Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3, Part 63

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 63
USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 63
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 63
USA > Pennsylvania > Clarion County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 63

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

1411

The parents of these are members of the German Reformed Church.

P. M. Yeaney was educated in the common schools and at the Corsica Academy. He was partially reared on a farm, leaving it at the age of thirteen years. He prepared himself for a teacher, and followed the profession of school teaching for fifteen years. Near the close of that period he applied for a position in the U. S. mail service, and was fortunate in receiving the ap- pointment in 'just seven days after he sent in his application. His first run was on the mail route between Buffalo aud Pittsburg. He remained in the postal service three and one-half years, dur- ing which time he was in several wrecks, and was so disabled in the last one as to necessitate his resigning his position. After having suffi- ciently recovered he took a business- course of study in the Iron City Business College, Pitts- burg, from which institution he was graduated in 1893. After this event he was made assistant cash- ier of the Second National Bank of Clarion, and has since been engaged in the performance of the duties of this position, which he has intelligently and most acceptably filled. He is an affable and genial fellow, and an accommodating and oblig- ing officer, popular with the customers of the bank.

On February 23, 1876, Mr. Yeaney was mar- ried to Miss Nannie J. Cummings, who was born August 11, 1856, near Corsica, Jefferson Co., Penn., and is a daughter of Washington Cum- mings, of Clarion county. One child, Gillespie Blaine, has blessed the union. Both parents and the son are members of the Presbyterian Church. Socially the father is affiliated with the K. of P. Politically he is a stanch Republican, but has never aspired to public office, preferring to follow other lines more in keeping with his taste.

R A. WALKER, M. D., is one of the most prominent representatives of the medical profession in Clarion county, and has for over twenty years successfully engaged in practice in West Monterey. He was born in South Bend township, Armstrong Co., Penn., January 8, 1854, and is descended from an old and distin- guished Scotch-Irish family. Among his ances- tors were Scottish chiefs at the head of the clan Walker, in the Highlands of Scotland.

Robert Walker, the Doctor's father, was a na- tive of County Donegal, Ireland, and at the age of sixteen crossed the Atlantic and became a res- ident of the United States. Here he married Miss Jane Porter, a native of Pennsylvania, who

was also of Scotch extraction and belonged to a family noted for its integrity and honesty. The Doctor is one of twelve children born of this union, of whom six are still living. (1) Joseph was a member of Company C, 139th P. V. 1., during the Civil war, and lost a leg at the battle of Winchester; he is now living in Allegheny City, Penn. (2) J. L. is a resident of West Millville, Penn. (3) John, of Armstrong county. (4) Reed and (5) Mrs. Barr, both of Apollo, Penn. The father became one of the prominent and highly respected citizens of Armstrong coun- ty, where he died at the ripe old age of eighty- four years. He was a farmer by occupation, and a Democrat in politics. His wife died at the age of eighty; she was all that a mother possi- bly could be, and lived to see her children filling honorable and useful positions in life as the re- sult of her teachings.

Dr. Walker passed his boyhood and youth at work upon the home farm, and received his mental training in the public schools and the Elderton Academy. At the age of eighteen he became a successful and popular teacher, and continued to follow that profession for some time. In 1874 he began the study of inedicine under Drs. Park and Kelly, of Armstrong county, and subsequently, for three years, attended the Wooster University, of Cleveland, Ohio, gradu- ating in 1877 at that institution with the degree of M. D. He at once opened an office in West Monterey, where he rapidly acquired the large and distinctive patronage which he now enjoys. He has met with most excellent success in his chosen calling, and has thereby gained a reputa- tion second to no physician in the county. Out- side of his practice, he is interested to some ex- tent in the oil business, and is a member of the West Monterey Building Association and the Miners Supply Company (mercantile ).

In 1880 Dr. Walker was united in marriage to Miss Ella Carson, a lady of culture and re- finement, who was born at Red Bank, Clarion county, and is a daughter of Robert Carson, who was a member of the 69th P. V. I. during the Civil war, and died in front of Petersburg, Va .. July 4. 1864. Mrs. Carson now finds a pleasant home with our subject. Three children were born to the Doctor and his wife: Byron Porter. now thirteen years of age; Donald Wilson, aged sixteen months; and one who died in infancy.

Dr. Walker is one of the leading Republic- ans in his district, and when a candidate for the Legislature in 1884, he ran 700 votes ahead of his ticket, receiving the largest vote ever given a member of his party for that office in the county. The district, however, is strongly Democratic.

