Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3, Part 98

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 98
USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 98
USA > Pennsylvania > Centre County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 98
USA > Pennsylvania > Clarion County > Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3 > Part 98

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In Mercer county, Penn., Mr. . Collner was married to Miss Anna M. Thompson, of Sheakley- ville, a daughter of David and Martha (McClar- ren) Thompson. Her father was the youngest son in the family of twelve children born to John and Mary M. (Findley) Thompson, who were members of the Presbyterian Church and highly respected citizens of Mercer county. Mrs. Coll- ner's maternal grandparents were John and Sa- rah (Williams) McClarren, who were of Scotch. Irish descent, and died in Mercer county. Da- vid Thompson was a successful farmer, and was one of the leading and most active members of the Presbyterian Church, in which he served as elder. In his family were seven children, name- ly: William P., who died in 1886; John E .; Anna M., now Mrs. Collner; Sada; Mrs. A. K. Steele; Hettie, deceased wife of C. O. Duvé, of St. Petersburg; and Rose, who married J. N. Hugus, but both are now deceased.

Our subject departed this life at St. Peters -. burg, June 22, 1887, leaving a widow and two children: Verne Thompson; and Sarah Lucile, who died November 11, 1896, when in her thir- teenth year. He made for himself an honorable record in business, as he was a man of the strict- est integrity. As a citizen, friend and neighbor he was true to every duty, and justly merited the esteem in which he was uniformly held. In his death the community recognized that it had lost one of its most valued and useful citizens, and the family a loving husband and father. [See sketch of Levi Collner elsewhere in this volume. ]

J MILES GRUBE. M. D., an eminent phy- sician and surgeon of Lindsey, Jefferson county, is a native of the county, having been born near Punxsutawney, in 1861.

His grandfather, a native of Bucks county, ·Penn., settled in Centre county, Penn., where he married Barbara Hoy. He was the son of Peter Grube, who came from Germany and settled in Pennsylvania. The Doctor's grandfather, Joseph Cochran, of Irish birth, a native of Mifflin coun- 100

ty, Penn., came to Jefferson county, where he married Eliza A. Cochran, she being a native of Luzerne county, Penn.

Joseph and Amy Q. (Cochran) Grube, his par- ents, were also born in that county, and there the mother died March 4. 1881; the father is still living, and enjoys fair health for one of his years. His has been a quiet, uneventful life, he having devoted his time and attention to his business and home interests. He has principally followed the occupations of farming and lumbering. In the family were three sons, all of whom became prominent physicians, but the eldest, G. W., died in September, 1896. John E. is now a suc- cessful practitioner of Punxsutawney.

Dr. Grube, of this review, received his early education in the public schools and academies of Jefferson county, later was a student at the State College in Centre county, and completed his lit- erary course at Edinboro, Erie Co., Penn. Hav- ing been reared upon a farm, his first work was along that line, but he later engaged in teaching, having charge of the home school, where his pupils were mostly relatives and former school mates. Subsequently he taught at Burnside, Clearfield Co., Penn., for two years, during which time he read medicine with his brother, Dr. G. W. Grube. Entering the Medico Chirurgical College.at Philadelphia, he graduated from that institution in the class of 1889, and at once be- gan the practice of his chosen profession at Gal- litzin, Cambria Co., Penn., in partnership with his brother. Besides their regular practice they served as surgeons for the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. After a year and a half the partner- ship was dissolved, and our subject located in Lindsey, where he soon afterward established his present drug store. His thorough knowledge of medicine and skill in surgery have won for him the confidence of the people, and he now enjoys a large and lucrative practice. He ranks among the leading physicians of the county, and is a val- ued member of the Jefferson County Medical So- ciety, and of the State Medical Society.

In June, 1892, Dr. Grube was united in inar- riage with Miss Kate Douglas, a daughter of James Douglas, of West Virginia, and they have two daughters-Alma and Erma. The Doctor and his wife are both members of the First Bap- tist Church of Punxsutawney, of which he is serving as trustee, and in social circles hold an enviable position. He is a member of the Ma- sonic fraternity, and in politics he has always been identified with the Republican party, but cares nothing for the honors or emoluments of official positions, preferring to devote his entire attention to the demands of his profession.

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

H ENRY TRUMAN, associate judge of Jeffer- son county, Penn., with residence in Brook- ville, has also been prominently identified with the lumbering interests of the county.

