Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3, Part 85

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 85
USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 85
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 85
USA > Pennsylvania > Clarion County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 85

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John Neely, our subject's father, was born in Westmoreland county. in about the year 1790, and was reared on a farm. In that county he wedded Miss Mary Berlin, who was born there, a daughter of Jacob Berlin. About 1823 they migrated to Clarion county, and took up their residence in Beaver township, where they made their home until life's labors were ended, the father dying at the age of sixty- four, and the mother at the age of forty-four. A farmer and stock-raiser by occupation, he be- came the owner of a valuable tract of 212 acres, which he placed under a high state of cultivation and well improved. He wasa Jacksonian Demo- crat in politics, took an active interest in public affairs, and creditably filled some township of- fices. For many years he served as elder or deacon in the Reformed Church, of which he was one of the most active and zealous members, and he was one of the most liberal supporters of the old stone Church in Beaver township. His sterling worth and strict integrity won for him the high regard of all with whom hecame in con- tact. The children born to John and Mary (Ber- lin) Neely were as follows: Hezekiah, Mahala, Polly Ann (who died when young), Israel Shupe (who died in 1897), Lavina, Susanna, Cyrus, Humphry, John, Mary Ann, Harriet Jane (de- ceased), Frances, Elizabeth, Paul M., Richard, Henry Lee (deceased), and Benjamin F., twin brother of Richard. The first four children were born in Westmoreland county, and the others in Clarion county.

In an old log school house, furnished in a most primitive manner with slab seats, Cyrus Neely pursued his studies during boyhood, and upon the old homestead acquired a thorough knowledge of agricultural pursuits. At the age of sixteen he joined the Uniformed State Militia, was later commissioned captain of the Clarion Blues, and subsequently major of the Twelfth Division, First Brigade. In 1861, when the Civil war broke out, he offered his services to the government, but was exempted on account of physical disability. However, he took quite an active part in securing volunteers, and in that way aided his country. In 1860 he located upon

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his present farm of 106 acres, and has now 260 acres of rich, arable land in Beaver township, and upon the place he, in 1886, erected a fine residence at a cost of $3,500, also a barn at a cost of $1, Soo. He now has one of the most desirable farms in Clarion county, and besides his property he at one time owned 200 acres of timber land in Forest county, Penn., where he owned a sawmill, and for some years success- fully engaged in the manufacture of lumber. He has also given considerable attention to the rais- ing of fine stock, making a specialty of Norman and Clydesdale thorough-bred horses and Durham cattle.

In Clarion county, in 1850, Mr. Neely was married to Miss Mary Ann Shaffer, a native of Lehigh county, Penn. Her parents, Charles and Saloma Shaffer, were born in the same county, and are now deceased. Six children bless the union of Mr. and Mrs. Neely: Calvin Bigler, married to Laura Smith, and now a resident of Ve- nango county, Penn .; Eliza Jane, wife of Jona- than Mong, of Beaver township, Clarion county; William Douglass, of Clarion county; Sarah, wife of David U. Kline, an oil operator of Beaver township; Cora Juniata, wife of Joseph Collner, of St. Petersburg, Penn .; and John Charles, field superintendent of a large oil field in Wood county, Ohio. The family is one of the highest respect- ability, and the parents and children are con- nected with the Reformed and other Churches.

Mr. Neely is a firm Democrat in his political views, and on his party ticket was, in 1893. elected county commissioner for a term of three years. He is an influential citizen, taking an earnest interest in political affairs, and by his honest and efficient discharge of his official duties has gained the respect and confidence of his fel- lowmen. He is a keen, practical man, well gifted with mental and physical vigor, and in his chosen calling has met with a well-merited success.

T. HOMAS J. CALLEN, a thrifty farmer of Piney township, Clarion county, was born there February 1, 1842, and is a representative of one of its highly-respected old families.

Hugh Callen, his great-grandfather, was a native of Ireland, and at an early day crossed the Atlantic and took up his residence near Kit- tanning, Armstrong Co., Penn., where Hugh Callen, Jr., grandfather of our subject, was born June 5, 1773. The latter laid out the present village of Callensburg, in Clarion county, and it was named in his honor. As he died while on a visit to Clarion county, his remains were interred in the cemetery at Callensburg. By occupation 96

he was a farmer. His wife, Mrs. Mary Callen, was born October 3, 1775. In their family were nine children, whose naines and dates of birth are as follows: Thomas, September 28, 1797; John, October 31, 1799; Sarah, wife of Samuel Wilson, September 18, 1801; David, November 9, 1803; Mary, wife of Michael Reichardt, Feb- ruary 16, 1806; James, March 21, 1808; Samuel, August 6, 1811; Hugh, September 2, 1813; and Watson, February 2, 1816.

