USA > Pennsylvania > Bedford County > History of Bedford and Somerset Counties, Pennsylvania, with genealogical and personal history > Part 9
USA > Pennsylvania > Somerset County > History of Bedford and Somerset Counties, Pennsylvania, with genealogical and personal history > Part 9
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67
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eldest sons were permitted to visit their great-great-grand- father, Philip Shaver, of Listie, when small boys. He died in 1879, aged ninety-two years. He settled in Somerset county in 1805, coming from Maryland.
DANIEL W. SEIBERT.
Daniel W. Seibert, county superintendent of the schools of Somerset county, Pennsylvania, a position for which he is eminently qualified, was born May 20, 1873, a son of Solomon and Mary Seibert, natives of Somerset township, Somerset county, Pennsylvania, the former named a farmer and lumber- man.
Daniel W. Seibert was educated in the public schools, local normals and South-Western State Normal School. For a num- ber of years he assisted with the duties of the farm, after which he accepted a position as teacher, serving in that capacity for about twelve years ; later was appointed principal of the schools in Somerset, and is now holding the responsible position of county superintendent of schools. He is a man who keeps abreast of the times in all matters pertaining to his calling, and while devoting his best interests to his work, is still a stu. dent. He is a member of the Progressive Brethren church, the Masonic order and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which latter organization he served as District Deputy Grand Master.
Mr. Seibert married, September 7, 1904, at Somerset, Pennsylvania, Madge Holderbaum, a daughter of James B. and Annie Holderbaum.
THE BIESECKER FAMILY.
The Biesecker family were Germans and first settled in Adams county, Pennsylvania, at a very early day. The first of this name to settle in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, was Daniel Biesecker, who was born in Adams county, Pennsyl- vania, October 11, 1789. His brother, Frederick, came at the same date and made settlement. During his early years he came to Somerset county and in the township of Quemahoning worked at farming several years. Later he removed to Jen- nerstown, where he purchased land and improved the same, residing thereon and being prosperously engaged in agricult- ural pursuits up to the time of his decease at the age of sixty- six years. He was an industrious worker, an able and efficient manager, and therefore his broad acres yielded him a goodly return for the labor expended. He was a Republican in pol- ities. His wife, whose maiden name was Nancy Kimmel, was a daughter of Solomon Kimmel, and her birth occurred on the homestead now occupied by her son, Noah, in Quemahoning
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Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Biesecker: Elizabeth, born October 3, 1814, married Jacob Byers and they had five children; she died March 15, 1894. Joseph, born April 14, 1816, died April 21, 1853; married Hannah Keller and had five children. Abraham, born October 15, 1817, a farmer, mar- ried Agnes Richmeyer, and they had seven children. Elijah, born March 6, 1819, died February 21, 1853. Rebecca, born December 27, 1820, married Henry Sipe and they had twelve children. Solomon, born February 11, 1822, died September 19, 1839. Sarah, born January 8, 1824, married Aaron Fried- line and had three children. Noah, born September 13, 1825, see forward. Magdalena, born May 19, 1827, now deceased, married Michael Sipe and they had seven children. John, born December 13, 1829.
The father, Daniel Biesecker, died on the farm upon which he first settled. The date of his death was January 24, 1855. His wife, Nancy (Kimmel) Biesecker, was born in 1794 and died March 19, 1859, aged sixty-five years, ten months and thirteen days. They are both buried at the Beams Reformed church now, but prior to the fall of 1905 rested in the family burying ground at home. Their children were all born on the original Biesecker homestead in Jenner township, Somerset county, Pennsylvania.
(II) Joseph Biesecker, fist son of Daniel (1) and Nancy Biesecker, born April 4, 1816, married Hannah Keller and they reared five children. He was a tanner by trade and operated a small tannery for many years, but when improvements and large concerns came into use he was employed for other tan- ners. He died when aged about sixty years.
(II) Abraham Biesecker, second son of Daniel (1) and Nancy Biesecker, born October 15, 1817, married Agnes Rich- meyer and they reared seven children. He was a farmer and voted the Whig and Republican tickets. He was of the Pres- byterian faith. He died about 1887 and is buried beside the Presbyterian church at Jennerstown, Pennsylvania.
