History of Mercer County, Pennsylvania : its past and present, Part 124

Author:
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Brown, Runk
Number of Pages: 1288

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DAVID KAMERER (deceased). - Among the early settlers of Mercer County were Jacob and Samuel Kamerer, natives of Westmoreland County, Penn., who located in what is now Hempfield Township in 1812. Samuel, the father of our subject, here married Elizabeth Lininger, who was born in Maryland in 1790, and came to Mercer County in 1802. They reared a family of four sons and four daugh- ters, five of whom are living. David, the eldest, was born on the old home- stead January 7, 1819, and spent his early life under the parental roof, receiving the meager advantages which the pioneer schools of his youth afforded. On the 6th of January, 1848, he married Leah Bortz, a native of Westmoreland County, Penn., born February 16, 1821. In May, 1822, her parents, Jacob and Anna M. Bortz, removed to this county and settled in Lack- awannock Township. Immediately after marriage Mr. Kamerer located on a part of his father's farm, where he resided until 1852. He then purchased and settled upon the homestead in Delaware Township, where the balance of his life was passed. This farm at that time was principally covered with the original forest, and it required a great deal of toil ere it was brought to its present well-improved condition. Mr. Kamerer reared seven children, all of whom are living, viz. : Levi T., Edward O., Mary Adaline, Samuel S., David L., Franklin W. and Tillman E. He watched over his family circle with loving consideration, and his kind, paternal heart always tempered justice with mercy. Though a farmer by occupation, he had not been able to perform much physi- cal labor for the past thirty years. He therefore turned his attention to other matters, and in 1860 was one of the leading spirits in the organization of the Pymatuning Mutual Fire Insurance Company. He was chosen its first secre- tary, and filled that position with commendable zeal. ability and honesty from 1860 up to January, 1887-a period of nearly twenty-seven years. Under his careful management this company has had a substantial growth and a prosper- ous career. Mr. Kamerer was succeeded by his son David L. In early man- hood he united with the Lutheran Church, and ever since lived a consistent

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Christian life. He possessed a kind and charitable disposition, and was ever ready to assist the needy and succor the afflicted. His aim was always to be right, and hosts of friends gladly testify to the unimpeachable integrity of his character. He was a Republican in politics, and though filling several town- ship offices he had little political ambition beyond exercising the duties im- posed by American citizenship. He was not a strong partisan, and accorded to his neighbor the just privilege of believing as conscience dictated on all mat- ters relating to religion and civil government. For many years he had been troubled with weak lungs, and while attending the funeral of his brother Ben- jamin, a short time since, was attacked by the illness which ended in death on the 9th of October, 1888, at 5 o'clock A. M., aged sixty-nine years, nine months and three days. His remains were followed to their last resting place in Delaware cemetery by his aged widow and family, and a large funeral cor- tege, the services being conducted by Revs. William Rehrig and J. A. Kunkle- man, D. D. In the death of David Kamerer the community lost a worthy citizen, the church a stanch adherent, and his family a kind and affectionate protector.

