Genealogical and biographical annals of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Vol. 1, Part 9

Author: Floyd, J.L., & Co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1911
Publisher: Chicago, J. L. Floyd & Co.
Number of Pages: 1090

USA > Pennsylvania > Northumberland County > Genealogical and biographical annals of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Vol. 1 > Part 9

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Mr. Purdy was a son of Harvey and Ruth (Clark) Purdy, both natives of Pennsylvania, born, respectively. in Wayne and Lackawanna counties. They traced their ancestry in this country back to Colonial days. The father died Nov. 9. 1847, aged forty-six years. the inother Dee. 31, 1852, at the age of forty-eight. They had a family of four children, three sons and one daughter, namely : Drusilla, Myron E., Truman Harvey and Dr. Na- thaniel C., the last named of Allenwood, Pennsyl- judge, but "was defeated for the nomination by vania.

Throughout his career as a newspaper man Mr. Purdy had been engaged in the study of law, which he began before establishing the Argus. He studied at Lewisburg under Judge Bucher, and, continued his studies at Sunbury under Alex- ander Jordan, being admitted to practice in 1866. When he disposed of the Northumberland County Democrat in the winter of 1866-67 it was to have all his time for the practice of law, in which he was most successful. In 1881 he was the choice of the Democrats of the county for president the sheer overconfidence of his friends."

NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

From the early sixties to the close of his life he believed to be right, and he had the courage of his was prominent in the development of industrial enterprises of various kinds, a field in which his executive ability had ample scope. He was not afraid to trust to his foresight in real estate in- vestments, and thus in 1863 he purchased much of the land upon which what is now East Sunbury is located, reserving a piece of about two and a half acres, upon an elevation overlooking the town, for the site of his own residence. He built several houses there at a time when there were only one or two other buildings on all the ground which now forins about a fourth of the entire greater Sun- bury. His own palatial home, built some twenty years before his death, was sold to the Mary MI. Packer hospital organization at the time the latter body was formed.

In 1876, in association with J. B. Ewing, Mr. Purdy purchased many acres of land adjoining the growing town of Steelton, a venture which proved highly profitable. A few years later he started an addition to Lewisburg, when he built the nail and forge works and a furniture factory, being presi- dent of the Lewisburg Furniture & Planing Mill Company, treasurer of the Lewisburg Nail Works and a director of the Lewisburg Steam Forge. He was the organizer and for many years manager and treasurer of the Sunbury Gas Company. Public · improvements of all kinds, those changes neces- sary to keep a community abreast of the material progress of the day, always received his encourage- ment and support, but he was particularly favor- able to projects affecting the advancement of pub- lic education, and the establishment of the high school at East Sunbury was due principally to his influence. ·

Mr. Purdy had literary gifts of a high order, and though a busy man never neglected his intel- lectual pursuits, in which he found his keenest pleasure. His historical oration, "Sunbury." de- livered at the centennial celebration July 4, 1872, "a delicious bit of local history, colored with the master hand of one who dearly loved his sub- ject," was published in pamphlet form and widely read. It is "a most interesting and exhaustive pen picture of the town's history from the time it con- tained but a few cabins up to the time of the cen- " tennial. It was the only authentic history of Sun- bury ever prepared and delivered." His "Legends of the Susquehanna" is rich in charming verse, in . which the lore and the legends of the Indian in- habitants of the region are beautifully told ; an- other work, "Doubter," a long poem, a religious argument of great depth, was also published in book forni, but is now out of print. At the time of his death he had in preparation a novel, which never reached the press.

convictions on any question. This trait was espe- cially noticeable during the Civil war period. His greatest political activity was at a time when party differences often came between the best of friends, and though he himself was unswerving in his al- legiance to the standards of his party, men who had been his strongest political opponents became his warmest personal friends and admirers. His true nature appealed to intelligent men of all minds. This characteristic marked his relations with his fellow men throughout life, and his sup- port was often solicited when an able and influen- tial champion was needed. It is seldom that traits conducive to success in so many lines are combined in one man, or that talents so diversified are so well employed. His name will be revered in many circles for years to come. Mr. Purdy is buried in Pomfret Manor cemetery.

