Jefferson County, Pennsylvania : her pioneers and people, 1800-1915, Volume II, Part 22

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 22

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In 1903 Mr. Brosius returned to his native county and established his residence in Brook- ville, where he assumed the position of book- keeper in the National Bank of Brookville. One year later he was advanced to the posi- tion of assistant cashier of the institution, and of this office he has since continued the efficient and popular incumbent.

The unqualified popularity of Mr. Brosius in his native county sets at naught any possible application of the Scriptural aphorism that "a prophet is not without honor save in his own

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country," and he is known as one of the loyal and progressive citizens of Brookville. Both he and his wife hold membership in the Pres- byterian Church. Mr. Brosius is a past master of Hobah Lodge, No. 276, FF. & A. M., and is actively affiliated also with Jefferson Chapter, No. 225, Royal Arch Masons.

In 1898 Mr. Brosius wedded Cora M. Moody, who was born in Maine and belongs to one of the oldest and best known families of that State. She is a second cousin of the late Lillian Norton (Nordica), and through the Nortons and Butlers traces her lineage to some of the most prominent and patriotic Revolutionary families. The only child of Alr. and Mrs. Brosius, Henry Merry, is a student in the public schools of Brookville.

HUGH B. COOPER, of Brockwayville, has been engaged in the hardware business in that borough for thirty-five years, now being head of the firm of H. B. Cooper & Son, who have the leading hardware house there. It is one of the most successful mercantile establish- ments in all that section of Jefferson county. Mr. Cooper was one of the founders of this business, which throughout its existence has been conducted with a strict regard for high standards altogether compatible with his per- sonal character. By keeping faith with his patrons in all their dealings, and pursuing a progressive policy which gives them the best the market affords brought within convenient reach, he has kept a sure hold upon the local trade which is really nothing more than the appreciative recognition of his efforts to please. Its material benefits have meant in- creased prosperity in the general business situation in the borough as well as for himself. Recently he has become extensively interested in coal operations in this section and in Butler county, Pennsylvania.

Mr. Cooper was born July 20, 1858, on the old homestead farm in Washington township. Jefferson county, son of Ninian Cooper and grandson of William and Martha ( Morris) Cooper. The grandparents settled with their family in Washington township in 1826, and cleared and improved a part of the farm afterwards owned by their son James Cooper. They lived and died on that property. They had six children : James, John, Hugh, William, Ninian and Eliza (wife of William Bond). James, the oldest, was born Feb. 13, 1818, in County Tyrone, Ireland, married Isabella Pat- ton, and had a family of eight children: Wil- liam, Robert. Hugh, James S., Martha J., Samuel, John and Elmer W.

Vinian Cooper was born June 30, 1826, in that section of Jefferson county which has long been known as the Beechwoods, and was reared amid primitive surroundings, assisting in the work of clearing land in his boyhood. He lived to see a wilderness transformed into a fertile agricultural district, and did his full share in the actual work of developing it, helping to improve the farms reclaimed from the forest, contributing his influence to the advancement of civilization and doing his part in establishing churches and schools and ma- terial conveniences in his neighborhood. Ile witnessed the introduction of railroads, the beginning of various industrial operations made possible by the rich resources of the region, and the numerous other changes of the most progressive century in the world's his- tory. Mr. Cooper continued to live in the Beechwoods, following the occupation of farming principally, until advancing age made it advisable for him to give up strenuous labor, when he retired and removed in 1876 to the borough of Reynoldsville, he and his wife residing there with their daughter, now Mrs. J. K. Johnston, until the death of Mrs. Cooper in 1894. He also spent considerable time with his other children, all of whom had settled in nearby communities, and enjoyed their affec- tionate companionship as well as the loving esteem of a wide circle of friends. Ile had a faculty for winning and holding the regard of all with whom he came in contact, and "at Reynoldsville at once became as popular and as much loved as he had been in the Beech- woods community. The world can ill afford to lose such noble characters as Ninian Cooper. He had a warm hand and a pleasant smile for all up until the last hours of his life, and he scattered enough sunshine into the lives of others and into the world in general to spread out over a long term of years and to keep his memory green in the minds of those who knew him."

