Jefferson County, Pennsylvania : her pioneers and people, 1800-1915, Volume II, Part 120

Author: McKnight, W. J. (William James), 1836-1918
Publication date: 1917
Publisher: Chicago : J.H. Beers
Number of Pages: 972

USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > Jefferson County, Pennsylvania : her pioneers and people, 1800-1915, Volume II > Part 120

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David Alfred Stahl, of Sykesville; Susan, who died in infancy ; William, a resident of Sykes- ville: Jacob Leonard: James, of Sykesville; and Laura, unmarried. Mrs. Stahl was the first white child born at what is now Sykes- ville.

Jacob Leonard Shaffer was born April 3, 1871, at Sykesville, and attended the public schools there. Until he reached his majority he was occupied in assisting his father, acquiring invaluable experience under his wise training. The next six years he spent in the West. and on coming back to Jefferson county became interested in the hardware business in partnership with Edward Rupert, continu- ing in this line for several years. Eventually he sold out to Mr. Rupert, and then took another trip West, this time spending nine months in that region. Upon his return home he embarked in the real estate business, in which he is still engaged, and in connection with which he established a fire insurance agency in 1906. the only one in the borough. Meanwhile he has not been inactive in other directions. He was one of the promoters and organizers of the Sykesville Clay Products Company, whose plant is the leading industrial institution of the town, and with which he is still associated as a director, the concern being now part of the Reynoldsville Brick Company. He is also a director and secretary of the Sykesville Gas Company, Incorporated, which he helped to organize.

Mr. Shaffer foresaw clearly the advantages Sykesville would enjoy under borough or- ganization, and was one of the most enthu- siastic promoters of the movement, with which he stayed until its successful consummation. Jacob Rishel was the first burgess elected under the new government, and Mr. Shaffer was the second, serving a term very faithfully in that important position. He is at present serving his third term as justice of the peace, and is also holding the office of tax collector, for whose duties his familiarity with real estate values in the borough eminently qualifies him. Socially he unites with the I. O. O. F. and K. P. lodges in the borough, and his re- ligions connection is with the Baptist Church. In political sentiment he adheres to Republican doctrines.

On Dec. 27, 1910. Mr. Shaffer married Alice Esther Evans, daughter of George and Ella (Bullers ) Evans. Her father, who lived and died at Reynoldsville. was a lumberman for a number of years. Mrs. Shaffer taught public school for nine terms before her marriage, and still continues to give music lessons, being an

enthusiastic and accomplished musician. Mr. and Mrs. Shaffer have one child, Jacob Leon- ard.

DAVID CARRICK occupies a position of marked relative prominence and influence in both civic and business affairs in Young town- ship, where he not only is successfully operat- ing a productive coal mine, but also conducts a prosperous general store in the village of Harmony. In sturdy integrity, energy and business sagacity he well portrays the charac- teristics of the Scotch type, and takes due pride in reverting to the fine old land of hills and heather as the place of his nativity.

Mr. Carrick was born in Glasgow Feb. 6, 1857. and his parents, James and Isabella Carrick, passed their entire lives in Scotland. He received but limited educational advan- tages, in a somewhat irregular attendance in the schools of his native land. As a mere lad he was familiar with honest toil on a highland farm until twenty-three years of age. His ambition and resolute purpose then led him to `seek better opportunities in the United States, and the passing years have fully justified his course. He soon established himself in Tioga county, Pa. There he worked by the day for a period of seven weeks, going thence to Snowshoe. Center county, where for seven vears he was employed as a coal miner. Dur- ing the succeeding year he was similarly engaged at Philipsburg, that county, until 1889, when he came to Harmony. Here he has re- mained for more than a quarter of a century, the passing years being marked by substan- tial and worthy success gained through his own ability and efforts. For about ten years he was employed as a miner by the Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburgh Company, and recalls with pleasure the consideration that was shown him by the well known superintendent, John H. Bell, now of Punxsutawney. After sever- ing his association with the company men- tioned Mr. Carrick began operating an inde- pendent coal bank, which he has since worked successfully, the output being utilized almost entirely in supplying the local trade. In 1900 he engaged also in general merchandising, his personal popularity and fair dealings having insured success, his store being well equipped to meet all local demands.