JOSEPH MCCLEERY, farmer and surveyor, post-office Kremis, was born May 14, 1823, in Hempfield Township, and is a son of Thomas and Margaret (Wilson) McCleery, The parents of our subject were natives of Donegal County, Ire- land, who immigrated to this country about 1814. His first settlement was made in Lancaster County, Penn. He subsequently lived in Crawford County, in the vicinity of Jamestown, Penn. In 1823 he located in Mercer County, on the Dumars farm, in Hempfield Township, afterward on the Bigler and Flock farms, in Delaware Township. In 1827 he purchased a tract of 200 acres, known as Lot 974, in the northeast corner of Delaware Township, upon a part of which our subject now resides. He was a plain, unassuming farmer, but a man who took a deep interest in educational matters, and it was through his exertions that the first school was established, and a building erected for that purpose, in that neighborhood. His family consisted of nine children, two of whom were born in Ireland: Thomas, who resides in Wilmington, Lawrence County, Penn., and William W., of Oakland, Cal., the balance being natives of Mercer County; Solomon, of Livingston County, Mo .; our subject; Alexander, who died in Delaware Township; James, who was in the late war, and was killed near Medley, Va., in a skirmish in 1864; Wilson, who died in Delaware Township in 1862; Nancy, widow of Henry Ewing, of Craw- ford County, Penn. ; Elizabeth, widow of Jackson Hurst, of Delaware Town- ship. Mr. McCleery died in 1858, and his widow in 1860. Our subject was reared upon the homestead, and received his education at the select schools of the township. He was taught the trade of a printer, in the office of the Mer- cer Luminary, which was published by William F. Clark in the last year of his apprenticeship. Mr. McCleery felt desirous of obtaining a better educa- tion, and he entered the Mercer Academy, then taught by Hon. Samuel Griff- ith, completing his education under the private tuition of Prof. McLean, of Greenville, Penn., and for eighteen years taught in the schools of Mercer County. Mr. McCleery also taught about three years in the schools of Dor- chester County, Md. While in Maryland our subject pursued a course of studies in mathematics, and on returning to Mercer County he engaged in the business of surveying in connection with farming. In 1860 he was elected county surveyor, which position he filled for three years. In 1869 he was elected justice of the peace for his township, and filled the office for five years, and has been a school director in his township. He married, in 1856, Miss Elvira, daughter of W. W. Greenman, of New Hamburg, Penn., and by

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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY.

this union they have five children: Arthur G., James O. (of Montana), Lottie, Sarah (Mrs. Herman Early, of Jefferson Township) and Nettie. Mr. McCleery is a member of the P. of H., Delaware Grange 463, of Delaware Township.

PATRICK McCONVILL, farmer, post-office New Hamburg, Penn., was born in 1827, in Ireland, and is a son of Peter and Mary (O'Hare) McConvill, natives of County Down, Ireland, who immigrated to this country in the spring of 1847, and settled in Delaware Township, upon the land where our subject now lives. His family consisted of seven children, all of whom were born in Ireland. They were Patrick, Michael, who died in 1870; Rose, deceased, who married John McCann; Mary, the widow of Patrick McGrath, of Delaware Township; Alice, Mrs. James Hughes, of Delaware Township; Sarah, and Eliza, Mrs. Daniel Hurley, of Cool Spring Township. Peter died August 27, 1862, at the ripe old age of eighty-five, his wife surviving him, dying March 11, 1883, at the age of ninety-three. Our subject was reared in Ireland, where he re- ceived a common school education, and engaged in farming with his father, an occupation he has always followed. Mr. McConvill is unmarried, and re- sides on the old homestead farm with his sister Sarah, both of whom are mem- bers of All Saints Catholic Church, of Jefferson Township. In politics our subject is a Democrat.

GEORGE W. MAGEE, farmer, post-office Kremis, Penn., is a son of George and Sarah (Cross) Magee. The father of our subject was born in 1806, in Mifflin County, Penn. In 1812 he removed to what is now Lawrence County, Penn., and lived in that and Butler County for thirty-five years. He was a carpenter and wheel-wright, in which business he was engaged in Centreville, in the latter county. In 1841 he moved to Jackson Township, Mercer County, and purchased the land upon which is now located the Fox Coal Mine. He developed the mine, and subsequently disposed of it and removed to Fairview Township, and engaged in farming. Mr. Magee died January 6, 1887. His widow is a native of Butler County, Penn., and a daughter of David Cross, of that county. Mrs. Magee survives her husband, and resides in Fairview Township. Their family consisted of eleven children: Mary, Mrs. Joseph Infield, of New Vernon Township; John, of Ohio; Eliza, Mrs. A. P. Page, of Fairview; David, who died in infancy; Emeline, widow of R. R. Crooks, of Wheatland, Penn. ; Margaret, Mrs. J. F. Boyd, of Cool Spring Township;

