Jefferson County, Pennsylvania : her pioneers and people, 1800-1915, Volume II, Part 128

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 128

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He cleared his

place and lived there until 1868, when he moved into Brookville, where he purchased Lot No. 1 in that part of the town known as the MeCreight addition, continuing to make his home there until his death, which occurred Aug. 16, 1898, at a very advanced age. He is interred in the Catholic cemetery at Brook- ville. Mrs. Wanner died July 27, 1887. They had the following children : Charles, who was a tanner by trade, died at Strattonville, Pa., and is buried at Clarion; Minnie is the wife of Anthony Yeager, and they live at Brookville, her brother William F. Wanner making his home with them; Mary died when two years old : William F. is next in the fam- ily ; Joseph, formerly a rugmaker, is now living retired in the Carrier addition to Brookville.

William F. Wanner spent his early life on the farm, assisting his father with the work from boyhood, and meantime attending the district school as opportunity afforded. He was yet very young when he went to work on another farm in Pinecreek township, for Joshua Knapp, with whom he continued for a short time, and his next employment was with John Dougherty for a short time, then as clerk in the mercantile establishment of S. J. Marlin in Brookville. At this time he was but fourteen years old, and he was with Mr. Marlin for some years, on Aug. 10, 1876, buying his stock of goods, and he has since carried on the business without interruption, with the same high standards that character- ized its early days. From the original site, where the old opera house now stands, the store was moved to the "Commercial Hotel" building, being there but a short time, how- ever. Then for ten years it was carried on in the Jefferson County National Bank building, at that time known as the White Hall building, and since 1890 Mr. Wanner has had his pres- ent commodious quarters, at No. 201 Main street.

Mlr. Wanner has always looked after the business personally, and it has been his main interest all these years. A Brookville paper of March 9. 1916, under the heading "Some Record," commented on Mr. Wanner's stead- fast application in part as follows: "During all these fifty years he has never taken a day off, has not been away from his place of busi- ness except on one or two occasions when com- pelled to on account of a business transaction. He has never been seriously ill. Snow, rain or shine, you will always find him at his place of business." His personal habits are equally worthy of note. He has never used tobacco in any form, and is a practical advocate of

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temperance and a devout member of the Roman Catholic Church. Though gifted with unusual ability and executive talents he has not been ambitious for the power and in- fluence which go with public honors, being content to do his duty as a citizen in his private capacity. All movements and enterprises whose object is to afford improved facilities to the community or bring benefits to the greater number have had his hearty support, for he always identified himself with the best element in matters affecting the general wel- fare and helped along good causes without looking for reward in the shape of official preferment. He is a Democrat and interested in the supremacy of the party in national affairs.

Mr. Wanner has never married, and makes his home with his sister at Brookville.

FREDERICK W. HAAG, one of the suc- cessful and representative farmers of Young township, claims the Kingdom of Bavaria as the place of his nativity, and the date of his birth Oct. 23, 1857. He is a son of Christian and Catherine ( Knarr) Haag. The maiden name of his father's first wife was also Haag ; she died young, leaving two sons, Jacob and Christian. The family born to the second union was as follows: Henry, Louisa, Eliza- beth, Louis, Frederick W .. Conrad, Catherine, Adam and Maggie. It is interesting to note that Adam Haag is now a prominent merchant and influential citizen of DuBois, Pa., and mayor of that place at this writing ( 1916).

In 1867 Christian Haag came to this country with his family and settled in Brady town- ship. Clearfield county, where he found em- ployment at farm work. Later he secured a farm in Bloom township, that county, and there died at the age of eighty-four years, passing away five months before his compan- ion, who died at the age of seventy-six. They were members of the Reformed Church.

Frederick W. Haag was a lad of about ten years at the time of the family migration to this country, and was reared to manhood in Clearfield county, where he attended the local schools and gained practical experience in farm industry. At the age of twenty-four he married Elizabeth Smith, daughter of the late William Smith, who was one of the early settlers and prominent citizens of Walston. Jefferson county, and the owner of a large estate in Young township. Mr. Haag then engaged in farming in Young township, and for fifteen years dairying was the leading fea- ture of his work, the growth of the village

affording an ever-increasing market. Energy and good management made this enterprise successful. The substantial prosperity which he now enjoys is indicated in his ownership of a well improved and desirable farm of two hundred and twenty acres, including the old William Smith homestead. It has substan- tial buildings, is maintained under a high state of cultivation, and in all respects displays the thrift and progressiveness of its owner.