On Dec. 22. 1882, Mr. Carrick was married to Margaret Howie, a daughter of Robert Howie. She also was born and reared in Scotland. and in 1882 accompanied her par- ents to America. the family settling at Snow- shoe, Center Co .. Pa. Of the children born

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to Mr. and Mrs. Carrick, Mary died at the age of seventeen years, her twin sister dying in infancy : James is identified with railroad work and resides in Ohio; Robert is in the employ of the Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburgh Rail- road Company ; Bella is the wife of Peter Kennyburg, of Indiana county ; David is a surveyor at Punxsutawney ; Jessie, Jennie and George remain at the parental home.

In politics Mr. Carrick is found among the loyal supporters of the Republican party and has served eighteen years as a member of the school board of Young township, a position of which he is still incumbent. He has been president of the board and also its treasurer. He is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias, and both he and his wife are zealous and valued members of the Presbyterian Church in their home village. He is one of its trustees and for many years was the earnest and popu- lar teacher of the Bible class in its Sunday school.

DANIEL NORTH (deceased) came to McCalmont township in the late forties, and his life work was the reclamation of the valu- able estate known as the North homestead, one of the finest farming properties in that section. It was his home for over forty years. during which he was foremost in the encour- agement and support of every good work in- augurated in the community, an efficient town- ship official and the friend and helper of all re- ligious societies.

Born Aug. 11, 1820, in South Mahoning township, Indiana county, he was a son of John and Elizabeth ( Pogue) North, natives of Ireland, who migrated to Philadelphia about 1810. About 1818 they settled in Indiana county on the farm four or five miles south of Punxsutawney subsequently owned by his son William. Many others of his descendants are still to be found in this region. Of his children, Deborah, the eldest, married Joseph Pogue, and died in Philadelphia; Margaret married John H. Henderson, and died at Johnstown; Joseph P. died in McCalmont township; Elizabeth married James Means, and both died at Whitesville. Jefferson county ; Daniel was next ; Thomas P. settled in Young township ; William P. remained on his father's farm.

Daniel North was reared at his birthplace and had average advantages for the times. Flis elder brother. Joseph. came to Jefferson county about 1846, Daniel following in about a year, shortly afterwards buying the property where he afterwards made his home. The

nearest road was four miles to the southeast, he having to blaze the way from the old David McKee farm. He lived in a shanty, until married, in 1848, then building the frame house which he used until the present handsome, large brick residence was ready for occupancy in 1861 and in which he died. He made a few rafts, but lumber had not attained much value and most of the timber was burned. He lumbered during the winter season until farming became more profitable, thereafter devoting all his time to agriculture, and suc- ceeded in placing 140 acres of the 170 under cultivation. In 1857 he built a barn which stood until destroyed by fire in 1913. In 1861 he and his brother Joseph decided to put up substantial brick dwellings, and had the brick burned on Joseph's farm, by Robert Bouk. John Drum and John Evans did the carpenter work on Daniel's house, a Mr. Stupes built the stone wall, split the stones and probably laid the brick, and John Fairman was the painter.

Daniel North was a general farmer through- out his active years, turning the management over to Curtin some four or five years prior to his death. The coal deposits of the farm he sold about 1889 for $62.50 per acre, but the work of development was never started, and after seventeen years the coal was sold for taxes when J. Curtin North bought it back for about nine hundred dollars. Mr. North owned about six hundred acres, and though he had a large family he gave each son a farm, and each daughter over two thousand dollars.

Mr. North took a keen interest in local progress and development and was looked to for advice and cooperation in all matters of importance. He held office most of the time. serving as school director, tax collector, asses- sor and overseer of the poor, being retained in the latter position some twenty years. In this he was succeeded by his son J. Curtin North, who filled the office for eleven years, until the establishment of the county farm.

Mr. North assisted all churches, but was particularly interested in the Zion Cumberland Presbyterian, in which he was for many years a trustee and elder. He donated an acre, about three hundred yards from his home, for the church site and cemetery, and there he and his wife are buried, his death occurring July 22, 1891, hers on Jan. 4, 1904.

On Oct. 5. 1848, he and Catherine Bell were married by Rev. C. C. Moore, a Cumberland Presbyterian minister, at Battle Hollow. McCalmont township. Twelve children were born to this marriage: James B., born Aug.

