USA > Pennsylvania > Clearfield County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 79
USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 79
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 79
USA > Pennsylvania > Clarion County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 79
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died some years ago leaving six children-Re- becca A., William Lincoln, Alice, Maggie, Frank and Ella. (2) Lizzie, born in Jefferson county, Penn., is the wife of Samuel Agnew, of Leeper, Clarion county, and they have seven children- Emma, William McClellan, Maggie, Ella, Scott, George and Harrison. (3) Catharine married Henry Barr, of Farmington township, who was killed while working in a sawmill. Her children are Samuel, Annie, Harry, Nora, Josephine, John and Grace. (4) George, a native of Clarion county, married Margaret Heffron, of Clarion county, and died some years ago leaving a widow and the following children-Gus, Ella, Cass, Rhoda, Charles, Stephen, Gertrude and Frank. (5) Samuel, born in Jefferson county, married Jane Irwin, of Forest county, and with his fam- ily now resides in Kane, Penn. (6) Sarah, born at Cooksburg, is now the wife of William Goble, of Paint township, Clarion county, by whom she has nine children, among them-Robert, Jack, Harrie, Benjamin and George.
Jaines T. Sharrow, the subject of this review, was educated in the common schools near his boyhood home, and his business training was re- ceived upon the farm and in the lumber woods. In 1873 he led to the marriage altar Miss Caro- line McCartney, also a native of Clarion county, and a daughter of Thomas McCartney, a well-to- do fariner, and they have become the parents of ten children: Frank C., who was born in 1876, and was educated in the common schools of Farmington, his native township; Blanche and Annie, also born 'in Clarion county; Edna, Fred B. and James W., all born in Forest county, Penn .; Clare L., born on the present farm of the family in Farmington township; Howard, also born on the homestead in 1896; Lavina May, de- ceased; and Alice, who died in childhood; those living are still with their parents.
. For two years after his marriage, James T. Sharrow lived on the J. B. Watson farm near Scotch Hill, and then removed to Gravel Lick, where he followed lumbering and boat building on the Clarion river, and also rafted lumber to the Pittsburg markets. Later he purchased property in Marionville, Forest county, where he engaged in lumibering for seven years, and in i 890 traded his place there with Jacob McCart- ney for the Samuel Wilson farm in Farmington township, Clarion county, on which he has since made his home. His present comfortable two- story residence was erected in 1896, and he has inade many other useful improvements upon his place, which add greatly to its value and attract- ive appearance. In connection with general farming, he still continues to successfully engage
in lumbering. He is a wide-awake, progressive business man of known reliability, and the suc- cess that he has achieved is but the just reward of earnest, persistent labor, good management, and strict integrity, for he started out in life for himself empty-handed. Politically, his support is always given the men and measures of the Dem- ocratic party, and, religiously, he and his estima- ble wife are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Scotch Hill.
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W ILLIAM D. KEEFER, a prominent rep- resentative of the agricultural and indus- trial interests of Perry township, Clarion county, and an honored veteran of the Civil war, was born June 29, 1841, in the town of Franklin, Venango Co., Penn., a son of J. G. and Harriet (Gordon) Keefer, early settlers of Franklin, where they made their home for many years. The father, who was a carpenter by trade, died at the home of our subject, in Clarion county, but the mother is still a resident of Perry township. In the family of this worthy couple were eight children: William D .; Mrs. Mary Jane Hogan. who died in Clarion county; Joseph C., a resi- dent of St. Petersburg, Clarion county; Mrs. Ann E. Hogan, of West Monterey, Penn., whose husband was a soldier in the Civil war; Mrs. Clara A. Nail, of Clarion; George W., of Perry township; and Lydia Olive, wife of T. Frampton, of Clarion county.