MIr. Haag has shown loyalty to local in- terests by giving support to measures advanced for the general good, and has served in various offices of public trust, including that of super- visor. His political allegiance is given to the Democratic party. He affiliates with the local grange of the Patrons of Husbandry, as well as with the Odd Fellows and B. P. O. Elks ( Punxsutawney lodges ), and he and his wife hold membership in the Reformed Church. Their children are: Emma, wife of Wilbur Mottern, residing at Oliveburg; William, a substantial farmer in Oliver township, as is Grover in Young township; Frederick and Mary, remaining at home; Magdalena, who was graduated from the Indiana State Normal School in 1915 and is now a successful teacher in Jefferson county ; and Celia, who completes the home circle.

ALFRED T. HAWK, of Brookville, has become very favorably known through his official services, and during a residence of over fifty years in the borough has been asso- ciated with various activities, at present being court crier. He was born Nov. 2, 1844, in South Buffalo township, Armstrong Co., Pa., where his grandfather, George Hawk, settled on Buffalo creek. His son Simon was there born, and spent his entire life in that region, dying in South Buffalo township. By his marriage to Martha Iseman he had the fol- lowing children : Alfred T., Priscilla, Ephraim, John, Mary, Josephine and George.

Alfred T. Hawk had only such advantages for education as the locality boasted, and plenty of opportunity to learn the practical side of life. In February, 1865, he enlisted in Company K. 104th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, being discharged at the close of the conflict. Returning, he was iden- tified during the next thirty years with saw- milling and timber work. On March 30, 1876, le met with a serious accident in the woods in Knox township, resulting in the loss of his right leg, but this disability has not inter- fered with the performance of his duties. He won special commendation as county com-

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missioner, serving as such for two three-year terms, 1900-1906, safeguarding the public in- terest in every possible way during his incum- bency. In 1916 he was appointed court crier by Judge Corbet, a position for which his ex- tensive acquaintance peculiarly fits him.

Mr. Hawk belongs to the Knights of Pythias, Odd Fellows and Grand Army of the Republic, and has served for the last eighteen years as adjutant of E. R. Brady Post, No. 212.

On May 10, 1868, he married Rebecca Eliza- beth Gilhousen, and they have had seven chil- dren: Clark; John; Fred; llarry, deceased ; Martha, wife of C. A. Shannon; Arthur, and Charles.

Frederick Gilhousen, father of Mrs. Hawk, lived in Knox township. He enlisted Aug. 15, 1862, in Company I, 148th Regiment, and was wounded at Gettysburg July 2, 1863, his injuries resulting in his death two weeks later, July 16th. His body lies in the National cemetery.

HENRY M. ZIMMERMAN has illustrated the results possible of attainment with modern methods of agriculture on his excellent farin, which lies in the eastern part of Henderson township, one of the well-cared-for home places in that section. When he settled there, almost a quarter of a century ago, it was in rundown condition, but he had the foresight to realize that it would have great value under proper cultivation, and time shows that he was not mistaken.

Mr. Zimmerman belongs to a family justly known as capable agriculturists. The Zim- mermans are of German origin, Jacob and Louisa Zimmerman, grandparents of Henry MI., having been natives of Bavaria, where they lived until they brought their family to America in 1848, in the hope that Mr. Zim- merman's health would be benefited. Locat- ing in Jefferson county, they purchased fifty acres of land adjoining the property now owned by William Harry Zimmerman, brother of Henry M., in MeCalmont township, and there Jacob Zimmerman died eleven weeks later, aged fifty-four years. His wife str- vived him until 1865, passing away at the age of sixty-three years, and both lie buried in the Rhodes graveyard. Their religious con- nection was with the Reformed Church. Of their six children. Jacob died in Jefferson county ; Sarah married Frederick Hawk, and died in 1893 (Mr. Hawk also died many years ago) ; Henry was the father of Henry M. Zimmerman; Godfrey, retired farmer, made

his home at Troutville, Pa .; Louisa died in 1895 ; Frederick, farmer and carpenter, settled at Sykesville.