1412

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

and he failed of election, but the support he received plainly indicated his popularity. For six years he was a member of the board of pen- sion examiners at Clarion, Penn., and Parker's Landing Board, which is now located at East Brady, and he has also been identified with the post office, as his wife's sister. Miss Addie Car- son, served as postmistress four years. He is a prominent member of the Clarion County Med- ical Society, and the Allegheny Clinical Associ- ation; and belongs to Tent No. 250, K. O. T. M., of West Monterey, and the Odd Fellows Lodge No. 884, in which he has passed all the chairs. He is also an honored and distinguished member of the Order of American Mechanics, and besides belonging to the local council he is also connected with the State and National or- ganization. He represented the State Council in Boston in 1896, and at Baltimore the follow- ing year, and has also served as a State officer. The Doctor is a man of fine physique, six feet in height, and well proportioned. Wherever he goes he wins friends, and has the happy faculty of being able to retain them.

D B. WATSON, of Farmington township, has for many years been one of the most active and enterprising business men of Clarion county, his name being inseparably connected with its industrial and agricultural interests. He was born on his present farm August 16, 1827, and belongs to one of the pioneer families of this region.

David Watson, father of our subject, was born in 1780, near Chambersburg, Franklin Co., Penn., whence, during his youth, he accompa- nied his father, John Watson, on his removal to Westmoreland county, locating near Greensburg, where they resided for several years. The lat- ter, however, spent his last days near Apollo, Armstrong county. His children were as fol- lows: (1) Jane became the wife of a Mr. Mc- Laughlin, of Armstrong county. (2) Elizabeth. who never married, died near Leechburg, Penn .. at the age of ninety years. (3) Mary wedded John Martin, of Armstrong county, where she died some years ago. (4) William, born in Franklin county, married a Miss Johnson, of Armstrong county, where both died some years ago; their children were John, who was drowned when a young man: Adam J., who died in the oil regions some years ago; William G., who mar- ried a Miss Brown, of Armstrong county, and died on the old homestead in that county, leav- ing a son, who was a member of the 105th P. V. I. during the Civil war, and died from the effect

of wounds received at the battle of Gettysburg; David, a farmer by occupation, who died a few years ago in Pittsburg: Matilda, who married Robert Kilgore, of Arinstrong county, and died at Mckeesport; Susanna, who married Thomas Ford, of Armstrong county, but both died somne years ago; Mary, who died unmarried in 1870; Nancy, who married John Brown, of Armstrong county; Elizabeth, who married Jesse James, of the same county; and Margaret, who married a Mr. Gallaher, of Armstrong county.

. David Watson, our subject's father, married a Miss Guthrie, of Armstrong county, by whom he had four children, all of whom died in child- hood with the exception of John, who spent the most of his life in Kentucky. For his second wife the father wedded Margaret Boyd, of Ve- nango county, Penn., a daughter of James and Hannah Boyd, natives of Ireland, who spent their last days in Clarion county, Penn. After his second marriage, in 1824, Mr. Watson located at Scotch Hill, Clarion county, where he secured 365 acres of State land, from which he developed a small farm, erecting thereon a log house and barn. There he died in December, 1863, having long survived his second wife, who passed away in 1830. Four children were born to them, our subject being the only one to reach years of maturity. Eliza, born on the old homestead at Scotch Hill, where our subject now resides, died in childhood. The second child died in infancy. Elizabeth, born in 1830, died at the age of twenty-four.

On his present farm D. B. Watson spent the days of his boyhood and youth, and his education was limited to about a year's attendance in the district schools. At the age of eighteen he began lumbering for A. J. Porter, building boats for the Pittsburg and Allegheny markets, some four years, and on his own account he embarked in the same line at Gravel Lick, in 1849, success- fully following that business for some years. In June, 1851, he married Miss Helen Rutherford, of Clarion county, and located on the old home- stead in order to care for his father during his declining years.

