Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3, Part 83

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 83
USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 83
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 83
USA > Pennsylvania > Clarion County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 83

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John A. Gibson, the father of our subject, was a native of Armstrong county, and a son of Levi and Jane (Rankin) Gibson, natives of In- diana county and Lancaster county, Penn., re- spectively, the latter died at the age of seventy- seven years. John A. Gibson always* followed agricultural pursuits, and continued to operate the old homestead farm in Armstrong county, which his father had opened up, until his death, in 1861. He had married Miss Mary Jane Ken- nedy, who was also born in Armstrong county, and died there in 1848. They had three chil- dren, who are now living: Mrs. Martha Jane Hepler, of Nebraska; W. K., of this sketch; and Mrs. Margaret Matilda Shoup, of Kansas.

During his childhood and youth, W. K. Gib- son attended the public schools near his home, and remained under the parental roof until after the outbreak of the Rebellion. Feeling that his country needed his services he enlisted in Arm- strong county. August 15, 1861, in Company A, 78th P. V. I., for three years or during the war, and was sworn into the United States service at Kittanning, Penn .. the following October, the regiment becoming a part of the Middle Division, Army of the West. Mr. Gibson participated in the battles of Stone river and Murfreesboro, Tal- lahoma, Dug Gap or Bailey Cross Roads, Chicka- mauga, Missionary Ridge, Lookout Mountain. Resaca, Peach Tree Creek and Kenesaw Mount- ain, Atlanta and Jonesboro. He was one of forty detailed to do scout duty, of whom only fifteen or sixteen were left at the close of the

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war. For some time he was confined in a hos- pital with smallpox, and was finally honorably- discharged in November, 1864, with an enviable war record. Returning to Kittanning, Mr. Gib- son remained a resident of Armstrong county until 1885, when he came to New Bethlehem, where he has since made his home. In his pres- ent business he is meeting with a fair degree of success, and furnishes employment to five men.

In 1865 Mr. Gibson was married in his native county to Miss Rebecca Ann Gibson, who was born in Butler county, Penn., a daughter of James and Jane (Sloan) Gibson, the former a native of Butler county, and the latter of Arm- strong county. Her father died in Butler coun- ty, but her mother, a daughter of Walter Sloan, an early settler of Armstrong county, is still liv- ing and now resides in Allegheny county, "Penn. To our subject and his wife have been born three children, who are still living: John Harney, who is engaged in the cigar business in Fairmount, Clarion county; Maud and Ellen.

Mr. Gibson holds membership in Putneyville Post, G. A. R., at Putneyville, Armstrong coun- ty. Politically he is identified with the Repub- lican party, and is now a candidate for post- master of New Bethlehem. His pleasant, genial manner has made him a host of friends in the village where he now makes his home, and as a brave soldier, loyal citizen and honorable busi- ness man, he justly deserves the high regard in which he is held.

J AMES G. WEAVER, a representative farmer of Washington township, Clarion county, has the reputation of a strictly first-class busi- ness man, reliable and energetic, and is a citizen of whom any community might be justly proud. He is the offspring of excellent stock of stanch German ancestry, his father, Sebastian Weaver. having been a native of Baden, Germany. On his emigration to America, he first located in Red Bank township, Clarion county, and then removed to a farm near Fryburg, where he car- ried on agricultural pursuits for many years. In this State he married Miss Mary Greenawalt, a native of Westmoreland county, and they be- came the parents of the following children: An- thony; Charles, deceased; James G .: Henry; Susan; and Lucinda, deceased. The father, who was a stanch Democrat in politics, died at the age of seventy-eight years, and the mother passed away when ninety years of age. Both were communicants of the Catholic Church, and reared their children in that faith.

James G. Weaver was born July 9, 1841, on

the old homestead in Washington township, where he still lives, and there grew to manhood, assisting in the labors of the farm and attending the district schools. He now owns the place, which consists of 100 acres of rich and arable land under excellent cultivation and improved with a comfortable residence and good barns and outbuildings. He thoroughly understands the vocation which he follows, and is therefore meet- ing with a well-deserved success. Feeling that his country needed his services, Mr. Weaver en- listed July 25, 1862, in Company G, 155th P. V. I., and met the enemy in the battles of An- tietam, Fredericksburg and other important en- gagements. He was honorably discharged in December, 1862, but being ill at the time it was six weeks before he was able to return home.

