Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3, Part 55

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 55
USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 55
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 55
USA > Pennsylvania > Clarion County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 55

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Born December 25, 1835, in Jefferson county, Penn., Mr. Gourley is of Irish extraction on his father's side. George Gourley, his grandfather, was born in Ireland in about 1772. On coming to America, he located in Huntingdon county, Penn., where he resided seven years; then went to Armstrong county, where his death occurred when he was eighty years of age. His wife survived him : Mary Coulter; all of their scven children are now three years, and both are buried in the Prairie Church cemetery in Jefferson county. All of their eight children grew to maturity, and all are | ried Margery Bell, and they have five children, now dead. Thomas Gourley, the father of our : all now dead.

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M ENRY ZIMMERMAN, a prominent resident of McCalmont township, Jefferson county, is the owner of three fine farms, and his comfort- able surroundings form a sharp contrast with those of his youth, when he started out in the world without a penny to make his way as he best could. Industry, economy, and careful man- agement were the foundation of his success, and even now, though nominally retired from active business, his early habits of activity prove too strong for him, and he will do a piece of work that will astonish the " young folks."

Mr. Zimmerman was born August 1, 1834, in Bavaria, Germany, a son of Jacob and Louisa Zimmerman, who were born, reared and mar- ried in that province. The father's health fail- ing, the family came to America in the spring of 1848 in the hope that the change would benefit the sufferer. The ocean voyage occupied thirty- five days, and on landing they went to Jefferson county and purchased a tract of fifty acres of land adjoining our present homestead, The fa- ther died there eleven weeks later, at the age of fifty-four; the mother survived until 1885, when she passed away, aged sixty-three; both are in- terred in the Rhodes graveyard in McCalmont township. They were devout Christians and consistent members of the Reformed Church. Six children were born to them: Jacob died in Jefferson county; Sarah, who died in 1893, was the wife of Frederick Hawk, also deceased; Henry is mentioned more fully below; Godfrey, a retired farmer, resides in Troutville, Penn. ; Miss Louisa died in 1895; and Frederick is a farmer and carpenter at Sykesville, Pennsyl- vania.

For a year after his arrival in Jefferson county our subject remained at home, and then he spent eight years in the employ of a neighboring farmer, working on the farm in suminer and in the woods in winter. In 1870 he purchased his homestead of 160 acres, the price being $Soo, of which he was to pay $200 down, and the remainder in five years. The place really cost him $1,000, however, as (he says) its previous owner, wish- ing to secure a pair of oxen belonging to Mr. Zimmerman, took advantage of the latter's ina- bility to meet a certain payment, and tried to force a sheriff's sale. Mr. Zimmerman borrowed the necessary funds and thwarted the plan, but the interest and costs increased the sum total of his obligations considerably. He has since added two other farins to his possessions, one in Henderson township, Jefferson county, and the other in Clearfield county. Mr. Zimmerman has always held a high place in the esteem of his associates, and while he has never had any aspir-

ations for public office is an influential Demo- crat. He takes much interest in educational progress, and has served as school director. In religious faith he is a Lutheran.

