USA > Pennsylvania > Clarion County > History of Clarion County, Pennsylvania > Part 74
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In 1838 John Klingensmith was married to Catharine Smith, who was his faithful helpmate until 1885, when she died. They had four children, Celinda, Reuben, Fianna, and Clarissa, all of whom except the eldest are married.
Mr. Klingensmith's public life began with his election as sheriff of Clarion county, in. 1849, as an independent Democratic candidate. He served three years in this office, and at the expiration of his term removed to Westmoreland county and purchased the farm on which he was born. He remained about four months, then sold the farm and returned to Clarion county. The following year he moved into Madison, in which township he has resided ever since.
Mr. Klingensmith has been both a farmer and a miller. He had charge of the grist-mill at Reidsburg one year, and of Corbett's mill on Leatherwood for the same period. For eight years he had charge of the grist-mill at Madison Furnace. He has
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JOHN KLINGENSMITH. - MANASSEH ARNOLD.
a well-improved farm, on which his homestead is, in Madison township. Along with farming he conducted the business of a saw-mill, near Corsica, Jefferson county, which he had built at a cost of about $10,000. He continued in the lumber business eight or nine years, until the memorable flood of 1865, by which he lost 300,000 feet of lumber in the Allegheny River, and soon after the mill was burned, entailing an additional loss.
Mr. Klingensmith is a respectable citizen, a true type of the early settlers of our county, and by his industry and enterprise has contributed much toward the develop- ment of Clarion county.
A RNOLD, MANASSEH.1 Manasseh Arnold was born in York county, Pa., Sep- tember 17, 1830. In 1837 his parents removed to Clearfield county, Pa., which was then a comparative wilderness. The family was one of moderate means, and its members were subject to the privations incident to the lives of the pioneers of civiliza- tion. The facilities afforded the children for acquiring an education were of the most limited character, and had it not been that their father, Peter Arnold, was a man of superior learning for his time, and took great interest in the common school system then being introduced in the State, their education might have been entirely neglected. The instruction received at the primitive common school during the day was supple- mented by the father's supervision of the children's studies in the evening, and in this manner the subject of this sketch acquired what would at the present time be considered a fair common school education.
Up to the age of sixteen years Mr. Arnold remained with his parents, assisting in clearing up a farm and tilling the ground for the maintenance of the family, when, in 1846, he left the parental roof to seek his fortune. Coming to Clarion county, he secured a position in a country store at a salary of seventy-two dollars per year, boarding fur- nished. After one year's employment his salary was increased to one hundred and forty-four dollars, and subsequently to one hundred and ninety-two dollars per annum. His services were so satisfactory to his employer, Mr. James Laughlin, that on the Ist day of October, 1850 (Mr. Arnold then being in his twentieth year), that gentleman pro- posed a partnership on very favorable terms, which proposition, after due consideration, was accepted, and a partnership was formed under the firm name and style of Laughlin & Arnold, for the purpose of carrying on the mercantile, lumbering, milling, and boat building business, and dealing in live stock, at Leatherwood post-office, near St. Charles Furnace, Clarion county, Pa. About one year subsequent to the formation of this part- nership, the senior member of the firm met with an accident in the flouring-mill, which nearly cost him his life, and for a long time incapacitated him for attending to business, although he eventually recovered sufficiently to assist to some extent in the minor affairs of the firm's extensive dealings; yet he remained an invalid until the time of his death, which occurred in 1870. Thus, in a great measure, the management of the large busi- ness to which the firm had already attained was assumed by the junior partner, and carried on by him successfully until the death of his senior, a period of nearly twenty years.
On September 3, 1857, Manasseh Arnold was married to Amanda Ross McKelvey, second daughter of Thomas McKelvey, esq., of New Bethlehem, Pa., and the young couple immediately went to house-keeping at the husband's place of business. The
1 By F. J. Maffett.
74
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HISTORY OF CLARION COUNTY.
union was a very happy one, and was followed by a family of seven children, three sons and four daughters, all of whom are living.
Mr. Arnold continued the business of merchandising, etc., at Leatherwood from the time of the death of Mr. Laughlin, in 1870, until December, 1875, when he disposed of his interests at that point, and in the following spring removed to the borough of Clarion, where he has since resided. This step was the result of the fact that in November, 1875, he had been elected prothonotary and clerk of the courts of Clarion county, in the face of one thousand majority adverse to his party. He assumed the duties of his office on the first Monday of January, 1876, and discharged the same to the entire sat- isfaction of the people until the expiration of his term, in 1879.