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11. 1849, is a resident of Indiana county ; Mary Elizabeth, born Feb. 7, 1851. widow of William C. Smith and resides in Punxsutawney; John S., born Sept. 1, 1852, is a resident of Anita ; Anna R. died in childhood; Emma J., born March 27, 1856, is the widow of William R. Johnson, a farmer of Sagamore, Armstrong county ; William H. died at age of four ; Martha J., born Oct. 19. 1859, is widow of Andrew J. MeCreight, and lives at Punxsu- tawney ; Joanna R., born March 26, 1861, was the wife of Dr. James B. Neale, of Reynolds- ville, but is deceased ; J. Curtin is next ; Mar- garet L., born July 12, 1865, married John B. Nichol, of Moundsville. W. Va .; Minnie C., born Sept. 14, 1869, married W. Scott Calder- wood, vice president of the First National Bank at Kane, Pa .; Daniel O., born March 8, 1872, is manager for the coal company's stores at Florence and Eleanor.

Mrs. Catherine ( Bell) North was born Nov. 7, 1828, and was a great-granddaughter of Robert Bell, who came from Ireland and located in the wilderness in Rayne township, Indiana county. Her grandparents, John and Elizabeth Bell, were also natives of Ireland. and settled upon a farm in Perry township, Jefferson county, where they made a perma- nent home. Their son James W. Bell, born in Jefferson county, married Emma Jordan, daughter of Alexander and Catherine ( Pounds) Jordan, of Ireland, pioneer settlers in the neighborhood of Smicksburg, Indiana county. Mr. and Mrs. Bell lived in Indiana county for some years after their marriage, in the spring of 1833 locating in McCalmont township. Jefferson county, where they cleared a farm. Mrs. Bell died in August, 1871, aged seventy-four years, Mr. Bell on Jan. 7. 1872, aged seventy-seven, and they were interred in Olive cemetery, in Oliver township. They were members of the Cumberland Presbyter- jan Church, and he was a Republican. They were the parents of the following children : Robert, a lumberman, died at DuBois in his gist year; Eliza, wife of S. L. Swisher, a carpenter, of Boot Jack. Jefferson county ; Catherine, Mrs. Daniel North ; James W., who settled on the family homestead ; Mary, widow of Alexander Hughes, a carpenter, of Punxsu- tawney : Margaret was the wife of Job Brown, a retired farmer. at Covode: Joseph F., a car- penter, of Chester, Pa .. now deceased; John, a farmer of Indiana county : and William J., who died when twenty-four years old. The only survivors are Mrs. Hughes and James.

J. Curtin North was born April 11, 1863, in the brick house in which he is still living.

During early manhood he spent some months in Nebraska, but with that exception has lived at home. He had good educational advan- tages, but early took much of the responsibility of the farm from his father, and several years before the latter's death was placed in com- plete charge. He built the present barn, 54 by 80 feet in dimensions, when the old one was destroyed by fire in 1913, it being one of the best in Jefferson county. In recent years he has bred Holstein cattle, local demands for dairy products being in excess of the supply.

As previously mentioned, he succeeded his father as overseer of the poor, serving eleven years ; at the same time he was township treas- urer and township collector, holding the latter position thirteen years, the former nine years, and is at present ( 1916) serving his fourth year as assessor. In political sentiment he is a stanch Republican. lle has been a member of the Odd Fellows lodge at Punxsutawney for twenty years, is an Elk and an Eagle. His religious connection is with Zion Church.

On April 11, 1912. he was married to Mrs. Nettie MeClincy, daughter of Benjamin Boyer. a resident of Punxsutawney. Mrs. North was reared at Big Run. Mr. MeClincy, a brake- man, was killed at Johnsonburg. Pa., while on duty. By her first marriage Mrs. North has one daughter, Marguerite, living at home, who is a graduate of MeCalmont township high school.

ROBERT SUMMERVILLE, of Punxsu- tawney, is one of the venerable citizens of that borough, where he has spent the years of his retirement in enjoyable leisure. His principal activity after his removal hither was in church work, in which he has always found the great- est pleasure, having been until recently a zeal- ous participant in religious enterprises of all kinds. As a man of high character and hon- orable purpose, conscientious in performing his duty in all the relations of life, he is looked upon as one of the most estimable residents of the town he chose for a home when he gave up arduous work.