On April 3, 1872, Mr. Zimmerman was mar- ried, in Bell township. Jefferson county, to Miss Barbara Weaver, and of this union five children were born: Miss Laura resides in Troutville, Penn. ; Susannah married John Noerr, a farmer and saw- mill operator of McCalmont township, and they have four living children-Clyde, Carroll, Ella and Clara; Henry, who conducts his father's farm in Henderson township, Jefferson county, mar- ried Miss Katie Heilburn, of that township, and has one child-Bertha; William, who manages the homestead, married Miss Lena Hullbaugh, and has two children-Milton and Amnos; David, a farmer of near Troutville, married Miss Lucy Rhodes. Mrs. Zimmerman is a native of Bavaria, Germany, and was born May 5, 1832, a daughter of George and Eleanora (Schuch) Weaver, and a granddaughter of Henry Weaver, a farmer. Her parents came to America in 1834, and located near the present site of Troutville, where they remained five years. They then moved to Bell township, but later returned to Troutville to spend their declining years in retirement. They were members of the Reformed Church, and in politics the father was a stanch Democrat. He died in January, 1875, aged seventy years, and the mother in January, 1885, at the age of sev- enty-eight. Of their children, the eldest, Henry, an excellent mechanic, is now a carpenter at Johnstown, Penn .; Barbara (Mrs. Zimmerman) is the second in order of birth: Andrew died in Penfield, Penn., in April, 1887; Peter died in August, 1887, at Du Bois, Penn .; George is a fariner and sawmill operator in Bell township; Adam is a farmer in the same township; Susan- nah married Jacob Edinger, who owns a farm and gristmill near Luthersburg: Elizabeth married Samuel Kuntz, and lives at the homestead at Troutville, where Mr. Kuntz manufactures cider and conducts a sawmill and chopmill.

J JOHN EILER. Among the citizens of Jef- ferson county who are of German birth is the gentleman of whoin this narrative is written, and who is now one of the leading lumbermien and farmers of Perry township. In his native land he learned the traits of economy and frugal- ity, which have been the source of his present competence. Many of the best citizens of the county are his countrymeu, and they almost in- variably merit and receive the esteem and respect

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of the community to the same degree that he does.

In 1840, Mr. Eiler's parents, Casper and Catharine (Bartsick) Eiler, crossed the Atlantic on a sailing vessel, reaching the harbor of Balti- more after a long and tedious voyage of fifty days. By canal and railroad they proceeded to Pitts- burg, Penn., and first stopped for two months in Beaver county, where the father and one son died and were buried. The family then went to Butler county, where our subject purchased a farm, making it his home for ten years and a half. He then removed to Indiana county and bought 162 acres of pine timber land, about thirty of which he cleared, erecting thereon a log house and barn. While residing there he en- gaged in the manufacture of shingles, and also rafted square timber down the river to Pittsburg. At the father's death he left a widow and three children: Frederick, the eldest, was born in Ger- many. in 1827, came with his parents to the New World, and grew to manhood in Indiana county, Penn., whence he moved to Jefferson county, to make his home with his brother-in-law, Peter Beam, in Porter township. He has never mar- ried, and is still living at the age of seventy years.

In 1852 John Eiler was married to Miss Dor- othy Bartholoinew, of Indiana county, where they continued to make their home some four- teen years. Removing to Perry township, Jef- ferson county. Mr. Eiler purchased 250 acres of partially-improved land of James Postlethwait, ninety acres being cleared. He has since de- voted his time and attention to its further culti- vation and development, and now has 126 acres under the plow. In 1883 the original house was burned, together with all the household goods, but during the same year it was replaced with a small dwelling, and in 1 884 a large two-story frame structure was built and supplied with all inodern improvements, making it a most desirable conn- try home.

Mr. Eiler's first wife died in 1895, leaving five children: (1) George, born in Indiana county, in 1854. now resides on a part of his father's farnı; he married a Miss Hartsel, of. Clarion county, Penn., and has two daughters-Cora and Nolie. (2) John, born in 1856, died on the old homestead in 1881, at the age of twenty-four years. (3) Sophie, born in Indiana county, in 1858, married Charles Gasien, of Jefferson count- ty, and now resides on his farm on Elk run, near Punxsutawney. They have one child. (4) Mary, born in Indiana county, in 1860, is with her father. (5) Lizzie, born in Indiana county, in 1863, be- i came the wife of John Schesley, of Jefferson connty, and located in Elnora, Penn., where he : (4) Margaret married William Hopkins, of Phila-

died in 1894, leaving five children-Robert, Paul, Charity, Mary and Joseph; since her husband's death Mrs. Schesley has resided with her father. (6) Adam, born in 1869, has spent his entire life thus far on the home farm in Perry township, and is unmarried.

