittenberg for many generations. His grandparents on his father's side, who were wealthy, passed their en- tire lives there, and his parents, Michael and Magdalena (Fleeket) Noerr, were born, reared, and married in the Fatherland. In 1849 they came to America and settled upon a farm in Mc- Calmont township, Jefferson county, but although they had a comfortable competence, they were not as prosperous financially as they had been in their native land. The father died in 1877, at the age of seventy-seven, while on a visit to New York City, and his remains were buried there. The mother passed away in 1880, at seventy-six years of age, and was interred in the Oliver town- ship cemetery. Both were devout meinbers of the Lutheran Church, and were active in all forms of religious effort. Of their children, Bar- bara (deceased) married Daniel Zimmer, who met a soldier's death in the Civil war; George, our subject, is mentioned more fully below; Con- rad is a merchant at Kittanning. Penn., and Frederick is a farmer in Young township, Jeffer- son township.

George Noerr was born in Wittenberg. Janu- ary 12, 1827, and at an early age began to learn the cooper's trade, which he followed for some years, although for a time he was employed in his native city. In May, 1848, he came to the United States, and locating first at Pittsburg, Penn., he spent fourteen months working in a brewery for a Mr. Shimmer. In 1853 he re- moved to Jefferson county, and rented a farm in McCalmont township, where he remained about thirty-four years, following agriculture and luin- bering. With true German thrift and foresight, he invested his savings in real estate, and his different purchases finally covered more than a thousand acres of land. In 1870 he bought a sawmill there, which he operated for about four-

teen years. In 1884 he decided to retire from active business, and having built himself a con- fortable home in Punxsutawney, he removed there to pass his remaining years.

In April, 1853, George Noerr was married, at Pittsburg, Penn., to Miss Barbara Hoffman, who was born October 23, 1829, in Wittenberg, Ger- inany, and came to America in 1852. Her father, Michael Hoffman, was a drover by occupation. He was married three times, but had no family except by Mrs. Noerr's mother, Catherine Grader, who bore him eight children. She died in 1841. aged thirty-five years and eleven months, and he survived her until 1886, when he passed away at the age of eighty-six.

Mr. and Mrs. George Noerr have reared a family of nine children, of whom seven are living. They are all well-settled in life, and reflect credit upon the estimable couple who trained them to habits of industry and usefulness. They are as follows: Rosa is the widow of Henry Wingert (deceased), formerly a merchant and farmer at Marchand, Penn. ; George M. is a resident of Mc- Calmont township; Eliza married James K. North, of Punxsutawney, Penn .; John resides in McCal- mont township; Sophia married Henry Smith, a farmer in Indiana county, Penn .; Frederick died at the age of seventeen; Mary died at fourteen; William resides on a farm adjoining the old homestead in McCalmont township; and Emma is the wife of Frank St. Clair, of Punxsutawney.

Our subject has always felt a keen interest in all that concerned the welfare of his adopted country. In political faith he is a Democrat, but he has not been a seeker after official honors. He is a member of the Lutheran Church, and wherever he has resided has assisted in it's work in various ways.

F REDERICK W. PARR, who is engaged in general farming in Oliver township, is one of the representative citizens of Jefferson county. to whom success in life has come as the reward of untiring labor and keen discrimination. From the age of eleven years he has been dependent entirely upon his own efforts, steadily working his way upward and overcoming all obstacles by resolute purpose and unfaltering energy.

Mr. Parr was born in Prussia Germany, on April 1, 1855, a son of George and Urilla Parr. natives of the same country. They crossed the Atlantic to the New World in 1865, landing in New York after a voyage of eleven weeks. After a short time spent in that metropolis they took up their residence at the Soda Works near Pitts- burg, Penn., where they remained for a year, and

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then removed to Covode, Indiana Co., Penn. After fourteen years spent at that place they~ took up their residence at Irvin Station, West- moreland county, where the father died in 1880, at the age of sixty-eight years, and was buried there. He was a wagon maker by trade. In political faith he was a Democrat, and in religious belief a Catholic. His wife died near Pittsburg, Penn., in 1866, at the age of forty years, and was buried at Freeport, Penn. Their children were: George, who died at the Soda Works, near Pittsburg; Jacob, who is operating a wagon factory, at Irvin Station; Frederick, and Lew, foreman of the Carrier Lumber Company, at Carrier Station, Pennsylvania.