. William, of New Vernon Township; Henrietta, Mrs. F. B. McCormick, of Fairview Township; Herman, who died in infancy; Melinda, Mrs. R. N. Jones, of Kidder County, D. T., and our subject, who was born October 7, 1851, in Jackson Township. He received his education in the common schools, and was taught telegraphy, and was employed for several years by the N. Y. P. & O. R. R., and was located at Freedom, Ohio. In 1875 he engaged in the planing-mill business at Ashtabula, Ohio, where he remained for two years, subsequently entering the employ of the S. & A. R. R. as an operator. In 1878 he purchased his present farm in Delaware Township, and has since been engaged in general farming. Our subject was married in 1874, to Miss Vila, daughter of Harris and Fannie Bowen, of Trumbull County, Ohio, and by this marriage they have seven children: Minta M., Maggie, Jennetta,

Florence, Earl, Millie and George Grover. Mr. Magee was elected, in 1888, justice of the peace for his township, which office he now fills. He is a mem- ber of the P. of H., Delaware Grange No. 463, of Delaware Township. Our subject in politics is a Democrat, and is connected with the schools of his township as a member of the board of school directors. Mr. Magee, while still a young man, is an enterprising citizen, and has the confidence of his

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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY.

fellow citizens. He is master of Delaware Grange No. 463, and deputy for Mercer County P. of H.

GEORGE MOWRY, constable and tanner, post-office New Hamburg, Penn., son of Jonas and Esther (Lesher) Mowry. The grandfather, George Mowry, settled in Delaware Township in 1823. He was a native of Berks County, Penn., and was the father of the following children: Jonas, George, Jacob, Jesse, John, Kate, Michael, Grover, Sarah, wife of Mandis Bortz; Mary, wife of Benjamin Foulk; Louisa, wife of Benjamin Griner; Elizabeth, wife of William Grim; Eliza, wife of Samuel Beil. George Mowry, Sr., died in 1875, and his wife is also dead. The father of our subject was born in Lehigh. County in 1813, and came with his parents to Mercer County. His family consisted of Jonathan, James, Alvin and our subject; Matilda, Mrs. Allen Saul; Mary, Mrs. Joshua Wheeler; Eliza, Mrs. Clint Russell; Louisa (single). Our subject was born in 1852. He received the advantages of a common school education, and was taught the trades of a stone-mason, plasterer and brick-layer, which business he followed for twelve years. In 1886 he located on his present farm and engaged in general farming. He was married in 1872 to Miss Maria J., daughter of James Heckman, of Delaware Township, and by this union they have five children: Edwin, Cora, James, William and Frederick. In 1878 our subject was elected constable, which office he has filled up to the present time, an unmistakable evidence of his popularity in Delaware Township. He is a member of the Reformed Church of Delaware Township, and in politics a Democrat.

HENRY M. REICHARD, farmer, post office New Hamburg, Penn., is the son of George and Hannah (Moyer) Reichard, and was born in Lehigh County, Penn., in 1830. His father came to Mercer County in 1832, and purchased a farm of 132 acres two miles north of New Hamburg, where he died in 1862. His widow died May 10, 1888. Their children were: James, deceased; Henry, Daniel, George, Benjamin, deceased; William, deceased; Sarah, Mrs. John Weaver; Jane, Mrs. Lewis Haws, both deceased, and Mary Ann, deceased. The grand- father of our subject came from Lehigh County in 1833, and settled upon the Greenville and Mercer road. He built the Reichard Tavern, which he con- ducted for several years. It then passed into the hands of his son Joshua, who conducted it for some forty years. In 1872 the hotel property was purchased by his son Peter, who removed the hotel building and built upon the site his resi- dence, where he now resides. Henry Reichard, Sr., married Mary M. Acher,