In October, 1896, Mr. Eiler was again mar- ried, his second union being with Mrs. Harriet Frair, of Porter township, jefferson county. Al- though an ardent Republican in politics, he has never aspired to office, but always faithfully dis- charges - his duties of citizenship. He and his family hold membership in the Evangelical Church of Perry township, and have a host of warm friends throughout the community. Com- ing to this country in limited circumstances, he has been the architect of his own fortune, and is deserving of the highest commendation. Pos- sessing the esteem and respect of all who know hini. he may well be ranked among the honest and representative German citizens of Jefferson county. His honor and integrity are unimpeach- able, his word being considered as good as his bond. Having prospered in his undertakings, he gives liberally to the erection of schools and churches, especially toward the building of St. Jacob's Church, to which he belongs.

R OBERT S. MILLER. Probably the two most important occupations to which Jeffer- son county is indebted for its prosperity are farm- ing and lumbering, and to these Mr. Miller de- votes his energies, winning thereby a comfortable competence, for he is a mian of energy and pro- gressiveness in his work. He was born in Indi- ana county, Penn., in March, 1828, and is a rep- resentative of one of its early families.

The grandfather of our subject was reared in Bucks county. Penn .. whence, when a young man, he went to Indiana county, where he bought from the government 800 acres of land on Crook- ed creek at twelve cents per acre. There he spent his remaining days, dying in 1813, and leaving a family of six children: (1) Annie, the eldest, married John Black, and they resided in Indiana county. (2) Ruth became the wife of William Stunkard, and they made their home in Jefferson county. They had three children- Mary, wife of Silas Brooks, of Winslow township, Jefferson county; James, married, is living in Perry township, Jefferson county; and Mar- garet. also married and living in that county. (3) Polly became the wife of Levi Anthony, of Indiana county, and in 1840 removed to Jef- ferson county, where she died some years ago.

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delphia, and located in Perry township, Jeffer- son county, where he followed farming until his death; he died a few years ago at the age of ninety-one; his wife survived him, dying at the age of eighty-five. Two of their four chil- dren are living-John, farming on the Arkan- sas river in Kansas, and Mary, who resided on the old homestead in Perry township, and is the widow of John Redding, who died some years since, leaving a large family. (5) Robert, born in Indiana county in 1800, married Sarah An- thony, of that county. and followed farming there for a number of years. He then became a fariner of Perry township, Jefferson county, where he died some years ago. His wife passed away in Illinois, leaving a son, Thompson, who now re- sides in Henry county, that State.

Henry Miller, the father of our subject, was born in Wayne township, Indiana county in 1803. He married Annie Shaw, of that county, and in 1833 purchased 160 acres of timber land in Hell- derson township, Jefferson county. Building there a log house and barn, he moved his family to the new place and began the improvement of his land. He afterward erected a good frame dwelling and barn, cleared seventy-five acres of land, and also followed rafting, running the lum- ber down the river to Pittsburg. He died on the home farm June 4, 1859; his wife survived until 1863.

They had thirteen children: (1) William, born in Indiana county, in 1825. died at the age of eight years. (2) Jane, born in Indiana coun. ty, in 1826, is the widow of John Bowers, who was a farmer of Gaskill township, Jefferson county; was a defender of the Union, during the Civil war. and died at Fortress Monroe. He left three children-Henry. John and Martha. (3) Mary. born in Indiana county, in 1830, became the wife of Lewis Edwards, and after a few years' residence in Jefferson county removed to Illinois in 1854. They afterward went to Davis county, Mo., later to Kansas, and subsequently to Bushnell, Ill., where Mrs. Edwards died in 1866, leaving three children-Eliza, Lucinda and John-who still remain in Kansas. (4) John Miller was born in Indiana county, in 1831, came with his parents to Jefferson county, and here married Jane Cary. He bought a farm in Hen- derson township, which he afterward sold, re- moving to Du Bois, Pennsylvania, where he be- came foreman for John E. Du Bois. His wife died in June, 1896. Their children are James, married and living in Du Bois; Mrs. Anne Clin- ton, of Du Bois; Nettie, wife of Frank Hamilton, of Big Run; Harry W .. married and living in Du Bois; Cal. of the same city; and Ralph, who

