Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3, Part 44

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 44
USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 44
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 44
USA > Pennsylvania > Clarion County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 44

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On November 17, 1877, in Shannondale. Penn., our subject was married to Miss Lavina

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Shaffer, and to them have been born nine chil- dren, namely: Lida and Anna (deceased); Effie, Minnie, Pearl, Sadie, Flora and Mary, all at home; and Samuel, who died in infancy.

The mother of these was born September 5, 1852, upon the farm where she still resides, a daughter of Abraham and Catherine (Hamm) Shaffer, who were born, reared and married in Clarion county, Penn., and on coming to Jeffer- son county located upon the present farm of our subject, it being at that time entirely unimproved. The father died in August, 1893, at the age of eighty-two, the mother in November, 1894, at the age of seventy-seven years and nine months, and the remains of both were interred in St. Johns cemetery in Jefferson county. Their chil- dren were as follows: Martin V., who died in Brookville, filled the offices of treasurer and com- missioner of Jefferson county, and served his country in the Civil war, during which he was wounded; Ann married H. Hinderlitter, but both are now deceased; Christina died in childhood; Mary, twin sister of Christina, is the wife of Dan- iel Snyder, a farmer of Jefferson county; Eliza- beth, who died in childhood; Christian is de- ceased; Susannah is the wife of Reuben Himes, a farmer of Clarion county; Catherine is de- ceased; Lavina is the wife of our subject; and Uriah and John P. have also passed away.

T M. STAHLMAN, a leading and prosperous farmer of Eldred township, has spent his entire life in Jefferson county, where his birth occurred December 11, 1856. His paternal grandfather, Jeremiah Stahlman, was of German extraction, and was reared in Schuylkill county, Penn., but in 1844 removed to Clarion county, where from the wilderness he developed a good farm. and continued to follow agricultural pur- suits and hunting throughout the remainder of his life, dying there in 1868. He was a devout member of the Lutheran Church, and strictly observed all religious customs. His children were eleven in number, namely: Moses, Paul, Benewel, William, Cornelius, Dewalt, Gabriel, Lucy, Hettie, Elizabeth and Catharine.

Gabriel Stahlman, our subject's father, was a native of Schuylkill county, and was about sixteen years of age when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Clarion county, where he grew to manhood. He carly started out in life on his own account and subsequently purchased a tract of raw land in Warsaw town- ship, Jefferson county, upon which he still re- sides. Soon after beginning its improvement he 1

was married and located there. He has met -with a fair degree of success in both farming and lumbering, which lie still continues to follow, and is now a stockholder in the Brookville Wagon Factory. In Jefferson county he was married to Miss Esther Keck, a native of Clarion county, and a daughter of David Keck, who removed from Westmoreland county, Penn., to Clarion county at an early day, and later took up his residence in Jefferson county, where he improved a good farm and spent his remaining days. His ancestors were originally from Germany. In his family were three children: Israel; Elizabeth, wife of Jacob Deiner; and Esther, mother of our subject. To Gabriel and Esther Stahlman were born ten children, namely: David; Cor- nelius, who died at the age of eleven years; T. M., of this sketch; Saloma, who married A. Beninger, and died soon afterward, leaving one daughter; Douglas M., a teacher by profession; George M. and Francis M., both farmers; Emma, at home; Clark R., who is attending the Normal School; and Abbie, at home. Politically ' the father is a Democrat, and has held some town- ship offices, but cares little for political honors. His estimable wife is a member of the Lutheran Church, and both are held in the highest regard by all who know them.

In much the usual manner of farmer lads T. M. Stahlman spent the days of his boyhood and youth, and at the age of sixteen commenced lumbering, which occupation he has since fol- lowed during the winter, while the summer sea- son has been devoted to farm work. Soon after his marriage, in 1878, he purchased his present farm in Eldred township, which at that time was fairly improved, and to-day he has sixty-five acres of the 150-acre tract cleared, the stumps removed, and under a high state of cultivation. By the erection of a commodious two-story frame residence and good barns and other out- buildings, he has made the farm one of the most desirable places in the locality. He is success- fully devoting some attention to stock-raising, and yet owns some good sawed timber.

In 1878 Mr. Stahlman was married to Miss Leathy A. Geer, whose parents, Lawson and Nancy (Knapp) Geer, were early settlers of Jef- ferson county. The father, who was born in Indiana county, Penn., is a millwright. and in following that vocation has become widely and favorably known throughout the State. He and his wife are both earnest members of the Method- ist Protestant Church, and are the parents of eight children: Rebecca, now the wife of M. C. Butler; Albert, a farmer by occupation; Leathy .A., wife of our subject; Cassius M., an engineer:

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Joseph, Abigail, Nancy J., and Newton, de- ceased.