As a companion and helpmeet on life's jour- ney Mr. Weaver chose Miss Sarah Capp, a na- tive of Clarion county, and a daughter of Henry Capp, now deceased. She had two brothers, Henry and George Capp, who also served in the Union army during the Civil war. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Weaver are as follows: Will- iam; Frederick: Kirk; Walter, a carpenter, now deceased; Mrs. Amanda Fletcher; Mrs. Tilla Wol- bert; Mrs. Emma Wolf; Lotta; Anna; Dora; John and Ralph. The sons are enterprising, reliable business men, and the family is one of prominence in the community. Politically, Mr. Weaver is un- wavering in his support of the men and measures of the Republican party, and he has held several township offices with credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of his constituents. He is a Catholic in religious faith, and is a prominent member of the Grand Army Post No. 475. of Shippenville. Honest, industrious and enter- prising, his influence in the township is extensive and well merited, and he has the esteem and confidence of all who know him.

J TOHN WHITE, at this writing senior member of the well-known livery firm of White & Shaw, of Knox, Clarion county, was born in Clinton county, N. Y., June 6, 1845. a son of M. and Fanny (Cotter) White, who were born, reared and married in Ireland, and belonged to good old Catholic families, noted for their in- dustry and integrity. Soon after their marriage. Mr. and Mrs. White immigrated to Canada, and after living there for a few years removed to New York. In 1850 they went by lake to Milwaukee, Wis., and from there by team to Green county, that State. They located close to the Illinois line, near Monroe, Wis., where the father took up 160 acres of government land, and he soon

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transformed the wild tract into a highly cultivated and productive farm. He was one of the first settlers of that county, as well as one of its highly respected citizens and successful farmers and stock raisers. His wife died at the age of ninety and he at the age of ninety-four, being at that time one of the oldest men in that section of the State. He was a Democrat in politics.

The family of this worthy couple numbered eight children, four sons and four daughters, namely: Mrs. Mary Deyo, now deceased; Kate, wife of John Macey, of Monroe, Wis .; Maggie, wife of J. WV. Burnette, of Oil City, Penn .; Ed- mond, who served in Company K. 45th Ill. V. I., under Capt. Cowan, during the Civil war, and died at the age of nineteen years; John; D. O., a resident of Knox, Penn .; James, of Chicago; and Fanny, wife of Henry Stover, of La Fayette county, Wisconsin.

The subject of this sketch was but five years old when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Wisconsin, and amid pioneer scenes he grew to manhood. He was provided with a fair common-school education, such as a frontier settlement then afforded, and during his youth he aided in the arduous task of converting wild land into highly cultivated fields. Although only six- teen years of age he donned the blue in January, 1862, and until the close of the war valiantly aided in the struggle to preserve the Union. He was a member of Capt. George F. Gardiner's company, of Monroe, Wis., which was a part of the Fifth Wisconsin Light Artillery, and he par- ticipated in the battle of Rocky Face Ridge, the Atlanta campaign, and was with Sherman on the celebrated march to the sea; was also in the Carolina campaign, and the battles around Rich- mond, Va., and, subsequently took part in the Grand Review at Washington, D. C. In Sep- tember, 1864, he was wounded at Jonesboro by a minie ball, and still carries the Rebel lead in his side, a painful reminder of his army life. At that time he was confined in the hospital for ten days, and later for a period of three months. When hostilities had ceased he was honorably discharged at Madison, Wis., June 14, 1865, and returned to the old homestead in Green county, where some time was passed before he regained his former strength.

During the oil excitement, Mr. White came to Oil creek, Penn., and passed twenty-five years in the oil fields of this State, after which he spent a short time in Wood county, Ohio. Returning to Pennsylvania, he located in Knox, Clarion county, where he has practically made his home since 1876. For a time he was engaged in the livery business with Robert Orr, and on March

15, 1897, formed his present connection with Charles Shaw. Their stable, which is 40 x 100 feet, is one of the best in the county. It is well arranged and stocked with a fine line of carriages and excellent horses, both safe and speedy. It is the most popular livery stable in the town, and enjoys a liberal patronage.

In 1867 Mr. White was married to Miss Mary J. Phillips, a successful teacher of Green county, WVis., who died in 1868. Three years later he wedded Miss Artecinecia L. Fulkerson, who was born in - Chautauqua county, N. Y., but was reared and educated in Franklin county, Penn. Her father. Cornelius Fulkerson, died in Mckean county, Penn., in 1886. Two children graced the second marriage-Maud, now the wife of S. S. Sweet, of Knox, Penn., and Lou Edith, who died at the age of six years.

