USA > Pennsylvania > Clinton County > Historical and biographical work, or past and present of Clinton County, comprising a sketch of every town and township of the county from date of settlement up to the present time > Part 19
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was a lively place. About 150 men were employed at the works and the mines were profitable. Mr. Munro remained with the Eagleton com- pany until they shut down, in 1865. He then became manager of the Rock Cabin mines, which had just been started by the McHenry Coal company; he remained with them until 1869. He then returned to Farrandsville, and in 1873 Fredericks & Munro started their fire brick works. In 1888 Mr. Munro purchased a handsome residence in Lock Haven, where he has since resided.
REV. CHARLES JAMES WOOD.
Rev. Charles James Wood, present rector of St. Paul's Protestant Episcopal parish, of Lock Haven, was born in Cleveland, Ohio, July 4th, 1854. He attended the public schools of Cleveland, and graduated from the city high school, after which he entered Harvard University and graduated with the degree of B. A. in the class of 1875. He then entered the General Theological seminary of the Protestant Episcopal church in New York city, and graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Sacred Theology in 1878. In July, 1878, he was ordained deacon in ministry of Episcopal church, and in 1880 was advanced to the priest- hood. Rev. Charles James Wood has had parishes in Indiana, New York and New Jersey. He is a member of the American Oriental society, of the Christian Social union, and active in the various Masonic orders. He is also a popular and frequent contributor to the Christian Union, Andover Review and church serials. He is a lecturer of marked ability, and has lectured at Philadelphia, Elmira, Cambridge, Mass., at Williamsport and other places upon matters of literature, religion, archelogy and folk-lore. Rev. Charles James Wood is an educated and able man, with broad views and sound judgment.
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JOHN CANDOR.
The subject of this sketch was born in Chillisquaque township, North- umberland county, Pa., December 22d, 1828. Mr. Candor attended the common schools until his sixteenth year, when he entered the Lewisburg university, where he remained two years. In February, 1853, he went to California, where he followed keeping store and mining. During his stay in California he and six associates visited what was known as "Death Valley." They endured great privations, suffering for lack of food and water. Returning to the East in 1867, he located at Lock Haven, where he opened a hardware store with Isaac Shaffer and Shaffer Johnson as partners. The interests of his partners were afterwards purchased by Joseph Candor. The Candor Brothers conducted the hardware business for many years. John Candor afterwards sold out his interest to his brother, Joseph. Mr. Candor became a candidate on the Democratic ticket for sheriff in 1875. He received the nomination and was elected. Since that time he has been tax collector and constable of his ward, but has not sought for any other political positions. John Candor is a man noted for his obliging and kindly disposition, and counts his friends by the score. He was married in 1869 to Mary M. Groves, of Centre county, Pa.
PROFESSOR J. M. PEOPLES.
Professor J. M. Peoples was born July 29th, 1837, at New Providence, Lancaster county, Pa. He attended the public schools until 1855; then entered the Lancaster County Normal school, (now Millersville Normal school,) and graduated from there in 1859. He next became principal of the schools at Cressona, Pa., where he taught one term in 1860, and an- other in 1864. In the fall of 1861 he took charge of the mathematical department of the Excelsior Normal institute at Carversville, Bucks county, Pa., where he taught for three terms. He taught a select schr ol at Pottstown, Pa., in 1863, and another at Spring Valley Hall, in 1865-'66. In 1867 he took charge of the Union school at New Providence for one term. In 1868 he entered the mercantile business for five years. During this time he served as justice of the peace. In the spring of 1874 he moved to Millersville, where he remained until he came to Lock Haven to take charge of the mathematical department of the Central State Normal school, on September 11th, 1877. During the time he was a member of the Normal school faculty he served as vice president. He . remained at the school until August 8th, 1884, when he entered upon his duties as teller of the First National bank of Lock Haven, which position he has creditably and satisfactorily filled ever since. Mr. Peoples was married March 19th, 1862, to H. Margaret Royer, of Pottsville, Pa. He is the father of six children, five of whom are living. His eldest is William Royer Peoples, who was born August 1st, 1863. W. R. Peoples graduated in the scientific course of the Lock Haven Normal school in 1882, and was for a time a member of the Normal school faculty. For five years he was principal of the Lycoming county Normal school and the public schools of Muncy. At present he is practicing law in Williams-
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port, having been admitted to the bar of Lycoming county in 1890. He was married in June, 1889, to Miss Lillian Watson, of Allenwood, Pa. The second child of Prof. Peoples was Ivie M., who graduated from the Lock Haven Normal school in 1882. She married M. G. Cocklin, now principal of the Fawn Grove academy, in York county, Pa. The third child was Harry Peoples, born June 4th, 1869. He is at present an assistant in the Johnsonburg National bank. The fourth, Mary S. Peoples, was born December 21st, 1873, she at present resides with her parents. The last child is Rossiter Miller Peoples, born August 23d, 1886.
