Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3, Part 76

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 76
USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 76
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 76
USA > Pennsylvania > Clarion County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 76

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

to the boys and young men of Foxburg he has proved a stanch friend, doing all in his power to promote their interests.

Fraternally, Mr. Harvey affiliates with the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Knights of the Maccabees. He is one of the most public- spirited and enterprising citizens of Foxburg, and has taken an active interest in all things pertain- ing to its advancement and general welfare.

J OHN V. SLOAN, secretary and treasurer of the J. W. James Medicine Company, has at- tained distinctive preferment in business cir- cles, and is now numbered among the most enter- prising and successful men of East Brady, Clar- ion county.

Born in the far-off State of Washington,"June 30, 1864, at Steilacoom City, near Tacoma, Mr. Sloan is the son of Rev. G. W. Sloan, who was the pastor of the Presbyterian Church at that place. The son is, however, a representative of one of the old and honored families of Clarion county, Penn. His grandfather, John Sloan, now deceased. was born in Westmoreland coun- ty, this State, of Scotch-Irish ancestry, and be- came a pioneer of Greenville, Clarion county.

Rev. G. W. Sloan was born and reared in Clarion county, and completed his education in Jefferson College, at Canonsburg, Penn., where he prepared for the ministry. In 1858 he went to Washington, and for a number of years had charge of different congregations in that Territory. He had previously married Miss Rebecca Cokain, a native of Pittsburg, Penn., and a representative of a prominent pioneer family of Venango coun- ty. Her death occurred in 1873, 'on the Indian Reservation at Puyallup, Wash., near Tacoma, where her husband was then serving as pastor. Of the six children born to them four are still living. The children are as follows: Edith A .. now a teacher in Jeannette, Penn. ; Della, a teacher at Latrobe, Penn .; George W., Jr., of Clinton- ville; Mrs. Frank Eakin and David E., both of whom died in Washington; and John V. The father was born in 1825, and devoted nearly his entire life to the work of the ministry, sacrificing his own interests for the betterment of his fellow- men.

The first eleven years of his life John V. Sloan passed in his native State, and on coming to Pennsylvania located in Limestone, where he grew to manhood. He prepared for the legal profession at Harvard College, but since ISS8 has been interested in his present business in East Brady. The company, of which he is now secretary and treasurer, began business on a

small scale in 1869, but as the demand for their medicine increased, they were obliged to enlarge their facilities, and their present plant was com- pleted in 1888. Six years later a stock company was incorporated with a capital of $50,000, and Dr. J. W. James was elected president, and John V. Sloan secretary and treasurer. Four travel- ing salesmen are now upon the road, selling their goods in every State of the Union, and in the laboratory and printing room employment is fur- nished to thirty hands. The company is one of the most important concerns of the kind in this section of the State, and is doing a large and constantly increasing business.

At Brady's Bend, Penn., in 1886, Mr. Sloan was united in marriage with Miss Emma E. James, a daughter of Dr. J. W. James, and to them have been born four children: George James, Geneveive K., Margaret James and John V., Jr. The career of Mr. Sloan has ever been such as to warrant the trust and confidence of the business world, for he has ever conducted all transactions on the strictest principles of honor and integrity. He is a man of keen perception, great sagacity and unbounded enterprise, and the success that he has achieved in life is certainly well deserved. He is a Republican in politics, has been a member of the city council, and be- longs to the Presbyterian Church.

J. W. JAMES, M. D., president of the J. W. James Medicine Company, was born in Aarons- burg, Centre Co., Penn., February 25, 1826, and belongs to an old Pennsylvania family, his father being James James, a pioneer merchant of Aaronsburg. His mother. who bore the maiden name of Agnes Williamson, was of Scotch ancestry, and was also a representative of a pioneer family of this State. The parents spent their last years in Armstrong county. The Doctor acquired his literary education in Mill- heim, Centre county, and then entered the Jeffer- son Medical College, of Philadelphia, where he graduated with the class of 1847. Locating in Brady's Bend, he there successfully engaged in general practice until he embarked in the manu- facture of medicine at East Brady, in 1869. His medicine has become very popular throughout the United States, being sold from Maine to California.

In Greenville, Mercer Co., Penn., Dr. James was married to Miss Margaret, daughter of Will- iam and Rachel Templeton, now deceased. The Doctor and his wife have become the parents of five children: Ida, deceased: William D., a physician and surgeon of East Brady; Robert C .. who is in the employ of the Standard Oil Com- pany in Chicago; Emma, wife of John V. Sloan.