Until thirteen years of age, William D. Kee- fer attended the schools of his native city, and then came to Clarion county, but later removed to Armstrong county, where he was living at the outbreak of the Civil war. At Kittanning, he enlisted in Company B, 103rd P. V. I., for three years, and was sworn into the service at that place. With the Army of the Potomac he par- ticipated in the siege of Yorktown, Williams- burg, the battles of Fair Oaks, Savage Station. White Oak Swamp, Charles City Cross Roads, Malvern Hill, Suffolk, Blackwater, Gatesville, Charon River, S. W. Creek, Kingston, White Hall, Coal Trap, Galesboro, and the engagements at Fortress Monroe, Suffolk, Va., and Newbern, Batchelor Creek, Fosters Mills, Blounts Creek. Plymouth, N. C., the seven-days' fight on the Peninsula, the Peninsula campaign, and Golds- boro, N. C. Re-enlisting as a musician in Company F, same regiment, he served until the close of the war. On April 4. 1864. at Ply- mouth, N. C., he was taken prisoner, and after being confined at Andersonville through the sun- mer, he, in the fall, was transferred to Florence, S. C. After eleven months spent in the
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Rebel prisons, he was finally paroled at Golds- boro, N. C., April 24, 1865, at which time he weighed only ninety-five pounds, the effects of his sufferings and privations. In the following June he was honorably discharged at Washing- ton, D. C., and returned to his home in Arm- strong county, whence he later came to Clarion county. He now owns a good farm of thirty acres in Perry township, near West Monterey. In connection with farming he is engaged in oil, having two producing wells and one gas well on his place.
In 1861, in Armstrong county, Mr. Keefer was married to Miss Melissa O. Harringer, a na- tive of the town of Clarion, and a daughter of David Harringer and Polly (Steele), his wife. Mr. and Mrs. Keefer have eight children: Mrs. Elsie A. Barger, of Perry township, Clarion county; Mrs. Minnie May Doverspike, of West Monterey; Mrs. Harriette E. Judson, of Perry township; J. G. K., who is married and lives in West Monterey; Leslie O. K., who is married and lives in Perry township; Justus A. K., who is now working in the oil fields of West Virginia; and Gordon C. K. and James Garfield K., both at home.
Mr. Keefer is a member of the Grand Army Post at West Freedom, Clarion Co., Penn .; in political sentiment he is a Republican, and is a strict Christian according to God's word. While possessing the qualities of a successful business man, his private interests have always given way to the public good, and he has thus become hon- ored and esteemed by all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance or who have met him in a business way.
A ARON CONVER, a representative farmer and prominent citizen of Richland town- ship, Clarion county, was born there February 6, 1833, a son of John F. Conver, whose birth occurred in Montgomery county, Penn., whence at an early day he removed to Berks county.
The family was founded in this country by three brothers who came from France, and each spelled the name differently, it being Confer, Cunfer and Conver. The father of our subject was married east of the mountains to Miss Susan Allabaugh, a native of Berks county and a daugh- ter of Jacob Allabaugh, an honored citizen of that county. Emigrating to Clarion county, they became early settlers of Richland township, and after living upon one farm for about eight · years they removed to the place now owned and
. occupied by our subject, where the father de- veloped a good farm of 200 acres. In politics he was first a Whig, and later a Republican. At
one time he was a member of the Reformed Church, but subsequently became a Lutheran, and for many years served as deacon and elder, always taking an active part in all Church work. He died at the age of seventy-six, and his wife at the age of eighty-six, honored and respected by all who knew them. In the family of this worthy couple were eleven children: Jacob; Polly, wife of D. B. Knapp, of Clarion county; Susan, wife of Benjamin Moyer, of Richland township; John, deceased; Peter, a resident of Farmington, Fulton Co., Ill .; Samuel, who died in Yates City, Ill .; David and Fannie, both de- ceased; Aaron, of this review; William; and Sarah.
On the farm where he continues to make his home, Aaron Conver spent the days of his boy- hood and youth, and for two months during the winter attended school, which was conducted in a little log cabin furnished in a very primitive manner, but his educational privileges were meager. Prompted by a love of his country, he enlisted March 4, 1865, in the 56th P. V. I., and served until the close of the war. Although he was taken ill, he would not consent to go to hos- pital. On returning home he resumed farming, for one winter also conducted a sawmill, and for two winters operated a stave mill, but his atten- tion has been principally given to agricultural pursuits, in which he has met with good success. He owns a fine farm of one hundred acres, on which is a good hewed-log house, 25 x 50 feet, built in 1833, also a barn, 40 x 80 feet, with a rock basement, and the grade made and lumber hauled for a new house, 30 x 30 feet. .