In April, 1915, while attending court at Brookville, Mr. Cooper was taken ill, and was at once removed to his daughter's home at Reynoldsville, where he died July 16, 1915. from the infirmities due to his years, for he had reached the unusual age of eighty-nine. He was buried beside his wife in the Beech- woods cemetery, his funeral services being conducted by Rev. J. E. Miller, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Reynoldsville, and Rev. Charles Cribbs, pastor of the Beech- woods Presbyterian Church. A large gather- ing of relatives and friends from all over this part of the State testified to the high esteem

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in which Mr. Cooper was held. He was a regular attendant of the Presbyterian Church, and consistent in his life as he was in his faith. Politically he was a Democrat and one of the dependable workers of the party in his vicinity, and his public spirit and ability were recognized by his fellow citizens, who chose him frequently to fill local offices.

On July 4, 1850, Mr. Cooper married Nancy Jane McConnell, the marriage ceremony being the first performed by Rev. John Wray (pas- tor of the Beechwoods Presbyterian Church for twenty-one years) after his arrival here. Mrs. Cooper died Aug. 10, 1894, twenty-one years before her husband, in her sixty-eighth year, having been born Oct. 15. 1826. Five children were born to their marriage, namely : W. W., who lives in the Beechwoods, on the home farm; Martha, Mrs. Hunter, also living there: James Alexander, present post:master at Brockwayville; Hugh B .; and Mrs. J. K. Johnston, of Reynoldsville. Mr. Cooper was survived by sixteen grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.

Ninian Cooper had a remarkable memory, which enabled him to perform a service to the community worth noting. He kept in his mind the location of the burial places of those lying in unmarked graves, covering a period of seventy-five years, and late in life, at the age of threescore and ten, put this knowledge into writing, making a valuable record.

Hugh B. Cooper remained on the home place until he was eighteen years old, mean- time obtaining his education in the old-fash- ioned schools of the locality, where the in- struction was limited to the common branches. Indeed, he has been principally self-educated. but experience and observation have helped him on his way, and he has relied mainly on persistent industry and honorable dealing to carry him forward. At the age of eighteen years he left home and found employment in a hardware store at Clarion, Pa., thus com- mencing his business life in the line which he has followed ever since. After remaining there for three years he spent one year at Oil City. Pa., and he has since been operating for himself. His first independent venture was made in company with Charles Seely. under the name of Seely & Cooper. At the end of one year he sold his interest to a brother of his partner, L. P. Seely, and came to Brock- wayville, this being in 1882, the year the grad- ing was done for the Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburgh railroad. Forming a partnership with J. L. Bond. they started business under the firm name of Bond & Cooper in a corner

of the building still occupied, and the associa- tion lasted until 1909, when Mr. Cooper bought Mr. Bond's share, the same year taking his son into the business, which has since been carried on by H. B. Cooper & Son. The quarters have been enlarged steadily, and the stock has become more and more comprehen- sive as the local demand has justified the in- crease, until the establishment is now one of the best equipped in all this part of Pennsyl- vania. The growth of the business shows what it is possible to accomplish by enter- prising methods and the exercise of good judgment. Instead of depending on distant markets, his customers have found that he can supply them with everything they need, and they are losing nothing by looking to him to keep them informed as to new products, up-to-date appliances, etc. Most of his at- tention has been given to the conduct of his hardware business, but he has taken an inter- est in the promotion of other enterprises, and is a director of the Citizens' National Bank of Reynoldsville. In the fall of 1916, in com- pany witih his son, Samuel McClellan Cooper, H. B. Mccullough and Dr. W. C. Quinn, Mr. Cooper and others organized the Cooper Coal & Clay Company, whose plant is situated at Averyville, on the P .. S. & N. railroad, near St. Marys, Elk county, where the company has taken over four hundred acres or more of productive coal lands now being successfully operated. Mr, Cooper is president of this company, and Mr. Mccullough general man- ager. In the spring of 1917 Hugh B. Cooper, associated with Mr. Mccullough and Dr. Quinn, purchased from the Bessemer Coal Company a solid block of coal lands at Hil- liards. Butler county, twelve hundred acres underlaid with a vein running four and a half to five feet in thickness, which it is estimated could be mined at the rate of a thousand tons daily for twenty-five years without exhaus- tion. This is one of the largest coal purchases made within the limits of Butler county. The company is known as the Mccullough Coal Company. Dr. Quinn being president, Mr. Cooper vice president, and Mr. Mccullough manager. .

