Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3, Part 95

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 95
USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 95
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 95
USA > Pennsylvania > Clarion County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 95

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Mr. Craig, of this review, was born July 6, 1832, in Sligo, where he still makes his home, but at that time it was a part of Toby township, Armstrong county. His father, Robert N. Craig, was born in Erie county, Penn., in August, 1805, and on coming to Clarion county, in 1826, located in Sligo, where he ever afterward made his home. In early life he taught school and afterward served as school director, doing all in his power to promote the cause of education. He en- gaged in surveying, and also owned and operated a woolen-mill with good success. He married Nancy Crowe, a native of Toby township, Arm- strong county, now Clarion county, who died in November, 1853. at the age of forty-four years, and was buried at Callensburg, Penn. The chil- dren born to them were: John M., of this sketch; Eliza, deceased wife of Thomas Stoner, a retired farmer of Sligo; James H., who died in infancy; Mary L., deceased wife of John W. Harris, of Ashtabula county, Ohio; Robert N., a retired farmer and the present postmaster of Belvue, Kans. : Rachel A., wife of Hugh McKee, a farmer of Clarion county; Nancy J., deceased wife of John Rutherford, a farmer of Licking township, Clarion county; and Araminta P., William A. and David B., who all died in infancy. For his second wife the father married Miss Margaret Fackender, who now resides in Sligo at the age of sixty-nine years. The children born to this union are as follows: Winfield S., a clerk and accomplished draughtsman living in Sligo: Harry Y., who died at the age of five years; Edward Y., who died at the age of 'ten; George W., a

merchant of Sligo; Alice, who died at the age of four years, and Amanda, who died at the age of two, both being buried in the same grave. The father was one of the leading members of the Presbyterian Church at Callensburg, and for many years served as deacon and trustee. This was be- fore the village of Sligo was organized, as this place was not nanied until 1873 by Mr. Lyon, who operated the Sligo furnace, erected in 1845.

On a farm adjoining his present place in Sligo, John M. Craig was reared to manhood, and after his marriage he removed to another house on a part of the same farm. He continued to work for his father on the farm and in the woolen-mill until the fall of 1862, when he re- moved to Pike county, Ohio, but after being em- ployed in a woolen-factory at that place for one year he returned home, working for his father until the spring of 1867. He then spent two years with his old employers in Ohio, and then returned home to settle on his father's estate. He successfully operated the woolen-mill until 1895, when the plant was destroyed by fire at a loss of $2,000. Since then he has engaged in weaving, while his son carries on the farm .: While in Ohio, at the age of thirty-two, he taught school for eight terms in that State and in Penn- sylvania.

On October 13, 1853, in Callensburg, Clarion county, Mr. Craig was married to Miss Margaret McBride, Rev. David McKay performing the ceremony. The only child born to them, John M., died in infancy, and Mrs. Craig, who was born in Toby township, Clarion county, died in January, 1860, and was buried at Callensburg. In September, 1862, Mr. Craig was again mar- ried, this time by Rev. Perry, a minister of the M. E. Church, to Miss Sarah J. Rutherford. To them have been born the following children: Robert L. wedded Mary Sedwig, and is now a machinist and decorator of Callensburg, but formerly engaged in teaching; James O., who married Anna Higgs, also engaged in teaching in early life, and is now interested in the oil busi- ness in Butler county, Penn. ; Arthur G. is a tool- dresser living in Wetzel county, W. Va .; Harry C. is engaged in the same business in Tyler county, W. Va. ; Thomas B. married Nellie Pol- lock, and follows school teaching and oil pump- ing: Mary E. is a successful school teacher, resid- ing at home; and Grace is also with her parents.

Mrs. Craig was born in Farmington township, Clarion county, July 13, 1844, and is a daughter of James and Elizabeth (McDowell) Rutherford. natives of Dumfrieshire and Wigton, Scotland. respectively. Her parents met and married in Pittsburg, Penn., where they continued to live

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for several years and then removed to Farmington township, Clarion county. Some years later they took up their residence in Licking township, where the father died in February, 1864, at the age of fifty-four years. The mother's death oc- curred at the home of our subject in 1887, when eighty-one years of age. He was a Republican in politics, and both were consistent members of the United Presbyterian Church. Their remains were interred near the church of that denomina- tion in Toby township. Their children were John G., who married Nancy J. Craig, sister of our subject, and is engaged in farming in Licking township; Sarah, wife of onr subject; Christina, who died in childhood; Thomas, an oil pumper of Allegheny county, Penn .; and Robert A., as- sistant superintendent of the Pullman Palace Car Company of Philadelphia.

