Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3, Part 54

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 54
USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 54
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 54
USA > Pennsylvania > Clarion County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 54

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marriage he purchased 160 acres of land in Gas- kill township, Jefferson county, removing to the old log house which stood on the place. After a few years he erected a large frame residence and cominodious barn. and continued to clear and cultivate that property until 1886, when he sold to Henry Hane, and purchased a farin of Jacob Keller, in Gaskill township. He has since resided on that property, and now has one of the best improved farms of the township, much of the land being under a high state of cultivation, while all the improvements and accessories of a

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

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model farm indicate that the owner is a most progressive and enterprising man.

In 1860 Mr. McGee was united in marriage with Miss Mary A. Smouse, of Bell township, Jefferson county, and they had eight children: (1) Samuel B., the eldest, was born on the old homestead in 1861, attended a select school of Big Run, and is now lumbering in Potter county. Penn. (2) H. M., born in Gaskill township, in 1863. wedded Mary J., daughter of R. S. and Lavina Miller. He owns and resides on the old Miller homestead, and has two living children- Edna and Ruth. (3) J. M., born in 1866, is now in partnership with his brother Samuel in the lumber business. (4) Margaret, born in 1869, became the wife of William Householder, of Huntingdon county, Penn. They resided with her parents until her deatlı, which occurred in a hospital in Philadelphia, where she had gone for treatment in 1896. (5) William I., born in 1872, died in childhood. (6) Richard, born in 1875, died at the age of six years. (7) Richard's twin brother died in infancy. (8) Della A., born in 1878, is still with her parents.

Mr. McGee is a stanch supporter of Repub- lican principles, and has held the office of super- visor for six terms and school director for three years, discharging his duties in a mnost prompt and commendable manner. His wife is a mem- ber of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and both are most highly-esteemed citizens, having the warm regard of all with whom they have been brought in contact.

D AVID DEAN, a well-known citizen of Porter township, Jefferson county, was one of the brave " boys in blue " to whom the nation points with pride. He is a native of the county, born in Perry township, in 1837, and is a son of James and Pany ( Young) Dean. As his father died when he was quite sinall, he was reared by his uncle, James Young, upon his farm near Perrys- ville.

In 1861, at the breaking out of the Civil war. | he joined the Union army, becoming a ineinber of the 105th P. V. I., under Capt. Hastings. With the Army of the Potomac, under the con- mand of Gen. McClellan, he participated in the second battle of Bull Run, where his regiment lost heavily. They were next in the battle of Fair Oaks, which was followed by the seven- days' engagement on the Peninsula, and our sub- ject continued at the front, participating in all the battles and skirmishes with his regiment un- til honorably discharged from the service on account of physical disability. In 1865 he mar-

ried Miss Angeline Henry, of Jefferson county, and they began their domestic lifeu pon the David Blose property, where they remained one year. They then removed to their present farm in Porter township, whose neat and thrifty ap- pearance attests the skill of the owner in his chosen calling. He was reared as a Whig. and on the organization of the Republican party joined its ranks, and has since been one of its most ardent supporters. Religiously he is iden- tified with Zion Methodist Episcopal Church, and his life has ever been in harmony with its teach- ings.

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To Mr. and Mrs. Dean have been born four children: (1) Crawford, born in Perry township. married Miss Blanche Taylor, of Elk county, Penn., by whom he has two children. They now live in Toby. (2) Irene, born in Indiana county, married Jerry Burket, of Jefferson coun- ty, and they also make their home in Toby, where he works in a sawinill. They have one child, Russel Dean. (3) Lizzie, born in Porter township, Jefferson county, married Irwin Singer. of Clearfield county, Penn., who is also engaged in milling in Toby. (4) Cora, born in Porter township, lives with her brothers in Toby.

C HARLES A. CARRIER is one of the leading representatives of the commercial interests of Brookville, Jefferson county, where he is now engaged in the hardware business. His enter- prise and progressiveness class him with those citizens who, while advancing individual prosper- ito, also promote the public good, and are there- fore important factors in the welfare of the com- munity wherein they reside.

Mr. Carrier was born in East Hartford. Conn .. in 1838, and his parents, Isaac P. and Emma L. (Webster) Carrier, were also natives of Connecti- cut. About 1860 they canie to Pennsylvania. where they spent their remaining days The father was a carpenter by trade, and followed that pursnit during the greater part of his life. He was a man of sterling worth, quiet and unas- suming in manner. His death occurred in 1862: his wife died previous to that time.