married a Miss Kirk, of Brady township, Jeffer- son county, and also lives in Du Bois. (5) Ruth, born in Henderson township, Jefferson county, in 1833, went with her sister Mary to Illinois, and there married Joseph Pierce, with whom she is now living in Jasper county, Iowa. They have a son, Robert. (6) James, born in Jefferson county, in 1835, married Louisa Farnsworth. He enlisted as a private in the Civil war. He took part in many battles, and was promoted to the rank of lieutenant-colonel. He made his home near Grampian, Clearfield county, until killed by a run-away horse in 1896. (7) Florence, born in Jefferson county, in 1836, is the wife of George Peoples, a farmer of Westmoreland county, Penn., and their children are Harvey, a conductor on the Pittsburg & Philadelphia railroad; Lewis, who is married, and is a rail- road man of Westmoreland county; Newton, of Pittsburg; Boyd, married, and residing in Westmoreland county; George; and Laura, who is married, and making her home in Allegheny. Penn. (8) Elizabeth A., born in Henderson township, in 1838, is the wife of James Cochran, a farmer of Big Run, and their children are Clinton and Nelson, who are married and resid- ing in Big Run; William, married and making his home in Du Bois; May; and Hannah, wife of Abram Leach, of Big Run. (9) Henry, born in 1840, died in childhood. (10) Margaret. born in Jefferson county, in 1842. is the wife of Will- iam Meaner, a farmer of Illinois, and their children are-John; Ansen, who is engaged in the practice of law in Chicago; Esther, Rena and Mabel. at home. . (11) Martha, born in Henderson town- ship, Jefferson county, resides in Big Run. She is the widow of Isaac Cochran, who died leaving two children-Orin and George. She has since married George Depp, of Big Run, and lier chil- dren by this marriage are Harvey, James, Will- iam, Philip, Robert. Johnnie and three daughters. (12) Matilda, born in Henderson township. in 1846, became the wife of Joseph Morehead, of Franklin county, Penn., and they resided in Big Run until her death. She left two children -- Annie, married and living in West Hickory, Penn. : and James now in West Virginia.

Robert S. Miller, whose name begins this article, came to Jefferson county with his parents during his boyhood, and was reared on a farm in Henderson township. In 1849 he married La- vina Bowers. daughter of William and Lucy Bowers, well-to-do farming people of Jefferson county. His father gave him one hundred acres of land adjoining the old homestead, and he there carried on farming until 1852, when he sold that property and purchased 160 acres of timber

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land in Gaskill township. This he transformed into a good farm, making many excellent im- provements thereon. In 1864 Mr. Miller enlisted in Company B, 82nd P. V. I., for service in the Civil war. At Petersburg he was stricken with typhoid fever, and remained in the field hospital until May, when he was transferred to Campbell Hospital, in Washington, D. C., and from there to Stanley Hospital, in Philadelphia, where he was honorably discharged. He then returned to the farm, which he has since successfully op- erated, and in connection has carried on lum- bering to some extent. His brother James was also a Union soldier, and was promoted to the rank of lieutenant-colonel.