GEORGE P. SHAFFER.
George P. Shaffer, present city treasurer of Lock Haven, was born on a farm near Selinsgrove, Snyder county, March 24th, 1836. He remained on the farm until he was thirteen years of age, and then moved with his parents to Northumberland, Pa., where he followed the canal until he was eighteen years of age, when he learned the carpenter trade, serving an apprenticeship of three years. In 1859 he came to Lock Haven, where he worked at his trade until 1870, when he entered the grocery business. This investment proved a failure, and in a few years he lost all he had possessed, and went to work in the Lock Haven furniture fac- tory, where he remained for three years. On the 26th of March, 1886, he entered the insurance office of Charles M. O'Connor as book keeper, re- taining this position until April 19th, 1889. He was nominated for city treasurer by the Democrats, and elected over Joseph Graffius, the Repub- lican candidate, February, 1890; and was re-elected in February, 1892. During his term of office as county treasurer he has given entire satis- faction. Mr. Shaffer is one of Lock Haven's best citizens.
N. B. DOREY.
The subject of this sketch was born at Liberty, Clinton county, Pa., March 29th, 1842. He attended the public schools, and, in 1864, gradu- ated at Eastman's Business college. He then became book-keeper for E. . T. Fleming & Co., and afterwards became a member of the said firm, who at that time operated a planing mill where the West Branch furni- ture factory now stands. Fleming & Co. sold out, in 1870. to Strong, Byers & Co. Mr. Dorey became book-keeper for the firm, which position he held until 1873, when he and A. B. Hanna opened a grocery store in the block now occupied by the Democrat and News Publishing company. In 1876 he sold out his business, and spent the next few years in raising tobacco. In 1885 he was elected alderman from the First ward of Lock Haven, and served one term, being succeeded in the office by Prof. John P. Anthony. Mr. Dorey is now in the pension business with H. T. Hall, of Lock Haven.
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LEVI G. HECK.
Rev. Levi G. Heck was born April 9th, 1842, in Huntingdon county, Pa. He was raised on a farm. At the age of eighteen he began teaching school. Higher educational advantages were enjoyed at Milnwood acad- emy, Huntingdon county, Pa., and at Carlisle, Pa. He enlisted August 4th, 1862, and, with the exception of a few months, served to the close of the war-rising to the rank of first lieutenant. He participated in a num ber of engagements, Antietam being the first. He was present at the taking of Petersburg and at the surrender of Lee's army at Appomattox. On being discharged, September, 1865, Mr. Heck returned to his old home and again began the work of teaching.
In 1868 he entered the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal church, and was first sent to the Tuscarora circuit, in Juniata county, Pa., and was received into the Central Pennsylvania conference March, 1869. Rev. Heck spent fifteen years of his life in active ministerial work on laborious circuits, many of which were in the West Branch valley. Owing to impaired health he was obliged to give up active work in the spring of 1886. Although not actively engaged in ministerial duties, he is yet a member of conference. Rev. Heck was married, in 1865, to Miss Sarah Widney, of Concord, Franklin county, Pa. Three children blessed their union-two sons and one daughter.
W. W. RICHIE.
Colonel W. W. Richie was born on a farm near Dunnstown, Clinton county, Pa., November 17th, 1844. His father was William Richie, who was born near Ferney's Run, Clinton county, in 1806, and who died in 1886. The subject of this sketch attended the common schools until he reached his sixteenth year. In 1861 he enlisted in the 52d Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served for three years. He then returned to Lock Haven. In 1865 he began the publishing of local maps, which business he followed until 1877. In 1877 he published an industrial work entitled "Industries and Institutions of Centre County, Pa." The book was one of great interest ; an edition of 1,500 copies was sold. Mr. Richie then followed farming for several years; after which he em- barked in the nursery business, in which he is still engaged.
