History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania, Part 96

Author: Waterman, Watkins & Co.
Publication date: 1884
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 967

USA > Pennsylvania > Bedford County > History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania > Part 96
USA > Pennsylvania > Fulton County > History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania > Part 96
USA > Pennsylvania > Somerset County > History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania > Part 96

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

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P. Haffley

PETER HEFFLEY.

Peter Heffley was born in Berlin, Somerset county, November 15, 1833. His father, George Heffley, was the second son in the family of Peter Heffley, who was the progenitor of this branch of the Heffley family in Western Pennsylvania. The elder Heffley followed mercantile pursuits, and for many years was prominent in the affairs of that portion of the county. He was a native of Berks county, Pennsyl- vania, and came to Somerset early in the present century. He died in 1846, at the advanced age of seventy-five years. He reared a family of six children-five sons and one daughter.

George Heffley, the father of the immediate sub- ject of this biography, was born in Berlin, where he still resides. He married Miss Julia A., daughter of Henry Poorbaugh ; ten children were born to them. Peter was the eldest of the family ; his early life was spent in his native village, and until he was seven- teen years of age he was a clerk in the store of his uncle, Annanias Heffley. It was the custom, in those days, for every youth to acquire a trade, and at the age of seventeen young Peter was taken from the store and apprenticed to the trade of. a blacksmith and carriagemaker. After the completion of his inden- tures, he engaged in merchandising in company with a gentleman by the name of Coleman. After several years of successful business, he disposed of his inter- est and removed to Nebraska City, where for five years he was in the employ of his uncle Annanius as manager. At the expiration of this time he con- cluded to again embark in business on his own account. " Freighting," although extremely hazard- ous on account of the Indians, was at this time re-

garded by young men of push and energy as one possessing many inducements; and purchasing what was called an "outfit "-teams, wagons and supplies- he began freighting between Nebraska City and Helena, Montana. In this venture he was not only successful, but fortunate, as many trains had their stock stampeded, and attaches murdered by the In- dians, although no train was allowed to pass the forts without a hundred well-armed men. The price, twenty-five dollars per hundred, soon enabled him to accumulate a competency, and he resolved to go back to his native county, which he did in 1877. Previous to this time he had purchased the farm on which he now resides, and on his return engaged in farming and stock-growing. In this vocation, as in others, he has been eminently successful, and is regarded as one of the most thorough and prosperous farmers in the county. It is but justice to Mr. Heffley to say that no one has done more to advance the stock interests of the county than he. He imported the first English draft-horse, at an expense of fifteen hundred dollars, and was the first to introduce the Alderney breed of cattle.

In 1856 Mr. Heffley was married to Miss Rebecca, daughter of John G. Walker, son of Squire Walker, who for so many years was the magistrate and arbi- ter of that section of the county.

Mrs. Heffley was born in Brother's Valley town- ship. Four children have been born to them : Wal- ter, Lizzie (deceased), Harry and Lucy.

The Heffleys are a race of democrats, and Mr. Heffley has never forsaken " the faith of his fathers." He has never been an aspirant for political pre- ferment, preferring to devote his energies to the ad- vancement of his business interests.

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SOMERSET TOWNSHIP.

Mahlan, Christian, Jacob J., Lydia, Eliza, Mary and Margaret. During the late war Joseph and Mahlan served as soldiers. The latter died in service. Christian is now farming on the place formerly owned by his father, one mile west of Somerset borough.

John Horner, a native of one of the eastern counties of Pennsylvania, settled in Quema- honing township about the year 1800. He was twice married and lived to the age of seventy- nine years. His children were John J., Solomon, Michael, David, Elizabeth, Leah (Beeghley), Nancy (Lambert), Sarah (Beeghley), Susan (Flickinger), Catharine (Schrock) and Rachel (Forney). John J. Horner was born in Que- mahoning township in 1813. He was a carpen- ter by trade, also a farmer. His death occurred in Somerset township in 1859. His wife was a Miss Elizabeth Beeghley, and their children were Joseph, Abraham, Daniel, John J., Ephraim, Catharine and Sarah. Joseph, the eldest son of John J. Horner, was elected com- missioner of Somerset county in 1881. He is also one of the prominent farmers of Somerset township. Only one other member of the family (Daniel) resides in this county.