Four children grace the union of our subject and his wife, all at home, namely: Carrie, Mary E., Nancy M. and Annie M. With their parents they hold membership in the Methodist Episco- pal Church, and Mr. Stahlman has ever taken an active and prominent part in Church work, as trustee and superintendent of the Sabbath-school. His political support is given the Democratic party, and he has done all in his power to ad- vance the interests of his township and county, but has never cared for office.

A NDREW A. STEWART is now residing on the old Stewart homestead in Winslow township, Jefferson county, where his birth oc- curred May 2, 1857. His father, William A. Stewart, was born in Indiana county, Penn., where his parents, David and Martha (Allen) Stewart, natives of Scotland, located on coming to the New World. There his mother died, but the father's death occurred in Jefferson county, while on a visit to his son, William A.

In the latter county William A. Stewart met and married Miss Mary A. Moore, who was born in Centre county, Penn., in 1825, a daughter of Andrew and Margaret (Aikens) Moore, natives of Ireland and Philadelphia, Penn., respectively. In 1801, when a lad of eleven years, Andrew Moore came to America with his parents, James and Mary A. (Lindsey) Moore, also natives of the Emerald Isle, who first located at Phila- delphia, whence they removed to Lancaster county, Penn., and still later took up their resi- dence in Nittany Valley, Centre county, where they spent their remaining days. In 1835, how- ever. Andrew Moore located in the Beechwoods settlement. in Jefferson county, where he fol- lowed farming until called to his final rest. In 1853 William A. Stewart, with his wife and fam- ily, removed to the present home of our subject, and there he passed away June 20, 1886, at the age of fifty-nine years, his death being caused by the kick of a Texas pony. He was injured on Friday and died on the following Sunday, and his remains were interred in Beulah cemetery at Reynoldsville, Penn. He was highly esteemed by all who knew him, was a faithful member of the Presbyterian Church, and was a stalwart Democrat in politics.

In the fall of 1895 Mrs. Stewart removed to Reynoldsville. where she is still living. She is the mother of five children, namely: Maggie M., wife of Will- iam A. Shoemaker, a farmer of Washington township, Jefferson county; Andrew A., of this

review; Ethan E., who is engaged in the granite business in Reynoldsville; Leonard, who is a brakeman on the B. R. & P. railroad and resides in Reynoldsville; and Ida M., who is with her mother.

Upon the home farm our subject early be- came familiar with the duties that fall to the lot of the agriculturist, and in the local schools he acquired his education. At the age of twenty- two he married and left the parental roof, going to Falls Creek, . Clearfield county, where he worked in a coal mine for two years. He then removed to Pancoast, Jefferson county, where he engaged in farming and lumbering until 1887, when he returned to the old homestead, which he has since operated, but he intends soon to locate on his own farm in Winsiow township. He worked in a tannery for one year, and also operated a farm for David Reynolds for three years, but now gives his entire time and atten- tion to the cultivation of the old Stewart place. Politically he is identified with the Republican party, and fraternally he is a member of Hiawai- thia Council Jr. O. U. A. M., No. 733, at Rey- noldsville. On January 31, 188o, in Du Bois, Penn., Mr. Stewart was married to Miss Sarah A. Smith, who was born on the old Smith home- stead in Washington township, Jefferson county, March 14, 1853, and five children bless their union: Mary F., William J., David E., Ed- ward E. and Anna M., who constitute a most interesting family.

James S. Sinith, the father of Mrs. Stewart, was born in 1821, in County Donegal, Ireland, and when a young man came to the United States with his parents, Andrew and Isabella (Smith) Smith, who located in Washington township, Jefferson county, when it was an almost unbroken wilderness. There his father engaged in farm- ing. and at their deaths the parents were buried in Beachwoods. In Washington township. James S. Smith married Miss Mary A. Atwell, a native of Butler county, Penn., and a daughter of John and Mary A. (Dunlap) Atwell, who reinoved from that county to Washington township, Jeffer- son county, in early pioneer days. They died, however, in Snyder township, the same county, and were laid to rest in the Beachwood cemetery, where Mrs. Smith was also buried. her death occurring May 30, 1883, when in her fifty-fifth year. For many years her husband was actively engaged in farming and lumbering, but has now. laid aside business cares, and is living retired on the old homestead in Washington township.