(II) Noah Biesecker, fifth son of Daniel (1) and Nancy Biesecker, born September 13, 1825, a prominent farmer of Quemahoning, Somerset county, Pennsylvania, and a citizen of influence, received his education in the public schools of Jen- nerstown, and after completion of his studies conducted gen- eral farming at the parental homestead until 1854, becoming highly proficient therein. He then came to Quemahoning and assumed possession of the old Kimmel farm, on which his mother was born, and has since followed this independent call- ing with marked success. During his long residence in the town he has taken an active interest in the development and growth of the same, every enterprise tending thereto receiving
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from him a hearty support. From 1881 until 1885, inclusive, he served in the capacity of associate judge of Somerset coun- ty, the first year having been associated with Judge George Pile, and thereafter with Judge Daniel J. Horner, and the re- sponsible duties of the office were performed by him in a highly commendable and praiseworthy manner. He is a stanch advo- cate of the principles of Republicanism.
In September, 1860, Mr. Biesecker married Elizabeth Win- ters, daughter of the late John and Margaret (Mull) Winters, whose deaths occurred at the ages of sixty-five and seventy- two years, respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Winters were the par- ents of eight children. five of whom are now living: Wendel married Mary Bowman, who bore him two children, William and Amanda Winters; Elizabeth, wife of Noah Biesecker; Sophia, wife of Thomas Gallagher, and mother of four children, John, Edward, Rebecca and Ida Gallagher; Julia, wife of Her- man Shaffer, and mother of five children, John, Barton, Rob- ert, Ida and Lillie Shaffer; John, who married Jan Bowman, and their family consists of seven children, Joanna, Maggie, Grace, Robert, Thomas, James and Jacob Winters. Mr. and Mrs. Biesecker were the parents of four children, two sons and two daughters, all now deceased. James F., the only child that attained maturity, married Mary Cunningham, by whom he has one child, Elizabeth Biesecker. Mr. and Mrs. Biesecker stand high in social and religious circles, the former being a valued member of the Reformed church, and the latter of the Lutheran church.
(II) John Biesecker, sixth son of Daniel (1) and Nancy Biesecker, born December 13, 1829, has been a sturdy, success- ful farmer all his days thus far. He now owns and occupies the old Biesecker homestead in Jenner township, Somerset county, Pennsylvania. He obtained a good common school edu- cation, and in political affiliation was first a Whig and later a Republican. He is a member of the Reformed church, and be- longs to Jenner township Grange. He served as school director for twelve years prior to 1885. He was married in 1857 to Miss Joanna Winters, daughter of John and Margaret (Mull) Win- ters, whose family connect back to the prominent Winters fam- ily of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, in which were three generations of eminent physicians, including her uncle. Mrs. Biesecker died September 12, 1886. She was the mother of two children-Frederick W., an attorney of Somerset. and Magda- lena, who died aged five years. The mother and daughter were both buried near the Beams Reformed church.
Concerning the Winters family it may be related that John Winters and his brother, Dr. Isaac Winters, of Lancaster fame. came of English stock. Their grandfather, John Winters, emi-
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grated from England to America before the Revolution, and later in that struggle bore an active part as a soldier under General Washington. His home was near Lebanon, Pennsyl- vania. and there he died within a month after returning thereto from his Revolutionary service. He left a widow and son, the latter being named John, born November 21, 1776. When John Winters, Jr., grew to man's estate, he settled in the village of New Holland, Lancaster county, where for many years he fol- lowed the occupation of a blacksmith. He married Catharine Diffenderffer, January 16, 1796, and their children were: John, Isaac, Maria, Ludwig Levi, Margaratha and Cyrus. John Win- ters died July 13, 1859, and his wife, Catherine (Diffenderffer) Winters, died July 12. 1843. John Winters, eldest son of John and Catharine (Diffenderffer) Winters, came from Lancaster county to Somerset county about 1800. He was a farmer, be- longed to the Reformed church and in politics was first a Whig and later a Republican. He married in Lancaster county Mar- garet Mull, by whom seven children were born, three sons and four daughters. His sons-Wendel, Elias and John-served in the Civil war conflict on the Union side, going from Somer- set county, Pennsylvania. Elias was accidentally killed by be- ing crushed beneath some slate and rock about a coal mine in 1881. He left a widow and twelve children. John Winters died in 1860 and was buried in the church yard at Zimmermans Re- formed church. His wife, Margaret (Mull) Winters, died in 1871, and rests beside her husband.