S OLOMON BECK, who is engaged in the manufacture of wagons and carriages in Lineville, Penn., has for many years been prom- inently identified with the business interests of Clarion county, and has taken an active part in promoting its substantial improvement and ma- terial development. He was born April 4, 1839, in Pine Grove township, Venango Co., Penn., and is a grandson of George Beck, who was born in Pennsylvania of Irish ancestry, and became an early settler of Armstrong county. There the father, Isaac Beck, was born and reared, and. on attaining to man's estate married Miss. Mar- garet Switzer. Her father, Jacob Switzer, was a native of Switzerland, and aided his adopted country in the war of ISr2.

To Isaac and Margaret Beck were born the following children: Mary Ann, Solomon, Ma- hala, Polly, Susan, Caroline, Lewis, Jacob, George and Lizzie. The mother died at the age of fifty- six years, but the father had reached the, ripe old age of eighty-three when he was called to the world beyond. Both were conscientious Chris- tians, the father holding membership in the Lutheran Church, and his wife in the Reformed Church. In politics he was a Democrat.

During his youth Solomon Beck learned the wagonmaker's trade, to which he has since de- voted the greater part of his time and attention. During the war of the Rebellion he enlisted in Company D, 82d P. V. I., for nine months, and took part in the second battle of Bull Run, Mine Run, and several other engagements. Re- turning home he resumed work at his trade, and to-day is doing an excellent business, his skill and ability winning for him a liberal share of the public patronage.

In 1865 Mr. Beck was married to Miss Jane Swab. a native of Clarion county, and a daugh- ter of Joseph Swab. They have become the parents of six children, who in order of birth are as follows: Joseph, Allen, Mary, Sarah, Isaac and Matilda. The eldest son began teaching at the early age of seventeen, and was for some time one of the most popular and successful teachers of Clarion county. Later he followed the same profession in Washington, and is now engaged in the lumber business in Tacoma, that State. His brother Allen is with him.

public office, though he served for one year on the school board. He is, however, a public- spirited, progressive citizen, who gives his support to all measures for the public good. Over his life record there falls no shadow of wrong, and his circle of friends and acqaintances in his adopted county is indeed extensive.

G EORGE W. RHOADS. In Monroe town- ship. Clarion Co., Penn., among the honored and respected citizens, there is not one who stands higher in the estimation of his fellow-men than George W. Rhoads, a successful farmer now living retired in a most comfortable home in the well-tilled fertile fields his energies have provided for his advancing years.

John and Mary M. (Moyer) Rhoads, the pa- ternal grandparents of George W. Rhoads, were of German descent, but natives of Union county, Penn., where the former was a wheelwright and a furniture manufacturer. In 1824 they emi- grated to Jefferson county, and located in McCal- mont township, on what is now known as the Rhoads homestead. In their family of children was a son-John J .- who became the father of our subject. . John J. Rhoads was born in Union county, January 1, 1814, accompanying his par- ents to Jefferson county in 1824. He made his home in that county, following the occupation of farming and lumbering, until his death in 1886, at the advanced age of seventy-two years, respected and mourned by all who knew him; his earthly remains were laid to rest in Granger cemetery, in Bell township, Jefferson county. He had married Ann Bowers, a native of Vir- ginia, and to them were born the following chil- dren: Sarah, the widow of Christ Wise, of Bell township, Jefferson county; George W., whose name introduces this review; David, a farmer on the old homestead; Margaret, wife of Abram Zutall, of Henderson township, Jefferson county; Mary A., wife of Frederick Kuntz, a saddler at Big Run, Penn .; Harriet M. and Hannah J., both residing on the old homestead; Andrew P .. of Henderson township; Harvey D., John J. and Clara, mentioned elsewhere in this volume. The father of this family was a Democrat in pol- itics, and the entire family were faithful follow- ers of the immortal Martin Luther.