Our subject always casts his ballot with the Republican party, and, socially, affiliates with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Since 1870 he has most acceptably filled the office of justice of the peace with the exception of two years when serving as census enumerator. In connection with his other business he has also en- gaged in surveying to some extent since 1870, and in his undertakings has met with a fair de- gree of success. He is well posted on current questions and issues, and is well versed on matters of historical interest, especially those pertaining to his native county and State. In the Presby- terian Church he holds membership, and he has always taken an active and prominent part in its work.

REV. WILLIAM J. BUCHER, who has re- cently come among the people of Clarion as pastor of Grace Lutheran Church, is a scholarly gentleman, and possesses qualities which have made him successful in the past, and a career of usefulness in the pastorate of the Church here seems assured.

Rev. Bucher is a Southern gentleman by birth. A native of Maryland, he was born Au- gust 29, 1863, at Upperco, in Baltimore county, where his parents also were born, educated and lived lives of usefulness, the mother still resid- ing in the house to which she was brought a bride in 1854, and among the people of her girl- hood, and the descendants of the friends of her ancestors. Noah Bucher, the father of the clergyman, in early life followed carpentering, but latterly he engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was a man of good parts, led an upright life, and exerted an influence for good in the com- munity in which he moved. He died on March

22, 1883. His widow, who, before her mar- riage, was Miss Belinda Miller, is a most estima- ble woman. Their ten children are all living, named as follows: Mary E., Susan R., Fannie, Thomas H., Noah W., William J. (our subject), David M., Jennie D., U. S. Grant and Florence A .; the last two are twins.

Rev. William J. Bucher received a liberal ed- ucation. He was brought up on a farm, and in early boyhood attended the schools of Baltimore county, which has an excellent public-school system. At twenty he began teaching school, and was engaged in this noble calling some three years. In 1886 he entered Pennsylvania Col- lege, at Gettysburg, Penn., taking a classical course, and was graduated in the class of 1890; then that fall he entered the Theological Sem- inary, at Gettysburg, and was graduated in June, 1893. Immediately afterward he accepted the pastorate of the Kellersburg charge, and located at New Bethlehem, Clarion county, Penn. He very acceptably and successfully served this charge for three years and seven months, when he received a call to Grace Lutheran Church, at Clarion, taking charge in February, 1897. Grace Church was organized in IS90, and it is now in a flourishing condition.

Socially, Rev. Bucher is a member of the F. and A. M. : also of the I. O. O. F. While not active in politics he performs his duty in advo- cating such measures as have for their object the elevation of his fellowman. His family in Mary- land are identified with the Republican party, which in National affairs receives his support.

On September 1, 189;, Rev. Bucher was mar- ried to Miss Rosa Alice Ehrhart, the only daugh- ter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Ehrhart, prosperous farmers of Baltimore county, Md. Mrs. Bucher. together with her brother. Earl, have been given exceptional intellectual and social advantages. She was a member of the class of 1891 at the Maryland State Normal School; she stood at the head of her class from the public schools. For three years she was a principal in the schools of her native county; thus her experience well fits her to be a worthy helpmeet in her husband's field of labor.

Although yet young in the Luthieran minis- try, Rev. Bucher has left his impress upon the Church, being most pronounced in his love for his denomination, but yet having a word of en- couragement for all true Christians.

R OSS H. SPEER, M. D., is engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery in Green- ville, and has that love for and devotion to his ·

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

his profession which has brought to him success and won him a place among the ablest representa- tives of the medical fraternity in Clarion county.

On the old homestead, near Greenville, he was born in 1863. a son of J. W. and Mary A. (Henry) Speer. The father was a native of Ire- land, but during his youth he crossed the Atlan- tic, and for almost. a third of a century success- fully engaged in teaching school in Clarion coun- ty, Penn. He has since retired from the arduous duties of that profession, and is now comfortably living upon his fine farm near Greenville. He is still in the enjoyment of excellent health, and is surrounded by a large circle of relatives and friends, who appreciate his sterling worth and many excellencies of character. His estima- ble wife, who is also living, has spent her entire life in Clarion county. They are the parents of five sons and one daughter, namely: Preston C., ", Ross H., Rev. James, Sloan, a teacher by pro- fession, Maggie Belle and Lawson.