The parents of our subject were James and Eliza (Laughlin) Callen, natives of Clarion and Juniata counties, Penn., respectively. Both had been previously married, the father having wed- ded Mary Wilson, June 30, 1836, but had no children by that union. The mother first mar- ried William Dixon, by whom she had three children: Nancy J., wife of Andrew J. Reece, a farmer of Piney township, Clarion county; John L., deceased; and James A., who operates the old homestead. In Clarion county the par- ents of our subject were married, and upon a farm in Piney township they established their home. The children born of this marriage were Thomas J .; Mary A., wife of Augus- tus Able, a merchant of Falls Creek, Jefferson county, Penn .; Sarah, who was born August 7, 1846, and died October 1, 1880; William, who was born November 27, 1848, and died Novem- ber 29, 1878, and David R., born in 1852 and died March 4, 1874. The mother died in the spring of 1874 at the age of sixty-six years, the father in 1893, at the age of eighty-three, and both were laid to rest in the Callensburg ceme- tery. They were faithful members of the Pres- byterian Church, and were highly esteemed by all who knew them. In politics the father was a Democrat.

Until he had attained his majority, Thomas J. Callen remained under the parental roof, and then worked for one year in a sawmill. In Feb- ruary, 1864, he enlisted in Company A, 103d P. V. I., the company being first commanded by Capt. R. Laughlin and later by Capt. A. A. Al- exander. On receiving his discharge our subject returned home, and a short time afterward went to Monroe township, Clarion county, where he rented a farm for four years. He then purchased his present place of ninety-six acres in Piney township, which he has placed under excellent cultivation and improved with good and substan- tial buildings.

On September 19, 1869, in Limestone town- ship, Clarion county, Mr. Callen was married. by Rev. Elder. to Miss Clarissa L. Smith, who died May 3, 1888, and was buried at Mt. Pleas- ant. Her father, Lucius Smith, was a native of

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Connecticut, but spent his last years in Clarion county. The following children graced this union: Mary E., born April 11, 1871, is the wife of H. Bashline, a farmer of Sligo, Penn .; Hugh S., born September 20, 1872, married Ella Peters, and is engaged in lumbering, lives in Reids- burg, Penn .; Edward C., born February 23, 1874, is engaged in lumbering in Jefferson county ; Mertie, born January 25, 1877, died on the Ist of the following March, and Verda L., born Feb- ruary 18, 1878, James H., born February 15, 1880, William, born November 22, 1883, and Sula, born October 14, 1886, are all at home.

In December, 1889, our subject was again married, this time to Miss Rose E. Mooney, cer- emony being performed by Rev. McCurdy. Her father, John Mooney, a retired farmer residing in Churchville, Penn., was born in Centre coun- ty, January 30, 1827, and is a son of Ada'm".and Leah (Dunlap) Mooney, natives of Centre coun- ty, where they continued to make their home un- til coming to Clarion county in 1840. Six years later they located in Rimersburg, where Adam Mooney engaged in the hotel business. He died at that place of typoid fever, at the age of sixty- nine, and his wife, Mrs. Leah Mooney, died in Curllsville, at the age of forty-nine. The re- mains of both were interred in Licking cemetery, Clarion county. Their children were: John, father of Mrs. Callen; James and William (de- ceased); Catherine, widow of Alfred Sarvey; of Curllsville; Sarah (deceased); Malissa, wife of Jefferson T. Lee, of Curllsville; Mrs. Ella Hal- lock; Mrs. Susan Gould, a widow; and Samuel, a painter, of Bradford, Penn. After the death of his first wife, Adam Mooney married Mary Edmonds, and to them were born five children, namely: William, who conducts a restaurant in Falls Creek, Penn .; Curtin, a cook living in Michigan; Alice, widow of Thomas Hewey, of Falls Creek, Penn .; Lotta, who is married and lives in Du Bois, Penn .; and Haze, who lives in the West. The father of Adam Mooney was Patrick Mooney, a native of Kilkenny, Ireland, who came to America about 1795 and located at the : foot of Tussey Mountain in Centre county, Peun., where he engaged in farming throughout the re- inainder of his life. He was twice married, the first time in his native land, and his wife died while on the way to the New World. Their only child he carried across the mountains, and later gave to a private family to rear.