Colonel Richie was the organizer of the Union Veteran Legion, at Lock Haven, in 1891, which is an organization open only to soldiers of the late war who enlisted prior to July 1st, 1863. He also organized the Ladies' Auxiliary of the order, in October of the same year.
LEVI R. PAUP.
L. R. Paup was born in Dover township, York county, Pa., May 7th, 1843. He attended the public schools, and also spent several terms at "Cottage Hill college," in York, Pa. He taught school during the win- ter and worked at bricklaying in summer until 1882. In 1863 he went
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to Sunbury, Pa., and began work for the P. & E. railroad company, and was sent by them to Renovo to work on the car shops. In 1865 he came to Lock Haven, where he has remained ever since. Mr. Paup taught school in different parts of Clinton county for seventeen years. His first work as a contractor was the building of the Lock Haven paper mill. Since that time he has executed many contracts; among them being the Tyrone paper mill. the Mckinney block, on Bellefonte avenue, and the Central State Normal school, this city, which was the greatest undertaking in the building line he ever undertook. Among the many large bridges built by him are: the one across Codorus creek, at York, Pa .; the one across the Susquehanna, at Renovo, which was carried away by the flood of 1889; the Bald Eagle bridge, at Flemington, and the one at the west end of Great Island, known as one of the Great Island bridges.
Mr. Paup has served two terms as county auditor, and several terms as school director. He has also served several terms as assessor for the First ward o Lock Haven. He has always been an ardent Democrat and a prominent and useful member of his party.
JAMES C. SMITH.
James C. Smith was born in Beech Creek township, June 28th, 1846. His father, Joseph M. Smith, settled at an early day on the tract now known as the Heimer farm. Here James C. Smith was born and spent his early life. He received a common school education, and in 1874 took a commercial course at Iron City college, Pittsburg, Pa. In 1876 he was married to Belle E. Weaver, a daughter of George P. Weaver, of Bellefonte. In 1879 he moved his family to Bay City, Mich., where he filled the positoin of general agent for the Demorest Sewing Machine Co. In October, 1881, they returned East, and Mr. Smith engaged in the gro- cery business at Beech Creek for nearly two years. In 1885 he received the nomination of the Democratic party for register and recorder of Clinton county, was elected in November, 1885, re-elected for a second term in 1888, and defeated for a third term in 1891. Mr. Smith is a di- rector of the Lock Haven Trust Co., and was one of its organizers.
I. L. MCCLOSKEY.
I. L. McCloskey ex-county superintendent of Clinton county, was born near Lock Haven, January 3d, 1835. He received his early educa- tion in the common schools of the county, and afterwards, by lose ap- plication to books and by the aid of select schools of the county, prepared himself for the work of teaching. He entered the profession before he was twenty years of age, and has taught successfully ever since in the counties of Clinton, Cameron, Elk and Lycoming. He was elected county superintendent in 1884, which office he filled in a creditable man- ner. He has spent the greater part of his life in the work of teaching.
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GEORGE A. BROWN, ESQ.
Captain George A. Brown was born in Bald Eagle township, on what is now known as the Packer farm, October 11th, 1852. His parents moved to Lock Haven when he was thirteen years of age. He attended the city schools until 1870, when he entered the Pennsylvania State college, where he remained for nearly three years. After leaving college he assisted his father, W. H. Brown, in the duties of the prothonotary's office for a year. He then entered the law office of T. C. Hipple, where he remained as a student until September, 1876, when he entered the Albany law school, and graduated from there May 1st, 1877, and was admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of New York state, May 16th, 1877. He returned to Lock Haven, was examined and admitted to practice in the courts of Clinton county in September, 1877. He opened an office, and has suc- cessfully practiced his profession ever since. In August, 1881, Mr. Brown received the nomination of the Democratic party for district attorney, and was elected at the November election, and re-elected in November, 1884. During his term as district attorney the Colby murder occurred, and Mr. Brown, as prosecuting attorney, at once set to work to find the murderer. In company with officers Westbrook and Vernes he pre- pared the field work of the case, and in a very short time the trial was concluded and the murderer hanged. George A. Brown was elected captain of Company H April 14th, 1884, and re-elected in 1889. He sent in his resignation, which was accepted, and he received an honorable discharge, May, 1890.
IRA M. HARVEY,
BUSINESS MANAGER DAILY AND WEEKLY DEMOCRAT, LOCK HAVEN, PA.
PROMINENT BUSINESS MEN OF LOCK HAVEN.
HENRY H. VAN DYKE.