On Dec. 19. 1861, at Lewisburg, Mr. Purdy married Mary E. James, daughter of the late Dr. Robert E. James and sister of Robert E. James, the latter of Easton, Pa. Her father was a native of Bucks county, Pa., and lived at Centerville, Northampton county, where he died. Four chil- dren were born to Mr. and Mrs. Purdy: (1) Rob- ert Harvey died in infancy. (2) Carrie M. is en- gaged in missionary work under the auspices of the Methodist Church, having since 1895 been located at Pueblo, Mexico, where she has charge of 430 girls. (3) Truman J. received his early education in the public and select schools of Sunbury, graduated from Bucknell University, Lewisburg, and after a course of law study was admitted to the bar of Northumberland county. where he is now engaged in legal practice. He has been particularly suc- cessful as a counselor in corporation law. and holds rank among the leading junior practitioners at the Northumberland county bar. (+) Hiran L., who lives with his mother at Sunbury, received his early education in the public schools of that . borough and was graduated from Bucknell Uni- versity. He is a civil engineer by profession and one of Sunbury's enterprising young business men.

VAN ALEN. The Van Alens have played so important a part in the prosperity of the borough of Northumberland for the past forty years and more that no mention of its industries would be complete without the record of their achievements. Throughout this period their establishment has been. one of the mainstays of the place, for in times of financial depression it has been kept run- ning for the benefit of employees when other plants closed rather than operate at a loss. At present about one hundred and fifty meu find profitable employment with the Van Alen Com- panv.

Though gentle in disposition, and tolerant of the opinions of others, Mr. Purdy was noted for The first of the Van Alens in America emigrat- his unyielding defense and advocacy of what he ed to this country from Holland. settling in Co-

NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

lumbia county, N. Y. There was born his son

ing the annual capacity up to one hundred and Gilbert, who followed agricultural pursuits all his fifty thousand kegs of cut iron and steel nails. life. The latter married Annis Moore, of Colum- bia county, and they had two children, Reuben and Catherine. The daughter married John J. Van Volkenburg, a farmer and merchant of Columbia county.

Reuben Van Alen, son of Gilbert, followed farming and merchandising at Chatham Center, Columbia county, N. Y., for a number of years. In 1827 he moved to Salisbury Mills, Orange Co., N. Y., where he engaged in the manu- facture of paper, continuing in that line for many years. He was a man of intelligence and superior business ability. The closing years of his life, after his retirement from business, were spent with his son Timothy at Danville, Pa., where he died. He married Mary Oakley, daughter of Timothy and Sallie Oakley, and they became the parents of three sons and one daughter, Gilbert R., Timothy O., Sallie O. (who died at the age of thir- teen years) and Lewis O.

Timothy O. Van Alen was born in Chatham Center, Columbia Co., N. Y., Aug. 19, 1819, and there passed his early years. He was ten years old, in 1829, when his father employed a private teacher for him, for two years, and at the age of twelve he entered the academy at Kinderhook, Co- lumbia county, N. Y., where he studied for two years, during that period residing with the fam- ily of Dr. Henry Van Dyke. Subsequently he re- turned to Orange county, N. Y., where he at- tended the school of Nathan Stark, at Goshen. one year. At the age of fifteen he went to New York City, where he served as apprentice in a hardware store until 1839. Returning home, he engaged in the manufacture of paper and agricultural imple- ments and in the inercantile business with his father, continning thus for five years.

In 1891, upon the death of Mr. Timothy O. Van Alen, his five sons took the business, which they continued until the plant was destroyed by fire in 1894. In that year three of the brothers, Cornelins G., Gilbert R. and Edmund G., with William B. Wayles purchased the mill property of Taggarts & Howell, and rebuilt the mill, open- ing it for business in May, 1895. That year the Van Alen Company purchased the plant of the Keystone Forge Company, located at Elizabeth- town, Lancaster Co., Pa., and moved it to North- umberland ; this plant is now owned by the mem- bers of the Van Alen Company, Isaac Cornwall and J. D. Weekes. In 1908 the Van Alen Com- pany devoted the entire mill to forge work and the manufacture of nail products, in which they give employment to about one hundred and fifty men. This establishment has been one of the thriving interests of Northumberland throughout its ex- istence, bringing prosperity to owners and em- ployees alike.

Mr. Timothy O. Van Alen always took an active interest in his home town, Danville, of which he was one of the foremost citizens for many years. He kept his business in operation through periods of financial depression as well as in prosperous times, and the appreciation of his generous policy was shown in the high esteem in which his fellow- citizens of all classes held him. For many years he was a director of the First National Bank of Danville, and he served many years as a trustee of the State Hospital for the Insane at that place. He was a prominent member of the Presbyterian Church, and acted as president of the board of trustees for a number of years.