On June 3, 1847, in Monroe township, Clar- ion county, John Mooney was married to Sabina Lobaugh, who was born in that county, March 4, 1828, a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Reichert) Lobaugh, of Westmoreland county,

Penn., who became pioneers of Clarion county. where they spent their remaining days. The children born to John Mooney and wife are as follows: Hannah M., born December 22, 1847. is the wife of Amos Myers, a farmer, of Sligo, Penn. ; John A., a merchant, of Curllsville; Rose E., born September 6, 1851, is the wife of Thomas J. Callen, the subject of this sketch; Candace M., born March 1, 1854, is the wife of T. J. Kear, superintendent for the Standard Oil Company at Peru, Ind .; Allena J., born August 8, 1856, died October 23, 1856; Frances A., born November 4, 1857, is the wife of George Myers, who is engaged in the livery business in Clarion; Lillie L., born May 17, 1861, died March 27, 1882; William M., born August 20. 1864, is a farmer of Churchville, Penn .; Alfred J., born June 13, 1867, is engaged in teaching music and going to school in the Grove City Col- lege; Benjamin C., born January 21, 1872, is clerking in Clarion, Penn .; and Edward L., born May 22, 1874, lives with our subject, while he engages in teaching during the winter and in farming through the summer months.

Our subject belongs to Murphy Grange of Clarion county, and to the Grand Army Post of Sligo; and in religious belief both he and his wife are prominent members of the Presbyterian Church. They are widely and favorably known throughout the community, and their circle of friends is only limited by their circle of acquaint- ances.

H ARVEY E. GARDNER, a prosperous and progressive agriculturist of Toby township. Clarion county, was born there May 25, 1845, a son of Ephraim and Catherine (Eaton) Gardner. who were natives of Centre county, but were married in Clarion county. They took up their residence here when most of the land was still in its primitive condition, and became important factors in its upbuilding and prosperity. From her youth the mother was a 'consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and although not a member of any religious denomination the father's views were in harmony with the teach- ings of that Church. He died in 1867, aged eighty-two years, she in 1873, at the age of sixty- one, and both were laid to rest in the Rimers- burg cemetery.

Ephraim Gardner was twice married, his first wife being Hannah Austin, by whom he had seven children, namely: Jane, who married William Armstrong, and both are now deceased; Jere- miah, deceased: Nancy, widow of Robert Ful- ton, of Mckees Rocks, Penn. ; Levina, who mar-

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ried Daniel Armstrong, and both are now de- ceased; Lott, deceased; Boston S., who resides on the old homestead in Toby township; and James, a physician of East Liverpool, Ohio. Our subject is next to the youngest of the chil- dren born of the second union, the others being as follows: Hannah, wife of G. W. Yingling, a merchant of West Freedom, Penn .; George W. and Polly A., both deceased; Matilda, who mar- ried Rev. D. Latshaw, but both are now de- ceased; Charlotte, deceased wife of Ithel Sny- der, a miller of Venango county, Penn .; Emily, wife of William Gardner, a farmer of Centre county; Johnson, an artist living in Brookfield, Linn Co., Mo .; and Jesse F., a merchant of Rimersburg.

At the age of seventeen Harvey E. Gardner started out in life for himself, and was first em- ployed in the oil fields at Oil City, Penn., where he remained until the fall of .1866. On his re- turn to Toby township, he worked on a farm near Sligo for one year. and the following year was similarly employed on another farm at Sligo. After a year spent as superintendent of the farm for Lyons, Shorb & Co., he returned to Oil City, where he was engaged in tool dressing and drill- ing from 1869 until 1875. Since that time he has made his home upon his present farm, and has successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits. He is now building an elegant residence upon his place, and everything found thereon testifies to the skillful management of a progressive and in- dustrious owner.

In Venango county, November 21, 1864, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Gardner and Miss Patience .E. Fink, the ceremony being performed by Rev. Houton. She died in August, 1873. aged twenty-eight years, and was buried in Hill- ville, Armstrong Co., Penn. She left four chil- dren: Eva, wife of F. C. Betts, a lumber man of Forest county, Penn .; Forest, who married Nellie Stroup, and is engaged in the railroad busi- ness at Foxburg, Penn. ; John, who is engaged in the oil business near Alexis, Ohio; and Catherine, at home. Mr. Gardner was again married, in 1875. in Toby township, his second union being with Miss Jennette Kerr, by whom he had one son-Edgar, now deceased. For his third wife, he chose Miss Kate Fryer, and Rev. Hoves per- formed the ceremony in Madison township, Clarion county, March 21, 1882. The children born to them are: Ralph, Howard, Mary, Jesse and Grace, all at home.