of Lehigh County. Their children were: Henry, George, Rebecca, Mrs. Acher; Polly, Mrs. Daniel Saul, both deceased; Benjamin, David, Betsey, Mrs. Moyer; Jonathan and Peter. Mr. Reichard, Sr., died in 1845, and his widow in 1847. Our subject was reared upon the homestead farm, and early engaged in farming. In 1858 he purchased his present home, half a mile west of New Hamburg. He was married in 1855, to Miss Mary Ann, daughter of Joseph Raber, of Delaware Township, and to them have been born five children, of whom two are living: Laura, wife of Henry Moyer, merchant of Cleveland, Ohio, and Elsie, who resides at home. Mr. Reichard is now serv- ing as one of the school directors, and assistant assessor. In politics he is a Democrat, and Delaware contains no more useful and influential citizen than our subject.

ADAM WAGONER, farmer, post-office Kremis, Penn., son of Philip and Lu- cinda (Rheinhart) Wagoner, was born July 8, 1840, in Delaware Township. His father was a native of Lehigh County. He settled in Delaware Township in 1836, and reared a family of fourteen children, nine of whom are living: Moses, Adam, Aaron, Henry, Mary, Mrs. John Reimold; Catharine, Mrs.

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Bernard Reimold; Lavina, Mrs. Jeremiah Will; Daniel and William. Mr. Wagoner, Sr., served his township as a member of the school board and super- visor. He was a consistent member of the Lutheran Church of Delaware Township, and held the offices of deacon and elder for many years, and in poli- tics a life-long Democrat. He died March 15, 1878. His widow survives him and resides upon the homestead farm. Our subject's opportunity for an edu- cation was limited. He remained at home until he was twenty-six years of age. With limited capital Mr. Wagoner started in the world to do for him- self, and by frugality and hard work has succeeded in establishing for himself the reputation of being one of the most successful farmers and enterprising business men of his native township. In 1883 he associated himself with Charles Hecker and erected the Kremis Mills, of which company he is one of the stockholders. He is also identified with the Kremis Co-operative Store

Company as one of its stockholders. He takes an active interest in public affairs, having filled all the important offices of his township. Politically he is a Democrat. He was married in 1868 to Miss Eliza, daughter of Joseph and Judith Haas, of Delaware Township, and by this union they have six children: Edwin A., Albert, Sadie, Mary, Ellen and Clara. Mr. Wagoner is a member of the P. of H., Grange 463, and himself and family are members of the Lutheran and German Reformed Churches of Delaware Township.

JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP.

ISAAC ANDERSON, deceased, was born April 1, 1813, in Beaver County, Penn., and was carried to Mercer County by his mother when a child through a deep snow. He was a son of Isaac and Lydia (Warner) Anderson. His parents settled where F. C. Bagnall now lives. Here the Indians used to congregate, sing, dance and drink until nearly daylight. His parents had fourteen children: William, Joseph, David, Isaac, Cynthia, James, Peter, Enos, Sallie, Nancy, Mathias, Eliza, Milo, Hannah. Our subject attended the country schools three months. He married, December 10, 1844, Anna C. Soawash, a sister of Mrs. William Bagnall. The ceremony was performed by Esquire Graham. She was born April 16, 1824, and bore him Milo W., born November 19, 1845; Joseph H., born February 13, 1847; Sarah A., born July 22, 1848; infant son, born April 15, 1850; Isaac, born March 11, 1851; Hannah, born May 9, 1853; infant daughter, born September 19, 1855; Catharine, born August 25, 1856; John, born December 28, 1857; infant daughter, born September 9, 1859; Lincoln, born October 11, 1860; infant daughter, born October 26, 1861; Lewis, born January 19, 1864; infant son, born May 12, 1867. The two sons, Lewis and Lincoln, manage the home place. Mr. A. died August 18, 1883. He was a kind and affectionate husband and father, and a Republican. His widow, who toiled with him through the many trying scenes of his life to lay up something for old age, is yet living in good circum - stances, a consistent member of the Methodist Church. She recently gave each of her eight children a large family bible, costing $9 each.