Dr. Speer acquired his -primary education in the common schools, and subsequently attended the Corsica Academy and the Edinboro State Normal. When not in school he assisted in the work of the home farm until eighteen years of age, and then began teaching, following that pro- fession during the winter season, while during summer months he still attended school for a time. In 1884 he began the study of medicine, under the direction of Dr. A. K. Carmichael, and later entered the Western Reserve University, of Cleveland, Ohio, where he graduated in 1887 with the degree of M. D. Returning to Green- ville, he at once opened an office and soon suc- ceeded in building up a large and lucrative prac- tice.

In 1888 Dr. Speer was married to Miss Anna E. Lang. a daughter of John Lang, of Langville. Jefferson Co., Penn., and to them have been born two sons: John Lang and Paul V. The Doctor and his wife are active and prominent members of the Presbyterian Church, and he is affiliations he is a Republican, but has never as- ' pired to office, preferring to give his entire atten- tion to his professional duties. He is a progress- ive physician, who keeps abreast with the latest discoveries and theories by his perusal of medical · journals. His skill and ability are attested by the liberal patronage he enjoys; he is ranked as one of the leading physicians of the county.

T HOMAS W. BOWMER, like many of the leading citizens of Clarion. county, devotes his time and attention principally to the oil busi-

ness, and in his undertaking is meeting with a well-deserved success.

Mr. Bowmer was born in Mercer county, Penn., February 14, 1847, and is a son of Mat- thew and Sarah (Buckley) Bowmer, natives of Derbyshire, England, who, in 1840, crossed the Atlantic and became residents of Mercer county, where they spent their remaining years. By oc- cupation the father was a farmer. In the family were six children, as follows: George, Joseph, Thomas W., Elizabeth, Sadona and Sarah.

Amid rural scenes Thomas W. Bowmer grew to manhood in Mercer county, receiving his edu- cation in its common schools. In early life he engaged in lumbering, and also assisted in drill- ing oil wells, successfully following that business until 1876, when he located upon his present place in Elk township, Clarion county. Here he owns two acres, on which are two producing oil wells and one gas well that he has put in opera- tion.

On February 10, 1870, Mr. Bowmer was mar- ried to Miss L. L. Benton, who was reared and educated in Erie county, Penn., but was living in Venango county at the time of her marriage. Her parents, E. H. and Charlotte (Lincoln) Ben- ton, were both natives of New York, and her father is a second cousin of Thomas H. Benton. They now reside in Bradford, Penn., and are the parents of nine children. Mr. and Mrs. Bowmer have two children: Henry Benton, who is now twenty-six years of age, and is engaged in the oil business in West Virginia; and Stella May, wife of Frederick Kiser, of Elk township, Clarion county.

Politically our subject is an ardent Repub- lican, and as a progressive, public-spirited citizen he has done much to advance the interests of his adopted county and to promote her welfare.

R OBERT R. McGREGOR, a justice of the peace of East Brady, is one of the best now serving as ruling elder. In his political "known and highly respected citizens of Clarion county. He was born near Kittanning. in Frank- lin township. Armstrong Co., Penn., October 31, 1837, and is a worthy representative of a promi- nent family. His paternal grandfather was a na- tive of the Highlands of Scotland, and at an early day immigrated to America.

The birth of Alexander B. McGregor. the father of our subject, occurred near Antietam, Md., in 1808, but. he was reared in Juniata county, Penn., whence he removed to the Ligo- nier Valley, in Westmoreland county, and later to Armstrong county. In Buffalo township, of the last named county, he was married to Miss

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Rachel Boney, a native of that county, and a daughter of John and Jane (Fisher) Boney, both now deceased. Her father was a soldier of the war of 1812, and, in recognition of his services, received a pension from the government for many years. To Mr. and Mrs. McGregor were born six children, namely: James B., who died at the age of twenty years; John Lytle, a resi- dent of Kittanning, Penn. ; Robert R. ; James T., now deceased, who was a member of Company A, 8th Pennsylvania Reserves; and William, who died at the age of three years. The mother departed this life at the age of fifty, and the father at the age of fifty-six. He was an en- ergetic, wide-awake business inan, who owned and operated an axe factory near Kittanning, also engaged in farming, conducted a hotel, and, as a contractor and surveyor, assisted in broad- ening and deepening the Pennsylvania canal. Originally he was a Whig in politics, but later gave his unqualified support to the men and meas- ures of the Republican party, and in religious be- lief was an Omnish. His wife, however, held membership in the Presbyterian Church, and it is safe to say that no couple had more or warmer friends.