Somerset, England, respectively. Her parents were married in Pittsburg, whence they removed to East Brady in 1841, and in Madison township, Clarion county, the father engaged in farining throughout the remainder of his life. He died in 1876, at the age of seventy years, and his wife passed away December 23, 1894, when over eighty years of age, the remains of both being interred in the Rimersburg cemetery. They were sincere and active members of the Method- ist Episcopal Church, and had the respect and esteem of all who knew them. The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Gardner were Abram and Mary Fryer, who spent their entire lives in But- ler county, where the former engaged in farming. James Old, the maternal grandfather, married Elizabeth Old, who, although of the same name, was no relative. In 1827 they left England and came to this country, taking up their residence in Pittsburg, where the grandfather engaged in merchandising, a business he had previously fol- lowed in his native land.

To Abram and Mary (Old) Fryer were born the following children: James, who was killed during the seven-days' fight on the Peninsula during the Rebellion; Edward, who is engaged in the oil business in Butler county; Mary A., wife of Hunter Hull, a merchant of Butler coun- ty; Anna, wife of Charles Whippo, a carpenter of the same county; Elizabeth, who still resides on the old homestead; Catherine F., wife of our subject; John, who also lives on the home farm; William, deceased; and Emma, wife of Allison Mortimer, a farmer of Madison township. Clar- ion county.

The Republican party has always found in Mr. Gardner a stanch supporter, and he has been called upon to serve in the offices of town- ship chairman and overseer of the poor for six years. In the Methodist Episcopal Church he and his estimable wife hold membership, and in the social circles of the community they occupy an enviable position. Their influence is always found on the side of right and progress, and it is safe to say that no couple in Toby township have more friends than Mr. and Mrs. Gardner.

J R .: DOWNS, a leading farmer and stock raiser of Clarion county, is pleasantly situ- ated in Porter township, where he owns a val- : uable and productive farm of 1 17 acres. The well tilled fields and neat and thrifty appearance of the place plainly indicate his careful management, progressive ideas and industrious habits. The buildings are commodious and substantial, and

Mrs. Kate Gardner was born on the present site of East Brady, Clarion county; April 21, 1852, a daughter of Abraham and Mary (Old) Fryer, natives of Butler county, Penn., and ! the farm is well supplied with good water fron

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· never-failing springs. In connection with gen- eral farming he is engaged in stock raising, hav- ing a fine grade of hogs, horses and Holstein cattle upon his place.

Mr. Downs was born February 19, 1840, in Clarion county, and is a son of Thomas Downs, one of its early settlers, who was born in County Derry, Ireland. The grandfather, Thomas Downs, Sr., was also a native of Ireland and of Scotch-Irish descent, while, religiously, he was connected with the Associate Presbyterian Church. On coming to the New World, he located near Greenville, in Limestone township, Clarion Co., Penn., where he spent his remaining days. His children were: Mrs. Jane Smith; Mrs. Lucinda McGarny, of Toby township, Clarion county; Mrs. Mary Somerville, of Toby township; Jo- seph, of the same township; Robert, of Lime- stone township; James, who died in Toby town- ship; John, a resident of the State of New York; William, who was lost at sea; and Thomas. On attaining to man's estate the last named married Miss Elizabeth Rankin, who died at the age of fifty-five years, leaving four children, namely: J. R., of this sketch; David, a resident of Porter township, Clarion county; Mrs. Eliza- beth Bashline, who lives near Los Angeles, Cal .; and Mrs. Sarah Yates, of Madison township, Clarion county. The father now makes his home in Franklin county, Kansas.

J. R. Downs, early became familiar with the labors of the farm, and to agricultural pursuits has devoted his entire time and attention, hav- ing owned and operated his present farm since 1868. The knowledge he acquired in the public school has been supplemented by reading and observation in later years, and he has become a well-informed man of broad and liberal views.

At the age of twenty-two our subject was united in marriage with Miss Martha Hetrick, who was born in Limestone township, Clarion county, a daughter of Leonard and Mary (Davis) Hetrick, both now deceased. Her father was one of the prominent early settlers of that town- ship. Mr. and Mrs. Downs have four children: Mary E., at home; Thomas, who is married and lives in Rimersburg, Penn .; Jenny Rachel, who was for a time a successful and popular teacher, and is now the wife of John Mortimer, of Madison township, Clarion county; and Sarah Belle, wife of Philip Mortimer, of the same township.