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of this sketch; and Edwin, of East Brady. In politics Dr. James is a Republican, in religious - his first vote for Abraham Lincoln, Mr. Poole has faith he is a Presbyterian, and, in his society rela- tions, a Knight of Honor. Courteous, genial, well-informed, alert and enterprising, he stands to-day one of the leading representative men of East Brady-a man who is a power in his community.

S AMUEL POOLE, the present efficient street commissioner of East Brady, was born Sep- tember 10, 1826, in Staffordshire, England, of which county his parents, Francis and Ann (Webster) Poole, were also natives. The father died in Staffordshire in 1854, and the mother also spent her entire life in England, dying there in 1865.

In the public schools of his native land Sam- uel Poole pursued his studies, and in that coun- try was married at the age of eighteen years to Miss Rebecca Hart, also a native of Staf- fordshire, and a daughter of George and Ann (Crannage) Hart, the former of whom died in England. In 1858 Mr. and Mrs. Poole sailed for the United States, and first located in Brady's Bend, Armstrong Co., Penn., where he worked in a mill, the mines and also the Brady Bend Rolling Mills. Since 1883, however, he has made his home in East Brady, and for the past six years has most acceptably served as street commissioner. Mr. Poole manifested his loyalty to his adopted country by enlisting at Kittanning, Penn., in October, 1861, for three years, in Company B, 103d P. V. I., and was sworn into the service at that place, the regiment being assigned to the Army of the Potomac. He was in the seven-days' fighting at Williamsburg, the siege of Yorktown, and the battles of Fair Oaks. Chickahominy. White Oak Swamp, Rail- road Bridge, Bottom Bridge, Long Bridge, James Ford. Charles City Cross Roads and Harrison Point. Being taken ill, he was sent to a hos- pital in Philadelphia, August 10, 1862, and at that place was honorably discharged the follow- ing September.

Mr. Poole has been called upon to mourn the loss of his estimable wife, who departed this life in 1892. She had one brother, Thomas Hart, now a resident of Lancaster, Ohio, who enlisted in 1861, in the 103d P. V. I., for three years, and subsequently re-enlisted, serving until the close of the war. Being captured by the enemy, he was confined for eight months in the loath- some prison at Andersonville. Mr. Poole has three children living: Water S., a resident of Elwood City, Penn .; Edward F., of New Beth-

lehem, Penn .; and Mollie, at home. Since casting

been an earnest advocate of the principles of the Republican party. He is a member of Thomas S. Sedgwick Post No. 294, G. A. R., and Alpine Lodge No. 479, I. O. O. F., of Brady's Bend. His public and private duties have alike been discharged with promptness and fidelity, and his career has ever been such as to comniend him to the confidence and respect of all with whom he comes in contact.

0 LIVER J. CRUM. Among the leading busi- ness men of Monroe, Clarion county, there is none better known than the individual whose name heads this article. Since 1872 he has car- ried on operations here as a blacksmith and wagon maker, and, being an expert workman and reliable business man, he has built up an excel- lent trade, his patronage extending for many miles into the surrounding country.

Mr. Crum was born April 5, 1840, in Beaver township, Clarion county. His father, John Crum, one of the honored pioneers of the coun- ty, was a native of Westmoreland county, Penn., of German descent. He was reared, however. in Armstrong county, where he married Miss Mary M. Snider, a native of that county, whose parents were from Bedford county, Penn. To this worthy couple were born five children, namely: George W., a resident of Oil City, Penn .; Mrs. Anna Knight, of Richland township, Clarion county; Isabella, wife of John Neely, of Beaver township; Oliver J .; and William Alex- ander, who died at the age of eighteen years. Throughout his active business life the father fol- lowed the occupation of farming. He gave his political support to the men and measures of the Democratic party, and religiously was identified with the Reformed Church, in which he served as deacon or elder for many years. He always took an active and prominent part in all Church work, and was a sincere Christian. In Salem township, Clarion county, he departed this life at the age of eighty-one, and his estimable wife passed away in the same township at the age of fifty-eight.

The subject of this sketch acquired a good practical education in the country schools, and on the home farm early became familiar with agricultural pursuits. At the age of seventeen he began learning his trade, which he has now successfully followed for forty years. His labors were interrupted. however, by his services dur- ing the Rebellion, for in March, 1865, he enlisted ! in Company A, 98th P. V. I., and served until

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the close of the war. Since coming to Monroe, in 1872, hehas engaged in general blacksmithing~ and wagon making, and also does all kinds of repairing.