(III) Frederick Winters Biesecker, an attorney of Som- erset, Pennsylvania, was named for his grandfather's brother, Frederick Biesecker, an early settler in Somerset county, Penn- sylvania, and his middle name was given to him in honor of his mother's family, the Winters. He is the only son of John and Joanna (Winters) Biesecker, born on the old Biesecker farm on which his grandfather settled in Jenner township, Somerset county. Pennsylvania. The date of his birth is March 10, 1858. He was reared to farm labor, and attended the com- mon schools of his native township and the normals of Somer- set county. Believing he was better suited for a professional career than for an agriculturist, he took a preparatory course in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and entered Franklin and Marshall College, from which he graduated in June, 1880. He then chose law and entered into the study under General Koontz, at Som- erset, was admitted to the bar in August, 1882, and since that time has been in active and constant practice at Somerset, where he has been eminently successful. He has also branched into various business enterprises, including investment in coal lands, which have now been disposed of at a handsome profit. He is a stockholder and director of the Somerset Trust Com-
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pany, also of the First National Bank of the same place, as well as of the First National Bank at Confluence, Pennsylvania. Politically Mr. Biesecker is an out-and-out Republican. He was elected to the office of district attorney in the autumn of 1883, and re-elected in the fall of 1886, serving in all six years. He is a consistent member of the Reformed church at Somerset borough.
Mr. Biesecker married Mary Ogle Scull, daughter of Ed- ward and Louise (Ogle) Scull, October 16, 1886. Mrs. Biesecker was educated in Somerset county schools and at the seminary at Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania. They have no children.
WILLIAM HENRY STODDARD.
William Henry Stoddard, though not a native of Somer- set county, has been intimately associated with all of its inter- ests for a quarter of a century, as contractor and builder, while his wife and children are natives of the borough of Somerset. This family is from good old English stock, running to Will- iam H. as follows:
(I) Isaac Stoddard, grandfather, was born in England, and in young manhood was one of four in his father's family to come to America. Of the other three but little is known, but Isaac came for the purpose of testing cannon for this country. His home, therefore, was at Georgetown, D. C. He married a Miss Fagen, by whom three children were born: Isaac, John H. (father of subject) and Mary Ann, who married a Mr. Clemont, and they had a daughter named Rosa, who became the wife of George F. Adams. Stoddard street, Georgetown, was named for Isaac Stoddard (1).
(II) Isaac Stoddard, eldest son of the founder of the family in this country, married and had two children-Ulysses and Martha. He was among the first police in the city of Washington, D. C.
(II) John H. Stoddard, son of Isaac Stoddard (1), was born abont 1811, at Georgetown, D. C. He attended the schools common to his day, and mastered the trade of wheelwright and blacksmith and followed this calling in Washington for more than a quarter of a century. He died in 1867. In politics he was an ardent Democrat, and was a Roman Catholic in religious faith. He had a farm home in Virginia, near Washington, and there he died. He was a member of the Washington Rifle Com- pany and won a medal for marksmanship. When about thirty years of age he married Mary Aun Rollins, daughter of Joshua Rollins and wife. of Washington, D. C. Her father was a sea captain and had charge of most of the boats along the Potomac river. Mr. and Mrs. John H. Stoddard had eight children: 1. Elizabeth, deceased, born in Baltimore, Maryland, died in
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infancy. 2. Mary Ann, born in Washington, D. C., 1852, mar- ried Burton Vernon. 3. Emma Jane, deceased, born in the same city in 1854, married Joseph Dunn. 4. John, deceased, born in Washington in 1856. 5. Alberta, born at the same place in 1858. 6. William Henry (subject), born in Washington, D. C., 1860. 7. Raymond, deceased, born in 1862. 8. Rosa Virginia, born in 1865.
The wife of John H. Stoddard was greatly devoted to the Union cause during the days of the rebellion, and became ma- tron of the hospital at Fort Richardson, which was located on their farm. She belonged to the United States Hospital Corps, and when peace was declared was honorably discharged the same as a soldier. Only a few days prior to President Lin- coln's assassination Mrs. Stoddard took flowers to the White House for the good president. Again, after that sad event, she had to make a trip over the "Long Bridge" to Washington and was accompanied by a soldier and her young son, William H., of this sketch. On account of search being made for any clue to the whereabouts of Booth, the assassin, they were stopped on the bridge and searched before being allowed to pass over into the capital city. Mrs. Stoddard died in 1897.
