Jefferson County, Pennsylvania : her pioneers and people, 1800-1915, Volume II, Part 40

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 40

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of the peace, and has been retained in the office by repeated reelections, his present terni expiring in 1922. He has also served the borough as school director and member of the council, and for the past eight years has been the representative of the State board of health in the district. In 1896 he was elected county auditor, and again in 1912. Naturally, Mr. McLaughlin has become widely acquainted in the pursuit of his varied duties, which he has performed with such fidelity that his fellow citizens feel grateful for his devoted services. lle is a Republican in party connection. He is a member of the Odd Fellows, has served for eighteen years as secretary of Summer- ville lodge, and for three years was district deputy grand master.

On Nov. 1. 1881, Mr. Mclaughlin married Elizabeth Wesley, daughter of Thomas Wes- ley, of Brookville, who was of English descent. During the Civil war Mr. Wesley served the Union cause as a member of the IIth Penn- sylvania Reserves. He was one of the famous "six hundred" who made the charge at Balak- lava, in the Crimean war. He died in 1890. aged sixty-two years.

Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Mclaughlin : Lillian A., born Aug. 28, 1883. married Frank B. Simpson, and has three children, Edna R. ( born Sept. 20, 1906), Isaac W. (born May 21, 1911 ) and Harriet Fay (born Oct. 5. 1914); Bessie G., born March 30, 1800, married Joseph James Shor- key, and they have two children. Mary E. (born June 26, 1910) and Josephine L. (born Oct. 2, 1914). The family attend the Pres- byterian Church.

GEORGE W. HEBER is not only a repre- sentative business man and progressive and honored citizen of Brookville, the judicial center of Jefferson county, but has the distinc- tion also of being a native of that vigorous little borough and a scion of a sterling family whose name has been worthily identified with the history of the county for nearly threescore years and ten. Mr. Heber is one of the re- sourceful and energetic men of affairs who have given solidity to the business activities of Brookville, and his influence and coopera- tion have been assured in connection with the furtherance of measures and enterprises tend- ing to advance the eivic and material welfare of the community. He is secretary and gen- eral manager of the Solar Electric Company and also conduets a successful musie busi- ness. with a well equipped establishment of

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modern appointments and facilities, he himself being a man of fine musical talent.

George W. Heber was born at Brookville Feb. 22, 1872, and is a son of Jackson and Mary A. ( Young) Heber, the former of whom died Oct. 23, 1905. The latter still resides in the old homestead at Brookville. Jackson Heber also was born at Brookville, July 4. 1849, and it will be noted as a singular coinci- dence that while the date of his nativity was the anniversary of the signing of the Declara- tion of Independence, the birth of his son George W. occurred on the anniversary of that of Gen. George Washington, in whose honor he was named. Jackson was a son of Henry Heber, who was born near Frankfort- on-the-Main, Germany, and who continued his residence in the Fatherland until 1848, when he immigrated to America in a sailing vessel of the type common to that time. He remained a short time in the city of Baltimore, Md., and thereafter resided one year at Indiana, the judicial center of the Pennsylvania county of the same name. He then came to Brook- ville, and passed the remainder of his long and useful life in Jefferson county, where he became a successful farmer, besides being at times identified with other business enterprises. In his native land he had become a skilled chemist, but he did not utilize his knowledge in a business way after establishing his home in the United States. He settled at what is now East Brookville, and there he conducted a general store for many years, and in the course of time three excellent farms in Pine- creek township and one in Polk township were acquired, the development and improve- ment of these properties having received his supervision in a general way. He was one of the substantial and influential men of the county, commanded the high regard of all who knew him, and passed the closing period of his life in Brookville, where he died at the pa- triarchal age of ninety-five years. His wife, whose maiden name was Margaret Berg, was born and reared in Germany, where their mar- riage was solemnized, and she preceded him to the life cternal. The remains of both rest in the beautiful Brookville cemetery. Of their children, the firstborn of those who at- tained to years of maturity is Elizabeth, who is the wife of Oscar Charles, of Chicago, Ill. (their son. Oscar Charles Jr., is a captain in the United States army) ; Mary is the wife of Edward Bevier, of Pittsburgh, Pa .; Jack- son, father of George W. Heber, was the next in order of birth: Catherine resides in the old homestead at Brookville: George died in

Brookville Oct. 25, 1915; Caroline is the wife of John Lutz, of Clairton, Allegheny county ; Henry resides in New York City, and Frank is in San Francisco, Cal .; Isabella is the wife of John Conners, of New York City ; Edward. a resident of Cumberland, Ald., is a train dis- patcher.