George W. Rhoads was born on the old home farm January 24, 1843, and here he remained through boyhood and youth, attending the neigh- boring schools and assisting in the work of the farm. For several years the ominous mutterings of the "Great Conspiracy" had threatened the over-

In political views, our subject is an Independ- ent, and he has never cared for the honors of | throw of the government of this "land of the

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

free," and when the North arose at the bugle's sounding " assembly " our subject, at the age of nineteen, with every prospect of a bright and happy life before him, left his plow in the furrow. and bidding adieu to home and friends, offered himself in sacrifice, if need be, on the altar of his country. He enlisted in Company A, 105th P. V. I., under Capt. John Hastings, and served until the war was over. At Charles City Cross Roads he was wounded in the right shoulder, and for eight months was in a hospital. Even then his restless activity would not allow him to be quiet, and the patriotism that prompted his en- listment now caused him to offer his services to his weaker comrades, and during his convales- cence he served in the capacity of ward nurse. He obtained a furlough to return home to cast his vote for Gov. Andrew Curtin, and then.in- stead of returning to the hospital he joined his company, and remained in active service until May 8, 1864, when, at Spottsylvania Court House, he was wounded in the left side and fell in the hands of the Rebels-a prisoner-and until February 23, 1865, he suffered the horrors of a Southern prison at Libby, Belle Isle and Sal- isbury, N. C. On the expiration of his furlough, when he returned to his regiment instead of the hospital, the authorities issued writs branding him a deserter, but the captain of his company notified the officials that their so-called deserter was once again in his company in active service with never a wish to desert. The battle had no terrors for him; wherever he saw the stained, shot-riddled flag of his country, there he, too, fol- lowed, and though worn by illness and the long marches, he made no complaint, counting no sacrifice too great, if the Union might forever be "one and inseparable." When the last gun had been fired, the last long march taken, the coinmand to . break ranks" given, George W. Rhoads went quietly back to his home in Jeffer- son county, and for three years worked on the farm.

On March 5, 1868, at Bell township, by Rev. Stouffer, Mr. Rhoads was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Hauck, a daughter of Joseph and Mercy (Tindell) Hauck. The young couple settled on a farm in Bell township, Jefferson county, and there lived until 1893, when they came to their present farm in Clarion county. Their union has been blessed with a large family of children, all of whom now occupy prominent places in the life of the community in which they reside. The following is a brief record of the family: Anna married Henry Spindler, of Bell township; Arthur, deceased at the age of three years; Joseph married Della Pifer, and is a farmer

on the old home in Bell township, Jefferson county; Amos E. is the successful manager of the present home farm, and like a truly dutiful son has lifted the burdens from his parents' shoulders that they may find rest and comfort while yet in the very prime of life; Harvey L. is the worthy assist- ant of his brother Amos; Maude L., Lillie Alice, John, Frank C. and Leonore are all at home, while Ella died in infancy.

Mrs. Elizabeth (Hauck) Rhodes was born in Bell township, Jefferson county, April 26, 1848, where her father, Joseph Hauck, a native of Cen- tre county, Penn., had moved with his parents in early manhood. He married Mercy Tindell, the daughter of Charles and Jane (McIlvain) Tindell, both natives of New Jersey, but who later came to Jefferson county, where Nathaniel Tindell, the father of Charles and great-grand- father of Mrs. Rhodes, was one of the first settlers. To Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Hauck were born: Elizabeth (Mrs. Rhodes); Catharine, who died at the age of eleven years; Charles T., of Clayville, Penn .; John, of Jefferson county; Mary A., wife of George Dickey, a grocer of DuBois, Penn .; Abigail C., wife of Jacob Shaffer, a carpenter at Williamsport, Penn .; Alice, wife of Christ Kuntz, a farmer of Gaskill township, Jefferson county; and Irene, wife of Clark Wells, a clerk in a hardware store at Punxsutawney, Penn. The father of this family was a Democrat in politics, and took an active interest in party work up till the time of his death, August 3, 1874, at the age of sixty-three years. His remains now rest in Zion cemetery in Jefferson county. The mother, though born April 9, 1827, is yet living, making her home at Punxsutawney. The entire family were Lutherans.

George W. Rhoads, the subject proper of these lines, has, as may be inferred from preceding statements, relegated the management of this farm to the thr fty care of his son, and now in the full enjoyment of the fruits of his early ener- gies may look proudly over his farm, one of the finest in the county, and say " My labor has ac- complished all this". In his political affiliations he has not wandered from the party of his fa- thers, but uniformly casts his vote for the Demn- ocratic ticket, but he has never aspired to office preferring to attend to his own affairs leaving the management of the government to those whose ambitions led them to seek public posi- tions. Socially he occupies a most enviable posi- tion, one of those genial, clever men who carry sunshine wherever they go, and whose presence is sought for every occasion. Possessed of a keen insight in public affairs, a sound judgment, his advice is often sought. He and his family

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

are members of the Lutheran Church, and in their delightful country home presided over by Mrs. Rhoads, such liberal hospitality is dispensed, that friends and strangers alike are inade to feel the true, deep meaning of " Welcome."