During that time and since, Mr. Arnold acquired valuable real estate in Clarion borough, upon which he has erected large and extensive buildings, and in various other ways has given evidence of commendable public spirit and enterprise. For several years he has been engaged in the dry goods business in Clarion, and has attained a leading position in the trade, while in connection with other parties he owns large and profitable lumber interests on the Clarion River, in the northern part of the connty.
W TILSON, HON. J. H., was born in 1841, in Monroe township, Clarion county, on the farm where he lives, and which he has owned for a number of years. He received his education in the public schools of Monroe township and in Reid Institute, at Reidsburg, Pa. At sixteen he began teaching in the public schools, and followed that vocation until he was twenty years of age. Afterwards he engaged in the mercantile business, in which he continued for ten years.
In 1874 Mr. Wilson was elected a member of the House of Representatives in the Pennsylvania Legislature, and served two terms. For a number of years he has been a successful farmer, while at the same time he has extended his operations in other lines of business, which gave him a large acquaintance in this and adjoining counties.
In 1886 Mr. Wilson was nominated and elected State senator for the Thirty-eighth senatorial district, consisting of the counties of Cameron, Clarion, Elk and Forest. Dur- ing the biennial session of 1887, just closed, he has served his constituents faithfully, and won the confidence and esteem of the people and his fellow senators.
His course in the performance of his legislative duties was such as to enable him to obtain for his constituents the enactment of such laws as they desired without delay of their bills either in committee or elsewhere, and thus he has proven himself useful to his people, as well as capable.
On September 18, 1866, Mr. Wilson married Miss Minerva J. Frampton, daughter of Samuel Frampton, and the years that have passed brought them conjugal happiness and worldly prosperity. Seven children, four boys and three girls have blessed this union.
K EATING, JOHN, the subject of this sketch, was born in Huntingdon county, Pa., December 24, 1804, being the youngest of a family of seven, five sisters and two brothers ; all now dead. John was the last survivor. In - he came with his five sisters to Muninsville, Butler county, and in 1838 or '39 he removed with his family to Emlenton to engage in mercantile business. He formed a partnership with John Ven- sel in 1846, and erected Richland Furnace in this county, beginning the manufacture of charcoal iron the following year. This he prosecuted successfully for a number of years.
John yeary
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JOHN KEATING. - JOHN R. STRATTAN. - JOHN YEANY.
About 1850 he moved with his family and took up his residence at the furnace, where he continued to live till his decease. In 1866 he was elected associate judge as a Dem- ocratic candidate, his term expiring 1871. Hon. Hugh Maguire was his colleague.
Judge Keating was conspicuously identified with the industrial interests of Richland township, and his correct and honorable business principles were rewarded by a com- fortable income. At his death he was possessed of considerable real estate, much of it having proved valuable oil territory. In social life Mr. Keating was one of the pleasantest of men; of a kindly and equable temperament, he always preserved agree- able relations with his fellow-men. He died as he had lived-a consistent Roman Catholic, January Ist, 1881, at the age of seventy-six. His wife, Catharine, daughter of Michael McCullough, deceased, of Pittsburgh, survives him. Of a family of seven chil- dren, three, two daughters and a son, Mr. Hugh Keating, of St. Petersburg, are now living.
TRATTAN, JOHN R., son of John and Sarah Strattan, was born near Haddanfield, S N. J., October 21, 1807. He came with his father to what is now Strattanville in 1826, the village taking its name from this family.
John Strattan, sr., was of English descent. After leaving the State of New Jersey he came to Ridgeway, Elk county, Pa., then a howling wilderness, where he remained about two years before coming to Clarion county, Pa. He bought the tract of land on which Strattanville now stands, from Philip Clover, September 15, 1826, and laid out the plan for the town in 1828. He was married twice. His second wife lived several years after his death. John R. was a son of his first wife, and Joseph S., who is still living, being at present seventy-three years of age, was born to his second wife. Mr. Strattan died in Strattanville March 26, 1857, in his eighty-fourth year. While on his death bed he offered a prayer for his wife and children. He had it written in order to leave them something to ponder over and look upon when he was gone. In his prayer he expressed his trust in the Savior, and committed his family to the love and care of Him who gave them life. He was an honest and upright business man, and a useful, man in the village bearing his name.