Though he has served ten years on the bor- ough school board Mr. Cooper is not anxious to participate directly in public affairs, and he votes independently, supporting whatever seenis right, regardless of party. His religious connection is with the Presbyterian Church, which he served for years as trustee and treasurer. As an all-round good citizen, he

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has the favorable regard of the entire com- munity.

Mr. Cooper married Annie Mcclellan, daughter of the late James McClellan, of Brockport, Pa .. a ltimberman well known there in his day. They have had the following children : Samtiel McClellan ; Helen and Ruth, twins, who are now attending Bucknell Col- lege ; and Harry Alvin, who graduated from the Brockwayville high school in 1916 and is now a student in Washington and Jefferson College.

SAMUEL MCCLELLAN COOPER, eldest son of Hugh B. Cooper, was born in Brockwayville, Feb. 12, 1887, and was reared in that borough, where he received the principal part of his education in the public schools. After study- ing two years in the borough high school, under Professor Wilson, he entered the acad- emy at Bellefonte, Pa., where he also attended two years, after which he became a pupil at the Bryant & Stratton business school in Buf- falo, N. Y., finishing his studies there in 1909. That year lie became his father's partner in the hardware business, to which he gives all his time. He has various social and other connections in the borough, belonging to Cicero Lodge, I. O. O. F., of Brockwayville, and to the Presbyterian Church. In political sentiment he is a Republican.

Mr. Cooper was married at Lock Haven, Pa., Nov. 3, 1915, to Verna Shields, who was born April 26, 1891, at Penfield, Pa., daughter of Edward C. and Mary Shields. Her father is county superintendent of schools in Clear- field County, Pa. Mrs. Cooper is a graduate of the DuBois ( Pa.) high school.

JAMES ALEXANDER COOPER, pres- ent postmaster at Brockwayville, is a citizen of substantial worth and a representative member of the old Jefferson county family founded here by his grandfather, William Cooper, some ninety years ago. The earlier family history is given above, in the sketch of Hugh B. Cooper.

Mr. Cooper was born Nov. 5, 1856, in the Beechwoods, Washington township, and was reared in the same locality, attending the Roy district school until he reached the age of eighteen years. One of his first teachers was Miss Abbie McCurdy. In his boyhood and youth he assisted his father with the work on the home farm, and when the father retired and removed to Reynoldsville he left his sons W. W. and James A. in charge of the place, which they carried on in partnership for five

years. After his marriage James A. Cooper located on the Keys farm in Washington township, which he operated for seven years, at the end of that time purchasing the old John Fox homestead in Warsaw town- ship. It was a tract of forty acres, and as he prospered in its cultivation Mr. Cooper added to it, buying fifty acres adjoining. He improved the whole property, erected new buildings, set out orchards, and made many other changes which added to its value, also carrying on the work of cultivation systemati- cally and efficiently. On that place he con- tintied to work and reside until Dec. 1, 1913, when he removed to Brockwayville, living re- tired for a short period. But in May, 1914, he assumed his duties as postmaster, having been appointed under President Wilson, and has been filling the office faithfully since. He has been a lifelong Democrat, and has been working for the success of the party from youth. Like his father, Mr. Cooper has long been a member of the Presbyterian Church, and while connected with the church at Hazen held the office of deacon.

Mr. Cooper was married Dec. 30, 1880, to Olive Jane Keys, of Washington township, this county, daughter of William M. and Mary Jane ( Irvin) Keys, and they have two children: Alice, who is assisting her father in the post office as clerk ; and Minnie, wife of W. J. Longwell, of Snyder township, this county, and mother of one child, Mary Olive.

AUGUST BALDAUF, of Reynoldsville, as one of the dominating influences in indus- try and finance in this section affords a con- spicuous example of the traditional oppor- tunities which have attracted the ambitious to this country. He came here in 1884, hopeful of success and willing to work for it, and it has come to him in generous measure through the channel he wished it-his own well applied efforts. During his early experience in this region his operations brought him into contact with its most valuable natural resources, the coal deposits, and later he turned to coal oper- ating on his own account, in which he is still interested. Lumbering also claimed his atten- tion for a few years, and incidental to his main activities he has become associated with the People's National Bank of Reynoldsville and the Chamber of Commerce, both of which in- stitutions have been instrumental in injecting modern ideas into the conduct of local busi- ness.