B OSTON SHADE GARDNER is now living retired upon his fine farm in Toby township, Clarion county, enjoying a well-earned. rest. With the exception of a moderate legacy left him by his brother late in life, he has acquired all that he now possesses through his own unaided efforts. He started out in life with nothing but his own indomitable energy, but he steadily over- came the difficulties in the path to success, and now has a comfortable competence, which en- ables him to lay aside all business cares. and spend his declining years in ease and retire- ment.

Mr. Gardner was born July 11, 1821, one and one-half mile east of his present home in Toby township, and is a son of Ephraim and Hannah (Austin) Gardner, natives of Centre county, Penn. The paternal grandfather, John Gardner, spent his entire life in Centre county, and was a farmer by occupation. Samuel Aus- tin, the maternal grandfather, was born in Ire- land, and at an early day emigrated to America, locating in Clarion county, Penn., where he en- gaged in agricultural pursuits. The parents of our subject were early settlers of Clarion county, where they were married, and in the growth and development of this region they bore an im- portant part. The father was a farmer by occu- pation, was a Democrat in politics, and was called upon to serve in a number of local posi- tions of honor and trust. He died in August, 1866, at the ripe old age of eighty-two years, and was buried in Rimersburg cemetery; the mother of our subject passed away in 18.37, at an early age, and was laid to rest in the Lickings ceme- tery, Clarion county.

In the family of this worthy couple were the following children: Jane, who married John Armstrong, but both are now deceased; Nancy, widow of Robert Fulton, of Mckees Rocks, Penn ; Jeremiah, deceased; Lavina, who married Daniel Armstrong (now deceased), and was killed by a railroad train at Monterey, Penn. ; Lott, de- ceased; Boston S .; Harriet. deceased wife of David Vangorter, also deceased; and James, a physician of Liverpool, Ohio. After the death of his first wife, the father married Catherine Eaton, who died in 1872, at the age of sixty- three years. To them were born the following children: Hannah, wife of George Yingling, an

undertaker of Freedom, Penn .; Washington, de- ceased; Polly A., who died when young; Matilda. who married Rev. David Latchchaw, but both are now deceased; Charlotte, deceased wife of Ethfel Snyder: Emily, wife of William Gardner, a farmer of Centre county, Penn .: Johnson, a resident of Photo, Mo .; Harvey E., a prominent citizen of Clarion county; and Jesse, a merchant of Rimersburg.

On leaving home at the age of twenty-eight years, the subject of this sketch was without capital and his wardrobe was very scanty. For some time he worked at anything he could find to do that would yield him an honest living, and finally secured a position in a pottery. in Beaver. Penn., where he was employed for two years. His hard work brought on a hemorrhage, which compelled him to give up that business. Return- ing home, he purchased fifteen acres of his present valuable farm, which now comprises ninety and one-half acres of rich and arable land. He has practically made his home upon this place since the age of twenty-eight years. but to-day does not engage in active labor, renting the farm on shares. In Rimersburg, March 13. 1851, he married Miss Nancy J. Newell, Rev. A. Keller, a Methodist Ediscopal minister, officia. ting. Six children bless this union, namely: Mary, wife of Murdock McLain, a carpenter of Pittsburg, Penn .; James C., who married Jennie Grant, and is now collector for an organ com- pany of Pittsburg; Lott, who married Carrie Duncan, and is clerking for Boggs & Buehl, of the same city; William, who married Carrie Wilson, and is studying medicine in Pittsburg; and Albert, who married Catherine Bray, and is agent for a piano company of Cleveland, Ohio.