John R. Strattan, the subject of this sketch, married Mary Ann Barber, August 26, 1830. They had only one child, Charles B., who is yet living. On October 15, 1873, he married Emma Forguson, his first wife having died September 8, 1872, at the age of sixty-six years. This union was blessed with two sons, Harry F. and Curtis F., who are both alive at psesent.
Mr. Strattan followed farming in the early part of his life. He taught school in Strattanville during the winter of 1845-46, and was justice of the peace for several years. In 1846 he engaged in the mercantile business in Strattanville, and continued thus engaged until 1873, when the store was transferred to his son, Dr. C. B. Strattan, who owns it at present. He was a heavy stockholder and a director in the First National Bank in Clarion at the time of his death, which occurred in Strattanville, January 8, 1881.
TEANY, JOHN, was born in Lancaster county, Pa., December 5, 1810. In 1814 his father, John Yeany, a native of Switzerland, came from Lancaster county to what is now Redbank township, Clarion county, where the subject of this sketch has made his home ever since. Mr. Yeany had little schooling, about six months all told, in
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HISTORY OF CLARION COUNTY.
the subscription schools of his day ; yet, as we shall see presently, he was able to trans- act business on a large scale. He lived with his father until he was twenty-four years old, when he went into the forest to clear a farm for himself. Early in his career he would till his farm in the summer and work in the lumber-woods in the winter. Thus by close application to business and untiring industry he in time accumulated consider- able property, which he increased by careful investment. Entering into the lumber bus- iness he bought large quantities of timber, which he sold at a good profit, realizing handsomely thereon. His judgment never failed him, and no matter to what he turned his attention, his business sagacity enabled him to succeed in his enterprises. Among the several branches of business operated by him was the raising, buying and selling of cattle. This proved very remunerative as conducted by him.
Mr. Yeany married Miss Elizabeth Swartz in 1834. Fourteen children blessed this union, eight of whom are now living. Mrs. Yeany died in January, 1874. In June, 1875, Mr. Yeany married Susanna Edder, by whom he has five children, four living. Notwithstanding this large family of children he has been generous in aiding each one of them as they started in life.
Mr. Yeany is a quiet, unassuming citizen. He has never aspired to hold office, nor has he thirsted for fame. With a natural adaptability for business he has applied him- self closely in looking after his own affairs, and with a spirit of enterprise and energy worthy of imitation he has established himself as one of the " solid " citizens of Clarion county.
WENY, HON. JAMES, was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, near Union- S town, the county seat, June 14, 1811. He is of Irish ancestry, his father, Charles Sweny, and his mother, Mary (Griffen) Sweney being natives of Ireland. He was brought up in the faith of the Roman Catholic Church and has ever held that faith.
When he was six years old, his father moved with his family to Butler county, Pa. At the age of eighteen, James went to Butler town, where he served an apprenticeship at cabinet-making. He continued working at his trade and at carpentering until 1844, when he was elected justice of the peace in Clarion borough, whither he had came three years before.
For fifteen successive years, or three consecutive terms, Mr. Sweny served as justice, and, after an interval of ten years, was again elected to the same office, but only served one and one-half years, when he was chosen associate judge of Clarion county.
Judge Sweny held his office two full terms, or ten years, and vacated the bench, January Ist, 1882. Since the close of his official career, Mr. Sweny has led a retired life, and, with the exception of three trips across the continent, to Denver, Colorado, he has spent most of his time in the town where had served his neighbors in responsible positions during so many years.
Judge Sweny was one of the pioneers in the county seat of Clarion county, and is one of a very small number yet remaining who came here " when the town was in the woods." His integrity and his careful attention to the business of the several public positions which he has filled have won for him the esteem of his fellow citizens.
BRIEF PERSONALS.
A LEXANDER, GEORGE, Licking p. o., Washington, was born in York county, and was one of the children of William and Nancy Ann Alexander. The family came to the township in 1840, when Mr. Alexander bought 100 acres of land, paying two dollars per acre for it. He married Caroline M., a daughter of Horace R. Peck, of Rochester, N. Y. Their children were William E. and Albert E. William Alexander died in September, 1875; George died in April, 1875. During life George Alexander was one of the most successful farmers of his township. He commenced life poor, but at the time of his death was in comfortable circumstances. His family are now respected members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. William E., the oldest living child, en- listed in 1862 in Company G, One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and served two years and eleven months.