Although the educational privileges afforded Robert R. McGregor were meagre, he made the most of his opportunities, and has become a well-informed man. He attended the common- schools near . . Kittanning only about fifteen months, and then laid aside his text-books to take up the arduous and more responsible duties of business life. He had charge of keelboats on the Allegheny river for four or five years, and then engaged in piloting and rafting flat boats on the same stream for five years, and also on the Clarion river, where he operated a sawmill. For three years he conducted the Rumbaugh sawmill on the Allegheny, and, in the fall of 1862, removed to Brady's Bend, where he filled different positions in a mill, of which he became the stock-taker and also foreman and timekeeper. He continued to keep all accounts of the com- pany until the mill closed down, coming to East Brady in 1873. Two years later he was elected justice of the peace, and has since most credit- ably and satisfactorily filled that position.

On October 31, 1859, near Callensburg, in Clarion county, Mr. McGregor was married, by Rev. David McKay, to Miss Mary M. Elliott, whose parents William and Elizabeth (Hogan) Elliott, were pioneers of the county. The chil- dren born to Mr. and Mrs. McGregor are as fol- lows: Stella, now the wife of M. F. Phillips, of Butler county, Penn .;. Lulu, wife of E. K. Weaver, of Flick, Butler county; Harry H., who

is in the employ of the Forest Oil Company at Carr, Butler county; and Winslow, deceased.

Mr. McGregor is a recognized leader in the local Republican organization, has served as a delegate to its county conventions, and has done much to advance its interests and insure its suc- cess. He has been honored with a number of official positions, being recorder of A. O. C. W. Lodge No. 141, for eighteen years, clerk of the council for the same length of time, secretary and member of the school board for twelve years, and overseer of the poor in East Brady, besides a justice of the peace.

He has been a member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church for several years. He was on the committee, with Rev. W. L. Riley, which made Francis Murphy a local exhorter in that denom- ination. His popularity is clearly shown by his election to the many offices which he has so acceptably filled.

W H. PICKENS, of the firm of Milten- berger & Pickens, editors and publishers of the Republican Gasette of Clarion, Clarion county, is a practical printer as well as an ex- perienced editor and publisher, much of his life having been passed in a printing office.

A son of Samuel Pickens, a.Philadelphia busi- ness man (an extensive manufacturer of carpets), WV. H. Pickens was born in Philadelphia, in 1866. Being rather a delicate child it was thought advisable to have him take an ocean voyage, and, as an aunt was about leaving for Ireland, he accompanied her. The trip proved beneficial, and he became robust in health. While in Ireland he attended school, being under the care of Prof. Logan, one of the celebrated teachers of his day. After a visit of four years he returned to America and joined his father's family at Edenburg, Penn., where they had re- mnoved during his absence. At this period of his life he entered the office of the Edenburg Herald, and subsequently the Times, where he remained about one year. He also attended the public school at Edenburg for several years. The fam- ily moved to Clarion, the county seat, and Mr. Pickens accepted a clerkship with W. N. Mahey, dealer in books and stationery. His next posi- tion was with a large wholesale confectionery firm of Punxsutawney, Penn., where he remained for some time. Coming back to Clarion he entered the composing rooms of the Clarion Democrat, and remained with thein two years, when he changed to the office of the Jacksonian; from the latter place he went to the Republican Gazette as foreman. Leaving this position he

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

formed a partnership with C. M. Gates. under the firm name of Pickens & Gates, and published the Johnsonburg News. Selling out his interest to his partner, he returned to Clarion, and again be- came foreman in the office of the Republican Gasette. From this position he went to John- sonburg, and became local editor of the Johnson- burg Breese at that place; next he was foreman of the Condersburg Populist. Coming back to Clarion he took charge of the Democrat press room as foreman. On January 1, 1896, he formed a partnership with W. C. Miltenberger, under the firm name of Miltenberger & Pickens, and. they then took charge of the Republican Gasette of Clarion, Penn., as editors and publishers. Mr. Pickens has since continued in this firm, the members of which have been successful in mak- ing their paper the best in the county.