During his early youth, Frederick W. Parr was brought by his parents to the New World, and at the tender age of eleven he started out to make his own way in life. He was employed as a farm hand until 1871, and then came to Jeffer- son county. where he entered the employ of his father-in-law, I. C. Jordan, in whose service he remained until after his marriage when he began farming on his own account. He is a very in- dustrious and energetic man, and his farm, neat and thrifty in appearance, well indicates his care- ful supervision. He has made many improve- ments upon the place, and now has one of the desirable farm properties of the neighborhood.

At Punxsutawney, on March 29, 1876, Mr. Parr was married to Miss Leanna Jordan, the ceremony being performed by Rev. D. H. Kings, of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Their children are: Charles, who is attending the Waynesburg Academy; Jordan, and Anna Clara, at home. The parents are members of the Cum- berland Presbyterian Church. and are most es- timable people, their many excellencies of char- acter having gained them high regard. In politics Mr. Parr is a Republican, but has never aspired to political honors, preferring to give his time and attention to his business, in which he has met with a well-deserved success.

J JOHN A. SHIRY, a successful general farni - er of Ringgold township, Jefferson county, was born August 6, 1856, in Red Bank town- ship, Armstrong Co., Penn., where the family was founded at an early day by his paternal grandparents, John and Mary (Shaffer) Shiry, natives of Butler county, Penn. The early honie of the maternal grandparents, David and Cath- erine (Himes) Haas, was east of the mountains, hut during the pioneer epoch of this region they came to Jefferson county, where the death of the grandfather occurred. His wife is still living,

however, and now makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. Frances Van Horn, in West Millville, Clarion Co., Pennsylvania.

Simon and Rosanna (Haas) Shiry, the par- ents of our subject, were natives of Armstrong and Jefferson counties, respectively, and were married on the old Haas homestead in the latter county, when they removed to Red Bank town- ship, Armstrong county, where they still continue to reside, the father being actively engaged in agricultural pursuits. In politics he is a Repub- lican, and has acceptably filled a number of local offices. Religiously he was formerly a member of the Reformed Church, but is now identified with the United Evangelical Church, to which his wife also belongs. To this worthy couple were born the following children: David, a farmer of Ringgold township, Jefferson county; Mary, wife of George Doverspike, a farmer and carpenter of Red Bank township, Armstrong county; John A., of this review; William M., an agriculturist of Red Bank township, Armstrong county; Solomon A., who is teaching penman- ship and grammar in a school in Cass county, Mo .; Ellen M., wife of John Shick, a huckster of Red Bank township; Eliza, wife of George Dang- er, a farmer of the same township; Charles, who resides on the old homestead there; Calvin, who is engaged in lumbering; Sadie, wife of Charles Copenhaver, of Red Bank township; and Jesse, who is still with his parents.

John A. Shiry was reared upon the old home farm in much the usual manner of farmer boys, re- maining under the parental roof until nineteen years of age, when he took a course in the Mill- ville Academy, and the following year began teaching school, which profession he successfully followed for eleven terms. For three years he made his home upon a farm in Armstrong county, and then removed to his present place in Ring- gold township. Jefferson county; but after four years passed here. he went to Hodgeman county, Kans., where the following two years were passed. There he taught one term of school and engaged in farming; but as his crops were a fail- ure he returned to Jefferson county, where he has since successfully carried on agricultural pursuits. He is one of the representative and prominent citizens of Ringgold township, has served as school director in his district and judge of elec- tions. Socially, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge of Maysville; religiously, he is connected with the United Evangelical Church, and politically, he is prominently identified with the Republican party.

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3, Part 43

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