At the age of twenty-two, Mr. Conver mar- ried Miss Mary Ann Heater, who was born east of the mountains, and was a daughter of George and Mary (Fritz) Heater, pioneers of Clarion county, where their deaths occurred. To Mr. and Mrs. Conver were born six sons and one daughter, namely: Joseph, a carpenter of St. Petersburg, Clarion county; Benjamin, a resident of Richland township; Samuel E., a pumper liv- ing in Mariasville, Penn .; Peter, who resides on the old homestead with his father; George Henry, of Richland township; Mary Ellen, who wedded William Gates, and died at the age of twenty- one; and John, a resident of St. Mary's, Ohio. Of this family, Peter was born in 1863, and in ISS4 married Miss Gertie Bishop, a daughter of James and Melinda (Armour) Bishop; they have three children: Adda D., Blanche and Benjamin Harrison.
Mr. Conver has been called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died March 12. 1888. She was an earnest Christian woman and a true
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helpmeet to him. He belongs to the Lutheran Church, in which he has served as deacon and elder, and is a supporter of all measures calcu- lated to promote the general welfare. He is a strong adherent of Republican principles, and has faithfully served as a member of the school board and as overseer of the poor. He receives and merits the high regard of the entire commu- nity, and his friends are many throughout his na- tive county.
A MOS W. KINCH, a well-known blacksmith, and one of the most reliable business men of Washington township, Clarion county, was born in that township, in 1842, and is a son of Jacob and Mary (Sproat) Kinch, natives of Lan- caster county, Penn., where their marriage was celebrated. In 1824 they came to Washington township, Clarion county, where they continued to make their home until called from this life, the mother dying March 30, 1870, and the fa- ther on December 23, 1872. He was a mill- wright by trade, and enjoyed the respect and esteem of all who knew him. Of his twelve children, we have record of the following: John (deceased) was a resident of Allegheny county, Penn .; Jacob died in Richland township; Re- becca and Joseph are both also deceased; Daniel is a resident of Washington township; Samuel, of Butler county, Penn. ; Andrew died in Knox township, Clarion county; Rosie is also deceased; Mary is the wife.of David Strobel, of Washing- ton township; Martin, who enlisted In Washing- ton township, in 1863, in the 46th P. V. I., died in that township, in 1873; and Amos W. is the subject of this sketch-in all, four yet living.
Upon the home farm Amos W. Kinch passed the days of his boyhood and youth in much the usual manner of farmer lads, but during the dark days of the Civil war, in response to the President's call for volunteers, he enlisted Au- gust 18, 1863, in Company F, 82d P. V. I., for three years or during the war. After being mustered into the United States service at Pitts- burg, he joined the Army of the Potomac, First Brigade, Third Division, Sixth Corps, and par- ticipated in the battles of Centerville, Bealton Station, Rappahannock, Mine Run, Kelly's Ford and in many skirmishes At Culpeper he was transferred to Johnson's Island in Lake Erie, where he did guard duty for a time. Later he was ordered to Baltimore, where he did office duty until the close of the war, being honorably discharged at that place June 27, 1865. After returning to his home in Washington township, he learned the blacksmith and wagonmaker's
trades, which he has since successfully followed, being one of the most skillful and able workmen in his line in the locality.
In Washington township Mr. Kinch was mar- ried, in 1866, to Miss Fannie Hepler, a native of Butler county, Penn., and a daughter of Moses and Mary (Thomas) Hepler, who became early settlers of Washington township, Clarion county, where the father died in 1870. The mother is still living and makes her home in Tionesta, Forest Co., Penn. Mr. and Mrs. Kinch have six children: William; Mrs. Hattie Shelly and Mrs. May Hunter, both of Forest county; and Alice, Jennie and Gracie.
Mr. Kinch is an ardent supporter of Repub- lican principles, and has most efficiently served as a member of the school board. In religious belief he is a Lutheran. His ambition has been to acquit himself of life's duties honorably before all men, to improve his capabilities and oppor- tunities, and to become of use in the world. In 1878 he associated with the secret service, and has been an ardent and successful operative to bring criminals and refugees to justice .. It is this spirit mainly that has made him one of the leading business men and representative citizens of his community.
J OHN ALLIO. Among the well-to-do and substantial agriculturists of Farmington township, Clarion county, who have been identified with its growth and development from an early day, is the gentleman whose name in- troduces this article.
Mr. Allio was born in 1826, in France, of which country his parents, Joseph and Annetta (Lewis) Allio, were also natives. For nine years the father was a soldier in Napoleon's army. In 1830 he brought his family to the United States, and at once took up his residence in Clarion county, making his home in Foxburg sonie five years. Purchasing a farm in Perry township. he remained there for the same length of time, and, on selling that property in 1841, he bought one hundred acres of wild land in Farmington town- ship, near Tylersburg, where he built a log cabin and made a home for his family. He cleared and placed under cultivation many acres of his land, and upon that farin continued to make his home until called to his final rest January 5. 1876, at the extreme old age of one hundred years, eight months and five days. Hiswife sur- vived him, dying January 5, 1881, when aged one hundred and five years, four months and twenty- five days. They were widely and favorably
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known throughout their adopted county, and had a host of friends.