In 1846 Mr. Van Alen married Miss Anne Catherine Garretson. daughter of Cornelius Gar- retson, an ironmaster of Shippensburg, Pa., and their union was blessed with eight children : Cornelius G., Gilbert R. (deceased in infancy). Gilbert R. (?), Alexander Oakley (born 1850, died 1893), Edmund G. (deceased in infancy). Ed- mund G. (?), Mary A. (died young) and George L. Of these Edmund G. married Margaret Bibby.

In 1844 he went to Danville, Montour Co., Pa., to represent the Murdock, Leavitt Company in the Montour Iron Works, acting as resident agent of that company. The same year he built at Dan- ville what was afterward known as the "company store," and in 1846 engaged in the mercantile business in association with individual stockhold- ers of the company, under the firm name of T. O. Cornelius G. Van Alen, born Sept. 25, 1846, is vice-president of the First National Bank of Dan- ville, and has served as a member of the borough council. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church. He married Marion Beveridge, of New- burgh, N. Y., and to them were born seven chil- J. D. Weekes and has two children, Rachel and Marion). Catherine B. (married John E. Van Devender), Henrietta (deceased), James S. (mar- ricd May Peters and has one child, Charles). Gil- bert B. and George L. The mother of this family died, and Mr. Van Alen has since married the widow of his brother Alexander O. Van Alen. Van Alen & Co. In 1866, in company with George M. Leslie and A. H. Voris, Mr. Van Alen built a nail factory at Northumberland, Northumber- land county, establishing a business which has since been one of the features of the industrial life of the place. At the time it was opened the dren, Thomas B. (deceased), Marion B. ( married inill contained five puddling furnaces, one coal heating furnace, and fifteen nail machines. In 1872 Mr. Van Alen purchased the interest of Mr. Voris, and in 1886 that of Mr. Leslie. He then enlarged the plant, putting in five more puddling furnaces, one thirty-ton Smith's gas heating fur- nace and thirty-eight more nail machines, bring-

NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY. PENNSYLVANIA

GILBERT R. VAN ALEN was born Sept. 10, 1848, in Reading about 1859. Mr. Schaffer was quite in Danville, Montour Co., Pa., son of Timothy O. active in the Democratic party in his day, giving of Van Alen. He inarried Frances Withington, daughter of M. J. D. and Elizabeth G. ( Forsythe) Withington, and they are the parents of two chil- dren, Timothy O. and Helen W. Mr. Van Alen was the first eminent commander of Mount Her- mon Commandery, Knights Templar, of Sunbury, Northumberland county.

JOHN FREDERICK SCHAFFER, of Sun- bury, is considered one of the foremost legal prac- titioners of his section of Northumberland county, where as borough solicitor for Sunbury fromn 1899 to 1907, and since in the capacity of corporation lawyer, he has taken part in some of the most im- portant litigation of recent years. His success in a number of involved and notable cases has gained Schaffer was born in Sunbury Sept. 20, 1867, son of John F. and Sarah A. (Houghton) Schaffer, family name is now frequently spelled Shafer.

and is a great-grandson of Jacob Schaffer. The he was in business until his death, which occurred

Jacob Schaffer was born at a small town called Soffensburg, on the border line of Germany and Switzerland, about three miles from the city of Basel. His father was in the silk business in Soffensburg, where he lived and died. His chil- ah A. Houghton, daughter of James Houghton, of dren, besides Jacob, were Frederick and Hans (John), neither of whom came to America. Fred- erick fought under Napoleon, serving as one of his bodyguard, was taken prisoner, and died on the island of Corsica. The other brother, Hans. lived at Soffensburg and corresponded with his brother Jacob after the latter settled in America, his letters being now in the possession of his great- niece, Catherine Rowland. Jacob Schaffer also fought in Napoleon's army, for seven years, leav- ing the army after receiving a serious wound in the chest. He was married in Germany to Catherine D. Fossinger, who was born May S, 1771. at Frankfort, and they came to this country in 1801 with one daughter, Catherine, who died when two years old, shortly after their arrival here. They settled in Reading, Pa. The other children of this couple, all born in this country, were: Sam-

uel, born in Reading in 1805, who died Nov. 14, from Kansas City to San Bernardino, Cal., for

1891, at the age of eighty-six years, and was buried in the Charles Evans cemetery in Reading (he served in the Civil war, being one of the oldest soldiers who enlisted in the Union service, and was a corporal in Company H, 31st Regiment, State Militia) : John, the grandfather of the pres- ent John F. Schaffer ; Frederick, who died young ; and Anna, who married Levi Wunder and died in Reading.