In March. 1895, Mr. Miller was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who had proved to him a most faithful companion and helpmeet. Their children were as follows: (1) Maria, born in July, 1850, is the wife of Edward Holowell, a native of Indiana county, Penn., now residing on a farm in Gaskill township, Jefferson county. Their children are-George, Henry, James (who married Lillie Bear, of Indiana county, and lives on a farm in Gaskill township), Harvey, Martha, Annie and Lula. (2) Lucy, born in 1852, be- came the wife of Daniel Couch, of Gaskill town- ship, and died in 1895, leaving eight children -- Arthur, Jesse, Lavina, James, Guy, Paul, Minnie,

and Wade. (3) Ruth, born in July, 1854, is the wife of Elias Cochran, a farmer of Jefferson county, and their children are Jennie, Henry, Marion, Annie and Lavina, and two whose names are not given. . (4) William B., born in May, 1856, died at the age of eight years. (5) Henry, born in August, 1858, died in early man- hood. . (6) Mary Jane, born in July, 1865, is the wife of Meade H. McKee, and with their two children, Edna and Ruth, they reside on the Miller homestead. (7) James, born in February, 1869, died in infancy.

In politics Mr. Miller is a Republican, has served as school director for two terms, and was constable one year. He discharged all his public duties with the same fidelity that marked his act- ion when on Southern battle fields he followed the old flag. In business and private life he is known for his honorable purpose, and his upright career commends him to the confidence and re- spect of all.

H UGH M. BELL is a representative of one of the oldest families of Jefferson county, his grandfather, john Bell, having taken up his residence in Perry township, in pioneer days. He removed thither from Westmoreland county,

and took an active part in the development of that region.

Joseph Bell, father of our subject, was born on the homestead near Perrysville, and after at- taining his majority purchased 130 acres of tim- ber land, on which he built a story-and-a-half log house and a log barn. In 1825 he married Sarah McKee, and took his bride to his new home in the midst of the forest, where together they shared in the hardships and labors incident to pioneer life. He afterward erected a frame residence, which since his death has been de- stroyed by fire. His first wife died in 1833. leaving two sons, and he afterward married Rachel Backman, by whom he had three daugh- ters: Jane, wife of Miller Means, of Perry town- ship; Elizabeth, wife of William McGee; and Mary E., wife of W. P. Morris, of Jefferson county. The father passed away in June, 1850.

F. W. Bell, the elder brother of our subject, married Sarah C. Robinson, of Jefferson county, and located in Perrysville, where he erected a tannery and carried on business for a number of years. He also owned considerable real estate there. On selling his tannery in Perrysville he went to Brookville, where he built another tan- nery, which he operated some years. He then carried on the business for a few years in Clarion county, Penn., and afterward removed to Doni- phan, Mo., where he purchased farm land and a flouring-mill. He is still engaged in business there. His wife died in 1896. They had five children: Martha is now Mrs. Caldron, of Mis- souri; Hattie is the wife of Dr. William Arm- strong, a practicing physician of Kane, Penn., by whom she has four children; Mack followed stock raising in Kansas until his death in July. IS96; Minnie. D. was married, and resided in Missouri until 1896, when she died, leaving a husband and five children to mourn her death; Charles died in Missouri, at the age of ten years, soon after the removal of his parents to the West.

H. M. Bell, of this review, was born in 1826. on the old family homestead where he still re- sides. He has always carried on agricultural pursuits, and has made many excellent improve- ments upon his farm. In 1889 he erected a large two-story frame residence, also built a commo- dions barn, and in the cultivation of his land uses the latest improved machinery. He now has one of the best farms in the county. its well- tilled fields yielding to him a golden tribute. and indicating to the passerby his enterprise and pro- gressiveness.