The subject of this sketch is the oldest of their three children; Joseph, born in France in 1828, wedded Mary Nicely, of Clarion county, . and located in Pine Grove, Forest county, where he improved a farm. He died there in IS82, his wife in 1889. Their children were Sarah K., now the wife of George Mealy, of Forest county, Penn .; John H. and Joseph, who are married and live in Forest county; James, also a resident of that county; George, who lives on the old homestead in Forest county, and Leah and Ra- chel (twins), who are living in Butler county, Penn. Mary C., our subject's only sister, was born in France May 1, 1830, and married Patter- son Highlands, of Clarion county. After residing for a few years in Tylersburg, he removed. to California in 1851, leaving his wife in Clarion county. Later she married George Hoover, who died leaving three children. She is now the wife of M. Hampton, and resides in Miami county, Kansas.
John Allio was four years old when he ac- companied his parents on their emigration to America, and amid pioneer scenes in Clarion county he grew to inanhood, acquiring such an education as the common schools of that day af- forded. In 1848 he was united in marriage to Miss Sallie Mealy, of Clarion county, a daughter of George Mealy, and they began housekeeping on the old homestead where he has since made his home. After a married life of about five years, Mrs. Allio died leaving two Sons: Levi, who married Rilly Cornish, and resides in Mis- souri; and George, who married Belle Vernor, of Rimersburg.
Our subject was again married, this time in 1855 to Miss Margaret A. Siegworth, of Clarion county, who died in 1865, leaving four children: Mary Annettie, born December 6, 1855, lives with her brothers, William H. Allio and J. H. Siegworth Allio, upon a part of the old home- stead (the former was born in 1857 and the lat- ter in January, 1861). Miles P. Allio, born in IS59, also owns a part of the honte farm; he married Rachel Wardean, of Shippenville, Clar- ion county, and has two children-Clarence Otto and Florence.
In 1871 Mr. Allio married Miss Mary J. Stan- ford, who was born in Clarion county, in 1827, and is a daughter of Robert and Martha Stan- ford, well-to-do farming people and honored pioneers of Clarion county. Mr. Allio still re- tains a part of the old home farm, and has him- self cleared and placed under the plow much of the land. He erected a large barn in 1861, and
made many other valuable improvements. On one portion of the land his son Siegworth has built a commodious and pleasant residence, and on the north end Miles has built a fine home. The farm is one of the most desirable in Farm- ington township. Politically, Mr. Allio was first a Whig, and is now a stanch supporter of the Republican party. He and his wife are faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Tylersburg, and enjoy the esteem and respect of the entire community. In his declining days Mr. Allio is surrounded by a large circle of friends and acquaintances who appreciate his sterling worth and many excellencies of character.
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J ASPER N. MAXWELL, a prominent and highly respected farmer of Highland town- ship. Clarion county, is a worthy representa- tive of a family noted for its patriotism and loy- alty, he and his two brothers having valiantly fought for the preservation of the Union during the dark days of the Civil war. In days of peace he is also recognized as one of the most valued and useful citizens of his community, giving his support to every enterprise for the public good.
James Maxwell, the father of our subject, was a native of Clearfield county, Penn., and when a young man came to Clarion county, where he wedded Miss Margaret Potter, who was born here. They took up their residence near Clarion, where he worked at the blacksmith's trade for a time, and then removed to Mechanics- ville. There he purchased a tract of land, erected a house and made many other improvements upon his place, and also worked at his trade, which he later followed in Strattonville. He spent his last days upon a farm near Sigel, Jefferson Co., Penn., and in connection with its cultivation also engaged in blacksmithing. He survived his wife a number of years, dying in 1873, honored and respected by all who knew him.