Adam Snyder, a native of Germany, was one of the early settlers in Turkey-Foot township. He married Christina Fetter. The children born to them were Michael, Jacob, Dewalt, Catharine, Maria, Peter, Henry, Margaret, Jonathan, Adam and Eve. Michael, the eldest child of Adam, was born in Turkey-Foot in 1787, where he remained for a number of years. Sub. sequently, he located in Brother's Valley town- ship, where he died in 1871. He married Catharine Hay, and their children were Peter and George. Peter was born in Brother's Valley township and resided there until his death, which took place in 1836, at the age of twenty-five years. His wife's maiden name was Elizabeth Meyers. They were the parents of four children, the eldest being Samuel Sny- der, who was elected associate judge of this county in November, 1881. Judge Snyder is a blacksmith by trade and resides at Friedens.

John George Stahl was born in Germany in the year 1800. He continued as a resident of the " Faderland " until 1884, when he immi- grated to America. Landing at Baltimore, he remained there three years. In 1837 he settled in Quemahoning township, where he still. re- sides. He married Catharine Snyder. The

children born to them were Frederick, George, John, Herman, Joseph, William, Nathan, Henry, Bertram, Catharine (Lape) and Mar- garet (Specher), all of whom are living except William. During the war of the rebellion, Herman, William, John, George and Joseph served in the army. William died in service. Harman was a member of Co. G, 93d Penn. Vols., from September, 1864, to June, 1865. He has followed wagonmaking at Friedens since 1865.

The father of John N. Coleman, who was born in Germany, settled in Brother's Valley township at a very early day. Daniel, Jacob J., Joseph, William and Samuel were children of John N. Coleman. Samuel was born in the above-mentioned township in 1804; he followed farming, and died in 1855. He married Sarah Long, who still survives. Their children were Samuel J., John A., Agnes (Pile), Susan (Hor- ner), Belinda M. (Bitner) and Lavina (Fox). Both sons served in the army during the late war. John A. died as a prisoner at Danville, Virginia. Samuel J. served from September, 1864, until June, 1865, in Co. E, 61st regt. Penn. Vols. He is now engaged in farming near Friedens.

Michael Mowry, a native of Germany, settled at Hagerstown, Maryland, in 1775. Some years later he removed to this part of Bedford county, and located upon a farm in what is now known as Somerset township. Thereafter he was engaged in farming and milling until his death, which occurred in 1833. He married Mary Baker. Their children were Peter, Michael, George, Henry, Nancy, Christina, Mary, Susan, Eve (Fritz), Elizabeth and Sarah (Mostoller). George became a very prominent resident of the county. He served as a soldier during the war of 1812-15. Subsequently, September 16, 1828, he founded the Somerset Herald, and pub- lished English and German editions under that title for a number of years. He also officiated as county treasurer, sheriff and a member of the state legislature. Michael, a brother of George Mowry, was born in Somerset township in 1789, and died near the place of his birth in 1872 ; was a carpenter by trade, but followed farming principally. He married Rose Mostol- ler. Their children were Josiah, Louisa (Wigle) and Lavina (Long). Josiah was elected associate judge of this county in Octo- ber, 1871, and served as such until 1876. En-

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HISTORY OF SOMERSET COUNTY.

gaged in farming, he still resides upon the family homestead, the place of his birth.