In the family of this worthy couple were the following children: Sarah A .. the wife of our subject: John A., who was killed in a coal bank

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on his father's farm in March, 1897, leaving a wife, who was formerly Miss Mary A. McClure, and nine children; Andrew H., a farmer and lumberman of Washington township, who mar- ried Miss Ora Gilbraith; Mary R., who died at the age of twenty-eight; Albert W., who resides on the old homestead; Elizabeth A., wife of Sherman Wilson, who runs a stationary engine at Pancoast, Jefferson county; Thomas J., at home; Edna M., wife of O. C. Musser, a grocer at Falls Creek, Penn .; Florence O., at home; and Maud L., who died at the age of twenty.

W J. SHEESLEY has for some years been actively associated with the development of the lumber and farming interests of Clearfield and Jefferson counties. He is accounted one of the leading business men of Bell township, Clear- field county, where he makes his home, for he possesses the energy and determination that overcome all obstacles, and goes steadily forward to the goal of honorable success.

Mr. Sheesley is a son of Henry and Sarah J. (Williamson) Sheesley. His father was born in Armstrong county, Penn., and after his inarriage located in Bell township, Jefferson county, where he followed lumbering for a number of years, rafting square timber down the Mahoning creek to the Pittsburg markets. He afterward bought 150 acres of partially improved land in Gaskill township, Jefferson county, where he erected substantial buildings and developed a good farın, upon which he is still living. His estimable wife, who shared with him all the hardships of his early life, died in 1875. W. J. Sheesley is one of six children born to this worthy couple, the others being: (1) Lydia A., born in Bell township. Jef- ferson county, became the wife of William Spiece, and they now reside on his farm in Gas- kill township, Jefferson county. Their children are-Lizzie, Lulu, Jennie, Caddy and Henry O. (2) Sarah C. is the wife of D. T. Niel, a farmer of Indiana county, Penn., and their children are -Olive (now the wife of Curtis Smyers, of Punx- sutawney), Anna (wife of Calvin Pierce, a farmer of Indiana county), Lester, Henry D., Charles E., Blanche, Lewis, Carrie, May, Bertha, Lottie, Floy, Ethel (who died in childhood), and a baby. (3) David L., born in Gaskill township, Jefferson county, married Etta Fuller, of Indiana county, and now resides in Bell township, Clearfield county, where he follows lumbering in connection with our subject. He has two children-Mabel and Henry L. (4) Martha J., who was born in Gaskill township and was an intelligent and cul- tured young lady, died at the age of twenty years.

(5) A. L., born in Gaskill township, married Lizzie Klein, and they now reside on his father's homestead which he operates. They have one daughter-Elma Blanche.

W. J. Sheesley, of this review, was born in Bell township, February 20, 1859, but was reared on the homestead in Gaskill township, Jefferson county, where he assisted in the work of the farm. In 1883, in connection with his father, he pur- chased a steani sawmill and manufactured sawed lumber in Indiana county until 1888, when they moved their mill to Clearfield county and cut stock for Hydrick, Taylor & Weber. They re- mained there until 1894, but in 1893 our subject purchased 100 acres of land on the division line of Clearfield and Jefferson counties, built thereon a house and barn and cleared fifty acres of land, at the same time continuing the manufacture of sawed lumber for other parties.

In 1883 Mr. Sheesley was united in marriage with Miss Nannie J., daughter of Jacob and Sarah Dormire, well-to-do farming people of Indiana county. For some years they resided at his mill in that county, but in 1888 removed to his mill property in Clearfield county, where they have since remained. In 1895, in connection with his brother David, Mr. Sheesley purchased a tract of timber land of All, Reed & Co., located his mill thereon, and is now manufacturing sawed lum- ber. He also purchased a half interest in 582 acres of land bought of Hydrick, Taylor & Weber, but has since sold a portion of this for farming purposes. By the exercise of his splendid busi- ness ability he has accumulated a handsome prop- erty, and has become one of the substantial lum- bermen of this section of the State.

The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Sheesley has been blessed with four children: Martha J., born in Indiana county in 1884; Henry J., born in that county in November, 1887; Hazel L., born in Clearfield county in May, 1891, and Olive May, born at their present home in March. 1893. The parents are members of the United Evangel- ical Church of Mt. Carmel, and Mr. Sheesley is a liberal contributor to the same. He has been very active in its work, is one of the trustees of the Church property, and for several years has served as superintendent of the Sunday-school. He exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Democratic party. has held the office of school director for four years, and in 1891 was elected to the position of justice of the peace, being now the youngest in- cuinbent in such an office in Clearfield county. He discharges his duties with marked fidelity, and is most true and faithful to every trust reposed in him. He is a valued member of the Knights

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of Pythias and Odd Fellows fraternities, and has the unqualified regard of all with whom he has been brought in contact.