Charles A. Carrier received but limited school privileges, but was early trained for the practical duties of a business life, learning the machinist's trade in his youth. He followed that for about fifteen years, and in the spring of 1871 he came to Jefferson county. turning his attention to farming and lumbering in Warsaw township. To those pursuits he devoted his energies some fif- teen years, and for the past ten years has been a resident of Brookville. Here he conducts a

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hardware and agricultural-implement business ;. also carries a line of buggies, wagons and car- riages. His stock in all departments is well selected, and his honorable dealing and courte- ous treatment of his patrons have secured for him a good business. He is thoroughly reliable, and his standing in the community is high. In the fall of 1871 he married Mrs. Ellen Carrier, a daughter of Thomas H. Harris, a worthy citizen of Brookville, and a native of England. Five children have blessed this union, of whom three are now living: John G., of North Carolina, Lizzie C .; and Harry D. Mr. Carrier and his family are members of the First Baptist Church, and in the work thereon take a deep interest. He is now serving as clerk of the Church, and as a member of the board of trustees. He belongs to the Sons of America, the F. & A., M., and the Ancient Order of Artisans, of which he is past grand master. In politics he is a stalwart Republican, but has neither received nor desired the honors or emoluments of public office, pre- ferring to give his time and attention to his busi- ness interests and social pleasures. He and his family are widely known in Brookville, and the circle of their friends is extensive.

G EORGE R. HALL, the present efficient tax collector of Bell township, Jefferson county, was born in 1837, in Indiana county, Penn. His parents, George' and Martha (Gamble) Hall, were both natives of Ireland, and came to America with their respective families in 1819. Soon after their marriage, which was celebrated in Philadelphia, they located in Philipsburg, Centre Co., Penn., where they resided for many years, while the father engaged in teamning between Pittsburg and Philadelphia. Subsequently he started a screw factory in Centre county, and did an extensive business for some time, but after his removal to Indiana county he engaged in farming up to his death in 18go. The mother had departed this life in 1884.

Our subject obtained a limited education in the common schools of his native county, where he was reared to farm life. After the outbreak of the Civil war, he responded to his country's call for aid, enlisting in Company F, 105th P. V. I., known as the " Wild Cat Regiment," and for more than three years he was in active service. He was wounded in the left arm at the battle of the Wilderness, and in the head at Fair Oaks. He was also captured, but was paroled on the field. Always found at his post of duty, he gallantly defended the old flag and the cause it represented, and now 'feels the effects of his

arduous service. On receiving his discharge he returned to Indiana county, where he re- mained until coming to Bell township, Jeffer- son county, in April, 1883. Here he purchased a tract of thirteen acres, upon which he still re- sides. At the age of nineteen he began teach- ing, and he successfully followed that profession from 1857 until 1861. Resuming that calling after the war, he taught during the winter months until 1886, and was recognized as one of the leading educators of the county.

. Mr. Hall was married, in 1872, to Miss Bella D. Hall, of Beaver county, Penn., and six chil- dren were born to them, of whom one is now de- ceased; those living are Venna, James T., Carl T., Mary and Martha, all at home with the ex- ception of Carl, who is married and lives in Bell township, Jefferson county. The parents are active and faithful members of the First Presby- terian Church of Punxsutawney, and are num- bered among the best citizens of the community.

As a lifelong Republican, Mr. Hall has an abiding faith in the principles and teachings of his party, and has been called upon to serve in a number of official positions of honor and trust in his township. For two terms, while living in Indiana county, he was auditor, and in 1896 he was chosen tax collector of Bell township, in which capacity he is still serving to the satisfac- tion of all concerned. Fraternally, he is an hon- ored member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and of the Union Veteran Legion Encampment, No. 120.

N ATHAN G. EDELBLUTE, one of the rep- resentative business men and merchants of Punxsutawney, Jefferson county, needs no special introduction to the readers of this volume. The spirit of self-help is the source of all genuine worth in the individual, and is the means of bringing to man success when he has no advan- tages of wealth or influence to aid him. Itillus- trates in no uncertain manner what it is possible to accomplish when perseverance and determina- tion forni the keynote to a man's character. Al- though Mr. Edelblute started out in life for him- self in limited circumstances, he has through his own efforts succeeded in securing a competence.