Henry Zimmerman, son of Jacob and Louisa, was born Aug. 1, 1834, in Bavaria, and in his fourteenth year accompanied his parents to this country. He lived at home for a year afterwards, and then worked for a neighboring farmer eight years, on the farm in the summer season and in the woods during the winter. In those days it was a struggle to get an independent start, and it was some time before he secured a farm of his own. He made his first purchase of land in 1870, a tract of 160 acres adjoining that of his parents, and paid down two hundred dollars of the price, which was eight hundred ; but it amounted to one thousand dollars before he cleared it of debt, as the former owner, de- siring a pair of Mr. Zimmerman's oxen, took advantage of his inability to meet a payment and tried to force a sheriff's sale. He was unsuccessful, but Mr. Zimmerman lost by it. However, in spite of this and other discourage- ments he eventually found himself on the road to prosperity, and in time he acquired two more farms, one in Henderson township, and one in Clearfield county. He continued to reside at the old place in practical retirement for several years, until his death, March 22, 1900. A self-made man, and thoroughly appreciative of the change in his own fortunes, he was zealous in promoting the general wel- fare, and was a good citizen in every sense. He served as school director, being particularly interested in the public schools. He was a Democrat in politics and a Lutheran in re- ligion.

On April 3. 1872, Mr. Zimmerman was mar- ried, in Bell township, this county, to Barbara Weaver, who was born May 5, 1832, in Bavaria, and survives him, now residing with her son David in Clearfield county, near Trout- ville. Five children were born to this union : Laura, married to Daniel Schoch, resides at Troutville : Susanna married John Noerr, a farmer and sawmill operator of MeCalmont township, and they had six children, Ella, Clara, Carl. Lott, Clyde and Minnie; Henry M. is next : William Harry, living on the home- stead; David, a farmer, married Lucy Rhodes.

Mrs. Zimmerman is a daughter of George and Eleanora (Schoch) Weaver and grand- daughter of Henry Weaver. Her parents came to America in 1834 and located near the pres- ent site of Troutville, Clearfield Co., Pa., re- maining five years. Then they lived for some years in Bell township, Jefferson county, re-

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turning to Troutville to spend their declining days in retirement. Mr. Weaver died in Janu- ary, 1875, aged seventy years, and Mrs. Weaver in January, 1885, aged seventy-eight years. They were members of the Reformed Church, and he was a Democrat in political faith. The following children were born to them: Henry, a carpenter, located at Johns- town, Pa .; Barbara married Henry Zimmer- man ; Andrew died at Penfield, Pa., in April, 1887 ; Peter died at DuBois, in August, 1887; George settled in Bell township; Adam became a farmer in that township; Susanna married Jacob Edinger, who has a farm and gristmill near Luthersburg; Elizabeth married Samuel Kuntz, settled at the Weaver homestead at Troutville, where he operated a cider mill, sawmill and chopmill.

Henry M. Zimmerman was born May 5, 1867. on the farm in McCalmont township, and lived at home until his marriage. Ile had a common school education, and began the serious work of life in the woods, peeling bark or performing any other tasks to gain an hon- est living ; for a time he worked at the coal tipple at Eleanor. When he married he bought his present farm in Henderson township from Jacob Webber, a tract of 120 acres from which Mr. Webber had lumbered considerably. It is favorably situated five miles northeast of Big Run and two and a half miles south of Sykes- ville. It had been rented for a number of years and cultivated in a very unmethodical way. Moreover, most of it was still covered with pine stumps, which Mr. Zimmerman has been pulling for nearly twenty years, clearing eighty acres out of one hundred he has under cul- tivation ; he has a substantial stump fence to show for this particular labor. Most of the soil he has limed and used other fertilizers as well, neglecting no detail necessary to raise the production to its highest limit. The crops are varied. Mr. Zimmerman retains owner- ship of the coal underlying his land, but has not yet attempted its development. The old barn has since been remodeled, and he erected the residence about 1899, and takes great pride in maintaining his buildings in prime shape. He believes that matters pertaining to the gen- eral welfare should have every good citizen's attention, and has himself been associated with the local government as school director for eight years, being still on the board. He votes with the Democrats.

In 1893 Mr. Zimmerman married Catherine Heilbrun, of Bell township, and they are the parents of three sons and one daughter, Ber- tha, Walter, Norman and Carl, all living at

home. Mr. Zimmerman is a member of the Grube English Lutheran Church ; his wife be- longs to the German Lutheran Church near Luthersburg.