Jackson Heber was reared and educated in Brookville and in his youth and early manhood was associated with his father in farming and teaming. Later, in 1874, he purchased the Thomas Carten bakery, which he brought up to and maintained as one of the representative business establishments of Brookville until the time of his death. The enterprise is now suc- cessfully continued by his widow and daugh- ters, who are fully upholding the prestige which was gained and effectively maintained by the honored husband and father. Jackson Heber was a man whose life was guided and governed by high principles of integrity and honor. and he held an enviable place in the confidence and esteem of all who knew him. As a citizen he was broad-minded and public- spirited, taking an active part in local affairs and giving stanch support to the cause of the Democratic party. His religious faith was that of the Episcopal Church, and he helped to organize the church in Brookville, of which his family are still devoted members. In 1883 Mr. Heber served as a member of the council of Brookville. He was a prominent Mason, passing the various official chairs in Hobah Lodge, No. 276. F. & A. M .: served as high priest of Jefferson Chapter, No. 225, R. A. M .; and was a member of Pittsburgh Commandery. No. I, K. T. Mrs. Heber was born and reared in Indiana. Pa. Of their children the first- born'was Harry C., a telegraph operator and who was in the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company for twenty-one years prior to his death. Alice M. and Anna B. remain with their mother and are associated with her in carrying on the business so long conducted by Mr. Heber. George W. was the next in order of birth. Etta C. is the wife of Dr. I. R. Mohney, a physician at Brookville. J. Willis, who holds a clerical position in the Brookville post office, remains with his mother. He graduated from the Brookville high school in the class of 1906, the same year took the Civil Service examination, which he passed with high grades, and accepted a position in the post office which he has retained ever since. He is well known in Masonic circles, being a past master of Hobah Lodge, No. 276, F. & A. M. ; has filled high offices in Jefferson R. A. C., No. 225; is a member of Bethany Com-

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mandery. No. 83. K. T., of DuBois; Jaffa Shrine, of Altoona, Pa., and Williamsport Consistory, thirty-second degree. Mr. J. Wil- lis leber is a natural musician, playing the violin and the clarionet, and is found taking part in all of the musical organizations of his town ; he also plays in the Imperial Teteques, Knights Templar band, when in Williamsport during the meetings.

Mrs. Mary A. Heber is a woman of decided home tastes, and has devoted her life gladly to her family. The Misses Alice M. and Anna B. Heber have been members of the Episcopal Church from childhood, and faithful workers in the various church enterprises as well as members of the choir.

From a memorial tribute paid to Jackson lleber by the Brookville Cemetery Associa- tion at the time of his death are taken the fol- lowing quotations : "He was appointed a mein- ber of the Brookville Cemetery Association Jan. 10, 1892, and the same year was elected to the office of secretary, in which he served until the time of his death. He was constant, faithful and watchful of all its interests, never permitting his own business to interfere with his duty to the association. Now all that is mortal of him rests in the burial grounds over which he watched with diligent interest. The officers and directors of the association had the utmost confidence in his integrity, which fact was attested to from the many years' continu- ance in office. The noble and characteristic example manifested by him in all his dealings with his fellow men should be an example to be emulated by his successors in office. We make this record in respect of our kindly re- membrance of his untiring zeal in the per- formance of duty."

Mr. Heber was long one of the leading spirits in the operation of the Brookville Water Com- pany, and we quote the memorial dated March 10. 1906, adopted by his associates in that eoneern :

"Deeming it fitting to do, and following the personal desires of its several members, the Board of Directors of the Brookville Water Co. adopts the following written memorial to the memory of

JACKSON HEBER

Late Secretary, Treasurer, General Manager and member of the Board of Directors of this Company, whose sudden and unexpected death occurred Monday, October 23rd, 1905. His long continned retention in office of secretary and treasurer of this Company, attests, better than words can express, his trustworthiness,

honesty and uprightness, and esteem in which he was held by the stockholders and directors.