M ATHEW MCGINNIS, - who occupies an in- fluential and prominent position among the agricultural population of Salem township, Clar- ion county, was born March 27, 1836, on the farm where he still resides, and is a representative of one of the honored pioneer families of the county.

His grandparents, James and Bridget (Wil- son) McGinnis, were born near Londonderry, Ireland, of Scotch ancestry, and for some time made their home in Belfast. On coming to the United States they located in Northumberland county, Penn., but in 1803 removed to Salem township, Clarion county, where in the midst of the forest they made for themselves a home. They were Presbyterians in religious belief, and were earnest, consistent Christian people. In poli- tics, the grandfather was a Democrat. He died at . the ripe old age of eighty-seven, and his wife when seventy years of age. Their family consisted of the following named: Sarah. William, Martha, Johnson, Jane, Margaret. Mary, Robert and John Foster.

John Foster McGinnis, our subject's father, was born in March, 1805. on the old homestead believes calculated to advance the moral, intel-

in Salem township, and amidst the primitive scenes of frontier life grew to manhood. He mar- ried Miss Sarah McClatchey, who was of Scotch extraction. Her father, Charles McClatchey, was a Continental soldier in the Revolutionary war, and spent his last years in Salem township, where at his death his remains were interred. One of his sons, Samuel McClatchey, was a

· prominent steamboat captain; the remainder of his family were as follows: Betsy, Peggy, Jane, Sarah, John, Robert and William. All of the

sons were over six feet in height.

To John Foster McGinnis and wife were born nine children, namely: Mrs. Jane Shell (now deceased), Mathew (our subject), Elizabeth (who died at the age of fifteen years), Harry, Mrs. Mary Wilkinson (of Michigan), John (of Arm- strong county, Penn.), Mrs. Sarah Rumbaugh (of Butler county, Penn.), Samuel (of Salem township, Clarion county), and Mrs. Amanda Storey (of Crawford county, Penn.). The father was called from this life at the age of sixty-seven, and the mother at the age of forty-one. Both were faithful members of the Presbyterian Church, and he was a stanch adherent of Democratic principles.

The knowledge that Mathew McGinnis ac- quired in the public schools has been greatly supplemented by extensive reading in later years. His boyhood and youth were passed under the parental roof, and he never left the old home- stead farm, which he now owns and successfully operates. On December 13, 1860, he was mar- ried to Miss Martha, daughter of Gamaliel and Martha (Platt) Clover, and they became the par- ents of the following children: Viola, now the wife of Joseph Kline, is a graduate of a normal school, and was for fifteen years a most success- ful and popular teacher; one child who died in infancy; Clarence, a resident of Beaver township. Clarion county; Nettie; Irvin; and a pair of twins who died at birth. The wife and mother, who was an active and prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, died in 1870, at the early age of thirty-four years, and left many friends as well as relatives to mourn her loss.

In his political views our subject is a Demo- crat, and he has been called upon to serve in a number of official positions of honor and trust, being overseer of the poor, assessor, constable four years, and a member of the school board and secretary of the same for several years. For some time he has served as either deacon or elder in the Presbyterian Church, and also as su- perintendent of the Sunday-school. His support is always freely given those enterprises which he lectual or material welfare of the community. and he is, therefore, numbered among its valued citizens.

C HARLES S. SHAW, now numbered among the energetic and wide-awake business men of Knox, Clarion county, is the junior member of the firm of White & Shaw, proprietors of the leading livery stable of the place.

Mr. Shaw is a native son of Clarion county. his birth having occurred in St. Petersburg. Sep-

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

tember 14, 1848. His father, James H. Shaw, a well-known and honored citizen of the county, is now living in Callensburg, where he has been village blacksmith for several years. He was born east of the mountains, near Lewistown, Penn., of Scotch ancestry, and learned his trade at Maple Furnace in Butler county. After com- ing to Clarion county he was married in St. Petersburg to Miss Elizabeth Sipler, who was born near Philadelphia, on the Delaware river, and they became the parents of nine children, five sons and four daughters. The father has been a lifelong Democrat, and his sons, having been rocked in a Democratic cradle, all adhere to the same party.

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3, Part 95

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