Our subject is one of a family of eleven chil- dren, all born in Clarion county, the others being as follows: Mary A. wedded James McEntire. of Clarion county, and died near New Bethlehemn, Penn., some years ago. leaving a family of chil- dren. Caroline married Lewis Reese, of Clarion county, and died in Strattonville, leaving a fam- ily. Glyphira died in Strattonville when a young lady. Hugh L. married an Ohio lady, and lived in Sigel, Penn., where he died, leaving a widow and one daughter. Margaret. Potter enlisted in Company H, 149th P. V. I., know as the " Buck- tail Regiment," and was in all of the engage- ments in which his command participated until killed at Culpeper, Va., at the age of twenty-
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seven. Jane married Davis Porterfield, of Butler county. Penn., by whom she has three children, and they now reside in Illinois. Frances died when about ten years old. Lafayette died at the age of forty years. George was a member of the same company as his brother Potter, and faithfully served until honorably discharged on account of physical disability. He later married . a Miss Bartlett, of Clarion county, and with their family they live on a farm in Mill Creek town- ship. Margaret wedded Robert English, of Jef- ferson county, where they lived until called from this life. They left a family.
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Jasper N. Maxwell was born in 1839, near the city of Clarion, in Clarion county, and spent the days of his boyhood and youth under the pa- rental roof, acquiring his education in the com- mon schools of the neighborhood. He followed lumbering until the Civil war broke out, when he laid aside all personal interests, and in April, 1861, on the President's call for three-months' men, enlisted in Company H, Eighth Pennsylva- nia Reserves. He was sworn into the United States service at Camp Meridian Hill, Washing- ton, D. C. The regiment was equipped for duty at Washington. He served under Capt. William Lemmon, of Clarion county, and Col. G. S. Hays. His first engagement was at Mechanics- ville, and was followed by a seven-days' fight against Lee and Longstreet. The regiment then went into winter quarters, and in the spring of 1862 marched down the Potomac river to Alex- andria, and from there to Manassas Junction, thence to Fredericksburg, where they did guard duty. They also built bridges across the Rappa- hannock, and from there marched to Belle Plain, whence they were transported to White House Landing. Their next engagement was at Me- chanicsville, where the losses on both sides were heavy, and the Union troops fell back to Peach Orchard, where an engagement was brought on June 27, 1862. That was followed by the bat- tles of Gaines Hill. Savage Station, White Oak Swamp and Malvern Hill. A little later Mr. Maxwell was honorably discharged at Harrison's Landing on account of physical disability, and from Baltimore he returned to his home in Clar- ion county.
In 1866 Mr. Maxwell was married to Miss Matilda Gillmore, of Clarion county, a daughter of David and Elizabeth Gillmore, the former a lumberman by occupation. They have become the parents of four children, namely: Frank H .. born in Clarion county, in 1867, was educated in the public schools, and is now a resident of Highland township, that county. He married Alice Lamb, of that township, and now has two
sons-Dalbert and James. (2) Sharpley, a res- ident of Tionesta, Forest Co., Penn., married Maud Morgan, of Clarion county, and has two children-Earl and Florence. (3) David G. is a very bright young man of scholarly tastes; he is now engaged in erecting oil derricks in West Virginia for the Western Pennsylvania Company. (4) James P., born in 1874, is at home.
After his marriage, Mr. Maxwell located in Farmington township, Clarion county, where he purchased a tract of timberland and a sawmill. and engaged in the manufacture of lumber for several years. He also built coal boats for the Pittsburg markets, and engaged in drilling oil wells along the Allegheny river and in Clarion county. In 1876, while loading a boat with lum- ber, he seriously injured his spine, and was there- fore compelled to abandon lumbering. In 1888 he purchased the James Smith farm of 100 acres near Helen Furnace in Highland township, and has since devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits with good success. He is a progressive, energetic business man of known reliability, and has gained the confidence and high regard of all with whom he has come in contact. He and his family are Presbyterians in religious belief, be- longing to the Church in Shiloh. His political support is ever given the men and measures of the Democratic party, and he has served as school director a number of years, constable one term. auditor several terms, and justice of the peace ten years to the entire satisfaction of the public and with credit to himself.
J ESSE M. SMITH, of Knox, Clarion county. has attained an enviable position in business circles by his upright, honorable course and fair dealing. He was born June 8, 1846, in Erie, Erie Co., Penn., a son of Jesse and Maria (East- wood, Smith. The paternal grandfather, V. Smith, was one of the early settlers of Erie, where the father was born and reared. The lat- ter died in Pennsylvania in 1846, after which his widow re-married and removed to Indiana. where her death occurred in 1879. Our subject was the only child born of the first union, and the two born of the same marriage are now de- ceased.
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