John Heilbrun, father of Mrs. Zimmerman, was born Feb. 24, 1839, on the farm in Bell township, where he is still living, son of Jacob and Charlotte (Culp) Heilbrun. His parents were natives of Germany ; after their marriage they came to America and located the land in Bell township still owned and occupied by their son John, the father dying there at the age of seventy-seven years. Of their four sons, Jacob, John, Henry and David, Jacob and John were the only ones to remain in Jefferson county, the latter having spent all his life on the home place. In August, 1866, he married Louise Knarr, of Brady township, Clearfield county, who was six years his junior and died in August, 1903. She was a mem- ber of the Punxsutawney Lutheran Church, to which Mr. Heilbrun also belongs. Of their three children, William operates the farm; Lizzie is the wife of Henry Long, of Brady township, Clearfield county; Catherine is the wife of Henry M. Zimmerman. John Heil- brun continued the improvement of the home property throughout his active years, and all the present buildings thereon were erected by him.

ISAAC COCHRAN, a resident of Punxsu- tawney, is a creditable member of a family which has been established in this portion of Pennsylvania, in Indiana county, for about a century, and whose representatives in every generation have been useful and desirable citi- zens. A number of the family have lived in Jefferson county also, the name being well and favorably known in both counties.

The Cochrans are of Scotch origin, the first ancestor in this country coming from Scotland and settling at Baltimore, Md., where he died. Ile had two sons, Isaac and David, both of whom came to western Pennsylvania and set- tled at what is now Trade City, Indiana county, in pioneer times. Isaac Cochran died there, leaving two sons, William and Joseph.

David Cochran, son of the emigrant ances- tor, was born in Baltimore, and when a young man settled at Trade City, he and his brother Isaac being among the early residents of that locality. lle cleared land there and engaged in farming. prospering by dint of industry and making his permanent home upon the farm. Ile was murdered on his farm when an old man. the crime being the first of the kind com- mitted in Indiana county, and is buried at the

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well known Gilgal Church in that community. His children were: Matthew, who settled at Coolspring, in Oliver township, and left a large family; George, who also settled in Oliver township (he had no children) ; David, who settled near Brookville ( he had a son, George, who served in the Civil war, and afterwards settled in the State of Indiana) ; Isaac settled at Reynoldsville, where he died (his children were Matthew, James, David, Charles, Jane, Elizabeth. Emma and Annie) ; William, the next in line to Isaac Cochran ; Mary, who mar- ried Daniel Hopkins and had four children, David. George, James and Margaret (all the sons served in the Civil war. James in the Confederate army ) ; and Rachel, who died un- married at the home of her niece, Mrs. Eli Ilorner, in Oliver township.

William Cochran, son of David, was born at the old homestead in Indiana county, and in his early life began agricultural work, in which he was engaged all his life. He came into possession of the homestead in Indiana county, and after selling that property bought a farm in Porter township, Jefferson county, in 1860, living there for the next ten years. In 1870 he removed to Bell township, where he made his home for the remainder of his days, following farming and lumbering. He died March 8. 1800, when seventy-five years old, and was buried in the Wainwright ceme- tery in Gaskill township. Mr. Cochran mar- ried Hannah Wainwright, daughter of Rich- ard Wainwright. of Gaskill township. who lived to the age of seventy-seven years and is buried beside her husband. Six children were born to their marriage, namely: George, now living at Plumville, Pennsylvania ; David, who died young ; Isaac himbered sixteen years in Bell township and while at Punxsutawney worked ten years in the mines; William, a farmer, married and living in Bell township: John, also a farmer in Bell township; and Joseph, a farmer of Bell township. unmarried.