Our subject is unswerving in his support of the Republican party, and has been called upon to serve on the city council and as judge of elec- tions. Fraternally, he is an honored member of George H. Covode Post No. 112, G. A. R., of which he has been commander, and he is a char- ter member of the Knights of the Maccabees in Knox. An upright, honorable business man, he has gained the confidence of all with whom he has come in contact, and has made a host of warm friends in his adopted county. His esti- mable wife holds membership in the- Methodist Episcopal Church.

D A. BRYNER, one of the leading and influ- ential citizens of Clarion county, is now successfully engaged in the lumber business at Shippenville. He is a native of Clarion county, born in Paint township, July 9, 1853, and is a son of I. C. and Catharine (Cook) Bryner, prominent and highly respected people of that township. I. C. Bryner was born in eastern Pennsylvania, at an early day became a resident of Clarion county, and is still living on the old home farm at the age of seventy-four. His estimable wife is a daughter of Sebastian Cook, also an honored pioneer of Clarion county. In the Bryner fam- ily were ten children: Joseph C., David A., Sebastian S., Israel C., Cornelius B., Barbara E. (deceased), George I., Bart W., Ezra W. and Lillian C.

The public schools of Paint township afforded our subject his educational privileges, and upon the home farm he was reared to habits of thrift and industry. At the age of fifteen years he commenced working for the lumber firm of W. H. H. Black & Co., of Shippenville, which was a stepping stone to an education in the lumber

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business, beginning first to cut the timber into saw logs, advancing next to a mill hand, and finally taking charge of the measuring and sell- ing of the lumber He remained with the firm for six years, and then secured the position of bookkeeper and salesman for the lumber firm of Hahn, Wagner & Co., serving as such for twelve years-four at their yards at Elk City, and near Edenburg, and eight at their mills in Paint township. On January 1, 1888, he resigned this position to accept a similar one with the lumber firm of Vowinckel & Corbett, who had purchased a large tract of timber, and erected a saw and planing mill near Shippen- ville, the tract of timber joining the farm on which Mr. Bryner was reared. This position he held until July, 1895, when he purchased Mr. Corbett's interest in the business, and under the firm name of Vowinckel & Bryner the same has since been successfully conducted.

On October 9, 1879, Mr. Bryner was mar- ried to Miss Maggie E. Nelson, daughter of Hosea and Margaret Nelson, of Lawrence county, Penn. Four children bless this union: Kate, Belle, Zoe and Jessie.

Socially, Mr. Bryner is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and has attained the Knights Templar degree. Politically, he is one of the leading members of the Democratic party in his community, but has never held any important public office. His ambition is-success for his political friends, and victory for his party. As a business man he possesses untiring energy, is of keen perception, forms his plans readily and is determined in their execution. His close application to business and his excellent man- agement have brought to him the high degree of prosperity he to-day enjoys.

J W. YOUNG, one of the leading and progress- ive farmers and lumbermen of Paint town- ship, belongs to an honored pioneer family of Clarion county, and now resides upon a part of the old homestead where Daniel Brenneman lo- cated on first coming to the county. His father, who also bore the name of John, was born in 1802, near Freeport, Westmoreland county, Penn., and accompanied his parents on their re- moval to Paint township, Clarion county. He aided in the arduous task of clearing and develop- ing the home farm, and to its cultivation and further improvement devoted his time and atten- tion until called from this life in 1879. He had married Miss Margaret Dougherty, who died in 1869.

Our subject is the fifth in order of birth in

their family of seven children, the others being as follows: (1) John, born in 1829 in Clarion county, where he grew to manhood. He married Miss Susan Whitehead, of Arnistrong county, and with their family they now live in Missouri. (2) Barbara became the wife of Duncan McNotten, of Highland township, Clarion county, and died leaving three children-Hannah E., Magdalin and Francis M. (3) George, born in 1832, mar- ried Barbara Adams, of Blair county, Penn., and made his home in Armstrong county, where he died leaving a family. (5) S. D., born in 1834, married Priscilla Brenneman, of Clarion county, and resided upon a farm adjoining our subject's in Paint township. His children were-John; S. W. ; Alice, wife of John Wagoner, of Tylersburg, Penn .; Orphie, who married Christ Johnson, a native of Denmark, now residing in Texas; Ruby, and Daisy. (6) Harriet, born in 1837, married Gideon Gilson, of Warren county, Penn., and lives in Tidioute, that county. They had two children-Lillie, who died in childhood, and Amma. (7) Mathew is married, has a large fam- ily, and resides in Lawrence county, Pennsylvania.