H ARVEY DANIEL RHOADS, a successful agriculturist of McCalmont township, Jef- ferson county, is a member of a well-known pio- neer family.

John and Mary (Moyers) Rhoads, his grand- parents, came from Germany at an early date, and after spending some years in other portions of this State, settled, in 1829, in Jefferson coun- ty, upon a tract of forest land. Their eldest son, John Rhoads, Jr. (our subject's father), was born in Union county, Penn., January 31, 1815, and removing to Jefferson county in boyhood, passed the remainder of his life there in agricultural pur- suits. On attaining his majority he purchased 120 acres of land in McCalmont township, and to this he added from time to time until he be- came the owner of a large amount of property. He gave a farm to each of his children as a mar- riage present, and at his death, in 1886, still owned a homestead of 205 acres, and 300 acres of land in Nebraska. He was a prominent Dem- ocrat, an active member of the Evangelical Church, and in all local affairs took an influential part. His wife, Anna (Bowers), to whom he was married January 9, 1839, was a native of Virginia, born May 2, 1819, and her parents, Philip and Catherine (Kipps) Bowers, became early settlers of Gaskill township, Jefferson county. John Rhoads departed this life January 4, 1886, and his wife did not long survive him, her death oc- curring September 10, 1890. Of their numerous family of children, the eldest, Sarah, is the widow of Christian Weis, of Jefferson county; George resides in Clarion county; David occupies a por- tion of the old homestead; Margaret married Abraham Zufall, of Henderson township, Jeffer- son county; Mary is the wife of Frederick Kuntz, of Big Run, Penn. ; Miss Harriet and Miss Han- nah reside at the homestead: Andrew P. is a farmer in Henderson township; Harvey D. is the ninth in order of birth; John J. owns a part of the homestead, and Miss Clara E. makes her home with him.

Our subject was born June 7, 1858, was reared at the old farm, and remained there until the age of twenty-five, when he began farming on his own account. On April 13. 1885, he was mar- ried at Big Run to Miss Theresa McPherson, and since that time he has been engaged in agricult- ure upon a portion of the old homestead. His farm contains about sixty acres of fine land, and under his able management is one of the best

estates of its size in the locality. He is a stanch Democrat, as were his father and grandfather before him, and he is prominent in local affairs. His marriage with Miss McPherson has been blessed by three children: Nellie Allanna, born September 29, 1887; Ruby Royal, March 29, 1890; and Albert LeRoy, October 14, 1895.

Mrs. Rhoads is a native of Jefferson county, born March 1, 1858, at Brown's Mills. Her fa- ther, Joseph McPherson, was a native of Centre county, a son of Col. Thomas McPherson, a man of wealth and prominence, and an officer in the Mexican war, whose parents had settled in Cen- tre county at an early period. His wife, Mary Divin, was also a native of that county. Joseph McPherson was engaged for some time in the lumber business, but later became a hotel- keeper at Big Run, where he died April 7, 1874, aged sixty-six years. He was a well-known citi- zen, and a leading supporter of the Democratic party in that vicinity. In 1837 he was married in Red Bank township, Armstrong county, Penn., to Miss Eliza Richards, who survives him and now resides with our subject. She is a member of the Presbyterian Church. She was born at Kittanning, Penn., October 8, 1818, a daughter of Robert R. and Elizabeth (McClelland) Rich- ards, who reared a family of eight children- three sons and five daughters. Robert Richards was a gentleman of fine education, and, after spending a number of years teaching, engaged in surveying. He acquired much wealth, and was in Iowa with two of his sons prospecting for suitable investments in real estate when his death occurred. He was buried in Iowa, but his wife's remains are interred at Glade Run, Armstrong Co., Penn. To Joseph and Eliza McPherson eight children were born, as follows: Absalom B., deceased, who lost his left leg while in the Union army, was at one time sheriff of Jefferson county; Narcissa died in childhood; Robert, Mary E. and James are now deceased; William is a tanner at Big Run; Theresa is the wife of our subject; and Harry is engaged in the laundry business at Greensburg, Pennsylvania.