Alexander, Henry, Callensburg p. o., Licking, was a son of Samuel and Mary (Shirey) Alexander, and was born in Westmoreland county in 1801 and settled in Armstrong county in 1812, worked at farming until he was eighteen years of age. He served an apprenticeship to the carpenter trade, but on account of ill health became engaged in the mercantile business in Monroe township. He settled in Callensburg in 1831, and there opened his general store. He was appointed postmaster in 1832, an office which he held for eighteen years. He was appointed deputy marshal in 1840 to take the cen- sus of part of Armstrong and Clarion counties, in which year the first agricultural and manufacturing statistics were taken in the United States. He also served as first lieu- tenant and major of a regiment. He was engaged in the iron business from 1845 to 1850. He was married in 1836 to Nancy Hays. They had a family of four children- Elmira P. (Risher), Alvin H., Mary (deceased), Sarah E. (Klingensmith). Mr. Alex- ander's mother died in 1868, at the age of 104 years, eleven months and two days.
Alsbach, G. W., Scotch Hill p. o., Farmington. The family of George Alsbach came to Scotch Hill, Clarion county, Pa., in the year 1837. In the family were several children, a part of whom were natives of this county. These children were David K., Rachel, Samuel J., John, George W., Aaron W., Levi P., and Oliver P., and of these children all but Levi and Samuel are now living. George W. Alsbach was born on January 29, 1830. At about the age of nineteen years he learned the trade of black- smithing, a trade which he has since followed. He married Eliza Henry for his first and Eliza Kribbs for his second wife. David K. Alsbach was born on December 30, 1821. He married Lavina Neely. They had a family of four children. John M. Alsbach was born on February 4, 1827, and married Euphemia Bartlett, who bore him three children, and who died in 1862. He then married the widow of his deceased brother Samuel. These brothers are all substantial citizens of Scotch Hill; well-to-do and highly respected, and are all firm Republicans.
Arblaster, G. W., New Bethlehem, was born at East Liverpool, Columbiana county, O., in 1848, and was a son of George R. and Susan Arblaster. George R. was born in Staffordshire, England, and settled in Clover county, Pa., in 1855, where he died in 1880, leaving a widow and six children, all of whom are now living. He was a hollow-
A
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HISTORY OF CLARION COUNTY.
ware manufacturer, and at his death his son George became his successor, in 1881. He largely increased the business and facilities, and in 1886 introduced natural gas in the manufacture of stone ware. He also took into partnership P. W. Boyd, the style of the firm being G. W. Arblaster & Co. The firm are making preparations to go into the manufacture of drain tile and sewer pipe quite extensively. In 1866 G. W. Arblaster married Sarah Rader. They have had one son.
Armstrong, Robert, West Freedom p. o., Perry, was born in Fayette county, and settled in Clarion county in 1868. He married Lydia McLean, and they had a family of nine children. He enlisted in 1862 in the One Hundred and Sixty-eighth Pennsyl- vania Infantry and served to the close of the war. He is engaged in the oil business, having charge of a number of wells. His parents were James and Mary Ann (Wilson) Armstrong, who had a family of seven children.
Armstrong, Robert C., Knox p. o., Ashland, is a farmer, and was born in Ashland on December 4, 1831. He was a son of Robert and Sarah (Harrold) Armstrong. Robert, sr., was born near Enniskillen, Fermanagh county, Ireland, and settled on the farm which is now owned and occupied by his son Robert C., in 1809, cleared and im- proved the same, and died in 1854, at the age of seventy-one years. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and his children were Barbara, Martha, Elizabeth, Margaret, Mary Huldah, Sarah, Jane, Mary A., Susannah, Caroline M., and Robert C. The latter now occupies the old homestead. He was married in 1859 to Priscilla Kribbs, a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Best) Kribbs, of Ashland. Robert C. and Priscilla have had a family of seven children-Sarah E., Mary J., John W., Robert L., Willia K., Flora L., and Ida May.
Ash, Rev. Jacob, Shannondale p. o., Redbank, the Evangelical Lutheran clergyman of Shannondale Church, was born in Baden, Germany, in 1846, and in 1856 in company with his parents, Urban and Sophia Ash, settled in Chester county, Pa., near Phoenix- ville. They had a family of eight children-Levi, William, Rev. Jacob, John, Joanna, Charles, Frederick, and Mary. Jacob in early life learned the blacksmith trade, and afterwards fitted himself for a teacher, and graduated from the Evangelical Lutheran Seminary at Philadelphia in 1876. He was married in 1877 to Annie B. Welty, of Allegheny county. They have had three children-Lula B., Frank W., and Samuel L.