John Schaffer, son of Jacob, was born in Read- ing and early in life learned the trade of tailor, which he followed in that city all his life, hecom- ing very well known in that connection. He died

his time and means to help desirable men to local positions, and he was a leading member of and worker in the Reformed Church, serving as super- intendent of the Sunday school. He was twice married, and by his first wife, Louisa Winckler, had a family of four children : John F .; Francis, who died young; Catherine E., who married Dan- iel W. Rowland (she is the only one of her gen- eration now living, and supplied the information concerning the carly generations used in this ar- ticle; she lives in Reading) ; and Anna L., who died young.

John F. Schaffer was born Ang. 3, 1834, in Reading, and. there in his youth learned the tailor's trade under his father's instruction. In 1855 he located at Lewisburg, Union Co., Pa., where he

him high reputation and enviable standing. Mr. followed merchant tailoring until 1864, and then

returning to Reading remained there until his re- moval to Sunbury, in the spring of 1865. There Aug. 3, 1878, and he is buried in Pomfret Manor cemetery. He prospered well in his work, giv- ing employment to a number of people, and was also an artist of more than ordinary ability. About 1852 he was married at Lewisburg to Sar- Lewisburg, and they became the parents of four children, namely : Anna M., who is unmarried: Irma H., born in 1862, who died in 1866: John Frederick : and Helen L., born in 1872, who died in 1892.

John Frederick Schaffer grew to manhood in Sunbury and received his education in the public schools, graduating from the high school in 1884. He then became a clerk in the office of the register, recorder and clerk of the Orphans' Court, at Sun- bury, under George D. Bucher, and also served under his successor, Urias Bloom, until August, 1887. That year he went West, spending about three years in California, Colorado and Arizona. For a short time he was employed in the office of an abstract and title company at Los Angeles, later finding employment as cashier with Fred Harvey, the celebrated proprietor of a chain of restaurants whom he worked at four different points, San Bernardino, Cal., Williams, Ariz., Needles, Cal., and LaJunta. Colo. Before going West Mr. Schaffer had passed the preliminary examination, and on his return to Sunbury, in May, 1890, he took up the reading of law under Hon. John B. Packer, a distinguished practitioner of that bor- ough. Mr. Packer dying in 1891, he completed his studies under George B. Reimensnyder, a prominent lawyer of Sunbury, finishing the course in January, 1894. He was admitted to the bar in December of that year. Meantime Mr. Schaffer had entered the office of the prothonotary. S. P.

NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Fansold, under whom he served three years as chief clerk. After his admission to the bar he remained in the office of liis preceptor for a year and a half, in May, 1896, opening an office of his own in the Masser building, where he has since been located. From 1899 to 1907 Mr. Schaffer was solicitor for the borough of Sunbury, and as such successfully defended a number of suits for the municipality. He is now the legal representative of the Sunbury & Northumberland Electric Railway Company and the Edison Electric Illuminating Company of Sunbury, which has the first plant installed by Mr. Edison personally, he having superintended its construction, the installation of all machinery, etc. As the attorney for the Sunbury & Northum- berland Electric Railway Company Mr. Schaffer's most important work was in connection with the injunction suits instituted against the corporation by Guy Webster, acting for the Sunbury & Selins- grove Electric Railway Company and the borough of Sunbury. In both instances the Sunbury & Northumberland Company scored a complete vic- tory. After failing in the injunction suits the prosecutors made application to the attorney gen- eral for a quo warranto proceeding in the Dauphin county courts, but the matter was never brought to an issue. It was largely through Mr. Schaffer's efforts as attorney for the Sunbury & Northumber- land Company that the bridge over the north branch of the Susquelianna river, between Sun- bury and Packer's Island, was constructed, in 1910. He is a valued counselor. and an authority whose opinion commands general respeet.

On June 20, 1906, Mr. Schaffer married Ger- trude Lindsay Gervin, daughter of Charles and Jane M. (Brown) Gervin, late of Northumber- land, and they have had one daughter, Helen Jose- phine. Mr. Schaffer is a member of the Presby- terian Church. Politically he is a Democrat, but he takes no active part in the work of the party.

CHARLES C. LEADER. of Shamokin, North- umberland county, is connected with so many bus- er, at the time of the separation, established him-

iness interests in that city, of private and public importance, that his name is synonymous with all that represents its progress and well-being. As merchant and banker he has been a leader in the ence street. The business was incorporated in business life of the city for years. As promoter, stockholder and officer of important financial in- stitutions his name and reputation have given the confidence needed by such concerns at the outset of their career and they in turn have benefited the community and increased its possibilities of ex- pansion and sound development.