D EXTER B. McCONNELL, a representative and enterprising young farmer of Washing- ton township, has spent his entire life in Jeffer- son county, his birth occurring there in 1860. His parents were Joseph M. and Ellen (Smith) McConnell, both now deceased, the former dying March 3. 1885, and the latter in 1862. The father was a native of Centre county, Penn., whence when a lad he came to Jefferson county,

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where he spent the remainder of his life en- gaged in agricultural pursuits.

Our subiect was reared in much the usual manner of farmer boys, and since reaching man's estate has devoted his time and attention princi- pally to farming, though for the past two years he has also followed lumbering to some extent. The neat and orderly appearance of his property manifests to the inost casual observer the thrift and care of the proprietor, and shows conclu- sively that he understands his business thoroughly.

In 1888, Mr. McConnell was married to Miss Mattie J. Mccullough, a daughter of Archibald Mccullough. She died in June, 1890, leaving one son, A. Bernice. Mr. McConnell was again mar- ried, in March, 1895, his second union being with Mrs. Annie (Richards) Swisher. She is a con- sistent member of the Presbyterian Church, and a most estimable lady. In his political views, our subject is a pronounced Democrat, and he is a member of the Presbyterian Church, also a member of the Patriotic Order Sons of America. He occupies a high place in the estimation of the people of his community, and is justly enti- tled to the regard in which he is held, for his career has been that of an upright, honorable man.

SAMUEL K. LIVINGOOD, senior member of the firm of Livingood & Campbell, proprie- tors of the Punxsutawney Steam Laundry, was born in Berks county, Penn., in 1849, a son of George and Elizabeth (Kline) Livingood, also natives of Pennsylvania. The father was a mil- ler by trade, and successfully followed that oc- cupation until responding to the President's call for troops to put down the Rebellion, enlisting in the 151st P. V. I. At the battle of Gettys- burg, during the first day of the fight, he was mortally wounded, and died two days later, bravely laying down his life on the altar of his country. The mother is still living, a highly re- spected lady of seventy-two years, enjoying fair health.

Samuel K. Livingood was but a lad at the time of his father's death, and was compelled to start out in life for himself when quite young; therefore his school privileges were very limited. After working for two years as a farm laborer, he clerked in stores and the leading hotels in western Pennsylvania. He was also for five years a clerk in the coal trade. On May 30, 1892, he formed a co-partnership with Ira J. Campbell in the steam-laundry business at Punx- sutawney, and their trade has steadily grown until to-day they are conducting one of the largest and best laundries in western Pennsylvania.

In 1893, Mr. Livingood was married to Miss Rebecca Schafer, daughter of Levi Schafer, of Myerstown, Penn., and their union has been blessed by the birth of one son -- Frederick G. The parents were active and prominent members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, of Punxsutawney, in which Mr. Livingood is now serving as deacon and treasurer. Socially, he belongs to the Knights of Pythias fraternity and the Knights of the Maccabees, and, politically, he has an abiding faith in the principles of the Re- publican party, which he always supports by his ballot. The place that Mr. Livingood now oc- cupies in the business world proves that neither wealth nor social position, nor the assistance of influential friends at the outset of his career, are necessary to place him on the road to success. It also proves that ambition, perseverance, steadfast purpose and indefatigable industry, combined with sound business principles, will be rewarded, and that true success follows individual effort only.

0 RION H. BROADHEAD. The subject of this sketch, one of the prominent young farmers and business men of Winslow township. Jefferson county, is pre-eminently a self-made man. Thrown upon his own resources at the tender age of six years by the death of his father, and passing his boyhood among strangers, he early acquired the determination to secure inde- pendence. How well he has succeeded is attested by his habits of industry, his well-cultivated farm and dairy interest, and by the esteem in which he is held by all who know him. Among the habits which have marked his growth and development have been a cheerful readiness to perform what- ever honest work presented itself, and a total ab- stention from intoxicating liquors.

Mr. Broadhead was born March 21, 1860, in Winslow township, within a half mile of Pros- pect Hill Dairy, his present home. He is the son of George and Hannah (Hall) Broadhead. and the grandson of James and Mary Broadhead. The latter couple emigrated from England to America and first settled at Philadelphia, Penn. In 1838 the family moved to Winslow township. Jefferson county, becoming among the earliest pioneers. The husband and father settled upon a farin and cleared, it but later returned to Phila- delphia. The children of James and Mary Broad- head were as follows: Prudence, wife of G. S. Sprague, of Reynoldsville; Joseph, a retired farmer of New Jersey; George, the father of our subject; Paul, a farmer and carpenter of Jeffer- son county; Anna, widow of a Mr. Dorland. of

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3, Part 44

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