At the polls, Mr. Downs always casts his bal- lot with the Republican party, and is one of its most earnest advocates. He and his family are all prominent and active members of the Asso- ciate Presbyterian Church of Rimersburg, and hold an enviable position in social circles. In

business transactions he has always been found straightforward and reliable, and the confi- dence and respect so freely accorded him is certainly well deserved.

SAMUEL R. SHANER. Like many of the leading citizens of Clarion county, the sub- ject of this sketch devoted his energies princi- pally to the oil business. Since 1871 he has re- sided upon his present farm of thirty acres in Salem township, and upon the place are three valuable oil wells which add materially to the income derived from agricultural pursuits. He is an energetic, reliable business man who gains the confidence and respect of all with whom he comes in contact. Mr. Shaner was born Febru- ary 22, 1842, in Beaver township, Clarion county, a son of Samuel and Harriette (Bry) Shaner, who were born, reared and married in Berks county, Penn. The paternal grandfather, Henry Shaner, was a Revolutionary hero, having assisted the Colonies in achieving their independ- ence. The maternal grandfather was Michael Bry, who spent his last days in Venango county, Penn. Throughout his active business life Sam- uel Shaner, Sr. engaged in farming. He was a pronounced Republican in politics, was a dea- con in the Lutheran Church, and was held in high regard by all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance. He died at the age of seventy- two; his widow is still living at the ripe old age of eighty years. In the family of this worthy couple were nine children, as follows: Henry; William, who was a Union soldier during the Civil war, and now lives in Mercer county, Penn. ; Mary (deceased); Samuel R .; Thomas, who laid down his life on the altar of his country at the battle of the Wilderness; Jeremiah A .; Charles; James; and Mrs. Anna Orr.

Upon the home farm, Samuel R. Shaner, of this review, early became familiar with the duties which fall to the lot of the agriculturist, and his literary training was obtained in the district schools of the neighborhood. His patriotism and loyalty to his native country was manifested, in August, 1861, when he joined Company E, 78th P. V. I., for three years. With his regi- ment he took part in the battles of Stone River, Chickamauga and many others, being under fire most of the time until honorably discharged in November, 1864, at Kittanning, Pennsylvania.

At the age of twenty-two Mr. Shaner was married to Miss Maria, daughter of Paul and Mary M. (Best) Fry, of Alum Rock, Clarion county, and they have become the parents of ten children, namely: Allen L., Mary Nelly, William

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL. RECORD.

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H., George C., M. O., Paul Fry, Lester M., Arthur C. and Margaret, all living; and Richard S., who died in infancy. Politically the father of these is an ardent Republican, and his fellow- citizens, recognizing his worth and ability, have several times elected him to office. Althoughi Salem township is strongly Democratic, he was elected tax collector by a majority of thirty, and acceptably served in that position for six years. He filled the office of constable for the same length of time, and was supervisor three years, discharging the duties of the positions in a prompt and creditable manner. In John Koch Post, G. A. R., of Nickleville, Penn., he holds mem- bership, and both he and his wife belong to the Lutheran Church. As a prosperous business man he has given close attention to his private affairs, but has never forgotten or ignored the bond of common interest, which unites the peo- ple of every community, and he is always willing to give his support to any enterprise for the pub- lic good.

A J. DAVIS was born in Clarion county, Penn., in 1847. He lived on a small farm, and attended a country district school until he was fourteen years old, when he became a stu- dent in the academy at Rimersburg. At fifteen he left home and worked on a neighboring farm .as a full hand at $6 per month; the same year he went to Oil City, in the days of the early oil developments, but in a few months took sick and returned to the farm. About this time the Civil war was at its height, and he enlisted in Battery B, 3rd Pennsylvania Artillery, serving nearly two years in the Naval Brigade, com- manded by Gen. Graham, and doing duty in the waters of southeastern Virginia and eastern North Carolina. He was with Grant during the siege of Richmond and Petersburg, and par- ticipated in a number of skirmishes and battles.

After the war Mr. Davis attended the Rimers- burg Academy, and the following year taught a country school. He continued teaching in the winter and attending school in the summer until 1869, when, at the age of twenty-two, he took charge of the West Freedom Academy, and con- ducted a successful school. While principal at West Freedom, he organized a National Guard Company, and in March, 1872. was elected captain. He has been a member of the National Guard for twenty-six years, and has held almost all grades from private to battalion major, and division judge advocate. In 1874 Mr. Davis was elected principal of the academy at Rimersburg, and the following year was elected county super-

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3, Part 85

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