Ashbaugh, Henry, St. Petersburg p. o., Richland, was born where he now resides, in 1841 ; is a farmer, and owns a farm of ninety-six acres. His parents were John and Dorothy (Whittling) Ashbaugh. John was born in Westmoreland county, but came to Clarion county at an early day. Henry was married on February 9, 1865, to Susan Eddinger, a daughter of William and Susan (Ditman) Eddinger, of Turkey City, Pa. Henry and Susan have had a family of four children-William O., John E., Ida M., and Charles E.
Bailey, P. H., West Monterey p. o., Perry, manufacturer and dealer in boots and shoes, and having an extensive business in the oil country ; was born in Buffalo, N. Y., in 1848. He was married on September 29, 1851, to Catharine Gates, who died on November 18, 1873, at Shamburg, Venango county. They had four children, two of whom are now living-Catharine (born April 14, 1868), Elizabeth (born December 25, 1869), Peter (born August 31, 1871, and died June 21, 1874), and John (born June 9, 1873, and died December 12, 1873). Mr. Bailey enlisted in the One Hundred and Sixty-eighth New York Infantry. He is now an enterprising business man, and owner of his residence and store.
Barger, Abraham, West Monterey p. o., Perry, was a son of Jacob and Anna (Lash) Barger, and was born in Clarion county, Pa., in 1827. He married Elizabeth Young, a daughter of David Young. She died in November, 1885, at the age of fifty-eight years. They had a family of six children-Susan, Isaiah, Mary C., Mansel P., Sarah E., and Jacob F. (deceased). Mr. Barger was in the One Hundred and Sixty-ninth Pennsylvania Infantry. He is now engaged in mining and farming, and owns and occupies a farm of twenty acres.
Barger, Peter, West Freedom p. o., Perry, was a son of Abraham and Elizabeth (Snider) Barger, and was born in Clarion county in 1833. He was married in 1859 to
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BRIEF PERSONALS.
Margaret Jordan. They had a family of six children-Silas, Siloamus, Priscilla, George, John, and Mary. Mr. Barger is now engaged in farming and mining interests.
Barlett, James Wilson, Scotch Hill p. o., Farmington, was born in this township on October 18, 1848. He was the oldest of four children born to Samuel and Euphemia Barlett, one of the highly respected families of the township. When James was but seven years old his father died, leaving the duties of the farm and household a charge upon his widow. James lived at home until 1863, when his mother died. He then worked on the river and in the lumber woods, and saved some money. With this he educated himself, taking a course of study in a mercantile college. He also worked as a clerk with business houses, and finally became engaged in business with Daniel Steiner at Scotch Hill, which relation has continued over fourteen years. Latterly he has en- gaged in oil production. Energy and perseverance on his part has been amply re- warded, and to-day he is one of the most respected and successful young business men of the township. Mr. Barlett is a member of the M. E. Church. His wife was Lu- cinda Jane Magee, whom he married in 1871, and who died in 1886, leaving three children.
Barnes, Elmer, Alum Rock p. o., Licking, a son of Albert Barnes, of Foxburg, was born in New York in 1860, and came to Clarion county in 1876. He was married in 1882 to Anne Ryan. They have had two children-Harry Albert and Bessie. Mr. Barnes follows the oil business, drilling and tool dressing.
Barnes, John C., New Bethlehem, the artistic photographer of the borough, was born in Allegheny county, Pa., in 1860, and settled in New Bethlehem, Pa., in his pro- fession in 1880, where his rooms are the attraction of the town. He was a son of Simon and Amelia (Kennedy) Barnes. Amelia was born in Clarion county, and her husband Simon was born in Indiana county, Pa., and died in 1865, leaving a widow and four children.
Barnett, Daniel, Knox p. o., Beaver, was born in Beaver township on August 13, 1845; is a farmer, and owns a farm of thirty acres with a coal mine, employing three men. He enlisted on March 31, 1864, in Company E, Seventy-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served during the war. His parents were Joseph and Mary (Bennett) Barnett. He was married on July 2, 1867, to May Albert Stanford, of Beaver town- ship. They have a family of five children-James M., Etta M., Calvin O., Laura B., and Cora E.
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