In January, 1866, in Richland township, Clarion county, Mr. Crum was married to Miss Elizabeth Conner, who was born, reared and educated in Beaver township, the same county, and is a daughter of Frank Conner, of Scotch- Irish descent. She has one brother, Army Jesse Conner, now living in Dakota. To Mr. and Mrs. Crum have been born the following children: Francis H., who still makes his home in Clarion county; Maggie, who died at the age of ten years; Celia, wife of 'William Ramsay, of San- dusky county, Ohio; Della I .; Melda E .; and Verta L.

Fraternally, Mr. Crum is a member of Look- out Post, G. A. R., of St. Petersburg, and the Knights of Honor, while, religiously, he and his family all hold membership in the Reformed Church. The Democratic party has always found in him an earnest advocate, and he gives his support to all measures for the benefit of the county in which he lives, or that are calculated to elevate society in general.

J AMES L. REED, of Highland township, is a member of an honored pioneer family of Clarion county, which was founded here when the locality was a wild and unimproved region. In the work of development they have taken an active part and aided in opening up the country to civilization.

John Reed, with his wife, Eve McGuffy, carne from Ireland about 1755, then having one child that died on shipboard. They settled in Sher- man's Valley, Penn., on a farm, reared a family of six children, four sons and two daughters, and in their old age sold their farm and inoved to Lycoming county, Penn., where both died. William Reed, our subject's grandfather, was a native of Sherman's Valley, Penn. , and in IS04 moved to Erie county, where he settled on the Holland land purchase and made his home for five years. He next located near Titusville, in Crawford county, and later, for a few years, rented the Holdsnian farni on the Allegheny river. In 1819, however, he came to what was then Richland township, Venango county (now Highland township, Clarion county), and took up his residence on the Joseph Porter farm, where he and his wife Elizabeth both died in 1848. In the family of this worthy couple were seven chil- dren: (1) Eleanor married Urial Fletcher, a native of New York, and died in Knox township,

Clarion county, a number of years ago. (2) John, the father of our subject, is the next in order of birth. (3) Jane married Alexander Porter, of Venango county, Penn., and lived in Highland township, Clarion county, where she died leaving a family of children. (4) Elizabeth married Ephraim Mix, of Connecticut, and lived for a number of years in Jefferson county. Penn .. where both died at an early day, leaving a fam -. ily, but only one child is now living, being a resident of Jefferson county, Penn. (5) James, born near Sunbury, Cumberland Co., Penn., came with his parents to Clarion county, and spent the remainder of his life on the old home- stead in Highland township. He wedded Mary Hulings, formerly of Lycoming county, Penn., and reared a large family. (6) William, born in Lycoming county, in 1802, married Agnes Lamb. of Venango county, and lived on a farm in High- land township, where both died some years ago, leaving a large family. They celebrated their golden wedding; the wife lived on the farm over sixty years. (7) Margaret, born in Erie county, Penn., in 1805, came with her parents to Clarion county, where she married James Lamb, of Ve- nango county, and they lived on a farm in Knox township, Clarion county, where her death oc- curred. She had three children-James, Samuel and Elizabeth.

John Reed, father of our subject, was born in Lycoming county in 1793, and, on attaining to man's estate, he wedded Jane Lamb, of Venango county. Soon afterward he bought David Whitehill's settlement right of a tract of land. some of it cleared, and had a log house on it made of split hickory logs. In 1833 the land was sold at commissioners' sale (1,525 acres) at about eleven cents per acre. In 1821 he com- menced to clear and improve his property in or- der to provide a home for his family. He first built a log house and log barn, but later replaced these with a large brick residence and good barn. and made many other excellent and useful im- provements upon the place, converting it into one of the finest farms of the township. He also built a sawmill on Tarkill run, and successfully engaged in the manufacture of lumber for a num- ber of years. His death occurred on the old homestead in 1866, and his wife passed away in 1844.