Mr. Summerville is a native of Bedford county, Pa., born Oct. 21. 1836, in Southamp- ton township. son of John Summerville, who died in Bedford county when eighty-seven years old. Robert Summerville grew up on the farm, and most of his early training was of a practical kind. He took advantage of the local schools as much as possible, but work had first place. and he did his share, earning his way from an early age. With the exception

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of the time he was in the army he continued to work in his native township until his re- moval to Monroe township, Bedford county, where he farmed for many years, meeting with excellent success and becoming one of the sub- stantial landowners and agriculturists of his locality. After he gave up farming he decided to make his home in Punxsutawney, where he located in 1899 ; he resides on Elk street. For the last fifteen years he has been retired from business.

In September, 1864. Mr. Summerville en- listed, at Harrisburg, l'a., in the Union army, a member of the 208th Regiment, Pennsyl- vania Volunteers, from Bedford county. He took part in the actions around Petersburg, including Fort Steadman, was at Hatcher's Run, and received his discharge at Alexandria, Va., in June, 1865, being returned to Harris- burg and thence home to Bedford county.

In October, 1860. Mr. Summerville married Mary Ann Calhoon, daughter of Aaron Cal- hoon. of Bedford county, Pa. She is now ( 1916) seventy-eight years old. Mr. and Mrs. Summerville have had nine children, namely. Henry; Barbara; Albert; Watson; Claring- ton: Danford C .: Georgia, who married George Jackson: Julia Ann, wife of Sherman Waltman ; and Emeline, who married George Hawn.

Mr. Summerville is a member of the Chris- tian denomination, and all his life has been keenly interested in church and kindred activi- ties. While in Bedford county he served as Sunday school superintendent, and for two vears was obliged to walk four miles to reach the church. After coming to Punxsutawney he taught the Bible class of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church for two years. In every association he has endeavored to do his part well, and his life throughout has been helpful and influential.

MILTON WAYLAND is another of the native sons of Jefferson county who has aided in maintaining its prestige, and prominence may fittingly be given him by reason of the fact that he resides upon the fine old home- stead which was the place of his birth, one of the model places of Clover township. Here he was born on the 10th of September, 1850. a son of James Beach Wayland and Sarah ( McCann) Wayland. The father was born on the farm now owned by Wilson Whitehill. adjoining that of Milton's. and when it is stated that James B. Wayland was here born Sept. 12, 1825, it becomes at once evident that he was a representative of a very early pioneer

family. Ilis parents were Beach and Sarah ( \'andervort ) Wayland, and the Wayland family was founded in New England in the Colonial era of our national history. Mrs. Sarah (McCann ) Wayland was a daughter of John MeCann and was born at Leatherwood .Aug. 30, 1824, her marriage to James B. Way- land having oecttrred Sept. 14, 1848, in Jeffer- son county. Beach Wayland was a young man when he came to the county and married Sarah Vandervort. He developed one of the pioneer farms and here resided until his death, at the age of seventy-five, his widow being some- what more than four score years of age when she passed to eternal rest. James B. was the eldest son and purchased from Hiram Carrier the farm now owned by his son Milton : Jesse, the next younger son, was a farmer near the locality known as the Beechwoods, where his death occurred; Euphrastus removed about thirty years ago to a farm near Sigel, and is deceased ; Orlando died on his homestead near the present County farm; John spent his life at the old home; Abraham now resides in In- diana county. One of the two daughters died in childhood and the other, Jerusha, became the wife of Robert Dysard, her death having occurred in Knox township, where her hus- band still resides.

Beach Wayland, who was familiarly known as one of the influential citizens of Jefferson county, was a man of superior intellectuality and sterling character. He took keen interest in public affairs, and on account of his strict- ness and uprightness in all the relations of life his son John applied to him the title of "Old Silk-Stocking.'

James B. Wayland remained at home until about six weeks prior to his twenty-first birth- day and shortly after leaving home his father prevailed upon him to clear a part of the old farm. At the age of twenty-two years he wedded Sarah McCann and established their home on the present farm of eighty-six acres. By industry he reclaimed about seventy acres and the timber he cut into logs which he floated down Red Bank creek to its mouth. After piloting a raft he would return at night to his home, and eventually his timber would be manufactured into lumber. He continued an interest in lumbering until his death, his pass- ing being the result of a cold he contracted while rafting, a work in which he was an ac- knowledged adept. He frequently piloted fleets of rafts to Pittsburgh, as well as to Wheeling. W. Va .. and even down the Ohio to Cincin- nati. Ile was one of the well known and uni- formly respected citizens of Jefferson county,

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served as constable and tax collector of Clover township, and was but forty-two years of age at his death, which occurred March 22, 1868, his widow being about sixty-five when she died, Jan. 15, 1890.