The birth of our subject occurred at Smoke Forge, Blair Co., Penn., June 24, 1837. His parents, David and Elida (Conrad) Edelblute, were born in the same county when it formed a part of Huntingdon county. The father spent his early life as a sawyer in the milling business, but later turned his attention to the manufacture of charcoal. In 1855 he emigrated to Kansas,

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and the remainder of his life was passed in that State, both himself and wife passing away there. Their son, Nathan G., had the advantages of only the public schools of his youth, but he has be- come a well-informed man by reading and obser- vation. At the age of ten he accompanied his parents on their removal to Clarion county, Penn., where they resided until going to Kansas, and where, at the age of thirteen, he began his business career as a clerk in a mercantile es- tablishment. Since September, 1855, he has been a resident of Jefferson county, and his whole life has been devoted to inercantile pur- suits. In 1891 he established his present store in Punxsutawney, and has since been identified with the commercial interests of that thriving little city.

In 1858 Mr. Edelblute was married to - Miss Rosetta, daughter of David Frank, and a native of Clarion county, Penn. Of the seven children born of this union, one died in infancy; the others are still living, and are as follows: John Owens who now represents the Adams Express Company at Brookville, Penn .: Anna G., wife of R. E. Clove, who is connected with the " Hotel Pan- tall," Punxsutawney; David Frank, a merchant of Irvona, Clearfield Co., Penn .; Addie A., wife of Elmer E. Piersall, a prominent hardware mer- chant of Brookville; Harry, one of the popular proprietors of the " Hotel Pantall," and Richard C., a member of the firm of Edelblute Brothers, leading merchants of Punxsutawney.

Fraternally, Mr. Edelblute is a member of the F. &. A. M., Blue Lodge and Chapter. His name is a synonym for honorable business deal- ing; he is always mentioned as one of the inval- uable citizens of Punxsutawney, and he cheer- fully gives his support to those enterprises that tend to public development. .

S HANNON MCFADDEN, one of the most energetic and progressive farmers of Polk township, Jefferson county, is a veteran of the Civil war, and bears an honorable record for brave service in the cause of freedom and union, and in the paths of peace he has also won an enviable reputation through the sterling quali- ties which go to the making of a good citizen.

Mr. McFadden is a native of the county which is still his home, having been born in Oli- ver township, March 15, 1836, and in its conn- try schools lie acquired a limited education. His grandfather, Jacob McFadden, was a native of Ireland, whence, at an early age, he came to America, taking up his residence in Clarion county, Penn., where his death occurred. There

Jacob McFadden, Jr., the father of our subject, was born, but he grew to manhood in Jefferson county where he was numbered among the hon- ored pioneers. At the time of his arrival here most of the land was still in its primitive condi- tion, the few settler's were widely scattered, and wild game, which was plentiful. was the chief source of their meat supply. With the growth and development of the county Mr. McFadden bore an important part, and in Oliver township improved a good farm, which, later, he sold on his removal to Polk township in 1848. There he also cleared a tract which he transformed into a fine farm and sold to our subject in 1866, when he removed to another place in the same township, continuing to engage in farming and lumbering throughout life. He made his own way in the world, receiving no assistance from any source, but became one of the prosperous and substantial citizens of the community.

In early manhood Jacob McFadden was mar- ried in Jefferson county to Miss Rebecca Reed, whose father, Peter Reed. a native of Germany. first located in Westmoreland county on coming to the New World at an early day, but later re- moved to Oliver township, Jefferson county, where he improved a farm and spent his remain- ing years. He was a progressive man, honorable and upright in all his dealings. He reared a family of sixteen children. Mr. and Mrs. Mc- Fadden became the parents of seven children, as follows: Shannon, of this sketch; Levi, who died in the service of his country while a mem- ber of the 11th Pennsylvania Reserves; Reed P. and Jonathan R., who were also Union soldiers during the Civil war, and are still living; Eliza- beth: and Recer and Enoch, both farmers by oc- cupation. Being a very patriotic and loyal citi- zen, the father furnished four sons for the Union army, and was only sorry that the two others were too young to enter the service. He was quite radical on all religious and political ques- tions, was one of the leading Republicans of his community. took a prominent part in public af- fairs. and held a number of township offices of honor and trust. Active in all Church work, he was instrumental in organizing the first Method- ist Episcopal Church in his township. of which he and his wife became leading members.