WILLIAM .BAGNALL, farmer, post-office Mercer, was born January 19, 1811, in Draycot, England, and is a brother of Thomas Bagnall, whose sketch appears elsewhere. He attended school in his native country. He was mar- ried October 24, 1835, to Susan Soawash, born August 24, 1814, in Pittsburgh, to Isaac and Mary (Weaver) Soawash. Her father was born in Westmoreland County, Penn., and her mother was a daughter of John W. Weaver, a min- ister of the Lutheran organization, a native of Germany, and who preached his last sermon at the age of eighty-four years and while sitting in a chair. Mrs. Bagnall came with her father and brother, William, to Mercer County,

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when eleven years old, in the spring of 1826. They slept first in the county at the Junkin Mills, and the second night in a log cabin on his farm in Lack- awannock Township. On arriving at the cabin in the evening Mrs. Bagnall says they found it to be a log structure with roof, but no floor or windows. They crept under the bottom log, and with brush prepared a bed for the night. Mrs. Bagnall, then a very young cook, arranged the kettle on a pole laid in forks, and made coffee and prepared a supper. Soon after Mr. Soawash constructed a better house. He worked some days for Mr. Robert Fruit, and while his little daughter was attending to the household duties, and alone in the woods, wild hogs surrounded the cabin, and she climbed upon the joists for safety, and hurled stones at them, driving them away. One season she stacked nine stacks of hay, thus helping her husband to get a start in life. Mrs. Bagnall says she

walked four miles to hear the Rev. Tait preach. In August, 1826, Mr. Soawash with his two children went for the remainder of the family. They soon returned to Mercer County. The family then consisted of father, mother and children: William, Eliza, Frederick, Susannah, Hannah, Mary, Margaret, Catharine. Another, Caroline, was born in this county. Mr. Soawash was a soldier in the War of 1812, having served under William H. Harrison. Mr. and Mrs. Bagnall when married came to the farm where they now reside, and began keeping house in a cabin 16x16 feet. They subsequently built a better residence. By economy and hard labor they have secured a large competence to sustain them in their old age. Their children are Beriah S., Mary J., Elizabeth (married William Arbuckle), Christian (married Henry Allison), Isis (deceased), Susan (deceased), Isaac W., John W. and James A. William Bagnall has been a member of the church fifty-five years, and his wife since a small girl. They are now members of the Second Presbyterian Church of Mercer.

THOMAS BAGNALL, farmer, post-office Mercer, was born February 9, 1826, in England, to Thomas, born October 25, 1785, same country, who married Ann Hudson, born January 16, 1782. Their children were: George, William, Mary, Sarah, Jane, Thomas. The entire family came to Mercer County from England in 1829, and settled permanently on the farm where our subject now lives. Here the father died March 18, 1850, and the mother January 3, 1852, both in the Methodist faith. Our subject attended the country schools and was brought up on the farm. He began for himself in 1850, and was married Sep- tember 9, 1849, to Mary Cozins, born April 9, 1825, to Frederick and Mary (Yocum) Cozins, natives of Philadelphia, and the parents of Rebecca, John, Catharine, Sarah, Jacob, John, Abram, Mary. Her father was one of the original members of the First Presbyterian Church of Mercer. Mr. and Mrs. Bagnall had eight children: Thomas M., married Susan Anderson, lives in Michigan; Benton, married Mary Duncan; Jane, married John Nicklin; Fre- mont, died February 14, 1864; Alcott, died March 3, 1859; Lucinda, born November 19, 1861, married Lewis Patterson, a teacher at Cadillac, Mich; Fremont (2), born February 29, 1864, died February 5, 1881, in the West, whither he had gone seeking his health, and his body was brought home by his father and mother and buried; Chandler, born April 3, 1868. In 1860 Mr. and Mrs. Bagnall took charge of the agricultural department of the Manual Labor School at Amherst, N. H., but owing to the lack of funds the institution suspended, and they returned to their farm in 1861. He has served as school director; was at one time a member of the I. O. O. F., and was secre- tary of Mercer Grange Lodge, once in existence in Mercer, Penn. He is a Republican.