"In the councils of this Company he was wise and prudent, aiding his fellows with sound, discerning and discriminating judg- ment. In the discharge of his executive duties he was courteous and patient, capable, active, energetic, thorough and reliable ; always to be depended on. His death, in the prime of life, is a severe loss to the company. In his re- lationship of a friend and neighbor he was genial, steadfast, manly, sympathetic and kind. A loving and tender husband and father, good citizen, stanch friend. and esteemed neighbor. As such we mourn him, and now extend our sympathy to his immediate family.

"Signed By "RICHARD ARTHURS "JOSEPHI HENDERSON "( HON.) CHARLES CORBET."

George W. Heber is indebted to the excel- lent public schools of Brookville for his early educational training, which included a course in the high school, and as a boy he gave definite evidence of musical talent, with the result that he was given excellent advantages for its de- velopment. He studied pianoforte interpreta- tion under Madam Hall, of Long View, be- sides advancing himself in pipe-organ work by taking an effective course of study under the direction of Walter E. Hall, of Pittsburgh. Since 1900 he has been engaged in the music business at Brookville, where he handles pianos, organs and general musical merchan- dise ; he is also a leader in the development of musical art and its appreciation in his native county. In 1913 Mr. Heber became secretary and general manager of the Solar Electric Company, of Brookville, as successor of Judge Charles Corbet, and in this dual office he has since continued to give most effective service. Ile was likewise secretary, treasurer and gen- eral manager of the Brookville Water Com- pany, succeeding his honored father, and in this connection had general supervision of the installing of the company's filtration plant. For ten years he has been secretary and general manager of the Brookville Cemetery Associa- tion.

Mr. Heber is treasurer of Trinity Protestant Episcopal Church and has been the organist for twenty years. It was largely through his carnest efforts that the present fine pipe organ was installed. By very inference it may thus be seen that Mr. Heber is a prominent figure in connection with public utilities, business activities, social and church affairs in the com-

THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY

ASTAD, LENAX

MBSykes

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munity. He is affiliated with Hobah Lodge, No. 276, F. & A. M., and Jefferson Chapter, No. 225, R. A. M., both of Brookville; at DuBois, he holds membership in Bethany Com- mandery, No. 83, K. T .; at Altoona with Jaffa Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. ; and in the Valley of Williamsport with the Consistory of A. A. S. R. M., in which he has received the thirty- second degree.

JACOB BILGER SYKES, late of Sykes- ville, left the imprint of his character as well as his name on that now thriving borough. His entire life was spent in the vicinity. While yet a comparatively young man he displayed a capacity for leadership which brought him responsibilities of various kinds, and in han- dling them he proved so worthy of confidence that with the passing of time he covered a breadth of usefulness in his community not often expected of one man. It is simple justice to Mr. Sykes to say that he never disappointed those who trusted him or failed those who re- lied upon him. He was so much a recognized head of all important affairs in the borough that his death was deplored as the loss of "Sykesville's first citizen." When to the rec- ord of his public services is added that of his personal superiority, it is easy to understand why, though he had unusual worldly success to show for his years of activity in business and financial circles, he "never for a moment lost the high regard and esteem of his asso- ciates and coworkers in the different walks of life." His career was well rounded with the best interests a man can acquire in life.

Mr. Sykes was of English and German ex- traction. His paternal grandparents, George Sykes and wife, spent their entire lives in Eng- land, the grandfather engaging in the manu- facture of woolen goods. Henry Sykes, father of Jacob B. Sykes, was born in Huddersfield, England, in 1818, and there some of his early years were passed learning the trade of weaver. He also took a very active part in establishing the first cooperative store at Huddersfield, be- coming president of the enterprise, and the connection would indicate that he had an active mind and ambitious nature. Coming to the United States in 1836, he first located in Phil- adelphia, Pa., and for two years was employed as a traveling salesman, after that turning to the manufacture of woolen goods, which he carried on in Union county, Pa. While the Blair county tunnel was in course of construc- tion he contracted to board the men employed in the work. In 1850 he located in Clearfield county. this State, where he farmed for three 13