In 1852 Mr. Watson purchased land at Gravel Lick, on the Clarion river, where he erected a boat yard, and continued to successfully engage in the building of coal-boat bottoms until 1885. In 1878, in connection with Messrs. Stiner and Heffnon, he built a portable sawmill, which they operated, sawing boat fittings for a number of years, but in 1877 he sold his boat yard to James Howe, of Scotch Hill. He had not confined his attention exclusively to this business, for in 1864. in partnership with McConnell & Baker. he had

-- 4

₼

1413

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

started a general store at Scotch Hill, and three years later purchased the interests of the others, for some time carrying on the business alone. Later, however, he admitted J. W. Bartlett to a partnership, and in 1873 he closed out his stock. In 1883 he again embarked in general merchan- dising at Scotch Hill, with Michael Kempf, but in the fall of 1885 he sold his interest to Charles Leeper, of Clarion, and has since devoted his time and attention to lumbering and farming. On the death of his father, in 1863, he came into possession of the old homestead, and has since cleared and placed under cultivation about sixty acres. His home and household goods were destroyed by fire in 1887, but soon a large two-story frame residence was erected, and many other improvements have been made, so that it is now one of the most desirable farins in the locality.

Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Wat- son, namely: (1) Jemima H., born on the old homestead, in April, 1852, was married in 1869 to Clinton Fitzgerald, of Clarion county, and they now live in Marionville, Forest Co., Penn., where he is engaged in the lumbering business. Their children are-Edward W., Harrison W., Clyde, Leroy, Caroline, James, Helen, Jane, Bertha, and Julia and Junie (twins). (2) Hen- rietta, born in 1854, married Dr. John M. Fitz- gerald, of Clarion county, who is now engaged in practice in, the city of Clarion, and they have eight children-Guy H., Mildred, Jay, Myrna L., Rachel Irene, Fred F., Alice and Charles K. (3) W. S., born in 1859, is a carpenter, re- siding in Scotch Hill, Farmington township; he married Bell Kerr, of Clarion county, by whoni he has six children-Myrna, Frank, James K., D. B., Willis B. and Olive B. (4) Rachel, born in 1864, was married in 1894 to William Baltzer, of Clarion county, who is engaged in merchan- dising in Knox, Penn. ; they have one daughter, Helen. (5) Mary L., born in 1867, was edu- cated in the Clarion Normal School, and for five years successfully engaged in teaching in the public schools of Clarion county; in 1894 she married Ross P. Kerr, of Clarion county, who is a lumberman residing at Scotch Hill; two chil- dren bless their union -- James W. and Raymond R. * (6) David H., born in 1862, was educated in the common schools of Clarion county, and resides with his parents. (7) Alice. born in 1856, died in 1862. (8) Jane, born in 1861, died the same year. (9) Thomas F., born in 1869, died in 1873.

advocates and supporters. He has faithfully served his fellow citizens as school director, audi- tor and supervisor, and in 1867 was first elected justice of the peace for a term of five years. In 1883 he was re-elected to the same office, which he has since continuously held, and when his present term expires he will have held the office some twenty years. His rulings have always been fair and impartial, winning the commenda- tion of the general public. His wife holds mem- bership in the Presbyterian Church of Scotch Hill, and both have the respect and esteem of a wide circle of friends and acquaintances. As a business man Mr. Watson is straightforward and reliable, and as a citizen he does all in his power to advance the interests of his native county.

J JOHN F. HOSTERMAN, who is now engaged in the oil business in Shippenville, has spent his entire life in Clarion county, his birth having occurred in Edinburg. Beaver township, in IS33. His paternal grandfather, Jacob Hosterman, was born in Wilmington, N. C., of German ancestry, from that place removed to Hagerstown, Md., and came to Centre county, Penn., in 1795, since which time members of the family have been prominently identified with the growth and development of this section of the State.

David Hosterman, our subject's, father. was born in Haines township. Centre county, in 1803. and in that county was married about 1829 to Miss Susan Reeser, a native of Berks county, Penn. Having previously learned the tanner's trade, he removed, in 1831. to what is now Knox. Beaver township, Clarion county (then Edin- burg, Venango county), where he leased a tannery and operated the same for five years. In 1835, he came to Shippenville, and after erecting a tannery of his own, he conducted it for several years. His death occurred at this place in 1875, and his wife also died in Shippenville. in 1871. They were widely and favorably known. and had many friends in their adopted county. The children born to them were: Henry, who died in Shippenville: Jacob. who died at Blair's Cor- ners. Beaver township, Clarion county; John F., of this sketch: Mrs. Mary Jane Wilson, of Ship- penville: and David. of Springfield, Ohio.