James L. Reed, the eldest of his children. was born in 1822, in the old log house upon the home farm in Highland township, and was reared .amid scenes of frontier life. He attended the common schools, and aided in the arduous task of clearing and developing a new farm. In is4S he began teaching in his native township, teach-

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ing two years in succession, and again in 1856 in Helen township, Clarion county, but he was principally employed in looking after his father's business interests. He engaged in building coal boats on the Clarion river for the Pittsburg mar- kets, and was also extensively interested in lum- bering and running on the rivers during his younger years. At one time he was connected with the oil trade in Clarion county, but the greater part of his time has been devoted to ag- ricultural pursuits, and although seventy-five years of age, he can still do a full day's work in the harvest field, so well preserved is he. Physically he is as active as a man of forty years, and his mind is still clear and bright, enabling him to re- call many interesting incidents of pioneer life. He still resides upon a part of his father's first purchase.

The other children of the family are as fol- lows: (2) William S., born in 1823, married Lizzie Berlin, and also spent his entire life upon a. part of the old homestead in Highland town- ship. He died from injuries received while clear- ing his land, and left a wife and eleven children -- Nancy J., Ellen, Araminta, Caroline, Lavina, John, Gertrude, Albert, Clyde, Roland, and Ly- dia, who died in childhood. (3) Columbus, born in December, 1825, resided on the home farm until his death in 1893. He had married Adaline McCray, of Venango county, who with her fam- ily is now living in Warren county, Penn. (4) Eliza A., born in 1827. died at the age of fifty- three. (5) John H., born in October, 1829. married Rachel McLaine, of Highland township, and made his home near Big Run, in Jefferson county, where he died in July, 1897, being in- jured by a runaway horse. He left a wife and family. (6) Samuel, born in March, 1832, mar- ried Elizabeth Slagle, of Porter township. Clar- ion county, and is now engaged in lumbering in Forest county. He has eight children living. (7) CAROLINE, born in 1834, resides on the old home- stead with our subject, and takes an active inter- est in all Church and benevolent work. (S) Charles, born in 1836, married Sarah McCray, of Clarion county, by whom he has three chil- dren. He is also living upon a part of his fa- ther's first purchase. (9) NANCY, born in 1838, is also living with our subject, and is a devoted and earnest Christian woman, always ready to lend a helping hand to the poor and needy. (10) Rebecca J., born in August, 1840, is the wife of Samuel Mahle, a farmer and merchant of High- land township.

latter aided in the erection of the first Presbyte- rian Church in Highland township, and served as its elder for a number of years. He was a very prominent and influential man, and was a liberal supporter of all objects tending to the betterment of mankind. His family adhere to the same faith, and also take an active part in Church work. James L. Reed usually casts his ballot with the Democratic party, has served as township audi- tor and clerk for about twenty consecutive years, was supervisor one term, and is at present judge of election. . He is broad and liberal in his view, has faithfully performed his duties of citizenship, and his interest in the welfare and progress of the community has never abated.

T H. HOOVER, a well-known lumberman of Mill Creek township, Clarion county, was born October 28, 1857, in Butler county, Penn., and is a son of S. C. and Jane (Anchors) Hoover, the former born in Butler county, in 1831, and the latter in Armstrong county, in 1833. After their marriage they located upon a farm in But- ler county, and on selling that place removed to Saline, Venango Co., Penn., where the father engaged in the manufacture of brick. His next removal made him a resident of the city of Cla- rion, and while living there he made the brick for the school houses of that place. In 1883 he re- moved to Manhattan, Kans., where he purchased a farm and engaged in stock raising for six years. Selling his place at the end of that time, he re- moved to Oklahoma, where he engaged in the manufacture of brick and in building houses for several years. While in that territory his wife died. Subsequently he sold his property there and purchased a farm in Delaware county, Ind., where he now resides.

Mr. Hoover, of this review, is one of a family of eight children, of whom the others are as fol- lows: (1) S. H., the eldest, was born in Butler county, Penn., and on reaching manhood mar- ed Hattie Mony, of Strattonville, Clarion county, by whom he has three children; he is now living in Lincoln county, Kans., and is serv- ing his second term as sheriff. (2) C. H., born in Butler county, Penn .. married a Miss Mamie Henry. of Oberlin, Ohio, and has a family: he lives in Sherman, Texas, where he owns and con- ducts a music store. (3) Mamie, a native of Elk county, Penn., was educated in Kansas, and is now the wife of l'. J. Leik, of Denver, Colo. : they have one daughter-Fay. (4) Carrie, born in Clarion county, is the wife of J. L. Dougherty. | of Duluth, Minn .. where he is manager of a store,

The paternal grandfather of our subject voted for Gen. Washington for President, and the fa- ther was a lifelong Democrat in politics. The ! and they have one son. (5) M. D., also a native

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of Clarion county, is married and has two chil- dren. He lives in Purcell, Indian Ter., and is bookkeeper for a company. (6) O. L. M., born in Clarion county, is engaged in brick making in Guthrie, Okla. (7) Minnie M., born in Clarion county, married Fred Killgore, of Yorktown, Ind., and they have one child; they now reside in An- derson, Kans., where he is engaged in merchan- dising.