years, followed that calling in Huntingdon county for two years, and then returned to Clearfield county and resumed agriculturai pur- suits there, residing in that county until 1861, the year of his removal to Jefferson county. Settling in Henderson township, a mile and a half distant from what is now the site of Sykes- ville, he made his home there for over a quar- ter of a century, in 1888 going West and mak- ing a new location at Salem, Oregon. His new purchase consisted of two farms now within the city limits, and there he spent his remain- ing years, dying in April, 1893. at the age of seventy-five. Mr. Sykes was a prosperous farmer, thriving by reason of his industry and perseverance, and his upright character and high ideals of citizenship made him thoroughly esteemed in whatever community his lot was cast. He was first a Democrat in his political principles, but eventually joined the Repub- lican party.

Mr. Sykes married Rebecca Bilger, a native of Union county, Pa., born in 1829, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Bilger, who were born in that county and died in Clearfield county. Mrs. Sykes retained ownership of the two farms her husband had acquired at Salem, con- tinuing to live there. Mr. and Mrs. Sykes were members of the United Brethren Church. They were the parents of the following children : George W. became a woolen manufacturer at Reynoldsville, Pa., the pioneer there in that business, being head of the Sykes Woolen Mills Company; Mary, deceased, was the wife of Frederick Buchheit. a farmer of Indiana county, Pa .; Emaline became the wife of the late Eli Best, who was a farmer at Salem, Ore- gon ; Jacob Bilger was next in the family; Ellen, unmarried, lives at Sykesville, where she is engaged in teaching, a profession she has followed since seventeen years old; Ben- jamin J., late of Troutville, Pa., was at one time in partnership with his brother Jacob; John and James both farm at Salem, Oregon.

Jacob Bilger Sykes was born June 9, 1852, at Curwensville, Clearfield Co., Pa., and re- mained at home until grown. After the family settled on the John Zimmerman farm, south of Sykesville, the father carried on farming and lumbering as well as the woolen factory, operating the first woolen mill at Sykesville. All the children learned the trade, but Jacob B. Sykes never followed the business to any extent. However, in assisting his father at the other occupations he acquired a practical familiarity with them which was to prove very valuable to him in the important operations of his later years, training his judgment as well

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as his muscles. About the time he reached his majority he went to Minnesota, where he was employed at lumbering for a year. His active interests were always principally in lum- ber and coal, in which he made heavy invest- ments as he prospered, he and his brother Ben- jamin J. Sykes in 1893 entering into a partner- ship in the lumber business under the firm name of Sykes Brothers, and attaining a place among the largest operators in this region. Jacob Sykes erected a sawmill on Stump creek which he ran for eight years, and Sykes Broth- ers owned and operated a big sawmill and planing mill at Newtonburg, Clearfield county, owning also 1,486 acres of timber land in that section. Having come into possession of 280 acres in Jefferson county, including what is now the borough of Sykesville, Mr. Sykes laid out a village on this tract, on which there was then but one house, the residence occupied by Henry Philippi, whose nearest neighbor was Henry Shaffer. His land was an unbroken wilderness, covered with a heavy growth of timber, principally pine. and he had originally contracted to take the timber off, subsequently purchasing the piece at twelve dollars an acre, from Charles Brown. George E. Williams and J. B. Walker. It was a very good investment. He began the erection of a mill and a few houses, and gave employment to all the resi- dents of the settlement, being the leading spirit in its material upbuilding as well as in the direction of its affairs of government. etc. He was the first postmaster and one of the first merchants, in 1878 opening a general store for the accommodation of the inhabitants of the vicinity, and conducting it until 1893. Five years after he began milling at Sykesville his mill was burned, but he rebuilt it at once, on the old foundation, near where the residence of Frank A. Moore now stands. Having erected a large building for the accommoda- tion of the public, Mr. Sykes leased it for a time. until 1800, when he took charge himself, conducting what became popularly known as the "Sykes Hotel" until his death. in May, 1916.