During his boyhood and youth John F. Hos- terman pursued his studies in the schools of Shippenville. In October, 1801. he enlisted at ; Kittanning, Penn., for three years, in Company M. Second Pennsylvania Cavalry, and was a member of the Army of the Potomac. His teri of service having expired, he was honorably dis-

Mr. Watson was one or the first men at Scotch Hill to join the ranks of the Republican party, and has since been one of its most earnest , charged in October, 1864. Returning to his

1414

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHIICAL RECORD.

home in Shippenville, he engaged in carpenter work. He lived at home with his father, until the latter's death, assisting in the work of the tannery, and then engaged in carpentering and farming. He now has twenty acres of land in- side the corporation limits. Since 1886 he has been interested in the oil business, and in that enterprise has also met with good success.

In 1872 in Shippenville, Mr. Hosterman was married to Miss Lena Mahle, a native of Fry- burg, Clarion county, and a daughter of Lud- wig and Fannie (Rickenrode) Mahle, who died in Fryburg some years ago. Her father was of German birth. To Mr. and Mrs. Hosterman were born two children: Ulysses H., who is married and now lives in Peoria, Ill. ; and Mrs. Mary Lucretia Baker, of Shippenville, Clarion Co., Penn. The wife and mother departed this life in Shippenville, in 1884.

Politically, Mr. Hosterman is identified with the Democratic party, and is an earnest advocate of its principles. The part which he has taken in the development of the county has impressod his name indelibly upon its records, and he well deserves mention among the honored pioneers, as well as the leading business men and highly respected citizens.

ISAAC IMHOFF, of Miola, who is successfully engaged in both merchandising and farming in Highland township, Clarion county, has led a life of honest toil. Throughout his career of continued and far-reaching usefulness his duties have been performed with the greatest care, and his business interests have been so managed as to win him the confidence of the public and the prosperity which should always attend honorable effort.

Henry Imhoff, the father of our subject, was born in 1798, in Germany, and when eighteen years of age he emigrated to America, becoming a resident of Clarion county, Penn. He married Miss Sarah Kopp, of Fryburg, and then located near Lucinda Furnace, where he purchased a tract of wild land which he transformed into a good farm. There his wife died in 1884, and he passed away in 1890, honored and respected by all who knew them. Their children were all born on the old homestead near Lucinda Furnace and were as follows: Samuel, who is married and resides at Helen Furnace; Elizabeth, wife of Henry Sutter, of Fryburg; George, who owns and operates the old homestead; Henry, who mar- ried in West Virginia, where he died in 1889. leaving a widow but no children; Sarah, who be- came the wife of Thomas Behan, and died in

1863, leaving one daughter, Sadie: Mary, wife of John Weiser, of Farmington township, Clarion county, by whom she has several children; Cath- arine, wife of Alexander McWilliam, of Warren county, Penn. ; John, a farmer of Highland town- ship, Clarion county, who married Louisa Swartz, of West Virginia, and has seven children: Han- nah, who married Ross Kerr, of Jefferson county, and with their two children reside in Warren county.

Isaac Imhoff, who. completes the family, was born August 8, 1840, on the old homestead, where he spent the days of his boyhood and youth in much the usual manner of . farmer lads, attending the common schools of the neighbor- hood, and assisting in the labor of the fields. In 1872 he was married to Miss Susan Rickenbrode, of Clarion county, and to them have been born nine children, namely: Wesley H., born in 1873, died at the age of two years. john Bur- ton, born in 1875, died when only a year old. Clyde A., born in July, 1877, began his educa- tion in the public schools, later attended the Clarion Normal for two terms, and has since suc- cessfully engaged in teaching in Clarion county. He is a very bright, scholarly young man, resid- ing at home. Newton W., born in 18,9, died in childhood. Stanley E., born in 1881, attended the common schools, and now aids his father in the operation of the home farm. Herbert H., born in 1883, Cora M., born in 1886, Mabel A., born in 1892, and Edith Viola, born in June, 1895, are all at hoine.

For four years after his marriage, Mr. Imhoff rented and operated the old homestead, but in 1875 purchased 158 acres, in Highland township. known as the John Read farm, on which is a good brick residence, frame barn and other im- provements. To agricultural pursuits Mr. Imhoff devoted his time and attention until 1884. when he erected a large store building in Miola. and embarked in general merchandising, carrying on that business in connection with the cultivation of his farm.

In 1885 under President Cleveland's adminis- tration, Mr. Imhoff was appointed postmaster of Miola, and acceptably served four years, and again in 1893 he was appointed to the sante po- sition, so that he is the present incumbent. For ten years he has also served as school director, was justice of the peace four years, and is now serving his fourth year as township treasurer. He has proved a competent and faithful officer. is recognized as one of the most popular and in- fluential citizens of his community. and as a business man ranks among the best in Highland township. He and his wife formerly were

1415

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Lutherans in religious belief, but now hold mem- bership in the Presbyterian Church at Shiloh, Highland township, and cheerfully give their sup- port to all measures calculated to benefit the moral, intellectual or material welfare.