T. H. Hoover grew to manhood in Clarion county, and obtained a good practical education in the Clarion Seminary. During his youth he learned the brickmaker's trade, and in 1881 man- ufactured the brick for M. Arnold's large building in the city of Clarion. On February 28 of that year, he was united in marriage to Miss Mirtie H. Rulofson, of Strattonville, a daughter of R. and A. J. Rulofson. Her father is one of the extensive lumbermen and prominent citizens of Clarion county. One child graces this union: W. Allen, born January 1, 1894. After his mar- riage Mr. Hoover located in Clarion, where as a contractor in brick he did an extensive business, furnishing the brick for the court house at that place in 1884. Removing to Strattonville, he was employed as fireman and engineer in Mr. Rulof- son's sawmill at the mouth of Mill creek, and since 1888 has acceptably served as its foreman. Throughout the summer he gives his attention to the milling business, but spends the winter months with his family in New York, Philadel- phia, or other large cities. He is an active, en- terprising business man, and, in connection with the management of his father-in-law's mills, he has also superintended the boat building at that gentleman's large plant on the Clarion river.

Mr. Hoover has always taken quite an active interest in political affairs, is one of the prom- inent members of the Republican party in his community, but has never cared for official hon- ors. His wife holds membership in the Method- ist Episcopal Church of Strattonville, and in social circles they occupy a prominent position.

1860, and spent her remaining years in Arri- strong county, where her death occurred in 1885.

Her children were as follows: (1) Catharine, on coming to the New World, became a resident of Connecticut, where she was living at the time of her death. (2) Barbara married George Brown, also a native of Germany, and they now make their home in Armstrong county, Penn. Their children are-George, William and Mary. (3) Mary also took up her residence in Armstrong county, where she married John Fey, and where she is still living. He died in 1897. (4) Conrad married Susan Crosier, of Armstrong county, where he owns and operates a farm. In his fam- ily were eight children-Jacob, Martin, Thomas, Charles (who died in 1893), Wesley, George, Dorothy and James. (5) Dorothy became the wife of John Shelling, and lived in Armstrong county, where he died some years ago, leaving three children-Martin, John and Mary. Mrs. Shelling now makes her home in Marionville.

The schools of Germany afforded our subject excellent educational privileges, and in his native land he also became familiar with agricultural pursuits. In 1853, accompanied by a sister, Mrs. Jacob Wagner, he came to America on a sailing vessel, which landed them safely at New York. From there they proceeded to Philadelphia, and thence to Piney township, Clarion county, where Mr. Wagner worked in a sawmill for Jacob Hahn for two years, and during the following year and a half was employed in William Fenton's dis tillery. In 1857 he purchased a half interest in a liquor still, with which he was connected until 1865.

In 1860, Mr. Wagner was married to Miss Mary A. Crosier, of Armstrong county, a daughter of William and Jane Crosier. They began their domestic life in Piney, where he engaged in the hotel business, and also operated a sawmill. In partnership with John Metzger he purchased property at Piney, and together they engaged in the manufacture of lumber for some time. Mrs. Wagner died at that place in 1869, leaving two daughters: (1) Dorothy is the wife of Conrad Baughman, and they reside in Paint township on a part of her father's homestead. Their children are-Mary, Martin, Hulda, Charles, Barbara and George. (2) Mary is the wife of Joseph Smith, and they also reside upon a part of her father's farın. They had three children-John (who died at the age of two years), Charles and Willie.

M ARTIN WAGNER, residing in Paint town- ship, Clarion county, has for many years been actively and prominently identified with the business affairs of this section of the State, espe- cially with its lumber and agricultural interests. He was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, January 20, 1829, and is a son of Jacob and Dorothy Wagner, also natives of that country, where the father died in 1851. He was twice married, hav- After the death of his first wife Mr. Wagner returned to Germany on a visit, and there met Miss Barbara Lang, who the same year became ing by the first union three children, all of whom remained in the Fatherland. After his death the mother and one daugliter came to America, in ! his wife, the marriage being celebrated in Arni-

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3, Part 76

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