(III) William Henry Stoddard, son of John H. (2), was born in the City of Washington, D. C., May 30, 1860. He at- tended school in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Vir- ginia. Upon leaving his school duties he entered the Central Market of Washington and was employed there three years, when he commenced to master the carpenter's trade and con- tinued with one firm for about five years. He then took up slate roofing and learned that trade thoroughly and followed it three years. The next four years he spent under special in- structions in architecture and general building. He was em- ployed on government work in Washington, and bridges. Up- on the occasion of President James A. Garfield's inaugural ball in March, 1881, he worked several days and nights in order to get the National Museum ready, in which to hold that grand affair. Just prior to that Mr. Stoddard had erected a large hotel at Sulphur Springs, Virginia. July 2, 1881, he came to Somerset, under John D. Berk, for the purpose of superintend- ing the bridge work on the Somerset & Cambria railway. Later he went to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and for the Keystone Bridge Company erected steel work at Braddock. He then re- turned to Somerset and after a short stay went to Washington, D. C., where he spent two years working at his trade. In 1883 he returned to Somerset, which borough has been his home ever since. He worked at carpentering and slate roof work for about two years, making the first slate roofs in the county. After the great Johnstown flood he went to that place and
Vol. III 6
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superintended the rebuilding of that place, and received the first builder's license ever issued there, after the place was organized as a city. Three years later he resumed the work of a master builder in Somerset county, where he drew plans for the town and county house asylum building, the academy, mu- nicipal building and scores of large residences all over the county.
Mr. Stoddard was married, October 25, 1881, to Ella Nora Keiffer, daughter of Daniel and Catherine (Koontz) Keiffer, of Somerset borough, her native place. Mrs. Stoddard's father died in 1905. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. William H. Stoddard were: Charles R., born in Washington, D. C., March 3, 1883, was appointed first mail carrier for Somerset in the spring of 1906. 2. John H., December 19, 1885. 3. George W., May 6, 1886. 4. Arthur J., August 19, 1887. 5. Harry D., March 26, 1890, deceased 6. Robert B., September 16, 1892. 7. Will- iam W., December 3, 1893. 8. Ernest G., November 2, 1895, deceased. 9. Rosa Virginia, November 23, 1897. 10. Franklin E., August 21, 1901, deceased. 11. Norman K., June 12, 1903. Politically Mr. Stoddard is a Democrat. In lodge rela- tions he is numbered among the honorable members of the Royal Arcanum, No. 985, at Somerset, and was its regent in 1900. He is a member of Golden Eagle Lodge, No. 181, Som- erset Castle, and was one of the charter members. He is a member of the Junior Order United American Mechanics, or- ganized the first fire company in Somerset borough, in 1893. He was made assistant chief, refusing to become its chief. He is also a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and Som- erset Musical Club. Mr. Stoddard and wife are members of the "Ladies' Temple," auxiliary of the Knights of the Golden Eagle.
VIRGIL R. SAYLOR, ESQ.
David and Jacob Saylor, brothers, came to America from Germany early in the history of our country. The original spelling was "Syler." From one of these brothers was de- scended George Michael Saylor, who was a soldier in the Rev- olutionary war, and, after serving the time of his enlistment, entered the service again as a substitute, receiving $100 for the same, which was considered a large price for a substitute at that time. George Michael Saylor moved to Somerset county (then a part of Bedford county) from Berks county, in 1787. Samuel Saylor, a son of George Michael Saylor, and great- grandfather of Virgil R. Saylor, the subject of this sketch, was seven years old at the time his father settled in Somerset coun- ty. Samuel Saylor marrieid and reared a family of twelve children, among whom was Joseph Saylor, the grandfather of Virgil R. Saylor. Joseph Saylor was the second in the line of
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descent, and was born November 15, 1808. He married Eliza Heiple, and to this union were born ten children, the oldest being Alexander Saylor, the father of Virgil R. Saylor. Alex- ander Saylor was born in 1829. He married, October 16, 1856, Rosanna Pugh. He entered the service of his country in April, 1861, responding to President Lincoln's call for volunteers, and enlisted as a member of Company A, Tenth Pennsylvania Regi- ment Reserves. He fought in many of the principal battles of the war, and was severely wounded in the battle of Fredericks- burg. From the effects of this wound he died in 1872, on May 30, that date being now observed throughout the country as Memorial Day. He was a carpenter by trade, a Republican in politics, and a member of the Evangelical church. Rosanna (Pugh) Saylor, his widow, is now living in Somerset, Pennsyl- vania, and is seventy-four years old. She has been a lifelong member of the Lutheran church.
To Alexander and Rosanna (Pugh) Saylor were born nine children : Ida Belle, intermarried with J. C. Nycum, now re- siding in Cripple Creek, Colorado; Eliza Jane, deceased; Elmi- ra, deceased; Professor Otho O. Saylor, a prominent educator of Someset county, having been principal of the schools of Somerset and Rockwood boroughs; Charles L., deceased; Lin- nie, deceased, who was intermarried with Lewis H. Miller; Luther J., who married Luella Foshender, now residing in Ris- ing City, Nebraska; Virgil R., see forward; and William A., of Somerset.