H J ENRY H. VAN DYKE was born September 23d, 1832, in Lycom- ing county. He worked upon his father's farm until he was sev- euteen years of age, when he engaged in the tanning business, which he followed for three years. He then went to Western New York, and assisted in constructing a railroad from Youngstown to Niagara Falls, and later constructed another road from Lewiston to Niagara Falls. After which he went to Canada, where he clerked for one year. He was then called home to join in the division of his father's farm. He re- mained on his farm for one year. He then sold his land and came to Lock Haven, and secured a contract for constructing a portion of the P. & E. railroad. After completing his contract he engaged in lumber- ing, on Beech Creek, for one year. He and his brother, L. J. Van Dyke, then took the contract to complete the Bald Eagle Valley railroad. They spent three years on this contract. They also built a section of the Snow Shoe road. They next engaged in constructing the Lewisburg and Spruce Creek road, taking and completing seven different contracts. Mr. Van Dyke then started in the hardware business, in which he is still engaged. In connection with the hardware business, Mr Van Dyke deals largely in real estate, and at present owns several of the finest farms in Clinton county, and, although he is the head of the firm of Van Dyke & Co., he devotes the greater part of his time to looking after his farms and other interests.
IRA M. HARVEY.
Ira M. Harvey, business manager for the Democrat News and Publish- ing company, was born at Cedar Springs, Clinton county, Pa., Novem- ber 4th, 1854. He is a son of Nathan and Lydia Harvey, both of whom died before he was eight years old. He received his early education in the public schools, and in May, 1865, he entered the Orangeville Soldiers' Orphan school, of Columbia county, Pa., where he remained until trans- ferred to the McAllisterville Orphan school, in 1867. He remained in the latter institution until 1870, when he returned to Lock Haven. In January, 1871, he entered the office of the Clinton Democrat, as an ap- prentice under J. C. C. Whaley. He continued in the Democrat office until November 27th, 1876, when he left, and, for a time, was employed in the office of the Times, at Williamsport, Pa. He then returned to Lock Haven, and, in company with H. Byxbe, John Noble and A. S. Grow, started the Daily Journal, which he assisted to conduct for several years. When the publication of the Journal ceased he, in company with
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John Noble, purchased part of the fixtures of the Journal office, and es- tablished a job printing business. On September 14th, 1885, in company with James W. Clark and John Noble, he purchased the Clinton Demo- crat from Mrs. H. M. Whaley, and, for a time, conducted the business under the firm name of Clark & Co., with Mr. Harvey as business man- ager. In May, 1888, the business was incorporated under the name of the Clinton Democrat News and Publishing company. Mr. Harvey was elected treasurer of said company, and continued as manager, a position he holds at the present time. Under his management the business has greatly flourished. The job department, which was conducted by one man at the time the office was purchased by Clark & Co., now gives employment to five persons. The latest improved machinery, presses, etc., have been added to the equipment of the office, and it is now the best and most complete establishment of its kind in Clinton county. The circulation of the Democrat has increased three-fold, and the paper has been greatly en- larged and improved, and gives employment to eighteen persons. Mr. Harvey was married March 25th, 1880, to Sallie Coldwell, of Lock Haven.
JOHN NOBLE.
John Noble, one of the members of the Democrat News and Publishing company of Lock Haven, Pa., was born at Howard, Pa., June 20th, 1850. He attended the public schools until 1866, when he entered the office of the Clinton Democrat as an apprentice under John H. Orth. He com- pleted his trade and remained in the said office until 1876, when he went to Washington, D. C., and for eighteen months was employed in the government printing office. He returned to Lock Haven, and, in com- pany with Ira M. Harvey, H. Byxbe and A. S. Grow, assisted in estab- lishing the Daily Journal. Mr. Noble retired from the Journal and went to Towanda, Bradford county, Pa., where he was employed for four years on the Reporter. He then returned to Lock Haven and became a mem- ber of the firm of Clark & Co., and later of the Democrat News and Pub- lishing company. Mr. Noble has been foreman of the job department of the Clinton Democrat since 1885. Under his management the said office is gaining an enviable reputation for good work.