Under the parental roof Shannon McFadden remained until old enough to begin the battle of life for himself, and was then employed in the lumber woods until the Civil war broke out. In 1861. in response to President Lincoln's first call for three-months' men. he enlisted in Company I, 8th P. V. I., which was assigned to the Army of the Potomac, and when his term of enlistment

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

had expired he joined Company L, 11th Pennsyl- vania Cavalry, also of the Army of the Potomac. " the mother of two children: Gussa M., who was born March 7, 1867, and is now the wife of B. D. Shaufner; and Charles H., who was born June 15, 1870, and is still at home.

He was soon promoted to the rank of sergeant, and in that capacity participated in many skir- mishes and in all the battles in which his regiment took part, but was never taken prisoner. In a hand-to-hand fight with a Rebel he received a bayonet wound in the right hand, and with this exception was never seriously injured. After two years' service he was discharged for the purpose of enabling him to enlist as a veteran, and he joined the same company, in which he served as lieutenant until the close of the war, being com- missioned as such in June. 1864. On receiving an honorable discharge at Philadelphia in Au- gust, 1865, he returned home and resumed lum- bering, which he has since successfully continued in connection with agricultural pursuits. . In the following year he was married, and soon after- ward bought the old homestead where he still continues to reside.

In May, 1866, Mr. McFadden married Miss Anna Webster, a daughter of George and Lydia (Rogers) Webster, the former a native of New York, and the latter of Vermont, where their marriage was celebrated. Mrs. McFadden was born November 19, 1842, and in the following year was brought by her parents to Jefferson county, Penn., locating in Eldred township, where the father purchased land and improved a farm. He also engaged in lumbering and the manufacture of shingles, which he marketed in Pittsburg; but after a short residence here he was 1 taken ill, and died June 9, 1855. His wife. who . was a Methodist in religious belief, passed away November 11, 1863. She was born in Rutland, Vt., a daughter of Stephen A. Rogers, a prom- . inent agriculturist of that State. Mr. and Mrs. Webster had eight children, namely: Aaron, now a resident of Polk township, Jefferson county; Dolly, wife of L. Jacock: George, who died in August, 1866, from disease contracted in the . army: Oscar, who is living in the West; Asher C., a Congregational minister, of Michigan; Anna, wife of our subject: John, who enlisted in the : Union army at the age of sixteen, and died since the war, leaving a wife and six children; and Newton, a merchant and postmaster at Munderf. Jefferson county.

Mrs. McFadden was abont ten years of age at the time of her father's death, and her mother being in somewhat limited circumstances, was unable to provide her with good school privi- leges, so she educated herself, working for her board and support while pursuing her studies. At the age of eighteen she commenced teaching. . and successfully followed that profession until

her marriage five years later. She has become

A DAM SMITH. Prominent among the lead- ing agriculturists and representative citizens of Bell township. Jefferson county, is the subject of this sketch, who comes from across the sea, his birth having occurred in Germany in 1836. In that same year he was brought to America by his parents, Henry and Elizabeth Smith, who spent their remaining years in Canoe township. Indiana Co .. Penn., where the father died in 1863, and the mother in 1881.

In their family were eight children, namely: Catharine, a native of Germany, grew to woman- hood in Indiana county, where she married Will- iam Smith, of Jefferson county, and with their family they now live in Young township, of the latter county. Adamn is next in order of birth. Mary is the wife of Jacob Dunmire, of Canoe township, Indiana county. Mena is the wife of George Smith, of Young township, Jefferson county. George married Call Bohn, of Canoe township. John, who served throughout the Civil war, married Catharine Plinn, and lives in Indiana county. Henry wedded Rachel Dun- mire, and resides on the old homestead in Indi- ana county. Maggie is the wife of Stewart Miller, who owns and operates a farm in Canoe township.