Mr. Sykes cleared the 280-acre tract upon which Sykesville grew around the nucleus of his mill and the homes of those first employed there, and also sold the coal underlying the land, receiving fifty dollars an acre for it. Practically every enterprise important to its growth relied upon him for approval and sup- port, and the thriving little borough incor- porated in 1907, and with a present population of about twenty-five hundred. is really a mon- ument to his energies and properly bears his

name. He became interested in the brick plant ; helped to organize the First National Bank and became its first president, holding the posi- tion until he retired from it a few months be- fore his death ; was a stockholder and director in the United Traction Company, and in the trolley line between Sykesville and DuBois. His interest and activity never abated, for though he was ill for three years before his death he was able to look after his affairs until a few weeks before the end, and even poor health did not serve to distract him from his customary obligations. He was one of the largest prop- erty holders in the county, and had valuable holdings in the borough. Yet with all his varied interests he was master of their numerous de- tails and neglected none, his executive ability being one of his most remarkable character- istics.

Though his time was almost engrossed by large interests, Mr. Sykes never felt that local matters were too petty to receive their full share of his attention, and he served personally in many of the town and township offices. He was a member of the Winslow township school board and later of the Sykesville borough school board and treasurer of the latter body; became a member of the first town council when the borough was incorporated ; and un- officially had as much influence in the direc- tion of the borough government as any other citizen in the place. He was a charter mem- ber of the local bodies of the Knights of Pythias and P. O. S. of A., retaining his asso- ciation with both throughout life. He also joined the Royal Arcanum at Punxsutawney. Politically he was a Republican, and he was twice nominated for sheriff of Jefferson county.

Mr. Sykes died May 7. 1916, at his home on Main street, Sykesville, mourned by a host of friends and acquaintances whose lives had come in touch with his through the many chan- nels of usefulness he had found open. Kindly toward all, charitable to those in need of his help. just in his relations with employes and others associated with him, he is remembered universally as one whom it was a privilege and a pleasure to know, and there were many man- ifestations of such feelings among the great numbers who attended his funeral or came to sympathize with his family. The pall bearers and flower bearers were chosen from his fel- low members in the K. P. lodge, which was fully represented, as well as the Pythian Sis- ters and the P. O. S. of A. The services were conducted by a former pastor of the Baptist Church at Sykesville, assisted by another for- mer pastor and two of the local clergymen, all

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anxious to pay their tribute to one worthy of their eulogies and to express the sentiments of the many whose presence signified what grief the loss of this good man occasioned.

In 1875 Mr. Sykes married, in Winslow township, Florenna Philippi, who was born in that township, daughter of Solomon Philippi. and survives him. They became the parents of five children: Agnes, who is the wife of William R. Cole, of Punxsutawney, and has five children, Alva [ ... Annabell, William Rich- ard, Kenneth R. and John Sykes; Asa W., of Sykesville; Thomas O., of Upper Sandusky, Ohio : Effie Alma, Mrs. C. Everett Humphrey. who has children, Dorsey Oreen, Jacob Rich- ard, Charles Everett, Frank Clair and Ruth . Agnes : and Ruth, who was married Aug. 15, 1916, to Edwin Arthur Wells, and resides at Sykesville.

AsA W. SYKES, eldest son of the late J. B. Sykes, is now manager of his father's estate and maintains numerous other connections which place him among the foremost business men of the county. The family traits have per- sisted in his character to a marked degree, being especially apparent in his grasp on the essentials of large projects and his ability to control a variety of interests at the same time without detriment to any. Born Dec. 1. 1877, at the old woolen mill property in Henderson township. this county, close to Sykesville, he has grown up in his native environment. His education was acquired in the local schools and at Waynesburg (Pa.) College, where he took the commercial course and graduated, and his practical business training was obtained in as- sociation with his father, whom he joined as soon as his school days were over. Having become sufficiently familiar with the latter's af- fairs to be intrusted with some responsibility in their management, he was sent to Newton- burg to look after the interest of J. B. Sykes in the large mill of Sykes Brothers at that point, remaining until 1898. With the exception of the Cascade Coal Company, Mr. Sykes has taken an active part in the organ- ization of all the corporations operating at Sykesville, and was an organizer and member of the original board of directors of the First National Bank of the borough, of which his father was the first president. He is president of the Sykesville Gas Company. Incorporated, carrying all these responsibilities in addition to the management of the J. B. Sykes estate. which does a large business dealing in lumber and all kinds of building supplies. There are few men in this region of paramount influence or leadership, particularly in the domain of in-

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Jefferson County, Pennsylvania : her pioneers and people, 1800-1915, Volume II, Part 40

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