Abraham Rhoads was born in Brother's Val- ley township. He was a farmer, and after liv- ing the period usually allotted to man, died in the same township, in 1866. He married a Miss Wingard, and the children born to them were : Daniel, Jefferson, Philip, Joseph, Samuel, Will- iam, Lydia, Maria (Shaffer) and Harriet. Jeffer- son Rhoads was born in 1812, and has followed farming all his lifetime. His first wife was Mary Coleman, his second Elizabeth Weyand. His children, all of whom are living in Somer- set county, are John P., Alexander, William, Jeremiah, Franklin, Edward, Civilla, Mary, Elizabeth and Clara. John P. Rhoads was elected county auditor in 1881.

Jacob Bowman,* of German parentage, was born in Brother's Valley township in 1785. He followed farming until his death, which took place in 1846. His wife's maiden name was Nancy Horner. The children born to them were : Daniel, Solomon, Jacob J., David, Noah, Isaac, Mary (Winters), Judith (Winters) and Catha- rine (Hipple). During the late war, Jacob J. (as a member of Co. G, 93d Penn. Vols.), David, Noah and Isaac served as volunteers in the army. Isaac died in service. Noah died after re- turning home, from disease contracted in service.

Philip Shaver, born of German parents, came from the vicinity of Hagerstown, Maryland, and settled in the locality now known as Snyder's Mills, soon after the year 1800. IIe was a miller by occupation, and followed that business for many years. Ile died in this town- ship in 1878, at the great age of ninety-four years. His wife's family name was Winters. Their children were : Philip, George, Samuel, John, Elizabeth (Cupp), Rosa (Shaffer), Rachel (Snyder) and Laura (Kimmel). Samuel, the son of Philip, was born in this township in 1815, and from early manhood until his death, in 1861, followed the trade of house-building, etc. He married Catharine Snyder. The chil- dren born to them were: Charles I., Maggie, Frank M. and Amanda. Charles, also, is a carpenter by trade, but at the present time is engaged chiefly in the nursery business in this county.

Jacob Baer, of German parentage, removed from Northampton county, Pennsylvania, to

this county about the year 1800, and settled in Southampton township. He was a tailor by trade, also a farmer. He was twice married. The names of his children were : Nicholas, John, Jacob, Daniel, Adam, Peter, Solomon and Diana, all of whom are dead. John, son of Jacob Baer, was born in that part of North- ampton now known as Lehigh county in 1787. He came to this county with his father's family when about thirteen years of age. He followed farming throughout life, and died in 1868. His children were : Daniel, Solomon, Jacob, Barbara (Rhoads) and Elizabeth (Fike). Daniel, the oldest son of John Baer, was born in what is now Summit township in 1819. He has been a farmer, and now resides in Somerset township. His wife's maiden name was Susannah Berkey. They are the parents of six children -three sons and three daughters.

Nicholas Barnett was a native of Germany. After residing near Hagerstown, Maryland, for some years, he became a resident of Brother's Valley township about the year 1800, and there- after engaged in farming. His children were John, Jacob, Nicholas, George, Mary, Elizabeth, Catharine, and another daughter whose name was not remembered by our informant. Of these children George was born in Brother's Valley township in 1811. A farmer all his life- time, he died in 1878. He married Mary Barn- hart. Their children were Noah, Henry F., David, Jeremiah, Adam, George E., John W., Charles, Josiah, Catharine, Mary and Sadie. The survivors all live in this county, except Jeremiah. During the war, 1861-5, Noah, Henry, David, Jeremiah, Charles and Josiah served as volunteer soldiers. Josiah died in service. Charles was killed on the cars while returning home.

The father of Absalom Casebeer was of Ger- man parentage, and one of the earliest settlers of the region now known as Somerset county. Among his children were Christian, Solomon and Absalom. The latter was born in this vicinity in 1783. He was a weaver by trade, also a farmer. His death occurred in 1853. He married Elizabeth Schmucker, and the children born to them were John, David, Jacob, Aaron, Sarah (Hoffman), Elizabeth (Walker) and Nancy (Weaver). All reside in this county except Absalom J., John and Elizabeth, deceased.