Mrs. Gardner was born at Pennsylvania Fur- nace, Centre county, Pennsylvania, July 31. 1826, and has for several years been an invalid, but she bears her sufferings very patiently. Her parents, William and Mary (Mckinney) Newell. were also natives of Centre county, where the maternal grandfather, John Mckinney, located on his emigration from Ireland. Later he be- came a resident of Clarion county, and his death occurred in Rimersburg. Throughout life he engaged in the manufacture of cloth. William Newell followed blacksmithing in his native county until 1841, when he removed to Clarion county, conducting a shop in Rimersburg for several years. He was called to his final rest in 1877, at the age of eighty years; his wife died in 1862 while on a visit to her son in Oil City. Penn., at the age of sixty-five. Both were laid to rest in the Rimersburg cemetery. The chil- dren born to them were as follows: Sarah, who-

Boston SGardner

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

married Jacob Shaffer, but both are now de- ceased; James, who is living retired in Pittsburg; Nancy, wife of our subject; Mary A., widow of John Wallace, and a resident of O'Neill, Neb .; John and William, who both died in childhood; Samuel, a teacher, who died in Oil City, Penn., and Eliza (deceased), who first married Robert McCutchin, and after his death wedded George Elias, a blacksmith of Dayton, Penn.

In 1865, Mr. Gardner was drafted for service in the Union army, but participated in no battles. Politically he has always endeavored to support the man best qualified for the office, and first gave his influence to the Democratic party, later to the Republican party, but is now a stalwart Prohibitionist as he is a strong temperance man. For sixty years he has been a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which his estimable wife also belongs, and their lives have ever been in harmony with its teachings. Both possess excellent memories, and can relate many interesting incidents of pioneer life.

H' ERMAN FRAZIER, a leading architect and builder of Beaver township, Clarion county, is a comparatively recent acquisition to the goodly array of progressive business men of the community, but his ability, enterprise and upright methods have already established for him an enviable reputation. He was born in 1859, in Pittsburg, Penn., a son of Clements and Caroline Frazier, who were born, reared and educated in Gerniany. Soon after their mar- riage they emigrated to the United States and located in Pittsburg, where the father died when our subject was fourteen years old. He left a family of five children, namely: August, a glass blower living at Homewood, near Pittsburg; Charles F., who is employed in a planing-mill in Los Angeles, Cal. ; Herman, our subject; Mary, wife of William McClurg; and Anna.

In the city of his birth Herman Frazier grew to manhood, and in its public schools began his education, which has been supplemented by read- ing and study since reaching maturity. At the age of fourteen he began learning the carpenter's trade, and later spent two years and a half at pattern-inaking, at which he became very pro- ficient. For a time he also worked in a planing- mill. and being a natural mechanic, he has met with good success in all his undertakings. Throughout the greater part of his business career, however, he lias been employed as a car- penter and joiner, and since coming to Clarion county, in 1893, he has erected many of the best buildings in Edenburg and Wentlings Corners.

Mr. Frazier married Mary Wentling, who was born, reared and educated in Clarion county, a daughter of Thomas Wentling. Two children grace this union: Gertrude and Carrie. Mr. Fra- zier is independent in politics, preferring not to be bound by any party lines, and in casting his ballot he supports the man whom he believes best qualified to fill the position. Socially, he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows. He has never allowed his private interests to interfere with his duties of citizenship, and he has thus become honored and esteemed by all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance, or who have met him in a business way.

B PHILLIPS, M. D., of Leeper, is one of the most able representatives of the medical profession in Clarion county. In this county he has spent his entire life, his birth occurring in Porter township, August 18, 1855, and he be- longs to one of its honored families.

His grandparents were Jacob and Elizabeth Phillips, who, in 1820, left their home in Bucks county, Penn., and came to Clarion county. The grandfather purchased 300 acres of wild land in Porter township, from which he developed a good farm, and upon that place he made his home until called to his final rest in 1867. His estimable wife died in 1895, at the advanced age of ninety-eight years. In their family were nine children, namely: Harvey; Michael, who was a Union soldier in the Civil war and died from wounds received in battle; Jacob, who resides on the old homestead in Porter township; Hannah, wife of the Rev. John Soliday, of Forest county; Delila, wife of Daniel Soliday, of Pittsburg; Ma- ria, who was killed by a tree falling on her; Nancy, who was born in Porter township, where she still resides; Caroline, wife of James P. Divins, justice of the peace of Porter township; and G. V., father of our subject.

G. V. Phillips was born in 1832, in Porter township, Clarion county, and there grew to manhood. He purchased 100 acres of land ad- joining the old homestead and converted the wild tract into a desirable farm. In 1873 he re- placed his first home by a commodious and pleasant two-story residence, and also made other valuable improvements upon the place. He retired from farming, however, in 1881, and has since successfully engaged in the grocery and meat business in the city of Clarion.

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Commemorative biographical record of central Pennsylvania : including the counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Pt. 3, Part 98

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