Isaac Cochran was born March 27, 1853, in Indiana county. Pa., son of William and Han- nah ( Wainwright) Cochran, and was seven years old when the family removed to Porter township, Jefferson county, where he received practically all his schooling. He remained there up to the age of seventeen years, at which time he took employment in the lumber woods in Gaskill township, following that occupation for the next sixteen years, rafting down Ma- honing creek and Allegheny river to Pitts- burgh. Locating in Bell township, he lived there for a period of sixteen years, removing thence to Punxsutawney. in which borough

he had his home for ten years. After spend- ing three months in West Virginia, engaged in lumbering, he moved to Youngstown, Ohio, where he resided for two and a half years, returning to Jefferson county and making his home at Walston, at which point he remained the next two years. In 1911 he returned to Punxsutawney, where he still lives, at No. 332 Elk Run avenue. For a time he worked at the bottle works in the borough after they were started in 1913, and is now employed at the Punxsutawney Iron & Steel Mills. Mr. Coch- ran is a man of exemplary life and habits, ac ively interested in the general welfare, and enjoys the study of local history, upon which he is well informed. Most of the modern de- velopment of Jefferson county has been ac- complished in his generation, and he has watched its progress with keen understanding. Ile himself worked on the first railroad built in the county, the Low Grade division of the Allegheny Valley road. His wife rode on the first passenger train that came into Punxsu- tawney.

Mr. Cochran married Irene Bair, daughter of David Bair. of Bell township. and the fol- lowing children have been born to them: Ella is the wife of Walter Haymaker. of Youngs- town, Ohio, and has one child, Walter Dale ; Maude married James Dinsmore, a mine fore- man at Portage, Cambria county, and their children are William D., Robert B. and James G .; Bertha, a resident of Punxsutawney, is the wife of Jefferson Davies and has one child. Evelyn B .; Margaret Blanch is the wife of William Williamson, of Punxsutawney, and has four children, Helene, John, Frank and Edward: William Ralph married Inez Davis, of Big Run, and lives at home. Mr. Cochran holds membership in the Order of United American Mechanics and the Knights of Malta : his wife is a member of the Dames of Malta and active in the work of that or- ganization. Their family are Presbyterians in religious association.

WILLIAM WASSON has maintained his home in Jefferson county since 1867, is a native of Pennsylvania and a scion of one of the ster- ling pioneer families of this historic old Com- monwealth, was a gallant young soldier for the Union in the Civil war, and his career has been marked by a record of worthy and productive achievement along varied lines of enterprise. He is now living retired in an attractive home, at Richardsville ; was for many years a leading contractor and builder, has been identified with farming and lumbering, and an honored and

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influential figure in community affairs in gen- eral, so that none is more clearly entitled to recognition in this history of the county.

Mr. Wasson was born in Butler county on the 11th of September. 1842, his early educa- tional advantages having been secured in the common schools. His parents, William and Eliza ( Young) Wasson, were both born and reared in Butler county, where the respective families settled many years ago. For many years William Wasson, Sr., was engaged in general merchandising in the village of West Sunbury. Butler county, and though well ad- vanced in years at the inception of the Civil war he became a member of the 11th Pennsyl- vania Reserve, and went to the front, it hay- ing been his dire fate to be killed in the first engagement in which he took part, the battle of Petersburg. His widow survived him and continued to maintain her home in Butler county until she, too, was called to the life eternal.

At the age of eighteen William Wasson, Jr., went to Trumbull county, Ohio, where he found employment at farm work and in getting out railroad ties. He was thus engaged until Oct. 6. 1862, when he subordinated all other interests to tender his aid in defense of the Union. On that date he enlisted in Company B, 125th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, becoming a member of this gallant regiment at the time of its organization. His command was as- signed to the Army of the Cumberland and he continued in the service until his discharge June 19. 1865. Mr. Wasson lived up to the full tension of the great conflict between the States : took part in the battle of Chickamauga and all of the engagements incidental to the Atlanta campaign. In a charge at Marietta Heights he was taken ill, and was sent to a convalescent camp. After partially recuperat- ing he was detailed at the officers' hospital maintained at Lookout Mountain. and re- mained as commissary sergeant and clerk until virtually the close of the war. On one occasion he received a slight wound, a minie ball having grazed his right eyebrow, and at other times he had escapes that were almost equally nar- row. as missiles of the enemy many times cut his clothing. It may consistently be noted at this juncture that Mr. Wasson has maintained a lively interest in his old comrades of the Civil war and that he signified this by his affili- ation with the Grand Army of the Republic at Brookville. He has been zealous in attend- ing reunions of his regiment, and found much satisfaction in being present at the National

Reunion of the Grand Army of the Republic when held in Pittsburgh.

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Jefferson County, Pennsylvania : her pioneers and people, 1800-1915, Volume II, Part 128

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