C. R. GEARHART.
C. R. Gearhart came to Clinton county July 27th, 1867; since which time he has been actively identified with the insurance interests of this community. Like many another active business man, while he found the school room congenial, he did not find it as remunerative as his ambition called for. After some seven years as a teacher, the last two being in the capacity of principal of the preparatory department of the Dickinson seminary, at Williamsport, he bade adieu to the school room, and accepted the general agency of several counties for the Farmers' Mutual Fire In- surance company, of Danville, Pa., of which town he was a native. After building up a large business in the territory assigned him, and spending
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several years in managing the same, he abandoned mutual insurance en- tirely, and has since confined himself to cash rate companies, as agent for which he enjoys a large patronage. While beginning his career as a fire insurance agent, he has for years been largely identified with life and ac- cident insurance. Although broken in health during the past seven years, most of the time confined to his bed or a. rolling chair, his energy and courage never forsook him. This is well illustrated by his having written, during sixteen months continuously spent in bed, $110,000 of life insurance, $63,000 of which was written by his own hand while the applicant sat by his bedside. Two years ago he founded the Insurance Solicitor, a paper for the use of agents of the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance company, of which he is himself an agent. It now enjoys a circulation of nearly 40,000 copies monthly, in twenty-three states of the union, extending from the Atlantic to the Pacific. In July, 1891, he entered into partnership with Mr. Arthur Pearson, under the firm name of Gearhart & Pearson, as such becoming general agents for Middle Pennsylvania of the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance company. above named. At the age of forty-nine, though unable to walk, and confined to a rolling chair in his office, the subject of this sketch still displays the same untiring energy as when in health and strength, bidding fair yet to spend many busy years in his chosen profession.
W. H. MAYER.
W. H. Mayer. was born in Chambersburg, Franklin county, Pa., March 17th, 1833. His early education was received at the Chambersburg academy. In 1846 the Mayer family moved to Lock Haven. In 1848 the family returned to Chambersburg, and in 1850 W. H. Mayer secured a position as head salesman in a hardware establishment in Philadelphia. In 1854 he again came to Lock Haven. Soon after his arrival he, in com- pany with R. R. Bridgens, took a contract for building several miles of the Philadelphia & Erie railroad. In 1855, in company with Jacob Brown, `he started a general store in the building now occupied by Barney Mar- shall as a bakery. In 1856 they moved to Mayer's block, opposite the Fallon house, and in 1857 Mr. Mayer purchased Jacob Brown's interest in the business, and continued in it alone until he was burned out, in 1862. In 1863 he enlisted in the 37th Pennsylvania Regiment as ser- geant major. In 1865 was appointed paymaster of the navy, which position he held at the time of the assassination of Lincoln. He resigned this position and returned to Lock Haven, where he remained until 1870, when he went to Chippewa Falls, Wis., where he dealt extensively in real estate and lumber until 1876, when he again returned to Lock Haven. In 1880 Mr. Mayer opened a furniture store on Water street, in the build- ing now occupied as a residence by W. W. Mitchell, but in 1884 pur- chased the market house building, and moved his store to that building, where it has remained ever since.
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J. W. BRIDGENS.
J. W. Bridgens was born September 28th, 1838, at Youngwoman's town, (now North Bend,) Clinton county, Pa. His father was Robert Bridgens, one of the first commissioners of Clinton county. J. W. Bridgens received his education in the common schools. He remained on his father's farm until October, 1862, when he came to Lock Haven, and went into the mercantile business as a partner of F. J. Troxell. This partnership lasted for eight years. In 1868 the partnership was dis- solved, and the stock divided. Mr. Bridgens then started a store on Clinton avenue, where he remained for nearly five years. He then moved to his present room on Main street, where he has remained ever since. Mr. Bridgens is now serving his second term as school director from the Third ward of Lock Haven. He is also one of the trustees of the Lock Haven Normal school. He is ably assisted in the mercantile business by his son, James F. Bridgens.
CHARLES KREAMER.
Charles Kreamer was born near White Hall, Columbia county, Pa., May 26th, 1830. He spent his boyhood on his father's farm. At the age of seventeen he left home and worked on the farm of a neighbor for two years. In 1849 he was employed by Bennett, Vanderbilt & Parsons in the construction of a dam across the North Branch of the Susquehanna at Towanda. From 1853 to 1857 he was employed by O. P. Wilder and Fredericks, Mackey & Co., in their lumber operations. In 1857 he pur- chased the interest of Edward Mackey. From then until the present time he has been extensively engaged in the lumber business. Mr. Kreamer was married April 20th, 1857, to Vesta L. Eaton, daughter of George W. and Susan Eaton, of Woolrich, Me. Their children are Clara, Adda, Hattie, Frederick and George.
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