Mr. Baldatıf is a native of Austria, born in December, 1857. In that country he received

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his education and served an apprenticeship to the trade of bricklayer, which he followed as a contractor until he came to the the United States. Landing at New York in July, 1884, he did not stop there, continuing his journey to western Pennsylvania, where he first lo- cated at DuBois, Clearfield county. He at once began contracting, in briek and stone work. In 1885 he removed to Punxsutawney, where he took a contract to build coke ovens for the Buffalo. Rochester & Pittsburgh Com- pany, and his methods of construction proved so satisfactory that he was engaged by that concern in this line for a period of seven years, during which time he erected all the ovens at Walston, Big Soldier, Eleanora, Adrian and Helvetia. Besides, he put up the tipple at Big Soldier mines, engine seats, drifts, and did all the other kinds of stone and brick work necessary about the mines, mean- time acquiring experience of inestimable value. Following this Mr. Baldauf spent three years in British Columbia, where he took a contraet with the Crownest Coal & Coke Company, for whom he built coke ovens and did other construction work in his line neces- sary to complete their equipment for profit- able development work. Returning thence to Jefferson county, Pa .. he became established at Reynoldsville, in which borough he has since resided. Here he became engaged in the coal business as an operator, also conducting coal properties at Summerville, this county, and in Clarion county for a number of years. In time he sold his Summerville and Clarion county interests, but in 1916 again entered the business at Summerville. now employing sev- eral men there, conducting what is known as the Runaway Run Coal & Coke Company. His holdings in the vicinity of Reynoldsville include several mines in Winslow township, the Trout Run, Nickel Plate, Strouse. Tip- perary and Big Elephant workings. For three years Mr. Baldauf carried on the lum- ber business in Winslow township, but he has dropped his association with that trade.

When the People's National Bank of Rey- noldsville was organized in 1905 Mr. Baldauf was active in its formation and became one of the original board of directors, shortly afterwards, taking the vice presideney, which he has held continuously since. He has shown commendable spirit in his association with the progressive citizens who have striven to infuse new life into the various activities of the bor- ough, and to draw new enterprises hither, in the establishment of the Chamber of Com- merce, of which he was a charter member.

Mr. Baldauf is broad-minded on all questions, ready with his support of good movements of any kind, and never withholding appreciation or encouragement from a cause which he eon- siders worthy. His substantial character is sufficient to give backbone to anything of which he approves.

Mr. Baldauf married Barbara Spurk, who was born in Germany, and they have a family of seven children: John, who is assistant cashier of the People's National Bank of Rey- noldsville: Vineent, a student at Bucknell University. Lewisburg, Pa. ; Agnes ; Leonard ; Mary; Lawrence, and Claire. Mr. Baldauf and his family are members of the Roman Catholic Church. Socially he affiliates with the B. P. O. Elks.

JUDGE JOHN THOMPSON, father of Mrs. Vasbinder, was born Feb. 3, 1823. near Jacksonville, Indiana Co .. Pa., where his grandfather, John Thompson, familiarly known as "Drover John," settled on a farm about 1790. coming from Franklin county, this State. His wife was Mary Cain, and they were the parents of seven children, three sons and four daughters. the sixth being William, father of the late Judge John Thompson.

William Thompson was a pioneer settler of Rose township, Jefferson county, coming hither from Jacksonville, Indiana county, in 1834. and becoming an influential and valued citizen of that section, where he developed a good farm. He continued his residence in that township until his death, which occurred at the age of eighty years, and the remains of himself and wife, whose maiden name was Susan Brady, were interred in the old ceme- tery at Baxter. Their children were Mrs. Jane Love, Mrs. Eliza Love, John. Ebenezer and Mrs. Susan Kelso.