T HOMAS DIVINS, a well-known lumberman, has spent almost his entire life in Porter township, where his birth occurred in February, 1847. He is a representative of one of Clarion county's most prominent and influential families. His father, Hon. William Divins, represented his district in the State Legislature, and took an important part in public affairs. He was born in Centre county, Penn .; a son of James Divins, a native of Ireland.

In early manhood William Divins married Miss Mary, daughter of John McKinney, a native of Scotland, and eleven children blessed their union, nine sons and two daughters, namely: John (deceased); William served as a soldier in Company K, 148th P. V. I., and died in Monroe township, Clarion county, in January, 1886; David was a member of the same company and regiment, and died at Bell Island, N. Y., from disease contracted in the service; James P. was also one of the brave boys in blue, serving in Company K, 148th P. V. I .; Anthony belonged to Company K, 148th P. V. I., and now lives in Jefferson county, Penn. ; Martin died at the age of four years; Thomas, of this sketch; Calvin; Curtis, a resident of Elk county, Penn .; Sarah Ann, wife of J. C. Henry; and Mary E., wife of G. W. Stewart, of Porter township.

Like four of his brothers, Thomas Divins also donned the blue and gallantly fought for the preservation of the Union. In Porter township, he enlisted in 1863 (when only sixteen years of age), in Company K, 148th P. V. I., and was sworn into the United States service at Mead- ville, Penn., where the regiment was assigned to the Army of the Potomac, Second Army Corps. With his cominand he took part in the battles of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, North and South Anna River, and all the other engagements in which his regiment participated (twenty-three). At Petersburg he received a gunshot wound which necessitated his remaining in the hospital for some time. When the war was over, and his services were no longer needed, he was honorably discharged at Camp Curtin, Harrisburg, Penn., June 5, 1865, and returned to Porter township. He has since devoted his energies mainly to farming and lumbering, and has met with a fair degree of success in his undertakings.

Co., Penn., Mr. Divins was inarried to Miss Esther Atherton, a native of Dauphin county, Penn., and a daughter of Stephen and Matilda (Seagroves) Atherton. Her father, who was a contractor, was born in 1808, in Connecticut, and died in 1855, while her mother was born in Lan- caster county, Penn., and died in Dauphin coun- ty, in 1885. Mr. and Mrs. Divins have three children: Alice, now Mrs. Platt, of Limestone township, Clarion county; Charlie and Harry.

Our subject uses his right of franchise in sup- port of the Democracy, and he has been called upon to serve as a member of the school board seven years, and also as township supervisor. He is an honored member of Captain Core Post No. 239, G. A. R., and is one of the most pop- ular and highly respected citizens of the com- munity where he has so long made his home. Those who know him best are numbered among his stanchest friends, a fact which plainly indi- cates a well-spent life.

J TOEL ELMER SUMMERVILLE (originally spelled Somerville, and both styles are now used by different members of the family ), the well-known and popular proprietor of the "City Hotel," Rimersburg. is a native of Clar- ion county, born August 30, 1861, on the old family homestead in Madison township. a. son of Squire Joseph A. and Laura (Sage) Summerville, natives of Armstrong county, Pennsylvania.

James Somerville, the paternal great-grand- father of our subject, was a native of County Down, Ireland, and in 1,82 came to America. He got into some difficulty about shooting rab- bits out of the hunting season, and to avoid ar- rest he took passage on a vessel which was ready to sail for the New World. He first located in Fayette county, Penn., and on his arrival there his only possessions consisted of a dog and a gun. After following farming in that county for two years he removed to a place on Crooked creek in Arinstrong county, and in 1796 secured 350 acres of land in Franklin township, that county, on the present site of Worthington. and about six miles from Kittanning. The place is now owned and operated by his great-grandchil- dren. He died there in 1854. at the age of ninety years, and was buried in the Seceder cem- etery at Worthington. He had married a Miss Sarah Scott. a native of Scotland, and they be- came the parents of the following children: Will- iam, a farmer, who died in Iowa: Samuel, a fariner, of Terre Haute, Ind .: John. the grand- father of our subject; Josiah and Joseph, who

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3, Part 63

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