Under the parental roof our subject remained until he had attained his majority, aiding his father in the labors of the farm. He manifested his loyalty to his adopted country by enlisting. in July, 1861, in Company I, 62d P. V. I., under Capt. Means, of Brookville, and Col. Black. After being sworn in at Pittsburg, the regiment went to Washington, D. C., where it was as- signed to the Army of the Potomac, and the first engagement in which it took part was in front of Richmond, the battle lasting seven days. Here Mr. Smith was shot through both hands by a minie ball, and had to be taken to the hospital in Annapolis, Md., where he remained for three months. Rejoining his regiment at City Point, he went with the army on their march through Maryland to Harper's Ferry, and was later en- gaged in the battle of Antietam. He then crossed the Potomac at Harper's Ferry, where he was honorably discharged, as he was unfit for duty, owing to the wounds in his hands, which ren- dered him almost helpless.

After his return home he was married. in

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1864, to Miss Mary Thomas, of Young township, Jefferson township, where he purchased a par- tially-improved farm of fifty acres, on which he and his wife made their home some fifteen years. He then sold to the Walston Coal Company, and in 1881 purchased the old Robert McGcc home- stead, where he still continues to reside. He has cleared twenty acres, erected a substantial resi- dence and good barn, removed the stumps from his land, and made many other excellent improve- ments, so that it is to-day one of the most highly cultivated and desirable farms in Bell township. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have children as follows: John T., born in Jefferson county, married Della Rupert, of Bell township, by whom he has four children-Homer, Emma, Effie and Ord-and they now reside on a part of his father's home- stead. Maggie is the wife of Jacob Bahn, a farmer of Indiana county Penn., by whom she has three children-Fred, Homner and one whose name is not given. Joseph, Henry, Leonard, Irene, Mollie and Robert are all single, and live at home with their parents.

Mr. Smith uses his right of franchise in sup- port of the Democracy, and for one term ac- ceptably served as supervisor of his township. In religious faith he is a Protestant, but has never united with any Church organization. His pres- ent state of affluence is the result of his own in- dividual efforts and those of his estimable wife. He has proved himself a loyal and devoted citi- zen, true to the interests of the country, and is honored, respected and esteemed by all who know him. .

J AMES GOURLEY. In the development of this section the lumber trade has necessarily been one of the leading industries, and has attracted some of the shrewdest and most tal- ented mcn. The subject of this sketch, a well- known citizen of Jefferson county, and a member of the Big Run Milling Co., has for many years ranked among the most prominent workers in this line.

subject, is also a native of Ireland. He came to. the United States at the age of fourteen, and soon afterward settled in Jefferson county, where he followed farming, a mnost congenial employ- ment for one of his quiet tastes. He was called froni earth at .the age of sixty; his estimable wife, Eleanor (Adams), who was a native of this State, survived him some twenty years. She was the daughter of Robert and Margaret (Crawford) Adams, he a native of Pennsylvania: both are deceased.

Reared as a farmer boy, our subject attended school in the old log school houses in his day, and profited as best he could by the limited cur- riculum then afforded. As he neared manhood he naturally became interested in agriculture, to which he added lumbering. His business ex- tending beyond local limits, he moved in 1892 to Big Run, where, as one of the members of the Big Run Milling Co., he commands an extensive trade. He is also interested in lumbering on his own account. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and is interested in local affairs of every nature. In politics he is a stanch Republican; but ambition for public office has never inter -. rupted his devotion to business, although he has at times been " drafted " into service by his com- munity, and he is now a councilman of Big Run borough. He has also served as school director, greatly to the advantage of the cause of educa- tion. Mr. Gourley has a commodious and taste- ful residence at Big Run, and his family are prominently identified with the social life of the town, and with the M. E. Church, in which he is a steward and trustee. His wife, formerly Miss Mary E. Coulter, to whom he was married De- cember 20, 1860, came to Jefferson county when seven years old. Of their six children. three are living: Florence B., wife of Charles McAninch, of Jefferson county; Emma A., wife of Ferdinand Weber; and Miss Eleanor, an attractive young lady, now at home.

Mrs. Mary E. (Coulter) Gourley was born February 25, 1836, in Westmoreland county, Penn., the daughter of John and Elizabeth ( Bell) Coulter, who were born in 1803 and 1804, re- spectively. They had eight children, only three. of whom are now living. The parents are buried in the Beaver Ruin cemetery, Jefferson county. William Coulter, the father john Coulter, and grandfather of Mrs. Gourley, was born in Ireland in about 1788. His wife was formerly Miss dead. David Bell, Mrs. Gourley's maternal . grandfather, was a native of Ireland. He mar-

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3, Part 54

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