Virgil R. Saylor, an attorney at law of Somerset, Somer- set county, Pennsylvania, was born January 31, 1870, about five miles east of Somerset, on the Somerset and Bedford turn- pike, at what is known as Will's Church. He is second to the youngest son of Alexander and Rosanna (Pugh) Saylor; his maternal grandparents were James and Rachel Pugh.
Mr. Saylor attended the public school at Will's Church un- til the age of nine years, when he entered the Tressler Orphans' Home at Loysville, Perry county, Pennsylvania, as a soldier's orphan, remaining there until he was sixteen years of age. It was here that he received an excellent foundation for his fut- ure work and that a desire for a college education was formed. He taught school one term in Cambria county and one term in Somerset county, attending the local normal school during the spring and summer months. At the age of nineteen he entered with the freshman class Pennsylvania College at Gettysburg, pursuing the classical course and graduating from said institu- tion in 1893 with the degree of A. B .; three years later the de- gree of A. M. was conferred upon him by his alma mater. From 1893 to 1896 he was high school teacher and assistant principal of the Somerset borough schools, and from 1896 to 1901 he
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was principal of the Salisbury borough schools in Somerset county. During these years he was prominent in educational circles and conventions, and was urged to accept better and more lucrative positions elsewhere, but the desire to enter the legal profession and make the law his future work, which was formed during his college days, now controlled him to such an extent that he turned aside from the profession of teaching, for which work he possessed natural aptitude, not, however, without much regret, for he liked the work and was ever faith- ful and conscientious in its performance. He entered the law office of Coffroth & Ruppel, Somerset, Pennsylvania, being registered as a student at law in October, 1901, and was ad- mitted to the Somerset bar, October 19, 1903. He immediately took up his practice in Somerset, and from the beginning had a good practice and has established for himself an extensive clientele as a result of his large acquaintance throughout the county, formed during the years he was engaged in teaching school.
Mr. Saylor is a member of the Woodmen of the World and Knights of Pythias, having been district deputy grand chan cellor of the latter organization for several years. He is a Re- publican in politics and is an active member of the Lutheran church, the church of his mother.
DANIEL J. HORNER.
Daniel J. Horner, a veteran of the Civil war, former asso-, ciate judge of Somerset county and a well known citizen of Somerset, Pennsylvania, was born in the county in which he now resides May 27, 1843, a son of the late John J. and Mary (Beeghley) Horner.
John Horner (grandfather) was born and reared in Dau- phin county, Pennsylvania, was a farmer by occupation, hard- working and successful, and lived to the age of fourscore years. He was united in marriage to a Miss Kimmel, and the issue of this union was fourteen children, all of whom are deceased but one, Susan, widow of John Feliekinger.
John J. Horner (father), eldest child of John Horner, was born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania. He was reared on a farm and followed that occupation as a means of livelihood throughout the active years of his career. He was a staunch Republican in his political views, and both he and his wife were active members of the Dunkard church. He died at his home near Sipesville, Pennsylvania, at the comparatively early age of forty-six years, being then but in the prime of life, and his wife, Mary (Beeghley) Horner, daughter of Jacob Beeghley, of Meyersdale, Somerset county, Pennsylvania, died at the age of forty-four years. They were the parents of eleven chil-
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dren, four of whom are living at the present time (1906), as follows: Joseph, married Kate Rhoads, and their children are: Henry, Edward H., deceased; Albert J., William and Lillie M. Horner. Abraham, married Lizzie Lint, and their children are: Frank, Ida, Lillie, Sadie, Ada and Charles. Daniel J., deceased, see forward. John J., married a Miss Bow- ers. Ephraim J. Horner, married Miss Deitz.
Daniel J. Horner was educated at Mt Pleasant College and at the State Normal School in Millersville, Lancaster county, which he attended during the years 1866-67-68, paying his own expenses by teaching school in the winter seasons. In 1869 he was elected register and recorder of deeds for Somerset county, which position he held the ensuing three years. He was subsequently engaged as a carriage manufacturer in Somerset county for two years. In 1876 he was appointed United States storekeeper and gauger, an office which he filled until January, 1882, a period of six years, when he resigned to accept a clerk- ship in the board of county commissioners, which position he filled up to 1885. He then accepted a position as clerk in a store in Somerset and retained the same until his election as prothonotary and clerk of courts of Somerset county. He served in this capacity until 1891, and two years later was made asso- ciate judge of Somerset county, an office in which he served with distinction for five years. He has served as school di- rector of Somerset borough for a number of years, rendering valuable and efficient service. He is a staunch Republican in politics.
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