F. C. BAGNALL, farmer and justice of the peace, post-office Kile, was born

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October 24, 1842, in Jefferson Township. He is a son of George Bagnall, born September 1, 1808, in England, and Rebecca Cozins, born April 14, 1811, in Philadelphia. Mention of the Bagnall and Cozins families is to be found else- where. George and Rebecca have three children: F. C .; Mary, married George Bowles, and Thomas H. They are members of the Presbyterian Church. F. C. Bagnall was educated in the common schools. He enlisted in Company H, Fifth Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery, at its organization, and was mustered out with it at the close of the Rebellion. On his return from the war he resumed farming, and was married in 1871 to Doratha Ann Zahniser, daughter of Samuel T. Zahniser. She was born May 7, 1851, and they have two children, Samuel W. and Edith R. He owns two good farms. He was elected justice of the peace in 1888, and is a Republican. His wife is a con- sistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Big Bend.

JESSE BERINGER, farmer, post- office Mercer, was born November 9, 1850, in Venango County, to George Beringer, born in Indiana County, and Margaret E. Davis, a native of Cambria County. The parents settled in Franklin soon after marriage, where George engaged in teaming, chopping cord wood and various other labors. He is now among the wealthy men of Venango County. He was offered at one time $80,000 for his farm. He had twelve children: John, deceased; James, killed in a coal bank; Elizabeth, married James Shiner; George W. ; William, crippled in a coal bank and died three weeks later; David; Samuel, died in a hospital during the war; Mary A., deceased; Sarah C., married David Hoves; Jesse; Margaret, deceased; Martha M., mar- ried John Henderson. Our subject was educated in the common schools, and was married the 8th of February, 1872, to Hattie Layton, born February 11, 1855, in Butler County to Thomas and Mary (Vernum) Layton, natives, the former of Washington and the latter of Butler County. They were the parents of twelve children: Hollister; Nancy J .; Margaret, married John Mc- Nerney; Harriet; Martin; Elizabeth, married Washington Kelley; Elmer, James, William, Clara, Della and Bertha. Jesse Beringer came to Mercer County in 1877, and farmed in East Lackawannock Township till 1879, when he moved to his present residence. He owns 227 acres of good land. His children are Thomas G., Anna V., William L. He is a Democrat.

ANDREW BREST, farmer, post-office Mercer, was born August 1, 1823, in a portion of Mercer County which is now attached to Lawrence County. His father, Andrew, was born in 1791, and came to Lawrence County when a child with his parents, David and Catharine (Wise) Brest, from Washington County, Penn. David and Catharine had three children: John, died with the dropsy; Elizabeth, married Henry Richel, and Andrew. Catharine (Wise) Brest was a well-known herb doctor during her early residence in this county. Andrew Brest, Sr., married Mary Rodgers, a native of Mercer County, and by her he had David, Nathaniel, Elizabeth, John. Andrew, William, George, Cath- arine, Washington, who was killed at the battle of Gettysburg, and is buried there; James and Alexander. The latter was poisoned when small by tea made from steaming an old pipe by a doctor named Cribble, who prescribed the tea to force a vomit. William was scalded to death by falling into a kettle of water. Andrew, Sr., died in 1870, and his wife in 1882; both were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Our subject was educated in Springfield Township, and at the age of sixteen years began working for himself by the day at from 25 cents to 50 cents. He bought his first piece of land in 1846, and in 1862 he moved to Jefferson Township. He was married August 29, 1844, to Jane Roberts, daughter of Rev. David Roberts, born October 17, 1791, and died October 18, 1879, and was a distinguished minister of the

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History of Mercer County, Pennsylvania : its past and present, Part 124

Author: Publication date: 1888 Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Brown, Runk Number of Pages: 1288

Author:
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Brown, Runk
Number of Pages: 1288