Peter Sipe was a native of Germany. About the year 1783 he settled in what is now Summit

*See history of Larimer township for sketch of the Bowman family.

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SOMERSET TOWNSHIP.

township. He followed farming throughout his life, and died in Turkey-Foot township. The children resulting from his marriage to Barbara Troyer were Christian Peter, Jacob, Michael, Andrew, Catharine, Maria, Martha and Fannie. Michael Sipe, son of Peter, was born on the site of Meyersdale in 1795. A carpenter by trade, he also engaged in farming. He located in this (Somerset) township in 1816. From 1843 to 1852 he was engaged in merchandising. He married Susannah Betz, who, born in 1796, is still living. Their children were Lavina (Kring), Henry, Christian, Michael, Moses, John A., Lydia, Peter, Susan, Mary A., Diana .(Mason) and Harriet. Peter Sipe, son of Michael, has been engaged in the mercantile business at Sipesville since 1853.

Christopher Beam, a descendant of an English family, was born in York county, Pennsylvania, in 1761, and died in this county in 1825. He settled in the northwest part of the present township of Somerset about 1793. He was a farmer. His wife's maiden name was Elizabeth Crise. The children resulting from this mar- riage were Jacob, Christopher, Abram, Crise, John, Hiram, Margaret (Millhouse), Elizabeth (Bates) and Lydia (Pinkerton). Hiram Beam, above mentioned as the son of Christopher, was born where he now resides-the place upon which his father settled in 1793-in the year 1810. A tanner by trade, he has also engaged in agricultural pursuits. He has served one term as county commissioner. His brother Abram, who was born in this township in 1797, has also held the office of county commissioner.

John Bell was born of English parents, in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. About the beginning of the revolutionary war he settled upon a farm near the locality now known as Sipesville. Subsequently he removed to Que- mahoning township, where he died at the age of eighty years. He married Mary Willis. The ·names of their children were : David, John, Hiram, Elizabeth (Fleck), Susannah (Kimmel), Lydia (Penrod) and Mary (Beam). David, the first-mentioned son of John Bell, was born in Somerset township in 1798, and is yet living in Jenner township. In early life he was known as a school teacher, also for many years as a farmer. He married Sarah Mickey, and the children born to them were : John W., Will- iam, Isaiah, Zachariah, Mary, Elizabeth (Sipe), Catharine J., Lydia (Sipe) and Susannah (Hor-

ner). During the late war Isaiah served as a member of Co. E, 93d Penn. Vols. He is now engaged in farming in this township.

Abraham Miller, of German parentage, came from Bedford county, and settled in the town of Somerset soon after it became the county seat. By trade he was a tanner. Elected sheriff of the county in 1804. He died in Somerset about 1827. The names of his children were : Peter, John, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Catharine, Eliza- beth, Mary and Rachel. Abraham, Jr., was born (in Somerset, probably) in 1798. He also was a tanner, but during the last part of his life engaged in farming. He died in this township in 1868. He married Mary Rhoads, and the children born to them were : Jonathan, Abra- ham, Jacob, Daniel, Tobias, John, Elizabeth, Mary, Rachel, Susannah and Barbara. Abraham and Daniel, grandsons of Abraham Miller, Sr., served as soldiers during the late war.

William S. Larmer came to Somerset town- ship in 1833. He afterward went west and was a county surveyor in Iowa. He is now living in Kansas. His eldest son, John W., was in the army, serving in a Somerset county company. Another son, Jeremiah S., is now farming in the eastern part of this township.

Frederick Cobaugh, a native of France, settled in the United States about the year 1783. His eldest son, John Cobaugh, came to this county about 1805, and settled upon a farm in Somerset township. He died in the same township, in 1874, at the age of eighty-five years. His wife, before marriage, was Sarah Good. Their children were George and Sarah (Lichty). George resides in this township at the present time; is a farmer.