Mr. Leader was born July 13, 1843, in Alsace township, Berks Co., Pa., son of Edward Leader, and grandson of George Leader, both of whom were natives of Montgomery county, this State. The grandfather removed to Reading, Berks Co .. Pa., where he resided until the time of his death.

Edward Leader, father of Charles C. Leader, was a farmer by oceupation. He died in 1859 in Al- saee township, Berks county, at the age of forty- five years, and he is buried at Alsace Church. He was twice married, his first wife being Catherine Snyder, his second Hettie Wanner.

Charles C. Leader was reared on his father's farm in Berks county, and there received his edu- cation in the local schools, having also the advan- tages of one year's study at Schuylkill Haven, Pa., before he commenced work. In 1860 he became a clerk in' the general store of A. J. Medler, in Schuylkill Haven, where he was employed for about three years, at the end of that time removing with his employer to Pottsville, Pa., where he con- tinued with him as clerk for three years more. Returning to Schuylkill Haven in 1865, he opened a store of his own, carrying a stock of general mer- chandise, and remained there ten years, doing re- markably well. However, feeling that he had ex- liausted the possibilities in that line at Schuylkill Haven, he resolved to try his success elsewhere, and in 1875 he established himself at Shamokin, where he has continued to reside to the present time. During his first three years in that city he was the head of the firm of Leader, Muir & Co., who had a store at Liberty and Independence streets. After the firm was dissolved, by mutual consent, in 1878, Mr. Leader opened a dry goods store of his own at Shamokin and Sunbury streets, two years later, in 1880, removing it to Independence street. In 1881 he formed a partnership with R. G. Eisenhart, the firm name being Leader & Eisenhart, and they were associated for three years, until Mr. Leader bought out ,his partner and took his brother, Edward M. Leader, into partnership. When he entered into the partnership with Mr. Eisenhart a clothing de- partment was added to the original business, and Leader & Brother continued both lines until 1889, when they divided the trade, Charles C. Leader re- taining the dry goods branch, and Edward M. Leader the clothing branch. Mr. Charles C. Lead- self in the new building, built in 1889, in which he has ever since continued the dry goods business, his brother remaining at the old stand on Independ-

1908, as the C. C. Leader & Sons Company, Mr. Leader's two sons, Harry K. and Edward R., and daughter, E. May Leader, being now members of the firmn. He himself continues to act as president of the concern. Mr. Leader has always been known as a progressive man in his methods and ideas, and when he erected his present dry goods store, in 1889, it was one of the finest buildings used for the purpose in the State. modern in construction, com- modions and complete in equipment, pleasant, at- tractive, and convenient beyond the ordinary. The building is 48 by 125 feet in dimensions, three stories and basement, and is devoted entirely to the

bbreader

NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

accommodation of this business, which has en- joyed a career of uninterrupted prosperity.

As the founder of one of the largest and most successful dry goods houses in this section Mr. Leader would be entitled to front rank among the lin married Cora Pensyl; William C., born in enterprising business men of Shamokin. But he 1874, was manager of the Mount Carmel store at the time of his death, in 1899. in a terrible rail- road accident on the Lehigh Valley road at Dun- ellen, N. J. ; Harry K., a member of the corpora- tion of C. C. Leader & Sons Company, married Bertha Dress and had two children, Charles C. and Richard: Edward R. succeeded his brother William in the management of the Mount Car- niel store and is a member of the corporation of C. C. Leader & Sons Company. has not devoted himself entirely to this one under- taking. As an extension of his first interests, he had a dry goods store at Mount Carmel, Northum- berland county, which when the Shamokin store was incorporated he sold to his son C. F. Leader, who is conducting it on the same scale and in the same progressive style characteristic of the Sham- okin store. An earnest desire to please their pa- trons may be said to be the keynote of the success of this concern, and the results commend the policy. Liberal management has also been a leading feature of Mr. Leader's code, and its wisdom has been made apparent by his continued prosperity.

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Genealogical and biographical annals of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Vol. 1, Part 9

Author: Floyd, J.L., & Co., Chicago, pub Publication date: 1911 Publisher: Chicago, J. L. Floyd & Co. Number of Pages: 1090

Author: Floyd, J.L., & Co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1911
Publisher: Chicago, J. L. Floyd & Co.
Number of Pages: 1090