Judge John Thompson was a lad at the time when the family home was established in Rose township. Jefferson county, where he was reared to manhood. He became one of the prominent representatives of the lumber in- dustry in this section of the Keystone State, and was actively and extensively concerned with this branch of enterprise during practi- cally his entire business career. In 1858 he was elected a member of the board of county commissioners, and in 1880 he was elected associate judge of the County court. his sery- ices on this bench having been characterized by wisdom and efficiency which secured him a lasting place in the popular esteem. He was filling the office at the time of his death, which occurred Dec. 4. 1884, when he was sixty-one

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years of age, on the family farm where he had made his home for fifty years. On Jan. II, 1849, Judge Thompson married Jane McGary, daughter of Clement McGary, and she sur- vived him by a term of years. They became the parents of the following children: John Irvin, William Harvey, Mary Ann, John Cal- vin, David Fulton, Ebenezer Perry, Charles C., Thomas I., Winfield S., Ambrose A .. James M. and Edison R. John Irvin, the first- born, died when nine months old, and of the other members of this large family five sons and one daughter are living at the time of this writing (1916). Judge Thompson and his wife were lifelong members of the United Presbyterian Church.

DAVID F. THOMPSON, of Brookville, has of late years done considerable work in the line of public construction, not only in his home town and county but elsewhere in this part of Pennsylvania, where he is building up an envi- able name as a contractor. Mr. Thompson's early experience in the lumber business was a valuable preparation for his present industry, his thorough knowledge of materials being an advantage not possessed in such degree by many builders. The steady increase in his business makes it reasonable to predict that he will have a hand in much of the development of the county as shown in the public improve- ments undertaken here.

Mr. Thompson was born at Brookville, Sept. 2, 1855. and belongs to a respected family of the vicinity, being a son of Judge John Thomp- son and grandson of William Thompson, one of the pioneer settlers of Rose township, where he developed a good farm and became an in- fluential and valued citizen.

David F. Thompson acquired his education in the public schools of Brookville. In early boyhood he assisted with the work on his father's farm, and he soon began to follow lumbering with his father. After the latter's death he continued in that line on his own ac- count for almost thirty years, until he decided to give most of his time to contracting, in 1910. He does teaming in connection, and has his headquarters at Brookville, though his opera- tions have taken him to various other localities. He did all the excavating for the County Home, built five miles of State road in Jeffer- son county, and has also done considerable street paving in Brookville, as well as at Clar- ion and New Bethlehem, in Clarion county. His reputation is widening year by year, and his work has gained in favor as its merits have come to be known through the test of time. He

is also interested to some extent in farming. Personally he enjoys a popularity well de- served, as his numerous friends in Jefferson and adjoining counties will testify.

Mr. Thompson married Florence Vasbinder, daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Darr) Vas- binder, and they have reared a family of four children : Eva married Bert Forcythe, and died in January, 1916, leaving three children. William Howard, Charles Clifton and George Dowe ( she is buried in the Brookville ceme- tery) ; Jay is engaged in lumbering at Silver Lake, Wash .: Ruel lived in Brookville until his death, at the age of nineteen years ; Joseph D. lives at home, assisting his father. The family are identified with the United Presby- terian Church.

CURTIS R. VASBINDER, now living in retirement at Brookville, has long been counted among the prosperous residents of that borough, where he owns some very desirable property and has other interests. During his active years he was principally occupied in lumbering, in which line he was widely known as a successful operator.

Mr. Vasbinder belongs to an old family of Jefferson county, being a member of the fourth generation here. His great-grandfather, Henry Vasbinder, a representative of a sterling old Colonial family of Pennsylvania, came to this region from the Tuscarora valley in 1801 or 1802, being the second person to make a per- manent settlement within the present limits of the county. He established his home in what is now Pinecreek township, where he bought a wooded tract of land and reclaimed a farm from the forest. He did well his part in ini- tiating the work of progress in the county, was influential in his community, and continued to reside on his old homestead until his death, which occurred in 1868. The children of this worthy pioneer were Andrew, Gabriel, Har- non, Doty, Jackson, Peggy, Caroline, Nancy and Juliana. The remains of Henry Vas- binder and his wife were interred in the little pioneer graveyard near the Jones schoolhouse in Pinecreek township.

Andrew Vasbinder, one of the sons of Henry Vasbinder, became a prosperous farmer and representative citizen of Rose township, this county, residing on his home farm there until his death, his mortal remains and those of his wife, whose family name was Clemens, being laid to rest in the old cemetery at Brook- ville. Among their children were Joseph, Oli- ver, Mrs. Isabella Green and Mrs. Nancy Woods.

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Jefferson County, Pennsylvania : her pioneers and people, 1800-1915, Volume II, Part 22

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