John Long emigrated from Germany to Berks county, Pennsylvania, about 1790. Some eight or nine years later he removed from Berks to Somerset county, and located upon a farm in Milford township. He died in that township at the age of about eighty years. His children were : Farden, Benjamin, Henry, George and Mary, of whom Henry is the only survivor. The latter was born in Berks county in 1795, and came to Somerset county with his father, about 1798. He now resides at New Centre- ville. His wife's maiden name was Elizabeth Lewis, and the children born to them were : Jacob, John, Michael, Henry, Peter, Samuel, Lewis, Rebecca (Mason), Catharine, Sarah (Walker), Elizabeth (Tedrow) and Rosanna.

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HISTORY OF SOMERSET COUNTY.

Henry is now farming about one mile north of the town of Somerset. The other surviving mem- bers of the family reside in Somerset county, except Lewis.

Jacob Shober, of German descent, removed from the vicinity of Harper's Ferry, Maryland, to Somerset county about the year 1820. He first settled in Stony Creek township, but subse- quently removed to Berlin. Finally he again changed his residence to Armstrong county, where he died in 1837. By occupation he was a school teacher, also a surveyor. He married Catharine Cable. Their children were George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison and James Monroe. The third son (James Madison) served as a soldier during the late war. George W. Shober was born in this county in 1826. For years he followed the business of a fuller. At present he is engaged in farming in Brother's Valley township. He married Leah Berkley. The children born to them, all of whom are living, are Samuel U., James M., Laura V. (Coleman) and Eximenia V. Of the sons, Samuel is a resident farmer of Somerset township, and James M. of Brother's Valley.

Philip Shaver came from Washington county, Maryland (near Hagerstown), and settled at Somerset, Pennsylvania, about the year 1805. He followed farming during the greater part of his life, and died in 1879, after attaining the remarkable age of ninety-two years. He married Sarah Smith. The children born to them were George, John, Samuel, Philip, Elizabeth (Cupp), Mary (Snyder), Rosanna (Shaffer), Rachel (Sny- der) and Laura (Kimmel). George, the first son of Philip here mentioned, was born in this township in 1810. He was a weaver by trade, but subsequently adopted farming as an occu- pation. He married Sarah Haines. His chil- dren are Cyrus M. (now a farmer and carpenter in Somerset township), Elizabeth and Rosanna.

Lewis Smith was an early resident in Que- mahoning township. The names of his children were Joseph, George, Lewis, John L., Henry, Catharine, Margaret, Elizabeth, Susan and Mary. John L. Smith, son of Lewis, was born in Que- mahoning township in 1812 ; was a farmer, and died in the same township in 1878. Early in life he married Margaret Crissey. Their children were George H., David, Frank, John W., Jonathan, Josiah, Edmund, James R., Lewis E., Catharine and Julia A. During the late war George and David Smith, named above, served as

soldiers in the Union army. All of the members of this family reside in Somerset county, except David and Frank.

Alexander Hunter emigrated from Ireland to America at the beginning of the revolutionary war. He immediately joined the armed forces of the Americans, and served as a private throughout the whole war. For a time he per- formed the duty of butcher for his brigade. Soon after the close of the struggle for in- dependence, he settled in Quemahoning town- ship, where for many years he was known as a farmer and fuller. He finally removed to Alle- gheny county, and there died. Among his children were James, William, Joseph, Samuel, Alexander, Jr., Elizabeth and Susan, and two others whose names are not remembered. Alex- ander, Jr., was born in Quemahoning township, and followed farming. He also served as major of a militia regiment. His wife's maiden name was Nancy Trent. Their children were Samuel, James, Alexander, William, Joseph, Charles T., Catharine, Susan, Nancy, Eliza, Sarah and Ellen. Joseph and Charles served as volunteer soldiers during the war of the rebellion. The latter served from August, 1862, to June, 1865, in Co. C, 142d regt. Penn. Vols. He was mustered in as corporal, and mustered out as first lieutenant ; was wounded by a piece of shell in the battle of Gettysburg ; taken prisoner near Petersburg, Virginia, and confined at Salisbury, North Carolina, for five months ; served three years as jury commissioner ; now a farmer in Somerset township.