Milton Wayland gained his early educa- tional discipline in the pioneer schools and as a mere lad contributed materially to the work of the home farm and to assist his father in lumbering. He was but seventeen years of age at his father's death, and as the eldest of the children loyally assumed charge of the farm and took up the burden of making proper provision for his widowed mother and the younger children of the family. His eldest sister, Martha, became the wife of James Mil- ler and was still a young woman at the time of her death; Alretta married Wesley Mead and died young ; Frances Emma. remains with her bachelor brother, Milton, on the old home- stead, presiding most effectively over the pleas- ant home; James L. resides at Summerville : Orlando Beach, the youngest son, owned a farm in Clarion county, near the old home- stead, and there died on the 6th of November, 1911, at the age of fifty years.

The life of Milton Wayland has not been one filled with dramatic incidents, but it has been marked by devotion to duty, by a deep appreciation of responsibilities that have de- volved upon him, and by that earnest and well directed industry whose sequel is peace and prosperity. From the age of seventeen he has given his close attention to the management of the old homestead and during all the years has so ordered his course as to merit and receive the confidence and unbounded goodwill of his fellow men. He has followed the even tenor of his way without ostentation or undue self- seeking, has been a productive worker and has been loyal as a citizen, though never a seeker of public office or political influence. His support is given to the Republican party and he has at all times been ready to support enterprises for the general good of the com- munity in which he and his sister have a circle of friends that is limited only by that of their acquaintances. He has made excellent im- provements on the homestead, which com- prises the original tract of eighty-six acres, practically all now available for cultivation, the place being devoted to diversified agricul- ture and the raising of good live stock.

GEORGE B. BOWSER has been a resident of Jefferson county since his boyhood, was for a number of years identified with coal mining operations in this county and is now one of the

representative business men and influential citizens of Winslow township, where he con- ducts a substantial enterprise as proprietor of a well equipped general merchandise store in the village of Rathmel. He served more than sixteen years as postmaster there.

Mr. Bowser was born in Armstrong county, Pa., on the 22d of March, 1868, and is a son of J. C. and Kissiah Bowser. They had three children, Selbay, George R. and Maude. He is a scion of a family that was founded in Pennsylvania several generations ago, and his grandfather, Abraham Bowser, was a pioneer farmer in Armstrong county, where he con- tinued to reside until his death. George B. Bowser acquired his early education in the public schools of his native county and was a lad of nine years when he came to Jefferson county, in 1877, and found a home at Pan- coast ; he was only able to attend the local schools in a somewhat irregular way until he was twelve years of age. Hence his advance- ment to a status of prosperity and as a loyal, upright and honored citizen has been gained through his own efforts and ability. He was employed in connection with coal mining in this county about twelve years, and became a resident of Rathmel in 1888. In 1894 he here engaged in the general merchandise business. By close application and progressive policies he built up a substantial and prosperous trade, drawn from the important territory normally tributary to the thriving village of Rathmel. He has been a steadfast worker, his course guided upon a high plane of integrity and sin- cerity, and he merits fully the unqualified esteem in which he is held. His interest in and devotion to his home and family are domi- nant, and while he is a thorough business man of unceasing application he finds recreation in occasional hunting and fishing trips, with a dis- tinct penchant for sports afield and afloat.

Mr. Bowser is a stalwart advocate of the cause of the Republican party, and served six- teen years and five months as postmaster at Rathmel, his retirement from this office taking place in August, 1914, after a most efficient and satisfactory administration. His original appointment was made March 15, 1898. At Reynoldsville he is actively affiliated with John 31. Read Lodge, No. 536, F. & A. M., in which he was raised to the degree of master mason on the 13th of September, 1910. At Rathmel he became a member of Confidence Lodge, No. 344, Knights of Pythias, and when this lodge was virtually consolidated with Valiant Lodge, No. 461. at Reynoldsville, he transferred his membership to the latter. He

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Jefferson County, Pennsylvania : her pioneers and people, 1800-1915, Volume II, Part 120

Author: McKnight, W. J. (William James), 1836-1918 Publication date: 1917 Publisher: Chicago : J.H. Beers Number of Pages: 972

Author: McKnight, W. J. (William James), 1836-1918
Publication date: 1917
Publisher: Chicago : J.H. Beers
Number of Pages: 972