Mr. Bell was united in marriage to Miss Ele- i anor Martin, and brought his bride to the old

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home place. Here seven children have been born to them: (1) John T., born in 1853, was graduated with honor from an Ohio college, read law with Charles Clark, of Indiana county, Penn., and is now practicing law in the town of Indiana. He married Lizzie Todd, of that place, and they have two children -- Hugh T. and one whose name is not given. (2) Joseph C., born in 1855, married Annie Cook, of Iowa, and after his marriage removed to Oregon, where he was drowned while bathing. (3) George, born in 1857, wedded Hattie McGee, of Clearfield coun- ty, daughter of James McGee, one of the pioneer lumbermen on the west branch of the Susque- hanna river. They have three children, and re- side in Punxsutawney. where he is successfully practicing dentistry. (4) William M. died in in- fancy. (5) Frank W., born in 1861, wedded Mary J. Smitten, of Indiana county, and lives on the family homestead. They have three children -- Lydia, Joseph C. and Laura. (6) Elizabeth, born in 1863, is the wife of Burton Carrier, pro- prietor of a furniture store in Kane, Penn. (7) Lot, born in 1865, studied dentistry, and is now following his profession in Jeannette, Westmore- land Co., Pennsylvania.

Mr. Bell and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Frostburg, and in politics he is an ardent Republican. He has been a prominent factor in the development of the county, and has lent his aid and influence to the furtherance of Church and School interests, and to the promotion of all causes tending to benefit the community. He is a warm friend of the cause of education, and providing his children with superior advantages in this direction; his family is well numbered among the most cultured of the county.

SAMUEL P. ANDERSON, the well-known ex-sheriff of Jefferson county, is one of the most substantial and prosperous farmers and busi- ness men of Clover township, as well as one of its leading and representative citizens. He belongsto i a prominent family whose name is inseparably connected with the agricultural and industrial in- terests of this region, and whose members have been important factors in its progress and pros- perity.

David Anderson, our subject's grandfather, was of Scotch-Irish descent, and born in Ireland. where he married a Miss Berry, by whom he had nine children: James, Samnel, David, John, Thomas, Mary, Ann, Sarah and Elizabeth. At an early day he emigrated to the New World, and located in Westmoreland county, Penn., where

he improved a farm and continued to make his home until called from this life. He and his wife, who also died on the old homestead, were Presbyterian in religious faith.

James Anderson, the father of our subject, grew to manhood in Westmoreland county, where he wedded Rebecca Carson. Her father, Joseph Carson, was a native of New Jersey, and when a young man took up his residence in Westmoreland county, where he followed agri- cultural pursuits throughout the remainder of his life. His children were eight in number: Jack- son, Joseph, Prine, James, Margaret, Catherine, Rebecca and Mary. To Mr. and Mrs. Anderson were born the following children: Ann, wife of R. J. Nicholson; Alaretta, wife of H. Holden; Samuel P., of this sketch: James C. and Watson H., both farmers: Silas R., a trav- eling salesman; Mrs. Violet Fleming; and Mar- garet, who first married a Mr. Commons, but is now the wife of W. D. Fowler, of Oklahoma. All of the family are identified with the Presby- terian Church.

In Westmoreland county the father developed a good farm, but in 1843 he sold out and came to Jefferson county. He had previously engaged in the salt business there for about five years. and on purchasing land here secured a tract in- cluding a salt well, situated near Red Bank creek. a half mile south of the little village of Troy. Here he established salt works, lowering the well and putting in the necessary machinery for the man- ufacture of salt, which he successfully conducted for a number of years. Known as the old Salt Works, it became a historical spot, and was the only industry of the kind in this section of the State. Customers came from long distances. and the salt was often sold as high as $4 per barrel. Later a similar enterprise was estab- lished where salt could be manufactured cheaper. and Mr. Anderson abandoned his works. To- gether with his sons he then turned his attention to the improvement of the farm, and lumbering. which he carried on quite extensively. His place comprised 260 acres of heavily-timbered land. but by industry, perseverance and well- directed efforts it has been transformed into a rich and productive tract. Mr. Anderson and his sons also joined a company which purchased about 6.000 acres of timber land in Knox town- ship. Jefferson county. for the purpose of lum- bering, and when the property was divided he retained 1.000 acres, which still belongs to the estate and is very valuable, being underlaid with a rich coal deposit. There the family still con- tinue to engage in lumbering. After a long, busy and honorable life the father passed away

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3, Part 55

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