William Tayman, a former resident of Balti- more county, Maryland, settled in Somerset township in the year 1832. His trade was that of a carpenter, but in this county he was chiefly engaged in agricultural pursuits. He married Eliza A., daughter of David Lavan, Esq., of Lavansville. The names of the children born to them (all of whom are living) are : George H., David L. H., William H., Abraham A., Susan B. and Amanda E. The husband and father died in 1845, at the early age of thirty- nine years. During the late war, George, William and Abraham served in the Union army. For years Mrs. Tayman has been the proprietress of the widely-known Somerset House, Somerset, Pennsylvania, and George H., her son, its popular and efficient manager. David and William are well-known farmers of Somerset township.

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RESIDENCE OF ALEX. WALKER,

STONEY CREEK TP., SOMERSET CO., PA.

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SOMERSET TOWNSHIP.

David Lavan, a descendant of a French family, was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, in 1795. When but sixteen years of age -in 1811 - he came to this (Somerset) county. He learned the blacksmith trade, and for nine years succeeding the completion of his duties as an apprentice worked at his trade in the locality known since that day as Lavansville. Subse- quently he engaged in farming and hotelkeep- ing in the same place. He was a successful business man, and as a result erected nearly all of the buildings now seen in the little town which bears his name. He married Magdalena, the youngest daughter of George Young, who was a representative of one of the first families to settle in this county. Their daughter is the present Mrs. Eliza A. Tayman, of the Somerset House, Pennsylvania. David Lavan died dur- ing the present year, 1883, thus attaining the age of eighty-eight years.

John F. Kantner was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, in 1792. Early in life he removed to Hagerstown, Maryland, where he married Sarah Duble. His children were : Charles, John H. (born in Hagerstown, Maryland, 1825), Jo- seph, William, James, Lucinda, Margaret (Speal- man), Sarah (Scott), Lizzie (Shaffer) and Ellen (Sidebottom). In 1836 the family removed from Hagerstown to Stoystown, in this county, where Mr. Kantner operated a woolen-mill until 1844. He then bought Judge George Chorpenning's woolen-mill, situated near the town of Somerset, and, removing there, at once assumed control. This mill (its original dimensions being 30×40 feet) was built by Chorpenning about the year 1832. Mr. Kantner managed it until 1867, when his son, John H. (the present proprietor), became its owner by purchase. In 1881 an addition to the original structure was built 25×30 feet in dimensions. The mill is now spacious, and furnished with the best and latest-improved carding, rolling, spinning, weaving and shearing machinery. It is kept in continuous operation The power is derived from water, and six hands are employed. The manufactures consist of stocking-yarn, doeskin cloths, flannels, carpets and blankets, but attention is chiefly directed to the production of yarn and carpets. John F. Kantner died in 1881.

The farm now known as the "Edgewood Farm " was entered by Peter Amhay, in 1773, who erected the first house on the property. His death occurred in December, 1804. The

property next came into the possession of his youngest son, Joseph. He disposed of the property to Maj. Jos. Imhoff, the county sheriff, in 1832. Maj. Imhoff erected the present build- ings from plans furnished by a Pittsburgh architect, and they were then considered the best buildinge in the county. In the spring of 1882 ex-sheriff Oliver Kneper, being then owner of the property, remodeled and enlarged the house and converted it into a summer board- ing-house. In the spring of 1883 Mr. Kne- per disposed of the property to S. S. Schrock and G. M. Johnson, the present owners. The location is one of the most desirable in the vicinity of Somerset, now so well known as a summer resort. It is easy of access from the Somerset & Cambria and South Pennsyl- vania railroads.

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History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania, Part 96

Author: Waterman, Watkins & Co. Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Number of Pages: 967

Author: Waterman, Watkins & Co.
Publication date: 1884
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 967