J. W. Young was born in June, 1836; on the old homestead in Paint township, and in the common schools of the locality received his ele- mentary education, which was supplemented by a course in the select schools of Beaver Furnace. In January, 1861, he was married to Miss Jane R. Brenneman, a native of Clarion county, and a daughter of Daniel and Deborah Brenneman, well-to-do farming people of Paint township; but the same year he left his young bride to enter the service of his country.

In Clarion county, Mr. Young enlisted in Company E, 10th Pennsylvania Reserves, under Capt. Knox of the same county, and in July, 1861, was sworn into the United States service at Harrisburg for three years, the regiment be- ing among the first to enlist for so long a period. Their first engagement was at Drainesville, De- cember 20. and the Union forces were victori- ous. In 1862, under Mcclellan, they took part in the seven-days' engagement from Mechanics- ville to the James river, and were also in the Peninsular campaign. At Harrison's Landing. on the Fourth of July, of that year, Mr. Young contracted a fever and was sent to a hospital in Philadelphia, where he remained until March, 1863. As he then had rheumatisin, he was hon- orably discharged on account of physical disabil- ity and returned home.

For a time Mr. Young engaged in the lumber business, and also built coal boats for the Pitts- burg and Allegheny markets until 1865, when he secured a position as engineer at a furnace in

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Sligo, Clarion county. Later he engaged in the oil business in Butler county, Penn., until 1880, when he purchased eighty-five acres, of Daniel Brenneman, in Paint township, Clarion county, and has since engaged in its cultivation and im- provement. He has erected a good two-story residence and a substantial barn, and the well- tilled fields and neat and thrifty appearance of the place testify to his skill and ability as an ag- riculturist.

Our subject has been called upon to mourn the loss of his estimable wife, who died in 1891. Nine children were born to them, as follows: W. E., born in Paint township, in 1861, now lives in Marionville, Forest Co., Penn .; Ida, born in Clarion county, in 1865, inarried Bernard Goff, of Mckean county, Penn., by whom she has one son, Bernard W., and they live in Kane; Ada,". born in Clarion county, died at the age of eleven years; Robert Lincoln, born in Sligo, in 1867, died when only a year old; Deborah, born in Butler county, died at the age of eight; Daniel B., born in Butler county, in 1873, married Car- rie Wike, of Clarion county, and they have two children-Edna B. and Claud; they now reside near Monroe in Clarion county; Maggie, born in Butler county, in 1875, was educated in the pub- lic schools of Clarion county, and is living with . her father; Harry H., born in October, 1877, in Butler county, is at home; Jessie, born April 16, 1 883, is also at home.

In his political views Mr. Young is a Repub- lican, and he has been honored with a number of local offices, being auditor of his township one term, school director and secretary of the board three years, and since 1890 has most acceptably served as constable of Paint township. In that year he was also appointed census enumerator for Paint and Highland townships. He and his family belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he is also an honored and prominent mem- ber of Amos Kiser Post No. 475, of Shippenville, in which he has served as commander.

E C. BEECHER, one of the representative business men of Foxburg. now engaged in merchandising, was born May 25, 1842, in Chau- tauqua county, N. Y., a son of David and Electa (Campbell) Beecher. John Campbell, his ma -. ternal grandfather, aided the colonies in their struggle for independence during the Revolution- ary war. The father was born in Castleton, Vt., but was married in Ticonderoga, N. Y., where his wife was reared. With an, ox-team they re- moved to Chautauqua county, where in the midst of the forest the father cleared and improved a

farm, making it his home until 1864, when he sold the place and located in Clymer, N. Y. There his wife died April 30, 1887, aged eighty- three years, and he passed away January 22, 1890, aged seventy-seven years, honored and es- teemed by all who knew them. In their family were four children, namely: Ira T., a resident of North East, Erie Co., Penn .; E. C .; Emma, wife of T. D. Ayer, of Clymer, N. Y .; and one who died in infancy.

E. C. Beecher grew to manhood in his native county, attended the schools of Clymer, and later was a student for one term in an academy in Ripley, N. Y. On August 25, 1862, he enlisted as a private in Company H, 112th N. Y. V. I., for three years or during the war, and was sworn into the United States service at Jamestown, N. Y., September II. For the first eighteen months Mr. Beecher was located near Suffolk, Va., John A. Dix, cominander, and assisted in building all the forts in that locality, after which he went to Polly Island, in Charleston harbor, un- der Q. A. Gillmore. Subsequently he did garri- son duty at Jacksonville, Fla., for six months; and then with General Butler went up the York river to Fort Darling and later to Cold Harbor, Va., where he received a gunshot wound in the left thigh which confined him in the hospital un- til March, 1865, when he was honorably dis- charged in Washington, D. C. Afterward he was employed at Annapolis, Md., in the New York State Military Agency until the close of the war, and in July, 1865, returned to his home in Cly- mer.

During the winter months Mr. Beecher en- gaged in teaching in Chautauqua county for some time, and was also interested in mercantile pur- . suits there until 1872, when he went to Spartans- burg, Penn., where he also followed merchan- dising. He spent some time in both Butler and Clarion counties, and finally located in Foxburg in 1876. At this place he was first engaged in selling books, later clerked in a store, and in May, 1889, was appointed postmaster, which office he most creditably filled for four years and a half. Since then he has conducted a store, and from the public receives a liberal patronage, being to- day numbered among the leading merchants of the place. In August, 1897, he was again ap- pointed postmaster, which position he now holds.

At Clymer, N. Y., in 1868, Mr. Beecher was united in marriage with Miss Marion Hapgood, a native of Rushford, that State, and a daughter of Dexter M. Hapgood, a resident of Clymer. She died in Foxburg April 2, 1897, leaving one daughter. Ethel R.

Fraternally, our subject is a charter member

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of Foxburg Post No. 249, G. A. R., in which he has served either as commander or adjutant since its organization, and is now filling the lat- ter office. He is also a prominent member of Olive Lodge No. 515, F. & A. M., at Sherman, N. Y., and Fox Lodge No. 825, I. O. O. F., in which he has served as secretary for the past eight years. The Republican party always finds in him an earnest advocate and stanch supporter, and he heartily endorses all measures calculated to prove of public benefit. He never acts ex- cept from honest motives, and in all his varied relations in business affairs and in social life he has maintained a character and standing that has impressed all with his sincere and manly purpose to do by others as he would have others do by him. .

J JOHN A. CULBERT. a well-known and highly respected citizen of Elk township,

Clarion county, - was born September 29, 1840, in New York City, and is a son of John Culbert, who was born in Belfast, Ireland, of Scotch-Irish ancestry, and in his native city was married to Miss Ruth Benson, also a native of Ireland, and of Scotch descent. At the age of twenty-one the father emigrated to this country and lived in New York until 1844, when he re- moved to Pittsburg. By trade he was a ship carpenter, and always worked at carpentering and joining, being in the employ of James Mc- Cully and Judge Breckenridge for many years. On becoming an American citizen he joined the Whig party, and on its dissolution affiliated with the Republicans. In religious belief he and his wife were Episcopalians. He died at the ripe old age of eighty-four, while she departed this life in 1845, leaving four children: Mary A., William A., John A. and Ruth.

The early life of our subject was passed in Pittsburg, Penn., and Annapolis, Md., and dur- ing his youth he learned the trades of plastering and painting, at which he worked until the Civil war broke out. Responding to the President's call for volunteers, he enlisted in May, 1861, for three years in Company C. Eighth Pennsyl- vania Reserves, and participated in the seven- days' battle of the Peninsula, second battle of Bull Run, and in the Antietam campaign. At Charles City Cross Roads he was taken prisoner, and after being confined for ten days in Libby prison, he was sent to Belle Isle, where he was held for thirty days. On being exchanged he joined General Pope's command, and remained in the service for two years. He was honorably discharged with the rank of sergeant and returned home.

Shortly afterward Mr. Culbert went to Little Kanawha river, Va., where he was engaged in the oil business, and in the latter part of the year 1863 removed to Oil City, Penn., during its palmy days. There he made his home for nine years, and gave his attention principally to the oil business. He then came to Edenburg, and in Clarion county has since worked at his trade, do- ing all kinds of fine plastering and stone work. He has a fine residence in Haynie, built in the latest style of architecture and supplied with all modern improvements.

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3, Part 83

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